hand could be made of the poft-oJKces, if ever t l, e y are under the direction of an improper nerfon- At the time of a general election, for fnftance, liow easy would it be for this man to dictate to,particular towns and villages, " If you do not fend such a man to Congrcfs, you ihall have no poll-office ; bur if you eiec't my friend, ton shall have a poft-office, and the roads ihall be run agreeably to your wiflies." Another im proper use may be made of this power by the interception of letters, and checking the regular channel of information throughout the country. Upon the whole, he w;is clearly for rejecting the motion for striking out ihe words in the bill. Ivlr. Lawrance obfeived that the revenues ari finjr from the poft-office would not, perhaps, pro duce a fufficient sum to defray the expences of the eftablifliment : if this should be the tact, he would prefer the amendment, but if the revenue should increase from time to time; he should have no objection to the addition of pods and roads in proportion to Fuciiincreafe. Ihe consequence of establishing so exten.five a system all at once, as was contemplated in the bill, might be, than the revenue would fall short, and then addition- al taxes malt be laid to pay off the deficiency : however, upon the whole, if he could be fatis ficd that the revenues of the department would be fufliclent to defray the expences of it, he would be againlt striking out the clause in the bill. Mr. Page.—lf the motion before the comtnittee succeeds, I (hall, said he, make one which will save a deal of time & money, by making a'fhort feflion of u ; for if this house can with propriety leave t;. business of the poft-office to the President, ii, ni l;, ieave 10 him any other business of legifta jion ; and-i may move to adjourn and leave all the iH-'Ui of legifiation to his sole eonllderation .-uwl i : : But how the President fliould be inted with the proper places for poit . .t roaiis than the representatives of 11 >I cannot conceive : In Virginia, for ii hi ,\ c'amut the 10 representatives fay with us.. iin; what pod-roads would be proper jn i' • Slate than any one man ! I look upon the motion as unconßitutional, and if it were jipt 10, as having a niifchievous tendency, which 1 am willing to believe the member who made it is not aware of. In reply to Mr. Sedgwick, he said, he heard but two arguments on which any ftreis vvr.s laid, viz. that the Prefidcrit's greater responsibility pointed him out as the proper person to ba en trusted with the important business of eftabliih ing pod offices and post roads, and that his lu perior knowledge of this business ought to in duce the committee to leave it to him alone ' tut as -to the responsibility, how that can be ! greater than the responsibility of the memfceis of this h'onfe, when he is appointed by electors for it; lcnger term than they are—and they elect ed by the people themselves, and accountable to them every two years, is to me inconceivable ; and as to his fuperi'or knowledge, granting ti'.at he > J>o(!e(Ted it, which I cannot grant —can there be a greater paradox than the alfertion that the Pre lident's knowledge r.lone, is greater than that very knowledge aided by the informa tion of both Houses of Congress, coliecled and presented to him in the bill Sir, if the clauie ■which it is said we should strike out, faiflead oj communicating the sense of this house to the President, took away his right of approving or rejeiiling it—there might be some weight in the is argument drawn from the supposition of his fii perior knowledge— but as this is not, and can riot be the caie, and so far from it, that the ' clause submits the business to the pioft mature fc deliberation of the President and Senate ; it inuft be paradoxical to fay that we lose the ad vantage of fut erior wisdom and knowledge of the business, if we do not leave it to the Pi eiioent alone—but we are told that the motion is not Uliconftittitional :—I think ,it is;—but who is there that denies it is contrary to the interest and spirit of a free government ? The people, however, may think with the member who made the motion, that the President (that is, the man who is now their President) underihmds this business, and can do it better than their Ke prefentatives ; and they may think the whole bu siness of government might be fafely entrusted to him but they are too wife to make the expe riment, and understand the nature of their go vernment so well as to complain that Congress too often commits to heads of departments what the conftinuion requires at their hands. The Present bimfelf. if I mistake not, views the fub jedt before us in the light 1 do, or he would not so repeatedly have called on us to make it a pe culiar object of our deliberation. [debate torecontinued.) WEDNESDAY, December 7. A bill making appropriations for the support of government, for the year 1792, was twice read and ordered to be engrofled tor a third reading. The Houfethen resolved itfelf into a committee of the whole (Mr. Smith in the chair) and rcfumed the consideration of the 44 bill to eftablifti the post office and post roads within the united States." Question before the committee, Mr. Sedgwick's motion for ftrikkigout from the firft feflion of the bill; the whole detail of the pofr towns and roads fromWifcaf fct to Savannah, and to make it (with the amendment, inserted in italic) to read as follows : Be it ena&ed, &c. that, from and after the pa fling of this ast, the following roads be cltablifhed as post roads, namely, from WiTcafTet in the diftri£V of Maine, to Savannah in Georgia, by such route, as the l J rc[ident of the United States Jhallfrom, time to time, cause to be ejlablijhed. Provided that the route, by which the mails are at'prelent conveyed, (ball in no cafe be altered, till the contracts already made by the poftmaftcr general, shall be deter mined. After some debate, the qucflion was taken on the motion, and pasTed in the negative. The Committee t ( hen proceeded to the confederation of the dif ferent roads, as detailed in the bill ; —fundry amendments were pro poled ; —various difficulties were flatted ; —the committee rose, reported progress, and the House adjourned. THURSDAY, December 8, An engroifed bill, making appropriations for the support of government, for the year 1792, was read a third lime, palled, and ■lent to the Senate for their concurrence. Nine memorials were presented, from as many societies for the abolition of slavery, in the States of Rhode-Island, Conne£licut, iNew-York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and.Virginia. Referred to a felett committee, consisting of Mcflrs. Benfon, Baldwin, Dayton, W. Smith, and Learned. The house having refplved ilfelf into a committee of the whole, proceeded to the further confiderationof the poft-office bifl; and, after some time spent therein, agreed to eflablifh the main poft road as follows : Wilcaifet, Portland, Portsmouth, Exeter, Newbury-Port, Ips wich, Salem, Boston, Worcelter, Springfield, Hartford, Middle town, New-Haven. Stratford, Fnivfield, Norwalk, Stamford, New- York, Newark, Elizabeth-Town, Brunfwick, Princeton, Trenton, Brifto', Philadelphia, Chester, Wilmington, Elkton, Charleftown, Havre-de-Grace, Hartford, Balliinoie,Bladeniburg,George-Town, Alexandria,Colchefter, Dumfries,Frederickfburg,Bowling-Green, Hanover Court-House, Richmond, Pcterfburg, Halifax, Tarbo rough, Smithfield, Fayetteville, New Bridge over Drozoning-Creek, Cherazv Coui't-Houfe, Camden, StJtcfborough, Columbia, Cambridge, Augulta, Savannah. The committee then proceeded to consider the cross posts, pointed out in the bill; agreed to foine—altered others—intro duced Tome additional ones—rofc, reported progress, and asked fit again. Adjourned. FRIDAY, December g. The Speaker communicated to the house a report from the Se-I crelary of State, on the petition of Samuel Breck, and others, pro prietors of the Boftori Duck Manufactory, requeuing an exclusive - right to affix a particular mark to their manufa&ure. The report proposes that the fubjeft* fliould be provided for by a general regu ■ lation. Read and laid on the table. A meflage was received from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis, with the bill apportioning the Representatives of the people of :he United States according to the firft enumeration—pa (Ted with amendments, in which they request the concurrence ot the house. The principal amendment is to encrcafe the ratio of reprefenu-i tlon from thirty to thirty-three thousand. In committee of the whole on the pod-office bill : Mr. Muhlenberg in the'Chatr. The fubjett was further iifcuffed, se veral motions for additional routs of the post wrre made, lengthy debates ensued ; some of the motions were reje&ed, and others agreed to. The committee rose and reported progress—and then the House adjourned till Monday. / PROVIDENCE, November 26. From an undoubted channcl of information we are authorise.d to mention, that the Secretary of theTreaiury, whofc wisdom and patriotism are conspicuous on all occasions, has diretted the col le&ors of thecuftoms in this state to deposit all monies received Iby them in the bank, of Providence, and to receive the notes of said bank in payment for duties -the bank in this as in all o ther cases of acpofit, being fubjeft to the payment of drafts on fight. This arrangement of rtie Secretary, while it aids the ope ration of mercantile and other bulioefs, mull give the notes a ge- i ncral circulation, ARTICLE FROM A CORRESPONDENT, The general alTembly of the state of Vermont, at their feflion in O&ober last, palled an ast to found a University within that state. It is to be (ituated in the town of Burlington, on the fouthtrn bank, of the Onion river, and will command a prafpeft of Lake Cham plain, snd'a moll romantically beautiful view of the fettle merits and highlands in the (late of New-York, weft ef said Lake. One of thfe fundamental principle® of the inftitutinn is, " that in the laws and rigulations thereof, preference shall not be given to any fe£t 6r denomination of men whatever." NEW-YORK, December 6. The death of his Excellency the Marquis De La Luzerne, late Minister Plenipotentiary from the court of Versailles to ihe Unit ed States of America, being confirmed, the Members olthe New- York State-Society of Cincinnati are requested to honor the me mory of their deccafed brother by wearing the usual mourning for 21 days. By order of the Prefidcnt, FROM THE ROYAL VANISH AMERICAN GAZETTE. (St. Croix) Nov. 2. ACCOUNT OF THE HURRICANE OF THE 25th ULT. Accounts received from the Well-End and North-Side Quar ters, arc calamitous beyond imagination, unless to those who have been on the different Plantations in those parts of the Island ; more particularly at the North-Side, where the devastation has been most deplorable : all the forward canes, being totally destroyed, and thole which were not so far advanced in growth, twisted and torn to pieces. Some few estates which were more forward than others, iiave lf'ft everv piece ofcaAe, nearly the whole turned out bv the roots, many .of which are blown in whole stools out of the pieces, and where there was the mnft flattering profpett of a great crop, not a hogshead of Gigar will be made the ensuing year, as the pieces are so destroyed, thatthfe whole must be turned out and new holed and planted, before there can be the lcaft expectation of a crop u ix America, the European mode of clafling the several ranks ot a nation is unknown—Tbey a|ow neither of great men amongst them, nor men of genius, nor - fiftocrais, " or populace and this is what is to be undcrftood by a PuRE REPUBLIC." PRICE CURRENT.—PUBLIC SECURITIES, EBT. pr. £ . <3/ ■3/4 U N Final Settl. and other Certificates 10/4 Indents 12/ Bank Subfcriptioos, >3® 6 pr. Cents 3 pr. Cents l -jio Defered 6 pr. Cents i 259 W. S. SMITH. EXTRACT. FUNDtD * n A ji i J pr. ceiv 65 do. 66J do. Philadelphia, December 10. The substance of the following truly melancholy intelligence, there is reason, from various concurring accounts, to believe is too I rue. Extratt of a letter jtolll Skippenjburg December 5, 1/9 1 " I herewith write you the aifagreeable news of our army br ing totally defeated the 4th November, about 15 miles from the Miami Village, and 30 from Fort Jeflerlon. K ILL £ D. General Builer Colonel Oldham. Majors—Brown, fieavt, Clark, Fergnfon, Captains—Brad ford,Tipton, Smith, Newman, Phelon, Kirkwooo, Price, Sweri/igcn, Cubbs, Gait her. Lieutenants—Warren, Spear, Luckins, M'MicM'MaJ:. Hopper, Reed, Kelfo, and two others. lEnfigns—Bentley, Cobb, Balch, J3.r«oa&if, Chaie, iruman, Purdy, and two cfthers, Quartermasters —WatcL, ileynolds, Semple. wo u N D E J) - Colonel Gibfbn [mortaliyj Colonel Dark. Major Butler [mortally.J Captains—Ford, Doyle, Buchanan, Madison, Hpugji, V* .. f -f 1' * 1 - Debuts, Price, Greaton, Crawford, M'Crca, and two others, About 600 privates killed, and God only knows how many wounded. There were few, if any, officers of difKn&ion efcap »ed, except Gen. St. Clair. Seven pieces of cannon, and all the tents, fell into the enemies .hands. Mr. Elliott, the Contra&or, wrote this account to Mrs. EHiotC, -in Hagerftown, therefore the truth of it need not be doubted." Accounts from Pittsburgh add, that the attack on our encamp ment began about day-break, and continued with resistless furv : for four hours—that Gen. St. Clair, after sustaining so great a lof>, withdrew with the remaining troops to Fort-Jefferfon, and there fuffered £0 extremely for want of provisions, as to be obliged to kill his liorfes for the immediate subsistence of his army. Richmond, December 2. FROM THE LEXINGTON (KEN.) GAZETTE. Copy of a circular letter from Brigadier-General Scott, to the different County Lieutenants in Kentuckey. Lexington, November n, 1791. "si R, " We have now received certain intelligence that the army have been defeated. -The very great. The garrison at foij- Tefferfon is intercepted, and many, many brave wounded 'gallant men are now left on the road unable to travel, and without any provision but the flefh of the pack-horles. This cafe requires im mediate exertions. I have appointed a rendezvous of volunteers at Craig's Mill, the 15th inft. completely equipped, with arms, ! ammunition, and 20 davs provision. I trust that no exertion on your part will be wanting, when the fafety of our country, and the lives of brave men are in danger. The circumdance requires the greatest difoatch, and no friend to his country can now be idle. Believe me with refpeft, your's. * * The volunteers who are not ready by the 15th inft. are to foHow as soon as poflible." Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Mercer County, to a member cj the General Ajjembly, dated, November 13, 1791. " The defeat of General St. Clair, 011 the 4th inlt. engrofles all iour though's; we had 600 men killed and wounded, all the ilorcs ;loft, and 7 pieces of artillery. This Engagement happened about 15 miies from the Miami Village, 30 from Fort-Jefferfon, and 98 ;from Fort-Washington. , " General St. Clair expe&ed an action; the men were drawn (up in order of battle, and (food in their ranks all night, the army 'were formed into a hoilow square, the artillery and baggage in jthe centre—the enemy made their attack at the dawn of day on all ;the lin'es, particularly on the rear, which was compofcd of mttitia ; "they were overpowered and gave way, the Indians rulhed on and Ifoon were possessed of the artillery, which was retaken in a few moments by a company of regulars with fixed bayonets, but mod of the matrofles being killed, no use was made of it; the adtion continued obstinately till 9 o'clock, when our men gave way.,-- General St. Clair rallied them, and brought off the greater part of the wounded to Fort-Jefferfon, being pursued about 5 miles,where the remains of the army and wounded are cooped, almost llarved, living on poor pack-horses. " The people of the diftritt are preparing to the relief of Fort-Jefferfon, and I hope by the 20th, 1000 or 1500 effe&ive men will be at Fort-Walhington, on their way. Upon this occa sion, a number of your acquaintances will turn out, in Lincoln, Logan, Shelby, and Ewing, and Mercer, Col.M'Dowell, and my felf, with a number of young fellows; we (hall carry provisions to the garrison, and bring off the wounded." How various is the scene of human exigence ! —this has been said a thousand times; still the course of nature, or which is the fame, the dispositions of Providence continue from year to year,l and from age to age, to enforce the solemn remark, that all sublu nary things are vain. How often are our fondeft expectations blafled, our brightest profpe6U overcast with (hades!—and true it is that the best ar rangements, and the calculations of the wisest among men, are susceptible of the moil grievous disappointments. _ The Aflumption of the State Debts, (fays a New-York paper of the 2d inft.) was amongst the wisest measures of the late Congress; even those who formerly thought it an exceptionable a£f, now ap prove of it, because they have ft en the good consequences flowing from it, and they now k join with its former advocates in lament ing that the opposition made to it was the cause of its being left incomplete. Had the sum been allumed which was originally reported by the Secretary of the Treasury, as the amount of the dehts of tht several states, nothing more than justice would have been done, and some time would have been saved to the prefenc Congress, who will undoubtedly be disposed to follow the liberal and just example of their predeceflors, and compleat that which peculiar circumstances left unfinifhed on a former occasion. Wednesday the House of Representatives proceeded to the choice of a Speaker, and upon counting the votes, it appeared that the honorable William Bingham, Esq. was unanimously ele&cd.—On Thursday the house proceeded to the choice of their other officers. The honorable Ri cha rd Peters, Esq. continues Speaker of the Senate. From PELOSFs MARINE LIST. ARRIVALS Mt the PORT of PHILADELPHIA. Brig Planter, Poole, St. Croix Dolphin, Feaux, Hifpaniola Schooner Isabella, Anderfon, Wilmington William, Sloop Abigail, Bctfcy, Dr. Wi i.jon's firft Leßure, of his firft Course, will be delivered at the College, next Monday, at fix o'clock in the evening; and the firft Letture of his second Course, will be de livered at the fame place, ai fix o'clock on Tuesday evrning. ioiJ do. 60 Dollars, LEGISLATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA, Wood, Norton, Lewis. St. Petersburg Boston Aux Cayn
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