samer, of eight guns, and was on his way for Boston. AMELIA. The Prussian ambassador at Paris has very peremp- It is stated that a Spanish officer had reached torily demanded an explanation of a passage of Fernandina to ascertain whether the United States Louis' speech, and of the reply of the deputies.-had taken possession of the island as friends or eneThere is a report that the duke of York, being pre-mies; at the same time expressing his satisfaction sumptive heir of the crown, will resign the command that the nest was broken up. of the army. ENGLAND, &c. Com. Aury has denounced a certain William P. Moore as running away from Amelia with a certain prize vessel, of about 70 tons, armed with 5 guns, with an intention to commit depredations on the high seas-saying that he is unauthorised, and requesting that he may be brought to trial as a pirate. It was expected that Aury, with his fleet, &c. would leave Amelia about the 20th inst. Some of the U. S. troops were embarking to join gen. Gaines at fort Scott, for which place the general, as before noticed, had departed. The Boston Gazette has three and an half huge columns, filled with a very small type, detailing the ceremonies, &c. that took place at the funeral of the princess Charlotte, and the "still-born male infant!" The world will not come to an end because that woman (though she may have been a good one) and her child are deposited in the "narrow house." The English seem so much alarmed lest they may not have a full blooded Guelph to ride them, that there is some talk of legitimatizing the marriage of the duke of Sussex with lady Murray, strumpetized, by an act of parliament, in 1794. Lady Murray was honestly and fairly married to the duke at Rome, and is said to have more virtue and intel-vored the editor of the WEEKLY REGISTER, with the EMIGRATION. A gentleman at New York has faligence than belongs to the whole of the royal fa- following list of emigrants arriving at that port, mily. It is said that she is a native American, from the 1st of January to the 31st Dec. 1817, both daughter of lord Dunmore, and born in Virginia. inclusive, and assures us that its correctness may She has a son about 21 years of age and 2 daughters, be relied upon. nearly out of their teens. Frequent meetings of the cabinet have caused considerable fluctuations in the price of stocks. The 3 per cent. consols fell from 84 to 80, on an alarm of hostilities between Spain and Portugal; but they had again nearly recovered their highest price. The season has been so fine in England that a se. cond crop of strawberries were said to be growing on the 26th Nov. in a certain garden at Prescott. "SPANISH AMERICA." We are compelled to express a belief that Mina has been captured and executed, and his party destroyed or dispersed. It is stated that he was put to death in the neighborhood of Mexico. The town of Campeachy was illuminated on the news of it. A letter, however, from Vera Cruz noticed in the Aurora, dated November 11, states that he was organizing the communities in the very centre of Mexico, &c. CHRONICLE. England, Scotland and Wales, - 3,131 Ireland, 1,703 France, 674. Germany and Holland, 252 Spain and Portugal, 64 South America, 40 464 West Indies, British Possessions in North America 1,273 Russia, Denmark and Sweden, 29 4 When the express left, which was on the the 18th, We have several proclamations, &c. from Vene- time major Muhlenburg had three men killed and the firing from both parties continued; at which zuela. A proclamation by Bolivar, supreme chief, thirteen wounded; but there was not the least apdated at Angostura, Oct. 17, announcing the dis-prehension of any the vessels being taken that were covery of the treachery of Gen. Piar, and his exe-under his command. The troops so defended themcution-it would seem that his ambition and avarice selves in the vessels, from the enemy, that they combined to cause him desert the banners of the were perfectly safe. No man was killed or woundrepublic. 2. A despatch from the royal Col. Roque, ed except when in the act of warping or casting of the regiment of Navarre, announcing the defeat anchor. Capt. M'Intosh, who commanded a post 12 of a detachment of the patriot forces at Hogaza, miles from Fort Scott, with 40 men, was attacked in which "the whole of their infantry and 400 of on the 15th ult. by between 2 and 300 indians. the cavalry perished"-that they lost 2 pieces of Captain M. defeated them without losing a single artillery, and all their ammunition and stores, &c. man, and has since been relieved. There had also 3. A letter from Angostura containing a favorable been a skirmish between the friendly and hostile account of the forces and proceedings of the patri-savages, in which the chief of the former was killed, ots, and stating that they would pacify all the pro- in consequence of which a number of the party unvinces "before the end of the year." A supreme der his command are said to have deserted and council has been established at Angostura, and the joined the hostile indians. affairs of the republic appear to be well regulated -an expedition of 1800 inen, in 51 small vessels, ed home from the army, that the detachment of We learn by a sick soldier who has just returnwas about to sail from thence. 4. An address from militia from this state had reached Flint river and Gen. Bermudez to the people of Cumana, announc commenced erecting the fortifications directed by ing that his army is approaching to bring the "olive general Gaines. He also states, that the Indians of peace with the laurei of victory." An opinion had sent deputies to sue for peace on the cond ons prevails that a decisive battle will speedily be formerly rejected by them, and that it was bel ved fought which may probably decide the fate of Ve. in camp, that hostilities would cease without the nezuela, and stop the oceans of blood that have further effusion of blood. We have no late intelliflowed in that most unfortunate country. It is re ported that some troops were expected from Spair. gence from the regulars at fort Scott. [Milledgeville Journal, 6th inst [No. 23-VOL. XIII. WHOLE No. 335. THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. To dispose of some ar.icles in type, the present | number has been made to consist of twenty pages—and James Otis. we have matter enough yet lying-over to make 40 more. The editor of the WEEKLY REGISTER, and the pub. The GENERAL INDEX is in progress, and will be published early in the spring. A confidence is felt that it will meet the wishes and expectations of the friends of the WEEKLY Register; and, that by it, immediate reference may be to any article in the twelve volumes now published. Additional subscriptions are solicited, as not many copies more than are engaged will be printed. The prospect respecting the volume of REVOLUTIONARY SPEECHES, &c. is not so flattering. Many contributions expected for it have not been received, and the editor is yet undetermined on the course he shall take respecting it. A little more time may designate that course-but, in any event, the valuable articles collected shall not be lost. lic, is much indebted to President ADAMS for the CONNECTICUT. A Mr. Converse, who publishes a newspaper at New-Haven, has affected to laugh at my "ignorance" for having said that there had an opinion that the true history of the Ameribeen an established church in Connecticut"-but he can revolution could not be recovered. I had kindly excuses it, because I am "living in Balti many reasons for that apprehension; one of more." The editor of the New Haven Herald has which I will attempt to explain. Of the determination of the British cabinet politely interfered, and demonstrated that either the said Mr. Converse or myself have spoken fool to assert and maintain the sovereign authority ishly, by publishing the following extract from of parliament over the colonies, in all cases of the laws of that state: "This assembly do declare their great approba taxation and internal policy, the first demontion of such a happy agreement, [to wit, the Say.stration which arrived in America was an ORbrook Platform,] and do ordain that all the Chris-DER IN COUNCIL to the officers of the customs tian churches within this government, that are or in Massachusetts Bay, to carry into execution shall be thus united in DOCTRINE, WORSHIP, and DISTHe acts of trade, and to apply to the su CIPLINE, be, and for the future shall be, owned and preme judicature of the province for WRITS OF acknowledged as ESTABLISHED BY LAW.' Stat. ed. of 1750, p. 169. Vide ASSISTANTS, to authorise them to break and enter MANUFACTURES. The editor of the REGISTER all houses, cellars, stores, shops, ships, bales, was favored with and has attentively read, a pamph. casks. &c. to search and seize all goods, wares let addressed to the president of the United and merchandizes, on which the taxes imposed States, by John Mellish, on "the necessity of protect by those acts had not been paid. ing and encouraging the man" fuctures of the United Mr. Cockle, of Salem, a deputy under Mr. Stutes." It is an interesting little work, and, so far as we are judges of what is true political econo- Paxton, of Boston, the collector of the customs, my, a very excellent one. Its leading principle is petitioned the superior court in Salem in Nov. bottomed on what must forever constitute the 1760, for such a writ. The court doubted its wealth of a nation-which is, the profitable employ constitutionality and consequently its legality: ment of its population; and he also clearly shews us but, as the king's order ought to be considered, that we cannot long continue to pay the present hea vy difference between the value of our exports and they ordered the question to be argued before imports, in favor of Great Britain. There is nothing them, by counsel, at the next February term, new in those positions; but Mr. Mellish's elucida-in Boston. tions of the facts appertaining to them are pleasing, The community was greatly alarmed. The and it is impossible that they should be too often merchants of Salem and of Boston applied to enforced until we have agreed to act upon them Mr. Otis to defend them and their country as we ought to do. We shall probably interweave against that formidable instrument of arbitrary some extracts from this pamphlet in the remarks that we had in a state of preparation on the same power. They tendered him rich fees-he cnsubject before we received it, and which we de gaged in their cause, but would accept no fees. JAMES OTIS, of Boston, sprung from families signed to publish under a hope that congress would not rise without doing something to ensure among the earliest of the planters of the coloa sufficient protection to our manufactures. Much nies, and the most respectable in rank, while has been done, many milions have been spent for the word rank and the idea annexed to it were commerce-and we are content to say it is well: but manufactures, many times more important, have tolerated in America. He was a gentleman of been suffered to struggle for themselves; the du general science and extensive literature. He ties upon foreign goods having been levied for the had been an indefatigable student during the only purpose of raising a revenue. whole course of his education in college and VOL. XIII -24. at the bar. He was well versed in Greek and Although Mr. Otis had never before interRoman history, philosophy, oratory,poetry and fered in public affairs, his exertions, on this mythology. His classical studies had been un-single occasion, secured him a commanding sually ardent,and his acquisitions uncommonly popularity with the friends of their country, great. He had composed a treatise on Latin and the terror and vengeance of her enemies; prosody, which he lent to me, and I u ged him neither of which ever deserted him. to print. He consented. It is extant and may At the next election, in May, 1761, he was speak for itself. It has been lately reviewed in elected, by a vast majority, a representative in the Anthology by one of our best scholars, at a the legislature, of the town of Boston, and conmature age and in a respectable station. He had tinued to be so elected annually for nine years. also composed, with equal skill and great labor, Here, at the head of the country interest, he a treatise on Greek prosody. This he also lent conducted her cause with a fortitude. prume, and, by his indulgence, I had it in my pos-dence, ability and perseverance which has session six months. When I returned it I beg- never been exceeded in America, at every ged him to print it. He said there were no Greek sacrifice of health, pleasure, profit and reputa types in the country, or, if there were, there tion, and against all the powers of government, was no printer who knew how to use them. He and all the talents, learning, wit, scurrility was a passionate admirer of the Greek poets, and insolence of its prostitutes. especially of Home; and he said it was in vain Hampden was shot in open field of battle. to attempt to read the poets in any language Otis was basely assassinated in a coffee-house, without being master of their prosody. This in the night, by a well-dressed banditti, with a classic scholar was also a great master of the commissioner of the customs at their head. laws of nature and nations. He had read Puf- During the period of nine years that Mr. fendorph, Grotius, Barbeyrac, Bulamaqui, Vat- Otis was at the head of the cause of his countel, Heineccius; and, in the civil law, Domal, try, he held correspondences with gentlemen Justinian, and, upon occasions, consulted the in England, Scotland and various colonies in corpus juris at large. It was a maxim, which America: He must have written and received he inculcated on his pupils, as his patron in the many lette s, collected many pamphlets, and, profession, Mr. Gridley, had done before him, probably, composed manuscripts, which might "that A LAWYER OUGHT NEVER TO BE WITHOUT have illustrated the rising dawn of the revoluA VOLUME OF NATURAL OR PUBLIC LAW, OR MO- tion. RAL PHILOSOPHY, ON HIS TABLE OR IN HIS POC KET." In the history, the common law and statute laws of England, he had no superior, at least in Boston. After my return from Europe, I asked his daughter whether she had found among her father's manuscripts, a treatise on Greek prosody? With hands and eyes uplifted, in a paThus qualified to resist the system of usur- roxysm of grief, she cried, "Oh! sir, I have not pation and despotism meditated by the British" a line from my father's pen. I have not even ministry, under the auspices of the earl of "his name in his own hand writing." When Bute, Mr. Otis resigned his commission from she was a little calmed, I asked her, "Who has the crown, as advocate general, an office very "his papers? Where are they?" She answered, lucrative at that time, and a sure road to the" They are no more. In one of those unhappy highest favors of government in America, and dispositions of mind, which distressed him engaged in the cause of his country without" after his great misfortune, and a little before fee or reward. His argument, speech, dis-"his death, he collected all his papers and course, oration, harangue-call it by which "pamphlets and committed them to the flames name you will, was the most impressive upon his "He was several days employed in it." crowded audience of any that I ever heard I cannot enlarge. I submit this hint to your before or since, excepting only many speeches reflections. Enclosed is a morsel of verse, by himself in Phanuil Hall and in the House written soon after Mr. Otis's death, by a very of Representatives, which he made, from time young gentleman who is now one of our exto time, for ten years afterwards. There were cellent magistrates. If you do not think fit to no stenographers in those days. Specches were print this letter and that verse, I pray you to not printed, and all that was not remembered, return them to JOHN ADAMS. like the harangues of Indian orators, was lost in air. Who, at the distance of fifty-seven On the death of JAMES OTIS, killed by lightning, at years, would attempt, upon memory, to give Andover, soon after the peace of 1783, written at even a sketch of it. Some of the heads are When flush' with conquest and elate with pride, remembered, out of which Livy or Sallust Britannia's monarch Heaven's high will defy'd; would not scruple to compose an oration for And, bent on blood, by lust of rule inclin'd, history. I shall not essay an analysis or a With odious chains to vex the free-born mind; sketch of it, at present. I shall only say, and on these young shores set up unjust command, I do say in the most solemn manner, that Mr. And spread the slaves of office round the land; Then Oris rose, and, great in patriot fame, Otis's oration, against writs of assistance, To list'ning crowds resistance dared proclaim. breathed into this nation the breath of life. the time. - From soul to soul the bright idea ran, "The Drawing Rooms." QUINCY, Jan. 20th 1818. attributing to it an offensive article about "Drawing Rooms;" while I have to regret that this is not the first time in which my secret pride has been humbled by a similar misapprehension. And such mistakes are easily committed, because another paper is published (at another place, however,) in which the form and manner of the "WEEKLY REGISTER" is attempted to be copied; probably, that it may pass for mine with the honest and unsuspectIng. But of that paper, madam, I never opened or examined but one number, and do not expect ever to examine, much less to read another. I see it only by accident, because it is refused an admittance into my office: nor is my curiosity excited about it, although I am told that its ostensible editor, through a hireling pen, has several times attempted to honor me with his abuse. I cannot see how I have deserved such marks of respect---seeing that I never have mentioned that editor or named his paper in this; and that I very seldom appear to be wholly sensible that such a thing as the one or the other exists at all. I perfectly recollect to have observed something about "Drawing Rooms," copied from it, (in another paper) and remember to have read three or four lines of the piece; when I discovered that its subject was not suited for my own taste or that of my male readers, and cast it behind me-I could not believe that the public was any way interested in the domestic arrangements of the president's wife. Hence I did not know until now that it was so rude as to wound the feelings of a lady--who, in every Mr. Niles---Upon taking up your Register rank and condition, is entitled to courtesy and the other day, a communication respecting protection, but especially commanding it as the drawing rooms, attracted my attention. Your worthy consort of a venerable and illustrious correspondent must have been misinformed patriot of the revolution, who has also filled the when he states, that there was any distinction most honorable office in the gift of any people in of party made at the drawing room while I had the world. And if, madam. I could have comthe honor to preside there; any gentleman or mitted myself so far as to publish in my "Regis lady, of either party, who chose to visit there, ter" a thing like that, please to believe that I were received with equal civility. And from would have been incapable of adding insult to your correspondent, I have now for the first injury by intruding it upon you. President time learnt, that any person withdrew from po- ADAMS receives my work only in volumes. litical motives. The gentlemen of both houses Not being decisively instructed, I have only of congress received and accepted the invita- to hope that in publishing your letter I have tions of the president to dine with him, and met your wishes on the subject---The record of but one of the whole number ever so far forgot facts thereby made will much over-balance, the character of a gentleman, as to send an and out-live the calumny. Nay, when that uncivil refusal. I am, sir, your humble se vant, ABIGAIL ADAMS. REPLY TO MRS. ADAMS. MADAM---It is with high respect that I have the honor to assure you, you have mistaken my "REGISTER" as well as its character, in calumny is forgotten, it will stand in evidence. Editor of the Weekly Register. I acquit the ostensible editor of writing any thing that appears in his paper as original-because *Salur populi, was the motto of one of his essays. I know that he is not competent to it—no matter Waller, on the death of Cromwell. what is its quality. "NOR SAFETY.' local matte s. time of the legislature-the members become Representation of Baltimore. "HE THAT GIVES UP ESSENTIAL LIBERTY TO PURCHASE impatient with it: and, instead of striking at TEMPORARY SAFETY, DESERVES NEITHER LIBERTY the root of the evil, which a strange jealousy against this city has planted, by liberally enit is not ou practice to meddle much with larging the powers of the corporation, they rail ut, although the following at us, and heap upon us every opprobrious remarks specially apply to a peculiar case of epithet that presents itself-without reflecting, hardship, they involve considerations interest-possibly being too ignorant to know, that Baltimore is as the soul, or vital principle, of iag to every friend of freedom. The right of suffrage equally extended to Ma yland. Blot it from the map "sink it in the free citizens of a state, is the moving prin- the basin," as has been charitably wished, and ciple of a just administration of its concerns the value of the real property in the state would the corner stone of the republican edifice, and be instantly diminished fifty percent. It would only safe depository of power. It is a right be felt from the mountains of Alleghany county that cannot be guarded with too much jealousy to the pine swamps of the Eastern shore.--it is a right that cannot be legally compro- There is no other market for the products of mised or bartered away; because the exe cise agriculture-no other depot to supply its wants -no other resource in emergency. Baltimore of it is essential to the general welfare:-and any agreement that is not in accordance with city, at present, contains about 65,000 inhabia fall enjoyment of it, is, in justice and equity, tants, of whom, I suppose, 57,000 are free white persons. What was asked? To give to A bill was introduced into the legislature of 57,000 freemen a power of legislation equal to Maryland, two or three weeks since, to alter 4068 persons in Calvert; or 6289 in Alleghany; the constitution so as to give to the city of or 6794 in St. Mary's; or 7201 in Kent; or Baltimore Two additional members in the 7810 in Charles; or 7933 in Caroline, &c. &c. house of delegates-say four in all. This bill or 28,766 in Frederick, which is the most pohas been rejected. I am sincerely glad of it. pulous county in the state! Let us see how I regret, however, that, when affecting to con- many counties, having four members each, it sider the merits of the bill, some "honorable will take to make up a population equal to Balgentlemen," as they must be called, descended timore city, to which it was proposed to allow four members: Free persons Delegates. to the use of language about Baltimore that would have caused a Billingsgate-lady to blush for her deficiency of tongue! It was to be hoped that a spirit of justice had superseded the rage of party. null and void. Counties. Talbot 4,068 : : : : : 6,794 7 201 : 7,810 : : : 7,933 : : : : Montgomery : 9,352 : 32 Baltimore has two delegates in the general assembly of Maryland, or a fortieth part of the power of legislation in the popular branch of the government. From the limitted powers of the city corporation, and the daily manifestation of things required to be done for the The great favor was that Baltimore, having convenience of a rapidly increasing population, it is almost impossible, if not absolutely so, that more wealth, and nearly the free population of any two gentlemen can attend to all the local EIGHT Counties, sending THIRTY-TWo members matters required of them in the legislature, as to the legislature;—and with a greater populathey ought to be attended to-many of which, tion than ANY THREE Counties in the state, of no importance whatsoever to the public at large, could and would be much better managed at home, if there was an authority so to manage them. The business presented from Baltimore occupies, perhaps one fourth of the *If we have been abused we have also been defended the following is an extract from a speech, delivered in the legislature of Maryland, by Mr. Kennedy, a farmer and delegate from Washington County: should have the weight of ONE County! There no other than a monarchist will have the hardiMr. Speaker-there is no member of this house hood to say that one man in Calvert county who has a more sincere regard for the prosperity ought to have the influence of twenty-eight of Baltimore than I have. That city, whose gallant men in Baltimore city, which is the fact as the defenders foiled British demonstrations, and prov-representation of the state stands at present. el that, under the "star-spangled banner," Ame-Nor can Calvert claim it for her wealth; we have ricans must conquer, has a strong hold on my tions; nor do I ever approach that "home of the many streets, and, perhaps, one or two lanes the fee of the whole county. brave," without feeling sensations of delight and or alleys, either of which are worth more than reverence." affec. |