Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1809-12-26 00:00:00

VIRGINIA ARGUS.
XVIIth Year.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE.
[No. 1717.]
RICHMOND:—PRINTED (ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS,) BY SAMUEL PLEASANTS, JUNIOR, PRINTER TO THE COMMONWEALTH.
Four Dollars Per Annum—Paid in Advance.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1809.
[12 1-2 Cents Single.]
Richmond Price Current.
[CORRECTED WEEKLY.]
   CASH. D. C.     Tobacco, - 7 00   Wheat, new, - 1 16   Flour, super-fine, - 6 50   Flour, fine, - 6 00   Corn, - 3 00   Hemp, per ton, - 270 00   Iron, - 110 00   Bacon, - 00 10   Whiskey, - 00 75  
VIRGINIA. In Chancery—In Halifax County Court, 24th October, 1809.
BETWEEN Anne Morton, formerly Anne Cobb, Howell Ridley and Milly his wife, formerly Milly Cobb, Nancy Cobb, Betsy Cobb, John Cobb, Isabella Cobb, James H. Cobb and Betsy his wife, who are heirs & devisees of John Cobb, deceased, and which said Nancy, Betsy, John, Isabella, James and Betsy, being under age, appear by Anne Morton their natural guardian and next friend. Plf.
AND Thomas Cobb, James Cobb, Thomas Cobb, John Cobb, and Cynthia Cobb, which four last mentioned defendants, are the children of Jas. Cobb, the elder, deceased; and William M. Watkins and Benjamin Morton, Defs.
THE defendants Thomas, James, Thomas, John and Cynthia Cobb not having entered their appearance and given security according to the act of assembly and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that they are not inhabitants of this commonwealth, on motion of the plaintiffs by their counsel, it is ordered, that the said last named defendants, do appear here on the fourth Monday in February next and answer the bill of the plaintiffs—and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in one of the newspapers published in the city of Richmond for two months successively, and posted at the front door of the courthouse of the said county.
A Copy—Teste. SAMUEL WILLIAMS, D. C. H. C.
VIRGINIA. At a superior court of chancery held at the capitol in the city of Richmond, the 21st day of September, 1809.
John Lambert, representative and devisee of George Hamer, deceased, Plf.
AGAINST Thomas Key, Henry Key, William Bibb Key, Daniel John Key, Tandy Key, Joshua Key, Walter Key, John White and Martha his wife, descendants and heirs or devisees of Martin Key, deceased, Defs.
THE defendants Thomas Key, Henry Key, William Bibb Key, James Key and Daniel, not having entered their appearance and given security according to the act of assembly, and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that they are not inhabitants of this country, on motion of the plaintiff by counsel, it is ordered, that the said defendants do appear here on the first day of the next term, and answer the bill of the plaintiff; and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some newspaper published in the city of Richmond, for two months successively, and posted at the front door of the capitol in the said city.
A Copy—Teste. PETER TINSLEY, e. c.
In Goodwin County Court, October 16th, 1809.
Thomas Eldridge, Jr. Adm'r. of Stephen Hubbard, deceased, Plf.
AGAINST Thomas Bernard and Charles John, Defs.
IT is day came the plaintiff by his attorney, and the defendant Bernard, not having entered his appearance and given security according to the act of assembly and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that he is not an inhabitant of this state, on the motion of the plaintiff by his attorney, it is ordered, that the said defendant Bernard do appear here on the third Monday in March next and answer the plaintiff's bill, and give security for performing the decree of this court, and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some public newspaper printed in the city of Richmond, for two months successively, and that another copy be posted at the front door of the courthouse of this county.
A Copy—Teste. WILLIAM MILLER, C. C. C.
At a court held for King and Queen county, at the courthouse, on Monday the 9th of October, 1809.
Joseph Mann, Plf.
AGAINST John Lumpkin & James Lumpkin & Thomas Jeffries, Defs.
THE defendant James Lumpkin not having entered his appearance and given security according to the act of assembly and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that the said defendant James Lumpkin is not an inhabitant of this commonwealth, on the motion of the plaintiff by his counsel, it is ordered, that the said defendant James Lumpkin do appear here on the second Monday in January next and answer the bill of the plaintiff, and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some public newspaper printed in the city of Richmond, for two months successively, and that another copy be posted at the front door of this courthouse.
A Copy—Teste. RO: POLLARD, C. C.
GERMAN AND ENGLISH Almanacks for 1810, for sale at this office.
Mr. Giles's Speech—Concluded.
What, sir, is the evident design of Mr. Jackson, in thus presenting this complaint to the people against their own government? Why, sir, to impress them with a belief that he really was engaged in an important negotiation highly interesting both to the United States and Great Britain, and that there was a fair prospect of bringing it to a happy conclusion; when the Executive of the United States causelessly and capriciously put an end to it, utterly regardless of the high interests of both nations. This surely, sir, if well founded, is a serious complaint, and let me ask every gentleman, and especially those, if there be any, who have habitually placed their faith in British orthodoxy, whether this was not the impression intended to have been made by Mr. Jackson? Sir, it is too obvious to be denied. Now, sir, let me look into the state and prospect of this negotiation, and see whether it was likely to eventuate in these intimated and anticipated advantages to either nation? Without animadvertting upon the general spirit and temper of the whole of Mr. Jackson's communications, the nature and tendency of which cannot be mistaken by any gentleman, who has given them an impartial consideration, let me call your most particular attention to a principle of ultimate, as I understand it, contained in pages 38, 39, of the printed documents. Speaking of the orders in council and the British principle of blockades in pa. 38, Mr. Jackson uses these words:
"The effect of this new order is to revive the system under which the former orders were issued, from that which has always been represented in this country as the most objectionable and offensive part of it, the option given to neutrals to trade with the enemies of Great Britain through British ports on payment of a transit duty. This was originally devised and intended as a mitigation of what is certainly more correct but more rigid in principle, the total and unqualified interdiction of all trade with the enemy."
And in speaking on the same subject in the same page and page 39, Mr. Jackson uses these words:
"And that by the capture of Martinique in addition to that of almost all the colonies of the enemies of Great Britain, together with the blockade of Guadaloupe, the extent to which the liberty of commerce with enemies colonies applied, has been so far narrowed, that there is little of practical hardship in recurring to the rule which, however occasionally mitigated in its application, Great Britain can never cease in principle to maintain."
Now, sir, let me ask, if there is one single gentleman in this Senate or in the U. States, who would formally admit by treaty, that Great Britain has a right to interdict the whole of our trade with her enemy? Or what prospect there could be of a happy termination of a negotiation, in which that principle is asserted by Great Britain, and a positive declaration made, that she never will cease to maintain it?
But again, sir, let us see in what manner this negotiation was to be conducted & what were the powers of Mr. Jackson in relation to it? To do this, sir, with the most perfect firmness and impartiality, let me present this subject in Mr. Jackson's own words. His first announcement will be found in page 63, of the printed documents:
"Beyond this point of explanation which was supposed to have been attained, but which is now given by the present letter in the form understood to be most agreeable to the American government, my instructions are prospective; they look to substituting for notions of good understanding, erroneously entertained, practical stipulations on which a real reconciliation of all differences may be substantially founded; and they authorise me not to renew proposals which have already been declared here to be unacceptable; but to receive and discuss any proposals made on the part of the United States and eventually to conclude a convention between the two countries."
Now, sir, in what manner were these negotiations to commence? And to what point were they to extend? Why, Mr. Jackson tells us, that his prospective instructions do not authorise him to renew proposals which have already been declared to be unacceptable to the U. States out to receive and discuss any proposal made on the part of the United States and eventually to conclude a convention, &c. Here, sir, Mr. Jackson has nothing on his part to propose; but sets himself up to be courted by new proposals on the part of the United States; and then he has power to receive and discuss any proposal; and eventually to conclude a convention, &c. underscoring the word eventually to give a peculiar character and emphasis. Now, sir, I should like to know what event Mr. Jackson's instructions would call for, to take place between his positive powers to receive and discuss and his eventual
power to conclude a convention, &c. Why, sir, I suppose the proposals on the part of his government, must exactly fit his instructions without the government's knowing what they were, and in case of such a lucky hit, these proposals might be transmitted to the British government, and if there also approved; why then Mr. Jackson might eventually be invested with powers to conclude a convention, &c. So much by way of conjecture, as to Mr. Jackson's eventual powers? Now, sir, let me ask you, what does he tell us, are his positive powers? A power merely to receive and discuss. Why, sir, every gentleman here present has that power; and indeed every lady too, sir, has the power to receive and discuss; and eventually to conclude a convention, &c. But, sir, the power merely to receive and discuss, is what is very properly called, and is in fact, no power.
I am apprised that Mr. Jackson places this subject upon a ground somewhat different in his next letter; or at least it would appear so, if that letter were taken by itself, but in fact, I apprehend there is no material difference in the two statements. Let me, however, call your attention to his own words which will be found in page 71 of the printed documents—in addressing Mr. Smith Mr. J. says:
"I am surprised at the transition by which it appears to you that this part of the subject is connected with the authority empowering me to negotiate with you? It will not, I dare say, have escaped your recollection that I informed you at a very early period of our communications, that in addition to the usual credential letter, his majesty had been pleased to invest me with a full power, under the great seal of his kingdom, for the express purpose of concluding a treaty or convention."
Here, sir, Mr. Jackson in a preambulatory style and manner, says that his majesty has been pleased to invest him with a full power and for the express purpose of concluding a treaty, &c. But here Mr. Jackson omits the mode of conducting the negotiation, and the conditions upon which he would be authorised to conclude, &c. But, sir, he had been very explicit upon those points before; and this sentence, therefore, must be taken in connection with his previous explicit declarations in this respect; or Mr. Jackson would be reduced to the dilemma of a direct contradiction; the former, sir, this new declaration, is nothing more than an equivoque upon the former; and makes no material variation in the first announcement of his powers, and the mode pointed out for conducting the negotiations under them. Especially, sir, as he took the precaution to underscore the word eventually, and therefore cautioned Mr. Smith to regard it as the most important and significant word in the sentence. Let me here enquire, sir, whether there is a single gentleman in the United States who now believes, that a negotiation commenced and conducted under such auspices, could be highly interesting to the United States or to Great Britain? Or that it promised the smallest advantage to either? Still less could any gentleman conclude, that it was causelessly or capriciously broken off by the Executive of the U. S. And if impressions to this effect were intended to have been made on the American people, as is most obvious, then I am warranted in concluding that if this part of the appeal is not both false and fallacious; it is at least, false or fallacious, and thus justifies to the full extent the expressions in the resolution.
I beg now, Sir, to turn your attention to another part of this insidious appeal in the following words:
"One of the facts alluded to has been admitted by the secretary of state himself in his letter of the 19th October, viz. that the three conditions, forming the substance of Mr. Erskine's original instruction were submitted to him by that gentleman. The other, viz. that instruction is the only one in which the conditions were prescribed to Mr. Erskine for the conclusion of an arrangement on the matter to which it related, is known to Mr. Jackson by the instructions which he has himself received."
I now assert, that the facts here stated are not true.—If Mr. Jackson had never made any other statement than the preceding, I do not know, that any offence would have been taken at it by the Executive government. The offensive insinuations of Mr. Jackson are fully explained, by Mr. Smith in his letter of the 8th November, in the following, which could not have been misunderstood by Mr. Jackson.
"In my letter of the 19th ultimo, I stated to you that the declaration in your letter of the 11th, that the despatch from Mr. Canning to Mr. Erskine of the 23d January was the only despatch by which the conditions were prescribed to Mr. Erskine for the conclusion of an arrangement on the matter to which it related, was then for the first time made to this government. And it was added that if that despatch had been communicated at
the time of the arrangement, or if it had been known that the propositions contained in it, were the only ones on which he was authorised to make an arrangement, the arrangement would not have been made."
"In my letter of the 1st instant, adverting to the repetition in your letter of the 23d ultimo of a language implying a knowledge in this government that the instructions of your predecessor did not authorise the arrangement formed by him, an intimation was distinctly given to you, that, after the explicit and peremptory assertion that this government had no such knowledge, and that with such a knowledge, such an arrangement would not have been made, no such insinuation could be admitted by this government."
"Finding that in your reply of the 4th instant, you have used a language which cannot be understood but as reiterating and even aggravating the same gross insinuation, it only remains in order to preclude opportunities which are thus abused, to inform you, that no further communications will be received from you, and that the necessity of this determination will without delay, be made known to your government."
Now, Sir, is it not most obvious, that the grounds of complaint against Mr. Jackson which caused the rupture in the negotiation, are very different from what he states them to have been in his insidious appeal to the people; and if so, Sir, is not the appeal false or fallacious? or both?
Sir, another part of this insidious appeal deserves some animadversions. It is in the following words—
"In stating these facts & in adhering to them, as his duty imperiously enjoined him to do, Mr. Jackson could not imagine that offence would be taken at it by the American government, as most certainly none could be intended on his part."
Sir, it is painful to me to be so compelled to question the candor of any gentleman, particularly one clothed with the high functions of Minister Plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty; But permit me to ask you, Sir, how it is possible for Mr. Jackson not to conceive that offence would be taken at his offensive insinuations after Mr. Smith's letter of the 1st of November telling him in strong and decisive terms that offence had been taken at them? Or how can Mr. Jackson reconcile it to himself to say that in adhering to these gross insinuations, he did not in end to give offence? Let me ask you, Sir, what else did he do, or could intend? For my part I can see nothing else that he could either rationally intend or expect. Here then, Sir, is another false or fallacious disguise thrown out before the people of the United States, as will always be the case in every appeal to them, calculated, or evidently intended, to excite their resentments and distrust against their own government.
Now, Sir, upon the most critical review of this exposition, is there a single gentleman present, who is not prepared to say, that the facts stated in the resolution are fully justified by the correspondence? And if they be, Sir, what inducement can possibly prevent unanimity on the present occasion? Surely those, who wish peace with Great Britain, will find unanimity upon this occasion the most likely to deter from war; and surely, Sir, every gentleman must feel and see that the declarations contained in the resolution are imperiously due to the dignity and honor of our own government, as well as to our respect for the people and ourselves. Sir, what would be the effect of passing by unnoticed these gross and insidious insults to both the people and government? Why, Sir, foreign ministers would begin to conceive, that an appeal to the people was amongst the most sacred of their privileges and immunities. The frequency of them already is almost sufficient to establish, sanctify the rule. The cases of Genet, Yrojo, the publication of Mr. Canning's letter in one of the Boston newspapers, &c. never received sufficient animadversions from Congress; and if this most aggravated case of all should pass over unnoticed, I should not be surprised.
if Mr. Jackson during the present winter set himself up as a British President in New York contesting the point of jurisdiction before the people with the American President at Washington;—whilst Congress regardless of their own constitutional powers, &c. &c. should stand by, and behold the extraordinary scene in a state of perfect neutrality. Sir, it is possible, that Congress can so far forget their duties to the people and their respect for themselves! Independently of the obvious propriety of this proceeding in itself, save we, Sir, no examples of the course of conduct recommended by the resolution? Let me remind you, Sir, of the case of Count De Palm in the British Parliament. In that case, Sir, the Count De Palm, presented a memorial to the British king by the express order of his
government, complaining of the misrepresentation of facts made in the king's speech to Parliament, which complaint British historians admit was well founded. After presenting the memorial, he caused it to be published and circulated through the country, etc. etc. What, Sir, was the conduct of the British Parliament and nation upon that occasion? Sir, the Parliament unanimously entered into resolutions expressing the highest indignation at the insolent procedure; and presented an address to his majesty requesting him to order the Count De Palm out of the country immediately. Sir, I will not trouble the Senate with reading the proceedings of the House of Commons upon this memorable occasion; because I presented them to the Senate last winter in the case of the publication of Mr. Canning's letter in the Boston paper, and I therefore presume they are now fresh in the recollection of every gentleman. And what, Sir, was the conduct of the opposition in the British House of Commons, when their king and country were insulted by a foreign minister! Did they hold back, did they attempt to paralyse the proceedings of their government in resenting this conduct and retrieving its wounded honor and dignity? No, Sir, they were Englishmen and felt the indignity to themselves! They were patriots, and could not see their government and country insulted, with indifference. They stepped forward, Sir, and were the first to move the resolution and address. The proceeding was unanimous, and what benefit did the British nation receive from this unanimous and prompt proceeding? Why, Sir, from the year 1726 to the present time, the insult has not, I believe, been repeated, and probably never will again.
Sir, how honorable, how patriotic, was this course of conduct to the British opposition! How honorable and laudable would be its imitation here! Especially, Sir, when union is all that is wanting to make us happy and victorious. Why then, Sir, should we, not have union, when it is so easy and efficacious a remedy for all our difficulties? Sir, the nation expects it; the nation has a right to demand it. May I not then hope, Sir, that the hitherto dominant spirit of party will now yield to an occasion, so obvious, so urgent, so honorable! Sir, I cannot express to you the pleasure I should feel at my heart, if I could see all irritations banished, and harmony and mutual good will universally pervading all political scenes and all social intercourse. That the present occasion may be improved to this desirable end, is the most fervent prayer of one, who, in the present delicate, interesting crisis of the nation, feels a devotion for his country beyond every thing else on this side Heaven!
CONGRESS.
Message from the President of the United States transmitting extracts from the correspondence of Mr. Pinkney.
"To the House of Representatives of the United States."
"Agreeably to the request expressed in the resolution of the 13th inst. I lay before the house extracts from the correspondence of the minister plenipotentiary of the United States at London."
JAMES MADISON. December 16, 1809."
Brief account of an unofficial conversation between Mr. Canning and Mr. Pinkney, on the 18th January, 1809, continued on the 22d of the same month. [Transmitted by Mr. Pinkney to the Secretary of State.] Dined at Mr. Canning's with the corps diplomatique, on the 18th Jan. Before dinner he came up to me, and entering into conversation, a verbal report which he said had reached him that the American minister, (here and in France) were about to be recalled. I replied, that I was not aware that such a step had been resolved upon. He then took me aside, and observed that, according to his view of the late proceedings of Congress, the resolutions of the House of Representatives, in committee of the

Agreeably to notice given, Mr. Meigs asked and obtained leave to bring in the above mentioned bill, which was read, and passed to the second reading.
The above mentioned bill was read the second time and committed to Messrs. Meigs, Bradley and Pope, to consider and report thereon to the Senate.
The resolution yesterday submitted by Mr. Leib calling upon the President of the United States for a copy of the correspondence between him and the Governor of Pennsylvania in the case of Gideon Olmstead, was agreed to.
The bill to incorporate religious societies in the District of Columbia was, on motion of Mr. Bradley, made the order of the day for the first Monday in January next.
Mr. Bradley submitted for consideration the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the treasury be and hereby is requested to lay before the Senate a statement of the payments which have been made by the respective states of the direct tax; designating, as far as may be, what sums have been paid into the treasury, what sums are unaccounted for by the supervisors, what sums are in the hands of collector, and the persons in whose hands such monies are; and what sums are still due from any of the respective states.
[Committee appointed agreeably to the 22d rule, for conducting business in the Senate: Messrs. Gilman, Griswold and Mathewson.]
Mr. Smith of New York appeared and took his seat.
The bill from the House of Representatives to revive the act for the relief of the refugees from the British provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia; was read a first time and passed to a second reading.
Mr. Smith of Md. agreeably to notice introduced a bill for the relief of Joseph Summer, Simon Philipson, William Hanson, Archibald McCall, and Isaac Glason, which was read and passed to a second reading.
The motion submitted by Mr. Bradley on Friday last was taken up and agreed to.
Mr. Giles, from the committee to whom was re-committed the bill to prevent the abuse of the privileges & immunities enjoyed by foreign ministers within the United States, reported the same with amendments; which were read and ordered to lie on the table.
A letter was received from Buckner Thruston, notifying the Senate of his resignation of his seat in that body as a Senator from the state of Kentucky.
The Vice President attended and took the chair of the Senate.
A message was received from the President of the United States enclosing the correspondence between him and the governor of Pennsylvania relative to the case of Gideon Olmstead, which was ordered to be printed.
The bill to prevent the abuse of the privileges and immunities enjoyed by foreign ministers within the United States was read and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
Mr. Brent presented the petition of the Stockholders of the Bank of Washington, praying for an act of incorporation; which was referred to Messrs. Brent, Gregg, Pope, Smith, and Bradley, with directions to report thereon by bill or otherwise.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
M. Southard moved a resolution, appointing a committee to enquire into the expediency of passing a law to prescribe the mode of taking evidence in cases of contested elections of members to this house. Adopted.
The bill for the relief of the refugees from Canada and Nova Scotia was read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Clay presented a petition from James Sawyer, of Virginia, an old revolutionary soldier, praying compensation for his services. Referred to the committee of claims.
Mr. Troup prefaced the following resolution, by observing that he did not so much wish the papers touching the Vicksburg transactions printed for the purpose of enlightening the house, as to perpetuate the evidence of the corruption of those transactions. He believed a deliberate conspiracy had been formed to destroy the records of this subject; & the wrong which they would give to republics, would be a hundred times more valuable than the expense of printing them.
Resolved, That two copies of the act of the legislature of Georgia, commonly called the rescinding act, of 1786; two copies of the constitution of Georgia in 1788; three hundred copies of the constitution of the same state in 1778; two copies of the report of the commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act regulating grants of lands south of Tennessee, and authorizing the establishment of a separate government on the Mississippi territory; and 300 copies of the articles of cession and agree-
IN SENATE.
ment was itself aware that without an enforcement, by the naval power of Great Britain, of the regulations of America with respect to France, those regulations must be altogether nugatory." It cannot be necessary to inform you that in this, as in the other particulars alluded to in my last letter, I have been misapprehended.
"I ought to mention that the strong and direct charge against the American government, of "manifest partiality" to France, introduced, without any qualification or management of expression, into a paper which Mr. Erskine was authorised to communicate in extenso to you, did not strike me when that paper was read to me by Mr. Canning.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Pinkney to the Secretary of State, dated June 23, 1809.
"I had an interview yesterday with Mr. Canning.
"In conversing upon the first of the conditions, upon the obtaining of which Mr. Erskine was to promise the repeal of the British orders in council and a special mission, I collected from what was said by Mr. Canning, that the exemption of Holland from the effect of our embargo and non-intercourse would not have been much objected to by the British government, if the government of the U. S had been willing to concede the 1st condition, subject to that exemption. Mr. Canning observed that the expedient of an actual blockade of Holland had occurred to them as being capable of meeting that exemption; but that Mr. Erskine had obtained no pledge, express or implied, or in any form, that we would enforce our non-intercourse system against France and her dependencies; that our actual system would, if not re-enacted or continued as to France, terminate with the present session of Congress; that for aught that appeared to the contrary in your correspondence with Mr. Erskine or in the President's proclamation, the embargo and non intercourse laws might be suffered without any breach of faith to expire, or might even be repealed immediately, notwithstanding the perseverance of France in her Berlin and other edicts; and that Mr. Erskine had in truth secured nothing more, as the consideration of the recall of the orders in council, than the renewal of American intercourse with G. Britain.
Upon the second of the conditions mentioned in Mr. Erskine's instructions I made several remarks. I stated that it had no necessary connection with the principal subject; that it had lost its importance to Great Britain by the reduction of almost all the colonies of her enemies; that Batavia was understood not to be affected by it; that it could not apply to Guadalupe (the only other unconquered colony) since it was admitted that we were not excluded from a trade with Guadalupe in peace; that I did not know what the government of the United States would upon sufficient inducements, consent to do upon this point; but it could scarcely be expected to give the implied sanction, which this condition called upon it to give, to the rule of the war of 1756, without any equivalent or reciprocal stipulation whatsoever. Mr. Canning admitted that the second condition had no necessary connection with the orders in council, and he intimated that they would have been content to leave the subject of it to future discussion and arrangement. He added that this condition was inserted in Mr. Erskine's instructions, because it had appeared from his own report of conversations with official persons at Washington that there would be no difficulty in agreeing to it.
Upon the third condition I said a very few words. I re-stated what I had thrown out upon the matter of it in an informal conversation in January, and expressed my regret that it should have been misapprehended. Mr. Canning immediately said that he was himself of opinion that the idea upon which that condition turns could not well find its way into a stipulation; that he had nevertheless believed it proper to propose the condition to the United States; that he should have been satisfied with the rejection of it; and that the consequence would have been that they should have intercepted the commerce to which it referred, if any such commerce should be attempted."
to Mr. Erskine, in compliance with what he understood to be my wish, that the settlement of the affair should be transferred to Washington; that even then the time when he had done so was not mentioned; and that as to the orders in council, I was suffered to suppose that my relation in America had not been authorised. It occurred to me, moreover, that, as it had already been decided that Mr. Erskine was to be disavowed, and, as that decision had been made public through the board of trade, I could not hope to prevent that disavowal, and that with my imperfect knowledge of facts, it might be worse than useless by labored discussion to attempt it.
"With these impressions I could do little more than manifest my concern that conciliatory arrangements between the American secretary of state and his majesty's accredited minister at Washington, acting in consequence of orders from his court, were not likely to have that effect which was naturally to be expected from them.
"I undertook however to declare with confidence that the American government had met Mr. Erskine's proposals in a just and friendly spirit, and with a sincere desire that, while its own honor and essential interests were fairly consulted and maintained, a liberal respect should be shewn for those of Great Britain."
Extract of a letter from Mr. Pinkney to the Secretary of State, dated London, June 6, 1809.
Mr. Canning tells me that the conversations detailed in Mr. Erskine's letters did not, as I had supposed, suggest that the government of the United States would allow it to be understood that British cruizers might stop American vessels attempting to violate the embargo and non-intercourse, continuing as to France, &c. after they should be withdrawn as to Great Britain. They suggested that the United States would side with the power revoking its edicts against the power persevering. This Mr. Canning says he considered (although he did not so insist upon it in the recapitulation contained in his instructions to Mr. Erskine,) as comprehending what I thought he had represented the actual suggestion to be, and what he supposed I had said to him in an informal conversation, at his house in Britton street, on the 22nd of January, in an answer to one of his inquiries.
It will, I am sure, occur to you, as the fact is, that the little which I may have thrown out upon that occasion did not look to the admission of Mr. Canning's object into any stipulation between the two countries, and that I viewed it only as a consequence that might, and would, if France persisted in her unjust decrees, grow out of arrangements similar to those offered by us in August last.
Having no longer any authority (as Mr. Canning knew) to speak officially upon that or any other point connected with the orders in council, and being desirous that this government should propose negotiation at Washington, as well concerning the orders as the affair of the Chesapeake, I avoided as much as possible explanations upon details which would be best managed at home by the department of state, and endeavoured to speak upon what Mr. Canning proposed to me, in such a manner as that without justifying unsuitable expectations on his part, or forgetting what was due to the honor of my own government, I might contribute to produce an effort here towards friendly adjustment.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Pinkney to Mr. Smith, dated London, June 9, 1809.
"Mr. Erskine's instructions concerning the orders in council having been laid before the House of Commons are now printed. You will find them in the newspaper inclosed.
"It is not improbable that when Mr. Canning read these instructions to me, I inferred from the manner in which the three points stated in the 5th, 6th and 7th paragraphs, are introduced & connected, that they were all considered as suggested by Mr. Erskine's "report of his conversations with Mr. Madison, Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Smith" whether I was led by any other cause into the mistake of supposing that the third (as well as the first and second) was so suggested, I am not sure; and it is not very material.
"Mr. Canning's misconception of some informal observations from me in January last, has been in part mentioned in my letter of the 6th instant. But the published instructions shew, what I had not collected from hearing them read, that he understood me to have stated "that the American gov-
I understood Mr. Canning to say that he might still be brought to a court martial; although I did not understand him to say that this would be the case. He said that admiral Berkeley, in what he had done, had acted wholly without authority. I did not propose to enter into any discussion upon the subject, and therefore contested myself with speaking of the appointment as unfortunate.
In both of these conversations, Mr. Canning's language and manner were in the highest degree conciliatory.
Extract of a letter from William Pinkney, Esq. minister plenipotentiary of the United States in London, to the Secretary of State, dated London, May 28, 1809.
"In the interview which took place [on May 25] Mr. Canning said, that the British minister had acted in his late negotiation and engagements with you not only without authority, but in direct opposition to the most precise instructions; that the instructions actually given to him had been founded on his own letters received here in January, in which were set forth the particulars of several conversations that had passed between him and Mr. Madison, Mr. Gallatin and yourself, but especially the two last; that it appeared from these conversations, that, in the opinion of the Persons with whom they were held, the government of the United States would be willing that Great Britain should consider the measures then contemplated by Congress, relative to non-intercourse, and the indiscriminate exclusion of belligerent vessels from our waters, as presenting an opening for the renewal of amicable discussions with this country; that it would be disposed, in the case of the Chesapeake, to receive as sufficient reparation, in addition to the prompt disavowal and recall of Ad. Berkeley, the restoration of the seamen forcibly taken out of that vessel; that, on the subject of the orders in council, it would have no objection in case they were revoked as regarded the United States to repeal the embargo and non-intercourse laws as to Great Britain, and to continue them as to France and Holland and such other countries as should have in force maritime edicts similar to those of France, so long as those edicts remained; that it would allow it to be understood that the British cruizers might capture American vessels attempting to violate the embargo and non-intercourse laws so modified; that it would even agree to abandon during the present war, all trade with enemies' colonies from which we were excluded in peace; that it was prepared to regulate by treaty, the commercial relations of the two countries, upon the basis of the most favored nation, or upon that of reciprocal equality; and, in a word, that it was extremely desirous of re-establishing the most perfect good understanding and the most friendly connection with Great Britain.
Mr. Canning proceeded to inform me that in consequence of these representations, some parts of which he said I had myself confirmed in two conversations in January, he had framed and transmitted to Mr. Erskine, two sets of instructions, dated the 23d of that month, but not forwarded till some time afterwards, the first of which related to the business of the Chesapeake, and the second to the orders in council, and the proposed commercial arrangements. These instructions together with the passages in Mr. Erskine's letter, written I believe in December last, which contained the above mentioned representations and some other details which I ought not to repeat, Mr. Canning read to me.
"Although Mr. Canning made me acquainted with Mr. Erskine's instructions, he did not in any degree apprize me of the explanations, transmitted by that minister, of the grounds and motives of his proceedings; and I could not be sure, from any thing which Mr. Canning had stated to me, that I had been made to understand the exact nature and character of the transaction. I believed, therefore, that it behoved me to be particularly careful how I received what Mr. Canning thought fit to disclose to me. In looking back upon the past I discovered no inducement to a less cautious course. I remembered that Mr. Canning had not told me in our conversations in January [one of which occurred the day before the date of his letter to Mr. Erskine] that he intended to concede to him such powers as he must then have been in the act of preparing, or indeed any powers at all. That in our conferences in April, after the arrival of the Pacific, the same reserve was practised. That in the last of those conferences Mr. Canning admitted only [and that too upon being pressed by me] that in the business of the Chesapeake, he "had written
whole, appeared to be calculated, if passed into a law, to remove the impediments to arrangement with the U. States, on the subjects of the orders in council and the Chesapeake, by taking away the discrimination between Great Britain and France in the exclusion of the vessels of war from American ports. He added that it was another favorable circumstance that the non-importation system which seemed to be in contemplation, was to be applied equally to both parties, instead of affecting as heretofore Great Britain alone.
I proposed to Mr. Canning, that I should call on him in the course of a day or two for the purpose of a free communication upon what he had suggested. To this he readily assented; and it was settled that I should see him on the Sunday following (the 22d) at 12 o'clock, at his own house.
In the interview of the 22d, Mr. Canning's impressions appeared to be in all respects the same with those which he had mentioned on the 18th; and I said every thing which I thought consistent with candor and discretion to confirm him in his disposition to seek the re-establishment of good understanding with us, and especially to see in the expected act of Congress, (if it should pass) an opening for reconciliation.
It was of some importance to turn their attention here, without loss of time, to the manner of any proceeding that might be in their contemplation. It seemed that the resolutions of the House of Representatives, if enacted into a law, might render it proper, if not indispensable, that the affair of the Chesapeake should be settled at the same time with the business of the orders and embargo, & I understood this to be Mr. Canning's opinion and wish. It followed that the whole matter ought to be settled at Washington, and, as this was moreover desirable on various other grounds, I suggested that it would be well [in case a special mission did not meet their approbation] that the necessary powers should be sent to Mr. Erskine.
In the course of the conversation, Mr. Canning proposed several questions relative to our late proposal: the principal were the two following:
1. In case they should wish either through me or through Mr. Erskine, to meet us upon the basis of our late overture, in what way was the effectual operation of our embargo as to France, &c. after it should be taken off as to Great Britain, to be secured? It was evident, he said, that if we should do no more than refuse clearances for the ports of France, &c. or prohibit under penalties voyages to such ports, the effect which my letter of the 23d of August, and my published instructions, proposed to have in view, would not be produced; for that vessels although cleared for British ports, might when once out go to France instead of coming here; that this would in fact be so, [whatever the penalties which the American laws might denounce against offenders] could not, he imagined be doubted; and he therefore presumed that the government of the United States would not, after it had itself declared a commerce with France, &c. illegal, and its citizens, who should engage in it, delinquents, and after having given to Great Britain by compact an interest in the strict observation of the prohibition, complain if the naval force of this country should assist in preventing such a commerce.
2. He asked whether there would be any objection to making the repeal of the British orders and the American embargo cotemporaneous? He seemed to consider this as indispensable. Nothing could be less admissible, he said, than that Great Britain, after rescinding her orders, should for any time, however short, be left subject to the embargo in common with France, whose decrees were subsisting, with a view to an experiment upon France, or with any other view. The United States could not upon their own principles apply the embargo to this country one moment after its orders were removed, or decline after that event to apply it exclusively to France, and the powers connected with her in system.
I took occasion towards the close of our conversation to mention the recent appointment of admiral Berkeley to the Lisbon station. Mr. Canning said, that whatever might be their inclination to consult the feelings of the American government on that subject it was impossible for the admiralty to resist the claim of that office to be employed (no other objection existing against him) after such a lapse of time since his return from Halifax, without bringing him to a court martial. The usage of the navy was in this respect different from that of the army. But
402

ment between Georgia and the United States be printed for the use of the house.
Mr. Bacon was in favor of the resolution, but wished it to lie on the table, for the purpose of allowing him time to examine into some other documents on the subject, which he thought should be printed at the same time as agreed to.
The house took up Mr. Shelby's resolution relative to the Baturr; and after considerable debate on the disposition of the resolution a motion was made to discharge the committee on the public lands, from the further consideration of the memorial from New Orleans on the same subject, and carried—[The House did not dispose of the resolution at all to-day.]
Mr. Goldsborough presented a petition from Leven Jones, of Baltimore, praying that he may be released from the penalties of law incurred by taking on board the schooner belonging to the petitioner, at Charleston, for Norfolk, several French passengers and slaves expelled from Cuba—Referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.
A message was received from the president of the United States, transmitting a copy of Mr. Jackson's circular, as published originally in the "Independent American," and also a copy of Mr. Canning's despatch to Mr. Erskine—Ordered to be printed.
The house adjourned at four o'clock to meet on Monday.
Monday, Dec. 18.
Messrs. Key and Goldsborough obtained leave of absence for two weeks.
A communication was received from the secretary of the treasury transmitting a report of the illegal settlements made in Madison county, Mississippi territory; which, together with the documents accompanying the same, were referred to the committee appointed on the subject of a representation in Madison county.
The house took up the resolutions of Mr. M'Kim, relative to the adoption of counteracting regulations of our commerce and shipping with foreign nations, and additional duties on imported spirits from countries which do not permit a reciprocal trade in the same to our merchants; and referred them to the committee of commerce and manufactures.
On motion of Mr. Poindexter, a resolution was adopted, instructing the committee on the public lands to enquire into the expediency of repealing certain parts of the act to prevent the illegal settlements on, and to expel intruders from the lands of the United States.
Mr. Fisk reported a bill, making provision for taking the third census of the inhabitants of the United States and their territories; which was twice read, and referred to a committee of the whole, on Monday next.
The house took up Mr. Troup's resolution, ordering the printing of certain documents in relation to the Yazoo purchase and claims.
Mr. Bacon moved an amendment embracing several other papers on the subject among them, the act of Georgia making sale of the Yazoo lands.
Mr. Troup moved that this part of the amendment be rejected.—Carried: Yeas 55—Nays 44. The resolution, with the remainder of the amendment, was then adopted.
Mr. Poindexter offered the following resolution, which was adopted;
Resolved, that the secretary of state be requested to lay before the house an abstract of all British patents, warrants, or orders of survey, filed in his office agreeable to the several acts of congress regulating grants of public land south of Tennessee.
Mr. Love presented a petition from the stockholders of the Bank of Washington, praying for an act of incorporation; which was referred to the committee for the district of Columbia.
The house resumed the consideration of the resolutions relative to the Baturr at New Orleans, and referred them, together with two memorials on the same subject, to a committee of the whole, on Friday next.
The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the resolution from the senate respecting the conduct of Mr. Jackson, and approving that of our executive in putting a period to all communication with him—Mr. Basset in the chair.
Mr. Rhea moved, that the committee rise, and report their agreement to the resolution.
Mr. Gold moved, that the committee rise, and report progress, with a view to obtain the information, requested from the President, respecting certain communications and conversations between Mr. Canning and Mr. Pinkney.
During a short debate upon the latter motion, in which Messrs. Gold, Gardenier, Dana, Pitkin, Bacon, Wheaton, and Newton supported, & Messrs. Rhea and Alston opposed it, a message was announced from the President of the United States.
The committee then rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.
The message, with the accompanying documents, consisting of extracts from four letters of Mr. Pinkney to the secretary of state, which contain statements of official and unofficial conversations between Mr. Canning & Mr. Pinkney, were read, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Smilie moved, that the house now again resolve itself into a committee of the whole.
This motion was negatived.
And the house adjourned at half past two o'clock.
Tuesday, December 19.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Mr. Bacon from the committee on so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to our foreign relations, reported a bill respecting the commercial intercourse between the U. S. and G. Britain and France, and for other purposes.
[The 1st section prohibits all public vessels belonging to G. Britain or France from entering the harbors of the U. S. subjected to certain specified exceptions.]
The 2d section prescribes the punishment of those who shall aid the infraction of this provision.
The 3d section prohibits all vessels sailing under the flag of G. Britain or France, or owned in whole or in part by any citizen of either, from entering the harbors of the U. S.
The 4th section prohibits the importation into the U. S. of goods from G. Britain or Ireland and France and their colonies, or of goods from any foreign port which are the growth, produce or manufacture of Great Britain or France, unless in vessels owned wholly by citizens of the U. S.
The above provisions take immediate effect.
The 5th section prohibits after the 15th of April next, the importation of goods from Great Britain and France and their colonies, unless imported directly therefrom.
The 6th, 7th and 8th sections affect penalties to the infraction of these provisions.
The 9th section authorizes the president in case either France or Great Britain shall so revoke or modify her edicts as that they shall cease to violate the neutral commerce of the United States, to declare the same by proclamation, after which the prohibitions of this act on the commerce of the nation so doing shall cease.
The 11th section repeals the act to amend and continue in force certain parts of the act entitled an act to interdict the commercial intercourse between the U. S. and G. B. and France and their dependencies and for other purposes.
The 12th section limits this act to the end of the next session of Congress.
The bill was read a second time, referred to a committee of the whole, and made the order of the day for Friday next.
Mr. Bacon from the committee appointed to prepare and report rules and orders for the government of the house, reported the same. Referred to the committee of the whole house to which was referred Mr. Bacon's motion on the subject of order.
Foreign L. comes to T. side.
Mr. Newton from the committee of commerce and manufactures, reported a bill to deprive in certain cases vessels of their American character, and to prevent, under certain disabilities, any citizen of the U. S. taking a licence to navigate the ocean or trade with any foreign or independent power. Twice read and committed to a committee of the whole.
Mr. Newton from the committee of C. & M. reported a bill authorizing the issuing of bounties, in certain cases (viz. in cases of accidental failure to comply with the terms of the law necessary to obtain them) Twice read and referred to a committee of the whole.
Mr. Love presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of the district of Columbia.
The house on motion of Mr. Johnson resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Helmes in the chair, on the bill for the relief of Wm and Elias Rector. The committee rose and reported the bill, which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.
RUPTURE WITH MR. JACKSON.
On motion of Mr. Rhea (T.) the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Basset in the chair, on the joint resolution from the senate, approving the conduct of the executive in refusing to hold further communication with Mr. Jackson, the British minister.
Mr. Rhea (T.) spoke a short time in favor of the resolution.
Mr. Poindexter spoke half an hour against it, and Mr. Dana occupied about an hour and a half on the same side of the question.
When, on motion of Mr. Whigman, the committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.
Mr. Morrow reported a bill concerning claims to land in the Mississippi territory, granted by the British government of West Florida. Twice read and referred to a committee of the whole.
On motion of Mr. Montgomery, five thousand copies of the message and documents yesterday received from the President of the U. S., were ordered to be printed for the use of the house.
Wednesday, December 20.
Mr. Johnson, from the committee of claims, reported on the petition of Edward Turner, that the prayer of the petition ought not to be granted. The report was agreed to.
Mr. Love reported a bill for removing slaves from one part of the District of Columbia to another. Read twice and referred to a committee of the whole house on Monday.
The bill for the relief of William and Elias Rector, was read a third time and passed.
Mr. Love, from the committee on the District of Columbia, presented a bill to amend the charter of Alexandria. Referred to a committee of the whole on Tuesday.
Mr. Rhea called for the order of the day on the resolutions from the Senate. The house went into committee of the whole, Mr. Basset in the chair.
Mr. M'Key spoke in favor of the resolution. Mr. Wheaton spoke against them. Mr. Johnson followed in favor. Mr. Dana rose to explain.
Mr. Emmott then rose and went into the whole business argumentatively—he spoke till 5 o'clock, and was about to proceed, when Mr. Wilson observing that the gentleman was hoarse, made a motion to have the committee rise and report progress. On the question, shall the committee rise, 56 rose in the affirmative. The committee rose and the house adjourned.
Pocket Almanacks.
S. Pleasants Jun.
Has just Received and for SALE at his Book Store, The Lady's and Gentleman's Pocket Almanack, for 1810.
Virginia Argus.
RICHMOND,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1809.
ENGLISH DIPLOMATIC STYLE.
There is something peculiar in the English diplomatic style, for it seeks obscurity of expression in preference to plainness. No production can be cited in proof of this assertion more forcibly than Mr. Jackson's letters to Mr. Smith, the ideas of which might certainly be comprised in the compass of any one of them, instead of being spread over the wide surface which they are made to occupy.
Whence proceeds this disposition to obscurity? Justice, Honor, Faith, disdain! Truth needs nothing but the simplest garb. It must, then, be for the purposes of concealment that the British diplomats shroud themselves in multiplied words and equivocal phrases; and it must be for concealment of something which is too odious to be seen "in extenso" by the world. Apply this remark to Mr. Jackson's correspondence with the Secretary of State. What do we find? Principles the most arbitrary and subversive of the law of nations; new doctrines under the plea of retaliation; real injuries under the complexion of pretended friendships; and insults under the aspect of professions of profound respect. The friends of Mr. Jackson ask for the particular parts of his letter where these things appear. But that which in its nature is general cannot be particularized. ALL, every part of his letters breathes a spirit of haughtiness, of defiance, of scorn, of superiority over every thing American. In one point only (as to insolence) is he specific. It is that point for which he was dismissed. The insinuation which Mr. Smith repelled, he said he could substantiate as a fact. On all the other points he was evasive, appearing forever to approach the question, but forever shunning it, forming a complete point no point. After collating, comparing, retracting, and contrasting, you perceive the foul principles of action which he supports; lurking, like a venomous reptile, under the trash of words carefully collected around them. Walls very aptly furnishes a specimen of this species of style, in the following words:
"When a twister a twisting will twist him a twist! For the twisting of his twist he three twines doth intwist But if one of the twines of the twist do untwist, The twine that untwisteth untwisteth the twister. Untwisting the twine that untwisteth between, He twines with his twister the two in a twine; Then twice having twisted the twines of the twine, He twiceth the twine he had twined in twine. The twain that in twining before in the twine, As twines were untwisted, he now doth untwine. 'Twixt the twain intertwisting a twine more between, He, twirling his twister, makes a twist of the twine."
Here is nothing but twisting and untwisting, and twining and twirling, and this is precisely Mr. Jackson's style. This style has one advantage for the English; it enables their partisans to render the subject still more confused, by false explications, loose conjectures, and turbid commentaries; and it serves to place this nation in a very ridiculous attitude. It serves to place the people of the United States before the world as verborhous animals, and silly disputants about the meaning of phrases. It is time to give over this species of trifling, which makes our friends ashamed and excites the contemptuous sneers of our adversaries.—If our opponents will have words, why e'en let 'em. Let us act.
FOR THE ARGUS.
CONGRESS FOR THE UNITED STATES.
The majority of Congress, who have the power of the nation in their hands, ought to fulfil the obligations of the constitution of the United States, which, let me remind them, they have sworn to support. What is the object of the constitution? To "provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." And how is this object attainable? By speeches, by resolutions, by parchment laws? Alas! will our congressmen take no warning from the voice of history! Here we are, personifying the children of imbecility; in the midst of dangers, without breast plate or armor, and without any prospect of their being prepared against the hour of danger. What infatuation bequeaths the heads of our rulers that they do not act? The ice and the stormy winds will protect us during the winter months, but what are we to rely on in the Spring? Have we in store the munitions of war? Have we either militia men or regulars to meet the assault of an enemy? Are our seaports fortified and garrisoned? No. No. No. Our legislators seem to be employed in going about, enquiring, what news from England? Has Bonaparte gained another victory? Ah! fatal delusions. Can any thing be more new, or more interesting (as Demosthenes said to the Athenians) than that our great enemies are continually imposing on us, and that we are unprepared to repel them if they should attack us? But some men seem afraid to move, because there is no money in the treasury: And I would ask these men if the treasury will be replenished by words? Why has not Mr. Gallatin developed the resources of the nation? Why has he exhibited a timid report of scanty means, when it is a most notorious fact that the unappropriated land belonging to the U. S. alone is worth, at the lowest computation, ten hundred millions of dollars. And yet the secretary of the treasury's report makes things appear as if we were on the verge of bankruptcy. Why it is so drawn up, can only be explained on the ground that, by representing things a little desperate, Mr. Gallatin thinks to raise his fame by the appearance of great abilities in retrieving them. But, what abilities can it require for a secretary of the treasury in this country to raise what sum of money he wants. Open a loan to-morrow and there is not a city in the Union of any importance, where government could not obtain ten millions in as many hours. What signifies this huckstering of things at a time like this? There is not so rich a country under Heaven as America. Why not, then, act upon that wealth. Why does not every branch, every department of the national government do its solemn duty? This is no period to be higgling about men, and popularity, and office-hunting. We want measures. Whoever stands up for the rights of his country, whosever brings forward and advocates measures to support its dignity and its interests, ought to be supported; and depend on it, will be supported by the people. Be that man or those men whom they may, republican or federalist, the heart of the country will go with them. When the tempest howls, when the billows foam, the man who does his duty is the best sailor. At such a time, the passengers do not enquire whether a man is Hebrew, Jew, or Christian; they want the man that will act; and wherefore? Because none but such men can save the vessel. These are my principles;—they are the principles, and the opinions of my neighbors, of those with whom I converse. Whenever I go, I hear this kind of language. It is the language of common sense, and will prevail. What shall be done? I say prepare—prepare for the worst.
* See the Constitution.
Congress is certainly perplexing. Its resolutions, its tiresome, never-ending speeches, and calls, are only calculated to prolong the delay which the minority occasion, will not be attributed to it and its city, because the majority could proceed in spite of them. It is, however, despatch for the many to listen a reasonable time to the few—the only danger is, lest the time shot I be spun out to too great a length. The president, it is confidently believed, will do his duty—be, constituted as our government is, it is difficult for him to get on alone, however well-disposed he may be to do what is right.
These remarks mad in a spirit of sincere devotion to the administration, from a belief of its virtues, and to every thing American, are concluded with this observation—Whether there shall be war or not is no longer within the control of the American government. England may make the rupture with Mr. Jackson a pretext to attack us.
GENERAL WILKINSON.
The objects of this officer's intended journey to Washington, have been variously stated in the public prints. It has been said in some that he was directed to repair to the seat of government, for the purpose of undergoing another investigation of the Burr conspiracy. In others, that he was arrested for disobedience of orders issued from the war department; and that he had been suspended from the command of the army, &c. &c. We are very credibly informed, that all these rumors, so prejudicial to the reputation of Gen. Wilkinson, are entirely without foundation, and the objects which the government have in view in withdrawing him from the main body of the army, and requiring his presence forthwith at the Federal City, are of a nature wholly foreign to any thing connected either with the alleged official misconduct of gen. Wilkinson, or with any investigation of his character, or his supposed connection with Aaron Burr. The causes which have led to this recent change of the position of the commander in chief, we learn are as follows.
It had been discovered for some time past, that great inconvenience and detriment to the public service, arose from the remote situation of the "head quarters" of the army, in dispatching orders from whence to the different sections of the army where military forces were stationed, considerably delay and attendant difficulties, unavoidably resulted; and the arrangements of the war office were likewise embarrassed, owing to the want of celerity in its own communications with the general staff of the army. It has been deemed best therefore to remove the commander in chief to a more central position, where he will be fixed upon as his permanent headquarters, and from whence will issue all the various commands to subordinate officers. A spot in the neighborhood of Washington, has been selected for the purpose, and will be occupied in the way we have mentioned, as soon as the necessary arrangements are made. General Wilkinson has not been arrested, neither has he been removed or suspended from the command of the army. This is the information of which we have become possessed, and which, from the great respectability of our informant, we should suppose entitled to implicit belief.
Petersburg Intelligencer.
LOST, between Manchester and Broad Rock, in Chesterfield county, Virginia, on the 11th of this month, a pair of SADDLE BAGS, with a Pocket Book, containing two promising notes for a hundred dollars each, given by Richard and John Moore, of Rutherford county, N. Carolina, in March, 1807, to Mrs. Catharine Regan, of Georgia; one of which became due the 25th of December, 1808, and the other will be due the 25th of this month; also a note given by Martin Collins of N. Carolina, to Humphrey Evans of Georgia, for 35 dollars, and a receipt given by Hume R. Field, attorney at law of Mecklenburg county, Va. to Jehu Evans of Georgia, for sundry bonds put into his hands for collection in 1808, and witnessed by Edward L. Tabb, and sundry other papers, among which were four bills of sale of negroes; also, sundry clothes, and a saddle and Bridle.
I do hereby forewarn all persons from passing, receiving or trading for the above papers, as I shall take the proper steps to secure the payments to those that are entitled thereto. I will make ample compensation to any one that will deliver the above mentioned papers, saddle bags, &c. or that will give me such information as will enable me to get them again. Information to be lodged with Mr. Zachariah Brooks, of Manchester.
RICHARD HOGAN.
December 23d, 1809
NOTICE. Will be HIRED, on the 6th of January next, at Mr. Hailey Cotes' Tavern, in Goochland county, for the next year, several likely NEGROES, the personal estate of John Foss, dec. among which is a valuable mill wright. At the same time and place, one unlivide moiety of a valuable grist mill, on Powhatan creek.
By the Administrator.
December 24th, 1809.
Samuel McCraw and Sarah his wife, which said Sarah is executrix of the testament and last will of James Gunn, her son, deceased, and sole devisee under the last will and testament of the said James Gunn, dec. John Turpin and Harriet his wife, late Harriet Gunn, daughter of said Sarah McCraw, late Sarah Gunn, and John S. Gunn, Emily F. Gunn, James William Frederick Gunn, infant children of the said Sarah McCraw, by the said Samuel McCraw to be assigned their guardian, to defend this suit.
TAKE NOTICE, that we shall appear the third day of the next term of the honorable superior court of chancery for the Richmond district, move the said court for commissions to take the depositions of sundry witnesses in the state of Georgia, to be read in evidence in the suit pending in the said court between ourselves, plaintiffs, and yourselves, defendants. This notice is given that you may attend in the said court at the time and place mentioned, to name commissioners if you think proper.
EDWD. CUNNINGHAM. ARIANA CUNNINGHAM. December 23d, 1809.

NOTICE —The subscriber being desirous of closing the executrixship of the late John Collins, most earnestly solicits all those indebted to discharge the same, as suits indiscriminately will be instituted; and all persons having claims will please exhibit them properly authenticated before the 1st of February next, as this notice will be plead at bar.
CATHARINE DABNEY, Surviving Executrix of JOHN COLLINS, dec.
December 1st 1809. 3w
CASH will be given for a good male house servant and female cook. JOSEPH TRENT. Oct 27th, 1809. tf
TO BE RENTED , the large and commodious TAVERN, and also the TAN YARD, late the property of James Fowler, deceased, situate in the town of Cartersville. Possession can be had immediately. For terms apply to THOS H. WALTON, Adm'r. with the will annexed of JAMES FOWLER, deceased. Cartersville, 29th November, 1809. 4wp
FOR RENT ,—The House & Lot at present occupied by Mr. George Watt, situated on the east side of Shockoe creek. For particulars apply to Mr. Watt or to JOSEPH GALLEGO. tf
FOR SALE , a good HOUSE WENCH. FOR RENT , 3 TENEMENTS, with gardens and grounds for cultivation; and also large and convenient stables, all connected, insurable and well calculated for a place of entertainment—or for each separate for private families. Enquire of LUMAN BISHOP. Manchester, December 6, 1809. 3w
JOSEPH & GEORGE MARX offer for sale on board the schooner Feronia, 600 SACKS SALT, Twilled Sacks and well filled. They are in daily expectation of receiving several thousand bushels LIVERPOOL GROUND SALT, which will be disposed of on reasonable terms. Richmond, 2d December, 1809. tf
THE Subscriber wishes to employ TWO good Workmen in the Wheelwright business, to whom good wages will be given: the workmen may be at liberty to work by the piece.—Also two Apprentices are wanted to the Wheelwright business. A. Quarrier. Richmond, 8th Oct. 1809. tf
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 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. tf
NOTICE —The subscriber having administered upon the Estate of the late Mr. JOHN HUGHES, (deceased) of Cumberland, and now Powhatan county, is earnestly requested if there be any demands against that Estate, that they may be brought forward on or before the first day of January next, properly authenticated, and receive payment, as I intend to make a division of the residue of that Estate immediately after the said first day of January next, after which this advertisement will be plead in bar against any claim whatsoever. JOHN CUNLIFFE, Adm'r. with the will annexed. Coalpit, Chesterfield county, 16th Oct. 1809. (11.)
FOR SALE , to the highest bidder, on the 20th of December, 1809, on the premises, a PARCEL OF GROUND, on the main street, at or near Rockets landing, and opposite to Lewis's wharf, belonging to the estate of Withshire M. Lewis, dec. containing one hundred feet, or upwards, which will be divided into convenient lots to suit purchasers. Also, about 50 acres of LAND, bounded by the main Road, the lines of Mr. William Mayo, Mr. Geo. Blakey and Gill's Creek, which will also be laid out into tenements to suit purchasers. The terms of payment will be made known on the day of sale. WALTER P. SHELTON, Executor of the said WITHSHIRE M. LEWIS. November 29th, 1809. 4w
BOOKS for Sale. JUST received and for sale by 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. Owen—Burdet's Village Sermons—Gurney's System of Short hand writing—Ferguson's Lectures, a new edition—Marshall's Life of Gen. Washington—Thomson'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)—Morse's Universal Geography—Goldsmith's Natural History—a general assortment of quarto Family Bibles, with and without plates, concordance, psalms, &c. &c. from $2.50, to $12 each—Gibson's surveying—American Clerk's Magazine—Walker's pronouncing Dictionary—also, school Bibles, Testaments, and Spelling Books.
NOTICE . Last evening a negro slave in the subscriber's store, a BANK NOTE which, from circumstances, he believes was not really drawn by. The proper owner, by describing the note, may have it after paying for this advertisement, by applying to L. JOSEPH. December 13, 1809.
NEW MEDICINE STORE. THE Subscriber have recently taken a store, near the Market Bridge, opposite Messrs. White and Shelton's, where they offer for sale a very general assortment of DRUGS & MEDICINES ; a few of which are enumerated, viz:    Gum Aloes  Patent Medicine.    Ammon  Steel's Chemical Opodeldoc    Assa Foetida  Batemann's Drops    Arabic  British Oil    Guaiac  Essence Peppermint    Gamboge  Turlington's Balsam of Life    Myrrh  Dr. Rawson's Celebrated Itch or Scaly Ointment    Opium  Do. do. Genuine    Copal  Anti bilious and Stomachic Bitters    Shell Lac  Do. do. Worm Powders    Tragacanth  Wheatson's Itch Ointment    Aqua Fortis  Docter Lee's Genuine Windham Billious Pills    Annatto  Anderson's do. Hooper's do.    Arrow-Root  Dr. Thomson's Aromatic Tooth Paste    Campher  Do. Eye Water    Cowhage  Febrifuge Electary for Ague and Fever.    Red and Pale Bark  Hinkley's Infallible Remedy for the Piles    Cream Tartar  Dr. Cooley's Vegetable Elixir or Cough Drops    Chamomile Flowers  Genuine Spice Bitters.    Magnesia     Salap     Ipecac     Calomel     Part Emet     Essence Burgamot     Lemon     Spruce     Zloves     Nutmegs     Mace     Cassia, &c. &c. &c.     A general assortment of PAINTS & DYING DRUGS —all of which will be sold as low as at any other store in this city. Medical practitioners and gentlemen who are in the habit of selling medicine in the country, will do well to call. VAIL & ROGERS. Richmond, 29th Aug. 1809.
JUST RECEIVED , A general assortment of Dutch Bolting Cloths , of superior quality, ALSO, 2 Piano Fortes. J. DARMSDATT. Richmond, Nov. 21, 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. tf
IN COUNCIL , Sept. 19th, 1809. It is advised, that from and after the 1st day of January next, the Auditor be instructed in every case where any claim by virtue of an order or certificate of court is presented to him by a person whose name is not mentioned therein, to require such person to produce also an order or power of Attorney from the individual in whose favor such order or Certificate of court was made, together with an affidavit of one witness at least, certified by a Magistrate or Notary Public, that such individual actually signed and acknowledged the same. And to give general information of this rule, it is advised, that a copy hereof be published in the Virginia Argus, Enquirer, Petersburg Intelligencer, Norfolk Herald, Lynchburg Star, Staunton Eagle, and Winchester Gazette, once a week, until the first day of January next. Extract from the Journal, (with) DANIEL L. HYLTON, C. C.
VALUABLE LAND FOR SALE .—The Subscriber intending to remove to one of the Southern States, in the course of fifteen or eighteen months, offers for sale the tract of land on which he now dwells. It contains, by a late survey, about eleven hundred and eighty acres, of which six hundred and fourteen are yet in woods. The soil is peculiarly suited to the production of wheat, and is excellent for corn and tobacco. The situation is remarkably healthy, and is only one mile from the navigation of Appomattox. Those who wish to purchase, a GOOD TRACT OF LAND AT A REASONABLE PRICE, are invited to view this property. If it should not be sold by private contract before the sixth day of January next, it will then be put up to the highest bidder, at Farmville, on a credit of one and two years. PETER JOHNSTON. Prince Edward, November 20th, 1809. 4w
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, lying on navigable water, the improvements new and very good, in a healthy and desirable country. Enquire of the printer. September 8, 1809. tf
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 PRODUCE. Likewise sells all kinds of country produce on commission. HEZEKIAH PURYEAR. Richmond, May 17th, 1809. tf N. B. The highest price given for wheat. H. P.
NEW STORE. THE SUBSCRIBER, Is now opening, opposite the GLOBE TAVERN, a General Assortment of Piece and Fancy GOODS , AMONGST WHICH ARE, Superfine and Com. White and colour. mon Broad Cloths ed Habit do. Do. do. Cassimere. Cambric Muslins, Do. do. Coatings. Plain and Seeded Flannels. Mall. do. Fancy Vesting, Spider Nett and Red & Black Bom. Fancy Crape do. Bazetts. Knotted and Sprig'd Leno do. Worsted, Cotton & Silk Hosiery. Diagonal and Veined do. do. Ginghams, Diagonal and Veined do. do. Cotton Shirting, Elegant Worked Irish Linen and Dresses. Dowlas, Ditto Silk Shawls & Fine and common Handkerchiefs. Printed Calicoes, Black Plaid and Plain Velvets, Coloured Lustings, Cords, Plain, Silk and Fancy Umbrellas, Cy Cat Velvets, Threads, White Satin and Sewing Silks, Crape, &c. &c. &c. Extra long white and coloured Kid Gloves, JOHN WOOD. Richmond, Nov. 10, 1809. tf
NOTICE. NECESSITY compels me to make further application to all those who are indebted to the trustees of the Richwood Academy, by sales of lottery tickets of the first and second class and voluntary subscriptions, and all such are hereby requested to make payment to the subscriber to enable the building committee to pay all arrears for work done, and to procure materials this winter in order to proceed with the work next spring, it being for the education of our rising youth, which ornaments and gives a spring to liberty and independence. I have undertaken the collection by agreement with John Brockenbrough and William W. Hening, Esqrs., the other members of the committee appointed by a board of trustees. As the building of the Academy has progressed considerably, I flatter myself there will be but little trouble in obtaining the money for the purpose of carrying into effect so laudable an institution. ROBERT MITCHELL. December 8th, 1809. tf
FOR SALE .—A handsome, second hand, London built CHARIOT, which has been but little used and is in a good state of preservation. Apply to the printer, or to Mr. HUGHES, coach maker, opposite the Old City Tavern, where the carriage may be seen. tf
JUST RECEIVED , A general assortment of Dutch Bolting Cloths , of superior quality, ALSO, 2 Piano Fortes. J. DARMSDATT. Richmond, Nov. 21, 1809.
SALE .—WILL BE SOLD, to the highest bidder, in Powhatan county, on Wednesday the 10th day of January, 1810, at the plantation of the late James A. Braboy, dec. for ready money, between twenty and thirty valuable Virginia born SLAVES, all the stock of cattle, hogs and horses, and some corn, fodder, &c.—The plantation will also be rented or leased to the highest bidder on the same day. SAMUEL BUTLER, Exor. of JAMES A. BRABOY. Surry, December 10th, 1809. 8p
FOR SALE , that eligible and complete establishment for a publican and country merchant, at Surry courthouse, together with the various tenements and remainder rights of those under lease for a term of years, as described in the lease advertisement of Chas. H. Graves, trustee, and accordingly sold for the benefit of, and bought in by the subscriber, will be offered for sale, to the highest bidder, (if not sooner disposed of privately) on the premises, on the first day of January next, upon the following terms:—$2000 of the purchase money to be paid down, or if it will be an accommodation to the purchaser, a credit of 60 or 120 days will be allowed for this payment, it being secured by a deed in trust on personal property. The balance of the purchase money to be paid in two equal annual instalments, secured by a deed in trust upon the property. Nicholas Faulcon, esq. is fully authorized to sell the above property at private sale, or will offer it publicly at the time and place above mentioned, and any contract entered into by him will be obligatory on JNO. H. COCKE. December 15th, 1809. 4p
It is believed that the privilege of vending merchandise being conveyed away from the late proprietor of this property, may have had an unfavorable effect upon the sale of it; but this objection is obviated by a commodious counting room and store house lately built without the limits of the non-polishing restriction and within 300 yards of the tavern door.
A SCHOOL .—T. LEMPIERE takes the liberty to inform the public that he will teach the following branches of literature, at Maj. Joseph Mayo's, in Powhatan county, on the following terms, viz: Orthography, Reading and Writing, $12 per annum—English Grammar, Reading and Writing, 14 dollars—Do. with Arithmetic and Geography, 16 dollars—French, Spanish, Portuguese or Latin, with the above branches, 20 dollars—The above branches with merchants' accounts or Book Keeping, 24 dollars—Book Keeping alone (the time of learning it) 12 dollars—Navigation, do. 20 dollars. Maj. Mayo will take a few boarders on moderate terms. Board and Tuition payable quarterly. The school will commence on the 2d of January 1810. 5p
NEGROES FOR SALE .—By virtue of a trust deed executed to the subscriber by Henry Adams, for certain purposes therein expressed, will be sold at the late dwelling of the said Adams, deceased, on Wednesday the 27th inst. under the provisions of the act of assembly entitled "an act concerning executions and for other purposes," one NEGRO WOMAN, named Phillis, and her four Children, or so much thereof as will be sufficient to answer the purposes of the said trust. JESSE HIX. Chesterfield county, December 13th, 1809.
AT the same time and place, will be sold, to the highest bidder, on a credit of twelve months for all sums exceeding ten dollars, all the PERSONAL ESTATE of the said Henry Adams, deceased, consisting of Negroes, Waggons, Horses and Household furniture. SALLY ADAMS, Administratrix.
A few TICKETS in the Baltimore Lottery, warranted undrawn on the 17th day of drawing, for sale at this office.
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 of, Hill's Balsam of Honey, Hahn's Antibilious; Turlington's Balsam, Pills, Anderson's Pills, Itch Ointment, Antispasmodic Fi, Eye Water, Drops, &c. &c. Eye Salve,
JUST PUBLISHED, AND NOW READY FOR DELIVERY TO SUBSCRIBERS, AT S. PLEASANTS, JR'S. BOOK-STORE RICHMOND, THE Statutes at Large; BEING A COLLECTION OF ALL THE LAWS OF VIRGINIA, FROM THE FIRST SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE, IN THE YEAR 1619. PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO AN ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA, PASSED ON THE FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHT. VOLUME I. By WILLIAM WALLER HENING.
The Laws of a country are necessarily connected with every thing belonging to the people of it; so that a thorough knowledge of them, and of their progress would inform us of every thing that was most useful to be known about them; and one of the greatest imperfections of historians in general, is owing to their ignorance of law." PRIESTLEY'S LECT. ON HIST. pa. 149
The following letters addressed to the editor since the publication of the 1st Volume are from gentlemen eminently qualified to form an opinion of the importance of the work
S. Roane's respects to Mr. Hening. A necessary attention to the business of the court, has disabled S. R. from reading attentively, the whole of the first volume of the Statutes at Large: He can, therefore, give no satisfactory opinion upon the character of the laws contained therein. It is easy, however, to perceive that this laborious work has been executed with great care and fidelity, on the part of Mr. Hening, to whom, in the opinion of S. R. our countrymen, in all generations, will be indebted, for placing before us the reach of accident, statutes which existed only in manuscript, and, in some instances, perhaps, only in a single copy. It is true that, at the present day, the statutes contained in the first volume, are of little comparative importance as laws; having grown obsolete or been replaced by others; but they afford a rich treasure for Historians; and, in themselves, contain an excellent history, of the situation, policy, institutions, opinions and language of our forefathers. It will be seen that they possessed that hardy and determined spirit, which could not be appalled by difficulties, and has enabled their posterity, in less than two centuries, to outstrip the nations of the old world, as far in the wisdom and justice of their political institutions, as in the enjoyment of civil liberty. If the work in question were, therefore, to stop here, it is undoubtedly entitled to the patronage of every public spirited American; but, as it is advanced, it will be of eminent practical utility. It will, (especially if aided by a general index) enable Judges and Lawyers to see, at one view, every act which has ever been passed on any subject; and thus conduct them to the happiest result, in evincing the meaning of the legislature. S. R. therefore earnestly wishes that no adverse state of things may occur, to arrest the entire completion of the undertaking. Wm. W. Hening, Esq. Richmond, Dec. 2, 1809.
RICHMOND, Nov. 24th 1809. DEAR SIR,
I have received with great pleasure the first volume of your edition of the Statutes of Virginia at Large; & am extremely glad that you have been able to make such a progress in a work of such real importance, not only to the gentlemen of the profession, but to the community at large. Few persons have more reason to estimate the value of such an undertaking than myself; having for five and twenty years been endeavoring, in vain, to procure copies of our public acts from the period of the revival in 1705, to that of our revolution. And even from the latter period to the end of the last century, it was nearly twenty years before I could procure copies of all the acts of the several conventions, and succeeding legislatures. The unfortunate policy of omitting laws which had either expired, had been repealed, or were consolidated in the successive revisions made during the last century, rendered it almost impossible to trace any subject which had engaged the attention of successive legislatures through all the mazes of its progress. Nothing but a complete edition of our laws, at large, can afford that light, so necessary to the well understanding of the laws, and the distribution of justice, in our common country. A work of such magnitude and importance must be attended with infinite labour and expense. You have my sincere wishes for your success in completing that work, and that it may receive that general encourage-
ment to which it is entitled from so many important considerations. I am, respectfully, Dear Sir, Your most obedt. Servant, Sr. G. TUCKER. Wm. W. Hening, Esq. RICHMOND, 30th Nov. 1809. Dear Sir, Besides the examination, which I gave with Mr. Munford to your first volume of the old Statutes at Large, I have again perused with attention, the copy which you so kindly presented to me. I am really pleased to find, that the materials for a correct history of our country, are, at last coming to light; and that those laws which form in so many instances, the rule of our property, have been saved from the wreck of time, by the means of one, to whom we are indebted for so many acts, which he has done for the good of his country; and allow me to say, that in his your labours have not been less deserving: & I hope will be simply required by a generous public, for giving to posterity a work so deserving of their attention and preservation. I am, Dear Sir, Very sincerely your friend, CREED TAYLOR. The Hon. Wm. W. Hening, Esq. MONTICELLO, Dec. 1, 1809
SIR, I HAVE duly received the 1st Vol. of your Collection of our Statutes at Large, and return you my thanks for it. The opinion I entertain of the importance of the work may be justly inferred from the trouble and expence I incurred during the earlier part of my life, to save such remains of our ancient laws as were then still in existence. The compilation appears to be correctly and judiciously made, and gives us exactly what I had so long considered a desideratum for our country. It sheds a new light on our early history, and furnishes additional security to the tenure of our rights & property. Sincerely wishing you may reap the reward you have merited, I tender you the assurances of my great esteem & respect. TH: JEFFERSON. Wm. W. Hening, Esq.
SUMMERVILLE, 18th Dec. 1809. DEAR SIR, Since my return home from Richmond, Tuesday evening, I have perused with particular attention and pleasure, the greater part of your 1st volume of the Statutes at Large, collected with much difficulty and indefatigable labour and industry; by which you have rendered a meritorious service to your country; and I have no hesitation in saying, that if the same care and attention be used respecting the succeeding volumes (which I have no reason to doubt) it will prove a work of great utility, not only to Judges, Lawyers, and to the community at large, but will form a genuine basis for an authentic and comprehensive history of our country, the want of which is much to be lamented. That your labours may meet with the encouragement and reward so justly due to their merits, is the sincere wish and hope of, dear sir, Your friend and obedient servant, WM. FLEMING. Wm. Waller Hening, Esq.
IT may concern, that William Bentley, of the county of Powhatan, late guardian of the children of William Road, deceased, possesses no authority as my agent under any deed of trust or otherwise, to hire out or sell any slave or slaves or other property, formerly belonging to the estate of the said Road, and which were sold under certain execrations. The said slaves and other property came into the possession of the said Bentley as guardian of the said children on certain terms, under a contract executed on his part, in that character; and I have at all times considered it to be his duty to drive up to join Swan and Samuel Pleasants his successors as guardians to the said children, from the time of their appointment, all of the said slaves & other property then remaining, or which ought to have been remaining, in his hands, of which he has been repeatedly notified. EDWARD CARRINGTON. Richmond, December 18 1809
FOR SALE. 150 Boxes English Crown Glass, 12 14 10 12 14 16, 50 Boxes Baltimore ditto, 12 14 8 12 300 Kegs English White Lead, 100 do. Spanish Red Lead, 100 do. Potash, 1500 lb. Being twins An extensive assortment of American and Swedish Iron, amongst which are 12 ton suitable for Hoes and Axes, 2 ton American and German Steel, 12 Boxes Cotton of a Superior quality, with our usual assortment of Groceries. RUSSELL & WALLACE. Richmond, Nov. 20, 1809. 2m
FOR SALE , between 4 and 500 acres of GLOUCESTER LOW GROUNDS —That valuable plantation called SALT YARD belonging to the estate of the late Benjamin Dabney, situated on Ware River. It is well timbered and convenient for fish and oysters. Terms may be made known by application to TH: G. SMITH, Ex'r. and SARAH DABNEY, Ex'r. November 4, 1809. 2mp
PURSUANT to an order of the court of New Kent, will be sold, to the highest bidder, at New Kent court house, on Monday the first day of January next, on a credit of twelve months, about twenty-five NEGROES, the estate of Robert S. Wate, dec. among which are men, boys, women and children. Bond and good security will be required, to carry interest from the date if not paid on time. ROBT. CHRISTIAN, Jr. Deputy For Robert B. Armistead, Sheriff. New Kent, December 26, 1809. 3t
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, Diamond. J. S. Pleasants.