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AMERICAN ADVOCATE. No. XXX ] Published weekly, on Thurs day MORNING, BY GEORGE W. WHEELER <&• JAMES CLARKE, AT THEIR PRINTING-OFFICE, IN THE i SOUTH-WEST (Lowek) ROOM OF THE OLD STATE-HOUSE -AT * THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM— ONE IN ADVANCE. SPANISH MAGNANIMITY. The Case of Richard Meade, esq. Io justice of an abused fellow-citizen—to exemplify the gratitude of Spanish royal ists and hold them up to the approbation they deserve, we have carefully abstracted the following from a long detail of tacts and many documents published in the Aurora.— It appeals to contain M a view of the whole ground.’’ i Mr. Meade is an American citizen, who jhas been for several years a merchant at Ca diz ; and was consul, ad interim , ot that port for the United States. When the city was invested by the French, and even subse quently, he advanced to the Spanish govern ment sums to the amount of more than two millions, for the subsistence of their armies. A part of this was discharged by bills on London, but it appears that about one mil lion still remained due. While the cortez *at at Cadiz he was imprisoned for refu sing to surrender to them his property, and that of the American merchants for whom he was acting on commission, brom ih? civil authorities, that executed this ba.se outrage, he appealed, in a spirited manner, to the cortez, and by this pro ured his re lease $ notwithstanding which, bis stores were broken open and his property taken. Afterwards, in the course ot his mercan tile business, he obtained f, y negotiation and agency, one or two hundred thousand dol lars of a credit on account of the Spanish treasury ; and this, together with a further credit in foreign countries, secured on toe same account, he had, by conseut of the j public authorities, plaeed as a liquidation I of nn equal amount of debt due to him— triplicate receipts being given to him to that i effect. ’ Above a year after this affair hid been thus adjusted, when anew set of hungry public agents had got into power, he was required to pay into the treasury a. sum o qual to that for which he had obtained re ceipts. On the 2d of May last, he was in formed, by the auditor of w tr, that in on gequence of a secret consultation , a royal order had been issued, requiring of him, under the peril of imprisonment, to pay the money or furnish to the tribunal of commerce satisfactory security.* He pro tested against the demand, but to preserve his personal liberty until a hearing could oe had, he tendered the most ample secu rity-consisting of a “ deposit ot notes, in which the members of the tribunal were a mong the signers.” The demand was then changed, and no security bnt cash would be accepted. Mr. Meade then offered bills and orders of the king, ( libramientos) which he possessed, to ten times the amount, on the treasuries of the provinces—he offered to give serurity for his person to any amount, and to add the deposit ol notes proposed ; i at he absolutely refused to augment the debt already due to biin by the Spanish go vernment, as an order bad issued declar ing, that all contracts made prior to De cember, 1814, should be considered as be longing to the public debt; which was e quivalent to a determination not to pay them —their evidences of debt being at eighty or ninety per cent enseount- It was then ob served to him, that the order mode an ex ception of debts diftl toforeigneis, to which class he belonged. He replied ; o this, that lie had a written declaration from the in tendant of the treasury, staling that his claims were included in the decree. On which the auditors told him that they had nothing to do with the justice or injustice of •fjbe case, and that he must pay the sum re quired, or be imprison'd. Ho was then ’■committed to the Castle of St. Catalina, where he remained until the 27ih ot May last. The business and the seals of the consu late had in ihe mean time, been committed; to Mr. Robinett, when Mr. Cathcart arriv-. ed and presented his protest to the captain 1 general, &<*. governor of Cadiz $ stating that his Catholic majesty had, by bis own royal sign nianuel, acknowledged the a mount in question to be considered as de posited in the royal treasury, and that a former governor had given notice that it was his majesty’s pleasure to order a suspension of all proceeding, until the necessary funds should be forthcoming to realize that de * Upon the allegation, that they were informed he intended to leave the Cj.lv. LOUISVILLE, THU RSDAT, SEPTEMBER 12, 1816. posit, &c. He complained likewise, that j Mr. Meade was confined in a place “ that had been used as a dungeon, with a sentry constantly kept in view, upon the unfound ed and absurd that he had intended to leave the city .” He then demanded that Mr. Meade should be permitted to go to Madrid, to defend his rights under the au spiees of the American envoy, then expect ed there ; or at least, that be should be per mitted to return to his bouse, he (Mr. Cath carl) offering himself in his public of pri vate capacity, responsible for Mr. Meade’s person. The governor replied that the imprison ment was iq consequence of a decree from ike royal and supreme council of tear, and that ail reasoning with him about the injus tice of the case was unnecessary ; as such arguments should have been addressed to the supreme authority. He refused to grant Mr. Meade a passport to Madrid ; but agreed that if Mr. Cathcart would be come responsible for him, he would submit that part of the matter to the consulado . Mr. Uatheart repeated bis protest and complaints, and concluded by pledging hirn seiffor the personal security of Mr Mead* He also requested a copy of the royal order, and of the other proceedings in the affair, offering to pay all expense himself. The captain general then informed Mr. Cathcart, that the offer of responsibility and request of papers, had been loid before the consulado. This is followed by a letter from the go vernor of the castle of Catalina, to the go vernor of Cadiz, statiug that Mr. Meade was used very well, that he had “ a very decent apartment, plaistered, witii a large window, and stub as is occasionally occu pied by persons of all classes” and that ‘‘ al though he supposes, from Mr. Meade’s res pectable character, that he would be-oquaily as safe walkiug the streets of Cadiz, as it confined in tne narrowest duugeon,” yet he hud told Mr. Meade with his “ accustomed frankness,” he says, “ that he never chooses to run the risk of being implicated for any | person, nor would hefhave the officer of the guard run auy risk.” I The official decree of the eonstdudo is, that the security proposed by tbe consul of the United States is neither in its nature nor object, such as could be approved as ad missible,” &c. Upon which the governor ■ issues his decree, that he feels himseli o bilged faithfully to observe the tenor of the royal mandate of the supreme council of u'ar that Mr. Mode’s loufiuement. cannot be meliorated, as the castle ol Santa Cataliua, from its locality, rendered all these pre ; cautions necessary ; and that it might be I more aggravating to him to be removed to ■ another prison, where such precautions were i not necessary.” Copies of the proceedings ’ should be furnished, with the exception of i the royal decree of the supreme council,” ! whkh contains expressions indicating se crecy. From the Gleaner. CARDEN & THE MACEDONIAN. The Editor of the Gleaner was on a tour through a part of New-England, and hap pened to be at New-London, wlien Commo dore Decatur came into port with his prize, the Macedonian—the crew of which he then had ou board the United States. At that time the following circumstances were related to him:—While the Macedonian was building in the river Thames, a short time previous to the late war, Gen. A il likins, of Norwich, (Con.) was in England, and was iuvited among other Americans then there, to go and see the Macedonian launched. He attended, in company with captain Carden, who had already been se j leeitd as commander of the new j At that time much was said by ca.pt. Car -1 den to the Americans concerning the excel lent construction *f his ship; and the supe rior state, in which he intended she should be finished. About a year afterwards it happened that Gen. VS illiams was at Lisbon while the Ma cedonian was there, and was invited by Capt. Carden to go ou hoard his frigate, which he said was in complete order, and ! hnd the finest crevv in the British Navy— While on board, the commander took occa sion to speak in the highest terms ot his ship, and mude “some comparisons between the Macedonian and the frigates of the U. States, very unfavorable to our Navy, and turning to the General—“ Sueh a ship as this, Sir,” said he “ never was built in the U States ! ’—yours have calico sides when compared to this ! !’* “ 1 aui not the best judge of ship building” sajd the General, ‘‘ but 1 am mil need to believe there are few belter built ships than those which compos the Amcri.au Navy.” “Poor, calico .biugs,” replied Cardui, “ I was out few months since to America, where I saw your i best frigate the United Stales, why she is not to be compared, Sir, with the Macedo nian.” “ That may be,” replied the Gen eral, “ but as the relations between our two j countries, are very much unsettled, some ot j your frigates may have an opportunity of comparing themselves side and side with the United States.” Immediately on receiving the news of the capture and arrival of the Macedonian, Gen. Williams hasted to New-London, to pay his compliments to capt. Carden, then a prisoner on board the same ship, which ‘he ! bad affected to despise. The meeting was such as might have been expeeteri—eaptain Garden was much more disposed to talk of j the flavor of the wine, the hospit Jity of A inerieans, than to compare the Btftisk .aid American frigates. From the Democratic Fress. f inn tbe glorCous subject fires my breast, And my soul’s darling passion stands con test j . ~ , Beyond or love’s or friendship’s sacred uand, Beyond myself, I prize my native land. Ou this Inundation would l build my lame, And emulate the Greek and Roman came. Rows. Are ye not mark’d by all the circling world As the great stake, the last resort of liberty. Bjrooke. Haughtiness of spirit has ever been deem ed the prominent characteristic ol republics. It is tbe effect which every free government has upon tbe minds of its citizens: aim in proportion to the liberty which prevails, is the superiority felt by every member of the community. , Tkjs temper of mind, so far as it and not lead us into a blind confidence, which may induce us to despise an enemy, or to a con tempt. of foreign arts whkh may he benefi eially naturalized, ought to he encouraged rattier than depressed. At least, it is the duty of every citizen to fester a love of coun try,* which shall seek its gratification in pro moting the public weal from domes'ic sour ces, and in preserving tbe national diameter distinct, unique and tree from every foreign contamination. The Greeks in the days of their prosperity and glory viewed the real of the world as barbarians, comps?ed with whom they were themselves as dfcmi gods. This sentiment sprang from two causes.— First, because they were free, being govern ed bv laws to whieh each citizen was party ; and ’secondly, because their cities end their manners were embellished by tlie hue aits, which were cultivated amongst them with : more success than in any other [>ait of ice globe, Each individual, inspired by tbe spi rit of freedom, considered himself an over match for any barbarians, who, wanting that stimulus, were the slaves of fear and the victims of despotism. To this opinion may he ascribed their surprizing victories over the Persians under Xerxes and his lieute nants, and their still greater triumphs w hen led by the euterprizing Alexander. They judged correctly, that submission to the des potic will of others unfi s a man for tbe nobler parts of life, and reduces him to an Automaton, whose value depends not upon itself but upon him who moves the springs by which it is set in motion. They also con sidered the study of the sciences and the fine arts as the means of mental improve ment, which, by rendering the mind acute and comprehensive, gave them the same ad vantages over men not thus prepared, a# the latter possessed over the brutes. Nor was this feature leas remarkable in the Roman ■ republic. It was too strong perhaps in the time of Cato the Censor, who refused to receive the polished manners and learning of the Greeks. But this national spirit was not less serviceable to the Romans than tbe Grecians, and contributed much to make them maulers of the world. At the time the j Roman glory and power w - at .(a lieighth, the sense of superiority which marked the nation, was founded not only on their great er liberty, but also on f heir superior know ledge, which is always the concomit nt of freedom. Great Britain, the freest of all tbe Eu ropean nations, acquired under Cromwell, (when she believed herself most free) a hau teur of character wdiieh hes ever since dis tinguished the nation. The great body ol* the Eugiish people have, for ages, believed, t hat an English yeoman was at all times able To beat three Frenchmen Tbu English car ried this pride to a ludicrous extent, of whieh the following faet is an instance; yet, whilst l gave it, I am disposed to believe that our Lite contest may have been to tifeni a cor rective. In April *OS4, when Algiers had receiv ed a merited chastisement fr om the arms of Louis the 14'b, many Cfaristir.ti captives Were deliver* and up on the requisition of the* Fres cii commandant. Amongst them were several Eugiish, who after having been re ceived ou board the ship of Di.infrcville, the French captain, obstinately contended that their relaasr- vvas solely owing to the consideration which the Algerines had for his Britannic mejerty. This arrogance in duced from Damfret iiie a punishment some what severe, though just. Sending for the Algerines,he re-delivered the English slaves saying, 4 as these people pretend they were jfree’d by tbe awe you have of their king, mine eannot Sake the liberty to offer them his protection. I put them, therefore, again into your hands, that you may have an op portunity to shew/ the respect you owe to their sovereign.* It is needless to say tho | English resumed their fetters. | The character of tho American citizen should exhibit a devotion to his count ry without bounds; a delight in its constitution and manners; a taste for the sciences and tho polite arts, as the means of enriching and embellishing it, and were it dashed wita a little of that jierte which leod's us to highly value ourselves, and to avoid on overman jog respect for others, I should no? relish ft tbs le3?. The first step to the rasp. r sos others, is to respect ourselves, as the con viction on the eve of battle that we shall conquer, is the sorest presage of vb lory —* What were the advantages which the Greeks* the Romans, or British possessed over us ? Did they boast of their liberty ? Our mild, equal end steady system of government, which ensures us a freedom as great as is consistent with human happiness, is mink injured by comparing it with the h sty chsi*fß end bloody commotions which mark the two former; or with the venality, cor ruption and disguised oppression wi : h dis grace the laiier. Did they pride themselves on their wealth r In no country is wealth so cqu. fry diffused as in tbe United Slates. They might boast individuals of Grvsian wealth, but Ikey most also have deplored tb poverty of the prople AVere they our superiors in morels ? We hove is much ge nuine virtue as tie mendest could boast. Compare the records of < ur courts with those of auy other nation, oed the paucity of ‘ crime, ibe mildness ti and she rertainiy of our pnni Jiments, will bear houortble testimony to the enlightened morals of our people—. Did the edventages of science t od ihe adorn ments of taste elevate t! eir minds ? So ; would they elevate ours. V ha! country in its infancy could display a equal to . rhat which We have njt.de ? We were eaily distinguished in astronomy and mturel phi !os< phy; in useful mechanics we arc not surpassed, and by Ameriean genuis, >n na vigation, wo already mock the force ■’ ibe most rapid rivers, and shall soon bid defi ance to the storms of the ocean. In paint ing wc rank equally high with the other nations. Our West, Trumbull, and many others that might be named, havi shed a never fading lustre on the country ’’’so* yet in our infancy, we have mad , attempt at epie poeiry ; ar-d „e -lenity 3hull enumerate the few', f? * < pia j poems which the world ha. It “* tho name of the Coiumbiad will m o got ten. And lastly, if military fame be neces sary to create a national pride, where shall we find honors more highly merited, than those which form the rays of the American halo. Whilst the battle ol’ New Orleans shall ever be considered as important as that of Thermopylae, it will cot be deemed less happy aid glorious than ■ those of Creasy and Agincourt. N< r w hen the imagination of the historic reader shall dwell with wonder upon the bloody om bats of the Nile and Trafalgar, shall ho hesitate to rank in equal glory the British hero and the conquerors of Erie and Cham ! plain. I With all these inducements to national pride with all these excitements to sell respect, may We find none who shall grossly worship a foreign nation, and exchange tbo sterling gold of patriotic pride for tbe gild ed tins'” l of foreign r onity, who shall basely part with tbe dt *tie garb, for a motley cloak of foreign manner*, and lose the am iable simplicity of the republican, in tho hollow politeness of European courts. From the Richmond Enquirer. At this and the same moment, two cir cumstances of an apparently opposite com plexion present themselves together. If w-e cast our view* abroad, we see the inhabi tants of Europe king by hundreds to the new world—232 om Hull and W .lerfiml who nave just Coded a 1 New*Y'rk—lSO from the north of In land, who are com ng in tbe Liudsay—4Us &vri*s whu have sailed |_VoL. I.