Republican ledger, and Portsmouth price current — Portsmouth, N.H., 1803-01-04 00:00:00, page 2

Monday, Dec. 13.
Seventeen members, continuing a
quorum, attended —— Whereupon the Sen
ate proceeded, in the absence ot the Vice-
President, to the choice of a President pro
tempore.
On the ift ballot, Gen. Bradley, of Ver
mont, had 8 votes—Mr. Tracey, of Con
necticut, 7 —Mr. Baldwin 1 and Mr. Logan
1. No election, a majority being requisite.
—2d &gd ballots, fame as the lit.
On the 4th ballot, Mr. Bradly had eight
votes, Mr. Tracey 7, and 2 blank votes. —
No election.
Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Eighteen members prelept —l —Stephen S.
Bradley was cholen President pro. tempore.
• —Mr. Bradley had 9, and Mr. Tracey 7
votes.
On the election of the President, Mr.
Bradley withdrew, and 9 became a majority
of the members prelent.—-The Rev. Dr.
Gantt was cbofen chaplain ; 10 members
voting for him.
HOUbE— Monday, Dec. 13.
i he petition of James Bell, heretofore
presented, was referred to the committee of
claims. '
The petition of Joseph M'Lellan & Hugh
Mlellan, John Taber and Daniel Taber,
of Portland, M. was read, praying a remis
sion of toe duties of impost and tonpage on
foreign velTls, in the case of the Ihip Eliza,
to which they have been fubjeded in confe
qtunce of one of the owner's of so ship
having omitted to take the oath, or affirma
tion within the time prefaibed by law, was
read and referred to the com. of commerce
and manohQ^res.
Mr. Devenpert from the com. of revifal
and unfinifyed business, made a report in
patt.
Wednesday, dec. 8.
Mr. Nicholson preferred a petition from
Richard Wiifon, imprisoned in Wethington
C >unty, praying for liberation. Refered to
a Committee of seven. Mr. N. prefenteda
similar petition from Nathaniel Segul. Re
ferredto fame Committee.
On motion Gen. S. Smith, the following
standing Committees were appointed.
A committee of Elections of seven mem
bers. —A committee of Revifal and unfin
ithed Bufinefs,of three members—A commit
tee of Claims,of seven me,mbers.--A com
mittee of Commerce and Manufactures of
seven members.--Gen. S. Smith further mo
ved that a committee of Ways and Means,
confiding of nine members, fhouid be ap
pointed.
As the number of nine members involved a
departure from a rule confining that com
mittee to seven, the motion was ordered to
remain for confederation until to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Nicholson resolved,
that the committee to whom were referred
the petitions of Richard Wiifon and Nath
aniel Segul, be inftruaed to enquire into the
expediency of making a general provision
for the relief of insolvent debtors within
the District of Columbia.
Information having been received that the
Senate had not formed a quorum, the House
adjourned.
Thursday, Dec. o.
Mr. Gregg moved a reflation for the ap
pointment ot two Chaplains of different de
nominations, one for each house, to inter
change weekly.—Confederation postponed
till Monday next.
There being no quorum, in the Senate, ad
journed till to-morrow.
Friday, Dec. io.,
Dr Mitchill presented a petition from the
Surveyor of New-York, praying compensa
tion for extraor iinarv fervices.--Referred to
Committee of Claims.
Dr. Wadsworth presented the petition of
Wm.Douglefs and others, of Maine, praying
a remission of duties. Referred to Com. of
Commerce and Manuf.
Dr. Leib presented the petition of John
H. Baker, praying the reimbursement of
certain drawback duties.---Referred to
Com. of Commerce &c.
Mr. Gregg moved the re-adoption of the
resolution of the lad session, authorifmg door
keepers to employ one additional assistant,
two servants, andtwo horses, for the present
session. Agreed to.
Mr. Thompson presented the petition of
Gilbert Combs, reprefin'ing that he had, af
ter long study, difeovered the mode of ascer
taining the Longitude, and praying abidance
of Congress to conduct his researches. Re
ferred to a felecl committee.
Saturday, Dec. ii.
Several private petitions were presented.
There being noquorum in the Senate, ad
journed.
Coagref^ of toe unites States
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SENATE OF the UNITED STATES.
'“ Error of Opinions may be tolerated when
On Friday the loth ult. the following
resolutions were bronght forward in the
Virginia house of delegates:
" The extreme licentiousness of the fed
eral editors in the abuse of the president
has been such as to require a corrective ; and
as jt is highly impolitic, as well as unconsti
tutional, to place any legal restraint on print
ing presses, the only mode of couriteraaiog
the baneful effects of fjch publications,
should be by an exprefflou of the public
will.
Tuesday, dec. 14.
Mr. S. Smith moved the reference of the
bill for the relives of Henry Meffonier, with
the papers accompanying it, to the com.
of commerce and manufactures. — Agreed
A message was received from the Senate,
informing the House that they had made a
quorum, and had chosen jtepheu R. Brad
ley President pro. tempore, in the absence
of the Vice-President of the U. States, and
were ready 10 proceed to bufmefs.
The petition of Fowler was referred
to the committee of claims.
On motion Mr. Dawson, resolved, that a
committee be appointed on the part of this
House, to unite with a committee on the
past of the Senate, to wait upon the Presi
dent of the United States, and inform him
that the two Houles have formed and are
ready to receive any communica ion be may
be pleased to make to them.
Mr. Dawson, Mr. Lowndes, and Mr.
Van Nfs, were appointed the committee.
A message was received from the Senate
advising the House, that they had patfen a
similar resolution, and had appointed on
;their part a committee, confiding ot Mr.
IWright ;nd Mr. Theodore Fuller.
On motion of Gen. S. Smith, the memo
rials of sundry manufactures, presented lalt
feflion, were referred to the com. of com
merce and manufaaures.
Mr. Dennis dated that he underwood, that
at the fame time that this House had palled
a resolution for the appointment of a com-'
mittee to join a committee of the Senate to
wait on the Piefident, the Senate had
passed a refdution to the fameeffea. There
appeared, therefore, to be two concurrent
resolutions, each originating in one h'oufe
but neither ot which was a&ed upon by the
other. He therefore moved a concurrence
on the part of the House in the refolntion of
the Senate.—Agreed to.
Mr. Green presented a number of peti
tions from citizens of Miffifippi Territory,
praying that the land office, to be opened
may be within the limits of the Territory,
and that the actual settlers may have pre
emption rights extended to them ; and pray
ing for sundry alterations in the terms of
the ordinance, under which they are organ
ized, — Referred to a com.
The House took up the motion, made
four days since by Mr. Gregg, for the ap
pointment of two Chaplains, of different
denomination, to interchange weekly.—Ms.
Davis exprefled himfelf against the reso
lution.
It was defended by Messrs Dennis, Grig
wold, Nicholson, Smilie, Claiborne and
Elmer.
Mr. Dennis moved to strike out “ of dif
ferent denominations." This motion was
supported by Mr. Smilie, and opposed by
Meifrs. Nicbollun, Elmer, and Claiborne-=
Lod, ayes 24.
The resolution was then agreed to, with
out amendment.
On motion of Mr. Dennis, the petitions
of Wm. Ray and John Fallowell, hereto
fore presented, were referred to the commit
tee of claims.
On motion of Gen. Varnum, the peti
tion of Edward Barnes, heretofore present
ed, was referred to the committee ot claims.
Mr Allton moved that a committee be
appointed to enquire and report what alter
ations may be necessary in the ads for the
establishments of poll-offices and post roads,
with power to report by bill or otherwise.—
Com. of seven appointed.
Mr. Davis moved that the committee ap
pointed on poll-offices and poll-roads be in-
ItruCled to enquire into the expediency of
making provision by law, to prevent post
masters from becoming contractors tor car
rying the mails.—Agreed to.
On motion of Gen. Varnum the petition
of Joseph Ward, and the report of the Se
cretary of the I reafury thereon, was refer
red to the, com, of claims.
Mr, S. Smith moved the appointment of
a committee of ways and means of seven
members., Agreed to.
Mr.Dawfon from the committee appoint
ed to wait upon the President, reported that
they had delivered the message of the House
to the President, who replied, that he would
make his communication to Congress by
message tomorrow.
Dr. Mitchill gave notice that immediate
ly after the receipt of the President's mes
sage, he should offer a fpecific motion on
the fubjedt of French fpoliatipns.
,reason is left free to combat it.”
BiEWOEDtOKD, f,
“ Died, at Eaflon, on Friday night lalt, Johan
Winslow; aged about 25 years and Ho
ward, aged about 1,. The night being extreme
ly cold and the room in which they were to sleep
having been recently plaflered, they placed in it
a large pan of lighted charcoals, and, retired to
bed-late in the evening ; early the next morning
the family called them, but not receiving any an
fwer opened the floor, and diftrefling to relate,
found them both death !—Hayward lying in beu
perfectly natural, as though he were in a found
deep, it appeared he expired without a druggie.
From Window's position, it seemed he had made
an effort to open the door, but failed, and fell
jack on the bed. The jury of inqueit reported,
that their death was cau^d by fuflucation."
We understand that Captain Tingey had
got out the cannon in order to fire a federal
salute at the navy-yard, Washington city,
as soon as the President's communication
should be made. This coming to the ears
of the President, he with that attention to
republican principles which are alike hostile
to ulelefs extravagance and unneceflary par
ade, indantly requeued that the ceremony of
nringthe cannon ffiould be dispensed with--
which of course was complied with,
NEW YORK, DEC. 27.
Capt. Steele, arrived here from New-Or
leaus, informs, that a few days before he
failed (Nov. 26th) a letter from the Gover
nor of the MifliffippiTerritory had been re
ceived by the government of New-Orleans,
requeuing an explanation of the infringement
of the Spanish and American treaty, by de
priving the Americans of a place of deposit
on the Mississippi river ; and wilhing tu be
informed, whether this measure was to be
deemed tantamount to a declaration of war
agalnft the United States.
This communication was under delibera
tion by the Governor and council ot New-
Orleans for four days ; the fubflauce ot
their reply was unknown ; but, at the break
ing up of the council, it was declared, that
American velLls might enter and deposit
their cargoes, by giving security to the full
value of the cargo, that it should not be re
moved, until the decision ot the Spanish
-Court should be received. Property, declar
ed to be Spanilh, was permitted an entry.
Great quantities of produce, brought down
the Miffilippi in flight built boats, had arri
ved- at New-Orleans, and a great deal of it
loft in the river, in confeqn nee ot their be
ing no place to deposit it. #
To mew the hostility and hatred of the
Intendant towards the citizens of the United
States, it is Efficient to mention the follow
ing faa. A boat loaded with cotton, having
come down the Mitfifippi, by accident was
funk in the river —The cotton was taken
up and landed on one of the wharves until it
could bo put on, board the (hip South Car
olina. The Intendant, on hearing of it,
gave orders tor its immediate removal, on
pain of its being thrown into the dock.
O
" Resolved therefore, that the present
legislature as a competent part of the com
munity, declare their entire disapprobation,
ot the gross, indecent and unprincipled at
tacks made on the charader ot the president
of the United States ; and so fully and confi
dently are they allured of the uprightness and
purity of his motives as well as confirmed in
a sincere and firm belief that his official du
ties have been difeharged in such a manner
as to promote the real interest, happiness and
independence of their country, that they ate
induced to give their unequivocal & decided
approbation of every part of his conduct, as
tar as it has come within their knowledge ;
and they feel a pleasurable duty in declaring
that there is no man in America who de
fcrves more ot the confidence and Support of
the people ot these United States, than the
enlightened, philolbphic, benevolent and pa
triotic republican, Thomas Jefferfon.
" Resol VED---that the foregoing ex
preihon ot the Sentiments of the house of re
prUentatives be communicated to the senate
tor their approbation.
"'< ^tfegg^#,. >->">-
Sa vannah, (Geo.) Nov. 24.
It is expelled that the mail will be ex
changed mice times a week between this ci
ty and Charleston.
The inhabitants of Savannah have much
reason to complain of the negled of the
northern P ^matters. By the regulations
of the Department, letters dire&ed to a place
where there is a distributing office, are to be
mailed directly to that office. At present,
letters and papers direded to Savannah, are
mailed for " Georgia State:" by which
means, they are sent to Augusta, and thence
to this city :---occafioning a delav, very
frequently of near a week from the time
they would have come to hand by the direct
route.
We would thank our brethren of the type
at the northward, to give this note a place,
confident that the distributing offices in that
direction will corre& the evil.
tfrCT —oramc-
Laue ^ ©c tyaito
FATAL ACCIDENT.
ALEXANDRIA, DEC. 17,
At a meeting of the Selectmen of tie town cf
Portfmoutb, the 28th dg of December,
1802.
VOTED, That John Langdon,
Daniel Humphreys, Nathaniel
Adams, James Sheafe and John
Goddard, Elquires, be a commit
tee to receive any donations which the
Charitable may be disposed to make to
those who fuffered by the late distressing
fire, which has destroyed lo great a
part ofthis town, whereby many persons
have loft their all —And the lame
Committee are requeued to distribute
the fame in such manner as they think
proper, and return an account of theft
proceedings to the Selectmen.
GEORGE GAINS, \.
MOSES WOODWARD, )
SAMUEL HUTCHINGS, h
ELIJAH HALL,
EDWARD CUTTS,
To the humane, benevolent Citizens of
the Commercial Cities and Sea-Ports,
and of the interior of the U. States.
The refpeQful address of the Committee cf the to^n
cf Portsmouth, in the State of Nem-Hamfe^ire,
in behalf of the town.
'i l HE duty we owe to our constituents, she
1 Citizens of this desolated town, impel#
us to lay before you in general and concise
terms, its present fuffering state.
The late terrible fire with which
Divine Providence has visited us, in a
view of all circumstances, is believed
to be without a parallel in our common
country.—This town retarded in its
early growth, by many causes, seemed
beginning to overcome those obstacles,
when the revolutionary war, by its neces
sary effects, nearly annihilated its form
er and principal branches ofCommerce.
It was just emerging from this Aate ;
its trade began to revive and increase,
and particularly in the central part of
the town ; where great exertions were
made, and much money was laid out
to render it commodious for the pur
pose, and even to embellish it.
This fair and beautiful part of the
Town has in one short day, become a
heap of ashes and rubbiffi ; exhibiting
such a feene of devastation and ruin,
as gives frefh pain at every new view-+
The number and value of the streets to
tally, or in a great measure destroyed—•
The number of inhabitants now expos
ed to fufferings and hardships, beyond
the relief tendered by their sympathiz
ing neighbours.—The aged, and infirm,
widows and orphans unhoufed in mid
winter—The stagnation of business, ex
cepting the labour,(patiently fubmirted
to, and going on, of rearing or fitting
up shelters for persons and property res
cued from the flames.—The great de
ftrudion of books, accounts, and papers
of very great value—The inability of
the inhabitants of the Town, to pre
serve, without assistance, its trade with
the interior, ready to fly off in many
directions—And finally the damages
consequential to such a state of ruip,
which tho' they may be conceived, baf
fle all description and calculation—
all concur to plead powerfully with
the opulent and the prosperous ; indeed
with all in a comfortable state, who
feel tliemfelves exposed to like calami
ties, and that they may need like assist
ance from sympathizing friends and
countrymen —It is from persons in pros
pering or easy circumflances, that relief
is peculiarly desired, and solicited— Bat
injustice would be done to our own feel
ings, to those of our fuffering friends
and neighbors, and to those of our be
nevolent fellow citizens in the union, did
we not declare that the smallest dona
tions which may be made by the com
passionate of every class, will be grate
fully received, and with.all others faith
fully appropriated.—This town has
cheerfully had a fellow-feeling on like
calamities taking place in distant parts
of the union, and has no doubts of experi
encing the Sympathy it feels bound to
shew. JOHN LANGDON,
DANIEL HUMPHREYS,
JAMES SHEAFE,
NATHANIEL ADAMS,
JOHN GODDARD.
*, The winters of newfyefcers in the Unit'd
States are requeued to injert the foregoing, /„