•eafon courted, it was the prefcnt : it re quired all thevvifdom and gravity of the egiflative Councils, to combine our nation- U honor with our national l'afety. He was not surprized that the unpro voked aggressions of Great Britain on our commerce, should excite the most un bounded resentment, or that in the mo ment, our passions should invite to a mea fuie like the one propoftd. He was wil ling to admit the full force of the argu ments which fuggetted themlelves in Its favor: they had at the fir ft glance made an impreliion on his mind. Comparing the ciicumftances of this country with iiiofe of other commercial nations, added weight to this impreliion : The commerci al nations of Europe, with whom we were likely to quarrel, hatj large fleets to prptedl theircommerce tkt4 commit depredations on mir's. They could therefore fei2e our \effels, and we were not in that refpct upon a footing with them; it seemed therefore plausible at the-firft blush that, if such nations fcized our jhips and we could nqt retaliate on theirs, we should be juftified in laying our hands on their property of any defcriptiori which was withn our reach, 1 his reaibning, he said, he was compelled in cand >r, to admit, had no inconsiderable weight. At the fame time, howeyer, he was compelled, to declare, that there was in his mind a facrednei's attached to the character of debts which shielded them from a pro ceeding of this kind, and which fuperceded every other coitfideratiofl. The gentleman last up, had relied on the author: y of ancient foreign jurisprudence. Mr. S. admitted, that the more ancient wri ters on the law of nations had faniSlioned this measure; it. was also true, that by the anti.nt law of nations, the putting prisoners to death was warranted. Burlariiaqui, a more recent Writer, fays the confilcation of debts is againh llie modern usage and practice of nations ; '!flowed the progress of civilization, :he is . proved itate of and relpeft for credit and public faith, .have abolished this pradiice in modern times. He did not believe a single instance could be cited of a departure from this principle among nations, which valued commerce and credit. In all the most bloody and ferocious wars which had been carried 011 for near a century among the different powers of Europe, he did not re colled any precedent of this kind. Con i;-a£|s between iheiadividuals of the beilf gerent nations were always conftdered as but of the reach of the government; and even in cafcs where all other property has been lei zed, debts have always been fkreen <d from the gripe of confifcation. During the late war, debts were pro tested; South-Carolina, though roused by injuries to the highest resentment, though the warmest passions were alive, while con fiscating all other property, left debts un touched, under the idea that private con trasts were sacred. This was not even done in a state of war —the measure was much more objection able before war was actually declared—it might have very different consequences from those contemplated. It had been said, that the adoption of the resolution would be a means- of obliging Great Bri tain to do us justice, that it would strike a terror among the fubjeefs of that coun try, and make them clamorous for a res titution of our property. It might, he feared, have different ef fects ; it might exasperate the people of that country, and unite them with their government; on the other hand, a for bearance in this refpeft and a rejection of this measure m ight detach the people from the admir.iftration, it wouldconvince them that we refpedfed their private rights, that we considered the aggressions as the a£b of their administrators, that we cherished peace and if war takes place, we are driven to it by the government. This conduct would give effedl to our de mands and a refufal on their part would be so unpopular in Great Britain as to haflen a change in their ministry and produce another I more friendly to this conntry. It would put the government of that nation in the wrong not only in the eyes of other nati ons but in the eyes of their own people; and this was a policy we ought to pursue. Mr. S. again adverted to his proportion which, if the committee were determined to so any thing on this fubjefl, he recommend ed as a fufikient provision in the present exi gency ; it would give time to deliberate on further measures, to take advantage of the change of events in Europe which He be lieved would have great influence on the po licy of Great Britain towards the United States and bring forward a material change either in the measures of their adminiflra tion or ;n the adrniniflration itfclf, in which cafe we might expetf, without a war, a full _ reparation for our wrongs. Under these impressions, if called upon to give his vote, he should be obliged to vote against j the proportion : Deeming fcredit of the highest importance to this country, confir dering it as co,nne<£led with its comme cial prosperity—he deprecated the mea sure as one which would give a fatal {hock to it. He looked upon the prece dent as a dangerous one from its tenden cy to involve us in future wars. The in tercourse between the United States and foreign nations will from the course of things create debts from the citizens of this country to those of others. When ever any coniiderable number of these debtors become embarrassed in their cir cumstances, they will be stimulated to im broil us with the creditor nation,' in the hope« that a confifcation or sequestration of debts may afford them relief.. And altho' they might not expect a total dis charge, yet the profpeft of being less prcffed for payment by the government than the creditor, would be a motive with many. He had observed that some members who had advocated she measure spoke with hor ror of touching the public funds: for his part, he did not fee much eflential difference ; if the oue is warrantable as a retaliation for property taken, he did not immediately fee why the principle did not apply to the other. If the barrier be once broken down which protests debts generally, he did not know to what length the principle by gradual exten sions might not be carried. If there is a war with Britain, it is not improbable Holland may be implicated: if Britilh debts are con fifcated bccanfe Great Britain seizes bur ves sels, Dutch debts ought to be seized, if the Dutch take our velTels: if private debts are seized, public debts ought to be seized ; shall we confifcate what the Dutch lent us during the war or since the peace ? they have bought largely in bur funds j the fame prin ciple will warrant the seizure of that pro perty. It will be difficult to draw the line, if the principle be once admitted. Mr. S. also questioned whether Cnngrefs had a right by the Constitution, in time of peaee, to rneddje with private contrails; he saw no fuoh power veftcd in them by that inftrumeat and before they exercised it, they ought to be well Satisfied that they pofiefled it. PHILADELPHIA, MARCH 29. Yefterday'y New-York papers, received by this day's mail, do not contain any news. The report, that the speech of the King of Great Britain at the opening of the feflion of parliament, is In town—is not true. From a Correspondent. The sequestration of debts is a queftion ahle measure in the minds of many, at leall until there is a positive refufal on the part of the British to make restitution. Such is the operation of the human mind, that when once we give way to our pafiions and break over certain bounds, the commillion of one violent a& frequently produces othtrs of a higher nature than those at firft contemplated ; hence the le gislature ought to weigh with great deli beration those measures which have an afpeft to war. Under our -happy Constitution and Go vernment no man ever expected to fee an A£l violating Contrails between man and man, or one that would tend to injure our National charadler or future pursuits. CONGRESS. House of Reprefentalives. Thursday, March 27. Mr. Sedgwick brought in the following report, which was read and committed. The Committee, to whom it was referred, to report the means of rendering the force of the United States more efficient, after mature and deliberate consideration, have unanimously agreed to report to the House, the following resolutions, as proper to be adopted: RESOLVED, That effectual measures ought to be adopted to compleat the present military establishment of the United States, and that prqvifion ought to be made that the fame may be kept full. Refol-ved, That an additional corps of ar tillery, not to exceed 800 men, officers includ ed, and also including one chief, and four assistant engineers, ought to be raised for gar risoning the fortifications which are, or may be erected for the defence of the sea coasts. Refol-ved, That the Prelident be authori zed and empowered to call on the executives of the several states, to take effectual mea sures, as soon as may be, to organize and hold in rcadinefs to march at a moments warning, eighty thousand effective militia, (officers in cluded) to be apportioned to the states res „ w-pK t-4 4—- peftivdy, in proportion to the whole number of white inhabitants—that is to fay : To the State of Georgia 1333 South-Carolina 35 50 North- Garolina 73 31 Kentucky j 5 3» Virginia 1)1377 Maryland 5418 Delaware 1256 Pennsylvania 10768 New-jersey 4318 New-York 7971 Vermont 2139 Connecticut 5881 Rhode-Island 1697 Maflachufetts 11885 New-Hamplhire 3544 Which detachment of militia shall be of tively. , ■ , Refolvtd, That any independent corps of cavalry, artillery or infantry may be accept ed, as part of the said detachment of militia, ,provided they shall voluntarily engage ; and provided the fame shall be deemed eligible by the Ereudent. . Refolded, That the President be delired to request the executives of the several states to take tffeclual care that the men detached as aforefeid, be armed and equipped, according to law. Refolvtd, That provision ought to be made by-law for organizing and raising a military force, under the authority of the government of the United States, to coafift of rank and file, with the proper officers, to serve for the term of years, or during a war which may break out between the United States and any foreign European power ; and.that the President be authorized to take the measures neceflary for raising the fame: Provided that no such mealures be taken by the executive until war lhall be ac tually commenced between the United States and -some foreign European power. By this Day's Mail. WILMINGTON, (Del.J March 19. 111 consequence of orders ifiued by the exe ecutive of the United Slates yesterday, to Major Bush, of the DiftriA of Delaware, we have the pleasure of informing the public that upwards of fifteen vefiels cleared out from the port of Philadelphia have been flop ped in the Diftridt of Delaware. And we have the additional (atisfailion to mention, that no veflel has been detained but what had a Britilh or foreign paflport. BATIMORE, March. 24. ExlraH of a letter from a gentleman in ~ 11.1' i. / njr i ■J Jo Philadelphia, dated March 20, " I fear we shall be engaged in war. I judge from the cou.fe of events part but particularly from the secrecy with which the last infamous n»eal\ire of the Jiriti(h administration was conducted. Lord Grenville in the last conversation, of which we have heard, with Mr. Pinck ney, very politely congratulated him on the recovery of Philadelphia from the fever. " That it gave immense pleasure to the king, his mailer, to learn how proipcr oufly the United States went on ; and at the great progress of the arts and sciences, he was delighted, &c. Would you, at a moral politician, believe, that this polished secretary and lord had, fourteen days be fore this conversion, been one of th« council who had secretly iflued the last order, under which so great a depredation was meditated on our unfufyefting mer chants ?" PORT OF PHILADELPHIA. ARRIVED. Ship Fame, Sims, New-Yolk. 5 Enterprize, Jones, Havanna. 13 American, Price, New-York. 5 Industry, Perry-,- Returned. Brig Fox, Miller, Malaga, 42 Industry, Coppinger, New-York. 5 Chance, Bciks, Havanna. 13 George, Norris, Turks Island. 12 Schooner Success, Curry, Cape-Nichola- Mole. 9 Fakfby Packet, Anderfon, do. 20 Rebecca, Shewell, Charleston. 10 Mary, Sewall, R. liland. 7 Nancy, M'Kenzie, Good Intent, Miller, Returned Sloep New-York Packet, Bailey, New- York. 4 Industry, Wheaton, St.. Croix. 14 Brig Fox, Miller, in 42 days from Ma laga, failed in company with a Biitiih fleet of 5 fail of merchantmen, bound to Lon don, under convoy of the Iris frigate of 3Z guns. The (hip Sally, Wetks, in 9 days from Cape Nichola Mole, and several other veflels are arrived the Delaware. The Spanish ship Vidioria, mentioned yes terday. to have been taken by thefloopof war Cerf, has by gcod fortune outsailed her. The brig Baron de Carondelet, is returning to port as herpri2e. Captain Miller saw two Algerine Crui sers, one of 32 and the other of 20 guns, close under the Beach of Gibral tar, but he having Ertglifli colours fly ing, and being under the protection of the Britifli frigate, they tpok no notice of him. He left at Malaga, Ship , Capt. Burgoine of Baltimore. ' Arrived-at Port Mifflin, the Schooner Peggy > Capt. Skelly, in ij days from St. Euffetia; Captain Skdley has procured a lilt <rf all the. American vessels, captured and carried into the following Britiih Weft-India Islands. 80000 Montferat, Barbadoes, 1* , Bafleterre St. Kltts, St. Johns Antigua, Dominica, NOT CAPTURED. St. Johns Antigua, Bai batioes,. St. Euftatia, The Admirers of Sacred Music are refpefbu l ly;infpnned, that One or more Performancei f; op the iiij.ft appr«.v#d Parts of Handel's Works, fparticularly »rom the Meffiaf,) w.lj be given m the week preceding Easter Sunday, (com monly caled Paflion week) A? every ability in the Instrumental and Voul Line will be ca 1 d forth ou this oicaii- On, th re u no doubf, but that a Liberal Pul>- licjvill cake the piefent,undertaking under their protection. N. B- Part of the Profits will be appropri ated to t>ie-lift of a public charity. A particular defcriprion of i-he Place, Se leflioi',&c, will be given as.f*>n as the ne ef. fary arrangements can be fettled. • March 29. NEW THEATRE. March 29, Will be performed, A COMIC OPERA called Love in a Village. Sir YVm, Meadows, Mr. w'arrell Young Meadows, Mr. Marshall Justice Woodcock, Mr. Bates Hawthorn, Mr. Dar)ey Eustace, Mr. Cleveland Hodge, Mr. Francis Rofetta, Mrs. Marshall Luc,inda, Mrs.Warrell Deborah Woodcock, Mrs. Rowfon Madge, Miss. Willems In a<ft fnft, a STATUTE SCENE and DANCE, by the characters, servants at the Statute, by Mr. Blifiet, Mi s. Rowfon, Mn. Bates, Mils Rowfon, and Mrs. De Marque, &c. After the Opera, A Scitch Pajloral Dance, called The Caledonian Frolic. In which wilj be introduced a Highland R»el, by Mr. Francis, Miss Willems,and Mrs. De Marque. To which will be added, . A FARCE, in two a<xs, called, The V illage Lawyer Mr. Harwood V Mr. Frar cis Mr. Bates Mr. Warreil Mr. Darlcy, jun. Mrs. Rowi'un Mrs. Bates Scout, Snarl, Sheepface, Justice Mittimus, Charles, Mrs. Scout, Kate, Places in the Boxes to be taken at the Box- Office of the Theatre, at a;,y hour fromnine, in the fnorning till three o'clock in the aitei - .noon, en the day of performance. Tickcts to be had at the office near the Theatre, at the corner of Sixth-llre«,and at Carr & Go's Muficalßepofitary, No. 11i, Market-street Boxes, one dollar—Pitt, three quarters of a dollar—and Gallery, half a dollar. * As inconveniences to the public have arisen from the Box book Icing open on lhe days of performance only, in future attend ance will be given at the office m the Theatre every day from ten 'till one, and on the days of performance from ten till three o'clock :n the afternoon. Applications for Boxes, iris refpeft fully requested, may be addrelicd, to Mr. Franklin, at the Box Office. N. Bedford Ladies and Gentlemen are requested to fend their servants to keep places, at Juif aa hour past 4 o'clock, and to order them 'to withdraw, as loon as the company are featc.i, as they cannot on any account be permitted to remain in the boxes, nor arty places 'kent after the firft a<£l. No places can be let in the fide boxes for a less number than eight, nor any places re tained after the firft act. The Doors will be opened at r o'clo the performances begin at t o"c!oc' cii'ely. CAPTURED. THIS EVENING, , 11
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