The enquirer — Richmond, Va., 1805-02-15 00:00:00, page 3

fo for the regidering hr the recat J.*r of «r»ch eo-irty
of all fuch children, and f.»r all fi ives now in thin (life,
and declares that all uot regiltcred within fix months,
(hall he deemed free,—It alio provides agair.ft the le
patatinn of a htifb ind and wife, or child, under 4 years
ot fmm a parent. It has paired the committee of
the v.hole Home, and its friends hope its final pcfiV^e.
MINT OF THE UNITED STATES.
To tire Senate and TJoufe of Reprefcntatives of
the United States.
I communicate for the information of Con.,
gri fs, ti e report of the director of the mint,
of the operations of that ir.ftitution for the Jart
year.
(Signed)
Til: JEFFERSON.
To tic Pre/idea t of the United States.
At the commencement of the year it is the
duty of the director of the mint, to communi
cate to the government, the (late of the mint,
with its iflues for the pall year.
. The ilTues of fiivcr cuius notwithdanding
the mercantile fcmbarrafltncnta attending the
importation of bullion, have greatly exceeded
that of the year 1*103 ; and the advantage of a
public rail.t, has been fenfibly experit need, by
the great eft part of the depotits being ilTued in
final! coin, which has been found very benefi
cial to the citizens at large, under the late fear
city of Spanish dollars, uccaHoned by the
great exportation of them, for commercial ptir
pofes.
The quantity of Gold bullion, has been equal
to that of the lalt report, fo that in the paft i
year, the coinage ot tile puctous metals, has!
amounted to three hundred and fifty-eight
tboul'and nine hundred and eighty-three doll ir >.
The particulars will appear by the fchedule No. |
1, herewith, to which the director begs leave
to refer.
It is worthy of the Frcfident s attention, that '
about eleven thoufand dollars of tin-gold coin, !
is the produce of virgin gold, found in the!
county Cabarrus, in the ftate of Noth Cardiina, j
where it is laid a confiderable quantity ha;. been
found, fince the hfl depofits, and will in all
probability, be forwarded to the mint. It is to
be regretted, that this gold is fmelt« d intofmall
before it 13 feat to the mint, for the con
venience <f carriage ; but by which, there is
reafon to believe a couuderabte portion of it]
is wafted. It is aifo laid, that the fineft parti- l
cies are neglefted, and only the large grains i
and lumps fought after.
The inertnfed p-ice of copper in Europe, and
the quantity on bird, have been thought fuffi
cieht fea'f >ns to confine the coinage of cents to
one prcTs ; a .d from the Juft iomits limn Eu
rope, copper is iikely to be confidrrahiy eu
creafedin price, which will render the coinage
ofcents hfs profit*! le. The p.ifl year there i
have hern i(Tucd, feven hundred anil lixly-fix'
thoufand eight hundred and thirty-eight cents,
and one million and fifty-five thoufand three
hundred and I9h.i!l*cents,1requal to lSlhoufand
hundred and forty-four dollars and ninety-four
cents, as appears l»v the fame fchedule. No.
1. Tile amount of the cofl of copper ard pro
fit on the whole coinage of cents this year will
be Iccti by fchcdulc No. 2.
The coinage of the year amounts in the
vhoic, to tiitr fum of three iinnure d and feven
ty thoufand eight hundred and feventy feven
dollars and ninety-four cents, and the number
of pieces fotwo millions forty-fix thoufand eight
hi mired and thirty-nine.
The expences of the mint for the p-.ft year
will appear »iy fchedule No. 2, to be redu
ced ton trifle more than lixteeu thoufand dol
lar.
Thr din /lor t’links it his duty ft* mention
to the Prefident, that very confiderable ditlicsl
•y, as well as danger may arife to the public,
from the officers and workmen cf the mint be
ing c::p f:d to be called out to attend militia
meetings or on detachments. When large de
p-ifilsof the precious metals are patting through
ti e mint, and particularly when in iufion, it
may be of the inoft dangerous confcquence to
lave the officers and mui called away, or be
lublc to fines for non-altendancs. It is too im
port u.t a truft to be thus expohd. The Prefi
dciit in his wiiiioin will provide aeainft this e
vil.
(Signed) ELIAS BOUDINOT.
(SCHEDULE, No. i.)
Jn ahjlrafl off.br Coins fn,rk , t the Mbit of
tSr Unit?.! Fi iirs, from 1Jt January to 3 if
December, 1801.
SILVER. i
0r "nfirg. Doits. \ Dells. A Doth. Dim. Doth. Cts.
Marcji, 195 70 ] 9570
Jjue. 396l9 6738 82C5 I7820 50
S"pt. 103100 51559
Dee. 22300 1 ( <jc*0
!9i,09?ps.-- - " _!
*iir. coins. !9^70 156519 6738 8265
Total awount off loser coins, 100310 50'
,Gi>I.n.
Q/*. ending, Engles. J F. sgles. J F. ogle,,
March, ' 22822 ~ ‘ H1l>0
MOl 3327 22327 50
be (it. 5110 27050 I
Dec. 8331 2213 95155 !
If 597 ps. g kid --- --!
coin* - 9759 30475 3327
Total amount of Gol.1 coins, 258612 50 ■
COPPER.
Qr- ending. Cents. I Cents.
March, 16.KK70 379000 3195
June, 808500 267000 1420
S* ptemb -r, l .00 i 76542 897 71 1
IXcrnbtr, 2P6838 232770 403d 23 I
1,8 J3159ps.cc,. C< 7:.C 38 1055312
Tsi.il. Dun! oj Capper ilh.s, 12811 94
1 vl.t! number. 2,016 8 pistes of coins. N
An <>i r <»j iik if. k'k it the n.iut.C 571827 f»4
in 1901, - . y
mint o«- f:t W'TTro rs.ru,
1 rcafinei*’* Office,
P' lade'.; I ia, 31/? Dee. 1804.
LKNJAMIN KUSH.
(Ii. 'Iri ’ • N 2.) t apt,ears, th?t the annum*
«f ;.r-i*i-c • M -t ♦ '/■:> 'hr I ft. of January to the
*l!>.of Ji c.-.r iu u I». wa» 2197 dollars 5: 50 err-.
(She-tele. i:... 3 an y.bflradl of the tc^ nL
tare»of the M.i.i.lor die f e period ; by which it
M th. 1 the amount of f. la ties, nva^es, and i»,t -
dental charge* was 16,22 I dolls. 80 at.
FROM THE AUTIOIA.
FRCtM WASHINGTON, Feb. 3,1905.
The tr. tl, »if Jutljte Ch*f«‘, upon tlic imtscach
r.rnt of the howfeof rcfirffcutatifes, cr,rv.’' .*n
cal thi city ; n*rce:blr *o*hr former dit.rmi
THltion (if tl c fi.ntr, JVcvious to .".11 account
of t* C pr<K.i■* tli y ;. I fl ii.foliTl yo(| of ti'l
RrrPO'.'-ment ai'l o»«ler of tic court. The f*
PTfte.in it, lep'fl.i'iv* CAprtcity,al p.CR-n* yycu
p ' s the noith well room lu.nit.riy the c.lT.cc of
tht fivutiry.
T*k: fcuRtc ci«a.)ti>v.‘r i* Hrted up in z fta:.v'
fotne Rile as a court—and ’aid out into apart
ments for the frnators, the houfe of reprefrn
tatives, the managers, the accufed, and counfr*
—the members of the executive d< oartrtu'nN,
Sefide a femi-circular gallery conftrudled with
in the area, of the chamber which forms from
if;: front an amphitheatre continuous with the
fixed gallery ofthefrnate chamber.
On the right and left of the prefident of the
(•mate, and in a right line with his chair there
are two rows of benches, with de'ks in front,
and the whole front and feats cove’-ed with
crimfon cloth ; fo that the fenaiors front the
auditory.
! The fecretary of the frnate retains hi ; ufual
j Ration in front of the prelident’s chair—O 1
[the left of the fecretary is placed the iVrge.mt
j at arms of the frnate, and on his right the ferge
ant h» arms of *h~ houfe of reprefrntatives.
A temporary femi-circular gallery, which
confiflis of three ranges of benches is eh-vated
on pillars, and the whole front and feats thereof
covered with green cloth ; at the angles or
poi-ts of this cillery threat* two boxes'which
orojcifl into tht area about three feet from tin*
line of the from, v hich fave tItc abruptnefs cf
a (quire rermii rion, and add confidcrably to
the i ot the coup d’ceil. In this gallery
ladies are accommodated, am! they atfemble in
numbers.
On the floor, beneath this temporary gallery,
three benches arc provided rlli-ig from front to
rear, and alfo covered with green cloth—thefc
benches are occupied by the members of the
houfe of n i.i-efentativcs—on tbeii right there is
a fpacious b>.< appropriated for t!:e members
Oi the executive departments, foreign miniRers,
See. S:c.
A pacagc is opened in front from the pree
flent s <’h or tc the door—on the right and h ft
hand of the prelidrnt, and in front of the num
bers of the houfe of representatives are two box
es of * wn rows of fgats—(bat facing the pre
fident’n right, is occupied by the managers—
tli.it in the other f,ie of the bar for the accufed
and his couiifri—thefe boxes are covered with
T! r m.u ft.al of the diftrifl and a number of
his o flier is have charge offevcr.il tl-Mons in tbr*!
avenues of the court an 1 in the galleries_and
the whole is fo well arranged ns to he cond■.&
ed on the open!*i; with ell the order and filence
that could bedefired.
1 it o clerk the fenate, by their fecrctnry,
made a communication to the houle of renre
fent.ativ.s, flint they were ready to pro eetl up
on the trial in the fenate chamber ; and there
upon proceeded to their ftntions, preceded hy
'heir fergeant at arras—and the prefident (Mr.
Durr) being feated :
The members of the houfe of reprefi ntatives,
preceded by their fpeakcr and the man igers,
having entered the court and taken their ft.ati!
oils--or. the front feat Mr. Rodney, Mr. Ni
obolfon, Mr. Clark and Mr. Randolph* on the
fi-cond row, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Boyle, and Mr.
Early. Chairs were provided on the fift of
the manager, for the fpeakcr and clerk of the
houfe of reprefentatives.
The Prefident then direified the crier to open
the court—which was done in the old Norman
ftyle ; Oyez I Oyez ! 0« w. ! all manner of
pertons. Sec.
The Prefident then directed Samuel Chafe to
be called—which was done—and he appeared
Oa Judge Chafe advancing to the bar, fol
lowed by his counfd, the prrfi.fi nt addrefled
h.m, informing him that flu- time which ti.e
fenate had granted to prepare for his defence
was now expired, and he ddired to know if he
was prepared to anfwer to the charges prefer
red againt him by the houfe of reprefentatives.
judtre Chafe then delivered fi.me ohfervati
ons, in too low a voice to be hr.-rd by ns d'f
tindly, but feemed to import, that the time was
not as much as he wiflied, and that his anfwer
was not io complete as he had defired—he con
cluded by handing a paper, which was deliver
ed hy the fergeant at arms to the fecreta: y of
the fenate, and hy him read :—thereupon,
The Prefident of the fenate having alfo read if,
faid to the effect, that there was tomething in
the paper, or annexed to it, by which he under
took to dire (ft the court how theyjhoidd proceed;
the reft of the paper appeared to contain an ex
preflion of the judge’s withes, that his pica
"ogtit fee read at the bar by himfelf and ccun
Judge C.bafe faid that part which was excen
tionablr might he erafed.
The prefident faid he had cancelled that part,
and hoped that that kind of proceeding would
not he repeated.
The Prefidc.t then informed him, that feats
w.ie provided fi.r himfelf and counfd:_the
judge named them, Meflrs. Luther Marlin and
Robert G. Ilarptr, of Baltimore; and Jofcph
Hopkinfon ; and then fcatcil himfelf: his feat
was feparated by the bar from Mr. Rodney, who
fiat..n the other tide—on the judge’s right were
in fucctflion Mr. Martin, Mr. Hopkinfon and
I'll • * 1(11 •
Judge Chafe then produced his pleas which
confined of upwards of an hundred folio pages
of engraft d manufeript—he read the caption
and introductory part, and then handed to Mr.
Harper, who continued to read to two o’clok—
wh. n Mr. Hopkinfon, continued the reading *o
four o’clock ; when Mr. Harper continued for
about half .an hour : the judge read the doling
part, which was a fob inn religious appeal. I
After a few errors made in tranferibiug were
corredei!:
Mr. Randolph (chairman of the n> loagers) faid
—am I to confidcr this pha and ar.lwer of the
i efpondent aa final, or docs he mean to eo fur
ther?
The prrftdent—I undcrlWI that this anfwer,
now given in, is that by whic h he means to abide.
Mr. Randolph—That efraped my hearing bc
fore—I now on behalf of the managers require
ot the fenate time to prepare a replication to
tliis plea and a copy thereof.
The Prcftdee.i—Upon this requeft the fenate
wii: delilu rate and duly advife the houfc of re
prefentativ i.
The court ’ • then adjourned.
The plea of • i. judge is copious :-;d what the
lawyers would call a very aide pica ; it confifts
of a recap tulati ' i of .he charges, and much le
gal . onto vert >t» of the principles of the fever
a! article*. T'-.v i 'try little if any thing in
point of. *\dcri r :d even the paper handed
'hint in . <v.:t ; r ‘ ri-s’i trial is not only ac
km»«v!*gi o‘ b it jt.r. . d as proper and ticceUhry 1
The refulil to h ■ ir Fngliih hooks read as autho
rity t - got rid of wi‘,1 dexterity, upon the ground
that no Englrfb law book prior to the revoluti
on of ir.*!? o :i;ht to be received at authority.—
The political charges from the bench be'vimJi
**/ « «'• right, fitting, juft, and necefiary—and
• • it bad been done heretofore, it wa^ not ccnfu
rable nor'mpcaehr.blc In him todofu then.
H« •'•’f-' pleaded human infirmity, and as in the
'■.'if.- 'i l.tt 'rajfcr, d-dared his trrort were not
er-tu.j — I fuppofcMs plea will b*- puMi.lied, inn
rbe c >urt will not fit agtin until the rrplien
* <> i ib ill be ready— wl.i.’u I luppofe will he by
Friday or Saturday next.”
February 5.
“ The fa zoo fqu id yai.i ftrrnptb, Mr. Fnd'ev
*f >ir tf.’te is gom-over to th-ir in his ufu.db ch
i' tfgiv rfatron t be voted uniformly a air ft
' • r.,». ion- fpeeirtation before, and hr eyes
I be. nik fu.i Ur.ly open in his old age! Z"tczc
> t fome wIk'i'■ wl.oPr lifbt or feelings 1
aoprcVnd have been afFo&ed in the r.,me Way,
(' n. Gw,n form t!v told our friend Dr. R. tha*
Ids vote for the Britifh treaty would be governed
;:y the reception which the Ya*,ce fpcculatioti
,: ectfived in conprrfs —and every Om- knows v ho
j and what Gen. Gunn was, r.nd how he voted on
j the Britifh treaty. I believe that as oM a ■ the
. n’ <//'/?> fr*,ifr i. in the political world, it is a good
; *etl of political charaOter «<rry as well as then— 1
' have not feen any man who voted for it ir. \s' om
| *he li afi political truft or confidence fan b<* re
| P"fc<! i and I have f en fomc d ‘7''ias of its fup
• porters become the great ell caitiffs on the con
tinent.
Mr. J. Randolph has mrde a ftand, again?!
this flupendous fraud, that renders him illuflri
otic nrrd an honor to hiseountrv ; hut he is at
tached ori all lid >- bv a hoft of harnies, and I
have v-ry I-Mledoubr that no means will he left
untried to deprive his country of his fervices
an“ perhans of Ins life. You can have ro con
ception of tlie intrigues and wickedrrfs carried
on *o cfFe»ct rh.is national robbery and fh;:me.
Mr. J. Clay moved this day reieeR a bill
brought in hv Mr. Dana on this fuhjesR, you will
h. fmorin-d to hear that the qnefVon was loft —
I bcSwe i1'? votes were for n jefling 58—and
fo. t e hi!i (i'2 or —I have the fil'sfadtiou to
fnyl'iat Mr. Findley and Mr. H \*re fa federalifh)
are the only Pcnnlylvariians who fupport- this
fraud : and I regret to fay lint hone ft James
S'oan is the only Jerf y member onpofed to it.
Mr. Randolph h is been confined to bed this
diy through the feverityof the weather—tbete
w’eif fevcral other members abfv.-.t lihewife —
and ] trull that cn the final queftion that the Ya
100 fpceulation will meet the fife it merit"_
that thole who fupport the iniquity will feel
the indignant frowns of their country.”
RICHMOND, FEBRUJRr is. ijtos.
TRADE TO St* DOM NGO -No. !.
No fcbjefl has given rife to a rv,re imoor
tant debate during the prefect ftffinn of Con
pr.-fs, or to more voluminous difieufiions in the
public prints, than the trade of the American
merchant to this ill-fated Wand ; none haa
pvobablv fuggclrd a greater t-nri-t- ofeueiti
o>!«, or been viewed in a greater variety of
light''. !f was not to be cxpe&ed, that a qnef
tion. which involved fuch a diversity of rights,
Ibov.M produce a pcrfefl uniformity of opini
on : Nor was it to he expert*!, that our go
vernment would readily agree on any one ex
pedient to reconcile th< fe conflicting intcrefts.
What was due to tlic government of France?
what wap due to the infurgents of St. Domin
go ? what was due to our own merchants ?
each ofthefc, was a nneflionof “great pith 5:
moment each of them involved adifcuOion
iiuo the eflabiiflied law of nations, and into the
ntf ml date of the interfiled parri-s. The do
cuments which have juft hern laid before the
Senate by the Prcfident, in conformity to their
n folution of the 2*th January, have flied new
*yht upon iorn* of theft* topics, and will ag;iin
provoke a public inveftigation. It is not too
late, ..hen, to draw the public enquiry once
more upon this fubje^d : however defultory
mi ay be the reflections, which are intended to
produce this enquiry.
I he following fa<51 s Rem to require no proof:
that a part of the Ifland of St. Domingo, was
a colony of the French gemrnment; that fomc
of the inhabitants revolted agah.ft the colonial:
government, and that they fucceedcd in their
exertio-.s; that a tklflchn.crn of troop-, was
fer.t on*, by the mother country, to fupprefrthe
in furred ion ; that after feme faccefsful efforts,
they were overpowered by the inclemency of
the climate and the force of the enemv, and
they were compelled to abandon there robed tat
tlements; that this part of the Ifland ftill re
mains unconquered by France, and that it has :
eftablifl-.ed an independent government. ; that
the American merchants who had traded with
the French p rt of the Ifland, when it was un
der the fubjcOtion of France, did not abandon
rbe intTv, when the Ifland was abandoned by
the French troops ; that hy an arretc of Gene
ral Ftirand, commander in chief at Hifpaniola,
who reprvfented the French government, dated
the loth Ventofe, 12th year (iso-l)this trade
vvas'cxprefsly prohibited ;t Vat is the trade nfevery
part of the Ifland, except from the'Cape Ra
phael lo I icon H ty : that this arrete was alfo
difregarded by the American merchants, who
continued theit cullomarv traffic with the Fri
gands ofSt. Domingo ; that a part of this traf
fic even confifted in thrintrodiitfionofarms, &
ammunition among them, without which they
couid not under certain circumflanceshave main
ta! i :d their oppofition to the mother country ;
that partly to defend this trade, fume of them
even aflumed to themfelves the right of armin"
the»r veflTels, and thus enabling them not only
to refill the aggreflion of pirates, bttt the fearch
of lawfully corhmifftoned cruizers of the French
government; that in tame cafes this refinance
was actually exerted ; that in all cafes where
the American merchants were captured by the
French cruisers, they were coufifcated ; and
that in fpite of thefe obftnxftions, the Ameri
can merchants were ftill invited by their great
profits, to continue this forcible trade to St.
iVW.IIIIU'W.
Sev' r.i! (jucflionsarife out of this fl.itrinent.
H id the French gove. mr.ent .1 right to prohibit
this trade? That fhe had this rigid, b appa
rent from frv'-ral principles oi the law* of nati
ons. 1. If St. Domingo be confidered as an
independent foverei/nty, dill it is to Ik* re
collected that file is at war with France.
France would be entitled by the laws of war,
to the fame privileges, which fhc would d rive
from her going into a war with anv other nation.
Hat it is ono the privileges of a belligerent nati
on, thatjno neutral power fim 11 carry to her e
n.-my any of thofe articles, which are deemed
contraband of war ; and among theft*, arc arms
ammunition &c. France had then a right to
demand, that fo much of the American trade
with St. Domingo Ihould I* fnfpendrd, a-,
confided in the traiifpurf dion of thefe articles.
On this principle, the am tr of General Fer
rand may be confidered as a firnplc proclamati
on of war, for the pnrpofc of informing n-u
tral nations that their trade with St. Domingo
mod be placed under fuch rcAriflions as the
principle of contraband would impofeupon
them.
2. But t here\ianotber principle, w J.ichgivesthis
proclamation of General Ferranda new afpL<tt,
and confers Upon the government which he re
prHents an unlimited power of reftraining nil
: trade with St. Domingo. If that Iflird is dill
to be confidered not as an independent fove
rciynfy, hut as a colony or 3 part of Prince,
then by the principle of fovereigr.ty, Prance
would have as romph at a fnp^rinterdence and
contro l! over any or ell the ports of?*. Domin
go, a . the would have over any of her European
ports. No one however will deny, that under
this power of rontronl is involved a power of
re^u atiny and < veil prohibiting its trade, unlcfs
it hat pttvioufly fettered its own power by
Anne contra.7 wi.h a foreign njuim. In other
wot. s, no n.ie w'iil deny, that the fame princi
pi* which gives a m'ion a right *r» reUrbft ,»r
pronibit any particular hr.»r,«'b of trade in any
one 'f its ports, where no treatv baa hoiM'.d hi>
its hands, doe" alfo give it a rig! t to prohibit
every branch ol its trade in all of it- ports. But
or. referring to the la ft treaty between France 5c
tic U. States, that *r, to the convention of I so I,
we can perceive no article, which gives to v
ther nation the privilege of carrying every
branch of trade into every port belonging if*
the other. The chief oon:rt • trial privihve
which they have mutual1)' • ootraDi il to allow,
fpecified in the 6'h article, that “ i:i geneial
t.te two parties fled' enjoy in the ports of each
other, in regard to commerce and navigation,
j tlie privi'eges of ‘he naeft fa vored nation.” The
jarreteof General Fernand, however, extends
to all veflelfi, “ foreign as well .13 dunieflic.”
• Jt is worthy of remark, that the convention of
! 1801, makes no diferimiuatijn between her E>;
j ropean and Weft-India trade : and that there
j is no article in it, fimilar to the 12th article of
! the Britifh treaty of 1791, which allows the
1 privilege of trade with the “ ports and iflands
I of the 'V. Indies.” As the right of fovereignty
is therefore uncontrouled by her convention
; w,*t^ America, (he has the right of (hutting up
every port on her own coafts as well as in the
ifland of St. Domingo, or of prohibiting the
commerce of other nations, although the may
I 8. But there would ftill be another
principle on which Trance might ronofe her
; right of prohibiting all commerce with St. Do
1 mingo, even if they had exprefslv contractedXo
i n! ,v it- Nations owe to themfclvts the fame
duly offclt-prefcrvation, which hinds individu
■ a!s. The danger of di ftruiftion confers upon
flicnj new rr.hts, and gives them a difpenfition
rtc:n t:>e reductions cfr. more fortunate period,
j 7 here is a common !a<iv of nations which as
w. ll as the <written law. creates privilege s or
mipaf's obligations. As li;on as Fr-^ire di»co
1 vered that tb.c colony ofS*'. Domingo was a
j ••-■‘lit to be torn from her fovereignty and that
1 the commerce of the American veflels tended
10 defeat all her exertions for its recovery, all
F:c c,h!ig ilions of her convention wihiK! have
bttn difTolvcd : intro's crifis fo little expelled at
' •; fforini gher convention, berofficialor
pan in the 'fl ind of fit. Domingo would have
been M.d.iW. d with every authority to pafs the
Pire*-- prohibiting all trade with the rebellions
inhabitants.
Had the American merchant; then any right
to continue this trade ? If the French, govern
ment had a right to prohibit it and has a'duallv
excrcifed this right, it would appear evident
that they have no right to force a trade. It
is evident, they cannot maintain thiscommcrre
with St. Domingo, on the ground that St. Do
mingo is a French colony, becaufc that trade
has already been forbidden by France, anti
Franee had a right to forb'd it. Nor can they
maintain this commerce, on the ground that it
j« *n Independent fovereignty. No individual
has the -ight to determine whether any revolted
country fhall have the tight of felf-govcrntnent,
or the right of regulating its own trade. It is
the privilege of his government only, to regulate
hi6 relations with foreign countries; to deter
mine whether he lhall be at peace or war with
t?;cm, & whether he can continue or fhall fufpend
any particular fvTiem of commercial inlercourlV.
But the government of the United States has ne
ver admitted the fovereignty of St. Domingo,
nor received her embafiador:. The government
has then never legalized and guaranteed th:s
commerce. Hitherto it has confidered the If
lard of St. Domingo, as a part of France, and
has thus admitted the obligation of all her com
mercial arrangements.
The American merchants then having no
right to carry on this trade, had no right to
appeal to their government for protection a
gair.ft the French Cruiicrs, or for indemnity fur
their confifeated veflcls. The public arret'e of
Gen ; ceiiar.d, and its acknowledged execution
by the French government firniflied them with
futtirient information oftheirdanger,and the lefs
which they incurred, was on their cuwhead.
Under fach a fituation, it has been contended
by a few politicians that it was the richt and
duty of i he Prcfident to ifTue Ins proclamation
to regulate this trade. But whence could the
Pirnuent have derived this power? It was
not from any provifinn in the confti
tution * nor was it from any law of Contrrefs.
AH the diferetion which he poflefled in cafe - of
this deferiptionisderived from the 7th Section
of thcaCt of 17h|; but the prrfcnt cafe i's not
fpecified in that aCl. Even if the Prcfi lent had
poflefled this power, good poliermighi have pre
u uted its cxercife. Such a pro clamation might
iMVfcml'r iced tvvo o’.jcCl s; informing the mer
chants of the reft riCt ions on this trade, and thus
depriving them of all right to indemnity; an
objeCt which was fuflieirn! ly attained b* th.r
arrete and conduct of the French government :
or, preventing any armaments in our ports, a
powr, which even Congrcfs itfclf has not ven
tured to exercife.
From thefe defultory obfervat ions, it appears,
that the French government had a right to pro
hibit this trade. 2. That our merchants had
no right to continue it. And s. that if Ph-v
did, they placed their.fclves out of the protec
tion of their own government.
We have now arrived at the moment nfbrng
ing thisfubjeCt before Congrefs. Wnat is the
policy which exifting circumftances would have
induced that body to adopt ?
• The reader will recoiled the obje&ions, which
w re formerly urged with fo much force, againft gen
Walhington’s proclamation of neutrality
If it be true, that the French Miniflrr (General
T bureau) has made an application to our government
to prohibit our merchants from arming, the fubjcfl
which is tou'hed upon in the preceding Fflay, cannot
be too deeply confiJersd by the American people.
A proclamation of Charles C.imrrnn, captain
general r.ntl governor in cbiefnf the Bahama If
landn, da*ed NafTatl, New-Imovidcnce, Jan. 7,
ISO.*!, the admiffion of “ com, all forts of grain,
pnlfc, flour, bread, rice, every fpecies nf felted
provifinna, cattle and live flock of all kinds, and
all forts of lumber,’’ which was allowed by pro
proclamation of Dec. 7, IROsf, into the ports of
NafT.iU, Fxttma, Turks Iflattd and Siint
Georges, and Crooked Ifland a* well in Brit.fh
as in foreign bottoms, will be prohibited info
reign vefTels from and after the 7th of July next
enfuing.
It i« llated that the Dench minifter has made
an explicit and pofitive demand of our govern
ment ?o prohibit the arming of vefTcIa for the
mirpofc of carrying on the b’t. Domingo trade.
If this is fo, *ve prefume government w'dl not
dir/* torefufe. Mr. JefTcrfon’s letter of ’pp to
citizen Genet to the contrary notwithftauding*
( U. S■ Gazette.)
Extra!! of a Utter from iVafhinylon, dated Febru
ary a.
“ The bill “ to regulate the clearance of arm
ed merchant vefTelr,” drags heavily along the
feuate. Some of the members being deeidedly
sgainll doing any thing, and others for touch,
ing the fuhjefl as Ti-.ditly as poffihlr. The
right of merchants to aim for frlf-de fence if un
doubted, and it is a fingnlar hut honorable truth,
that nor a f</litary iuftar.ee has lieen produced
of an abulc of that r»j t. I fend you the only
of m. 1 paper whieh has Im'vti fubnitttcd hy the
pn fiJent, in copfequeuer too, 1 am told, of {' c
G‘iu'e ha\ing pafTcd a reLdutmn, calling upon
him tor luch document* and information . •; !>;
h i * tocommu nicate in relation to tbe fubird.
You will perre-vc that it amotiils to no iuft He*
t'ori of the r« ft ilsfl tons and Heavy burthen pro
pofnl *«> hr laid this valuable portion of
onr trade.” Phil. pap. '
' -» r a 1 naoacg -
Last Lvctibi \v '/fail.
V. ASHING i ON, February 11.
, HIGH COURT OF IMPEACHMENT.
Ft '.fayt Ftlruary 8.
The court opened precifdy at 19 o'clock.
Prsfr’/t, the Managers, and Koufe of Rcpre
fentativ^s in committee of the whole and,
Mr. ChaG*, and his cninfel, MeiTrs. Martin,
It >rp-r, Hopkinfon, and Iv y.
I he crycr, having, agreeably to a preferi* ■» l
form, notified all thofe concerned to come ibr
wm-d and make go id the charges exhibited a
gamft Samuel Chafe :—
JVir. y. Randolph, the leading manager, re
queued that the witnefler, on the piri of i.he
{. lofecutiOii, might be called, to afeertain who
were prefent.
T ary were accordingly' called, to the ram*
her ot twenty four, as follows ;—thefe wl'o nr
I’.vcre-I arc n.a.lo d (p)—and thole ^lifer; (...)
Al xander James Dallas, p
J William Lewis, p
William Kawle, p
William S. Biddle, p
Edward Tilghman, n
Tleorgf Read p
Times Lea, A
J-'hn Crow,
Rilcion Bifhop, a *
John Montgomery, p
John Stephen, n
Aqtiila Hall,
Philip Stewart,
John Thonipfon Mafim,
Samuel H. Smith, p
Thomas Hall, a
John Taylor, p
OcorgeHay, p
I’liilip Narbomc Nicholas, .»
Wi!liana Wort, p
John Harvic, a
Mrriwethi r Jones, a
John Heath,
James Pleafants, a
Fourteen being prefent, and ten ahfent. Of
thofc marked ahfenr, we underftand that P li
hp N. Nicholas is in the city.
Mr. y. Randolph obferved, that various con
federations, which it was Himeceilary to detail,
induced him, cu behalf of the managers, to
move a poRponement of the trial till to-morrow,
when they hoped to be prepared ‘o m ;cee 1
inerew ith.
^ Mr. Harper Hid that, on behalf of Jud>;c
Chafe, he would not object to the motion.
d'ne Prejident informed the managers, tint
tlv Senate acceded to their requeft and added
that the Senate would attend to-morrow at 15
o clock for tv purpofe of proceeding with the
trial.
At the requeft of Mr. Harper, the witndEs on
the part of Judge Chafe were called over, to rha
riuu.l'er of forty-one, as follows thofe pre
sent are marked (p)— and thofe abfent
Wttnefles fnmmoned by Judge Chafe.
William Marfhall, ' n
David M. Randolph, *
Edmund Randolph, r.
John A. Cbevaleir, *
Robert Gamble, a
John Marlhall, p
John BafTett, \
Cvriis GriiTir,
David. Rebellion, p
J. C. Barrett, dia.i.
John Hopkins, not f(iurid.
C°och, not found.
H ilham Minor, rot found.
James Winchcftcr, a
th. »-r
- ••••.p lMunrr. tf
Cornelius Comeg ys, „
John Ptirv»ance, *
Thomas Chafe, a
John Stewart, f.
William Rawlc, a
Gunning Bedford, p
Nicholas Vandyke, p
Archibald Hamilton, p
Samuel P. Moore, p
William C. Ftazier, 'p
Edward Tilghrnan, p
Win. Mcridith, p
Jared Ingeifol, p
onmtifl >.v heeler, not found.
Si nuel Ewing, a
Walter Dorfey, a
James P. Boyd, p
Nicholas Brice, p
Wm. M. Mechlin, p
William H. Wynder, p
William G vyin, p
William J. Govane,
Edward J. Coales, Jn
John 11.1’, Jun, p
Thorr ■ Carpenter, L
Twrnty-fcveii h ing prefect, and thirteen ib
li nt, ot thofe marked abfer.t, Edward J. Coale
is in the city. J
Whereupon the court rofe.
SATURDAY, Ffb.9, iso?.
°Pt‘ncd Prcci<r>y »t 12 o'clock.
.. 1 ^ r k ‘ ’ {J,e Mtituisrtirj, attended hv the
Hun.v* of Rcprcfentatives in committee of the
w hole ; ami Judge Chafe, attended hy hiscmin
j * 33 mrntioned in the proceedings of yeftcr
At a quarter after 12 o’clock, Mr. J. Ran.
0,1 behalf of the managers, opened the im
peachment, and in a fpecch of about one hour
and an half in duration presented a general vi<w
of the ground* on which it was intended to fuf
tam the fever,al charges exhibited in the articles
of impeachment.
Evidence was then adduced in fnpnort of the
allegations contained in the Fir ft article, in.
U"m fwih of Philadelphia, was tint examin
ed and after him, Alexander James Dallas, of
the lame place ; when, at a quarter before 4 o’
clock the Senate retired, the Prefident intima
t «j that the trial would be rrfumed on Mon
day at 12 o’clock.
li 0 O K S—AT AUCTION.
A choice collection of Books, will be fold this
and to-morrow evening, among which are the
Following, viz.
t Tlr. Kilig of PrtilTia’s Works, IS vols. Htiihr’i
1 * Miftory of r.iigjaiid with the coritititt‘,,.iin, | o
v»!s. I h>- American Mufetnn, 12 vols.Milton'.r Work-,
6 v-.ls. Jolinlon’s V.%ks r, vok Johofor’s laves of
the Poets, « vo. Smith's Wealth of Nations, 4 vols
p'»«' ' .. 'I vols. l'obertfon’s America, l voi*.
H -ro i-.r. IS. vols. Guthrie’* G«ogf.,phi«al Gi.un
to «r. «kc. f'. t.
Gateio^Ui i of tbi, Suable collediar. may be I -if
at the Simeuf Meflr.. M. W. Hancock U Go. three
ooc. 4 .,elo* thr >’•»'•<* Tavern.
THOMAS TAILOR & Cm V. MV
F»t. If.