Here, then, the riddle is solved at once. The fact is simply this. At the commencement of the present year the editors had concluded to reserve 200 papers for binding. These papers were of course packed up. But the demand for complete sets has been so great, that many of them have since been taken from each week's papers for the purpose of sup plying new subscribers. Indeed we have been obliged to reprint several numbers. That we new preserve two hundred papers weekly, or that we did preserve that number, when the Bee asserted it, or that we calculate to have that number on hand at

1

The Bee, with its usual effrontery, has accused us of publishing a false account of the reception of certain toasts, drank by the Mechanics at Mr. Stocking's tavern, on the fourth of July; and to give the accusation more weight, says it is "from federal authority." We are glad to see that the Bee begins to be sensible that any thing publish. ed on its own authority, would be good for nothing; but the pitiful attempt to palm an abommable falshood upon the public, under pretence of its coming from "federal authority," shall not pass unnoticed. We do not believe that any federalist has authorised the Bee to contradict our statement. In common with every other man in the community. we place no reliance whatever on mere Bee-assertions.

The statement which we published, was made from cur own personal knowledge. One of the editors was present while the toasts were drank, and particularly noticed every transaction. Though,

he thinks it needless to attempt to strengthen his
declaration, by other proof, still he is willing to
take some trouble to convince the public that the
Bee is totally regardless of truth, honesty, decency
or candor.

That you was incorrect we have already declared; but you must excuse us, good Mr. Bee, from the task of stating the exact number, &c. We do not know what business you have to pry into our concerts. We choose to" manage our own affairs in our own way" You have told falshoods, and you may, iffey jo to the contrary notwithstanding." you please, retract them, and in future, mind your own business. We cannot waste time in gratifying the impertinent curiosity of a democrat.-Good day to you.

As this is not an indictment at Common Law, but is merely an arraignment before the bar of the pub. lic, we humbly hope that we may be permitted to give the truth in evillence. The following certificates are therefore offered without comment:

[TRON THE BEE.]

"I have waited a week to fee whether
the Balance editors would correct the falle
account in their paper of the 12th inft. of
the reception of certain toalts drank byenth.
the mechanics at Mr. Stocking's on the
feems they ftill adhere to their old practicesible editors of the "
4th. But I have waited in vain, for it
of publishing erroneous and falfe statements
witout any intention of acknowledging or
correcting their errors. They fay, both
political fects partook of the entertainment;
"but the manner in which they [the toafts]
were received evidenced the fpirit that pre-
vailed at the board. When the Prefident
of the United States was given no perfon
raifed not a whifper of approbation was
role from his feat, no applauding hand was
heard. But when the late Prefident was
toafted the company rofe to a man and
gave three hearty cheers." Not believing
their fory or that any republican would
conduct in fuch a manner. I was led to
enquire into the truth of it, and the fact is,
as I have it from federal authority, that no
fuch diftin&tion was made, and that the
company rofe at every toaft, the Balance

THIS is to certify that the subscribers were pres
ent at Mr. Stocking's Inn, on the 4th inst. when
the toasts were drank by the company of mechanics
-that when the president of the United States"
was given as a toast, no person rose from his seat,
nor otherwise expressed any approbation--that
when the late president" was toasted, the com-
pany rose to a man, and gave three cheers.
ASA FRARY.
[Another gentleman has signed this certificate, but
not having his permission, we decline inserting his
name.]

14

Hudson, 28th July, 1803.

AS there has been a trifling misconception in the minds of some, concerning the conduct of the company that dined at Mr. Stocking's Inn, on the 4th inst. we think proper to give the following state

ment :

That a short time before the day above mentioned, a number of persons engaged to partake of an entertainment at the place above recited; they also pledged themselves that the toasts, and the conduct

of the company, as far as was in their power should be so ordered as to give offence to no one; that men of both political sects were present, and spent the day in perfect harmony-We further say, that when the toasts were given at the board, by the President and Vice President for the day, they both rose from their seats, at each toast; but the company did not rise nor cheer, until a number of toastg were drank; they then began cheering, and according to the best of our recollection, cheer'd or applauded every toast that was afterwards given. This part of the conduct of the company we are very confident was perfectly accidental; as we know of no previous arrangement on that head, nor did we ever hear a word mentioned as to the manner. in which they should be received.

JOHN T. LACY,

LEVERETT CRITTENDEN.

To shew that this last statement is direct proof of our account, it is only necessary to mention that "the president of the U. States," was given for the third toast-and "the late president," was the scv

It appears that Buel & Mitchell are only the ostens vulgar, low, mean person," alias "Plebeian," of Kingston, but that a certain strongarm'd General is the real "squibman" [a word of Mitchell's coining] of that paper. This valorous quill-driver has nearly died of joy at the late mishap of a poor Wasp.-For shame, General ;—your boyish exultation, may raise a suspicion that even the sting of a wasp could terrify a soldier. Put up thy sword, most noble General

There are many honest men among democrats but a thorough jacobin is rotten and maggotty, both in brain and in the very core of his heart he is, in the political body, what an ulcer or a cancer is, in the natural body. A jacobin is like the tyrant Procrustus, who attempted to bring all his guests exactly to the length of his iron bedstead; by stretching those who were too short, and lopping off the feet of such as were too long. A jacobin never considers, that, as opinion is not an act of the will, but depends on the view of the understanding, no man is master even of his own opin ions, so as to be able to believe just as he pleases; and much less has a right to claim authority over the opinions of others :-he would, with Robes. perrian violence, bring every human mind to the square of his own creed; snd instead of attempting to confute a supposed political error by fair arguments, would be glad to burn or gibbet the person that holds it.

These remarks apply to one Walker, the conductor of a paper at Utica. Walker, in his delirium, thinking that he espies heresy in the Political Sketches" lately published in the Balance, files at the person that he supposes to be the writer of the sketches, tooth and claw, with all the fury of a wounded wild cat; but with the impotence of a kitten.

to.

This Jacobin is advised to suppress his rage, (un. less there should be danger of its bursting his heart,) and wait till all the numbers of the Political Sketches shall be published; when he will perceive (if né is not as blind as a mole) that the design of the writer is not to oppose or discourage head republicanism in this country; but to give warning of the dangers with which it is threatened.

As in animals, fo in vegetables, there is a fexual difference. Vegetables, as well as animals, require daily food: the food of the former is drawn from the earth and from the atmosphere ;-when this food is wholfome and plentiful, the plant thrives; but when it is either noxious or scanty, the plant fickens or famifhes.-Yet as animals fometimes die of over-eating, fo plants are fometimes rendered unproductive by being placed where there is too great an abundance of vegetable food. Land ay be rendered fo rich with manures, that

ders, and lastly, with ash and other foreft trees. The whole country bordering on the mouth of the Miffiffippi has been thus made; and the probability is, that all the land on both fides of the river, from Ib. berville downwards, a diftance between two and three hundred miles, has originated from the illuvious and depofits of this muddy ftream. It must require a confiderable time ere this new land can become ufeful. Where the present Balife earth wasbrought to elevate the foundation is erected, the ground was fo low that for the beacon, guard and pilot houfes. The fcite of the old Balife, which was river, is now more than two miles above. built in 1734 and at the mouth of the The prefent Balife was conftru&ted in 1756, by Don Antonia D'Ulloa, on a

fmall island near the foutheast entrance of
the river; of which about thirty years.
before, there was not the least appearance.
In conversation with an experienced offi.
Louifiana, on the fubject of this prolonga-
cer in the Spanish navy, a colonist of
tion of the continent, he informed the
writer of thefe obfervations, that in the
fummer of 1800, he remarked a new island
at the mouth of the river. That not ma-
ny years ago, when lying at point La
Hache, between the Balife and New-Or-
they fent on fhore to make a grave, but
leans, a feaman died on board his hip-
could not find fufficient firm earth to bu-
ry him. This place is fince become folid
land. He could alfo recolle&t when Pla-

mouth of the river is quite trefh. The piquemines, where the fort now ftands, was
lots drink it, fcooping it up in their hands,
the ufual mode of allaying thirst by all who
navigate this immenfe river.

The entrance of the river is very difficult, there being no land marks along the coaft, which is very low and fcarcely difcernable at four leagues diftance. Should a vessel fall in with the land on either fide of the narrow or longation of the conti nent through which the Maffilippi palles into the gulph of Mexico, fhe will, in all probability, get embayed and be obliged to wait a change of wind feveral days to beat. This circumftance very frequently happens.

Miscellany.

DESCRIPTION

OF THE

MISSISSIPPI.

BY JOHN PINTARD, ESQUIRE.

THE Miffiffippi, pronounced by the natives Mefehafiopi, after a courfe of gooo miles, and receiving the tributary treams of the immenfe rivers Miffouri, Cumberland, Tenneflee, Ohio, and many others, all which far furpafs in extent and magnitude, every river that empties into the Atlantic, the St. Lawrence excepted, difembogues through feveral channels into the gulph of Mexico, in N. lat. 29, 3 and 89, 10 W. long. from Greenwich.

The approach to this river, by fea, is known by an infant change in the colour of the water, from black or dark fea green to whitish, next clayed and laftly a very muddy, frothy water, with founding from 70 to 50 fathoms at about ten leagues from the coaft, gradually diminishing to 4 fathoms at the distance of ten leagues, when the water becomes abruptly more difcoloured and yellow. Directly off the mouth of the river the water refembles dirty foap fuds; every change of colour is firongly diftinguished: you pals through one into the other in an inftant. The water at the

The shores along the coafts are lined with innumerable trees, which are con ftantly floating down the Miffilippi. The appearance is not much unlike a vast mast and fpar yard. The trees are very large and in reaching the mouth of the river, are driven afhore by the winds and tides; some are carried out to fea, and are to be met with a great diftance from land. These trees accumulating, become a mound, which arrefts the muddy fediment of the river, in procefs of time form numerous fmall iflands, which conftantly increafing and uniting at length become part of the continent. This new land is first covered with rushes refembling el

a quagmire. Mr. Vandreuil, formerly governor of Louifiana, in a letter, dated September 2, 1752, remarks—' There is infinite difficulty in fettling towards the of the immenfe expence in banking amouth of the river Miffiffippi, on account gainst the inundation of the fea and fand floods. I am against fettling it as yet, and raifed by the acretion of foil, as it hath for waiting until the ground be more been three feet within the fpace of 15 years.'

river has enlarged the continent nearly Every thing occurs to prove that this 100 leagues. Not a fingle flone, nor even a pebble is to be found in all the new made ground. The lea repelling that prodigious quantity of mud, leaves, boughs and trunks of trees, which the Miffiflippi is conftantly washing down; all thefe materials conftantly pushing backward and forward collect and bind tends to prolong this vaft continent. Anthemselves in a folid mafs, which thus other ftriking fingularity, no where else to be met with, is that of the waters of this great river, when once it overflows its banks, never returns within its bed again. annually fwelled by the melting of the The reafon is this:-The Mifliflippi is nows in the north, which begins. in

245

March and continues about three months. This river lies very deep at the upper part, and does not overflow on the eaft fide until within to leagues of the mouth; that is to fay on the low lands fuppofed to be all others which have not yet acquired new ground. These muddy grounds like their due confiftence, bear a prodigious quantity of large reeds, which flop and entangle all extraneous bodies that are washed down the river. The collection of all these fragments, with the flime that fills up the intermediate fpaces, raifes in procefs of time, the banks higher than the adjacent ground, fo that the waters once overflowed, are prevented by this obftacle from the poffibility of returning to their natural channels, and are therefore compelled to force an outlet into the fea by another courfe. The new lands and iflands at the mouth of the Miffiffippi are faid to rife and fall with the fwelling and abating of the waters. This ftory, however, wants confirmation.

fiffippi and the vaft bodies of water that From the aftonishing length of the Mifflow into it, one is led to imagine that it must be proportionably broad. Every traveller is much furprifed to find the direct contrary. Instead of entering an open extenfive bay, the mouth of the river is narrow and contracted; and through its whole course to New-Orleans, after paffing La Loutre, fcarcely exceeds half a mile in breadth. Oppofite the city the river takes a confiderable fweep, forming a beautiful crefcent, along which NewOrleans is fituated. At this place it may be about three quarters of a mile wide. The level or embankment which defends filippi, is elevated about three feet above the town from the inundation of the Mif. the furface of the country, over which the frethes feldom or never rife:-The difference between the greateft height and lowell ebb of the river is fomewhere about fourteen feet perpendicular. The last two years the Miffiffippi had rifen fo very inprize and fome conjectures that the waconfiderably, as to have excited much furters of the Miffouri had found a new channel to the ocean. This river it is which raifes the former and difcolors its ftream— for before its junction with the Missouri, latter, although fubject to great freshes, it was clear and limpid as the Ohio. The The water of this river, notwithstanding has but little effect on the Miffiffippi.entirely at New Orleans for drinking and very palatable and wholefome. It is ufed its being exceeding turbid, is neverthelefs culinary purposes. It is carted through the city in the fame manner as the NewYork tea water, and fold at the rate of a depofited in a large earthern jar, it be.penny a bucket or half a dollar a hogfhead: ufed. When filtered it becomes clear as comes after of a milky colour and is thus

ever vigilant the mother country, the will
not prevent, at that distance, the vexations
which may be exercifed. On the other
hand, the government of the United States
will not be able, in a thousand inftances, to
reftrain the petulance of the near inhabi
tants bordering on the limits of the Miffil-
fippi; to confine their vengeance wholly,
and compel them to expect from diplomat-leans,
ic reprefentation a flow juftice. Hatred
will take place between the two people;
the bonds of friendfhip will be deftroyed,
and the government of the United States,
which ever thares the fentiments of the
people, will be forced, by its fituation, to
alter its political relations. Then, for the
fake of guarding themfelves againft their
old ally, for a pretended act of hoftility,
they will form a cautionary connexion with
England, which will be fedulous in obtain-
ing her alliance, and will excite her refent-
ment against France; becaufe in that alli-
ance the will fee the means of preferving
her commerce with America, which fhe
now poffelles almoft exclufively, fecuring

colonies to be able, in cafe of war, to
invade the French colonies, and efpecially
of preventing the union of the commerce
and navy of France and the United States,
upon which alone France can engraft her
naval fuperiority.

Experience has proved, that two nations could not be neighbors without being ri. val; and if this be true of two neighbor-ker ing nations, it may be faid with fill more truth of a colony formed by a great and powerful nation, removed from the metropolis, and of a people bordering on the territory of the other. The reason of this is plaufible; where two nations are neigh. bors every thing paffes under the infpection of the fovereign; the quarrels are as foon extinguifhed as kindled; but when the governor of a colony, calculating upon the protection of the metropolis, is guilty of an act of hoflility, the wound gets gangrened before a phyfician can be called. The offended fovereign, who alfo thinks that the offender will be fo much the more ftrongly fupported, as his nation is more powerful, tries every means, in order to anticipate on the hoftilities which he dreads, ufes reprisals, and both nations are at war before any explanation has taken place.

If there be a fituation in the world which may be attended with thefe confequences, it certainly is that of France, when fhe is in poffeffion of New-Orleans. It is fituaed in fuch a manner as to block up the great paffage towards the fea, from a great number of States, and a very extenlive popula sion which increafes rapidly.

which I feem fo much to dread for France,
It may be afked, why thofe jealoufies
have not taken place for England in pof-
feffion of Canada ? firft, becaufe Great-
Britain has prudently feparated her territo-
ry by a natural limit which prevents the
contact of the two nations. While the
occupied the western pofts, the United
States faw her with jealoufy, and it is be.
yond doubt that hoftilities and a national
hatred would have been the confequence
haired would have been the confequence
when the increase of American population
in that part had taken place; when thofe
forts were given up, numerous fymptoms
had already manifefted themfelves.

Secondly, because the ufual road of the exports from the United States, being made, through their own rivers, there is an important communication between them

and Canada.

But it is chiefly becaufe Upper Canada is inhabited by American emigrants, who, in cafe of a rupture would join, according to all appearances, to the United States, had not the fpirit of their government been to prevent the extending of their limits.

-However advantageous New-Orleans might be for the United States, it will be of very inconfiderable alue to France, when the foreign capitals fhall be taken from it, or a rival city fhall be eftablished on the American fide. From the best infor mation, I find that one third of the beft commercial houfes employed in New-Or. are American.-No fooner wili a military government be eftablished in the country, than all thefe commercial houfes, with the capitals which fupport them, will pafs into the United States, to that place affigned them by the treaty with Spain, or to the Natchez, where every veffel which may go to New Orleans may be received. Large veffels, from France, have already arrived there, and unloaded their cargoes without difficulty, and as the foil is fo much the more advantageous as we pentrate further, there is very little doubt this eftablishment will foon rival that of New. Orleans, when the American capitals fhall have been taken out of it. When the U. nited States thall have declared the Natchez a free port, New-Orleans will be very little as a place of commerce, and only an object of uleless expense for France, and an inexhauftible fource of jealouly between France and the United States.

A military government is about to be ef ablifhed on the Ifland. The General, proud, with reafon, of the glory of his nation, will cat on every thing that fur- But after all, what political or commerrounds him a look of fuperiority; com- cial advantage can France receive Iron: the merce will be degraded; and merchants, poffeffion of New-Orleans, and of the Eaft fubjected to the defpotifm of men who Bank of the Miffiflippi, that may balance will feek in the laying up of riches, a re- the lofs, which, in thefe two points of compence for their privations in the re- view, fhe will fuftain in the rivalry with mote and infalubrious country whither they the United States? The Floridas are a narare fent. The colony prefents no lawful row ftrip of barren land, incapable of demeans of growing rich, except thofe (flow fence in cafe of a rupture, and which will and progreffive) of commerce and agricul- coft more than it is worth to guard, garri ture-ill-fuited means for foldiers. How.fon,' and the prefents to the Indian Tribes.

The ceffion of Louisiana is nevertheless very important to France, if fhe applies it to the only afe which found policy feems to dictate. I fpeak of Louifiana alone, and by this I do not mean to comprehend the Floridas, becaufe I think they are no part of the ceffion. As it can, by this ceffion, acquire the right of carrying on the Miffiffippi, a free trade, if she knows how to profit of this circumftance, by a perfect underflanding with the United States, the will find markets for a very great variety of articles, when he has accuflomed the inhabitants of the Western countries to prefer them to the English, which the can only obtain by felling them cheaper, and the can only fell them cheaper, by interefting the American merchants to fell them, to have the ufe of their capitals, and by enga ging the government of the United States to give them the preference. All this can take place only by the ceffion of New-Orleans to the United States, with the referve of the right of entry, at all times free from all other duties than thofe paid by Amer ican veffels, together with the right of navigation on the Mififfippi. This would give her veffels an advantage over the veffels of all other nations, will retain and even increase the capitals of New-Or leans, where the provifions for the islands will be bought at the cheapest rate poffible, and where the articles of her manufactures will be introduced in the weflern countries;-The United States will have no in