The New Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1799-02-13 00:00:00

THE New Hampshire Gazette.
— MY COUNTRY'S GOOD SHALL BE MY CONSTANT AIM —
PORTSMOUTH: (NEW-HAMPSHIRE)—PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING BY JOHN MELCHER, PRINTER TO THE STATE, AT HIS OFFICE CORNER OF MARKET STREET, WHERE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THIS PAPER, ADVERTISEMENTS, AND ARTICLES OF INTELLIGENCE ARE THANKFULLY RECEIVED.
Vol. XLIII — Numb. 2202.]
WEDNESDAY, February 13, 1799.
[One Dollar & half pr. Annum.]
New Set of Dispatches.
[Brought by Mr. GERRY, relating the affairs of France, after the departure of his colleagues.]
(Continued from our last.)
The following Papers accompanied the Letter from Mr. Gerry to the Secretary of State, immediately on his arrival from France, dated Nantasket Road, Oct. 1, 1798.
[No. 1.]
SIR, Paris, 12th May, 1798. BEING informed that Messrs. Prince and Bromfield who expected to sail in the same ship with Gen. Marshall are yet at Bourdeaux, I embrace the only favorable opportunity which has occurred since his departure, to inclose you a copy of a note, which I received from Mr. Talleyrand, Minister of Foreign Relations, dated the 14th Germinal (April 3d) of my answer of the 4th April, and of my letter of the 20th of the same month, being the day after Gen. Pinckney left Paris. I had intended to have sent Dr. Tazewell, who is now in my family as Secretary, with my dispatches to our government, that no time might be lost in obtaining from it such arrangements for supplying my place, as might have enabled me immediately on his return to leave France; but the measure has become unnecessary, by the prospect which I have of being able soon to embark for the United States, with the acquaintance of this government.
The decision of the Executive Directory with respect to my colleagues after we had obtained, what we had been informed in our first conference with Mr. Bellamy was impracticable, a joint interview with the minister of foreign Relations, and after the latter had seemed disposed to suspend matters until we could obtain from our Government an answer to our letters, was not less perplexing, than surprising; and their proposition to treat with me separately, was inadmissible. It was a proposition to which I had given my negative above a month before, when made to me under an injunction of secrecy, by the Minister of Foreign Relations. I was then informed that an immediate rupture would be the result of my departure from France; and the same communication being again made, with information, that I was determined not to negotiate separately, this government would be satisfied with my residence here, until the government of the United States could take their measures. I consented to this from public considerations solely; for every private one was opposed to it. In my embarrassed situation, not losing sight of the great object of our mission, a reconciliation with this powerful republic. I have taken a position, by which I mean to ascertain, if possible without compromising the government of the United States, or myself, the ultimate views of France with respect to them. It would have been impossible for me under existing circumstances to have consented to a separate negotiation, had the provision been made in our powers and instructions; for two of my colleagues, one from the southern, and the other from the middle States, having been sent back, I could have had no prospect of forming a treaty, which would have given general satisfaction to my country; and I could never have undertaken any negotiation, without that prospect. It is therefore incumbent on me to declare that should the result of my present endeavors present to our government, more pleasing prospects, it is nevertheless my firm determination to proceed no further in this negotiation. The want of time and health preventing further communications at present, I have the honor to remain, Sir, with great esteem and respect, Your most obedient and very humble Servant,
(Signed) E. GERRY. To the Secretary of State of the U. S. of America.
[No. 2.]
DR. SIR, Paris, 13th May, 1798. I have the honor to inform you, that the Brigantine Sophia arrived at Havre the 11th inst. and last evening at the moment of inclosing my dispatches to you of yesterday, Mr. Humphreys delivered me your letter of instructions of the 23d March, which shall be duly obeyed. The arrival of this vessel is a fortunate circumstance for me, and I shall embark in her for the United States, in lieu of taking my passage as I had proposed, in one of the American Merchantmen now in the ports of France. The ultimate views of this government, which the minister has promised in writing in a few days, shall be obtained if possible. I remain, Sir, with much esteem and respect, Your very humble Servant,
(Signed) E. GERRY. To the Secretary of State of the U. S. of America.
[No. 3.]
(TRANSLATION.) Exterior Relations. Liberty. Equality. Paris, 14th Germinal, 6th year of the French Republic one and indivisible. [April 3, 1798.]
The MINISTER of Exterior Relations, To Mr. GERRY, Envoy Extraordinary of the United States of America to the French Republic.
I suppose, Sir, that Messrs. Pinckney and Marshall have thought it useful and proper in consequence of the intimation, which the end of my note of the 28th of last Ventose (18th March 1798) presents, and the obli-
gation which their known opinions have induced to the desired reconciliation, to quit the territory of the Republic. In this supposition I have the honor to point out to you the 5th or the 7th of this decade, to resume our reciprocal communications upon the interests of the French Republic and the U. States of America. Receive, I pray you, the assurances of my perfect consideration. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.
[No. 4.]
Paris 4th April, '98. (Germinal 15th an. 6) I had the honor, Citizen Minister, of receiving your letter of the 14th Germinal (the 3d instant) and Mr. Deutremont, who delivered it, informed me, that it was intended to be shown to Gen. Pinckney and Gen. Marshall.
Whilst my colleagues and myself, to whom the Government of the U. S. have entrusted the affairs of the embassy, had a joint agency therein, I have carefully imparted to them all the propositions which you have requested and the relative conferences, and to yourself our decisions thereon; regretting at the same time, the unfortunate and embarrassing circumstances which imposed on me this disagreeable task. But as by the tenor of your letter, it is now expected that they will quit the territory of the French Republic, it will be impossible for me to be the medium of, or to take any measures which will be painful to my colleagues, or not to afford them all the assistance in my power; and it would be more over inconsistent with the line of conduct, which you well know, Citizen Minister, I have uniformly observed, for removing the unfavorable impressions which existed on the part of this government against them. Indeed in our last letter, there is a conditional application for passports, which as it appears to me, supercedes the necessity of a hint to them on this subject; and General Marshall is waiting impatiently for an answer to that part of it which respects a letter of safe conduct, for the vessel in which he and his suite may take passage for the United States, to determine whether he shall embark from France or from Great Britain, but the unfortunate situation of Gen. Pinckney, with respect to the critical state of his daughter's health, renders it utterly impossible for him to depart under existing circumstances.
You have proposed, Citizen Minister, the 6th or 7th of this decade for me to resume (repandre) our reciprocal communications, upon the interests of the French Republic and of the United States. The reciprocal communications which we have had, were such only as I have alluded to in the beginning of this letter; unless your proposition accompanied with an injunction of secrecy, for me to treat separately, is considered in that light. To resume this subject will be unavailable, because the measure, for the reasons which I then urged, is utterly impracticable. I can only then confer informally and unaccredited, on any subject respecting our mission, and communicate to the government of the United States the result of such conferences, being in my individual capacity unauthorized to give them an official stamp. Nevertheless every measure in my power, and in conformity with the duty I owe to my country, shall be zealously pursued to restore harmony, and cordial friendship between the two Republics. I had the honor of calling on you last evening, for the purpose of making this communication verbally, but as you were absent, to prevent any misconceptions, I have thought it best to reduce it to writing.
Accept I pray you, Citizen Minister, the assurances of my perfect esteem and respect. (Signed) E. GERRY. To the Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the French Republic.
[No. 5.]
Paris, April 20, 1798. (1 Floreal, an. 6.) Citizen Minister, MY Colleagues having been under the necessity of departing from Paris have left me in the most painful situation; as it respects themselves, the government and nation which I had the honor with them to represent, and my personal circumstances. The alternative presented to my choice, were the continuance of my residence here, or an immediate rupture on my departure. I have chosen the former, prompted by every consideration of the duty I owed my country.
The object of this government in my remaining here as announced in your official note of the 14th Germinal, (3d April) was "to resume our reciprocal communication on the interest of the French Republic and of the United States." My answer informed you that "I could only confer informally and unaccredited, on any subject respecting our mission, and communicate to the government of the United States the result of such conferences; being in my individual capacity, unauthorized to give them an official stamp." This then I consider as the line of conduct well understood to be observed on my part; and in the present state of affairs, Citizen Minister, I flatter myself that propositions for terminating all differences, for the restoration of harmony and friendship, and for the re-establishment of commerce between the United States and France, will be promptly made on the part of the latter; that they will be such, as corresponding with the justice and magnanimity of this great nation, and with sound policy, will ensure success; that I shall have an opportunity of soon embarking for the United States, and presenting them to my government for their consideration; and that all further depredations on our
commerce, by French cruisers, will in the interim be prohibited. If in forming this arrangement I can render any services, you may be always sure of my immediate and cheerful co-operation.
Measures like these will at once extinguish those coals of discord, which kindled into a flame, must be destructive of the respective interests of the two republics; will not only restore, but increase, if possible, their former confidence; and terminate in a competition for excelling each other in mutual acts of generosity and kindness.
In any event, Citizen Minister, I flatter myself it will not be thought necessary for me to remain long in France, as the state of my family affairs requires my immediate return to the United States; and as their Consul General will continue his residence here, which, pending negotiation, will answer every political purpose. I pray you, Citizen Minister, to accept the assurances of my most perfect esteem and regard. (Signed) E. GERRY.
To the Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the French Republic.
[No. 6.]
(TRANSLATION.) Paris, 14th Prairial 6th year of the French Republic, one and indivisible. [May 30, 1798.]
The Minister of Exterior Relations, To Mr. Gerry, Envoy of the United States. I communicate to you Sir, a London Gazette of the 26th of last Floreal, (May 15, 1798.) You will therein find a very strange publication. I cannot observe without surprise, that intriguers have profited of the insinuated condition in which the Envoys of the United States have kept themselves, to make proposals and hold conversations, the object of which was evidently to deceive you.
I pray you to make known to me immediately the names denoted by the initials W. X. Y. and Z. and that of the woman who is described as having had conversation with Mr. Pinckney upon the interests of America; if you are averse to sending them to me in writing, be pleased to communicate them confidentially to the bearer.
I must rely upon your eagerness to enable the government to fathom those practices, of which I felicitate you on not having been the dupe, and which you must wish to see cleared up.
Accept the assurance of my perfect consideration. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.
[No. 7.]
Paris, May 31st, 1798. Your letter, Citizen Minister, of the 11th Prairial (30th May) and the Gazette to which it refers, were delivered to me by Mr. _____, the latter contains the whole of the informal negotiations communicated by the Envoys to their government, and the letter states, that certain intriguers have made propositions and held conversations with the Envoys, the object of which was evidently to deceive them. You have therefore desired me to communicate their names. If any of those persons were unauthorized to act, or having definite powers have exceeded them, they certainly have abused this government and the Envoys likewise; but I am incompetent to judge of these points, as they did not produce to my knowledge, credentials or documents of any kind.
The publications referred to are sufficient to show the delicate situation I am in with respect to the names of the persons, and are marked with such circumstances, as to enable you I flatter myself, to investigate the subject without insisting on any communications on my part.
To free, however, some innocent persons from suspicions, which are said to have embarrassed them. I have no objection to declare that three of the persons were foreigners, and that the fourth acted merely as a messenger and linguist.
You will observe Citizen Minister, how extremely averse the Envoys were from such an informal mode of proceeding, by their answer of October the 30th, to certain propositions previously made to them; that on the 1st of November they agreed to put an end to such an intercourse; and that they carried into effect their resolution, notwithstanding the reiterated attempts afterwards made to defeat it. They conceived it nevertheless to be their duty to make a communication of the whole to their government.
Accept, Citizen Minister, the assurances of my perfect esteem. (Signed) E. GERRY. To the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.
[No. 8.]
(TRANSLATION.) Paris, 13th Prairial 6th year. [June 1st, 1798.]
The Minister of Exterior Relations to Mr. Gerry, Envoy of the United States. I have received, Sir, your letter of yesterday. You inform me, 1st, that the Gazette presented contains all the informal negotiations, communicated by the Envoys to their government; 2d, that the persons referred to, have not produced to your knowledge, any authority, any document of any kind whatever, to accredit themselves; 3d, that three of the individuals mentioned, (that is to say, in the order in which I have placed them, W. X. Y.) are foreigners, and the fourth, (that is to say Z.) acted only as a messenger and interpreter.
Although I perceive your reluctance to naming those individuals, I must earnestly request you to yield it to the importance of
the object. Be pleased therefore, 1st, either to give me their names in writing, or communicate them confidentially to the bearer; 2d, to name the woman whom Mr. Pinckney mentions; 3d, to tell me whether any of the citizens attached to my service, and authorized by me to see the Envoys, told them a word, which had the least relation to the disgusting proposition which was made by X. and Y. to give any sum whatever for corrupt distribution.
Receive, Sir, the assurance of my perfect consideration. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.
[No. 9.]
Paris, June 3d, 1798.
Citizen Minister.
Being officially informed that sundry letters for General Marshall, Mr. Murray our Minister at the Hague, Mr. Bourne, our Consul at Amsterdam, the house of Lange and Bourne, and myself, captured in the American ship Farmer, some time since, and sent to Rotterdam, were by order of Mr. Delacroix transmitted to Paris, in pursuance of the instructions he received from this government, and having made several unsuccessful efforts to recover these dispatches, permit me to request your assistance for obtaining them without further delay.
Accept, Citizen Minister, the assurance of my perfect esteem and respect. (Signed) E. GERRY. To the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.
[No. 10.]
Paris, June 3, 1798. (Prairial 15 an. 6)
Citizen Minister,
Mr. _____ has delivered me your letter of the 13th Prairial, wherein, after recapitulating a part of mine of the 31st of May, you request me immediately to submit to the importance of the object, and 1st to give you in writing, or communicate confidentially to him, the names of those persons designated by the letters W. X. Y. Z. and 2dly, to name the woman quoted by Mr. Pinckney. 3dly, to inform you whether any of the citizens attached to your employments, and authorized by you to see the Envoys, have said one word which had the least relation to the shocking proposition which has been made by X and Y for us to deliver any sum whatever for a corrupt distribution.
With respect to the persons designated by X, Y, Z, I will inclose you their names under my hand and seal, on your assuring me that they shall not be published on my authority, although the measure does not appear to me necessary for their discovery; and Z, as he informs me, has made himself known to me. But whoever having spoken to me a word relative to X, or to any part of our communications, the manifest impropriety of any giving hearsay information, will, I presume, apologize for omitting it. I cannot give you the name of any lady for no one has made any political communications to me since my arrival in Paris.
In regard to the citizens attached to your employments and authorized by you to see the Envoys on your official communications, I do not recollect a word from any of them which had the least relation to the proposition made by X and Y, in their informal negotiations, to pay money for corrupt purposes.
Accept, I pray you, Citizen Minister, the assurance of my perfect esteem and respect. (Signed) E. GERRY. To the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.
[No. 11.]
(TRANSLATION.) Paris, 16th Prairial, 6th year. [4th June, 1798.]
The Minister of Exterior Relations to Mr. Gerry, Envoy of the United States. Your letter of yesterday, Sir, has just been handed to me. You may render to me in perfect confidence, the names you mention to me, under your hand and seal. I assure you, that they shall not be published as coming from you.
Receive, Sir, the assurance of my perfect consideration. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.
[No. 12.]
Paris, June, 1798, Prairial 6 an. The names of the persons designated in the communications of the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to their government, published in the Commercial Advertiser of the 11th of April last at New-York, are as follows:
X, is Mr. _____*
Y, is Mr. Bellamy,
Z, is Mr. Hautvall.
(Signed) E. GERRY.
To the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.
[No. 13.]
Paris, 10th June, 1798.
Citizen Minister.
Having been informed by my Secretary on the 7th that you proposed to write to me the beginning of this decade, I have im-
*Mr. Gerry has inserted the proper name of X, in his document, as given to Mr. Talleyrand. But the person designated by X, not having (like Y.) avowed himself, the promise made by the Envoys to him and Y, "that their names should in no event be made public," is still obligatory on the Executive in respect to X, and therefore his name is here omitted.
T. PICKERING.
ciently expected, but have not yet received your communications.
The arrival of the newspapers, containing the dispatches of the Envoys to the Government of the United States, after embarrassing and detaining me a fortnight, has produced a publication, wherein it is declared, that this Republic "will never cease to manifest her dispositions to live in peace with America."
If this declaration really is, as it appears to be, official, and expressive of the sense of this government, and is followed by a system of policy superior to unimportant considerations, permanent friendship may be soon established between the two republics.
When it is considered that nine months have elapsed since the arrival in Paris of the Ministers who were charged with this important negotiation and six weeks since the departure of two of them; when this delay, and a series of the most unfortunate events, have inevitably produced alarming apprehensions on the part of the government and citizens of the United States, that France is hostile towards them, and waits only for a favorable opportunity to evince it; when France herself, in the publication mentioned, has declared that her enemies flatter themselves with the hope of exciting in the United States a war against her; when in this belief she must be convinced, that in such a critical state of affairs, events are too rapid to admit of delay; when such is the decision and ability of this government, in some of its most important negotiations, as to require but a few days to complete them; I flatter myself that such an arrangement on the part of this government will speedily be made, as will manifest its amicable disposition towards the United States, quiet the apprehensions of their government, open on a liberal system the channels of their commerce with this country, and afford them a well grounded assurance of a speedy and happy issue to their efforts for peace.
The brigantine Sophia, Henry Seddes, master, in which I mean immediately to embark, is national property; but nevertheless subject, as is represented, to the embargo at Havre; I must request therefore an order for exempting her from this prohibition.
My passport, and the letter of safe conduct for the vessel, are not yet received.
Accept, I pray you Citizen Minister, the assurances of my perfect consideration.
(Signed) E. GERRY. To the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.
[No. 14.]
(TRANSLATION.) Paris, 22 Prairial, 6th year. [10th June, 1798.]
The Minister of Exterior Relations of the French Republic, to Mr. Gerry, Envoy of the United States.
You could hitherto have remarked Sir, in my letters of the 11th, 13th and 16th of this month, nothing but my eagerness to fathom the dark intrigue, therein referred to, and to discover its ramifications. All further explanations in this respect would be beneath the dignity of the French government.
But I will not preserve the same silence on the intention manifested by the message of the President of the United States to the Legislature, of the 14th Germinal [April 3d, 1798] by the nature of the documents adduced as pertaining to the basis of a negotiation, by the rapid publicity given to this strange collection, by the concealments made of the official communications. That intention is too well perceived, in France and in America to require a development. It is sufficient to repel the rumour so injuriously spread of the hostile disposition of France. I will therefore refer myself to the note I addressed to the Envoys on the 20th of last Ventose (March 18, 1798). I doubt not that they will have promptly forwarded it to the President of the United States, and I must believe that as soon as it shall be made public it will efface from the minds of the American people the ill-founded uneasiness, which they have been made to entertain. As to the French government, superior to all the personalities, to all the manoeuvres of its enemies, it perseveres in the intention of conciliating with sincerity all the differences which have happened between the two countries. I confirm it to you anew. The French Republic desires to be restored to the rights which its treaties with your government confer upon it, and through those means, it desires to assure yours. You claim indemnities; it equally demands them; and this disposition being as sincere on the part of the government of the United States, as it is on its part, will speedily remove all the difficulties.
It remains for me to ask you Sir, whether you are at length in a situation to proceed towards this important object.
Receive Sir, the assurance of my perfect consideration. (Signed) CH. MAU. TALLEYRAND.
[No. 15.]
Mr. Gerry to the Minister of Foreign Relations of the French Republic. Paris 19th June, 1798.
I have received, Citizen Minister, your letter of the 22d Prairial, [10th June,] wherein after informing me that all further explanations respecting the dark intrigue in question, will be below the dignity of the French Government; you say that you will not keep the same silence upon the intention manifested in the message of the President of the United States to the Legislature, the 14th Germinal (3d April;)

in the nature of the pieces produced as forming part of a negotiation; in a rapid publicity given to this strange collection; and in the concealment of official communications, by which, in the subsequent part of your letter, you allude to your note to the Envoys of the 28th Ventose (18th March last.)
If the wishes and interest of the two Republics call loudly for an accommodation of their differences, (and of this, the government of France, as well as that of the United States, appears to be convinced,) is not a restoration of friendship between them, one of the most direct means for accomplishing that most desirable object? And is it not altogether neglected? The unfounded prejudices against the President of the United States, in regard to his message, will be manifest, by comparing it with his official duty, designated by the Constitution and also by referring to the dates of your note and of his message; whereby it will appear that the latter was but sixteen days later than the former, and that it was impossible that the President could have received your note, or concealed it from the public. The Government of the United States, pure in its principles, just in its objects, and wise in its councils, is also superior to all personalities; and I with these may forever cease; for sure I am that from such a source, no good but infinite injuries, may result to the two republics. You conceive that your note, which was duly transmitted by the Envoys to the Government, when published will efface from the minds of the American people their unfounded inquietude. Of this I can form no judgment; but before you addressed that note to the envoys the proposition therein contained had been made to me to treat separately, and I had stated, that the measure was in itself impolitic, and as it respected myself, impossible.
I have nevertheless, contrary to my wishes and interests complied with your subsequent proposition for remaining here to prevent a rupture. I have been happy, since, by your repeated assurances, that this Government was sincerely disposed to reconcile all differences between the two countries, and probably would soon make an arrangement adequate to the object; indeed I had great reason to hope, that I should have been furnished with a copy of it before my leaving Paris, and I earnestly withheld it, lest the disappointment which might result from my return to the United States without it, should produce unhappy effects; but the vessel in which I am to embark, being ready for sea, waits only my arrival at Havre with the requisite documents for the voyage.
The sincerity of the disposition of the Government of the United States, to meet this Government on the ground of the existing treaties between the two countries, and to do justice to France, as well as to receive it from her, is too evident to admit for a moment of the least doubt; but I again repeat, that I have no powers to enter on the negotiation. Nevertheless, the proposed arrangement might be made by this Government, and a Minister be sent to America to compleat it; as it is of little consequence to either, in which nation the negotiation is concluded, but of great importance to both that it should terminate in an immediate accommodation, and in the restoration of their friendship. I presume that in this our wishes are alike sincere and ardent, and that the magnanimous policy of this Government to persevere in the intention to reconcile with sincerity all the differences between the two countries, will have a speedy and happy effect.
Accept, Citizen Minister, the assurances of my perfect respect. (Signed) E. GERRY. (To be continued.)
Secretary Pickering's REPORT.
CONGRESS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, JAN. 21.
THE following message was this day received from the President of the United States.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, According to an intimation in my message of Friday last, I now lay before Congress a report of the Secretary of State, containing his observations on some of the documents which attended it. JOHN ADAMS.
Jan. 21, 1799.
To the PRESIDENT of the U. S.
The Secretary of State respectfully submits the following report on the transactions relating to the United States and France since the last communications to Congress on that subject. TIMOTHY PICKERING.
Department of State, February 13, 1799.
REPORT,
Of the Secretary of State, on the Transactions relating to the United States and France, since the last communications to Congress on that subject.
The points chiefly meriting attention, are the attempts of the French government
I. To exculpate itself from the charge of corruption, as having demanded a douneur of Fifty Thousand Pounds sterling (222,000 dollars) for the pockets of the Directors and Ministers, as represented in the dispatches of our Envoys.
II. To detach Mr. Gerry from his colleagues, and to inveigle him into a separate negotiation; and
III. Its design, if the negotiation failed, and a war should take place between the United States and France, to throw the blame of the rupture on the United States.
1. The dispatches of the Envoys published in the United States, and republished in England, reached Paris towards the last of May; and on the 30th of that month, the French Minister, Mr. Talleyrand, affecting an entire ignorance of the persons designated by the letters W. X. Y. and Z—calling them intriguers, whose object was to deceive the Envoys—writes to Mr. Gerry, and "prays him immediately to make known to him their names."
Mr. Gerry, in his answer of the 31st, wishes to evade Mr. Talleyrand's request; and with reason, for he and his colleagues had "promised Messrs. X. and Y. that their names should in no event be made public." Mr. Gerry in his letter of October 1, in noting the repetition of Mr. Talleyrand's request for those names, states as an objection to giving them up "that they could be otherwise ascertained;" and that Mr. Talleyrand's messenger, admitting the fact that they were already known, immediately mentioned their names. Mr. Gerry nevertheless certified in writing the names of X. Y. and Z. with the reserve "that they should not be published on his authority;" and besides formally certifying to Mr. Talleyrand the names of his own private agents, added, that "they did not produce, to his knowledge credentials or documents of any kind."—"Credentials" in writing were certainly not to be expected to be produced by agents employed to make corrupt propositions; but Mr. Gerry had Mr. Talleyrand's own assurance that Mr. Y. was acting by his authority. It is recited in the Envoys dispatches, and upon Mr. Gerry's own report to his colleagues, that on the 17th of Dec. 1797, Mr. Y. "stated to him that two measures which Mr. Talleyrand proposed, being adopted, a restoration of friendship between the republics would follow immediately; the one was a gratuity of fifty thousand pounds sterling; the other a purchase of thirty-two millions of Dutch rescriptions," and after conversing on these topics, Mr. Gerry and Mr. Y. rode to Mr. Talleyrand's office, where "Mr. Gerry observed to Mr. Talleyrand, that Mr. Y. had stated to him that morning some propositions as coming from Mr. Talleyrand, respecting which, Mr. Gerry could give no opinion," and after making some other observations, Mr. Talleyrand answered, "that the information Mr. Y. had given him (Mr. Gerry) was just and might always be relied on."—This declaration stamps with the Minister's authority, all the communications made by Mr. Y. to the envoys. And Mr. Y. himself, who is Mr. Bellamy of Hamburg, in his public vindication, declares, that "he had done nothing, said nothing, written nothing, without the orders of citizen Talleyrand." The same may be asserted in regard to Mr. X. for he first introduced Mr. Y. to the Envoys; and his separate communications were substantially the same with those of Y. and both together were present with the Envoys when the communications were more than once repeated.
It also deserves notice, that in stating the preliminary demands of the French government, the private agents, X. and Y. and the minister, use a similar language. The agents declare, that the Directory are extremely irritated at the speech of the President, and require an explanation of some parts of it, and reparation for others; that this must give pain to the Envoys, but the Directory would not dispense with it: And that as to the means of averting the demand concerning the President's speech, the Envoys must search for them, and propose them, themselves. Being asked to suggest the means, the answer is "money"—the purchase of the Dutch rescriptions, and "the fifty thousand pounds sterling, as a douneur to the Directory."
The Minister told the envoys that the directory were wounded by the President's speech; and in his conversation with Mr. Gerry on the 28th of October, said "the directory had passed an arrest, which they offered for perusal, in which they had demanded
of the envoys an explanation of some parts, and a reparation for others of the President's speech to Congress of the 16th of May, 1797; that he was sensible that difficulties would exist on the part of the envoys relative to this demand; but that by their offering money, he thought he could prevent the effect of the arrest. Mr. Z. (the "interpreter") at the request of Mr. Gerry, having stated that the envoys have no such power; Mr. Talleyrand replied, they can in such case take a power on themselves, and proposed that they should make a "loan." But this "loan," as will presently appear, did not mean the "money" which would prevent the effect of the arrest. Mr. Gerry then making some observations on the powers of the envoys—that they "were adequate to the discussion and adjustment of all points of real difference between the two nations; that they could alter and amend the treaty; or if necessary form a new one, added "that as to a loan they had no powers whatever to make one, but that they could send one of their number for instructions on this proposition, if deemed expedient."—that as he (Mr. Talleyrand) had expressed a desire to confer with the envoys individually, it was the wish of Mr. Gerry that such a conference should take place, and their opinions thus be ascertained."—"Mr. Talleyrand in answer, said he should be glad to confer with the other envoys individually, but that this matter about the money must be settled directly, without sending to America: that he would not communicate the arrest for a week: that if we could adjust the difficulty respecting the speech, an application would nevertheless go to the United States for a loan."—Now this matter of the money must be settled directly, could only refer to the douneur; for a loan, in the purchase of millions of Dutch rescriptions, or in any other form, could only be the subject of a stipulation to be afterwards fulfilled by the United States; but the douneur of fifty thousand pounds sterling, was a sum within the immediate reach of the envoys; for their credit would certainly command it: in fact, a mercantile house had offered to answer their drafts: and this Mr. Talleyrand unquestionably well new; for it was a member of the same house who first introduced the minister's agent Mr. X. to General Pinckney, in the manner stated in the envoys dispatches. A collateral evidence that in "this matter of the money that must be settled directly." Mr. Talleyrand referred only to the douneur arises from this circumstance. The very next day (October 29th) Mr. X. called on the envoys and said, "Mr. Talleyrand was extremely anxious to be of service to them and had requested that one more effort should be made to induce us to enable him to be so." After a great deal of the same conversation which had passed at former interviews had been repeated, the envoys say—"the sum of his proposition was, that if we would pay by way of fees (that was his expression the sum of money demanded for private use) the directory would not receive us, but would permit us to remain in Paris as we now were; and we should be received by Mr. Talleyrand, until one of us could go to America and consult our government on the subject of a loan."
Although the envoys dispatches, and the facts and circumstances herein before stated, cannot leave a doubt that X. as well as Y. & Z. was well known to Mr. Talleyrand, it will not be amiss to add, that on the 2d of December X. Y. and Z. dined together at Mr. Talleyrand's in company with Mr. Gerry; and that after rising from table, the money propositions, which had before been made, were repeated, in the room and in the presence, though perhaps not in the hearing of Mr. Talleyrand, Mr. X. put the question to Mr. Gerry in direct terms, either "whether the envoys would now give the douneur," or whether they had got the money ready." Mr. Gerry very justly offended, answered positively in the negative; and the conversation dropped.
Mr. Z. who has avowed himself to be Mr. Hauteval, was the person who first made known to the envoys the minister's desire to confer with them individually on the objects of their mission; He it was who first introduced Mr. Gerry to Mr. Talleyrand, and served as the interpreter of their conversation: and in his letter to Mr. Talleyrand at the close of Mr. Gerry's documents No. 35, he announces himself to be the agent of the minister, to make communications to the envoys.
Mr. Hauteval declares "his sensibility must be much affected on finding himself, under the letter Z. acting a part in company with certain intriguers, whose plan (he says) it doubtless was to take advantage of the good faith of the American envoys, and make them their dupes"; yet this person, the avowed agent of the French minister, apparently so anxious to screen himself from the suspicion of an agency in soliciting the bribe required by Mr. Talleyrand, did
himself urge a compliance with that corrupt proposition.*
The sensation which these details irresistible excite, is that of astonishment, at the unparallelled effrontery of Mr. Talleyrand in demanding of Mr. Gerry the names of X. Y. and Z. after Y. had accompanied him on a visit to the minister, with whom the conversation detailed in the printed dispatches then passed; and who then assured Mr. Gerry "that the information Mr. Y. had given him was just, and might always be relied on."—After Z. had in the first instance introduced Mr. Gerry to the minister, and served as their mutual interpreter, and when the conversation between them had also been stated in the dispatches; and after X. Y. and Z. had all dined together with Mr. Gerry at Mr. Talleyrand's table, on rising from which X. and Y. renewed the proposition about the Money!—The very circumstance of Mr. Talleyrand's being continued in office after the account of these intrigues had been published to the world, is a decisive proof that they were commenced and carried on with the privy and by the secret orders of the directory. It was to accomplish the object of these intrigues that the American envoys were kept at Paris unreceived, six months after their credentials had been laid before the directory: and it was only because they were superior to those intrigues, and that no hopes remained of wheedling or terrifying them into a compliance, that two of them were sent away—and with marks of insult and contempt.
2. The fact that the French Government attempted to inveigle Mr. Gerry into a separate negotiation will not be questioned: At first it was made privately, and under an injunction of secrecy towards his colleagues: It was afterwards plainly intimated by the Minister, in his letter of the 18th of March, 1798, in which he tells the Envoys that the Executive Directory was disposed to treat with one of the three; and that one he openly avowed, in his letter of the 3d of April, to be Mr. Gerry. The pretence for selecting him was that his "opinions presumed to be more impartial, promised, in the course of the explanations, more of that reciprocal confidence which was indispensable." But when before, have their "opinions" been stated as a justifiable ground for rejecting the ambassadors of peace? Ambassadors too, of established probity, whose characters were of the first distinction in their own country, and whose demeanor towards the government to which they were deputed, was decent and respectful? Who had with a frankness which the candor of their instructions warranted, communicated the important points which they contained? And who unremittingly, and with the most anxious solicitude, entreated that the negotiations might be commenced? What more proper or more honorable qualities ought Ministers deputed to negotiate with a foreign nation to possess? But why should a foreign Government question the opinions of the Ambassadors sent to negotiate with it on subjects of difference between the two nations? If wisely chosen, and faithful to the interests of their own country, they must of course possess different opinions from the Government, to which they were sent, the differing opinions maintained by the two nations on their respective rights and interests, being the cause and objects of the negotiation. A government really disposed to treat on fair principles would never object to the opinions of foreign ambassadors. It would receive them, and appoint its own Ministers with proper powers to treat with them, propose its terms, and receive those offered; and discuss both, and if then they could not agree, put an end to the negotiation. The French Government did not wish to negotiate, it desired to impose a treaty on the United States. To this practice it had been accustomed towards the minor powers in Europe, whom it has subjected to its will; and it expected equal submission from the United States. Hence Mr. Talleyrand's secret declaration to Mr. Gerry "that if he would negotiate, they could soon finish a treaty; for the Executive Directory were not in the habit of spending much time about such matters." Hence the objections to Gen. Pinckney and Gen. Marshall: They manifested a discernment superior to the intrigues of the French Government, and an invincible determination not to surrender the honor, the interest of the Independence of their country. It was necessary then to get rid of them; and seeing that neither despair of negotiating, nor studied indignities could induce
them to quit their posts, passports were sent to them to quit France; it was with difficulty that Gen. Pinckney could obtain permission to stay two or three months for the recovery of his sick daughter, to whom an immediate voyage would probably prove fatal. Unembarrassed by the presence of these Envoys, the French Government, if it really desired a treaty on any terms, hoped to prevail on Mr. Gerry to negotiate separately, although from the first overture he declined, and continued to decline it. But after the expulsion of his colleagues, it hoped by its seductive arts, to prevail over his scruples, and gain his consent to terms which, while they were present, would be rejected; or at all events to retain him, with the semblance of negotiating, regularly or informally, and thus keep the United States in the torpor of indecision, without preparation for offence or defence. Unfortunately, Mr. Gerry was induced, by the threats of immediate war against the United States, to separate from his colleagues and stay in Paris; threats, which viewed with their motives, merited only deflation and contempt. Four or five months before, the threats of immediate orders to quit France, and the terrors of war in its most dreadful forms, had been held up to all the Envoys, to frighten them into a compliance with the groundless, unjust and corrupt demands of the French Government. Those threats had not been executed, and the unworthy purposes for which they had been uttered, had been obvious. Happily for the United States, the character of the French government as delineated in the official dispatches of all the Envoys, and the knowledge of its conduct towards other countries whose governments it had overturned, and whose people in the names of Liberty and Equality, it had enslaved, so operated as not to leave us exposed to all the evils which subseque was calculated to produce. Mr. Gerry indeed resisted all the arts of the French Minister to entice him into a formal negotiation, after that government had driven his colleagues from Paris; a negotiation which in its nature would have been a surrender of our independence, by admitting a foreign government to choose for us the Minister who should represent our country, and to treat of our important rights and interests, which that government had itself violated and deeply injured.
The Directory and their Minister Mr. Talleyrand hoped and expected that Gen. Pinckney and Gen. Marshall would voluntarily have quitted France, after the Minister's letter of the 18th of March, in which he made the offensive distinction between them and their colleague Mr. Gerry, on the pretence that his "opinions" were more "impartial" than theirs. Accordingly Mr. Talleyrand, in his letter to Mr. Gerry of the third of April, says—I suppose, Sir, that Messrs. Pinckney and Marshall have thought it useful and proper, in consequence of the intimations which the end of my note of the 18th of March last presents, to quit the territory of the Republic." Yet Mr. Talleyrand had given them neither passports nor letters of safe conduct! The fact is, the French Government wished to avoid the odium of sending them away and the blame of a rupture, which Mr. Talleyrand predicted would be the consequence; while it was privately intimated to them that they must leave the country. The Minister's conduct on this occasion towards Gen. Marshall (as detailed in his journal) was particularly marked with indignities.—When it was observed to Mr. Talleyrand that this was not the manner in which a foreign Minister ought to be treated, Mr. Talleyrand replied, that General Marshall was not a foreign Minister, but was to be considered as a private American Citizen; and must obtain a passport, like others, through the Consul. To this it was answered, that General Marshall was a foreign Minister,* and that the French government could not deprive him of that character, which was conferred upon him, not by Mr. Talleyrand, but by the United States; though the Directory might refuse to receive or to treat with them, still his country had clothed him with the requisite powers, which he held independently of France; that if he was not acceptable to the French government, and in consequence thereof it was determined to send him away, still he ought to be sent away like a Minister, that he ought to have his passports, with letters of safe conduct which would protect him from the cruelties of France. Mr. Talleyrand replied, that if General Marshall wished for a pass-
* Extract of a letter, dated June 15th, 1798, from Mr. King, minister of the United States in London to the Secretary of State.
** Col. Trumbull who was at Paris, soon after the arrival there of the commissioners, has more than once informed me, that Hauteval told him that both the douneur and the loan were indispensable; and urged him to employ his influence with the American commissioners to offer the bribe as well as the loan.
* On the 9th of Oct. 1797, the day after the Envoys had delivered to the minister a copy of their letter of credence, "cards of hospitality were sent to them and their Secretaries, in a style suitable to their official character." [Dispatches p. 17.] And in the minister's letter to them of the 18th of March, 1798, he calls them "the Commissioners and Envoys Extraordinary of the United States of America." Def. page 92.

port, he must give in his name, stature, age, complexion, &c. to the American consul, who would obtain a passport for him: that with respect to a letter of safe conduct, it was unnecessary, as no risk from the cruisers would be incurred.
The result of these conversations was, a plain demonstration of the intention of the Minister, that in consequence of his intimation at the close of his letter of the 18th of March, that the "opinions" of two of the envoys were not agreeable to the Government of France. Generals Pinckney and Marshall should appropriate to themselves the character which the Minister had drawn generally; the envoys aware of the snare, in their answer of the third of April to the intimation that "the Directory was disposed to treat with one of the envoys," declare to the Minister, "that no one of the envoys was authorized to take upon himself a negotiation evidently entrusted to the whole;" and "that no two of them could propose to withdraw themselves from the task committed to them by their government while there remained a possibility of performing it;" but that if it should be the will of the Directory to order passports for the whole or any number of them, it was desired that such passports might be accompanied with letters of safe conduct, to protect them against the cruisers of France. [To be continued]
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, JAN 25.
A petition against the Alien and Sedition Laws from Suffolk county (N. Y.) was read.
The bill suspending Commercial Intercourse with France, was amended, and ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Smith's resolution respecting salaries of Executive officers, was discussed, but no question taken on it.
MONDAY, JAN. 28.
The President communicated an Edict of the French Directory, directing "that every individual, native of either friendly or allied powers, bearing a commission from an enemy of France, or being found on board any of the vessels of their enemies, should be deemed a PIRATE, whether he had been forced there by violence, threats or otherwise."
French Intercourse Suspending Bill. This Bill passed to be enacted.—Yeas 55—Nays 37.
Mr. Smith's resolution respecting the augmentation of Executive salaries, was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. Yeas 55. Nays 33.
Several petitions on the subject of the operation of various Acts, were read.
The 1799 Appropriation Bill was reported, and committed.
The Naval Committee was instructed to report on the necessary augmentation of the marine corps.
The Quarantine and Health Bill, passed to be engrossed.
TUESDAY, JAN. 29.
Naval Augmentation.
The House in Committee, Resolved, That two Docks be established in the United States for which 50,000 Dollars are appropriated;—That 100,000 Dollars be appropriated for purchasing timber:—That the Navy be augmented SIX SHIPS, TO CARRY NOT LESS THAN SEVENTY-FOUR GUNS each, to be built or purchased in the United States. Sum appropriated 1,000,000 Dollars. That the President be authorized to augment the number of guns on board the vessels now in service, or building, and that 35,000 Dollars be appropriated therefor:—That the President be authorized to take the Revenue Cutters into service. Bills are to be brought in pursuant to the above Resolutions.
FRIDAY, FEB. 1.
Naval Augmentation. Bills for augmenting the Navy, and fixing the pay of Captains, &c.—For establishing Dock-Yards, and for purchasing timber, were severally read twice, and committed.
The Stamp Act
Amendment Bill passed to be enacted. It commences operation 31st March next.
Direct Tax.
A bill amendatory of the Direct Tax Act was debated, but was not gone through with.
ARMY.
A Bill came down from the Senate for authorizing the President, in case of war, or imminent danger, to augment the military force with 24 regiments of infantry, a battalion of artillery and engineers, and three regiments of cavalry. The bill also contains provisions respecting the volunteers corps.
Abstract of European News.
Received via New-York, by the British Packet, 52 days from Falmouth.
KING'S SPEECH.
LONDON, Nov. 20.
His Majesty this day addressed Parliament.—After congratulating it on
the glorious victory of Ad. Nelson, and mentioning the co-operation of the Emperor of Russia and the Ottoman Porte, in the war against France; he recurs to Ireland, the rebellion in which, he says, has been curbed and repressed. After noticing the necessity of supplies, and the increased productiveness of the revenue, his Majesty relies with confidence on the continuance of exertions to enable him ultimately to conduct the great contest against France to a safe and honorable conclusion.
The King has published his determination to exercise the most severe retaliation upon French subjects, for the treatment any subjects of neutral states may receive, in consequence of the decree declaring them pirates, if found on board British vessels.
Nov. 27.
No peace from Rastadt. The war-like preparations still continue to prevail. The Russian armies are advancing towards Italy, with rapidity.
Nov. 29.
An expedition against the coast of France, is preparing at the isle of Wight.
DEC. 1.
The affairs of Ireland wear the aspect of tranquility. Tone has died of his wounds. The Government forces in Ireland, amount to 250,000 men.
BUONAPARTE.
At the last dates, (Oct. 12) Buonaparte was still at Cairo, but his advanced corps were 60 miles further up the Nile, and Gen. Berthier advanced with a strong force towards Syria. No actions of moment have taken place.—He has organized the government of Egypt on the French model. Twenty of the French Neapolitan transports attempted to sail from Alexandria, but were burnt by Capt. Hood, and the crews sent back.—Capt. Hood has succeeded in cutting eight transports out of Damietta; they were part of a fleet of 25 vessels, convoyed by three frigates, arrived from Toulon, with supplies. The transports had not been destroyed in Alexandria, from want of troops.
Advices from India, over-land, mention that every thing was quiet, and that there was no appearances of any extraordinary preparations on the part of Tippoo Saib.
ALEXANDRIA, Jan. 24.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of respectability in Richmond, to his friend in this town, dated January 20, 1799.
"The legislature are about passing an appeal to the People in the shape of an address, fraught with the most direful sentiments to the government of the United States. Times are alarming, civil dissensions, if not actual civil war, may be expected. Nobody can mistake the meaning of Taylor, of Caroline. He is the prime mover, and is surrounded by those who move pretty much as he directs. One week more, and all their projects will be out. A bill is ordered to be brought into the house, arraying the State's Judges against those of the United States, in cases that may occur under the sedition act, the avowed object of which is to set at liberty any person who shall be prosecuted under that act."
"Taylor's resolutions, which you have seen—Nicholas's substituted in place of those proposed by George K. Taylor—the appeal, or address to the people—and the bill ordered to be brought in, will fill up the measures of hostility, on the part of this state against the United States. The government of the United States must protect itself or yield to the force of Virginia. Such open hostility cannot and must not be passed over in silence. Another project is before the house, for arming en masse all the militia of the Commonwealth—this is also the scheme of Taylor and his party—and who can doubt the object? It is not to prepare to defend the nation against a foreign foe, for this party boldly asserts, that there is no such danger to be apprehended. What then is the object? The resolutions mentioned, acts contemplated, and the manifesto to the people are the best elucidation."
PHILADELPHIA Jan. 29.
We learn from Norfolk, that the Montezuma, of 20 guns, Capt. Murray, has captured in the West-Indies a French privateer of 18 guns, and a brig of 12 guns.
FEBRUARY 2.
Extract of a letter from a most respectable House in Amsterdam, dated 8th Sept. '98, received by a house in this city.
"Concerning the late difficulties of navigation to this country, advices have reached us from France, of a regulation, by which the depredations of privateers, will in future be prevented. The government of this country, has already published an act, prohibiting the capture and molestation of neutral vessels, on our coast, by either Dutch or French privateers, and in case of any such captures, the prizes are to be cleared and the privateers fined."
Extract of a letter from Charleston (S. C.) dated the 19th ult.
"I never saw our stores so full of rice, cotton, and tobacco as they are at present; and I never saw, at this season, so few vessels in harbour; twenty stout brigs or ships from the northward, would, very promptly get freighted on good terms."
The French Directory have forced the Court of Spain to prohibit the importation and use of British goods. They have also taken inventories of all English goods in the possession of traders, and enjoined that they shall not be sold.
By a letter from London of the 28th of Nov. it appears that Capt. Collet has been successful in his suit for the loss of his ship (the Argonaut of this port) by the British at the Cape of Good Hope.
NEW-PORT, Feb. 2.
Since the declaration of the Independence of St. Domingo, by the blacks, the British have concluded an amicable and very advantageous treaty of Commerce and Navigation, with the brave black Toussaint, who holds the reins of Government in his own hands.
BOSTON, February 6.
Government has received dispatches from our Minister at the Court of London, by the Polly, arrived at Baltimore.
FROM EUROPE.
We have seen a letter from a gentleman at St. Ubes, dated December 2d—which says, "We have little news here—The report is, that Buonaparte has been defeated in Egypt, and his head sent to the Grand Turk." This letter came by the Venetia, from Lisbon.
OUR NATION'S HOPE.
NAVAL ARMAMENT.
Congress on the 29th Resolved, to augment the navy with six 74's, and six sloops of war;—to build two Dock Yards, and to appropriate 100,000 dollars to purchase ship timber.
The candid and judicious of all parties in the United States, agree in the necessity of a Naval Protection: And we have hopes that those who have been the advocates of French conduct, will yet come forward with their subscriptions to enlarge the bulk of their country. If their actions are not at variance with their words they will. The Secretary of the Navy has reported on an augmentation, sufficient in his opinion to secure our future peace with the nations of Europe. "Had we possessed such a force a few years since, we should have preferred to our commercial and maritime citizens four times the sum necessary to have erected and maintained this number of ships, during the whole time the war has existed, which is now forever lost to our country by the depredations committed on our commerce."
"It is a most pleasing reflection that the different departments of our government so cordially harmonize in the establishment of a navy. The Vice-President of the United States, Mr. Jefferson, says, "a naval force is necessary for this country, [see his Notes on Virginia, page 255] what this should be, (he adds) I will not undertake to say. I will only say, it should by no means be so great as we are able to make it. Suppose the million of dollars, or 300,000 pounds, which Virginia could annually spare without distress, to be applied to creating a Navy. A single year's contribution would build, equip, man and send to sea a force which should carry 300 guns. The rest of the confederacy, exerting themselves in the same proportion, would equip in the same time 1500 guns more. So that one year's contribution would set up a navy of 1800 guns. The British ships of the line average 76 guns; their frigates 38. 1800 guns then would form a fleet of 30 ships, 18 of which might be of the line, and 12 frigates. Allowing 8 men, the British average, for every gun, their annual expence, including subsistence, cloathing, pay, and ordinary repairs, would be about 1280 dollars for every gun, or 2,304,000 dollars for the whole. I state this only as one year's possible exertion, without deciding whether more or less than a year's exertion should be thus applied."
February 11.
Legislature of Massachusetts. In the Senate, on Friday last, the committee to whom was referred the report of the joint committee, in answer to the disorganizing resolutions of Virginia and Kentucky, made their report, which contained additional reasons in support of the constitutionality of the Alien and Sedition Laws of the United States. These reasons were adopted by way of amendment to the original report, and upon the question, Shall the original report pass, as now amended? The Yeas and Nays were as follows: Yeas, Hon. Messrs. Phillips, Bridge, Sexton, Fowler, Dane,
Thompson, Campbell, Thayer, T. Davis, Reed, Bullard, Long, Fellow, Towne, Jones, Hayward, D. Davis, Dwight, Norris, Bingham, Thatcher, Hunt, Taft, Bigelow, Hale, Dummer, and Coffin. Nays, Messrs. Bacon and Wells.
In justice to the Hon. Mr. Wells, it must be observed, that he was not opposed to the spirit of the measure; but objected to the propriety of the following sentence, in the report,
"This Legislature are persuaded that the "decision of all cases arising under the "Constitution of the U. States, and the "construction of the Constitution, and of "all laws made in pursuance thereof, are "exclusively vested by the people in the "Judicial Courts of the U. S."
On Saturday it was moved to reconsider the report, and the subsequent amendment of the above sentence was proposed, viz.
"That this Legislature are persuaded that the decision of all cases in law and equity, arising under the Constitution of the United States, and the construction of all laws made, in pursuance thereof, are exclusively vested by the people in the Judicial Courts of the United States."
With this amendment, the question was again called, and passed, with but one dissentient—Mr. Bacon standing alone in the negative.
Preparations we understand are making for celebrating the birth day of Lt. Gen. WASHINGTON. We learn the new appointed officers, will on that day, appear in their uniform; and that the Citizens will mount the American Cockade—black, with a silver eagle in the centre.
PORTSMOUTH, FEBRUARY 13.
A London paper of Nov. 20th informs, "that in consequence of the application of the government of the United States, demanding that such American seamen as are on board the English fleet be discharged;—the Lords of the Admiralty have given orders, that they shall be discharged from the British service."
Mr. Secretary Pickering has proved that the French now sustain the same character, which Cicero asserted they held eighteen hundred years since.
CONGRESS Jan. 28.
The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill for amending the Stamp Act; when the blank allowing a compensation to Supervisors, was filled with 4 per cent. that for allowing a commission to them on money received from the Collectors, with 1 per cent. and that for compensating the Inspectors of Surveys, with 1 1/2 per cent. An amendment was also agreed to excluding bonds from the operation of the clause in favour of 60 day notes; and another making an allowance for defaced stamps. The Committee had leave to sit again.
FROM LISBON, (latest from Europe.) The ship Venetia, Capt. Bates, has arrived since our last from Lisbon, which he left the 10th December. He informs, that just on the point of his departure, the American Consul acquainted him of the receipt of intelligence, that the French at Malta, and Gozo [a small island to the northward of Malta] had surrendered; and that the William Tell, of 80 guns, with the Diana and Justice, French frigates, which escaped from the battle of the Nile, were amongst the spoils:—
The expedition from Gibraltar had succeeded in capturing the famous Spanish island of Minorca, and its dependencies:—
That the combined Russian and Turkish squadrons, had failed for and blocked up the port of Alexandria, in Egypt; and,
That the Neapolitan King had marched an army of 100,000 men, commanded by the active German General Mack, against the French invaders of his kingdom. [Centinel.]
The ship Pacific, Salter, of this port, has arrived safe at Charleston.
ENTRIES AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE. Feb. 6, brig Columbia, Rollins, Grenada. 9, ship Eliza, Chauncy, St. Ubes.
CLEARED.
Jan. 26, ship Alligator, Harris, Liverpool. Feb. 9, ship Mermaid, Tilton, Tobago. 11, brig Hetty, Lord, Demarara.
MARRIED —At Hanover, by the Rev. Mr. Mellen, Mr. Samuel Stetson, to Miss Zilpah Stetson.—Ebenezer Price, of Belfast, (Maine) to Miss Lucy Farrar, of the former place.
At Hampton Falls, by the Rev. Mr. Abbot, Mr. Levi Melcher, of Boston, to Miss Hannah Tilton, of that place.
DIED —At Gorham, (District of Maine) Mrs. Elizabeth Wife, aged 78.
At Hanover, the wife and two children, of David Curtis, Esq.
At Hopkinton, Mr. Truworthy Gilman, aged 29.
In this town, Mr. James Sherburne, aged 20; and a child of Mr. Benj. Fernald.
For Philadelphia,
SLOOP AMITY, Moses
Woodward, jr. master, lying south side long wharf, will sail in 7 or 8 days, for freight or passage apply to the master.
N. B. Said Woodward has for sale a few whole and half barrels of superfine FLOUR.
TO BE SOLD At Public Auction, On Thursday 21st inst. at 10 o'clock, A. M. at the dwelling house of the late Daniel Rindge, Esq. deceased, all the household FURNITURE of said deceased.
Among which are a large quantity of EXCELLENT Bed and Table Linnen, and a quantity of Plate; the whole Furniture and Plate will be sold without reserve.
—A L S O—
A quantity of
Vinegar, Cyder, &c. &c.
The sale to continue from day to day 'till the whole is sold.
JACOB WALDEN, Auctioneer.
Portsmouth, Feb. 12, 1799.
WHEREAS Joseph Benson, jr. of Portsmouth, hath obtained a NOTE OF HAND from Samuel Fifield, of Gilmantown, signed by the said Fifield, there being no just consideration paid by said Benson, for the same; this is therefore to caution all persons, from purchasing a note of hand of any date for any sum whatever, signed by Sam l Fifield to Joseph Benson, jr. as the said Fifield never signed any note whatever to him, for a just consideration, therefore he will not pay any.
SAMUEL FIFIELD.
Gilmantown, Feb. 7, 1799.
ALL persons having demands on the estate of Daniel Rindge, late of Portsmouth, Esquire, deceased, are desired to exhibit them to the subscriber for settlement—and all those who are indebted to said estate are requested to make the most speedy payment unto JOSEPH PEIRCE, Executor.
In the absence of said Joseph Peirce from Portsmouth, persons having business with him as Executor, are notified to apply to John Peirce, Esq.
Portsmouth, Feb. 11, 1799.
The several printers in this State are requested to insert this advertisement in their respective papers, and forward a bill for payment.
NOTICE.
ALL persons having demands on the Selectmen, or Overseers of the Poor for the town of Portsmouth, are hereby desired to present their accounts to the different departments for settlement, on or before the first day of March next ensuing.
Portsmouth, Feb. 12, 1799.
Beware of Swindlers.
ON Friday the 8th inst. came to the store of the subscriber, a person who said his name was John Howard, but since have found his name to be Rice Howard, of Haverhill, New-Hampshire, he pretended that he wanted to purchase a considerable quantity of goods, that he had a drove of fat cattle on the road for this market, and several loaded sleighs;—on the 9th he called again with two empty sleighs, and brought into my store a Portmanteau lock'd, and requested it might be put away where it would be kept safe, intimating it contained 5 or 6 hundred dollars, then began to make further enquiry concerning the purchase of goods, saying he had tried at several places, but thought he could trade best with me, and accordingly took one lhd. Rum, one chest Tea, and one piece of Broad Cloth; and pretended to want a number of articles which he would take up on Monday morning, as his sleighs had not all arrived, he then loaded up the two sleighs with the articles he had taken up, meanwhile, giving some room to suspect his honesty, I requested that his bill for the articles delivered might be settled that night, he then asked for his bill to be made out, which he was informed was already done, except filling in his name which he had not given, hesitating a little, and appearing much confused, (which fully convinced me of the villainous design which he had nearly effected) said his name was John Howard, after looking a little while at his bill, left the store in great haste, saying he had forgotten to give his drivers some directions which were absolutely necessary, that he would return in five minutes, and pay his bill; this being about 4 o'clock in the afternoon; I waited 'till near night, finding he did not return, was more fully satisfied of the rogery, I immediately sent an officer with a writ after the sleighs, which he overtook about four miles from town and brought back with the goods; the men who said they owned the sleighs, pretended to know nothing of the business, other than the man's name was Rice Howard, of Haverhill, N. H. who loaded their sleighs, and was to pay them on delivering him the goods at Haverhill aforesaid, one said his name was Samuel Nute, the other his name was Hackett, and very readily gave up the goods. On Monday morning the Portmanteau was opened by proper authority, and behold it contained four stones carefully wrapped up in tow, imitating bags of money, and weighed about the weight of money Howard said the Portmanteau contained. The villain was a very likely, well dressed man, of about 26 years of age, of about middling size, and has not since been heard of.
SAMUEL HILL.
Portsmouth, Feb. 13, 1799.
POCKET BOOK LOST.
LOST yesterday in the street, between Spring-Hill, and Portsmouth-Pier, a leather Pocket Book with brass clasps, containing about twenty-four dollars in bank Notes, two Notes of hand, with sundry other papers of no use to any person but the owner; whoever has found said Pocket Book and will be kind enough to leave the same at Mr. Melcher's Printing Office, or deliver it to the subscriber, shall have one dollar reward for their trouble, with the sincere thanks of the loser.
MOSES ARMSTRONG, (a man of colour)

Fashionable GOODS.
Richard Evans,
Has just received an addition to his full assortment of English and India
GOODS,
Among which are a variety of
FANCY Chintzes and
Calicoes; fashionable Mourning Chintzes; beautiful Muslin Chintzes, of the latest patterns; sprig'd, spotted, strip'd and check'd Muslins; a variety of black Muslins; green Muslin Shawls; pink, blue, green and yellow Tiffanies.
A variety of Color'd Satins; black Satins and Modes.
A few fancy Bonnets; fashionable Plumes; long and short Gloves; Glove knots.
Elegant Steel Clasps; Velvet Ribbons; silk stay Laces; Shoe Ties.
Emigrant Socks, and a few large and small dark Muffs which, (as the season is far advanced) he will sell very low. —ALSO—
Mens' most fashionable Hats.
Fancy Swansdown Vesting.
Rich black Satins.
Superfine Navy blue Cloth.
A variety of silk Velvets for capes; silk and cotton Gallowses.
Irish Linens of the first quality; silk Handkerchiefs; Hosiery; watch Chains, Keys, &c.
—LIKEWISE—
Best Bandanno Handkerchiefs,
And a very general assortment of
INDIA COTTONS,
Some of which are very fine.
N. B. He has just opened a few pieces fashionable strip'd and plaid GINGHAMS.
Portsmouth, beginning of Market-Street, Feb. 2. '99.
WHEREAS a number
of persons have repeatedly called at the dwelling house of the subscriber, without seeing him, being out on his collection business—they having their taxes to settle with him, and to remedy any future disappointment to the inhabitants on his being absent; He proposes for their convenience to attend at the Town Clerk's Office, every day in the week, (Saturday and Sundays excepted) once every hour, from 7 o'clock in the morning 'till 5 o'clock in the afternoon, until the 2d day of March next, by which means he trusts it will render the collection agreeable to the citizens whom he wishes to please, and flatters himself the mode will be approved of, and as the annual meeting is approaching it being highly necessary that the taxes should be collected previous thereto; He doubts not but that the delinquents will manifest their attachment to our Constitution and mild Government by a cheerful discharge of their arrearages, and will evince their approbation of the officers of their choice in the town.
GEORGE WENTWORTH, Collector. Portsmouth, Feb. 5, 1799.
AN Act limiting the time within which claims against the United States, for credits on the books of the Treasury may be presented for allowance.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That all Credits on the books of the Treasury of the United States, for transactions during the late war, which according to the course of the Treasury, have hitherto been discharged by issuing certificates of Registered debt, shall be forever barred; and precluded from settlement or allowance, unless claimed by the proper creditors, or their legal Representatives, on or before the first day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.
And the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby required to cause this act to be published, in one or more of the public papers of each State.
JONATHAN DAYTON, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
THEODORE SEDGWICK, President of the Senate Pro Tempore.
JOHN ADAMS, President of the United States.
Approved, July 9, 1798.
TO BE SOLD,
At Public Auction,
On Tuesday the 19th day of February next, on the premises.
A LARGE and convenient dwelling House, two stories high, with four rooms on a floor, mostly finished, together with a Barn and Shop suitable for a Trader, or Tradesman, situate at the Newfields, in Newmarket, on the main road from Portsmouth to Concord, lately improved by Henry Wiggins.—Conditions of Sale to be made known at time and place, or before by applying to the Printer, or to Michael Wiggins, of Newmarket.
FRESH GOODS,
Just received Winter and other Goods, among which are a beautiful variety of
PLAIN, colour'd and
Sprig'd MUSLINS, of a superior quality, very cheap.—Also India Cottons, and Paper Hangings, &c. &c.
By Wm. Stanwood, jr
Market-Street, next door to the Printing-Office.
N. B. He wants a large quantity of TOW-CLOTH.
Portsmouth, Jan. 29, 1799.
Neil M'Intire
HAS FOR SALE The following articles, on very reasonable terms, viz.
TEN Chests Bohea
Tea, of an excellent quality.
18 Bags Coffee.
10 Casks best Linseed Amsterdam Oil.
Cotton by the bag.
12 Hhds. Grenada & Demerara Rum.
6 Ditto Molasses.
Boxes old Castile Soap, suitable for washing Muslin, &c.
Number Hhds. and barrels Sugars.
Number oblong Ovens very convenient for fish or baking.
16 Hhds. very best sweet scented Virginia Tobacco.
40 Kegs best fig Tobacco.
Segars that are very mild.
Pigtail and every kind of manufactured Tobacco of the very best quality.
—LIKEWISE—
A quantity of excellent new Cordage of different sizes.
Portsmouth, Dec. 21, 1798.
THE subscriber in-
tending to leave Portsmouth early in March ensuing, requests all that have any demands against him to call for their pay—and those indebted to him are desired to make immediate payment.
JOHN MAN. Portsmouth, Jan. 23, 1799.
WANTED TO PURCHASE,
A VESSEL between
Thirty and fifty Tons, that sails well, shifts without ballast and suitable for a coaster, any person having such a vessel for sale may hear of a purchaser by applying to John Noble, near the ferry.
Portsmouth Jan. 30 1799.
State of New-Hampshire.
Rockingham, ff.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in the town of Raymond, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1797, that so much of their land as will pay said taxes with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue at the house of Mr. Thomas Bean, innholder in said Raymond, on the 11th day of April next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, unless prevented by previous payment.
Non-resident last owners known.
Raymond, Jan. 18, 1799.
TO be sold at public vendue, to the highest bidder, so much of the lots of land belonging to non-resident owners of land in Sutton, for their Highway tax laid on their land for the year 1798, as will pay said taxes with incidental charges unless prevented by previous payment, on Monday the 8th day of April next, at the house of David Eaton in Sutton, at 10 o'clock A. M.
The owners of the lots of land are as follows, together with the No. and division, and No. of acres, with the valuation and tax.
   Div. No. ac's. D. C's. C's. valuation. tax     Benjamin Evens, 3 53 15 0 40 20   David Marsh, 3 54 15 0 40 20   John Avers, 2 60 160 1 50 78   Edmund Page, 3 57 21 0 30 15   Nath'l Knight, 1 37 100 1 0 51   Caleb Noyes, 1 33 33 0 33 17   Truel Land, 2 23 100 1 0 51   John Perry, 2 39 15 0 50 25   Edward Eastman, 1 63 70 1 25 64   John Tittle, 1 81 50 1 50 76   Lord proprietors   lots for highway tax   for the year '98.   John Wentworth, 16 130 1 56 77   Ephraim Morrill, 2 90 1 10 56   Joseph Crose, 16 140 1 0 51  
DAVID EATON, Collector. Sutton, February 2, 1799.
WHEREAS,
By an Act of Congress passed on the sixteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, the President of the United States is authorised to borrow on behalf of the United States from the Bank of the United States, or from any other body or bodies politic or corporate, or from any person or persons, and upon such terms and conditions as he shall judge most advantageous for the United States, a sum not exceeding five millions of dollars, to however, that no contract or engagement be made which shall preclude the United States from reimbursing any sum or sums borrowed at any time after the expiration of fifteen years from the date of such loan. And whereas, it is declared by the said Act, that so much as may be necessary of the surplus of the duties on Imports and Tonnage beyond the permanent appropriations heretofore charged upon them by law, shall be pledged and appropriated for paying the interest, and also for paying and discharging the principal sum or sums of all the monies which may be borrowed, according to the term or terms which may be fixed, pursuant to the authority aforesaid—And whereas the said Act, the faith of the United States is pledged to establish sufficient permanent Revenues for making up any deficiency that may hereafter appear in the provisions before mentioned for paying the interest and principal sums, or either of them, of any monies which may be borrowed pursuant to the said Act. And whereas the President of the United States did by an Act or Commission under his hand dated the ninth day of January in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, authorise and empower, the Secretary of the Treasury, to borrow on behalf of the United States, any sum not exceeding in the whole, five millions of dollars and to make such contract or contracts as should be necessary, and for the interest of the United States, in pursuance of the Act of Congress above recited.
Now therefore, the undersigned, Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of the Act of Congress, and the authority from the President of the United States, above mentioned, doth hereby on behalf of the United States of America, contract and engage in manner following, to wit.
1st. A book for receiving subscriptions to a Loan of five millions of dollars for the use of the United States shall be opened in the city of Philadelphia, at the Bank of the United States on Thursday the twenty-eight day of February ensuing, which book shall continue open for the purpose of receiving subscriptions, until the whole of the said five millions of dollars shall be subscribed. If more than five millions of dollars shall be subscribed on the first day of opening the said loan, the surplus shall be deducted in proportion to the sums subscribed by individuals, exceeding four thousand dollars.
2d. For every hundred dollars which may be subscribed there shall be forthwith deposited and paid the sum of twelve dollars and fifty cents, and like payments of twelve dollars and fifty cents, shall be made within the first ten days of the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October ensuing. The Secretary of the Treasury however reserves the right of reducing the number of installments by special agreements, with the individuals who may become subscribers.
3d. On the failure of payment of any installment of the sums subscribed according to the tenor of the second article, the next succeeding installment of twelve dollars and fifty cents, which shall have been paid, for every hundred dollars subscribed shall be forfeited to the United States.
4th. The sums subscribed shall and may be paid to the credit of the United States, at the Bank of the United States, or at the offices of discount and deposit of the said Bank at Boston, New-York, Baltimore, or Charleston, or at either of the Banks of Salem, in Massachusetts, Newport and Providence in Rhode-Island, Hartford in Connecticut, Albany in New-York, or Alexandria in Virginia, for which payments, the receipts of the Cashiers of the Offices of Discount and Deposit and of the Banks aforesaid shall be received at the Bank of the United States as equivalent to money; but no payment of a subsequent installment shall be received at any other place than that where the first installment was paid, except at the Bank of the United States; in case any deposits shall be made at the offices of Discount or Deposit, or at either of the Banks aforesaid, which shall not be applied to the payment of the first installment of subscriptions to the Loan aforesaid, the said deposits shall be forthwith refunded by directions from the Treasury.
5th. For the sums or number of shares of one hundred dollars, which may be subscribed, certificates shall be given by the Cashier of the Bank of the United States, which shall be assignable by indorsement, and delivery of the parties in whose favor the said certificates may be issued, until the completion of the payments required by the tenor of the second article preceding.
6th. The sums subscribed and paid in pursuance of the tenor of the second article preceding, shall after the said payments have been completed, constitute a funded capital stock divisible into shares of one hundred dollars each, which capital stock shall bear interest at the rate of eight per centum per annum from the times fixed for the payment of the respective installments payable quarterly at the Treasury of the United States, or at the Loan Offices where the same may stand credited, until the last day of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eight.
7th. After the last day of December in the said year one thousand eight hundred and eight, and after reasonable notice to the creditors, which shall be given by an advertisement in some public newspaper, printed at the seat of the government of the United States, the said capital stock shall be redeemable at the pleasure of the United States by the reimbursement of the whole sum or sums borrowed, and which may constitute the said capital stock either at the treasury of the United States or at the loan offices where the same may stand credited.
8th. The credits for the said capital stock shall and may be separately certified in sums either for one hundred, four hundred, one thousand, four thousand or ten thousand dollars, and the credits so certified shall be transferable by the creditors, or their attorneys, at the Treasury and Loan
Offices respectively, in pursuance of the rules which have been, or which may be established relative to the transfer of the funded stock of the United States.
9th. A sufficient sum of the surplus of the duties on Imports and Tonnage beyond the permanent appropriations heretofore charged upon them by law, together with the faith of the United States are hereby pledged for the fulfillment of this contract, in pursuance of, and according to the terms and conditions of the act of Congress herein before recited.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Treasury of the United States at (L. S.) Philadelphia, this twelfth day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine.
OLIVER WOLCOTT, Secretary of the Treasury. Jan. 12.
State of New-Hampshire.
Rockingham, ff.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in the town of Raymond, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1798, that so much of their land as will pay said taxes with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling house of Mr. Thomas Bean, in said Raymond, on the ninth day of April next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, unless prevented by previous payment.
Non-Resident last owners known.
Census etc. etc. D. C's.
   Dr. Amos Gale, Kingston, 0 4 1 0 25   Jona & Peter Eastman, do. 23 12 3 25   James Wesson, Chester, 25 17 4 38   Jonathan Berry, do. 7 2 41   Stephen Luitkin, do. 14 10 2 31   Isaac Lane, do. 48 32 12 83   Peter Hill, do. 42 24 6 40   Benjamin Currier, do. 48 35 8 1 5   John Norton, do. 26 18 4 55   Esther, Mary & Sarah French, do. 10 2 61   Reuben Hall, do. 28 15 4 39   James Dunlap, do. 17 13 3 39   Moses Hall, do. 23 12 3 25   Stephen Sleeper, Poplin, 3 1 17   Ezekiel Robinson, do. 2 1 12   Stephen Colby, do. 8 5 2 15   John Clifford, Candia, 13 7 2 14   David Clifford, Brentwood, 8 2 2 20   Josiah Hook, do. 3 1 1 50   John Shaw, do. 90 67 14 1 43   James Robinson, do. 17 13 3 43   John Smith, do. 33 18 4 27   Samuel Shaw, do. 62 47 11 1 41   Thomas Arnold, Salsbury, 27 15 4 30   Betsy Fowler, Sandown, 29 16 4 32  
DAVID PAGE, Collector. Raymond, Jan. 12, 1799.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of lands in the town of Wendell, in the county of Cheshire, who have not paid their highway taxes for the year 1796, assessed on their lands in said town, agreeably to an act of the General Court of said State, that so much of their lands as will pay said taxes with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling house of Capt. Joshua Gage, in said town, on Monday the eleventh day of March next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, unless prevented by previous payment.
   Acres. No. range. dol. cts.     Joseph Johnson, 75 10 4 25   85 3 7 25   Stephen Jewett, jr. 75 11 6 25   85 4 7 25   Benjamin Harris, 85 6 3 25   75 2 25   Charles Cook, 85 8 3 25   Ebenezer Little, 85 6 4 25   75 2 25   Alex'r Morrison, 85 2 5 25   Benjamin Call, 75 2 25   WHITTIER PERKINS, Selectmen.   NATHANIEL PERKINS,   Wendell, Dec. 31, 1798.  
TO be sold at public vendue to the highest bidder, by the subscriber, on Tuesday the 26th day of March next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, at the house of Isaac Riddle, innholder in Bedford, in the county of Hillsborough, and State of New-Hampshire, so much of the following lots of land in said Bedford as will pay the taxes annexed to the same, with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.—Said taxes were assessed in the year 1789.
 s.
d.