cording to this estimate, from 25 to 50 per to be the fostering care of the government.cent. a year, on his prime cost. Take this To over-tax foreign goods which are necessathousand dollars' worth of cotton to England, sary to our wants or our habits, before we and there sell it to the manufacturer, who has are able to supply the deficiency which the to pay the cost of freight, insurance, and du-over-taxation may be supposed to produce. ties; estimate what he gives for the raw mate-will occasion no benefit; for if the people rial, the expense of the portion of machinery cannot get them through regular, they will necessary to manufacture it into a saleable procure them throngh irregular channels.fabric, the sum he pays the workmen for their Besides, is it not unjust that A. who is a labor; and compare the amount of profit rea- house-joiner, for example, should pay B. who lized in each case. We have not at hand is a manufacturer, several dollars, extraordisufficient data to enable us to draw an exact nary, in the price of a coat, merely to encourand positive conclusion; but we very much age him? This would be to tax A. for the doubt whether the manufacturer derives more particular benefit of the nation at large. Our advantage than the planter from the inter-ideas on the subject may be called "narrrow change of commodities. At any rate, there policy:" But it is a policy which comes home. are very few occupations in the United to every man's feelings, through his pocket. States from which proprietors can extract so That the United States have got on remuch gain, with such little risk and trouble,markably well hitherto in manufactures, canas from the culture of cotton, grain, and to- not be disputed. By the returns of the marbacco. The riches, which the American peo-shals under the census law of 1810, setting ple have acquired in the course of the last aside the doubtful articles, the various do twenty years, will verify the fact. Greatmestic manufactured commodities amounted Britain, with all her manufactures, has ma-in value to 127,694,602 dollars. Of this naged to get herself about nine hundred millions of pounds sterling in debt, and has so exhausted the labor of her subjects, that vast numbers of them have been reduced to a state of pauperism and servitude, whilst the United States, pushing her agriculture and navigating interests, have covered the face of the country with cultivated farms, multitudes of useful animals, flourishing plantations, towns, cities, and freemen. amount upwards of thirty-nine millions of dollars were goods manufactured by the loom from cotton, wool, flax, hemp, and silk; fourteen millions from iron; and seventeen millions from hides and skins. All this has been effected without any of those extravagant protecting duties which some of our politicians now insist on as so indispensably necessary. The present outcry, we apprehend, proThe passing of laws to prohibit the expor-ceeds from two sources: 1st, A wish to cretation of specie, or to force manufactures, ate in the public mind a belief, that the diffiwould be ridiculous and inefficient. Laws culties of the times arise from a disinclinaare mere cobwebs when they run diametrical- tion on the part of our rulers to encourage ly opposite to human interests. Increase the domestic industry: and, 2d. From individuduties on foreign goods, and smuggling will als who have unadvisedly invested their mosoon proceed to regular importations; and fo-ney in extensive manufacturing works, from reign nations who have more industry than which they reap little or no profit. The first we have, will, in one way or another, extract class of these complainers are mere factionour specie in defiance of any act of Congress ists, who seek to influence important electhat can be passed on the subject. If we will tions; the second are bad calculators in not purchase the products of foreign coun- other branches of business; they have failed tries, how can we expect they will purchase in their object; and they call out upon governours? There is a reciprocity in all commerce; ment to keep them out of their troubles. As and without a diversity of pursuits and pro-well might shop-keepers and mechanics call ductions, there could be no trade between na-upon congress to rescue them from their own tions. We might cut off all intercourse with imprudencies. Government cannot cure the foreign states; in which case, however, we folly of individuals. should be in the situation of the Chinese empire, of which we do not profess ourselves to be admirers. Why do not the Messrs. Duponts de Nemours raise an uproar in favor of their manufactories in Delaware? Because they are Manufactures will grow among us in due men of sense. They have made their estabtime. They will keep pace with the advan-lishments upon a proper basis, and they suctages which capitalists, from year to year, may perceive from engaging in them, and precisely in the ratio of their increase ought ceed. The manufacturers of Connecticut make no noise. They pursue their object with a steady pace. They are shrewd men; have estimated their resources with exacti[FROM THE NORTHERN WHIG.] tude, and will not fail by indiscretion. Of The verses below were suggested by the loss of all the states of the Union, Connecticut has the "Epervier," which was supposed to have been the best means of carrying on manufactures. wrecked on her return from Algiers, with the ranIn 1810 her population was more than fifty-somed captives. six to the square mile, and the habits and ingenuity of her citizens are well calculated to render labor cheap. The question of agriculture and home manufactures, and of the importation of foreign goods, is a complex one; and the more so, as, according to our present system, it identifies itself with the question of revenue. Far the greatest portion of the revenue of the United States, is obtained from duties inposed on foreign merchandize. Tax this merchandize, therefore, high enough to exclude it from the country-aud that seems to be the object of certain enthusiasts-and you diminish the revenue necessary to defray the expenses of government, and to pay the national debt. Money must be had for this pur pose from some source or other. Will the manufacturers, who are to be especially benefitted. pay it? Not they. That does not enter into their scheme. It must, then, by a direct tax, fall upon the nation at large. And thus would the people of the United States be doubly taxed to the sole profit of certain manufactories, which were begun in thoughtlessness, and projected without judgment. They would be taxed in their clothing, and taxed to raise a revenue. Truly, these worthy friends of domestic manufactures are very reasonable, very modest, and have a great share of patriotism without doubt! RETURN OF THE EPERVIER. And the captive exulted in freedom at last. Proudly her prow broke the breast of the foam; Haste, gallant bark, on thy glorious way! Revolutionary Soldiers of Connecticut. Among the applicants for pensions was Lt. M. tion was made out in due form, and certified by who obtained his title by his valor. His declarathe judge, who knew him well, and could safely attest his merits and his services. The needy veteran possessed an infirmity, which rendered him unable to write his name, and, in signing the ne A paper, purporting to be an Extract of a letter from John Quincy Adams to the Editors of the Na-cessary documents, he could only make his mark. tional Register, and addressed to the American People, was published, on the 16th of April last, in the Courier, a news-paper printed at Murfreesbo rough, in the State of Tennessee. No such Letter or Extract ever appeared in the National Register, and we are authorised to state that no such Letter was ever written by Mr. Adams. Massachusetts.-The Legislature of the state meets about this time. There is some doubt as to its political complexion. It is pretty certain that there is a majority in favor of the separation of Maine from the state, and that that question will be again submitted to the people. To counterbalance in some measure the republican gain in Maine, Boston has this year chosen forty-five representatives; each town having a right, under a provision of the constitution of that state, to elect, or not, as it may chuse, one representative for a stated number of rateable polls. The Boston host of the present year, as it is familiarly called, consists, it is said, of gentleman of the following professions: tish, he was in the act of touching off a cannon, At the storming of Fort Montgomery by the Briloaded to the muzzle with every kind of missile, when a shot carried away his arm, and the match dropped upon the ground; he immediately seized it with his left hand, and fired the piece, at the ve ry point, and the very instant the British were entering the fort, which swept down a whole phalanx of the foe. For this heroic action he was honored with a commission; but in his old age he could not write his name with his left hand. Another of these venerable men, trembling with age, applied for the necessary papers to obtain pension. The Judge inquired where he had serv. ed. "Why, first, (said he,) in the old French war.” "Ah, (says the judge,) you cannot obtain a pension for services at that period. Did you serve in the Revolutionary army?" "O yes, I served all the war. I was at the battle of Bunker's hill-afterwards at Long Island, and the capture of the Hessians at, Trenton-I was at the attack of Germantown, and the battle of Monmouth-and finally at the capture and seige of Yorktown, in Virginia; and, (added the old man, his eyes rekindling with 18 Merchants and Importers; 2 Capitalists; 15 the fire of 1776,) I was the first American sentinel Mechanics, Editors, and Manufacturers; 1 Auction-placed at the quarters of Lord Cornwallis, after he eer; 9 Counsellors and Attornies. war an Imerican prisoner." No. 22.] THE NATIONAL REGISTER. WASHINGTON CITY, MAY 29, 1819. Printed and Published, every Saturday, by JONATHAN ELLIOT, at five dollars per annum. [VOL. VII these laws against usury, which is this, that whenever the law limited the rate of interest, invariably rose higher. Contents of this No. of the National Register. ORIGINAL-The American Essayist, No. 3.-Of Usury, 337SELECTED-Commerce-Russian Ukase, directing a reducit Editor's Cabinet, 351. tion of ten per cent. on all imports and exports from thence, 338. Invention-Mode of towing rafts of timber by steam The American Essayist-No. 3. OF USURY Prior to the reign of Henry the 8th, notwithstanding the Christians were forbidden, the Jews were permitted, to receive interest. The reason of this distinction is to be found boats, 338. Accident-A batteau, near Montreal, struck by a heavy sea, foundered, and 36 persons lost, 338. British bounty on fish, an error corrected, 338. Naval AffairsCapt. Biddle's defence, in reply to the charges alleged against him by Lord Cochrane, for a breach of Naval etiquette, at the port of Valpariso, 339-342. Micellany-Sim-in history. The kings had no fixed revenues, plicity of President Adam's mode of living, 342-Burning and it was convenient to give the Jews the Spring in Virginia, 342. South America-General Simon Bollivar's address to the Congress assembled at Angostura, privilege of amassing wealth, in order that on the formation of a constitution, 842-349. Intelligence--Foreign, 349-Domestic, 350. Poetry--The American Flag,352. the sovereigns might extort it from them by violence. The Jews flayed the people of their wealth, and when the people complained the monarchs flayed the Jews, which quieted the Usury, according to its strict and ancient popular clamor. Thus the money reached meaning, is equivalent to the word interest, the royal coffers; and, in the middle ages, it or compensation for the use of money; but, could not have been otherwise collected. in our criminal code it means an excessive Every reader may recollect the story of the interest, beyond what the law allows, and for Jew of Bristol, in the reign of King John, as which it punishes. related by Matthew Paris. That king haA question has been started, within a fewving once demanded 10,000 marks from this years past, both in the United States and in Jew, he refused, and was ordered to suffer England, whether the laws against usury the extraction of a tooth every day until he ought to be repealed? In other words, whe-should comply. The Jew lost seven teeth, ther there ought to be any laws restricting and then paid the sum insisted upon. This the rate of interest at all? policy may have been necessary in the feuAs money is avowedly an article of com-dal ages, as it is at this day indispensable in merce as well as a medium of exchange, there Turkey, where the Grand Seignor dares not seems no reason why the price of it should lay a new tax, but suffers the bashaws to enbe limited any more than the price of any rich themselves by oppressing his subjects, other article of merchandise should be limit- and then cuts off their heads and seizes on the ed; and as it is also susceptible of being hired treasure. When commerce became general or loaned out, as a horse, or a slave, or a throughout christendom, however, we find that chaise, may be hired, their appears no rea- this policy yielded in some degree to the sonable motive why there should be a restric- change of circumstances, and Christians, as tion as to the amount of the hire in one case well as Jews, were authorized to take intemore than in the other. rest; yet still in a limited degree. Down to the reign of Henry the 8th, in the year 1546, the taking of interest for money was absolutely prohibited in England. In the time of that king an act of parliament was passed making it lawful to receive it at the rate of 10 per cent. This act was repealed in the reign of his son Edward the 6th, but the same interest of 10 per cent. was again allowed in the reign of queen Elizabeth. In the reign of James the 1st, the rate of interest was reduced to 8 per cent.; during the time of the commonwealth to 6 per cent. which rate was adopted after the restoration. In the reign of queen Anne it was reduced to 5 per cent. and ever since that period it has continued the same in Great Britain, although a higher rate is allowed in Ireland and in the British colonies. One fact is remarkable with respect to all It is full time that all laws against usury should be repealed by the governments of commercial nations, with one exception: That is, a rate of interest should, by law, be provided for in cases where no contract can be produced or proved; but whenever a contract can be proved, that should decide the rate, and the law should be a nullity, Yet, in effect, the dispute which has prevailed on this subject would seem to be an idle one. The rate of interest will, by indirect means, fix itself in defiance of all laws. As the price of money depends on the demand for it, on the plenty of it, and on the profitable purposes to which it may be applied, it will always be controlled, as other commodities are, by these particulars. The rate of interest will, moreover, always vary, even in the same town or city; for it is not in the na fure of things that a poor man should borrow money upon such easy terms as a rich one. To an individual in indigent circumstances, the rate of interest will always be high, however plenty money may be. COMMERCE. The following is an extract of a letter from the Agent of the Russian company in London by which it will be seen that the important reduction of 10 per cent. on all goods imported and exported from Russia has taken place: It will also be observed, that the statement which was made a few days since, with respect to rum, is confirmed, and that it is allowed entry on the same terms as other spi its Petersburg, Feb. 23. involved an event the most tragical perhaps that can be found in the annals of this Province. direction of Joseph St. Marie and the other that of Soon after noon two Batteaux, the one under the Louis Brosseau started from town for the upper landings of Prarie. They were both heavily laden. The latter in particular contained 110 bushels of grain, 30 bushels of potatoes and 66 passengers.She had not proceeded many yards before she was found to be surcharged-but the conductor resolv. ing to venture, permitted 27 of his passengers to The batteau of the latembark with St. Marie. ter with great exertion and risk crossed in safety.The batteau of Brosseau followed at the distance of half a mile. She was perceived to be laboring with great obstacles which was feared were insur mountable. Alas! these fears were too well founded. She had no sooner reached the channel, (which was about 4 o'clock, P. M.) than she was struck by a heavy sea, and half filled, and before the cargo could be thrown overboard, by another which filled her. In foundering, she was by the agitation of the passengers overset. Their cries were distinctly overheard in the other batteau, whose fate was yet too uncertain to offer assistance. The batteau now upside down was soon regained by two men, (Francois Faille and Pierre Le Mieux) who seeing a woman, (Mrs. Lancto,) still struggling with the waves and imploring aid, with much diffi culty and danger to themselves got her upon the bottom of the batteau. In a few minutes the rest of the wretched sufferers sunk to rise no more."I have further to announce, that the order from The survivors upon the batteau, deluged with wathe department of foreign commerce to the Peters-ter and chilled with cold, floated below the island burgh Custom-house, dated 8th of Feb. has been made public, authorising the importation of rum at the same duty as is levied on brandy and arrack, viz. 10 roubles per anker, (silver,) and I hope to be enabled to send a copy and translation of the Ukase by an early coveyance. "An Ukase has been issued, directing, that in the levying of duties in the different Custom houses, for the year 1819, the silver rouble shall be taken at three roubles and 60 copiques Bank notes, which make a reduction of 10 per cent. on the duties of all imports and exports, excepting on those that pay ad valorem. Some persons having claimed the right to pay duties on goods imported last year, and still in the Custom house, at the new rate of 3 roubles and 60 copiques; it has been decided that the old duty shall be charged on all goods which shall have been received at any Custom-house, previous to the receipt of the present order. "In the meantime it is necessary to understand, that the duty on all spirits is levied according to their strength, that the lowest duty is 10 roubles per anker, and if below, and not above what is here denominated ten degrees. of St. Helena, where they were picked up at nine in the evening nearly exhausted. They were carried ashore, kindly treated, and the next day conducted to their friends, and it will not lessen the interest which the humane must take in this wonderful escape to learn that one of the survivors (Mrs. Lancto) has eight children and is on the point of being confined with the ninth. Thus have perished in the bloom of their youth and the pride of their strength, thirty-six useful members of society. The morning sun saw them rise firm in health and big with hope. At night, "If above ten, and not above 15 degrees, is considered pure spirit, and pays 20 silver roubles perwhelmed beneath a mass of mighty waters, their anker." INVENTION. dwellings are vacant, and their voices so sweet to their friends are heard no more. The Providence of God is inscrutable" His ways are not like our ways, nor his thoughts like our thoughts." [Here follows a list of those who perished.] It is a circumstance in this tragedy, worthy of remembrance, that before the catastrophe, the pas. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin was recited by sengers addressed themselves earnestly to prayer. MONTREAL, May 19.-A gentleman now in town, (says the Boston Daily Advertiser) is endeavoring to engage one of the steam-boats to tow a raft of timber from the mouth of the Richlieu to Quebec. The rafts consists of 46 cribs which cover a surface of 54 rods long by 9 rods wide, and was towed by the Congress, a new steam boat on Lake Champlain, 41 miles in 29 hours. Five miles of the dis-Francois Quertier, school-master of St. Constant, tance was accomplished against a head wind. If by and the responses were made by the passengers the same means the timber on the border of Lake with the most edifying piety. Ontario can be rafted to Kingston, it will prove an almost inexhaustible source of commerce and wealth to that part of the country. ACCIDENT. On Friday last the wind, which for some days had blown cold from the Northward, suddenly became southerly, and in the course of the day in creased to a violent gale. Considerable anxiety was felt for the various small craft in the St. Law. rence, but happily all the batteau which were out reached the shore in safety, except one, whose fate St. Constant, May 17th, 1819. BRITISH BOUNTY ON FISH. In our paper of Saturday, a material error in the article sent us from the city occurred, which has since been copied into other journals. It was stated that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had agreed to allow a bounty of 3s. per quintal on all fish cured at Newfoundland, which would amount to about 250,000. We have authority to state that no such expectation has ever been held out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.--London Courier. CAPT. BIDDLE'S DEFENCE. United States ship Ontario, tion that if I did not comply, I should be expelled the port, as the Essex had once been for a similar neglect. It was impossible not to feel the arrogance To Commodore Bainbridge, Boston. of this pretention; but I determined not to suffer it MY DEAR SIR.You have seen that during my to influence my good disposition towards the golate cruise, I had a correspondence with Lord Coch-vernment of Chili. In my answer to Lord Cochrane," rane, upon the subject of a salute, in which refer therefore, I stated that I was aware it was usual, ence was made to a ship formerly under your com. upon the arrival of a vessel of war at a foreign port, mand. The transaction is one to which more im-to salute publicly; that it was my knowledge of this portance has been attached than it merits; and as circumstance which had induced me, upon arriving this unnecessary importance has arisen from miscon-at Valparaiso, in the preceding January, to acquaint ception, permit me to relate to you all the facts, together with my view of the subject. the then Governor with my arrival, and to inform him I would fire the customary salute if an equal number of guns would be returned-and that as my offer to salute was not accepted then, he would perceive the propriety of my declining to salute now. Cochrane, saying he was not acquainted with the regulations of the government of the United States, and that if I would give my word of honor that it In a few hours I received a second letter from Lord When I was first on my way to Chili, I often reflected upon the propriety of my saluting a flag which was not recognized by the government of the United States. I was of opinion, that it was not strictly proper; but, under all circumstances, I deemed it advisable; and, therefore, upon anchoring at Valparaiso, in January, 1818, I acquainted the Governor, that I would salate, if an equal number was the uniform practice of the American Comof guns would be returned. The Governor inform-manders in Chief, without regard to comparative ed me that some troops were stationed a few leagues rank or locality, to answer with an equal number of from town, and that they might be put in motion in guns the salutes of all foreign ships of war, "he consequence of any unexpected firing at the fort; would give fresh orders for my salute being so returnthat he would send off to acquaint the military offi-ed," but that as the practice of all other services cer with my arrival, and that on the following mornwith which he had had communication, was to reing he would notify to me when he was prepared to turn from a flag ship two guns less to the salutes of return my salute, which he would do gun for gun. ships of war not bearing a flag of corresponding During the whole of the following day I was ac- rank, his instructions hitherto had been to that efcordingly prepared to salute, and expecting every of proceeding, so far as regards the United States, fect; and that an alteration of the customary mode moment a message from the Governor. No mes. sage, however, did come; no salute was fired; nor must be regulated by the communication I might make was any satisfactory explanation ever made to me on the subject." The offensive style of his first leton the subject. The very least, therefore, I could ter I had not considered necessary to notice in my do, under such circumstances was, to determine not answer. Therefore had only replied that I declined to salute the fort at any subsequent visit. Still, saluting, and assigned my reasons for it: reasons however, I would not omit any mark of personal which were obligatory upon me, and ought to have civility to the Chilian officers; and, therefore, when been satisfactory to him. My letter could not be General San Martin visited my ship, I saluted him misunderstood; and as Lord Cochrane's second comwith fifteen guns, and I saluted the Supreme Direc.munication still implied the necessity of my saluting, tor with a like number of guns, upon his making a similar visit. it was necessary not only to repeat my intention not to salute at all, but to give him to enderstand that I I returned from the Columbia River to Chili, with would not suffer myself to be ordered out of port. the same determination not to salute where my own My answer, therefore, was that as I declined saluting offer had once been neglected; but still to cultivate altogether, it was not necessary to enquire whether friendly relations with the government wherever a salute from the ship under my command should be this point of honor was not concerned. With this answered by an equal or by a less number of guns; disposition, on my arrival at Valparaiso, I paid a visit that a salute from a national vessel, upon arriving at to the Gov. Don Luis de la Cruz, and also to Lord a foreign port, was a matter of courtesy only; that Cochrane, who during my absence had obtained it was entirely optional; that it was sometimes praccommand of the Chili squadron. Soon after visiting tised, it was oftentimes omitted; that in respect to Lord Cochrane, I received a letter from him, in what he mentioned of the Essex, I thought he must which he begged to remind me, (for the length of be misinformed, since I was persuaded that my my services, he said, must have made me aware of friend, Capt. Bainbridge, who commanded the Esthe fact,) that ships of war when arriving in a friend-sex, in 1802, would not have permitted himself to ly port, had ever been in the habit of saluting pub- be ordered out of port in the manner he had stated.*. licly; that there was only one exception within his remembrance, which was the American frigate Es sex, at Gibraltar, in 1802; she abstained from saluting the flag of Lord Keith, the British Admiral; and Lord Keith felt it his duty to require the salute, or on refusal, that the Essex should forthwith quit "On my anchoring at Gibraltar, in 1802, where the port, which latter alternative was embraced. Admiral Sir James Saumarez, and not Lord Keith, The style of this letter was equally unexpected and was the commanding naval officer; I did not salute offensive. From a desire to conciliate, l'had over- the Admiral's flag, because it had been saluted in come my feelings at the neglect of my own offer to sight of the Essex a short time previous, by the salute. I had even paid the first visit to Lord Coch-frigate Boston, Capt. M'Neil, my senior in rank. rane, personally a stranger to me.-Instead of receiving a return of my visit from that officer, the first notice of it from him was a complaint of my not having first saluted him, accompanied by an intima. | *The following extract of a letter from Commodore Bainbridge to Captain Biddle, will prove how totally without foundation is the story of Lord Cochrane: And as the Admiral did not offer to the ship under my command, the usuel ceremony to ships of war, on entering a friendly port, no acquaintance took place between us during my then stay at Gibral |