United States oracle and Portsmouth advertiser — Portsmouth, N.H., 1802-05-08 00:00:00, page 1

MR. RUSSELL,
I HAVE lately received from ray
correspondent at Waihington,a copy
of the " MESSAGE from The Presi
dent of the United Stater, transmitting
fundr, documents reverting the French
Corvette Berceau, in pursuance of a refla
tion ofthe House, ofthefxtb April, 1802,"
and published by order of Congfas—
This Message unfolds many "precious
onfeffions." It comprizes 52 pages ;
and though it contains many docu
ments, such as details of causes tried
before the Council of Prizes, at Paris ;
a long letter from M. Pichon, in which
he gives a hiftory of the negotiation of
the late Convention with France ; and as
usual, eulogizes the loyalty and goodfaith
of the French Republic; but in which
• he does not forget to hint, that " from
the information he had collected, it ap
peared that the frigate ITnfurgente was
loft ; and that there is reason to be
lieve that it will appear just to the Presi
dent to replace this frigate, or to pay
the value of it to the Republic :"—A
letter from Forfait, Minister of the Ma
rine, also, on the fubjed of the Conven
tion ; a letter from Ch. M. Talleyrand
to Citizen Pichon, on the fubje& of A
merican prizes in France ; —Another
letter from Pichon, on the conduct of
the Fiench Agents in the Weft-Indies,
on the fubje& of prizes:— a third from
M. Pichon, on the fubje& of the 15,000
dollars, advanced by the United States
to fuccour the colonies who had fled
from St. Domingo.—A fourth letter
from M. Pichon on the conduce of
Gov. La Croffe, at Guadaloupe, with
'refpe^t to American veflels ; —all of
which may be very well in their places
—but which have no more connexion
with the repairs of the Berceau, than
the question, whether the Mammoth
Cheese was made of new or Ikim milk. t
They, however, aye introduced, with
the pitiful intention of diverting the
public mind from the fubjed of those
repairs ; and to offset American per
formances with Frenchpromfs.- —Would
itnot, Mr. Russel, have been much
more pertinent to the fubjeft to have
given an account of the bills paid by
the United States for the repairs of the
, Boston frigate, for damages sustained
by her in capturing the Berceau > Why
was not Mr. Brown, or Mr. Higgin
fon directed to report the repairs put
upon the Boston ; —and why have not
measures been taken by Mr. Jefferfon
to obtain payment therefor ? If any
such have been taken, why are they
not published ? Is it just, fair, or hon
'orable, that the United States should
pay for the repairs both of the Boston
and the Berceau ; and France pay no
thing? Can it be a good rule that works
thus paiI ial L v ? 1 le ?T e it to the ^°° d
sense of my feUoW-Citi&Y" s ' o aqfwer
these questions.
From this Meflage I have fele&ed
the following articles ; they will une
quivocally prove,
\fl. That the assertion of the Attorney
General of the United States , in the pages s
signed a " Farmer," that the repairs pat
'upon the Berceau, mere in conjequence of
orders given by Prefdent Adams, mas a
downright fa IJhood
2d, That the affection of Mr. Secreta
ry Smith, that the Berceau mas repaired
as an American vessel; and from appro
priations made therefor, is a flat equivoca
tion :—and
3d. That the repairs put upon the Ber
ceau, mere extravagant, unnecessary, and
not warranted by any appropriation ; or^
called fa by the ms partial confruction of
the Contention with France.
Here follow the proofs :
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
;Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
' I now traufmit the papers desired in
vbur resolution of the 6th inst. Those
refoeaing the Berceau will Efficiently
explain themselves. The officer charged
* % her repairs states, in bis letter
received Aug. 27, thot, that be ban
been led by circumflanccs which he ex
plains, to go considerably beyond his
orders. In questions between nations
who have no common umpire but rea
fori, something mtift often be yielded of
muttial opinion tb enable them 10 meet
to a common [dibit
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. Printed and Publiihed every
V^XU.} SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1802.
Os ALL THE DISPOSITIONS AND HABITS WHICH LEAD TO POLITICALS
prosperity, RELIGION and MORALITY ARE INDISPENSABLE}
supports. WASHINGTON'S Legacy. J
From tie CENTINEL.
More of the Berceau.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR.
Wttea States
Portsmouth
This documentproves that Gen. Smith,nvfo
also was a Secretary of Mr. Jefferfon's
nomination, conf&red tbe Berceau, as a
" french National Ship ;'' notwithstanding
which, MF. Smith, the p'fnt Secretary of
tbe Navy, and brother to the former gentle
man, has had the assurance to report to Con
gress that tbe " corvette Berceau being
the property of the United States, &c.
the expenses of repairing her were de
frayed out of the fund appropriated to
the expense of repairing the public ffiips
of the United States." Mark reader
this contradirtion in Mr. Jefferfon's men s
—One fayst on tbe 30th Marcb, tbe cor
vette is a French National (hip ; and there
fore to be restored; The other, on tbe 6th
February, & 'ys,Jbe is a public Osip of the
United States, and therefore to be repaired
from tbe appropriations made therefor. Tbe
fart is,foe was a French National ship:
for tbe repair of which no appropriations
were made by law. Tbe payments there
fore made for those repairs, were in dirert
violation oftbe Cotfitution of tbe United
States ; which adores, that "no money
shall be drawn front the treasury, but
in consequence of appropriation made
by law." Let the friends oftbe Gonfitu
tion mark well this fart.
“ Enclosed is an account exhibited
by tbe Lieutenant of the Berceau, of
the pay due to the officers of that ves
sel from their government, from the
time of their capture to the 25th Ven
tofe, amounting to 4,750 livres.
“ Instead of allowing them 2 dollars
per week, as you have heretofore been
requested, it is the President's desire
that you pay to Lieut. Clements tbe a
mount of his account, taking his re
ceipt for the fame, which you will fend
to the Accountant of the Navy as your
voucher.—l have the honor, &c."
——o
OWhen tbe cruel treatment received
by tbe American Captains and seamen, at
Guadaloupe and other French places, is re
collerted; and it is confdered that this fame
Lt. Clements bad been in tbe ba it of ill
treating and plundering the American ref
felt be fell in with ; and that be was the
fabricator oftbe infamousfa/fcoods circulat
ed refperting Capt. Little, and tbe crew
of the Boston frigate, tbe above allowance
oftbe American government will be deem
ed remarkably liberal.
Bp abatement wbi< hfollows tbit iretet
The allowance which had been pro
poled to the officers of that vefTel being
represented as too small for their daily
necessities, and still more so as the
means of paying before their departure,
debts contrasted with our citizens for
subsistence, it was requeued on their be
half that the daily pay of each might
be the measure of their allowance.—
This being solicited, and reimburse
ment assumed by the Agent of their na
tion, I deemed that the indulgence
would have a propitious effect in the
moment of returning friendship. The
•sum of 870 dollars and 83 cents was ac
cordingly furniihed them for the five
months of past captivity, and a pro
portional allowance authorifed until
their embarkation.
0
Extract of a letter from tbe Secretary of tbe Navy
(Stoddert) to S. Higginfon, & Co. dated
DECEMBER 1,, Isoo.
" I have the honor to request that
you will cause the French ship Le Ber
ceau to be purchased for the United
States, and afterwards have her placed
where she will be secure, with just as
many men on board as will be necessa
ry to take cate of her. Make no re
pairs." —
CT This official document proves, that
tbe federal administration directed that no
repairs Should be put upon the Berceau ;
any thing tbe “ Farmer" has said to tbe
contrary notwitbranding.
O
Extrati of another letter from tbe Secretary of tbe
Navy (Gen. Smith, if we mistake not) to S.
Higginfon ^ Co. dated actb March, 180'1.
“ The French National Ihip the Ber
ceau, captured by Capt. Little, is to
be restored kinder the treaty.
“ You will please to cause her to be
delivered, with all her gunss ammuni
tion, apparel and every thing belonging
to her, to the order of Mr. Pichon, com
missary genera 1 and charge des affaires,
from the French government to the
government of the United States when
ever such orders shall appear.''
Extras of a letter from tbe Secretary of tbe Navy,
to Meffre. S. Higginfon & Co. dated
MARCH 20, 1801.
TH. JEFFERSON.
Extrafl of a letter from Samuel Brown,
to the Secretary of the Navy, dated
Boston, June 24, iß@r.
" On Monday the 22d, the corvette
Le Berceau was delivered to the com
mifTary of the French government,and
the Captain at the fame time took
charge of her. At the request of the
commissary and captain, and from the
neceffty of the case, I have furnifhed
some articles which may not have been
on board at the time of the capture,
such as hammocks, blankets; and if
then on board they were retained whol
ly or in part by the crew. The cap
tain now wishes to be furnifhed with
fiver spoon:, plated-ware, china, &c. for
his cabin. These I cannot provide
without your Special directions, as Ido
not suppose they were on board at the
time of the capture. The commifiry
is willing on the part of his government
to engage to pay for all articles Suppli
ed, that probably were not then on
board the corvette."
it appears, that 4750 livres mere advanc
ed to Lt. Clement, and three others, on
account of their pay ; befdes the money
advanced to them on accent of fuffence.
I believe this is the frjl ^account extant of
prisoners receiving wag^ rem the govern
ment that iff captured t!%. But this i,
feferfonian economy.
Boston, 3 if Ortober, 1801.
Sir—l now inclofe an account of the
repairs made on, and the supplies fur
nilhed to the French national corvette
Le Berceau, agreeably to your instruc
tions of the 2d of April last, amount
ing to 32,839 dollars 54 cents,rto wit :
Supplies from public property 18345
dollars 10 cents, and bills discharged
by caffi for repairs and supplies, 14494
dollars 44 cents. As some of the in
dents for supplies were not made out
till a short time previous to her depar
ture. I have not therefore been able to
furnifh the account before this time.—
I have thought it would be proper, in
order to (hew as fully as possible, the
state of her equipment, to begin tbe ac
count by detailing the supplies furnifh
ed from the inventory of the (lores pur
chased with the hull of the corvette by
Messrs. Higginfon & Co. the late agents ;
but presuming the cost of those flores
has been forwarded to tbe Navy De
partment, I have supposed it to be un
necessary to carry out a price against
them. The supplies furnillied from the
property of the public follow next in
the account, to which I have affixed a
price. And lastly, the bills for repairs
and supplies which have been difchaig
ed by cash.
Some of the stores of the inventory
of Le Bercau were left on hand after
the equipment, which, with a quantity
of old copper taken from her bottom,
have been delivered to Major Gibbs,
whole receipt is enclosed.
In your letter of the Sth July, you
have advised that it would be proper
for me to state particularly by letter to
your department, the repairs and sup
plies received by the Le Berceau at the
public expence. You have also directed
to be Bated the precise condition she
was in, as to her equipment of every
kind, on the delivery to the officers ap
pointed on the part of tbe French Re
public to receive her. On the 23d June
she was formally delivered up, but as
many of tbe supplies to her were necef
firily made after that time, I conceive
tbe object intended wouh. not be em
braced by fixing her condition at that
period. I think there is no Letter #ay
of afeertaining repairs and supplies fie
received at public expence, and the con
dition of her equipment at the termina
tion of the supplies, than by a reference
to the account, which I hope you will
think to be efficiently explanatory. But
it may not however be amiss in me, to
make some general observations on the
fubje&. I shall therefore fay, that the
best fbipwrights, blacksmiths, caulkers,
joiners, maltmakers, riggers, and other
workmen in this place, were employed
on the repairs, that their work was well
executed, and that the materials furnifh
ed for the purpose were of the best kind.
That wherever the copper on her bot
tom appeared to h^ve received any in
jury, it was repaired with new. In these
refpe&s there cannot be a doubt other
being placed in a better condition than
she was in at the period immediately an
terior to the a^ion with the Boston.—
far malto, bowsprit, spars, tops & caps,
0
In conformity to the indents of the
captain, she was furnifhed with beef,
pork, bread, beans, rice, flour, oil, rum,
wine, and other stores, for a voyage of
3 months, which were of tbe best kind.
The gun-powder, and other military
stores supplied her, were also furnifhed
according to the indents of the captain.
She mounted on her battery, twenty
two nine pound cannon, and two short
twelve pound carronades.
On the 26th oflaft month ffie depart
ed from hence for sea. The pilot that
carried her out, has since returned, hav
ing continued on board until she was 50
leagues at fea,when be was put on board
a veffcl bound hither.
The bills in the account, agreeably to
the abstract inclofed marked No. I, a
mounting to 319 dollars 37 cents, may
not perhaps be considered as proper
charges against the cutfils of the cor
vette, as they were for supplies so made
to her crew, soon after her arrival here,
dnd for their transportation to N. York,
I have presumed, however, that there
would be no impropriety in placing
them therein.
The billls and supplies charged agree
ably to abflrad,inclofed, marked No. 2,
amounting to 3480 dollars 82 cents,
for the hire of Apple Ifland,for blankets
and hammocks, for the transportation
of the crew from New-York, and for
their fubtiftence after their arrival here,
until they were ordered by the captain
to repair on board of the corvette, I
have supposed, from the nature of the
supplies and charges, might be re-im
burfed by tbe French government. Ne
ceflity obliged hie to furnifh them,
as the French commissary had then nei
ther money nor credit, to enable him to
do it. I also forward by this poll, in a
feparare inclofure, the vouchers of the
bills paid for the supplies made to the
Le Berccatt, being from No. t to No.
114, —I am with great refpe&, Sir,your
moll humble servant.
(Signed) SAMUEL BROWNE
Original toft of the corvette
Berceau, ' D 0115.13,349 44
Comihiffion ch the pur
chafe 2 per cent. 266 98
—& ^—13,016 32
Repairs efthe Berceau, 32,839 54
— D 0115.46,455 86
[copy. J
ityiraaoftbe Repairs and Expenditures on tbe French
corvette Le Berceau, by order of tbe Secretary of
the Navy, under dale April 2, 1801, viz.
Public Property.
Timber, Dolls. 431 70
Copper, 9°4 75
Coidage, 3980
Powder, igßt 80
Shot, 245 28
Canvas, 9±2 2,
Sails, 1782 83
Kentledge, 1256 20
Sundry small articles, 1580 Os
Bread, foft,Bgß 59
.'hard, 1440
——-2338 59
Beef, 179
Pork; 313.,
— — —3021 $,
Medicines, *9 B 52^.
fr>W4 10
were all new, and made in the best and
tnoft substantial manner. Her (hrouds,
Slays, and cordage were also all new,
and of the best quality, being made of
the fineft yarns, excepting about 4 tons
of the latter, Supplied from the inven
tory purchaied by the late agents, at
auction. She was furnifhed with anew
cable of 18 inches, 120 fathoms in
length, and amply Supplied with Spare
cordage. In addition to upwards of 30
fails that were saved from the wreck,
which were put in good order, She was
furnifhed with a complete new fait of
fails, made of the best duck. Her con
dition as to her masts, fparh, Shrouds,
days and fails, vas doubtless made
much better by the repairs, than at the
period referred to above.
Her supply of blocks and block-work
was ample. She was furnifhed with a
new barge, and her other boats were
well repaired, and she was abundantly
Supplied with water casks.
The furgenn's department was well
furnifhed, excepting amputating indru
ments, which were not supplied as it
was discovered that her former surgeon
had kept possession of those that were
on board at the capture. Her cabin
Was fufficiently furnifhed with tables,
defies, chairs, crockery ware, and other
furniture. In these refpecls there Cannot
be a doubt, She was also placed in a bet
ter condition than She was at the period
before referred to.
{^^ADVERTISEMENTS reasonably ^conspicuously inferted-—COMMC~
NICATIONS duly attended to—and ever, FAVOR THANKFULLY
ACKNOWLEDGED.
Saturday, Morning, by WILLIAM TREADWELL, & C..
IRICE I DOLLAR 50 CENTS Per Annum. [N0.31
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOURTEENTH YEAR.
Advertiser.
©WO, ana
Csfl> —Pail for the folloi&ing Bitts
Edmund Hart, shipwright, 113 s -0
Ebenezer Leman, blacksmith,
Joab Hunt, fhipjoiner, ~
John Edmonds, mason, - A
William Bell, do. r g '
Simeon Killen, carver, 2
Paul Revere and Sons, coppetfoitha, rs .
John Odin, hard-ware. if 60
John Howe and Sons, plumbers, ( .„:
James Ridge way, painter, ,
James Prince, tar, & c . % —
Isaac Collins, labor, "
John Davis, do. '
Wm.Dowue, do._
William and J. Harris, maßmfo, ^4 ft
M'Clenoen and Sanders, riggers. 721 o r
Jonas S. Bass, leather,
W.C. Hunneman, coppersmith,
Fowk and Dyer, Blockmakeri,{%
Singleton and Himpfon do. fa
Frederick W. Major, do. 90
Th" P °^W^"^ , 75
Thomas and Watts, failmakers, A-
William Otis Wyer, de. „ A
John anfß. T. Welb, coppersmiths, fe
Benjamin Seward, gunlimth, ,
Wiliiam Callender, armourer, r
Elitha Sigourney and Sons, iron hoops, 67
John Hooten, wood, L ,
Alley and Richardson, copperfmitbs,
James Davis, blacksmith, ~g'
Samuel Thaxter, repairing compares, ir
Ebenezer Eaton, tinman, 2 bills. rr
Joseph Roby, do. 5 1 30
James T. Loring, medicines, 84Q
P. S. Medard, putting up do.
William Dodd, water, 40 gg
John Lambold, topper, a Ol
Thayer aad Chapman, fhip-thandfers,
Benjamin Sumner, crockery-ware.
David Tilden, wood, ty 5
Lawrence Gray ship-keeper, 2 bills, in
David Tildeo, fcakage, 4 =
John May&Son dockage & wharfage, 697 04
George Blanchard, truckage,
Gleason and Thayer, do. ~
John Sargent, lighterage, ^ 54
Thomas Barmand, pilot, 6
Benjamin Weft, truckage y l3 66
Joseph Ripley, rice, 8&
Thomas Dennie, wine, 100
John Parker, rum, 608
Joseph Shed, groceries, % bili_
A. and C. Davis, flour, e6o °
David Whitton, fowls,
John Dawson, torn, 6
I homas K. Jones, claret wine, 327 43
J. Lovering, jr. & Co. candles, &c. t bills, 61 W
J Hoffman, matraftes, &c. 13
John May and Sons, store rent, 45
Boot and Pratt, blankets, 71 , ^
John Cnihing, do. 2 bills, x 43
Thomas Hastings, beer, 4 do. zzg
Timothy Dodd, powder,
E. and S. Larkin, stationary, j bills, 104 5$
John Hooton, wood, ^ 6$
Joseph Ripley, bread, 42 67'
Andrew Dunlap, beef, , „
E. and A. Wiachefter, frefh provisions, 767 28
Joseph Ruffeli, hire of island, 150
John May and Son, wharfage, &c. 47 45
Howard and Eaton, groceries, 117
J. W. Thacher, matraff^s, & c . 1 4 5
John Pihtard, freight of French prisoners
from New-York, j^
Jolhua Hammond, fe. ^
Jshn Rowe, do. to New-York, 333 33
Mons. Clement, expenses of do. at
Nantucket, ? x 83
T.Dillaway, fixing biftbsop board cartel, 27
H.G.Otis, apprehending French prisoners, 10
J. Lovering, jun. & Co. soap & oil for do. 11 86
Charles Davis, wood-axes for do. 4 gj
James Eunfon, water-calks for do. 72
Joseph Peirce, jun. ffiip chandlery for do. 27 ,t
A Dolls. 14,210 24
Commiflions on 14,210 doh. 24 cents
at 2 per cent, Q% s
14,494 44
Errors eQJ. [&,33,839
Efon 16t6 oa&r, I^ot.
(Signed) SAMUEL BROWN.
London nov. 20.
A grand Work is preparing in France^
under the patronage of the Firfl Consul,
comprehending a Hiftory of the Expedition
to Egypt under Gen. Bonaparte. The
c^rk is to be enriched <with a great number
of plates, representing the Antiquities of the
country, the remains of memorable edifices,
rtf well as the present appearance and
coftdme, derived from the Colkfiion of the
National Institute. „e whole is to be on
the most magnificent fcalfoind is exported
to be a work of considerable literary and
philosophical excellence.
Oil Sunday, fe'hnight Cambaceres,
Madame Bonaparte, and Joseph Botti
parte, were at the Theatre, at Paris.—
The hotife was crowded before the cur
tain drew up. Bonaparte was expefl
ed, but owing to sudden business he did
not attend,it was one of the most splen
did nights the Theatre ever witnessed.
The female part of the audience Were
profufely decorated with jewels. The
dresses were principally white, the bo
som entirely exposed. Venetian gold
chains, forming avast number of fef
toons, encircling the breast, were the
principal ornaments ; they were con
fined by the Necklace, and a large topaz
or brilliant on the shoulder . •head dress,
ofttiQ feathers,and tiaras of diamonds-