Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1804-03-02
From Washinpton.

From Washington.
Extract Of letter from a correspondent.
"The president in his extreme ankle
~ to communicate to the House letter
from Governor Claiborne, on the subject
of Louisiana, did not even stop to have
it copied, but sent the original with a
request thar when they had done with it,
they would return it. Itseems to have
been intended as a secret communication
and so sent to the Senate, but by some
mistake it was read with open doors il
was then sent to the House and read in
the same public manner. The House
however, have refused to publish it, /
therefore send you the substance, and in
many instances the expressions.-(New
Orleans.) .~ -, :,
SIR-The tranquility in which
found this country is still uninterrupted.
This season Of festivity, aud the change
Of Government, has given additional
spirit to public amusement. If I have
any political uneasiness, it arises from
the great latitude of the. powers with
which, am vested. The anxiety attend
ing the exercise Of discretionary power,
Is always in degree unpleasant. 80
have found Il vain labor to attempt
10 renoyate the old gosernmSnt. ahlRss
left the country in an inextricable eonfu-
sion, particularly the Judicial depart
ment. Many Of the cases in court have
been depending for twenty years and
corruption had put \ seal upon them, but
the introduction Of American principles
Jurisprudence win break the seal, as
they have now become the subjects Of en-
quiry by the correct rules Of an enlighten.
ed Judiciary. 1t was my wish that these
causes should be commenced anew, but
this found imprac,ieable, and as am
informed the written evidencesapPertain
ing to many Of them cannot be Obtained /;
and the translation Of such evidence
would together with the records, take
years to effect. -. -, !. -s-.,@
Appeals from the governors court for
merly lay 1t the court Of Haxanaah. 1
shall be under the necessity Of deciding
causes of magnitude in the last resort
/ am reluctant to arrogate to myself a
power, which the most haughty Of my
predecessors never exercised. *
: i have appointed seven judges for this
city, whose jurisdiction extends to caas-
es arising in il, Of the value of 5000
dollars with the right ofappeal to the Co
vernor's court if above 500 dollars.
The arrangements made by Gen. VIII
kinson, meet my entire appreciation.
Il would be expedient that provisions
should be made for the government Of
the country. rs soon as possible though l
do not apprehend any public iuconyeni-
enee from short DELAY. 80 TX.
= Hound in the Jail about 100 prisoners,
some Of whom had been confined from
10 10 IS years without any trial. 1t was
my desire 70 set them free, but on enqui-
~ Of Mr.. L'Aussat, learned there had
been an understanding respecting them
with the Spanish goxernmtnt. ! Aatter
myself some arrangement may be made
10 procure for these prisoners q general
amnesty. For surely il viii not be dero-
gatory % republican government to err
on the side Of mercy, and j should feel !
pung if nv country should be disgraeed
By the rafting of single chain.
The expenses incident to the Possessi-
on and temporary government of our
new country, ! have reason 70 believe
win fall II within the amount which had
been calculated for them and the re-
eeiPt Of monies WILDE fully adequate 70
their extent. ~ s
The meyrAaais and planters IN this
place live IN . state Of ease and aiiasnse,