•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