by the riflemen; and the second line will advance this? The sums due, every person may remit by by the heads of platoons, pass the intervals, and mail, if he pleases. That no excuse may remain, we form the line; call in the light troops, and renew guarantee the safety of the mail; and, if gentlemen the action. But the general may find it proper to choose to tax us with it, we are willing to pay the bring up the second line on one or both flanks, to postage-any thing that is honest to relieve us from. charge in columns, or perform a variety of mancu- the burthen of their bills. The many distinguished vres which it would be impossible to foresee. But gentlemen and positive patrons of the REGISTER as a general rule, whatever may be the directions of in all parts of the United States, will regret, but. line at the commencement of the action, the corps cannot censure these remarks; and the editor enwill form as before directed. If they then advance treats, if the work has any merit, that they will in line, it may be in parallel eschelons of platoons, take to themselves the sole credit of sustaining it. or otherwise, as the ground or circumstances may

No man will load until ordered, except the light Proceedings of Congress. troops in front, until within a short distance of the On Monday the House of Representatives was enemy, and then charge bayonets; thus letting the chiefly employed in a desultory discussion respectenemy see that we can meet them in their own weaping stenographers; occasioned by the petition of ons. Any man firing or quitting his post without person employed to take notes for the "Federal Re orders, must be put to instant death, as an exam- publican," who stated that he had been refused a ple may be necessary. Platoon officers will pay the place by the speaker. Much exertion was made to greatest attention to the coolness and aim of their give importance to this matter, some warmth excitmen in the fire; their regularity and dressing in the ed, and a good deal of talk was had. Mr. Grosvenor, charge. Courage and bravery in the field, do not who brought forward the petition, wished it referred more distinguish the soldier than humanity after to a select committee. Mr. Wright opposed, because victory; and whatever examples the savage allies the affair rested with the speaker. Mr. Grundy of our enemies may have given us, the general con- thought it best to examine if there were room for fidently hopes that the blood of an unresisting or another stenographer, and was for an immediate deyielding enemy will never stain the weapons of the cision of the matter. Mr. Grosvenor wished that the soldiers of his column. speaker might have an opportunity of explaining the The unoffending citizens of Canada are many of reasons for his decision. Mr. Troup said the petition them our own countrymen, and the poor Canadians was calculated to convey an imputation on the jus have been forced into the war. Their property tice of the speaker, and he wished it referred to a therefore must be held sacred, and any soldier who committee of the whole. Mr. Wright was opposed shall so far neglect the honor of his profession, as to to any reference at all. The right of admission bebe guilty of plundering the inhabitants, shall, if longed to the speaker, and he had exercised it proconvicted, be punished with death. But the com- perly. Every reporter that chose to apply could not manding general assures the troops, that should be admitted; and if any were excluded, the stenothey capture a large quantity of public stores, he grapher for that paper ought to be; the character will use his best endeavours to procure them a re- of which he reprobated with his usual warmth. Mr. ward from his government. Grosvenor thought the petition respectful, and pre-1 This order shall be read at the head of each corps, sumed that party considerations should have no and every field officer shall carry a copy, in order weight in deciding upon it. Mr. Hanson (one of the that he may at any moment refer to it; and give ex-editors of the Federal Republican) spoke at length planations to his subordinates. on the subject, and inveighed against all attempts

All those found in arms in the enemy's country, to exclude stenographers. He said that only one of shall be treated as enemies; but those who are the four reporters admitted was a federalist, and peaceably following the pursuits of their various pronounced the charge made by Cobbett (and alludavocations, friends-and their property respected. By order of brigadier-general, Z. M. PIKE. CHARLES G. JONES, Assistant aid-de-camp.

ed to by Mr. Wright) that the Federal Republican was in British pay, to be a calumny. Mr. Wright" rose again, and expressed his opinion unequivocally that that paper was in British pay. He was called to order by the speaker. Mr. Hanson replied, and said the accusation was not true The petition was then re-" A paper lately conducted with much applica-ferred to a committee of the whole. And after sometion and considerable ability, has ceased-because time, the house being resolved into a committee of "nearly three-fourths of its patrons had withheld the the whole, Mr. Grosvenor offered a resolution which little pittance they severally bound themselves to went to request the speaker to assign a place to the pay." The editor of a spirited political journal, petitioner. Mr. Clay (the speaker) then said that lately established, grateful for his numerous sub-an air of consequence had been given to the subject scriptions, quaintly observes, "The is now that did not comport with the dignity of the house.

beyond the reach of its ENEMIES; but its FRIENDS may The petitioner had been excluded merely because easily ruin it," by inattention and neglect. The there was no place for him on the floor. In the new WEEKLY REGISTER has been published twenty-one arrangement of the seats of the members, but four Inonths, and there is due the establishment the enor-places had been assigned for stenographers, and those mous sum of from 10 to 12,000 dollars* With such had been granted by him according to senority. He a weight, I ask, how is it possible for a person to had as well refused the application of another repor pursue his way with that zealous activity the times ter, who was stated to be a republican, as that of demand of an editor placed as I am? Ill at ease the petitioner. He said that complaint had been himself, can a man be expected to administer to the frequently made on account of the reporters mingamusement of others? Cramped for his indispensa-ling with the members, which had occasioned an ble expenditures, whence is to come the liberality order for confining them to particular places. He that should mark a publication so much read as thought that a greater number than was already admitted would produce inconvenience; but, if the The yearly payment was due the first day of house thought differently, he hoped it would also March last. determine the place where additional reporters

Mr. Gholson moved its indefinitive postponement. Negatived. Before a final disposition was made of the resolution, the house adjourned.

should be stationed. Me. Webster was glad that the, the present subject would have taken the deflected speaker had treated the subject on the ground of course it has taken. He had not therefore paid much inconvenience only; and he thought the reasons as-attention to the discussion. His indisposition to signed were such as became the dignity of the chair; inculpate the speaker on the one hand, or to impair but hoped the petitioner might be admitted. Mr. the claim of the petitioner, or the minority on the Calhoun expressed himself pleased to observe that other, induced him to wish the subject to be postno disposition existed to inculpate the speaker. He poned for consideration. He moved that it lie on thought that another stenographer could not be ad- the table.-Negatived. mitted without inconvenience. But why so much sensibility on the subject? It was not a party ques tion; it was a matter of convenience. He reprobated the idea that reporters should mingle with the On Tuesday, after a multitude of observationsmembers, to overhear private conversation. He pro and cou, on an amendment to the resolution rethought the gallery a commodious place for them specting stenographers, proposed by Mr. Bibb, which Mr. Gaston then complimented the speaker for the was, "that the prayer of the petitioner ought not to be dignity with which he had treated the subject. He granted," it was so resolved-yeas 85, nays 75.hoped that the members might sacrifice a little of This decision appears to have taken place chiefly their convenience to accommodate the reporters. He on the ground, that, as the speaker had done right, said the sensibility of the minority [Mr. G. is a "fe- he ought not to be censured even in an indirect man deralist"] was natural, and hoped that the majority ner, as well as because that a greater number of would shew they had no disposition to overbear. stenographers could not be admitted without inMr. Gholson objected to the resolution, because it convenience. The members on both sides seem diswould give the petitioner privileges superior to those posed to consider the reporters as entitled to no enjoyed by the old reporters in the house; its adop-rights in the matter.

Several private petitions were received and referred.

tion would imply that he could hold his place on the [The editor of the REGISTER has taken the floor without the control of the speaker. Mr. Gros- trouble to make this abstract from a report of the venor said that such was not the design of the reso- proceedings, which fills several columns of a newslution. Mr. Roberts wished the resolution had been paper, chiefly to record what the representatives of general. Mr. Eppes was decidedly in favor of ad- the people are doing AT SUCH A TIME AS THIS, for sie mitting as many stenographers as could conveniently dollars a day.] be accommodated. The majority do not flinch from the publication of their proceedings. All they wished was that they might be fairly reported. He said the Mr. J. G. Jackson laid on the table the following speaker had decided properly in relation to the pe- as an additional rule of the house: titioner. The present boxes of the reporters were "An additional standing committee shall be apfilled. But he should not object to a general provi- pointed at the commencement of each session, viz: sion for the admission of a greater number. He A committee on the judiciary, to consist of seven therefore moved a resolution, which modified, at the members. It shall be the duty of the said commitsuggestion of Mr. Burwell,read as follows: "Resolved, tee to take into consideration all such petitions and That provision ought to be made for the accommo- matters or things touching judicial proceedings, as dation of additional stenographers." Mr. Grosve- shall be presented, or may come in question, and be nor accepted the resolution in lieu of his own. Mr. referred to them by the house, and to report their Seybert would vote for the admission of Mr. Rich- opinion thereupon, together with such propositions ards, solely because he was a federalist, that he relative thereto, as to them shall seem expedient. might not be accused of partiality. Mr. Macon ap- [The list of members of the 13th Congress, proved the resolution. He adverted to the exclusion must lay over for the next paper. Our readers are of Samuel Harrison Smith, who was a reporter in not only anxious to learn who, but what are the genfederal times, by the speaker, first from the floor tlemen; such is party feeling: which, at present, we and then from the gallery. He was glad to see the do not feel fully prepared to declare. We have takchange in gentlemen on the other side. A gentle- en means to ascertain the truth in doubtful cases.] man from Pennsylvania (Mr. Leib) now in the other branch of the legislature, was the first, some years ago, to move a resolution binding the speaker to admit reporters. Mr. Macon was in favor of admit- The editor of the REGISTER wishes it fairly unting as many as could be admitted; but he was for derstood, that he does not feel the character of this confining them strictly to their boxes; and if found work in any manner responsible for the verity of the out of them while the house were engaged, the ser- European news-articles noticed in the "Chronicle;" jeant at arms should order them out of the house the chief parts of which are very miserable garblings altogether. from the little rays of truth that the public are per

THE CHRONICLE.

The committee rose and reported the resolution. mitted to receive through London papers-whose Mr. Seybert moved to limit the additional number honesty may be estimated from the notice they have of reporters to two. Mr. Pitkin objected to the taken of our affairs; some of which have been relimitation, as no limitation was fixed by the rule of published in the REGISTER for that purpose. the house. Mr. Roberts spoke of the galleries as the The king of Prussia has joined Russia, and by an most fit place for the stenographers. He had un-jedict abolished the continental system.' The derstood that the reporters in Great Britain were al-French general Morand, with 3500 men has been tak lowed only to occupy the galleries of the house of en by the Russians at Luneburg. The Russian force commons, and were not allowed ink or pen. Mr. west of the Vistula is said to amount to 200,000 men; Bibb said that the exclusion of the petitioner in- the Prussian force is estimated at 70,000-and the fringed no right. The admission of stenographers (Swedish (which, we are told, will certainly act was a mere matter of indulgence, not of right. He against France) is supposed to amount to 50,000proposed a plan by which one reporter of each par in all 320,000. Besides these, great calculations ty should be admitted, and sworn in to report the are made on the risings of the people in the north proceedings and debates precisely as they occurred. of Germany; to which they are invited by a procla Mr. Ingersoll did not suppose this morning that mation of prince Kutusoff. It is positively said,

Extract of a letter, dated Sackett's Harbor, May 29. IN CONGRESS-On Wednesday no business done. "The British fleet, of five or six sail, were dis- The House adjourned at 12 o'clock. Thursday, seve covered off our harbor early yesterday morning. By ral petitions were presented and referred. Mr. Jack9 o'clock it was reduced to a certainty that it was son's proposition for the appointment of a standing their intention to land. Alarm guns were immediate-judicial committee, was agreed to. A report from ly fired, and every preparation made to give them a the treasuary was received. On motion of Mr. Nelson a warm reception. A light wind with some other a resolution was agreed to in favor of stenographers, causes prevented their landing until 4 o'clock, this which was referred to a committee. Details heremorning, when they effected it, with considerable after, if needful. Nothing of importance will be Foss. The action continued warm and general until done until the standing committees report.

試

No. 15 or VOL. IV.

BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1813.

Hec olim meminisse juvabit.-VIRGIL.

[WHOLE NO, 93.

Printed and published by H. NILES, South-st. next door to the Merchants' Coffee House, at § 5 per annum.

Legislature of Massachusetts.frankness

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and

frankness and to endeavor, as far as our limited influence extends, to promote, by temperate and constitutional means, an honorable reconciliation. By an unnecessary war, the deepest guilt is incured; and therefore every belligerent nation should enquire which of the contending parties is chargable with that guilt.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, The situation in which I am again placed imposes a duty upon me, by every exertion in my power, to When war was declared against Great Britain, our promote the interest and safety of my fellow-citizens; complaints were chiefly founded upon her orders in their approbation of my conduct the last year, is pe-council; and though they were revoked within four culiarly grateful, as it leads me to hope that my ser days after the declaration was published, it will be vices in the year to come will be considered with the useful to attend to them when we are considering same indulgence: without it, I feel my incompetence the necessity of that measure. In November, 1805, ht this difficult season, to discharge, in a satisfactory the French emperor issued his Berlin decree, demanner, the duties of the office which I have underclaring the British islands in a state of blockade, and taken.

In pursuance of the authority given by the resolve forbiding any trade or correspondence with them. To this succeeded the British orders in council, and passed at the last session of the general court, em- other French decrees, some of which are of a still powering the governor, with advice of council, to more exceptionable character. adopt certain defensive measures for the protection Although the decrees of Berlin and Milan and the of the towns and harbors in the commonwealth; three judicious persons, skilled in military affairs, orders in council, were injurious to neutral rights, were commissioned to carry into effect the intent would be uncandid to suppose that the direct obtions of the legislature, expressed in the resolve.ject of either nation was to injure the commerce of neutrals. The French decrees might be thought neThe secretary will deliver you a report of their processary by that government to effect the subjugaceedings under that commission. tion of Great Britain; and the orders in council

By a law of the United States, passed in April, 1808, the annual sum of two hundred thousand dol- were declared by the latter to be retaliatory mezlars was appropriated for the purpose of providing sures, adopted in consequence of the aggressions of arms for the militia of the United States, to be her enemy, and to be repealed when those aggressions ceased. In their arduous struggles they seem transmitted to the several states, in proportion to the number of the effective militia in each to have thought only of themselves; and while those state, and to be distributed under such regulations struggles continued we must have known that our as should be prescribed by the state legislatures. commercial intercourse with them would be exposed to numerous embarrassments; but we were conIn compliance with the request of the late general soled with the reflection that these would be councourt, in their resolve above mentioned, I applied terbalanced by the advantages we derived from the to the executive of the United States, and requested war in Europe. Indeed it is probable, if our gosuch supply of muskets as might be conveniently vernment had maintained a system of impartial neufurnished, and as might be considered the proportion to which this commonwealth was entitled. A trality, and had imposed no restrictions on trade, copy of the answer to this application, which I have that notwithstanding those decrees and orders, we received from the secretary of war, will also be laid might, by reason of our neutral character, have enjoyed a commerce more lucrative for the last seven before you. [See below.] As we are engaged in war with a nation of great years, than would have fallen to our share had the maritime strength, your attention will be directed whole world been at peace. In May 1810,, the congress directed that the nonin a particular manner to those parts of our extensive sea-coast where the people are most exposed to intercourse act should cease as to that belligerent depredations; and being deprived of their usual which should first so revoke its edicts as that they means of support, have already suffered severely, should cease to violate our neutral commerce, and and are in danger of still greater evils. I have no that it should operate on the other which should nedoubt you will be disposed to afford them every as-glect so to do within three months after the presisistance they may stand in need of, within the pow-dent's proclamation, declaring the fact that such er of the state government. It belongs to the nation-revocation had taken place. On the 10th of August al government to protect each of the states in the following, the duke of Cadore in a letter to our miunion, and provide for the common defence; but if mister in France, stated that the Berlin and Milan an invasion should be made, or attempted on any decrees were revoked, and that after the first of Nopart of our coast, I am confident that our militia vember then next, they would cease to have effect; would promptly, and with cheerfulness, exert their it being understood that the English should revoke their orders in council, and renounce their new prinutmost endeavors to repel it.

We are bound to obey the laws made in conformity ciples of blockade; or that the United States should with our constitutions; but those constitutions en- cause their rights to be respected. This letter was sure to us the freedom of speech; and at this mo-considered by the president as an absolute repeal of mentous period, it is our right and duty to enquire the French decrees, though it appeared to many into the grounds and origin of the present war;-persons at that time to be only a provisional repeal, to reflect on the state of public affairs, and express upon conditions that might never happen, and was our sentiments concerning them with decency and not confirmed by any instrument which the courts or Q VOL. IV.

people of France were obliged to take notice. The been no competitors from abroad, as men will always president however, on the 2nd of November, 1810, employ their industry in the manner they find most announced by proclamation that the decrees of Ber-advantageous, the high price for that species of labor lin and Milan were revoked; and in March follow would soon have induced a sufficient number of ing the congress passed a law confirming the procla- Americans to become seamen; in that case the dan mation, and the revival of the non-intercourse ager of impressment by British ships would have ginst Great Britain. been prevented. It appears thefore, that British When our government was thus committed, it was seamen have been patronized at the expense of our the policy of the French emperor to convince the own; and should Great Britain now consent to reBritish nation that his decrees were not revoked and linquish the right of taking her own subjects, it he took effectual measures for that purpose. His would be of no advantage to our native seamen; it public ships by his authority, and under his instruc- would only tend to reduce their wages by increasing tions committed depredations on our commerce and the number of that class of men. burat our vessels; the French cruizers and priva- The British government has never claimed a right teers captured them and they were condemned in to take our native American seamen; had such claims the French courts; nor has France made the least been made we should all have united to resist itreparation for the plunders. On the 31st of March, Great Britain only claims the right of taking her 1811, the emperor declared to his council of com- own subjects from neutral merchant vessels. In merce that the decrees of Berlin and Milan were doing this, from a similarity in language our citizens fundamental laws of his empire. Many other have some times been subjected to impressment; declarations of this kind were made by the French tu so far as I have heard, they have been discharg government, and though our ministers remonstrated ed, when application was made in their behalf, and against them as containing no exception in favor of evidence furnished of their citizenship. In some the United States,and requested some authentic act instances there may have been a wanton exercise of of the French government to justify our national power by the impressing officers; but it is impossi measures, no satisfaction could be obtained. If the b'e for the best regulated state wholly to control President had then revoked his proclamations, the he actions of its subjects, or restrain all its milita numerous evils that have followed from that un-ry and naval officers in their distant operations, from fortunate measure might have been prevented. But solence and oppression; it is therefore, a rule of as if the French emperor was determined to put our national law, that the faults of individuals shall not government in the wrong, the duke of Bassano, in be imputed to the nation, unless they are approved May 1812, when it might be presumed that war be- and ratified by the government. tween this country and England would take place, Some abuses must undoubtedly happen from the produced to Mr. Barlow a decree which bore date difficulty of distinguish ng Americans from Englishthe 28th of April, 1811, repealing the decrees of men: But it appears from the examinations already Berlin and Milan, and assigning as the cause of the made, that these abuses have been greatly exagge repeal, the act of congres of March, 1811. To rated, and that only a small number of native Ame suppose, therefore, that the French decrees were ricans are in the British service who have not volunrepealed on the 2d of November, 1810, involves tarily engaged; and of these the British minister, the absurdity that the effect took place long before before the war, requested our government to furnish a list, that measures might be taken for their dis

the cause.

At the same time that the above decree was pro- charge. It is probable that more than one-third of duced by the French minister, he informed Mr. Bar- the native American seamen belong to this state, and low that the decree had not been published; but de- three-fourths are supposed to be from the states of clared it had been communicated to our former mi- New-York and New-England; if the number denister in France, and likewise sent to the French mi- tained in British ships had been great, the complaints nister here, with orders to communicate it to Mr. would have been loudest from this part of the union; Monroe. On the correctness of this statement it may but the fact has been quite otherwise. You, genbe improper to form an opinion until our government tlemen, represent every town in the commonwealth, explain the transaction. But of this we may be cer-and will be able to ascertain how many of your tain, that if that decree was made in April, 1811, ae- neighbors are held without their voluntary consent cording to its date, if not concealed for the purpose in the navy of Great Britain.

of producing a war between this country and Great

Britain; for the party who concealed it well knew, All the European nations agree in founding allethat if that decree was known in England the orders giance upon the circumstance of nativity; they claim in council would be revoked. If the decree bore a and treat as subjects all those who are born within false date, and had not been communicated to our the confines of their dominions; although removed ministers, no man, either in the administration or a- to another country in their youth. This doctrine of mong the people can hereafter doubt concerning the allegiance is also the common law of our own councharacter of the French government or the imposi-try, and as such, it often has been, and probably altions practiced upon us. ways will be, recognized by our courts.

vessels.

The principal remaining alleged cause of hostility The sovereigns of Europe have also universally is the impressment of seamen from our merchant assumed the right of prohibiting whenever they please, the departure of their subjects out of the The war in Europe opened to these states such an realm; and we are told by the most approved wri extensive field for commercial enterprize, that it ters on the law of nations, that a state has just cause might have been difficult to procure immediately such of complaint against another which entices away, numbers of American seamen as would profitably be and employs its useful subjects. That every gover employed. Our wealth and navigation increased ment has a just claim to the service of its subjects with a rapidity which has never been exceeded; ma-in time of war, and that all those who abandon their ny thousands therefore of British seamen deserted country when in danger are deserters which she has that service for a more safe and lucrative employment a right to punish. It was upon this principle that in ours; and greater numbers might have resorted our laws for the confiscation of absentees estates to us, if they had not been apprehensive that the were passed, and if the principle is unsound, those British navy would reclaim them. But if there had laws were unjust,