Norfolk gazette and publick ledger (Norfolk [Va.]), 1806-08-18 00:00:00

NORFOLK GAZETTE AND PUBLICK LEDGER.
VOL. III.]
MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 18, 1806.
[NO. 14.]
THIS PAPER IS PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A WEEK; PRICE TO SUBSCRIBERS FIVE DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS PER ANNUM...
Office of the Marine Insurance Company of Alexandria, August 2, 1806. WHEREAS, calumnies and misrepresentations having been circulated...
Having been a committee appointed to examine the books of the Marine Insurance Company, and report a statement of the losses paid...
Given under our hands this 5th day of August, 1806. (Signed) WILLIAM WILSON, CUTHBERT POWELL.
August 6th, 1806.—The above report read and approved and published, by order of the board. WM. HARTSHORNE, President.
Just received by the brig Franklin, from Antwerp, 3000 DEMIJOHNS, Which will be sold on accommodating terms.
FOR SALE, A valuable half-acre Lot of LAND, fronting on Queen-Street 114 feet, and extending in depth 199 feet.
A valuable Tract of LAND for sale. The Subscriber will sell his Plantation called Level-Green, adjoining the town of Kempsville...
Tully Robinson. Princess-Anne, August 8. Received per the Schooner Ranger, 17 Puncheons Tobago RUM.
Prime PORK, (N. Y. Inspection) in barrels, do. 2 Tons of CORDAGE; 6 Sets Fancy Chairs—For Sale by J. NEWCOMB.
NEW WHEAT FLOUR, In barrels and half barrels, for family use, for Sale by I. E. W. Southgate.
FOR SALE, The LOT and HOUSES, whereon John Hamilton, Esq. the British Consul resides; on it are a three story Dwelling-House...
Dissolution of Partnership. THE Partnership of John D. Haldane & Co. of Norfolk, expired this 11th day of August, 1806...
From a London Paper of the 1 London Paper of the 18th June.
HONITON ELECTION
HONITON, June 9. This day the proceedings began by the Portreve's reading the writ, the acts of parliament, &c. upon a platform...
Mr. Bradshaw.—Gentlemen, as I have had no opportunities of addressing you individually, it would be useless now to take up much of your valuable time...
Lord Cochrane.—Gentlemen, the very short time that I have had, has completely prevented me from gratifying my wishes by a personal and respectful application...
Mr. Cobbett.—Gentlemen, the address which I have caused to be circulated amongst you contains so full an expression of the principles upon which I stand...
But gentlemen, there is for us as well as for our own countrymen one general consolation, namely, that he will, as he has told you, resign his place, whenever the keeping of it shall be inconsistent with his principles...
the happiness and the honour of representing you; but in London, gentlemen, he talks in a different strain of you; there, gentlemen, in a message sent to me by Mr. Robson...
No gentleman, I have never railed at you. It is not in my nature to cast disgrace upon my countrymen. Every feeling of my heart pleads against it, while no one feeling of his heart can be expected so to plead.
Mr. Bradshaw has, in justification of his acceptance of his sinecure place, told you gentlemen, that it would give him great pain, if he thought that this addition to his fortune would add to the distress of constituents...
But gentlemen, there is for us as well as for our own countrymen one general consolation, namely, that he will, as he has told you, resign his place, whenever the keeping of it shall be inconsistent with his principles...
As to the sincerity of these promises relative to the future, you have, however, pretty good means of judging in his assertions as to the past. He has told in his printed paper that he did not vote for the Brewing Tax...
about your yards along with your hens and your chickens.
Now, gentlemen, by way of conclusion, give me leave again to remind you of the declaration which I stated to you, that my motive was not private interest or personal ambition...
Mr. C. Bradshaw.—Gentlemen, all that I shall say, in answer to what Mr. Cobbett has said about my railing at you, is, that I never sent any message to him in my life...
Mr. Cobbett.—Gentlemen, there are many persons here, who insist that I shall not reply to Mr. Bradshaw, because I do not mean to call for any poll in my behalf...
As to my character, gentlemen, a convicted libeller, Mr. Bradshaw had so denominated me in one of his papers, and to that denomination he owes the well-merited chastisement under which you have seen him writhing...
Lord Cochrane.—Gentlemen, I was brought here by no person; I was induced to do myself the honour of presenting myself to you by the public address of Mr. Cobbett...
Here the Portreve having asked, whether any one demanded a poll, Lord Cochrane demanded it, and as there was no hustings prepared for taking the poll, the proceedings were adjourned until next day (Tuesday) at ten o'clock.
This Day landing from on board the Schooner Rising States, Captain Newcomb, 20 Pipes Holland GIN, entitled to debenture.
Now Landing on our Wharf, from the Schooner Catherine, 50 Puncheons fine flavoured RUM, For Sale on liberal credit, by Conway & F. Whittle.
At Private Sale, at Sixty Days, 70 Puncheons RUM, 40 hogsheads, and 60 barrels SUGAR, 30 bags COFFEE; 23 pipes French BRANDY, Madeira and Lisbon WINE, in pipes and qr. casks.
NOTICE. All persons having claims against the Estate of DANIEL McPHERSON, deceased, are requested to exhibit them immediately to the Subscriber duly attested...

Our paper had just gone to press on Friday, when we received a London paper of the 23d June, from which the following important extract is made :
COURIER-OFFICE, 3 o'Clock.
"Omnium has fallen suddenly, from 6 1-2 to 5. A report that Russia has made a separate Peace with France, is the alleged cause of the fall."
As this is the latest paper we have, and the article was inserted at the latest hour in the London paper, we have no comment, upon the important cause assigned for this sudden, and great fall in the funds of England.
The article which we republish from the Port Folio , will repay the time which the reader may bestow on the perusal of it. We are induced to make this observation, from the reluctance which we have observed in many, to enter upon a long discussion ; but it ought to be remembered, that it is not possible to compress into a narrow compass, the various arguments, which are necessary to sustain an important position, more especially when they are to experience the criticism and investigation of ingenious opponents. The perusal of the article to which we have referred, must, we think, carry conviction to every mind, that the attendance of the Secretaries and others summoned was necessary, and that their refusal or neglect to attend was improper, and that the interference of the executive may prove a dangerous precedent.
MIRANDA —Yesterday arrived here capt. Swain, of the brig Peace, from Trinidad, which place he left on the 26th of last month—captain Swain informs us, that on the 25th Miranda's fleet, consisting of the Leander, the Lilly sloop of war, two brigs, two schooners, and several launches, left Trinidad for the Spanish Main ; capt. S. could not inform us what military force Miranda had ; his naval force is more respectable than any the Spaniards have in those seas, unless they have been recently reinforced.
In a short time Miranda's fate will be determined, and he will be hailed as a patriot, or stigmatized as a rebel.
FROM THE PORT FOLIO.
In features—not of form alone, But those, I trust, of mind— Auspicious to the publick weal.
YOUNG.
Among the extraordinary circumstances that have attended a very extraordinary prosecution (United States v. William S. Smith) that of the disobedience of Messrs. Madison, Dearborn and R. Smith, to the subpoena of the court, is not least entitled to our attention. The naked fact is, sufficiently enormous ; but when, with this, we couple the letter of these gentlemen upon the subject, the whole, together, excites a degree of indignation, infinitely above what is originally called for by publick misconduct. Nor is indignation all ; we should review it with the coolest temper, and pronounce upon it our most serious judgment.
The defendant in this prosecution stands before the court and jury as a man falsely charged : every culprit is to be so considered ; in other words, he is to be presumed innocent. With respect to what is peculiar in the situation of this defendant, the code from which this country derives its laws has benignantly regarded it as one of more than usual misfortune, and demanding more than usual indulgence ; a private man has to support himself against all the weight of government. With this sentiment in its breast, what is the conduct of the court ? It looks with a suspicious eye on the state prosecutor ; it allows him no jot beyond his bond, in whatever it extends a helping hand ; it considers his comparative weakness, and it will allow him to be deprived of nothing that can render him the most trivial assistance. That innocence which it is bound to suppose in him, is, with all the tenderness of a father, with all the seal of a friend, with all the authority of the fates, to protect him in establishing. Such is the conduct of an upright court.
Will, then, that upright court wink at the denial of any testimony which a defendant declares to be essential to his cause ? Will it, whatever it might say under accidental circumstances, will it wink at the deliberate denial, the determined resistance, to the calls of a man labouring in his defence, at the tribunal of his country ? Or, if, under any view of the case, it allow itself to pass over these reflections, will it bear with contempt of its own authority, with neglect of its own writ ?
Such might be the simple principle of action, in a judge governed by the mere motives of humanity, or by the mere consideration of the dignity of the laws and of the seat he fills ; but, if that judge possess a spark of patriotism, if he understand and would protect the constitution of a free state, other circumstances may present themselves, aggravating beyond all bounds this contempt and neglect.
The individual prosecuted may not only have to sustain a prosecution of the government, but he may need, or desire, the testimony of persons being members of that government ; and, in this case, not alone the upright judge, but the constitutional lawyer will startle in an attempt, on the part of such persons, to resist, or to evade, or to lull into a mortal slumber, the exercise of his sacred functions. Compared with this attempt, the particular case, the particular defendant, will escape his sight ; his eye will see nothing but the station of the persons by whom it is made. All that is man, all that is citizen in him will take alarm : he will feel that the palladium is endangered, and that from him is expected its defence.
Messrs. William S. Smith and Samuel G. Ogden are prosecuted by the United States. They say, that the testimony of Messrs. J. Madison, H. Dearborn, and R. Smith, members of the government, is necessary to their defence. These gentlemen are served with the subpoenas of the court, but when the day of trial arrives, they neglect to attend ; the district attorney resists, not only all delay, but the application for compulsory process against the persons guilty of this contempt, and proceeds to trial ; he, armed with all the evidence he thinks proper to produce ; the defendant, at his petition, denied that which he calls necessary, and which is with the utmost facility to be had !
Mr. Diary, the first point, with a politician, respects the abstract nature of this question ; the first with a lawyer, the materiality of the witnesses ; I believe, that to men of both minds, there is quite enough to harrow the feelings.
First, as to the materiality of the witnesses in this case, I believe that a few words will make it manifest. It is not, from any thing I have heard or read, the evidence of Messrs. Madison, Dearborn, and R. Smith, or Mr. Jefferson himself, can support any legal defence to the very serious charge exhibited against the defendants ; all that has been advanced by their friends, or is contained in the memorial addressed to congress by themselves, fall very short of this. The inclinations, the opinions, the connivance of the President, or of any other publick servant, take away from the responsibility of Messrs. Ogden and Smith. Neither the inclinations nor the connivance of Mr. Jefferson, nor of Mr. Madison, could authorise Mr. Ogden or Mr. Smith to offend the laws, or can be pleaded in their defence. The opinion of those gentlemen, represented to have been given them by Miranda, and by him related to Mr. Ogden or Mr. Smith, is of still less value. They had no authority to give ; and their opinions could be mistaken for oracles by none but fools. What is their opinion, when put in opposition with the statutes ? What is their opinion, that it should interfere with the decisions of the courts ? Their opinion it was imbecility to ask, and presumption to pronounce. Must statesmen be lawyers ? God forbid !—Neither the ignorance of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, Mr. Dearborn, Mr. R. Smith, Mr. W. S. Smith, nor Mr. S. G. Ogden, affords any plea : Ignorantia legis neminem excusat .
But, Messrs. Ogden and Smith talk of the inclinations and connivance and opinions of the publick servants, who, as they pretend, were consulted upon the commission of the offence with which they are charged, they appear to argue from a principle the most anomalous, under a free constitution, that any man can figure to his mind ! What as it that they mean, unless they imagine the inclinations, connivance and opinions of the executive government, to be superior to the authority of the laws ? What they disclose, if inculpatory at all, is of a nature to blast, not so much the private as the publick character of the statesmen implicated ; but, can they think that it affords them any legal defence ? They should have remembered that the connivance, and even the orders, of powerful men can avail them nothing, in any country where all other power bends to the power of the law ; they should have remembered, that the time comes, when all unlawful protection fails ; they should have observed the Spanish proverb : Kill not the man to day, at the request of the count, for to morrow the count will die, and you will be hanged .
But, though the evidence in question could afford no legal defence, could it afford no moral defence ? could it say nothing in mitigation ? is it impossible that it could in any manner effect the temper of the court, the jury, or the country ? that it could induce a reluctant condemnation, and a gentle punishment ? that it might show the defendants, though guilty in the eye of the law, entitled to an acquittal from the breast of every honest man ? that it could lead to the adoption of such sentence as such impression may induce ?—The witnesses, therefore, may be very material.
But, if these witnesses be material, what are we to think of their being withheld from a defendant, from a defendant prosecuted by the state ; and withheld, too, by the authority or influence of the state ? I am not to be accused of disrespect to any of the persons concerned when I say, what I have an unquestionable right to say, that between the officers of government, collusion, improper collusion, is always supposable. That American, therefore, is dead to the interests of his country, is without a notion of the interests of a free people, who does not see the present transaction in an important light. It is not a mere injury of the defendants in this prosecution ; it is not a mere contempt on the part of a private citizen, against whom compulsory process would assuredly have been had, and against whom therefore the dignity of the laws would have been vindicated ; but it is a desperate and too successful attempt, on the part of publick servants, on the part of government, on the part of men, who of all others ought to show the most ready obedience to the courts, who of all others owe the most ready obedience to the call of their country ; it is a desperate and too successful attempt, on the part of these men, to manage , I say to manage (for that is sufficient) the courts of justice ! Let it never escape our sight, that this is not a common contempt, but an effort, on the part of government, to manage the courts of justice ; to procure from them a virtual acknowledgment (and it has procured it) that its officers are not, like other citizens, at their peremptory call.
I confine myself, thus far, to the simple fact of disobedience, on the part of a government-officer, to the writ of a court of justice, issued in a cause where the government is prosecutor, and I say, that this is beyond description indecent in the fact, and unconstitutional in the tolerance.—I know, that I shall be told, that attendance only, and not the testimony, is declined ; but, to this, I believe I have hereafter, a serious answer to give. At present I shall only repeat, that it was indecent to ask, and unconstitutional to allow, a dispensation from this attendance.
But this simple fact, heavy and foul as it is, is trivial and pure when compared with what it becomes, when accompanied by the circumstances that belong to it ; with the letter of government, received, accepted, and read by a court of justice : I allude to the letter read, or said to have been read, from the bench by judge Patterson, on Monday, July 14th, 1806, and the contents of which are as follows :
'To the honourable the judges of the circuit court for the District of New York' 'We have been summoned to appear on the 14th of this month, before a special circuit court of the United States, to testify on the part of William S. Smith and Samuel G. Ogden. Sensible of all the attention due to the writs of subpoena issued in these cases, it is with regret we have to state to the court that the President of the United States, taking into view the state of our public affairs, has specially signified to us, that our official duties cannot, consistently therewith, be at this juncture dispensed with. The court, we trust, will be pleased to accept this as a satisfactory explanation of our failure to give the personal attendance required ; and, as it must be uncertain, whether, at any subsequent period, the absence of heads of departments, at such a distance from the scene of their official duties, may not equally happen to interfere with them, we respectfully submit, whether the object of the parties in this case may not be reconciled with public considerations, by a commission, issued, with the consent of their counsel, and that of the district attorney of the United States, for the purpose of taking, in that mode, our respective testimonies !'
'We have the honour to be, &c. &c.' 'JAMES MADISON, 'H. DEARBORN, 'R. SMITH.'
'City of Washington, 8th July, 1806.'
This may be applicable to me ; but, if my understanding be not thus unfitted for its office, there are involved in this letter, three points that ought to fix, in no slight manner, our attention.
1. I pass over the cant of all the attention, &c. and the regret, &c. and the insolent assumption, concerning a satisfactory explanation . I fix my eye on the statement, That the President of the United States, taking into view the state of our public affairs, has specially signified to us, that our official duties cannot, consistently therewith, be at this juncture dispensed with .—A court of justice has issued a writ of subpoena, and the return is, that the president has signified his unwillingness that they should attend ! and this is called, impudently called, in the very face of the court, a satisfactory explanation !!! I desire to be answered, in what language men would express themselves, if a minister of the crown of Great Britain, or of that of France, or Spain, had made such a return to the writ of a court ? His majesty has specially signified, &c. and the court will, we trust, be pleased to accept this as a satisfactory explanation !—Such a return might no doubt be made ; but, in what part of Europe is there a court base enough to accept it ?
1. But, either the president has made this special signification , or he has not. If he has not, then a daring falsehood of the persons subpoenaed has been received as a sufficient return to the writ, and a sufficient apology for disobedience. If he have, then the matter is still more serious. The government has directly interfered with the administration of publick justice. It has presumed to oppose its private views of convenience, to the mandates of the judges, the legitimate guardians of the people against itself—and, more than all, it has had the audacity to propose, that this act of presumption shall be received as a satisfactory explanation ! This is nothing else, than an add insult to injury.
2. But the president has made this special signification , and after condescending to listen to the degrading recital, and after believing, on the word of Messrs. Madison, Dearborn and R. Smith, all interested persons, where is our complaisance to be permitted to stop ? Not here ; for Mr. Jefferson also is to be believed, when he chooses to assert, that that state of our publick affairs will not consistently allow the attendance of the persons subpoenaed. I can have no private reason for doubting Mr. Jefferson's veracity ; I am no enemy of his publick or private ; but on publick grounds, I am to doubt all that is not proved ; as a citizen, I am always to suppose the government capable of acting dishonestly. To an inquisitive mind, many important reflections occur. To serve what and whose views is this satisfactory explanation given ? The gentlemen subscribing the letter, insinuate their perfect devotion to the call of the court, and that nothing has stopped them but the injunction of the president. But, might a president have no sinister view to serve, and to varnish over, with a vague account of multiplicity of business ?—Might he have no ambition of superiority to the courts ? Might he wish to throw no difficulties in the way of publick justice ? Might he desire the concealment of no fact, nor the ruin of no citizen ?—These gentlemen, tell us of the president's inhibition ; but can we tell under what circumstances this inhibition issued, if it ever issued at all ? Can we tell, whether it was wrung from him, or forced upon them ? Can we tell, which of the parties it was designed to gratify or to screen ? It bears the mark of a joint act ; of a solemn conference ; but, who proposed the act ? who solicited the conference, &c. &c. &c. ? The secretary states the president's inhibition, and the district attorney resists the compulsory process ; Is there not something shameless in all this ?
3. But, grant this too. Grant that publick affairs call urgently upon the time of Messrs. Madison, Dearborn, and R. Smith—but, let us ask, whether the publick affair of bearing testimony, at the call of a citizen put upon his deliverance, be not urgent also ?—Whether the publick affair of yielding obedience to and maintaining the dignity of the courts of justice, be not urgent also ?
Much may be done in a small compass, when men choose to do it. The hours that we lounge over the bottle are sufficient for the transacting of momentous affairs. Those we slumber away in a morning are sufficient for crossing many miles. A night, spent in travel, will carry us far. But the offices of great ministers, of heads of departments, may be so crowded with business, that they engross all these odds and ends of a statesman's time. He may be content to sit late, and rise early, or rather not to sleep at all, and to take, at random, a mouthful for the support of nature. I say, that unless something of this sort prevails in Washington, the whole of the letter is a subterfuge : there is nothing true but the disobedience to the subpoena ; but the unwillingness to obey it ; the rest is a plausible invention.
II. We have done with the satisfactory explanation . That is an affair of the moment ; the injury may not be very great, and the insult may be forgot, or at least forgiven ;—but a deep wound has been inflicted : And as it is uncertain, whether, AT ANY SUBSEQUENT PERIOD the absence of heads of departments, at such a distance from the scene of their official duties, may not happen to interfere with them, we respectfully submit, whether the object of the parties in this case may not be reconciled with publick considerations by a commission, &c.
Here too, I have to overlook the respectful cant, concerning the reconciliation of publick justice with the wishes of heads of departments ; the indecent proposal, to a character so august as that of a judge, to make a compromise of his duty, to compound with an offender, to betray the charge reposed in him and this, by a character so inferior and so suspicious as that of a publick servant ! I overlook this : my business is with the proposal itself ; a proposal itself ; a proposal, the modesty of which has seldom been surpassed. It requires no gloss, no paraphrase ; it is scarcely necessary that I should name it ; it is nothing less than this, that at any subsequent period, NOW AND FOR EVER, those super-citizens, the HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, shall have it at their choice, whether to obey subpoena or not ; or rather, shall, by precedent, be held exempt from all such attendance whatever !!!
1. Under the former head, it might occur to us to inquire, what extraordinary business compelled the special signification of the president, and that disobedience which the gentleman, it is not to be doubted, so feelingly regrets ; and it is least presumable, that the leisure enjoyed by the members of government must be as great at this moment as at any period of time. This objection is ably anticipated by the proposal now before us, which is made to arise out of the suspicion, that AT ANY SUBSEQUENT PERIOD, the absence of heads of departments, at a distance from the scene of their official duties, may happen equally to interfere with them. This is to drop the mask too soon ; but it is dropped, and the country has now to take into its consideration, whether it will allow one law to prevail for private citizens, and another for the use of the publick servants.
2. All men find it more or less inconvenient to their business to obey the subpoenas of courts of law. A planter of Georgia can seldom relish a summons to attend the courts of Boston ; a rich man, overwhelmed with business, or a poor one struggling to maintain his family, may be exposed to considerable injury ; and is it to be borne with, that the publick servants are to be the first to complain, the first to be refractory ? As to the privilege demanded, not
only is it incompatible with equal laws, but there is connected with very important particulars, of which I shall take notice, when I come to the final consideration, the difference between an examination in open court, and one effected by commission.
III. The third and last point is contained in the concluding lines of the letter ; whether the object of the parties in this case may not be reconciled with publick considerations, by a commission, issued with the consent of their counsel, and that of the district attorney of the United States, for the purpose of taking in that mode, our respective testimonies ? such is the project of a precedent for any subsequent period ! As to the prosecution in question, no such commission has I believe, been issued ; and, as far, therefore, as this is concerned, it may seem unnecessary to take notice of it : its application, however, to any subsequent period, is of considerable importance.
1. The first question that presents itself, is that of whether the court, in this or any similar instance, will abandon its familiar and excellent maxim, to receive only the best evidence that the nature of the case will admit .—That answers, to interrogatories put by virtue of a commission, when compared with the testimony of a witness easily to be brought into court, are not the best evidence, &c. is itself a maxim also.
2. The next questions, are by what views, to which the court is not to lend itself, a witness may be induced to prefer an examination by commission ? and whether justice may not be materially impeded by the indulgence ? That justice may not be impeded, is indeed the reason of the maxim I have quoted.
Now, a witness consulting his own feelings, a witness unwilling to tell the whole truth , or even to be pointed at for a simpleton, may have strong private grounds for disliking a viva-voce examination. When Mr. Pitt was called upon to give evidence in behalf of Mr. Horne Took, does any man doubt whether or not he would have preferred an examination by commission, to one conducted at the Old Bailey, where not only he was exposed to the questions and observations of counsel, but where he was made the butt of Mr. Tooke's viracity ? Is it not to be presumed, that he would have pleased to offer, in its stead, the king's special signification , and to find the court of opinion, that his failure, in giving the personal attendance , was, by that signification or pretended signification , satisfactorily explained ?
3. But, all the circumstances, thus disagreeable to witnesses, may be considerable helps to the course of justice. The advantages to be respectively gained or lost by the two modes of examination are what belong to this final article. Here, however, I must refer to those who are competent to supply what my imperfect knowledge of the subject obliges me to leave deficient. It occurs to me, nevertheless, that, in a publick examination, there are to be remembered, among others, the following helps to justice : 1. The witness stands in the presence of the court and the jury, who may sometimes gather as much from his demeanour as from his words ; who, if they fail to comprehend the meaning of his phrases, may enter into personal explanation ; who may ask a thousand questions, highly important, and yet never thought of till the moment in which they are asked ; and the answer to some of which may give a new colour to the case : 2. The witness is ready to be called upon, should any subsequent testimony render further examination desirable : 3. He may be made to undergo a valuable cross examination, such as no counsel can be prepared for, but at the time, and amid the circumstances of trial : 4. If he should refuse answers, the court can come to immediate decision on his refusal ; nay he will sometimes want the courage to refuse in a publick examination, what he will struggle against in a private one.—These are some of the helps to justice with which the modest proposal of Messrs. Madison, Dearborn, and R. Smith, requires the court of law, in favour of heads of departments, at any subsequent period, to dispense !
I take my leave of the letter ; and, though this examination of it has not been the most pleasing task in which I could have engaged, I believe that I shall never look back on it with dissatisfaction. I have not written on malicious or idle rumours, but on a publick document. The liberties of the people have been insulted if not endangered. These things should be taken in the bud.
As to what the gentlemen who have signed this letter think of themselves, that I thank God ! is no part of my concern. I know what advice, under their circumstances, I should have given to honourable men. I should have said, "You are accused of having participated in an act, which committed by you, is one of the most heinous with which you can be charged. It is probable, however, that you can make it appear that at the worst, you did but give it your private good wishes which are your own, never your publick sanction, which is the state's. Go forth, therefore, face your accuser ; evince your fidelity ; at least, avow the truth, and abide the consequences. Rejoice in the investigation ; solicit it ; meet it." This advice, to honourable men, I should have dared to give ; and this advice, by honourable men, would have been dared to be pursued.
I will not conclude, without drawing a parallel, or rather a contrast. The neglect of a publick officer to obey a subpoena reminds me of a case of the Irish chancellor, my lord Redesdale. When Dr. Troy, the titular arch bishop of Dublin, proceeded by information, in the Court of King's Bench, at Westminster, against the editor of the Anti-Jacobin Review, for the publication of a libel, lord Redesdale, then in Dublin, in the execution of his office, was served with a writ of subpoena, on the part of the prosecution, requiring him to attend at Westminster. He was to have been examined as to his notion of the episcopal character of Dr. Troy. He did not attend, and he was excused. Now, observe, that the lord chancellor of Ireland, in obeying the subpoena, would have had, not only to travel twice the number of miles that lie between Washington and New York, but to cross a channel where vessels are often detained many days : when arrived, the evidence to be obtained from him, under all the circumstances, was of little importance ; and only a common libel was at issue. Here, it may be thought, were more than sufficient reasons for excusing his lordship ; but a higher consideration remained behind ; he had been called, not to support a defendant, but to strengthen the hands of a prosecution ; and a British court of justice will always draw this generous line of demarcation ; it will always see, without great emotion, the prosecutor stript of his weapons, but never the prosecuted.
For the rest, I have no parties to serve, nor no animosities to indulge. I am alike unacquainted with each of the gentlemen whose names I have had occasion to write. I see nothing, but the liberties of a free people, and the shock they have received. In venturing to approach topics of a law, I have very probably betrayed technical ignorance ; but I hope I shall be found to have spoken in the genuine spirit of a freeborn man. In communicating my sentiments on this occasion, I have aimed only at worthy objects. I call upon men who have once turned pile under the threats of a judge and a district attorney, to recover the complexion that belongs to those who live under the protection of laws ; I call upon the courts of law to remember the duties they owe to the people, and the dignity that belongs to themselves ; I call upon the country to look with a generous and wise sympathy on every member of its community ; to demand from the laws what they were ordained to give ; and, not slumbering too securely under the tree of liberty

it may have planted, to watch with an unslumbering eye, as well what fruit it produces, as what robbers may purloin.
CONCANGIUS. It will be perceived, that the letter of my correspondent was written before the verdicts of the juries at New York were pronounced; but as it seems to have had nothing temporary in its design, neither the writer nor my reader will be displeased with the accidental delay of its appearance.
PHILADELPHIA, August 11. Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to his friend in this city.
"Boston, August 4."—A very unfortunate affair took place on the Exchange to-day. In consequence of a dispute between Mr. Selfridge, a lawyer, and Mr. Austin, the loan officer, (and supposed editor of the Chronicle ) and the latter refusing to give satisfaction, the former posted him in the paper of this morning. The son of Austin, a senior at college, aged 18, went on 'Change to call Selfridge, who, knowing the intent, and being of very weak bodily strength, took a pistol in his pocket. The attack was made by Austin—one stroke or more was struck, and while his cane was raised, Selfridge having retreated and warned Austin to desist, Austin continued striking and following S. for a minute perhaps, when he fell and expired. Selfridge surrendered himself, and is now in jail; his skull, it is feared, is fractured by the blows he received. Although the dispute was merely personal, yet the parties being of opposite politics, it will be made a party question, and will serve to increase, if possible, party rage."
ST. JOHNS, (Antigua) July 22. It appears by the extracts from a Barbados paper, given in the foregoing columns of this publication, that the inhabitants of that island have been alarmed for the safe of Antigua . The squadron of men of war, (mistaken by the Vigilant for French) was admiral Cochrane's, which appeared off this harbour on the 5th instant; and no doubt the alarm-guns, which are generally fired upon the appearance of a fleet, were supposed to be the commencement of a cannonade.
It was at 7 o'clock on the morning after the admiral sailed from hence, that he saw the French fleet lying to, on the south side of Tortola, and immediately bore down upon them. The enemy at the same time filled their sails, and ran towards the island of St. Thomas. At one P. M. the captains of the Eleph. nt. Canada, and Agamenmon, in obedience to a signal previously made, repaired on board the Northumberland, where a council of war was held, by which we have reason to believe, it was resolved, that " It would be improper for the admiral to attack, with his small squadron, a force so very superior. " At a little after two, P. M. the French ships doubled the south-west point of St. Thomas, and soon after, disappeared .
The Northumberland, Elephant and Canada, returned to these roads on the 17th instant, after having watered at St. Kitts.
This morning the honourable sir Alexander Cochrane, rear-admiral of the white and commander in chief of his majesty's ships in these seas, was invested , in a private manner, with the ribbon of the order of Bath, at the government house of this island.
It was, we understand, the admiral's wish that the ceremony should be private.
No accounts have been received respecting sir J. B. Warren and the fleet under his command, since their passing St. Kitts, on the 14th, in the evening.
From French papers received at the office of the Publick Ledger, via New-York.
PARIS, June 3. We have received London papers to the 24th May. The last debates in parliament are remarkable only for the complaints almost universally raised against the abuses which have crept into the financial administration of the war and navy departments. If Mr. Pitt was not directly guilty of these numerous malversations, he cannot, however, be supposed to have been entirely ignorant of them; he was indeed an honest man, so far as his own pecuniary emolument was concerned; yet he was by no means unwilling to wink at the most barefaced dilapidations, when committed by men ready to abet him in those schemes which were ever attended with nothing but disappointment, nothing, but misfortune, nothing but the most signal publick disgrace. (a) He had doubtless said to himself as Fabricius, who refused the money of the Samnites "I like better to command those who have gold, than to be possessed of it myself." But that Roman would never have thought of purchasing partisans, with the gold of the state.
[Remarks by our correspondent in France, not as our readers will suppose in a French newspaper , but in a private communication.]
(a) It was a "signal publick disgrace" to have annihilated the whole navies and trade of France, Spain and Holland!
It was a "signal publick disgrace" to have stripped France, Spain and Holland of their most essential colonial military possessions!
It was a "signal publick disgrace" for 13,000 British troops to have made 22,000 French soldiers lay down their arms at Alexandria and Cairo!
It was a "signal publick disgrace" to have hanged traitors—transported incendiaries—eradicated Jacobinism—restored order, and consolidated the British empire in Europe!
It was a "signal publick disgrace" for a few British sailors and Turkish soldiers to have baffled, frustrated and defeated, under the command of a British naval officer the invincible legions under the most renowned captain of the age at St. Jean d'Acre!
It was a "signal publick disgrace" to have planted the law of nations upon an immovable basis in opposition to every possible exertion of the Great Nation to overset it—witness the battle of Copenhagen! the Northern Conventions of 1801, with England!
It was a "signal publick disgrace" to have defeated the intrigues of the Great Nation in India, and have taken the hopes of their family captive in palace !
Indignation burst forth in this capital when the intelligence arrived that the Marengo and Belle Poule had been captured by an English ship of the line and a
frigate. It was in vain objected that the English ship of the line was a three-decker. It is a fact that no English ship of the line ever captured a French one in single combat , and still less should it have happened when the Marengo had been three years at sea, and her crew perfectly seasoned and disciplined. Public opinion condemned admiral Linois.
It is, therefore, with pleasure we announce, that the first English relation is false. Admiral Linois sailed in the night into the thick of admiral Warren's squadron. He would easily have beat off the London , but two other ships of the line, the Achilles and the Cambridge bearing down upon him, admiral Linois was forced to strike. There is then no dishonour in this, which can only be looked upon as an accident.
The admiral and his crews did their duty. The Marengo and the Belle Poule , during the three years they remained in India, made prizes from the English to the amount of forty millions of livres, and obliged the merchants of London to quadruple the rate of their insurance. Paris Moniteur.
IMPERIAL DECREES. At the Palace of St. Cloud, 30th May, 1806. Napoleon, emperor of the French and king of Italy;
On the account which has been rendered to us, that in many northern departments of our empire, certain Jews, exercising no other profession than that of usury, have by the accumulation of the most immoderate interest, put many of the husbandmen of these countries in a state of great distress.
We have thought it incumbent on us to succour those of our subjects whom an unjust avidity may have reduced to these painful extremities.
These circumstances have at the same time made known to us how urgent it was to reanimate among those who profess the Jewish religion in the countries submitted to our obedience, the sentiments of civil morality which have unfortunately been deadened in but too many of them by the state of debasement in which they have long languished; a state which it is not our intention to maintain, nor to renew.
For the accomplishment of this view we have resolved to assemble together the first persons among the Jews, and to communicate to them our intentions by commissaries whom we shall appoint for this purpose, and who shall at the same time collect their opinions on the means which they deem the most expedient to recal among their brethren the exercise of useful arts and professions, for the purpose of replacing by an honest industry the shameful recourses to which many of them have betaken themselves from father to son, for several centuries past.
From these causes, Upon the report of our grand judge, minister of justice, and of our ministers of the interior, Having heard our council of state, We have decreed and do decree what follows:
Art. I. From the date of the present decree, there shall be a stay of execution for a year of judgement upon all contracts, otherwise than by simple conservative acts, against husbandmen not merchants of the departments of the Sarre, the Roer, Mont-Tonnerre; the Upper and Lower Rhine, the Rhine and Moselle, the Moselle and the Vosages, when the claims against these husbandmen shall have been consented to by them in favour of Jews.
II. There shall be formed on the 15th of July next, in our good city of Paris, an assembly of individuals professing the Jewish religion and inhabiting the French territory.
III. The members of this assembly shall be to the number set down in the annexed schedule, taken in the departments specified in it, and designated by the prefects among the Rabbies, the landed men and others Jews most distinguished for their probity and knowledge.
IV. In the other departments of our empire not set down in the said schedule, and where there may exist individuals exercising the Jewish religion, to the number of a hundred and of less than five hundred, the prefect is empowered to designate one deputy; for five hundred and above up to a thousand, he is empowered to designate two deputies, and so of the rest.
V. The deputies designated shall repair to Paris before the 10th July, and shall make known their arrival and their dwelling at the office of our minister of the interior, who shall inform them of the place, day and hour when the assembly will be opened.
VI. Our minister of the interior is charged with the execution of the present decree.
Signed, NAPOLEON. By the emperor, The Minister Secretary of State, Signed, H. D. MARET.
The number of deputies is 74, furnished proportionally by the departments as follows:
Upper Rhine 12—Lower Rhine 15—Mont-Tonnerre 9—Rhine and Moselle 4—Sarre 1—Roer 1—Moselle 5—Meurthe 7—Vosges 7—Gironde 2—Lower-Pyrenees 2—Vaucluse 2—Cote-d'Or 1—Seine 6.
According to the Spanish Gazettes, it appears that intelligence has lately been received in Spain from the different Spanish possessions in the new world. At the time of the last dispatches from thence the most perfect tranquility prevailed in the island of Cuba and throughout all the Mexican provinces. The French and Spanish privateers continue to lay waste the English commerce, and to interrupt the Americans in their fraudulent communications with the revolted negroes of St. Domingo. In the space of three months no less than 87 American ships were carried into the ports of Cuba.
Journal du Commerce. [And so you boast of having taken 87 American vessels in three months! Reader mark this! France and Spain boast of having taken 87 of our vessels in three months!]
Gazette Marine Memoranda.
ARRIVED. Brig Peace, Swain, 21 days from Trinidad, Sugar, Moses Myers—Sailed in company with the schooner Deer and Allen, M'Combs, for Baltimore—Left there 26th July, ship Ohio, Hall, of and for New-York, in 20 days—Brigs Siren, Scott, and Two Brothers, Ropes, of and for New-York, the former in 2, and the latter in 10 days—Oliver Peabody, Treadwell, of and for Portsmouth in 10 days—Schooners Eleanor, Wells, of Newburyport, for St. Thomas, in 10 days; Sally & Polly, Rogers, for Philadelphia, in 10 days.
Sch'r Charating Mary, Potter, 8 days from Philadelphia. Sch'r Richmond, Seaman, 5 days, and Hunter, Sweden, 9 days from New-York. Ship William & Mary, of and from Campeachy, took a pilot off Charleston Bar the 7th of this month. The schooner Maryland Mary, of this port was spoke on the 23rd of last month n 1st. 39, 16, long. 66. The ship Shepherdess, Wills, of this port for London, was spoke on the 15th July in lat. 42, 48, long. 56, 41, out 16 days.
LOST. A TIN CANNISTER, or BOX, marked "Brig Caroline" containing the papers of the Brig Caroline, Captain Brown. Whoever will deliver them to C. & F. Whittle, Norfolk, or J. & W. Bell, Peterborough, shall receive Five Dollars reward. August 18. 38 77
Sales at Auction.
On Wednesday, the 20th instant at 11 o'clock before my Office, No. 48, Main Street, will positively be SOLD, for Cash,
9 hhds. choice Martinico SUGAR, 10 Puncheons Grenada RUM —with a variety of other GOODS,
Francis Smith, V. M. August 18. 1 90
Pursuant to a Decree of the Court of Norfolk County, Will be Sold, on WEDNESDAY , the 27th instant, at the premises, on a credit of six months, A LOT OF LAND,
in the Town of Portsmouth, near the river at the intersection of Crawford and London Streets—it is pleasantly and advantageously situated for business, and has on it a spacious Dwelling-House, and necessary out houses. It is the Lot now occupied by Capt. Newell, and late the property of Samuel Davis, deceased.
The Commissioners. August 18. tds 92
For Sale or Charter. The good Brig PEACE, E. Swain, Master, burthen about 93 tons. For terms, apply to
Christopher Fry. Who has for Sale, in store, 4 pipes 4th proof BRANDY, 10 Hoz heads, and 10 barrels N. E. RUM. August 18. tf 81
For SALE, The good Schooner JASON, as she arrived from sea, a remarkable fine vessel, only two years old, sails very fast, and can be sent to sea at a small expense, burthen 700 barrels—For terms apply to James Stevenson, Jun. or
Daniel R. Waddey, & Co. ALSO, 10 Pipes Teneriffe WINE. August 18. 3t 83
For SALE, The Pilot-Boat EARL, Now lying opposite Myers' Wharf; she is between 5 and 6 years old, 50 tons burthen, and is a strong well built vessel, and sails fast—Any person who are inclined to purchase will please examine her—Apply on board to
John Bean, & Co. August 18. 2* 80
500 Barrels Superfine FLOUR, from Mayo's Mills—For Sale by Moses Myers. August 18. tf 82
FOR SALE, Now landing on our wharf, from on board the British Sloop Patrick Bourke, Capt. Blay, from Antigua, 14 hhds. Muscovado, and 26 tiersces Clayed SUGAR, by
C. & F. Whittle. August 18. tf 83
102 hogsheads choice SUGAR, Landing from on board the Brig Peace, from Trinidad.—For Sale by Moses Myers.
50 pipes 4th proof Cogniac BRANDY. August 18. tf 84
The friends of Thomas Norman, John Marshall, William Norris, Elijah Russell, and John Hubbard, (who represent themselves to be citizens of Virginia,) have been impressed into the British service, for want of documents to prove their citizenship, will apply at this Office, and give a description of their persons, measures will then be taken to obtain their discharge.
Thomas Newton, Collector. Collector's Office, Norfolk, August 18, 1806. tf 86
We have for SALE, on low terms, 18 Pipes, 11 Hogsheads, 3 Qr. Casks Madeira WINE, A Cargo of Ise of May SALT, 600 Sacks Liverpool stowed do. 20 Hogsheads low land TOBACCO. August 18. tf 87
ANCHOVIES, By the gallon—For SALE by John Gay. August 18. tf 88
40 Dozen excellent PORT WINE, For SALE by Angus Martin. August 18. 4w 89
FOR SALE, 150 Barrels, 50 half do. New Superfine FLOUR, From Rutherford's Mills. August 18. 3 James Herron. 91
WET NURSE. Wants a place as Wet Nurse, a Woman with a fresh breast of milk, in good health, and of unexceptionable character. For terms apply at this Office. August 18. 3* 79
NOTICE. Whereas Jeremiah Dorsey, without any legal authority whatsoever, has entered the house of the late GOLDSBURY HACKETT, deceased, and taken all his books and papers, and is selling off his property—I therefore forward all persons from paying any money due the said estate—and those who have any property in their hands, will be made liable to the Administrator. William Hall, Guardian for one of the Heirs at Law. Aug. 18. 3t 93
FOR SALE, The CARGO of the Brig Hannah, Captain Knapp, from Port Cavenness—consisting of
214 hhds. & 60 tiersces prime Molasses. T. & W. A. Armistead, Maiden's wharf. June 11. 3w 830
COGNAC BRANDY. This Day landing on Newton's wharf, from the Schooner Rising States, Capt. Newcomb, from New-York,
11 pipes 4th pf. real Cogniac Brandy, do. Old PORT WINE.
And in Store, just received, 1 Hogshead fresh LIME JUICE, 1 do. SHRUB. Price & Waddey. August 6. 3t 48
For Havanna, (to sail on Sunday) The Brig INDIAN, Thomas Skinner, Master, can take a few goods on freight, and accommodate 4 or 5 passengers. Apply to T. & W. A. Armistead. Who have landing from the brig Franklin , from Antwerp, A few Thousand DEMIJOHNS. August 13. 3t 75
For Freight or Charter, The copper bottomed Brig JUPITER, Beverly Bayton, Master, burthen 1600 barrels, ready to receive a cargo. Apply to Thomas Willock. August 13. 3t 73
For Sale or Charter, The fine staunch, fast sailing Brig ANN ELIZABETH, Richard Owens, master, 4 years old, burthen about 1300 barrels, and will be ready to receive a cargo in a few days. Apply to
John Brown. Who has received from Madeira by said Brig, a few pipes, hogsheads, and quarter casks, London particular Madeira WINE, which will be sold low by applying as above. August 13. tf 66
For Freight or Charter, The fine new American Ship JAMES COOK, Capt. Cox, burthen 234 tons, now ready to receive a cargo. Apply to C. & F. Whittle. August 11. tf 68
For Freight or Charter, The fast-sailing Brig ELIZABETH, Robert Barclay, master, burthen 1300 barrels, will be ready for the reception of a cargo in a few days. Apply to
John Davis. Portsmouth, July 16. tf 903
For Charter, The fast sailing covered Ship FRANKLIN, Luther Dana, Master, burthen 300 hds. tobacco, and will be ready to receive a cargo in a few days. Apply to the master on board, or the subscriber William Pennock. August 3. 3w 60
For ANTWERP, The good Ship PATSEY, David G. Bowles, master, burthen 370 tons, lying at City Point, having more than half of her cargo engaged and now receiving it on board—For the remainder, apply to Messrs. Gallego, Richards, & Co. Richmond; Rumbaut, Genon, & Co. Petersburg, or to James Maurice, & Co. August 4. tf 45
For Charter, The American Ship SALLY, James Rowe, master, burthen 340 tons—She has only performed one voyage, and will be ready to receive a cargo in a few days. For terms apply to Warren Ashley. August 4. tf 43
For Charter, The Sloop DIRECTOR, James Tarlinton, Master, burthen about 400 barrels—can be ready for the reception of a cargo in four days. For terms apply to the master on board at Newton's wharf, or to Richard Bowden, & Co. August 1. tf 34
For Sale or Charter, A remarkable fine new BRIG, built by Mr. Jarvis, in Portsmouth, burthen 188 tons, and can be ready for the reception of a cargo in 10 days—For terms, apply to Richard Bowden, & Co. Who have now landing on Newton's wharf, and for Sale on moderate terms,
51 hhds. well flavored Antigua RUM. And in Store, 50 hhds. choice SUGAR, and 50 crates well assorted QUEEN'S WARE. August 1. tf 33
For Charter, The new Brig FRANKLIN, Capt. Miller, burthen 180 tons.—For terms apply to Warren Ashley. August 1. tf 37
For Sale, Freight, or Charter, The Schooner RANGER, burthen 61 tons—she can be sent to sea at a small expense. For terms, apply to the captain on board at Commerce-street wharf, or to Warren Ashley.
The CARGO of said Schooner, consisting of Tobago RUM and MOLASSES, is offered for Sale. July 30. tf 39
For Freight or Charter, The fine new Schooner CARLTON, James Johnson, master, burthen about 1100 barrels, now ready to receive a cargo. Apply to the master on board at Loyall's wharf, or Wilson, Cunningham, & Co.
Who have in Store, for SALE, 13 puncheons Antigua RUM, 8 4a. Old do. 9 do. Tobago do. July 23. tf 9
For LONDON, The fine new Ship MARIA, James Rowell, master, burthen about 400 tons, on her second voyage, has good accommodations, will be ready for the reception of a cargo in ten days, half of which is already engaged.—For freight or the balance of passage, apply to Richard Bowden, & Co. July 16. tf 910
NOTICE.
Apprehensions for the health of his family, having induced the subscriber, very reluctantly, to remove from the Borough of Norfolk, he has fixed his final residence in Richmond, and may be found always at his Esq. the Commissioner of Loans. He practices in the Court in the Federal Courts, Court of Appeals, and Chancery Court in Richmond, and will also continue to practice in the Chancery Court of Williamsburg and the Court of Norfolk. His clients in the County and City of Norfolk, are referred to Messrs. Littleton, W. B. Taylor, and Robert B. Taylor, who have obligingly undertaken to finish his business there—in all important cases, in which those gentlemen have been previously engaged, or where the partiality of a client may have relied pecuniarily on the subscriber, will continue to give his attention until such cases shall be finished. He will also continue to attend the Law District Court of Williamsburg, until his cases there shall be disposed of by final adjudication, or placed in other hands to the satisfaction of his clients. William Wirt. Richmond, August 4.

PROPOSALS, FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTION, THE WORKS OF DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Philosophical, Political, and Literary. MUNIM BERNARD REPRINTOR.  THIS edition will be published from the copies revised and corrected by Dr. Franklin, the corrections of which are in the hand writing of the author, and may be seen by any gentleman, in the possession of the editor of the Aurora.  The publication of the writings of Dr. Franklin in a complete edition, was long contemplated by the late Benjamin Franklin Bache, his grandson, who transcribed the copy which was devised to Mr. W. Temple Franklin, for publication. It was originally designed to publish that corrected edition in three languages, and in England, Germany, France, and America, at the same time; this expectation was frustrated by the devisee (W. Temple Franklin) who it is asserted with great apparent probability, sacrificed the work and the honourable trust reposed in him, for money, to the mortal hatred of the English ministry against the deceased sage.  As soon as this fact was known, the editor of the Aurora turned his attention to the collection of every paper and circumstance which could tend to preserve and do honour to the memory of a man, to whom America particularly owes so much, and who, as he was among the first who reflected back lustre on his native country, must continue to be ranked to the latest posterity, among its greatest benefactors and ornaments.  Early admiration of Dr. Franklin; educated in veneration and reverence of his character—and other incidental circumstances not necessary to be pointed out, have concurred to induce the collection of the best materials that could be obtained, after the sacrifice of the work by the devisee.  With some industry, and with some expense, the editor has possessed himself, not only of the copy with the corrections and additions in Dr. Franklin's hand-writing; but also of several articles which have never appeared in any former collection and of some, which have never appeared in print. Proposals would have appeared long since in this city, had not an advertisement of an intended edition, been published in the English press; the present editor thought it might be possible that the edition advertised was that which Mr. Temple Franklin was entrusted with: but it now appears that the English edition is only a new edition of the former compilation with small additions; but still deficient, on a comparison with the corrected papers in the hands of the editor.  The whole will now be carefully collated, and the work executed in a style worthy of the great patriarch of American liberty, and the apostle of the American press.  The additional papers will form at least a volume, perhaps more—the authentic papers already printed, form three—and it is intended to begin with the second volume, which will be put to press immediately, and to publish the Biographical last, so that such additional particulars as may throw any light on the life of this great man, may be engaged on the memoir; to obtain which and other important materials, the editor will spare neither pains nor expense.  Gentlemen who may be possessed of authentic or original papers, or correspondence of Dr. F. will render public service by communicating them to the editor.  CONDITIONS. The work shall be elegantly printed, on a new small pica type and pale vellum paper in large octavo. The work will be ornamented with numerous engravings, a vignette to each volume,—a whole length portrait from the best likeness allowed to be in existence, now in the possession of..... The price of each volume will be 2 dollars 50 cents, payable on delivery only. Subscriptions will be received at the Book-Store of William Duane, No. 106, Market-Street, Philadelphia, and in Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington City; and by other Booksellers and private gentlemen, whose names will be notified in the several states of the union.  ••• Subscriptions for the above work will be received at the Office of the Publick Ledger. August 1. tf 31
We have received by the brig Sumner, from Jamaica, 57 puncheons high proof RUM, 83 Hogsheads MOLASSES —which are offered for Sale on very liberal terms, by Redmon & Frith.  ON HAND, A parcel of very good W. Island RUM. June 16. tf 834  ROBERT GIBSON, Has removed to the Fire-Proof Ware-House in Wide Water-Street, nearly opposite Commerce Street. Feb. 28. tf 536  FOR SALE by the Subscribers, a general assortment of Ship Chandlery, Cordage, and Cables, 3, 9, 10, 11, and 12 inches, English PAINTS and OILS, Sheathing PAPER, BAR IRON, TOBACCO, Richmond Inspection; FLOUR, PORK, Prime and Cargo, New-York Inspection, 200 GIN CASES; 20 Boxes SEGARS. They have also on hand, an extensive and good assortment of GROCERIES. Noble, Arbuthnot, & Co. March 31. tf 623
A request to the Benevolent and Humane.  WHEREAS, in September last, I took JOHN JONES, son of Mary Jones, a lad then about 12 years of age, from the Berkeley Springs to this city, under a mistaken notion that his mother had a right (since she actually exercised it) to bind her son to me; and whereas, the said John Jones, getting probably informed of the nullity of the indenture, did on the 21st or 22nd of October, (after my setting out for Alexandria,) leave my house, and staid several days at a Mr. Albert's, a baker, on Shockoe Hill, by whom he was brought back, but left my house a second time, on the same or the next day, (as I have been informed on my return,) saying that he wished to go back to his mother, that he knew every step of the road, and should find in Fredericksburg plenty of wagons to carry him to Winchester: And whereas, I learned lately to my great surprise, from Captain John Hunter, at the Berkeley Springs, to whom I had occasion to write, that the said John Jones had neither been seen nor heard of, which has been confirmed since by a letter from his mother to me; I therefore request by this publick notice, all and every person or persons, who may harbour the before named John Jones, or know of his place of abode, or what has become of him, to communicate their intelligence to his disconsolate mother at the Berkeley Springs, or the subscriber in Richmond.  June 21st, 1806. G. S. STRAS. ••• The said John Jones is rather tall for his age, slender but well made, has a fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair, a number of freckles in the face, he is sprightly and active, rides well on horseback, and can drive a waggon.  To Rent or Lease, for one or five years, A commodious BRICK-HOUSE, Situated on Smith's-Point, lately occupied by the Subscriber to this tenement is annexed an excellent garden, &c. Thomas Price, Who has for Sale, A likely NEGRO MAN, about 22 years old; an excellent house servant, and has been accustomed to drive a carriage. July 11. tf 898
FOR SALE, A quantity of New-York and English SLATE, of superior quality. Reilly & Tunis. June 23. tf 837
For Sale, or Rent, A PLANTATION, situated on Hampton Creek, consisting of about 300 acres; being the property on which Mr. W. Brough has long resided. It possesses all the necessary buildings for the convenience of a family, or agricultural purposes. There are some valuable orchards, one particularly of apples, is considered more productive than any other in that part of the country. There is also a Wind-Mill most eligibly situated.—For particulars, application may be made to Mr. G. Hope, Hampton, Mr. John Dunn, Norfolk, or the Subscriber in Richmond, who will give immediate possession. James D. M'Caw. June 25. 2m 860
All persons indebted to the estate of the late WM. DAVIES, Esq., will please make payment, and those to whom the estate is indebted, will to please furnish their accounts properly attested, in order that provision may be made for their payment. Fortescue Whittle, Adm'r. June 18. 3m 838  Landing at Murray's wharf, from Jon board the ship Caledonian, 1500 Liverpool filled Sacks of SALT, 109 Crates well assorted EARTHENWARE. For Sale by A. Maclure. June 9. tf 832
Fresh supplies of Drugs & Medicines, Have just been received by FREDERICK HERRMAN, & SON, Per the Ship Proteus, 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 LETTSON'S Golden Antibilious PILLS; CHURCHES and J. K. READ'S COUGH DROPS for Sale.—MEDICINE CHESTS as usual. June 16. tf 835
FOR RENT, The three large and commodious Ware Houses on the lower end of Gibson's Wharf.—Possession may be had immediately, by applying to John Southgate, or William Dickson. Feb. 26. tf 534  FOR SALE, A Lot of Ground on Main-street, Opposite to Mr Woodward's cabinet-maker's shop, supposed to be 27 feet front and 196 feet deep.—Also, one LOT on Little Water Street, supposed to be 23 feet front and 50 feet deep. For particulars, apply to George Vashon, July 30. 1m 28 Kempsville.
GERMAN GOODS. JOHN C. NIEMEYER, Offers for Sale the following GOODS, for Cash or on convenient credit, for approved Bills only, viz: 3000 Bags 2 & 3 bushels, loose and in bales, assorted, 300 doz. coarse thread 6000 East-India Gunny Bags, 23 do. coarse thread 380 pieces Hessian and brown Rolls, 10 do. fine do. 925 pieces white Rolls, of four qualities, 100 boxes of Godofrid's Spanish Segars. 140 pieces Ticklenburgs and Osnaburgs, 75 do. 2d and 3d qualities, 12 boxes about 2000 straws 160 pieces Platillas, white and brown, 1-3 pint Tumblers, 3 do. Wine Glasses and Decanters, 15 pieces Dowlas, 23 do. China and elegant cut Glass Ware, 20 do. Checks, 5 do. Toys, 40 do. Britannias, 60000 Toy Marbles, 40 do. Rouans, 1 case fine Hats, 45 do. best Flemish Bed ticking, 100 do. Twine, 20 do. fine Bed ticking 2 yards wide, 120 doz. gold and silver Hat Cords, 24 do. Mattress Ticking, 85 boxes short Pipes, three grace each, 18 do. German Canvas, 350 wt. Canary Seed, 15 do. do. Shirt Linen, 1 cask Clue, 44 yards each, from 65 to 110 dolls. per piece, Spectacles green and plain, an elegant assortment to suit all ages, 24 do. do. 37 yds. each, at 36 to 75 dolls. per piece, Goggles plain and green, Pistols, an elegant assortment, do. 1 case superior Hair Triggers, 24 do. Velvet Ribbons, assorted, Fowling Pieces, elegant double barrels; do common, single do. 40 boxes English crown window Glass, assorted, at the manufactory prices, for cash, Flutes, patent and plain, Fifes; Octaves; Tambourines; Flageolets, double and single, Violins, and elegant bows, Instruction Books, & Musick, Violin Strings, Bridges, and Screws. 2000 wt. Lamb's Wool, superior quality, 5000 doz. German Phials, very cheap, 2000 bunches red Garnet Beads, Also a complete assortment of the following Articles, viz: Fifty assorted Trunks, Oil Cloth, Coffee Mills, German Razor Hones, Morocco Shaving Cases, do. Pocket Books, do. Sagar Boxes, Spectacle Cases, Windsor Soap, Hand Lanthorns, best Tortoise Shell Combs, Ivory & Horn do. fine Razors & Penknives, Pocket Knives of all kinds, Knives and Forks, Snuffers very elegant, Brass Candlesticks, Coffee Toasters, Shoe Brushes, Cloth do. Mill Saws, Frying Pans, Shovels, Tongs, and Pokers, Fish Hooks, Table Mats, Battle Doors and Bells, Bell Metal Kettles, Waffle Irons, Wafers Irons, German Lace & Thread, Bird Cages & Baskets, Black Silk Velvet, 2000 Agate Flints, Jewellery and Crystal Beads, Toilet Looking Glasses, common do. assorted, Snuff Boxes, Umbrellas, Plush for Saddles, Passage Lamps, Chamber Lamps and Wicks, Backgammon Tables, 800 Dice, elegant Chess Men, and Cribbage Boards. Apply as above. May 16. tf 744
FOR SALE, 40 Hogsheads Surinam SUGARS, do. Grenada RUM, MADEIRA WINE, in Pipes, Hhds. and qr. casks, 7 Hogsheads Richmond TOBACCO, PORK, HERRINGS, Navy and Ship BREAD, and a few Bags PEPPER. James Dykes, & Co. August 11. 3t 67  10 Groce Wine & Porter BOTTLES, 700 Groce CORKS, 500 lb. excellent GLUE, 11,000 two and 3 Bushel BAGS, 105 Boxes Window GLASS, 175 do. 1st qual. Spanish SEGARS, 27 Packages German LINEN. For Sale by John C. Niemeyer. July 28. 3m 25
Now Publishing in New-York, BY SAMUEL STANSBURY, J. & T. RONALDS, J. OSBORN, and GEORGE F. HOPKINS, AN ELABORATE AND CORRECT EDITION, IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO, OF WALKER'S Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, And Expositor of the English Language. From the third London Quarto Edition: containing the last improvements and corrections of the Author.
TO THE PUBLICK. THE state of polite literature in a nation may generally be ascertained by the care which the well educated bestow upon the cultivation of their native tongue. To write and speak it with propriety and purity, are attainments both elegant and valuable; while contempt of them is a mark of barbarism in the character of either an age or an individual. And in proportion as men of learning become men of taste, they attend not only to the substance and form of their language, but also to the grace of utterance. In the polished countries of Europe, no speaker, who disregards the laws of Orthoepy, can hope for the approbation of any but the vulgar. In the United States, English composition is yet in its infancy, and correct enunciation is only beginning to be studied. It is a curious fact, that with a less dissimilarity of accent between the extremes of the Continent, than prevails in Britain between adjoining counties, there are very few instances of right pronunciation to be found among our best scholars. Nothing can be more grating to the ear, even slightly habituated to the principles of orthoepy, than the offences which are perpetually committed against them by almost every speaker in publick and private. The solicitude recently discovered, and every day increasing, to rectify our errors on this point, indicates advancing refinement; and, in order to accelerate its progress, the publick will shortly be presented with a new, accurate, and beautiful edition of "Walker's Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, and Expositor of the English Language." Eulogium on this work is unnecessary to those who are acquainted with it. For the information of others, the publishers remark, that the basis of it is the magnificent Dictionary of the celebrated Dr. JOHNSON. But the peculiar excellence of WALKER'S lies in reducing English pronunciation to such a degree of precision as to render his work a Standard. The words are spelled in such a manner as to exhibit the true force of the letters, and enable the eye to cooperate with the ear in directing the organs of speech. A key to the vowel sounds, simple in its form and easily applied, is at the top of every page. Besides an acute investigation of the whole doctrine of English accent, syllabication, &c. prefixed to his volume, Mr. WALKER has annexed to anomalous and dubious articles, disquisitions which display much delicacy and candour of criticism. No man appears to have understood better the fastidiousness of language, or to have treated it with more caution and address.  In re-printing this elaborate production, the result of long and patient research into the analogies of the language, and of many years observation of the most accomplished speakers in the desk, in the senate, at the bar, and on the stage, the publishers flatter themselves that they will perform an acceptable service to the American student. Extending their view beyond the calculation of momentary gain, they hope to secure a permanent profit, and add reputation to the American press, by the superiority of their edition. As the value of a pronouncing Dictionary depends entirely upon its accuracy, they pledge themselves to omit nothing on their own part which labour can effect; and to avail themselves of the best literary aid which it is possible to procure.
POSTSCRIPT. WHEN we undertook the re-printing of this work, no other American edition was in contemplation; or at least, no notice had been given by any other Booksellers of such an intention. No sooner was our edition announced, than a company in Philadelphia set about the same work; and, in their zeal to anticipate ours, they have already employed several presses on their own, which will doubtless appear several weeks before the New-York edition can be completed.  We will not boast of the rapidity with which our edition advances, but we will lay claim to a greater merit—that of bestowing upon it all the time, diligence, and care, and attention, which such a work demands; and we expect that the typographical excellence and accuracy of our impression, will, in the estimation of all persons of judgment, more than compensate the comparative delay which will be necessarily required.  Our address, announcing to the publick the New-York edition, having been extensively circulated, and it not being yet generally known that any other edition is in the press, we have been induced, by a regard to our own interests, to give this notice, that when the Philadelphia edition appears, it may not be mistaken for that which we are now publishing.  It was not, at first, our intention to ask Subscriptions; for we feared no competition when we undertook the work. A rival edition, however, having been begun, we deem it proper to secure by this means all the benefit which may be derived from those persons who would patronize or purchase our edition, in preference to the other.  CONDITIONS. The work shall be printed on a fine new medium paper; it shall be neatly bound and lettered, and delivered to Subscribers at Three Dollars and Fifty Cents. A liberal allowance will be made to those who subscribe for a number of copies.  ••• Subscriptions to the above Work, received at the Office of the Publick Ledger. July 28. 1awtf 20
DESERTION. DESERTED from this Garrison, on Sunday the 20th instant, JOHN BUSH, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, private in my Company of Artillerists, 29 years old, 5 feet 9 inches high, grey eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion, by occupation a taylor.  JOHN LYNCH, a native of Philadelphia, artificer in said company, 24 years old, 5 feet 9 inches high, grey eyes, black hair, fresh complexion, by occupation a house-carpenter.  JOHN MISSON, a native of Philadelphia, musician, 5 feet 5 inches high, 17 years old, blue eyes, brown hair, hair complexion, occupation a painter.  Thirty Dollars will be given as a reward for the above men, or ten dollars for each delivered at this post, to any Officer of the United States army, or secured in any goal, and information given, so that said deserters may be brought back to their duty.  John Saunders, Capt. U. S. Art. Commanding. Fort Nelson, July 25th, 1806. 6t 14
30 Pipes Country GIN, 10 do. real Cogniac BRANDY, 20 Puncheons W. I. RUM, 15 Quarter Casks Old Sherry WINE, 30 Barrels WHISKEY, 3 Hogsheads Apple BRANDY, 30 Bags PEPPER, 50 Boxes MOULD CANDLES, 30 do. Dipped do. 2 Bales FINE CASSAS, 5 do. Beerboom GURRAHS —For Sale at reduced prices by S. Marks, jun. & Co. April 2. tf 631  FOR SALE, 850 Barrels whole HERRINGS, in excellent order for Shipping, 80 do. cut do. 130 do. SHAD; 750 bbls. TAR, 450 do. TURPENTINE. July 14. tf 907  FOR SALE, 73 punch. choice 4th proof RUM, Received by the brig Paragon, Captain Robertson, from Jamaica. July 11. tf 899  For Rent, or Storage received, That large and commodious WARE-HOUSE, on Hutchings' wharf. For terms, apply to John Brown, or Wm. Cammack. August 4. tf 44
SECOND CLASS. SCHEME OF A LOTTERY, For the Benefit of WILLIAM and MARY COLLEGE. 5,938 Tickets at 10 dolls. each, dolls. 59,380 4,685 do. at 15 do. do. 70,275 10,623 Deduct loss on 2000 Tickets renewed, 129,655 4,500 Dolls. 125,155
To float in the wheel, and come out as chance may direct.    2 Prizes of 5000 Dollars, each, Dolls. 10,000   4 do. 2000 do. 8,000   16 do. 1000 do. 16,000   16 do. 500 do. 8,000   32 do. 200 do. 6,400   160 do. 100 do. 16,000   232 do. 50 do. 11,600   750 do. 20 do. 15,000   1 do. 155   Stationary Prizes are,    1 Prize first drawn, after 1000 Tickets are out, 500   1 do. 2000 500   1 do. 3000 500   1 do. 4000 500   1 do. 5000 500   1 do. 6000 500   1 do. 7000 10,000   1 do. 8000 500   1 do. 9000 500   1 do. last drawn, a Prize 20,000   1223 Prizes. Dolls. 125,000 9400 Blanks.
The superiority of this Scheme to the one first proposed, is so obvious, that little need be said in recommendation of it. Those inclined to adventure, will see that their chance for obtaining prizes is greatly increased; that pending the drawing, their small prizes may be immediately invested in other tickets, thereby giving them a chance for prizes of considerable magnitude. To those who have drawn prizes of 15 dolls. in the First Class, as well as to those who have drawn blanks, information is now given, that the prizes may at their own option be renewed by tickets in this Class, and their blanks also, but upon the payment in the latter case of 10 dollars with each blank, provided such prizes and blanks, with the cash, be remitted free of postage, to Robt. Greenhow, merchant, in Williamsburg, agent and treasurer, or to William Newman, Post-Master, in Norfolk, previous to the commencement of the drawing, after which period no renewal will be made. When to the prospect of individual advantage that may result to each adventurer, is added the patriotic reasons which induced the legislature to authorise this Lottery, it is ardently hoped that the disposition of tickets, will soon enable the commissioners to certify, that the drawing has commenced; which event, the agent assures the public, shall be expedited by every means in his power. Robt. Greenhow, Ag't & Treasurer. June 18. tf 842
CUT-NAIL MANUFACTORY. EPHRAIM WELCH, No. 88, Main-Street. WITH gratitude acknowledges the liberal encouragement the citizens of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the Public have been pleased to offer since the introduction of his Nail Manufactory in this Borough, and informs them that he has erected all his Machines new, which are very considerably improved, and continues to manufacture the best quality—And has on hand for SALE, a constant supply of Patent NAILS and BRADS, Which is cut length ways of the hoop, and to accommodate his customers, has thought proper to reduce the prices as follows, by the keg for Cash, viz: 8d. 10d. 12d. and 20d. Nails at 7d. 1-2 per lb. 8d. 10d. 12d. and 20d. Brads at 7d. 1-2 per lb. 6d. Nails at 9d. 1-2 per lb. Sheathing Nails at 7d. 1-2 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 2d. and 2d. do. at 2s. 3d. per M ALSO FOR SALE, Crowley and German Steel Hoop IRON. Nail Machines made and warranted good, on short notice. N. B. All of the Nails, Brads, and Articles, sold at the Manufactory. June 13. tf 831
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 skillful 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 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 2d and 2d do. at 2s. 3d. per M ALSO—HOOP AND BAR-IRON ASSORTED; LEVIN DORSEY. June 2. tf 783
FOR SALE, 3000 Pieces Yellow NANKEEN, 11 Boxes Imperial TEA, 6 Chests Hyson do. The above of the best quality and entitled to drawback. Apply to Robert Maitland & Co. WHO HAVE ON HAND, Hibbert's best bottled Porter and Brown Stout. Also, Old L. P. Madeira Wine, fit for immediate use. March 5. tf 560  For Rent, The Store, Compting Room & Cellar No. 41, Main-Street, lately occupied by Mr. Wm. M'Cutchen. Apply to Thomas Willock. March 17. 584  NORFOLK: PUBLISHED THREE TIMES A-WEEK, BY WILLIAM DAVIS, FOR THE PROPRIETOR, OPPOSITE THE EXCHANGE COFFEE HOUSE Price Five Dollars and Fifty Cents yearly, in advance.