Star.
London, England, 1812-02-10 00:00:00

AMERICA

IHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DPC'Plart et.
The Resolution some time since laid on the table
by Mr. Poindexter, calling upon the President for in-
formation relative to West Florida, was taken up and
agreed to, and a Committee of two appointed to carry
it to the President.
A Member offered the following Resolution, which
was agreed to, and a Committee of two appointed to
carry it to the President :—Resolved, That the Presi-
dent of the United States be requested to cause to be
laid before this House information whether tobacco,
the growth of the United States, is admitted into
Holland ; and if admitted, whether the regulations
en regis, relative to that article, extend to Holland and
the Hanseatic Towns, &c.
The House again went into a Committee of the
whole, Mr. Breckenridge in the chair, on the Bill for
raising an additional military force of 25,000 men.
Atter various amendments, the bill was gone through;
after which
Mr. CLAY (Speaker) expressed his sentiments with
respect to this Bill. He contended that the force it
was proposed to raise, so far from tieing too large,
was entirely too small for war. 11 this army of
'25,000 men was int ..ded for the invasion of Canada,
their number would be greatly reduced before they
reached Quebec. This diminution would be owing
I to the garrisons required for intermediate places that
I might previously be subdued ; for although the army
I would leave no Eurnpean force behind them, they
would leave the inhabitants of Upper Canada behind
I them : the calculations on the treason of those.people,
he considered utterly groundless and objectionable.
—Thus we should have but a very small force left
to lay siege to Quebec, a place already almost
impregnable, and which, io the event of hostilities,
would no doubt receive great reinforcements.—
With regard to the idea that Britain was fighting the
battles of the world, Mr. C. observed, that it she
would relinquish her own insolent pretensi'ns, she
might then challenge universal sympathy in the pre-
sent contest ; but not till then. He could not con-
sent to submit to the kicks and scoffs of Great Britain
under the chimerical fear of French stesjugation. He
requested gentlemen to look at the tate or desolated
Spain. Had she been benefited by her base subser-
viency to Imperial dictates ? No : If she had nobly
asserted her rights, her monarch would not now be
groaning in a dungeon. He contended that the true
cause of British aggressions was her determination to
destroy a growing rival, which she saw, and, sick-
ened in seeing, in the American States. He hoped
and believed no man in the house could be unwilling
to go to war, under the apprehension of losing his
seat—he trusted that the interest of the country would
be pursued, whatever might be the consequences.
Nor did he believe the people of the United States
would dismiss men from their stations kr honestly
performing their duty. Mr. C. expressed his deter-
mination to support the rights and honour of Ins coun-
try, even at the hazard of his lite.
Mr. WIDOERY and Mr. Bovo spoke in oppositionl.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1.
Mr. MACON presented to the House, sundry Reso
lutions adopted lately by the Legislature of North
Carolina, approbatory of the conduct of the General
Government, and pledging themselves to give it their
support in every measure which the Congress may
deem necessary in maintenance of our country's rights.
Ordered to lie on the table.
The SPEAKER laid before the I-Luse a communi-
cation from the Secretary of the Navy, containing an
account of the application and exruditure of money
in that department for the past year. Referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be
printed.
Mr. Sairere observed, that it had been customary
heretofore for the two Houses to pay their respects
to the President of the United Stitt, s On the tir.L day
of the New Year ; and the hour t*Jr doing this flaying
arrived, he moved that the House adjourn.
The yeas and nays were called on this motion, they
were taken, and the question was lost ;A to 50.
The Order of the day b Aug called tor, the House
took up the amendments of the Committee of the
whole to the Bill from the Senate for raising an ad-
ditianal military torte.
Having come to the amendment, which proposed
that the officers for eight regiments only should be
appointed, until three-fourths of the men were en-
listed,
Mr. BURWELL moved to amend the amendment,
by striking out the worts " eight regiments," and in-
serting " six."
WRIGIIT hoped this amendment would not
prevail. He considered this as a war measure ; and
it we were to economize in this way at the commeoce-
ment of the business, he should not calculate upon
our acting with effect. Our country was too impor-1
tant, and our rights too sacred, to be frittering down
measures for their defence in the manner proposed.
In proportion, said tie, as the commissioned officers
are appointed, will the recruiting of the men progress.
These officers will inspire the people, in the several
parts of the country from which they may be taken,
with a military spirit, which will induce them to en-
list into the service. He liked the bill better before
it had received its present limitation as to the ap-1
pointment of the officers; but as the Committee had
agreed thus to amend the bill, he did not wish to stir
use subject again. He hoped, however, the reduc-
tion would not be carried any further.
Mr. BURWELL observed, that the gentleman from
Maryland had caned upon the House not to consent,
from motives of economy, to fritter away our mea-
sures of defence. If, said Mr. B. the House should
determine to appoint all the officers, as at first pro-
posed, I shall be found ready to go with that gentle-
f man and others as far as practicable. But he thought
there was a great difference between expending the
public money uselessly, and expending it in such a
way as to obtain the object in view at the least a;-
pence. But the gentleman says, that if all the officer!
are appointed at once, the ranks will Ile_much sooner
filled, than in the way proposed by thiendment.
, How, said Mr. Burwell, can this Ire shewn It la
well known that these officers will do nothing to
wards raising the men ; and the President can at any
time appoint them when they may be wanted. He
had not made this motion tip djminish the effect of
the bill (tor he believed the men would be gotten as
soon without these officers as with them) but in order
to make the bill more p.datable to many gentlenleO
‘llo at present object to it on the scprc pt exrucp.

If the 25,000 men could be raised by analog it..
law, there would be propriety in appointing the ;167
cers.at once ; but no man cm believe that fear or 6"
thousand men will be enlisted in four or fire months,
P°bewervemt°teacl,—cmtittet.
and as the President will havestaell
itnhceonOvffiencieernsc,e uclaienneavreitre
itrhienny
deferring
the
ap
ments till that time—and, it is besides, prohabk
that the President will have it in his power 'te.
make better appointments then than now, heat
having more time in which to make the
selection of characters for the purpose. It ought to
be recollected, that one-third •if the expense of the
support of this army, goes to the payment °fits 04•
cers, and if they were to be appointed immediately.
this expense would be incurred without producuit
any benefit to the country. On the subject of eau.
my, Mr. B. said, while we took measures for raisin,
a force adequate to the purposes we bad in view.
care ought to be t:tken that no money is =menu.
rily expended. The rais:-.g of funds, would put the
country to some difficulty ; but he had no doubt au,
expense would be cheerf :11y met by the people, who;
they see that no unnecessary expense is incurred,
After a few words from Mr. Walton., the amt.&
inent was can ied, there being fifty-seven members it
favour of it.

Mr. NELSON said, he did not wish tothrow any
embarrassment in tile way of raising the army pre,
posed; but he believed that it would be tteeens.,
at the commencement of the business, to appettitA
the officers now contemplated. It was well keep;
that the efficient officers in raising troops us th.
captains and subalterns. The field officers et
no usl until the men are raked, it might be well
defer their appointment until that time. He moved,
therefore, to amend the bill by adding the kilos:6g
prOVIS;01141--
" That so many of the (Akers shall be eeeelfs.
sinned at first, and so on from time to time, u the
executive may believe necessary for raising the tom.
The SPEAKER declared this motion nnt in MIT a
present ; but that when the amendments were gosh
through, and the bill was before the House, the gen.
tleman from Virginia would have an opportunity
introducing it.
Another motion was made to adjourn, and the Pas
and nays called upon it—Lost by a larger inajott
than before.

All the amendments having been considered,
others introduced, the question recurred 3n ordefieg
the bill to be engrossed for a third reading bass:
venal members expressing a desire to see the bill, ag
amended, printed, before they gave a vote epee itoi
motion was carried for k to lie on the table,,in order
to make way for another to have it printed, wisidi
was accordingly made and carried.—Adjottmed

DRT.ADFIJI. FlRR.S.—Vorther Paradars.l
L/ITTIn kitolll A ots r Leaf AM IN RICHMOND, To 36 a,414
v.is A R zeitzsem TATI V & FROM V !ROI X lA.
" RICHMOND, DEC.
" have a tale of horror to tell ; prepue to beau tide
mow awful calamity that ever plunged a whole dip hes Ass
tiun. Yes, all Richmond is in tears children line keg die
parents, patents have lust their children. Yesterday a belly
daughter gladdened my heart with her inrocent smiles; Wet
She Is In Heaven ! Goo gave her to me, and Goo—yes, k
pleased ALMlnary Gott to take her from me. 0! Sit, Wit
me, and not for me only; arm yourself with fortitude while(
discharge the mournful duty of telling you that yen have is lid
also for yourself. Yes, for it mu.t be told, you aloe weeds
father of an amiable daughter, nose like my belovedthillairni
to join her mother in Heaven.
" How ran words represent what one night, our lithrefmt
utterable horror has done to overwhelm a hundred families trig
grief and despair. No, Sir, impo‘silik. My eyes he he
night what no tongue, no pen can describe—horrors
has no terms to represent.
s• Last night we were all at the Theatre; every fandlyia
Richmond, or, at least, a very great proportion et thew, es
there—the house was uncommonly full whets, iireaJful is oily
the scenery took err, spread rapidly above, :if ,:ending in whims
of time and smoke into the upper pert 0.1 the building. edeatil,
a moment after it descended to force a piwge 'bunk tie ell
and hoses. lu two mint:ties the whole audience were Jrdge.
in hot scorching smoke rod cam.. '1 he lig..ti ware elf eat*
*id-bed by the black and smothering vayour ; >, shrieks, coos
tusion and despair succeeded. O moment o:itut:yr,:tsitik
Nothing I can say, can paint the awful, seal.
The images of both my children we're bloot: A.c. kit I vas Si.
moved by au impissitee cruw.l front the diar sufferers. Iba
youngest (with gratitude to HUIVILN I write it) sprang molds
Ilse yo:ce of her lath, r, reached qty UtIS lug hand, and on cling
mud from the oirerisiselmini ma.e that soon ch:Aell the pus
loge of the stairs • but no efforts could avad me o reach et eon
gala sight of the other; and my dear, dear Margaret rid foal
sweet Mary, with her companions, Mass Gwat:uney aid 141
Gatewood, passed together and at once into a happier mull.
Judge my feelings by your own, when I found twitter ssr
my beloved sister appeared upon the stairs. First one ad
another and another, I helped down; hoping every ma=
seize the hand of my dear chili—but no, no, I war not
to have that happiness. oto see so, so nun; amiable is em
females trying to suetch to me their imploring hands, f_orsh
" Save me, Sir; oh, Sir, save me, save nu!" Ok Goa,ealti
cannot banish that spectacle of horror from my reesliktisai
'Some friendly unknown Sand dragged me from the Kee id
Sautes and death—and on gaining the open sir, to 31111"
consolation, I found my sister had thrown herself from the woo
wiudow, snd was saved—yes, thanks be to Goo, saved stern Vir
others in similar attempts broke their Deets, or were Mulled
death by those who fell on them from the tame height.
" Oh, Sir, you can have no idea of the general comtenwilin
—the universal grief that pervades this city.—but why do I
of that ! I scarcely know what I write to you. Farewell.
haste and in deep affliction."
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 4.
The Lady who was rescued by the Editor lido
American Standard, and whom be covered with hO
great
uns coonricl.ty atPvis. Miss
Harveywho died with bet
A letter addressed to Mr. Hewes, Editor of do
Baltimore Federal Gazette, Lays, that it the aumbel
of persons lost is not yet luceitained, but suppott
be nearly two hundred, from the number of
taken out of the building."
In addition to the names already given. of *is
who perished, ate, A. Marzall, (or wow) Tb.1:00
his neck in attempting to jump from R window,.
Lecroix, Jane Wade, Mrs. Picket, Miss M.
two Miss Trouans, Miss Ellice*, Miss Pat.e/i •
Miss Littlegage, Miss Clay, daughter of . COI
Member of conss, Miss Gatewoodt Miss Gnata
gre
Miss Charlotte Raphael,

Mrs. Picket was saved frun the fire, 201 oaf
hope is entertained of her recovery.
A Gentleman just from Maintown, Pennejougliat
says, that on Saturday, the '2lst December,
at night, the house of Mr, Joseph Petit:atom vall_u.4ll.
covered to be on fire Fetterman ran Or 111...
immediately, to awaken her daughter, a girt ot oh°
11 or 12 years of age, who wa, bleeping in Se.
where a hired girl lay, but was unable either to
the door, or to awaken the girls, and both
in the 13191. Mrs. F. was sav' ed with digits*

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