Norfolk gazette and publick ledger — Norfolk [Va.], 1804-12-10 00:00:00, page 2

THE PURUCK LEDGER.
t- ' TO SHKW
'THE VERY AGE AND BODY OF THE TIME,
HIS FORM AND PRESSURE.
’ MONDAY EVENING, DEC. 10, 1804.'
By Ceptain O’Meara from New-York, we have
received papers to the 4tl», anil hy Captain Broun
from Baltimore, papers to the 8th instant. These
papers contain nothing interesting which we have not
already anticipated.
Our readers will observe hy our Congressional Re
gister of this day, that Mr. Nicholson has withdrawn
the bill for the more effectual preservation of peace
within tl.c jurisdiction of the United States, published
in our paper of the 3d instant, and that he lias re
ported a new bill for that object.
The rtature of this new bill we are not acquainted
with, and hope that it will be free from the objecti
ons to which the former was liable—we shall forbear
any remarks on a measure which has been abandoned
by its promoters, and this will we hope excuse us to
our correspondent for not publishing his observations
on this subject.
VVe have in this days Congressional Register, two
excellent specimens of the industry and talents of
those who guide the councils of the nation. Only two
bills of consequence have been introduced into the
House of Representatives this session ; the bill above
mentioned, and the bill to restrain the arming of
merchant vessels—the former after much discussion,
is found incapable of amendment, and withdrawn in
toto—when fhe order of the day was called for the
other, the gentlemen who proposed it, confessed that
they were not prepared with reasons to support it,
and moved a postponement.
Mr. Monroe is appointed Ministerr x iraw diner j
from the United States to Spain, and not Minister
retident as has been supposed by some.—Mr. kow
jdoin of Massachusetts is appointed Minister Pleni
potentiary to Spain.
V.’c cannot suppose that Mr. Munroe will meet
much difficulty in the adjustment of all subjects of
difference between the United States and Spain.—
Oppressed by the tyranny of the Imperial Corsican,
scourged by pestilence and famine within, and as
sailed by a formidable foe without, Spain will not be
found very tenacious. The v/ar in which without
doubt Spain is before this day involved with Great
Britain, must and will have a powerful influence over
her conduct towards the United States. Thus a se
cond time has Great Britain been tlic means of ena
bling us to urge our demands with confidence of suc
cess.
By private letters received by the sloop Amity,
from Havana; h, dated the lS:h Novcmljer, it ap
pears that the British frigate Mermaid, and a sloop
of war, were cruizing off that port, to protect the
British trade in that quarter, as it was supposed in
Huvannah. Before this, it is probable that the busi
ness of those ships is more fully explained.
From the information which we have received
from some of the gentlemen who came passengers
in the Thomas Wilson, we ran state, that the sub
ject of invasion is treated with contempt in England
—indeed, that so far from feeling any apprehension,
jt was the universal wish that the attempt would be
made, and it was generally believed that the block
ade of Brest would be raised this winter. In which
event we shall be able to judge whether the invasion
has. at any time been seriously contemplated, or
whether the immense army kept up for that avowed
object, has not been intended as a check upon any
discontent that might be manifested at the usurpati
on of Buonaparte—But wlut is more interesting to
us, we learn from the same source, that cur country
Is generally respected in Europe, and that with
Great-Bntain in particular wc are upon the most
friendly terms—Our commerce is not molested as
formerly, only one of our ships lias been condemn
ed in Grcat-Britain for a considerable time_the
cause we arc not informed of—The impressments
form a subject of some uneasiness, but from the ge
neral friendly disposition of the British government,
there is reason to hope that that subject may be
placed on a footing that will remove every cause of
discontent; unless the adoption of some such violent
measures as were lately agitated at Washington,
does not defeat this object. We further learn that
our Mini.ter Mr. Monroe enjoys the respect and
confidence of the B; itiah government, that his duties
have been discharged with advantage to his country,
and with honour to himself.
Buckner Thruston, Esq. has been appointed
by the Legislature of Kentucky, a Senator of the
•United States in place of John Brown,
The Third Volume of the Life of Washington
was published in Philadelahia on the first instant.—
The remaining volumes with the Atlas are promised
speedily.
The Elector* for the State of Maryland, have voted
at fo/lotv.t:— '
For Thomas Jefferson, President, 9
George Clinton, Vice-President, 9
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, President, 2
Rufus King, Vice-President, 2
DEATHS]—On Saturday last of a tedious iUne;S,
irhich she supported with uniform constancy and re
signation, Min Elizabeth Tuckeh, of this Bo
fough.
On Monday the third instant, in Richraand, Mrs.
Maktha Kotall Banks, consort of Henry Banks,
Eaq. of that city, and daughter of Dr. John K. Read,
of this Borough. ’
The keel of “Gun-boat, No. 4,” was on Satur
day, laid at Hart's ship yard, m this tows.- ft js ex
shc wW »* for **, or the protaction
of the cornfiekis in Dorchester, by the next au
tumnal storm. lotion Taper.
-■ y T V\,
'.tT tr. •* :*&£*»**'■
We are indebted to fAe fiolitrnett ef a commercial
friend for the folloving
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas by a Proclamation of bis Majesty’s Su
perintewlant, beat ing date the 14th July, 1804, Ma
hogany ir.casui ing not more than 20 inches in its
broadest dimensions was permitted to be shipped cn
board American or foreign vessels; and whereas such
permission has been highly disapproved bv his Ex
cellency the Commander in Chiei’ of Jamaica, and its
dependencies:—This i - therefore to order and direct,
that Mahogany measuring more than 17 inches in it.-,
broadest dimensions, will not be permitted to be ex
ported from this settlement in any American oi fo
reign \ es.'el,
Given under mv hand and sea/, at Be/ieze, this
11 th day of October, in the year of our Lord
1804.
(Signed)
THOM \S HARROW.
By command of his Majesty's Bu/ierintcndani,
(Signed)
R. Edwards, Secretary.
All the Electors of this state, appointed by the
people for choosing a President and Vice-President
■ >f the United States, convened at the Capitol y ester
day at ten o'clock, and gave an unanimous vote for
1 homas Jj.FtE.iSON of Virginia, as Prci-iJent, ant’
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
FHOM TIIF. KKVV-YOHK tVENIKC POST.
(Concluded from our last.)
We are now arrived at a part of the message in
which Mr. Jefferson has, by a mighty effort, outdone
every thing we have ever yet witnessed of hi* powers.
The ingenuity of the device bv which our dispute
! with Spain in respect to West Florida, is put at rest,
I '* '"deed so rare, that we cannot but wish that Mr.
i Jefferson had in some degree concealed his powers ;
| there being too much reason to apprehend that fc
reign governments may hereafter refuse to nog'( late
vyitli a man who lias afforded just cause of suspicion
tout he is descended in n direct line from the mivhly
x.agi of antiquity, and inherits ail their povyeis <>f
sorcery.
Hut we find it necessary once more to present the
l eader with the paragraph itself which is the imuie
c.inlc cause of our admiration and unfeigned asto
nishment.
“ Soon after the passage of the act of the lust ses
j stun, authorising the establishment < f a district and
I port of entry on the waters of the Mobile, we learnt
| tuat its object was misunderstood on the part cf
| Spain. Candid explanations were immediately given,
1 and assurances that, reserving our claims in that
| :,nurter as a subject of discussion and arrangement
v.i.h Spam, no act was meditated in the mean tim®
| inconsistent with the peace and friendship existing
netween the two nations; and that conformably to
these intentions would be the execution of the law.
- h.it gov eminent had, however, thought proper to
suspend the ratification of the convention of 180?.
Hut the explanations which would reach them soon
an.cr, and still more the confirmation of them by the
t' nourof the instrument es abiishingthe port and dis
tnct, may reasonably be expected to rejdacr them
in the dispositions and vie ws of the whole subject,
wInch originally dictated the convention”.
, .il : j3 ""t very easy to imagine the astonishment of
.u . Catiio'ick Majesty at all this ; and we may fairly
presume he will immediately on its perusal empiirc
li'ivv have I misunderstood you mv good cousin
I nomas? Am I not the owner and,possessor of a
a certain colony called West Florida, and have net
the boundaries between this colony and the United
•Antes been expressly settled by the treaty of 179j,
and the lines run and marked at a great expei.ee?
VV hen I surrendered Louisiana to the Commissioners
oi France, dirt I surrender West Florida too ? On the
contrary did I not, as you my good cousin well know,
expressly declare that West Florida was not in.
eluded in the cession ? And tell me, were you bound
to pay I'ranee the fifteen millions of dollars before
von received actual possession of Louisiana ? And
did you not by accepting a large district of country
under that name without including any part of West
Florida and paving your fifteen "millivits of'tlolErs,
thereby admit that you were satisfied ?
“ Hut have not your grandees in a printed official
report declared, that you must have my Floridas by
flurrhuse or conquest ? And have you not yourself de
c.a. Cel in a Report to Congress, that Louisiana covered
nil that part of West Florida, w hich lies westward of
the river Perdido, being by far the novt valuable part
of the colony ? Besides, my good cousin, in the very
document w hich you'exhibit to enlighten my under
standing, have you not erected the « shores', watt rs
and inlets of the hay anil river Mobile, into r. dis
trici for the collection of duties c.ti imposts and t 'li
nage”. Do you not describe them as “Ling w ithin
the boundaries >f the United States" ?•' Now as I
unders'and this conduct, you mean to claim this
country as belonging to you : but if I have misutid'cr
stood you, I should be glad to be set right.-—If you
donnt claim the country, you have only to say' so,
and, sweet, Cousin, I am perfectly satisfied. If you
claim the country, then I must inform you, loving
Cuz, that you have youself been guilty of the very
outrage which yen have, in that same Messare, just
before attributed to the American Merchants ; for
von have attempted to “ force a commerce into cer
tain ports and countries, in defiance of the laws of
those countries”.
Such will obviously be the language of his Catho
lic.k Majesty when he comes to see our worthy Resi
dent's Message.
It is fortunate that the present is the reign rffirin
ei/dts, it being certain that no federal administration
could ever plausibly answer this, so as to reconcile
the interests of their country with the honour of its
government. To this task our wise Palinusus is alone
competent; and as we flatter ourselves vve understand
the interpretation of this interesting part of his Mes
sage, as connected with and supported bv Document
No. 2, we shall now undertake to render their mean
ing without those “ ambiguous givings out, ” which
unfortunately too often characterize his official pa
pers: and this we shall do in the form of a reply to
the interrogatories of his most Catholic M jeaty, thus
giving one an egual chance with the other:
[* NOTH.]
DOCUMENT ho. 2.
• v oil to \jj:..7. yreicti thall come.
. “ Whereas by an act of Congress authority has he *n
given to the President of the United States, whenever he
shad deem it expedient, to erect the tUrej, waters, and Ur
iels of the bay and river of Mobile, and of the other rivers
creeks, Wets, and. bays, emptying into the gulph of Mexico!
east o the said river Mobile, and west thereof to the I’jsca
guo.a inclusive, into a separate district for the collection of
~a‘“‘ on imposts and tonua; •, ar.d to establish such place
within the same as he siiail deem expedient to be the port
of entry and delivery for such district; and to designate such
other place* w .ti.ui the same district, not exceeding two, to
be ports of delivery only.
p ,*^<?wJai”w ve, that I, Thomas Jefferson, President of
the United hi.us, do hereby decide, that all the above men
roned ihoeciy waters, i.dcts, creeks, and mors, lying -witluo
fttiotuuLeu, / tut lifted sha! constitute and forma
separate d.str.et, to be denominate^ “ The iJ.strict of Md
oue : and do also designate ho t Stoudert within the district
•ibtrirt *° JU tlle tX*rt e“,ry and delivery for the mid
' “ GWen under my hand this OOUt day of May, 1804.
(Signed^
TH: JEFFERSON.
“ My good and lot ir.g Cousin Charles, theVe is, I
am sorry to say it, a tone in your language and’an
appearance oifierte in your countenance, which agi
tates my nerves net a little. 1 am not a» other men,
and therefore hope your Majesty will not form your
opinion of me from appearances : I must now, how
ever contrary to my inclination;;, make you so far my
confidant, as to acquaint you, that upon system anil
by design, all my words and actions, and those of the
principal ministers in my court, are susceptible of two
opposite constructions, and that I hold no opinion on
any subject, except that, as an agent of the sovereign
people, and “ organ of their will,” it is my intrest, if
not my duty, to pursue, on all occasions, an ambi
dexterous, equivocal mode of conduct. Mow else
could I, in times like these, preserve that overbearing
popularity which 1 possess ? And if I should by any
means lose that popularity, what would become of me
and my party? If your Majesty was a Turk, like
Sidi Mamet Caramhnli, and after associating with you
iu a rebellion for “ the honour of the United States,”,
should it “ happen in event,” that this “ hostile co
operation” was unfavourable, I would not, according
to my general custom, enter into any “explanations,”
except in deed such as would leave me the power of
availing myself of the “ imperfections of language,”
to withdraw myself from the situation, am! leave you
to your fate. The present, however, is a pccuh.r
case ; and as you are the mighty chief of the Hidal
go':, of pure Christian blood (no groat recommenda
tion that by the way) but what is of still greater im
portance in my view, a sovereign of vast power and
influence, who can at any time cal! me into a “ blood .
arena,” I will for once dispense with a general rule
which has governed my life, and nuke to your ma
jesty in form “ candid e.r/danatious.”
“ Dread Sir,— tour g.-e tors, and tiir.se of thedread
emperour Napoleon in my western dominions, have
Rt ea teh. di.ittil bed that e .,111111.nitv which as a philoso
pher ! am hound to preserve. By the *• occlusion”
of the Mississippi, I was at one time plunged into
the derails of despair; and shortly afterwards, by
tile acqui-ilion of Louisiana, with .,1! its “/;\rarica,”
lav faculties were for a time overpowered in a deli
rium of ecstasy. Had Dr. Beddocs who is a corres
pondent of niv good friend Dr. Mitchi!!, filled me
with a beg full of Ins sublimating gas, it would have
la en impos- ibie for me to have experienced a greater
•jauntily of ec.stacy, or if I had, to have borne it.
hike die poet Southey, 1 was for nearly three weeks
in such a state of pleasurable excitability that, with
him, I often involuntarily exclaimed—
“ G..ed.fin'd 1 enough, enough already !
“ No lucre for Heavhis stkel—steady—stead'. !”
Vour a'aj "sty, if reports are to he credited, knows j
the truth of that celebrated adage cf Mr. Finder, a
tn idem poet, but no republics*, th.it “ People matt
lave too much of a good thing.” Never was adage
more true, and if I am credibly informed your Ma
jesty knows what an uiicGiiiUntable thing it is tube
possessed of more of a good thing than one can
manage, and at the same time to fee! an impotent de
sire, for soiiv other good thing, which it is impossible
to obtain. Tins is exactly my unfortunate case : I
h. ve go" hotiisi ilia and am obliged to say, whatever
I may think, that it is wrath ten times as much as
the nation has paid for it. I must however, own to
■ your majesty, as you happen already to know the j
fart, without my confession, that Louisiana was bar- 1
g- ined for, not <>u'y without my knowledge, but in a I
manner expressly contrary to my instructions, Vet j
having obtained it, I certainly wish to keep it ; for !
the people of Kentucky and Ohio are too sagacious
not to perceive that the'river MisckJppi is d* signed
by n.tluie to be the centre ofa powerful ll'i-.'crn Jom
firc. It however grieves me to discover that a spi
rit of “ incivism” lias begun to prevail, which is on
ly to be corrected by imparting to the Western pco
; pie the blessings of * self-government.” I am also,
I acknowledge it, sorely vexed at the sarcasms of
those, who, with me, perceive, that whatever con
sequences this acquisition may produce up'm the
structure of enr government itseif, it must eventually
not only injure the commerce which is hardly .vor.li !
regarding,but invitahly subvert the political i.il’uence |
ot t’ae Southern States. I
In respect to \\ est-i" ionaa, I must earnestly re
quest your majesty to take the trouble to inspect a
uup and see for yourself, how very necessary end
proper it is that that country should be annexed to t.:e
United States. If such an inspection should fail to
reconcile your majesty to the establishment of a col
lection district “ on the Hu;j and Ris er Mobile,” 1
shall certainly deem it prudent to forbear advanch g
any other argument. As to the ultima ratio rtgurn,
I must be permitted to say my sentiments are too re
publican ever to think of that, otherwise than to turn
from it with real Unrrour. So far then from urging
the pretence of title to this country, once hastily ad
vanced in an unguarded moment, I humbly entreat
you to forget all that has been ever said or written
by nicy or by any of my ministers by mv directions,
prior to my last message. If your majesty should
hesitate to grant this request, I have reason to fear
that disclosures will be made, which will render the
inconsistency of mv conduct palpable to the optics of
too hu ge “ a portion of mv fellow-citizens.” What
ever may “ happen in event,” I assure your majes
ty, that it has been my unceasing wish to obtain
West-Florida, r.et by force (no: God forbid I should
think of force) hut by arguments adapted to the cir
c urns til n res of the moment. It is true, my minister
in France, Chancellor Livingston, strenuously conten
ded, and in a written paper which may I fear, he
produced, that no part of West-Florida was ceded
to France by the treaty of at. Ildefonso ;* your ma
jesty will however be pleased to recollect, that at that
time our brother Napoleon (“ who certainly under
stands nothing of true republicanism”) was preparing
to take possession of Louisiana with an army, and un
der these circumstances it was surely proper to con
trace the limits of the country as much as possible,
and at the same time to endeavour to obtain a cessi
on of Wcst-Florida from your majesty. It in also
true, that tire same minister, the chancellor after
wards contended, in writing also, that Wcst-Florida
was ceded to France by the said treaty of St. Ilde
fonso, and it is not to be denied that I myself main
tained the same opinion. It is however important
here to observe, that at this last period, France had
ceded to the United Suites all that she acquired
from your majesty. Thus, as you must perceive,
the merits of the case had been essentially changed,
and It therefore became proper to assert, that by a
transfer of the cession made by the treaty of St. Ilde
fonso, the United States had acquired a just title to
all the lands which it had been determined-she
“ must have by conquest or purchase.”
A third change of circumstances has also taken
place, which is material to be noticed, as it will ex
plain to your majesty, the expressions m my message.
When I claimed the country butween the Mississippi
and the Perdido, I really expected that Empe
rour Napoleon, from whom I purchased, would be
the voucher for my title : other avccr.tirns have,
however, prevented him from stepping forward as
promptly as I hoped, and since your majesty ap
pears to be somewhat impatient, as your minister
has already dropped some hints about" blocking up
harbours, which might cause some little stir in the sea
ports, aud probably be followed by some loud calls
on government, I deem it best and most discreet, on
the whole, to fissure you that I am willing to reserve
our claims to West Florida as a subject of future
discussion and arrangement, and that ;.o act is me
ditated in the mean time inconsistent with the peace
* We shall ketp a look out to iee if any of the mini, te is.
prfelt deny this fact.
■ ft
and friendihi/i. existing Letteeen the tvio nation*:
in short, Sir, I mean to declare ih .t if j ou will not
Sive me West Florida, I will e'en—-suffer tivu to keeft
it yourself: I like the country, it is true, but 1 like
“ peace with all the world” better.
Conformably to the existing ,,-a, t <>J thin** have
my arrangements been made, and I will now, with
your permission, explain, as clearly as the perturbed'
state of my spirits will permit me, the existing rea
sons by which these arrangements are to be defend
ed : and I indulge the hope that your majesty will
accept these reasons as “ candid explanation*,”
it is known to your majesty-that die Louisianians
have never jet been indulged" withself g.vcrnmenr.
For the present, therefore, and until they can be in
structed in the doctrine of true re/ntdlicanistn, and
the rights of mart, it has been thought proper to vest
in some person the powers which were formerly ex
ercise! by your majesty ; and to inspire proper res
pect in my new subjects, it has been deemed advisea
bleth.it, in imitation of your majesty, I also should
assume a few titles. Among those belcng’iiw to vour
m jo sty are “ King of Navarre, Gibraltar,0 and Je
rusalem.” The nature and c fleet of these titles have
never been so much misunderstood as to excite the
slightest suspicions that y ou intended to conquer those
countries. And I assure \a.nr majesty upon the sa
cred hi none of a Republican F.mperour, that 1 am as
innocent of any hostile ue-igns against West Florida,
as yon can t,oSsil>|y be, or of meditating a crusade, in
imitation of Foot the Hermit, far the recovery of
.Trial i ihw.i from the Turks. If my words can possi
bly bear a different meaning, 1 now solemnly disa
vow and rctrict them. It is not to be denied the
“ shores, waters, and inlets of the Bey and River
Mobile” Inf ve been erected into a “ district for the
collection of unties," but 1 candidly declare that these
words “ shores, waters and inlet.,' of the Bay and Ri
ver Mobile," by a correct and allowable periphrasis,
define and intend “ Fort £toddsht,” (some hun- '
di ed miles from the shirrs of the hay,) and nothing
mure, and that conformably to this construction will
be the execution of the law. Vour majesty cannot
be unacquainted that “ Fort Siodd'-rt" is a small
post, ia the woods,entirely within the nndisputcdyK
risdtnion of the United Uta'es, and whe—e there ne
ver was nor ever cr.n be the least mark of commerce.
This I merely mention to shew that the collector f
tk" fur! is not expected to collect one cent of reve
nue. But as well to save appearances as to furnish
the collector with sonic sort of employment, I mean
to transmit, as soon as possi.de, mv own model of a
Dvv Duck, and the appurtenant canals, together
with Gun Boat No. I. in mir.i tore; which lie will
be directed to enter and clear within the Fort as of
ten as he pleases. And I pi-, pose to send mv little
favourite, Sammy Smith, to assist in the gestion of
these affairs, toe two will. 1 think, be no mean re
semblances of mv Uncle Toby and Corporal Trim
with their jack boot mortars, of w hich vour majesty
must have often re id in the walks of one of our Eng
lish authors of much celebrity. The truth is, my fa
vourite mode! toys no 1. r.ger excite curiosity or af
ford amusement at Washington, but will lie as good
as new to our “ Indian neighbours” near tiie Fort,
and I hope will serve to confirm them ir, their fi jend
ly dispositions towards us. I see your ma-ertv is
pie ti ed to bestow n smile on my inventions and "cor,1
triya-.rcs. I atu happy, Sir, by any means to have
suite,icn your Irov.ns ; but, Si-, I shall venture to
ask with all due submission, if my dry dock and gun
bout diversion is mt at least as useful and as dignified
an : nploymrrt as that of shoo dug cate? But to re
turn to my reply to jour majesty :
" As . com ..Ter it o, the utmost importance to con
vince your majesty iir.it T consider the creeks, inlets,
river and bay of Mobile as comprehended in Fort
S‘odder:, and that cl! this liar, happened without any
prejudice to the rights of your majesty’s government
in IK at Florida, I lui e duly instructed Mr. Charles
Pinckney, a man deeply learned in the law, to de
monstrate, t!r*t for the greater certainty and preci
sion of legal proceeding a, it is frequently necessary
t > ecnlhuii.T •:.!! vulgar notions of time, matter and
spare ; and that in a common < au.se between, for in
stance, a tinker and a colder, an English lawyer is
ircquciitly obeyed to aver, that a suburb of Baris
constitutes n part < fa Parish in London ; and that
fer the IVrlheranee of justice similar a\erments are
required by the American tribunals. Your majesty
will see that it follows as a direct corollary, that if
“the tcnr.urrfthe instrument e-tablisbiog tin? Port fe
D.stiict <il Mobile at Fort litoddert should appear to
be either insiduous, paltry, or incomprehensible, it
is entirety because 1 have been misunderstood. I
lint therefore entreat yrur r.i-jcstv not to suspect
my candour, but to attribute v, huiever is mysterious, j
or seemingly irrecnncileable with propriety and enm
itiMi sense, to th.e profound learning of Mr# Lincoln,
attorney-general.
Mr. Pinckney will naturally endeavour topersunde
voiu' majesty to rat:fv the convention of 1802; this
being the only fruit cf his dij lomatiek hit,c.m s. Anti
as your “ views of the who'e subject” must have sa
ti'fied your majesty that you will have nothing tofay
in consequence of this convention, the subject matter
in controversy bcing-therein expressly reserved for
/’fare consideration. Mr. Pinckney may he reason
ably cxft sited to ref. lace you in t h e die ft o - i 'ions which
originally diclaied the treaty ; provided he can only
di- cox er what these were. The subjee tis of import
ance to me, as the o‘Tires cf the commissioners have
been long since promised to men who are very im
patient to “ participate of the honours and emolu
ments of office.” And on this account alone I must
solicit a favourable wwer from your majesty. I con
clude with hoping that the candid explanations now
given at full length, will bring your majesty to ac
knowledge that our object has been entirely mic.utt
ders'ootl on the fiart of Sfiain."
We now presume every reader will admire the
dexterity with which Mr. Jefferson has retreated (he
knows how to retreat) from the river Perdido to his ■
entrenchments in “ Fort Stoddrrt". His Catholick
Majesty and all parties concerned will doubtless be
satisfied with his candid cxfdvnaticn» unless indeed >t
be the person appointed collector of the district of
Mobile. We have not the pleasure of knowing this
unfortunate man; further than that he of couisc is
some good rcfiuhlican. His case however rcmintl»te»
of Trim’s story of the “ King of Bohemia and hi*
Stven Castles a monarch, whose misfortune it
was to take vast delight in maritime affairs, hut who
had not a sea port in all his dominions. Rut while
our collector is employed from morning to night in
looking at the model of a dry duck and gun boat, we
advise him to console himself with the reflection that
“ Principles net Men” are regarded by the present
administration.
Congressional Begtster.
Second Session ok the Eighth
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Commenced at Washington, .Ycvember S, 1P04.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
• Monday^ A otember 26.
Debate on the /tillfor the more effectual firesevation
of fuace in the f ori* and harbour* of the United
States, ar.d in the waters under their jurisdiction.
( Concluded from ow<• last.)
Mr. Dro:a thmijht the embarrassment might be
tUribuieU to an attempt to combine in one secticij two