By the arrival of the Milo, at Boston, from Liverpool, London papers have been received to the 21st of February. The Journals, says the Boston Centinel, are mostly filled with debates in the British parliament, on the well known affairs of Europe. The opposition were unusually active and vindictive, but the ministerial majority, in both houses continued overwhelming. PATRICK SAVAGE, Esq. is appointed British consul in Virginia. Gen. RIALL, lately in Canada, is appointed British governor of Grenada. LONDON, FER. 21. Yesterday a division took place in parliament, on an amendment condemning the conduct of ministers, proposed by lord MILTON, when the opposition collected all their forces. The result was: For the amendment, 772 163 majority for The British embassy to Portugal, has been discontinued ever since it has been known that the court intended to remain in Brazil. Mr. CANNING the late minister, is on the return home, and it is said, will come into the administration at the head of the admiralty. There is little in these papers on American concerns; but that little is pacific. In a debate (Feb. 14th) in the commons, a member said, the spirit of animosity in America would justify an increase of the naval force in the West Indies. This call-104-Against them 44. ed up lord Castlereagh who said, "as to America, if it is said great prejudices exist there against us, it must be recollected that great prejudices exist here against her. It was, he said, his most earnest wish to discountenance this feeling on both sides, and to promote betweeen the two nations feelings of reciprocal amity and regard. Certainly there were no two countries whose in-suits terests were more naturally and closely connected; and he hoped that the course which the government of each country was pursuing, was such as would consolidate the subsisting peace, promote harmony between the nations, and prevent on either side the recurrence of any acts of animosity." Predictions of commotions in France, continued in daily refutation, and fabrication. The allied troops had left Paris, and the interior of France nearly a month, and yet the progress of tranquility continued uninterrupted. The pretended difference between Austria, and Bavaria, had wholly terminated. The English stocks continued high, and the French stocks improving. The proposed marriage of a german prince, with the princess CHARLOTTE of Wales, occasioned much joy in England. The prince who is of the house of Saxo-Coubourg-Saalfield, and whose name is LEOPOLD GEORGE CHRISTIAN FREDERICK, was borne in Dec. 1790.-The princess, who is the heir to the British throne, was born Jan. 1796. It is said to be a love match. The marriage has probably taken place ere this; and one of the stipulations is, that she shall not be taken out of the kingdom without her free and full consent. The prince, it was said, would be created Viceroy of Hanover. Prince TALLYRAND, lived in great splendor and popularity in Paris. He is said to be one of the richest subjects in France. He enjoyed the intire confidence of the Bourbons. The Ex-King JOSEPH BONAPARTE, Marshal GROUCHY, and Gen. LEFEBRE-DESNOUETTES, are in Philadelphia. The Paris papers mention, that a reward of 10,000 francs had been proclaimed for the apprehension of the latter. The Russian emperor, has ordered 750,000 of regimentals, of English manufacture, for the clothing of his troops. LATE APPOINTMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT AND SAMUEL HAWKINS of New-York, has been appointed the ageut on the part of the United States, as authorized by the treaty of Ghent, for managing the business under the 6th. and 7th. articles of said treaty. WILLIAM PINKNEY of Maryland, to be minister plenipotentiary to the court of St. Petersburg, and minister extraordinary to the court of Naples. CORNELIUS P. VAN NESS, of Vermont, to be a commissioner under the British Treaty, for ascertaining the boundary line between Vermont and New Hampshire and the British Territory. DANIEL SHELDEN, late of the Treasury Department, to be Secretary of Legation of the United States to France. WILLIAM R. KING, of North Carolina, (now a representative in congress) to be secretary of the legation to Russia. HARMAN VISGER, of New-York, to be consul at Bristol, in Great Britain. EMANUEL WAMBERSIE, of Georgia to be a consul at Ostend, in the Low Countries. HENRY WILSON, of Maryland, to he consul at L'Orient, in France. THOMAS L. M'KENNEY, of the District of Columbia, to be superintendent of Indian affairs, vice John Mason, resigned. Major DANIEL HUGHES, late of the United States" Army, Factor for the United States, at Fort Haw kins. TIMOTHY UPHAM, to be collector of Portsmouth, N. H. in the place of Joseph Whipple, deceased. JOHN F PARROTT, to be Naval Officer for Portsmouth. Merlin (of Douay) one of the 38 persons ordered to leave France, as dangerous persons, left Brussels in February last, for the United States. SOULT, (another of the 38) had gone to Hamburg. Letters from Europe say, these proscribed citi-port zens will all be permitted to return to France, as soon as the affairs of the nation are permanently settled. BRIDGES ARRUNDELL, to be Collector of the of Beaufort, N. C. in the place of Henry Cook, resigned. WILLIAM HAMMOND, to be surveyor of the port of North Kingstown, in R. I. NO. 9. VOL. I.] WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1816. [WHOLE NO. 9. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY JOEL K. MEAD, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. RATES OF POSTAGE. or of the other, or of both of the belligerent The following rates of postage are to be charg--that these evils were inevitable-and we have parties. We say this was to have been expected ed after the 1st day of May, conformable to an act of congress passed on the 9th inst. On Single Letters. 10 For any distance not exceeding 30 miles 6 cents 12 1-2 18 1-2 25 Double Letters, or those composed of two pieces of paper, double those rates. Triple Letters, or those composed of three pieces of paper, triple those rates. Packets, or letters composed of four or more pieces of paper, or one or more other articles, and weighing one ounce avoirdupoise, quadruple those rates, and in that proportion for all greater weight. Ship Letters, not carried by mail, are chargea- ble with 6 cents. Each paper not carried over 100 miles 1 cent 1 1-2 reason to bless a beneficent creator, that we were not more deeply embroiled in such controversies than we have hitherto been. But the times are now arrived; the civilized world is now in a state of repose, and the European soldiers, tho' clad in the panoply of war, are slumbering in their military habiliments. We may now venture to disentangle ourselves from European politics without an offence to either of the two great parties, by which the nation has been so long divid cd. It has been said by the members of the federal party, that the democratic party were endeavouring to drive the nation headlong into the toils of Buonaparte. They said that this monarch was attempting, under the guise of liberty, the subjugation of the civilized world; that he harboured dark and mysterious designs, fraught with mischief to the human race; that he flattered by fair promises, to destroy by force of arms; that our own administration connived at such enormity, and did every thing in their power to extend and to consolidate the tyranny of this man. On Every four folio pages, eight quarto pages, or the other hand, the democratic party have charg sixteen octavo or lesser pages, are to be consider-ed the federalists with an overweening partiality ed a sheet; also the surplus pages beyond even fours, &c. Journals of the state legislatures are to be charged with pamphlet postage, although not stitched or half bound. But if carried to any place within the state where printed, whatever be the distance, the rate is only 1 cent. Magazines and Pamphlets. Are rated by the sheet. Carried not over 50 miles Over 50, and not over 100 miles 2 1 cent Postmasters are not to forward pamphlets in the mail, where the latter is very large, or where it is carried with great expedition, or on horseRETURN J. MEIGS, Jun. Postmaster General. back. General Post Office, April 16. THE AMERICAN CHARACTER. It has been the misfortune of our country (and an inevitable one) to have our destinies linked too closely with the destinies of Europe. It was to have been expected that when the whole civilized world was in arms-that three thousand miles distance from the theatre of ac tion-that an intervening ocean of that extent would not have been able to wash from the mind, all our sympathies for the fate of war; all our habits of commercial adventure, and all the recollection of all the insults, injuries, wrongs, captures, conflagrations, or condemnations of one I VOL. I. for England; that they were willing to succumb to any enormity which was perpetrated by that nation; that they beheld with an eye of indifference the impressment of their own countrymen, while they were all alive to the perpetrations of injuries from France; that no alternative remained for us, but to espouse the controversy of one, or of the other of these belligerents; that our national independence was implicated in our making a common cause with Buonaparte; that we were reduced to the necessity of fighting England, or surrendering up our national existence without a blow. Without deciding on which side of these important questions, the scales of justice incline; without entering into all those considerations so peculiarly liable to affect the sensibilities of party; it is abundantly sufficient to remark, that the great cause has now subsided, which bound us to the fate of foreign nations, allowing the allegations of either party to be true. If the federal party did honestly believe, that the demolition of Napoleon's power was an event in which the whole civilized world was so deep battle. ly interested, that demolition has been accom-doomed to reap the harvest of agriculture, or of plished. The world is no longer in dread of the overbearing arrogance of France. That nation It is the duty of every patriot to turn the attenis now only a secondary power, and it remains tion of his fellow citizens home. We have gazed problematical, whether she will not even yet be on Europe long enough—we have participated so blotted from the roll of independent nations. deeply in the struggles of that country, that we When therefore the federalists state, that they have been considered by foreigners as divided apprehend so much danger from the overbearing into two great classes, known by the name of Eninfluence of France, it is plain that this plea willglishmen, or of Frenchmen. Never was a fairer not avail them now. As little have the demo-opportunity presented, than the present, to teach cratic party to urge in their defence, with regard these haughty foreigners how much they have to any advantages which the United States may reap, by espousing the controversies of Buonaparte. Such an act would embroil us in hostility with all the powers of Europe. We are now at peace, and the whole civilized world is at peace. also (if we except the struggle in Spanish America for independence; the accomplishment of which, we pray Heaven, may be speedily effected.) been mistaken in their estimation of the American character. LAFITTE. It may not be unamusing to our readers to state some particulars relative to the character of Lafitte, who acted so conspicuous a part in the defence of New Orleans. It is well known that We make these remarks not for the purpose of this man, assailed with a band of Barratarians; criminating the members of either party, but to kept up marauding excursions on the commerce shew, that the honest, the independent, and just of the United States. Com. Patterson received of both parties, ought to cordially and sincerely orders from the Secretary of the Navy to unite. The American ground is now completely disperse this band of marauders, and was open; there is no pretext now for violent foreign sent on to New Orleans for that purpose. Beattachments or antipathies. We have nothing to fore his arrangements were completed, intellifear, or to hope, from any foreign nation. France gence was received of the hostile intentions of and England are to us the same as if the frightful the English, and it then became a question how revolutionary explosion had never been. Ameri- he was to act. Our enemies were then attemptcans now have leisure to form a character, purely, ing to conquer us no less by division than by distinctly, and we trust, permanently American. arms. The British commanders published proWe may cultivate our own resources, invigorate clamations-inviting the Spaniards-the people agriculture, commerce and manufactories-pa- || of colour-the negroes-and, amongst the rest, tronize the arts-penetrate still deeper into the the marauders of Barrataria, to join their standwaste-howling wilderness, and pour all the bless-ard. Lt. col. Edw. Nichols made overtures express ings of civilized life into the deepest recesses of the forest. Our vast inland seas, rendered memorable by the achievements of our naval heroes already begin to whiten with the peaceful wings of commerce. Our native eagle sails serenely over those mighty waters, but carries no thunder in his talons. If a period so auspicious-if the present repose of the world is improved, as it ought to be, is it too much to hope, that a character purely American can be formed of such materials, destitute of all foreign attachments or antipathies? It is an hour of peace, and an hour of cordial quieting. We are now placed on a large and magnificent theatre, hereafter to become illustrious in the history of the world. This is no idle speculation; the enterprising character of our citizens in peace, or in war, renders such an event almost certain, whether our countrymen are and direct to Lafitte, promising him a guarantee of his property, &c. if he would join the British standard. This wily officer demanded a fortnight to return a definitive answer to his proposals, and the British officer does not appear to imagine that he was preparing to play a double game: he flatters him with the services which he intendata render to the British arms. But the antipathy which this Frenchman bore to that nation, seems to have answered all the purposes of nobler qualities. He immediately dispatched a messenger to the Governor of Louisiana with the intelligence, and tendered his services in the defence of N. Orleans. He embraced the favourable moment, when he was morally certain that his former erIf his demand was rejected, he could, as the rors would be overlooked, to urge his request. only alternative left, join the arms of our enemies. In the critical situation in which New-Or VOL. I.] leans was at that time placed, it did not become the United States to have more enemies than one. For compensation granted by law to the members of the senate and house of representatives, their officers, and attendants, five hundred and ninety-five thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, and the deduction to be made on account of the absence of members or delegates for any part of the present session, shall be in the proportion which the days of their absence respectively bear to the whole number of the days of the session. For the expense of firewood, stationary, printing, and all other contingent expenses of the two houses of congress, forty-seven thousand dollars. Lafitte, therefore, was invited by the Governor of Louisiena, to join the standard of the United States, and should his conduct meet with the approbation of General Jackson, the Governor promised to intercede with the President, to procure a pardon for him and his followers. Lafitte, on the strength of this assurance, joined the forces of the United States, and peculiarly signalized himself in the defence of New-Orleans. He was then recommended by the legislature as a suitable object of clemency, and a pardon was thus obtain-dred ed for himself and all his followers. The above facts are taken from Major Latour's history of the war in Louisiana. What we notice the above facts for is to show how dangerous a game is played by the nation who endeavours to conquer by holding out such lures and temptations to desperate men to join their standard.. For the expenses of the library of congress, including the librarian's allowance for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, eight hundollars. For compensation to the president of the United States, twenty-five thousand dollars. For rent and repairs of the tenement occupied by the president of the United States since August, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, three thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. For compensation to the secretary of state, five thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the department of state, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, eleven thousand three hundred and fifty dollars and fifty cents. For compensation to the messenger in said department and in the patent office, six hundred and sixty dollars. The British officers who sought the alliance of Lafitte, was ultimately the cause of his going over to the United States. Had it not been for this invitation, Lafitte would in all probability have For the incidental and contingent expenses of remained neutral. His hatred to the English the said department, including the expense of would probably have prevented him from contri- printing and distributing ten thousand four hunbuting to the success of their arms: and he clear-dred copies of the laws of the first session of the fourteenth congress, and printing the laws in ly would not have assisted a nation who was at thirty dollars. that moment labouring for his destruction. The news-papers, sixteen thousand nine hundred and invitation, however, from the English, furnished him with the means of making his peace with our government, and enabled him to wreak his resentment on them. APPROPRIATION ACT. AN ACT making appropriations for the support of government, for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That for the expenditure of the civil list in the present year, including the contingent expenses of the several departments and offices; for the compensation of the several loan officers and their clerks, and for books and stationary for the same; for the payment of annuities and grants; for the support of the mint establishment; for the expenses of intercourse with foreign nations; for the support of light houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers; for surveying the coast of the United States; for making the CumberIand road; for ascertaining the titles to lands in Louisiana; for providing certificates of registry and lists of crews; and for satisfying certain miscellaneous claims, the following sums be, and the same are hereby respectively appropriated, that is to say: For compensation to the secretary of the treasury, five thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the secretary of the treasury, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, ten thousand four hundred and thirty-two dollars and twenty-eight cents. For compensation to the messenger and assistant messenger in the office of the secretary of the treasury, seven hundred and ten dollars. For expense of translating foreign languages, allowance to the person employed in transmitting passports and sea letters, and for stationary and printing in the office of the secretary of the For defraying the expenses of issuing treatreasury, one thousand one hundred dollars. dollars. sury notes, a sum not exceeding thirty thousand For stating and printing the public accounts for the years one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, and one thousand eight hundred and sixFor compensation to the comptroller of the teen, two thousand four hundred dollars. treasury, two thousand five hundred dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the comptroller of the treasury, being the sum appropriated for the service of the thirteen thousand three hundred and sixteen dolyear one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, lars and five cents. For compensation to the messenger in said office, four hundred and ten dollars. For compensation to additional clerks to be employed in the office of the comptroller of the treasury, two thousand two hundred dollars. For expense of stationary, printing, and contingent expenses in the comptroller's office, eight hundred dollars. For compensation to the auditor of the treasury three thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the auditor's office, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, ten thousand one hundred and thirty two dollars and sixty five cents, and the further sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. For compensation to the messenger in said office, four hundred and ten dollars. For compensation to additional clerks to be employed in the office of the auditor, four thousand dollars. For expense of stationary, printing and contingent expenses in the auditor's office, eight hundred dollars. For compensation to the treasurer, three thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the treasurer's office, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, four thousand two hundred and forty dollars and four cents. For compensation to the messenger in said office, four hundred and ten dollars. For compensation to additional clerks to be employed in the treasurer's office, one thousand two hundred dollars. For expenses of stationary, printing, and contingent expenses in the treasurer's office, eight hundred dollars. For compensation to the commissioner of the general land office, three thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the commissioner of the general land office, ten thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. For compensation to the messenger in said office, four hundred and ten dollars. For fuel and other contingent expenses of the treasury department, including rent of the buildings now occupied by the department, expense of removing the records during the late war, transporting the same to the building_preparing for them, cost of furniture for the offices, cases for the fire proof, and compensation to a superintendant and two watchmen employed for the security of the treasury buildings, fifteen thou sand dollars. For the purchase of books, maps, and charts for the treasury department, one thousand dollars. For compensation to the secretary to the commissioners of the sinking fund, two hundred and fifty dollars. For cost of vellum for patents for military bounty lands, printing them, and record books and wheels for military bounty lottery in the office of the commissioner of the general land office, seventeen thousand three hundred dollars.. For compensation to two clerks to be employed in the said office, to write and record the patents, seventeen hundred dollars. For compensation to the secretary of war, four thousand five hundred dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the secretary of war, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, fifteen thousand two hundred and thirty dollars. For compensation to the messenger and his assistants, in said office, seven hundred and ten dollars. For expense of fuel, stationary, printing, and other contingent expenses in the office of the secreex-tary of war, three thousand dollars. For stationary, printing, and contingent penses in the general land office, including vellum for land patents, three thousand seven hundred dollars. For arrears of compensation due to the chief clerk in the office of the said commissioner, three hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents. For compensation to the commissioner of the revenue, three thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the commissioner of the revenue, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, nine thousand dollars. For compensation to the messenger in said office, four hundred and ten dollars. For stationary, printing, and contingent expenses, including the paper, printing, and stamping of licenses, in the office of said commissioner, three thousand two hundred dollars. For compensation to the register of the treasury, two thousand four hundred dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the register of the treasury, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, sixteen For compensation to the accountant of the war department two thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the office of the accountant of the war department, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, fourteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-five dollars. For compensation to the messenger in said office, four hundred and ten dollars. For compensation for additional clerks to be employed in the office of the accountant of the war department, six thousand five hundred dollars. For expense of fuel, stationary, printing, and other contingent expenses in said office, two thou sand dollars. For compensation to the paymaster of the army, two thousand dollars. For compensation to the clerks employed in the paymaster's office, being the sum appropriated for the service of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, thirteen thousand three hundred dollars. For additional compensation of fifteen per cent. to the clerks employed in said office, on the sum herein before appropriated, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-five dollars. |