National gazette. (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 1792-04-12 00:00:00

National Gazette.
By P. FRENEAU: Published MONDAYS and THURSDAYS, at THREE DOLLARS per annum.
VOL. I.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1792.
NUMB. 48.
AUTHENTIC.
SECOND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
At the first Session, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania on Monday the twenty-fourth of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.
An ACT establishing a Mint, and regulating the Coins of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, of America, in Congress assembled, and it is hereby enacted and declared, That a mint for the purpose of a national coinage, be, and the same is established; to be situate and carried on at the seat of the government of the United States, for the time being; And that for the well conducting of the business of the said mint, there shall be the following officers and persons, namely—a director, an assayer, a chief coiner, an engraver, a treasurer.
And be it further enacted, That the director of the mint shall employ as many clerks, workmen and servants as he shall from time to time find necessary, subject to the approbation of the President of the United States.
And be it further enacted, That the respective functions and duties of the officers abovementioned shall be as follows. The director of the mint shall have the chief management of the business thereof, and shall superintend all other officers and persons who shall be employed therein. The assayer shall receive and give receipts for all metals which may lawfully be brought to the mint to be coined; shall assay all such of them as may require it, and shall deliver them to the chief coiner to be coined. The chief coiner shall cause to be coined all metals which shall be received by him for that purpose, according to such regulations as shall be prescribed by this or any future law. The engraver shall sink and prepare the necessary dies for such coinage, with the proper devices and inscriptions, but it shall be lawful for the functions and duties of chief coiner and engraver to be performed by one person. The treasurer shall receive from the chief coiner all the coins which shall have been struck, and shall pay or deliver them to the persons respectively to whom the same ought to be paid or delivered: He shall moreover receive and safely keep all monies which shall be for the use, maintenance and support of the mint and shall disburse the same upon warrants signed by the director.
And be it further enacted, That every officer and clerk of the said mint shall before he enters upon the execution of his office, take an oath or affirmation before some judge of the United States faithfully and diligently to perform the duties thereof.
And be it further enacted, That the said assayer, chief coiner and treasurer, previously to entering upon the execution of their respective offices shall each become bound to the United States of America, with one or more sureties to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury, in the sum of ten thousand dollars, with condition for the faithful and diligent performance of the duties of his office.
And be it further enacted, That there shall be allowed and paid as compensation for their respective services—To the said director, a yearly salary of two thousand dollars, to the said assayer, a yearly salary of one thousand five hundred dollars, to the said chief coiner, a yearly salary of one thousand five hundred dollars, to the said engraver, a yearly salary of one thousand two hundred dollars, to the said treasurer, a yearly salary of one thousand two hundred dollars, to each clerk who may be
employed, a yearly salary not exceeding five hundred dollars, and to the several subordinate workmen and servants such wages and allowances as are customary and reasonable, according to their respective stations and occupations.
And be it further enacted, That the accounts of the officers and persons employed in and about the said mint and for services performed in relation thereto and all other accounts concerning the business and administration thereof shall be adjusted and settled in the treasury department of the United States and a quarter yearly account of the receipts and disbursements of the said mint shall be rendered at the said treasury for settlement according to such forms and regulations as shall have been prescribed by that department; and that once in each year a report of the transactions of the said mint, accompanied by an abstract of the settlements which shall have been from time to time made, duly certified by the Comptroller of the Treasury, shall be laid before Congress for their information.
And be it further enacted, That in addition to the authority vested in the President of the United States by a resolution of the last session, touching the engaging of artists and the procuring of apparatus for the said mint, the President be authorized and he is hereby authorized to cause to be provided and put in proper condition such buildings, and in such manner as shall appear to him requisite for the purpose of carrying on the business of the said mint; and that as well the expenses which shall have been incurred pursuant to the said resolution as those which may be incurred in providing and preparing the said buildings, and all other expenses which may hereafter accrue for the maintenance and support of the said mint, and in carrying on the business thereof, over and above the sums which may be received by reason of the rate per centum for coinage herein after mentioned, shall be defrayed from the Treasury of the United States, out of any monies which from time to time shall be therein, not otherwise appropriated.
And be it further enacted, That there shall be from time to time struck and coined at the said mint, coins of gold, silver and copper, of the following denominations, values and descriptions viz. EAGLES—each to be of the value of ten dollars or units, and to contain two hundred and forty-seven grains and four eighths of a grain of pure, or two hundred and seventy grains of standard gold. HALF EAGLES—each, to be of the value of five dollars, and to contain one hundred and twenty three grains and six eighths of a grain of pure, or one hundred and thirty five grains of standard gold. QUARTER EAGLES—each to be of the value of two dollars and a half dollar, and to contain sixty one grains and seven eighths of a grain of pure, or sixty seven grains and four eighths of a grain of standard gold. DOLLARS or UNITS—each to be of the value of a Spanish milled dollar as the same is now current, and to contain three hundred and seventy one grains and four sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or four hundred and sixteen grains of standard silver. HALF DOLLARS—each to be of half the value of the dollar or unit, and to contain one hundred and eighty five grains and ten sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or two hundred and eight grains of standard silver. QUARTER DOLLARS—each to be of one fourth the value of the dollar or unit, and to contain ninety two grains and thirteen sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or one hundred and four grains of standard silver. DISMES—each to be of the value of one tenth of a dollar or unit, and to
contain thirty seven grains and two sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or forty one grains and three fifth parts of a grain of standard silver. HALF DISMES—each to be of the value of one twentieth of a dollar, and to contain eighteen grains and nine sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or twenty grains and four fifth parts of a grain of standard silver. CENTS—each to be of the value of the one hundredth part of a dollar, and to contain eleven penny-weights in copper. HALF CENTS—each to be of the value of half a cent, and to contain five penny weights and half a penny weight of copper.
And be it further enacted, That upon the said coins respectively there shall be the following devices and legends namely: Upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression emblematic of Liberty, with an inscription of the word Liberty, and the year of the coinage; and upon the reverse of each of the gold and silver coins there shall be the figure or representation of an eagle, with this inscription, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and upon the reverse of each of the copper coins, there shall be an inscription which shall express the denomination of the piece, namely, cent or half cent, as the case may require.
And be it further enacted, That the proportional value of gold to silver in all coins which shall by law be current as money within the United States, shall be, as fifteen to one, according to quantity in weight, of pure gold or pure silver; that is to say, every fifteen pounds weight of pure silver shall be of equal value in all payments, with one pound weight of pure gold, and so in proportion as to any greater or less quantities of the respective metals.
And be it further enacted, That the standard for all gold coins of the United States, shall be eleven parts fine to one part alloy; and accordingly that eleven parts in twelve of the entire weight of each of the said coins shall consist of pure gold, and the remaining one twelfth part of alloy; and the said alloy shall be composed of silver and copper, in such proportions not exceeding one half silver as shall be found convenient; to be regulated by the Director of the mint, for the time being, with the approbation of the President of the United States, until further provision shall be made by law. And to the end that the necessary information may be had in order to the making of such further provision, it shall be the duty of the Director of the mint, at the expiration of a year after commencing the operations of the said mint, to report to Congress the practice thereof during the said year, touching the composition of the alloy of the said gold coins, the reasons for such practice, and the experiments and observations which shall have been made concerning the effects of different proportions of silver and copper in the said alloy.
And be it further enacted, That the standard for all silver coins of the United States, shall be one thousand four hundred and eighty-five parts fine to one hundred and seventy-nine parts alloy; and accordingly that one thousand four hundred and eighty-five parts in one thousand six hundred and sixty-four parts of the entire weight of each of the said coins shall consist of pure silver, and the remaining one hundred and seventy-nine parts of alloy; which alloy shall be wholly of copper.
And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for any person or persons to bring to the said mint gold and silver bullion, in order to their being coined; and that the bullion so brought shall be there assayed and coined as speedily as may be after the receipt thereof, and that free of expense to the person or persons by whom the same shall have been brought. And as soon
as the said bullion shall have been coined, the person or persons by whom the same shall have been delivered, shall upon demand receive in lieu thereof coins of the same species of bullion, which shall have been so delivered weight for weight, of the pure gold or pure silver therein contained: Provided nevertheless, that it shall be at the mutual option of the party or parties bringing such bullion, and of the Director of the said mint, to make an immediate exchange of coins for standard bullion, with a deduction of one half per cent from the weight of the pure gold, or pure silver contained in the said bullion, as an indemnification to the mint for the time which will necessarily be required for coining the said bullion, and for the advance which shall have been so made in coins. And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish the said mint from time to time whenever the state of the Treasury will admit thereof, with such sums as may be necessary for effecting the said exchanges, to be replaced as speedily as may be out of the coins which shall have been made of the bullion for which the monies so furnished shall have been exchanged; and the said deduction of one half per cent shall constitute a fund towards defraying the expenses of the said mint.
And be it further enacted, That the bullion which shall be brought as aforesaid to the mint to be coined, shall be coined, and the equivalent thereof in coins rendered, if demanded, in the order in which the said bullion shall have been brought or delivered, giving priority according to priority of delivery only, and without preference to any person or persons; and if any preference shall be given contrary to the direction aforesaid, the officer by whom such undue preference shall be given shall in each case forfeit and pay one thousand dollars; to be recovered with costs of suit. And to the end that it may be known if such preference shall at any time be given, the assayer or officer to whom the said bullion shall be delivered to be coined, shall give to the person or persons bringing the same, a memorandum in writing under his hand, denoting the weight, fineness and value thereof, together with the day and order of its delivery into the mint.
And be it further enacted, That all the gold and silver coins which shall have been struck at, and issued from the said mint, shall be lawful tender in all payments whatsoever, those of full weight according to the respective values herein before declared, and those of less than full weight at values proportional to their respective weights.
And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the respective officers of the said mint, carefully and faithfully to use their best endeavours that all the gold and silver coins which shall be struck at the said mint shall be, as nearly as may be, conformable to the several standards and weights aforesaid, and that the copper whereof the cents and half cents aforesaid may be composed, shall be of good quality.
And the better to secure a due conformity of the said gold and silver coins to their respective standards, Be it further enacted, That from every separate mass of standard gold or silver, which shall be made into coins at the said mint, there shall be taken, set apart by the Treasurer and reserved in his custody a certain number of pieces, not less than three, and that once in every year the pieces so set apart and reserved, shall be assayed under the inspection of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Secretary and Comptroller of the Treasury, the Secretary for the Department of State, and the Attorney General of the United States (who are hereby required to attend for that purpose at the said mint, on the last Monday in

July in each year or under the inspection of any three of them, in such manner as they or a majority of them shall direct and in the presence of the director, assayer and chief coiner of the said mint; and if it shall be found that the gold and silver so assayed, shall not be inferior to their respective standards herein before declared more than one part in one hundred and forty four parts, the officer or officers of the said mint whom it may concern shall be held excusable; but if any greater inferiority shall appear, it shall be certified to the President of the United States, and the said officer or officers shall be deemed disqualified to hold their respective offices.
And be it further enacted, That if any of the gold or silver coins which shall be struck or coined at the said mint shall be debased or made worse, as to the proportion of fine gold or fine silver therein contained, or shall be of less weight or value than the same ought to be pursuant to the directions of this act, through the default or with the connivance of any of the officers or persons who shall be employed at the said mint, for the purpose of profit or gain, or otherwise with a fraudulent intent, and if any of the said officers or persons shall embezzle any of the metals which shall at any time be committed to their charge for the purpose of being coined, or any of the coins which shall be struck or coined at the said mint, every such officer or person who shall commit any or either of the said offences, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall suffer death.
And be it further enacted, That the money of account of the United States, shall be expressed in dollars or units, dimes or tenths, cents or hundredths and milles or thousandths, a dime being the tenth part of a dollar, a cent the hundredth part of a dollar, a mil the thousandth part of a dollar, and that all accounts in the public offices and all proceedings in the courts of the United States shall be kept and had in conformity to this regulation.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate. Approved, April the second 1792. G. WASHINGTON, President of the United States.
PHILADELPHIA.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, April 6.
An engrossed bill, authorising the grant and conveyance of certain lands to the Ohio Company of Associates, being read a third time, and having the blanks filled up, was passed, and sent to the Senate for their concurrence.
A "bill to indemnify the estate of the late Major Gen. N. Greene for a certain bond by him entered into for the public service during the late war," was read a second time, and referred to a committee of the whole on Monday next; a motion for postponing it to the first Monday in August, having passed in the negative;—yeas, 17; nays, 45.
YEAS—Messrs. Ashe, Clarke, Giles, Grove, Kitchell, Macon, Madison, Moore, Schoonmaker, Sney, J. Smith, Steele, Sturges, Sumpter, Tredwell, Venable, Williamson. 17
NAYS—Messrs. Ames, Baldwin, Barnwell, Benfon, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Brown, Findley, Fitzsimons, Gerry, Gilman, Goodhue, Gordon, Gregg, Griffin, Hartley, Heister, Hillhouse, Huger, Jacobs, Key, Kittera, Laurence, Learned, Lee, Livermore, Mercer, Muhlenberg, Murray, Niles, Page, Parker, Sedgwick, Sheredine, I. Smith, W. Smith, Sterret, Sylvester, Thatcher, Tucker, Vining, Wadsworth, Ward, White, Willis. 45.
Mr. Fitzsimons, from the committee appointed, reported a "bill supplementary to the act making provision for the debt of the United States," which, after a first and second reading, was referred to a committee of the whole on Tuesday next.
Pursuant to the order of the day, the House proceeded to reconsider the Representation bill, together with the President's objections to the same.
The President's message, and the bill being read,—
On the question, "Will the House, on reconsideration, agree to pass the bill?"—it passed in the negative; yeas, 28; nays 33.
YEAS—Messrs. Ames, Benfon, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Clark, Fitzsimons, Gerry, Gilman, Goodhue, Gordon, Hartly, Jacobs, Kitchell, Kittera, Laurence, Learned, Livermore, Niles,
Schoonmaker, Sedgwick, J. Smith, I. Smith, Steele, Thatcher, Tredwell, Vining, Wadsworth, Ward—28.
NAYS—Messrs. Ashe, Baldwin, Barnwell, Brown, Findley, Giles, Gregg, Griffin, Grove, Heister, Hillhouse, Huger, Key, Lee, Macon, Madison, Mercer, Moore, Muhlenberg, Murray, Page, Parker, Sney, Sheredine, W. Smith, Sterret, Sturges, Sumpter, Tucker, Venable, White, Williamson Willis—33
Ordered, that the Clerk do acquaint the Senate with the proceedings of the House, in consequence of the President's message.
Mr. W. Smith laid on the table, a motion for the appointment of a committee to prepare a bill for an apportionment of representatives among the several states, according to the ratio of one for every thirty-three thousand of their respective numbers entitled to representation on the principles of the constitution.
Mr. Parker laid on the table a motion for the introduction of a representation bill, with thirty thousand, as the ratio.
A third motion was laid on the table by Mr. Muhlenberg, to have a bill reported with the ratio blank, and a provision for a second enumeration.
A message from the Senate, was delivered by Mr. Secretary Otis, notifying that they had passed a "bill supplementary to the act for the support of light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers," in which they requested the concurrence of the House.
Mr. Otis delivered a second message, informing, That the Senate had agreed to all except one of the amendments proposed by the House, to the bill providing compensations for the door-keepers of Congress.
The Secretary's report of Ways and Means was again taken up in a committee of the whole; and after further progress, the committee rose, and asked leave to sit again.
SATURDAY, April 7.
A "Bill, supplementary to the act for the establishment and support of Light houses, Beacons, Buoys and public Piers," was read a first and second time, taken up immediately in committee of the whole, amended, reported, and read a third time, passed and sent to the Senate for their concurrence.
The bill, from the Senate, for the erection of a Light house on Montock Point in the State of New-York, was taken up in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed.
The House took into consideration and receded from their amendment (disagreed to by the Senate) to the bill for compensating the door keepers of Congress.
A committee was appointed to prepare a new Representation bill, with a blank for the ratio, and without any provision for a second enumeration.—The committee accordingly reported a bill, which was twice read, and referred to a committee of the whole on Monday next.
The House went into committee of the whole on ways and means; rose and reported sundry resolutions, which being amended and adopted, a select committee was appointed, to prepare a bill in conformity thereto.
Pursuant to those resolutions, the existing duties, on the articles here enumerated, are to be repealed, and in lieu of them, the following duties are to be imposed; viz.
   On Wines. Cents.     Madeira of the quality of London particular per gallon 56   Ditto London market 49   Other Madeira wine 40   Sherry 30   St. Lucar 25   Lisbon 25   Oporto 25   Teneriffe and Fayal 20   All other wines 40 per cent ad valorem, provided that the same shall not exceed 33 cents per gallon.  
   On Spirits. Cents.     Those distilled wholly or chiefly from grain, Of the first class of proof per gallon 28   Of the second ditto 29   Of the third ditto 31   Of the fourth ditto 34   Of the fifth ditto 40   Of the sixth ditto 50  
   Other distilled Spirits. Cents.     Of the second class of proof and under per gallon 25   Of the third ditto 28   Of the fourth ditto 32   Of the fifth ditto 38   Of the sixth ditto 46  
   Beer, ale and porter per gallon 8   Steel per cwt. 100   Nails per lb. 2   Cocoa per ditto 2   Chocolate per ditto 3   Playing cards per pack 25   Shoes and slippers of silk per pair 20   Shoes and slippers of stained or coloured leather (other than black) for men and women per pair 10   Ditto ditto for children per pair 7   All other shoes and slippers (for men and women) clogs and goloshes. per pair 10   All other shoes and slippers for children per pair 7  
Glauber's salts and sal ammoniac, for every 122lb,
Articles ad valorem.
China ware
Window and other glass, and all manufactures of glass, black quart bottles excepted
Muskets
Pistols
Swords, cutlasses, hangers, and other fire and side arms
Starch
Hair powder
Wafers
Glue
Worsted laces and fringes
Paper hangings
Cast, flit, and rolled iron, and generally all manufactures of iron, steel, tin, pewter, copper, brass, or of which either of these metals is the article of chief value [not being otherwise particularly enumerated] other than brass and iron wire
Cabinet wares
Leather tanned and tawed, and all manufactures of leather, or of which leather is the article of chief value, not being otherwise particularly enumerated
Medicinal drugs, except those commonly used in dying
Hats, caps and bonnets of every sort
Gloves and mittens
Stockings
Millinary ready made
Artificial flowers, feathers and other ornaments for women's head dresses
Fans
Dolls, dressed and undressed
Toys
Buttons of every kind
Carpets and carpeting, mats and floor cloths
Sail cloth
Sheathing and cartridge paper
All powders, pastes, balls, balsams, ointments, oils, waters, washes, tinctures, essences, liquors, or other preparation or composition, commonly called sweet-scents, odours, perfumes or cosmetics.
All dentifrice, powders, tinctures, preparations or compositions whatsoever for the teeth or gums.
Printed books, except those specially imported for a college, academy, or other public or incorporated seminary of learning or institution, which shall be wholly exempted from duty.
The foregoing duties are to be appropriated in the first place to the payment of the interest of the public debt; in the second, to such other grants and appropriations as have been heretofore made, or shall be made during the present session; and in the third, to the purposes of the act for making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States.
An addition of two and half per cent ad valorem is to be made to the duty on all goods heretofore rated at five per centum ad valorem; which additional duty is to be appropriated to the purposes of the act making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States, and to continue for two years, and no longer.
All wines imported after the day of next, are to be marked at the time of importation, and accompanied with certificates, in like manner as is provided by the Excise law.
In the future collection of the duty on salt, the bushel is to be estimated as weighing 56lb.
The allowance on the exportation of pickled fish and salted provisions, and the bounties to the vessels employed in the cod fishery are to be made conformable to the increased duty of salt,
The term, for the payment of the duties on certain articles, is to be extended: and
The President of the United States is to be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding 523,500 dollars, for the purpose of defraying the expenses, which may be incurred in pursuance of the act making provision for the protection of the frontiers;—the funds herein appropriated for that purpose, to be applied to the discharge of such loan, with a proviso that the rate of interest shall not exceed — per cent; and that the principal be payable at the pleasure of the United States.
A Bill (from the Senate) for altering the times of holding the circuit courts in certain districts of the United States, was taken up in committee of the whole, reported and, by general consent, ordered to lie on the table till Monday, to be open to certain amendments, which are yet to be proposed.
MONDAY, April 9.
A committee was appointed to bring in a bill authorizing the commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and the individual States, to adjust and settle, with the agents of the state of Maryland, a certain claim against the United States.
The representation bill was taken up in committee of the whole, and reported with the ratio
of thirty-three thousand, which was adopted by the House;—Yeas, 34; Nays, 30.
YEAS—Messrs. Ames, Barnwell, Benfon, Boudinot, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Clarke, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Gerry, Gilman, Goodhue, Gordon, Gregg, Hartley, Heister, Hillhouse, Huger, Jacobs, Kitchell, Kittera, Learned, Livermore, Niles, Sedgwick, J. Smith, I. Smith, W. Smith, Sturges, Sylvester, Thatcher, Vining, Wadsworth, Ward—34
NAYS—Messrs. Ashe, Baldwin, Brown, Findley, Giles, Griffin, Grove, Key, Laurence, Lee, Macon, Madison, Mercer, Moore, Muhlenberg, Murray, Page, Parker, Schoonmaker, Sney, Sheredine, Steele, Sterret, Sumpter, Tredwell, Tucker, Venable, White, Williamson, Willis—30
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
[At the ratio of thirty-three thousand, the representation will be thus apportioned;—New-Hampshire, 4 members; Massachusetts, 14; Vermont, 2; R. Island, 2; Connecticut, 7; N. York, 10; N. Jersey, 5; Pennsylvania, 13; Delaware, 1; Maryland, 8; Virginia, 19; Kentucky, 2; N. Carolina, 10; S. Carolina, 6; Georgia, 2:—total, one hundred and five]
A bill, from the Senate, for altering the times of holding the circuit courts in certain districts of the United States, was further amended, read a third time with the amendments, passed, and returned to the Senate.
A Bill to extend the time heretofore granted for the payment of duties on certain teas imported after the 3d of March, 1791, was taken up in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
A bill, from the Senate, concerning consuls and vice-consuls, was discussed in a committee of the whole, and reported with sundry amendments, which were all agreed to by the House.
Mr. Gerry and Mr. Madison, during the course of the day, endeavoured to bring forward the short bill for the reduction of the postage on newspapers—but were opposed and prevented.
A message was received from the Senate, notifying their concurrence in the amendment proposed by the House, to the bill supplementary to the act for the establishment and support of light-houses, beacons, buoys and public piers.
For the NATIONAL GAZETTE. On the originating REVENUE BILLS by the Secretary.
IT is the policy of the Supreme Magistrate of most governments to shield himself from the effects of popular discontent and odium, by rendering the great Ministers of State responsible for the administration of public affairs, so that, whether the disasters or evils complained of originated in misconduct or misfortune, the ministers are made to bear all the blame.
Thus, in most countries, whenever occasion requires, is the character and interests of the minister sacrificed in order to screen the supreme executive, whose creature he is; but it has been reserved for the United States to extend this policy to the Legislature of the union, to the total subversion of that responsibility in the representatives of the people, which is the great, the efficient security for the due exercise of the all-important trust committed to their charge; and is, in short, the vital principle of a republican form of government.
Having formerly remarked upon this conduct as it respected the military operations, I shall now proceed to offer some observations on the fiscal arrangements.
That the funding system has appreciated the price of certificates and advanced our credit, is acknowledged by all, but that the public mind is soured against that system and that its operation has had very disagreeable effects on society, and occasioned distress to individuals, cannot be denied;—it has certainly brought about a revolution of habits and interests, and made a change in the relative situation and pursuits of society; a new state of things appears, and a mixture of consternation and chagrin prevails.
Those who have benefited by this system, by being better informed, or more fortunate than their neighbors, applaud the Secretary of the Treasury, as if he had created their prosperity; and those who have been overreached, or who regret the prevailing abuses, load the minister with the blame of all they think pernicious.
I will first enquire how far the Secretary, from the nature of his office, ought to be the object of praise or blame.—The superintendence of all the subordinate officers of the revenue, the prompt application of the revenue to the uses for which it was appropriated, and to give information on these subjects to the President, or to either House of the Legislature, when directed so to do, are doubtless the duties of the first officer of the revenue department.
If he attends to these duties with diligence and ability, he will merit recommendation—and if he neglects his duty, or deceives government with false information, he is censurable. That duties of a higher order and more influential nature have been required from the Secretary of the Treasury respecting our fiscal arrangements, is well understood—and much complained of.
The power of originating revenue systems can only be safely vested with, and

exercised by that branch of the government, which partakes most largely of the interest of the people, and which by residence and numbers are best acquainted with the circumstances of all the parts.
To this principle the constitution of the general government, as well as those of the particular states, pays the most scrupulous attention; even those states whose least numerous branch of the legislature possess the same qualifications, and are chosen by the same electors as the most numerous branch, are not permitted to prepare money bills, because from the smallness of their numbers they have not sufficient knowledge of the varied local interests, or feelings of the people; nor are not by such frequent elections made responsible to them. The House of Lords in Britain can neither originate nor amend a money bill; the Senate of Congress, and of this state, can alter and amend, but not originate.
That propounding resolutions or originating bills, is an exercise of legislative authority, and carries along with it an important influence, is the opinion of all writers on the subject; I will only mention De Lolme.
"Indeed I confess it seems very natural in the modeling of a state to intrust this important office of framing laws to those persons who may be supposed to have before acquired experience and wisdom in the management of public affairs, but events have unfortunately demonstrated, that public employments and power improve the understanding of men in a less degree than they pervert their views; and it has been found in the issue, that the effect of a regulation which, at first sight, seems to perfect consonance with prudence, is to confine the people to a meer passive and defensive share in legislation, and deliver them up to the continual enterprises of those who, at the same time, that they are under the greatest temptations to deceive them, possess the most powerful means of effecting it."
The present funding system in all its branches, and the revenue laws by which it is supported, was prepared by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consequence of references made to him by the House of Representatives—This was an exercise of power peculiar to that House, which could not be delegated, not even to any other branch of the government.
The power of legislating resides only in those chosen specially for that purpose, and can only be exercised according to the modes and restrictions prescribed in the constitution. To usurp legislative authority, partakes of the nature of treason; and if those who are legally vested with that authority transfer it to others, it is at least a breach of trust. If it can be transferred in one degree, why not to all its extent?
If the constitution and the nature of government will not permit the senate chosen by the people in their state assemblies, or the President chosen by the people through their electors, both of them responsible, and in a degree permanent, to exercise this power, how improper is it to transfer that important and most influential trust of originating revenue systems to an executive officer, appointed during the pleasure of the President for the time, and dependent upon his conditional negative for the continuance of his salary.
This practice, introduced by the last Congress, and continued in the present, is to make a special reference to the minister, requesting him to prepare a system and report against their next session, or sooner, as the case may be—The House does not even fix the outlines of the plan, they do not prescribe from what sources a revenue shall be drawn, nor sometimes the extent to which it shall be applied. While it lays with the Secretary, the members, probably, pay no more attention to it than if they were not concerned; indeed they neither have the means of knowing the subject, nor investigating the principles with which it is involved, therefore they are no more prepared to discuss the business when it is reported, than when it was referred. However, this defect is also supplied; for the Secretary is obliging enough to furnish them with well digested and studiously ingenious arguments in support of the system he has prepared. There is much goodness and propriety in this; goodness, because it does not appear to be among the duties required in his appointment, or called for when the reference is made to him; and propriety, because the business not being digested by them, nor prepared publicly, but in the Secretary's closet, the members cannot be possessed of arguments of their own on the subject. Certainly, if the House of Representatives originated their own business in a committee of the whole, the knowledge of the business would arise out of the investigation, and principles and arguments would suggest themselves from the nature of the case; or if it was first examined in a numerous and impartially chosen special committee, one resolution would combat another, and if the committee did not agree, the minority of the committee would be as well prepared to explain the business on the floor as the majority; in this way they would have the advantage of two sets of arguments on the floor; it is true, some of the arguments
might be laboured and seemingly inconsistent, and the facts a little discoloured, and will any one say that the Secretary's arguments have not been sometimes tintured with these defects, or if they have not, that another Secretary's may not? I observe the Secretary's arguments are quoted as authorities—Perhaps in some time they may be bound in volumes and considered as standard authorities in revenue cases. We have common law and chancery reporters, why not have fiscal reporters also?
The Secretary ought to give information respecting the transactions in the department which he superintends: if there is any defect in the laws respecting it, the President has a right to recommend it to the attention of Congress, either by a report of the Secretary, who is an executive officer, or otherwise—but the President himself has no right to fix principles, to say what property or occupation shall be taxed, what go free, and what receive encouragement, nor what part of the public debt shall be funded, and what part of the public debt shall be subject to six per cent. what three, and what deferred. If it be said that the House of Representatives may alter, amend, or reject the systems which he originates, it is granted, and so may the Senate alter, amend, or reject a bill originated by the other House—The peculiar prerogative of the numerous branch is to give the first form to revenue bills, and this gives it an influence of no small importance; but the House of Representatives cannot support their system before the Senate by transmitting along with it volumes of arguments, nor can they shut their doors and prepare it in secret: In short, by this new method of legislating, the power of a negative, which each branch has over the other, is not yet transferred to the Secretary, but in every other respect he exercises the most influential part of fiscal legislation.
However, in defence of this ministerial influence, it is not only privately suggested, but openly argued on the floor; that the members are not capable of originating revenue systems; that their constituents never designed them for that purpose, nor considered them as financiers: that although they are capable to judge of them when they are prepared or to alter, amend, or reject them, yet not to plan them: That a man may judge of a good picture or piece of mechanism, who is not a painter or mechanic. The sophistry of this illustration is too apparent to escape detection. A man cannot take the pencil and alter or amend a picture, nor reject it and make one in its place, who is not a painter: Nor can a man alter the principle, or supply and change the parts of a machine who is not a mechanic; indeed if the argument proves any thing, it proves too much, for it goes to prove that the members can neither originate, alter, nor change the system, and leaves them barely the power of approving or rejecting. If this is true, we are not qualified for a republican form of government; if so, it is much better to change for one more simple, while we have the power of forming it, than to slide unawares into a practical despotism, while we are keeping up republican appearances. SIDNEY.
PHILADELPHIA.
APRIL 12, 1792.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Dublin, dated January 17.
"The whole amount of the inhabitants of Ireland is about four millions of persons. It is generally stated that about three fourths of the whole are Roman Catholics, altho' many assert they are eight, nine, and ten, to one protestant; three to one, however, is the prevailing opinion. This class of people from the revolution in this country, have enjoyed no participation in the government, nor could they hold long leases of land until within a few years past; the penal laws still exclude them from citizenship.—within a few months, the Catholics, as if by an electrical impulse, have met in large bodies, and passed resolutions to remain no longer in this excluded state—the public papers teem with names to these resolutions, with a great proportion of respectable, rich catholics at their head. They propose commencing their operations by an application to the Irish parliament (which opens on the 19th inst.) for an immediate repeal of a number of the penal laws, which if not complied with, will according to present appearances, be productive of such a general ferment as Ireland has not experienced for a century past. The persons composing the government here have not been prepared for this event Mr. Hobart, the acting Secretary of State, has been over to Mr. Pitt, and returned; what is determined on is yet to appear. In the mean time the Machiavellian principle of Divide and conquer, has been assiduously adopted, and it has produced counter resolutions and addresses from the catholic Lords Kinnmare, Fingal and Gormanstown, with the titular archbishop of Dublin and a large number influenced by them—The associations in opposition to those nobles have been equally industrious, and are by far the most numerous; they have resolved
the expulsion of Lord Kinnmare from the general committee (or parliament, as it is frequently called) as inimical to the catholics of Ireland: This nobleman has hitherto been considered as the Chief of the catholics in the south of the kingdom.—No violence has yet taken place, except the hanging Lord Kinnmare in effigy by a part of the populace of Dublin."
Extract of another letter from the same gentleman, dated Dublin Feb. 15
"The representative body of the Catholics, who meet in Dublin, thought it expedient to reduce the object of their wishes to four articles, which are, 1st. admission to the profession of the law. 2d. Capacity to serve as county magistrates. 3d. A right to be summoned and serve on grand juries; and, 4th, The right of voting in counties only, for protestant members of parliament, in such a manner, however, as that a Roman catholic should not vote unless he either rented and cultivated a farm of twenty pounds per annum, in addition to his forty shillings freehold. These demands, they thought, were so moderate that parliament considering the present temper and disposition of their body, they would not be refused. It appears they have been mistaken.—The Parliament met on the 19th and on the 25th a bill was brought in by government for a farther relief of the Roman Catholics: it is to have a second reading on the 14th instant—the heads are—1st. The practice of the law. 2nd. Restoring the power of education. 3d. Allowing the intermarriages of Catholics with Protestants, and, 4th. Removing those restrictions by which Catholics were prevented taking beyond a certain number of apprentices. The firmness of government in refusing the three principal objects of their claim, and substituting others of small consequence in their place, has produced a great number of addresses, thanking parliament for supporting, and praying it to continue to support the protestant ascendancy—it is now thought that if the bill should even reach the upper house, the part which relates to the practice of the law will be lost there, and which is the only one of the four articles of any great consequence to the Catholics; in the mean time, the rancour against papists and popery is assiduously revived—the Catholics appear to be much more quiet than was expected—Parliament has raised the pay of soldiers on this establishment; and also made a provision for protestant dissenting ministers; both of which are politic measures at the present moment."
A Stamp-Act was deservedly odious, when it was the act of a foreign government: but if introduced by a Congress of our own creating, it must be perfectly agreeable; especially as the Committee, who yesterday reported a bill containing something of the kind, have shown their tender regard for the delicate ears of their fellow citizens, by using 'a proper device,' to avoid the obnoxious word 'stamp.' Besides, we cannot reasonably complain, since they do not propose to apply their proper device to the newspapers as yet, but have confined it to playing cards, until perhaps—next session.
Our poor starving Invalids have at length some provision made for them by Congress: and as the distresses of many of them are urgent in the extreme, it is to be hoped, that not a moment's delay will be made by the public officers, who are directed to settle their accounts: for although men, who are accustomed to plentiful tables, do not perhaps know it, it is nevertheless a melancholy truth, that a few days fasting would kill not only a feeble, war-worn veteran, but even a hearty well-fed member of Congress, or head of a department. If, through unavoidable delay, any of those unfortunate men should starve before their pittance is paid them, it is to be hoped their widows and orphans will, on the very first application, receive it, that they may at least have something to purchase coffins for the deceased!
"American statesmen going to Europe (says a New-York paper) is attended with no small danger—not of the voyage, for a good ship will carry an Ambassador with as much safety as a ploughman—the danger lies in their becoming intoxicated after they arrive with the Circean draught of royalty, and falling off from honest republican principles. In the courts of princes, where every object bows before the crown, it is extremely natural that they should first admire, and then sigh for the baubles which kings and nobles possess."
The frequent marriages of the clergy in France particularly the Paris priests, have opened a new ground of dispute among the Ecclesiastics, The one party appeals to the Fathers, the councils, and the canons of the church; the other, to common sense, and the earlier ages of christianity; and as nothing clenches a theological argument like an apt reference to scripture, the latter affirm that Jesus cursed the fig-tree for no reason on earth but that it looked like an antiquated nun.
Several petitions have come in to Congress, from merchants in various places, against an increase of the duties of impost.
Late letters from England mention the dearness and scarcity of goods in that country, suitable for the American market.—The rise is said to be owing to a combination of the workmen to demand high wages, in consequence of the immense demand for British fabrics, from all quarters.
The statue of Dr. Franklin was last Saturday fixed in its niche over the front door of the New Library, in Fifth-street.
The ship America, Capt. Miller, and the
ship Washington, Capt. Hodgkinson, are both arrived at New-York from Canton, in China, after passages of between three and four months.
Extract of a letter, dated Demerara, Feb. 26.
"On the 5th of January, being in lat. 32, 5. longitude, by account, 51. 12 west from merid. of London, we experienced a severe gale at E. S. E. and S. E. which blew about fourteen hours, in which time (not daring to shew even our foul-weather try-sail) we had our decks swept of boat, 2 water hogsheads, hen coops, and several other articles. We were so fortunate, however, as to save our iron caboose, to which we owed, ultimately, the preservation of our lives. During the gale we shifted the greater part of our cargo, and when it cleared away, had the mortification to find, upon examining the hold, that most of our casks of water were staved, and not enough left to serve all hands more than five or six days at short allowance, which was not a sufficient supply to reach the nearest of the West-India Islands; and the wind afterwards settling at S. W. and W. S. W. prevented a possibility of gaining Bermuda.—In this forlorn condition we steered S. S. E. in hopes of falling in with some European vessel bound to the Islands or continent; but none of these appearing, the inventive faculties of the crew were set to work, and from an account the mate had seen in a newspaper, we soon metamorphosed the caboose into an excellent still, according to the directions given, making the worm of sheet lead and tin canisters.—The only requisite now wanting was wood, and for this the hold was searched with an eye of the strictest scrutiny. Inch pine boards, and staves had been laid for dunnage, which with the staved casks, supplied us with plenty of fuel for the purpose of distillation from the brine of the ocean. Three gallons of this produced about two of fresh, agreeable enough, and if at all disagreeable, only that it tasted a little soapy, which by degrees we lost the perception of.—We reached our destined port the second instant, without meeting any other misfortune, and not hardly seeing a vessel the whole way.—In my opinion it is the indispensable duty of every legislature, more especially of a commercial country, to compel owners and masters of shipping to accommodate their vessels with stills properly contrived for distilling sea water, to prevent those fatal distresses which are constantly happening at sea, either for want of a sufficient quantity of water having been laid in previous to leaving port, or from those casualties which are inseparable from the sea-faring business. When we shall leave here I cannot say; most articles of northern produce selling very dull."
Extract of a letter from West-Jersey, April 6.
"I received duly, the book you forwarded to me, entitled, The Travels of Captain Farrago. It puzzled me not a little on reading the work through, how, in conscience, the author could, in his preface, recommend it as a proper book for school-children, or for young clergymen, especially in such parts as the first chapter of the third book—what information could children receive from the vulgar Irish-cisms in the latter end of the second chapter of the same book?—Is it requisite to initiate young minds in the profane art of swearing, as exemplified in page 129 and several other parts of Mr. B—'s performance?—One would think, from many specimens that might be adduced out of this Farrago, that the author should have placed in his title page the following motto:
"I leave you here a little look For you to look upon, That you may learn to curse and swear, When I am dead and gone."
Neither do I approve of the freedoms Mr. B. takes with the clergy, in chapter 4 of book 3, where he evidently maketh jest of holy things, and such as ought to be held in repute by sober minded persons."
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
   D. H. Bar. Ther. Wind. Weath.     Monday, 2. 7 30. 3 44 S. W. Fair.   2 30. 25 69 do. do.   Tuesday, 3. 7 30. 3 45 S.S.W. Fair.   2 30. 3 73 do. do.   Wednesday, 4. 7 30. 4 50 N.E. Fair.   2 30. 4 69 S.S.E. Cloudy.   Thursday, 5. 7 30. 25 60 S. Cloudy.   2 30. 3 73 do. do.   Friday, 6. 7 30. 2 55 Calm. Foggy.   2 30. 1 71 s. Rain.   Saturday, 7. 7 30. 19 54 N.W. Cloudy.   2 30. 2 62 do. Fair.   Sunday, 8. 7 30. 4 45 E.N.E. Fair.   2 30. 42 60 do. Hazy.  
   PRICE OF STOCKS.     Six per cents, per £. - 20f.   Three ditto - 12f.   Deferred six ditto, - 12f.6.   Final settlements, &c. - 17f.   Indents - 12f.   Half shares Bank Stock 50 per cent advance,  

GENERAL ABSTRACT of Duties arising on the Tonnage of Vessels entered into the United States from the 1st of October 1790, to 30th September 1791.
Table with columns for destination (e.g., UNITED STATES VESSELS, UNITED STATES COASTERS, UNITED STATES FISHERIES, FRANCE, GREAT-BRITAIN, SPAIN, PORTUGAL, NETHERLANDS) and rows for states (e.g., NEW-HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE-ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW-YORK, NEW-JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, NORTH-CAROLINA, SOUTH-CAROLINA, GEORGIA). Columns include Tons. 95ths. and Dols. Cts.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, March 9th, 1792. JOSEPH NOURSE, Register.
Table titled 'Prices Current at Philadelphia' with columns for item (e.g., SHES, Bacon, Bees wax, Brandy, Butter, Coals, Coffee, Cotton, Flour, Rye, Ship stuff, Gin, Ginseng, Grain, Hams, Hemp, Hides, Indigo, Iron, Lard, Lead, Myrtle wax, Molasses, Pitch, Pork, Rice, Rosin, Rum, Snake-Root, Sugar, Tar, Tea, Tobacco) and price (e.g., 137, 7 cents, 6 do., 25 cents to 27, 1 dol. 50 c. to 1 d. 65 c.).
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD. RAN away in August 1790 from the subscriber, living in Queen Ann's county, eastern shore of Maryland, a country born Negro woman, called GRACE. She is about middle aged, very low of stature, round face, remarkable small feet, for a negro, and has lost several of her fore-teeth. The lapse of time since she has absconded renders it unnecessary to describe her clothing. She is artful and talkative, and I make no doubt has passed for a free woman, and got into Pennsylvania or Delaware states. The above reward shall be paid to any person securing said negro, and giving information thereof to her master, and reasonable charges if brought home. EDWARD HARRIS. Feb. 23. 8w law.
Sales at Auction, By M C FARRAN & DUNLAP, At the Merchants' Coffee-house, in New-York, on Wednesday the 25th of April next, at 12 o'clock, THAT valuable and well known Grift Mill and Farm, late the property of Abraham De Peyster, deceased; near Fish-kill landing, in Dutchess county, seventy miles from this city, upon the Hudson or North river. The mill-house is 32 by 80 feet, has one pair French burr, and one pair Elopas stones, new and of an approved quality; a reeling screen, fanning mill, and a complete set of flour belts, turning by water, all of which are new and in perfect order; as also every other part of the work, having lately undergone a thorough repair. The stream, a never failing one, capable of turning in addition to the present, a fullery and saw mill, for which the situation affords proper conveniences, and very advantageous, the waters of the Hudson flowing up to the mill-tail, at which a vessel drawing 6 feet water, may load and unload, and in the best wheat country in the state. The dwelling is large, commodious, and well finished, built of brick and stone, 39 by 50 feet, pleasantly situated within sixty yards of the mill, with a handsome garden in front, and an excellent spring of water, and a new well built
Dutch barn; also a small house at a convenient distance from the mill, calculated to accommodate a tradesman. The farm consists of 274 acres, including the mill stream, about 140 acres of which is an excellent grove of growing timber, lying in a body not more than half a mile from the mill, and a good spot of mowing ground, all properly fenced; a small, but good orchard, producing abundance of the best apples, with a number of other fruit trees, dispersed near the house. This is truly a valuable and advantageously situated property, which renders it an object worthy the attention of a man of business, when it may be extended to any length. One half of the purchase money will be required on delivery of the deeds, (when possession will be given) the other half in one year, with interest, secured by a mortgage on the premises. An indisputable title will be given—for further particulars enquire of Messieurs M c Farran and Dunlap, Peter A. Schenck, New-York; or of Isaac De Peyster, seller, on the premises. New-York, March 31- 2.2.w. ** A few Copies of the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the Act for laying Duties on Spirits, &c. for sale at this Office.
HOWELL'S LARGE MAP of PENNSYLVANIA. THIS work is engraved in the most elegant style, and will be ready for delivery in the Spring. It is 63 inches long and 36 inches wide, and for the most part very full of work (except some small places of which materials were not to be had) and was nobly compiled from actual surveys, acquired at great expense of money, and more than four years labour, and from its manifest public utility, the Legislature has been pleased to grant the proprietor the sum of three hundred pounds. This map exhibits the County and Township Divisions, and those of the Surveyors Districts in the New-Purchase, Donation and Depreciation Lands; the waters, portages, and the Canal mountains and valleys, roads, towns, &c. He thanks the Public for their very liberal subscription, and informs them that it will not be closed, before the middle of April next. He sells his SMALL MAPS, on canvass, folded and cas'd for pocket carriage, at 10s. 6d. and plain at 8s. 6d. READING HOWELL. North fifth street, No. 38—March 1.
PRINTED BY CHILDS AND SWAIN, AT THEIR OFFICE, NO. 239, HIGH-STREET NEAR SIXTH-STREET, PHILADELPHIA.