Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1806-10-04 00:00:00

VIRGINIA ARGUS.
[XIVth YEAR.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE
[No. 1300.]
RICHMOND:—PRINTED (ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS) BY SAMUEL PLEASANTS, JUNIOR, PRINTER TO THE COMMONWEALTH.
[Four Dollars Per Annum....paid in advance.]
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1806.
[12 1-2 Cents Single.]
WHEREAS that portion of the funds, of the Mutual Assurance Society against fire on Buildings of the State of Virginia, which belongs to the Country, is inadequate to the payment of the losses by fire, which have actually occurred, and which are exclusively chargeable on the Country funds, whence, has arisen the indispensable necessity, of calling for the payment of part of a quota, from the persons who have insured in the country, which requisition ought properly to be limited to those members who had insured prior to the happening of the great fire in Norfolk, on the 24th of February 1804, by which fire the joint-funds of the society were nearly exhausted.
And whereas common principles of justice obviously require, that the part of a quota so to be called for, should place all the members (new and old subscribers) of the country part of the said society on an equal footing, which can only be done by requiring from those who had insured before the said 24th of February 1804, such part of a quota or quotas, as being added to the amount of the country funds, at the date of the division of the joint funds between the town and the country would make a sum equal, or nearly equal, to the aggregate of the premiums originally paid, by those who had insured anterior to the 24th of February 1804.
And whereas the Board of Directors of the said society, have accordingly deemed it necessary, and just in conformity to a statement and estimate prepared and to them submitted by the principal Agent, to demand from each member who had a building or buildings in the country, prior to the 24th day of February 1804, part of a quota or quotas, equal to two thirds of a premium or premiums originally advanced by such member, to be paid on or before the 10th day of December next.
I do now therefore in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the said Board of Directors, hereby make known to all persons whom it may concern, that the said requisition of two-thirds of a quota, on each building insured in the country as aforesaid, before the said 24th day of February 1804, to be paid on or before the 10th day of December next, has been made for the causes aforesaid, by virtue of the authority vested in the President and Directors, by an act of the General Assembly, entitled, "An act for carrying into execution the constitution of the Mutual Assurance Society against fire on buildings of the state of Virginia, lately adopted at a general meeting," and by the rules and regulations of the said society.—And I do further hereby, in pursuance also of the resolution aforesaid, notify to all persons concerned, That every insurance on which the said two thirds of a quota shall be payable, under the foregoing requisition, will be forfeited, unless payment thereof, that is, of a sum equal to two-thirds of the premium mentioned in the policy, be made on or before the said 10th day of December next; and such insurance will remain forfeited, until the payment of two-thirds of a quota so withheld and interest thereon, shall afterwards be either voluntarily made, or coerced in the mode prescribed by law.
ALEX: MCRAE, President M. A. S. General Office of Assurance, Richmond, 12th Sept. 1806
NOTICE is hereby given, that a petition will be presented to the next Assembly of Virginia, praying to remove the Court-house of Warwick county from the place it at present stands, to Soney run, on the land of Richard Cary, Decd. Richmond, 12th Sept. 1806
NOTICE. To the Creditors of D. & W. Guerrant.
THAT the trustees of said Daniel and W. Guerrant will on Friday the 2d October next, meet at the house formerly occupied by them as a store in this place, in order to make a second dividend of money, collected under suit, (to subscribing creditors.)
The non-subscribing creditors, are particularly requested to attend on that day.
By order of the Trustees, WM. GUERRANT. New Canton, 16 Sept. 1806.
N B A dry goods, will be offered at vendue on the day and at the place above mentioned, belonging to the late concern of D. & W. Guerrant. W. G.
We have lately received, FOR SALE,    12 bds. sugar  15 boxes cotton & wool    50 bds. do.  cards do    3000 lbs. green coffee  4 tons castings assorted, viz. pots, ovens, skillets, spiders, and irons, reakelets and waggons boxes    10 bds. Antigua rum  350 sacks salt    5 do. Windward Island do.  100 bds. cut herrings    14 bds. N. E. rum  30 do. whole do.    14 bds. do. do.  17 do. shad    12 bds. molasses  40 lbs. Spanish indigo    8 casks Malaga wine  15 bds. nu meys    20 tiers & bds. whisky  100 py. mens fine shoes    4 pips apple brandy  50 do. coarse do.    12 bds. do. do.  500 lbs. Glauber salts    12 crates Liverpool ware assorted     10 do. stone do.     We have also on hand,    Iron  Loaf sugar    German, Crawley and Blisters Steel  Tanners' & Linseed oil    Race & ground ginger  Nova Scotia grained stones    Pepper  Ground plaster in bds    Alspice  Good manufactured tobacco for the keg, for retailing    FF & P powder  Tax    Shot, assorted sizes  Washing hoes    French brandy  Nests woodware    Rice  Bed cords, leading lines and twine    Cheese  assorted sizes    Wrought and cut nails, assorted sizes  Necklace    Snuff  Stone jugs, butter pots, chamber pots, wash basins, bake pans, churns, &c. &c.    Glass ware, viz. 1.2 pt. tumblers and decanters, assorted sizes     Hats     We daily expect to receive, a quantity of Sherry Wine, Window Glass, Copress and Alum, all of which articles, we will sell at a small advance, for cash, approved paper or country produce.
Shapard & Lucke. Richmond May 8. 1806.
Schools & Letter Paper For sale at this office.
1459 1-2 ACRES OF LAND FOR SALE: 772 of which lies in the county of Pittsylvania, upon the branches of Elkhorn, and Shoccoe creeks, adjoining the lines of Joseph Terrey, James Johnson, and others. The greater part of this land is excellent tobacco land, the whole lies well, is well watered, and timbered, and all in wood. 400 acres in the county of Buckingham, on the waters of Frisby, and middle State river, adjoining the lines of Charles Maxey, Nicholas Donner, and others—this land is also uncleared, lies well, well timbered and watered, and a good proportion fit for the culture of tobacco, and a most excellent situation for the raising of stock of all kinds. 287 1-2 acres on the head of Hatcher's creek, in the said county of Buckingham, adjoining the lands of capt. Peter May, Leonard Glyburn, and others—about one half of this tract is cleared, the greater part of which has lain fallow a number of years; consequently in prime order for the putting in of small grain this fall, which it would bring well, if properly put in—the other half is in woods, and of good growth; there is also on this land a pretty good dwelling house, two rooms below and one above, with a brick chimney, with a fire place in the two lower rooms, and some necessary out houses.
The whole of the above lands are now offered for sale, and upon moderate terms, but if not sold privately, the first tract, will be laid off into lots and sold, to the highest bidder, at Halifax Old Town (now Peytonsburg) a few miles below the said land, on the first Monday in November next, part cash and part upon credit. The other two, if not sold before, will at Buckingham court, on the second Monday in November next, be sold, to the highest bidder, as above; in the meantime, any one who will buy, may treat with the proprietor, living in Buckingham county.
Henry Bell. Buckingham, Aug. 5. 1805. (wtn 10)
BY VIRTUE of a deed of trust, executed to the subscriber, by Richard Johnson to secure the payment of a debt due by him, to William Brown, & Co. will be SOLD, to the highest bidder, for ready money, at the front door of Thomas Wells's Tavern, in the town of Milton, on Wednesday the 22d October next, the following property, or so much thereof, as may be sufficient to pay the balance due on the trust—
ONE MAN SLAVE, by name Tom, one sorrel Bedford STUD COLT, and one hundred acres of LAND, lying on Buck Island Creek, in Albemarle, being the lower end of the tract, purchased by said Johnson, of Henry Wood.
RICHARD ANDERSON, Trustee Milton, 22d Sept. 1805.
ON THE FIRST DAY of next month as the late dwelling house of Meriwether Jones, decd., WILL BE SOLD, to the highest bidder, a variety of household, kitchen, gardening and farming IMPLEMENTS. Among the former, are beds, and mahogany furniture in Dining, Card, and Tea-Tables, Desk and Book-case, &c. ALSO, three valuable Milch Cows and some hogs, and a small collection of Valuable Books.
Cash will be expected for purchases not exceeding ten dollars; for all above that sum 60 days will be allowed, on notes negotiable at the Bank of Virginia, with one or more endorsers to be approved by
GEORGE WM. SMITH Adm'r &c. Of Meriwether Jones, decd., Richmond, Sept. 22d. 1805.
THE SALE of the above property is unavoidably postponed until Monday next, the 6th of October when it will certainly take place.—At the same time the HOUSE & TENEMENT lately occupied by the deceased, will be either sold or rented.
GEORGE WM. SMITH, Adm'r. October 4th 1805.
MARSHAL'S SALES. TO BE SOLD, to the highest bidder, for ready money, under a decree of the court of the United States, for the fifth circuit in the Virginia district, between Princess Bond, attorney for the creditors of Ezekiel Edwards, plaintiff, and David Ross and others, defendants, in order to raise the sum of twelve thousand six hundred and fifteen dollars and thirty three cents, due and payable the first day of July last, and expenses and charges of sale, that valuable and well known estate, in the county of Botetourt, called PORT LEWIS —stated by the said Ross to contain 2608 acres. The sale will take place on the premises, on the 14th day of November next. Also, under the said decree, and upon the same terms, will be SOLD, at the Oxford Iron Works, in the county of Campbell, or the 18th of the same month, a number of VALUABLE SLAVES.
BEN. MOSBY, D. M. for JOS. SCOTT, M. V. D. September 26, 1806.
FOR SALE, MY LAND, in the county of Goochland, whereon I now live, containing 600 acres; well situated, lying within two miles of James river, and five miles above Goochland courthouse; is well improved, and in fine order for an ensuing crop; it is well adapted to the culture of tobacco, corn & wheat. A farther description is thought unnecessary, as it is presumed the purchaser would wish first to view the premises, which (in my absence, will be shown) by Capt. Humphrey Parrish, or Mr. Whitehead Ryan, who live adjoining thereto. I will undertake to sow thereon 80 or 90 bushels of wheat in good order. And in case of sale of the land, I will likewise sell the crop thereon of every description, together with the stock of cattle, hogs, and sheep, household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, &c. The terms of sale for the land, will be one third cash, & for the balance three equal annual instalments, on giving bond with approved security, carrying interest from the day, if not punctually paid. Young negroes will be taken (if approved of) in payment for a moiety at least, of each payment; a deed of trust will be taken upon the premises to secure the three last payments. The personal estate will be sold on a credit of twelve months on giving bond with approved security. And the price of the land made known on application to the subscriber.
Croddock Vaughan. 16th Sept. 1806.
FOR THE ARGUS. Observations in opposition to the opinions and principles, contained for in a pamphlet called War in Disguise.
No. X. Concluding observations concerning the federation of states in Europe and remarks in relation to the perilous situation of Great Britain, as published by William Cobbett.
THE federation of the states of Europe according to the ideas of this writer, is not only the most magnificent and philanthropic plan, which has ever been announced to the world, but is well calculated to ensure those great designs which have been explained. It is by these means that Napoleon will render himself the benefactor of mankind. It is indeed far superior to that which has added so much lustre to the characters of Henry the Fourth, and his prime Minister the immortal Sully. Altho' some extracts have been published relating to that design; yet they will not afford to the readers mind, ideas half so satisfactory as may be derived by attending to the whole illustration. Every reader will then see before him a plan which has come from the pen, of one of the wisest Ministers, of one of the greatest kings who has ever appeared in the catalogue of monarchs. By some it is believed and by all it ought to be hoped that Napoleon as far as circumstances will permit, will make the political characters of these great able statesmen the models of his own.
If for this plan so far inferior to the grand project of pacification and civilization, contemplated by Napoleon, Henry and Sully, deserve immortal glory, whose heart is so invidious and malignant to deny equal, if not superior honors to the hero, whose first object is to promote the happiness of all mankind? But grand and beneficent as the views are which have been taken and illustrated, in the prospect of a federation of states, we are called upon to turn our thoughts upon black and destructive war. We must therefore for the present draw a veil over this picture of universal peace, humanity, and benevolence, and listen to the sounds of drums and trumpets, to the thunder of cannon, to the lamentations of the wretched, to the cries of the wounded, and to the groans of the dying. We must summon our feelings and thoughts to appear in the presence of, and to set in judgment upon, those who have long disturbed and still threaten to disturb the peace of the world.
Yes, benevolent reader, it behoves you to examine into the merits of very different questions, to ascertain if you can, what may be the final result of the contest, which threatens to entail upon Europe and perhaps upon the world, either a perpetual war, the destruction of the British Empire, or the revival of anarchy and distress, in the fairest portions of Europe. For such is the disastrous prospect which is afforded by the conduct and declarations of the Cabinet of London, and is even justified and defended by Americans, who have taken part in the interests of Great Britain.
While these things exist, while we remember that Great Britain has already been the authoress of three coalitions against France, when she had much less to fear; and while a maritime war rages between France and Britain, it may be expected, that every thing which the rulers of England can do by bribes, by artifice, or by intreaty, to injure their enemy, will be accomplished. The resources of that nation appear to be inexhaustible, and the temper of the present ministry, notwithstanding the hopes which were entertained of Mr. Fox's great talents and sound principles, does not appear to be pacific. Mr. Fox's career as minister, tho' short, has been long enough to show that he is defective, either in great political talents, or independent principles. He has fallen in the old track, when a new road was necessary. In fine he has done nothing. The rulers of England seem to think that they cannot make peace with France, without surrendering their national character and glory. They seem to prefer an eternal state of war. They believe that a peace will reduce them to a dependent subordinate situation, and that it is better to support their national independence and glory, with arms in their hands, than by making peace to lose their exalted station in the scale of nations.
When this subject is considered and decided in a manner to suit the pride and magnificence of a few individuals, whom chance has elevated to the heat of public affairs, the alternative which is presented may be accurate, and the conclusions may be inevitable; but when the question is considered at the tribunals of philanthropy and philosophy, the determinations of these haughty landers appear to be unjust; and the very avowal which they make, connected with the reasons which are assigned, entitle them to the enemy
and opposition of all the world. To what does the declaration amount? It is an acknowledgment, though made in other words, that the British nation will stand alone, and enforce by the power of her arms, certain political, nautical and commercial principles, which all other nations disclaim. This is a point which will afford a field for extensive discussion; but as there is at present some reason to hope, that they are about to relax in these doctrines, there is equal reason to expect that such manly and honorable conduct, may lead to a speedy, honorable and satisfactory peace.
It becomes necessary to take an impartial view of the prospects which are afforded by a continuation of an implacable war; a war which will not terminate but by the destruction of one of those contending Empires.
All politicians agree that the first duty of rulers is to procure and insure the happiness and prosperity of their people. And altho' they are morally bound to engage in offensive and defensive wars to ensure these objects, they ought not upon slight occasions, or upon vague surmises to endanger either the one or the other. It seems also to be admitted, that at this time, the people of England by taxes, and oppressions of various kinds, are compelled to drink the cup of bitterness to the very dregs. There is not a man in England to whom these facts are not known, & the only excuse which is afforded by the rulers is, that Bonaparte is actuated by an insatiable ambition—that he is not satisfied with France, Spain, Italy, Germany, &c. but that he contemplates to conquer and subjugate all the world; that Great Britain alone stops his gigantic career, and that every Englishman is bound, not only as relates to his country and himself, but the whole human race, to oppose this overwhelming torrent.
Such are the delusions, by which the Englishmen have been prevailed upon to spend their blood and treasure, and to convulse the continent of Europe with war & desolation. Such are the delusions which induce them to submit to the most humiliating personal degradations, and to bear the despotic rule of military and naval commanders, by far more severe, than could be feared from Napoleon, even admitting him to be as bad as his worst enemies have represented, or as successful as they pretend to fear. To a poor man who has nothing but his life which is worth preserving, it can make no difference, if he is compelled to fight in the ranks, or in a ship, or to toil all day, where he is commanded by a George or a Napoleon. Nor is there any thing at this moment, which can be feared from the success of Napoleon which holds out to the people of England more distress or oppression than they are now bound to bear; because every thing being pushed as far as it will go, no change for the worse can be made.
The English, it is true, boast of their constitution and their liberties, and many of them believe that they are the happiest people in existence. Let this be as it may, there is no reason to quarrel with them for the indulgence of an opinion which injures no body. But there is much cause to complain and condemn them, because they have long contributed and yet continue to involve the world in war.
Take the people of England in mass, and enquire what are the benefits which they expect by a successful determination of the war? Do they expect to conquer France, and divide the wealth of that country as the followers of William the conqueror formerly divided England? No: do they expect by fomenting disturbances upon the continent, or a predatory naval war, to divert Napoleon from his purposes? No: can they save Alexander of Russia, or Gustavus of Sweden, if France and Prussia chose to drive them from their capitals? No: can they save Turkey from such future destiny as may be decreed to it by Napoleon, either with or without the co-operation of Austria? In all these things the English are equally impotent and impolitic; they compel Bonaparte to draw the sword; they compel him to organize armies, and common prudence dictates the necessity of giving to them honorable and gainful employments. They cannot invade England. They can get nothing by a war with Russia, and the imbecile state of Turkey almost invites an invasion.
Speak to an Englishman about France, and he is all in a flame, say you would suppose that his bosom glowed with inextinguishable hatred towards the whole people. Let a light take place and if victory declares in favor of the Englishman, how will he treat his prisoners?—There have been cases, and not a few, wherein English sailors have not only endangered their lives to save drowning Frenchmen, but have even refused to have their wounds dressed, because some of their prisoners were in greater need of surgical aid.
What a generous and gallant spirit is this! and how much ought it to be deplored that these people are arrayed against each other in endless hostility and implacable war!
The copious illustrations which have been already published concerning Great Britain, the wide and irreconcilable difference between the ruling and the ruled in that country, has been elaborately explained, so that the writer might content himself with a bare reference to those unanswered columns—but testimony of great weight has made its appearance. The testimony alluded to is derived from the celebrated William Cobbett. He has lately published similar opinions under the noses of the British rulers—and warns the nation in language bold, energetic and intelligible of their impending dangers. As it will not be convenient or even possible for all who may read this article to see the publication of Cobbett, an appropriate extract will be now taken, and is referred to.
"Bonaparte models every thing at his pleasure, and has nothing to do but model. Into what new shapes he may model the German Empire may be matter of much interest, but after the late events cannot be of much importance. Germany cannot become more his own than it is already."
"It is well known at Paris that our ministers are at their wits ends for the means of raising the necessary supplies. It is very well known there, that a paper money impossible to be redeemed by specie pervades our country, and it is equally well known that in such a state of things, a trifling cause of alarm may prove fatal to us. Therefore it may prove absurd to hope that during this state of things the enemy will ever be inclined to such a peace as will give us tranquility."
"In short, there appears to me. (William Cobbett) to be three things, one of which must take place—namely, unconditional submission to the enemy; taxes collected at the point of the bayonet, or a great and speedy reduction in the national expenses."
These extracts are sufficient to show that the warnings which have been published by this writer were well supported. The persons who will be most likely to deny their truth, are the same who a few years ago considered William Cobbett as a political Messiah. Since he has published a paper in London, it has been highly celebrated for the talents and independence which are exhibited in its columns. These things are not necce sary to convince the mind of the writer that his own opinions are well founded, because the publications concerning the situation and events, which relate to the continent of Europe are as open for his examination as they are for Mr. Cobbett.
But as the writer has been influenced by a very sincere desire to afford information, upon which the public might be able to act, he has deemed it necessary to make the quotations from that celebrated paper. And altho' it is stated that one of those things must be done to secure the independency of the Island, yet the writer of this does not adopt these alterations as the only expedients by which the downfall of Great Britain may be prevented. No, far from it. The collection of taxes at the point of the bayonet, would at once destroy the pillars of the British constitution. Money could not, if at all, more then once or twice be obtained in that manner, unless the bayonets of the soldiers, might like the philosophers stone, convert whatever they might touch into gold. Men may be forced into navies or armies, or into the fields, or suffer death, or be imprisoned by the power of the bayonet, but sharpened steel will not possess a talismanic power by which gold can be either created or extracted.
Nor will the rulers save themselves by any system of economy which the exigencies of affairs will allow them to introduce, because while they are dealing in arithmetic and demonstrating that a certain course of things in ten years will restore them to prosperity, their powerful foe will build ships and man them, and thus deprive the Islanders, by the superiority of his resources, of the only advantage upon which they make their calculations.
The situation of Great Britain appears then to be alarming. Something of great importance is necessary to save them from external conquest or internal desolation—and Mr. Cobbett has recommended nothing but economy; this is equivalent to saying that their prospects are hopeless—that they have been weighed and are found wanting—and that they may prepare to receive the final mandate of the Emperor Napoleon, "who as Cobbett says models every thing at his pleasure."
The writer of this does not agree with Mr. Cobbett, he does not believe that the independence of Great Britain depends
Let every American who desires an alliance, offensive and defensive with Great Britain, reflect seriously upon his melancholy prospect.

upon such desperate alternatives—no does he apprehend that a rich, brave, numerous, enterprising, generous and gallant people are on the precipice of destruction from which there is no retreat, because some fifty or sixty individuals (perhaps a smaller number) have conducted the public affairs so badly as to authorise fears, and require changes—He believes that the Islands of Great Britain and Ireland, contains resources in men, money and materials fully equal to their internal preservation, provided a proper spirit can be excited among the body of the people, and the resources can be judiciously applied—and altho' he was never in England nor can estimate the objects now alluded to by more than the ordinary means of information, which are open to every one in this country, yet depending upon opinions thus formed, he will hereafter submit to public notice a few essential innovations.
These innovations, he believes, if promptly and honestly adopted and pursued, will not only save the island from the bayonets of friends and the swords of enemies, but will guarantee the independence, tranquility and prosperity of other nations.
PACIFICATOR.
(To be continued.)
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THOUGHTS on the subject of NAVAL POWER in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA; and on certain means of encouraging and protecting their Commerce and Manufactures.
No. III.—Concluded.
But to return to neutral rights. In January, 1793, the Prussians then acting with England, drove from the Hanse towns all the French agents, who were buying provisions for France, as they now drive away the dealers in English goods.—In this England supported Prussia, by stopping ships bound from the Hanse towns to France. In the month of June, 1793, England issued her famous executive order for destroying all the neutral trade with France, without even pretending to act on the principle of blockade, or to be forced by necessity. The language of the treaty with Russia & on which Lord Grenville avowed to Mr. T. Pinckney, that those June orders were founded, was this; "To unite all the efforts of England and Russia, to prevent all other powers not implicated in this war (neutrals) from giving directly or indirectly any protection whatever, in consequence of their neutrality, to the commerce of France, upon the seas or in their ports."
In the same year, 1793, it was declared by Prussia and Austria, then allies of England, that the ordinary benefits of neutral intercourse with France was not to be allowed; and the British minister at Genoa proclaimed that to be neutral (to preserve the peace or our own nation) was to be an accomplice with France. In the case of Tuscany, things were carried so far by Great Britain, that her minister Lord Hervey, made known by letter to the Tuscan prime minister, that the continuance of his royal master's neutrality (his country's peace) would depend upon the opinions of the powers combined with England against France, including Prussia, of whom the English writers now bitterly complain for violating the neutrality of the Hanseatic towns. Lord Hervey addressed a public letter to the minister of Russia in Tuscany, declaring that the neutrality of Tuscany was incompatible with the designs and interests of Europe, and would be guided by them in a manner more suitable to their war plans.
On the 6th of November, 1793, the English government made a secret order of the king and council, and sent it (with but notice to any neutral minister) to all their ships of war, ordering the seizure of all neutral vessels, having on board the produce of the French colonies, or provisions, dry goods, or other supplies for those colonies. A cargo of American fish, Indian corn, lumber, French produce and manufactures, and other articles could always be carried from our ports to the French colonies, and molasses, rum, &c. could always in peace be brought back. Here our own neutral produce, our own neutral property, in our own neutral ships, in an established peace trade under the well known arrest of August, 1784, procured by President Jefferson, was cut up without the least ceremony or notice by a palpable usurpation of the legislation of the ocean, at the pleasure of the British crown. Yet England, after this unfortunate precedent, thinks we should make war on France and Prussia, for shutting her goods out of Hamburg.
Though Mr. Jay was sent to Great Britain, in 1794, to effectuate a treaty which should maintain harmony, the British order of council of June, 1793, was renewed in 1795, as soon as it was supposed, in England, that the treaty was ratified: so little decorum, so little justice, was observed towards this great neutral customer of England.
In April, 1797, to punish Spain merely for being at war with England, or rather to aggravate her misfortune in not being able, with England, and Germany, and Russia, and Italy, and Portugal on her side, to defend herself against France, a proclamation palpable violation of the law of nations , was published by Admiral Nelson, in which all neutral commerce with Spain was forbidden. The plea of necessity was not set up. It was just sufficient to announce that England had found it right that Spain should no longer have any trade."
Our neutral manufactures and our neutral crops, was thus unlawfully shut out of Spain by the friendly navy of England. Yet we are to fight the continent of Europe for refusing British goods.
With these and many other evidences of early, and unremitting, and excessive English violations of neutral rights and commerce and even of English laws before our eyes, it is impossible for the government or people of the United States to assent to the pretension, that our allowed suffrance of later and lesser wrongs from the enemies of England, entitled her to claim of our neutrality and indulgence in the numerous and excessive injuries of the current season. With a calm and reasonable firmness, therefore, we recur to the recommendation of a continuance of the peaceable and legitimate protections and indemnifications for our property, commerce, and sufferings which the legislative power in Nicholson's law, has begun to administer, and of such of those which are respectfully suggested for consideration in this publication. There is yet another and a far better course which the present British government hold at their own command—the inclusion of American moderation in the old Anglo-American system of commercial monopoly, and frank justice under the law of nations .
It cannot be doubted by any reflecting man, that the recited injuries to our neutral rights give us large claims upon the manumission of England, and justify temporary distinctions against her. They have touched American sensibility to the quick, and deeply affected our interests. The perversions of the principles of search and of blockade, the violation of mariners' and passengers' contracts, and the legalized exactions in the admiralty business, with the palpable assumption of the right to bind us on the ocean, in all cases whatever, by executive orders , have laid a foray upon the root of the tree of our prosperity. Nor navigation nor trade, nor vents for our crops nor sales for our surplus imports, nor safety to our mariners will abide our submission to these doctrines, to these practices, to this new system of annoying her enemy and monopolizing commerce, adopted by G. Britain & the changing circle of her friends. If she persists with her executive orders, and other injuries, the road which our respected move has already entered lies open before our eyes. It is the path of virtuous peace, for we are not wont to seek even justice by the sword. Protection to the industrious, and indemnification to the suffering, at the expense of the injuring, is our wise, our moral and our religious plan.
* The following article of intelligence proves that Great Britain still continues her monstrous attempts to force independent neutral states into fatal wars and treaties by her naval power:
"Constantinople, May 8 1805. Mr. Arbuthnot, the English ambassador, has had a fresh conference with the Reis Effendi (or Turkish secretary of state) at which he emphatically declared that if the Porte (or Turkish government) did not, within a few days, come to a determination to renew its treaties with England, an English squadron would certainly make its appearance in the Levant as any further refusal must be considered as a mutual breach between the two powers ." The Turkish government simply replied, that it was resolved to maintain the neutrality which it had hitherto observed. These excessive measures of a naval power are calculated to work an abrogation of those precious rules in the law of nations, which have hitherto secured industrious peaceful, and honest communities from the expenses, miseries, and crimes of war.
FROM THE UNITED STATES' GAZETTE.
YRUYO—AGAIN! "Had the marquis de Casa Yrujo left this city with the intention of going down to Washington, which we understand was not the case, the surprise at his return must have been grounded on the supposition of his not being able to find the officers of government at the seat of government. This supposition on the part of the public would have been rational enough, after the solemn declaration of the heads of the departments, for not attending Ogden's trial by the possibility of a sudden emergency of public affairs; but it is well known, that at the seat of government there is not a single officer of Government. Admitting then an intention of the Marquis, which by the bye never existed, of his going down to the seat of Government, it is clear he would have been on a wild goose chase, as no man could find out other officers of government even with Diogenes' lantern in his hand except Dr. Thornton, lately considered as such on purpose to prevent his declaring upon oath, that he had not only spoken very often to Mr. Madison respecting Miranda's expedition, but that Dr. Thornton himself, the intimate friend, the next door neighbor, and holding an office under the secretary of State, had gone so far as to pen and to deliver into Miranda's hands a constitution for the province of Caraccas and Venezuela, which he was going to revolutionize. This is the only officer of government likely to be found at the seat of government, as the President was at the distance of more than 130 miles from it—Mr. Madison at more than 100—the secretary of the navy at his country seat, the secretary of the treasury at New York, and the attorney general in Kentucky!!! After this compact situation of the members of our government, it is a sin against common sense to suppose that the Marquis de Casa Yrujo could have had in contemplation, in his late journey to proceed to the seat of government."
If the reader of the pieces we have recently published from the Philadelphia prints respecting this gentleman, has decided them to be either the production of his pen, or considered them as emanating from him, we presume there will occur but little difficulty in determining who is the author of this elegant performance; the falsehood of which is only equaled by its folly. Had it been confined to the simple announcement
that Yrujo, in passing to the southward, did not intend to visit the seat of government, we should have avoided any animadversion on a piece of information so trifling and unimportant. But the writer has deemed the occasion too precious to withhold noticing what every body knows, that, according to the usual practice, the President is at this season at Monticello, and some of the heads of Department absent from the seat of government. As to the idle tale respecting Dr. Thornton, it is too childish to impose on the lowest credulity. It may not, however, be entirely without use, to say a few words on the other topic. It is periodically rung in our ears every summer, doubtless with the hope by such frequent repetition of making some impression.
It is allowed that the President and some of the department pass a few weeks of that season in which bilious complaints are most prevalent in towns, at some distance from the city of Washington, generally on their own estates, whereby they are enabled to pay some attention to their private affairs and preserve their health. This has been the case during every preceding administration and it is the case now. But it is said the practice during federal administrations was condemned. By whom? By the great body of republicans; or by Mr. Jefferson, or any of those now associated with him in office? Let either of these be proved, and there will be some force in this hue and cry. But we deny both. The accusation was not general, it was not insisted upon as important. It was never made or countenanced by the President or the heads of department. If the practice was right in federal, is it wrong in republican times? Ought not, indeed, the federalists to be gratified at there being in one point a resemblance between them and their successors.
But there is one point, and it is the only one, deserving of notice on account of its importance. Are the public concerns prejudiced by the absence of the President and Secretaries? Our readers will be able to answer this inquiry when acquainted with the following facts. The President's residence is at Monticello—that of Mr. Madison is at Orange, not thirty miles distant. It is here two members of the government whose duties are the most important, and between whom it is most necessary that a constant intercourse should be held. Whatever relates to foreign concerns centres in the department of State. It is in the shape of dispatches from abroad it is no sooner received at Washington than it is forwarded to Mr. Madison, whom it reaches in less than two days, and by whom it may be laid before the President in four hours afterwards. It is in the shape of instructions to foreign agents, they emanate from Mr. Madison, after consulting the President, if so be necessary, and are instantly despatched. So far then as respects to foreign concerns this arrangement either supercedes all inconvenience, or renders that which is incurred extremely trifling.
The Secretary of the Navy is at Baltimore. Now it is a fact that this officer can transact, and actually does transact, the business of his department, during his short absence from the city of Washington, with the same facility at Baltimore as he would at the former place. The distance is only forty miles, and may be rode in five hours.
The Secretary of the treasury is at New York. Are those who condemn his absence prepared to say that his official duties do not render it highly desirable for him occasionally, at least once a year, to visit some of the large commercial towns? Do they know that he is charged with purchasing bills to an immense amount, and that, just as he trusts to the agency of others, he is liable to imposition, and the public interest to injury? Do they know that these bills can be purchased no where else than in the great commercial towns, and that by passing through Baltimore and Philadelphia, and spending a short time in New York, he may save thousands to the public.
Lastly, General Dearborn is on a visit to Monticello. This too is a criminal! Shame upon humanity! After having recovered from a long illness, his travelling for the restoration of health is, with unfeigned brutality, censured!
One question only remains to be asked. Has there been a single instance pointed out, in which it has been shown that the public interest has suffered? Not one! we confidently add, not one can be adduced.—Nat. Int.
FROM THE PHILADELPHIA GAZETTE.
COMMUNICATION.
VIRTUE REWARDED BY PUBLIC JUSTICE.
It is understood that a subscription is rapidly filling in the United States, for a recent work of Thomas Clarkson, Esq. the worthy laborer in the cause of the oppressed Africans. This work is intended to exhibit the discipline, tenets, morals, religion and characteristics of the Christian Society of "Friends," in a luminous point of view. The author justly denounces his book " The Portraiture " of that religious people, with whom he has so long and so often struggled, in concert, for the amelioration of the condition of the Blacks.—Clarkson had experienced so fully the moderation and firmness, the economy and munificence, the strict morality and tender humanity, and the industry and piety of that extraordinary Society, that he felt himself called upon by his affection for their virtues, and by the public value of their example to display their system in all its details and in its origin, progress and present condition. The work is written with a beautiful simplicity, well adapted to the subject. It displays much relative historical knowledge. It is accurately methodical, without formality.—Those, who are acquainted with " The Friends " will acknowledge the goodness of " The Portraiture " and all who read the work will perceive the value of the example of religion, humbly endeavored to be pursued solely under the influence of the Divine Spirit, without ceremony, ostentation, contention or worldly gain .
The friends of Thomas Clarkson have secured the copy right of this work for his benefit. They hope that the liberal subscriptions of all classes of citizens, will compensate that valuable friend of man, in some degree, for the sufferings he has sustained in the cause of human liberty, in mind, body, and estate. The Church to which he belongs is not that whose picture he so favorably and so ably draws. Neither does this notice proceed from a member of the society, nor is it written with their knowledge, or that of the author or publishers of the work.
A Friend of Virtue.
As we have frequently published accounts of the expenses of royalty in England, we now give one of a small part of the expenses attending it in France. Let Americans read it, and compare it with the 25,000 dollars received annually by our president, and thank God that they are yet citizens of a republic. Obs.
EXPENSES OF MADAME JOS. PHINE BONA-PARTE,
Present Empress of the Gauls.
Though Madame Napoleon disposes, at present, of thousands of louis d'ors as she did formerly of livres and shillings, she is, by her gambling, several millions of livres in debt. Lately at Brussels, she lost in six days, at cards and dice, fifty thousand louis d'ors, paid for her by the minister of the national treasury, Marbois. According to the periodical print, " Les Nouvelles a la Main " of Vendemaire, year 12 or Oct. 1803, Madame Napoleon never puts on any plain gown twice, and she changes her dress four or six times every day. In the summer, she makes use of four dozen of silk stockings, and three dozen of gloves and shoes; and in the winter she uses three dozen of the best English cotton stockings, and two dozen of French silk stockings every week. She never wears any washed stockings nor puts on twice the same pair of gloves and shoes. All her chemises are of the finest cambric, with borders of lace that cost ten louis d'ors each; six dozen of chemises with lace are made for her every month. Every three months she changes her diamonds and jewels, or has them newly set according to the prevalent fashion. Four times in the year her plate, china, furniture, tapestry, hanging, carpets, &c. are changed according to the seasons. She has ordered as her regular establishment, two new carriages and twelve different horses every month; and of the thirty six horses in her private stable, her master of the horse has a power to dispose of twelve every three decades, to be replaced by twelve others of fashionable color. Twelve times in the year, all persons, belonging to her household receive new accoutrements, or liveries. Her own wardrobe is divided every thirty days, between her maids of honor.
Madame Napoleon has four different established wardrobes, different diamonds, &c. for travelling for the Thuilleries, for St. Cloud and Malmaison; and though she cannot reside but in one place at the same time, in the Thuilleries as well as at St. Cloud and Malmaison, four changes of furniture, &c. are always ordered for the same period. At St. Cloud she has at the expense of thousands of louis d'ors, improved the bathing cabinet of the late unfortunate queen. By touching certain springs, she can command what perfumes her caprice demands to mix with the water; the reservoir always containing, for fifty louis d'ors, the finest odors and best perfumed waters. By handling other springs, she commands the appearance of drawings, or other pictures, elegant or voluptuous, gay or libertine, as her fancy desires. When she wishes to leave the bath at the sign of a bell she is, by a mechanical invention lifted, without moving herself from the bathing machine, into an elegant, moderately warm, and perfumed bed where she is dried in two minutes; and from which she is again lifted and laid down upon a splendid elastic sofa, moved without her stirring, by another piece of mechanism, into an adjoining cabinet for her toilet, of which the furniture and decorations cost 100,000 livres. For the improvements only of her luxurious, though less expensive bathing cabinet, at the Thuilleries and at Malmaison, the French republic has paid 12,000,000 livres.
From the Newcastle Chronicle
RESUSCITATION.
On Monday week, as two persons were bathing in Jackson's Dam, a little above the queen's Dock, in Liverpool, one of them slipt in a whole, and was supposed to be drowned. The body after remaining under water nearly half an hour, was taken out and conveyed to the South Shore Coffee-house. A young medical gentleman who happened to be in the neighborhood at the time, opened a vein, no doubt from the best intentions, & tho' the blood appeared, there were no hopes of returning life. Another medical gentleman was sent for, who merely applied hot salt, but left him, declaring there was no chance of recovery. In half an hour his assistant also left him, expressing the same opinion. Fortunately, however, Dr. Stephens, of Low-hill, happened to be in the neighborhood, and humanely offered his assistance. On examining the body, he declared his opinion that life might be restored, provided perseverance was exerted. He instantly sent for a medicine of his own preparation, which he had just before sent to a patient not far distant, and which he applied to the breast, nostrils, head, feet, &c. In the space of ten minutes, although two hours had now elapsed since the body was taken up, symptoms of resuscitation were observed: the heart beat, the pulse became full, and respiration was restored. In the course of an hour, the most encouraging proofs of recovery manifested themselves, & in three hours the poor unfortunate man, who had been too precipitately doomed the victim of an early death, recovered his speech, and is now, we understand, restored to his friends and society. We conceive it to be of great importance that cases of this nature should be made as public as possible.
NEW YORK, Sept. 24.
Capt. Whitney, from Bordeaux, which place he left the 3d and the river the 7th August, informs, that it was reported the day he sailed, that a peace was concluded between France and Great Britain, and that the treaty was to be made public on the 15th August, the day appointed for the grand fete. Capt. W. is the bearer of dispatches from our minister at Paris to the secretary of state.
September 26. By capt. Clifton, who left Cadiz on the 1st of August, we learn, that 2 Spanish ships of the line were ready for sea, destination not known; that 9 British ships of the line, and 2 frigates, were blockading Cadiz; and that a treaty of peace having been concluded between Spain and G. Britain was without foundation.
We are indebted to a respectable Mercantile friend for Lloyd's Evening Post of the 30th of July. London date to the 26th of July, and from the 24 to the 6th of Aug. have been before received. The paper before us being an intermediate date, contains the following interesting articles, not before published in the country.
DOWNSING STREET, July 26. Blockade of Venice.—The King has been pleased to cause it to be signified by the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, his Majesty's Principal secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, to the ministers of friendly and neutral powers residing at this court, that his majesty has judged it expedient (for the protection of his subjects, and the annoyance of his enemies) to establish the most rigorous blockade at the entrance of the port of Venice, and to maintain and enforce it in the strictest manner according to the usages of war acknowledged and observed in similar cases; and that the port of Venice must be considered as being in a state of blockade; and that from this time all the measures authorized by the laws of nations, and the respective treaties between his Majesty, and the different friendly and neutral powers, will be adopted and executed with respect to all vessels attempting to violate the said blockade.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25.
We learn by capt. Waterman, of the ship Navigator, (arrived at New-York) that Sir Sidney Smith had made a descent on the island of Capri, in the kingdom of Naples, and had taken the capital by storm.—In the London British Press, of July 30, we find the details of this event, transmitted to the admiralty by that gallant officer, which we shall take an early opportunity of laying before our readers.]
A letter from Curraçoa, dated Aug. 27, says, "The market is completely glutted with flour, great quantities having arrived within a few days. Not an article of Spanish produce at market.—The intercourse with the main has ceased. An embargo is supposed to exist there. Gen. Miranda is at Aruba."
WASHINGTON CITY Sept. 29.
From information, which may be relied on it appears that the Spanish forces had, in the beginning of August, passed the Sabine river, and entered the territory of the United States. Their whole strength is represented to amount to about one thousand, under the command of Col. Errara. Col. Cushing, the American commander, was at the last date stationed at Natchitoches, with a force of between four and five hundred men, which with the troops ordered from Fort Adams and other posts, would probably amount to between six and seven hundred. Governor Claiborne was actively engaged in making arrangements for calling out the militia, if such a measure should prove necessary. Col. Cushing had on the 5th of August despatched Major Porter to Col. Errara, to advise him of the existing state of things between the United States and Spain, that negotiations were actually depending between them, and urging the impropriety of making any change in the situation of the armed force of either nation which should alter the state of things on the delivery of the country to the United States; and informing him that any invasion of the territory of the U. S. would be resisted.
Col. Errara, who was this side of the Sabine, at Preduhomme, about 40 miles from Natchitoches, replied on the ensuing day, that, in obedience to instructions, it was his purpose to keep the territory against all hostile attempts, it being considered as a dependence of the province of Texas.
Some of the accounts represent the Spanish forces as being within twelve miles of Natchitoches; the most authentic information, however, from that post, which is no later than the 10th of August, says no apprehension was entertained for its safety, nor was it thought that an attack was meditated on it.
PETERSBURG, October 2.
TORNADO.
On Monday last, the inhabitants of this place, and the adjacent country, experienced one of the most destructive rains, accompanied with a violent wind from N. W. that has ever occurred within the memory of the oldest citizens. The rain commenced about four o'clock in the morning, & continued with increasing violence till noon, when it began to abate, and about three o'clock the storm subsided. From ten till twelve o'clock, the water, appeared to fall in an almost solid body, filling and overflowing every rivulet over which the clouds passed.—Mills, fences, bridges, &c. met one common fate; and the low grounds and meadows, presented an appearance unparalleled in the annals of this state. The fall of water was incalculable—and the injury sustained, must be very considerable.
The damage sustained by the inhabitants of Petersburg, is estimated at from 6 to 8000 dollars. The Blandford causeway, which had suffered considerable injury by the preceding rains, was rendered impassable, except by boats. Mr. Harrison, residing near the causeway, lost a considerable quantity of salt, by the water suddenly hurling into his lumber-house; and the undertaker, who was about to rebuild the arch of the creek, lost all the materials he had been collecting.—But the most destructive scene was on Old street, in the neighborhood of the Little bridge. The quantity of driftwood that came down the valley leading to the Little bridge, completely stopped the aqueduct passing.

Under Mr. Baird's large brick tenement, and the water, unable to discharge itself through the usual channel, rose with incredible impetuosity, till it found a vent through the store rooms of Messrs. Trokes, Cooke, &c. where it passed off in a body at least two feet in depth, carrying with it various articles that could not be secured in time. The quantity and rapidity of the water running over the street, suspended the communication between the east and west end of the town, for the time.
We understand the most material sufferers are Mr. Knox, (who had two houses situated near the river, washed from their foundations, and several tenements on the street materially injured) Messrs. D and M. Trokes, Mr. John Cook, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Peniston, and Mr. Whitlock. One man lost his life, and several were in imminent danger.
CHARLESTON, Sept. 20.
Capt. BERRY, who arrived yesterday from Havana, informs, that on the 27th ult. some British privateers landed a number of men upon the Isle of Pines, took the fort, & plundered the neighborhood of cattle, &c. This, with the appearance of several large ships off the coast, had excited very considerable alarm among the Spaniards, who marched a few men to the scene of devastation, but before they had an opportunity of evincing their prowess, the British had embarked with out molestation. The Vera Cruz ship which was lately captured by the British, off the Havana, had on board at the time of her capture, 900,000 dollars, the property of individuals; 250,000 dollars, belonging to the King, had been landed.
TO RENT.
A HOUSE on the Hay market square, with an office, a stable, chair house, and an excellent garden, &c. For terms apply to Jasper Robbens at Mr. John McEnery's, Richmond, 1st October, 1806.
EDUCATION.
The Subscriber's present engagement, as a tutor in the family of Doct. George Evans, of Chesterfield county, will end on the 1st day of January next: at which time he would willingly listen to proposals for establishing an Academy, or other public seminary in some populous, healthful and otherwise eligible neighborhood in the state of Virginia.
His plan would embrace the following branches of instruction—The Greek, Latin and English languages grammatically—a regular consecutive course of historical reading, accompanied with a knowledge of Geography and Chronology—the Belles Lettres, with a careful perusal of the best Authors, in the three languages above-mentioned, with a view to criticism and composition—Arithmetic—Book-keeping—Surveying and the practical branches of the Mathematics.
The talents of the Subscriber, (such as they are) the attention with which he has discharged the various, delicate and difficult duties of a Teacher, and the system he has pursued, with the success attending it, are all sufficiently known to, and have happily met the approbation of, a great many respectable and competent Judges, of literary merit in the eastern and middle parts of this State.
To those who know him not, he respectfully asks permission to say, that for the last twenty years of his life, he has labored, with sedulous application and perseverance, to improve and expand his own mind and the mental faculties of others, and that he now, though with unassisted difference, believes himself capable of rendering public and permanent services to the youth of a country, in which he has spent more than half the number of years he has lived, and the usefulness, happiness and prosperity of the citizens of which country, he shall never cease to pray for, and to the utmost of his abilities promote.
Of himself he has said as much as the occasion demanded, and he cherishes a hope it will not be found that truth or propriety required him to say less.
Letters addressed to the subscriber, to be left at Goochland, or the Richmond Post office, will be duly attended to, and should an engagement be entered into before the 15th of January next, public notice will be given thereof.
James Johnstone!
Chesterfield county, 15th Sept. 1806
DESIGN the ensuing year, with the aid of a qualified teacher, to attempt the Tuition of 15 Females—Grammar, Geography & Arithmetic etc will be taught. Strict attention will also be paid to the composition of the Scholars, nor will their morals be neglected. The price will be £23 each scholar finding her own bed—1/6th of the price to be paid in advance.
Gerard Banks.
Goochland, 27th Sept. 1806.
REMOVAL.
The Subscribers have removed their COMPTING HOUSE, from the Main Street to one of David Bullock's Brick Buildings, at the lower end of the Basin, between the Tenements occupied by C. and T. Saunders, and Norvell, Wyatt and Bullock—where they continue their purchases of wheat as usual—They also keep for sale a regular supply of Flour, Corn Meal, Hominy and Bran.
Thomas and Amos Ladd.
10 Mo 31. 1806.
BY virtue of a deed of trust executed to me by Thomas C. Fletcher, of Albemarle county, to secure the payment of a sum of money therein expressed, due John Goddard, of Baltimore, will be SOLD, for cash, on the 15th day of October next, at Triplett's Tavern, in the town of Charlottesville, one FEMALE SLAVE, Judith. The subscriber being only trustee, will convey the title vested in him as such.
JOHN KEY, Jr. Trustee.
Albemarle, 26th Sept. 1806.
FOR SALE.
On Monday the 6th October next, if fair, otherwise the first fair day thereafter, to the highest bidder, at twelve months credit, on the premises.
The Houses and Lot,
lately occupied by us, in the town of New Castle, which is well calculated for a store, and is in a rich neighborhood. At the same time and place, will be SOLD, on three months credit.
The remaining stock of Goods
on hand, and household FURNITURE. Geo. Street, Brother & Co. Hanover county, 22d Sept. 1806.
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
RICHMOND:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1806.
EXTRACT—DATED,
"Natchitoches, 11th August, 1805."
"An opportunity serving to Fort Adams, I take advantage of it to make known to you the present state of things here—In my last I informed you of 600 Spanish horsemen which had arrived at Bayou Pierre, they have been since reinforced by between 3 and 400 more, and have extended their line within 30 miles of this post. A few days since major Porter went out to hold a conference with the Spanish commander, whom he met thirty-six miles from hence; the result of the conference we can only judge of by the effect, for no offensive measures have followed; tho' duty is performed with the same strictness, and no relaxation whatever in our measures of precaution. Indeed our troops are, though comparatively few, in excellent spirit and anxious to be led against the Spaniards; if they were allowed to engage, I feel no apprehension about the result, for tho' they are very numerous, they possess neither the same discipline nor the incitements that we do; love of country is not a passion of theirs, and they come with very evident signs of reluctance, and if an excuse offered would be very glad to go back again. Two Americans who were taken at Bayou Pierre when the Spaniards arrived there, attempted to escape, one of them of the name of Watkins has succeeded, the other failed in the attempt."
"There are reports of the Spaniards having overtaken and obliged capt. Freeman's party to return back; but this I do not credit."—Aurora.
The following introductory remarks to an article originally published in the Farmer's Monitor , of Herkimer county, N. Y. are from the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser—the article alluded to appeared in the Argus of Saturday last:
"Whether col. Burr, as is conjectured in this article, has enlisted partisans for the accomplishment of his projects in the northern part of this state, (N. York,) we know not. But, that he has formed, and that he is now employed in executing, a scheme, highly injurious to the interest, the tranquility, and the welfare of the United States, we have the strongest ground to believe."
"Col. Burr may flatter himself that his plots are covered with an impenetrable shield—he may imagine that a knowledge of his connexion & intrigues, in Philadelphia a few weeks since, with certain Spanish women and Spanish men is confined to themselves; he may, however, be informed that sufficient is known to others to discover that his "busy mind is still plotting mischief;" sufficient is known to open the eyes of the government and the country, and to place them on their guard."
"From information recently received, we have been induced to believe that powerful efforts will soon be made to sever the western states from the union, connect them with Louisiana, and form the whole into a distinct empire, with col. Burr at its head. Whether, if these treasonable efforts should succeed, the new empire will be independent, or a viceroyalty of Bonaparte, time only will develop."
Extract of a letter from an American gentleman at Bordeaux, to a friend at Baltimore, dated 4th July, 1806.
"The impoverished state of Bordeaux, the stagnation of commerce and the new duties on wine, and on foreign articles of general consumption, have affected all descriptions of people here. Wines of all kinds are extremely low, and West India produce has but a nominal price. Nothing is doing but from hand to mouth; the hope, rather than the expectation of peace, has had some share, of late, in making every body weary of purchasing any article whatever."
"Negotiations for an exchange of prisoners are going on—and has, indeed, been in part accomplished: but while England insists on maritime domination, and France is every day acquiring or consolidating continental domination, it perplexes me to conjecture how preliminaries can be adjusted between them."
"The Kings of Naples and Holland will not descend from their Thrones—So far from it, that the report of the day is, that the ancient Kingdom of Navarre is to be severed from Spain, proper & adorned with a crown for LUCIEN;—and Switzerland to be constituted into a Regal Republic for JEROME. Time only can develop the truth or falsehood of such conjectures."
"Troops have been, and are still marching in considerable bodies towards Spain; whether for the above purpose, or for more effectually shutting out the British Commerce from the Spanish ports, I know not. Some people suppose that Portugal is the object."
"No person can question that the great Emperor of the French will become, in effect, the great Emperor of the West, under whatever title the power may be wielded. The effects of the great battle of Austerlitz will be felt for centuries. It has made all future coalitions with France nugatory, or impracticable. Already Russia has a negotiation for peace in Paris; And the Ottomans no longer tremble—save at the name of BONAPARTE.—He holds them in the hollow of his hand, and bids them scorn those whom they lately feared like fiends. For himself pos-
session (besides all Italy from the boot top to the toe) both Venice and Ragusa—he will of course obtain the Islands and territory that once constituted Grecian Greatness; and this without bloodshed. The views that Russia had been nourishing on Turkey, for these fifty years, are vanishing day by day—the silly attempt to strengthen Corfu by seizing the mouths of the Cattaro before Austria could deliver Dalmatia to its present owner, has cost much more than its own defeat. It has kept an hundred and fifty thousand troops in Germany these six months at the expense of Austria ; who is to pay near fifty millions, [tournois] extra, for their subsistence, Austria has, at last sent four thousand troops to retake the mouths of the Cattaro , by the consent of the Court of Petersburg , who must otherwise have been at war with Austria on that point."
"Meanwhile Prince Murat is becoming an elector and Prince of Germany. Cardinal Fesch is already Coadjutor of the Arch Chancellor of the holy Roman Empire!—The Elector of Baden [junior] who is married to a new French Princess will become a King. So that if you will look at the map, you will not fail to remark a consolidation of family power that must take root and extend its branches over the west and south of Europe. The rupture of the peace of Amiens, and Mr. Pitt's continental politics, have done more for the emperor of the French in three years time, than thirty could have accomplished without them."
"The sooner Great Britain makes peace the better for herself. Every year's delay must make her condition to stipulate, less eligible. This man has all the raw materials for working her ruin gradually. Her only policy is to give a peaceable direction to those raw materials. Let him have "commerce and colonies" to blunt the edge of martial enterprises, and there are chances in favor of a long peace; or if but a short one, Great Britain may find something new on the water to pillage. But if the war continues ten years longer, the conscription, extending beyond the limits of France proper, will accumulate such an armed force that a million of armed men may be allotted to the invasion. What is now problematical, would then become inevitable. The means of crossing the channel in a calm, would not be confined to one point, but would embrace many. Venice, Genoa, Spain, Portugal, the ports of Holland—and even the Baltic might be used—not for maritime domination, but absolute invasion and fearful subjugation. Among the impending perils that Great Britain should calculate upon, if the war be carried on for two years longer, no sound politician can put out of sight the probability of an invasion of India by land. Dalmatia brings all France to the gates of Constantinople. Should the Ottoman heartily second his only dear friend and great ally, what the ancient conqueror of Macedonia did perform, the modern victor of Europe certainly may perform. No leader that ever swayed a sceptre knows better than NAPOLEON the great difference between achievements, very difficult, and achievements absolutely impossible."
"His holiness the Pope is in very declining health. French troops occupy all the ports of his territory. It is conjectured that the next Pope will reside at Avignon; and that, in that case, Rome as formerly, will become the metropolis of the Italian dominions."
"The Emperor signified his return to Paris by a measure or two that perhaps you may not have learnt: He abolished the public gambling houses throughout his dominions; He doubled, and in some instances trebled, the salaries of the Judges of the tribunals: He repaired and opened sixty two public fountains through every quarter of Paris, which since the first of July have diffused living and continual streams of water. To these eighteen more are to be added. On the 15th of August there is to be a grand festival at Paris, in the field of Mars, at which the main army of Germany are expected to assist; whether merely to eat, drink and be merry, or to march afterwards to Bologna, I know not. There is a colossal triumphal arch and column erecting near the "Grille de Chaillot," so as to form a terminus to the grand vista that opens thro' the Elysian fields. Many hundred workmen are founding it to the honor of the heroes of Austerlitz."
"After the grand festival in August, a grand fair will expose at Paris, specimens or samples of all the manufactured productions of the French Empire."
"I understand that our negotiations at Paris and Madrid are likely to prosper; and I doubt not that in London, also, our envoys will arrange matters, from all the reports that are brought from thence. If these two nations continue to struggle, they cannot fail to nourish the stamina of the United States; beyond the wishes of both. If they make peace, we must become a manufacturing people within a few years."
FROM THE EASTERN ARGUS, (Published in the district of Maine.)
STEADY HABITS.
Mr. Willis—Where the press is not free, there can be no liberty. As a customer I claim the right of making public my opinions, however widely they may differ from the editor. The author of the celebrated "letters from London," in his Welsh letter says, "the constitution of Massachusetts requires a religious test, which answers no purpose but that of making a few hypocrites." The federal
constitution requires no such test. Which is to be preferred? Both are the objects of federal praise; yet both cannot be perfect. An article in the federal constitution expressly prohibits congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion. Our state constitution authorises an establishment of Protestantism, and each town is liable to be fined which does not employ and pay a Protestant preacher of christianity; a town wholly consisting of Roman Catholic inhabitants, and who should be supplied with a catholic priest, would nevertheless be subjected to be fined until they employ a Protestant minister and also attend on his preaching, for such is the words of the constitution. Now readers is this religious liberty? Neither Turkey, France, nor England, can be charged with such illiberal oppressions. In those countries no man is compelled to hear those he disapproves. Some years since a number of Roman Catholics complained of this part of the constitution, to the judges of the supreme court. The judges acknowledged that part of the constitution to be absurd and illiberal—they however charged it to the narrowness of the late Samuel Adams. Their opinion was required, whether the constitution would not be amended? To this they were averse, and gave many flimsy reasons; acknowledged the instrument to be manifestly wrong, and yet refused to aid or advise an amendment. Not being pleased with such inconsistency between the profession and action—I call upon all the legislators of this state to devise a plan to amend an article generally allowed to be erroneous. I find that the federalists charge Samuel Adams, as the author of the evil; and the republicans ascribe it to John Adams, late president of the United States—Be it the offspring of Samuel or John, I hope a liberal community will reform a known and acknowledged evil; that hereafter a Roman catholic may live peaceably and enjoy his religion—pay his own priest and hear him, and no longer be compelled by the terrors of the constitution and laws to pay and hear Protestant preachers—all which he is now liable to, and therefore is subject to every malicious informer.
A ROMAN CATHOLIC.
Just as our paper was going to press, we were informed by a gentleman of respectability, that capt. Sparks with a number of men, was taken by a party of Spaniards, and that Col. Cushing, from Natchitoches had been dispatched after them.—Cincinnati pap.
FROM AN ENGLISH PUBLICATION.
"At a moment when the name and even the language of an Englishman are threatened with extinction, would it not be worth our while to draw closer our relations with the United States of America, and send amongst those republicans, as minister, a man of distinguished rank and importance in our own country?"
Respecting Mr. Fox, the London Times, of July 31. observes—"It was yesterday very generally rumored, that Mr. Fox had resigned his situation in the government of the country. The lamentable state of his health certainly renders such an event not improbable. He was rather better yesterday, but by no means in a state to satisfy our wishes respecting him. Report has already named several persons to succeed him: but we shall leave conjecture to its usual avocations, without venturing any opinion of our own on the subject."
The same paper of Aug. 1, states that the accounts of the preceding night were very unfavorable.
On the Bank of the Rio Grande, in Africa, a salt is produced which is proved to be an infallible antidote against poison.
The manner in which it was discovered is curious. It appears to have been owing to an elephant which, though wounded by a poisoned arrow, a weapon with which the Negroes destroy these animals for the sake of their teeth, continued, to the astonishment of the hunters, to walk and graze without showing any sign of pain. One of the Negroes recollected that the elephant had gone, on being struck by the arrow, to the bank of a stream and had conveyed some sand to its mouth by means of its trunk; but looking at what they conceived to be sand, they found it was a whitish salt, having a slight taste of alum. To effect a radical cure of any poison that may have been absorbed, it is only necessary to drink a drachm of this salt dissolved in water.—Mer. Adv.
The report that lately appeared in some of the papers, that Mr. Mungo Park and the other African travellers, had been cut off by the natives, there is every reason to believe is without foundation. No such account has reached the British government, nor has there been any late arrival from that country, by which the information could have been received. It is the opinion of sir Joseph Banks and other gentlemen personally acquainted with Mr. Park, and deeply interested in the success of his mission, that it is the old report of the deaths of part of the soldiers and carpenters newly received and greatly exaggerated.—Northern. pap.
A letter from Haddington, dated the 10th inst. relates the following remarkable circumstance:— "A young boy of this place, with some of his school fellows, having frequently discovered a owl on the top of our old church steeple, and not doubting of its having a nest there, tempted, by climbing the wall in the day time, to get at it, but his attempts proved fruitless. The impression, however, of such a precious prize being yet attainable, continuing to actuate the boy's mind, even in the most profound sleep, he arose in the night, ascended the gothic edifice, carried
off the favorite object of his most ardent desire, returned by the window through which it appears he had sallied, placed the nest upon a chair, and went to bed. In the morning he recollected a pleasant dream of a wonderful adventure, and was altogether astonished, as well as overjoyed, to find it realized, in the discovery of the "owl's nest!"—The boy does not exceed ten years of age.—London Paper.
DIED—On Tuesday last Mrs. SARAH SMITH, the amiable and much lamented wife of GEORGE WILLIAM SMITH, Esq. of this city.
POSTSCRIPT.
BOSTON, Sep. 26. Capt. Shattuck, who arrived here on Wednesday, sailed from Cadiz on the 15th of August. On the 10th, an express came to Cadiz, with information of the conclusion of a General Peace. It was said, the Preliminaries were signed at Paris on the 31st of July. There were 15 sail of the line lying at Cadiz (French and Spanish) ready for sea. A grand feu de joie was fired from the ships and forts soon after the receipt of the news of peace. The people were almost distracted with joy at the intelligence.
It was reported, that the French troops in Naples had made an attempt against Sicily, and been defeated with great loss.
There were no rumors respecting the posture of the American negotiation with Spain. The frigate Constitution had been at Cadiz, but not being admitted to practice, had sailed, for Lisbon, as was supposed.
NEW YORK, Sept. 27.
The ship Adriana , capt. Rickett, on left Liverpool on the 8th of August; of course brings nothing later than we had previously received. It was a pretty general opinion there, as the passengers inform us, from the frequent interchange of couriers, that the preliminaries of peace between G. Britain and France were on the eve of being adjusted.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29.
A letter from New York, says that "in the ship Columbus , capt. Clift, arrived here on Thursday from Cadiz, came passenger, an officer belonging to a Spanish regiment of dragoons, who informs, that his regiment was embarked and would sail the first opportunity for Louisiana, which court his government intended to resume."—Poulton.
BALTIMORE Sept. 27.
Capt. Wheeler from Laguna reports, that Miranda had effected a landing at Coro, but evacuated the place on the arrival of troops from Caraccas to oppose him. The expedition created no consequence in the provinces. One hundred and twenty French troops arrived on the 4th from Guadaloupe.
WASHINGTON CITY, Oct. 1.
Extract of a letter from Major Calhorne, private secretary of Governor Claiborne, dated New Orleans, August 29, 1806.
"It is now within a few minutes of the time when letters must go to the post office. I have waited to give you some information from Natchitoches, in case any should arrive; but no dispatches are received from Governor Claiborne, nor do we hear anything more of the Governor of Texas and his nine hundred men."
"The city of New Orleans is in perfect tranquility; and the inhabitants thereof, and the country continue to enjoy entire good health. The summer has been mild, and the rains frequent and refreshing."
Extract of a letter from St. Stephens Miss. Ter. dated Aug 30.
"The Spaniards have just passed an order allowing us to navigate the Mobile river. But we are still, as I understand it, to pay 12 per centum on all our exports and on all our imports, and to go ten miles out of our way to Mobile, in order to do this. It was paid on provisions for the troops, just come up. And yet I know it will be trumpeted over the U. S. by persons residing in the Spanish dominions, that all difficulties are removed by Spain, and that we have now a free trade. We are happy in the belief that the government of the United States, will make us befriended."
NOTICE.
WHEREAS in consequence of the death of Robert Burn the partnership of BROWN, RIVES and Co and of the different branches of that House, at Norfolk, Caïra, Be't Creek, Lynchburg, New Market, Warminster and Milton will terminate, agreeable to the several articles of copartnership, at various periods, between the first day of August last, and the first day of January next; this is to give notice to all persons interested, that the business of each establishment will be closed immediately after the time limited for its expiration.
JAMES BROWN, ROBERT RIVES, Surviving Partners of BROWN, RIVES & Co. Richmond, 1st October, 1806.
The business carried on by Brown, Rives and Co. will be continued by the subscribers under the firm of Brown and Rives, and the stores at Caïra &c. furnished with their usual supplies.
JAMES BROWN, ROBERT RIVES. Richmond, 1st October, 1806.
A BARGAIN will be given, if applied for immediately, in the sale of 250 CASKS OF STONE LIME, in good order. Application to be made on board the schooner Commerce, lying at Rocketts, or to THOMAS WHITE. October 3d, 1806.