CHAP. II.

OF THE STATES GENERAL.

58. It is reserved for the sovereign prince to propose hereafter a law, which secures te the nobles or equestrian body of each province, a certain proportional number of seats in the states general, and which shall be at least a fourth part of the whole numbers composing that assembly.

52. The states general represent the whole people of the United Provinces. 53. The people of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, consist of the inhabitants of the nine following provinces, 59. They only are eligible for members of which compose together the actual terri- the assembly of the states general, who are tory of the United Provinces of the Low native born, are over the age of thirty years, Countries in Europe, viz. Guelderland, and have their domicil in the province for Holland, Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, Over-lated to one another but at the third degree of which they are elected, and they cannot be reyssel, Groningen, Brahant and Dronthiem. consanguinity or affinity.

54. Guelderland, Holland, Zealand, Ut- 60. The members of the states general canrecht, Friczland, Overyssel, Groningen, not be at the same time members of any triBrabant and Dronthiem preserve their an-bunal, or chamber of accounts, nor be investcient boundaries, except the following al-ed with any appointment which is accountaterations: Culemburg and Buren are united ble to the state. Every member of the provincial states, ceases to be so, from the time to Guelderland-Vianen, Ameiden Leerthat he is called to the states general. No dam, Langerak and Somelsdyk to Hol-military man, in the land or naval service, um land-Ysselstein, Benschop, Noordpols-der the grade of superior officer, can sit in brock, and Jaarsveld, to Utrecht-Ame- the assembly of the states. general. Every land and Schiermonnikoog to Friezland; other functionary, without any exception, is and Wedde and Westwoldingerland to eligible.

The

Groninguen. Brabant consists provi- 61. The title of the assembly of the states sionally of the districts and towns former-general is "noble puissant lords." ly known under the name of the Coun-members of the assembly enjoy an annual salary of 2500 florins. try of the Generality," and of such other 62. The members of the states general vote subsequently acquired, as have been uni-individually, and without receiving the order ted to it.

55. The law determines the final limits between the provinces, as well as to which of them shall he united such other districts or places, which have not formerly belonged to any of them, but which have been lately acquired, and places, the jurisdiction of which has been divided, or in controversy between different provinces.

56. The assembly of states general

of instruction of the assembly which appoints them. On entering upon their duty, they take the following oath, after the form of the worship which they profess-"I swear [or promise] to observe and support the funda Countries; to labour with all my power for the advancement of the independence of the state, the liberty and happiness of its inhabitants, without consulting any interest (provincial or other) but the general interest. So help me God."

mental law of the United Provinces of the Low

They are admitted to this oath after having first taken the following:

consists of 55 members. These members are chosen by the state of the provinces above named, in the following proportion: a member of the assembly of states general, I

From Guelderland,

6

22

3

3

5

4

4

7

1

57. These members hold their seats for three years. A third part go out, according to a table to regulate them. The first third go out on the 1st of November, 1817. The members who go out are immediately re-eligible.

*A term applied in France to revenue dis tricts.

"I swear [or declare] that for being chosen

have neither promised nor given, nor will promise or give, directly or indirectly, under any name or pretext whatsoever, any gifts or presents to any person in office or out. I swear [or promise] to conform exactly to the tenor of the bill decreed on the 10th of December 1715, by the states general against the giving or accepting of gifts, presents and unlawful treats. So help me God."

63. These oaths are administered by the sovereign prince in the council of state, or, in his absence, by the council, who administer them in his name. Notice of the taking of this oath is given to the assembly of the states general by the sovereign prince, or in his name, after which formality the newly elected mem ber takes his seat.

[To be continued.]

VOL. II. NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1814.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY,

BY BARENT GARDENIER,

34 CEDAR-STREET,

AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNÚM.

COURT OF SESSIONS.-The grand inquest for the body of the city and county of New-York, having met, they

No. 17.

Whatever diversity of opinion may exist with regard to the original character of the war, we must all agree that it has now become on our part a war of defence. The enemy has officially announced his intention to destroy and lay waste such of our Atlantic towns and cities as are exposed to his attacks. The ruins of the national edifices at Washington, exactions on Alexandria, and the smoking admonish us of what we are to expect if we Resolved, That this grand jury fully approve shall meanly succomb or ingloriously retreat. of the patriotic sentiments delivered to them In such a cause, involving personal character, the opening of the court, by his honour the welfare of our families, the prosperity of The mayor; and that a copy of the same be four country, and the honour of the nation, it requested for the purpose of publication; and becomes us not to hesitate about our course. they also concur in opinion with the court, as Whatever we may think, or whatever we may to the propriety of adjournment at the pre-have thought of men and measures, whether sent juncture of affairs. favourable or unfavourable, there can be, there WM. BAYARD, Foreman. ought to be, no difference of opinion, no colliWM. LAWRENCE, Secretary.sion of action, when the safety of our country The following is the address of his honour is at stake. For her sake, for the sake of all the mayor..

Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,

that is near and dear to us, let us sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism every, feeling, every passion, every prejudice, every predilection that may cufeeble resistance and impair exertion.

The situation of our country renders it necessary to devote our undivided attention to its protection. Duties of paramount obliga- For this purpose, it is necessary, absolutely tion will justify us in adjourning this court, in necessary, that there should be at least a order that we may with our best mans, and truce to the animosities of party; that we to the full extent of our faculties, exert our-should join hand and heart in the great work selves for the public defence. of patriotic exertion; and that we should We shall therefore, gentlemen, dispense merge all personal, all local, all party consiwith your further attendance: but we cannot derations, in the great duties we owe to our permit this opportunity to pass by without country. If this is done with zeal, and in exhorting you, and through you the great bodygood faith, we have nothing to apprehend. of our fellow citizens, to act with that wis-This state alone can furnish 200,000 men cadom and energy, with that fortitude and pa-pable of bearing arms. If but a portion of triotism, which this most important crisis de-this force is brought into action, under judimands, and which the most sacred and impe- cious guidance, we can easily repel all hostile rious considerations require; and surely an attacks; but if, instead of putting our shouloccasion so extraordinary will warry at a deviders to the wheel, we call upon Fercules for ation from the usual. routine of juicial pro-assistance; if we rely upon the energies of ceedings, without implicating us in a violation of official decorum.

others, and not our own; if, like the men of Athens, we go about inquiring, what news? Notwithstanding the dark cloud thich hangs instead of acting with vigour; and if, like the over our country, there is nothing in the Jews of old, when the sacred city was besieevents which have occurred, or in the prospect ged, we commit ourselves to the furies of cibefore us, which ought to creati despair, if il discord, instead of warring ageinst the we are faithful to ourselves. The seat of our common enemy; then, indeed, will we be national government has been taken, and the unworthy of the name of Americans, and of enemy will no doubt follow up his advantages; the rights of freemen; then will the hand of but it is not here as it generally is in other divine vengeance be upon us; and then will countries: the fall of the capital will not pro- the sun of American glory, which is now rapidduce the prostration of the country. Its en-ly descending to the horizon, set in clouds ergies remain unimpaired; its' resources in and darkness, and be extinguished forever. full vigour; and all that is requisite is, that the spirit of the nation should ascend to the emergency of the pressure, and that its phys cal strength should be properly arranged aral skilfully dirceted.

Let us, then, exhort you, when you go from this place, to prepare yourselves for the crisis; to arm and to discipline yourselves for the defence of your country, and to encourage all within the sphere of your influence, to follow

your example. If any of you have pledged your lives, your fortunes and your sacred honour, in the support of the present contest, let me tell yon, it is high time you should redeem your pledge; and if any of you have not, let ine also tell you, that it is a sacred duty to make yourselves ready for the sacrifice, whenever it shall become necessary.

been sent there to meet the like fate; that as to money, John Henry and the Canada invasion had absorbed it all; and that if the city and state of New-York could raise men, or could get money for the purpose of their defence, it was more than Besides preparing yourselves for personal he could; that they ought to know better services in the field, there are other important

benefits which you may confer on your country. than to pester him with intrusions of this Although much liberality has been manifested sort; nevertheless, if they were so foolish in pecuniary contributions-yet, they have as to apprehend danger, they had his grabeen by no means proportioned to the emergency; and although unprecedented exertions cious permission to raise men and squanhave been inade in the erection of works of der money for their protection; but that defence, yet much remains to be done. Exert

then, all your influence in calling forth the in his estimation, blood and money would resources of our fellow citizens for the defence be shamefully wasted unless employed in of this city;

to extinguish endeavour with all your power the in asion of Canada.

spirit of party in the love of country. When we carry on a war against a foreign foe, in the defence of our firesides and our altars, let us be at peace among ourselves. A free nation, animated by one urind, and rising in the majesty of undivided strength, can never become the victim of subjugation.

"He told them in short, he was horribly poor, Kiok'd an out of the palace and slamm'd to the door."

Having rid himself of this obtrusive and troublesome committee, Mr. President reclined himself on his sofa, laughing no

And it is to be ardently hoped, that we shall repel by our conduct on this momentous occasion, the imputations which foreign malevo- doubt at the stupid terrors of our simple lence has endeavoured to fasten upon us-that mayor and his turtle soup eating alder

we are a nation of talkers and boasters; that we are great in professions, and small in performance, and that we are not able to protect our own independence.

men. And now how different was the conduct of a mere city corporation, from that of the cabinet of the nation! how

As for ourselves, gentlemen, we shall not attempt to amuse you by a parade of specions pro- different were the scenes presented to the fessions, which have become stale, unmeaning public view, at Washington and at Newand disgusting; we are sensible of the import-York. Here, nothing but eagerness, acance of our duties; and, with the blessing of heaven, we shall endeavour to discharge them.tivity and enthusiasm: there the torpor of luxurious imbecility, the half dead and

REMARKS.

While Mr. Madison and his feeble half alive langour of pale and sickly imcabinet were reclining, although encom-potence! Here, possessed of no revenue, passed with dangers, in luxurious indo- no credit, but such as might be derived lence at Washington, their tranquillity from the city funds, and the character of was one day unexpectedly disturbed by the corporation for fair dealing and finauthe mayor and common council of New-cial knowledge; of no physical aid but York. A committee from this body hat arrived to inform the guardians of the na tional safety, that New-York felt itself in danger, and being unprotected, now called for defence upon those who had taken a solemn oath to exert the energies of the whole union for the safety of every part. Graciously, most graciously, his excellency was pleased to reply, that as to men, he had none to order for our defence; most of those he had raised had been killed in Canada, and the rest had

such as might voluntarily yield itself 10the public service, more than was expect ed, all that could be wished was done. At Washington; on the contrary, they who could command all the men, and all the money of all the United States, were stupified into inglorious inactivity, never once roused to exertion by the reflection that an immense extent of seaboard was utterly and entirely defenceless: unprotected either by soldiery or fortifications, except the little of the latter, which had

The knowledge, the conviction, the universal confession of this trath, is intimately and inseparably connected with our fate. The abuse of inen faithful to their country, and who will now, by their

been principally thrown up before the war. I pink of Virginia chivalry, James MadiAnd now, to what conclusion are we to son! Yes! The scowling judge has come? Simply this: that the common sworn it in his wrath, and the king of council of New-York, elected by their smiles will obey, if he dare. I say, if he fellow townsmen, to manage merely the dare; because by that time it will be as affairs of the town, are proved to have universally believed, as it is now palpably formed, together with their mayor, a more apparent, that the union and the state are correct idea of the public danger, and to governed by men utterly unfit to meet the have been more capable of providing to perils of the time. Struggle as we may, meet it, than our unhappy and guilty fellow, countrymen, let us hug our darling president, with a cabinet which ought but pernicious prejudices ever so fondly to have been selected for its extensive and obstinately, we shall all be obliged to knowledge and wisdom! More, did I confess, and the sooner the better, that say? while they foresaw and did every James Madison and Daniel D. Tompkins thing in human power, he foresaw and are not the men for this crisis, for multidid nothing! It was only when the thun- tudes are already convinced, that with der burst over his head that he was awa- men like De Witt Clinton and Stephen kened from his enchantment; and then Van Rensselaer at the head of the union he was awakened not to exertion, not to and the state, we should long ago have the desperation of the deadly combat, but had either an honourable peace, or a vito infamous flight. What then? Next fall,gorous and glorious war. our exclusive patriots will nevertheless exert themselves to turn the leading and most active men of this common council out; and next winter, the mayor and recorder to whom we owe so much, because they have acted so differently from Mr. Pre-deeds show their superiority over our misident, will by Mr. President's friend and serable sophists, our impotent wordmonpaymaster the governor, and his cronies in gers, the abuse of these men must cease; the council of appointment, be set adrift, the talkers and smilers must be laid by. that men like Mr. Madison may occupy Those who have been so expert in flattheir places, and he be no more shamed tering our prejudices, have been found and disgraced by a comparison with unable to protect our firesides. Govermere officers of a city corporation. I re-nor Tompkins was never found in scenes peat it, the man, whose election to the of danger; and President Madison fled presidency would have saved the nation precipitately from that in which he was from all the calamities and disgraces to caught. We must have other men than which it has been, and during Mr. Madi- these. If we have not, we are ruined. son's administration must continue to be Let us talk as we may, and let even his subjected; the man to whom, with his as-honour the mayor talk as he may, of our sociates, we owe so much of our present resources and our population, without strength, and I will add, security, will" skilful guidance," we can only hope to next winter fall a victim to our furious waste them, as we have done. There is judge, and lovely governor, simply and no vigour in the administration, there is nerely, because he suffered his name to no confidence on the part of the people. go forth as a candidate for the presidency, It is impossible, it is utter absurdity, utthus endangering the success of that mira-ter idiocy to hope, that so assailed as we cle of executive wisdom and energy, that are, we can succeed with such men as

Sources.

we have now; men incapable of direct-possess, as a public teacher, shall contiing, I say, because they have never failed nue to be steadily exerted to inculcate to squander and dissipate the public re- this great truth, that next to the direct judgments of heaven, upon a sinful land, In substance, however, we have lately weak and wicked rulers are the causes of been told by divers good and worthy ci-national calamity and disgrace. And tizens, and what has not a little surprised that those who would relieve themselves me, even by the mayor himself, that from calamity, can only do it, by relie

"Whatever we may think, or may have ving themselves from their weak, and thought, of men and measures, whether fa-those who would avoid repetitions of disvourably or unfavourably, there should now be no difference of opinion, no collision of ac-grace, can only do it by relieving themtion." selves from wicked rulers.

I confess, there seems to me some ob- Certainly, the spirit of party is to be scurity in this passage. Do I understand deprecated, now and at all times. Conhis honour right? Is it meant, that we tentions among ourselves are to be avoidshould now, because the war has, in point ed. And perhaps, after all, Mr. Mayor of fact become one of defence, and seeing and myself do not disagree. If he means that Mr. Madison is president, that we that the great mass of both parties, inclushould now join in applauding the wisdom [ding their leaders, should be united in the of that man and his measures? That inva-public defence; that no doubt should be sion should like the waters of Lethe, bring entertained, much less propagated, but with it oblivion of all the folly and all the that the men who have, while ranged unwickedness, to which this poor country der different parties, encountered each owes its calamities and its perils. Why other with ardour in our election conso? I ask, will our nerves be more un-flicts, but that these men, are all true and strung, our muskets pointed with a less firm in maintaining their national indeaccurate aim at those who would burn or pendence; that whether federalists or dedestroy our possessions, because we might mocrats, they are alike resolute and dehappen to reflect, that these times would termined in their country's cause; that not have existed, had Mr. Clinton been federalists should repose confidently and our president? Is it indeed true, that we entirely upon the patriotism of democrats, cannot fight the British, unless we give and democrats upon that of federalists; up opinions of men and measures, delibe- that even these names as well as distincrately, religiously and correctly formed, tions should be abolished: I am prepared opinions which the whole course of events to say amen, with all my heart. I have has completely justified and confirmed? never been such a zealot, such a bigot, I had thought that adversity was the as to suppose a man not honest, not paschool of wisdom; and that he who can-triotic, because he was a democrat; and not improve in that school, is beyond the I have often expressed myself to this reach of tuition. And if his honour real-amount. But I have nevertheless beliely means, that while events are passing ved, that this party thought much more. immediately under our eyes, spreading favourable of certain men, than those men calamity and distress on every side, we deserved; and from that cause alone, are not to learn from them, that so long much more favourably of the measures of as the cause of them exists, so long will those men, than those measures deserved.. their effects be repeated, I take permis-While therefore these democrats, honest sion to dissent from his plan of natural and patriotic I allow, hoped from their education; and whatever ability I may men and the measures of their men, great