pedients has fhewn their inefficacy. "But now, (fays the Marquis,) I fhall take upon myfelt to adopt measures which must infure to the United States, the enjoyment of all the rights ftipulated in the twentyfecond article of the treaty, ON THE arrival at New-Orleans of the dispatches, which will be forwarded under this date. [March 10, 1803.] the iffue of remonftrance, and, in the meantime, formally to boaft, in a speech to Congrefs, of the continuance of peace and friendship abroad. Is there a man in these United States who can believe, that if the notice taken by our government and nation of this flagrant outrage committed by the Spaniard, had refted there, we should ever have feen the Marquis's letter, of the 10th If it is in the power of the Marquis, of March or citizen Pichon's letter to the now, to interfere, in a manner paramount governor of Louisiana? If there be, it is to the authority of the intendant, and to o- furely a man who judges of events by other pen the navigation of the river, notwith-principles than thofe of experience, and of standing any oppofition by him, it must men by other foundations than their conhave been equally in the Marquis's powduct. No, Sir. There is an internal evier to have done the fame thing, when he dence in the very history of these transacdispatched his first letter of remonftrance; tions, which speaks louder than all politithat is in December laft. If fuch was then cal prejudices, or all fophiftical argument. his power, why did he not exert it? Mr. While the rulers of our nation were tame Jefferfon has told us, that the produce, and pufillanimous, and humbly intreated from our Western country, has ufually the Marquis to remonftrate, to dispatch a defcended the river in February. Had letter, toletter, to-do nothing at all; their fucthe Marquis's firft difpatch to the intend-cels was exactly correfpondent to their exant been peremptory-had his measures. pedients. The intendant received the minthen been fuch as to infure our enjoy. ifter's remonftrance, and treated them with ment of our ftipulated rights, the ob- affected contempt. When the temper of ftruction would have been removed, fo the nation was apparently roufed, when the that he produce might have come in its minority in both houfes of Congrefs had accuft omed period. By delaying his irre-fuggefted and advocated measures rather fiftible injunctions until the 10th of March, more energetic, when the French and Spanthe Marquis has co-operated with the inifh minifters became convinced, that the tendant to deprive us of the benefit of navnation would act with more vigour than its igating the Miffiffippi for one entire fea- Executive dared to fpeak, then we see them fon, and, by the acknowledgment that this both not only take the proper fteps to reobftruction was "without the colour of move our cause of complaint for the future, but confent to the publication of their leta pretext," he has recognized the claim of the United States his mafter for amupon ters, to calm, by apologies and excuses, the ple indemnity from this injury. It is to rifing, and juft indignation of the Ameribe hoped that our government will propcan people.. erly infift upon, and obtain this indemnity; that they will take the benefit of that dignified and honourable fpirit manifefted by the country, however afhamed they may be to acknowledge it; that they will fee and avail themfelves of this demonftration, that the way to obtain juftice, from foreign nations, is to display the firm refolution to obtain it. Balance Closet. LIBERTY OF THE PRESS. No. X. IT is deemed unnecessary to add any comments concerning Mr. Spencer's attempt to shackle the editor under heavy bonds to keep the peace and be press with previous restraints, by laying the junior of good behaviour. The fact speaks for itself; and Mr. Spencer's motives are well understood. Had the object been attained, the junior editor would When they confidered the occlufion of New-Orleans as the mere unauthorised a&t of the intendant, it feems the only thing they thought of asking from the Marquis was to remonftrate, to dispatch a letter. And the good Marquis, who knew very well he could do more; that he could, it he please, interpofe with measures which fhould infure to the United States the enjoyment of their rights, was by no means difpofed to works of fupererogation-He stance, however, is deserving of notice. It should did what they required of him, and attempted nothing more. Mr. Jefferson, eyer willing to repofe upon the pillows of peace, ever lending a ready ear to the foothing lullabies of the dulcimer, and ever fhrinking with horror from the hoarse excitements of the dampet, and the rattling terrors of the drum. was content to wait have been debarred from following his business, un. less he would have consented to act the part of a democratic printer, and never publish any TRUTH concerning the officers of government. One circum be recollected, that Mr. Spencer contended for laying the defendant under the above-mentioned bonds on the ground that he was a libeller; and that, tho' he had not been convicted of publishing a libel, still that the grand jury having found a bili against him, was a strong presumptive proof that he was a libeller. Now, if the reader will also recollect how a certain grand jury was once formed, and how a cer tain bill was once found, he will be enabled to discover a "strong presumptive proof" of duplicity (not to call it by a worse name) in the character of a certain great man. What will be the final result of the prosecutions against the junior editor, we know not; nor do we wish, at present, to hazard a conjecture. His case involves a question of great magnitude; and on its decision rests, in a degree, the Liberty of the Press. It is a question in which every member of the community is deeply interested; for if the publishing. of truth concerning the elective officers of our government is a crime, punishable by every inferior state court, the press is in serious danger. Silence or falshood must be the only resort; and in such a situation of affairs, how long can the people expect to retain their liberty? But we must indulge a hope that Mr. Spencer's attempts will be unavailing. Whatever may be our own fate, we are still compelled to believe, that our Attorney-General cannot even by the weight of all his power and influence, prevent the circulation of truth among the people. Nay! we believe it is as much impossible for him to smother the voice of truth, as it is to stifle the inward whispers of conscience. The first will, in thundering accents, address him in public, whilst the latter will hover round his pillow, and haunt his private reflections. He may possibly, by multiplied and malignant persecutions, crush one press-he may destroy one paper-he may ruin one printer. And does he ima gine, after he has done this, that his conduct will be secure from scrutiny? No! Let him rest assured, that, however grating it may be to the ears of tyrants, THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD! and the destruction of an individual cannot arrest its progress. An attempt to shackle the press is but a miserable proof of a man's integrity. Surely, the plan that shrinks from the rays of the sun, must have sprung up in a cloudy day, or under cover of the darkness of night. So the man who shudders at the voice of truth, can thrive only when the political horizon is overspread with clouds, or when darkness and delusion overshadow the earth. The wise, the honest and truth-telling Bee, says, "The federal party exulted mightily and croaked "loudly, at the failure of the attorney general at the "last election. How will they bear the mortifica"tion of losing the election of Mr. Van Ness ?" It is strange that our potent attorney-general cannot keep the Bee from running its head into such unlucky scrapes. Even Mr. Spencer's political ene.. mies have forborne to say a word about last year's election; but since Mr. Holt will be meddling, he must be noticed.—Last year, Mr. Spencer was placed on the democratic ticket to give it weight-the. weight was so great that the whole ticket sunk under it, and the attorney-general was actually the lowest of the side, by a number of votes. This year, Mr. Van Ness had the highest number of votes, on the federal ticket; and indeed the whole number of votes given for him were sufficient to carry his election; but by placing several ballots in the wrong box, and omitting the W in others, he failed. It was not in the year 1803 that a candidate for member of assembly, gave a FIVE DOLLAR BILL for -a very bonorable purpose. Agricultural. FOR THE BALANCE. ON WASHING AND CLEANSING THE STEMS It is the opinion of this writer, that a great fhare of vegetative ingredient is conveyed in dew that the mofs and dirt, which furround the ftems of trees, abforb the finest particles of the dew; and alfo at as a kind of fereen in depriving the tree of that fhare of air and fun which it requires. ROBER OBERT MARSHUM, Esq. (England) having mentioned fome experiments which he made in washing trees, obferves, that all the ingredients in vegetation united, which are received from the roots, ftem, branches and leaves of a mof-ing fy and dirty tree, do not produce half the increase which another receives, whose ftem is well cleanfed. He thinks it clear that this greater fhare of nourishment cannot come from rain; becaufe the dirty ftem will retain the moisture longer than when clean; and the nourishment drawn from the roots, and imbibed by the branches and leaves must be the fame to both trees. Monitorial Department. To aid the cause of virtue and religion. FOR THE BALANCE. ger; and have therefore cause to fear. ON THE DREAD OF THUNDER. A Man, exalted by reafon, and ftill more by religion, fhould in this, as in all other refpects, act a higher part than the beafts of the field and the fowls of the air. thunder-tempeft presents one of the fublimest scenes in nature; and its fublimity is blended with a degree of awfulness proportionate to the danger to which it expofes the precious life of man. A thoughtlefs, and much more, a frolick fome levity, dur fuch a fcene, tho' becoming birds, would be highly unbecoming men and women. On the other hand, they fhould not difcover the ftupid amazement, or the trantic fright of brutes. | BEASTS of danger at the approach of a thunder- Thunder and lightning are neceffary agents in the grand operations of nature: they are "minifters of good" to mankind; and their general tendency is to fave life, rather than to deftroy it. By killing noxious vapours, and clarifying and fweetening the air, they render it wholfome, and prevent the fpread of peftilence and other mortal difeafes. For one perfon, deftroyed by lightning, thoufands and hundreds of thoufands would be deftroyed by poifons and mortal contagions in the atmofphere, if this powerful inftrument to cleanse it were never used. The fear arifing from thunder-forms fhould therefore be, in a manner, loft in gratitude for the general good, which they occafion and parents inftead of fetting before their children, on fuch occafions, an example of confternation and wild af. fright, which would tend to render them miferable through life, fhould endeavour to fortify their minds by arguments drawn from reafon, philofophy and religion. Medical. *It is the practice of fome people alfrom beds, thunways to rife fractice of Some people alder tempefts happen during the night feafon; whereas a bed, filled with feath. ers, is the fafeft fituation that can be found. From Poulson's American Daily Advertiser. IMPORTANT. How to vaccinate several hundred persons with the matter of a single ordinary Vaccine Pock. A MEMBER of the London VACCINE INSTITUTION mixed the fluid of a fingle cow-pock with a drachm measure of water of about the temperature of 70 of Farenheit. Of three fubjects vaccinated with this diluted matter, two took the disease in the ufual way. The remaining third was yaccinated in each arm, with one puncture with this diluted matter, and alfo in each arm, in like manner, with undiluted vaccine matter, but all thefe four punctures failed to produce the disease, the subject being an adult, and probably having had the {mall pox. The above is extracted from Tillok's Philofophical Magazine, and is of so much importance to extend the bleffings of vacci nation, that the Printers of Newspapers it is hoped will generally republifh this article. The vaccine inoculation continues to make rapid progrefs in Spain and Italy. In Catalonia, 7000 perfons were inoculated in the course of nine months; and by its means, the fatal ravages of the small pox have been stopped in the department of Milla, where, during three months only, 12,000 perfons have fubmitted to the vaccine operation. [Monthly Magazine for December, 1802. Discoveries, USEFUL AND CURIOUS. From DOMESTIC ENCYCLOPEDIA. MR. BOULARD, architect at Lyons, has lately invented a very fimple preparation, attended with little expence or trouble, and admirably calculated to defend wooden materials from being confumed by flames, though expofed to their influence for two hours. After many tedious experiments, he found that a folution of pot afh is the moft efficacious liquid for refifting the action of fire, longer than any other fluid. That obfervation induced him to apply that fubftance in a kind of paint or coating on APHORISM.-He, who is led by the wood, which was completely rendered fire. paffionate, has three enemies to cope with proof, in the following eafy manner: dif. during life-the contempt of the good.folve fuch a quantity of potafh in cold wa the tyranny of his leaders, and rankling ter as that fluid is capable of holding in fodifcontent.-Lavater. lution, wash or daub with it all the boards, wainscoating, fhingles, &c. which are intended to be prepared. Then dilute the fame liquor with a little water; add to it fuch a portion of fine yellow clay as will make the mixture of the confiftence of the common paint employed on wood; and laftly, ftir it into a fmall quantity of flour pafte, in order to combine both fubftances intimately. With this mixture all wooden materials ought to be coated three or four times, fimilar to painted work. Thus, wood will be fecured from the action of FROM THE AMERICAN MUSEUM. fire, though exposed to it for a time exceed-appear ing two hours; but the greatest advantage of this excellent preparation confifts in the circumftance, that it prevents the wood from ever burfting into flames. M. Boulard remarks, that 20 lbs. fitted yellow clay, 1 1-2lb. of flour for making the paste, and 1lb. pot-afh, are fufficient to prepare a fquare rood (French measure and weight) of deal boards; fo that the expences, when compared with the importance of the object, are indeed trifling. It is further deferving of notice, that even furniture made of wood, fuch as chairs, tables, &c. and particularly the flair-cafes and flooring of dwellinghouses, may be fo far enabled to refift the ravages of the fire, that they are only reduced to coals, or embers, without fpreading the conflagration by additional flames meanwhile, there are gained at leaft, two hours, during which, all valuable effects may be removed to a place of fatety, and the lives of the family at the fame time, refcued from danger. METHOD OF STAINING WOOD IN IMITATION OF MAHOGANY. TAKE a piece of eim or of plane ; stain it well with aquefortis: then take two drams of powdered dragon's blood, one dram of alkanet root, and half a dram of aloes from these extract a tincture with half a pint of fpirits of wine with a fpunge dipt in this tincture wafh the wood two or three times, and you will give it the colour of fine old mahogany. But may not wood be more uniformly and durably coloured, whilft growing ?It is a well known fact, that madderroots give a permanent colour to the bones of animals that feed on them. Now, as the tubes, by which trees derive their nourifhment from the earth, are analagous to the mouths of animals, it is not unlikely that the curious naturalift, who will endeavour to convey coloured juices into the bodies of trees through this channel, may have the pleafure of feeing his experiments attended with the defired fuccefs. Miscellany. HUMOUROUS STORY. A certain governor of Egypt having occafion for a fum of money, fell upon the following moft extraordinary method to raife it. He issued out an order, commanding the chief of all the Jews* fettled in Egypt to before him on a certain day; on their being conducted into his presence, they found him furrounded with his Divan or Council, and the Pentateuch in his hand -he then afked them if they believed all that was written in that book, to which they replied that they did, faying that it contained the precepts of their religion, on which he turned to and read the 11th and 12th chapters of Exodus, in which is recorded the account of the Jews', juft before their departure out of Egypt, borrowing of the Egyptians their jewels of gold, filver &c. When he had finished, he told them that fince they had confeffed their forefathers had about 3000 years ago borrowed of the forefathers of the Egyptains their jewels &c. he had fent for them to know it thofe things had ever been returned, or fatisfaction made for them: if not, he added, that it was now high time payment should be made, and that he, being the political father of that people, he was in duty bound to fee that they had juftice done them. The poor aftonished Jews flood filent and knew not what to fay, though they immediately faw through the drift of the avaricious Governor. He, after waiting fome time for an answer, difmiffed them, but ordered them again before him in a few weeks, telling them that he gave them that time to deliberate and to fearch their records, and fee whether or not they had ever returned or made fatisfaction to the Egyptians for the jewels they had borrowed. When the Jews had retired, they, after confulting among themselves how to ward off the blow, came to the refolution of rai. fing a large fum of money, with which, on the day appointed they waited on the governor, and told him that fince the time their forefathers had borrowed thofe things of the Egyptians, their nation had undergone various revolutions, their temple had been burnt, and their records deftroyed, fo that it was impoffible for them now to tell whether or not the Egyptians had ever re ceived fatisfaction for their jewels, and * Great numbers of Jews have been fettled in Egypt for upwards of 200 years, and Dr. Pococre informs us that when he was in the country in 1737, they had no less than 37 fynagogues in Grand Cairo only. AMONG all the inftances of horrid fe rocity in battle, perhaps there is none furpaffes the following. In the year 1512, Henry VIII. King of England, fent out an Englifh fleet under Admiral Knevet, which coafted near the French fhores. This fleet having committed fome depredations, a French fleet, difpatched by Francis King of France, iffued from Breft, under the command of Admiral Premauget. An engagement between them begun; and fire prefently feized the fhip of the French Admiral, who finding his destruction inevitable, bore down upon the veffel of the English Admiral, and grappling with her, refolved to make her fhare his fate. In this fituation, while the flames were confuming both veffels, their respective crews continued the horrid combat, in fight of both fleets which stood aloof from the awful engagement and their furious fhouts. continued to be heard, til at last the French veffel blew up, and at the fame time deftroyed the English. LIBRARIES. AMONGST modern libraries, the four largest are fuppofed to be the Emperor's at Vienna; the Vatician library; the libra ry of the Grand Duke of Tufcany, at Florence, and that now belonging to the French. Republic, at Paris. Of ancient libraries, the Alexandrian was the most celebrated. Among the other ancient libraries, that of Lucullus is faid to have been very confiderable, as was alfo that of Trajan, which was called after him the Ulpian library. But one of the moft clegant was that founded at Rome by Simonicus, preceptor of the Emperor Gordianus. It is faid to have contained 8000 fele&t volumes, and that the appartment in which they were depofited was paved with gilt marble. The walls were composed of glass and ivory; and the fhelves, cafes, prefles, and desks, made of ebony and cedar. [Lady's Monitor.] Be it our weekly task, To note the passing tidings of the times. >>>>>>❖0&<<<<<< Latest Foreign Intelligence. "His Majefty thinks it neceffary to acquaint the Houle of Commons, that as very confiderable military preparations are carrying on in the Ports of France and Holland, he has judged it expedient to aadopt additional measures of precaution for the fecurity of his Dominions. Tho' the precautions to which his Majefty refers, are avowedly directed to Colonial fervice, yet as difcuffions of great importance are now fubfifting between his Majefty and the French Government, the refult of which must at prefent be uncertain, his Majefty is induced to make this communication to his faithful Commons, in the full perfuafion that, whilft they partake of his Majefty's earnest and unvarying folic. itude for the continuance of Peace, he may rely with perfect confidence in their public fpirit and liberality to enable his Majefty to adopt fuch mealures as circumstances may appear to require, for fupporting the honour of his Crown, and the effential interefts of his people. LONDON, MARCH 9. MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY. The Chancellor of the Exchequer fhort-ied, ly after he entered the Houfe, placed himfelf at the Bar, and brought up the following Meffage from his Majefty: GEORGE R. "G. R." As foon as the Meffage was read from the Chair, The Chancellor of the Exchequer obferved, that he thought it his duty to abftain at present from any particular reference to the gracious Meffage which he had juft delivered to the Houfe from his Majefty, and that he merely rofe, to move that the Houfe do take it into confideration to-morrow morning. government, his Majefty thinks it due to "In pursuance, therefore, of the acts of Commons, to the end that his Majefty and to march as occafion fhall re- "G. R." MARCH 11. The Chancellor of the Exchequer yefterday delivered the following Meffage from his Majefty to the Houfe of Com mons: MARCH 17. A circumftance of a very extraordinary nature tranfpired yesterday, which, however, made no noife or impreffion on the city. On Tuesday night, at half past 10 o'clock, a perfon arrived exprefs at the Admiralty from Brighton, with an account of a French veffel having drifted on shore near that place; fhe had it feems been deferted by the crew, except a boy, and having been boarded, was found to be laden with about 100,000 ftand of arms. Before the crew left her, they threw a box on fhore near Shoreham, and found to contain ftands of green colours, fuited to the Irith. Thefe colours had the word Union on them, and we have heard it flated, with a French and Irifh hand united underneath. This is the account which was in general circulation; fome faid the fhip was found off Cork. The Admiralty was yesterday engaged in examining green col ours of the nature alluded to, but we would send the Irifh rebels fuccour if the fears expreffed in the King's meffage be founded. MARCH 19. A Meffenger arrived at a late hour on Thursday night, with dispatches from our Ambaffador at Paris. As their nature has not tranfpired, it is prefumed that the an fwer was not decifive, and the hopes of continued peace encrease with every hour of delay. We are well informed, that the Firft Counful was in every respect unpre GEORGE R. "In confequence of the preparations carrying on in the ports of France and Hol-pared for His Majefty's Meffage to Parlialand, while important difcuffions are fub- ment, and the remonftrance of our Govfifting between his Majefty and the French ernment of the fame date. EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETETR. PARIS, MARCH 14. "There was yefterday, as ufual, a grand circle at the Thuilleries. The Ambaffadors of the different powers were in the Saloon, with a numerous affemblage of ftrangers and ladies of diftinétion, Generals, Senators, Tribunes, Legiflators, &c. &c. Bonaparte entered with an unusual alertnefs of manner, and after faluting the company, he addreffed himself to Lord Whitworth in a tone fufficiently loud to be heard by all who were prefent." You know, my Lord, that a terrible ftorm has arifen between England and France." Bonaparte." You know (with impetuofity) that the French have carried on the war for ten years, and you cannot doubt but that they are in a condition to wage it again. Inform your court, that if, on the receipt of your difpatches, orders are not iffued for the immediate furrender of Malta, then war is declared. I declare my firm refolution is, to fee the Treaty carri ed into effect, and leave it to the ambassa. dors of the feveral powers who are prefent, to fay who is in the wrong. You flattered yourselves that France would not dare to fhew her refentment whilst her fquadrons were at St. Domingo. I am happy thus publicly to undeceive you on that head. Lord Whitworth." But General, the negociation is not yet broken, and there is even reason to believe—” Bonaparte. Of what negociation does your Lordship fpeak? Is it neceffary to ne gociate what is conceded by treaty-to negociate the fulfilment of engagements and the duties of good faith. (Lord W. was about to reply, Bonaparte made a fign with his hand, and continued in a lefs elevated tone)-My Lord, your Lady is indifpofed. She may moft probably breathe her native air rather fooner than you or I expected. I wish most ardently for peace, but if my juft demand be not inftantly complied with then war must follow, and God will decide. It treaties are not fufficient to bind to peace, || then the vanquished must not be left in a condition to offer injury." produce a large exportation of these articles to the oppofite coafts of England and Ireland. The establishment too of ChamHere this unexpected converfation_ter- bers, and of a General Council of Comminated, if that term may be allowed, where merce in France, has given food for Engthe difcourfe was almost wholly on one fide.lifh envy. They are ftill in alarm in regard to colonel Sebaftiana, and they talk of the ceffion of the port of Tetuan, and of the fortifications of Tournehout, at the mouth of the Scheldt, to France. They will fuppofe that a fquadron of two ships of war and several transports has failed to take poffeffion of Macoa, ceded to France by Portugal.” Bonaparte afterwards walked up and down the hall, and difcourfed with feveral perfons with an affumed air of gaiety. To the English, however, who met his eye, his regards were limited to a cold falute. LONDON, MARCH 23. Our preparations have produced the effect of stopping the failing of the Louifi- There is faid to be now a very frequent ana expedition, and of the Dutch fquad-correfpondence between Berlin and Paris, relating to an approaching interview between the King of Pruffia and the First Conful, when the latter vifits Belgium. ron, under Vice Admiral Hartfinck. On Friday laft, a courier arrived at the French Ambaffador's, at the Hague, with orders, that the fquadron for Louifiana fhould remain in port, and that the troops should be cantoned at Helvoet till further orders.The expedition was to have failed to-day. Admiral Lord Gardner arrived at Portfmouth yesterday, and is to hoift his flag to-day on board the Neptune. Admiral Lord Keith is very actively employed at Plymouth in fuperintending the fitting out of the fhips, A great number of prime feamen have entered within these few days. It has been rumoured that in confequence of the First Conful's behaviour to Lord Whitworth, at the audience on Sunday fe'nnight, his Lordfhip has intimated to the Minifter for Foreign Affairs, that he shall not attend the Confular Levees, without a proper explanation of the events of that day. His Lordship acts with proper fpirit. An infult to our Ambaffador is an infult to the British nation, and an ample apology ought to be de manded for it. A Cabinet Council fat feveral hours yefterday upon the dispatches received from France. By letters from Frankfort of the 10th of March, we are informed (fay the Parispapers which we received yesterday) that the English merchants in Germany dif cover the utmost jealoufy and uneafinefs in regard to the endeavours of the French to revive their trade with that country.They view with indignation the new trading establishments in different ports. They blame France for the care with which Spain now endeavours to protect her manufactures, by prohibiting the exportation of Spanish wool. They fee, with all the feelings of malicious envy, the vigorous measures taken on the Scheldt and Rhine to prevent the importation of English manufactures; the encouragement given to thofe who attempt a fmuggling trade into England, and that decla ration of Cherburgh to be a free port for liqueres and brandy, which is likely to When the dates of the affair at the Cape of Good Hope are examined, it would. appear that the prefent preparations for war have not been too precipitate. From the time the dispatches were sent out to forbid the furrender, we may reckon on five months difference with the French Government about fomething or other, independent of Malta, which appears a more recent caufe of difpute. es exactly in proportion as its votes diminish. But Hudson, May 10, 1803. It is a disagreeable task to propagate bad news ; but our duty, as impartial editors, sometimes requires the performance of it. If we were to follow the example of certain democratic printers, we should observe the most profound silence on the subject of our late election; or else we should produce some new-fashioned arithmetic to shew, that a majority is not a majority, and that a party encreas ORIGINAL ANECDOTE. A Federalist and Democrat were lately convers ing about the election, when the federalist declared it to be his opinion, that our country was in a peri lous condition, and he feared was fast going to des truction. The Democrat, on the contrary, thought the United States was never in so prosperous a situation; and,`the dispute running high, it was at length agreed to refer the question to an old gentleman (a revolutionary patriot) who was present. The old soldier declined giving a direct opinionbut, with much good humor, related a story in the following words :—" A jack-tar, growing sick of his business, deserted his ship, went into the country, and hired himself to a farmer. He was immediately set to plowing, with a yoke of oxen and an old mare, called Jin. The sailor being wholly unacquainted with the management of the tacks, sheets, and bowlines of his old mare and oxen, in bis first attempt to put about, missed stays, and, by turning the yoke, threw Jin and the oxen all down in a heap together. Jack, frightened with the confusion, bawled out for help. The farmer asked, "what's the matter ?"- "Matter! Matter enough, by J-s," replied Jack, "the larboard ox has got on the starboard side-old Fin bas got foul in the rig ging, and they are all going to the devil stern-foremost." Like mafter, like man. Talleyrand, as well as his Sovereign, can be infolent to the Minifters of thofe States degraded by their French connection, or weakened by French intrigues; but he was far from approving of the violence offered towards the Reprefentative of the King of the first Nation upon earth: he, therefore, with all humility, entreated his Mafter to make it up. His maxim is, that until France has a Navy equal to that of Britain, the Chief Conful muft fink his pretenfions to be the modern Alexander, and content himself, with refpect to England, to act a la-Philippe. His advice, however, was fo ill received, that he gave in his refignation, and for twenty-four hours rumour appointed For feveral days paft, has been uncomhim different fucceffors, fuch as Segur, Otmonly cold for the feafon. On Friday te, Calliard, &c.; but while the public night we had a fevere froft; and on Sunwere thus bufy, Bonaparte invited Talley-day, a confiderable fall of fnow. It is aprand to dine with him in private, and, after prehended that all kinds of early fruit will fome explanation, returned him his Minifbe wholly cut off. terial Port-feuille, and he is, at prefent, again the first favorite of the First Conful. THE WEATHER, On Sunday fe'nnight, eleven buildings were deftroyed by fire in Troy. To Correspondents. "OBSERVER," is received, and shall be attend ed to. We have received a packet of prose and poetry from "SIMON SOBERSIDES, Esq." but none of the pieces are sufficiently correct for publication. A packet received through the Post-Office contains nothing novel or interesting. |