does this act of proscription comport with christian principles? with those which permit emancipation? or which estimate men according to their moral habits, and impute to each, without regard to complexion, innocence, until guilt is made appear? Civil proceedings in court were regulated: the clerks ordered to set the chancery causes at the end of the common law docket; and this operation being performed previous to every term, successively gave every new common law case, whatever its insignificance, a constant preference of the chancery cases, be their age or importance whatever they might. But if the court had nothing else to do, they might try a suit in chancery.

It had been doubted whether justices of the peace could take jurisdiction of balances due on bonds or notes, for larger sums, where the balance was reduced to less than five pounds. An act of this year settled the doubt in favour of the jurisdiction.

A hemp mill company in Madison county, was incorporated. The preamble recites that a company had been formed for the purpose of spinning hemp and flax by machinery moved by water, that they met with many difficulties in the execution of the project, and prayed to be incorporated, as a means of relief. It is however believed, that if there is not a radical defect in the plan, the corporate powers of the company, have not been able to ensure it success: money and good management might, There were about one dozen divorces authorized by acts of this session-for the usual complaints, desertion, &c.

Various other species of relief, apparently upon less justifiable grounds, and without a jury to find the facts, as in divorce cases, were granted by acts of this session.

In order to avoid the inconvenience of an empty treasury should the fact occur, as sometimes it did, the bank was autho rized to take up audited warrants, to charge six per cent on the amount; which the treasurer was required to liquidate, and withdraw, as fast as money came to his bands. Thus was public credit preserved, in a way agrecable to all parties, and as it is believed, perfectly constitutional; whatever may be said of its economy. It being much doubted whether an agricul tural community, can with any more propriety pay six per cent

upon its revenue for annual expenditure, than the farmers of the lands can pay a like interest upon money to keep up their farms.

The revenue upon the turn of the year, is not thought to have been very deficient-the auditor's warrants of this year, are stated at one hundred and ninety-nine thousand, some hundred dollars-the receipts of revenue not seen.

CHAP. XI.

James Madison offers for the Presidency-Charles Scott chosen Governor-number of Militia-Legislative proceedings—Mr. Madion elected President-affairs of the United States involved in difficulties-seizure on part of West Florida-non-intercourse-Commodore Rogers attacks the Little Belt-Madisonian project for liberating commerce from British orders, and French decrees; which terminates in war, with the assistance of General Harrison, and á Kentucky intrigue-intervening Legislative proceedings, &c. &c.

[1808.] Ir was announced as early as February of this year, that James Madison, a citizen rendered illustrious by his vari ous displays of talents and patriotism, was a candidate for the office of president of the United States. An opposition from Mr. Monroe, another citizen, also highly distinguished, was for some time apprehended: but it is believed, the rivals, who had manifested some feeling towards each other, were reconciled by means of Mr. Jefferson, their common friend; all Vir ginians.

A governor for Kentucky, was to be elected at the ensuing August polls. The candidates were, General Charles Scott, and John Allin, Esquire; whose names have been mentioned in this history. In point of qualification, and political fitness, of the two, had it not been for a suspicion, imbibed from Mr. Allin's conduct in relation to Sebastian and Burr, there should have been no doubt of Mr. Allin's superiority.

A more amiable man has rarely lived-while it is believed, his very amiability misled him. With Sebastian, he had been in habits of intimacy; as he had with Judge Innis, and with General Adair: with Colonel Burr, it is thought, his inter course was but very slight. No candid man of intelligence, thought him participient with either. But if he could not, or would not, see the offences of those against whom so much appeared, he was clearly unfit to be governor; nevertheless, he received a large suffrage; but the majority of General K**

VOL. II.

Scott, was greater than the whole number of Mr. Allin's votes. Yet, nothing decisive is to be inferred, as to the predominant consideration, however desirable to the politician, who would speculate upon the inducements which influence popular elections, from the result of this: General Scott had the reputation of military service in all the wars of the preceding half century, and military merit had ever been decisive with the people of Kentucky.

The number of organized militia, mustered in the state, and reported to the general government, appeared to be thirty one thousand, two hundred and thirty-six.

The legislature assembled in December; and the governor, having first chosen his son-in-law, Jesse Bledsoe, secretary; as usual, made communications. The intention once entertained, of giving the first communication of the kind, is necessarily relinquished, for want of room: a very concise review must in this case suffice.

The customary acknowledgments to the people are ample→ "the public good,” laid down in so many words, to be the great object of pursuit.

Reference is made to the existing crisis, as likely to call out the energies of the country, alluding to the foreign relations of the United States; then it is suggested, that the way to avoid force is to be in a situation to repel it-says "the wanton and continued violation of our plainest rights by both Great Britain and France, who appear determined to sacrifice them, alternately, as convenience or resentment in their mutual and destructive conflicts for empire may suggest, seems to leave us but one alternative, either to submit to be the passive instruments of their pleasure at the expense of all we hold dear, or to make that resistance which the God of nature has put in our power." Represents the militia on parade days, as appearing frequently with guns without locks, and worse than this, with a mere apology for weapons. He then recommends the manufacture of arms among ourselves; and adverts to the requisition of 5005-made by the president from this state, as her quota of 100,000 militia ordered to be held in readiness.

Home manufactures, the standing topic, is touched on, and recommended.

He adds: "It will be with you, gentlemen, to say, whether from the present posture of our affairs and the privations. I have no ticed, it will not be just and politic to give debtors some respite by prolonging the time for replevy," &c. The revenue is recommended to attention. The senate is told that it is expected to assist the governor in selecting proper persons to fill public offices-a rapid survey is again taken of the state of affairs, with a view to war, and a retrospect of '76, and the former contest--with the appropriate conclusion, "that we must prevail."

Late in December the governor addressed the militia, with a view to procure volunteers, to fill the presidential requisition of this state's quota, in preference to a regular detachment, called a draft; while great merit was ascribed to volunteer service; and by consequence, demerit was reflected on those who did not turn out.

A course, as impolitic as it was unjust; since a deviation from the law, is ever the parent of disorder.

About the same time, resolutions approbatory of the course pursued by the government of the United States, were offered, by a member, to the Kentucky house of representatives: these were superseded by others, preferred by H. Clay, which read as follows, viz:

"Resolved, That the administration of the general government since Thomas Jefferson has been elected to the office of president, has been wise, dignified and patriotic, and merits the approbation of the country.

"Resolved, That the embargo was a measure highly judicious, and the only honourable expedient to avoid war—whilst its direct tendency, besides annoying those who had rendered resort to it necessary, was to preserve our seamen and property, exposed to the piratical depredations of foreign vessels.

"Resolved, That the general assembly of Kentucky would view with the utmost horror a proposition in any shape, to submit to the tributary exactions of Great Britain, as attempted to