The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 1804-02-08 00:00:00

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, AND WASHINGTON ADVERTISER.
Vol. IV.
WASHINGTON CITY, PRINTED BY SAMUEL HARRISON SMITH, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
No. DXV.
FIVE DOLLS. PER ANN.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, 1804.
PAID IN ADVANCE.
Foreign Intelligence.
PARIS, November 3.
The present situation of the coast of France and Holland, from Bayonne to the Texel, is the subject of all thought and conversation. It is well known that the ports of Cherbourg, Nantz, Boulogne, Dunkirk, Ostend, Flushing, the Meuse, and the Texel, are every day filling up with vessels.
November 16.
Letters from Venice, Trieste, and other ports of the Adriatic sea, inform us that the British fleet which anchored off Alexandria consists of 4 or 5 ships of the line, several frigates and sloops of war, and a great number of transports. That fleet arrived there fifteen days after the taking of the city by the Arnauts and Mamelukes, and landed 3 or 4 thousand men, destined to occupy the principal seaports and towns of Egypt. It is the same squadron so long spoken of, as making great preparations at Malta, and whose destination it was thought would be to make an attack upon the Isle of Elbe. These letters further say that the English had never ceased to keep up an intercourse with the chiefs of the Mamelukes or beys, who secretly received from them artillery, arms and ammunition of all kinds. It is certain that a convention had been concluded between them and general Stuart, by which they would be authorised to occupy some of the towns of Egypt in case the Mamelukes should again render themselves masters of it; and it is in virtue of that treaty the English have now debarked in Egypt.
November 18.
The first Consul has just returned from visiting the coast. He arrived this day at St. Cloud, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. He left Boulogne on the 17th inst. His return was announced by the discharge of cannon.
November 19.
We learn from Flushing, that a considerable flotilla is rendezvous in that port, and that 6 ships of war were launched there on the 12th inst. The phantoms are in a state of the greatest activity; and the troops under the command of Gen. Monnet are making preparations for some important movement.
A letter from Lisbon states, that the Princess, wife of the Prince Regent of Portugal, is shortly to have an interview with her august relations, the King and Queen of Spain. Their Majesties will repair for that purpose to Badajos on the southern frontiers of the kingdom.
November 21.
The first Consul gave audience yesterday to the Constituted Authorities. In the evening, he went to the Opera, where he was received with the most unbounded applause.
There are now building in the docks of Dunkirk, boats intended for the transportation of the cavalry; in each boat a stable is to be erected, which will contain from 16 to 20 horses.
The First Consul, before his departure from Boulogne, went on a raft on which were placed 12 pieces of heavy cannon, so arranged as to be pointed in any direction. The precision and rapidity with which they were discharged, notwithstanding the waves which broke against the pieces, astonished the most experienced engineers. The fire was as well kept up as if it had been on shore, although the cannoniers were up to their knees in water. The object of this exercise was to accustom the conductors of the pieces to this novel manoeuvre, that they might acquire the habit of performing in the water, the many evolutions which they must necessarily perform on the coast of England.
We are informed from Rome, that the harvest has been extremely abundant.
DUNKIRK, October 29.
The American ship ANN , with a cargo of Tobacco and Cotton, from Norfolk, entered this port yesterday. She was bound to Havre, but the English cruisers off that port would not suffer her to go in.
BATAVIAN REPUBLIC.
HAGUE, Nov. 8.
The English have left the small Island of Rutten, where they had landed a detachment of troops on the 27th October.
Our government is determined to employ every possible measure to augment
the number of transports, independently of the military marine.
The vessels detained for the state service, by means of an indemnification to the owners, are entirely in readiness for the service to which they are destined. Their junction is now completing.
It is thought our government will shortly appoint a committee charged to compliment the First Consul, who it is hoped will arrive soon at Flushing.
November 11.
There have been launched at Rotterdam, five new flat-bottomed boats which complete the number of 50 of these vessels, all ready to put to sea. Nine Schooners designed to carry each three 18 pounders, are yet on the stocks and nearly finished. The frigate Irene , lately built at Rotterdam, has been sent to Helvoetsluis, to be armed and equipped, and put in a state of service.
HELVETIC REPUBLIC.
BERNE, Nov. 10.
Orders have been brought by an extraordinary courier, to some of the French corps stationed in Switzerland, to return to France without delay, in order to be employed in the expeditionary army against England, assembled in the environs of St. Omer and Dunkirk.
BANK OF VIENNA. —The credit of the Imperial bank at Vienna has sustained a material shock. Its bills are refused by the principal merchants and bankers in the cities of Germany. This has been occasioned partly by the numerous forgeries committed with regard to the bank notes, but chiefly to injudicious measures practised to re-establish its credit. The minister of Finance has recommended certain changes in its organisation, and that in the mean time its payments should be made in silver instead of bills.
Our Senate, says a Frankfort account of November 8, conduct with great mystery relative to certain Jews and other merchants, taken up here for being concerned in a plot tending entirely to destroy the credit of the Imperial bank. It is understood that a counterfeiter of the bank notes has been discovered at Offbach, with his instruments, press, &c. and is to be carried in due time to Strasburg. The Jew Saligman, who transacted many of the affairs of the bank, was conducted at the beginning of the present month to the latter city.
WAR EXPENSES. —A German calculator, states that on a moderate computation, the present war costs Great Britain 28 guineas per minute, or 36,000 guineas per day, or about 395 millions of francs per year.
KOSCIUSKO. —On the 28th October, says a Paris paper, all the Poles in Paris attached to the destiny of Kosciusko, assembled to celebrate, according to their annual custom, the anniversary of their general's birth day. Several Senators, Counsellors of state, members of the Institute, the Ambassador from the United States, with several Americans, and a number of literary characters, composed the guests.
MADAM LE CLERC. (sister to the First Consul and widow of General Le Clerc, who died at St. Domingo) is married it appears by Paris papers of the 15th November, to M. le Prince de Borghese. The marriage was celebrated at Morfontaine. The new married couple set out a few days after, for Rome.
GARNERIN the Erionaut , made his 35th ascent in a balloon from Moscow in Russia, on the 31 October, in company with M. Aubert, who suffered considerably in the ears from the rarefaction of the air. They ascended above 4000 toises. Garnerin states, that he saw for the first time his balloon reflected in the clouds, in all the most vivid colours of the rainbow. He made experiments in galvanism while thus high, and he produced des oboussments . He discharged a musket twice and the sound was less sensible than on the ground. The cold was not increased above 4 degrees. He would have prolonged his voyage and experiments, but a north-west wind, astonished at the phenomenon of a bullet through his balloon, which compelled his descent.
ITALIAN REPUBLIC.
MILAN, Nov. 10.
The division of the troops of the Italian Republic, which goes to France, has received positive orders to set off on the 17th of this month. That division
comprises more than seven thousand, one thousand of which are cavalry.
GERMANY.
FRANKFORT, Nov. 7.
Our commercial intercourse direct with England is now entirely re-established by the way of Dusseldorf and Embden, and commerce has resumed its former channel. It is by the borders of the Rhine, Franconia, Suabia, Bavaria, &c. and even Switzerland, that the merchants and traders of Upper Germany, continue their connections with England and receive from thence as agents the goods which they afterwards distribute in all the neighbouring countries. The carriage is not very expensive; the quintal from Embden to our city costs only 6 to 7 florins.
HAMBURGH, Nov. 5.
It is asserted that the arrival of general Bether in this city has for its object to negotiate a loan of five millions with the three Hanse towns, for which the domains of the country of Hanover are to be mortgaged. A meeting of our Burgers has been called for tomorrow, to take into consideration these proposals of the French general.
November 7.
On the 5th instant the Burgers of this city rejected the loan demanded by general Bether for the states of Hanover. That loan will be four millions of livres. A committee of five Senators and deputies of the Burgers have been appointed to settle the particulars relative to that business, &c. It is thought the general will go from hence to Lubec and Bremen to make similar proposals. The sum demanded, it is said, for the states of Hanover, from the Hanse towns of Hamburg, Bremen and Lubec, is from 14 to 17 millions of livres.
HANOVER, Nov. 7.
There are at this moment at Hamburg, four ships ready to sail down the Elbe; two are loaded with cannon, 24 pounders, and the two others with gunpowder. A secret expedition is talked of.
COPENHAGEN, October 15.
The Danish navy consists at this time of 19 ships of the line, 15 frigates, 8 brigs, 1 cutter, 1 chassec, 1 yacht, and 13 gun-boats; in all 58 sail, and 2014 cannons. There are on the stocks 3 ships of the line, 4 frigates and 1 brig.
November 5.
The English have made in the several ports of the Baltic, such considerable purchases of grains, that the necessaries of life have risen to an enormous price.
The following details which have been published respecting the Asiatic town of Astracan, comprised in the provinces of Russia, and centre of commerce between that state and Persia, by means of the Caspian sea, in the neighbourhood of which it is situated, give an idea of its importance, and of the prosperity to which it has risen by degrees. It possesses an establishment of silk worms, eight or ten silk manufactures, eighty one cotton manufactures, five morocco manufactures, seventy-four dye houses, twenty four brick kilns, ninety-two vineyard plots, two hundred and twelve mills, &c. The commercial houses consist of eleven hundred and eighty Russians, five foreigners, eighteen Tartars and four Hindoos. Amongst the inhabitants here are two thousand one hundred and eighty two Persians, Buchares and Hindoos. The town contains two thousand shops, six convents, fifty-seven churches, four of which are Armenian, two Greek, one Lutheran, twenty-seven Tartar mosques, and a meeting house of Hindoos.
TURKEY.
From the borders of the Danube, November 2.
Tranquility has not been of long duration in the province of European Turkey. From every quarter we learn that the fire of rebellion has burst forth anew on different points: border of brigands have again made their appearance in the province of Romania; it is even reported they have repulsed the troops sent against them. We are also informed that the Montenegrins (inhabitants of Turkish Albania) are in complete insurrection. The Pacha of Bosnia endeavoured to suppress the movements, but completely failed in the attempt; it is asserted even that part of his troops went over to the rebels. The
spirit of revolt has likewise manifested itself in Macedonia; in short every thing seems to presage that European Turkey will soon be in a state of total disorganization, and abandoned to the most deplorable anarchy. The measures the Porte had taken have produced but a momentary advantage. They were too confined and not sufficiently energetic to restore tranquillity. This state of things cannot be otherwise but infinitely injurious to the commercial relations between the subjects of Austria and the Turks; they begin already to experience a great stagnation, especially in what concerns the exportation of foreign merchandise.
LONDON, November 19.
An American gentleman who arrived in town on Thursday from Paris, states, that M. Markoff has lately experienced a fresh insult from the First Consul, who is enraged at the interference of the Emperor Alexander, respecting the threatened attack upon Portugal. The diurnal press, it is said, has been excited to calumniate the Ambassador, and it has been intimated to those of other courts, that his exclusion from their public entertainments will be personally gratifying to the First Consul.
We have not seen any recent Paris journals to enable us to examine whether such attacks have actually been made upon M. Markoff. It is known, however, to every one that at the last Consular Levee of which we have received accounts, that gentleman was not present.
In addition to the above we have to notice a very important letter received in town yesterday, from the coast of Suffolk, where it was put into the post from a Danish brig bound to the coast of France. It is dated from Hamburg, two days later than those by the last mail, and states as follows:
Yesterday afternoon a Courier arrived here from St. Petersburg, with official intelligence of an entire change in the Russian Ministry. Woznessensky is out, and his brother, the Ambassador at your Court, is expected, will be immediately sent for. What this change portends, we cannot exactly say, but trust it will be favorable to England and her cause. Sir John B. Warren, the English Ambassador, immediately on its taking place, dispatched a messenger to his Court with the intelligence. I am not acquainted with further particulars, but you may depend on the fact, which, unless the English Messenger shall have previously arrived is so important, that I have got the Captain of a neutral vessel to take charge of this letter, and to forward it from the first English port he may come near."
We do not possess the means of ascertaining what degree of credit is due to the above letter, which we copy from a respectable morning paper; but the statement carries probability along with it. A few days will either confirm or contradict this intelligence.
November 20.
The French threaten to invade us—His Majesty has told us—our government seems to believe it—Norwithstanding these appearances, I do not believe a Frenchman will, or can, in a hostile manner, set his foot on this island. But I believe they will attempt it; and I believe that, if our main does not do its duty, they will be able to land.
Supposing them not to land, and that all their preparations are only intended to distress our public credit, they gain a much greater end, if you do not do your duty, by that, than if they did land. If they do land, they must be destroyed; if they do not land they must destroy us; if any number among us are faint hearted enough to imagine that their landing can, in any respect, make that system of the present government, under which all of us enjoy every blessing that liberty can bestow, or industry can purchase.
Public credit in England at present is built on durable principles, it is as firm, and will be as lasting, as the heaviest work of manual labour; but the moment you destroy a certain step in the wonderful fabric, down tumbles the whole. The public credit of England is her public safety, and is built upon the strength, and the most interesting of all principles, that of self preservation. There is not a man, there is not a beggar in England, whose interest it is not to support it—when Englishmen support it not, Chaos is some again. It is in vain for any among you to say, how can the public funds, be they good, bad or indifferent,
affect me? I have nothing in them; I do not know a friend in the world of mine that has any thing. But you have; the very person who gives you bread, if he does not depend upon the public fund for his immediate support, depends on one or other who does, fathers in his fortune, the peace depending on him must do the same, and you must be consequently ruined. Such is the scale of progression in public credit, but when the support is withdrawn, the whole is undone. You are my friends, to rest how near, how very near, the verge of a few banditti in the year 1745, brought this precious gem to the verge of ruin. It could have been saved only upon the principle I now recommend to you—that of self preservation. The merchants of London law they themselves must be ruined if public credit was not supported; and upon the principal of self preservation, and upon that principal only, some of them, who were far from being friends to the present establishment, ceased to be its enemies—they supported the credit of their country, and thereby supported, enriched, nay, dignified themselves.
Having said thus much on the probable disposition that the French never can effect a descent upon Great Britain, but that their even menacing it, may have an effect detrimental to our public credit, which every one among us ought to guard against, let me now proceed a little to examine the conduct that every true Britain ought to observe, in case (which I believe never will be the case) 30,000 were actually landed on the British shores.
Other writers will tell you, contribute, subscribe, and associate—b—b—to what? to be sure to fight. I say fight yourselves—every man who owes allegiance to his King and country, ought on such an emergency as an invasion, not only to hire other people to fight, but he ought to fight himself, aye, propria persona .
This is not a dispute about ministers or modes of government, it is a dispute about our own liberties and properties, whether they shall be destroyed, or whether they shall outlive the ambition and revenge of a people who have often attempted to destroy both. Let us in such a conjuncture imitate the Romans, who, whenever they were threatened with a Gallic war, superceded all civil business, and each betook himself to his spear and shield.
My friends and countrymen, it is but once that this dispute can happen if you behave manfully, you never can have occasion to renew it; there is no Great Britain a denomination of your party that is not interested to repel such an invasion. In conquest there is no respect of party—look at your own history—William the Norman had a great party in England, Edgar Atheling was a pretender to the crown, and had an undoubted right of blood, but when William invaded and conquered, what did that avail? Nothing; the whole property of England was parcelled out among his followers; Englishmen were reduced to a state of vassalage, and would have been exterminated, had it not been that they were useful in hewing wood and drawing water.
Such, my friends and countrymen, must be our fate, if we exert not ourselves as men. If we are invaded, the encouragement our enemies have, proceeds from their opinion of our divisions. Let us unite! Let our great men see they shall be supported and make the common cause; let there be no man in England too great to draw a sword in defence of the country. The man who, upon such an occasion, should plead the privilege of a title or riband, is a coward—is something worse.
If, my friends and countrymen, you are thus united, and thus determined, let the French land, loathe the matter of the sea, and open the gates to invasion. It will be the happiest event that it can happen to you, if you are not utterly destroyed. Neither we, nor they, will ever hear more of these invasive panics which have cost the nation upwards of thirty millions to guard against. The courage of our brave ancestors upon many occasions, gave the start of exercise and military discipline, when fighting all they held dear as men and Englishmen. Look into your history, when Charles II with one of the best veteran armies in Europe, had advanced as far as Brestford against the city of London, his progress was checked—By whom? By the apprentices and shopkeepers of London, who thought their liberties endangered.

CORK, November 28.
One packet only, that of Sunday the 20th, having been received since our last, our readers will find this day's publication uncommonly barren of incidents.
In this number and in our last, we have given extracts from foreign journals, which may show the opinions entertained on this continent with respect to the threatened invasion of England by the French. From these it may be seen that it is supposed the real views of the French government are directed towards the Levant; we have mentioned in a former publication, that the possession of the Archipelago and Egypt would indemnify the republic for the loss of her possessions in the West-Indies. Thus the island of Cyprus produces cotton of a fine kind, though not by any means in the same quantity as when it was in the possession of the Venetians; at that period there were also extensive plantations of sugar-canes in this island, which were destroyed by the Turks. This island is valuable also on account of its minerals and of its situation with respect to Egypt, the conquest of which would have been considerably facilitated by the possession of Cyprus, where the French would find zealous partisans in the Greeks. Numerous harbours which it would be easy to put in a respectable state of defence would preserve the fleet secure from any attack—ships cruising in the sea of Syria, would block up all its ports, and at a favorable moment these ships, favoured by the rapid current, would speedily transport over the short distance of seventy leagues from Cyprus to Alexandria, an army accustomed to the heat of the climate, and reinforced by Cypriots. The disembarkation being effected, the fleet might quit the dangerous shores of Alexandria, and regain the roads of Cyprus. An easy, quick and continual communication, which it would be extremely difficult for the English cruisers to intercept, might be kept up between the two colonies; the island would furnish the continent with provisions and with wood, in which Egypt is extremely deficient—the French army might make descents on the coast of Syria, and thus avoid long and destructive marches over the burning sands which separate Asia from Africa. The resources which the island of Cyprus affords for the conquest of Egypt extend also to its preservation; they would considerably facilitate and secure the acquisition of a country, which, from its situation, is the key and emporium of the commerce of three great divisions of the world, and of which the Roman Emperors, who were acquainted with its importance, were so jealous that they strictly forbade the entrance of it to Senators and Generals who had not obtained their express permission for that purpose, from an apprehension that the prodigious fertility and the delights of that beautiful and rich country might induce them to attempt usurpation. Placed on the route which vessels from the North of Greece must hold in order to repair to Syria and Egypt, the island of Rhodes would, in other hands, become an emporium of a very considerable commerce; its ports would afford places of shelter and refreshment, and its proximity to the coasts would render it mistress of the trade of part of Asia, and it would participate in that of Egypt and of the other neighbouring countries: a situation so happy could not have remained useless but under the government of the Turks; under any other it would become a fertile source of prosperity. While its position, its vicinity to a long extent of coast and numerous islands, and the good quality of the wood which its forests furnish for ship-building, necessarily make the people of Rhodes a people of navigators, several harbours invite thither commerce, and multiply and facilitate its means. Caves, which render the figure of the island irregular form roadsteads, havens and bays, in which vessels can deposit and receive their lading, supply themselves with excellent water and provisions of every sort, sheltered secure from the winds.
The other islands of the Archipelago offer also considerable attraction to an enterprising and ambitious nation like France, which is not restrained by laws by which the civilized world has been governed hitherto. Of these undoubtedly the most important is Candia, whose position seems to ensure the Empire and commerce of the Mediterranean. Contiguity to Europe, Asia and Africa, and its grand and spacious harbours would render it a formidable position in the hands of a power that meditates plans of conquest in every portion of the old world. With the advantages to be derived from the possession of these islands the French government is well acquainted; even during the reign of Louis XVI, scientific men were sent to explore the Archipelago and Egypt; and the plan of subjugating the latter country was conceived under the reign of Louis XIV, and lay for whole generations in the dépot of the invalids untouched, but not forgotten. It was as length adopted, and executed in a manner that astonished Europe. Whoever maturely weighs those circumstances
will not be disposed to consider the projects of France with respect to the Levant as chimerical. During the administration of Bonaparte the Republic has had her commerce annihilated, and the most valuable possessions in the West-Indies lost to her forever; those who are acquainted with the character of the First Consul, will naturally conclude that he will endeavor to remove this stigma, by procuring to France some compensation for her losses, and he cannot seek for it any where, with so much probability of success, as in the tottering Empire of the Grand Seigneur.
BOSTON, January 30.
LATE FROM EUROPE.
By the ship Bath, capt. Thresher, arrived here on Saturday last from Liverpool, we have received London papers to the 28th, and Liverpool to the 30th of November.
We are somewhat disappointed in the importance of their contents, for though many days later than our precedent accounts from Europe, they furnish nothing of sufficient interest to gratify the public mind, at this critical juncture of European affairs. The following remarks from a paper of the 27th Nov. afford some information on the subject of the long boasted of invasion of Great Britain.
"It was reported that the late tempestuous weather had compelled our fleet to abandon the blockade of Brest; this report we are happy to contradict. Our ships are still off that port, and there is no fear that the enemy will elude their vigilance."
"The invasion seems now to have assumed another character. The French have revived their confidence in their ships of war, and it is generally believed that they are laden with troops to be employed in the invasion. As yet a common centre for the gun boats is certainly not formed, and the accumulation of this craft in Bologne cannot be considered as formidable. It is very difficult to say any thing new upon this topic; but it may be safely assumed that Ireland is the point which the Brest fleet has in view. The order which has been sent to the several departments in France to discontinue the building of gun-boats is sufficient evidence that the attention of government is now turned to the fleet; at the same time that we know that the camps in the neighborhood of Bologne are for the most part broken up, and the soldiers have received orders to march for the Western coast. Two points, therefore, may be clearly ascertained: first, that the gun-boats are intended for the invasion of England, and the fleet for a descent on Ireland; secondly, that the hopes of a successful invasion of England are greatly diminished, by the late damp thrown upon the building of gun-boats, and that the expectation of reaching Ireland is renewed by the uncommon attentions lately bestowed upon the fleet. Admiral Cornwallis now blocks Brest with a superior force, and the enemy's fleet cannot venture out in face of his; but speculating on the prospect of his being forced off by stress of weather, a circumstance extremely probable, they defer their attempt at invasion till that opportunity. Supposing, however, current to be blown off, the danger is not so great as many imagine, and the enemy are expected to the most imminent hazards. When the Brest fleet escaped upon the last attempt upon Ireland, we know that they were above a fortnight off the coast, and had anchored above seven days in Bantry Bay, without an opportunity being offered to them of landing their men. The chances which were then in our favor we may expect now, and as their escape would be almost instantly known, it may be fairly argued that we should come up to them before a descent could be made on any part of the Irish coast; for there is this disadvantage attending ships of war laden with troops, that they require a great time to land them in common boats, and must consult wind and tides; a difficulty which was meant to be obviated in the invasion of gun-boats, which might push to land directly, and deposit their cargoes without delay."
"Altogether, nothing can be more barren than the intelligence of the week. The meeting of parliament promises some variety to the topics of the day; but, as yet, has produced none. In a word, the question of invasion is exactly in the same plight in which it was two months ago."
District of Columbia County, of Washington to wit:
ON the petition of Charles Bastian an insolvent debtor confined in the prison of Washington county for debt. It is ordered that notice be given to the creditors of the said Bastian, that on the 13th day of February inst. at 10 o'clock A. M. at the court room in the capitol the oath of an insolvent debtor will be administered to the said Bastian agreeably to the act of Congress in such case lately made and provided unless cause be shown to the contrary. And it is also ordered that this notice be published once in the National Intelligencer prior to the said day. By order of Wm. Cranch. Esq. assistant judge.
URIAH FORREST, CLK. Feb. 2-7t
WASHINGTON CITY.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1804.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman residing in Concord, N. Carolina, dated Jan. 25, 1804.
"Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 19th ult. came safe to hand and agreeable to your request, will give you such information as I am in possession of, on the subject of the gold mine. Its discovery was made early in the month of July, 1803, by a small son of Mr. Reeds who was diverting himself in shooting small fish with a bow and arrow. He discovered a piece near the size of the one enclosed, at the bottom of the creek, and immediately showed it to his father. The face of the country in the neighborhood of this place is for the most part very uneven—the soil barren and rocky. The bed of the creek where the gold has as yet been found is composed of perpendicular strata, of rock running N. E. and S. W.—in the chinks of which, intermixed with sand, the gold is found. The flint and a blue colored rock prevail. Another kind is found irregularly interspersed, perfectly black, & incrustated with a substance resembling soot. Another substance resembling a cement made of tar and sand is found. This, Sir, is as near as I can give a description of the bed of the creek where the gold is found.
The large mass, you mention lost about fifteen per cent. Smaller masses loose from two to five per cent.
The enclosed piece will give you a more correct idea of the gold in its natural state, than any description which I can give. The total amount found is estimated to be worth between twelve and fifteen thousand dollars.
The Senate of Pennsylvania have by vote declared the seat held by Gen. John Steel in that body vacant because he accepted of an appointment from the governor as one of the commissioners under the act of 1799 which contemplates the settlement of the disputes between the Connecticut settlers, at Wyoming and the Pennsylvania claimants; a majority of the Senate thought the holding of that commission or appointment incompatible with his holding a seat in the Senate.
House of Representatives.
MONDAY, February 6.
The Speaker laid before the House a report from the Commissioners of the sinking fund.
The House resumed the consideration of the unfinished business of Friday—being the report of the Committee of conference on the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill for carrying into effect the laws of the United States in Louisiana.
The Speaker stated that when the House had adjourned, an amendment had been offered to the report, which he had declared in order, and that an appeal had been made from his decision.
At the request of a member, the Speaker stated several precedents, considered by him to be in point; and declared that on mature reflection he was of opinion that the amendment was in order: on which Mr. Nicholson observed that he had made the appeal, in consequence of the doubts suggested by the Speaker; as they were removed, he would withdraw his motion.
The amendment of Mr. Varnum was then stated, and after considerable verbal variation, was agreed to in such a form, as substantially to allow all the inhabitants of Louisiana on the 30th of April, on taking an oath of allegiance to the United States, and citizens, to obtain registers for their vessels.
On this motion a debate of some length was had; in which it was supported by Messrs. Lucas, Varnum, G. W. Campbell, Bedinger, Smaille, Dennis, Sloan and Holland; and opposed by Messrs. Nicholson, Dana and Hastings.
On agreeing to the amendment the House divided—Ayes 55—Noes 48.
The remaining part of the report of the committee of conference was then agreed to without any division.
Mr. J. Randolph, for the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two houses on the bill making appropriations for the military establishment, made a report.
The report recommends an agreement to all the amendments proposed by the Senate.
The House concurred in the report, excepting so far as regarded an amendment of the Senate appropriating 4,500 dollars for paying the postage of letters received or forwarded by the Adjutant and Inspector and on their disagreement to which they insisted.
Mr. Jackson, observed that it would be found by a recurrence to the journals, that a resolution had been offered for discontinuing the offices of commissioners of loans, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, who had
reported a disagreement thereto—To this report the House, after a full discussion, had disagreed—Yeas 58—Nays 55.—It would also be found that on a subsequent day, a resolution had been offered for the appointment of a select committee to bring in a bill for the discontinuance of those officers—This resolution appeared to have been rejected—Yeas 52—Nays 53. It followed from this statement, that the first decision had been made when there were one hundred and thirteen members present, while the last was made when there were but 110 members present. The use, Mr. J. said, which he meant to make of these facts, was this; that inasmuch as the House, by their first decision, had negatived the disagreement of the committee of Ways and Means to the original resolution, that resolution must be considered as still before the House; which was that the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to bring in a bill;—Whereas the last vote had only decided that a Select Committee should not be appointed to bring in a bill. He, therefore, gave notice that he should, on Thursday next, call up the original resolution.
TUESDAY, February 7.
Mr. Thomas from the committee on the subject of the Post Office and post roads, reported a bill "further to alter and establish certain post roads and for other purposes," which was read a second time and made the order of the day for Tuesday next.
Mr. Dennis submitted certain propositions providing for vesting in the Circuit Court of Columbia the general power to lay out roads in the district.
Referred to the committee of the whole raised on a bill for a like purpose.
The House took up Dr. Leib's motion for the appointment of a committee to bring in a bill to prohibit the appointment of Judges of the United States to all other offices, & agreed to it. Ayes 67.
On motion of Mr. Nicholson, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Smith of New-York in the chair—on the report of the committee appointed to enquire into the expediency of amending the several acts, providing for the sale of the public lands of the United States.
The following resolution was before the committee of the whole on a former day:
"Resolved, That the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury & the Attorney General for the time being, be authorized to receive propositions of compromise and settlement, from the several companies, or persons claiming public lands in the territory of the United States, lying south of the state of Tennessee, and west of the state of Georgia; and finally to adjust and settle the same in such manner as in their opinion, will conduce to the interest of the United States." An amendment, limiting the powers of the commissioners to the limits prescribed by the convention between the United States and Georgia, had been adopted in the committee of the whole.
No records being kept of the proceedings in committee of the whole, a question arose, how far the committee had proceeded on the subject heretofore?
Mr. Varnum suggested that the resolution, as amended, had been agreed to, This being denied by other gentlemen the committee proceeded to debate the resolution.
Mr. Gregg made a few observations against the resolution, and Messrs. Nicholson and Jackson replied. When
Mr. Elliot observed that he was apprehensive the debate was perfectly out of order. Upon reflection, he was convinced beyond a doubt that the resolution, as amended, had already been adopted in committee of the whole.
This statement being confirmed by Mr. Varnum and Mr. Tenney.
The chairman decided that it was not in order further to debate the merits of the resolution.
Mr. Eustis moved that the committee rise and report the resolution to the House.
Mr. Nicholson, although in favor of the resolution, moved to reconsider it, in order to open the debate de novo .
Mr. Elliot enquired of the chairman whether the motion to reconsider suspended the motion to rise and report?
The chairman decided that it did not.
The committee then rose and reported the resolution as amended—When
Mr. Huger moved that the farther consideration of the resolution be postponed for a fortnight, in order to introduce an amendment placing the Virginia and South Carolina Yazoo companies on the same footing with other claimants.
This motion was withdrawn on the suggestion of
Mr. J. Randolph, who moved to recommit the resolution to a committee of the whole. After considerable debate, the motion was lost—Ayes 50—Noes 54.
The question recurring on postponement, was, likewise, after debate lost.
M c Bryan moved to refer the subject to a select committee—lost—Ayes 37—Noes 59.
When the House adjourned without deciding on the resolution reported by the Committee.
To the Editor of the Daily Advertiser.
AMERICAN CONSULATE.
Bordeaux, Nov. 10, 1803.
"For the information of the merchants of the United States, I take the liberty to enclose you for publication a list of such India goods as best suit this market, accompanied by an Arrêté of the 6th Brumaire, (29th Oct, 1803,) concerning the same."
"All cotton cloths coming from India via the United States, will be admitted into this country on paying the duties specified in this law."
"There must first be an importation here before I can ascertain what the amount of this duty will be. It cannot I think fall short of 33 1/3 per cent. on the value."
With esteem, I am Sir,
Your most obedient servant, WILLIAM LEE."
Substance of a Law passed the 6th of Brumaire, an. 12, (29th Oct. 1803) concerning cotton, and cotton goods.
Cotton wool shall pay on its importation or exportation, fifty centimes per 100 lbs. French weight.
Cotton twill shall pay on importation as follows:
All numbers of twill under No. 30, four francs; from No. 30 to 40, four cents; from No. 60 to 100, five francs; from No. 100 and upward, six francs, per kilogram of 2 lbs. French weight.
Cloths, not dyed nor stained, of cotton and thread shall pay on importation five centimes; cotton only and mouselin, per every squared yard of 40 inches each shall be contained in every kilogram of 2 lbs. French weight.
The same goods dyed or stained of one colour only 50 centimes in addition, 55 centimes per square yard as above.
The same goods dyed or stained of more colours than one, one franc in addition to the above, or one franc fifty-five centimes per square yard as above.
It is understood that these goods cannot be imported from Great Britain or any of its colonies.
The above duties, except those on cotton and wool, are drawn back on exportation from hence of the other above goods.
PROPOSALS
For engraving and printing by subscription, an original work, consisting of two ENGRAVINGS by
JOHN L. BOQUET DE MOISSAI,
Designer, Drawer, Geographer and Engineer and by him dedicated, by permission to THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. President of the United States.
THE first exhibiting a plan of LOUISIANA, the Fortifications, Suburbs, &c. extending from the city of New Orleans, as far as the Bayou of St. John.
The second exhibiting a view of the City of NEW ORLEANS, and of its environs; displaying all the principal and most remarkable buildings, the Place D'Armes, &c. &c. the names of which buildings and places are explained, by means of a alphabetical letters.
These two engravings will represent all that is necessary to be known, with regard to the plan and view of Louisiana, the city of New Orleans, its suburbs, environs, &c. as far as the Lake Poychartrain, including the principal and most remarkable edifices.
The plan and view were taken from the habitation of Marigny, and extend as far as the plantation of M. Del Or.
The author's residence at New Orleans during a number of years, has enabled him to exercise his profession of Designer and Engraver to the best advantage, and he flatters himself of presenting to the citizens of the United States of America, as accurate and complete a plan and view of Louisiana, and the city of New Orleans, &c. as ever can be drawn.
The work for which the patronage of the enlightened citizens of America is now solicited, has cost the author above six years arduous and unremitting labor and close application, and he fondly cherishes the hope that Americans will extend to him a share of that encouragement they are wont to do on works of merit.
The work being in a considerable state of forwardness, the author expects it will be ready for delivery in about six months hence.
ERMS.
The plan of Louisiana will be 31 inches high, and 21 inches wide.
The view of New Orleans will be 21 inches high, and 12 inches wide.
They will be delivered to subscribers at Ten Dollars for both—and Twelve dollars to non-subscribers.
A subscription paper is left at Wm. Duane's store, Washington, and at John March's George Town. Feb. 1-3t
In Chancery, Feb. 1, 1804.
ORDERED that the sale made by John Hewitt trustee for the sale of the real estate of Gerard T. Conner, shall be ratified and confirmed unless cause to the contrary be shown on or before the third day of April next, provided a copy of this order be inserted in the National Intelligencer before the first day of March next.
The report states that a tract of land in Montgomery county called Elizabeth, containing 173 acre was sold for 601 dollars.
for SAMUEL HARVEY HOWARD, Reg. Cur. Can. Feb. 8.—wjt

Fifty Dollars Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber about the 27th of November last, a negro man called BILLY BUNDY , about 26 years old, yellow complexion, bends forward with his knees, a large scar on or near one of his heels, and has a habit of stroking his chin when spoken to, he has for some time worked at the carpenter's trade. The above reward will be given on delivering him to the subscriber, or thirty dollars to secure him in jail so that I get him again.
LUCY BROOKE. Fifex County, Virginia, Feb. 8.—2m
SELIM.
A GENUINE Arabian Horse, brought to this country last summer by captain James Barron, in the United States Frigate Chesapeake, on her return from the Mediterranean. The said horse was brought from Egypt by the way of Malta, and from thence to Gibraltar, at which place capt. Barron obtained him from captain Ramsay, of the Queen's Regiment, who intended him for England, but was prevailed on to let him come to this country. He will stand the ensuing season at my house in Dinwiddie county, near the Cut Bank Bridge, on Newtowny River. The terms will be made known in due time. And whereas doubts may have arisen with respect to his being an Arabian, the subscriber pledges himself in case it should be made appear otherwise than has been stated in captain Ramsay's certificate, at any future reasonable time, to reimburse the money the said horse covers at such gentleman as think proper to find to him. The manner of his coming, and the character who brought him, are in addition to this guarantee, as well as undeniable respectable certificates, such testimony of his being a genuine Arabian, whatever interest or prejudiced minds may advance to the contrary, that an attempt to further proof of this horse being really Arabian bred, is thought at this time unnecessary, yet I beg leave to submit that he is considered upon the ground of being genuine, a great acquisition by those who are really acquainted with the character of the Arabian horses.
WM. STARK. Groveland, Dinwiddie county, Feb. 8.—1m.
NOTICE.
H AVING suffered considerable injury in our stock, from having our fences pulled down, by people under the pretence of hunting, we hereby forwarn all persons from hunting on our plantations with gun or dog, or riding thro' them otherwise than as the road goes under the penalty of being dealt with as the law directs.
B. MACKALL, T. F. BROOK. Prince Georges county, Feb. 8.—3t.
War Department, Feb. 8th 1804.
Notice is hereby given,
THAT separate proposals will be received at the office of the Secretary for the Department of War, until the eighteenth day of May next ensuing, for the supply of all rations which may be required for the use of the United States, from the 1st day of October, 1804, until the 30th day of September, 1805, both days inclusive, at the following places, viz:
First. At Niagara, Detroit, Michilimackinac, Chikago, Fort Wayne, the post on the Miami of the Lakes, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Ohio, and at any place or places within the Indiana territory north of the 4th degree of north latitude.
Second. At South West Point, Tellico, Knoxville, Nashville, and within the Cherokee nation between Tennessee and Georgia, and on the Tennessee river, and on the road between said river and Nashville, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Third. At the garrison near Vincennes, on the river Wabash.
Fourth. At Fort Massac, near the mouth of the Ohio, Kaskaskia, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the Indiana territory, south of the 4th degree of north latitude, (Vincennes excepted.)
Fifth. At St. Louis, New Madrid, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited in Louisiana, north of the 31st degree of north latitude, on the river Arkansas.
Sixth. At Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas, Natchez, Fort Adams, Fort Stoddart on the Mobile, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the Mississippi territory, and on the road between Natchez and the Tennessee river, (the post on said river excepted.)
Seventh. At New Orleans, and at any place or places on the Mississippi river, below Fort Adams, and at Opelousas, Natchitoches, and at any other place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched, or recruited in Louisiana, not before mentioned, or provided for.
Separate proposals will also be received as aforesaid, for the supply of all rations, which may be required for the use of the United States, from the 1st day of January, 1805, until the 31st day of December of the same year, both days inclusive, within the several states herein after mentioned, viz:
Eighth. At Fort Wilkinson, Cockspur Island, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Georgia, and on the Indian boundary between Georgia and the Creek nation.
Ninth. At Charleston, Rocky Mountain, on the head waters of the Santee, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the states of South and North Carolina.
Tenth. At Norfolk, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Virginia.
Eleventh. At Fort M'Henry, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Maryland and the district of Columbia.
Twelfth. At Fort Millin, Pittsburg, Carlisle, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Thirteenth. At Fort Jay, West Point, Albany, Schenectady, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of New York, (Niagara excepted.)
Fourteenth. At Fort Trumbull, Fort Walcott, & at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Fifteenth. At Fort Independence, (Boston harbour) and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of Massachusetts, (the district of Maine excepted.)
Sixteenth. At Portsmouth, Portland, and at any place or places where troops are or may be stationed, marched or recruited within the state of New Hampshire and the district of Maine.
A ration to consist of one pound and one quarter of beef or three quarters of a pound of pork, eighteen ounces of bread or flour, one gill of rum, whisky or Brandy, and at the rate of two quarts of salt, four quarts of vinegar, four pounds of soap, and one pound and one half of candles to every hundred rations. The prices of the several component parts of the ration should be specified; but the United States reserve the right of making such alterations in the price of the component parts of the ration aforesaid as shall make the price of each part thereof bear a just proportion to the proposed price for the whole ration.
The rations are to be furnished in such quantities, that there shall at all times during the term of the proposed contract, be sufficient for the consumption of the troops at Michilimackinac, Detroit, Niagara and Chikago for six months in advance, and at each of the other posts on the western waters for at least three months in advance, of good and wholesome provisions if the same shall be required. It is also to be permitted to all and every of the Commandants or fortified places or posts to call for rations when the same can be transported, or at any time in the case of urgency such supplies of like provisions in advance, as in the discretion of the Commandant shall be deemed proper.
It is to be understood that the contractor is to be at the expense and risk of issuing the supplies to the troops, and that all losses sustained by the depredation of an enemy, or by means of the troops of the United States, shall be paid by the United States at the price of the articles captured or destroyed as aforesaid, on the deposition of two or more persons of credit, the loss, and the amount of the circumstances of the loss, and the amount of the articles for which compensation shall be claimed.
The privilege is understood to be reserved to the United States of requiring that none of the supplies which may be furnished under any of the proposed contracts, shall be issued until the supplies which have been or may be furnished under contracts now in force, have been consumed, and that a supply in advance may be always required at any of the fixed posts on the Sea board or Indian frontiers, not exceeding three months.
DEARBORN. Secretary of War. 2aw May 18.
Fifty Dollars Reward.
W AS stolen out of the subscriber's team on the 16th inst. in the town of Baltimore, a bay MARE four years old next spring, a natural trotter, handsome and stout made, also saddle, saddle bags, and bridle all new. The person who took the property above mentioned drove the subscriber's team to Baltimore with a load of flour which he sold, the balance of the team was left in the yard of Nicholas Walters in Market Street, the thief's name is JOHN SMITH, he is about five feet ten inches high, marked with the small pox; had on a blue coat, striped swansdown vest, a new great coat, blue made of rough cloth, and new hat. Whoever takes up said Smith and gives information to Messrs Finley Taylor and Finley residing in Howard and Street Baltimore, or to the subscriber living in Adams county Pennsylvania so that he gets him with the Mare, shall receive the above reward, or twenty dollars for the Mare and thirty for the thief.
JAMES REED. Feb 8—3t
Heron's Junius. This day is published by RAPINE, CONRAD, & Co. NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NEAR THE CAPITOL.
THE LETTERS OF JUNIUS , with notes and illustrations, historical, biographical and critical, by Robert Heron, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo.—price 5 dollars.
This edition contains all the letters of Junius, Philo Junius, and Sir William Draper and Mr. Horne to Junius, with their respective dates, and according to the order in which they appeared in the public advertiser. Also, just come to hand. The Domestic Encyclopaedia, vol. 4th. Sermons by Jean Baptiste Massillon, Bishop of Clermont. 2 vols. 8vo. Music—Young Colinetta—Love is a torment—Old Tower—Female Auctioneer. Where's the harm of that—Hear Priscilla.
PATENT MACHINE
For boring Holes in Rocks under water or in any situation and blasting them. THE subscriber having purchased the patent right from Jean Baptiste Aveille, the original inventor, for the counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, Jefferson, Berkeley, Augusta, Rockingham, Hampshire, Hardy and Botetourt in the state of Virginia, will dispose of it to any person or company for any particular object. The model may be seen at any time, and terms made known by A. LINDO, Fred. Co. Vir. Winchester Jan. 18—wtf
Valuable Land for Sale.
The executors of the last will and testament of Anthony Holmead deceased, will sell at private sale about forty acres of Land adjoining the city of Washington at the northern extremity of 20th street west. This land is generally allowed to be one of the handsomest situations near the city, having a beautiful prospect of nearly the whole of the city of Washington, Alexandria and George Town, and any person inclined to purchase this valuable property, will be shown the same, and know the terms by application to the subscriber near the premises. JOHN HOLMEAD. November 11—wtf
REPORT.
The committee appointed to enquire into the expediency of amending the several laws, providing for the sale of the public lands of the United States, and to whom were likewise referred several petitions from sundry persons residing in the state of Ohio, upon the same subject; submit an additional report, in part, and recommend to the House, the adoption of the following
RESOLUTIONS.
1. Resolved , That from and after the day next, the public lands of the United States, lying north of the river Ohio, shall be sold on payment of one twentieth part of the purchase money at the time of making the purchase, and the remainder within sixty days, thereafter, the first payment to be forfeited, and the sale to be void, unless the second payment is made within the time above limited.
2. Resolved , That from and after the said day next, those townships which have heretofore been sold in half sections, may be purchased, at the option of the purchaser, either in half or quarter sections, in which last case the half sections shall be divided on the application and at the expense of the purchaser, into two equal parts, by a line running due east and west.
Resolved , That from and after the said day next, those townships which have heretofore been sold in entire sections, may be purchased either in entire or in half sections at the option of the purchaser; in which last case the section shall be divided into two equal parts, on the application and at the expense of the purchaser, by a line running due north and south.
4. Resolved , That the sections heretofore reserved in the Steubenville district, and in the tract lying between the two Miamis, south of the twelfth range of townships, shall from and after the said day next, be offered for sale on the same terms and in the same quantities as the other lands within the same townships respectively.
5. Resolved , That the public lands north of the river Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river, including the reserved sections mentioned in the preceding resolution, shall be offered for sale in half sections and in quarter sections, before the said day next, at the respective land offices, to the highest bidder, provided that no half section shall be sold for less than one dollar and eighty four cents per acre, and no quarter section for less than one dollar and eighty four cents, to be paid within forty days after the day of sale.
6. Resolved , That the said lands may after the said day next, be purchased at the respective land offices, at the rate of one dollar and eighty four cents per acre for each entire or half section and at the rate of one dollar and eighty four cents per acre for each quarter section.
7. Resolved , That no interest shall be charged to persons who have purchased, or who, before the said day next, shall purchase any of the said lands, in pursuance of the act of the 10th day of May, 1800, and shall not have alienated the same; provided that they shall have discharged, and shall hereafter discharge the instalments due on the said lands, on or before the days on which the same have, or may become due; but the interest shall be demandable, in conformity with the provisions of the said act, from the date of the purchase, on each instalment which shall not have been paid on the day on which the same became or shall become due.
8. Resolved , That certificates receivable in payment for lands, shall be granted to persons entitled to the benefit of the last preceding resolution, & who shall have completed their payments before the passing of this act, for a sum equivalent to the interest which has been charged them, and from the payment of which it is intended they should be exonerated.
9. Resolved , That the authorities vested in, and the duties enjoined on the surveyor general, shall extend to all the public lands to which the Indian title has been extinguished, north of the river Ohio and east of the river Mississippi.
10. Resolved , That whenever any of the public lands shall have been surveyed in conformity with the existing laws, they shall be divided by the Secretary of the Treasury into convenient districts; and a deputy surveyor shall with the approbation of the said Secretary, be appointed for each district by the surveyor general, whose duty it shall be to run and mark such lines as may be necessary for dividing and classifying the surveys of the lands in the United States; for which services they shall receive five dollars, for every mile thus surveyed and marked from the purchaser of such lands.
11. Resolved , That from and after the day next, each of the registers and receivers of the land offices heretofore established by law, shall in addition to the commission heretofore allowed, receive one half per cent. on all the monies paid for public land, & an annual salary of five hundred dollars, the register and receiver of the land office at Marietta excepted; the annual salary of each of whom shall be only two hundred and fifty dollars.
12. Resolved , That from and after the day next, the fees payable by virtue of the act of the 10th of May 1800, for surveying expenses, patents, entry of lands and certificates granted by the register, shall no longer be demandable from and paid by the purchasers.
13. Resolved , That the two tracts of land lately purchased from the Indians on the Wabash, and between the rivers Mississippi and Ohio, shall be surveyed and offered for sale, in the same manner and on the same terms as the public lands north of the river Ohio, and above the mouth of the river Kentucky and in conformity with the preceding resolutions.
Letter from the Chairman of the Committee, appointed to enquire into the expediency of amending the several acts providing for the sale of the public lands of the United States. December 1, 1803.
SIR, The committee appointed to enquire into the expediency of amending the several laws providing for the sale of the public lands of the United States, discovering that a variety of objects embraced by the several petitions referred to them, are connected with, and may materially affect the revenue, they have directed me to submit to you the following propositions; and to request such information as the nature of the subject may require.
Will the sales of the lands be retarded or accelerated, and how will the revenue be affected.
1st. By selling the lands in smaller tracts.
2ndly. By charging no interest on the amount of sales, until after the purchaser has made default in payment.
3rdly. By selling for cash instead of giving the credit now authorised by law.
4thly. By reducing the price of the lands.
5thly. By making grants of small tracts to actual settlers, and improvers.
As from the nature of your official duties, your attention has necessarily been frequently drawn to the several laws providing for the sale of the public lands, the committee will thank you to point out any defects which may have occurred in carrying them into effect; and to suggest such amendments as may appear to you proper to remedy existing inconveniences.
I have the honor to be, Sir, respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOSEPH H. NICHOLSON.
Accompanying a Report of the Committee to whom were referred on the 22d of November last, and 4th instant, the petitions of sundry residents and purchasers of land in the State of Ohio.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
January 2d, 1804.
SIR, In conformity with the request contained in your letter of the 1st ultimo, I have the honor to communicate such observations respecting the proposed alterations in the laws, providing for the sale of public lands, as have been suggested by their operation.
Under the present system, the public lands north of the river Ohio and east of the river Mississippi, are sold only in sections of one mile square, and containing six hundred and forty acres each. The other lands north of the Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river, are sold one half in sections, and the other half in half sections, containing three hundred and twenty acres each. No provision has yet been made by law, for the sale of the reserved sections which are interspersed through these lands, nor for that of the tracts lying below the mouth of Kentucky river, and lately purchased from the Indians; one of which is situated on the Wabash river, around St. Vincennes, and the other between the Mississippi and Ohio, above the confluence of those two rivers.
The price at which all the lands offered for sale may be purchased, is two dollars per acre, payable in specie or in six per cent. stock at par, and in four equal instalments, the first of which must be paid at the time, and the three others within two, three, and four years after the time of making the purchase. In every instance, except in the case of persons who had made contracts with judge Symmes, for lands lying between the two Miamis, interest at the rate of six per cent. a year is charged on the three last instalments, from the date of the purchase; and in every case, a discount at the rate of eight per cent. a year is allowed for prompt payment.
The cash price of the lands is therefore only one dollar and eighty four cents per acre, except for lands lying between the two Miamis, for which contracts had been made with judge Symmes, which may be paid for at the rate of one dollar and 64 cents per acre. It follows from thence, that if all the lands were sold on the same terms as the last mentioned, that is to say, without charging interest until after the instalments had become due, it would operate a reduction on their cash price, of twenty cents per acre.
The reasons which probably influenced the legislature in fixing a price so much beyond what had been the usual terms on which vacant lands had heretofore been granted in the several states, were a wish to prevent monopolies and large speculations, and at the same time to secure a permanent revenue to the union. The first object has been fully obtained; and although the proceeds of the sales have not been commensurate with the vast increase of population, more than nine hundred thousand acres have been sold in three years; on which near eight hundred thousand dollars have been received, and about eleven hundred thousand remain due by the purchasers.
It must, however, be observed, that the price of public securities, at the time of passing these laws, would have reduced the real cash price of lands at about a dollar and an half per acre, and that the sales have been affected by the competition of lands held by individuals in the Connecticut reserve, in the military tracts, and in Kentucky, and which might generally be purchased for a less price than that set on the public lands.
A considerable reduction of the price might be considered as a waste of the public property, and as promoting migration beyond its natural and necessary progress. It would certainly be injurious to private land holders, and by the wrong the lands into the hands of a few individuals, prevent that gradual and equal distribution of property which is the result of the present system. To reduce it only to what may be considered as the market price which actual settlers give for small tracts in similar situations, would only satisfy the demand for land created by the existing population, and without promoting migrations or speculations on a large scale, would increase the receipts in the treasury; provided that reduction was connected with another measure which is considered as of first importance for the security of that branch of the revenue.
It has been observed that about eleven hundred thousand dollars are due to the United States on account of preceding sales. Great difficulties may attend the recovery of that debt which is due by near two thousand individuals—and its daily increase may ultimately create an interest hostile to the general welfare of the union. It appears extremely desirable in every point of view, that lands should hereafter be sold without allowing any other credit than that of forty days, now given for the payment of the first instalment; and as that provision might be considered injurious to that part of the community, who are not able to make large payments, it would seem proper to connect it with a moderate reduction in the price, and with a permission to purchase smaller tracts than is now allowed by law.
Supposing that the lands which are now sold in entire sections should be offered for sale in half sections, that those which are now sold in half sections should be offered for sale in quarter sections, and that the price of entire and half sections should be reduced to one dollar and twenty five cents, and that of quarter sections to one dollar and an half per acre, it is believed that the benefits resulting from the present system would not be impaired, and that several important advantages would be obtained.
I. The price being still as high as that at which lands held by individuals, in similar situations are generally sold, and higher than can be afforded for any other purpose than that of improving the land or securing it for the use of the purchaser's family, monopolies and large speculations would be as effectually prevented as under the existing provisions.
II. The poorest individuals, as they cannot at present purchase less than 320 acres, must, in order to become free holders, be able to pay 160 dollars, and become bound for 480 more, payable within four years; and it is proper to observe that if they have no other resources, it is almost impossible that they should, during the first four years of a new settlement, draw the means of payment from the produce of the land. By the proposed alteration a man might, by the payment of 240 dollars, acquire a freehold of 160 acres without encumbering himself with any debt whatever. The difficulty of raising eighty dollars more at first is unimportant, if it shall be admitted that the subsequent payments must at present be provided for from other resources than those arising from the land itself; and in every other respect the purchaser will evidently be placed in a much more eligible situation.
[To be continued.]