The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-20 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

AMERICAN PAPERS.

LFrom the trataiiiteen Cairene of Ike. 20.1
Frtow Lao u t e.t —Captain Southeomb, who arrived at Balti-
more, in ten days to the Car's, states that a French brig of war
hod arrived at Laguyra, to demand satisfaction for an insult
offered to one of his Majesty's vessels of war. The Venezuela,
Captain Chitty, a Colombian corvette, while cruising off Cartha-
gena, felt in with the French brig of war Gazelie, bound to Mar-
tinique, and not liking her appearance, ordered the Captain on
board, with his papers, with which he complied, without the least
resistance, although of equal force; but on his arrival at Marti-
nique he was expelled the navy. A French fleet was expected
at Laguira, to inquire further into the business.
'I he markets at Laguyra were never known to be so glutted with
American produce, owing to the arrivals from the States and St.
Thomas. The supply of flour on hand was 450 barrels.
FCATIIER PART ICI/ LAlLs.—Since the foregoing paragraphs
were put into type, we have learned from a gentleman who came
home in the Alisartna, that the authorities at Laguyra and Caracas
refused to give the satisfaction demarded by the captain of the
French brig of war, and that he had sailed from Laguyra, declaring
ilia he would bring a fleet to enforce the demand. The Colombian
authorities alleged that Captain Chitty had made a sufficient apology
when he Mid m the Captain of the Gazeele--•• now that 1 see who
you arc, I regret having subjected you to this inconvenience."
BALTI3IOIIE, DEC. 18.
Br the steam-boat last night from Annapolis, we learn that Gen.
La Fayette arrived there yesterday afternoon, bout three o'clock.
and was received in the Senate V'hamber by the Corporation of the
city, in the presence of a large number of ladies, citizens, and
strangers. In the evening the General was to attend a ball, given
by the citizens.

CONGRESS.—IN SENATE.
Illoxney, DEC. 20.
Mr. Harm, from the Committee in whom was referred the sub-
ject of making provision fur Iveneral La Fayette, reported the fol-
lowing bill :
Be it enacted, Ste. That the sum of Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars be, and the same is hereby granted Co 31ajor-General La
Fayette, in compensation for his important servlces and expendi-
tures during the American Revolution, and that. for this purpose,
ti stock to that amount be issued in Isis favour, dated the 4th July,
1824, hearing an annual interest of six per cent. pay.ble quarter
yearly, and redeemable on the 31st Dec., 1834.
Sec. 2. And be it furthet enacted, That one complete and entire
Township of Land be, and the same is heieby granted to the
said Alator-General La Fayette, and that the President of the
United States be authorised to cause the said Township to be 10.
eated on any of the politic lands which remain unsold, and that pa-
tents be issued to General La Fayette for the same.
The bill was twice read, by general consent, and Mr. Hayne
gave notice that he should move its third reading to-morrow.
In the House of Representatives, the Resalutions °flitted by Mr.
Canibreleng, calling for the correspondence with the. Spanish
Government relative to the piracies of the island of Übe, was
taken up, amended so as to include the correspondence respecting
piracies at the other Spanish islands, and adopted.
The Naval Committee was instructed to inquire as to the expe-
diency of making provision for building a steam vessel of war for
the defence tif Lake Champlain.
A Resolution was offered by Mr. Whipple, of N. Ht. that
the President of the United States be requested to communicate to
this Douse any information which he may possess, and which, in
his opinion, it may not he improper to make public, relative to the
intentions of the Allied Powers of Eumpe to aid Spain in the sub-
jugation and recovery of her former Colonies in America.

COLU.IBLt RIVER.
The House went into Committee on she Bill for the occupation
of the Columbia. or Oregon River.
Mr. Floyd, of Va., in advocating the Bill said that only one
intermediate post was necessary to be established at the Mandan
Villages. He alluded to the fur trade, and the advantages which
the British merchants possessed Over those of America, because
they made direct shipments to the Columbia river, and obtained
supplies in al equally direct manner. The Columbia river is
so situated, that there can be no danger of any separation from
the United States; because, by such an act, its population
would be exposed to the greatest danger from the Russian
Government, as well as front the vast Empire growing up in
Mexico. The country he described as healthy, and though
much further North than the spot where we now are, it
was known to be equally mild. During all the European
wars, it was notorious that Great Britain always had her manufac-
tures peaceably going on ; and Ilunnaparte had acknowledged,
that in all his schemes against Great Britain he had been uniformly
foiled. Now, if we had the command of this great river, it would
give us equal strength. After the occupation of this river, no
nation of the earth could come in competition with us in that quar-
ter : it is, therefore, the most secure point foi us. Russia is too
much engaged in her European politics ; China will not interfere ;
Britain will find herself too weak; Mexico, Peru, and Chili, have
not the timber. We should have also a port of refuge for our
ships ; and if, by commanding the produce of the interior, the
ginseng and the fur, we could distribute, from the Oregon, these pro-
ducts through the world, oursituation would be most advantageous.
He read from several papers a statement of our trade with Canton,
giving the number of vessels annually employed, and the value of
the trade. particularising the different articles of merchandise, and
showing the relative value in which they stood to each other. From
these data he argued that the trade with China was of the highest
importance, not only with respect to the actual value of the exports
and imports, but in consequence, also, of the cmploynient which it
gives to a great number of American citizens, and its creation of
the best sailors which manned our navy. By the fur trade, we
not only control the power of Russia and England, but give em-
ployment to several thousand seamen. He went on to show that
the river and country were rich in the means of subsistence. Sal.
mon was abundant, and the means of life were ample. The inter.
course was also easy ; waggons go fre9uent:y from Franklin in
:Missouri, and many other parts. Mr. I amham and Mr. Crooks,
who are employed by J. J. Astor, represent the travelling from this
country as freed from those difficulties which had been represented
as so terrible and insuperable ; and were ready to invest large sums
in merchandise, whenever the territory should be occupied. For
this purpose the sum now asked fur would be sufficient. He had
information from a gentleman who had travelled from Franklin to
the mouth of Colombia river, in fifty days, and hail done this fre-
quently, that civilization had penetrated to the Rio Colerado, and
Rio del Norte, and the coast of CalitOrnia, where flocks and herds,
and all the benefits of civilization were to be found.

lie next proceeded to show the facility of transportation by water
to Mexico, to Pensacola, the Gulph of Panama, &c. tie referred
to the statements of an honourable member from New York, at the
last Congress, that England would also send her metchandize to
New York, and by the Assittibris river to Colombia, and thence
by ferries to Canton ; and although he did not go exactly with that
gentleman to the full extent of his speculation, he thought it de.
served consideration. Ile then stated the market prices of the fun
which were to be found in that district of country.
With regard to the military occupation of the country, he
thought more was to be done by a judicious arrangement of posts
than by inimerical power. lie remarked upon the judicious regu-
latims by which Great Britain keeps the European Powers in
check, hy having her force so distributed as to guard every part
where her commercial interests could possibly ba endangered or
attacked. The opinions which had prevailed as to the impossi.
hility of navigating the Missouri, in consequence of the sand
btris had now been exploded. lie had authority (as we under.
stoodo:1 him from General Jesup, the Quartermaster.tJeneral) to say
that a boat could now ascend this river, not only without danger
but without difficulty ; and concluded with expressing his desire
that an experiment which promised so much benefit to the country
should row be tieJ.

Mr. Poinsett moved an amendment to the second section ; leav-
ing it discretionary with the President to strike out Colombia river,
and insert any other place where the establishment of a post might
appear to him to be more expedient.
The Committee then rose, and reported the Bill with its amend-
ments.

llr. Cook thought the present Bill went to delude citizens by the
offer of large grants of lands to this distant country. before any
proper information as to the situation and means of the country to
support its population. He moved to discharge the Committee
from the further consideration of the Bill, and to refer it to the
Committee which he had named.
Mr. Tremble hoped the Bill would not be recommitted ; as the
object would be obtained by striking out that part of the Bill which
established a civil government.
The question of Mr. Cook was then pu: and negatived ; and
the llouse adjourned.