Legislature of Virginia. reward so dear to honorable and virtuous minds, Thursday, Dec. 18.-The speaker laid before the which you have received for the part you bore in house the following communication from the go-important station which you fill. them, in the suffrages which elevated you to the vernor: Council chamber, Dec. 16, 1817. SIR-I have the honor of communicating through you to the house of delegates the enclosed answer from James Madison, late president of the United States, that it may appear that I have complied with the resolution, passed on the 22d of last February, by the general assembly. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, JAMES P. PRESTON. The hon. the speaker of the house of delegates. dress. Council chamber, Feb. 28, 1817. Be pleased to accept assurances of my esteem and cordial respect, JAMES MADISON. Governor Preston. Washington, March 1st, 1817. TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA. difficulties and embarrassments. I have received, fellow citizens, from governor Preston, your address of the 22d ultimo. The sentiments which it conveys, are particularly endeared to me, as being those of a state with which I am connected by the ties of my birth, and of my home, and by the recollections of its confidence and parSIR-By a resolution of the general assembly tiality, commencing at an early stage of my life, and of Virginia, it becomes the duty of the govern the moment of my final return to a station of a pricontinued under different public manifestations, to or to transmit to you the enclosed valedictory ad-vate citizen. The language of the address derives In the discharge of this duty it is natural for me state of Virginia has justly acquired by its uniform a further value from the high character whic!, the to reflect on the astonishing contrast which this mo-devotion to free government, and by a constancy ment presents, compared with the eventful period and zeal in maintaining the national rights, which of your administration. For a time our commerce was annihilated, our sacred rights abused, invaded no sufferings or sacrifices could impair. Nor can I be insensible to the consideration, that this expresand destroyed, our citizens impressed, and held in sion of kindness and approbation, comes at the close bleeding bondage, and even our national sovereign of my public career, through a period of uncommon ty insulted and despised. Now we are remunerat. ed by an overwhelming commerce, our rights inviolate, our citizens free and happy, respected at home that made a part, will always do justice to the A candid review of the entire period, of which and abroad, and our national character glorious-course of policy, which, under peculiar circumly exalted. That you should have occupied the highest station, and presided over the union during national voice, and pursued by the national counstances not likely to recur, was sanctioned by the this wonderful march of national prosperity and cils. The review will show that the obstinate glory, can never cease to afford you the highest gratification. There is not a citizen, or soldier, or dearest rights and dearest interests, left no option rivalship of powerful nations in trampling on our sailor, who by his devotion to his country has con- but between resistance and degradation; that a love tributed in the smallest degree to this happy era, of peace and a hope of justice, selected every mode who will not hereafter repose upon the retrospect of resistance short of war, in preference to war; with joy and delight. In this renewed evidence of approbation from the that although the appeals made to the commercial interests and the mutual jealousies of the contendgeneral assembly of Virginia in behalf of the good people of your native state, at the close of your pub-ing parties was, at length,not without effect in prolic labors, which so happily terminates an adminis.ducing a relinquishment of the aggressive system, tration that was environed with all the difficulties even by the power against which war was declarof an untried government, a want of unanimity in the public councils, embarrassed finances, and a war with a powerful people, who disregarded the max. ims of civilized nations-under all these circumstances, this testimony of approbation, next to an approving conscience, must be to a public servant the best reward and highest consolation: and that you may long live to enjoy it uninterruptedly is the sincere wish of your obedient, humble servant, JAMES P. PRESTON. His excellency James Madison, President of the United States. Washington, March 1st, 1817. DEAR SIR-Having received through you, the address of the generil assembly of Virginia, of February 10th, I have to request that you will take charge of the enclosed answer to it. I must tender you my acknowledgements at the same time, for the friendly and flattering manner, in which you have fulfilled the resolution of the general as sembly. I should express my feelings very imperfectly, if in recurring to the events which led to the present enviable condition of our country, I did not avow my admiration and profound gratitude for that se. ries of brilliant achievements which distinguish the American arms; and offer my congratulations on the ed, and before the declaration; yet the relinquish ment was at too late a day to prevent the war; that it is strictly true, therefore, that this last resort was not made, until the last hope had been extinguished, that a prostration of the national character and of the national rights, could be otherwise avoided. It is on record also, that not a moment was lost after the sword was drawn in o pening the way to reconciliation; nor an opportunity permitted, by self respect, untried, till it was at length restored to the scabbard where it now hap. pily remains. On the prosperous condition of our country, which has succeeded a conflict, rendered peculiarly severe, and peculiarly glorious, by contingent events as flattering to our adversaries, as they were unlooked for by either party, I cordially unite in your congratulations; as well in the hope that all the lessons afforded by the past, may contribute to the future security and increase of the blessings we now enjoy. Through the remaining days of a life hitherto employed, with little intermission, in the public service, which you so much over value, my heart will cherish the affectionate sentiments which the representatives of my native state have addressed me; and will offer its fervent prayers for the public prosperity and individual happiness of its citizens. JAMES MADISON NEW SERIES. No 24-VOL. 1] BALTIMORE, FEB. 7. 1818 (No. 24 --Voz XIII. WHOLE No. 336. THE PAST-THE PASENT FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. of New-York-and many documents. The great quantity of matter that was in type it was agreed that Mr. Page's refusal to anafter the last number was issued, has compelled us swer the question proposed by the committee, to fill a portion of the present sheet with deferred was not a contempt of the house; and, by anearticles; but not, on that account, iess needful to ther resolution, the committee was discharged be inserted.The REGISTER, at times, does not contain half as much as our wishes would press into from a further consideration of the subject its pages which are, that every thing that can that had been referred to it. interest an enquiring public should be inserted in A third affair of "contempt" has happened it. The messages of the governors of several states in Maryland. The house of delegates took it are yet lying over, as well as the speech of gov. up with closed doors, but, the injunction of Clinton on opening the session of the legislature of secrecy being removed, it appeared that a We have also just received a copy of a letter resolution had been carried directing the from the secretary of the navy, transmitting to the sergeant at arms to take a certain George house of representatives the proceedings of the Keatinge into his custody, for having publishcourt martials that were held in the Mediterranean ed in his paper, issued at Westminster, in for the trial of com. Perry, and capt. Heath, of the Frederick county, called the "Observer," an inarine corps-whose differences, as well as the pro-article directed to the "hon. James Nabb, a ceedings thereon, have much excited the public delegate to the general assembly from Talbot," feeling. BANKS AND NEWSPAPERS.-Our progress in col- said to be of a "malicious and scandalous nalecting lists of these, is slow. The Hartford ture," &c. The resolution was assented to "Times" has furnished neat accounts of each of by yeas and nays-yeas 27, nays 26. But on them in Connecticut, and we have the official list the following day, to wit, Saturday last, it was of the banks in Pennsylvania, of which, however, the nominal capitals are not stated. We should be agreed that as the said George Keatinge lived obliged to any friend at Harrisburg for giving us at too great a distance from the seat of gothe capitals of those banks, as authorized by law. vernment to be brought to trial during the present session, ordered, that the resolution respecting him be rescinded-ayes 34, nays 26! press "Contempt of the House." The repeated agitation of the doctrine of The late famous case of John Anderson is "contempts" requires some specific provisions known to every body. The decision upon it respecting it. The liberty of the citizen is does not appear to have pleased any body; and, not to be sported with at the whim, passion, or had he resisted the arrest and claimed a re-caprice of a legislative body-he has a right to lease by habeas corpus, a very unpleasant co- know the law; and, then, if he violates it, he Jision might have taken place between the le- ought to be punished. The legislative body gislative and judicial authorities. should be protected from insult, but it seems An affair of "contempt" has also occurred that they ought not to be judges in their own in Virginia. The legislature raised a commit-case; and it is better to have a licentious tee for the purpose of enquiring into certain than one subjected to any other regulation than reports of mal-practices in the management of that which is imposed by public opinion. Truth the funds of the Farmers bank of Virginia; it is not a libel in Maryland; but an editor conbeing insinuated that those funds were used by victed of a "malicious and scandalous" falsecertain directors for what is technically call-hood, may be punished by law-not by privi ed "shaving," or usury. A Mr. Carter B. lege. We have not seen the article that gave Page, being brought before the committee, re-rise to the proceedings in our legislature-but fused to answer the question, "do you know venture to say that those proceedings have that any director of the Farmers bank has, given it a degree of importance that it was not within the last year, been guilty of usury or entitled to---as is generally the case of such shaving?"-saying, he was advised that he was wise interferences. not bound to answer any questions which called upon him to disclose information touching any transaction in which he himself bore a part, and To insure an honest payment of the duties which may be held to violate any part of the law upon foreign goods imported, is one of the of the land, &c. The committee reported the most important subjects that at present offers case to the house-were the proceedings of the itself to the public consideration. We are not legislature to be arrested by an individual? A interested by it as a source of revenue only: resolution was offered to put Mr. Page in the but because the violations or evasions of the custody of the sergeant at arms; this produced law, seriously effect the most useful and most a long and very interesting debate, which was productive classes of society in the United resumed and continued several days. Finally, States. VOL. XIII. 26. Duties on Imports. We have two interesting articles on this before and since the French revolution. But matter-both communicated; one of them from the French authorities, though they would not a distant place, the other by a merchant of tell what became of the missing million, seem Baltimore, which it is intended to publish in to have denied any connection or knowledge the next REGISTER. These article agree in abo- of the mercantile transactions of Beaumarlishing the ad valorem duties, as now payable chais with the United States, saying that that on foreign invoices, altogether; and instead of million was appropriated to secret political it propose that the importer shall give in at purposes: nor would they explain for what the custom-house any valuation of his goods pose the million of livres were given to Beauthat he pleases, for the calculation of duties-marchais. 10 Beaumarchais Claim. pur that an examination shall be had to ascertain An opinion is very easily entertained that that the quantities stated are correct-but the (to cover the intrigues of the French court at officers of the customs, on behalf of the Unit- such an interesting period, when its future ed States and of themselves, as may be defined policy would have been determined by future by law, or any other person in case that they events) the million granted to Beaumarchais do not act in it, shall be allowed to take any lot was really the missing million of the grant of of goods so invoiced, on paying to the owner the king, intended as part pay for the supplies per cent. advance on his own valuation. that he had furnished, which it was prudent to be considered as ignorant of, though furnished from the king's stores-for which, perhaps, Beaumarchais really paid the persons having charge of those stores at the time, that their receipts might be produced in justification of the count of Versailles, if our revolution had been abortive. But the proof of this seems to rest with us; and the plea of discount is not considered as tenable, by Messrs. Rodney 1. It seems admitted that a balance equal to a million of "livres tournois" was due to United States.-Yet it was the opinion of the and Pinkney, former attorney-generals of the Mr. de Beaumarchais, on account of supplies late Governeur Morris, (who, as minister of of arms, ammunition and clothing furnished the United States in France, investigated the the United States, in the early part of the re-subject) that the claim had no foundation. volutionary war. The following brief abstract of apparent facts respecting the oft demanded claim of the heirs of Mr. de Beaumarchais, may interest such as will not take the trouble to wade through, or those who cannot obtain, the docu ments. 2. But the United States claim a discount equal to that sum, on the presumption that it was paid immediately to Beaumarchais by Louis XVI. through his minister De Vergen nes. The amount of the claim and interest upon it, is considerable. The livre tournois is equal to about 183 cents. Bank Anecdotes. SCENE MARYLAND. Time---Jan. 9, 1818. A part of the stores furnished by Mr. de Beaumarchais was supplied from the king's Cashier. Sir, your note for 1400, some odd ware-houses in 1776, a considerable time be- dollars, is due to-day, and payment is exfore any treaty or public understanding exist-pected. ed between the United States and France---but Citizen. The note is due, I acknowledge--sometime previous to such treaty, say at the but I have so much of my money employed in point of time when B. was furnishing, or shaving that I cannot pay it at present. about to furnish, arms, &c. to the United states, it is acknowledged that the king made a free gift to them of three millions of livres. Two of those millions have been accounted for. What became of the third million is uncertain. But the following receipt has been found among the of the French governpapers inent have received from Monsieur du Vergier, agreeably to the order transmitted to him of Monsic the count of Vergennes, dated the 5th cur rent, the sum of one million, for which I will account to the said sieur count de Vergennes. "At Paris, this 10th day of June, 1776. (Signed) CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS. "God for one million of livres tournois." The United States presume that this was the missing million of the king's grant of three millions, and considerable efforts have been frequently made to ascertain the fact, both Cashier. Well---when can you pay, and how will you pay it? We are disposed to accommodate you. Citizen. I will give my check, payable on the 9th day of March next, for the amount, if you will give up the note. Cashier. We are so willing to oblige you, that we agree to the proposal. The interest for 60 days will be $14 and cents; add that to the sum and make a check for the whole. Citizen. I will not pay any interest. Cashier. As you receive interest and refuse to pay it---pay the note. Citizen. I won't. It is my will to accommodate you that induces me to agree to pay the debt in sixty days, by a check. Cashier. Then, sir, pardon me, but I must confess my belief that you are the most impudent man I ever met with. Citizen. That is false---I may be as impu-provision for the erection of two additional builddent as you are--for THIS DAY you did the ve-ings for the accommodation of the executive dery same thing in respect to certain of your partments of the government. own The documents accompanying the report of the notes, and for the precise amount of mine. committee to whom this subject was referred, shew that the public offices, at present erected, do not afford the necessary room, though many private houses or rooms are additionally occupied. It is essentially important to the public convenience that this evil should be remedied. If any one doubts the truth of the facts stated in the preceding, let him apply at the Mechanics bank of Baltimore on the 9th day of March, when a cashier's check for the amount will be presented-and paid, if the money has been deposited. ANOTHER SCENE-"A SPECIE PAYING BANK.' Citizen. Please to give me money for this five dollar note. Teller. There it is---(counting out five pieces of paper.) Citizen. I want money---give me specie. Teller. What do you want it for? Citizen. If the bank cannot pay a debt of five dollars to-day, tell me when it will be convenient, and I'll call again. Teller. (In a pet) There's five dollars. Citizen. Good morning, sir; whenever I want five dollars I shall make it a rule to call upon you, you are so very polite. Amendment proposed. The British "NAVAL CHRONICLE," had for Wharves and water lots in the city, its motto "The winds and waves are Britain's wide domain, "And not a sail, but by permission, spreads." This motto was used to head the prize lists in the WEEKLY REGISTER during the late war; in which we captured more British vessels than they had lost in twenty years contests with [sometimes] almost all Europe. 9$3,300 00 740,000 00 and free stone quarries at Aquia, 40,000 00 $1,713,300 CO General Kosciusko. We seem to owe an apology to our readers Since that war the modest motto, we believe, for having so long delayed the insertion of has been stricken from the "Naval Chronicle." Gen. Harrison's very handsome tribute of If there is an intention to resume it, we would respect to the memory of KOSCIUSKO-a man respectfully propose the following amendment: that possessed in himself more great and estimable qualities than belong to the herd of Bourbons and Guelphs. "It is a very easy thing Indeed to make a man a king! "The winds and seas are Britain's wide domain," But star flagg'd vessels shall their canvas spread Now, this would be friendly; and might save the British people from the rude shocks that they often feel when it is reported, "the How her to make a king a man!"-PET. PINDAR. Americans have laid the keel of another 74!" The following extracts of a letter from I do not know whether my amendment KoscIUSKO to the late JOHN DICKINSON, will would make better poetry of the matter, but be read with great satisfaction by those who it will better comport with the facts that must have admired his character: belong to the case. The spirit of the people, · November, 1783. (and, by the blessing of PROVIDENCE, there is "I have been constantly on the wing since I left a growing power to support that spirit) says--you, my mind occupied by objects, and my body "WE MEET AT PHILLIPPI," unlesstired by the fatigues of travelling. I congratulate We are grateful to heaven for having lived you on the British troops having evacuated New York- -But now, that you are perfectly quiet, beyond the AGE OF IMPRESSMENT. As regards and masters of your own abodes, what will you do? us, "it is numbered with the years beyond the what will be your political views? what will be your flood." The freeman strikes his bosom, and domestic conduct? how far will your reciprocal says, like Paul, the apostle, take heed what ye jealousies extend? who will have powers to stop do--I am an AMERICAN citizen. them?-That public spirit, which distinguished you during the course of the revolution, will it last long against the prosperity of commerce, and the luxury that ever attends it, and against the insinuations of enemies that would divide you?—I declare now to you, that I think there does not exist a country that can vie with you in flourishing prospects. I know there is not one where man is more free, or where fortunes are more equal. In travelling thro' the remote parts of your continent, I learn how to Public Buildings, Property, &c. AT WASHINGTON CITY. *By "specie-paying bank," we mean a bank that pretends to a willingness, and affects an ability to pay its debts. His rank in the American army afforded him no compare the lives of your farmers to those of the moment he became the devoted soldier of liberty. patriarchs. It is there that misery discovers the golden age.And a poor European finds means opportunity greatly to distinguish himself. But in settling there to change his slavery for liberty, he was remarked throughout his service, for all de his wants for ease. Scarcely he lives two years, qualities which adorn the human character. His but his ideas enlarge, he becomes man, and almost heroic conduct in the field, could only be equalled citizen-he is forced to quit his habitudes, his pre- by his moderation and affability in the walks of judices, and even his vices, and to take the senti- private life. He was idolized by the soldiers for ments and virtues of his neighbors. Yes, I have his bravery, and beloved and respected by the offithere seen the subjects formerly of a bishop think cers for the goodness of his heart, and the great qualities of his mind. frecly on religion, and heard the natives of reason These are the notions I have formed of your continent-If you have the goodness to relieve me in my doubts, you will add new favors to your former kindness. As I have always my country in sight, I go begging every where instructions, not for my satisfaction-but to be able to fill honorably ONE DAY my task of citizen. "When I think, dear sir, that with three millions of people, without money, you have shaken off the yoke of a people like England, and have acquired such extensive territory-and that Poland has suffered herself to be robbed of five millions of souls, and a vast country-I ask-what can be the reason of this difference? Contributing greatly, by his exertions, to the establishment of the independence of America, he might have remained, and shared the blessings it dispensed, under the protection of a chief who loved and honored him, and in the bosom of a grateful and affectionate people. Kosciusko, had, however, other views. It is not known that, until the period I am speaking of, he had formed any distinct idea of what could, or indeed what ought, to be done for his own. But in the revolutionary war he drank deeply of the principles which produced it. In his conversations with the intelligent men of our country, he acquir He had seen too that to be free it ed new views of the science of government and the rights of man. "But whilst we wait to recover our rights have a was only necessary that a nation should will it, care to preserve yours, and remember always the and to be happy it was only necessary that a nation masim of Cicero-"respublica RES EST POPULI-should be free. And was it not possible to procum autem injustus ipse populus, non jam vitiosa, sed omnino nulla respublica est "— "If the state of my country remains always the same, I will say to my countrymen-come, pass over the seas, and insure to your children liberty and property. If my countrymen do not listen to me, I will say to my family-come. If my family refuse, I will go by myself and die free with you. "Yet, though I shall be happy to see you, as that supposition is founded only on the bad fortune of my country, may you never see again your friend." The following were the observations of Mr. Harrison, on introducing the motion for honoring the memory of Kosciusko, on the 20th ult. cure these blessings for Poland? For Poland, the country of his birth, which had a claim to all his efforts, to all his services? That unhappy nation groaned under a complication of evils which has scarcely a parallel in history. The mass of the people were the abject slaves of the nobles-the nobles, torn into factions, were alternately the instruments and the victims of their powerful and ambitious neighbors. By intrigue, corruption, and force, some of its fairest provinces had been sepatransferred to foreign despots, who were again rated from the republic, and the people, like beasts, watching for a favorable moment for a second dismemberment. To regenerate a people thus debased-to obtain for a country thus circumstanced, The public papers have announced an event the blessings of liberty and independence, was a which is well calculated to excite the sympathy of work of as much difficulty as danger. But to a evely American bosom. Kosciusko, the matryr of mind like Kosciusko's the difficulty and danger The annals of these times give us no detailed huerty, is no more! We are informed that he died of an enterprise served as stimulants to undertake it. at Soleure, in France, some time in October last. In tracing the events of this great man's life, we account of the progress of Kosciusko in accomfind in him that consistency of conduct which is the plishing his great work, from the period of his remore to be admired as it is so rarely to be met with. turn from America to the adoption of the sew conHe was not at one time the friend of mankind, and stitution of Poland, in 1791. This interval, howat another the instrument of their oppression; but ever, of apparent inaction, was most usefully emhe preserved throughout his whole career those ployed to illumine the mental darkness which en1.oble principles which distinguished him in its veloped his countrymen. To stimulate the ignorant commencement-which influenced him at an early and bigotted peasantry with the hope of future period of his life to leave his country and his friends, emancipation-to teach a proud but gallant nobi and in another hemisphere to fight for the rights of humanity. lity that true glory is only to be found in the paths of duty and patriotism-interests the most opposed, prejudices the most stubborn, and habits the most inveterate, were reconciled, dissipated, and broken, by the ascendancy of his virtues and example. The storm which he had foreseen, and for which he had been preparing, at length burst upon Kosciusko was born and educated in Poland, of a noble and distinguished family-a country where the distinctions in society are perhaps carried to reater lengths than in any other.-His Creator Lad, however, endowed him with a soul capable of rising above the narrow prejudices of a cast, and Poland. A feeble and unpopular government bent of breaking the shackles which a vicious education had imposed on his mind. before its fury, and submitted itself to the Russian yoke of the invader. But the nation disdained to When very young, he was informed by the voice follow its example; in their extremity every eye of fame, that the standard of liberty had been was turned on the hero who had already fought erected in America, that an insulted and oppressed their battles-the sage who had enlightened them, people had determined to be free, or perish in the and the patriot who had set the example of personttempt. His ardent and generous mind caught, tal sacrifices to accomplish the emancipation of the With enthusiasm, the holy flame, and from that people. |