THE NATIONAL REGISTER. [No. 14 tional University was twice read and committed The bill reported for the establishment of a Na when completed we shall publish it. Report of the committee, sec page 244.] struction giving to it a scope of great and uncer- Dec. 6, 1816. The message was referred to the committee on claims." Commissioner of Claims-Mr. Forsyth submitted the three following resolutions : 1. Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested to lay before this House the proceedings of the commissioner appointed under the act of the last session, entitled "An act to authorize the payment for property lost, captured, and destroyed whilst in the service of the U. States, and for other purposes. 2. Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested to order the further execution of the said act to be suspended, until the subject be disposed of by this House. 3. Resolved, That the President be, and he is hereby requested, to inform this House whether the judgments made by the commissioners under the said act have been paid by the treasury, and if they have been paid, by what authority, and out of what fund. They were objected to by Mr. Williams of N. Carolina as being a substitute for a motion he had offered the day before. The objection was overruled by the Speaker. Mr. Forsyth defended them; because the first was a matter of course-the second resulted from information communicated by a special message of the President, that the execution of part of the act had been suspended. The last resolution arose in consequence of his having been informed that the commissioner's judgments had been paid at the Treasury without the authority of an act of appropriation. Letters from J. Meigs, commissioner of the ge ports to his department, from the territories neral land office were delivered, transmitting re Louisiana and Missouri. lowing proposition for a constitutional amendment: Mr. Pickens, of North Carolina, made the fo tives of the United States of America, in Congre Resolved, by the Senate and House of Represente therein, That the following amendment to assembled, two thirds of both Houses concarg constitution of the United States be proposed to the legislatures of the several States, which, when said States, shall be valid, to all intents and purpo ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the ses, as a part of the said constitution. in the Congress of the United States, each Sta For the purpose of choosing of Representative shall be divided, by its legislature, into a number of districts, equal to the number of Represen tives to which the State may be entitled. equal numbers, which shall be determined by Each district shall contain, as nearly as may be ding to the whole number of free persons, incity those bound to serve for a term of years, ani cluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons. In each district the qualified voters shall der one Representative. For the purpose of choosing electors of Pres State shall be divided by its legislature into a nu dent and Vice-President of the United States, cac her of districts, equal to the number of electer shall contain, as nearly as may be, equal me to which the State may be entitled. Each disc number of free persons, including those bounda which shall be determined by adding to the who not taxed, three fifths of all other persons serve for a term of years, and excluding Indi presentatives in the Congress of the United State cach district, the persons qualified to vote for Be be-shall choose one elector. holding elections and making returns of the c State shall have power to regulate the mante The legislature of e tors chosen. In case all the electors shall their votes, a majority of the electors met meet at the time and place appointed for have power, and forthwith shall proceed to ply the vacancy. Mr. Yancey objected to the resolutions on the ground that the consideration of the subject longed to the committee on expenditures. Mr. Williams, of North Carolina, then called up his motion of yesterday on the same subject, which was also agreed to without division: The resolution from the Senate in form of a joint resolution, declaring the admission of the State of Indiana into the Union, was received, twice read, and referred to the committee of the whole House on the state of the Union. The constitution was ordered to be printed; States, and into districts for choosing electr and the House adjourned. Monday, Dec. 9.-No session. Tuesday, Dec. 19-A letter from Mr. Graham, acting secretary of war, was laid before the House, relative to a road on the Tennessee river, through the Chickasaw nation. Also, a report of the committee of elections, recognizing the election of J. Carr, B. Adams, A. S. Clarke, D. Avery, Geo. Peter, P. Little, T. Fletchér, W. H. Harrison, Wm. Hendricks, and N. Pope. A bill was reported, by Mr. Yancey, for the relief of N. Williams; twice read, and committed. Mr. Forsyth, of Georgia, made report of having laid before the President, the resolution relative the commissioner of clains. A division of the State into districts for ches ing Representatives in the Congress of the Unite President and Vice-President of the Le be, after each enumeration and apportionment States shall take place as soon as conveniently Representatives shall be made, which d shall remain unaltered until after the succeed enumeration and apportionment of Represe tives. Wednesday, Dec. 11.-The resolution was whole. a second time and referred to a committee of Mr. Hopkinson moved for leave of absence to depart for Europe. be granted to Mr. Sargeant, in order to enable Nelson, Forsyth and Southard, on the ground the Objected to by Me members had no right to accept other offices ed and the question taken--lost, 81 against, 74 abandon their duties in the house. Others con- || Spring. The Patriot army of Peru (which I enatended that it was only a question between him bled them to equip) was on its march, abundantly and his constituents. The motion was then variprovided with every necessary; so that I am now more sanguine than ever that the whole of the Some debate took place on the motion of Mr. provinces north and south of the line will be soon Scott of Missouri, relative to a provision for ad-liberated from the blasphemous and debasing des justing the land claims in that Territory. The House refused to consider the subject. for it. A resolution was offered by Mr. Nelson, of Virginia, and argued upon, concerning a provision for the widows and orphans of those militia who died on their return from the service of the United States. Motion to instruct the military committee on the subject agreed to. potism of the wretched Ferdinand.” FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC SUMMARY. The last English papers state that the apprehension of scarcity had subsided. The London Courier contradicts the reports that had been circulated about disturbances in Staffordshire, and at Swansea and Brecon. Thursday, Dec. 12.-A bill was reported" to authorize the settlement and payment of certain elaims for the services of militia," by Mr. Wright "It is intimated that the emperor of Russia will of Virginia, froin the committee on that subject. not receive Mr. Pinkney as minister from the Mr. Johnson of Kentucky (military committee) United States, on account of his having been sent 10 reported a bill to establish three additional milita-Naples previously. The sovereign of an empire, ry academics. One in this district, one at Mount Dearborn, South Carolina, and one at Newport, -Kentucky, at the mouth of the Licking river. 4 he thinks, ought not to be coupled in a mission with a petty kingdom; and he the last attended to." Boston Gaz Commercial letters from France are said to Mr. Condict (of a select committee) reported a bill supplementary to the one for the encourage-mention that the ministers of Louis XVIII had rement of vaccination. Mr. Wilde of Georgia offered a resolution for regulations relative to seamen engaged in the nierchant service, which was agreed to. Committee instructed concerning the State road of Tennessee. A resolution was offered by Mr. Bennet for repealing or modifying the act laying duties on spirituous liquors, wines, &c. This was objected to by Mr. Lowndes of South Carolina, but agreed to by the House. solved to make a fresh attempt to negociate for the sovereignty of St. Domingo: in consequence of which new commissioners have sailed in a private manner from a small port in the neighbourhood of Brest in an unarmed vessel. They go direct to Petion's dominions, and it is understood that their tone will not be so high as that of their predecessors. There are said to exist at present in France strong appearances of approaching famine and distress, though the newspapers speak of the pros. perity of trade, and call the harvest tolerable. In Paris the populace are said to have become clamourous, and to make it necessary for the police to employ the military for the preservation of order. General Lallemand had received orders from the Porte to quit the Ottoman dominions. The House proceeded to consider the motion of Mr. Wendover, of New-York, for changing the flag of the United States. The object of his proposition was to add two stars and two stripes for the two States that had lately been added to the Union. Mr. Robertson suggested the adoption of a law for such alteration, and all future ones. Mr. Algiers is said to be rising rapidly from its ruins, Taylor was for reducing the flag to the original and that in a short time the effects of the late thirteen stars and stripes, to render it more distin-bombardment will be no longer visible. The dey had guishable at a distance. Mr. Wendover's motion was agreed to. not yet finished the business of cutting off heads. It is noticed, in a Copenhagen journal of Sept. Mr. Atherton, of New-Hampshire, moved to al- ||24, that four Americans had been arrested, who ter the constitution by adding to it these words, appear to be part of the mutinous, murderous crew "The Congress shall have power to establish a of the Baltimore schooner Plattsburg. A consi NATIONAL UNIVERSITY." Consideration of the sub-derable sum of money was found with them, and two of them had bought cargoes to trade in the ject rejected.-86 to 54. Baltic. A motion was made by Mr. Nelson, of Virginia, instructing a committee to report a law for commuting soldiers' bounty land for money. Some debate took place on a motion of Mr. Wright, of Maryland, about instructing the committee of ways and means for a repeal of the carriage tax, &c. Adjourned. A letter from Naples, of the 29th August, states that doctor D. Francesco Ambroso, of Britonto, has discovered an indigenous opium, more perfect and efficacious than even that of Asia. Opium has been for many ages considered as an almost exclusive production of Asia. London Paper. The Editor of the New-York National Advocate states that "the Jewish congregations in London, Amsterdam, Leghorn, and other places in Europe, keep up a constant correspondence with their brethren residing in the vicinity of the Holy Land; and it is not long since a communication was received in New-York from the Jews in Hebron ncar Jerusalum. It appears by accounts received at Philadelphia that a battle has been fought on the 6th of September, between the patriot forces of the Carra cas and the royalists, in which the latter were completely routed with the loss of 500 killed and 300 taken prisoners. The royalists, commanded || head, when the breech broke off; not discouraged, by Morales, attacked the patriot army, encamped however, at this accident, she kept the wolf at on the hill of Alacran, commanded by general bay with the barrel, and called to her son (a boy M'Gregor. After one discharge, it appears that of about ten years) to bring an axe; who did so, the royal party ran away: the loss on the patriotic but as he approached the wolf made towards hun, side is computed at only 4 killed and 40 wounded. when he threw the axe at the wolf and retreated DOMESTIC. James P. Preston is chosen Governor of the State of Virginia by a large majority. Charles Ridgely of Hampton is re-elected Governor of the State of Maryland. General Jackson has ordered all white men from the lands of Cherokees who have no permit from the agent of the nation. The fire that took place lately in New-York at Burling and Beckman slips caused several to be wounded by the falling of timber-destroyed from 200,000 to 300,000 dollars worth of property. Some successful experiments in the culture of sugar cane have been made last Spring in North Carolina, near Wilmington. The Trustees of the Pennsylvania University have chosen Dr. THOMAS COOPER, late Prefessor of Chemistry in Dickinson College, to be Professor of Chemistry, as applied to the Arts. Dr. WILLIAM P. C. BARTON, nephew of the late Professor, to be Professor of Botany. Dr. CHARLES CALDWELL, to be Professor of Natural History. The present amount of capital of the State Banks of Massachusetts is 12,885,000 dollars. The annual tax on this capital is 128,850 dollars. The committee of the legislature state, according to the returns of June last, the aggregate of income was sufficient to give the stockholders six dollars and twenty-seven cents for every hundred dollars per annum. Bost. Adv. The sitting of the Senate, yesterday, was almost entirely occupied in balloting for the numerous committees they have determined to establish. The wolf immediately turned, and again attacked the woman; who had in the mean tune se cured a club, with which she beat the wolf, and killed him, without receiving any injury. Interesting to Millers.-At the late session of the circuit court of the United States a cause was tried and decided, involving a principle which has excited much anxiety in this and several other Staica. It was a suit brought by Oliver Evans against Ea ton, for an infringement of his patent right, using the hopper-boy. The defence taken was, the Evans was not the inventor of the hopper-boythat it was invented by another person and that, at most, Evans had but improved it. This decision goes to destroy Mr. Evans's rigin to the hopper-boy. His other improvements on mill machinery, contained in his patent, was not the subject of this suit. Improvement in Tamning. Among the useful inventions daily made by our countrymen, perhaps a more useful one has not been published than one that has very recently been discovered by Mr. Edwards of Catskill, n the tanning of leather. By the process hitherto pursued, the usual time for tanning has been sixteen months. By the new discovery of Mr. Edwards, this is effected completely in four months without employing any new ingredients, and with out any chemical preparation. But not only is there a saving in time and labour, and in bark of at least 10 per cent. on the most moderate calcula tion, but it is ascertained by experience, the bes; and only satisfactory test, that the leather this tanned gains materially in weight-in quality is more firm and solid, and consequently will b more durable for every purpose. Mr. Edwards ALEX. C. HANSON is elected a Senator in Congress from Maryland, to fill the vacancy occasion-has obtained a patent for his invention. Any Ge ed by the resignation of R. G. Harper. desirous of further particulars are referred Messrs. Cunningham and M'Cormick, No. 5, Fer street.-N. Y. E. Post, The Virginia Legislature have finally passed a law to extend the time for commencing specie pay-ry ments in the Banks of that State to the 1st of July next; provided said Banks commence the issuing of specie change on the 10th of January. Long Speeches-David Hartley, a member of the British Parliament in 1783, though destitate of any personal recommendations of manner, posIt is stated that an English merchant has advised sessed some talent, with unsullied probity, added his correspondent not to ship any flour unless pur-to indefatigable perseverance and labour. In par chased at $9 per barrel.-Alexandria Gaz. Arrived at New London from Oporto, ship Deborah, Churchill, to John Morgan, Esq. of this city, with salt, wine, fruit, and $ 12,000 in specie, Major General GAINES, of the army of the United States, and Gen. P. B. PORTER, one of the Commissioners under the treaty with G. Britain, are at present on a visit at the seat of government. liament the intolerable length when increased by the dullness of his speeches, rendered him an abso lute nuisance, even to his own friends. His rising always operated like a dinner bell. One day, that he had thus wearied out the patience of his audi ence, having nearly cleared a very full house, which was reduced from 300 to 80 persons, half asleep, just at the time when he was expected to close, he unexpectedly moved that the Riot Act should be read, as a document necessary to elucidate or to prove some of his foregoing assertions. Burke, who sat close by him, and who, wishing to speak to the question under discussion, had been bursting with impatience for more than an hour and a half! finding himself so cruelly disappointed, bounced up, exclaiming "the Riot Act! my dear friend, the Riot Act! to what purpose! don't you see that the mob is already completely dispersed?" Singular instance of Female Heroism.-About two|| weeks since the wife of Mr. John Cobb of Providence, in this county, observed a wolf following some sheep directly towards the house in which they lived; and as her husband was absent from home, she immediately took down the rifle and approached the wolf, who stopped as she advanced. She leveled the piece at him, and snapped it three times in succession without effect. Being convinced that the rifle would not go off, she resolved upon another mode of attack, and immediately approached the wolf, who began to advance, and with the breech of the gun she struck him on the li of the Metropolis. The Office of the National Register is removed to F street, four doors east of the Bank NO. 17. VOL. II.] WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1816. [WHOLE NO. 43. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY JOEL K. MEAD, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. time, and there is every reason to believe such will be the case; they will soon be out of debt, and the greater portion of the surplus revenue will become useless, unless it be applied to the various public improvements. Our government has unquestionably been founded on the best principles of society; principles which tend to ameliorate We must now apologize to our patrons for the delay that has frequently happened in the publication of the Register. We hope that they will pardon it when we inform them that it has been beyond our controul, and engage that it shall not be, in future, except by some untoward accident, such as sublunary affairs must still be subject to.the condition and to insure the happiness of man. Hitherto it has been printed by contract, and no A government thus happy in its operation and legal remedy to enforce the contract could relieve tendencies should, therefore, be aided by all the our work from the irregularity. We have now physical and moral resources of the country. From fitted up a printing office in a superior style, and the nature of our institutions, and the novelty of henceforth take into our own hands all the care our government, the world look to us for an exand responsibility of the publication. When all the ample of political and moral excellence. Mankind, arrangements are completed, we undertake to say indeed, have a right to expect this example, and that it shall excel, in elegance, any work of its class should we, by a species of national avarice and in America. From our position, at the Metropolis absurd economy, be inattentive to those great of the nation, where the earliest and most correct sources of public wealth, comfort, and happiness, statements of national affairs can be procured, and we should disappoint their expectations, and be, where access to the public documents is secured perhaps, loaded with reproaches by posterity. As to us; and a general disregard of expenditure in we are ourselves happy, let us, by becoming obevery thing that might ensure the future value and jects of imitation, endeavour to extend that happicomport with its present extensive and extendingness to the world. Let us set them an example circulation, give the fairest ground to hope that it that will excite their emulation, and stimulate them shall, in every respect, be worthy of its title. Toto rivalry. Perhaps no better opportunity than mark the course of the great current of national this will ever occur to commence and consummate affairs; the causes, character, and consequences of these great national objects; and while the memory national measures; the influence of events; the of the great father of his country is yet fresh on extension of knowledge and wealth; to expose the minds of those to whom he has bequeathed the the wide, changeful, all important prospects that most valuable of legacies, let his solemn admonition present themselves on our way; to catch the far be heard and obeyed. "Promote," says Washington land views that arise in our circumnavigation of in his valedictory address," as an object of primary the political world; the statesman's cares; the pa-importance, institutions for the general diffusion triot's hopes, and fears, and happiness and pride; be these our duties: and haply, if "wisdom be power," though we may have no mite to contribute, when we "gather up the fragments" our zeal and labour may not be in vain. We have been compelled to exclude from this number some original articles on account of the voluminous documents which must be inserted. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT, of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened." Institutions of this kind have been too much neglected by the nation, and other objects of minor importance have taken their place in the na tional councils. The promotion of these, however, forms but a part of what ought to be done for the prosperity of the country. Canals, roads, bridges, &c. should be particularly attended to by the national legislature, and every object of internal im It affords us much pleasure to find that some one has at last thought of proposing to Congressprovement, calculated to benefit the country, prothe subject of internal improvement. In a nation so tranquil, flourishing, and happy; whose resources are so exuberant, and whose territory is so vast, the necessity of internal improvement must be obvious to every mind. Its neglect has long || been a matter of regret to those who are solicitous to see a full and fair experiment given to the sysIf the United States continue at peace, as they now are, with the world, for any length of VOL. II tem. “ moted and encouraged, while we repose in the lap of tranquility and enjoy the blessings of peace. On the subject of canals we know no better scheme than that which is contained in the report of Mr. Gallatin, and which we presume is before every member of Congress. The plan of Beaujour, in his sketches of North America, though similar in the outline, falls far short, in the details, of that able state paper. A perusal, however, of Beau ing, jour will be satisfactory, inasmuch as it will exhibit ||ference to the 1st of August, 1816, comprehendthe opinion of an enlightened European on this subject. We should give an outline of his plan, had we room for that purpose. 1. A view of the sources of revenue, and the II. A view of the fiscal measures during 1816. It appears that some body from the west, a member of Congress, has proposed a repeal of the tax The return of peace enabling the legislature to on spirits, as a substitute for the national universi-alleviate the burdens imposed by the necessities ty, and the other plans of public improvement now "It kindles wit, and waukens lear, If we can get drunk and feel wise and happy, the OWL CREEK BANK. of the war, Congress, during the last session, discontinued, or reduced, the following duties and taxes: 1. The acts imposing duties upon articles of domestic manufacture, were repealed. 2. The acts imposing duties on furniture an watches, were repealed. 3. The duties imposed on licenses to retailers of foreign merchandise, &c. were repealed. 4. The duties imposed on spirits, distilled with in the United States, were reduced, and the col lection modified. 5. The rates of postage, were reduced. 6. The direct tax wy reduced from 6 mm. of dollars to 3,000,000 of dollars, and was impost for one year only. 7. The double duties on merchandise importe! were discontinued, and a new tariff established. The discontinuance and reduction of the duties and taxes (independent of the impost) may be c timated at the annual amount of $8,000,000; with the contingent diminution of $3,000,000 more, the direct tax should not be continued after the thou-year 1816. But, the remaining sources of revenue were ample for the maintenance of the public credit, and the prosecution of a liberal and provident po licy. They consist, 1. Of the customs, including the duty upon sal 2. Of the direct tax imposed for 1816. 4. Of Postage. 5. Of the product of fines, penalties and for feitures, and other miscellaneous receipts. 6. Of the proceeds of the sales of public lands To these sources of revenue must be added the auxiliary authority to issue treasury notes of vari ous denominations, and to receive money upo tion of the revenue, throughout t! wear 1815, to loan. The authority was necessary, in anticipa meet the arrearages of the war expenditures: to We published, in page 133 of the present voJume, a letter from Mr. James Smith, announcing the establishment of the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon, Ohio; of which institution he is the president. It appears that letter contained an error as to the amount of capital belonging to the bank. Instead of $25,000, which was stated, the nominal capital is two hundred and fifty thousand; and of this, we are informed, that one hundred and fifty thousand is already sold. The directors re-discharge the floating public debt of treasury fuse to sell any more stock at present, and are waiting for a charter from the present legislature of that State. PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. Extract of a Report of the late Secretary of the Trea- The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President of the United States the following general sketch of the finances, with re notes and temporary loans, and to pay the instal funded public debt. But the treasury would no ments of the principal and the interest of the longer require the aid of loans or treasury notes if the facilities of transferring its funds from place to place, had not been destroyed when she nation al currency became extinct. The committee of ways and means have hereto fore estimated the annual product of the customs, according to the new tariff of duties, at about the sum of $17,000,000, and although, for the present year, the amount will be much greater, in consequence of the late excessive importations, the estimate of the committee may be accepted as a just measure of the permanent annual pr duct of the customs, for the purposes of a peace es tablishment. The annual product of the direct |