Alexandria daily advertiser (Alexandria [Va.]), 1806-02-21 00:00:00

Alexandria Daily Advertiser.
Vol. VI.]
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1806.
[No. 1530.]
SALES AT VENDUE.
On every Tuesday and Friday , WILL BE SOLD, At the Vendue-Store, Corner of Prince and Water streets, A Variety of DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, &c. [Particulars of which will be expressed in the bills of the day.]
All kind of goods which are on limitation and the prices of which are established, can at any time be viewed and purchased at the lowest limitation and prices.
Philip G. Marsteller, v. M. February 12.
FOR SALE, On moderate Terms, The SHIP HETTY, Just arrived from Liverpool, and laying at Col. Ramsay's wharf. Her inventory may be seen and description of the ship made known, on application to Captain Ruffel, on board or to
Ricketts, Newton & Co. If said ship is not sold in ten or fifteen days, she will be for freight or charter to any port in Europe. R. N. & Co. January 1.
Sale by Auction. On MONDAY, The 17th March, at 11 o'clock, will be sold at auction, on the premises, if fair, if not, the next fair day,
THAT very valuable PROPERTY , belonging to the estate of the late Abraham Van Bibber, Esq., called PARADISE , containing about 300 acres, and including the dwelling house and improvements, a valuable Mill and its appurtenances; the whole in good order.
The above property is situated about one mile from the turnpike gate on the York road, and will be sold in lots to suit purchasers.
A liberal credit will be given on a considerable part of this property, which may at any time be viewed on application to Mr. Alquist, on the premises.
ANDREW VAN BIBBER, WASHINGTON VAN BIBBER, Trustees. Balt. Feb. 14. 2015M.17M
JOHN TUCKER Has for Sale, 30 bds. Muscovado Sugar, 1000 lbs. Black Pepper, Imperial, Hyson, Hyson Shulong, Young Hyson, and Souchong } TEAS. 1000 bushels Turks Island Salt, 800 Spanish Hides, And GROCERIES , as usual. February 14. 203w
Just Landed, From the Schooner FRIENDSHIP , and for sale by WASHINGTON PIERCE, on liberal terms; 21 hogheads retailing Molasses, A few boxes Mould Candles, Hogheads Liverpool Salt, 5 barrels Cherry Bounce, 20 quintals Cod Fish. February 17.
WANTED, A vessel of about 700 barrels, to take a freight to Boston and Portsmouth , New Hampshire.
Apply to Lawrafon & Fowle. February 14. d
HENRY K. MAY Has received, per Brig Equator , Moore, from New-Castle, and offers for Sale, if immediately applied for; 80 casks Red Leaf, 38 casks Patent Shot, 18 casks Ingot Lead and 35 sheets Milled do. December 18. d
20 Pipes very choice Madeira Wine, Imported in the Big Active , from St. Barholomews, and for sale by R. Vaitch & Co. December 21. if N. B. This Wine has lain considerable time north West Indies.
THE SUBSCRIBER
Wants to Charter, A vessel of about 1500 barrels burthen, for CORK and a MAR-KET ; to which immediate dispatch will be given—the cargo being all ready to go on board.
James Patton. WHO HAS FOR SALE, At his Warehouse, Conway's wharf, New-York prime Beef and Pork. Also, Southern Pork, of good quality—with a few pipes of old Cognac Brandy. February 12. d
NOTICE.
THE Members of the WASHINGTON SOCIETY , of Alexandria, are hereby notified that a regular stated meeting of the said Society will be held at Gadby's tavern, on Saturday, the 22d instant, at half past 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The Society will move in procession precisely at 12 o'clock, to the Episcopal Church , where an ORATION will be delivered by one of its members, Charles T. Mercer, Esquire . By order of the Standing Committee. G. Deneale, Secretary. February 12. d
FOR SALE, 100 bbls. Muscovado SUGARS. 2000 lbs. prime Filkin Butter. 10 casks Chewing Tobacco. Spinning Cotton, AND A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF Liquors and Groceries , as usual Mandeville & Jamieson. February 12. d
FOR SALE 1000 bushels Liverpool Fine Salt. 1500 do. St. Ubes. Wm. Hodgson. Feb. 12. d
JAMES BACON, A his GROCERY STORE , on King Street , has, in addition to his former stock, added A fresh Supply of Genuine Articles in the Grocery Line ; Which makes his assortment complete. He now offers for sale, on his usual low terms, Muscovado Sugars, of various qualities,
Loaf and Lump ditto, Gunpowder, Imperial, Hyson, Young Hyson, Hyson Skin, and Souchong } TEAS, particularly selected for family use. Best Green Coffee, Chocolate, of a superior quality. Madeira, Butellos, Sherry, Lisbon, Teneriffe, Malaga, and Genuine Old Port } WINES. Cognac and Bourdeaux Brandy, Old Jamaica Spirit, for family use, Antigua, St. Croix, St. Vincents, and New-England Rum, Holland Gin, Irish and country Whiskey, Molasses, Wine, and Cider Vinegar, Stoughton's Bitters. Mace, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cassia, Pimento, Cayenne and Black Pepper, Race and Ground Ginger, Basker Salt for table use, Pearl Barley, Rice, Starch, Fig blue, Soap, Mould, Dips and Spermaceti Candles, Refined Salt-Petre, Florent Indigo, Allum, Copperas, Madder, Bismarck, Spinning Cotton, Patent Shot, all sizes, best English and country-made Gunpowder, Segars, and Smoking Tobacco, very best Chewing Tobacco. Hamilton and Leiper's Snuff, Hunter's Pipes in boxes. London Mustard, warranted of a superior quality, Dixon's best ditto, Wrapping-Paper, De mijohn's, &c. &c. with generally every article in his line—the whole of which have been selected with care and will be disposed of on the very lowest terms. December 16. d
MARINE STOCK.
One hundred shares of Stock, in the Marine Insurance Company of Alexandria, for Sale, on liberal terms, if early application be made to
Mordecai Miller. February 13. d
I have been informed that one
of the Tracts of Land advertised for sale by A. Schofield and Thomas Cooke , under a deed of trust from John Withers , to secure John and M. Schofield , includes part of a lot of land in my possession, under a deed of bargain and sale from Robert Allison , duly recorded in the county court of Fairfax: If so, all persons are cautioned against purchasing so much of the same as is included within my lines.
C. F. Whiting. February 17. if
JOHN WATTS,
Fairfax-street, opposite Mr. JOHN JANNEY'S , has received via Baltimore,
FALL & WINTER GOODS,
Which he will sell low for cash, or on short credit, to punctual customers.
 Superfine Cloths and Cassimers,  Winfur Velveteen,  Patent Cord and Patent Cord Waistcoating,  Fancy Molekins and Florentines,  Silk Plush and Velvets,  Sewing Silk, Twill and Thread,  Leno and Dragonna Multi Cloaks,  Gentlemen's White and Black Silk Hose,  Do. do. do. Gloves,  Do. do. do. Spun do.  Do. York Fan and Doe-skin do.  Ladies' White and Black Hose,  Do. Extra long Silk Gloves and Mitts,  Do. do. Wash Leather & Riding Gloves  Satins, Lutestring and Persians,  Lutestring and Satin Ribbons,  Laces and Edgings,  London Hats,  Rose and Duffel Blankets,  Silk Rugs and Caddows,  Carpeting and Carpeting,  German Osnabrigs,  Dowlas and Bedtickings,  Silk and Cotton Suspenders,  Imperial and Young Hyson Teas,  Clover Seed and Seine Twine, &c. &c.  cod.
Dissolution of Copartnership.
THE Copartnership hitherto subsisting under the firm of Joseph Riddle & Co. of Alexandria, was dissolved the first instant, by mutual consent: All persons that are indebted to, or that have claims on the same, are requested to come forward and settle, as it is desirable to close the concern as soon as possible. Those whose accounts are of long standing are particularly requested to attend to this notice, and make payments to either of the subscribers.
JOSEPH RIDDLE, Of Alexandria. JAMES DALL, Of Baltimore, September 18. if
JOSEPH RIDDLE
Has Received by the Ceres and other ships lately arrived at Baltimore, a considerable part of his
FALL GOODS;
Which are now opening at his store in Fairfax street, and daily expects an additional supply in the United States from Liverpool. September 28. d
TUNIS CRAVEN,
Has received by the late arrivals an elegant assortment of
GOODS,
—AMONG WHICH ARE—
 London superfine Cloths and Cassimers,  Bennett's patent Cords, Do. Waistcoatings, Silks, Molekins, Florentines,  Imperial, clouded and white Marcellies,  Toilinetts, Swandowns, Flannels, rose Blankets, Coatings, Plains, Kerseys, Halfhucks, Lamb's Wool, Worsted, Cotton and Silk-Hosiery,  Irish & Flanders Sheetings,  4 4 1/2 Irish Linens, Shirting Cotton, Long Lawns, Linen Cambricks, Dimities, Cambric do.  Corded Cambricks, Lace do. Rich Colonade and figured India Muslins, India and British Book do. Lace Caps & Handkerchiefs, Extra Silk Gloves, Pic Nic Muts, Silk Cord and Buttons, Cambric Buttons, Artificial Flowers and Wreaths, Ostrich Feathers, Italian Mantuas, Fine India Persians, Baftas, Mamoodies, Dowlas, Ticklenburg, Osnabrugs, Brown rolls &c. &c. 
He daily expects an additional
assortment of FALL GOODS.
Cash, and the highest price given for clean Linen and Cotton Rags, by the Printer of this paper. Oct. 22. ctf
TO RENT
And immediate possession given:
SIXTEEN hundred acres of land, about three miles from Fendal's mill, near the Little Falls of Potomac—This Land is of good quality and well adapted to wheat and grass, under good enclosures and having a tolerable dwelling house and other necessary buildings. It is capable of being divided into several tenements, so as to suit applicants. On the premises is a good blacksmith's shop and tools, and an excellent stand for that business. Tenants may be supplied at a fair price with corn, hay and fodder, carts, waggon and plantation utensils—also with foundry work horses, mules and oxen—More than two hundred bushels of wheat are sown on the premises. Mr. George Sump is living on the premises, will show the land and other property to applicants.
Richard Bland Lee. Virginia, Feb. 19. if
Just Received, and for Sale,
1,300 SPANISH HIDES,
20 tons of Log wood, and A few bags of Green Coffee. The above articles are of the best quality, and will be sold low. Mordecai Miller. IN STORE, 30 kegs of BUTTER of good quality. February 19. d
CLOVER SEED.
3000 pounds fresh CLOVER SEED,
For Sale by John G. Ladd. February 19. d
NOTICE.
The subscriber wishing to engage in business for the ensuing season, will do any Carpenters' work, and receive in payment wet or dry goods for one half the amount of work contracted for. R. G. Lanphier. February 19. d3w
Negroes to Hire.
THREE female house servants to hire—one a very good cook, washer and ironer, she also understands every kind of house work. The other two are good spinners, and one of them washes and irons well and understands house work of every kind. They are hired for no fault. For further particulars apply to the printer. February 18. d3w
SHINGLING SLATE.
240 boxes best quality SHINGLING SLATE , 1 CABLE 120 fathom, and 1 ANCHOR—for sale, on the subscribers' wharf. Ricketts, Newton & Co. February 8. d2w
LAND FOR SALE.
Will be Sold, to the highest bidder, on MONDAY , the 19th day of May next, at Hay's Market , (being the first day of the next district court to be held there)
TWO hundred acres of LAND , more or less, known by the name of Greenwich ; and lying in the county of Prince William , four miles from Hay-Market , on the road leading from thence to Frederick-burg and the Carolina road .—The back road from the city of Washington to the southern states also runs through the land, which renders it an eligible stand for a tavern, it is also a good stand for a store.—There are several houses, with a well of excellent water on this land, which lies well for cultivation, and has a considerable quantity of wood on it. The Fluister of Paris also appears well adapted to the soil, as I raised fine clover on it from the application of that manure only.
The terms of sale will be—One third of the purchase money in 6 months, one third in 12 months, and the remaining third in 18 months from the day of sale; the purchaser giving bond and approved security for the payment thereof. Possession will be given immediately to the purchaser, and a good title made on receipt of the first payment. Bertrand Ewell. February 17. 2aw 6t
FOR SALE;
A Negro Woman, who is an excellent house servant, with her two Children; the one male, the other female. Jan. 16. Enquire of the Printer;

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Monday February 17.
Mr. J. G. Smith, from the committee of claims made a report on the petition of Oliver Pollock. The report states that the petitioner, appears to be entitled to a part of his claim, which is cognizable by the treasury, they therefore recommend that he have leave to withdraw his petition.
Agreed to.
The house went into a committee of the whole;
Mr. Varnum in the chair;
On the report of the committee of commerce and manufactures, on the petition of Nicklin and Griffith. The report states the following circumstances:
The petitioners bought from Joseph Anthony & Co. a vessel possessed of an American register. Some time after this purchase it was disclosed that Joseph Anthony & Co. were indebted to — Coulon, a foreigner, for a part of this ship; in consequence of which the collector refused to consider her an American ship. The petitioners pray that this vessel may receive an American register; in which the committee of commerce and manufactures concur.
Messrs. Crowninshield, J. Clay, Nicholson, and Ely, supported; and Messrs. Conrad and Macon opposed the report; — which was agreed to;
Ayes 56, Noes 31.
The committee rose and reported their agreement to the report of the committee of commerce and manufactures. — The house immediately took up the report concurred therein and ordered a bill to be brought in.
The bill declaring Jersey, in the state of New Jersey, a port of delivery and for erecting a light house on Wood Island or Fletcher's Neck, in the state of Massachusetts, having passed through a committee of the whole, was ordered to a third reading to-morrow.
The house went into a committee of the whole;
Mr. Varnum in the chair;
On the bill authorising George Rapp, and his associates, to locate a township, of land in the Indiana territory.
On motion of Mr. Conrad, the first payment was required to be made in four instead of 6 years.
On motion of Mr. Leib an amendment was made requiring the location to be made before the first day of January next.
Mr. Clarke though opposed to the principle of the bill, though if it passed, the settlers should not be embarrassed by any obligation to cultivate the vine. He therefore moved to strike out that part of the bill which relates to this object.
Motion lost—Ayes 42, Noes 51.
Mr. Crowninshield moved so to amend the bill as to charge interest on the six last payments, from the expiration of the four years when the first principal payment is required to be made.
Motion lost.
After a variety of other motions to modify the provisions of the bill most of which were negatived, the committee rose and reported their agreement to the bill.
The house immediately took the report into consideration. After various motions to amend the bill, most of which were disagreed to, a motion similar to that made in the committee by Mr. Crowninshield, was made;
When
Without deciding upon it, the house about four o'clock adjourned.
Tuesday, February 18.
The house took up the unfinished business of yesterday. When the yeas and nays were taken on the amendment proposed to the bill authorising George Rapp, and his associates to locate a township in the Indiana territory; requiring the payment of interest on all the instalments except the first.
Which was carried—Yeas 60—Nays 44.
When the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-day.
A message was received from the President of the United States furnishing the information called for by a resolution of the 24th ult. relative to the expenditures on the various fortifications in the United States and those on the navy yards; which
was referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the union.
The house went into a committee of the whole—
Mr. Dawson in the chair;
On the bill to incorporate a Presbyterian church in George Town.
After making several amendments, the committee rose and reported their agreement to the bill.
The house immediately took up the report.
Mr. Clark moved to strike out the first section. He said his object was to try the sense of the house on the principle of the bill. He was inimical to all incorporations, and particularly to those for religious purposes.
On this motion a debate ensued, which altogether turned on the policy of incorporating associations of individuals for any purposes, and especially for those of a religious nature.
As the arguments adduced on either side were the same with those usually urged on this point, we think it unnecessary to detail them.
Messrs. Clark, Sloan, and Rhea, supported; and Messrs. Findley, Sourthard, Smilie, Elmer, and Nicholson opposed the motion, which was lost—Ayes 29.
That part of the bill, which authorises the raising 3,000 dollars by lottery, was struck out.
Various other amendments were made, when the bill was ordered to a third reading to-morrow—Ayes 58.
A bill to empower George Rapp, and his associates to purchase a tract of land was read a third time. On the question, shall the bill pass, the Yeas and Nays were called, and were Yeas 46—Nays 46.
The speaker declaring himself to be with the Nays, the bill is lost.
[In Senate of the United States.]
On the bill for the protection and indemnification of American seamen.
Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. President—As introductory to the consideration of the merits of this bill, I feel it my duty to call the attention of the Senate to the present degraded state of impressed American seamen, thousands of whom have been pressed on board British ships of war, and compelled by whips and scourges, to work like galley slaves, whither they have been forced by the hand of violence, from on board our own ships, sailing on the high seas, under the flag of the United States, carrying the spare productions of the toil of the American planter and merchant, to a foreign market, or returning with their proceeds.
In doing this, I wish not to enlist your sympathies, but only to present to you a correct state of the facts on which this bill is predicated; facts that stand recorded in the official reports of the secretary of state; the black catalogue of impressments.
I will next present to your view the measures adopted by the legislative and executive departments of the government of the United States for their redress.
“In the year 1796 congress by law, [3 vol. 322] directed agents to be appointed to reside in Great Britain, and in such foreign ports as the president might direct whose duty it should be to enquire into the situation of such American citizens, or others, sailing conformable to the law of nations, under the protection of the American flag, who had been, or should be impressed, by any foreign power, and to endeavor by all legal means to obtain their release; and to render an account of all impressments and detentions to the executive of the United States.”
“They also directed the collector of the several ports, on proof being made of the citizenship of any seaman, to give him a certificate thereof, under a hope that it would have been respected in foreign ports, and have protected him from impressment. This certificate acquired the name of a protection.”
They also directed, “That every captain of a vessel, in case of any of the crew being impressed, shall enter his protest at the first port he shall arrive, with the name and residence of the person, and transmit immediately by post a duplicate of such protest, to the nearest agent, minister, or consul resident in such country, and also on his arrival in America, to the secretary of state.”
“And that every captain on his arrival at any port of the United States before he shall be admitted to an entry of his vessel, shall be required by the collector to declare on oath, whether any of the crew have been impressed, which he shall take under the penalty of 100 dollars, and the collector is bound to return a list of all impress-
ments, so communicated to him, to the secretary of state.”
In 1799, the secretary of state is directed by law [4 vol. 503.] “To lay before congress annually a statement of all impressments reported to him, that they might be officially and precisely informed of the state of our impressed seamen.”
Under these legislative provisions and the intervention of our agents appointed for that purpose, hundreds of our seamen no doubt have been discharged by the board of admiralty, while at the same time, and under the same authority, the impressments kept pace with the discharges, so that instead of redressing the wrong, it was only inflicted in routine, thereby adding insult to injury. This all important subject, from its commencement, has also been particularly attended to by the executive of the United States. Our ministers at London, during three successive administrations, have been specially charged with it, and we have witnessed their diplomatic exertions to bring this lawless and cruel practice to an end, but all to no effect. And now we are informed by the president of the United States in his message of the 17th Jan. last, that “On the impressment of our seamen, our remonstrances have never been intermitted, a hope existed at one moment, of an arrangement that might be submitted to, but it soon passed away, and the practice, though relaxed at times in the distant seas, has been constantly pursued in those in our neighborhood.”
This Mr. President, is the prospect presented to our view, whereby thousands of our unfortunate seamen, that hardy and invaluable class of citizens, are consigned to the most intolerable bondage (by the imperious mandate of a British naval officer, whose word is the supreme law from which there is no appeal) and which gloomy prospect we are now informed, by the highest authority, there is not a spark of hope left to enlighten.
Sir, I have invited you to investigate this subject with the eye of temper, but at the same time I trust that the nation's justice will not be compromised, by exceeding the bounds of mode-ration; for it has its limits; and we are informed by the law of nations. [Vat. 433 §352] “That the true and just welfare of the nation is the grand rule: Moderation is always laudable in itself, but the conductors of nations ought not to make use of it, only so far as it is consistent with the happiness and safety of their people.”
Under this view of the subject can we submit to this state of things? That is the question. I have presumed not and under that presumption, I have brought the subject before this Senate in the shape it is presented in this bill. Sir I wish it to be recollected that the infant state of our navy suppresses every hope of redress on the element of our wrongs, and that this is a measure of necessity not of choice.
Wherefore, I trust it will not be thought too nervous, when it is considered that we have just cause of war.—I will therefore, now sir, proceed to the consideration of the merits of this bill.
The first clause states, that in violation of the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation, made at London, on the 19th November 1794, his Britannic majesty had caused the impressment of our seamen sailing under the flag of the United States. The treaty [2 vol. L. U. S. 464] secures the inviolability of the citizens and subjects of the respective powers, and we are informed by the law of nations [Vat. 665 §39] “That a nation acts against the nature and essence of every treaty of peace, nay against peace itself, by deliberately, and wantonly offending him, with whom peace has been made, and treating him or his subjects incompatible with peace, and which he cannot suffer, without being wanting to himself.”
But it may be said that this has not been authorised by the British government. Let us examine the fact. It is declared by the law of nations, [Vat. 252 §73, 74, 76.] “That however as it is impossible for the best regulated state, or for the most vigilant and absolute sovereign, to model at his pleasure, all the actions of his subjects, and to confine them on every occasion to the most exact obedience, it would be unjust to impute to the nation or to the sovereign, all the faults of the citizens, we ought not then to say in general that we have received an injury from a nation, because we have received it from one of its members.”
“But if a nation or its leader approves and ratifies the fact committed by a citizen, it makes the act its own; the offence ought then to be attributed to the nation as the author of the true injury, of which the citizen is perhaps only the instrument.”
“If the sovereign disavows the act he ought to inflict on the offender exemplary punishment.” So far I have called in aid the law of nations: I will now refer to the form of the authority in the case of impressment, which is in these words. [Fost. C. L. 156] “In pursuance of his majesty's order in council, dated the 19th day Jan. 7, 1742, We do hereby empower you to impress or cause to be impressed” so many seamen, &c. and I will refer you to the facts in your own possession, that his Britannic majesty approves the act, both by continuing the impress-
ments, and by his lately promoting the captain of the Cambrian frigate (whom he recalled to mind of a ship of the line; so that in form, in law, and in fact his Britannic majesty has caused the impressment of our seamen, or he must have punished, and not promoted, so notorious an offender. On this point I presume there can be no doubt.
Mr. President—I have thought it neither unprofitable nor irrelevant to the present subject, to examine the right of impressing British subjects.
British jurists have more than questioned this right, and the British parliament have, I presume, decided the question.
Sir Edward Coke [2 inst. 47] says—The king cannot send any subject against his will out of the realm, not even into Ireland, for then under pretence of service he might send him into banishment. [H. H. P. C. Notes, 679] In Hales H. P. C. it is declared “repugnant to the liberty of an Englishman and irreconcilable to the established rules of law, that a man, without any offence by him committed, or any law to authorize it, should be hurried away like a criminal from his friends and family, and carried by force into a dangerous service.
That the common law did not admit of such a practice, must have been the opinion of the British parliament, who in the time of Charles I. passed a statute [6 C. 1, c. 5] “to authorise the impressment of soldiers and seamen for sea service or service beyond sea,” which soon after expired, being of short duration. They might also have been of the same opinion in the time of [2 and 3 Ann. c. 19, 3 and 4, Ann. c. 11, 4 Ann. c. 10, 5 Ann. c. 15, 6 Ann. c. 10] Queen Ann, when a number of statutes of a very short duration passed in parliament, in the same terms as the statute of Charles above stated. I presume they would never have passed laws to have authorised a proceeding that was justifiable by the common law. Judge Foster, who is quoted by Britton as an authority on this point, shall be examined. (Fost. C. L. 157) He states, in the case of Broad or, who was indicted for the murder of Calahan, “That by pressing mariners on one hand, a very useful body of men seem to be put under hardships inconsistent with the temper and genius of a free government, on the other the necessity of the case seems to entitle the public to the service of this body of men, whenever the safety of the whole calls for it.
“I think the crown has a right to command the service of these people whenever the public safety calls for it, the same right that it hath to require the personal service of every man able to bear arms in case of a sudden invasion or formidable insurrection. “The right in both cases is founded on one and the same principle, the necessity of the case, in order to the preservation of the whole.” But he adds, [Fost. C. L. 154] “If he be asked where are the adjudged cases on which he groundeth his opinion? He freely confesseth that he hath not met with one in which the legality of pressing for the sea service hath directly come in question. He states that according to his best apprehension (having thought much upon the subject) the right of impressing mariners for the public service is a prerogative inherent in the crown, grounded upon the common law, and recognized by many acts of parliament.” With great deference to his honor, I would ask if any thing can be evidence of the common law, but judicial decisions on the point, which he admits are not to be found? I will also examine the statutes on which he relies as recognizing this right. I would here observe that he holds the soldier and seaman alike bound by the same law, and it would [Fost. c. 1. 166] seem by admiral Seymour's commission, that his power extended to impress ships, captains, masters, pilots and seamen, as well as all other persons fit for the purpose. This was for the sea and foreign service, and did not extend to land soldiers, as till the 24th year of Charles II, all the lands were held by military tenures, whereby the tenants were obliged to furnish soldiers and every thing necessary for them in war; but by 24 C. II. [24 C. II. c. 12] these tenures were abolished, and I question much whether the stat. Charles I. extended to the feudal tenants, who were bound to serve only in England. By a statute of Henry VII. [7 H. 7, c. 1] it is enacted, that if any soldier being no captain immediately retained with the king which shall be in wages, and retained, or take any prest to serve the king upon the sea or upon the land beyond sea, depart out of the king's service without licence from the captain, it shall be adjudged felony.
(To be continued)
KID SLIPPERS.
Faxon, Metcalf & Co.
Have received, per Sloop Albert, from Boston, A few Ladies' white Kid Slippers, Which they expect will be opened this evening.
ALSO,
A general assortment of SHOES, All of which will be disposed of on the most reasonable terms.
February 20.

NEW YORK, Feb. 17.
Captain Weston, of the sch'r Mariner, from St. Bartholomews, informs, that a British frigate had arrived there previous to his sailing, and offered to remain as a defence against the French, it being understood that an expedition was fitting out at Guadalupe. The Governor, having no authority, declined accepting the offer. Capt. C. further informs, that an arrival at St. Bartholomews had brought intelligence of the British having taken possession of the Plate River. This seems corroborated by the news, lately published, of their taking Buenos Ayres. This town is about fifty miles from the mouth of the river de la Plate, situate in a beautiful country, and is a place of considerable trade and great riches.
The Frances Ann, King, in 32 days from Montevideo, (river Plate.) Left, the Orazimbo, Brewster, of Philadelphia; Fabius, Decoven, and schooner Magnet, Brazier, from New York. January 31, lat. 23. 45. long. 50, spoke schooner Jersey, Swan, 14 days from Philadelphia for St. Thomas. Captain K. informs, that the following British vessels had been recently captured and sent into that port, by the privateers L'Orient, of 20 guns, and Queen Lewis, of 22 guns, viz. ships Acive, of 20 guns, and 45 men, Clarencine, 22 guns, 50 men, and 245 slaves; Roebuck, 16 guns, 50 men, and 291 slaves; and brig William, of 14 guns, and 35 men; total 72 guns, 180 men, and 549 slaves. Captured by the Queen, ships Nelly, 22 guns, 62 men, and 19 slaves; Elizabeth, 26 guns, 56 men, and 131 slaves; Sisters, 24 guns, 58 men, and 31 slaves; and Sarah, 14 guns, 36 men, and 164 slaves; total 112 guns, 269 men, 537 slaves. The above vessels were considered very valuable, some of them having dry goods on board. Capt. K. further informs, that just before he sailed, a Spanish frigate was lost off English Bank in the river of Plate, and 500 persons perished. Captain K. left Montevideo on the 25th of November, at which time heard nothing of the taking of Buenos Ayres by the British.
Alexandria Daily Advertiser.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21.
FRENCH FLEET.—The sch'r Betsey Fulshure, Hitchcocks, in 31 days from Curacao. Left, sch'r Ann Eliza, and brig Louisa, M'Namara, of Alexandria; sch'r Sukey and Peggy, of Philadelphia. Jan. 25, in the Mona passage, was boarded by a French 84 and a 50 gun ship, in tow with one of 110 guns, waiting for ten more hourly expected. The 84 had upwards of one thousand troops on board; said their destination was Jamaica. Had in company the schooner James Lenox, from Newbern, for Jamaica, which vessel they had had in possession 7 days, in order to prevent the communication of intelligence of them.
ARMAMENT AT NEW-YORK.
We extract from the New York Gazette the following remarks upon a mysterious subject which has excited a good deal of interest in that city, and has become an object of no little curiosity here. In this article only the Leander is mentioned; but we are informed that several other vessels have sailed from the same port under similar circumstances, carrying a considerable number of troops and warlike stores. The object and destination of this armament may be very interesting to the country; and government ought to be very careful that there should be no ground to implicate them in the affair, if hostility is intended against any nation with whom we are at peace. Should it be designed to make a descent upon any of the Spanish possessions, it might occasion a seizure and confiscation of all the American property now in the hands of the Spaniards; a loss which would be very severely felt by the commercial part of the community. It is to be hoped that government would not even connive at any thing that would be productive of such consequences. (U. S. Gaz.)
What is the ultimate destination of the Leander?
We have hitherto repressed all comment on the singular circumstances which have attended the outfit and departure of this ship. These circumstances, however, have been of such a nature as to awaken the liveliest curiosity among the citizens; and the suggestions and surmises have been as
various as they were ludicrous and amusing. She is bound ostensibly for Jacmel, a port in the island of St. Domingo, and carries with her, as we understand, a considerable armed force, and very large supply of warlike stores; and report says (and we suspect with some degree of truth) that several other vessels, under similar circumstances, are fitting out in other ports of the United States, and that they are to rendezvous at an appointed place.
Can we for a moment suppose that anything serious is meditated against the present unhappy possessors of that Island? Certainly not. The undertaking would be as absurd and futile as it would be preposterous and wicked; is it designed as an auxiliary to a more powerful European force, with a view to such an attempt?—We feel persuaded it is not. The suspicion then recurs with double force that there is a plan matured for striking a blow in some quarter that is at once more vulnerable and more pregnant with reward to the assailants. There has been rumors that these proceedings were secretly countenanced by government: but this we very much doubt, however justifiable such a measure might be. Perhaps we ought, nevertheless, to feel more surprize at the long forbearance of government, than at any secret and decisive plans for chastising an insolent and faithless power. And we believe, were they to make an open declaration to this effect, it would be a popular measure, and would unite every friend to his country in its defence. Indeed it appears to be a demonstrable fact, and it was long since foreseen that the Spaniards must be dispossessed of some of those provinces which border on and lie contiguous to our own territory. Recent occurrences prove that peace cannot be preserved without it. The haughty insolence and multiplied depredations experienced from that quarter, require correction from the arm of national justice.
The Spanish government has long since become proverbial for its imbecility and avarice; and it is reasonable to suppose, that there is nothing which they ought more seriously to deprecate than an open rupture with the nervous and powerful young giant of the West. For were he once to give scope to his physical powers in this way, we hesitate not to pronounce, that the expiring sun of Spanish glory would set forever, and that their American possessions would speedily be blotted from the chart of history. Hundreds of thousands of hardy, resolute, enterprising republicans, would penetrate into all the rich and secret recesses of those regions whose allurements are but too flattering to the rapacity of man. They would soon shed the illustre off liberty over those obscure and benighted provinces. This would open a boundless theatre for daring enterprize and splendid action. Freedom of trade, as well as freedom of speech, would follow immediately in their train. And the products of the richest mines on the globe, in the hands of free and rational men, would be turned into new channels and converted into the noblest purposes.
It has been intimated, & we are strongly inclined to give credit to the intimation, that many of the Spaniards residing in the island of Cuba, (if not even in more distant provinces) have expressed a wish to be released from the evils of colonial restrictions, exactions, and oppressions, and have turned an eye of anxious solicitude towards the United States. Taking these things into view, together with the immense difference in the character and genius of the two governments, we should not be surprised to learn that they were ripe for revolt.
In pursuing this train of thought, the mind is insensibly and rapidly led from one point of reflection to another, and is ambitious to extend her speculations to those interesting consequences which will naturally burst forth from great and probable causes. It seems to be an event preordained that the descendants of Pocahontas, and the little Plymouth colony, should people and give laws to the whole western hemisphere. If indeed we have approximated to that point of time when the spirit of God shall be found to move upon the face of the waters and when the genius of truth and liberty is to dart her piercing beams through boundless and fertile regions, and to replace with the mild effulgence of a pure religion the present reign of fanaticism and superstition, then indeed we shall not be among the last to hail the approaching era of so much felicity and splendor.
We humbly conceive, that in laying these reflections before our numerous and respectable readers we have committed no breach of propriety. They are such as seemed naturally to spring out of a combination of very mysterious movements, and that mystery has prevailed not less over
the government than over matters immediately under review. We are as much in the dark as the great mass of our readers, and we have only used the freedom of adding some speculative remarks to those which have been in the mouth of almost every person. But we are determined to be among the first who shall assist in unravelling the motives for this singular armament.
Translated for the BALTIMORE AMERICAN.
EMPIRE OF HAYTI, First Division of the West.
JUDGMENT.
Given by a special military council, held at Dessalines, formerly Gonaves, 23d. Nov. 1805, 2d. year of the independence of Hayti.
To-day, 23d. Nov. 1805, 2d. year of the Independence of Hayti; WE, Bazelois, general of the brigade, chief of the staff, general of the army, president; Louis Felix Boisrond Tonnerre, adjutant general vice president; Etienne Victor Mentor, adjutant general, judge; Peter Couterneau, chief of brigade, judge; John Joseph Domine Diequoi Vigne, chief of a squadron, reporter; Makajoux, chief of a squadron, judge; and Alexis Dupuy, captain and Register;—members comprising the special council, convoked by order of his majesty the emperor, and composed in conformity of the law of the 30th of May, 1805, on the organization of the special military council, to judge the persons named: Francisco Stella, born in Italy 31 years of age, physician, and acting lately as merchant in the city of Cayes, and calling himself a Dane; and John Jordani, a native of Milan, 26 years of age, a seaman in the service of the said Francisco Stella, both accused of espionage and of being subjects of the emperor of the French.
After taking an account of all the papers in support of the accusation, heard pleadings of the accused, and after having heard the reading of the interrogations of the report and conclusions of the chief of the squadron, Diaquoi Vigne, reporter;
The council has declared to be convicted, Francisco Stella, and John Jordani, Italians, of having unlawfully assumed the protection granted by the Haytian government, to the subjects of his majesty the king of Denmark, although in so doing, they had incurred the punishment of death pronounced against the French, or their allies who should set foot on the territory of this empire, and the pains expressed by the second article of the penal code to wit:
"Every individual, whatever may be his condition, quality or profession, convicted of espionage for the enemy or rebels shall suffer death."
In consequence, the council condemns Stella and Jordani to be shot, as subjects of the emperor of the French and king of Italy.
The council besides decree, that the goods of Francisco Stella and John Jordani, shall be confiscated for the benefit of the state, and that the sums arising from the sale of the effects of the said Stella and Jordani, shall be sent to the treasurer's chest at Cayes, and that a copy of the present judgment shall be addressed to all the authorities, in order to give it all possible publicity, and that by the diligence of the reporter of the functions of the military accuser.
Done in the public sittings at Dessalines, formerly Gonaves, 23d Nov. 1805, 2d year of the independence of Hayti.
(Signed by the members enumerated above.)
We have seen the judgment of the council named to pronounce on Stella and Jordani, accused of espionage and of being the subjects of Bonaparte. After having attentively examined the judgment conformably to the laws, we order their execution in 24 hours.
DESSALINES.
JUST RECEIVED,
Per Captain JENKES, from New York, and for Sale,
First quality Patent Cheese, A quantity of excellent Flax, New York Pippins, A parcel of nice Codfish, Chestnuts, Shellbarks, &c. Abel Willis, February 10.
Feb. 21, 1806.
Ordered, That Messrs. J. M. M'REA, and Preston, be a committee to rent out the public property at the east end of Duke street, for 21 years, and that they advertise for proposals for the same, and report to Council.
Ordered, That the application of Levin Powell, Esquire, be referred to Messrs. Smith and Miller; who are directed to enquire into the correctness of the valuation of his property, and report to Council. Tell. JAMES M. M'REA, c. c.
In COMMON COUNCIL, 20th Feb. 1805.
ORDERED, That the following persons be appointed commissioners for superintending the elections to be held in the different wards of the town, on TUESDAY, the 4th day of March next, viz. the choice of members of the COMMON COUNCIL of Alexandria, for the ensuing year, viz.
for the 1st ward, Jacob H. Fman, Richard Libbey, and John Hunter, for the 2d ward, Daniel Macleod, Jonah Isbell, and Andrew Jamieson, for the 3d ward, Adam Lynn, William T. Taton, and William Kelly, for the 4th ward, Edmund Denny, Robert Young, and John Johnson.
The elections for the first ward to be held at Frederick Shuck's tavern, on Prince street; the second ward at the Court House; the third ward at John Hodgkin's tavern on King street, and for the fourth ward at John Stewart's house, the corner of Prince and St. Asaph streets. Tell. JAMES M. M'REA, c. c. February 21.
PUBLIC SALE.
THIS AFTERNOON, at 4 o'clock, will be Sold at Col. Ramsay's wharf, 2000 bushels of SALT, on a credit. Philip G. Marsteller. Feb. 21.
LANDING,
From the Sloop ALBERT, Capt. HALL and for Sale by the Subscribers, 900 bushels ground alum Salt, 50 quarter casks rich Malaga Wine, 50 boxes mould Candles, 80 barrels new Rum, A quantity Ruffia Hreeting & Duck. John G. Ladd. Feb. 21.
TO RENT,
And immediate possession given, THE HOUSE on the left hand side of Water street, lately occupied by Capt. Berry; the situation is equal to any, and the house well calculated for the accommodation of a small family. For terms apply to Mrs. ANN GRAY, King street. February 21.
NOTICE.
All persons having any claims against the estate of Ignatius Wheeler, late of Fairfax county, Virginia, deceased, are requested to bring in their accounts, and all those indebted to said estate, are requested to come forward and settle their accounts by the first day of May, as no longer indulgence can be given. Ignatius Wheeler, jun. Administrator. February 21.
JUST RECEIVED,
And for Sale, 20 boxes fresh Lisbon Lemons. Matthew Eakin. February 19.
A great Bargain may be had.
I wish to exchange seven or eight hundred acres of LAND, in Fairfax county, formerly Loudoun county, for good lands in the western country. It lies near Sugar Land Run, it is finely timbered and watered, good farming land, about 18 miles from the City of Washington, 20 from Alexandria, and 2 from the Potomac river. There are two tenements and an excellent orchard on the premises, about 70 bushels of wheat sowed last fall and a good deal of clover, which grows finely, the soil being well adapted to the Plaster of Paris, from the latest experiments—the title indisputable. Any person making early application may get an advantageous exchange. Application, by letter, to the subscriber in Alexandria, will be duly attended to. B. DADE. February 7.
THE BIRTH NIGHT BALL,
Will be held on FRIDAY EVENING the 21st instant. A subscription paper is left at GADSBY'S Bar. February 18.