The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 1801-02-23 00:00:00

The National Intelligencer,
AND WASHINGTON ADVERTISER.
Vol. I. WASHINGTON CITY, PRINTED BY SAMUEL HARRISON SMITH, NEW-JERSEY AVENUE, NEAR THE CAPITOL. No. XLIX.
FIVE DOLLS. PER ANN.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 d , 1801.
PAID IN ADVANCE.
REPORT ON THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.
Commissioners Office, 23 d Jan. 1801.
Sir,
We do ourselves the honor to present to you a state of the business under our care, and of the public property belonging to the federal seat, with an estimate of its value, founded not on mere supposition, but on the former sales.
This report would have been made at an earlier day, had it not been delayed by the unfortunate death of Mr. Scott.
We have the honor to be, with sentiments of the highest respect,
Sir,
Your most obedient servants, WILLIAM THORNTON, ALEX. WHITE, W. CRANCH.
President of the United States.
[Representation of the Commissioners of the city of Washington, to the President of the United States.]
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The commissioners appointed by virtue of the act of Congress, entitled, "An act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the government of the United States,"
Respectfully represent,
THAT the business committed to their charge having so far proceeded as to enable the government to remove to its permanent seat, they have judged it expedient to lay before the President such a statement as will enable him to determine on the measures proper to be pursued in future.
By the act of Congress above mentioned, the commissioners appointed in the manner thereby prescribed, or any two of them, were authorised to purchase or accept such quantity of land on the eastern side of the river Potomac within the district, in the said act mentioned, as the President should deem proper for the use of the United States; and according to such plans as the President should approve, prior to the 1 st Monday in December, 1800, provide suitable buildings for the accommodation of Congress, and of the President, and of the public offices of the government of the United States. That the President in compliance with the act above mentioned, and of an act to amend the same, passed at Philadelphia, on the 3 d of March, 1791, did, by his proclamation dated 30 th of the same month, locate a district within the limits prescribed by the above mentioned acts, and which has now become the permanent seat of the government of the United States. That the President agreeably to the above recited acts, appointed, and by supplying vacancies which have happened by resignation and death, has kept in appointment three commissioners, for the purposes in the said acts declared. That the proprietors of the lands on which the city of Washington is laid out, by their several deeds dated in or about the month of June, 1791, conveyed the said lands to Thomas Beall, of George, and John M. Gantt, and the survivor of them, and the heirs of such survivor, in trust to be laid out in a Federal city, with such streets, squares, parcels and lots as the President of the United States for the time being should approve, and that the said Thomas Beall, of George, and John M. Gantt or the survivor of them, or the heirs of such survivor, should convey to the commissioners for the time being and their successors, for the use of the United States, for ever, all the streets, and such of the said squares, parcels and lots, as the President should deem proper for the use of the United States, for ever; and that as to the residue of the lots into which the said lands should be laid out, that a fair and equal division should be made of them in the manner in the said deeds of trust specified, and that the part assigned to the public should be sold at such times and in such manner, and on such terms and conditions as the President of the United States for the time being should direct; and that the said trustees or the survivors of them, or the
heirs of such survivors, should on the order of the President, convey all the said lots, so sold and ordered to be conveyed, to the respective purchasers in fee simple, according to the terms and conditions of such purchases, and the produce of the sales of the said lots when sold as aforesaid, should in the first place be applied to the payment in money to the original proprietors for all the parts of their lands which should be laid off in lots, squares or parcels, and appropriated to the use of the United States at the rate of £. 25 per acre, not accounting streets any part thereof; and the surplus whether in money or securities of any kind should be paid, assigned, transferred, and delivered over to the President for the time being, as a grant of money to be applied to the purposes mentioned in the aforesaid act. In which deeds of trust, it is further provided, that the said trustees should at any time at the request of the President of the United States, convey all, or any of the said lands, which shall not then have been conveyed in execution of the trusts aforesaid, to such person or persons as he shall appoint in fee simple, subject to the trusts then remaining to be executed, and to the end that the same may be perfected, (A.) A very valuable property being thus placed at the disposal of the President, he pursued those measures which appeared most conducive to the great objects committed to his charge. He directed public sales of the property, and authorised by a writing under his own hand, dated 29 th September, 1792, the commissioners, or any two of them to sell, or agree for the sale of any lot or lots in the said city, at private sale, for such price, and on such terms as they should think proper. (B.) But no sales took place deserving attention until the 23 d of December, 1793, when a contract was made with Robert Morris and James Greenleaf, for the sale of six thousand lots, averaging five thousand two hundred and sixty-five square feet each, at the rate of 80 dollars per lot, payable in seven equal annual instalments, without interest, commencing the first of May, 1794, and with condition of building twenty brick houses annually, two stories high and covering twelve hundred square feet each; and with further condition that they should not sell any lots previous to the first of January, 1796, but on condition of erecting on every third lot, one such house within four years from the time of sale. (C.) This contract was afterwards modified by an agreement of the 24 th of April, 1794, by which the payment of 80,000 dollars, and the erecting the first mentioned houses, should rest on the joint bond of the said Morris and Greenleaf, and of John Nicholson; and that one thousand lots should be conveyed to the said Morris and Greenleaf. (D.) which was accordingly done. It is proper to observe, that on the day on which the first mentioned contract was executed, the assembly of Maryland passed a law enacting, "That on all sales of lots in the said city, by the said commissioners, or any two of them, under terms or conditions of payment being made therefor at any day or days after such contract entered into, if any sum of the purchase money or interest shall not be paid for the space of thirty days after the same ought to be paid, the said commissioners, or any two of them, may sell the same lots at public vendue, in the city of Washington, at any time after sixty days notice of such sale, in some of the public newspapers of Georgetown and Baltimore, and retain in their hands sufficient of the money produced by such new sale, to satisfy all principal and interest due on the first contract, together with the expenses of advertisement and sale; and the original purchaser or his assigns shall be entitled to receive from the said commissioners, at their treasury, on demand, the balance of the money which may have been actually received by them, or under their order, shall be fixed and acquitted of all claim, legal and equitable, of the first purchaser, his heirs and assigns."
Notwithstanding the favourable prospect which this transaction for a time afforded, the scene soon changed. The purchaser not only failed to pay the instalment which became due in May, 1795, but early in that year discontinued the buildings which
they had commenced under their contract, and in which very little progress has since been made. The President, however, did not think it prudent to offer for sale to large a portion of the public property as would be necessary to raise the sums requisite for carrying on the public buildings; believing on grounds sufficiently solid to authorize the declaration of his opinion in a message to Congress, accompanying the memorial of the commissioners hereafter mentioned, that this property would be amply sufficient for the purpose, could it be relieved till after the removal of government, or till it could be sold in small parcels, to such as would purchase for their own use.—It was therefore determined to solicit the patronage of Congress, which was done in the year 1796, by a memorial from the commissioners, stating the affairs of the federal seat, in as clear a light as circumstances would then admit, and suggesting the propriety of authorizing a loan bottomed on the city property, and guaranteed by Congress, if that property should prove deficient. Congress approved of the measure, and authorised a loan under their guarantee to the amount of 300,000 dollars.—It is needless to detail the fruitless attempts which were made to fill this loan with actual specie: The only loan which could be obtained was 200,000 dollars in United States six per cent. stock at par, from the state of Maryland, and for which the commissioners were obliged, in addition to the guarantee of Congress, to give bonds in their individual capacities, agreeably to the resolutions of the assembly of that state, passed in the years 1796 and 1797. (E.) The monies arising from the sales of this stock, with the interest accrued thereon previous to the respective sales, amount to dollars 169,873 41 cents, and the interest paid thereon up to the 30 th of September last, inclusive, amounts to dollars 89,000, so that the net sum of dollars 130,873 41 cents remained applicable to the use of the public.
The extent of these loans being thus ascertained, and the purchasers of lots failing to pay the amount of their purchases, it became obvious that the views of government could not be accomplished without further aid.
The commissioners therefore, prepared a second memorial to Congress, stating the situation of the federal seat, and the resources which remained in their hands; which memorial was transmitted by the President, to Congress, on the 23 d February 1798, and in consequence, an act passed, authorizing the Treasurer of the United States to advance the sum of 100,000 dollars, at the times in the said act mentioned, which was declared to be in full of the sums previously guaranteed. From the difficulty of collecting outstanding debts, as well from purchasers at public sales held by the commissioners for default of payment by the first purchasers, as from the first purchasers themselves, it became evident that the several objects considered as necessary previous to the removal of government, could not be accomplished with the means at the disposal of the commissioners; application was therefore made to the assembly of Maryland, for a loan, and a resolution of that legislature was obtained on the 23 d December 1799, directing the Trustee of the state, to transfer to the commissioners of the federal city of Washington, the sum of 50,000 dollars of the stock of the United States, bearing a present interest of six per cent per annum; on their giving such real and personal security, as the governor and council should approve, for the payment of the principal sum, on or before the 1 st day of November, 1803, and the punctual payment of the interest quarterly.—Whereupon, Gustavus Scott and William Thornton, two of the commissioners, together with Uriah Forrest and James M. Lingan, entered into bond to the state of Maryland, for payment of the principal sum of 50,000 dollars and interest thereon:—and the said Uriah Forrest executed a mortgage on four hundred and twenty acres of land, for the same purpose, agreeably to the same resolution; the above-mentioned commissioners having agreed, by letter dated 28 th of February,
1800, and directed to the said Uriah Forrest and James M. Lingan, in answer to their letter of the same date, that all the property in the City of Washington, before that time sold or contracted for, and where the payment had not been made (except the property pledged by the act of congress to secure the loan of 300,000 dollars) should be held as security for the payment of the said sum of 50,000 dollars. (F.)
The trustee of the state transferred the stock accordingly, which has been sold at different times, including the interest received thereon, for the sum of dollars 42,738 36 cents, and interest has been paid thereon up to the 30 th September last, inclusive, to the amount of dollars 2,250, leaving the net sum of dollars 40,488 96 cents to be applied to public use. The land which has been accepted, or purchased by the commissioners, for the use of the United States and which yet remains unsold (exclusive of lots forfeited for non-payment of the purchase money, and which for that cause are liable to be resold) consists of 24,655 735 square feet of ground in the city of Washington, equal to 4,682 lots of 5,265 square feet each, exclusive of lots which bind on navigable water; these from fronts to the extent of 2,043 feet, and are generally sold by the foot front. It is impossible to ascertain with precision, the value of this property; some idea may be formed of it by taking the average price at which similar property has heretofore been sold; in this case a reference must be had to the different situations; 3,178 1-2 of the city lots lie north-east of Massachusetts Avenue, in which situation only 5 standard lots (except 1500, part of Morris and Greenleaf's selection of 6000 lots) have been sold by the commissioners; but many lots (of private property) on the same side of that avenue have been sold. We have been able to ascertain the price of 855 of these, which united with the price of the 5 lots sold by the commissioners, make an average of upwards of 105 dollars per standard lot; which rate would produce by the sale of the whole number on that side of the avenue, the sum of 333,747 dollars. The remaining 1,504 lots are situated to the south-west of Massachusetts Avenue; the average price of lots sold in that division of the city, since passing the guarantee law in May 1796, is 348 dollars, at which rate the above-mentioned 1,504 lots would produce dollars 515,872. The average price of lots binding on navigable water, sold during the same period, is dollars 12 71 cents per foot front. The property of this description remaining to be sold at the same rate would produce dollars 25,979 24 cents. It is to be observed that most of these lots were sold at periods remote from the time when profit could be expected to arise from them, and many of them at reduced prices in consequence of covenants to build thereon. Although it may be admitted that the lots heretofore sold are on an average, better than those which remain for sale, yet the change of circumstances under which future sales may be made, we hope will more than counterbalance the difference; in addition to this property, four wharves have been built at the expence of dollars 3221 88 cents, which yet remain in an useful state.
An island in Aquia creek, in the state of Virginia, was purchased in the 1791, for the sum of 6,000 dollars, on account of the free stone quarries therein, which has been conveyed to the before mentioned Thomas Beall, and John M. Gantt for the United States. Thus a real estate of the value of dollars 884,849 88 tenths according to the best estimate we are able to form, remains at the disposal of government. (G.)
The measures to be pursued with regard to this property, it is not for us to determine; but we think it necessary to state some other matters which require attention. The debts due and shortly to become due to the city fund, and which are considered as good, amount to dollars 144,125 80 cents, and the debts contracted on the credit of that fund, as nearly as can be ascertained, amount to dollars 360,831 5 cents. (G.)
Although it is believed that all the debts stated to be good may ultimately

recovered, they being due for property sold and not conveyed, or secured by notes with sufficient indorsers; yet the difficulty of enforcing payment is such, they cannot be relied on for the punctual payment of the interest on the several loans from the state of Maryland, of the sums, due to individuals and the expenses of the commissioners office.
We further observe, that only 3 squares remain undivided, owing to the original proprietors not having agreed on their respective proportions therein; and that the division of 33 squares has been agreed upon, but the papers respecting them not yet signed by the parties; and that the accounts with some of the original proprietors, for land appropriated to public use, have not been settled, owing to a difference of opinion between the commissioners and them, with respect to small portions of land for which they claim payment.
Thomas Beall and John M. Gantt, the trustees before named, have, at the request of the President of the United States, conveyed the building lots in the city of Washington, to Gustavus Scott, William Thornton, and Alexander White, subject to the trusts remaining to be executed—Gustavus Scott has since deceased. The said trustees have been required by the President to convey the streets and grounds appropriated to public use, to the commissioners, but have not complied.
Several acts of the Legislature of Maryland have vested certain powers in the commissioners, which it may be proper to notice; particularly, an act passed 19th December, 1791, intitled, "An act concerning the territory of Columbia and city of Washington," a copy whereof is enclosed, marked H; and an act passed in December, 1793, being a further supplement to the act above mentioned. By the first paragraph of which, it is enacted, "That the certificates granted, or which may be granted by the said commissioners, or any two of them, to purchasers of lots in the said city, with acknowledgement of the payment of the whole purchase money and interest, if any shall have arisen thereon, and recorded agreeably to the directions of the act concerning the territory of Columbia and city of Washington, shall be sufficient and effectual to vest the legal estate in the purchasers, their heirs and assigns, according to the import of such certificate, without any deed or formal conveyance."
The second paragraph of the last mentioned act, empowering the commissioners to resell lots for default in payment of the first purchase money, has been before recited.
The commissioners having stated all the facts and observations, which appear to them necessary for the information of government, respecting the business committed to their charge; with the greatest deference and respect submit the same to the consideration of the President of the United States
WILLIAM THORNTON, ALEX. WHITE, W. CRANCH.
Commissioners Office 28th Jan. 1801.
For Sale.
A small tract of land containing 130 acres more or less. It is on the road to Frederic about five miles from George Town, and is a high and healthy situation. Terms are one third to be paid on possession being given, the remainder in two yearly payments. Enquire of the printer, or at the Commissioners Office, City of Washington.
If not sold within a month it will be rented on easy terms. January, 28th, 1801.
Conrad & M c Munn
Have opened houses of entertainment in the range of buildings formerly occupied by Mr Law, about two hundred paces from the Capitol, in New Jersey avenue, leading from thence to the Eastern Branch. They are spacious and convenient, one of which is designed for stage passengers and travellers, the other for the accommodation of boarders. There is stabling sufficient for 60 horses—They hope to merit public patronage.
City of Washington, Nov. 24, 1800. tf
LOTS FOR SALE,
In the City of Washington. THE SUBSCRIBER offers for sale a number of valuable Lots beautifully situated between the Capitol and the Eastern Branch. Also a few Lots to be let on lease for ninety nine years in the vicinity of the Navy yard.
WILLIAM PROUT.
City of Washington December 12. 1800. tf N B A few Tons of good Mexican Hay, one Kip of Bricks, and some Cord Wood. W. P.
WASHINGTON CITY.
Monday, Feb. 23, 1801.
In House of Representatives of the United States.
Thursday, February 19, 1801.
Ordered that the Committee appointed on the Seventeenth instant, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him that Thomas Jefferson is elected President of the United States, for the term commencing on the fourth day of March next, be authorised to notify the President elect thereof.
The committee instructed on the 18th inst. to wait on the President elect, and notify him of his election,
REPORT—
That they have, according to order, performed that service, and addressed the President elect, in the following words to wit:
"The committee beg leave to express their wishes for the prosperity of your administration; and their sincere desire that it may promote your own happiness and the welfare of your country."
To which the President elect, was pleased to make the following reply:
"I receive, gentlemen, with profound thankfulness, this testimony of confidence from the great representative council of our nation. It fills up the measure of that grateful satisfaction, which had already been derived from the suffrages of my fellow-citizens themselves, designating me as one of those to whom they were willing to commit this charge, the most important of all others to them. In deciding between the candidates, whom their equal vote presented to your choice, I am sensible that age has been respected, rather than more active and useful qualifications. I know the difficulties of the station to which I am called, and feel and acknowledge my incompetence to them. But whatsoever of understanding, whatsoever of diligence, whatsoever of justice, or of affectionate concern for the happiness of man, it has pleased providence to place within the compass of my faculties, shall be called forth for the discharge of the duties confided to me, and for procuring to my fellow citizens all the benefits which our constitution has placed under the guardianship of the general government. Guided by the wisdom and patriotism of those to whom it belongs to express the legislative will of the nation, I will give to that will a faithful execution. I pray you to convey to the honorable body from which you are deputed the homage of my humble acknowledgements, and the sentiments of zeal and fidelity, by which I shall endeavor to merit these proofs of confidence from the nation and its representatives."
Accept yourselves, gentlemen, my particular thanks for the obliging terms in which you have been pleased to communicate their will.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
February 20, 1801. Messrs. Pinckney, Tazewell, and Bayard.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Friday, Feb. 20 1801.
The petitions of Mathias Shroyer and Margaret Culbertson were presented and referred to the Committee of claims.
A petition from sundry persons, residing on lands belonging to U. S. lying between Muskingum and Scioto rivers, praying to be allowed a pre-emption to the lands on which the petitioners are settled on more favourable terms than those heretofore granted by law.
Referred to Messrs. Dennis, M c Millan and Christie.
A motion being made and seconded, that the house do come to the following resolution, viz.
Resolved that the Speaker of this house, in directing the Serjeant at Arms to order and expel from the gallery of this House, Samuel Harrison Smith, a citizen of the United States, has assumed a power not given him by the rules of this house, and deprived the said Samuel Harrison Smith of a right, which can only be forfeited by disorderly behaviour.
Mr. Davis. Mr. Speaker, my intention is to call for the Resolution laid on the Table by me the other day, which relates to the conduct of the Speaker towards Mr. Smith: But before I call up the Resolution I will remark that I have not introduced it with a view to afford myself an opportunity of venting invectives or personalities against the Speaker. The due respect to this House forbids a conduct of that sort. The number of days the Speaker has been, compared with my own forbids it. I contend for principle; and those who differ from me on this point, in opinion, may meet me on this ground and by a fair and dispassionate argument discuss the subject. If they choose to do so I shall be satisfied; it will be the most agreeable method to me. But if Gentlemen are disposed to introduce asperity into the Debate, I am ready to repel it.
Resolved unanimously that the Speaker be excused from deciding whether the said motion is in order or not.
The question was then taken, viz. "Is this motion in order?" and it passed in the negative, as follows: Yeas 49, Nays 54.
YEAS.
Messrs. Alston, Bailey, Bishop, R. Brown, Cabell, Christie, Clay, Claiborne, Condit, Davis, Dawson, Dent, Eggleston, Elmerdorf, Fowler, Gallatin, Gray, Gregg, Hanna, Heister, Holmes, Jackson, Kitchell, Leib, Lyon, Linn, Livingston, Maccon, Muhlenberg, New, Nicholas, Nicholson, Randolph, Smilie, J. Smith, S. Smith, Spaight, Stanford, Stone, Sumner, Stuart, Taliaferro, Thompson, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Tazewell, Van Cortlandt, Varnum, R. Williams—49.
NOES.
Messrs. Baer, Bartlett, Bayard, Bird, J. Brown, Champlin, Cooper, Craik, Dana, J. Davenport, F. Davenport, Dennis, Dickson, Edmond, Evans, Foster, Freeman, Glen, Goode, C. Goodrich, E. Goodrich, Griswold, Grove, Harper, Henderson, Hill, Huger, Imlay, Kittera, H. Lee, S. Lee, Lincoln, Mattoon, Morris, Otis, Page, Parker, Pinckney, Platt, Powell, J. Reed, N. Read, Rutledge, Shephard, J. C. Smith, Sheafe, Tenney, Thatcher, J. C. Thomas, R. Thomas, Wadsworth, Waln, L. Williams, Woods—54.
And so the said motion was not in order. A motion was then made and seconded that the house do come to the following resolution, viz.
Resolved that the power of the Speaker or chairman of the committee of the whole, shall not be construed to extend (unless by consent of the house, previously obtained, or in case of disorderly behaviour) to the expulsion of any person, either from the lobby when introduced by any member of the house, or from the gallery, when the same is generally opened.
The previous question was called for by five members viz. "Shall the main question on to agree to the said motion be now put?" Whereupon the said question being under consideration, Mr. Livingston, having addressed the speaker did in the opinion of the Speaker proceed to debate the main question, and being thereupon called to order by the Speaker.
Whereupon an appeal was made to the house, from the decision of the Speaker, and on the question of concurring with the Speaker in his said decision, it was resolved in the affirmative—Yeas 60, Nays 42, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Baer, Bartlett, Bayard, Bird, J. Brown, Champlin, Cooper, Craik, Dana, J. Davenport, F. Davenport, Dennis, Dent, Dickson, Edmond, Evans, Foster, Freeman, Glen, Goode, C. Goodrich, E. Goodrich, Gregg, Griswold, Grove, Hanna, Harper, Henderson, Hill, Huger, Imlay, Kitchell, Kittera, H. Lee, S. Lee, Lincoln, Mattoon, Morris, Otis, Page, Parker, Pinckney, Platt, Powell, J. Reed, N. Read, Rutledge, Shepard, J. C. Smith, Sheafe, Tenney, Thatcher, Thomas, R. Thomas, Varnum, Wadsworth, Waln, L. Williams, Woods—60.
Nays.—Messrs. Alston, Bailey, Bishop, R. Brown, Cabell, Christie, Clay, Claiborne, Condit, Davis, Dawson, Eggleston, Elmerdorf, Fowler, Gray, Heister, Holmes, Jackson, Leib, Lyon, Linn, Livingston, Maccon, Muhlenberg, New, Nicholas, Nicholson, Randolph, Smilie, S. Smith, Spaight, Stanford, Stone, Sumner, Stewart, Taliaferro, Thompson, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Tazewell, Van Cortlandt, R. Williams. 42.
The previous question upon the said motion being then taken, in the words following, viz. "Shall the main question to agree to the same be now put?" It passed in the negative—Yeas 50—Nays 53; as follows:
YEAS.
Messrs. Alston, Bailey, Bishop, R. Brown, Cabell, Christie, Clay, Claiborne, Condit, Davis, Dawson, Dent, Eggleston, Elmerdorf, Fowler, Gallatin, Gray, Gregg, Hanna, Heister, Holmes, Jackson, Kitchell, Leib, Lyon, Linn, Livingston, Maccon, Muhlenberg, New, Nicholas, Nicholson, Parker, Randolph, Smilie, J. Smith, S. Smith, Spaight, Stanford, Stone, Sumner, Stewart, Taliaferro, Thompson, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Tazewell, Van Cortlandt, Varnum, R. Williams—50.
NAYS.—Messrs. Baer, Bartlett, Bayard, Bird, J. Brown, Champlin, Cooper, Craik, Dana, J. Davenport, F. Davenport, Dennis, Dickson, Edmond, Evans, Foster, Freeman, Glen, Goode, C. Goodrich, E. Goodrich, Griswold, Grove, Harper, Henderson, Hill, Huger, Imlay, Kittera, H. Lee, S. Lee, Mattoon, Morris, Otis, Page, Parker, Pinckney, Platt, Powell, J. Reed, N. Read, Rutledge, Shepard, J. C. Smith, Sheafe, Tenney, Thatcher, J. C. Thomas, R. Thomas, Wadsworth, Waln, L. Williams—53.
A message was received from the President of the U. States, as follows. Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the H. of Representatives,
I transmit to Congress a report received this morning from Elias Boudinot, Esq. director of the Mint, dated February 13, 1801, which will require the attention and decision of Congress before the close of the session.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, Feb. 20, 1801.
The message and report were read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. MACON, from the committee of claims, made report on the petition of Charles Tomkins, in behalf of Arnold H. Dohrman and others; whereupon resolved that the President of the U. States, be authorized to issue a patent for the 13th township in the 7th range to Arnold H. Dohrman or his legal representatives, agreeable to a resolution of Congress of October 1, 1787, and that a bill be brought in to that effect.
Resolved that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill to revive and continue "An act declaring the consent of Congress to an act of the state of Maryland passed the 28th of December 1793, for the appointment of a Health-Officer."
Ordered that the committee of Revision and unfinished business bring in said bill.
Mr. PINCKNEY, from the committee appointed for that purpose, reported that the committee had waited on the President of the U. States, to inform him that Thomas Jefferson is elected President for four years, commencing on the 4th of March.
The house resumed the consideration of the amendments reported yesterday from the committee of the whole to whom was committed the bill to amend the act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage, which were agreed to by the house, and the bill, after further amendment, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading tomorrow.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21, 1801.
A report was read in favour of continuing the MINT ESTABLISHMENT at Philadelphia till March 3, 1803, and agreed to, and a committee appointed to introduce a bill to that effect.—The house went into committee of the whole, Mr. Morris in the chair, on the sedition bill.
The committee reported the bill without amendment, and on the question of engrossment for a third reading, it was decided in the negative, and of course the bill was lost—The yeas and nays are as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Baer, Bartlett, Bayard, J. Brown, Champlin, Cooper, Craik, Dana, J. Davenport, F. Davenport, Dennis, Dickson, Edmond, Evans, Foster, Freeman, Glen, C. Goodrich, E. Goodrich, Griswold, Grove, Harper, Henderson, Hill, Imlay, Kittera, H. Lee, S. Lee, Mattoon, Morris, Otis, Page, Pinckney, Platt, Powell, J. Read, N. Read, Rutledge, Shepard, J. C. Smith, Sheafe, Tenney, Thatcher, J. C. Thomas, R. Thomas, Wadsworth, Waln, L. Williams, Woods—49.
Nays.—Messrs. Alston, Bailey, Bishop, R. Brown, Cabell, Christie, Clay, Claiborne, Condit, Davis, Dawson, Dent, Eggleston, Elmerdorf, Fowler, Gallatin, Goode, Gray, Gregg, Hanna, Heister, Holmes, Huger, Jackson, Kitchell, Leib, Lincoln, Lyon, Linn, Livingston, Maccon, Muhlenberg, New, Nicholas, Nicholson, Parker, Randolph, Smilie, J. Smith, S. Smith, Spaight, Stanford, Stone, Sumner, Stewart, Taliaferro, Thompson, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Tazewell, Van Cortlandt, Varnum, R. Williams—53.
The house went into a committee of the whole on the bill from the Senate in relation to the Territory of Columbia, and after considering the same, reported progress, and asked leave to sit again.

NEW-YORK, Feb. 17.
This morning arrived here the Schooner Regulator, captain Campbell, in 26 days from Cape Francois. A French gentleman who came passenger in the Schooner, informs of the arrival there of a French Schooner of twelve guns, in 28 days from L'Orient, with the news of the Congress at Luneville moving to Paris—there was every prospect of peace between Austria and France. Count Cobentzel, with the Russian Minister, had also arrived at Paris, and one from England expected.
February 18.
Capt. McCollom, arrived here yesterday in the ship George, was boarded by the British frigate Magnanime on 22d of January—The night before she had chased the United States frigate Constellation, and not knowing her fired several shot into her—On this the Constellation wore round prepared for action, and commenced a fire; but before any thing serious had taken place, the flags of each were discovered.
By Capt. McCollom we further learn, that he was at Amsterdam the 4th of December; where he learned, that the Emperor of Russia had laid a second embargo on all English vessels in his ports; and that it was his determination to do all in his power to bring England to a pacification with the French.
Capt. Wyer, From Portsmouth, England, informs, that in consequence of the embargo on English ships in the Northern ports, cordage had risen to 81. sterling pr. cws. Provisions, he says, continued to rise on the 7th of December, the time of his sailing.
Extract of a letter from a respectable house in Bordeaux, dated Dec. 24th.
"I have the pleasure to inform you, that since the conclusion of peace between France and America, produce of your country is risen enormously; for instance, Georgia upland cotton is now 93 cents your money, and very scarce, as also all other produce proportionable; but especially cotton, owing to the expectation of peace with all the European powers. I am in hopes that your government will ratify our treaty without delay, it being very well composed and interesting to both countries, which would consequently be a renewal of the long suspended intercourse, and an inducement for you to make a shipment to this market."
Extract of a letter from Lancaster, dated February 18, 1801.
"This day both houses of the legislature of this state met in the representatives chamber, and proceeded to the election of a senator to represent this state in the senate of the United States, in the room of Wm. Bingham. The first vote stood thus: George Logan had 45—Peter Muhlenberg 45—and William Jones 1. On the second vote, Peter Muhlenberg had 46, George Logan 45—accordingly Mr. MUHLENBERG was duly elected."
FOR SALE SEVENTY THOUSAND LATHS, Enquire at this Office. Washington, Feb. 18, 1801.
Robert Greenhow. Merchant in Williamsburg, Virginia.
BEING desirous to withdraw in a great measure from the further pursuit of business, offers for sale the whole of his well known General and Valuable Assortment of Merchandise amounting probable at their prime cost, to Eight or Ten thousand pounds sterling, of which an idea may be formed by referring to a printed list deposited in this office—Not wishing to divide the Stock applications by letters post paid will be by him received as to the purchase of the whole of it Feb. 2, 1801.
NAILS.
ALL kinds of Hammered and Cut Nails, and Brads, Sold at my store in this place, between the President's house and the Six buildings, at the following prices for Cash only.
Hammered Nails and Brads.
   By cwt. or 1.2 cwt by retail under 36     20dy Nails 12 1-2 d. per lb 13 1-2 d per lb.   12dy do 13 13 3-4   10 do 13 3-4 14 1-2   8 do 15 15 1-2  
Deck and Spike Nails, 11 1-2
Cut Nails and Brads.
   20dy Nails 9 1-2 10 1-2   10 do 10 11   8 do 11 12   6 do 12 13   4 do 13 1-2 14   3 do 14 1-2 15  
SAMUEL McINTIRE.
Washington, Feb. 6, 1801.
By virtue of a decree of the High Court of Chancery, will be Sold at public auction to the highest bidder on the 10th day of March next, on the premises, Lot No. 1. in square No. 744 in the City of Washington, with the Sugar House and materials, and the other buildings on the said Lot erected.
Such part of the purchase money as shall be sufficient to pay and satisfy the debt, interest and costs due by mortgage from James Pierce to Thomas Law (the amount whereof will be made known on or before the day of Sale) is to be paid down the day of sale, or brought into the Court of Chancery on the twenty-fifth day of June next, at the option of the purchaser; and for the residue of the purchase money, with interest, the purchaser is to give bond payable on the 20th day of June 1802 and upon the ratification of such sale by the chancellor (which ratification if made at all will be upon the twenty-fifth of June next) and upon payment of the whole of the purchase money (and not before) a title will be made to the purchaser clear of all claim of the said Law and Pierce or either of them.
JAMES D. BARRY, Trustee January 26, 1801.
FOR SALE.
THE Subscriber will sell at private sale, two Three story Brick Houses, adjoining each other, 28 feet front each, by forty feet deep, on Capitol Hill, Lot No. 6. Sq. 686—A fine commodious lot 61 feet front, by 196 feet deep, running back to an alley 30 feet wide, and may be occupied as one or two tenements, they are finished in a plain, but substantial manner, and built on the best materials—a credit of three, six, and nine months, on giving approved notes, negotiable at the bank of Columbia, or Baltimore—apply to Daniel Carroll, or in Baltimore to HENRY H. CARRALL.
Washington, Jan. 5, 1801.
It is the wish of the brother of RICHARD DEMPSEY to know what has become of him, and where he resides. RICHARD DEMPSEY arrived in this country from Ireland in the county of Antrim, near Ballymanock about 9 years ago. He is supposed to be in the Western part of Pennsylvania.
Information will be thankfully received by JOHN DEMPSEY, through the Office of the Universal Gazette. Washington, Feb. 18, 1801.
John Minchen.
BOOT MAKER
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
RESPECTFULLY acquaints his FRIENDS, CUSTOMERS, and the public, that he has removed his BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTORY from near the Eastern Branch, to New Jersey Avenue, on the hill, near the Capitol, where he makes Gentlemen's Boots, Footcoats, dress and undress Shoes on the shortest notice, in the neatest manner, and of the best materials.
December 3d.
TO JOURNEYMEN SHOEMAKERS.
WANTED, a number of Journeymen Shoemakers, to whom constant employment and good wages will be given.
Nail Manufactory,
ALL kinds of Cut Nails for Sale by Wholesale and Retail at the Factory on F Street, and at the Hardware Store of the Subscriber, where persons building and all others wishing to purchase may be supplied with any quantity at the most reasonable rates.
JOHN JACK. tf Washington Feb. 4, 1801.
Kid, Eliot & Co.
HAVE received by late arrivals, a general assortment of Hard ware and Ironmongery, which they offer for Sale at their Store opposite the Great Hotel
They have also on hand
   Madeira, } Sherry } Lisbon } Cognac Brandy. Jamaica Spirits, Holland Gin, Loaf and Brown Sugar, Tea, Coffee, &c. &c. Wines.  
Washington, Dec. 18.
WANTED to purchase a Small farm consisting of one, two or three hundred acres of land—at a convenient distance from this City, with comfortable buildings thereon for the accommodation of a small family. Enquire of the Editor of the National Intelligencer. Washington Jan. 26, 1801.
CONVEYANCER'S OFFICE.
THOMAS HERTY has opened an office a few yards from the CAPITOL, on the New Jersey Avenue, where he will attend daily till 10 o'clock during the sitting of Congress, and in the afternoon, at his office opposite the LITTLE HOTEL—Conveyances of land, wills, mortgages, leases, assignments, copartnership deeds and dissolutions, marriage settlements and separations, entries of licence and composition, bills of sale of vessels, slaves, and other chattels, bonds of conveyance, and other bonds, powers of attorney, awards, manumissions, partitions, exchanges, petitions, annuities, post obits, farmers' wills and powers, and all other instruments in the above line, are drawn according to the legal import of the same respectively, with the utmost punctuality, accuracy, secrecy, and dispatch, and on moderate terms.
Titles investigated, and opinions given where necessary.
N. B. Hertty's Abridgment of the laws of Maryland, approved and sanctioned by the Attorney General and Legislature of Maryland, may be had at the above office, price Six Dollars neatly bound and lettered; also Hertty's Digest of the Laws of the United States, price Three Dollars, neatly bound and lettered.
Washington, Dec. 1800.
December, 1800.
For SALE.
A HOUSE and LOT in the City of Washington, called the COTTAGE beautifully situated on the slope of the Hill appropriated for the National University and near the Commissioners wharf, at present in the occupation of Mr. KNAPP of the Auditor's office.—For terms apply to Dr. Wm. Thornton, one of the Commissioners of the City, to Mr. Philip Fitzhugh, or PRESLY THORNTON. Washington City, Feb. 11, 1801.
Kid, Eliot & Co.
At the Brick Store opposite BLADGETS' HOTEL.
HAVE received by the Brig UNION, Capt. Leonard, from Liverpool, a large supply of Crockery Ware. Some of which is well assorted in small casks for the country.
Also, by the same Vessel.
White Lead, ground in oil. Spanish Brown do. Red Lead, Patent yellow, &c. &c. They expect by the Roba and Betsy arrived at Norfolk, an additional Invoice of crockery and a large assortment of Glass ware. All which will be sold at the Philadelphia prices. December 28.
ADLINGTON & FOWLER, GROCERY & DRY GOOD STORE.
JUST arrived, and now open for Sale, on New Jersey Avenue, near the Sugar House a Complete assortment of Dry Goods suitable for the present season—Consisting of the following articles, viz.
 Ladies and Gentlemen's Great Coats,  Ladies and Gentlemen's Hats,  Ladies Callomanco & Durant Petticoats,  Silk, cotton, and worsted Stockings,  French Kid Gloves best quality,  Fashionable Ribbons,  Embroidered and plain Mullin,  6 4 Lapet Mullin,  Dimity's  Muslin Hankerchiefs,  Blankets,  Flannels,  Bed Tickens,  Sewing Silks,  Threads,  Tapes,  And all kinds of Haberdashery,  Sailors Jackets and Trowsers,  Check Cotton, & White Shirts. 
With a complete assortment of Shoes and all kinds of Groceries. Washington, Feb. 13. 1801.
WASHINGTON BOOK-STORE. RAPINE, CONRAD, & CO. Corner of South B. Street and New Jersey Avenue, near the Capitol.
HAVE just received, and for sale at the above Store Letters from Alexander Hamilton, the whole of the above are well seasoned and fit for use—Clear heart pine, and sap pine
Also, just opening, a choice assortment of books in History, Law, Medicine, Divinity, Arts and Sciences, Classics, School books, Novels, Romances, Biography, &c. &c.—With a good assortment of super royal, royal, medium, demy, and foolscap writing paper, thick and thin post, blue & common wrapping paper, best Dutch quills, wafers, sealing wax, ink powder, red and black ink, black lead pencils, parchment, playing cards, blank books, &c. &c.—All which they will dispose of at the very lowest prices.
Public officers and others, who will please to favour them with their custom, may rely on having the strictest attention paid to their orders. Nov. 17th, 1800.
JOHN HARRISON,
BOOT AND SHOEMAKER,
BEGS leave to inform the public that he has removed from Alexandria, to the City of Washington He has taken a shop on the Pennsylvania Avenue, nearly opposite to the bridge leading down to Greenleaf's Point, where he makes Boots and Shoes at the shortest notice, of the best materials, and according to the latest fashion.
N. B. He has on hand an elegant assortment of English Boots and Shoes, which he will sell for ready money. Washington Feb. 16.
Thomas Carpenter, TAYLOR,
GRATEFULLY acknowledges the numerous favours conferred on him, and informs his friends and the public that he has entered into partnership with CHARLES VARDEN, likewise from Philadelphia, on Capitol Hill, opposite Mr. CARROL's buildings, where, as well as in Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Presidents House and George Town, from their long and extensive experience in Military, Naval and Fancy dresses, and in Ladies Habits &c. and from their having procured the best of workmen and materials the utmost taste and punctuality might be expected.
Two apprentices wanted. Washington, Dec. 22.
RANAWAY from the Subscriber, living in the upper end of Orange County, a Negro man named ROBERT, formerly the property of Pasion Buckens of Stafford County and by him sold to Mr. James Patten of Alexandria, and the said Patten sold him to William Brock barkeeper from whom the Subscriber purchased him—He is somewhat pitted with the small pox, is about Five feet nine inches high and between 22 and 24 years of age; had on when he went away, cotton Jacket and Overhauls, and green Waistcoat—he has been seen in the employ of Mr. James R. Dermot and supposed to be concealed by said Dermot.
Whoever will secure said Negro in Alexandria jail, shall receive TEN Dollars reward. RICHARD SANDFORD. Feb. 19 1801.
N. B. Any person harboring or employing said Negro will be dealt with to the utmost rigor of the law. R. S.
THIS DAY IS PUBLISHED BY RAPINE CONRAD, & Co. Corner of south B street and New-Jersey Avenue near the Capitol, (Price 37 and half cents) Thoughts on the increasing wealth and national economy of the U. States of America;
With a statistical table for the United States, for a succession of years, compiled chiefly from official documents. Feb. 16.
ORIGINAL pamphlet of THOMAS PAINE, printed from a manuscript copy by the Editor of the National Intelligencer, ENTITLED:
COMPACT MARATIME,
Under the following heads:
 I. Dissertation on the Law of Nations.  II. On the Jacobinism of the English at Sea.  III. Compact Maratime for the Protection of Neutral Commerce, and securing the Liberty of the Seas.  IV. Observations on some passages in the Discourse of the Judge of the English Admiralty. 
For sale by the Editor, and by Rapine, & Co near the Capitol.—Price 25 cents. Washington Feb. 16.
CHEAP LUMBER
FOR SALE,
By the Subscriber, on reasonable terms, either by large or small quantities, at his Lumber Yards, the north end of Lamberton, and at the old Sturgeon Pond, above Richards's wharf,
A QUANTITY OF
ASSORTED LUMBER, viz.
One and 1-4 inch, 1-1-8, and 1 do. Yellow pine heart boards—1 inch pannel, 1 1-4 do. for floors, 1 do. common, white pine do—2 do. 7 1-4 and 2 1-2 do planks, 1 do. 1-8, and 2-8 do. boards, black walnut—2 do. plank, 3 do. 1-2 do. pannel boards, bedstead sets, poplar the whole of the above are well seasoned and fit for use—Clear heart pine, and sap pine white oak, and bilthead, hemlock and white pine scantling, assorted—belt pine three feet cedar scantling, dressed and undressed, do. two feet white pine do.; do. 18 inch cypress do—Cedar rails—Also, white pine sawed rails—shingleing laths, and p. aistering laths, best kind; white oak wagon timber—sap pine planks, sap pine one inch boards, 3-4 cedar, best kind, 3-4 white pine, 3-4 sap pine, seasoned weather boards—A quantity of handsome chestnut pailings, sawed 1 by 3 inches and from 4 to 16 feet long, for garden fence, &c. A quantity of chestnut oak posts, dressed and undressed; a quantity of cherry boards, a quantity of large white oak joice, a quantity of chestnut posts—5000 feet of neat beech scantling for tool blocks—5000 feet of sycamore scantling for bedsteads; 2 inch white oak plank; 1 inch white oak boards, 3-4 do. do.—25,000 feet superior cherry boards and plank, 3,000 do. very clear 2 inch white pine plank, 3,000 do. handsome beater wood bedstead sets seasoned, 100,000 prime North Carolina shingles, a quantity of ash plank, 150 tons plaster Paris, warranted, 3,000 bushels best Virginia pit coal, 200 bushel cleans house sand
The subscriber intends, establishing a Lumber Yard at the Federal City of Washington, which he will keep regularly supplied as above—Any quantities may be agreed for by contract, deliverable, as the purchaser may wish, provided that the place of delivery may be comeable by water with a navigable vessel—Any quantity that may be ordered for shipping abroad, shall be supplied with punctuality and dispatch, agreeable to order.
Gentlemen who are or may be building—as well as carpenters who may be under or may enter into contracts to build and furnish the materials, will find it well worth their attention to apply as above—Applications may be made by letter (post paid) or otherwise, to the subscriber, or left with Wm. and Anthony M. Buckley, or Benj. W. Morris and Co. merchants, Philadelphia.
Also for Sale or to Let,
A large commodious Dwelling House, with out buildings complete, and from three to seven acres of land—Two small do. with lots thereto. Also, a small Store near the river—All laying in the village of Lamberton.
NAHAN COMBS.
N. B. A Screw Jack to let, that raises from 10 to 40 tons by hand—a constant supply of planer and Smith's Virginia coal. Lamberton, New Jersey, (on Del.) January 12, 1801.

A STATEMENT OF THE EXPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
From 1st of October 1799—to the 30th of September 1800.
Species of Merchandise. Quantity or Value.
  Ashest, Pot Tons 6,760   Do. Pearl Do. 1,261   Apples, Barrels 16,594   Beer, Ale, Porter, & Cider in Casks Gall. 74,763   Do. in bottles, Dozens 1,721   Beef, Barrels 75,045   Biscuit or ship bread Do. 81,199   Do. Kegs 38,412   Buckwheat, Bushels 851   Barley, Do. 432   Bran and shorts, Do. 195   Beans, Do. 7,621   Butter, lbs. 8,122,341   Boots, Pairs 6,473   Bricks, No. 332,222   Bark, essence Galls 291   Corn, Indian Bushs. 1,594,327   Cheese, lbs. 913,843   Coffee, Do. 38,597,479   Cocoa, Do. 4,925,518   Chocolate, Do. 6,304   Cotton, Do. 17,789,803   Coals, Bushs. 6,406   Candles, wax lbs. 13,818   Do. Spermaceti Do. 181,1321   Candles, tallow lbs. 752,402   Canvas or sail cloth, Pieces 58   Cables and cordage Cwt. 12,406   Cards, wool and cotton Doz. 1,017   Copper or brass, and Copper manufactured Doll. 50,603   Coaches & other carriages, Do. 16,673   Flour, Barrels 653,052   Fish, dried or smoaked Quints. 392,726   Do. Pickled, Barrels 50,388   Do. Do. Kegs 12,403   Furniture, household Dollars 81,421   Flaxseed, Bushs. 289,684   Flax, lbs. 2,488   Gunpowder, Do. 19,565   Ginseng Do. 268,371   Hats Dollars 42,076   Hams and bacon, lbs. 1,173,244   Hairpowder, Do. 33,887   Hops, Do. 100   Hemp, Cwt. 1,540   Hides, raw No. 33,003   Horned Cattle, Do. 9,824   Horses, Do. 4,406   Hogs, Do. 14,294   Iron, pig Tons 190   Do. bar, Do. 531   Do. Castings, Dollars 11,174   All other manufactured Iron and Steel, Do. 372,261   Indigo lbs. 572,999   Lard, Do. 1,633,562   Leather, Do. 171,103   Lead, Do. 420,020   Meal, rye Bushs. 79,677   Do. Indian Do. 338,108   Do. Buckwheat Do. 93   Do. Oat Do. 1,637   Mustard, lbs. 3,130   Molasses, Gall. 39,122   Mules, No. 151   Medicinal Drugs, Dollars 23,477   Merchandise and all articles not enumerated, Do. 16,126,868   Oil, Linseed Gall. 18,857   Do. Spermaceti Do. 22,762   Do. Whale and other fish Do. 204,468   Oats, Bushels 57,306   Pease, Do. 27,851   Pork, Barrels 55,467   Pitch, Do. 1,881   Potatoes, Bushels 56,253   Poultry, Dozens 6,300   Rice, Tierces 112,056   Rye, Bushels 8,227   Rosin, Barrels 3,075   Spices, pepper lbs. 635,149   Do. pimento Do. 324,458   Do. All other Dollars 28,241   Spirits, foreign Gallons 604,361   Do. domestic from foreign produce, Do. 481,569   Do. domestic from domestic produce, Do. 27,801   Shoes and slippers, Pairs 68,722   Skins and furs, Dollars 308,262   Saddlery, Do. 5,128   Silk, raw lbs. 92   Starch, Do. 90,443   Soap, Do. 2,284,553   Sugar, brown & other clayed Do. 56,432,516   Do. Refined Do. 124,939   Sheep, No. 9,445   Ship stuff, Cwt. 432   Salt, Bushels 33,703   Snuff, lbs. 41,453   Tobacco, manufactured Do. 457,713   do, unmanufactured, Hhds. 78,680   Tallow lbs. 15,079   Tar, Barrels 59,410 
  Turpentine, Do. 33,129   do. Spirits, Gallons 4,900   Tea, bohea lbs. 938,376   do. Souchong and other black Do. 42,905   do. hyson, Do. 152,093   do. other green, Do. 47,258   Wheat, Bushels 26,853   Whalebone, lbs. 32,636   Wax, Do. 203,703   Wines, Madeira Gallons 17,597   do. All other Do. 1,465,234   do. bottled Dozens 43,804   Wood, staves & heading No. 19,375,625   do. shingles, Do. 76,027,827   do. Hoops and poles Do. 2,121,189   do. Boards, plank, &c. Feet 68,825,280   do. Timber, Tens 9,195   do. All other and lumber Doll. 73,344   do. Oak bark and other dye Do. 15,774   do. All manufactures of Do. 117,651 
A summary of the value and destination of the exports of the United States agreeably to the above statement.
  To Prussia, Dollars 24,884   Sweden, Do. 91,342   Swedish West-Indies, Do. 471,343   562,685   United Netherlands Do. 4,372,964   Dutch West-Indies and American colonies Do. 1,296,052   5,669,016   England, Man, and Berwick, Guernsey, Jersey, Sark, and Alderney, Do. 15,856,260   Scotland, Do. 22,936   Ireland, Do. 1,688,600   Gibraltar, Do. 1,517,867   Cape of Good Hope, Do. 855,957   British East-Indies, Do. 128,977   British West-Indies, Do. 130,461   Newfoundland and British fisheries, Do. 6,404,785   British American Colonies, Do. 40,328   654,118   Imperial ports, Do. 27,310,289   Hamburg, Bremen, &c. Do. 31,147   France, Do. 8,012,846   French West-Indies, Do. 40,400   5,123,433   Spain, Do. 5,163,823   Teneriffe and other Canaries, Do. 4,743,678   Honduras, Campeachy, &c. Do. 303,630   Manila and other Philippine Isles, Do. 291,717   Spanish West-Indies, Do. 14,112   Floridas and Louisiana, Do. 8,270,400   Other Spanish American colonies, Do. 2,035,789   1,280   Portugal, Do. 15,660,606   Madeira, Do. 448,548   Fayal and other Azores, Do. 522,723   Cape de Verd Islands, Do. 56,868   237,700   Morrocco, Do. 1,265,844   Italian Ports, Do. 73,449   Turkey (in Asia) and China, and East-Indies generally Do. 2,689,968   West-Indies generally, Do. 1,047,385   Africa, Do. 115,631   Europe, Do. 366,618   Northwest coast of America, Do. 35,389   South Seas, Do. 946,153   81,596   Total 70,971,780 
A summary of the value of the Exports from each STATE.
  From New-Hampshire, Dollars 431,836   Vermont, Do. 57,041   Massachusetts, Do. 11,326,876   Rhode-Island, Do. 1,322,945   Connecticut, Do. 1,114,743   New-York, Do. 14,045,079   New-Jersey, Do. 2,289   Pennsylvania, Do. 11,949,079   Delaware, Do. 418,695   Maryland, Do. 12,264,331   Virginia, Do. 4,430,689   North-Carolina, Do. 769,799 
  South-Carolina, 10,663,310   Georgia, 2,174,268   Dollars, 70,971,780 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, Feb. 3, 1801.
JOSEPH NOURSE, Register.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 22d, 1801.
Sedition Law
Mr. Macon said, no member of the house was more willing than himself, that the question should have been taken without debate, but since gentlemen who differed with him in opinion had chose to discuss it, he should not shrink from it, especially, as he firmly believed, he had both the constitution and truth on his side.
It was a little curious to observe the manner in which those who approved the law, changed the ground on which they defended it at different times; it originated in the days of alarm, and was then supported as a part of a system of defence against France; at this time this common law of the United States, of which we now hear so much, was not talked of; the second time it was before the house, it was brought up by many petitions from the people in different states, praying for its repeal; then, too, it was considered as a part of the system of defence, and as the dispute with France was not settled, it was said to be improper to repeal it; at the last session when a motion was made to repeal the second section of the act, the law was then supported on this reason, to prevent the operation of the common law, and to afford the gentlemen themselves the liberty of expressing their sentiments, if founded in truth, and expressed with decency—and so it is that the friends of order and good government now want the sedition law to protect themselves.
If the common law is actually in force, it is rather extraordinary, that gentlemen will not make the law uniform, so as to comprehend all the cases of libels, which it is pretended would be cognizable in the federal courts under that law, if this was not in force; a libel upon the president of the United States, the senate and this house, is not to be actionable at common law, but suppose a person to libel the supreme court of the United States, he is not to be punished under this act, but at common law. A court can as easily be libelled as any department of the government; where then, is the necessity or reason for inflicting the punishments for the same crime, under two laws, so different, if the common law is really in force in the United States?
It has been said, by publishing calumny and falsehood, government may be destroyed. This Mr. Macon did not believe, nor did he believe, that ever a government was destroyed or a revolution brought about, by such means. Falsehood cannot make a good administration bad, or a bad administration good; no administration need ever fear false publications, it can always destroy their effects whenever it pleases by publishing the truth, and truth alone can destroy governments, nor need any administration fear any thing but the truth. Was our revolution brought about by the publication of a falsehood? No sir, it was not, it was by publishing and proclaiming the truth. As to the execution of the law, it would be needlessly to state the facts which have been already stated by others; he would only say that in his opinion, it was worse than the law itself, which he had always believed to be unconstitutional, and there was no doubt but the execution was as unpopular as the law.
It has been said, owing to the prevalence of crimes, which this law is intended to punish, that men grown grey in the service of their country, had been turned out of office. Mr. M. knew of no man, that had been turned out of office, except it was done according to the constitution, or law made in conformity to it. What sir, was this law made, and is it now wished to be continued in force, to prevent the freehold of elections! If this is not the plain result of the idea, I am at a loss to know what it does mean. Are not our elections to be free? Have we not a right to investigate the characters of those, who are candidates for our suffrages? Are not these our constitutional rights, as freemen? Why then do gentlemen wish to continue this law in force to deprive the people of their dearest rights? Surely if men are not approved, after they have been tried, they ought to be turned out of office. The end of elections is choice; but we have been
told, to induce us to continue this law, that the illustrious Washington had been called a speculator and a murderer. Mr. M. never heard of the first charge before this day, nor of the second till within a few days past, and that too, was in this house; he had no doubt but the gentlemen had heard what they asserted, nor had he any doubt but the person who first promoted the report knew it was not true, and its circulation must have been very confined indeed, and so it will be with all such reports.
Mr. M. said he saw no necessity for this law; a good character does not want its support, and a bad character does not deserve help. He believed the senate would not agree to renew this law for themselves; no future president, he expected, would wish it for himself; what, then, do we want it for ourselves? No, gentlemen will say that he willed a sedition law to stop the people's mouth about him, or any thing he should do in this house. The gentlemen who support this act, have always told us that their actions were founded on such principles, that they should never be ashamed of them any where. Let us be free to act for the good of the people, and let the people be equally free to examine our conduct in any manner they may think proper. Gentlemen do not mean to do any act which should make this law necessary, why then continue it in force? We have been told by a gentleman, that he heretofore voted for this law, and that therefore he should vote for it again. Surely there cannot be a worse reason for a vote than this; it goes on the principle of never changing, and if a law be once passed, it must remain a law forever. The same gentleman once voted for an army, yet we found him ready, on a fit occasion, to vote for the discharge of that army, and that army too was considered a part of the system of defence; if the army could be spared from the general system formerly adopted, there certainly could be no necessity for this law, at this time, unless indeed it is now wanted for some other purpose than formerly. The same reason ought to have continued the army, but as the army was disbanded, when the necessity ceased for which it was raised, and the system of defence broken, why then should the law be continued as a part of that system, when there was no occasion for it.
It has been said, that a part of this house are always crying out against the unconstitutionality of every act they do not approve. The answer to this is very easy. There is another part of the house that never questions the constitutionality of any thing, and if one part questions the constitutionality of every thing, the other does not of any thing; if one side believes it has limits, the other believes it has no limits.
Mr. M. observed, what had been said on the subject of juries, he would only say, that no federal jury had ever been got in the state in which he lived, in the same manner that jurors were obtained for the state courts; perhaps it was impossible under present circumstances, because all the jurors for both superior and inferior courts were appointed by the county courts and then summoned by the sheriff of the county. The federal court, he believed in that state, generally determined from which counties the jurors should be summoned, and left it to the discretion of the marshal to summon whom he pleased. The marshal is appointed by the president; in states where he summons whom he pleases for jurors, it is most probable they will all be of one party.
Another reason had been urged for continuing this law in force, which is this, that it was believed, there were newspapers in this country, under the influence of a foreign power; whether this was a fact or not he did know; but he well recollected, that not long since there was a press in the United States, which was pretty much caressed, the editor of which was a foreigner, who gloried in being the subject of a foreign prince; the contents of his paper are not yet forgotten and, strange to tell, he never heard that this law had been put in operation against that person.
It not pretended that the next President, let him be who he may, will want this law. No action for a libel has ever been brought at common law in the federal courts; the reason was obvious, the states as united have no such law, whatever they may have in their individual character. Without this act, or the operation of the common law, we had flourished for many years. The law would hereafter be useless, it was unpopular, and believed it to be unconstitutional. It would increase rather than lessen party spirit, and it ought to be the object of all to harmonize as much as possible. He therefore trusted that the law would be suffered to expire, never again to be renewed.