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than surrender them, she will run the risk cf perishing', lla.l they been adopted, war with her would have been inevitable. Happily for both nations, the intrepid, patriotic and elo quent efforts of a few member, rallyed the scattered wisdom of the house of representa tives, arresting their progress, unfolded as far as they could with propriety, the ignoble mo tives that gave birth to them. I shall not trace the consequences that might have follow ed. I will however assert that the agricultu ral interests of the southern and western states and territories, wou'd have been sacrificed to aggrandize the rich commercial and shipping capitalists of the north and east, and those in their employment or dependant on them.— Whilst this was transacting, the sword re mained half drawn against Spain. At whose hint was it rcured up to the hilt ? Brennus, king of the Gauls, when Rome was ransomed, after he had taken the city, on a dispute aris ing in weighing the ransom, thrcw his sword { Into the scale, and that way settled the dii-1 pute. lam oblig' dto leave the application of j this story to one of a more modern date to you. ! In time we may perhaps all have a chance of j teeing whether it will or not apply. Why j afterwards v.’ere your proceedings towards i Spain, mild as the breath of morn and towards j England, deadly as the Siroc wind. How are ! we to reconcile the tameness of government j towards the Spanish ambassador, and Mr. 1 Wrigh ’s corrosive sublimate in the Senate i against Britain. These flagrant contradictions j could not have arisen, had wise and honest poli'ical measures been pur: uing; had the rights and dignity of the nation been placed on high ground. They generally arise from secrecy and imbecility. I have another subject closely connected with your proceedings and our foreign rela tions. It is General Miranda's Expedition. — I should presume that he was a total stranger at the city of Washington, except by name, after he sailed. Great mystery was wrapped round that affair. 1 shall not try to developc it. Should he not have been generally known, how did it happen * How cam** ho to oompUto iii New-York, justly called the Emporium of the Union, the most alarming private equip ment against the Spanish settlements, since the time of the Buccanneers ? I’ dont appear as yet, that he has been countenanced by the English government. It was all done during your sitting. It appears he not only sailed from New York, but is supported by men who have been largely engaged in the illicit trade j with St. Domingo ; by those men who drank i publicly at New-York, “Success to the Empe ror of Hayti." The General touched at St. Domingo for reinforcement This is some proof England j had no hand in it, otherwise the Island of! Trinidad or Barbadoes would have been his j place of rendezvous. As you seem not to have | known him, 1 will tell you who he is : He is a I native of one of the Spanish Provinces near the Isthmus of Darien, brave, enterprising and well informed For years he has been a determined Snuih-American revolutionist in principle. Long persecuted 1 by Spain, who dreads him more than any other man, as to those provinces. Taken by the hand or dis carded by England, having an eye to South- America, as suited the occasion. He joined the French popular cause, early in the revolu tion, and rose to the rank of a general officer j under that standard. He was second in com- j jnand to General Dumourier, in bis expedition ’ to Holland. He laid siege to Maestricht, which he was obliged to raise when the army j that covered the siege was driven in He , then joined Dumour er after a \\ ell conducted j and able retreat, and commanded his left wing , at the battle of Neer-winden, in Flanders He remained true to the republic, when the com- j mander in chief became disaffected. He was suspected. He repaired to Paris ; was im prisoned,[tried and acquitted bythe revolutionary tribunal, under tbs reign of the jacobins. It ap pears odcl to a common man, that Miranda should have been so little known at the seat of government during > our meeting. When the pulse beat high, and every moment we expect ed to hear, “ Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war !" that not any thing was known of this General, so well calculated to be employed both from talents and inclination against the Span ish dominions. Was the sword of Brennus again thrown into the scale ? Juct at the heel of the session, out comes the New-York business. The General had then sailed. lie had not marched under our Eagle, to pounce upon the oppressors of his native land. I acquit our administration of any participation in the expedition on which he did go. I wish him well, if his object : s to free his country from the state it is in; but if he has no other dependence than on the rich armed smugg’ers of New-York, and tie rev sited blacks cf St. Domingo, ill will be his fate. You for once, d'd righ in net listning to the memorials of Ogden and Smoh; yet they do not warrant the harsh expressions bestowed on them by some of the members, friends of the adminis tration ; nor can I approve the conduct of some of the federal republican members, who appear ed willing seize shat occasion to lessen our chief magistrate in his country’s good will. When he does fall let it not be by imputed er rors, Inr 'h'se of his own. 1 trust he will not. The New York expedition has not lowered him in my confidence, which is high. How ever it is your conduct that is the object of scrutiny I have introduced his name to elu cidate vour proceedings, not to condemn his. His legislative power is very limited, yours is paramount. He could not drive, and if you could not lead, or would not be led, the blame of ill acts ought not fall on him. It is true he approved the St. Domingo trade bill, and that founded on Nicholson’s resolutions. Thev are both non-neutrals. If they contain poison, the antidote is perhaps with each. Will the European nations now at war, who have such deep rooted animosities, against each other, causes of jealousy and rival interest, and who in peace have all colonies, believe us when we say that we have been*pursuing the line of an honest neutrality, and have not shut our eyes purposely on some occasions. Let wan continue or peace take place, our difficulties are so equal that we shall scarce have a choice of the least. In the first we shall in all pro bability be compillsd to join in arms one side •r the other. T»*e shall be told that fruit our ■ suspicious and temporizing behavior, that we . must be for or against, and we shall make the alliance more fiom accident, chance or feeling, ! than from prudence or principle. It will be 1 hard to say which power will first put the question home to us. In the last respect our. 1 affairs have been so managed last session, that all the belligerent naval powers have more or less causes of complaint. They all feel sore and cannot respect us.— Instead of a “ manifestation of principle ” and genuine neutrality, we have felt the influence of of the miserable spirit of truck and traffic ; and made pretentions that were not supported; yielded where we ought to have resisted; threatened were no harm can be done ; evinc ed a disposition, as opportunities afforded of profiting by any means of the distress of other nations, pressed by the calamities of war, ex posed the weakness and division of our coun try, arid endangered, our honor and security.- And all for w hat ? for the carrying trace, which by honorable means we can have our full share of. Our name will become a watch word in Europe. On the return of peace, amorist them they will foster their colonies, promote their own commerce with them, seek out and found new ones in many yet unsettled parts cf the world, and may all perhaps from a joint sense of interest to check that thirst af f er commer cial gain better at present to be restrained than encouraged, both for our own real inte terest and the claims of Europe. We must ' not forget she has coasts and -.slands as well a* we have. W e are a young people, have grown with her growth, and strengthened with her strength. Let us not put our com mercial growth in an bot-house; it flourishes rapidly enough in the common atmosphere. A Souther, i Planter. South-Car olina, July 25th, 1806. United States Circuit Court, NEW-YORK msTRICT. United Statet rs. William S. Smith. Fifth Day, July 18. The Court met at 10 o’clock pursu ant to adjournment. Present, Judge Talmadge ; Judge Patterson from indisposition not being . able to attend. The following jurors were called oyer and sworn, viz. John Sullivan, John Rathbone, jun. Lewis C. Hamersley, Cortlandt Bab | cock, John P. Hafff, Gold Hoyt, John i A. Fort, James Mastcrton, Schuyler j Livingston, Henry Pantoa, George For ■ man, and Augustus Mynhook. The Attorney General opened the case by briefly stating to the jury the counts in the indictment. After which the following witnesses were examined in behalf of the prosecution, viz. Messrs. Samuel G. Ogden, Dr. Ro manic, David Gelston (collector of the 1 port,) John M’Lean, General Stephens, j Richard Belden, Jonathan Ogden, John j Jacob Astor, Benjamin Haight, Ber -1 nard Halt, Abraham Vannest, Jona than Fay, William Fosbrook and Wil liam Allen. In the course of the examination se t veral questions were asked, which gave rise to considerable desultory conversa i tion among the counsel. After which the court adjourned un til 10 o’clock. Sixth Day. The Court met at 10 o’clock pursu ant to adjournment. Present, Judge Talmadge. The jury and the witnesses having been called, Judge Talmadge stated to the jury, that Judge Patterson being too indisposed to attend the trial, and a mournful occurrence having taken place in his own family, he found it necessary to adjourn the. Court until 9 o’clock on Mondy morning the 21st. Seventh Day. The Court met according to adjourn ment.' Present, Judge Talmadge. The examination of the witnesses on the part of the prosecution, was contin ued, and occupied the whole of the day, from 9 to 3 o’clock. The Court adjourned to Tuesday morning, 23d, at 10 o’clock. The following is a copy of the letter read by Judge Patterson, on the first day of the tri al of William S. Smith, in the Circuit Court of the United States for the New- York District. “ To the Honorable the Judges of the Cir- Court for the District of JVctv-York. “ We have been summoned to ap pear on the 14th of this month before a special circuit court of the United States for the district of New-York, to testify on the part of William S. Smith and Samuel G. Ogden. Sensible of j all the attention due to the writs ofi subpoena issued in these cases, it h with regret we have to state to the court, that the President of the United States, taking into view the state of our public affairs has specially signified to us that our official duties cannot, consistently therewith, be at this junc ture dispensed with. The court, we trust, will be pleased to accept this as a satisfactory explanation of our failure to give the personal attendance requir ed. And as it must be uncertain whe ther, at any subsequent period, the ab sence of heads of departments at such a distance from the scene of their offi cial duties, may not equally happen to interfere with them, we respectfully submit, whether the object of the par ties in this case may not be reconciled with public considerations by a com mission issued, with the consent of their council and that of the district at torney of the United States, for the pur pose of taking in that mode, our res pective testimonies. We have the honor to be, With the greatest respect, Your most obedient servants, JAMES MADISON, 11. DEARBORN, R. SMITH. City of Washington, > Bth July, 1806.” $ Eighth Day. Present, Judge Talmadge. The jury and witnesses being called, the Attorney General proceeded in the examination of witnesses. After Col. Platt and Dr. Douglass were examined, the Attorney General informed the court that lie had at present, no other witnesses to bring forward. Th» counsel for the Defendant, after retiring and conferring half an hour, returned ; when Mr. Golden rose and briefly stated to the jury the nature of the testimony about to be offered in be half of the defendant. He then said that, with the consent of the court, he would proceed to offer that testimony, and would begin with reading the mes sage of the President at the opening of the last session of Congress, and other documents, for the purpose of disprov ing or refusing that count in the Indict ment which states that the United States and Spain were at peace, at the time th« expedition of the Leander was set on foot. To this the Attorney Gen era! objected. The question, whether the Defendant had a right to adduce such kind of testimony to show that hostilities had actually commenced be tween this country and Spain ; or, in I other words whether a rupture had ta- : ken place between the two countries, was then able and eloquently discussed. 1 Three hours were employed in this ar- : gument, by Mr. Golden, Mr. Hoffman, '• Air. Harrison and Mr. Emmet, on the | one part, and the Attorney General and Mr. Edwards on the other. Judge Talmadge (if we rightly un derstood him) then decided, that no testimony could be admitted to shew j the actual situation of the two coun- j tries, but such as could be gathered J from the acts of Congress ; and of! course the testimony contended for by the defendant’s counsel was altogether inapplicable. Mr. Golden then moved that testi mony be admitted to shew the know ledge and approbation of our govern ment as to the expedition in question. The Judge observed, that, as that point had already been decided, it would be unnecessary to argue it. The tes timony could not be admitted. Every avenue being thus closed to the testimony ol the defendant, his counsel observed, that they had none that they could offer. The Attorney General then proceeded to examine other witnesses in behalf of the prose cution. It is probable that two or three days more will close the trial. Ninth Day. The Court met according to adjourn ment. Present, Judge Talmadge. hive witnesses being examined, the Attorney General informed the Court that he had closed the examination of witnesses on the part of the prosecution. Mr. Golden then rose in behalf of the defendant, and addressed the jury for nearly two hours, with great perspicui ty and energy. At half past twelve o’clock, Mr. Hoff man rose on the same side of the ques tion. Mr. Hoffman’s argument, which he finished at half past 3 o’clock, was one of the most perspicuous, learned and eloquent we ever heard. The jury then retired for refresh ment ; and in a few minutes returned. Mr. Emmet then followed Mr. Hoff man in a speech of nearly two hours. He necessarily pursued the general | outlines, adopted by his associates who i had preceded him. At almost every I stage of his argument, he produced new and interesting illustrations. His imagery was glowing and well sup ported, his positions were clear, his reasoning logical, and his deductions apparently perspicuous and conclusive. Although his voice and gestures are not the most happy, yet his eloquence is peculiarly bold, energetic and im pressive. Tenth Day. 1 he court met according to adjourn ment.-——Present, Judge Talmadge. Mr. Harrison rose, and in a dispas slonate and forcible jtddress of two hours, closed the argument on the part of the defendant. AH that man could do, under the existing restrictions of the court, his Counsel have done to se cure his acquital. The Attorney General rose, at 12 o’clock, in behalf of the prosecution. We regret that we cannot give a sketch of his argument. He spoke in so low* a tone of voice that we could distin guish but a part of it. What we heard, however, appeared to be ingenious, and well adapted to the subject before him. ( The Court having heard the arguments of Counsel on bath sides , summed ufi the evidence to the jury , tv ho retired for about two hours , and returned with a verdict of Ireit Guilty.) AUGUSTA, (Mass.) July 11. Horrid Murder ! At an early hour on Wednesday morning last, the inhab itants of this town were alarmed with the dreadful information, that Cap*r James Purinton, of this place, in cool blood, had murdered his wife, six chil dren, and himself. His oldest son, with a slight wound, escaped, and his second daughter was found desperately wound ed, and probably supposed dead by the father. Between the flours of two and three, a near neighbour, Mr. Dean Wyman, was awakened by the lad who escaped, with an incoherent account of the horrid scene from which he had just fled ; he, with a Mr. Ballard, anoth er neighbour, instantly repaired to the fatal spot, and here, after having lighted a candle, a scene was presented that beggars ail description. In the outer room lay prostrate on his face, and wel tering in his gore, the perpetrator-of the dreadful deed, his throat cut in the most shocking manner, and the bloody razor lying on a table by his side. In an ad joining bed room, lay Mrs. Purinton in ! her bed, her head almost severed from j her body ; and near her, on the floor, a ; little daughter about ten years old, who ' probably hearing the cries of her moth er, ran to her relief from the apartment in which she slept, and was murdered by her side. In another apartment was j found the two oldest, and the youngest daughter, the first aged 19, dreadfully 1 butchered; the second desperately wounded, reclining her head on the body ofthe dead infant, 18 months old, in a state of horror and almost total in ! sensibility. In the room with the fa j ther, lay in bed with their throats cut, j the two youngest sons, the one eight, | the other six years old. And in anoth { cr room was found, on the health, most dreadfully mangled, the second son, aged twelve ; he had fallen with his trowsers under one arm, with which he had attempted to escape. On the breast work over the fire place, was the distinct impression of a bloody hand, where the unhappy victim probably supported himself before he fell. The whole house seemed coverd with blood, and nenr the body of the murderer lay the deadly axe. From the surviving daughter we have no account of this transaction ; her dangerous situation prevents any com munication, and but faint expectations are entertained of her recovery. From the son, aged 17, we learn the follow ing :—That he was awakened by the piercing cries ofiiis mother, Sc involun tarily shrieking himself 4 he leapt from his becl and ran towards the door of his apartment; he was met by his father with an axe in hishand,(the moon shone bright) who struck him, but being so near each other, the uxe passed over his shoulder, and one coiner of it entered hisback, making a slight wound; his father then struck at him once or twice, and missed him ; at this moment his younger brother, who slept in the sarjje bed with him, jumped from it and at tempted to get out at the door ; to pre vent this the father attacked him, which gave the cldestan opportunity to escape. During this dreadful conflict, not a word was uttered. From the appearance of the wounds generally, it seems to have been the design of Purinton to dissever the heads from the bodies, excepting the two youngest, whose throats, it is sup posed, were cut with a razor. The oldest daughter and second son had sev eral wounds, the probable consequence of their resistance. We have no evi dence to lead us satisfactorily to the mo tives for this barbarous and unnatural deed. Captain Purinton was 46 years of age, and had lately removed from Boudoinham, to this town—an indepen dent farmer, with a handsome estate ; of steady, correct, and industrious habits, and of a good character and fair imputa tion, and strongly attached to his fami ly. He had been heard lately to say, that he felt much distressed at the unpro I j mising appearance of his farm ; that he 1 should be destitute of bread for his fam ily, and hay for his cattle, and dreaded the consequences.