<o
fcargo, pti the vessels 10 the ports of the
United SttUe, and
Refolvft), That they do concur therein il
with the following amendment. ei
Line seventh, after the word " States t!
insert " Whether cleared or not." ti
«• Ordered, That the Secretary desire h
the concurrence of the Ho life of Repre
fentativesin the amendment. _ l '
Mr. Bradley reported from the commit- a
tee of elections, to whom was referred the p
credentials of the rfon. Kenfey Johns, ap- J t!
pointed by the executive of the state of o
Delaware, a Senator of Congiefs in place c
of the Hon. George Read, relignfd. h
Odertdi That the report lie for consi
deration., . . % J
TKe bill to make provision for the wi- 1:
dow and orphan childen of Robert I*oi- a
fyth; who was killed in die service of the c
United States, wai read the second time, i
On motionj 1
Ordered, That this bill be referred to «
Mr. EUftfrortk, Mr. Langdon and Mr. (
Strong,' to conlTder and report thereon. i
A m'effage from the HoUse of Repre- i
fefltaties by Mr. Beckley their clerk : ]
* Mr. Prefident —Th£ House of Re- i
prefentatives concur in the amendment ps I
the Senate to " The resolution, laying 1
an embargo on the vessels in jhe ports of
the United States,"—And he withdrew.
Mr: Vining from the committee on en
rolled bills, reported that they had exa
mined " The refbUition, laying an em
bargo on the refills in the ports of the
United States," and that it was duly en
rolled.
A mcflage from the House of Rspre
fentativesby Mr. Beckley their clerk:
" Mr. Prefident —The Speaker of the
House of Repreferitatives having signed
an enrolled resolution, I am directed to
bring it to the Senate for the signature of
the Vice-Prefident'' —And he withdrew.
The Vice-President fignfcd " The en
rolled resolution laying an embargo on the
vessels in the ports of the United States,
and"it was delivered to the .committee on
enrolled bills to be laid before the Presi
dent of the UnittJd States for his approba
tion.
Mr. Vining from the committee last
mentioned, reported, that they had this
day, laid the Taid enrolled resolution be
fore tlie President of the United States;
A meflage fwrn the House of Repre
fentativesby $Ir. Bec&lev their clerk :
" Mr. Preiiderit—The House of Re
preftntames have palled the bill, sent
front the Sedate for concurrence, entitled,
" an ast to authorize the President of the
United States in certain cases, to alter the
place sos holding.a fefiion of Congrcfs."
And he withdrew.
Mr. .Cabot from the committee to whom
was refer; ed the bill, sent from the House -
®f Rcprcfentatives for concurrence, enti
tled, " an ast to provide for placing buoys
on certain rocks off the harbor of New-
London, and in Providence river," re
ported amendments, which were read.
Ordered, That they lie for considera
tion.
On motion,
i Ordered, That the Senate be at present
under an iniunftion of fecrecv, in refpeft
to the amendmenrto the «rfotmion laying
an embargo on the vessels in the ports of
the United States.
The Senate adjourned until 11 o'clock
to-morrow morning.
Foreign Intelligence.
A BRIEF REVIEW
Of the lajl PROCEEDINGS if the
POLISH DIET.
The close of the Diet was worthy of
an afiembly, from which epoch Poland
may date her political annihilation, the
remembrance of which will remain deep
ly engraven on the hearts of the friends
of humanity and juftiee. The last fit
tings were remarkable for the turbulent
and precipitate manner in which they
hastened to finifh or murdi*r the greatest
concerns which wen. yet upon the Carpet.
Among these may be ranked the new
constitution. However efiential such an
object was for the trunk of the republic
which yet preserves the name of Poland
and Lithuania, no detailed discussion was
had upon the different articles which com
pose it. The project which had been
previously formed, was adopted with lit
tle variation. It was accepted in the
whole; and its acceptation was inferibed
on the registers, adding, « that it had been
read in the prtfence of the States, in confe
derated Diet assembled." j
About twenty Nuncios wanted to en- f
ter a arotell, it is true, agamft lome ot <
the articles ; but »<> attention was pud
either to their opinion or opposition ; and
this new form palled into a law, at lealt
for the prefeut ; but it cannot be said
how long it may lad, for it is not guar
ariteed, even b) Russia, It is remarked,
that the 15th article of the treaty of alli
ance between Russia and Poland exp.c'.y
provides, that no change (hall be made by
the king and the Republic, in the form
of government to be tltablilhed, but in
coticert with tlie JL'mpref* of Russia or
her fucceflors.
Thus, though (he h S s not guaranteed
the perpetuity of the new conftifution, it
is provided, that if it (hall ueqwhv any
alteration, such (hall uor f>e made with
out her consent. It h-J be«n published
in the Polifli tongue, and contains lour
parts, the, firft, the fundamental laws ; the
others proscribe rules for the Dietines, tue |j
different tribunals, the clergy, &c. A
nother ast parted at the end of the fitting-,
confirms the difmen"t$ ,f -rment of the Re
public } in eftablifliir.g three commissions
for fixing the limit 3 ; one for the confines
between Ruflia and Little Poland : ano
ther for those between Ruilia and the Po
lish Lithuania ; the third for regulating
frontiers with Poland—>t.ie
whole according to the treaty of Ccffioii
signed in the ratne of the Diet.
The treaty of commerce with Berlin
met with many difficulties, particularly
with regard to the duties on ilaple com
modities which the city of Dantzic en
joyed, when undei the sovereignty cf
Poland. However, the rfofe of tht Diet
was not deferred on that account, and
the further consideration was referred to
the new permanent council, and the conv
miffioncrs of the treasury. It lias finer
been concluded, one article excepter,
which is probably that of the commerciil
rights of Dantzic, which M. Buckhcltz
would not determine of himfelf, but di.-
patched a courier to Berlin for inftrufti
ons, which may authorize him to sign the
treaty. —Count de Sievers supported, du
ring the treaty, as much as poflibje tlie
ccmmeicial privileges of Poland 5 but in
a manner which in no way interrupted the
good understanding that subsisted between
him and the Prussian minister who tho't It
his duty, at the moment fhc l>rct was »-
botit to break up, t« teftify how amicable
the concert between him and the Ruffian
minister had been.—He therefore felicitat
ed the Diet, by a note on the alliance it
had concluded with the court of Pet erf
burgh ; and.he afiured ft, that the treaty
was so much the more agTeeable to the
king his matter, as the empress was his
friend and ally.
Poland, reduced to one third of its
former extint and strengtH, has loft a
proportional part of its reveuues. she
regulation of the finances has therefore
become more difficult. In the last fitting,
two loans were projected under the gua
rantee of her Ruffian majelty ; one of'
27,000,000 of Polifli florins, for the pay
ment of the particular debts of the King,
the other of 10000000 for the necessities
of the Republic.—The revenues of the
King's domains are particularly destined
to extinguish his debts.
The finances of the republic for the
future, by this dismemberment, will ufct
exceed 16,000,000 are produced by the
Polifli provinces, and 6,000,000 by the
remains of Lithuania. As these must
support the army and the other expences
of the civil lift, arid the revenues of the
King, they have been reduced a tjlird ;
and his Majesty will only hereafter draw
3,000,000 from the treafyry. The two
last fittings of the diet were exceedingly
turbulent. The discontent with the pro
ceedings of the Ruffian Ambaflador broke
out with great violence; aid the efferye
fcence of the oppofing'-Jjarty had nopther
confequncethan what a momentary agita
tion usually produces. A millitary order
had been abolished on the representation of
the Empress. The re-establishment of
the order was demanded and decreed. No
sooner had the decree paSed, than an offi.
cer appeared in the middle of the hall
with these diftfn&ive marks : he thanked
the King for having restored to the brave
Polilh army a decoration which it had so
well merited, in bravely defending its coun
try. The Nuncios all rose, and advanced
in a tumultuous manner towards the
throne, to kiss his Majesty's hands, and'
exprefled their gratitude to him. The de
cree, which could not fail to displease the
Ruffian Minister, pafled unexpectedly and
111 1 hur T- Tfce wife and virtuous Sta,
niflaus endeavored to rcprefs the diiordsr
cf these delibfrations, and to decline \he
ihajiks offered him. His eloquence ever '
temperate and magnanimous.
: Such was the end of that famous Diet
of Grodno, which terminated on the 24th
Xlov. As it was 1 efolved to dissolve it, the
bft fittings were so huryied, that hiany ar
ticles, which were to receive its tinal laoc
tian, were Dot read. The number to be
pal Ted on the 23d arid 24th were 112,
which were divided into three claffcs ; of
which the Secretary read only the title:
the firft class contained 40 projects relative
to the New Conflitution : the lecond, 32
DHpofitions of the bit Pitt held at Wsr
: saw, which wer« not revoked nor abroga
ted, as were the other laws made by that
1 Assembly; but whieu appeared to require
the confirmation of the present Diet:
the third class cdntained forms of decrees
on affairs. After the reading of the ti
tles, the fiiit 40 form? of dtcrees received,
the fanttion of the Stale, and were mane
formal law 6.
The fvla'rftial of the Diet received for
his trouble and good otf.ees during the fit
tings, a recompence of 100,000 Polish
fibrins; the Secretary, 20,000; and tire
Chancellor, 15,000. Counts Branicky
and Rzewufki, who were, with the Count
Staniflans Potocki, the firit to propose
the confederation of, Tergovica, resigned
their place of Grand and Little General
of the Crown : the fii-ft succeeded by the
chamberlain Ozarofki, the second by ge
neral Pulawfki, whe discharged latterly
the office of Marfoal of the General Con
federation,
Thus closed the fun&ions of an As
sembly, which', from the unfortunate eir
cumftances of the times, was forced to
seal the dismemberment of a once power
ful kingdom. The historian of the pas
sing period will be at a loss to make iiis
election in the variety of important eve.its
that will press upon his notice, and claim
his serious regard ; he will at once have ,
to record the most flagitious crimes that
ever disgraced humanity, and the hwheft
excellence that ever adorned it. From
the attrocities of French Legislators, he
will turn with rapture, with renovated en
thusiasm, to dwell upon the mild, and at
the fame manly virtuci of a ot
Poland. - , ,
For the GmzsiTf. fyfxrh.
Well said, Mr. Honcilus, stick at no
thing i (he-w us, you know how, to m.f
reprefent as well as to calumniate ; where
pray did you finrl from Mr. Z. that the
Orator afiurr.ed to htmfclf the merit of the
finaricier—all he laid claim to was, men iy
the merit of lending an helping hand, and
this no body can with truth deny him;
documents, of the most unaniwerabk kind,
are icady to prove if necelTary, from the
financier himfelf, and other officers of the
tritafury department of that time, that in
the public station filled by the Orator, he
acquitted himfelf with zeal and fidelity to
wards the United .States in their, it niggle
for independence, and this was all that
was contended for. The services of trie
financier himfelf ate too well known, and
too generally and too justly acknowledged,
tofuffer any diminution from the claim
faithful assistance rendered by any or by
all of those who had the honor and tie
happiness to be employed in the public
business of that day.
But pray Mr. Honeftus, who told you
that the Orator is so violently anxious fin
war ? his interest and his inclination are
as much'at least as your's can possibly be
for the preservation of peace and tranqui
lity ; nor dots he believe that these will be
disturbed ; no nation can get any thii g
by attempting it : and doubtless the (irm
nefs of our government, and the success of
its ailies, will effectually ward off the
ftormi
Be if you can, a little more good tem
pered Mr. Honettus, and believe that the
Orator can feel as well as you can, for h's
country by adoption, as well as for his
country by birth r To the former, ,every
consideration binds him, for the latter, he
feels the most poignant regret at feeing it
so wretchedly governed ; governed in a
manner to involve it and its friends every
where in misery and disgrace—-his father
was once a victim of this kind ; and not
withstanding all the generality hinted at,
would be so dill, but for the Orator's ha
ving provided an home for him, as veil a j 1
an handsome annual allowance, 011 which '
his chief fuppcrt has been founded ever
since.
,»* Wejhbmtt, <uibetutr the ceKtiV*.
bn /'not better close wit-: this 'uvr o.i.
V
Congress of the United States
HoUje of lieprefentatives
March 28.
Mr. Swift's obfenvations upon Mr. Dayton's.
propiftion, to fequefler Britijb
Mr. Swift remarked, that 011 the firft view
of the fubjedi, he had been inclined to favor
the pjropofition, not having attended, minute
ly to. the difliji&ion wade.by the la,wa of na
tions, refpeaing the peoperty of an enemy
liable to reprisal—but on a full inveftigafion,
of the fubjeit, and mature deliberation, he
was convinced that the proposition under
consideration would be a direct and mani
feft violation of the laws of nations—he was
therefore, clearly and decidedly opposed to
it's adoption—Gentlemen have said mucli
refpe&ing the infuhs and the injuries which
we have received from the British nation—
but Mr. S. conceived it to be unneceflarv
that gentlemen should ddcribe their infuhs
and injuries in the, highest colours to inflame
our paflions, and to animate our refexument '
—He believed that every gentleman in the
committee deeply felt the indignity which
hand been offered to their country, and was
convinced that Creat Britain had been guilty
of a violation of the laws of nations but
Under such cireumftances, it was our duty to
condudV with coolncfs, candor, and modera
tion —He thought that the heat and passion
which had been manifefted in the course of
the debate, were inconsistent with that digni
ty and propriety which ought to mark the
deliberations of the Legislature.
Mr. S. observed, that the conduit of the
British Court in regard to their concealing
in fßch a lingular manner, the order of the
6th of November, and the equivocal terms
in which it was exprefled, was greatly to
their dishonor. But he thought that the words
legal adjudication, would fairly admit of a
conftru<sHon that no American vefiel that '
Ihould be taken pursuant to that order, could
be liable to be condemned, unleft warranted
t>y the, laws of nations—There was reason
to apprehend that such was the intention of
the British Cabinet—and that the Coutts of
Admiralty in the Weft-Indies, in their con
demnations, had exceeded their jurifdi&ion,
and contraditfted the design of the Court of
London, recent intelligence confirmed the
idea—No information of these illegal tranf
a<Sions had yet been communicated to them
—It was poiiible that when that Court were
trade wjfri tinr iraff
sustained, tTTat they would award restitution
or compenfetion.—-Mr. S. remarked, that
"by the Tirws V no nation haJ "a right" %
to make reprisal for any injury till all other
means of obtaining justice had failed—that
it was our duty in the firft place, to repre
sent to the Court of Great Britain, the spoli
ations that had been made on our commerce
by the illegal condemnation of our vefltls—
that till we bad-done this, the laws of nations
would not warrant us to make reprisals on
the goods and cffeifU of the British nation—
That there was a possibility of obtaining a
fatisfaAory explanation of their conduit and
reparation for the injuries we had fullered—
It was therefore a proper tubjeit of negotia
tion—But he fa'id if thai nation will not do
lisjuftice, then-we are authorized to make
reprisals.
Mr, S. then observed, that when we had »
taken such steps as would authorize reprifa!—,
we Ihould be precluded by the laws of nation?
from adopting the proposition under confe
deration. He said that a gentleman from
Maryland, (Mr. Mercer) had yesterday as
serted, that Burlamaqui was the only autho
rity among the writers on the laws of nations
against the measure ; and that the opinion of
Vactel was in favor of it. Another gentleman
from Maryland, (Mr. Smith) had read a
paflage from Vattel, which he considered as
an authority in point, to juftify the seizing
of private debts—but not debts due from
the public—But if these gentlemen had tho
roughly examined Vattel, they would have
found iriftead of his being an authority in
then favor, he had in the most direit terms
maintained a contrary opinion—He then read
a paflage from Vattel, that shewed that
the effects of an enemy in a country at the
time of a declaration of war cannot be Siz
ed, but that the owner is entitled to a reason
able time to remove them—and another pas
sage which expressly declared, that by the
usage and custom of modern nations, public
and private debts are not the fubjeit of repri
sal. Mr. S. conceived that these rules were
founded in file highest wifdom —that all del ts
were contra&ed under a fenftion of public
faith, and an understanding that a war fhc 18
not render them liable to seizure or confisca
tion—that a moral obligation existed between
the comrafting parties for the payment of
the debts—and that no government could
ever have a right to violate a moral obliga
tion—That therefore by the law of nations
in all inft .nces where property comes into
the poffefiion of a nation by a confidence
reposed in their honor and faith —as in cafe
of public or private debts, such property can
never be the fubjeft of reprifaj, because this
would be to authorize a breach'of public
faith—but repr sals are always to be made on
I property in polTeiTion of the nation who has
| done the injury and which maybe taken with
| out any violation of thofc principles which