Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1804-12-18 00:00:00, page 2

These remarks of the learned Doftor are founded
not in theory, but in lubftantial has. They are
not the dedudions of abftrule ahd fallible reasoning ;
but are incontrovertible truths, declared and eftab
iidied, from age to age, by the impartial hiftcry of
man. An honest man a teal patriot, being ^capable
of vile intrigues, is exposed to be undermined and
supplanted, by the fly knave, who will use lying,
calumny,& any infamous methods whatever to gain
his ends. The former Hands on open ground with
hie bosom bared, while the latter fculks behind a
tree, and from thence throws his envenomed darts,
or secretly stabs liis devoted rival in the manner of
an assassin. When calumnies are spread with great
subtlety, industry and confidence, and, though clear
ly confuted are (till persisted in and repeated with
undiminished audacity and impudence, they cannot
fail to tatnifh, for a time, even the belt of chara^era.
Integrity, talents and patriotism, are no security a
gaintt this pestilence that walketh in darkness." —
Crafty and wicked men by poisoning the sources of
public information may inflame the people with
refentmeut even against their best friends and bene
factors. And indeed this has been often done 6 The
ancient democratic republics of Greece afford divers
remarkable infiances of this kind ; some of which
may hereafter be particularly noticed. At prefect
1 (hall (elect a mofl solemn inft^, to ourpurpote
from a Book, which, though too li de read <nl less
heeded is much more univerfsily known than the
hiftory^of Greece.
Fine cob web speculations are fallacious ; but
real fads always speak the language of truth. From
the faithful page of hiftory, we may learn wisdom.
The nature of our confutation of government is
chiefly democratic ; and its wtoe liability depends
upon the cafrea information and the virtue of the
pc >ple.—lf :he sources of public and private infor
mation might be fufficientiy numerous and pure ;
if ail newspapers might be the vehicles of truth;
if there might be in every part of the country a
fufficient number of good schools, and of free
schools for the inftruaion of the children of the
poor ; and if public and private virtue might mark
the charaaers of the several classes of the people,
there would be a happy profpea of the eventual
triumph of npublicanifm. Our mild and happy
form of government might be permanent, and mil
lions yet unborn might enjoy its inefiimable blef
tings. But, on the other hand, if the sources of
public information mould be corrupted ; if news.
papers should become the vehicles of falsehood and
flande-, for the purpole of dtftroying the good and
exalt ng the bad; if the education of children and
youth should be Begirded ; if there should be a
general d pravation of morals; if the elections and
appointments of public officers should fhamelullv
fink to a species of gambling, wherein the greatest
sharpers sweep the flakes; if patriotism itfell should
become a bye-word, by reason ofthe conduct of its
hypocritical profeffors in pressing after the loaves
and fifties of office : If this should-be the state of
things, (whether and io what measure it already
is so, let us solemnly pause and confider) it would
but too fer bully indicate approaching ruin.
The hiftory of the trial and condemnation of our
Saviour, which is equally affecting and inftructivc
gives a most firiking specimen of popular delation.
The canning malicious priests of the Jewish nation
had formed a refolutiou to destroy Jesus, because
h,e had openly exposed their hypocrisy, and was
diminishing their influence. Pursuant to this plan
they arrested him, and brought him to trial before
Pilate the Roman Governor ; and though their vio
lent and overbearing importunity obtained his con
demnation. Pilate however, being conicions of the
innocence of Jesus, as well as of the malice of his
accuftrs, and wishing to save his life had recourse
tothe following expedient for that purpole It bad
been customary that the people, at their great annu
al fcftival (liquid have the privilege of obtaining the
release of any one condemned criminal, for whole
pardon they might choose to solicit. Pilate, availing
himfelf of this custom, brought Jesus and
together with him, one Barabbas, a notorious cul
prit who had been guilty of insurgency& murder;&-
then he demanded of the multitude which of them
two he should release. Here was an immediate ap
peal to the people who (as flatterers fay) can do no
wrong, and whose voice has been pronounced to be
the voice of God. On the one hand Hands a mis
creant, convided of the enormous guilt of murder
—on the other hand there Hands one of a fpotltfs
and divine character—an acknowledged benefactor
to this very people, who were now called upon to
decide his fate—one, who had been devoted to their
service, and, with unwearied benevolence, went a
bout among them doing good. And there was this
favorable circumstance, that the people, generally
Were not previously prejudiced against Jesus but
had high veneration of bis Character. It was but a
day or two before this, when as Jesus entered Jeru
falem, the whole multitude shouted his praises, and
cried aloud, “ Hosanna to the ton of David.
We will now examine the pivot, on which the
opinion of the populace turned. The crafty ene
mies of Jesus, perceiving that the people were to de-
Cine ins fate, immediately exerted themfclves to pre
judice and poison their minds by falfehoods. The
sacred text fays, “ The chief priests and eiders per
su acted the multitude, that they diould ask Barabbas
and destroy Jesus." Thisartifice succeeded. The
fickle multitude were turned by the breath of flat
tery and slander, as easily as a vane turns bv the
wind. Accordingly, when Pilate immediately after
put the quellion to them, " Whether of the twain
will ye that I release unto you ?" they (aid " Barab
bas." Pilate faith unto them," What (ball I do
then with Jesus, which is Called Chrid?" they all
laid unto him, " Let him be crucified."—The
Governor appears to have been afton filed at their
choice, and begins to query with them. "Why ?
Wh^t evil hath he done ?" "This Barabbas, who
foods before you is a murderer, and certainly is
guilty of death ; but what evil hath Jelus done '"
This was an unanswerable question, and they did
not attempt to answer it ; but, like fomedilputants
who, when hard pressed, will raise their voices in
stead of ftrehgthening their arguments, "they cried
out the mote, faying, Let him be crucified." This
was "the voice ofthe people," which popular syco
phants blalphemoufly fay, 'is the voice of God.'
«reffleßß^BHeoßßßßegmflßmreb
CONGRES S.
—-@ —-
House of Representatives.
Friday. Nov. „.
The Committee on that part of the Prefidenrs
Message which relates to armed merchant vessels,
reported by bill ; which was ordered to be printed,
and rest rred.
The fubjed of the choice of Chairmah of Com
mittees, was taken up ; when a motion of Mr.
Griswold's was modified and agreed to as follows .•
That the firft named member of any committee ap
pointed by the Speaker, or the House, shall be
chairman, and in case of his abfence,dr being excu
sed by the House, the next named member, and so
on, as often as the case shall happen,unlefs the com
mittee shall by a majority of their number cleft a
chairman.
Mr. Mitchell informed the Houfethat he had
taken his feat as a Senatorfrom New.York* The
Speaker was direded to inform the Executive of
New York, that Mr. M. had vacated his feat in
that house.
A committee was appointed to inquire into and
report on the expediency of extending the time for
theclaimants to lands under the state of Georgia, ly
ing in Tennessee, for registering the evidence of (
their tales, wirh the Secretary of State.
A petition from Capt. Murray, was referred to
the committee oo Capt. Littles case.
The following motion was referred to the corn
mine, appointed on so much of u e Presidents mes
sage as relates to the amelioration of the government
of Louisiana :
A reference was made of the petition of sundg
gun makers, presented at last session to the com
mittee of commerce and nianufacturcs.
A message from the President, informing that he_
had acted upon the joint resolution in favour of Cap
tain Decatur, officers and crew.
The petition of Henry M'Farland of the Ist reg
iment of the United States service, who was wound
ed in Gen. St. Clair's affair with the Indians of the
4th November, 1799, praying to be provided for,
was referred to the committee of Claims.
Mr. Nelson presented a petition from John Bayn
ton, praying a compensation for sundries supplied
to a command under Lieutenant Elliot in Calvert
county, Maryland, to the amount of 55 dollars and
57 cents in the year 1799, referred to the committee
of Claims.
The bill authorising the inhabitants of George
town to erect a dam or causeway from Mason's
Island to the Virginia shore was considered in com
mittee reported to the House that they had not had
time to go through the same, but asked leave to sit
again, which was indulged by the House. Adjourned.
Thursday, Nov. 29.
Mr. J. Clay presented a representation and me
morial signed by ^37 American citizens settled in
Louisiana, expressing their dissatisfaction on the ar
rangement made in .that country as to its govern
ment. Referred to the committee on that part of
the President's message relative to the ameliora
tion of the government of Louisiana.
The petition of and others, respecting the
Yazoo lands, was presented by General Varnum,
and referred to a committe of five.
Mr. Crowninshield from the committee of Com
merce and Manufactures, reported in favor of al
lowing a .drawback on goods exported from .%
United States to that port, when re-exported to a
foreign country, with a bill intended for that pur
pose. Referred to the Committee of the whole on
Friday, and in the mean time ordered to be printed.
The House proceeded to ballot for a Chaplain
instead of the Rev. Mr. Bentley resigned. On count
ing the votes and a majority not being found in fa
vor of any one candidate, the House went into a
second ballot and the result was that the Rev. Mr.
Parkinson was chosen, having 64 votes. ~,
Wednesday, Nov. 28.'
Resolved, That it is expedient to provide, by law
for exhibiting and registering in proper offices, in
the original language, and in the language used in
the United dates, all evidences of title and claim
for land within the territories ceded by the French
Republicsthe United Hates, by the treaty of the
thirtieth of April, in the year 1803, which have o
riginated by virtue of any legal grant made by the
French government, prior to the treaty of Paris, of
the tenth day of February, in the year one thousand
seven hundred and fixty-tbree ; or of any legal grant
made by the government of Spain, subsequent to
the convention made by and between tne French
government and the government of Spain, of the
third of November, one thousand seven hundred
and fixty-two,and prior to the treaty of st. Illefon
lo of the firft of Odober, one thousand eight hun
dred ; or of any legal grant made by the Britifli gov.
ernment subsequent to the laid treaty of Paris, of
the tenth day of February, in the year one thousand
seven hundred and sixty-three, and prior to the
treaty of peace of the third of September, one thou
sand seven hundred and eighty.three. Adj.
Monday, Nov. 26.
The Speaker laid before the House the following
letter received by the Clerk.
Salem, (Mass') 16th Nov, 1804.
SIR,
I have received with every sentiment of grati
aide, the notice of the late appointment as Chaplain
tothe House of Representatives at Washington':
the highest feofe of the honour done me, and the
most Sincere affection to the administration of gov
ernment in the United Hates urge my acceptance,
'uit the nature of my habits and my present employ,
ments and engagements oblige me to ask that I may
be permitted to continue my Services to my coun
y in the sincere duties which belong to my pre
ent fixation, while 1 Shall never forget the tefti
nony of public favor, and never refufe to my
ountrv my bell endeavours for its freedom and
bippincfs. lam with due refpe&, your devoted
rvant, - Wm. BENTLEY..
John Eckley, E q.Clerk. , „ :
of the H ulc of Representative ?
of the United Hates.)
The House then resolved itself into a committee
of the whole, Gen. Varnum in the chair, on the bill
restraining merchant vessels from arming and forc
ing a trade to St. Domingo, sundry amendments
were made and reported to the House— but finally
the bill was recommitted to a committee of the
whole for Wednesday next.
Mr. Nelson presented a petition from Mordecai
Lane an old revolutionary soldier, praying to be
provided for on the pension list. Referred to the
committee of Claims. On motion of Mr. J. Ran
dolph, all the papers of last session relating to the
Tuesday, Nov. 27.
has bellowed on the newly established govern
ments in Louisiana, we find that the prolped of a
Republican system “ in that quarter" it as remote
as ever. Congress are Hill to be the government
makers and to determine on such improvements as
they may deem expedient. We have often asked,
and we ask again, bow the establishing of a gov
ernment without the agency of those who arc to be
its subj &s ; an Imperial government, in which all
power emanates from the executive of Sue United
States, over a large territory within the federal ju
itdiaion, can be reconciled to the federal Conftuu
on ? '• The United States shall GUARAN
TEE to every state in this Un on, a REPUBLI
CAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT." Confti
btion; Art IV. Sed. IV. But lays the apologist for
violation of the Constitution, the Diflri& of
Yazoo lands were ordered to be printed.—A singu
lar circumstance gave rise to this motion. The pa
pers on this subject, he observed were cut out of the
books of documents which are preserved for the use
of the House.
Mr. S. G. Ogden, the owner of the ship Indostan
had leave to withdraw his petition for a new Regis
ter.
_ — - — -
REMARKS
On the President's Messages
( Continued)
From the few obfervatious which the President
Touifiana and the Territory of Orleans are not Hates.
Contemtihle quibble ! So, as long as it may please
Mr. Jefferson and the Junto who favour his power,
to denominate an irnmenk trad of country within
the jurisdiction of the United States a Diftria or a
Territory and not a State they may ere& monarchies,
eftabliHi principalities, or even a defpotitm the most
uncontroled, and thus evade the force and Spirit of
our Republican cooHitution, Let difpaflionate
minds reflea on the probable coufequences of giv.
ing to Mr. Jefferfon virtually the Supreme power
over an immense country, contiguous to our repub
lican Hates.
teen, Under the unaspiring administrations of
Washington, and Adams ; look at the situation
into which we are now hastening, and let any
man in his senses then say, that the influence,
which the present system of government in Loui
siana has given to the President, does not endan
ger our freedom. Let those who think this, cause
less alarm, destroy this paper, and not leave it
for the perusal of their children ; for alas ! the
'time will come when to have doubted such ob
vious reasoning will be a subject of severe re
proach. Beware of the curses of posterity.
But was it not to be expected, that in describ
ing to, Congress the progress of the lately estab
lished government .in Louisiana, the President
would have told the whole truth ? This he has
not done, and we venture to say his communication
on this subject is Calculated to make false impres
sions on the. legislative body. With his usual ad
dre§s, he„dwells on the favourable side of the ques
tion, and cautiously conceals the reverse. Why
were not. congress informed that the system of gov
ernment imposed on the people of Louisiana had
excited considerable uneasiness ; and that a depu
tation had been appointed to effect, if possible,
some ; very material a Iterations? Does Mr. Jeffer
son presume that he can deceive the nation, and
conceal all the embarrassments which his ambitious
policy originates, from the publick eye? Or is he
determined, in the plentitude of his power, to hold
in Contempt any remonstrances which may be of
fered by a people who conceive themselves aggriev
ed and oppressed ? He flattered the inhabitants of
Louisiana with the prospect of self government.
They took him at his word, and he now cautiously
endeavours to conceal their disappointment.
This may be policy, but it is the artifice ofa
day. His message may for the moment, delude his
blinded partizans, but as foonas the races are over,
we (hall find the affairs of Louifiaua will assume a
different and more serious afped.
We should now defeend to an examination of
the outlandilh dialect which concludes this para
graph, refpefling Lanifiana, but this and other ob
servations intended for this number must be post
poned, for want of room, to our next.
(To be continued.)
'On the i6:h ult. we attempted to bring off with our
boats, under command of Lieutenant Caldwell and Mr
Dorsey, a small vessel, but they did not fuccecd, the collec
tion of troops for her defence was so numerous, our boats
BOSTON, DEC. 10.
INTERESTING ADVICES.
Particular -Account of the lase important opera
tions before Tripoly.
On Saturday id December arrived at Philadelphia the
brig Commodore Barry, Captain Mead, from the Medi
terranean — Captain Mead left Malta on the „ch of Au
gust for Marzala, in Sicily, co take in his cargo of wine,
while there, he received an advice boat from our Consul at
Malta, containing dispatches and letters from Tripoli for
our executive. Captain Mead left Marzala on the sth of
September, and passed Gibraltar on the twenty-second, be
ing chafed at that time by a veffcl which he took for a
Tripolitan. The United States frigate John Adams, arri
ved at Malta while Captain Mead lay there and soon af
ter failed to join our squadron off Tripoli.
The following letters were received by the Commodore
Barry.
Extract of a latter from an officer on boards the
U. S. armed brig Syren, before Tripoli.
Syren, Aug. 1, 1894.
a breach of the constitution, view such an alarming
accession of power in any individual without trem
bling for the security of his country ?ls there any one
so blind as not to see what dangerous advantages
Mr. Jefferson is about to derive from his newly
purchased empire. In the first place. New Eif
gland, of which he is still jealous, though her ci
tizens are deeply infected with a madness in his
favour, will be drained of much of her wealth, to
fulfil the pecuniary stipulations of the purchase, In
the next place, the powers vested in the President,
over this country, afford a field for a most cor
rupt and pernicious system of favouritism ; for it
is already evident that those who will exhibit
themselves staunch and active partizans of Mr.
Jefferson, and excert themselves in revolutionizing
these Northern States, may expect to be reward
ed with an office in Louisiana. Thus an induce
ment is offered to the ambitious and unprincipled
among us, to desert the interests of their fellow
citizens and support the selfish views of the Pre,
sident, and in the third place, should the people
of Louisiana remain peaceable, under this system
of government, that country will be shortly a source
of physical power, devoted to the views of our
National Executive. Should they dare to resist,
the very means which would be necessary to pre
serve order, would again swell the extent of Ex
ecutive influence. Look at what America has
Can any man, however indifferent he may be to
BY THE MAILS.
kid to retire with the lafa of on# man tilled and three ft
verely wounded—The loss of the enemy was 150 killed and
wounded, as we have been informed by a Maltese captaid
who was sent in with clothing for our prisoners”
'commodore Pteble arrived here on the 23d ult witfi
the rest of his force, but on account of the weather we
could not attempt any thing until the 14th ult when wd
anchored in a line before Tripoli, about three miles froni
the batteries where we had not been two hours before we
Were obliged co get under way, as the wind blew too frelh
on shore, but this day it has moderated and we ffiall be a
ble to take our Ration before their batteries.
The Tripolitans are much distressed at present, as theit
crops have failed, and the vigilance of the blockading
squadron has prevented their getting supplies from abroad
They have been fortifying themfelvei at every point, and
have removed every thing valuable from the town, and
are making great exertions for its defence.'
From the same, August 9?h, 18Q4.
Syren eff Tripoli
'The feene of combat commenced the 3d instant, when
the weather became favourable for oar operations, and ac
cordingly at 2 o'clock P M the Signal was made to prepare
for battle ; at 3 o'clock we got within gun (hot of the bat
teries and cast off the gun boats and bomb ketches—The/
advanced in %line a-head, led on by Captain S Denature
and covered by the Conftittition, the brigs and fchooner#
The enemy had 1, gun-boats moored in a line in front of
the batteries, alfoa brig of 16 and a schooner of 10 guns,
to aid the cover of their boats—Th^moments were anx
ious as we advanced—a difeharge of Ihells from the bomb
boats induced the enemy to open their fire, which wan
heavy and incerfant, yet our brave fellows advanced with
all poffiblc intrepidity through a fhowcr of grape ihot.—
when our gun-boats ^t within ,20 yards of the enemy the/
difeharged their great guns loaded with 40 pounds of mus
ket balls, this was followed with a volley of musketry, this
obliged five of the gun-boats compofitig the enemies right
wing to cut their cables and retreat—our boats then bore
up for those to leeward—Captain Decature boarded and
carried the firft b^at, Lieutenant Trip boarded 2nd carried
the fecund, and Lieutenant JAMES DECATUR in the
adt of carrying the third was killed —Captain Decatur con
tinued down their line and carried the third, all of which
was fafely brought off—The attack continued 1 and half
hours, the Turks were driven Out of Fort Francais and
mufthave fuffered much from our fire in the town as well
as in their batteries—The reason the enemy's fire did us so
little damage was on account of its being so badly direded
The three Gun boats taken ate excellent, two of them
carry a 26 pounder each of brass and the other an 18
pounder ; Lt Trip who carried the fecOnd boat received
eleven fibre wounds but none of them dangerous and he
is likely to do well—On the jth we had the captured boats
rigged and should have returned to the attack but a small
French privateer finding her birth too warm in the har
bour came out, by her we learned that the enemy had one
gun-boat funk, another loft two thirds of her crew ; and
all the rest very much shattered ; they also informed us
that they were employed all night repairing their dama
ges ; the platforms in their Batteries were torn up and our
unfortunate countrymen were employed to repair them
The Commodore feat him back with the wounded and
next day he returned with a letter from the French Con
sul bearing strong marks of a pacific disposition ; however
the Commodore determined to attack them next day to the
westward, accordingly on the 7th at 8 A M the signal
was made to advance in two lines and attack the batteries,
the morning was calm and warm, which prevented out
getting in until 12 o'clock, when the enemy opened their
fire from their batteries and in their confufion fired at least
50 guns without ball ; the bomb boats got their position at
"half past 11 and anchored , the gun-boats got within Point
Blank range and in a little time dismounted two guns in
the weftefn battery and drove out the enemy ; a ihell was
thrown into battery Francaise and burst ; which filenccd
their fire for nearly half an hour ; at 1 P M the quarter
deck of gun-boat No 9 blew up, by which event we have
to lament the loss of Lieutenant Jas Caldwell Commander
and Mr Dorfcy, a promising young Officer and Eight of
her Crew, Mr Spence (who was tyunging the gun) with
some others efeaped unhurt ; they had nearly compleated
the bearing of the gun to fire when they found the Boat
linking and the brave surviving few gave three cheers as
they went down, at which time we lay two hundred yards
from them and our boats were immediately dispatched and
picked them up ; this caused a small cessation of our fire
but it was only momemtary, and was renewed with redou
bled vigor and fecmed to fay we will revenge our brave
companions—At 5 o'clock the signal of recall was made
and the firing ceased
We as in the other affair have fuffered nothing like what
might be calculated on, owing to their bad management,
we have loft on this occasion ten men an<* rwo officers and
some wounded—lt is not certain whet! ' No 9 blue up
by accident or by a red hot ihot, that it was caused by a
foot we have the observation of one of the men saved who
fays he felt the (hot strike her, but before he could commu
nicate the circumflance ihe blew up I The frigate John
Adams joined this day August 9 ; August 15 from the
fame I wrote you a long letter on the 9th informing you
of our operations on this coast; fioce when nothing lias
occurred—The Baffiaw in his communication has offered
peace to us and the delivering of prisoners for 1500,00
dollars ; 100000 I believe has been offered but the Balhaw
has declared he will fuffer himfelf to be buried in the ruins
of his cattle or drove into the country ; rather than take
less than the 150000 ; therefore we are preparing for a
nother attack this day ; the weather is favourable"
-.' FfomirHSHLVGIOJV.
"FRIDAY, NOV. 23.
"In the House of Representatives this day, the
Committee to whom was reported that part of the
President's Meflage which relates to the unauthori
fed arming of merchant ships, asked leave to report
by bill, which being granted, a bill, entitled "an
aft regulating the clearance of armed merchant ves
sels," was read twice, and committed to a com
mittee of the whole house, for Monday next.
This bill enaasthat no armed merchant vessel or
having on board materials by which they could arm
at sea, shall be permitted to clear r ut from the ports
of the United States, until bonds and feeuritits are
given, to the amount of cargo and vessel, that thev
will not commit any depredation or violence on
vessels belonging to nations with whom we are at
am^y.—An exception is made in favor of vessels
bow dto the Mediterranean, or beyond the Cape
of Good Hope. Vessels of this description, how.
ever, are refrained under similar penalty, from
committing depredations on the vessels, &c. of na
tions at peace with us.
"Although Congnfs in their constituted form,
have not yet done any business, it is well under
flood here, that the members in the ministerial in
terest, have not been inadive in founding the dis
positions and wishes of the representatives, on the
leading objeds of the ftffion. his confidently
'The wants of the captives at Tripoli have been liberally
supplied by Commodore Preble ; who not long since sent
them a v<nel with eloathing and a variety of other articles
all of which they have received and fay they are amply
supplied—Their situation has been comfortable as much so
as capacity will admit of—We have had two actions with
the enemy; the favorable effe& these two adieus have
had upon the enemy is very visible, and as a communica
tion is to take place to-morrow ; there is great hopes that
PEACE will be the consequence---When our unfortunate
countrymen will be restored to liberty'
Extract of a letter from an officer of the squadron
of the United States, off Tripoli, dated August 9,
1804.