NO. 4. VOL. II.] WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1816. [WHOLE NO. 30. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY JOEL K. MEAD, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. PEACE OF PARTIES. forces humility and innocence from their retreat into the glare of public view; it wounds and terThe period has arrived at which that virulence rifiés; destroys the cordiality and peace of doand animosity which have hitherto formed themestic life; and, without eradicating a single prominent characteristics of the two great lead- folly, plants a thousand thorns in the human ing parties of this country, should be permitted heart." The freedom of political publications, to slumber in the "tomb of the Capulets."-however, on public measures and public men, is Enough has been said on both sides to excite in- of a nature wholly different from this, and is dignation and to provoke hatred: all has been bottomed on the broad basis of political truth: it said, that perhaps can be said, to satisfy and to is temperate and calm, persuades without irri. convince. A perseverance, then, in a course of tating, and convinces without wounding. "The invective and abuse can neither contribute to the press in this point of view," says the same orator, advancement of the cause of either party, nor "is the great public monitor-its duty is that of add an additional lustre to the intrinsic brilliancy the historian and the witness-its horizon shall of truth. The malignant passions of our nature extend to the farthest verge and limit of truth, are sufficiently susceptible of excitement without and beyond that limit it shall not dare to pass." being roused by provocation, or stimulated by It is enough temperately to investigate the mea insult. We are unfortunately too prone to in- sures of government, and calmly to point out dulge those feelings which neither promote our their beneficial or injurious effects on society, happiness nor contribute to our benefit; and it without descending to useless abuse, or exciting becomes necessary to avoid their indulgence, with unnecessary indignation. This is all that reason a view both to individual and general comfort. requires; and the public mind is certainly much To bear and forbear much, was one of the maxims more edified and enlightened by such a course of of Stoicism, and is one of those aphorisms which useful and dignified discussion, than by all the wisdom and experience would dictate. If we did rancour and invective that can flow from the pen not bear with the little frivolities, imbecilities, of the most pungent and ingenious writer. It has and errors of those with whom we associate, we become a painful task to conduct and edit a paper should be everlastingly embroiled in disputes, in this country. If an editor advocate the meaand constantly involved in the miseries of uselesssures of either party, he cannot escape denunciacontention. Intemperance of language never tion, or flatter himself with the hope that his aids the cause of truth, and only tends to embitter private character will not be assailed, or that the and to aggravate. It destroys the peace and har- delicacy and tenderness of his feelings will remony of society, and only injures the cause it main uninjured. If his party or himself is atwould assist. If reasoning and argument fail, it tacked, he thinks it his duty to reply, and thus a is worse than folly to have recourse to abuse and war of words originates, neither edifying to the insult. The editors of both parties in this coun-public nor beneficial to himself; neither advan try have pursued a course which we should deem tageous to his party, nor consolatory to his own impolitic and absurd; a course that has perhaps || feelings. His little juvenile indiscretions and injured the party they espouse, and sharpened errors are perhaps brought up in judgment athe animosity of each other. The liberty of the gainst him, with all the aggravation of malice, press has in some degree degenerated into licen- and all the exaggeration of hatred; and his sentiousness; and personal abuse and shameless in-sibility is constantly tortured and agonized; his vective have taken the place of cool argumenta-character deeply injured; and his peace of mind tion and dispassionate reasoning. They have lost incessantly wounded; and all this is done, very sight of the distinction between personal and probably, without aiding the cause of truth, or political animadversion; than which "no two casting one ray of light on the public mind. things," says the eloquent Curran, "can be more different. The criminality of a personal libel," says he, "consists in this, that it tends to a breach of the peace-it tends to all the vindictive paroxisms of exasperated vanity, or to the deeper or more deadly vengeance of irritated pride. It VOL. II. D We think it is time that this unreasonable rancour and animosity should cease, not only be tween the conductors of public journals, but be tween the parties themselves. It was hoped, that upon the restoration of peace a political millennium would commençe, when party feeling and irritation would be no more, and the happiness, gion not at all compatible with his constitution. the honour, and the glory of our common country|| We would humbly suggest to the artist a more become a subject for the display of the poet's convenient figure for his aerial carriages than enthusiasm and the orator's fire. We regret, how-the whale-we mean the eagle; which would be ever, to find that those hopes have been disap-|| very beneficial at this time to the cause of scipointed, & that the same cours of intemperance, ence; for by conveying us into the neighbouranimosity, and invective, is still pursued-pur-hood of the sun, we might be enabled to obtain sued, too, we think, to the displeasure of the re- a full knowledge of the spots that have lately flecting, and the disapprobation of the commu- darkened his disk—and thus throw an additional nity in general. As we are at peace with our light on a very dark subject. enemies, it becomes us to be at peace among ourselves. We have warred too long with each other for no purpose, and it is now time for reason to succeed to passion, and temperance, dignity, and manliness to take the place of that fury, irritation, and madness, which have so long per vaded the leading parties of this country, to the injury of its reputation, and perhaps to the retardation of its prosperity. EXPEDITION. FOREIGN BIOGRAPHY. Concluded from page 36. Was the 7th lover on whom the inconstant Catharine cast her eye. He was the only stranger whom she had dared to create her favourite during her reign. He was a Servian, and had escaped from the bagne of Constantinople, where he had been a prisoner. He appeared for the first time in the habit of a hussar at court: bis It is rumoured that an expedition is on foot, the object of which is to explore the north-west-beauty was extraordinary: the old women still ern coast of this country; and that several naturalists, botanists, and mineralogists are to accompany it. We fear this rumour has no foundation. It is much to be regretted that so little attention has been paid by government to these useful objects. It is necessary that our territorial limits should be better defined, and that the va rious productions of nature in those unexplored regions of our country should be described, analyzed and preserved. Such an addition to our stock of knowledge would be essentially beneficial, and add no little to the reputation of the country. We earnestly hope that government may au thorize an expedition similar to the one said to be in contemplation, and that persons properly qualified may be employed to examine the animals, plants, and minerals they may discover. EROSTATION. speak of him as an Adonis. He had not, however, a mind sufficiently cultivated to captivate that of Catharine: she sent him off at the end of a year, covered with riches. He obtained the city of Schklow, which was erected for him into a species of sovereignty-a solitary example in Russia. He lived there as a prince, holding a riched by the spoils of the state, he generously court and receiving strangers. If he was enrendered it back a part. He founded at Schklow a corps of cadets, where he caused to be educated, at his own expense, 200 young officers. In spite of his occupations, the amusements, spec. tacles, and pleasures which he enjoyed, he was disgusted with his principality. He solicited for Petersburg; but Catharine would not grant it many years, in vain, the permission to appear at Paul, however, afterwards called him to court. 8. KORSAKOW, A species of Russian petit-maitre, elevated from the body guard of the palace, (where he per It appears that a gentleman, lately arrived informed the duty of a sergeant, and where Cathis country from Paris, has made an important improvement on the balloon, which he thinks will be brought to such a state of perfection that a man can float about in the ethereal space with perfect ease, and fly to any quarter with the velocity of an arrow. It would certainly be immensely comfortable to be able to glide through the air in any other animal than a whale, because, in crossing the ocean in such an ærial fish, we should be alarmed, lest his instinct should carry him into a re tharine observed him) to the bed of his sovereign. He was ungrateful and faithless. Catharine surprized him herself, on her own bed, holding in his arms the beautiful countess Bruce, her maid of honour, and her confidant. Amazed, she retired, and would not again see either her lover or her friend. She took on him no other vengeance. 9. LANSKOI, An officer of the chevalier guards, had already become remarkable. He was very soon the most and more robust than him, and the vigorous Peter Soltikow, their friend, were associated together, in order to relieve each other in a career so difficult to be accomplished. It was with these three young libertines that Catharine, the old Catharine, passed her days-while her armies beat the Turks, cut the throats of the Swedes, and devastated the unfortunate Polanders; and while her people cried out with misery and famine, and were devoured by cruel exactors and pitiless tyrants. favoured lover, and appeared the most worthy || rian, one of the brothers of Zoubow, more young of being so. He was beautiful, distinguished for sweetness and grace, a lover of the arts, a friend to talents, humane and beneficent: every body seemed to partake in his favour, the predilection of the sovereign. He had perhaps acquired, by the qualities of his mind, as much credit, as those of his heart procured him partisans. Potemkin feared him, and, it is said, poisoned him. He died in a violent fit of the cholic. Catharine lavished on him, in vain, her most tender assiduity; her lips received his last sigh. She shut herself up many days; which she passed in despair. She accused the justice of heaven; wished to die; ceased to reign; and swore to love no more. She loved Lanskoi truly: her grief excited her indignation against the physician, who was unable to save him; he was obliged to throw himself at the feet of his sovereign, and ask her forgiveness for the impotence of his art. A widow decent and af-Vassiletschicoff, 22 months in favour, flicted, she bore the loss of her lover; and, a new Artemisa, she erected for him a superb mausoleum near Tzarskoe-Celo. She suffered more than a year to pass before she replaced him; but like another matron of Ephesus, she gave him an unworthy successor; and this was 10. YERMOLOW, The least amiable and the least elegant of all those whom she had chosen; who consoled her at last for the beautiful, the tender Lanskoi. He, however, displeased Potemkin before he ceased to please Catharine; and the haughty favourite demanded and obtained the dismissal of the lover, who had not been two years in the performance of his duties. 11. MOMONOW, This was the last of Catharine's favourites. She died suddenly in a short time afterwards. The following is an estimate of the presents received by her favourites: Gregory Orloff, Vissensky, two months in favour, in money, jewels, plate, presents, Rubles.* 4,000,000 300,000 . 1,100,000 Prince Potemkin, in the two first years, 9,000,000 in Poland and Russia. • A ruble is valued at 45. sterling. 41,000,000 1,380,000 920,000 3,260,000 550,000 880,000 2,700,000 Zubof, besides the title of Prince, and several other honorary rewards, Who had disputed her favour with him, suc- The expenditure of each favourite which Caceeded. Momonow was amiable, and had a per-tharine defrayed was estimated at 1,250,000 rufect face, but was badly proportioned. He became bles per annum. enamoured of the young princess Scherbatow, and had the courage to avow it, and requested permission to espouse her. Catharine was sufficiently generous and haughty to grant him his request, without reproaching him. She married him at her court with her maid of honour, and sent them to Moscow, loaded with riches. Every one, has heard the school-boy spouting, "Oft has it been my lot to mark." Many consider the reptile there described as altogether fabulous, and used only for the purpose of exposing Was not 25 years old, Catharine more than 60. a conceited, pertinacious traveller; but a late She finished by treating him as much like her writer has added his testimony to the reality of its son as her lover: she occupied herself with his existence and powers. "Cameleons are very education; and she attached herself more and island in the midst of the river (Nile) where we common in the gardens of Rosetta, and upon the more to her work, which became her idol. How-procured two, that lived with us until we finally ever, her loose desires were not yet extinguished; vivid green color when first taken. Afterwards left Egypt. These were large, and of the most and all at once she renewed the orgies which she their ordinary appearance was that of a common had celebrated with the brothers, Orloff. Vale- || lizard, and we found, as they became unhealthy, that their power of changing color diminished. struck it with his tongue, at the distance of six or Indeed this effect is seldom rapid or instantaneous. || nine inches, with certainty, and almost with the It seems always the result of sudden apprehension or surprise, whence the poor defenceless animal having no means of resistance, gradually assumes the color of some substance over which it passses, being thus provided by nature with the means of concealment. Frogs and toads appear to possess this quality in a certain degree, although it may have escaped the observation of naturalists. After these reptiles have remained a certain time upon a recently turned border of earth, their color so much resembles that of the soil that they are not easily perceived; and sometimes among grass, when alarmed by the sudden approach of any other animal, they assume a greenish hue." [P. Folio. velocity of lightning. He appeared to have the power of seeing in different directions at the same moment; with one eye he would sometimes look forward, whilst the other guarded his rear. In climbing, he made a considerable use of his tail, but his motions were very sluggish. After having resided with me for several months, he became extremely languid and emaciated, probably in consequence of not having any of the Bezoar mineral to swallow, of which, it is said by the Arabs and Turks, these animals are very fond. This substance probably acts as a stimulant on the sysstem. He died. Sometime before his death, he lost, in a great degree, the power of inflating himself, and of redecting colors: the lower parts of his abdomen became of a yellowish white, the suCommunicated for the National Register. perior, except the spots, somewhat gray, with a The following observations on the cameleon tint of yellow. My duties would not permit me to spend much time in dissecting him, to obtain a are from the pen of an eminent physician and knowledge of the minute parts of his structure. chemist of this city. We think they will be gra- Having cursorily examined the internal parts, I tifying to our readers, and operate as an induce-suspended his body in one of his most graceful ment to those who may hereafter visit the Medi- ceilent anatomists for small subjects, the ANTS, in attitudes, in a situation frequented by those exterranean, to pay more attention to the natural order to have his skeleton complete; but, to my history of this curious little animal, whose cha-great mortification, a four legged epicure, which racter and powers are yet so imperfectly known. [Editor. Chameleon, Camaleonte, or Cameleon. probably had never before nad an opportunity of supping on a cameleon, seized the precious morceau. Part of the skin, now before me, is the only relic I have of my inmate. On opening this little A cameleon was an inmate of mine for a consi- animal, there appeared no divisions-the whole derable time, at Syracuse, and enjoyed a free space, from the upper part of his body to the lowrange of my rooms; I had, therefore, frequent est, was filled with three bladders; the middle or opportunities of observing his habits, which did smallest, distinct from the others, contained the not correspond with the descriptions usually giv- remains of flies, and was connected with the en of this animal, by travellers and zoologists. base of his tongue, which was tubular; the other When I received a cameleon from the coast of two bladders were attached to the trachea, and Barbary, I observed that his color was a bluish grey, filled with air. These, I presume, performed the not green, with an immense number of small specks office of lungs. Without the aid of glasses, and on his body; he was about six inches long, exclud-by careful dissection, the formation of the trachea ing his tail; when irritated, he distended his bo- could not be traced. The animal never made dy to a greater or less degree, doubtless by means the least noise whilst in my possession. By inof the air which he inhaled, and, according to the flating these bladders, he doubtless enlarged himextent of the distention, the color reflected from self, and his color was influenced by the distention his skin was more or less vivid, but always that of of his body, and the substance on which he rested, the substance on wirich hs was placed, or happen- the numerous prominences, and the exterior memed to be. The power of reflecting colors appear-brane, which probably acted as a mirror, presented to be confined to the spots on his body, which ed the changes which excited so much admiraI then supposed were scales, or little prominences tion. If the body was in a collapsed state, colors with facets, the position of which, being altered were not reflected; because, in my opinion, the by the distention or contraction of the abdomen, scales or prominences on the skin were not suffi reflected and refracted the rays of light. His eyes ciently elevated to receive and reflect the rays of appeared to be contained in horny coverings, which light. During the life of the animal, I supposed, moved in large orbits, each covering or case hav- from the appearance of the eminences on the skin, ing an aperture, not larger in diameter than a com- that they were composed of several facets, each mon pin, through which the piercing eye was of which reflected the color of the substance on seen. When his eyes were brought to bear on any which I placed it; but on examining the dried object, a fly for example, he would strike it with skin in my possession, by means of a magnifying his tongue, which, though contained in a headglass, I find that they are semi-globular, having cornot more than an inch in length, could be thrust responding depressions on the internal part. They forward, with the velocity of an arrow, from six to are now corrugated and hard like scales, the innine inches, and as quickly retracted with his prey; terstices transparent. On holding the skin behe never missed his mark; the end of his tongue tween my eye and a candle, aided by a convex was of a trumpet-form, and covered with an adhe-lens, the whole has the appearance of gilded net sive slime. My superstitious Sicilian servant generally crossed himself, on seeing so long a tongue suddenly protruded from such a diminutive head. I frequently presented a fly to him, on the end of a quill, at different distances; immediately on bringing both eyes to the object, he uniformly work. A piece of the skin ought to accompany a solar microscope, being a beautiful specimen for the display of its power. Query-Could these semi globular prominences have had any connection with the large air bladders, and be inflated at the same time with the body, thereby rendering them more prominent and capable of receiving, little inoffensive helpless animal this additional and reflecting colors? power as a dernier resort. "Should its colour not In the formation of this animal, I am at a loss conceal it," said he, "from its enemies, it seems which to admire most, the power of reflecting co-prepared to meet them with fire; the effects of lors, to elude his pursuers, or to attract his prey; which would induce them speedily to decamp." the formation of his tongue, which is thrown out I have been thus particular, Sir, in order to afwith the swiftness of an arrow, or the exquisite ford additional, and if possible, more s. tisf..ctory delicacy in the formation of his eyes, which enables evidence to the Editor of the Port Folio of the him to strike objects with so much certainty. certainty of the existence of an animal, denomiBy contemplating and examining the works of the nated Chameleon; with the assurance, that both gret CREATOR, we, day by day, may discover new natural and political Chameleons are to be found subjects for exalting his POWER and infinite wis- in our own country; and that, as the one is not confined to any country, neither is the other, the exclusive product of Egypt. DOM. E. C. NOTE.—I do not remember to have seen, in any work, a just engraving of the cameleon; the eyes are improperly represented. The most accurate, I think, is in an old edition of travels in Barbary, in the Loganian Library of Philadelphia, to which engravers might have access. Washington, Sept. 10th, 1816, C. From the Richmond Compiler. In the state of North-Carolina, the Chameleon is to be found in great plenty. In size and shape, they are not unlike our common lizard; and like them, are most commonly to be seen upon fences-about hedges and the bodies of old trees.If they may be said to possess any natural colour, I should conclude it to be a green; as they ap pear more commonly of that than any other; and from which, alarm only seems to produce a change. OBSERVATOR. PUBLIC DOCUMENT. NOTICE. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, September 12th, 1816. commencing the payment of small sums in coin, THE proposition made by this Department for on the first day of October, 1816, has been generally declined by the State Banks, which have heretofore suspended their specie payments. And the requisite medium to pay their duties and taxas an arrangement for supplying the People with es, independently of the State Banks, cannot be conveniently made, until the Bank of the United States shall be in operation, no further me. sures will be pursued, with a view to the collection of the revenue in coin, on the said first day of October, 1816. My first discovery of them was made while rambling in pursuit of game, in company with a gentleman of that state. I observed one of them as it passed through the grass, to be of a beauti-passed on the 29th day of April, 1816: But in pursuance of the Resolution of Congress, ful green; but which, in a moment changed colour upon running on the fence, imbibing and reflecting, as nearly as possible, that of the rail along which it moved. I expressed great surprise at seeing them; which rather astonished my friend-there being, as he observed, great numbers of them in that part of the country. I enquired whether they were considered harmless; and by what name they were distinguished. He replied, that they were a species of Lizard; and although he had long been a resident, and was well acquainted with their extraordinary powers, he had never learnt any particular name for them; but that, like the lizard, they were considered harmless. Curiosity induced me to catch one of them, which I laid on the crown of my hat-it instantly became jet black. I transferred it to the sleeve of my coat; it was blue-to my pantaloons, and it became gray. I then determined to see what ef fect fire would produce on it. Accordingly, I took it with us to the house, and put it into an oven of live coals. It at first, partook of their colour, appearing of a deep red; but so soon as its life was extinguished, it changed to that of a dark green. From the result of this experiment, (which nothing but a desire of ascertaining the fact would have induced me to make,) I was led to believe that its natural colour, as before stated, must be green. It may not be amiss here to mention, that I observed it frequently to fill a little bladder, or puff the skin, under the throat, which immediately assumed the colour of fire. My friend remarked, that Nature appeared to have bestowed upon thell NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, 1817, all duties, taxes, debts, or sums of money, That from and after the 20th day of February, States, must be paid and collected in the legal accruing or becoming payable to the United currency of the United States, or Treasury Notes, Notes of Banks which are payable and paid on demand in the legal currency of the United States, and not otherwise. or Notes of the Bank of the United States, or in ney are required to pay due attention to the noAnd all Collectors and receivers of public mothe collection and receipt of the public dues, dutice hereby given, and to govern themselves, in ties, and taxes, accordingly. The Collectors of the Customs, and of the Direct Tax and Internal Duties, are requested to make this notice generally known, by all the means in their power. And the Printers authorized to publish the laws of the United States, will be pleased to insert it in their respective newspapers. A. J. DALLAS, Secretary of the Treasury. PUBLIC LAW. We have been favored with the following, says the Philadelphia Aurora of the 12th inst. as being an opinion delivered by a magistrate of this city, with respect to a British seaman, who is said to have deserted from a British merchant vessel in a port of the United States, and against whom proceas of arrest was desired. |