dium intended only for men who deal in tens fed small notes were indispensable-they would reand hundreds of dollars? He repeated his opinion tire as specie became abundant. Mr. Livermore that the measure, if adopted, would be to benefit said, that he considered it improper to attempt inthe bank of the U. S. at the cost of other institu- directly a measure which could not be directly ap-. tions. Mr. Trimble said he should vote for the en-proached. Such, he said, would be the effect of quiry. It appeared proper that an effort should be the adoption of the resolve now proposed. Every made to restore the country to a sound circulating state in the union had authority to do, by direct medium. He was not much disposed to offer to the legislation, what it was now proposed to do indibank of the U. S. any advantages in addition to those rectly. Mr. L. was therefore for leaving this matwhich it enjoyed. Adverting to what had been ter wholly to the state legislatures. If internal said about small notes, he spoke of the example of taxation became necessary, the revenue could not congress in establishing twelve banks in the Dis-be collected in the country, without the aid of trict, "with a population of some thirty thousand," small notes, &c. Mr. Cobb expressed his surprize and alluded to the miserable small notes circulated at the opposition to an enquiry. He could not see therein he hoped some measure would be adopt- how the bank of the U. S. was to be benefitted by ed to effect a circulation of coin for all transac- the proposed measure, the abstract policy of which tions less than five dollars, &c. Mr. Smith, (of was goed, &c. Md.) made a few remarks-he was in favor of the enquiry; he thought it would prevent the exporta. tion of specie by dispersing it over the country-mative, 59 votes to 40. spoke of what the banks in Baltimore had voluntarily done in this respect. Whether it was politic to do, in this respect, what would have the appearance of striking at the state banks, was another question: there could be no doubt, however, of the authority of congress, in this regard within the district of Columbia, nor of the expediency of exercising it, &c. Mr. Silsbee made a few remarks to the same effect as those of Mr. Smith. The question was then taken on agreeing to Mr. Lowndes' resolution, and decided in the affir SENATE. December 29. Nothing interesting transacted this day. The senate adjourned at an early hour until Tuesday next. January 2. Mr. Vandyke, agreeably to notice, and having obtained leave, introduced a bill to establish an uniform system of bankruptcy. [This bill embraces only the bankrupt principle, and, with some modifications, not affecting its main principle, is the same as the original bill before the senate at the last session.] The bill passed to a second reading. Mr. Williams, of Tenn. submitted the following resolution for consideration: Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to report a bill extending the judi cial authority of the United States over the state of Missouri. The resolution submitted some days ago, by Mr. Johnson, of Ky. directing an enquiry into the expediency of providing, by law, that a map be annexed to the land patent of each soldier, designating the survey in which his portion is located, was taken up, and, after some discussion, was agreed to. Mr. Mercer was surprized that the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Trimble) should have reflected so pointedly on the District banks-He believed they were in a better state than any beyond the Allegany mountains. He had always been in favor of adopting some measure to prevent the circulation of small notes, particularly in the District; -when the subject was properly before the house, he should offer some remarks on the policy of affording further advantages to that already power- Mr. Williams gave his reasons why the judicial ful institution-the bank of the U. S. Mr. Bald-authority of the United States should be extended win was unwilling, at any time, to object to an en-over Missouri, without delay, at some length-after quiry-yet this seemed to look towards an inter- which the resolution was laid upon the table one ference with the state banks. The next step might day of course. be to propose that no notes of the state banks should be received. "It is best to stop before we begin our course." He knew no motive that could induce him ultimately to sanction the proposition, but before he would even vote for the enquiry he must have stronger reasons in favor of it, &c. Mr. Trimble replied to Mr. Mercer-Kentucky had fol- The senate took up the report of the committee lowed the example set by congress in the District. of public lands unfavorable to the petition of the Whatever might be thought of congress imme-trustees of Worthington college, in Ohio, who pray diately around the seat of government, at a greater for a grant of the public lands in their vicinity, for distance a very high opinion was entertained of the benefit of the college. them; and when they established the twelfth bank Mr. Ruggles explained why he could not con. within this district the people at a distance thought sent that the report should pass without expressing it a wonderfully wise measure-and the good peo-his opposition to it. He shewed that the state of ple of Kentucky followed the example which con- Ohio had not received grants of land, like other gress had set them. Mr. Mercer made a few ad-states admitted into the union, for seminaries of ditional remarks--and said he believed that in the learning, and thought that the case now presented state in which the gentleman from Kentucky re-required further consideration;--and, on his motion, sided, there was not a specie-paying bank-but all in operation in the District paid specie. He defended the state banks against the bank of the U. S. He was opposed to one bank in a country, as he was to one head in a monarchy, &c. and was as much opposed as any one to subjecting the state banks to the sway of the great banking institution of the country. Mr. Burton thought that Mr. Baldwin had placed the subject on a proper basis. If congress would interfere with the one dollar notes Friday, Dec. 29. Mr. Herrick attended this day. of the state banks, they had the same power over The speaker laid before the house a letter from other notes of such banks. The matter should be the secretary of the treasury, transmitting stateregulated by public opinion. When specie vanish-ments of the district tonnage of the United States, the matter was postponed until Friday next. Several bills passed through different stages. January 3. The senate was chiefly occupied this day on business of a private or local naturenot necessary to record. January 4. No matter of importance transacted this day in the senate. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. on the 31st of December, 1819; also a letter from the same department, transmitting statements of goods, wares, and merchandize, exported from the United States to foreign countries, during the year ending 30th September, 1820; which were several-with attention the part of the volume containing the Jy ordered to lie on the table, and be printed. direction of the president, conformably to a resolution of the senate of 3d March 1817, was transmitted to each of the ministers and consuls of the United States, with a request that they would examine regulations of the respective countries where they resided, and communicate to this department any supplementary information upon the same subject which might be in or come into their possession. The speaker also laid before the house a letter from the secretary of the treasury, stating that the records of the treasury, do not contain the informaThe communications hitherto received in antion required by the resolution of this house of the 20th instant, relative to the number and tonnage of swer to this request, together with some others reAmerican and British vessels which have cleared lating to the same subject, are herewith transmitout from the ports of the United States for the ted in obedience to the resolution of the house. The original documents themselves are submit. ports of the West Indies, the Bahama Islands, and Bermuda, 1815, 1817, 1818, 1819, and 1820; that ted, as they were received, in the belief that such measures have been taken to obtain the inforina-parts of the information which they contain, as tion from the collectors of the customs, which it is may be immediately desirable to the house, will be presumed will be received in time to be laid be- most easily collected from them; and as no satisfac fore congress during the present session, except tory abstract or digest of them could be prepared, in time to be available to the house during their from the ports on the gulf of Mexico. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. present session. Department of state, 30th Dec. 1820. The report was read and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Anderson submitted for consideration the following resolution: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law, at the present session of congress, for the apportionment of the representation in congress among the several states, according to the fourth enumeration of the people of the U. States. Mr. Anderson made a few remarks in favor of his motion-maintaining the opinion that it was best to fix the ratio before the population of the respective states was known, on account of former diffi The Speaker also laid before the house a letter from the secretary of war, transmitting reports shewing the number of soldiers recruited during the year 1820-the fund from which the expenses of recruiting have been paid, &c. prepared in obedience to a resolution of this house which letter and report were ordered to lie on the table. The following message was received from the president of the United States, by Mr. Gouverneur, his private secretary: To the house of representatives: culties on this subject, caused by conflicting interests. Mr. Lowndes would not oppose the motion for enquiry-but thought that any act of the present congress in fixing the ratio would be imperfect, In compliance with a resolution of the house of and require future legislation to give it effect, representatives, of the 22d of November last, "reMr. Anderson thought otherwise--he supposed questing the president to inform that house, what the act would be binding on the next congress. naval force has been stationed, for the protection Mr. Fuller approved of the reason of the reso of the commerce of our citizens, in the West India lution-he wished the subject had been acted Islands and parts adjacent, during the present upon at the last session, but was opposed to year, and whether any depredations, by pirates, or it now because the representatives from some others, upon the property of citizens of the Unit states possessed better information of the amount ed States, engaged in such commerce, have been of population in their respective states than others reparted to our government," I now submit, for did. Mr. Anderson supposed that an entire igno- the information of the house, a report from the serance prevailed on the subject, and urged the pas-cretary of the navy, with accompanying documents, sage of the resolution. Mr. Campbell said that if which contain all the information in the possession the resolve embraced an affirmative proposition, of the government required by that resolution. it would be inexpedient to pass it, because partial information might be obtained-he was aware of the difficulty of fixing the ratio, but thought it best to leave it to the next congress. Finally, the resolve was agreed to. The orders of the day were called over: but many members being absent, and no disposition appearing to call up business Mr. F. Johnson, of Kentucky, gave notice, that, on the 8th day of January, he should move to take up for consideration the bill, reported at the last session of congress, to authorize the president of the United States to take possession of East and West Florida. He had been reminded of it, he said, by the bill reported this day by the committee on military affairs, for the reduction of the army. And the house adjourned to Tuesday. Tuesday, Jan. 2. The Speaker laid before the house the following report from the secretary of state: JAMES MONROE. Washington, January 1st, 1820. The message being read, was, with the docu. ments laid on the table and ordered to be printed. [The substance of the enclosures are given as follows The letter of the secretary of the navy to the president, states, that the brig Enterprize, the schooners Nonsuch and Lynx, and gun vessels No. 158 and 168 have been, during the present year, constantly cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, among the West India Islands, and along the southern coast of Florida and the United States; and, in addition to this, all the vessels of the United States, proceed. ing bence to the Mediterranean, have instructions to take their route through the West India Islands and afford protection to our commerce, &c. Accom panying this letter, are several documents, consist. ing of letters to the department, giving accounts of The secretary of state, in compliance with a re-cases of piracy, viz: A letter from Messrs. G. G. and W. Howland, solution of the house of representatives of the 11th instant, has the honor of reporting that a copy of of New York, respecting the capture of the ship the volume containing the commercial regulations Corsair, by one of Aury's squadron from Old Proví of foreign countries, which was printed under the dence. A letter from Mr. Peter Harmony, of New York, respecting the capture of the brig William Henry, by a privateer of the same school. Resolved, That the committee on the expenditures in the department of state, be instructed specially to inquire whether any moneys have been A letter from the Delaware Insurance Company disbursed through that department, or authorised of Philadelphia, giving an account of the capture to be disbursed, on account of any salary or comof the schooner Martha, by the Venezuelian priva-pensation to an agent or acting agent or any perteer Admiral Brion, commanded by capt. Jolly. son employed in that capacity on the part of the A copy of the notarial protest respecting the United States, during the year 1820, under, the plunder of Bartolome Bela and George Morito, 6th or 7th articles of the late treaty of peace with passengers on board the schooner Sam of Balti- Great Britain; and, if any moneys have been so more, by the privateer Impressor, under the Bue-paid, to inquire and report to the house by authori nos Ayrean flag, commanded by capt. Bradford.] ty of what law, and out of what appropriation, the On motion of Mr. Cook, it was same has been paid. Resolved, That the committee of ways and means And, the question being taken on agreeing to De instructed to enquire into the expediency of the resolution, it was agreed to without opposition. requiring every class of public officers charged Mr. Warfield submitted for consideration the foleither with the collection or disbursement of the lowing resolution: public money, to settle their accounts within speci-Resolved, That 5,000 copies of the letter from Ged periods, under the penalty of absolutely forfeit the comptroller of the treasury, transmitting a list ing their respective appointments. [Mr. Rich rose and delivered a statesman's speech on the resolution which he proposed some days ago. It is not very long, but it contains more sound sense than we are accustomed to find in the same space, and we exceedingly regret that such is the nature of things that we cannot give it a place this week, though we shall pay due respect to it in our next. ED. REG. After which Mr. Rich submitted the following resolation Resolved, That the committee on manufactures be instructed to enquire into the expediency of prohibiting (except for the export trade,) the importation of, 1st. All distilled spirits and malt liquors, from and after the day of, A. D. 2d. All manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall constitute a component part, from and after the day of A. D. of balances on the books of the second and third auditors of the treasury, which have remained more than three years prior to the 30th Sept. 1820, a list of the names of persons who have failed to render their accounts to the said auditors within the year, and a list of advances made prior to the 3d March, 1809, by the war department, which remained to be accounted for on the books of the third auditor of the treasury on the 30th Sept. 1820, be printed for the use of the members of this house. [This list of balances makes a large volume, about which we shall speak at large in our "new year's desultory remarks," and with reference now to the observations which followed. ED. REG.] This resolve was laid on the table. The bill making partial appropriations for the military service of the year 1821, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The other busi ness transacted will appear in course, if interest Sd. All cotton and flaxen goods, or of whiching. either cotton or flax shall constitute a component Wednesday, Jan. 3. Mr. Cannon submitted a re part, to wit: sheetings, shirtings, counterpanies, ta- solution to obtain many points of information reble cloths, stripes, checks, plaids, ginghams, chint-garding the military academy-which was laid on zes, calicoes, and prints of all descriptions, hosiery, the table one day, of course." cotton yarn, twist, and thread, from and after 4th. All kinds of glass wares and window glass, from and after 5th. Iron, in bars, rods, sheets, castings, spikes, and nails, and all manufactures of sheet iron, or of which sheet iron shall be a material of chief value, from and after 6th. All manufactures of lead, copper, or tin, from and after.. 7th. All descriptions of paper, from and after th. All manufactures of leather, or of which leather shall constitute a component part, from and after 9th. All descriptions of hats and ready-made clothing, from and after Resolved, That the said committee be also in structed to enquire into the expediency of levying an excise duty upon the domestic articles which shall be substituted for those, the importation of which shall be prohibited: the excise to take effect simultaneously with the prohibition. Sundry remarks from different members being made, the resolution, was laid on the table. Mr. Storys, after referring to the documents to shew that an agent had been employed in one of the commissions under the British treaty, although the appropriation was withheld by congress at the last session, in order to abolish the agency, moved the following resolution: On motion of Mr. Baldwin, it was Resolved, That the committee on commerce be instructed to inquire whether, in their opinion, any further measures are necessary to be adopted for the due enforcement of the existing revenue laws. Resolved, That the committee of commerce be instructed to enquire into the expediency of making any alteration in the existing laws which relate to the verification of invoices, or to manifests of goods imported from foreign parts. Resolved, That the committee of commerce be instructed to enquire into the expediency of making any provision by law for the due enforcement of the provisions of the act, entitled "an act supplementary to an act, entitled an act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," passed the 2d day of March, 1799. Resolved, That the committee of ways and means be instructed to enquire, and to report to this house, whether, in their opinion, the permanent revenue is adequate to meet the expenses of this government. Resolved, That the committee of ways and meaus be instructed to enquire whether any measures may, in their opinion, be necessary to increase the revenue, and if so, to report the measures to this house. Resolved, That the committee of ways and means be instructed to enquire into the expediency of prohibiting or imposing additional duties on the im- | Nelson, of Virginia, in the chair; and the consideraportation of foreign spirits, and imposing an ex- tion of Mr. Cabb's resolutions for reducing the excise on domestic distilled spirits. penditures of the government was resumed—oa Mr. Warfield submitted for consideration the fol-which several speeches were delivered. lowing resolution, which, from its nature, lies on the table one day of course: Resolved, That the first comptroller of the treasury be instructed to report to this house whether, in the statement of balances which have been due more than three years, accompanying his letter of the 27th November last, there have been made the discriminations and suggestions required by the 14th section of the act to provide for the prompt settlement of public accounts, passed on the 3d of March, 1817. The speaker laid before the house a letter from the secretary of war, transmitting, in pursuance of a resolution of the house of representatives of the 20th December last, a report of the number and station of all the military posts in the United States, and of the distribution of the army; designating the number and grade of the officers, and the number of men at each. The engrossed bill making a partial appropriation for the support of the military establishment for the year 1821, was read a third time, passed, and sent to the senate. The house then, on motion of Mr. Cobb, resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the state of the union, Mr. Nelson, of Va. being called to the chair; and the resolutions submitted by Mr. Cobb, at an early period of the session, proposing a reduction of various branches of the public 'penditure, were taken up. CHRONICLE. Bank of the United States. The following gen- James Wilson, of Baltimore. Directors for 1821-Pierce Butler, Thomas M. And at a meeting of the directors, held at the banking house, Langdon Cheves, esq. was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year. The directors have declared it "inexpedient to make a dividend at the present period." Law case. It is stated, that the court of appeals, in the state of Tennessee, has declared the endorsement laws passed by the legislature of that state, unconstitutional; and that the decision of the ex-court will be published. It may be rightful and reasonable that a bench of judges should thus upset the acts of a state-but, really, it seems as if it was trusting too much to the judgment of a few to invest them with such mighty powers. The resolutions having been readMr. Cobb rose and addressed the house in an animated speech of considerable length in support of the general principles of his propositions. His speech occupied nearly two hours. When he concluded, at 4 o'clock, the committee rose, reported progress; and the house adjourned. Thursday, Jan. 4. Mr. Archer, of Va. read from his seat the following resolution: Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to enquire whether there be at this time existing and in force, in Missouri, any legal tribuals or tribunal, derived from the authority of the United States, invested with competent jurisdiction and powers for the examination and determination of cases of controversy which have arisen, or may arise therein,under the constitution,laws, or treaties of the United States, or controversies to which the United States are or may become a party, and, if there be no such tribunals or tribunal, then to report to this house the provisions and measures which, in their opinion, may be necessary to be adopted by congress, for causing the authority of the government and laws of the United States to be respected, and for assuring protection to the property and other rights of the United States, and of their citizens, within Missouri. Mr. A. contended that Missouri floated “entirely liberated and at large," by the refusal to admit her into the union, and made a considerable speech on the subject, which may be noticed hereafter. Mr. Sergeant moved that the resolution should lie on the table. Mr. Cobb said that this was an unusual course with a resolution for enquiry merely. A good deal was said-but the resolve was laid on table, 91 to 59. Frauds in cotton. Large rocks, weighing between 80 and 90 lbs, were lately discovered in two bales of cotton, at Augusta-sold by a certain Micajak Bond, of Columbia county. Let "no such men be trusted." Post office affairs.-There are about 4030 post offices in the United States, and we find all the post masters were born in America, except 161. They are compensated by a certain per centage on postages collected. The following is the state of their salaries for one year: Post masters whose salaries are under 100 dol In all the above post offices, there are only about 103 clerks employed, all of which were born in America, but 7. There are 481 mail contractors, all of which were born in America, but 20. They have various prices for the labor, according to the quantity of which they undertake to do. There are 27 who have less that 100 dollars; some from 100 to 500, 500 to 1000, 1000 to 2000, 2000 to 5000, 5000 to 10,000 10,000 to 15,000, and one contractor has upwards of 30,000. These items we hope will be interesting Boston Gazette. to some of our readers. St. Louis, Missouri, has a population of 4,598 perThe house then again resolved itself into a com- SODS Of the ancient inhabitants, a "number are mittee of the whole, on the state of union, Mr. | from 72 to 100 years of age." PRINTED BY WILLIAM OGDEN MILES, AT THE FRANKLIN PRESS, WATER-STHEIT, EAST OF SOUT8>STREIT, NEW SERIES. NO. 20-VOL. VII.] BALTIMORE, JAN. 13, 1821. [No. 20—Vol. XIX. WHOLE NO. 488 THE PAST-THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY H. XILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, To do a little in keeping pace with the [ter for a week, if it had been necessary to establish matter furnished, an extra half sheet is published, as supplementary to the present number—and we think that our readers will have no more rea son to complain of the quality than of the quantity of the matter-for it has variety enough. NEWSPAPERS. It is a standing order of the postmaster general, that the deputy postmasters, shall give information to the publishers of newspapers and other periodical works usually sent by mail, if any addressed to their office are not taken out by the persons whose names are superscribed thereot. The late dismissal of a postmaster, for his neglect to observe this injunction, shews that the P.. M. general is resolved to enforce his orders. In addition to this as a matter of duty, the editor of the REGISTER will be very thankful for any information that may prevent a waste of his paper, and a useless lumbering of the mails. it. At length, we learnt on authority which we deem indisputable, that, when the government of Spain speaks of reals, the "real vellon" is meant. Its value is equal to five cents; so the 14,219 mil lions of reals which Spain is indebted,may be considered as seven hundred and ten millions, nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of the money of the Unit ed States. An enormons sum, but which, under a liberal and enlightened policy and the support of her colonies, together with the happy riddance of her priests and monks, the regenerated empire may honestly pay. During our search after the value of the real of the Spanish government, we gathered some curious information as to the rouble of Russia. The silver rouble was equal to one dollar, but the rouble of commerce or account (paper money) gives us no definite idea of value. We generally estimate it by the exchange on London--but Amsterdam, Hamburg, Paris, &c. fix the value of it for themTHE FLORIDAS. It seems to be abundantly prov-selves. A much respected friend presented us ed, that the cortes have unanimously ratified the with a copy of his calculations to ascertain the vaFlorida treaty, and without reserve-agreeably to lue of a rouble in November last, for the use of a the terms which we considered just when it re-public office, as follows: ceived the sanction of the president and senate. EXPORTS. We intend, next week, to give the detailed report from the treasury department, shewing the exports of the United States for the year ending 30th Sept. 1820. The domestic products were valued at $51,683,640, and the foreign at $18 008,029-together, $69,691,669. At the latest dates 1000 roubles at London (at 10 1-16d. each) $186 14 201 24 192 72 202 76 divided by 4)782 84 195 71 DENOMINATIONS OF MONEY. Too many publishers, when they tell us that certain foreign governments have given, paid or owe, so many pounds, rix dollars, ducats, guilders, francs, roubles, reals, &c. &c. give themselves no trouble to ascertain Consequently, a rouble at that time was estimatwhat is the amount, as equalized to our ideas of mo-ed to be worth nineteen cents 5.7 mills: another ney-and hence, in many cases, the information previous calculation of the same nature, and for a meant to be conveyed is wholly lost to 99 in similar purpose, made it worth only 17 cents 7.9 100 of their readers; nor can they themselves af- mills. The price of the rouble (in paper) varies ford an explanation, if required. according to circumstances, pretty much like the "Owl creek" bank notes did, until they were swept away by the public indignation. We have given credit to the "National Gazette" for some valuable items of information from Spain (page 322)-among other things it is mentioned that the aggregate debt due by the government of POLITICAL ECONOMY. In the supplement to this that country, amounts to 14,219 millions of reals. number, page 331, we present Mr. Ricu's speech The editor probably knows what is meant by the to our readers, and recommend it to an attentive "real," as used in respect to this matter; but we did perusal. Its purpose was to excite an enquiry into iot, and immediately sat out to discover its rateable the propriety of probibiting the importation of value as depending on our denominations of money. certain articles, after certain specified periods, with We knew there were three kinds of reals, or rials, a view to the encouragement of domestic industry valued at 5, 10 and 124 cents each, and had heard and the creation of a home-market,-with a self-dealso that there were yet other provincial differen-pendence for the revenue needful to the support of ces in the value of a real, as compared with that of government, &c. It is not probable that Mr. Rich the dollar. The question was put to at least a do- expected that his resolutions would he acted upon, zen intelligent merchants-they referred to their in the form of laws, just now--his object was ma books, accounts of sales, &c. but no one would un-nifestly to draw the attention of congress to the dertake to say what real was meant in the case state of things which is forcing itself upon us, that stated. In the custom house, two kinds of reals we may be prepared for "the time to come." are acknowledged-the real vellon, at 5 cents, and less the people of Europe obligingly go to killing the real of plate at 10. The real of old plate is one another, we must just as surely retire upon 121, or the 8th of a dollar. To be thus bathed in our own resources, as the volume of water in the our enquiries only sharpened a desire to ascer. Mississippi seeks the gulf of Mexico. We cannot tain the fact, and we should have pursued the mat-expect that the laws of nature will be diverted espeVOL. XIX.21, Un |