The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 1804-08-10 00:00:00

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, AND WASHINGTON ADVERTISER.
Vol. IV.
WASHINGTON CITY, PRINTED BY SAMUEL HARRISON SMITH, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
No. 106.
FIVE DOLLS. PER ANN.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10th, 1804.
PAID IN ADVANCE.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, March 7.
DEBATE on Georgia Claims.
In committee of the whole,
Mr. DAWSON in the chair, on the bill providing for the settlement of sundry claims to public lands lying south of the state of Tennessee.
Continued.
Mr. BEDINGER said he never expected to see the time when it would be out of the power of a respectable minority to express their opinion. On this subject, he thought with his friend from Virginia. With him he would say to the opponents of the resolutions, examine them and see if they are not true. But some gentlemen seemed rather disposed to lay a bushel on the candle to prevent their constituents from seeing what was going on. It was unnecessary to say more. If gentlemen were bent on pursuing their course, they must do it.
Mr. LYON said he wished to let his constituents know all he did. But from delicacy to the gentleman who had moved the resolutions, he wished to give them the go by. As to the first resolution he would amend it by adding "of which such legislature were judges." If that amendment should be rejected he would vote against the whole.
Mr. LUCAS and Sloan said a few words against the rising of the committee.
Mr. MACON (Speaker) remarked that this question, like many others which presented themselves, had taken up a longer time in discussing the preliminary point that might have been required on the resolutions. To rise and report the bill, without acting on the resolutions, would be a virtual rejection of them; especially as the House had determined to rise on the 19th. For one Mr. M. said, he was ready to vote on the resolutions. If it were wrong to vote on them, it was certainly proper to vote against their reference. But why not vote on them? We may not all agree; but have we not a right to think for ourselves? Let us then meet them, and vote as we see best. Mr. M. said he was the more desirous of meeting the question as he differed from those with whom he generally coincided in opinion. It may be said these resolutions embrace an abstract question. If so, gentlemen ought not to have allowed their reference. In the present stage of the business, no question could be taken unless in the committee, or on a motion to discharge the committee from their further consideration. Mr. M. said, he thought it the right of every member of a deliberate body to express his sentiments and record his opinion on any subject before it. This had always been the practice. He trusted, therefore, the committee would not rise, but proceed to the discussion of the resolutions.
Mr. GREGG said, if it were earlier in the session, he might have no objection to a consideration of the resolutions, or if he thought, late as it was, that a discussion of them would take up but a short time. But he entertained no hope from the variety of matter they contained, as he debated arising out of them being brought to a close within several days. The last resolution had been a short time since decided, in the shape of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia. This certainly expressed the sense of the committee on the last resolution. The first resolution likewise had been virtually decided on by a former vote of the House. The substance of it had been much depended on by those opposed to the bill, and it had been this which had regulated their former vote. Mr. Gregg said he believed the principle it contained was generally correct. Those, however, in the majority appeared to entertain a different opinion, and were thence opposed to the principle of the resolutions. Mr. G. said he had no objection to having his vote recorded on the resolution. But he did not perceive the necessity, at this time, when the session was pressing to a close, of occupying unnecessarily the time of the House. He should, therefore, be in favor of a postponement.
Mr. J. RANDOLPH.—Certain resolutions have been submitted by the
House to this committee, and when it is proposed to take them up, objection is made, on the ground that no opinion ought to be expressed upon them, and a motion accordingly brought forward for the committee to rise. From the prospect before us, it is probable that the committee will rise, and if leave be given them to sit again, which seems to be the object of some gentlemen, these resolutions will be equally out of the power of their mover, or their friends. How far gentlemen were warranted in laying that this committee, which although inferior only to the House itself, is yet subordinate to it, and as much bound by its instructions as any other committee whatever, should refuse to be governed by those instructions, he would not undertake to say; but of this he would assure them that how much soever they might embarrass, they should not defeat the discussion of this subject, by any course which they might pursue. Consistent only in their hostility to the resolutions, gentlemen advocated the committee's rising by the most opposite and contradictory arguments; on the one hand contending that no opinion ought to be expressed upon them, whilst on the other, they asserted that such opinion has been fully expressed. Irreconcilable in their objections, they are not less united in their object. When men for whatever reason, however opposite their premises, invariably agree in the same conclusion, by what arguments are they to be assailed? In this dilemma they were impelled much more by a sense of duty, than by any hope of success, to reply to some of the remarks which had fallen from various quarters of the committee.
It was said, that the amendment, which he had the honor to propose to the bill, which had been just then considered, embraced the substance of the resolutions, and that its rejection was a fair decision upon their merits. Permit me, (said Mr. R.) in the most explicit terms, to deny this position. One of these resolutions, and one only, to give gentlemen all that they can fairly ask, may have been virtually decided by the rejection of that amendment. But will any one be hardy enough to assert that the question, "whether the act of Georgia, of 1795, was, or was not "passed by the grossest corruption," was embraced in that amendment, or in any wise affected by the decision upon it? Surely not. Gentlemen who voted against that amendment have not in debate, pretended to deny the fact. They cannot, they dare not deny it. He might go on and specify resolution after resolution, and show that no opinion had been expressed upon them, (one only excepted) but the committee would anticipate, in the recollection of their contents, all that could be urged to demonstrate the variance between them and the amendment. They must be satisfied of the feebleness and insufficiency of this objection. Before he touched on any other, he deemed it proper to answer some observations which had fallen from a gentleman from Massachusetts (Dr. Eustis) to the left. I must here (said Mr. R.) express my satisfaction at finding myself supported by the conclusive authority of my respectable friend the speaker, in the position which I assumed at the outset—that every member has a right to claim a decision on any question brought by him before the house, which they shall have agreed to consider. The gentleman from Massachusetts thinks differently. In his opinion no member has a right to interpret a refusal on the part of the House to act on his motion, into a personal disrespect to himself. I certainly have never expressed myself to the effect that this gentleman insinuates. If the zeal with which I have supported a claim, sanctioned by the highest authority here, has been so construed, it has been my misfortune, not for the first time perhaps, to give rise to erroneous impressions. From the warmth however which has been exhibited by the mover of these resolutions, whenever their subject has been agitated, the gentleman from Massachusetts would infer that they are the offspring of feeling, rather than of judgment. I could wish, Sir, when that gentleman condescends to notice any remarks of mine, he would confine himself to their substance and matter, and not pass over these, in order to fix upon the manner in which they are delivered. If the warmth with which an opinion be supported be made the standard of its truth or falsehood, it will have been my misfortune, perhaps, never to have advanced a correct position on this floor. Some men have a smooth, oily, insinuating address: they can make you a proposition ruinous
to yourself or to your country, with a face couched in smiles. Others can scarce offer you an interchange of civility without wounding your feelings; 'tis their misfortune. But I trust that the adventitious circumstances of temperament and complexion are not to be made the criterion of truth; that propositions and arguments will be decided here, upon their own intrinsic merits, and not by considerations altogether foreign from them. On other occasions we have heard much of party spirit and the rights of minorities. But this is one of those cases in which the toxin of party spirit and an over ruling majority will not answer the purpose in view. This is a season in which the old dark maxim " divide et impera " is to be resorted to;—in which personal pique and private jealousies shall enable an hopeless opposition to hold the scales of this House:—once hopeless, tho' now like Anteus rising from their fall. From observations made out of doors, I expected to hear these resolutions treated as an encroachment on the rights of Georgia, and by the very men too, who did not scruple to usurp the jurisdiction of a great portion of the country in question [the Mississippi territory] in contempt of the rights and in defiance of the remonstrances of that state. Yes. I was prepared to see some crocodile tears shed over the violated rights of the states. If experience did not prove that war, oppression and misery are embraced by the greater portion of mankind in preference to peace, happiness and freedom, it would be no difficult matter to demonstrate, that these resolutions, so far from infringing upon the rights of Georgia, are in direct support of those rights, as asserted by her in the most solemn manner, at this day. I little expected to stand on this floor, in the list of persons hostile to state rights, to be charged, as the gentleman before me has expressed himself, with having brought forward propositions subversive of the rights of the states. The sovereignty of the states has ever been the cardinal principle of my political opinions, and in the outset, I enlisted under the banners of state rights in opposition to federal usurpation. The doctrine of exalting the general government on the ruin of the authority of the states, is at length exploded, and those who have heretofore been most conspicuous in encroaching upon the rights of the states, generally, and upon those of Georgia in particular, are now foremost in displaying their zeal for both. I cannot but rejoice at the acquisition which this cause has made: But to those of its friends, who are too new to it to understand its interests, as yet, I would recommend, that they would take the conduct of the Georgia delegation as an evidence of the rights and interest of that state. They surely are not to be destitute of information or fidelity, as to understand or abandon the rights of the people whom they represent. So long however as I have the honor of concurring with them in opinion, I shall be very easy under any clamor which the new friends of Georgia and of the rights of states may endeavour to excite. If however, gentlemen are unwilling to rely on the opinions of so few, however respectable men, I refer them to the act of the legislature of Georgia herself, generally called the rescinding act, passed under circumstances of unparalleled unanimity and confirmed by the general voice of the people, who subsequently recognized it in, and engrafted it upon their constitution. If still they remain dissatisfied I would ask them if the recognition of the claims against Georgia, in the bill which they are so eager to pass, be not equally a violation of the rights of that state, with the rejection of those claims. Does not the bill before you, in pronouncing upon the validity of the act of Georgia, equally involve the principle against which gentlemen protest so loudly, with the resolutions themselves? They have their choice either to pronounce the corrupt act of 1795, or the rescinding act of 1796, invalid. Are not the rights of Georgia as much affected by the one as by the other? and even more by annulling the act of 1796, since she alone recognizes that to be her own. But gentlemen not only annihilate this act, without a scruple, but they support a bill predicated upon a principle which involves the validity of the other also, and then charge us with bringing forward propositions which, because they pronounce upon the acts of Georgia, the same sentence which she herself has passed upon them, they denounce as subversive of the rights of Georgia, and with them, of every state in the union. Will not these gentle-
men give themselves the trouble to examine their right to legislate on this subject, at all? Will they refuse to see that we hold it by solemn grant from Georgia herself, without which we could not constitutionally pass any law in relation to the territory in question. It is this only which authorizes us, in any shape, to interfere in a matter which, otherwise would exclusively belong to her. The act of interfering, and not the manner of that interference, with subjects cognizable by the state alone, would constitute an infraction of her rights. The bill which is advocated by gentlemen themselves would equally infringe the rights of Georgia with the provision which has been attempted to be inserted in it, but for our compact with her. Will any one pretend to say that these resolutions have for their object any thing forbidden, either expressly or by implication, in that compact? That it stipulates for any provision for the claims under the act of 1795? Would the Georgia delegation unite in defeating those stipulations if any such indeed existed? Is not the right to reject involved in the right to grant those claims? Georgia having transferred the soil and jurisdiction of the country to the United States, subject to the existing claims against it, we have acquired precisely the same rights over it that she herself had. We stand in her shoes. There cannot be a clearer position on earth, than that the moment she transferred to us these lands, subject to prior grants, (those grants not being specifically enumerated) we became the judges of their validity. So sensible were we of this that we have appointed commissioners to audit and adjust those claims—and I repeat, that the bill which is so strenuously supported by the opponents to these resolutions does pass upon the validity of the acts of 1795 and 1796, modifying and abridging the grants under the first, and altogether abrogating the last, to say nothing of the act of 1789, under which the Virginia and S. Carolina companies claim. But, Sir, these unfortunate resolutions, it seems, contain that damnable heresy in politics, abstract propositions. What are many clauses of your constitution—of your bills and declarations of rights, but so many series of abstract principles? Let us examine whether the propositions, of whatever description, contained in these resolutions, are indeed foreign to the subject before the committee—whether, on the contrary, they are not intimately and indissolubly connected with the provisions of the bill on your table. If indeed they were so vaguely expressed, or so loose in their application, they might have been likely to expire in their own imbecility. But gentlemen have seen in them the evil genius of this bill, and hence their opposition.
[Here Mr. R. read the 1st and 2nd resolutions.]
"Resolved, That the state of Georgia was at no time invested with the power of alienating the right of soil possessed by the good people of that state in and to the vacant territory of the same, but in a rightful manner and for the general good." Who will deny it? If Georgia has made a valid contract we must execute it. If invalid there is no obligation on us to perform it.
"That when the governors of any people shall have betrayed the confidence reposed in them, and shall have exercised that authority with which they have been invested for the general welfare to promote their own private ends, under the basest motives, and to the public detriment, it is the inalienable right of a people, thus circumstanced, to revoke the authority thus abused, to resume the rights thus attempted to be bartered, and to abrogate the act thus endeavoring to betray them."
I am afraid if we deny this position we have no title to show for our own existence as a nation.
[Mr. R. here read the third resolution.]
"That it is in evidence to this House that the act of the legislature of Georgia passed on the 7th of January 1795, entitled an act, &c. was passed by persons under the influence of gross and palpable corruption, practised by the grantees of the lands, attempted to be alienated by the aforesaid act, tending to enrich and aggrandize, to a degree almost incalculable, a few individuals and ruinous to the public interest."
If there be any objection, in my mind, to this resolution, it is that it does not sufficiently detail, what it contains in substance; that the vendors of this iniquitous bargain being, at the same time, the vendees, the contract was,
therefore, void. On a former occasion when this position was advanced, we were told, that, on the same principle, the sale of our western lands might be set aside, since members of the legislature speculated in them to a vast amount. However indecorous and reprehensible this may have been in persons in their situation, there was a wide and material difference between the sales made by the U. States and a pretended sale like this; not of a few acres, but of millions;—not of sections and half sections, but of thousands of square miles;—not measured by chains and perches but by circles of latitude and longitude;—not made in the face of day, on public notice, for a reasonable equivalent, and with the general participation of the citizens, but bartered away in the dark, by wholesale, for the emolument of the partners in the job, for a pretended consideration, too paltry to give an air of validity to the contract; and even this sum, pitiful as it was, had since been drawn from the treasury of Georgia by those who had paid it, or others claiming under them, by an act yet more infamous and disgraceful, if possible, than that by which it was deposited there. But it is not my intention, at this time, to enter into the particulars of this transaction. In the former stages of this bill I have endeavored to give a faithful history of it. Weak and vain, however, must be every effort to do justice to this enormous and atrocious proceeding. Some gentlemen, indeed, will tell you that we have no proof of the facts. The depositions, say they, are ex parte, and therefore in strictness of law cannot be considered as evidence. But when was it known that men could not legislate on less than legal evidence? Have we not the same evidence of the fraud, that we have of the existence of the claims? Are not the evidences of both in the same report? the same proof of the corruption as of the claims. They both hang together. Do not gentlemen themselves admit the existence of the corruption? On what other principle could they justify their proposition to withhold from these harpies the whole of their glorious booty, and put them off with a comparative pittance. Set aside the evidence of the corruption, and it cannot be denied, that, instead of five, they are entitled to fifty millions of acres. I repeat they are entitled to all, or nothing. We at least are consistent—we deny their title to any thing, and we propose to give them nothing. Gentlemen on this other side can support the claim to the five millions, which they propose to give, only by arguments which justify a claim to ten times that amount.
[Mr. R. here read the fourth resolution.]
"That the good people of Georgia impressed with general indignation at the act of atrocious perjury and unparalleled corruption, with a promptitude of decision highly honorable to them, did, by the act of a subsequent legislature, passed on the 13th day of February 1796, under circumstances of peculiar solemnity, and finally sanctioned by the people, who have subsequently engrafted it on their constitution, declare the preceding act and the grants made under it, in themselves null and void; that the said act should be expunged from the records of the state and publicly burnt; which was accordingly done; provision, at the same time being made, for restoring the pretended purchase money to the grantees, BY WHOM, OR BY PERSONS CLAIMING UNDER THEM, the greater part of the said purchase money has been withdrawn from the treasury of Georgia."
This is another of the resolutions not even substantially embraced in the proposed amendment, which has been rejected by the committee. The evidence of the facts contained in the former part of it is to be found in the act of Georgia which I hold in my hand, commonly called the rescinding act. The report of our commissioners furnishes the proof of the withdrawal of the money, with a detailed statement of that nefarious business, which in the former stages of this bill has been amply explained. In the rescinding act the legislature of Georgia take other objections to the usurpation of 1795, besides those founded on its corruption. They deny the constitutional right of their predecessors to have made such an alienation of the public domain, even with honorable views and for a fair equivalent. They declare that their constitution prescribes a certain mode whereby vacant lands shall be sold and granted, and that the pretended act of 1795 is void, not only from its corruption, but

This is a weighty and vital objection. The flow yet equitable method known to the constitution of Georgia of laying off new counties, granting out the lands, and when they were appropriated and settled, laying off and settling others, was ill suited to the gigantic capacity of the assembly of 1795 and their ravenous accomplices, who grasped at every acre within the nominal limits of the state, whether covered by Indian titles, or whether those claims were extinguished. [Here Mr. Randolph read a copious extract from the act of Georgia above mentioned, in support of what he had advanced.] The committee will see that the whole of this act, so far from being an abandonment of the rights of the state, goes on the ground of asserting and supporting them. It recognizes every principle and every fact (the withdrawing of the purchase money excepted, which was posterior to it) contained in these resolutions. Can they then be subversive of the rights of Georgia? Gentlemen of the most tender consciences in relation to state rights, have but the alternative of deciding against the act of 1795, or against the act of 1796—of justifying the assembly of 1795, or supporting that of 1796.
(Mr. R. here read the fifth resolution.) "That a subsequent legislature of an individual state, has an undoubted right to repeal any act of a preceding legislature, provided such repeal be not forbidden by the constitution of such state, nor of the United States." Can there be a more undeniable position?
(Mr. R. here read the sixth resolution.) "That the aforesaid act of the state of Georgia (the re-scinding act) was forbidden neither by the constitution of that state, nor by that of the United States." It is were thus forbidden, it may easily be shown.
(Mr. R. here read the seventh resolution.) "That the claims of persons derived under the aforesaid act, (the corrupt act) of the 7th of January 1795, are recognized, neither by any compact between the United States, and the state of Georgia, nor by any act of the federal government." This fact, although none will venture openly to contradict it, has not been sufficiently attended to, or understood. I must beg leave in answer to the objection of some gentlemen here, to repeat what was advanced by me in a former discussion of the subject. Georgia ceded this territory to us subject to certain specified claims—arising under Great Britain—under Spain—and under her Bourbon act, as it is commonly called, which has no relation to any of the Yazoo acts as they are termed. For these claims we have stipulated to provide, moreover paying her a certain sum out of the first proceeds of the lands, as a consideration for the grant. Besides the above mentioned claims, there were others not recognized by, or provided for in our compact. In relation to these Georgia gives a reluctant assent, (which is to be inferred as well from the expressions which are used in the treaty, as from the declaration of the commissioners on both sides) that we may apply, not exceeding five millions of acres to quiet other claims, generally, without specifying what they are: the appropriation not to exceed the amount, above and to be made within six months from the ratification of the compact, or to revert back to Georgia. Among the claims of this vague description may be ranked that of the Virginia and South Carolina Yazoo companies (under the act of Georgia of 1789, & those arising under the corrupt act of 1795.) We are at liberty therefore to give these reserved five millions of acres to either, or to both, of these descriptions of conflicting claimants, but we are certainly not bound to, bestow an acre on one of them, either by compact with Georgia, or by our own act of appropriation. When that act passed it was at the close of our session; there was not time to investigate any of these claims. It was then understood that some of them were equitable and not founded in corruption. If we did not then make the appropriation, the term within which we were permitted to make it, would have elapsed before the next session of Congress. We therefore made the appropriation, in the same general terms of our compact with Georgia, pledging ourselves to none, whilst we thereby reserved the right of examining and compensating all, in case they should thereafter be found to deserve it. The day of investigation having arrived, you are invited to decline it altogether, and hold that the reservation of the right to give, is converted by force political magic into a duty, and that too by those who propose to give nothing to the companies of 1789, although their claim is embraced by the general provision of our compact with Georgia, and by the terms of our act of appropriation, as much as the claims of the companies of 1795. The appropriation, like the compact, referring to neither of them, expressly, but to claims other than those English, Spanish, and Georgian claims, (under the Bourbon act) before mentioned. The position of the seventh resolution,
that these claims are recognized neither by any compact between us and Georgia, nor by any act of our own being thus undeniably established the conclusion, in my mind, irresistibly follows from it, and from the preceding facts and principles, "That no part of the five millions of acres reserved for satisfying and quieting claims to the lands, ceded by the state of Georgia to the United States and appropriated by the act of Congress passed at their last session, ought to be appropriated to quiet, or compensate, any claims, derived under any act, or pretended act, of the state of Georgia, passed, or alleged to have been passed, during the year 1795."
I cannot perceive the ground on which the opposition to these resolutions has been made. Altho' some have denied and others have evaded some of their positions, they have been generally admitted as true. The objection that they trench upon the rights of the states, seems too futile to justify the opposition they have received. That they are inapplicable to the subject before us, would appear yet less cause for the warmth with which they have been attacked. It is their bearing upon that question, it is their vital connexion with the bill, which seems to constitute the strong objection to them. Gentlemen cannot deny them: they see that they cannot pass the bill before you, if they enter upon their concurrence with them on your journals—they therefore move to postpone. Be it so. But if they pass the bill in question, they do an act which whole ages of political penance will never atone. I have during the whole course of this discussion listened with profound attention, and the words expediency and policy alone have reached my ears. But I cannot comprehend that expediency which would countenance fraud, nor the policy which would foster corruption. During the agitation of this question, in every different shape which it has assumed, I have acted as my conscience and principles impelled me. It will be a source of never failing self-gratulation that I have done so, as it would have been of remorse had I done otherwise. Whatever be its ultimate fate, it has already abundantly appeared that party spirit, personal influence, and a domineering majority, of which we have so frequently heard, have no existence within these walls but as engines of debate. Such at least is the state of one side of the House. Persons of every political description are marshalled in support of these claims; we have here had to contend against the bear of the arctic and the lion of the torrid zone. I have only to wish that those gentlemen who are our opponents may on returning among their constituents, feel the same pleasure on meeting them which I shall feel, and which I am sure is anticipated by those with whom I have the honor of acting, on this occasion.
(To be continued.)
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WASHINGTON CITY.
FRIDAY, August 10.
The importance and length of the foreign intelligence, which we have lately detailed, has excluded much original matter, to which we shall now pay particular attention.
We commence, in the paper of this day, a series of letters addressed to the Legislatures of the respective states, on subjects of great importance. Though addressed to the legislatures, they are equally meant for the people. Indeed, this season is chosen for their publication, in the hope that in selecting proper candidates, some attention will be paid to the important views submitted. All reference to party topics have been carefully avoided; and it is hoped that the federal prints, as well as the republican, which feel a zeal in promoting the great interests of the country, will aid the contemplated effects of these productions by extending their circulation.
In a late number of the National Intelligencer notice was taken of a paragraph in the New-York Evening Post, substantially charging Mr. Jefferson with being the author of the address to the king of Great-Britain presented by Congress in the year 1775. It declares the Address to have been "drawn up by the same immortal Jefferson," who drew the declaration of Independence; and afterwards says "we may with strict truth assert that this address was, at any rate, signed by Thomas Jefferson, in his own hand writing."
Considering these declarations as equivalent to a declaration that Mr. Jefferson was the author of the address, we pronounced
It false that Mr. Jefferson ever drew such a paper; or signed such a paper drawn by another.
The substance of this assertion is true; but the form is erroneous. We, therefore, consider it proper while we declare the former, to acknowledge the latter.
The circumstances attending this transaction are these:—By recurring to the printed journals of Congress it will be found, that on the 31 of June, 1775 a committee, consisting of Messrs Dickinson, Johnson, Rutledge, Jay and Franklin, were appointed to draft the address. This committee reported the form of an address on the 19th of that month, which was agreed to on the 8th of July following. On the 21st of June, two days after the report, Mr. Jefferson took his seat in Congress. A warm debate arose on the address, of which Mr. Dickinson was the author and the strenuous advocate; and it was agreed to solely with a view to conciliation; its friends promising, that unless it was satisfactorily answered, they would cordially unite with the friends of vigorous measures. When agreed to, according to the practice of Congress previous to the declaration of independence, it was, as a matter of form, signed by all the members, and of course by Mr. Jefferson. There was, therefore, a verbal incorrectness in declaring that he did not sign it. This error arose from an unacquaintance with the form of signature then used, from a knowledge that Mr. Jefferson had no part in drawing the address, and that he was merely an individual member of Congress.
We make this statement exclusively for the purpose of correcting a verbal error, which the distortion of party might hereafter make an unjust use of. The substance of our first declaration remains unshaken. Indeed the additional facts we have stated confirm it. The address was not drawn by Mr. Jefferson; and it was no otherwise signed by him but as matter of form, which implies no approbation of it. We venture to add that the sentiments it expresses were not his at the time it was drawn.
FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
To the Legislatures of the respective States.
LETTER FIRST.
IN a period of peace and prosperity, the public attention is naturally directed to your deliberations. The United States have heretofore, in a great degree, been contending for their existence as an independent nation. Having claimed her rank among the nations of the earth, she has happily vanquished all the obstacles which a mistaken interest had opposed. Rising above all these, she now occupies the commanding eminence merited by the purity of her principles and the virtuous direction of her resources. Bold in these principles, and fortified by increasing power, she has nothing to fear from the violence or the intrigue of her external enemies. Indeed most of those nations, who, from the force of early prejudice, from ignorance or from ambition, have heretofore indicated marks of hostility or distrust, have yielded to a more enlightened and liberal policy, and have at length perceived that mutual benefit will be the result of an interchange of good offices. What share of this amicable spirit is owing to the wise conduct of those who administer the general government, and what part of it arises from the force of events, we shall not pretend to say. All that is necessary for us to know is that we have a government that, profiting of the circumstances that spring up, uses them to promote a permanent good understanding with foreign nations. Under the auspices of such motives and talents, we may confidently rely on a continuance of peace and external prosperity.
The security of these great objects is the duty of the national government. To promote the interior interests is the great duty of the governments of the states. While the former are in hazard, it is right that every resource should be engaged towards their attainment. Once secured, other objects, worthy of the best patriotism, offer themselves for accomplishment.
For the accomplishment of these objects the propitious season has arrived; and let me add that season too, which, if neglected, may never return. Need I awaken your minds to a sense of their importance? Their accomplishment involves the intelligence, the morals, the republicanism, the wealth and the strength of the nation. These, your national government may protect, but it cannot create; and such is the structure of our political institutions that a decay of state virtues, will necessarily produce a destruction of the whole superstructure that rests upon them.
People of America! By the regard you feel for your children, by your attachment to liberty, by your abhorrence of tyranny, by the honorable pride inspired on contemplating the great prospects before you in case your resources be efficiently developed, I conjure you to ponder on the advice, which a duty as pure as your own hearts, prompts me to offer. I feel that I possess no peculiar claims to give the advice. Age has neither sprinkled my brow, nor wisdom showered on me her choice endowments. But I ever have felt an ardent love of my country, since my understanding has been capable of appreciating the value of liberty; and I trust this affection after constituting the solace of my life, will descend with me to the grave. It is not because America is my country, that I love her; but it is because SHE IS FREE.
The committee of the English House of commons appointed to examine the Corn Laws have reported, that no less a sum than thirty millions sterling has been paid for grain imported into that country during the last thirteen years.
The population in the Russian Empire increases with great rapidity. Every where the births surpass the deaths, at least one third. During the year 1803, in one of the provinces of the extensive Empire, viz. Jaroslaw, were born 15,895 boys, and 14,522 girls; and of both sexes, died only 17,152 individuals; the births were therefore by 13,264 more numerous than the deaths.
By a recent inquiry into the state of mendicity in and round the city of London, it appears that the number of beggars, including their children, exceeds 13,000, and that they collect from the public, in the streets, about 100,000l. annually. The present average charge on the rental of England and Wales for the support of the poor amounts to 4s. 6d. in the pound.
Shad and herring fishery.
Of this valuable and abundant source of employment and riches to the inhabitants of the borders of Hudson river, some notice should be taken. The last season has proved uncommonly favorable to the fishermen in the vicinity of this city. In one net no less than
40,000 had been taken, which have been for 3 to 6 dollars per 100. Innumerable quantities of herring have also been caught. At one fishing place 41,000 were taken at a single tide. The value of the whole number of herring taken in the season is probably equal to half that of the shad. These fisheries occupy large numbers of people in the river, besides those employed in dressing, salting and packing them, as well as the coopers in furnishing casks; and form an important article of exportation. Perhaps 50 nets are usually owned or employed in the limits of Hudson. These, allowing them to be tolerably successful; say taking 20,000 shad each, at the lowest rate of 3 dollars per 100, would produce 30,000 dollars; and computing the value of the herring at half that of the shad, would be found to draw from the bosom of the river in about two months no less than 45,000 dollars. If the fisheries on the other parts of the river were equally productive, the Hudson might well be esteemed an inexhaustible fountain of wealth. Bee.
The Theatre Francaise, Rue de la Loi, at Paris, will be shut up for three months, during which period it will be improved in such a manner, that according to the plan of the National Institute, when finished, no other theatre in the world will surpass it in beauty and convenience. The first nation upon earth, possessing the first talents upon earth, in every branch of the useful or pleasing sciences; equally great in its civilization, as proud of its liberty; must have the best, and be the first in every thing, in its theatres, as well as in its museums. Publiciste.
To procure our legislative corps more respect, and make our representative system approach to that of England, no citizen can in future fill the place of a legislator, if he does not possess landed property of the yearly income of six thousand livres (250l.)
Journal de Defenseurs.
Boston, August 2.
LATEST FROM EUROPE.
Last evening we received, by the ship Sachem, arrived at Portland, from Liverpool, London Papers to the 13th June, five days later than before received from this quarter. We find after a short perusal of them, that Mr. PITT meets with a powerful opposition, in the House of Commons. On the subject of the National Defence, on the 11th June, he introduced a bill for the augmentation of the public force. The combined opposition were rallied to oppose going into committee on this bill, and on the question, shall the Speaker leave the chair? the numbers were
  For it 219   Opposed to it 159   Ministerial majority 40   Among the opposition were Mr. Addington, Mr. Fox, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Gray, &c. The Courier of the 13th, mentions that Mr. Pitt's majority was increasing.
We do not notice the occurrence of any military or naval event of importance to atlantic readers.
Mr. Livingston, received his passport, and left London on the 8th, upon his return to Paris. It is said that his departure was sooner than he wished or expected, and that he was not so very anxious that his passport should have been sent to him so soon. Besides the dinner given to him by Mr. Fox, Mrs. Livingston was entertained by Sir William Pulteney, and Sir Francis Baring. Both these dinners had reference, in all probability, to the concerns and connections which the two baronets have with America. Sir W. Pulteney has large estates in Kentucky; Sir Francis Baring is the agent for paying the American dividends. The visit of Mr. Livingston to this country is still unexplained. According to public rumour he came to state some circumstances which Mr. Fox deemed advisable to communicate to his majesty's ministers. It is added that Bonaparte has expressed his willingness to consent to an arrangement with respect to Malta, if we will acknowledge the new imperial government. With respect to that acknowledgment, we know not how that would or ought to stand in the way of peace; but whether the keeping of Malta would of itself be deemed an adequate security to this country, after the language, menaces, preparations, and intrigues of France against us, during peace, is a point which it would be premature to discuss at present.
CHARLESTON, July 26.
In consequence of information given to the officers of the Revenue, stating that a Schooner called the Eliza, alias the Divina Pastora, commanded by a man named Bernard Johnson, had been fitted out in this port, and was intended to be converted into a French privateer;

she was sent after early in this month by the collector, to where she lay at anchor near Sullivan's Island and brought back to town. A libel was filed against her in the Federal district court, holding admiralty jurisdiction. On Tuesday last her trial came on, when, after a hearing of eight hours, the jury brought in a verdict against the vessel and cargo, which are in consequence condemned as forfeited to the United States, for the same offence against the laws of the United States. Captain Johnson is now in confinement, and will be tried at a special circuit court.
Gazette.
NEW-ORLEANS, July 7.
A small number of respectable citizens, having met some time since, to consider the operation of a law passed by the United States, for the government of this country. It was deemed expedient to prepare a memorial and remonstrance against some of its provisions, to be submitted to the consideration of a larger meeting, to be called at a future day. A committee was accordingly appointed, and the proceedings and intention of the assembly were made known to the governor.
The draft of a memorial having been prepared, an assembly was called which took place on Sunday the 1st inst. in the Long Room—upwards of 250 respectable merchants, planters, and other respectable inhabitants attended, and the memorial having been read, was unanimously approved; a committee of 12 were appointed to circulate the same for signature in the different parishes. And to report to another meeting to be held on Sunday next at the same place. The names of six respectable citizens out of whom two are to be chosen as agents for the province to present the memorial to congress.
The petition we understand is left for signatures at the store of P. LANUSSE, Esq. in Rue Royal.
THEATRE.
AS measures have been taken by the Directors of the Theatre to have that building carried on with spirit, so as to be completed by the approaching season, it is earnestly hoped that all persons who have subscribed Cash for that object, and who may not have as yet made payment, will make the payment immediately to some one of the Directors. Those who have subscribed work or materials—that may not have executed the first or furnished the last, will please make early application to Mr. George Hasfield, who will contract for the materials, or for such work as may be required.
The Directors have thought proper to give this public notice, that every subscriber may come forward in the manner promised at the time of subscribing. They can not doubt but that there will exist a generous emulation among all, to tender their promised aid in promoting an object which may conduce materially to the advantage of the city. If however, contrary to their expectations, the Directors should find themselves disappointed by any of those who have agreed to furnish materials or work—in that case they will be constrained to contract with others for such work or materials to be paid in cash—and call upon such subscribers for the amount of their subscriptions in cash, which it is hoped will not be deemed unreasonable or improper.
City of Washington, August 4, 1804.
Valuable Property for Sale.
WE will sell on Tuesday the 28th inst. on the premises at 3 o'clock, those two large lots in George Town, No 74 and 75 with the stone house thereon, on a credit of 3, 6 and 12 months. The lots will be sold together or separately to accommodate purchasers—Notes with good indorsers payable at the Bank of Columbia will be expected and on the payment of said notes a good title will be made.
STEPHEN WEST, RICHARD W. WEST, H. B. WEST, BEN. ODEN.
August 10—128
Ten Dollars Reward.
STRAYED or stolen from the commons near the Capitol, in the city of Washington on the 24th of last month, (July) a deep SORREL HORSE, about four feet 10 inches high, well made, lately had all round, a blaze on his forehead, hanging mane and switch tail, trots and canters well, carries his head very low when rode; he is between six and seven years old. Whoever brings him to the subscriber, living near Mr. Galtin's in the said city, shall receive the above reward.
NATHANIEL GREGORY, Washington city, Capitol hill, August 10—3w
PORT WINE
OF A SUPERIOR QUALITY, just received and for sale by the subscriber; Also, Irish Teas of the WASHINGTON and PLOUGHBOY'S Cargoes, and a few East India and Havana WHITE SUGARS.
JOHN BANKS, High Street, Geo. Town. D. C. August 10—2w1w
Description of the river Mississippi and its Delta, with that of the adjacent parts of Louisiana. By William Dunbar, of the Natchez, communicated by the Author, a Member of the Society; through the President.
[Continued]
When these lakes are first approached, they present to perfect a resemblance of the Mississippi, with regard to breadth, the appearance of the banks, and the natural serpentine form of its course, that many persons have been deceived thereby, and recognized their error only by the discovery of the stagnant state of the water, the appearance on its borders of the Nymphæ Nelumbo, and other aquatic plants; no person therefore doubts that those lakes have all, in their turn, served to convey the waters of this father of rivers, and now during the season of the inundation still flow with a full current, contributing their aid to the evacuation of the waters of a thousand rivers which precipitate themselves into the valley of the Mississippi. When we take a survey of this valley, upwards of 30 miles wide opposite to the Natchez, diverging very obtusely as we approach the sea-coast, where it is not less than 3° in long, and that in no part of it do we discover any other soil than such as is now daily deposited by the waters of the Mississippi, it is impossible not to believe that this valley has, in the beginning, been a branch or inlet of the ocean, which received into its bosom this great river, similar to the River de la Plata, the Gulf of St. Laurence, Delaware bay, and many others not remarkable for the alluvial properties of their rivers. When, on the other hand, we contemplate the effects of the creative power of the Mississippi, which has filled up this prodigious space with soil, more or less solid, and which must at Natchez exceed 100 feet perpendicular above the level of the sea, sloping gradually like an immense glacier to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where nevertheless it does not terminate, but shelving off by continual accumulation frequently embarrasses vessels out of sight of land, along the coast, to the west of the Mississippi; I say when we survey this immense work performed by the hand of nature, we cannot accord with the opinions of certain visionary philosophers, who have been pleased to amuse themselves with the pretended infantile state of our continent, compared to their trans-atlantic world; but, on the contrary, we must grant to it an incalculable antiquity. When the inundation is at its height, the whole valley is replenished with water every where in motion, making its progress towards the ocean; so that at that season the river may be said to be 30 miles or more in breadth at Natchez; the waters which pass over the well bank of the main channel never to return; on the east, a chain of high land, which at many points is washed by the river, meandering along its valley, compels its waters to rejoin its primitive stream; but from Baton Rouge, the high land which has hitherto held a southerly course, diverges suddenly to the south east, and is no more visited by the grand channel of the Mississippi; all the waters which escape to the eastward between Baton Rouge and Manfville (15 miles) are collected by the Iberville, which, passing through a breach in the high land or about 60 yards wide, delivers its contents to the river Amit, which empties itself into Lake Maurepas, communicating with the ocean by the intervention of the more considerable lake Pontchartrain: the high land is continued in a very narrow tongue or promontory, in a south easterly direction, along the island of New Orleans, which is disrupted in many places, thereby venting the waters of the inundation into the lakes, which otherwise would be collected into an oblong basin, formed by the high land on the one hand, and the bank of the river on the other—one half of the island of New Orleans would have thereby become so completely inundated as to be uninhabitable.
The perpendicular height of the high lands above the level of the inundation is from 200 to 300 feet at Natchez; at Baton Rouge it does not exceed 25, and on the island of New Orleans it declines so rapidly as frequently to be lost under the accumulations of soil deposited by the waters of the inundation. On the sides of a canal from New Orleans to the river St. Johns, communicating with lake Pontchartrain, I discovered the continuation of the high land cut through to the breadth of little more than 20 feet.
To a stranger, the first view of the Mississippi conveys not that idea of grandeur, which he may have pictured to himself; his first judgment will rest upon the appearance of its breadth, in which respect it is inferior to many rivers of much less note. Its principal channel is rarely a mile in width any where below the Ohio, unless where its stream is divided by islands or shallows; it is not unfrequently less than half a mile. The magnitude of this river is not to be computed by its width, but by its depth; in which it is perhaps equ-
al to any on the globe; but is to be contrasted at the place of its entrance into the ocean, as to be there less in width than it is a thousand miles from its mouth; the cause of this peculiarity is, perhaps, not difficult to develop. The natural effect of rivers is to encroach continually on the depth and breadth of their beds, by the perpetual abrasion of their waters; such must be the consequence, with regard to all rivers which do not supply by alluvion a sufficient quantity of matter to counteract this effect. Certain rivers, which in the upper part of their course pass through fertile regions, whose rich and tender soil is easily broken down and carried away by the impetuosity of the current, not only supply this deficiency, but discharge such inconceivable quantities of earthy matter, as to fill up, in a great measure, those spacious bays and channels, scooped out by the hand of nature, in order to facilitate the mingling of their waters with those of the ocean; in such circumstances the breadth of the river will always be in proportion to the mean quantity of water discharged during the time it flows within its banks; for it is to be remarked, that during the time of the inundation, the common channel of the river is in some measure lost in the immensity of waters which flow over its banks in all directions; the bottom and sides of the channel, during this time, suffer no abrasion, but, on the contrary, from the diminution of the velocity of the inferior currents, gain rapidly upon the breadth of the river: the moment the current of the river is confined within its proper banks, it begins to exert its dominion over its own channel, and fashions its bed by the momentum of its waters, attacking sometimes one side, sometimes the other, according as the main filament of the stream is deflected from shore to shore; by which means large portions of the newly-created soil are preserved, while in other situations the more compact earth is undermined and borne into the ocean, and thus an equilibrium is restored between the channel and its included waters; hence it comes to pass that rivers which run through alluvial countries are much narrower in proportion to the quantity of their waters, than those whose courses are over rocks, gravel or sand; but on the other hand their depths are great, and they are consequently better fitted for the purposes of navigation. The Mississippi is supposed to be navigable (utilizing the western branch or Mississippi) 3000 miles at least from the ocean. Those who have studied the theory of rivers inform us, that the stability of the bed of a river depends upon a due equilibrium between the velocity of the current and the tenacity of those matters which compose its bottom and sides: the velocity of rivers is greatest at the surface, gradually diminishing downwards; hence when the bottom is composed of matter of the most yielding nature, the channel will continue to deepen until the velocity at bottom is almost nothing, and the depth of the water will be regulated by those circumstances: the bottom of the bed of the Mississippi, within the alluvial country, being composed of the finest sand and lightest earth, extremely comminuted, it is not surprising that its depth should be uncommonly great; its soundings have (it is believed) never been taken with minute attention, but from New Orleans to the mouth of the river, its depth is said to be from 50 to 70 fathoms, under the thread of the current, which follows the concave shore; diminishing gradually towards the elbows, where there are frequently considerable shoals. The sudden effect of the diminution of the velocity of water is no where more remarkable than at the mouth of this river, for the rolling torrent no longer arrives at the ocean, than finding its bed indefinitely enlarged, it spreads on all hands; the thread of the current diverges into an infinite number of filament, like radii from a center; the velocity of the mass of water rapidly diminishes until, no longer able to propel the matter hitherto suspended and swept along by the swiftness of the stream, it is deposited in the form of a crescent, opposing to the mouth of the river, a bar with from 12 to 20 feet water.
To be continued.
Now Published,
By G. DOUGLAS, BALTIMORE.
FORENSIC ELOQUENCE.
SKETCHES OF TRIALS IN IRELAND For High Treason, &c. including the speeches of Mr. CURRAN at length—accompanied by various papers illustrating the history and present state of that country.
P. S. As the subscribers to this book are much scattered over the continent, and as the expense attending it has been considerable, the publisher respectfully hopes that they will take the earliest opportunity of sending for it. Baltimore August 10—3t
NOTICE.
Two valuable young Maryland Slaves for sale, a Man and his wife, enquire of the Printer. August 3—3t
A CONCERT AND DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.
Will be given at Mr. Rhoads's City Tavern on Tuesday evening the 14th inst. Particulars in the advertisements of next Monday and the bills of the day. August 10—
LOTTERY No. III.
For the encouragement of Literature.
SCHEME.
 1 Prize of 25,000 Dols. 25,000  1 5,000 5,000  1 2,000 2,000  1 1,000 1,000  18 500 9,000  60 200 12,000  120 100 12,000  200 50 10,000  500 20 10,000  9000 10 90,000  1 first drawn no. 1 a day 500  1 5 h 1,000  1 10 h 1,000  1 15 h 1,500  1 20 h 1,500  1 25 h 2,000  1 30 h 10,000  1 35 h 2,000  1 40 h 1,000  1 45 h 1,000  1 50 h 500  9,313 prizes Dols. 198,000  23,087 blanks. 
33,000 tickets at 6 dollars is 198,000
Less than 2 1-2 blanks to a prize.
Subject to a deduction of 15 per cent.
The drawing of the above lottery will certainly commence in the city of New York, on the first Tuesday in December next, and will be continued at the rate of 600 tickets each day until completed.
The managers having disposed of twenty thousand tickets to a company of contractors in the city of New York, the remainder will be sold for cash only, by the respective managers, until the first Tuesday in October next. This is the third of five lotteries, directed by an act of the Legislature, passed the 3d of April, 1801, entitled an "act for the encouragement of Literature"—and "an act making further provision for improving the navigation between the villages of Troy and Watford, and for other purposes."
DAVID GELSTON, THOMAS STORM, DANIEL HALE, PHILIP TEN EYCK, S. SOUTHWICK, Managers. June 6—*
To be Rented.
THE subscriber has two or three small Farms to let from two to three hundred acres in each, in Prince George's county about six miles from the city of Washington and two from Bladensburg; he will let them on a moderate rent, to industrious farmers who will keep them in good repair, and use the Plaster and Clover, for terms apply to the subscriber near Bladensburg.
LEONARD M. DEAKINS. August 3—5w
This day is published
By Rapine, Conrad, & Co, CAPITOL HILL, NEW JERSEY AVENUE.
REPORTS of cases argued and adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States in August and December terms, 1801, and February term, 1803: by William Cranch, assistant judge of the circuit court of the district of Columbia.
Also just published as above—THE BUILDERS UNIVERSAL PRICE BOOK, containing a correct list of prices to the works of the several artificers concerned in building, in dollars and cents; with observations on erecting found and permanent buildings, by John Evans—price one dollar. July 15—
JUST PUBLISHED
By Rapine, Conrad & Co. NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NEAR THE CAPITOL.
MAYOR'S Universal History, Ancient and Modern, from the earliest records of time, to the general peace of 1807, Vols. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7—This work will be comprised in 25 volumes, at one DOLLAR each to subscribers in boards. Those who have already favored the publishers with their names are requested to send for their copies, and those who are desirous of possessing this valuable work are informed that the subscription is still open. Also just published and for sale as above.
The works of WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. late provost of the College and Academy of Philadelphia, vols 1st and 2nd. This work will be comprised in 4 volumes at 25 cents per volume in boards.
R. C. & Co. Have on hand a most valuable collection of new books, received by the late arrivals from Europe, which they will dispose of on the most reasonable terms. June 29—
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.
FOR SALE,
For negotiable Notes. A good Cook, who has child about twelve months of age. Enquire of the printer. August 10—3t
PROPOSAL,
For printing by Subscription, Miscellaneous Poems,
BY MRS. ALLEN, Consort to the Rev. Mr. Allen of Harford county, Written before her marriage.
CONDITIONS.
THE book to be printed with a clear type, and fine paper, in a handsome volume, and delivered to the subscribers neatly bound; price Three quarters of a Dollar, half to be paid on subscribing and the residue on delivery of the book—which will be put to press as soon as three hundred copies shall be subscribed for.
Subscriptions received by Mr. Matthew Carey, Philadelphia—by Messrs. Warner and Hanna, Baltimore, and by the principal booksellers in those cities, also by Mr. Samuel Harrison Smith, Washington city.
Dr. Jacob Hall of Harford county, of known literary character, to whose inspection these Poems were submitted, in a letter to the author, expresses his opinion of them, as follows:
MADAM, I have been honored and gratified with the perusal of your manuscript copy of your Poems. In my opinion it is a work of considerable merit, and displays true piety and poetic genius. The pastoral dialogues are commendable for their novelty, simplicity and beauty. The elegies, epistles, and especially the "Man of Misfortune," a Moral Tale, are interesting and pathetic. The odes and Pugalve Pieces are sprightly and smiling. And the whole composition seems to breathe such a spirit of philanthropy and benevolence as cannot fail to elevate the affections, and to mend the heart. And it is to be regretted, that the author's modesty has hitherto denied the community so related & elegant an entertainment. Your Friend, &c. J. HALL. Christopher's Camp, March 24.
Valuable Property FOR SALE.
THE subscriber will sell his Plantation adjoining the town of Upper Marlboro' in Prince George's county, containing eight hundred acres. This plantation is considered amongst the best in the neighborhood—it is well adapted to the growth of wheat, Indian corn and fine tobacco, and has a great facility of wood for its support. The improvements are a large and commodious dwelling house, with every other needful building for the accommodation of a large and genteel family, all in good repair. There are also on the premises several large tobacco houses, corn houses, barns, &c. most of which are almost new. As it is presumed that those who are desirous to purchase would wish to view the premises, it is thought unnecessary to be more minute. A liberal credit will be given. For further particulars apply to Nathaniel Crandall residing within eight miles of Washington or to the subscriber.
DAVID CRAUFORD. Upper Marlboro' July 23—rawit
The purchaser may be accommodated with negroes, farming utensils, and stock of very kind W. C.
To be Sold,
At public sale, at Mr. John Barney's Columbian Inn, on the 10th day of September next, at 2 o'clock, P. M.
ALL the right, title, interest, and estate of Nicholas February (an insolvent debtor) in, and to sixteen and three quarter acres of land, with a dwelling house thereon, in the vicinity of George Town, also some household and kitchen furniture—Terms of sale, the purchaser to give bond with approved security, payable in six months after the day of sale, any person willing to view the property before the sale, may apply to the subscriber. In the above case, the creditors are requested to exhibit their claims within the time limited, to the subscriber. CHARLES BEATTY, Trustee. George Town March 7
MEDITERRANEAN PASSPORTS.
Notice is hereby given, that it has been deemed expedient to change the form of the Mediterranean Passport, used in vessels of the United States, that from the eighth day of July next those of the new form will be issued at the custom houses to every vessel, for which application may be made on a compliance with the terms prescribed by law and surrendering the former passport of which she may be possessed, if any, in which latter case no fees will be required for the exchange; and that by an arrangement agreed upon by the Barbary powers, with whom we are at peace, either the old or the new form of passport will be sufficient to protect the vessels of the United States, from capture until the 1st of July 1805, after which the old form of passport will be unavailable and the new one alone in use.
Department of State, 23d of May, 1804.
The printers of the laws of the United States are requested to insert the above in their Gazettes twice a week for the space of six months, and the Collectors of the Customs to keep copies of it posted up in their offices. May 30—2aw6m

District of Columbia, Circuit court for the County of Washington, August 7, 1804.
ON the report of Charles A. Burnett of the sale made by him as trustee of the property decreed to be sold in the suit of Ninian Magruder against Ann Boyle and others, defendants in chancery.
It is ordered that the sale be ratified and confirmed unless cause to the contrary be shown on or before the twenty fifth day of August inst. Provided a copy of this order be inserted at least three times prior to that day in each of the papers in which the sale was advertised. The report states that the said property was purchased by Daniel Reintzel at the sum of twenty four hundred and fifty dollars.
URIAS FORREST CLK.
August 7-3t
(BY AUTHORITY.)
Scheme of a Lottery.
To build an ACADEMY in the city of Richmond. Dollars.
Table with 2 columns: Prize, Amount. Includes 1st Prize (1 drawn ticket), 1 do. (1,000), 1 do. (5,000), 1 do. (1,000), etc.
3,535 prizes, 150,000. 9,075 blanks, not two to a prize. 15,000 tickets at 10 dollars each, 150,000.
This Lottery has been authorized by the legislature of Virginia, for the laudable purpose of erecting a seminary of learning in or near the metropolis of this state. With this view, it is contemplated to raise 20,000 dollars, and 2,500 dollars, in addition, for defraying the expenses attendant on drawing the lottery.
Richmond, March 2-18. 87 Tickets to be had of Robert Pollard Esq. John Brockenbrough, jun. Wm. Price (Reg.) Samuel Pleasants, jun. and William Prichard.
Ten Dollars Reward.
Ranaway from the subscriber living in Calvert County on the 19th inst a negro lad named WILL, about 5 feet 2 or 3 inches high of a yellowish complexion a sensible and artful villain; had on and took with him sundry clothes unknown - I expect he will endeavor to get to Annapolis, Baltimore or George Town, at which latter place he has a father living.
JAMES REICHE.
August 3-6w
DOCTOR MAGRUDER,
HAS for sale a few hogsheads 4th proof Jamaica spirits, linked and lamp oil. spirits of turpentine, window glass, glaziers diamonds, glue, lamp black, white lead, Spanish whiting, Venetian red, red lead, verdigris, drop lake, white patent yellow, rose and Dutch pink, hogs yellow, Turkey umber, gold and silver leaf, painters and sweepers brushes, camel hair pencils, water colours in boxes, Span. fl. indigo, fig lead, arnot, red wood, alkant, madder, logwood, turmeric, salt, etc. alum, copperas, sweet oil, pearl barley, Timothy and clover seed, tamarinds, castor oil, marble mortars, spring truffles, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, mace, Chings worm destroying lozenges, an assortment of paper hangings, playing cards, copy slips, ink powder, English, Latin, Greek and French School books, large family bibles, and his usual complete assortment of drugs and medicine, patent medicine, surgeons instruments, &c.
George Town, July 20-18
NOTICE.
Those who have demands against the estate of JOHN BURCHAN, late of the City of Washington, deceased; are requested to present the same properly attested to either of the Subscribers; and those who may be indebted to the said estate, are desired to make speedy settlement.
JOHN CRAVEN, JOSEPH STRETCH, Executors of the estate of John Burchan, deceased.
Washington City, July 21.-3w.
ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
THE BANK OF POTOMAC.
To all to whom these presents shall come, or in any wise concern.
BE IT KNOWN, And it is hereby proclaimed, that we the subscribers, associating together have formed a company or limited partnership, and do mutually agree with each other and hereby bind ourselves to conduct the business of the company, under the name and style of "The President and Directors of the Bank of Potomac," and conformably to the rules and regulations herein after specified.
ARTICLE 1. The copartnership shall be, and continue for the term of twenty one years, from and after the opening of the subscription, unless a charter is sooner obtained; but the proprietors of two thirds of the capital stock of the Company, may by their concurring votes at a general meeting, to be called for that express purpose, dissolve the same at any prior period.
ART. 2. The capital stock of the Company shall consist of Five hundred thousand dollars, money of the United States; to be divided into shares of One hundred dollars each, and to be paid in the manner following that is to say; twenty dollars on each share to be paid at the time of subscribing, thirty dollars in ninety days after the opening of the subscription, twenty five dollars in one hundred and fifty days thereafter, and the remaining twenty five dollars in two hundred and ten days; and a failure to make punctiliously any payment after the first, shall incur a forfeiture of all that shall have been previously paid on such share.
ART. 3. The copartnership shall transact its business in the Town of Alexandria; or in Virginia within one mile therefrom; Provided, a charter should at any time be obtained from the state of Virginia, and shall commence its operations as soon after the payment of the second instalment as circumstances will permit.
ART. 4. The subscription shall be opened in Alexandria, on Wednesday the fifth day of September next, for the whole stock of the company under the direction of
Elisha Gannet, Cuthbert Powell, William Fitzhugh, William Hartshorne, Thomas Swann, Thomas Vowell, Charles Lee, Jacob Hoffman, Joseph Riddle, James H. Hooe, William Hodgson, Robert Young, Phineas Gannet, James Keith, jun. James Eaton,
or a majority of them. And the commissioners aforesaid, shall open the subscription books at ten o'clock, A. M. and they shall continue open until four o'clock, P. M. and shall remain open between those hours for one day at least, and for the term of three days unless sooner filed. And if it should happen that more than the stipulated number of shares should be subscribed on the first day, then the Commissioners aforesaid are to apportion them among the subscribers, by deducting from the highest subscriptions, until they are reduced to the proper number, or if more persons subscribe than there are shares, the Commissioners are to cast lots to decide to whom they shall belong.
ART. 5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by Twelve Directors and a President, whose place if chosen from among their number, shall be supplied by that body; and six of the Directors with the President shall form a board or quorum, for transacting all the business of the company; ordinary discounts may be done by the President and five of the Directors. In case of his sickness or necessary absence, his place may be supplied by any Director, whom he, by writing under his hand may nominate for that purpose, or in case of his not making such nomination, the majority of the board may appoint a President to act during his absence; and the Directors who may be appointed at the first election, shall hold their seats until the second Monday in November, one thousand eight hundred and five, and the Directors from and after that period shall be elected
for one year, by the Stockholders for the time being, and each Director shall be a Stockholder at the time of his election, and shall cease to be a Director, if he should cease to be a stockholder, and no Director of any other Bank shall at the same time be a Director of this Bank. And the number of votes to which each Stockholder shall be entitled, shall be in proportion to the stock he may hold as follows: For one share and not exceeding two shares one vote each, for every two shares, above two and not exceeding ten, one vote; for every four shares above ten and not exceeding thirty, one vote; for every six shares above thirty and not exceeding sixty, one vote; for every eight shares above sixty and not exceeding one hundred, one vote; and for every ten shares above that number, one vote.
Art. 6. A general meeting of the Stockholders of the Company shall be held on the second Monday in November in every year (except the present) at such place as the Board of Directors shall appoint, by giving four weeks notice in one or more of the newspapers of Alexandria, for the purpose of electing Directors for the ensuing year, who shall take their seats at the board the succeeding day, and immediately proceed to elect the President.
Art. 7. The board of directors are hereby fully empowered to make, revise, alter or amend all such rules, orders, bye laws and regulations for the government of the company, and that of their officers, servants and affairs, as they, or a majority of them, shall from time to time think expedient, not inconsistent with law or these articles of association, and to use, employ and dispose of the joint stock, funds or property of the said company (subject only to the restrictions herein after mentioned) as to them or a majority of them, may seem expedient.
Art. 8. All bills, bonds, notes and every contract and engagement on behalf of the company for the payment of money, shall be signed by the president and countersigned or attested by the cashier of the company, and the funds of the company shall in no case be held responsible for any contract or engagement whatever unless the same shall be so signed and countersigned or attested as aforesaid.
Art. 9. The books, papers, correspondence and funds of the company shall at all times be subject to the inspection of the directors.
Art. 10. The said board of directors shall have power to appoint a cashier and all other officers and servants for executing the business of the company, and to establish the compensation to be paid to the president and all other officers and servants of the company respectively, and which together with all other necessary expenses, shall be defrayed out of the funds of the company.
Art. 11. A majority of the directors shall have power to call a general meeting of the stockholders for the purposes relative to the concerns of the company, giving at least six weeks notice in one or more of the newspapers of the town, specifying in such notice the object or objects of such meeting.
Art. 12. The shares of capital stock at any time owned by any individual stockholder shall be transferable on the books of the company according to such rules as may conformably to law, be established in that behalf by the board of directors; but all debts actually due and payable to the company (days of grace for payment being past) by a stockholder requesting a transfer, must be satisfied before such a transfer shall be made, unless the board of directors shall direct to the contrary.
Art. 13. No transfer of stock, in this company shall be considered as binding upon the company, unless made in a book or books to be kept for that purpose by the company, and it is further expressly agreed and declared that any stockholder who shall transfer in any manner aforesaid, all stock or shares in this company to any other person or persons whatever, shall thereupon cease to be a member of this company; and that any person or persons whatever who shall accept a transfer of any stock or share in this company, shall thereupon become and be a member of this company, according to these articles of association.
Art. 14. It is hereby expressly and explicitly declared to be the object and intention of the persons who associate under the name or firm of "The President and directors of the Bank of Potomac" that the joint stock or property of the said company, (exclusive of dividends to be made in the manner herein after mentioned) shall alone be responsible for the debts and engagements of the said company; and that no person who shall or may deal with this company, or to whom they shall or may become in any wise indebted, shall on any pretence whatever have recourse against the separate property of any present or future member of this company, or against their persons, excepting the officers or servants of said company in regard to the faithful discharge of their respective duties in the conduct of the affairs and administration of the funds of said company; but all persons accepting any bond, bill, or note, or other contract of this company, signed by the president and countersigned by the cashier of the company for the time being, or dealing with it in any other manner whatsoever, thereby respectively give credit to the said joint stock or property of the said company, and thereby respectively disavow having recourse on any pretence whatever to the person or separate property of any present or future member of this company, (excepting as before mentioned) and all suits to be brought against this company (if any
shall be) shall be brought against the president for the time being, and in case of his death or removal from office, pending any such suit against him, measures shall be taken at the instance of the company for substituting his successor in office as a defendant, so that persons having demands upon the company may not be prejudiced or delayed by that event; or if the person suing shall go on against the person first named as defendant (notwithstanding his death or removal from office) this company shall take no advantage, by writ of error or otherwise, of such proceeding on that account; and all recovery had, in manner aforesaid, shall be conclusive upon the company so far as to render the company's said joint stock or property liable thereby, and no further; and the company shall immediately pay the amount of such recovery out of their joint stock, but not otherwise. And in case of any suit at law, the president shall sign his appearance upon the writ, or file common bail therefor; it being expressly understood and declared, that all persons dealing with said company, agree to these terms and are bound thereby.
Art. 15. Dividends of the profits of the company or so much of said profits as shall be deemed expedient and proper, shall be declared half yearly in the first week in May and November, in each year; the amount of said dividend shall, from time to time, be determined by the board of directors, at a meeting held for that purpose, and shall in no case exceed the amount of the net profits actually acquired by the company, so that the capital stock of the said company shall never be impaired by dividends; but the directors shall be at liberty to retain at least one per cent upon the capital as a fund for future contingencies.
Art. 16. If the said directors shall at any time wilfully and knowingly make or declare any dividend which shall impair the said capital stock, all the directors present at the making, or declaring, of said dividend and consenting thereto, shall be liable in their individual capacities to the company for the amount or proportion of said capital stock, so divided by the said directors; and each director who shall be present at the making or declaring such dividend shall be deemed to have consented thereto, unless he shall immediately enter in writing his dissent on the minutes of the proceedings of the board, and give public notice to the stockholders, that such dividend has been declared.
Art. 17. These articles of agreement shall be published in two newspapers in the town of Alexandria for one month, and for the further information of all persons who may transact business with, or in any manner give credit to said company, every bond, bill, note, or other instrument of contract, by the effect or terms of which the company may be charged, or held liable for the payment of money, shall specially declare, in such form as the board of directors shall prescribe, that payment shall be made out of the joint funds, of the bank of Potomac according to the present articles of association, and not otherwise; A copy of the 14th article of this association shall be inserted in the Bank book of every person depositing money, or other valuable property with the company for safe keeping, or a printed copy shall be delivered to every such person, before any such deposit shall be received from him. And it is hereby expressly declared, that no engagement can legally be made in the name of said company, unless it contain a limitation or restriction to the effect above recited; and the company hereby expressly disavow all responsibility for any debt or engagement, which may be made in their name not containing a limitation or restriction to the effect aforesaid.
Art. 18. The company shall in no case be owners of any ships or vessels, or directly or indirectly, be concerned in trade, or the importation or exportation, purchase or sale of any goods, wares, or merchandise whatever, (bills of exchange or Bullion only excepted) and except such ships, vessels, goods, wares or merchandise, as shall be truly pledged to them by way of security for debts due, owing or growing due to the said company, or purchased by them to secure such debts due to the said company.
Art. 19. If any vacancy shall at any time happen among the Directors by death, resignation, or otherwise, the residue of the Directors for the time being, shall elect a Director to fill the vacancy.
Art. 20. The company shall not purchase or hold any land, tenements, or other real estates other than what may be necessary for the convenient transaction of its business, unless such lands tenements, and real estates, shall have been bona fide, mortgaged to the company, by way of security, or conveyed to it in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in the course of dealings, or purchased to secure debts contracted with or due to the said company & in every instance in which the company may become owners or claimants of lands, tenements, or real estates, the Board of Directors are empowered to sell or dispose of the same, in such manner as they may deem beneficial for the company.
Art. 21. Any number of Stockholders
not less than 40, who together shall be proprietors of five hundred shares, may, for any purpose relative to the institution, at any time, apply to the President and directors to call a general meeting of the Stockholders; and if by them refused, the said number of Stockholders; proprietors of not less than the number of shares aforesaid, shall have power to call a general meeting of the Stockholders, giving at least 60 days notice in one or more of the public newspapers of the town of Alexandria, specifying in such notice the object or objects of such call.
Art. 22. Immediately on the dissolution of this association, prompt and effectual measures shall be taken by the Directors then existing for closing all the concerns in the company, and for dividing the capital and profits which may remain among the stockholders, in proportion to their respective interests.
In witness whereof— Notice—THE Commissioners above named will open the subscription Books at the Court House in the town of Alexandria, on the 6th of September next agreeably to the aforesaid articles of association.
The payments will be received either in specie or the notes of the Bank of the United States and its various branches or in the notes of any of the Banks, from New York to Norfolk, inclusive. August 3-3t.
TO BE SOLD
On Tuesday 28th August, at Rhodes's Hotel on a credit of 6 and 12 months by notes negotiable, bearing interest with approved endorser in either the George Town or City banks.
A Complete two story BRICK HOUSE, in 14th street west in this city, now in the occupation of the subscriber, containing on the ground floor 2 parlors and kitchen, on the second floor, 3 bed rooms, servant rooms over the kitchen, a good cellar, paved yard, pump with excellent water within 20 feet of the premises—the above premises are in complete repair and fit for the reception of a small genteel family—the house covers 23 feet front and the title from the commissioners.
At the same time and place will be sold two bay horses, on credit of six months, one 15 hands 2 inch high, ready in harness, six years old and fine figure; the other 14 hands 3 inches, quiet in harness and rides pleasant and well, his quality's well known for two years in this city; also a strong chaise with head & harness complete, and one qr. cask of old Madeira wine of the first quality. Sale to commence at 4 o'clock precisely. WM. LOVELL
August 6-14t.
CHARLES VARDEN, MERCHANT TAILOR.
Has received from Philadelphia in addition to his former stock, a handsome assortment of goods, consisting of the best London and Spanish superfine cloths and cassimeres, white and fancy Marcellas; colored and white Jones, india nankeens, cotton cassimeres, black silk and satin Florentines, with a variety of other articles suitable for the summer season.
N. B. Ladies habits, regimentals, and navy uniforms made in the first style of fashion. New Jersey avenue near the Capitol, June 3-14t
Travellers Hall.
THE subscriber has lately been induced from the rapid increase of his custom to purchase a lot of ground adjoining that on which he lives for the purpose of building a dining room and assembly room, each 54 feet by 32 feet 10 inches with six additional lodging rooms, and intends to finish them before the ensuing winter; which together with his tavern and house will occupy a front of near one hundred feet in the most agreeable part of the town and in the center of business being on the highest part of the public square.
He has considerably increased the furniture &c. of his houses and stables. His domestics and servants are of the most faithful dispositions and properly qualified for the departments to which they are assigned. He has a constant supply of the best stable forage: imported and country provisions, imported liquors, &c. of the first quality, foreign newspapers, &c. And his ice will most probably last through the hot weather.
The distinguished preference which the first characters have already given him, fills him with gratitude. He offers his sincere thanks to all his good friends and begs leave to assure them that neither his time nor his purse shall be spared in attempting to render the Travellers Hall a house of entertainment, for GENTLEMEN GAZERS ONLY, equal to any in America.
P. BRADLEY. Lexington, Kentucky, June 12, 1804. A stage runs from the Travellers Hall to the Olympian Springs in the summer, and to Frankfort during the sessions of Assembly. June 29-3m
L I M E.
TWO HUNDRED Casks Rhode Island fresh lime for sale by MICHAEL CLEARY. George Town, August 6-3t.
HAT MANUFACTURY.
The subscriber informs his customers and the public generally that he has discontinued business in the city of Washington, and has opened shop on Bridge street near the Union Tavern—he retains the continuance of former customers, and hopes that all others who may chuse to call and purchase his manufacture will be amply suited, if neatness and good work be requisites. JOEL BROWN. George Town, Feb. 17-1t