Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1808-02-02 00:00:00

VIRGINIA ARGUS.
[XVTH YEAR.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE.
[No. 2429.]
RICHMOND:—PRINTED (ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS) BY SAMUEL PLEASANTS, JUNIOR, PRINTER TO THE COMMONWEALTH.
[Four Dollars Per Annum—Paid in Advance.]
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1808.
[12 1-2 Cents Single.]
Richmond Price Current.
   (CORRECTED WEEKLY.)     TOBACCO, $ 4 25 CASH.   WHEAT, new, 0 67 do.   FLOUR, superfine, new, 4 50 do.   FLOUR, fine, 4 00 do.   CORN, 1 75 do.   HEMP, clean, (her ton.) 180 00 do.   IRON, 110 00 do.   BACON, 14 do.   WHISKEY, 48 do.  
DOCUMENTS
Accompanying the President's Message touching the official conduct of General JAMES WILKINSON—Concluded.
NATCHEZ, June 4th, 1797.
SIR, As it is probable that this will reach you before my despatches of the 27th of last month, by the way of New Orleans, I have enclosed duplicates.
About 7 days ago, 25 Spanish soldiers arrived at this place, where they continued one night, and then proceeded up to the Walnut Hills. On the 28th of May, I received a letter from governor Gayoso, No. 1, to which I replied on the 31st, No. 2. From governor Gayoso's letter, it appears that the baron de Carondelet is not well satisfied with his conduct; they are at this time not on good terms, and the breach has been widened by the artful management of a certain Mr. Bower, now at this place, who was last season intriguing in the state of Kentucky for the Spanish government. He is particularly patronised by the baron. The transactions which the baron alludes to, I suspect are the arrangements I made with governor Gayoso, by which the troops of the U. States were brought into this district with his consent and apparent approbation. The difficulty of getting them away is now obvious both to himself, and the baron, and as it was done without consulting the latter, he feels an inclination to condemn the conduct of the former.
It is now reported by the Spaniards, that a minister plenipotentiary has been sent by the court of Madrid to the United States to inform our executive that the country and post, now held by the Catholic majesty on the east side of the Mississippi, above the 31st degree of north latitude, are not to be given up until a general peace take place in Europe, and that from the uniform pacific disposition of the United States, there can be no doubt of its success. This report is credited by few.
The citizens of the United States who are trading on the Mississippi, are frequently treated with great insolence at the Spanish posts, and their property taken for the use of his Catholic majesty when wanted, and always at a reduced price. About three weeks ago, a cargo of flour, consisting of between three and four hundred barrels, was taken at the Walnut Hills from a Mr. McClun, of Washington county, in the state of Pennsylvania, against his will; to be paid for in New Orleans at such price as the officers of government see proper to give, which is generally 3 dollars per barrel less than the current price in market. A few days ago Mr. Francis Baily, a citizen of the U. States, who had lately come on here with some goods, had the tender of a commissary's certificate payable at the treasury in New Orleans, which species of paper was passing at a discount of twelve per cent. Mr. Baily declined taking the certificate as payment for the debt, and appealed to governor Gayoso for redress, who immediately decreed that the tender was legal. These cases are not singular, they are particularized because both the gentlemen mentioned will be in Philadelphia in the course of a few weeks, and I expect will make a point of substantiating the facts: both cases being a violation of the late treaty between his Catholic majesty and the United States.
From the jealous and suspicious dispositions of the Spaniards, I do not think it possible that any treaty or compact can be lasting between that nation and our western people, while the former have any possessions on the east side of the Mississippi.
Dr. Watrous is now here; he was on his way from Fort Hamilton on furlough to the state of Connecticut; but Captain Pope and myself prevailed upon him to stay with us, till we have some intelligence respecting our continuance in this country.
I am sir, with great esteem And respect, your friend and Humble servant, [Signed] ANDREW ELLICOTT. Secretary of State of the United States.
P. S. At the moment I was folding this, the enclosed proclamation, No. 3, by the baron de Carondelet, was put into my hands. The various and contradictory reasons, as signed by the Spanish officers for their delay in carrying the late treaty into effect, are too obvious to need a comment. A. E.
SIR,
I have this moment received private information that Mr. Powers, who I have mentioned to you in my communication of yesterday, is by order of the baron de Carondelet, to proceed immediately through the wilderness to the state of Kentucky. There is every reason to believe that his business is to forward the views of Spain, by detaching the citizens of Kentucky from the union. It has been hinted to me that Mr. Powers will, in the first instance, pay a visit to general Wilkinson, who we are informed is now in Cincinnati.
I am, sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) ANDREW ELLICOTT. Secretary of state of the U. States.
(COPY) DARLING'S CREEK, November 8, 1792.
SIR,
On the 10th of last month, having opened the boundary between the United States and her catholic majesty, from the Mississippi river to the Ohio river, we ceased carrying the line in that accurate, scientific manner in which it was begun, and from the end of the line, designated in the report which accompanies this, the work will generally be done with a common surveying compass, and corrected at the different navigable water courses which it may happen to cross.
The line mentioned in the report is opened sixty feet wide, and passes through a country impenetrable to any but Americans. The labor has been equal to what would, in our country, have opened at least one hundred miles. The business, it is evident, will not go on with that rapidity we could wish; nothing however will be wanting on our part, and I think it will be completed the ensuing season. Governor Gayoso has evidently been brought into a co-operation very reluctantly, and certainly has no desire of having it pushed. Mr. Power, a gentleman well known for his intrigues in Kentucky, and other parts of the United States, is the surveyor on the part of the crown of Spain; he has attended but one week on the line, and I do not believe that he will attend another during the execution of the work. He has, however, employed a deputy, who is Mr. Daniel Burnet, the same person who carried Mr. Hutchins' papers to congress last winter: he has yet behaved very well. The others employed, major Minor excepted, are of little consequence except to disorganize and talk politics. The acting commissary is a Mr. Gensack: he was taken by the British at the Cape and carried to Jamaica, from whence he made his escape to the United States, where he found safety; but in the true character of his nation he equally hates both Americans and British. He is sullen, reserved and intriguing. There are no Spaniards concerned in the business, but a few of the common soldiers. Major Minor and Mr. Burnet are Americans. The others, including the laborers are generally French, or descended from French ancestors, or Roman catholic Irish. When I look over this strange heterogeneous collection, I cannot help asking this question: "Can the Spaniards really be serious in carrying the treaty into effect?" If they are, it is very extraordinary that there is not one of that nation employed above the rank of a common soldier.
I have always been of opinion that it was a happy circumstance for both countries, that major Minor was appointed the commissioner on behalf of the crown of Spain; his prudence and sound judgment will, in all probability, enable us to carry the work through, which I am confident would not have been the case, had Mr. Power been appointed to that trust, as was proposed by governor Gayoso, and to which I pointedly objected, as did Mr. Dunbar also.
If our surveyor had been a man of prudence and talents, our difficulties would have been much less; but his want of information, extreme pride, and ungovernable temper, constantly furnishes the opposite party with weapons. He has insinuated that the work is erroneous, and that major Minor and myself have combined to injure both governments, and wantonly lavished away public money. He himself has been the only idle person on the side of the United States; his whole attendance on the line as surveyor would not exceed one week. His insinuations, I am confident, would have had little weight with the people of the U. States; but the case is very different with the Spaniards, naturally jealous, and uninformed in science, particularly so far as it relates to astronomical operations.
On Friday the 12th of last month, Gen. Wilkinson arrived at our camp, and continued with us till Sunday the 14th. We had much conversation on the state and situation of the country; his ideas respecting both appeared very correct, so far as I was able to determine. He informed me that he had seen some of Mr. Freeman's correspondence with captain Guion, which, in his opinion, came fully within the meaning of the late sedition law; and recommended, in the most serious manner, that he should be immediately suspended from his employment on the line. This, added to the opinion of governor Sergeant, (who spent a number of days at our camp) colonel Bruin, and many other respectable gentlemen, determined me in taking that measure. The surveying at present is done by Mr. Gillispie, the chain carrying by Ellicott and Walker. General Wilkinson has removed Mr. McClary from the command of my escort. His conduct was far less exceptional than
that of Mr. Freeman, and when he did err it was generally the effect of bad advice. Mr. Freeman left our camp on the 30th September; at the very time we were changing our system of carrying on the work, and in which the compass only is used, without giving me any notice of his departure, that arrangements might be made to meet the want of a surveyor. He was absent till the evening of the 17th ultimo, and on the morning of the 18th he was furnished with a note of suspension. He has constantly conducted himself in that same independent way.
The reference, No. 9, which was in cypher, in my communication of the 14th of November last, contained an account of an extraordinary plan; but that plan, in my opinion, is now given over, and the knowledge obtained of the country, its strength, and the disposition of the inhabitants, will be turned to the advantage of the United States, by some of the principal characters concerned. It is the best they now can do. That the plan is given over may be collected from No. 1, which for particular reasons is in cypher, and ought to be secret. It cannot be considered as a literal translation, which you will see by the introduction, but it conveys accurately the ideas contained in the letter from which it is extracted.
The plan of baron de Carondelet mentioned in my communication of the 27th June, last year, was correct as there stated; the particulars I have since obtained, and will be detailed to you by a gentleman in the course of a few months, who was in the secret of the whole business. That you may not be at a loss when that gentleman calls upon you, he will have a letter of introduction from me, with an official communication, and a number of questions in the same cypher with reference No. 1. His answers to those questions will convince you that my information has constantly been correct. I shall leave this place (where I have only halted to draw up this communication) to-morrow, and proceed to the Pearl river, where the guide line will be corrected. I shall then proceed down the river to Lake Meripais, from thence into Lake Pontchartrain and to New Orleans, where I expect to arrive about the first of January next. From New Orleans I shall follow the coast to Mobile, and again correct the guide line as run by the surveyors. From Mobile I shall follow the coast to Pensacola; I shall pursue the coast to the Chactucka, and ascend the river to the guide line: as soon as that is corrected, I shall proceed to the mouth of Flint river and from thence to St. Mary's.
You will easily perceive that my design in following the coast is to obtain an accurate knowledge of its situation, the navigation of the different rivers we shall have to ascend, and to correct the geographical positions where it may be necessary. My map of the Mississippi, corrected by a great number of observations, is now made out in the rough, and ready for copying.
The astronomical observations which I have made since I left Philadelphia, will make a large and not uninteresting publication.
Our business now goes on with the greatest harmony. That part near the coast, in which, as an American and friend to my country, I feel myself the most interested, will be nearly completed before Mr. Freeman can join us, if the president should disapprove of the measures which have been taken with him; and in that case I must request the favor of being permitted to return home. All that his friend general Matthews, colonel Pannell and a few others can say of him, must be negative evidence; they may say what he has not done; but what they say he has done in forwarding our business must be from his own report. They have not been visitors at our camp where the only information founded upon facts could be had. He has not made a single observation since we came into this country, though he endeavored, after my course at the beginning of the line was finished, one whole week without success. He is, nevertheless, by general Matthews and colonel Pannell, declared not inferior to Newton! This is not strange; they may possibly have less scientific knowledge than he has, and the solemn air and dictatorial manner of a professional schoolmaster, may have contributed much to establish his character with them. His abuse of me I disregarded, till his caballing got into the camp; the consequences then became more serious, and the measure which I took was founded upon the best of motives, the service of my country, and I have but one, added to a natural desire to live in peace with all mankind. I have but few observations to add to the depositions respecting his conduct which are forwarded with this. Mr. Robins, one of the deponents, is superintendent of the laborers, and always with them. Mr. Collins, another of the deponents, is as worthy a man as any in the U. States, and assistant to Mr. Anderson; he constantly resides in the laborers camp. Mr. Lindsay likewise resides in the camp; he is a gentleman of veracity, and agent for the contractor. These gentlemen have been with us from the commencement of the business to the present time, and perfectly acquainted with the conduct of Mr. Freeman, and superior to his art, which he frequently exerted with them in vain. Similar depositions to those forwarded might be obtained from the gentlemen of the Spanish camp, but it appeared to me improper. You will see I have omitted taking those of Mr. Gillispie and the chain bearers; it might be said they were interested. And, as Mr. Anderson has been equally abused with myself, on that account his has not been taken. You will see by the depositi-
ons that I rise early; it is generally before the break of day; from that time till dark I rarely set down one hour; after candle light I am generally engaged till 10 o'clock in writing, and arranging my observations.
I hope the citizens of the United States begin by this time to be weaned from their attachment to the French nation. For my part I have experienced so much want of principle and integrity among them, and their partisans in this country, both individually and collectively, that my prejudices against the whole nation are so strong, that it is with difficulty I can guard my expressions so as not to give offence.
The arrival of general Wilkinson has created considerable alarm in the Spanish colonies below, and governor Gayoso has directed that the militia within his government be immediately armed. The fears & jealousies of the Spanish nation will certainly, in the course of a few years, occasion the loss of all the country on this side of the Mississippi, to the crown of Spain.
The whole of my correspondence on various subjects, since my communication of the 29th July last, would make a large volume, and as there is but little of it immediately interesting to the U. States, I shall only refer you to Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5. I am sensible you will perceive a great want of arrangement in this communication; but at the same time I am equally so, that you will excuse it, when I assure you that the whole packet, except Mr. Clark's letters and the correspondence with governor Gayoso, is the work only of two nights and one day, and that in the woods without any other table than a small instrument box, the weather cold and windy, and all my young men who used to aid me in copying, many miles ahead on the line.
I am sorry that the report mentioned in the beginning of this is not forwarded; my part has been done some time, but the Spanish part is not yet ready owing to the absence of Mr. Power. I shall write to you again from New Orleans. In the mean time believe me to be, &c. (Signed) ANDREW ELLICOTT. Hon. Secretary of State.
P. S. Daniel Clark, esq. of New Orleans, has lately spent a number of days with me in my camp: from him I have received much valuable information, which it will be unnecessary for me to detail, as he will give it to you himself in Philadelphia the ensuing winter. He intends to visit that city immediately after our interview in New Orleans.
There is not a gentleman of literature, or science, and scarcely one of respectability in this country with whom I have not been upon the most intimate footing ever since I came into it: And every attack that has been made upon me, has arisen either from envy, or misconception; to which I should never have paid any attention had the principles of opposition not entered our camp, and began to embarrass our business. A. E.
SPEECH OF ALEXANDER SMYTH, Esq.
In the House of Delegates of this Commonwealth—Continued.
But it seems to be contended that in as much as our constitution is written, therefore it becomes the duty of the courts to compare with it the acts of congress, and to declare them void, if in the opinion of the courts, they contravene it. Sir, if a state has a constitution, or fundamental laws, the obligation of those fundamental laws is the same whether they are written or unwritten. Reducing the constitution of a state to writing cannot change the relative powers of the departments of the government, or necessarily make the inferior branch absolute and uncontrollable. Constitutions can exist without necessarily conferring on the judiciary a power to controul the legislature, and executive—Vattel says "the constitution of that state ought to be fixed; and since that was first established by the nation, which after wards trusted certain persons with the legislative power, the fundamental laws are excepted from their commission." He adds, "if there arises any dispute in a state, on the fundamental laws, the public administration, or on the prerogatives of the different powers, of which it is composed, it is the business of the nation alone, to judge and determine according to its political constitution."
The oaths taken by the judges, one "to support the constitution of the U. States," prescribed by the constitution itself, another to discharge the duties of the office "and laws of the United States," prescribed by an act of congress, are considered as proving the power of the federal courts to decide against the validity of acts of congress: But surely the judges will not contend that oaths encrase their powers, or even their duties. They are only solemn promises to perform duties which exist independently of the oaths. If the oath "to support the constitution of the United States," contains a grant of power, every man who takes it must be a grantee of the power; and if that is to declare void acts of congress, every constable may declare void acts of congress. As a qualification to office, taking this oath may authorise one man to exercise more power than another: But the grant of power must be looked for elsewhere, in the laws, or the constitution. As to the oath prescribed by congress, had a congress granted the courts a negative on their acts, a subsequent congress would not be bound thereby. And the oath requires the judges to respect the laws of the United States, as well as the constitution. As the judges speak of their oaths and morality, I will ask; does he support the constitution of the U. S. who encroaches on the other departments established by that constitution; or who declares void an act passed under the consti-
tution, and in the manner prescribed therein; when the constitution declares "it shall become a law," and that it shall be, "the supreme law of the land?" It seems to me that such actions are no evidence of attachment to the constitution of the United States.
Let me not be understood as meaning to impair the obligation of the constitution as a fundamental law, when I say it is not in court, a paramount law. It is a gross insult to the congress and President to suffer the judiciary to say to them, "you have violated your oaths and the constitution, and your act shall not become a law." It is requiring the concurrence of the judiciary in the passage of every law. It is better that an act, the constitutionality of which may be doubted, should operate until the nation by its representatives perceives the objection, & repeals it; than that we should not know what acts are laws, until their validity has been questioned in the supreme court. Does any gentleman believe that congress will intentionally and papally violate the constitution by passing acts contrary thereto? Judge Chase says "No citizen of knowledge and information, unless under the influence of passion or prejudice, will believe, without very strong and indubitable proof, that congress will, intentionally, make any law in violation of the federal constitution, and their sacred trust." Then it is essential to the preservation of the constitution that it shall be regarded as a paramount law, in court. And it is much safer under the protection of congress, the President, and the nation, on the one hand, than it would be on the other, under that of the three judges composing the majority of the supreme federal court, alone.
Mr. Marshall in the case of Marbury against Madison observed, that "it is not entirely unworthy of observation, that in declaring what shall be the supreme law of the land, the constitution itself is first mentioned." The clause of the constitution reads thus: "This constitution, and the laws of the U. States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land." The idea conveyed by the passage quoted from the argument of the chief justice, is, that there are grades of supreme law; and that the first mentioned, is the highest grade; but no such inference can be drawn from that circumstance. The constitution, laws, and treaties, are all mentioned as assumme law ; consequently they are laws of equal dignity. And if two of them should contravene each other, the rule that the posterior law abrogates the prior law must apply. A treaty might be made contrary to an article of your constitution. Should a state be conquered; should Bonaparte land with five hundred thousand men in Florida and conquer Georgia, and a cession of it be demanded as the condition of peace; as, "the safety of the nation is the first law" the general government to whom is committed the power of making treaties, without any limitation, would have power if absolutely necessary to cede that state, although your constitution guarantees to every state in the union a republican form of government, and protection from invasion. Should more fortunate times succeed, the treaty might be repealed by an act of congress. We have seen treaties thus repealed and the power is not doubted. Well, the treaty although contrary to a clause of your constitution, would be the supreme law of the land; for the constitution declares it so; and we must support the constitution, by maintaining what it maintains. The act of congress, although contrary to the treaty, would be the supreme law of the land. If then, an act of congress may abrogate a treaty and a treaty might contravene a clause of your constitution; why may not an act of congress be received as law, in court, altho' deemed in collision with the constitution?
As the constitution declares the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof , of supreme law; an important question arises as to the meaning of the terms used. Does the constitution by the expression " made in pursuance thereof " mean acts of congress which shall be, in the opinion of the supreme federal court, not contrary to any of the provisions of the constitution? Or does it mean acts of congress, made in the manner prescribed by the constitution —signed by the president and repassed by two thirds, or not returned in ten days? By the seventh section of the first article it is declared that every bill, before it become a law , shall be presented to the President—if he approve it he shall sign it—if not returned in ten days the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it—if approved by two thirds of each house, it shall become a law . Here it is expressly and repeatedly declared, that the acts of congress passed in the different modes here mentioned, SHALL BECOME LAWS . This is what is meant by the phrase " laws made in pursuance thereof ." I contend for this construction as most agreeable to the meaning of the words used. I contend for this construction as safest for the nation; because it gives to them, and not to a single court, the power to fix the meaning of every clause in the constitution. I contend for it, because it is safe for individuals, who when they see an act of congress, will know certainly , that is the supreme law of the land. It is the construction that keeps separate and distinct the different branches of the government; and according to which the concurrence of the judiciary, in the business of legislation, is not necessary.
* PURSUANT. Done in consequence, or prosecution of any thing. JOHNSTON.

Foreign.
DECREE, No. II. At the Court of Queen's Palace, the 11th Nov. 1807.
PRESENT.
The king's most excellent majesty in Council.
Whereas articles of the growth and manufactures of foreign countries cannot by law, be imported into this country, except in British ships, or ships belonging to the countries of which such articles are the growth and manufacture, without an order in Council, specially authorising the same.
His majesty, taking into consideration the order of this day's date, respecting the trade to be carried on to and from the enemy, and deeming it expedient that any vessel belonging to any country in alliance, or at amity with his majesty, may be permitted to import into this country articles of the produce or manufactures of countries at war with his majesty.
His majesty, by and with the advice of his privy council, is hereby pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered, That all goods, wares and merchandise specified and included in the schedule of an act, passed, in the 43d year of his present Majesty's reign, entitled an act to repeal the duties of customs, payable in Great Britain and to grant other duties in lieu thereof, may be imported from any port or place, belonging to any state not at amity with his majesty, subject to the payment of such duties, and liable to such drawbacks as are now established by law upon the importation of said goods, wares or merchandise, in ships navigating according to law, and with respect to such of the said goods as are authorised to be warehoused under the provisions of an act, passed in the 43d year of his present Majesty's reign, entitled, an act for permitting certain goods imported into Great Britain, to be secured in warehouses without payment of duty, subject to all the regulations of the said last mentioned act, and with respect to all articles which are prohibited by law from being imported into this country, it is ordered, that the same shall be reported for exportation to any country in amity or alliance with his majesty.
And his majesty is further pleased by and with the advice of his privy council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that all vessels which shall arrive at any port of the United Kingdom, or at the port of Gibraltar or Malta, in consequence of having been warned pursuant to the aforesaid order, or in consequence of receiving information in any other manner, of the said order, subsequent to their having taken on board any part of their cargoes, whether previous or subsequent to their sailing, shall be permitted to report their cargoes for exportation, and shall be allowed to proceed upon their voyage, to their original ports of destination (if not apprized before the issuing of the said order) or to any port at amity with his Majesty, upon receiving a certificate from the collector, or comptroller of the customs at the port at which they shall so enter, which certificate the said collectors and comptrollers are hereby authorised and required to give; setting forth that such vessel came into such port in consequence of being so warned or of receiving such information as aforesaid, and that they were permitted to sail from such port under the regulations which his majesty has been pleased to establish in respect to such vessels; but in case any vessel so arriving shall prefer to import her cargo, then such vessel shall be allowed to enter and import the same upon such terms and conditions as the said cargo might have been imported upon according to law, in case the said vessel had sailed after having received notice of the said order, and in conformity thereto.
And it is further ordered, that all vessels which shall arrive at any port of the United Kingdom, or at Gibraltar, or Malta, in conformity or obedience to the said order, shall be allowed in respect to all which may be on board the same, except sugar, coffee, wine, brandy, snuff and tobacco, to clear out to any port whatever, to be specified in such clearance, and with respect to the last mentioned articles to export the same to such ports, and under such conditions and regulations only, as his majesty, by any licence to be granted for that purpose may direct.
And the right honorable the Lords Commissioners of his majesty's treasury, his majesty's principal Secretaries of State, the Lords Commissioners of the admiralty, and the judges of the high court of admiralty and the courts of vice-admiralty, are to take the necessary measures herein, as to them shall respectively appertain.
W. FAWKENER.
DECREE, No. III.
At the Court at the Queen's Palace, the 11th Nov. 1807.
PRESENT.
The King's most excellent majesty in Council.
Whereas, the sale of ships by a belligerent to a neutral, is considered by France to be illegal; and
Whereas, a great part of the shipping of France and her allies, has been protected from capture during the present hostilities, by transfers or pretended transfers, by neutrals; and
Whereas, it is fully justifiable to adopt the same rule in this respect towards the enemy, which is applied by the enemy to this country.
His majesty is pleased by and with the advice of his privy Council to order, that in future, the sale to a neutral of any vessel, belonging to his majesty's enemies, shall not be deemed to be legal, nor in any manner to transfer the property, nor to alter the character of such vessel; and all vessels now belonging, or which shall hereafter belong to any enemy of his majesty, notwithstanding any sale or pretended sale to a neutral, after a reasonable time shall have elapsed, or receiving information of this, his majesty's order, at the place where such sale or pretended sale was effected, shall be adjudged as lawful prize to the captors.
And the right honorable the Lords Commissioners of his majesty's treasury, his majesty's principal Secretaries of State, the
Lords Commissioners of the admiralty, and the Judges of the high court of admiralty and courts of vice-admiralty, are to take the necessary measures herein as to them shall respectively appertain.
W. FAWKENER.
LONDON, December 3.
WAR WITH RUSSIA!
The ascendancy of French politics at the court of Petersburg, is at length complete, as appears from the following official communication published yesterday, addressed to the lord mayor.
"Stanhope Street, Dec. 2." "My Lord—I have the honor to inform your lordship that dispatches have been this morning received from his majesty's ambassador at the court of St. Petersburg, by which it appears, that the emperor of Russia, having published a declaration, in which his imperial majesty declares his intention to break off all communication with England; to recall his minister from this court; and not to permit the continuance of a British mission at that of St. Petersburg, his majesty's ambassador has demanded his passport, and is now on his way home. I have lost no time in communicating this intelligence to your lordship, in order that it may be made as public as possible, without delay."
"I have the honor to be, &c." (Signed) "GEO. CANNING." "To the Right Hon. Lord Mayor."
The above information was furnished by Sir Robert Wilson, who arrived in town at an early hour yesterday morning from St. Petersburg.—Mr. Canning, Lord Mulgrave, and several other ministers were immediately sent for, and remained in consultation during several hours; after which, messengers were sent off from the admiralty to all the principal sea-ports.
The dispatches from St. Petersburg were sent from that place on the morning of the 9th ult. at which time no embargo had been laid upon the British shipping in the ports of Russia. It appears that about 20 sail of British vessels remained at Cronstadt, most of which were loaded on the 31st October. There were 52 British ships at Riga; and on the 23d, the river at Archangel was frozen over, and no British vessels remained there.
December 4.
IMPORTANT STATE PAPER.
Declaration of Russia against England.
The higher the value in which the emperor held the amity of his Britannic majesty, the keener the regret he must feel at the complete alienation of that monarch.
Twice has the emperor taken up arms in a cause in which the interests of England were most immediately concerned; but he has solicited to no purpose her co-operation to produce the accomplishment of her own objects. He did not require she should unite her forces with his; he was anxious only she would make a diversion in their favour. He was astonished that in the furtherance of her own cause she herself would make no exertion—On the contrary, she looked on a cold spectator of the sanguinary theatre of the war, which she had herself kindled, and sent a part of her troops to attack Buenos-Ayres. Another portion of her army, which seemed to be destined to make a diversion in Italy, finally withdrew from Sicily, where it was assembled. Hopes were entertained that they had taken that step, in order to throw themselves on the Neapolitan coast; but it was soon understood, that they were employed in taking possession of Egypt.
But what sensibly hurt the feelings of his Imperial Majesty was, to see that in violation of the faith and express stipulations of treaties, England annoying the maritime trade of his subjects; and at what period was this proceeding adopted? When the blood of the Russians was flowing in the glorious battles which accumulated and directed against the arms of his Imperial Majesty, the whole of the military force of his majesty the emperor of the French, with whom England was, and still is, at war!
When the two emperors made peace, his majesty, notwithstanding his just causes of displeasure at the conduct of England, did not however refrain from endeavoring to render her services. The emperor stipulated in that very treaty that he should interpose his mediation between England and France; and he accordingly made an offer of that mediation to the king of G. B. apprizing him that it was with a wish to obtain honorable conditions for him. But the British ministry, adhering no doubt to the plan that was to dissolve and break off all the ties between Russia and England, rejected that mediation.
The peace between Russia and France was likely to bring about a general peace, but it was at this moment that England suddenly awoke from that apparent lethargy in which she had slumbered; but it was only to throw into the north fresh fire brands, which were to rekindle, and have actually kindled, the flames of war which she was not desirous to see extinguished.
Her fleets, her troops appeared on the Danish coast, to execute an act of violence of which history, so fruitful in example, records no parallel.
A power distinguished for its peaceful and moderate conduct, and for a long and unexampled course of wise neutrality, and who sustained, amidst surrounding monarchies, a kind of moral dignity, finds itself treated as if it was engaged in secret plots, and was meditating the downfall of England; while the whole of these imputations were only meant to justify the sudden and entire spoliation of that power.
The emperor, wounded in his dignity, wounded in the affection he feels for his people, wounded in his engagements with the courts of the north, by this act of violence committed in the Baltic, a close sea, the tranquility of which has so long depended on the court of St. James, and is reciprocally guaranteed by both powers, did not dissemble his resentment against England, and warned her that he should not remain indifferent to such a proceeding.
His majesty did not foresee, that while England, having successfully employed her
forces, was on the point of seizing on her prey, she would offer a fresh outrage to Denmark, in which his majesty was to bear a part.
New propositions, still more insidious than those made at first, were made to Denmark, which aimed at binding down to England that power thus subjugated, degraded, and applauding, as it were, every thing that had happened.
Still less did the emperor foresee that it would be proposed to him to guarantee that submission, & to promise that that act of violence should not be attended with any mischievous consequences to England.
The English ambassador seems to have imagined that he might venture to propose to the minister of the emperor, that his imperial majesty should undertake the apology and defence of a proceeding which his majesty had so openly condemned. To this step on the part of the Cabinet of St. James, his majesty has thought proper to pay only that attention which it deserved, and has deemed it high time to set limits to his moderation.
That prince royal of Denmark, endowed with a character full of nobleness and energy, and having been blessed by providence with a soul as elevated as his high rank, had apprized the emperor, that justly enraged against what had recently happened at Copenhagen, he had not ratified the convention respecting it, and that he considered it as null and void.
The prince has just now acquainted his majesty with the new propositions that have been made to him, and which are of a nature rather to provoke his resistance than to appease his resentment, for they tend to stamp on his actions the seal of degradation, the impressions of which they never will exhibit.
The emperor, struck with the confidence which the prince royal placed in him, having moreover considered his own grounds of dissatisfaction with England, having attended to his engagements entered into by the empress Catharine, and by his late imperial majesty, both of glorious memory, has resolved upon fulfilling them.
His imperial majesty breaks off all communication with England; he recalls his embassy from that court, and will not allow any ambassador from her to continue at his court. There shall henceforward exist no relations between the two countries. The emperor declares that he abrogates every act hitherto concluded between G. B. and Russia, and particularly the convention concluded in 1801. He proclaims a new the principles of the armed neutrality, that monument of the wisdom of the empress Catharine, and binds himself never to recede from that system.
He calls upon England to give complete satisfaction to his subjects, with respect to all the just claims they may set up, of ships and merchandise seized and detained, contrary to the express tenor of the treaties concluded during his own reign.
The emperor gives warning, that nothing shall be re-established between Russia and England, until the latter shall have given satisfaction to Denmark.
The emperor expects, that his Britannic Majesty, instead of permitting his ministers to scatter fresh seeds of war, in compliance only with his own feelings, will be induced to conclude a peace with his majesty the emperor of the French, which would be extending, in a manner to the whole world, the inestimable blessings of peace.
When the emperor shall be satisfied upon all these points, and especially upon that of a peace between France and England, without which no part of Europe can expect to enjoy any real tranquility, his Imperial Majesty will then willingly return to the relations of amity with G. B. which in the state of just resentment which the emperor should feel, he has maintained, perhaps, too long.
Done at St. Petersburg, the 26th October, 1807.
From the New York Mercantile Advertiser.
We have been sometime in possession of the fact that the king of Spain had been induced to pardon the prince of Asturias who had engaged in a conspiracy to deprive him of his throne: but as we could not announce it officially, we have preferred waiting until some arrival from Spain should enable us to give it a more authentic "form and pressure," than could be done from oral testimony. We have received the following from Cadiz:
"Extract of a letter, dated Nov. 8." "Political affairs seem more and more perplexing daily. The reigning family of Portugal are to be annihilated, and that country annexed to this, and no doubt some other compensation taken from this."
"Some private disturbances in the royal family here have occasioned two extraordinary publications of the government, of which I enclose you the copies. The fact is, that the prince of Asturias and the prince of peace are sworn enemies, and of course one or the other must fall. With these unfortunate differences the whole country is kept in a state of suspense and alarm, which, however ridiculous it may appear to foreigners, gives a temporary suspension to every kind of business, and occasions the demands from the interior to be very limited."
TRANSLATED FOR THE MERCANTILE ADVERTISER.
In a letter of the 6th inst. the secretary of the public granary and government of the royal council wrote to his excellency the corregidor of this city as follows:
"Most excellent sir," "Under date of the 9th instant, his majesty sent to the council the following royal decree."
"The voice of nature arrests the arm of vengeance; and where a son repents an inadvertent act, we cannot refuse to act as an affectionate father. My son has already declared the authors of the horrible plan which they had caused him to enter upon, to be wretches; all which he has done in a proper manner, altogether consistent with that formality which the law requires in similar cases. His repentance and fear have dictated the representations which he has made to me and which follow. "Royal sire, I have erred. I have sinned against your majesty as a king and a father. But
I repent, and offer to your majesty the most implicit obedience. I ought to have done nothing without the knowledge of your majesty; but I was blinded. I have, however, discovered the culprits, and I beseech your majesty to forgive me, and permit me to approach your royal presence as your acknowledged son."
"FERNANDO."
"San Lorenzo, Nov. 5th, 1807."
"Royal mother."
"I repent myself of the horrid crime I have committed against my royal father, and with the greatest humility supplicate your majesty's pardon for it; likewise for my gross obstinacy in denying the truth a few nights since; and now, from the bottom of my heart, I beseech your majesty to deign to intercede with my father, that he will permit me to approach him as his forgiven son."
"FERNANDO."
"San Lorenzo, Nov. 5, 1807."
"In consequence of these, and of the entreaties of the queen my beloved spouse, I pardon my son, and will restore him unto favor when his conduct shall prove that he has undergone a thorough reform. And I hereby command those judges, who have been acquainted with the business from the commencement, to act according to the sentence of the law, according to the atrocity of the crimes and the quality of the criminals, taking as a guide for the formation of the charges the answers of the prince, which are drawn up and signed in his own hand writing, as well as the papers found in his desk, also written by him."
"All this you are to communicate to my councils and tribunals; publishing it to my people, that they may behold my mercy and justice, and that it may alleviate the agitation and uneasiness into which they were thrown by my former decree; since in it they behold the danger of their sovereign, who reciprocates their affection by loving them as children."
"San Lorenzo, Nov. 5, 1807."
"To the governor of the council."
The foregoing decree, published in full this day, I have fulfilled, and communicate it to your excellency, in order that you may circulate it immediately among all the judges within your jurisdiction, for the purposes which are expressed therein; and please advise me of having complied therewith.
This is sent to your excellency for your government.
God preserve your excellency many years. DON JOSEPH MONTEMAYOR. Cadiz, Nov. 13, 1807.
NEW YORK, January 25.
A letter from Lisbon of Nov. 13, to a gentleman of this city, says, "We have a Russian squadron here of 5 sail of the line and 2 frigates—4 sail of the line more are momentarily expected, so that we hope to be able to beat off John Bull, if he should come to Copenhagen us."
At the departure of a brig in 60 days from Lisbon, lying on Wednesday off the harbor of New London, a French army was within 3 or 4 days march of that city. The Portuguese government had offered to the French emperor, four millions of livres for permission to trade with Great Britain, but in vain.
FROM A LATE FRENCH PAPER.
Leyden, Nov. 9. —The Paris papers of the 3d and 5th inst. received here afford no intelligence in any degree interesting to foreign countries. The most important articles they contain are the arrival in that capital of count Tolstoy, ambassador from Russia near the court of France; and the announcement of the shortly expected return into the territory of the empire of 120,000 French troops, who at this moment are traversing Germany for the purpose of re-crossing the Rhine, and direct their march towards Brussels from whence, according to all appearances, they will proceed to occupy anew the camps at Bologne. Almost all the different corps of the Imperial Guards have, during the last week in October, defiled by way of Frankfort on their return to Paris, where they are to arrive by the 24th instant.
WASHINGTON CITY, Jan. 25.
City of Washington, Saturday, January 23d, 1808.
In pursuance of notice given to the republican representatives of each house of congress, the number of eighty-nine members convened in the senate chamber at the capital; and at half past six o'clock, P. M. Stephen R. Bradley was appointed president, and Richard M. Johnson, secretary.
The meeting proceeded to recommend persons to the citizens of the United States, to fill the offices of President and Vice President of the United States. The ballot being taken first upon a recommendation for the office of PRESIDENT—John Milledge and Joseph B. Varnum being appointed tellers—the votes were as follows:
 For James Madison 83  For George Clinton 3  For James Monroe 3 
The ballot being taken then upon the recommendation for VICE PRESIDENT, the votes were as follows:
 For George Clinton 79  For John Langdon 5  For Henry Dearborne 3  For John Quincy Adams 1 
Upon motion of W. C. Nicholas a committee of correspondence and arrangement was appointed, in case of the death or resignation of the persons recommended; to consist of the following persons, viz. Mr. Milledge of Georgia, Mr. Taylor of S. Carolina, Mr. Franklin of N. Carolina, Mr. Giles of Virginia, Mr. John Montgomery of Maryland, Mr. Smilie of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kitchel of New Jersey, Mr. Kirkpatrick of N. York, Mr. Howland of Rhode Island, Mr. Varnum of Massachusetts, Mr. Parker of New Hampshire, Mr. Bradley of Vermont, Mr. Tiffin of Ohio, Mr. Pope of Kentucky, Mr. Anderson of Tennessee.
Upon motion of Mr. Giles, the following resolution was adopted unanimously:
Resolved, As the sense of this meeting that James Madison of the state of Virginia, be recommended to the people of the U. S. as a proper person to fill the office of President of the U. S. for 4 years from the 4th of March 1809; and that George Clinton, the present
Vice President, of the state of New York, be recommended as a proper person to fill the office of Vice President for the same term. That in making the foregoing recommendation, the members of this meeting have acted only in their individual characters as citizens; that they have been induced to adopt this measure from the necessity of the case; from a deep conviction of the importance of union to the republicans throughout all parts of the United States, in the present crisis of both our external and internal affairs; and as being the most practicable mode of consulting, and respecting the interests and wishes of all, upon a subject so truly interesting to the whole people of the United States.
Upon motion of Mr. Montgomery, the following letter was received and read:
Being too unwell to attend the republican convention this evening, agreeably to notice, I hereby constitute my friend Mr. John Montgomery, my proxy, to vote for me in favor of James Madison as President, and George Clinton as Vice President of the United States. Given under my hand and seal, this 23d of January, 1808.
"LEMUEL SAWYER."
And then the meeting adjourned.
STEPHEN R. BRADLEY, President.
RICHARD M. JOHNSON, Sec'y.
* Mr. Sawyer's proxy was not received.
The great question "who shall be our next president," is at length brought fully before the public. Those who heretofore have been accustomed to take the lead in the nomination of candidates, have proposed JAMES MADISON, for President, and GEORGE CLINTON, for Vice President, for the four years subsequent to the current Presidential term. We have until this moment, refrained from publicly expressing any opinion on this momentous subject, not from the want of a decided conviction upon it; but from a strong, an anxious wish, that the public sentiment should be collected, from a calm and dispassionate consideration of the subject, without those biases and prejudices but too likely to flow from a premature discussion. Aware, too, that it might possibly produce extensive collisions, perhaps local irritations, among those who on the great principles and the leading measures of our republican institutions are un-divided, we have thought it advisable not unnecessarily to precipitate a discussion, that might embarrass or frustrate the important measures of defence and protection called for by the crisis.
But the season has now arrived for every independent man to speak out; and to exercise this prerogative of a freeman without fear, and it is to be hoped, likewise without reproach. While, however, this right is asserted with fearlessness, let its exercise not be sullied by intemperance. Let it be uniformly accompanied by a tolerant spirit, that in asserting its own rights, knows how to respect those of others.
If there be a division among the republicans, let it be candid, honorable, magnanimous. Let no good man's character be traduced to brighten that of another. Let the virtues and talents of the respective candidates be spoken of as they really are. While we "nothing extenuate, let us set down naught in malice."
The nominations made by the republican Representatives and Senators have our decided approbation; they are the nominations which we have long confidently anticipated, and which we believe the great body of the people have expected.
In forming this opinion we have strove to form an honest and impartial opinion; and in forming it, we are sensible of no biases personal, local, or political, not directly and necessarily emanating from a regard to our country; from that regard, which should at all times direct the judgment of a good citizen, and which ought at this time to banish every consideration unconnected with the maintenance of those principles, which have established among us the empire of reason, and will finally, if firmly adhered to by us, extend it over the globe. He, who is the best fitted to guide us thro' the impending storm, without sacrificing these principles, ought to be the man of our choice. Such, we believe, to be James Madison. Whether we contemplate his irreproachable morals, or solid talents, we are supplied with the strongest reasons for approbation. While in private life he has invariably sustained the unassuming character of modest merit, his discharge of public duty has been no less distinguished by intelligence, fidelity and zeal. And above all, we consider him best fitted for the highest honors in the gift of his country, because amidst the various public scenes in which he has been engaged, and in the exercise of the high functions devolved upon him, he has invariably displayed a dignity and moderation, which are at once the best evidence and the surest preservative of republican principles.—Nat. Intel.
We have at length received the long looked for orders of the British Council. They establish the wisdom of the Embargo beyond a shadow of doubt. For so extensive and sweeping are many of their provisions, that it is almost impossible to perceive what commercial ruin might not have ensued from their enforcement, but for this measure. It is evident, from their general tenor, that Britain has assumed the complete empire of the ocean, and that in so doing she considers herself at perfect liberty to treat with the utmost sang-froid the principles which she has heretofore prescribed to herself, those deemed sacred by the whole commercial world, and the stipulations of existing treaties between powers at amity with each other. Under these circumstances a provident government could not have done less than restrain the rash or dishonest spirit of enterprise whose indulgence hazarded the essential interests of the nation. To have omitted the discharge of so sacred a duty would have justly merited that reprobation, which would most assuredly have been bestowed by those who have been most clamorous against the policy of the measure.
Among the provisions, whose injurious effects might have been the most severely felt by this country, are—the complete and unqualified forfeiture of every ship and cargo which shall carry a certificate of origin—the limitation of our importations from the colonies of powers hostile to Britain to

Virginia Argus.
RICHMOND: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1808.
THE very important bill, originally introduced by Mr. Gholson of Brunswick, for establishing a superior court of law in each of the counties of this commonwealth, has at length passed both houses of the General Assembly...
According to this law, the several counties are to be divided into twelve circuits, of about eight in each; two judges to be added to the ten who now constitute the general court; and those twelve judges to hold superior courts twice a year in the several counties of their respective circuits...
On yesterday, also, another most important bill was finally successful;—the bill "concerning the sales of property under execution and incumbrances," which the present distressed situation of the citizens, occasioned by the embargo, has rendered so necessary.
When this bill went up to the Senate, it comprehended all cases of sales of property by trustees by virtue of any deed, and extended to executions on behalf of any Bank; but the Senate proposed an amendment to make it apply only to deeds of trust hereafter executed; and another exempting executions issued in favor of banks from being affected by it; to both which amendments the House of Delegates in the end acceded.
THE magnanimous declaration by the emperor of Russia against the perfidious government of Great Britain will no doubt be perused by our readers with great pleasure. He has, with perspicuity and energy, made to the world a statement, the truth of which cannot be denied even by the most unprincipled advocates of British tyranny and rapacity...
His determination to support the principles of the armed neutrality of that memorable confederacy, formed for the purpose of maintaining the maritime rights of nations, and not to have any connexion with Great Britain, until she shall do justice to Denmark, and conclude a treaty of peace with the emperor of the French, are peculiarly interesting to us as Americans.
At a meeting held at the Capitol, on last Thursday night, by the members of the Virginia Legislature, friendly to the election of James Madison, to make further arrangements for effecting that object; Robert Taylor, esq. was called to the chair and Thomas Ritchie appointed secretary.
The following resolutions were then moved by him, and after some little discussion and some few amendments, were all carried: Resolved, That the said corresponding committee, write immediately to each person nominated as an elector of president and vice-president, requesting him to say explicitly, whether he will vote in favor of James Madison as president of the U. States.
Resolved, That the said corresponding committee be requested to strike from the list of electors the name of any gentleman who shall not explicitly declare, that he will if elected, give his vote in favor of James Madison as president of the U. States. And in case of a vacancy so occasioned or occurring from any other cause, the said corresponding committee are requested to recommend some other gentleman qualified to be elected, who will vote for James Madison, as president of the U. States.
Resolved, That the said corresponding committee in the city of Richmond, have power to encrase the number of members of each county committee, to seven. [It was understood that the delegates or senators were to deposit a list of such as they preferred with the standing committee]
On motion of B. Harrison, esq. (Prince George) it was carried, that the name of John Goodrich, esq. (of Isle of Wight, and one of the electors in 1804) be inserted in the list of electors, in place of Mr. Harrison, who requested to resign, and that the corresponding committee be requested to write to Mr. P. to ascertain whether he would vote for Mr. Madison. It is understood, that if Mr. Goodrich and Mr. Pegram refuse to serve, then the names of Mr. Harrison and Mr. Dillard are to be replaced on the ticket.
On motion it was carried that the name of Edward Pegram, sen. esq. (of Dinwiddie, who was one of the repub. electors in 1801-4) be inserted in the list of electors, in place of Geo. Dillard, esq. who requested to resign, and that the standing committee be requested to write to Mr. P. to ascertain whether he would vote for Mr. Madison. It is understood, that if Mr. Goodrich and Mr. Pegram refuse to serve, then the names of Mr. Harrison and Mr. Dillard are to be replaced on the ticket.
Richmond, 22th Jan. 1808. W. S.
Resolved, That John H. Foushee be appointed treasurer to this meeting. After appointing a few county committees, on motion of Mr. Barbour, the meeting adjourned till Thursday night, 4th February.
COMMUNICATION. From letters just received in Norfolk, by a vessel directly from Jamaica, it unhappily appears that Mr. David Yancey and Doctor William Kimbrough, of Louisa county in this state, lately died in that island.
Mr. Yancey was carried off by a pulmonary disease; which, after baffling all the efforts of medical skill, had induced him to take leave of his friends, and to make a last attempt at recovery, by trying the influence of foreign voyages and travels: but he had scarcely arrived at the island of Jamaica, when he sunk under the weight of his incurable disorder.
His nephew and friend Dr. William Kimbrough, who accompanied him in his travels unfortunately followed him to the grave, the day after his death. He fell a victim to the yellow fever.
The death of David Yancey will be deeply lamented by his friends.—It will be deplored in the middle country. It is a real loss to Virginia.
He was among the most valuable of the young men of first promise in this state, who in the course of a few years past, have gone to an early grave. Those who knew him well and many there are in Virginia will say, that for the united virtues of the head and the heart, for all the qualities which render a man interesting to his family and friends, to society and to his country, David Yancey was eminently distinguished.
The companions of his early studies, the associates of his more advanced researches at the college of Wm. and Mary, the professional gentlemen who practised with him at the bar of Louisa, and in the adjacent counties; In short, the whole circle of his extensive acquaintance, will long remember him, with a degree of respect and affection, that rarely falls to the lot of any individual.
Doctor Kimbrough, though younger and less known to him, who performs the painful task of announcing Mr. Yancey's death to his other friends, is under-ood to have been a young gentleman of the most amiable character, and to have exhibited marks of intelligence from which his friends derived the most flattering expectations.
We understand that 18 of the unfortunate young men belonging to Miranda's enterprise, and who were captured by the Spaniards, lately made their escape from the prison at Carthagena. Of this number 13 were unhappily retaken. The remaining 5, we are informed, have fortunately reached the United States in good health.
(N. Y. Mer. Adv.)
Madeira is stated to have been taken by the British, who are said to be also fitting out an expedition against the island of Martinique.—ib.
The Treaty between France and Austria was signed at Fontainbleau on the 31st of October.—An armistice has been agreed on by Sweden and France, which is to continue until April.—Alexandria has been evacuated by the English.—Two vessels were lost in the Bay of Dublin, having upwards of 400 persons on board, every soul of whom perished.
It is reported (says a late London paper) that the disputes have of late risen so high between the French and American governments, relative to Bonaparte's decree of blockade, that the American Minister at Paris had received notice that his further residence in that city would be dispensed with, provided his Government did not, by a given time, unequivocally accede to the principles now adopted and acted upon by the French government.
NOTICE. Department of State, 23d Jan. 1808. Merchants and others wishing to forward letters to Europe, are informed that a vessel under the orders of the government, will sail from New York on the 10th day of February, or as soon thereafter as possible, which will deliver at L'Orient and Falmouth all such letters as may be respectively consigned to those ports, or to other places through the same.
The postage on the letters must be paid to New York.
ERROR CORRECTED. In the proceedings of the Presidential Caucus at the capitol on the 21st ult. published in our last, the name of "HUGH MORROW" was inserted instead of HUGH MERCER.
DIED. On the Morning of Saturday the 23d inst. at his seat in Chesterfield county, after an illness of seven days, Major Obadiah Smith, in the 53d year of his age.
30 Dollars Reward. RUNAWAY from the subscriber on the 27th July last, one negro man named JIM, about 28 years of age, slender made, about 6 feet 2 or 3 inches high, of a yellow complexion, flat nose, very much marked with the small pox, speaks mid when spoken to, inclined a little to be bowlegged, his fore teeth rather wider than common, and a scar on his hip and thigh occasioned by lying on a mattress when he had the small pox: he is remarkably fond of music, and dances remarkably well. He is also, a good waterman and sawyer.—He formerly belonged to Miss Eliz. Ellis, in Hanover county, near the Meadow Bridge. I have understood that he aimed for a free pass and has altered his name from Jim to Billy Burrey, and said when he was in Richmond he should go to Alexandria, and no doubt, if he should not go there, he will go to the Federal City or some sea port town and take shipping, and intends to join some ship carpenter and follow the trade. The above reward will be given to any person to deliver the said negro to me at Bent Creek, or twenty dollars to put him in any jail in the United States and give me information as quick as possible. I forewarn all masters of vessels and others from harboring or carrying the said negro out of the state, as I shall put the law in full force against them.
JAMES PHELPS. Buckingham county, near Duguidsville, on James river, Dec. 22, 1807.
A LIST OF LETTERS remaining in the Post-Office, Richmond, Feb. 1, 1808. A.—Peter Albright, Samuel G. Adams; Mrs. Catharine Adams, Joseph Amstead; A. Allyn, Solomon Allen, Mrs. E. Adams; Thos. Anslov, Messrs J. & S. G. Adams; Ezra A. Allen, Rev. Thos. Armstead, Constance Austin, Ignatius Allen, Wm. Allen; B.—Miss Mary Bowles, Mrs. Mary Bizzgrove, Reuben Blakey, Mrs. Anna Byrd; Robert Bell, Anderson Barrett, Frederick Bowler, Edward Busbie, Mrs. Catharine Barrett, Patrick E. Burney, Mrs. C. Bowles; Benj. Bowles, Adam Beard, Jesse Bowles; Charles F. Bates, Francis Bryan, John Baker, Maj. John Beall, Wm. Bassett, Capt. John Boyd, Capt. Thomas Busbie; C.—David Chalmers, Reuben Cantor, Deborah M. Couch, John Collow, Joseph Carter, Sam. Cook, Zack. Clarke, J. H. Conliffe, Sinder Carroll, Jr. Abraham Cowley; John Chambers, Mrs. F. Claiborne, Mrs. Ann Childress, Richard Carter, Reuben Carter, Messrs. Wm. Corling & Co. Elizabeth Charman, Mary Clarke, Captain Cobb; D.—Sarah Darlin, H. Desinger, Joseph Dunsforth, William Doyle, C. Dabney, A. J. Davidson, T. B. Dudley, William Dabney, John Davidson; E.—Mrs. Mary W. Ellis, Wm. P. Edrington, Tobias J. Ezeechie, Ralph Edmonds, Lewis S. Edwards, Mrs. E. Eyre; F.—J. Flood, William Fontain, John H. Foushee; G.—Mrs. Ann Goodwin, Ro. Gunnell, Miss Julia Graves, William Graves, Miss R. Anderson, James Gord n, John S. Gatewood, Charles F. Gretter, John Gunn; H.—James Hubbard, William Haight, Sulley Harlow, Sylvanus Harvey, Miss E. Hoye, Thomas D. Harris, Young Hill, John Hearing, John Heath, William Hutchinson, Capt. Frederick Hall; I.—Miss Mary A. Jones, Fanny Jones, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, Mrs. Judith Jones; K.—Miss S. S. Kennon, David Kettle; L.—John C. Littlepage, Edm. Lacey, gen. Henry Lee, Arthur Lee, Howell Lewis, Capt. Levit Lane, Capt. M. Lewis; M.—Peter Moore, Smith Mead, Gen. J. Matthews, Thomas P. Milner, Wm. Bowles ware, John Miller, Samuel McCraw, Benjamin Moody, John M. Cault, Collins S. Miller, Joseph Minton, R. MacCartey, Benjamin Mosby, Capt. McGill; N.—Peyton R. Nelson, Charles Noe, Alfred Noel, Francis Nelson, David Nisbet; P.—Eliza Price, Mrs. Mary Parker, William M. Pool, John Paul, Mrs. M. Pickering, John Pryor, Francis Piatte, Capt. E. Pearson, Capt. R. Peirce; R.—William Redfield, Ro. Richards, Rachel Rehine, Mrs. R. Redford, Edward R. Randolph, Judge Roan, William Rawleigh; S.—Mr. Saunders, William Strother, Robert Scott, Miss Sally Shields, Miss A. P. Smith, Miss Jane Swiney, Sheriff of Henrico, Mr. Shields, Thomas Sullivan, Solomon Stoddard, Miss B. Stevenson, Miss E. Stevens, George W. Smith, Capt. Isaac Seaman, Capt. S. Sylvester; T.—William B. Taylor, Miss C. M. R. Turpin, Mrs. Milly Timberlake, Bennett Taylor, Ben. Taylor, William H. Turpin, Mrs. Lucy Taylor, E. Town, James Frayser; U.—Thomas Underwood; V.—Miss E. Valentine, A Van Northand, James V. Hall, William Vass; W.—Mrs. M. Williamson, James Willey, Miss P. Wilkinson, Philip Wilvin, Mrs. M. V. Woodson, John Wilmot, Job. White, Anthony Wayne, Charles Winegardner, Robert White, Mr. Wright, Michael Warren, John Walton, Samuel White, Miss Peggy Webster, John West, William B. Wilkerson, Capt. J. W. Walls, M. Welsh, Y. Levi Yale; Z.—John Zimmerman.
FOR SALE, AN ELEGANT HORSE AND GIGG, At the Bell Tavern, for which flour or tobacco will be taken in exchange. 3p
TO RENT, And possession given immediately, the well known TAVERN, On the Main Street next the courthouse, belonging to Jacob I. Cohen.—For terms apply to J. I. COHEN, JR. Richmond, February 1, 1808.
WAS committed to the jail of Surry county on the 25th day of October last, as runaway, the following NEGROE.—Peculiar, a negro woman & her four children, Billy Cady Joe and James.—Peculiar is about 30 or 35 years old, rather a light complexion, her clothing is very much worn cannot be described. Billy her son, is about 10 or 11 years old, of a mulatto color.—Cady, her daughter, a bright mulatto, between 8 and 9 years old.—Joe and James, sons of Peculiar, are both of rather a light complexion. The first is supposed to be between 3 and 6 years old, the last between 3 and 4 years old. Peculiar says she formerly belonged to a Major Clarke of the Eastern Shore, and was sold under execution by the sheriff, and was bought by a Mr. Rose, who brought her to Peterburg and sold her to a Mr. Henry Daniel. The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take them away, otherwise they will be dealt with as the law directs. (2w) Benj. F. Browne. Shff.
MILITARY LANDS IN THE STATES OF OHIO AND KENTUCKY.
THE subscriber has for SALE, sundry valuable tracts of LAND, on the waters of the Miami and Scioto rivers, state of Ohio. Also, on the waters of Cumberland and Green rivers, state of Kentucky, which will be sold low for cash or good bonds.—For further particulars enquire of William Price, register, who has the title papers, or to
William Du Val. Buckingham January 20 1808, wif THE IMPORTED HORSES, Diomed & Robin Redbreast, Stand the ensuing season at my stables, to be let to mares.—Terms made known in due time. Thomas Goode. Chesterfield ct. y, Jan. 20, 1808. it
Wirt's Speeches. The Editor of the Argus has this day published the SPEECHES of WILLIAM WIRT, Esq. on the TRIAL of AARON BURR, and Others.
the quantity consumed by ourselves—and the imposition of duties, such as Britain please to prescribe, on all such goods imported into her territory and exported to a nation at war with her.
By the first provision, we believe, every species of trade, now authorised by France and her allies to their countries, is prohibited, not under any common penalty, but by the entire confiscation of vessel and cargo.
By the second a rule is applied, not only unjust in itself, but unsupportable of any other measure of application than shall be applied by the cupidity of the free booter, and the tyranny of power that considers itself responsible to any motives other than those which are dictated by its own temporary interests.
And, by the third, the trade of the whole world is made tributary to the injustice and cupidity of Britain.
Such are the very cursory reflections which arise from a single perusal of these celebrated orders. We can consider them in no other light than that of an enforcement of the same principles of absolute power, with the recent proclamation relative to seamen. However general they may all nominally be in their application, they are principally, if not exclusively intended for us. They are, we fear, the pufars on which the pending negotiations are to rest. And they must either be intended to shut the door upon all commercial amity between the two nations; or to be used as so many make-weights in the adjustment of our differences. If dictated by the latter motive, they are predicated on the hope, if not the belief, that the terrors they hold forth will induce us to crouch to terms at which we should otherwise revolt.
If either of these be their object, the embargo is the correct and commanding measures by which they will be best met. It will, on the first supposition, save our commercial capital from destruction; and on the latter supposition, it will enable our executive to treat with becoming disregard this signal display of power, by permitting British valor and cupidity to parade the ocean, and there enjoy the proud triumph of fighting windmills or waging war with the elements. Secure in ourselves we may laugh this proud spirit to scorn; and may, undismayed by the mistress of the ocean, while you persist in robbing us we will stay at home. Treat us justly, and we will supply you with that, without which your colonies will become the seats of rebellion, and your manufactures be ruined. Continue to exercise a lawless system of injustice, but beware of the consequences! An invading foe may think that the propitious moment for aiming a death blow at your existence, when the arm of brother shall be raised against brother, and when despair shall have left in the breasts of your subjects no hopes so animating as that of a complete change of their condition.—ib.
CHILLICOTHE, January 5. Burr, Blennerhasset and Luther Martin, three choice spirits, who compose a triumvirate of worthies, did not think it advisable to make their appearance at the circuit court, which commenced its session yesterday in this town.—It would be a matter of peculiar gratification to many of the citizens of the Western Country, if Mr. Martin would be so good as to tell the public what has become of his honorable and much respected friend, Col. Burr. The Colonel, we readily admit, did not receive justice in the city of Richmond; but we are entirely persuaded, that if he will come hither, he will be fairly rewarded according to his works.
The court, composed of judges Todd and Byrd, directed that Aaron Burr should be called and his recognizance read; and a forfeiture of the recognizance will no doubt be entered. The counsel for Blennerhasset objected to the reading of that gentleman's recognizance. He contended that errors were contained in it, and that he conceived it to be indispensably necessary that Blennerhasset should be first served with a notice, before it can with propriety be said, that his recognizance is forfeited. Upon this subject, the council for and against Burr and Blennerhasset, were debating, when it became necessary for the President to be put to press. In our next number we shall furnish our readers with the proceedings of the court.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 21. Letters received from the Havana, by the Bellona, state, that they received information of the embargo on the 11th instant, by vessels from New York and Baltimore. Flour was selling at 12 dollars but immediately rose to 25.
Congress.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, January 20.
The House went into committee of the whole on the militia bill, and the amendment moved by Mr. Clay being yet under consideration, a debate ensued, in which Messrs. Varnum and Chandler opposed the bill as it now stands, and Messrs. Clay, Lyon, Nelson, Withersell and Taylor supported the principle of classification of the militia. When
The committee rose and obtained leave to sit again, 59 to 21.
THURSDAY, January 21.
Mr. Newton from the committee of commerce and manufactures, made a report on the petition of Paul Revere and J. M. Revere, copper smiths and braziers of Boston, stating that so much of the prayer as asks a duty of 12 1-2 per cent on all copper in sheets imported is unreasonable, but that part which prays that old copper may be imported free of duty, is reasonable.
Mr. Rowan renewed the resolution which he had moved on a former day, but which was not then considered, in somewhat different words, as follows:
Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to enquire into the conduct of Brigadier General Wilkinson, in relation to his having at any time whilst in the service of the United States, either as a civil or military officer, been a pensioner of the government of Spain, or relative to his having been an accomplice, or in any way concerned during the time aforesaid, in a foreign or domestic project to dismember these United States; and that the said committee have power to send for such persons and papers as may be necessary to assist their enquiries; and that they report the result to this house, that the congress may be thereby better enabled to legislate upon the subjects of our foreign relations; the increase and maintenance of the army of the United States, and other subjects promotive of the common weal.
Mr. Rowan called for the yeas and nays on the motion now to consider this resolution, which were taken as follows:
YEAS—Messrs. L. J. Alston, W. Alston, Bibb, J. Campbell, Champion, Chittenden, Dana, Davenport, Desha, Ely, Gardner, Garnett, Goldsborough, Gray, Harris, Hoge, Howard, Johnson, Key, Kirkpatrick, Lewis, M. Macon, Masters, D. Montgomery, T. Moore, Mosely, Pitkin, Quincy, Randolph, Rowan, S. Smith, Stanfield, Stedman, Sturges, Swart, Taggart, Tallmadge, Upham, Van Allen, Van Dyke, Van Horne, Van Rensselaer, Verplanck, M. Williams, Wilson and Wm.—46.
NAYS—Messrs. Bacon, Bard, Barker, Bassett, Brown, Butler, Calhoun, Carlton, Chandler, M. Clay, Cook, Cutts, Dawson, Deane, Durell, Eppes, Fisk, Franklin, Green, Heister, Holland, Holmes, Humphreys, Isley, Jenkins, Lambert, Love, Marion, McCrery, Milner J. Montgomery, N. R. Moore, Jer. Morrow, John Morrow, Mumford, Nelson, Newbold, Newton, Nicholson, Power, Pugh, Rhea (Ten) J. Richards, M. Richards, Riker, Seaver, Sloan, Smelt, Smilie, J. K. Smith, J. Smith, Southard, Storer, Taylor, Thompson, Wharton, White, Wilbour and Withersell.—59.
Mr. M. Clay moved that the house go into a committee of the whole on the militia bill. Negatived, 60 to 30.
MONDAY, Jan. 25
The speaker laid before the house a letter from the secretary of state, inclosing an account of the clerks employed in that department; also a letter from the secretary of war—Referred to the committee of ways and means.
Mr. Newton, from the committee of commerce and manufactures, made a report on the amendment of the first and second chambers of the city and council of Washington, praying that the city of Washington may be made a port of entry. The report concluded as follows:
Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner ought not to be granted.—Ordered to lie on the table.—Yeas 46.—Nays 36.
Mr. Chandler said, he wished to offer a resolution on the subject of the pay and subsistence of the Militia of the United States, when called into actual service. It was true that the law at present provided that they should receive the same pay as the regular army; but it would be recollected that in the regular army there was no officer higher than a brigadier general; of course there was no provision for the pay of a major general, in case circumstances should render it necessary to call out so great a body of men. It would also be recollected, that there was no cavalry in the regular army; and of course there was no provision for the payment for those in the militia. He therefore offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire whether any, and if any, what alterations are necessary in the laws, providing for the pay, subsistence and clothing of the militia of the United States, while in actual service; and that the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise.—The resolution was agreed to.
Mr. Campbell, from the committee of ways and means, reported a bill making appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States, during the year 1808.—Referred to a committee of the whole house on Wednesday.
Mr. Dawson, from the select committee, reported a bill, authorising the raising of an additional number of seamen for the United States.—Referred to a committee of the whole on this day.
The house immediately went into a committee on the bill.
Mr. Dawson then laid on the table a letter from the secretary of the navy, recommending the employment of 1272 additional seamen. Mr. Dawson moved to fill the blank with that number.—Carried. After a short debate, the committee rose and reported the bill. Considerable debate then took place on agreeing to the bill, as reported by the committee of the whole; when a motion was made, that the further consideration of the bill be postponed until to-morrow, and lost—yeas 51.—nays 64. After some debate, the question was taken on agreeing to the bill, and it was carried—yeas 108.—nays 10. Mr. Taylor offered an amendment, limiting the duration of the bill to July next.—Before it was decided on, the house adjourned.
KNOW all men by these presents that, whereas, I, JAMES SOYARS, of the county of Pittsylvania, in and by my letter of attorney, bearing date the day of did make, constitute and appoint William Nelson, of the said county, my attorney, to receive and grant acquittances, to the proper officer or officers, for any land warrants or other pay to which I may be entitled, for services by me rendered to the U. States, during the revolutionary war, as by the said letter of attorney may appear. Now KNOW YE, that I the said James Soyars, for divers good causes and considerations, me hereunto moving, have revoked, countermanded, annulled, and made void, and by these presents, do revoke, countermand, annul and make void the said letter of attorney, and all power and authority thereby given, or intended to be given to the said William Nelson. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 14th day of January, 1808.
(w2) JAMES SOYARS.
FOR RENT, The House and Lot,
At present occupied by Mr. Hezekiah Mosby, pleasantly situated, on Shockoe Hill, and very convenient for the a commodation of a family.—Possession may be had on the 23d March next, when Mr. Mosby's time will expire. Thomas Elliott. Richmond, 22th Jan. 1808. W. S.
39

For Rent, THE House on the Main Street, next to Messrs Ellis and Allan, and now occupied by Mrs. Phelps. Possession will be given on the first of January next—apply to JOSEPH GALLEGO, Richmond, Dec. 27, 1807. tf
Notice!! THE Subscriber purposes leaving this City in the course of a few days, has determined to dispose of the whole or any part of his STOCK, now remaining on hand, at a very reduced price—which consist of a Large and Superb Assortment of Mahogany Furniture, Mattresses of all kinds and sizes, Paper Hangings, Window Blinds, Fringes, Tassels, Cords, &c. &c. Richmond, Jan. 1, 1808. N. B. Those who feel inclined to purchase, will apply opposite the City Tavern, on the Main Street. W. H.
LAND In the state of Ohio—For Sale: THE subscriber wishes to SELL a valuable TRACT OF LAND, in the state of Ohio, containing 1,000 acres. This tract is of excellent quality, as the subscriber has understood from most respectable information. It lies on Deer creek, a branch of the Sciota, about 16 miles from Chillicothe, in a well settled neighborhood, and is very convenient to the trade of the Ohio. He will dispose of it for cash, or on a short credit, for notes negotiable at the Bank of Virginia; or will exchange it for property in the city of Richmond. An unquestionable title, with general warranty, will be made to the purchaser. Wm. Munford. Richmond, Sept. 24, 1807. tf
Land for Sale! PURSUANT to a deed of trust executed to the subscribers by John C. Miller, for the purpose of securing the payment of sundry debts therein mentioned; will be sold upon the first Monday in January, 1808, for cash upon the premises, a TRACT OF LAND, mentioned in said deed, lying upon the waters of Lockett's and Harris' creek, in the county of Prince Edward, and supposed to contain between six and seven hundred acres. We shall make such title as is transferred to us by said Miller, saving all former encumbrances. The improvements upon this land are such as are usual upon snug plantations in this part of the country, but better fenced than usual. CHARLES WOODSON, } Trustees. JAMES MADISON, } Prince Edward, 16 Oct. 1807. 10w
ADVERTISEMENT. Just Received, a General Assortment of Dutch Bolting Cloth, Of a superior quality. J. Darnsatt. Oct. 22, 1807. tf
WANTING, IN my family, a TEACHER of the English language. A liberal price will be given by Abner Nash. Prince Edward, Jan. 8. 1808. 1m
100 Dollars Reward. RUN AWAY about the first inst, from the service of Mr. William Rawleigh, (to whom he was hired,) a BLACK MAN, named JACKSON, a House Carpenter by profession, of thin consumptive appearance, about 40 years of age, five feet eight or nine inches high; from circumstances attending his employment, it is believed, he intends making his way to one of the Eastern States, and has been provided with false papers of freedom.—If taken within the State, and delivered to me here, or secured, that I get him, I will give Fifty Dollars, or if taken out of the State, One Hundred Dollars. Robert Gamble, Jr. Richmond, Dec. 24th, 1807. tf
20 Dollars Reward. RUN AWAY about the 8th day from Richmond, JACOB, a very black fellow, about six feet high, twenty-eight years old, handsome address and very artful, has several scars on his neck, and one or two, I believe, on his left cheek, resembling small pox pits, a watermark by trade, and left his bateaux in the basin of the canal in the above city when he went off, at which time he broke open the store of a gentleman in Richmond and stole to a large amount, for which said gentleman has offered a reward of 50 dollars for apprehending said fellow (as I am informed)—he has a numerous acquaintance in the said city, the counties of Hanover and Caroline, in one of which he was raised, and where I expect he may be harbored. The above reward will be paid and all reasonable charges, for securing said fellow in any jail so I get him, or delivered me in Brent Creek, Buckingham, Virginia. Samuel Horsley. November 20, 1807. tf
For Sale, MY Dwelling House, and Four Half-Acre Lots of Ground, in the Town of Manchester, as formerly advertised: On receiving a part in cash, I am disposed to give a considerable credit, for the balance of purchase, or I will take young Negroes at a fair valuation, and Land in the State of Ohio, Tennessee or Kentucky, on such terms as may be agreed on.—If the said property is not sold between now and Christmas, it will be leased to an approved tenant for a term of years. ARCH'D CAMPBELL, Manchester, Nov. 30, 1807. tf
SIMPLE TALES, By Mrs. Opie. (First American edition in 2 vols.—Price 2 dollars.) JUST RECEIVED AND FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE, By JOHN D. BURKE, of Petersburg. * * * A few copies of the above work are just received at this office, where also may be had, Fisher's Military Tactics
By the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS it appears to the Executive, on the evidence of Jacob Stealy, Peter Link, Jacob Myers and William Williams, taken before Benjamin Wilson, jun. esquire, one of the justices of the peace in and for the county of Harrison, within this commonwealth, that a certain JOHN SOMMERVILLE did, on the night of the third of December last, at the house of David Hews, in the town of Clarkburg, violently assault with a club, the body of John G. Jackson, esquire, and did feloniously, on purpose and of malice aforethought by lying in wait, unlawfully maim and disable the head and right arm of the said John G. Jackson, by fracturing the skull of the said Jackson, and by a violent blow on the said right arm of the said John G. Jackson inflicted; by which fracture and blow, and also by reason of divers other wounds, blows and bruises given said Jackson, by said Sommerville, with the club aforesaid, the life of said Jackson became greatly endangered; and that the said Sommerville hath escaped from the justice of the law: I have therefore thought fit, with the advice of the council of state, to issue this proclamation, hereby offering a reward of FIFTY DOLLARS to any person or persons who shall apprehend and conduct the said John Sommerville before some one or more of the justices of the peace in and for the said county of Harrison, and who may be dealt with as in such cases the law directs: And I do moreover enjoin all officers civil and military, and exhort the good people of the commonwealth to use their best endeavours to apprehend and conduct before some one or more of the justices of the peace in and for the aforesaid county of Harrison, the said John Sommerville, to be dealt with according to law. Given under my hand, with the seal of the (L. S.) commonwealth annexed, at Richmond, this fifteenth day of January, 1808. WM. H. CABELL.
P. S. The abovenamed John Sommerville is a man of about six feet high, appears to be about twenty six or twenty-seven years of age, rather spare, but nervous, of light complexion and light hair.
Advertisement. WILL BE SOLD, on Friday the fourth day of March next, for ready money, on the premises, a valuable Tract of Land, lying in the county of Halifax, on Staunton river, containing SEVEN hundred and twenty-five acres, more or less; it was once the property of Samuel Beall, was sold by him to William Mosely, and mortgaged by Mosely to Robert Andrews and John Price, trustees of Beall, to secure the payment of the purchase money.—The indenture of mortgage, which was recorded in the general court, bears date the 22d day of June 1795.—At the same time and place, such of the SLAVES as are described in the said mortgage, and may be produced by the said Mosely, will also be sold for cash.—The sale is made by virtue of a decree of the superior court of chancery, for the Richmond district, pronounced in a suit therein depending, in which the said Price, surviving trustee is plaintiff, and the said Mosely is defendant, and for the purpose of raising the following sums, with interest, viz.—$108 15 with interest at the rate of 5 per cent. from the 1st of January 1793—$105 2 6 with like interest from the 1st day of January 1794—$101 10 with like interest from the 1st day of January 1795—$97 17 6 with like interest from the 1st day of January 1796—$96 5 with like interest from the 1st day of January 1797—$81 14 with like interest from the 14th day of July 1802 and 35 dollars 88 cents, the costs of the suit.—The residue of the money decreed to be raised the plaintiff does not pretend to claim, as appears by an endorsement made by the clerk of the said court on the order dissolving an injunction obtained by John B. Scott, to stay the sale of the said land, which endorsement is copied from a writing filed in the suit first above mentioned, by the plaintiff's agent and attorney. The COMMISSIONERS! Richmond, January 14, 1808. (3w)
Land for Sale. WILL BE SOLD, at Louisa courthouse, on Monday the 8th day of February next, for ready money, a tract of LAND, lying in the said county of Louisa on the waters of Deep creek, adjoining the lands of Col. Thomas Meriwether (now Harwood Goodwin and Laurence Minor) and others, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less; whereon Col. James Meriwether, dec. lived at the time of his death. This land will be sold by virtue of a decree of trust executed to the subscriber by the said James Meriwether, dec. bearing date the 25th day of April, 1797, and admitted to record in the county court of Louisa, to secure the payment of a sum of money therein specified, due to John Poin-dexter, and the expenses of recording and carrying said deed into effect. A deed will be made to the purchaser conveying the title which the subscriber holds under said deed, which is believed to be indisputable. David Bullock. January 4th, 1808. 1d
THE subscriber respectfully takes this method of informing the public generally, and especially that portion of northern and southern patronage which has so successfully crowned his exertions for the last year, that he continues in the occupancy of that well known stand the WHITE CHIMNEYS, the present year, and assures all those who may favor him with their custom, that the accommodations, and his efforts to please, will be more expanded and more complete than they have heretofore been, the houses having undergone a general repair, which renders them more commodious. Jeremiah Rawlins. White Chimneys, Caroline county, Jan. 10 1808. (3w)
THE subscriber has opened an AUCTION AND COMMISSION STORE, in the house opposite Col. Gamble's, on the Cross Street, where he will receive and dispose of goods either at public or private sale. He has now on hand, at private sale, prime Muscovado Sugars In hogsheads and barrels; Loaf Sugar, Coffee, Molasses, Holland Gin, French Brandy and Virginia Wine—Pine Apple Cheese, Demijohns, & a few cases well assorted Hollow Glass Ware. M. M. Myers. Richmond, 13th Jan 1808. 3w
Just Published and for sale at this Office, MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM SAMPSON, Including particulars of his adventures in various parts of Europe; his confinement in the dungeons of the Inquisition in Lisbon, &c. &c. SEVERAL ORIGINAL LETTERS, Being his correspondence with the ministers of state in Great Britain and Portugal. A short sketch of the HISTORY OF IRELAND, Particularly as it respects the spirit of British Domination in that country; and a few observations on the state of manners, &c in America.
Valuable Lands. THE subscriber will Sell, on a credit, or exchange for Property in Richmond or its neighborhood, the following LANDS, to wit: 822 acres in the state of Kentucky, by survey bearing date the 10th day of October 1797, lying and being in the district set apart for the officers and soldiers of the Virginia state line, on Little Barren river. Also, 1000 acres, in Kentucky, by survey bearing date the 10th October 1797, likewise lying in the district set apart for the officers and soldiers of the Virginia state line, on the north side of Little river, a branch of Cumberland river, and about two and an half miles from the mouth of Little river. Also 450 acres of Land in the county of Mason, state of Virginia, on Old Town creek, about 8 miles from Mason courthouse. Indisputable titles will be made to the above mentioned lands; and plots of each tract may be seen on application to the subscriber residing in Richmond. THOMAS BOHANNAN January 23d, 1808. tf
REVISED CODE. CONTAINING ALL SUCH ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA, Of a public and permanent nature, as have passed since the Session of 1801. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, APPENDICES, CONTAINING A compilation of the several laws for the establishment of the James river, Potomac, Ap-pomattox & Dismal Swamp Canal Companies; Laws concerning the Northern Neck; Titles of Acts authorising the establishment of Turnpike roads, & the creation of Toll bridges; A compilation of the several acts concerning the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings; Acts and Resolutions of a general nature, which were omitted in the Revisals of 1794 & 1803; Lands concerning waste and unappropriated Lands on the Eastern and Western waters; Laws establishing Ferries;—and, A Table of Fines Forfeitures, Penalties and Amercements; designating such as are to the use of the Commonwealth; such as go towards lessening the county levy; such as belong to individuals, and such as are appropriated to any particular object. With a complete INDEX to the whole—and References to former and subsequent acts of Assembly. By a GENTLEMAN OF THE BAR. Published pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed the 7th day of January, 1807.
Notice, THAT the following articles, manufactured at the Penitentiary, with the prices thereto annexed, are constantly kept for sale at the store of Nicholas Hallam, agent for the commonwealth, a few doors above the Swan Tavern in the city of Richmond; viz. CUT NAILS.
  Wholesale. Retail.    3d. 13 cents. 14 cents per pound.  4d. 12 1-2 13 1-2  6d. 11 1-2 12 1-2  8d. 10 1-2 11 1-2  10d. 10 11  12d. 10 11  20d. 10 11  CUT BRADS.  8d. 10 11  10d. 9 1-2 10 1-2  12d. 9 1-2 10 1-2  20d. 9 1-2 10 1-2  WROUGHT NAILS.  6d. 13 14  8d. 12 1-2 13 1-2  10d. 12 13  12d. 11 1-2 12 1-2  20d. 11 12  30d. 11 12  
Spikes of all sizes the same price as 30d nails. Men's fine shoes from 12s to 13s 6d coarse do from 7s 6d to 10s Women's fine do from 7s 6d to 9s Boys & Miss's do from 3s 6d to 6s Negroes' shoes from 7s 6d to 9s
PATENT MACHINES FOR SHELLING CORN. THE above valuable machines invented by Paul Pillsbury of Massachusetts, may now be had of the subscribers in Richmond, who are exclusively authorised to vend the same in the state of Virginia.—With one of those machines from 20 to 30 barrels may be shelled by two hands in a day—the price of a single machine at present is 35 dollars—Those inclined to purchase either single machines, patent rights for counties, or for making and selling any number of machines, will find it their interest to apply early, and all persons are cautioned against encroaching on the patent right. Wm. M. Kim. Alex. M. Kim. C. Tompkins. Robert Hyde. Derry & Keane. Scovell Osgood. Robert M. Kim. Richmond, January 25th, 1808. w3t
Valuable Family Medicines. Just received direct from the Patentees, and for SALE WHOLESALE and RETAIL, by SAMUEL PLEASANTS, Jr. Richmond, a large supply of the following very valuable Medicines, viz: Dr. Cooley's Vegetable Elixir, or Cough Drops, Superior to any other medicine ever before invented, for all complaints of the Lungs, and has been known frequently to effect a cure after all other medicines have failed. It is to be hoped that all those who are laboring under Consumption and other diseases of the Lungs, will resort to this valuable medicine for relief.—Price 75 cents a bottle. Dr. Rawson's Anti-Bilious and Stomachic Bitters, Which have proved so extremely serviceable for a few years past, in restoring weak and decayed constitutions of almost every description, and for removing all those complicated complaints so common in the spring season—For a common bitter to use in families, none can exceed them for pleasantness. To show that these excellent bitters are held in high estimation by Physicians of eminence, we need only insert the following extract of a letter from Dr. John Wilcox a respectable Physician, and post-master at the city of Vergennes. VERGENNES, October 23d, 1804. SIR, I have been one of those who never put much faith in patent medicine until of late, but must acknowledge from actual experience, that I have received more benefit from Dr. Rawson's Bitters, than from all the medicine I ever before took; I have been very unwell with a flow remittant fever. I am, &c. JOHN WILLCOX, M. D.
Dr. Lee's (Windham) Bileous Pills, Which have proved so eminently useful for these 12 years past in all Bileous Complaints, Indigestion, Jaundice, Dropsies, Debility, Head Aches, Costiveness, Female Complaints, &c. Their virtues are too well known to need comment in an advertisement.—Price 50 cents a box. Dr. Thompson's Aromatic Tooth Paste, Which whitens and preserves the teeth, gives an agreeable smell to the breath, and cures the scurvy in the teeth and gums; it may be applied at all times without in the least injuring the teeth. The very great and extensive sale this medicine has met with, bespeaks its intrinsic worth.—Price 50 cents a box. Dr. Rawson's Anti-Bilious Pills, or Family Physic. A medicine which no family ought to be without, as those Pills are useful in every complaint where purges are necessary; they are certain to operate in a short time without occasioning the least pain or griping.—Price only 25 cents a box. Dr. Rawson's Celebrated Worm Powders. The most proper medicine that can be given to children to destroy Worms, & to remove crudities of every kind from the first passages.—Price 50 cents a packet. Dr. Rawson's (Genuine) Ich Ointment. The most certain and safe application for that disagreeable complaint called the Itch, of and now in use. It also cures all kinds of eruptions on the face or skin, is very agreeable in smell, leaves the skin smooth & beautiful, it may be applied at all times with the greatest safety.—Price only 42 cents a box. Doc. Rawson's much celebrated Worm Powders, Which have proved very efficacious in dislodging and expelling worms from the bowels of children, they are also a gentle purge, and the most proper medicine that can be given to children to remove crudities of every kind from the first passages—ample directions accompany each package—50 cents. Hinckley's infallible remedy for the Piles. A certain cure for that disagreeable complaint. 50 cents a box. Doc. Cooley's Rheumatic Pills. Good in all Rheumatic complaints.—Price 24 cents.
Ten Dollars Reward. RUN away from this city, about the 12th of last November, a negro man slave named CESAR, the property of the subscriber; he formerly belonged to Mr. Robert Alexander of Campbell county, and was bought from him a small boy in the year 1789; he is now about 6 feet high his big toe on his right foot is very remarkable, being split with an axe thro' the nail and nearly as high; as the second joint, by that it is much broader and larger than the other. He was accustomed to run James river above the falls, and was seen on the 16th of the same month, November, going thro' the locks in a bateaux, with a negro man slave named Abram, who was head man, and belongs to the estate of Col. John Harvie, dec. If Cesar is not concealed by the said Abram he is gone up the river in some other bateaux. On delivering him to me or securing him in some jail so that I get him again, shall be paid the above reward by Robert Mitchell. *City of Richmond, 25th Jan. 1808. wtf
DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA, to wit: BE it remembered, that on the 27th day of December in the 32nd year of the Independence of the United States of America, Sean John Grantland of the said district hath deposited in this office, the title of a book the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following to wit: "A compendious View of the TRIAL of AARON BURR (late vice President of the United States) charged with High Treason; together with Biographical Sketches of several eminent characters. By William Thompson, Attorney at law, Abingdon Virginia." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States entitled, "an act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the time therein mentioned." WILLIAM MARSHALL Clerk of the District of Virginia. (L. S.)
THE above work is this day published and may be had at S. Grantland's Printing Office—stitched 50 cents—half bound 68 cents—nearly bound and lettered 4s. 6d. The copy right of this book being vested in the Subscriber by the Anther and having been secured as the law directs, all persons are warned not to republish it. Jan. 5. S. GRANTLAND.
SIR HARRY, THE handsomest and one of the best of the best of Sire Peter Teazle, (unquestionably by none ever bred in that country) will stand the ensuing season at my stable, in King and Queen county, about 40 miles from Richmond, 7 from Dunkirk and 12 from Tappahannock, at 50 dollars the season, notes for which, and half a dollar for the groom, must be sent with the mares before they can be taken away. The 50 dollars may be discharged by the payment of 40 dollars cash, (and in the event of the embargo continuing, or a war, by 30 dollars) on or before the expiration of the season, which will commence on the 1st March and end 1st August. Extensive high and low land pasture, as good as any in Virginia, gratis. Mares may be fed with corn at the market price, and every attention will be paid to them, but no liability for escapes or accidents of any kind. Mares and foals will be kept by themselves. Sir Harry was imported in the fall of 1804, from London, is now 12 years old, in high health and vigor, 15 hands 5 inches high, full of bone and muscle, fine points, elegant form and beautiful brown color. He has covered three seasons in this country, has proved himself a sure foal getter, and his stock are equal to any in the world. He was one of the best racers in England, both for speed and bottom, with very heavy weights, and probably cost more money than any horse ever imported into this country (standing the owner within a trifle of £1200 sterling when landed) and in the estimation of good judges, is equal, if not superior, to any that is now, or ever was in the state. As the universal practice here, is to run heats, it is needless to point out to those who have fine mares, the advantages that may result from sending them to this horse. His dam Mation. (foaled in 1785) was got by Alfred, grandam (dam of Pilot) by Marsk, great grandam by Regulus, great grandam (dam of Wildair and Vamper) by Scud, great grandam by Palmer, Greyhound, Makepeace a Counsellor, Brimmer Place's White Turk. Alfred was got by Marcham (foaled in 1770) out of a Snap mare (the dam of Condor, Dicator, Georgiana and others) bred by the duke of Kingston, foaled in 1762; her dam by the Col. len Arabian; Griswold's Lady Tilly, by Partner; Greyhound; Sophonisba's dam, by the Curwan Bay Barb; Lord D'Arcy's Misanthrope Arabian; Whirligig; Old Montague mare. Marcham was got by Cade; Cade (twin brother to Lath) was got by the Godolphin Arabian; Marsk was got by Squirt; Squirt was got by Bartlett's Children; Regulus was got by the Godolphin Arabian. Sir Peter Teazle was got by Highflyer, out of Papillon, by Snap; Snap was got by Snip; Snip was got by the Devonshire Children, out of a Basta mare; Highflyer was got by Herod, out of Rachel by Blank; Herod was got by Tartar, out of Cyprian, by Blaze; Tartar was got by Partner, out of Meliora, by Old Fox. John Hoskins, wtf January 15, 1808. N. B. It is not probable that Sir Harry will ever again stand to the northward of his own in the neighborhood of Petersburg. COUNCIL CHAMBER, Jan. 27, 1808. PROPOSALS will be received by the Executive to furnish the Public Guard with Rations for the ensuing year, on the 5th day of next month. DAN L. HYLTON, C. C.
ASSIZE OF BREAD FOR the city of Richmond, for the 28th inst. until further notice, superfine flour being 5 dollars per barrel, viz. A single loaf made of superfine flour to weigh 30 oz for 4d 1-2 Do. of common flour 31 1-2 oz. 4d 1-2 Double the above weights respectively 9d WM. RICHARDSON, Mayor. January 27th, 1808. 2
The subscribers have for Sale, 300 SPANISH HIDES Of excellent quality. George Fisher & Co. Richmond, 26th January 1808. 3w
FOR RENT, A SMALL HOUSE, On Shockoe Hill, in an agreeable neighborhood. Apply to George Fisher. Richmond, Jan. 9th, 1808. 5w
New Publications. Just Received by S. PLEASANTS, Jun. Number 1, of The American Military Library, Or, Repository of Modern Tactics, Adapted to the use of the militia of the United States—Illustrated with numerous engravings. Price 50 cents. American Artillerist's Companion, Or, Elements of Artillery. Translated and extracted from the best memoirs, and most recent publications, on this important branch of military science, in five numbers, with upwards of 36 copper-plates, carefully engraved. By LOUIS DE TOUSARD, Member of the Society of Cincinnati; late lieutenant colonel adjutant to the general staff in the armies of H. I. and R. M.—Late lieutenant colonel commandant of the 2d regiment, and inspector of the artillery of the U. States. Vol. 1. No. 1.—Price 2 dollars. Vol. VI Part 2nd of Rees's New Cyclopaedia. Subscribers will please call for their copies. HORNE TOOKE'S DIVERSIONS OF PURLEY. Court and Cabinet of St. Cloud.
A PROPOSAL, FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTION THE STUDIES OF NATURE, And other works of JAMES HENRY BERNARDIN DE ST. PIERRE. Translated by HENRY HUNTER, D.D. author of Sacred Biography, and Translator of the Works of Lavater. It shall be printed in three handsome Octavo Volumes, from the last London edition, embellished with five engravings, executed in the best manner, and be delivered to subscribers, handsomely bound, price eight dollars. It will be put to press immediately and published in the month of March next. Subscriptions received at S. Pleasants Printing Office and Book-Store. Dec. 8. wtf JUST RECEIVED, A FRESH SUPPLY OF CHURCH'S PATENT MEDICINES; including Cough Drops, Essence of Muscard, Scotch Ointment, &c. &c.