of the enterprise was seen, and its obligation was daily increased by other considerations of high importance, already mentioned, which were deemed sufficiently strong in themselves to dictate the course which has been pursued. Early intimations having been received of the dangerous purposes of these adventurers, timely precautions were taken, by the establishment of a force near the St. Mary's, to prevent their effect, or it is probable that it would have been more sensibly felt. next week. It is the reply of Com. Aury to the summons of Com. Henley and Maj. Bankhead for the delivery of Amelia. Head quarters, Pernandina, Dec. 22d, 1817. Gentlemen-I have received your official letter of this day, by which; in the name of the government of the U. States, you summon us to evacuate this place with the troops under my command under certain conditions specified in said letter. Neither this republic, that of Mexico, nor any other of South America, being at war with the U. To such establishment, made so near to our set-States, obliges me to state to you, that the contents tlements, in the expectation of deriving aid from of your letter greatly surprised this government and them, it is particularly gratifying to find, that very the people of this state. You have nevertheless, little encouragement was given. The example so intimated that in case of our acquiesence in your conspicuously displayed by our fellow citizens, demand, we shall be permitted to evacuate this isthat their sympathies cannot be perverted to im- land, which neither is nor ever has been a part of proper purposes; but that a love of country, the in the U. States. fluence of moral principles, and a respect for the Jaws, are predominant with them, is a sure pledge, that all the very flattering anticipations, which have been formed of the success of our institutions will be realized. This example has proved, that if our relations with foreign powers are to be changed, it must be done by the constituted authorities, who, alone, acting on a high responsibility, are competent to the purpose, and until such change is thus made, that our fellow-citizens will respect the existing relations, by a faithful adherence to the laws which secure them. Believing that this enterprize, though undertaken by persons, some of whom may have held commissions from some of the colonies, was unauthorised by, and unknown to the colonial governments, full confidence is entertained that it will be disclaimed by them, and that effectual measures will be taken, to prevent the abuse of their authority, in all cases, to the injury of the United States. Allow me to observe to you, gentlemen, that from the moment we took Fernandina by the force of our arms, we entered into the full pos session of all the rights at the risk of our lives and fortunes. The boundaries between the Floridas and the U. States having been fairly settled on the 27th October, 1795, we are at a loss how to ascertain your authority to interfere in our internal concerns. Our surprise increases when we reflect that your communication comes as authorized by the government of a people who, in this respect, glory in the right of nations, whether great or small, and who, no doubt, sympathize with their southern brethren in the struggle for liberty and independence, in which they are engaged, as were the United States, forty years ago. On the other hand, you promise to hold sacred such of our property as unquestionably belongs to our citizens. Who is to be the judge in that case? For these injuries, especially those proceeding The United States? They can by no means claim from Amelia Island, Spain would be responsible, if any kind of jurisdiction, from the source of the it was not manifest, that although committed in river St. Mary's down the ocean, on this side the the latter instance, through her territory, she was channel. We entertain too much veneration to beutterly unable to prevent them. Her territory how-lieve for a single moment, that you (supposed alever ought not to be made instrumental, through ready in possession of this island, which has never her inability to defend it, to purposes so injurious been ceded by the king of Spain, or by its inhabi to the United States. To a country, over which tants, to the United States,) can bring with you a she fails to maintain her authority, and which she competent tribunal to decide upon this question. permits to be converted to the annoyance of her The only law you can adduce in your behalf is that neighbors, her jurisdiction for the time necessarily of force, which always is repugnant to a republican ceases to exist. The territory of Spain will never-government and to the principles of a just and imtheless be respected, so far as it may bè done, con- partial nation. The same observation may be apsistently with the essential interests and safety of plied to your interference for the property of the the United States. In expelling these adventurers inhabitants, which we have always respected. from these posts, it was not intended to make any You order us, also,as if we were subjects of your conquest from Spain, or to injure in any degree government to leave behind, when Fernandina is the cause of the colonies. Care will be taken that evacuated, all the public property that was found no part of the territory contemplated by the law of at its surrender. This demand is directly contra1811, shall be occupied by a foreign government of ry to the public right, by which public property any kind, or that injuries of the nature of those captured from the enemy is avowedly that of the complained shall be repeated; but this it is expect-captors, when not otherwise stipulated. Are you ed will be provided for, with every other interest, acting in the name of the king of Spain or of his alin a spirit of amity, in the negociation now depend-flies? As we consider the people of the United ing with the government of Spain. States to be unquestionably the only free people on JAMES MONROE. the surface of the globe, we cannot admit that you have already arrived to such a point of degrada tion.-Otherwise, your demand is admissable and unjustifiable in the eyes of the world, and if we must submit to it, all the blame rests upon you. [The documents consist of letters from Capt. J. D. Henley and Major Bankhead, announcing the occupation of Amelia, and the manner of it; letters from the department of War to Maj. Bankhead, and from the navy department to Capt. Elton and Capt. Henley, &c. They occupy a considerable space, and, received late in the week, are not deemed suf ficiently important to derange the whole matter of this sheet by inserting them. The following is the most interesting; the rest shall be inserted Permit me, therefore, gentlemen, to request you to lay before the president of the United States these remarks, in order that a matter of so serious tendency may be duly considered. We have read his excellency's message at the opening of congress with the utmost concern, and have concluded that 340 The senate did not transact any important public the political situation of this republic has been] greatly misrepresented in the United States through business. The proceedings of the house of representatives the intrigues of our enemies. We have a right to be heard; for which púrpose, I shall have the honor were, however, far from uninteresting. They came of forwarding to your government the necessary to a decision on the part of col. Anderson, so far documents. If you are not disposed to let the thing as passing by a direct vote respecting their own remain in statu quo, until the president's farther power to refuse to discharge him, by a majority of determination be known, I am authorised to assure 119 to 47, and by a like majority to direct him to you that we respect and esteem too highly the peo-be brought forthwith to the bar. He was accordple of the U. States to carry matters to extre-ingly brought to the bar; and, being interrogated, mities. I have the honor to remain with the high-acknowledged his name and the delivery of the letGentlemen, Yours, &c. ter, &c. When questioned whether he had any est consideration, thing to offer in defence, he intimated that he had a defence in writing, which he wished to offer to the house. (Signed) S. L. Holmes, Secretary. AURY. Case of John Anderson. The house having resumed the consideration of this subject, A number of witnessess were then called and examined, touching the character heretofore susMr. Spencer rose, and (for reasons given in the tained by Col. Anderson; of which they testified, debate) withdrew the preamble to the resolutions as far as their knowledge extended, in very high he had offered-leaving alone for consideration the terms. Among these witnesses were two members resolution, directing all further proceedings against of the house, (Gen. Harrison and Col. Johnson.) A question put to one of the witnesses as to his the accused to cease, directing the attorney gene. ral to institute proceedings against him, and in- knowledge and belief of money having been given structing the judiciary committee to enquire into for hastening claims-produced a discussion which the expediency of providing for the punishment of ended in an adjournment to allow time to consider contempt of either house, for breach of privilege, the course to be pursued, &c. On the general question, previously discussed, The prosecutions mentioned by Mr. Hopkinson, the debate was renewed, and continued with una- on Tuesday, in the state of New York, were not, bated animation to the close of the sitting. Messrs. as it was apprehended, on "license bonds," but Tallmage, Hopkinson and Sergeant delivered their against retailers of spirits, for not taking out their sentiments at large on the subject. In the course of the debate, Mr. Rhea, with some incidental remarks on the resolutions, proposed a substitute to them, by way of amendment, in the following words: Resolved, That this house possesseth the compe tent power to punish John Anderson for his contempt of the house, and his outrage upon one of its members; and, therefore, Resolved, That the sergeant at arms be directed to conduct the said John Anderson to the bar of the house. This motion was undecided, when, at a late hour, Wednesday, Jan. 14-On motion of Mr. Tarr, it was Resolved, That the committee appointed on so much of the president's message as relates to roads and canals and seminaries of learning be instructed to enquire and report to this house, whether any, and if any what further provisions are necessary by law for completing that part of the United States' turnpike roads lying between Cumberland in the state of Maryland, and Wheeling in the state of Virginia. licenses. The penalty for that omission is $150, which has been remitted by the secretary of the treasury, almost as a matter of course, on the parties taking the license and paying the costs accrued in the prosecution. It was in these cases, it appears, that the fees referred to had been charged. MR. DICKERSON'S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CON STITUTION. Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congrèss assembled, two-thirds of both houses concurring therein, That the following amendment to the constitution of the United States, be proposed to the legislatures of the several states, which when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the said states, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of the said constitution: That, for the purpose of choosing representatives in the congress of the U. States, each state shall, by its legislature, be divided into a number of districts equal to the number of representatives to which such state may be entitled. The districts shall be formed of contiguous territory, and contain, as nearly as may The house resumed the consideration of the pro-be, an equal number of inhabitants, entitled by the posed preceedings in the case of Col. John Ander-constitution to be represented. In each district the son, and the debate was continued. Messrs. Clagget, Whitman, Ross, Rhea, Beecher, qualified voters shall elect one representative, and no more. That, for the purpose of appointing electors of president and vice president of the United States, in each district entitled to elect a representative in the congress of the United States, the persons qualified to vote for representatives shall appoint one elector, and no more. The additional two electors to which each state is entitled, shall be appointed in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct. The electors, when convened shall have power, in case any of them, appointed as above prescribed, shall fail to attend for the purposes of their said appointment, on the day prescribed for Thursday, Jan. 15.-The National Intelligencer, giving their votes for president and vice president after apologizing for the omission of the usual de- of the United States, to appoint another, or others, tail of congressional proceedings, from the lateness to act in the place of him or them so failing to at of the hour at which the house adjourned, says-tend. Neither the districts for choosing represen The sitting was prolonged to a late hour, the question being loudly called for in the interval between each member's speech; but an adjournment finally took place, without having come to a decision, on the motion of Mr. Burwell, who, with many others, wished to have the present shape of the proposition so varied as to enable the house, in voting on it, to express a definite opinion. It is stated as a singular fact, that the several lutatives, nor those for appointing electors, shall be ́altered, in any state, until a census and apportion-natics in the asylum in Castlebar, Ireland, male and ment of representatives under it,subsequent to the di- female, have been taught to spin fine yarn, and are vision of the states into districts, shall be made. The now constantly and cheerfully employed in doing division of the states into districts hereby provided so. for, shall take place immediately after this amend- London, Nov. 5.-The captain of the Spanish goment shall be adopted and ratified as a part of the vernment brig, which attacked the United States' constitution of the United States; and successively, schooner Firebrand, some months ago, had been immediately afterwards, whenever a census and ap-tried by a court martial at the Havana, and broke portionment of representatives under it, shall be The captain of a frigate who assisted in the attack, made. The division of each state into districts, has been sent home to old Spain to have his conduct for the purposes both of choosing representatives investigated. and appointing electors, shall be altered agreeably to the provisions of this amendment, and on no other occasion. Foreign Articles. ENGLAND, &c. FRANCE. The projet of a law has been submitted to the chamber of deputies by the keeper of the seals, for suppressing books and other works of an objectionable nature. A decree of the king reduces the officers of the navy so that they shall consist of-6 vice admirals; 16 rear admirals; 20 captains of the 1st class; 40 do. of the 2nd do.; 80 do. of frigates; 40 lieutenants having rank with the chiefs of battalions; 260 lieutenants with companies; 400 ensigns, and 300 mid We have a strange account in the British papers that a certain person named Develneaux, who lived recluse and was little known, having taken a liking A Paris paper of Oct. 7, gives a splendid account to a youth that he occasionally saw passing and re-shipmen. passing to school, and without any further knowledge of him or his family, willed him his estate, of the operation of casting an equestrian statue of which is spoken as amounting to more than 700,000 Henry IV.-40,000 lbs. of metal were melted for a year, regular income! It consists of several mil- the purpose, and the casting was performed in the lions in the funds, a property in Spain that produ- presence of the ministers of state, &c. and a nuces 100,000 per annum, an immense estate in Scot-merous assemblage of ladies. It was cast at Roule's land, and others of great value in the West Indies furnace, under the direction of Messrs. Gelli and debts due from every sovereign in Europe with vast Piggian, the furnace department being managed claims on private property in Great Britain-the by Mr. Gonon, whole is called a property of a "dangerous amount, for it is more than sufficient to overturn the state." It is feared the youth has been rather affected in his mind, by his good fortune. One would believe that the preceding must be fabulous-is it possible that any man could possess so much wealth in England, and be so little known? A London paper of Oct. 29; states that "some poor wretched paupers went to a brick clamp, for the benefit of the warmth having no other place of refuge," where one of them was burnt to death-a young man, 21 years of age. The British ports are shut, and American flour had advanced to 70s per bbl. The funeral procession of the princess Charlotte The prince of Coburg is said to have been averse The British papers tell us that the countess of Albermarle died of a mis-carriage, in consequence of the shock she received by the death of the princess Charlotte, and that the hon. Mrs. Cavendish died in the same way. Is death to become “fashionable"? The Bag Fox.-Lady Morgan says, "that the friends of the old regime in France accuse England of all their misfortunes; of originating the revolution; sending the emigrants to be slaughtered at Quiberon; and of letting loose Bonaparte from Elba. Even still they consider the ex-emperor, as a sort of Bag-For, to be let loose, whenever the English ministry may be inclined to show sport to Europe." 10 The wolves are making dreadful depredations in the department of Yonne. They have carried off several children, and, by united efforts, a girl 17 years old, who however, was rescued. Such things United States-but here the freeman is armed. could hardly happen in the rudest parts of the A Paris paper of Oct. 26, says-Lt. General count de Girardin, Capt. of the king's chase, has given a statement of wolves killed in the 86 departments of the kingdom, from the 1st January 1816, to the 1st July, 1817, in which are designated those of the Lieuts. of the wolf hunting, who make it their principal occupation for their destruction; the result was that 1894 male, and 522 female wolves, total 2,416, were killed. Paris, Nov. 8. The answer of the chamber of deputies to the king's speech, is a very dignified of Nov. 20th, 1815, they say, and spirited state paper. Speaking of the treaties "Your people, Sir, submitted to them with grief, but in silence. After having made the greatest efforts faithfully to execute them; after calamitous years have infinitely added to the severity of their explicit conditions, we cannot but believe that they conceal exorbitant consequences, which none of the contracting parties could have anticipated. The wisdom of your majesty will be understood and seconded by the enlightened policy which presides over the destiny of the other nations of Europe, an equitable limit will be fixed to enormous sacrifices; the period of the too oppressive occupation of our liberated. Then alone, France will taste of peace; country will be diminished; our territory will be her credit will be consolidated, her internal pros perity restored, and she herself will resume her rank among nations." The king's reply was firm, dignified and consolatory. none producing." Ferdinand may yet take the galley-oar out of the hand of a "patriot" that he sent to them. O! that such a fate may speedily be the lot of the ingrate. ITALY. Maria Louisa, dutchess of Parma, has issued an edict forbidding her subjects to kneel to her—a homage which she justly says is due only to God. She calls upon the clergy in her dominions to make her subjects sensible of this, which hitherto she An English letter says there have been warm debates in the French chamber of deputies. Mr. Bignon proposed to inform the king of the impossibility under which France lay, of paying the imposts of 1818, and to pray him to require that the allied troops should evacuate France. These pro-has been unable to do. positions were rejected. Mr. Laine said, "the demands of foreign powers were constantly increas. ing-we must rid ourselves of such insatiable oppressors."-These expressions were reproved as indiscreet. BONAPARTE. A The researches at Pompeii and Pozzuoli are very succesful. At Pompeii several edifices of supers architecture have been discovered, and at Puzzuoli a greal number of tombs in the Roman style. The French brig Neptune has arrived at Civita Veccha from Havre. She had on board 476 chests, INDIA, An American vessel, lately boarded off St. Hele-containing part of the pontificial archives. na, brings intelligence that Napoleon was in good health; but still guarded with unremitted care. ship of the line and 2 sloops of war lay at and off the Island, and continued to row guard round it. A British gun brig is said to have been lost on Tristam de Cunha, and every one on board to have perished. NETHERLANDS. a A London paper says-The apprehensions excited lately, by the reports of the commencement of a formidable war in India, have subsided, intelligence having been received at Bombay that the Peshwa and his adherents had submitted to the terms offered by the governor general. The expected general war in India seems quietThe minister of war resigned in consequence of ed for the present-The British have accomplish dispute with the prince of Orange, but the king re-ed their purposes without it. But they have carriedfused permission for him to retire. The prince ap the "Pattah and Ghurry of Douranmal," by stormpears to be "legitimately" impetuous and overbear- It was defended by 300 Arabs. ing. The Dutch revenue for 1818 is calculated at 67,500,000 florins; the expenditures at 74,000,000. A loan is necessary. The king has ordered 100,000 florins to be advanced to the linen manufacturers to buy stock. SPAIN. A London paper of the 18th of October stated that the royal Vales (paper money) of Spain were at a discount of 74 per cent. notwithstanding the new plan of finance and the frequent deliberations of the council of ways and means. The board of health at Alicant, under the sanc.. tion of the supreme board, has decreed the punishment of death to all that clandestinely land from the coast of Africa. Other penalties, from 1 to 10 years imprisonment in one of the Spanish settleinents in Africa, are inflicted for other violations of the quarantine laws. A ship of the line, the Asia, and 2 frigates at Cadiz, and 2 frigates at Carthagena, are fitting out to act against the South American insurgents. The Spanish frigate Sabina has at length arrived at Cadiz from Vera Cruz, with a cargo of 3,314,795 piasters, 223 bars of silver, 12 chests of wrought silver in plate, besides cochineal and other valuabie articles. A letter published in the Aurora, dated Madrid, Nov. 11, says, that the Asia is the only ship of the line remaining to Spain of the best built navy that was in Europe 40 years ago! The few seamen that are employed, wretchedly paid, and in almost a state of starvation, are nearly in open mutiny-and parties of them have formed themselves into bands of robbers, and infest the whole country between Seville and Cadiz. It is stated that the troops last sent to South America were shipped by force-they have justly considered it as the voyage of death. Great efforts have been made to get even volunteer officers to serve under Morillo-400 were wanted, but not one had volunteered. This letter pictures Spain in the lowest state of degradation and misery-"every one consuming and CHINA A St. Petersburg paper says-According to the last intelligence from China, the emperor having testified his desire to have at his court, ministers from foreign powers to reside there constantly, the emperor Alexander, has, it is said, determined to send a minister plenipotentiary to Pekin, on account of the commercial relations which increase every year between the two courts. M. de Langsdoff is designated for the mission, who is at present Russian consul at Rio Janeiro, and who has been in China. PERSIA. Russia is negociating for a port on the Persian Gulph. A St. Petersburg paper of Oct. 7, says-Count Zerinoloff is commissioned to engage at Cabul and Ispahan a number of workmen, who are to establish, under very advantageous conditions, manufactories of shawls and carpets, at Gavan. That this is an important object is evident from the fact, that 80,000 shawls are annually exported from Basorah, which cost, on an average, 1000 rubles each; so that from 60 to 80,000,000 of rubles came into the country for this one article of luxury. Tucaman, a strong post in Chili, is said still to be held by the royalists. But the patriots with 8 or 9000 troops, in good order, were expected to make an attack upon Lima, the possession of which would probably end the contest in that quarter. The Portuguese remained at Montevideo, still blocked up by Artigas. They expected reinforce ments when active operations would be commenced. CHRONICLE. WAR DEPARTMENT Pension office, Dec. 23. The following evilence will be required in all militia cases, and in cases of the regular army, where the discharge and surgeon's certificate have been lost or destroyed, or where they have never been originally granted, to enable the secretary of of war to grant pensions, viz: room for. It appears that the upper Cherokees have expressed their desire to become agriculturalists, the lower Cherokees to continue the hunters life, and both parties have requested the president to aid them in their views. This treaty contains some cessions of land, the country of the (lower Cherokees, we presume) for other lands belonging to the United States on the Arkansas and White ri vers, west of the Mississippi-regulates, on the number of population, the payment of the annuity heretofore granted by the United States to the whole tribe.-makes some provisions in favor of the migrating Cherokees, and secures to those that remain the possession of their lands. It appears that this treaty is really advantageous to the three parties to it. All improvements on the ceded lands are to be paid for by the United States. Vaccination. It is stated that Dr. Zansher, of Connecticut, has vaccinated forty thousand persons, not one of whom died. Charcoal. The people seem to require the death of several persons per annum to make them sensible of the deleterious effects of burning charcoal in ́ Two persons went to sleep at Car In cases where the regular discharge and the surgeon's certificate for disability, cannot be had, the applicant for a pension, whether he has been a soldier of the regular army, or a militiaman in the service of the United States, must produce the a close room. sworn certificate of his captain, or other officer un-lisle, Pa. a few days ago, with a pot of it burning, der whom he served, stating distinctly the time and never wakened any more. North Carolina sugar. The following interesting and place of his having been wounded, or other. wise disabled, and that the same wound or disabili- article is from a Raleigh paper:-Among the nu ties arose while in the service of the United States, merous productions to which the soil and climate and in the line of his daty, with the affidavit of of N. Carolina are favorable, it is found that the one or more surgeons or physicians, whether of sugar cane may now be added-Several fine stalks, the army or citizens, accurately describing the raised in Brunswick county not far from Wilmingwound, and stating the degree of disability to ton, are now in the possession of Cal. Wm. Polk, of which the soldier may be entitled under it: these do- this city. They are from seven to eight feet in cuments to be sworn to before a judge of the Unit. height, and although considerably dried, remained ed States' court, or some state judge or justice of about two inches in diameter. The present is the the peace; and if a state judge or justice of the second year of the experiment-only a few plantpeace, then under the seal of the clerk of the coun-ings having been at first obtained; but the enterpris ty in which such judge of justice may reside, anding gentleman who has made the attempt, calcuthe name of the paymaster who last paid the sol-lates on making sugar his staple crop for the apdier as belonging to the service of the United States,proaching year. The stalks that I have seen are to be in every instance furnished by the applicant, certainly very luxuriant; and I have understood in order to determine the date of commencement of from gentlemen, acquainted with the culture and his pension. growth of the article, that there can be no doubt of its complete success in the lower parts of the The port of Mobile is crowded with vessels-state. among them is one from Liverpool. The house-room of the town has been insufficient to accommodate the great influx of strangers. South Carolina. The salary of the governor has been fixed at $4000, and that of the judges advan from $2372 to 3500. The president of the state bank receives 3000. High pressure steam engine. Mr. Oliver Evans has built a steam engine for the purpose of raising water to supply the city of Philadelphia. The contract was that it should raise 3,500,000 gallons of water, ninety eight feet, in 24 hours. On the 26th and 27th ult. she was worked without interruption 20 hours, during which it was estimated that 3,556,401 galls. Earthquake. About eleven o'clock on the night were raised, in doing which only 10 cords of onk It secins that about 100 of the 10th of last month (December) a smart shockwood were consumed of an earthquake was felt at the same instant ingalls. were raised at every stroke, and that the avenearly all the towns and settlements in the upper rage working was 24 strokes in a minute. The experiment was so satisfactory to the watering compart of South Carolina and Georgia. INDIAN TREATIES. Treaties of peace and friend-mitee that they have reported the contract as fulship have lately been entered into and duly ratified ly completed by Mr. Evans. between the United States and the Menomenee, Gov. Snyder. The republican members of the Ottoes and Poncarar tribes of Indians. Their con- legislature of Pennsylvania gave a public dinner to ditions are to forgive and forget past acts of hos-Mr. Snyder, at Harrisburg, on the 20th ult. in testility-to preserve peace in future, confirm cessions timony of their respect and attachment to him. of land heretofore made, with an acknowledgment The speaker of the senate presided. The following were among the volunteer toasts given on the occaof being under the protection of the United States. Among the chiefs who have signed those treaties sion: By the late gov. Snyder-Virtue, liberty and inwe observe the names, Roaring Thunder, Fut of the Bear, Running Wof, Big Horse, Eldest Daughter.dependence; and their concomitants, peace on earth Broken Arm, the Bear and Small Bear, Buffalo and good will to mankind. Hump, the Smoaker, Handsome Man, He who stands fire, &c. There is also a long treaty with the Cherokees of considerable importance, which we wish we had By gov. Findlay-The legislative branch of our government; to their patriotism, the people look for the security of their rights, and to their wisdom for the advancement of their interests. |