The enquirer (Richmond, Va.), 1806-02-15 00:00:00

The Enquirer.
PUBLISHED BY THOMAS RITCHIE, OPPOSITE THE POST-OFFICE...AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM... (PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.)
NUMBER 90.]
RICHMOND, SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 15, 1806.
[VOLUME 2.]
MANCHESTER TURNPIKE COMPANY. NOTICE is hereby given, that all shares upon which the ninth requisition shall remain unpaid, or upon which there shall appear to be due delinquencies of any former requisitions, will be offered for sale at Mr. Brooks's tavern, in Manchester, on the 15th day of March next. The sale to commence at 12 o'clock in the forenoon.
By order of the Directors, JAMES BRANDER, Clerk. February 12. (tdf.)
THE subscribers to the Library Society of Richmond, are desired to meet at Mr. Fletcher's Tavern, on Monday the twenty-fourth day of this month, at the hour of eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to elect a President and three Directors, in conformity to the act of incorporation of the said Society, passed on the thirtieth day of January last.
Gentlemen who reside within the jurisdiction of the city of Richmond, or the limits of the town of Manchester, who will or become members of the society, are requested to give in their names to the present directors before the twenty-fourth instant, in order that they may be qualified to vote for officers under the charter.
That the directors may be enabled to make an addition to the Library, the present members who are in arrears to the society, are desired to pay their balances to the treasurer.
THE DIRECTORS. February 13. 18th & 22d.
To Mr. George Bruce of the state of Kentucky. Sir,
As you neither reside within this commonwealth, nor have any known agent or attorney therein, I have adopted this method, prescribed by law, to give you notice, that on Tuesday the 18th day of April next, at the Eagle Tavern, in the city of Richmond, between the hours of ten o'clock A. M. and four of the same day, I shall proceed to take the deposition of Wm. W. Henning, who is a single witness in a material point, in a suit now depending in the Superior Court of Chancery, for the Richmond district, in which myself and Ann Burnley widow and devisee of James Burnley, dec'd. are complainants, and you are defendant.
I am yours, &c. JOHN T. HAWKINS. Albemarle, Feb. 13. (law4p.)
WHO WISHES TO RENT, a HOUSE in a healthy situation, on the Main street, a little above the Swan-Tavern. A Brick Building, with a dry Cellar, and a Kitchen underneath; a large Store-room and Counting-room, well calculated for a Grocery and Dry-Goods; in the second story, two good rooms, each with a fire-place heated. In the third story are also two lodging rooms complete. On the lot is a stable &c.
This tenement is adapted to accommodate a genteel family, and perhaps not inferior to any stand for business on Shockoe-Hill, for terms apply to
N. HALLAM. February 13. (2t p)
AUCTION. THE sale of BOOKS, by Auction, will take place on Friday and Saturday evening's, at WILLIAM PRICHARD's Book-Store. Hours of sale from six o'clock until nine. February 13. (f.)
JUST received by the subscribers a few Hds. Prime ANTIGUA RUM—they have on hand a general assortment of Goods in their line. FISHER & LESUEUR. February 13. (f.)
NEGROES FOR SALE. Will be sold, to the highest bidder, for ready money, at Hanover town, in the county of Hanover, on Tuesday the fourth day of next month, if fair, but if not, the next fair day.
ELEVEN likely NEGROES, belonging to the estate of Wm. Harris, dec'd. to satisfy a judgment obtained by Arnold's admrs. against the admrs. of the said Wm. Harris, dec'd. at the last Federal Court, held at the Capitol in the city of Richmond. The negroes consist of a middle aged woman and two young men, an elderly and three young women, two well grown boys, one about 12, and the other about ten years old, and two children. They are free from encumbrance, and therefore those who may become purchasers will meet with no difficulty as to the title. BEVERLY ROBINSON, Attorney in fact for Henry Harris, admr. of Wm. Harris, dec'd.
Feb. 13. epts.
TO RENT, FOUR ROOMS in my House on the street leading from the Main-street up Shockoe-hill by the Governor's. The situation is healthy and pleasant, being in the centre of the town, near the Capitol and Main-street, it is very convenient for business; it would suit very well a gentleman of the law, as the lower rooms are well adapted for an Office. A small family would be preferred, which may have part use of the kitchen and stable for one or two horses. Immediate possession may be had. W. F. AST. Feb. 13. (law3p.)
WILL BE SOLD, TO the highest bidder for ready money, on the premises, on Monday the 17th day of March next, by virtue of a deed of trust, executed by Mathew Brown, to John Nicholas, and John Kelly, to secure the payment of a sum of money as expressed therein, with interest and expenses of the sale, due to John M. Shepard; and by him transferred to Doct. Isaac Winston of Culpepper County, a part of the trust of land, lying in the North Garden, Albemarle County, whereon the said Brown now lives. The sale will take place, between the hours, twelve and three o'clock, P. M.
JOHN KELLY, Acting Trustee. Charlottesville, Feb. 13. (14w4p.) Cumberland, January 23th, 1806.
Sir, TAKE notice that on the twenty-fifth day of March next at Green's old store, and on the twenty-sixth at Walhall's old store, I shall proceed to take the depositions of sundry persons, to read in a suit depending in the County Court of Amelia; in which I am Plaintiff and you Defendant.
I am, &c. CAIN MAUN. Mr. ARCHER PERKINSON. February 13. (law3p.)
HOUSTON'S newly invented PATENT METALLIC HONE, may be had at Mr. Geo. Greenhow's store, opposite the Eagle Tavern. The utility of this machine for setting Razors and other instruments which require a fine edge, renders it an object worthy the attention of every individual who may have occasion for its use. December 12. (f.)
FIFTEEN DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN-AWAY from the Washington Tavern, on the 25th Dec. last, a Mulatto Man by the name of LEWIS, about 25 years of age. This fellow was formerly the property of Edward Carland of Hanover, was sold to a Mr. Shields of Goochland, and while the property of the said Shields, travelled very considerably through several states. I believe inasmuch as I have no doubt but he will attempt to pass for a free man, to the contrary of which may be discovered by attending to his person: he is about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, with rather an intelligent countenance when spoken to, and is a very well made fellow; indeed he has not a bony head for a fellow of his colour, being tolerably light; nor has he any marks by which he may be particularly known, other than those already mentioned, and that of his extreme politeness. He has a wife living in the estate of Mr. Watkins of Goochland, at a place called Dover Mills; yet his very general acquaintance may subject him to be sought elsewhere, perhaps in Lexington, in the county of Rockbridge (Virginia,) at which place he lived for some time prior to his being my property. He is a very good barber, and perhaps may attempt that calling for a subsistence in some of the remote towns of Virginia. Nevertheless if he is secured in any jail within the state of Virginia so that I cannot claim him again, or delivered to me in the City of Richmond, I will give the above reward and reasonable charges.
EDWARD HALLAM. February 4. (f.)
ALL persons having claims against the estate of John Hoomes, dec'd. of the Bowling-Green, are requested to make them known, that provision may be made for a final settlement. And those indebted must make immediate payment to JOHN HOOMES, and JOHN G. WOOLFOLK, Executors of John Hoomes, dec'd. Jan. 22. (f.)
VALUABLE PROPERTY—FOR SALE.
THAT large five story BRICK TENEMENT, a north side of the Main-street leading to the Capitol, now occupied by Mr. S. Rawlings, and in which Mrs. Harris has an interest during her life time. The situation is surpassingly fine, being near the bank, the Capitol, the basin, and the post-office. For terms apply to
AUBIN LAFOREST. Jan. 30.
ANDREW STEVENSON, in addition to the courts of King William and Hanover; practising law in the county court of New-Kent. January 16. 7m & s. 4c.
BY Virtue of a Trust Deed from Alexander and Peter Field Trent, deceased, will be sold, to the highest bidder, on the 25th of this month, in the town of Manchester, on the main street opposite the Old Warehouse, for cash or country produce, one half acre LOT of LAND, with several HOUSES (with a little repairs may be made tenable.)
JOHN ARCHER. February 8.
TO BE RENTED, Till the 1st of January next, either with or without the office. THE HOUSE on Shockoe Hill in which the subscriber lately resided. MERRIWETHER JONES. February 4. (f.)
JOHN AMSDEN, From New-York, a few days before the Court-House Richmond.
RESPECTFULLY informs the public, that he has taken the house lately occupied by S. Ogden, at a half-price rent, where he is carrying on the above business in all its various branches. He makes Edge tools, files, Hacks and repairs. Task forces, D. Combs and Step Rolling mills to any pattern; Roof-Work in general executed with dispatch. He flatters himself that by the attention he will pay to his business, and from the experience he has had in the U. States, that he will give general satisfaction to those who are good enough to favour him with their custom. January 16. TESTH 8p.
JOHN ALCOCK, INFORMS the public that he has lately established a CABINET SHOP in the city of Richmond, on the Cross-street leading up from Professer & Moncure's Vendue-store, and near the Fire Insurance Office; where he intends manufacturing all kinds of Cabinet Ware in the most modern style; he flatters himself that those who may favour him with their commands, will find his work equal to any made in the state, as he has provided himself with the best of materials.
He will sell his furniture low for prompt payment only, as his situation will not admit of giving a credit. A few Windsor chairs on hand, well made, which will be sold uncommonly low for cash. January 30. (f.)
VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE.
To be sold to the highest bidder, on Thursday the 18th day of May next, in the town of Lynchburg, and county of Campbell.
THAT large and commodious TAVERN and unimproved piece of ground, adjoining thereto; situated in the centre of said town and on the main street at the corner leading to the jail and court house, and not more than thirty yards from the latter, opposite Lynch's Ware-House and the street leading from the ferry landing. The TAVERN contains four rooms and a bar on the first floor, including two very large rooms suitable for a ball or dining room; the second floor contains six rooms suitable for lodging rooms, with an excellent garret. This TAVERN has a portion the full length of the house, also a good dry cellar and a well opposite the door, together with a kitchen, smoke-house and stable with twenty-two stalls therein. The unimproved piece of ground contains 144 feet on the main street to Davis's Lot and a hundred feet on the middle street a Lot and a half which is called the Town Lot including the half Lot the stable stands on. It is deemed unnecessary to state the great value of the above property, or say more as to the advantages arising from its central and eligible a stand for a TAVERN and store houses, as it is presumed no person would be inclined to purchase the same without viewing the said property; there being no doubt they will be better satisfied after seeing the convenient situation than any information they could get from this advertisement. The terms are one third of the purchase money paid down, one third 25th Dec. following and the remaining one third 25th Dec. 1807, the purchasers giving bond with approved security to carry interest from the date if not punctually paid. For further information apply to William Rose of Richmond or the subscriber living near Lynchburg.
SAMUEL SCOTT. February 11. (f.)
A TUTOR wanted, who can teach Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, in a small family. Apply to the Editor of the Enquirer.
WARM SPRINGS, IN THE COUNTY OF BATH, VIRGINIA.
HAVING taken a lease on the WARM SPRINGS for 10 years, from the 12th April, 1805; we wish to acquaint the public, that at a great expense and much labour, we have improved it, to accommodate gentlemen, in a range of framed stables 240 feet long, among which other stables roomy enough to hold about 100 horses, with fine chimneys, and finished off neatly; a large and commodious sitting room for the ladies, furnished with different kinds of instruments of music, and kept for that purpose only. A new Bath will be made different from the present one, intended for such persons as may not choose to mix with the strong and healthy. We have also taken charge on the Sweet Springs in the county of Monroe, about 50 miles from the Warm, for 9 years, and are making the necessary preparations for the accommodation of the visitors. The strictest attention will be paid to give full satisfaction, as we have from many years experience, that without it but few customers can be expected.
It is with much satisfaction that we have it in our power to assure the public that the different houses of entertainment on the roads leading to the Springs have of late been much attended to by the proprietors, most of which (above the village) the subscribers have visited, and have found that appearance was to indicate that in future travellers will be well accommodated. We wish to purchase a Blacksmith, for we that comes well recommended, a generous price will be given.
Also wanted to employ a different elderly woman to undertake the management of the place of house-keeper, either at the Warm or Sweet Springs, one of the Springs, one inclined to be industrious, and qualified to discharge such duties, with meet with liberal encouragement, an application is invited. ROBERT & GEORGE TURNER. January 21. (f.)
ROBERT GORDON & Co.
Have just received, and offer for sale, an additional supply of the best Madeira WINE in pipes, hds. and qr. casks. The two last vintages in Madeira, having yielded wine of a better quality than for several preceding years, they are enabled to say the quality is excellent—it is imported from two houses, from which very different flavored wine is lent. They have heard of the arrival, and will have at hand in a few days, a parcel of London Particular Dry Lisbon Wine, directed to be put up in the same way as some they had two years since, which gave great satisfaction to all who had of it; also, a parcel of Corks, Almonds and a quantity of Oranges in boxes. ON HAND: Port Wine, in pipes, hds. and quarter casks; A few Demijohns Old Madeira, at 8 dollars per gall. A quantity of sweet Pepper and Tin Plates. A general and extensive assortment of Dry Goods, consisting of Woolens of all kinds; printed goods, Manchester Stuff, Irish and Scotch Linens, Gloves and Hosiery, Hardware, Cutlery and Ironmongery. Plain Cambric, Laced Cambric, Book, Chambray and Colonade Muslins, &c. January 25. saw2w & law3w.
European Intelligence.
BALTIMORE, February, 8. In addition to our translations of the French bulletins in this day's Gazette, will be found the translation of a very important state paper from the emperor of Germany, published on his arrival at Brunn. We have extracted it from German papers to the 28th November, (received by the brig. Bella arrived last evening from Bremen) with the use of which, we were politely furnished by a mercantile friend. This reflects left the Weisler about the 20th Dec. and ought to have brought written or printed accounts down to that date. After diligent enquiry, however, we could obtain nothing later than what we this day present our readers. A letter of the 26th Dec. says, "The king of Prussia, incredible as it may now appear, has certainly joined the coalition!"—and the state paper, as well as the article under the Bremen head, seem to countenance the assertion. But his aid can no longer be of use to his allies, in their present broken and disconsolate state, nor in his armies formidable to France. After his rivalry and jealousy of Austria have prompted him to stand an idle spectator of her downfall, it would be madness in him to render his own ruin more speedy, by an open rupture with France.
The court of Vienna is in a pitiable plight. Driven from its capital to Brunn, from Brunn to Olmutz, and from Olmutz to Cracow in Poland, it has as little prospect of success in its present retreat as before it left Vienna—and should a frost have set in or the transports have been dismissed which conveyed the British troops to Hanover, they will be in a situation no less awkward and perilous. We were not correct in stating that the capital of Bohemia had been taken, but as several French divisions are marching through that kingdom, some of them will probably take that route for Hanover, and arrive very unfeastably for the troops now there.
The German papers contain a multiplicity of crude and confused accounts of engagements and affairs of posts, between the allied & French armies, but as they are not so late as those already translated, we have forborne to extract them.
TRANSLATIONS FOR THE FEDERAL GAZETTE.
TWENTY-SIXTH BULLETIN OF THE GRAND ARMY.
Znaim, November 19, 1805.
Prince Murat being informed that the Russian generals immediately after the signature of the convention, had set out with a part of their army with a view of passing by Znaim and that every thing indicated that the remainder intended to follow them in order to escape us, he let them know that the emperor had not ratified the convention, and that he should in consequence attack them. To that effect prince Murat made the necessary arrangements, marched after the enemy and attacked them on the 16th, at 4 o'clock P. M. This brought on the battle of Zunterfiorf, in which that part which formed the rear guard of the Russian army was put to flight, losing 12 pieces of cannon, 100 baggage-wagons, 2000 prisoners and 2000 killed on the field of battle. Marshal Lannes attacked the enemy in front, and while he remained on the left with the brigade of grenadiers under general Dupon, marshal Soult turned them on the right with the brigade of you, Lavalleur of the division of Legrand, composing the 3d and 19th regiments of the line. General of divisions Walther, attacked the
Russians with a brigade of dragoons and made 300 prisoners.
The brigade of grenadiers under general Laplanche Morier, distinguished itself greatly, had not night come on, nothing would have escaped. They fought at the point of the bayonet for a long time. The battalions of Russian grenadiers showed great intrepidity. General Oudinot has been wounded. His aids-de-camp, Domangent and Lamatte, were wounded by his side. The wound of general Oudinot will prevent his serving for at least 15 days. In the mean time, the emperor, wishing to give the grenadiers a proof of his esteem, has appointed gen. Duroc their commander.
The emperor removed his head-quarters to Znaim, on the 17th at 8 o'clock, P. M. The rear-guard of the Russians had been obliged to leave the hospital of Znaim, where we have found considerable magazines of flour and oats. The Russians retired to Brunn, & our advance-guard pursued them half way. But the emperor being informed that the emperor of Austria was at that place, wished to show him a mark of his regard, and halted on the eighteenth.
Here with is subjoined the capitulation of the fort of Kuffstein, taken by the Bavarians. Gen. Baragny D'Hilliers, made an incursion as far as Pilsen in Bohemia, and obliged the enemy to evacuate their posts. He has taken several magazines and fulfilled the object of his mission. The dismounted dragoons have crossed with rapidity the mountains covered with ice and fir trees, which separate Bohemia from Bavaria.
No idea can be formed of the terror with which the Russians have inspired the Moravians. In making their retreat, they burnt the most beautiful villages, & knocked in the head many of the peasantry. When the inhabitants saw them depart, they exclaimed with great joy, our enemies are gone.—They speak of them only as Barbarians who every where spread desolation. This is not applied to the officers, who are in general very different from the soldiery. Many of them are men of distinguished merit, but the army evince a savage instinct which we never have observed in our European armies.
When we ask the inhabitants of Austria, Moravia and Bohemia, if they love their emperor; we love him, they reply, but how do you expect we can love him any longer: He has brought it the Russians.
It had been reported at Vienna, that the Russians had beaten the French army and were advancing to that city. A woman cried out in the street, "the French are beaten; the Russians are coming." The consternation was general—fear and dread prevailed throughout Vienna. Such is the result of the fatal counsels of Cobentzel, of Colleredo and Lambert. These men are also detested by the nation, and the emperor of Austria will never recover the confidence and love of his subjects, but by sacrificing them to public indignation, and sooner or later he will have to do so.
CAPITULATION.
Concluded between the Branco-Bavarian brigade, commanded by major-general count Alexandre, and the garrison of the fortress of Kuffstein.
Art. 1. To-morrow at 10 o'clock, A. M. the castle of Kuffstein shall be delivered up to the Branco-Bavarian brigade. The outer gate & the entrance of the castle shall be taken possession of by the said brigade.
Ans. Granted. But for reciprocal guarantee, except of Bavarian troops shall be sent to the castle, and a captain of the garrison shall repair to the city.
Art. 2. The garrison of Kuffstein shall march out with the honors of war and all its artillery, but without carrying away any of its munitions.
Ans. The garrison of the place shall march out with all the honors of war; they may keep their fire-arms, and side arms; and side arms; but their bayonets shall be fixed and their pieces without flints. The garrison shall march out with two pieces of cannon without ammunition.
Art. 3. Private property shall be respected, & it is stipulated that it shall be transported, in safety to the Austrian army.
Granted—for the private property of the garrison, with the exception of the crafts and plans of the forts and environs, which shall not be removed from the place.
Art. 4. The ratification of these articles of capitulation shall take place to-day, according to military form and regulations.
Granted.
[Signed in form by both parties.]
KUFFSTEIN, November 10.
TWENTY-SEVENTH BULLETIN OF THE GRAND ARMY.
Polnitz, November 19, 1805.
Since the battle of Zunterfiorf, the enemy has continued to retreat with the utmost precipitation. General Sebastiani, with his brigade of dragoons pursued them fiercely in hand. The vast plains of Moravia have favored his pursuit. The 18th, on the heights of Polnitz, he cut off the retreat of several corps and during the day, made 2000 Russian prisoners.
Prince Murat entered Brunn, the capital of Moravia, at 3 o'clock P. M. fill in pursuit of the enemy, who evacuated the city and the citadel; the latter is a fine structure and capable of sustaining a formal siege.—The emperor has removed his head-quarters to Polnitz.
Marshal Soult, with his corps of the army is at Riemelschitz. Marshal Lannes is before Polnitz.
The Moravians entertain even a greater hatred against the Russians and stronger friendship for us than the Austrians. The country is beautiful and much more fertile than Austria. The Moravians were astonished on beholding in their immense plains, the inhabitants of the Ukraine, of Kamchatka, and of Great-Tartary, the Normans, the Oscons, the Bretons, &c. come among them to cut each others throats without their country having anything in common with them, or any immediate political connection; and they have good sense enough to declare, bluntly, that human blood is a commodity of traffic in the hands of the English. A wealthy Moravian said lately to a French officer, in speaking of the emperor Joseph II. that he was the friend of the peasantry, and that if he were alive, he would have freed them from those feudal taxes which they now pay to the religious convents.
We have found at Brunn, 60 pieces of cannon, 300,000 lbs. of powder, a great quantity of wheat and flour & considerable magazines of clothing.
The emperor of Germany has retired to Olmutz. Our posts are within one march of that place.
TWENTY-EIGHTH BULLETIN.
Brunn, 21st Nov. 1805.
The emperor entered Brunn the 20th, at 10 o'clock, A. M. A deputation from the state of Moravia, at the head of which was the bishop, came to meet him. The emperor visited the fortifications, in which were found upwards of 6000 muskets, great quantities of munitions of war of all kinds; among others, 400,000 lbs. of powder. The Russians had usurped at their arrival, which composed a corps of about 6000 men, and were disposed to defend their position at the junction of the roads between Brunn and Olmutz. Gen. Walther, obliged them by different attacks to quit the ground. Gen. Murat dispatched to his assistance D'Hautpoul's division of cuirassiers, and 4 squadrons of the imperial guards. Though our horses were much fatigued, the enemy were attacked and put to flight. They left more than 200 chosen dragoons on the field of battle, and 100 horses fell into our hands.
Marshal Bellieres, commanding the imperial guards, at the head of four squadrons of the guards, made a brilliant attack which threw them into confusion and put them to rout. Nothing could form a greater contrast than the silence of the guards of cuirassiers and the uproar of the Russians.
This body of Russian cavalry is well mounted and well equipped, and has shown great bravery and resolution; but they did not appear to be well acquainted with the use of their sabres; and in that point our cavalry has a great advantage. We had some men killed and 60 wounded, amongst whom are col. Durofel of the 16th chasheurs, and col. Burdon of the 11th dragoons. The enemy has fallen back several leagues.
TWENTY-NINTH BULLETIN OF THE GRAND ARMY.
Brunn, Nov. 23, 1805.
Marshal Ney has occupied Bizen, after having taken many prisoners from the enemy. He found in the hospital a great number of sick and wounded Austrians. On the 17th November he made himself master of Clausen and Botzen.
General Jallachich, who defended the Vorarlberg, has been cut off. Marshal Bernadotte occupies Iglen. His troops has entered Bohemia.
General Wreden, commanding the Bavarians, has taken a company of Austrian artillery, 100 horses, 50 cuirassiers and several officers. He made himself master of a considerable magazine of oats and other grain, and of many carriages laden with the baggage of several regiments and Austrian officers.
The adjutant-commander Mafion, has made 200 dragoons of La Tour and cuirassiers of Hohenlohe, prisoners, on his way from Iglen to Brunn. He attacked another detachment of 200 men and made 50 prisoners.
Information has reached us from Olmutz. The court has evacuated that place and retired to Poland. The weather begins to be rigorous. The French army has taken up its quarters. Its van is supported by Brunn, which is a strong place and which they are now busy in putting into the best state of defence.
SIXTH BULLETIN OF THE ARMY OF ITALY.
Head-quarters at Passignano, 19 Nov. 1805.
The army in its march to the Piave, Lasnet with very few obstacles. From the Piave to the Tagliamento, they saw several corps of cavalry, flying before them, who appeared to observe them, but whose retreat was calculated to prevent any engagement.
It was at the Tagliamento that the enemy seemed to await us. He had effected a junction on the left bank of a regiment of cavalry and 4 regiments of infantry, and their appearance indicated that they meant to make a vigorous defence of its passage. The general in chief had at first only an intention of reconnoitring their position.—The gen. Espagne, commanding the division of mounted chasheurs, the dragoons under the orders of gen. Marmet, and the cuirassiers, commanded by gen. Pulley, embarked on the river, while the divisions of Dufresne and Seras, marched to St. Vito, and those of gens. Molitor and Gadenne, directed their march to Valvasone.
Gen. Espagne had received orders to push forward. On the 12th, at 6 o'clock A. M. a squadron which had directed to advance was attacked by a regiment of Austrian cavalry. It sustained the charge with intrepidity, and gave time to Gen. Espagne to get in advance of the enemy, who were quickly repulsed and put to flight. In the mean time our artillery was brought up, and the cannonade commenced from each side of the river. It was very brisk and lasted the whole day. The enemy had placed 30 pieces of cannon behind a dyke; we had but 18, and our artillery displayed their usual superiority. The divisions of infantry arrived towards evening. The general in chief, satisfied with the advantages which he had obtained, and confident of fresh ones did not wish to effect its passage at that time. He contented himself with making dispositions for the following day, in order to strike a more decisive blow.—The divisions formed a junction at the destinations pointed out—and at Valvasone. It was at these two points that they intended to pass the river in order to flank and cut off the enemy. Prince Charles undoubtedly feared the execution of this plan. He did not judge it convenient to maintain his position till the following day but at midnight retreated along the road to Palmanova. Our army passed the Tagliamento, with the regret of not finding an enemy to fight with; and it was then that they discovered the result of the action of the preceding day—the left bank of the river being covered with men and horses, who had fallen under the fire of our artillery. The army continues its march—the hope of overtaking and combating the enemy increases their ardor. They hear of all the proceedings of the grand army, and the desire of seconding its movements and justifying the confidence of the emperor, stimulates and animates it incessantly.
The advanced guard daily makes prisoners, who augment the number already made. The weather is still favorable, and they are busy in repairing the bridges of the Piave and of the Tagliamento.

Head-quarters, Gorizia, Nov. 23.
The army maintains the position which it had taken on the left bank of the Isonzo. The advanced guard, under the orders of general Espagne, established itself on the Vipacco, repulsed the enemy as far as Gauz, and in several attacks, which were performed with vigour, made one hundred prisoners. The whole of their cavalry has retired by the great road. A considerable body of their infantry took the road by the valley of Idria, to gain that of Oberlebach. Five companies of voltigeurs are pursuing the enemy in that direction, while our advanced posts have reached the intrenchments of Prevale, and have taken a direction towards Leybach.
The gen. in chief has sent the division of Seras to Trieste. The Austrians evacuated the place at our approach, leaving 300 of their wounded. A corps of troops pursued them on the way to Leybach and took 50 prisoners. Two regiments of dragoons, supported by infantry, have proceeded on our left as far as Chiusa di Plet, which was guarded by the 2d regiments of infantry Saldolado and Deline and some cavalry. All the posts were abandoned the day after the arrival of our troops. The general of brigade Lacour who commands them, has received orders to penetrate as far as Villach, and to endeavour to open a communication with the grand army, whose movements have without doubt, determined the retreat of the enemy, who were afraid of being surrounded. A detachment has also been sent to Ponteba Veneta, where the enemy were pretty strong, but did not dare to await our arrival. In these various movements we have taken nearly 400 prisoners. The general in chief has left near Padua the corps of troops from Naples— to which he has added a division of the army, the Corsican legion and the 2d Italian regiment.
Lieutenant general Gouvain St. Cyr, who commands these united forces, holds Chiozza and Brondolo, and keeps himself prepared to fall on the British and Russians, if they dare attempt the debarkation with which they threaten the coast of Italy.
Lecchi, general of division, &c. to his excellency the minister of war.
Head-Quarters, Legnaro, Nov. 25, 1805.
I hasten to inform your excellency, that a corps of the enemy's troops, commanded by prince Rohan, shewed itself near Bassano. The general in chief set off for Stra with the reserve composed of a Polish corps commanded by general Peyri, a regiment of French cavalry and a regiment of French infantry, a battalion commanded by general Regnier, and 4 pieces of artillery under the command of the chief of battalion, Millo, and escorted by the 5th regiment of Italian infantry. General Regnier having departed from his cantonments, went to Piombino, where, by this means, he cut off the road to Mestre, from the Austrians, who were endeavouring to get into Venice. At day break yesterday, the 24th, he was attacked, and in spite of a vigorous resistance, was three times compelled to fall back.
The corps of Polish infantry which was at Campo-Pietro with the general in chief, set out before day for Calle-Franco, with the general in chief in person; who, when about half way, perceived the division of Regnier to be retreating, ordered colonel Grabinski to attack the enemy in flank. The attack was immediately made with the greatest vigour, and the enemy was obliged to retire to Calle-Franco, with the loss of 150 prisoners, (among whom were a col. and a major) and 3 pieces of cannon.
General Regnier taking advantage of this manoeuvre of the general in chief, attacked them again in person, and made 2,000 prisoners. The rest of the enemy's column retreated to Villa-Franca, where 3,000 Austrians, who hemmed in by the regiment of Polish infantry, laid down their arms to colonel Grabinski, and a corps of 700 cuirassiers surrendered to lieut. col. Clapin.
8,000 prisoners, 700 horses, 12 pieces of cannon, 6 colours and one standard, are the result of this day. Among the prisoners is prince Rohan, general commandant, 3 cols. 6 majors, and 3 lieutenants. The dead amount to about 600, among whom are 2 cols. 4 lieut. colonels and 4 majors. The wounded about 600.
Translations from German papers for the Federal Gazette.
NUREMBERG, Nov. 17.
It will give the friends of the great cause of mankind no small pleasure to inform them, that wherever the French have entered a capital in this country, they have been received as the deliverers of mankind. "Long live the emperor Napoleon," has been the general acclamation from every house, from every window. The inhabitants, and particularly the women, presented themselves in crowds in every street, to offer wine and refreshments to both officers and soldiers. Citizens, by thousands, were seen with tears in their eyes, giving thanks to Heaven for having delivered their country from the hard hand of tyrants and oppressors. Not a few addressed the brave gallic soldiers in the following terms, while they offered them something to refresh their weary steps, ("Nimm diess, Bruder Franzose,")—"Take this, brother Frenchman!"—The very girls pressed before each other to present flowers and laurels to the French generals.
DONAU, November 19.
The court of Vienna has taken up its residence at Cracow, in Poland.
BREMEN, November 25.
The day before yesterday the royal Prussian regt. of P. Ferdinand arrived here. It is to be stationed here some time, it is supposed, for the protection of large magazines of provisions expected down the Weser, for the royal Prussian army. This regiment, which belongs to a neutral power, is in no wise to compromise the neutrality, or interrupt the trade and commerce of this city—the interior government of which will suffer no change. The gates will remain guarded as heretofore by the Bremen troops.
Shortly after the entry of this regiment here, the senate received a requisition from lieutenant-general Don, for the passage of an English corps of about 400 men. The citizens were assembled in consequence, but declined giving their assent. The corps, nevertheless, marched through, after opening the gates by force. After which it was escorted by the Prussian troops over the Weser bridge on the road to Oldenburg.
BRUNN, November 15.
By special command of his majesty the emperor and king, with whose presence this city has been favoured for several days, the president of the superior police, baron Summeraw, has issued the following declaration:
"His majesty the emperor and king never had a more ardent wish than for the preservation of peace. This will lay in the principles
any, even the most secret design, of encroaching on the territories, or of aiming at an indemnity for the sacrifices which he made at Luneville and Ratisbon for the peace of Europe, he desired nothing more than that the emperor of the French might be actuated by a similar spirit of sincere and humane policy, and confine himself within the limits prescribed by the treaty of Luneville.
"Whoever with a pure intention has interested himself in the fate of Europe, must have felt the justice and moderation of this desire.
"True to his principles, his majesty was ever ready, during the progress of the present war, to offer the hand of peace; and he would have thought and acted in the same manner, under the most splendid victories, as under the influence of contrary events.
"His majesty thought the great and desirable moment of this reconciliation and of this return to national happiness really not far distant, when the emperor of France, at sundry times, openly professed to entertain similar sentiments, and spoke precisely in the same spirit to his imperial and royal majesty's generals, who, by the fortune of war, became his prisoners.
"Full of confidence in such declarations, and compelled by the wish to avert from the city of Vienna, which is so dear to his heart, the approaching danger, and from his good and faithful subjects in general the pressure of a tedious war, his majesty sent field-marshal lieutenant count Von Giuay to the French emperor's head-quarters, in his and his allies' names, to receive the corroboration of these friendly sentiments, and to learn the particular conditions which the emperor Napoleon on this occasion would make, preparatory to a general negotiation for a cessation of arms.
"But the expectations of his majesty were not fulfilled. As the basis of a cessation of arms for a few weeks only, the French emperor demanded, "That the allied troops return to their native country; that the Hungarian levy be disbanded; and that the dukedom of Venice and the Tyrol be put into the possession of the French armies."
"The contrast between such demands & the offers heretofore made by the emperor of France, all Europe will perceive.
"His majesty the emperor & king has by this first step fulfilled a duty sacred to his heart.
"But he believes he would have severely injured himself, wounded the honor of his monarchy, the dignity of his house, and the renown of his good and greatest nations, and have impaired the best interests of state in the eyes of the present and future generations, if, notwithstanding the weighty obligations incumbent on him for the preservation of the whole, he had given way to his own feelings for the temporary heavy oppression of his people, and coincided with stipulations which would have been a death-blow to his monarchy, and a breach of the confederacy with all his allies.
"His majesty wanted peace. He still wants it with uprightness and sincerity.
"But never can he, never will he suffer himself to be placed in a state of insecurity, which would subject him and his people to the domineering command of a powerful enemy.
"Under such circumstances, there is no alternative for his majesty left, than to cleave to the great, yet unexhausted resources, which he finds in the hearts, in the prosperity, in the fidelity and in the strength of his people—to the still unimpaired power of his high allies and friends, the emperor of Russia and the king of Prussia, and to persevere in this firm and hearty alliance, until the emperor of France, with that moderation which is the sweetest flower in the garland of a great monarch, will agree to conditions of peace, which must not be purchased by the sacrifice of national honor and the independence of a great nation."
Seat of Government.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, February 5.
(Continued from last paper.)
The House again resolved itself into a committee of the whole—Mr. JOHN C. SMITH in the chair—on the bill imposing a duty of ten dollars on every slave imported into the United States.
Mr. D. R. Williams said as the advocates of the bill seemed to think the amendment he had offered intended to defeat it, he would withdraw it, and make it the subject of a distinct resolution.
Mr. Jackson offered a new section, the object of which was to prohibit the importation into the territories of the U. S. of all slaves brought either from abroad, or from any state, except in the latter case by citizens of the United States removing to a territory to settle therein.
Mr. Jackson viewed this provision as necessary, in consequence of a legal construction given to an act of the last session, which allowed the importation of slaves from abroad into Louisiana.
This motion was opposed by Messrs. Alston, Ely, Morrow, Spalding, and Sloan, who either viewed it as inexpedient in itself, or as proper to be introduced into a distinct bill.
Mr. Jackson said as it was the wish of his friends, he would withdraw the motion, and offer it on another occasion.
No farther amendments having been offered, the committee rose and reported their agreement to the bill.
The House immediately considered the report.
The amendment limiting the imposition of the tax to the first day of January, 1808, was disagreed to; and the other amendments agreed to.
Mr. Jackson enquired what the effects would be of the forfeiture of the cargo in case slaves were smuggled into the U. S. Would they be sold, or would they be kept in the service of the U. S.? He did not wish to have any thing to do with them.
Mr. John C. Smith said he had voted for the resolution; but the defects in the details of the bill were so glaring, that he hoped it would be referred to a select committee, that it might be so modified as to cure these defects; or, that in case it were found insusceptible of such modification, it might be rejected. Mr. J. C. Smith accordingly moved the recommittal of the bill to a select committee.
Mr. Jackson advocated this motion, and remarked that the proviso of the bill that declaring the duty should not be construed as giving a sanction to the importation of slaves, offered an additional reason for either rejecting or recommending it. How could this language be used with propriety in a law, when the constitution, the highest authority, authorised the trade?
Mr. Quincy spoke to the like effect, and further enquired, whether it was the intention of gentlemen to apply the provisions of the bill to slaves navigating the ships of the United States.
visions of the bill as perfectly correct. They observed that slaves were considered as property, as merchandise, and could only therefore in the bill be treated as such.
The motion to reconsider was lost—Ayes 59—Nones 61.
Mr. Crowninshield spoke against the bill, and moved its postponement to an indefinite day, which is a vote equivalent to a rejection of a bill.
Messrs. John C. Smith, Taggart, and Rhea of Tenn. supported; and Messrs. Sloan, Elmer, and Smilie, opposed the motion; when the Yeas and Nays were called on it; and were Yeas 42—Nones 69.
Mr. Jackson moved to strike out the proviso of the bill, which motion was disagreed to; when the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow—Ayes 59.
THURSDAY, Feb. 6.
Several petitions were presented from sundry citizens of the 11th Congressional district of Pennsylvania, praying an alteration in that part of the constitution that extends the judicial power of the U. S. to controversies between citizens of different states, between citizens of the same state claiming grants of lands under different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
Referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the union.
The bill laying a duty of ten dollars on every slave imported into the U. S. was read a third time.
Mr. John C. Smith stated, in a more detailed way, the objections previously offered to the bill, and moved its recommittal to a select committee, in which the House concurred without a division.
A confidential message in writing was received from the President of the U. States about 12 o'clock; whereupon the galleries were cleared. They remained cleared until near 4 o'clock, when the House adjourned.
JANUARY 13.
On motion of Mr. Southard, Resolved, That the committee appointed on the 18th of December last, be instructed to enquire whether any, and if any, what alterations are necessary in the laws providing compensation to marshals, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Erratum in the resolution offered by Mr. J. Randolph. In the line next to the last, read with, instead of and.
Domestic Intelligence.
Extract of a letter from the Secretary of State to James Monroe, Esq. dated 5th January, 1804, relative to impressments.
We consider a neutral flag, on the high seas, as a safe guard to those sailing under it. Great Britain, on the contrary, asserts a right to search for, and seize her own subjects; and under that cover, as cannot but happen, are often seized and taken off, citizens of the U. S. and citizens or subjects of other neutral countries, navigating the high seas, under the protection of the American flag.
Were the right of Great Britain, in this case not denied, the abuses flowing from it would justify the U. S. in claiming and expecting a discontinuance of its exercise. But the right is denied, and on the best grounds.
Although Great Britain has not yet adopted, in the same latitude with most other nations, the immunities of a neutral flag, she will not deny the general freedom of the high seas, and of neutral vessels navigating them, with such exceptions only as are annexed to it by the law of nations. She must produce then such an exception in the law of nations, in favor of the right she contends for. But in what written and received authority will she find it? In what usage except her own, will it be found? She will find in both, that a neutral vessel does not protect certain objects denominated contraband of war, including enemies serving in the war, nor articles going into a blockaded port, nor, as she has maintained, and as we have not confessed, enemy's property of any kind. But no where will she find an exception to this freedom of the seas, and of neutral flags, which justifies the taking away of any person, not an enemy, in military service, found on board a neutral vessel.
If treaties, British as well as others, are to be consulted on this subject, it will equally appear, that no countenance to the practice can be found in them. Whilst they admit a contraband of war, by enumerating its articles, and the effect of a real blockade by defining it, in no instance do they affirm or imply a right in any foreigner to enforce his claims to the allegiance of his subjects, on board neutral vessels on the high seas. On the contrary, whenever a belligerent claim against persons on board a neutral vessel, is referred to in treaties, enemies in military service alone are excepted from the general immunity of persons in that situation; and this exception confirms the immunity of those who are not included in it.
It is not then from the law or the usage of nations, nor from the tenor of treaties, that any sanction can be derived for the practice in question. And surely it will not be pretended that the sovereignty of any nation extends, in any case whatever, beyond its own dominions, and its own vessels on the high seas. Such a doctrine would give just claim to all nations, and more than any thing would countenance the imputation of aspiring to an universal empire of the seas. It would be the less admissible too, as it would be applicable to times of peace, as well as to times of war, and to property as well as to persons. If the law of allegiance, which is a municipal law, be in force at all on the high seas, on board foreign vessels, it must be so at all times there as it is within its acknowledged sphere. If the reason alleged for it be good in time of war, namely, that the sovereign has then a right to the service of all his subjects, it must be good at all times because at all times, he has the same right to their service. War is not the only occasion for which he may want their services, nor is external danger the only danger against which their services may be required for his security. Again; if the authority of a municipal law can operate on persons in foreign vessels on the high seas, because within the dominion of their sovereign they would be subject to that law, and are violating that law by being in that situation, how reject the inference that the authority of a municipal law may equally be enforced, on board foreign vessels, on the high seas, against articles of property exported in violation of such a law, or belonging to the country from which it was exported? And this every commercial regulation, in time of peace too, as well as of war, would be made obligatory on foreigners and their vessels, not only whilst within the dominion of the sovereign making the regulation, but in every sea, and at every distance where an armed vessel might meet with them. Another instance deserves attention. If the subjects of one sovereign may be
the high seas, the right of taking them when found, implies the right of searching for them; a vexation of commerce, especially in time of peace, which has not yet been attempted, and which for that as well as other reasons, may be regarded as contradicting the principle from which it would flow.
Taking reason and justice for the tests of this practice, it is peculiarly indefensible; because it deprives the dearest rights of persons of a regular trial, to which the most inconsiderable article of property captured on the high seas, is entitled; and leaves their destiny to the will of an officer, sometimes cruel, often ignorant, and generally interested by his want of mariners, in his own decisions. Whenever property found in a neutral vessel, is supposed to be liable on any grounds to capture and condemnation, the rule in all cases is that the question shall not be decided by the captor, but be carried before a legal tribunal, where a regular trial may be had, and where the captor himself is liable to damages, for an abuse of his power. Can it be reasonable then, or just, that a belligerent commander who is thus restricted, and thus responsible in a case of mere property of trivial amount should be permitted, without recurring to any tribunal whatever, to examine the crew of a neutral vessel, to decide the important question of their respective allegiances, and to carry that decision into instant execution, by forcing every individual he may chuse, into a service abhorrent to his feelings, cutting him off from his most tender connections, exposing him and his person to the most humiliating discipline, and his life itself to the greatest dangers? Reason, justice and humanity, unite in protecting against so extravagant a proceeding. And what is the pretext for it? It is that the similarity of language and of features between American citizens and British subjects, are such as not easily to be distinguished; and that without this arbitrary and summary authority to make the distinction, British subjects would escape, under the name of American citizens, from the duty which they owe to their sovereign. Is then the difficulty of distinguishing a mariner of one country from the mariner of the other, and the importance of his services, a good plea for reserving the question whether he belongs to the one or to the other, to an arbitrary decision on the spot, by an interested and unresponsive officer? In all other cases, the difficulty and the importance of questions are considered as reasons for requiring greater care and formality in investigating them, and greater security for a right decision on them. To say that precautions of this sort are incompatible with the object, is to admit that the object is unjustifiable; since the only means by which it can be pursued are such as cannot be justified.
The civil takes a deeper die, when viewed in its practice as well as its principles. Were it allowable that British subjects should be taken out of American vessels on the high seas, it might at least be required that the proof of their allegiance should lie on the British side. This obvious and just rule is, however, reversed; and every seaman on board, though going from an American port, and sailing under the American flag, and sometimes even speaking an idiom proving him not to be a British subject, is presumed to be such, unless he shewn to be an American citizen. It may falsely be affirmed that this is an outrage and an indignity which has no precedent, and which Great Britain would be among the last nations in the world to suffer, if offered to her own subjects, and her own flag. Nor is it always against the right presumption alone, which is in favor of the citizenship corresponding with the flag, that the violence is committed. Not unfrequently it takes place in defiance of the most positive proof, certified in due form by an American officer. Let it not be said, that in granting to American seamen this protection for their rights as such, the point is yielded, that the proof lies on the American side, and that the want of it in the prescribed form justifies the inference that the seamen is not of American allegiance. It is distinctly to be understood, that the certificate usually called a protection to American seamen, is not meant to protect them under their own, or even any other neutral flag on the high seas. We can never admit, that in such a situation, any other protection is required for them, than the neutral flag itself on the high seas. The document is given to prove their real character, in situations to which neither the law of nations, nor the law of their own country, are applicable; in other words, to protect them within the jurisdiction of the British laws, and to secure to them, within every other jurisdiction, the rights and immunities due to them. If in the course of their navigation even on the high seas, the document should have the effect of repelling wrongs of any sort, it is an incidental advantage only, of which they avail themselves, and is by no means to be misconstrued into a right to exact such a proof, or to make any disadvantageous interference from the want of it.
Were it even admitted that certificates for protection might be justly required in time of war, from American seamen, they could only be required in cases where the lapse of time from its commencement, had given an opportunity for the American seamen to provide themselves with such a document. Yet it is certain that in a variety of instances, seamen have been impressed from American vessels, on the plea that they had not this proof of citizenship, when the dates and places of the impressments demonstrated the impossibility of their knowing, in time to provide the proof, that a state of war had rendered it necessary.
Whether, therefore, we consult the law of nations, the tenor of treaties, or the dictates of reason and justice, no warrant, no pretext can be found for the British practice of making impressments from American vessels on the high seas.
Great Britain has the less to say in excuse for this practice, as it is in direct contradiction to the principles on which she proceeds in other cases. Whilst the claims and seizures on the high seas, her own subjects, voluntarily serving in American vessels, she has constantly given, when she could give, as a reason for not discharging from her service American citizens, that they had voluntarily engaged in it. Nay, more, whilst she impresses her own subjects from the American service, although they may have been settled and married, and even naturalized in the U. S. she constantly refuses to release from her's, American citizens impressed into it, whenever she can give for a reason, that they were either settled or married within her dominions. Thus, when the voluntary consent of the individual favors her pretensions, she pleads the validity of that consent. When the voluntary consent of the individual stands in the way of her pretensions, it goes for nothing! When marriage or residence can be pleaded in her favor, she avails herself of the plea. When marriage and residence, and even naturalization are against her, no respect whatever is paid to either! She takes by force her own subjects, voluntarily serving in our vessels. She keeps by force American citizens, involuntarily serving in hers. More flagrant inconsistencies cannot be imagined.
Notwithstanding the powerful motives which ought to be felt by the British government to relinquish a practice which exposes it to so ma-
ny objections to different sorts will be pressed on you. You will be told first, of the great number of British seamen in the American trade, and of the necessity for their services in time of war and danger. Secondly, of the right and the prejudice of the British nation, with respect to what are called the British or narrow seas, where its dominion would be abandoned by the general stipulation required. Thirdly, of the use which would be made of such a sanctuary as that of American vessels, for desertions, and traitorous communication to her enemies, especially across the channel to France.
1st. With respect to the British seamen serving in our trade, it may be remarked, first, that the number, though considerable, is probably less than may be supposed. Secondly, that what is wrong in itself cannot be made right by considerations of expediency or advantage. Thirdly, that it is proved by the fact, that the number of real British subjects gained by the practice in question, is of considerable importance, even in the case of advantage. The annexed report to Congress on the subject of impressments, with the addition of such cases as may be in the hands of Mr. Erving, will verify the remark in its application to the present war. The statement made by his predecessor during the last war, and which is also annexed, in the same view till more conclusive. The statement comprehends not only all the applications made by him in the first instance, for the liberation of impressed seamen, between the month of June 1797, and September, 1801, but many also which had been made previous to his agency, by Mr. Pinckney and Mr. King, and which it was necessary for him to renew. These applications therefore may fairly be considered as embracing the greater part of the period of the war; and as applications are known to be pretty indiscriminately made, they may further be considered as embracing, if not the whole, the far greater part of the impressments, those of British subjects as well as others. Yet the result exhibits 2,053 cases only, and of this number 102 seamen only, obtained as being British subjects, which is less than 1-20 of the number impressed, and 1,142 discharged or ordered to be so, as not being British subjects, which is more than half of the whole number, leaving 805 for further proof, with the strongest presumption that the greater part, if not the whole, were Americans or other Aliens, whose proof of citizenship had been lost or destroyed, or whose situation would account for the difficulties and delays in producing it. So that it is certain, that for all the British seamen gained by this violent proceeding, more than an equal number who were not so were the victims; it is highly probable that for every British seamen so gained, a number of others, less than 10 for one, must have been the victims, and it is even probable that this number may have exceeded the proportion of 20 to one.
It cannot therefore be doubted, that the acquisition of British seamen, by these impressments, whatever may be its advantage, is lost in the wrong done to Americans ignorantly or wilfully mistreated for British subjects, in the jealous and ill-will excited among maritime nations by an adherence to such a practice, and in the particular provocation to measures of redress on the part of the United States, not less disagreeable to them, than embarrassing to Great Britain, and which may threaten the good understanding which ought to be faithfully cultivated by both. The copy of a bill brought into Congress under the influence of violations committed on our flag, gives force to this latter consideration. Whether it will pass into a law, and at the present session, is more than can yet be said. As there is every reason to believe that it has been proposed with reluctance, it will probably not be pursued into effect, if any hope can be supported of a remedy, by an amicable arrangement between the two nations.
There is a further consideration which ought to have weight in this question. Although the British seamen employed in carrying on American commerce, be in some respects lost to their own nation, yet such is the intimate and extensive connexion of this commerce, direct and circuitous, with the commerce, the manufactures, revenue, and the general resources of the British nation, that in other respects its mariners, on board American vessels, may truly be said to be rendering it the most valuable services. It would not be extravagant to make it a question, whether Great Britain would not suffer more by withdrawing her seamen from the merchant vessels of the U. States, than her enemies would suffer from the addition of them to the crews of her ships of war, and cruisers. Should any difficulty be started concerning seamen born within the British dominions, and naturalized by the U. S. since the treaty of 1793, you may remove it by observing: First, that very few, if any such naturalizations can take place, the law here requiring a preparatory residence of five years, with notice of the intention to become a citizen entered of record two years before the last necessary formality, besides a regular proof of good moral character, conditions little likely to be complied with by ordinary seafaring persons. Secondly, that a discontinuance of impressments on the high seas will preclude an actual collision between the interfering claims. Within the jurisdiction of each nation, and in their respective vessels on the high seas, each will enforce the allegiance which it claims. In other situations the individuals doubly claimed, will be within a jurisdiction independent of both nations.
Secondly. The British pretensions to dominion over the narrow seas are so obsolete and so indefensible that they never would have occurred as a probable objection in this case, if they had not actually frustrated an arrangement settled by Mr. King with the British ministry on the subject of impressments from American vessels on the high seas. At the moment when the articles were expected to be signed, an exception of the "narrow seas" was urged and insisted on by lord St. Vincent; and being utterly inadmissible on our part, the negotiation was abandoned. The objection in itself has certainly not the slightest foundation. The time has been, indeed, when England not only claimed, but exercised pretensions scarcely inferior to full sovereignty over the seas surrounding the British isles, and even as far as Cape Finisterre to the south, and Van Staten, in Norway, to the north. It was a time, however, when reason had little share in determining the law, and the intercourse of nations; when power alone decided questions of right, and when the ignorance, and want of concert among other maritime countries facilitated such an usurpation. The progress of civilization and information has produced a change in all these respects; and no principle in the code of public law is at present better established, than the common freedom of the seas beyond a very limited distance from the territories washed by them. This distance is not indeed fixed with absolute precision. It is varied in a small degree by written authorities, and perhaps it may be reasonably varied in some degree by local peculiarities. But the greatest distance which would now be listened to any where, would make a small proportion of the narrowest part of the narrowest sea in question.
What are, in fact, the prerogatives claimed and exercised by G. Britain over these seas? If they were really a part of her dominion, her authority would be the same there as within her other dominion. Foreign vessels would be subject to all the laws and regulations framed for them, as much as if they were within the harbors or rivers of the country. Nothing of this sort is pretended. Nothing of this sort would be tolerated. The only instances in which these seas are distinguished from other seas, or in which G. Britain enjoys within them, any distinction over other nations, are first the compliment paid by other flags to hers. Secondly, the extension of her territorial jurisdiction in certain cases to the distance of four leagues from the coast. This first is a relic of ancient usurpation, which has thus long escaped the correction, which modern and more enlightened times have applied to other usurpations. The prerogative has been often contested, however, even at the expence of bloody wars, and is still borne with ill will and inaptitude by her neighbors. At the last treaty of peace at Amiens, the abolition of it was repeatedly and strongly pressed by France; and it is not improbable that at no remote day it will follow the fate of

British monarchs, and at length to properly satisfy the lessons of magnanimous wisdom. As far as this homage to the British flag has any foundation at present, it rests merely on long usage and long acquiescence, which are confirmed, as in a few other cases of maritime claims, into the effect of a general though tacit convention. The second instance is the extension of the territorial jurisdiction to four leagues from the shore. This too, as far as the distance may exceed that which is generally allowed, rests on a like foundation, strengthened, perhaps, by the local facility of smuggling, and the peculiar interest which Great Britain has in preventing a practice of affecting so deeply her whole system of revenue, commerce and manufactures; whilst the limitation itself to four leagues necessarily implies that beyond that distance no territorial jurisdiction is assumed.
But whatever may be the origin or the value of these prerogatives over foreign flags in one case, and within a limited portion of these seas in another, it is obvious that neither of them will be violated by the exemption of American vessels from impressments, which are no wise connected with either; having never been made on the pretext either of withholding the wonted homage to the British flag, or of smuggling in defiance of British laws.
This extension of the British law to four leagues from the shore, is inferred from an act of parliament passed in the year 1736 (9 C. 2. c. 35) the terms of which comprehend all vessels foreign as well as British. It is possible however, that the former are constructively excepted. Should your enquiries ascertain this to be the case, you will find yourself on better ground than the concession here made.
With respect to the compliment paid to the British flag, it is also possible that more is here conceded than you may find to be necessary. After the peace of 1783 this compliment was peremptorily withheld by France, in spite of the remonstrances of Great Britain; and it remains for your enquiry, whether it did not continue to be refused, notwithstanding the failure at Amiens to obtain from Great Britain a formal renunciation of the claim.
From every view of the subject, it is reasonable to expect that the exception of the narrow seas, from the stipulation against impressments, will not be inflexibly maintained. Should it be so, your negotiation will be at an end. The truth is, that so great a proportion of our trade direct and circuitous, passes through those channels, and such is its peculiar exposure in them to the wrong practiced, that with such exception any remedy would be very partial. And we can never consent to purchase a partial remedy, by confirming a general evil, and by subjecting ourselves to our own reproaches as well as to those of other nations.
Third, It appears, as well by a letter from Mr. Thornton, in answer to one from me, of both which copies are enclosed, as from conversations with Mr. Merry, that the facility which would be given, particularly in the British channel, by the immunity claimed for American vessels, to the escape of traitors, and the defection of others whose services in time of war may be particularly important to an enemy, forms one of the pleas for the British practice of examining American crews, and will be one of the objections to a formal relinquishment of it.
This plea like all others, admits a solid and satisfactory reply. In the first place, if it could prevail at all against the neutral claim, it would authorize the seizure of the persons described only, and in vessels bound to a hostile country only; whereas the practice of impressing is applied to persons, few or any of whom are alleged to be of either description, & to vessels whithersoever bound, even to Great Britain herself. In the next place, it is not only a preference of a smaller object on one side to a greater object on the other, but a sacrifice of right on one side to expediency on the other side.
WASHINGTON, February 10. We have been favoured with extracts from several letters received from Detroit, dated as late as the 13th Dec. The length and importance of the details of foreign news compels us to take but a brief notice of their contents. The alarm of an attack from the Indians had entirely subsided.
A few evenings before the 13th of December, some British officers with arms forcibly entered a house in Detroit and seized a deserter from them. The people of the town interfered, refused the deserter, shot one of the British officers in the leg, and considerably injured the other. Both these officers, with other persons concerned in the affair, are recognized to appear at the ensuing court to answer for this atrocious breach of the peace.
On Thursday, Capt. J. Henderson, of the brig Good Intent, returned here from St. Jago de Cuba, via the Viñeyard, where he arrived passenger in a Beverly vessel. Capt. H. had sold his cargo (except a few barrels of flour) at St. Thomas's—went with the proceeds for the Main—not admitted there, proceeded for Cuba, and when nearly in with the land was taken by a Guadalupe privateer, Capt. Dupre, and carried into the very port he was entering of his own accord. Capt. H. threw himself upon the protection of the Governor, and delivered into his trust his money, which the Frenchman had not been able to find, but which he then demanded of the Governor: the latter refused to give it up till a condemnation should be had, which was sent for to Guadalupe, and which there was no doubt would be furnished, according to common practice there—upon what principle in the law of nations, jurists and publicists must decide.
From the Aurora. Extract—Dated, Montego Bay (Jam.) December 16 1806. "Now my dear friend, why did you not follow the advice entertained in mine of the months of July and August, and have shipped lumber, slaves, beef, pork, fish, candles, soap and butter for this place, (you can't do it now) from the Governor's wisdom in stopping the free trade to America—the above recited articles bear the following incredible prices, flour 85 dollars, beef, pork and salt fish at the rate of 50 cents per lb. none by the barrel to be got, candles and soap 25 cents, butter per pickin, 75 cents, cheese at the rate of 100 cents American, English 150 cents, hams 22 1-2, haves 135 dollars, cash, per thousand, which cost with you about 30 or 35 dollars, lumber, none to be got for love or money—what will be the fate of this deserted place I cannot tell, the planters are in a desperate state, they have the enormous duty of 14s 6d sterling per gallon, on their rum to pay, also 36s sterling per 100 lbs. on their sugar to the mother country, exclusive of their land duties, and yet they are not allowed to provide themselves with those necessary articles of life from a neighboring country, and from whom can they procure them on the best terms; but as soon as Gen. Sir E. Coote comes out, and who is expected by the first fleet, I hope he will to conciliate the favour and confidence of the people of this island open the trade, for to my knowledge the British provinces in America are not capable of furnishing this island, much less all the rest of them with provisions and lumber, as it has been proved here that they can't supply this island throughout the year with more than one month's supply of their consumption—let ministers remember the repeated remonstrances of America, and press these most loyal subjects no more, for they are indeed oppressed; and as to firmness and loyalty, I dare affirm, the King has no subjects in all his dominions that exceed the inhabitants of Jamaica, for I perceived it during last martial law."
The Enquirer. RICHMOND, 15th FEBRUARY.
AARON BURR, Ex-Vice-President of the United States, arrived in this city the evening before the last, and left it yesterday morning, in the stage. Instead of those flattering attentions, which once accompanied the motions of Mr. Burr; which told whilst yet at a distance, that he was coming, and spoke to him, when he arrived, a most affectionate welcome, he now moves through our towns and villages, an unknown and neglected stranger. Unlike Sterne's Yorick, no "lubber stands still as he passes along, no bucket hangs suspended in the middle of the well, no spinning-wheel forgets its round," no attendant of the inn wais with eager and impatient curiosity to examine him, who was once the second officer in the union. A few weeks since Mr. Burr passed through this city on his way to the south; no one expected his arrival; few knew of his departure. Why this sudden change in the feelings of the people? It is not because the revolution of the wheel of fortune has brought Mr. Burr to the ground; it is not that he who was once the Vice-President of the union, has sunk down into the obscurity of a private station, but because such will always be the reward of men, who are supposed to have apostatized from their principles, in a country where the people are enlightened enough to distinguish merit, and virtuous enough to honor it. In this country the people "may be wrong in their opinions, in their sentiments never."
As to ourselves, Mr. Burr might have continued to pass to and fro through our city in the same silent disregard, which we have lately entertained towards him, perhaps in too high a degree; but for a supposition, which gives him once more the air and importance of a public character. Why is it that, at this time when the parties of New-York are assuming a new arrangement, which gives to the friends of Mr. Burr an increase of numbers and of force, does this gentleman so suddenly go back upon his own footsteps and return to the north? It was impossible, that these two events, so contiguous in point of time and so seemingly connected in their objects, should not have connected themselves in our minds and given birth to a suspicion, which it becomes our duty to develop. It is only by peeping through such narrow "loopholes" that we shall be ever able to catch a glimpse at the designs of such politicians, as work in the dark. Conjecture must supply the place of fact; though facts may often contradict the conjecture.
New-York is now divided into four distinct political parties: the Federalists, the Burrites, the Clintonians, and the Livingstonians. The three last, are composed of men who formerly thought alike on political subjects, and who may still agree in their opinion about the present administration; but whose particular principles or subordinate interests have shaken to pieces. Their names sufficiently point out their leaders. Aaron Burr is the head of the first; the Clinton family, among whom DeWitt Clinton seems the most active, is the head of the second; and the Livingston family, supporting and supported by their relation Morgan Lewis, the present governor of New-York, is the animating soul of the last. What are the particular views of these parties, or what the merit of their respective file-leaders, we neither mean to explain, nor pretend to understand. A single fact about each may be sufficient to show that they are none of them altogether free from objection:
The character of the federalists is written at full length in the principles of the Adams administration. The character of Aaron Burr is to be found in the history of the Congressional Session of 1800-1; at that time, though he may not, as has been generally supposed, have either offered propositions to the federalists, or received propositions from them, to elevate him to the presidency, it is certain that he possessed not sufficient magnanimity to assure them, after he had been pushed forward into a competition with Mr. Jefferson, as he had assured the republicans before the election, that he could not accept the office of President though it were offered to him by Congress, and that he would connive at no project which was intended to defeat the acknowledged will of the people.
Morgan Lewis has received the suspicious support of the federalists at his last election, while as governor of New-York, he has ratified the charter for establishing the Merchant's Bank, though it had appeared upon satisfactory evidence that this charter had been carried through the Legislature by intrigue and corruption.
DeWitt Clinton is at this time, not the only mayor of the city of New-York with an exorbitant salary of not less than 12,000 dollars, per annum; but he is one of the members of the state Senate, and has been lately elected by the Legislature into the council of four members, and is entrusted with the power of appointing the principal officers in the state. What opinion must a republican of Virginia entertain of such a formidable accumulation of influence and wealth in the hands of a single individual?
We believe that we do not go too far when we assert that new projects have been lately framed in New-York, for a new organization of parties. It was the wish of the Livingstons to form a coalition with the Burrites. "Assist us (said they) in electing Morgan Lewis, as our governor, and we will give you a carte-blanche, to be filled up with whatever conditions you may choose." The Burrites however refused the proposition, but they formed a new coalition. Mr. Swartwout, the intimate friend of Mr. Burr, has struck up a treaty of alliance, offensive & defensive, with DeWitt Clinton, on what terms & for what purposes, yet remains to be told. At the next election of governor of New-York, it is probable that the parties therefore will be arrayed against each other in the following manner: The Federalists & the Livingstonians will support Morgan Lewis. The Clintonians and the Burrites will look out for some other candidate.
Is it too ridiculous to suppose that Mr. Burr is to be that favoured man? And that Mr. Burr is traveling on to the north to reconnoitre the prospect before him?
CHARLES C. PRENTIS, is the Washington correspondent of Mr. Reif, the Editor of the Philadelphia Gazette, whose Quaker letters are published with such avidity by the federalist press, on account of the fulsome panegyrics which they offer to the federal members of Congress and the future, not more remarkable for its want of truth than of decorum, which they deal out against the republicans. To those who are acquainted with the habits of Mr. Prentis, no other explanation is deemed necessary of the spirit in which these letters are written. "By him, you might have known his works." To those who have not yet enjoyed this honour, it is merely necessary to say, that he is the ci-devant Editor of the "Virginia Gazette" in this city, whom, to the honour of the federalists of Virginia be it spoken! they would not stoop to patronize. Such is the man who had the art of palming his letters during the last winter upon Mr. Tracey and Mr. Dana!!!
The Memorial of the Baltimore Merchants which we have continued in this day's paper is ascribed to the pen of Charles Pinkney, the first and favourite son of Maryland; a man whose talents had deservedly acquired him a very high reputation before he left this country; who lectured, while in England, the Bank Stock long claimed by his state in the English funds, and long disputed; and who is now so ably supporting the rights of the United States and even of all neutral nations, against the maritime encroachments of Great Britain. This memorial is beyond any comparison, infinitely superior to those which have been preferred from New-York, Philadelphia, Boston or Salem, and inferior to nothing which has yet appeared on the same subject, except the pamphlet attributed to Mr. Madison, & said to have been written by him in the short space of three weeks. But though less close in its reasoning and less elegant in its style, the memorial enjoys a great advantage over the pamphlet in being more condensed in its argument, and more capable of being disseminated among the people in its entire form. It is a duty and a pleasure to us to extend its circulation.
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS. —The Bulletins of the Grand Army which we continue in this day's paper and the additional Bulletins of the army of Italy, furnish the most indispensable proofs of the unparalleled successes of the French and the discomfiture of the Allies. Let us strike out from these glowing pictures as much as we think ought to be attributed to the vanity & views of those who hold the pencil; still we cannot deny that there have enough upon the face of them to convince us that much of what they contain is drawn from the life. The French may deceive us about the intrepidity of their own troops, or the cowardice of their enemy; about the number of prisoners, the number of pieces of artillery which they have taken, or the number of the enemy whom they have prostrated on the field of battle; but they can scarcely extend the deception to the routes which they have pursued, or the posts which they have reached. It will fill be true that they have driven the emperor of Austria from Vienna to Brunn, from Brunn to Olmutz, and from Olmutz beyond the confines of Moravia; and that the Arch-Duke Charles, after having abandoned Italy to the victorious French, is now retreating through Corinthia. In every quarter, success seems to crown the arms of the French; their enemy is flying before them in every direction; and unless some new ally starts forth to avert the blow, the very existence of the Austrian monarchy will hang upon the generosity or interest of the victor.
Let us however take these Bulletins as they stand, and see some of the conclusions to which they would conduct us!
If we cast our eye to the South, we behold the "favourite child of fortune" such was the flattering title bestowed by Bonaparte upon the Massena, passing the Tagliamento in the very face of the enemy, defeating them at every post, encircling them by the destruction of their troops, and increasing his own resources by the captured baggage and military stores of the enemy. The Archduke is retreating not by the way of Tyrol, but through Corinthia, Carniola and Styria in Lower Austria, on the route to Vienna or to Hungary; to Hungary perhaps he will attempt to retire, should he hear in time of the loss of Vienna.—But every opportunity of escape seems now to be cut off. Bonaparte is pressing on him from the South. Marmont who had originally taken the route to Leoben and whom the 24th Bulletin has stationed near Oedenburg, is ready to intercept him on the north. What refuge therefore can the Archduke possibly possess, while thus cooped up by two victorious armies?
In the mean time, Massena had penetrated into Corinthia; different divisions of his army had come up with the detachments of the enemy; at every point they had reaped an easy victory; & at every point, where they had reason to expect the appearance of new reinforcements to the enemy, they were stationing the necessary detachments. According to a London paper of the 6th of December, "the Russians for the amount of 24,000 men, reinforced by the British troops from Malta, are said to have failed from Corfu on the 17th of October. This force, with that which the Austrians left at Venice, will be able to incommode and harass Massena in his rear." But the prudent Massena has foreseen and provided against the danger. It was obvious that interest to land either at Venice on the western, or at Trieste on the eastern shore of the Adriatic, and Massena has met the danger at both these points. Gouvain St. Cyr, is stationed at Brondolo and Chiozza (about 18 miles S. of Venice) "to fall on the British and Russians, if they dare attempt the disembarkation with which they threaten the coasts of Italy;" and the division of Seras has taken possession of Trieste. Venice, it does not appear from the Bulletins before us, has yet fallen into the hands of the French.
Masters of almost all the South of Austria, of Tyrol, of Italy, of Illyria, and of Moravia, with an army under Ney ready to punish any insurrection of the people in the Tyrol, with an army under Angereau prepared to march through Swabia or Bavaria to meet any new enemy in the North, with an army under St. Cyr intended to engage the Anglo-Russian reinforcement, with a victorious army under Massena, ambitious to pursue the Arch-Duke Charles and to co-operate with Marmont in cutting off the means of escape in any direction, the French have no enemy to fear in the South, and may therefore concentrate their principal force in the North of Germany. But here the same series of successes appears to have awaited them. They are almost masters of Moravia. They are pressing into Bohemia, with rapid and restless strides.
The last Bulletin, which we have received, represents them at length enjoying some respite from the fatigues of war and taking up their quarters with "its van supported by Brunn, which they are busily putting into the best state of defence."
The French will not however retire to an inglorious inactivity. One of two objects may call them again into the camp. The emperor of Austria though he has retired to Cracow, has not in fact deserted his dominions. When the "name of Poland was blotted out from the Map of Europe," Austria obtained for her portion of the spoil, little Poland and Red Russia, now called the Kingdom of Galicia. It is to the capital of this kingdom, that the exiled emperor of Austria has now retreated; and it is to this kingdom, that the French armies may possibly pursue him.
The invasion of Galicia or the pursuit of the enemy, does not, however, appear to us to be the only or the principal object which Bonaparte looks forward to. May we not believe that the King of Prussia, in spite of his most palpable interest to the contrary, is about to join the Northern coalition; he alone, like the living captives of Mezentius tied to a dead body according to the imagination of Virgil, the only living power in the coalition? Do not repeated accounts from the north of Germany, give a plausibility to this rumour? Does not it derive some touch of truth from the declaration of the Emperor of Austria that he has "yet unexhausted resources" not merely "in the hearts, in the prosperity, in the fidelity and in the strength of his people," not only "in the still unimpaired power of his ally and friend the emperor of Russia" but of his high ally and friend "the king of Prussia?" Is not additional confirmation given to this rumour by the act of concentrating the French armies round the borders of Prussia? Why not from the electorate of Salzburg, where he was
in a situation to reinforce Marmont's army or intercept the Arch-Duke Charles, has Bernadotte marched into Bohemia? The army under General Klein was already there; the Austrians and Russians, to oppose them, must have been very inconsiderable in their number. Why all these concurring indications of a rupture with Prussia, if there was not some real foundation for the belief? Perhaps even if Prussia had no serious intention of combining with the allies, it may be the interest or the ambition of Bonaparte to force her into it, that like Alexander he might have no occasion to weep, because he had not another country to conquer? Perhaps the King of Prussia has been rehearsing the part of the double dealer, pretending to be the friend of both parties, whilst calculating his own interest only, preparing to join in the war whenever the condition of the allies should hold forth the prospect of success, and continually hanging like a dead weight upon the exertions and resources of France. Whether we consider therefore the chances of Prussia going voluntarily into the war, the prospect of acquisition which it may promise to the ambition of Bonaparte, or the opportunity of revenge which it may furnish against a faithless ally, it does not appear impossible that the French armies may find a new field in Prussia for displaying their energies.
Such are some of the many reflections, which the French accounts are calculated to suggest! Such is the brilliant picture which they afford of the successes already secured or likely to be obtained by the French! Let the following accounts however teach us scepticism! Let them teach us to beware how in reasoning from the mutilated accounts of the French, we do not attribute to them successes which they have not actually obtained. Let them teach us another lesson; how we place the same implicit confidence in the partial statements of the English! In medio est tutissimum iter. To make use of a familiar proverb, perhaps truth lies in the middle.
Last Evening's Mail.
CHARLESTON, Feb. 5.
By the arrival, last evening, of the fast-sailing ship Independence, Capt. Walker, in 38 days from Greenock, we have been favored with Greenock and Glasgow papers to the 23d Dec. from which we have made such extracts as time would allow.
The French army entered Vienna on the 13th Nov. and levied very heavy contributions. On the 11th, the French under Gen. Mortier, were defeated by the Russians under Gen. Kutof, between Stein and Weissenkirchen, with the loss of 2000 men.—Capt. Wright, who was said to have destroyed himself in the French prison, is still alive.
Lord Cathcart left London Dec. 9, to take the command in chief of the British troops on the Continent.—The Duke of Cambridge has left England for Hanover, having been appointed Governor and Commander in Chief.—The Austro-Russian army defeated the French near Sismanitz, after an action of 2 days.—The country people are everywhere breaking down the bridges, to prevent the retreat of the French.
Lord Harrowby has informed his government that the King of Prussia had ordered 140,000 men to advance with the greatest rapidity to Bohemia, in consequence of Count Haugwitz having failed in his mission, which had decided his majesty's conduct. The King's equipage left Berlin 3d Dec. for the army, and he was expected to join it on the 11th.
The Austrian Royal Family had removed to Teschen, except the Emperor, who gallantly fought at the head of his armies.—The Russians, who are continually joining the grand army, fight with the most determined bravery; the winter climate of Austria is delightful to them; and, while their enemies are chilled in their operations by the ice and the snow, they are warmed with the glow of genuine patriotism, and feel not the coldness of a climate milder than their own.—The armistice which Bonaparte proposed has been spurned at by the Austrians, who have bravely determined to conquer or to perish beneath the ruins of their country.—The Archduke Charles was at Warasdin, in Croatia, with an army of 90,000 men.—The united army in Moravia is estimated at about 200,000 men.
Charleston Courier.
From a London paper of December 17.
Olmutz, Dec. 3. —Yesterday a great battle took place between the combined and French armies, in the vicinity of the villages Schlappowitz, Kumerowitz, and Chnitz, not far from Tura, which lasted till 3 o'clock, and was extremely bloody. The issue is still undecided, and all the accounts received here rest on mere reports. Our forces, in the mean time, have been put into a state to stand a siege, and the Royal family have removed to Teschen.
The two Emperors are with the army.—We wait for more circumstantial particulars.
ing to a fleet of men of war of 4 sail of the line, (probably the Rochefort squadron) then in sight, and standing to the Westward.—The captain of the frigate enquired of capt. S. whether he met with any men of war on his passage. Capt. S. could not learn the names of any of the ships, or where they were bound.
Merc. Adv.
Captain Hubbard, arrived at New-London on Monday last, in 24 days from St. Kitts, informs, that the Cork fleet, a few vessels excepted, had arrived at Barbadoes in safety; and had met no French squadron.
DIED —On Wednesday last, Mr. ROBERT BURTON, Merchant of this city, respected and regretted by all who knew him.
Sale at Auction.
Will be sold on the premises, on Wednesday the 26th day of February, at 12 o'Clock:
That desirable TENEMENT, in which Mr. John Carter now resides, consisting of a half acre LOT OF LAND, a comfortable dwelling, and all necessary out houses in good repair, situated on the Main street, in a healthy and flourishing part of this city, contiguous to the Capitol and the trading part of the town.
The terms will be made known on the day of sale.
PROSSER & MONCURE. (ad.)
TRAINING STABLE.
The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he has taken the stable on the Broad-Rock race ground, where he will take horses to train on the most moderate terms, and hopes from his attention and long experience in those gentlemen who may be pleased to put their horses in his hands. Gentlemen sending their horses otherwise they will be furnished at the prices as mentioned below: Gentlemen sending horses will please to send suitable boys to train and take care of them. When it is not convenient to send their own boys, they will be furnished boys for the same price which the subscriber agrees to give himself for their hire.—The terms are as follows:
  Grain for each horse per week, £ 0 7 6   Fodder for do. do. 0 6 0   Litter, do. do. 0 3 0   Boy's board per week, 0 12 0   For my own attention to each horse, per week, 0 14 0 
Physic per horse when necessary, £ 2 5 6
Necessary clothing, saddle, bridle, &c. to be sent with each horse, or furnished at the expense of the owner, by the subscriber. All expenses for training, &c. will be expected to be paid when the horses are taken away.
THOMAS LARKIN, Late trainer for John Taylor, Esq. March next. Feb. 15. 2t.
OFFICE OF THE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, AGAINST FIRE ON GOODS AND FURNITURE.
At a general meeting of the members of the Mutual Insurance Company against Goods and Furniture in the state of Virginia, held by adjournments, at the General Office of Insurance, in the City of Richmond, February 4, 1806. Mr. Neil McCall was elected President. Isaac H. Judah, Samuel Pointer, Jacob Fackler, Geo. Greenhow, Directors for the District of Richmond. Mr. Robert Birchett, Director for the District of Petersburg. William Vaughan, do. Norfolk. Robert Walker, do. Fredericksburg. Samuel Craig, do. Alexandria. Adam Douglas, do. Winchester. Jacob Swoop, do. Staunton. WM. H. FITZWHYLSOON, Principal Agent, WM. PRICE, Cashier General.
Extracts from the proceedings of the General Meeting. "Any subscriber, or member, of this company, may hereafter withdraw his insurance in part, or the whole by giving notice, in writing, signed by him, and acknowledged personally between the PRINCIPAL AGENT, or duly attested and certified under the hand of a magistrate, and on payment of one quota, if one or more quotas be due and payable by him, at that time and he shall thereafter be exonerated from any further payment, or demand, for losses incurred after full-fact of the day when the said written notice shall have been left with the PRINCIPAL AGENT and the quota paid, but not from any payment, or demand, on account of losses incurred before full-fact of the day when such notice shall have been deposited as before mentioned, and his insurance shall cease from that period, and it shall be the duty of the PRINCIPAL AGENT to give him a certificate of discharge."
"Resolved, That the President and Directors be requested to suspend, for the present, the collections of more than one quota, and to give intimation accordingly, to their agents and attorneys, until the recovery of one quota, under notices that may already be given to members in arrear."
"Resolved, also, That on the payment of one quota the person paying may have the benefit of this insurance."
The following is an extract from the records of the proceedings of the Board of Directors, viz:
"Resolved, That no person shall be considered as liable to pay, either the quota which became payable on the first day of October, eighteen hundred and four, or that which became payable on the first day of October eighteen hundred and five, except before the fire which happened in Norfolk, on the 22nd day of February, eighteen hundred and four—that is, those who had paid their premiums previously to the said fire."
WM. H. FITZWHYLSOON, P. A. Feb. 15. (ad.)
FOR HIRE, A NEGRO GIRL—Enquire at this Office. February 15. (2t.)
FOR SALE. On a credit of one two and three years:
MY HOUSE and five acres of GROUND near the Poor House; the lots may be sold separately or together, and if together, land in Kentucky will be received in exchange for the part payment, provided the land and situation suits the subscriber, who lives upon the property advertised, and may be seen at any time.
ROBERT CROUCH. P. S. His Father's TAVERN to rent. Feb. 15. (ad.)
VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE.
TWO HOUSES and LOTS on Shockoe Hill, in a most desirable part of the city, and possessing every accommodation for a family. A long credit will be allowed, or Virginia Bank Stock at a very liberal price taken in exchange.
I have 8000 acres of Virginia land warrants which I will sell low for cash.
THOMAS NORVELL. Jan. 17. (ad.)

THE MEMORIAL OF THE MERCHANTS AND TRADERS OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.
[CONTINUED.]
This principle, therefore, cannot be a sound one. It wants uniformity and consistency; is partial, unequal and delusive. It makes every thing bend to the right of war, while it affords no look back to, and recognize the state of things in peace, as the foundation and measure of the rights of neutrals.
But, independent of the considerations, thus arising out of the immediate interference of belligerent rights, and belligerent conduct, with the freedom of neutral trade; by which the fallacy of the appeal, to the precise state of our peace trade, as limiting the nature and extent of our trade in war, is sufficiently manifested; there are other considerations, which satisfactorily prove the inadmissibility of this principle.
It is impossible that war among the primary powers of Europe, should not, in an endless variety of shapes, materially affect the whole civilized world. Its operation upon the prices of labour and commodities, upon the value of money, upon exchange, upon the rates of freight and insurance, is great and important.
But it does much more than all this. It imposes upon commerce, in the gross and in its details, a new character; gives it a new direction; and places it upon a new foundation.
To prefer to neutral trade, thus irresistibly influenced, and changed, and moulded by this impetuous agent, a fixed and unalterable station, would be to say that it shall remain the same, when not to vary is impossible; and to require, since change is unavoidable, that it shall submit to the ruinous retrenchments and modifications, which war produces, and yet retain from indemnifying itself by the fair advantages, which war offers to it as an equivalent.
When we examine the conduct of the maritime powers of Europe, in all the wars in which they have been engaged, for upwards of a century, we find, that each of them has, occasionally departed from its schemes of colonial monopoly; relaxed its navigation laws; and otherwise admitted neutrals, for a longer or shorter space, as circumstances required, to modes of trade from which they were generally excluded.
The weight of this consideration has been felt by the advocates of this doctrine; and it has, accordingly, been attempted to evade it by a distinction, which admits the legality of all such relaxations in war, of the general, commercial or colonial systems of the belligerents, as do not arise out of the predominance of the enemy's force, or out of any necessity resulting from it.
How easy it is to deceive ourselves on a subject of this kind! G. Britain will herself instruct us by a recent example. Her courts of prize have insisted that during the war, which ended in the peace of Amiens, France was compelled to open the ports of her colonies, by a necessity created and imposed by the naval power of her enemies; & yet these ports were opened in February, 1792, when France and her maritime adversaries had not measured their strength in a single conflict; when no naval enterprise had been undertaken by the latter, nor less crowded with success; when the Bils were not even entered, and when the superiority afterwards acquired by Great Britain in particular, was yet a problem; when the spirit of the French nation and government was lifted up to an unexampled height by the enthusiasm of the day, and by the splendid achievements by which their armies had recently conquered Savoy, the country of Nice, Worms and other places upon the Rhine, the Austrian Low Countries and Liege.
eating the ships and merchandise of peaceable and friendly nations upon ground so vague, so indefinite and equivocal. Of all law, certainly the best feature; and no rule can be otherwise than unjust and despotic of which the sense and the application are and must be ambiguous.
The neutral merchant finds, that in fact, the colonial ports of the parties to the war are thrown open to him, by the powers to which they belong; and he sees no hostile squadron to shut them against him.
That doctrine had something of certainty belonging to it, and made safety at least possible. But there can be no safety while a malignant and deceitful principle like this hangs over us.
It has been said that, by embracing in the colonial trade of either of the belligerents, neutral nations, in some sort, interpose in the war; since they assist, and give the belligerent, in whose trade they so embark, a sufficient answer to this observation, that the same course of reasoning would prove that neutrals ought to discontinue all trade whatsoever, with the parties at war.
Great Britain does not pretend that this principle has any warrant in the opinions of writers on public law. She does not pretend, and cannot pretend, that it derives any countenance from the conduct of other nations.
It would be easy to show by an examination of the different treaties to which Great Britain has been a party from times long past, that this doctrine is a modern usurpation.
In the war of 1744, in which Great Britain had the power if she thought fit to exert it, to exclude the neutral States from the colony trade of France and Spain, her High court of appeals decided that the trade was lawful, and released such vessels as had been found engaged in it.
in the prosecution of that trade, together with their cargoes, whether French or neutral. These condemnations, however proceeded upon peculiar grounds, in the seven years war, France did not throw open to neutrals the traffic of her colonies.
In the case of the America, (which was a Dutch ship, bound from Saint Domingo to Holland, with the produce of that island, belonging to French subjects, by whom the vessel had been chartered) the reason, stated in the printed case, is, "that the ship must be looked upon as a French ship (coming from St. Domingo) for by the laws of France, no foreign ship can trade to the French West-Indies."
It is obvious that the reason, in case of the America, proceeds upon a presumption, that, as the trade was, by the standing laws of France, even up to that moment, confined to French ships, any ship found employed in it, must be a French ship.
The effects of that practice were almost wholly confined to the Dutch, who had rendered themselves extremely obnoxious to Great-Britain, by the selfish and unjust policy, as it was falsely called, which enabled them during the seven years war, to profit of the troubles of the rest of Europe.
I HAVE received direct from Bordeaux, 100 Boxes of PRUNES, which I shall sell very low; they are fine and very fresh.
LEWIS M. RIVALAIN. December 27. & c.
ADVERTISEMENT. AS I intend next fall to remove to the western country, I will sell a bargain in the tract of LAND, whereon I now reside, in Amherst county, containing 476 acres, with good improvements for the reception of a genteel family; the plantation in good repair for cropping, and lies well for land in the upper country, and conveniently situated, being within an half mile of a manufacturing mill on Buffalo river, three miles from the town of New-Glasgow, and the neighbourhood in every respect desirable;
January 11. 86 p. JOSEPH BURRUS.
FOR SALE, BY THE SUBSCRIBER;
WEST-INDIA & N. LIVERPOOL WARE by the crate, England Rum, French Brandy, Holland Gin, Molasses, Leaf and Brown Sugar, Coffee and Chocolate, Imperial and Hyson Tea, Linseed and Lamp Oil, White Lead & Spa. Brown, Yellow Ochre, Patent Green, ground in Oil, Verdigris, 7 3/4, 9, 8 1/2, 10 1/2, 14 1/2, 18, 24, 30, 34, 40, 48, 64, 100, and 120 Nails, Spike Nails, Bar Iron, German & Bithurst Steel, Iron Potts, Dutch Ovens, Fire Digs, Nova Scotia Grind Stones, Powder and Shot, One Nice Piano Forte, one Caneus Top Glasse, One Nice Tab Gig, one Stick Gig.
THE subscriber offers his services as a BROKER in the city of Richmond, and will transact any business in that line for a moderate commission. He will not inform the public that it is a business which he may think him worthy of their confidence, that no one will be more attentive to their interest.
MARSHAL'S SALE. BY virtue of a decree of the court of the United States for the 5th circuit in the Virginia district, pronounced at May term, 1805, in behalf of John Tate and Thomas Egan, administrators of Matthew Patten, dec'd and others; will be sold, to the highest bidder, for ready money at the Eagle Tavern in the city of Richmond, on Saturday the 22d day of this month, the following SLAVES, viz: Parrot, Peter, Billy, Cyrus, Betty, Sue, Ned and Nelly; or so many of them as may be sufficient to raise the sum of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five dollars and 34 cents, with interest on one thousand four hundred and seventy-nine dollars, part thereof, at the rate of six per centum per annum, from the 22d day of May, 1805, and the expenses of sale.
MARSHAL'S SALES. To be sold, for ready money, under a decree of the court of the United States, for the 5th circuit in the Virginia district, between Pinnas Boad, attorney for the creditors of Ezekiel Edwards, deft. and David Roff and others, defts. in order to raise the sum of 957 dls. 89 cts. due and payable on the first day of July, 1805, and the further sum of 1566 dls. 05 cts. due and payable the 1st day of January, 1806, that valuable and well known estate, in the county of Bot-tourt, called FORT LEWIS, stated by said Roff to contain 2608 acres.
WILL BE SOLD, To the highest bidder, for ready money, on the 17th of this month, for the purpose of satisfying the balance of a debt due from Edmund Lacy to Nathaniel Benjamin and John Shepherd.
WILLIAM & MARY COLLEGE. A TABLE is established in college, to receive boarders at the low rate of thirty dollars per quarter; it is intended that the table shall be plentifully furnished in a plain but decent style.
FOR SALE, BY AUCTION. Valuable property on the Brick Row, in the city of Richmond. IN conformity to a decree of the honorable court of the United States, for the 5th circuit and Virginia District, (made between Joshua Waddington plaintiff, and James Brown, Henry Banks and Daniel Call defendants, and between the same plff. and Henry Banks, James Taylor executor of James Herron, dec'd. and James Herron, John Herron, William Herron, and Sarah Herron, infants, under the age of twenty one years, by the said James Taylor, then guardian, James Brown and Daniel Call defendants.) Will be sold, upon the premises, to the highest bidder, at public auction, on the 20th day of February next ensuing, the Houses, Lands and tenements situated on the Brick Row, in the city of Richmond, at present occupied by Samuel Clark, Samuel Barrer & Co. and Barach H. Judah.
THE BRICK STORE or LUMBER HOUSE situated on the street which leads from the main street in Richmond to Shockoe Hill, about 30 feet in breadth and about 32 feet in length, more or less being part of the property formerly owned by Mr. Wm. Fenwick, and lying between the building now occupied by Mr. George Watt and that owned by Mr. Marcus Elean.
VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE. On Tuesday the eleventh day of March next will be offered for sale, by public auction, at the Eagle Tavern in the city of Richmond; the following valuable property.
TO BE RENTED. A BRICK HOUSE, near that of Mr. Robert Gordon, on the Hill, calculated to accommodate a small family comfortably; attached to it is a half acre of ground well included.
THE subscriber has opened a BROKER'S OFFICE over the store of Mr. Henry Hovey, and promises attention to all business entrusted to him.
WILL be sold, to the highest bidder for ready money on the premises on Saturday the 15th day of February next, by virtue of a decree of the United States for the 5th circuit in the Virginia district, executed by Richard Bate, to secure the payment of $233 dls. 23 cts. with interest thereon from the date, due to Rumbaut & Gerson and George Pegram junr. and the expenses of the sale.
WILL BE SOLD, At Public Auction, in Charlottesville, on the 8th March next, 50 NEGROES. JAMES LINDSAY, HUGH NELSON. February 4. &c.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, At the front door of the Eagle Tavern, in the city of Richmond, on the eighteenth day of March next, ensuing.
THAT most valuable estate, situated in the county of Wythe, and commonly called the Wythe, and heretofore well known by the name of Chiswell's Lead Mines; but which, for sometime past has been considered, as the property of Stephen Austin and company, of the city of Philadelphia, by virtue of a purchase thereof by them, made under a decree of the high court of chancery of the said commonwealth, with the terms whereof they have not complied.
IMPORTANT TO SPORTSMEN. On the 29th day of April next, will be offered for sale, at the Bowling Green in Caroline county, THE STUD, of the late col. John Hoomes, consisting of imported and country bred Stallions, Brood Mares, and their produce, for several years past, total about one hundred head.
LAND. Positivey for sale by the subscriber, ONE thousand acres, formerly known by the name of David Irvin's Quarter, on Otter river, in this county, adjoining the Land whereof the subscriber lives, where there is a merchant mill that makes as good flour as any in America; not more than twenty two miles from the flourishing town of Lynchburg, where there is a good market for all kinds of produce.
VALUABLE PROPERTY. Two acres of land lying upon Appomattox river, within one mile of the town of Petersburg with the water grit and manufacturing mills, Bake house, Distillery house and other houses of improvements erected thereon.
NOTICE. BY virtue of a deed of trust, executed to me by John Kelso, to secure the payment of a debt due by him to John and Wm. Bell, I shall, on the 25th of February next, at the house of the said John Kelso, in the upper end of the county of Cumberland, proceed to sell to much of that valuable FARM, containing 550 acres of Land, on which he now lives, (subject to two prior deeds of trust) as will pay the sum due to the said John and Wm. Bell, of about six hundred and fifty pounds, with some interest thereon, for the benefit of John Eppes.
PRINTING. IN ALL ITS VARIETY, EXECUTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ENQUIRER.