THE CONGRESS. in no slight degree to confirm the opinion which so many entertain upon this sub MR. COBBETT.-Although it may be hazardous to canvass, at present, theject with myself, that the only monarch motives of our generous, and just allies, yet I think that their proceedings form a very prominent subject for general animadversion. Perhaps, previously to entering into any review of their conduct, it may be as well to say a few words relative to the exaggerated expectations, generally formed as to the result of the deliberations of these digni fied and immaculate characters. It who has uniformly been the decided enemy of Napoleon, remains the victim of the friendly commiseration, or the notice his sincere hostility, without exciting either of those monarchs to whom he set the crown do not deserve. Reason need not com hat the principles that have no foundation but power-no right but force. JUVENIS, first example of resistance and resolution. too fond of war, and perhaps deranged; I am not justifying his conduct; he was for the deposition of legitimate kings, the but God knows if these are just reasons was certainly imagined by a great majo- the regal list of former times. The person "decks would soon be swabbed," of half rity of those who huzzaed and attended, I allude to is Gustavus of Sweden, who from morning to night, every movement has lost his own kingdom in the cause for of our recent royal visitors, that every which ourselves and our magnanimous thing would be settled by them upon allies pretend to have been fighting--the the fairest and most honorable basis. restoration of the old order of things on The applauses bestowed upon them were intended as much to reprobate the the continent. Now, Sir, has not this conduct of him whom fate had overthrown, Gustavus a much greater right to claim as in approbation of those who had "indemnity" than any of them? And been the secondary agents of his ruin. would it not do more credit to the charac ter of the Russian Autocrat, to set the We gave credit for their professions; we anticipated a generous and most magnaof Poland upon the head of Gusnimous policy from the Liberator Alex- tavus, than to pocket it himself, or give ander, and Frederick, the wise and the it to his brother? It was my intention sedate. It is now said, however, by to have seriously canvassed the claims of the Courier, the Times, and almost all Russia to Poland; but, really, Sir, it would our Newspapers, that a little Bona-be paying them a compliment which they pertcan leaven is mixed, even in the composition of these legitimate Kings. There appears, say these journals, to be a singular assimulation to the political system of the recent Ruler of France in all the proceedings of the Congress. Mr. COBBETT.--The public who so Their ideas of regal justice seem not greedily rejoiced, and feasted, and illuvery distant from the policy of usurpa- minated, and were beyond measure elated tion. Aggrandisement is the word with at the downfall of Buonaparte, as an event all of them. They seem almost inclined that could not fail to do for England all to dispute the climax of injustice with their hearts could desire; (in which, by Napoleon, and to pay as little regard as the by, they now begin to see they were himself to the rights of their interiors. mistaken,) that public having suffered the His audacity, they add, is wanting; but late happy peace with America, which I his rapacity is not left far behind. I have consider to be far more beneficial to often heard it remarked, that the views the true interests of our country and the of Buonaparte completely identified him world, to pass by without any illumination, with the legitimate and hereditary sove- or other more rational mode of expressing e gns of the day. He was as fond of their joy, I, who am sorry for the omisgoverning imperiously, as careless of the sion, have considered what it would have rights and welfare of his subjects, and cost me to illuminate on that occasion, the rights of his neighbours, as if his an- and determined to devote that sum as far cestors had sat for centuries on thrones, as it will go, to the purchase of your and the sceptre had descended to him valuable Register. By so doing, I shall from some ancient robber, instead of h-materially gratify myself, pay the debt of ving been forcibly grasped by the ruderatitude to those principles, whose aim hands of a modern one. And it seems it has always been to bring about that PUBLIC REJOICING. No. 1.---Copy of a Letter from Messrs. Adams, Bayard, Clay, Russell, and Gallatin, to the Secretary of State, dated Ghent, Oct. 95, 1814. SIR,We have the honour of transmitting here with, copies of all our correspondence with the British Plenipotentiaries, since the departure of Mr. Dallas. Although the negociation has not ter Government had so peremptorily prescribed at that time, have been apparently abandoned, and that the sine qua non then required as a preliminary to all discussion upon other topics, has been reduced to an article securing merely an Indian pacification, which we have agreed to accept, subject to the ratification or rej ction of our Government. But you will perceive that our request for the exchange of a projet of a Treaty has been eluded, and that in their last note, the British Plenipotentiaries have advanced a demand not only new and inadmissible, but totally incompatible with their uniform previous declarations, that Great Britain had no view in this negociation to any acquisition of temitory. It will be perceived that this new peace, and as far as humble efforts go, to contribute to their spread and encouragement. I shall also shew my admiration of the writer, whom I consider to be the only one I know, that has set the matter of America in its true light; and whom I respect, (as far as I know, which is only by his Register, as a sound patriot, clear writer, and an honest man. If you were to publish this in your Register, perhaps minated so abruptly as we expected at that period it might induce others to do the same, or that it would, we have no reason to retract the opisomething like it; and it is an opportunity nion which we then expressed, that no hopes of for the friends of freedom, to encourage peace as likely to result from it, could be enterher cause, without any extra expence toained. It is true, that the terms which the British themselves. For few, or none, of the friends of peace, I presume, (save those who abstain from principle,) would have declined to light up, if it had been generally the case. I speak more particularly to the inhabitants of towns. Those in the country, who would have spent money on the occasion, in other ways, but did not, because they had not the opportunity, may also adopt the same plan. I embrace this occasion, Sir, to thank you for your past efforts, for your country's good. Go on, I entreat you, in the useful work you have so long, and so admirably conducted. The time is coming, I hope, when your labours will be justly appreciated, and produce good fruit, War having ceased, corruption has lost half its food. The necessity of strict economy, and the ill effects of extravagant expenditure, and the chimerical ideas we have entertained, will occasion reflection, and that must shew us the true causes of the mischief, and dispose the whole community to admire, and imitate those principles which would have prevented it; and to follow which affords now the best chance of restoration to that happy state we were once in. Heartily wishing this consummation, I am your admiter and well-been, to keep the alternative of peace or a protracted wisher, W. W. STATE PAPERS, pretension was brought forward immediately after the accounts had been received that a British force had taken possession of all that part of the State of Massachusetts, situate East of Penobscot river. The British Plenipotentiaries have invariably referred to their Government every note received from us, and waited the return of their messenger beloe they have transmitted to us their answer; and the whole tenor of the correspondence, as well as the manner in which it has been conducted on the part of the British Government, have concurred to convince as, that their object has been delay; their motives for this policy we presume to have war in their own hands, until a general arrangement of European affairs should be accomplished at the Congress of Vienna, and until they could avail themselves of the advantages, which they have anticipated from the success of their arms, during Message to the Senate and House of Re-the present campaign in America. Although the presentatives of the United States. Sovereigns who had determined to be present at the Congress of Vienna have been already several weeks assembled there, it does not appear by the last advices from that place that the Congress has been formally opened. On the contrary, by a declaration from the Plenipotentiaries of the Powrs, who were parties to the peace of Paris of 30ta May last, the opening of the Congress appears to have been postponed to the first of November. vernment of the United States, a more satisfactory proof of the conciliatory spirit of his Majesty's Goverrument cannot be given, than by not requiring any stipulation on those subjects, which, though most important in themselves, no longer, in conse produce the same practical results. On the subject of the Fisheries, the undersigned expressed with so much frankness, at the conference already referred to, the views of their Government, that they consider any further observations on that topic as unnecessary at the present time. On the question of the boundary between the dominions of his Majesty and those of the United States, the under A memorial is said to have been presented by the French Ambassador Talleyrand, in which it is declared, that France having returned to her boundaries in 1792, can tecognize none of the aggrandisements of the other great Powers of Europe since that period, although not intending to opposequence of the maritime pacification of Europe, them by war. These circumstances indicate that the new basis for the political system of Europe, will not be so speedily settled as had been expected, The principle thus assumed by France is very extensive in its effects, and opens a field for negociation much wider than had been anticipated. We think it does not promise an aspect of immediate tranquillity to this Contincnt, and that it will disconcert particularly the measures which Great Bri-signed are led to expect from the discussion which tain has been taking with regard to the future destination of this country, among others, and to which she has attached apparently much importance. We have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your very humble servants, Jous QUINCY ADAMS, J. A. BAYARD, H. CLAY, JONA. RUSSELL, ALBERT GALLATIN. this subject has already undergone, that the North Western boundary, from the Lake of the Woods to the Mississipip (the intended arrangement of 1803) will be admitted without objection. In regard to other boundaries, the American Plenipotentiaries, in their note of August 24, appeared in some measure, to object to the propositions then made by the undersigned, as not being on the basis of No. IX.-NOTE from the British to the American uti possidetis. The undersigned are willing to Ministers.-October 21, 1814. treat on that basis, subject to such modification as mutual convenience may be found to require; and they trust that the American Plenipotentiaries will shew, by their ready acceptance of this basis, that they duly appreciate the moderation of his Majesty's Government in so far consulting the honor and fair pretensions of the United States, as in the relative situation of the two countries, to authorise such a proposition. The undersigned avail themselves of this opportunity to renew to the American Plenipotentiaries the assurance of their high cons sideration. (Signed) GAMBIER, HENRY GOULA BORN, WILLIAM ADAM. No. X.--NOTE from the American to the British Ministers.---Oct. 24, 1814. The undersigned have had the honour of receiving the note of the American Plenipotentiaries, of the 13th instant, communicating the acceptance of their article, which the undersigned had prepared on the subject of the pacification and rights of the Indian Nations. The undersigned are happy in being thus relieved from the necessity of recurring to several topics, which though they arose in the course of their discussions, have only an incidental connection with the differences remaining to be adjusted between the two countries. With a view to this adjustment, the undersigned preferring, in the present state of the negotiation, a general statement to the formal arrangement of articles, are willing so far to comply with the request of the American Plenipotentiaries, contained in their last The undersigned have the honour to acknowledge note, as to waive the advantage to which they think the receipt of the Note of the British Plenipoten they were fairly entitled, of requiring from them tiaries of the 21st instant. Amongst the general the first projet of a treaty. The undersigned hav-observations which the undersigned, in their Note ving stated at the first conference the points, upon which his Majesty's Government considered the discussions between the two countries as likely to turn, cannot Fetter satisfy the request of the American Plex ipotentiaries than by reterring them to that conference for a statement of the points, which in the opinion of his Majesty's Government, yet remain to be adjusted. With respect to the forcible seizure of marines from on board merchant vessels on the high seas, and the right of the King of Great Britain to the allegiance of all his 21ative subjects, and with respect to the maritime rights of the British Empire, the undersigned conceive, that after the pretensions asserted by the Go of the 24th August, made on the propositions then brought forward on the part of the British Govern ment, they remarked that those propositions were founded neither on the basis of asti possidetis, nor on that of status ante bellum. But so far were they from suggesting the uti possidetis as the basis on which they were disposed to treat, that in the same Note they expressly stated, that they had been instructed to conclude a peace on the principle of both parties restoring whatever territory, they might have taken. The undersigned also declared, in that Nose, that they had no authority to cede any part of the territory of the United States, and that to no stipulation to that effect would they subs No. XII.---NOTE from the British to the American Ministers.-October 31, 1814. scribe; and in the Note of the 9th September, after | ceived. We have the honour to be, with perfect having shewn that the basis of uti possidetis, such respect, your obedient servants, JoHN QUINCY as it was known to exist at the commencement of ADAMS, J. A. BAYARD, H. CLAY, JONA. Ruse negociation, gave no claim to his Britannic SELL, A. GALLATIN. Majesty to cessions of territory founded upon the right of conquest; they added, that even if the chances of war should give to the British arms a momentary possession of other parts of the territory of the United States, such events would not alter their views with regard to the terms of peace to which they would give their consent. The undersigned can now only repeat those declarations, and decline treating upon the basis of uti possidetis, or upon any other principle involving a cession of any part of the territory of the United States. As they have uniformily stated, they can treat only upon the principles of a mutual restoration of whatever territory may have been taken by either party. From this principle they cannot recede; and the undersigned, after the repeated declarations of the British Plenipotentiaries, that Great Britain had no view to acquisition of territory in this negociation, deem it necessary to add, that the utility of its cominuance depends, on their adherence to this principle. The undersigned having declared in 21st of August, that their Note of the to enter The undersigned have the honour to acknowledge American Plenipotentiaries on the 24th instant, in the receipt of the note addressed to them by the which they object to the basis of uti possidetis proposed by the undersigned, as that on which they are willing to treat in regard to part of the boundaries between the dominions of his Majesty and those ries in their note of the 13th instant, requested the of the United States. The American Plenipotentiaundersigned to communicate to them the projet of a treaty, embracing all the points insisted on by Great Britain, engaging on their part to deliver immediately after a contra projet as to all the the subjects deemed material by the United States, articles to which they might not agree, and as to ull and omitted in the projet of the undersigned. The undersigned were accordingly instructed to waive the question of etiquette, and the advantage which although instructed and prepared might result from receiving the first communication, into an amicable discussion of all the points, Plenipotentiaries, communicated in their notes of and confiding in the engagement of the American on which differences or uncertainty had existed, the 21st instant, all the points upon which they ars and which might hereafter tend to interrupt the harmony of the two countries, they would not make ries, have objected to one essential part of the po instructed to insist. The American Plenipotentia, the conclusion of the peace at all depend upon a successful result of the discussion; and having since jet thus communicated, but before the undersigned can enter into the discussion of this objection, they agreed to the preliminary article proposed by the British Government, had believed that the negotia- that, pursuant to their engagement, they will ddimust require from the American Plenipotentiaries tion, already su long protracted, could not be brought to an early conclusion otherwise than by the comver a contra-projet containing all their objections munication of a projet, embracing all the other ther with a statement of such further points as the. to the points submitted by the undersigned, togespecific propositions which Great Britain intended Government of the United States consider to be to offer. They repeat their request in that respect, material. The undersigned are authorised to state and will have no objection to a simultaneous exchange of the projets of both parties. This course distine ly, that the article as to the parification will bring fairly into discussion the other topics ed, they have brought forward their note of the and rights of the Indian nations having been acceptembraced in the last note of the British Plenipoten-1st instant, all the propositions they have to offer. taries, to which the undersigned have thought it vanecessary to advert at the present time. They have no further in demands to make, no other andersigned renew to the British Plenipotentiaries and they are empowered to sign a Treaty of Peace stipulations on which they are instructed to insist, the assurance of their high consideration. (Signed) forthwith in conformity with those stated in their Jon's QUINCY ADAMS, JAMES A. BAYARD, HENRY CLAY, JONATHAN RUSSELL, A. GALformer note. The undersigned trust, theretipre, that the American flenipotentiaries will no longer hesitate to bring forward, in form of articles or otherwise as they may prefer, those specific propoTreaty of Peace between the two countries. The sitions upon which they are empowered to sign a Sta---The detention of the Chauncey at Ostend, nity to renew to the Plenipotentiaries of the United undersigned avail themselves of the present opportu enables us to send the inclosed Note from the British Plenipotentiaries, which we have just re-(Signed) GAMBIER, H. Goulzurn, W., Á ÞAṀ States the assurance of their high consideration. 1 LATIN, The No. XI-Copy of a Letter from the American Ghent, October 31, 1814. Capt. Blakeley's official Account. Copy of a Letter from JOHNSON BLAKELLY, Esq. 4 felt myself compelled to forego the satisfaction of destroying the prize. Our braces having been cut away, we kept off the wind until others could be rove, and with the expectation of drawing the second big from his companions, but in the last we were disappointed. The second brig continued to approach us until she came close to our stern, when' she hauled by the wind, fired her broadside, which eut our rigging and sails considerably, and, shot away a lower main cross tree, and retraced her steps to join her censort, when we were necessi:ated to abandon the prize; he appeared in every respect a total wreck. He continued for some time firing guns of distress, until probably delivered by the two last vessels who made their appearance. The second brig could have engaged us if he bad thought proper, as he neared us fast, but contented himseif with firing a broadside, and immediately returned to his companions. SIR,---After a protracted and tedious stay at L'Orient, I had at last the pleasure of leaving that place on Saturday the 27th August. On the 30th captured the British brig Lettice, Henry Cockbain, master, and 31st August the British brig Bon Accord, Adam Purny, master. In the morning of the 1st September discovered a convoy of ten sail to leeward, in charge of the Armada, 74, and a bomb ship; stood for them, and succeeded in cutting out the British brig Mary, John D. Allen, mas ter, laden with brass cannon taken from the Spa ariards, iron cannon and military stores, from Gibral-Ir is with real satisfaction I have again the pleasure tar to England, renoved the prisoners, set her on fire, and endeavoured to capture another of the couvoy, but was chased off by the Armada. On The evening of the same day, at half-past six, while going free, discovered four vessels nearly at the same time, two on the starboard, and two on the larboard bowhauled up for the one most on the starboard bow, befarthest to windward. At seven the chace (a brig) commenced making signals with flags, which could not be distinguished for want of light, and soon after made various ones with lanterns, rockets and guns. At 26 minutes atler nine, having the chace under our lee bow, the 12 pound carronade was directed to be fired into him, which he returned; ran under his lee to prevent his escaping, and at nine minutes after nine commenced the action. At 10 o'clock believing the enemy to be silenced, orders were given to cease firing, when I hailed and asked if he had surrendered. No answer being given to this and gis fire having recommenced, it was again returned. At 12 minutes after 10, the enemy having suffered greatly and having made no return. to our two last broadsides, 1 hailed him the second time, to know if he had surrendered, when he answered in the affirmative. The guns were then ordered to be secured, and the boat lowered to take possession, In the act of lowering the boat a second brig was discovered a little distance aestern and standing for 18. Sept the crew to their quarters, prepared every thing for another action, and awaited his coming up; at 36 minutes after 10, discovered two moje sail a-stern standing towards us. I now of bearing testimony to the merits of Lieutenant Reilly, Tillinghurst, Baury, and sailing-master Carr: and to the good conduct of every officer and man on board the Wasp. Their divisions and departments were attended and supplied with the utmost regularity and abundance, which, with the good order maintained, together with the vivacity and precision of their fire, reflects on them the greatest credit. Our loss is two killed and one slightly wounded with a wad.. The hull received four round shot, and the foremast many grape shot, Qur rig ging and sails suffered a great deal. Evety damage was repaired the day after, with the exception of our sails. Of the vessel with whom we were engaged, nothing positive can be said, with regard to her name or force, While hailing him previous to his being fired into, it was blowing fresh (and then going ten knots) and the name was not distinctly understood. Of her force, the four shot which struck us are all thirty-two lbs, in weight, being a pound and three quarters heavier than any we had belonging to our vessel, From this circumstance, the number of men in her tops, her general appear ance and great length, she is believed to one of the largest brigs in the British navy.-I have the honour, &c. &c. J. BLAKELEY. P. S. I am told the enemy, after his surrender, asked for assistance, and said he was sinking. The probability of this is confirmed by his firing signals guns for some time after his capture. The action took place in lat. 47. 30. N. long. 11 W. Printed and Published by G. 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