The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-02-05 00:00:00, page 1

- TUESDAY, JAN. 14.
THE house resolved itfelf intba commit-
I tee of the whole house on the resolu
tion fubtnitted some days since for amend
ing the (lamp a& so as to abolilh the.offices
heretofore ettablilbcd for damping tylum,
parchment and paper, and eftabliihing one
general office at the feat of government, for
that purpose.
Just as this resolution was taken up in the
committee, a MeLge [See PjrtJniouth head]
was received froth the President of the Unit
ed States, to receive which the Speaker re
sumed the chair, and the fame. The mes
sage contained a letter from the President
inclofing one from Mr. Randolph, a mem
ber of the house from Virginia, informing
the President that he had been insulted and
maltreated by some officers of the army or
navy, he knew not which, but one of them
was known to Mr. Christie who was pre
sent : the mal-treatment was dated to be or,
account of certain expressions used by him
in the committee of the whole house on Fri
day lad, while^Mr. Nicholas's resolution for
disbanding a part of the army was under dif
cuflion. As a representative of the people
be demanded the fatisfaaion due to his offi
cial capacity.
Mr. Kittera moved its reference to a Se
fca Committee.
Mr. Randolph hoped it would not.—lt
was very far, he said, from his expectation,
when he addressed the President of the U. S.
on the fubje& of the abuse he had received,
t'hat he would have referred the letter to this
House, because he considered it could not
Srovide a remedy for the evil, otherwise he
lould have made an immediate application
to the House. He did not wiffi on his ac
count any thing to be done by the House
which did not belong to it. He was oppof
cd to it as a precedent, which might at some
future time be prostituted to purposes inju
rious to the, country. He had conceived the
power of the commander in chief of the ar
my was adequate to afford a remedy fuffi,
cient to restrain men under his command
from giving such personal abuse and insult.
• —He disclaimed all defite that the House
should eftablilh any improper measure mere
ly to proved his individual person from in
fuit or danger.
Mr. Hardly lignified a desire that it should
be referred to a Committee of Privileges, as
in the case of Randal and others, where a
member o c the House was insulted. Where
upon M[. Kittera withdrew his motion, and
it was changed for a reference to a Commit
tee of Pi hdteges.
Mr. Randolph again opposed the refer
ence.
Mr. Kitchel hoped the gentleman who
had received the abuse would consider that
it was not merely personal to him, but a
breach on the privilege of a member of the
House. He conceived this privilege was
defined in the Constitution of the U. S. A
complaint bad been made, which was pro
perly referred by the President to the House,
for their investigation in fame mode or other.
He conceived this had been the uniform sys
tem of proceeding heretofore.
Mr. Sewall said that as the President had
submitted the fubjea to the attention of the
House, he conceived it had a foiejurifdi&ion
over it. 'On the other hand the gentleman
himfelf disclaimed all desire for its legislative
con fide ration. He thought that a Efficient
reason for its, reference to a Selea Commit
tee, but whether to a Committee of Frivi
leges or not he would not fay. "It certainly
was the province of the House to protea its
own members, and how far its attention was
rieceffary in this affair, that committee could
report.
Mr. Nicholas said whatever might be the
apprehensions of his colleague as to the ex
.tenfion of the pow^r of the House, he did
confider it the duty of the House to confider
and investigate a breach of privilege on any
of its members, there was no fafety, if
no right for the members publicly and free
ily to debate on any fubjed, they might as
well leave'their feats and go honie. He
hoped the gentleman would fee a propriety
in the reference.
Mr.,Chaplin said if he had received what
he considered an insult in his public capcitv,
he should not have submitted it to the Presi
dent of the U. S. much as he refoeded him.
It might be a matter of delicacy in the gen
tleman himfelf not to urge an examination,
but Mr. C. hoped the House would confider
NUMBER 24. —VOL. I.]
— —___ —- — Mum-in
WHEN YOU SHALL THESE DEEDS RELATE, SPEAK OF THEM AS THEY ARE ; NOTHING EXTENUATE NOR SET DOWN OUGHT IN MALICE."
£ongvets of tbe United States.
PORTSMOUTH, (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE JERRY OSBORNE, jun. MULBERRY LANE, NEXT DOOR TO ROUSSELETs MUSEUM.
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The Republican Ledger.
wEDNEsDar, ,A*. 15.
Immediately after the Journal was read,
Mr. Macon said, he intended to have afcd
leave yesterday, to be excused from feiving
on the committee to whom were referred the
message of the President of the V. S. but
not having an opportunity, he took the lib
erty now of begging that indulgence. The
question was put, ar.J the request granted.
A number of petitionsTOf the inhabitants,
merchants, of the town of Gloucester, coun
ty of Essex, and state of Massachusetts, pray
ng for the eredion of a Light-House, on a
certain point of land in Ipswich Bay—were
read and referred to the Committee of Com
merce and Manufactures.
On motion of Mr. Gallatin, the Clerk of
the House was ordered to furnilh each mem
ber with a copy of the laws of the fifth C6n
grtfs.
No further business appearing before the
house, Mr. Smith renewed the motion for
taking into consideration the report of the
Committee of Defence.
NATIONAL ARMY.
The report made by Mr. Otis was taken
up : it is in the following words:
The Canada# to wta we r^red , inti of theJ>er£h if the
President, at relates to " a fatal of National defence commeqfyrate
Toith our rejonrees and ihe ftuation of ear country,”
REPORT IK PART— '.
That in the opinion of the committee no fitch material change
in the date of the foreign relations of the V. S. has happened,
as would juftify a relinquishment, of any of the means of defence
heretofore adopted by Congress, but that the national honour
and inecrett in the present posture of affairs, mate it prudent and
necciTary to continue prepared for the wont event ; but while
danger still threatens our country, yet eircumUances having di
minimised the probability of an immediate invasion, the attention
of the committee has been particularly directed to the state of the
Military Eftablifluuent, with a view to reconcile fafety with ©econ
omy, to preserve the Eftabliihment and retrench the expence.
The annexed abfrad add letter from the Secretary at War, ex
hibit the state of the tanew regiments of infantry according to
the latest return* As there men have received their bounty and
clothing, and are daily improving in discipline ; as they would
be ufeful in any sudden emergency, and the greater part of them
may also be ufefully employed until wanted for iaual service on
the fortifications of ports and harbours, It is conceived proper to
retain them, but to suspend the recruiting service until tire ap
proach of danger ihall compel the government to resume ityL
This projea combines the advantage of an important reduaion
o the national expense, with that of having,at command a body
of officers ready for service upon short notice, and a number as
diftipiined troops fuffieient for the present occasion.
The committee therefore submit the following resolution ; *
Resolved, That from and after the day of next,
all enlill monts under an ad entitled “An*a to augment the army
of the U, S. and for other puepofes,” ihall be suspended until the
next session of Congress, unleis war should break out between the
U.S. and a foreign European power, or in case imminent danger
of invasion of their territory byroy such power (hail, in the p
pinion of the Prefidcat, be discovered to wrist.
letter from the Secrete, al Far alluded to above.
SIR,
I received your letter dated yesterday, and have the honor to
inform the committee of de ence, that I am preparing, and have
nearly tinifhed, a report to the President, on the fubjed of the
military establishment, containing proportions which it is. con
ceived would improve it, and detailing information from the lit
est documents, as far as they go, that have been transmitted to
me, relative to the number of men that have been attuAlly ca
lifted, in the pew regiments.
It will be conceived the report mentioned, to intended to em
brace the mod material obj.a, that have occurred to me, as
promising amelioration to our military system. The President, I
refpeafully presume, will communicate the fame to Cougrefa.
The number of men edified, at the dates therein Specified, as
appears from the latch returns to the War -Department, in the
twelve new regiments of infantry, will be Seen by the enclosed
rtstement, which is refpcafully submitted.
Return of the nonforafaed fees, mqjkteu vQrFta inlifled
for the twelve repmeim, dire&dtebo „W to jtyfoce ts &
' a& ts Jul, 16, 1798.
fth regiment, to lath April. M^m
6th regiment, to Dec. 47„,
,th regiment, to Nov. ' & 'r < „g
Bth regiment, to Oft.
every member in the House implicated. He
had no doubt but the President viewed it as
a cdnftitutional question with which he tho't
he had no right. The liberty of speech was
particularly guarded in the House, and could
be protested only by it ; no branch of the
government he conceived could interfere
with 1 its power., He considered it a duty in
cumbent on him as a representative of the
people to vote for a compleat investigation
of the business.
Mr. Kittera again changed the motion for
a reference to a Setea Committee.
Mr. Dana thought the President had no
thing to do with it, except any future re
solve of the House should with his aid in the
execution -of their wills He was fully per
suaded that it alone retted with the Houle to
confider the business, and to fend it any where
e!fe was to give up the independence of the
Legislature as it regarded its own members.
The President had justly considered himfelf
as the guardian of the conftitniion, and had
wifely marked the Jine of diftinaion be
tween his authority as commander in chief
of the army, and the privilege of a member
of Congress. The House had a right to
take cognizance of the complaint and judge
the merits and demerits of it, agreeable to
ihe Rate of fads which might appear.
The motion for its reference to a Select
Committee was carried nearly unanimously
and seven members appointed conformable
thereto.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1800.
19th regiment, to Sept. 314
10th regiment, to Aug. 448
nth regiment, to ba. „8
lath regiment, to Sept.'' .287
13th regiment, to Nov. fa,
14th regiment, to Nov. 327
ffth regiment, to Nov. 145
16th ngiment, to Nov, '333
~ Total, 3,399
■ar Department, Jan. 2, ißod,
The House having taken up the resolu
tion as reported by the committee,
Mr. Otis moved to fill the blank therein,
so as to limit the period to the 15th day of
February next.
Mr. Smith thought it best to flop the re
cruiting as soon as possible, and therefore
proposed the iff of February -,but 00 Mr.
Gallatin's suggesting it would be better to
strike out all that part of the resolution,
which goes to fix the period, and leave the
execution of the law to the President : 01
at least to leave a blank in the bill to be re
ported—these motions were withdrawn, and
the resolution, as reported agreed to.
The committee of defence were then or
dered to prepare and bring in a bill conform
able thereto.
Mr. Griswold called for the order of the
day on the report of the committee of revif
al and unfinilhed business, relative to the
expiration of the law suspending intercourse
with France ; when
Mr. Smith said, he considered the taking
up of this fubjed at present, as premature,
and moved that it be postponed till the 20th
day of February next. From every infor
mation he could collect, Mr. S. said, it ap
peared very probable we should, by that
time, haveadvice from our ministers at Par
is. And urged as another objection the im
perfe&nefs of the exiting law, which, if
renewed, ought to be greatly modified.
After a few observations from Mr± Otis,
Mr. Smith altered his motion to the 10th of
February.
Mr. Griswold hoped this motion would
not prevail. The present law, he said, would
expire on the 3d day of March next, and if
determined to be renewed, that determina
tion ought to be as speedily promulgated as
possible, that merchants and others in the
Union might receive timely information of
it.
>Mr. Gallatin alto thought it important the
determination to continue the a& of not,
should be made known as soon as possible ;
and a!fo that enquiry should be made rela
tive to the execution of it, and whether its
provisions are competent to the purposes in
tended. He was therefore decidedly again#
the postponement.
The question was put and negatived.
The resolution Was then read as follows :
Resolved, That a committee be appointed
jo prepare and report a bill to continue in
force for a limited time, the a& intitled
“ An aft furthcrio suspend the commercial
Ltercourfe between the United States and
France, and the dependencies thereof ;" and
whether aby, an% if any, what alterations
are necessary to be made in said a&.
When Mr. Wain said, he wished further
time to confider the resolution ; he had not
yet made up his mind on the fubje&, and
therefore moved that it be postponed till
Monday week.l
Mr. Smith ho,ed the motion wou|d pre
vail. The exiftpg law against which there
had been many complaints, was extremely
deficient, and he did not think had been ful
ly executed. Itrefted altogether, at present,
with the merchants, to execute it. Honest
men would not contravene it, but there
were men on whom no oath could be bind
ing.
Mr. Otis said, that if it was the intention
of the house to putfue the measure, it ought
certainly to gain publicity as soon as potfi
ble. 1
With a view to this effe&, he would move
that the committee ts the whole be discharg
ed from the further consideration of tlie re
solution, in order thit it might be referred
to the committee of commerce and manu
tadures.'l
Mr. Wain withdraw his motion, and the
committee of the while were difeharged.
Mr. Otis then moved, that it be referred
to the committee of commerce and manu
factures, with leave to report by bill or o
therwife—agreed.
Mr. Nicholas wished to know whether
^he committee had power to enquire into the
general execution of the law, and it they
had not, whether it would not be necessary
to ask for fpeciai inftro&ions on that fab
fca. „\.. _,Y r:
[1 DOL. 50 ,$/ PER ANNUM.
^ Mr. Sewell replied, that no enquiry could
be made by the committee relative to the
execution of the law, without inftruaions
!°: "?* P ur P°fe> and therefore moved the
following resolution, which was agreed to
by the house, viz.
Resolved, That the committee of commerce
and manufactures be inftru&ed to enquire
and report, in what manner and to what efo
ted, the ad suspending commercial inter
course with France, had been executed.—-
Adjourned.
Late foreign flntelligenee.
^Cap GALE, from tadom. Fafcre to bee. 14,
Some of the proceedings of the Council ofrfncieta
on the day of the late resolution.
— h p^kis, Bor.te.
The Council was about to fufpeud its tarings.
A few moments after a letter was re ceived from
the Sec. Gen. of the Directory to the following
effed:— ( '
“CITIZENS RFPRISENTATIVES,
''l have not been able to receive the Messenger of
State dispatched by the Council of Elders to the
Executive Direftory. Four of the Members have
sent in their retignations^the fifth is in custody b,
the order of General Buonaparte.— There no long
er exalts a Directory.
(Signed) "LEGARDE."
The Council decreed that this letter should be
sent to the Council of geo.
After an interval of about a quarter of an hour,
a tumultuous movement was manifested in the
Council. The arrival of Gen. Buonaparte v.a,
announced. He requeued permission to speak,
having important information to communicate.
Buonaparte.—" Representatives of the People,
you are not in a common crisis ; you tread upori
a volcano ready to destroy you. Yellerday Paris
was in the molt profound tranquility. I have u
nited all my brethren in armsiu the execution of
the measures which you have adopted.
I have given proofs of my devotion to the Re
public, and the country has not had 3 more zeal
ous delender than 1 have proved myfeli.—This
day, however, I am surrounded with calumny,
and covered with reproach and difgutt.
" l hear circulated around me the words of
Cromwell, military government, &c. Had I wish
ed to eftablilh a military government, 1 should long
since have attempted that enterprize. Since 1
have returned to Paris, I have been solicited by
some factions to leize upon the authority of the
State. / declare even that propositions have been
made to me by Barras and Moulin, to overthrow
the government, and to ajumfthe direction of af
fairs ; 1 refilled the inliuuations, because 1 was of
no party, of no coterie ; I communicated these
projects to several Representatives ; 1 united my.
sentiments to thole of the Council of Elders ; and
I have only accepted the command entrusted to me,
•with the view of resigning it after having triumph
ed over the enemies of the Republic. Ihink noh
then, that you fee in me a v|le intriguer ; 1 know
no great coterie but the French people.
" But I declare the Reprefentative# of the Peo
ple must not be divided ; on the contrary; unite
your wifciom, and whatever your firmneg &1| so
cide, I Ihall fee faithfully executed. 1 ihall be but
an arm devoted to the fafety of the Republic—the
lafetylof Liberty and Equality."
i,gtet —"And the Condilution."
Buonaparte—" The Condition! is it now #'
guarantee for the French people ? You have vio
lated it on the 18th Fruftidor ; you have violated
it on the 22d Floreal ; you have violated it on the
3,th Prairial—lt is nothing but an empty found,
which serves the purpose of every faction.
“ All the rights of the people have been violat
ed. It is time that you should defend themagamft
every attack. Conuder what ought to be done
for the protection of Liberty. If you do not save
it, you and your children will be disgraced in the
eyes of posterity ; you are accountable for its fafe
ty. Act—and if the execution of your decrees be
opposed, I Ihall appeal to my brave companions in
arms, and to my fortune."
Cornudet darted into the Tribune—"You have
heard, Repfefeutatives of the People ! he who has
filled Europe with admiration, has unveiled the
conspiracies with which the Republic was mena
ced ; do you doubt their existence ? I agreed to
the measure proposed by your Committee,' be
cause 1 was convinced a vall conspiracy existed. I
move that toe Council resolve itfelf into a Secret
Committee, and that Buonaparte give frll farther
explanations , and afterwards that a Meflage be"
sent to the Council of 500 to know whether it be
inclined iriltantly to propose measures for the pub
lic fafety ; or, perhaps we ought to afume the
initiative. When the fafety of the country is at °
flake, every citizen becomes ^ magistrate."
Lauffat asserted, that the whole particulars
ought to be dilclbfed in the presence of all France.
We should be the baf/U of wretches, if we ne
glected to take every measure uecellary to her sal
vation. ; -
Buonaparte left the Council. A message from
the Council of 500 Itated, that it was constituted
by a majority.
This notification was ordered to be inserted fol
the minutes.
Courtois fyrted, that an infurreßional movement
was preparing at Paris. “We will refill irf ex
claimed he.
Dalphonze was alarmed at the dispositions which
he observed in several of his colleagues. Howev
er great the dangers, he thought they might all be
surmounted by a rigorous adherence to the Qonffl
tution. He admitted that the i&bPru&idor had
dug a pit for liberty ;'but he was anxious that all
France should know that he had no Ihare in the ar- ~
bitrary proceedings of that day, and that he had
palled the various periods of the Revolution with
aptranfcteiKt He moved Qnothing that