The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1799-12-25 00:00:00, page 2

To the PRESIDENT of ffi W/reo States.
SIR, ..; %
While the House of Representatives contemplate
the flattering profpe&s of abundance from the la
bours of the people both by land and sea. the pros
perity of our extended commerce notwithstanding
interruptions occasioned by the belligerent Mate
of a great part of the world ; the return of health,
induftry/and trade to those cities which have late
ly been affli&ed with disease, and the various and
inestimable advantages, civil and religious, which
secured under our happy frame of government,
are continued to us unimpaired, we cannot
jfail to offer up to a benevolent Deity our sincere
thanks, for these, die merciful difpenfatiQns of his
protesting providence.
That any portion of the people of America
should permit themselves, amidst such numerous
blegings, to be fedaced by the arts and mifreprefen^
tations of defining men, into an open remittance of
a law of the Ignited States, cannot be heard Witb
' out deep and serious regret. Under a conflitution
where the public burthens can only be imposed by
the people themselves, for their own benefit, and
to promote their own objects, a hope might we,ll
have been indulged that the general filtered would
. have been too well understood, and the general
welfare too highly prized, to have produced in a
ny of our citizens, a disposition to hazard so much
felicity, by the criminal effort of a part, to oppose
with lawlessviolence the will of the whole.
; While we lament that depravity which could
- produce ft defiance ofthe civil authority, and ren
der indifyenfable the aid of the military force of
the nation, real consolation is to be derived from
'the promptness jind fidelity with which that aid
was afforded.. That zealous and active co-opera
tion with the judicial power, of the volunteersand
militia called into service, which has record order
and submission to the laws, is a pleating evidence.
Axfttie attachment of our fellow citizens to their
t own free government, and of the truly patriotic
Alacrity with Which they will support it.
* • To give due effect to the civil administration of
government, and to ensure a just execution ofthe
jaws, pre objects of foch real magnitude, as to se
cure a proper attention to your recommendation
of a revision and amendment of the judiciary fyf
^tem.•
Highly, approving as we do, the pacific and hu
,mane-palicy which has been invariably profeffed,
^nd'fihcerely purfoeQ by the Executive authority
df the United States, a policy 'which our bed in
terests enjoined, and of which honour has permit
ted the obfervance,we confider as the most unequi
vocal proof of your inflexible perseverance in the
fame well" chosen fyflem, your preparations to
meet the fi;ft indications on the part ofthe French
Republic, of a difpofitionto accommodate the ex
iting differences between the two countries, by a
nomination of Ministers on retain conditions,
which the honor of our country unquestionably
dictated, and which its moderation had certainly
given it a right to prescribe. When the assuranc
es thus required of the French government previ
ous to the departure of our Envoys, had been giv
en through their minister of foreign relations, the
direftron that they should proced on their mission,
was, on your part, a completion of the measure,
and manifefts the sincerity with which it was com
menced. We offer up our fervent prayers to rhe
.Supreme Ruler of the hnivfrfe for rhe success of
their embafly, and_that it may be productive of
peace and happiness to our common country.—
The uniform tenor of your cohduft through a life
pfefal to your fellow-citizens and honorable to
yourfelf, giv'bs a sure pledge of the sincerity with
which.tbo avowed objefts of the negotiation wilk
bepurfued on your part, and we earneßly pray
To THE PRESIDENT of the United States.
Accept, fir, the refpeftful acknowledgments of
the Senate of the United States for your speech de
livered to both Houses of Congress at the openu^
of the present Session. ■
While we devoutly join you in offering onr
thanks to Almighty God for the return of health
to our cities, and for the general prosperity of the
country ; we cannot refrain from lamenting that
the arts and calumnies of factious deligning men
_ have excited open rebellion a second time in Penn
sylvania ; and thereby compelled the employment
of a military force to, aid the civil authority in the
execution of the h"% We rejoice that your vi
gilance, energy a." well timed exertions have
crushed so daring an -opposition, and prevented
the spreading of such treasonable combinations.-—
The promptitude and zeal displayed by the troops
called to suppress this infurreftion deserve our
highest commendation and praise, and afford a
pleating proof of the spirit and alacrity with
which our fellow-citizens are ready to maintain
the authority of our excellent government.
Knowing as we do, that the United States are
sincerely anxious for a fair and liberal execution
of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce & Navigation
entered into with Great-Britain : we learn with
regret that the progress of adjustment has been in
terrupted by a difference of opinion among the
Commiffiouers. We hope, however, that the jus
tice, tire moderation, and the obvious interests of
both parties, will lead to fatisfaaory explanations,
and that the business will then go forward to an
', amicable close of all differences and demands be
tween the two countries. We are fully persuaded
that the Legislature of the United States will ch . r
fully enable you to realife your afl'urances of p<r
< forming, on vm part, all cugagvmwn^ “min vur
treaties, with punctuality and the molt scrupulous
good faith. „'
< When we reflect upon the uncertainty of the
' refolt of the late mission to France, and upon the
uncommon nature, extent and afpett of the war
now raging in Europe ; which affects materially
our relations with the powers at war, and which
.has changed the condition of their colonies ig our
neighbourhood ; we are of opinion with you, that
~'it.Would be neither wife nor fafe to relax our
measures of defence, or to leflen any of our pre
; parations to repel aggression,
„. Our enquiries and attention shall be carefully
- directed to the various other important fubjefts
which you hrave recommended to our considera
tion : and from our experience of your past ad
ministration, we anticipate with the highest confi
deuce your strenuous co-operation in all measures
which have a tendency, to promote and extend our
-liational interests and happiness.
House — MONDAY, Dec. ~
The house resolved itfelf into a committee on the answer to
the Address of the President, ..,,.
Mr. Dent in the chair.
The following answer was read from the chair by pragraphs.
CongreW of toe Unffi ^tatix
ANSWER OF THE SENATE to THE PRESI-
DENT'S SPEECH.
that a limiter dilpoCition may be difeia) ed on ifoe
part of France. The difterences 'which unfortu
nately fubfilt between the two natfoomnot fail,
in that event, to be happily terminated. To pro
duce this end, to all so desirable, firmpefs, moder
ation, and union at home, constitute, we are per
suaded, the furelf means. Tb^ character of the
gentlemen you have deputed, and 11111 more, the
character of the government which deputes them,
are fafe pledges to their country, that nothing in
compatible with its honor or interett, nothing in
coniillept with our obligations of good faith or
friendship to any other nation, will be stipulated.
We learn, with pleasure, that pur citizens with
their property trading to those ports offt Domin
go with which commercial intercourse has been
renewed, have been duly refpedted,affi that pri
vateering from those ports has leafed.
With you we sincerely regret that the execu
tion of the Vlth article of the treaty of amity,
commerce and navigation with Great Britain, an
article produced by a mutual spirit of amity and
jultice, should have been unavoidably interrupted.
We doubt not that the fame spirit of amity, arid
the fame sense of jultice in which ^originated,
will lead to fatisfaftory explanations ; and we
hear with approbation, that our Minitter at Lon
don will be immediately inftrnfted to obtain them.
While the engagements whicfh America has con
trasted by her treaty with Great-Britain, ought
to be fulfilled with that scrupulous puit&uality
and good faith to which our government has ever
so tenaciously adhered ; yet no inotiveexills to in
duce, and every principle forbids u, to adopt a
cenitruction which might extend them beyond the
instrument by which they are created. We cher
ish the hope that the government of Great-Britain
will disclaim such extension, and by cordially unit
ing. with that of the United States, for the remov
al of all difficulties, will soon enable the boards
appointed under the Vlth and VHth articles of
our treaty with that nation, to proceed, arid bring
the business committed to them refpettively, to a
fatistaftory conclusion,
Thv buihlings for the accummodatfon of Con
grefs, and of the President, and for the public of
fices of the government at its permanent feat, be
ing in such a Bate as to admit of a removal to that
diftrift by the time prescribed by the aft of Con
gress, no obstacle, it is presumed, will exist to a
compliance with the law.
With you, Sir, we deem the present period crit
ical and momentous. The important changes
which are occurring, the new and great events
which are every hour preparing in the political
world, the spirit of War which is prevalent in al
most every nation with whofe'affairs the interest
of the United States have any connexion, demon
strate how unfafe and precarious would be our
situation should we negleft the means of main
taining our jnft rights. Refpeding, as we have
ever done, the rights of others, America estimates
too correttly the value of her own, and has receiv
ed evidence too complete, that they'are only to be
preserved by her own vigilance, ever to permit
herfelf to be seduced by a love of ease or by other
considerations, into that deadly disregard Os the
means of felf-defence, which could only'refult
from a carelessness as criminal as it would be fatal,
concerning the future destinies of our growing
republic. The result of the million to France is,
indeed, fir, uncertain. It dependsnoCeO Ameri
ca alone. The most pacific temper will'not al
ways insure peace. We should therefore exhibit a
system of conduct as indlfcreet as it would benew
in the hiftory of the world, if we considered the
negociation ^happily terminated because we have
attempted to commence it, and peace restored be
cause we with its restoration. But, fir, however
this mission may terminate, a' Ready perseverance
in a fyllem of national defence, commensurate
with our resources, and the fituatioa of our coun
try, is an obvious dilate of duty. Experience,
the parent of wifdorti, and the great inftrUQor of
nations, has established the truth of ,our position,
that, remotely as we are placed from the belliger
ent nations, and desirous as We are, by doing jus
tice to all, to avoid offence to any, Vet nothing
Ihort of the power of repelling aggrefions will se
cure to our country a rational profpea of escap
ing the calamities of war or national degradation.
In the progress of the session, we shall take into
bur serious consideration the various aid import
ant matters recommended to our Attention.
A life devoted to the service of your country,
talents and integrity which have so jiflly acquired
and so long retained the confidence and affection
of your fellow citizens, attest the fincrity of your
declaration, that it is your anxious delire so to ex
ecute tlie trust reposed in you, as to render the
people of the United States prosperous and happy.
Mr. Gregg moved to dele certain words from
the Answer to the Address [fee the words in italic
in that answer] and to insert the Wprds " all in ;"
but it was negatived after a Ihort cebate ; and the
answer accepted.
It was refolyed that the fpeakir, attended by
the house, fhotild present the anfuer. ,
A committee was appointed to vait on the pre
sident to enquire when it would be convenient for
him to receive ic.' He aligned to-morrow 2 o'-
clock for that purpose.
The house went into a committeeon the State
of the Union. Mr. D. Foster proposed, iff, 'that
so much of the President's Speech as related to the
Judiciary Sydem, should be committed ; 2d, that
so much as related to public expenditures! should
be referred to the committee of Ways and Means,
and that so much as related to a fyllem of nation
al Defence, commensurate with our refaures and
the fit nation of our country, should be committed.
Tlie ift and jd were agreed to, the queftipnon the
2d was put off till till to-morrow.
A committee of Ways arid Means were v^d, tq
conlift of nine members.' 1
Mr. Dana laid, the gentleman wfo rep't&ited
the territory N. W. of th, river Ohio h*fpatent
ed his credentials to the committee of elevons;
but that committee doubted the propriety of tak
ing any notice of it without inftru&ions from the
.house, that territory never having beeri diftrtidly
represented in the house before. Ite therefore
moved the following order 1
Ordered, That the credentials of W. H. Harrison;
who has appeared as a delegate toCongrefs from
the territory N. W. of the Ohio, beh^ferreri td the,
committee of elections : and that they be directed
to report whether the said delegate from that ter
ritory of the United States might hare a feat in
this house. ' Carried. ;
Mr. Joliah Parker, and Mr. Robert Page, from'
Virginia appeared and took their feats?^..
, - ...^^ b - \
Mr. Clay, from Virgfaia, appeared this was
qualified, and took his feat; ° 1
Mr. Claiborne moved the following frefduiion,
which was adopted : f'
* * Refolv§d,That a conimitt^e be appointed to in
quire whether any, and übat provision ought to
be made, by law, for the punithmeut of such per
sons as may be difeovered in making attempts to
alienate the affections of any Indian nation, tribe,
of Chief from the United States, or in exciting
them to hostilities against the United States ; or
to the violation of any existing treaty^ and that
the fiyd committee be authorifed to report by bill
or otnerwife.
Mr. Harrison called up the consideration of the
resolution which he laid upon the table on Friday
last, relative to the Judiciary establishment of the
territory of the United States N. W. of the river
Ohio '; and the resolution having been read, on mo
tion, it was agreed to by the house.
Mr. Harrison presented a petition of Lardner
Clark, a citizen of the United States, redding at
Kalkalkias, in the North Wefterh Territory, pray
ing for the confirmation of his title to a certain
trad of land granted under the old French govern
ment, the papers afeertaining his right to which
had been loft or destroyed. Referred to a feleft
committee.
Mr. Griswold, from the committee of revifal
and untinifhed business, made a report, which was
ordered to be printed.
Mr. Thatcher presented a petition of Nathaniel
Libin, a soldier in the service of the United States
during the late war, praying for certain pay, out
of which he had been defrauded by a forged order.
Referred to the committee of claims.
Ori motion of Mr. Dawson,
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill
or bills, providing for an enumeration of the in
habitants of the United States ; and that the com
mittee of Ways and Means, do prepare and bring
in the fame.
On motion of Mr. Claiborne, the house came to
the following resolution :
Resolved, that a committee be appointed to in
quire whether any, and what amendments are ne
cessary to be made in the ads eflablifhing a poft
office and poftroads within the United States.
Mr. Speaker laid before the House, a letter from
the Secretary of State, exhibiting sundry returns
from the Colledors, of enregiftered American Sea
men ; and alfc relative to impressed seamen, with
sundry abfirads—which were ordered to be print
ed.
ZURICH, SEPT. 30.
We are reconquered into libcry, and according
ly the rights of conquells are used over us. The
conquering General has imposed upon us a contri
bution ofßoo,ooo franks, payment, the one half in
%8 hours, and the rest in 48 hours thereafter—in
order to gild the Pill, good reasons are alledged—
the soldier has not receceived his pay for 4 months.
The army wants every thing, and it is more @afy
to put a contribution on the city of Zurich, than
to force the French treasury to fend funds. How
ever, it is not on us alone that the contribution
falls. The inhabitants of St. Gall are to pay a con
tribution of 40,000 franks.
PARIS, oct. 10, 2 o'clock.
This moment the found of cannon officially an
nounces some new victories. Theagenius of Liber
ty ever diligent and hovering between Helvetia
and Batavia, has given to our armies the signal of
victory at the moment they both conquered. Su
warrow pursued into the Grifon mountains—York
is defeated —Chatham, brother to Pitt, dangerous
ly wounded. This appears to be a mortal Broke
to the coalition.
ocr.tr.
The enemy have been driven from before Mentz
and the blockade raised— 10,000 pea fants disarmed,
and 3000 men (aken prisoners, 1 (tandard and 2
covered ammunition waggons : this took place in
the different attacks from Seltz to Mentz. This
moment it is said the Head-Quarters of the French
patch, and Batavian, army are returned to Alk
maar.
'Among the 1500 prisoners taken on the 4th inst.
id the battle of Caftricum, by the French and
Dutch troops, is the king of England's regiment
of Guards : this regiment is composed of some of
the firll noble families in England.
General Roftollant terminates his dispatches
from Holland, after the above victory with this
paragraph : " Tell your fellow citizens that we
shall cleftrov the Englilh and Ruffian armies, and
that Republicans will always come off conquers
ofa coalition so inimical to the fredom of man
'feind.”'
The plains of Novi will teftify, that notwith
flandirig the flood of enemies we had to combat,
a few freemen put a step to their progress ; but
OCTOBER 16.
For three days past the army of Italy is in full
march for Piedmont. It is believed that Ceva will
not refill long, the enemy having retired to Afti,
on our arrival at Mondovi. Championet lay, on
the 4th of October, in the plains of Piedmont. It
is said a division has advanced even to Novi ; every
thing announces, that the end of this campaign
will be molt brilliant for the Republic.
The Archduke Joseph has taken the command
in chief of the Aullrian army in Italy. He is not
a very formidable rival, but will have Gen. Kray,
who is much esteemed among the Aulirians, under
him.
Received at N.York from St. Sebaftiani, (Spain)—Dates to Od; 16.
[Theje accounts contain the official details of Buon
aparte, relative to hisffccceffes in Egypt, by which
it appears, that the affair of Abuukir, cost the
Porte 18,000 men, and a great; many cannon —
AIJo, Maffena's official report to the directory of
his Juccefyes to the Sth of Oflober. He concludes
his dijpatches thus :
" foe result of these different battles, is about
18,000 prisoners, of which 8,000 are wounded,
and could not be carried away by the enemy
more than ico pieces of cannon, 13 stands of co
lours, 4 Generals taken prisoners, 5 Generals kill
ed, (among whom was the Gen. Hotze) —the re
taking of Gothard—of Glarus, and of all the val
lies that enter into it. Finally, the total loss of
the enemy in tfiefe different affairs, is more than
30,000 men.
Health and Helped,
(Signed) MASSENA."
PARIS, OCT. 6.
The last Dispatches from Championet are dated
the 22d tilt, They Bate, that at that period he
was collecting the army of Italy in the environs of
Novi, and was making difpolitions there which
appeared to announce an approaching attack.—
He will henceforth only have to couteft with Aus
trians, as Suwarrow has let out on, his, march to
take the command in Switzerland, with about
40,000 Ruffians.
Late foreign ^intelligence.
Gen. Maffena to the Directory CD. 12 by Tele
graph.
1 have completely b sten the enemy, and driven
then beyond the Rhine—2ooo men have been kill
ed and wounded, and 1000 made prisoners—six
Hands of colours have been taken—among the kill
ed was found a general of the corps of Conde.
[This refers to a division of Aufro-Ruffians last
in Switzerland.•
[Liberty french republic. Equality.]
ST. DOMINGO.
ARRETTE declaring that all American and other neutral veffela,
coming from English ports in Europe or America, fall not bo
admitted into the port of St. Domingo.
Extract from the Regifler of the deliberations of the
Executive Directory at St. Domingo.
THE Agency of the Directory at St. Domingo,
confidrting that its arrete of the 6th Floreal last
for the re-edablifhment of commercial intercourse
with America, was dictated by considerations c
qoally ufeful and honourable to both nations,
whose true interests ought to incline them to unite
themselves closely, and that the fame attention
should be paid to the majesty of each Republic—
if therefore it is permitted to the enemies of
France to benefit by the renewal of commerce
with,the U. S. to fend to St. Domingo Etyi(h
vessels coming from their own ports, pr from
those of the United States j or American vessels
the plains of Ahdorff now become the graves of
the northern Barbarians, will Hill more wittuefs
that a let of vagabonds, however frightful their
afpeti may have been represented, are not dread
ful soldiers for Republicans to combat and con
quer.
OCT. 12.
This moment we have received a letter from the
Hague by express, dated the Bth inst. Rating that
on the sth there were some ikirmilhes of out-bolls;
the 6th, some patroles were met and engaged— at
noon all our army were in motion ; we attacked
the English and Anglo-Kuffians, tlie former in the
onset made a vigorous refinance, bur their difo
greement and disunion with the Ruffians having
occafidned an inactivity on the part of the latter,
conspiracy ensued, and then their defeat became
general, and never was seen the like. In short,
they have loft even their women, of which we
count 200. We cannot enumerate the number of
Ilain, but the fields are covered with them 3 leagues
distance. The English having retired into their
tirlt entrenchment and Gripped of every necessa
ry, have demanded to retire in a military manner,
which has been refufed. This day they are to be
summoned to surrender prisoners of war.
The good Genius of France has been watchful
and has come to our aid, but the courage of our
soldiers has (till done much more.
At the departure of the Express, the Head-
Quarters of the French and Batavian army were at
Aikmarr.
(Signed.) .
PALY, Editor of Amy Des Lois.
OCT. 12.
Altho' we have but a small force in the Roman
Republic, still we are makers of Rome, Ancona,
and Civetta Vecchia, which are the molt import
ant.
The Archduke Charles has had much reason to
complain in Switzerland of the Ruffian Gen. Kor
fakoff-—He has even had fume lively altercations
with him. This diffenlion which now burlt forth
amour, the Chiefs, has been a long while universal
among the soldiers. The Aullnans and Ruffians
hate each other mortally.
The new triumphs of the Republic, coming at
once from all points, and from two parts of the
world, have every where excited the molt lively
enthufiafin. The public joy has hardly ever been
manifefted in so Itriking a manner Hope is at
once revived—we fee the coalition divided and
conquered ; the government strengthened by our
success, and factious abalhed. The news from E
gypt, which arrived yesterday, was brought by the
Packet Boat the Swallow, which left Alexandria
Ithe 27th Thermidor, and entered Marseilles the
30th September.
SPANISH FLEET.
Maflerado has been charged by the king ofSpain,
to concert with the Executive Dii,sry ever,
thing that concerns the difpolition of the Spanifti
squadron now in our ports. He has received up
on this fubjeft absolute powers. This power thus
gives us a new proof ofher faith in the alliance Ihe
has contrasted with us.
0CT.15.
Ofthe return of Buonaparte—official.
A message of the Executive Directory of yester
day, contains the following particulars respecting
Buonaparte :
•'The Directory announces to you, citizen
Representatives, with pleasure, that they have re
ceived news of the army of Egypt. General Ber
thier, who landed the 9th initant at Frejus, With
the general in chief, Buonaparte, the Generals
Lafne, Marmont, Murat and Andreoffy, and the
citizens Monge and Bartholet, inform, that they
have left the French arms in the molt favourable
situation.
There is also in circulation another version of
this report. It is said that Buonaparte brings a
treaty of peace with the Grand Signor, and that
the army of the Grand Vizier is going to attack
the Crimea in t';e southern provinces of Ruflia.
These stories are considered extraordinary, but the
name of Buenaparce has been hitherto connected
with events so unforefeen, and results so aftomfh
ing, that we can no longer meafore by the scale of
probability, any of the events directed by this ge
nius.
The army of the Grand Vizier will not proba
bly go into Egypt—lt is pretended that the Porte
intends to dismiss him, but that he proposes to de
clare himfelf independent, and thus render himfelf
matter of Syria ; and to aftum the poffeffiou of this
vast province by a treaty win the French Repub
lic, by the meditation of the general in chief Buo
naparte.
Buonaparte palled some days at Corfca, where
he was visited by the officers of health, who pre
sented him a certificate of dispensation from the
quarantine. He is expefted to-morrowat the Di
rectory—Tallinn has loft an eye, and is at Mal
ta, with many other of the deported. Buona
parte went on board a frigate, which was escor
ted by three others. His health is somewhat im
paired—he will rest 2or 3 days at Frejus. Lucien
and Joseph Buonaparte have gone to meet him.
Cries of " Vive la Republique" were heard
from every part of the hall—Carel in a difeourfe
celebrates the victories of the French armies , —he
sings praises to generals Buonaparte, Maflena and
Brune—he finilhes by demanding that the Council
fliould declare that the French army in Batavia
have not ceased to deserve well of their country.
oct. 16.