The enquirer — Richmond, Va., 1810-12-08 00:00:00, page 2

T Moore, Morrow, Mosely, Newton, Pear I
•on, Pitkin. Rea. (Pen.) Rhea. (Ten.) Rich
aids Ktune, Root. Sammons, Scudder, Sey„
bett, Shaw.'Stoilie, G. Smith, 3 Smith. S.
Sn i h Southard. Stanle> , Stanford, Stephen
son, Tallmadge. Taylor, Thompson, 1 racy,
Troup Van l))ke Van liurn, Van Rensse
laer, Weakley, VVhitthtll, Wilson, VViun.
Witherspoon, Wright.
E'ghty-one members, nine more than suf
ficient to constitute a quotum, having ap
peared—
On motion of Mr. Dawson, a committee
was appointed, jointly with such committee
as should be appointed by the Senate, to watt
on the President of the U. S. & inform him
that a quorum of the two Houses were as
sembled, and ready to receive any comntu
nientions which lie may have to make.
Messrs. DawMjn and Shaw were named on
this committee.
On motion of iyir. Smilie, the usual rule
was adopted for furnishing the members
with newspapers.
The Clerk of the House having returned
•from the Senate, and apprized the House
that a quorum of that body was not yet as.,
sembled—
The House adjourned till to morrow morn
ing 11 o’clock.
; ( Taken from the Alexandria Gazette }
Tuesday, Dec. 4.
At a quarter before 12 the house was J
called to order, and the Clerk read the joor
nal.
No business was transacted till 1 o’clock
when Mr. Otis from the Senate informed
the house that a quorum of the Senate was
convened, and were ready to proceed to bu~
Sineus.
A few minutes afterwards Mr Otis again
entered the house with a message from the
Senate announcing their appointment of a
committee to join the committee of the
house for the purpose of waiting on the I’re
siden*, &c.
At 2 o’clock the committee returned from
the President’s, and Mr. Dawson reported
that the President would communicate by
message, to-morrow at 12 o’clock, and the
bouse immediately adjourned.
Washington City, Dec. 5.
The President of' the U. States this day
communicated by Mr. Ewd. Coles, his
Jinvate Stcretary, the following Pics ■
eat/e to Congress :
Fcl otv Citizens of the Senate, and
oj the House of Representatives,
THE embarrassments which have pre
Vailed in our foreign relations, and so much
employed the deliberations of Congress,
make it a primary duty, in meeting you, to
communicate whatever may have occurred,
in that branch ol our national affairs.
The act ol the last session of Congress
“ concerning the commercial intercourse
between the U. States and G. Britain and
Fiance & their depend;-.icies'’ having iovi.
ted, in a new form, a termination of their
edicts against nur neutral commerce, copies
ot the act we*e 'niu.t diateiv forwarded to
our ministers at Lontton and Paris ; with a
view that its object might be within the
.early atten ion of the French and British
governments.
By the communication received through
our Minister &i Paris, it appeared, that a
knowledge of the act by the French gov.
einment. was followed by a declaration that
the Berlin and Milan decress were revoked,
and would cea'-e to have effect on the first
day of November ensuing These being tile
only known edicts ot France, within the
description ol the act, and the revocation of
viiem, being such that they ceased, at that
date,'to violate our neutral commerce ; the
fact, as prescribed bv law, was announced
by a proclamation bearing date the 2d day
of Nov
It would have well accorded with the
conciliatory views, indicated by this pro.,
ceeding on the part of France, to have ex"
tended them to all the grounds of just com.
pi.put, which now remain unadjusted with
the U. States. It was particularly anticipa
ted that, as a furthor evidence of just dis
positions towards them, restoration would
h;ive been immediately made of the proper
ty of our citizens seized under a ir.isappli
cation ol the principle of reprisals, oombined
with a misconstruction of a law of the U.
States. This expectation has not been ful*
filled.
From the British government no comma
nication on the subject of the act has been
received. To a communication from our
minister at London of tbe revocation, by the
French government, ofits Berlin and Milan
decrees, it was answered, that the British
system would be relinquished soon as the
repeal of the French decrees should have
actually taken effect, and the commerce of
nei.tr.>1 nations have been restored to the
conili'ion in which it stood, previously to the
promulgation of those decrees. This pledge,
al'hingh it does not necessarily import,
does n t exclude the intention of relinquish!
ing along with the orders in council, the
practice of those novel blockades which
have a like effect of in'enup ing our neu
tral commerce. And this further justice to
thr U. S. is the rather to he looked for, in
asmuch as the blockades in question being
not more Contrary to the established law of
nations, than inconsistent with Urn rules of
1>1 ckade formerly recognized by G B her.
self, could havp no aliedged basis, other than 1
the p*ca of retaliation, alb-dged as the basis '
of'he orders in Council. Under be modi. ’
Jica'ion of the original orders of November :
18(7, tnco the orders of April 1809, here is 1
indeed scnrcelya nominal distinction between '
the ordt vs and the blockades. One of those *
ilh itimaie blockades, bearing date in May *
I8h6, having been expressly avowed to be
still unrcsciiided, and to be, in effect, com.. (
prehended in the orders in council, was too f
distmcly brought within the puiview of the <
net of Congress, not to be corpprehendrd in r
the explanation of the requisites to a com., i
pliance with it. The British government a
whs accordingly apprized by our minister t
near it, that such was the light in which the r
subject was to bo i egarded. v
Oh the other important subjects depend f
ing between the U States and (bat govern t
inrnf, no progress has been made, from
which an early and satisfactory result can n
he relied on c
In this new posture pf our relations with v
th .se powers, the consideration of congress e
will be properly turned towards a removal fi
of daub's which may occur in the exposition, t
nod of difficulties in the execution, of thr "
ret above cited • ti
The commerce of the U States with the t
jKorth of Kutope heretofore much vex. p
cd by licentious e-nizers, pHi tin larly by
the Dm ishflag.h s la-rlybyeii v:«- d wit I ti
in sh and txuu3ivtdepiedAli.il s. The mi x-, ft
sur«4 pursued in behalf of cur injured citl- i
zens no* hating obtained justice for them, i
a turtlif r and more formal interposition with
the Danish government is contemplated.—
The principles which have been maintained
by that government in relation to neutral
rommerce, and the fiietully professions of
Ills Danish majesty towards the U. States
are taluable pledges in favor of a successful
issue.
Among the events growing out of the state
of the Spanish monarchy rur attention was
imperiously attracted to the change deve
loping itself in that portion of West Florida,
which though ol right appertaining to the
1^. S., had remained in the possession of
Spain, awaiting the result of negociati
ous for its actual delivery to them. Th«
Spanish authority was subverted : and a si*
tuation produced exposing the country to ul
terior events, which might essentially affect
the rights and welfare of the union. In
such a conjuncture, I dido t delay the inter
position required for the occupancy of the j
territory west of «he rivet Perdido, to which
the title of the U. S extends, and to which,
the laws provided for the territory of Or
leans are applicable. With this view, the
Proclamation, a copy of which is laid before
you, was confuted to the governor of that
territory to be carried into effect. The le
gality and m cessity ot the course pursued,
assure me of the favorable light in winch
it * ill present itself to the legislature, and
of 'he promptitude with which they will
supply whatever provisions may be due to
the essential rights and equitable inte
rests of the people thus brought into the bo
som of the American family
Our ami*y with the powers of Rarbary, I
with the exception of a recent occurrence
at Tunis,of which an explanation isjustre-J
ceived, appears to have been uninterrupted, ■
and to have become more firmly establish, i
ed
With the Indian tribes also the peace
and friendship of the U States are found
to be so eligible, that the general disposi..
tion to preserve both continues to gain
strength.
i teet particular satisfaction in remark
ing that an interior view of our country
presents us with grateful proofs of its sub
statuial and increasing prosperity. To a
thriving agriculture and the improvements
related to it, is added a highly interesting
extension of useful manufactures; the com
bined prixluct of professional occupations,
and of hr use hold industry, bucli indeed is
the experience ot economy, as well as poli
cy, in these substitutes for supplies hereto
fore obtained by foreign commerce, that in
a national view the change is justly regar
ded as of itself more than a recompence for
those privations and losses resulting from
foreign injustice, which furnished the gen
eral impulse, required for its accomplish
ment. Mow far it may be expedient to
guard the infancy of this improvement in
the distribution ot labor, by regulations of
the commercial tariff, »s u subject which
cannot fail to suggest itself to your patriot
ic reflections.
It will rest with the consideration of con
gress also whether a provident as well as fair
encouragement would not oe given to our
navigation by such regulations as will place
it on a level of competition with foreign
vessels, particularly in transporting the im
portant and bulky productions of our own ;
soil. . *1 he failure of equality and recipro
city in the existing regulations on this sub
ject operates, in our ports, as a premium
to foreign competitors ; and the inconveui
ettce must encrease as these may be multi
plied, under more favorable circumstances,
by che more than countervailing encourage
ments now given them, by the laws of their ,
respective countries.
wnust it is universally admitted that a.
well instructed people alone can be pei ma i
ne.itly a free people; and whilst it is evi- |
dent that the means of diffusing and impro. !
ving useful knowledge form so small a pro* '
portion of the expenditures for national pur
poses, I cannot presume it to be unseasona.
hie, to invite your attention to the advan
tages of superadding, to the means of edu i
cation provided by the several states, a se
minary of learning, instituted by the nation
al legislature, within the limits of their ex
clusive jurisdiction ; the expence of which
might be defrayed, or reimbursed, out of the
vacant grounds which have accrued to the na
tion wiihin these limits.
Such an institution, though local in its
legal character, would be universal in its !
beneficial effects By enlightening the opi.j
nions; Wy expanding the patriotism ; andi
by assimilating the principles, the send ■
ments and the manners of those who might!
resort to this temple of science to be re.
distributed, in due time, through every
|iart of the community ; sources of jealousy
and prejudice would be diminished, the
features of national character would be mul
tiplied, and greater extent given to social
harmony. Bui above all, a well constituted '
seminary, in the centre of the nation, is
recommended by the consideration that the
additional instruction emanating from it,
would contrioute no less to strengthen
:he foundation, than to adorn the struc j
ure, ol our free and happy system of go I
rernment.
Among the commercial abuses still com.!
Tiitted under the American flag, and leav i
ng in force my former reference to that
'object, it appears that American ci izens
ue instrumental in carrying on a traffic in
rnslaved Africans, equally in violation ol
he laws of humanity, and in defiance of
hose of their own country. The same just
md benevolent motives which produced
l»e interdiction in force against this critpi.
ini conduct, will doubtless lie felt by Con
;ress in devising further means of suppress
ng the evd.
In the midst of uncertainties necessarily
onnected with the great interests of the U.
dates, prudence requires a continuance of
ur defensive and precautionary arrange,
aents. The secretary of war and secret a
y of the navy will submit the statements
nd estimates which may aid Congress in
heir ensuing provis ions for the land and
aval forces. I he statements of the latter
dll include a view of the transfers of ap
ropriations in the naval expenditures, and
be grounds on which they were made. <
I he lot tifications for the defence of our
maritime frontier have been prosecuted ac
ordii.g to the plan laid dawn in 1808. The I
ro,k*» with some exceptions, are compleat
(I. furnished with ordinance. Those 1
ir die security of the City of New York, 1
mogh far advanced towards completion' <
111 n further time and apprnpria |
on. This is the case with a few others, i
ither not compleated, or in need of r* I
airs. ,
The improvements, in quality and qtnn. I
ty, made in the mfinutac'ory of cannon ; I
"U c4 small arms, bo’h at the public ar 1
7 .
- — -- __*
fiorles and private factories, warfantcd ad
lilional continence in the competency of
these resources, for supplying the public
exigencies.
'I hese preparations for arming tlte militia
having thus far provided for one of the
objects contemplated by the power ves'ed
in Congress, with respect to that great but
wark of the public safety; it is for their
consideration, whether lurther provisions
are not requisite, for he other contemplated
objects, of organization anil discipline. To
give to this great mass of physical and mo
ral force, the efficiency which it merits, and
incapable of receiving; it is iiulispensiblc
that they should he instructed and practised
in the rules by which they are to be govern,
ed. 1 awards an accomplishment of this itn.
por ant work* I recommend for the conside
ration ot Congress, the expediency of insti
tuting a system, which shall, in the first in
stance, call into the field, at the public ex
pence, and for a given time, certain portions
ot *he commissioned and non-commissioned
officers. 1 he instruction and discipline
thus acquired would gradually diffuse
through the entire body of the militia that
practical knowledge and promptitude for ac«
live service, which are the great ends to be
pursued. Experience has left no donbt, ei
ther of the necessity, or of the efficacy, of
competent military skill, iu those portions
of an army, in fitting it for the final duties,
which it may have to perform.
-The corps of Engineers, with the Military
Academy, are entitled to the early attention I
oft. ongress. 1 he Buildings at the seat, fix'
by law,- for the present Academy are so far
in decay, as not to afford the necessary ac_
commodation. But a revision of the law is
recommended, principally with a view to a
more enlarged cultivation and diffusion of the
advantages of such institutions, by providing
professorships for all the necessarv brandies
of military instruction, and hv the establish
ment of an additional Academy, at ti>c Seat
of Government, or elsewhere * The means
by which war. as well for defence, as for
offence, are now carried on. render these
schools of the more scientific opt rations an
indispensable part of every adequate system.
Even among nations whose laige s ending
armies and frequent wars afford every oih. i
opportunity of instruction, these establish
merits are round to be mdi-pensable for ihe
due attainment of the branches of military
science, which require a tegular course of
study and experiment In a government,
happily without the other opportunities, se
minaries, where the elementary princip es
of the art of war can be tauglv without actual
war and without the expence oi extensive
and standing armies, have the precious ad
vantage of uni*ing an essen lal preparation
against external danger, with a scrupulous
rega'd to internal safety. In no o.her wav.
probably, can a provision of equal efficacr
for the public detence he made at 50 little
expence or more consistently with the public
liberty.
I he receipts into the Treasury during
the year ending on the 30th 01 Septembei
last (and amounting to more than eight mil
lions and a half of dollars) have exceeded
the current expenses of '.he Governmejti, in
eluding the interest on the public debt. ——
For tne purpose of reimbursing at the end
of the yeut 3 750.000 dollars of the princL
pal a loan as authorised by law, had been
negociated to that amount : but has since
been reduced to 2,750,000 dollars ; the re
due ion being permitted by the state of the
Treasury ; in which there will be a balance,
i remaining at the cud of the year, estimated
at 2,000 000 dollars. For the probable re
ceipts of the next year, and other details I
lefer to statements which will be transmit
ted from the/Treasury, and which will ena
ble you to iudee what further provisions mav
bs necessary for the ensuing years;
Reserving for future occasions, in the
course of the Session, whatever other com
munications may claim your attention, I close
the pres nt, by expressing my reliance, un
der the blessing r.f Divine Providence on tlu
judgment and patriotism which will guide
your measures, at a period particularly call,
iug for united Councils, and inflexible exerl
tions for the welfare of our country ; and by
assuring you of the fidelity and alacrity with
which my co-operation will be afforded.
JAMES MADISON.
-K-'-'L1-■ JL1 -i_l ” 1 n . ,
domestic._
TEN. Knoxville, Nov. 24.
We have conversed with a gentleman from
the garrison in Madison county, who informs
that orders had been issued by col. Smith,
of the Rifle corps, to the settlers on the In
dian lands, particularly those on the tra~i
commonly called Doublehead’s reserve, re
quiring them to remove, before a given' day
in November.-The colonel accompanied
his or ers by an address, in which Ik poin e
out the propriety of obedience, and the disa
greeable consequences that would follow re
si^ ance. The people residing on the re
serve, in their answer to the colonel s ad
dress, promise a compliance with Irs orders,
and feelingly describe their situation, and
the difficulties they must encounter in their
removal from the want of waggons, boats,
8cc. ■ - ■ -They state the entire loss of their
crops, and the want of sustenance for their
families, will ensue, if their removal takes
place at the time appointed, and pray all
the indulgence the colonel had power to
gram. Our informant adds that the time
was prolonged till someday in January next.
A'. Cuz.
We are informed by a gentleman who
was present when the following discovery
wa-* made, and on the fidelity of wh..*e nar.
rative we place the utmost reliance, that on
the 2d day of Sept, last, some persons were
[l'SEjr>g ir» a copperasscave, in the county
r>f Warren, state of Tennessee, situated on
what is usually called the Cany fork of Cum
berland river, ten miles below the Falls._
That at about six feet below the surface of
ffie bottom of the cave, something like
clothing was discovered, which upon proper
examination, was found to be the shrouding
if some dead bodies. Upon further investi- i
5ation, the bodies wete found to lie two in
lumber, a male and female, which, as he l
/pressed it, they judged to have been bu- t
led in ancient times. They supposed the 1
nale, at the time of his decease, to have ’
>ecn about twenty five year* of age. He 1
vas enveloped in the following manner_
irst, with a fine linen shirt—his legs were '
lrawn up and closely bound wiih 'dressed 1
leer- skins,then five dressed deer-skins wrap I
>ed round his body, a t willed blanket wrap. ,
>ed round them, and a cane mat, sixty feet
ong, wrapped round the whole. His frame !
vas entire, except the bowels, his hair of a ,
air complexion, his teeth remarkably i
oond, and his stature almve common_-The 3
iody of the female was found intetr;d about 1“
. i i
three Feet from that of the other! tfts post*
t> u of lying was similar to that of the male,
the carcase Was enveloped first, with two
undressed deer skins, under which, upon
the face, was found a small cane mat.—
Three or four dressed deer skins were
wrapped round it, over which was folded a
cane mat, large enough t«» cover the whole.
There were then five sheets, supposed to be
made of nettle lint, wrought up tufiously
around each with feathers of various kind>
and culms. Two fans of feathers were next
found upon the breast. The body, with the
whole or the described wrapping, was found
in what was supposed to be a hair trurk or
box. with a cane cover, which was wound
upon two well-dressed deer-skins of the
largest kind. The whole girthed with two
straps. This female is supposed to have
been from twelve to fifteen years of age_
her hair short and black—the budv entire_
the eyes as full and prominent as if ahve.
(JVdahvilte Review )
The population of the city of New York
enrding to the late census, amounts to 93,914
inhabitants,being an increase oi more than 18 OUU
in five years.
Twelve years ago the county of Jefferson, N
Y was an entire wilderness The population
of eleven towns tin reof, according to the late
census, amounts to 15 136 inhabitants There
in were manufactured last year, 10 683 yards of
linnen—51 013 yards of woollen —1,392 yards of
cotton—and 1.474 y;«rds*of mixed m ilis Tlu
R me towns contain 660 looms—20.505 sheep_
8,579 acres of wheat, and 7,036 a ies of cm ,.
— I mly doth “ the wilderness blossom as the
rose ”
IMPORTANT TO SEAMEN.
A discovery has been m.ide, aiul as we learn,
a patent has been taken out, for an applicat on n
mechanical power, which, if they but cone
spond with the design and specification, <.t
which we have no doubt, must be of the gr.-atest
• •ivantages, in the business of a snip ami to safe
ty in navigation. The principles are. we under
-and, to consist ol a new construction of a wind
lass and a means of increasing its power_
ri'e following are among its uses and proper
ties.
It will not require more than one third the
number of hands usually employed to get a
’ p underweigh, (that is, weigh a ship’s an
r.or.)
I' does away the use of handspikes.
It reduce* the time of getting underweigh to
a certainty.
ii is attended with more convenience, and
-xpedition in getting underweigh, than the cum
mom mode.
Y.iu can heave-a-head and get underweigh,
( t necessary) in almost any sort of* weather, 01
wnen blowing fresh
In case of getting aground, whieh may ofu n
»ccur, wnere no assistance can be obtained f om
» shore, and in perilous situations, the ship’s
'ompany will be abl<- to extrt as much fori el
>r power as the best cables are capable of
sustaining, for the purpose of floating her «
g-m.
The works may be unshipped and laid aw,,
at pleasure, and the windlass reduced to its com
mon form
It is constructed on mechanical pi inciples.
It has been approved of by the members of th<
philosophical society.
It has also bee* approved by some of the prin
cipal officers of the navy
A capstan! for ships o war and merchantman
has been invented on the above principles_1
w nich in merchant vessels, possesses ail trie ad
vantages of die above, and to ships of w ar will
be highly important in case of getting aground.
»nd wanting an additional purchase to get in.
the anchor, when deeply buried in the mud, 8tc
Aurora
FROM THE NAT. INTELLIGENCER.
A writer, who signs himself “Publius,”’
nas very unadvisedly in my opinion, under.
UEcii iu discuss, and in discussion to deny"
the power of Congress to inquire into the
conduct of a military officer
I here can be no doubt but, in making
hiws, that Congress are bound by the letter
of the written constitution. But then mo
ral powers extend much farther ; for, as
the grand organ ot the people, (who are’he
absolute sovereign,) they must necessarily
purge, by contempt, the officers of gov r„
ment of bad men ; and exalt, by applause
such individuals as. in a virtuous course,
do more than ibeir mere dut^. Tnis morai
conseiv.iiive power of Congress, which is
the ttuc salt ot our insi.i utions, serves -t
once as a harrier against the phrenzy of po
pillar faction,and the favori ism of the Kx
ec-< ive.
It is in the exercise of their mi ral faculty
tha. Cong.ess vote thanks to military rnd
n wa! officers, and bes- .w i>y votps, boun
ties ior the deeds of valiant and virtue,ns
men.
The constitution does no*. inder> drier
gate, in wming, this moral p we ; rc u e
it would be impossible *oexpress, 1 v -i
the entire scope which it ought to eu: ■ p.
It is left, very properly, to the equitable
disc re. ion ot legi>lat< rs, ivho are answera
ble for its abuse to the people.
A.MKH1C ■> NIT*.
—_____
4hiio*>e.
Further translations for the N York Evening Post,
from Lisbon Gazettes to the 1st of Mov
Lisbon, Oct 22
Copy of a letter from Col Trant to his excellen
cy the marshal oommander in chitf
Coini a, Oct. 7.
SIR,
I have great pleasure in informing your ex
rrllency, that 1 have this da\ happily entered
Coimbra, with the loss of a few inen only killed
and wounded.
In my letter of the 6th inst. I had the honor to
inform you, that 1 intended to proceed to Vfial
liuda in the course of that day, for the purpose
of forming a junction with the corps, which
were under the command of brigavlier genera)
Miller, and of colonel Wilson, and miking an at
tuck upon the city ; but when I arrived there I
was informed that the said corps were delated
5y the want of supplies, in the district near Ilu
*aco, which were completely exhausted, and the
rivalry not being able to advance with rapidity
on account of the fatigues which they had expe
•ien .ed in their former marches.
The only alternative which remained, in order
o prevent any defensive, measures from being
aken in Coimbra, as I was within three leagues
>f the city, was to march thither with my own di
dsion only, it being probable that the enemy was
is yet ignorant of my arrival at Mialhada
For this reason I began my march at midnight,
vreceded by a squadron of cavalry, commanded
iy that brave officer licut. Dontcl, whose name
in another occasion 1 mentioned to your excel
ericy. The regim .it of Cwimhra had the post of 1
tenor in front of the column of infantry My plan
if attack was to en*er Coimbra at two different
joints a*'he saint tim^ ; one division by the
*-*d of C'orio, and the other separating itself
corn the coluimi immediately on passing th
lion, was to gin, the height* east of the city,
nd entering the arch of bauU Ami*, to pro
c4«dto Loreto ; but llita plan was to be e.-.
ted only in case the enemy should be met v\'.tU
at the gates.
At a small distance from the kilns on the r«».nl
of Mialliada, I met a detachment of the enemy to
the left of this city, and commencing a lire
I extended the cavalry to the kilns, and fortu
nately cut uIf all communication with Coimbra.-—
The enemy's detachment surrendered after li e
ving lost some men ; and not meeting with an/
other ot the enemy’s troops by llte principal
roads, and utter crossing the bridge of Motule
go to tollow the Lisbon road in order to inter
cept all communication with the army, which
w .s performed with the greatest spirit and gal
lon ry by lieutenant Donu l, with the loss of ou
ly one dr. goon who was killed.
I ordered the divisions of infantry to march t6
the principal places in the city where we were
t esitsed about an hour, in which time we had
mly two men killed, and twenty-five meu
wound) d, among whom is colonel Serpe oftl*
reg.ment of Fenafiel This col. commanded
the first brigade, the conduct of which is wor
thy ot your excellency’s approbation. The prin
cipal force of the snt-my which was stationed in
Santa Clara, on the side of the Mondego, mani
Uiued fin sometime an irregular fire upon our
Civvalry when it passed the bridge ybut the French
offi c t; who commanded there, as soon as he obi
* v'-d that lieutenant Donlel had crossed tlwr
tdge pio oScd a capitulation ; I hid then
aiivancrd ns ftr as the convent, and would adr it
ot no other preposition than that ot surrenderi ig*
at discretion, promising tticmr however my pro
tecti >n from the insults of the peasants. The
troops laid down tlieir arms and retired.
I have reason to believe that the number of
prisoners exceeds five thousand, of which four
thousand are on their march to Oporto, including
it entire company of the marine guards of the
emperor, three thousand five hundred muskets'
were taken, and almost all of them vfrere loaded
by which a judgment rua> be formed of the
soldiers who were in a condition lor defensive
si r' ice
I bava caused these arms to be distributed a
tnong the country militia. Wi- found no artille
ty, but we Seiz d a quantity of oxen and sheep
which the enemy had collected for the subsis
tence of their troops, &t which is, a great acquisT?
tinn to ours. It is supposed that there are eiguty
officers am mg the prisoners. The chief coni
missary, Mr Flandin, who acted as governor
will remain at Coimbra, being si.k. From the
n.-tun-oflbe attack, your excellency will easily
conceive how difficult it was to oblige the sol
ders and armed peasantry, not toplumler the pri
S'i. ers, an*-’ I am sorry to say the peasants con.
m .ttd s>me sets of violence ; bull judge that
from 600 to 800 Frenchmen only were victims
■O then res niiuent. I must observe that no'
tiling can exceed the state of miseiy in which
I found tins c >y-n,e enemy not content
w.inuav- gs.-K.fU It through >ui, and plunder^
mg it oi e.v»ij valuable that could he found, i»*d‘
-et oa fir. same houses and pile ^ up in the street*
in th. gr< u . st disorder, all the provisions whicU
•'ey could not take with them ; tor which rea
s n it coulo not be expected that neareig it hun
di e-‘ soldier *, nut.ves ot tliis city und its neigh
borli». il, ccompanied by their miserable relatives
a .d acquaintances could be patient witnesses*
>t scene ot devastation, in which their propel^
L had be ■ destroyed in a manner s > unjust and
c .nd.lous ; notwithstanding I beg your excel
leu-y to be persuaded that every possible effort
was used to p o-e t the French who fell in our
power, .nd .ft r th first m mien's I succedeJ in
ecuring tiiv in f -in insult.
As toe corps < tu-igi.dier general Miller and
of colonel Wilson arrived here in the morning, £
propose to leave one of my brigades, and march
with the rest oi my division, as an escort, to O
porto ; for to such a degree has the animosity ot*
the country people been excited by the last
passage of the French army, that I consider my
,/resence absolutely necessary, and particularly
.i> the districts between the Mondego and the
Vo.iga
I shall close this account by assuring your,
i xcellency, that the bravery of the troops on thi*
occasion deserved the bighast credit; it being:
impossible for me to eulogize any individual*,
when all highly distinguished themselves.
i have the honor to be, Uo
NICHOLAS TRANT.
Hit Excellency Alar■ f
thal Sere ford 3
From the Freeman’s Journ *
FROM HAVANNA.
Extract of n letter from Havanna, dateS
Cth Se/it. 1810.
'* Fhe Bui vv;n k B.itish 74 arrived her^
some cl y« ..go from VeraCruz, with toun
millions ot dollars on the king’s account,
and some on private account, bound »o Ca
diz Wt d.ti y expect the Atocha (Spanish
snip of war) with an equal sum, also hound
to Cadiz General Venegas, thencwvice.
rov of Mexico, has arrived from Spain, and
taken possession ot the Viceroyalty amidst
the acclamations ol -he Mexicans who re
ceived him witli all the honors and affection
due to a defender ot his king an I his coun
ty, against tyranny and usurpation.”
', “r " r~““- —-—-e aa
/ irgiuici Legisla/ure.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES,
W D.VUDAV. Dec 5.
P t i*n$ wer» rece-vro, read aid efer .J*
l o:n e loilowin persons, viz.
Fio.n Rob. Hurdt s'.ie, praying leave to
ug ceitain SI iiea into this Sia e
i i.( J in s Che-dbam praying for a divorce.
F oi:. W DtiVi.1, praying tvb-a-uhor.^ed to
*• ii cert. in', a. t ol Laud in Buckingham, ves
ted ill . III as 11 ustec
Fioni J icoli I’t. k, for the remission of h fine.
f. -ni J Fairfax and wife,for leave to bring
Siave.s into) tins Stale.
Flam Sundry mliab to ts of Pittsylvania anil
other counties, rtprfe og oeriaui delects in
Hie present organizatio . i-l the com ts of chance
i>. and pi ay mg tlio interposition of me Legisla
ture to reim ay said detects, 6tc.
From toe Mutual Assurance Society a;.;ains8
File oo Buildings in the Slate ol Virginia, pray
ing certain alterations in die mode of collecting
the debts due the said Society.
From Lynchburg, fitc. praying for the extab*
iishment ui a toll-bridge across James River at
said town.
From Lynchburg, 8tc praying the passage of
a Law augmenting and extending the capital
slock ot me Ba>>k of Virginia in such a manner,
that a branch ol discount and deposit may be es
taoiislicd in the said town of LyiK'libui'g.
From the inhabitants of Fauquier, &c. for a
.own to be laid out in said county to be Called
Pans.
From Nortolk, praying for an act authorising
.ertain alterations in Concord street in the said
xirotigii
F’roin James Beck of Fredericksburg, praying
tome compensation from the state in const*
juenceol a wound received in assisting to exe
cute a warr_.nl in said town.
Front Campbell McCauley, stating that in con•
icquence ot a number of wounds received du«
•mg the revolutionary war, he is in hit advanced
Ige, unable to sustain lumself by Ins labour, and
araying some provision for his necessities.
■Jfc—iliiLL-'li. -L" I .' —fTT—~ *.'JSL.
OT- GREAT BARGAINS!!!
r|^ lit late arrivals ol Fall ti Winter GOODS,
J[ enables y^hn Ktng to give GliliAT BAR
./niNS— for cash.
November 3<^ j^C