Norfolk gazette and publick ledger (Norfolk [Va.]), 1807-01-21 00:00:00

Farther particulars have been received from Charleston, confirming the accounts relative to Col. Burr as published in our last, and in this day's paper. They go to shew that General Wilkinson had been informed of the plan, under an expectation that he would participate in it, instead of which he gave the government information of the project. As dispatches have gone on to Washington, we may expect in a few days to hear further particulars upon a subject that is daily becoming more interesting.
It is curious to observe the sagacity of some of the Democratic papers upon this subject. They affect to know that Great Britain is at the bottom of Burr's plan, and to reconcile the tale, they insist that Spain is also a party, so that in one section of the globe Spain and Great Britain are enemies, and in another they are allies. The same papers also vauntingly ask the Federalists what they think of the man who they wished to make President? Softly good Sirs, remember that it was the Republicans who presented Mr. Burr to the choice of the Federalists, and if the sanction of high authority has any weight, the Federalists can justify their conduct. Mr. Jefferson himself after his election, declared that in selecting him in preference to Mr. Burr, that age and experience must have had greater consideration than talents and energy, so that after all, the greatest crime (committed from necessity) of the Federalists, was that they preferred a younger man of more talents and energy, to an older one with more experience; no great crime when we consider that Col. Burr was not short of fifty years of age.
The Editor has been informed by the U. States Attorney for this district, that he has received a letter dated 29th ult. and bearing the Post-Office mark of Martinsville, from Charles Green, upon whose evidence, and that of capt. Vaughan, of Norfolk, James Philips and Thomas Hall were convicted and sentenced to the Penitentiary at the last session of the circuit court in this city, of passing counterfeit notes of the bank of the United States. In this letter, which the editor has seen, Green states that he has been again attacked by some of the associates of the prisoners, that he is wounded in his left arm and right side, and was left by the assassins upon the supposition that he was dead; that his horse was stabbed in two places, and his harness cut, and that in the attack upon himself, he heard captain Vaughan threatened with the same fate.
The editor has been informed that Green was prevented from attending the circuit court at the May term, in consequence of the violence done to his person while he was on his journey as a witness. He stated this fact in giving his evidence in November last, and farther deposed, that after the arrest of Philips in Norfolk, upon his information, he was at one time shot at in the night, at another way-laid and beaten, and that finally his house was burnt, and much of his property destroyed; notwithstanding these terrors, this man had the firmness to attend at the last circuit court, and give evidence as above mentioned.
Green had been informed by a letter, which he supposed to be genuine, that the court would sit on the 22d October, and he came to Richmond on that day or on the day before. As the distance beyond the Alleghany at which he lived from this place made it difficult for him to return home and back again to Richmond before the 22d November, he staid in this city upwards of a month, at a considerable expense for himself and his horse, which expense the court did not think itself authorised to reimburse, by paying for his attendance prior to the 22d November. While he was here, waiting for the sitting of the court, several attempts were made by persons whom he did not know to seduce and intimidate him, from giving evidence.
This man, Green, the editor understands, after being a shop-keeper in Norfolk, is obliged to gain his livelihood as a pedlar.
The object of this representation is to make known to the world this instance of integrity and firmness, and to present it particularly to the consideration of the directors of the bank of the United States. The editor will be happy to be the medium of any communication which those interested in the circulation of United States bank notes may think proper to make to Mr. Green on this subject.
Enquirer.
IMPORTANT CHARGE.
The following notes, we are assured, are from the charge of chief justice Parsons, to the grand jury of the supreme judicial court lately in session in Boston. They embrace a subject which has excited a serious enquiry, and their accuracy may be relied upon, as coming from a source of integrity, profound knowledge, and independence.—Col. Centinel.
"Felony affecting life is either murder or manslaughter."
"Murder, is the wilful killing any person of malice aforethought, either express or implied."
"The malice is express, when there was a premeditated intention to kill."
"Malice is implied, when the killing is attended with circumstances which indicate great wickedness and depravity of disposition, a heart void of social duty, and fatally bent on mischief. And every man who kills another in a duel, deliberately sought, is a murderer."
"Manslaughter is the killing another, either wilfully, or through gross negligence, but not from malice aforethought, nor from accident, necessity, or for the advancement of publick justice."
"Homicide, from accident or necessity, is excusable; and, for the advancement of publick justice, is justifiable."
"Observing in the list of prisoners, returned by the goal-keeper, that there are two persons charged with the crime of homicide, it may be useful to you
in your enquiries, to mention some principles of law relating to this subject.
"In every charge of murder, the fact of killing being first proved against the party accused, to reduce the offence below that crime, by any circumstances of accident, necessity, or human infirmity, he must satisfactorily prove those circumstances, unless they arise out of evidence produced against him."
"When the act which occasions the death, is unlawful, yet if malice either expressed or implied be wanting, the killing is not murder, but manslaughter, the act being imputed to the infirmity of human nature."
"Neither words of reproach, however grievous, nor contemptuous or insulting jestures, without an assault on the person, are sufficient to free the party killing with a dangerous weapon, from the guilt of murder."
"An assault is an attempt or offer, with force and violence, to do a corporeal hurt to another, as by striking at him, or even holding up the fist at him in a threatening or insulting manner; or with such other circumstances, as denote an intention and ability, at the same time, of using actual violence against his person. And when the injury, however small, as spitting in a man's face, or unlawfully touching him in anger, is inflicted, it amounts to a battery, which includes an assault."
"Any assault made, not lightly, but with violence or circumstances of indignity upon a man's person, if it be resented immediately, and in the heat of blood, by killing the party with a deadly weapon, is a provocation which will reduce the crime to manslaughter. Unless the assault was sought for by the party killing, and induced by his own act to afford him a pretence for wreaking his malice. To illustrate this last exception, a case is stated of the falling out of A. and B. A says he will not strike, but he will give B. a pot of ale to touch him; on which B. strikes him, and A. thereupon kills B. This is murder in A. notwithstanding the provocation received by the blow from B. because A. sought that provocation."
"A man may repel force by force in defence of his person against any one who manifestly intends or endeavours by force or surprise feloniously to take his life, and he is not obliged to retreat, but may sue his adversary, until he has secured himself all danger, and if he kill him in so doing, it is justifiable self defence. But a bare fear, however well grounded, unaccompanied by any open act indicative of such intention, will not warrant the killing. There must be an actual danger at the time.—And (in the language of chief justice Parsons) it must plainly appear by the circumstances of the case, as the manner of the assault, the weight of the party, that his life was in imminent danger, or else the killing of the assailant was necessary to preserve life."
"But if the party killing had reasonable cause for believing that the person slain was in the design against him, and under the influence of him; although it should appear that he was not by such design, it will not be murder, but either manslaughter or excusable homicide, according to the degree of caution used, and the ground of such belief."
"These principles have been recognized by the wisest and most humane writers on the law."
"After a due and impartial inquiry in all cases that may require it, the facts may be ascertained, and the principles of law, to oblige the jury to convict or acquit."
VIRGINIA.
On Thursday last, a bill to increase the revenue bill, with amendments, was passed.
A tax of one per cent. upon all sales of tobacco, by the U. States bank, deposited in the Virginia bank.
One half per cent. upon all sales of tobacco, by the Virginia bank.
One per cent. upon all sales of tobacco, by the Virginia bank.
wharves:
50 dollars upon race horses, when sold by the owner.
5 per cent. upon the rental of houses, when occupied by a tenant; when occupied by a tenant, the rent to be ascertained by the owner.
the rent is not to be less than above mentioned.
An additional tax upon all sales of tobacco, granted by corporations.
The same bill was yesterday discussed before the senate, and rejected by a considerable majority.
The principal ground of opposition is presumed to have been the scheme of taxing the Virginia bank under existing circumstances.
Yesterday the house of delegates adopted the bill making a new arrangement of the senatorial districts.
MESSAGE
From the President of the United States, transmitting a report made to him by the Secretary of the Navy, relative to the state of the frigates belonging to the United States, in pursuance of a resolution of the house of the 26th ult.
To the House of Representatives of the UNITED STATES.
In compliance with the request of the house of representatives, communicated in their resolution of the 26th of December, I now lay before them a report of the Secretary of the Navy, on the state of the frigates, supplementary to his former report of January 23, of the last year, communicated to the house of representatives.
TH. JEFFERSON.
January 5, 1807.
Navy Department, January 3, 1807.
SIR, Agreeably to your request, founded on the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 26th ult. I have the honour to state to you, that the number of frigates of the United States, is the same as was represented in my report of the 28th January, 1806, to the honourable the House of Representatives, and that there has not been since any material change in the state of any of them, except the United States; and with respect to her, the accompanying report of the captain commandant of the navy yard at Washington, will shew her condition.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
ROBERT SMITH.
The President of the U. States.
(Copy.) Navy-Yard, Washington, Dec. 31, 1806.
SIR, In pursuance of your instructions of yesterday I directed Mr. Fox, to furnish a complete statement of the progress of the work under his direction, on the frigate United States—a copy of his report is herewith inclosed.
I had previously directed Mr. Fox to furnish me an indent of the quantity of sheet copper, sheathing nails, &c. sufficient for that ship; on which he has not reported. The main-mast and mizen-mast of the United States, are not in a state of preparation, in consequence of Mr. Simons, of South-Carolina, being disappointed in getting the masts brought here, which he had prepared for the purpose. But as Mr. Teale is under contract to furnish the component parts for lower masts, I wrote him a few weeks ago to prepare and send forward the necessaries for this ship, and have no doubt we shall soon receive them, and that they will be ready timely for the carpenters to careen her. Her rigging being all long since prepared to go over head, if Mr. Fox is ready by the time he states, and the copper arrives, that ship may proceed in very high order, by or before the 1st of May.
I have, &c. &c. (Signed) THOMAS TINGEY. Hon. R. Smith.
(Copy.) Navy-Yard, Washington, Dec. 31, 1806.
SIR, In answer to your letter of this day's date, I beg leave to state, that the progress of repairs on the frigate United States, is such as to afford the prospect that the hull will be in a state to receive her masts and bowsprit on board, to heave down, by the middle of March ensuing. There are three streaks on each side under the wales, to put in, and several streaks of ceiling abaft the run. The gun-deck are all in place and secured, and a large part of the thick streaks and plank are edged, and the remainder are preparing. The channels are yet to get out; the cat heads, together with the quarter galleries and carved work, are partially prepared; and the bowsprit and foremast are nearly ready; the other two lower masts are not yet arrived.
I am, &c. (Signed) JOSIAH FOX. Thomas Tingey, Esq.
From the RICHMOND ENQUIRER. A for the Honourable General Assembly of Virginia.
measure adopted yesterday by the house of delegates, concerning an additional tax on the bank of Virginia, is fraught with evil of such magnitude, in the opinion of the writer of these remarks, less it be arrested in its course by the manumission of your honourable body, will go subvert the institution. That bank-stock is every other species of taxable property is subject of taxation, the writer is perfectly ready to admit; but he conscientiously believes it would be a most effectual endeavour to demonstrate that the tax imposed by the charter is exorbitant.
July 14.
ALL that it is unjust to increase it. open and that it is obviously impolitic. further that the measure will at once admit or reject the calculations rather than examine the facts, and it is believed that the representatives of the people, which comes before the people, which is made upon the principle to the state, it will be
the revenue paid into the treasury for the use of the bank of Virginia amounts to one hundred thousand dollars! That that may be ascertained by the simple question—Does any equal value pay an
editor's books, and slaves, &c. of the capital stock of the treasury one
well knows that in one
estimate estimation is worth
able portion is expended in
FOR THE establishment
the overwhelming would leave
us no power to our own money, and because,
although it obtained an enormous consideration
"on for granting the charter, it will hereafter im-
pose additional burdens, without regard to the
"express stipulations of the law." It is come to
this, that the enemies of the state are the only true
prophets! The friends of the state, on the contrary,
viewed the state-influence as the firmest and
most beautiful pillar of the whole edifice: they con-
sidered it, in fact, a state bank: they were willing
to involve their interests with the interests of their
country: they were not dismayed by the obnoxious
term "union of state and bank:" they believed the
power of the people would not be abused in the
hands of their publick servants: they did not hesi-
tate to embark their property in the same vessel
with the property of the state, merely because the
state managed the helm: they urged that the state
they accused of "favour, affection or partiality?" No. Contrary to the course of other banks, they are not bound down by locality, they give aid directly to the honest and punctual inhabitant of the country as much as to the enterprising and industrious inhabitant of the town.
3d. The bank has been in operation nearly two years. The beneficial effects of gradually increasing our monied capital are already palpable throughout the state. The relative prices of our commodities, compared with the prices in the northern towns, are manifestly enhanced. Before the establishment of the bank our merchants were the mere brokers of the merchants of other states. The commissions for purchasing and expenses of transporting our produce to other towns were just so much taken from the agriculturists of our state. Our own merchants can now afford to add the amount of those commissions and expenses to the prices of our produce, and still be on an equality in foreign markets with their rivals of the north. Is it then politick so to clog and manacle this promising child of the state, as to destroy all its vigour—instead of fostering it with parental tenderness—instead of allowing it, under the wholesome restraint of the law, the full expansion of all the moral energies of its nature? Shall we so soon be again reduced to the abject situation, in which we were the mere objects of speculation, not to our richer but to our more monied neighbours? With land, labour, and industry, are we again, for the want of monied capital, to be shaved by the hands of foreign usurers? The writer feels confident that your honourable body, upon a nearer view of the subject, will not persist in a measure so injurious to the agricultural interest of the country—so unjust towards the confiding proprietors of the stock of the Bank of Virginia. He forbears to say any thing of the inevitable loss that must accrue to the state by the depression in the price of her 3,000 shares.
These remarks are hastily thrown together: they are offered with boldness, and the writer hopes that they will be considered by your honourable assembly, rather as a mark of respect than of presumption. HOPE.
January 14, 1807.
NEW-YORK, January 16.
Extract of a letter from New-Orleans, dated Dec. 9. "You will have heard that gen. Wilkinson has been here some days. His movements being of a military and defensive nature, excited much curiosity for the cause. To-day a full explanation was made. The governor this morning having convened the merchants, announced that col. Burr, with a considerable force, was descending the river to attack the territory, and thereby effect a separation of the Western from the Atlantick states.
"He added that he had received information, (which to his mind was conclusive of Burr's treasonable designs) from gen. Wilkinson, who at his request had attended the meeting. Wanting sailors to man their gun-boats, he informed us that he had called the meeting, in hopes that the merchants, by releasing the sailors from their engagements, would obviate the unpleasant necessity of resorting to impressments.
"The general then rose, and in a very handsome and impressive manner addressed the meeting—he assured them the present was a moment in which any delay would indeed be dangerous. He entered very minutely into the nature and object of Burr's conspiracy. Its first point was the subjugation of this city, in order to obtain the money in the banks, which with requisitions on the city was to prepare an armament against Mexico.
"He declared, that the plot had been communicated to him, in confidence, under the expectation of his joining it. A long and intimate friendship that subsisted between him and some of the leaders of the treason; and he lamented most bitterly, that in the course of that intimacy, his character had been so grossly misconceived, as to imagine that he was open to corruption. He then openly denounced Aaron Burr, as a leader of the scheme, although supported by some of the first characters in the union. He concluded by pledging his life in the defence of the city.
"An embargo had been the consequence of this meeting, and every preparation is making to defend the city. The people generally are indignant on the occasion."
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.
This morning the enclosed Bill passed the Committee of the whole House, and was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. On a motion of Mr. Dana to strike out the third section, was negatived, Ayes 21, Noes 104.
A BILL,
Repealing the acts laying duties on salt, and continuing in force, for a further time, the first section of the act, entitled "An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States, against the Barbary powers."
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, That from and after the 1st day of July next, so much of any act as lays a duty on imported salt, be, and the same hereby is repealed, and from and after the day aforesaid, salt shall be imported into the United States free of duty.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That from and after the first day of January next, so much of any act as allows a bounty on exported salt provisions and pickled fish, in lieu of drawback of the duties on the salt employed in curing the same, and so much of any act as makes allowance to the owners and crews of fishing vessels, in lieu of drawback of the duties paid on the salt used by the same, shall be, and the same hereby are repealed.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That so much of the act, passed on the 25th day of March, 1804, entitled, "An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States, against the Barbary powers," as is contained in the first section of the said act, be, and the same hereby is continued, in force until the end of the next session of congress, and no longer.
On the 9th inst. the following Bill was read the first and second time, and committed to a committee of the whole House, on Wednesday the 14th.
A BILL,
To continue in force, for a further time, an act entitled "An act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and certain parts of the Island of St. Domingo."
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America,

in Congress assembled, That the act entitled "An act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and certain parts of the Island of St. Domingo," passed on the 28th of February, 1806, be, and the same hereby is continued in force until the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 10.
We mentioned in yesterday's papers, that Dr. BOLLMAN had applied for an Habeas Corpus, and that he was ordered by Judge BEE to appear before him at 11 o'clock yesterday. The deputy marshal went down to Fort Johnson for the purpose of bringing the Dr. up to town; but the commanding officer, capt. Kalteisen, did not feel himself authorized to surrender him up to the civil authority without the orders of his military superior. We were politely favoured with the perusal of gen. Wilkinson's orders to him upon that subject; they are explicit, and positive, directing him "to have him (Dr. B.) in safe keeping until the pleasure of the President shall be known; that he is to have no communication with any person but a commissioned officer; to be comfortably provided for," &c. The patriotism of the veteran commandant and his respect for our laws is well known to the citizens of this state; but while he would cheerfully unsheathe his sword to crush the Hydra of treason and rebellion, he nevertheless, as a military man, feels himself obliged, by his duty, to obey the orders of the Commander in Chief.
Capt. Martin informs, that the French frigate and sloop of war, which recently arrived at Martinique, sailed again from Port Royal three days before he left St. Pierres.
The following French ships of war were at anchor in Cadiz Bay the 28th Nov. watching an opportunity to slip to sea, viz—Le Hero, admiral Rosily; Le Algeziras, M. Martinenq; Le Neptune, M. Bourdette; Le Pluton, M. Bourde; Le Argonaute, M. Bigot; La Corneille, (frigate) M. Mallet. They are blockaded by admiral Collingwood.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, January 12.
The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill for repealing the duty upon salt, and continuing the Mediterranean fund for one year. Mr. Varnum in the chair.
Mr. Quincy moved to amend the first section in such manner as to substitute a partial for a total repeal, and at the same time to diminish the duties upon bohea and other black teas, and coffee.
This motion was supported by Mr. Quincy, and opposed by Messrs. J. Clay, Elliot, J. Randolph, Smilie, Bidwell, Findley and Sloan, and lost—Ayes 7.
In the House Mr. Dana moved to strike out the third section, providing for a continuance of the Mediterranean fund for another year. The question was taken by Ayes and Noes—Ayes 21—Noes 104.
Mr. N. Williams moved to strike out the word "salt," in the first section, under the impression that in the very serious situation of the nation, in reference both to its external and internal concerns, it was improper to commence measures for the reduction of the revenue—Ayes 12—Noes 109.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed. Mr. Dawson reported a bill for incorporating a company for making a turnpike road from Mason's causeway to Alexandria.
TUESDAY, January 13.
The bill for repealing the acts imposing duties on salt and for continuing the Mediterranean fund, was read the third time.
Messrs. J. Randolph, J. Clay, Varnum, and Bidwell advocated; and Mr. Quincy opposed the bill. Messrs. Broom and Dana declared themselves in favour of taking off the duties on salt, but against continuing the Mediterranean fund.
The bill passed by a great majority—with only five negatives.
The House took up the report of the committee of the whole on the bill providing for the punishment of certain crimes against the U. S.
The amendments proposed to the first section were agreed to.
The whole of the second section was struck out.
On agreeing to the new section, proposed by Mr. Bidwell, Mr. Elliot spoke at considerable length against it—when the House adjourned without deciding upon it.
POLITICAL.
FROM THE OBSERVER.
Considerations upon the rupture of Prussia with France.
The late memorable rupture betwixt France and Prussia, ought to surprise only those, who do not know, that robbers generally fall out, when the plunder of their victims is to be divided. Hence the strongest prejudice alone, could prompt either wishes for the success, or regrets for the losses of the government of Prussia; since it is incontestible that by her system of pretended armed and menacing neutrality, from which, unmoved by the disasters of other nations, she has never until now desisted, this negotiating government has been the artizan of the colossus, which at present overwhelms her in her turn. A retrospect of some of the epochs of the French Revolution, is at once necessary and sufficient to demonstrate this truth.
In the autumn of 1792, when the prince of Brunswick and Frederick William, father of the reigning king of Prussia, was with the French princes, and the Austrians, within a hundred miles of Paris, in the plains of Châlons, the road to this capital being entirely open, and without strong places in this direction, protected only by newly raised armies, divided in opinion and involved in anarchy; Frederick William, suffering himself to be seduced by the usurious advantages which were offered him by the convention, abandoned his allies, and with them the cause of thrones, henceforth delivering up the royal family of France, already prisoners in the Temple, to all the caprice and cruelty of regicides.
He then disbanded the corps of French emigrants; he suffered his hussars to plunder with impunity the baggage of these unfortunate outlaws, some of whom abandoned to despair, put an end to their own existence; and thus he reduced the
Bourbons to be the indignant, but helpless spectators of this outrage, of the dissolution of their little army, and of the most unexpected, as well as the most shameful retreat.
The precious stones belonging to Louis XVI. the diamonds of the unfortunate Maria Antoinetta, the jewels of the crown, that crown which had been worn by Charlemagne, St. Louis and Henry IV. together with a subsidy strictly paid, until the period of the fall of the Directory; such were the fruits gathered by Prussia from this first act of baseness, as atrocious as imprudent on the part of a crowned head, and above all inhuman with regard to the unfortunate royal family of France.
They were very desirous of having it believed, that the motive of the retreat from Champagne, had been the result of promises that the convention had made to Prussia, to liberate the royal family from the temple, or to enter into an engagement, not to attempt the lives of the sacred persons that composed it, as soon as the Prussian army should have evacuated the French territory. But if ever this tale could have had any reality, ought not Prussia, when so indignantly played on, to have re-entered on a new campaign with a force more formidable than ever, when the head of Louis XVI. falling on the scaffold, called aloud for vengeance, I will not say from all who bore a sceptre, but from every human heart.
But what Boileau has said will be eternally true: "L'honneur est une Ile escarpee et sans bords, On n'y peut plus rentrer dès qu'on en est dehors."
It is alone the first step, from the path of rectitude that is difficult. Thus the Prussian government seeing how much the coalition, the Bourbons and the emigrants must necessarily be irritated at its conduct, became very soon the unalterable ally, I should say the abominable accomplice of the most execrable governments, and the most dreadful of revolutions. It exhibited the whimsical spectacle of the intimate alliance of a despot, with a democracy, and of a king, as much inimical to royalists as could be the most violent of sans-culottes. New stains were then immediately added to the first.
Wherever the French revolution is known, the courageous resistance of the city of Lyons, and the intrepidity with which it was defended during seven weeks, against the hordes of Robespierre, by the brave Prey, whom the Lyoneses had made their general, is known also.—And wherever this circumstance has been related, the name of the Lyoneses, and that of their chief, have become the object of interest, respect, and admiration.
This general, compelled to surrender, had chosen risking every thing to make his way through his enemies, sword in hand, with the remains of his companions in arms. By force of valour, he succeeded, and accomplished placing himself in safety in another country. He lived peacefully thereafter, modestly at Bareuth, with some of the officers who had accompanied him in his perilous retreat, a Cossack Vendean chiefs, unalterably attached to the cause of their king, and the calls of honour, when found victorious persevering in the system of vengeance and pillage, which it had inherited from the convention, exacted of the king of Prussia, the arrest of Prey, and of the associates of his glory and of his fortunes. They were then immediately delivered up to the orders of the king of Prussia, and their heads were sent to Paris. But France satisfied with her vengeance, rably attached anew the Prussian government to her interests by this ignoble proceeding.
self with perfectly established fame, and the conspiracy of Bareuth, which had been the cause of Prussia during a war, in which the king of Prey and his companions, arrested by the Prussian itself, was less barbarous than Prussia, if it is exacted, that these unfortunate victims should have been delivered up, death which they awaited them the moment they touched French ground. And if the directory avoided the execution of this it useless, perhaps dangerous, measure, it was only interest which the blood of the martyrs had excited; Prussia still remains in the wrong, in the thing which could be called the cause of Austria; its barbarous selfishness.
As long as the dieg... who re-entered France... taken any part in the... sued with fire and sword... tares destroyed them with... sumed name, nor the best... fully fabricated or dearly... their condemnation, and... that the king of Prussia... tory, the R... ed as a brig... with the P... authenti... cated a little... when the ex-conventional... of the general police.
During the events which followed the abolition of the Directory, Prussia never hesitated a moment to acknowledge, second, and flatter all the leaders of France, however infamous they might be, or whatever might have been the fears, their ambition should have inspired.
In February, 1803, Buonaparte decided to demand of Louis XVIII. his abdication of the throne in his favour. The king of Prussia was charged with this vile negotiation, and he sent M. de Meyer, one of his privy counsellors, to Warsaw to make this proposition to the Pretender, menacing him at the same time, in case of a refusal, with procuring the suppression of a pension which he enjoyed on the part of some crowned heads on the continent. This insulting proposition was received with the indignation it was calculated to inspire; and the state prisons are yet occupied by a crowd of persons, accused of having commended and circulated, the elegant reply which Louis XVIII. made on this occasion.
Sir George Rumboldt, the English charge d'affaires at Hamburg, is arrested within the territory of this city, in contempt of the law of nations, and the neutrality of the Hanseatic Towns. While the marquis Lucchesini, the Prussian ambassador, openly approves of this transaction, at the diplomatick audience at the Thuilleries.
The generals Piechegru, Georges and Moreau are arrested. At this moment vanish the last hopes of France, that is to say of the whole universe: Prussia sends her congratulations to Paris!!
At length arrives the ever deplorable event of the assassination of the Duke D'Enghien, carried off from the Elector of Baden's, in the neutral territory of the Germanick body. Russia, by the voice of M. de Marceff, her ambassador, protests against this horrible violation of the rights of empires, and the power established guarantees of these rights by the treaty of Luneville. Prussia solemnly approves of this atrocity by immediately acknowledging Bonaparte emperor.
And in acknowledging him emperor, Prussia by her example, shook, intimidated, and ruined, all effectual spirit of coalition.
Austria and Russia however combine, the territory of Prussia is declared neutral, but Buonaparte passes through it with impunity, the left wing of his army of Bavaria, surprises and overthrows the Austrians.
The emperor Alexander, condescends to come himself to Berlin, to represent to this cabinet, the dangers that threatened Europe; his pressing solicitations remain unsuccessful and himself, it will be recollected, narrowly escaped being made prisoner by a French detachment, in quitting Prussia to return into Bohemia.
Perhaps it would not be absurd to suspect that the most infamous treason, rather than accident, occasioned this circumstance.
However this may be, Ulm is forced or delivered up; Vienna is taken, Bohemia usurped, the frontier of Hungary and all the country of Venice seized: the bloody battle of Austerlitz strikes a dreadful blow at the allies. One single rampart yet remained to tottering Europe. Prince Charles had assembled near a 100,000 men, and threatened Vienna; the Russians in retiring with courage and method, could very soon join their reinforcements, and conjointly opposing themselves in Poland, and Silesia, to an army too much extended, and fatigued even by the rapidity of its victories; if then Prussia had declared herself, if she had suddenly marched upon the rear of the French armies with the 150,000 men she had just sacrificed; there is not a doubt but that a reasonable peace might have been concluded, or that the destruction of the French army, would have followed the refusal.
But no. This was not what Prussia desired. She wanted to see the house of Austria annihilated, to wrest from it the imperial crown, and henceforth fix it on the house of Brandenburg, according to the project of Frederick the great. She coveted Hanover and the Sund—and simply believed they would be the rewards of her ever dishonouring manoeuvres, until she discovered that Buonaparte found all Europe against him for his dominion.
The man who was the king of Prussia before the battle of Austerlitz, but the too tardy confession of his defeat.
After four years of silence; what do I see! Approval and participation, I repeat, that the king of Prussia protests against the violation of the Germanick territory in the death of the duke D'Enghien! as if too he had not himself set the example of this violation in the affair of M. de Prey; as if he had not himself as it were, consecrated this right of violation, when he suffered the French army to pass with impunity through the territory to surprise the Austrian army!
After a whole year has elapsed, he protests against the violation of the treaty of Presburg, as if it were a jest, and the violation of the treaty of Tilsit, as if it could excite only a momentary indignation, and as if he did not admire the man who had violated it more sooner or later, as basely as did
himself. At least it is unfortunate that the French should be crushed; for
the division of France; instead of wanting to keep all for himself, had consented to cede to Prussia, some part of the sovereignty's which surrounded him, there is not a doubt but that then the 200,000 brave soldiers she had just led to slaughter, would have marched against Russia and England, and would have effaced even the very remembrance of the Bourbons, for the good pleasure of Napoleon, whom his Prussian majesty had one day solemnly proclaimed the greatest man of the whole human race!!
For my part, far from being touched by the shameful and humiliating position, to which I see Prussia at this moment reduced, I behold only the infamy and opprobrium which covers the criminal when he is compelled to confess his crimes, before he expiates them on the scaffold; and all my indulgence, with respect to this scuffle between France and Prussia, is limited to thinking with our wise forefathers, that when one thief robs the other, the devil laughs at both. M. A.
Gazette Marine Memoranda.
ARRIVED.
Sch'r Welcome Return, Hurst, 24 days from St. Jago de Cuba, Hides & Fustick, Proby, Harman-son & Co.—Left there Dec. 26, brig Ceres, Lewis, of Philadelphia, to sail in 8 days; sch'r Experiment, Rogers, of Stonnington, to sail in 8 days.—Spoke January 12, in lat. 28, 57, long. 80, 05, ship Three Sisters, Driver, of and bound to this port, 21 days from Jamaica.—Same time sch'r Delight, Hathaway, 20 days from Jamaica, bound to Edenton. The brig Albert, Fraser, of this port, arrived at Charleston from Jamaica the 10th instant.
The ship Courtney, Bryant, of and from this port has arrived at Montego Bay (Jam.) The ship Gosport, Derkheim, of this port, was left at Cadiz the 28th Nov. to sail for La Vera Cruz in 10 or 12 days.
CUSTOM-HOUSE—ENTERED. Sch'r Virginia, Poulsen, Trinidad. CLEARED. Sch'r Two Brothers, Gray, Baltimore. Little Poll, Gilpin, Alexandria.
Sales at Auction.
Dismal Swamp Canal Company. For publick sale, on Monday 2d March next, precisely at 12 o'Clock, before the Eagle Tavern, in the Borough of Norfolk,
Eighteen SHARES, belonging to delinquent Stockholders in said Company, or as many thereof as will satisfy the respective claims, on a credit of sixty days.
William Charles Lee, Clerk and Treasurer D.S. Canal Co. (2dM.) January 12.
Subscribers to a Ball to be held at the Exchange Coffee-House, on Friday Evening next, will apply at the Bar-Room thereof for Tickets of admission, previous to that day. THE MANAGERS. January 21.
500 barrels superfine FLOUR, A-float in the harbour—For Sale by J. & W. Southgate. January 21.
Just received by the schooner Welcome Return, captain Hurst, from St. Jago-de-Cuba, 38 TONS OF FUSTIC, 810 HIDES, 70 boxes SEGARS, 16 barrels best Green COFFEE—For Sale by Proby, Harman-son, & Co. January 21.
Lost Yesterday Evening, A BUNCH OF KEYS, Enclosed in a ring.—The finder will be rewarded by leaving them at this Office. Jan. 21.
NOTICE. This may inform the publick, that the Negroes formerly the property of FOWLER HUNTER, are now in my possession, and is legally my property by purchase, and shall not suffer any of them to go to satisfy any debt that said Fowler Hunter may contract after the 1st January, 1807. Ward Millerson. January 21.
NURSERY. The Subscriber has for Sale, at his Nursery in the vicinity of Norfolk, About 20,000 Fruit TREES, of different kinds—Likewise, Flowering Shrubs, Ornamental Trees, &c. All of which will be disposed of on moderate terms for Cash, Corn, or Pork. ADAM LINDSAY. 1awtlxM January 21.
As this is the only nursery of consequence within 50 miles of Norfolk, the planters and the farmers in the lower counties of Virginia and North-Carolina can conveniently be supplied with trees, by the return of market carts, and observe that November and December are the most proper months for transplanting, as the roots will get so well settled in the ground by the winter rains, that they will receive little or no check by their removal; yet, tho' these two months are strongly recommended, trees may be removed, (when the ground is not frozen) in January, February, or even to the 10th of March—but should a dry spring and hot summer succeed, many of the trees planted late may be lost; those purchasers who may want any information as to the most approved method of planting, will be informed by applying to the subscriber. A. L.
NEW CUT-NAIL MANUFACTORY, ON TOWN POINT, A small distance below County Wharf, Wide Water Street.
THE Subscriber has, at a considerable expense, fitted up, in addition to his other business, a complete set of machinery, adequate to finish 500 to 600 lbs. of Nails daily. He is also provided with a good stock of Iron; and with a sufficient number of skilful workmen. He has on hand a constant supply of
Nails, Flooring Brads, and Sprigs, which he offers for Sale at the reduced prices as follows, by the keg, for cash only, viz. 8d, 10d, 12d, and 20d Nails, at 7 1-2d per lb. 8d, 10d, 12d, and 20d Brads at 7 1-2d per lb. 6d, Nails at 9ils at 9 1-2d per lb. Sheathing, do. at 7 1-2d per lb. 6d, Brads at 4s 6d per M. 4d, do. at 2s 9d per M. 3d, do. at 2s 3d per M. 4d, Nails at 2s 9d per M. 3d & 2d du. at 2s 3d per M.
ALSO—HOOP and BAR-IRON ASSORTED; LEVIN DORSEY. June 2.
Fresh supplies of Drugs & Medicines,
Have just been received by FREDERICK HEERMAN, & SON, For the Ship Protectress, from London, and Herald from Liverpool—Also, an assortment of SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.
A great variety of GENUINE PATENT MEDICINES.
All sorts of GLASS AND SHOP FURNITURE, And a prime collection of VALUABLE PERFUMES, including OTTER OF ROSES from Barbary.
Importing regularly twice a year from the most respectable Druggists in Europe, we assure those who favour us with their orders, that the strictest attention will be paid to furnish them with articles of the best quality, and on the most reasonable terms.
PERRY'S and LETTOM'S Golden Antibilious PILLS; CHURCHE'S and J. K. READ'S COUGH DROPS for Sale—MEDICINE CHESTS as usual. June 16.
Salt Sacks and double twilled Sacking, of an excellent quality, for Sale by William Knox. January 5.
Ten Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY from the subscriber about two months ago a Negro Man by the name of DANIEL, whom I bought from William B. Herbert, on Deep-Creek. I am informed he is lurking thereabouts at present—I will give the above reward to any person that will apprehend and bring him to me; I will likewise give a liberal reward to any person, who will prove to me that he is harboured or concealed by any person. Peter Elmalie. January 5.
NOTES & CHECKS
for the United States and Virginia Banks, for sale at this Office.