 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser 1807/01-1807/06 msa_sc3722_2_6_1-0047 Enlarge and print image (3M) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser 1807/01-1807/06 msa_sc3722_2_6_1-0047 Enlarge and print image (3M) |
|
We insert with pleasure the following
letter, which we have just received) and re-
quest a continuance of cur new correspond- <
eut's favors.
For tub FEDERAL GAZETTE.
Mr. Printer,
I belong to a small society, who meet
once every week, at -—is. B—n's tavern, to
smoke a pipe, learn the price of produce in
the city, hear the news, arid chat over a
bottle of general Killer's best Madeira. Our
members consist of Mr. Richards, the vil-
lage school-master ; farmer Williams ; squire
Stump ; doctor Steel, and mysef ; whom
they have dubbed Treasurer, because it falls
to ine to settle the reckoning (which I do
once a month) provide tobacco, and keep
o.ur account".
We were all of us not a little surprised
the other evening, to learn from Tom
Twist, who was just from Annapolis', tba'
our assemblymen had taken it into their
heads to address the president of the United
States, upon (as Tom said) the present pos-
ture of affairs. As most of-the members
are well known to some one or other of us,
you may well imagine, that we waited with
anxiety the arrival of the newspaper which
contained it. At last it arrived.
The school-master having read over the
address with an audible voice, as is his wont,
observed, that for his part, if he had the
power he would exclude every man from the
general assembly, who could not write
grammar. That's provided for, said squire
Stump, by our constitution, which forbids
the people almost in express terms from
electing blockheads, by laying them under
an obligation to chuse ' the most wise, sen-
sible and discreet." I know that, replied
Mr. Richards, but the constitution does not
require that those who are elected, should
understand the rules of grammar. You
have only to give your attention to the very
first paragraph of this address, to be satisfi-
ed of the necessity of adding such a provi-
sion to our constitution.
" It being congenial with republican prin-
ciples to consider devotion to public service,
as originating h >m nobler motives than
those which are excited from expectation
of pecuniary rewards ; under this impressi-
on, we think the approbabation of a grate-
ful people, the greatest reward a nation can
bestow on her deserving executive."
Here the verb " consider," stands without
a nominative, unless we give to it " republi-
can principles" for one, and if we do so,
these principles must be converted into sen-
tient beings, for they must think or consi-
der. With respect to the word devotion, it
looks neither like " an act of piety, of re-
rai^Hw, -.i' —~. ..,., or LcicnjujiT. nor de-
voutness," to have placed it whereit stands.
" Nobler motives than those [motive.';]
Which are excited from the expectation of
pecuniary reward." These are fine words,
but arrant nonsense. A love of fame, or the
emoluments attached to office, may excite
men to serve the public, but they do not ex-
cite motives. They constitute motives, not
excite them.
Mr. Richards, said farmer Williams, I care
less about the grammar of a thing, than I
do about its sense and truth ; and am a'"
ways disposed to make allowance for the
misuse of a word, provided the meaning
intended, can be fairly come at. I presume
the addressers meant to sa3^, that there
are republicans who give their services
to the public, without the expectation
of reward, and that Mr. Jefferson is one
of them. If they believe this, I shall
not contest their belief. But what could
have induced men unacquainted with
cabinet secrets, men whom every body
know so well, to talk about our foreign re-
lations, concerning which they can certain-
ly know nothing. They keep no spies in
England, France or Spain, to advise them
how matters stand with us there, and surely
what the president has thought proper to
conceal from congress, he has not commu-
nicated to them. If their account may be
depended upon, "the American character has
been eminently exalted abroad by Mr. Jeffer-
son ;" but as this fact rests entirely on their
simple assertion, I wish to God they had
thrown out some clue by which it might
have been aut henticated. Should it be real-
ly so, said Dr. Steel, which I hope with all
my heart, it would be unfortunate were any
of these gentlemen to take it into their heads
to visit Europe.
The addressers, said Mr. Williams, fur-
ther inform us, that despots have endeavor-
ed to destroy the principles of the govern-
ment ; but that " the wisdom and vigilance
of our president, have happily warded off
the blows 'which have completely secured to
us life, liberty ami property." All this I
must say, is news to ine, but if there has
been such an attempt upon our lives, liber-
ties and properties, and Mr. Jefferson has
completely secured them, I am really, for one,
much obliged to him. Tin's battle of the
despots, said the schoolmaster, reminds me
Of the sham fight which Sancho Panza had
to maintain in defence of his government
of Barstaria. I am told, said squire Stump,
that our governor is a very deep man. Per-
haps, it was from him the addressers got their
information about this battle and the defeat
of the despots;.
I perceive, firmer Williams, said doctor
Steel, who sat on his right hand, that you
have passed ever, without a word of com-
ment, a very prominent part of this produc-
tion. The addressers tell us that they would
« net act agreeably to the wilt of l
if they were to neglect to assure him (Mr.
Jefferson) of their unabated confidence in his
•wisdom unci •virtue?' Now, whether their
confidence .be unabated, or diminished, lam
certain the will of the people neither requir-
ed them to express it nor to conceal it. This
attempt of the addressers, said Mr. William f,
to call in the people to countenance this
proceeding of theirs, did not pass unobserv-
ed. I fully intended to notice it, when I
came to notice a more striking assumption
of power, I mean their open invasion of the
right of the electors of president and vice-
president of the U. States. " Sir (say these
addressers to Mr. J.) whilst we bear testi-
mony of our approbation of your administra-
tion, permit us to stficityou again to take
the helm of government." Here again, said
the schoolmaster, is composition for you
with a witness. I shall not, said Mr. Willi-
ams, quarrel with the addressers on that
account ; but I really begin to be seriously
alarmed, at seeing men, who scarcely know
how to do the business for which they are
deputed, meddling in affairs which they can
know nothing about, and which is carefully
concealedfrem them, and formally sending
an invitation, which they had no authority
to send. If Mr. Jefferson shall appear to
the men who shall be chosen to elect the
president and vice-president of the U.'Stales,
as well qualified, as any of those who have
pretensions to the high office he now fills,
it is probable they will re-elect him ; but
most assuredly, legislators, convened in their
legislative capacity only, overstep the bounds
of modesty, and their constitutional limits,
in inviting any person " to take the helm
of governme nt." Neighbor, said the doc-
tor, will you make no allowance for extra-
ordinary cases and conjunctures. Perhaps
the addressers were of opinion that their
act might tend to relieve the people from
suffering for fear, Mr. Jefferson would not
serve them a third time : you and I may
think, that if the people have fears, they
are groundless ; but no matter, if they fear,
the sensation is troublesome ; and if they
are troubled, they are troubled, and it signi-
fies nothing for us to tell them they need
not fear, and that their trouble is ground-
less. Doctor, said Mr. Williams, fair play
is a jewel, I have always considered it cri-
minal to usurp power, or to deceive the peo-
ple, tho' it were to ensure to them the con-
tinuance of a present good.
Neighbor Williams, said the squire, I eve-
ry day get more and more bewildered about
the meaning of what the addressers call re-
publican principles. They boast that " it is
congenial with republican principles, that
republicans should serve tnerrcountry, with-
out the expectation of pecuniary reward,"
and yet I never have known one of them to
serve the public without being well paid
. for it. They keep bawling in our ears, ge-
nuine republicans want nothing, and in the
mean while, like hungry dogs, seize upon
every thing, down to the very offals. It
stands unrepealed in the constitution of Ma-
ryland, that " a continuance in the first de-
partments of power or trust, is dangerous to
liberty ; a rotation, therefore, in those de-
partments, is one of the best securities of
permanent freedom." The addressers have
promised to support this constitution ; but
before leaving the house in which they made
this promise, they consider as nought this
best security of freedom. Of what avail are
principles, if on every occasion they may
be disregarded. I am sick, sick of witness-
ing such scandalous duplicity, on the part
of men calling themselves republicans, and
such lamentable stupidity on the part of a
people calling themselves free. Friend
Stump, said Mr. Williams, though these
things are calculated to excite disgust, as
well as alarm, let us not despair of the com-
monweal. There is still, I flatter myself,
a fund of good plain sense in the country,
which will one day rouse the people from
their slumber. Truly, said the doctor, this
same good plain sense has itself had a long
nap, but perhaps, it will only be the more
vigorous when it awakes. It will never
wake, said the schoolmaster, till all men are
taught grammar and the rules of compositi-
on. Then I should fear, said Mr. Williams,
it would never wake.
Pray, doctor, said the squire, have you
heard who is the author of this adddress ?
Mr. Twist says our legislators only gave it
their sanction. I differ from Twist in this
particular, said the doctor. The address car-
ries with it internal evidence that it is ex-
clusively the manufacture of such men.
I am yours, tic.
EPHRAIM MILDiUAY.
January 12.
>ff 11 c tlte art nf en.
graving in our country, by calling forth the
ablest exertion? of the best talents,
procured for their correct and elegant Bi-
ble a collection of plates much superior to
any before executed in America. If publish-
ers generally, would offer similar incen-
tives to the exertion of the artist, while
their own interest would be advanced, one
of the moot valuable of the fine arts would
be patronized and improved by the fostering
hand of private munificence.
New-York, January 3d, 1807.
Messrs. Collins t? Perl-ins.
Gentleman — Your letter of the 2d inst.
together with the specimens of engraving,
executed in this country, for your bible, to
which it refered, was duly received, and
considered by the directors of the society
of arts.
I am charged, gentlemen, to convey to
you the expression of the high satisfaction
with which the directors viewed these spe-
cimens of rapid improvement in tire arl of
engraving ; and to say that while all are just-
lyto be regarded as honorable evidence ot the
exertions of the several competitors, they
cannot refrain from expressing the very par-
ticular pleasure with which they viewed The
St. Paul, (a) The Providence, (bj and The
Holy Family, (c). The works of native
American artists (two of whom are unassist-
ed by any advantages from foreign education)
and all of which must be deservedly con.- ;-
dered as unequivocal evidences of great ta-
lents, and sure promises of early, and future
excellence.
While the directors bestowing this justly
merited applause upon the gentlemen, who
executed the three plates before mentioned,
justice required that they adjudged your me-
dal to the engaver of The binding of Mo-
ses, (d) whose superiority on this first com-
petition was naturally to be expected, from
the superior advantages which be has enjoy-
ed in receiving his professional education in
Europe.
The directors hope that other opportuni-
ties of competition, laudable as that which
you have given, will soon occur, to call
forth new exertions of genius and industry.
And judging from the first exhibition, they
cannot but indulge tire hope of soon seeing
this branch of the polite aits carried to a
degree of perfection in America, which
shall excite the surprize and even the emula-
tion of Europe.
I have the honor to be with great res-
pect, gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN TRUMBULL.
[a~] Tiebout. [b~\ Fairman. [c~\ Maver-
rlck jun. \_d~\ Leney.
From the People's Friend.
I Prize Medal.—With the view of exciting
j an honorable and useful competition among
the engravers of our country, Messrs. Col-
lins and Perkins, having selected several of
1 the most eminent in their profession, gave
j to each a subject to engrave, and offered a
j gold medal to the best.—When the plates
! were finished, they were submitcd to the
examination of the president and directors
of the American academy of arts.—The
opinion of the board, as to the collective
merit, of the whole, and the comparative
excellence of several, is expressed in the
following letter from colonel Trumbull.
We cannot here omit to remarke, that
Messrs Collins. 5: Pakins, in consequence
may have resided but a few months or weeks
in the country.
You may be assured, sir, that the Ame-
rican mi'lister has, as much as is in his
power, exercised iris authority for Shaw's
. is eil as that of the other prison-
ers. His feelings would be much gratified
by their immediate enlargement.
(Sig'ied)
' 1). B. WARDEN, Sec'y, &c.
Lawson Alexander, Esq. American con
sul, Rotterdam.
EFFECT OF MUSIC.
The following memorandum concerning the
influence of music on the common mouse,
•was communicated to the editor of the Me-
dical and Physical Journal, by Samuti
Craimer, M~. L>. of Jejftrsan county, Vir-
ginia..
The following circumstance was related
to me by a gentleman of undoubted veracity.
One evening in the month of December,
as a few officers on board a British man of
war, in the harbour of Portsmouth, weie
seated around the fire, one of them began
to play a plaintive air en the violin.
He had scarcely performed ten minutes,
when a mouse, apparently frantic, made its
appearance in the centre of the floor, near
the large table which usually stands in the
ward-room, the residence of the lieutenants i
in ships of the line. The strange gestures
of tire little animal strongly excited lire at-
tention of the officers, who, with one con-
sent, resolved to suffer it to continue its-
singular actions unmolested. Its exertions
now appeared to be greater every moment.
It shook its head, leaped about the table,
and exhibited signs of the most extatic de-
light.
It was observed, that in proportion to
the graduation of the tones to the soft point,
the extacy of lire animal appeared to be in-
creased and vice versa. .-liter performing
actions which an animal so diminutive would,
at first sight, seem incapable of, the little
creature, to the astonishment of tire delight-
ed spectators, suddenly ceased to move—
fell down—and expired without evincing
any symptoms of pain.
Extract of a letter from the secretary of the
American legation at Paris, to the Ameri-
can consul at Rotterdam, respecting an
American prisoner in France.
Paris, September 1st, 1806.
SIR,
I have had the honor of receiving your
letter of the 18th instant, in which you
express an interest in the confinement of
Mr. Shaw. His liberation, with that of
the other Americans, has been lately de-
manded by his excellency the minister ple-
nipotentiary of the United States. The
minister at war transmitted, with his an-
swer, a copy of the matricular list, or re-
gister, on which Mr. Shaw's name is insert-
ed ; and, opposite to his name, it is stated,
that Richard Shaw was a naval surgeon
on board the frigate the Shannon. Before
an American can be enlarged, who is con-
sidered an English prisoner, four things are
required by the minister at war :
istly. He must exhibit proofs that he is
an American.
2dly. That he was not a combatant, and
did not belong to the crew of the vessel in
which he was taken.
gdly. He is to designate the vessel, and
4thly. He must mention the port into
which he was conducted.
We have received documents which prove
that Mr. Shaw is an American citizen.
The others are required ; and I have written
to him on this subject.
It is unfortunate, that a distinction is made
by the French government, »etween natives,
and the adopted citizens of the U. States ;
and equally so is the opinion, that there is
nothing more easy than to procure certifi-
cates of citizenship, although a foreign*!;
BAMBERG, October 8.
His majesty the emperor and- king, has
published the following address to his army :
" Soldiers ! The order for your return to
France was scarcely issued—scarcely had
you approached the frontiers, when trium-
phal festivals were awaiting you, and pre-
parations were making for your reception.
" But while we gave ourselves up to this
fallacious security, new attacks were medi-
tating against us, under the mask of friend-
ship and alliance.
¦' The cry of war resounded in Berlin ;
and for two months past our attention has
been excited inure and more every day.
The same faction, the same giddy spirit
which, in consequence of our internal di-
visions, had, fourteen years ago, led the
Prussians to the plains of Champaign,
presided over the councils of Prussia. They
no longer wish to burn Paris, and to level
it with the ground, but their object was to
plant their standards in the capitals of our
allies. Hence they were solicitous to com-
pel Sax >ny, by an humiliating convention,
to renounce its independence and degrade
itaclf into a Prussian province ; and thus
their final objects were to tear the laurels
from your brows. They want us to with-
draw our troops from Germany, in the very'
face ot an enemy. Biind, infatuated men !
They may wish for this measure, but it
would be much" easier to destroy our capital,
than th.e honor of the children of the great
nation, or to sully that of our allies.
" Their lust plans were baflled : they met
death, defeat and humiliation, on the plains
ot Champaign. But their experience has
been effectual, and they art men in whom
the sentiment.; of hatred and jealousy are
never extinguished.
" Soldiers ! There is not one among you
who would wish to return to France by
any other way than that of honor. Wc
must never enter our country but under tri-
umphal arches. We have braved the sea-
sons, the seas and the deserts, which all
Europe has frequently armed against us.
For this our fame has been extended from
east to west, and mat we may now prevent
our allies from having to say. that we re-
turned to our country like fugitives, or that
the French eagles had been terrified at the
sight of the Prussian armies. Already have
these armies nvjved forwaid against our ad-
vanced posts.
" Since our moderation has had no effect,
let us therefore inarch upon their insolent
presumption* The same fate which the
other armies 14 years ago sullejed, awaits
this Prussian army. They may' learn that
it might have been easy to have obtained
power and increase of territory by a friend-
ly connection with the great nation, but that
its enmity (which can only be provoked by
the rejection of all wisdom and understand-
ing) is more dreadful than the storms of the
ocean.
" Given at our imperial head-quarters
" at Bamberg, October 6.
" NAPOLEON."
(Undersigned) " marshal BerthiER."
PARIS, October 20.
The following letter t. the king of Prus-
sia, was carried by captain Montesquieu,
who set out horn Gera, on the 13th of
October, 1800, at 0 o'clock, A. M. and ar-
rived at the camp oi gen. Hohonlohe, at 4
P. M. Gen. Hohenlohe detained that offi-
cer and look trom him the letter he was the
bearer of. The army of the king of Prus-
sia was 9 leagues farther back. This prince
then ought to have received the letter of the
emperor at the latest, at 6 in the evening.
They assure, however, that he never receiv-
ed it before the 14th, at |