pression, threw off the yoke by the most astonishing courage and perseverance, and have maintained their independence against all the efforts which France, in her gigantick days could bring against them. N. Y. Daily Adv. VIRGINIA.-A motion was recently made in the legislature of Virginia, by Mr. Naylor stating the propriety of appointing a chaplain, but his resolution for that purpose, after much argument and discus-. sion, was negatived by a very considerable majority. All the talents of the House, with a very few exceptions, were opposed to Mr. Naylor. On this subject one of the Virginian editors, says 66 we regret that such a motion should have been brought forward, as it is a question which is calculated to excite much prejudice and warmth of feeling. Many of the members who voted against Mr. Naylor's resolutions, were regular attendants on divine worship: but were opposed to the election of a chaplain on constitutional principles. It ought to be recollected that the spirit of our constitution is opposed to the giving of a preference to any particular sect; and it would be impossible to elect a chaplain that was not a member of some particular church. Although we are the sincerest in our wishes for the success of christianity, yet we most decidedly agree in the decision of the house of delegates on this question-we hope the proposition will never again be made; and that our representatives may be allowed to say their prayers, according to their own forms, each in his bed chamber before he repairs to the house. We are confident that they will be equally acceptable to the Deity; and will be attended with no expense to the state.-We understood that one of those delegates who seemed most anxious for the election of a chaplain, had been at one period a minister of the gospel.-We would have had therefore no objections, if these men in place of advocating the election of a hired chaplain, proffered their own services on this occasion, without receiving any money from the treasury-suppose for instance, general Blackburn, who is said to understand divinity as well as law, was to propose to pray for the house every morning, we are certain that no clergyman in the union, would be heard with more attention or respect." SENECA INDIANS.-Seven warriors of the Seneca Tribe of Indians, who inhabit a village within 4 miles of Buffaloe in the state of New York, lately visited Boston, on their way to England. Their names are Long Horn commonly called col. Thomas' Swamp Beaver, Handsome, Lazy Traveller, Two Guns, &c. They intend to visit Great Britain in consequence of an application made to the tribe some time since by certain individuals in Montreal for the purpose of representing native habits, manners and customs both warlike and domestic among the English. Their expenses of travelling and support, are paid for, and the emoluments to be derived from their publick exhibition, we suppose will accrue to those who first set the project on foot. In a council of the Senecas months ago, it was determined, that permission should be given to these red warriors to cross over the great water and see the whites. They visited those objects of curiosity in Boston, which might be supposed to interest persons of their attainments. They went to see colonel Sargeant's painting of "CHRIST ENTERING JERUSALEM"-which induced the principal chief LONG HORN, to make some pertinent observations relative to the christian religion, and the worship of the great spirit. They were gratified, he remarked, with the picture, but could not vouch for the truth of the representation-The great spirit some had given the Bible to the whites, which he had not seen fit to bestow upon the Indians; but the tradition handed down to them from their forefathers, had taught them to be just, good to each other, hospitable, generous and honest,-virtues, which they had practised with greater constancy, before the whites came over and introduced ardent spirits among them, and induced many of their people to get drunk and steal. The divisions which they understood existed among the christians, were so great, that he hoped the Indians would be viewed with lenity and forbearance, in case they continued to consider the religion of the great spirit as better suited to their present condition, than the adoption of the tenets of any particular sect of christians. An attempt was made by a learned gentleman to confirm them in the value of their moral and religious impressions, and to inform them of the perfect consistency between what they already believed, and that which the principal figure upon the canvas had taught in the Bible. -They were told that the vices of drunkenness and theft were forbidden among christians, and, that those who practised them would be punished. They were exhorted to attend more to the cultivation of the earth and habits of industry if they were desirous of enjoying the benefit of living as well as the whites. The chief in reply, appeared to be sensible of the advantages of agriculture, which he confessed had been very much neglected among them, and especially since the game upon their hunting ground had become very scarce, the importance, of this cultivation become more evident; he thanked the gentlemen for their attention, good conversation and politeness-and took their leave. An interpreter accompanied them who appeared capable of rendering the true meaning of what was imparted on both sides. With regard to their dress it is not strictly aboriginal-Their garments consist of coloured calicoes of English manufacture, which formed a sort of tunic, wound round the middle and secured by a belt. Their head dresses consist of light drab beaver caps, ornamented in a grotesque manner with various coloured feathers-Around the arms and neck of several among them, are bands of silver or tin which are intended as ornaments, and from their ears and noses are suspended silver drops-or the hair of some animals manufactured into proper shape Their faces are coloured with red paint, and on the whole are not destitute of an intelligent expression. The only mark of rank is a bracelet of some skin, round the arm of the principal sachem from which is hung a tuft of red hair. DELAWARE.-A suggestion has been lately thrown out, in the state of Delaware, that it would be for the interest of the people, that the state should be annexed to the contiguous states, rather than that a small territory and population should sustain the entire expense of a state establishment. A traveller has noticed with proper censure, that it is the custom in churches in Winchester, Virginia, for the men to put on their hats as soon as the service is ended, and while yet standing in their pews. Two gentlemen at Bath having a difference, one went to the other's door early in the morning, and wrote Scoundrel upon it. The other called upon his neighbour, and was answered by a servant, that his master was not at home, but if he had any thing to say he might leave it with him. "No, no," says he, "I was only going to return your master's visit, as he left his name at my door in the morning." The legislature of South Carolina has passed an act, to permit the introduction of Negroes into that state. How far this contravenes the law of the U. S. abolishing the slave trade it will be for the national Courts to determine. Mr. Campbell, the Poet, has addressed a letter to the Editor of a Morning Paper, contradicting a report quoted from an American newspaper, that he had intimated his willingness to accept of a Professorship in an American College. Mr. Campbell says, that he has not intimated any such willingness, and that he has no desire of permanently exchanging his native country for any other. The Editor was informed some time since, that Mr. Campbell had expressed a willingness to visit this country, for the purpose of delivering a course of lectures on the subject of polite literature, provided a class could be formed for him. A liberal subscription has been made for this purpose, and we do expect to see Mr. C. in the U. S. Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 8. SUDDEN DEATH.-Died on the evening of the 23d ult. Miss ELVIRA COOPER, step daughter of William Lemon, Esq. of this town. The time and manner of this young lady's decease, were peculiarly awful and affecting. It was to have been her wedding night; she had retired to her room to dress, apparently in perfect health, and in less than fifteen minutes she was discovered to be a corpse by her sister, who entered the room to assist her in dressing. By this time the friends had begun to assemble to witness the nuptial ceremony; but alas! how changed the scene. She was a woman of delicate frame, and it is supposed her sudden death was occasioned by fainting in a cold room; that her blood chilled and stagnated before any relief could be afforded. At the commencement of the parliament in 1802, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Sheridan took the oaths at the same time; the premier, happening to have no silver in his pocket, borrowed a couple of shillings to pay for his oath. This being observed from the gallery, the following paragraph appeared in a morning paper of next day. "Something is certainly on the carpet at present between the ministry and opposition, for we assert from undoubted authority, that yesterday a loan was negotiated between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Sheridan." Extract from a speech of the Gov. of Kentucky, to both houses of the legislature." I regret the necssity of once more pressing on your attention the anti-republican and highly criminal practice of selling offices, which is become too common, indeed fashionable.-Shall the publick offices in the republick of Kentucky be an article of sale in the market, or the reward of qualifications and integrity? This is the question to be decided. If this practice is sanctioned, or even winked at, it will prove, that while we profess, that the road to publick station, is open to all, the poor as well as the rich, that they are, in fact, confined exclusively to the latter. The prevalence of such practices, especially if countenauced, is evidence of the decline, if not of the state, of the republican purity of the government. I therefore recommend a revision of the law against selling offices, and the enaction of severe penalties, and effectual provisions to suppress this pernicious and illicit traffick." The Western States.-It is stated in the Nashville paper that exports from West Tennessee to New-Orleans, amounted during one year, to more than a million and a half of Dollars. Among which were, 10,000 Hhds. Tobacco $1,000,000 1500 Bales Cotton, 100,000. Lord Erskine, being counsel for the plaintiff in an action for the infringement of a patent for buckles, expatiated with his usual eloquence on the improvement made on this manufacture. "What," said he, taking out his own buckle and exhibiting it to the court; "what would my ancestors say, were they to rise out of their graves, and see me with such an ornament as this?" -"They would be surprised, I dare say," observed Mr. Mingay, "to see you with either shoe or stocking." Lord B-, who sports a ferocious pair of whiskers, meeting Mr. Curran, in Dublin, the latter said, "When do you mean to place your whiskers on the peace establishment?"—"When you place your tongue on the civil list?” Maryland.-A sufficient number of members appeared in the House of Delegates on the 1st of Dec. to form a quorum, but in consequence of the act to suppress Duelling (passed at last session) prescribing an additional oath which was deemed unconstitutional, the members present did not qualify, but adjourned until the next day, that further time might be had to consider the subject. On Tuesday, the opinion of Luther Martin, Esq. was communicated to one of the delegates, and after the members convened, they determined to dispense with the additional oath, and qualify in the manner heretofore practised. Mr. Martin says, "so far as the law of last session requires, that the member chosen as a representative shall be obliged to take the oath prescribed by the act, I think there can be no doubt but that the same is unconstitutional. The constitution has declared what are the qualifications which shall render a person eligible, and when duly elected, what oaths are to be taken by the member chosen, before he takes his seat. The additional oath required by the law, has not the apology of having any relation to the peculiar duties which he owes to his country in his legislative character; or to regulate his conduct while he sustains that character. Connubial Carte and Tierce.-A few nights ago the good people of Horncastle were amused by the following announcement of the bellman: "Mr. J. wishes to inform the publick, he will not be answerable for any debt or debts his wife Marianna J. may contract after this publick notice." As soon as possible afterwards, the bellman was again sent round with the following: "Mrs. J. begs to inform the public, she never has, nor ever intends, to contract any debts on her husband's credit, well knowing it stands on too slender a foundation." Penitentiary. It appears that several of the largest states in the union have almost at the same period of time turned their attention to the subject of the penitentiary system, for the punishment of crimes -New-York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and South Carolina-In the last mentioned state this mode of punishment has not yet been adopted, and a committee of the legislature after enumerating the facts connected with the establishment of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts upon this subject have come to the conclusion that such a system of punishment was not proper to be adopted. The following facts have led to this result. By the returns of convictions from 1800 to 1810, both inclusive, it appears there were in this state, 143 convictions for penitentiary offences, which gives an average of 14 per year. From 1800 to 1814, the convictions were 62, which gives an average of 12 per year. The population of this state in 1800, was 189,430; in 1810, the population had increased to 210, 750, which affords a small annual increase. The lead mines of Missouri.-Your readers may have noticed a motion lately made in Congress respecting the laws relating to the Lead Mines of the Missouri Territory. These mines, as property of the United States are the subject of the legislation; but very little is known respecting them by the publick. The following account, writen by a friend of mine, who has travelled much in that territory, will give some information. The mines are south of the Mississippi river, and commence a few miles from it. My friend writes as follows: "The tract of country, called the Lead Mines, is about forty miles square and commmences about thirty miles from the Mississippi, and extends to the west. In all this tract it is supposed lead may be found, and it has already been found in different places through most of that extent. In some places it is washed out of the hills and in the roads by rains. It is found in digging from 1 to 25 feet deep. Generally there is a sand or lime stone rock about fifteen feet below the surface, which, is from ten to twenty feet thick, generally, immediately below which, and as deep as has yet been tried, the mineral is found in abundance. In some places it is the dirt in lumps of different sizes without any tift upon it. In other places, and more generally, it is found covered with what the people here call tift, which is a species of spar sometimes found crystalized. The spar is from one to four inches thick, covering the lead, which is enveloped in it, like an egg in the shell. The spar is also found without any lead. (Quartz or flint) is found in great abundance both in and on the surface of the earth, in crystals of microscopick size, to half an inch diameter. Sulphurets are common, besides the sulpheret of lead. The lead ore is strongly impregnated with arsenick, and it contains a very small quantity of silver." General Washington-An anecdote is related of this gentleman which displays in a strong and amiable light the exalted force of his feelings, and the truly noble cast of his manners. When colonel Washington, (the immortal saviour of his country) had closed his career in the French and Indian war, and had become a member of the house of Burgesses, the Speaker Robinson, was directed by a vote of the house, to return their thanks to that gentleman, on behalf of the colony for the distinguished military services which he had rendered to this country. not As soon as colonel Washington took his seat, Mr. Robinson, in obedience to this order, and following the impulse of his own generous and grateful heart discharged the duty with great dignity; but with such warmth of colouring and strength of expression as entirely confounded the young hero. He rose to express his acknowledgments for the honour: but such was his trepidation and confusion, that he could give distinct utterance to a single syllable. He blushed, stammered, and trembled for a second; when the Speaker relieved him by a stroke of address that would have done honour to Louis the XVI in his proudest and happiest moments. "Sit down Mr. Washington" said he, with a conciliating smile; "your modesty is equal to your valour; and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess.' Wirt's Henry. |