The enquirer (Richmond, Va.), 1806-01-04 00:00:00

The Enquirer.
PUBLISHED BY THOMAS RITCHIE, OPPOSITE THE POST-OFFICE—AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM—(PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.)
NUMBER 72.]
RICHMOND, SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 1806.
[VOLUME 2.]
FASHIONABLE GOODS.
READY made white Satin Pelisses; various dark colored Silk ditto; Florence Silk and Satin Spencers; elegant Souffle Dresses; Rich Brocades and figured Satins; Plain and figured Lenau and Pique Muslins; A handsome variety of plain, checked and striped Sarfets; Ladies' Tamboured Neck Handkerchiefs; Shoulder Ornaments; Lace Sleeves and Gloves; which, with a general assortment of seasonable goods, are offered for sale, at moderate prices, by M. & B. MYERS. December 23. f & t f.
RICHMOND POST OFFICE.
December 24th, 1805.
ON account of the great loss and inconvenience in collecting New Paper Postage, after it becomes due. After the first day of January next, no papers will be delivered before one quarter postage is paid in advance, except to those persons who have quarterly accounts kept open at the office. December 23 (f & t f)
FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.
STRAYED or stolen from Shockee Warehouse, on Thursday the 19th of December, 1805, a bright bay HORSE, about five feet high, ten years old, one hind foot white, a few white hairs in his forehead. Whoever will deliver the said horse to the subscriber, at the Washington tavern, shall receive the above reward. PETER M. DANIEL. December 27. f & t f.
NOTICE.
HAVING commenced the BURR MILL STONE MAKING, in September last, at my shop, near the Basin of the Canal, I have now finished for sale stones of 4 feet 4 feet 6 and 5 feet diameters of best quality and workmanship. I have a large proportion of these Hard Burrs, suitable for grinding corn, and will shortly receive additional supplies of good materials. Those who please to favour me with their commands, will be served faithfully on reasonable terms. I will choose bolting Cloths for those who desire it, suitable to their purposes. I tender my thanks to the public for past favours, and hope for future encouragement. JOHN MOODY. December 24. f & t f.
I HAVE received direct from Bordeaux, 100 Boxes of PRUNES, which I shall sell very low; they are fine and very fresh. Those who wish an inclination to purchase a few boxes, will apply to the subscriber on Shockee Hill, in one of Judge Wythe's new brick houses. LEWIS M. RIVALAIN. December 27. f & t f.
Will be sold, at Powhatan Ferry court, being the 15th, to the highest bidder.
A Valuable TRACT OF LAND containing 1200 acres, on Deep Creek, in the said county, either altogether, or in lots to suit purchasers. The value of this land will be best known by an accurate view of the different lots, to which are attached sketches of grounds, which will be seen by Mr. Hutcherson, on the premises, with whom is left a plan, by a late survey. There is a good crop of wheat sown thereon. Twelve likely hands will be hired, which are under an overlet, engaged for the ensuing year, with every thing prepared for a crop. One-fourth of the purchase money will be required on taking possession, and the remainder in three annual payments, to carry interest from the date; but good bonds, properly secured, of residents within the districts of Richmond or Peterburgh, will be accepted for the deferred payments. WILLIAM MAYO. Powhatan, Dec. 24. S&Tf.
JUST PUBLISHED,
AND NOW FOR SALE AT THE BOOK STORE OF JACOB JOHNSON,
A few doors below the Market, Richmond. THE Young Carpenter's Assistant; or, a system of architecture adapted to the style of building in the United States, by A. Bishop—house carpenter and teacher of architectural drawing in Philadelphia. Illustrated with 41 elegant designs; Rollins Ancient History, 8 vol. Village Maid; Cobwebs to catch flies for youth; Prince Lee Boo, with plates. A large assortment of the most interesting and fine executed books for children, ever published in the United States—Catalogues of these books may be had at his store. Johnson is now publishing a beautiful edition of select British Poets, to make from 80 to 100 vols. of this work he has already published, Milton's works, 4 vols. Gray's works 1 vol. Ainsworth & Green, 1 vol. Watts' do. 2 Pope's works, 5 vols. Young's do. 4 Thomson's do. 2 Addison's do. 1 Akenside's do. 2 Johnson & Collins' work 1 vol. Burn's do. 2 1 vol. The price of this work is 75 Cents in boards, or one Dollar in handsome binding. Gentlemen who with a complete set of this valuable mass of Poetry, will have the goodness to send their names as soon as convenient to the publisher, to have them in Richmond, and they may rely on being served with the volumes, not yet out, as regularly as the magnitude of the work will permit.
STATIONARY.
Wove and plain Foolscap Paper, Quill Cap and Letter paper; Day books, Journals and Ledgers; Receipt and Memorandum blank books suitable for shopkeepers; Slates and Pencils; Mathematical Instruments; Boxes of Paints; an elegant assortment of Penknives, and a general assortment of articles in the Stationary line. December 24. f & t 2 w.
TUITION.
WINGFIELD Academy (in the forks of Hanover) will be opened the second Monday in January next. In this Seminary youth will be taught the Greek and Latin languages, English Grammar, Arithmetic, Geometry, Geography and the use of the Globes. There will be two sessions in the year, the one to continue from the commencement to the 1st of June, the other from the 1st of July to the 10th of December.
The price of board, tuition and washing for each boy under fifteen years of age, will be twenty-eight pounds, and for every other thirty pounds to be paid quarterly in advance.
The tuition and lodging house will be put in good order for the reception of twenty pupils, and ten or twelve may be accommodated with bedding at forty shillings each.
The greatest attention will be paid to the health, morals, and literary and scientific improvement of the boys.
PETER NELSON, and WILLIAM NELSON, Jr. December 14. S4w
TEN DOLLARS REWARD,
For a Horse, &c.
TAKEN from the street, (opposite the Post Office) in this city, between six and seven o'clock in the evening, of the 21st inst. a bright bay HORSE, (with Saddle and Bridle) supposed to be five years old, last spring, about four feet 10 or 11 inches high, two or three white spots on his back (occasioned by the saddle) and an old hurt that is not healed over, (tho' well) a small white spot (I've been informed, on the inside of one of his thighs, he has rather a thick mane, and is coarse made, has a strong steady trot, carries his head low, and a sleepy countenance when still. The saddle is double skirted, and the stirrup irons plated, and has been in use about twelve months; a double reined bridle, with a leather curb. Whoever delivers the Horse Saddle and Bridle to me, near the Basin, shall receive the above reward, and five dollars for the horse alone, if taken up out of this county, and half that sum if within the county. 'Tis supposed he was rode off, not with a view to keep. SAMUEL PARSONS. December 27. f St.
At a court held for King & Queen county, at the court-house on Monday the 9th of Sept. 1805. UPON AN INJUNCTION IN CHANCERY.
Richard Brooke, Plaintiff. Against Wallace Johnson & Muire & Robt. Price, Defendants. THIS day came the plaintiff by his counsel, and the defendants, Wallace Johnson and Muire not having entered their appearance and given security according to the act of assembly, in such case made and provided, and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that they are not inhabitants of this commonwealth. On the motion of the plaintiff by his counsel: It is ordered, that the said defendants do appear here on the second Monday in November next, and answer the bill of the plaintiff, and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some public newspaper published in the city of Richmond for two months successively, and posted at the front door of this court-house. A Copy, Teste, ROBT. POLLARD, c. c. October 11. (F 2m)
Louisiana County Court, October 14th, 1805. Joshua Morris, Plaintiff. Against Ruth Nutt, & Stephen Perkins, Defendants. THE defendant Ruth Nutt not having entered his appearance, and given security according to the act of assembly, and the rules of this court; and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that he is not an inhabitant of this state. Therefore, on the motion of the plaintiff by his attorney; It is ordered and decreed by the court, that he appear here on the second Monday in January next, and answer the plaintiff's bill; and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some of the newspapers, printed in the city of Richmond, for eight weeks successively, and published at the front door of this court house on some court day. A Copy, Teste, JOHN POINDEXTER, c. c. c. November 15. (F 2m)
Louisiana County Court, October 14th, 1805. Nathan D. Anderson, Plaintiff. Against Wm. Lourey and James Pulliam and Thomas Dauphin, executors of John Pulliam, deceased. Defendants. THE defendant Wm. Lourey not having entered his appearance and given security according to the act of assembly, and the rules of this court; and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that he is not an inhabitant of this state. Therefore, on the motion of the plaintiff by his attorney; It is ordered and decreed by the court, that he appear here on the second Monday in January next and answer the plaintiff's bill; and that a copy of this decree be inserted in some of the public newspapers printed in the city of Richmond for eight weeks successively and published at the front door of this court house on some court day. A Copy, Teste, JOHN POINDEXTER, c. c. c. November 15. (F 2m)
GEOGRAPHY.
This day is received and for sale at the Book Store of J. Johnson, Richmond. A Sketch of the Geography and present state of the United States of North America—price 37 1/2 Cents. The same work beautifully printed on cards—62 1/2 Cents. Cash or books will be given for clean linen and cotton rags. December 27. S&Tf.
BY Virtue of a deed of Trust, executed to the subscriber, by Josiah Thompson, to secure a debt due to James Garrot, as expressed in the said deed: Will be exposed to sale for ready money, on Wednesday the 15th of January 1806, at Itham Ball's Tavern in Powhatan county, 100 acres of LAND lying near the said Tavern, in the county aforesaid, or so much thereof as will be sufficient to satisfy said debt, interest and costs. JOHN NUNNALLY, Trustee. December 24. S4p.
TO NON-RESIDENTS OF KENTUCKY.
THE SUBSCRIBER living in the neighborhood of Frankfort, Kentucky, having undertaken to pay the taxes of a number of gentlemen residing in Virginia and elsewhere, on their lands in this state, and finding that the remitting of money to him for that purpose is attended with great difficulties, risk and trouble, proposes it to those gentlemen and any others who may find it an accommodation to them, the following plan, to wit: That they shall deposit their money in either of the banks of Richmond, Alexandria, George Town or Baltimore, on or before the first day of May annually, and authorize some person at those several banks to advise him by post of the amount, and to whose credit it shall be applied, and empower him to draw for the same, payable on sight. The lands of non-residents are advertised about the 1st of July, which is an expense of twenty-five cents on each tract. The subscriber's draft will command the cash in this state, and as soon as his bills are honoured at any of the above-mentioned banks, he will advance the money in Kentucky, deducting seven and a half per cent commission for his trouble, in attending to and executing the business. He will include duplicate receipts to those banks in which the money is deposited, or to the proprietors of the lands, keeping the original in his own possession, to correct any errors which may occur in the auditors office of Kentucky. To those gentlemen who may wish to pay their taxes in this way, and who have not a personal acquaintance with the subscriber, he begs leave to refer them to the Hon. John Breckenridge, the Hon. Matthew Walton, Esquires, now in congress at the city of Washington, or to Gen. John Preston of Montgomery county, and Col. James Breckenridge of Botetourt county, Virginia, as to the confidence which may be reposed in him. NATHANIEL HART. N. B. The postage on all letters directed to me on the above business must be paid. December 10. (eFctMay)
HATS, SHOES, &c.
THE subscriber has received a good assortment of Hats, Shoes and hatters trimmings. 4-4 Cotton Shirting and Irish Linens, Sevenfons Bleach by the piece. For sale by D. J. BURR. Second door above the Eagle Tavern. November 23. (uaw6w.)
EDUCATION.
THE Subscriber begs leave to inform his friends in Richmond and the public in general, that he has rented part of Mr. Vane's large and commodious new brick building on Shockee Hill, where he will open a Seminary on the first Monday of January, 1806, for instructing the youth of both sexes in the following branches, viz: The Latin Language, Mathematics, the use of the Globe, Geography, English Grammar practically, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. The Terms and Rules may be seen at the above place. JAMES OSWALD. N. B. Board may be had at Mrs. Booth's in the same building, on moderate terms. December 31. eFctNov 9
TO RENT.
A HANDSOME two story BRICK HOUSE, near the public Warehouse, on the James River Canal, well situated for a grocery, with good rooms, well finished, and well calculated for a family—for particulars enquire of the printer. December 27. 2w f.
A GENTLE BOARDING HOUSE.
MRS. BOOTH, begs leave respectfully to inform the public, that she has taken the upper part of Mr. Vane's new brick building on Shockee Hill, where she keeps a genteel boarding house for ladies and gentlemen, and hopes to give general satisfaction. N. B. Young ladies and gentlemen attending a school may be accommodated. Dec. 27. (3p.)
VALUABLE LAND FOR SALE.
IN the county of King William, belonging to the estate of J. William Brooke, deceased, lying on Mattaponi river, two miles above Fraziers Ferry, within seven of King William Court House, and about four miles from King and Queen Court House. This tract contains by a late survey 762 acres of highland and about 100 of valuable wild oak marsh, abounding with a variety of wild fowl in their season. The buildings on this tract are a new barn and stable and other houses fit for the accommodation of an overseer and negroes. A further description is deemed unnecessary, as those who are disposed to purchase will undoubtedly view it. The sale will take place at Fraziers Ferry on Saturday the 26th of the present month, at which time the terms of sale will be made known; should this land not be sold on that day, it will be rented for the ensuing year. RICHARD BROOKE, Executor. December 21. 4t.
GENERAL OFFICE OF INSURANCE.
THE members of the Mutual Insurance Company against Fire on Goods and Furniture, in the state of Virginia, are requested to take notice, that agreeably to the fourth article of the Regulations of the said Company, a general meeting will be held at this office, on Wednesday the 8th day of January next. It is hoped that the meeting will be full, and that those who cannot make it convenient to attend in person, will not fail to appoint proxies in time. Wm. H. Fitzhughson, P. Agent. December, 24.
State of Government.
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Debate on the motion of Dr. LOGAN for leave to bring in a bill to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and St. Domingo. (Continued.)
FRIDAY, Dec. 20.
Doctor Logan having assigned his reasons for asking permission to introduce the bill, Mr. Adams said—
Mr. President—Had the gentleman who asks leave to introduce this bill, assigned any new reasons as the foundation of his motion, whatever my opinion might have been upon their merits, I should not think it proper to combat them at this time; but the object of the bill is so simple, that its details are immaterial. Its purpose is totally to prohibit a branch of our commerce, which at the last session of the legislature was proved to be of great importance to the country—Unless, therefore, a majority of the Senate should be of opinion that the bill ought to pass, it appears to me that the present is the stage at which it ought to be arrested: since the mere discussion of the question, and pendancy of the measure before Congress, may have an unfavourable effect upon the commercial interest, or at least injuriously affect individual merchants, in the course of their affairs.
It is well known to every member upon this floor, and to the public in general, that the same gentleman who now wishes to introduce this bill, did at the last session of Congress, make a motion for leave to bring it in at that time, which was rejected; and I expected that on its renewal at this time he would have alleged some new grounds for the measure; but in this expectation I have been disappointed—He tells us indeed that unless we do prohibit this commerce it will inevitably lead us into a war with the French republic: I have certainly no more disposition than any gentleman here to be at war with the French republic; but excepting that gentleman's assertion (to which I am willing to give all the credit which it can be entitled to) what particle of evidence have we that the St. Domingo trade will expose us to any such danger? What evidence has the gentleman himself alleged in support of his assertion? Why, sir, he has read to us a part of the President's message, at the opening of the last session of Congress; and a correspondence between the British and French ministers, and the Secretary of State, six or nine months previous to that time, and complaining that some of our merchant vessels were armed—It is surely needlessly for me to mention in this house, that in consequence of that very postage in the President's message of last year, and of those very complaints of those foreign ministers, a bill did actually pass both houses of Congress, after a long and ample discussion of the subject; which bill was intended to remove those causes of complaint, and is now in force. This bill, I have understood, was satisfactory on all hands, and it has been within a very few days declared by a member of this body, in his place, to have given satisfaction to the French government in particular, nor has that information been contradicted. This conclusion indeed may be inferred from the tenor of the President's communication to Congress at the commencement of the present session. If any intimation of complaint from foreign powers relative to this subject, is contained in this message, it has escaped my attention, and I can indeed safely affirm there is none—and is not this silence itself, a strong, an irresistible proof that no such complaint has been made; but that the measures adopted by Congress at the last session have been satisfactory?—Believing it as I do, and that no needless interference of the government with the regular course of commercial transactions ought ever to be countenanced, I hope that we will not from Pennsylvania (Dr. Logan) will not have leave to bring in this bill.
Mr. Jackson seconded Dr. Logan's motion, and in reply to Mr. Adams said, that he wished the Dr. to make it an annual motion, as Mr. Sawbridge had in the Parliament of England to reduce the trade to highly dishonourable to national character was annihilated. As to Mr. Adams's observations that the bill was not allowed to be brought in last session, and that he had heard no new arguments, he would answer the gentleman by asking what new arguments had been advanced on the bill to prohibit the importation of slaves, where leave was given two days since to bring in the bill, and the same arguments had been used in our ears by Quakers and others, ever since the constitution had been in operation and not a new one had been produced. He said that the day would come when this dishonourable traffic would be ruled by the United States—that day must arrive when a general peace would take place, when the present hostilities must cease; that it must and would then become the interest of every nation of Europe having colonies in the West-Indies, to extirpate this horde, or ship them off to some other place. That the U. States by affording them refuge, arms, ammunition and provisions, must be considered by them as their allies—their supporters and their protectors. That he believed the United States would be viewed in this light by the French government and by themselves, and that they would demand and expect us to grant them an asylum as allies and protectors, and send them to our coast—This was no novelty, and he had received information from a late celebrated French general, given in a public company at the city of Washington where he boarded, and the general was one who dined there; that arrangements had been made, if general Le Clerc had been victorious, to send those brigands to the southern states. This was a melancholy subject for South-Carolina and Georgia, and one of those brigands introduced into the southern states, was worse than an hundred importations of blacks from Africa, and more dangerous to the U. States.
(To be continued.)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, December 26.
Debate on the report of a select committee recommending the amendment of a report, previously made, so as to confer a GOLD MEDAL, instead of a SWORD on WILLIAM EATON, Esquire.
The original resolution is in the following words:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the U. States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be requested to present a sword, in the name of Congress, to William Eaton, Esquire, as a testimony of the high sense entertained of his gallantry and good conduct in leading a small band of our countrymen and others through the desert of Lybia on an expedition against Tripoli, in conjunction with the ex-Bashaw of that regency; and defeating the Tripolitan army at Derne, with the assistance of a small part of the naval force of the United States, and contributing thereby to a successful termination of the war, and the restoration of our captive fellow-citizens to liberty and their country.
The select committee recommended amending it by substituting "a gold medal with suitable devices," in lieu of "a sword"—and striking out the word "at," and inserting in its room, "taking the city of."
On agreeing to the first amendment:
Mr. J. Clay said he was far from wishing to derogate from the merits of Mr. Eaton. On the contrary, no man was more ready to bestow the reward, his gallantry and good conduct merited. But when he consulted the journals of Congress, and found that only three medals had been conferred during the whole period of the revolutionary war, in which our liberties and independence had been achieved, and considered the occasions on which they had been given, he could not consider the present case as entitled to the same expression of national gratitude. He could not, for instance, consider the taking of Derne as equal in importance to the capture of Cornwallis. In the more recent case of Capt. Decatur Congress had only given a sword, though that officer had carried, captured and burnt the frigate Philadelphia, and was afterwards the first man, who took a gun-boat from the enemy; which exploits were accompanied by exertions such as have rarely been precedent in similar circumstances. For all this Congress conferred a sword only. Mr. Clay said he believed that there had, in this instance, been as much gallantry and good conduct displayed as in the case now before the committee. He therefore thought the reward bestowed in the one case would be adequate to the other. For these reasons he should be obliged to vote against the amendment.
Mr. J. Randolph rose to express his coincidence of opinion with the gentleman from Pennsylvania. That rewards should be proportioned, not only to the exertions of those claiming them, but to the dignity and importance of the achievement which drew them forth, was not less true than that merit should be encouraged wherever it might appear. I believe, said Mr. R. that the gentleman who is the object of this resolution would infinitely prefer—I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance—I judge of his feelings by my own—I am persuaded that he would set a far greater value upon any testimony, however small, of the unanimous approbation of this House, than on the highest tokens of applause which a bare majority could give him. For these reasons I regret that the mover of the re-
solution has changed a course in which all seemed disposed to follow him, for one which so many were likely to disapprove. It has been stated that but three or four medals had been struck during the revolutionary war—one I believe for Saratoga, another for the capitulation of York—a third, perhaps, upon that occasion, yet more august, when the commander in chief of our armies came to resign into the hands of the civil authority that military power with which he had been intrusted for the salvation of his country. I have always understood that medals were struck, not so much in compliment to an individual, as to commemorate some great national event, and we are now called upon to commemorate the great national event—of what, Sir? A skirmish between a few of our countrymen and a handful of undisciplined, half armed barbarians. As this question is rather a subject of taste and feeling than of argument, I shall not trouble the committee upon it, further than to suggest that there is a true and false sublime in politics as well as in poetry, and that by attempting to soar too high, we shall only plunge into Bathos.
Mr. Bidwell, I agree generally in the principle assumed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania and the gentleman from Virginia, with regard to the apportionment of rewards to the degree of merit, and the importance of the act performed. When the subject now under consideration first occupied our attention, it appeared to me that a sword was the proper symbol by which to express the national gratitude; but on more mature reflection I have formed a contrary conclusion. The presentation of a sword would appear to be more appropriate to a service merely military: while a medal is more characteristic of services of a mixed nature, performed with some great object in view. The achievement, which is the object of the present resolution, is not merely military, but partly military and partly diplomatic. A sword would not, in rags, be adequate to the emeritus or equal to the service performed. This service was in great measure voluntary. An expedition was undertaken in connection with the ex-Bashaw of Tripoli, and with the tacit consent of our government—Mr. Eaton commanded the army of the ex-Bashaw. For these reasons it appears to me that a medal is more appropriate as emblematical of the gratitude of the country, than a sword would be. I shall not go back to the revolution, to enquire into the distinctions which may have been then made in rewarding different degrees of merit. On a late occasion we have seen a medal bestowed on commodore Preble. With the gentlemen who have preceded me, I agree that unanimity would add highly to the gratification of the gentleman who is the object of this resolution; and it would be certainly highly gratifying to me as friendly to it. I am therefore sorry that an unanimous vote is not likely to obtain. I merely rose to state the reasons which induced me to vary the motion from its original shape.
At the request of Mr. Stanton, the resolution conferring a gold medal on capt. Truxton, was read;
Where the question was taken on striking out sword, and inserting a medal of gold with suitable devices, and passed in the affirmative—Ayes 56—Noes 54.
The committee rose and reported their agreement to the report of the select committee, which the House immediately took into consideration.
On the question to concur with the committee of the whole in the amendment,
Mr. J. Clay rose to express a hope that the gentlemen in the majority would agree to conferring a sword instead of a medal. He declared himself as anxious as any gentleman could be, to bestow in this case a proper tribute of respect; but he could not in conscience or duty agree to a warding a medal, and he felt himself under the necessity of calling for the Yeas and Nays.
Mr. Jackson. Inasmuch as I took the liberty of expressing my approbation of the amendment now under consideration, when this subject was previously before the House, and am now of the opinion that it ought not to be adopted, I think it proper briefly to assign my reasons for the vote I shall give. On a former occasion I was governed by a sentiment of feeling, having at the same time a regard to precedents, without taking into view the case of capt. Decatur. Without derogating from the merits of others, I consider his merits to be as great as those of any other man. I am of opinion if others of not greater merit have received higher testimonials of respect; if we have made a distinction between men of equal merit, and assigned to subordinate merit the same reward as to those who have achieved the liberty of their country, it is time to stop. It is extremely delicate to compare the merits of particular men, where all have deserved well of their country, and deserve its respect and gratitude. As the highest meed is due to those who have rendered the greatest services to their country, we ought not to associate such cases with those of a lower grade, because, we thereby impair the testimony of gratitude, and respect so justly due to those who achieved our liberty and independence.
Mr. VARNUM I agree that every expression of national gratitude ought to be in proportion to the services rendered; but I do not agree that it ought to be in proportion to the rank of those who performed them. This circumstance ought to make no difference in the return of gratitude; or if it did make a difference, it ought to dignify rather than derogate from the degree of merit. There should be no difference, whether the object of our gratitude were the highest general or the lowest sentinel. We all know that Mr. Eaton was in the United States three years since; that he then formed the project of embarking the ex-Bashaw in our service; and by a junction of a land force with our naval armament, to ensure peace. This project was thought by many chimerical; yet it was permitted to attempt it. I will ask if a greater enterprise has been undertaken by any general whatever than that executed by Eaton? Look at the whole of the transaction from his entering Egypt, to his going on board the frigate. Look at the enterprise he planned! I do not say it ought to have been warmly entered into by the government; but if the arrangements he had made had been supported by 2 or 3,000 men, I have not a doubt but they would have taken Tripoli; perhaps a less number would have been sufficient. The President says: "The band under Eaton, and their few

Look at the situation in which we find ourselves. Look at the situation in which we should have been, had it not been for the act of the President. There is nothing to justify the idea that it would have been in the power of our navy to reduce our enemy to terms, unless the co-operation of some force on land. I believe that the force under Eaton had a greater effect than the whole fleet in producing peace. Yet if we gave Preble a medal, for which I most cheerfully voted, by whom peace was not effected, shall we refuse the same reward to Eaton, who accomplished the object. I do not believe, since our existence as an independent nation, there has been a more complete enterprise. For these reasons I trust the amendment will prevail.
Mr. ELMER. I am not very friendly to this kind of thing; I believe we may be too lavish in bestowing them. But if on this occasion there is to be anything further than an expression of the high sense we entertain of the services rendered, a medal and not a sword is the proper testimonial. Of this, gentlemen will be convinced, by attending to the conduct of our nation, as well as that of other nations. A sword is given, for the display of bravery, to inferior officers; or there is some times given a sword to a superior officer. We recollect that on the storming of Stony Point, gen. Wayne received a sword, and those who headed the forlorn hope, were rewarded with a brevet commission. To defer the national thanks, it is deemed necessary to combine success with bravery. A medal is expressive not merely of bravery, but of bravery, fortitude, and wisdom; to merit it there should be a combination of all three. The mere taking of a place, therefore, would not alone entitle Eaton to great praise; but if every thing connected with the plan and the success which crowned it, be taken into consideration, and any thing other than thanks are bestowed, it ought to be a medal. If sword stood in the resolution I should be against it, as an improper expression of the public sentiment.
Mr. J. RANDOLPH offered a few words in explanation, apprehending he had been misunderstood by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Varnum). It was far from his intention to say that rewards should be apportioned amongst men according to rank. With that gentleman, he would be as ready to acknowledge merit in the private sentinel as in a field marshal. It was to the dignity of the action, its importance and value to the community, that he should look, not to the commission of him who performed it. As a of heroism should never pass unrequited, but every day did not produce a Cook or a Mutius. It was to prefer some proportion between the reward and the nature and value of the service, that he opposed the resolution, in its present shape. He wished the House to be more frugal of the treasure of public applause, it was more precious than that which all seemed ready enough to guard. In such cases it was always safest to err on the side of economy. Already it seemed that a sword, presented in the name of the nation, was held too cheap a recompence for ordinary professional service. Where was this to end? The most penury of approbation would not so injure the tone of public sentiment as this lavish prodigality. By being too niggard of praise, enterprise might be repressed and in many instances merit stifled in the germ; but too great a profusion of honors would almost convert them into a disgrace, would beget an overweening vanity fatal to real greatness. Every man who obtained a trifling advantage over the enemy, would conceive himself a Moreau or a Nelson. By setting up this tradition as the ne plus ultra of military achievement, as the pillars of Hercules beyond which none may pretend to pass, we did more to check the spirit of adventurous enterprise than if we took no notice of it at all. But, say gentlemen, the reason who is the object of this resolution acted in a twofold capacity, civil and military, and a sword is exclusively appropriated to reward military services; but, without intending a ludicrous allusion, if the gentleman had acted in as many capacities as lady Bountiful. Butler, it would not alter his opinion as to the nature and value of the service. Indeed there was such a political repulsion, as the gentleman from N. Jersey seemed to suppose, between a medal and a sword, like chemical bodies having no affinity to each other, we should have to give both on this occasion, and add a vote of thanks as a basis in which they might unite. Who could doubt that acts of as great personal prowess had been performed on obscure occasions, as in the most important engagements, and yet the one description of service was generally overlooked, while the other was liberally rewarded. The case of captain Truxton had been cited; he remembered perfectly to have voted against it; of capt. Preble's case he had no distinct recollection; he had no hesitation however, in saying that the exploit of Truxton was a more proper subject for a medal than the present, and that without entering into any invidious comparison of the conduct and valor of the respective parties, it might be considered in the light of a remarkable national event, the first victory of an infant navy over an European force, and that force too said to be superior to our own. Every Roman history, down to the compend of Goldsmith, had recorded their first success against the Carthaginian fleet. We might go on lavishing honors until those who wore the insignia of national gratitude would become the multitude and those who were without them the select few. He deprecated this waste of a treasure which was valuable only in proportion as it was sparingly used. He hoped it would be more carefully husbanded, for he feared, unless we retrenched in this article of expence, that, whilst we boasted an overflowing treasury, we should become bankrupt in reputation.
Mr. VARNUM. Gentlemen seem to be of opinion that a medal is the highest testimonial of national gratitude. I think differently. The highest distinction that can be bestowed, is the thanks of the nation—the next a medal—and the last a sword. Gentlemen will find that this is the course pursued as well by this, as by other nations.
Mr. KELLEY next rose. His first words were too indistinctly heard to be collected. He then said—I view the affair in a very different light. I consider it as of great magnitude and national importance. I consider the report of the committee as containing nothing but what is due to the real merits of the gentleman who is the object of it. We know that the regency of Tripoli was at war with the United States, and that it was considered necessary to fit out an armament to compel that power to act towards us more consistently with the principles of justice. In the course of the operations that followed, it was the misfortune of one of our national vessels to fall into the hands of the enemy, and of her crew to be taken into captivity. Our captive citizens were in a distressed and perilous situation; exposed to all the hazards of any attempt that might be made. An operation on the town of Tripoli was conducted in a gallant manner by commodore Preble. On that occasion he not only received the thanks of his country, which are pleasant to call the highest reward in its power to bestow, but
on that occasion too highly applauded; for his conduct was brave and gallant—and yet he did not effect the purpose for which the enterprise was formed. Eaton had displayed talents seldom united in one man—He had not only conceived a plan, but had conducted it with a degree of propriety and gallantry seldom to be met with, and which the President has recognized as conducing to the conclusion of peace. Such services were not, therefore, of an ordinary or trifling nature; but of a high grade and character. I take the enterprise of Eaton to be a great national event. The United States were engaged in a war attended with great expenses, and many of our citizens were in captivity, suffering great hardships. Eaton formed, conducted, and carried a plan into effect for the restoration of peace, and the release of our captive countrymen. If this is not a national event of some consideration, which merits the gratitude of the nation, I know not what is. It amounts to nothing less than the obtaining of peace, so long the desire of the government. For these reasons I have no hesitation in voting for the amendment, and I only regret that there is any division of sentiment in the House.
The question was then taken by Yeas and Nays on the amendment which, as we have already stated, was agreed to Yeas 58—Nays 55; When the course stated in our last paper was pursued, viz. a recommittal of the resolution thus amended to the same committee who had previously had it before them.
Mr. J. C. SMITH, from the committee of Claims, made a report, accompanied by a letter from the secretary of the treasury, on the petition of sundry collectors of the direct tax, praying additional compensation for services rendered by them, representing that there does not appear to be any sufficient reasons for complying with the request of the petitioners, and therefore submitting the following resolution:
Resolved, That no further compensation for services performed, or expenses incurred than those already provided by law ought to be allowed to the collectors of the direct tax, or any of them—which report was referred to the committee of the whole.
A message was received from the President, with a detailed statement, by Mr. Latrobe, exhibiting the present state of the public buildings in the city of Washington, the progress made since the last session of Congress, and the probable progress in the course of the ensuing season.
In this statement Mr. Latrobe estimates that an additional appropriation of 40,000 dollars, will be necessary to complete the fourth wing of the Capitol.
The message was referred to a committee of five members.
An engrossed bill for the relief of Edward Toppan, Geo. Jenkins and William Currier—authorizing certain drawback duties—was read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Dana presented a petition for the erection of a light-house at Sandy point, which was referred to the committee of the whole on the bill providing for light houses on Long Island Sound, &c.
The select committee on the petition of the agents and directors of the Ohio company were, on their request, discharged from the further consideration thereof, which was referred to the committee on public land.
The House went into a committee of the whole, Mr. DAWSON in the chair—on the bill to provide for light houses on Long Island Sound, and declaring Roxbury, in Massachusetts, a port of delivery.
The bill appropriates 6,000 dollars, for the erection of one light house at Sandy point, in the state of New-York, and another at Watching Point, in the state of Rhode Island.
Mr. Crowninshield stated the information on which the committee of Commerce and Manufactures had reported the bill.
The committee agreed to the bill without amendment, and the House having concurred in their report, ordered the bill to a third reading on Monday.
The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. VARNUM in the chair; on the report of the committee of Ways and Means, in favor of the petition of Anthony Benezit.
On agreeing to the report a short debate arose, in which Messrs. J. Clay, Sloan, and Southard supported, and Messrs. J. C. Smith and R. Nelson opposed it; when Mr. Early, stating that a principle, of considerable importance, appeared to be involved in the case, the committee, on his motion, rose, asked, and obtained leave to sit again.
As the subject will probably at a future day be more fully discussed, any detailed notice of the circumstances of the case, as well as the arguments on either side, offered on this day, are waived for the present.
On motion of Mr. Broome, resolved that the committee of Commerce and Manufactures be instructed to enquire into the expediency of erecting the port of New-Castle, in the state of Delaware, into a port of entry.
The House went into committee of the whole; Mr. TENNY in the chair; on the report of the committee of Claims on sundry petitions relative to the granting further compensation to the collectors of the direct tax; and agreed, without debate to the two following resolutions:
Resolved, That no further compensation for services performed, or expenses incurred than those already provided by law ought to be allowed to the collectors of the direct tax or any of them.
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition of William Matlocks and Haines French ought not to be granted.
The committee having risen and reported their agreement to these resolutions, the House immediately concurred in them.
IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. December 19.
Mr. Bradley submitted the following resolutions, which were read and ordered to lie for consideration:
Resolved, That one or more land offices be opened, for the sale of the lands of the U. S. on which the Indian title shall have been extinguished, in the state of Tennessee.
Resolved, That commissioners be appointed with ample powers to settle all disputes relative to the lands ceded by North Carolina to the U. S. and to quiet all claims agreeable to the conditions of the cession.
Resolved, After satisfying all just claims, and the expenses incident thereto, that one part of all the public lands belonging to the U. S. within the limits aforesaid, ought to be appropriated for the use of a college or university in said state, forever; one part for the use of schools for the instruction of children, forever; and five per cent. on the net proceeds of the sales of the public lands, for the purpose of making roads; Provided, The state of North Carolina shall consent to the appropriation aforesaid.
The committee to whom was referred so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to aggressions committed on our coasts by foreign armed vessels; to the defence of our ports and harbours; to the building of seventy four gun ships, and to the preventing the exportation of arms and ammunition, have, according to order, had the same under consideration, and beg leave to offer sundry resolutions, as a
REPORT, IN PART.
1st. Resolved, That a sum of money, not exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, be appropriated to enable the President of the U. States to cause our ports and harbours to be better fortified and protected against any insult or injury.
2nd. Resolved, That a further sum of money, not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, be appropriated to enable the President of the United States to cause to be built a number of gun-boats not exceeding 50, for the better protection to the harbours, coasts and commerce of the United States.
3rd. Resolved, That a further sum of money, not exceeding six hundred and sixty thousand dollars, be appropriated to enable the President of the United States to cause to be built six line of battle ships to be added to the naval establishment of the United States.
REPORT. NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 21, 1805.
SIR, In answer to your letter of the 19th inst. I have the honour to state to you,
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: That a 74 gun ship will cost, 328,888 89; That of the materials for 74's, in point of cost, we have on hand, 520,000; That we have in service 10 gun-boats, 4,627; That the annual expence of a 74 gun ship in service, will be 192,500; That the annual average expence of gun-boats in service will be 7,000; It may be proper here to subjoin, that from the time Congress shall authorise the building of 74 gun ships, it will require three years to prepare one for launching, but we could in the space period of time build six. I have the honour to be, respectfully, fir, your most obedient servant, ROBERT SMITH.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 16, 1805. SIR,
I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 8th inst. Piper (A) exhibits a view of all the timber, plank, thick-stuff, &c. belonging to the navy department and deposited at Norfolk, Virginia; at Philadelphia; at New-York; at Charleston, Md. and at Portsmouth, N. H. Besides the timber, &c. mentioned in paper (A) we have a very considerable quantity at the city of Washington, which cannot, however, be precisely ascertained at this particular time, as we have lately been receiving and are continuing to receive supplies at that place of deposit.
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: Of the timber at the above mentioned places, there is live oak timber for the frame of 74's, as follows, viz: At Norfolk, 19,342 cubic feet; At Washington, 4,885 do. do.; At Philadelphia, 21,032 do. do.; At New-York, 17,653 do. do.; At Charleston, 87,914 do. do.; At Portsmouth, N. H. 17,687 do. do. There is also at the city of Washington, 26,378 cubic feet of Walnut and other timber, procured for the frame of 74 gun ships. All the cannon necessary for six 74 gun ships, are provided and paid for. A contract has been made for all the necessary copper-sheathing, bolts, nails, and spikes, and all articles of copper required for six 74 gun ships; upon which an advance of dols. 80,000 has been made. And independently of this contract, we have on hand manufactured for 74 gun ships, 44,900 w. of sheet copper, 8,777 - bolts, 13,165 - spikes. I am respectfully, fir, your most obedient servant, ROBERT SMITH. J. DAWSON, Esq. Chairman of a committee of Congress.
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: TIMBER, PLANK, &c. AT NORFOLK. 139 feet 3 inch oak plank, 785 - 3 -; 22,946 - 4 -; 32,705 - 4 1-2 -; 4,291 - 5 -; 2,279 - 5 1-2 -; 1,592 - 6 -; 9,261 - 6 1-2 -; 6,324 - 8 1-2 -; 42 - 9 - pine plank, 15,996 - 2 inch; 1,105 - 2 1-2 -; 3,129 - 3 -; 56,314 - 4 -; 1,600 - 4 1-2 -; 324 - pine timber, 147 - pine comings, 2,080 - keels, keelsons and false keels, 11,008 - oak timber, 420 - oak fibres, 276 - 1-2 inches oak knees, 6,173 feet pine beams, 654 - gun timber, 38 futtocks 1 -; 22 do. 2 -; 12 do. 3 -; 50 do. 4 - live oak, 60 top timbers, 20 1 top timbers, 90 floor timbers, 1 inner stern post, 1 upper stern post, 7 upper deck hanging knees, 8 do. lodging do., 1 upper gun deck hanging knee, 5 do. lodging do., 1 lower deck hanging knee, 2 Orlop deck knees, 2 round hock knees, 3 spare knees, 24 pieces chock stuff, 11,552 feet live oak timber, 9 lower masts, 9 top-masts, 28 white pine spars, 22 yards, 9 top-sprits, 24 top-gallant masts, 14 poles, 1,860 feet pine water ways, 4 white oak fibres.
Domestic Intelligence. NEW-YORK, December 27.
We understand that a letter from Boston was received by this morning's mail which states that a hand-bill had just been put up at the Coffee House, announcing that the Prussian army had formed a junction with the Austrian and Russians, and had nearly surrounded Bonaparte and his troops—The particulars of the affair are not mentioned.
The letter to which the above article alludes was written on the morning of Friday, December 20th, and bears the Boston post mark of that day. It was received here on Wednesday. Had a circumstance of such high political magnitude as the junction of Prussia with the armies of Austria and Russia, and the perilous situation into which that junction had placed the Emperor Napoleon, been known in Boston on Friday, it could not have been omitted from the vigilance of the Editor of the Centinel, whose paper of Saturday is now before us, and is totally silent on the subject—We believe the report to be at least premature.
We are told a letter was received yesterday from Mr. Crowninshield, at Washington, informing, that the Spanish Court by request of our Executive, had recalled the Spanish Ambassador, the Marquis Yrujo.
Spanish dollars.—Several banks of the city of Philadelphia, we learn have come to a determination to have all the Spanish dollars they can procure, converted into American, whole, half, and quarter dollars. By this measure they intend to refrain the remittance of Spanish dollars to the E. Indies. Extract of a letter from the Charge des Affaires of the United States at Algiers, to the confal of the United States at Alicante, dated Algiers, Sept. 4. 1805. "On the 30th ult. the soldiers rose in a body and murdered the Dey (Mustapha Basha) and his prime minister. Hamet, late a secretary to his predecessor, was unanimously conducted to the palace and proclaimed Dey of Al-
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: 145 pieces red cedar, 19,925 feet gun carriage stuff, 3 keel pieces, 5 white oak logs, 1 harpen log, 21 keelson and water way logs, 9 mast logs, 29 molds for body of 74 gun ship, 56 molds for body of 74 gun ship, 1,106 pieces live oak, 8,919 feet 1-3 inch oak plank, 508 " 3 " oak cullen, 2,017 " 7 " do., 892 " 6 " do., 726 " 3 " do., 500 " 8 " do., 702 " 6 " do., 13 pieces launching plank, 14 old spars, 8 small spars, 185 two & three feet trenails, 2 bilge ways, 4 drafts for 74 gun ship.
AT NEW-YORK.
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: 19,475 locust trenails, 102,278 feet white oak plank, 5,226 feet refuse do., 17,701 feet pine plank, 2,880 feet r. fute do., 16,703 cubic feet L. O. timber, 15,232 do. white oak timber, 2,348 do. pine timber, 4,700 do. refuse pine and oak timber, 2 pieces white oak timber, 10 knees.
AT NAVY YARD CHARLESTON, Mass.
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: 1,716 pieces 796 28 6 new live oak, 6 3/5 - old do., 77 8 knees, 22 23 stocks, 678 3/5 ship timber, 75 21 keels, 15 11 carlins, 374 16 yellow, 93 28 disension, 543 4 plank stocks, 30 feet 9 inches, 248 8 1-2, 619 8, 101 7 1-2, 982 7, 329 6 1-2, 2,835 6 white oak plank, 1,227 5 1-2, 9,733 5, 28,549 4 1-2, 7,182 4, 1,272 3 1-2, 3,934 3, 174 2 1-2, 36 2, 9,836 4 pine plank, 194 3 1-2, 16,979 3, 3,714 2 1-2, 632 2, 2,182 flabs, 1 lower mast, 2 lower yards, 3 topfall yards, 1 bow-sprit, 1 jib-boom, 2 sprit-sail yards.
AT NAVY YARD PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
Table with 2 columns: Item, Dollars. Rows include: 879 pieces 17,050 cubic ft. L. O. timber, 1,088 pieces white oak timber, 66 white oak knees 500 inches, 5 keel pieces 40 feet long, 42 feet 2 inches white oak plank, 171 2 1-2, 3,306 3, 7,718 3 1-2, 12,276 4, 22,392 feet 4 1-2 in., 8,177 3, 2,194 5 1-2, 4,836 6, 169 6 1-2, 603 7, 858 8, 1,390 8 1-2, 1,108 2 1-2 to 6 in refuse w. o. plank, 146 cubic feet refuse l. o. timber, 102 do. l. o. knees, 204 planed earlings, 244 pieces l. o. timber for earlings, flanchions, &c., 3,607 cubic ft. pine timber, 5 pieces for bow-sprits, &c., 4 yards, &c., 2 bilge ways 126 feet each, 32,565 locust treenails, 13 pieces refuse launching ways, 50 furnace spars, 9 spruce poles.
PHILADELPHIA, December 27.
For the following interesting extract we are indebted to the politeness of a respectable commercial friend: LONDON, Oct. 1805.
"I have regularly attended the Court of Admiralty during its late short and important sitting; and with all due deference to the other parts of British Jurisprudence, I cannot hesitate to pronounce it as arbitrary a tribunal as any on the earth, and most evidently a political one. Sir Wm. Scott is certainly a man of great penetration and wonderful plausibility. He roundly asserted, that Neutrals, had no rights, and that they were not entitled to any title growing out of the circumstances of the war; that such commerce as they carried on during a profound peace they had a right to continue, but that every thing beyond that was indulgence. This is taking it upon a very wide principle indeed, and however they may relax occasionally in the practice, I am confident they will not give up the doctrine; and I have reason to think Mr. Monroe is of the same opinion. To be sure Sir Wm. Scott, during the last sitting, did seem to lean towards the claimants, yet studiously avoided laying down any fixed rule, which could serve as a guide for future operations to evade or avoid the very ordeal of his investigations. They will detain American ships, and I fear this vexatious interruption will continue: the more so, as I apprehend the East-India Company find that the Americans interfere very much with them in the North of Europe, and we cannot doubt but the government of this country will go a great way to further the interests of that company; added to which, it is here evident, that America (as a power) has lost ground in the opinion of other nations, within the last ten years."
AUGUSTA, (G.) Dec. 14.
The Governor on the 6th inst. laid before both branches of the legislature a copy of the following letter.
Washington, Nov. 17. The Secretary at war, has concluded and signed a convention with the Creek Deputation, which accompanied me to the seat of Government, for the purchase of the Ocmulgee Fork, bound by the Ocmulgee up to Uconahatcha, and from thence to the high Shoals of Appalachee, with a reserve to include the Ocmulgee old fields for a trading establishment. This convention when ratified by the government of the United States will be forwarded to you by the Secretary at war; in the mean time, knowing as I do, the anxiety of my fellow citizens in Georgia, on this subject, I have taken upon me, to make this communication to you. And have the honor to be, with sincere esteem, and regard, fir, your Excellency's most obedient servant, BENJAMIN HAWKINS. His Excellency J. MILLEDGE, Governor of Georgia.
THE ENQUIRER. RICHMOND, 4th JANUARY. HOUSE OF DELEGATES. Monday, Dec. 23. INCORPORATION OF THE BANK OF POTOMAC. Mr. Love rose in reply to Mr. Smyth, Mr. Chairman.