The United States oracle of the day — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-06-07 00:00:00, page 2

Iw^emment of Massachusetts?
For the current year.
GOVERNOR.
Uis Exc'y CALEB STRONG.
COUNSELLORS.
'Hon. Thomas Dawes Hon. EHfha May
John Hastings Stephen Choate
Eleazer Brooks Elijah Bingham
Oliver Wendell Fifhcr Ames, cfars.
SENATORS.
Hon. SAMUEL PHILLIPS,!., l.d.
President.
County of Suffolk. Barn, able.
Hon. John C. Jones Ilon. •John Dallingham
Jona. Mason efqrs. Duke's and Nantucket.
Efc. Hon. *lfaae Coffin efq.
Hon. Ebenezer ,March Worcefer.
John Treadwell Hon. Josiah Stearns.
Nath. Maift i efqrs Salem Towne
Midllfo. . Bezaleal Taft
Hon, Ebenezer Bridge Thomas Hale efqrs.
Timothy Bigelow Cumberland.
* Josiah Bartlett. Hon. Step'n Longfellow
Hampfeire. Daniel Davis efqrs.
Hon. David Sexton Berkfoire.
Samuel Fowler Hon. William Williams
Thomas Dwight David Roffeter efqrs.
Eben, Hunt efqrs.
}}„ Lincoln, Hancock, WaJb-
Hon. Simon Frye "^ fofl a " d Kenn&ck.
* Rich. F. Cutts. . Hom Ah ' r Campbell
Plymouth. NathlDummer efqrs.
Hon. Ifuac Thompson Norfolk.
Beza Hayward. Hon. *Wm Afpinwall
Bristol. *Benjamin Hichborn
Hon. Samuel Tobey efq. 'John Ellis efqrs.
Mr. Edward P. Hayman, Clerk.
Dr. Peter Thacher, Chaplain.
* Not of the Senate lafl ,ear.
[Note. The Hon. Mr. Longfellow of Cum.
Ferland County, has been ebofen to the Council ; but
not having fignified bis acceptance, we have retained
Lis name among the lift of Senators.]
REPRESENTATIVES.
Hon. EDWARD H. ROBBINS, efq.
'Speaker.
County of Suffolk.
Boston, Joseph Russell, William Smith, Sam
uel Cobb, John Lowell, jun. Joseph Hall, Samu
el Parkman, Nathan Frazier.
Hingham, Jotham Gay.
Salem, Ebenezer Bickford, Benj.Pickman, jun.
William Prescott. Danvers, Gideon Fofler,
Sam'l Page.* Ipfwicb, Nathaniel Wade, Joseph
Swafey,* Jonathan Cogfwell.* Newbury, Josiah
Little. Newburyport, Enoch Titcomb, William
Coombs; Jonathan Marsh, Jolhua Carter, Wil
liam Bartlett.* Marblebead, Elisha Story, Josh- .
ua Prentiss, John Sellman.* Lynn %. James
Robinson. Andover, Joshua Holt. Beverly,
Moses Brown, James Burnham,* John Ste
phens.* Rowley, George Todd. Salisbury, Sam
uel March.* Haverbill, Benjamin Willis—
Gloutefler, John Rowe. AmeJbury, jofeph Hoyt*
Bradford, Peter Ruffell*. Metbucn, William
Russ. Boxford, Thomas Perley. Wenbam,
Samuel Blanchard. Hamilton, ManafTah Cutler.*
Middlesex.
Cambridge, Aron Hill, Jeduthan Willing-ton*
Watertown) William Hunt,* Woburn, Loammi
Baldwin.* Concord, Joseph Chandler. Newton,
Timothy Jackson. Reading, James Bancroft—
Marlborough, Jonathan Weeks. Billerica, Ol
iver Crosby. Framingham, Jonathan Maynard.
Lexington, Joseph Simon ds. Chelmsford, Wm.
Adams.* Sherburne, Daniel Whitney. Sudbury,
Jonathan Rice Malden, Jonathan Oaks.—
Weston, Artemas Ward jun. Medford, Nathaniel
Hall* Hopkinton,Tim. Shephard. * Weftford,
Amos Fletcher.* Waltham, Abner Saunderson.
Stow ts Boxboro Charles Whitman.* Pepperel,
Joseph Heald. Townsend, John Campbell. —
Holli/lon, James Mellen.* Addon IT Carlfe,
Jonas Brooks. Lincoln, Samuel Hoar.* Afoby,
Stephen Patch.* E. Sudbury, Jacob Reeves.*
Hampfoire.
Springfield, George Bliss. Weft Spring
fell, Jonathan Smith. Wilbraham,
John Bliss. Northampton and Eafhamp
ton, John Taylor.* South Hadley, Rug
gles Woodbridge. Amhetf, Zebina
Montague. Granby, David Smith Weft
fell, James Taylor. Conaway, Malachi
Maynard. Brimfield, Abner Morgan.
$. Brimfield, & Holland, Oliver Wales.*
Worthington, Ezra Starkweather.*—
Chfflerfeld, Spencer Phelps.* Monfon,
Abner Brown. Hadley, Samuel Porter*
Montague, Henry Wells.* Northfield
Elisha Hunt. Belcbert9n,Park Holland*
Co lrain, Hugh M'Lellan. Granville,
David Robinfon.* Israel Parfons.*—
Greenfield and Gill, Solomon Smead.*—
Southampton, Lem. Pomeroy.* Ber
nardflo^a and Leyden, Lemuel Fofler.
Cummington & Plainfield, Eben. Snell.*
Long Meadow, Hezekiah Hale.*
Nantucket.
Nantucket, Micajah Coffin.
Warezer.
Worefor, Nathaniel Paine. Lancafer, Sam
uel Ward. Mendon, Philip Ammidon. Brook
feld, John Cutler. Oxford, Sylvanus Towne-
Cbarlton, Levi Davis.* Sutton, Jona. Woodbu
ry. Spencer, Benjamin Drury. Rutland, Dan
iel Walker.* Hubbarpion, Wm. Marean. * —
N. Braintree, Benjamin Jofslyn.* Southboro E
lijah Brigham.* Northboro' Nahum Faye.*—
Shrewsbury, Jonah Howe. Lunenburg, Tho.
Kimball.* Harvard, Joseph Stone. Bolton and
Berlin, Silas Holman. Hardwick, John Hafl
ings.* Weftern, Joseph Field.* Leominjier
Jonas Kendall.* Holden, John Dodds.* Doug
las, Aaron Marfh.* Royafon, John Norton.*
Athol, Josiah Goddard. Templeton, Leonard
Stone.* Princeton, Ebenezer Parker.* Winchen
don, Samuel Prentifs.* Dudley, Aaron Tufts.*
Barre, Edmund Howes. Milford,Samuel Jones.
Sterling, Benj. Richardfon.* Bay More, James
Longley.
Cumberland. N
Falmouth, Archclaus Lewis. Portland, Wood
bury Storer. N. Yarmouth, Samuel P. Ruffei.
Scarboro Joseph Emerson. Cape-Elizabeth,
Mark Dyer.* Brunswick, Ebenezer H Gofs.*
Harpfwell, Benjamin Dunning.* N. Gloucfcr,
Nathaniel C. Alien. Freaport, John Cufhing.*
Livermore, David Larned.*
Lincoln,
Pownalboro, David Payson. New-Cafle, John
Farley.* TopJbam, Benjamin J. Porter.* Bris
tol, Samuel Tucker.
Berkshire.
Sheffield and Mt. Washington, Paul Dewey.*
Great-Barrington, John Kellog. Patridgfrld,
William Frizzel.* Williamstown,
Thompson J. Skinner. Wm Young.*
Lane/bord and N. AJhford, Gid. Wheel
er. Pittsfield, John C. Williams.*, Len
ox, Joseph Goodwin.* Stockbridge, Eph.
Williams. Tyringham, Adonijah Bid-
"Well.* Windfir Joshua Heals.* Rich
mond, Nathan Pierfon.* W. Stockbridge,
Ezekiel Stone. Adams, Abra'm How
land. CheJbtre, Daniel Brown.
( Plymouth.
Plymouth, Nathl. Goodwin. Scituate,
Elijah Turner. MarJhfield, Elisha Phil
lips. Bridgewater, Nahum Mitchell.—
Middlcboro', Nathaniel Wilder. Rcchefr
ter, Elisha. Ruggles.* Plimpton, Seth
Cufhing.* Pembroke, Kilb. Whitman,
Kingston, Jedediah Holmes.* Abington,
Aaron Hobart. Hanover, Benj. Bafs.*
Carver, Nathan Sherman.
i ' Barnftahle.
Barnftable, Isaiah L. Greene. Sand
wich, William Bodfifh. Tarmontb, Da
vid Thacherjr. Eerflham,Elifha. Mayo,*
Wellfleet, Lemuel Newcomb. Falmouth,
David Nye. Chatham, Richard Sears.
Orleans, Richard Sparrow.*
Bristol.
Taunton, Nich. Tillinghaft. Rehobeth,
Frederick Drowne. S<wanzey, Chrifto'r
Mason. Dartmouth, Holder Slocum.—
Norton, David Clap. Dighton, George
, Ware.* Freetown, Nath. Morton, jr
Raynham, Josiah Dean. Mansfield, Benj.
Bates.* Berkley, Luther Crane*. New-
Bedford, Seth Spooner. Somerset, Phillip
Bowers.
York.
York, Joseph Bragdon. Kittery, An
drew P. Fernald. Wells, Nath. Wells.*
Jac. Fifher.* Arundell, Thos. Perkins 3.
Pepperelboro’, Richard Cutts.
Duke's County.
Edgartown, Wm. Mayhew.
Hancock.
Sullivan, Dudley Sargent.*
WaJhingten.
Machias, Phineas Bruce.*
Norfolk.
Roxbury, Ebenezer Seaver. Joseph
Ruggles. Joseph Heath.* Dorchefler,
John Howe. Perez Morton.* Milton,
Edward H. Robbins. Braintree, Eben.
Thayer.* Weymouth, Eliphalet Loud.
Dedham. Isaac Bullard. Brookline, Ste
phen Sharp.* Medfield and Dover, John
Baxter. Stoughton, Lemuel Gay.*—
Sharon, Jonathan Billings.* Medway,
Abner Morse. Walpole, Seth Bullard.*
Wrentham, Nathan Comftock.* Frank
lin, John Boyd.* Bellingham, Laban
. Bates.* Cohaffet, Thomas Lothrop.—
Quincy, Moses Black. Randolph, Joseph
White.* Canton, Joseph Bemis.*
Kennebeck.
Winslow, Elnathan Sherwin. Hallo
well, Thomas Fillebrown. Winthrop,
Nathan Fairbanks.* Pittfon, Samuel
Oakman.* Monmouth, John Chandler.
Farmington, Stephen Titcomb.* Mount
Vernon, Nathaniel Dudley.
HENRY WARREN, Esq. Clerk.
Rev. Mr. BALDWIN Chaplain.
* Not of the House luf year.
Mafochufetts Legislature.
TUESDAY, JUNE g.
At 12 o'clock, the Two Houfe# assembled in
the Representatives Hall ; when his Excellen
cy the Governor, prided by the Sheriff of
Suffolk, and attended by the honorable Council
and the Secretary of State, came in, and deliv
ered the following
SPEECH:
Gentlemen of the Senate and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
The invitation of my Fellow-Citizens to the
refpe&able office which I have undertaken to
execute, has excited in me sentiments of grati
tude for the honor they have conferred upon
me. At the fame time it has given me anxiety
from an apprehension that I shall be unable to
difeharge the duties of the office in a manner
that will juftify their confidence. But I flatter
myfelf that their candor will incline them to
judge favorably of the motives of my conduct,
even in cases where an error may be supposed.
The occasion upon which we meet, naturally
revives in our minds, the recolledion of the
severe losses we have lately fuffered, in the
death of some of our most refpcdable and dis
tinguished Fellow-Citizens.
In the course of the last year this State has
been deprived of its late excellent Governor—
HE was eminently fitted for the offices which
lie had sustained, for he possessed those qualities
that acquire universal refped. To a found un
derstanding and extensive political and legal
knowledge, he united engaging manners and
habitual goodness—benevolent, upright and un
assuming, he was beloved as a Man, and rever
ed as a Magistrate; and his memory is blessed.
Since that event the whole nation has fuffered
the loss of the firft and belt of Men. We are
all witnesses of the unexampled mourning, with
which the death of Gen. Washington is de
plored. His patriotism and services endeared
him to every friend of America, and his fame
has spread through the worlj : But though
the reputation he acquired from his great a
chievements and abilities, was a lingular attain
ment, and may therefore damp the spirit of em
ulation—yet his integrity and purity of man
ners, his rtfpe& for the institutions of Religion,
and zeal for the public good, can be imitated by
all. May the people of the United States, ev
er cherish the remembrance of his modefl worth,
and form themselves after his example, of pri
vate and patriotic virtue—then they will be
fafe and happy,and will inherit the land forever.
Within a few days, the people of this State,
have again been called, to lament the death of
a Chief Magistrate. The late Lieutenant Gov
ernor was an early and constant friend to the
rights of his fellow-citizens, and his faithful
services fccured him their attachment —He ,
difeharged with reputation the functions of his
office, and since the death of the Governor, con
ducted the affairs of the State, with prudence
and ability, and to the general fatisfadion of
the people.
With these fubjeCts of mournful regret, the
situation of public affairs, will suggest confeder
ations suited to excite our gratitude to the Su
preme Being—that we enjoy the blessings of a
free and undisturbed Government—that the
laws are receded, and administered without
, opposition—and notwithstanding any diversity
of politicals inions, that good will to each oth
er, so generally prevails, among the citizens of
this State.
While a great part of Europe, is involved in
a most sanguinary and calamitous War, the
people of this country are favored with internal
Peace, and arc at liberty to make improvements
in agriculture, and advance towards perfection
jn the ufeful arts; but as the nations with
whom we are morcconcerned in commas:,arc
parties in the war, the United States have not
been able to maintain their neutral character,
without experiencing frequent and vexatious in
terruptions to their trade, by infractions of the
law of nations. Os late these injuries have pro
ceeded from a nation for whom we had enter
tained the most friendly sentiments; and tho'
the Executive Authority pursued the most con
ciliating methods to obtain redress, they were
uhfuccefsful ; not even defenfive measures were
adopted, until as well the People as the Gov
ernment, were made to realize the truth of
a maxim, which had been often repeated by the
late President—that if we desire peace, it
must be known that we are prepared for War.
A review of the tranfadions that have taken
place between the United States and foreign'
nations, since the General Government was es
tablished, <nuft convince every unprejudiced
mind—not only, that the Executive authority
has invariably and Gncerely pursued a pacific po
licy—but that much wisdom and prudence have
been exercised, in preserving tranquility, to the
people of these States.
We are encouraged to hope, that the present
negotiation with the French Government, will
put an end to the injuries we complain of ; —
and that we shall not be compelled, to relinquish
I the advantages of a neutral situation—however
, it is our duty as citizens to adhere to the Gov
j ernment instituted by ourselves, and for our
j own security ; and to submit cheerfully to the
• expences that have been incurred, under the
; laws of that Government, in arming for our
I defence. If, as we hope, there will be no occa
sion in the issue to make use of arms, that result
may be owing to our being possessed of them.
Asi have had no Share in the administra
tion of the State -Government for several years,
I it will not be expeded that I Shall point out
particular fubje&s that may require legislative
interposition—but in general the Conflitution
has declared, in terms that can Scarcely be too
often repeated, that “ it shall be rhe duty of
Legislatures and magistrates, in all periods of
the Commonwealth, to cherish the interests of
literature, and the feiences, and all seminaries
of them—especially the University at Cambridge,
public Schools, and grammar Schools in the
towns— to encourage private focicties and pub
lic institutions, rewards and immunities, for the
promotion of agriculture, arts, feiences, com
merce, trades, manufactures, and a natural
biftory of the country —to countenance and
inculcate the principles of humanity and gene
ral benevolence, public and private charity,in
dustry and frugality, honesty and punctuality
in their dealings, Sincerity, good humour, and
all social affections and generous sentiments a
mong the people."
In the distribution of public employments,
it is of importance to the reputation and tran
quility, of the state, that appointments Should
be made with impartiality and with a due re
gard, to superior talents andrneritorious fervis
es. But as virtue and fub^iffion to the laws,
are essential to a -Republic, and form the only
sure basis of its prosperity—these qualifications
must, I think, be in a peculiar manner requisite
in those who are appointed to offices in such a
• Government ; —for a man who is not under the
influence of moral principles, can have mo just
claim to the publick confidence.
There is perhaps no opinion, which has more
generally prevailed ameng civilized nations,
than—that religious principles in the people
are essential to morality, and a principal Support
of lawful government, and that the obligation
to piety, is imposed on man, by his nature. If
lately opinions opposite to these are patronized,
and revealed religion in particular, is represent
ed as unfriendly to individual or social happi
ness—it becomes those who believe the truth
of chriftianity, co endeavour to prevent the pro
gress of these doctrines of unbelief, by every
mild and prudent method—by promoting insti
tutions for the general diffufion of knowledge—-
by excluding vicious and profligate petfons
from the employment of intruding youth—
by encouraging and supporting public teachers
of piety, religion, and morality—end by exem
plifying in their own conduct, the genuine ef
fedts of that religion, which they regard as the
purest source of human felicity.
Permit me gentlemen, to assure you, that 1
Shall be felicitous to fulfil the expectations,
which my fellow-citizens have a right to form
of my zeal for their Service—and that 1 Shall
cheerfully concur with you, in any measures,
that may be calculated to secure to them the
benefits of a mild government. And may the
Almighty succeed our united endeavours to ren
der the people of this Commonwealth prosper
ous and happy.
CALEB STRONG.
June 3, 1800.
The Secretary having delivered copies of the -
Speech to the President of the Senate, and
Speaker of the House, His Excellency retired ;
and the two branches Separated. In the Senate
the speech was committed to the hon. Messrs.
Jones, Davis and Bigelow.—ln the House, to
Messrs. Lowell, Wells, Ward (of W.) Cutler
(of H.) and Pickman.
-_-.~ , ———T
NEW-YORK, MAY 2§.
UNHAPPY QUARREL.
The Miffifippi Gazette, of March 22.
1800, fays, It is with extreme regret we
learn, that an affray happened at Lof
tus' Heights on Tuefday last, between
Major William Kerfey, & LieJt. Peter
Marks, officers in the United States ar
my, in which the former was ran thro'
the body with the sword of the latter,
of which wound Major Kerfey expired
on Friday night last. We underhand
that this unhappy quarrel commenced
in a conversation refpedihg the trivial
circumstance of the sale of a horse
—that in the course of the conversation
die major became irritated and Shook
his cane at lieut. Marks, who immedi
ately wrested it from him, and threw it
away—the Major took up the cane and
struck lieut. Marks—This happened be
tween three and four o'clock in the af
ternoon : and immediately after sunset,
lieut. Marks came up to major Kerfey
on the parade, & demanded of him in
stant fatisfa&ion for the insult he had
offered him—the major replied that he
had not insulted him and Should give no
fatisfadion. Lieut. Marks then gave
the major a stroke with his cane, upon
which each drew his sword, and lieut.
Marks received a wound on his head
and instantly ran the major thro' the
body in the direction of the vital pargs,"
Some publications in the Baltimore
paper, render it certain, that the French
privateer L'Union of 12 guns, and 60
men, is on our coast. She hfy taken
on, veffl
Late Foreign News
GERMANY, donaoschingem, march zo.
ON the x 7th, the universally esteemed Arch
duke left his head-quarters. On the 16th,
he took leave of his army by the following
address; 5
" On account of the precarious state of my
health, I begged his Imperial Majesty to be re
lieved in the command of the army, which he
has been pleased to confer on General Baron
Kray. While I acquaint the army with this
change, I return my warmest thanks to the Ge
nerals, officers and troops, for the bravery which
they have evinced at all times, under my com
-1 mand, in the most distinguished manner. Much
as I lament, on account of my health, to Sepa
rate from comrades, whom, on every occasion I
found to be brave Soldiers, and faithful to his
Imperial Majesty in the highest degree, and
whom I esteem and love ; as much must I en
treat them to persevere in their attachment and
fidelity to his Imperial Majesty, with similar
zeal, under the command of the General of artil
lery, Baron Kray.
“ Henceforth all reports, official Statements,
etc. are to be directed to Gen. Baron Kray, to
whom I have this day resigned the command of
the army.
(Signed) The Archduke CHARLES, F. M."
Gen. Kray afterwards, publiflicd the follow
ing general orders to the army.
DONAUESCHINGEN,MARCH 18.
“ By order of his Imperial Majesty, I have
taken the chief command of this army, which
the declining health of his Royal Highness
would not allow him to continue.
" 1 Should want courage, after a predecessor
so universally revered, to execute his Majesty's
orders, was I not convinced of the distinguished
spirit which animates the whole army, and
which assures me that every member of that
great body would feel itfclf called upon, from
its own impulse, under any Commander, to con
tinue its exertions by facrificing all its powers,
with that glorious zeal which we owe to our
molt gracious Monarch, and to the honor of our
Ration. (Signed)
" KRAY, General of Artillery."
HAGUE, APRIL X.
Letters from Pofen, in South-Prussia of the
28th of March, state, that the intelligence of the
DEATH of Prince Italiiko, Count Suwarrow
Riminifkio, is fully confirmed by two letters
from Mielnik, fix miles from Brefze, of the xith
and xjth ult. He died Suddenly on the id of
March, at his estates near Kobrin.
LOWER ELBE, APRIL ~
Under the head of " Italy," it is reported.
" That the French appear to be making every
preparation for opening the campaign in Italy ;
according to advices from Chamberry, of the
2d March, the troops were gone from their
winter quarters, and advanced towards Mount
Onis, to assemble their reinforcements in the
neighbourhood of Pignerol.—The pay of the
troops in arrear had been partly difeharged, in
order to quiet, in some measure, their impa
tience.
* In all the forties & foraging parties which
the French have made from Gavi to Monten
ero they always have been repulsed with loss,
without having succeeded in their designs.
" In the diftria of Genoa, the tiling of the
inhabitants against the French, and against the
city of Genoa, becomes every day more mam
feft. Against the inhabitants of Fontana Bouna,
who gave the firft Signal of revolt, the French
had undertaken a second crafade, in which they
were repulsed with the loss of many men.
Meanwhile, General Maffena continues his
proclamations and promises of money, provi
sions, and reinforcements, from the interior, to
keep alive the hopes of his troops.
" Those Italian authors, who, to pteafe the
French, fcoffed at religion on all occalions, and
who fled to Nice, among whom were the re
volutionary heralds, Porro, Salvadore, Galdi,
etc.had been deferred by the French, and per
iled in the greatest misery."
Nothing of importance has yet taken place
between the armies of Italy and on the Rhine.
On the 31st ult. the Austrians advanced from
the Hochft to Wickert, killed 6of the enemy,
and took 12 prisoners. The French appear
to be drawing a part of their army from Swit
zerland to Italy, where they are inferior to the
Austrians; yet there they have opened the
campaign by several partial attacks . The firft
hostilities on the Rhine were begun by the Aus
trians.
PARIS, APRIL 12.
Kleber, Commander in Chief of the Army in
Egypt, to the Executive Directory of the
French Republic.
Cam^ at Salads lOth Pluioife. 8/6 year
(January JO, 1800./
I have just signed. Citizen Directors the
treaty which relates to the evacuation of Egypt ;
a copy ofwhich I fend you : the original, which
bears (he Signature of the Grand Vizier, I can
not receive until some days from this, as the
exchange is to take place at El-Arifh.
I have given you an account in my preceding
dispatches of the situation of n.y army. I have
likewise informed you, of my continuing those
ncgociations with the Grand Vizier, which Gen.
Buonaparte had commenced. Altho at this crisis
I placed little reliance upon the ncgociations, I
hoped nevertheless that they would so far relax
the progress and the warlike preparations of
the Vizier, as to give you time to expedite rein
forcements in men and arms ; or at lead some
instructions for the eondu& I Should pursue in
the distressed situation of my affairs. 7'his hope
of assistance was founded upon my knowledge,
that the French and Spanish fleets had formed
a conjunction at Toulon, and waited but a
favourable wind to depart. They departed
in fad, but it was to repafs the Streights and re
turn to Brest. This intelligence deeply affected
the army, who were apprized at the fame time
of our misfortunes in Italy, in Germany, in
Holland, and even in La Vendee, without the
government appearing to take any measures
to arrest the progress of these misfortunes which
threatened even the existence of the Republic.
In the mean time the Vizier advanced from;
Damas. On the other hand at the beginningi
of Brumaire (latter part of O&. 1799) 2 " cet
appeared before Damictta, which firft landed
4000 Janissaries, who were immediately to be'
followed by an equal number. But we gave
them not an opportunity ; we attacked the
firft body, who were compleatly vanquished in
less than half an hour. The carnage was dread
ful, we took nevertheless more than 800
prisoners.
This event did not facilitate our negotiations.
The Vizier changed not his former tone, nor
suspended his march longer than was essential
to make the necc^ary disposition, and provide .
hipfelf with the means of transportation. His ,
army was then estimated at 60,000 men : and|
hp was followed by other Pachis, and recruited|
with freSh troops from all parts of Alia, as far;
as Mount Caucasus. The van of this arrayl
fpon extended to Jaffa..
At this time, that is, a few days previous to
fc debarkauon at Dawietta, I received a
c~nirs.<;.tt:e:o hooi oil Jyrtticy SoUQ,List;:i3
1 well knew the influence which lie pofteiTed
with the Vizier, 1 thought proper not only to
return him an answer, but even to make him
the proportion of appointing his own vessel the
place of our conferences. It was equally repug
nant to my ideas to receive rhe English or
Turkish plenipotentiaries iu Egypt, as to dis
patch my own to the camp of the fatter. My
proposal was accepted and the negotiations wore
immediately a more decided afpc&. All this
however retarded not the Turkish army which
the Grand Vizier marched to Gaza.
During this time, the war flill continued in
Upper Egypt ; and the Beys, hitherto dispersed
were taking measures to form a junction with
Mourad, who, tho' always pursued, yet never
was vanquished, & drawing over the Arabs, the
inhabitants of the Province of Beniffouef, kept
our forces constantly occupied, and harraffed.
The Plague likcwiie threatened us with its
ravages, and already destroyed numbers, each
Decade at Alexandria and other places.
At length on the ill of Nivofe (Dec. 22,
'799) Gen - Defaix and citizen Pouflielgue,
whom l had appointed Plenipotentiaries , open
ed on board the Tigre the Conferences with
Sir Sidney Smith, whom the Grand Vizier had
invested with full powers to treat. It was
their intention to have cruised from Damietta
to Alexandria, but a violent gale having com
pelled them to Hand off, they put to sea for the
space of 18 days. At the end of this term they
landed at the camp of the Vizier ; who had at
tacked and carried the fourefs of El-Arifh^
the 9 Nivofe (Dec. 30 1799) He owed thia
success to the cowardly behaviour of the G#r
rifon, who surrendered without fighting the
7th day of the attack. This event was the
more unfortunate as Gen. Revnicr was march
ing to raise the feige before the main body of
the Turkish army could arrive.
From this period, we had nothing to hope
from dilatory ncgociations; it was our chief
concern seriously to consider the danger of their
being broken off, to divest ourselves of all feel
ings of personal vanity, and to expose not the
whole army, whole lives had been intruded to
my care, to the dreadful alternative which a
longer delay had rendered inevitable.
Our lateftintelligence reported the Turkife
army to be 80,000 Strong, and with the pro
fpe& of increasing still. It included 12 Pac
has, 6 of whom were of the highest order.—
Forty five thousand men were before El-Arifh,
with 50 pieces of cannon and provision, and
ammunition proportionate; This artillery was
drawn by mules. Twenty pieces of cannon
more were at Gaza with the Corps of reserve ;
rhe remainder of the army were Stationed at
Jaffa and in the environs of Ramle. The Camp
of the Vizier was well Supplied by die activity
of their light cruisers ; the different tribes of
Arabs emulated each other in Seconding the
exertions of the army, which they furniihed
with upwards of 15,000 camels. Each dif
polition was made with the utmost regularity.
The whole force was under the direction of
European officers; and 5 or 6 thousand Ruf
fians were momently expeaed.
To this army of the Grand Vizier's I had to
oppose but 8500 men, divided in three points at
Keijeh, Salahich, and Belbeys .This division
was essential to facilitate our communication
with Cairo, and to be able to afford prompt
fuccour to either of thefiffoofts which Should be
the firft attacked. Certain, it is that all of
them might be either blockaded or avoided ;
as was recently effected by Alfii Bey, who dur
ing the negociation entered the Charkie with
his Mameloucks, to form an union with the
Arabs of Billis, and from thence to join Mourad
in Upper Egypt. The rest of the army were
distributed as follows : One thousand men un
der the command of Ger.. Verdier, were to form
the garrison of Leffios, enforce the contribution#
of Silver and merchandize, and to hold in fub
jedion the country between the canals of Ach
snoun and Moes, which was kept in commo
tions by Lefkam the Cheik: 1800 men under
Gen. Lanufie, were to garrison Rosetta, Aboti
kir and Alexandria : 1200 men were Station
ed at Cairo and Giza, who were obliged to
furniSh escorts for the convoys of the army:
Lastly, 2500 men were scattered in Upper
Eg)pt over an extent of more than 150 leagues,
having daily to contend with the Beys and
their Partizans. This in fact was the highest
computation which can be made of the effec
tive force of the army. (15,000)
Notwithstanding this disproportion
of Strength, I still hoped for victory ;
and Should have hazarded an engage
ment had I but possessed a Certainty
of receiving assistance prior to the pe
riod of the enemy's debarkation. But
this period having arrived without my
obtaining reinforcements, I was under
the necellity of fending at least 5000
of my men to the seacoast ;I had then
remaining butgooo troops to defend a
country open on every quarter, against
the invasion of 30,000 horse, aided by
the Arabs and by the inhabitants, with
no Strong holds, without provisions,
without money and without fllipping.
This moment I ought to have forefeen
and to have required of myfelf what in
such a case could be done for the preser
vation of th: army. No means of Safe
ty were now left me. With uudifei
plined hordes of savage fanatics, ignor
ant of the rights of war, our only mode
of treating was sword in hand. Every
mind was Struck with the felf evident
consequence of this eonfideration. It
has determined my opinion. • I gave
orders to my plenipotentiaries in no
wife to break off the negociations, ex
cept in case of infilling upon such arti
cles as would compromise our glory,
or our security.
I conclude this report, Citizen Direc
tors, by observing that no provision has
been made for the peculiar circum-
I stances of my situation in the instruc
tions left by General Buonaparte.—,
The foundation of his promise of
' prompt assistance, was rested as my ex
pedations had been, upon the hopes of
a junction of the French and Spanish
fleets in the Mediterranean. We were
then far from thinking that the corn,
bined fleets would return to the 0.-
cean,and the expedition tu Egypt total-,
ly abandoned, would become a prin
cipal accusation againSt the authors of
1 I subjoin to this letter, a copy of ray
icorrespondence, both with the Grand
j Vizier, and Sir Sidney Smith, likewise.
I all official notes which have polled on,
both Sides. I enclose likewifi a copy:
of the reports made me upon, ,he cap.