The enquirer (Richmond, Va.), 1805-10-08 00:00:00

The Enquirer.
PUBLISHED BY THOMAS RITCHIE, OPPOSITE THE POST-OFFICE...AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM... (PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.)
NUMBER 44.]
RICHMOND, TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 8, 1805.
[VOLUME 2.]
Richmond Prices Current.
   D. C. D. C.     TOBACCO : 5 a 5 50   FLOUR : Superfine : 7 00    fine : 6 50    A middlings : 5 50   WHEAT NEW : 1 25   INDIAN CORN : 4 50 a —   WHISKEY : 58 a 62 —   BACON : 13 — — —   HEMP : 170 — 190 —   BAR IRON : 110 — — —  
Sales at Auction.
ON Monday the 14th of October next will commence the sale of WILLIAM MACKENZIE & Co's Stock, at their Store, three doors below the Eagle Tavern. Consisting of upwards of Twenty Thousand Dollars worth of Seasonable and well selected DRY GOODS.
TERMS—All sums under 100 dollars, 30 days, and on all sums above 100 dollars 3 and 6 months credit will be given. Notes not negotiable, but with approved security.
October 1. (eptds.)
Sales at Auction.
Will be sold on Tuesday the 15th October next, positively without reserve and on a credit of 120 days, for negotiable notes, on all sums exceeding 100 dollars.
A Large assortment of GOODS, consisting of Calico and Chintz, Superfine cloths and Calimerees, Fine and coarse do. Dutch Blankets, Men and Women's cotton Stockings, Men and Women's short and extra long kid Gloves, Men's white and brown thread Stockings, 4-4, 8-8 and 6-4 plain cambric mullins, 6-4 figured and laced do. Irish Linens and Sheeting, Brown Hollands, thread and tape, Marblets Dimity, Fustian, Durants, Moreens, Bombazets, Wildbears, Men's fine and coarse hats, Men's fine and coarse shoes, A very large and general assortment of Ironmongery and Hardware, Three cases of single and double barrel fowling pieces, 10d and 20 Nails, &c. &c. &c. THOMAS TAYLOR & Co. v. m's. Sept. 27. (eptds.)
MARSHAL'S SALE.
BY virtue of a decree of the Court of the United States for the Fifth Circuit in the Virginia District, pronounced on May last between John Somperville plaintiff, and David Ross defendant: WILL BE SOLD, on Tuesday the 15th day of October next, to the highest bidder for ready money; a tract of Land in Chesterfield county, commonly called the Falls Plantation, as will be sufficient to raise the sum of two thousand one hundred and twenty one dollars and 37 cents, and the costs of suit and of sale. The point at which the purchaser is to begin his survey and the direction in which he is to run his lines, will be designated on the day of sale, which sale will be had on the premises. JOSEPH SCOTT, Marshal V. D. Sept. 20, 1805. eptds
MARSHAL'S SALES.
TO BE SOLD, for ready money, in pursuance of a decree of the court of the United States, for the Fifth Circuit in the Virginia district, between Phoebe Bond, attorney for the creditors of Ezekiel Edwards and David Ross, and others defendants, in order to raise the sum of 4209 dols. 26 cents, with the expenses of sale, a number of very valuable slaves now at the Oxford Iron Works. The sale will take place at the said Works, on the 16th day of November next. BENJ. MOSBY, D. M. for JOSEPH SCOTT, M. V. D. October 4. (eptds.)
RAPPAHANNOCK RACES.
ON Monday the 14th of October, will positively be run for over the Rappahannock Jockey Club course, the Sweep Stakes. To this Race there are nine subscribers at 100 Dollars each (half forfeit.) On Tuesday the following, being the third Tuesday in October the Jockey Club Race will commence, the first days purse will be about four hundred and fifty Dollars, four mile heats. On Wednesday, the second days purse will be two hundred and twenty Dollars, two mile heats; and on Thursday, the third days purse will be three hundred and thirty Dollars, three mile heats. Immediately after the last days Race, an elegant Saddle and Bridle price Fifty Dollars, (by Mr. James Smock) will be run for by Saddle Horses one mile heats.
It is to be hoped that each member will be pointed in the payment of his subscription, so as to enable the subscriber to place into the hands of the judges the amount of each day's purse—in order to show the members the necessity of being punctual in the payment of their subscription, I beg leave to annex the 20th article of the Constitution.
Article Tenth. On the first day's race, in every year, the Secretary shall lay on the table, before dinner, a list of all such members as have not paid up their subscription."
It is necessary to state the reasons which induced us to alter the time of our Races, the first alteration from the 29th to the 22nd was made so as not to interfere with the City Races; and the present those of Petersburg; this far we have gone in accommodating those who may have a wish to be at all the Races.
By order of the President, HAZLEWOOD FARISH, Secretary and Treasurer. Fredericksburg, Oct. 4, 1805. ept
MILITARY CERTIFICATES.
FOR SALE, Certificates of this State, bearing interest of 6 per cent. and receivable at the Treasury, for all arrears of taxes, prior to the year 1798. WILLIAM PRICE, Cashr. Genl. M. A. S. May 10. tf
FOR SALE.
A TRACT OF LAND, lying on Peankatank river, in Gloucester. It contains about 260 acres, not more than 100 of which are cleared, and the greater part of the balance exceedingly well timbered. For particulars, apply to Richard H. Johnson, near New-Castle. Hanover, Sept. 27. 4tp
PICKLING VINEGAR.
GROCERS, Tavern-Keepers and Private Families may be supplied with VINEGAR of a very superior quality, by the barrel, gallon or less quantity and at an uncommonly low price by HART & SOUTHGATE, Opposite the State House. August 10. eptw&Jawtf.
NEAL NELSON, BOOT & SHOE MANUFACTURER, MAIN-STREET, RICHMOND.
MAKES Boots & Shoes of any pattern or fashion, equal in point of MATERIALS and WORKMANSHIP to any in general use. Imported Boots and Shoes, of the first quality and newest fashion, for sale. Gentlemen at a distance, who are disposed to forward me their measure, by paying attention to the annexed cut, can be fitted with Boots or Shoes as well as they were on the spot. A—the length of the Boot—C—round the Calf—B—the pitch of ditto—D—round the heel and instep—E—round the instep—G—across the ball of the foot. Fix the heel against a perpendicular, and stick a knife at the end of the great toe—set down in figures the number of inches and quarters, in the different measures. January 1. eptf
with Boots or Shoes as well as they were on the spot. A—the length of the Boot—C—round the Calf—B—the pitch of ditto—D—round the heel and instep—E—round the instep—G—across the ball of the foot. Fix the heel against a perpendicular, and stick a knife at the end of the great toe—set down in figures the number of inches and quarters, in the different measures. January 1. eptf
GEORGE WILY, BROKER & COMMIS ION MERCHANT, Near the Basin.
BUYS and sells all kinds of Produce—Alfo, Lands Lots, and houses, Bank Stock, &c. He has for Sale, LOTS No. 141, 2, 3, and 4, which make one entire square in Du-Val's addition—There is a good Spring attached to them. These lots are well worth the attention of any gentleman wishing to build a summer retreat for his family. July 21. tf.
FOR SALE.
A TWO STORY BRICK HOUSE, in the town of Lynchburg, at present occupied by col. John Watt, to which there is one half acre of land attached, the House is entirely new and well finished with a cellar under the whole House, which is divided in two rooms, one room and a passage below stairs and two above, the House is thirty feet in length and twenty feet wide. On the fair lot is a good garden entirely new, a clover lot is also included, a smoke house, stable, and corn house with every convenience for the reception of a family. For terms apply to Mr. Wm. Brown, Lynchburg, or the subscriber. THOS. CREWS. Amherst, October 4. eptf
THE HIGHEST PRICE (IN CASH) WILL BE GIVEN AT THIS OFFICE FOR CLEAN LINEN & COTTON RAGS.
A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF BLANKS, FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE.
Printing, IN ALL ITS VARIETY, EXECUTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ENQUIRER.
European Intelligence.
FROM A FRENCH PAPER.
PARIS, JULY 8.
The Official Journal has this day published in Latin the Allocation of His Holiness the Pope, of which the following is a faithful translation:—
ALLOCATION.
OF OUR HOLY FATHER PIUS VII. BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE POPE, DELIVERED IN THE SELECT CONSISTORY, HELD THE 25TH OF JUNE, 1805.
REVEREND BRETHREN,
SINCE the first moment of our return from France to this city, we have ardently desired, reverend brethren, to assemble you in Consistorial Council, in order that we may make known to you our true design and object in making that journey, for the purpose of decorating our most dear son in Christ, Napoleon, with the ensigns of imperial dignity, and to communicate to you, without delay, the salutary consequences, which by the blessing of God, have resulted to us from that journey. Nevertheless, we are not yet fully able to gratify those, our anxious wishes, because various matters relative to the churches, respecting which we had made propositions, have not yet been settled, nor have the examinations of the Bishops, on whom those churches ought to be conferred, been yet completed. We, however, congratulate ourselves in being able to communicate with you this day; so near the solemn festival of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, in order that, after having described the benefits we have experienced chiefly by their holy assistance, we may proceed to celebrate the memory of those glorious martyrs, with a piety the more ardent, and with souls overflowing with gratitude.
The 2d day of November last year, we departed from Rome. You will remember, on that occasion, the fervent wishes expressed by the Roman people for our welfare; and the numbers, who, inspired by a holy affection for our persons, accompanied us many miles on our route. These excited in our breast the liveliest emotions of paternal love, and were considered by us as an auspicious omen, for the success of our journey.
On the frontiers of Etruria, and more particularly on our arrival at Florence, we are unable to express the satisfaction we then felt, on beholding such a concourse, such myriads of people, who came to venerate, in an humble person, the successor of St. Peter, and the Vicar of Christ on earth. Among the foremost to shew us marks of veneration, was our daughter in Christ, Maria Louis, queen of Etruria, who not only, in the most solemn manner, manifested her pious affection for us, but intreated us to take the opportunity of conferring the sacrament of confirmation on her dear son, Louis, king of Etruria. This sacred ceremony was solemnized with appropriate magnificence, and we had to admire on the occasion, in common with all present, the becoming piety of the mother and the son.
In continuing our progress through Italy, we received the most consoling proofs of a general veneration for our sacred functions, as well as attachment to our person, particularly at Modena, at Reggio, at Parma, at Piacenza, at Tortona and at Alexandria. On our approach to Turin, our Revd. brother, his Eminence, the cardinal Cambacérès, and our dear son, Salma-
toris, advanced to receive us, and in the name of the Emperor of the French, to wish us a happy arrival in France, and to express the Emperor's wishes for our presence in his dominions. In effect, we were then in France, and the people of that illustrious nation rejoiced at our arrival among them, gave the most striking manifestations of their piety and religion, not only in their professions, but in every mark of their respect and affection. In every part of the empire tho' which we passed, the prefects of the provinces, and all of those invested with civil or military authority, delivered the most affectionate and respectful addresses, as well towards our person, as to the concerns of the Holy See. At Lyons, we were received by our Revd. brother, his Eminence, cardinal Felt, the arch-bishop of that province, with a magnificence the most generous, with the most affectionate hospitality, and with an anxious solicitude for every thing attached to us, in a way beyond our powers to express. The concourse of excellent and pious inhabitants of that town was so great when we celebrated the holy mysteries, that the immense area of the metropolitan church could not contain them. How great then must have been our holy raptures! With what fervent adoration did we express our gratitude to the Father of Mercies, for working so wonderful, so blessed a change! We were inspired with the most lively gratitude also to the most potent emperor of the French, to whom that happy people owe the restoration of the true religion, the public exercise of which has been established under the Concordat, which has passed between us.
We had not an opportunity of witnessing this complete triumph of the true faith at Lyons, so long as we could have wished. We were impressed with a lively desire to be present with the emperor, to consecrate him, and after that to confer with his majesty on the concerns of religion, and the affair of the church; considerations for which we braved every difficulty, and had undertaken the journey.
We proceeded on our route to Fontainbleau, where, at length, we had the pleasure of beholding the most puissant prince, who is so dear to us. What pleasure, what joy, we experienced in our first interview with this emperor, whose fame has sounded to the extremities of the world, and whom God has chosen to restore his religion, in France, to its former publicity and splendour! We shall always, with the most pleasurable sensations, recollect that, and the following days, which by the invitation of this most excellent prince, we spent at Fontainbleau, in refreshing ourselves, after the fatigues of our journey.
From the Castle of Fontainbleau, where we experienced and had to admire the just sentiments and the munificence of the emperor towards us, we repaired together to Paris. There, on a day remarkable in itself, the first Sunday in Advent and the second of December, in the midst of all the triumphal pomp and splendour of that imperial city in which all the population of France seemed to have been congregated, were celebrated in the most solemn manner the consecration and the crowning of the emperor, and that of our most dear daughter in Christ, Josephine, his august consort.
This splendid ceremony being terminated, we directed all our attention to the affairs of religion and the church; we placed the greatest confidence in the emperor, because, as we applied to him, he had testified by his letters that he desired to confer freely with us respecting the means of re-establishing the ancient splendour of our religion, and of divine worship; and, we cannot recollect without particular sentiments of gratitude, the ingeniousness, the politeness, the good nature, the affectionate regard towards us, with which he listened to the desires, which, in terms of apostolic freedom, we expressed; and also enumerated the demands which we had to make of him for the advantage of the Catholic religion, the glory of the Gallican church, and the authority and dignity of the Holy See.
One consideration, which we had particularly at heart, was the sincere return of certain bishops to the Catholic unity, who, before they received their canonical institutions at our hands, ought to have given adequate testimonies of their reconciliation; but who, on the contrary, after receiving them, behaved in such a manner as to render us very uneasy with respect to the sincerity of their sentiments. The anxieties, however, ceased, after an interval of some days; for either by oral or literary communication with us, they earnestly declared that they cordially adhered and sincerely submitted to the dictates of the Holy See, with respect to the ecclesiastical affairs in France. What precious consolation we experienced when afterwards we blended our tears together on our embracing them with sentiments of true paternal charity. In order to render this consolation the more enduring, and that it may even increase, we fondly hope that they will continue to give certain and manifest signs of the sincerity of their declarations, and that in future we shall be free from all solicitude in those respects. To this end we ardently supplicate God, the searcher of all hearts, to assist and secure by his grace the good work they have undertaken.
Having disposed of a consideration of such importance, we proceeded to the discussion of others, which concerned the advantage of religion, the liberty of the church, the honour of the clergy, the augmentation of her sacred ministers, and suitable means for their support. Encouraged by the confidence with which this excellent prince inspired us, and using that dignified freedom of communication with which our apostolic functions should be exercised, we exhibited to his majesty both orally and in writing, the injuries and wounds which the Gallican church had received, in the destructive conflicts of latter times, and from the preponderance of hostile opinions; in short, we manifested what was due to us in those respects. The answers of the emperor were replete with professions of consideration for our person—for that merit of which we were in some degree conscious; and they afford us the greatest hopes that the Gallican church, rising inflexibly from its state of languor, should recover its pristine form and vigour. These are evils of such a nature, as, though they might have been suddenly produced, yet, to attempt an immediate cure, would be to aggravate, rather than to remedy them.
Think not, however, reverend brethren, that we do not still entertain the greatest hopes. Several acts have been performed, which operate as a pledge, as a security for future conduct. The societies of the Pretres de la Mission, and of the Eales de la Charite, which St. Vincent de Paul had so beneficially founded, have been re-established and authorized to wear those habits which formerly distinguished them. By
a public decree, the necessary funds for the repairs of the Cathedral churches, and the exercise of public worship, have been provided; and suitable edifices have been allotted as seminaries for young ecclesiastics. It has been decreed, that these seminaries shall be eligible to receive testamentary bequests of monies, or of founded property; and the expenses of those attached to the Metropolitan churches shall be defrayed from the public treasury. The revenues destined for the bishops and canons of the Cathedral churches have been augmented. The municipal administrations of the provinces have been charged with the providing for the repair, and for furnishing the ordinary churches. The society of the Missions Etrangeres originally destined to carry the true faith to the extremities of the earth, has been restored through the paternal care of the Emperor, so as to be able to recover the property it once possessed, and even to acquire new missionaries, who have been sent to the most distant climates for the propagating of the true religion, are encouraged and protected by the government of the Emperor. We have ourselves given, with the most heartfelt joy, the apostolic benediction to certain distinguished priests, who made part of the mission to China. Among such a number of provident cares, we could not have forgotten our patriarchal church of the Lateran, the mother and chief of all the churches in the world. This church, by the munificence of the most generous of Emperors, has been compensated for the loss of its property in France, which the fury of the times had wrested from her. Other measures of considerable importance have also been adopted. It has been decreed, that the bishops shall exercise their powers of judging with respect to spiritual offences, and those which relate to ecclesiastical discipline, and to punish, as provided by the canonical law. That the attempts made by the civil officers to encroach, in a manner at once unjust and oppressive, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, shall be discontinued; that the obstacles which existed to the entrance of young men into the ecclesiastical state shall be greatly diminished; and those which prevailed with respect to the religious education of youth; to the affording spiritual comfort to the sick, to the soldier, or to the inhabitants of the country, entirely done away. These benefits, which we have derived from our discussion with this great prince, guarantee, as we have already observed, the effect of the other demands which we have made from him, and which we have every reason to expect from his religion.
We cannot, however, pass over in silence those other spiritual benefits, which God, the father of mercies, has designed to grant us in France. You know with what zeal, with what pious ardor, the French people have, in our person, revered the supreme pastor of the Catholic church. That which you have been apprised of, far from surpassing, even falls short of the truth. It is beyond the powers of language to express the love, the zeal, and the external veneration, which the people of France bear towards religion. The God of mercies has vouchsafed to shower down so many blessings on our journey to France, that the bishops have not hesitated often to assure us, that those are beyond conception, as tending to the spiritual advantage of the people. We have not discontinued that general facility of access to us, that we may hear the complaints of the aggrieved, and remedy, as far as in us lies, those spiritual evils which still exist; and that we may promote the principle universally among the people. We have visited all the parishes in Paris, and there, as we afterwards did at Lyons, we distributed among many thousands of the faithful, eucharistical bread. We also visited the hospital, where the sick received the succours of christian charity, or which were consecrated to the religious instruction of youth. An innumerable crowd of Catholics followed us every where, as well at our return, as on our going out, and appeared never tired of receiving our apostolic benedictions.
What shall we say of the illustrious French clergy? The sentiments which they loudly expressed in our favour, were of that description that we know not how to express how deenly we have been affected by such avowals! We are also incapable of describing that ardent zeal, that vigilance, those indefatigable cares, with which the bishops especially governed the flocks entrusted to their cares, thus doing honour to that religion of which they are ministers, and infusing respect even from their enemies. Having been ourselves witnesses, we have judged it our duty to decree these just praises, in the face of the universal church, to the meritorious clergy of France.
Neither have we neglected, while at Paris, to fulfil those duties, which more properly belong to our ministry. We assembled in conclave, our reverend brethren, those cardinals who accompanied us, as well as those who resided at Paris, and we presented the hat to cardinal de Belloy, archbishop of Paris, and to cardinal Cambacérès, archbishop of Rouen, with those rites and solemnities prescribed by the apostolic constitution. We provided the vacant dioceses with new bishops, and we ourselves have consecrated some of them in the extensive church of St. Sulpice, amidst an innumerable concourse of the faithful. A few days previous to our departure from Paris, we performed the ceremony of baptising the prince Napoleon, nephew to the Emperor with the greatest magnificence, & in presence of that splendid court, assembled at the Palace of St. Cloud. The Emperor himself, and his august mother, in the most devout manner, presented the imperial infant at the consecrated font.
Such have been our labours in France: such have been the works of the glorious Emperor of the French—such have been the marks of the attachment of the French for religion—and, such are the results of our journey.
The discussion being terminated, and the return of the spring favouring our journey, we deemed it incumbent on us to return to our city and to our See. Having fulfilled our duties towards the invincible Emperor, from whom we were now forced to separate, and after receiving from him numerous testimonies of his favourable sentiments towards us, we commenced our journey hither. At Chalons we celebrated those days solemnly consecrated to the memory of the passion and resurrection of our Lord. How inconceivable was the ardent piety of the inhabitants of the city and those of the neighbouring towns! What affectionate, but respectful eagerness to be near our person! At Lyons the people manifested, if possible, still greater veneration for our person and sacred functions than on our first visits, and reiterated their professi-
ons of love and devotion towards the Holy See. Our reverend brother, the cardinal Fesch, archbishop of Lyons, rendered to us, a second time, with equal magnificence, the offices of hospitality. We rejoice in this opportunity of publicly acknowledging our gratitude to his eminence. We should not forget that during our stay at Lyons, the celebrated chapel de Tourviere, dedicated to the Holy Virgin, was re-opened by us in the presence of an incredible number of the citizens, and restored, as formerly, to public worship. At Turin, where, a second time, the inhabitants loudly expressed their veneration for us, we had the inexpressible happiness of again beholding the Emperor Napoleon, and of conferring with him. We took the opportunity of earnestly recommending again to his consideration the ecclesiastical concerns of France and Italy, and after returning his majesty our sincere thanks, for all the benefits he had conferred on us, and the Catholic religion, we proceeded on our route to Etruria, and arrived at Florence.
Our entry into that city was attended with much splendour, and productive of great public rejoicings. The illustrious Queen of Etruria again received us in the most magnificent manner, evincing at the same time the most becoming piety. The Lord, in the most unbounded mercy, had prepared for us in this city, the most gratifying of all consolation.
CHARLESTON, September 26.
Capt. Silliman, of the ship John and Frances, in 36 days from Bordeaux, has furnished us with our regular files of French papers—those of Paris to August 19th inclusive. From these we have extracted the French account of the action off Ferrol between the combined French and Spanish fleets and that of the English on the 22d of July.
Capt. Silliman, on the 23d of August, off Cape Portugal, was boarded by an English king's brig, the Attack, capt. Swaine, and was informed by him that the day before the British fleet appeared off Ferrol, and found that the combined fleets of France and Spain had failed on the 21st from thence, their destination not known, but supposed for the East-Indies. The British were in pursuit of them. City Gaz.
FROM FRENCH PAPERS.
To the 14th of August, received at the Office of the CITY GAZETTE.
VIENNA, July 19.
It appears that all the regiments have orders to hold themselves in readiness to march. The two regiments destined for Transylvania are already on their march, and have taken with them their recruits, whom they have not had time to clothe. The corps of artillery which is at Budweis will be conveyed in carriages into the interior of Austria. Besides the troops which will be sent into Italy, two considerable camps will be formed: one near Pettau, in Stiria, and the other near Watsaklin. They will be united until the end of Autumn.
ASCHAFFENBURG, July 30.
The Russian general Winzingerode, set off on the 13th inst. for Peterburg, after having had several conferences with the imperial ministers at Vienna. The Austrian Court invariably persist in their pacific system, nor are any hostile dispositions whatever remarked on the Russian frontiers, whatever may be said to the contrary by the indefatigable Gazetteer of Lomberg, who for these thirteen years past appears to have the army of Xerxes at his orders.
PARIS, August 12.
The news which we give to day cannot fail to engage the attention of every reader. We are sorry that the want of room prevents our adding any thing to the reflections of the Monitor. What is most astonishing in this engagement, is, that it results changes nothing in the situation of the belligerent powers. The capture of two Spanish ships, which were unable to keep up with the fleet, is no doubt to be regretted. But this is a slight advantage for England, and very far from compensating the losses she has sustained in her colonies and her trade. After the long discouragement of the French navy, it is glorious that this squadron should have carried ruin and desolation through the English colonies, to have displayed the Imperial flag through the European and American seas, and to have bid defiance to five different fleets of the enemy, by which this squadron has so long exercised its new falls in so perilous an expedition; to have maintained an action with an enemy who may well boast of every advantage of numbers and experience, and to have kept the sea the next day, without the pretended vanquisher daring to dispute this honor with it, and in fine to have fully accomplished its design. The effect of this engagement, far from discouraging the allies, must animate them to further exertions. Such a beginning is the sure guarantee of an approaching victory.
MINISTRY OF THE MARINE.
On board his Imperial Majesty's ship the Bucentaure, the 8th Thermidor, year 13, 40 leagues W. S. W. of Cape Finisterre.
Monseigneur—I have the honor to render you an account that the combined fleet quitted Martinique the 16th Prairial.
On the 20th Mesidor, being off Cape Finisterre, I was taken by the E. N. S. and N. E. winds, blowing with violence. The Indomptable carried away her main-top-mast, and the fleet sustained considerable damage in their yards and sails. The winds growing calm, did not vary, but continued in the same quarter; and I remained in this situation, without being able to rise, struggling against contrary winds, until the 3d Thermidor, when I desired twenty-one sail of the enemy.
I immediately drew up the squadron in line of battle upon the larboard tack. Admiral Gravina made signal to the Spanish squadron to take the head of the line, and placed himself at the head of the combined squadron. The weather was excessively foggy; we scoured towards the enemy, who also steered towards us in a scattered line, with the apparent intention of closing the wind upon our rear guard, and of placing it between two fires, by a counter-march with the wind ahead. As soon as I saw him to leeward of our quarter I made signal to stand about, tack for tack, with the counter-march.
The fog began to thicken. As soon as my signal had reached Admiral Gravina, he hastened

To the Honorable the Speaker and Members of both Houses of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
THE People of the County of Humbly conceive, that they have, by long experience, discovered certain imperfections in the laws of this commonwealth: Experience, we say, because it was perhaps impossible for any set of men to have anticipated certain inconveniences, which have arisen out of them, at the time of their adoption: And believing, that the legislature of this state are disposed to advert to the importunities of their constituents, tho' their alleged grievances be only imaginary: We apprehend that our government is possessed of a power of self-improvement; that it is approximating in some measure to perfection; that the officers, exercising the powers of government, are disposed to make every reasonable experiment, in order to attain the highest possible degree of perfection. Under these impressions, therefore, we do, with due deference to your better judgments, submit the following subjects to be enquired into by you at your next meeting.
FIRST: Whether it be not absolutely necessary to make the following alterations in our system of jurisprudence?
1st: Whether, or not, it would be good policy, to arrange the magistrates of each county into four classes, which should sit three terms each, by rotation, each class consisting of five magistrates, should receive a stated annual salary for their services; and that each class should consist of one supreme magistrate, whose extra business it should be, to convene the court and make return of delinquent members to the District Court, by which to be fined for their delinquency as the case might be.
Such a regulation, your petitioners conceive, would be greatly salutary and advantageous inasmuch as it would not only greatly accelerate the administration of justice, but it would also induce more elaborate and correct decisions; for under this regulation, each class would be aware of the terms at which they would be obliged to sit, and consequently, would be better prepared to execute their duty. But under the present regulation of our county courts, justice is often injudiciously delayed, and frequently mal-administered, owing to the self-determination of the members of the court, whether, or not, they will sit upon a trial.
Besides, we apprehend, that the number three or four is preferable to four; for in case the court is equally divided in opinion, where four are allowed to constitute a court, it is extremely inconvenient to obtain a decision.
2dly: Whether it would not be good policy, and consistent with good justice, to compel all persons, who bring suits in any court of this commonwealth, to give security for costs?
This, your petitioners think, would have a tendency to prevent much unnecessary and malicious litigation, which under the present laxity of the law, is too frequently practiced invidiously by those, whose poverty, or villainy, or perhaps both, render them impervious to a law process calculated for the recovery of the cost, &c. which they have incurred by their malicious or tortious litigation, exercised to the great iniquitude and injury of the innocent and peaceable citizens of this commonwealth. It is also an extremely hard case, under the existing law, that the jailor, at the suit of an insolvent plaintiff, is bound to receive and keep an insolvent debtor 21 days, without having some security for his own expenditures. And farther, the sheriff, in the execution of his office, is equally amenable to the plaintiff, who has property to satisfy legal costs and to him who has not. These evils your petitioners deprecate, and hope you will impartially weigh their importance.
3dly: Whether it would not be highly advantageous to the state at large, to revoke forth-coming bonds?
That it would be good policy to do them away, is believed, for these reasons; because, they are generally if not always given for the purpose of delay, and when forfeited, the defendant is generally in no better situation, nor more able to pay, than he was, when the bond was given. Besides, this delay adds very much to the expense of recovering debts, much, as your petitioners conceive, to the injury of both plaintiff and defendant, and only advantageous to clerks, lawyers, and sheriffs, giving frequently to the latter, commission upon commission.
4thly: Would it not be found policy, and perfectly consistent with justice, to make some alteration in the fees of clerks, attorneys and sheriffs, in certain cases?
If the fees of the above officers should be curtailed by the revocation of forth-coming bonds, it is presumed, that it would be but reasonable they should be remunerated by raising them in certain other cases, in which we think, agreeable to the existing law, they are too trivial. Clerks, we think, should be placed on the civil list, and allowed an adequate salary for their services, and as much more superadded, as would pay a deputy, or two, as the business of the office might require. Attorneys fees, we conceive, ought to be enhanced, not only on account of the loss sustained by the abrogation of forth-coming bonds; but also on account of the great loss the plaintiff sustains under the present law, in being obliged, generally, to pay his attorney 4 dollars in each suit, but by law he only receives back 2 dols. 50 cts. from the defendant.
Sheriffs, it is believed, would be much injured by the proposed amendment; and as their fees, as fixed by law at present, are only what is believed to be reasonable compensations for the services which they render, it would, we humbly conceive, be better to raise their commission for collection generally. This we believe for two reasons: 1st, Because we think, that 5 per cent. for collecting taxes & settling so many small accounts, is too small a compensation. It is supposed that upon an average there are 3000 people in each county in this commonwealth. It is obvious, that a commission of 150, or 160 dollars (which we also suppose to be the average per centum, or commission) is not an adequate recompense for the immense fatigue and trouble attached to the collection. 2d. Because we think it dishonorable, if not unjust, that the most indigent people of our country, should be obliged to pay the salary of this useful officer of our country; yet such is deplorably the case that the poor are the persons upon whom the greater part of executions are levied, upon which the sheriff makes more money, than by the collection of the public revenue. We therefore apprehend, that it would be proper, to lessen the sheriff's commission on all executions exceeding 100 dollars, and proportionably raise the commission on the collection of the public revenue; and instead of 5 per cent. if paid on the first of October, or 7 if paid sooner; but the sheriff receive 7 per cent. if paid on the first of October, or 10 if paid sooner; and to receive for serving every writ, on which bail is endorsed.
5thly: Whether, or not, would it be good policy, to amend the law respecting making and receiving
These remarks were made about 11 o'clock—all at the same time being covered by the top-sail. About 12, as above stated, the whole were swept off—none of whom, except captain Humphreys and a man by the name of Jones, who was going to the Eastern Shore to see his friends, could regain the wreck. The names of the sufferers are, R. Hatcheson, for several years past a delegate in the legislature of this state for the county of Kent; C. Ridgeley, of this city, Richard Goodman, mate, together with two negroes, beside the one first mentioned. We received the foregoing particulars from captain Humphreys. American.
MAMMOTH TREE.—This remarkable tree stands in the town of Jefferson, Cayuga county, on the land of John Swartwout, Marshal of the District of New-York. It measures forty-seven and a half feet in circumference, and contains a hollow in which at least seventeen men can march and stand in a circle. This enormous production of nature is said to be button-wood, and is supposed to have been the habitation of Indians and hunters a number of years ago. Being at first a natural hollow, the inside is probably somewhat improved by art, having one side open as a door; the largeness of the hollow is astonishing, making quite a large and commodious apartment.—What renders this tree the more singular, is that it is still green and thrifty, and may continue growing larger for a number of years to come.
JEFFERSON, (CAYUGA COUNTY) SEPT. 6. To all who do believe.—Be it known, that we the subscribers, instigated by curiosity, have this day seen a tree in the above town, on the Montezuma Estate, which measured forty-seven and a half feet in circumference, two feet above the surface of the earth. This tree contained a hollow, into which we all walked, and stood in a circle as far round as our number extended; the circle being incomplete by at least six men; on exact measurement we found the diameter of the hollow on the surface to be upwards of fifteen feet.
E. W. Savage, Jas. Hildreth, Jas. Burr, Jno. Swartwout, Sam'l Croffat, James Glover, P. G. Hildreth, Daniel Suyre, James Amin, W. Mynderse, and Israel Smyth.
A second Putnam.—About the 20th of August last, several of the inhabitants of the town of Delhi, in the county of Delaware, having pursued a Bear to her den, one of the company, William Shaw, by name, a native of the highlands of Scotland, entered the subterraneous haunt of this ferocious animal, and, descending to her very feet, there, fearless of the consequences, placed a rope round her neck, and she was dragged forth to the astonishment of all present. This is the second fact of the kind we believe on record; and for cool resolution and determined courage, elevates the name of Shaw, of Delhi, to a rank second only to the intrepid Putnam of former days. Alb. Gaz.
OF DUELLING. The general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States have testified their abhorrence of this shocking practice, by resolving unanimously, to discountenance it on all occasions, and to recommend it to all their members to refuse to attend a funeral of any person killed in a duel, and to admit no person giving or accepting a challenge the privileges of the church.
DEATHS.
Another flower has been cropped from the garden of genius and virtue by the unrelenting hand of death. JOSEPH SHELTON WATSON, attorney at law, died at his father's in Louisa on the 23d Sept. in the 26th year of his age. Let those who knew him estimate the loss. To know him was to respect him, to love him. His quickness of penetration, soundness of judgment, and acuteness of discrimination, improved by a store of scientific knowledge, qualified by few of his years, would yield only in a comparison with the virtues of his heart. The native vigor of his genius had received every improvement which assiduity and the most ample means of a liberal and affectionate parent could add. He completed his education at Wm. & Mary College, where, a few years since, he was the corypheus and rival of a Johnson, a Leigh and others. The purity of his morals, the correctness of his habits, the benignity of his disposition and the urbanity of his manners were equalled by few, surpassed by none. His conduct was ever marked by the most rigid adherence to truth, honor, justice, and propriety. Not a being upon earth could say to him, thou hast done me an injury. In his profession, he disdained to encourage the angry and vicious passions of men for his own emolument. But to the injured, he was a shield against oppression. In the cause of truth, he was as "Cato firm, as Arfides, just." His heart was formed for friendship. Warm, generous, sincere, and benevolent, he "felt another's woe," nor did "the poor one pass unheeded by." "In him the elements were so tempered that nature might have stood up and said "to all the world, this is a man." Sweet flower of innocence, untimely cropped in years, but in excellence mature, thou hast fallen in the bloom of youth, with all thy "honours blushing round thee." If thou yet be conscious of aught below, accept this feeble tribute of a friend, to whom thou wert not less dear than the crimson drops of life, and from whose memory thy dear idea shall not be effaced whilst the purple current shall warm his heart. Thou wert the pride of thy acquaintance, the joy of thy friends, and the comfort of thy relations, and wouldst have been the ornament of thy country, but thou art gone and blest be thy memory embalmed in the hearts of thy friends.
DIED—On Saturday last, Mrs. MARGARET PAINE, consort of Mr. Orris Paine of this city.
DIED at Capt. Matthew Willis's, in Fluvanna, on the 3d inst. Mr. ELIAS WILLS, in the 75th year of his age.
TO STUDENTS OF WILLIAM & MARY.
ANDERSON has just opened at the Post-Office, Williamsburg, a very extensive assortment of Books, Globes, Maps, and other literary objects. The importation has been made with a direct view to the subjects of the lectures, and together with a variety of miscellaneous literature, comprehends all the most valuable works made use of, or referred to, during the course.
WHEREAS I executed a deed of trust to Lancaster Minor, Richard Tompkins, and John M. Herndon, bearing date the 7th day of March, 1800, for certain purposes therein mentioned, which being now effected: I therefore take this method of giving Notice, that I hereby revoke and make void said deed. WILLIAM MINOR. Hanover, O. S. T. W.
and unheard of crime, or Rape! on the body of his own daughter!!! a girl of only 13 years of age! It appeared in evidence, that this was the third time that he had attempted the same crime, the two latter times he succeeded—the first he did not. I attended the trial—it lasted 14 hours—the crime was fully and substantially proved to the satisfaction of almost every one—(there were at least 1000 spectators) though Wheeler yet persists in his innocence. The jury without leaving their seats pronounced him GUILTY. This is, probably, the only instance of the kind that has ever occurred since the world began—well might the Judge exclaim, when pronouncing the sentence of the law, that he (Wheeler) "had added a new crime to the catalogue of crimes," or words to this effect. The gentleman whom I employed to take minutes of the trial has just informed me that he believes he can make out a complete "report of the trial" for publication—if he does, I shall publish the whole proceedings soon—it will make a pamphlet of 100 octavo pages, more or less.
Yours, &c. H. W.
PHILADELPHIA, October 2.
Ward elections took place in this city on Saturday last, for the choice of inspectors of the ensuing general election, and assessors for the next year. The following is the result:
RECAPITULATION.
Table with 4 columns: Wards, M'Keanites, Snyderites, Total. Rows 1-14 and a Totals row.
* As the Snyderites voted the constitutional ticket in North Mulberry Ward, we have apportioned the votes as they would probably have had there been two tickets.
NORTHERN LIBERTIES.
Table with 2 columns: Description, Votes. Rows: The whole number of votes, Of which the Snyderites had, And the friends of M'Kean, Leaving a majority of, City majority, Northern Liberties, do. In favour of M'Kean, 83. Without including Southwark, And all the other districts of the county of Philadelphia.
A rumour is in circulation that Gideon Granger, Post-Master-General of the United States, died at Suffield, (Con.) last Saturday, of the Lake fever, where he had just returned to his family from a mission to one of the Western Tribes of Indians. E. Post.
"No. 2, commanded by lieut. RALPH IZZARD, was the first of the American gun-boats which arrived at Gibraltar; the crew, we understand, is entitled to a premium in consequence."
NATCHEZ, September 6.
DARING OUTRAGE!
We are informed by a gentleman from the neighbourhood of Pinckneyville, that a party of armed Spaniards (number not known) entered that place, late on Monday evening last, and forcibly seized and carried off Messrs. Reuben and Samuel Kemper.—When our informant left home, he understood that col. Baker was employed taking depositions respecting this event, for the information of the executive. An agent of Mr. Edward Randolph's, who kept a store, at the mouth of Bayou Sarah, has been also driven from thence at an hours notice. Mississippi Herald.
At a meeting of a number of the officers belonging to the third brigade of Kentucky militia, commanded by gen. William Russell, at the house of Col. George Trotter, jun. in the town of Lexington, the following resolutions were entered into: Whereas, from the prospect of our national affairs, and in particular from our Spanish affairs, it behoves us as a people professing independence, and governed by the principles of Republicans, to guard and provide against external innovations, and depredations upon our respective rights—holding it as a golden maxim in the science of government and politics, that defensive measures are at all times favoured by Heaven, being the pure offspring of necessity. Solemnly impressed with this view, Resolved, that it be recommended, that on the 19th and 20th of the present inst. a brigade drill be held at Col. Abraham Bowman's, to consist of all the commissioned officers of the third brigade of Kentucky militia, and such others as may think proper to join them for this purpose. Resolved, that the Editor of the Kentucky Gazette be requested to insert the above for two weeks. Signed by order of the meeting. WM. RUSSELL, Brig. Gen.
Baltimore, September 30.
MELANCHOLY.
On Saturday the 28th inst. the Rock-Hall packet, capt. Humphreys, failed from Baltimore at about 9 o'clock A. M. wind N. E.—progressed 4 miles below North Point, when being met by a sudden squall of wind, the packet with 8 souls on board, was completely upset. The captain and all on board stuck to the wreck—the whole being on deck when the accident happened—they all clung to the after quarter of the rail, 'till about 12 o'clock at night—when owing to a heavy swell of sea, all were swept off together, except an old black man, who perished with cold and fatigue, in less than 15 minutes after the vessel went down.
Capt. Humphreys further states, that Rich. Hatcheson, Esq. and Mr. Charles Ridgeley, frequently asked him, "how he felt," who replied, that he felt "cold and chilly," to which Mr. Hatcheson subjoined, "keep up your spirits capt. H. I can stand it 48 hours yet, and I'll warrant we'll be taken off before that time."—The captain sat between the legs of Mr. Ridgeley, who was in his shirt sleeves, and co.
guns, Twenty 24, Minotaur and Bellona 74's, 2 frigates and two gun brigs. This squadron had been some time waiting at Gibraltar for reinforcements from England, to go up and blockade the Carthagena squadron above mentioned. Immediately after the alarm, the squadron got under weigh, it was said to join the squadron off Cadiz, under sir Roger Curtis, who according to some accounts, had 12 fail, and according to others 8 fail of the line. Capt. W. was informed by the American consul, and other gentlemen at Gibraltar, that a WAR between Spain and America appeared inevitable; and that the Spaniards were in daily expectation of war being declared against them by the United States. Mr. Pinckney, whose negotiation had failed, was expected at Tangier every moment; and Mr. Bowdoin had thought it expedient not to proceed to Madrid, as we have before known. In the mean time, the Spaniards treat these things with contempt, and insult, and capture the American flag daily; and the common observation is, that our government cannot much longer brook such hostile and insulting treatment.
The English have a ship of war called the Transit, which has five masts; and said to be the fastest sailer in the world.—She lately arrived in England from Malta.
The merchants at Leeds and the rest of Yorkshire, in England, have come to a resolution not to ship any goods in neutral vessels, to any port whatever, American ships to American ports excepted.
Domestic Intelligence.
Extract of a letter from a mercantile house in Holland, to Florian Charles Mey, esq. merchant of Clearwater, dated the 8th of August.
"We are sorry that we are under the disagreeable necessity of informing you that your brig William and Mary, capt. Esterby, consigned to us, has been captured off the Texel, on the 30th ult. by a British man of war, and is sent for one of their ports.—The reason given for the capture is, that the British government has directed their cruisers to take all American vessels loaded with West-India colonial produce, bound to Holland. Several other American vessels have been captured under the same pretence."
SALEM, September 24.—Arrived, ship Friendship, Williams, Leghorn 48. Left, a brig of Philadelphia, name unknown. Capt. W. informs that 9 sail of Americans were at Gibraltar, taken coming out of Cadiz—that 6 of them were condemned—and that the other 3 were expected to be in a day or two.
NORFOLK, October 3.
Yesterday arrived here a gentleman from Nantz, which place he left on the 16th August. He was passenger in the ship Rosa, captain Bain, for this port, but obliged to put into New-York in distress.—The ship Portland, Callender, failed the same day with the Rosa for Philadelphia. We have seen a letter from Nantz, to a Commercial house in this place, dated the 16th of August, which says—"Markets are getting much better—every thing in France is an uproar—and a CONTINENTAL WAR INEVITABLE." Herald.
Extract of a letter from Capt. CHASE, of the ship Huntress, to his owners, in Newburyport, dated, London, August 9.
"Doubtless you will be surprised on opening this; but not more so than I feel aggravated in being compelled to address you from this city. After an agreeable passage until the morning of the 5th inst. at 4 o'clock—being then in sight of the island of Schouen, was brought to & boarded by the British frigate Amethyst, capt. Spranger, who after detaining me four hours, put 3 men and a prize-master on board, and ordered the Huntress for Yarmouth, where we arrived 7th inst. from whence I proceeded immediately to this place, where I arrived yesterday. The only pretext the captain of the frigate assigned for sending me in was, that the greater part of the cargo was the produce of an enemy's colony, and that purchased and imported by an American into the United States did not neutralize the property—that of course, when taken in this way was liable to confiscation; for which opinion he applied to a late decision of Sir Wm. Scott."
"On these grounds, there is about 20 sail of Americans brought in and detained within a few weeks, and have been almost daily arriving."
"I have applied to the American Consul and Minister, who appear to be much surprised at the conduct of the British government—they further observe that they cannot conceive that government will ever establish the above as a principle. They further say, that they think that government has not given any particular orders for these captures; it is, however, very uncertain what our fate will be, or how long before it will be determined: there has been no trials on similar circumstances with ours; what has been condemned, is where the importation has been in the same vessel in which it was shipped, on which circumstance they lay great stress."
[N. B. The Huntress is a new ship, and on her first voyage.]
By a proclamation of the gov. of Trinidad, dated on the 5th of August last, the following articles are allowed to be imported into that colony in American bottoms for 6 months, viz. boards, planks, ranging, timber, scantling, clapboards, hoops, staves, shingles, hooks and heading, spars and oars, flour, rice, bread, peas, beans, corn and rye meal, oats, beef, pork, salted and pickled fish, bacon, hams, hog's lard, lamp-oil, cattle, horses, mules, live flock and tobacco. And the following articles are expressly prohibited from being imported in this colony from the United States of America, in American bottoms, viz. East India goods of all descriptions, gin, brandy, rum, and other spirituous liquors, pitch, tar, turpentine, and all other goods, wares and merchandise whatsoever, (except the above mentioned articles,) under pain of seizure and confiscation of the ship and of the goods so imported.
It is further signified, that any articles of the growth or manufacture of that place may be brought and exchanged, except indigo, cotton, arretto, cocoa, coffee, cochineal, lignumvitae, and dying woods.
A letter from Stockbridge, to the Editors, dated the 14th inst. says, "If you think proper you may mention in your paper, that a man (I may with more propriety say a monster in human form) by the name of Ephraim Wheeler, of Windsor, in this county, this day received the dreadful sentence of DEATH, at the Supreme Judicial Court now sitting at Lenox, for committing the abominable, disgraceful, unnatural,
to execute it with great resolution, and was successfully followed by all the ships in the squadron. As soon as he arrived near the extreme ship, he commenced the engagement with some of the enemy's ships, which had already begun their movement with the wind ahead. But by this time the fog became so impenetrable, that it was impossible for me to perceive any thing more, and each ship had scarcely any thing more than her second.
The cannonade successively commenced along almost the whole line. We fired by the light of the enemy's fire, almost always without seeing him. It was only towards the end of the engagement that in a short moment of clear weather, I was able to perceive to leeward of the line a ship carrying Spanish colours standing to windward under her lower sails and struck top sails. Near her were two ships which I perceived to be of the enemy, one of which with all her masts carried away, and the other a three-decker dismasted at her fore-top-mast and very much unrigged, both steering with the wind abaft. The dismasted ship appeared to be in great confusion and hardly to suffice to the working of all her pumps.
The thickest fog at this time covered all the van-guard of the rear of the squadron, and deprived me of the faculty of getting any movement executed, and, as far as I perceived, all the advantage of the battle was on our side.
There was no clear weather the rest of the evening. During the night the two squadrons remained in presence of each other, making their signals to keep in company. I thought, however, I perceived that the enemy withdrew. As soon as day appeared, we desired him a great way to leeward of us. All the reports received from the French ships were satisfactory. Those of Admiral Gravina showed themselves fully determined to pursue and again attack the enemy, as, since the weather had cleared up, we did not perceive two Spanish ships, the Firm & the San Raphael.
I ordered all the ships to rally, and having formed the line of battle on the larboard tack, I bore down upon the enemy.
The wind slackened, the sea was high, the enemy stood away to leeward, and it was impossible for me all day to bring him to an engagement, as I wished.
I occupied myself during the night to keep the fleet in order, so as to be ready to re-commence the engagement at break of day.
As soon as it appeared, I bore down upon the enemy, who had attained a great distance, and was crowding sail for the purpose of avoiding a new engagement.
Finding it impossible to force him to a battle, I thought it advisable not to withdraw any farther from the place of my destination, and to shape my course to effect my junction with the squadron off Ferrol, conformably to my instructions. I experienced contrary winds from N. E. to E. N. E. which yesterday blew with the greatest violence.
The following are the only tidings I have had of the two ships missing from the Spanish squadron.
Captain Cofman, commander of his imperial majesty's ship the Pluto, gave me an account that from the beginning of the action, the Firm had lost her mizen and mainmast, that he had covered and protected her as long as he perceived her, by placing himself between that ship and the enemy; but that afterwards he lost sight of her in the fog.
With regard to the San Raphael, it appears certain that she was not dismasted; but being a bad sailer, making a great deal of lee way, must have fallen to leeward, as we lost sight of her the first night.
The fog was so constant and thick that I was not able to distinguish the enemy's force. But the morning after the engagement, I saw 14 ships, 3 of which were three deckers, the greater number of which appeared to me to have sustained great damage; and if what the Capt. of la Didon assures me be true, that he counted 15 sail of enemy's ships before the action, there is reason to believe that one of them disappeared in it.
At all events, this contest has been an honorable one to the arms of the two powers, and but for the thick fog which continued to favor the motions and retreat of the enemy, he would not have escaped the efforts nor a decisive action.
I am as yet ignorant of the number of killed and wounded, who are, however, I believe, but few. I have to regret the loss of Captain de Perrone, of His Majesty's ship L'Intrepide, who was killed. Captain Rolland of the Atlas was wounded. I shall have the honor to give you a more detailed account of this engagement very shortly.
I intreat Your Excellency to accept my respect. VILLENEUVE.
SALEM, September 24.
FROM GIBRALTAR.
Captain Israel Williams, who arrived last evening from the Mediterranean, has obliged us with some minutes of intelligence, which he had collected. He left Gibraltar the 23d of August; previous to which, they had no certain accounts of lord Nelson; the report, however, was, that he arrived at Ferrol, 2 days before the combined fleets, and not finding them there, had gone back to Newfoundland, in quest of them. Neither had they any particular account of the action between admiral Calder and the combined fleets: the official account of the Spanish admiral was published, and stated that they had gained a victory over the British, which would have been more complete if the French had not unfortunately been too far to leeward, which brought the whole brunt of the battle upon the Spaniards: finding that 2 Spanish and 1 French ship were missing, he gave over pursuing the British, and informs that the fleet, though much dispersed, had arrived safe, part at Vigo and part at Ferrol.
Capt. W. informs, that a few days after the action the combined fleets formed a junction at Ferrol and with the squadron in that port, failed for Cadiz, where they had arrived, 30 in number, two days before the Friendship's failing, and, with 5 ships in that port, formed a fleet of 35 sail of the line. This intelligence was received at Gibraltar 8 hours before captain W. failed, together with a further account, that the Carthagena squadron, of 8 sail of the line (the same that was to have joined the Toulon squadron when bound down the Straits, but was not ready) had arrived at Malaga, 20 leagues from Gibraltar only. Just before sunset (says capt. W.) an easterly wind sprung up, with which the Carthagena squadron probably started, as they were in plain sight from the Rock some time before dark, 8 sail of the line and many gun-boats; this created a most serious alarm at Gibraltar; all was bustle; and the alarm guns were constantly firing, which were heard on board his ship till 10 o'clock at night, at which time the wind had increased to a very strong gale, and the night being very dark, it must have given them a fine chance to pass the Gut.
At the time the alarm was given, the squadron under sir R. Bickerton was at anchor in Gibraltar Bay, consisting of the Queen of 98

ing fraudulent conveyances, so as to punish the parties concerned therein?
The impurity with which the law suffers dishonest men to escape, who screen themselves from the payment of their just debts by making fraudulent conveyances, seems to threaten the commonwealth with a total, or at least a very general evasion of the just debts, owing to its citizens. He who is so flagrantly unjust, as to defraud his creditors by such a conveyance of his property, and he, who knowingly receives the property under such circumstances, are equal sharers in the guilt attached to the transaction and ought therefore, to receive an equal and condign punishment commensurate with a crime of so deep a dye.
6thly: Is it not indispensably necessary, that the law respecting insolvent debtors be amended, so as to prevent debtors from taking the benefit of the act of insolvency, unless such debtor, or debtors satisfy the proof by proof, or otherwise, that the feeblest produced by him, or them, is a just and bona fide one?
Inasmuch, as the just and legal demands of creditors, entirely depend (as the law now stands) upon the consciences of their debtors; and as fatal experience has often evinced and is every day evincing, the perversion of debtors' consciences; and as the disposal of men's property, in many instances, is only known to themselves; your petitioners therefore conceive, that debtors willing to exonerate themselves by virtue of the act of insolvency, should be bound by some stronger barrier, than that of their consciences. Now as it is impossible that the plaintiff should prove a negative; it follows, that the proof of the disposal of the defendant's property, ought to devolve upon himself; and this ought (we conceive) to be required of him in every case, where the court might think it necessary.
Such are some of the most prominent evils and defects which your petitioners apprehend, our present system of jurisprudence involves; to remedy which, in the way your petitioners have suggested, or in any other way, which your better judgements may dictate, is the earnest request and solicitation of your petitioners.
From the Independent Chronicle.
There is no more ludicrous exhibition than to see a man in a passion when every body round him is calm and contented. When the malignity of revenge is restrained by the immensity of power, the unfortunate subject is justly the object of mirth and derision. When men are disposed to do mischief, it is not frequently the case that they meet with entire disappointment. The devil is very fond of his favourites, and generally induces their malevolent dispositions; but as if his power was not always equal to his wishes, he sometimes leaves them before their designs are completed, contemptible for the baseness of their attempt, and ridiculous for its non-execution. We cannot but think he is playing some sport of this kind with the federal editors. According to their general rule, every act of the national government, and every thing connected with it, is not only wrong by design, but never even right by accident.
When our squadron was victorious in the Mediterranean, they said it was a fortunate event, but no credit was due to government; for as they did not send all the ships they could muster, they did not do every thing in their power. When peace was concluded, it is a desirable thing; but as it happened under Jefferson's administration, there must be something wrong. At last they find Hamet Balfaw in the case, and as it would not have been very politic to have bound ourselves with him in all events, they charitably presume such arrangement was made, and are more concerned for poor Hamet than for all our prisoners!
Having thus found out that an alliance must have been formed, because such a measure was wrong, they find fault with the peace, because that could not be right! By and by comes Com. Barron's letter denying the power of making such alliance, and of course the fact. Now something must be contrived to blow that in the wind, and one "able editor" luckily finds out that it was dictated by personal jealousy and envy of superior merit. This does well for a time, but then another discovery is made: Barron is a federalist; and as jealousy and envy are contrary to the moral and political creed of the party 1 and as no good federalist was ever jealous or envious! but does every thing from pure uprightness of mind, why these motives could not operate on the Commodore. Something must be hatched up however; and at last it is found that Gen. Eaton had "powers" as well as the naval commander; and as nothing is ever right now-a-days that comes from Washington, why these "powers" must have been different. It could not have been otherwise; the administration was certainly wrong, and this must be the cause.
Such is the weakness into which malevolent censure leads degenerate minds: never feeling correct motives, they believe nothing is executed from patriotic intention; and giving no credit to desires for success, they seem to think nothing executed by judicious designs. Yet their attacks are so weak, that their malice is contemptible; their zeal is great, that want of success makes them perfectly ridiculous.
NOTICE. A Petition will be presented to the next General Assembly, praying that the County Court of King William may hereafter be held on the first Monday, and the Court of Hanover on the fourth Monday of every month. Oct. 3. T. W.
NOTICE. ALL persons who have any demands against me, either on my own account or as security for others, are desired to bring them forward within three months from this date, and all just claims shall be discharged. The creditors of Bernard M'Anally, dec'd. are particularly requested to attend to this notice, having funds in my hands belonging to said M'Anally's estate. Should this notice be disregarded, I shall consider myself absolved from all claims brought forward after the expiration of the above mentioned period. BRETT RANDOLPH. Fighting Creek, Powhatan, Oct. 3. T. W.
NOTICE. THAT by virtue of a deed in trust, executed by John Brittain to me, I shall, on Monday the 28th instant, at Messrs. Prosser & Moure's Vendue Office in this city, between the hours of 10 and 1 o'clock, expose to sale by public auction, to the highest bidder for ready money, 40 1-4 acres of LAND, lying in the county of Henrico, adjoining the land of Mr. John Pendleton upon the brook. Also, 35 1-4 acres adjoining the above, being the same tracts of land which were conveyed by deeds duly recorded in Henrico court from Geo. W. Seaton to the said John Brittain. Also, two slaves, Peter and Sarah, the first aged about thirty, the latter about twenty-seven years, or so much of the said property, as may be sufficient to satisfy Manuel Judah the sum of 500 dollars, together with all costs and charges attending the drawing, recording and execution of the said deed of trust. SAMUEL M'CRAW, Trustee. Richmond, Oct. 3. T. W.
TO BE RENTED. MY HOUSE and LOT, upon Slades-Hill, in an airy pleasant situation—For term, apply to Mr. Samuel M'Craw, who is, by my authority, to receive for the same, or to let the same. Possession may be immediately had. WILLIAM MANN. Augst 30. (F. F.)
The Enquirer.
RICHMOND, 8th OCTOBER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
Sir, The writer of the inclosed extract is sufficiently aware of the extreme delicacy of the topic of which it treats. It has been the peculiar misfortune of this topic to be considered by many, as improper for general public examination. The writer, however, has not perceived anything in the extract which appeared to him to forbid its publication; but this he cheerfully submits to your discretion. In offering it to the public, it is by no means, his principal object, to exhibit his own view of the evils of domestic slavery, and the means of removing them. He is influenced by a wish to draw the attention of his fellow-citizens to the subject, among whom there are thousands more competent to its investigation than
JOSEPH.
EXTRACT FROM JOSEPH'S MEMORANDUMS, UNDER THE HEAD OF SLAVERY. Facilis descensus Averno: Sed revocare gradum, superasque candere ad auras, Hoc opus, hic labor est. Virgil. Downward's the way, and rapid the descent That quick to Slavery leads, But to emerge to noble freedom thence, This toil, and this the patriot's labor needs.
When we review the history and progress of Virginia for the last half a century, one is at a loss how to reconcile the energy and wisdom which she displayed in many important scenes, with the impotency that has weighed her down and the darkness that has covered her in others. It is unnecessary, and perhaps in some instances, it might be invidious, to recapitulate all that constitutes the part she has borne in achieving and preserving the liberty and welfare of the United States. This much, however, we may venture to pronounce, that in the correctness of the policy which she has advocated, and the inflexible firmness with which she has pursued it, from the first dawn of the liberty of these states, to its primordial splendor, she has not been surpassed by any other member of the union. But when we view her in the race of individual prosperity, and consider her natural strength and resources, we see her outstripped to a surprising and disgraceful distance. Her public roads unfit for the transportation of her produce; her system of legal practice entangled with and laboring under the dilatory and abominable chicanery of English jurisprudence; the education of her youth barbarously neglected; and domestic slavery checking the increase of her white population, opposing almost insurmountable obstacles to the improvement of her agriculture, and endangering every moment her peace and safety! (1) These are among the ills which she has long endured almost without an effort to remove them. While she was a colony of Great-Britain, and during the struggle for independence, and the weak unsettled state of things which immediately succeeded it, successful exertion to remedy these evils could not be expected. But since the adoption of the federal constitution, seventeen years of almost uninterrupted peace and tranquility have passed away, and what has Virginia done? Perhaps it may be answered, that she has kept a watchful eye over the federal government, and has labored to avert or to correct every measure inconsistent with the true spirit and interest of a republic, which has been proposed or adopted by those who have conducted the administration. The writer of these memorandums, though he has had no share in these transactions, is among the last of her sons who would withhold from her the tribute of applause which, in this point of view, she has so justly merited. But more than four years have now elapsed since there has been room for even this apology, which was, perhaps, always insufficient to excuse the almost total neglect of her domestic interests; for since our present enlightened chief magistrate has presided over the federal government, its administration has been conformable to the strict and orthodox principles of her own republican creed. And yet this golden period too has been suffered to pass unimproved!
The greatest and most alarming evils that have ever presented themselves for the consideration of Virginia, since the establishment of her independence, since their origin in her black population. That the existence of slavery amongst us is an evil of the first magnitude, is so readily and universally admitted, that time would seem idly spent in attempting to prove it. And yet if it is asked "in what does the evil consist," a great majority, even of the reflecting part of the community, have no other answer to give, than that "it is wrong that one man should hold another in bondage." The innumerable ready mischiefs inseparably inherent in domestic slavery, seem never to have occurred to their minds, or to have made but a slight and transient impression. (2) This ignorance of the effects which we daily see from slavery, and of its probable future consequences, is a proof that the subject does not receive that anxious and incessant investigation which every one will acknowledge to be peculiarly due to its importance. As an apology for this inattention to the condition of our slaves, it is frequently contended, that the ills which they suffer and inflict are beyond the reach of human remedy, and that the supreme providence alone is competent to administer relief. But to those who sit down and complain in this manner, it might be an apt and merited reply, to repeat the fable of Hercules and the lazy waggoner; for before we commit ourselves to quiet despair, it is surely the indispensable and sacred duty of every lover of his country, to exert to the utmost all the powers he possesses, in devising and investigating every possible means of removing or alleviating this stupendous calamity.
There was a time when to the writer of these Memorandums it was a source of pleasure to believe that, for several years past, the public opinion in Virginia, on this subject, had been gradually submitting to a revolution, which he then thought was demanded not only by humanity, but also by prudence. He rejoiced to anticipate a period which seemed fast approaching, when other doors of emancipation than those that are now open, would be unlocked to this unhappy people, through which they might advance, in greater numbers, to the condition of freemen. But a careful attention to the arguments contained in a very able speech said to have been delivered in the house of Delegates, at the last session of our Assembly, (3) in support of "a bill to prohibit the emancipation of slaves," had led him to a revision of his former ideas and wishes on this subject, and it is with painful reluctance that he has been constrained to doubt their correctness. That these arguments, and the considerations which they suggested, have not wrought complete conviction in his mind, may, perhaps, be owing to the partiality which we feel for long cherished and favorite opinions.
The ingenious author of that speech has distributed all the possible relations which may hereafter subsist between the whites and the blacks, into four classes. He first supposes that "the two races may hereafter be blended, and all distinction of color and organization completely lost." Objecting to this state of things, he has appealed to our feelings for the consequences of the "dull and uniform complexion" which, in that case, our posterity would hereafter exhibit.
In answer to this objection, the enthusiastic advocate of emancipation might perhaps reply, that in a case so important as this, a delicacy of that kind deserves not to be regarded, except when it may serve to betray the flame of those who would make it an obstacle to the relief of a great portion of our fellow-creatures whom the cruel policy of our ancestors has compelled to be "strangers in a foreign land," where they drink continually the scummed dregs of the bitter inexhaustible draught of slavery, and in the frenzy of abhorrent and hopeless despair, gnaw their teeth
against the fluty cup. But without waiting to examine the relative merits of the objection and the reply made, we may proceed to observe, that in any situation in which the blacks can be placed, a thousand deep-rooted prejudices in the whites, their preference of the color and symmetry of their own race, and their frequent intermixture with emigrants from the fairest nations of Europe, would remove the probable period of any considerable blending of complexions, to so great a distance, that it appears to be among the last and least mischiefs to be apprehended from emancipation.
The next situation described in the speech to which we have referred, supposes the two races to remain distinct but equal in their rights. If the idea of a mixed and tawny posterity is odious to our feelings, it certainly cannot be less so, to look forward to a period which may exhibit the contrast and rivalry of the two colors sitting on the same seats of legislation and justice, and holding an indiscriminate and equal authority, where it may be the fortune of the white man to have his rights, his interest or his life decided on, by a legislator, or a judge, against whose complexion & lineage he may have inherited the strongest and most contemptuous prejudices. Whether these prejudices, (if that can be called a prejudice which seems to be founded on a natural sentiment) would be condemned by an enlightened and humane philosophy, or not, it is unnecessary, at present, to enquire. It is sufficient for our misfortune and embarrassment that they exist, and are perhaps so deeply rooted, and so interwoven with the feelings and opinions of the whites, that the exterminating hand of time itself may never be able to eradicate them. It seems, therefore, that without the ingenious arguments of the gentlemen who supposed and deprecated this equality of rights while the difference of color remains, this condition can never arrive with the consent of the whites. And if it should ever happen without their consent, it will be preceded by such scenes of tremendous horror! But we will not remove the dark curtain from those scenes, but pass on to a short view of the third condition that was proposed, and briefly compare it with the fourth, which is nearly the same with that which already exists.
"Cannot the blacks remain distinct, and politically unequal?" In this condition we may suppose them to possess and enjoy every right and immunity equally with the whites, except a voice and agency in the formation and execution of the laws, and the right to keep and bear arms. It is to this condition that the friends of emancipation in Virginia have looked for relief to the blacks from the burdens under which they at present groan; and in the course that shall be pursued with respect to it, the future destiny of the two parties may be very deeply involved. A due regard, therefore, to our own peace and safety requires that, before we adopt the means of accelerating its approach, we should give it the most cautious and scrupulous examination. We are warned of its dangers by being told that if we give to slaves an imperfect freedom, they will demand, and struggle with violence to obtain, the most perfect equality.
There is certainly sufficient truth in this argument to give it much importance; and if our present situation were void of dangers, it would be unanswerable, and conclusive against the supposed condition. But if it cannot be concealed or denied that we are already beset with evils so numerous and so alarming, that though they may appear to be inferior to those which, from a speculative examination, might be apprehended from the proposed change, yet the disparity is not so obvious and so great as absolutely to forbid all comparison.
It is contended that in this third condition, the liberty of the blacks would be too imperfect to satisfy them, but would add to their motives and ability to struggle, through the most disastrous scenes, for the acquisition of liberty; and the example of St. Domingo and the great number of the blacks amongst us, (5) are relied on as proofs of the correctness of this reasoning. It is said that "the misfortunes of that ill-fated island originated, not with the slaves, but with the people of color (partially free, we infer) who first demanded equal liberty, and afterwards called on the slaves to make the same demand, and assist in effecting it." But this proceeding may perhaps be more justly considered as the first effect of the cause, than as the cause itself, which produced the calamities of St. Domingo. The writer thinks he has seen those calamities ascribed, with considerable appearance of correctness, to a rash and impolitic decree of the national convention, for abolishing, at a future day, from all the French dominions, every species of slavery. The imprudent promulgation of this decree and the principles it contained, among the people who were the subjects of it, and the extravagant conduct of many of the friends of the revolution, especially of those who frequently arrived in the colonies intoxicated by the great events which they had recently witnessed in Europe, hastened to kindle the flame which has so dreadfully consumed them. But to whatever cause the misfortunes of St. Domingo may be ascribable, its example does not seem to apply very forcibly to the condition that would probably be ours, if the blacks, "while a distinct race and politically unequal, should be invested with a considerable portion of civil liberty." In St. Domingo, the number of the blacks so far exceeded that of the whites, that even a partial combination and insurrection of the former must have been superior to the resistance of the whole number of the latter, who, encompassed by the sea, or by neighbors who were either in their own situation or hostile to them, could not receive a timely and efficient aid from abroad. The attention of the blacks being once awakened to these circumstances, they saw that a change of their condition was practicable, and they attempted and executed it to the destruction of those by whose indifference they had been almost invited to the enterprise. But the situation of things here, in the imagined condition, would be widely different. The blacks, instead of suffering, as in St. Domingo, under the cruellest slavery that has ever been the lot of any people, would be in possession of as much liberty as is supposed or said, by the ruling politicians of nine tenths of the world, to be proper for the exercise, and necessary to the happiness of the great mass of a nation; and whatever may be the opinions of those to whom this doctrine is applied, ninety nine hundredths of mankind are obliged to submit to its practice: And incompatible as it is with our principles, and as it might perhaps be with the ideas of the blacks amongst us, yet if ever there was a case where the necessity of acquiescence was inevitable and obvious, it would be so to them in their proposed condition. And though an increase of their liberty might add to their "opportunities of combining," by giving them "the right of locomotion" and by improving "the powers of the mind," yet the exercise of this right, and their consequent improvement might serve more clearly to convince them that, from their inferiority in numbers and in skill, and from our advantage of a certain and effectual aid, if necessary, from our brethren of the union, any attempt to extend their liberty by violence, though it might be attended by some melancholy circumstances to us, could produce to them nothing but disappointment and destruction, and accumulative rigor to those who might survive the ruin.
Perhaps, it would be rash to assert, that if they had more liberty they would be more contented; but it would be difficult to establish the incorrectness of the proposition, by reasoning a priori ; and experience has afforded us sufficient and solemn proofs that they are far from being contented in their present condition. And tho' by the proposed change, the means of danger from their discontent might be placed more within their reach than they are at present, perhaps the difference might not be so great as is generally apprehended by those who have been more accustomed to contemplate the situation in which our laws have said they shall be, than that in which they really are. Our laws forbid their going abroad without passes from their masters, and their assembling together in considerable numbers; and a visum is made for the appointment of patrols, and other means, for the due execution of these and many other laws on this subject. But these provisions are so much at variance with the feelings of our citizens, that in many parts of the state, they are merely a dead letter. As well might it be expected that duelling, gambling, and the
use of spirituous liquors would be abolished by multiplying penal acts against them, as that indulgence to our slaves should be prevented by legal restrictions which the hearts of our citizens will not allow them to enforce; for so long as our humanity preponderates over our fears, so long will those laws be very partially and feebly executed. Attention to the favorable changes which our laws, and the private conduct of our citizens have undergone, and which the latter are perhaps daily undergoing, with respect to these people, must make it obvious that the public feeling is so averse to a rigid execution of these restrictions, that they cannot be relied on as sufficient for our safety. If this account of the public feeling should appear to be inconsistent with the passing of those restrictions by the representatives of the people, it may easily be explained by those who can tell, why men, as legislators, frequently give their assent and approbation to laws, which, as private citizens, they themselves are among the first to violate. As legislators, impressed with the jeopardy that threatens the public safety, they readily give their assent to any measure that seems calculated to protect it; but when they return to the bosoms of their own families, and are surrounded by those among whom they were born and nursed, and from whose labor they obtain the means of comfort and independence, and from whom they have ever been accustomed to receive a ready and strict obedience, the sentiments of the legislator are frequently lost in the feelings of humanity and affection in the private man. So far from pursuing, or approving the conduct of those who attempt to pursue, the rigid policy dictated by the laws, they are proud of the well-liked cheerful looks, and holiday liberty and spruceness that speaks the indulgence, and even paternal kindness of the master. (6) Perhaps nothing but actual and frequent sufferings, will be able to turn the current of the public feeling, on this subject. These circumstances seem to make it necessary that we should search for some other means of security than restrictive acts of Assembly. Do they not admonish us of our error in attempting to lop off and prune the branches, instead of striking at the root of the evil? But if those laws were to receive the most rigid execution, perhaps they would not be sufficient to secure their object. It is the cultivation amongst us for slaves to attend their masters travelling from one part of the country to another; and on these occasions they not only mix without restraint with their own color wherever they go, but every thing that passes among the whites. They are frequently sent a broad as the messengers and the drivers of the teams of their masters; and the common notion of husband and wife amongst them very commonly exists between parties living at some distance from each other. These, and many other circumstances which, in our present situation, we cannot remove, afford continual opportunities of communication and intelligence amongst them. (6) But it must be admitted that the proposed change in their condition would add to these opportunities, and if it should not lessen their discontent, might increase the dangers to be apprehended from it. (7)
In an inquiry into this distressing subject, it would be unjust and cruel to appeal to what some may think is due to our political principles, and to the common rights of humanity; or to indulge in the expression of surprise or regret that those, who have encountered and suffered so much in establishing their own liberty, should be unwilling to risk any thing in order to communicate some portion of it to others. It is certain, that without endangering the safety of one party, the condition of the other could be improved, our fellow citizens would willingly make the experiment.
But if the probable dangers of the last imagined condition, and of every system of emancipation which has hitherto been suggested, are to be encountered, does the melancholy conclusion inevitably follow, that we must remain as we are? If we cannot better their situation, is there no means of adding to the security of our own? Shall we, and our posterity forever, submit to the tyranny of our present condition? Shall we never lie down and rise up, and go out and come in, with the peace and cheerfulness of confident security? Shall our actions and conversation be controlled and warped from a just and manly direction, lest they may have a dangerous influence on some of those by whom we are continually surrounded? Shall the sublime enthusiastic sentiment of liberty be uttered only in whispers, and the patriotic song that animates and diffuses the spirit of freedom, be seen only in secret, lest the celestial fire with which they are pregnant should be communicated to the materials of our destruction? We appeal for an answer to these questions, to the genius and power of Virginians.
But if uncontrollable necessity compels us to look only to our own safety, let every possible expedient, consistent with humanity (8) be immediately adopted, to secure it. Let the law proposed at the last session of our assembly, for "prohibiting emancipation," be passed without delay; and as our danger or safety depends greatly on the proportion which the number of the blacks may bear to our own, let the laws now in force for preventing the emigration of free negroes, and the bringing of slaves, into our state, be strictly enforced, and so amended as to prohibit their coming, or being brought, to settle amongst us, in any case whatever. (9) It would be better to forego the advantage of having the worth-while citizen of any state in the union to reside amongst us, than to add three young female slaves to our number. And is it chimerical to suggest, that a tax may be levied on all male slaves of the ages at which they are most profitable, (and the high prices at which they sell and hire the wretches they might very well bear it) to raise a fund to be expended in bounties for the exportation of female slaves about the age of puberty? Or, let the fund be laid out, by the public agents appointed for the purpose, in the purchase of such female slaves, to be carried out of the state (no matter where) and sold; and the money arising from the sale, be laid out in the same manner? A calculation which is easily made, will show, that a tax of one dollar, or even less, a head, (which would be light when compared with the annual profits of those on whom it would be levied,) would raise a sum, which, when assisted by the fines, would be sufficient for the annual exportation of several hundred female slaves from the state. It certainly would be preferable that they should be carried beyond the limits of the United States; but if that should not, in all cases, be practicable, there are too many of our sister states which, in one way or another, are open to their reception; (10) & there never was a case where it could be more justly said, that "charity ought to begin at home." Perhaps there is no other possible system that would operate so powerfully to produce the desirable effect of checking their increase, and lessening their relative numbers. It would have the double effect of promoting our own safety, and of removing the obstacles to the future emancipation of those who would remain amongst us. If the scheme here suggested should appear to be objectionable on account of the expenses that would necessarily attend its execution, let these expenses be compared with the magnitude of an evil which time & its own nature have riveted so firmly upon us, that it is vain to expect relief without making considerable sacrifices.
The writer was never sanguine enough to hope that he could live to see the abolition of domestic slavery from his native state; but he had fondly indulged the pleasing expectation of seeing the wisdom and prudence of his country exerted with success, in contriving and adopting some lucky system which would arrest the alarming increase of the evil, and which might lead, at some future and more fortunate period, to its complete removal. But if, after the attention and talents of our fellow-citizens shall have been generally awakened and excited in the enquiry, it shall be found that no plan can be devised, consistent with our own safety, of liberating them amongst us, nor any practicable means, auxiliary to those which already exist, of lessening their relative increase, then indeed are the speculations of the philanthropist, and the hopes of the patriot, on this subject, vain and groundless. It will be then to heaven alone that both the master and the slave must look, for a release from this wretched and mutual thralldom. We must bend with resignation to the evils which we already suffer, and be prepared
with fortitude to meet those which we may be destined hereafter to encounter from this source, 'till another Moses shall arise, who, aided by the power of the omnipotent Jehovah, and without a frantic opposition from us, shall conduct this unfortunate race of men, in one vast emigrating host, through the opening waters of the Gulph of Mexico to the conquest, and possession of the West-Indian islands, or through the unward wilderness of Louisiana, to their native latitude in South America. J.
(1) Our black population seems moreover to be the principal obstacle to the plan of general education proposed many years ago, by the committee of revisors, and to that proposed by an act of Assembly in 1796. (2) How many of our fellow-citizens have duly considered the 18th Query in the Notes on Virginia? Though our faith may forbid us to consider as metaphorical, the Mosaic account of the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians, when "they would not let the children of Israel go," yet in that sense they may be very forcibly applied, to represent the evils necessarily attendant on domestic slavery: and the destruction of the first-born of the Egyptians, and the spoiling them of their jewels and garments, is emphatically descriptive of the scenes produced by a powerful race of slaves rescuing themselves with violence, from their oppressors. (3) By Mr. Smith, member from Wythe. (4) It is stated in the speech of the gentleman from Wythe, that the last census shewed the number of the people of color, in the eastern district of Virg. to be greater than the number of whites. The writer had drawn a different conclusion from the last census. (5) The attempt to execute them is not without its mischiefs. White persons have been unnecessarily molested, and white families, in the dead of night, panics of patrols whose intoxication rendered them unfit for any thing but mischief. This has frequently given rise to contention and brigandage among neighbors. (6) In many parts of the state, nothing in a man's private conduct renders him more unpopular than unusual severity to his slaves. (7) May we be defended from such horrid expedients as that attempted to be practised by the Egyptians towards the Israelites, thro' the means of their midwives; and that of the Anti-Semite of the Lacedemonians against their Helots. (8) This is so much the case at present, that the news, that any remarkable event in a neighborhood where there are many slaves; generally has the most rapid circulation amongst them. (9) In the proposed condition many of them would acquire a knowledge of letters; and this it may be supposed would facilitate improper communications; but it almost as frequently betrays as propagates conspiracies. (10) The fear that this free world would produce counteracting measures by other states, is not a sufficient objection to it. The new states, who principally receive the emigration amongst us, are too anxious to increase their population, and find slaves too useful in turning their woods into fields, to have recourse to such counteraction. It seems difficult to account for the policy of the southern members of congress, if they voted for those parts of some of the ordinances for the government of our western territory, which prohibited the existence of slavery, even if the slaves were the natives of other states. (11) The writer cannot forbear to notice, in this place, the severe blow which has been given to the feelings of the republicans in the United States, and perhaps throughout the world, by the late conduct of S. Carolina on this subject. At the moment when the friends of liberty throughout the union, were exulting in the splendid success of their exertion in favor of principles which they deem precious and sacred, and which had lately been brought into jeopardy by the weakness or treachery of those who had been appointed to guard and defend them, and when confident of the security of the public liberty, they were turning to the contemplation and improvement of their own domestic policy, this retrograde movement in the practice of liberty, by the inhabitants of a sister state, has justly excited the deepest astonishment and chagrined. Blinded and infatuated by excessive cupidity, by the auri facies famae , they are "wooning the means of their own weakness and debility," and hastening to become inextricably entangled in the complicated folds of this calamity. With heedless and avaricious industry, they are sowing the seeds of their own wretchedness, and garnering up an inheritance of woes for their posterity. Let them answer for this deed to their consciences and to their country.
The infamous deportment of the French Consul in Alexandria to our celebrated countryman, Eaton, must excite the just indignation of every civilized nation. May it not go far to account for this illiberal conduct to conjecture, that this course had been already presented to him by the government of France, which might have even formed the extraordinary project of negotiating between us and the Basha of Tripoli, and receiving a handsome douceur for its distinguished services?
We have not yet understood the result of Mr. Monroe's remonstrance to the British Cabinet, respecting the late decision of the Court of Appeals in the case of the Essex. Should that remonstrance, contrary to our own expectations and the real interests of our country, be unfortunately rejected, we shall conceive it to be our duty to enter into an investigation of the various remedies, which is within the power, and may be the policy of our government to adopt. We shall publish extracts from B. Row's letters to the people of the U. S. Mr. Madison's celebrated speech and resolutions in '94, with several other dissertations on the same subject. At present we cannot but express it as our most decided conclusion, from the facts which are already present to our mind, that nothing short of the most rigorous commercial restrictions, or the forfeiture of debts, can possibly bring the British Cabinet to a proper sense of their duties & our own rights.
The celebrated match between Mr. Ball's Florizel and Mr. Taylor's Peace-Maker, which has occasioned as much conversation as any other race that ever was contested in the U. S. and on which scarcely less than 30,000 dollars could have ventured, was run yesterday over the Broad Rock Course. The first heat was run in about 8 m. 6 s. the last in 8 m. 15 s. Florizel gained both heats.
Want of room alone, prevents its from inserting in the present number, some very valuable remarks on "A plan of Defence," lately proposed in this paper.
THE Subscribers and the public in general, are most respectfully informed, that in consequence of the Broad Rock Races, and by desire of several subscribers, the Benefit intended for the sick family of Mr. Serson, and which was to have taken place This Evening, at the Washington Tavern, is postponed 'till Tuesday Evening the 10th inst: when he solicits the patronage of a generous community; and he assures them, that he will use the utmost exertions to give satisfaction.
A number of Songs will be sung by a gentleman of Richmond. Several detached Dialogues from different Comedies, Farces, &c. will be performed. Appropriate Scenery is painted, and a small stage erected.
The best Music to be had in Richmond will be provided. Several popular Recitations will be given. The entertainment will close with a great variety of handsome Deceptions.

GENERAL EATON.
We have held in our possession for some time past, a very interesting letter from General Eaton, written at the time he was about to enter the Lybian desert in his operations against Tripoli...
Egypt—Province of Behera village of Dimanhour, January 25th, 1805.
After touching at Malta, the Argus arrived at Alexandria, [Egypt] on the 26th of November, 1804. We received from the British resident at Cairo, and consul at Alexandria, every assistance which the nature of our affairs and their duty could require...
Since I began this letter, circumstances have accumulated to render our situation more awkward and my way less easy, ridiculous. The next day after our entering the house where we quarter, a mahrkee was pitched upon the terrace of an adjoining house...
On the 8th instant I received from the Bafhaw an answer to my letter from Cairo; dated the 28th of the month Ramadan, corresponding with the 3d January, 1805, stating that he should that day depart for this province...
than their pious faith; it is an article of barter and sale. Though travelling in the interior of the country had become unusually hazardous, on account of the jealousy of the Turkish chiefs...
Accordingly on the 22d instant I left Alexandria, with two officers from the Argus, Lieutenant Blake, and Mr. Mann, and an escort of twenty-three men...
I could not perceive some symptoms of suspicion and apprehension on the part of my newly acquired military friend. Therefore, without seeming to have any particular view other than a folie d'orgueil...
Thus far I have sketched an abstract from my journal. Do you expect something of Egypt? Its antiquities? Its curiosities? Its wonders? You must be disappointed. I am too much occupied with modern affairs...
Since I began this letter, circumstances have accumulated to render our situation more awkward and my way less easy, ridiculous. The next day after our entering the house where we quarter, a mahrkee was pitched upon the terrace of an adjoining house...
On the 8th instant I received from the Bafhaw an answer to my letter from Cairo; dated the 28th of the month Ramadan, corresponding with the 3d January, 1805, stating that he should that day depart for this province...
wait the return of capt. Hull, with supplies and reinforcements to seize the province of Derne and Bengasi; for which purpose he falls for the rendezvous the day after to-morrow.
AT a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Mutual Assurance Society, against Fire on Buildings of the City of Virginia, held at the General Office on the 21st day of September, 1805.
TO BE SOLD. On liberal credit, and in lots to suit purchasers, FROM two hundred and fifty to three hundred acres of LAND, in the county of Henrico, about four miles from Richmond...
NOTICE. THE subscribers, being desirous of closing their administration on the estate of William W. Wight, deceased, call upon all those who have claims against him...
FOR SALE. A TRACT OF LAND in Surry county, containing about 1600 acres, within 8 miles of James river, and a mile and a half of a navigable part of Gray's creek.
With to lease for a term of years my HOUSE on the hill between Col. Gamble's and Belvidere. As it was designed for my own residence no expense has been spared to afford every convenience...
RUNAWAY NEGRO. FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD, if taken within fifty miles of Richmond, and one hundred Dollars if taken beyond it, will be given to apprehend a negro man named LEWIS, about thirty years of age...
LAND—FOR SALE. IN the county of Lunenburg, lying within one mile of the Court-house, on Couch's creek; this tract contains seven hundred and fifty acres...
THE subscriber is authorised to barter (or otherwise dispose of) a very valuable and productive property in the upper country, which is estimated, by the proprietor, to be worth between 30 and 40,000 dollars...
TO MILLERS, OWNERS, AND MANUFACTURERS OF FLOUR. THE subscriber informs his friends and the public that he has purchased the stock of French Burr pieces from Mr. Thomas Donovon...
IN CHANCERY. John Profit, Randolph Profit, Jesse Profit, Rowland Profit, Elizabeth Profit and Nancy Profit, children of David Profit, dec'd, and Duncan Cameron and Molly his wife, late Molly Profit...
EDUCATION OF YOUNG LADIES, AT WILLIAMSBURG. N. B. The course of instruction will re-commence, on the 18th October, and no pupils can be engaged after the 15th of that month.
BOARDING IN WILLIAMSBURG. As the time when the course usually commences at William & Mary College is fast approaching, the subscriber informs parents and young gentlemen...
DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. THE Co-partnership of Wm. C. Drummond & Co. is, by mutual consent, dissolved this day.
RACING. THE New-Market Fall Meeting will commence, agreeably to a resolution of the Jockey Club, on the 4th Tuesday in October, being the 22d of the month, and continue 5 days.
WEST-POINT is still For Sale. THE subscriber is authorised to sell the said well known Tract of Land, either altogether, or in Lots of three hundred acres or upwards...
NOTICE. THE Co-partnership of L. Joseph & Co. was dissolved by its limitation on the fourth day of this present month. They are thankful to a liberal public for the share of patronage they have experienced.
NOTICE. By virtue of a deed of trust, executed to me by John Kello, to secure the payment of a debt due by him to John and William Bell, I shall, on the last Saturday in October next...
NOTICE. A Petition will be presented to the General Assembly of Virginia, at the next session, praying for an act to incorporate a company for the purpose of cutting a Canal on the south side of the Falls of James River...
BOLTING CLOTHS. A COMPLETE assortment of best Dutch Bolting Cloths, just received—for sale by M. & B. MYERS.
TO RENT. A Very large and excellent CELLAR, under the Mason's Hall—for terms, apply to Jacob I. Cohen, or Solomon Jacobs.
THE subscribers respectfully inform their friends and the public, that they have commenced business in the house lately occupied by Mr. John Ayers, felder, next door to Dr. Terrans...
ELLIS & ALLAN. HAVE just received—88 bags COFFEE, 2 pipes OLD BRAZIL WINE of very superior quality, and 1 pipe COGNAC BRANDY, which they will sell low for cash or on a short credit.
BURR MILL STONES, OF ALL SIZES; and PLAISTER OF PARIS, of an excellent quality, FOR SALE, AS USUAL, BY WILLIAM DAVIDSON, near the Market.
THE Co-partnership of KNIGHT & DRUMMOND is, by mutual consent, dissolved this day. All persons having demands against said firm, and those indebted thereto, are requested to call on Wm. C. Drummond & Co. for immediate settlement.
THE above Sweepstakes to close the 25th of September. 1st. A Pot Sweepstakes for four years old colts and fillies, three mile heats, carrying 100 lbs. on each, the latter allowed 20 lbs. entrance 200 dollars, play or pay.
THE subscriber is authorised to sell the said well known Tract of Land, either altogether, or in Lots of three hundred acres or upwards, to suit purchasers, on the following terms, to wit: one fourth of the purchase money to be paid down, the other three fourths in equal annual instalments...