Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-03-14

nS N1phoC vi ICpISSSlNdblNCS vi tic
United States on Tuesday last, came to a
resolution, By large majority, to close the
session on the Sd Monday OF the present
month.
Much vague rumor prevailing respect
ing some recent occurrences at New Or
leans, by which unimportant circumstan-
ces are magnified so as to present an
unpleasant aspect, we conceive it our du-
~ 10 state them as correGtly as letters
from that place enable us to do.
= Regular assemblies are periodically held
at New Orleans, under the direction of
the municipal officers. According TO rules
fixed by them, which existed previous to
the cession ofthe country, the dances were
arranged in the following order; first, two
cotiIlions; nert, a country dance Tor twelve
couple and lastly, the walse.
q, At an assembly, held on the 9th of Janu-
AIRY, some slight misunderstanding arose
between the Americans and French, the
causes of which, tho not distinctly known,
were generally considered as connect
ed with some erroneous statement OF the
feelings the French citizens on the rise
ofthe Americanin the room OF the French
flag when the first celebration of the ces-
sion took place. This misunderstanding
was apparently hushed, when on the 23d
oil January another assembly was held
According to the above rules the dancing
commenced with cotillions, followed by u
country dance of twelve couple the mu-
sic, having received Instructions in conso-
nance with this arrangement, ceased to
play the tune appropriate tn the country
dance, as soon as the twelve couple had
led down the dance. In the mean time
six additional couple, composed of Anne
ricans, had placed themselves at the end
of the dance. As soon as the music ccas-
ed, the Americans required continual
on of it and OF the country dance while
the French citizens called for the 7ualse,
dance, in which 1t is understood, as ma
ny of the company as please participate.
The music declining 30 play contiDu-
alton OF this tune, an American citizen
broke the violin OF one of the band with
his cane, which likewise being broken,
exposed n sword. Some tumuIt cnsued,
during which d French officer left the room
and returned with broad sword. In the
mean time, to appease the disorder, Go
vernon Claiborne and General Wilkinson
addressed the company, and enquired
what were the wishes Of the dissatisfied.
The French officer replied, :. we want the
Walse." This reply, from being made
In French, not being understood by the
Americans, but, on the contrary, being
interpreted into menace, increased the
disorder. General Wilkinson was induc-
ing in an amics5le way, the officer TO re
tire, when some American citizens met
the General, and gave advice which he re-
PEELED. This likewise being misunder.
stood, was erroneouslT considered as an
act of violence offered by the French Off
Ger to the General and increased the tu-
mIIt. Swords were drawn, but no lives
lost or bodily injury done. The officer
was arrested, and required to appear be-
fore the civil authority the ensuing day,
when he was liberated.
After the arrest, the American com.
missloners, we understand, received let
ter from Mr.. Laussat, protesting against
the exercise Of authority, on the part of
the United States, in relation 10 Frcnch
oFcors: alledging that, under the treaty
OF cess'on, three months having been al
lowed for the evacuation Of the place by
the rrench troops previous To the expi-
ration of that period French officers were
nn Ter hi5 cnDtroul. The liberation of the
Officer having previously taken place SUI
pcrseded any further ACT on the part OF
the civil authority.
1t will appear rro1r ibis minute state
meat Of facts, for which QUE sole apology
IS u be found in the scnsibility ofthc pub
tic nini TO whatever relates to our new
acquisition, that the transaction is Of an
ordinary nature, and one which does not
Justify the mstatemsnt or alarm which
has gone abroad. (.Vat. LVtei.)
In the Senate orlhe Legislature Of Mas
sach1setts on the 18th ult, Messrs Ba.
con, Pick nan, TAYLOR, Kendall aad SMITH
w=re appointed Joint committee TO con.
slider the expedi-ncy Of printing at the
e<Denes of the Commonwealth copies oil
the Constitution Of the United States, and
ofthe Commonwealth, together, with Pre-.
sicnt 'Vashingfon's Farewell Address
all Of .Iistei5riins tho same throughont
the state and also 20 consider the proDri