The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 1807-11-20 00:00:00

National Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON ADVERTISER.
VOL. VIII.
WASHINGTON CITY, PRINTED BY SAMUEL HARRISON SMITH, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
NO. 1103.
FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM,
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1807.
PAID IN ADVANCE.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10.
Debate on the bill, making further appropriation for the support of the navy.
(CONCLUDED.)
Mr. LOVE, said he had not intended to have risen on this subject, nor should he then have been subjected to the embarrassment he felt in addressing the Speaker, was it not for the apprehension he entertained, that it might be supposed by his constituents that he was influenced in the vote he was about to give by the same reasons which had been offered by gentlemen, who arguing against the passage of the bill, had yet declared their ultimate intention to vote for it.
If there is any question in this debate, said Mr. L. it is a constitutional one. The arguments of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Quincy) and those of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Randolph), prove that this if any is the ground of opposition. In the authority introduced and relied on by these gentlemen there was, if he recollected it right, (for it was some time since he read the book) a discussion of the question arising under that section of the constitution, which declares that no money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law: He concurred with the gentleman from Virginia in the respect which is due to the opinions of the Secretary of the Treasury whose authority is quoted; and if, said Mr. L. I was satisfied that the reasoning he has advanced applied to the provisions of this bill, I would rather incur all the risk which on this or any future occasion might be the consequence, of refusing to give our aid to the Executive, when it had, on a great emergency advanced its personal responsibility, than lend my voice in support of a measure I deemed unconstitutional. If the gentleman who introduced this authority had read a little further back, I think it would have been found, that the first case put by the writer in illustration of the constitutional principle, was that, where under a former administration, a sum of money had been appropriated by law to the discharge of the principal of some of our foreign debts, and it was applied in discharge of the interest. It was certainly more advantageous to the U. S. to discharge the principal than the interest. But the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Quincy) has said that in all instances under the former administration, there was a particular object for which money was appropriated; yet we find that in the case just mentioned, although the subject was the same, the particular object of application was very different: It appears to me that a misunderstanding of the terms appropriation and application among us, has produced much of the present debate they have been indiscriminately used, and for the purpose of expressing the same ideas, although in the authority relied on, the Secretary of the Treasury has in all the cases he has adduced in illustration, drawn the distinction. In the present case an act of hostility towards this country had called for the energies of the government. Contracts for articles of necessity have been made and the responsibility of the officers of government stands pledged for their fulfilment. I view the measures contemplated by the bill, as involving a question of expediency only. This being the case, I need add nothing to the arguments equally urged on both sides, in support of the propriety of the expenditure from the highly aggravating cause of it. Whether indeed, the former measures of this government have had the effect of producing the causes of the great national excitement we have witnessed, as some gentlemen seem to suppose; or whether the conduct of G. Britain has its origin in a determined spirit of hostility towards this country, is in the present discussion entirely unimportant: whether the unexampled outrage she has committed on Denmark, or the unprovoked attack on the vessels of Spain, have been invited by the pusillanimity of those countries, as is suggested was the case with us, are questions which I shall not now discuss.
Mr. COOK expressed his full approbation of the conduct of the Execu-
tive, and the officers of the departments. There had been no wrong application of public money, for none had been drawn out of the Treasury. It was merely a question of expediency with the House whether they would sanction the measures which had been adopted; the President had not bound them to do it, and they were at liberty to act as they chose. Approving as he did the course pursued, he should vote in favor of the bill.
Mr. LYON would not occupy the House long on a subject of so little importance. On the score of consistency he should vote as he had always done. When appropriations were made without authority, if he liked them he had voted for them; if he did not, he had voted against them. He thanked the President for the promptitude which he had manifested by his conduct on this occasion, and could see no harm which could arise from it. If the House approved the measures, they would vote for them; it would be immaterial to them whether the bargain were made to day or to-morrow. And as he did like them and the House liked them, he would vote for the bill without detaining them a minute longer on the subject.
Mr. GARDENIER had been much pleased with the debate which had taken place on this subject, in the course of which gentlemen had an opportunity of expressing their opinion not only on this particular subject, but generally. The attack on the Chesapeake made on the 22d of June last, had called from the nation one universal expression of abhorrence; one burst of execration at that daring assault, had resounded from every part of the Union. It was the voice of a powerful nation, calling for satisfaction for her insulted rights; and when heard, it would be respected. In no part of the community had this expression been more sincere than in the city in which he resided (N. York); that city which would endure, if any part of the country suffered, the most dreadful calamities of war; that city, defenceless, unprovided, and exposed, whose inhabitants had been told by gentlemen on the floor of that House, that they must fly to the mountains for protection; in that city the same sentiments prevailed which existed in every part of our country.
At this period the President, feeling without doubt the same sentiments as had been unanimously manifested by the people, had thought proper to go into the expenditure for which an appropriation was now asked. Mr. G. said, it could not be doubted, but the President, when he pledged the faith of the government for the purchases which were made, had violated that article of the constitution which lodged in that House the only power of appropriation. He was not, however, one of those who thought such conduct could not be justified; he thought it could, not because he would encourage liberties to be taken with the constitution, not because he held the constitution less sacred than any gentleman on the floor of that House; but because the safety of the nation is the supreme law.
While he expressed himself pleased with the debate, Mr. G. could not agree with the gentleman from North Carolina, who thought it an extraordinary one; for, whatever were the object, if any officer of the government had transcended his powers as limited by the constitution, it was not proper that the procedure should be treated with levity. As such a conduct might encourage violations of the constitution, he was glad that no expenditure could take place without exciting the attention of the House; that when exercising its prerogative, the Executive would not be encouraged in putting its hands into the treasury. It would shew to the President or any other officer, that the House were jealous of their constitutional rights. Mr. G. could not say with some gentlemen that it would have been imprudent, or in any degree improper to have convened Congress earlier than the day on which they had met; and though he would permit the President to do these things, he would only permit it when Congress could not be convened in sufficient time. Four months had elapsed since the outrage had been committed; during what portion of this interval, the expenses of the Navy Department had been incurred was not known; but in all probability Congress might have been
convened in sufficient time to have made a previous appropriation.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania had told them that it was the custom of an ancient nation to deliberate on a question twice, once when drunk, and once when sober; therefore Congress should not have been convened whilst they felt the first sense of indignation. Did the gentleman mean to say that this was a drunken nation? That a nation glowing with indignation at an act of insult was in a state of intoxication? Was not this a period at which the representatives should have been assembled? Mr. G. trusted that however great the general execration, however great the excitement, the representatives would have been sufficiently cool. He did not think that these sentiments had in any degree subsided; he saw no appearance of it in the country, none in the House, none in the gentleman from Pennsylvania; the same feelings were still cherished that existed four months ago.
Upon the whole, however, Mr. G. thought the Executive had on this occasion conducted fairly, with a single eye to the public interest. He should vote for the bill, not as a precedent, or to encourage any Department in the unauthorized use of the public treasure, but because he thought the measure proper.
Mr. SMILIE did not mean to insinuate that the nation was drunk; he meant that the hour of extreme feeling was not the proper time for deliberation. Whilst he entertained that sentiment, he honored American feelings on the occasion; he rejoiced to see that spirit shewn. Since he was up, he would just take notice of the idea that seemed to have taken possession of several gentlemen as to the convention of Congress at an earlier period. He had mentioned yesterday why he thought the President had acted prudently in not calling Congress sooner; suppose they had been convened in the month of August; it was true they could have made an appropriation, but they could not have decided on the main subject, nor could they now. They must have waited at an enormous expense to the union, for dispatches from Europe. Under these impressions, he was one of those who believed that the President had acted properly. Many things had been said in the course of debate, irrelevant to the subject. As to a review of what had been done in 1805—6, it was improperly introduced; at another time, when the proceedings of the legislature of that day should come properly before them, he was willing to meet a discussion, and to justify those measures. On that occasion he had thought as he did now, that war was one of the worst of evils; and that no nation should engage in it when by any other means she could preserve her honor. He was now, as then, opposed to war; but if it should be forced upon the nation, he should be one of the last to shrink from it. He thought that the going to war on this aggression, under present circumstances, would be acting precipitately; as no nation should go to war till she gave her opponent an opportunity to justify her conduct.
Mr. RANDOLPH begged leave to be indulged with a few words by way of explanation. Much had been said on a former occasion about dumb legislation. He believed they had almost reached that point at present. In the magnificent apartment in which they sat, and which was fitted for any purpose rather than that for which it was designed, it was scarcely possible to hear, or to make one's self heard. This was surely no distant approach to legislation without debate. In consequence of the effort which he had been compelled to exert, at no small expense of constitution, his attention had been forcibly dragged from the subject before them, and he had perhaps used some expressions which fell short of his meaning, and others which did not come up to it. He wished to be clearly and explicitly understood as to the course which he thought it incumbent on the Executive to have pursued, and consequently to what extent the course which had been pursued met his disapprobation. He thought Congress ought to have been immediately convened on the capture of the Chesapeake, and our ministers at London instantly recalled, after having made an explicit and peremptory demand of redress—and that re-
dress too for a British envoy dispatched to the U. S. for the especial purpose. Congress being convened, the nation should have been put into a posture of defence, waiting a reasonable time to receive redress by an envoy. That being refused, instant retaliation should have been taken on the offending party. Mr. R. would have invaded Canada and Nova Scotia, and made a descent on Jamaica. He would have seized upon Canada and Nova Scotia, not with a view to their incorporation into our system of government, but as pledges to be retained against a future pacification, until we had obtained ample redress for our wrongs. Whilst he held these sentiments he entirely concurred with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smilie) that war was a great evil, never to be resorted to without a solemn demand of reparation from the offender, and giving him a fair opportunity to make due atonement for the injury, or insult, which he had offered: but there was a mode of demanding as well as of receiving redress.
Mr. R. said that he should forever protest, wherever it could possibly be avoided, and here it might have been avoided, against expenditure of public money without the previous sanction of law. But condemning an expense and refusing to appropriate money to discharge it were different things. A man for instance might highly disapprove his wife's running up a large account with a merchant, without his knowledge or consent, which his honor would nevertheless compel him to pay. Incurring a debt was one thing and discharging it another. Mr. R. believed it was within the knowledge of many members of that House, that during the late war between France and England, which was terminated by the peace of Amiens, the extraordinary expenses, that is the expenses incurred without the knowledge and concurrence of Parliament, such expenses as this bill provides for; exceeded the ordinary, or authorised expenses during a single year of that war, although these last amounted to near twenty millions sterling. Ought we not then (said he) to set our faces against the introduction of a principle, which must necessarily lead to consequences so ruinous? Would any man put the additional security which we derived from a few military stores, in competition with a violation of the constitution, in a point too involving the dearest privileges of that House? Whilst he held this language, he was not insensible to the impending danger, nor unwilling to make efficient provision to meet it. Let us not (he said) deceive ourselves with the idea that we are to have a war of military parade. Sacrifices they would be called upon to make, and he was prepared to meet them. He hoped they would enter into it, if war we must have, with a full conviction of its justice and necessity, and with hearts resolutely bent to endure all its privations and abide by all its hardships. He had on a former occasion said, that if Great Britain put forth her strength we should feel it: she had put forth her strength and they had felt it—you feel it now, sir, (said he) in every fibre of your heart. It could not be expected that he should answer insinuations of a British party in that House, coming too from such persons. Neither could it be expected that he should sink into that vile and supple thing, an humble follower, a pliant tool of a majority, and tacitly disavow the principles for which he contended, two years ago. He had then, as far as in him lay, endeavored to avert the situation of affairs which now exists, and under the same circumstances he should do so again. It had been said that it was idle to retrospect on the causes which led to that situation, and he agreed that it was, so far as related to the foreign power, but not as it related to the conduct of our own government. It was totally immaterial what were the previous points in dispute between us and Great Britain. Her conduct had put it out of our power to look back upon them, to examine into them, had precluded all deliberation. We had received a blow, and it was out of the question to enter into the merits of the dispute which had produced it. To Great Britain the door of discussion was shut, was barred, and she must look to the light tap of so-
licitation before it could be opened to her. But let not gentlemen calculate upon throwing the difficulties into which the country was brought, upon those who had opposed the measures of imbecility and irritation which led to them. He could not consent to take upon himself any part of the credit which the non-importation law conferred upon its supporters however anxious they might be to share it with him.
If the gentleman who had alluded to something in Galtin on the finances (Mr. Love) and who had begun very early to instruct them in the meaning of terms which, it seemed, they had been all their lives using without understanding (a specimen of his embarrassment and modesty which Mr. R. had not expected) had read a little further, he would have found this passage.
"It was this transaction which gave rise to the following motion made in the House of Representatives in February, 1793. viz. "Resolved, that the Secretary of the Treasury has violated the law passed the 4th of August, 1790, making appropriations of certain monies authorised to be borrowed by the same law, in the following particulars, to wit: 1st, by applying a certain portion of the principal borrowed, to the payment of the interest falling due upon that principal, which was not authorised by that or any other law, &c. Although it is now demonstrated by the official statements (from which the statements Nos. 11 and 12 are abstracted) that that resolution was strictly and literally true, it was at that time negatived by a large majority."
Now gentlemen would pardon him for not feeling that religious deference for the dicta of a majority which some of them entertained, when he saw that a resolution, demonstrated by official statements to be strictly and literally true, might nevertheless be negatived by a large majority.
There was one thing which he begged leave to notice in his desultory way, a sort of political quibbling on the terms money drawn out of the treasury . The mass of the good people of the United States did not know that in their plain, plantation sense of the word, we had no treasury —that the banks were our treasuries and their cashiers our treasurers. Thus money may be drawn out of the bank which is not drawn out of the treasury, because it is not issued agreeably to law. It is only when issued agreeably to law that it can be said to be drawn out of the treasury at all, and it may, in technical phrase be drawn out of the treasury without a single dollar being removed. For instance, one million is voted for the naval service. The head of the department applies to the Secretary of the Treasury upon whose warrant so much money is placed to the credit of the navy department at the bank. As soon as the money is made liable to the order of that department, it is out of the treasury, although not a dollar has changed its place. On the contrary where a head of department wants money, purchases may be made upon credit with an understanding that the notes are issued for the service of government. Discounts are obtained and the United States pay the difference, in the price of the commodity. Here although the money has gone out of the bank, it is in legal phrase still in the treasury, until Congress meet and pass an appropriation law, when having been paid to take up the notes it marches again out in official costume and parade.
Gentlemen had indulged themselves in the course of this extraordinary debate—extraordinary he must call it—he had tumbled head long into it, by expressing the most rigid attachment to the strictest principles of financial policy, and in return all they asked was, that in this, or any other case, where it might suit them, people would not be unreasonable enough to expect from them an adherence to those principles—like some other sectaries they made a sort of commutation between the rigor of their public professions and the laxity of their private morals. But Mr. R. would not agree that the austerity of their principles should cover the looseness of their practice. If their former professions now called for more than they found themselves able to per-

form it would be more fair and manly, to confess it, to admit their old faith and take up one better suited to their trial and imperfect condition.
One of the observations of the gentleman from Pennsylvania was thrown away upon him—he could not feel it. If the expense of convening Congress were to be made a pretext for acting without its authority we might as well give the Executive a power of attorney to legislate for us. He scouted such an idea. It would have been better to have convened Congress at the expense of half a million than that a single cent should have been drawn out of the treasury without a previous appropriation by law.
When the question was taken by yeas and nays on the passage of the bill as follows:
YEAS.—Messrs Alexander, L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, Bibb, Blackledge, Blake, Biomet, Boyle, Brown, Butwell, Butler, Calhoun, G. W. Campbell, J. Campbell, Carlton, Champlain, Chandler, M. Clay, Clopton, Cobb, Cook, Copperpepper, Cutts, Dana, Darby, Davenport, Dawson, Deane, Desha, Durrell, Elliot, Ely, Eppes, Findley, Fisk, Franklin, Gardener, Gardner, Garnett, Goodwyn, Gray, Green, Harris, Heister, Helms, Holland, Holmes, Howard, Humphreys, Isley, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Kenan, Key, Kirkpatrick, Knight, Lambert, Lewis, Love, Lyon, Manion, Masters, M'Creery, Milner, D. Montgomery, J. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, T. Moore, Mr. Morrow, John Morrow, Moseley, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Picken, Porter, Pugh, Quincy, Randolph, Rea (Pen.) Rhea (Ten.) J. Richards, M. Richard, Riker, Rowan, Sawyer, Seaver, Sloan, Smelt, Smilie, J. T. Smith, S. Smith, John Smith, Southard, Stanford, Stedman, Storer, Sturges, Swart, Taggart, Tallmadge, Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, Trigg, Truett, Upham, Van Alstyne, Van Cleave, Van Horn, Van Rensselaer, Verplanck, Wharton, Wilbourn, Whitehill, Wilson, Winn, Withersall.
NATS.—Messrs. Hoge, D. R. Wil- liam.—2.
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15. Mr. MITCHELL rose to call the attention of the Senate to a motion he had made at the commencement of the session, relative to additional means of defence, and further measures of security to the seaports and harbors of the nation. This important subject had been introduced by him at an early day. It had been printed and laid upon the table for consideration, and it was his original intention to have suffered it to lie there until the official intelligence alluded to in the message of the President should arrive from G. Britain.
Recent and alarming information which had reached the seat of government since the rising of the Senate on Friday last, though tinged with rumor and resting on the credibility of private communication, had however altered his mind upon the business. The invasion of Zealand, the capitulation of Copenhagen, and the capture of the Danish fleet, were events of the utmost moment to neutral powers; and taught them that the greatest moderation, prudence and forbearance were of no avail in guarding a mild, an unoffending & peaceful people against the violence of its rapacious & stronger neighbor. A visitation of a similar nature might, in the course of things, be expected from the same quarter, and the fairest of our commercial cities might be wrapt in flames or scattered to ruins.
Year after year had rolled away in fruitless negotiation. He doubted whether in the present posture of affairs, there would be any satisfactory adjustment of the points in dispute. It did not indeed follow that the failure to effect a treaty would necessarily bring on a war. But the dominion of the ocean was so proudly usurped by Britain, and the usurpation maintained by such a prodigious naval force, that it would be calculating extravagantly upon our good fortune, to expect that our rights would not be invaded by them: and in an age of the world, when it was fashionable for ruling statesmen to sweep away like cobwebs, abstract principles of right and written maxims of public law, it was surely a season when the weaker powers ought to employ every precaution for their safety.
It was not his intention to recommend the construction of a navy carrying metal enough to dispute the empire of the high seas. His only object was to provide a force sufficient to protect our acknowledged territory, and to preserve peace within our seaports and harbors. During the intervals of peace it was the duty of wise statesmen to prepare for war. Although the U. S. had been
in the enjoyment of that blessing, with little interruption, for more than twenty years, there had been too little done to guard against those evils which in the common course of events it was scarcely possible to avoid. But although threatened with hostility from various quarters, the nation on the whole enjoyed a good share of tranquility. There was yet time to prepare for the political tempest which would probably succeed the calm we had long experienced. The Treasury was in a condition to furnish the necessary sums, without imposing a cent of tax upon ourselves. And with time and money at our disposal, he conceived it to be a duty of the most imperative obligation that Congress should now retrieve by more than ordinary exertions the carelessness and neglect of preceding sessions.
During the last meeting of the national legislature, indeed, a decent appropriation was made for the repair & erection of defensive works where they should appear to be most wanted. But how inadequate was this provision! Exigencies had arisen during the recess, which had obliged the President to contract debts on the national account to almost three fourths of a million of dollars. And the bill on your table, Mr. President, has been brought in to make good this anticipated fund. Had Congress made more ample arrangements for the general safety, had they taken effectual measures of defence at an earlier day, or had they made the legal provision for purchasing the stores and implements which the general welfare requires, the Executive would not have been compelled to take the step which he has done, of pledging the national faith for a large amount of unappropriated money. But the Secretary of the Navy has acted wisely as well as boldly on this emergency—and the only sentiment to be uttered on the occasion is, that in consideration of the reluctance manifested by Congress to adopt an effectual system, and of the pressure of the existing circumstances, it was greatly to be lamented he had not anticipated three times as much.
Yet even after all this expenditure, the Atlantic coast was certainly not protected as became a nation professing the feelings of bravery and honor, and boasting annually of its great and accumulating wealth. The vexations, captures, seizures, and murders committed by the subjects of foreign sovereigns within the United States, were encouraged by their total impunity. And a sheet of paper containing a proclamation was read by them with little other concern than they perused any thing else in print. Mr. M. said he was entirely persuaded that something more might be done and ought to be done, to enforce respect to our laws within our undisputed limits, and at any rate he was convinced of the propriety of making a strong experiment for the purpose.
Mr. M. then took a survey of the coast from North to South, and asked whether it was not expedient to do something more for the security of the Capital, and other numerous ports of Massachusetts? Did the capacious but defenceless harbor of New-Port deserve to be left in its present condition? As to New-York, which might be called the heart of the union, it would be unkind and unnatural if he did not experience the keenest sensibility for its safety. Considerable indeed had been done towards its defence out of the appropriation for the year and out of the Executive anticipation. Of this he thought it becoming in him to make a public acknowledgment. But much more remained still to be accomplished; and this would require the aid of additional appropriations. The harbor of New-York and the entrance of the Chesapeake were the favorite places of rendezvous to piratical and hostile fleets. They were peculiarly exposed to their aggressions and insults; and were worthy of more powerful protection than had hitherto been extended to them. In coupling Norfolk with the city near the Hudson, he meant to express from the openness of their ports and their contiguity to the ocean, the equal claim they had, especially after the recent transactions in their respective neighborhoods, not to the favoritism or partiality, but to the equal justice and to the protecting arm of the nation. Though N. Carolina might be considered as safe behind her shoals and beeches, it was far otherwise with her sister-state on the south. For Charleston presented itself to his eye as requiring further succour from government. The same remark applied to Georgia. For the works at Savannah had not recovered from the ruinous state to which they were reduced by the storm of 1804, and St. Mary's, now that the African slave trade was prohibited, would deserve further reparation as well for the purpose of excluding the ships of enemies as of those who make merchandise of men.
Tracing the shore along to the mouths of the Mississippi, he beheld a weak and vulnerable point at Orleans; and whether that region was considered as the seat of domestic feuds or the mark of foreign aggression, it undoubtedly required a more stable and energetic support.
Although his proposition had a peculiar reference to the Atlantic boundary where our territory lay contiguous to the pretended domain of the British as lords of the seas, he did not wish to be understood as confining his ideas of protection to that quarter of the union. He felt that as a statesman and a Senator, all and every part of the nation was entitled to the protecting care of the government; and the states of the West and the North were as proper objects of its care and defence as those of the East and the South. If any gentleman would propose a plan for increasing the security of the inland frontier where danger was to be apprehended from the savages and their European connection, he would give it his hearty aid and co-operation. Whether the post near Natches or at Nachitoches, the Chickasaw Bluffs or Massac, St. Louis or Miami, Detroit or Michillimakinac stood in need of repairs or reinforcements, he was ready to vote the necessary appropriations. The warlike and murderous Sioux were actually at war with us on the Missouri; and a state of commotion scarcely less than a war had long existed in Michigan. Whatever was necessary for teaching Indians to dread our displeasure, and for bending the stubborn will of insurgents to the yoke of the laws, should receive from him all the countenance he could give. To Vermont and the whole country bordering on Canada, he would vote ordnance and arms.
To some persons the posture of our affairs might appear less serious than they did to him. He was no alarmist—but the prostration of our commerce, the murder of our citizens, the violation of our sovereignty, and the postponement of reparation, were each of them solemn matters. They demanded something more than that passive and forbearing temper, of which our nation had given proofs almost without a parallel. There was a period of extreme endurance; and that period was now come. The people who enjoyed liberty held it upon this express condition, that they should maintain it against all who should attempt to wrest it from them or even to encroach upon it.
To spend our breath in enquiries whether a king in Europe is mad or in his senses, is as idle as the prating of the Athenians whether Philip of Macedon was sick or was dead. While they were talking about it, their independence was destroyed. Let us be active, and neither be surprised in our sleep, nor in a reverie that is no better than slumber. But on a theme so copious, sir, it would be easy to expatiate at great length. The only difficulty I feel is in condensing my remarks. For moderate as my elocution is, it would not be difficult for any one, possessing powers of speech smaller even than mine, to discourse to you for hours.
Mr. ROBINSON advocated the motion in warm and decided terms; when the question was put and carried, nem. con.
That the part of the President's message which relates to the defence of our seaport towns and harbors, and the further provisions to be made for their security, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise; and a committee was accordingly appointed, consisting of Messrs. Mitchell, Adams, Sumter, Milledge and Robinson.
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THOS. W. PAIRO. Nov. 20—3t
NEW STORE. LEWIS ZIMMER near the NAVY YARD, begs leave to inform the public that he has for sale a general assortment of DRY GOODS & GROCERIES, among which are the following articles, viz. Bath Coatings, Cloth, Waistcoats, Velveteen, fashionable Cord, cotton and worsted Hose, Blankets, Flannel, Baize, Calico, Shawls, checked Handkerchiefs, Irish and German Linen, Shoes, men and women's list Shoes, Needles, pocket & framed Looking Glasses, Combs, Scissors, Penknives, &c. Also—Old Hyson, Young Hyson, Fresh Teas. Hyson Skin, Spinning Cotton, Spanish Indigo, Allum, Coffee, Gunpowder and Shot, Butter, Cheese, Pork, Soap, dipped and mould Candles, Spanish and country Segars, French Brandy, Holland Gin, New England Rum, Whiskey, Lisbon, Port, Teneriff and Port Wine, Confectionary, &c. all of which he will sell low for cash. November 20—3t
Boston, Nov. 12. London, Sept. 21. Mr. Munroe, the American ambassador, does not at present leave England. He was to have taken his departure from Liverpool, to which place part of his baggage had been forwarded. Since then it has been determined that Mr. Munroe is to continue in this country, to afford his assistance to Mr. Pinckney in the arrangement of the existing differences between the two countries. A note was presented to Mr. Canning, by the American ambassador, on or about the 7th, to which no answer has yet been given. The delay occasions much speculation. It seems, however, to be the prevailing idea, that a war cannot be averted for many months—yet insurances are effected on American ships at four guineas per cent.
By the Sally-Baker-Windsor, arrived on Tuesday, in a short passage from Bordeaux, we have French papers to the 5th Oct. Their contents, excepting the affair of Copenhagen, are not interesting. From a gentleman, however, who came passenger in the above vessels, and through the channel of private letters, we are enabled to present our readers, with the following interesting intelligence:—
Extract of a letter from a house of the first respectability in Antwerp, to another in Bordeaux, dated Sept. 28, & received at Bordeaux, by express, just before the Sally-Barker-Windsor, left the latter place.
"We understand, an order has been given out by the Emperor, to capture every vessel, bound to, or from England, and if with cargoes, are to be considered as good prize. This is a mortal blow to the American commerce; and we fear will lead to a rupture between America and France."
"It is reported, that Mr. Monroe has left London; but not on account of the existing differences, between the two countries; but by reason of ill health. Mr. Pinckney is said to be charged with the public business."
A gentleman who came passenger in the Sally-Barker-Windsor, informs us, "That two cases of capture, [American,] made since, and under the decree of the 21st of November, 1806, were brought before the prize court at Bordeaux, a short time before he left that city; but the court had refused to give an opinion, until fresh instructions should be received from the Emperor.—These instructions were called for by the court, and a question demanded. Whether the decree was to be put in full force against the Americans? His answer was, that in effect, the law must operate against them as with all other neutrals."
We were yesterday favored with the following articles from a source which may be relied on. "Answers were given by the Emperor, to the Council of prizes, on the 23d Sept. last, to the following questions:—
1st. Whether there should be any exceptions to the decree of November 21, 1806, in favor of such nations, as, by their treaties, were allowed a free trade, or the privileges of neutralizing enemies property. ANSWER, That as the Decree, contained no exceptions, there should not be any made in its applications.
2d. Whether neutral vessels, in ballast, should also be made liable to confiscation, upon the plea of capture, or stress of weather, if they had entered into a British port. ANSWER, That it must lay over for further consideration.
3d. Whether one half of the confiscated property, should, in all cases, be appropriated towards indemnifying sufferers by British spoliations. The answer was in the affirmative."
Accounts had been received at Bordeaux, from Mr. Armstrong, at Paris, stating that a number of American seamen taken on board of English vessels, during the war, had been liberated.
Letters from Paris state, that the boundaries of Louisiana have been settled by the French Emperor to the satisfaction of our minister at Paris.
New-York, Nov. 16. The ship Eliza which arrived at this port on Saturday evening, left Liverpool on the 29th September.—At that time, as captain Crocker informs us, no apprehensions appeared to be entertained of a war with the United States. It was reported that Mr. Munroe had engaged his passage in the ship Pocahontas, for Baltimore, then lying at Liverpool.
Captain Waterman, who arrived at this port yesterday, from St. Ubes,
informs, that a Portuguese ship of the line and a frigate, had recently sailed from Lisbon, for England—that a French army was shortly expected in Portugal. The Prince Regent was about to embark for the Brazils, but the inhabitants were not pleased at his leaving the country. The French and Spanish ministers had left Portugal.
Mr. Curtis Bolton of Savannah, a passenger in the Swift, from Liverpool, came up in a pilot boat last evening from the Hook, and informs us, that he left Liverpool on the 29th September; that Mr. Munroe had taken his passage in the ship Pocahontas, for Baltimore, but owing to a slight indisposition (occasioned by a cold) he had determined not to come out in the above ship.
A letter received from Captain Felt, of Salem, dated at Palermo, mentions the massacre of 15,000 christians at Constantinople by the Turks.
GENOA, Sept. 18, 1807. Yesterday, the American consul was arrested and seals put upon his papers. No reasons are assigned in the French papers for this arrest.
SEPH WHEATON takes his leave of his friends and the public that he has opened an office in his own House in F street near the Office of Discount and Deposit, where he proposes to carry on the business of BROKER & COMMISSION MERCHANT.
IN THEIR VARIOUS BRANCHES, and would therefore solicit a share of public patronage, assuring, that such commands as he may be favored with in his line of business shall be great fully received and faithfully and promptly executed.
TO LET, One large 3 story BRICK HOUSE, new and completely finished in an elegant style, in an advantageous situation.
FOR SALE—Three well finished two story BRICK HOUSES on Pennsylvania avenue, and a number of CITY LOTS in good situations for improvement, on very reasonable terms.
All kinds of Stocks bought and sold. Washington city, Nov. 16—
FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber on the 13th inst. two NEGROES, one boy of about 17 years old, named JACK, the other a girl of about 18 years old, named PEGGY, bought of Isaac D. Holges, & raised on the plantation of Joseph Hodges the father of Isaac Hodges, Prince Georges Cy. All persons are hereby forbid victualing, harboring, or employing the said Negroes, and any person delivering the same to the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the above reward. JOSEPH WHEATON. November 20—tf
ELISHA RIGGS, Has imported by the late arrivals, from London and Liverpool, via Baltimore and Alexandria.
EIGHTY NINE PACKAGES, FALL GOODS.
And now opened at his New Store Bridge street—which being direct from the Manufacturers, will be sold very low, by Wholesale or Retail for CASH, or to punctual customers only at short dates—(liberal allowance will be made to Retailers or Purchasers)—Among them are, 9 bales superfine cloths, cassimere, coatings and fries, 21 do. flannels, blankets, kerseys, cottons and pluses, 6 cases checks, dimities, Manchester, and cordes, 3 trunks upholsterers furniture, and hatters trimmings, 3000 lbs. London sein twine, in casks of 350 lbs. each, 10 boxes and 3 casks, tin, plate, cutlery, and buttons, 6 cases gentlemen's hats, and umbrellas, 8 trunks silk, cotton, Angola and worsted hosiery, 3 bales carpets, carpeting and hearth rugs,
ALSO, A large supply of cheap Irish linens, calicoes, gingham, shirting muslins, coarse linens and India muslins.
FANCY GOODS.
Ladies pelice cloths, velvets, silk piques, lace caps, lace handkerchiefs, artificial flowers, fancy beaver bonnets, hats, feathers and cords, head ornaments, laces, silk and set buttons, comsettees, satin shoes, elegant silk hosiery, sleeves and gloves, fancy muslins, short dancing dresses, cashmere and damask shawls, fancy silks, Shawbly muslins, ribbons, linen cambric & lace shades.
Harwells, celebrated Patent Stay-henders, for ease, elegance, strength, &c. exceeds any in use.
Cash will be given for 40 shares of Columbia stock—Apply as above, George Town, Nov. 20—P&M2m
A NEGRO MAN, A very good Laborer, to hire by the year. Enquire of the Printer. October 7—wtf

COMMUNICATION.
Mr. Colvin, late Editor of the American, has issued the first number of a new print, entitled the "Weekly Register of Politics and News." Each number is to consist of sixteen pages royal octavo. The type is neat and distinct. It is intended to embrace the whole circle of politics; and not merely to record passing events, but freely to investigate every measure of importance. It is also intended to insert in the Register all important state papers and documents, which from the form of the paper may be easily preserved. Mr. C. declares his politics to be decidedly republican, of which those who have perused the American can entertain no doubt. Such a paper, ably conducted, is eminently fitted to subserve the public interests; and there is every reason to believe that it will be edited by Mr. C. with zeal and talent.
Extract of a letter from Nathaniel Pryor, to General Clarke, Indian Agent, dated St. Louis, 16th October, 1807.
"The escort under my command, for the reconveyance of the Mandane chief to his nation, has been compelled to return to St. Louis, without accomplishing that object. You will expect to be informed of the untoward circumstances, which have contributed to this failure.
We arrived at the lower villages of the Ricaras at 9 o'clock, on the morning of the 9th September. These people as soon as we came opposite their village, fired several guns, the shot of which came very near us. The sub-agent, Dorion, enquired in the Sioux language "what they meant"—they replied, "Put to shore, we will supply you with corn and oil." From their hospitalities to our party on a former occasion, I thought it prudent to show a confidence in those friendly professions, and ordered the boats to land at the village.
Several of the Sioux, the upper bands of which associated with the Ricaras in this affair, immediately came to the beach. From them we learned, that the Ricaras and Mandanes still carried on war with each other, and that two of the former had been lately killed at the river Bulbatt.
In a very short time the bank was crowded with about six hundred and fifty Indians, all of whom were armed with guns, and many of them with additional warlike weapons. A Mandane woman, who had been a captive for several years, came on board, from whom I obtained information, which could probably have been derived from no other quarter.
She informed me that Daniel Lisa, a St. Louis Trader, had passed up some time before. That he had given the Ricaras, through compulsion I conjecture, a number of guns, with a considerable quantity of powder and ball. This man you recollect obtained a license from Mr. Bates before your arrival, and before the plan which the government had adopted with respect to the Mandane was known at St. Louis. He was however still at St. Charles, and it is not forgotten that Mr. Bates having occasion to visit that village, informed him of the change of arrangement for the upper country, and desired him to remain until my boats should be equipped, that he might accompany the expedition.
This, we understood, he had consented to do—and his failure in those engagements has probably obliged him to divert the storm, which threatened his own boat, by directing the attention of the Ricaras to ours.
He told them, as we learn from this woman, that two boats might be very soon expected, that we had the Mandane chief on board, and that we were to remain for the purposes of trade at their villages. On this they pillaged him of about the half of his goods, and suffered him to pass on, determining in their councils at the same time to kill him on his return, and to lose no time in preparing to murder the Mandane and his escort, as soon as we should arrive. Being thus completely apprised of their sanguinary purposes, as respected the Mandane in particular, I directed him to secure himself in the cabin, by building in front a breastwork of trunks and boxes. My men were prepared for action, and the Indians about the picketed villages and breast works, appeared to be putting themselves in readiness to commence it, they were observed chewing their bullets, and driving away their women & children.
The Chief to whom you desired me to present a medal, at length approached my boat, I had no doubt of his wish to serve us, and as he was known to possess influence with his nation, I felt desirous to conciliate him. He presented me a letter from Courteney, who had previously to the arrival of Lisa, been cruelly treated by these barbarians, and informed us that he alone had been friendly to that unfortunate trader, who owed his safety and ultimate release to his friendly offices.
This chief discovered much uneasiness while conversing with us, and after professing his regard for the Mandane and myself, rejoined his blood-thirsty companions, by whom his advice was in the sequel overruled. My interpreter was in the mean time employed in persuading the chiefs to meet in council, and at length succeeded in collecting all of them, except the chief of the upper village.
I should have made a further effort to procure the attendance of this refractory man, but found that if we consumed the day in fruitless conferences, we would, as soon as it was dark, fall a more easy sacrifice. I therefore determined to meet them, and proceed to the upper villages as expeditiously as possible. My interpreter here was an old Spaniard, whom you probably may not have forgotten. To employ a mediator in whom we had no confidence, in such circumstances as this, was sufficiently embarrassing, but I was obliged to make use of mine upon this occasion from the absolute impossibility of obtaining another.
I addressed them somewhat in this manner "Your great American father has sent me with a few of his soldiers, to conduct the Mandane chief to his nation. In our long and laborious journey, we have met with many nations of red people, by all of whom we have been treated with hospitality and kindness—I have repeated to them the talk of their great father, whose councils they will in future pursue. We are not strangers to you. On a former occasion you extended to Lewis and Clark, the hand of friendship. We feasted in your villages and exchanged mutual benefits. As a proof of the confidence of your great father, in a continuance of your pacific dispositions, and as an evidence of his personal friendship for your chief, he sends him a large medal, the devices of which may continually remind you of the amicable intercourse which ought always to subsist between his people & yours." I then suspended the medal, to the neck of Grey Eyes, as is usual on such occasions.
To this address they made no reply, and in fact from a variety of suspicious circumstances, I scarcely calculated on a friendly answer.
We separated, it being understood that we would stop at the upper village, to pay our respects to the chief, who perhaps from motives of etiquette had refused to attend the council below.
Our boats proceeded on—Dorion & the interpreter Jessecaume went by land.—The Indians followed in a body, using threats and menaces.
On our arrival, about four o'clock in the afternoon, all the Indians were collected on the beach; they appeared in violent rage. It was necessary as I conceived to see the chief. It was besides my duty to take on board Dorion and Jessecaume. My men were kept prepared for an attack, and it was doubtless as prudent to meet it on the beach, as to be followed into a river, filled with irregular sand bars. We put to shore and were directed by the Indians, to proceed up a narrow channel near the beach. Their views in this could not be mistaken and we declined compliance.
We were then told, that we should proceed no farther, we should stay and trade with them. Lisa had told them it was our intention to remain, &c. &c. together with various other things, expressive of their determination to detain us. They first seized the cable of Chouteau's barge, as his contained merchandise, and had no soldiers to defend it, with whom they were no doubt unwilling to provoke a contest, until they should have the other completely in their power. Having their hands there, the moment they attacked the barge, they made signals that I might go on. Chouteau hoped he was not to be abandoned in so dangerous a situation. I replied "make them an offer." He and a number of his men were previously gone on the beach, in order to show an advance of confidence; but these unconscionable rascals appeared to rise in their demands, in proportion as they found their victims within their reach. He at length did make them an offer, which, had they not been determined on plunder and blood, ought to have satisfied them. He proposed to leave the half of his
goods with a man to trade there. The Chief of the upper village also below, now came on board, and desired by gestures, which were readily understood, that the Mandane might go on shore with him. On my peremptory refusal to suffer this, he retreated as hastily as he had entered.
Mr. Chouteau and several of his men were still on the beach. Dorion continued in conference. A demand was instantly made of all the arms and ammunition. The chief to whom I had given the medal, threw it upon the ground, and one of the men was struck down with the butt end of a gun. The Indians now raised a general whoop, and as they retired to the willows, fired on the men, on the beach, as well as on both boats, in the same instant. I had reserved my fire, and was so fortunate as to reach them, with a well directed volley of swivels, blunderbusses and small arms, before they sheltered themselves behind a young growth of willows, at the distance of about sixty yards.
Here they were rather concealed than defended, and as it would have been madness to leave the boats, of which the savages would have taken the immediate possession, we continued the fight for about a quarter of an hour, when finding that they were too greatly superior in numbers, I ordered a retreat. My boat was put off with greater ease than Chouteau's. He stuck on a sand bar, through which his men were obliged to drag the barge, while exposed to the continued fire of the enemy.
To my inexpressible satisfaction he at length surmounted difficulties, which had nearly proved fatal to the whole party.
We again floated in a narrow rapid current, and continued a retreating combat, from both sides of the river, for about one hour. It was sunset, and the pursuit was at length checked by the death of one of their Sioux leaders.
He had been in my boat, and was afterwards known by a white bandage, which he wore about his head. With about 40 men he was endeavoring to meet us, at a point projecting into the stream, when he received a ball, which was aimed particularly at him, and appeared to expire in a moment on the beach. His partisans gathered about him and we saw no more of them.
During the rapid succession of these events, I had no leisure to see into the situation of my men.
As soon as we imagined ourselves free from pursuit, we lashed our boats together, and examined their wounds.
Of my own men none were killed; my hunter's leg was broken; one of the soldiers had a ball through the fleshy part of his leg, and a second was wounded in the hip and arm.
Mr. Chouteau was far less fortunate; he had one man killed on the beach, one in a perogue which accompanied his barge, one on board the barge, and another mortally wounded, who died nine days afterwards. Six other of his men were badly wounded, but have since recovered.
This miscarriage is a most unhappy affair. The Mandane is now at the camp, and will be supplied with whatever he may reasonably want, until the orders of the government may be known respecting him.
Although Jessecaume, the Mandane interpreter, was of my party, he had quarrelled with his chief and was on board Chouteau's boat. I am sorry to say that he has been badly wounded in the thigh and shoulder; Mr. Bates has ordered him medical attendance in St. Louis, as the Surgeon of the garrison has been of late too ill to attend to his duties.
After our retreat I felt so sensibly the necessity of obeying the orders of the government, with respect to this expedition, that I proposed to the Mandane that he should accompany me through by land. The distance was only about three days march, and by leaving the river, and pursuing an unfrequented route thro' the prairies, I hoped to reach the Mandane lodges, undiscovered by the Ricaras. The chief declined this project, alledging the impossibility of accomplishing it, with his wounded interpreter, together with the additional incumbrance of their wives and children."
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17.
One other member appeared and took his seat.
Mr. J. Richards, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of the Legislative Council and
House of Representatives of the Mississippi territory, made a report thereon, representing that that territory would soon be entitled to admission into the union, and concluding with a resolution that their prayer be not granted. Referred to a committee of the whole House on Monday week.
Mr. Poindexter presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of Wilkinson county, in the Mississippi territory, relative to pre-emption rights to land, &c. which was referred.
Mr. Bassett, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill allowing an additional compensation to the secretaries of the Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, and Michigan territories; which was read twice and referred to a committee of the whole House.
The order of the day on the report of the committee of Elections on the contested election of Mr. McCreery, was, on motion of Mr. Newton, postponed till to-morrow.
Mr. J. Clay offered the following resolution, which was adopted, and the following gentlemen appointed the committee, Messrs. J. Clay, Macon, Nicholas, Moseley and Crowninshield.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consider whether any, and if any, what alterations are necessary in the several acts for the encouragement of learning and promotion of the useful arts, and that the committee be authorised to report thereon by bill or otherwise.
Messrs. J. Montgomery & Taggart, each presented petitions on the subject of Post Offices and Roads, which were referred.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18.
On motion of Mr. Quincy, a committee was appointed to wait on the President and request him to cause to be laid before the House a copy of his proclamation interdicting our harbors and waters to British armed vessels, &c. Messrs. Quincy and Burwell were appointed the said committee.
During the sitting of the House, Mr. Quincy reported from the said committee, that they had performed the duty assigned them, and that the President had stated that he would cause a copy of the proclamation to be laid before the House to-morrow.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary, informing the House that they had passed the bill making further appropriation for the support of the Navy.
The House again went into committee, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the report of the committee of Elections, on the contested election of Wm. Mac Creery. The discussion was continued till near 4 o'clock, without coming to any final decision, when the committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.
(A more particular statement of proceedings in our next.)
THURSDAY, NOV. 19.
On calling for the order of the day, to go into committee of the Whole on the report of the committee of Elections in the case of Wm. McCreery, Mr. Witherall moved that the committee of the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the report, which, after a short debate, was carried—Ayes 77.
Mr. Witherall then moved the re-commitment of the report to the committee of Elections, which was carried—Ayes 70.
Mr. Dawson, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the Message of the President as relates to military and naval establishments, &c. reported in part the following resolutions:
Resolved, That a sum of money not exceeding _____ thousand dollars be appropriated for the purpose of building a National Foundary, in the city of Washington, for casting ordnance.
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be authorized, under the direction of the P. U. S. to sell to individual states which may wish to purchase any arms owned by the U. S. and which may be parted with without injury to the public.
Referred to a committee of the whole on Wednesday next.
On motion of Mr. Lewis, the House again went into committee of the whole on erecting a bridge across the Potomac, Mr. PAXTON in the chair.
Messrs. Nelson, Sloan, and Key advocated, and Mr. Lewis opposed the depending motion, to strike out the first section, which was negatived—Ayes 78—Noes 41.
When, after making considerable progress in filling up the several blanks, the committee rose and obtained leave to sit again.
The President communicated to the House his proclamation, required yesterday.
Nov. 19th, 1807. Capt. Taber, who arrived last night in the Swift, that left Liverpool Sept. 29, is the bearer of dispatches from and inquired by Mr. Munro, our minister at London, to the Secretary of State. These dispatches were put on board at the time Mr. Munro was expected to leave England for America, and must be of the highest importance. It will be recollected, that our government has received no advices from Mr. Munro since the arrival of the Revenge. Capt. Taber says there is no danger of a war between the U. S. and G. Britain.
MARRIED at Milford on Thursday evening, 5th inst. by the Rev. Wm. Steers, captain William Wacens of Anne Arundel county, Maryland; to the amiable Miss Sally K. Taylor, of Prince William county Virginia.
The Gentlemen of Washington are desired to meet at Stello's Hotel, to-morrow evening at 6 o'clock, to appoint Managers and make arrangements for the city Dancing Assembly. Washington, Nov. 20, 1807.
FOR SALE. THREE LOTS situate on the Pennsylvania avenue, known in the plan of the city, in Nos. 8, 9, 13 and 14, in square 258. These lots will be sold separate on very low terms, and are well worth the attention of builders, being front lots. For particulars apply to the subscriber, who will show the lots and a plan of them.
SAMUEL SPEAKE.
If the above mentioned lots are not disposed of by private contract before Thursday the 26th instant they will be sold at Public Auction at 12 o'clock on that day at Mr. Rhodes's tavern. November 20—3.
By virtue of a writ of Fieri Faciunt Montgomery County Court to me directed.
Will be sold at public sale on Thursday, the tenth day of December next, if fair, if not the next fair day, on the premises for cash—That farm whereon Zachariah Maccubbin lives, containing 344 acres of land, more or less—its improvements are a large and convenient dwelling house, with other necessary buildings—large apple and peach orchards; also a mill house, 38 by 42 feet, three stories high, one of which is stone and the others brick, with two water wheels, three pair of stones, two of French Burs, one of Collins, with merchant and country bolting clothes, all in good order, with the weights, scales and measures, also a saw mill, 15 head of cattle, three horses, four hogs, a parcel of corn, one cart, one wagon, and four pair gears, a parcel of fodder, a parcel of wheat in the straw, late property of the said Maccubbin, taken at the suit of Nicholas Peppa and wife, administrators of William Benson. JOH. FLEMING, Sheriff. Nov. 20—tds.
WALTER & CLEMENT SMITH HAVE just received by the Schooners L. Lorson and Fair American from New York, a large additional supply of LIQUORS & GROCERIES, which with their former stock forms an extensive assortment. They now have on hand and off for sale at their Warehouse opposite Lowney's wharf:
 8 pipes fine mellow old 4th proof Cognac Brandy.  25 pipes Bordeaux and Marseilles 4th proof Brandy.  10 puncheons St. Croix, } Rum.  Antigua,  Grenada and Jamaica }    15 pipes Holland and country Gin, Choice old Madeira Wines in pipes and quarter casks, London market Madeira in do.  Marcella, }  Lisbon,  Dry old Sherry, } Wines in pipes and quarter casks.  Bucellos,  Malaga,  Lon. Pr. Tenerife,  Port, Catalonia and Corsica,    Frontignac Wine in boxes,  40 barrels Whiskey and Apple Brandy, Loaf and Lump Sugars,  20 hogsheads Saint Croix, Trinidad, & Martinique Sugars,  10 ditto Martinique clayed Sugar,  10 ditto best remaining Molasses,  40 chests, }  Young Hesson } Fresh Teas.  Hyson Skin & }  Hyson Single }      450 small boxes & leads }  Imperial, }  Hyson and }  Gunpowder, }  Coll. C. Nutmegs,  Cloves, Cassia,  Pepper, Spice,  Ginger, Chocolate,  Almonds, Raisins,  Olive and Capers,  Basket Salt,          70 boxes, mould, dipped and Spermaceti Candles,  200 Gin Cases and Demijohns,  100 boxes prime Havana and Saint Jago Segars,  Whale Oil in hogsheads and barrels,  Linseed Oil in pks,  Sweet Oil in baskets and boxes,  A few boxes fat Mackerel,  And a variety of other Goods in their line; all of which will be sold low for cash, or up in accommodating credit to punctilious customers.  George Town, Nov. 14—2aw3wsm15

SAMUEL LOWDERMILK BEING determined to decline the mercantile business in this city, will sell his entire stock of goods at auction, consisting of a general assortment of FALL & WINTER GOODS at his store in R street on Friday the twentieth inst. terms made known on the day of sale by S. SPEAKE, Auct.
** If Friday is not a fair day, the sale will take place on next fair day at twelve o'clock. Nov. 18-2t.
ALEXANDER SUTER, HAS for Sale, at the store lately occupied by Mr. Edgar Patterson, corner of High & Bridge streets George Town, a large Collection of valuable BOOKS , with a general assortment of STATIONERY —also a variety of Fancy Articles , all of which will be sold low for cash. Just received, and now opening for sale, Elegant Gold and Silver Epaulettes , Gold and Silver Lace , Gold Cord , Officers crimson silk Sashes , of superior quality, True Washingtonian, Jeffersonian, and Madisonian Razors . November 18-1m
LAND FOR SALE. I WILL sell for cash, or exchange for Dry Goods or Groceries , on moderate terms, the following described property. A Lot of Ground in George Town, on Washington and Gay streets, fronting the former 120 and the latter 60 feet. The situation of this lot is desirable, and taking into view the rapid growth of the town, is considered as being valuable. Also a Tract of unimproved LAND , in Monongalia county Virginia, containing 1003 acres, contiguous to the navigable water of Cheat river. The soil is inferior to none in that part of the country. The production of the land can be conveyed to Pittsburg in two days, where a sure and ready sale is always to be obtained. The public road from this to Clarkburg Virginia, runs through it, from thence to Marietta, Chillicothe, &c. Any person disposed to purchase or barter, may know the terms by application to the subscriber. ALEXANDER SUTER, Corner of High and Bridge streets, George Town. November 18-1m
JOHN GOULDING, HAS for SALE, Rea good Old Madeira, } WINES, Sicily Madeira, } in Casks Sherry, Lisbon, } and in Port, & Buccello's } Bottles. Claret in bottles, large and small boxes, from 6 to 12 dollars per dozen, Cognac Brandy, Peach and Apple brandy, Jamaica spirit, Holland gin, Whiskey in barrels, 5th proof, Loaf and Lump Sugar in barrels, Porter and Ale in bds. and in barrels. Together with most other Wines and Spirits generally used in this part of the country—Also, Ravens Duck, Spermaceti Candles, and oil of the very first quality, with sundry other articles, all of which he is determined to sell low for money or on short credit to his kind and punctilious customers. Cash purchasers will find it their interest to call on him. He earnestly requests all those indebted to him to cause payment to be made to him soon; also those indebted to him for Postage since last year and the beginning of the present. George Town. October 23-1f
VALUABLE PROPERTY, FOR SALE. WILL be offered to the highest bidder at the house of Mr. M. Semmes in this town, on Monday the 30th November next, such parts of the following property as may not be disposed of prior to that day, viz. several improved and unimproved water and other Lots , and parts of Lots in George Town and its additions—Lot 7 in square 79, and 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, in square 569 city of Washington, together with the following lands—the Vale 403 1-4 acres; Dry meadow 34 acres; Good Fellowship 21 acres; Mount Airy 59 1-2; part of Mount Airy, 5 1-2 acres; Below Amsterdam 12 1-2; acres Burn's Neglect 81 acres; Prospect 167 1-2; and part Knowels Disappointment 51-2 ac. in the district; New Harbor 23 acres; I believe it will be 90 acres; Little Spot 12 1-4 ac. Montgomery & Frederick county Maryland—Nichols Delight 601 2 acres, Last Shift 100 acres; the resurvey of Cresap's neglect 204 3-4 acres, and Jacobs Ladder 300 acres, in Allegheny county Maryland, and 5132 acres in Randolph county Virginia. Sale to commence at 4 o'clock P. M. and to continue from day to day till the whole is sold—Terms of sale, time agreeable to the amount purchased, to be made known on the day of sale, where plots of the whole will be shown. J. M. BEATTY, C. A. BEATTY. George Town. October 26-1m
PRESENT LEAS —The subscriber has received by Captain Elwood, 6 Casks of Old Hison, } Teas. 4 ditto Young Hyson, } 4 ditto Best Imp. rials } Oranges, Olives, oil, olives, capers, &c. Daily expected— 50 Boxes of mould Candles 20 ditto dipped ditto 50 ditto brown soap 10 ditto white ditto and a large quantity of Cordials, preserved Limes, ginger, currant jelly, pickles, &c. P. MAURO. October 30-1f.
W. S. NICHOLLS, BRIDGE-STREET, GEORGE TOWN, HAS received, and is now offering for sale a very large and general assortment of FALL and WINTER GOODS , consisting of superfine and second Cloths, and Cassimeres, Constitution Cords, Velvets and Velveteens, Calicoes, Cambrics and Dimities, London Hats, Flannels, Coatings and Blankets, French and Italian Plaid and Plain Silks, Silk Velvets, Irish and German Linens, India Muslins of every description, with almost every article attached to the Dry Good business, which he will sell for cash as low as any person in town. November 11-3w
District of Columbia, Washington county, to wit. BE it remembered that on this 9th day of November 1807, William Scott brought before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for the said county, a trespassing stray, a BAY MARE ; appears to be about 5 years old, 13 and 1-2 hands high, and branded with the letter R on the near shoulder. Given under my hand the day and year above written. S. N. SMALLWOOD.
THE owner of the above Mare is desired to come, prove property, pay charges and take her away. WILLIAM SCOTT. City of Washington, Nov. 16-3t
THE Subscriber has SEVEN Young Negro fellows to Hire the ensuing year—they are all active and healthy; one of them a Carpenter and Shoemaker, another a Blacksmith. For terms apply to GEORGE REEDER, near Chapuco, St. Mary's Cy. November 16-3t
NEW POLITICAL PAPER. 'WE KLY REGISTER OF POLITICS AND NEWS.' THE gentlemen of Congress, and others, who are inclined to patronize this work, are respectfully informed that a subscription paper is lodged in the hands of P. Magruder, Esq. clerk to the House of Representatives. Mr. Mather (of the Senate) will receive the names of gentlemen of that body, who may be disposed to patronize the Register, &c. J. B. COLVIN. November 13.
TWO DOLLARS REWARD. STRAYED from the Commons of the city of Washington on Thursday night last, a RED COW with a white belly, and a little white at the end of her horns sawed off with two inches of head. Whoever takes up said cow and delivers her to me near the Jail, shall, if taken in the city receive one dollar, and if taken out of the city the above reward. CATHARINE LARDNER. November 13-
THIS is to give notice that the subscribers of Washington in the district of Columbia have obtained from the Orphan's Court of Washington county and district aforesaid, letters of administration on the PERSONAL ESTATE of Hugh Somerville late of said county deceased. All persons having claims against the said deceased, are hereby warned and required to exhibit the same with the vouchers thereof to the subscribers on or before the 12th day of March next, as they may otherwise by law be excluded from all benefit of said estate. Those who are indebted are requested to make immediate payment to DAVID SOMERVILLE, ALEXANDER REID, Administrators. N. B. On THURSDAY the 19th instant at 4 o'clock, P. M. will be sold at the house of Mrs. SOMERVILLE , the remains of the Personal property of the aforesaid Hugh Somerville, consisting of One Share in the Washington Building Company, one Cow, a Plowing piece, and Silver Watch, &c. &c. Terms of sale cash. D. SOMERVILLE, ALEX. REID, Admrs. Washington, November 16-3t
P. MAURO TAKES the liberty to inform his Friends, the Members of Congress, and the Inhabitants of the city in general, that he has lately returned from a journey to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York , with a LARGE supply of the best and choicest GROCERIES, WINES, SPIRITS, CORDIALS, FRUITS, PRESERVES, SPICES, PICKLES, &c. And also, with a large and well selected assortment of DRY & FANCY GOODS, which he offers for sale at his store adjoining Mr. Thomas W. Paivo, west of the Seven Buildings, by wholesale and retail at very moderate terms. October 30-1f.
WILSKOPF and KELLER, CONFECTIONERS. RESPECTFULLY inform the ladies and gentlemen of George Town and the city of Washington, that they can be supplied with every kind of CAKE , of the very first quality— Ornaments for Tables, of the most elegant form, and in the newest style. Ice Creams, Jellies of all kinds, on the shortest notice. They keep always on hand, Cordials of every kind, excellent in quality, and genuine, such as Noyeau, Orange, Raffia, &c. &c. High street, George Town, } November, 11-1f
WILL be sold at Public Auction , on the premises, on Monday the 30th of November next, part of Lot number 4, in square 78, being 28 feet front, near the Western Market, and extending back about 147 feet to an alley. There is erected upon this lot, a good Brick Building covering the whole front, with a good Kitchen and enclosure, and was formerly occupied by Dr. Bullus. As the property is well known, nothing further descriptive is thought necessary. Washington, October 30-tds
New & Valuable BOOKS.
JUST received, and now opening, at D. RAPINE'S Bookstore on Capitol Hill, a Choice and Valuable Collection of BOOKS and STATIONERY , which he will be happy to dispose of to his friends and customers on the most reasonable terms—amongst which are: The Novice of St. Dominick , by Miss Owen. The Wild Irish Girl , by Miss Owenson. The Heiress of Dermond , by the same author. Warren's History of the American revolution , 3 vols. Montgomery's Poems , Roberts on Frauds , Sugden's Law of Venders , Ball's Reports , vol. 7th, Peter's (Judge) Maritime Law , Henning and Mumford's Virginia Reports , Domestic Cookery , Sidney on Government , Aitkin's Geography , Workman's do. Geographical questions, Sporting Anecdotes , Nautical Almanacs for 1808-9 German Theatre , 6 vols. Jebs' Surveying , Sacred Classics , 9 vols. Sevinque's Letters , 7 vols. Sully's Memoirs , 5 vols. Pope's Homer , 4 vols. Craylin's Italian Dictionary . Young's Centaur . Lady's elegant tortoise-shell combs, ornamented and plain. Spectacles and Morocco cases. Watch seals and keys. Fashionable paper hangings and borders. Resver water colors. Mathematical Instruments. Chamber Lamps and wicks. Japaned ink. Durable do.
A large assortment of writing & letter paper—hot pressed and plain. Quills, sealing-wax, wafers, pen knives, &c. &c. Dr. Rees' Cyclopaedia , Vol. 5th, Part 1st, or the 9th half volume, is just received and ready for delivery, those who have not had ALL the preceding vols. will oblige by sending for them. Aug. 7 tf.
CHARLES H. VARDEN, Merchant Taylor New Jersey Avenue, near the Capitol RESPPECTFULLY informs the gentlemen of the district of Columbia, he has imported by ship Eliza ANN lately arrived at Philad. A choice assortment of Extra superfine cloths, Bennets, Velvets, and Cords—Cassimeres, single and double milled Satin cloths, fashionable Spanish Orleans and Toilets, rich silk Mouselin velvets, silk and satin Florentines with a variety of other articles suitable for the season. N. B. Ladies habits regimentals and navy uniforms made in the first style of fashion. Richard Tarvelli's celebrated patent parcelled suspender, can be had on the same terms as at his manufactory. November 12 tf.
ROSS and GETTY. IN addition to a Large and General Assortment of GROCERIES , have for sale at their store next door to the Union Tavern George Town, Genuine Old Madeira, } WINES. Sicily Madeira, } Sherry, } Particular Teneriffe, } Old Port in hogsheads } and in bottles, } Lisbon, } Malaga, } Corsica, } Claret & Fontaine, } Cogniac, Bordeaux, Peach, and Apple Brandy, Jamaica, Antigua, and New England Rum, Holland and Country Gin, Irish and Country Whiskey, Crab Apple Cider, in hogsheads and bottles, French Cordials and Sweet Meats of different kinds. Olives, Capers, Anchovies, Salmon, Mackerel, Cod-fish, and smoked Herrings. By the Schooner Fair American, captain Clements from New York and the sloop Unity, captain Hand from Philadelphia, besides many other articles in the Grocery Line, they have received a quantity of CHEESE, Currants, Spanish Sagars of an excellent quality; best winter strained Spermaceti Oil, Mould and Dip'd Candles, &c. &c. November 6-1f.
THORN HEDGES. FOR Sale by the subscriber, upwards of One Hundred Thousand seedling plants of the American Hedge Thorn , from Two and an Half to Five dollars per thousand. Also a few thousand of the Pyracantha or Evergreen Thorn , and of the Honey Locust —all of which will be got ready for delivery at his Nursery near the Little Falls of Potomac as soon after the fall of the leaf as practicable. Purchasers who chuse will be furnished gratis with a pamphlet of directions for the management of the plants, &c. Any former customer, also may have a copy of the same by application at the Nursery; to others the price will be Twenty-five cents. THOS. MAIN. October 14-
SPERMACETI CANDLES And winter Strained SPERMACETI OIL of superior quality, from the first Manufacturer in the United States , with a few barrels of strained Oil of a superior quality for the use of Curriers , just received and for sale, by JOHN GOULDING, Who has on hand a choice selection of excellent Liquors fit for immediate use, to be sold cheap for cash. George Town. November 11-1m
NEW STORE. HENRY O. DYER has opened in his new BRICK STORE in Bridge street, betwixt Elisha and Romulus Riggs's stores, and second door from John Cox, a large and handsome assortment of FALL & WINTER GOODS, all of the latest importations; among them many Fancy articles; he has also, a very handsome assortment of superfine Cloths and Fancy Cassimeres and Waistcoatings, and a large assortment of very fine 7 8th and 4 4th Irish Linens and 5 4th sheetings, all of which he will sell uncommonly low for cash. George Town, November 11-2w
BOOT-MAKING. JOHN MINCHIN respectfully acquaints the public that he carries on the Boot-Making at his old stand near Mr. Law's buildings; where he has on hand a large and elegant assortment of fashionable Boots and Shoes. Any number of men can be employed to make strong Shoes. Wanted a Foreman two apprentices to the above business. New Jersey Avenue, near } the Capitol, November 11-1f }
SUBSCRIPTIONS for the Richmond Enquirer will be received at the Post Office, in George Town. The terms are 5 dollars a year, paid in advance. Gentlemen residing in George Town or the City of Washington, who are in arrears for the Enquirer will please to call and pay off the balances against them. Receipts will be given by D. WILEY. October 28.
LINDSAY'S HOTEL. The Subscriber has taken that well calculated house on the Capitol Hill. Late occupied by Mr. Frost formerly by Mr. Stelle—Where he intends to open a Tavern on the 24th October. Those gentlemen who may favor him with their Custom may rely on every attention in the Power of the Public's devoted Servant. GEO. W. LINDSAY. N. B. —EIGHT or TEN BOARDERS may be conveniently accommodated. October 19-1f
GRAND LOTTERY, BALTIMORE.
Authorised by the General Assembly of the state of Maryland, the scheme of which is the most brilliant ever offered to the citizens of the United States, containing, besides a large number of other good prizes. 1 prize of 30 000 dollars, 1 do. of 15 000 dollars, 3 do. of 10 000 dollars, 2 do. of 5 000 dollars, 8 do. of 1 500 dollars, 7 do. of 1 000 dollars, Not two blanks to a prize, and the lowest prize is twenty dollars. The scheme contains only 21,500 tickets; 10,000 of which are actually sold to a company of gentlemen, in New York, to whom the Managers have obligated themselves to commence the drawing in the city of Baltimore, On THURSDAY the 31st day of DECEMBER next, and to draw 500 tickets per day. Tickets and Shares are now selling in a variety of numbers and very rapidly, at Ten Dollars and a Half each, for a short time, at G. & R. WAITE'S only fortunate Lottery Office, corner of Market and Charles streets Baltimore
The grandeur of the Scheme of the above Lottery, together with an assurance from the Managers that it will positively commence drawing on the 31st day of December next, have been a sufficient inducement for the subscribers to come to the city of Baltimore for the express purpose of facilitating the sale of the tickets. G. & R. WAITE.
One of the above firm will personally attend the drawing daily, to take down the numbers correctly, as will also one of their clerks. The next New York Lottery will not commence drawing till April next—tickets of which Lottery may be had at Waite's offices, No. 64 and No. 38, Maiden Lane New York. Distant adventurers, accompanying their orders with Bank Notes, of any description to either of W. ite's offices, in New York or Baltimore, may have Tickets and Shares forwarded to any amount with the utmost punctuality, and the earliest advice sent them of their success. All prizes sold by G. and R. Waite, will be paid by them. Tickets in the above Lottery are to be had at J. MARCOT'S Book store, Georgetown, where the prize list will be regularly received. Tickets may likewise be had at John Goulding's. October 12-tv.3m
20 DOLLARS REWARD.
AWAY from the subscriber in August last, NEGRO CHARLES , he is a straight well made black man, about 26 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high; has lost some of his fore teeth; is remarkably polite and marked a gallant. The above reward will be paid to any person who will bring him home or lodge him any jail so that I get him again. V. E. BRANES. Upper Marlao, Jan. 9-tv.1f
BURNS and BRALL. WOOLLEN drapers, men's mercers, and tailors, New Jersey Avenue, opposite the Secretary of the Navy's, respectfully inform the public that they have commenced business in the above line, where they will endeavor to give satisfaction—they have on hand a fresh supply of the most fashionable goods, suitable for the approaching season, all fresh and of the very best quality. N. B. Regimentals and naval uniforms made in the most elegant and fashionable stile with neatness and dispatch. October 23-1f.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
THE members of the Medical Faculty of the state of Maryland, residing in Saint Mary's, Charles, and Calvert counties will please to attend at the Cool Springs, in Saint Mary's county on the third Monday in November next where a meeting of the Faculty will be held pursuant to a resolution of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, at their last biennial Congress in Baltimore, directing Medical associations to be formed throughout the state in districts, which districts were appointed by the resolution—the first district comprising Saint Mary's, Charles, and Calvert counties. The object of this meeting will be to appoint a President, Secretary and Treasurer for the association as well as to form a constitution and bye laws and to fix upon the future place and times of meeting. Cool Springs, October 29-wtd
NOTICE.
I SHALL offer to the highest bidder, on the first Monday in January next, unless prevented by a private sale before, of which due notice will be given; that very celebrated and lucrative INN , at present occupied by captain Brooks , in the town of Upper Marlborough , with Ten acres of adjacent GROUND and all its commodious appurtenances, on a credit of four years, with approved security, bearing interest from the day of sale; one fourth of the purchase money to be paid at the expiration of two years, with interest; one fourth at the end of the third year, with interest, and the residue on the termination of the fourth year; thereby affording an opportunity, to even a tolerable manager, of making the property more than pay for itself before one cent can be inconveniently demanded from him. THOS. C. BOWIE. November 1-1m
Treasury Department, Register's Office, June 5th, 1807.
Notice is hereby given, THAT, in conformity with the provisions of the act supplementary to the act, entitled "An act making provision for the redemption of the whole of the public debt of the United States," books will be opened at the Treasury on the first day of July next, to continue open until the seventeenth day of March, 1808, inclusively, for the purpose of receiving subscriptions for such parts of the old six per cent. deferred six per cent. and three per cent. stocks, as may, on the day of subscription land on the books of the treasury. Those proprietors of the old six per cent. and deferred stocks, who may subscribe, will receive in lieu thereof a new six per cent. stock, equal to the unredeemed amount of the stock surrendered, redeemable at the pleasure of the United States, under a proviso however, that no reimbursement shall be made except for the whole amount of any such new certificate of stock, nor till after six months previous notice; and the proprietors of the three per cent. stock who may subscribe, will receive in lieu thereof, a six per cent. stock, equal to sixty-five per cent. of the amount of three per cent. surrendered, redeemable in the same manner as the new six per cent. above-mentioned, but not redeemable however, without the assent of the holders, until after the whole of the new six per cent. (given in exchange for old six or deferred as above-mentioned,) as well as the whole of the eight per cent. stock of the United States, shall have been reimbursed. It is also provided that in every reimbursement which may take place, a preference will be given to those creditors who may notify their wish to be reimbursed; and that if the applications to that effect shall at any time either exceed or fall short of the sum then applicable to that purpose, the priority of payment shall, so far as may be necessary, be determined by lot.
The present stockholders who reside in any part of Europe and may assent to that modification, may, at their option, receive the interest accruing on the new stock, either in the United States as heretofore, or in London, or Amsterdam, at par; in which last case, the interest will be paid there by the bankers of the United States six months subsequent to the day on which the same would be payable in the United States and subject to no variation; nor to any other deduction than a commission to the bankers, of one half per cent. on the interest thus paid. JOSEPH NOURSE, Reg. of the Treasury NOTE—Proprietors of 1000 dollars nominal six per cent. stock, subscribed before the 1st October, 1807, will be entitled to receive 649 62 of new six
It is subscribed between the 1st Oct. and 31st Dec. 1807, 64 37 Between the 1st Jan. and 12th March 1808 019 03 Proprietors of 1000 dollars nominal deferred, subscribed before the 1st Oct. 1807, will be entitled to receive, 855 78 It is subscribed between the 1st Oct. and 31st Dec. 1807, 353 62 Between the 1st Jan. and 12th March 1808, 831 42 Being the unredeemed amount of the old stock on the 1st July, and October 1807, and 12 January 1808 respectively. Proprietors of 1000 dollars three per cent. stock, will be entitled to receive 650 dollars of new six June 8-wtd.