Republican ledger, and Portsmouth price current — Portsmouth, N.H., 1803-03-15 00:00:00, page 2

On motion of Mr. Helms the House went
into a Committee of the whole on the bill
to make provifibn for persons who have
been disabled by known wounds received in
the services of the United States during the
revolutionary war.—Mr. John C. Smith in
the chair.
A debate of considerable length ensued on
the competency of the provisions of the
bill to secure the ends contemplated by it.
The bill provides for a decilion by the dif
tri& judge on the application of individuals
for pensions„
Several amendments were then made,
when the Committee rose, and reported the
bill with amendments, which were ordered
to lie on the table.
About 2 o'clock Mr. Nicholson said he
bad a report to make on a fubjea which had
been a&ed upon with closed doors.
The galleries were cleared, and the Houle
* 'continued their fitting until 4 o'clock, when
an adjournment took place.
Saturday, feb. 12.
The House went into a committee of the
whole—Mr. Varnum in the chair—on the
amendment of the Senate to the a& for the
relief of the fuffcrers by the late tire at Portf
month.
The committee agreed to the amendments
and the House afterwards concurred—The
amendment confines the suspension of the
~ wyment of duties falling due since 26th of
December.
Mr. Southard made a report receding
Military Land Warrants—giving further
time to the holders of military land warrants
to locate the fame—to locate them on less
portions than 4,000 acres, &c.
Report agreed to, and a bill ordered to be
bro't in.
Monday, Feb. 14.
A bill supplementary to the att providing
passports for the Ihips and vessels of the Uni
ted States was read a thiid time and palled.'
A message was received from the senate
^dvifing the house that they had passed the
a& to provide tor the granting of clearances
to fllips or veflels of the United States lying
in the Miffifippi, fouth of the southern boun
dary of the United States, to amend an a&
intitled an ad, to regulate the collection of
duties on imports and tonnage, and for other
purposes.
Tuesday, feb. 15.
• As soon as the journal of the proceedings
of yesterday was read, on motion of Mr.
Nicholson the galleries were cleared.
An engrolled bill to make provision for
persons that have been disabled by known
wounds received in the actual service of the
United States during the revolutionary war,
was read the third time and palled.
Au engrolled bill intitled an A& in addi
tion to an aCI, intitled an act more effectual
ly to provide for the national defence by ef
tablilaing an uniform militia throughout the
United States, was read the third time and
palled.
Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Mr. Randolph, from the Committee of
Ways and Means, reported a bill making
appropriations for fopport of government
for the year 1803.
Referred to a committee of the whole
House on Saturday.
Thursday, feb. 17.
Mr. Leib from the committee appointed
on the petitions of sundry aliens, reported a
bill in addition to an aft to eßablilh an uni
form fyffem of naturalization ; which was
read twice and referred to a committee of
the whole to-morrow.
Mr. S. Smith presented a memorial from
sundry aliens in Baltimore. Referred.
An engrossed bill in addition to the a&
concerning the registering and recording
ships and veflels of the United States, and to
the ad entitled an ad to regulate the col
lections of duties on imports and tonnage
was read the third time and pafled.
Friday, Feb. 18.
The amendments of the Senate to the a&
supplementary to the a& refpeCting consuls.
and vice-consuls, and for the protection of
American seamen were taken up, and con
curred in.
Mr. Nicholson, from the committee ap
pointed on the melfage of the President of
the United States, inclofing sundry docu
ments respecting John Pickering, diftriCt
judge for New-Hampshire made a report.
The committee report that John Picker
ing has been guilty of high crimes and mif
demeanurs —they, therefore, offer a refolu
tion —that John Pickering, diftria judge for
New-Hampshire, has been guilty of high
crimes and mifdemeanois and that he be
impeached therefor.
Referred to a committee of" the whole on
Wednesday, and the documents ordered to
be printed.
Mr. Newton called for the order of the
day on the report of a felea committee, re
commending the adoption of a resolution,
that it is not expedient to repeal the Bank
rupt Law.
Mr. Griswold moved to poßpone the con
sideration of the report till the firft Tuefday
in. November next.
Friday, feb. 11.
This produced a spirited debate which
continued beyond the usual hour of adjourn
ment.
On the incidental question of postpone
ment, the main principle of repeal was dis
cussed ; those in favor of the postponement
being against the repeal.
Messrs. Griswold, S. Smith, Goddard,
Thatcher, Bayard, Gregg, Euftis, Dana, and
Mitchill, fopported, and Messrs. Newtown,
Varnum Hastings, and Bacon, opposed the
postponement ; when the question was ta
ken by Yeas and Nays, and carried Yeas 50
Nays 39.
Saturday, Feb. 19.
Mr. Hodge presented a petition from a
number of inhabitants of Pennsylvania ref
pe&ing the obtruded navigation of the
Miffiflippi..
Referred to a committee of the whole on
the Rate of the union.
Mr. Nicholson reported a bill for regula
ting the grants of land, and providing for
(he disposal of lands South of Tennessee.
Referred to a committee of the whole on
Tuefday.
Mr. Nicholson also reported a bill for fet
tling sundry claims to the public lands of
the United States South of Tennessee.
Referred to a committee of the whole on
Tuefday next.
After difeuffion the bill making an appro
priation for the Navy for the year 1803 in
committee of the whole, it was ordered to
be engrossed for a third reading on Mon
day.
Monday, Feb. 21. \
The bill in addition to an aft entitled an
a& to establish an uniform rule of naturali
zation, &c. was read a third time.
The question was taken by Yeas and
Nays on the passage of the bill : Yeas 38 ;
Nays & 42. The bill was therefore loft.
The house went into a committee of the
whole—Mr. Varnum in the chair—on the
amendments of the senate to the bill provid
ing an additional armament for the pro
tection of the commerce and seamen of the
United States. The senate proposed a new
feaion, authorifing the President to build a
number of gun boats not exceeding fifteen
and appropriating 50,000 dollars therefor.
Mr. Griswold moved the recommitment of
the bill to a felea committee. Loft Ayes
17. Ihe amendment of the senate was then
agreed to.
Tuesday, Feb. 22. :
A bill making appropriations for the sup
port of government for the year 1803 was
read a third time, and pafled.
The Speaker laid before the house a report
from the secretaries of the treasury and war
and the comptroller of the treasury, re fped
ing claims of Nova-Scotia refugees. Re
ferred to a felea committee of three.
Mr. Bayard offered a resolution altering
the period of the fitting of the Supreme
Court from the firft Monday in February
to the firft Monday of August. Carried, 38
• to 33° Referred to a felea committee.
The galleries were cleared to take up two
bills'of a confidential nature, received from
•the Senate.
Wednesday, Feb. 23.
An engrossed bill to revive and continue
in force an a& in addition to an a& entitled
" an afl in addition to an a& regulating the
grants of land appropriated for military ser
vices, and for the society of the United Bre
thren for propagating the gospel among the
Heathen." and for other purposes, was read
a third time and paired.
This bill contains an honorable donation
of land, equal to the quantity allowed to an
officer of the fame grade, to General La
Fayette.
Thursday, Feb. 24.
A letter was received from the Secretary
of 1 reafury,lnciofing a report of the emolu
ments of officers employed in the customs.
Also from the fame department, an ac
count of the receipts and expenditures of the
United States for 1801.
An engrossed bill authorifing the transfer
of the duties of Supervisor to any other office
was read a third time and passed.
A bill was passed to a third reading ma
king certain ports of entry and delivery.
Among which the City of Waffiington is
made a port of entry and delivery.
Washington, Feb. 25.
The senate has been this, the third day,
arguing on the fubjed of the Mifliffippi—
fat last night to halt after seven. The spea
kers yesterday were Mr. Wells of Delaware
a short speech very compact and neatly deliv
ered Mr, Ross in a very ardent and as usual
specious speech, Mr. Wright a Rrong copi
ous and vigorous speech ; Mr. G. Morris
a bold, eloquent, comprehensive, vastly va
rious, but fophifticai speech. As a drama
tic forenfic effort, it >vas indeed amufipg and
inierefting—he closed the debate at forty
minutes after seven.
The house met this day and the debate
was opened by Mr. Anderson, who was fol
lowed by general Mafoo, Mr. Nichols, and
Mr Dayton.
At 6 o'clock the queßion was carried for
Riiking out Mr. Rofs's resolutions and sub-
Mr. Bragg,
IT is certainly a fubjea of much lamen
tation, that the spirit of party should operate
with such unrivalled influence upon the pas
sions of even the best and most learned cha
raaers, as utterly to deprive them, for a sea
son, of every appearance of good nature and
candor, ingredients which I am assured
philosophers have always accounted, at least,
component parts of a gentleman. But cer
tain it is, when rgafon and reflection are in
discriminately facrificed at the shrine of in
trigue and cabal, the most intelligent per
sons have fu fferecf themfclves and pursuits to
dwindle into a weakness, both contemptible
and disgusting. It may hence be well ob
served that nothing so effectually blinds the
understanding, or so surprisingly prostrates
the amiable qualities ofthe heart, as politi
cal prejudice. That which is termed reli
gious prejudice, is of a complexion less ter
rific. To guard against that prejudice there
fore, which is derived from a political quar
ter, is the duty of all—but of none so much
as of those eminent feerJonages who are the
oracles from whence the middle and lower
classes in society draw political information.
Such information is continually solicited, and
to tin&ure the minds of the honest enquirers
with falfe colors, is barbarous beyond ex
preflion ; because they, at the time of
Soliciting information, are generally unin
fluenced by the foul fiend.
l am, I confefs, extremely moderate in
my political tenets, take a plea sure in mak
ing enquiries of those friends and neigh
bours, who have opportunities of obtaining
more correa information than myfelf.—
From this circumstance, to be sure, i am
frequently exposed to impofnion. And af
ter all their learned disquisitions I cannot for
my foul fee those terrible diftinaions which
agonize the learned and make the illiterate
mad. That the frenzy of the latter, how
ever, results from the misrepresentations of
the former, I believe, may generally be
asserted as la&. And I consequently be-
Ircver —That if reason could once refumt
her feat in the minds of the one, temperance
and sobriety would again regulate the con
dua of the other. 1
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, lßog.
CLOSE OF THE SESSION.
Among other business, the impeachment
of John Pickering, Dißri& Judge of N.
Hampihire, for high crimes and misdemea
nors, was agreed to by a great majority :
—The passage ofthe Militia bill refpeaing
the Dittria of Columbia ; and the passage
of the bill continuing the Mint for five
years.
Among the most important business tranfatted
was: The passage of the bill from the Senate, au
thorifing a detatchment of 80,000 militia ; for
which purpose one million and a half of dollars
are oppropriated. Twenty-five thousand dollars
are appropriated for building arfeuals on the
Weftern Waters.
After passing a resolution in approbation
of and returning thanks to the Speaker for
hiscondud during the Session ,and tranfad
ing various business ; about a quarter before
12 o'clock in the evening, an adjuornment
took place Jine die.
*, The next meeting of Congress will
be on the firft Monday of November next.
Mr. Bradley was in the chair ; the vice
president being indisposed!
The mandamus business was decided yes
terday, the court refu fed the mandamus---
and delivered opinions much at length."
Refilled, That the President may, if he
judges it expedient, authorife the executives
of the several Rates to accept, as a part of
the detachment aforefaid, any corps ofvolun
teers ; who shall continue in service for
such time not exceeding
months, and perform such services as shall
be prescribed by law.
Resolved, That dollars be appro
priated for paying and subsisting such part
of the troops aforefaid, whose actual service
may be wanted, and for defraying such other
expences as, during the recess of Congress
the President may deem neceflary for the se
curity of the territory of the U. States.
Refolded, That dollars be ap
propriated for the ereaing, at such place or
places on the weftern waters as the President
ma y judge most proper, one or mole arsen
als.
Mr.Brackcubridge's resolutions are as follow
Refolded, That the President of the Uni
ted States be, and he is hereby authorifed,
whenever he (hall judge it expedient to re
quire of the executives of the several Rates
to take effectual measures to organize, arm
and equip, according to law, and hold in
readiness to March at moment's warning,
80,000 effective militia, officers included.
ftituting Mr. Brackenbridge's—Ayes 14,
Noes 11.
Ayes.—Anderson Baldwin Brackenbridge
Clinton Cooke Ellery T. Foster S. T. Ma
son Logan Jackson Nicholas Stone Sumpter
Wright— 14.
Noes.—Dayton Hillfhoufe Howard J.
Mason, Morris Olcott Plummer Ross Tra>
cv Wells White—ll.
From the Dover SUN.
It most be avowed that for Tome years past there
has been few things more wanted than luch a pa
per as this ought to be ; and as such I will endea
vor to make it, as long as it shall be found ot any
use, without entering into the violences of either
party. Coofidering the many grievous misrepre
sentations of persons and things, it is highly re
quilite, at this juncture, that the people through,
out the country should, if poflible, be let right in
their opinions, by some impartial hand; which
hath never been attempted ; those who have hith
erto undertaken it, being upon every account, the
least qualified of all bumon kind for such a work.
We live here under a free constitution, and un
der the doßrine and discipline of a religion of our
own. We are unhappily divided into two par
ties, both which pretend a mighty zeal for our
religion and government, only they disagree about
the means. The evils we must fence against are,
on one fide fanatacifm and infidelity in religion,
and anarchy in government ; on the other fide a
hideous ariflocracy. Now to inform and direct
us in our sentiments upon these weighty points,
here are on one fide, flupid illiterate scribblers,
I mean federal editors ; on the other fide, we have
an open Republican, whose character and person,
as well as learning and good sense, difeovered up
on most fubjefts, deserve refpec't and esteem. If
the generality of people knew not how to talk
06 think until they have read their leflun in the
papers of the week, what a misfortune is it that
their duty should be conveyed to them through
such vehicles as those ? For, let some gentlemen
think what they please, I cannot but fufpeft that
the worthies I mentioned, have done mifehief a
mong us; the mock authoritative manner and the
insipid mirth, however insupportable to reasona
ble ears, being on a level with great numbers a
mong the lower part of mankind ; and no less in
fectious to many persons of better figure,who per
haps were as well qualified and much less p'reja
dicerfo to judge for ihemfelves.
It was this reason that^moved me to take the
matter out of those rough as well as those dirty
hands; to let the remote and uninllrufted part
of the country fee that they have been milled
on both sides, by mad, ridiculous. Extremes, at a
wide Diflance on each Side from the Truth;
while the right Path is so broad and plain as to be
easily kept, if they were once mat into it.
Further: 1 had lately entered on a resolution
to take very little notice of other papers, unless it
were such where the malice and folfhood had so
great a mixture of wit and spirit as would make
them dangerous ; which, in the present circle of
scribblers, I could easily forefee would not very
frequently occur. But here again lam forced to
dispense with my resolution, although it be only
to tell my reader what measures I am like to take
on foch occasions for the future. 1 read the papers
with the firft opportunity, and, to speak in the
news writer's pftrafe, they give me occafan for
many [peculations. 1 observe with lingular pleas
ure, the nature of those things, which the owners
of them usually call anJwers, and with what dex
terity the editors fall into the whole art and cant
of them. To tranferibe here and there three or
four detached lines of least weight in a difeourfe,
and by a foolish comment, mistake every Syllable
ot the meaning, is what 1 have known many, of a
foperior class to these formidable acverfaries, en
title an answer, This is what they do, in about
thrice as many words as my whole piece ; which
is so mighty an advantage over me, that I shall by
no means engage in so unequal a combat ; but as
far as I can judge of my own temper, entirely
dismiss them for the future; heartily wishing they
had a match exactly of their own size to meddle
with, who should only have the odds of truth and
honefly, which, as I take it, would be an effectual
way to silence them for ever.
The worst of it is, that this fort of outrageous
party-writers I have spoke of above, are like a
couple of make-bates, who inflame small quarrels
by a thousand stories, and by keeping friends at &
distance hinder them from coming t„o_a good un
derttanding ; as they certainly would, If they were
fuffered to meet and debate between thcmfelves:
For let any one examine a reafunabic honest man
of either fide, upon those opinions in religion and
government which both paities, daily buffet each
other about ; he (hall hardly sod one material
point in difference between them. I would be
glad to ask a qaeftion about two Great Men, bow
they came to be federal ? And by what figure of
This train of refleaion arises from an
occurrence which took place, not long since,
in my neighbourhood, and which in its de
tail will tend to elucidate the foregoing re
mark : That nothing fodebafes the greatest
mind as the fatal ifluence of political pre
judice—A gentelman ofthe firft legal abi
lities, from a neighboring county, fay for
inßance, the County of Hillfborough, in a
conversation on the fubjea of a recorder of
deeds for the County of Stra fford, remark
ed, with much political warmth ; That no
Gentleman prefeffing republican principles
ought ever to hold an office of the least mo
ment in society, muc* less an office of such
magnitude as that in question : and added ;
Such an office generally draws together
much people, and consequently affords an
opportunity for Mr. Republican Recorders
talk ; and if he be fuffcred to talk, he may
consequently make many proselytes to the
cause of democracy. Which direful event
ought ever to be guarded against with the
most rigid concern.—Thus hq.— Now I
am almost persuaded, from the general ex
ternal Janttifad appearance of the gentleman
that nothing could have extracted a senti
ment so fraught with defpicalk meanneh
from him, save that unconquerable poli
tical prejudice, which 1 greatly f ear marks
the federal chaia&er in almost every poflible
position. Citizens will therefore beware of
advice and cautiously shun declarations,
prompted by a degree of prejudice difgrace-'
tul to human nature. FABIUS
Feb. 24, 1803.
— medioque ut limite curras,
Icara, ait, meneo : ne Ji demiffior ibis,
Unda gracet Pennas, Ji celjior, ignis adurat.
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