The Wheeling repository — Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.], 1808-05-05 00:00:00, page 3

our envoys, had agreed upon an article
m the treaty very favourable to our
claim of exemption, but when it was
submitted to the British cabinet, it was
there rejected ; yet stipulation was
made, by which Great Britain consent
ed to forbear the exercise of her alledged
right until the whole matter could be
finally arranged. Rach nation thus re
served, what each insisted to be her
tight; but as Great Britain consented
that she would not impress our seamen,
until an arrangement satisfactory to
Both parties could be finally made, the
C nited States had certainly gained
much by tne exertions of her ministers,
Messrs. Munroe and Pinkney. The
ti eaty was,however,rejected by the’presi
dent ; no doubt for the most satisfactory
reasons. But we have thought proper
t° state these facts, and shall now, in
c oi roboration of them, add an extract
from a letter from Mr. Munroe & Mr.
Pinkney, to the scci etary of state, dated
April 22, 180r.
nercJolloros the extract.
“ V\ e had many conferences with the
British commissioners previous to the
late change, upon the subject of impress
ment, in which they invariably declared
to us mat the practice of their govern
ment would he strictlv comformahle to
tue spirit of the articles which they had
settled with us, St which was afterwards
rejected by the cabinet. They state
that the prejudice ol the navy, and of the
country generally, was so strong in fa
vour ol their pretension, that the mini
str> could not encounter it, in a direct
lot ni ; and that in truth, the support of
pa liament could not have been relied
on in such a case. It was their id. a
that by discontinuing the practice in the
mode proposed by them,which might be
tionc without giving any shock to the
public feeling, this prejudice might be
gradually overcome,and an arrangi ment
by treaty on this vgry delicate and diffi
cult subject rendered ultimately prac
ticable. 1 lie United States would in
the interval enjoy the security the\
sought; without any abandonment cf
their rights, and be induced to yield in
return, as their confidence encr. ased,
the equivalent which we had offered in
our pi oject.
The footing upon which tin* note of
tfhc British commissioners (which is and
must be considered as equ d v .bligato
rv as il actually inserted in the treat!)
left this point, was supposed to lit* less
liable to exception on our part; because
while it affords a pledge, unquestiona
bly intended to secure the substance of
our object, and constantly admitted here
to be equal to that effect, it keeps it ne
vertheless,for our advantage,completely
open lor future negociation and more
formal adjustment. The note declares
that the discussion of any plan will be
entertained that can be devised “ to se
cure the interests of both states without
injury to rights to which they are res
pectively attached,” & consequently pro
vides lor a renewal of negociation with
a sincere view to such an arrangement
as shall be practicable, consistent with
the declared pretensions of the United
States and yet leave untouched the Bri
tish principle—or, in other words, an
arrangement, in with Great Britain shall
agree to conform her conduct to our
views, without renouncing the claim
which she has hitherto maintained and
acted upon. Jt was supposed,therefore,
to be the clear import of that note, that
the conduct of Great Britain would not,
while the discussion of such plan as it
might be proper to insert in a treatv,
stood postponed at the request of its
commissioners, encroach in practice up
on rights which we had so strongly as
serted and vindicated, as rights not to
be abandoned—which it was well un
stood our government and countrv
would not suffer to be invaded in fu
ture as they had been during the past,
and which the British comissioners
themselves, acting undt r the immediate
orders 01 the cabinet, had in their note
distinctly recognized as fit to be pre
served hereafter irom injury and viola
tion.”
CONG R E S .S’.
Communications frc>m Washington to the
Editor cf the United States Guzette.
Tuesday, April 12.
This morning Mr. Ililhouse [Con.]
offered the following radical amend
ments to the constitution of the United
States.
1st. I o reduce the term of service
of members of the house ol representa
tive s, from two years to one.
2d. A correspondent reduction of the
senate from six years to three, one
third to he chosen each year.
3d. To choose the president annnally
by lot out of those senators, w hose term
oi service expir at that time.
4th. To limit his salary to fifteen
thousand dollars.
5th. I o abolish the office of vice pre
sident. * r
6th. To require the approbation of
the senate and house of representatives
to all appointments to office.
Tth. To require the consent of the
same branches to removals from office.
Mr. H. delivered a speech of about
two hours, explanatory of the amend
ments, and dwelt particularly upon the
executive branch of the government,
whose powers he thought exorbitant,
and highly dangerous to the virtue,
peace and happiness of the nation. To
this source lie attributed all the evils of
that party spirit which agitates and di
vides the community.
Fridav, April 16.
1 he house of representatives met this
morning at the usual hour, when Mr.
Bacon announced the death of his col
league, Mr. Crowninshield. After a
dopting the resolutions customary in
such cases, the house adjourned till nine
o’clock to-morrow without doing any
business. Mr. Crowninshield died this
morning about sun-rise. He had been
sick trom the beginning of January, and
was at first taken with a hemorrhage
from the lungs, which brought on a con
sumption.
A bill was to-day reported to the se
nate to fortify the embargo still further."
I his is the fourth billon the subject. I
have not heard the details particularly
stated; but there is some provision made
to prevent violations of the embargo at
Passamaquody and St. Mary’s ; and to
authorise the employment >f our fri
gates and ships of war to aid the reve
nue cuttf rs in enforcing the execution
of the embargo laws. Much has been
said on the necsssity of stopping the
coasting trade ; and it still seems quite
doubtful whether a hill to this effect will
not be introduced. The reason assigned
for this prohibition is, that now vessels
dear out for Charleston and New-Or
Ieans with flour and provisions, and are
blown oJJ the coast in such numbers, as
to supply the Wcst-India Islands with
every article for their consumption
Saturday, April 10.
I’he house met thi,s morning between
nine and ten o’clock, and soon after ad
journed to twelve. They then proceeded
to the house where the body of Mr.
Crowninshield lay, and accompanied it
a small distance on the Baltimore road*
The body is to be sent from Baltimore
to Salem (Mas.) by water. Soon alter
12 o'clock the house again assembled»