aMt itraly of ccimnnrcf ; having or.ee
made an unfavorable our. That making
an unfortunate treaty, gives a clqim to all
oilier nations,
I IJkve formed my opinion on tills pre- j
sent not by comparing the .id- j
vantages and disadvantages of our trade, |
as tliey are regulated by diflert nt nations;
but by enquiring wbat is the (late of our
cummerce with particular nations. And
whether, from our commercial relation,
v. j have not a right to expect more favour
able regulations' Whether we have not a
right to expect the removal of rettricHons
to which we are fubjeft, and to obtain ad
vantages,we do not now receiver We
hive been informed that Britain is depen
di.nt on us for many of the neceflaiies of
life; they are dependant on us for those
raw materials, by which numbers of their
citizens receive employment; and that
they cannot be obtained from any other
quarter. If this is a true Hate of the
c.le, and it has not been controverted ;
and the truth of it I think, is evident,
from a view of exports to that country.
Have wc not a right to expect, a right
to claim "a removal of those unfavorable
rjftri&ionj ? If this is a true Hate of our
commerce, would not Britain, were all the
regulation# on the footing of reciprocity,
have the advantage ? Their trade with us,
ij of neceCitjr: Theirs to us may be, and
can be dispensed with. Numbe.s of them
depend on m, for their very fubliftence.
Independent of their manufactures, we
can go on, and I believe, prosper. I do
not believe, that agriculture or manufac
tures, would futtain even a check: It would
no doubt, be fomc degree of inconvenicn
ev, to the mercantile iatereft, And I can
not help oblerving, that gentlemen have
been loud on the disadvantages of the mer
chants, from the adoption of the principle
now under dlfcufTion. I must regard the
merchant only as an intermediate negocia
tor, between the planter and manufacturer,
and the foreign merchant. Ido not con
ceive the loss is fuitained by the merchant.
It is fuitain.d by every citizen, in pro
portion to his ccnfumpticn. If the in
terest of agriculture is promoted, the mer
cantile interest must participate. I consi
der the agricultural intereil, as the source ;
and cannot agree, that the mercantile
(hould either be the llril, or only object
of our attention. And suppose a tempo
rary inconvenience to arifc from the adop
tion of the i dilutions, I think they ought
to be adopted when intended ; and I think
it is evident to any pevfoH, who will con
template the degree, in which Great-Bri
tain is dependant on tiie United States,
for her exports ; that they will be pro
ductive of lifting advantages. Is there a
probability of our being relieved, other
wise than by our own exertions ? Or can
gentlemen fix the boundary beyond which
thev will not go, in their reilriitions,
should we continue to acquiesce ? I confefs,
I expect nothing fhoit of the entire pro
fits of all our labor, will fatisfy them. If
we are to judge of the future by the past,
and I do not think we have a right to
suppose a change in her motives or prin
ciples, we are to expect regulations, which
will throw into the pockets of her citizens,
all the profits of the labor of the United
States.
Gentlemen confefs her Navigation Ast
operates against us; bijt it is said she
treats lis, as (he does all other nations:
which to hie, I confefs, is no reason we
ftioiild fufler injustice; Yet not contented
with the reftriftions on our trade, we have
it in proof, (he had a principal and unso
licited agency in the late truce : Where
by our veflels are fubjefted to depreda
tions, and to being captured. I will not
fay what was their principal motive ; but
it is another means of throwing into their
hands, an additional portion of our carry
ing trader They condemn as prize, goods
Carrying to the ports of France j our vcf
fels are feizedj fearehed and detained un
neceflarily : This conduct has con drained
the French) in their own defence, to adopt
similar regulations : All of which is con
fefleclv nvjainil the law of nations: Their
forcing or enticing our seamen on board
their veffcls—zll is calculated to increase
their flipping* hv excluding ours: And
this done, whillt we were leaving trade to
regulate itfelf) whilst we were tamely
fv.bmitting to their reftriftions.
Under thi»e circumftancej, we have no
re? on to hope for a favorable change ; I
t'uiiik the mod distant hope cannot be en
tertained. No alternative remains, but an
entire acquicfcence, or availing ourselves
of the peculiarly favorable circumstances
of our commercial relation, to enforce jus
tice. This may be deemed unjust, or un
equal, airtongft nations ; 1 am sure it .. ould
not, aino'ngft individuals, lie, who in
merchandizing, is exchanging a nereilary
of lift to the person who needs, and could
not be fuppli-d from any other quarter,
for property of inferior demand, would not
submit to have the terms of exchange,
dittated to him. He would avail himfelf
of circumilances, to enforce justice, or re
fufe the exchange. Why we (hould not
as a nation, aflume a similar conduct, I
know not.
Counter regulations are apprehended.
I with he had pointed out what regulati
ons they can adopt, which will not operate
more againlt them, than us : I believe it
cannot be done. War is also apprehend
ed ; it has not before been suggested : I
believe it is not fericufly apprehended. As
an independent nation, can our doing what
Great-Britain has done before us ; can
our doing what we have a right to do, as
an independent nation give offence ? If
this (hould be made the cause of war, we
may reft afiured, it was pre-determined ;
and that nothing we could do, would pre
vent it. 1 believe the only way to cause a
war, is by tame submission, and to prevent
it, is to use our rights, uninfluenced by a
fear, either of counter regulations, or war.
(Delate to be continued.)
Cor.grcfs of tba United States.
IN SENATE,
Monday, January 27,
The Senate rcfumed the second reading
of the bill fc.it from the House of Reprc
fentatives for concurrence, entitled " An
ast for completing and better supporting
the military establishment of the United
States," and
Ordered, That it be referred to Mr.
Ellfv.-crth, Mr. Livermore, Mr. Strong,
Mr. Izard and Mr. Langdon, to consider
and report thereon to the Senate.
Afv.- the consideration of the execu
tive business,
The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock
to-morrow morning.
Tuesday, January 28.
The memorial of Joseph Bloomfield,
President of the Convention of Delegates
from the Abolition Societies within the
United States, in behalf of said Conventi
on was presented and read, praying Con
gress to pass a law prohibiting the traffic
carried on bv citizeusof the United States
for the supply of (laves to foreign nations,
and preventing foreigners from fitting out
vefieis for the (lave trade in the ports of
the United States.
The Vice-President laid before the Se
nate a letter from the Secretaay of State,
enclosing a translation of the French ast
of navigation.
The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to
morrow morning.
Wednesday, January 29.
Mr. Ellfworth from the committee ap
pointed to consider the bill, font from the
House of Reprefentativesfor concurrence,
entitled, " An ast for completing and bet
ter supporting the Military Ellablilhment
of the United States," reported amend
ments, which were agreed to.
Ordered, That the further considerati
on of this bill be postponed.
After conlideration of the executive bu
siness—
The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to
morrow morning.
Thursday, January 30.
The following written meflage was re
ceived from the President of the United
States by Mr. Dandridge his Secretary.
United States, January 30.
Gentlemen of the Senate and of
the House of Representatives,
Communications have been made to
Congress during the present session with
the intention ofaffording a full view of the
posture of affairs on the fouth-weftem fron
tiers. By the information which has late
ly been laid before Congress it appeared
that the difficulties with the Creeks had
been amicably and happily terminated.
But it will be perceived with regret by the
papers herewith transmitted, that the
tranquility has unfortunately been of short
duration, owing to the murder of several
friendly Indians, by some lawleft white
men.
The condition of things in that quarter
requires the serious and immediate confe
deration of Congress; and the adoption
of such wife and vigorous laws, as will be
competent to the preservation of the na
tional charafker and of the peace, made
under the authority of the United Stite*
with thefc ft;vera) Indian tribes—Experi
ence demonstrates that the existing legal
provilious are entirely inadequate to those
great objects,
G. WASHINGTON.
The meflage and papers referred to
were read.
Ordered, That thev lie for confidera
:ion.
Thc Senate resumed the second reading
of the bill, sent from the House of Re
prelentativcs for concurrence, entitled,
" An ast for completing and better sup
porting th? military eftablilhment of the
United States," and after debate,
Ordered, That the coniideration there
of be postponed.
After consideration of the executive bu-
finefs,
The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock
to-morrow morning.
Foreign Intelligence.
FRANCE.
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
October 29.
A deputation of the Jacobins were ad
mitted to the bar.
Xavier Audouin, Afliftant Secretary of
War, spoke as follows: " When you
formed the Revolutionary Tribunal, the
people thought that the Tribunal, point
ing out with one hand the crime, would
strike it with the other; but forms paral
ize the efforts of the mod indefatigable
Judges; all France accuse the conspira
tors, and demand their death, but the law
cannot reach them. When we fee a dead
body, have we occasion to be alked, with
how many blows it was struck before its
death. Our cities destroyed, our citizens
butchered, famine, that hideous fpeftre,
staring every where, the belt Republicans
opprefTed, the greatelt villains protected,
France opposed to France—such are the
crimes of the conspirators do we wait
till they swim in the blood of our brothers,
before we piinifh them ; Representatives,
you have at present the maximum of opi
nion ; you owe a generous movement to
the wishes of the people, who have been
too long betrayed,; you owe it to the
tears of the fathers and families who la
ment their relations slain ; you owe it to
the necessity of avenging so many crimes.
We demand firft, that you exempt the Re
volutionary Tribunal ofthofe forms which
enchain the conscience of the judges, and
ftifle conviction ; 2dly, That the juries
may declare to the judges, that there is no
occasion for debates, when their opinion is
once formed.
Ofielin—" The firft part of the Petition
ought to be sent to the Committee of Le
gislation ; but the second seems so evi
dent, that it is unneceflary to refer it to
any other committee. I move that the
latter be instantly decreed.
" You have a great conspiracy to judge;
crimes against the State, which can nei
ther be viewed nor punished in the ordi
nary manner ; this is so certain, that you
have created a Tribunal for that purpose ;
make laws then, which may facilitate its
operations. You may in future get rid of
forms: why then debate about them to no
purpose ?
Roberfpiere made the following amend
ment to the motion: " If any Trial be
fore the Revolutionary Tribunal continues
for more than three days, the President
(hall open the following fitting, by a (king
the jury if they are fatisfied ! if they fay
No, the examinations (hall continue; but
if they reply in the affirmative, the evi
dence (hall be closed, judgment given, and
none be allowed to object to the decision
of the jury." The proposition, thus
amended, was decreed, and sent immedi
ately to the Revolutionary Tribunal.
The President of the Revolutionary
Tribunal represented by letter, the diffi
culty of the trial against the deputies,
conspirators. In five days, nine witnefies
had only been heard. The loquacity of
the gu3ty wafted much time—why have
recourse to evidence, when the nation
was attacked ? If eighty were to be heard,
there was equal reason for hearing four
hundred; the proofs were in the events
which had followed.
This letter was joined to the petition,
and sent to the committees of legidation
and public welfare, to report upon it to
morrow.
Billaud Varennes remarked, that in the
drawing up the Resolution, there had been
infertedthe Extraordinary Tribunal; —in
the tiir.s the conspirators lived among u?
said he, and commanded majorities, the/
called it the Extraordinary Tribunal, but
you ought to restore its true name, and
real institution, and enable it to judge in
a revolutionary manner.
Salluft said, that conspirators could not
be judged with too much celerity. He
demanded that it fliould henceforth be cal
led the Revolutionary Tribunal.—(De
creed. )
October 30.
Thtprocuratorof of Rhtiir.s,
sent books and parchments which where
used at the consecration of the Kings of
France ; he joined to them the oath taken
by Louis Capet at that ceremony.
Romme demanded that they (hould be
destroyed.
" I fee not (replied Burden of Gife,)
why we Ihould preserve the ornaments used
at the consecration of Kings, when we
have destroyed the seal of the (late, and e
very tiling which belonged to royalty."
He demanded that they (hould all be burnt.
—Decreed
Some citizens of Corbeil brought a gilt
silver (hrine, which inclosed an old Saint,
who had long been supposed to work mi
racles, said they, but we find that the on
ly good quality he had, was the (hrine,
which we have brought to be converted
into Republican coin.—Honorable men-
tion,
In conformity to the report of the com
mittee of general fafety, the Convention
decreed
1. That women (hall no longer be al
lowed to aflemble iu popular societies.
2. That all the fittings of the popular
focicties of men (hall be public.
The CommifTioners wrote from Lyons
((25th October,) tint 600 workmen were
employed in raising the fortifications of
that rebellious city. A colony of Repub
licans will follow d'Herboit to this city,
in order to regenerate the public spirit,
which is yet in a revolutionary ltupor.
October 3l
A deputation of the council general ot
the commons of Paris came to demand,
that a revolutionary tribunal do accompa
ny each detachment of the revolutionary
army.
A deputation of the popular societies
came to demand, that every person refi
ircnt in the country, and having a town
house, rtiall return to town in the course
of one month : —they stated, that those
persons (laid in the country on purpose to
abuse the revolution, and the law that fix
es the maximum of provifions.—Referred
to a committee of legifi~ion.
A petition of the fame deputation made
a long speech, by which he demanded that
the nfual mode of addrefiing one single
person by the polite word You, ift the plu
ral number, be converted into Thou, which
is of the lingular number, for the fake of
abolilhing all proud dillin&ions among tire
French Republicans.
Bazire demanded that this requeil be
infta-stly decreed ; but on the motion of
Philippeaux, the convention thought it
fufficient to give it insertion in their Bul
letin.
On motion of Romme, the convention
decreed :
1. That the words of Town, Burgh,
or Village, (hall forthwith be fupprefled.
and that of Commonalty substituted in
their place.
2. That the inscription to be put up
111 front of the Tennis-Court of Verfaillcs
(hall be the following : " The Common
alty of Versailles has well deferred of the
country."
UNITED STATES.
NEW-YORK, Jan. 31.
The following is a fliort retrofpeft of
the situation of France :
That though there existed a great diver
sity of opinion refpe&ing the form of go
vernment finally to be adopted in France :
yet they feerned unanimous in the refol*>
tion of fore in the Belligerent Powers to
acknowledge their right of choosing what
form of government, and what laws they
please, and of compelling their enemies
to sue for peace—to effefi this object they
have 700,000 regulars, partly in the field
and partly in garrison ; that notwitlutar.d
ing this force, they have called out the
firft class of their citizens, who have al
ready amounted to 420,000 men ; these
they aie training in their fortified towns,
that they may be ready by next spring to
take the place of their legulars, who are
then to aCt on the offeniive, by invading
the territories of their enemies—that next
spring the 2d class is to be organized, in