A motion was made to go into commit
tee of the whole iimmediately.
Mr. Forreit fujSported the motion.
Mr. Parker observed that he was not
ready to enter into a consideration of the
lubjeft ; he house that there
are joo of the refugees in and about Nor
folk ; the people there had made very ge
nerous contributions for their relief. The
legislature of Virginia had also granted
them aid ; he thought the fiibjedk ought
to be taken up on genera! principles, and
if any thing is to be done by government
tlie circumllanccs of these person s when
ever they are, if aillreffed, ought to be
taken into consideration.
Mr. Murray replied to Mr. Parker, by
obferytng that if there were as many per
sons of the defeription under confidtra
tiort in Norfolk, as the gentleman stated,
and the legislature of Virginia has grant
ed them relief, the preemption was, that
that relief was fufficient—no application
is received from that place for the intcrpo
filion of government. But the prelent
cafe is different, an immediate application
is made ; the unfortunate perlons must be
reduced to extreme misery if no provision
is made ; that provided by the legislature
of Baltimore extends only to next month.
Some conftil utibnal objections were
made to entering into the bulinefs—thefe
were replied to by some general remarks
oa the fupsriority of the claims of huma
nity to all precedents whatever.
Kir. Madison remarked that he prefnm
ed no arguments, no efforts of oratory
were necelTary to excite emotions of be
nevolence in the mind of any member of
the house towards these unfortunate fugi
tives. He had no doubt that the feelings
of every man were alive to a sympathy for
their situation, but he remarked that the
government of the United States is a de
finite government, confined to fpecified
objefis—it is not like the state governments
whole powers are more general. Charity
is no part of the • legislative duty of the
government ; it would pu/zle him to lay
his finger -on any part of the constitution
which would authorise the government to
interpose in this business ; the report of
. the. committee he observed, involved this
coDllitutional question—Whether the mo
ney of our constituents can be appropriat
ed to any other than fpecific purposes.
He concluded his remarks by feying,
that tho' he was of opinion that the relief
, contemplated could not be granted in the
Vvv.y proposed ; yet he supposed a mode
might be adopted which would answer the
purpose wiihout infringing the constituti
on. He adverted ta the measures which
had taken place uude'r the dir ettion of the
executive.
Mr. Nicholas concurred in fenUment
with Mr. Madison. He considered the
constitution as defining the duty of the le
gislature so expressly, as that it left them
no option in the present cafe. *
Mr. Murray observed that as the states
individually cannot prevent persons from
landing on their (hores ; as the regulations
of tonnage, commerce, and foreign inter
course with nations are exclusively vetted
in the general government,he inferred that
it must inevitably follow, that the govern
ment can with perfect confiftencyaffordre
lief to those who may come in circum
flances of unavoidable necessity and dis
tress. This he considered as firm and
constitutional ground.
Mr. Boudinot supported the question
on constitutional grounds, he in (lanced
several cases which had occurred and might
occur, in which relief must be neceffariiy
granted, and that without occasioning any
doubt of the constitutionality of the bufi
ne& ; fueh as granting pensions, afford
ing relief to Indians, supporting prito n
ers, &c. He alluded to the circumstance
of the alliance between the United States
;<«d France, the connexion between the
citizens of the United States and that
country, &c.
Mr. Dexter stated sundry obje&ions
from the constitution. It willnot be pre
tended, he supposed, that the grant of mo
nies, on this occasion, was for the general
welfare, it is merely a private charity, he
was in favour of going into a committee
on the fubjeft, but wished a short delay,
that he might revolve the question more
fully in his own mind.
Mr. Giles enlarged on the unconftituti
onality of the power proposed to be ex
ercised by the legislature, The scope of
his argument turned on the force of an a
mendment to the constitution, which pre
cludes Congress from the exercise of pow
ers not expressly delegated. He hoped
feme expedient would be fallen upon, in
the coe.-fe of the difcuflion, withont in
volving a constitutional question as to its
legality.
His wifti wai to postpone the business.
iudden impiilfes, he remarked, often led
to aflumptions of power, which were un
warranted, and which afterwards acquired
a force extremely detrimental to the pub
lip welfare.
Mr. Murray observed that the genera]
welfare was involved in relieving any part
of the community burthened by an una
voidable neceflity. An imperious neces
sity has imposed a great burthen on the
Hate of Man-land ; any other part of the
community might have been exposed to
the fame call of humanity, and a similar
burthen thrown on them. As part of the
great whole, the general welfare is moll
undoubtedly promoted by dividing the
burthen.
Mr. S. Smith stated as a cafe in point,
the relief granted and sent to the people
of St. Domingo, on the firft infnrreftion
of the negroes.
Mr. MaJifon, in reply to Mr. Boudi
lot who had Hated several cases as in point
qbferved that thoft cases came within the
law of nations of which this government
has express cognizance, the support of
prisoners, in a cafe provided for by the
law of nations, but the present question,
he remarked, could not be considered ia
any such point of view.
The motion for going into a committee
of the whole immediately, was at length
withdrawn, and the report laid on the ta
ble.
A mefiage from the President of the li
nked States, refpedling the appointment
of a fuperintendant of the ifl'ues of sup
plies was taken into coufideration, and re
ferred to a special committee to report on
the expediency of the appointment of fuc'n
an officer.
Aiijourned till Monday.
C? It should have been noticcd in the
minute of WednefdSy's proceedings, that
Mr. Giles moved to ge into committee of
the whole, on the enquiry into the tranf
a&ions of the Treasury Department—
this motion was fupei ceded by the preflure
of other bulinefs.
For the Gazsttt of the United States.
Rrfo'.utions of the Democratic Society, Con-
tinued.
Ap.ticuE 1.
Resolved, That the experience both of
France and America, has evinced the ab
surdity of governments within govern
ments ; as. they are calculated merely to
crate an encreafing aristocracy by multi
plying titles, places, and pensioners, who
prey like leaches, upon the vital blrtod of
the body politic, and by the numbers and
a daily increasing strength threaten every
where a total deftru&ion of the principles
of liberty and equality. That the misfor
tunes of ancient Greecc and of France,
may soon be experienced, if parts of the
grand union are allowed in future, to en
a& laws hostile to the views of freely
constituted Supreme Law-givers of the
general government of the Republic of
America—Therefore resolved, that this
society do recommend to their brethren,
throughout the uuion, to consult on a
mode by which, to abolish the ridiculous
diftinftion of States within States, with
all their absurd trappings and appendages,
saving only such as may be conducive to
the Grand Union of a free government —
One and indivisible.
Article 11.
Resolved, That as a war between Re
publican states, will cause great triumph to
the monarchical league—Therefore, a peace
Ihould be concluded between this republic
and that of Algiers, ct all events.
Article LII,
That this society, do recommcnd in the
moil ardent and pressing terms, the speedy
abolition of (lavery, throughout the union ;
a principle so difgraceful, and so dangerous
to. all existing liberty and equality, ought
by no means, to be fuffered to exist for a
moment, in any free country.
ExtraS from the minutes of the Society.
PHILADELPHIA,
JANUARY 11.
Abftraft of further intelligence by the
late arrival at New-York. The Combi
ned forces at Toulon for the security of
the outer haijbor have b«en obliged to
erect a fort on\n out post.
By - the proceedings of the National
Convention, it appears that a bloody bat
tle was fought between -the Patriots and
Insurgents on the 9th October, in which
the latter were totally defeated, and their
Army of Twcnly-Tboufanrt Men, disper
sed over an extent of Country of 30
Leagues "circumference —That the 28 sec
tions of Bourdeaux, had lent a deputa
tion to the Convention informing them at
their approbation of the Revolutions of
the 31ft May and 2d June —and advi
sing them to Hand firm at their poll.
That the army of the Republic entered
Lyons without dii'order, and crowned its
glory bv ails of humanity—No person
had reason to complain of any injury—
General Dagobert at the head of a re
publican army has entered Spain—and
taken the town of Campredon.—The Spa
ni(h Army is in the moll dismal fitua
ti6r:, afraid even of attempting a retreat.
The patriotic municipalities are re-clta
blil'ned in Lyons—the Popular Society
re-instated—the disarming began, and a
committee of vigilance appointed—the re
bels reduced to 300, who are enclosed in a
wood by 6000—a military commission has
entered on its office—and four aids-de
camp ordered for execution—several cf the
chiefs of the Cou'nter-Revolutionifts have
destroyed themselves.
LONDON.
London Gazftti Extraordinary.
WHITEHALL, Oaober 23,
The dispatches of which the following
are extracts and copies, were received on
Sunday lalt, at the olEce of the Right
Honorable Henry Dundas his Majelty's
principal Secretary of State for the home
department.
Toulon, September 27; 1793.
Sir,
Since I closed my dispatch to you this
day, the firft division of Neapolitan troops
came into the harbor, confuting of two
thousand men, all in perfect health, con
veyed by two (hips of seventy-sour guns
each, two frigates and two sloops :—they
have been eleven days on their pajTir>«.
Two thousand more treops w_ rt to fail in
three days after that of t [ ie ; r departure,
and a third 'iTviutni alio of 2000 men were
feu in twenty days from the day on
which the firft division failed. After the
confident manner in which I have ventured
to aiTure you that no impreffiou was like
ly to be made on our potts, inadequately
garrifonedas they were by our original
small body, I need hardly express the com
fortable l'ecurity I feel with our last rein.-
foi cements.
I have the honor to be, See.
MULGRAVE.
The squadron under Adm. Gell have
been delayed by contrary winds, I have
the opportunity of informing you, in ad
dition to my last dispatches, that on the
28th inft. the firft division of the Neapo
litan troops dilembarked under the ccm
mand of Brigadier-General Pignatelli.—
The troops are in perfect health, and are a
very fine body of men, and well appoint
ed.
The detachment of the King of Sar
dinia's troops consists entirely of grena
diers and chafleurs, and are of the best of
his Sardinian majefty*s troops. I have great
confidence in the zeal and willingness ex
prefTcd, both by the officers and soldiers
of this corps.
It is with extreme concern that I have
to inform you of the loss which the fei vicc
has sustained by the death of lieut. Newn
ham of the navy; to whose private and
piofeflional merits, the sincere and marked
regret of the Spanish as well as Eoglifh
officers, who were witnesses of his able &
aflive conduct, bears the moil honoura
ble testimony. His wound, which was
not at firft judged to be dangerous, took
an unfavourable turn, which proved fatal
in a very (hort period.
I have the honour to be, &c.
MULGRAVE,
Right, hon. Henry Dundas, &c. &c.
PRICE or STOCKS.
Philadelphia, January ii, 1794.
6 per cents, 18f
3 ditto, los to io/l.
Deferred, 11f
U. S. Bank, I 2 per cent, advance.
N. A. ditto, 20 ditto ditto.
Pennfrlvaoia do. 7 ditto ditt».
M.iuja AN rONir 1 rK,
The fate of this woman, like that of her
hulband, mult excite no small degree of re
gret and indignation in the furrtfunding
nations; especially in Germany, where her
relations have power and influence. If
any thing can allay this re" -t or "suppress
the sympathy of honrlt liear.s, it is the
charaiter of Maria, who, it is said, indulg
ed herfelf in base and lcandalous crimes—
In these ferocious times, what may not be
cxpe£ted in France,' where government is
prottrated, and the demon of jealousy,
with an iron red in one hand, and the
Guillotine in the other, stalks uncontioled,
and thins the population of that dillraded
country! Amer. Minerva-
The American Schooner Britania, Bar
nam, from Bollon to Bourdeaux, is taken
and carried into Weymouth, by the Achil
lis privateer.
The Betley, a new (hip from Philadel
phia, bound to Cape Francois, is taken by
a Spanilh packet and carried into Corunna.
By a lift of the names and cures of the
patients in the Pennsylvania Hospital, it
appears that there have been admitted
within the year ending the 27th of the
fourth month 1793. two. hundred and thir
teen difeaftd persons, amongst whom were
seventy-one lunatics, or such as are disor
dered in their understandings, and dis
charged as under.
88 ' I
Irregular behaviour, 4 I
Died, t6 A
Rcmairu 4th month 27th,
1793. Si
Cured,
Relieved,
Taken by their friends,
Incurable,
Eloped,
of whom 15 poor, & 38 on pay
American Philosophical Society.
JANUARY 3, 1794.
At the annual ele&ion of Officers, the
following persons were duly appointed,
Prcjident—Dr. David Rittenhoufe,
Vice-Prcfdcnls —Mr. Thomas
Dr. John Ewing, Dr. William Smith.
StcreUr:-:—• (Nicnolas (-own, (u.
WiiiissH Barton, Dr. Sairuit>Magav)r,Mr.
Robert Patterfon.
Tretsfurcr —Mr. John Vaughan.
Curators—Dr. Benj. S- Barton, Mr.
Char'es W. Peale, Dr. Casper Wiitar.
Ceunfellors fur three years—Dr. John
Andrews, Mr. James Davidfon, Mr. An
drew Ellicot, Dr. S. P. OriiHtts, Mr. Jo
nathan Williams.
Married it Providence, Mr. William
F. Macee, merchant, to Miss Susan
nah Nichtincale.—Mr. Jaykel Da
na, to Miss Kksjah Warnkr.
at Coventry, Mr. Benjamin
D. Greenr, to Miss Esther Bucklin.
To the Creditors of the French Republic.
ff?" SUCH persons as are Creditors of
the Republic of France, forfupplies fold
to their cummiifioners in the Weft-India
i(lands, are requested to meet at the City-
Tavern, on Thurfdav evening the i6t(i
inft. to consider of the best means of mak
ing application for payment of their rs
fpeftive debts.
SHIP NEWS.
The following vejfels are adv-rtifed for dif
ferent ports in the United Slates, in Cure'.
Liverpool Advertiser of OS. 31,1793
For New-York, the American brig Eli
za, David Harding, matter; the (hip Pal
las, Lulhington Goodwin, matter, to fail
in ten days; the American (hip Sifters,
William Provooft, matter, will tail on the
loth November.
For Norfolk. Virg. the Amerlc;':i snow
Venus, Alexander M'Connel, matter, to
fail in iodav*.
Want! a New-York, Cliar'ef
ton, BaldnjMHHffiiladelphia, the Ame
rican brig Batton, (naftiir,
mult fail Ift of November,
Capt. HaDowel), in the (hip Eetfev, ar
rived at Providence, (R. L) from Mar
tinico. He that the brig Tri
ton,Capt. Ridgaway, of Phihdelphia, hii
been captured by the Rqchaiipbcatk-privt
tett, aud carried ia iberej t'.e
Captain-had rai.foined bee for one bitna^i
213