davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling repository. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1807-1808, 1808-04-21

- W lSDISStIlG TO lIlS
government Of the United States. the
earnest desire Of his majesty, to see the
commerce OF the world restored once
more to that freedom which is necessa-
ry Tor It's prosperity and his readiness
to abandon the system which has been
forced upon him, whenever the enemy
shall retract the principles which have
rendered 1t necessary but his majesty
entertalus the conviction, upon which
alone his present measures are founded,
that 1t would be in vain to hope for
such retraction, until the enemy shall
himself have been made to feel q portion
of the evils which he has endeayoured
to intiict upon others.
l have the honour to be, with great
consideration and respect, sir, your most
obedient humble servant,
ID. NJ. ERsKINF.
Hon. James Madison, Sec'ry of State.
It is stated that the French prize
court, about the 1st Of February, dccli-
ned passing sentence on,wovcssels from
New-York, which had been carried in
for having been spoken on the passage
by British cruisers, until it 7vas kn9zcn
7ohGt part the Ar'eyican gavernment
zcould take.
The case of John Smith, Of the Senate
of the United States, has been decided
in his favour. The resolution for ex-
polling him, was ncgatived by a maio-
rity Of one vote.
Congress are to adjourn on Monday
next.
The bill for raising an additional ar
my OF $3.50 men, has passed into law.
A bill for defining and furnishing
treason, has passed in the Senate.
A bill has been reported by Mr..
Randolph, in the House of Representa-
tives, for arming the whole of the mill
tia of the United States.
The building of gun-boats is said to
be suspended.
Accounts from New-Orleans, Of the
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29
SATURDAY, FEB. 90


An order from the Senate, on the
subject Of settlers on the States lands,
in Maine, was committed.
The House refused the consideration
of the Report and Resolve i'll favor of
John Waite, on his petition for a new
trial, which was read, and passed in
concurrence with the Senate.
On motion Of Col. Turner, Resolv-
ed, that the Gentleman who shall
preach the Election Sermon ON the
last Wednesday in May next, shall be
allowed and paid out Of the Treasury
of the Commonwealth, the sum Of fifty
dollars.
Ordered, that Col. Thacher, Mr..
Ripley. and Mr.. Stoddard, be Com
mittee to inquire into the expediency
of authorising the Justices of the S. J..
Court at any term, to liberate any pris-
oner, who may be confined in gaol un-
der sentence for a criminal offence,
after the term Of imprisonment, pre-.
scribed by the sentence, shall have ex-
pired, and when the offender shall be
committed only for not paying fine
and costs, or either Of them in any GRIM
inal prosecution, and that the said Com
mittee have power to report by bill or
otherwise.
The Committee, on petition Of Rob-
ert Ilsley, and others, report leave to
withdraw, which was read and accept
ed, in concurrence with the Senate.
The Bettermcnt BiP' was taken
up, and read third time but previ-
Gus to the question Of concurrence with
the Senate, an adjournment was called
for and carried.
! In the afternoon the House resumed
the consideration of the Betterment
Bill, which having three several read
ings, passed, in concurrence with the
Hon. Senate. For it ll8-Against it
| A..
The House assigned Thursday next
to come to the choice Of Major Gen
eral of the Ilth Division. The Senate
| yesterday on their Part made choice o.
the Hon. VIM. .KING.J
The House proceeded TO the ID read,
ing, of the bill on the subject Of estab.
fishing Fixed and permanent Salarie.
for the officers of the Government o
this State, which after considerable dis
cussion, was referred to the first session
OF the next General Court.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29
Legislature Of Massachusetts.
H0UsE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, FEB.

11OCeD VI M M > 4 Az A II A ~ Id.
FRIDAY, FEB. l9.
Mr., MITCHELL (of NorthyarmoRth)
having moved for committee to report
on the expediency of enacting law for
the further benefit Of insolvent debtors,
made the following observations -
All commercial nations have laws, BY
which an unfortunate merchant may surren
der his property, and be discharged from
his debts, and commence business again.
In nation so highly commercial as our
own, unless some means exists, by which
the insolvent may renew his exertions, a
great many enterPrising, upright men, will
be thrown out Of active life, and their tai
ents become entirely useless TO their fami-
lies and their country.
The bankrupt law of the U. s. was IN
popular, because its principal operation was
upon insolvents Of long standing, who had
little or no estate 10 divide, and the only ct
feet seen was the discharge Of the debtor
Had Il continued To the present time, it
would have been seen to be more general
and useful in its operation, and would have
been found to be a necessary branch OF a
commercial system.
To say that merchants ought to run no
risk, is to say there shall be no enterprise.
It Is the spirit Of adventure, which has en-
riched the country and will continue to en-
rich It. But those who exercise this spirit
are liable to great losses from unforeseen
accidents, and from changes Of markets -
They are also liable to loss by failure Of for.
eicn merchants, and in the present times,
the accidents BY which their property may
be reduced, are increased perhaps a hun
dred fold.
By the unsettled state of commerce in
Europe, many merchants Of the first repu.
tation for integrity, prudence and merc4n.
tile knowledge, have been overwhelmed b.
the sudden interruption of commerce. M.
ny more will probably fall victims to the ex-
traordinary state Of things which now exists
| Unless some law is passed, whereby such
! unfortunate merchants can be exonerated
on payment Of their creditors such a pro
/ portion of their debts as their estates vii
enable them TO pay, those meritorious an;
useful men viii become dead weight il
the community, unable to support their owl
families and entirely useless to the state.
Our system with respect to debtors,
extremely unjust and unequal. The credit
or who is least restrained by the feelings {
humanity, or by . desire to preserve III
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29
lip til @a;Is.

Ena5ryOs.--It is said to have been de-
creed in conclave, that new division OF
the militia is to be created and Mr.
Senator KING to be the Maior-Gener-
al before he is put up for 1t. Cover
nor The Sheriff of Kennebeck, it is
said, is to be displaced, for doing his
duty in the execution of the laws. And
Mr.. CHANDLER, Of Congress, or Mr.
Senotor CANNErT, to supply his place
If Mr.. CHANDLER succeeds, then
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

ty; and the pFeafure Of doing good
may lie greatly increafed.
That the arts may be encouraged,
as having tendency to dignity the
human character, as we'll as to anne
liorate the condition of human life
! That our public fchoels, acade-
mics and colleges, with all other lit
erary and religious inlaitutions, may
be faithfully and prudently conduct
ed, and honorably maintained 70
that knowledge in the licences, may
be cultivated under the laudabIc I'M
preilion, that hey are defgned toraifc
man from earth towards heaven, and
enable bim'to contemplate the divine
perfettions and attributes in more
exalted ftrain Of thought.
| alto recommend it, that, with
their devotion, the people ihall unite
true and Gncere repentance for their
fms; more Especially that we have in
70 many inftances, miGmproved our
invaluable privileges, and difregard-
ed thofe rules of morality, charity
and oenevolence, which the Author
of our Nature, our Supreme Bene-
factor, requires of US, as the founda-
ton of our public ,happinefs. That
we offer our fervent prayers to God,
that he will, by his grace, enable US
TO walk before him hereafter, in in
tegri:y and uprightnefs Of heart in
the exercife of that righteOufnefs by
which alone a nation can be exalted,
and III the practice of thofe virtues
which are the itrength OF a commu-
nifty.
Under train Of folemn reflections
of this nature, the mind will be de-
voutly raifed to the throne of the
High and Holy One, Whole prerog-
alive it is to forgive our fms; who a.
lone can crown the year with health,
and fill it with plenty, and by whole
grace only we can be made fit fub-
je6ts of his mercy, and be blefed
with public and private felicity.
Unnecefary labour will ceafe of
courfe recreations be laid aide
worldly mirth will be fient, and the
day be obferved as day confecrated
TO religion and piety.
Given at the Council Chamber in Bottom, this
fourth day Of February, in the Year of our
Lord, one thouland eight hundred and
eight and in the thirty second year of the
independence Of the United States Of A
merica.
JAMES SULLIVAN.
By Bic Exe.Iieneys command wi'b tbe7
adViee and content Of fbe Council
iona. L. AUsTIN, -eeyefGyy.
Sod kaVr tie ComRorzvsait5 r 1IzagaebAisftI
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

credit Of his debtor, is able 10 secure tn
whole property to pay his debt; whereas
those who are unwilling to proceed to ex
tremities, generally from their tenderness
loose the whole.
This system, besides being the cause o
many failures from the premature attach
ment of jealous creditors, IS frequently
| fraught with ruin to the most needy class
Of citizens, who BY these means often loose
the whole of their small debts, while one
large creditor may carry off the whole es'
| tate Of the debtor.
1t Is for reasons like these, that we find
the commercial states Of New-YorlI and
Pennsylvania, and believe also, OF Mary
land, have standing insolvent laws, by
which merchants who have by misfortune
been unable to pay their creditors may sur
render their property and have their DIS
charge.
What car be more just, than that the
property Of the merchant, which is madc Up
Of all the debts he may owe, should on Us
being obliged to withdraw from business,
be distributed among his creditors instead
of its going, as il now does, to one or few
while the rest get nothing What more
useful to the Commonwealth, than that men
of activity in business, of enterprise and tai
ents, should renew their labours for the
common good, instead Of being, for the re-
mander Of their lives, overwhelmed with
load Of debts & unable to use any exertiOn,
they being liable to have every thing taken
from them by an unrelenting creditor, the
moment it is earned
Nor will such a law operate injurioLsly to
the creditors what use is it to leave
them the power of putting the debtor in
prison, or snatching from the fruits Of his
labour as fast as he earns them.-Men so
situated will never acquire any thing 1t
being impossible for them ever to pay the
whole, they will not strive to pay in part.
The chance resulting to the creditor OF
getting his debt at some future time, when
the discharged creditor may have Leen sat
isfed, and shall voluntarily meet his old en-
gagements although freed from them by
law, is worth much more than the power Of
imprisoning him, or Of attaching such little
property as may fall into his hands,
The subject was committed W Mes
sieurs MITCHELL, TITC0MB, and
BRowE, to report thereon.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29
Mr.. RIPLEY, the Resolution accouch-
ear, is so to Congress.-Cent.
MIDDLETowN, FEB. IL, 1903.
POSTMASTER GENERAL.

Il
POSTMASTER GENERAL.
A letter from gentleman in Hart
ford, to his friend in this city, datee
Feb. u, 1903, says, ! must not forget
to mention curious Circumstance
which happened here few days ago
The Postmaster General, on his way
from Washington to Boston, was ar
rested in this city, as the endorscr of a
note to the amount Of about 1900 dol
lars.-As soon as it was known that he
had arrived, the leading Demos hurri-
ed down to pay him their respects, and
met him coming from the door Of an
Attorneys office. They instantly
doff d their hats, and with that crouch
ing complaisance which IS uick-named
Republican humility, protested their
extreme Joy at seeing him, and several
ly solicited the honor Of call.-Real-
ly gentlemen, says he, am now held in
cuSfoay, but should be very happy to
see you at my lodgings, and could wish
for the favor of your assistance to Join
me I'D bond ofrecogni<nce. At the
WORD custody, lin truth word for which
Democrats seem to have AN instructive
and premonitive dread every face be-
came pale with apprehension. In
deed [says MIR. D. the mail has come
In and | must be excused-Good day
TO you sir "*-Others, (Messrs p. r.
and o. made similar and frivolous ex-
cuseS. So, one vent to his farm, and
another to his merchandise ;-one to
mend his boot, and another to eat his
dinner, while the great public function
airy was left alone, unfriended to the
Sheriff's mercy
The NJ. G. however waited a
considerable time, expecting the assist
ance Of his sycophaT ic friends, but hs
waited III vain. AT length he sent
messenger for MIR. ID. (who receives
large loaf and fish annually, from his
bounty requesting to see him. Mr.. ID.
arrived but altho' Worth6O or O,OOOdol-
lars-and although there is little proba
bility that Mr.. g. will become liable for
the debt, and if 50 is abundantly able to
respond It, yet he could not be induced
even to sign bond of reconizance at
court. In other words, he would not
trust either the ability, integrity or hon
on Of the ? VI G. of United States to
the amount Of 300 dollars Mr.. G.
finally addressed a note to Messrs. III.
& 9 t VINO with generosity becoming
the cause they espouse, rendered that
assistance which his pretended friends
denied him III after this, Mr. D. con-
hnues to hold his office, il Will be a
greater proof of the magnanimity than
of the justice Of Mr. G.. Is it not sur
prising, that an enlightened people
should ever credit those who are capa.
bic OF deserving a friend in distress
Or that they can believe sneaking in.
gratitude allied with public spirit and
patriotism If they will desert and be-
tray an individual 10 whom they prof
fer the incense of adulatien, will they
not more readily desert the sovereign
people, when the tempest lours and the
storm thlckens around them
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29
LATRST FROIFP0pyT1CI ~

! LATEST FROATPORTUG.fL
by the brig Perseverance, capt. Atkins. ar,
rived at the VINEYARD, tiom Lisbon, pa-
pers are received to the 18th Dec
The following ARE some extracts -
LISBON, DEC. 8.-Fhe use Of arms.
excepting by the military, is this dav
prohibited, under severe pen. S. II
Is also decreed this day, that English
property, of every kind, shall Be confs-
Gated that all merchants, Portupn-sa
French, sc. shall within three dave
make declaration Of such Of these III.
ticles, as they have in their possession
under the penalty Of paying ten times
the amount that may be found on
them; and suffer besides corporal pun
ishment.
"Dec. lit is this day ordered
that French and Spanish money shall
be currently received. It's also deoreed
that no advance in price shall be mad.
III the price of necessary articles ~
consumption--under very severe fines
dec. l2.-Tavern keepers and sell
lers of wine and spirits, are ordered TO
close their doors at 2 O'Clock, upon all
Portuguese or French soldiers.
"Dec. l5.-Notice is this day given.
that French Officers consider them.
selves as only in state Of garrison
and that they can require of the inhabi-
tants nothing further than lodgings,
fire, and light.
"Dec. l8.--The inhabitants are pro-
hibited from meeting tOgetheD under
penalty, if found With weapons, Of suf.
feriRg DEATH"
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

The commercial code of laws, emil
tied Naf0IeoH, has been at length com.
Pleated by the Legislative body Of France
contained in four books, and is to SUI
percede all other commercial laws from
Jan. 1903, when it commences its OBJ
Grafton.
observation-disclosures from the age Of
l8, and married women, with the per-
mission of their parents and husbands,
respectively, may be considered as such.
Every merchant is obliged to keep a
Journal of all his transactions to file
up all the letters he receives, and to
copy those he sends away--7yhich are
10 Be INSPECTED By tie tribunal Of cons-
merce--and none else Be LazytuE evidence.
Partnerships are to be of three kinds.
Ist. Under a collective name with
Joint stock--2d. Commodatory, when
one or more hire a stock. Sd. Anony-
nous la the manner of our insurance
Offices. A minute contract Of each
partnership must be sent Immediately
to the tribunal, and hung up for three.
months after in the hall Of audience.
Disputes to be referred to arbitrators,
whose decisions, If above one thousand
francs, are liable TO court of appeal.
The tribunals are to be stationed in e.
very reimbursement. The number Of
Judges in each is from two to eight
chosen every two years out of CONNER
cans notabIes, above thirty, and their
book-keepers to be appointed by the
government In short the Napoleon
code Is meant to conhne all the vagraRt
streams of commercial speculations,
which ought to overflow and enrich the
land, to certain defined, artificial chan
nelS.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

Our late file Of Lisbon papers, con
tains, among other Proclamations Of
the French Commander in Chief Of
Portugal, the following -
" The Governor Of Paris FIRST Abide
Camp to his Majesty, the Emperor
and King, General in Chief, Knight
OF the Great Cross Of the Order Of
Christ, of Portugal.
LNH.ABL7.AN7IS OF LISBON
{" My army is about to enter your
walls. We have come to save your
harbor and your Prince from the influ-
ence Of England.
This Prince, SO respectable for his
virtues, has allowed himself 10 Be BIZ
assed by the advice of evil men, that
encompass him, and has gone to throw
himself into the arms Of his enemies.
They have made him fear for his
personal safety, 20 his subjects he has
paid no regsrd, and your interests have
been sacrificed TO the cowardice Of q
few Courtiers.
Men Of Lisbon, be at rest in your
houses, stand III no fear either OF my
army or of me, we are terrible only TO
our enemies, and the enemies of virtue.
The Great Napoleon, my master,
sends me to protect you will protect
YOU JUNOT."
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29
BOSTON, FEB. 25,

BOSTON, FEB. IS.
The late Virginia act for suspending
the levy Of executions for year, is cal
led in Norfolk paper, one of the "glo-
ri0''s Effects qfthe Embargo"
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

The following IMPORTANT Com
munication we give in the words of our
Correspondent, with one remark -
The writer is ofunimpeaChable integri-
ty, * however unexpected this pleasing
intelligence, we know it must be the
impression at Washington, that the
facts are as he states item. We hope
by the next mail to quiet all doubt on
sue subject Boil. Fed. Gaz.
Washington, FEB. IA, 1908.
l cannot help repeating the report
which was mentioned III your paper Of
Friday, that treaty has actually been
framed between Mr. Rose and our gov
eminent Il IL also said, that Mr..
Nourse, brother of the Register Of the
Treasury, is to carry this treaty to
England Ibis latter circumstance, it
is supposed, is in consequence Of some
doubt as to Mr.. Roses powers.
Every thing relating to the negocia-
ton with Great-Br;tain must be inter
estlng to the people Of this country.
And although the above is stated mere
ly as report, it is, Notwithstanding the
tulminauons Of Duane to the contrary,
entitled 10 credit. Quere, how did Du-
ane obtain the Information, that the ne
quotations with Great Britain were alb
solutely broken of, and that war would
be the result ? ftrue, was 1t not a
most treacherous communication If
false, is it not most infamous decep-
ton
There is some talk here that Con-
gress viii adjourn shortly, to meet again
the lst Of May.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

The tyranical tone Of France, at
length exceeds any thing like csution.
The French government either holds
us IN utter contempt, or calculates so
strongly on Its influence on the meas
ures OF our government, as to think ie
no longer necessary to veil its expecta-
ton Of further subserviency on our
part. The late DEGREES Of Bonaparte
are all Of them couched in terms Of the
most provoking insult, if We have any
Pretentions to the character Of a free
people. Had Great Britain III her or
ders, ever glanced at such principles,
would Mr.. Rose ever have been suffer-
ed to proceed TO Washington ? We
believe not--and he ought not. 1t IS
said The Administrator begin 70 bal
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-02-29

Mr. DODD Is Postmaster, az Hart
ford.
I MeSsrS HUDSON e GOODWIN, edi-
tors Of the Connecticut Courant, fed
eraL flaher.
Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-07-26
From The Nezv- York Euenins Posi-

THE great mass of events which charac-
tcrize every days existence, never discover
to us their secret, operative principles-they
constitute the bbre outlines and shadow of hui
man action. The revolutions which have for
SO many centuries agi,ated the greatest part
Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-07-26
Q!sraau-la Daily @ssat:e.

Our city has been hol.oSed for 8 few DAYS
past with the presence of a C HINESE
Mandarin and Merchant, withhis secretary.
/ lis ohlectin visiring. this place is to obtain
(n exemption from the restrictions Of the
Embargo, seas to be permitted 20 charter a
Fesssl ior China, to carry back his property,
Eoiiected IN this ce:ntry to the amount OF
fcsty or Fifty thousand dollars. There are,
re hear, various circumstances of a very Pc
allar nature connected with this request.
me OF these, as characteristic of national
sodes Of thinsing, is worth stating. The
aancaln's father Being ninety years old,
= death NAV be daily looked for. Ac-
olas t to the nsagcs of the disciples of
esiusacs of which he IS one, his re-
,. : N case of lis death, cannot be inter-
: m ne absence Of his son, in less than Z.
e. This necessarily renders his son ve-
x,ous 10 return.
'nsir physiogaony, dress and manners
ssry Peculiar and interesting. Their
y,. ana external characters correspond
nv, s..ly With the representations Of the sta
= q anc painter the leading charactcris-
' neir counsenance and manners are
'A''s' osnsvoleneeand mildness.
Nrt. Intel.
-, ,sa' q letter fran rsstec,0bls gentle
,;sa : ding IN CLsaaiborne Louaty, Missis-
dr. r' territory, to lis jss.na IN 1laasasisu,
Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-07-26
FROM WdsHINGToA CITY,

TNO1N ~ s1OII11F U1 CIV @CII Is
Informs the citizens of Alexandria and its
vicinity, that he will be at Mr.. Gads6y's, for
a few days, where he may be consulted in the
line Of his profession.
A few boxes Of best DEATRIFICE may
be had by applying as above.
July %.