aid openly, as she now does covertly. Her store houses are now loaded with manufactures; her manufacturers are literally starving for the want of employment; and that nation would be happy of vent to those commodities and employment to so any political change abroad that would give numerous a class of society. It is known to have been a very favourite scheme with Pitt, Fox, and other leading statesmen in England, to bring about this revolution, and to establish a separate government in South-America, with a view to the interests of the British nation. A war with always be agricultural; the one third of their to do with the present contest; and experience annual produce will be surplus, and must be ex- has shown us in a former case precisely analoported: and where can we find a better market gous, that Europe would not interfere. France than South-America? The single State of Penn- was not assailed by any European power, except sylvania would alone be sufficient to supply the the one then at war with her, for assisting us in deficiencies of the whole of the Canadas; and the the acquisition of our liberty and independence; West-India market has been found to be wholly and it is not to be supposed that at the present inadequate to take off the half of our surplus period they would do what, they refused to do commodities. By assisting them, then, we attach then. Great Britain is peculiarly interested in them to us by the strongest bonds of union, and the success of the South American patriots; and we become sure, not only of an excellent market were it not for setting a bad example to monarchfor our surplus agricultural produce, but also ofies, would, I doubt not, immediately give her their trade for centuries—a trade, too, with the richest country in the world. But her trade and the consumption of our surplus produce are not all the benefits we should reap from such a connection. From the very nature of things, we should become her carriers as long as the two nations exist. "For Mexico," says Pike, "like China, will never become a nation of mariners, but must receive the nations of all the world into her ports, and give her bullion in exchange for the productions of their different countries. What would not be the advantages the United States would reap from this event? Our numerous ves-England, therefore, cannot be anticipated on any sels would fill every port, and from our vicinity enable us to carry off at least nine tenths of her Even on the coast of the Pacific," he continues, " no European nation would vie with us: there would be a brisk inland trade carried on with the southern provinces via Red River, and having a free entrance into all their ports, we should become their factors, agents, guardians, and, in short, their tutelar genius.” These calculations are not those of a visionary, or of one who predicts from fancy alone; they are founded on accurate investigation and an intimate know-with Spain I beg leave, en passant, just to men. ledge of the country of which he writes, and would unquestionably be realized in the event of the success of the patriots, assisted by the arms of this country. There is, however, another ad- || vantage I must not here omit. Should we be involved in another contest with Great Britain, an intercourse with South-America will always secure us from those financial embarrassments we experienced so heavily during the last war. We may always have an abundance of the precious metals; which will thus preserve the national credit, and be the means of delivering us from those inconveniencies and sacrifices resulting from a diseased state of the paper currency. commerce. Another point has to be considered. It may be asked, would not our interference between Spain and her American colonies, bring down upon us the resentment of confederated Europe? I answer, no; confederated Europe has nothing • Major Pike's Expedition. ground; for the advantages they would derive from such an event are too great to induce them to do any thing that would prevent its completion; and their advantages would not conflict with ours, because they flow from different sources; hers being a market for her manufactures-ours a sure and constant outlet for our surplus agricultural productions, &c. A war, therefore, with any of the European powers cannot be expected, and need not be dreaded. Another advantage, however, that would necessarily result from a war tion. I mean the possession of Cuba and Florida; which would give us the complete command of the Mexican Gulph, and secure our coasting trade from annoyance and injury. In the foregoing observations, I trust I have demonstrated to your satisfaction the justice and policy of assisting the patriots of South-America; and I hope the subject may be early taken into consideration by the American government, and measures speedily adopted to promote so desir. able an object. ALCIBIADES. For the National Register. CHEMICAL. HOW TO PRESERVE IRON FROM RUST. Bergman says that no metal will unite itself to any acid before calcination; that is, before being combined with the respirable part of the atmos phere, or vital air. Iron decomposes water, and seen that the editor and we are of the same opipasses from a state of heat in rising to vital air nion, as to the just pretensions of the United and in separating hydrogen gas; and the iron States to a character for excellence in taste, geonce calcined, unites with the ærial acid, or me- nius, and invention, but differ as to the claims phetic gas. Rust is therefore thus produced: of this country to some of those specimens of the the iron, when exposed to air, which is alwaysarts we have enumerated. We intentionally acharged with water, decomposes the water, and voided, in the preceding article under this head, becomes calcined; in decomposing it, it disen-to enter into a critical investigation of the poetical gages the inflammable air, and combines with the mephetic gas disseminated in the atmosphere, and thus produces rust, in which there is a small portion of hydrogen, which is disengaged by the heat at the same moment with the mephetic gas. Iron will not rust but in places where there is humidity, and where it meets with mephetic gas. In order then to preserve it from rust, it is only necessary to withdraw it from the action of the ærial acid and humidity. In order to effect this, there are two modes: 1st. The iron must be covered with oil rendered thick or sedative by the dust or filings of lead. 2d. Having made the iron red hot, extinguish it in the oil of flaxseed, and then leave it to sweat and dry up. It is believed by the author of the last mode, that melted fat or tallow would be more efficacious. The The costume of the Roman matrons differed essentially from that of the young women. married women wore a mantle or veil upon their heads, and a species of half sleeve, open its whole length, and fastened by many bows of ribbons; the zone was placed immediately under the bosom. The young Roman women wore only a simple white tunic, fastened under the bosom with a zone of the same colour, and covered with a blue or violet mantle: the lower end of this mantle was sometimes, but rarely embroidered. Their arms and feet were naked; and they bound up their hair with a band of blue or white stuff. merits of the Columbiad, and confined our remarks exclusively to the typographic and graphic part of the work, which we claimed as the production of this country. The typographical part is acknowledged to be American, and is certainly a specimen no country need be ashamed to own. It is equal to any thing of the kind Europe has produced, not even excepting the best specimens of Didot, and reflects great credit on the executor. This is the more surprising, when we consider that thirty years ago there was scarcely a work printed in this country, depending entirely on Europe for our literary supplies; and that in this short period we have rivalled in this art the most improved nations of the old world. The subjects of the designs contained in the Columbiad were designated by Fulton, to whom the poem is dedicated; the designs, painted by Smirke, and engraved by Brumley, Neagle, and others, whether they were Americans or Europeans, it is of no moment to inquire. We do not pretend to set them up as the best specimens of the graphic art, and whether they are American or European, it is certain they have been surpassed by Edwin and other native American artists. The engravings of Rees's Encyclopedia, executed by our own artists, are acknowledged by connoisseurs to be of a superior character, and will bear the test of comparison with any of the graphic productions of Europe in that way. The Ornithology of Wilson, which we adduced as another instance of American excellence in the arts, has been denied by the editor of the Minerva to be the work of an American. We seem to differ only as to what constitutes this character. Mr. Wilson was certainly a native of Scotland; and, no doubt, wrote the poem of Watty and Meg, which was ascribed to Burns: but Mr. W. in the whole of his work, boasts of it as an American production; and it will be seen, in his life, that till he arrived in this country, he knew nothing of painting and drawing, and devoted himself to it after he had conceived the design of undertaking this splendid work. It was his intention to have coloured the plates with his own hands; but the want of time, and the multitude of his engage. ments, prevented him from putting this design fully into execution; and the greatest portion of the drawings were coloured by other hands-it [No. 13. the vanity of authorship: since it is an unwieldly and faulty poem, doomed, I fear, to outlive but thor. The edition was intended to present a spevery few years the unfortunate gentleman its au is said they were natives. We did not wish to very having been made by Rumsey and Fitch, We shall not, however, differ with Mr. Lucas on these points, believing as he does, that the native genius of this country is equal to the accomplishment of any object in the arts or sciences; and that when proper encouragement shall be offered, an excellence will be attained that will rival, if it does not surpass that of the old world. From the Raleigh Minerva some singular reason, as I have said, the designs and engravings from them were procured abroad. this country capable of executing them as well. Yet I will venture to say that there were artists in which country he published his Watty and Meg, with other excellently humorous pieces, long be. fore he set sail to seek his fortune in the west. cited to me by Scotch gentlemen who knew not Several of his productions, indeed, have been rethat Wilson had ever reached the United States. in the secret. Some of them appeared anoymously, and were attributed to Burns. His neighbours, however were cherishing this unfortunate genius. He was We have not even the merit of known to few in the United States-and struggled against poverty during the whole of his laborious undertaking. To be sure, one or two gentlemen of Philadelphia deserved great praise for their munificence towards the stranger; but to the nation the laws. he owed nothing but the common protection of I entered with as much zeal as any one possibly could do, into the spirit of an article which I copied two weeks ago from the National Register || the Steam-Boat principle. This application of a Nor are we much more happy with respect to No person will more anxiously than myself advo- power, perfectly understood before, to the pur. cate the just pretensions of the United States to poses of navigation is however in so far Americonsideration in the walks of literature and in the can, as that without the aid of American liberalpursuit of the arts and sciences. But this is not ity, it would probably yet have remained in em. to be done by confounding the writings of foreign-bryo. But as the very ingenious gentleman, auers, or the productions of foreign genius and skill, thor of the invention, belonged to a rival people, with those which are really and entirely Ameri-it would be rather humiliating, on our side, to can. We have enough of our own to depend up-beg him of the nation to which he belonged. on, without pressing into the service any thing to which we cannot lay exclusive claim. In fine, as a young country, but yesterday reAmerica has given to Europe, in navigation, comparison of eminent men, need we shrink from claimed from the wilderness, I believe that in no what is improperly called Hadley's quadrant, opposition with any people on the globe. But which was invented by Godfrey of Philadelphia-the point of superiority is not to be settled by in philosophy, the most perfect air-pump yet known contemporaneous wrangling. British reviewers -in mechanics, the wonderful machine for mak- || may deride us; and our newspapers revile them ing cotton cards. She can display at home, the but time will lay such feeble disquisition quietloom moving by simple power; the rotary cloth-ly upon the shelf; and take down under either shearing machine; Evans's mill and steam im-arm, for the impartial decision of posterity, sterprovements: and Clymer's admirable lever-print- ling works to vindicate the fame of both the irriing press. We have therefore no reason to feel tated parties. jealous of the inventive faculties unfolded in the old world. In letters, philosophy, science-the names of Franklin, Jefferson, Waterhouse, Marshall, Ramsay, Rowson and Dennie, will do us ample justice. In eloquence, Patrick Henry, Ames, || Hamilton, and Randolph. In the arts, West, Rush, Trumbull, Stewart, Alston, Leslie, Wood and others. In War, Washington and Greene. In ad-than that fixed by law, was designed to give the venture, Ledyard, Lewis, Pike, and Eaton. Thus it is seen we have no occasion to borrow names or works, nor need we, consequently, lay claim to the engravings of the "Columbiad," which are not American, being all executed in London from English drawings-to the productions of Alexander Wilson, who was not an American; nor even to the steam boats of Fulton, who was an Englishman. The Columbiad, in quarto, is unquestionably one of the most beautifully printed works extant. In this respect it may be considered a monument of VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE. and House of Delegates, The call of the legislature to an earlier day necessary, to suspend the law compelling the assembly an opportunity, if they should deem it banks to pay specie after the 15th of November.— If there had not been a change of circumstances, after the passage of the law, no idea would have existed of the propriety of such a step. At the time this law passed, it might have been, and, it is believed, was expected, that the congress of the United States would have taken every constitutional measure to co-operate in producing the too, that the States in our neighbourhood, would same result. It might have been fairly expected, you do not, you will proceed with the ordinary business of the State; and, I flatter myself, the time of meeting will not be attended with personal inconvenience to any of the members of either house. have adopted the same course, so as to produce simultaneous payments of specie. Instead of doing so, congress indirectly sanctioned the withholding specie payments, until the 20th of February next; the other State governments have been silent the subject, and the banks of the other I am confirmed in the opinion expressed by me upon States have declared their detrmination to make to the last assembly, that our militia-system is rasuch payments on the first of July. The risk anddically defective. The service under it is more hardship upon our banks is made the greater by burthensome to the people, less efficient, and more the establishment of a new bank under the autho-expensive than it ought to be. It is out of the rity of the U. S. the two last payments to which will power of the State to make the necessary changes, fall due at periods that will induce subscribers to without interfering with the powers of the genethat bank to make their payments by drawing the ral government. I have no disposition, and it specie from our banks. It is to be expected, that would not become me, in addressing you, to speak the different State banks, in their preparation for disrespectfully of that government; but the subthe payment of specie, will use every means inject is so deeply interesting, in all respects, that I their power to remove the coin from the vaults of cannot forbear to say, that they will not perform our banks to their own. It is believed, if these their duty to the nation, unless they provide a betcircumstances could have been foreseen, that the ter system than we now have. In this opinion, f law would not have fixed so early a day, and that think all must concur, when it is remembered that the effect of it will be to cripple the banks of the defence of our country depends in a great Virginia in such a way, as to prevent their afford-measure, upon the militia, and that the general ing the smallest accommodation to commerce for defence was a primary object in the establishment of the constitution of the United States. It a great length of time; which, in its present embarrassed state, would produce great mischief- appears to me, that this is the moment when a new and, ultimately, fall upon the agricultural part of organization of the militia should be attempted. the community. I beg leave to refer to a joint | Our late experience of the defects of the existing letter from the presidents of the Farmer's and laws, enable us to provide the remedy, and a new Virginia Banks upon this subject, (No. 1.) The organization being made in time of peace, takes great interest of the State in these banks, is a con-away all pretence of inequality and hardship. If, sideration of much weight-but it is apprehended from the diversity of views, situation and habits that the loss of the facilities afforded to com- in different States, congress cannot agree upon merce by the banks, would be much greater; a general militia-system, acceptable to all the our commerce having been thrown so much upon States, it would seem to be necessary that, by an that resource, and for such a length of time. The amendment to the constitution, the power of orconnection between commerce and agriculture is ganizing the militia should be restored to the so intimate, that it is impossible one should flou-States, leaving to the general government the rish while the other languishes. The merchant is neither more nor less than the factor of the farmer. If he possess the command of money, he can purchase and pay for produce; if he do not, The enclosed papers (marked N. 2.) are copies he is driven to purchase upon credit: in which of my letters to the president of the United States, case, it is generally shipped at the risk of the far-to the governors of the States, interested in the mer or planter, inasmuch as his being paid de-navigation of the Chesapeake, and to the members pends upon the success of the enterprise. A new of congress from this State upon that highly imstate of things exist here, and all over the world, portant subject. There cannot be a doubt, but that baffles the theories of political economists. that an object, so deeply interesting to so great a It is not now so much an enquiry, how we came portion of America, will be pursued until it is atinto our present difficulties, as how we can get tained. I am sure Pennsylvania, Maryland, Northout of them. It is not whether the banks have, of Carolina, Virginia, and some of the Western their own accord, extended their business too States, should never lose sight of it. From the much, or whether they have been induced by the president's answer, it will be seen that he consolicitations, or the high premiums offered by the curs fully in the views of the general assembly. government. It appears to me that by mutual concession on the part of those who differ in opinion as to the time when specie payments should be resumed, a period might be fixed on, at which it would be convenient for the banks to commence at one. If that be done, it would be Owing to this circumstance, we have not been perfectly safe, let the time be when it may; and able to proceed with the improvements as rapidly I have no hesitation in saying, it should be fixed as it was wished, as most of the work required by congress. If congress adhere to the 20th of prompt payment. Contracts are, however, made, February, I hope the State authorities will co- the materials preparing, and it is expected the operate, and enforce the payment on that day whole will be accomplished in the course of the throughout America. I do not see that any pur next year. The expenditures that have been made, pose, state or national, would be answered by Vir. were defrayed by advances made by the banks, ginia preceding the general government, and the upon an assurance of reimbursement out of the other States, three or four months; on the contra-money, for which the property sold. The comry, I anticipate a very calamitous state of things mon-hall in this city, has done every thing in its from it to Virginia. If you concur in these senti-power to facilitate our operations, and contributments, there can be no doubt of the propriety of ed largely to the improvement of the square. the legislature being convened at this time. If| In executing the law" To provide an accurate power necessary to employ that species of force in the manner prescribed in the constitution of the United States. Believing the public property directed to be sold for the improvement of the capitol-square, and the repairs of the capitol, would not, if sold for cash, command its value, it was determined to sell that property upon credit. minal value, when they were applied as the law directed. chart of each county, and a general map of the territory of the commonwealth," no progress has been made in that part of it which relates to coun- I beg leave to refer the general assembly to a ty charts. The contracts entered into by the coun- communication made by me at the last session, ty courts, have been at a rate far beyond what was upon the subject of the compensation of the keepbelieved reasonable; and the greatest dispropor-er of the penitentiary, and his assistants, and to tion appears in the compensation allowed in dif- suggest the propriety of making some addition ferent counties. There are few contracts below to the building. It is required both for the health, $1000, and most of them from 1200 to $4,000. and the more profitable employment of the conThese prices were believed to be greatly more victs. than the value of the service, and vastly more than During the recess of the legislature, the State the legislature contemplated. Many of the courts was deprived of the services of Judge Dabney, by have not yet forwarded contracts. The time al-death.-William Daniel, Esq. who had resigned lowed by the law to make engagements for the his seat on the bench of the general court, was charts, not having expired, it was thought best appointed to fill the vacancy. James Semple, Esq. that the executive should delay the execution of who had likewise resigned, was appointed to fill the power given to them in case of the contracts the vacancy occasion by the resignationed of Judge not being confirmed, until all should be receiv-Daniel, and Griffin Stith, Esq. was appointed to ed; because it was believed it would be better to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation contract with the same persons to make the of Judge Semple. charts of several counties, both with a view to accuracy and economy. The surveys of the exterior boundaries of the State, the rivers and principal mountains, have been contracted for, and are in a course of execution, except in the northwestern district. I lost no time in communicating to the Honorable Bushrod Washington, the request of the Legislature, to permit the remains of the late General George Washington, to be removed from the family vault at Mount Vernon, to be re-interred in the city of Richmond. I regret extremely that Mr. Washington was constrained, by a sense of duty, to his illustrious uncle, to withhold his assent to the request, and beg leave to suggest that this circumstance need not, and a hope that it will not, prevent the assembly from erecting the mo nument, and that it will be done in the manner proposed; that every Virginian may have the high gratification of contributing to" this spontaneous offering of a nation's gratitude." No. 3 contains my correspondence with Mr. Washington. Finding it impossible to procure seasoned timber to make gun-carriages, measures have been taken to obtain such timber as is proper for that use, to be laid up until it is thoroughly seasoned, to be used as occasion may require. I trust we have every reason to look forward to a long peace, but experience proves that the only guarantee for peace is a state of preparation for war. The state of the jails merits the most serious attention of the legislature. In many cases the accommodation afforded is such, as to be unfit for a convicted felon; certainly not suited to a man who may be confined for debt, or upon suspicion of having committed an offence.-The humanity of a nation and the character of the government may perhaps be justly estimated by the treatment of those who are in the custody of the law; nor is our national character only involved;-the cost of guarding persons in confinement amounts to a very large sum annually; the accumulation of this expense for a few years would build the necessary jails, and even where it is incurredi, there are instances of the most atrocious offenders esdis-caping. In the course of the present year a very considerable sum has been paid for guarding and || apprehending persons charged with crimes who have escaped from jail, notwithstanding which several have baffled every effort to retake them. Your vote of thanks to the officers of the navy and army, who were natives of this state, and tinguished in the late war, was communicated to them. The papers marked No. 4, are my letters and their answers. Under the superintendence of Mr. Chew, the settlement of our accounts with the United States || the law. The change of our judicial system from the is going on at Washington. From the mass of district to the circuit courts having been made similar business, and our accounts being so volu-chiefly to accommodate the people of every counminous, it has been impracticable to give suchty; nothing can be more reasonable than, that the dispatch as was wished. I understand that every counties should be subject to the expense of profacility is afforded on the part of the United States viding jails, adapted to the health, the comfort, that we could expect. A further advance of and the safe-keeping of persons in the custody of $350,000 has been made by the United States on account. In consequence of the employment of The illustrious and patriotic citizens who planMr. Chew, the former military accountant, at ned and accomplished our revolution, can never Washington, the duties of that office have been be rivalled in the affections of their countrymen. attached to the Quarter-Master-General's Depart- Next to them in the estimation of future generament, under the act of 10th of January, 1815. It tions, will rank those who shall contribute most to is hoped that in a short time the accounts of a mi- || the establishment of a system of public education; litary nature will be closed, or in such a state that which may give to the commonwealth the greatthe auditor will be able, as formerly, to manage est command of men of talents, and to our citizens all the accounts of the State.-It is submitted, the best prospect of individual happiness. No however, to the legislature, to determine, whe-system will do this, unless provision is made for ther it will not be best to continue this establishment upon its present footing for some time, with a view to expedite the adjustment of our accounts with the United States. The treasury notes, received last winter from the United States, were held until they could be disposed of at their no the education of those whose parents are unable to defray the expense of it. Genius is not the offspring of wealth alone; if it exists in the child of the poorest man in the commonwealth, let it be cultivated at the public expense; make it a national property, that it may be a national benefit |