To the Prejidcnt and Commijioners oj Trade at Bourdeaux.
Paris, Bih March, 1790.
Gentlemen,
IT is with the utmost pleaftrre we felicitate our constituents and
fellow-citizens on account of the calm which has taken place of
the tempest with which they were threatened. Of this we have
the moll fati&fadory and pleasing proof.—You will readily con
ceive it, Gentlemen, from the copy of a decree, paflTed this day
at noop, unanimouflv, and without debate. Never was the unan
imity ot the National AfTembly more conspicuous ; and we take
the carlieit opportunity of dispatching to you the intelligence.
We are with refpeft,
Gentlemen,
Your mod humble,
And raoft obedient fervanti,
CORBUN,
BECHADE-CASAUX.
Decree of tie National AJJemily, concerning the French Colonies. Faf
fed Monday Sth tf March, 1790. Tranfmitci, in Manvfcript, by
M. Nairac, one of the Deputies from this city to the National As
s Jcmbiy. J
THE National AlTemblv, taking into confidefation the addrefles
Md Petitions of the commercial and manufacturing towm,
(he Memorial* itceivci from St.'"Domingo and Martinique, ad
drefled to them by the Minister of the Marine, and the reprcfent
ations of the deputies from the colonies—
DECLARE that, viewing the colonies as a part of the French
Empire, and desirous that they (hould enjoy the benefits of the
ha PPy revolution which has been accompli(hed here-, thev, never
thelefi, never meant to include them in the Constitution which
they have established for the Kingdom, and to fubjea them to
liws which might be incompatible with their local and particu
lar interefts.— WH E*Er°*i, They have decreed, and do decree
as follows:
j ft. Each Colony is authorised to make known its withes with
respect to a constitution, aXegidature, and that administration of
tfie govtrnment which may be mod conducive to its prosperity
and the happiness of its inhabitants; provided they conform to
•hole general principles which bind the colonies to the mothcr
couotry, and ensure the prcfervation of their refpeftive interefb
ad. In those colonies where there .re colonial aflemblies
freely chosen br the citizens and acknowledged by them, tht-fe af
fcmbhes (hall be permitted to make known the wishes of the co.
JOny; in those colonies where there are no such a(Temblie s thev
•nail be immediately formrd, in order to exercise the fame Dri
vilegei. r
3d. The King (hall be petitioned for p-rmiflion to circulate
in each colony an inftruftion from tire National AlTemblv con
tain "g,ft. The means of establishing Colonial AlTemblies in
thole Colonies where there are none. 2d. The general principles
«o which the Colonial AlT.mblies (hall conform in the plans which
they lhall offrr.
4'h. The plans prepared in the said Colonial AfTemSlies lhall
be 'uom.tted to the National AffemMy, in order to He examined
and adopted by them, and prcfentcd totheKing tor his acceptance
and <*>uhrmation. r
sth. The Decrees of the National Affcmbly, refpefting the or
ganization of municipalities, and of Admimftrative AlTemblies
(hall be transmitted to the said Colonial AlTemblies, with authori
ty to carry into execution any part of the said decrees which mav
apply to their local situation, fubjea to the final determination of
the National AlTembly, and of the King, with refpeft to the modi
fications which it may be proper to admit ; and fubiefl, also to
the provisional approbation of the Governor, with regard to the
provisional execution of the Decree which (hall be made bv the
Adtnmiftr&tive Aucmblies.
&h. The fame Coloniil AfTcmblies (hall i-xprcfs their wishes
with refpefi to the modifi;ation« which might be introduced into
the prohibitory regulations of the commerce between the Colonics
and the Mother-Country, in order, upon their petition, and after
having heard the repiefemations upon the part of the French Com
merce, that they may be adopted, if it {hall be found expedient
Fuithirmor e—The National Assembly declare they have
110 intention to effect, either directly, or indirectly, any chance in
any of the branches of the trade of Franco with her Colonies Pla.
cing the Coloniftj and their property under thr special protefiioii
ot the nation they pronounce all those to be criminal azainft the
nation who [hall attempt to excite any infur'reftions among them
Judging favonrblv of the motives which have aftuatcd the Citi
zens of the fa id Colooies, they declare there is no ground of com
plaint agamlt them ; and they expect from their patriotic, ,| le
maintenance, of tranquility, and an :gviolable fidelity to the Vati
on.to'the Laws, and to the King. ' *
THE TABLET No. CXIX.
" Many events, alluded to as a matter of revelation
may be accuviplijbed by the operation of natural cavfesS'
Mr. Editor,
, S ,? ME 7 eari a «° 1 was present at one of
the public exhibitions of a neighbouring Universi
ty. There was an ingenious dif'cuflion of the
following question ; Whether the universal diffufion
of literature will precede and prepare the way for the
universal prevalence of religion ? One of the voune
gentlemen, who took a part in the affirmative of
the question, gaveine a copy of the arguments he
delivered on theoccafion. I was so highly grati
fied with them, that I am induced to requei? you
to divide them into eflays, and publilh
tbem in different numbers of the Tablet. Z.
TN compliance with the wishes of our cor-
X vefpondent we begin the publication of
the performance above mentioned, and may per
haps continue it through three or four succeed
ing numbers.—
FOR THE TABLET.
the favorable influence of Literature
upon religion, to be determined by the
impartial voice of reason only—a decision ofthis
question in the affirmative would be the result of
a single reflexion. But since our reasonings in
this lin perfect ftaxe, are liable to error, and'we
fometuries find experience demolishing the fpecu
lative systems that are erected by demonstration
ltfelt, it will be neceflary to take a view of the
state ahd connexion of literature and religion
at different periods of the world, that we maybe
able, by a knowlege of part fa<fts, to frame proba
ble conjcctui'es concerning future events.
FRANCE.
" As the question is supposed to refer to chnftian
ity, as the ntoft rational system of religion ever
published to mankind, 1 fliall offer it as a princi
ple which reason and fad: concur to eftabtifh, That
it is impofliblefor a rational fyltem of religion to
exifl among a barbarous and illiterate people.
In confirmation of this principle, we may observe
that the inhabitants of molt erf the vast empires of
Alia are uncivilized or unlettered, and their reli
gion moflly idolatry—that altho chriflianity has
been frequently preached among them, yet the
repeated efforts of Mifiionaries, from the times of
the Apostles, down to the modern Jesuits, have
hardly been able to establish it in a single province.
So early as the 7th century, chriflianity was pub
liflied in China. In the 13th, we are informed,
the NewT eflament andPfalms of David were tran
slated into the language of the Tartars. Yet so in
capable were those Asiatics of comprehending the
sublime ideas of an invifibje Deity, that they chose
to follow Confucius andßrunima, rather than Je
sus Chrilt, and to worihip Fo and Dilailama in
preference to the fSeity owned by C hriftians.
" The Emperors,it is true, opposed the propaga
tion of chriHianity, from motives of policy. Ta
merlane, in particular, used the sword to extir
pate it—probably he was apprehensive that the i
deas of equality andandependence, which our re
ligion inculcates, would disturb the tranquility of
his dominions, or prove fatal to his extensive and
despotic power. But, waving the question, why
so many millions of the human race, forthoufands
of ages, have Numbered in tame submission to
the will of a tyrant, without effecting material in
novations in their government : It is certain that
had the body of the people in these empires, been
enlightened by science, the sword of Tamerlane,
of Kouli Khan, and of Omar would have been as
impotent in refilling the progrels of religion in
Asia, as the victorious armies of Charles Vth, the
pompous decrees ofecclefiafticalcouncils, and the
awful fulminations of the Roman Pontiff, were
unfuccefsful in opposing the reformation in Eu
rope. (To be continued.)
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
1 v jJL.ionc.iy
COSGRESS OF THE UXITED STATES
AT TBI SECOND SESSION,
Begun and held at the city of New Yo-k, on Monday the fourth
of January, onethoufand seven hundred and ninety.
A p T , '° P rovidc f , or mitigating or remitting;
the Forfeuures and Penalties accruing under
tio e ned VenUC LaWS ' n Ce " ain CaseS therein meni
r» E ilenaftJiy the SaUi and House of Retufintathe, of the UviUd
J States of America, in Longrefs affemkled, Th;lt w h f ,, cver anv
judge of the diftrifl in whtch such si« „ C 4°.
given to the person or p^.' "nfe *
h, t t u ei;h nd 10 ; hc At,ornc > ol the o»"^.««^or?„'&«&*
that each may have an opportunity of fhewinT ranfi- ami a t
mitigation or rem,ffion thereof; and (hall cause !),,
(hall appear upon luch enquiry to be If Irl J 1 whlctl
tition, and d£k tohc th •' T
fury of the United States, who (hall therollt V Trea '
tigateor remit fueh fine,'pen, Uy or "|"
'' m opinion, the fame was incurred wVhout wilfuUrVr'
Sgaa
X's it:"."'" " ,d •■ :n,j -•T'i ~r,£
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG
TOHN ADAMSr' 7 "f Rtpr'fixMht,.
JOHN ADAMS, Vui-Prejidtnt oj the United States
THOMAS JEFFERSON, S my of State.
&asesa®w«^
r».h».he wrssawsssas,s
474
'ATES
PUBLISHED
the Territory of die United States, North-Weft of iht Rim ny
and the government of the said Territory-, South of .ife ql *'
shall be Timilar toxhat wMch is now exe'reiftd in dit T
North-Weft of the Ohio; exorpt so far is is otherfeife
in the conditions, r.xprefled in an Ast of Convrefiof thr
Session, entitled " Ar»a£tto accept aceffion ofdte
State of North-Carolina, to a certain Diftrift of Wcftern T
tory." "■
And be it further enaHed, That the salaries of the officers w Vi
the President of the United States lhall nominate, and with ' '
advice and consent of the Senate, appoint by virtue oft'nis
fliall be the fame as those, by law eftablfftied, of funil ar offi B '''
in the government North-Weft of the River Ohio. Cet *
And the powers, duties and emoluments of a fuperintendantrf
Indian Affairs, for the Southern depaitment, fliall be unit?/,
those of the Governor. w '"'
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLEJJBL'Jig
Speaker of the House of Rtbrifctui,,,,
JOHN ADAMS, Vuc-Vreftierl oftht
. and ''"Mnt'jtheSmtt.
Approved May twenty-sixth, t- Q0
GEORGE WASHINGTON, frefidct „fthe vl tti S,», s
(True Copy)
THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESEN TA FIVES.
MONDAY, MAY 31.
THE report of the Poll Mailer General on the
Colics, refpefling a survey of the public roadt, wis
and refci red to the committee on the fubjeft of
Offices, and Poll Roads.
Mr. Kitzfimom moved that the motion laid ontheuHt'toTmA.
ing Congress holding their next feflion in Philadelphia, (HoiMfa"
taken up. , ,
Mr. Sherman and Mr. Livermore obje&od to the motion It
was observed the third reading of the funding hill Was the or.
der of the day, which was a fubjirt of the greate'i important on
which the Houle has been long deliberating— and whicii has never
been before the Senav. The fubjea occasioned a lengthy difcrf.
fion the IJII fcflion, and will probably introduce much debate
whenever renewed.
Mr. Vining fupportcd the motion. He observed, that the bufi.
nels was now brought forward 111 the moll simple form, un;on 3
netted with thole qucllions of permanency, &c. with which :i
lonnerly encumbered. He hoped the resolution would be i m .
m-diately attended to ; it was certainly of tome conference to
determine whether Congrefi Ihould in future hold their feflions
nearer the centre of the Union, or not. The qu, (lion now comes
before ill m an abflraft form ; the members are iree and unioibat.
talTed ; no undoc influence and combinations that he knew ot ex
tiled.
Mr. Lawtancc oppoled the motion, and urged taking up the
butiuefs which had a piior claim to the attention ofCongrefi.
Mr. Thatcher observed, that as there was bulinefj of the mated
conkqucnce before the House, and on which the publ.c mind is
particularly anxious ; and thi qui ftion is contefTedly trifling anil
un'mpoitant in a somparative view, be hoped that the time of the
Hoirfc would not be cnnTumcd in difcufling it. He did not think
it ol two paper hilars' confequcnce to the United State!, whether
Congress !at at New-York, Philadelphia, or on the Potowmic.
Mr. Vining and Mr. Hartley replied to Mr. Thatcher.
Mr. Sherman observed, that the business more immediately bf.
<t C ° n S rcfs ' he considered of so much consequence, that he cooij
wilbl the present motion might be withdrawn. He (houldhavenj
o jeflion to taking it up next Tui fday or „
'^ r * Fit/fimoU! said, that if the Hou r e would agree th*t it
fhoulu be taken up next Tucfday or Wednesday. He was not so
tenacious of the present moment as to obieft to luch a postpone
ment.
Mr. Livermore objcftcd to the House's pledging lhcmfcbw»
take irp the resolution m-xt week.
Mr. White was in favor of taking up the rcfolution at the pre
cnt time : He conceived that it might be soon determined. Re
curring to the Journals,he said, it appears that the laft.feflionthere
was a confiderablc majority of the Houfein favor of Germantown,
as the permanent refidcnce ; that being the cafe, there can be no
imculty in fixing on Philadelphia as a temporary residence. He
wished therefore the question might now be determined.
Mr. Parker was in tavor o* deciding on the question. Heracn
tioned a variety of inconvenicncies which resulted from meeting in
New-York.
Mr. Gerry replied particularly to the two last gentlemen, and
o lervcd, that it is of more consequence to the people what Con
gress do, than where they fit.
. Mr. Smith objeaed to the motion. He considered the question
as unimportant to Oie community at large, whether Congrefsmet
at one place or another. He considered it impropei in itfelf, as
it is not certain that the present Congress will hold another feflion.
e mem bers of this Congrtfs were chosen to meet in New-York,
lie 'nought it quite unnecctfarv tl»t at the last feflion the members
iftould be dragged away to another place. He .idacd many other
(.Nervations, and concluded by faying that he Ihould call for the
Ayes and Noes.
Mr. Williamfoii, Mr. Burke,and Mr. Blood worth, made a few
re mar a. -—A fumcient number of members rising, in favorof
calling the Ayes and Noes, they are as follow :
AYtS.
MeflYs A (he, Baldwin, Brown, Cadwallader. Carroll. Clymer,
Coles, Contcr, Gilman, ftriffin, Hartley, Heift
e , Jack Con, Lee, Madison.Matthews.Moore, P. Muhlenberg, Pip',
Wkt er un!- n r ey ' S " u " dfl " 1 ' Steele, Stone, Sumptcr, Vininj,
W hue, Willtamfon, Wynkoop 32 . V
.. „ . NOES.
M, r Bt ? I son ' Bloodmitl '. Boudinot, Burke, Floyd,
" y ' G °odliue, Grout, Huger, Huntington, Lawrancc,
cT r n° r e ,rW ' dfiC ' R- a nfellacr,Schurt:man,
I ratnbul'l, Tucker!'—^2^7^* 3 S, »' th <S-C.) S,urges, Thatcher,
So it was determined to take up the Resolution.
T lie Resolution was then read.
unu!l'„ L ! a ,r J c C ' obf " vcd ' that the Uft session it was said thittb
Hrniirrlr/l on fixing the permanent refideso
after an ether " wou ld be more easy to fix on this refidwo
=dlournment to Philadelphia? If Congress removed
mantnt con " l , ved th « difficulty of ever fixing on « per
dereH rnf " would be greatly encreafed, arid probably re»
be inunlu^" 3 if' ar the question of permanency wouM
The Uft r(T m i P cnt difcuflion he would not pretend to f j y
. rr o ,'^ 1 *" greatly agitated the House, in W
u mbcrl R enerall y regretted that it had bee*
he thou u?-, conftdered the question aslocal, and in that vie#
whole n • ' n. iV? till business which concerned the
.Ton ore'T "T? h3VC been d "'ded on. He thought the q«f
rprirfrn U * C ' as !t mi S»" Evolve the idea of a permartw 1
nf t h, "I"' 1 a PP e " cd wbe proper to wait till the enumeration
com ™ ', r nt ' ould be com pleated : New-York doei'nof
Con ß re /s tarrying here for a long season. Heobfer
anv'fnr ® varlet y " f '"sons, that it was as proper a situation"
" y J or ' tew F*>rary residence.
ci Dies'rnn^'l!^!i 0 f °' ) j c^e d to the resolution, and on general prj»"
Dffinteri „ "^ e J. " r tarrying where they new are-W W o
removal u j Cu l tlcs > a "d expence, which would attend
of thi* riM.. e , vcrtc< * to the cooveniencies and accommoda"^ 1 *
change till' ' Ut WBS °PP°fed particularly to the idl» °f s
change. Ml a permanent fituanon Q»„M be fixed on.-