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the birth of liberty.
WHEN firft infant Liberty drcpt upon earth,
The mountains and forefis then cradled her birth ;
Nurs’d by Na'ure she dwelt among lavages wi:d,
V/hilft numerous nations adopted the child.
Her mind wa9 for ages a* dark as the night ;
Her form, unadorn’d wander'd naked to fight ;
Slit in huts and in cottages only w'as fuUod,
Reporting at ease on the grass-ch athed ground.
Bnt banifil’d: from earfh by a profligate race,
Long, time the conceal’d both her gr:cf and d.fgrace ;
Till heroes demanding a charter of laws,
Recall’d her from hcav'n to enlifl in their califs ;
In Columbia she landed, delighted to fee
Men firm to their country,; ct refold’d to be free.
In these slates then, forever may Liberty reign,
The People's bed friend, and of Tyrants the bane.
V TI .g V ~Z. IT~ - ■ -
CONGRESS.
SOI7SS OF KEPRESENTATirFS.
Monday, November SO.
Mr. Blount Bid the object ofthc
committee was to put so much money
at the disposal of the Prdidcnt, as to
answer boih the put poles of repair and
creftion. If the words did not express
that feene, he Ihould cheerfully acqui
efee in any amendment which might be
made.
An amendment was offered by Mr.
Dana, but afterwards withdrawn, to
make way for one offered by Mr.
Ckowninshield to the fame effeH;
by which the resolution was emended
to read as follows:
Resolved , That it is expedient to
authorife the President of the - United
■States to cause such fortifications to
be repaired and erefted as will, with
the affiffance of gun boats, Arc.
Mr. Thomas enquired as to filling
the blank.
Mr. Blount said he had Hated while
up before, that 300,000 dollars in time
ofpeace wasas much as could be expen
ded in the course of a year. But if
they could not enjoy peace, more
would be necessary ; and from the un
certainty of this the committee wiflied
todecline filling the blank at the prefeut
tunc. When the bill Ihould be laid
Before them, they might be better qual
ified to judge.
Mr. Gardiner was not fomuch op
posed to the not filling up the blank in
the resolution at this time as to the rea
son which had been given for not do
ing it, or in other words, the reasons
why the House ffnouhl not now debate
on that part of the resolution on which
it was moli important to deliberate ;
file sum to be allowed. It was hard
ly necessary except in point of form,
to have gone into committee of the
whole for any other purpofethan this.
All agreed that the ports and harbors
of the United States Ihould be better
fortified than they were at present; on
that point he trtiffed there could be
but one opinion : but utilefs a sum cer
tain was named tiie people in the sea
ports would remain in the fame flats
of doubt and uncertainty which they
had experienced ever lince the com
mencement of the session. He wilhed
to come to that point which it was moll
important to c./odder ; he wifhcd to
know how much gentleman would give
towards the proteflion of our ports and
harbors. If they were not lo fully
prepared to decide as they might per
haps hereafter be, he thought they
might do much by entering into the
dilcuffion of the fubjefr. For him
fclf, he could not teadily assent to
what had fallen from the Chairman of
the committee; he could not compre
hend the propriety of making a differ
ence between the expense to be incur
red in case the appearance of war
Ihould increase, and those estimated or,
a proipeCt of peace. He had heard
nothing said that was calculated to
(mange nis uniform opinion on this
lubjen, that a flatc of peace was the
lt^fon tor a nation which had fomanv
vulnerable points to prepare for war.
and place itfelf in a condition to repel
atlack. In a Hate of war, and it seem
ed to be seriously approaching, it
would be impcffible to lay out pipuey
to so -much advantage as in a state of
peace. It was in the time of peace
jeculiarly that they ihould, as much
as they could, ercti barriers against
(dine of the tnoft dreadful evils of war:
he would here apply the maxim of
Walhington, quoted by a gentleman
from Maryland feme days finer, “that
to preserve peace, we should be pre
paired for war.” Supposing it should
happen, improbable as it was, that the
country should remain at peace, were’
they on that account to relax in the for
tification of their ports and harbors?
How could they, acting in this way,
expert ever to he prepared for war,
when it should afilually arrive ? A
country whofc coaffs were so much ex
posed, ami whole cities were so rich, so
valuable, and therefore so tempting,
should never be unprepared ; but if,
said he, we should be persuaded to
poffpone the defence of the country,
while v/e are waiting for neats-and ho
ping for peace , the enemy may be at
our (loots our cities may be ransacked,
and nothing left in them worth defend
ing ; it would be too late then, because
if will he to no purpose to fortify, and
the money we now talk, of appropriating
may be'faved, while our ernes are def
troved and defoiated.
Gentlemen fee rued to take great de
light in flattering rhemfelves that they
might yetefcape war; they wtihed, ho
ped for peace. Mr. G. had no hope
that at a period when all the world was
convulsed, kingdoms and thrones were
overturned in such rapid succession,
when all the free slates of the world j
had perished as it were before our eyes,
that we should be able to escape with
lout enduring fome part of the general
calamity, lie entertained now the
{fame opinion which he had done ever
fincc the attack on the Chesapeake was
; made, that the country would be com
; pelted to go to war, or facrafice its hon
or forever. They could not avoid it,
unless they would accept of peace, on
terms, to which no independent nation
could liffen. An attack like that on
the Chesapeake had never occurred
before. The making of it Was not a
ione an outrage of the very worff char
aiter, but alfoan assertion of the moss
positive kind, that Great Britain was a
bout to introduce anew principle in
to the law of nations. Wc have en
deavored, said be, to soothe ourfclves
with a hope, that this attack was the
mere unauthorifed aft of a British com
mander, which bis government might
afterwards disavow or not as they pica
fed. And while wc went on hoping
we might as well hope too, that they
would disavow it. In this hope, said
he, we have wrapped ourselves 1b se
curely up, that at the very moment I
atn Ipeaking, the cannon of Britain may
be carrying ruin and havoc into our
def’encelefs sea-ports. Mr. G. could
not persuade himfelf, that a British ad
miral would voluntarily a flume so aw
ful a responsibility. He could not be
lieve that the admiral’s own orders were
!efs precise and positive than those
which he gave to the captain of the
Leopard. Yet, if he could even be
lieve tkaß he could not believe that.this
outrage would have been followed up,
and confuinmated by bringing to trial,
condemning, and executing one of the
unfortunate men, who owed his death
to his confidence in the inviolability of
the American flag ; and that too, after
it was known at Halifax, what poig
nant sensations the attack itfelf had ex
cited here ; aftc<- the President’s pro
damation itself was know there. He
would have paused: said Mr. G. be
fore he proceeded to this dreadful ex
tremity. He would have waited for
new, and mote prccife orders, if his
tnffru&ion had not been already clear
and explicit. Can we, said he, in e
vents lublequcnt to this, find any cause
to confide each other with a hope of
peace ? No, fir. From the time the
proclamation was issued, to this very
moment, has a British squadron re
mained in our waters, persisting in the
violation of our territory, with an air
of scorn and defiance, which while it
oughtto awaken all that is American
iu us,-excludes alatoil ev?ry ray ol
hope. Could gentlemen indulge ini
hope, when they heard that the Britifh l
vessels in the lakes had been armed r.
That the British forces in Canada were j
encreafed and concentrated? Ihat,
the fortifications at Quebec k were re
pairing? That at Halifax, ico men
I were draughted from the miliiia, to
aflifi in placing that post in a flaie oi
defence? That an additional number
of ships and troops were expended t
Did aby thing from our miniffers at
St. James’s encourage hope ? Any
thing that could be collctfed from the
political journals’ there ? when wc.
fee the British miniffry, said he, pre
pairing for war, taking those ffeps
wliich this government ought to have
taken long age, could they longer con
fide each other with the hope of peace ?
There was nothing to induce them to
delay for a moment, the mofl afilive
preparation. It is true, they were
in fome degree excusable, for not
having acted on this fuhjefii hither
to. The Prelident s Mefiage, though
it had communicated to them infor
mation of the attack on the Chtfi
peake, did not Rate, whether it was in
the opinion of the executive mod pro
bable that we {ball have war, cr that
we should. not have war; it merely
dated, that peace might not contin
ue. They were left, therefore, to de
liberate as they could, uninfluenced
and undir&ed by an expteffion of
what was the opinion of the execu
five. Bui, as from their cwnimpulfe,
they had at la ft artived at the fuhjetf,
he hoped they would go fully into it.
Our ports, he said, ought to be fortifi
ed, whether we are ultimately to have
peace or war. But if only in case of
war fetming inevitable, he entreated
gentlemen to confider whether the
profpecl was not as gloomy as it could
be in any state of things short of act
ual war. But if contrary to all found
calculation, our peace should continue,
the determination to fortify ought in
his opinion not to be give?) up; that,
at another time, we-may be better pre
pared than we are now. He hoped,
! therefore, fome opinion would be ex-
Jpreffedas/o/he sum to be appropriated
for fortification: he muff pro fiefs his
convi&on, that neither of the sums
mentioned by the chairman of the
committee were enough to futisfy that
part of the peop/e to whose fafety ef
fectual fortifications were so essential.
The sum of 750,000 dollars had been
mentioned as a fufficient sum ; if they!
jonce attempted to fortify, they muff;
: do it effectually ; if they appropriated
: af’um for defence it muff be fufficient,
[or the money they did expend, would
|be completely thrown away. He ho
ped the House would resolve effectu
ally to protest our ports and harbors :
j when they did that, they did what their
country demanded and had a right to
j demand of them. Y/ucn they only
I half fortified, they made a (how to in
jduce the people to believe they would
jdo something for them, lie” should
las soon expctl a farmer to fence but
I half his ground, and thus leave his crop
| exposed, as that they would go but
j half way in fortifying againff an ene
| my. He hoped they would not fquan
jderaway money to no purpose • for
his part he would not vote for lels than
a fufficient sum ; for if he did, tie
should confider himfelf as violating
those principles of economy which
should always be attended to in gov
ernment. Mr. G. vvifhed /he House
nb/ only to make a found, but act as
though /hey mean/ to do fome/hing.—
Upon/his fubjeft his confti/uen/s were
feelingly alive to every /hing which
Zransptrcd from that House : they uad
pefifioned formerly and had received
pefiy appropria/ions which migh/ all
have been expended on 15 fee/ of
ground. This would no/ do any lon
ger ; fome/bing muff either be dono
for /hem, or /hey muff be/old that /hey
11. u 1. Zake care of /hemtelves, and /hen
/ney would to do.
At this time when they saw approach
ing so nearly to them—when they saw
almoff realized that Rate of war which
they had so often.been told might hap-
P en j *nd for which the pcooh; had bean
so ofien warned to prepare, Xff M
hoped they woul 1 give up fome I
that tenacious harcl-fiffedness -aV -I
had hitherto clinched their fingers
ciofely in the purse firings ‘of J
national treasury. It was their
which now called for
was better to expend money in prot ?c ß
ting these dcpolits of individual
these fcources of national revenue,
in buying unproduclive wildemcfs, 0: l
{peculating in hot beds of feditim,
t reason j better protect what they ka ( |H
than purchase that which might
a curse to them. They had better J
something, lor what a gentleman Ci 'l
that Hoofeonce called ” the good cffl
thirteen United States,” and not | :; l
ail their care and all their tendernefiß
travel well ward. Do something ferns I
(aid Mr. G: but do not think of fi:.l
isfying us by merely pretending to and,!
it ; let us know what you mean to do . I
I feci rnyfelf authorifed to demand!
that what we have affted (hall be gre-.l
ted to us or that we fha'l be tcld
direct terms that yen will do noth-1
ing for iu, At leaf! deal plainly wifi, I
us. When you come with yccrl
300,600 or 750,000 dollars what do; I
it amount to? Can any member n I
the House lay his hand upon his heart,
and fay, that either of these iutr.s
would an fiver the purpose of effectual
defence for the whole sea coa(l of the
United States. Mr. G. hoped the
chairman of the committee of aggref
lions would not misconceive him;he
meant no lefietlion oti the committee
or its chairman. He avowed his be
lief that the comfiiittee meant to dis
charge their duty—but they muff for
give me said Mr. G. if I too led the
necessity of doing mine.
Both resolutions were adopted; the
firfi without a division, and the second,
Ayes 93. When the committee refr,
and the Hcufe acrced to the refolu
*■ c->
tions, which were referred to the fame
committee that introduce them to
bring in a bill.
IN CO UN Cl 1,,
RESOLVED, that frojn and after the
241'j flay of ibe present month, until the
2d day of J.v u-ny next, not more than
two negroes from one and the fame plan,
lotion fhaii be permitted to ccmejnto tbs
city on the fame day or night; and that if
more than two negroes belonging to the
lame plantation lh.!l be seen, or found
within the limits of the city, on any o’ay
|or night from the 24th 2nit. to the ad day
next, even though they truy
j have-tickets, they fitoSl be taken up, atii
; itnprif.med by the City Matfhaf, Superir:-
tendant oi the City Guard, or any of the
City Conflahk's, and {hail remain in prifa-2
until th y Ihaii be regularly dtfcuatgvd
and colts paid.
Ordered, that the City Matfha! do Coll
on three Conllabies, to aflifl him in carry
ing this retoiution into cif if.
Lxtrafl from the minutes.
D. D. WILLIAMS, c.c.
December 22 £7
In Council,
MONDAY, 1 4-h Deeem K e-, rS.-W
ORDERFD, That cn Mcut!ay the ‘SL-'th r-ft tl,tt
the City Council will, pr eeed to the Ekcti 11 T
DEPUTY GOALBK, vice W;l!iam Simmonn, relics
ed, with a faiary of five Hundred Dollars per annum.
Candidates, who villi to spi iy for the Office, Will iot*
ward their petitions 10 the City Clerk.
Extract from the Mfiia’rs
D U WIOLIAMS, C. C.
T' < 01
ror bale,
SEVERAL valuable Traila of Land m
M lotos!), Glen and Camden Cour.tie--.
A prime gang of feuf med Negroes.
An excellent houie Wench.
A complete fikooner rigged Planter’* s
B at, of t-afy draught of water, fills v
sass, and will carry 10 Tales of Cotton.
A 1 so, an .excellent Cyprcfs Ca^ne.
And a cor.lt ant (npply of New.Yotf; pa
■ tent navy BREAD* •
M. SHEARER.
OBober 16—67 ‘ Belton's Wharf.
| NOTICE.
j ‘ITTAMTS a fithation on a Cotton or Rice Plrcyla
! VV tton, a mars who tmdrrftand* the culture of
j Cotton and Rice, and tyliocati bring good rcconUu.eti*
j dtion. Enquire it this Otlkc. •
j December i 5 S
1 _
FOUND,
A batidfome DOG—The owner, by cdliusr ■' , -
thii Office, eta chuta information reCpccTm;hen.
Dec. tr 8?