dent fortune) who was attracted toTou
loti by the extraordinary event of its being
in our poffctlion, to whole abilities eve
ry occaiion here, and to whose diitinguifh
ed aud exemplary gallantry on this occa
iion, the service ha- been infinitely indebt
ed ; and the Piedmontefe chaifeurs, led by
licutenantcolonel the Chevalier de Revel
advanced in two columns, supported by
the Piedmontefe grenadiers, uudei'colonel
the Comte de Forax, the ridge being too
narrow to admit of a line.
A very heavy fire from the greatest part
of the enemy's line checked our progress
for a fliort period at somewhat lei's than
half the way, between the ground from
which wc had adv need and the enemy's
poll. Here a continued tire was kept up
between the enemy and the British Pied
montefe troops under every disadvantage
on bur part of the mod exposed and con
fined situation. The column of General
Gravina in mean time advanced in excel
lent order, under cover of the hill ; the
two companies of Piedmontefe chasseurs,
with the NcapcJitan granadiers and Spa
nifli troops advancing with a regular pro
gress, and well supported fire, towards the
left of the enemy's line, whilst the de
tachment frcra fort Faron, under Colonel
Comte de Porto, recommended their at
tack which they made a real one, ii.stead
of a me;c diversion, as at firft intended.
At this instant the advanced part of
General Gravida's column having nearly
gained the brow of the hill, I perceived
the set of the enemy's line begin to wa
ver and crowd together, and ordered the
Britifn and Piedmonteie under my com
mand to ruth forward, which they did
with the utinoft spirit and alacrity, under
a heavy and galling fire of the enemy,
which, however, was of very (hort dura
tion, for the whole line of the enemy,
with thfi different corps of reserve, (400
of their troops having abandoned the re
doubt before the conchifion of the adtion)
w 're thrown into confusion, and the rout
became general; fcveral were killed in
the pnrfuit, but a very considerable num
ber indeed were quite destroyed by pref
fmg each other over the precipice in their
flights Fifty-feven of their dead were
collected, without descending into the val
ley to w 1 ich they fell from the precipice.
An officer and fifty prisoners were taken,
and, by accounts received from deserters,
but one quarter of their original number
hare rejoined their forces. The moil mo
derate calculation upon the accounts of
the prisoners and deserters, states their
Tii!mber3 to have been from 1 Bco, to 2000
men, all troops of the line, and the flow
er of La Bar's army.
Our loss has been inconsiderable, com
pared to the difficulty and hazard of the en
terprize ; I have to regtet the loss of Lieu
tenant the Chevalier Faibar, of the Pied
montefe Chalfeurs, a gallant active and'in
telligent young officer, who was killed at
the commencement of the firft attack
made by my column.
The whole army heard with regret that
General Gravina, in the course of his a
ble and spirited exertions at the head of
the Neapolitan grenadiers, received a
wound in the leg, which obliged him to
retire from the field ; 1 am happy howe
ver, to add, that the wound is not
likely to be attended with any serious
consequences; his place was ably supplied
by the courage and conduct of Brigadier
General Chevalier Squierdo and Prince
Pignatelii. The chief loss has fallen up
on the column under my command, from
the very exposed situation in which the
attack was neceflarily made, and where
the British and Piedmontefe juftified the
mutual confidence which each seemed to
repose in the (teady support of the other.
Indeed fir, I (hall do injustice, were I
to particularize any corps or any nation
where all were so equally meritorious, not
only in the intrepid finnnefs with which
the whole of this brave body of men en
countered the dangers 'of a difficult and
almost desperate attempt, but for the pa
tient fortitude with which they bore hun
ger, third and fatigue, the troops having
received only a small portion of bread at
the time they departed from out of the
town, and being from the want of neces
sary supplies at Toulon without canteens,
no officer or soldier had a drop of water
to fefrelh himfelf wi'h, during the space
of 12 hours, in a laborious march up pre
cipices supposed inaccessible, and over rug
ged rocks, cxpofed to the burning fun—
I can only fay, thst the mutual esteem
and applause, which the troops of thedif
k> cut nations so strongly manifeft towards
each other, is the mod honourable pan#-
gyric that can be bestowed upon them.
I have the honour to be, &c.
MULGRAVE,
Ad. Brig. Gen.
I enclose a copy of the account I re
ceived from Gov. Efphindone of the at
tack' made to the eadward from Fort Fa-
roil.
October 6,
Lad night a reinforcement of 355 Pied
montefe troops arrived from Sardinia
The second division of Neapolitan troops
confiding of 2000 men is arrived in the
harbour.
MULGRAVE.
LaMulague, Oft. 4, 1793
My Lord,
IN conformity to the plan fixed on for
our joint opeiations, I went up to Fort
Faron, and by shewing the head of diffe
rent columns of the troops, kept the ene
my constantly "jealous of an immediate at
tack on the right, and kept up a well di»
rected fire from three 12 pounders on the
redoubt ; but it was not only my opinion
but that of all the officers commanding
corps, that a direst attack in a work so fi
tuatcd and full of men was impracticable;
I therefore ordered some parties of sixty
men each, to be ready to climb up the hill
the moment Gen. Gravina and yourLord
fhip fnouid advance on the top of the
mountain, and a column of 200 to follow
and support them, without fitting until
they should arrive at the summit, and a
part to turn the hill lower down on the
right, to cut off or impede the retreat,and
all the guns of the fort to fire about fifty
yards in front of the troops, and to flop
the moment I should make a signal. This
plan was admirably executed, and I hope
produced the best effect ; Col. des Pcrefta,-
colonelof the regiment of Majorca, dis
tinguished himfelf much in conducting
the attack, Captains Terrano of the 30th
and Beresford of the 69th, had infinite
merit for the intrepid manner they led
their men up an almofl- inacceflible moun
tain, under a severe fire. The Comman
dant of the Neapolitan troops and ma or
Huftein of the regiment of Royal Louis
were not less diltinguifhed on this occasion,
and the whole behaved with exemplary
firmnefs. Lieutenant Alexander of the
navy,and Capt. Dexter of the marines per
formed mod material services by the well
directed fire from the guns, 011 the ene
my's troops and works.
I have the honor to be, See.
G. K. ELPHINSTONE.
CONGRESS.
House of Representatives.
January 20.
In committee of the whole on Mr. Madison's
resolutions.
Mr. Lee spoke.as follows
The importance of the refolutiofls un
der confickration, is fully manifefted both
by the length and solemnity of the present
difcufiion, and the universal solicitude
which pervades our fellow-citizens. I have
been deeply irapreffed with the awfulnefs
of the present crisis : I have felt the mag
nitude of the fubjeft befoie us. I have
listened with attention to every thing
which has been offered to our considerati
on. I have been informed, I have been
inflru&sd, I have been delighted. My
mind which hesitated, has been enabled to
form its decision : And though, Sir, it
may be unneceflary after this declaration,
to take up any of the time of the commit,
tee, I hope I (hall meet with their pardon
and indulgence, for soliciting a small por
tion of their attention. In the present
jealous and censorious times, when it seems
to have become fafiiionable, not more to
enquire into the principles of measures,
than into the motives of public agents;
the talk of explaining the realons of his
conduct, is neceffariiy imposed on every
public servant, who does not wilh to have
his motives ir.ifinterpreted. But, Sir; not
withstanding I feel the neceflity of explain
ing myfelf on the present ocfafion, both
from the consideration I have mentioned,
and to exhibit to my constituents (whose
virtue, industry and value in society, claim
every attention, from me, to their inter
ests,) the reasons of my conduit ; I should
not aflc the present indulgence, if the fiib
je& had been altogether placed in thole
lights, ii which it mod forcibly strikes my
mind. And under this imprefiion, Sir,
I should be unworthy of the feat I hold
here, and of the confidence of my fellow
citizens, if I withheld aught, which ap
peared to me condiwive to their interests,
and the general welfare. Before I pro
ceed to a detail of the particular consider.
atious, which I mean to bring into the
view of the committee. I hope I (hall be
pardoned, while I attempt to eltablifh some
general abftraft principles, which appear
to me important, to guide us in the pre
sent discussion : And though at firit view,
they may seem remote from the fubjeft, I
hope the committee will patiently attend
me through the process of my reafomngs,
to those conclusions which will naturally
result.
I consider, Mr. Chairman, human life
as a system of expedients, whether viewed
individually or colle&ively. Man as an in
dividual, is ever in the pursuit of happi
ness, and is particularly occupied in ap
plying those expedients which, under ex
iiting circumstances, are most likely to
produce it. These he varies according to
the changes in his own mind ; and the
obitacles which continually occur against
his plans. Every day presents some new
evil to be avoided, or some new good to
be obtained : He avoids the one and pur
sues the other, by the belt means which
the state of things will afford. To do this,
he will vary his means, fulpend or accele
rate the execution of his plans, ascircum
ftances dictate. At all times he mult be
the bed judge of them, and of what in a
bv exilting ilate of this, is neceflary to his
happiness. Man alio, is a various animal.
Hence the diversity of human chara&er
and of human pursuits. Each individual
takes a different route to happiness; and
being the Left judge in his own cafe, has
a right to do so.
Societies being the aggregates of indi
viduals, are animated by the fame princi
ples : And in the great family of nations,
as among individuals in a state of nature,
each nation is the best judge of, and has a
right to pursue, according to existing cir
cumstances, those meafi:res which it thinks
necelfary to its happineis. Every nation,
therefore, has the capacity and the right,
to form such a government, and enact
such laws at every period of its existence,
as the exigencies of its filiation require.
Of these it is the best judge, and no other
nation has a right to interfere in the cafe.
According to this principle, we have ac
ted in the various changei that have tak
en place, in our political snftitutions. O
ther nations in all former ages, have exer
cised, and in all future ages, will continue
to exercise the fame right.
As the circumstances of individuals are
various, a mode of life which will produce
one man's happiness, may produce another
man's misery. The circumstances and dis
positions of nations, are as various as the
circumstances and difp ifitions of individu
als. And as among individuals, or.e mode
of life and one system of pursuits, will not
produce every man's happiness, so neither
amongst nations, will one form of govern
ment and one system of laws, suit every so
ciety. Hence the diverfify of governments,
which have existed in all countries, and in
all ages : And hence the revolutions and
changes,which have been contiuuaily made
in governments and laws, as the exigencies
of things required them.
From these principles, I deduce the
following conclusions : First,—That eve
ry nation has the capacity and the right
at every period of its existence, to provide
for its happiness, according to its own
knowledge of its situations and interests.
Second, —That therefore, the probability
is, that every nation under the existing
state of things, has that government and
those laws, which are best adapted to its
manners, and most consonant with its cir-
cumftances.
1 will exemplify these chara&ers—We
kuow that the government of Turkey,
would not suit us:—We do not knew
that our government would suit the Turks.
Leaving the Turks to judge for them
selves, as we judge for ourselves, the pre
emption is, that they have a government
bell suited to their manners aud circum
stances—We know we have a government
best suited to our circumstances and our
manners.
I will not attempt to detail those cir
curaftances, which have given rife to the
variety of governments, which now ex
ist, and have existed in all the former ages
of the world : On this fubjeft, volumes
have been written, and volumes might be
written. I only mean to establish, that
every nation, in every period of its exis
tence, is the belt judge of what is neces
sary to its happiness, and has those politi
cal institutions mod adapted to its filia
tion.
Thisis a true republican doctrine/' It
is founded on the capacity of the people
to judge for themselves. We know that
we have the capacity to judge for ourfelve».
We (hall be proud and vain indeed, if we
deny to other nations the capacity to judg
for themselves. We have the government
bell suited to us—the p.vfiimption is, that
other nations, have,governments belt suit
ed to them. Therefore, in difcufltng our
relations to other nations, I do not fee
the propriety of introducing the nature
and principles of their political institu
tions. On a qultion like the prefect, th~
only proper enquiry is, whether our in
tercourse with any nation, has ?. tendency
to add to the comfort, the wealth and the
the Itrength of the society : And not
whether it has a tendency to alterand im-.
prove our fociai institutions; of t'nefe, th;
ibciety in every period of its exigence
will always be the molt competent judge.
Viewing the principles I have stated, as ir
refragable, being founded on the nature of
man, the universal usage of nations, and
our own p raft ice. I will now turn my at
tention to some of the arguments which
have been urged during the difcufiion.—
In the course of my observations, I may
occaiionally apply the principles which I
have established. I (hail not go into a de
tail of commercial facts. This has been ful
ly done, by persons more competent to
the talk : —the committee must be fully
poffefTed of them. I iTiall only consider
fuc'i observations, as involve important
principles.
My colleague, (Mr. Madison) wlio in
troduced the resolutions, and he has been
followed in the idea by every other gentle
man who has spoken in support of them,
said that the present govoniment origina
ted from the incapacity of the confedera
tion, and of the individual states to regu
late our commerce with foreign countries,
and seemed to intimate that to counteract
the reftriftions of G. Britain with regard
to our trade v7aj the principal inducement
to its adoption. Tho' I difappn>ve of
applying to any jource but itfelf for the
interpretation of an inftrumer.t which was
intended at ail times to be its own exposi
tor. I will go back with my colleague to
tbofe feenes which preceded, and indu
ced the establishment of the present con
ftitv.tiori. I (hall go back with pleasure,
because, being then in the infancy of my
political life, I was witness to those firft
essays to regulate our commerce which his
patriotiTm induced him to make, and
which finally terminated in the establish
ment of our present happy government.
I fay, fir, I was v. itnefs to his exertions
—not I only, Mr. Chairman, but all A
roerica, has been witness to his exertions.
We ail know the {hare he had in forming
the present constitution and promoting its
adoption. I know that the convent'on it
Annapolis to regulate our trade, princi
pally originated from him ; I know, that
the grand convention v.'hich formed our
constitution was the consequence cf this,
and originated from him : And here I can
not he;itate as a member of an happy com
munity to pay that tribute of gratitude
and thanks, which my heart has always
felt to the man, whose councils and exer
tions have been so inftrumentalto ourhap
pinefs. f To le Continued.)
UNITED STATES.
ALEXANDRIA, (Virg.) Dec. 20.
Extruli oj a litter from Richmond.
During the session the governor laic
before the house a letter from the fecreta
ry of the treasury, informing, that " The
commifTioners for fettling the accounts
between the United States, and individu
al states, having made their final report to
the President, dated the 2§fh June, 179,,
a balance of 100,879 dullais, has been
reported by the commissioners, agar. Ift the
state of Virginia."
In order that you may have fame idea
upon what principles those commiffioncrs
proceeded in the apportionment of the
public debt,permit me to subjoin a few re
marks, made from a letter communicated
to the legislature, by the commiffioncrs of
this ftate,lately returnedfromPhiiadelphia,
and written before the secretary's above
mentioned.
" If the aggregate of the balances had
been apportioned among the Hates,accord
ing to the quotas during the war, Virgi
nia would have been a considerable credi
tor of between two and three million dolt
lars : But at prefer,t {he is debu r, tho'
for a small fuin, not more than an 100,000
dollars. So much has the result been de
pendent upon themod.-of apportionment."