Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1808-12-16 00:00:00

VIRGINIA ARGUS.
[XVIII YEAR.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE.
[No. 1610.]
RICHMOND:—PRINTED (ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS,) BY SAMUEL PLEASANTS, JUNIOR, PRINTER TO THE COMMONWEALTH.
[Four Dollars Per Annum—Paid in Advance.]
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1808.
[12 1-2 Cents Single.]
Extract
From the Minutes of the Board of Visitors, at their last meeting at the Jail and Penitentiary House.
“RESOLVED,” That Messrs Williamson, Ritchie and Ladd, be a committee to report to the executive, the state of the Penitentiary for the present year.”
In pursuance of the foregoing order, the committee appointed submit the following report. It is not the design of the committee to go into an extensive view of the merits of the Penitentiary system, as this subject was fully discussed in the last year’s annual report; a few remarks may not however be superfluous, even at this time.
The principal source from which most of the benefits of this Institution flow, may be traced to a very few general principles.
It is the great end of all punishments to prevent crimes. This effect can only be produced by holding up such examples of privation and pain to those who have committed, or may meditate crimes, as will deter them from their commission.
These examples to be effectual must be certain. He who is not deterred by the natural consequences of the crime itself, must never be encouraged by the hopes of impunity. If the mind when it meditates on the commission of some criminal act, were never permitted to play between the opposite risks of punishment and escape;—if nothing was ever presented to its view, but the examples of crimes that were detected as certainly as they were committed, and punished as surely as they were detected, the number of offenders must be much reduced, and the sphere of criminal jurisdiction would be immensely abridged.
But these punishments can never be certain in their infliction, until there has been some proportion between them and their respective crimes.
Men will always hesitate to deal the same blow of death to the sly offender who merely purloins a pocket-handkerchief, and the atrocious villain who stabs a human being to the heart—Inferior criminals would therefore frequently escape their punishment; and those immunities would frequently prove the most fatal temptations to all subsequent offenders. It is thus that the severity of punishments serves to multiply the number of those very crimes which they were intended to diminish. What was the state of our society when it was formerly ruled by its bloody and barbarous system of punishment? What is now the condition of Great-Britain, whose criminal code is stained with the black catalogue of one hundred and sixty crimes, which according to Judge Blackstone, “have been declared by act of Parliament to be felony without benefit of Clergy; or in other words to be worthy of instant death?” Let the records of New-Gate be consulted. Let that host of crimes which are daily and nightly committed in that island, supply us with an illustration. The great population, and the greater corruption of that empire, may partly account for these enormities; but much of them is to be ascribed to the superior severity of their criminal code. The reasons are obvious. It must be so in every country, where the feelings of humanity have survived the enactment of the unfeeling edicts of legislators. The very severity of these punishments defeats their execution. Where death, “of dreadful things the most dreadful,” is indiscriminately awarded to the most atrocious, or the slightest offences, the laws cannot be thoroughly enforced. Injured individuals will be reluctant to prosecute inferior offenders. Witnesses will be loth to give evidence—and juries will be found wanting to condemn. Human feelings must shrink from this wanton and unnecessary waste of blood; and meek-eyed mercy will frequently snatch the withering thunder-bolt from the hands of legal justice.
These consequences were never more justly, or more eloquently described than in the 114th “number of the Rambler,” written by Doctor Samuel Johnson, on capital punishments, in the year 1751, before, before, the first regular idea of a Penitentiary system had entered the brain of its projectors in America. Johnson was merely describing from the scene which lay before him in Britain, without pretending to propose any specific plan of punishment; but with what a living pencil does he depict these scenes! “He,” says the great Moralist, “who knows not how often rigorous laws produce total immunity: and how many crimes are concealed and forgotten for fear of hurrying the offender to that state in which there is no repentance, has conversed very little with mankind. And whatever epithets of reproach or contempt this compassion may incur from those who confound cruelty with firmness, I know not whether any wise man would wish it less powerful, or extensive. If those whom the wisdom of our laws had condemned to die, had been detected in their rudiments of robbery, they might by proper discipline and useful labor, have been disentangled from their habits; they might have escaped all temptation to subsequent crimes, and passed their days in reparation and penitence, and detected they might all have been, had the prosecutors been certain that their lives would have been spared. I believe every thief will confess, that he has been more than once seized and dismissed; and that he has sometimes ventured upon capital crimes because he knew that those whom he injured, would rather connive at his escape, than cloud their minds with the horrors of his death.”
The Penitentiary system, however, does away these objections. Its just apportionment of punishments to crimes, makes the former more certain in their infliction. —Those who commit treason, murder and arson, are swept into the grave, though it is yet a doubt (with the Committee) whether arson should not be expunged from this list, whilst less atrocious offenders are not saved by the murmurs of humanity, from those punishments which do not exceed the measure of their offences. Some few may yet escape, from the defect of evidence, or the ingenuity of their counsel, but in most cases, their punishment as surely follows the crime, as the thunder-bolt of Heaven pursues the lightning. The chances of immunity are therefore more rare, and the temptation to crime less abundant: Fewer commit crimes, and fewer suffer punishment.
Could any doubts of these facts exist, they would be dispelled by the experience of our own country. In the long and comprehensive report, presented by the committee of this board, on the 30th of December last year, to which this committee beg leave to refer, there is a comparative view of the number of crimes which were tried during a certain period of the former, and during the present systems. This view distinctly shews, that during the year 1788, the only one under the old system, which can be spoken of with certainty; 66 were tried in the General Court, 56 of whom were for capital offences; 25 were convicted and executed, 3 imprisoned, 1 burnt in the hand, and 37 discharged; and that if crimes were supposed to increase, in the ratio of population, the number for 1799 would have been 79; whereas that since that year, when the old system ceased, there have not been more than 55 offenders for any one year; and that taking all the years together, the average number per annum, is only about 40.—These are real and conclusive facts as to the benefits of the Penitentiary system; facts too, which go to shew the truth of the general maxims, to which we have traced the causes of these benefits.
These maxims are, 1st. That punishments should be sure rather than severe . 2d. That hence they should never be unequal to crimes. And 3d, that the Penitentiary is built upon the idea of apportionment.
But this system not only pursues the great end of punishment, the prevention and diminution of crimes , but it attains other valuable objects; there are not only fewer crimes committed, but when these crimes do occur, an infinitely better disposition is made of the criminal. Under the old system, when an offender was brought to punishment, he was generally doomed to the mansions of the dead. The grave was the short bourne of all his cares, all his crimes, and all his capacities for usefulness. The idea of his amendment was out of the question. But now he is consigned to a place of confinement: his life, his limbs, the powers of being hereafter useful to society are left to him. The opportunity of committing crimes, is for a time suspended, while the best exertions are made to awaken the slumbers of his virtue, and inspire the habits of industry and skill.
These two benefits therefore, evidently flow from this system, under these views of the subject, not only are all those lives preserved, which would have been taken away under the former system; but of those offenders which have been saved, the greater part are given back to society, sound, industrious and reformed. Of the one hundred and ninety four convicts, who have been discharged since the commencement of this institution, how many lives have been spared, and how many virtuous habits have been resuscitated from the tomb! It is true that eight of this number have been recommitted for second offences; but it is equally true, that nearly the whole have been converted into useful members of society.
Your committee could not forbear to take these very general views of the good effects of the Penitentiary system: they were forced upon them, by the great importance of the subject to which they relate. They will now return to the discharge of the principal objects of their appointment; the presenting for a brief report of “the state of the Penitentiary during the present year.”
They are happy to state, that during this period, the institution has been in a state of the greatest prosperity; the keeper has displayed the same intelligence and care in the discharge of his duties which have uniformly distinguished him. All the branches conducted within its walls, have flourished—The finances have improved—The convicts have shown much industry and order: They have enjoyed a considerable share of health; and not one of them have died.
During this year there have been fewer convicts received, than during any one year, except the two first; as will appear from the following table, shewing the numbers which have been received, during each successive year, for the spring and fall terms, since the commencement of this institution.
   SPRING TERM. FALL TERM. TOTAL.     1800 Prisoners, 6 15 21   1801 19 14 33   1802 17 21 38   1803 33 22 55   1804 30 11 41   1805 24 26 50   1806 28 13 41   1807 31 23 54   1808 18 18 36   206 163 369  
It seems from this table, that whilst 50 convicts were received in 1805, 41 in 1806 and 55 during the last year; 36 only have entered for the present. This is really a most pleasing conclusion, particularly if it be taken into view, that this has been a year of more than usual pressure upon the resources of the people; on account of the embargo forced upon the United States by the unexampled aggressions of the belligerent powers of Europe. During this year too, the number which have been received are less by six, than those which have been discharged, as will appear from the following list.
   Number of prisoners received 36   Number discharged at the expiration of their respective terms 28   Number pardoned by the governor and council 12   Number do. by the President of the U. States 2   42   Difference 6  
These facts also establish this other position; that those now remaining in the penitentiary are six less than those who were there on the first of December last year. As it may be useful to present a list of all the different occupations, which are now carried on within this institution, the following is exhibited for this purpose.
   NUMBER OF PRISONERS, AND THEIR OCCUPATIONS.     2 spinning twine 1 turning wheel 5 spinning—(women)   2 weavers 1 filling quills and spooling 1 washer   1 dish washer 2 cooks 1 spinning tow   3 harness makers 1 tinner 1 holsterer   1 maker of cartridge boxes 1 maker of scabbards 2 curriers   2 taylors 6 boot makers 18 shoe makers   2 cutters of shoes 2 binders 31 wrought nailors   6 cutters of nails 13 headers of cut nails 6 blacksmiths   1 carpenter 2 grinders 5 at miscellaneous work & invalid.   20 29 70  
The committee are persuaded, that the view of this table will demonstrate that occupations have been so happily chosen as to combine the interest of the institution with those of the prisoners: there is not one of them which does not redound to the profit of the institution; nor is there one of them which will not conduce to the comfortable subsistence of an honest and industrious man. Those convicts therefore, who shall chance to leave its walls, can scarcely be permitted to plead their poverty or their ignorance as an apology for their future crimes.
These views of the occupations of the convicts, will serve to introduce us to the financial state of the institution, as it is displayed in the general statement of the keeper. The Committee are proud to say, that these finances were never in a more flourishing situation. The usual vigilance of the keeper is seen in the quantity of work sent out from the institution, whilst the activity of the public agents in this city, with the employment of similar agents in other towns, have not failed to dispose of most of those articles to advantage: indeed, so great is the demand for two of the principal articles, shoes and wrought nails, that they can now be sold as fast as they are manufactured. For a particular view of these things, the committee beg leave to refer to the general statement of the keeper. A very detailed account of the funds as well as the expenses of this institution, would embrace too great a variety of particulars to enter into this report. Relative to the funds, would be the amount of the different articles manufactured during the last twelve months, ending on the first of this month; the amount of those which had been sold, and the amount of manufactures as well as raw materials on hand. The list of expenses would embrace the charges for the transportation of prisoners; the expense of guarding them in the Penitentiary; the salaries of the officers; the expense of victualling and cloathing; the amount paid to such of them as have been discharged, as well as for the comfort of those who have been sick; and the amount of commissions paid the public agents; but on these various points of fund and expenditure, it is useless for this committee to expatiate, as they are most of them sufficiently detailed in the statement of the keeper. They will merely content themselves with offering the following summary results.
The amount of articles which have been manufactured during the present year, are between sixty and seventy thousand dollars.
   The amount of profits on these, as stated in the keeper’s general reports, $ 17,971 61   From which deduct the salaries of the place (not charged in said statement) $ 3,841 67   Expenses of the transportation of convicts, 3,116 34   Do. of guarding the building, about 1,582 89   8,540 90   Leaving a nett profit to the institution, of $ 9,430 71  
Out of which the Executive have allowed a certain commission to the keeper and the turnkeys; which will of course diminish the profit to the state. It will be seen by the foregoing statement, that the nett profit to the institution is nearly four thousand dollars more this than the last year. A result which must prove highly acceptable to the friends of this just and benevolent system. Amidst the variety of particulars which this part of the subject presents to us, there is one fact so curious, so new, and so generally useful, that it would be wrong to pass it over in silence. It presents a new illustration of the benefits of that spirit of economising by which the name of Rumford has been so much distinguished. Though these convicts have two meals, at each of which, they have very abundant and nutritive diet; and at no time have they professed themselves to be better pleased with their treatment, yet the expense of subsistence for each of them, during the day, is only six cents. The economy of cloathing too deserves an honorable mention—for the last twelve months, spinning wheels and looms have been established, which have supplied the whole cloathing of the convicts.—These general views of the establishment would terminate the labours of the Committee; but there is one change effected in the private regulations of the building during the year, which deserves to be noticed—This is a classification of the convicts, agreeably to the recommendations of the last year’s report. The Council of State having authorised the Board of Visitors to carry this proposition into effect, a Committee of the Board was appointed for this purpose: the steps which they pursued are clearly and fully explained in their report of May 14th last, to which the Committee beg leave to refer. This arrangement has divided the male convicts into three classes. Those were put into the first class, who had been distinguished by their bad behaviour, or had been committed for a second offence, or who had been just received into the Penitentiary.
Those were put into the second class, whose behaviour had neither been very good nor bad. The well behaved were put into the third. These classes have peculiar distinctions—the third class have the exclusive privileges of being recommended by the Board of Visitors, to the mercy of the Executive, and of receiving the benefits of instruction. The second class may recommend themselves by their good behaviour (Continued on fourth page.)

Virginia Argus.
RICHMOND: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1808.
In the House of Delegates of this State, on Tuesday, Mr. Pope moved the following resolutions: which were referred to Messrs. Pope, Semple, Baker, Robertson, (of Amelia) W. Brockenbrough, Preston, E. Watts, Wirt, Archer, Murdaugh, Graham, Peyton and Strother:
AT a moment when the rights of our country have been assailed by the encroachments of foreign nations, whose conduct towards the United States, have been regulated by no law of nations, or by any principle of justice: At a moment when our commerce is menaced by the iniquitous edicts of Great Britain, and of France, our flag insulted, the great highway of nations, which nature and nature's God have allotted for the use of all countries, has been actually turned back by the tolls and the tribute of the British government for the benefit of the British Exchequer; at a moment when it becomes every American to rally around the measures of his government, to vindicate the undoubted rights of his beloved country, and to declare "for his country, or against his country."
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare an address to the Congress and President of the United States, pledging every nerve and every exertion of this Legislature, to support the rights of the United States, to endure every privation and pain, and to perish upon the ruins of our country, rather than abandon its rights, its honor and its independence.
At a moment when Thomas Jefferson, now President of the United States, is about to retire from the Chief Magistracy of this nation, from a magnanimous disposition to sacrifice all the allurements of political elevation at a time when the approbation of his past official conduct cannot possibly be construed into adulation of office—at a time when retiring from office, it becomes necessary and proper for the Legislature of Virginia, to express their general sentiment upon the retrospective history of the measures of his wise and virtuous administration.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare an appropriate, approbatory and eulogistic address to Thomas Jefferson, now President of the United States.
COMMUNICATION.
On Monday in the House of Delegates of this state, leave was given to bring in a bill (and referred to a committee without any opposition) for the suspension of executions, during the Embargo, and ninety days after it is raised.
There is no doubt but that something will be effectually done to ameliorate the situation of the republican people of Virginia, who have submitted to all the privations of the Embargo without a murmur.
On Wednesday last the two houses of the Legislature proceeded by joint ballot to elect a Judge of the General Court in the room of John Tyler, Esq. appointed Governor of this commonwealth.
Messrs. Barbour, Brockenbrough (H.) and Allen (S.) nominated WILLIAM H. CABELL Esq. late Governor.
Messrs. Strother, Mallory and Murdaugh nominated JAMES SEMPLE, Esq. delegate in the present Assembly from the City of Williamsburg.
Result of the ballot was, William H. Cabell 144 James Semple 43 Scattering 1
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
FRIDAY, Dec. 9.
On motion, Resolved, That so much of the Governor's communication as relates to the manufacture of arms be referred to a select committee, and that they be instructed to inquire into the manner in which the institution has been conducted since its commencement; the amount of money appropriated and expended; the number of arms completed and the various descriptions thereof; the un wrought materials on hand; the component parts of the arm; the quality of the arms made; and to make such further enquiries into the state and operations of the said manufacture as they may deem interesting to the public, and make report thereof by bill or otherwise; and a committee was appointed of Messrs. Sheffey, Strother, J. Allen, Edgington, Rutherford, Watson, Archer, Ritchie, W. Brockenbrough, Scurrs, J. H. Smith, Baker and Riddick.
On motion, Resolved, That the Executive of this commonwealth be requested to lay before this house a statement of the public arms which have been distributed amongst the several regiments of militia, and their situation and fitness for service, according to the latest inspection returns.
Mr. Wooding from the committee of Privileges and Elections presented the following report and resolutions:—
The committee of Privileges and elections have according to order had under their consideration, the petition of William Jones, complaining of the illegality of the election of the members returned to serve as Delegates for the county of Caroline, to them referred, agreed upon a report and come to the following resolutions thereon, on:
It appears to your committee from the return of John T. Woodford, sheriff of the county of Caroline, that the polls held at the last election of Delegates for the said county, by reason of bad weather, were kept open and continued for two days successively, and closed on the second day; that such procedure on the part of the said sheriff, was in violation of the 3d section of the act entitled "an act to amend the act concerning elections of members of assembly," passed on the 17th of January, 1798, which requires that if the polls be not closed the first day, they shall be kept open two days hereafter at least:
Resolved therefore as the opinion of this committee, that the said election is null and void.
Resolved also, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of William Jones, complaining of the illegality of the election of the members returned to serve as delegates from the county of Caroline for this present general assembly, is reasonable.
The first resolution being read a second time, was agreed to by the house.
The second resolution being read a second time, was on motion, ordered to be laid upon the table.
On motion, ordered, that a writ of election issue to the county of Caroline, to supply the vacancy in the representation of the said county, produced by the election of said county being declared void.
Mr. Sheffey from the committee of Privileges and Grievances, presented the following report and resolutions:
The committee of Prepositions & Grievances have according to order, had under their consideration sundry petitions to them referred, and have come to the following resolutions thereupon:
1. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Kanawha, praying that all that part of the said county contained within the following bounds, to wit, beginning at the corner of Mason county in Tease's Valley, thence a direct line to the mouth of the Spruce Fork of Coal River, thence up said fork until it intersects the line of Giles county, and with said line to the Tazewell line, and with the same to the Tug fork of Great Sandy River, intersecting the state line of Kentucky, and with the same to the mouth of Great Sandy River, thence up the Ohio to the mouth of Little Guyandotte, and corner of Mason county, and with the Mason line to the beginning, may form one distinct county, is reasonable.
2. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the lower part of the county of Northumberland, praying that all that part of their said county lying within the following bounds, to wit: beginning at the head of Mile Creek and running a direct line to Thomas Hutchings's gate, may be added to and made a part of the county of Lancaster, is reasonable.
3. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry other inhabitants of the county of Northumberland in opposition thereto, be rejected.
The remainder of the sitting was occupied in reading and referring a number of petitions.
SATURDAY, Dec. 10.
An engrossed bill "Concerning an election to be held for the county of Amherst," was read a third time, several blanks therein filled up, and the title amended.
Resolved, that one bill do pass, and that the title be, an act "concerning elections in certain cases."
On Wednesday the 7th Dec. the Electors of President and Vice President of the U. States met in the several states, from the following of which we have heard, and in which the votes were given as stated:
FOR PRESIDENT.
Table with 3 columns: State, Republican (J. Madison), Federal (C. C. Pinckney). Rows include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, N. Carolina, Massachusetts, Delaware.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
Table with 3 columns: State, Republican (G. Clinton), Federal (R. King). Rows include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, N. Carolina, Massachusetts, Delaware.
In New York, for President, Mr. Madison 13, Mr. Clinton 6; for Vice-President, Mr. Clinton 13, Mr. Madison 3; Mr. Monroe 3.
Washington, Dec. 14.
Letters have, we understand, been received from Mr. Pinckney to the 10th of October. They are said to contain nothing of importance.
OBI'UARY.—JOHN HORNE, known through the latter part of his life by the name of JOHN HORNE TOOKE, the celebrated author of the "Diversions of Purley" died at London on the 5th of October last. The friends of truth will long lament his loss; for, to error of every kind, he was a most formidable opponent. His work on the Philosophy of Language, will remain forever a monument of his great genius, acute reasoning, vast labor, and profound research. No wonder that a man of ingenuity, possessed of such abilities and learning should have been persecuted through life by Pitt, Windham, and that subtle Jesuit Lord Mansfield.—Being civilly extinguished, "interdum aqua et igni" he turned his thoughts to the principles of language, and has enriched the world with the Diversions of Purley.—The profound expositor of Shakespeare has gone to join his kindred spirits!
BOSTON, Dec. 6.
Extract of a letter from Liverpool, dated Oct. 28, 1808.
"The affairs of the Spaniards go on well. They will doubtless make good their independence. But Russia, it seems, will be more closely leagued with France, than before."
"We had intelligence a few days since from London, of the arrival of a French and a Russian messenger from the French coast. It is believed they were the bearers of some pacific proposition—but it is not expected any thing will arise out of it—as the proposals are understood to have been of an inadmissible nature."
"We have just heard of an armistice being concluded between the Russians and the Swedes, in Finland—from which it is believed that Sweden, no longer able to resist, has consented to the terms of Russia, and agreed to exclude our trade.—Timber has advanced in consequence."
LONDON, Oct. 24.
A Russian and French messenger arrived from France on Friday morning, and returned on Sunday.
Nothing certain has yet transpired either with respect to the dispatches to, or the reply returned by our government.—We have heard that the former are very short—that they consist of two letters, dated from Erfurth, and addressed by M. De Champagny the French minister for foreign affairs, and M. De Romanzow, the Russian minister, to his excellency George Canning—that the two letters are in substance the same, stating that his majesty the emperor of all the Russias, and his majesty the emperor of the French, being equally animated with a desire to put an end to the calamities of war, (he (the minister for foreign affairs) has it in command from his majesty, to request his excellency to communicate to his Britannic majesty that desire, and if his Britannic majesty be influenced by a similar desire, to propose that plenipotentiaries shall be immediately named, to proceed to a place that may be fixed upon to open a negotiation with the plenipotentiaries of his imperial majesty, for the conclusion of a maritime peace.
If we be correct, the answer that will be returned by his majesty's ministers to such a communication is obvious. The epithet applied by the enemy, to the kind of peace which they are desirous of negotiating, shows us at once that they do not admit our interference in the affairs of the continent. His majesty's ministers should conjecture, would reply to M. De Champagny and M. Romanzow, that his Britannic majesty was animated by the desire which he had always expressed, and which was known to all Europe, to put an end to the calamities of war, whenever he could do so consistently with the security of his dominions, the honor of his crown, and the good faith he owed to his allies—that he was ready to enter into a negotiation in concert with those allies, and that he would immediately communicate the overture that had been made to him, to his majesty the King of Sweden, to the prince regent of Portugal and to the central and supreme junta in Spain, governing in the name of his Catholic majesty, Ferdinand VII.
Other persons have indulged very different conjectures. They imagine, we think contrary to all probability that Bonaparte and his vassal emperor, have at once rushed in media res—that they have proposed a basis in Limerick; and that they have begun by mentioning terms. Some suppose that in the overture to our government, we are told we have no right to assist the Spaniards; that it is a mere family quarrel, with which we, as islands, have nothing to do. This he would hardly do in the first instance. It will be found, we dare say, that the overture which has been made us, is of a loose and general nature, and does not touch upon terms or basis.
The arrival of the messengers had some effect upon the funds—but it produced disgust instead of pleasure in the public mind. Every body viewed the overture as an insidious attempt to detach us from the Spanish and Portuguese patriots; there was no man who did not say, "is Bonaparte ready, as a preliminary to negotiate, to withdraw his troops from Spain, and release Ferdinand the 7th—if he is not, let us have no negotiation—let us hear of no peace—let us send back his messengers and his overtures with disdain and defiance."
It is probable that we shall have another flag of truce over in a few days, with the answer to the reply of our ministers.
There has been a friendly meeting of the emperors of Russia and France, at Erfurth. They had continued there three weeks at the last dates. From thence the pacific overtures had been sent to England, and there the fate of Europe, will be determined on.
Bonaparte was accompanied to Erfurth by Talleyrand and Champagny.
His majesty the king of Westphalia, his imperial highness the grand duke Constantine, and the duke and hereditary prince of Weimar, have arrived at Erfurth.
October 26.
French troops, under marshal Ney, moved from Vittoria Sept. 27, and took possession of Bilboa, the Spaniards retreating.
Casanos is said to be appointed commander in chief of the Spanish forces.
Cuesta has been a little refractory, and is said to have resigned.
October 27.
We have received Spanish papers to the 19th. The Spaniards hope to cut off the division of the French army that entered Bilboa. The general attack on the whole French line was intended for the 23d or 24th instant.
British troops, under generals Moore and Hope, marched from Lisbon, October 12, for Spain.
The troops under gen. Baird, (13,000)
were laying at Corunna, Oct. 17, in trans-
ports. Among the British officers in Spain, are 40 members of parliament.
The French troops embarked at Lisbon on the 15th.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
The electors of Pennsylvania met on Wednesday and gave an unanimous vote for James Madison, as president, and George Clinton, as vice president of the U. S.
Congress.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, Dec. 9.
REVENUE CUTTERS.
The engrossed bill for authorising the President to employ an additional number of revenue cutters was read the third time; and on the question on its passage,
Mr. Durell moved that it be recommitted for amendment. The reason which he assigned for the motion was, that the bill contemplated the procuring twelve additional revenue cutters, whilst the Secretary of the Treasury had informed the house that three would be sufficient for the purpose of executing the ordinary revenue laws. He had no objection to employing as many vessels as might be necessary to enforce the embargo laws, but he wished for all those which were not necessary for the ordinary purpose of revenue cutters should be hired, not purchased, as he understood the bill to contemplate. The difference of expense between hiring and purchasing would be as 10,000 to 100,000 dollars. He wished the bill to be so amended as to authorise the purchase of three revenue cutters, and the employment, during the existence of the embargo, of as many more as would be necessary to enforce it.
The motion for recommitment, was supported by Messrs. Durell, Ely, Gardner, Sloan, and Upham; and opposed by Messrs. Newton, Blackledge and Dawson, who contended that a discretion was left with the Secretary of the Treasury by the word, "employ," to hire or purchase, as he should think fit; and no doubt he would hire all those which were not necessary for informing the ordinary revenue laws; and that a recommitment would but detain the bill, as the terms of it could not be made more explicit than they were at present.
The motion to re-commit was negatived, Ayes 33.
The question on the passage of the bill was then taken. Yeas 90, Nays 26.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The report of the committee still under consideration—
Mr. D. R. Williams spoke about an hour and half in favor of the embargo system generally.
Mr. Cupper opposed it in a speech of half an hour.
Mr. Cook moved to adjourn. Mr. J. G. Jackson, called for the yeas and nays on the motion; but a sufficient number did not rise to justify the taking them. Motion to adjourn negatived. Mr. Cook renewed the motion, observing that he had some remarks to make, which might occupy the House some time. Carried 54 to 50.
SATURDAY, Dec. 10.
Mr. Lewis, from the committee of the District of Columbia, reported a bill supplementary to an act entitled "An act to establish a turnpike road in the county of Alexandria;" which was twice read and referred to a committee of the whole.
SEAMEN AND MARINES.
Mr. Nelson from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill authorising the President of the U. S. to employ an additional number of seamen and marines.
Twice read and referred to a committee of the whole.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The report of the committee on our foreign relations being yet under consideration—
Mr. Cook spoke for about two hours against the embargo system generally.
Mr. R. Jackson spoke for half an hour on the same side of the question.
The question on the first resolution was loudly called for; but after many unsuccessful motions to adjourn, a motion to that effect made by Mr. Gardener was carried, 58 to 48; and the House adjourned without taking a question.
MONDAY DEC. 12.
After the reference of a few private petitions, Mr. Randolph after some prefatory observations, offered a resolution to the following effect: Resolved, that the injunction of secrecy, imposed on the communications from our respective ministers at Paris and London, accompanying the president's message of the 8th December be taken off, with the exception of an extract from General Armstrong's letter to the secretary of state, dated Paris, 27th of Dec. 1807.
For the consideration of the resolution, the galleries were cleared. The doors remained closed till near 2 o'clock. When our reporter entered, Mr. Gardener was on his feet, speaking on the subject of our foreign relations. He continued to speak about an hour, when before he had concluded, the house adjourned.
Mr. Randolph's motion did not prevail. [In our next, we shall give a more particular account of the day's proceedings.]
MR. GILES' SPEECH,
DELIVERED In the Senate of the United States, on Thursday, 24 November, 1808, on the Resolution of Mr. Hillhouse, to repeal the Embargo Laws.
MR. PRESIDENT—Having during the recess of Congress retired from the political world, and having little agency in the passing political scenes, living in a part of the country too, where there is little or no difference in political opinions, and where the embargo laws are almost universally ap-
proved; I felt the real want of information upon the subject, now under discussion. I didn't know something of the general objects of the embargo laws, and I had not been in-attentive to their general operations upon society, as far as I had opportunities of observing thereupon.
When I arrived here, and found that this subject had excited so much sensibility in the minds of many gentlemen I met with, as to engross their whole thoughts, and almost to banish every other topic of conversation; I felt also a curiosity to know, what were the horrible effects of these laws in other parts of the country, and which had escaped my observation in the part of the country in which I reside. Of course, Sir, I have given to the gentlemen, who have favored us with their observations on both sides of the question under consideration, the most careful and respectful attention, and particularly to the gentlemen representing the eastern section of the union, where most of this sensibility had been excited. I always listen to gentlemen from that part of the United States, with pleasure, and generally receive instruction from them; but on this occasion, I am reluctantly compelled to acknowledge, that I have received from them less satisfaction and less information than usual; and still less conviction.
It was hardly to have been expected, Mr. President, that after so many angry and turbulent passions had been called into action, by the recent agitations throughout the whole United States, resulting from the elections by the people, to almost all the important offices within the gift; and particularly from the elections of electors for choosing the President and Vice President of the United States, that gentlemen would have met here perfectly exempt from the feelings, which this state of things was naturally calculated to inspire;—Much less was it to have been expected, Sir, that gentlemen who had once possessed the power of the nation, and who, from some cause or other, had lost it; (a loss, which they now tell us they but too well remember, and I fear, might have added, too deeply deplore,) gentlemen too, Sir, who a one time during the electioneering scene, had indulged the fond and delusive hope, that thro' the privations necessarily imposed upon our fellow citizens, by the unexampled aggressions of the belligerent powers, they might once more find their way to office and power, and who now find themselves disappointed in this darling expectation. It was not at all to be expected, Sir, that these gentlemen should now appear here, perfectly exempt from the unpleasant feelings, which so dreadful a disappointment must necessarily have produced. It was a demand upon human nature, for too great a sacrifice; and however desirable such an exemption might have been at the present moment, and however honorable it would have been to those gentlemen, it was not expected.
But, Sir, I had indulged a hope that the extraordinary dangers, and difficulties pressed upon us, by the aggresing belligerents; attended too with so many circumstances of indignity and insult, would have awakened a sensibility in the bosom of every gentleman of this body, which would have wholly suppressed, or at least suspended these unpleasant feelings, until some measure consulting the general interests and welfare of the people, could have been devised, to meet, resist, and if possible, to subdue the extraordinary crisis. But, Sir, even in this hope too, I have been totally disappointed.—I was the more encouraged in this hope, when upon opening this debate the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Hillhouse) seemed sensible of this sacred obligation, imposed by the crisis, when he exhorted us in conducting our deliberations, utterly to discard the influence of party spirit. It would have given me great pleasure, Sir, if the gentleman had afforded us a magnanimous example of a precept so admirably suited to the present state of things. But in this too, Sir, I have been unfortunately disappointed. That gentleman's observations consisted almost exclusively of retrospective animadversions upon the original objects and horrible effects of the embargo laws, without seeming to think it was worth his attention, to favor us with any reflections upon the prospective course of measures, which the people's interests, the public safety, and general welfare so imperiously demand. That gentleman represented the embargo laws, as mere acts of volition, impelled by no cause nor necessity; whilst the British orders, and French edicts, were scarcely glanced at, and certainly formed the least prominent feature of his observations. He represented these laws as a wanton and wicked attack upon commerce, with a view to its destruction, whilst he seemed scarcely to have recollected the extraordinary dangers and difficulties, which overspread the ocean—indeed, Sir, he described the ocean as perfectly free from dangers and difficulties, untroubled by any storms, and that we had nothing to do, but to unfurl our canvas to the wind, that it would be filled with prosperous gales, and wafted to the ports of its destination, where it would be received with open arms of friendship and hospitality. I wish, Sir, with all my heart, the gentleman could but realize the dreaming visions; their reality would act like a magic spell upon the embargo laws, and dispate them in a moment! But, alas, Sir, when we come to look at realities, when we turn our eyes upon the real dangers and difficulties which do overspread the ocean, we shall find them so formidable, that the wisdom of our undivided counsels, and the energy of our undivided action, will scarcely be sufficient to resist and conquer them. To my great regret, Sir, we now see, that the United States cannot even hope to be blessed with this union of mind and action, although certainly their dearest interests demand it.
Mr. President, perhaps the greatest inconvenience attending popular governments consists in this;—That whenever the union and energy of the people are most required to resist foreign aggressions, the pressure of these aggressions presents most temptations to distrusts and divisions.—Was there ever a stronger illustration of the truth and correctness of this observation than the recent efforts made under the pressure of the embargo laws?—The moment the privations, re-
406

Instantly but necessarily imposed by those laws, became to be felt, was the moment of signal to every political demagogue, who wished to find his way to office and to power, to excite the distrusts of the people, and then to separate them from the government of their choice, by every exaggeration, which ingenuity could devise, and every misrepresentation, which falsehood could invent; nothing was omitted, which it was conceived would have a tendency to effect this object. But Mr. President, the people of the United States must learn the lesson now, and at all future times, of respecting the bold and disingenuous charges and insinuations of such aspiring demagogues. They must learn to respect and rally round their own government, or they never can present a formidable front to a foreign aggressor. —Sir, the people of the United States have already learnt this lesson. —They have recently given an honorable and glorious example of their knowledge in this respect. They have in their recent elections, demonstrated to the nation, and to the world, that they possess too much good sense, to become the dupes of these delusive artifices, and too much patriotism to desert their government, when it stands most in need of their support and energy.
The gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Hillhouse) has made the most strict, and I had almost said, uncharitable scrutiny into the objects and effects of the embargo laws, in the delusive hope, I presume, of gaining a triumph over his political adversaries. I propose to the gentleman, in a fair and candid comparison of information and opinions upon this subject; and I shall do so in the most perfect confidence, that, whenever a thorough examination of the objects and effects of the embargo laws shall be made known, and the merits of the measure fully understood, that there is not a man in the U. S. who will not applaud and support the administration for its adoption, who has the unadulterated heart of an American, throbbing within his bosom.
Mr. President, I have always understood that there were two objects contemplated by the embargo laws. —The first, precautionary, operating upon ourselves. —The second, coercive, operating upon the aggressing belligerents. Precautionary, in saving our seamen, our ships and our merchandise from the plunder of our enemies, and avoiding the calamities of war. Coercive, by addressing strong appeals to the interests of both the belligerents. The first object has been answered beyond my most sanguine expectations. To make a fair and just estimate of this measure, reference should be had to our situation at the time of its adoption. At that time, the aggressions of both the belligerents were such as to leave the U. S. but a painful alternative in the choice of one of three measures, to wit, the embargo, war, or submission. —I know that this position has not been admitted, though but faintly denied in the discussion. I shall however proceed upon this hypothesis for the present, and in the course of my observations will prove its correctness by the statements of the gentlemen in favor of the resolution.
Before the recommendation of this measure, the laudable and provident circum- spection of the administration, had obtained tolerably correct estimates of the amount and value of the ships and merchandise belonging to the citizens of the U. S. then afloat; and the amount and value of what was shortly expected to be afloat; together with a conjectural statement of the number of seamen employed in the navigation thereof.
It was found that merchandise to the value of one hundred millions of dollars was actually afloat, in vessels amounting in value to twenty millions more. —That an amount of merchandise and vessels equal to fifty millions of dollars more, was expected to be shortly put afloat, and that it would require fifty thousand seamen to be employed in the navigation of this enormous amount of property. The administration was informed of the hostile edicts of France previously issued, and then in a state of execution, and of an intention on the part of Great Britain to issue her orders, the character and object of which were also known. The object was, to sweep this valuable commerce from the ocean. —The situation of this commerce was as well known to Great Britain, as to ourselves, and her inordinate cupidity could not withstand the temptation of the rich booty, she vainly thought within her power. This was the state of information at the time this measure was recommended.
The President of the United States ever watchful and anxious for the preservation of the persons and property of all our fellow citizens, but particularly of the merchants, whose property is most exposed to danger, and of the seamen whose persons are also most exposed, recommended the embargo for the protection of both; and it has saved and protected both. Let us now suppose, for a moment, that the President, possessed of this information, had not apprised the merchants and seamen of their danger, and had recommended no measure for their safety and protection; would he not, in that case, have merited and received the reproaches which the ignorance or ingratitude of merchants and others have so unjustly heaped upon him, for his judicious and anxious attentions to their interests? It is admitted by all, that the embargo laws have saved this enormous amount of property, and this number of seamen, which without them, would have forcibly gone
into the hands of our enemies, to pamper their arrogance, stimulate their injustice, and increase their means of annoyance.
I should suppose, Mr. President, this saving worth some notice. But, Sir, we are told that instead of protecting our seamen, it has driven them out of the country, and into foreign service. I believe, Sir, that this fact is greatly exaggerated. But, Sir, suppose for a moment that it is so, the government has done all, in this respect, it was bound to do. It placed these seamen in the bosoms of their friends and families, in a state of perfect security; and if they have since thought proper to abandon these blessings, and emigrate from their country, it was an act of choice, not of necessity. But what would have been the unhappy destiny of these brave tars, if they had been permitted to have been carried into captivity, and sent adrift on unfriendly and inhospitable shores? Why, Sir, in that case, they would have had no choice; necessity would have driven them into a hard and ignominious service, to fight the battles of the authors of their dreadful calamities, against a nation, with which their country was at peace. And is the bold and generous American tar to be told, that he is to disrespect the administration for its anxious and effectual attentions to his interests? For relieving him from a dreadful captivity? Even under the hardships he does suffer, and which I sincerely regret, every generous feeling of his noble heart, would repel the base attempt with indignation. But, Sir, the American seamen have not deserted their country; foreign seamen may and probably have gone into foreign service; and, for one, I am glad of it. I hope they will never return, and I am willing to pass a law in favor of the true hearted American seamen, that these foreign seamen never should return. I would even prohibit them from being employed in merchant vessels. The American seamen have found employment in the country; and whenever the proper season shall arrive for employing them on their proper element, you will find them, like true birds of passage, hovering in crowds upon your shores.
Whilst considering this part of the subject, I cannot help expressing my regret, that at the time of passing our embargo laws, a proportion of our seamen was not taken into the public service; because, in my judgment, the nation required their services, and it would have been some alleviation to their hardships, which the measure peculiarly imposed upon them, as a class of citizens, by affecting their immediate occupation; and the other classes, as well as the public treasury, were able to contribute to their alleviation; and I am willing to do the same thing at this time. Indeed, its omission is the only regret I have ever felt, at the measures of the last Congress. I like the character—I like the open frankness, and the generous feelings of the honest American tar; and, whenever in my power, I am ready to give, and will with pleasure give him my protection and support. One of the most important and agreeable effects of the embargo laws, is giving these honest fellows a safe asylum. But, Sir, these are not the only good effects of the embargo. It has preserved our peace—it has saved our honor—it has saved our national independence. Are these savings not worth notice? Are these blessings not worth preserving? The gentleman from Delaware, (Mr. White) has, indeed, told us, that under the embargo laws, the United States are bleeding at every pore. —This, surely, Sir, is one of the most extravagant effects, that could have been ascribed to these laws by the frantic dreams of the most infatuated passions. Blood-letting is the last effect, that I ever expected to hear ascribed to this measure. I thought it was of the opposite character: but it serves to show that nothing is too extravagant for the misguided zeal of gentlemen in the opposition. —I have cast my eyes about in vain to discover those copious streams of blood; but I neither see nor hear any thing of them, from any other quarter. So far from the United States bleeding at every pore, under the embargo, it has saved them from bleeding at any pore; and one of the highest compliments to the measure is, that it has saved us from the very calamity which the gentleman attributed to it; but which, thanks to our better stars and wiser councils, does not exist. (Mr. Giles's Speech to be continued)
Sales at Auction.
WILL be sold, at the Eagle tavern, on Saturday the 24th inst. without reserve, for ready money, six likely
Negro Men,
one negro Woman and one London made Charriot; one of the men is a good Carpenter, two of them are Sawyers, one a good Cooper and house servant, the other accustomed to plantation business
Pleasant Younghusband.
Dec. 15th, 1808. tds. BY virtue of a deed of trust, executed by John A. Foulkes, to the subscriber, dated the 4th day of July 1806, and recorded in Halifax court, to secure the payment of a debt due from the said Foulkes, to Isaac Coles, Jr. by bond of the above date; will be sold, for ready money, on Friday the 6th day of January, 1809, at Halifax court house.
A Tract of Land,
mentioned in the said deed, on which the said Foulkes lived, known by the name of Federal Hall. Beverly Sydner, Trustee. Dec. 10th, 1808. w2t.
To be Sold
TO the highest bidder on Tuesday the 3d of January next, at the late dwelling house of George Saunders, dec. the balance of the said
Estate,
consisting of Horses, Cattle, Corn and Fodder, Household and Kitchen furniture, and many other things too tedious to mention. Twelve months credit will be allowed the purchasers on all sums above five dollars, on their giving bond with approved security, to carry interest from the date if not punctually paid.
All persons having demands against the estate, are desired to come forward with their claims, and all those indebted to the said estate are desired to come forward and make payment. The Executors. Dec. 9th 1808. w2t.
To Rent,
AND possession given immediately, a neat small brick dwelling house on the Church Hill, near Mr. Samuel Adams's, with an acre of land attached for a garden; this house contains two rooms below, and a closet large enough for a bed, table and two or three chairs, two rooms above and a small closet; two rooms underneath, with a fire place in each, one used as a kitchen, the other as a servant's room; there are also two other apartments adjoining the kitchen, one used as a dairy, the other as a meat cellar; there is also on the lot, a very excellent smoke house. No situation can be more desirable for a small family, near two excellent springs, and commanding a beautiful view of the city, Manchester, the falls, and as far down the river as the eye can reach, with a rich, luxuriant, agricultural scenery in front. It may be bad for one, two or three years; for terms apply to the Rev'd. John Ellis, or Mr. Thomas Harris, living near the premises. Dec. 12th, 1808. Iawtf
Lost,
ON the 31st of last month, a Red Morocco Pocket Book, containing two dollars in silver, and a number of papers, among which were those relating to the emancipation of the subscriber. Any person finding the same and leaving it at S. Pleasants' book store, shall receive two dollars reward, besides what the book contained. Edward Deane. Richmond, Dec. 12th, 1808. 1.
Education.
THE subscriber returns his thanks to the public, for their confidence in him as a teacher, & solicits a continuance of their patronage. He hopes that from his experience and diligence in his profession, he shall be able to give general satisfaction. He proposes to continue his school the ensuing year for instruction of boys in the Greek, Latin and English languages, Geography and the use of the Globes, the elements of Geometry with Practical Surveying, also the elements of Natural Philosophy, Writing and Arithmetic, Vulgar, Decimal, and Analytical. The price of board, tuition, washing, bedding, and fuel will be an hundred dollars for the term, paid quarterly in advance, to commence on the sixteenth of January, and expire about the fifth of December following. Thomas Nelson. Humanity Hall, Forks of Hanover, } Dec. 10th, 1808. w4t*.
Gerard Banks,
HERETOFORE the Editor of the Virginian, has opened a SCRIVENER'S OFFICE in the house immediately opposite the Market. Writing of every description will be executed with correctness. Besides the usual instruments which may be required, he offers to draw Bills of Injunction, &c. at a moderate price. Richmond, 15th Dec. 1808.
Examination,
THE Pupils of my Seminary will be examined on Tuesday next, 20th inst. in Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Geography, and History; on Wednesday, in the Greek, Latin, French, and English Classics, Arithmetic, Reading, Writing, &c. Parents, Guardians, Professional Gentlemen, and, in general, all those who appreciate the importance of Juvenile instruction, and wish to promote its cause, are respectfully and earnestly requested to attend. The business of each day will commence at 10 o'clock in the morning.
The Examination of the Young Ladies, will take place on Wednesday, and begin at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The presence of their female friends will be peculiarly agreeable. L. H. GIRARDIN. Richmond, Dec. 15th, 1808. 1.
FOR SALE,
The Tenement
on which the subscriber lives, situated on Church Hill, within about one mile of Richmond Market, containing two and a half acres of Land, well enclosed and highly improved. The buildings consist of a large and well constructed Dwelling House, Laundry, Kitchen, Dairy, Smoke House, 2 Stories, Brick Office, Coach House, Barn, Stable, and Ice House. All these buildings are in complete order for the accommodation of a large and genteel family, who may have easy access to all the advantages of the city, and live as retired as they could wish. JOHN ELLIS. wtf. November 25.
Notice is hereby given
TO all persons having claims against the estate of WILLIAM HART, dec. that they must be brought forward for settlement previous to the 12th day of January next, properly attested; all those indebted to said estate will make immediate payment, or suits will be brought in discriminately—the above notice will be plead in bar against delinquent creditors, by MARY HART, Adm'x. Richmond, Dec. 12, 1808. 1m.
Will be Hired
Publicly in Milton, on the first day of January, near
100 Negroes
Belonging to Mrs. Sally Carter, among them, are several valuable Carpenters. Those persons who hired these negroes for the present year, are earnestly requested to deliver them at Milton in time to be hired on the 1st. January.
R. Anderson,
Agent for Sally Carter. Albemarle 15th Dec. 1808. (wids)
A LIST of one Hoghead Tobacco, remaining in Wicwicomoco Warehouse over two years, inspected the 5th day of February 1805, marked Royston B. Covington, R. B. C. No. 75, Gross 1091, Tare 118, Net 963, which if not applied for before the 13th of March 1809, will on that day, be sold to the highest bidder for cash, at Northumberland court house. GEORGE BARRETT. w3t. Dec. 1st, 1808.
TAKEN up by Richard Eggleston, of Amelia county, a RED STEER YEARLING, supposed to be three years old next spring, marked as follows—with a crop and a hole in the right ear, and a smooth crop and a slit in the left, appraised to forty shillings by us. Given under our hands this 20th September, 1808. Peter Farley, Chastaine Roberts, David C. Jones. w3t.
WHEREAS I, William Walton, of the county of Cumberland, and state of Virginia, have bought of Benjamin B. Bernard, the full and exclusive right in his patent right, on a machine for threshing small grain and seeds, which patent right bears date the 30th day of November, 1807, and is granted for 14 years from the date, for the counties of Cumberland, Prince Edward, Amelia, Nottoway and Charlotte, in Virginia. A deed to the aforesaid counties was executed to me by Mr. Bernard himself, on the 6th day of December, 1808, and is recorded in the county court of Cumberland, agreeably to law. A description of this machine is thought entirely unnecessary, as there is no other within my knowledge, that is in actual use—besides, Mr. Bernard, in order to give rise to his invention, has been at the expense of having plates, with explanatory notes, and references to the most approved modes of building them, which is so masterly and exquisitely executed, that any good workman, by having one of those publications, could erect a machine without ever having seen one. He has dispersed within the United States about 10,000, and has brought his machine into use in almost every state, and it is said to be much more valuable among the rice farmers in the southern states, than it is with the wheat—but I am induced to believe to the contrary, for I have built several farmers machines, whose crops of wheat did not exceed 300 bushels, and they have found such great advantages from the use of them, that they have said, they would not be without them if the expense of building was double. I have at this time a great number of machines on hand, and shall be in a situation to furnish them in any part of the aforesaid counties, and made of the best timber and materials. My principal shop for furnishing this kind of work, is kept near Farmville, but in a short time I shall establish several, in different parts of the aforesaid counties. Good wages will be given to MILL-WRIGHTS, that will come well recommended, and embark in the business. Licence to farmers that may wish to erect those machines within themselves, will be issued by the Post Master at Farmville, at twenty dollars, without any regard to the scale or size of the machine, and I do hereby forewarn all persons from building, constructing or using machines, containing the principles made patent to Benjamin B. Bernard under the law of the United States, within the above mentioned counties, without legal authority from me or my agents, or from infringing on the patent or my rights, in using machines built previous to the date of the patent right, except those who obtained licence from Mr. Bernard or his agents, prior to the date of the execution of the deed to the above-mentioned counties to me—otherwise they shall, for all such offences, suffer the penalty of the law, without the least reserve, for the law suppresses the use of an invention, within the term of a patent right, as much as it does to commit a breach in building within the term. I hereby give notice to all Squire Bernard's agents who may have issued licences within the aforesaid counties, since I have held the right, to take them in, as they will be made void and of no effect—and I furthermore give notice to all who may have obtained licences, that they are not legal, and that they will have to force them into their original channel. WILLIAM S. WALTON.
As the business of building machines has been so much botched in the counties, I have sold Mr. William Walton, I think it a duty incumbent on me, due the farmers, (being the patentee) to state to them that I have seen several machines of his make, and think them equal to any I have ever seen. Given under my hand in the city of Richmond, the 11th December, 1808. BENJAMIN B. BERNARD.
Teste,
George Fackler. FURTHER INFORMATION TO FARMERS.
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby certify, that we are in possession of threshing machines, invented and constructed by Benjamin B. Bernard, that we give them a decided preference to all others, and that they will, with ease, get out 200 bushels of wheat per day, with the draft of two or three horses. William Bolling, William Bradley, William James, William Fowler, William Goode, George S. Smith, Edmund Logwood, John Austin, Robert Frayser, Reuben Thacker.
The above mentioned gentlemen reside in the state of Virginia, and exactly in the neighborhood of Cartersville, where enquiries may be made. I do not think that further publications than I have already made, would in this state be by any means necessary, for I have not only circulated throughout this state, complete and indelible drafts, with notes of explanation, but I have given a clear demonstration of the utility of the instrument, to the satisfaction of every James River farmer; and it was only to gratify Mr. Walton that I have written any further on the subject. BENJAMIN B. BERNARD.
Notice,
THAT by virtue of a deed of trust made to us, we shall on Saturday the 7th day of January next, before the front door of the Eagle tavern, in this city, expose to sale for ready money, to the highest bidder, one certain piece, or parcel of
Ground,
situate in this city, at Rockets, being a part of Roper's tenement, as it is generally denominated, and is more particularly described in the aforesaid deed executed by Richard Young to this city, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to pay and satisfy Byrd George, whatever balance may remain due at that time, with interest thereon, and the cost and charges attending the execution of this trust. WILLIAM MCKIM. WILLIAM MARSHALL. Richmond, Dec. 8th, 1808. tds.
Wirt's Speeches.
The Editor of the Argus has lately published the SPEECHES of WILLIAM WIRT, Esq. on the trial of Col. AARON BURR, and others. —With a portrait by St. Memin.
FOR THE VIRGINIA ARGUS. PATRIOTIC ODES FOR THE YEAR 1808. ODE VIII. TO GEORGE THE 3d. King of the Tories, would'st thou hear The praises of a Democratic Bard, Sweetly my song should warble in thine ear, And all thy merits be with truth declar'd, Truth! truth! (I hear thee say,) tell truth to Kings! 'Tis down-right impudence, and want of sense! Not so my laureat poet sings, And earns his Pipe of Sack, and annual pence. Truth! truth! what, what, Bard, do I want with her? Now nearly seventy years I've done with- out her: At court, indeed, we always scout her; Yet feel no want of good things I aver. Without her, (hea! now,) can't we get our money, And keep it close as bees their honey? TRUTH would morosely call us harden'd sinners, And bid us more our subjects favor: Now this would spoil our splendid dinners, And cause our luscious wines to lose their flavor. Then if, in thy poetic shop so fine, TRUTH is the best that can be had, The purchase, (as a King,) I must de- cline, Or else again be reckon'd mad. No, no, Bard, no, you cannot catch me there; Your odious truths are not for me I swear. Oh King! this rough rejection of my lays Might well discourage me, a simple youth, Unskil'd in fiction, knowing nought but truth; Yet, obstinately, will I sing thy praise. Scanty indeed thy virtues are I own; Few acts of charity adorn thy throne; Thy public spirit (like thy wit) is small. Intent alone on sordid pelf, Thy kindness centers only in thyself, Of all the objects on this earthly ball. The blood of millions cannot melt thy heart, Nor make thee from thy blundering schemes depart, Nor quit thy cruel trade of war. Long hast thou drunk a nation's tears, And heard her groans with unrelenting ears. What then, oh GEORGE, shall I applaud thee for? What? let th'admiring Muse proclaim Thy CONDESCENSION lately shewn In CANNING's kind obliging letter, For which America is much thy debtor; A scrawl deserving, from the trump of fame, A louder blast than ever yet was blown. Lo! thou hast told these upstart States, Whom once thy troops besieg'd in all their gates, These rebel States, who vanquish'd once thy might, That thou their evil will with good requite; And so dost love them, 'tis for them alone That this Embargo grieves thee sore: Their sufferings thou dost feelingly deplore, Regardless altogether of thy own. Our money lo! thou dost not want, Nor sigh for aught that we can grant! Thy moderation, Sire, at home; Thy light and trivial taxes there impos'd, Demonstrate 'tis our good alone, For which thou hast the doors of commerce clos'd. So mildy thou our trade dost regulate, And strict retaliation's rights abate; Such trifling tribute too, thou dost demand, (While nought but Ship & Cargo's contra- band,) That all must see 'twas not with selfish views, Our proffer'd amity thou didst refuse. 'Twas not to bank our foolish admiration Of Jefferson's absurd administration! His government, thou sayest, is the cause Of all our ills, by vile Embargo laws! Thou (good old gentleman,) wilt ease our pain, If we would gie our King his ain, Or, (what's as well) his friends to power re- store, And let his Viceroys get our cash once more. And wilt thou deign, (unworthy as we are,) Again to rule us as thou didst of old? What generosity beyond compare, To distant ages worthy to be told! So all thy TORY friends declare, And vow, that, underneath thy sway be- nign, We soon should bless our happier lot; If we but independence would resign, From which, (they say,) no good we e- ver got. But, (tho' our thanks are due to thee For thy benign intentions, we agree,) Yet we obdurate WIRTS will not submit, And even to fight thee may think fit. We think our home-made burden suits us best; For should we yield, and on us take thy yoke, Our necks might possibly be broke. Excuse us then; nor at our choice repine; Thy evil offer humbly we decline.
THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
John Ellis and Hugh Warden,
IN the business of a Gun-Powder Manufac- tory and Grist-Mill, is dissolved by mutual consent, so far as no debts hereafter can be con- tracted under their firm; but the receipt of ei- ther of them shall be a good discharge to those who are, or may become indebted to them for gun-powder. JOHN ELLIS, HUGH WARDEN. Richmond, 20th Oct. 1808.
THE subscriber not being engaged in any business requiring much of his time, will, if applied to at his dwelling, a few doors west of the Market-bridge, on the south side of the street, execute any writing connected with Merchandize and Navigation; he has as complete CODE OF MERCANTILE LAW, a late edition, from which, and from his long experience in Mercantile business, he hopes he can adjust and settle any differences that may arise in mercantile transactions. HUGH WARDEN. Richmond, Dec. 10th, 1808. 1w3w.
New Law Books.
The 8th vol. of East's Reports, and the 5th vol. of Espinasse's Reports are just receiv- ed and for sale by S. Pleasants.

(Continued from first page.) to a preformity into the third;—The first may pass by the same means into the second and third; the interior classes may not only rise to the higher, but the higher may sink to the lower by their bad behaviour—These classes are kept as separate from each other, as is consistent with the nature of their employments. As far as the experience of the Committee extends, these arrangements have had a beneficial effect, increasing the emulation, the industry and the good conduct of the convicts. There has been likewise another change contemplated in the employments of the Penitentiary. The Executive Council have taken some steps to procure from the north a spinning Jenny, which runs a number of spindles, spins a number of threads at the same time, and thus abbreviates the labour of man—When a carding machine shall also have been introduced, the quantity of cloth that will be woven, will much redound to the profit of the institution. The times are propitious to these changes—The loom with the fly shuttle is already introduced.
The Committee beg leave to submit two other propositions—1st. It is extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible to obtain a Board of Visitors; the evil is an obvious one; the remedy is respectfully submitted to the consideration of the Executive.—Their 2d proposition, is to have a wall built, and a vegetable garden, enclosed as soon as it is practicable.—This plan has been introduced into the State Prison and Penitentiary House of New York, with great success. Its peculiar benefits are, that it contributes to reduce the expenses of the institution, and to preserve the health of the infirm convicts, by the aid of wholesome exercise.—There is more ground already belonging to the institution, than will be sufficient for this purpose. All which is respectfully submitted. GEORGE WILLIAMSON. THOMAS RITCHIE. THOMAS LADD. Richmond, 12th mo. Dec. 6th, 1808.
WE the subscribers, Judges of the General Court, have pursuant to law allotted the Judges of the respective District Courts as follows: Robert White, jr. and Archibald Stuart, esqrs. to the Districts of Winchester, Hardy and Monongalia court-house; John Tyler and Paul Carrington, jr. esqrs. to the Districts of Richmond, Petersburg, Brunswick courthouse and Suffolk; Richard Parker and Edmund Winston, esqrs. to the Districts of Prince Edward courthouse, Franklin, Washington courthouse, and the Sweet Springs in Botetourt county; Joseph Prentis and William Nelson, esqrs. to the Districts of Northumberland, King & Queen, Williamsburg and Accomack courthouses.—And Francis T. Brooke and Hugh Holmes, esqrs. to Staunton, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and Haymarket districts at the next succeeding terms thereof. Witness our hands and seals this 11th day of November, one thousand eight hundred and eight.
WITNESS our hands and seals this 11th day of November, one thousand eight hundred and eight. Jos. Prentis, (Seal) Jno. Tyler, (Seal) Wm. Nelson, (Seal) Robt. White, jr. (Seal) Paul Carrington, jr. (Seal) Francis T. Brooke, (Seal) Published by order of the Judges. WILSON ALLEN, c. c. c. LAND, NEGROES, STOCK, &c. FOR SALE.
PURSUANT to the last will and testament of Benjamin Tole, dec. WILL BE SOLD, at public auction, on Tuesday the 20th day of December next, if fair, if not, the next fair day, and continue from day to day until all are sold on the premises, that valuable
Tract of Land, in Caroline county, called the GOOSE PONDS, lying immediately on Pamunkey river, containing 842 Acres, more or less. The quality of the land, the buildings, water and neighbourhood, renders it an object worthy the attention of any person wishing to purchase; a crop of wheat is sown thereon, and immediate possession will be given—Terms of sale, one fourth in ready money, and the balance at the expiration of twelve months, to be secured by a bond and approved security, to carry interest from the date. If not punctually paid—Also, at the same time and place, will be sold, about
16 Likely Negroes, Among which is a valuable blacksmith—the stock of Horses, Cattle, Hogs, Plantation Utensils, the crops of Tobacco, Corn, Wheat, Fodder, &c. for which twelve months credit will be given, for all sums above twenty dollars, on receiving bonds with approved security, to carry interest from the date, if not punctually paid, and for all sums under twenty dollars, cash.—And on Tuesday the sixth day of the same month, WILL BE SOLD, in Hanover Town, on the premises, the
House and Lot, In good repair, whereon Dr. Christie at present resides, for which twelve months credit will be allowed, on the purchase giving bond with approved security, to carry interest from the date, if not punctually paid. Possession may be had on the first day of January, 1809.—Bond creditors may find it to their interest to attend those sales. Matthew Toler, Administrator with the will annexed of Benjamin Toler, dec. Hanover, October 31, 1808. WANTED TO PURCHASE, 10 or 15 Young Negroes. Enquire of the Printer. November 30, 1808.
Deserter. DESERTED from the service of the United States, on the 6th inst. a private in the 5th Regiment of Infantry, named Daniel L. Bradley, 19 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, hazel eyes, and dark hair.—He was born in Charles City county, Virginia, and is a farmer by profession. The said Bradley had on at the time of his desertion, the uniform of the United States Light Infantry. A reward of ten dollars will be given to any person who will deliver the said deserter to me, or to any officer in the service of the U. States. EDWARD DILLARD, Capt. 5th U. S. Reg't, Infantry. November 23, 1808.
Negroes to be Hired out; and Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Hogs, and Crops to be sold.
ON Thursday the 29th day of December next, if fair, if not, the next fair day, will be hired out, for the ensuing year, at Richland, in the county of Mecklenburg, 25 Likely Negroes. At the same time and place, will be sold, to the highest bidder, at public auction, all the Stock of Cattle, (consisting of seventy or eighty head, among which are several valuable yoke of young steers,) Sheep, Horses and Hogs; about 400 Barrels of Corn, 15 Stacks of Oats, the Crop of Wheat, and all the Plantation Utensils. Twelve months credit will be allowed on all sums exceeding twenty dollars, bonds with good security being given, bearing interest from the date, which interest is to be remitted, in case of punctual payment of the principal. Ten per cent deduction will be made for cash. WM. MUNFORD. Richmond, Nov. 24th, 1808.
Wanted, on Hire THE NEXT YEAR, A Man and a Woman servant—the man must be well acquainted with house business generally, and the management of horses—the woman a good cook—both must come well recommended for honesty and sobriety. Enquire of the Printer. Nov. 29. if
THE subscriber having removed to the houses on Shockoe Hill, formerly occupied by Maj. William Du Val, in a very agreeable part of the city, and contiguous to the Capitol, is prepared and desirous of taking from 15 to 20 Members of the Assembly as boarders during the ensuing session. The greatest attention will be paid to their accommodation. N. B. He has for sale three or four likely young Negroes, two of whom are likely young men. H. Puryear. November 30, 1808.
Notice! ALL persons having claims against the estate of Boyle Bracken, dec. are requested to meet me at Hugh French's Tavern in the upper end of Powhatan County, on Monday the 26th day of December next, and make them known—those indebted to said estate, are once more requested to make payment at the same time. I shall on the same day offer
Several Negroes for sale, and a few to hire for the ensuing year. Ludwell Brackett. November 24th, 1808. Notice. THE subscribers have lately opened store in Mr. Mitchell's brick building near the Market House, where they offer for sale, a general assortment of
GROCERIES, on moderate terms for cash or country produce. Pulling & Collins. Richmond, Dec. 1, 1808. PRINTING. JOHN LYNCH, who recently conducted the Printing Office of the late Mr. Thomas Nicholson, and Charles Southgate, the present proprietors of that establishment, respectfully inform their friends and the public, that they intend, under the firm of
Lynch & Southgate, To carry on the business of printing in general; and having determined to execute orders with correctness, neatness, and dispatch, and on moderate terms, they humbly hope to be patronized accordingly. N. B. The said office is, as heretofore, three doors east of the Bank of Virginia, where may be had Almanacks, for the ensuing year; Books of Sacred Music; and Blank Books of every description. December 5th, 1808.
Notice to Surveyors. THE Surveyors of the different counties in Virginia, who are to pay a portion of their fees to the College of William & Mary, and whose accounts are unsettled for the last, or for preceding years; are requested to return their list of surveys, and pay the respective balances due to the college. During the ensuing session of the General Assembly, James Semple, Esq. member from Williamsburg, will be in the city of Richmond, and will receive any money, which it may be convenient to send to that place. A particular attention on the part of Surveyors, is requested to this notification. WILLIAM COLEMAN, Bursar. Williamsburg, December 1, 1808.
THE Subscriber having furnished himself with an elegant assortment of mountains and other materials; begs leave to inform the public that he has commenced the
Cabinet Making Business, upon an extensive scale, in the house near Shockoe bridge next door to Samuel Plessants, Jr's, printing office, where he will keep a constant supply of furniture for sale upon reasonable terms—and where furniture in his line will be made upon the shortest notice, and in the most approved fashions, or upon any model which may be directed. The subscriber will also keep on hand, a constant supply of Fancy and Windsor CHAIRS of all descriptions, for sale upon reasonable terms. C. M. PERRY. Richmond, November 28th, 1808. N. B. Coach and Sign Painting, done at his shop on the shortest notice and in the very best manner. September 8, 1808.
30,000 DOLLARS FOR EIGHT HUNDRED CENTS. NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY, For opening and improving certain great Roads to the Black River. Positively to commence drawing on the 12th of April next, 600 tickets to be drawn each day until the whole is concluded. Prizes payable 30 days after the drawing, and the payment guaranteed by the State Legislature. THE CAPITAL PRIZES ARE, 30,000 Dollars, 20,000 Dollars, 10,000 Dollars, 5,000 Dollars, 2,000 Dollars, Besides several of 1,000, 500, 200, 100, &c. &c. Less than two blanks to a prize. The scheme of this lottery is universally acknowledged to be the best ever offered to the American public, and the price of tickets at present no higher than Eight Dollars each.
TICKETS, Halves, Quarters and Eighths, ARE TO BE HAD AT G. & R. WAITE'S TRULY-FORTUNATE LOTTERY-OFFICES, No. 64, MAIDEN-LANE, And No. 38, MAIDEN-LANE, NEW YORK, Where was sold in the LAST New-York Lottery, the three capital prizes of 25,000 Dollars, No. 20231 10,000 Dollars, No. 25403 5,000 Dollars, No. 20799 Also, No. 20310, a prize of 2,000 Dollars, besides several others of 2,000, 1,000, 500 Dollars, &c. &c. And in FORMER New York lotteries were sold at the above Offices, 17199 25,000 Dollars 11736 2,000 Dollars 3929 20,000 Dollars 28373 2,000 Dollars 3639 10,000 Dollars 13974 2,000 Dollars 26135 5,000 Dollars 16617 2,000 Dollars 30355 5,000 Dollars 25396 2,000 Dollars 15298 3,000 Dollars 20885 2,000 Dollars And at their Lottery Office in Baltimore, corner of Charles and Market Streets, were sold nearly all the Capital Prizes in the late St. Mary's College Lottery, among them were the following, viz. 6974 30,000 Dollars 1789 1,500 Dollars 15564 15,000 Dollars 1525 1,500 Dollars 7001 10,000 Dollars 7410 1,500 Dollars 6977 5,000 Dollars 14435 1,500 Dollars 19894 1,500 Dollars Distant adventurers, by enclosing Bank Notes in letters, post paid, directed to WAITE'S Offices in Baltimore New-York or Albany, may have tickets and shares returned by post to any part of the Union, with the utmost punctuality, and the earliest advice sent of their success. Schemes, at large, gratis, and Cash advanced for prizes as soon as drawn. A weekly printed Prize List will be forwarded to the printer of this paper, and at the conclusion of the drawing, the Managers' Official List of Prizes as soon as printed, where any gentleman can examine his own number. Prizes in former lotteries taken in payment for tickets in this. The Baltimore Trinity Church Lottery commenced drawing on the first of November, and will continue to draw 2,000 tickets per week till finished. Tickets and shares, warranted un-drawn, may be had at either of G. & R. Waite's Lottery Offices. New York, October 23, 1808. iff
WILLIAM COWAN, WATCH MAKER, AT the shop heretofore Capt. William Richardson's, has for sale, a general assortment of Watches, Jewellery, Silver and Plated Ware, Consisting of English and French Watches, Time pieces, Miniature settings, mourning and fancy Lockets & Breast Pins, mourning, fancy and plain finger and ear Rings, Bracelets, Neck chains, plain or ornamented Combs, gold, gilt, steel, hair and silk; Watch Chains, gold, gilt, pebble and glass Seals, gold, gilt, and steel Keys, gold and silver Sleeve Buttons and Studs, table, desert, gravy, caddy, tea and salt Spoons, soup, tody and butter Ladies, Sugar Tongs, silver and plated Casters and Salts, Candle sticks, Snuffers and Snuffer Trays, Scissors, Scissor Chains and Cases, thimbles, pencil cases, fruit knives, pain and paste knives, spectacles, sword knots, pocket knives, sugar and snuff boxes, dressing combs, morocco leather and ring cases, &c. &c. N. B. Watches and clocks of every description, nearly repaired. Richmond, December 5, 1808. 3v
IN pursuance to a deed of trust executed to the subscriber by Archibald C. Randolph, to secure the payment of a certain sum of money therein mentioned, due to Samuel Harris, will be exposed for sale, at Jefferson, on the 23d of December next, one MULATTO GIRL, named Priscilla, for cash, which after defraying the expenses of said trust, and the debt specified, the residue if any, to be returned as the law directs. ALBAN GILPIN, Trustee. Powhatan, Oct. 20th, 1808. ids
Public Sale. THAT valuable Property belonging to the estate of Michael Fackler, deceased, situated and being about the centre of the town of Staunton, in Augusta county, Virginia, consisting of
Two Lots, Adjoining each other, containing nearly one acre of ground. On one of the lots there is a Tan Yard with convenient buildings. On the other there is a large Merchant Mill, with two water wheels and two pair of stones, with convenient out-houses, in one of which there is a Carding Machine, drove by the same stream which never fails. The fall is about 30 or 40 feet, and consequently other water works could be erected on the same lot. There is also a large Frame Dwelling House, 40 by 60 feet, on the Mill lot. The whole of the above property under a lease, the unexpired term of upwards of 40 years, and will be offered at public sale on the 31st day of December next on the premises, between the hours of 12 and 3 of the clock, P. M. One half of the amount of the purchase money must be paid on the day of sale. A liberal credit will be given on the balance being secured to the satisfaction of
JACOB PECK, SAMUEL CLARKE, } Executors. September 8, 1808. wids
At a Court of Quarterly Session, held for Cumberland county, the 27th day of October, 1808. John Anderson, Plaintiff, In cery. AGAINST James Holland and John Holland, Defendants. THIS day came the plaintiff by his attorney, and the defendant James not having entered his appearance and given security according to law and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that he is not an inhabitant of this state, on the motion of the plaintiff by his counsel, it is ordered, that the said defendant James, do appear here on the fourth Monday in February next and answer the plaintiff's bill, and that a copy of this order be published in some newspaper printed in the city of Richmond for three months successively, and posted at the front door of the courthouse of this county. A copy—Teste, Miller Woodson, Jr. D. C. C. C.
A Tract of Land, lying in said county, late the property of William Farris, deceased, and adjoining the lands belonging to the estate of William Jones, deceased, and adjoining the land of Jesse Newby and others, containing about 100 acres, be it more or less. The Commissioners. November 14th, 1808. wst
William Richardson, Jr. CLOCK AND WATCH MAKER, AT the sign of the Clock and Watches, on the south side of the main street, six doors below the Market Bridge, Richmond, cleans and repairs, Repeating, Horizontal and plain Watches, musical, chime and plain Clocks, in the best manner and on moderate terms. N. B. All repairs warranted twelve months. November 19th, 1808. wst
To be Sold, AT Ephraedius Howe's tavern in the forks of Hanover, on Friday the 30th of December next, 7 Likely Negroes, belonging to the estate of Thomas Anderson dec. consisting of a man, a woman, and five young negroes, boys and girls—12 months credit will be allowed the purchaser, by their giving bonds with approved security, to carry interest from the date, if not punctually paid. JOHN ANDERSON, Exr. Hanover, Nov. 23d, 1808. wst
Advertisement. BY virtue of a deed of trust from John Boatwright to the subscriber, bearing date the 17th day of August 1805, and duly recorded in the county court of Cumberland, will be sold to the highest bidder, at a Cumber and (December) court, before the front door of Thomas Hobson's tavern, for cash. 100 Acres of Land, adjoining the lands of Alexander Trent, dec. Barter Hill tract, and the land that formerly belonged to Lordy Madison; six head of Horses, a Car, and one yoke of Oxen, twelve head of other Cattle, twelve head of Sheep, five feather Beds with their furniture, and all the residue of the said Boatwright's household and kitchen furniture; or so much thereof as will be sufficient to discharge the debt with the interest specified in the deed aforementioned, with the expenses attending the execution thereof. Henry Bell, Trustee. Buckingham, Nov. 26th, 1808. wst.
NOW IN THE PRESS, The Virginian Orator, BEING A COMPOSITION AND SELECTION OF Patriotic Poems, Oration and Dramatic Scenes, Intended to improve the American Youth in the useful and ornamental art of Eloquence. BY THOMAS E. BIRCH. The late British aggressions have given birth to a great part of this book, and the author flatters himself, that it contains the sentiments of every patriotic American. Subscriptions for the above work will be received at the office of the Virginia Argus, at 9s. 9d. a copy. September 27, 1808. w2m
DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA, TO WIT: BE IT remembered, That on the thirtieth day of May, in the thirty second year of the Independence of the U. States of America, Thomas E. Birch of the said District, hath deposited in this Office, the Title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit: "The Virginian Orator, being a variety of original and selected Poems, Oration and Dramatic scenes, to improve the American Youth, in the ornamental and useful art of Eloquence and Ges-ture." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the U. States, intitled "An Act, for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies during the time therein mentioned." WILLIAM MARSHALL, Clerk of the District of Virginia.
BY virtue of a deed of trust, executed to us, by William Royster, in order to secure the payment of a sum of money, due to Anderson and John Bowles as therein expressed, will be sold on Monday the second day of January next, at John Trevilian's tavern, in Goochland county, 3 Negroes, to wit: Ned, Harry, and Judith, or as many as will be sufficient to discharge the said debt, and the cost attending the execution of said trust. John Trevilian, Thomas B. Watkins, } Trustees. Goochland, Dec 8th, 1808. w3*.
MATTRESSES OF ALL SIZES AND KINDS, MADE and repaired, agreeably to order, in the large wooden house opposite the Old City Tavern, two squares below the market bridge, Richmond. J. S. PLEASANTS. May 31, 1808. w
Royster & Bohannan, Have For Sale, at their Store near the Market Bridge, Richmond, A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF Groceries, AMONG WHICH ARE— Brown Sugar in hlds and bbls Whiskey by the bbl, or tierce Load Sugar, in do French Brandy Best Green Coffee Salt by the Sack Imperial, and Young Hyson TEAS, Chocolate, by the box A quantity of excellent Pimento Lard by the firkin Pepper Iron Castings, every description Ginger An assortment of Stone Rice Ware Mustard Queen's Ware W. I. Rum Soap and Candles by Jamaica do box N. Eng. and do Tinner's Snuff Molasses by bbl Writing Paper Sherry and Malaga Wrapping do Wine Decanters Holland and Country Tumblers Gin Wine Glasses Spanish Segars by box Leading Lines or retail Bed Cords, &c. &c. Together with a number of other articles too tedious to enumerate—which they will sell low for cash, country produce, or approved paper in town. It is earnestly requested that those who have long standing accounts, will settle them immediately, as no longer indulgence can be given.
25 Dollars Reward. DESERTED a few days ago, when on the indulgence of a Furlow, EDWARD H. SCRUGG, a Sergeant in my company, about twenty-one years of age, six feet three and a half inches high, fair complexion, blue eyes, and hair nearly white, is very straight and slender, was dressed in citizens clothes, and is a man of genteel address and appearance. It is probable he is gone, or will go to Buckingham county, (Virginia,) where he was born, and where some of his relations now reside. The above reward with all expenses, will be paid to any person for apprehending and securing the said deserter in some prison, and giving notice thereof, or delivering him to me, or any other officer belonging to the forces of the United States of America. Gilbert C. Russell, Capt. of U. States Infantry. Nov 9th 3
FOR SALE, On private contract, the fine, high bred running horse DOCTOR, Late the property of Doctor A. T. Dixon, out of Fill Box, by Pantaloon. Also, A Filly, 3 years old, by Preakness, out of the same mare, of the best and purest blood in Virginia. Doctor was by Play or Pay, is in high health and perfectly sound, six years old, a beautiful bay and 15 hands high. This horse has proved his bottom and speed in many trials, having from three years old been successful, except in two instances, which accident prevented. The Filly is unraced, but she would be highly valuable to a gentleman whose wish is to raise from a good stock. Apply to John Tyler, Green Way, Sept. 6, 1808. if
UNAWAY from the subscriber, the 1st August last, a Negro Fellow EDMUND, who has a pretty general acquaintance, and well known inclined to be of a yellowish complexion, has a slight scar on one of his cheeks, 28 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, a tolerable stout active, bony fellow, sloop shouldered, his mouth and lips are large and prominent; he is accustomed to the management of young horses, and is a carriage driver. He was purchased out of Page's estate, near Hanover Town, 10 or 11 years ago—previous to that period, he had been hired by Paul Thiman, dec. and used to train horses. It is conjectured he is gone to that part of the country—He is well acquainted in Richmond and Manchester. I will give Twenty Dollars for his delivery, or Ten for lodging him in any jail, besides what the law allows. ED. DILLON. Prince Edward, 24th Oct. 1808. 2m
One Thousand Pounds WANTED, FOR the interest of which, a plantation of 500 acres of valuable land will be given, until the money is refunded. Nearly 100 acres are rich low grounds, now in cultivation, lying on navigable water, the improvements new and very good, in a healthy and desirable country. Enquire of the Printer. September 8, 1808. if
For Sale, Twenty-five Tons Swedes and American Iron, Eighty Bundles Nail Rods, Eighty Kegs Paint, white, red and yellow, Twenty-five Boxes Window glass, 10, 12, American and English Powder, Spanish Indigo, Pipes by the Box, Sweet Oil by the Box and Retail, A few Sacks Salt, Shot of all sizes, with our usual assortment of GROCERIES, &c. Russell & Wallace. Richmond, Nov. 3d, 1808. 2m
SITUATED on Rappahannock in the county of Essex, within fifteen miles of Tappahannock and about the same distance from Urbanna and King and Queen Courthouse and very convenient to the post-office at Montague's Tavern—there are upwards of one hundred and fifty acres of land attached to this seat, a considerable part of which is wood land and heavily timbered—The improvements are a dwelling house, forty feet by eighteen, a Kitchen, Smoke-House, Stable, Ice-House, &c. on the Hill—And on the river bank, a store house, with a commodious Store and Counting-Room and an excellent Granary—all of which—except the Stable—have been recently built. Mount Comfort commands as good, if not the best view of the river of any seat on the Rappahannock, and the best fish and oysters may be had at the door with very little trouble—It is well calculated for a merchant, being in a populous and wealthy neighborhood, where it is believed five or six thousand pounds worth of goods might be retained annually—it would also be a convenient stand for a professional character—I would either sell on credit if the payments can be agreed on, or exchange for other lands without improvements. For farther particulars apply to Reuben M. Garnett, or to
Carter Wood, Mount Comfort, if June 1, 1808
Fifa & Casa Executions, For sale at this office.