•
tfcafints crdcr to the clrcuroßanees«of J
Tlom coflimiii»icalt'in with 9 bloc to
port, *o»ld like wife be «•*&
rrw depend upon the conftrufuon,
which that put of the order, has osen, jut
to hr carried mto execution. I
The cent nl principle firft above fa. r< ,
as lately ap"‘i?d »® re-exportations Jt rrM
-V* imported into neutral countnH from
the rr ncp.,H_^ versa, by ccdlidcring
tinurmort ofthe a con *
ther interpolation, deeply affellingf the trade
ol neutrals. For a fuller view of 1 this and
fomc other interpolarions, j-eferenqt may be
had to the documents to rqflimcafed with
the melTigs to Conigrtffs cf ihe 1710 in(l.
The liriulh principle, which makes a no
tification to foreign governments of an in
tended blockade, equivalent to the notice
required by the law of rations, before the
penalty can be incurred ; and that which
fab* acts to capture vtffcls artiving at a port,
in ihe interval between a removal and a re
turn of the blockading force, are other im
portant deviations from the code of public
law.
Another unjuftifiahle tnenfore is the mode
of search prattifed by Briiith (hips, which
ibllead of remaining at a proper d’ftancc from
Ihe veflei to be fca rolled, arid fending their
boat with a few men for the purpofir, com
pci the vcff l to fend her pa; ■rs in her own
boat, and fame tunes with great dnrger from
the condition of the boat, ahd thy Hate of
the weather.
To thefc instances, without adverting to
others of an inferior or less definite character,
in the practice nf Great Britain, null be
added the afTu'ned right to impress persons
from American veffeb, failing under the
American flag on the high Teas. An expla
nation of this pr aft ice will lie found in the
extraft,from the infiruftions to Mr. Mon
roe, communicated with the rnell tge of the
Frefident above referred to.
Among the interpolations introduced by
the Ficnch government, is a decree, dated
6 :h June 180 J [lB Prairial, 13 years] im
porting that every privateer of which two
thirds of the crew Should not he natives of
England, or fubjeCis of 4 power the enemy
of France, (hall be confidcrcd as pirates.
Another is evidenced by the nfult of an
application made by the deputy consul of the
U. States at Cadi a* through the French con
sul to admiral Vlllcucuve, for the liberation
of fomc seamen of the U. Stales who wara
on board the French fleet under his com
mand. The answer of the admiral, tinted
29 Aog. lafl, [ll FruCHdor, 13 year] Hates,
■ that, ** A dccillon of his imperial and royal
trajefly provides, that every foreigner found
on board tko velTefs of war or of commerce
of theenemy, is to be treated as a prisoner of
war, and can have no right to the protec.
tion'of the diplomatic and cortimetcial agents
of his nation.”
Other orjuftifi-iblc innovations on the
law of nations, die exemplified to the decree
of general Fcrrand, lately passed at the city
of Sr. Domingo, a translation of which is
annexed.
The irrcgnb»f mode of search aboye de
feribd is alto prrtC\io*J hy ( he cruiaets of
France and Spain. .
The cruiicrs of the two latter powers
have liar raffed the commerce of the United
States in various other forms, but as it is
rot known, or believed that their ronduft
has been prescribed or fan6tinned by the pub
lic authority of their refpetfivc nations,
they are not confide red as falling within the
purview of the resolution of the Senate.
4l! — J • fabmit
-7771 J AMES MADISON.
NINTH CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
January 23.
DEFENCE of our PORTS and HAR
BOURS.
DEB ATE on the r t po> t sfa/eled} commit.
Uo, on that part of the Fnjsdent's Mes.
M' that relate! to aggressions committed
on our coats by foreign armed vejfds ; to
' the defence of our ports and harbours ;to
the building of /event) .four gun flips ,
and to the pre venting the exportation of
arms and ammunition.
In committeepfthe whole, Mr. GREGG
in the chair. I lie flrtt resolution was read
as follows;
Rrf /ved t That a sum of money, not ex
ceeding one hundred and fifty.thoufand
dollars, be appropriated to enable the Pre
sident of the United Stares, to ca ffe our
ports and harbours to be better fortified and
protected against any insult or injury.
Mr. Dawson, It is impofilble for anjr
perion to look back on the inju.irs and in
ful ts iKhiiib **c hare received, without fed.
ing mu Ji Indignation and spirit for revenge
—lt is MApaflible to look forward without
fctding orach anxiety and much awe. I
oven, to ycu I have experienced them ; I
ha«c however cnnfolcd myfirft with the plea
fmg fopc, that w hen we came into a com
mittcc of the whole, and took a general
view of the (kite of our country, a fpirir of
accommodation would have dffcOvered itfelf
th it forgetting all party or local diiiinflion
we mould have united our efforts in support
of out Listed tights, ofrour plundered pro- 1
perry, of our degraded did |
doubt, nor do 1 now, that with this dis
position the wifdona of Congress was ade
quate to all their purpufes; t»Tupport tae
peace, interest and honor of our country.
Mr. Clinton. It uiuft strike every
mcm bcr of the Houfc that thefnm contem
plated to be appropriated by the rcfolution
to the protertion of our ports and harbours
is altogether inadequate.
Mr. TAOMAsfaid the sum was certainly
inadequate, and the granting it appeared
‘-nulvalent to doing nothing. |
Mfc. El-x, I cannot conceive it of much
conl*q ( ,entc whether the fun> appropriated
-Vi o * ooo dollars or one .million. The!
00 v qucft:..« ; s «,k»xlum( will make any
appropriation. ,
Mr. Dana. Seven weeks have elapsed
(We the Prefidcnt AddrclTed Congress, re-!
presenting the aggressions made upon tl*
rights of our citizens. During thef? fevcji
weeks, Congress have not informed the atj.
tion on any thing they have done; n«r
have they announced that any one thing wil
be done for the cffertual maintenance of tls
violated rights of their citizens. Now,
confide ring this reiolutiqn, we are called dp
to decide on the firft point mentioned in tit
roeflbge ; not on a mere effort to he produced
by paper ; rhe authoriling a detachment df
100,000 militia ; but on a teal and fubftanl
tiai defence against foreign powers,
viewing ihc raeffage of the Picfident, it
will be seen that we have einh.oraiTinents
wirh all the principal powers of Europe;
that we are beset with difficulties on every
fide. Our ports are infultcd, our territory
invaded, and and our seamen imprcficd.
Wiih regard to the whole of these, the rncit
sage affords us no reason to expert a speedy
adjuftinent ? and since the delivery of the
mcilage, we have received nothing whicb
juliifies a reasonable expertation of it.
This is the fir'd recommendation made in
the nieffage, and on this point, however on
minor topics our citizens may be divided,
on this point the Prefidcnt comes forward
and affixes a tone and firmnefs which might
well be exported to unite all varying opin
ions. Whatever divisions may exist among
us on minor fubjerts, we may well expert a
general concurrence in measures calculated to
defend our rights. Farther; it should he
rccollerted, that executive pow er under our
government is of a limited nature. We all
know that, to be efficient, it mail be
fufbined by the legislature. If, then,
when the President comes forward, appeal
ing to the legillature, with all the influence
or his name and the weight of argument,
what will tire world think, if yOU, the re
presentatives of. the people, should (brink
from taking the measures necessary for the
defence of their rights. I hope we (hall not
exhibit such an example of hostility to the
President of the U. S. in a matter so in
finitely important to our national charartcr,
and the maintenance of peace. If you do
nothing on this.point, it is evident you will
do nothing dfcrtual on any other recommen
ded by the crisis of affairs, and you will
proclaim to the world that, notwithstanding
the millions of which you are plundered,
and notwithstanding the loud and just com-
T i..intnj a £jbe violations committed on your
u° U to do nothing, i
Itlo, 1 hope gentlemen win j ea (*
to vote that we are no longer indepen
dent nation. ‘ -.t ~y ■
Mr. Nelson. It Is true, fir, that
have been seven weeks in fdfion, and tlwf
we have not decided on anv great nation*
question. But if we had been in feffici
(evenly.fever* weeks, and were unprepared
1 ihould vote against coining to a decides
on any question, however important,
Mr. Nelson. I fay that it is incufit
l>ent on us, it weconfidcr oarfelves as the
true representatives of the people, befbre
we lay an enormous tax on them, to be l jre
that it will be of fomc use, Suppdfe we
appropriate now five million to the pro te
non of our harbors, and (hail be told, a :er
these arc expended, that ten millions more
ate necessary to complete their protertion.
Are the people of the U. S. in a fituaticjto
pay fifteen millions for this purpose i With
the gentleman from Georgia, I am for haling
correct information before I take a (lea in
this business. If a sum not bunhcrffomt| to
the people will do, I may vote for it; hut
if the sum necessary (hail be so cnormmi as
tofuhjert them to a heavy burthen, 1 *ill
not vote a dollar. The gentleman sum
Connecticut has brought forward a powerful
argument, by ailcing us if we will not do
, that which the to us f
How long the honorable gentleman has felt
this refpert for the President, I know not •
but for mvfvlf I arffwer, I would not nte
for what I tho'r wrong, though recomu cn-'
dad by the Prefiden. If the Prefix ent
(hould recommend what I think a burden
on the people, 1 (hould hold up bo*h my
hands againlt it, and his recommenda ion
would be no inducement with me to fsror
it. So far as I think his recommenda ion
accords with toe good o( the community, I
nm for fappomng it. When I think it
hjunous 1 rauft vote against it. 1 hope the
committee will rife; a«d I appeal to Che
candor o( gentlemen, whe merit is not rifeht
and friendly to aiW fnnae little time to
thole who declare tlumfelrea uninformed on
the fuhjert.
Committer Boom, Department of
State, January 25, 1806.
When on motion ot Mr. J, Randolph,
the papers, laid by him on the table, were
referred to a committee of the whole on the
ftatc of the union.
The Speaker laid before the House the
following letter from the secretary of the
navy addreifed to the House.
Sir,
“ In obedience to the resolution of the
House ot Representatives of the 27th inst.
diretitng the Secretary of the Navy to
lay before the House a report on the condi
tion of the frigates, and other public armed
vetfelr, belonging to the U. S. ditliiigmfli*
ing the frigates fit for actual service ; dif
lingmfhing such as require repair, and the
Ann receffary for repairing each ; and dif
tiriguiftiicg also such as it may be the inter
est of the United States to difpofc of rather
than repair,” I have the honor to state.
That the frigate Constitution is now in a
(late of thorough repair, and in all refpefts
prepared for service.
That the frigate Chefapcake has lately
been repaired and is fit for service.
That thejfrigatcs Adams, Eflex and John
Adams are also fit for service.
That tuc biigs Siren, Hornet, Argus,
and Vixen, theTchooncrs Nautilus and En
terprise, the bombs Spifire and Vengeance,
ai d all the gunboats are fit fur service.
That thefiigates President, United States,
Congress, Conllellation, N ew *York, and
Boftoo, require to be repaired ; hut it is ira
pcflblc to form an accurate eftimateef the
“ funs mceflary for repairing each.”
I know no vtflU belonging to the navy,
which I con fide r it would he “ «hc iirotft
of the United States to dispose of, rather
than repair.”
'January ig,
&ON IMPORTATION WITH GREAT
BRITAIN.
Mr. Gregg said, that he considered the
ini cits offered to our government, and the
injuries done to our citizens by some of the
belligerent nations, to be of such a nature,
as to demand the interposition of govern
ment to obtain reclrcfs. It appeared from
the memorials of the merchants of New-
York, Philadelphia, and other of our sea
port towns, now on our table, as well as
from executive communications, that vef
feis the bona fide property of citizens of the
U. Sta f cs, have been seized by their crui
sers and they and their cargoes condemned,
contrary to out rights as a neutral nation,
and to what has long been considered as the
hw of nttions on thisfubjeft. Great num
bers ot our fellow citizens have been impref.
fed, and notwithstanding o«r rep«a.tecl *»-
monftranccs, they are cruelly retained in
bondage, and compelled to a£l in a service,
perhaps very abhorrent from tAcir feelings,
(sr from their country and friends....
To these insults and injurs, said Mr, G.
we can no longer fuhmiV unl«fs we are wil
ling to fuiTendcr th/*- independence which
has been, and I always will be our
pride and our So great are - these in
juries and and Co unremittingly
are th«y in, that Ido not know
buy thz/faght be considered as a fufficient
Muie qp'which to ground a decimation of
1 war. That, however, is not my objeifl.
I deprecate war, and will not agree to re.
fort to it, until ocher means, which we
have in our power, arc tried in vain. We
do, I think, pofitifs means, which if pro
perly used, cannot fail of accomplishing the
object, To these, I hope we will now re
tort, and for rhe purp >fe of bringing them
into view, I will fobmit a resolution to the
con fide ration of the House, refcmng any
farther observations on the fubjeft, untill
toe resolution dull be taken up in committee
of the whole on the (late of the union, to
which 1 intend moving its reference.
Mr, Gregg then offered the following re
fold nun
Whereas Great Britain imprefles citizens
of the United Stares, and compels them to
serve on board her (hips of war, and also
fefzes and condemns veOeli belonging to citi
zens of the U. Stares, and their cargoes be
ing the bona fide property of American citi
zens not contraband of war, and not pro.
cceding to places Uficged or blockaded, un
der the pretext of their being engaged in
time of war in a trade with her enemies
which was not allowed in time of peace ;
And wherons the government of the U.
States has repeatedly remonlljafcd to the
British government against these injuries,
and demanded fatisfadion therefor, but
without effed.
Therefore, rcfolvad, That until equi
table and fadsfadory arrangements on these
points (lull be made between the two go
vernments, it is expedient that from arid
after the d.ty of no goods, wares,
or merchandize, of the growth, predud, or
m mufrdure of G. Britain, or of any of
the colonies or dependencies thereof ought to 1
be imported into the U. States. Provided,
however, that whenever arrangements
deemed fatfefadory by the President of the
U. States thail rake place, it (hall be law.
ful for him by proclamation to fix a day on
which the prohibition aftrelaid (hall ccafe.
The House having agreed to confider this
resolution.
Mr. Thomas said he had fecondcd the
motion of the gentleman from Pennsylvania,
and should give it his deduct! foppott, f,
would, however, have failed him bctr Ci
had it gone still further, and interdicted
til commercial intcrccurfc with that nation
until (he would cease to commit deprfda*
tions on our commerce, impress our ctii ZCns
on the high seas into herfervice, and abar.,
don the new principles which (he had lately
interpolated in the maritime code, anc j
which he considered as unjust as they were
unauthorifed by the acknowledged law ot
nations.
But as unanimity in the Jcgiflaturc of the
nation was definable at all times, and par
ticularly so on great national qaeftions,
was difpnfcd, in order to produce that refill*
on the preferit occasion, to y ield a part of
hts own opinion to meet the views of other
gentlemen.
The present was an important qnefiion,
and he hoped the honorable mover wculd
consent that it fhculd He a day or two for
confideratton, asd moved that it be printed.
Mr. Gregg laid, his wish was to refer
the resolution to a committee of the whole
©n the ftatc of the union, and made a mo.
tion to that effert, which was agreed to
without a division, and the resolution J
ordered to be printed.
WASHINGTON CIT7, Jan. 29.
At a meeting of the iruftees of the in!«i
tu.fiou for the education of youth in the ci
ty or Wathingion, eftahiilhed under an art
of the city council, held in the beginning of
August, THOMAS JEFFERSON, £ SQi
was unanimoufiy chosen .prcfidcnt ol the
board. 'lhe election hiving been made
known to him by Mr. Robert Brent , chair,
man of the board, by letter direrted to him
at Moriticello, Mr. Jeffarfon riiade the loi
lowing replyl
Monticello, Aug. 14 th rBcc.
SIR,
Aconfiderable journey fouthwardly from
this place has prevented my ‘ sooner ac
knowledging letters from yourfdf, fr«.nj
Mr. Gardiner and Mr. S. H. Smith, an
nouncing that I had been elected by the city
council a trustee for the public fchonls to he
established at Waftiingtcn, and by the trus
tees to preside at their beard. ] receive
with due fenfihility these proofs of confidence
from the city council and the board of trus
tees, and alk the favor of you to tender
them ray just acknowledgments. Sincerely
believing that knowledge promotes the hap
piness us man, I (hail ever be disposed to
contribute ray endeavors towards its exten
tion, and in the inftancc under conflderariem
will willingly undertake the duties proposed
to me, so far as others of paramount obli
gation will permit my attention to them.
-I-Ptay, you to accept ray friendly falota
tions and aiTurances of great and es
teem. THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Robert Breat s Est.
Charleston, February - 7,
The (hip Averick, Capt. Decost,
arrived this morning, failed trorn Rotter.
1 dam on the 2©th of December. Capt. D.
brought no papers j hut dates, that the re
ports from the fe*t of war were, that there
hid been much hard fighting—snd that
Bonaparte, in the battle on the 2d De
cember, had been flight!'/ wounded in the
arm. The laid accounts, however, were,
that the French troops had been fuccefsfr.l.
Captain Decost furnifttes one impor
tant article of information, which proves,
beyond doubt, that Prussia has taken par:
in the war: All the Prifjjinn merchantmen
in Rotterdam had'been /el-zed by the Dutch
government ; and accounts wre momently
experttd of the Prussian troops having Article
a blow.
February 8
Several of the uniform corps of the mwi
tia of Philadelphia have offered their servi
ces to the Prelldent of the United States,
awd to march to any part of the continent
where he may please to employ them.
Extras of n letter from our Corrsfpindent
at Rancafter, dated January 22,
** After a week's altercation rhe judicia
ry Bill has just been pa fled, in rhe lloufeof
Representatives, hy a majority of sixteen
(4910 33.) Its principal features are the
Abolition of the Court of Errors and Ap
peals---the addition of one Judge to the Su
preme Court—-the taking away its original
jurifdirtion in civil cases---the eflahlirnment
of an annual Scflaon at Pittfhurgh, f&c, and
a new arrangement’ and sub-division of the
Diftrirts, for the Courts of Qiarter Scffions
and Common Pleas, in which the City and
County of Philadelphia make one.—-The
Afficiate Judges to be eventually reduced to
two, and no 'caufes to be removed into the
Supreme or Circeit Courts unless the amount
in controversy exceded food (foil,;rs,
“ January 23.
** The Bill for the removal of the feat of
• government to Harrifburgh, was taken up
and pafl-id with an appropriation of 50,000
dollars for the purpose of erecting the neces
sary offices, drc. before the year xSoS.”
Fhila. Paper.
■ Great Faii.ure. : —Cmtxm 'vlr:ic late
ly arrived at M üblehead from Blioia, re
ports that th“ great French hmk?.", RuCA
mier, hid filled for an limited millions
of litres.
