Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1805-09-11 00:00:00

VIRGINIA ARGUS
[Vol. XII.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE.
[1189.]
RICHMOND:—PRINTED (ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS) BY SAMUEL PLEASANTS, JUNIOR, PRINTER TO THE COMMONWEALTH.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1805.
[12 1-2 Cents Single.]
NOTICE.
A PETITION will be presented to the General Assembly of Virginia, at the next session, praying that an act may pass to incorporate a company for the purpose of cutting a Canal on the south side of the falls of James River, or otherwise improving the navigation of the river for the passage of Batteaux; and also for the establishment of a Bank in the town of Manchester.
August 13.
To the Hon. the Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Delegates.
THE Petition of sundry inhabitants of the town of Manchester respectfully represents: That one among the great blessings of the government they live under and enjoy, is the right of representing their grievances to the legislature. That the James River Company progressed with the improvements of the navigation of that river, so far as to entitle them to the receipt of tolls, under their act of incorporation, Manchester, as a commercial town, was but little, if any, inferior to the City of Richmond; but since then, all the means in the power of that Company, have been professed to the advantages of the latter, and to the injury and ruin of the former. This was not intended by the legislature. The God of Nature has given to both equal advantages. The legislature has fixed them opposite on the same river—the full benefit of which Manchester now claims. It cannot be the policy of the legislature to promote the commerce of one place in preference to another equally entitled to its protection. The same difficulties that existed in the navigation of the great falls to Richmond, present themselves in the navigation of the same to Manchester. If this circumstance was sufficient to procure the charter of the James River Company , for cutting what is called the Richmond Canal , it is not sufficient to entitle the people of Manchester, to a similar right, to avoid the same falls? The fostering hand of the legislature, should be alike extended to every branch of the commerce of its country, and in every direction. A convenient commerce is felt by all descriptions of men. A commercial competition between towns can never fail to produce great advantages to the agricultural interest of the surrounding country. Manchester droops while Richmond rears her head. These facts are too obvious to require proof. Let every member of this honorable house, to satisfy himself—look at the two places—Manchester rising like a new seat of custom—Manchester declining like a deserted village. And to what is this principally owing? but to those advantages which the former has obtained over the latter, by means of the James River Canal ; advantages afforded by the legislature, of which your petitioners will not complain, provided they can derive equal advantages, from a source of the like nature.
Your petitioners therefore respectfully desire to represent, to the honorable members of this house, that a Canal on the south side of the said falls, from the lower point of the upper navigation, to pass through Manchester into tide water, is much more practicable than the Richmond Canal was, and can be completed for a sum far less than that expended by the James River Company , at this time. That should it be the pleasure of this honorable house, to incorporate a company, for cutting the proposed canal, Manchester will be soon restored to her former commerce. The moment the canal is completed, the people of Manchester, will be able to renew their commerce with the upper and lower country which, for the want of such a canal, has dwindled into almost nothing—owing to the great inconvenience of crossing the river, besides the expense and trouble when there. The advantages derived by the people of Richmond from their Canal are seen on every hand. Give to Manchester a like Canal, and like advantages will result to the people of that place, and to all the agricultural interest south of it; and as far as the Tennessee and Kentucky lines west: the James River Company can have no reasonable objection: they have omitted to do, what long since, for the benefit of the community, they should have done, that is, to communicate with tide-water: their charter might have been claimed, upon the ground of forfeiture, but for the benign spirit of the legislature in promoting a work of such great public utility.
Hence your petitioners acting under an impression, that there is too much justice in their application, to be denied, respectfully beg leave, for the attainment of a measure so much calculated to promote the public good, to state the outlines of a proposed charter. That those who shall subscribe for the stock hereafter mentioned shall be incorporated by the name of The President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , with the usual rights and privileges of other corporations: that their capital stock shall not exceed _____ dollars: that a share in the said stock shall not exceed 50 dollars: that subscriptions for the said capital stock shall be opened in the town of Manchester under the direction of _____ or a majority of them, and continued until _____ shares are subscribed for in person or by proxy, but no person shall subscribe for more than _____ shares, nor shall he at any time vote upon any greater number: and the said subscriptions shall be further kept open for the term of 30 days, for the benefit of such persons as may choose to subscribe for not more than two shares: that the state may direct the treasurer for the time being to subscribe for _____ shares: that the James River Company may subscribe for _____ shares: that no other subscriptions shall be received, until they have subscribed, or refused at the instance of the commissioners: that the property of the Manchester Canal Company shall be conducted by thirteen directors, who shall be stock holders and citizens of Manchester or Richmond, of whom the Treasurer for the time being, if the state shall subscribe for any shares, shall be one ex officio: that as soon as the Capital stock shall be subscribed for, the commissioners shall convene the stock holders on a certain day to be named, and at a certain place, in the town of Manchester, and there they or a majority of them in person or by proxy shall proceed to appoint twelve directors, in case the treasurer is one, and thirteen, if he is not, who shall form a board and proceed to the appointment of a President, Cashier, and other officers and servants. All elections and appointments shall be by ballot. Removal from Manchester or Richmond shall vacate the seat of a Director, unless it be from one of those places to the other. All vacancies whether by removal, death, or resignation, shall be supplied by the other Directors for the time being: that the office until the first day of January, succeeding their appointment, which is hereby declared, to be the day for the annual meeting of the said stock-holders, in the town of Manchester, on which day in every year shall a board of directors be chosen as aforesaid, who shall in like manner proceed to appoint their President, Cashier, and other officers and servants: all of whom (except the President) are at all times to be amenable to the President and Directors of the said company: The President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , shall in proportion to their annual tolls, as soon as their canal is completed, assist the James River Company , in the improvement of the upper navigation; a full and fair statement of the books, exhibiting the whole transactions of the said Company, (except private accounts of individuals in the use of the surplus funds hereafter mentioned) shall be produced for the inspection of the stock-holders: that the commissioners, aforesaid, as soon as the President and Directors are chosen, shall deliver over to them the books of subscriptions, to the said Capital stock; that the stock-holders at their first meeting, and at every annual meeting thereafter, shall have power and authority to make all such bye-laws, rules and regulations, for the better government, of the said President & Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , their officers, & servants: & all other matters & things of & concerning the rights & duties of the said company, in making the said Canal, or in any other matter or thing concerning the interest of the said Company, as the said stock-holders in person or by proxy may deem proper: for infringing upon the laws of the United States or of this state: that all lands, stones, or timbers, or necessary for answering the ends of this act, in case the said company shall not be able to agree with the owner or owners thereof, shall be valued by a jury, to be ordered, on application to the superior court of chancery, for the Richmond district, or to the Judge thereof in vacation; that upon the report of the said jury, if the same shall be affirmed, the said company shall pay the amount thereof to the person or persons entitled thereto: and thereupon the said lands, stones, or timbers, shall be absolutely vested in the said company; that all the surplus capital belonging to the said company or that may accrue to them, in the purchase of public or other stock, or in any other monied transactions or operations shall be applied by the said company, in any way they may think proper, any thing herein contained or contained in any existing law, to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall authorize the said company to acquire or hold, any real estate, but for the purpose before mentioned: Provided also, that the said company shall not be liable for any mismanagement of the President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , of their surplus capital, or that which may accrue to them, in the purchase of public or other stock, or in any other monied transactions or operations, but in proportion to their interest in the said corporation or company; that it shall be lawful for the President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company to call upon the stockholders respectively, from time to time, as they shall think proper, for all sums by them subscribed, or any part thereof with the said commissioners, as the said President & Directors shall think proper, under pain or forfeiture on the part of the said stock holders, of their shares, and of all previous payments thereon: that the said President and Directors shall provide their necessary offices in the said town of Manchester, and shall always convene there, for the purposes of this act; that the Canal aforesaid shall be begun and completed in ten years from the meeting of the first board of the said President and Directors: And provided also, that until the said Canal shall be begun and prosecuted for at least six months with industry, in order to ascertain what the probable expense will be, that the amount of the supposed surplus capital may also be known, no part thereof shall be used by the said President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , in any other way, or for any other purpose, than prosecuting the work of the said Canal, and in case the said Company shall at any time before the said Canal is completed relax, in the execution of their plan, the use of their supposed surplus capital, in any other way, or for any other purpose, under this act, shall for that time, be suspended upon pain of forfeiture of their charter: that for any injury which may be done to the public works of the said company, the persons so offending on conviction thereof in the ordinary course of law, shall pay three times the amount of the verdict, in every such case, with double costs of suit, and judgment shall be entered accordingly: that if any person, shall forge, or counterfeited, any note, bill, or receipt, of the said President and Directors purporting on the face thereof to pay to any one, or bearer, any sum of money, or shall aid, or assist in forging or counterfeiting any such note, bill, or receipt, he or she, shall on conviction thereof be confined in the jail and penitentiary house at hard labour, for not less than ten, and not more than twenty years; that all the stock subscribed for, to the said company, shall be held and conveyed as real estate; that so much of the Charter hereby granted to the said company as allows them to use their supposed surplus capital, which they may have, in any way they may think proper, except as herein before excepted, shall expire with the charter of the Bank of Virginia, unless at or before that time, the same shall be renewed by the legislature; that no taxes shall be imposed upon any of the stock; that the corporation shall not be dissolved by the failure of any meeting of the stock-holders, or of the President and Directors; but they shall still meet in manner to be provided for by the bye laws of the said corporation. These are the outlines of the proposed charter, which your petitioners have respectfully asked leave to submit; but they beg leave to observe, that any other plan which may occur to this honorable body, be best calculated to insure the ends proposed, will be readily accepted of on their part. To whatever shall be the decision of this honorable house—your petitioners shall patiently submit—but as in duty bound they shall ever pray.
Ces to the other. All vacancies whether by removal, death, or resignation, shall be supplied by the other Directors for the time being: that the office until the first day of January, succeeding their appointment, which is hereby declared, to be the day for the annual meeting of the said stock-holders, in the town of Manchester, on which day in every year shall a board of directors be chosen as aforesaid, who shall in like manner proceed to appoint their President, Cashier, and other officers and servants: all of whom (except the President) are at all times to be amenable to the President and Directors of the said company: The President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , shall in proportion to their annual tolls, as soon as their canal is completed, assist the James River Company , in the improvement of the upper navigation; a full and fair statement of the books, exhibiting the whole transactions of the said Company, (except private accounts of individuals in the use of the surplus funds hereafter mentioned) shall be produced for the inspection of the stock-holders: that the commissioners, aforesaid, as soon as the President and Directors are chosen, shall deliver over to them the books of subscriptions, to the said Capital stock; that the stock-holders at their first meeting, and at every annual meeting thereafter, shall have power and authority to make all such bye-laws, rules and regulations, for the better government, of the said President & Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , their officers, & servants: & all other matters & things of & concerning the rights & duties of the said company, in making the said Canal, or in any other matter or thing concerning the interest of the said Company, as the said stock-holders in person or by proxy may deem proper: for infringing upon the laws of the United States or of this state: that all lands, stones, or timbers, or necessary for answering the ends of this act, in case the said company shall not be able to agree with the owner or owners thereof, shall be valued by a jury, to be ordered, on application to the superior court of chancery, for the Richmond district, or to the Judge thereof in vacation; that upon the report of the said jury, if the same shall be affirmed, the said company shall pay the amount thereof to the person or persons entitled thereto: and thereupon the said lands, stones, or timbers, shall be absolutely vested in the said company; that all the surplus capital belonging to the said company or that may accrue to them, in the purchase of public or other stock, or in any other monied transactions or operations shall be applied by the said company, in any way they may think proper, any thing herein contained or contained in any existing law, to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall authorize the said company to acquire or hold, any real estate, but for the purpose before mentioned: Provided also, that the said company shall not be liable for any mismanagement of the President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , of their surplus capital, or that which may accrue to them, in the purchase of public or other stock, or in any other monied transactions or operations, but in proportion to their interest in the said corporation or company; that it shall be lawful for the President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company to call upon the stockholders respectively, from time to time, as they shall think proper, for all sums by them subscribed, or any part thereof with the said commissioners, as the said President & Directors shall think proper, under pain or forfeiture on the part of the said stock holders, of their shares, and of all previous payments thereon: that the said President and Directors shall provide their necessary offices in the said town of Manchester, and shall always convene there, for the purposes of this act; that the Canal aforesaid shall be begun and completed in ten years from the meeting of the first board of the said President and Directors: And provided also, that until the said Canal shall be begun and prosecuted for at least six months with industry, in order to ascertain what the probable expense will be, that the amount of the supposed surplus capital may also be known, no part thereof shall be used by the said President and Directors of the Manchester Canal Company , in any other way, or for any other purpose, than prosecuting the work of the said Canal, and in case the said Company shall at any time before the said Canal is completed relax, in the execution of their plan, the use of their supposed surplus capital, in any other way, or for any other purpose, under this act, shall for that time, be suspended upon pain of forfeiture of their charter: that for any injury which may be done to the public works of the said company, the persons so offending on conviction thereof in the ordinary course of law, shall pay three times the amount of the verdict, in every such case, with double costs of suit, and judgment shall be entered accordingly: that if any person, shall forge, or counterfeited, any note, bill, or receipt, of the said purporting on the face thereof to pay to any one, or bearer, any sum of money, or shall aid, or assist in forging or counterfeiting any such note, bill, or receipt, he or she, shall on conviction thereof be confined in the jail and penitentiary house at hard labour, for not less than ten, and not more than twenty years; that all the stock subscribed for, to the said company, shall be held and conveyed as real estate; that so much of the Charter hereby granted to the said company as allows them to use their supposed surplus capital, which they may have, in any way they may think proper, except as herein before excepted, shall expire with the charter of the Bank of Virginia, unless at or before that time, the same shall be renewed by the legislature; that no taxes shall be imposed upon any of the stock; that the corporation shall not be dissolved by the failure of any meeting of the stock-holders, or of the President and Directors; but they shall still meet in manner to be provided for by the bye laws of the said corporation. These are the outlines of the proposed charter, which your petitioners have respectfully asked leave to submit; but they beg leave to observe, that any other plan which may occur to this honorable body, be best calculated to insure the ends proposed, will be readily accepted of on their part. To whatever shall be the decision of this honorable house—your petitioners shall patiently submit—but as in duty bound they shall ever pray.
Foolscap & Letter Paper For sale at this office.
Congressional Register.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1.
DEBATE ON THE YAZOO CLAIMS.
MR. J. RANDOLPH said, that as well as his extreme indisposition and excessive hoarseness would permit, he would lay before the House some observations on the various objections which had been urged against the amendment of his worthy and respectable colleague, (Mr. Clarke) for such he was in every point of view. He complained of disingenuous and unfair practices on the part of some of his opponents. They had undertaken to argue upon a supposed admission of his friend and himself, that the act of 1795 created a contract between the state of Georgia and the grantees therein named. This (said he) is nothing less than begging, or rather, a flagrant robbery of the question. We deny that any contract has been, or could be made under such circumstances—that fraud is a basis on which a contract can be erected. Gentlemen must drive into this morass of corruption, piles of stronger argument and sounder reasoning, before they can build a Stadt-House of a conclusion upon it. 'Tis a quagmire over which they cannot pass; and in their awkward attempts to get around it, they confess, even whilst they affect to deny its existence. Fraud has rendered it without bottom. The act of 1795 is at once declaratory of that fraud, and the highest possible evidence of the fact. The claimants and their advocates themselves concede it, when they cling to the report of the commissioners, by which it is expressly affirmed, and which explicitly declares, that their title cannot be supported. And when they come into this House with that report in their hands, and whine and cringe for our bounty, do they not abandon all pretensions to title? Yes, the advocates of these claims are compelled to acknowledge the fraud, & yield the ground of contract. How else can they justify their own fraud and injustice in stripping fair contractors with a good title, of seven eighths of their right, and buy a title purchase? This point cannot be kept too much in sight, nor too strongly insisted on.
The venerable gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Findley) when he gave in his recitation of his last year's opinions on this subject, told you that General Washington's Message had no reference to the fraudulency of the act of 1795. He considered it as a CAVEAT on behalf of the United States, who claimed a great part of the territory in question. Be it so. Was that notice to subsequent purchasers, or not? How will the gentleman reconcile this inconsistency? Within the disputed limits between the federal government and Georgia, five-sixths of this very New England company's purchase were comprised, besides that valuable part of the Georgia company's grant, contained in the fork of the Asibama and Tombigbee. The United States contended that the country west of the Chatahouchie, and south of a parallel of latitude which should intersect the mouth of the Yazoo river, never constituted a part of Georgia—that it was within the limits of the province of West Florida, from which being severed by the peace of 1783, it became vested in the confederacy & not in the state to which it happened to be contiguous. The far greater part of the grant to the Georgia Mississippi company is embraced within these limits: the purchase of the New England company, is stated, by themselves, to have been made from that company, twelve months after the President's message: The gentleman from Pennsylvania, himself, considers this message as a formal announcement of the adverse claim of the United States to the land in question, and, in the same breath, avers that the New England company, subsequent purchasers of that very land, were ignorant of any defect of title in the state of Georgia, or the grantees under her. How will he reconcile this?
The same gentleman has introduced into this debate, the names of two persons, one of them, at that time, a judge of the Supreme court of the United States, the other a Senator from the state of Georgia; who he tells us, were deeply concerned in the transaction of 1795. Both these gentlemen are no more. Private character, always dear, always to be respected, seems almost canonized by the grave. When men go hence their evil deeds should follow them, and, for me, might sleep oblivious in their tomb. But if the mouldering ashes of the dead are to be raked up, let it not be for the furtherance of injustice. In every stage of this discussion, whilst I have kept my eye steadily fixed on the enormity of the act of 1795, I have lost sight of the agents. Since, however, some of them have been mentioned, it may not be immaterial to notice the interest which they took in the business. It is too true,
sir, that the Senator in question was one of the fathers of the act of 1795. By the assembly which passed it he was, at the same session, re-elected to the Senate of the United States for six years thereafter. It is equally true, Mr. Speaker, that the notorious British treaty was ratified by that Senator's casting vote. And as the Yazoo speculation then carried thro' the British treaty, now it seems, the adherents of that treaty are to drag the Yazoo speculation out of the mire. The connection of the two questions at that day is too notorious to be denied. That very senator, were he now here, would disdain to deny it. With all his faults, he was a man of some noble qualities. Hypocrisy, at least, was not in the catalogue of his vices. The coupling together of the British treaty & the Yazoo business, cannot surely be unknown to the gentleman from Pennsylvania. He was a member of the House of Representatives which voted the appropriation for carrying that treaty into effect, and is understood to have acted a conspicuous part on the occasion. Can it be matter of surprise that the same Senator that ratified the British treaty by the casting vote of one of the principal grantees of the act of Georgia of 1795, should refuse to co-operate with the House of Representatives, in measures for obviating the mischiefs of that act? When you see this corruption extending itself to two great departments of government, can you wonder at the bitterness of its fruits? With their leaders in the legislature and on the judgment seat, well might the host of corruption feel confident in their strength; even yet they have scarcely laid aside their audacity.
A gentleman from Massachusetts (Dr. Eustis) has said, that the claimants from his state had no notice of the fraud, "that he knows they had not" — I cannot have mistaken him, for I took down the words. Sir, I would ask that gentleman, whence arises the proverbial difficulty of proving a negative, but from the difficulty of knowing one?
[Dr. Eustis rose to explain. If he had said that he knew the claimants had not a knowledge of the fraud, he had said too much. It was impossible that any one should know all that was known or passing in the mind of another. Without recollecting the precise words used, he had intended to state his own belief that they had no such knowledge or information. He was resident and conversant with those concerned in the transaction, it was the subject of general conversation, and if there had been any knowledge or report of the kind, he thought it must have come to his knowledge—but he also recollectedly to have stated at the time that this circumstance did not depend on the knowledge or opinion of any individual—As the price paid for the land precluded any idea or belief that the purchasers could have had any knowledge of the fraud.]
Mr. Randolph resumed. The facts which I am about to mention are derived from such a source that I could almost pledge myself for their truth: When the agent of the Georgia Mississippi Company (under whom the New England Land Company claim) arrived in the Eastern States, he had great difficulty in disposing of his booty. The rumor of the fraud by which it was acquired had gone before him. People did not like to vest their money in this new Mississippi scheme. He accordingly applied to some leading men of wealth and intelligence, offering to some as high as 200,000 acres, to others less, for which they were neither to pay money, nor pass their paper, but were to stand on his books as purchasers, at so much per acre. These were the decoy birds to bring the ducks and geese into the net of speculation. On the faith of these persons, under the idea that men of their information would not risk such vast sums without some prospect of return—others resolved to venture and gambled in this new land fund—laid out their money in the Yazoo lottery and have drawn blanks. And these, sir, are the innocent purchasers by whom we are beset; purchasers without price, who never paid a shilling and never can be called upon for one; the vile panders of speculation; and in what do their dupes differ from the looters in any other gambling, or usurious transaction? The premium was proportioned to the risk. As well may your buyers and sellers of stock, your bulls and your bears of the alley require indemnification for their losses at the hands of the nation. There is another fact, too little known, but unquestionably true, in relation to this business. This scheme of buying up the western territory of Georgia did not originate there. It was hatched in Philadelphia and New York, (and I believe Boston—of this however I am not positive,) and the funds with which it was effected were principally furnished by monied capitalists in those towns. The direction of these resources devolved chiefly on the senator who has been mentioned. Too wary to commit himself to writing, he and his associates agreed upon a countersign. His re-election to the senate was to be
considered as evidence that the temper of the legislature of Georgia was suited to their purpose, and his northern confederates were to take their measures accordingly. In proof of this fact, no sooner was the news of his re-appointment announced at New York, than it was publicly said, in a coffee house there, "then the western territory of Georgia is sold." Does this require a comment? Do you not see the strong probability that many of those, who now appear in the character of purchasers from the original grantees named in the act of 1795, are in fact partners, perhaps instigators and prime movers of a transaction in which their names do not appear? Amidst such a complication of guilt, how are you to discriminate, how fix the Proteus ? The chairman of the committee of claims, who brought in this report, under the lash of whose criticism we have all so often smarted, that he is generally known as the pedagogue of the House, will give me leave on this subject to refer him to an authority. 'Tis one with which he is no doubt familiar, and (however humble) well disposed to respect. The authority which I am about to cite is Dillworth's Spelling-Book, and, if it will be more grateful to the gentleman, not our common American edition, but the Royal English Spelling Book. In one of the chapters of that useful elementary work it is related, that two persons going into a shop, or presence of purchase , one of them stole a piece of goods and handed it to the other to conceal under his cloak. When challenged with the theft, he who stole it said he had not, and he who had it said he did not take it. Gentlemen, replied the honest tradesman, what you say may be all very true, but, at the same time, I know that, between you, I am robbed. And such precisely is our case: But, I hope, sir, we shall not permit the parties, whether original grantees who took it, or subsequent purchasers who have it, to make off with the public property.
The rigor of the committee of claims has passed into a proverb. It has, more than once, caused the justice of this house to be questioned. What then was our surprise, on reading their report, to find that they have discovered 'Equity' in the pretensions of these petitioners. Sir, when the war-worn soldier of the revolution, or the desolate widow and famished offspring of him, who sealed your Independence with his blood ask at the door of that committee for bread , they receive the statute of limitation. On such occasions you hear of no equity in the case. Their claims have not the stamp and seal of iniquity upon them. Summum jus is the measure dealt out to them. The equity of the committee is reserved for those claims which are branded with iniquity and stamped with infamy. This reminds me of the story of a poor distressed female in London, applying for admittance into the Magdalen Charity . Being asked who she was, her wretched tale was told in a few words—"I am poor, innocent, and friendless." "Unhappy girl, replied the director, your case does not come within the purview of this institution. Innocence has no admission here—this is a place of reception for prostitutes: you must go and qualify yourself, before you can partake of our relief." With equal discretion the directors of the committee of claims suffer nothing to find support in their asylum, but what is tainted with corruption and stamped with fraud. Give it these properties and they will give it "equity."
But we have been told that the United States gave even less for these lands than the price paid by the several companies of 1795. Admitting the fact, (which is unquestionable false)—did Georgia sell to the union for pounds, shillings and pence? Did North Carolina and Virginia, in their acts of cession of even more extensive countries, look to pecuniary profit? Are we become so grovelling, that public spirit and the general good go for nothing? The money which we engaged to pay out of the proceeds of the land, although more than double the amount paid by the four companies in 1795 constitutes but a small part even of the pecuniary consideration. We are, moreover, pledged to the extinguishment of the Indian title to an immense territory within the present limits of Georgia. It has been whispered in my ear, that the fate of a late treaty with the Creeks is to depend on the decision of this question; and as the British treaty and the Yazoo were made to stand, or fall together, in 1795, so the Creek treaty and the Yazoo are to stand or fall together, in 1805. But those who hold out this threat to the members from Georgia, should know them better, should be told that they are made of the sternest stuff of republicanism and can neither be cowed nor intimidated out of their principles. Of those who talk of the western lands being acquired for nothing, I would ask if that be an argument for throwing them away upon flagitious men? But were the tolls and dangers and treasure of the revolution nothing? The bloody battles, the burning

and devastations of the southern and western countries? Was the expedition of the brave and intrepid Clarke, which wants only a Polybius to rival the march of Thrasymene; were the exploits of this American Hannibal, who secured the western country to you, nothing? Were your Indian wars and massacres nothing?
(To be continued.)
FROM THE AURORA.
THOMAS PAINE,
TO THE CITIZENS OF PENNSYLVANIA, ON THE PROPOSAL FOR CALLING A CONVENTION.
(Continued.)
The complaint respecting the senate is the length of its duration, being four years. The sage Franklin has said, "Where annual election ends tyranny begins;" and no man was a better judge of human nature than Franklin, nor has any man in our time exceeded him in the principles of honor and honesty.
When a man ceases to be accountable to those who elected him, and with whose public affairs he is entrusted, he ceases to be their representative, and is put in a condition of being their despot. He becomes the representative of nobody but himself. "I am elected, says he for four years; you cannot turn me out, neither am I responsible to you in the mean time. All that you have to do with me is to pay me." The conduct of the Pennsylvania senate in 1800 respecting the choice of electors for the presidency of the United States, shews the impropriety and danger of such an establishment. The manner of choosing electors ought to be fixed in the constitution and not left to the caprice of contention. It is a matter equally as important, and concerns the rights and interests of the people as much, as the election of members for the state legislature, and in some instances much more. By the conduct of the senate at that time the people were deprived of their right of suffrage, and the state lost its consequence in the union. It had but one vote. The other fourteen were paired off by compromise. Seven and seven. If the people had chosen the electors, which they had a right to do, for the electors were to represent them and not to represent the senate; the state would have had fifteen votes which would have counted.
The senate is an imitation of what is called the house of lords in England, & which Chesterfield, who was a member of it, and therefore knew it, calls "the hospital of incurables." The senate in Pennsylvania is not quite an hospital of incurables, but it took almost four years to bring it to a state of convalescence.
Before we imitate any thing, we ought to examine whether it be worth imitating, and had this been done by the convention at that time, they would have seen that the model from which their mimic imitation was made, was no better than unprofitable and disgraceful lumber.
There was no such thing in England as what is called the house of lords, until the conquest of that country by the Normans under William the conqueror, and like the king's negative over the laws, it is a badge of disgrace upon the country; for it is the effect and evidence of its having been reduced to unconditional submission.
William having made the conquest, dispossessed the owners of their lands, and divided those lands among the chiefs of the plundering army he brought with him, and from hence arose what is called the house of lords. Daniel de Poe, in his historical satire, entitled, "The True Born Englishman," has very concisely given the origin and character of this house as follows:—
The great invading Norman set them know. What conquerors, in after times, might do; To every musketeer he brought to town, He gave the lands that never were his own— He cantoned out the country to his men, And every soldier was a denizen; No parliament his army could disband, He raised no money, for he paid in land. The rascals thus enriched, he called them Lords, To please their upstart pride with new made words And dooms-day book his tyranny records; Some show the sword, the bow & some the spear, Which their great ancestor, forsooth, did wear; But who the hero was no man can tell, Whether a colonel or a corporal; The silent record blushes to reveal Their undescended dark original; Great ancestors of yesterday, they shew, And lords, whose fathers were—the Lord knows who!
This is the disgraceful origin of what is called the house of lords in England, and it still retains some tokens of the plundering baseness of its origin. The swindler Dundas was lately made a lord, and is now called noble lord! Why do they not give him his proper title and call him noble swindler! for he swindled by wholesale. But it is probable he will escape punishment; for Blackstone, in his commentary on the laws, recites an act of parliament passed in 1550, and not since repealed, that extends what is called the benefit of clergy, that is, exemption from punishment for all clerical offences to all lords and peers of the realm, who could not read, as well as those who could, and also for "the crimes of house breaking, highway robbing, horse stealing and robbing of churches." This is consistent with the original establishment of a house of lords, for it was originally composed of robbers. This is aristocracy. This is one of the pillars of John Adams's "stupendous fabric of human invention." A privilege for house breaking, highway robbing, horse stealing, and robbing of churches! John Adams knew
but little of the origin and practice of the government of England. As to constitution it has none.
The Pennsylvania convention of 1776, copied nothing from the English government. It formed a constitution on the basis of honesty. The defect, as I have already said of that constitution, was the preponderancy to which the legislature might be subject in enacting laws. All the members of that legislature established by that constitution, sat in one chamber and debated in one body, and thus subjected them to preponderancy. But this preponderancy was provided against, but not effectually. The constitution ordered that the laws, before being finally enacted, should be published for public consideration. But as no given time was fixed for that consideration, nor any means for collecting its effect, nor were there then any public news papers in the state but what were printed in Philadelphia, the provision did not reach the intention of it, and thus a good and wise intention sunk into mere form, which is generally the case, when the means are not adequate to the end.
The ground work, however, of that constitution was good, and deserves to be resorted to. Every thing that Franklin was concerned in producing merits attention. He was the wise and benevolent friend of man. Riches and honors made no alteration in his principles or his manners.
The constitution of '76 was conformable to the Declaration of Independence and the declaration of rights, which the present constitution is not; for it makes artificial distinctions among men in the right of suffrage, which the principles of equity know nothing of; neither is it consistent with sound policy. We every day see the rich becoming poor, and those who were poor before becoming rich.—Riches, therefore, having no stability, cannot and ought not to be made a criterion of rights. Man is man in every condition of life, and the varieties of fortune and misfortune are open to all.
Had the number of representatives in the legislature, established by that constitution, been increased, and instead of their sitting together in one chamber and debating and voting all at one time, to have divided them by lot into two equal parts and to have sat in separate chambers, the advantage would have been that one half by not being entangled in the first debate nor having committed itself by voting, would be silently possessed of the arguments, for and against, of the former part and be in a calm condition to review the whole. And instead of one chamber, or one house, or by whatever name they may be called, negating the vote of the other, which is now the case, and which admits of inconsistencies even to absurdities, to have added the votes of both chambers together and the majority of the whole to be the final decision. There would be reason in this but there is none in the present mode. The instance that occurred in the Pennsylvania senate in the year 1800 on the bill for choosing electors, where a small majority in that house controlled and negated a large majority in the other house, shews the absurdity of such a division of legislative power.
To know if any theory or position be true or rational, in practice, the method is, to carry it to its greatest extent; if it be not true upon the whole, or be absurd, it is so in all its parts however small. For instance
If one house consists of two hundred members and the other of fifty, which is about the proportion they are in some of the states, and if a proposed law be carried in the affirmative in the larger house with only one dissenting voice, and be negated in the smaller house by a majority of one, the event will be, that twenty-seven control and govern two hundred and twenty-three, which is too absurd even for argument, and totally inconsistent with the principles of representative government, which know no difference in the value and importance of its members but what arises from their virtues and talents, and not at all from the name of the house or chamber they sit in.
As the practice of a smaller number negating a greater is not founded on reason we must look for its origin in some other cause.
The Americans have copied it from England, and it was brought into England by the Norman conqueror and is derived from the ancient French practice of voting by orders, of which they counted three; the clergy (that is Roman catholic clergy) the noblesse (those who had titles) and the tiers etat, or third estate, which included all who were not of one of the two former orders; and which in England are called the commons or common people, and the house in which they are represented is from thence called the house of commons.
The case with the conqueror was, that in order to complete and secure the conquest he had made, and hold the country in subjection, he cantoned it out among the chiefs of his army, to whom he gave castles and whom he dubbed with the title of lords as is before shown. These being dependent on the conqueror, and having a united interest with him, became the defenders of his measures, and the guardians of his assumed prerogative against the people; and when the house called the commons house of parliament began by grants and charters from the conqueror and his successors, these lords claiming to be a
The practice of voting by orders in France whenever the states general met, continued until the late revolution. It was the present Abbe Sieyes who made the motion, in what was afterwards called the national assembly, for abolishing the vote by orders, and established the rational practice of deciding by a majority of numbers.
distinct order from the commons, though smaller in number, held controlling, or negating vote over them, and from hence arose the irrational practice of a smaller number negating a greater.
But what are these things to us, or why should we imitate them? We have but one order in America, and that of the highest degree, the order of sovereignty, and of this order every citizen is a member in his own personal right. Why then have we descended to the base imitation of inferior things? By the event of the revolution we were put in a condition of thinking originally. The history of past ages shews scarcely any thing to us but instances of tyranny and antiquated absurdities. We have copied some of them and experienced the folly of them.
(To be continued.)
FROM THE AURORA.
THE FINE ARTS.
It is pleasing to observe that American genius progresses in equal pace with the American nation to celebrity. Among the names of the numerous persons who have obtained premiums in England for useful discoveries in the useful and fine arts, we find many Americans.
Mr. Anis of Fulneck, a native of this state, (a relative of our celebrated engineer, Mr. Latrobe) has obtained two premiums for useful mechanical inventions.
The celebrated painters, natives of the United States, who have obtained so much fame in England, keep their usual distinction in the contest and rivalry of fame.
Mr. Hawkins, who though born in Europe, resided so long in America, as to be fairly claimed as an American, has obtained several premiums for his admirable mechanical inventions. It is pleasing to learn that this amiable and ingenious young man after pursuing the objects which his genius had pointed out under all the disadvantages of mediocrity and often of necessity, retired in an obscure village of Bucks county, is likely to obtain the most ample rewards for the fruits of his honorable and honest perseverance. His admirable writing machine, by which two or more letters may be written in the same hand, without the variation of a dot or the swelling of a line, has obtained general applause in London, and has afforded the inventor resources by which he is able to pursue other objects more complex and expensive.
Mr. Hawkins has introduced his vertical piano forte into use in England, with eclat; and his new musical instrument called the clavilute, which combines the harmony of string and wind instruments, is also in forwardness. Through the zeal of our minister at Paris, Mr. Hawkins is likely to profit by the productions of his genius in France also—these instruments were all invented by Mr. Hawkins in this state. The writing machine is made by Mr. Peale in this city, in the most perfect style, at so low a rate as fifty dollars.
A plan has been for some time in agitation to establish a repository for the productions of the fine arts in this city, we find by an English newspaper, one of our countrymen has been making provision for the establishment. We allude to Mr. Robert Fulton a native of Lancaster in this state, one of the first engineers and mechanics of the present age. He has lived for several years with Mr. Barlow in Paris, and we are happy to learn, he is soon to follow his celebrated friend to his native country. The article which induced this sketch we copy from Bell's Weekly Messenger, of 26th of May last, which is as follows.
"Monday finished the sale of the pictures of the Shakespeare gallery. The cabinet pictures brought proportionally much higher prices than those of the greater dimension, in consequence of few persons having room to place works from ten to twelve feet square.
"Sir J. Reynolds's Robin Goodfellow produced 205 guineas; his Cardinal Beaufort 305; his Macbeth and Witches 360; for this picture he received 1200l.
"Mr. Northcote's Romeo, Juliet, and Paris at the tomb of the Capulets, brought 200 guineas.
"Mr. West's Ophelia before the king and queen 125 guineas; his king Lear in the storm 205. We have to regret that the two last mentioned pictures, which are the most happy productions of the truly classic mind of Mr. West, are going out of the country.—They have been purchased by an American gentleman. (Mr. Fulton, of Philadelphia, and are to be the first ornaments of a Gallery which is to be established in that city. We cannot part with them without feeling interested in the fate of that beautiful Ophelia whose charming elegance, mingled with delirious wildness, fills the soul with the most lively sentiment; nor with the majestic Lear, whose heart seems torn with ingratitude and the sense of complicated evils. There is a grandeur of conception, and spirit of execution in this picture which has seldom been surpassed, and which can only be enjoyed by men of cultivated taste and elevated minds.—In such case we are not to look for delicate complexions, smooth and polished surfaces or fine colors; nor do we look for such qualities in the works of Raphael; but for correct drawing, firmness of touch, fine flow of drapery, dignity of character, and movement of soul; all of which are treated in those pictures with the highest order of intellect, and which will rank them among the most distinguished works of art when Mr. West shall be no more—feeling as we do, it is with reason we regret that those pictures are to leave the country; but it must be highly gratifying to the Pennsylvanians
to possess such works of their celebrated and esteemed countrymen.
"We understand that the whole collection of the Shakespeare Gallery brought only 6000l. The premises were sold for 4400 guineas. Lord Egremont was the purchaser of Sir Joshua Reynolds's Macbeth, and Cardinal Beaufort.
"A rival institution is raising in the city of London similar to the royal corporate institute, in Albermarle street. It is proceeding under the patronage of some of the most eminent merchants, headed by Sir Francis Baring. The establishment will be perfectly liberal and open, and on a scale of great magnificence, for the encouragement of literature in every department. Able lecturers are already engaged for the several branches of philosophy; and the hearts of the sons of learning are swelled high with hope."
From the Boston Chronicle.
Spanish Claims.—No transaction in history can give a greater specimen of the influence of lawyers in a country, than the application of the Spanish minister to a few individuals in the profession on the subject of the Spanish claims. Was there ever before an instance when a diplomatic character presumed to state a question to private citizens, on which the respective nations were deliberating through the medium of their official agents? It is a precedent, which ought to be reprobated by every civilized power in Europe. Could the Spanish minister presume that his court would be controlled by the decision of the American lawyers? in this point of view, he deserves the censure of the king his master. Admit that five lawyers had said, that the claims ought to be allowed, would the government of Spain have thought themselves bound by such a determination. On the other side, will the United States consider themselves obliged to surrender their claims on the mere opinion of men, who are probably feed for their impertinent interference?
What have lawyers to do in this business, more than any other class of citizens? The Spanish minister might with a much propriety, have requested the opinion of the merchants, who, probably, would have decided in favor of the claims. He might have requested the opinion of the executive of a particular state, or the legislature of Connecticut! In short, he might have gone to certain influential persons in any part of the union. What would be the situation of any country, should foreign ministers attempt by fees to gain an ascendancy in their favor through the interference of interested men, who may be bribed to their purposes?
The decision is of so novel a nature, and so pregnant with evils, that the United States and every other nation ought to reprobate the measure by some pointed resolutions, to prevent the same from being done in any future negotiation. The consequences may be fatal; for should the controversy lay between two foreign powers, as to the demands of the U. States the ministers of each nation may fee lawyers on both sides, and involve the country by their various opinions in serious difficulties.
In what a predicament must it place the President in his foreign transactions, if an appeal is to be made in a secret manner, to a few select lawyers, on the question he is settling in their respective courts; and their opinions are to become authorities to counteract those decisions which had previously been determined on by his diplomatic agents? When Mr. Genet talked of appealing to the people, a great hue and cry was raised against him; but in the present business it seems the Spanish minister has appealed to five lawyers, on whose ipsi dixit the fate of the American commerce is suspended.
The procedure demands a legislative investigation, in the next congress; and every nation in Europe is interested in the question.—For we may annihilate both executive and legislative interference on all national concerns, if a body of lawyers are to become the umpire on so interesting a decision. When our minister appears in Spain, how great must be his mortification to find a paper handed about in direct opposition to his mission; & instead of grounding his plea on treaties, and documents of the president he is to oppose the opinion of men who possibly are feed to thwart his mission! This is a subject of a solemn nature, and will be considered more fully in subsequent remarks.
For the present we would only observe, that in the investigation of this business, we shall not involve the general character of lawyers in the controversy; we shall endeavor to draw a line between an attempt to give this "order" a supremacy over other classes of citizens, and the assumption of political importance which is designed by some to be appropriated to their interference. We esteem some in the profession; as men of honor and integrity; we reverence their character and admire their incorruptibility. But it has become necessary to arrest the preponderancy of their combined weight, and even to teach a foreign minister such discretion as not to intrude the sentiments of private citizens, as a voucher to counteract the diplomatic determinations of his master, or the just claims of the government of the United States.
We will venture to place this subject on the extensive ground, that if any power in Europe had been baffled in their claims by the secret operations of five unauthorised citizens, the voice of the nation would become too powerful to screen them from punishment.
If lawyers are the government, let us have a convention of them at particular
periods.—Let us know what system of government we are under. Let us revise our constitution, and put all our domestic and foreign concerns into their hands. Let us declare peremptorily, that no other body of men can be trusted; that they know every thing & the president, senate, house of representatives and the people, know nothing; that all foreign ministers must apply to them, and that we must surrender all our rights to their mandates. Let us either do this, or check them in that career, which they are aiming to pursue.
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THAT a faction who have so long proclaimed their inveterate hostility to the present administration, should avail themselves of every opportunity to embarrass it in its operations, and destroy its popularity, is no more than might be expected; but at the same time it was presumed by many that on some occasions American feelings would have a preponderance over those excited by the demon of faction. Unfortunately, however, this appears not to be the case. As a proof of which, witness the base and libelous attacks on the President, in consequence of the depredations recently committed on our commerce; and likewise in consequence of a report that our negotiation with Spain had been broken off.
Altho' the defensive measures which have been adopted by the Executive to prevent a repetition of those outrages which have been committed on our coast and in our harbors, are well known, and although the report of Mr. Monroe's leaving Madrid, without accomplishing the object of his mission, may be without foundation, still the "opposition papers" have applied the epithet pusillanimous to the administration, and have charged them with an intention to sacrifice the dearest interests of their country, in order to avoid a war, thro' fear that it might render them unpopular. A brief review, however, of the measures which have been pursued by the administration, as respects our external concerns, will, I trust, be sufficient to convince every candid and unprejudiced person, that so far from evincing a pusillanimous disposition, they have on all occasions supported with honor and dignity the American character.
No sooner had Mr. Jefferson been placed at the head of government, than it was determined to chastise one of the Barbary powers, who, notwithstanding the tribute which had been paid him by the two former administrations, was committing depredations on our commerce with a view, no doubt, to extort a greater sum from government than was stipulated by treaty. The administration, however, nobly refused the demands of these pirates, and to the astonishment of Europe as well as of the Barbary powers, an American squadron soon made its appearance in the Mediterranean, and although accident threw one of our frigates into the hands of the Bashaw, yet our commerce in that sea has been amply protected, and we have every reason to believe from the imposing force which we now have in the Mediterranean, that this season will terminate the war, and that too in a manner worthy of our national character.
In the fall of 1802, the Spanish Intendant at New Orleans refused our citizens the right of deposit at that port, contrary to an article of the treaty of 1795. This unjustifiable act excited much agitation amongst our citizens, and altho' the party in opposition were for an immediate declaration of war, the President, supported by the republicans, was determined to try the effect of negotiation, before the nation were plunged into a war. The important acquisition of Louisiana is well known to have been the result of this pacific measure. Spain soon after this event began to evince an unfriendly disposition towards the United States. This probably may have proceeded from jealousy, excited by our obtaining so large and valuable a province as Louisiana, which she had so recently been obliged to recede to France, and which she always considered as the key to the Floridas and to Mexico, and which she by no means was desirous of seeing in the possession of a young and enterprising nation. Be this however as it may, it is understood that soon after the cession of Louisiana to the United States, his Catholic majesty refused to ratify the convention of 1802, and likewise disputed our right to West Florida, which our government contend is a part of Louisiana.
For the purpose of obtaining an amicable adjustment of those important points in controversy, a citizen of known patriotism, firmness and talents was deputed by the executive to the court of Spain. What has been the result of this mission is not as yet fully ascertained—if it has been unsuccessful, as is reported, let me ask with what propriety can the executive be censured? Is it not an evidence of the firmness, not only of the administration but likewise of the minister whom they selected for this negotiation, and a proof likewise that they will never abandon our just rights, however desirous they may be to preserve peace? If the negotiation has been really broken off, through the obstinacy and injustice of Spain, the executive can do no more than represent the same to Congress (who will assemble in a short time) and there can be no doubt but that their patriotism will induce them to make immediate provision for enforcing our claims by an appeal to arms, should the honor and dignity of the nation render such legislative interference indispensable, necessary.
CATO.

BOSTON August 29. Capt. Taylor, arrived here yesterday from Russia, spoke on Monday last, the brig Joseph, capt. Carrer, 43 days from Bilboa for Plymouth, and was informed by capt. C. that 8 days after leaving Bilboa he was boarded by a boat from a French and Spanish fleet of 27 sail of the line, frigates, &c. and was told that the squadron was bound into the Bay of Biscay, in pursuit of several sail of British ships of war, which they had accounts were in that quarter. This fleet, it is supposed can be no other than the combined French and Spanish armament from the West Indies, and that they were running in for some port in the Bay.
NEW-YORK August 31. A letter from a respectable house in Liverpool, dated the 13th July, says: The underwriters, alarmed by the recent capture of the ship Mary from New-York for Liverpool, have raised the premium of insurance to 8 and 10 per cent.
THE LATEST. The Editors of this Gazette have received from Capt. Childs, of the Nancy from Dublin, a Dublin paper of the 30th ult. 3 days later than by former arrivals. Under the London head of July 16, it is stated, that the account of the capture of a Spanish ship of the line, is unfounded. That the Carthagena fleet, of 7 sail of the line, sailed for Cadiz the 3d of June, but, hearing that Admiral Collingwood was off that port, they returned. The sloop of war Orestes, capt. Brown, got ashore near Dunkirk, and not being able to get her off, she was burnt. Adm. Russell had arrived at Yarmouth, with 4 sail of the line, from the coast of Holland; and Admiral Douglass at Dungeness, from off Boulogne, with part of his squadron. Nothing of Adm. Nelson, or the combined fleets.
From the Globe of July 13. Yesterday, Parliament was prorogued by Commission, with a speech read by the Lord Chancellor, sitting. "That his Majesty has not yet been enabled to communicate the result of the negotiations, in which he is engaged with the continental powers, and expressing his determination to omit no step that may promote such a concert, or furnish the means of repelling with vigor the encroachments of the enemy upon the independence of Europe." There is nothing in this communication that must not have been anticipated. Every person who has read the foreign Journals, recently received, must see that the negotiations alluded to will abide the result of the mission of the Russian minister, Novosiltzoff, whose arrival at Berlin we lately announced. The following extract of a letter upon this subject from a gentleman in a diplomatic situation in that city, received by the last mail, will be found interesting:—"The efforts of the Prussian Court to prevent the breaking out of the continental war, which was so near at hand, will be entitled to the gratitude of posterity. The public is not yet acquainted by far with all the difficulties of this glorious undertaking. When in January 1805, England communicated the French overtures for peace to the Russian court, the latter, that it might be enabled to come to a decisive conclusion on the subject, thought it necessary to assure itself of the disposition of the courts of Vienna and Berlin, and to ascertain whether there was any well-grounded expectation of their acting in concert. Gen. Winzingerode was therefore sent on the 13th of February to Berlin. As he convinced himself that the good understanding between Prussia and France was not likely to be interrupted, and that Austria was not disposed to hostilities, the Russian court agreed to the overtures of peace transmitted by the Cabinet of Berlin. From Berlin reasonable proposals were now to be submitted to the French Emperor; Baron Winzingerode had his audience to leave, and had fixed on the 20th of March for his departure. In the mean time Napoleon assumed the crown of Italy; this circumstance produced a new alteration in the state of affairs. On this occasion Prussia conducted herself with great dignity and conciliatory firmness. The answer to be returned to France was for some time delayed, and M. De Winzingerode received directions to await further orders at Berlin to observe whether the occurrences in Italy, combined with other internal relations at Vienna, would produce any alteration of the Austrian system. Should this have been the case, he was not to have gone from Berlin to Vienna. But as the court of Petersburg was convinced that Austria would not change its pacific system, that envoy was directed to return from Berlin to Petersburg, and conciliatory measures with regard to France was adopted. In England itself, M. De Novosiltzoff had long been considered the most proper person to arrange preliminaries of peace with France. The Russian court therefore, requested that of Berlin to procure passports for him, that he might repair either to Italy or Paris. For this purpose, a Courier was dispatched on the 7th May, from Berlin to Milan, who returned on the 23d of the same month, with six passports."
May the united efforts of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg and Berlin be crowned with success. A year of warfare is now more pregnant with evils than a whole century in former ages.
The menace of invasion is now renewed in the Paris papers, but all this blustering and swaggering will not divert the attention of Europe from the disgrace with which the enemy have covered themselves in the West-Indies.
W e have received the following note from Captain Burger, of the ship Augusta, who arrived this morning from Belfast. The Augusta is probably the ship which we mentioned yesterday, (on the authority of capt. Weymouth, as being then detained by the sloop of war Hawke:
TO MR. LEWIS, Editor of the Commercial Advertiser. On the 30th inst. Sandy Hook bearing N by W. distant 5 leagues I was boarded by his Britannic majesty's sloop of war Hawke, captain Thompson, who pressed thirteen passengers out of the Augusta, and treated in every respect with very great rudeness. Mr. Hughes in particular, made use of the most abusive language, and threatened to take me on board the sloop of war and have me punished unless I instantly presented on deck all my passengers, of whom I had forty-nine. On the 31st, Sandy Hook bearing N. N. W. distant 3 leagues, was boarded by his majesty's frigate Cleopatra, and treated very politely. The following are the names of the passengers who were impressed: John Allan, Edward Lowrey, James Davidson, Jenkin Killins, John Patterson, George Weir, Samuel Bishop, James Chambers, John Crozet, John Beatty, Daniel Campbell, John M. Conah.
JAMES D. BURGER. September 3.
NORFOLK, September 5. PORT OF NORFOLK. Arrived last evening, sch'r Eagle, Capt. Gross, 48 days from Bordeaux—wine, dry goods, &c. J. Gaiway—Capt. G. passed through the combined fleets of 30 sail in the Bay of Biscay, steering for Brest. In Hampton Roads, brig John Woelpet, 52 days from Nantz—ballast—J. Newell.—Was boarded off the Western Islands, by five French privateers, one of them from the number of killed and wounded on board, must have been roughly handled by an enemy.—Capt. W. says there were 19 killed lying on the deck. The ship Dumfries, Beard, has arrived at Liverpool; Cabinet, Woodend, at Dublin; and Rolla, Cottle from City Point, at Gravesend.
THE following Hoghead of Tobacco has been lying in Cannon's warehouse upwards of two years undemanded—the owner is requested to come forward and pay charges, or it will be sold according to law. No. 463 1604 133 1471. Inspected and booked in the name of Edward Scruggs. Guarrant & Anderson, Inspectors. New Canton, 18 Sept. 1805.
FOR SALE, ALL THE LANDS BELONGING TO THE College of William and Mary, lying in the county of King William. These lands are in two separate tracts, one of which borders on Pamunkey river, near the town of New Castle and includes some of those level, valuable lands between that town & Monocunmill. They are divided into 74 tenements, some of which are on lease for lives, from one to three; others are under no lease—Possession of those not under lease, will be given on the first day of January, 1806. For those under lease, all the College interest in them, will be sold—a statement of the lives as well as the conditions on which they are leased, will be shown to those inclined to purchase. The purchaser will stand instead of the College, and may avail himself of any forfeitures incurred by a non compliance of the tenants with the conditions of their respective leases. One fourth of the purchase money will be required on the first day of January next, and the remaining three fourths, in equal payments, to be made on the first day of January, in the years 1807, 1808 and 1809, with interest from the first day of January, 1806. Bonds for the amount will be required, and the purchaser or purchasers can have title, on making the first payment and granting a deed of trust on the land, with relinquishment of dower to secure the three last payments. It not disposed of at private sale (in which case notice will be given,) the tenements called the lower college, either separately or united, to fair purchasers, will be sold publicly, on the first Monday in October next, on that tenement occupied by Mrs. Hughes; and those of the upper college, in like manner, on the second Monday in November, on that tenement occupied by Mrs. Drury, as a tavern.
W. M. COLEMAN, Agent for the College of William & Mary. Williamsburg, August 30, 1805.
J. H. FASBENDER, lately from Charleston, S. C. respectfully informs the citizens of Richmond and its vicinity, that he has commenced the WATCH-MAKING BUSINESS, in the house belonging to Mr. Jedidiah Allen, adjoining Dr. Foushee's. He not only repairs watches, but makes every part of their composition—and flatters himself from the satisfaction which he gave in Charleston, of which place he was a resident upwards of three years, to obtain that share of public patronage which he will endeavor to merit.
J. H. Fasbender has on hand a choice assortment of JEWELLERY, (and daily expects a further supply) which he will sell low for cash. August 6.
NOTICE. All persons indebted to the estate of the late Nathaniel Clarke, dec. of Amherst county, will please come forward and settle their respective balances, on or before the first day of January next, and all those who have any demands against the said estate, will bring them in by that period, legally authenticated, for adjustments, as no farther regard will be paid to any claims thereafter, and this advertisement will be plead in bar against them. Samuel Bridgewater, Administrator of Nathaniel Clarke, dec. August 10th, 1805.
VIRGINIA ARGUS. RICHMOND: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1805.
RICHMOND PRICE CURRENT. CORRECTED WEEKLY. Tobacco, 33s Cash. Wheat, new, 7s 6d do. Flour, fine, new, 42s do. Flour, superfine, 45s do. Corn, 27s do. Hemp, (clean) £ 51 do. Iron, £ 30 do. Bacon, 15d do. Whiskey, 3s 9d do.
A letter to Wm. Gray, jr. esq. at Salem, from a gentleman in Naples, confirms the pleasing intelligence of the deliverance of our American brethren from bondage at Tripoli.—No particulars are given, as his correspondent supposed the information would have been received before the arrival of Captain Leach. It is added (in the Salem Gazette of Friday last) that the brother of the Bashaw failed in his object of recovering the government.
From the New-York papers of the 3d inst. IMPORTANT.—We are indebted to the politeness of Mr. Craig for the following important information, received by letter from Mr. Harford of Darien, Georgia:—"Intelligence has reached this place that an English fleet of nine sail of the line, with frigates and transports, are at anchor in the mouth of St. John's river, and that their object is the conquest of Florida. The Spaniards are extremely alarmed, and all is bustle and confusion." Should this account be correct, and there is every reason to believe it is, the Floridas will probably soon exchange masters. The mouth of St. John's river is ten leagues and a half from St. Augustine, which will probably be the first object of attack.
By Mr. White, the pilot of the Medford, we are informed, that the ship Ocean, capt. Hussey, from Amsterdam for New-York, was captured off the Hook on Sunday last, by the British Frigate Cleopatra, and sent off to Halifax in company with a sloop of war. Our informant further adds, that capt. Beresford, in the Cambrian frigate, was present at the time, and would not suffer a pilot boat's yawl to go along side the Ocean.
Capt. Barnard, of the ship Medford, informs, that on the 26th of August, he spoke a schooner 34 days from Bordeaux, the captain of which informed, that just after he sailed, in the Bay of Biscay, he fell in with the combined French and Spanish fleet, from the West-Indies, then steering for Brest.
Our papers from New York announce, that the Cambrian, the Cleopatra, and the Hawk, British armed vessels, are now off Sandy Hook, arresting our vessels or impressing their passengers and seamen.—We know not what measures have been taken by our administration to put a stop to these grievances. We only know that as the John Adams has been sent to Charleston with instructions to protect that harbor, the brig Hornet is about to be sent to New York, probably with the same instructions.
From a letter of a young officer on board the Hornet at Baltimore, to the editor. "We shall sail from this port in three weeks for New York. We have a very fine brig, 470 tons burthen and 20 guns. We shall take in only 9 pounders this cruise, but she is to mount 12 or 42 lb. carronades, which ever captain Chancey chooses. I hope we shall make those, who dare to cope with us, suffer for their temerity."—Enquirer.
Extract of a letter from the consul of the United States at Copenhagen, 14th May, 1805. "I have succeeded in my efforts to obtain an alteration in the regulations of the board of quarantine; Charleston alone being looked upon as infected; Philadelphia, N. York, Savannah and Wilmington on the contrary only as suspected, in consequence of which ships coming from the latter ports are only laid under an observation quarantine of four days. All other vessels coming from the United States with bills of health and no sick people on board have free access to all ports in Denmark and Norway without being subject to any quarantine."
Force at present in the Mediterranean employed against Tripoli. GUNS.
Fr. President, 44—Com. S. Barron, Constitution, 44—Cap. J. Rogers, Constellation, 36—Capt. H. G. Campbell, Congress, 36—Capt. S. Decatur, Essex, 32—Capt. J. Barron, John Adams, 32—Capt. J. Shaw, Brig Siren, 18—Capt. Stewart, Argus, 18—Capt. Hull, Schr. Vixen, 14—Capt. Smith, Nauutilus, 14—Capt. Dent, Enterprize, 14—Capt. Robinson, Two American bomb vessels. Nine American gun boats. Two bomb vessels, procured in the Mediterranean. Three gun boats, do.
On board the squadron there are 3,200 men—including officers, seamen, marines, &c. In the above statement we have arranged the vessels according to their respective force without regard to the rank of the commanders.
We perceive it asserted in several prints that our gun boats taken by the Spaniards are not yet liberated. We find on enquiry, that official information has been received of their liberation.—Nat. Intel.
Gen. Ferrand has issued an order forbidding officers under him from issuing commissions to cruisers elsewhere than at St. Domingo, where the sureties are to reside and the captures to be adjudged. He also revokes all authority, in prize matters and for issuing commissions, vested in the delegates from St. Domingo to other colonies.
GIBRALTAR, June 5. Three American gun boats and one mortar boat arrived to-day from the United States, on their way to Tripoli, which they are going to attack again. The American gun boats are universally reckoned to be the most complete vessels of the kind ever seen in this bay, whilst the few English gun boats here are exactly the reverse, and are so inferior in every respect to those of the Spaniards in their construction and in rowing or sailing that the enemy laugh at and despise them.
Extract of a letter from New Bedford, dated August 29. "The ship Mary, Nye, arrived here yesterday in 43 days from St. Lucar. She was captured after being out 6 hours, by a British man of war, and ordered for Gibraltar. Capt. Nye and his two mates retook the ship, and have safe arrived with a prize-master and 6 seamen. The Mary was laden with salt and wine, and was bound to New-York."
General MOREAU, and family, arrived at the seat of Mr. Le Guen, at Morrisville, on Thursday last.—On Saturday, Governor Bloomfield of New-Jersey, and a number of the principal Federalists of Trenton, paid their respects to the General. {Phil. Gaz.}
The Health-Office of Philadelphia report, from Monday 12 o'clock to Tuesday 12 o'clock—8 new admissions into the hospital—1 death—3 patients discharged, cured—and the total, 21 sick in the house, 3 of whom are convalescent. Sept. 5.
INTERMENTS In the different burial grounds of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, for the week ending on the 30th August.
Adults 30 Children 40 Total 60
The situation of Philadelphia calls for immediate and decisive measures.—The board of health of that city, report four removals on the 1st instant, and the following extract of a letter received this morning by the editor—whilst it excites our sympathy for the distress of its citizens, should produce caution that the infection be not introduced into this city. —Balt. E. Post.
"I have been about the city this morning—and met terror in every face, and household furniture in every direction—we are all confusion and alarm—so many new cases of fever to day—the people seem more alarmed than in any year before. Mr.—and his family leave town to-morrow and we are removing into the country as fast as we can."
The Norfolk Ledger says, "We have received Paris papers to the 10th, and Bordeaux papers to the 15th July. These papers do not mention the death of Talleyrand, and as our files are regular, that intelligence must be premature."
The voyage of the Greeks, Stephano-pouli, who were Greeks settled in Corsica, and sent from Italy to Greece in 1797, furnishes the following outline of the Ionian Republic. To the Seven Isles is united Cerigotto, which has 17 families living at present in their native independence. The islands are thus described. Corfu, in N. L. 37, and E. L. 40, in 3 miles from Albania. It is above 100 miles in circumference, and has a spacious and safe port, defended by two fortresses. Its soil is oil, and its climate excellent. Paxo is six miles south of Corfu, and about a fourth part of its circumference. It produces oil, and has a third part of the population of Corfu. Ithaca is four miles from St. Mavri, and but six miles in circumference. It yields grain and wine, and its population does not exceed 5,000. Cephalonia is a mile from Ithaca, and is above 160 miles in circumference; it yields wine, but depends much upon its navigation. It employs 150 vessels, a third part of which carry above 10 guns each. The population is a quarter greater than that of Corfu. Zante is forty miles from Cephalonia, but has not a third of its circumference. Currants and oil give the riches of Zante. A revenue of half a million of dollars is raised from the first article. It has but one port, that can admit large vessels. Five families divide half the island, and have great influence over its very industrious inhabitants.—It has but half the population of Cephalonia. Cerigo is above 200 miles from Zante, and about the same circumference, but no more than an eighth of its population, and this diminished population is attributed chiefly to the visits from the Turkish and other Corsairs, and the insufficient protection of the Venetian government. It yields wine, and its inhabitants are represented as the best in the whole republic. No assassination or robbery, evils prevalent in the other islands, has ever been known in Cerigo. (Salem Register.)
ODE TO LIBERTY. (The following Lines were composed by one of the Seamen of the frigate Philadelphia.)
COLUMBIA! though immortal fame Thy freedom through the world proclaim, And hell-born tyrants dread the name, That will all nations free; Remote on Barbary's pirate coast, By foes enslave'd, a miscreant host; No more the rights of man we boast; Adieu blest Liberty.
How fearful lower'd the gloomy day, When stranded on the shoals we lay, Expos'd, our foremast cut away, To the rough dashing sea; When hostile gun-boats blaz'd around, And no relief or hopes were found, Those mournful words, well every sound, Adieu blest Liberty.
In helpless servitude, forlorn, From country, friends and freedom torn, Alike we dread each night and morn, For naught but grief we see; When burthens press, the lash we bear, And all around is black despair, We breathe the silent fervent prayer, O come sweet Liberty!
Mem'ry to mis'ry more unkind, Brings present to the painful mind The woes oblivion else would find, And evils cease to be. And fancy, when we're wrapp'd in sleep, Conveys us o'er the boundless deep; But wake to sigh, we live to weep; Adieu blest Liberty!
And when invading cannons roar, And streaming blood from hundreds pour, And mangled bodies float on shore, And ruins strew the sea; The thoughts of death or freedom near, Create alternate hope and fear; Oh, when will that bless'd day appear, That brings sweet Liberty.
When rear'd on yonder castle height, The naked flag staff dress'd in white, We gaz'd and captur'd at the sight; How happy shall we be! When thundering guns proclaim a peace, Our toils all o'er, our woes shall cease, We'll bless the Power that brings release, And hail sweet Liberty!
We have been favored with the perusal of a letter from a gentleman in Savannah (Georgia) to his friend in this city, dated the 15th instant.—Which states that the Negroes had shown evident signs of an insurrection—and had began poisoning a number of the white inhabitants. Thirteen of them had been committed to Waynesborough jail; the greater part of whom were under sentence of death—they had already burnt one alive, hanged two, besides a number of others who received punishment according to their desert. The number of robberies and burglaries were daily increasing.—Balt. Tel.
A number of deplorable instances of mortality from the small pox have lately occurred in Bath, where the lower orders of the people continue obstinately to resist the progress of vaccine inoculation. (London pap.)
FOR PHILADELPHIA, THE SCHOONER LIBERTY, Michael Lewis, Master, a constant under, will sail on the 16th of this month September 9.
BOLTING CLOTHS. A complete assortment of DUTCH BOLTING CLOTHS, superiorly good; from the lowest No. 10 superfine—just received, and for sale by M. G. B. MYERS. Richmond, Sep. 9th, 1805.
PURSUANT to a decree of Hanover county court, will be sold, on Tuesday the 13th day of October, 1805, if not the next fair day, at Hanover Town, TWO LOTS, Known and designated in the plan of the said town, by the numbers 25 and 37, with their appurtenances, for ready money. Those lots will be sold on the premises, and the money arising therefrom, to be paid to Mr. Pitman Kidd, who sold the said lots to Daniel Culp, and took a mortgage on the premises to secure the payment of the purchase money, with interest. The sale will be conducted by THE COMMISSIONERS. BOARDING IN WILLIAMSBURG.
AS the time when the course usually commences at William and Mary College, is fast approaching, the subscriber informs parents and young gentlemen, that he will continue to receive BOARDERS, on terms as moderate as circumstances will allow. It will be his peculiar endeavor to combine satisfactory accommodations with internal decorum and propriety. Beside other recommendations, his house possesses the advantage of being almost contiguous to the College. E. D. CHEMINANT. Williamsburg, Sep. 6th, 1805.
MEDICINE STORE. D. WILSON & Co. have taken one of the tenements in the large brick house belonging to Mr. Vane, on the street leading from Mr. Summerson's store to Hanover, and in the neighborhood of Judge Wythe and Wm. Price, Esq. where they have just opened a general supply of MEDICINES, PAINTS, And other articles in the Drug line, the whole of which have just come to hand, and were personally selected and laid in by Dr. Wilson in Philadelphia, and New-York. They conscientiously recommend them to the public, as of good quality, and at fair prices. Persons disposed to buy will probably find an advantage by calling and examining. They will afford regular attention and put up Orders. Receipts, &c. faithfully. As being convenient to the inhabitants of Richmond, on the hill above the Capitol and its vicinity, they beg leave particularly to solicit their patronage. Richmond, Sept. 10, 1805.

NOTICE.
ALL persons indebted to the late firm of Buchanan, Dunlop & Co. Of Petersburg; Robert Pollok & Co. Of Richmond; and Dunlop, Pollok & Co. Of Manchester.
Are hereby notified that James Dunlop, late a partner in the above concerns, has become purchaser of the outstanding debts; they will therefore be pleased to make payment to Mr. John Tompkins, residing in Richmond, or the subscriber, residing in Petersburg; who alone are authorised to make collections and grant discharges. Suits will be indiscriminately commenced against all who do not make payment before the first of February next.
JOHN DUNLOP. Attorney for James Dunlop. Petersburg, Nov. 13, 1805. (ts) Surry County, August 5th, 1805. WAS committed to the jail of the said county, on the 33rd day of April last, a negro man, DICK, and says that he belongs to Parson Alexander, of North Carolina, which place he left for some years—he is a small fellow, about 65 years of age, both of his ears appear to have been cut. The said negro is now hired out agreeable to law. The owner of such slave is desired to come forward, prove his property, pay charges and take him away.
10w David Price, Keeper of the Jail, Surry courthouse. BROKER'S OFFICE. THE SUBSCRIBER HAS Opened a Broker's Office, Opposite the Union Tavern, and over the Counting-house of Thomas and Amos Ladd. All business conducted to him will be transacted with strict fidelity. THOM. NORVELL. Richmond, October 3, 1805. (ts) Forty Dollars Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber living in Granville county, North Carolina, in March last, two bright mulatto fellows; one by the name of BARTLE, about 35 years of age, he has but little to say, and appears to be very humble, he is a tolerable good Shoemaker and Cooper, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, and he is a well set negro. GEORGE is about 23 years of age, about 6 feet high, spare made, but a very active negro, fond of drink, and a very forward fancy fellow. I expect they have obtained false passes and will endeavor to pass for free negroes; it is probable they are lurking about Manchester, Richmond or Petersburg; they were seen in Manchester a few days past. Any person taking them up and confining them in jail, so that I get them, shall have the above reward, or 20 dollars for either, paid by the subscriber. LEWIS HENING. June 5th, 1805. (ts)
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.  A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS it appears by the inquisition of the Coroner for the county of Berkeley, that JOSEPH THRUSTON and JOHN THRUSTON, late of the said county, are charged with the murder of Barney Riley & information has been received by the executive, that the said Joseph Thruston and John Thruston, have fled from justice; I have, therefore, thought it with the advice of the Council of State, to issue this proclamation—hereby offering a reward of Two Hundred Dollars, for apprehending and conducting before the Coroner, or a Justice of the Peace, for the said county, or said Joseph Thruston and John Thruston, the One Hundred Dollars for either of them, in order to their examination, touching the said murder; And I do moreover enjoin all officers civil and military, and exhort the good people of this commonwealth, to use their best endeavors to apprehend and conduct before the Coroner or a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid county of Berkeley, the said Joseph Thruston and John Thruston, that they may be dealt with, as in such cases, the law directs.
Given under my hand as Governor, with the seal of the Commonwealth annexed, at Richmond, this 19th day of June, (L.S.) in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and five, and of the commonwealth the twenty ninth. JOHN PAGE. (Signed) TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
BROKE away last evening, a large stout made blood bay HORSE, upwards of five feet high, 7 years old last spring, was shot all round about two months ago, but some of the shoes may now be off; he has a large head and small eyes, trots and gallops; if he has any other marks by which he might be distinguished, they are not recollected. He had on a saddle a good deal worn, with a hogskin seat and plated stirrups. The above reward will be paid on delivery of the horse and saddle to the subscribers. Pickett, Pollard & Johnston. Richmond, March 5, 1805.
The subscriber wishes to sell for cash, or on credit till the first day of January next, the Two Brick Tenements, Adjoining the house of Mr. Benjamin Mosby. JOHN PENDLETON. City of Richmond, Nov. 10th, 1804. 2w
MILLINERY.  MRS. BUCKNER having commenced business in Manchester in the line of MILLINERY & MANTUA-MAKING, respectfully solicits the patronage of her friends and the public. She has on hand at present a small assortment of the articles necessary in that line of business, and shortly expects to receive from New York an additional supply. All commands from the country will be faithfully and punctually attended to. (ts) Just received and for sale at S. Pleasant's Book-Store, near the Bridge.  THE FOLLOWING GENUINE Patent Medicines.
Mill's Balm of Honey, Turlington's Balsam, Godfrey's Cordial, Essence of Peppermint, Sarsaparilla, Oriental Cerate, for the cure of outward piles, seeds, sore legs, burns, obstinate eruptions, &c. British Oil, Hooper's Female Pills, Anderson's Scour do. The celebrated Specific Pills, for the cure of the outward and inward Piles. A NEAT ASSORTMENT OF Morocco Pocket Books. Is just received and for sale at this Office.
BY virtue of a deed of trust executed to the subscriber, by Samuel Wood, to secure the payment of a debt due to Rivers, Murphy & Co. as expressed in said deed now of record, in the county court of Albemarle, will be exposed to public SALE, on the premises, on Saturday the 14th day of September next. The following Property, to wit: One negro man named Aaron, one mulatto boy named Saulsbury, forty head of Hogs, with their ears foxed, five head of Cattle, with the same mark except one, that not recollected, two dark bay Mares, three Feather Beds, Bedstead, Furniture, or so much thereof as will be sufficient to discharge the debt, interest and cost. Daniel Higginbotham, Trustee. August 7th, 1805. (ts)
TO RENT. A BRICK HOUSE, adjoining the Old City Tavern, well calculated for a Dry Goods Store. Apply to Gallego, Richard & Co. May 29th, 1805. (ts)
Geo. Watt HAS removed from the store he formerly occupied to a brick house on the cross street leading from the main street to Shockoe warehouse, where he has on hand and offers to dispose of on moderate terms, by wholesale. The following Articles, viz: Loaf and Muscovado Sugars, N. England, W. Island, and Antigua Rum, Cogniac, Barcelona and Apple Brandy, Sherry and Malaga Wine, Coffee of a superior quality, Molasses, Ginger and Fig Blue, Young Hyson and Imperial Tea, 400 Sacks Liverpool Salt, Patent Shot, assorted sizes—And The remainder of his Stock of Dry Goods, consisting principally of articles suited to the present and approaching season, which he will either sell on a credit of 3, 6 and 9 months, for notes negotiable at the Bank of Virginia, with approved endorsers, or barter for Tobacco, Flour or Hemp. Cash given for Tobacco. Richmond, 22d March, 1805.
NOTICE.
ALL persons indebted to the estate of Dr. JOHN SHORE, sen. late of Clifton, Hanover county, dec. are desired to make immediate payment—and should their be any persons who have just claims against the estate, they are requested to bring them in legally authenticated for payment, by or before the 1st day of October next, as against all claims presented after that period this notice will be pleaded in bar. Henry S. Shore, Adm'r. With the Will annexed. Richmond, 19th August, 1805. (ts)
BY virtue of a deed of trust from Thomas Callis, to secure the payment of certain sums of money therein expressed, will be SOLD, on the premises, for ready money, on Monday the 23rd day of September next. A TRACT OF LAND, In Hanover county, formerly the property of David Anderson, known by the name of Anderson's Old Store, at present occupied by the said Callis, containing 654 1-2 acres, more or less—or so much thereof as will pay and satisfy the balance of 3437 11s. 10d. together with interest still due on the said deed of trust—as also, the expenses of carrying the same into effect. Charles J. Macmurdo, Trustee. Richmond, 3rd August, 1805. (ts)
To be Sold, for Cash.
I AM requested by David Patterson, Jr. to expose for sale, as trustee, the whole or so much of the PROPERTY, in the trust deed conveyed, bearing date the 27th February, 1804, consisting of the following slaves viz: Jack, a lad—Tom, a boy—Kate and her three children—Billy, Sally and Henry, Sukey and her two children, named Fanny and Jefferson, as also, Molly, a girl—in order to satisfy a debt due from the said David Patterson, Jr. to Benjamin Hatcher, agreeably to the tenor of the said deed—which sale will certainly take place on the 28th day of September next, at the dwelling house of the said David Patterson, in the town of Manchester. George M'Credie, Trustee. Manchester, 9th August, 1806.
To be Sold, for Cash.
I AM requested by David Patterson, Jr. to expose for sale, as trustee, the whole or so much of the PROPERTY, in the trust deed conveyed, bearing date the 15th day of April last, consisting of the following slaves, viz: Jack, a lad—Tom, a boy—Kate and her three children—Billy, Sally and Henry, Sukey and her two children, named Fanny and Jefferson, as also, Molly, a girl—in order to satisfy a debt due from the said David Patterson, Jr. to Lyle & M'Credie, agreeably to the tenor of the said deed—which sale will certainly take place on the 28th day of September next, at the dwelling house of the said David Patterson, in the town of Manchester. James F. Leitch, Trustee. Manchester, 9th August, 1805.
THE subscriber anxious to discharge every just debt which he owes, will, at the same time and place, offer for SALE, for ready money, the residue of his PROPERTY, For the benefit of his creditors, consisting of Household and Kitchen Furniture, 2 good Horses, and sundry other articles. Dav. Patterson, Jr. Manchester, 9th August, 1805. (ts)
JOHN TOMPKINS
HAS just received a fresh supply of OLD COGNAC BRANDY, a part of the same shipment of his former parcel. Also, a few hogsheads of ANTIGUA RUM, of good quality. He has on hand, a parcel of BEST FRENCH CAMBRICKS. The whole of which, he offers for sale, very low for cash, or on a liberal credit. August 16, 1805. (ts)
TO RENT.
A HOUSE, at the Falling Garden. Enquire of James Lownes on the premises. 8th Month 20th, 1805
A PERSON acquainted with the POTTERY or TILE making business will meet with encouragement on application to the printer. August 23, 1805. (ts)
A NEAT ASSORTMENT OF Morocco Pocket Books. Is just received and for sale at this Office.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.  A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS it duly appears to the executive that GEORGE DILLARD, charged by the inquisition of a coroner with the murder of Henry Williams, late of the county of King and Queen, has fled from justice—I have theretofore thought fit, with the advice of the council of state to issue this proclamation, hereby offering a reward of One Hundred Dollars, to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said George Dillard, and convey him before the coroner or a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, to be committed to jail for examination, touching the said murder. And I do moreover enjoin all officers, civil and military, and exhort the good people of the commonwealth, to use their best endeavors to apprehend the said George Dillard, that he may be dealt with as, in such cases, the law directs.
Given under my hand as Governor, with the seal of the commonwealth annexed, at Richmond, this 5th day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and five, and of the commonwealth the twenty ninth. JOHN PAGE. (Signed)
GEORGE DILLARD is five feet eight inches high, tolerable fair complexion, short black hair, dark eyes, well set, and somewhat droops in the shoulders, slow and soft of speech and a smiling countenance when speaking, about twenty four or twenty five years of age; when he absconded, he had a large sorrel horse, about five feet high, some white feet, large white spot in his forehead and a snip on the nose.
TO BE SOLD.
AT PUBLIC VENDUE, At Gadsby's Hotel, in Alexandria, on Monday the 16th day of September, at 12 o'clock at noon.
ALL that TRACT OF LAND, late Presley Thomson Esquire's situated in Northumberland county, Virginia, lying immediately on the Po omac River. The following description is given of this property, by persons well acquainted with it—It contains 2,500 acres, 1,700 of which are the most valuable low grounds on the river, between 3 and 400 acres heavily timbered, and the remainder very highland extremely productive. The soil of this tract is equal to any in the state for the cultivation of corn, wheat, tobacco, timothy and small grain of all kinds. On this tract are a large commodious Brick Mansion House and two Offices, a large Brick Stable, valuable Barn, Cow House and many other out houses. The Orchards and Garden contain a number of valuable fruit trees, and the waters abound with excellent fish and oysters. It is situated about a day's sail from Baltimore, Alexandria and Norfolk. There are two good mill seats for grist and saw mills on the estate, and plenty of cedar and chestnut timber, for which an excellent market may be found at the City of Washington. The terms of sale are—one fourth cash, one fourth in one year, one fourth in 18 months and the residue in two years from the day of sale. The payments to be secured by bonds, with mortgages on the premises, and to be on interest from the day of sale. For further information, application may be made in behalf of the subscriber, Thomas Robinson, to Richard Peters, jun. attorney at law in the city of Philadelphia, or to William Lewit, in the same city, (Philadelphia.) THOMAS ROBINSON. W. LEWIS. June 19, 1805. (ts)
TO BE SOLD.
FOR READY MONEY, in pursuance of a decree of the Court of the United States, for the fifth circuit in the Virginia district, between Princes Bond, attorney for the creditors of Ezekiel Edwards, Plaintiff, and David Ross and others Defendants, in order to raise the sum of 13001 Dols. with the expenses of sale, that Valuable Estate, in the county of Campbell, known by the name of the Oxford Iron Works, Containing eighteen thousand and seventy four acres, more or less—And in order to raise the further sum of 3665 Dollars 65 Cts. Will be Sold, at the same time and place, the STOCK OF EVERY KIND, as well the Stock on the different plantations, as that appertaining to the estate for carrying on the business, WAGGONS, TEAMS, &c. The Sale will take place on the premises, on the 17th day of September next. BEN. MOSBY, D. M. V. D. JOS. SCOTT, M. V. D. July 5, 1805. (ts)
LAND FOR SALE.
OF THE LATE WM. CROWDER'S ESTATE, DEC. ON Saturday the 14th of September, at Paineville, in Amelia county, two tracts, in said county—one containing seven hundred and ninety acres, lying on both sides of Stock's creek and near Appomattox river, within three miles of Col. Shipship's manufacturing mills, and five from Maj. Munford's, where the river is navigable to both. This land is well adapted to the culture of corn, wheat and tobacco, and in good order for cropping, with every necessary out house thereon, for the reception of a family—a good apple orchard, excellent water, and a healthy, agreeable neighborhood—a sufficient quantity of the land is cleared to work from ten to fifteen hands. The other tract lying near Flat creek, containing one hundred and thirty three acres, now in good order for cropping, sufficient to work four or five hands—The improvements are a small dwelling house, a good granary & tobacco houses, a small apple and peach orchard. Possession will be given the first day of January next, and the purchaser to have the privilege of sowing wheat immediately after the sale—One third of the purchase money must be paid down, the balance in two equal annual payments. Bonds with approved security will be required of the purchaser, to bear interest from the date if not punctually paid, to the executors. It is deemed unnecessary to give further descriptions, as it is presumed those inclined to purchase will view the premises, which will be shown by Allen Jester, who lives near to both tracts. ALLEN JETER, EDWARD WEBSTER, DABNEY MILLER, Exors. June 22d, 1805. (ts)
THE SUBSCRIBERS to the LIFE AND TRAVELS of LORENZO DOW,
are informed that the first volume is come to hand, and may be had by applying opposite the market, to A. FOSTER & CO. Richmond, August 31, 1805. (ts)
FOR SALE, A HANDSOME New GIG & HORSE.
ENQUIRE OF THE PRINTER. August 28.
Bail and Delivery Bonds
For sale at this office.
SCOTTVILLE RACES.
ON Thursday the 19th of September next, will be run for, over the Scottville course, the jockey club purse of One Hundred Pounds, three mile heats. On the second day, the purse of the proprietor of the course, of Fifty Pounds, two mile heats. On the third day, the Sweepstakes for three and four years old—The subscription will remain open till the night of the second day's race. Weights as follows: Aged horses 138 lbs. 6 years old 128 5 do. 118 4 do. 106 3 do. 90 Mares and geldings allowed three pounds. The money for each day's purse will be put into the hands of the judges. Saml. Marshall, Proprietor of the Course. August 18, 1805. (ts)
HOUSES & LOT
Formerly occupied by Mr. John Roper as a Tavern, at Rocketts, which is now in complete repair; if not privately disposed of, will on Wednesday the 18th of September next, proceed to sell the same at public auction, without reserve, for ready money. John Prosser, Richmond, August 23d, 1805. (ts)
RICHMOND BATH.
THE subscriber informs the public, that from this time he reduces the price of his tickets for bathing to one quarter of a dollar—two children for one ticket. Tickets may be had as usual at my house at the Falling Garden. James Lownes. 8th Month, 8th, 1805.
VALUABLE LAND, IN LOUISA COUNTY, FOR SALE.
PURSUANT to a deed of trust executed by Josiah Bingham, to secure the payment of 200 dollars, interest and charges, due to Yeasman Smith, will be SOLD, at public auction, for ready money, on the 7th day of October next, at the Eagle Tavern, in the city of Richmond, between 12 and 1 o'clock, a certain tract of LAND, lying in the county of Louisa, on both sides of Reedy run, adjoining the lands of David Morris and Samuel Hanson, containing three hundred acres by a late survey. Robert Bell, John Dunsmure, } Trustees. Richmond, August 26, 1805. (ts)
JOHN T. COOKE OFFERS FOR SALE,
Nine Hundred Acres of LAND, On Staunton river, in Charlotte county, (adjoining the lands of John Randolph, Esq.) of which 333 are Low Grounds of excellent quality, the high land as good as any in the neighborhood—Any person wishing to purchase may know the terms by applying to the proprietor, or James Cooke, who is hereby authorised to contract for me.—If the above property is not disposed of privately, prior to the 24th of September, it will on that day be sold at public auction, to the highest bidder on the premises—Should the land be sold privately, timely notice shall be given, as no engagement will be made after the 13th of September. Powhatan, August 13, 1805.
JUST PUBLISHED,
And for Sale, at the Book Store of Jacob Johnson, Richmond. The Planter's Virginia Almanack, For the Year 1806. Country Merchants and others may be supplied by the gross, dozen or single copy, at the following prices, viz: Per gross 5 dollars—per dozen 50 cents—single copy 6 cents. The highest price in cash or goods, will be given for all kinds of Clean Linen and Cotton RAGS, at the above store. August 20th, 1805. (ts)
JAMES TERNAN,
Has just received a supply of fresh & good MEDICINES, PAINTS AND HATTERS COLOURS—opening at his Corner Shop, opposite Col. Gamble's, with which he shall be happy to serve his numerous friends, on the most moderate terms—He returns his sincere thanks for the favor of their custom. (ts) Sept. 4.
ROBERT GREENHOW,
MERCHANT in Williamsburg, has just received in the ship Planter from London, an assortment of MERCHANDIZE & daily expects by the first arrivals from Liverpool, a supply of WOOLLENS of every description, & IRONMONGERY or HARDWARE—which added to his Stock on Hand, will render his Store as generally assorted, and as competent to the demands of purchasers as any on the continent. The selection is made by his friends in different parts of Great Britain, well skilled in the qualities of goods purchased from the Manufacturers themselves, not on credit but with ready money; of course laid in on better terms & of much superior qualities to those usually shipped by Commission Merchants, at the accompanied credits of six months, nine months and twelve months. He offers them to his Friends and Countrymen, for cash, approved paper, or credit, to those whose punctuality can be relied on, at prices as low as they can be afforded at, assuring his distant customers that their orders will at all times be thankfully received and diligently executed. September 2, 1805. 2m
ADVERTISEMENT.
WILL be SOLD to the highest bidder, for ready money at Merers Hart & Nimmo's store, in Prince Edward county, on Saturday the fifth day of October next.
A TRACT OF LAND,
Belonging to Daniel Woodson, to satisfy a debt due Maj. John H. Overstreet. This land lies in the county aforesaid, and adjoins the land of Anthony W. Woodson, Capt. Jacob Woodson, Peter Fore and several other persons. This land from a late survey contains one hundred & fifty eight acres, is all wood land except seven or eight acres of good Meadow Land. THE COMMISSIONERS. August 27th, 1805. 4w
NOTICE
It is hereby given, that the Common Council of the city of Richmond, will at its meeting on the third Monday in this month proceed to nominate to the Professors of William and Mary College, a fit and proper character to succeed Mr. John Wood, late Mathematical Surveyor of the said city, who has resigned. By order of the Hall, ANDREW STEVENSON, s. c. c.
AMERICAN CASTOR OIL,
FOR SALE at the Apothecary Shop of Dr. Wilson at the Bell Tavern—the quality greatly superior to the common kind. Richmond, August 14th, 1805.
W. WARDLAW,
IS now opening at his shop on the Main street in Richmond, opposite Mr. Taylor's Vendee Office, a large Importation of MEDICINES, Received directly from London, also a general assortment of SURGEON'S INSTRUMENTS, SHOP FURNITURE, MEPIPHIC AIR MACHINES, PATENT MEDICINES &c. &c. It is his intention to keep, at all times, a supply of Genuine Medicines, sufficient to answer the present demand; which will be sold for cash on the usual credit to those who will give him sufficient assurances of punctuality. November 20th, 1804. (ts)
BENJAMIN DU-VAL,
At the sign of the Golden Mortar, Richmond.
HAS just received a very large and extensive assortment of fresh MEDICINES, SURGEON'S INSTRUMENTS, DRUGS & DYE-STUFFS, PAINTS of all kinds, OIL, VARNISHES, PUTTY, &c.
Also, a complete assortment of HATTERS' MATERIALS, consisting of Hatters' Irons, Logwood, Copperas, Viridegrease, Fustick, Spanish Indigo, Oil of Vitriol, Ag. Fortis, Quickilver, Crude Tartar, Bason Irons, Bow-Strings, Linings, Caloons, Tassel Bands, Rubbing Dishes, Stamper, Trenchers, &c. Which added to his former Stock, completes an assortment, that was never equalled, in his line of business, in this city. He thanks his customers for past favors, and hopes to merit a continuation of their custom. His former attention to the quality of his Medicines, importing them in their crude state, that he might be able to judge of their quality, and powdering and preparing them under his immediate supervision, have contributed to his present establishment; and opposition he presumes will not relax his exertions to give general satisfaction in future. His experience for more than 12 years past, as Apothecary and Druggist in this city, added to a small stock of Medical Information acquired before, enables him, he thinks, to form a tolerably correct judgment, as to the quality of Drugs and Medicines, although he cannot boast of honors conferred on him greater than the confidence of numerous and respectable customers. In regard to his wholesale prices, he promises to furnish each of his wholesale customers with a printed price current, as soon as possible, and feels himself confident in their approbation, knowing that no one in this state can afford to undersell him. This he intends to do, not to get other customers from them, but to secure his own. Any articles that may be ordered and not approved of as to quality, may be returned if in good order, and in a reasonable time. Richmond, May 30, 1805. (ts)
NOTICE.
A PETITION will be presented to the next General Assembly, praying that an ad interim pass for laying off a part of the land belonging to David Ross, opposite to Rocketts, in lots, for the purpose of shipping coal from. August 20, 1805. (ts)
TO BE SOLD.
On liberal credit, and in lots to suit purchasers, from two hundred and fifty to three hundred acres of LAND.
In the county of Henrico, about four miles from Richmond—a distance which renders it but little liable to pilage, yet sufficiently near to one of the best and most improving markets in the United States. The advantages of small farms near large towns, are so obvious and generally admitted, as not to require particular enumeration. Persons residing in the city with large families, and who are obliged to keep horses, would be able in one year to save more than the original purchase. For further particulars enquire of Mr. Thomas Norvell. Richmond, May 4th, 1805. (ts)
TO RENT,
The new two story Brick Tenement, Adjoining Mr. John Glynn's, and near the Old City Tavern, is a good stand for business, either for dry goods or groceries. Possession may be had immediately, and the terms made known on application to Saml. White.
I have also for SALE, on moderate terms,
a large quantity of Old Cyder VINEGAR, fit for pickling and table use. Richmond, August 10, 1805. (ts)
ADVERTISEMENT.
BY virtue of a Deed of Trust made to us by John Harris, M. C. to secure the payment of sundry debts therein mentioned, due to John Harris C. C. Will be Sold, at Mr. Thomas Harris Tavern in the county of Hanover, on Wednesday the 25th of September next, all the Right, Title and Interest, that the said John Harris M. C. has or hereafter may have, in the LAND whereon his mother Nancy Harris now lives, in the county of Hanover; Also all his Right, Title and Interest in the NEGROES and other PERSONAL ESTATE, either by the will of his father Jeremiah Harris deceased, or by the death or will of his mother Nancy Harris, or by any other agent or bartrip whatsoever, in the aforesaid estate, to the highest bidder for ready money or so much thereof, as shall be sufficient to satisfy the said debts and costs attending the same. EDM. JAMES, JOHN CLOUGH, } Trustees. Hanover, August 19, 1805.
THE RACES
will commence in Charlotte county, at Price's race field, on Thursday the 24th day of October next, and continue three days. First day will be run for an elegant Mahogany Bedstead, Curtains, &c. to the amount of one hundred dollars two mile heats, free for any horse, mare or gelding that never won a purse. Second day a sweepstakes for three and four year old colts and fillies, mile heats, entrance thirty dollars. Third day will be run for, an elegant Gold Watch, free for unraced horses only, one mile out. Weights as follows: Aged horses 126 6 years old 116 5 do. do. 106 4 do. do. 96 3 do. do. 86 The races will certainly commence on the above day, as there are several horses entered. Gentlemen wishing to enter a nag may do so by letter or personal application to Wm. Price, Jr. or to John A. H. Rutherford. September 1, 1805. P. S. 1 three pounds allowed mares and geldings.
BLANK BONDS
For sale at this office.