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ms one of the most material benefits ■which th ' French people have tie. rived from the revolutnm. Tin mild or oppressive mode of collec ting the revenues of a country, dis tinctly marks ihs natuTe of the gov ernment. In Turkey, tlie taxe* are levied with the scimetar & the musket. Under the old govern ment of Fritter, thev were farmed eut; that is, the « ants of the court being ascertained, in order focome at the amount bv a more summary proeess, thati was requisite hv the tedious forms of collecting it from co many individuals, the farmers general kindly stept in between the people and the king, and advanced tfic* sum to the Utter ; they were then invested with the power ot in detmtifying themselves among the peasantry hv every species of op pression and imposition whic»t at a* riee and cupidity can invent. The ingenuity of man can scarcely de vise a more odious and cruel me thod of collecting the revenues ol a country, than that practised in France, under the Bourbon race It appears, therefore, that upon this vrrv important point, (the mode in whiih public contributions are le. vied upon the people) the French have hern relieved from mnumera ble inequalities »"d oppressions. | Sirth/y , and lastly, tho feudal rvMimii. —Ample, elegant and cor rect histories of the feudal system, mav he found in Hume, Hobertson and Gibbon ; and a condensed ac count of its introduction into Kug land, its abuses, and its abolition, during the reign ot ('barbs 11. hv Black stone, is familiar, I presume, to every student ot law. I shall not therefore attempt a lengthened de tad of the servitude incident to this strange policy, hut shall con tent tin self with a brief abstract pf its most prominent * n d debasing features. The barbarous jargon, of aids, rebefs , primer seisins , Ward* ships, marriages , fines and escheats , incident to tins system, will be, perhaps unintelhgdde to n-anv of my readers. \ complete explanation ol the degrading ser vice-* and cruel exactions meant by these terms, would surpass the limit* of this essay, already 1 (ear extended to too great a length. But an adequate idea may he for med, of the consequences resulting from the feudal privileges, even among the gentry and lower no bility, by recurring to Bhick'tone ; the most abridged, and at the same time, the most forcible descrip, tion of that t\ ninin that 1 have ever met with. He observe—“ the families of all our nobility and gen try, groaned under the intolerable burdens, which, (in consequence ot the fiction adopted after ttie eon quest) were introduced ami laid upon limit bv the subtlety and finesse of the Nmman Lawyers. For besides the escutages for which they were* liable in defect of personal attendance, which, however, were assessed h) them selves in parliament, they might be called upon bv the king or lord paramount tor aids, whenever his eldest son was to be knighted, or his eldest daughter m»r tied : not to torget the ransom oi his own person. The peer, on the death oi his ancestor, if ot full ago, was plnndeted of the first emoluments arising from his inheritance, by way ot teh>J anil primer seisin ; and, if under age, ol the whole of his estate during inlancv. Anil then, as Sir l homns Sm»th very feelingly complains, “ wlun he “ cante to his ow n, utter he was Out ot xo'trdship, his woods “ de cayed, turn -es if*dl'-'» down, stock wasted and gone, Isltds “ let lorth and ploughed to he barren, re dtice him still la her, h«* w a s v«t to pay halt a \ ca l *’ profit as a jine for suing out his ItvefU * and also the price & value ot his marriage, if he refused such wife a> his lord and guardian had barteied for, and imposed upon him ; or twice that value, if he married another woman. Add to this, the uniitne ly & expensive ot knight hood, to make his poverty more completely splendid. And when by these deductions, his lortunc was so shattered and ruined, that perhaps he was obliged t<« sell his patrimony, he hail not wen that •pool pi ivdtge allowed him, with out pax ing an i xoi biiaitt line tor a tcense of alienation t his be pg *hc situation ot the uobiluj | x M ■§ ' at d i f m’ * and gentry fcf England, where the feudal system was mild, compared with u» bloody ferocity, and stern rigour, uo the continent of Eu rope, to what misery and degrada tion must (be lower orders in so ciety have been reduced ! Accor dingly, we shall find that the suf ferings of toe nobility and gentry were light indeed, compared to the brutal debasement to which the unhappy peasantry were re duced. There never has been im posed by the policy or barbarity of man, a slavery bo complicated and degrading as that which atose out of the feudal system. The condition of our negroes is iuiin itely superior to the villein, or bondsman ol Europe. 1 hey the property of their lords, and cither attrached to the soil of the barony, or the person of the bar on ; they were transferable m like manner as our slaves ; if they runaway, or were stolen the) were recoverable in the same way ; they were incapable jf acq Bring property ; of giving testimony against a freeman , were obliged to shave their heads, as a mark of servitude j and although in England rape and murder were the only excesses to which the lord of the manor could not carry his power, yet on the coniiiiuent a ikeon might voilate the person of his fe male slave, with impun ity ; it was indeed one of tlieir privileges, (and this was also the case in Scotland) to have the first night’s enjoyment whenever theii bondswomen married.* But al though the baron ol F ngl not the power of mu*dering his vassals,, it was otherwise 1,1 many parts of the continent ; and particularly in France. In some districts, they were used in car riages, instead of cattle, were compelled to pass whole night* in preventing the frogs from d:s tuibing the sleep of their lords; were obliged to feed find maintain his dogs ; and,/n certain cantons , after the sports of the chase, the baron had the privilege of tipping open the bellies of his slaves It bathe his feet in thtir reeking bowels! Such was the condition of the low er classes in France, previous to 'he revolution. Incapable of ac quiring or possessing property ; deprived by the cruel destiny of iheir birth, of the blessings of liberty ; the honor of thtir fe males, and the lives of all were e qually exposed to the brutality anil ci uilty of their Lords 1 In conclusion, it will be suffi cient to observe that at one mighty sweep, this old and terri ble fabric of servitude, misery and death,was effaced fiom the civil institutions of F'rance. Her t r r iitoiv is ** liberated from feudal bondsge *'and her “ agriculture is Unlettered by ecclc siasticcal 1m posts.” Every m;nin Fiance i a free citizen; all ihc prop,rt\ is held in fee simple, as with »is ; bannalites, franc fiefs, cor vees gru eries, *.v mam tnorlesJa e c bulished Contributions are levied m an tquituble proportion; the admin isualions of justice n» no longer venal ; and, “ notwithstanding some of tfie wanton and capricious beaks which ev?r follow in tin train of absolute power, personal safety and private property ait much more sale than before.”f S . I cannot Irani," fjy* EUqknonc, “ that tver tin. curtim prevailed in England. H ough it remit lv did in Scotland, (in. (ter the name of merchet* or marchcta) tiilabo* .lilted hv Malcolm 111 f Stephens’* wars of the French I’evo lution. From the Next) York Mercantile Advertiser of the 3 d inst. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE A (landing rule of the Synod of New Yoik and New Je rfc\ is to Ipend a portion ol theii lime at their Bated meetings, in heating ftom each of thtir mem hers a lummary account ol the llaie of Religion in the congre. nations and neighborhood to which they belong. Ihe fol low ing is a lummary Oatement of the relolt of this conversion .t their late fefiions in Newaik, October, iBoB. “ Ihe S’, nod heard from each ol iheii numbers an at- count of the Hate of Rrigion within their bounds, from which it appears, that during l be lad year ihere liavc been in many of iheir chur< he>, extraordinary revivals of religion, and greater numbers added to *be church than in many rears part. « Tiele revivals of religion have been molt rematkable within the bounds of the Piel. bytery of New Y'otk. There the kingdom of Satan appears to have been greatly fliaken ; combinations agatnff religion have been deliroyedj prayer meetings on Sabbath mornings, for ihe purpose of imploring the presence of God on the public ordinances <*f bis houfej and religious societies on other days o m have been cflablifhed in many places, and well attended. Ma. ny pet lons grossly immoral in then conduct, and lome ddlin. guifhed for iheir zeal in avow ing Sc promoting deiflical prin cip'cs, have been arrested by the influence of the Spirit, and hopefully convened. The gra ces of the | eople of God appear to have been quickened ; a fpi. rii of prayer poured out upon them, and the number of pray* jrtg people greatly increalcd.— During he year palt, within the bounds of that Piefbytery, mote that ileven hundred have been a d d to '-he communion of the church, the greater proportion n f whom are young per lons.- 'I he diflingudhed dofcttines of grace, a' tecogmzed in the con. jeflioii of faith of our church, have be- n letnatkably ackm.w ledge d and rejoiced in the sub. jetts of this work. “ In the bounds of the other Picfbvteries belonging to the Synod, appearances ;« e flatter ing. In lomc congregaoons in htfe Pit (byteries there are plea, ling revivals, and ihioughout them generally the pleaching of the woid is heard with avidity, the vtcant congregations aie anxious to be supplied with paf ti is, and there appeals to be an tncreafing attention to die things ol icligion. “ 1 hroughout our bounds generally, catecherical instruc tion has been particularly atten ded to, & appears to have.pro duced happy effetts. We te loice that the fervor felt during the revivals has been unaccom panied with any irregular taHies of enthusiasm. It is alio weir. th\ ol notice and gratitude, that a far greater number of young men than usual ate now prepa img for the mtntftry ; and a mong the youths who have been (objects of thole tevivals, many have it in view in the lame way, to conltctate thcmfelvcs to the let vice of their Redeemer. “ From one of our btethren in Connecticut, fitting as a cor* relpondem with us, the pleating intelligence was received ol le vivals in mat y pans of that Itatc. “ Forthcfe mercies wede(ire humhy to praise the great Mead of the Church, and unite our fervent petitions to our exalted Redeemer, that he would not take from us his holy (pint, but cause the influence of his grace to delcend on our churches as rain upon the mown grass, and as fhuwers that water the earth ; that his kingdom may come, Sc the whole earth may be filled : with his glory.— Amen. N. B. The Synod of New York and New' Jcrlev, coniilts of four Prcfbyteries, viz. Long I(]and, Hudlon, New York Sc Y t w Biunfwitk. Blanks of all kinds executed at thclhotiefl notice at this Ossie. From the Baltimore A r . American. \Ve are autborifed to publifli the following corrcfpomJei.ee, n order co prevent those mil conceptions to which such Irani' actions are apt to give rile. Last evening major BifTell of the arms, delivered the follow ing note as add re fled : No. I. General James Wilkinson. thcCmn inaruhr m Chief >j tin' ai my, to Captain Hobert (toodlot Harper , commanding a Company oj / ol vntrer Artillery. Captain Harper, under the veil of pamot’.lni having recent ly a flailed the general’s honour, and by wiles, fictions, unprin cipled Sc inhuman, endeavoured to deliroy bis military fortune Sc his fame, General Wilkinson conceives that injuries of such uncommon atrocity, without a ray of provocation to extenuate them, gives him an inconitfti' ble claim to conrroenfuiate re paration. He therefore waves the privileges of rank, and de mands from captain Harper the onlv admifljhle atonement. Major Btflel of the anny will deliver this note, and is author, tied to adjull the time, place and manner. Baltimore , Wedncfday noon , iCjih October, iBoB Mr. Harper anfwercd, that from threats which he had tin derflood had been thrown out !>V general Wilkinson, he had for lonic time expected such a message, and was prepaied with an anlwer, which should be de livered in writing ti e next mor ning at any hour when it might suit major BifTell local!. Ma jor BifTell req ucfling to know i ;he fubllanceof the anlwer, Mr. Harper told him it was this— “ I do not intend to meet gen eral Wilkinson and added that the reasons would be Bated in wtiting (he next morning, when major Bifleli should call. He promised to call at 9 o’- clock the next morning in order to receive Mr. Harper’s answer m writing. A little after nine, major Bifleli called,and Mr. Harper presented to him the following anlwer unsea led, requeuing him to read it. No If. General Wilkinson mud ex cuse me Irom accepting his in* vitation. It iuppoles an equaii y, which lituatedas he is. in the public opinion and in iny own, 1 cannot admit. Neither can I admit, that for advifrng Mr. Clark to lay before congiels the documents in his pofltflion, rending to prove theexiltence and nature of general Wilkinson’s connec tion with the Spanish govern ment, which advice appears from his note of yesterday, to be the offence whereupon his challenge is founded, I ain perfonallv responsible to him. It was my right and my du ty to give that advice. To admit that I am refponltble to general Wilkinson for having given it, would be to admit a principle leading directly to the lupprefTroii of evidence, and the impunity of offences. Robert G. Harper. Gen. James Wilkinson , com mander in chief , &c. Major BifTell replied, that he was not autborifed to receive any further communication from Mr Harper ; but in con lequnce of Mr. Harper’s verbal anlwer to general Wilkinson, of the lalt evening, he was in (tructrd to leave him a note from general Wilkinson. This note Mr. Harper declined receiving, unless major BilLdl would fiint receive his anlwer to genctal j Wilkinson. Tins major BifTell repeated, that Tie was not au ihoriied to do, but infiftcd, on leaving the note, which he laid on the table, and took leave. After Im depam* Mr. Harper opened it, t**. 1 found li to be as follows : No Ilf. Gen. \\ ilkinfon to captain Harper Major BifTell having teported to the general captain Harper’s determination not to meet him, agreeably to hts invitation of yesterday, the general can hold no further communication with the captain; but having defen ded to the captain’s level, he regrets he should be compelled to bear teflimony to his cow aidtce, and put him out of the ranks of honor. Baltimore October 27, 1808, morning. The anlwer of which No. II j is a copy, was then iraniniiued j to general Wilkinson. - To those who know capt. R. G. Harper, it is unnecef lary to fay he is a swindler and an alien to honer, but to the whole world it may he neces sary to proclaim him for a cow ard, because he has been a bulley ; and thus to place him below the consideration of eve ry man, u ho values the charac ter of a gentleman. Frum the National Intelligencer. TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, | President ot the United States. S,R * | Accept the affectionate addrejJ of the Ketocton baptist Associaa tion, holden in Loudon county, gj state of Virginia, Aug. 18, 1808. You will pennit us to offer you oujfl sincere congratulations, while wfi see you about to be relieved fronm the labours inseparable fiom the® trust you have been called to sus-l tarn. But while we anticipate! your repose in the bosom of do® mestic tranquility, we deeply laJ ment the loss of your useful ser* vices, which we believe have a blessing to the United States ; and Virginia especially is indebtl ed to your zeal and patriotism.—fl To \ou, sir, under the superm® tending providence of the GnaM Faihrr of the human family, wql feel ourselves greatly indebted for j our deliverance from the galling chains of an ecclesiastical estab-i lishment. We have not forgotteroj that into your hand our petition on | this interesting subject was put * j and we reflect, with great on the wisdom, fltmness and zeal| that were manifested in every parfll of your conduct until the chains weie broken, and religious iyran. ny gave up the ghost, and lay buri ed in eternal death, never to ex perience a resurrection, we hope,* in this happy countiv. The re*i flection becomes abundantly more pleasing when we view every pars ol your political life perfectly in unison with the principles that shone with such superior lustre at that early dawn of your politicd| career. We have seen in your answers to those who have solici-j ted your continuance in the itml portal trust you now hold, the* reasons you otter tor retiring frond the noise and bustle of public lifes and f ce l conscious that age musd weaken the external system, anJI as this is the medium through which the intellectual iaculties disjn play their force, when the former, through age or any other cause, is impaired, the latter must suffer] a proportionable diminution. But at the same lime it is with deed regret that we part with your u»«S ful talents, although necessity mas compel the measure, v t -"iiP changes among public offi ‘“ c f fc:, *■ republican government secure its permanency without 3 corruption of its principles ; & isl w ill be extremely pleasant should the nation succeed in the election of a person to nil the trust yo® hold, of like political principle® with yourself, and that the g oT w ernmeni may, without maintain the ground it has take*;