Account of the official value of exports from Great || from his house, they discovered a large black snake Britain in each year from 1792, to 1809, inclusive. which they killed. James Barker then stripped 1792 Jan. 5, 1.24,000,000 | 1801 Jan. 6, 1.37.000,000 some bark from a tree; tied it around its neck,

1793

19,000,000 1802

41,000,000 and then with his father proceeded home to dinner, 31,000,000 dragging the snake after him-on arriving at the 34,000,000 house, they left the snake near the door, and re$6,900,000 tired to dinner; when they returned to the snake, 34,000,000 they observed another snake lying by its side, (pro34.000,000 bably its mate,) which they killed. This latter 50,000,009 snake had followed the track of the other, and crossed on a board or in the water a creek nearly a rod wide. One measured 6 feet, the other 5 feet 9 inches. Catskill Recorder.

The following is a statement of the amount of Manufactures, and of Foreign and Colonial Mer chandise, exported to all parts of the world from Great Britain, in the last ten years. The year ending

1819, Jan. 5th,

56,000,000

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. Tuesday week the anniversary meeting of this society was held at Freemason's Hall. There were two thousand persons present. At 12 o'clock, the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth took the chair, when the report wos read. It detailed the progress of the bible societies in the different countries on the continent and in the Indies, &c. stated the number of bibles issued at cost and reduced prices, from the 31st March, 1818, to the same period in 1819, was 123,247 bibles, and 136,784 testaments making in the whole 260,031 copies, being an increase be yond the issues of the preceding year of 65,930 bibles and testaments; making, with those issued at the expense of the society, from various presses upon the continent, a total of more than two million three thousand. Professor Kieffier from Paris, presented himself to the meeting, and, through the medium of an able address, which was read by the Rev. D Wilson, informed the meeting, that the go vernment of France, had promised their utmost support to the bible societies in that country. It is then stated, that 9000 copies of the new testament, printed in the Turkish language, from the royal press of Irance, had been sent to Turkey. Loud applause. Three of these testaments, which were exceedingly well printed and bound, and bearing|| the Royal Arms of France, were then presented to the meeting by the professor who aided by the advice of Baron Sylvestre de Sacy, had inspected the edition. The Duke of Gloucester then moved the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman, who made a suitable reply: The meeting shortly after broke up.

Singular facts in Natural History --A correspond ent at Cairo, under date of May 28, requests us to insert the following:

On Friday last, as Mr. John Barker and son, of tis town, were in the woods about half a mile

SYRACUSE of the four cities that composed the ancient Syracuse, there remains only Ortigia, by much the smallest, situated in the island of that naine. It is about two miles round, and supposed to contain about 14000 inhabitants. The ruins of the other three, Tycha, Acradina, and Neopoli are computed at twenty-two miles in circumference, but almost the whole of this space is now converted into rich vineyards, orchards and cornfields The walls of these are indeed every where built with broken marbles full of engravings and inscriptions, but most of them defaced and spoiled. The principal remains of antiquity, are a theatre and amphi-theatre; many sepulchres, the Latomie, the Catacombs and the famous Ear of Dionysius, which it was impossible to destroy. The Latomie now makes a noble subter. Paneous garden and is indeed one of the most beauiful, romantic spots I ever behield. Most of it is about 100 feet below the level of the earth, and of an incredible extent. The whole is hewn out of a rock as hard as marble, composed of a concretion of shells, gravel, and other bodies. The bottom of this immense quarry, from whence probably the great. est part of Syracuse was built, is now covered with an exceedingly rich soil; and as no wind, from any point of the compass can touch it, it is filled with a great variety of the finest shrubs and fruit trees, which bear with vast luxuriance, and are never blasted.-The oranges, citrons, bergamots, pomegran ates, figs, &c. are all of a remarkable size and fine quality. Some of these trees, but more particularly the olives, grow out of the hard rock, where there is no visible soil, and exhibit a very uncommon and pleasing appearance.

There is a variety of wild and romantic scenes in this curious garden, in the midst of which we were surprised by the appearance of a figure under one of the caverns, that added greatly to the dignity and solemnity of the place-it was that of an aged man, with a long, flowing white beard that reached down to his middle. His old wrinkled face and scanty grey locks pronounced him a member of some former age as well as of this. His hands, which were struck by the palsy, held a sort of pilgrim-staff, and about his neck there was a string of large beads, with a crucifix hanging to the end Had it not been for these marks of his later existence, I don't know but I should have asked him, whether in his youth he had not been acquainted with Theocritus and Archimedes, and if he did not remember the reign of Dionysius the tyrant. But he saved us the trouand belonged to a convent of Capuchins, on the ble, by telling us he was the hermit of the place, rock above, that he had now bid adieu to the upper world and was determined to spend the rest of his life in this solitude in prayer for the wretched mortals that inhabit it.

LEGISLATURE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE

To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives." GENTLEMEN-I herewith transmit to you certain documents which I have received since the last session of the legislature.

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, contain the letter and remarks of the third auditor of the treasury department of the United States, upon the claims of this state, for military services and moneys expended during the late war, and copies of my letters to him

In retiring from this important and respon sible office, permit, ine to state the principles, and course of conduct I have adopted and pursued during my administration.

As I considered it my duty, I have at the commencement of each session of the legislature, respectfully, but explicitly, recommended such subjects for their consideration as appeared to me best calculated to promote the happiness of the people-the end and object for which our government was establishcd States and nations are secure and prosperous, in proportion as the people are easy Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9 contain letters from the and contented with their situation; and the governors of the Vermont, New-York, Ohio more they are relieved from taxes and burand Mississippi, enclosing resolves of the le-thens the more firmly they will be attached gislatures of those states, upon the subject of amendments to the constitution of the United

States.

No. 10 is the adjutant general's return of the militia of this state.

Since the last session I have received a large box containing copies of the laws of the first session of the fifteenth congress of the United States; and also copies of the laws of the second session of that congress. Those laws are deposited in the secretary's office, subject to your order.

to the laws and institutious of their country. I have therefore ever felt a thorough conviction of the vital importance of frugality and economy in the management of public officers. The history of the world shews, that the growth of profusion and extravagance in governments, has generally far exceeded the increase of the population and wealth of the people. it will be well for us, if this be not one of the serious evils which, as a nation, we have much cause to deprecate.

On the first day of June, 1816, the state In pursuance of a request from the legis-was indebted to several banks in the sum of lature to appoint a suitable person to obtain $35,000 00, on interest; and there was then information upon the subject of internal im- in the treasury $11,524 88. Since that peprovement, and to designate such objects in riod those debts have all been paid, and there this state as were most entitled to public pa- is now in the treasury more than $10,000 00. tronage, I appointed Ichabod Bartlett, esq. Within the last three years we have received for that purpose. He accepted the trust, and from the United States, on account of our made an able and judicious report upon the claims for military services and expenditures subject; which I have transmitted, with the in the late war, $58,000 00. And in the documents accompanying it to the secretary same time we have paid, beside the ordinary of the treasury of the United States. For expenses of government, the following sums: $60.282 49 these services you will, I presume, make Mr. For building the state house, Bartlett a suitable compensation. No. 11 is Military services, &c. in the late war, Loan to Dartmouth Univerity, a copy of his report. Printing military books, Encouragement to agriculture,

4,621 48 4.000 00

S 000 00 1,000 00

$72,903 95

Agreeable to the vote of the legislature, 1 authorized the commissary general to remove and sell the piers sunk in the harbor of Portsmouth. He has executed that trust, and paid The constitution requires the governor to me the net proceeds of the sale; which are approve the bills and resolves passed by the carried to the credit of the state in my ac- two houses, or return them with his objections. count of contingent expenditures As I possessed no authority to propose amendMy account for defraying the contingentments, if the principle of the bill appeared to expenses of the government for the last year is balanced, and lodged with the vouchers in the secretary's office.

be correct, and was expressed in definite terms, though its details were imperfect, I have considered myself bound to approve it. With this limitation I have exercised freely the right to return bills and resolves with my

The ill state of my health, and a respect to the principle of rotation in office, induced me early in the last session, to decline a re-objections. Of eight bills and six resolves so clection. And it is with pleasure that i now congratulate the state, upon the prospect of the office of chief magistrate being conferred upon a gentleman of talents and integrity.

returned, some were unanimously rejected, others by large majorities, and not one of them had a majority of the two houses in its favor. Though this course left each of the

some men whom I considered well qualified, declined office. To increase these embar rassments, a difference of opinion, in a few instances, existed between myself and a majority of the council, respecting the qualifications of certain individuals for office. When this happened, as it was necessary to fill the vacancy, if the council declined to agree with me, I thought myself bound to consent to their nomination. In such cases I was con

three branches of the legislature to act upon its own responsibility, yet to disapprove of what a majority of the other two branches deemed expedient, was to me an unpleasant but necesary task. I was the more induced to exercise this right, from observing the ill effects which have arisen from the disuse of that power in a foreign government; where, since its executive has ceased to exercise its veto, its indirect influence has acquired an undue and irresponsible control over the le-sidered by the people responsible for appointgislature. ments which I should not otherwise have made.

During the time I was in office, an unusual number of appointments were to be made, including all the judges of the courts of law, those of probate excepted; the sheriffs of four counties, most of the justices of peace, and nearly all the militia officers of the

state.

As offices are created for the benefit of the

people and not for the honor and emolument of the officers, and as their unnecessary increase has a tendency to impair the responsi bility of the officer, and render the office less respectable, it has been my object not to increase the number of justices of peace beyond the limits which the public interest required.

In making the appointments of the various officers, which the constitution and laws vest in the executive, I have been frequently embarrassed and perplexed. The greatest imperfection in all goverments, arises from not having men of virtue and talents to carry the laws into execution. Laws founded in wisdom and justice require men of knowledge and integrity for their correct and impartial In appointing judges, it was my sole object administration. From the nature of human to select men of talents, of legal information, affairs, there must be a portion of discretion of strict integrity, and such as i deemed best vested in executive officers; and this discre- qualified for those important trusts. And tionary power will often be abused, by weak with a view to exclude, as far as practicable, men from ignorance, and by bad men from the spirit of party from the temples of jusdesign. Hence my object was to appoint tice, and to inspire a general confidence in those men to office who were best qualified. the courts of law, in which every citizen has To make such a selection was difficult. Ia deep interest, I appointed men of different was not in all cases, acquainted with the per-political principles. sons best qualified for places of trust; and therefore, in some instances, was obliged to act upon the information of others. That information, in general, consisted not of facts, but of opinions, and those often formed under the influence of interested motives; the partiality of friendship, personal hostility, slight acquaintance, or the spirit of party; and of course they often proved incorrect. Recommendations and petitions in favor of candi- As some towns appeared to have a greater dates for particular offices have frequently number of justices than was either necessabeen made; but in many instances it after-ry or useful, soon after I came into office I wards appeared, that those who subscribed the declined renewing some of their commissions, recommendations did not consider themselves but reflection and experience convinced me responsible for the character and conduct of that this course would be injurious, as comthose whom they recommended. Indeed, in- missions of some of the justices, who were stances have occurred when those who re- best qaalified, expired first, and if not renewcommended the successful candidates, have ed, the community would be deprived of their been the first to join the disappointed expect- services. On maturely considering the subants, in censuring the execution for making|ject, I came to the resolution to renew the such appointments. The candidates for of commissions of all justices whose term expir fice themselves, in too many instances, not sa-ed, except those who by infirmity of age w tisfied with PROCURING recommendations, have personally importuned for office; but I have found that office-seekers were not always the best qualified-that they were usually more anxious for the honors and emoluments of office than to promo e the interest of the public-and that men of modest unassuming cerit ought to be preferred. To my regret

mental derangement, were incapable of performing the duties of the office; those whoe couraged and promoted litigation; were i temperate or guilty of gross immortality sheriffs, and recently their deputies; person who had removed into a town in which there were before a sufficient number; and, the the certificates of whose oaths of office ha

not during the preceding five years been returned to the secretary's office.

the people to the expense of new meetings to elect another, and the state to the charge The constitution seeems to imply that if of an extra session of the legislature to rethe judges of the superior court were justi-ceive and count the votes. On that account, ces of the peace, they should be throughout and, as far as I was able, to preserve the indethe state, and I accordingly appointed them pendence of the council, I have uniformly desuch. But during the last three years I de-clined appointing a councillor to any office clined appointing any others of that grade, which, if accepted, would have excluded him except the chief justices of the courts of com- from the board. mon pleas, and renewing those whose commissions expired: because I could discover but little duty for them to perform, and the number already in office was sufficient for that purpose.

Upon the subject of granting pardons to persons convicted of public offences, I never considered myself at liberty to revise, or question the propriety of the opinion of the court which rendered the judgment. The In the appointment of new justices of the courts of law, are the only tribunals compepeace, I made it a rule not to appoint in any tent to pronounce upon the innocence or guilt. town more than one to three hundred inhabi- of the accused; and their decision ought to tants, except where peculiar circumstances be conclusive. As our currency consists rendered it necessary. Though this rule principally of paper bills-as much of our leaves the number greater than what is requi-property depends upon the validity of writsite, I considered that reform, to be perinanent, must be gradual: I was therefore content with diminishing an evil which I could not wholly remove. On the first of June, 1816, the number of justices of the peace in the state was nine hundred and eighty-four; it is now reduced to eight hundred and three.

In relation to military appointments, the constitution having vested the right in the field officers of each regiment to nominate their captains and subalterns, and made it the dnty of the governor to commission those whom they nominate; I considered myself bound, as soon as I ascertained that a vacancy existed, to issue commissions agreeably to such nominations, and that without making any enquiry into the qualifications of those who were nominated. It is a subject of regret that the field officers do not make their selection of subalterns with greater caution, and that they nominate so many minors to office.

ten instruments-and as forgery is a crime which necessarily includes much turpitude of heart, and is attended with serious evils to society, I have uniformly declined pardoning any of that class of offenders. I have granted pardons but in a few cases; and those only to convicts who were insane, or approached a state of idiocy; and to those who being imprisoned for theft, were before their term had expired visited with sickness, which, for want of free air and better accommodations, it appeared probable, would terminate in death-a punishment which the law did not intend to inflict.

I

By the law of the 27th June last, the concerns of the state prison were committed to the governor and council; and provision made that they should have a suitable compensation for those additional services. In relation to myself, I request that you would make no grant to me on that account. am satisfied with the reward I have received-it is adequate to the services I have rendered. I never accepted office for the sake of its emoluments. The great object of my official labors, has been to promote the interest and prosperity of the state, not those of any religious sect or political party. I have, whenever they came in collision, preferred the public to my private interest; and been more anxious to serve than to please the people. But how far my efforts have succeeded, it is for others to decide. I am satisfied with the honors of office, As the constitution excludes a person hold- without being disgusted with its duties; and ing the office of judge, attorney general, or having rendered this accouut of my admisheriff, from a seat in the council, there ap-nistration, I retire to private life, to share peared to me an impropriety in appointing in common with my fellow-citizens the efcouncillors to either of those offices. Such feets, prosperous or adverse, of my official an appointment would deprive the state of a WM. PLUMER. member of the executive board, or subject

As to field officers, I have, with very few exceptions, appointed them according to seniority of rank. I adopted this course, not from a want of authority to pursue a different one, but from the impracticability of obtaining correct information who possessed the qualifications requisite for officers of that grade. But in appointing general officers, they being few in number, I have departed from this rule, and selected men more on account of their merit than their rank.

measures.

June 2, 1819.

THE ONTARIO'S CRUIZE.
FROM THE WINCHESTER GAZETTE OF JUNE 5.

We are indebted to a gentleman of this place for permission to lay before our readers a copy of the following letter received by him from an officer, on board the U. S. ship Ontario, a native of this place. This letter will, we doubt not be read with interest by every one: it is replete with good sense, and evinces that the writer, who left this place an inexperienced youth a few years ago, has made good use of his time. His example is worthy of

imitation.

Copy of a letter from an officer on board the U. S. ship Ontario, to his friend in this place, dated

U. S. ship Ontario, Annapoüs, Abril 25 Once more, my dear sir, I have safely returned to "the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

was not so cold as we had expected to find it, even at that season, in so high a fatitude as 60 degrees south-the mercury stood at from 40 to 46 degrees of Farenheit's Thermometer. After buffeting the storms for fifty-five days, during which we lost one man overboard, and carried away some of our light as we cast anchor in the Bay of Valparaiso, (Chili.)

Valparaiso is a small, ill-contrived, dirty town, stuck against the side of a red clay hill that scarce affords herbage for a goat. The houses are gener ally very small, meanly built, with brick floors and tile roofs. Its population is from four to five thousand souls. They are very easy in their manners, and hospitable to strangers. After a stay there of six weeks we sailed for Lima, (Peru) where we ar rived in twelve days-we gave the vice king of Peru the first information of the defeat of his army, of Maypo; which so humbled the haughty Castillan, that he not only received us with a degree of resNineteen months have rapidly passed away since pect which he is not in the habit of paying foreign. I took leave of my dear country for a cruize in theers, but at the request of Capt. B. he gave us an orPacific Ocean. When I look back, it appears as butder addressed to the commodore of his squadron, off a day-yet during that DAY I have sailed in all my Valparaiso, to permit all the American merchant zigzag rambles over nearly fifty thousand miles of vessels then in that port to proceed to sea without old Neptune's empire. The many strange places I interruption. This very important order rendered have seen and the great variety of interesting ob-it necessary for the Ontario to return immediately jects presented to the eye, may in some degree ac count for the apparent rapidity of Old Time's flight; but it is nevertheless a mélancholy truth, that as our years increase in number, they seem greatly to decrease in length.

to Valparsiso, as there were five valuable vessels then preparing to sail for China. Capt. B. consented to take on board a commissioner from the vice king, to negociate with the Chili government for an exchange of prisoners, and to act himself in the I wished very much for an opportunity to write capacity of mediator On our return to Valparai you from the Pacific, but met with none that pre-so, I had the pleasure to accompany those gentlesented a reasonable prospect of your ever getting men to Santiago, (the capitol, about one hundred the letter-I could there have given you much in-miles in the interior.) On our arrival in the su teresting news, if you feel, as I presume every A-burbs we were met by an officer of distinction at merican does, interested in the great cause now pending in South America.

the head of a corps of dragoons, which paid Capt. B. military honors and escorted us to quarters that had been prepared for Capt. B. and most splendidly fitted out by order of the supreme director-during our stay there our table was every day supplied in

The period of our arrival in Chili was, perhaps, the most eventful one in the history of that country, since the conquest-but as you have long since been inade acquainted, through the medium of newspa-the most sumptuous manner; the richest wines, pers, with the important occurrences of that day, I shall not here trouble you with a repetition of them, but, pursuing the intention with which I sat down, shall proceed to give you a sketch of the movements of the Ontario, during her absence from the United States-In doing so I shall make, principally, plain extracts from my Journal-and avoid as much as possible entering into particulars, which would perhaps tire more than amuse you. I must here, however, observe, that should you feel no relish for the dry remarks of a sailor's journal, the papers are in your hands and may easily be || committed to the flames.

fruits, and delicacies, of every description, were crowded upon it, in the greatest profusion-in short every respect and attention was paid us, and we were suffered to be at no expense whatever. In consideration, I suppose, of this, the servants, who were also government property, felt themselves at liberty to purloin every thing they could lay their hands on, and they certainly availed themselves of every opportunity to exercise that right-one of the soldiers of the guard of honor that escorted us back to the port, stole my sword, epaulette, and chapeau de bras, which had been given him to

carry.

The first port we put into was Rio Janeiro, (BraSantiago is a handsome, regular and well built cizil) where we spent but ten days refitting, &c. &c. ty-has from 30 to 40,000 inhabitants: it has severThence directed our course towards Cape Horn-al very rich churches, and some other elegant pub we passed that dreadful point of Terrors, about the lic buildings, particularly a mint, which, I think, is 1st Jan. 1819. I have never been in a clime so boisnot surpassed, if equalled by any building on the terous and disagreeable as that about the Cape-whole continent of America; it is 480 feet in front, rains and storms prevail almost incessantly; the sea rolling in mountain waves; your trembling bark one moment soars among the clouds, and the next sinks swiftly between the foaming billows as if never to rise again.

two stories high, and every way large in due propor tion, and is built of a very fine white free stone.We spent six days in the city-uo arrangement for exchange of prisoners could be agreed on. On our return to the port we immediately put to sea for It was midsummer when we passed it, and conse-the river Columbia, (N. W. coast) touched at Lima quently we had almost continual day-light-the sun to 1nd the Spanish Commissioner. On the 19th making but a small sweep below the horizon, where Angust we anchored off the entrance of that river. he remained only five hours and a half, leaving us a The bar being too intricate and dangerous for a ves twilight, which, had the weather been clear, would sel of the Ontario's draft of water to pass in, we have been equal to the full moon. The weathermanned three boats with fifty well armed seamen