Alexandria daily advertiser (Alexandria [Va.]), 1808-02-18 00:00:00

Alexandria Daily Advertiser.
VOL. VIII.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1808.
[No. 2096.
Sales at Vendue. On every Tuesday and Friday  WILL BE SOLD At the Vendue Store, corner of Prince and Water streets. A Variety of Dry Goods, Groceries, &c. Particulars of which will be expressed in the bills of the day—All kinds of goods which are on limitation and the prices of which are established, can at any time be viewed and purchased at the lowest limitation and prices. P. G. Marsteller, v. M.
WANTED A middle aged woman, capable of managing a house. To one of good character liber- al wages will be given. Enquire of the Prin- ter. Sept. 9. d  HEMP FOR SALE. I HAVE on hand, ten tons of the first quali- ty CLEAN COUNTRY HEMP, I wish to sell for cash, or on a time. Bryan Hampson.
PROFILES, CUT AND FRAMED; AND PROFILE LIKENESS'S DONE IN GOLD LEAF ON GLASS; NEXT door to Mr. I. Robins's Store on King-Street, nearly opposite the Indian Queen Tavern. January 13. dlf.  TEN PIPES Choice Cognac Brandy, 8 hds. West-India Rum, 10 gr. casks L. P. Teneriffe Wine, 16 casks Rice, 195 Shams Marine Insurance Stock, For Sale by Catlett and Fisk. November 19. d
RAILS WANTED. The Subscriber wishes to pur- chase about two thousand Chesnut or Oak Rails, to be delivered at his farm on Came- ron. J. H. HOOE, Jan. 15. 2aw.  TO RENT, And possession given on the 14th of November next, The three story Brick House on the corner of King and Columbia-streets, now occupied by Mr. John Roberts.—For terms apply to Col. GEORGE DENEALE, living next door, or to the subscriber. Nicholas Voss, City of Washington, Oct. 20. dlf.
JAMES SANDERSON, Offers for sale very low, 25 hogsheads Muscovado Sugar, 70 bags green Coffee 15 hogsheads well flavored Rum 5 pipes Cognac Brandy 12 quarter casks Sherry Wine 12 bales Tennessee Cotton And as usual A general assortment of the best Wines, Spirits, Liquors, Teas and Groceries. BRYAN HAMPSON  HAS FOR SALE. 10 pipes old port 5 do. Madeira 20 quarter casks Lisbon 12 do. particular Teneriffe 15 do. Malaga 15 pipes old cognac brandy 5 do. 4th proof Holland Gin 25 hds. 3d proof Antigua rum 1 do. first quality molasses 6 do. green copperas 2 do. alum 20 do. brown sugar 20 bags pimento 15 do. pepper 10 chests young hyson 10 do. hyson skin 5 do. imperial 100 bags green coffee 150 kegs madder 50 do. ground ginger 30 do. raisins 1200 lbs. bacon, well cured 5 kegs salt petre A quantity of fine and ground alum salt. At all times he has the first quality flour for family use on hand—with a number of other articles—all of which he will sell low on his lower terms.
For BOSTON, or an Eastern port. The Schooner  TRAVELLER, Captain Strout; Will be ready to receive a car- go in a few days, and will take freight for Bos- ton, or any eastern port.—Apply to Lawrason & Fowle, Who have for sale said schooner's cargo of 50,000 feet LUMBER, 100 bags Sumatra PEPPER. February 15. eo2t
I want to Hire, A NEGRO MAN and a BOY, by the month or until the first of next Janua- ry. R. T. HOOE. Feb. 15. d.  GREEN COFFEE. 5000 lb. best Green COFFEE FOR SALE BY James Sanderson. Feb. 13. d
FOR SALE, A Negro Woman, a complete House Servant. Apply to The Printer. December 22. d  Fishing-Shore to Rent. I will rent my Fishing-Shore, at the mouth of Dogue-Creek, for the next season, or long- er if desired. Bushrod Washington. Mount-Vernon, Jan. 15. 2aw6w  COTTON AND SUGAR. Just received and for sale on moderate terms, 20 bales Upland Georgia COTTON, and 20 barrels brown SUGAR, both of a su- perior quality. A. Newton. February 9. d
NOTICE. THOSE indebted to the estate of James Lawrason, on account of purchases made at Occoquan, under a decree of the federal court, are hereby informed that their bonds are in possession of the subscriber and that he is authorised to receive payments. Thomas Swann. February 15. 2aw4w  A Brick House for Sale. THE Brick House occupied by Mrs. Ni- cholls, on the north side of Prince- street, between Fairfax and Water-streets, is offered for sale on a liberal credit. For parti- culars apply to John C. Vowell. ALSO, TO RENT, The House lately occupied by Mrs. Fitz- gerald, situate on Water-street, having every convenience to accommodate a genteel fami- ly. Immediate possession may be had.—Ap- ply as above. January 12. 6m
MR. GENERIS Has the pleasure to inform his Friends and the Public, THAT he has commenced his Practicino  Balls , and will continue them as heretofore. Mr. GENERIS begs the parents who have children to be instructed, will please to send them as soon as possible, so as to give them an opportunity of improving sufficiently, as he intends to have an Exhibition at the con- clusion of his school for their amusement which will serve to create ambition. November 12. eo
NOTICE. THE subscriber having qualified as execu- tor to the estate of Col. Thomas Blackburn, deceased, respectfully requests those who have claims against the estate, to lodge them prop- erly authenticated, in the hands of Robert I. Taylor, of Alexandria, or John H. Peyton, of Dumfries, attorney at law, who will for- ward them immediately to the subscriber. Those persons indebted to the deceased, will please make payment to either the above mentioned gentlemen, or T. Blackburn. Rippon Lodge, Jan. 8. eo2t  Printing in all its various branches, handsomely executed at this office.
TO BE RENTED. FOR THE TERM OF THREE YEARS. That valuable FISHING SHORE, lately occupied by Wm. Patterson, situate be- tween the town of Alexandria and Brocket's Landing. ALSO, For the term of fourteen years. Fifty Acres of LAND, bound- ed by the main road leading to Washington and Georgetown. Three sides of this tract will be inclosed in a few weeks so that the occupant will be at little trouble in fence- ing. 200 Fruit tree scions will be given gra- tis. From the proximity of this tract to three market towns, the produce of a single acre, well improved, will more than pay the rent expected from the whole. ALSO, To be rented for a like term.
A tract containing from 15 to 20 acres, near the Federal Spring, seven acres whereof are prime meadow land, with a small orchard of apples, peach and cherry trees, & a considerable quantity of firewood growing on the premises. ALSO, FOR SALE, ON MODERATE TERMS. A LOT containing 10 acres on the great Columbian avenue, 1 mile from town, adjacent to the Alms House lot. And one other lot containing four acres, bounded by the property of Mr. John Smith, together with a number of building lots in the town of Alexandria. Chs. Alexander. A. B. Wanted to hire by the month or year, two or three good plantation labourers. Feb. 14. eo2t.
PUBLIC SALE. BY virtue of a decree of the superior court of Chancery for the Richmond district, in a suit therein depending, wherein George Fitzhugh is plaintiff, and John D. Orr and Ferdinando Fairfax are defendants, the sub- scribers or any two of them who may be pre- sent, will on the last Monday in February 1808 before the front door of the court house of Prince William county, sell at public auction for ready money, a Tract of LAND, Containing about 1115 Acres. Lying in the county of Prince William. A particular description of which may be seen by reference to a deed from George Fitzhugh, to John D. Orr, dated 17th December 1798, & recorded in Prince William county court. Wm. A. G. Dade, John Lawson, Benj. Botts. } Comrs. Feb. 8. dts.
JOSEPH MANDEVILLE, CORNER OF KING AND FAIRFAX-STREETS; HAS RECEIVED, 6000 lb. Goshen Cheese 1st quality 1 1/2 ton assorted Patent Shot, 20 half chests & boxes Imperial, Young Hyson, & } TEAS, Hyson-skin, 5 pipes choice Cognac Brandy, 40 bds. Rye Whiskey, 15 cases old Medoc Claret superior quality, 70 lb. Nutmegs, 50 dozen London Mustard, 5 casks London refined Salt-petre, 15 casks chewing Tobacco small twist 30 boxes Soap, 25 do. mould and dipp'd Candles, 45 kegs yellow ground Ginger, 30 boxes Havana Segars, 5 cwt. Zante Currants, Raisins in boxes and casks, Pearl and hulled Barley, A small quantity basket salt. Which with a very general assortment of Wines, Liquors and Groceries, he will sell low for cash, produce, or the usual credit. Nov 16
Just Received, Per the Schooner Jane, Captain Crocker, from Boston, and for sale by the subscriber. 8 puncheons Jamaica Spirits 6 barrels first quality Cheese 10 do. mens stout shoes 100 sides Seal Leather of extra nice qual. 30 boxes dry Cod-Fish. Said Schooner Jane returns to Bos- ton. For freight or passage apply to John G. Ladd. December 31.
The person who has my second volume of Tucker's Blackstone, will o- blige me by returning it. A. I INDO. February 17. 3t  MILK. THE citizens of Alexandria can be suppli- ed with NEW MILK, morning and even- ing, on application to John Gadsby. February 9. 6t
Land for Sale at Auction. WILL be sold at Public Sale at a credit of 1 2 and 3 years, on Tuesday 22d day of March next upon the premises, the fol- lowing tract of LAND; to wit One Tract containing 374 a- cres, laying in Fairfax county upon the Ox road, adjoining the lands of Edward Wash- ington and about 2 1/2 miles from the town of Occoquan. This Tract is all in wood, lies level and is well watered, and at least one half is valuable meadow land. ALSO, An undivided moiety of a tract in the county of Prince William, con- taining 150 acres, whereon George Mills now lives, immediately upon the river and 2 miles above the town of Occoquan, will be sold the following day being the 23d day of March. ALSO, One other tract on the following day, being the 24th day of March, Containing about 260 acres.— This land is under cultivation, lies well, is well watered and is under rent from year to year, at 1500 wt. tobacco per year. It lies ad- joining the Lands of Wm. Grant in Prince William county, in a good neighbourhood, a- bout 18 miles from the town of Occoquan, and 15 from Dumfries. The purchaser can- not have possession of this tract before the 1st of Jan. 1809.
Also, Will be sold the following day on the premises, being the 24th day of March, One other Tract of Land con- taining 200 acres, immediately at Bland's ford upon Occoquan river, and 15 miles a- bove the town of Occoquan, this land is well improved has good buildings calculated for a tavern, store and distillery, with convenient out-houses. Indisputable titles will be given the pur- chaser, to each of these tracts, on the first pay- ment being made, the purchasers giving a trust deed on all the premises to secure the payment of the other two thirds. N. Ellicott. Occoquan, Feb. 10, [15] dts.
Rich Kanahwa BOTTOM LAND FOR SALE. THE Subscriber offers for sale, or ex- change for improved property, in or near the town of Alexandria, fourteen hun- dred acres of RICH BOTTOM LAND, on the Great Kanahwa River, near its mouth, which enters into the Ohio. This land is of the very first quality, being almost entirely bottom, equal in many respects to those rich botoms on the Potomac. It is laid off into lots from 150 to 350 acres, each lot fronting on the river and extending to the hills, which afford an outlet to a most extensive range for stock, which never can be interrupted. One hundred acres, therefore, of this rich bottom, with its great advantages, would be a good settlement. A small part of this land, which is under cultivation, rents at the rate of two dollars per acre.—For further particulars ap- ply to the subscriber, George W. Craik. January 28, law4w

BLOCKADING DECREES AND EMBARGO.
IN our papers of the last week, we presented our readers with the order in council of the British government, retaliating the French decree of the 21st November, 1806, together with the various other orders in council, explaining, qualifying, and abating the rigor of the first, or retaliating order.
As all these orders have grown out of the French decree, it will be proper to bestow some consideration upon it, and to review the conduct of our government in relation thereto. This decree passed a short time after the defeat of the Prussians at the memorable battle of Jena; the execution was delayed from prudential motives. The treaty of Tilsit having placed the continent of Europe under the complete power or influence of Bonaparte, it was no longer necessary to practice any further forbearance, and consequently this decree is carried into execution, attended with circumstances of aggravation and injustice, which the original decree did not contemplate. Before we notice those circumstances of aggravation and injustice, it will be more in the order of our investigation to examine the conduct of our government, who was certainly in justice, interest, and honor, bound to repel such extravagant pretensions as were advanced in this decree of Bonaparte. Independent of the rights which attached to the U. S. as a neutral nation, they had a treaty with France, which secured to them an exemption from the operation of this decree. It will, we presume, not be contested, that treaties containing stipulations, departing from general rules and principles, do not control and limit the operation of those general rules and principles. Now if France, by the law of nations, had a right to declare all the British dominions in a state of blockade, without having the means of blockading one port of Great Britain; but, on the contrary, her own fleets at the same time, confined to her ports by the superior forces of G. Britain—a position too absurd to oppose by argument—still we say, France had no right to include the U. S. in this general and extraordinary blockade. In our paper of the 30th December, we took occasion to notice the articles of this treaty with France, to which we now have reference, but their importance to the present enquiry will be our excuse for republishing them at this time.
“ART. 12. It shall be lawful for the citizens of either country to sail with their ships and merchandise (contraband goods always excepted) from any port whatever, to any port of the enemy of the other, and to sail and trade with their ships and merchandise, with perfect security and liberty, from the countries, ports and places, of those who are enemies of both, or of either party, without any opposition or disturbance only
of the ports... be permitted to go to any other port or place she shall think proper. Nor shall any vessel of either that shall have entered in such port or place before the same was actually besieged, blockaded, or invested, by the other, be restrained from quitting such place with her cargo, nor if found therein after the reduction or surrender of such place, shall such vessel or her cargo be liable to confiscation, but they shall be restored to the owners thereof.”
“ART. 14. It is hereby stipulated that free ships shall give a freedom to goods, and that every thing shall be deemed to be free and exempt which shall be found on board the ships belonging to the citizens of either of the contracting parties, although the whole lading, or any part thereof, should appertain to the enemies of either, contraband goods being always excepted. It is also agreed, in like manner, that the same liberty be extended to persons who
are on board a free ship, with this effect, that although they be enemies to either party, they are not to be taken out of that free ship, unless they are soldiers and in actual service of the enemy.”
Two important considerations attract our attention to these articles, the first is, that that the ships of one party shall sail freely to the ports of an enemy of the other party, such ports not being actually invested or blockaded. We cannot insult the understanding of our readers by an attempt to shew that a port cannot be actually invested or blockaded, without some force being stationed near such port; and it is equally unnecessary for us to shew that France is not able to blockade or invest the ports of Great Britain. The second consideration is that free ships are to make free goods, in other words as applicable to the present subject, that British property in American vessels is to be protected from French seizure or capture. If the property of British subjects is to be protected in our vessels, fortiori , that which was British property, but is now American, must be protected. In defence of these rights, we find by the representation of our consul at Hamburg Mr. Forbes, that the French agents have seized property on board of an American vessel, in a neutral port, because the American owner was not prepared to shew that the goods were not of British manufacture or origin! In Bremen, another neutral state, the French government has gone one step further, for it declares by its consul Lagau, that “any goods of whatever kind, the English can furnish the same shall be sequestered, &c.” These are some of those circumstances of aggravation and injustice, to which we have alluded already, and that did not appear in the original decree. After this digression, we return to an examination of the conduct of the American government upon this occasion. The only public notice which this government has taken of this decree will be found in the correspondence of Mr. Armstrong. The answer of the French minister of marine (who declared himself not authorised) is the only explanation which (as far as the public is informed) the French government has given of this decree. This answer we now republish and which is as follows:
[TRANSLATION.]
“PARIS, 24th Dec. 1806.
“Mr. Minister Plenipotentiary,
“I hasten to answer the note which you did me the honor to address to me on the 20th of this month.
“I consider the imperial decree of the 21st of November last, as, thus far, conveying no modification of the regulations at present observed in France with regard to neutral navigators, nor consequently of the convention of the 30th of September, 1800, (8th Vendemiaire, 9th year) with the United States of America.
“But although, by this answer, the four questions upon which your excellency has desired to know my opinion, have been implicitly resolved, I think I can add, 1st. That the declaration expressed by the first article of the decree of the 21st November, not at all changes the present French laws concerning maritime captures, there is no reason for enquiring what interpretation, or restriction, or extension may be given to this article.
“2. That seizures contrary to the present regulations concerning cruising, shall not be allowed to the captures.
“3d. That an American vessel cannot be taken at sea for the mere reason that she is going for a port of England, or is returning from one, because conformably with the 7th article of the said decree, we are limited in France not to admit vessels coming from England or the English colonies.
“4th. That the provisions of article 2d and 5th of the said decree, naturally apply to foreign citizens domiciliated in France or in the countries occupied by the troops of his majesty and king, inasmuch as they have the character of a general law: but that it will be proper that your excellency should communicate with the minister of exterior relations as to what concerns the correspondence of the citizens of the United States of America with England.
“I pray your excellency, Mr. Minister Plenipotentiary, to receive the assurance of my high consideration.
“The minister of marine and the colonies. (Signed)
“DECRES.
“It will not escape general Armstrong that my answers cannot have the development, which they would receive from the minister of exterior relations, and that it is naturally to him that he ought to address himself for these explanations, which I am happy to find him, because he wishes them, but upon which I have much less positive information than the prince of Benevento. (Signed)
“DECRES.
“Faithfully translated. J. WAGNER, Ch. clk. deft. state.”
We leave to those who are in the habitual exercise of defending all the measures of the administration to prove that the assurances of monsieur Decres, ought to have satisfied the American government; our opinion is, that they ought not. Here we are naturally carried back to a time, when France attempted to enforce a similar decree, it is dated the 11th January 1798, the first article of which is in the following words: “The character of a vessel, relative to the quality of neuter, or enemy, is determined by her cargo.” In consequence every vessel loaded in whole or in part with English merchandise, is declared lawful prize, whoever the owner of the said merchandise may be.” The decree of the 21st of November, 1806, in other words, is conformable in spirit to the article above quoted, and the agents of the French government are carrying it literally into execution. The administration of the time we have mentioned perceived that this and the other decrees of the French government, were calculated to produce great loss to our commerce, that they were in direct violation of a solemn treaty, that by submitting to them we should degrade our national character, and finally provoke retaliation. There could be no hesitation under such circumstances, and it was determined to resist pretensions equally injurious to the honour and the interest of the nation—The result of this manly determination is well known; our differences with France were finally composed, by the very treaty to which we have so often alluded, and from which we have extracted the 12 and 14th articles, and in violation of which, those former monstrous pretensions of the French government are renewed and carried into execution.
It is now more than fourteen months since the decree of the 21st November 1806, was passed, and about twelve months since it was known to our government. Our ministers in London were apprised of it in Dec. 1806 by a note from the British government remarkable for its candour and respect, that if France did attempt to enforce this decree the British government might be compelled to retaliate. Nearly twelve months after this notification from the British government to our ministers in London, this retaliation is made, but under qualifications that evidently prove that necessity produced it.
The government of the U. S. in respect to its own honour was bound to resist this decree, whether it did so or not, and to what extent, is a secret that is profoundly concealed from the nation.
The President incidentally notices the decree in his communication at the opening of the present session of congress in the following words:
“Our differences with Spain remain still unsettled; no measure having been taken on her part, since my last communication to congress, to bring them to a close. But under a state of things which may favor reconsideration, they have been recently pressed, and an expectation is entertained that they may now soon be brought to an issue of some sort. With their subjects on our borders no new collisions have taken place; nor seem immediately to be apprehended. To our former grounds of complaint has been added a very serious one, as you will see by the decree a copy of which is now communicated. Whether this decree which professes to be conformable to that of the French government of Nov. 21st 1806, heretofore communicated to congress, will also be conformable to that in its construction and application to the United States, had not been ascertained at the date of our last communication. These however gave reason to expect such a conformity.”
Although the president does not positively say, that the French government had given him satisfactory assurances that this decree was not in its application to affect the United States, yet we must conclude that he intended to impress that belief—In making this conclusion we are inevitably led to another, and which is, that the French government, in addition to its violation of every principle of reason and national law, in addition to the violation of a solemn treaty it has added subsequent treachery and deception.
It has been the constant aim of the administration papers, to impress on the minds of the people, a belief that all the miseries they now suffer, and those greater, which they have yet to suffer, have flowed from the conduct of Great Britain. The fact is that although it might not have been in the power of this government to have averted ALL the evils which assail the people of this country, yet a part of them we are persuaded it could have averted. If because the government of France has chosen to treat us with injustice, we can see no reason why other nations are to be punished for it, nor do we see any good reason for relinquishing all commerce because the French government may deprive us of a part.
If our government had used every honorable means to have induced the French government to have rescinded this decree, as applicable in its construction to the United States, and had failed, it does appear to us, that we had nothing more left than to pursue the same course which was pursued upon a former occasion & under similar circumstances “grant convoys and permit merchant ships to arm.” By these measures our commerce & agriculture, although they would suffer much,
they would not suffer to the extent some imagine. We will even suppose that the part could exclude us from the whole of continental Europe, which is not very probable and if he should, the exclusion would be of very long duration. And it fortunately happens, that the principle articles which are sent to the continent of Europe, can in hand for some time without injury, Candles and Tobacco.
By the modifications and explanations of the British retaliating order, a very considerable portion of our produce, and all our fishable part of it, would find a market in place of rotting in the planter's barns. The continent of Europe takes but a very small part, (not worth mentioning) of our provisions, and other articles which we shall presently enumerate. In view to shew, what we might still expect in defiance of Bonaparte and his decrees.
We have before us the amount of export of domestic produce for the year ending 30th of September, 1803, our object now is to shew, the amount which we might export. We wish to premise that the orders do not affect our trade to the Spanish or Dutch colonies, in the West Indies, and we know that these colonies, from necessity, being cut off from mother countries by the British navy, exist without supplies from this country.
The United States export the following amount in articles which do not go to the continent of Europe, except in very small quantities, and which articles of course should not lose, as we unquestionably did the Embargo.
 Ginseng $ 160  Lumber of all sorts 2,400  Naval stores 400  Beef, pork, live cattle, live hogs, bacon, lard, butter, cheese, &c. 4,150  Wheat, corn, flour, meal, rice, peas, and all vegetable food 14,000  Flax-seed 460  22,000 
 The United States export in manufactures, none of which go to the continent of Europe 750  Of distilled spirits, none of which go to the continent of Europe 550  To these let us add the amount of exports to the British dominions, 13,000 hhds. of tobacco $50 per hhd. 650  Amount of cotton exported in all $7,000,000, say England takes only one half, 3,500  The whole amount of pot & pearl ashes and oak bark is $950,000, of which allow for the British dominions 500  The whole amounts of products from the Sea is $2 635,000 1,700  Allow two-thirds for all the West Indies, and it will be 1,133  $ 20,733 
Thus by granting small convoys, and allowing merchant ships to arm in their defence, the farmer and planter would save millions out of 40 millions, or three fourths of the whole of their produce. But does any man seriously believe that Bonaparte can exclude all our produce from the continent of Europe? Do we not know that there are means by which in spite of all his vigilance part will find its way.
In addition to what we have already said the present state of Europe will create an immense demand for our ship timber, masts, and naval stores, and these from a very great bulk, will give employment to a large part of our shipping. If Russia and the northern powers do not furnish naval supplies to England by some means or other, England will not permit them to export any, of course the naval stores and timber of this country will come into great request.
Upon a review of the whole subject, it appears to us, that this embargo is the most injurious, degrading, and unnecessary measure that was ever adopted—ruinous, because its effects are extending to every class of citizens, and has even pervaded the legislative councils—We ask if it is possible to adopt a measure so confessedly mischievous, as to make it necessary to arrest the progress of justice in the discharge of contracts between man and man? Degrading it certainly is, because we would rather lose all, than by a party spirit defend three fourths—unnecessary for the reasons before stated. France has the means, if she has the disposition, to carry her decrees into execution, except that measure limited in its operation and duration.
We have considered this subject heretofore chiefly as it relates to the commercial and agricultural interests of the country, but another class of citizens will feel the invigorating effects of the revival of commerce.
Another circumstance is worthy of consideration—What is to be the extent and duration of this embargo? If we are to judge from the motives which produced it, as asserted by its advocates, it is to last until the belligerent nations shall render us justice, until they do, we will remain in a state of retirement.” By this we understand that the embargo will not be raised until we have Great Britain to our own terms—until

will consent that we shall take her seamen into our service, although we do not want them — and until our flag shall protect the property of her enemies.
As to France, she does not care what becomes of her colonies, or those of Spain, for as Spain can only be considered as a department of France, the colonies naturally have a relative dependence. France will use all her efforts in Europe, and if she can ruin England, the fate of the colonies will follow as a consequence.
It is then Great Britain, who, we are to bring to our terms, and punish for her injustice. Our vaporing patriots we know will tell us, that they glory in the embargo, as a measure of profound wisdom, to these we do not address ourselves, but to the sober and reflecting part of the community.
Our revolutionary war, as to intercourse with the British colonies, lasted about eight years, yet her colonies, though they suffered severely, did not starve. Much of their sufferings arose from the superior maritime strength of the enemies of England. Canada, and Nova Scotia, did not afford during the former war, the supplies which they now can. We have been informed, that looking to the present state of things, and what will probably follow, preparations are making in Canada, for the ensuing crops of wheat, to nearly three times the extent before known. As the British colonies have existed eight years without our aid, it is not unfair to calculate upon their being able to do so again.
But what will be the situation of this country, if the present measures are persisted in a few years? Our merchants will all be ruined, together with our mechanics and artisans, our agriculture thrown back to the state in which it was twenty years ago. Whether France or England prevail, it will be the same to us, the commercial importance of America will dwindle away to what it was at the adoption of the federal constitution, we shall have to depend on foreigners to transport our produce, and the whole system of monopoly will be revived, for want of means in the American merchant, to meet the great capitalists of Europe.
These are a few of the evils that threaten, there are others still more alarming; the national spirit will either be broken by the sufferings of the people, and sink under the attempts of some aspiring leader, or rendered desperate by some reverse of fortune "so sudden and so severe," a convulsion in the political system may produce a state of things, of which it is impossible to foresee the issue.
Alexandria Daily Advertiser.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18.
One of the Philadelphia papers has given the public a new list of the victims to the expedition of Miranda, comprehending those who have paid the forfeit of their lives and those who have survived only to suffer the more cruel and languishing punishment of slavery. Great exertions were made to procure the conviction of the two chief instigators of the plot in New-York; but, as often happens when popular feeling is aroused, they were suffered by the jury to escape, no doubt against the law and evidence of the case — Another description of persons however must have been liable to a scrutiny. I mean the officers of the United States at New-York, whose duty it was to watch over the execution of the laws. Is it probable that recruits could be raised so publicly and numerously; that military equipments to such an extent could take place and not meet the eyes or reach the ears of the officers of government? The country is indebted for this dismal loss of its unhappy citizens, in some measure, to the permission, the tolerance of the expedition, whether it was the consequence of a negligence of duty or a wilful omission of it. I have not, except presumptively, the means of knowing how this was.
What I do not however remember to have seen suggested is, that many of these people are, beyond a question, suffering unjustly. Where a criminal intent did not accompany the act, all laws forbear a sentence of condemnation: some of those persons it is said, were impressed at St. Domingo by the Leander; others, who had been promised an option, when they arrived at the place of rendezvous, and heard the explanation of the enterprize, were said to have been compelled to remain in the service; and many perhaps were not well acquainted with the nature and danger of it at any time. Might not therefore a forcible demand of right be made from Spain for their liberation? I mean of such as ought to be exempted on the principle above mentioned? It would be worth the attempt to apply even to the favor and humanity of the Spanish government.
N. A. H. American
ACTS,
PASSED AT THE SESSION OF 1807-8
[CONTINUED.]
Authorising the courts of Berkeley & Fauquier counties to appropriate certain money therein mentioned.
Amending the act entitled "an act, regulating the manner in which certain duties
shall be performed by the county and corporation courts."
It shall not be lawful for the justices of any court to lay any levy, settle with a collector, or receive from him any list of insolvents; or make any order for the payment of money belonging to their county, unless a majority of the acting magistrates be present, or unless the provisions of the former act shall have been complied with. [To commence the first of June next.]
To amend the act, entitled "an act to reduce into one, the several acts concerning mills, mill dams and other obstructions of water courses."
Whenever any tenant for life or years, of a mill, which has been or shall be destroyed or rendered incapable of grinding, shall permit it to remain in that condition for three years, without rebuilding it, the person entitled in remainder or reversion (after the determination of the particular estates) may enter after the expiration of the 3 years, and rebuild such mill for his own use - and reversioners and remaindermen as aforesaid, shall have the same length of time to rebuild, as is allowed at present to one obtaining an order in the first instance. But before any such reversioner or remainderman shall have the right to rebuild he shall sue out a writ of ad quod damnum , whereupon a jury as in other cases shall assess the damages occurring to the tenant for life or years, which shall be paid before any order granted to rebuild: Provided , That nothing herein shall extend to infants, femes covert, persons imprisoned, of unsound mind, or beyond seas, until the expiration of three years from the expiration of their disability. [To commence from the passing.]
For the defence of the eastern frontier of this commonwealth.
The executive are to cause to be mounted on sufficient and proper carriages all the pieces of artillery belonging to the commonwealth, fit for service, so soon as the consent of Congress shall have been obtained, and the executive shall deem it expedient, they shall cause to be raised for the service of the commonwealth, 8 companies of artillerists, each company to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one third lieutenant, four serjeants, four corporals, two musicians, eight artificers, and fifty-six privates, whose monthly pay, rations and cloathing shall be the same as is allowed by the U. States. Every recruit shall be enlisted for five years unless sooner discharged, and shall receive a bounty of sixteen dollars. The men to be free white citizens, not less than five feet five inches high, and between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and such as owe allegiance to no foreign power; but no person under twenty one years shall be enlisted without the consent of his father, guardian or master. The compensation for wounds, &c. shall be the same as in like cases allowed by the U. States. Every person belonging to the said corps shall take an oath prescribed by this act, and be subject to the articles of war prescribed by Congress. The expenses incurred under this act are to be defrayed out of any money in the treasury; the corps to be employed for the protection of the state, in such manner as the governor shall direct; and in order that the claim of the state may be reimbursed by the general government, the executive are to cause correct accounts with proper vouchers to be kept. [To commence from the passing.]
Concerning sheriffs.
If a sheriff levy an execution upon property and a doubt arise whether it belong to the debtor or not, such sheriff may apply to the plaintiff, his attorney or agent for his bond with good security for his bond for indemnification for the sale of the property; and if it be not given before the day of sale, the sheriff shall be justified in delivering up the property to the person from whence it was taken. If such bond and security be given, it shall be returned with the execution to the clerk's office from whence it issued; and any person claiming the property may, in the name of the officer, prosecute a suit on the bond, and recover such damages as a jury may assess, provided that the person claiming the property shall give reasonable notice to the plaintiff, his attorney or agent of his claim so as to enable him to give such bond and security before the day of sale; which notice shall be proved by the affidavit of some disinterested person before the property shall be restored. The party laying claims to the property shall be barred of his right of action against the sheriff unless the obligors in the bond prove insolvent.
To amend the act entitled an act to amend the act, to incorporate two companies for the purpose of cutting a navigable canal from Roanoke river to Meherrin river, and another navigable canal from Nansemond river to Bennett's creek, in the state of North Carolina.
An act to amend the several acts prescribing the mode of ascertaining the taxable property within the commonwealth, and for collecting the public revenue and for other purposes.
The commissioners of the revenue now in office, are not, in the present year, to perform the duties required by the 8th section of the act prescribing the mode of ascertaining the taxable property, &c. (See Rev.
Code, s. 83.) but shall commence on the first day of March, 1809, and take a list of all property within their district, liable to taxation, (land excepted) on the last day of February then preceding. Every commissioner herein appointed shall commence his duties on the first of March annually, and his lists of taxable property and land shall have relation to the last day of February preceding; and such lists shall hereafter be returned to the persons directed by law, on the 31st of May in every year. Vacancies in the office of commissioner may be supplied at any stated session of the court. Every sheriff shall proceed to collect in the present year 1808, all taxes imposed by law agreeably to the lists returned by the commissioners in 1807. And the taxes agreeably to lists hereafter to be taken by the commissioners, commencing the first of March 1809, shall be collected in the same year 1809, and in like manner in each year thereafter the taxes shall be collected the same year in which they are assessed. The sheriffs are to pay the taxes by them collected in each year into the treasury on the first of November, instead of the first of October. No notice is hereafter necessary in motions against sheriffs for failing to pay the taxes: Provided that if such motion be not made at the term of the general court next after the taxes were payable, such sheriff failing to make payment shall have ten days notice as heretofore. Taxes on ordinary licences are hereafter to be paid to the clerks of the county or corporation courts, who are to account for and pay them, in every respect, as other taxes collected by them. The county levies shall hereafter be laid at the court held in May or June, and the sheriffs shall account for and pay them on the first of November instead of the first of Oct. in every year. The overseers of the poor shall hold their annual meeting and assess their poor rates on the 4th Monday in May 1809, and on the same day each succeeding year; and the collector shall account for and pay them on the first of November annually. The clerks of courts shall hereafter deliver their tickets, to the sheriffs or serjeants on or before the first of May in each year, and the sheriffs shall account for and pay them on the first day of November. All acts within the purview of this repealed; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to dispense with the other duties of the commissioners of the revenue, except so far as herein expressly directed. [To commence from the passing.]
The Proprietor of the Alexandria Daily Advertiser , will dispose of the Establishment on moderate terms—there are now nearly six hundred Subscribers and the List encreasing,—To a Person of Industry and Talents for conducting a Newspaper, this would be a desirable Situation. Circumstances beyond his Controul render it necessary to make Sale, it will therefore be sold a great Bargain if application be made soon.
The Volunteer Company of Alexandria are requested to have their arms and accoutrements in readiness to join in celebration of the approaching 22d.
By order, WM. F. GRAY, 1st serg't.
February 11
The Members of the Rifle Company are requested to meet at the market square, at 10 o'clock, on the 22d instant, to join in the procession contemplated in honor of the day. The privates are especially requested to appear with their arms and accoutrements in complete order.
By request of the 2d Lieutenant, H. FIELD, 1st Serjeant.
February 16.
Washington Society.
THE members of the Washington Society of Alexandria, are hereby notified to attend an Anniversary Meeting of the said Society, at Gadsby's hotel, on Monday, the 22d inst. at 11 o'clock, A. M. The Society will move in procession at 12 o'clock, to the Episcopal church, where an Oration will be delivered by one of its members JOHN LAW, Esq.—The different Uniform Companies of Militia are respectfully invited to join in celebration of the day.
By direction of the Standing Committee, G. Deneale. Sec'y.
N. B. The Standing Committee have agreed with Mr. Gadsby for the Birth Night Ball, on the usual terms. A subscription paper is lodged at the bar.
BY THIS DAY'S MAIL.
NEW YORK, February 13.
A letter, dated Amsterdam, December 30, received by the arrival last evening of the brig Thomas, says, "A decree was issued by the emperor, at Milan, on the 17th November, making good and lawful prize all vessels that had touched at English ports, or even suffered an examination by British cruizers, and had their papers endorsed."
HAVANNA, January 22.
The heads of departments here, having received advices from His Catholic majesty's charge des affaires in the United States, of an expedition being preparing in England, and, according to newspaper reports, said to be intended against the Spanish possessions in the bay of Mexico. The most active preparations are making here to repulse the enemy, in the event of their making an attack upon this port or island, by immediately calling out and properly arming and training, all the militia, of every description, which, together with the French settlers in the island, and the Spanish planters, merchants and artisans already trained, will compose a formidable body. The fortifications have already been put in the best state of defence, and are most amply supplied with all warlike stores, to resist a siege, even should it last for six months. The Department of the Marine (besides covering the garrison, and assisting it with men and means, will furnish a considerable number of officers to fill the vacancy that may exist not only in the corps of artillerists and engineers, but also in the infantry) have armed and completely fitted 40 gun boats and bomb vessels, provided with ovens for heating shot, with which we shall not only be completely able to defend the lines of our harbor, but also to attack the enemy, should he anchor on the outside. The greatest harmony and military ardor pervades the whole, and so far from dreading an attack, we rather wish for one."
It will be seen by the resolution offered by Mr. Dawson, on Monday, that congress intend soon to rise. We must view this in connection with the reported special mission of Mr. Nourse to G. Britain. Is it not probable that the government have offered such terms as they are taught to believe by Mr. Rose will be acceded to by his court, and that congress having no further and necessary business (in their estimation) to perform at present, will adjourn, to meet again about the time at which Mr. Nourse may be expected to return from London? We have no positive information of this being the present state of things; but from all the information in our possession, we are of opinion that congress will adjourn, this month to meet early in May. We hazard no opinion as to the probability of the embargo being raised sooner or later in consequence of this agreeable change in affairs.
(Fed. Gaz.)
Six Cents Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, James D. Hammond, an apprentice to the sea. The above reward will be paid for apprehending and delivering him to me.
George Coleman.
February 18.
3t
FIFTY HOGSHEADS Choice Jamaica Spirits,
FOR SALE BY
Calett and Fisk.
January 11.
d
District of Columbia,
Alexandria County, ss. November term, 1807.
William Wilson, complainant
against
James Williams, brother and heir at law, of Thomas Williams, John Foster and George Deneale, assignees of Joseph Cary, a bankrupt, Anne Farrell, widow and relict of Thomas Farrell, John Farrell, heir of Thomas Farrell, deceased, and John M'Iver, assignee of Jas. Gillies, a bankrupt, defendants.
In Chancery.
The defendant James Williams not having entered his appearance and given security according to the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that he is not an inhabitant of this district, on motion of the complainant by his counsel, it is ordered, that the said defendant do appear here on the first day of July term next, and answer the complainant's bill, and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in one of the public newspapers published in this county for two months successively, and that another copy be posted at the front door of court house of the
A copy. To
G. Deneale.
February 16.

Joseph Mandeville, Corner of King and Fairfax Streets, ALEXANDRIA: HAS FOR SALE, An assortment of WINES, LI- QUORS, GROCERIES, &c.
Consisting of
MADEIRA
Port
Sherry
Lisbon
Malaga
Teneriffe &
Corsica
WINES.
Old St. Estephe Medoc laret, in cases of one dozen
A few dozen fine old frontinac
Ditto do. best wine bitters
Jamaica and West-India rum
New-England do.
Cogniac, Bourdeaux and Naples brandy
Holland and country gin
Schiedam gin in cases
Irish whiskey, very old
70 barrels Pennsylvania rye whiskey
Cider in barrels
White wine and Cider vinegar
Florence oil in flasks
2 hogsheads Havana honey
15 do. choice retailing molasses
Gunpowder
Imperial
Hyson
Young Hyson
Hyson-Skin and
Souchong
TEAS of good quality
Muscovado sugars, different qualities
Bengal white do.
Loaf and lump sugars, Philadelphia, Bal-
timore and Alexandria.
Leiper's, Garrett's, and Hamilton's snuff
in bottles and bladders.
Macuba and rapee do.
Clover-seed, (Penn. warranted)
Mace; nutmegs; cloves; cassia; pimento;
to; pepper; ginger, race and ground; Cay-
enne pepper; refined salt-petre.
Coffee; chocolate; rice; pearl barley;
London and Philadelphia mustard; basket
salt; starch; fig blue; floatant indigo; Geor-
gia and Tennessee cotton; flax; wool; mad-
der; copperas; alum; brimstone; chalk;
pipes in boxes; wrapping paper and twine;
traces; bed cords; leading lines; demijohns;
gin cases; patent shot; brandywine gunpow-
der; Harvey's gunpowder, [the only real Bri-
tish battle powder] from F to treble sealed;
chewing tobacco; best Havana segars.
Muscadel and bloom raisins in boxes.
Sun raisins in casks.
Zante currants; prunes; soft shelled al-
monds.
A few boxes excellent pickles, each one
dozen bottles assorted; capers, olives and n-
showes, for sale by the box.
A quantity of clean good alum salt suitable
for the fishery, &c. &c.
JAMES BACON,
At his GROCERY STORE, on King-street, has an
addition to his former stock, added
A fresh Supply of Genuine Articles in
the Grocery Line;
Which makes his assortment complete.
He now offers for sale, on his usual low terms
Muscovado Sugars, of various qua-
lities,
Loaf and Lump ditto,
Gunpowder,
Imperial,
Hyson,
Young Hyson,
Hyson-Skin, and
Souchong
TEAS, particularly select- ed for family use.
Best green Coffee,
Chocolate, of a superior quality
Madeira,
Buscellos,
Sherry,
Lisbon,
Teneriffe,
Malaga, and
Genuine old Port
WINE &
Cognac and Bourdeaux Brandy,
Old Jamaica Spirit, for family use,
Antigua, St. Croix, St. Vincent's, and New
England Rum,
Holland Gin,
Irish and country Whisky,
Molasses, Wine, and Cider Vinegar,
Stoughton's Bitters,
Mace, nutmegs, cloves, cassia, pimento,
Cayenne and black pepper, race and ground
Ginger, basket salt for table use, pearl barley,
rice, starch, fig blue, soap, mould, flint and
spermaceti candles, refined salt-petre, floatant
indigo, alum, copperas, madder, brimstone,
spinning cotton, patent shot all sizes, best en-
glish and country made gunpowder, segars
and smoking tobacco, very best chewing to-
bacco.
Leiper's and Leiper's snuff, Hunter's pipes
in boxes.
London mustard, warranted of a superior
quality, Dixon's best ditto, wrapping paper
demijohns, &c. &c. with generally every ar-
ticle in his line—the whole of which have been
should be and will be disposed of on
contrary terms.
ALMANACS for 1808,
Just published and for sale, by
Custom and Stewart.
Landing for Sale, From the brig Fanny , capt. John Stacey, SHEETINGS 4 bales RUSS 3 do. ALMONDS 12 do. COFFEE 2 bbls. new RUM
John G. Ladd.
Also from brig Ruth , capt. Tobey, 24 bbls. and 2 hds. RUM Linseed, Spermaceti and Tanners' OIL SOAL LEATHER, COFFEE in boxes SALMON in barrels Quantity of SHOES, &c.
FOR SALE AS ABOVE.
February 3
30 Dollars Reward.
E LOPED from the service of the subscri- ber, on Saturday night last, a negro man named Anthony , (commonly called Toney )— he is about 38 years of age, six feet high, a likely well looking fellow, formerly a steve- dore in Alexandria: had on when he went a- way, a jacket and trousers: whoever se- cures him in any jail in Virginia, or the dis- trict of Columbia, shall receive a reward of 30 dollars, if out of the state of Virginia, or the district of Columbia, 30 dollars, and all reasonable expenses will be paid if brought home.
William H. Tebbs.
Dumfries, February 14
co3t
FOR SALE,
Or to be RENTED for one or more years; THE whole of the REAL ESTATE be- longing to Pressley Carr Lane , lying in and adjacent to the town of Centreville, in Fairfax county.
This property consists of the well known  TAVERN now occupied by Mr. Adam Mit- chell .
The STORE HOUSE now in the occu- pancy of Mr. Daniel Harrington —and from eight hundred to a thousand acres of good  FARMING LAND , at present in the pos- session of Mr. Carr W. Lane , and Mr. Wal- ter Locker , which will be disposed of in sepe- rate tracts or entire.
It is presumed that any person disposed to buy or rent any of the above property will first view the same and judge for themselves—a further description is therefore unnecessary.
Mr. Lane would take a small proportion in Negroes.
Harrison Fitzhugh.
Fairfax County Oct. 23.
law
GREAT BARGAIN.
I NTENDING to remove to the state of Tennessee as soon as possible, I wish to dispose of the following valuable and increas- ing property upon low terms, which property I inherited from my ancestors, who have had a legal title to the same for upwards of one hundred years.
One tract well known by the name of ABINGDON , being on the Potomac river between Alexandria and George Town, and nearly opposite the city of Washington, beau- tifully situated, containing about Four Hun- dred acres, now leased to the Mr. Wises for three hundred and sixty dollars per annum with other stipulations contained in the said lease.
One other tract contiguous to the first, leased to William Fraser for forty dol- lars per annum, containing about sixty a- cres.
One other tract containing ten acres of bottom land, adjoining the Four Mile Mill tract.
One other tract contiguous to the Abingdon estate, and within two and a half miles of George Town, containing 725 acres. The greatest part of this land is heavily co- vered with red and white oak.
A. L. S. O.
Three thousand acres on the Scioto River, in the state of Ohio.
This tract descended to me from my uncle  George D. Alexander , being one moiety of the land he was entitled to for his military ser- vices during the revolutionary war. All the title papers with the wills under which I am entitled to the above property, are in the hands of BALDWIN DALE , Esq. to whom ap- plication will please to be made for terms &c. he being legally authorised to contract and dispose of all the above valuable property, for which good and satisfactory titles will be giv- en.
Walter S. Alexander.
August 13.
co
Twenty dollars reward.
R AN AWAY yesterday morning, a negro man named Charles Johnson , about 35 feet 8 or 9 inches high, very black, has a small scar on one of his cheeks; his legs are small for a person of his size: had on and took with him, a grey coating roundabout lined with flan- nel, and trousers of the same, a black coat & an old grey great-coat, with a variety of other cloathing not recollected. Five Dollars will be given if taken in the county, or the above reward if out, and reasonable charges if brought home.
LAWRENCE HOOE, sen.
Masters of vessels and others are cau-
tioned against harboring or carrying him off.
December 26
co
In Common Council,
FEBRUARY 10, 18
Ordered , That the following persons be ap- pointed commissioners for superintending the elections to be held in the different wards of the town on Tuesday the first day of March next, for the purpose of electing members of the common council for the ensuing year— viz.
John Hunter ,  Wm. Harfer ,  John Muncaster ,  Andrew Flemming ,  Robert Anderson ,  Bernard Bryan ,  Abraham Faw ,  William Rhodes ,  William Newton ,  James Lawrason ,  John Johnston ,  Ferd. Marsteller ,
For the 1st ward.
For the 2d ward.
For the 3d ward.
For the 4th ward.
The election for the first ward to be held at John Lomax's tavern on Prince street, for the second ward at the Council Chamber, for the third ward at John Hodgkin's tavern on King street, and for the fourth ward at Mr. Mc- Knight's house on St. Asaph street, opposite Mr. John Janney's.
Test.
Jas. M. M'Rae, C. C.
February 12
atM
Alexandria Library Company.
THE members of the Alexandria Library Company will please to take notice, that an e- lection will be held at the Library on Monday 22d instant, between the hours of 5 and 6, p. m. for a President and eleven Directors for the ensuing year.
James Kennedy, sen.
LIBRARIAN.
King-street, 1st February
co4c
Lemmons by the box,
Lisbon Wine in quarter casks, And about 4000 bushels coarse Salt, Moula Candles in small boxes, of superi- or quality, Window Glass in boxes,
For Sale, by
Robert T. Hooe & Co.
January 30.
co4t
BACON.
THE subscriber has on hand BACON of a most superior quality for family use, which will be sold at reduced prices by any quantity from 10 pounds to 50,000.
ALSO,
Excellent LARD by the firkin or larger quantity.
A general assortment of SHOES and TRUNKS as usual.
We will barter from one to twenty bales Upland Cotton for Flour on pleasing terms.
E. GILMAN.
Feb. 5.
co7t
Valuable Property for Sale.
TO BE SOLD, in four distinct lots or to- gether, four acres of LAND, contain- ing from one and a quarter acre to two acres each, most eligibly situated without the terri- tory of Columbia, extending in a right line from Gibbon-street to Great Hunting-Creek, intersecting Jefferson, Franklin, and Green- street, and bounding east and west on Payn- ette and Payne-streets.
A plan of the ground and further particulars may be obtained by application to
James Patton.
June 22.
2aw4t
GARDEN SEEDS
For Sale.
THE SUBSCRIBER has a large assort- ment of GARDEN SEEDS of last year's growth. Peas, early Charleston, Marrowfat, do. Green Roncival, do. Early Dwarf Beans, assorted Lima do. Venson, do. Cabbage, Early York, Early Dwarf, White Savoy, Yellow and Green, do. Salmon and Purple Radishes, Red, White and Black, Turnip Radishes, Celery, Endive, Spinage, Parsley, Red Beet, Carrots, Parsnips, White, Red, and Portugal Onion, Early, Long, Green, and Common Cucumber, Lettuce, Early, Sclesia, Ice, and Royal, do. Asparagus Roots, Herbs of all sorts.
A. L. S. O.
A large variety of Grafted Fruit Trees, Flowering Shrubs and Roots, a collection of Green House Plants, in Pots, Orange, Chu- dock, and Lemon Trees, in Boxes, fit to bear Fruit.
Apply at his nursery, lower end of Pitt- street, Alexandria.
Peter Billy.
February 13.
2aw4t
For Sale,
A VALUABLE MERCHANT MILL, containing two pair of Stones and the