Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1809-08-25 00:00:00

VIRGINIA ARGUS.
[XVIIIth YEAR.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE.
[No. 1682.]
RICHMOND:—PRINTED (ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS,) BY SAUEL PLEASANTS, JUNIOR, PRINTER TO THE COMMONWEALTH.
[Four Dollars Per Annum—Paid in Advance.]
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1809.
[12 1-2 Cents Single.]
VIRGINIA:
At a superior court of chancery holden at the capitol in Richmond, June 20th, 1809. Phillip N. Nicholas, attorney general, on behalf of the commonwealth of Virginia, Plff.
AGAINST Lucy Price, relict of William Price, regis- ter, deceased, and William D. James A- lexander, John Harvie and Anne Price, Infant heirs of William Price, deceased, sed, by William Duval, their guardian, and the said William Duval, administra- tor of William Price, deceased, defts.
Phillip Duval, plff. AGAINST The same, defts. The Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings, in the state of Virginia, plts.
AGAINST The same, defts. And William Marshall and Thomas Taylor, guardians of Eleanor and Lavinia Dan- dridge, orphans of William Dandridge, deceased, plts.
AGAINST The same, defts.
THESE causes by consent of parties, were this day heard together on the bills, answers, exhibits, and report of com- missioner Greenhow, made in the second suit, which is substituted by consent in the other causes, and were argued by counsel; On consideration whereof, the court, by consent of parties, doth adjudge, order and decree, that John Prosser and William Moncure, or either of them, who are ap- pointed commissioners for that purpose, af- ter having advertised the time and place of sale for thirty days in two of the news- papers printed in the city of Richmond, do expose to sale, at public auction, upon the premises, the following Lands of the In- testate William Price, late register, namel- y: two thirds of two lots in the city of Richmond, known and distinguished in the plan of the said city by the numbers five hundred and twenty-seven, and five hun- dred and eight, lying on the main street, which were purchased of Alexander Quar- ter, and adjoining his present residence: a vacant lot in the said city, near the tenement of Joseph Jackson, and distin- guished by the numbers
—A house and lot on the main street of Shockoe Hill, near the Brick building of Thomas White, commonly called the Blue House, and which the intestate purchased of John Brittain: three hundred and fifty acres of land (more or less,) in the county of Goochland, adjoining the lands of Robt. H. Saunders: 218 acres, more or less, and eighty acres of coal land, both lying on Deep-run, in the county of Henrico: three hundred and fifty acres of land on the Rich- mond Turnpike, situated about three and a half miles from Richmond, being the farm formerly occupied by the intestate, and now by Peter Wilkinson: and ten shares in the Richmond Turnpike Company, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to satisfy the plaintiffs in their respective claims, with interest therefrom from the day of sale, in the order, and on the terms following, to wit:—To satisfy the commonwealth of Vir- ginia, two thousand eight hundred and for- ty-five dollars and ninety-two cents, with interest from the first day of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, with costs of suit and expenses of the sales hereby directed, which sales shall be made on twelve months credit, the pur- chaser or purchasers paying interest from the date and giving bond with sufficient se- curity, payable to the treasurer, for the time being, or his successors in office, which bond or bonds shall be delivered to the au- thor of public accounts by the said com- missioners:—To satisfy in the next place, Phillip Duval the sum of twelve hundred dollars, with interest from the twentieth day of November, 1808, and costs of suit with the sales hereby directed, which shall be made on six months credit, the purcha- ser or purchasers executing a note or notes, negotiable and payable in the Bank of Vir- ginia, with approved endorser, and the note or notes so taken for such sum as shall be equal to the said Philip Duval's claim, with interest until such note or notes shall become due, be delivered to the said Philip Duval by the said commissioners. To sa- tisfy in the third place, the Mutual As- surance Society against fire on buildings in the state of Virginia, the sum of two thou- sand two hundred and seven dollars and fi- fty cents, with interest on two thousand and ninety-four dollars and five cents, from the first day of the present month, with costs of suit with expenses of sales hereby direct- ed, which sale shall be made at twelve months credit, the purchaser or purcha- sers executing a note or notes negotiable and payable at the Bank of Virginia, with approved endorser, for such sum as shall be equal to the principal and interest of the said Society's claim, until the said note or notes shall become due, and costs of suit, which said note or notes shall be delivered to the principal agent of the said Society, for the time being: And, to satisfy in the last place, the plaintiffs, William Marshall and Thomas Taylor, the sum of fourteen hundred dollars, with interest from the first day of the present month, with costs of suit and expenses of the sales hereby directed, which sale shall be made on a credit of two years, the purchaser or purchasers execu- ting bonds, with approved security, bearing interest from the date of the sale, the said bond or bonds to be delivered to the said Marshall and Taylor: And the court doth further adjudge, order and decree, that the said commissioners or the one who may act, report their proceedings to the court; as
to the dower of the defendant Lucy, in the property directed to be sold, the court will, if the parties consent, at a future day, pro- ceed to make compensation to her, out of the other lands of the estate of the Intes- tate; and liberty is reserved to the infant defendants to show cause against this de- cree at any time within six months after they shall severally attain the age of twen- ty-one years: And by consent of the par- ties in the last suit of the court, doth order the defendant William Duval, to make up the accounts of his intestate, as guardian of Lavinia and Eleanor Dandridge, now wards of the plaintiffs Taylor and Mar- shall, before one of the commissioners of the court, who is ordered to examine, state, settle and report the same to the court, with any matters required by the parties or deemed pertinent by himself.
A Copy—Teste, PETER TINSLEY, C. C.
IN conformity with the foregoing Decree, we shall, or one of us, proceed to sell on the pre- mises under the dates as hereinafter stated, the whole of the Property embraced in the said De- cree. Viz:
On Friday the 15th day of September next, at 11 o'clock, A. M. The three hundred and fifty acres land more or less, in Goochland county ly- ing on both of the Branches of Tuckahoe creek, adjoining the land and residence of Col. Robt. H. Saunders. On the ensuing day, Saturday the 16th, in the City of Richmond, at 11 o'clock, A. M. Part of Lot No. 53, & the whole of Lot 527, as designated and known in the plan of the said City, which have been divided into eight hand- some Lots of 23 feet 9 in. 4.10 front each, on the main street, running back 163 feet 4 in. adjoining the present residence of Mr. Alexan- der Quarter & separated from the residence of Mr. Joseph Gallego, only by sixth streets—A survey of which lots, has been accurately made, and a plan of the same may be seen at any time at the Vendue Office of Prosser & Mon- cure—The ten Richmond Turnpike shares im- mediately after these Lots are sold, and on the last of said Lots disposed of. On the same day immediately thereafter, the sale of the said 8 Lots, the mine Lots on Shockoe-hill near the tenement and residence of Mr. Joseph Jackson, and the same which the intestate, William Price, late register, purchased of Judge Wash- ington Nos. 218. On the ensuing Monday the 18th Sept. in Henrico county, at 11 o'clock A. M. the 218 acres Land more or less and 80 acres coal land, lying on Deep Run. On the 19th same month, Tuesday, at 11 o'clock, A. M. in the city of Richmond, the House and Lot on the main-street of Shockoe-hill, near the Brick building of Mr. Thos: White, common- ly called the Blue-house, which the intestate purchased of John Brittain; and on the day af- ter, Wednesday the 20th Sept. in the county of Henrico, the truly desirable Estate, called Chantilli, containing about three hundred and fifty acres land, with very good improvement thereon, situated about three and a half miles from the city of Richmond, being the farm formerly occupied by the intestate William Price, late Register, and now by Mr. Peter Wilkinson, or so much thereof as will be suf- ficient to satisfy the plaintiffs in their respec- tive claims, with the interest thereon from the several days of sale in the order and on the terms stated in the foregoing decree.
JOHN PROSSER, } Commissioners WM. MONCURE, } Richmond, August 12th. 1809.
BY Virtue of a deed of trust, bearing date 24th day of Oct. 1808, executed by Thomas P. Heleman, to the subscribers, as trustees for the purpose of securing a sum of money therein mentioned to be due to Richard Booker and for other purposes, in the deed mentioned, will be sold, at John Crisp's Tavern on the 15th day of September next if fair, if not the next fair day, the following property, to wit: One negro man named George, one negro woman named Suckey, one other named Letty, 3 feather beds and furni- ture, one grey horse, one bay horse, and some household and kitchen furniture. The subscri- bers with only convey the title vested in them as trustees. The sale will be made agreeably to an act of Assembly passed the 31st day of January, 1809, entitled an act concerning executions and for other purposes.
NEWTON FORD, } Trustees JOHN FORD, Jr. } Cumberland, August 7th 1809. 3 W.
LANDS FOR SALE.—The subscri- bers, attorneys in fact, for Col. John Simon Farley, and his sister, Mrs. Eliza- beth Morson, residents in Great Britain, offer for sale their remaining proportion of that valuable TRACT OF LAND, in the county of Rockingham and state of North Carolina, called the Sauratown Es- tate.
This land lying contiguous to one of the branches of Roanoke River, and in the midst of a wealthy country, is represented to be of great fertility, and to unite so ma- ny advantages as to be well worth the at- tention of the purchasers; it contains from 10 to 12,000 acres, and will be sold in one whole, or in distinct parcels, at the option of those who may wish to buy; for which purpose it has been laid off in separate lots. A plot of the land is left in the pos- session of Wm. Edward Broadnax, esq. of Brunswick county, Virginia, who has purchased a part of it, and to whom, for more correct information as to its quality, situation and other advantages, purcha- sers are referred, as well as to Mr. Ira Eli- as, who lives on the spot. Mr. Broadnax will also make known the terms of sale, and any contract entered into with him for the purchase of the above land, or any part thereof, will be obligatory on our- selves, and our principals.
G. K. TAYLOR, JOHN DUNLOP. Petersburg, Va. July 23. 6w
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
[By Authority.]
An act supplementary to the act, entitled "An act to amend the act entitled "An act establishing circuit courts, and abridg- ing the jurisdiction of the district courts of the districts of Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio."
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the U. States of America in Congress assembled, That in all actions or suits that were pending in the circuit courts of the United States for the district of Tennessee established by an act entitled "An act establishing circuit courts and abridging the jurisdiction of the district courts of the districts of Kentucky, Ten- nessee and Ohio," in which any judg- ment or decree was rendered, or any sen- tence passed previous to the passage of the act entitled "An act to amend the act entitled "An act establishing circuit courts, and abridging the jurisdiction of the district courts of the districts of Ken- tucky, Tennessee and Ohio," the clerk of the circuit court of the United States for the district of East Tennessee be, and he is hereby authorised and directed to issue executions, and all other process necessary for carrying the same into complete ef- fect, in the same manner as if the said last mentioned act had not passed; which executions and other process shall be di- rected to the marshal of the districts of East or West Tennessee, in which the par- ty against whom the same shall issue may reside, or his property may be found, who shall execute and return the same, in like manner as he would have done if the act to which this is a supplement had not passed and shall receive the same fees, as are by law allowed for similar services in other cases.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the next session of the district court of the United States, for the district of Kentucky, shall be held on the second Monday in May next, and that the session of the said court heretofore held on the first Mon- day in June, annually, shall thereafter be held annually, on the second Monday in May.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That all writs and process, which have been is- sued, or may hereafter issue and all recog- nizances returnable, and all suits and other proceedings of what nature or kind soever, which have been continued to the said dis- trict court on the first Monday in June next, from the last December term, shall be returned and held continued to the said second Monday in May next.
J. B. VARNUM, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JN: MILLEDGE, President of the Senate pro tempore, February 4, 1809.
APPROVED, TH: JEFFERSON
An act making a further appropriation to- wards completing the two wings of the Capitol at the City of Washington, and for other purposes.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby appropriated, to be applied un- der the direction of the President of the United States, that is to say:
For improvements and repairs of the House of Representatives, six thousand dollars:
For completing work in the interior of the North Wing, comprising the Senate Chamber, Court Room, &c. &c. twenty thousand dollars.
For completing the staircase, and pro- viding temporary and adequate accommo- dations for the Library, in the room now used for that purpose, and in the one in which the Senate now sit, five thousand dol- lars:
For improvements and repairs of the President's House and square, including a carriage house, twelve thousand dol- lars:
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the several sums of money hereby appropriated shall be paid out of any mo- ney in the treasury not otherwise appro- priated.
J. B. VARNUM, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JN: MILLEDGE, President of the Senate, pro tempore. March 3, 1809.
APPROVED, TH: JEFFERSON.
Foreign.
SPAIN.
ROYAL DECREE OF HIS MAJESTY.
The Spanish people must retire from this bloody struggle, with a certainty of leaving to their posterity, an inheritance of prosperity and glory, worthy of their nigh- ly endeavours and the blood they shed.
Never has the supreme Junta lost sight of this object, which in the midst of con- tinual agitation caused by the successes of the war, has always been their principal desire.
The advantages of the enemy less due to their valor than to their superiority of numbers, called for the attention of go- vernment: but, at the same time the re- flexion was sad and poignant, that the misfortunes which the nation has suffered proceeds from the oblivion into which those salutary institutions have fallen, which in more propitious days, were col- umns of prosperity and the strength of the state.
Usurping ambition on one side, and in- dolent abandonment on the other, by de- grees reduced them to nothing; and the Junta, from the moment of their installa- tion, solemnly constituted themselves by obligation to re-establish them.
The time has arrived to commence this great work, & to meditate on the various re- formations which ought to be made in our administration—securing them on the fun- damental laws of monarchy, which can only consolidate them; and, hearing for the purpose, (as information was given to the publ c) the wisdom of those who may wish to express their opinion.
Our lord and king, Ferdinand the 7th wishing that the Spanish nation may ap- pear before the eyes of the world, with that dignity due to their heroic endea- vours; resolved that the rights and prerog- atives of the citizens may be freed from new attacks, and that the fountains of pub- lic felicity when freed from the obstacles which until now has obstructed them, may run freely, as soon as the war ceases, and repair all that inveterate and arbitrary power has drained, and the present devas- tation destroyed: they have decreed the following:
1. That the legal and known represen- tation of the monarchy in the ancient Cortes may be re-established, convoking the first ones for the approaching year, or sooner if circumstances would permit.
2. That the Junta may think immedi- ately of the manner, number and class with which, in consideration of the present circumstances, the concurrence of the dep- uties to this august assembly may be veri- fied; that for this purpose they may ap- point and commission five of their voters, who with all the attention and diligence which this important affair requires, may recognise and prepare all the toils and plans, which being examined and approv- ed of by the Junta, are to serve for the convocation and formation of the first Cortes.
3. That besides this point, which in consequence of its urgency, must be pri- mitively considered, that the Junta must extend their investigations to the following points, and propose them successively to the whole nation in Cortes:—Means and resources to maintain the sacred war in which, with the greatest justice, the nation is engaged, until it obtains the glorious end proposed—Means of securing the ob- servance of the fundamental laws of the kingdom.—Means of meliorating our le- gislation, banishing introduced abuses, and facilitating its perfection, recovery, admin- istration, and distribution of the state's in- come.—Necessary reformation in the sys- tem of public instruction and education.— Means of regulating and maintaining a permanent army in time of peace and war, being conformable to the obligations and income of the state.—Means of preserving a navy in proportion to the army.—The part which American possessions ought to have in the meeting of the Cortes.
4. To reunite all necessary information to such important discussions, the Junta shall consult the Councils, Superior Juntas of the Provinces, Tribunals, Meetings, Chapter Houses, Bishops and Universities, and shall hear wise and illustrious persons.
5. That this decree shall be printed, published, and circulated with due formali- ty, that it may inform the whole nation.
This I communicate to you, that you may make arrangements for its compli- ance.
(Signed)
THE MARQUIS OF ASTORGA, President.
Royal Palace of Sevilla, May 22, 1809.
To Don Martin Garay. Which royal decree I communicate to your lordship, that by being published and circulated, the sovereign will may be com- plied with.
Royal Palace of Sevilla, May 25, 1809.
(Signed)
MARTIN DE GARAY.
Head quarters at Alcaniz,
May 24, 1809.
Most Excellent Sir.—The enemy rein- forced with almost all the garrison of Sar- agossa, and with different corps they had scattered in several positions on this side of the Ebro, came to attack me yesterday, in my position before this city. Gen. Souchet, who has just succeeded Junot, wishing no doubt to signalize himself by some remarkable exploit, upon taking the command, aimed at no less than the entire destruction of the rising army which his majesty has been pleased to entrust to my command; and to accomplish this object, Souchet came from Saragossa to command this expedition in person, bringing Wat- ier and other generals with him. It seems that gen. Souchet had no idea of the characteristic bravery and firmness of the Spanish troops, and it has cost him dear to come to that knowledge. Neither the brisk fire of their artillery, nor their superiority in cavalry, which was two or three times more numerous than ours, nor the repetition of four attacks made with the greatest fury by their most select in- fantry, could make the brave Spanish troops give one foot of ground. In every attack, the French met with the most ob- stinate resistance, were repulsed with very great loss and pursued to some distance, until having found at least all their at- tempts vain, they took advantage of the darkness of the night to effect a retreat. I will not stop now to give the particular details, or to mention the merit of those who have distinguished themselves on this occasion, and are deserving of advance- ment, lest I should delay for a moment the advice of so pleasing an event.—But it is with great satisfaction that I can as- sure your excellency, that I have never seen the French attack with so much sa- gerness, or received with so much gallan- try as on this occasion; and I would be guilty of an injustice, if I was not to men- tion with the utmost frankness, that this important victory is owing in a great mea- sure to the bravery and skill with which the field marshal don Juan Carlos Areizaga commanding the right, and to the brilliant conduct of brigadier don Martin de Loi- gorri, commandant general of the artillery, as well as that of every individual of this most distinguished corps.
I communicate this event to your ex- cellency for the information of his majes- ty, of whom I earnestly pray that without prejudice to the reward that may be just- ly distributed in the army for their merit in the battle of yesterday, his majesty may vouchsafe to raise to the rank of lieu. gen. don Juan Carlos Areizaga, and to that of field marshal don Martin de Loigorri.
God preserve your excellency for many years.
(Signed)
JOAQUIN BLAKE.
Most excellent señor don Antonio Cernel.
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.
LONDON, June 2.
Letter from the marshal duke of Treviso, (Mortier) to his excellency the count d'Huneburg, (gen. Clarke) minister of war, dated Valladolid, May 24.
"I had the honor yesterday to inform your excellency, that we had occupied Ov- iedo, and that it was presumed Romana had retired to Gijon, where he would be taken or compelled to embark. The fol- lowing are some details which general Kellerman has given me, in his letter, dated Pola de Ierne, May 20.
"On the 19th in the morning, the divi- sion of general Kellerman arrived at Vel- la, Simplice, where it found the bridge des- troyed, and the passage almost impracti- cable from either bank of the Barnenga. They immediately began to cut down trees to form a new bridge, but notwithstanding the utmost zeal and activity it could not be finished in less than 24 hours. Gener- al Kellerman directed his adjutant com- mandant, Barthelemy, his chief of the staff, to pass across the rocks as well as he could with three battalions of the advanced guard; and at the same time he sent two other battalions by the left, who had to cross a mountain somewhat like that which crowns the fort of Barde; the remainder of the infantry, and the 11th regiment of dragoons, passed the same way.
"The adjutant commandant, Barthele- my, met the enemy at Villa Nova, where he reunited his six battalions. The insur- gents, to the number of 2500, command- ed by general Morgado, perceiving that they had a disposition to turn them, aban- doned their position without firing a mus- quet. They were pursued as far as the heights in the rear of Arbas, where they had thrown up some entrenchments.
"The gen. Barthelemy attacked and turned them without any loss of time, and completely routed them. They fled, and left an hundred dead, and numbers of wounded, on the field of battle.
"As soon as they reached the heights of Payeres, the enemy wished to make a

stand, but our troops immediately attacked them and entered Payeres along with them, sword in hand. During this rout, in which our advanced guard alone was engaged, the insurgents lost twenty officers, and between 3 and 400 men killed and wounded; we have had eight men killed and 50 wounded, but of these but a few desperately.
General Kellerman praises the zeal, intelligence and resolution of gen. Barthelemy; he also Eulogises major Lavin, chief of the battalion Elliott, of the 12th light infantry; the company of the 32d light infantry, particularly distinguished itself; and sergeant Dousset, of the 12th regiment of light infantry, who took a standard and killed the officer who carried it. He also notices with distinction the colonel of artillery, Doence, who by his indefatigable activity succeeded in carrying his guns over heights extremely difficult.
On the 20th, general Kellerman left Payeres, and arrived without interruption at the Poia, where he met a detachment from the duke of Eichingen (Ney) who the day before had taken Oiedo, after an action together with one thousand infantry and two pieces of cannon. He entered Oiedo with a part of his troops.
One of the brigades, of the first division of the 5th corps, was at Mieres; the other had received orders to remain at Leon. I have the honor, &c.
Signed—The Marshal Duke of Treviso
P. S. I learn, from particular information, that the bishop of Oviedo had gone to the duke of Eichingen to offer submission, and that Romana, after reaching Gijon, had embarked there.
LERIDA, (Catalonia) June 2. Letters from Saragossa, dated 24th ult. state, that the unhappy inhabitants of that city had beheld with satisfaction the disorder and hurry of the enemy, who, since the 19th had exhibited the marks of confusion and retreat. On the 21st, 50 wagons passed from Alcaniz and Cinca, loaded with their badly wounded, many of whom died on the road; and to make room for the residue, many of the sick in the hospital in Saragossa had been sent off towards Navarre.
They also write, that many of the unhorsed curassiers had arrived there without their steel-shields and breast plates,—that those who escaped the effect of the battle of Alcaniz were not so proud and haughty as they had been accustomed to be; which inclined that in the battle Gen. Blake had dealt them hard blows. They lost 2000 of their best troops in that affair, and retired in haste to Sampedro, from whence they continued to approach Saragossa.
MURCIA, June 17. We have correct information that our beloved sovereign Don Ferdinand 7th and his august brother Carlos, are permitted to take the air in the vicinity of the palace of Valencia; and are not refused the perusal of the French papers.
BRUXELLES, June 13. GENERAL ORDERS. Head Quarters, Belchite, June 12. The French army commanded by Bonaparte in person, has been beaten the 22d May. At the same time that Gen. Suchet was so shamefully beaten at Alcaniz, by the brave troops of Arragon and Valencia; the Austrians our allies, overthrew the French on the banks of the Danube. The battle of Elasing will be considered as one of the most memorable of the present age.
BLAKE. In Arragon, about 27 American miles S. of Saragossa. SKVILLE, June 20. An intercepted letter from an officer of the French army in Germany, says, "Our Eagles having dipped their wings in the Danube, are unable to fly fast. Our loss has been great, and it will be some time before we recover from it."
Lisbon, June 11. Those who saw the French army when it first entered El Minho, state it to have been composed of 24,000 men—of which 15,000 were infantry, and 6000 cavalry, under the following Generals; viz. Soult, commander in chief, Ricard, chief of the staff, Quensel, Lison, Merle, Mermel, Laborde, Hendelot, and L'Orge; Tomiers, Renau, Somet, Jardin, Lefebvre, Sabatier, & others. What it was when it passed Lugo the French bullets will not tell.
Rouen, (France) June 22. An Imperial decree has been issued from Elversdorf, authorising the minister of the Interior to deliver licences to foreign vessels to export French wines, brandies, cordials, dried fruits, vegetables, corn and salt, and bring back ship timber, hemp, masts and iron, from the North, Jesuit's bark and medicine; but no colonial produce.
Lisbon, June 11, 1809. 600 bales of Arragon (Merino) wool was sold at Ba yonne, the 4th July. In one of Marshal Ney's dispatches, he mentions one of his Majors, who in the battle at Oviedo, received his 5th wound!
From the Boston Patriot. DESSERT TO A LATE DINNER. The Spanish Consul resident in this town, having transmitted to Spain, an account of the splendid festival given here, in March last, in honor of the Spanish patriots, has received the following acknowledgment of that illustrious body, acting for and in the name of Ferdinand 7th, the lawful sovereign of Spain. TRANSLATION. The Supreme governing Junta of Spain, and the Indies, having seen the contents of
your letter under the date of the 16th of March last, in which you give information of the public dinner given by 300 respectable citizens of your town, in honor of the Spanish patriots, to which you have been invited;—His majesty has heard with the utmost satisfaction of the friendly demonstrations of the said American citizens, on the aforesaid occasion; and commands me to manifest to you that he is very much satisfied with the tokens you have given of your loyalty and adherence to the good cause of our legitimate Sovereign Ferdinand VII.
God preserve you many years. Seville, 21st May, 1809. (Signed) MARTIN DE GARAY. Pavel Rey, A. Juan Stoughon, consul de Espana in Boston.
PORTO RICO, July 8. On Friday the 30th of June last, arrived here his majesty's brig of war Penelope, in which came the honorable Don Salvador Melendez Bruna, Esq. knight of the military order of Calatrava and captain in the royal navy, who has been appointed by the supreme Junta of Spain and the Indies, in the name of his majesty Ferdinand the VII. Governor Intendant and Captain General of this Island. His honor accordingly took the command, and his predecessor Don Foribo Montes, field marshal went to Callao as governor there and sub-inspector of the troops in the vice royalties of Peru, to which his majesty has been pleased to appoint him at the same time.
OF SWEDEN. COPENHAGEN, April 17. The new government of Sweden conducts itself with the greatest prudence and precaution, and whilst it concludes a peace with all the powers with whom it was lately at war, takes care to avoid hostilities with England.
The dowager queen has obtained permission to visit the King, her son, who is said to be much more tranquil now than he was at first. There has been no other change in the ministry than the nomination of baron Seckindt, to the ministry of foreign affairs; that gentleman was minister to Russia for above five years, and has a high reputation for knowledge and talents. This appointment is considered as favorable to Russia and France, for it is certain no other person could have been selected for so important a situation so much to the satisfaction of the emperor Alexander.
It is said that an expedition has sailed from England for Archangel, to destroy several vessels of war that are on the stocks in that port.
HAMBURG, May 10. The court of Denmark has refused to adjust her differences with Sweden, unless the latter will shut its ports against England. Sir Samuel Hood, to prevent the seizure of English property, prevents all English vessels from entering Swedish ports. He will not suffer his officers to go on shore, nor does he venture himself. MERZ is not invited to attend the diet at Stockholm, and is about to return. Duroc has arrived at the latter place. The prince regent grants licences to England as usual.
MAY 28. Letters from Copenhagen of May 22, state that the news of the capture of Borholm is officially contradicted there.
RUSSIA. UKASE TO THE SENATE. It is known to the whole world, with what firmness the trade of neutrals has been protected by Russia, when the powers of Europe were at war; it is known with what valour she has guarded the interest of trading nations, in the time of peace, against the events of war. Following up this inviolable principle, also during the present rupture with Britain, we entertained the fullest hopes that the trade with friendly powers would not be carried on by forbidden means; but as experience during last season, has proved to us, that the enemy has found it practicable, by means of neutral vessels, to supply himself with such produce as he stood in need of, and to gain strength by exchanging his own produce, we have been compelled to order two vessels seized. For these reasons, and to prevent various subterfuges and artifices, we have deemed it necessary to establish some rules; and hereby ordain.
I. That all masters of neutral vessels, arriving at our ports, are to prove the propriety of being neutral, by the following documents of the ship, viz. a pass, ship's register, muster-roll, log book, cocket, manifest of the cargo, the charter party, bills of lading, certificates of origin, whether the cargo, or part of the same belongs to the captain, and by the invoices of such vessels as come from America or the Indies, or are bound there. In case, however, the master is not provided with any one of the documents, the ship is to be sent out of our ports, and not to be permitted to discharge.
II. In case of neutral ships being partly loaded with merchandise, which can be proved to be of the manufacture or produce of the enemy, the same to be stopped, the goods to be seized, and sold by public auction, for the benefit of Government; but if more than half of the cargo consists of such goods, then, not only the cargo, but also the ship is to be seized.
III. A pass granted the ship, by a neutral friendly, or allied power, is not to be considered legal, as soon as it appears that the master has acted contrary to the same; or if the ship is named in the pass differently to what she is in the rest of her documents, unless the alteration made is proved by documents attested by legal authority, at the place from which the vessel departed, and produced before the Magistrate of said place; in this instance the master is not to be considered guilty.
IV. A pass is not to be considered valid if it should appear that the vessel to which it is granted was not, at the very time it is dated, at one of the ports of the power by which it has been given.
V. If the Supercargo or Master, or more than one third of the crew of a neutral vessel, should be subjects of powers at war with us, or if such a vessel is not provided with a master roll of the crew, duly attested by the Magistrate of such neutral ports from which the same departed, then both ship and cargo are to be seized, but the crew to be set at liberty.
VI. If it should appear that the pass produced by the Master has been counterfeited or altered, ship and cargo are to be seized for the benefit of Government, and the master to be brought to trial, and to be dealt with as is prescribed by the laws for those who make false documents; the crew to be set at liberty.
VII. If it should appear that a vessel is provided with double documents, with different destinations, such a vessel and her cargo are to be seized for the benefit of Government. In case the Master wishes to justify himself, by having lost his documents, and cannot produce any proofs, his vessel to be detained, granting him time for procuring the same, proportionate to the distance, if he wishes it; else, if the master cannot wait so long, ship and cargo are immediately to be sent off; but if, at the expiration of the period fixed, the master does not produce the needful proofs, ship and cargo are to be seized for the benefit of Government.
VIII. No ship built by the enemy is to be considered neutral, unless, amongst other documents, a duly attested document is found, proving the sale or transfer to have taken place, before the declaration of the war; else ship and cargo to be seized for the benefit of Government.
IX. If the owner or Commander of a neutral vessel happen to be a native of a nation at war with us, and is provided with papers of a neutral power, in such a case the pass is not to serve as a clearance, as long as he cannot prove having become a subject and resident of such a power, previous to the declaration of war; else he is to be sent off, with his ship, not allowing him to take in return a cargo.
St. Petersburg, May 7, 1809.
NEW YORK, August 13. LATEST LONDON NEWS. By the ship George, from Greenock, and Phoebe and Amazon from Liverpool, which arrived at this port yesterday, the Editor of the Mercantile Advertiser has received London papers to the 3d of July, inclusive, and Lloyd's Lists to the 1st.
The papers do not furnish us with intelligence from Germany so late as we had already received by the Mentor from L'Orient. Captain Connell, of the Phoebe, has not dispatched for government from our minister in London.
We do not find that Mr. Jackson, the new British minister, had left England for the U. States; or that his mission is any where spoken of.
From London papers to the 3d July, received at the office of the Mercantile Advertiser. LONDON, June 25. The Court Martial on Ad. Lord Gambier will not commence for some time, as two of the witnesses are at sea; the Hon. Admiral Stopford is at Basque Roads, and Capt. Rohl, of the Indefatigable, in the Mediterranean. The trial is expected to last several days, as Lord Gambier has requested that the Admiralty will inquire into the whole of his conduct, while the fleet under his command was in Basque Roads. His Lordship, and his friends, are to reside at the Government house, which his Lordship is furnishing. The Court will be held on the Galleon, of 120 guns, the finest ship in the British navy, and she is ordered into the harbor for the purpose.
June 28. It is confidently reported, that the Earl of Chatham is to be the Commander in Chief of the Expedition now preparing to sail.
Report states, that an insurrection has broken out at St. Petersburg. A number of the nobility and men of influence, it is said, have menaced the Emperor with deposition, unless he consented to order the return of the troops which were marching against Austria; and also immediately negotiate a peace with G. Britain.
That there is no intention on the part of the French and Dutch Governments to relax in execution of their severe commercial decrees, even at the present critical moment, which might suggest moderation and forbearance, is shown by the following answer, which was recently given in Holland, to a petition for leave to discharge some American ships:— "The Director of Public Concerns on the River informs Mr. _____, that, in conformity with his majesty's orders, his petition touching the American ships, cannot be complied with. That although it affects his majesty to be under the necessity of obstructing commerce, in order to avoid greater inconveniences, he cannot revoke the existing orders. All American ships, laden with goods which are allowed to be imported, will be admitted; but should their cargoes consist of colonial produce, though they should even come from Dutch colonies, they must be deposited in the King's warehouses until peace takes place, or wait the event of more favorable circumstances or times.—June 29"
July 3. We understand that the American Consul here has received information from the American Consul at Amsterdam, that the existing state of affairs between the United States and France rendered it hazardous for American vessels, particularly with colonial produce, to proceed at this time to the ports of Holland, as some, which had already arrived, were under difficult and embarrassing circumstances. Tobacco and pot-ashes, however, are allowed by law to enter; but on a view of all circumstances, those concerned will judge of the risk they run in proceeding there at this moment.
The King has been pleased to constitute and appoint the Right Hon. Granville Levesque Gower, (commonly called Lord Granville Levesque Gower), to be his majesty's secretary at war.
It was expected on Saturday, that orders would be issued for an immediate embargo at all the out-ports.—The proper officers were in waiting all day at the custom house.
The preparations for the Grand Expedition are carried on with great activity. A very large fleet of men of war is collecting at Spithead, to take the troops on board; the force being so great, that transports cannot be procured to carry them. They are to take on board both horse and foot soldiers. The following are the regiments which are to embark.
Three squadrons of the 9th Light Dragoons, two companies of the 95th Rifle Corps, the 5th, 71st, and 82d Light Infantry.—The 5th, 231. (21 bat.) 23d, 321, 33d, 8th, (24 bat.) 82d and 83d Regiments. These troops are to embark on board between Haslar and Fort Monck, and on the Yee Common, near Gosport. The Royal Artillery, 1000 strong; the 24 Battalion Royal Artillery—21 Battalion 35th—21 Battalion 31st—21 Battalion 14th, 51st, and the 24 Battalion 63d Regiments. These Regiments are to embark on South Sea Common, until the whole corps is there. The 5th, 8th, 721, 25th, and 35th, are arrived. The whole of the troops will have marched in by the 10th inst. Gen. Sir Eyre Coote, Gen. Picton, and Brig. Gen. Trench, are the only officers yet arrived. Commissioner Bown, of the Transport Board, and Major Nisbet, Deputy quarter-master-general of the district, are come to superintend the arrangements for the embarkation. The ships at present ordered to be victualled at Portsmouth, for the service, and taking in their lower deck guns to afford accommodation for the troops, are, we understand, the following, consisting of 22 sail of the line, 6 frigates, and 2 bombs. More are expected—Eagle, Inflexible, Revenge, Hero, Valiant, Venerable, Superb, Ganges, Centaur, Aboukir, Malborough, Royal Oak, Alfred, Caesar, Monarch, Belleisle, Bellona, Orion, Achilles, Reulse, Resolution, Illustrious, Impregnable, Rota, L'Aigle, Pearl, Pallas, Dryad, Devastation, and Vesuvius. Rear-Admiral Otway has hoisted his flag on board the Monarch, 74, captain Lee being appointed to a command in the expedition.
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Consols - - - shut Reduced - - - 63 1/8 1/4 Long Annuities - 13 5/8 11 1/2 Omnium - - - 34 1 prem.
PORTSMOUTH, July 2. The Milbank Cartel arrived on Friday night at this port, from Marlia. Col. Washington Morton, who sailed in her from Portsmouth, with dispatches from the American government, or that of France, landed there on the 21st last, but it was with great difficulty that he obtained permission to go on shore.
THE EXPEDITION. July 4. From the secrecy which has hitherto been preserved, there is not the smallest reason to believe that the numerous points of destination which have been ascribed to the expedition are announced on any better authority than that of mere conjecture. The quantity of artillery, both field and battering, is so numerous, as to render it extremely probable that a sudden attack is meditated on some great naval arsenal, or place of strength of some of our enemies. Heavy baggage is strictly prohibited; and although every officer employed is ignorant as the public, of the destination of the expedition, it is the general opinion that the service will not be of longer duration than that against Copenhagen.
ARTILLERY. Sixty 18 pounders battering; forty 24 do. 110 pieces of field artillery; ten 63 lbs. caronades; 40 Mortars; many Howitzers; an immense number of Congreve Rockets; Shrapnell Shells; and a supply of ammunition for a siege.
Foot Artillery 2,300 men. Horse do. 8 Troops, 960 men. Sir Richard Strachan, Sir Samuel Hood, Rear Admiral Otway, and Sir Home Popham, it is said, are already named to naval commands. With respect to the command of the land forces, there is no reason at present, to doubt, that the Earl of Chatham will be intrusted with the direction of this formidable force.
All such American and other neutral vessels as may be engaged by the Transport Board to serve, are to be commanded by British officers and navigated by British crews. It is also said that British Merchants have a decided interest in such ships. Orders are said to have been issued for a rigorous and general embargo in every port in the United Kingdom.
GRAND ENTERTAINMENT AT LISBON. Gen. Junot, signing the convention at Lisbon, it appears, invited the three Generals, Dalrymple, Burrard and Wellesley, to a most superb dinner. His grand saloon was fitted up in the most elegant manner, with emblematical transparencies, and ignited with the Candelabra stolen from the Lisbon Churches, bearing the wax tapers also stolen from Portuguese altars and chapels. The transparency at the upper end of the room presented a figure of Junot, holding in one hand a cap adorned with bays, while with the other he was throwing dust in the eyes of his adversaries. In another part he was on his march to Paris, followed by his troops, in complete array, his body guard carrying banners, with "See the conqueror hero comes," said on another, "the wretched to-day may be happy to-morrow." The transparency at the lower end was very large and containing a number of figures. In the fore ground were the three British Generals, in full dress, white large bunches of rue in their hats. Near them stood the genius of Britain, in a reclining posture, drowning with her tears the withered thistle, drooping shamrock, and faded rose, that lay at her feet. In the back ground was the figure of Abercrombie, on the plains of Egypt, with an angel hovering over him, bearing a scroll, on which was inscribed "death or victory!" also the shade of Sir Arthur Wellesley at the battle of Assaye, and Hibernia mourning her hero fallen. A figure of an old woman, standing on a rock, weighing oatmeal and croud to the Spaniards, also attracted much notice. To give more effect to the scene by a sort of pantomimic device, she drops her weights and measures, and snatching up a truncheon, appears at the head of a victorious army. Dinner was served on the church plate. The head dish was three gudgeons, with sour sauce a la picquant, removed by a calf's head without brains. The remaining dishes were trifles and mushrooms. The first toast was, the convention; with three times three followed by the glee of the three wise sisters.—2d Sir Hew Dalrymple, followed by the favorite song of "Auld mon are you walking yet,"—3d Sir Harry Burrard, and the tears of Nelson.—Sir A. Wellesley, and the soldier tir'd.—Junot's health was then drunk, his whole band playing the rogue's march, &c. &c.
London Pap.
THE BRITISH NAVY.—According to the last returns, the British Navy consists at present, including the ships building and repairing, &c. of 1157 ships, of which 263 are of the line, 35 from 50 to 44 guns, 260 frigates, 222 sloops, 20 bombs and fire ships, 191 armed brigs, 42 cutters and 104 schooners, luggers, &c.
COMMUNICATED FOR THE FEDERAL GAZETTE.
Sir. A letter received from W. Jackson, from his friend at Boston, contains the following extract; which you will please publish for the information of persons whose relatives may be on board the fleet.
PORTSMOUTH, (Eng.) June 25, 1809. "There is the largest expedition of troops and battle ships now fitting out here and at Plymouth, that ever sailed from England. Troops are marching in from all quarters to embark immediately from here and the Isle of Wight and Gosport. All the flat-bottomed boats are now afloat. The line of battle ships under orders are, the new 74 Royal Oak, Superb 74, Valiant 74, Illustrious 74, Centaur 74, Venerable 74, Rota 50, Eagle 74, Repulse 74, Alfred 74, Impetueux 80, Caesar 80, Hero 74, Belleisle 80, George 74, Monarch 74, Marlborough 74, Achilles 74, Orion 74, Aboukir 74, Resolution 74, [Monarch 74 is the admiral's flag ship]; also, the Devastation fire bomb, and Vesuvius do. Impetueux 40 guns, Pallas 32, Dryade 86, L'Aigle 36, Pearl 44 besides cutters, transports and a great many gun boats. The line of battle ships each take a battalion of troops on board. The rumor here is, that they are to make an excursion on the coast of Holland; the officers say up the Baltic [he says the Mediterranean; but must mean the Baltic] to draw the Russian troops from Austria. The troops are in high spirits."
EXTRACT—DATED BELFAST, June 24, 1809.
"I cannot now touch on politics. I fear nothing will do well either here or in Old England, until that upstart Mr. Canning gets his head in a noose. I am told he is a nobleman, who was brought up by the celebrated Mr. Burke, and was introduced by him to Mr. Pitt as a young man of promising talents and a haughty address. Pitt made him his private secretary, in this capacity he obtained his political knowledge, and being thought well acquainted with all his schemes he was appointed to succeed him or rather, Fox, but although he has a greater share of chancery he has neither the cunning of the one nor the depth of the other."
NEW COMMERCIAL DECREE.
Extract from the minutes of the secretaries of state. IMPERIAL DECREE. From our imperial camp at Ebersdorf, 4th June, 1809.
Napoleon, emperor of the French king of Italy, protector of the confederation of the Rhine. We have decreed and do hereby decree as follows. Art. 1. The relations between France and Holland shall be re-established upon the same footing as before our decree of the 16th Nov. 1808. Art. 2. Our minister of finance is directed to see the present decree put in execution. (Signed) NAPOLEON.
This imperial prohibitory decree of 16th Sep. 1st, now repealed by the above decree, prevented the importation of colonial produce into France from Holland. But new and severe decrees against American commerce are daily expected by the merchants in Holland.
Domestic.
NORFOLK, August 13. FIRE!!!
On Wednesday night, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock, a FIRE broke out in an untenanted Ware House situate on Southgate and Dickson's Wharf. It is said that it was discovered when in its first stage, by a STRANGER, who immediately gave the alarm, and, after procuring assistance, repaired to the premises; but such were the combustible nature of the materials of the house, (being a wooden building) that before they could arrive it was inwrapp'd in flames! The Ware-Houses contiguous being of the same nature, the fire communicated to them, and being filled with articles of merchandise, served to render the conflagration more rapid and awful. At its commencement, a dead calm prevailed; a brisk wind soon sprung up from the South, which, carrying the flames with great velocity towards Newton's Wharf threatened the destruction of that valuable portion of our Borough—By indefatigable exertions, (such as wetting the houses, pulling off the planks, &c.) the flames were repelled without doing any material damage; and, providentially, the wind again shifting to the Northward, directed their course to Loyall's Wharf;—here the means employed at Newton's, were applied to this wharf, when the same success ultimately ensued. But what commanded our admiration, (if admiration could be excited when viewing the dreadful spectacle, was the Ware House of Mr. Thomas Dickson, adjoining the houses that were on fire. For nearly three hours did the flames beat with unabated fury against it, without producing any visible effect.—It stands an imperishable monument of the policy and interest of erecting fire-proof houses; as, had it not been for this happy circumstance, Norfolk would this day present as gloomy an aspect as it did in the winter of 1804.
Fortunately the height of the tide enabled the crews of the vessels laying at the wharf, with those in the next dock, to remove them into the stream. Had the tide been low, the mischief that would have resulted in consequence, would be incalculable. Five Ware-Houses, with nearly all their contents, were consumed, and the Wharf is considerably injured. Messrs. Southgate and Dickson have sustained a heavy loss, as

the houses destroyed and the wharf injured, belong exclusively to them—Mr. Alexander Maclure is a great sufferer—Messrs. John Proudfoot and N. Heron have lost the contents of their stores, with all their books and papers.
Report has said that the fire was occasioned by the rain penetrating into some unslacked lime, which is well known to possess a spirit capable of communicating fire to other objects. We are assured by one of the sufferers that not a single bushel was in any Ware-house—From this assertion, we are justified in saying, that the calamity experienced, originated by the hand of an incendiary.
The loss is estimated at upwards of 15, 600 dollars—none of the property being insured.
During the conflagration, opprobrious epithets were freely lavished upon those who have the Engines confided to their care. When the second house was destroyed, we observed one to move with great alacrity to the scene of action; the drawers of it certainly evinced every disposition to stay the progress of the fire; and had the machine been in correspondent order with the intentions of our citizens, a deal of good would have been done, though not enough to have saved the houses consumed.—But, lo! when filled, and expectation raised to the highest pitch, and the apparatus put in motion, it remained completely water-logged. We understand that there are three Engines attached to this Borough which are in the same deplorable state.
There was another evil (admitting the Engines to have been in order) which ought not to be overlooked. The great deficiency of Fire-Buckets was felt in a sensible degree; so much so, that scarcely enough could be collected to supply one Engine with water. We have a law, compelling each inhabitant to be possessed of two—We ask the question—why is this law not enforced?—It requires no great wisdom to find a solution. We can easily devise ways and means to bring salutary measures forward; but in their execution is the point in which we grow luk arm .
We might extend our reprehension to the want of Axes, Bags, Hooks, &c.—but as our remarks relative to the Engines and Buckets, are applicable to those objects, enough has been said, (and the catastrophe has done more) to rouse municipal vigilance to a sense of their duty.
Virginia Argus.
RICHMOND.
FRIDAY, August 25, 1809.
The persecuting spirit with which Mr. Cheetham, the Editor of the American Citizen, pursues Mr. Jefferson, is more a proof of personal malignity than of devotedness to principle. It was long thought the Editor of the Citizen was sincere in his professions of friendliness to republican institutions; but his recent conduct has amply proved the frailty of his political reputation, and even something worse. Mr. Cheetham has been accustomed to the mobs of England, where he himself became a notorious personage by heading a riot. In this, it was supposed, he was influenced by a wild and generous disposition to ameliorate the oppressions of his fellow-subjects of Great Britain. This was, however, an unfortunate conjecture; because, on his emigration to America it induced the Republicans of the United States to take him by the hand and patronize him, not aware that instead of a real patriot, they were cherishing a licentious demagogue, whose chief object was money, and who was determined to obtain that object at very great sacrifices of political probity. It would seem that this gentleman has persuaded himself that the people of America are as stupid as the lower class of people in England, and that it is his intention to act his Manchester adventure over in this country, by leading a riotous outcry against the late president of the United States. True, nevertheless, to his passion for money, he does not stir in the affair without pay; as we already perceive the advertising favors of British partisans creeping into his columns, and they are a kind of tell-tales on Mr. Cheetham, which glaringly betray his venality. It is somewhat humiliating certainly, although it is evidence of the unlimited latitude to which the freedom of the press is entitled in the United States, that a Manchester mob-man should be suffered to traduce the first characters in the nation. When we reflect that Mr. Jefferson is the author of the declaration of American Independence; that he is second to none but Washington, and scarcely second to him; the people of this country must entertain for him sentiments of a more lively complexion than those which are entertained for ordinary politicians. These sentiments are certainly cherished with respect to the late president by native citizens; and it is natural they should be felt by adopted ones, for Thomas Jefferson has been, in a very peculiar manner, the friend of the foreigners who have sought repose from tyranny, and have found shelters and encouragements on these shores. Let us, then, not doubt but the love for Mr. Jefferson is too deeply interwoven in the hearts of the great mass of our population, to be loosened and destroyed by the mobbish declamations and angry invectives of Mr. Cheetham, or of any other scribbler of his cast.
The enquiry is going about as to what we are to do in the present emergency? On this point common sense would say let the legislatures of the different states conciliate parties; let the real interests of the country be calmly considered; let us discontinue local distinctions; let us become more constitutional, and consequently more national, by becoming more United; let it no longer be Massachusetts and Virginians, New-Yorkers and Pennsylvanians, but Americans: then shall we become more respected and formidable abroad, more collected and happy at home; let us also, instead of talking, act: for foreign nations will not believe that we are in earnest until we make a display of something more than mere words.
The British, with their usual pomposity, are making a terrible pother about their grand expedition of 40,000 men. One would think, from the noise it occasions, that it is equal to the vast enterprise of Xerxes. It seems that the disgraceful and wretched retreat of the British troops from Spain has not cured John Bull of his relish for land expeditions.
PLAIN ENGLISH!
“The result of this negotiation [Erskine’s] or rather the total failure of it, proves the truth of what I told the ministers from the first; that is, that every step in the way of concession, would but cause the difficulties to thicken. If they had stood firm upon the ground of maritime dominion , there would have been a loud out cry for a few weeks; but what would the Americans have done more than they have done now?” “They have now done their worst, and they could have done no more. There would have been an end, for ever, of all claims & disputes about searching ships. And, to this it must come at last. In REALITY it is now. We do exercise an absolute maritime dominion. We must exercise it, or we cannot remain independent of France. It would therefore, be better to do it, at once, avowedly, & not encounter the thing with orders in council, and other trappings, which only serve to rob the principle of its simplicity and dignity!”
[Cobbett’s Register.]
Such is the abrupt, bold-face confession of Mr. William Cobbett, better known in this country by the name of Peter Porcupine. He openly confesses, what the republicans of America long ago asserted, to wit: that the object of the British ministry is, absolute, universal, maritime dominion. “In reality (says Cobbett) it is now. We do exercise an absolute maritime dominion. ” Now, this is fair play: it is not beating about the bush; it is confession without compulsion. We are decidedly of Mr. Cobbett’s opinion: the British ministry might as well avow their design at once, “and not encumber the thing with orders in council,” and other trappings, which only serve to rob the principle of its simplicity and dignity.” That is, the English government, in the true spirit of its operations, should no longer play the pitiful pick-pocket; but like a daring highway robber, publicly support what it secretly labors to obtain.—If the English ministry would be as candid as Mr. Cobbett, it would save a world of ill blood and silly contention. As Americans, we should have no objection to such a course of conduct, on the part of G. Britain; because, if, as Cobbett avers, “it must come to this at last,” it would be infinitely to our advantage to hasten it; for then the whole U. States, no longer duped in any part by jesuitical professions of friendly dispositions on the part of the perfidious government of the Islanders, would rally to a man in vindication of rights as unalienable, as imprescriptible, as the laws of nature.—Indeed, there is proof enough, of the intention of the English to usurp universal maritime dominion , for us all to rally now, and we certainly should sincerely unite if it were not for the pestiferous belchings of that corromant ambition, which some evil men in this country manifests, and which would swallow up every thing to gratify its detestable appetites.—And here let us enquire of those respectable well-meaning federalists, who really apprehend danger from the swelling pride and not spirit of enterprize manifested by Bonaparte, and who continually warn us of his approaches to universal domination on land, whether it does not equally become us as men devoted to the promotion of our country’s good, to resist with firmness universal dominion on the ocean as well as universal dominion on the land ? Nay, whether we ought not to resist the former more than the latter, seeing, as we do, that the tyrant of the land cannot on the land reach or injure us; whilst the tyrant of the seas daily seizes our ships, our seamen, and cramps our navigation and commerce in every quarter of the Globe.
FOR THE ARGUS.
Reflections on the disavowal of the stipulations entered into by the British minister; and of their permanent obligation on the British government.—Concluded.
No. III.
THE History of Man, is but the narrative of his crimes; & the business of the politician, is to apply the instruction which it affords, to the incidents which happen in the times in which he lives.
The friends of American freedom have exclaimed against the perfidy of Great Britain in the late negotiation; her partisans have protested against the charge, and have appealed to history as evidence of the probity of her character. Of the English people, we say nothing; they, like every other nation, are composed of a heterogeneous mass of good and bad, with enormous vices and great virtues. It is, with its government that we have any concern.
It is not true that its government has at all times negotiated with good faith. From her treaty with Russia, on becoming a member of the famous coalition against France, to the present day, she has sacrificed the rights of neutrals in violation of the laws of nations and of existing treaties. She has done so in the first Austrian war, during the Prussian war; and lately in the Spanish insurrection and in the present war of Austria. Has not her insolence augmented with every prospect of success: And has not concession been offered, and her tones fallen when she espied misfortune gathering
around her? When her armies were driven from Spain, have the notes of her minister to our government breathed any thing but a spirit of conciliation; but upon the partial success of the Austrian arms on the Danube and of the patriots in Spain, were not the offers of her minister disavowed?
But he had exceeded his instructions, and G. Britain is not in the habit of violating the acts of an accredited agent.
This is not true. She violated the engagement of her admiral at Toulon. He resigned, and shortly after resumed his employment. Cornwallis then the vice-roy, and the prime minister Pitt, in his celebrated letter on the Irish Union, both promised in the name of their Sovereign, emancipation to the Irish Catholics. The Catholics were gulled, the Union was carried, and the promise was disavowed by the King. Pitt and Cornwallis retired from office, to yield to the storm of popular indignation; it passed away, and they once more returned to public life. And yet with these facts staring them in the face, her panders in this country, have the effrontery to talk of the inviolability of British faith. But Mr. Erskine was imposed upon.
If so, Hood was imposed upon, Pitt and Cornwallis were imposed upon. But it is not more probable, as ministers now adays, like women, of easy virtue, learn to make a sacrifice of character to their interest or their passions, that Mr. Erskine and Mr. Canning had a previous understanding on this subject? Besides, Mr. Erskine is not a man of that feeble understanding, to be imposed upon by a silly piece of diplomatic sophistry. And really without detracting from Mr. Canning’s reputation for cunning, artifice & misrepresentation; the instructions of the 23d of January, from the pen of one bred up, in all the wiles of the English cabinet, are at best but a clumsy performance.
Neither would it be a sufficient motive to ruin Mr. Erskine, because his friends are whigs and members of the opposition.
The opposition party to which Mr. Erskine is said to belong, were never so powerful for the fifty years of the last century as they are at present. England has been lately agitated by a successful prosecution of a prince of the blood by a member of their party; and the people are in commotion from the development of the corruption of the government: of the sale of public offices, and of the inadequacy of representation. This, therefore, is not the period for a minister to make the hazardous experiment of prosecuting an obnoxious individual of a powerful party. It is true that Admiral Byng, to whose invention the English navy owes those naval tactics which at present give celebrity to its operations, was sacrificed, and the instructions by which he could have justified himself, torn from him; but let it be remembered this was done when the clamors of the people were in hostility to Byng, and in favor of the ministers. Were a similar attempt made in the case of Erskine, the clamors of the people would be in his favor, and ministers are sure of being overwhelmed by the strength of his party.
It is, therefore, much more probable that Mr. Erskine had two sets of instructions adapted to the revolutions which the fortune of war might happen to give to the affairs of the European continent. Should it appear politic, either of them could be disavowed at pleasure: and Mr. Erskine could resign like Hood, Pitt, and Cornwallis; and be secure of being gratified for his compliance by subsequent promotion.
There are other circumstances that corroborate this supposition. It has been well observed, that Mr. Canning in his instructions to Mr. Erskine, makes mention of two acts of our government, which influenced him to open a negotiation: the interdiction of our harbors to the vessels of Great Britain and France, and a non-intercourse with both countries. These instructions are dated on the 23d of last January: and the non-intercourse law, and the interdiction of the vessels of England & France, passed on the 1st of March following. Hence, without any allowance for the interval of time which must necessarily elapse before any information from a British ambassador in England, the date of the instructions in which these acts are mentioned, is a month and seven days prior to their having any existence in this country. So that the friends of Mr. Canning must either attribute to him the presence of a prophet with the qualities of a great statesman, or that he holds actual intercourse with the Devil, or that these instructions were subse-
Vid. Hartford Mercury, August 17.
quently sent and antedated for his purpose.
It is, besides, no objection to this conviction, that Mr. Erskine was formerly attached to the whig party. So was Mr. Pitt, so was Burke, so was the present and his immediate successor. But they all observed that there was a proper time when a statesman should learn to renounce his political principles for his personal emolument.
The great political parties of England are those who are in and those who are out of office. Her whigs of modern days differ from the whigs of the revolution as much as things do which are of a quite different nature. Charles Fox was called a whig, so were the two Pitts, father and son. Yet in what did Fox’s administration differ from that of his predecessor’s. When out of office, he promised magnificently, and was a warm stickler for the rights of the people: but within the walls of St. Stephen’s Chapel, he either forgot his promises or was obliged to sail with the current. The exertion of no individual talents, be they of the greatest possible magnitude, will ever be able to remedy the systematic corruption of the English government: nothing can purge it but a revolution.
The government of England is nothing but a monied aristocracy, composed of the mercantile and landed interests. These advance to the money that gives motion to wheels of the national administration. The followers and dependants of the former find employment in the naval and military departments of the crown: and the wealth of the other is augmented by the monopolies that are necessarily consequent upon her present system of neutral trade. Have we not a proof of this in the late meeting of the London merchants?
Great Britain defended her orders in council, on the alleged motive of retaliating on the enemy for the Berlin decree; to distress the internal administration of his government, by cutting him off from every branch of foreign commerce. The disavowal of the stipulations of her minister and his recall, left the American trade exposed to the well known violence of her cruisers, and to the subtle tyranny of her courts of admiralty. Considering that in such circumstances, she owed something to reputation, (for even the villain must observe some forms of conduct to ensure his after-success) she permitted our vessels to have a partial access to some of the enemy’s ports. Here, if the real object of her government was to distress the enemy’s trade; whilst she unwillingly accorded to us the concession, she would have taken the most vigorous measures to prevent her own subjects from trading to those ports. But mark the spirit of the hussar. The London merchants complain that their trade will suffer by this concession, and that the time allowed the Americans is too long. The period is accordingly abridged, and government grants licences to her own subjects to trade to the ports of her enemy. Does not Holland communicate by navigable rivers with that part of modern France which was formerly called the Netherlands: & will not the internal provinces of France, through this means be supplied with commodities? Is this, therefore, the way England makes use of to distress an enemy? Is it not glaringly absurd in her advocates to say that England is fighting for the liberties of the world? No! She is fighting for the benefits of a universal mercantile dominion abroad, and of a trading and landed aristocracy at home.
What is the situation of England? Three fourths of her representation is purchased by this aristocracy, which gives laws to the remainder, 100,000 persons, or the one fiftieth of her population possess the representative powers of Ireland: the people of Scotland, who, until the year ’56, were the very worst slaves in Europe, with their property and their lives, subject to the caprice of their respective chiefs, had not time sufficient to acquire ideas of liberty, much less to make advances in representation.
With such a country we can have little hopes of a solid and lasting peace. Treaties cannot bind her. Though the preambles of treaties happen to state that they shall be binding on the parties forever; yet each endeavors to get rid of their obligation in proportion, as it is influenced by interest or by inclination. Had the people of Britain a share in the national councils, we might hope for a permanent and lasting peace. But a war with America holds out a prospect of plunder to her national vessels and privateers; it offers employment to the sons and dependents of her monied men, and gives circulation to an immense nominal capital of paper money. But whether the farmer mourns the loss of his son, or abridges his stock of the necessaries of life, to pay the accumulated burthen of his war
taxes, they care nothing: Vultures subsist upon carrion, and an aristocracy becomes gorged on the ruin of a people.
It is the agents of this aristocracy that assail our government at all points. Says one, the late non-intercourse will not affect Great Britain, it will ruin this country, and besides, the President has no authority to impose it.
We are sorry, indeed, that she will not be made to feel sufficiently its pressure: but it is a demonstration to us, that at least it will pinch her, since her friends begin to cry out so very sharply.
Let us hear their sophistry; it is laid down as an universal rule, that when the agent has executed his trust, that his power is at an end; the President, therefore, having suspended the non-intercourse, by authority of Congress, cannot afterwards impose it.
That depravity of heart that blinds the eyes of some persons to the interest of their country, proves it to be a truth in the moral as well as in the physical world; that the malignity of every reptile is in the inverse proportion of its strength: were it otherwise, it would be a matter of surprise, that persons with the smallest pretensions to common sense, would advocate such doctrines. But in the trade of a minion, his first sacrifice is his character, and the next is his understanding.
A man gives a power of attorney to his friend, to dispose of an estate. The latter makes a bargain with a third person. This third person shortly after refuses to adhere to his agreement. A petty-fogger attempts to prove to you by syllogistical argument, that the agent has no further authority to dispose of the property because he has exerted his special power. Such is the argument they would apply to the late proclamation of Mr. Madison.
By an engagement entered into by Mr. Erskine, it was stipulated on the part of the British government, that the orders in council of January and November, 1807, would be repealed, provided the non-intercourse subsisting between this country and G. Britain, should be simultaneously withdrawn by the government of the U. States.
This was acceded to with good faith on the part of our government: the proceedings of the British minister has been disavowed by his government, and we are thus disappointed in our just hopes of pacification. The essential conditions of the stipulations being once violated, from the conditional nature of every contract, the restrictive laws revived of course; and the President has only acted in his capacity of chief executive magistrate of the U. S. by issuing his proclamation and declaring those laws to be in force and still binding on our citizens.
E—NA.
ERRATA.—In the last Argus, 2d page, the first two lines at the top of the 4th, should stand at the bottom of the 5th column.
NOTICE. The subscriber intends to leave the state for a few months. During his absence, his personal business will be attended to, by his friends, Daniel Call, George Hay and William Wirt, Esq’s. ALEXANDER MORAE. Richmond, August 25th, 1809. 3 t.
INTEND to be absent from the State a short time.
JOHN CLARKE.
August 24th, 1809.
WILL BE SOLD on Monday 11th September next, if fair, otherwise the next fair day, at the late dwelling house of Nathaniel Pope, decd. in Hanover county, several likely slaves, consisting of men, women and children, the stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, one coach and single chaise, household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, the crop of corn, wheat, oats, blades, and top fodder, &c.
Twelve months credit will be allowed the purchaser for all sums above ten dollars on their giving bond with approved security, to carry interest from the date, if not punctually paid.
PHILIP DUVAL, Administrator. August 1st 1809. tds.
AT the same time and place, by virtue of a deed of trust executed to the subscriber by Nathaniel Pope, decd. bearing date 28th day of Oct. 1808, will be sold (in conformity to the provisions of an act of the last session of Assembly of Virginia, entitled “An act concerning executions for other purposes”) the following slaves, to wit; Milly and her children, York, Betty, Kitty, Daniel and Ben, or so many of the slaves above named, as will be sufficient to satisfy the debt in said deed expressed, together with the charges of executing the same.
THOMAS PRICE, Trustee. 1st August, 1809. tds.
FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE, A FEW HANDSOME COPIES OF GIBBON’S DECLINE & FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE; To which is added, (in this edition only) THE VERY INTERESTING LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, written by HIMSELF, Eight Vols, Large Octavo, Price 23 Dol. 1809

REMOVAL. THE subscriber has removed near the Bason, where he continues to keep a house of Private Entertainment. He has also for sale a general assortment of GROCERIES. Likewise sells all kinds of country produce on commission. REZEKIAH PURYEAR. Richmond, May 17th, 1809.
LAND FOR SALE.—THE GLEBE LANDS in the occupancy of the Rev. Matthew Maury, dec'd and now occupied by Nathaniel Ragsdale, will be sold, on the premises to the highest bidder, on Friday the fifteenth September next, on a credit of twelve months, the purchaser giving bond with approved security. "By order of the Overseers of the Poor." JOHN WINN, Jr. Ck. Altavista, August 4th, 1809.
One Thousand Pounds WANTED, FOR the interest of which, a plantation of 500 acres of valuable land will be given, until the money is refunded. Nearly 100 acres are rich low grounds, now in cultivation living on navigable water, the improvements new and very good, in a healthy and desirable country. Enquire of the Printer. September 8, 1809.
City Hotel to Let. THAT spacious convenient HOUSE and LOT with out Houses, Stables &c. situated on the street that leads from the main street by the Governor's to the Capitol; which was lately in the occupancy of Mr. Jas. Vaughan as a Tavern. It will be let for one or more years, and possession given immediately. For terms apply to Benjamin Mosby of Powhatan, or B. Tate of this City, who are authorized by me to let the same. RICHARD CROUCH. Richmond, June 1st, 1809.
FOR SALE, A TRACT OF LAND, formerly the property of Jacob Williamson, dec'd of Amelia county, between 900 and 1000 acres. This land lies about one mile from Appomattox river and six miles above Gen. G. bridge. The soil is well adapted to the culture of tobacco, corn, Indian corn, wheat, and other small grain. One third part of the purchase money will be required in cash, and the balance in two equal annual installments. If the above land is not sold or otherwise disposed of before the sixteenth day of September next, the same will then be set up to the highest bidder, at the dwelling house, on the said plantation, and in case it should not be sold, it will then be rented for one year. GEORGE WILLIAMSON, Exr. August 9th, 1809.
IN COUNCIL, January 20, 1809. PROPOSALS will be received by the Executive for manufacturing three hundred and ninety Rifles during the present year, being the number directed by law to be provided and for including the deficiency of last year. Extract from the minutes. DANIEL L. HYLTON, Clerk of the Council.
NOTICE is hereby given, that I shall petition the general assembly of Virginia at their next session, for a divorce from Bernard Florence Hantelman , to whom I was married on the 17th day of November last, for reasons which will be then and there made known. MARY HANTELMAN. July 24th, 1809.
WILL BE SOLD on Monday 11th September next, if fair, otherwise the next fair day, at the late dwelling house of Nathaniel Pope, dec'd, in Hanover county, several likely slaves, consisting of men, women and children, the stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, one coach and single chair, household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, the crop of corn, wheat, oats, blades, and top fodder, &c. Twelve months credit will be allowed the purchaser for all sums above ten dollars on their giving bond with approved security, to carry interest from the date, if not punctually paid. PHILIP DUVAL, Administrator. August 1st, 1809.
AT the same time and place, by virtue of a deed of trust executed to the subscriber by Nathaniel Pope, dec'd, bearing date 1st February, 1808, will be sold for ready money, the following slaves, to wit; Milly and her children, York, Betty, Kitty, Daniel and Ben, or so many thereof, as will be sufficient to satisfy the debt in said deed expressed. THOMAS PRICE, Trustee. 1st August, 1809.
THE Subscriber will sell the HOUSE & LOT at present occupied by himself—and also, an unfinished HOUSE with a half acre LOT of LAND attached to it, near his residence. If not previously disposed of by private contract, this property will be sold at public auction, upon the premises, on the fourteenth day of September ensuing. The improvements on the lot occupied by the subscriber are plain, neat, comfortable and in good repair. If required, some time will be given for a part of the purchase money. The situation of this property is eligible, both as it regards health and good neighborhood. SAMUEL GREENHOW. Richmond, August 16th, 1809.
FOR RENT, and immediate possession given, a LUMBERHOUSE that will hold from 60 to 100 bales of tobacco, (either with or without a large loft over it). It will answer well for a Tobacco Manufactory, or a Wheelwright's or Coachmaker's shop, as it has a good inclosed yard attached to it—also a small brick house with but one room on a floor—also a Store on the Main Street opposite the Bell Tavern, and formerly occupied as a Printing Office, and latterly as a Bookbinder's shop. Enquire of the subscriber, living at the Falling Garden. James Lownes. Richmond, 8th month 1st, 1809.
THE WORKS OF THE LATE FISHER AMES, Esq. ARE FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE. A (Copy) N. SHEPPARD, clk.
20 Dollars Reward, IS offered for apprehending ANDREW , a negro slave, who about the beginning of this month RUN AWAY from the subscriber residing in the neighborhood of Amelia Court House. Andrew is about thirty years old an intelligent, active, small man, a good house and stable servant, drives a Carriage well, understands a little of Shoemaking, and readily performs any kind of plantation labor. Some years ago he was in the service of Mr. Turner at the Bell Tavern in Richmond, where I believe he generally acted as hostler, and afterwards till last Christmas was employed by Mr. Henry L. Biscoe of Manchester in his tobacco steamer. He has a wife living at the Manchester coal yard, a free mulatto woman named Sukey Hollinger, by whom I have reason to believe he is secreted. I will pay the above reward to any person who will deliver to me the above mentioned slave, or secure him in Jail, so that I get him again. James Henderson. 20th June, 1809.
COMMITTED to the jail of Montgomery county, on the 27th day of April, a negro man who calls himself MOSES ; says he is about twenty two years of age; he is near six feet high six feet high, stout built, and says he is the property of Richard Ferrell. The owner is requested to come forward, pay all charges and take him away, otherwise he will be dealt with as the law requires. H. GIBSON, Jailor. June 29th, 1809.
COLUMBIAN MILLS.—The Subscriber informs his friends, and the public, that he will purchase WHEAT delivered at the COLUMBIAN MILLS , or he will receive Wheat there, to be manufactured on very moderate and advantageous terms to the holders of this article, viz:—for every 340 pounds of good Merchantable Wheat, he will engage to deliver one barrel of good Superfine Flour, or he will receive Wheat at 6s and 6d per bushel, of 60 lbs, and deliver Superfine Flour at $6 12 1/2 cents, with a small proportion of Fine Flour at $5 62 1/2 cents per barrel—all to be inspected and delivered in good order at the Mill. The FLOUR made at this Mill has always been held in high repute, and it is the intention of the present Proprietor to sustain its character. The CORN MILLS is in complete order—every attention will be paid to customers sending their CORN to be ground on toll at the usual rate. Good fresh MEAL for sale in small or large quantities at very moderate prices for Cash. Apply to Mr Samuel Leech on the premises, or to JOHN GRANBERY, Residing in Norfolk. CASH given for CORN delivered at the Mill. Richmond, 7th July, 1809.
A BANK NOTE of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS was taken from a black boy who called himself James Smith, & says he found it in the street—Not thinking it proper to let the boy keep it, I detained it for the proper owner, who may have it, on giving satisfactory evidence of his or their right to it and paying the expense of this advertisement. JOHN McDONALD. Richmond, March 10th, 1809.
Tracts of Land With their appurtenances, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay certain debts in the said deed of trust mentioned, that is to say; one tract situate in the county of Montgomery, containing eight hundred acres being that tract on which the said Andrew Lewis now lives; one other tract adjoining the last mentioned on the north, containing ten thousand acres; one other tract adjoining the first mentioned, being an inclusive survey, containing seven thousand seven hundred acres; one other tract adjoining the last mentioned at the west end, containing four hundred and fourteen acres; one other tract called the GRANARY NECK , containing three hundred and sixty six acres; one other tract called SEVEN ACRES on Bottom Creek, adjoining the first mentioned tract of eight hundred acres, and containing one hundred and fifty acres; one other tract also adjoining the first mentioned tract called Prothonous Garden , containing one hundred and twenty eight acres; one other tract adjoining the last mentioned, containing one hundred and thirty acres; one other tract adjoining the inclusive survey of seven thousand seven hundred acres above mentioned, containing eighty acres; one other tract adjoining the same inclusive survey and containing one hundred acres; one other tract lying on both sides of Little River, containing one hundred and fifty acres, on which is situate Hopewell Forge —one other tract adjoining thereto, containing one hundred and forty acres—one other tract adjoining the same, called the Saw Mill tract , containing four hundred and thirty eight acres—and one other tract adjoining the last mentioned tract, containing one hundred acres—which said several tracts of land are situate in the county of Montgomery. The said sale will be made agreeably to the direction, in such cases, of the act of Assembly passed the 31st day of January, 1809, entitled "an act concerning executions, and for other purposes." EDWARD JOHNSTON, } Trustees JOHN PROSSER, } N. B. The above mentioned property is situated on and about what is generally called the BENT MOUNTAIN , and considered a very valuable estate, particularly for grazing. Any one wishing for more particular information, may apply to Charles Johnston, residing in Campbell County, near Lynchburg, or to Robert Pollard, George Pickett, or Gallego, Richard & Co. in the city of Richmond. Richmond, July 11, 1809.
RICHMOND TURNPIKE COMPANY. At a meeting of the Directors of the Richmond Turnpike Company, on Saturday the 29th of July, 1809.— Resolved, That the share holders in the company pay to the Treasurer five dollars on each share held by them respectively in thirty days from this day, and the further sum of five dollars on each of the said shares in sixty days from this day. Resolved, That the shares of all delinquent share holders in the Company be sold on the first Saturday in September next, being the 24th day of that month, at the Washington Tavern in the City of Richmond, at 12 o'clock of that day. (A Copy) N. SHEPPARD, clk.
VALUABLE LAND FOR SALE.—I shall expose to public Sale, on the 3d Monday in August next, on the premises a TRACT OF LAND situated in the County of Fluvanna on the three Forks of the Great Byrd Creek, eight miles from Richmond—it contains near 1800 Acres; one third of which is in cultivation, the balance is well timbered and generally fit for TOBACCO —the whole is well watered and pec liarily favorable to CLOVER and TIMOTHY .—There is upon this estate a decent dwelling House and out Houses and Mill with a pair of BURR and a pair of COLOGNE STONES .—Mr. Robt. Mims, who resides upon the LAND will show it to any person desirous of purchasing—The tract may be conveniently divided into three or four parts to suit the wishes of purchasers, who may be accommodated with Stocks of CATTLE , SHEEP and HOGS and a team of large & well drawing Mules .—The terms will be, one fourth to be paid when the Title shall be made, the balance to be divided into three, four or five equal annual payments secured upon the Land by deed of Trust. JOHN ADAMS. Richmond, 8th July 1809.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD Stolen from me about the 12th of Nov. 1807, a negro man slave, named Cesar , the property of the subscriber—He formerly belonged to Mr. Robert Alexander, of Campbell county, and was bought from him a small boy, in the year 1789. He is now above 5 feet high, one of his big toes is very remarkable, being split with an axe through the nail and nearly as high as the second joint, by that it is much broader and larger than the other. He was accustomed to run James river above the falls. I was informed that he went over the mountains in a bateaux owned by one Greely. On delivering him to me or securing him in some jail so that I get him again, shall be paid by me the reward of twenty Dollars. This is to forewarn any person or persons from harboring or concealing him, as they may depend on that I will prosecute such violators of the law to its full extent. ROBERT MITCHELL. City of Richmond, July 27th, 1809.
FOR SALE, in the town of Cartersville, upon James River, Lot No. 6 and 24, being the same formerly owned by Messrs. Deanes—On the first is a good dwelling HOUSE , store and other improvements, and on the last, a good timber house. A credit of one, two, and three years will be given: Bonds with approved security, to bear interest from the date, if not punctually paid, will be required—For further particulars, apply to Messrs John & E. Cunningham, at Cartersville, who will show the premises, or to JAMES & JOHN DUNLOP. Petersburg, July 28.
A VALUABLE FARM FOR SALE. On the 1st day of Hanover county court in the month of August next, at the courthouse, will be offered for sale, to the highest bidder, Three hundred acres of Land, lying within two miles of the courthouse, and about twenty miles from the city of Richmond. The situation is pleasant and healthy, and commands at present, and probably will for many years, continue to command a considerable range for the raising of hogs and cattle. There is upon it, a great number and variety of bearing fruit trees, and a framed dwelling house containing 5 rooms. The terms of sale will be, one fourth part of the purchase money to be paid on the first day of March next; and the residue in three equal annual installments, to be computed from that day. The payments to be secured by a deed of trust upon the land. DEO. WM. SMITH. Richmond, July 20th, 1809.
VALUABLE LANDS FOR SALE.— The Subscribers wish to dispose of that valuable tract of LAND called PORT LEWIS , lying in the Counties of Botetourt and Montgomery, and containing about 2,600 acres. They also wish to sell 3,180 acres of Land lying in the County of Fluvanna, on the south side of the Rivanna river, extending from Col. Cary's line down the river, to within about a mile of Columbia. This last mentioned Land, being in five distinct tracts, will be sold separately or together, as may best suit any person desirous of purchasing. One fourth of the amount being paid in hand, any reasonable credit will be given for the balance. GIBSON & JEFFERSON. Richmond, July 28.
TO all whom it may concern.—A petition will be presented to the next General Assembly praying a release of right of the commonwealth to the lands lying in Middlesex county, to the subscriber, of which D. Robt. B. Spratt and Doct. George D. Spratt, died, seized, the subscriber being nearest of kin to the deceased. CHARLOTTE GWATHMEY, Wife of Richard Gwathmey Aug 1st 1809.
FOR SALE or RENT.—The TENEMENT on shockoe hill, lately occupied by Mr. Samuel Pleasants on which is a Dwelling house with six rooms, besides two dry cellar rooms with fire places also a Kitchen, smoke house, and Stable. The Situation is healthy and pleasant and very convenient to the Capitol—Possession may be had the first of October next, when Mr. Pleasants' lease will expire. For terms apply to A. BLAIR, Richmond, July 13, 1809.
MATTRESSES OF ALL SIZES AND KINDS, MADE and repaired, agreeably to order, in the large wooden house opposite the Old City Tavern, two squares below the market bridge Richmond. J. S. Pleasants. May 31, 1809
General Assembly, begun and held at the Capitol in the city of Richmond, on Monday the second day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and five, and of the Commonwealth, the thirty-first. AN ACT giving further time to the proprietors of certain lands, forfeited for the non-payment of taxes, to redeem the same. [Passed February 1st, 1806.] BE it enacted by the General Assembly, That the proprietors of lands forfeited to, and vested in the commonwealth, by the non payment of taxes, agreeably to the act, entitled, "An act more effectually to provide for the payment of taxes upon lands within this commonwealth," may redeem the same by paying into the treasury of this commonwealth, on or before the first day of March, in the year eighteen hundred and seven, all arrears of taxes due thereon. This act shall commence and be in force from and after the passing thereof. A Copy from the Roll—Teste, J. PLEASANTS, Jr. Keeper of the Rolls.
General Assembly, begun and held at the Capitol in the city of Richmond, on Monday the first day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and six, and of the Commonwealth, the thirty-first. AN ACT to amend an act, entitled, "An act more effectually to provide for the payment of taxes upon lands within this commonwealth." [Passed 20th January, 1807.] BE it enacted by the General Assembly, That when the taxes on any tract or parcel of land shall have heretofore remained, or shall hereafter remain unpaid for the space of two years, such tract or parcel of land shall be forfeited to the commonwealth, and shall not be subject to location provided nevertheless, That the tract or parcel of land so as aforesaid forfeited, shall be subject to the redemption of the former rightful and proper owner at any time within three years after such forfeiture shall have accrued, upon payment of the taxes due thereon, according to the following rules, to wit: That if the said taxes shall be paid in the first year after such forfeiture shall have accrued, there shall be paid an interest of twenty-five per centum per annum on the amount of the said taxes from the time they became due till paid. If the said taxes shall be paid in the second year after such forfeiture shall have accrued, there shall be paid an interest of fifty per centum per annum on the amount of taxes due as aforesaid; if the said taxes shall be paid in the third year after such forfeiture shall have accrued, there shall be paid an interest of one hundred per centum per annum, as aforesaid; Provided also, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to affect the rights of infants, femes covert, or persons of unsound mind, until one year after the disabilities shall have ceased, on their paying all taxes due, with an interest thereon at the rate of ten per centum per annum on the amount due as aforesaid. All acts and parts of acts coming within the purview of this act, are hereby repealed. This act shall commence and be in force from and after the first day of March next. A Copy from the Roll—Teste, J. PLEASANTS, Jr. Keeper of the Rolls.
General Assembly, begun and held at the Capitol in the city of Richmond, on Monday the fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eight, and of the Commonwealth, the thirty-third. AN ACT providing for the redemption of certain lands forfeited for the non payment of the taxes thereon. [Passed February 6th, 1809.] BE it enacted by the General Assembly, That all lands heretofore forfeited or hereafter to be forfeited to the commonwealth for the non-payment of taxes, by virtue of the laws now in force, shall be redeemable at any time within three years from the time when such forfeiture hath heretofore accrued, or shall hereafter accrue, and until the first day of March next succeeding the expiration of the said term of three years, on payment of the taxes due thereon, with an interest of ten per centum per annum on each year's tax from the time when the same became or shall become due, until the time of such redemption. Provided, nevertheless, That all lands heretofore forfeited, shall be redeemable in like manner, and on payment of the like interest, on or before the first day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and ten. Be it further enacted, That the auditor of public accounts, shall on or before the first day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and on or before the first day of March in every year thereafter, deliver to the collector of the taxes of each county, a list of all such forfeited lands therein, as on the first day of March preceding, had become irredeemable, which list shall be forthwith posted or hung up in the most public place in the courthouse of the county. Be it further enacted, That on the first Monday in August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and on the first Monday of August in every year thereafter, the collectors shall proceed, by public auction, at the door of the courthouse of each county, to sell to the highest bidder, each tract of land contained within the list of such forfeited lands, as were irredeemable on the first day of March in the preceding year, for ready money. Be it further enacted, That if at any such sale, the former owner or owners of any forfeited tract of land so about to be sold, or any person for him, her or them, or in his, her or their behalf, with or without any authority or direction for that purpose, shall appear and pay the taxes due thereon, with interest as aforesaid, until the time of such sale, such tract shall not be sold, but an entry of such payment shall be made by the collector on the list aforesaid, and a receipt for such payment given to the person making the same in the name of the former owner or owners, and thereupon such land shall be taken to be redeemed, and the forfeiture accrued thereon, shall be, and the same is hereby fully waived and remitted. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the commissioner or commissioners of the revenue, annually, on the first Monday in August, to attend at the courthouse of their respective counties, and to take and make out a list of all the sales so to be made by the collector, specifying the name or names of the former owner or owners, the sums paid and to whom sold; which list the commissioner or commissioners shall forthwith transmit to the auditor of public accounts, who shall charge the collector with the amount of sales appearing thereon. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of every collector to pay annually into the public treasury, all such sum or sums of money as he shall receive by virtue of this act deducting a commission of five per centum thereon, which payment shall annually be made on the same day on which the taxes collected in the same year shall be payable. Be it further enacted, That the lists of sales so certified and taken by the commissioners, or either of them, shall be sufficient to charge the collector or his security or securities, his, her or their heirs, executors or administrators thereof, with any motion to be made to recover the same by the auditor of public accounts. And if
any collector shall make default in the payment of any monies by him received, by virtue of this act, at the time hereby required, such collector and his security or securities, his, her or their heirs, executors or administrators, shall be liable to all such fines, interest, damages and costs, and be recovered in the same manner as in case of a default in the payment of the commonwealth's revenue. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of every collector making a sale by virtue of this act, to make and execute to the purchaser a deed in fee simple for the lands purchased, reciting the cause of sale, and in every action or suit at law or in equity, in which a former owner or owners of any tract of land so sold and conveyed, his, her or their heirs, devisee, or other person or persons claiming under him, her or them, shall contest the validity of the sale so made, the onus probandi shall lie on the party so contesting. Be it further enacted, That the commissioner or commissioners for discharging the duties required of them by this act, shall be entitled to receive from the public treasury a commission of one and a half per centum on the amount of sales, on a warrant from the auditor of public accounts. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the auditor of public accounts, at the public expense, to cause a copy of this act, and of an act passed the first day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and six, entitled, "An act giving further time to the proprietors of certain lands forfeited for the non payment of taxes, to redeem the same, and also of an act passed on the twentieth day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seven, entitled, "An act to amend an act entitled, "An act more effectually to provide for the payment of taxes upon lands within this commonwealth," to be published, for six months successively in the present year, and for three months successively preceding the first Monday in August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eleven, to be published in some newspaper of general circulation, edited in each of the United States, if any such there be. And be it further enacted, That the duties enjoined by this act to be performed by the collectors, shall, where the sheriff is collector, be performed by the high sheriff in person, and every purchase made, wholly or in part, by the sheriff or his deputy, or by any other person being a collector, or by any other person, wholly or in part, for the use of such sheriff, deputy sheriff or other person being collector, shall be void; and every sheriff, deputy sheriff or other person being a collector, making any purchase, either wholly or in part, for himself, or procuring any other person to make such purchase, wholly or in part, for the use aforesaid, shall forfeit and pay the sum of $500, to the use of the public, to be recovered by bill, plaint or information, in any court of record having jurisdiction thereof. This act shall be in force from the passing thereof. A Copy from the Roll—Teste, J. PLEASANTS, Jr. Keeper of the Rolls.
JUST received and for sale at S. Pleasants' Richmond, a few copies of the following valuable works:—The American Annual Register, vol. 4th—Bordley's Husbandry—Woman, a new novel by Miss. Owenson—Burder's Village Sermons—Gurney's System of Short-hand writing—Percy's Lectures, a new edition—Merrill's Life of Gen. Washington—Thompson's seasons, a cheap edition for the use of schools—Russell's ancient and modern Europe—Carey's general atlas, (the best collection of Maps yet made in this country)—Morris's Universal Geography—Goldsmith's Natural History—a general assortment of quarto Family Bibles, with and without plates, concordance, psalms, &c. &c. from $3 50, to $12 each—Gibson's surveying—American Clerk's Magazine—Walker's pronouncing Dictionary—also, school Bibles, Testaments and Spelling Books. NOTICE.—On Monday the 23rd day of October next, will be sold, at Whitby, in the county of Chesterfield, upon a credit of twelve months; the PERSONAL ESTATE of the late Col. ROBERT GOODE ; consisting of the present crop of Corn, Wheat, Oats, Fodder, and Hay; the stock of Horses, Cows, Sheep and Hogs; the plantation utensils and Household and Kitchen Furniture. Bonds and approved security will be required of the purchasers to carry interest from the date if not punctually paid. It is particularly requested that all those who may have claims against the estate will make them known immediately to either of the subscribers, in order that provision may be made for payment. RICHARD B. GOODE, FRANCIS GOODE, Administrators with the will annexed. That valuable and well known estate called WHITBY , on James River, about three miles from the Town of Manchester, will also be sold by private sale; it contains 1262 acres of Land, about 230 acres of which are of the first rate Low grounds and more than one half of the residue thereof is heavily timbered. To this estate there is attached one of the best fisheries on James River and every convenient and necessary house for the accommodation of a family. An indisputable title will be made and possession given on the first day of December next, with the liberty of sowing small grain at any time agreeable to the purchaser. The terms may be known on application to Richard B. Goode, Manchester, or Francis Goode, Powhatan. July 11, 1809.
JUST RECEIVED FROM NEW YORK, AND FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE, A FRESH SUPPLY OF CHURCH'S & LEE'S GENUINE Patent Medicines. INCLUDING Worm Lozenges, Ague and Fever Cough Drops, Drops, Restorative Balsam, Vegetable Lotion, Hamilton's Elixir, Alternative Pills, Essence and Extract, Hill's Balsam of Honey, of Mustard, Turlington's Balsam, Hehn's Antibilious Pills, Anderson's Pills, Itch Ointment, Antispasmodic or Fit Eye Water, Drops, &c. &c. Eye Salve, May 11, 1809.
A FEW COPIES OF Burk's History of Virginia IN THREE VOLUMES Are for sale at this office.