The Rhode-Island American, and general advertiser — Providence [R.I.], 1810-01-30 00:00:00, page 2

IN SENATE,
WIBMIIDAT, JANUARY 17.
Tux bill for incorporating a company fo»
making certain roads in the District of Co
lumbia, was on (notion of Mr. Smith of
Maryland, re-coinmitted to a select com
tnittee consisting of the ’following gentle
men Messrs. Smith of Maryland, Brent,
Goodrich, Bradley and. Gaillard.
The bill authorising the fitting out, offi
cering and manning the frigates of the
United States, was read in committee of
the whole and ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading.
‘ „ VOLUNTEER CORPS.
The bill to engage a corps of volunteers
for a short period in the sehrice of the Uni
ted States was on motion of Mr. Bradley,
, postponed till. Monday next.
' [Ry this bill the President of the United
States is authorized to engage in the |er
... rice of the UnkedStatis for the term'qf
dB year, the following military force to bet
engaged as volunteer companies:
v»" From Vermont 20 companies, New-
Hainpshire 20, Rbode-laland 10, Connec
ticut 20, New-York 40, New-Jersey 20.
Pennsylvania 40, Delaware 10, Maryland
SO, Virginia 50. North-Carolina 30, South
Carolina 30, Georgia 20, Mas.mchusetis
40, Tennessee 20, Kentucky 40, and from
Ohio 10 companies; each to consist of 1
captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign. 4 sergeants,
* corporals, 2 musicians, and not less than
40, nor more than 60 privates One in
spector to be appointed for each state from
the officers of the army now in service,
whose duty it shall be to repair to the state
for which hr is appointed, and receive the
written engagement of the companies, &c
The corps of volunteers to be liable, dur
ing the period for which they are engaged,
to be ordered into actual service by the
President of the United States, and while*
in service to be entitled to the same pay,
forage, w rations and emolument of every
kind, (bounty and clothing excepted,) with
* the regular troops of the United States.—
When these volunteer corps shall be en
gaged, mustered and accepted by the Pre
fluent, they shall be entitled to the follow
ing bounties; To each commissionedoffi
cer bne month’s pay ; to each non-commis
sioned officer, musician and private of such
companies who are dressed in complete
uniform, and armed and equipped fit fot
service in the field, twenty-five dollars; t<
each privatee&c. in complete uniform, ana
not armed, fifteen dollars, and one musket
and bayonet, and one caruidge-box. The
Corps to be formed Into regiments, consist
ing of ten companies each, from the aanu
state, one colonel or lieutenant-colonel and
two majors to each regiment, to be selectee
by the President of he United States. If a
sufficient number to fill the quota from each
state shall not engage by the da}
of the President is to accept so many
aupernumaty companies from the stair
Bearent to it, as may be necessary to sup
ply the deficiency ; but when more compa-
Bies shall engage than the quota required,
those who»e written engagements were
first received, shall be accepted in prefer
ence. The office of inspector of volunteets
to be discontinued from and after the
day of and the officers appointed
shall return home ; or sooner if the Presi
dent shall think proper. A sum of
dollars is proposed to be appiopriated to
Carry the plan into effect.)
Trursday, January 18.
Mr. Reed submitted the following reso
lutioti for an amendment of the constitution,
Which was read for consideration :
** Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, twokhirds
of both Houses concurring, That the fol
lowing section be submitted to the Legis
lature of the several States, which when
ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths
of the States, shall be valid and binding as
• part of the constitution of the United
States.
A communication from the Secretary of
War, respecting Clerks, was read and or*
I dered to be printed.
Mr. Bacon, from the committee for re
vising the patent laws of the United States,
reported a bill for the encouragement ot
learning and useful art*.
Mr. Key presented the petition of Robert
Brent, paymaster,of the United States,
praying for an increase of salary. Refer
red to the committee of ways and means.
Mr. Dana offered the following resolu
tion, which was adopted, and a committee
appointed to wait on the President and
present it.
** It any citizen of the United States
•hall accept of any title of nobility from
an> King, Prince or foreign state, such ci*
tizen shall thenceforth be incapable of
holding any office of honour or profit under
the United States."
Mr. Pope reported the bill for the im
provement of the United States by publick
roads and canals, with considerable alter*
ations and atheudments.
>
■ Csnsrejfl.
wise enough to accept the proffered bleat-
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Thursday, January 18.
Mr. Burwell offered the following resolu
tion, which was laid on the table :
Rcaolved, That the President of the U.
Slates be authorized immediately to em
ploy the publick armed vessels of the Uni
ted States, for the purpose of convoying
and protecting ships and vessels, the pro*
perty of citizens of the United Slates, la
len with goods of their growth, produce or
manufacture, and not contraband of war,"
ui their trade to ports open for their re
ception by the regulations of the govern
ment under whose jurisdiction they are
situated, and not actually blockaded or in
vested by a competent force; pro.ided
uch government shall not have in force
edicts or decrees against neutral com
nerce ; and that the owners and crews of
merchant vessels owned, laden, and des
tined as aforesaid, be permitted to associate
and arm for their defence against illegal
captures and molestations under such re
gulations as shall be prescribed by law.
Mr. Macon’s bill regulating commerce
was called up. Mr. Rhea’s motion to strike
out the last section, so as to make the law
permanent, under consideration. *
Mr. Livermore spoke against the amend
ment. He was followed by Mr. Sturges,
in a very *Me and argumentative speech
against the amendment.
Mr. Cutts spoke in favour of the bill.—
Mr. Root against it.
Mr. Pouer spoke with great good sense
and great good humour, against making
the bill permanent.
A debate ensued, in which Mr. Rhea and
Mr.Sheffey spoke in favour of the amend
ment proposed by Mr. Rhea, and Mr
Quincy, and Mr. Gardenier spoke against
it. Before Mr. Gardenier had concluded
his remarks, the House adjourned.
Friday, January 19.
Mr. Newton, from the committee of com
merce and manufactures, reported a bill
“to prevent the issuing sea-letters, ex
cept to certain vessels.” Referred to a
committee efthe whole House on Mondays
Mr. Love, from the committee on the af
fairs of the District of Columbia, reported
a bill ” to authorize a jail to be erected in
Ute town of Alexandria.” Referred to a
committee of the whole on Wednesday.
Mr. Van Home presented the petition of
sundry inhabitants of the county of Alex
<nd ria, praying an alteration in the insol
vent laws of the District. Referred to the
committee on the affairs of the District of
Columbia.
The question was taken on Mr. Liver
more’s motion, and lost—so to 72.
Mr. Macon moved to amend the last
Hection of the bill, so as to make it read,
'* This act shall continue in force until tht
end of the present session, and no longer.”
The order of the day. was then celled,
•rnd the House proceeded te the caasidinrs
lion.
Jfoaofoed, That the President of the
United States be requested to cause to b<
tid before this House, copies of the orders
>r instructions issued under the present, or
iny former administration, with respect to
upreign armed ships or vessels, of whatever
description, being .within waters of the
United States, excepting such parts as
nay, in his judgement, be improper for
)übl|ck communication.
Mr. Love, from the committee co the
l Jistrict of Columbia, reported a bill to in
.-.orporafo the Washington and Alexandria
•urnpike company.
Mr. Talptadge presented the petition of
Nathaniel Goodwin, praying for commuta
tion and lands due his father, as an officer
in the revolutionary army. Referred to
Ute committee of claims-
The act for the relief of John N. Stout;
the act for the relief of Amasa Jackson
and others; and the act authorizing the
removal of slaves in the District of Colum
bia, were reat) a third time and passed.
The order of the day oq the gag-rule
was caned for; on the questlop, will the
House now proceed to the consideration of
the rule? it was'Jost—sl to SO.
Mr. Rhea moved to strike out the whole
of the last section, so as to make the law
permanent.
A considerable time was spent on a ques
tion of order, which being decided by the
House,
Mr. Livermore moved to strike out the
fifth section of the bill.
Mr. Haven made a very manly and sen
able speech in favour of Mr. Livermore’s
notion.
Mr. Sawyer spoke against the bill. Mr.
Macon followed in favour of his beloved
child.
Mr. Key rose to speak against the amend
ment, when he Was called to order by Mr.
Slreffey, and silenced. The question on the
amendment of Mr. Rhea was then taken,
and lost—26 to 102.
Mr. Macon’s motion to limit the act to
the present session of Congress, was taken
and hot—s 4 to 71.
Mr. Eppcs reported a bill making ap
propriations for the support of government;
h bill m .king apprupiiations for the sup
port of the navy ; and a bill making ap
pt opriations far the support of the military
< stabiishment of the United Stales, during
the year 1810.—The bills were severally
read, and referred to separate committees
of the whole.
The House then adjourned.
SATURDAY, January 20.
The question recurred on the engross
ment and third reading of this bill.
Mr. Ross was opposed to this bill. He
thought it was not adapted to the state of
out; foreign relations. This nation must
now pursue one of three courses. They
must abandon the ocean altogether; sub
mit their commerce to the regulation of
Great-Britain ; or protect their commerce
by force. Were gentlemen prepared to
abandon Commerce I He presumed not.—
England had exercised for some years past
the cbmpletest despotism on the ocean, in
consequence ’of the feeble and inefficient
resistance which this nation hid adopted
dhaiiwe tuhrnk to tho longer exercise of
•his detpotihsi t J Woafifog remafoedr then,
but to protect <Mhr cnmmercial rights by
force. He/ Was /further qppqstd to this
bill, because he considered it only the 4th
edition of the embargo principles, which
iud been tried and found wanting. It was
m fact, submission to the British Orders in
Council.
The chairman of the committee who re
ported this bill was all embargo, and it
was no wonder that he had mingled its
principles in the system he had presented.
Mr. R. acknowledged himself to belong on
this occasion to the " energetick” party.—
It had been asked, would this party calcu
late upon those who were for doing nothing;
or on those who wished to pursue the pre
sent course ? He was reminded of the fa
ble of the fox and the goat. The fox was
discovered in a well by the goat, whoasked
him if the water was good ? “O yes, re
plied the fox, very sweet." The goat
jumped into the well—the fox sprung on
his horns, out of the well, and bade the goat
good morning ! He was not yet ready t<
plunge into the well of embargo principles.
He would cite an authority on the subject
of this bill, which if not learned as Gro
tius, and of as high authority as a treaty of
Westphalia, was at least as celebrated foi
good common sense. A story was related
in TEsop’s fables of a man who had been
bitten by a dog, and who was told that it
he would dip a crust of bredd in his wounu
and give it to the dog he would be cured.
JEsop cautioned him, lest In doing this he
should be bitten by all the rest of the dog*.
He considered this bill a* a crust of bread,
dipped in th* wounds of hi* bleeding coun
try, and prdSefitdß to "Ureat-Britain ; and
be advised the' House and the nation to
take care lest they were bitten by the rest
of Europe. He was not a friend to loans
in general; but the honour and indepen
dence of his country demanded a manly re
sistance to the oppression* of Great-Bri
tain. By the declaration of independence,
thiscountry was declared to possess power
•• to establish commerce;" but England
had said that we had no such power ; and
what were the House about to acknow
ledge?
Mr. Livermore remarked, that he per
ceived a great majority of the House were
determined to pass thia bill. Under its
operation great injustice would be done to
innocent foreign merchant vessels, which
might arrive in our ports after the 15th
day of April without having bad warning
of it, and which would not be permitted to
make sale of their merchandise, nor to
take in return cargoes. He therefore
moved, that the bill be amended by adding
the following section to it:
And be it farther exacted, That the
operation of the 3d, 4th, sth, 6th, 7th, and
Bth sections of this -bill be suspended until
the first of January next.
Mr. Shefley could see no necessity for
this section, inasmuch' a* by the existing
non-intercoarse law, it was not lawful for
British or French vessels to enter our
ports at ail. The section was incorrect
and absurd, because if the bill did not go
into operation until the 15th ef January
next, ft wouMWwlmost Inoperative, as it
w4rt|d W the 34 of Marek, two
months a'fer tbsit period.
M>. Uverasore said, that by the sec
tion die hill, only registered vessels own
ed bk American citizens could enter our
ports with British or French goods; it was
well known thst there are many sea let
tered vessels owned by our own citizens,
which would be excluded by this section of
the bill. Vessels also trading beyond the
Cape of Good Hope would suffer.
Mr. Bheffey replied, that in laws of this
sort, it was impossible to make them so
,»erfect as to meet all cases. <A discretion
ary power was vested by this bill, io the
-Secretary of the Treasury, to remit pen
nies and forfeitures which might accrue
tn particular cases.
The question on the amendment was then
taken, and negatived—yeas 24.
The House resumed the consideration of
be bill respecting the commercial inter
course between the United States and
Great-Britain and France and their de
l>endencios.
Mr. Mumford was in favour of the bill
so far as it related to the exclusion of armed
vessels, and to the commercial restrictions
it contained. It was a navigation act,
which he wished to see established and en
larged a* a countervailing regulation to
the commercial Warfare which was now
waging against us by both France and G.
Britain. He disapproved the repeal of th*
<ion-intercourae, which would be submis
ion tn the edicts of the belligerents ; and
this House at the last winter session, after
12. And be it farther exacted, That the
President of the United States be, and he
is hereby authorized, to require the re
spective aoUectors of the cust4ffis in the
ports of the United States for the more ef-.
I textual security ef the property dhtbo citi
zens thereof, to receive proof from the
owners of the vessels loaded with articles
of the growth, produce, or manufacture uf
the United Slates or the territories thereof,
on board of vessels belonging to citizens of
the United States and navigated wholly by
citizens thereof; and in case the said col
lectors shall be satisfied ;with the proof
aforesaid, they shall respectively cause a
copy of the same, under their respective
hands and seals, to be delivered to the com
mander of each ship or vessel, as the Pre
sident of the United States shall designate
for that purpose.
Mr. M. moved, that the bill and amend
ments be postponed until Monday.
Mr. Montgomery remarked, that he
would offer another amendment, which
would do away the objection to this bill, of
its incompetency to enforce itself. He
moved that the following section be added:
IS. And be it farther enacted. That it
shall and may be lawful for the President
of the United States, and he is hereby au
thorised, to give instructions to the armed
vessels thereof, to seize any vessel or ves
sels violating this law, and to bring the
same into any port of the United States or
the territories thereof, for adjudication.
Mr. Burwell moved, that the bill, with
the amendments and the resolution he had
yesterday laid on the table, be recommit
ted to the committee of the whole.
Mr. Burwell withdrew his motion. He
acquiesced in the propriety of separating
the subjects.
Mr. Milnor renewed the motion. He
was in favour of the amendment of the gen
tleman from New-York; but connected
with the bill, he should be compelled to
vote against it. He wished both to be re
committed, that the House might not be
under the necessity of rejecting the amend
ment.
Messrs. Sheffey and Smilie hoped the
motion would not prevail. The bill and
the amendment were dfotindt subjects.—
The former was a commercial peace re
gulation, and the latter a war measure.—
The bill ought to pass separately.
a solemn discussion of several weeks, had
decided by a very large majority, that they
would not submit to the edicts of the bel
ligerents. —To say that this law could not
have been enforced was to hold a doctrine
that was inadmissible in a government of
laws. He would submit an amendment,
which would make the bill palatable to
himself. Mr. M. then moved that the fol
lowing two sections be inserted after the
10th section in thej>rescDt bill:
11. And be it farther enacted, That the
President of the United States be, and he
is hereby authorized, to cause the armed
vessels of the United States to be held in
readiness, to protect and cuQvoy the mer
chant vessels of the United States loaded
with articles of the growth, produce or
manufacture of the United States, or the
territories thereof, (contraband of war ex
cepted,) bound to foreign ports or places,
belonging to governments having in force
no decrees violating the neutral commerce
of the United States.
Mr. Gardenier hoped the motion would
uot prevail. He thought the bill a* pretty
good one in its present state; but as amend
ed, it would be a bad one- He hoped it
would be immediately adopted—he wished
the majority to act.
Mr. Macon also opposed the recommit
ment.
Mr. Gholdson, hoped the bill and the
amendment would be recommitted to a se
lect committee. He thought the two sub
jects intimately connected.
Mr. Minor varied his motion in confor
mity to this suggestion; but on the. condi
.ion, that the select committee should be
instructed to bring in two distinct bills, one
■•f which should contain only the commer
cial provisions of the present bill, against
which he should vote ; approving its other
provisions, and this amendment.
Mr. Gholdson called far a division of the
motion.
Mr. Troup could not conceive how the
Majority of this House, after passing the
joint resolution Bom th* Senate; after
pledging themselves to support the Execu
tive in any event that might arise from the
dismissal of Mr. Jackson, could reconcile
it to themselves to send out this bill, naked
as it was, to the world, without some more
efficient measures to accompany it.
Mr. Quincy wished to see an entire sys
tem, presented at one view.
Mr. Li verm orc opposed s vsssui—itmewt.
Mr. Eppes thought the bill' and the
amendment ought to be mingled into one
system. The bill itself would let loose the
whole of our commerce upon the ocean
without protection. If he agreed to give
up the restrictive measures hitherto adopt
ed, he hoped gentlemen would agree with
him to vindicate, efficiently to vindicate,
the injured rights and honour of his coun
try.
Mr. Smilie perceived, that his friends
were determined not to tote tor his pcace
messures, without driving him to support
their war measures.
Mr. Pitman expressed the same views;
NEW-YORK. January 23.
WEST-INDIA MEWS.
” St. Croix, December 24, 1809. / ■
“ The expedition against Guadeloupe is
in forwardness, and will amount to Bor '
9000 troops. Two French frigates with
troops, succeeded in slipping into Basse
terre; where, while they were landing,
they were attacked by the British, who
landed, stormed a battery in a most gal
lant manner; took possession of the fri
gates, and blew them up. There are two
other French frigates skulking aboot—
Four French frigates pnd a corvette foil
of troops, have been sent into Antigua ;
previous to their capture they fell in with
the British frigate Junon, of 44 guns, Cap
tain Shortland, and after an action of three
hours, in which the Captain and nearly 70
of the crew, were killed she was compeil-' ’
ed to surrender; but such a wreck as '
obliged the French to sink her.” i
Letters from Stockholm, (Sweden,)
dated October 27, 1809, say, that Mr.
Ex-Vice-President Burr was in that city—
was caressed; and was about to repair to
Paris, via Denmark.
Januaty 27. •
Congress, on Tuesday, were still de- *
bating on Macon’s bill. The main ques- •
tion was not taken on that day. Mr. Madi
son, it is again said, has expressed his ap- *
probation of Macon’s bill I and the pre
vailing expectation is that it will pass.— »
The Senate passed the bill for equipping
our vessels of war—six only voting in thw
negative.
BOSTON, January 27.
From Malta,
The Philadelphia Gazette contains the
following articles, as communicated for
that paper, but does uot mention by what
arrival. The ship news gives the date at
Malta, November 2d.
“ Bafilio, an English Messenger, from
Constantinople, informed me he had been
despatched by the English Ambassadour at
that Court, (Mr. Adair,) home, request
ing his government to send him a frigate
immediately, in which he would leave the
country, in the event of his negotiations,
then pending, not succeeding; and which
was extremely precarious, as the French
interest was clearly gaining the ascen
dency at Court,
” The Russian army was within 4 days
march of Constantinople.”
Captain Dykr, from Cadiz, 33 days, 1
rspoi is, that before he sailed accounts had
been received there, that our government **
had refused to receive Don Onis, the Pa- , 1
triotick Spanish Minister; and it was ap- .
prehended it would have an injurious effect
on our commerce. The French, it was
expected, [by the croaf-era,] would over
run ail Spain in the Spring.
Lhtan fettefs ta~th7 fob of December, j
mention a rdport current there, that tfeii
Spaniards would declare war against the *
United States; and that It was impossi
ble to say what effect this would have on
American commerce.
communication.
What will not the cajoled American
people, particularly the merchant* and
mariners, say, when Time, that certain
revealer of all secret iniquity, shall unfold
to them, that the object of the aecret mis
sion to Russia of Mr. J. Q. A.* was no
other than a Wicked project to join Bona- ,
parte and his vassal allies, in hie plan* to i
destroy EngUwJ; that bi* new skulking -
navy have it in th*ir power to establish
without impediment that sort“ of the free
dom of the seas," which bis freebooting
commanders have exhibited in "capturing
and BURNING" American vessels—of
vessels sailing under the sanction of so
lemn treaties? And that effect \
of that alliance will be to put at hazard
all the property of the United States,
which its unsuspecting citizens have afloat
on the ocean, and which they have adven
tured in confidence that the government
they pay, was bound to protect it, or give
them timely notice of any dangers which ‘
through their measures, would await it *
* Which has been translated in French
AMiant». n
■ I >
Mr. Dana disapproved only one prlncl- }
pie of the present Bill; the section which
repealed the noo-intercourse immediately.
He was glad that gentlemen were about to
be brought to the test. It would be seen
whether they were willing to use some ,
more effectual weapon than words.
The question on recommitting the bill
and the amendments to a select committee
was then taken by yeas and nays, and nega
tived—yeas 60, nays 65.
The House adjourned without making ,
any disposition of the bill or amendment.
DIVING BILL.
We understand that Ebenezer Clifford,
of (N. H.) has invented an Im- •
proved and ingenious Diving Bell, on a new
construction ; in which labourers can de
scend with great ease and safety, to al- •
most any depth, and work with conveo- . *
ience During the last summer be hd*
ALEXANDRIA, January 17.
FROM SPAIN.
25p ttje jßalfo.