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About Augusta herald. (Augusta [Ga.]) 1799-1822 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1808)
AUGUSTA HERALD. ' DECEMBER Is, Isos. CONGRESS in their secret settings it appears, were engaged in discussing the ques tion whether the confidential communications of the President, embracing the correspon dence of our ministers at London and Paris, should be made public—and the decision it wiil be perceived was against their publicity. Public curiosity would no doubt with eager eye, gladly pry into the substance of this cor respondence, and we confess we should feel gratified in perusing thr most material parts of it, and in communicating it to our readers. But however great individual solicitude may be on this subject, we would by no means pre.\ tend, that there may not be substantial rea sons, why these documents should not at the present time be published. The men now in power to be sure, when exercising their ener gies to remove their predecessors from office, were loud and frequent in the declaration, that “ in a republican government there should be no secrets.” I his position in the unrestricted latitude, in which it was laid down, we never did admire, any more than we have approba ted the subsequent improvement of having the governmental machine, a'together moved by secret springs. It may perhaps be said that, though it was alledged that in a republican government, secrets were unnecessary, yet that they were essentially useful in a govern ment, which was about to be stripped, cr was altogether deprived of iisrepublican character ; and we will not pretend to say that the present advocates of secreoy may not in this way, in some degree evade the charge of inconsistency ot conduct, by'avowing the insincerity of their iormer professions, But proper as preventing the publicity ot the correspondence in the present case may be—we observe that the editor of the Washington Federalist asserts, that its substance is no secret to him, of which he says the meipb.ers must be convinced, from what he has already published—he then adds, “ we think it our duty, in justice to Mr. Arm strong, and for the information of our feHow citizens to declare that what we published on the 19th instant, respecting the secret com munications is substantially true. Mr. Arm strong has recommended raising the embargo and arming our vessels against the cruisers of France. We state this to take from Mr. Arm strong, the imputation of being inattentive to his duty. We know not Mr. Armstrong as a man ; but it is our highest satisfaction to give due credit to every one who acts well, the part assigned him. Mr. Armstrong has performed his duty, not only in his spirited remonstrances to the French Emperor, but in the judicious recommendations he has made to his own go vernment. It will be as much satisfaction to the countrymen of Mr. Armstrong to know this, as it is to us to communicate it; and it is, moreover, our opinion that this measure, or something like it must finally be adopted, how ever disagreeable to our present administra tion, or the country is lost.” “ It is said the argument used by the ma jority against taking off the injunction of se crecy was that it might endanger our minis ter, that is Mr. Armstrong, for no one suppo ses Mr. Pinckney is in any danger. If Mr. Armstrong is in any danger, why not recall him ? Indeed, whether he is in- danger or not he has declared in his pubbe dispatches that he can be of no use where he is—why then should he be obliged to stay there ? If a dec laration of war from France should follow his recall, so much the be*ter; for an open declar ed war is far preferable to the one whiclris now waged against us.” The origin of the policy of the present ad ministration, may perhaps be found in some of the early speculations of Mr Jefferson ; in his Notes on Virginia, page 257 he makes the following observations : . “ Perhaps to remove as much as possible the occasions of making war, it might be better for us to abandon the Ocean altogether , that be ing the element whereupon we shall be princi pally exposed to jostle with other nations, to leave to others to bring , what we can spare. This, would make us invulnerable to'Europe by offering none of our property to their prize, and would turn all our citizens to the cultivation of the earth" 41 It might be time to seek em ployment for them at sea, when the land no lon ger offers it." In these remarks Mr. Jefferson seems to think, that perhaps , it might be better to aban don the ocean, and let others bring what we can spare—-but now the improved policy seems to be, not only to abandon the ocean ourselves, but not even to prevent others to bring , or take away any oi our surplus commodities. Specu lative theories must undergo many variations, before their good effects can be made obvious to ordinary capacities. Extract of a letter from a member of. Con gress', dated, IVashington-Cily , December 2, 1808. and received by yesterday's Mail. “ The Resolutions which have occupied our attention during the past week, were yesterday carried by a very large majotily in committee of the whole, and are now under discussion in the house. That the decision of the committee will be confirmed by the house, there can be no doubt, hence the course which congress will pursue, becomes apparartt to the nation.— The amendment to the Embargo laws, so as to render their operation more effectual, may be confidently expected.” P. S. The senate have just rejected the proposition to repeal the Embargo, by a majori ty of 25 to 6.” The Resolutions alluded to are those recom mended by the committee and published in our last the first of which was agreed to without opposition, the second, 81 to 21 —the laird agreed to unanimously. Extract of a letter soma Aiauber of the State , Legislature , dated Mn.LEDGJBvn.LE, 10th Dec. 1808. “ INCLOSED is a list of the Acts, which have passed both branches during the present session. A number of bills of no great import are progressing. Our house have pas sed two bills, which are important, relating to our military establishment—These provide for the organization of a Brigade of Cavalry ; lor the establishment of Military Schools, in each of the divisions for the instruction of the officers ; provides for the obtainment of proper Musicians, to instruct boys and others who maj be disposed to leipri; for the distribution ot the public amu. now in the arsenal, and for the procurement oi a sufficient number of tents, &c. tor two regiments. We have -this day re ceived from the Senate two bills, also of great importance, pne to alleviate the condition of debtors, and the pther providing for the pay ment of the state debt. The former is similar to the one which 1 introduced at the extra session in May last, witii this proviso, that the defendant shall pay one third of the judgment previous to entering security, &c. This bill will probably undergo some immaterial altera tions in our house. The latter bill appropri ates the money arising from the sale of frac tional surveys to the discharge of the outstand ing evidences of debt agaiifit the state—that part called audited certificates and warrants of anticipation, at one eighth of their nominal value, all others at their nominal value, and warrants for land at thirty-one and one quarter cents per acre—this bill I believe will pass wit!iout alteration. The impeachment against the fraction sell ing commissioners, is now going on, Mr. Jones is at this fliOmerrt speaking, he concludes on their part, he will be followed by Col. Carnes, who will conelude on our side. The sentence of the'co'urt wiil probably be pronounced on’ Monday next. It appears to be the general wish andinten tion of both branches to adjburn on Saturday next, I r will be perceived by the foregoing ex tract, that the subject of paying off' the state debts, has engaged the attention of the legis lature, but as it is probable that the amount of the fractional sales, will not be sufficient fully to discharge the public engagements, the dt ficency it seems is to be made up, by reducin g the claims, to the slate es the fund—that is, in other worcis, the creditor is to be. robbed of a considerable jof. Juis demand, upon, condition that he will receiyq the remainder in full. If the Legislature will pass an act, au thorising individuals to,settle their debts inthe same way, ( we have little doubt that almost, every debtor in the state-will be able to balance accounts with his creditors. And surely what is honorable and right for the community in their collective capacity,, in the settlement of accounts, must be equally proper and correct for the different members of the community in their individual situations. The manner in which the land contracts, or land warrants are to be settled, is indeed,singularly liberal. It will be recollected that in, the year 17.87, a body of troops was raised in this state for suppres sing Indian violences, and lor defending the frontiers, upon an express condition made by law previous to their inlistments, that at the close ol the war, the troops should be entitled to certain tracts qf land, between the Oconee and Oakmulgee rivers—and that the bounda ries prescribed, should be specially appropria ted ;for tjie payment'of these troops, whose bounties .should have a preference of all other surveys, and might be located as soon as hos tilities with the Indians ceased. The state re ceived the services of the troops, the frontiers were defended, and when the danger was over the troops were discharged, and were paid— riot the land,, but bounties 1 or warrants certifying that they were entitled to the land, anti might locate .it hereafter agreeably to contract. The state has since obtained the land by an extin guishment of the Indian title, but instead cf permitting the warrants to be located they have given away part of it, and sold some in fractions at i or 4 dollars, and sold some even as high as 15 or 20 dollars an acre, and now they are willing to allow for the soldiers boun ties, the liberal price of 31 * cents an acre. We humbly beg the honorable the Legislature will excuse us, for being unable to discover the honesty, or propriety of such .transactions.— Former Legislatures to be sure have done nothing for the state creditors, we do not per ceive that the present have greatly varied from their example. At a period like the present, when the slate may be under the necessity of contracting new debts ; this proceeding is not calculated to create much confidence in public engagements—though it must be admitted, that with these circumstances before them, those who may hereafter he inclined to confide in the stat zpromises, can be at no loss to calcu late tlieir precise value. The following Acts among others have been pas sed by the Legislature. 1. An act to pardon Osborne Randle. 2. An act for the relief of D. Terrill and J. Holiday. 3. An act granting leave to John Landrum, to bring three Negroes purchased in Virginia, to this state. ' 4. An act to amend an Act, regulating the pilotage of vessels, so far as respects the num ber of commissioners therein named, for the port of Savannah. 5. An act to pardon Russell Bailey. 6. An act for the relief of J. M'Cannel and James Elmore. 7. An act to authorise the Justices of the Inferior Court of M‘lntosh county, to appro priate a certain portion of the county tax to the support oi' the poor. 8. An act to alter and change the name of Eliza Mariah Dixon, to that of Eliza M. liujjhes. t. An act to the Trysteejs of the Columbia codnty Acafdemy, to establish a Lot tery for the benefit of that*lnstitution. * * 10. An act' to incorporate the Thespkin So [ ciety, and Library Company of Augusta. ' 11. An act to divide the county of Laurent, and to farm one other new county. ( v 13. An act to alter an act, to appoint com missioners far the purpose of carrying into ef fect the building the Court-House and Jail of ’ Wayne county. 13. An act to repeal an act, to compel | Clerk’s to keep their offices at the Court- Houses of then respective counties, or within one mile thereof, so far as lespects the counties | of Wayne, T itnall, Wilkinson, and Laurens 14. An act to prevent any person or pev * sons from placing obstructions in or over the rivers, creeks, or water courses of Chatham . and Bryan counties. Extract from the debate in the legislature of the Mississi/tfi Ter.ritor\ r/, on the motion | . to nominate a legislative . Council—~j~ro>ii the Natchez Chronicle,, of Oct. 19. Mr. Mead after sonic introductory remarks, went on to observe’/that he admitted the com munication before the house, contained what was said to the president’s opinion on the subject of the dissolution. He wished to know, why the president had interfered in the decis ion of the question? it-rested properly with that house, and as the representative of ti free and an enlightened people, he would give up his opinion to no man upon earth. He gave ■ it as his opinion, that the president had not cx -1 amined the subject; said that it was unusual for him to examine legal questions ; that they ’ w ere always referred to the attorney-general: ’ instanced the case, in which the collector of the port oi Charleston, was concerned ; and ’ asked whether there were any man in that house, who would give up his opinion even to 1 Mr. Jefferson himself? He declared that it was “ well known, that the President was af fected, by a Sun Pain —that lie had.pryjec ted the greatest villain .that ever had the .world i—« I mean, said he, “General Wilkinson, Wham lie has rescued ft pm the , justice of his country .aijil stated Ink deter filiation, not to se£er.a fuvo&y i&ilical, i character, to trampk on the right's of tids people ” ./ " It would be said l>y gentlemen (observed Mr. M.) tfiat he wjusJrxbig.Mr. Jcftersvjp, but lie would “ now try Mr. ' .ulison: He was known to be a-weak debilitated man, great!y*alfected by lever ; and O':is 'letter' might Lave been written tinder til'd ifiiluehce ; pronounced the j whole condtict of the general government, to | he inimical to the best Interests of the people of this territory—and said, 'that in tlie dispo ' sal of the lands of the United Stutes, it had ac f ed against the natural righisland best inter ests of this people. Mr. M. continued to . speak in this strain, very animatedly, for a •considerable length of time ; in the course of * which, he took occasion to Comment on the impropriety of ve-appoipting the governor, af ter lie had dissolved the genera! asserpbly ; and concluded by expressing a most pointed dis approbation of that measure, and a determina tion to vote against the resolution. From the Hudson Balance. THE LIMNER. oun-bovts a hoi !—Within a fevV years, Messrs. Editors, various parts of the male and female dress have'been' distinguished by some popular name vVe have had Truxton huts— Suwarrow boots Nelson hats -Jefferson boots and shoes—Trafalgar ribbons—Nelson wave and Nelson ball calicoes—and more oth er sorts of lioots, hats, shoes, ribbons, Lc. than I can well remember. About the time that Mr. Pulton raised the wonder of all New- York by destroying a poor inoffensive old brig that had been given over to his buffeting*, a quack very gravely advertised Lis new in vented Tor/ndo Pills, which, he said, were so constructed, that at a given time, after being deposited in the stomach, they would explode, and decompose any thing within their reach. “ Can you tell me, Miss- Pertly, why this enormous new-fangled Bonnet is called a Gun- Boat ?" ■“ It is thus named,” replied she, “in honor of Mr. Jefferson ” “ Indeed—can Mr Jefferson be honored by giving a straw Ixrnnet the name of his principle national defence ?” “ Certainly—if all the ladies in the nation, old and young, will wear this same straw bonnet, it must render Mr. Jcfferon very popular.” “ Hut in w hat respect does tiiis bonnet re semble a Gun-Boat?" “ In more than one sir.” “ I confess it—and if you will permit me, I will mention some of them.” “ Agreed, sir.” “ In the first place, madam, they cost more than they are worth, and thus do they resem ble a Gun-Bout .” “ Go on. sir.” j “ They resemble a Gun-Boat , from their fitness to navigate none but shoal •wulers.” “ Thank ye sir—proceed”—— “ They are calculated to make a mere show of defence” Miss Pertly coloured— “ while in feet they invite aggression .” u I deny it, sir.” “ I beg your pardon, madam—but let me see a young lady with a gun-boat bonnet—a ■ proclamation tucker—and a spider net embar go—while all her prominent points, (1 mean her elbows, See ) are naked and defenceless— and I’ll bet you n., ears against a pair of pic nic gloves, that she can be conquered ” PETER PALLET. xa* . n /tart of our last weeks impression , I no doubt some of our readers discovered in an Editorial article , that the word definition, was fainted diffinilion, and stile made use of for style, but we seldom apologize for such typo graphical inadvertencies , believing that our read ers are as ready to excuse , as to discover them, j Thespian Theatre. On TUDSDAY -evening the 20th, iast. will be /tofohied by the THESPIAN SOCIETY, (with jYtiv Sentry, Machinery, l fc.J The muck admired Drama , CALLED THE Man of Forticude; OR THE -Knights Adventure. Female Captive, (bti'ig her frst appearance in Aiigmta.) Mrs. Moray. Tj which will be added, the laughable * FARCE OF Miss in her Teens. • <' i TJie Society having experienced much in convenience from per sons coming behind the scenes, think proper to inform the Public, that in future no person whatever aa ill be per mitted to intrude on the performers. ICr* Doors to open at half past five, cur tain to rise precisely at half past six. %* Tickets to be had at Mrs. Longstrcets, and at the Theatre. December 15. % Peter Primrose, RESPECTFULLY informs the public, that ht has removed to the [tore, one ‘loot above Mr. Jambs Murf.en's, Where he has RcccN’dffi 1 AND JUST OPENED, A large and bandsoms assortment of Looking glasses, w and fmaii, Dr-tfiog and Shaving GLIIeS, Pi£hires and Primings, And a Variety of Beautiful Views, Lahufcspes, OV with and without frames. A L S O A targe supply of valuable and well assorted JEWELRY. K/ TOGETHER WITH Gi.l'J and Silver Watches, Spectacles, P rfpeftivc Glafhs, Spy GiaffvS, 1 Patent R .z rs, t . Thermometers, Mathematical Infirdmtnts, tJc. ttfe. ' AND AN ELEGANT Phantasmagoria. With a great variety of articles in hi J line, which he determines to fell so low, that every reasonable purchaser, Hull be fatufied with hit bargain. December 15, 14 AUGUSTA • Jocky Club Races. TIE Races for the ensuing year will com jf o.rnre on the laftAVednefJay in Janua ry, 1809, free for any Horse, Mare or Gelding, from any part of the world. The Purses and Di/lances as follows , viz F ri day's running, four mile heata, fora pnrfe of S 500. Second, day’s running, three mile heats, for a purse of $ 300. Third tin's tunning two mile heats, for a purse of g 200. Fourth'-day's* running, a sweepstakes, two mile heats, far the entrance money and over plus, fuppoied to be worth about g 300. The weigh s and regulations agreeable to the eftabhfh d rules. •. By o>di/ of the President. December 15. 24 N O T 7 C E. IVill be hired at the Market-House, in the City of Augu/la, 01 $ Monday the id day of next Jan vary, to the highest bidder. Ten Likely Negroes, AMONG WHICH ARE One excellent Boat-Hand and one good Sawyer, belonging to Robert Walton, nc of Iho heirs of the late Robert Walton, of Richmond county, deceased.-v-The terms will be made know n on the day of hiring. A G. WALTON, Guardian. December 15. 24 NOTICE. Will be rented to the hightft bidder , on the firfl Monday in January mxt , The Plantation belonging to Thom as Moon, deccafcd, for ;wd*t months. A L S 0 To Hire several Negroes, belonging to the estate of laid decrafed, and a quantity of Corn and Fodder, /or faie.—Conditions made known on the day of sale. LUcRfeTJA MOON, AJm’x. WILLIAM WILLINGHAM, Adm'r. Decemoer 15. 3 * 24 WILL BE HIRED, On MOVDAY the id day of January next , The Negroes belonging to Thomas Walton, foo of Rober' Walton, decealec, at the ufoal hour, at ihe Market House, in An g’lfla.—The terms will be made known on that day, THOMAS GLASCOCK, Guardian . f December 15. at 34
