as and the other United States of America; it is declared, that the the obligation of this oath, declaration or affirmation; and that I president and fellows of Harvard College, in their corporate capa-do make this acknowledgement, profession, testimony, declaration city, and their successors in that capacity, their officers and ser- denial, renunciation and abjuration, heartily and truly, according vants, shall have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy aff the powers, au-to the common meaning and acceptation of the foregoing words, thorities, rights, liberties, privileges, imnunities and franchises, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret reservation which they now have, or are entitled to have, hold, use, exercise whatsoever. So help me God." "I, A. B. do solemnly swear and affirm, that I will faithfully and and enjoy: and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed unto them, the said president and fellows of Harvard College, and to their impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on the according to the best of my abilities and un successors, and to their officers and servants, respectively, forever. me God." IL And whereas there have been, at sundry times, by divers per-derstanding, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the constitu sons, gifts, grants, devises of houses, lands, teneinents, goods, chat- tion, and the laws of this commonwealth one or appointed as Provided always, that when any person chosen tles, l-gacies and conveyances, heretofore made, either to Harvard College, in Cambridge, in New-England, or to the president and aforesaid, shall be of the denomination of the people called Quakfellows of Harvard College, or to the said College, by some other ers, and shall decline taking the said oaths, he shall make his af description, under several charges successively-it is declared, that firmation in the foregoing form, and subscribe the same, omitting all the said gifts, grants, devises, legacies, and conveyances, are the words, 'I do swear, and abjure, oath, and abjuration in the hereby forever confirmed, unto the president and fellows of Har- first oath; and in the second oath the words, swear and and in vard College, and to their successors in the capacity aforesaid, ae- each of them the words 'So help me Gol subjoining in stead there arding to the true intent and meaning of the donor or donors, of, This I do under the pains and penalties of perjurys And the said onths or affirmations shall be taken and subscribed grantor or grantors, devisor or devisors. III. And whereas, by an act of the general court of the colony of by the governor, lieutenant-governor, and evtinsellors, before the Massachusetts-Bay, passed in the year one thousand six hundred and president of the senate, in the presence of the two houses of assem forty-two, the governor and deputy governor, for the time being, bly; and by the senators and representatives first elected under this and all the magistrates of that jurisdiction, were, with the presi- constitution, before the president and five of the council, of the dent, and a number of the clergy in the said act described. consti- former constitution; and, forever afterwards, before the governor atuted the overseers of Harvard College-and it being necessary, in and council for the time being; and by the residue of the officers this new constitution of government, to ascertain, who shall be aforesaid, before such persons, as from time to time shall be pre deemed successors to the said governor, deputy governor, and ma- scribed by the legislatore. II. No governor, lieutenant-governor, or judge of the supreme gistrates-it is declared, that the governor, lieutenant governor, council and senate of this commonwealth, are, and shall be deemed judicial court, shall hold any other office or place under the authori their successors; who, with the president of Harvard College, forty of this commonwealth, except such as by this constitution they the time being, together with the ministers of the congregational are admitted to hold, saving that the judges of the said court may churches, in the towns of Cambridge, Watertown, Charlestown, hold the offices of justices of the peace throughout the state; nor Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester, mentioned in the said act, shall shall they hold any other place or office, or receive any pension or be, and bereby are, vested with all the powers and authority be salary, from any other state or government, or power, whatever. No person shall be capable of holding or exercising, at the same longing, or in any way appertaining, to the overseers of Harvard College: provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to pre- time, more than one of the following offices within this state, viz. vent the legislature of this commonwealth, from making such alte Judge of probate, sheriff, register of probate, or register of deeds: rations in the government of the said university, as shall be condy- and never more than any two offices, which are to be held by ap cive to its advantage, and the interest of the republic of letters, pointment of the governor, or the governor and council, or the se in as full a manner, as might have been done by the legislature of nate, or the house of representatives, or by the election of the peo the late province of the Massachusetts-Bay. ple of the state at large, or of the people of any county, (military officer and the office of justice of the peace excepted) shall be held by one person. CHAP. V.SECT. II. The encouragement of Literature. No person, holding the office of judge of the supreme judicial Wisdom and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally court, secretary, attorney-general, solicitor general, treasurer or among the body of the people, being necessary for the preservation receiver-general, judge of probate, commissary-general; president, of their rights and liberties: and as these depend on spreading the professor, or instructor of Harvard College; sherid, clark of the opportunities and advantages of education, in the various parts of house of representatives, register of probate, register of deeds, clerk the country, and among the different orders of the people, it shall of the supreme judicial court, clerk of the inferior court of common be the duty of the legislatures and magistrates, in all future periods pleas, or officer of the customs, (including in this description naval of this commonwealth, to cherish the interest of literature and the officers) shall at the same time have a seat in the senate or house of sciences, and all seminaries of them; especially the university at representatives; but their being chosen or appointed to, and acceptCambridge, publie schools and grammar schools in the towns; to ing the same, shall operate as a resignation of their seat in the se encourage private societies and public institutions, by rewards nate or house of representatives: and the place so vacated shall be and immunities, for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, filled up. commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the coun try; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general læenevolence, public and private charity, industry and fri gality, honesty and punctuality in their dealings; sincerity, good humor, and all social affections and generous sentiments among the people. CHAP. VI. And the same rule shall take place in ease any judge of the said connell ; or any counsellor shall accept of either of those offices supreme judicial court, or judge of probate, shail accept a seat in or places. And no person shall ever be admitted to hold a seat in the legis lature, or any office of trust or importance under the government of this commonwealth, who shall, in the due course of law, have been convicted of bribery, or corruption in obtaining an election Oaths and subscriptions; incompatibility of and exclusions from III. In all cases where sums of money are mentioned in this constitution, the value thereof shall be computed in silver, at six shillings and eight pence per ounce; and it shall be in the power of the legislature, from time to time, to increase such qualifications, as to property, of the persons to be elected into offices, as die circumstances of the commonwealth shall require. Massachusetts, signed by the governor, and attested by the secre tary or his deputy, and have the great seal of the conimonwealth IV. All commissions shall be in the name of the commonwealth of affixed thereto. "L, A. B. do declare, that I believe the christian religion, and have firm persuasion of its truth; and that I am sized and possessed, in my own right, of the property, required by the constitution, as one qualification for the office or place to which I am elected." V. All writs issuing out of the clerk's office, in any of the courts And the governor, lieutenant governor, and counsellors, shall make and subscribe the said declaration, in the presence of the two of law, shall be in the name of the commonwealth of Massachu houses of assembly; and the senators and representatives first setts; they shall be under the seal of the court from whence they elected under this constitution, before the president and five of the issue; they shall bear test of the first justice of the court, to which council of the former constitution; and, forever afterwards, before they shall be returnable (who is not a party) and be signed by the the governor and council for the time being. And every person, chosen to either of the places or offices aforesaid, as also any person, appointed or commissioned to any judicial, executive, military, or other office under the government, shall, be *fore he enter on the discharge of the business of his place or office, take and subscribe the following declaration, and oaths or affiring tions, viz: clerk of such court. VI. All the laws which have heretofore been adopted, used, and approved of in the province, colony, or state of Massachusetts-Bay and usually practised on in the courts of law, shall still remain and be in full force, until altered or repealed by the legislature: stich parts only excepted as are repugnant to the rights and liberties contained in this constitution. I, A. B. do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify, VII. The privilege and benefit of the writ of habeas corpus shall and declare, that the commonwealth of Massachusetts is, and of be enjoyed in this commonwealth in the most free, easy, cheap, exright ought to be, a free, sovereign and ind pendent state; and I peditious and ample manner; and shall not be suspended by the do swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the said con- legislature, except upon the most urgent and pressing occasions, monwealth, and that I will defend the same against traitorous con- and for a limited time not exceeding twelve months. spiracies, and all hostile attempts whatsoever: and that I do re- VIII. The enacting style, in making and passing all acts, sta nounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection and obedience, to the tutes, and laws, shall be, "Be it enacted by the senate and house of king, queen or government of Great Britain, as the case may be, representatives, in general court assembled, and by the authority of and every other foreign power whatsoever. And that no foreign the same." IX. To the end there may be no failure of justice, or danger arise prince, person, prelate, state or potentate, hath, or ought to have, any jurisdiction, superiority, preeminence, authority, dispensing, to the commonwealta, from a change of the form of government, Grther power, in any matter, civil, ecclesiastical, or spiritual, with all officers, civil and military, holding commissions under the go in this commonwealth; except the authority and power, which is verument and people of Massachusetts Bay, in New-England, and or may be vested, by their constituents, in the congress of the Unit-all other officers of said government and people, at the time this ed States: and I do further testify and declare, that no man or idy constitution shall take effect, shall have, hold, use, exercise and ene of men, hath or can have any right to absolve or discharge math joy all the powers an anthority to theu granted or committed until other persons shall be appointed in their stead: and all gates, 3 corvetts, 2 brigs, 1 xebeck, 1 schr. 1 rowcourts of law shall proceed in the execution of the business of|| their respective departments: and all the executive and legisla-galley and 6 gun-boats, and there is reason to appretive officers, bodies, and powers, shall continue in full force in the hend that they had orders to capture American enjoyment and exercise of all their trusts, employment and autho- vessels. rity; until the general court, and the supreme and executive of their respective trusts, powers, and authority. ficers, under this constitution, are designated and invested with I shall proceed to Gibraltar, where I shall probable remain until I can communicate this intelligence X. In order the more effectually to adhere to the principles of the to all parts of the Mediterranean, or learn something constitution, and correct those violations which by any means may be male therein, as well as to form such alterations as from expe of the conduct of the Algerines towards our vessels. rince shall be found necessary, the general court, which shall be I have the honor to be, &c. in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninetyfive, shall issue precepts to the selectmen of the several towns, and to the assessors of the unincorporated plantations, directing them to convene the qualified voters of their respective towns and plan- 5th of August. tations, for the purpose of collecting their sentiments, on the necessity or expediency of revising the constitution in order to amend ments. And if it shall appear, by the returns made, that two-thirds of aforesaid. (Signed) TOBIAS LEAR. Mr. Lear arrived in the bay of Gibraltar on the Gen. Alexander Hamilton. the qualified voters throughout the state, who shall assemble and The following has lately appeared in a Virginia paper. vote in consequence of the said precepts, are in favor of such revision or amendment, the general court shall issue precepts, or di Mr. DAVIS-During the last session in which Mr. reet them to be issued from the secretary's office, to the several Pickering was a member of the senate, I was per towns, to elect delegates to meet in convention, for the purpose mitted to copy, from the original, the following let The said delegates to be chosen in the same manner and pro-ler. I was desirous of publishing it at the time; but portion, as their representatives, in the second branch of the legis Mr. Pickering observed, that he should probably -lature, are by this constitution to be chosen. give it to the public, with other matter he was preparing for the press, the next summer. I consider it important that this letter should no longer remain generally unknown: and I presume col. Pickering can now have no objections to its publication. Your obedient servant, XI. This form of government shall be enrolled on parchment and deposited in the secretary's office, and be a part of the laws of the land: and printed copies thereof shall be prefixed to the book containing the laws of this commonwealth, in all future edi⚫tions of the said laws. JAMES BOWDOIN, President. Attest, SAMUEL BARRETT, Secretary. The Algerine War. New-York, Sept. 16, 1803. The hostile disposition of the Dey of Algiers toMY DEAR SIR, I will make no apology for my de wards the United States, has been known here for lay in answering your enquiry some time since made, some time. On this subject we have been obligingly because I could offer none which would satisfy my favoured with the following copy of a letter from self-I pray you only to believe that it proceeded Mr. Lear to the American consul at Gibraltar. This from any thing rather than want of respect or regard letter contains a more particular account of the af--I shall now comply with your request. fair, than we have before seen.-New York paper. The highest toned propositions which I made in On board the ship Alleghany, } the convention were for a president, senate and judg es, during good behaviour; a house of representaSIR-I have the honor to inform you, that on the tives for three years. Though I would have enlarged 17th of this month the ship Alleghany, Ebenezer the legislative power of the general government, yet Evelern, master, arrived at Algiers from the Uni-I never contemplated the abolition of the state goted States, with a cargo of naval and military stores vernments; but on the contrary, they were, in some for the regency, in fulfillment of treaty stipulations; particulars, constituent parts of my plan. and that on the 20th inst. when they had begun to This plan was, in my conception, conformable with discharge the cargo, I received a message from the the strict theory of a government purely republican; Dey, informing me, that he would not receive the the essential criteria of which are, that the principal same, saying, that the articles were not such in quan- organs of the executive and legislative departments, tity or quality as he expected, and that the ship be elected by the people, and held the the offices by should leave the regency immediately, with myself a responsible and temporary or defeasible nature. and all other American citizens in Algiers. Every A vote was taken on the proposition respecting proper measure was taken to prevent the execution the executive. Five states were in favor of it; an ong of this order, and to restore the former good under- these Virginia; and though from the manner of votstanding, but without effect, and I left Algiers this ing by delegations, individuals were not distinguishmorning, in the ship Alleghany with my family and ed; it was morally certain, from the known situa all other citizens of the United States then in Al- tion of the Virginia members (six in number, twe giers. of them Mason and Randolph professing popular This act bears such evident marks of hostility on doctrines) that Madison must have concurred in the the part of Algiers towards the United States, that vote of Virginia-Thus, if I sinned against repubI embrace the first moment to communicate the same licanism, Mr. Madison is not less guilty. to all the consuls of the United States in the Medi-[ I may truly then say that I never proposed either e terranean, that the same may be made known, with-president or senate for life, and that I neither recomout delay, to all commanders of American vessels mended nor meditated the annihilation of the state in this sea, and others concerned that they may be governments. on their guard, and secure themselves and their ves- And I may add, that in a course of the discussions sels as effectually as possible against the dangers of in the convention, neither the propositions thrown 'capture. I therefore request that you will give this out for debate, nor even those voted in the earlier notice to all commanders of American vessels and stages of deliberation, were considered as evidences other citizens of the United States in your district, of a definitive opinion in the proposer or voter. It and forward the same to all ports and places in the appeared to be in some sort understood, that, with aca, wth which you may have an opportunity of a view to free investigation, experimental proposi communicating, and where it is likely any American tions might be made, which were to be received vessel may be found. merely as suggestions for consideration. According On the 13th inst. a squadron of cruizers sailed ly it is a fact, that my final opinion was against an from Algiers to the Eastward, consisting of 5 fri-executive during good behavior, on account of the increased danger to the public tranquility incident, 15. Same person.-Naval officer of the port of 17. Christiansted, in St. Croix; about 900 a year. Same person.-Naval officer of the port of Fredericksted, in St. Croix; about £1,000 a year. to the election of a magistrate of his degree of permanency. In the place of a constitution' which 1 drew up while the convention was sitting, and which 16. I communicated to Mr. Madison about the close of it, perhaps a day or two after, the office of president has no longer duration than for three years. Lord George Seymour, and his son G. H Sey This plan was predicated upon these bases :mour, 11 years old-The reversion of the office 1. That the political principles of the people of of Craner and Wharfinger of the port of Dubthis country would endure nothing but a republican lin, valued at £ 1,930 a year, and now held, government. 2. That in the actual situation of the as just stated, by lord Robert Seymour. country, it was itself right and proper that the re- Total amount to 11 persons, $168,684 per annum publican theory should have a fair and full trial-equal to the salaries of the president, vice-presi 3. That, to such a trial it was essential that the go-dent, secretaries of state, of the treasury, of war vernment should be so constructed as to give at all and of the navy, the judges of the supreme court the energy and the stability reconcileable with the and of all the district courts, with the pay of all the principles of that theory.These were the ge- foreign ministers, consuls, and agents of the United nuine sentiments of my heart, and upon them I then States, and many thousand dollars to spare! Comacted. ment is needless. Let those who admire hasten to I sincerely hope that it may not hereafter be disco-enjoy. vered, that through want of sufficient attention to the last idea, the experiment of republican govern- The Imperial family of France. ment, even in this country, has not been as complete as satisfactory, and as decisive, as could be wished. The following list of the Bonaparte family may serve Very truly, dear sir, Your friend and servant, Timothy Pickering, Esq. A. HAMILTON. Lord Castlereagh. to amuse some of our readers. It is said to be extracted from a French work printed by authority. Lucien Bonaparte is not mentioned. Louis retains the the title of king though he has lost his kingdom [Holland]-Josephine, the repudiated wife of the emperor, also has her title, and is said still to be a great favorite. It is mournful to re flect that France, to purge herself of royalty, has waded through oceans of blood to-to end in this abomination. Napoleon, was born 15th August, 1769; Emperor This personage is distinguished for his attachment to "illustrious house of Brunswick," and is equally memorable for his crimes and perjuries. The creature has labored to some purpose as the following list of offices will shew, taken from a London pa- of the French, 18th May, 1804; consecrated and per of January 1809. crowned at Paris 2d December, in the same year; 1. Lord Castlereagh. Secretary of state, £6,000 crowned king of Italy 26 May, 1805; married at a year. Vienna 7th March, 1810; at Paris, 5th April follow 2. Brigadier-gen. Stuart, (brother of lord Castle-ing, to reagh) under secretary of state, £ 2,000 a Maria Louisa, Archduchess of Austria, born 12th year. December, 1792, empress of the French, queen of Italy. 3. Same person.-Gen. upon the Staff; £ 1,500 year. a 4. Same person.-Lieut. col. of a regiment of dragoons, £ 500 a year. 5. Lord Henry Moore (a first cousin of lord Castlereagh) joint muster-master general in Ireland, a patent place, £2,100 a year. 6. Mr. John Ormsby Vandeleur (a first cousin of 7. Messrs. John Staples and Thomas Staples (first a year. 9. Same persons-Clerk of the crown in the King's bench in Ireland, £ 247 a year. 10. Same persons.-Filazers in the King's bench in Ireland, £ 1,105 a year. 11. Lord Robert Seymour(uncle of lord Castlereagh) craner and wharfinger of the port of Dublin, £ 1,930 a year. 12. Lord George Seymour (uncle of lord Castlereagh) commissioner of excise in England, £ 1,500 a year. Issue from this marriage :Napoleon Francis Charles Joseph, imperial prince, king of Rome, born March 20, 1811. Joseph Napoleon, brother of the emperor of the French, born 7th Jannary 1768; king of the Spains and of the Indies, 6th June, 1808; a French prince, grand elector of the empire, married 1st August, 1794, to Maria Julia, queen of the Spains and of the Indies, 6th June, 1808; born 26th Dec. 1772. Issue from this marriage :Charlotte Zenaide Julie, Infante, born 8th July, 1801. Charlotte, sister of the above; an Infanta, born 31st October, 1802. Louis Napoleon, king, brother of the emperor, constable of the empire; born 2d September, 1778; married 2d January, 1802 to Hortensia Eugenia, queen, born 10th April, 1783. Issue from this marriage :— Napoleon Louis, prince royal, born 11th October, 1804, Grand Duke of Berg and of Cleves, 3d March 1809. Charles Louis Napoleon, brother of the last mentioned, born 20th April, 1808. Jerome Napoleon, brother of the emperor of the 13. Same person-Harbour master of the port of French, born 12th November, 1784; a French prince Christiansted, in the island of St. Croix, about king of Westphalia 1st December, 1807; married £ 1,000 a year. 14. 3 me person.-Harbour master of the Fredericksted, in St. Croix; about a year. 22d August, 1807, to Frederica Catharina Sophia port of Dorothea, princess royal of Wurtemberg, born 21st 1,100 February, 1783, queen of Westphalia. Josephine, born 24th June, 1768, empress queen. Marie Anne Eliza, sister of the emperor of the by the perseverance of a foreign power, in its sysFrench, born 3d January, 1777, grand duchess of tem of injustice and aggression. Lucca and Piombino, having the government gener- Previous to its declaration, it was deemed proper, al of the department of Tuscany, married 5th May, as a measure of precaution and forecast, that a con1797 to Felix, prince of Lucca and Piombino, born siderable force should be placed in the Michigan 13th May, 1762. territory, with a general view to its security, and in Issue from this marviuge :→ the event of war, to such operations in the upperNapoleon Eliza, princess of Piombino, born 3d most Canada, as would intercept the hostile influJune, 1806. ence of Great Britain over the savages, obtain the Marie Pauline, sister of the emperor, born 20th command of the lake on which that part of Canada Oct. 1780; princess and Duchess of Guastalla, 30th borders,and maintain co-operating relation with such March, 1806; maried to his imperial highness the forces as might be most conveniently employed Prince Borghese, duke of Guestalla, governor ge-against other parts.Brigadier-general Hull was neral of the department beyond the Alps, and in charged with this provisional service; having under that capacity, a grand dignitary of the French em- his command a body of troops, composed of regu pire. lars, and of volunteers from the state of Ohio. Having Maric Annunciade Caroline, sister of the emperor, reached his destination after his knowledge of the queen of the two Sicilies; married to Joachim Na- war, and possessing discretionary authority to act poleon, born the 25th March, 1771; grand admiral offensively, he passed into the neighboring territory of the French empire, and king of the two Sicilies, of the enemy, with a prospect of easy and victorious 15th of July, 1808. Issue from the marriage: 1801. Napolean Lucian Charles, his brother, born 16th May, 1903. Lætitia Joseph, his sister, born 25th April, 1804. Louisa Julia Caroline, her sister, born 22d March, 1805. Maria Lætitia, born 24th August 1750, mother of the emperor. Eugene Napoleon, Viceroy of Italy, prince of Venice, arch-chancello. of state of the empire, hereditary prince of the grand duchy of Frankfort, born Sd September, 1780, married 18th of January 1806, to the princess Augusta Amelia of Bavaria. Tasue from this marriage :- Josephine Maximilienne Eugenie, Napoleon, prin- Twelfth Congress. Monday last being the time appointed by law for the second sitting of the Twelfth Congress, Mr. Clay, the speaker, took the chair in the House of Representatives at 12 o'clock, when it appeared that 88 members were present progress. The expedition, nevertheless, terminated unfortunately, not only in a retreat to the town and fort of Detroit, but in the surrender of both, and of the gallant corps commanded by that officer. The causes of this painful reverse will be investigated by a military tribunal. A distinguishing feature in the operations which preceded and followed this adverse event, is the use made by the enemy of the merciless savages under their influence. Whilst the benevolent policy of the United States invariably recommended peace, and promoted civilization among that wretched portion of the human race; and was making exertions to dissuade them from taking either side in the war, the enemy has not scrupled to call to his aid their ruthless ferocity, armed with the horrors of those instru ments of carnage and torture, which are known to spare neither age nor sex. In this outrage against the laws of honorable war, and against the feelings sacred to humanity, the British commanders cannot resort to a plea of retaliation: for it is committed in the face of our example. They cannot mitigate it by calling it a self defence against men in arms: for it embraces the most shocking butcheries of defenceless families. Nor can it be pretended that they are not answerable for the atrocities perpetrated; since the savages are employed with a knowledge, and even with menaces, that their fury could not be controuled. Such is the spectacle which the deputed authorities of a nation, boasting its religion and mo rality, have not been restrained from presenting to an enlightened age. In Senate, only 18 members were present-not a The misfortune at Detroit, was not, however, with quorum. The next day other members appeared, out a consoling effect.It was followed by signal and the usual committees being appointed to inform proofs that the national spirit rises according to the the President, that the two houses were ready to re-pressure on it. The loss of an important post and of ceive any communication he had to make-On Wed-the brave men surrendered with it, inspired every nesday, at 12 o'clock, by his private secretary, Mr. where, new ardor and determination. In the states Coles, he delivered the following MESSAGE. Follow-citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives, and districts least remote, it was no sooner known, than every citizen was ready to fly with his arms, at once to protect his brethren against the blood thirsty savages let loose by the enemy on an extensive On our present meeting it is my first duty to in-frontier, and to convert a partial calamity into a vite your attention to the Providential favors which source of invigorated efforts. This patriotic zeal, bur country has experienced, in the unusual degree which it was necessary rather to limit than excite, of health dispensed to its inhabitants, and in the rich has embodied an ample force from the states of Kenabundance with which the earth has rewarded the tucky and Ohio, and from parts of Pennsylvania and labors bestowed on it. In the successful cultivation Virginia. It is placed, with the addition of a few of other branches of industry, and in the progress of regulars, under the command of brigadier-general general improvement, favorable to the national pros. Harrison, who possesses the entire confidence of his perity, there is just occasion, also, for our mutual fellow-soldiers, among whom are citizens, some of congratulations and thankfulness. them volunteers in the ranks, not less distinguished With these blessings are necessarily mingled the by their political stations, than by their personal me pressures and vicissitudes incidental to the state of rits. The greater portion of this force is proceeding war, into which the United States have been forced on its destination towards the Michigan territory, having succeeded in relieving an important frontier that prompt and cool exertion of commanding talents post, and in several incidental operations against hos-which, giving to courage its highest character, and tile tribes of savages, rendered indispensable by the to the force applied, its full effect, prove that more subserviency into which they had been seduced by could have been done, in a contest requiring more. the enemy; a seduction the more cruel as it could Anxious to abridge the evils from which a state of not fail to impose a necessity of precautionary seve-war cannot be exempt, I lost no time after it was de rities, against those who yielded to it. clared, in conveying to the British government, the At a recent date, an attack was made on a post of terms on which its progress might be arrested,withthe enemy near Niagara, by a detachment of the re-out awaiting the delays of a formal and final pacifigular and other forces, under the command of ma- cation. And our charge d'affaires at London, was, jorgeneral Van Rennsselaer, of the militia of the at the same time, authorised to agree to an armistice state of New-York. The attack, it appears, was or-founded upon them. These terms required, that the dered in compliance with the ardor of the troops, orders in council should be repealed as they affected who executed it with distinguished gallantry, and the United States, without a revival of blockades viowere, för a time victorious; but not receiving the lating acknowledged rules; that there should be an expected support, they were compelled to yield to immediate discharge of American seamen from Brireinforcements of British regulars and savages. Our tish ships,and a stop to impressments from American loss has been considerable and is deeply to be la-ships, with an understanding that an exclusion of mented. That of the enemy, less ascertained, will the seamen of each nation, from the ships of the be the more felt, as it includes, amongst the killed, other, should be stipulated; and that the armistice the commanding general, who was also the governor should be improved into a definitive and comprehen of the province; and was sustained by veteran troops, sive adjustment of depending controversies. Altho from unexperienced soldiers, who must daily in-a repeal of the orders, susceptible of explanations prove in the duties of the field. meeting the views of this government, had taken Our expectations of gaining the command of the place before this pacific advance had been communilakes by the invasion of Canada from Detroit, having cated to that of Great Britain, the advance was de been disappointed, measures were instantly taken to clined, from an avowed repugnance to a suspension of provide, on them, a naval force superior to that of the the practice of impressment during the armistice, enemy. From the talents and activity of the officer and without any intimation that the arrangement sharged with this object,everything that can be done, proposed with respect to seamen, would be accepted. maybe expected. Should the present season not admit Whether the subsequent communications from this of complete success, the progress made will insure government affording an occasion for re-considering for the next, a naval ascendancy, where it is essential the subject, on the part of G. Britain, will be viewed to our permanent peace, and control over, the sain a more favorable light,or received in a more accom Vages. modating spirit, remains to be known. It would be unwise to relax our measures, in any respect, on a presumption of such a result. Among the incidents to the measures of the war, I am constrained to advert to the refusal of the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut, to furnish The documents from the department of state, which the required detachments of militia towards the de- relate to this subject, will give a view also of the fence of the maritime frontier-The refusal was propositions for an armistice which have been receivfounded on a novel and unfortunate exposition of the ed here, one of them from the authorities at Halifax provisions of the constitution, relating to the militia. and in Canada, the other from the British govern. The correspondences which will be laid before you, ment itself, through admiral Warren; and of the contain the requisite information on the subject. It grounds upon which neither of them could be acis obvious, that if the authority of the United States cepted. to call into service and command the militia for the Our affairs with France retain the posture which public defence, can be thus frustrated,even in a state they held at my last communications to you. Notof declared war, and of course under apprehensions withstanding the authorised expectation of an early of invasion preceding war, they are not one nation as well as favorable issue to the discussions on foot; for the purpose most of all requiring it; and that the these have been procrastinated to the latest date.public safety may have no other resource than in The only intervening occurrence meriting attention, those large and permanent military establishments is the promulgation of a French decree, purporting which are forbidden by the principle of our free go-to be a definitive repeal of the Berlin and Milan devernment, and against the necessity of which the mi- crees. This proceeding, altho' made the ground of litia were meant to be a constitutional bulwark. the repeal of the British orders in council, is ren On the coasts, on the ocean, the war has been as dered, by the time and manner of it, liable to many successful as circumstances inseparable from its ear-objections. ly stages could promise. Our public ships and pri- The final communications from our special minisvate cruisers, by their activity, and where there was ter to Denmark, afford further proofs of the good ofoccasion, by their intrepidity, have made the ene-fects of his mission, and of the amicable disposition my sensible of the difference between a reciprocity of the Danish government. From Russia we have the of captures, and the long confinement of them to satisfaction to receive assurances of continued friendtheir side.Our trade, with little excep- ship, and that it will not be affected by the rupture tion, has safely reached our ports; having been between the U. States and G. Britain. Sweden also much favored in it, by the course pursued by a professes sentiments favorable to the subsisting harsquadron of our frigates under the command of commony. modore Rodgers.And in the instance in which With the Barbary powers, excepting that of Alskill and bravery were more particularly tried with giers, our affairs remain on the ordinary footing.those of the enemy, the American flag had an aus-The consul-general residing with that regency, has picions triumph.The frigate Constitution, com- suddenly, and without cause been banished, together manded by captain Hull, after a close and short en- with all the American citizens found there. Whegagement, completely disabled and captured a Bri- ther this was the transitory effect of capricious destish frigate; gaining for that officer and all on board, potism, or the first act of pre-determined hostility, a praise which cannot be too liberally bestowed; not is not ascertained. Precautions were taken by the merely for the victory actually achieved, but for consul on the latter supposition. |