The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-04-23

+" Columbian Bibls"-Conplaints have reached us
fro almost every part Of the State against the mpo
i.ious of strangers from Massachusetts and Vermont
urging people TO patronize their publications; and
il sld that by their promises and insn'iaung man
rcrs several thousand copies have been disposed of
among us nj price, TO speak within bounds, dou51
fieir Salue. In addition to the evil OF carrying I'M
ucnse sums OF money OF the State, makes peo-
pie distrusu and tends to prevent them from subscri-
bling FOR useful and valuable works. which must depent
entirely Subscriptions TO enable The publishers to
lay them before the public. writer ID late Boston
Recorder resident la this State after reinarkiae On
the execution and the medley Of opposite sentiments
which the Columbian Bible contains, says can re-
gard this work in other light than as catch-penny
d ahiic alton aud imposition on the public.
was confirmed in this opinion by the manner In
which Subscriptions have been solicited and obtained
Soue persons have been unreasonahly urged to sab
scribe. In instances agents have resofted 10
msnruvering in an unbeconing manner. They have
tried make it appear that they had the countenance
at men whose oninion, would be regarded by others
when taeir opinions had been given oppos-
ed to ti.e work they have adopted unfair methods
of couce sng the unfavolabe opaions OF such men.
Two Instances nave come TO my Knowledge, in which
very strong used II not direct aud alb
soluie fasnooi Their condacr in this region has been
SO much like svndIing that persons donbt waeth-
er the pToprieos could collect subscriptions legally
have the private of one agent concerned IN
the business any subscribers who age dissatisfied
shall be released Whether this said from fear
Of the consequences of retaining them. from gen
srous .agnaainty, will not undertake to determine.
However it is said subscribers dissatisfied ;
and hope many viii claim the privilege OF withdraw
81, tncis names.
II is 70 be lamen ed that so much deception isprac
used upon the community in the circulation Of books
AMI especially thar should make unsighieous
spcculations in the sale OF the Holy Bible. When
Caring attempts of this kind made, appears TO be
: CasissiAn duty 70 expose them
Irporknaf Proposition.--lt wiz be seen by an
abstract Of the proceedings of Congress, that a
proposition has been submitted for thorough in
vcsligation of the affarS Of the several Depart
ments of the general government. The idea is
q novel one; but we are not prepared to say such
an Investigation would not be attended with con-
sequences highly beneficial to the country. The
letters off, "A Native Of Firginia," and the APP
paliinr list of Public Defaulters annually report
ri il the Black Book Of the third Auditor oithe
Treasury, is beginning TO open the eyes OF the
people, who have ia many instances too long re-
posed blind confidence in men. without stop
ping 10 inquire any further than into their po-
htical characters. Con-. .i0v.
Lavorrupr OF WASHINGTON
First .Heriaian.-A message from the Presi-
deaf OF the United States, transmitting inc re-
port OF Wsilsam lambert, on the subject OF the
longitude Of the Capitol, Of the United States,
has lately been laid on the tables Of Congress.
The scientific labor and indcfaugabie Ok
ertions employed in preparing this report y
evident; IL comprises series OF tables, the work
Of years, preparatory 10 ascertaining the OBJECT
sftle report the result Of the various zs'ro-
noulical observations are thus stated
Latitude Of the centre Of the
Capitol BY observation So 81 8 ; y.
Difference If latitude o 20
latitude or the Presidents