Gazette of the United States & evening advertiser. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1793-1794, April 09, 1794, Image 2
<o fcargo, pti the vessels 10 the ports of the United SttUe, and Refolvft), That they do concur therein il with the following amendment. ei Line seventh, after the word " States t! insert " Whether cleared or not." ti «• Ordered, That the Secretary desire h the concurrence of the Ho life of Repre fentativesin the amendment. _ l ' Mr. Bradley reported from the commit- a tee of elections, to whom was referred the p credentials of the rfon. Kenfey Johns, ap- J t! pointed by the executive of the state of o Delaware, a Senator of Congiefs in place c of the Hon. George Read, relignfd. h Odertdi That the report lie for consi deration., . . % J TKe bill to make provision for the wi- 1: dow and orphan childen of Robert I*oi- a fyth; who was killed in die service of the c United States, wai read the second time, i On motionj 1 Ordered, That this bill be referred to « Mr. EUftfrortk, Mr. Langdon and Mr. ( Strong,' to conlTder and report thereon. i A m'effage from the HoUse of Repre- i fefltaties by Mr. Beckley their clerk : ] * Mr. Prefident —Th£ House of Re- i prefentatives concur in the amendment ps I the Senate to " The resolution, laying 1 an embargo on the vessels in jhe ports of the United States,"—And he withdrew. Mr: Vining from the committee on en rolled bills, reported that they had exa mined " The refbUition, laying an em bargo on the refills in the ports of the United States," and that it was duly en rolled. A mcflage from the House of Rspre fentativesby Mr. Beckley their clerk: " Mr. Prefident —The Speaker of the House of Repreferitatives having signed an enrolled resolution, I am directed to bring it to the Senate for the signature of the Vice-Prefident'' —And he withdrew. The Vice-President fignfcd " The en rolled resolution laying an embargo on the vessels in the ports of the United States, and"it was delivered to the .committee on enrolled bills to be laid before the Presi dent of the UnittJd States for his approba tion. Mr. Vining from the committee last mentioned, reported, that they had this day, laid the Taid enrolled resolution be fore tlie President of the United States; A meflage fwrn the House of Repre fentativesby $Ir. Bec&lev their clerk : " Mr. Preiiderit—The House of Re preftntames have palled the bill, sent front the Sedate for concurrence, entitled, " an ast to authorize the President of the United States in certain cases, to alter the place sos holding.a fefiion of Congrcfs." And he withdrew. Mr. .Cabot from the committee to whom was refer; ed the bill, sent from the House - ®f Rcprcfentatives for concurrence, enti tled, " an ast to provide for placing buoys on certain rocks off the harbor of New- London, and in Providence river," re ported amendments, which were read. Ordered, That they lie for considera tion. On motion, i Ordered, That the Senate be at present under an iniunftion of fecrecv, in refpeft to the amendmenrto the «rfotmion laying an embargo on the vessels in the ports of the United States. The Senate adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. Foreign Intelligence. A BRIEF REVIEW Of the lajl PROCEEDINGS if the POLISH DIET. The close of the Diet was worthy of an afiembly, from which epoch Poland may date her political annihilation, the remembrance of which will remain deep ly engraven on the hearts of the friends of humanity and juftiee. The last fit tings were remarkable for the turbulent and precipitate manner in which they hastened to finifh or murdi*r the greatest concerns which wen. yet upon the Carpet. Among these may be ranked the new constitution. However efiential such an object was for the trunk of the republic which yet preserves the name of Poland and Lithuania, no detailed discussion was had upon the different articles which com pose it. The project which had been previously formed, was adopted with lit tle variation. It was accepted in the whole; and its acceptation was inferibed on the registers, adding, « that it had been read in the prtfence of the States, in confe derated Diet assembled." j About twenty Nuncios wanted to en- f ter a arotell, it is true, agamft lome ot < the articles ; but »<> attention was pud either to their opinion or opposition ; and this new form palled into a law, at lealt for the prefeut ; but it cannot be said how long it may lad, for it is not guar ariteed, even b) Russia, It is remarked, that the 15th article of the treaty of alli ance between Russia and Poland exp.c'.y provides, that no change (hall be made by the king and the Republic, in the form of government to be tltablilhed, but in coticert with tlie JL'mpref* of Russia or her fucceflors. Thus, though (he h S s not guaranteed the perpetuity of the new conftifution, it is provided, that if it (hall ueqwhv any alteration, such (hall uor f>e made with out her consent. It h-J be«n published in the Polifli tongue, and contains lour parts, the, firft, the fundamental laws ; the others proscribe rules for the Dietines, tue |j different tribunals, the clergy, &c. A nother ast parted at the end of the fitting-, confirms the difmen"t$ ,f -rment of the Re public } in eftablifliir.g three commissions for fixing the limit 3 ; one for the confines between Ruflia and Little Poland : ano ther for those between Ruilia and the Po lish Lithuania ; the third for regulating frontiers with Poland—>t.ie whole according to the treaty of Ccffioii signed in the ratne of the Diet. The treaty of commerce with Berlin met with many difficulties, particularly with regard to the duties on ilaple com modities which the city of Dantzic en joyed, when undei the sovereignty cf Poland. However, the rfofe of tht Diet was not deferred on that account, and the further consideration was referred to the new permanent council, and the conv miffioncrs of the treasury. It lias finer been concluded, one article excepter, which is probably that of the commerciil rights of Dantzic, which M. Buckhcltz would not determine of himfelf, but di.- patched a courier to Berlin for inftrufti ons, which may authorize him to sign the treaty. —Count de Sievers supported, du ring the treaty, as much as poflibje tlie ccmmeicial privileges of Poland 5 but in a manner which in no way interrupted the good understanding that subsisted between him and the Prussian minister who tho't It his duty, at the moment fhc l>rct was »- botit to break up, t« teftify how amicable the concert between him and the Ruffian minister had been.—He therefore felicitat ed the Diet, by a note on the alliance it had concluded with the court of Pet erf burgh ; and.he afiured ft, that the treaty was so much the more agTeeable to the king his matter, as the empress was his friend and ally. Poland, reduced to one third of its former extint and strengtH, has loft a proportional part of its reveuues. she regulation of the finances has therefore become more difficult. In the last fitting, two loans were projected under the gua rantee of her Ruffian majelty ; one of' 27,000,000 of Polifli florins, for the pay ment of the particular debts of the King, the other of 10000000 for the necessities of the Republic.—The revenues of the King's domains are particularly destined to extinguish his debts. The finances of the republic for the future, by this dismemberment, will ufct exceed 16,000,000 are produced by the Polifli provinces, and 6,000,000 by the remains of Lithuania. As these must support the army and the other expences of the civil lift, arid the revenues of the King, they have been reduced a tjlird ; and his Majesty will only hereafter draw 3,000,000 from the treafyry. The two last fittings of the diet were exceedingly turbulent. The discontent with the pro ceedings of the Ruffian Ambaflador broke out with great violence; aid the efferye fcence of the oppofing'-Jjarty had nopther confequncethan what a momentary agita tion usually produces. A millitary order had been abolished on the representation of the Empress. The re-establishment of the order was demanded and decreed. No sooner had the decree paSed, than an offi. cer appeared in the middle of the hall with these diftfn&ive marks : he thanked the King for having restored to the brave Polilh army a decoration which it had so well merited, in bravely defending its coun try. The Nuncios all rose, and advanced in a tumultuous manner towards the throne, to kiss his Majesty's hands, and' exprefled their gratitude to him. The de cree, which could not fail to displease the Ruffian Minister, pafled unexpectedly and 111 1 hur T- Tfce wife and virtuous Sta, niflaus endeavored to rcprefs the diiordsr cf these delibfrations, and to decline \he ihajiks offered him. His eloquence ever ' temperate and magnanimous. : Such was the end of that famous Diet of Grodno, which terminated on the 24th Xlov. As it was 1 efolved to dissolve it, the bft fittings were so huryied, that hiany ar ticles, which were to receive its tinal laoc tian, were Dot read. The number to be pal Ted on the 23d arid 24th were 112, which were divided into three claffcs ; of which the Secretary read only the title: the firft class contained 40 projects relative to the New Conflitution : the lecond, 32 DHpofitions of the bit Pitt held at Wsr : saw, which wer« not revoked nor abroga ted, as were the other laws made by that 1 Assembly; but whieu appeared to require the confirmation of the present Diet: the third class cdntained forms of decrees on affairs. After the reading of the ti tles, the fiiit 40 form? of dtcrees received, the fanttion of the Stale, and were mane formal law 6. The fvla'rftial of the Diet received for his trouble and good otf.ees during the fit tings, a recompence of 100,000 Polish fibrins; the Secretary, 20,000; and tire Chancellor, 15,000. Counts Branicky and Rzewufki, who were, with the Count Staniflans Potocki, the firit to propose the confederation of, Tergovica, resigned their place of Grand and Little General of the Crown : the fii-ft succeeded by the chamberlain Ozarofki, the second by ge neral Pulawfki, whe discharged latterly the office of Marfoal of the General Con federation, Thus closed the fun&ions of an As sembly, which', from the unfortunate eir cumftances of the times, was forced to seal the dismemberment of a once power ful kingdom. The historian of the pas sing period will be at a loss to make iiis election in the variety of important eve.its that will press upon his notice, and claim his serious regard ; he will at once have , to record the most flagitious crimes that ever disgraced humanity, and the hwheft excellence that ever adorned it. From the attrocities of French Legislators, he will turn with rapture, with renovated en thusiasm, to dwell upon the mild, and at the fame manly virtuci of a ot Poland. - , , For the GmzsiTf. fyfxrh. Well said, Mr. Honcilus, stick at no thing i (he-w us, you know how, to m.f reprefent as well as to calumniate ; where pray did you finrl from Mr. Z. that the Orator afiurr.ed to htmfclf the merit of the finaricier—all he laid claim to was, men iy the merit of lending an helping hand, and this no body can with truth deny him; documents, of the most unaniwerabk kind, are icady to prove if necelTary, from the financier himfelf, and other officers of the tritafury department of that time, that in the public station filled by the Orator, he acquitted himfelf with zeal and fidelity to wards the United .States in their, it niggle for independence, and this was all that was contended for. The services of trie financier himfelf ate too well known, and too generally and too justly acknowledged, tofuffer any diminution from the claim faithful assistance rendered by any or by all of those who had the honor and tie happiness to be employed in the public business of that day. But pray Mr. Honeftus, who told you that the Orator is so violently anxious fin war ? his interest and his inclination are as much'at least as your's can possibly be for the preservation of peace and tranqui lity ; nor dots he believe that these will be disturbed ; no nation can get any thii g by attempting it : and doubtless the (irm nefs of our government, and the success of its ailies, will effectually ward off the ftormi Be if you can, a little more good tem pered Mr. Honettus, and believe that the Orator can feel as well as you can, for h's country by adoption, as well as for his country by birth r To the former, ,every consideration binds him, for the latter, he feels the most poignant regret at feeing it so wretchedly governed ; governed in a manner to involve it and its friends every where in misery and disgrace—-his father was once a victim of this kind ; and not withstanding all the generality hinted at, would be so dill, but for the Orator's ha ving provided an home for him, as veil a j 1 an handsome annual allowance, 011 which ' his chief fuppcrt has been founded ever since. ,»* Wejhbmtt, <uibetutr the ceKtiV*. bn /'not better close wit-: this 'uvr o.i. V Congress of the United States HoUje of lieprefentatives March 28. Mr. Swift's obfenvations upon Mr. Dayton's. propiftion, to fequefler Britijb Mr. Swift remarked, that 011 the firft view of the fubjedi, he had been inclined to favor the pjropofition, not having attended, minute ly to. the difliji&ion wade.by the la,wa of na tions, refpeaing the peoperty of an enemy liable to reprisal—but on a full inveftigafion, of the fubjeit, and mature deliberation, he was convinced that the proposition under consideration would be a direct and mani feft violation of the laws of nations—he was therefore, clearly and decidedly opposed to it's adoption—Gentlemen have said mucli refpe&ing the infuhs and the injuries which we have received from the British nation— but Mr. S. conceived it to be unneceflarv that gentlemen should ddcribe their infuhs and injuries in the, highest colours to inflame our paflions, and to animate our refexument ' —He believed that every gentleman in the committee deeply felt the indignity which hand been offered to their country, and was convinced that Creat Britain had been guilty of a violation of the laws of nations but Under such cireumftances, it was our duty to condudV with coolncfs, candor, and modera tion —He thought that the heat and passion which had been manifefted in the course of the debate, were inconsistent with that digni ty and propriety which ought to mark the deliberations of the Legislature. Mr. S. observed, that the conduit of the British Court in regard to their concealing in fßch a lingular manner, the order of the 6th of November, and the equivocal terms in which it was exprefled, was greatly to their dishonor. But he thought that the words legal adjudication, would fairly admit of a conftru<sHon that no American vefiel that ' Ihould be taken pursuant to that order, could be liable to be condemned, unleft warranted t>y the, laws of nations—There was reason to apprehend that such was the intention of the British Cabinet—and that the Coutts of Admiralty in the Weft-Indies, in their con demnations, had exceeded their jurifdi&ion, and contraditfted the design of the Court of London, recent intelligence confirmed the idea—No information of these illegal tranf a<Sions had yet been communicated to them —It was poiiible that when that Court were trade wjfri tinr iraff sustained, tTTat they would award restitution or compenfetion.—-Mr. S. remarked, that "by the Tirws V no nation haJ "a right" % to make reprisal for any injury till all other means of obtaining justice had failed—that it was our duty in the firft place, to repre sent to the Court of Great Britain, the spoli ations that had been made on our commerce by the illegal condemnation of our vefltls— that till we bad-done this, the laws of nations would not warrant us to make reprisals on the goods and cffeifU of the British nation— That there was a possibility of obtaining a fatisfaAory explanation of their conduit and reparation for the injuries we had fullered— It was therefore a proper tubjeit of negotia tion—But he fa'id if thai nation will not do lisjuftice, then-we are authorized to make reprisals. Mr, S. then observed, that when we had » taken such steps as would authorize reprifa!—, we Ihould be precluded by the laws of nation? from adopting the proposition under confe deration. He said that a gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Mercer) had yesterday as serted, that Burlamaqui was the only autho rity among the writers on the laws of nations against the measure ; and that the opinion of Vactel was in favor of it. Another gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Smith) had read a paflage from Vattel, which he considered as an authority in point, to juftify the seizing of private debts—but not debts due from the public—But if these gentlemen had tho roughly examined Vattel, they would have found iriftead of his being an authority in then favor, he had in the most direit terms maintained a contrary opinion—He then read a paflage from Vattel, that shewed that the effects of an enemy in a country at the time of a declaration of war cannot be Siz ed, but that the owner is entitled to a reason able time to remove them—and another pas sage which expressly declared, that by the usage and custom of modern nations, public and private debts are not the fubjeit of repri sal. Mr. S. conceived that these rules were founded in file highest wifdom —that all del ts were contra&ed under a fenftion of public faith, and an understanding that a war fhc 18 not render them liable to seizure or confisca tion—that a moral obligation existed between the comrafting parties for the payment of the debts—and that no government could ever have a right to violate a moral obliga tion—That therefore by the law of nations in all inft .nces where property comes into the poffefiion of a nation by a confidence reposed in their honor and faith —as in cafe of public or private debts, such property can never be the fubjeft of reprifaj, because this would be to authorize a breach'of public faith—but repr sals are always to be made on I property in polTeiTion of the nation who has | done the injury and which maybe taken with | out any violation of thofc principles which