The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 1803-12-21 00:00:00

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, WASHINGTON ADVERTISER.
VOL. IV.
WASHINGTON CITY, PRINTED BY SAMUEL HARRISON SMITH, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
No. CCCCXSV.
FIVE DOLLS. PER ANN.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21st, 1803.
PAID IN ADVANCE.
MESSAGE
From the President of the United States, enclosing a report of the secretary of state, on the violation of the flag of the United States, the impressment of American seamen and others, on board American vessels, conformable to a resolution of the Senate of the United States of the 24 November, 1803.
Letter of the President of the United States to the Senate.
To the Senate of the U. S. In compliance with the desire of the Senate, expressed in their resolution of the 23d of November, on the impressment of seamen in the service of the U. States, by the agents of foreign nations, I now lay before the Senate a letter from the secretary of state, with a specification of the cases of which information has been received.
TH: JEFFERSON.
December 5, 1803.
Letter from the Secretary of state to the President.
Department of state, December 2, 1803.
SIR,
Agreeably to a resolution of the Senate, passed the 22d of last month, requesting the President of the United States, to cause to be laid before them such information as may have been received, relative to the violation of the flag of the United States, or to the impressment of any seamen in the service of the United States, by the agents of any foreign nation; I do myself the honor to transmit to you the enclosed abstract of impressments of persons belonging to American vessels, which, with the annexed extracts from the letters of some of our agents abroad, comprises all the information on the subject that has been received by this department since the report to Congress, at its last session, relative to seamen. To the first mentioned document I have added a summary, showing the number of citizens of the United States impressed, and distinguishing those who had protections as citizens; those who are stated to be natives of the British dominions, and not stated to be naturalized as citizens; and those of all other countries, who are equally not stated to have been naturalized in the United States.
Another source of injury to our neutral navigation has taken place in the blockade of Guadalupe and Martinique, as notified in the annexed letter from Mr. Barclay, consul general of his Britannic majesty for the eastern states.
Beside the above, I have received no official information of any material violations of our flag during the present European war, except in the recent aggressions of the emperor of Morocco.
With very high respect,
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant, JAMES MADISON.
The President of U. S.
ABSTRACT
Of impressments of seamen belonging to American vessels, by agents of foreign nations.
Edward Bass, a native of Philadelphia, impressed at London some time in March or April last, and put on board of the Mars. This man had been impressed into the British service during the late war, and was confined therein until peace.—Upon the breaking out of the war again, as he was on the point of departing for his country, he was impressed a second time into the British service. He was without a custom house protection.
Robert Carter Gilliam, native of Sussex county, Virginia, impressed from the American vessel Warren, then lying at the port of London, in March or April last. He was without a protection.
John Leland Wade, native of Bristol county, Massachusetts, (having lost his protection) was impressed at Liverpool in April last, from the brig Mahela Winton, and put into the Courageux.
William Hall, Henry Clarke & James Clarke, Irishmen, not stated to be citizens of the United States, impressed at London the 10th May, from the American ship Industry. No protections.
Christopher Tillinghast, native of North Kingston, Rhode Island, impressed into the British ship Loire, off Ireland, on the high seas, on 20th May, from the American ship Sterling.—Without a protection.
John Roberts and John Backham, the former a Dane and the latter a Swede impressed on the 25th May, in the North Sea, from the American ship Shepherds,
John Bryan master, into the British frigate Amelia, lord Proby master. Without protections.
Barnabas Otis, jun. native of Plymouth, Mass. impressed on the 29th May, in the English channel, into the British frigate Immortalite, Owens commander, from the American brig Hannah. No protection.
Samuel Wilson, a native of Maryland, Andrew Sampson and Peter Thompson, natives of Curacoa, and Norway, but American citizens, impressed on the 31st May 1803, from the American ship Martha, Henry Waddel master, at London. Without protections.
William Brown, a citizen of the United States, impressed at Cuxhaven, on the 8th of June, from the American schooner Astrea, and put into the British frigate Amethyst. He had a protection.
John Daniel Kessler, John Anderson and Michael Jones, impressed on the 6th of June, from the American ship William and Jane, off the port of Cork, and put into the British ship Loire. It is not stated that they are American citizens, or that they had protections.
Richard Rodman, on the 7th June, 1803, impressed at Hull, England, into the British service, from the American ship Atlas, Sweeney Wilson, master. It is not stated whether he had a protection, or of what country he is a citizen.
Denny Sweeney, a native of Ireland, and without a protection, impressed on the 7th June, in the North Sea, into the British frigate Amelia, lord Proby master, from the American ship Washington.
William Ireland, native of Suffolk county, New-York, impressed from the American ship Alknomac, John Gore master, at Falmouth, Jamaica, by a press gang belonging to the Deliree, captain Rofs of the armed brig Raccoon, though he showed a protection given by the collector at New-York, dated 26th April last. This impressment was made on 22d June last.
Joseph Simonds and Sylvester Pendleton, native Americans and residents of New-York, and John Table, a black man, impressed about the 7th of July, off the Texel, from the American schooner Recovery, Josiah Shackford master, into the British sloop of war, Harpy, Edmund Heywood commander. Without protections.
Ephraim Vanduser, an American citizen and native of New-York, with a protection as such, impressed from the schooner Perseverance, Daniel Coyle master, on the 18th July, off Tiberoon, into the British sloop of war, Snake.
Josiah Hunt, native of Newburyport, Mass. impressed the 17th July last, from the American brig John, Jona. Titcomb, into the British ship Emerald, then in sight of Martinico. Without a protection.
John Whiting, native of Gloucester, Mass. impressed at the same time, from and into the same vessel. No protection in this case.
Nathaniel Keene, an American citizen, who had been in slavery at Algiers, and who had a protection, which he left, through forgetfulness at New-York, impressed on the 18th July, at Folkestone, into the British service, from the American ship Maryland, John Wickham, master.
Joseph Stevens, an American citizen, with a protection as such, impressed from the schooner Perseverance, Daniel Coyle master, on the 18th July, off Tiberoon, into the British sloop of war, Snake.
William Evans, an Englishman, without a protection, and Thomas Chalis, an American citizen, impressed at Cork on the 19th and 26th June, from the American ship Joseph, James Jaurason, master.
James Emmerson, a native of Lincoln county, Mass. impressed from the American schooner Harriet, Nathl. Knight, master, into the British schooner St. Lucia.—Shipley, master, then lying in the road of Bassetterre, on the night of the 20th July. No protection.
Benjamin Eldridge, and William Tinney, natives of Falmouth, Mass. impressed on the 20th July from the American schooner Hannah, in the road of Bassetterre, into the British schooner St. Lucia.—Shipley, master. No protection.
Three seamen, names unknown, belonging to the American vessel Mark and Mary, John Mookler, master, were impressed, on the 29th July, into the Emerald British vessel, capt. O'Brien, near the north end of Martinique, though the vessel from which they were taken was then in a leaky condition. Under these circumstances capt. Mookler was ordered to leave the coast of Martinique, as the island was blockaded, and he put
into Dominico, but could stay there only a very short time, from the violence of sea, which set into the harbor. He again put to sea, and before his return to Dominico, sustained considerable loss in the washing overboard of a great part of his deck cargo, which consisted of lumber. One of the men impressed had a custom house protection.
William Whipp, native of New-Haven, Connecticut, and John Simpson, of Virginia, impressed into the British sloop of war Sylph, July 30th, 1803, on the high seas, from the American ship Phoebe, Boult, master. No protections.
George Arnold, native of Great Britain, and J. Williamson, a Swede, both impressed the 31st July, on board the British frigate Cambrian, Wm. Brodley, commander from the American ship Vents, Lemuel Bruce, master upon the high seas.
Two seamen, citizens of the United States, and possessed of protections as such, which they shewed to the British officers, impressed into the British frigate Boston, capt. Douglas, just after he had passed the territorial line of the United States, about the last of July.
William Liddle, it is not stated whether he be a citizen of the United States, impressed from the Juno the 3d of August, on her passage from Norfolk to Amsterdam, into the British frigate Thetis.
John McEvey, (an Englishman, and without a protection) impressed from the American brig Paisley, John Jackways, master, on the 9th August, into the British frigate Boston, capt. Douglas, of the Chesapeake.
James Farnish mate, and Neill Lang, seamen of the American brig Drake, on her voyage to Barbadoes, were impressed the 12th August last, upon the high seas, into a British frigate, name of which is not known. The crew which remained in the Drake was found to be too weak for working her, in consequence of which the captain was obliged to put into Antigua, the nearest port that he could make, to the great loss of the adventure.
David Kitchell, a native citizen of the United States, at the mouth of Delaware bay, was impressed into the British ship Leander, captain Cain, the 22d August, 1803, from the American sloop Hiland, John Hand, master, on a voyage from Philadelphia to Alexandria. Kitchell, it is believed, was without a custom house protection.
Oliver Harris, a native of Boston, on the 14th August, was impressed into the British ship Blenheim, from the American schooner Harriet, near the island of Martinique. No protection in this case.
Charles Tracy, an American citizen, impressed on the 28th August, from the ship Marion, Wm. D. Seton, off Delaware, into a British frigate, name unknown. No protection.
James Davis and Henry Wood, black men, impressed at Liverpool, on the 1st September, from the American ship Chatham. No protection.
Samuel Robinson, an American, with a protection, Christian Moldenham, and Christian Lowman, Danes, with Danish protections, impressed the 5th September on the high seas, from the American ship Flora, Caleb Harrison, master, into the British frigate Cambrian.
Thomas Doyle, a native of Philadelphia, and a seaman belonging to the American brig Hector, impressed at Lisbon, the 6th September, into the British sloop of war Bittern, then at that port. Doyle had a protection.
Samuel Watt, Andrew Pace, and John Davis, the former having a protection as an American citizen, and the two latter being natives and subjects of Great-Britain, were impressed on the 11th September, from the American ship Charlotte, Thomas Hasam, master, about ten miles east of Cape May, into the British sloop of war Driver.
James Matthews, chief mate of the schooner Amazon, John Murray master, impressed on the 14th September, 1803, into the British armed brig Geochi Pine, in the West Indies. No protection.
William Watson, a native of Connecticut, and with a protection, impressed the 29th September, from the American ship Ontario, Seaman Weeks, master, into the British frigate Cambrian, upon the high seas.
Thomas Cook and George Wilson, the former a native of New-York, the latter of Scotland, both without protections, impressed October 1st, from the ship American Packet, Solomon Swain master, at sea, about 8 leagues from the light house, at Sandy Hook, into the British frigate Perseverance.
Henry Cobb, a native of Falmouth, Massachusetts, impressed into the Loire,
British ship. It was not stated when, or whether he had a protection.
Daniel Walker, a native of Philadelphia, impressed from the American ship Fox, into the British frigate Boston. No protection, and the time of impressment not stated.
Jesse Dillings, a native of Wethersfield, Connecticut, impressed into the Dreadnaught British ship. No protection, time not stated.
Richard Johnson, a native of Middletown, Connecticut, impressed into the British service. No protection, time not stated.
Joseph Mace, a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts, impressed into the British ship Isis. No protection, time not stated.
Samuel Mills, native of Providence, R. Island, impressed into the English ship Britannia. He had a protection. Time not stated.
Henry Kipps, a native of Hamburg and a naturalized citizen of the United States impressed into the British frigate Eadymion, from the American ship Eagle. No protection. Time not stated.
William Chandler, a British subject taken into the English service at Falmouth Jama. from the American ship Anna, Caleb Johnson master. No protection.
William Pagarie, belonging to the American brig Sally, claimed by the French at St. Pierres, Guadalupe, as a citizen of France, and kept as such. Time not stated.
Nicholas Bullea, by birth a Frenchman, impressed into the service of France from the brig Joseph, at St. Pierres.—Time not stated.
Joseph Nicholson, a blackman, with a certificate of freedom, impressed from the American brig Canton, at Surinam, on the 8th October into a Dutch frigate.
Summary of impressments by the British from American vessels:
Forty-three impressments of citizens of the United States appear to have been made, of whom twelve had protections.
Ten natives of the British dominions, and not stated to be naturalized as American citizens: and
Seventeen of all other countries, who are not stated to have been naturalized in the United States.
Summary of impressments by the agents of other powers, from American vessels.
Two, by the agents of France.
One, by the agents of the Batavian republic.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
December 2d, 1803.
EXTRACTS OF LETTERS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
Extract of a letter from James Maury, Esq. Consul of the United States at Liverpool, to the Secretary of State, dated March 26, 1803.
"I had the honor to write to you on the 25th ultimo, since which the alarm of war has occasioned a great press for seamen. Many of ours, confident as I suppose in the continuance of peace, had not taken the caution before leaving home, to be furnished with regular documents of citizenship which exposes them to impressment."
Extract of a letter from John W. Fox, Esq. consul of the United States at Falmouth, to the Secretary of State, dated May 14th, 1803.
"The impress is very severe. The citizens of the United States are not molested; two or three without protection and on board British ships have been taken. I have made application for their release, but it is necessary that the seamen should bring certificates of their citizenship with them, otherwise they will run great risk of being impressed."
Extract of a letter from Wm. Savage, Esq. agent of the United States for the relief and protection of their seamen at Jamaica, to the secretary of state, dated June 25th, 1803.
"There has been a hot press throughout this island. In this port about sixty seamen have been taken out of American vessels, immediately after which I made application to the admirals, who liberated the American citizens. Some few vessels on the north side have lost their men and have experienced difficulty from the measure. The names of the persons impressed I have a minute of, and on the arrival of the frigates in which they are, I shall make application for their discharge."
for their discharge.
Copy of a letter from Thomas Barclay, Esq. consul general of his Britannic majesty, for the eastern states of the United States to the secretary of state, dated October 20th, 1803.
SIR,
I have the honor to enclose you the copy of a letter which I received from commodore Hood, commander in chief of his majesty's ships of war, on the windward station, notifying the blockade of the islands of Martinique and Guadalupe by the squadron under his command.
I have honor, &c. &c.
(Signed) THOMAS BARCLAY.
[COPY.]
Centaur, off Martinique, 25th July, 1803.
SIR,
I beg you will have the goodness to acquaint the American government, and agents of neutral nations, the island of Martinique and Guadalupe are and have been blockaded by a detachment of his majesty's squadron under my command, since the 17th June last; that they may have no plea for attempting to enter the ports of those islands. By your acknowledging the receipt of this, you will greatly oblige,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) SAMUEL HOOD, Commodore and Commander in Chief THOMAS BARCLAY, Esq. Consul General, &c.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, Nov. 21, 1803.
On Mr. Griswold's motion to discharge the Committee of the whole from the Resolution of the Senate for AMENDING the CONSTITUTION.
Mr. DENNIS. This, Sir, is a motion to discharge the Committee of the whole from the resolution of the Senate, on the ground that that resolution comes to this House unsupported by such a constitutional majority of two thirds of that body, as is requisite to amend the Constitution. It therefore becomes necessary incidentally to discuss the point, whether a majority of two-thirds of the attending members, or of the whole number of Senators be necessary, to give validity to the proposed amendment; for if this resolution is not supported by the constitutional majority, it is a nullity in itself, and the sooner we are discharged from it the better.
But here we are met in the outset by an objection from the gentleman from Delaware, which ties up our hands and precludes us from this investigation. I incline to think that gentleman hazarded the position without that deliberation and caution, to which he is accustomed; for his argument would go to the extent, that if this resolution had passed by a bare majority of the Senate and was reported by their secretary as passed by the constitutional majority, it would be so conclusive upon us, that we should not have a right to assert the negative. Whatever is done by the competent authority ought to be presumed to be rightfully done, but this presumption ceases when the negative appears. According to our construction of the constitution, the negative does expressly appear, for we know the resolution was passed by a less number than a majority of two thirds of the members of that body. Notwithstanding the objections made to the evidence, independently of the personal knowledge of the members of this House, we have a transcript from the journal of the Senate under the official signature of their secretary; which I had thought was as good evidence as could reasonably be required.
In relation to the constitutional question perhaps little can be added to the remarks of the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Griswold); because I think the passages cited from the constitution by that gentleman, and the deductions drawn from those passages, demonstrate the proposition which he contends for; which is, not that every member of the legislature should be present as some gentlemen suppose, but that there shall be a sufficient number present voting in the affirmative to amount to a majority of two-thirds of all the members. If we look into the constitution we shall find in the first section it declares all legislative power shall be vested in a Congress, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives.

It then says that "the House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states," &c. In the 3d section it says "the Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state," &c. And in the clause respecting amendments, it says "the Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary shall propose amendments to the constitution," &c. It then results from these provisions that unless the House of Representatives or Senate taken distinctly are bodies composed of less than all their parts or members; and that Congress which is composed of a junction of the two, may be composed of a less number than all the members of each House, that this resolution which is passed only by a majority of two-thirds of the attending members, and not of all its members, is not passed in conformity with the amendatory clause of the constitution.
But we are told that if this be the construction of the constitution we are violating that instrument every day, in passing laws by a majority of the attending members. But, Sir, the gentlemen ought to remember that this is in consequence of a positive grant in another part of the constitution which says that "a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business." What business? Their ordinary legislative business, where a simple majority is only necessary to effect it. But surely no man can suppose that the clause last cited is to be applied to any case except to the legislative power which that clause precedes; or can torture it to have an application to a provision in the latter part of the instrument, wholly unconnected with it, and where two-thirds are necessary to give validity to an act.—For if any doubt could exist on that subject, it will be removed by adverting to the clause respecting the treaty-making power and the power of impeachment; where two-thirds must concur and where it is confined to two-thirds of the members present. The using of the word present in the last clause proves, that the convention conceived that unless in these cases they had expressly coined it to the attending members, two-thirds of the whole number would be requisite to a decision; and it also proves that having omitted the word present in the important article of amendment, they did not mean in that case, that less than a majority of two-thirds of the whole should be competent to act. To my mind it is impossible that a stronger implication can arise from what results from these clauses to prove that wherever they spoke of a majority of two-thirds as being necessary to act, they meant that every person would conclude, that it must be a majority of two-thirds of the whole, unless where they expressed themselves to the contrary. Nor is this construction at all affected by any of the precedents cited; for all of them relate to acts of ordinary legislation, except the case cited by a gentleman from N. York (Mr. Thomas) and another by a gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Randolph.) The first proves nothing; because it appears that there were sixteen members present, and no division on the question, and the whole of them may have voted in the affirmative; and as North Carolina and Rhode Island had not come into the union at the time the whole number of Senators was but twenty-two; so that sixteen was a majority of two-thirds of the whole. The same answer may be given to the other; for at that time this House consisted of fifty-nine members, and forty-nine were present and voted on the question, upon which no yeas and nays were taken, and all of whom from aught that appears to the contrary, may have voted for it.—From this view of the subject, therefore, I conceive, the resolution before us has not received the support of a sufficient number of the Senators, and I shall vote to discharge the committee of the whole from the further consideration of the subject.
Mr. J. CLAY. The gentleman last up from Maryland and the gentleman from Connecticut, have undertaken to draw a distinction between ordinary legislative business and other business confined to Congress. In the 3d section of the constitution, the power to try impeachments is given to the Senate, and to the Senate alone. If the construction of the gentleman obtain, it is given only to the whole body, as this power is not conferred upon them in their ordinary legislative capacity. "The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments; when sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present." There are a great number of formalities which show the intention of the constitution to draw a distinction between this power and the powers of ordinary legislation. The section concludes by saying, no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present. Now, if the word Senate did not in all cases mean the members present, these powers will be exercised in direct contravention of the constitution.
The last article of the constitution is, that "the ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution between the states so ratifying the same." These conventions are bodies raised under the constitution, by which no quorum is provided; and under the construction contended for, must mean the whole bodies, by which it has not been ratified. If the construction then be correct, the constitution can be of no effect unless it has been ratified by them unanimously, which has not been done.
When we use such terms as House, people or quorum, we always mean a majority; otherwise we should run into absurdity; and gentlemen will see that in all cases where these terms are not restricted, they mean a majority, and that in other cases where a different meaning is intended, restrictive language is used. In that part of the constitution respecting the election of President, if the construction of gentlemen be found, the words whole number are superfluous, it prefers "that each state shall appoint in such manner, as the legislature thereof shall direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of electors for Senators and Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress." The word state does not here mean all the people, but a majority of them exercising political power through the members of their legislature.
In the case of the President refusing to approve a law, the words are the same as in the present instance. In such a case, I should suppose the legislative bodies were sitting in their legislative capacity, and in such case notwithstanding, according to the ideas of gentlemen, two thirds of the attending members would be insufficient to pass the law.
In the case of the amendments agreed to in the Senate in 1789, sixteen members were present; the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Dennis) has stated that the whole body consisted at that time of twenty members; but the fact is it consisted of twenty two, two thirds of which are fifteen. Sixteen were present. I find the amendments were opposed by some members; and gentlemen will agree with me, that where members are in the habit of opposing measures, they will not be likely to vote for them. The inference is that some of the sixteen voted against the amendments on their final passage. I ask if the fair inference be, that only one member voted against them, if more than one voted against them, according to the doctrine of gentlemen they were not constitutionally passed, and therefore we are legislating under amendments to the constitution which are not part of the constitution, inasmuch as they were not constitutionally proposed.
M. R. GRISWOLD. The first objection, made by gentlemen to the motion which I have had the honor to submit, is that this House has no right to enquire into the fact how the Senate passed the resolution on our table. It is said by the gentlemen from Tennessee and Delaware, that we have no right to enquire further than into facts as they appear on the face of the resolution. This doctrine I did not expect. What is the resolution? Is it any thing more than a record of the proceedings of the Senate? Is not the Journal of that House, also a record? And suppose, instead of receiving this resolution, as we have received it without information of the yeas and nays on its passage, the Senate had sent us a record of those yeas and nays, would the gentlemen then say we had not a right to draw an inference for ourselves, whether it was, or was not passed by a constitutional majority? The secretary in this case was only brought us part of the record; when we see the whole we perceive how it has passed, to wit: 22 members voting in the affirmative, and 10 voting in the negative; and whether the whole record is brought by the secretary, or whether we receive it in any other way, is altogether immaterial. For from the whole record we must at last decide. This is a sufficient answer to the comments of gentlemen. We have a right to view the whole record, and to determine from it, whether this resolution has been regularly passed.
The next objection is, that precedent is against us. But the fact is, that when the amendments alluded to by gentlemen, were passed in the Senate and House of Representatives, all the members were not present; and instead of taking the yeas and nays on them, the secretary of the Senate and of the House made a record that they were agreed to by two-thirds of the members present. Gentlemen infer from this fact that they were not passed by two-thirds of the whole members; but I do not perceive how they draw the inference. I admit that it was assumed by those who made up the Journals, that all that was necessary, was the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present; but it does not appear whether two-thirds of the whole members did or did not concur. This precedent therefore concludes nothing.
Hence we are brought back to the
constitution to put our own construction on its several provisions; and I submit it to the House, whether its language is not clear, plain, and definite. The 5th article requires the concurrence of two-thirds of each House. What is meant by House? It must mean either a quorum to do business, or the whole members. To determine what it means, we must refer to the constitution, and see how the term is used. The first expression of it, is in the 3d section, "the Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each state." This is perfectly clear and definite; you cannot compose the Senate in any other form. But gentlemen say, the term Senate is used in a different sense from the term House, and in one the meaning is different from that in the other. If gentlemen will turn to the 5th section of the 1st article they will find this language: "Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business." What is meant by a majority of each House? Barely a majority of a majority? This is nonsense—the term House then means every member; it is clear that such was the meaning of the framers of the constitution. I say, therefore, that when these parts are taken together, we obtain a clear and definite construction of what they meant by the terms House and Senate.
It is true there are some instances in which House means a quorum, such are the cases in which ordinary business is transacted, in which the House adjourns or expels a disorderly member. The words are there synonymous, yet in its strict meaning the word House means the whole members and all cases where it is intended to have a different meaning, are provided for by the constitution. In the 5th section of the 1st article it is said, "the yeas and nays of members of either House on any question, shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the Journal." Why introduce this language? For the plain reason that without it one fifth of the House, that is of the whole number of members, would be required. This construction comports with the just remark of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smilie) that every exception to a general rule should be construed rigidly, that is, in the present instance, without an exception, one-fifth of the whole members will be required. So in the case of impeachments and treaties, unless the expression were two-thirds of the members present, the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole would be necessary. Gentlemen will see in all these cases, as the honorable member from Pennsylvania says, the exception proves the thing. Where there is no restriction to two thirds of the members present or to a majority, the constitution must be construed according to the general principle.
It is not my wish to detain the House longer on this subject. I have expressed myself in general terms. I add that it is proper that in an affair of such importance, we should proceed with deliberation and caution. The subject is a new one, and it can do no harm to discharge the committee of the whole, and take it up seriously. Some gentlemen are of opinion that there are precedents which apply to the elucidation of this point; if the committee shall be discharged, they will have time to search for them, the resolution can be referred to a select committee, the journals be examined, and the House enabled to proceed with caution and deliberation.
Mr. RODNEY stated two precedents in his opinion in point. One of which took place in May 1802, in the House of Representatives on an amendment to the constitution embracing the same principle with the present. The House then consisted of 106 members, two thirds of whom were 71. By the journals it appeared that an engrossed resolution of an amendment passed—Yeas 47—Nays 14.
Another precedent fresh in the recollection of gentlemen, he said, had been made this session. An amendment, containing the same principle, had passed that House; the whole members of which were 140, of which 95 constituted two thirds; and yet it would be found that it passed by 88 votes for, and 31 against it.
Mr. LOWNDES replied that the amendment which had passed this House in 1802, had been agreed to in great haste at the close of a session; the act was inadvertent, and therefore was not entitled to much weight.
The Yeas and Nays were then taken on the motion of Mr. Griswold, to discharge the committee of the whole, as follows:
YEAS.—Messrs. Baldwin, Betton, J. Campbell, Chamberlin, Chittenden, Claggett, Cutler, Dana, Davenport, Dennis, Dwight, Goddard, G. Griswold, R. Griswold, Hastings, Hough, Huger, Hunt, J. Lewis, T. Lewis, Livingston, Lowndes, N. Mitchell, Plater, J. C. Smith, Stedman, Stephenon, Taggart, Tallmage, Tenney, Thatcher, Tibbitts, Wadsworth, R. Williams.—34.
NAYS.—Messrs. Alston, Alexander,
Anderson, Archer, Bard, Bedinger, Bishop, Blackledge, Boyle, Brown, Bryan, Butler, G. W. Campbell, Caley, Claiborne, Clay, Clopton, Conrad, Crowningshield, Cutts, Dawson, Dickson, Earle, Early, Elliot, Eppes, Euliss, Fendley, Gillespie, Goodwyn, Gray, Gregg, Hammond, Hanna, H. H. Brock, J. Heister, Hoge, Holmes, Jackson, Jones, Kennedy, Knight, Leib, Lucas, Lyon, McCord, McCreery, Merrivether, S. L. Mitchell, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Morrow, New, Newton, junr. Olin, Palmer, Partee, J. Randolph, jun. T. M. Randolph, J. Rea, (of Pennsylvania) J. Rea, (of Tennessee) Richards, Rodney, Root, Sammons, Sanford, Seaver, Skinner, Smilie, J. Smith, (of New-York) Stanford, Stanton, Stewart, Thomas, Thomson, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Van Horn, Varum, Walton, Whitehill, M. Williams, Winn, Winston, Wynns.—85.
NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATURE.
CONCORD, November 30.
On Wednesday last, the Honorable General Court convened at this place, agreeable to adjournment in June last. In the afternoon, the Speaker of the House not having arrived, on account of ill health, the Hon. Nahum Parker, was elected Speaker pro-tem. The two Branches informed each other by respective messages, that quorums were formed, and that they were ready to proceed to business. A respectable committee was raised, to wait on his Excellency the Governor, and to inform him that the Legislature were ready to receive any communication he was pleased to make; his Excellency appointed Thursday, at 3 o'clock P. M. to wait on the two Branches in the Representatives chamber, and make his communications.
On Thursday his excellency the Governor sent the following communication to the House of Representatives, by Mr. Pearson the Secretary:
State of New Hampshire, Nov. 24, 1803.
SIR,
The state of my health preventing me from waiting on the Legislature, as I have usually done at the commencement of a session, you will please to lay the inclosed communication before the Honorable the House of Representatives.
Your humble servant,
J. T. GILMAN.
The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Presidents and Gentlemen of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
IN meeting you at this time, to which the Legislature was adjourned agreeable to your request, for the purpose of completing some particular business enjoined by the constitution to be done within the present year, and for attending to such other things as may be found necessary for promoting and preserving the peace, liberty and safety of our fellow-citizens, permit me again to congratulate you on the general tranquility and prosperity, which is apparent throughout this State.
In free governments, constituted as our own, all the citizens have parts to perform in which each should consider his acts not only as relating to himself, but to others equally privileged, and to posterity. If this idea is correct, how much more incumbent is this duty on those who are placed in offices of public trust?—They must not be content with merely doing the duty of private citizens, but ought to be examples to others in all praiseworthy and virtuous conduct; and those who have the power entrusted to them, are under strong obligations to provide the means for and to countenance and encourage, the dissemination of useful knowledge, virtue and morality, as indispensable requisites for the support of a free government.
The subject of establishing a new proportion of taxes among the several towns throughout the State, will claim your attention. As it will necessarily require a considerable time to complete this business, permit me to ask that it may be taken into consideration as early in the session as may be convenient: more especially, as it will be necessary to pass another act for districting the State for the Senators which will be founded on this.
While we ardently desire to avoid the necessity of a standing army, the state of our militia has strong claims to Legislative attention; they are respectable for numbers, and possess a large portion of that spirit which was heretofore exhibited in the just defence of our rights, and which gave our country independence and rank among nations; but they are not as well furnished with arms and other means of defence, as would be desirable: In addition to this, many valuable officers, who have but small estates, finding the expenses (which custom seems in some degree to have authorized) too burdensome, are induced to resign; this,
with other causes, making resignations very frequent.
Some of the European nations, with whom our country have important commercial connexions and other friendly relations, are again involved in war; and while we view with regret the calamities to which they are exposed, it is presumed the neutral position formerly taken by our government, or the advantages which have resulted therefrom, sufficiently point out the propriety of avoiding all measures which may have a tendency to entangle us in their contest. And while we exhibit a pacific disposition towards other nations, love to our own country should incite to measures calculated for preserving peace and good order among ourselves, maintaining the independence and dignity of government, and preparation for repelling by force, (if necessary,) all aggression from foreign powers.
In co-operating with you gentlemen, for the purpose of promoting the general welfare, I anticipate great satisfaction.
JOHN TAYLOR GILMAN.
Nov. 24, 1803.
Messrs. Ellis, Hale and Alexander, were appointed a committee by the House, to draft an answer to the Governor's communication, who reported the following on Monday last, which was accepted.
May it please your excellency.
The House of Representatives receive with peculiar pleasure your excellency's congratulation on the general prosperity enjoyed by the citizens of this State. We trust that this will be admitted as on slight evidence that the duties of the citizen and the magistrate have in general been discharged with fidelity. The distinction between these several duties pointed out by your excellency, is felt and acknowledged: Those of the former are indeed sacred; but the latter have no other alternative than perjury, or a faithful performance of the reposed trust. A general performance of both these duties is doubtless necessary to the prosperity of every government—but we trust, that a free government constituted like our own, is best calculated to secure it.
The new proportion to be established for the future assessment of taxes, which alone rendered this adjourned session necessary, shall meet our earliest attention.
The importance of a well regulated militia, is too obvious to be questioned by any. It furnishes the means of forming a regular army with a promptitude we trust equal to the exigency of any possible invasion. That our militia possesses those qualities which distinguish and adorn the soldier, in a degree equal at least to that of any country, requires no other evidence than that to which your excellency has drawn our attention. He who can look back on our revolutionary war, and survey the valour and virtue displayed in the achievement of our Independence, with one remaining doubt of the spirit of his fellow citizens, must found it only on those prejudices which should have been left with his birth-place beyond the Atlantic.—Impressed thus highly with the importance of our Militia, and the justness of its claims to our attention, we dare not pledge ourselves to provide a remedy for every defect in the present system of its laws; past experience forbids the hope that this can be brought to maturity without the aid of time, and the most careful attention; but our exertions shall be uniform for the promotion of so desirable an end.
We participate in the regret with which your excellency beholds the scourge of war again laid on some of the nations of Europe: But while the calamities which the contending parties are inflicting on each other, awaken our sympathy, they can scarcely fail to awaken our fears; of the difficulties to which even an honest neutrality is incident, we have had former experience. It must be guarded not only with caution, but with vigour; the sole security against aggression being an attitude calculated to repel it.
The several subjects, to which our attention has been or may be called, shall receive our most serious consideration: And we trust our exertions will be found in unison with those of your excellency for the promotion of the general welfare.
Five Dollars Reward.
STRAYED from the commons of Washington, about the 10th of November last, a small BAY HORSE, about 14 hands high, 8 or 9 years old, a white blaze face, one of his hind feet white, had on when he went a way a lock and chain on one of his fore feet. Any person bringing said horse to the subscriber shall receive the above reward and all reasonable expenses.
HUGH DENSLEY.
City of Washington, Dec 21—3t

WASHINGTON CITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21.
LOUISIANA.
By the last mail government has received dispatches from New Orleans, dated as late as the 29th ult. by which it appears that Mr. Landais, who was charged with the original orders to Mr. Laussat to receive Louisiana from Spain, arrived there late on the 25th ult. and that the 30th at noon was appointed by the Spanish and French Commissioners as the time for the delivery on the part of Spain and the receipt of possession on the part of France.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman residing near the Natchez, dated Dec. 2.
The governor set out this day for New Orleans with a number of troops, with the determination to take possession by force, if the Spanish should refuse the delivery: which I suppose they will not.
Another letter of similar date, states that information had been that morning received from New Orleans, that that place would be delivered without any difficulty being made.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Cabarrus county, North Carolina.
The gold mine in Cabarrus, has of late drawn the attention of a number of our citizens very much. Indeed it has so far engaged the minds of many, that it has become the common theme in almost every company.
Departed this life, on Sunday the 11th inst. at his seat in Dorchester county, (Maryland) after a short illness, WILLIAM VANS MURRAY, Esq. late minister from the United States at the Hague, and minister plenipotentiary to the French Republic.
Balt. pap.
(BY AUTHORITY)
EIGHTH CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES, at the First Session, begun and held at the City of Washington, in the Territory of Columbia, on Monday the seventeenth of October, one thousand eight hundred and three.
RESOLVED, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that, in lieu of the third paragraph of the first section of the second article of the Constitution of the United States, the following be proposed as an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of the Legislatures of the several States, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution, to wit:
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice President, and of the number of votes for each; which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the
President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.
The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.
But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
NATHL. MACON, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
A. BURR, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
Attest,
JOHN BECKLEY, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
SAMUEL A. OTIS, Secretary of the Senate.
An act to repeal an act entitled "An act to establish an uniform system of Bankruptcy throughout the United States."
BE it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the act of Congress passed on the fourth day of April 1800, entitled "An act to establish an uniform system of Bankruptcy throughout the United States" shall be and the same is hereby repealed. Provided Nevertheless, That the repeal of the said act shall in no wise affect the execution of any commission of bankruptcy which may have been issued prior to the passing of this act, but every such commission may and shall be proceeded on and fully executed as though this act had not passed.
NATHL. MACON, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
A. BURR, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
December 19, 1803.
APPROVED, TH: JEFFERSON.
House of Representatives.
MONDAY, Dec. 19, 1803.
A message was received from the President of the United States, advising the House that he had signed the act REPEALING the act establishing an uniform system of BANKRUPTCY throughout the United States.
Mr. Latimore presented a memorial from the House of Representatives of the Mississippi territory, representing the inconveniences experienced by the settlements on the Tombigby and the Alabama rivers from their remote situation from the seat of government.
Referred. An engrossed bill giving effect to the laws of the United States in the territory ceded by France to the United States was read the third time.
Mr. Lyon, after making a few remarks, moved to recommit the bill.
Motion lost without a division.
The Yeas and Nays were then taken, at the instance of Mr. Lyon, on the passage of the bill—Yeas 88. Nays 13.
The House read the amendments of the Senate to the salary bill, and referred them to a committee of the whole to-morrow.
The House went into a committee of the whole—Mr. Dawson in the chair—on the following report of the Post Office committee.
REPORT.
The Committee on the subject of Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred a resolution of the 21 ult. directing them to enquire by what means the Mail may be conveyed with greater security and dispatch than at present, between the City of Washington and Natchez and New Orleans, REPORT—
That the late cession of Louisiana by France to the United States, renders it an object of primary importance to have the nearest and most expeditious mode of communication established, between the city of Washington and the city of New Orleans the capital of that province; not only for the convenience of government, but to accommodate the citizens of the several commercial towns in the union.
That at present the mail is conveyed on a circuitous route from this place to
Knoxville and Nashville in Tennessee, and from thence through the wilderness by Natchez to New Orleans, a distance of more than 1500 miles.
That by establishing a post route as nigh on a direct line between those two cities, as the Blue-Ridge and Alleghany mountains will admit of, will not only lessen the distance about 500 miles; but as this route will pass almost the whole way through a country inhabited, either by citizens of the United States or friendly Indians, the mail will be more secure, and the persons employed in transporting it, better furnished with the means of subsistence.
The committee flatter themselves that the views of the general government in effecting this important object, will be seconded by the governments and citizens of those states through which this road will pass, by laying out, straightening and improving the same, as soon as the most proper course shall be sufficiently ascertained; but as this has not heretofore been used for conveying the mail between those places, they presume that the best route will be better known after it has been used for this purpose, than it can be at present; and with this view of the subject, they deem it improper at this time to designate intermediate points; they are therefore of opinion—
That a post road ought to be established from the City of Washington, on the most direct and convenient route to the Tombigby settlement in the Mississippi territory, and from thence to New Orleans.
And futher, that a post road ought also to be established from the said Tombigby settlement to the Natchez. This road will not only afford the inhabitants of that place a direct mode of communication with the seat of the territorial government, who at present are destitute of any, but will shorten the distance between this city and Natchez, nearly three hundred miles. And for the consideration of the House, the committee submit the following resolution:
Resolved, That a post-road ought to be established from the city of Washington, on the most direct and convenient route, to pass through or near the Tuckabatchee settlement to the Tombigbee settlement in the Mississippi territory, and from thence to New Orleans; and also from the said Tombigbee settlement to Natchez.
Mr. Stanford moved the insertion of the following words, "and Carter's ferry, on James River, Coles Ferry on Stanton, Danville on Dan river, in Virginia, Salisbury, Beatty's Ford on Catawba, in North Carolina, Spartanburg, Greenville C. H. Pendleton C. H. in South Carolina, and Jackson C. H. in Georgia."
His object being to designate the intermediate points of the route between the seat of government and New Orleans and Natchez.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Stanford, J. Randolph, Early, Earle, and Macon, on the principle that it was proper that Congress should designate the route, and on the ground that the route, contemplated by the amendment, would be the best.
On the other hand, the motion was opposed by Messrs. Thomas, Smilie, Holland, Claiborne, S. L. Mitchell, and G. W. Campbell, on the ground that a discretionary power should be reposed in the post master general to designate the route, and on the ground that if Congress should undertake to designate the route, the one fixed by the amendment, was not an eligible one.
Mr. Dennis declared himself in favor of the House exercising the power of designating the route, but was not sufficiently informed to vote on any particular line.
Mr. R. Griswold moved that the committee of the whole should rise and ask leave to sit again, with the view that leave should be refused, and the report recommitted to the post office committee, in order to obtain from them a detailed report that would furnish the House with satisfactory information.
This motion was supported by Mr. Gregg, and opposed by Mr. Thomas, and carried—Yeas 70.
The House then refused leave to the committee of the whole to sit again—Yeas 19—and recommitted the report to the post office committee.
TUESDAY, Dec. 20, 1803.
Mr. Early called for the order of the day on the report of the committee of the whole on the petition of Zacharia C. Cox.
The House took up the report which is that the prayer of the petitioner cannot be granted.
Mr. Early hoped the report would be disagreed to, in which case he would move the following resolution:
Resolved, Although the arrest and confinement of Zacharia Cox by Winthrop Sargeant, Esq. appears to have been illegal and oppressive, yet that the circumstances are not such as to justify the interposition of this House.
Messrs. R. Griswold and Smilie opposed the adoption of this motion, on the ground that it involved a decision on the character of a public officer on ex-parte evidence; that if Governor
Sargeant had abused his powers, he was a fit subject of impeachment, and that this would be the becoming course to pursue; and that inasmuch as he might be brought before a court of justice, it was highly improper and unjust to impose a stigma on his character, which might operate injuriously to the cause of justice.
Messrs. Early and J. Randolph advocated the adoption of the motion, on the ground that governor Sargeant appeared, from documents which he had himself transmitted to the department of state, to have made an illegal and oppressive arrest and confinement of the petitioner, for which act he was, in their opinion, impeachable; but, inasmuch as the power of impeachment was a high and solemn one, which ought not to be cheapened by an application to trifling cases, and inasmuch as it was the general opinion of the House that this was a case that did not merit such interposition, it became proper, at the same time, to avoid a decision, that might appear, in a side way, to exculpate governor Sargeant, which might be considered as the effect of confirming the report, that the prayer of the petitioner cannot be granted.
On concurring in the report of the committee, viz. that the prayer of the petitioner cannot be granted, the House divided—Yeas 54—Nays 26.
This decision of course superseded the motion contemplated to be made by Mr. Early, in case the report of the committee should have been disagreed to.
Mr. Alston presented a memorial from sundry inhabitants of the Indiana territory, praying a repeal of the 6th article of the ordinance establishing the Indiana territory, which prohibits slavery in said territory.
Mr. Varnum objected to the reference of the memorial on the ground that its prayer was both unconstitutional and unjust.
Mr. Alston replied that this remark might be an argument against agreeing to the prayer of the memorial, but would not apply against making the reference, especially as the same subject was already referred to a committee on another petition.
The reference to a committee was carried—Yeas 43—Nays 34.
Mr. Claiborne moved a resolution for the appointment of a committee to enquire whether any, and if any, what description of claims against the United States are bound by statutes of limitation, which in reason and justice ought to be provided for by law, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Ordered to lie on the table.
The House went into a committee of the whole—Mr. Varnum in the chair—on the amendments of the Senate to the salary bill.
These amendments were, 1. To strike out these words, "as established by the act passed the 2d of March 1799, and no other."
2. To increase the salary of the post master general from 3,000 to 4,000 dollars.
3. To increase the salary of the assistant post master general from 1,700 dollars to 2,000 dollars.
4. To insert a new section, prohibiting the allowance of any extra compensation from contingent funds to officers compensated by fixed salaries.
The committee disagreed to the three first amendments, and agreed to the last.
The House immediately took up the report of the committee, and concurred in it.
On a concurrence with the committee in their agreement to the last amendment, the Yeas and Nays were taken—Yeas 65—Nays 42.
Philadelphia, Dec. 6.
By the late arrivals from St. Jago, we have interesting particulars relative to the evacuation of Aux-Cayes, which did not take place until the blockade of that town by the British, and the consumption of every living animal, had reduced the garrison to the utmost extremity; forced to abandon Aux-Cayes, gen. Brunet, conciliated to his duty as a soldier, the humanity of a man; after taking every necessary measure for the safety of the troops and inhabitants, he destroyed, before he quitted the town every implement of war that yet remained in his possession; the guns were all rendered forever unfit for use, the muskets, powder, &c. were thrown into the sea.
Ellicott's Journal.
Just opened and for sale by RAPINE, CONRAD, and Co. NEW JERSEY AVENUE.
The journal of Andrew
Ellicott, late commissioner on behalf of the United States, for determining the boundary between the United States and the possessions of his Catholic Majesty in America, containing occasional remarks on the situation, soil, rivers, natural productions, and diseases of the different countries on the Ohio, Mississippi, and Gulf of Mexico, with SIX MAPS, comprehending the Ohio, the Mississippi from the mouth of the Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico, the whole of West Florida, and part of East Florida. To which is added an appendix containing astronomical observations, &c.
Nov. 28.
MICHAEL ROBERTS
HAS FOR SALE, AT HIS STORE, GEORGE-TOWN, A GENERAL
Assortment of Stationary, And other articles in his line, viz.
ATLAS, imperial, super-royal, royal, medium, demy, and folio post papers. Plain and velum fool's cap papers. Hot pressed, gilt, wove & plain quarto post do. Super-royal and royal carriage do. Medium, demy & white do. French marble do. Plain and ruled blank books. Best quills and ready made pens. Pen knives, tracing knives and paper scissors. Black and red ink and ink powder. Black and red sealing wax and wafers. Large red and white do. for office use. Silk tape and red and white tape. Parchment, scotch fish bone and pounce. Ivory pounce boxes and paper toppers. India rubber and gum arabic. Plack lead pencils, (warranted) Ditto with silver cases. Round and flat rulers. Marking types and Rees's colours in boxes. Backgammon tables and cribbage boxes. Ditto bread baskets and toast racks. English and American playing cards. Portable writing desks. Gentlemen and ladies pocket books. Sheet and house almanacs for 1803. Sheep & calf skins dressed for bookbinding use. Printing ink and printing paper. Wedgewood, glass and pewter inkstands. Sand and water boxes. Wax candles and tapers. Ivory handle table desert knives. Plated tea and coffee urns, large and elegant with silver head and brims. Ditto tea and coffee pots, silver brims. Ditto caster double flat cut glass. Ditto bread baskets and toast racks. Ditto salt and mustard pots. Ditto goblets and tumblers. Ditto Decanter stands and fish knives. Ditto plain, high and patent round and oval candlesticks. Ditto small ditto. Do. chamber do. with snuffers & extinguishers. Ditto snuffers and snuffer trays. Fashionable bras and irons. Green wire fenders and fire forns with brass tops. Shovels and tongs. Coal hods and cinder sifters. Hand bellows with bras and iron pipes.
Plated Mouldings for Carriages.
Gigg springs. Spurs and stirrup irons. Chaize, bridle & saddle bridle bits. Horse brushes and curbs. Carriage, chair and switch whips. Walking sticks and sword canes. Horseman's and pocket pistols. Officers traveling canteens, with cooking utensils, &c. complete. Swords and dirks. Gold and silver epaulets. Sword knots and crimson silk sashes. Gold and silver lace and cords. Guns and fowling pieces. Shot pouches and powder flasks. Game and hawking bags. Casing nets mounted and unmounted. Travelling trunks and traveling pouches. Fuckin gloves and breeches. Morocco skins of various colours. Boot and girth webbing. English bend and cork soles. Gentlemen & ladies japanned dressing boxes. English and American hair powder. Powder bags and powder puffs. Curling tongs and crimping irons and powder knives. Hard and soft pomatum. Best warranted razors. Shaving brushes and boxes. Benzoin, almond, palm, palmaseen, cowslip, and windfor soaps. Wash balls and wash ball boxes. Essence of musk, and ambergris. Bergamot and lavender. Raspis: Tin-cure for the teeth. Tooth brushes and tooth powder. Ivory and box wood fine combs. Tortoise shell and horn braid combs. Do. do. dressing do. Genuine black and flesh colored plaiter. Patent shoe blacking and shoe brushes. Clothes, hair and hat brushes. Sweeping, scrubbing, and dushing do. Tortoise shell and japanned legar boxes. Mother of pearl, tortoise shell and japanned snuff boxes. An assortment of upholsterers ware, consisting of fringe line, tassels, &c. An assortment of hardware consisting of saws, plains, chisels, gouges, augurs, files, rasps, locks, hinges, bolts, spades, shovels, tacks, sprigs, &c.
ALSO FOR SALE, BY EDGAR PATTERSON, at the above store,
FRESH FRUITS, just received per the Brig Celia, capt. Brown, from Malaga.
George-town, Dec. 21.
LECTURES.
THE subscriber respectfully informs the public, that the course of Lectures on EDUCATION, &c. will commence on Wednesday evening next, at Lovell's Hotel, Pennsylvania Avenue, city of Washington, when will be delivered
A LECTURE ON HISTORY.
And on Monday evening the 16th inst. at the Union Tavern, George-Town, the course of Law Lectures will commence by the delivery of a Lecture on the Utility of Law and its professors.
TERMS.
Ten dollars each course—and to second course such gentlemen as cannot attend the whole of either course. Tickets will be issued to single Lectures at one dollar each.
ROBERT W. PEACOCK.
City of Washington, December 10, 1803. N. B. The Lectures will be delivered precisely at 7 o'clock, P. M. on the evening assigned therefor.
December 12—M & W

GEORGE BRUORTON
FROM LONDON. THE only china, glass, and earthen ware Enameller and Gilder in America, begs leave to inform the ladies and gentlemen in the United States that they may have, china, glass, and earthen ware, gilded and enamelled with their arms, crests, cyphers, borders, or any other devices in the neatest and most fashionable manner with the best burnish'd gold, warranted to stand, and the brightest of enamelled colours. These ladies and gentlemen who wish to encourage the above art may apply at his manufactory, No. 12. Brannon street oppo site the New Market in Greenwich, where the orders will be received and executed on the shortest notice. New York, July 28—Dec. 16—2t
FRANCIS PIC
RESPECTFULLY inform the ladies and gentlemen of George Town and the city of Washington, that he shall open at his store in George Town, on Monday next, an extensive assortment of Millinery and Fancy goods, Perfumery, &c. purchased since the last arrivals from Europe, by Madame Pic—who will arrive here on Saturday. This assortment is the most elegant, rich and fashionable ever exhibited in the district of Columbia, and will be sold on the lowest terms possible. Dec. 16—3t
LECTURES.
THE public are respectfully informed that the delivery of the Lectures by the Subscriber, is postponed until after the holidays, and due notice will be given the subscribers and the public of their commencement. ROBE T W. PEACOCK. Washington, Dec. 17, 1803.
NEW STORE, WHOLESALE & RETAIL.
THE subscriber respectfully informs the public that he has opened a store in Bridge street, near High-street, at the left, running from the city, where he will sell very cheap the following fresh imported goods: Superfine and second London mens' and childrens' hats, first and second broad cloth, cassimere, coating and naps of a variety of the newest fashionable colors, flannels, trift linen of the very finest and middle fort, Ostend, cambric, cambric muslin, laces, cotton, calicoes, fancy waistcoatings, English and French silk stockings and gloves, worsted hosiery, handkerchiefs, silk and other threads, fringes, gold and silver watches, razors, pen knives, &c. &c. The subscriber has a large quantity of broad cloth, cassimere, coatings, &c. on hand which he wishes to sell off, and offers them therefore by wholesale at the very low price of 115 advance. TH. W. PAIRO. George Town 19th Dec.—3tawtf
In the case of JAMES M'DONALD. BANKRUPT.
This is to give notice that the commissioners named and authorised in a commission of bankruptcy awarded and issued against James M'Donald of Washington county in the district of Columbia dealer and chapman—Intend to meet on the third day of January next, at four o'clock in the afternoon of that day, at the house of William Rhodes Inn-keeper in the city of Washington, where the creditors who have not already proved their debts may then and there come and prove the same, and assent or dissent from the allowance of the certificate to said bankrupt. By order of the commissioners, LEWIS FORD, Sec. Dec. 19—3t
CHARLES VARDEN, TAYLOR, FROM PHILADELPHIA.
HAS received from Philadelphia an elegant assortment of the best quality Superfine Cloths, Cassimere, Silk florantine, Black and fancy silk moleskin velvet, white & figured Marcella, Swandowns, Toilettines, Velveteens, Fancy cords, Coating, &c. With a variety of other articles suitable for the winter season. N. B. Ladies Habits, Regimentals and Navy uniforms made in the first style of fashion. New-Jersey Avenue, the second House from the Capitol Square. November 8, 1803.
NOTICE.
ALL who are are indebted to the estate of John Crookshank deceased are requested to make immediate payment to, CHARLES GLOVER, Admr. George Town, Nov. 25—1t
FOR SALE.
THE Plantation on which I live, containing about 600 acres of valuable and. The improvements are, an exceeding good dwelling house two stories high, 42 feet long, by 36 feet wide, with a passage through the middle, three rooms below, and four above stairs, with fire places in all but one, and a dry Iwet cellar, the size of the house, in which is a capital vault with wo rooms, and above is a fine airy pantry. A kitchen 36 by 18, two stores high, with a kitchen and laundry below, and lodging rooms for servants above. A washing house, meat house and dairy and in short every necessary improvement for the accommodation of a family, and a very fine collection of grafted and budded peach trees of the most approved kinds, chiefly from Princes nursery on Long Island, which are just beginning to bear. This property is situated in a healthy genteel neighborhood, about four miles from the city of Washington, five from Alexandria. Nearly one half is in wood and timbered, and the residue arable and meadow land, of the latter, there are about 50 or 60 acres under the scythe and more may be easily laid down. Perhaps no tract of the same size, abounds more in fine springs, there being a never failing stream in every field, besides an abundant one which runs through the meadow and from which the greatest part of it may be watered. For terms apply to the subscriber on the premises. OVERTON CARR. September 29, 1803.
New Retail Grocery Store.
Just received per the schooner Highland J. Hand, master, from Philadelphia, London particular, Madeira, Sherry, Port & claret Wines—Cogniac brandy, Spanish do. by the cask only; Jamaica spirits, Holland gin, cherry bounce, anniced cordial, whilkey, white wine and cyder vinegars, sugar house mol. Tes, spermaceti oil and candles; imperial, bylon, young bylon, and bylon skin teas—loaf, lump and muscovado sugars; coffee and chocolate, pearl and common barley, American cheese, butter by the firkin only, basket salt for table use, sweet oil for do. capers and olives, raisins, almonds, &c. lemons, cloves, mace, nutmegs, cinnamon and allspice, black pepper, mustard and ginger, Spanish segars of a superior quality, Macquabau and appee snuff, fig blue and starch, brown foxy and candles, wrapping paper, fine twine emijohns, liquor cases, &c. &c. All warranted to be of the best qualities, and for sale by EDGAR PATTERSON. November 30—tf
JUST RECEIVED,
By the UNITED STATES, Capt. Finley from Liverpool, Fall Goods, viz. Brass Plate and wire fenders and irons, shovel and tongs, pokers, bellows, coal hods, bell metal kettles, brass, ironmen, knives and forks, plated bridle bits and stirrups, with a variety of saddlery, brass ware, kitchen furniture, tools and building materials, &c. HENRY INGLE. Washington, Oct. 28.—epam.
COLUMBIAN INN, GEORGE-TOWN.
THE Subscriber begs leave to solicit the patronage of his former friends and customers, and informs them he still continues at the Columbian Inn—where he will be happy to have it in his power to accommodate them as usual. JOHN H. BARNEY. September 21. spjt
ELISHA RIGGS,
Has just received from Philadelphia, an additional supply of FALL GOODS, Which makes his assortment extensive. Among them are many fancy articles, and Superfine cloths, cassimere, velvets, and fancy vest patterns, Irish linens, cotton counterpanes, ticken, and sheeting, English hats, kid shoes, silk hosiery, and gloves, Shirting flannels, rose blankets, and coarse cloths, Furniture dimities, ditto calicoes, anduffs, Silks, cambrics, muslins, chintzes and calicoes, Laces, veils, crapes and India muslins, 20 boxes China in sets. Also—other articles, which will be sold on terms to please the purchaser. George-Town, Nov. 30.—tw6w
FOR SALE,
A LIKELY and valuable young Negro man, about twenty three years of age—a tolerable good house carpenter. The terms may be known by applying to the Printer, or by note addressed to B. W. and left at the Bar of the Union Tavern, George-Town. Any person wishing to purchase must apply within two weeks from this date. December 12, 1803—6t
District of Pennsylvania, to wit: BE it remembered, That on the ninth day of May, in the twenty-seventh year of the independence of the United States of America, William Young Birch, and Abraham Small, of the said district, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit: "BLACKSTONE'S COMMENTARIES," "with notes of reference, to the constitution and laws of the Federal Government of the United States, and of the commonwealth of Virginia, in Five Volumes, with an Appendix to each volume, containing short tracts upon such subjects as appeared necessary to form a connected view of the laws of Virginia, as a member of the Federal union, by St. GEORGE TUCKER, Professor of Law, in the university of William and Mary, and one of the judges of the General Court in Virginia." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, intituled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an act entitled, "An act supplementary to an act, entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned." And extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical, and other prints." The above work may be had at John March's book store, George-Town, and of the booksellers in the city of Washington. November 23—1m
HENRY POLKINHORN, Saddler, Harness, Army Accoutrements, & Arnh-maker.
HAVING taken two nephews Wm. & Richard M. Hall, into partnership, The business in future will be conducted in this place under the firm of H. Polkinhorn and Wm. Hall, who have opened at the store lately occupied by Mr. Conner, (two doors from the bank of Columbia) a handsome assortment of articles in their line; and hope from attention to business to merit the favors of their friends and the public. The business will be continued as usual in Baltimore, (under the firm of H. Polkinhorn and R. Hall) where they have for sale a general assortment of Saddlery, wholesale and retail, which they are determined to sell on the lowest terms. George Town, Nov. 23—1m
Ten Dollars Reward.
STOLEN from the plantation near Upper Marlboro, on Saturday night the 29th October—an iron grey HORSE, about fourteen hands one inch high, seven years old, stout made, trots and gallops only on the road, is rather dull and goes heavy, having been broke to the plough—he has lately been trimmed about the head and ears. Any person giving me information so that I get him again shall receive the above reward and if brought home all reasonable charges paid by, BENJAMIN ODEN. November 21—tf
In the case of ZEBULON WARNER a bankrupt.
Whereas a commission of BANKRUPTCY founded on the act of Congress passed on the 4th day of April in the year eighteen hundred, entitled "An act to establish an uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States" has been awarded against Zebulon Warner of the district of Columbia, dealer and chapman and he being declared bankrupt is hereby required to surrender himself to the commissioners in the said commission named, or the major part of them on the 19th day of December instant, 2nd and 16th days of January next, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of each day at the house of William Rhodes innkeeper in the city of Washington and to make a full disclosure of his whole estate and effects, when and where his creditors are to come prepared to prove their debts, at the second sitting to choose assignees and at the last sitting to assent to or dissent from the allowance of his certificate, all persons indebted to the said bankrupt or who have any of his estate or effects in their hands are not to pay or deliver the same to any person not appointed by the commissioners but give notice to LEWIS FORD, Sec. to the commissioners. December 5, 1803—16J
BY AUTHORITY.
SCHEME OF A LOTTERY, To build a Catholic Cathedral Church in the City of Baltimore.
   Dollars.     1 prize of 20,000   1 ditto 10,000   2 do 5000 10,000   3 do 1000 3,000   10 do 500 5,000   15 do 200 3,000   200 do 100 20,000   200 do 50 10,000   200 do 25 5,000   250 do 20 5,000   4000 do 15 60,000   1 first drawn ticket after 2000, having a blank to its number, 500   1 do after 4000 do 500   1 do after 6000 do 500   1 do after 8000 do 500   1 do after 10,000 do 500   1 do after 12,000 do 500   1 do after 15,000 do 500   1 do after 18,000 do 500   1 do after 20,000 do 2,000   1 last drawn ticket, which may have a blank to its number, 4,000   7154 Prizes, 210,000   3,856 Blanks—Not two to a prize.  
210,000 Tickets, at 10 dollars each, 210,000. The laudable purpose of this lottery—the many very valuable prizes offered, and there not being two blanks to a prize, are considerations which give the managers reason to hope for a rapid sale of the tickets. The drawing will commence as soon as a sufficient number of tickets shall be sold to authorise it; and thirty days after the completion of the drawing, the prizes will be paid to the fortunate adventurers; subject to a deduction of fifteen per cent. Such prizes as shall not be demanded within twelve months after the drawing is finished, shall be considered as relinquished for the benefit of the church. For the satisfaction of those at a distance, it may be necessary to mention, that the managers have given bond to the mayor and city council in the sum of 120,000 dollars, for the due payment of the prizes which may be drawn. Tickets to be had of the managers, or of such persons as may be appointed by them. Managers. Right rev. Bishop Carroll, Rev. Francis Beeston, Messrs. David Williamson, Robert Walsh, Charles Chequiere, Patrick Bennet, Arnold Livers, Luke Tiernan, Francis I. Mitchell. July 13, 1803. copf
The managers have lodged a number of officers in the above lottery in the hands of Wm. Brent and James D. Barry for sale. THOMAS GARTNER, TAYLOR.
HAS just received an handsome supply of fall goods, which he is determined to sell and make upon the most reasonable terms, and in the best and most fashionable manner, and greatest expedition. Pennsylvania Avenue, near the President's Square and Capitol Hill, seventh house from the Capitol. Oct. 14.
NOTICE.
WHEREAS some time about the middle of November last, a draft was drawn by me in favor of a certain Jehiah Foster, of Matthews county in the state of Virginia, on a certain Houder Hudgins of said county & state—payable 60 days after date: And as said draft was fraudulently obtained from me, I am determined not to pay it unless compelled by law. I do therefore, hereby forwarn all persons from taking an assignment of the same. LABRET SCOTT George Town, Dec. 16—3t
FOR Sale One hundred and fifty acres of land, One hundred acres of which is in wood—it is situated within six miles of the Eastern Branch ferry. For terms apply to MICHAEL LOWE Princes George county, July 22. ratf
In the case of Joseph Dawson an Insolvent Debtor.
ON the petition of Joseph Dawson, an insolvent debtor confined in the Prison of Washington county, for debt.—Notice is hereby given, that on Saturday the 24th instant, at the court room in the Capitol, at 10 o'clock, A. M. the oath of an insolvent debtor will be administered to the said Joseph Dawson agreeable to law and a trustee appointed, unless sufficient cause be shown to the contrary. It is ordered that this notice be published in the Washington Federalist and National Intelligencer, four times in each, previous to said 24th instant. By order of William Cranch, Esq. assistant Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia. URIAM FORREST, Clk. December 9—4tw
Grocery & Liquor Store.
SAMUEL M'INTIRE informs the inhabitants of Washington and the public in general, that he has opened a grocery and liquor store at the Navy yard opposite Mr. Prout's, where he has and intends to keep a supply of every thing in his line of the best quality. He has now on hand, best Cogniac brandy, Imperial tea, Bordeaux. do. Hylon, Holland gin, Young Hylon, Jamaica spirits, Hylon skin, Whiskey, &c. Loaf, lump, and Madeira wine, very fine brown sugar, for immediate use, Soap and candles, Sherry do. Bacon first quality, Lisbon wine, Best Spanish segars, And a variety of other articles all which he intends to sell on the lowest terms for Cash. N. B. A lot for sale in an eligible situation on the Capitol hill, New Jersey Avenue. Novemb er 4—copft
Valuable Lands and Lots FOR SALE.
I Will sell, on liberal terms of payment, to accommodate purchasers, the following Property, bequeathed to me, in trust with power to sell, by the late Mr. Thomas Dick, of Bladensburg, viz. 1. THE valuable FARM which he had in his own possession, and lands adjoining thereto, containing in the whole upwards of 1300 acres. These lands are situated to the northward of Bladensburg, on the Eastern Branch of Potomac river, about three miles distant from that town, on a fine level road. From Bladensburg to the City of Washington, by land, the distance is about four miles, and by water five; and the Eastern Branch is navigable for large craft to said town. There is a great abundance of wood on the lands, and they are well watered in every respect; have a considerable quantity of rich bottom, some of which is already in grass. The improvements on the farm are good, and the whole under good fences. These lands can conveniently be laid off into three parcels, with improvements to each, and will fold together or separately. Part of a tract of Land, called Hills and Dales, lying in Montgomery county, on the north-west branch of the Eastern Branch of Potomac, about six miles from Bladensburg, and about the same distance from Washington, containing 70 1. 4 acres. Part of another tract, called Crawford's Adventure, lying to the south-east of Bladensburg, nearly adjoining the town, and adjoining the lands of the late Richard Henderson, esq. containing 160 acres all in wood. And 83 1. 2 acres of valuable Marsh and low land, on the said Eastern Branch, about half a mile below that town, and adjoining the said lands of the late Mr. Henderson. The House and Lot in Bladensburg, on which the late Mr. Dick resided, containing about six acres; this is one of the best situations in the town, is generally admired, and commands a very extensive view. There is a good garden, ice-house, stable, and all other offices necessary for the accommodation of a private family, and the lot and garden properly inclosed, and all in good order. Should this house, &c. not be sold previous to the 1st of December, it will then be to rent. One other lot or parcel of ground, adjoining the town lots, near the above mentioned house, and contiguous to the residence of Richard 1: Lowndes, esq. containing 9 3. 8 acres. Also, Lot No. 7, in square No. 704, in the City of Washington, being the north-east corner of that square, containing 9588 square feet. A further description of the property is considered unnecessary, as persons inclined to purchase will doubtless satisfy themselves by viewing the same. Mr. John Hugh, at present residing in Bladensburg, will shew the property, and the terms may be particularly known on application to him, or to JOHN LAIRD, Trustee. N. B. I hold 246 1. 2 acres of Land, adjoining the above mentioned tract of Hills and Dales, which may be advantageous and desirable for the purchaser of the latter to have—and I will sell the same on similar terms. JOHN LAIRD. George-Town, Oct. 24, 1803. epzwaatf.
In the case of JOHN WILLIAMS LYTTION—a Bankrupt.
WHEREAS a commission of Bankruptcy founded upon the act of Congress of the United States passed on the fourth day of April, 1800, entitled, "An act to establish an uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States" has been awarded and issued against John Williams Lyttion of Washington county in the district of Columbia, dealer and chapman, and he has been declared a bankrupt. He is therefore required to surrender himself to the commissioners in the said commission named, or the majority of them on the 8th and 22nd days of December, and 5th of January next at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of each day at the house of William Rhodes's Inn-keeper in the city of Washington, and make a full disclosure and discovery of his estate and effects, when and where his creditors are to come prepared to prove their debts, and at the second sitting to choose assignees, and at the last sitting the bankrupt is required to finish his examination. All persons indebted to the said bankrupt, or who have any of his estate or effects in their hands are not to pay or deliver the same to any person not appointed by the commissioners but give notice to LEWIS FORD, Secretary to the Commissioners. Nov. 25—
STOUGHTON'S
GENUINE BITTERS. Faithfully prepared at the original warehouse London.
TO make any observations here, upon the superior quality of these bitters to any ever offered for sale, is needless; suffice it to say, that they have stood the test of approbation a great number of years. Gentlemen, who prefer bitters, will find them an elegant and wholesome preparation; and far preferable to the trash generally offered under that name. It is now for the first time, imported in quart bottles, as well as vials, which will reduce the price near one half. Sold by Rapine, Conrad and Co. Capitoll hill, Washington, John March, George Town, Robert and J. Grey, Alexandria, and A. Buck, Frederickburg, Virginia. November 7—1aw3m
In the case of JACOB GROSS an Insolvent Debtor.
ON the petition of Jacob Gross an insolvent debtor confined in the prison of Washington county for debt. Notice is hereby given that on Saturday the 24th day of December instant at the court room in the Capitol at 10 o'clock, A. M. the oath of an insolvent debtor will be administered to the said Jacob Gross, agreeable to law, and a trustee appointed unless sufficient cause be shown to the contrary. It is ordered that this notice be published once a week in the Washington Federalist and National Intelligencer until the said 24th December. By order of William Cranch, Esq. assistant Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia. URIAM FORREST, Clk. December 9—1aw.
A Stray Mare.
THIS day Richard Spalding brought before me a justice of peace for Washington county; a bright Bay Mare about 14 hands high 11 years old, with a snip, a few white hairs on her forehead, and some under the hooflock on the off fore foot.—The owner is requested to prove property pay charges and take her away. WILLIAM THORNTON. Dec. 7—3t
Valuable Land for Sale.
The executors of the last will and testament of Anthony Holmead deceased, will sell at private sale about forty acres of Land adjoining the city of Washington at the northern extremity of 20th street west. This land is generally allowed to be one of the handsomest situations near the city, having a beautiful prospect of nearly the whole of the city of Washington, Alexandria and George Town, and any person inclined to purchase this valuable property, will be shown the same, and know the terms by application to the subscriber near the premises. JOHN HOLMEAD. November 11—wif
PROPOSALS
for publishing a periodical work entitled The Literary Magazine, AND AMERICAN REGISTER.
THIS work, if public patronage encourages its prosecution, shall be published monthly. The number shall be, occasionally ornamented with an engraving, executed by the best artist that can be obtained, and delivered to subscribers at the price of SIXTY CENTS. Each number shall contain, at least, eighty pages in large octavo, and shall comprehend seven departments. The first department shall include original, moral, literary or scientific performances, and biographical or historical sketches. The second department shall contain reviews of American publications, and of English works republished here. The third department shall comprise such extracts, from foreign publications, as shall be considered peculiarly interesting, and deserving the attention of the people of America. The essence, especially of periodical publications, shall be carefully extracted. The fourth department shall consist of pieces of original or selected poetry. The fifth department shall include notices of publications preparing for the press; notices of literary characters and incidents; and such portions of information of a scientific, commercial, and agricultural nature, as shall be deemed most remarkable and most deserving of notice. The sixth department shall contain an accurate detail of political intelligence, foreign and domestic, particularly a clear summary of the proceedings of the Congress of the United States during their session. The seventh department shall consist of all such interesting or important occurrences, as the passing month shall have produced; such as casualties, crimes, &c. and shall likewise contain as full and accurate a list of marriages and deaths, in the United States, as can be procured. This work will be published by Messrs. John Conrad, & Co. and will be conducted under the immediate direction of an Editor, who, in addition to his own labours, has received assurances of the assistance of several of the first literary characters in this city and in New-York. A work of the nature now offered to the attention of the people of the United States, has long been demanded. It is conceived, that, if properly conducted, it would eminently promote the literature of this country, and would prove, in all respects favourable to the gratification of taste and extension of useful information. The Editor promises, if encouraged by liberal subscriptions, all that his talents and labours can perform toward the successful execution of the work which he has proposed to undertake, and he hopes that this appeal to literary taste, that this desire to diffuse knowledge among all classes of society, will not, like other attempts, which have preceded this, be rendered fruitless, by a cold and despairing reception. To enable the public to judge of the nature of the publication as soon as possible, the first number will appear in a few days. Subscriptions received by Rapine, Conrad & Co. Booksellers and Stationers, New-Jersey Avenue, near the Capitol. December 5.