Jenks' Portland gazette (Portland, Me.), 1805-02-04 00:00:00

MISCELLANY.
FOR THE PORTLAND GAZETTE
The BIRGITT. .... No. XXI.
ONE of my favorite periodical authors has a very pretty exclamation, extracted from a book of little notoriety; and after considerable labor of recollection I could find nothing more appropriate for a motto.
Deceat illi, qui auctoris nostri dixerunt! Perish those who have said our good things before us! In perusing a volume we do not perhaps receive more pleasure from the discovery of originality of sentiment, or novelty of description, than observing the passages, in which the writer has copied or imitated his predecessors. The satisfaction resulting from the perception of such resemblance is like that of unexpectedly meeting an acquaintance; and whether the image be pleasant or unpleasant, the idea is of course more deeply impressed by reiteration.
But from the plagiarism who presents us only a faithful transcript of thoughts, which, however honorable to the ingenuity of the first user, have by transmission thro' the inelegant language of the vulgar lost their original respectability, or who converts, uncredited, the treasures of a nobler mind to his own use, we turn with equal weariness and disdain. Even melody of verse and some inferior beauties of style have not preferred most of the pastorals of Pope, though superior to any cotemporary in that species of writing from the censure of being only a tedious paraphrase of Virgil. The subtle spirit of the great Roman bard evaporated in passing into the frigid atmosphere of an English versification. He, to whom for nearly a century our language has produced no rivals, confessed, that in his juvenile productions, "Pure description held the place of sense," and if we except the Windsor forest and the Messiah, his eclogues would vitiate, rather than improve the taste of an inexperienced poet.
By the consent of the tribunals of literature, the heroic poets have been permitted to employ in the commencement of their works a translation, nearly literal, of the first lines of the Iliad; and this privilege none has neglected, or despised, but that mighty genius, who sung Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe.
Nor is there much greater diversity observable in conducting the machinery, than commonly appears at the introduction. In the description of actors, superior to mortals, Homer is most successively but, to estimate with correctness the superiority of Homer in this respect we must consider the various excellence of his competitors.
Virgil is the only one, who has undeviatingly adhered to the heathen mythology; but his gods are introduced with much less solemnity. They are mortals, wielding, with difficulty celestial arms. Tasso whose Jerusalem is certainly the second in interest, whatever be thought his merit in another view, has enlivened the uniformity of epic action with magicians and enchanters, and poorly compensates for this violation of propriety by leaguering them with the Mahometan powers. The imagination of Ariosto is laid by the learned to be still less obedient to the restraints of probability, and the erratic excursions of the winged courser of his hero are happily indicative of the irregularities of his muse. The mixture of pagan fable and christian metaphysics deforms the Lusiad of Camoens, whose name diffuses a solitary sunbeam, through the dark void of the literary history of Portugal. In conducting this most difficult part of his work should we wonder that Milton must be added to this catalogue? But he sunk in effaying a bolder flight, than ever yet was reached, and failed, where mortal never can succeed. We readily acknowledge him to be second only, if not equal to Homer, while we confess his unhappiness in attempting the description of Jehovah, although his eagle sighted fancy was blinded by the coruscations of divine effulgence, "dark with excessive brightness," although his capacious mind was unable to grasp the incomprehensibility of HIM, who
With the majesty of darkness round Circles his throne.
Thus we see, that imitation of the general outlines of a great plan does not derogate from the credit of an author. We accuse no modern artist of want of originality, because in his edifice he has exhibited the light and graceful Ionic, or the more splendid Corinthian; but should indeed contemn the depravity of taste, which deviating from the ancient rules, can introduce nothing but tawdry decoration, or unlighted folly.
It is indeed the contemptible affectation of originality and an imitance of subjection to established principles, that has induced the writer of a modern epic, to avoid all appearance of machinery, and to offer only the picture of a battle without the intervention of deities, angels, or demons. So far from rivaling the Iliad, its existence will not exceed the duration of the siege of Troy; and Joan of Arc may henceforth sleep in oblivion with the heroes of Blackmore. By publishing his poem in six weeks from its commencement to excite the
wonder of injudicious readers. Southey has exposed himself to the derision of critics, and six weeks calignian would be an insufficient punishment for his puerile presumption.
From similarity of thought in different authors we should not determine that one has copied from the other; but, if nearly the same words are used by each, the suspicion is corroborated. It is therefore probable that Young's sentiments, "man wants but little, nor that little long," afforded Goldsmith his lines of greater harmony, but more feeble, in his beautiful ballad of Edwin and Angelina.
Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long.
But when objects of striking resemblance are described we should be less ready to condemn a comparison as borrowed, even though clothed in similar language. Goldsmith employs an elegant simile to illustrate the calmness with which his country clergyman passed through the tempestuous scenes of this life with the hope of a better.
As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Sweels from the vale, and midway leaves the storm, Tho', round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal Sunshine settles on its head.
The death of the righteous" is most sublimely represented by Young in the following comparison,
As some tall tower, or lofty mountain's brow, Retains the sun illustrious from its height, While rising vapors, and descending shades, With damps and darkness, drown the spacious vale; Undamp'd by doubt, undarkened by despair, Philander, thus august y rears his head, At that black hour, which gen'ral horror sheds On the low level of th' inglorious throng Sweet peace, and heavenly hope and humble joy, Divine y beam on his exalted soul, Defusion gild and crowne him for the skies, With incommunicable lustre bright.
Yet if the former had this passage in his mind, which is not improbable, the correspondence does not in the least detract from his merit. Goldsmith's lines, however, though uncommonly forcible, harmonious, and expressive, are inferior to the latter, which are remarkable for the propriety, closeness, and number of the points of comparison.
P. S. studioso is requested to continue his favors and oblige the town.
POLITICAL SELECTIONS.
WHO SOLD OUR NAVY?
Is a question which may be asked.—If asked, the answer is ready.—Mr. Jefferson, who during the years 1801 and 1802, sold—or sacrificed—the following among other vessels, for the following sums, agreeably to reports laid before Congress, viz.
   Dolls. Cts.     The Scammel, 6,250 00   Delaware, 21,300 00   Eagle, 9,000 00   Portsmouth, 31,150 00   Herald, 14,654 00   Warren, 5,200 00   Narragansett, 11,116 00   Trumbull, 13,350 00   Connecticut, 9,650 00   Richmond, 3,125 00   Peters, 12,000 00   Naryland, 25,143 85   Ganges, 21,000 00   Experiment, 8,445 68   George Washington, 12,000 00   Sophia, 2,217 93   Rutledge, 2,217 84   In 1801, 211,821 30   In 1802, 109,490 03   Total, 331,311 93  
All which, at least, has been paid into Mr. Gallatin's treasury; and expended—we know not how!—But we would be very glad to know; and also the sums which these vessels cost.—Cent
JUDGE CHASE.—From the spirit of party, by which the leaders, in the high court of impeachment, appear to be actuated little doubt can be entertained, but that however clear his innocence may appear—however unsupported the charges exhibited against him, he must fall a sacrifice to an "intolerance as despotic as wicked."—He has been arraigned before a court constitutionally intended as the most august and dignified in the Union, upon charges originating from the worst of patients in the worst of times.—The man who is still encumbered with the blood of the illustrious Hamilton—the man who has become a fugitive from justice, and is indicted, by a jury of his country, for a vindictive and hellish murder now presides over that court, which is not only tortuous—but doubtless, to condemn, the upright, inflexible judge, grown grey in the services of his country.
We may anticipate the treatment which Judge Chase will receive, from the President of the Court by the specimen of severity he has thus far experienced.—His age—his virtues—his exertions in the cause of American liberty and happiness are deemed insufficient, even to entitle him to a fair and impartial trial.—He has been refused the necessary time for collecting
his witnesses, and preparing his defence—An impeachment has been invented as the only method by which to supersede the necessity of his resignation or death. It is indeed singular that Judge Chase should be refused the necessary time in which to prepare for his defence, when it so happens that one of the very charges exhibited against him is, that he refused to afford Callender a sufficient time to prepare for his trial. As Judge Chase will undoubtedly be offered as a sacrifice to the Virginian Molochs to appease their wrath and gratify their pride, it may be expected that a host of democrats, more numerous than the fogs in Egypt, will be hopping round the presidential chair, each preferring his claims and unwearied exertions in the cause of democracy as a passport to judicial pre eminence. The independence of the judiciary forms the last barrier of American liberty. This has been severely attacked.—The sappers and miners from Virginia have long been unwearied in their exertions to effect a breach, in this last and only obstacle to their complete triumph over the post ate liberties of America.—May kind Heaven in wisdom, check their madness and once more save our beloved country!—Newport Mer.
It is with regret, which we know not how to express, that we inform our readers that the senate of South Carolina has rejected by a single vote the bill to prohibit the importation of slaves. Two members of the senate being absent when this decision was made, hopes are entertained of the eventual passage of a similar bill now before the house of representatives.
National Intelligencer.
Yes, Mr. Smith, it is true, and every man of honour, feeling, or common humanity, must mingle his regret with yours on this shocking determination. But gentle Sir, how did it happen that you forgot to inform your readers, what for of people compose the majority of the Senate of South Carolina—Good staunch republicans, Mr. Smith! excellent democrats, friends of humanity, render souls that would break their hearts if they were to hear that British tyranny had dispatched for his treasons one of their brother patriots to Botany-Bay!
They say this town is full of cozenage, As nimble jugglers that deceive the ye, Dark working sorcerers, that change the mind, Soat killing witches that deform the body, Disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks, And many such like liberties of sin
How long will the people continue their confidence in such impostors?—Norfolk Advertiser.
Legislature of Massachusetts.
SENATE.
Tuesday, Jan. 22.—A Message was received from His Excellency the Governor, announcing the resignation of Gen. Skinner, Major General of the Ninth Division of militia. His Excellency also communicated a statement of the treasury to the sit inst. made by the Treasurer; and a letter from the Solicitor-General, representing that the most wanton and wasteful trespasses are daily committed on the States, lands in the District of Maine. The Message and papers were referred to a joint committee.
Wednesday Jan. 23.—Hon. Messrs. Titcomb and Brown, were added to the committee of the House, for considering the expediency of providing by Law, for the sale of all kinds of bread and grain by weight.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Thursday, Jan. 22.—Messrs. Brewer, Spofford, or B and Titcomb, were appointed a committee to consider the expediency of providing by law, for the sale of all kinds of grain and bread stuff by weight.
Wednesday Jan. 23.—A request of the Court of Common Pleas of York, for another annual term of said Court—of the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians, for a grant of money—of R. Southgate and others.—Estimate of taxes for York and Worcester counties—and an estimate of tax for Cumberland—were respectively read and committed.
Thursday, Jan. 24.—Messrs. Bigelow, Tyler, and Howe, of H. were appointed a committee to consider the present state of the Militia Laws.
The petition of the Boston Exchange Office was read, and committed to a joint committee.
Friday, Jan. 25.—The Promissory Note bill, passed to be engrossed.
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.
"The liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom in a state; it ought not, therefore, to be restrained in this Commonwealth."
Mr. M'Farland, of Hopkinton, after a few prefatory observations, on the benefits resulting to society, from harmony and decorum, laid on the table a motion implicating the Printers of the Palladium, for a publication in their paper, of the 18th inst.
A debate at some length ensued on this motion, which involved several questions of order. When at length Mr. M'Farland asked, and had leave, to withdraw his motion.
Immediately after Mr. M'Farland withdrew his motion.
Mr. Allen, of Purdie, laid the following resolution on the table, viz.
"Resolved, That the Printers of the New-England Palladium, having since the commencement of the present session of this General Court, published in their paper of January 18, 1805, an indecent and libelous publication against the personal character of the president of the United States, under the title of the Monarchy of Federalism, be no further employed of the printers of this General Court."
A debate again took place, when a motion obtained to make the resolution the order of the day, for Thursday next, to o'clock.
The following we believe to be the pithy points of the publication in question:—
"If Mr. Adams had been Governor of Virginia, and when his state was invaded, had like a dastard quitted his station and hid his head in a cave, he would have been no monarchist, but a good republican."
"If Mr. Adams had borrowed of a friend a sum of paper money when it was nearly at par, and afterward paid his friend the same nominal sum when it had depreciated more than fifty per cent. he would have been a clever, honest man, no monarchist, but a good republican."
"If Mr. Adams had written a book, in which he seemed to say it was no matter whether there were twenty gods or one, & if he had invited the vilest blasphemer and infidel, that ever disgraced the world to come to this country in a national ship, he would have been no monarchist but a good christian and a fine jeffersonian republican."
"If Mr. Adams had assailed the domestic happiness of Mr. Walker, and after a failure in so honorable an attempt, had taken to his bosom a fable damsel, who severed more by the slants than by the kidneys, he would have been no monarchist but a good republican."
"If Mr. Adams, instead of creating a respectable navy, which might have been of great service to his fellow citizens, and protected their property from lawless depredation, had dismantled and sold at a great loss, most of the few national vessels we possessed; if from pusillanimity or any other contemptible motive, he had let a large number of our fellow citizens suffer for a considerable length of time all the horrors of a Tripoline captivity; if he had invented dry-docks to rot our ships, and puny gun boats to scare crows and govern peaceful waters, he would have been no monarchist, but a wife, prudent, humane, genuine republican."
"If Mr. Adams had hired a base calumniator, one Callender for instance, to invent the most scandalous lies, and circulate the vilest calumnies concerning the immortal Washington, and every good man in this country, he would have been no monarchist, but a good republican."
"If Mr. Adams with all the sycophancy of a coward, had complimented the usurpation of the most absolute despot and tyrant in Europe, with the soothing application of 'enlightened government' he would have been no favourer or monarchist or despotism, but forsooth, a bold independent republican, who sincerely contemned Kings andemperors, and had much regard for injured men, who sought, through blood and slaughter his long lost liberty."
"If Mr. Adams had placed at the head of the Treasury, a man, who had opposed the collection of the public revenue, and was active at the commencement of a rebellion, which cost the United States upwards of a Million of Dollars, he would have been no monarchist, but a good genuine republican, who nobly rewarded with public offices the basest men, because they had been of most service to him."
"If Mr. Adams had taken off the taxes from loaf sugar, coaches, and other articles of luxury, which the rich only use, and refused to take the taxes from salt and other articles which the poor use, he would have been no monarchist, but a good republican, who did not with to take bread from the mouth of labor, nor to pamper the nabobs of the south, at the expence of their eastern fellow citizens."
"If Mr. Adams had expended fifteen millions of dollars in obtaining a doubtful title to an unprofitable wilderness; if he had attempted to prostrate the independence of the Judiciary and persecute those upright Judges, who were a terror to evil doers; if he had shown an affection and regard for criminals convicted of treason, and other enormous crimes; if in selecting candidates for office, he refused to consider whether they were honest, whether they were capable, &c but only asked are they dapes and submissive vassals of my Virginian Junto.—If, in fine, he had been a coward, a calumniator, a plagiarist, a tame, spiritless animal, a man who wrote pretty nonsense and thought it was fine writing, who, like the jackdaw in the fable, decorated himself with plumage that did not belong to him, and thought he made a fine show; if he had been a man without religion, a statesman without principle, and a patriot regardless of his country's welfare, and entirely devoted to raise himself and his partizans upon the nation's ruin; then these Democrats would never have denounced him as a monarchist, but hailed him as a genuine republican, in whose mercenary smiles they sought for the reward of their baseness."

ANSWER OF THE SENATE,
TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH
THE Senate participates in the pleasure expressed by your Excellency, in the prospect, that from a continuance of harmony in the several branches of government the business of it will be conducted with advantage to the public and with ease and convenience to those who are employed in its administration.
The Subjects which were referred from the former Session will at this time receive our immediate attention. Among these we consider the Judicial department of the government, as highly important. Deeply impressed with the necessity of adopting it in the situation, extent and population of this country, in order that there may be an equal and prompt distribution of justice among the citizens, we shall devote our earliest attention to making such revision and amendment of the existing system, and the arrangement of the terms of the Court, as will in our opinion, be necessary for the attainment of so desirable an object.
We feel a high degree of satisfaction in your Excellency's Communication with respect to the state of our Militia—that they have made improvements in all the essential points, which constitute a well regulated militia force, that many of them have at their own expense procured good cloth uniforms, and that their arms and equipments are in better order than at any former period are circumstances peculiarly meritorious in them an highly honorable to their Country.
It will be our endeavor to watch over and advance the various interests of the Commonwealth, to gratify the reasonable expectations of our fellow citizens and to remove all just grounds of complaint. While our time and talents are devoted to these important objects, we may confidently hope for public approbation and support; but should this be denied us, the conscientiousness of having faithfully and impartially discharged our duty, will afford us ample satisfaction. We are fully impressed with a sense of the important benefits which have resulted from the constitution of the United States, and believe that few, or none, are desirous of witnessing the confusion and discord which would follow its dissolution.
Under the Constitution of this State, are passed most of the laws and regulations which affect our persons or property, and although framed and adopted during the ardour of a revolutionary war, such are the wisdom and fitness of its principles, so accurately are the powers of the different departments adjusted and balanced, and so able and faithful has been the administration of the Government under it, that the experience of more than twenty years, instead of loosing its value in the estimation of the people, has, it is believed, increased and confirmed their attachment to it. But although our country has flourished in peace and wealth, yet when we see the disgraceful state of subjection into which other republics are reduced, after much suffering and exertion to obtain their freedom, it becomes us to reflect on the cause of their misery, and to discover and adopt such measures as may preserve us from a like wretched situation.
A general diffusion of knowledge, and a just sense of the obligations of the Christian Religion, are essentially necessary to preserve us from the viciitudes, distress, and enormities which have degraded other nations. The literary and religious institutions, established by the first settlers of this State, ought therefore to be carefully maintained and supported. Seminaries for the education of youth, where may be taught the principles of evidence, the proofs of Revelation, the means of detecting and avoiding the subtleties of sophistry, a knowledge of the history of ancient times which tends to inform us, what degree of restraint is required for the security of civil freedom, and also to open to our view the disguises under which tyranny may be introduced, are of the first importance to the stability and safety of the State. An enlightened people only, can distinguish between the factious aspiring demagogue and the upright and virtuous magistrate, they alone can discern the arts and restrain the passions of those who wish to corrupt the public morals, and under the pretext of asserting the rights of the people, attempt to destroy them.
We are fully sensible that the teachers of religion, by their moral and religious instructions, in this Commonwealth, have been, and still are, eminently useful in preserving the blessings of good government, and upholding the order of society. The principles of that Religion, which confines the exertions of the human mind within the limits prescribed by its great Creator, which teacheth reverence for the Deity, and a sense of accountability to him, must ever be the strongest bulwark against anarchy and the wildness of political theorists. The awful and desolating effects which would ensue from the destruction of this great fortress have been fully proved, by the consequences which followed that experiment, when made by the people of France. Our distance from the nations of Europe, although it diminishes our apprehension of invasion undoubtedly increases our danger from internal feuds, as many motives to unanimity are wanting to us, which would not be, if we were surrounded by powerful states. Pretended patriots will be continually touting the feeds of dissention, and endeavouring by specious pretences of uncomon zeal for the public welfare, to inflame the passions against the most able and virtuous citizens. We ought heretofore to use every exertion to counteract the plans of those unprincipled men, who
would mislead the people by false representations, and after being advanced to power by the most vile and profligate measures, would rather submit to a depot of their own election, than hazard the loss of their ill acquired influence. As the best means of preventing discord and party variance, it will be our endeavour to rise superior to selfish considerations and partial attachments, and to infuse respect by a constant adherence to good faith in all our measures.
We are fully impressed with the truth of those just and profound observations made by your Excellency on the causes which led to the destruction of ancient and modern Republics. Those observations evidently prove that so long as the virtue and public spirit remained by which their liberty was established no foreign power was able to subdue them and that their own vices, divisions and corruptions, aided by the arts of demagogues and false prophets, have uniformly involved them in one common ruin.
Their errors and misfortunes, are displayed for our instruction and warning, and we unite our fervent prayers with those of your Excellency, that it would please the Great Arbiter of events to preserve our country from those tremendous convulsions which have sunk them into the abyss of despotism.
From the Post Boy, printed in Vermont.
MR. ELLIOT, TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH EAST DISTRICT OF VERMONT.
WASHINGTON, December 24, 184. Fellow-Citizens,
I HAVE received information that I am again honored, by a great majority of your suffrages, with his seat in the national legislature this election which has been made in opposition to the influence, not only of innumerable falsehoods, and slanders but also of a caucus of many of your representatives in the General Assembly, who listened with too great facility to the false representations of my interested enemies, has excited emotion, in my mind which I should in vain endeavour to express.
Almost at the moment when the election was commenced, my conscience dictated to me a dissent from the articles of impeachment of Judge Chase, adopted by a great majority of the friends of the administration: And as my conduct in that case has been represented as inconsistent, and as the political madness of the times, in certain districts has poisoned to their sources the streams of private confidence, I shall consider it my duty hereafter to explain my conduct to my constituents through the channel of the newspapers.
In the course of the last session, Mr. Randolph demanded the appointment of a committee to inquire into the official conduct of Judge Chase, without producing a single accusation against him; and although at the time of making the motion, the usual hour of adjournment was approaching, he made every possible effort to prevent an adjournment, and to produce an immediate decision upon the question. In this attempt he was disappointed, but the motion ultimately passed by a great majority. It was opposed by myself and others, from a conviction that it was improper to delegate to a secret committee powers of an inquisitorial nature, in relation to the conduct of public officers, when no specific accusations were exhibited. The committee, after several weeks spent in labourous examination, reported to the House, almost at the close of the session, a considerable voluun of experte testimony, confitting, in a great measure, of the private opinions and suspicions of lawyers, who considered themselves as browbeaten by the judge; with this curious evidence, however, were mingled many facts of an important nature. This testimony was immediately published in the newspapers, contrary to every principle of law and justice, and the effect of this publication must have been, although the intention might have been good to condemn the judge in the public mind before he could have time to prepare his defence; this, however, I do not charge to the committee or the House. Even the report of the committee did not present any particular charge against Mr. Chase, to which he could apply his defence; it only recommended an indefinite impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors, upon the volume of evidence. In this book I discovered no ground of impeachment, except in the conduct of the judge in the trial of Callender, to whom I thought constitutional privileges had been denied, and upon that ground alone I voted for the impeachment. My speech on that occasion was published in all newspapers which have any considerable circulation in this district, and appeared to meet the approbation of a great majority of my constituents. In this crude State, except that articles were reported and not acted on, the impeachment came over to the present session, early in which the articles were recommitted. The committee to whom they were referred, without any powers for that purpose, made a new inquiry, and reported two new articles. As in this report the conduct of the judge in Callender's case was not considered as a violation of the constitution, and as I had always been prepared to say that if it were not such a violation, it ought to be considered as a mere error of judgement; and the new articles, in my opinion, were reported without authority, were unsupported by evidence, and were insignificant in themselves; and as it was impossible to obtain amendments, I was under the necessity of voting against every article upon the final question.
These proceedings, from first to last, have appeared to me to constitute one of the great-
est trials towards the establishment of an anti-slavery in our country, that we have ever witnessed. Being in the minority, my views of subjects will probably be pronounced erroneous. But when I reflect that one of the high crimes for which Judge Chase is impeached, is neither more nor less than the expression of a political opinion, I cannot but tremble, not only for the constitutional independence of the Judiciary, but for the liberties of the people.
I am accused of acting under the influence of passion. It is false. No member of Congress can examine important questions with more coolness, or decide upon them with more coolness, than myself. I am charged with selfish and ambitious views. This charge is false also. Had such been my views, as early law that certain violent and ambitious men, the more dangerous for being honest and enthusiastic, possess an almost irresistible influence upon our politics, and believed it probable that the day would come, when they will have in their hands the disposal of the offices and honors of the nation, I should have entered in their train, and might have calculated upon receiving the reward of my servility and apostasy. But I have chosen to pursue the path of independence and integrity, a path planted thick with thorns, but leading, thro' the dark valley of poverty, to the bright temple of honest fame. Again it is said that I do not follow the republican leaders. This is true, and I never will follow them when I think them wrong. Legislators ought to have no leaders:—we must not be led at all; or we must be led to destruction. Whatever opinion the world may entertain of my discernment, the people have told me, by their suffrages, that I am not to consider myself as standing on inferior ground to other members; and I should be a traitor to their dignity, as well as to their interests were I to acknowledge any leader. Were I doomed thus to disgrace my constituents, I should at length ask permission to wait till men of solid talents and correct principles were elevated to the rank of congressional commanders. The doctrine, that legislators are to be disciplined like soldiers, and that we ought to support our party when we think it wrong, is anti republican, immoral, irreligious and detestable.
My principles remain unaltered. They never can be changed. Whoever shall hereafter govern our country, I shall support the general system of their administration, as such, and not as a party, so far as I shall in conscience deem their measures promotive of the public good and of constitutional liberty. I am preparing for publication, at the close of the present session, a course letters to my constituents, embracing a full view of my congressional conduct, and of the political state and prospects of the nation. JAMES ELLIOT.
By the Press.
CHILLICOTHE, (Ohio,) DEC 24.
The Legislature of this State have rejected the amendment proposed by Massachusetts, for proportioning the Representatives to Congress by the number of FREE PEOPLE in the same. Who ever imagined that such States as Ohio, &c. would not reject this equitable proposition. But it will not be forgot how ready these same squaw-milk States were, a few months ago, to alter the Constitution, to effect the reelection of two individuals. These Legislators who can swallow a Mammoth at one time, strain excretingly at another in getting down a rabbit-leberry.
PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 10.
Let every honest American attentively peruse, and dispassionately consider the facts set forth in the subjoined article, and laying his hand on his heart, let him say by whom our country has been dishonored, and on whom the weight of its reprobation ought in justice to fall.
Extract of a letter from Washington,
"On leaving the chamber in which the Senate had convened as a court of impeachment, for the trial of Judge Chase, I was accosted by a distinguished foreigner, and a conversation ensued in nearly the following words. —
F. Permit me to inquire what the offence was for which Mr. Callender was tried, and whether he was convicted by the verdict of a jury?
A. Callender was tried on a charge of being the author of a libel on Mr. Adams, then the President of the United States, contained in a pamphlet entitled "The Prospect before us." He was convicted by the verdict of a jury, and, conformably to the proceedings of our Courts, he was sentenced by Mr. Chase the presiding Judge, with whom the distast Judge Mr. Griffin, concurred, to fine an imprisonment.
F. Was the libel considered of a heinous nature?
A. "The Prospect before us," which consisted of several numbers, was considered by all good men as a most atrocious and unfounded libel on the characters of General Washington, President Adams, and several others of our most respectable citizens—and appears to have been written with an express view to defame them.
F. The fine must have been heavy, and the term of imprisonment of the greatest duration which the law would allow?
A. Not so—the fine was two hundred dollars—the term of imprisonment I do not recollect, but it was not of the utmost legal duration.
F. Was the fine paid, and the imprisonment suffered?
A. The fine was paid by Callender—but, on Mr. Jefferson's accession to the Presidency, it was remitted; and the Marshall, to whom it had been paid, was directed to return it.
F. Is the power of pardon, and the remission
of fines in all cases vested in the President? A. No—the constitution makes exceptions—and the restoration of Callender's fine, after it had been placed in the public treasury, by a payment to the officers of the United States, has been thought an infraction of the constitution, which expressly says that no monies shall be drawn from the Treasury but by legal appropriation.
F. It must have been an oversight—has any cause been assigned to shew that it could have been done in deliberate violation of the Constitution?
A. With what view it was done, or under what degree of inuendo, must be referred to the judgement, which may be formed on the facts, as stated by Callender, after his release from prison, and the remission of his fine.
F. What were those facts? A. Callender declared, and he published his declaration, "The prospect before us," had been submitted to Mr. Jefferson's inspection before it was published—that it obtained his patronage—and that he not only received his acknowledgement & approbation but reward in money. F. Has this declaration of Callender been refuted?
A. I believe no contradiction of it has yet appeared. Callender was indeed so particular in his statement, as to name the person by whose hand he received the pecuniary reward, and he appealed to him for the truth of the fact. That person was a kinsman of President Jefferson.
F. I am truly astonished by what you tell me; but my wonder at what is now passing is ceased.
Great Irish Fair.—The clerk of the fair's return of sheep at the late sales was as follows:—Sold 78,728; unfoled 5501; total in the park 84,229. The horned cattle amounted to 21,614, which were all disposed of in one day. There were a few peculiar circumstances, usually attendant on this great cattle mart of Ballynaboe, not generally known. The various flocks of sheep, thus exhibited in Lord Clancurry's Park, are very skilfully kept in their almost numberless detachments, by the adroitness of the several classes of shepherds, with flocks, and without the use of a single dog.
The shepherds and attendants, ranged round the various flocks on this occasion, generally amount to from 12 to 1500 men. Nothing can exceed the regularity of their conduct during the business of the fair; but that being over, they seem to claim, as by prescription libation of their favorite whiskey, and its indispensable consequence a row; with these genial rites, the last fair was thus daily closed. The shepherds, who assembled at all the several public houses through the Fair street, in proportion as they became whitewashed, began brandishing their sticks, impatient for the signal of affray; about 5 o'clock, one of the most distinguished of this tribe of Pan sallied forth into the middle of the street, and exclaimed aloud—"Blood and Thunder, who dare fraize?—fraise." A knight from off the Irish fleece, no less valorous, instantly threw himself in front of the challenger, and as loudly replied—"By J—sus, I am the lad to fraize in your teeth!" Upon this the street was filled with uplifted sticks, and at it they set, regardless of whom they struck, or by whom they were smitten; till having a good belly-full of their favourite row, they left off by a kind of general consent, and retired to their respective liquor houses, to heal their wounds with never-failing whiskey. Fortunately, no accident occurred beyond the customary returns of broken heads and bloody noses.
The Belgians seem not so much inclined to obey the laws of conscription as the young men of the other old departments in France. The Mayor here has, in vain, addressed to the conscripts of the year XIII. a second notice, informing them, that the Registers will not continue open any longer than tomorrow, and desiring them to inscribe their names, according to the formula ordered by the emperor. Few, if any, have obeyed; though neither want of size, or corporal defects, are an excuse for not observing this inscription. The most severe measures will be the consequence, particularly with those conscripts destined for the sea service, and for the marines.—Brussels paper, Jan. 12.
Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Tuesday, Jan. 3.—A petition of J. Bowers, of Somerset, Mass, for the bounty of three fishing vessels, which he had failed to obtain on account of some informality in the contracts between the masters and crews, was referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.
Thursday, Jan. 10.—The amendment of the senate to the additional bill for the government and regulation of seamen in the merchant's service, was referred to the committee of commerce.
Friday, Jan. 11.—A petition of Lewis Larue, a French citizen, inhabitant of N. York, paying for a special act of naturalization was read.—A motion to refer this petition to a select committee was negatived.
Monday, Jan. 14.—A petition was presented from Col. Freeman, Maj. Butler, and other officers at New-Orleans, for an extension of their ration money, so as to cover the expenses of their subsistence there.
Tuesday, Jan. 15.—A statement of sums paid to council for Advice to the Treasury Department, was received and ordered to be printed.

OPISCELLANY.
From the Repository.
PARODY ON HAMLET'S SOLILOQUY.
To smoke or not to smoke? that is the question; Whether 'tis better to acquire the habit, And train the warings of a scribbling Doctor, Or buy at once a box of best Hoo-ma, And ten a day, consume them? To smoke—to puff, Nay, more, to waste the tender fabric of the lungs, And risk consumption and the thousand ills, The practice leads to; 'tis a consummation Discreetly to be shun'd. To smoke—to puff— To puff—perhaps to doze! Ay, there's the rub, For in that dozing state we thirstily grow; And having burnt the tube up to a stump, We must have drink—and that's one battle The modern youth are desir'd to short life. For who can bear to feel his mouth parch'd up, His throat like whalebone and his chest exhausted, His head turn giddy and his nerves unstrung, When he himself might drench these ills away With wine or brandy?—Who would live in smoke, Add-pi and sickened with a secret poison, But that the dread of breaking o'er a rule Prefer'd by fashion (Whole controlling will None disobey) puzzles ambitious youth, And makes us rather fear those ills we feel And others, that the doctor warns us of,— Thus custom does make species of us all; And this the native hue of our complexion Is sickly o'er with pale, consumptive cast, The appetite, (a loss of greater moment) Pa'd by the weed; and the digestive power's Loose all their action.
EXTRACT.
"To err sometimes is nature; to rectify error is always glory," said the illustrious WASHINGTON, as he extended his hand to a man whom he had offended, and acknowledged he had been in the wrong. Did we feel the truth of this sentiment, and see the nobleness of such conduct, how much disputing, contention and wrangling might be avoided—how much our happiness might be increased. But instead of confessing and retracting our fault, as did the magnanimous WASHINGTON, how many of us, after we have discovered our errors, still cherish them, and roll them, as sweet morsels, under our tongues! Our pride resists the idea of acknowledging that we have been deceived or duped, and we had rather persist forever in the wrong, than confess we have ever been in it. Such obstinacy is, however, in the highest degree censurable. We are all liable to be led astray by the errors of our own imaginations, or the falsehoods, misrepresentations and artifices of our fellowmen.—This liability is the common lot of humanity. It is no crime. It is no disgrace. But after mature reflection, or better information, has discovered to us our errors, then it is both criminal and disgraceful not to abandon it, and embrace the truth. Let those who have been deceived by artful and designing men, and who have been hitherto prevented by a false shame from acknowledging the deception, and turning from the error of their ways, remember the saying of WASHINGTON, "To err sometimes, is nature; to rectify error is always glory."
FOR SALE.
By J. RICHARDSON,
200 Hds. Liverpool, Isle May, and
Cadiz SALT
300 Bbls. Meis No 1, 2, and 3. BEEF.
150 Half Bbls. Meis and No. do. do.
30 Bbls. No 1 PORK.
10 Casks Sourcrout TEA.
40 Bbls. ROSIN.
5 Pipes GIN entitled to debenture.
4 do Spanish and Cognac BRANDY.
4 Quarter Casks Madeira WINE.
200 Tons PLAISTER PARIS.
Premium given for Spanish Dollars.
At Richardson's Wharf.
Portland, Dec. 17.
By ships Nabby and Eliza from Liverpool.
WILLIAM GODDARD,
HAS received a very extensive addition to his former
assortment of
HARDWARE GOODS,
which are for sale at his store, Middle Street, by wholesale and retail.
Also a large quantity of Shot; Blacksmith's Anvils
and Vices; Brass Kettles; Sheet Lead; Sheet Iron; Red
Lead; Sad Irons; English Shovels, and Frying Pans.
A large assortment of
Joiner's planes, of almost every description.
Likewise—300 Boxes to by 8, 9, 7, and 8 by 6 Brf
tel and Liverpool Crown Window Glass—90 cases Cut
and Wrought Nails, &c. &c.
Portland, Oct. 22. (t. f.)
JOHN LORD,
Respectfully informs his friends and the public, that
he has just received, and now offers for sale a
good assortment of English and American HATS—Like-
wise a general assortment of HAT TRIMMINGS—
which he will sell on the lowest terms for cash or ap-
proved credit.
Cash and the highest price given for all kinds of hat-
ting and shipping FURS—Apply as above. (3m) Nov. 26.
PERPETUAL ALMANAC.
JUST published, and for sale at
Thomas Clark's Bookstore,
Fish-street, Portland, (price 1 dollar single—9 dollars
per dozen)
Gould's Perpetual Almanack,
by which, may be found in a few seconds of time, the
day of the week or month, in any year to come.
Published according to Act of Congress.
Jan. 14. (6w)
FOR SALE.
20 Casks Claret Wine, in good
shipping order.
10 Casks Malaga
4000 lb. Logwood.
1500 lb. Cheese, in good shipping order
4 Bales Cotton;
With a general assortment of GROCERIES,
which will be sold on good terms by applying to
DAVID DANA,
nearly opposite the Insurance Office, Fish-street
Portland, Jan. 19.
MICHAEL SMITH,
INFORMS the public, and particularly the friends and
customers of his deceased brother, that he carries on
the business of
Painting and Glazing,
in all its various branches, at No. 1. Jones's Row, For-
Street—Where he has constantly for sale, a general as-
sortment of Paints, mixed and dry; Linseed Oil; Spi-
rits of Turpentine; Black, white and copal Varnish;
Blue and white Vitrif; Black Lead; Litharge; Glaz-
er of all sizes; Gold and Silver Leaf; English Glue; Robin
Rotten and Pumice Stone; Copperas; Copal; Shallac
Bouger; Mastic &c.
Oil Jugs; Paint and Pallet Knives; Sand Paper; Win-
dow Cords; Paint Brushes and Sash Tools of every kind;
Camels-hair Pencils; Whitewash and Varnish Brushes;
Floor and Hearth do.
ALSO,
Bags first quality geese Feathers; Iron Shovels; Sheet
Nail; Flooring Brads; board, clapboard and shingle
Nails; Cut Brads; Bbls. old Cider; Vinegar &c.
Paints of all kinds put up at the shortest notice
Portland, Jan. 14, 1805.
NOTICE.
THE subscribers having formed a con-
nection in business, under the firm of
BAKER & SUTTON,
beg leave to inform the public, that they have taken the
store lately occupied by Mr. Stephen Foster, in For-
street next door to Mellis' Darbous & Bonaparte's, where
they have for sale all kinds of
English, West-India Goods & Groceries,
as low as can be purchased in town
JOSIAH BAKER Jun.
RICHARD SUTTON.
Portland, Jan. 7.
N. B. All those who are indebted to
JOSIAH BAKER Jun. either by note or account, are
requested to call and make immediate payment, otherwise
they will be put in full
JOSIAH BAKER, Jun.
GALVANISM.
THE Proprietor of the Galvanic Ma-
chine having been but four weeks in this Town, has
the satisfaction of informing the public that he has made
several very valuable Cures; the particulars respecting
them can be had by applying at No. 10 Jones' Row, or
No. 4, Jones' Court.
A small Treatise on Galvanism, may
be had by applying as above, or at
THOMAS CLARK'S BOOKSTORE, Fish-street;
ENT. TLED.
IMPROVED GALVANISMUS,
AND
Its Medical Application.
By S. N. Niderburg, M. D. and Member of the
Faculty of Vienna.
4000 DOLLARS—free from deduction!
TICKETS 5 doll. 50 cts. Quarters 1
50, in the Fourth Class AMOSKEAG CANAL
LOTTERY, which positively commences drawing in Boston
on Friday next the 8 day of February are for sale at
THOMAS CLARK'S
Fortunate Lottery Office, Fish-street, Portland;—
where have been sold beside a number of lower prizes,
One Capital prize of
FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS, in the
AMOSKEAG CANAL LOTTERY.
Two prizes of five hundred dollars each, in the
South Hadley Canal Lottery.
And one prize of five hundred dollars in the
Piscataqua Bridge Lottery,
which has just finished drawing at Boston.
Adventurers remember this, and ap-
ply for Tickets, before they are all sold.—Prizes taken
in payment Jan. 28.
FURS WANTED,
FOR which cash and the highest price
will be given for any quantity of Sable & Cats
skins, and all kinds of Shipping & Hating FURS, by
ABIJAH CHEEVER.
No. 1, Daffy's Row, Middle Street, Portland.
Dec 17 (6m)
Cables, Cordage, &c.
ON the most reasonable terms, for sale by
ZACHARIAH MARSTON,
at his Rope-walk, west end of the town.
Sept. 27, 1804. (tf)
Upholstery Store.
AARON AUSTIN, & CO.
HAVE for sale, at their store, Forest-street,
head of Ingraham's Wharf, a constant supply of
Live Geese,
Sea Fowl,
Russia,
and
Lisbon
FEATHERS.
Also—Cotton and English BEDTICKING, of different
kinds.
Russia BEDS and MATRESSES ready made
Beds made and fitted at the shortest notice.
Spanish and French INDIGO.
The above assortment of Feathers is warranted of
the first quality, and will be sold as cheap as can be pur-
chased in Boston.
Shipping Furs—
Cash given for all kinds of Shipping Furs
—apply as above.
(tf) Portland, Jan. 14.
Glazing and Fan-Light Making.
SAMUEL STARBOARD,
INFORMS his friends and the public, that he has ta-
ken the shop under Union-School, in Union-Street,
where he carries on the business of
Glazing and Fan-Light Making,
in the different branches, with neatness and dispatch.
All orders punctually attended to, and the smallest favors
gratefully acknowledged.
Dec. 17.
NOTICE.
THE subscriber, intending to remove from
this town in March next, requests all persons in-
debted to him to make immediate payment, and those
who have demands to call on him for settlement.
He offers for sale his Store, situated near the
Hay market North-yarmouth, with an acre and an half of
land, barn, &c. on reasonable terms apply to
NICHOLAS L. MITCHELL.
North-yarmouth, Jan. 23.
FOR SALE,
A Handsome land in New Gloucester well situa-
North-yarmouth, Jan. 8. DAVID STEELE.
A good chance for a bargain.
TO be sold and possession given im>
mediately, a new HOUSE, in North-yarmouth
situated at the Corner, so called, and is one of the best
stands in that town for trade. Said House is 40 feet by
20, two stories high, with two chimneys, and a back
Porch—chiefly glazed, and some of the rooms finished
inside—there is also a fine cellar under the whole, and
water brought to the door by an Aqueduct, standing on
a very valuable lot—and is likewise a good situation for
a Mechanic, as there are several kind much want>
ed.—For particulars inquire of AMMI R. MITCHELL,
opposite the premises; or of SETH BEARCE, near the
same.
North-yarmouth, Jan. 14.
FOR SALE.
A FARM in the town of Fryeburg,
containing eighty acres; twenty of which is in
terval, under good improvement, with a convenient new
Dwelling house, a Barn, and a good well of water. It
is situated within forty rods of the South Meeting House,
and within eighty of Fryeburg Academy.—Inquire of
GEORGE BULL, on the premises.
Fryeburg, Jan. 7.
Will be sold at Auction,
On WEDNESDAY, the 20th day of Feb. next,
at the Dwelling-house of THOMAS PECK, in Portland, at
2 o'clock, in the afternoon, one half of the following list of
LAND in Summer viz.
No. 12, in 6th range, No. 5, in 3d range,
No. 13, in 5th range, No. 3, in 7th
range—and in Hattford, No. 15, in 4th range,
No. 2, in 7th range, No. 12, in 5th range,
No. 8, in 10th range, No. 13, a Gore, No. 3,
in 8th range, and No. 6, in 2d. range.
Conditions one half cash, in 3 months, and half in 6
months, with interest. Jan. 7.
A DWELLING-HOUSE WANTED,
Convenient for one family, within
about five minutes walk of Fish-street.—Inquire at
the Gazette Office. Jan. 28.
ACCOUNT BOOKS.
THOMAS CLARK, has for sale, at
his Bookstore near y opposite the Insurance Office,
Fyeburg, Portland, a large and general assortment of
BLANK AND ACCOUNT BOOKS viz.
Double and single ruled Ledgers—Waste-Books—Day-
Books, &c. &c. made of good paper and strongly bound.
Likewise—Bridge-water Collection of Music—Village Har-
mony, &c.—school Books of every description—Walsh's
Mercantile Arithmetic, last edition—Almanacks, Regis-
ters, &c. and a general assortment of
BOOKS & STATIONERY—wholesale and Retail.
JUST PUBLISHED AT THE ABOVE STORE,
(Price 1 dollar hundred bound—10 dollars per dozen)
TURNER'S EPITOME OF
BOOK-KEEPING BY DOUBLE ENTRY.
Delineated on a scale suited to the faculties and comprehension of junior
School-Boys, and youth designed for the Mercantile line.
Comprising, Systematic and carrying rules for the monthly
statements of Books, as well as those for opening, con>
cluding, adjusting and closing them; with explanations of
Theory, and exhibitions of Practice, rendered easy to the