The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 1808-12-21 00:00:00

Mr. Mosely confessed that he saw nothing so very alarming in this proposition as some gentlemen seemed to think. To vote for or against it would break no man's leg, nor pick any man's pocket. For himself, he believed that an abandonment of the ocean was submission to the edicts of the belligerents. He did not believe that gentlemen who passed the embargo law, had voted for it in that view; but perhaps the gentlemen, seeing this idea becoming daily more prevalent, had thought proper to come forward with a declaration to this effect. He really feared that foreign nations began to think that they had nothing to fear from us but proclamations and abstract legislation.
Mr. GARDENIER said that he should probably on the present question be in a very small minority; and this being the case, he felt an unwillingness to vote without at the same time asserting the principle on which he opposed it. He was opposed to it for two reasons: first, because it was legislating on an abstract proposition, reserving a certain thing which could not be disputed; and secondly, because no definite consequence was to result from the adoption of it. One gentleman (said he) asserts that the adoption of this resolution, if followed by any consequence, will be followed by a repeal of the embargo. Another gentleman considers the adoption of the resolution as pledging the House and the nation to the approbation and continuance of this same embargo law. Then it is legislating on words without identification, entering into a resolution which subjects us to no specific course after it is passed, binds us to nothing; for one gentleman can vote for this resolution, because in consequence of it he considers the House bound to repeal the embargo. Let the members of this House look for one moment to the ridiculous consequence of voting upon an abstract proposition which is followed by no consequence, which decides no question, which ties no one to no course of proceeding. No individual commits himself on any point in controversy by voting on this resolution. Therefore Mr. G. said it was an idle and useless proposition. It appeared to him to be below the dignity of the House to vote for or against it; and if he knew any way in which the question could consistently be avoided, he should pursue that course in preference to the vote which he felt himself obliged to give. In the view in which he considered this resolution, he could not see how men legislating for the good of the nation could be themselves seriously to vote for such a proposition. It is really idle (said he) but in my mind it is not asserting the dignity of this House and of the nation to pass a resolution expressed in the terms in which this is expressed. "Resolved, That the United States cannot, without a sacrifice of their rights, honor and independence, submit." The United States cannot submit to any thing, sir; the moment we submit, that moment we have no more rights, honor and independence. I had thought, as an American citizen, that to submit in any case was to relinquish those peculiar privileges which distinguish the citizens of the United States from all others; I should therefore as soon think of bringing forward a resolution for the adoption of this House that it is a relinquishment of our rights and independence to submit at all, as that it is such a sacrifice to submit to the edicts mentioned in the resolution. The proposition then amounts to this: that for the United States to submit is to sacrifice their independence. And who disputes it? No one. In this view of the subject, therefore the adoption of this resolution would seem to imply a doubt whether this nation has shown a disposition to resist the aggression of foreign powers. If the fact were really so, if we had been in the habit of submitting to insults and aggression, at any rate I would not wound the feelings of this injured people so much as to pass a resolution which should imply that it had been the case—for if any possible practical ability can result from the adoption of this resolution, it would be this and this only: that inasmuch as our conduct hitherto had been calculated to impress foreign nations with an opinion that we would submit, it has become necessary to declare that we would not submit. Now is this country placed in such a situation either by the conduct of the administration or its opponents that a new declaration of independence has become necessary? Has the spirit of '76 travelled back so far as that it is now necessary to declare that we are independent? If this were seriously a matter of doubt, in such a case I might be inclined to adopt such a resolution as this. But I do not think so. The spirit of independence is as broad awake as ever it was; it is as warm and glowing as it was at the battle of Bunker's Hill; and therefore, certain as I am of this, I am not prepared to give my assent to such a proposition; because I think
its adoption calculated to carry with it an expression of doubt as to the matter which it resolves to be true. When the declaration of independence was made in '76, we were not immediately seceded to that period independent. That the character of this nation might be justly estimated, it became necessary that a declaration of independence should be made. That was made; and ever since that time it has been unnecessary to declare that it did still exist. I see nothing in the temper of the people at this time which is calculated to make me fear that they mean to relinquish their independence. I will say that in neither of the great parties in the country is there any disposition to relinquish it. In the party which I oppose I do not believe that there exists any design to surrender our independence, although I believe their measures destructive to the interests of the nation; and in the party to which I belong (and the being attached to it is a circumstance in which I feel more pride than in any other) I am certain that no such disposition exists. There is no necessity therefore for passing this resolution. I would not hold out to foreign nations the idea that any circumstance had occurred which rendered it necessary to declare that we are an independent nation; for that is the pith of the proposition.
[Mr. Gardenier here moved the previous question, the result of which motion we have before stated.]
(Debate to be continued.)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17.
A quorum not appearing at the hour to which the House had adjourned, two motions were successively made and negatived by Yeas and Nays to adjourn.
A motion was made by Mr. Van Cortlandt, that the absent members be compelled to attend, but a quorum appeared before the motion was decided.
POTOMAC BRIDGE.
Mr. Lewis reported a bill to amend the bill authorising the erection of a bridge over the river Potomac. Twice read and referred to a committee of the whole.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Mr. Durwell reported a bill to establish an uniform rule of naturalization throughout the U. S. He observed that it would be recollected that he had suggested a modification in this bill, but the committee had not been able to concur in opinion on the subject, and he reported the bill in the same form as it was proposed last session, intending to propose his modification in committee of the whole.
The bill was twice read, and referred to a committee of the whole, and made the order of the day for Monday three weeks.
IMPORTATION OF SALT.
Mr. Livermore said, that from information received from various parts of the U. S. it appeared that the article of salt, so essential for public support, was very scarce, and had risen in his country 100 per cent. that is, to two dollars per bushel. He was therefore induced to offer the following resolution:—
Resolved, That the committee of Commerce and Manufactures be instructed to enquire into the expediency of permitting certain vessels to depart from the ports and harbors of the U. S. for the purpose of importing salt, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.
The House agreed to consider the resolution, 38 to 23.
Mr. Cutts said, that he observed by a paper containing the price current, that the price was but 6s. 6d. per bushel.
Mr. Bacon, as this was a subject on which an instantaneous decision should not be made, moved that it lie on the table.
Mr. Livermore said, that the price of this article was rapidly rising; and it was extremely desirous that vessels should be permitted to go to Turkey's island for the purpose of bringing in salt.
The motion that it lie on the table was carried, Ayes 51.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The unfinished business of yesterday was taken up; the question being on the following resolution:—
Resolved, That it is expedient to prohibit, by law, the admission into the ports of the United States of all public or private, armed or unarmed ships or vessels belonging to Great Britain—or France—or to any other of the belligerent powers, having in force orders or decrees violating the lawful commerce and neutral rights of the United States—and also the importation of any goods wares or merchandise, the growth, produce or manufacture of the dominions of any of the said powers, or imported from any place in the possession of either.
Mr. Rhea (T.) supported the resolution in a speech of near two hours.
Mr. Taggart opposed the resolution in a speech of two hours.
Mr. Randolph moved to adjourn, alleging as a reason for the motion the situation in which the House found itself, many members being absent.
The question on adjournment was taken by Yeas and Nays, and negatived—Ayes 42—Nays 68.
A division of the question was called for, taking the sense of the House on each member of the resolution separately.
Mr. Van Horne moved to amend the last clause of the resolution, by striking out the words in Italics , and adding the following:
"And that the act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels within the ports and harbors of the U. States and the several supplementary acts thereto, shall be repealed, so far as to allow the ships and vessels belonging to and wholly navigated by citizens of the U. States, to depart with their cargoes for places not in the possession of any of the said belligerent powers; and that the citizens of the U. States be authorised to arm and equip their merchant vessels, and repel by force any assault or hostility which shall be made or committed by any vessel belonging to any of the said powers and may capture the same and any vessel owned as aforesaid which may have been captured by any vessel belonging to any of the said powers."
Mr. Durell moved to adjourn, as this amendment involved wholly a new principle, and required consideration—Ayes 38—Nays 54.
Mr. D. R. Williams called for a division of Mr. Van Horne's amendment, taking the question first on striking out the words in the original resolution.
And the motion to strike out was negatived—Ayes 24.
Mr. Van Horne moved to adjourn—Ayes 39—Nays 57.
Mr. Mansford called for the Yeas and Nays on the amendment.
Mr. Upham moved to adjourn, and called for the Yeas and Nays on the motion—Ayes 45—Nays 69.
Mr. Quincy called for a division of the amendment, so as to take the question first on the words in Italics .
Mr. Van Horne said, this was one way of making a man vote against his own motion; for he certainly must vote against the first clause, if taken separately.
On the suggestion of Mr. G. W. Campbell that the gentleman would get at his object better by a distinct proposition at another time—
Mr. Van Horne withdrew his motion for the present.
Mr. Lewis moved to adjourn, and called for the Yeas and Nays on the motion—Ayes 48—Nays 69.
Mr. Lewis moved to amend the original resolution by adding at the end of it the following:—"And also, that the act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the U. States, and the several acts supplementary thereto, be repealed."
The Speaker decided that the amendment was out of order, as it involved a subject already specially before a committee of the whole.
Mr. Mansford, though totally unfriendly to the gentleman's motion in the present state of our affairs, was friendly to the right of a member to make such a motion, and appealed from the decision of the Speaker on the point of order.
Mr. Livermore moved to adjourn—Ayes 52—Nays 62.
The Speaker's decision on the point of order was confirmed by the House—Ayes 86—Nays 32.
Mr. Lewis renewed the motion, varied only by an addition to the end of it, of the words, "on the first day of January next."
This the Speaker also declared out of order.
Mr. Lewis appealed from the decision; which was again confirmed by the House—Ayes 84—Nays 31.
Mr. Milnor moved to adjourn—Ayes 51—Nays 58.
The question on the first clause of the resolution recurring—
Mr. Gardner called for a division of it so as to take the question separately on the exclusion of English and French ships.
Mr. Alexander moved to adjourn—Ayes 47.
Mr. Gardner spoke half an hour in explanation of his reasons for taking the question separately as to G. Britain and France.
The question was then taken on the following member of the resolution:—
"Resolved, That it is expedient to prohibit, by law, the admission into the ports of the U. States of all public or private, armed or unarmed ships or vessels belonging to Great Britain"—And decided by Yeas and Nays, as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, Bibb, Blackledge, Blake, Blount, Boyd, Boyle, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, G. W. Campbell, Clay, Clopton, Cook, Cutts, Dawson, Desha, Durell, Eppes, Fisk, Franklin, Gholson, Goodwyn, Green, Heister, Helms, Holland, Holmes, Howard, Humphreys, Isley, J. G. Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Kenan, Kirkpatrick, Lambert, Love, Macon, Marion, McCree, D. Montgomery, J. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Jer. Morrow, John Morrow, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Pitkin, Porter, Randolph, Rea of P. Rhea of T. J. Richards, M. Richards, Say, Seaver, Shaw, Sloan, Smelt, Smilie, J. K. Smith, J. Smith, S. Smith, Southard, Stanford, Storer, Swart, Taylor, Thompson, Trigg, Troup, Van Allen, Van Cortlandt, Van Horn, Verplanck, Wharton, Whitehill, Wilbour, Williams, Alexander Wilson, Nathan Wilson, Winn—95.
NAYS—Messrs. Alexander, John Campbell, Champion, Chittenden, Culpepper, Dana, Davenport, Elliot, Ely, Gardenier, Harris, Richard Jackson, Jenkins, Key, Lewis, Milnor, Moseley, Pitkin, Quincy, Russell, Stedman, Sturges, Taggart, Tallmadge, Upham, Van Rensselaer—26.
The question then being on the second member of the resolution, as follows:
"And also the importation of any goods, wares, or merchandise, the growth, produce or manufacture of the dominions of any of the said powers, or imported from any place in the possession of either."
Mr. Randolph moved to adjourn—Ayes 46.
Mr. Randolph spoke for about two hours and a half against it.
Mr. Van Cortlandt moved to adjourn, as it was a late hour and he felt a want of sleep—Ayes 42—Nays 72.
The question was then taken on the second clause, by Yeas and Nays, as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, Bibb, Blackledge, Blake, Blount, Boyd, Boyle, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, G. W. Campbell, Clay, Clopton, Cook, Dawson, Desha, Durell, Eppes, Findley, Fisk, Franklin, Gardner, Gholson, Goodwyn, Gray, Green, Heister, Helms, Holland, Holmes, Howard, Humphreys, Isley, J. G. Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Kenan, Kirkpatrick, Lambert, Love, Macon, Marion, McCree, D. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Jer. Morrow, John Morrow, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Porter, Rea, (Pn.) Rhea, (Ten.) J. Richards,
M. Richards, Say, Seaver, Shaw, Smelt, Smilie, J. K. Smith, J. Smith, Southard, Stanford, Storer, Taylor, Troup, Van Allen, Wharton, Whitehill, Wilbour, D. R. Williams, A. Wilson, Winn—82.
NAYS—Messrs. Alexander, J. Campbell, Champion, Chittenden, Culpepper, Dana, Davenport, Elliot, Ely, Gardenier, Gray, Harris, R. S. Jackson, Jenkins, Key, Lewis, Livermore, Masters, Milnor, Moseley, Pitkin, Quincy, Russell, Stedman, Sturges, Taggart, Tallmadge, Upham, Van Rensselaer—28.
Mr. Elliot called for a further division of the remainder of the first clause, so as to take it separately on excluding the vessels of France, and of other powers having in force edicts affecting neutral commerce.
And the question was taken on the words, "or France," by Yeas and Nays as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, Bibb, Blackledge, Blake, Blount, Boyd, Boyle, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, G. W. Campbell, Clay, Clopton, Cook, Cutts, Dawson, Desha, Durell, Elliot, Eppes, Findley, Fisk, Franklin, Gardenier, Gholson, Goodwyn, Gray, Green, Heister, Helms, Holland, Holmes, Howard, Humphreys, Isley, J. G. Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Kenan, Kirkpatrick, Lambert, Love, Macon, Marion, Masters, McCree, D. Montgomery, J. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Jer. Morrow, John Morrow, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Porter, Randolph, Rea of P. Rhea of T. J. Richards, M. Richards, Say, Seaver, Shaw, Sloan, Smelt, Smilie, J. K. Smith, J. Smith, S. Smith, Southard, Stanford, Storer, Swart, Taylor, Thompson, Trigg, Troup, Van Allen, Van Cortlandt, Van Horn, Verplanck, Wharton, Whitehill, Wilbour, D. R. Williams, A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Winn—97.
NAYS—Messrs. Alexander, J. Campbell, Champion, Chittenden, Culpepper, Dana, Davenport, Ely, Harris, R. S. Jackson, Jenkins, Key, Lewis, Milnor, Moseley, Pitkin, Quincy, Russell, Stedman, Sturges, Taggart, Tallmadge, Upham, Van Rensselaer—24.
The question was then taken on the remainder of the first clause, viz. on the words "or to any other of the belligerent powers, having in force orders or decrees violating the lawful commerce and neutral rights of the United States"—and carried as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. L. J. Alston, Willis Alston, Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, W. Bibb, Blackledge, Blake, Blount, Boyd, Boyle, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, George W. Campbell, Clay, Clopton, Cook, Cutts, Dawson, Desha, Durell, Eppes, Findley, Fisk, Franklin, Gardner, Gholson, Goodwyn, Gray, Green, Heister, Helms, Holmes, Holland, Howard, Humphreys, Isley, J. G. Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Kenan, Kirkpatrick, Lambert, Love, Macon, Marion, Masters, McCree, D. Montgomery, J. Montgomery, Nicholas R. Moore, Thomas Moore, Jeremiah Morrow, John Morrow, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Porter, Randolph, John Rhea, (Pennsylvania) John Rea, (Tennessee) Jacob Richards, Matthias Richards, Say, Seaver, Shaw, Sloan, Smelt, Smilie, Jedediah K. Smith, John Smith, Samuel Smith, Southard, Stanford, Storer, Swart, Taylor, Thompson, Trigg, Troup, Van Allen, Van Cortlandt, Van Horn, Verplanck, Wharton, Whitehill, Wilbour, Williams, Alexander Wilson, Nathan Wilson, Winn—95.
NAYS—Messrs. Alexander, John Campbell, Champion, Chittenden, Culpepper, Dana, Davenport, Elliot, Ely, Gardenier, Harris, Richard Jackson, Jenkins, Key, Lewis, Milnor, Moseley, Pitkin, Quincy, Russell, Stedman, Sturges, Taggart, Tallmadge, Upham, Van Rensselaer—26.
The question then being on the second member of the resolution, as follows:
"And also the importation of any goods, wares, or merchandise, the growth, produce or manufacture of the dominions of any of the said powers, or imported from any place in the possession of either."
Mr. Randolph moved to adjourn—Ayes 46.
Mr. Randolph spoke for about two hours and a half against it.
Mr. Van Cortlandt moved to adjourn, as it was a late hour and he felt a want of sleep—Ayes 42—Nays 72.
The question was then taken on the second clause, by Yeas and Nays, as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, Bibb, Blackledge, Blake, Blount, Boyd, Boyle, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, G. W. Campbell, Clay, Clopton, Cook, Dawson, Desha, Durell, Eppes, Findley, Fisk, Franklin, Gardner, Gholson, Goodwyn, Gray, Green, Heister, Helms, Holland, Holmes, Howard, Humphreys, Isley, J. G. Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Kenan, Kirkpatrick, Lambert, Love, Macon, Marion, McCree, D. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Jer. Morrow, John Morrow, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Porter, Rea, (Pn.) Rhea, (Ten.) J. Richards,
M. Richards, Say, Seaver, Shaw, Smelt, Smilie, J. K. Smith, J. Smith, Southard, Stanford, Storer, Taylor, Troup, Van Allen, Wharton, Whitehill, Wilbour, D. R. Williams, A. Wilson, Winn—82.
NAYS—Messrs. Alexander, J. Campbell, Champion, Chittenden, Culpepper, Dana, Davenport, Elliot, Ely, Gardenier, Harris, R. S. Jackson, Jenkins, Key, Lewis, Milnor, Moseley, Pitkin, Quincy, Russell, Sloan, Sturges, Swart, Taggart, Tallmadge, Thompson, Trigg, Upham, Van Cortlandt, Van Horne, Van Rensselaer, N. Wilson—36.
The question was then taken on the whole resolution by Yeas and Nays, as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. Lemuel J. Alston, W. Alston, junr. Ezekiel Bacon, David Bard, Joseph Barker, Burwell Bassett, William W. Bibb, William Blackledge, John Blake, junr. Thos. Blount, Adam Boyd, John Boyle, Robert Brown, W. A. Durwell, William Butler, Joseph Calhoun, George W. Campbell, Matthew Clay, John Clepton, Richard Cutts, John Dawson, Joseph Desha, Daniel M. Durell, John W. Eppes, William Findley, James Fisk, Meshack Franklin, Francis Gardner, Thomas Gholson, junr. Peterson Goodwyn, Edwin Gray, Isaiah L. Green, John Heister, William Helms, James Holland, D. Holmes, Benjamin Howard, Reuben Humphreys, Daniel Isley, John G. Jackson, Richard M. Johnson, Walter Jones, Thomas Kenan, William Kirkpatrick, John Lambert, John Love, Nathaniel Macon, Robert Marion, William McCree, John Montgomery, Nicholas R. Moore, Thomas Moore, Jeremiah Morrow, John Morrow, Roger Nelson, Thomas Newbold, Thomas Newton, Wilson C. Nicholas, J. Porter, J. Rea, (Pn.) John Rhea, (Tenn.) Jacob Richards, Matthias Richards, Benjamin Say, Ebenezer Seaver, Samuel Shaw, Dennis Smelt, John Smilie, Jedediah K. Smith, John Smith, Henry Southard, Richard Stanford, Clement Storer, John Taylor, George M. Troup, James I. Van Allen, Archibald Van Horne, Daniel C. Verplanck, Jesse Wharton, Robert Whitehill, Isaac Wilbour, David R. Williams, Alexander Wilson, Richard Winn—84.
NAYS—Messrs. Evan Alexander, John Campbell, Epaphroditus Champion, Martin Chittenden, John Culpepper, Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, junr. James Elliot, William Ely, Barent Gardenier, John Harris, Richard Jackson, Robert Jenkins, James Kelly, Philip B. Key, Joseph Lewis, junr. Matthew Lyon, Josiah Masters, William Milnor, Jonathan O. Mosely, Timothy Pitkin, junr. Josiah Quincy, John Russell, James Sloan, Lewis B. Sturges, Samuel Taggart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Jabez Upham, Philip Van Cortlandt, Killian K. Van Rensselaer—30.
Mr. Durell moved to adjourn—Negatived—Ayes 28.
The question then being on the following resolution:
"Resolved, That measures ought to be immediately taken for placing the country in a more complete state of defence."
Mr. Dana observed that as this would probably be a nearly unanimous vote, he wished the full sense of the House to be expressed on it, and therefore called for the Yeas and Nays, which the House agreed to take.
But upon the suggestion of several members the taking them was dispensed with by common consent.
And the question being put on the resolution, the House replied "Aye" with an undivided voice. And when it was required that any one who objected should answer "No"—No reply was made.
The non-intercourse resolution was referred to the committee who reported it, with instructions to bring in a bill or bills in pursuance of it.
The last resolution was referred to the committee on our military and naval establishments.
And then the House adjourned.
Much desultory debate took place on the points of order, &c., in this day's business; which not being material to the main question, is not noticed.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19.
A bill from the Senate authorizing the President of the U. States to arm, man, and fit out for service, all the public ships of war, vessels and gun boats of the U. S., was twice read and referred to the committee of the whole, to whom was referred the report of the committee on our military and naval establishments.
On motion of Mr. Lewis, a memorial of the city council of Washington, presented at the last session, was referred to the committee on the district of Columbia.
Mr. Dana presented a letter from the Society of United Brethren for propagating the gospel, accompanying a donation of their works, which was read.
On motion of Mr. Martin, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Troup in the chair, on the bill from the Senate further to amend the judicial system of the U. S. After some discussion the committee rose and was refused leave to sit again; and, on motion of Mr.

Gholson, the bill was recommitted to a select committee for the purpose of amending its details.
MIRANDA'S EXPEDITION. Mr. Love called for the order of the day on the report of the committee on the subject of the 36 persons confined in Carthagena, South America. The following is the resolution reported by the committee:
Resolved, That the President of the U. States be requested to adopt the most immediate and effectual means in his power, to obtain from the Vice-Roy of Grenada, in S. America, or other proper authority, the liberation of thirty-six American citizens, condemned on a charge of piracy, and now held in slavery in the vaults of St. Clara, in Carthagena; and that the sum of 1000 dollars be appropriated to that purpose.
Mr. D. B. Williams moved to postpone the consideration of the subject indefinitely. Negatived, 50 to 35.
The House then went into a committee of the whole on the subject, Mr. Love in the chair, 39 to 33.
Mr. Love moved to amend the resolution by striking out the words in italics, and inserting "authorized to request." Carried, Ayes 54.
Those gentlemen who supported this resolution in the debate were Messrs. Love, Lyon, Bacon, Nelson, Sibley, and Wilbour. Those who opposed it were Messrs. D. R. Williams, Taylor, Smilie, Macon, and Southard.
The gentlemen who opposed the resolution, amongst other objections, contended that an agreement to the resolution would but involve the government in difficulty without answering any good purpose; that it would, in fact, be aiding the attempt of a certain party to prove that the general government had some connection with this expedition originally, which it certainly had not; that the facts set forth in the petition were wholly unsupported by evidence; that these persons had engaged themselves in a foreign service; that they had become weary of the privileges of free men, and had entered into a hostile expedition against a foreign country, & in so doing had been taken, condemned for piracy, and imprisoned as a punishment for that offence; that the British government having been at the bottom of this business, was the proper power to release these persons, and indeed had applied to the Spanish commander for the purpose; that even were the U. S. bound by the laws of justice or humanity to intercede for these persons, they knew not to whom to make application, and would probably meet with a refusal, perhaps a rude one, if any judgment could be formed from the present situation of our affairs with Spain; that if gentlemen wished for objects on which to exercise their humanity, they might find them in the lacerated backs of our impressed seamen, without extending it to criminals. In reply to an observation of Mr. Lyon, that if we did not get these men G. Britain would get them, and employ them to extend her naval force, Mr. Macon replied, if she did she was welcome to keep them; but she was in the habit of supplying her navy with seamen from our vessels without the trouble which the acquisition of these men might occasion her.
In reply to these objections and in support of the resolution, the humanity of the House was strongly appealed to. It was urged that the government could in no wise be involved by an appeal to the generosity of the provincial government; that these men had not wilfully committed piracy, but been deluded under various pretences to join the expedition; that they had joined it under a belief that they were entering into the service of the U. States; that, even admitting them to have been indirectly led to join the enterprise, knowing it to be designed for a foreign service, yet that they had been suddenly punished by the penalty they had already undergone; that it was wholly immaterial what inference any persons might draw from the conduct of the U. S. in this respect, as to their concern with the original expedition; that such considerations should have no weight with the House; that if these poor fellows were guilty, they had repented of it; and Mr. Nelson quoted on this point the scriptures, to show that there should be more joy over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine who have no need of repentance. In reply to an intimation that it was not even ascertained that they were American citizens, Mr. Bacon observed, that one of them had been born in the same town in which he was, and was of a reputable family.
The resolution was negatived by the committee, 49 to 31.
The committee rose and reported the resolution, which report the house agreed to now to consider, ayes 57.
Mr. Love moved to adjourn. Ayes 54.
Mr. Fisk called for the Yeas and Nays on concurrence with the committee.
Mr. Gardner moved to adjourn. Ayes 34.
The question of concurrence with
the committee in their disagreement to the resolution, was decided by Yeas and Nays as follows:
YEAS. —Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Baed, Barker, Bassett, Blackledge, Blount, Boyd, Brown, Butler, Calhoun, Clay, Desha, Eppes, Ewing, Gholson, Goodwyn, Heister, Helms, Holland, Holmes, Howard, Jones, Macon, Marion, D. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Jr., Morrow, John Morrow, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Porter, Rea (P.), Rhea (T.), Richards, M. Richards, Seaver, Shaw, Smilie, Smilie, J. K. Smith, S. Smith, Southard, Taylor, Whitehill, D. R. Williams, A. Wilson, and Wynn.—50.
NAYS. —Messrs. Bacon, Bibb, Blake, Chittenden, Clopton, Culpepper, Ewing, Fisk, Gardner, Green, Harris, Humphreys, Isbell, R. S. Jackson, Jenkins, Kirkpatrick, Love, Lyon, Masters, McCree, Milner, J. Montgomery, Mumford, Paken, Riker, Russell, Say, Sloan, Sturges, Trigg, Upaham, Van Alstyne, Van Horn, Wilbour, and Wynn.—34.
And the House adjourned at a quarter past four.
TUESDAY Dec. 20.
Mr. Joseph Story, elected from Massachusetts, vice J. Crowninshield deceased, appeared and took his seat.
Mr. Holland presented a memorial from sundry inhabitants of the county of Lincoln, N. C., praying for the repeal of the embargo; which was referred to the committee of the whole on Mr. Chittenden's resolution.
Mr. Lewis presented the memorial of the President and Directors of the Bank of Alexandria, praying an extension of their charter; which was referred to the committee on the District of Columbia.
Mr. Morrow presented the petition of the commissioners of the Land Office of the U. S. at Detroit, praying further compensation; which was referred to the committee of Public Lands.
TERRITORIAL COURTS.
Mr. Poindexter after a few prefatory remarks, offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the select committee to whom was referred a bill from the Senate "Further to amend the judicial system of the U. S." be instructed to enquire into the expediency of extending jurisdiction to the superior courts of the several territories of the U. S. in which a district court has not been established, for the trial of treason, and other offences committed against the laws of the U. S. within the limits of the said territories, and to empower said courts to pronounce such judgment, or sentence on conviction of the offender or offenders, as the law directs.
REVENUE.
Mr. Dana said, as it was probable that the situation of the revenue might require the consideration of the house during this session, it would be acceptable to the members of the House to have as ample information on the subject as could be conveniently obtained. From this and other considerations, he was induced to offer the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before the House a general statement of the sums annually received at the Treasury of the U. S. since the commencement of the proceedings under the constitution—exhibiting distinctly the proceeds of the customs, internal revenue, loans, and miscellaneous receipts, for each year, with the amount of the respective branches of the customs and the charges thereon.
POST ROADS.
Mr. Stanford moved the following resolution, observing, that he thought it important at this particular juncture in our affairs, that some provision should be made to establish a communication by mail between the seat of the general and state governments as direct, certain and expeditious as possible. This not being the case at present, his object was to instruct the proper committee to make the necessary inquiry.
Resolved, That the committee on post-offices and post-roads be instructed to enquire into the expediency of establishing a mail stage from Fayetteville in N. C. to Cheraw court house, Camden, Columbia, Augusta & Milledgeville in Georgia, and that they report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Alexander reported a bill prescribing the mode of proving judgments and decrees of courts of one state in another state. Twice read and committed to a committee of the whole.
The engrossed bill authorising the payment of certain pensions by the Secretary of War at the seat of government, was read the third time and passed.
INVALID CORPS.
Mr. Nelson reported a bill for the relief of the infirm, disabled, and superannuated officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army and of the present army of the U. S. which was twice read & referred to a committee of the whole.
EMBARGO.
Mr. Chittenden called for the order of the day on the resolution offered by him for the repeal of the embargo; and the question "will the House
now resolve itself into committee of the whole on the resolution?" Was decided as follows:
YEAS. —Messrs. Alexander, Bassett, Blount, Boyle, J. Campbell, Chittenden, Copeper, Dana, Lavenport, Elliot, Ely, Eppes, Gardner, Gray, Harris, Helms, Holmes, Isbell, Jackson, Jenkins, Kelly, Kirkpatrick, Lambert, Livermore, Macon, Marion, Milner, N. R. Moore, John Morrow, Mosely, Picken, Quince, Rhea (T.), J. Richards, Russell, Sloan, S. Smith, Stanford, Sturges, Taggart, Tallmadge, Taylor, Trigg, Upaham, Van Horn, Venable, Wharton, D. R. Williams.—49.
NAYS. —Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bacon, Baed, Barker, Bibb, Blake, Boyd, Brown, Butler, Calhoun, G. W. Campbell, Clay, Clopton, Curts, Dawson, Deane, Durrell, Findley, Franklin, Gholson, Goodwyn, Green, Heister, Holland, Howard, Humphreys, Johnson, Konan, Love, McCree, D. Montgomery, J. Montgomery, T. Moore, Jr., Morrow, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholas, Porter, Pugh, Rea (M.), Richards, Riker, Sawyer, Say, Seaver, Shaw, Smilie, Smilie, J. K. Smith, John Smith, Southard, Sturges, Taylor, Trigg, Thompson, Troup, Whitehill, Wilbour, A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Wynn.—64.
REVENUE BONDS.
On motion of Mr. Newton, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Passer in the chair, on the bill from the Senate supplemental to an act for extending the terms of credit on revenue bonds in certain cases.
This bill provides that the payment of all bonds given subsequent to the date of the act, to which this is a supplement, for duties on coffee, sugar, &c. imported into the U. States, and for duties on other importations of the same articles, shall be suspended during the continuance of the embargo.
Mr. Newton proposed an amendment to the bill excepting from its scope those articles imported by perishable (conformably to the supplementary embargo law) in payment for debts due from foreign countries. Agreed to.
Mr. Newton proposed a new section to the bill for refunding, such of the above duties as have already been paid into the treasury, subject to repayment, however, on the same conditions as other duties of the same description.
Some desultory discussion took place on this amendment; and a motion was made that the committee rise to give time for further consideration of the subject, and carried; and the bill was recommitted to the committee of commerce and manufactures.
COMMISSIONERS OF KASKASKIA.
On motion of Mr. Morrow, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the bill for continuing for a further time the authority of the commissioners of Kaskaskia. The bill being gone through, the committee rose and reported the bill, which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.
The bill authorising the division and subdivision of squares and lots in the city of Washington; and the bill for the relief of sundry citizens of Knox County, Ky., having gone thro' committee of the whole, Mr. Macon in the chair, were ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
NAVIGATION LAWS.
Mr. Davis observed that he had a few days ago submitted a resolution for authorising the owners of merchant vessels permitted to arm to associate for common defence; which had been referred to the committee of the whole to whom was referred the motion to repeal the embargo. Mr. D. observed that vessels engaged in certain trades, as in the East India trade, were already permitted to arm. He wished that a general law should be passed authorising the owners of such vessels to associate for common defence, to keep off pirates in time of peace or belligerent assault in time of war. It was a resolution wholly unconnected with the repeal of the embargo. He therefore moved that the committee of the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the resolution, and that it be referred to the committee of Commerce and Manufactures.—Agreed to. And then the House adjourned.
This day is received By J. MILLIGAN, GEORGETOWN, Price 37 1-2 Cents.
EXPOSITION OF THE PRACTICES & INNOVATIONS which led to the
Usurpation of the Crown of Spain,
And the means adopted by Bonaparte to carry it into execution.
By Don Pedro Cevallos,
First Secretary of State and Dispatcher to
his Catholic Majesty, Ferdinand VII.
To which is added—An impartial account of the most important events which have occurred in France, Madrid, and Bayonne , from the 17th of March until the 15th of May, 1808, treating of the fall of the Prince of Peace , and the termination of the friendship and alliance between the French and Spaniards.
Translated from the Spanish. December 22—31.
WANTED.
A NEGRO MAN.
That has been used to Plantation Work is wanted by the Subscriber to live for the ensuing year.
THEO. HOLT,
Nursery Garden, Eastern Bridge. December 22—31.
A NEW LADY or GENTLEMAN, properly qualified to teach the FRENCH, may probably hear of something that may tend to their advantage by applying to the printer hereof. None need apply who cannot be well recommended. December 22—31.
WASHINGTON CITY.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21.
Governor Pinkney has communicated to the legislature of South Carolina, a very patriotic address, in which he vindicates the policy pursued by the general government, and adds another to the numerous attestations previously given, of the noble spirit that pervades the whole southern and western country.
We had, the last year, the gratification of inviting the attention of our readers to the most splendid offspring of American typography, in Baldwin's Columbiad , a poem, which, in point of learning, genius, and versification, far surpasses any other native effusion of the Muses. We have now, after scarcely the lapse of a year, the pleasure of announcing the appearance of the first volume of a work, which in typographical execution bears no disadvantageous comparison with the Columbiad ; which is, indeed, executed at the same place. This work is entitled, " American Ornithology, or the Natural History of the Birds of the United States ," illustrated with plates, engraved and colored from original drawings taken from nature. By Alexander Wilson .
The paper, printing, and engravings prove the astonishing progress of the arts in this country, and that nothing is wanting but encouragement to carry them to an eminence equal to that which has crowned the labors of genius in the old world. We have but fully examined the first volume of this work, which appears to us to merit the patronage of taste, learning, and wealth. It cannot be expected that we should ever attempt the critique of a performance the precise merits of which can only be ascertained by a naturalist. But we may be permitted to say, that no one can inspect it without delight and admiration; and, that viewed as a monument of the arts, it has peculiar claims even on the patriotism of the United States. But for the great mass and importance of the political matter with which our columns overflow, we should be tempted to lay copious extracts before our readers.
A view of the Rights and Wrongs, Power and Policy of the United States of America. This is a performance, written by Charles Jared Ingersoll, of Philadelphia, in vindication of American principles. Amidst the foreign political rubbish that overwhelms us, we ought to hail with peculiar pleasure the native productions of our own citizens, from which alone we can expect a correct delineation of views, which are at variance with the inveterate prejudices of Europe. At such a conjuncture, especially, when the iron arm of despotism is aiming its deadliest blows at the cause of liberty, and threatens to sweep from the face of the earth every vestige of neutral right, it becomes doubly important that our own native genius should unfold its energies, to resist the domination of error, and to establish the empire of truth. Such appears to have been the motives of Mr. Ingersoll, who, though young, has drawn copiously on the treasures of knowledge, and has tested by the experience of others, the penetrating and liberal views of his own mind. The ground assumed by him is, in our opinion, in general, correct, and the sentiments such as are worthy of an independent American. Although the tract is manifestly written in haste, it contains much valuable matter, & ably portrays the true policy of this country. The enlightened part of the community will not fail to appreciate its merit, and to look with solicitude to the development of powers, which open with so fair a promise.
Extract of a letter, dated Gibraltar, October 3.
"The effects of political circumstances have for some time past deprived us of the usual opportunities of communication with the U. S. and we now avail of a vessel returning that way, to acquaint you of the general state of this and neighboring market for your usual exports. The attempts of the Spaniards to establish their independence have been hitherto crowned with success, and a plentiful harvest of every description has been of considerable assistance in enabling them to keep the field, inasmuch that their best wheat is now selling at from $1 65 cents, to $1 75 cents, and for some small supplies of American flour sent from England and likewise remaining on hand, no sale can be made at any regular price. Some speculations were made from Cadiz for the whole of the existences of leaf tobacco in this place at the first moment of our communication being declared open, and for which they paid $22 per cwt. and of this we believe they have still the greatest part unsold. Many of our bakers have given up their ovens in consequence of the large supplies of bread that come in every day from Spain; and consequently the sale of flour is become very reduced and the prices nominal. We have been enabled to run off a small parcel at $12 & 12 1-2,
but this with much difficulty, and merely in consequence of the evacuation of Lisbon by the French, which induced a few to speculate in a purchase for that place, where we learn has been sold already as low as $12 a share. Of colonial produce we are continued to be abundantly supplied, and many vessels are now remaining in the neighboring ports without any offer for their cargoes, partly owing to the suspension of commerce in the interior as well as a great want of specie."
SENATE, Dec. 19.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill making further provision for enforcing the embargo.
Mr. Lloyd opposed the bill.
When on motion of Mr. Bradley, ordered that it be recommitted to the original committee, and that Mr. Crawford and Mr. Tazewell be added to the committee further to consider and report thereon.
December 20.
The committee to whom the foregoing bill was referred, reported it with various amendments, which were adopted, & the bill thus amended, ordered to a third reading to-morrow.
New-York, Dec. 17.
Letters received by the Favorite , arrived a few days since at this port from Cadiz, announce that Don Pedro Cevallos has been appointed first minister of state and foreign affairs by the new government of Spain, whose confidence, as well as that of the nation, he fully enjoys.
An article, dated Cadiz, October 9, says—The post has just arrived with the agreeable news of the retreat of Joseph Bonaparte and his army to France, being entirely cut off by the patriots, and that he had no other alternative than to throw himself into Bilbao with 9000 men, which will be attacked by a superior force, and there is no doubt he will be obliged to surrender at discretion.
When the ship Favorite left Cadiz, no American vessels, carried into Spain under the Milan decree, had been released.
A gentleman from Cadiz, under date of October 9, says, it is rumored that the Supreme Junta of this government are about to take into consideration the propriety of reclaiming from the United States the territory of Louisiana which had been clandestinely extorted from Spain by France, and by the latter illegally transferred to the U. States. A pair at Cadiz only 7 dollars—West India produce abundant and but little demand.
Philadelphia, Dec. 17.
The schr. John, Clayton , from La Guira, with a cargo of 200,000 lbs. of coffee, and 100 serons of indigo, belonging to Baltimore, has been seized at Leghorn, and it is expected will be condemned in consequence of the Bayonne decree. We understand the case of this vessel stands as follows: The John sailed from Baltimore for La Guira, by permission, under the Milan supplementary embargo, by some means or other, she found her way with her cargo to Leghorn, where it was vainly hoped she might with safety dispose of her cargo. Unfortunately, however, the Bayonne decree came into operation.
According to the 5th article of the Constitution of the Washington Commercial Company , the STOCKHOLDERS are hereby notified that an election of twenty-two DIRECTORS, to serve for one year, will be held at Long's Tavern on the first Monday of January next. The election will be opened at 10 o'clock in the morning and will be continued open until 5 o'clock P. M. of the same day.
JOSEPH FORREST, PR. December 22—5.
RODOLPH RIGGS , intending to cease and settle up his business in Georgetown, and being determined to sell all his entire stock of GOODS, only to cover cost for CASH. Purchasers will find it well worth their immediate attention, in particular those who buy to sell again (as from the great rise of many kinds of Merchandise, his being purchased before said rise) gives him the power to sell, much lower than they can be had in this or any other market.
His Stock consists of, viz.
Cloths, Cassimeres, Flannels, Coatings, Kerseys, Plans, Blankets, Napt, Frazes, Manchester, Waistcoating, Police Coats and Velvets, Stuffed Serpes for children, Salisbury Flannels, Stuffs, & complete assortment, silk, cotton and woollen Hosiery, fine and coarse India Muslins, Pinckney Chintzes, Calicoes and Dimities, fine cheap Irish Linens, Long Lawn, superfine and dress Shirtings, Gambies, linen and cotton Cambrics, super-fine and plain Jacquet Mill Mull Muslins, black, white, pink and colored Silks, Crees, Laces, spider Net Sleeves, silk and kid Gloves short and long, Ribbands, lace Veils and Shades, Chintzes, undressed Ginghams, Extra Cashmere and Damask silk Shawls, classic India Crapes for dresses, fashionable London white and colored Hosiery, Hosiery, spiral straw and velvet do, black & white Cards and Tassels, with many articles to complete his assortment of seasonable, substantial and fashionable goods.
Any person wishing to enter into business in Georgetown, now have it in their power to communicate under many advantages, and to such a person a great bargain will be given of the entire stock, or on hand, if application is made in a few days.
ATTENTION!
All those indebted to me will please to make immediate payment as inducements must not be expected and cannot be given. Since will be commenced on all accounts which are not immediately settled, it being actually necessary to close my business in the shortest time possible. Tobacco will be received in payment at the best prices, provided it is not convenient to pay the money. Accounts will be rendered as soon as possible, to those who do not sell for the same.
Georgetown, December 22—1m.

(Continued from first page.) surpasses every other in strength is a popular government, where each individual feeling himself to be a portion of the sovereignty, exerts himself to support the majesty of the laws. The economy of the different common-wealths have nothing to gain by mobs; they are the safeguards of the nation, and the determined foes of rebellion. And as long as the farmers preserve their integrity, and they will probably maintain it longer than any other class, so long will misrule and anarchy be prevented. Though few have already become outrageous, their influence has been very limited and their reign exceedingly short.
Another consequence of the embargo will be, it is urged, an annihilation of the military courage and glory of the nation. If by this observation is meant that it would be better to take weak measures, I must take this opportunity of declaring, that it has always, since the commencement of my congressional life, been a most desirable object with me to prepare for the worst of events. Peace has ever appeared to me the season to prepare for war, as summer is the time to lay up a store for winter, and youth to provide for old age. Accordingly I have concurred in a leading object of my public duty, to vote for all the measures proposed by others for the general defence, and to propose others myself. I have pressed the business of appropriations for fortifying our weak places with a zeal that some of my friends may have deemed unfortunate. But if a war should be found necessary for the settlement of these commercial disputes, I should think some further time would be requisite to prepare for it. I question whether we are in a condition to rush immediately to the hostile conflict. A little further preparation for the general warfare is probably necessary. Perhaps I may be influenced too much in this case by social feelings. A resident of New York city, I feel the most sincere concern for a people who have long bestowed on me their confidence and loaded me with honors. The works of defence erecting for their security are scarcely far enough advanced to be pronounced effectual; and I heartily hope that important, though vulnerable parts, may be properly shielded before we contend with an enemy. I know, and all the world knows the bravery of the Americans—while therefore, I disregard the gasconading language of such as would talk us into war, I would prepare seriously for that event. Being so prepared, we may remove the embargo and take our former position on the ocean with a manly and determined attitude. Until Congress shall take further measures of this kind, prudence would indicate a continuance in our present state, at least for a short time; and until the means of precaution and of security shall be more effectually provided, I shall, for one, be willing to bear the reproach of withholding my eager countrymen from the display of their courage, and the acquisition of glory.
But we are told, that the evasions of the embargo laws are so frequent that they cannot be executed. This indeed is lamentably true. We read constantly in the gazettes of American flour offered for sale in the West Indies. The vegetable alkali of New York and Vermont is advertised in Liverpool, as pot ash from Canada. Ships that were abroad when the embargo was laid, continue to shun their country, though navigating in exile, under the American flag. British vessels are chartered in our ports to carry on a commerce which our vessels are forbidden to engage in. The violators of the laws are making fortunes while the conscientious observers of them are suffering and privations. It would be easy to mention many more of these stratagems. The violation of a law is of itself no argument against its wisdom or duration. The statutes against larceny, forgery, burglary and murder, are frequently broken; and yet it would be thought very strange if such occasional infractions should be pleaded as reasons for their repeal. If on the whole I was convinced, that the embargo laws could not be executed, I should consider them as worse than useless, and demanding an immediate repeal, or if I thought the adherence to them for the purpose of avoiding a foreign war, would involve us in a domestic one, there would on that supposition, be not one moment's hesitation in my mind in preferring a contest abroad to contention at home. On these points however, I want further information; and I hope the motion on the table may be so disposed of, as to permit that information to be brought before us. We shall then discover how far the laws are unoperative through their own imperfect construction, through the carelessness of those whose duty it is to execute them, and through the general and avowed disposition of the people at large to disregard them. We shall also learn whether discontent and dissatisfaction have spread so through society, as our alarmists would persuade us. Having thus, in
taken a view of our past and present condition, I shall, with your leave, offer a few remarks of a prospective kind. Let us now suppose the embargo actually removed, what would be the consequence? There are several subjects of doubt and apprehension, directly before us.
First, I feel if I should give my vote for the resolution before the Senate, I should consent to a surrender of the honor and independence of my country. For these, as long as any portion of them are confided to me, I hold myself, and this nation holds me, solemnly responsible. At the same time, I with some method might be devised to give a partial outlet to our accumulated productions. I confidently hope this may be accomplished without violating any principle, without incurring the least reproach. The convenience of the citizens will thus be in unison with the honor of their government.
Secondly, the unqualified and unconditional removal of the existing restrictions would probably give such a loose to commerce, that the reiterated aggressions of former years would be revived; and impressment of seamen and passengers, capture and condemnation of vessels and cargoes, violations of territory, investment of our ports and numbers, and the murder of our citizens, be practised as heretofore.
Thirdly, under existing circumstances, the safety of commerce might require licences to arm and make reprisals. And this warfare would in all probability soon be whetted up to war. And although I do not dread a state of hostility, when we are compelled thereto by just and necessary causes, as so calamitous an event as many of my friends are pleased to consider it, yet certainly it ought not to be courted, but on the other hand avoided if possible. It has been shrewdly observed by somebody that nations now and then fall into phrenonic habits, and that bloodletting is the most speedy and effectual remedy. Whether any of the state physicians shall pronounce that disease to exist, and shall attempt to cure it by abstinence or bleeding, my own opinion is that the repeal of the embargo ought to be accompanied with various provisional and defensive measures not expressed in the motion before the Senate.
Fourthly—but I check myself and forbear to enlarge on these topics. In all our deliberations let us discard foreign preferences, and remember that on great public questions where alien governments are brought into collision with our own, there ought to exist in our councils but one mind, one spirit, one feeling, and these should be truly AMERICAN.
(Debate to be Continued.) PROPOSALS for earning Mails of the United States, on the following post routes, will be received at the General Post Office in Washington, until the 16th day of January next inclusive.
(CONCLUDED.) 118. From Washington, by Gaithersburg to George Town B. C. once a week. Leave Washington every Thursday at 2 p m, arrive at Georgetown on Sunday by 6 p m. Leave Georgetown every Monday at 6 a m, arrive at Wilmington on Thursday by 10 a m. 119. From Port's ferry, by Manassas to Warrenton, and Buck Swamp, or Byersville to Haymarket once a week. Leave Port's ferry every Wednesday at 6 a m, arrive at Haymarket on Thursday at 10 a m. Leave Haymarket every day by 2 p m, return to Port's ferry on the next day by 6 p m. 120. From Port's ferry to Gaithersburg, once a week. Leave Gaithersburg every Saturday at 4 a m, arrive at Port's ferry on same day by 1 p m. Leave Port's ferry same day by 2 p m, return to Gaithersburg same day by 9 p m.
IN GEORGIA. 121. From Augusta, by Little river, Lincoln c h, Petersburg and Elberton to Greenville once a week. Leave Augusta every Thursday noon and arrive at Augusta on Saturday by 5 p m. Leave Augusta every Sunday at 3 a m, arrive at Greenville on Tuesday by 10 a m. 122. From Augusta, by Columbia c h, Rayville, & Wrightsville to Washington once a week. Leave Augusta every Sunday at 6 p m, arrive at Washington on Monday by 4 p m. Leave Washington every Tuesday at 6 a m, arrive at Augusta on Wednesday by 10 a m. 123. From Washington, by Barrington's store, Lexington, Athens, Watkinsville, and Clarksville to Jackson c h once a week. Leave Washington every Tuesday at 8 a m, arrive at Jackson c h on Wednesday by 6 p m. Leave Jackson c h every Sunday at 6 a m, arrive at Washington on Monday by 4 p m. 124. From Washington, by Greenboro', P. Walton, Reamsville, Sparta, Georgetown, and Warrenton to Louisville once a week. Leave Washington every Tuesday at 6 a m, arrive at Louisville on Friday by 11 a m. Leave Louisville every Friday at 3 p m, arrive at Washington on Monday by 5 p m. 125. From Louisville, by Munderfville and Fort Wilkinson to Milledgeville once a week. Leave Louisville every Friday at 4 p m, arrive at Mil-
ledgeville on Saturday by 4 p m. Leave Milledgeville every Thursday at 6 a m, and arrive at Louisville on Friday by 10 a m. 126. From Riceboro' by Fort James, to Tattall c h, and from Riceboro' to Surrency once a week. Leave Riceboro' every Wednesday at 11 a m, arrive at Surrency by 1 p m. Leave Surrency every Wednesday at 4 p m, arrive at Tattall c h on Friday by 6 p m. Leave Tattall c h every Saturday at 6 a m, and arrive at Riceboro' on Sunday by 6 p m. 127. From Petersburg to Washington once a week. Leave Petersburg every Wednesday at 4 a m, arrive at Washington same day by 6 p m. Leave Washington every Thursday at 6 a m, arrive at Petersburg same day by 8 p m. 128. From Milledgeville by Woods, Montgomery c h, Watkins, Tattall c h and Beard's Bluff, to Darien once in two weeks. Leave Milledgeville every other Saturday, at 8 p m, arrive at Darien the next Thursday by 6 p m. Leave Darien every other Friday at 6 a m, arrive at Milledgeville on the next Thursday by 6 p m.
IN TENNESSEE. 129. From Beene's Station, by Powell's Valley, Cumberland Gap, Bicknells and Reams Springs, to Rio Grande, or Halesburg in Kentucky, once a week. Leave Beene's Station every Tuesday at 1 p m, and arrive at Halesburg on Thursday by 9 p m. Leave Halesburg every Friday at 6 a m, and arrive at Beene's Station on Sunday by noon. 130. From Bouserville, by Miffin's, Green's, Cheek's, C. & R. Roads, and Dugdale to Knoxville, once a week. Leave Bouserville every Saturday at 6 a m, and arrive at Knoxville on Monday by 11 a m. Leave Knoxville every Monday at 1 p m, and arrive at Bouserville on Wednesday by 6 p m. 131. From Beene's Station by Cheek's C. & R. Roads to Newport once a week. Leave Beene's Station every Sunday at 2 p m, and arrive at Newport on Monday by 10 a m. Leave Newport every Monday at 2 p m, and arrive at Beene's Station on Tuesday by 11 a m. 132. From Knoxville, by Tellico, to Athens Ga. once in two weeks. Leave Knoxville every other Monday at 1 p m, arrive at Athens on Saturday by 2 p m. Leave Athens every other Sunday at 6 a m, arrive at Knoxville the next Saturday by 6 p m. 133. From Knoxville to Maryville once a week. Leave Knoxville every Monday at 2 p m, and arrive at Maryville by 7 p m. Leave Maryville every Monday at 7 a m, & arrive at Knoxville by 11 a m. 134. From Knoxville, by Campbell, Gardner, Kingsport, Mount Granger, Carthage, Dixon Springs, Craigport, Gallatin and Hendersonville, to Nashville twice a week. Leave Knoxville every Monday and Thursday at 1 p m, and arrive at Nashville on Thursday and Sunday by 3 p m. Leave Nashville every Monday and Friday at 8 a m, & arrive at Knoxville on Thursday and Monday by 11 a m. 135. From Knoxville to Fort Stoddert once in four weeks. Leave Knoxville the first Monday of April and every fourth Monday thereafter at 1 p m, and arrive at Fort Stoddert on Saturday week by noon. Leave Fort Stoddert on the next Sunday at 6 a m, and arrive at Knoxville on Sunday week by 6 p m. 136. From Springfield, by Port Royal and Clarksville to Palmyra, once a week. Leave Springfield every Tuesday at 5 a m, and arrive at Palmyra by 4 p m. Leave Palmyra every Wednesday at 5 a m, and arrive at Springfield by 5 p m. 137. From Nashville by Jefferson, Lipan c h, Kavenough, and Carthage, to Mount Granger, once a week. Leave Nashville every Monday at 6 a m, arrive at Mount Granger on Tuesday by 6 p m. Leave Mount Granger every Wednesday at 5 a m, arrive at Nashville on Thursday by 6 p m. 138. From Nashville to Charlotte, once a week. Leave Charlotte every Sunday at 4 a m, and arrive at Nashville by 7 p m. Leave Nashville every Monday by 4 a m, arrive at Charlotte by 8 p m. 139. From Palmyra by Suart c h, to Eddyville once in two weeks. Leave Palmyra every other Wednesday at 6 a m, arrive at Eddyville on Thursday by 6 p m. Leave Eddyville every other Friday at 6 a m, arrive at Palmyra on Saturday by 6 p m. 140. From Knoxville by Burville, Walnut Cove, Cwtwood, and Wayne c h to Palatka c h, once in two weeks. Leave Knoxville every other Monday, at 2 p m, arrive at Palatka c h on Thursday by 6 p m. Leave Palatka c h every other Friday at 6 a m, arrive at Knoxville on the next Monday by 10 a m.
IN MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY. 141. From Nashville, by Franklin, Bear creek, to McIntoshville or Wright's, once a week. Leave Nashville every Friday at 4 a m, and arrive at Wright's on the next Monday by 10 a m. Leave Wright's or McIntoshville every Monday at 1 p m, and arrive at Nashville on the next Thursday by 8 p m. 142. From McIntoshville to Smith's Old Stand once a week. Leave McIntoshville every Monday at 1 p m, arrive at Smith's Old Stand on Thursday by 3 p m. Leave Smith's Old Stand every Friday at 4 a m, and arrive at McIntoshville the next Monday by 11 a m.
143. From Smith's Old Stand, by Grindstone Fork, Port Gibson, Greenville, Hunsdon, Union, Washington, Natchez, Appleton, Buffalo, Fort Adams, Pinkneyville, and Baton Rouge to La Fourche, or Donaldson's, once a week. Leave Smith's Old Stand every Friday at 4 a m, and arrive at Donaldson's on the next Monday by 10 a m. Leave La Fourche or Donaldson's every Monday at 1 p m, and arrive at Smith's Old Stand on the next Thursday by 3 p m. 144. From La Fourche or Donaldson's, by Canve's, German and Red church to New Orleans, once a week. Leave La Fourche every Monday at 1 p m, and arrive at New Orleans on Tuesday by 5 p m. Leave New Orleans every Sunday at 8 a m, and arrive at La Fourche or Donaldson's on Monday by 11 a m. 145. From New Orleans to Balize, once a week. Leave New Orleans every Tuesday at 4 a m, arrive at Balize on Thursday by 10 a m. Leave Balize every Thursday at 2 p m, and arrive at New Orleans on the next Saturday by 6 p m. 146. From Donaldsonville, by Attakapas, River Teche, St. Martin's church, Opelousas Rapid, to Natchitoches, once in two weeks. Leave La Fourche every other Monday at 1 p m, and arrive at Natchitoches on the next Sunday by 6 p m. Leave Natchitoches every other Monday at 6 a m, and arrive at La Fourche on the next Monday by 8 a m. 147. From Natchez, by Fort St. Stephens, to Fort Stoddert once in four weeks. Leave Fort Stoddert on the first Sunday of April, and every fourth Sunday thereafter at 1 p m, and arrive at Natchez on Monday week by 4 p m. Leave Natchez the next day at 8 a m, and arrive at Fort Stoddert on Wednesday week by 4 p m.
IN KENTUCKY. 148. From Lexington, by Nicholasville, Richmond, Woods, and Metcalf's, to Hazel Patch, once a week. Leave Lexington every Wednesday at 6 a m, & arrive at Hazel Patch on Thursday by 6 p m. Leave Hazel Patch every Friday at 6 a m, and arrive at Lexington on Saturday by 6 p m.
NOTES. 1. The Post Master General may expedite the mails and alter the times of arrival and departure at any time during the continuance of the contracts, he stipulating that he conceives to be an adequate compensation for any extra expense that may be occasioned thereby. 2. Fifteen minutes shall be allowed for opening & closing the mails at all offices where no particular time is specified. 3. For every thirty minutes delay, (unavoidable accidents excepted) in arriving after the time prescribed in any contract, the contractor shall forfeit one dollar: and if the delay continues until the departure of any succeeding mail, whereby the mails destined for such succeeding mail lose a trip, an additional forfeiture of five dollars shall be incurred. And whenever a lost trip occurs, from whatever circumstance, the amount to be paid to the contractor for a regular trip is to be deducted from his pay. 4. Newspapers, as well as letters are to be sent in the mail; and if any person making proposals, desire to carry newspapers, other than those conveyed in the mail, for his own emolument, he must state in his proposals for what sum he will carry with the emolument, and for what sum without that emolument. 5. Should any person making proposals desire an alteration of the times of arrival and departure above specified, he must state in his proposals the alteration desired and the difference they will make in the terms of the contract. 6. Persons making proposals are desired to state their prices by the year. Note who contract will receive their pay quarterly, in the months of August, November, February and May in one month after the expiration of each quarter. 7. No other than a free white person shall be employed to convey the mail. 8. Where the proposer intends to convey the mail in the body of a stage carriage, he is desired to state it in his proposals. 9. The Post Master General reserves to himself the right of declaring any contract at an end whenever one failure happens which amounts to the loss of a trip. 10.p>
10. The contracts for the above routes are to be in operation on the first day of April next, and are to continue in force for two years.
GIDEON GRANGER, Post Master General. GENERAL POST OFFICE. Washington City, October 31, 1808. Dec 2
By an order of the Opians Court of Prince Georges county, will be exposed to Public Sale on the 22nd day of December inst. on a credit of nine months at the late residence of Mr. Thomas Gantt, deceased, about three miles below Nottingham on Patuxent river, the Personal Estate of the deceased, consisting of Household & Kitchen Furniture, Plantation Utensils, Horses, Hogs, Cattle, Sheep and other articles too tedious to mention. Sale to commence at 11 o'clock. CHARLES GANTT, THOS. GANTT, Adms. December 2—2aw6w
TO THE LOVERS OF NATURAL HISTORY. A new and superb work, being the first of the kind ever attempted in America. Now publishing by Subscription, By Bradford d'Inkeet, Philadelphia, in imperial quarto, price 12 dolls. handsomely half bound in Morocco. VOLUME I OF AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY; The Natural History of the Birds of the United States; Comprehending those resident within our territory, and those that migrate hither from other regions; among which will be found a great number of land and water birds hitherto undescribed. Specifying the class, order, and genus to which each particular species belongs, following with a few exceptions, the arrangement of Latham, describing their size, plumage, places of resort, general habits, peculiarities, food, mode of constructing their nests, term of incubation, migration, &c. &c. Illustrated with plates, engraved and colored from original drawings taken from Nature. BY ALEXANDER WILSON. It is now upwards of a year since the Prospectus of this work was first issued; but owing to a train of unforeseen events, its publication has been retarded to the present time. During this temporary suspension the author has had leisure to review and reconsider his plan, and to new-model it in such a manner as will render the work in point of elegance not inferior to any of the kind that has appeared in Europe; and as the whole materials of its mechanical parts are the produce and manufacture of our own country, the publishers trust it will stand not only among ourselves but with foreigners, as an honorable testimony of the state of the arts in this young and growing empire. The original design was to publish the work in Numbers, each to contain 5 plates; but the inconvenience of parceling it out into such small parts, and the injury that both the engravings and letter-press would inevitably sustain in that detached and exposed state induced the author to abandon it for a more commodious and respectable form, better suited to the nature of the publication. Those gentlemen, therefore, who were pleased to patronize the work under its first form will, it is hoped, approve of the change; and are at liberty to withdraw their names, or to extend their patronage to the present. CONDITIONS. The first volume being now ready for publication, will be submitted to the inspection of those gentlemen desirous of promoting the study of Natural History, and the progress of the arts in this country. It is printed in large imperial quarto, on a rich vellum paper, made by Mr. Amies, of Philadelphia. The type was cast by Binny and Ronaldson; and the general execution of the whole, it is presumed, will lose nothing by a comparison with the most finished European publication. Vol. I. contains 9 plates, each 13 inches by 10, comprehending the figures of 33 of our native birds, of the size of life, engraved by Lawson and Murray, from the original drawings; and colored from nature with the most scrupulous attention to the different tints of the originals; the descriptive part consists of about 100 pages. Ten volumes it is expected will comprehend the whole; one of which of the same size and price with the present, containing a like number of plates, and executed in the same style of elegance will be published every six months until the whole be completed. Any subscriber who, on the publication of the second volume, disapproves of the work, shall be at liberty to withdraw his name. A list of the names of those who patronize this splendid national work will be printed in the last volume. Subscriptions are received by D. Rapine, Bookseller, Capitol Hill, Washington city, where a specimen of the first volume may be seen. December 19—3t
SACRED MUSIC. Just received, and for sale at D. Rapine's Book Store, on Capitol Hill. READ'S COLUMBIAN HARMONIST. Containing a valuable collection of sacred music, expressly calculated for singing schools—Also: The SUPPLEMENT to the AMERICAN SINGING BOOK. Teachers may be supplied by the dozen or single, on the most reasonable terms. December 19—6t
Post Office, Washington 17th Dec. 1808. MEMBERS of Congress, officers of government and others, are respectfully informed, that it has become necessary, in consequence of a change in the contract for carrying the mail from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to the state of Tennessee, Mississippi Territory, Orleans Territory, New Orleans, C. H. Charlottesville, Virg. &c. that the express mail from this office for that route, which heretofore departed every Tuesday at 3 o'clock P. M. shall in future depart on that day at noon, and that consequently all letters to be sent thither be deposited in the Post office by half past eleven A. M. December 19—3t
RETAIL GOODS. BAKER, IRONS & Co. N. of the Plough, have just received from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia—37 Packages of English, India, and French GOODS—consisting of a general assortment of FANCY AND SUBSTANTIAL Articles, which being selected at the best markets, principally for Cash, enables them to sell lower than their usual prices. A liberal deduction will be made to retailers and large buyers, for cash or negotiable notes. Georgetown, October 31—law4w&w