Star. — London, England, 1811-01-16 00:00:00

11.1.1111110•"-- • IIIIMW•m --- AMERICAN PAPERS. , , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DECEMBER L No business was done ifs-the House to-day until welve o'clock, At which time the President's message was received. The reading of the message and ac :ompanying documents was continued about two tours and a half, when Mr.Trtoup moved to dispense Nith the further reading of them on account of their rreat length. Mr. Prrxtx objected to this. Some of the docu ments might not be very interesting, but others might 5e of the highest importance, and he wished to hear hem read. He referred particularly to the corres pondence of General Armstrong and the documents relative to the taking possession of Florida, which last circumstance, he said, was perfectly new to him until this day. The documents were certainly volu minous, but for that reason they would require the more time to be printed, and it was important that the House should know their contents as soon as pos- alum. The SPEAKER put the question on Troup's motion, and it was lost. The reading of the documents was then resumed, and continued for about an hour more, but the House adjourned before they were gone through. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas the territory south of the Mississippi Ter ritory, and eastward of the Mississippi, and extending to the river Perdido, of which possession was not de 'vered to the United States, in pursuance of the treaty concluded at Paris on the 30th of April 1803, has at all times, as is well known, been considered and claimed by them, as being within the colony of Louisiana conveyed by the said treaty in the same ex tent that it had in the hands of Spain, and that it had when France originally possessed it : And whereas the acquiescence of the United States in the temporary continuance of the said territory i under the Spanish authority was not the result of any distrust of their tide, as has been particularly evinced by the general tenor of their laws and by the distinc tion made in the application of those laws between that territory and foreign countries ; but was occa sioned by their conciliatory views, and by a con& dente in the justice of their cause, and the success of candid succession and amicable negotiation with a just and friendly Power : . And whereas a satisfactory adjustment, too long delayed, 'without the fault of the United States, has for some time been entirely suspended by events over which they'had no centroul ; 'and whereas a crisis has it length arrived subversive of the order of things under the Spanish Authorities, whereby a failure of the United States to take the said territory into its possession may lead to events ultimately contraven mg the views of both parties, whilst in the mean time the tranquillity and security of our adjoining territo ries are endangered, and new facilities given to viola tions of our revenue and commercial laws, and of those prohibiting the introduction of slaves: Considering, moreover, that under these peculiar, and imperative circumstances a forbearance on the part of the United States to occupy the territory in question, and thereby guard against the confusions and contingencies which threaten it, might be con- strued into a dereliction of their title, or an insensibi lity,to the importance of the stake ; considering that in the hands of the United States it will not cease to be a subject of fair and friendly negotiation and jtutrrlcntn t Considering, finally, that the Acts of Congress, though contemplating a present possession by a fo reign authority, have contemplated also an eventual possession of the said territory by the United States, and are accordingly so framed as in that case to ex tend in their operation to the same Now be it known, that I, J. Madison, President of the United States of America, in pursuance of these weighty and urgent considerations, have deemed it right and requisite that possession should be taken of the said territory, in the name and behalf of the Uni ted States W. C. C. Claiborne, Governor of the Orleans ter ritory, of which the said territory is to be taken as part, will accordingly proceed to execute the same , and to exercise over the said territory the authorities and functions legally appertaining to his office. And the good people inhabiting the same, are invited and enjoined to pay due respect to him in that character ; to be obedient to the laws, to maintain order, to cherish harmony, and in every manner to conduct themselves , as peaceable citizens, under full assurance that they will be protected in the enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, and signed the same with my hand. S.)—Done at the City of. Washington. the 27th day of October, A.D. 1810, mid in the 35th year of the inde• pendence of the United States. (Signed) JAbfts MADISON. By the President, R. SMITH, Secretary of State. [The Proclamation for taking possession of the Territory of Orleans was accompanied by a Letter from Mr. Secretary Smith, stating, that force should not be employed against the Spaniards who might be in possession of any particular place, but that re ference should be- made to the Government of the United States.] NEW YORK, DECEMBER 11. The following letter, dated November 15, 1110, from our Secretary of State, to our Minister in Lon don, was among the documents read in Congress os Wednesday last, communicated for The Commercial Advertiser. MR. SMITH TO MR. PINICNEY. " Sir—From a view of the conduct of the British Government, in relation to a Plenipotentiary Succes eor to Mr. Jackson, as presented in your several corn. munications, including even those brought by the Hornet, nt which date, and on which inviting occa lioq the subject does not appear to have been within tle attention of Government, the President thinks it improper, that the United States should continue to be represented at London by a Minister Plenipoten tiary. In case, therefore, the appointment of a succes sor to Mr. Jackson, of that grade, shauld have taken place at the receipt of this letter, you will consider your functions as suspended, and you will accordin&ly . ritke your leave of absence, c harging a ht .person with the atfairs of the Legation. ft Considering the season at which this Wu-nail* ~~~ 7 ~.. _ y ... . ~ : ~ . . •. ~_ ~. > .. • t ' , . • FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE. DOWNING-STREET, JAN. 14,1811. A Dispatch, of which the following id a copy, was yesterday re. ceived at the Office of the 13aF1 of Liverpool, addressed to his Lordship by Lieutenant-General Viscount Wellington, dated Cartuo, Dee. if, 1111111: Mx Lion--The enemy still continue in their posi tion at Santarem, in which no alteration of copse , quence has been made siace I addressed your Lord tip on the 15th instant. I They continue to collect boats on the Zezere, Over which river they have now two or three bridges. IThe enemy - have they'll themselves on the Lower Coa, according to the last accounts from General Sil -1 vein, but not, in his opinion, in'such force as to pass that river. The reports which I had received of the march of the troops of the 9th corps towards Madrid have not been confirmed. The last accounts which I received from Cadiz are of the £l,th instant.—l have, &cc. (Signed) WeLLDIGTOIif. The following Extract of a Dispatch from Lord Viscount lington, dated Caruso, December 29, 1810, bat been received at the Once of the Earl of Liverpool. Since. I addressed you on the 22d instant, f have received reports that the enemy's troops - which had retired from the Lower Beira, in thr erd °Mar and beginning of this month, had crossed the Coe at Al meida, on the 15th and Ipth instant, and had moved into Upper Beira, by the roads of Pitthel and Train°. so, and of Alverea and Celerico. I have not been able to ascertain exactly the strength of the body of troops which have entered by this iron tier, but it is stated to be 16,000 or 17,000 men, and consists, I should imagine, not only of Gardanne's vision, but of some, it not the whole of the troops of the 9th corps. By the last accounts I have of these troops, the ad vanced guard had arrived at Maceira, in the valley of Mondego, on the 22d, and their progress has not been rapid. But it they have continued their march, they ought by this time to be in communication with the enemy's post in the neighbourhood of Thomar. • General Silveira had retired with his division of troops to Moimento de Beira ; but be and General Miller and Colonel Wilson were prepared to act across the Mondego upon the flanks and rear of the enemy's troops, the whole of which it appears, were marching on the left of that river. No 'alteration has been made in the position of the enemy's troops in front of this army, excepting that a detachment of between 2 or 3000 cavalry and in fantry had moved into Lower Beira, across the Ze zere towards Castello Branco, probably with a view to gain intelligence. By accounts from Estremadura, it appears that Generals Mendizabal and Ballasteros have had some success in their operations against a French division belonging to Mortier's•corps, which had been statio ned in LTerena, They have obliged this division to retire from Guadalcanal with some loss. (For the remainder of the C*zette see the last Page. P.IALIAMEN7'ARr PROCEEDINGS. i • % . ad to Benda espy etthe said Reedlution;for the Infortnation at his Grace. . Readied, That In consideration of the Ovations suffered by his Majesty's Officers appointed to the regiments on the Island establishment, by the unfortunate differences which °marred last %WWI with his Majesty's Minister, this House Will provide for the arrearages of the usual Wand allowances of lodging-money, and subsistence to such offirers, their wives, widOws, end children, I trout the Slat December, 1809, to the lit December, 1810. - - 'may have its,effect, and the possibility of a *Ulm tory change in the system of ourrelations with Gre Britain, the time of your return to the United State. is left to your discretion and convenience. (Signed) " .7. SMITH. ' 1 • Wm. Pinkney, Esq." By the Representative: of the Profile of Wert Florida, in Conventiin afield/et A DECLARATION. " It is known to the world with how much fidelity the good people of this territory have professed and maintained allegiance to to their legitimate Sovereign while any hope remained of receiving from him pro tection for their property and lives. ~ Without making any unnecessary innovation in ] the established principles of the Government, we had I voluntarily adopted certain regulations in concert with , our First Magistrate, for the express purpose of pre serving this territory, and shewing our attachment to the Government which bad heretofore protected us. —This compact, which was entered into with good faith on our part, will for ever remain an honourable , testimony of our right intentions and inviolable fide-, 1 lity to our King and Parent Country, while so much as a shadow of legitimate authority'remained to be exercised over us. We sought only a speedy remedy for such evils as seemed to endanger our existence and . prosperity; and were encouraged by our Governor ; with solemn promises of assistance and co operation.., But those measures which were intended for our pre- servation, he has endeavoured to pervert into an en gine of destruction, by encouraging, in the most-per fidious manner, the violation of ordinances, sanc tioned and, established by himself as the law of the land. , . " Being thus left without any hope of protection from the mother country— betrayed by a magistrate whose duty it was to have provided for the safety and tranquillity of the people and government committed to his charge, and exposed to all the evils of a state of, anarchy, which we have so long endeavoured to t avert ; it becomes our duty to provide for our secu rity as a tree and independent State, absolving from all allegiance to a Government which no longer pro tects us. " We, therefore, the Representatives aforesaid, ap pealing to the SUPREME RULER of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly publish and declare the several districts composing the territory of a - Florida to be a free and independent State; and that they have a right to institute for themselves such form of government as they may think condu-, cive to their safety and happiness—to form treaties— to establish commerce—to provide for their common defence—and to do all acts which may of right be done by a Sovereign and independent nation ; at the same time declaring all acts within the said territory of West Florida, after this date, by any tribune or authorities not deriving their powers from the people, agreeably to the provisions established by this Con vention, to be null and void, and calling upon all fo reign nations to respect this our declaration, acknow ledging our independence, and giving us such aid as may be consistent with the laws and usages of nations. 1 " This declaration, made in Convention at the town of Baton Rouge, on the 26th day of Septem ' ber, in the year of our Lord 1810, We, the Repre sentatives, in the name aforesaid, and on behalf of our constituents, do hereby solemnly pledge ourselves to support with our lives and fortunes. " By order of the Convention, (Signed) " JOHN RHEA, President. (signed) " AND. STEELE, Secretary." [The above act of independence was communi cated to the Governor of the Mississippi Territory, requesting it might he transmitted to the President of the United States, with the expression of a hope that the Government would take the present Government and people of Florida under their immediate and special protection. The answer of Mr. Secretary Smith to the Governor of Mississippi, states the right. of the United States to the territory of West Florida, as far as the river Perdido, it having been fairly ac• quired by purchase, and formally ratified by treaty ; land also that the President cannot recognize in the convention of West Florida any independent autho rity whatever, to propose or to form a compact with the United States.] *- • NOVEMBER 30. There has lately been the most extraordinary mor tality ever known in this island. Fourteen or fifteen persons have dropped off daily. The chief cause of this mortality is generally supposed to have been the extreme heat of the season, which has been the hottest ever known throughout the West ladies. The destructive effect has been almost entirely con fined to the natives, and Bridge-town. The garrison is remarkably healthy, and there is every reasonable hope that they will so continue, from the care of the Government, and the regularity of the men. This day being the festival of St. Andrew, the Scotch give a grand dinner on the occasion. • • solll7f AMERICA. WEST INDIES. VERA CRUZ, NOVEMBER 20. I am sorry to inform you, that this part of the Western Hemisphere is again plunged into a civil war. A most alarming revolution has broken out in the neighbouring provinces of Mexico, owing to two Captains of cavalry and a Priest of Dolores having pat themselves at the head of a numerous body of in surgents. Our new Viceroy, Venegas, has taken the field at the head of 14,000 troops, and is taking every proper measure to prevent this great evil flora spread ing. Should he fail in his attempt, GOD knows the result, as all will be lost, and this fine country entirely undone. Great alarm prevails lest the regulars should join the insurgents, owing to their being natives. In consequence of this dread, many of the first mercan tile houses have sent orders to send off their property here to.Eaigland. RIO JANEIRO, NOVEMBER IL We have received the pleasing intelligence of the blockade of the River Plate having been raised by Lieutenant Ramsay, of his Majesty's schooner Misle toe, who has so far arranged with the naval Spanish . Commander, that British shipping will suffer no mo lestation whatever, or impediment in navigating the river ; but that the question in dispute should be re. ferred to Admiral De Courcy. An English merchant has been appointed to accompany a . Spanish officer as interpreter, to Admiral De Courcy, whom they are going down to meet at Maldonado. A fresh Gover nor has arrived at Monte Video ; he has been appoint. ed by the Regency, and is represented as a deter mined character ; but we do not learn that he has yet proceeded to any decisive measures. At Buenos Ayres tranquillity, and confidence seem to be restored, and several of the expeditions sent into the interior by the Junta have accomplished the objects they had in view. The new order of government seems to have obtained the concurrence of those in the interior, who are daily sending down recruits, and it is reported, and gene. rally credited, the money which has been so long col lecting at Potosi is on its way down to BuenosAyres. Its arrival will give fresh vigour to the Constitution, and must leave a beneficial influence on commerce. ANOTHER LETTER.-SAME DATE. It is generally understood here that Lord Strang ford has received dispatches from Monte Video, from the new Government, of so late a date as the Ist inst. the contents of which are of great importance. The new Governor has expressed, in very strong terms, his disapprobation of the conduct of the late General Liniers and Don Cisneros, for having relaxed in the administration of the colonial laws, so far as to admit strangers on arty terms ; and observes that they have both justly merited the punishment they have met with, the one in the loss of his life, and the other of his situation. That finding a strong inclination on the part of the colonists to throw off the legitimate authority of the Parent State, which had been une- , quivocally established by a variety of public acts, and self-created Administrations, by the dismissal of their I Governors, &c. in the absence of higher authorities, it devolved on him as a duty to maintain the integrity of the country, and claims as a right the concurrence and even the co-operation of England. That from duty he should be obliged, and was determined to enforce the ancient laws of the colony, which prohibit all foreigners from entering the States, except in cases of the utmost urgency. The above communication, it is said, has been made to Lord Strangford, accom panied by a letter from the new Governor, in which his Lordship is treated not in the most respectful manner. KINGSTON, (JAMAICA) NOVEMBER 21. A most curious occurrence has taken place in Port Royal Mountains: the dwelling-house. &c. and from 25 to 30 acres of full bearing coffee, on the plantation of Mr. Robert G. Dalhouse, sunk down and disap peared on Tuesday se'nnight, and nothing but the ridge of the house is now discernible. Some days previous to ;his accident, the earth was observed to crack and sink in a trifling degree, and the house to be affected by it, when Mr. Dalhouse was advised to remove with his furniture, which he fortunately did. The cause is not well ascertained; but it is supposed to have been occasioned by a hollow or subterranean passage in the earth, which swallowed up the build-. ings, &c. as there was not the smallest symptom of an i earthquake at the time. NOVEMBER Saturday last his Grace the Governor sent over a message to the House of As sembly, requesting them to provide for the expence i of subsisting the troops, from the term of the disso lution of the House to the 3lst of December next, amounting to £135,000 6s. Bd. This message was taken into consideration on Tuesday, when the House came to the following Resolutions: Resolved, That k is the peculiar privilege of the House of As sembly to vote and grant supplies to be raised on the inhabi tants of this island, to the use of his Majesty, before his Majes ty's Ministers can expend and ►ay out such monies, or contract sr agree for any service, to be paid or defrayed out of such grants. Resolved, That his Majesty's Ministers have no right to an 4 cipate the grants Of the House of Assemblit , and that when suck unconstitutional anticipations have taken place, it bath been the uniform practice of the House to refuse making provislop for their repayment. Resolved, That no part of the monies containzd in the account sent down to the House, iu bit Grace the Govirnor's Message of the 17th instant, was provided for, or embodied to be expended by the representatives of the people, and that this House saunot agree to discharge the same without a gross dereliction of duty` and betraying the trust rein them by their raislitueets Resolved, Thu It be recommended to the Hoese to send a Message to his Grace the Governor, in answer to his Message of the 17th, to assure his Grace that the House have given themost mature consideration to the !pry important subject which Lewes pleased to lay before them, pd have to, regret, that they cannot comply wick the application fq repaying the-males fancied. by the persons accuatomea to e t j.t at Island Agents, for the masses alleired 10, the iteseistlons this dsy, copse to la the Committee, COREMNA PAPERS. MUSE OF LORDS, JANUARY 15. Soon after prayers were read, a message was re• ceived from the Commons, presented by Lord Ctays‘ and other Members, requesting a conference with their Lordships, tout:lib:lg the subject matter of the last conference. This being agreed to by the HOuse the LORDCHAN CZLLOR acquainted the Messengers of the same, and that the desired conference should he held forthwith in the Painted Chamber. . ' After a few minutes had ela pled, their Lordships were informed by the Acting Usher of the Blackftod, that the Commons were waiting for the conference in ,the Painted Chamber, upon which a deputation was *pointed to manage the conference on the part of their Lordships, consisting of the following Peers, viz. The Lord President, the Lord Privy Seal, Earl of Mount Edgecuntbe, Viscount Cathcart, the Bishop of Killalla, and Lords Napier and Kenyon, On the return of their Lordships, the Loan PRIMP DENT reported that the desired conference had been held with the Commons; when the concurrence - of that House (with certain amendments) to theleso lations communicated to the Commons, on the part of their Lordships, at the last, conference, was duly signified on the part of that House. . ' , . 'The said Amendments, which appeared to be erely verbal, were then taken into consideration, and tes pit the motion of the Earl of Livelier:Ku, agreed to by the House.. OPENING THE SESSION Or PARLIAMENT. The LO RD CHANCELLOR briefly stated, that • atfor certain causes, his Majesty could not be present. for the purpose of opening the Session of Parliament, a Commission under the Great Seal had been issued CORUNNA, JANUARY 1. for that purpose. He therefore had, in the first in . Accounts were yesterday received from Asturias, stance, to move, that the House do adjourn during ! !Communicating intelligence which chews in the clearest pleasure, to afford their Lordships an opportunity to '.manner that else patriotic cause has not declined there. :ro be . Accordin g l y the proceeding . nank place. ! - Colonel Rolli writes to the Junta of this Kingdom, ! On the resuming of the House, the Archbishop of under the date of this day week; that on the 16th ult. C"TanulY, the LORD CHANCELLOR, the Loan in the mountains between Oviedo and the river Runo , Pitman (Earl CAMDEN), the Loan PRIVY SEAL. he fell in with a body of 450 French, convoying pro- , iloass.(Du ke of MoNr a ose), cook their seats on the Earl of W EST MORELAND), and the MASTER of the visions and a considerable booty. After an action i - . of nearly an hour, our brave countrymen drove this I enemy from the field, with about 150 killed ; see lost . Woolsack, as COmmissi oners for declaring t he causes i of the opening of the Session of Parliament, under about, 40 men. Thirteen waggons loaded with p ro . t Th e e' authority of the above-mentioned Commission. visions, and a large quantity of plate fell into our . t LoidshiPs, as well as most of the Peers present, hands. s• ....- were in their robes of State. I It appears that the garrison of Ovieda has been Mr. QUARNIE, Acting Usher of the Black Rod, strengthened by 2000 men, under General Laire, i was then dispatched to desire theattendance of the who were, however, unable to quit that wall from thei Commons, in' order to hear the Commission read for number of brave patriots by which the place is stir , l the opening of Parliament accordingly. Shortly rounded. after. a very considerable number of Members ap- SAN FALICES DE GALICIA, DECEMBER 14. peared at the Bar, with the SPEAKER at their head ; On the 6th instant a train of artillery, consisting 8f when the LORD CHANCELLOR, as organ of the Com missioners, pieces of heavy ordnance, passed through Coria, miss , i , on lv ers t addressed the Assembly as follows ; .on its way to Celerico, from whence it will proceed to 411 1 :4 1 : ItiTIZI4 , B Majesty, for certain reasons and causes, " FOrl i s v m v coba L oan [ s s join the French army. They were attended by a body cannot be present here this day ia his Royal person, in order to of 2500 men. open and hold this Parliament, a Cotantission has been issued MADRID, NOVEMBER 27. un casual f epedi der u t i heG o roatSeal n f or that purpose, authorising certain Lo i n s therein named to act as Commissioners, to declare and sig n i i i Not a night passes without disturbances in this city.the and holding this Parliament in his Ma- The consequence is, that anew police has been esta- jesty's =in* and heisait, wlucls Centuguslou you win now 12`" Wished, in addition to the Civic Guard, which were read." • appointed to preserve the peace. On the 15th No. The ,Commission; as adverted to by the Lorin vember 93 persons were massacred by the French. ill CHANCELLOR, was then read. 'lt was of considerable. a rot occasioned by their excesses. i length, and referred to the various Commissions i 5. The proposed . journey of Joseph to Bayonne i; sued by command of his Majesty for proroguing the much the subject of coneersatien, Parliament from the 2.4c1 day of June until the Ist of L T" r