us.

tioned by them, relieved us from their importu- Mr. Lee, is about to leave France for this country. nities by replying, that we were going to choose Mr. Strobel takes his place, till a new appointcantonments for a division of the English army.ment is made. We were obliged to pass close to other gendarmes England-A war is talked of between England who had with them bills containing the descrip- and Russia, Prussia, and the Netherlands-indeed, tion of Lavallette; and I ought here to remark all Europe thinks of nothing but of disembarrassthat these bills had been distributed to almost ing itself of the former.-Mr. Brougham has movevery individual in France. On approaching Com-ed for leave to bring in a bill in the house of compeigne I observed some grey heirs projecting from mons to extend the liberty of the press, which has under the brown wig worn by Lavallette. For- been granted.-The marriage of the Prince of tunately I had scissors with me, and I performed Coburg with the Princess Charlotte seems to octhe part of his friseur on the road. cupy the attention of the thinking people of Eng"On entering Compeigne we found the sergeant land, to the exclusion of every thing else-700 mentioned by Captain Fravol, who conducted us marriage licenses have been issued in London to through the town to a quarter extremely well persons who are to be married on the same evenchosen, for we were not incommoded by specta- ing with Mr. Fred. L. Coburg and Miss Charlotte tors in the streets. None saw us enter except the Guelph.-The prize money for the capture of the soldiers and the English servants who attended|| American frigate President has been distributed While we waited for Ellister with the car- among the crews of the Endimion, Pomone, and riage, Mr. F. presented us with refreshments. Tenedos.-A hostile chief of the 5 nations, called Finally, as had been agreed upon, Ellister arrived John Norton, has been appointed a major in the with the carriage, which had left Paris from the British service, as a reward for his gallantry and barrier of St. Dennis, and was followed to La Cha- dexterity in scalping the Americans.-The author pelle by two gendarmes. I caused the lamps to be of Guy Mannering, Mr. Foster, not Mr. Scott, has lighted, as well to show us our road as to make it published another novel called The Antiquary. appear that we were under no apprehensions, and South-America.-Gens. Morillo and Morales, of having taken leave of our friends, we set out, well the royal army in South-America, have been comarmed and prepared to make resistance, if we ex-pletely defeated by the patriots at Orcanno, whose perienced any obstacle. We were much ques-force is stated to amount at that place to 8,000— tioned at the stations for the relays, but we exabout 400 men deserted from the royal army perienced no delay till we reached Chambray, during the engagement. Gen, Bolivar is said to where we lost three hours at the gates, owing to have obtained possession of Margaretta-to have the fault of the English guard, who having no or-hung and shot 800 royalists-taken 13 vessels of ders to call the gate-keeper, was not to be indu- war and 200,000 dollars in cash. He then proced to do so, notwithstanding all we could say to ceeded to Caraccas, which is thought to be now bim-a negligence which has already been attend-in his hands. ed with inconvenience to the government; and West-Indies.-The British West-India Islands which might have been fatal to us. In passing are said to be in great commotion, in consequence through Valienceinnes we were strictly examined of the introduction of a bill into the house of three times over, and our passports sent to the commons to prevent the smuggling of negroes, commandant. We underwent another examina-by causing a register to be kept of all the slaves tion at some distance from that garrison, and this was the last. We did not stop, except at Mons, where we dined and made arrangements for the Algiers.-The Dey of Algiers seems to be very future journey of Lavallette. I wrote several let- restless under his treaty, and wishes, by the adters to facilitate the means by which he might vice of the English admiral lately there, to shuffle reach his destination, and having provided every out of it, by saying that the brig of war driven thing that appeared best for his health and com- ashore by Decatur and seized by the Spaniards, fort, I took leave of him, and returned to Paris had not been delivered according to stipulation. yesterday evening by the route of Maubage, Sois-She has since been restored, but the savage insons, and la Porte St. Martin, after an absence of sixty hours."

SUMMARY-FOREIGN & DOMESTIC.

FOREIGN.

||

in the different islands. They do not wish to be taxed without representation.

sists on the value of the vessel. The appearance of Com. Shaw's squadron has, however, excited such a tremor in his breast, that he has asked a respite till he hears from the President, who has ordered out the Washington 74, to compel him to observe his treaty.

Spain. It is reported that serious disturbances broken out in the north of Spain, and that Ferdinand is not quite so secure as he imagined, DOMESTIC.

France-Lord Wellington has been superseded, and the command given to the Prince of Orange, who has married the sister of the Emperor of Russia. France is in a state of great excitement-have the whole royal family are at variance-the people breathe nothing but vengeance-and a horrible explosion is expected. Triangular cards, Lavellette is said to have arrived in Philadelwith mysterious symbols, bearing the words union phia.-Benj. Hawkins, Creek agent, died on the -liberty-country, are in circulation at Paris; and 6th of June.-The stock of the United States and numberless arrests take place daily and nightly, Prussia are the highest on the Amsterdam exwhich include persons of distinction; in short, change.-Gen. Harrison is a candidate in Ohio for every thing tends to evince an immediate revolua seat in congress.-The public feeling of the lution. The celebrated Polish General Kosciusco, whole country seems to be violently excited about who was long supposed to have perished at War- the compensation bill: the federal party in Ver. saw, is still alive at Soleure, and receives the mont have discarded every man who voted for greatest attention.-Eugene Beauharnois is to re-it. Mr. E. T. Throop, of New-York, has resigned ceive 22 millions of francs, as an equivalent for his seat in congress.-A London print states that 40 property given him by Bonaparte. Our Consul, Swiss emigrants have left Switzerland for the U. S

NO. 19. VOL. I.] WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1816.

[WHOLE NO. 19.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY JOEL K. MEAD, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

FOURTH OF JULY.

what a sense of gratification and triumph. Let us look at the European world-What is its condition? Oppressed, manacled and enslaved-France, once the mistress of Europe, agitated to her centre

and the mere vassal of Great Britain-England, grinding her subjects to the earth to bribe other powers-Russia calling out her cross and boors, the mere appendages of the soil, to gratify the whim or satisfy the ambition of her emperor

"The following letter from JOHN ADAMS, on the day succeeding the Declaration of Independence, will evince the feelings of our countrymen at that moment. How true-how just-how really Ame rican are the sentiments contained in this letter! add-how and after a lapse of forty years, we may prophetic!!!"

Another anniversary of our independence is passed-that event which gave liberty to millions and which exhibited to an astonished world a po-her treasury exhausted, her resources expended, litical phenomenon unrecorded in its annals, has once more been celebrated. The olympic and Roman festivals formed important epochs in the history of Greece; they were instituted to unite and to harmonise the free states of that nation in which the moral, intellectual and physical charac-Spain, sinking back into the night of ignorance ter of man had attained its greatest perfection, and the gloom of superstition-rused by an ideot and the celebration of the anniversary of our Inde- and a tyrant-and thus of all the other powers of pendence more interesting to the human mind, Europe-while we, surrounded by the blessings of much grander in the scale of political and moral Heaven, are enjoying the gifts of freedom, the importance, will also serve to cement that union, happiness of peace, and the delights of indepenand to preserve the memory of that epoch which dence-honored abroad, and happy at home-It is confessedly the most sublime that has ever is a condition for which we should offer up the been witnessed by mankind. The politicians of ebullitions of gratitude-to Him who wields the antiquity and of modern times had never conceiv-destinies of man-It is a condition peculiar to ed in their visionary dreams of political happi- ourselves, and which we should labor to preserve ness, a system of government like ours, so com-with uncommon diligence and exertion. plete in all its parts-so calculated to secure the freedom and to perpetuate the happiness of man. Their systems were but the wild and brilliant dreams of imagination, occupied in the pursuit of novelty, and solicitous to dazzle and delight rather than to produce essential utility or practical benefit. The schemes of Plato, Moore, Harrington and Goodwin are only calculated for the cloPHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1776. set, and cannot be reduced to practice; but the Yesterday the greatest question was decided American government is a model of political perfection that has not been equalled and will never which was ever debated in America, and a greatbe surpassed. It stands proudly eminent as the || er, perhaps, never was, or will be, decided among A resolution was passed without one dissheet anchor of human happiness, by the superior men. security it affords to the social and political rights,senting colony, "That these colonies are, and of and liberties of man. The day then that gave right ought to be, Free and Independent States." The day is passed. The fourth day of July, birth to such a system-so sublime in its character--so excellent in its organization—and so use- || 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of ful in its consequences, should be commemo-America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated rated by the latest posterity. It has been thought,|| by succeeding generations, as the great anniversathat however well the American government may rý festival. It ought to be commemorated as the be adapted to the tranquillity of peace-it is not day of DELIVERANCE, by solemn acts of devocalculated to restrain the shock of war--but expe- tion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized rience has shown the absurdity of such opinions. with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, We have just closed a war which the U. States bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward, for single handed and alone, maintained against one You will think me transported with enthu of the most powerful nations in the world, and ever. I am well aware of the toil, have not only sustained its shock, but have risensiasm; but I am not. from the contest with renovated vigour and im- and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to mainperishable glory. We are the only free and hap-tain this declaration, and support and defend these py nation on earth! What a cause of exultation, States; yet thro' all the gloom, I can see the rays

VOL. I.

W

of light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not.

I am, &c.

JOHN ADAMS.

COMPENSATION BILL.

greatly shortened, and the consequent expenses for contingencies, fuel, &c. avoided. 3d, that the value of money had diminished, and the price of commodities trebly encreased, since the per diem allowance was originally fixed. 4th, that members could not afford to live at the seat of government on the old compensation, that it was impossible to bring their families at all without being wealthy. 5th, that great sacrifices were made by members of professional pursuits particularly in coming to Congress, and it was but just they should be allowed some equivalent. And 6th, that it secured the members from executive influence.

The act changing the mode of compensation to members of Congress seems to have produced great agitation in the public mind. Public meetings have been held in various parts of the United States, and legislative resolutions have passed expressive of disapprobation and censure. In New. York, but six of the members of last session have been re-elected-in Vermont, the federal party have agreed to drop their political friends-and in Georgia, the ferment has proceeded to such an ex-compensation was sufficient for their support, and tremity, that they have actually burnt in effigy those who voted for the measure. This state of occasional fermentation is to be ex-4th, that it was a violation of the compact made

On the other side, it was contended, 1st, that it was inconsistent with the dignity of the legislative body to become salaried officers. 2d, that the old

that they did not come to make money. 3d, that it was indelicate to legislate on their own business.

with their constituents first to agree to serve for six dollars, and then, when the power was in their hands, to raise the allowance to fifteen. 5th, that it looked too mercenary. And 6th, that the nation, just relieved from an expensive war, could not af ford such an additional expense.

These are the principal arguments used on both sides of the question, and to the reader we shall leave to decide, which are the most powerful.— Before we give the votes, it will be necessary to observe, that when the bill was under discussion,

pected under a government, organized like ours; and is, perhaps, a state to be desired, as it indicate a vigilance and activity in the people, from whom all power emanates, conducive to the preservation of our liberties and essential to the salvation of the republic. It is not our intention to enter into any discussion of this subject, but content ourselves with barely giving the leading arguments used by members on both sides of the question with their votes. We will, however, in addition, state some facts which are not generally known in relation to this business, and which equally apply against every proposition which tended to defeat it, to both parties. The members were paid in trea- there was always found an overwhelming majority, sury notes which were sold from 7 to 10 per cent and that some members arose and advocated it above par-the notes of the banks, north and south, with great warmth, till they found their votes were they exchanged for district paper at a premium of to be recorded, when they immediately wheeled 6 or 7 per cent more, and with part of the money about and opposed it with equal violence. The of this district, which was thus received, the mer-passage of the bill, however, it is believed, was chants, boarding house keepers, &c. were paid.-gratifying to all-a few excepted.

We here insert the law itself as a curiosity in le. gislation. It defines the sum each is to receive, to be sure, but it puzzled the makers of the law themselves to ascertain from what time it was to take effect; and before the ink was fairly dry with which it was written, they found it necessary to apply to the attorney general for his opinion upon it, who decided the year should begin and end with the 3d of March, and that no member could be en

Some members though they came three weeks after the commencement of the session, charged the full time, (and some would not receive the increased compensation at all) no deduction being made, as we are informed, agreeably to the tenor of the law, on the ground, no doubt, that it was a case which could not be foreseen, therefore could not be provided against; not imagining the 14th congress would be the authors of the anomaly in legislation of passing an expost facto law. When we have reca-titled to receive his pay until the political year pitulated the arguments, pro and con, the reader will be enabled to judge whether this measure was right or wrong. The advocates of the bill asserted that an annual allowance would facilitate the execution of public business-2d, that it would be a public saving, inasmuch as the sessions would be

should be completed. Some have enquired how congress is to be paid in case of an extra session, and whether it would be possible to convene them when they were to receive nothing for it, not even their expenses. As the law makes no provision for contingencies we are inclined to the opinion that

the satisfaction of the board, for the faithful execution of his trust.

yet if they had come to treat of peace, they ought to have gone in peace, and sat down." ART. 6. The stated annual meeting of the So- The two chief comanders at the forementioned ciety shall be holden in the City of Hartford onsiege, who slew the flour Indian great men, being the first Saturday after the second Thursday of present and part of our assembly. May. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to call a special meeting of the Society, at the request of five of the Directors. Notice of all meetings of the Society shall be given in two news-papers printed in ilartford, at least two weeks previous to the proposed meeting.

A

ART. 7. The Directors shall meet in Hartford ten days after they shall have been chosen, and then by their own adjournments through the year. majority of the board or six annual Directors with such other Directors as may be present shall constitute a quorum for business; but in case a quorum of the board does not meet the President, a VicePresident, the Secretary, or in their absence the members present may adjourn the meeting to some future time.

ART. 8. Alterations and amendments in these articles may be made by a majority of the members present, at an annual meeting of this Society or at a special meeting of the Society called for the purpose, and at no other.

The govern'r stood up againe and said "if there be joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repenteth, there is joy now, for we have a penitent sinner come before us, call Mr. Bacon; then did Mr. Bacon upon one knee at the bar deliver a sheet of paper confessing his crimes, and begging pardon of God the king and the govern'r. whereto (after a short pause) he answered" God forgive you, I forgive you, thrice repeating the same words; when Collo. Cole (one of the councill) said, "and all that were with him, Yea, said the govern'r and all that were with him, twenty or more persons being then in irons who were taken coming down in the same and other vessels with Mr. Bacon.

About a minute after this the govern'r starting up from his chair a third time said " Mr. Bacon! if you will live civilly but till next quarter court (doubling the words) but till next quarter court, Ile promise to restore you againe to yo'r place, there pointing with his hand to Mr. Bacons seat, ART. 9. A meeting of the Directors may at any he having been of the councill before these trontime be called by the President or in his absencebles, tho' he had been a very short time in Virby a Vice-President, giving ten days notice by pub-ginia but was deposed by the foresaid proclalishing the same in one of the news-papers in the City of Hartford.

The following Officers of the Society for the year ending at the annual meeting in May next were chosen :

His Excel'y. JOHN COTTON SMITH, President.
JOHN CALDWELL, Esq.

Dr. M. F. COGSWELL,

NATH'L TERRY, Esq.

DAN'L WADSWORTH, Esq.

Rev. Dr. DWIGHT,

CHAS. SIGOURNEY, Esq.

DAVID PORTER, Esq.

JOSEPH BATTEL, Esq.
JOSEPH ROGERS,

T. S. WILLIAMS, Esq.

Vice-
Presidents.

SAMUEL TUDOR, jr.

WILLIAM WATSON,

JOHN BUTLER,

JARED SCARROrough, Esq.

Annual
Directors.

JOSEPH TRUMBULL, Esq.

HENRY HUDSON,

BACON'S REBELLION IN VIRGINIA.

(Concluded from page 281.)

macon, and in th' afternoon passing by the court door, in my way up to our chamber, I saw Mr. Bacon on his quondam seat with the govern'r and councill, which seemed a marvelous indulgence to one whom he had so lately proscribed as a rebell.

The govern'r had directed us to consider of meanes for security from th' Indian insults and to defray the charge &c. advising us to beware of two rogues amongst us, naming Laurence and Drumond both dwelling at Jamestown and who were not at the Pascataway siege.

But at our entrance upon businesse, some gentlemen took this opportunity to endeavor the redressing several grievances the country then labour'd under, motions were made for inspecting the publick revenues, the collectors accompts &c. and so far was proceeded as to name part of a comittee whereof Mr. Bristol (now in London) was and myself another, when we were interrupted by pressing messages from the govern'r to medle with nothing, untill the Indian business was dispatch't.

This debate rose high, but was overruled and I have not heard that those inspections have since then been insisted upon, tho' such of that indigent people as had no benefits from the taxes groand under our being thus overborn.

The next thing was a comittee for the Indian affaires, whereof in appointing the members, myself was unwillingly nominated having no knowledge in martiall preparations, and after our names were taken, some of the house moved for sending 2 of our members to intreat the govern'r wou'd please to assign two of his council to sit with, and assist us in our debates, as had been usuall.

The next forenoon, th' assembly being met in When seeing all silent looking each at other a chamber over the generall court & our Speaker with many discontented faces, I adventur'd to chosen, the govern'r sent for us down, where his offer my humble opinion to the speaker" for the hono'r with a pathetic emphasis made a short ab-comittee to form methods as agreeable to the rupt speech wherein were these words. sense of the house as we could, and report 'em "If they had killed my grandfather and grand-whereby they would more clearly see, on what mother, my father and mother and all my friends, points to give the govern'r and councill that trou