ings, and the enumeration of slaves was amended; a general stamp-office was established, the Secretary of the Treasury was required by law to prepare and lay before Congress, at the commencement of every session, a report on the subject of finance and laws regarding the powers and salaries of revenue officers, and other matters of detail, passed.

Among those of a civil nature, were the acts for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt in the federal courts, and for establishing a uniform system of bankruptcy. In regard to internal government, were those providing for the second census of the United States, which was directed to take place on the first Monday in August, 1800: that for the preservation of peace with the Indian tribes, rendering punishable attempts to seduce them into acts of hostility against the United States; the act making provision for the removal and accommodation of the government of the United States, by which the President was empowered, whenever he should judge proper, to remove the public offices to Washington. The long disputed question of the title to the lands known as the western reserve of Connecticut, was at length quieted. The President was authorized to accept a cession of the lands from that state, and in return to grant patents for the use of persons holding under the same. The territory northwest of the Ohio was divided into two separate governments, the westernmost constituting the territory of Indiana, and material amendments were made to the act providing for the sale of the public lands. An act was passed supplementary to that of 1798, for an amicable settlement of limits with the State of Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a government in the Mississippi territory.

These last were especially important, many difficulties and some serious grievances having arisen from the previous condition of these frontier countries, over which

population was now beginning rapidly to extend itself. Col. Pickering, Wolcott, and Samuel Sitgreaves of Pennsylvania, were in the first place commissioners on the part of the United States, and subsequently Mr. Lee in place of Col. Pickering. Abraham Baldwin, James Jones, and Benjamin Taliaferro, were the Georgia commissioners.

In the beginning of February, in this year, Mr. Liston had renewed a former proposal for the reciprocal restitution of deserters. The project submitted by him, did not, however, provide against the impressment of American seamen. The subject underwent discussion in the Cabinet, and a counter-project was submitted by the Secretary of State. The following was also prepared by Wolcott. It differed from Col. Pickering's only in the 4th article, which was not deemed sufficiently distinct in his draught. The other members expressed their assent to it; but the negotiation fell through by Mr. Liston's unwillingness to admit the provision :

TO THE PRESIDENT.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 14, 1800.

The Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits the following observations, in obedience to the direction of the President of the United States:

The project of a treaty proposed by the minister of his Britannic Majesty, for the reciprocal delivery of deserters from the land and naval service, does not sufficiently provide against the impressment of American seamen, and is therefore deemed inadmissible. The ideas of the Secretary of the Treasury on this subject are stated in the counter-project, hereto subjoined, and will be found to be essentially the same as those of the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of the Treasury fully concurs in opinion with the Secretary of State, respecting the reply proper to be given to the notes of Mr. Liston, dated the 2d and 4th of February last, demanding the restitution of several American vessels, captured by British cruisers, and rescued by the crews of said vessels. All which is respectfully submitted, &c.

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Additional articles proposed to be added to the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, concluded at London on the 19th day of November, 1794, and to form a part of said treaty.

1st. It is agreed that no refuge or protection shall be afforded to the officers,

mariners, or other persons, being part of the crews of the vessels of the respective nations, who shall hereafter desert from the same; but that on the contrary, all such deserters shall be delivered up on demand, to the commanders of the vessels from which they shall have deserted, or to the commanding officers of the ships of war of the respective nations, or such other persons as may be duly authorized to make requisition in that behalf; provided that proof be made within two years after the time of desertion, by an exhibition of the shipping paper, or contract, or authenticated copies thereof, or by other satisfactory evidence that the deserters so demanded were actually part of the crews of the vessels in question. 2d. With a view to the more effectual execution of the foregoing article, the Commanders of the vessels from which such desertions shall take place, and the Consuls and Vice-Consuls of his Britannic Majesty, and the United States respectively, may cause to be arrested all persons who shall desert from the vessels of the respective nations as aforesaid; and for this purpose the said Commanders, Consuls, and Vice-Consuls shall apply to the courts, judges, and officers competent, and shall demand the said deserters in writing, and adduce proof of their desertion as aforesaid; and on such demand and satisfactory proof as aforesaid, the delivery shall be made. And there shall be given all aid and assistance to the said Consuls and Vice-Consuls, for the search, seizure, and arrest of the said deserters, who, if it be requested, shall be kept and detained in the prisons of the country, at the expense of those who demand them as aforesaid, until they can be put on board their own or other vessels of their nation, or be otherwise sent back to their own country. Provided, that if this be not done within three months from the day of their arrest, such deserters shall be set at liberty, and not be again arrested for the same cause.

3d. It is further agreed that no refuge or protection shall be afforded by either of the contracting parties to any person who shall hereafter desert from the military land service of the other; but that on the contrary, the most effectual measures shall be taken, in like manner, and on like conditions, as with respect to sailors, to apprehend any such deserters from the land service and to deliver them to the commanding officers of the military posts, ports, or garrisons from which they shall have deserted, or to the Consuls, Vice-Consuls, on either side, or to such other persons as may be duly authorized to demand their restitution.

4th. It is however understood, that nothing in the foregoing stipulations shall be construed to empower the civil, or any other officers of either party, forcibly to enter the ports, posts, or any other place within or under the jurisdiction of the other party; nor to empower the naval commanders or other officers of either party, forcibly to enter any public or private vessel of the other party, on the high seas, with a view to compel the delivery of any person whatever; on the contrary, it is expressly declared to be the understanding of the contracting parties, that the mutual restitutions of persons claimed as deserters shall only be made by the free and voluntary consent of the military officers employed in the land service, or the commanders of the public or private ships or vessels of the two parties; or in pursuance of the decisions of the courts, judges, or other competent civil officers of the two nations, in all cases arising within their respective jurisdiction."

What action, if any, was taken on the following, is not known.

THE PRESIDENT TO THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.

Gentlemen,

PHILADELPHIA, April 23d, 1800.

The President of the United States proposes to the consideration of the heads of Departments, a subject, which, although at first view it may appear of inconsiderable moment, will, upon more mature reflection, be found of some difficulty, but of great importance to the honour, dignity, and consistency of the govern

ment.

In every government of Europe, I believe there is a Gazette in the service of the government, and a printer appointed, acknowledged, and avowed by it—in every regular government at least. The Gazette of France, before the revolution, answered the same purpose with the London Gazette in England. Mr. Strahan is appointed the King's printer by patent, and is the editor of the London Gazette. This Gazette is said by lawyers and judges to be prima facie evidence in courts of justice, of matters of State, and of public acts of the government. As it is published by authority of the crown, it is the usual way of notifying such acts to the public, and therefore is entitled to credit in respect to such matters. It is a high misdemeanor to publish any thing as from royal authority which is not so. The Gazette is evidence of the King's proclamation; even the articles of war, printed by the King's printer, are good evidence of those articles. Addresses of the subjects, in bodies or otherwise, to the King, and his answers, are considered as matters of state, when published in the Gazette, and are proved by it prima facie in the King's court, in Westminster Hall. The Gazette is said to be an authentic means of proving all acts relating to the King and the State. Justice Buller asserts that every thing which relates to the King, as King of Great Britain, &c., is in its nature public, and that a Gazette which contains any thing done by His Majesty in his character of King, or which has passed through His Majesty's hands, is admissible evidence in a court of law to prove such thing.

Without running a parallel between the President of the United States and the King of England, it is certain that the honour, dignity, and consistency of government, is of as much importance to the people in one case as the other.

The President must issue proclamations, articles of war, articles of the navy, and must make appointments in the army, navy, revenue, and other branches of public service, and these ought all to be announced by authority in some acknowledged Gazette. The laws ought to be published in the same. It is certain that a President's printer must be restrained from publishing libels and all paragraphs offensive to individuals, public bodies, or foreign nations, but need not be forbid advertisements. The Gazette need not appear more than once or twice a week. Many other considerations will occur to the minds of the Secretaries. The President requests their opinion,

1st. Whether a printer can be appointed by the President either with or without the advice and consent of the Senate?

2d. Whether a printer can be obtained without salary or fees, for profits which might be made by such a Gazette ?

3d. Where shall we find such a printer?

It is certain that the present desultory manner of printing the laws, acts of the President, and proceedings of the Executive departments, is infinitely disgraceful to the government-in all events must be altered.

JOHN ADAMS.