By order, D. PARKER. Adj. and Ins. Gen, barracks, Charlestown, Massachusetts, in conse-the sentence of the court, lieutenant colonel Wharquence of no notice having been taken by lieutenant ton is honorably acquitted, and the court martial is colonel Wharton of a report made by captain Wain-dissolved. wright, on the 18th March, 1817, of the voluntary surrender of the said Peter Moore, on the 3d of that month as a deserter, and in consequence of which the said Peter Moore still remained in confinement on the 8th June, 1817. CHARGE 11. Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Specification 1. In that, notwithstanding it was communicated to him that his military character had been assailed in its tenderest point, in conse. quence of the course he pursued at the time of the capture of the city of Washington, by the enemy, he did decline, and has ever since declined, (though communications have been made to him to the same effect, of late date,) to take any effectual measures to put a stop to reports so highly injurious to his own character, and of such great disadvantage to the corps under his command. Specification 2. In that, on or about the 14th of April last, he did use harsh and ungentleman like language towards John Hall, esq. at that time a major in the marine corps, in these words: that he was a liar. Specification 3. In that, he did subsequently refuse to make satisfactory reparation to the said John Hall, esq. for having used towards him such harsh and ungentleman like language. ARCH. HENDERSON, Washington 27th Aug. 1817. Adt. and ins. general's office September 20, 1817. GENERAL ORDER.-At a general court martial, of which lieutenant colonel Towson was president, convened at Fort Independence, in the harbor of Boston, on the 5th of August last, was tried brevet second lieutenant E. S. Gantt, on the following charge and specification, viz. CHARGE.-Sending a challenge to an officer to fight a duel. Specification.-For that the said Edward S. Gantt, second lieutenant by brevet, at Fort Independ ence, in the harbor of Boston, on the twenty fourth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, did write and send to captain John R. Bell, of the regiment of light artillery, a challenge to fight a duel, in the words and figures following, viz. "Sir, the epithets that you were pleased to bestow on me yesterday are such that no gentleman can submit to. You, therefore, will either recal what you have said, or give me that satisfaction a gentleman must require. My friend will hand you this, and will settle every thing. E. Gantt, Fort In dependence, 24th July, 1817,"- -or words to the same effect. AB. EUSTIS, lieut. col. Commanding It. artillery.. Fort Independence, 25th July, 1817, SENTENCE. The court confirm the plea of the accused, brevet second lieutenant Edward S. Gantt, of thegiment The prisoner was then asked by the judge advo. of light artillery, to the charge and specification cate whether he was guilty of the matter of accusa-exhibited against him; and in conformity to the tion; to which he replied that he was not guilty. twenty fifth of the rules and articles for the governThe prisoner objected to the first and third spe-meat of the armies of the United States, sentence cifications of the second charge, as being too loose him to be cashiered. N. TOWSON," and general but did not object to any amendment Brev. lieut. col. It. art. president. being made in this stage of the business by the R. H. WINDER, army judge advocate, judge advocate, as the prosecutor, who declined and of the court. making any amendment. The court, on deliberation, determined that no evidence should be given under the first and third specifications of the second charge, because they were too general. By the same court was tried captain W. F. Hos bart, of light artillery, on the following charge and specification, viz: CHANGE. Being a second and carrier of a challenge in order to a duel. A motion was made by the court to exclude all the evidence under the second specification of the Specificution.-For that the said William F. Hósecond charge, which was overruled; but they de-bart, captain in the regiment of light artillery at termined to receive no evidence of any occurrence Fort Independence, in the harbor of Boston, on that did not take place within two years before the the twenty-fourth day of July, one thousand eight order for convening this court. The prisoner re-hundred and seventeen, did carry and deliver to gretted the decision of the court on this point, as he captain John R. Bell, of the said regiment of light did not object to any evidence as to occurrences artillery, a challenge to fight a duel, in the words that took place beyond two years from the date of and figures following, viz. "Sir, the epithets that the order for convening this court. September 20. On reconsidering the motion in relation to the ed specification of the 2d charge, it was determined that, as the specification contained no military of. fence, the court would receive no evidence in support of it. you were pleased to bestow on me yesterday, are such that no gentleman can submit to. You, therefore, will either recal what you have said, or give me that satisfaction a gentleman must require.-My friend will hand you this, and will settle every thing. E. Gantt, Fort Independence, 24th July, 1817."-or words to the same effect; and the said William F. Hobart did then and there act as a seThe court being cleared, after mature delibera-cond to brevet second lieutenant Edward S. Gantt tion, find the prisoner not guilty of the first charge in order to a duel. AB. EUSTIS, lieut, col. and the five specifications under that charge. commanding It. artillery. The court, therefore, honorably acquit the prisoner, lieutenant colonel Franklin Wharton. 22d September, 1817. WM. KING, Col. 4th Inf. President. Namal. Wilcox, Special Judge Advocate. Adjt, and ins, general's office, October 1, 1817. SENERAL ORDER.—The president having approved Fort Independence, 25th July, 1817. SENTENCE. The court confirm the plea of the accused, captain William F. Hobart, of the regiment of light artillery, to the charge and its specification extibited against him; and in conformity to the twenty fifth and twenty-sixth of the rules and articles for the government of the armies of the United States, sentence him to be cashiered. N. TOWSON, Lieut. col. It. art. President. R. H. WINDER, army judge advocate, and of the court. The proceedings of the court are approved, and in ordinary cases such sentences would be confirmed, but, in consequence of the annexed recommendations, the president is pleased to over-rule the decisions, and directs that brevet second lieutenant E. S. Gantt, and captain W. F. Hobart, be released from arrest, and return to duty in the army, D. PARKER, adjt, and ins. gen. By order, TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Foreign Articles. ENGLAND &c. Shipments of grain from the Baltic and White sea for England, have been made to a great amount.. Wheat at Liverpool Aug. 15, 13s 3d per bushelflour 52s per bbl. Stocks, Aug. 20-3 per cent consols 79 1-8. Mr. Incledon, the famous London singer, has embarked for the United States. A late London paper says-All the travellers whom we have ever read, express their astonishment of the respect which every American manifests for the laws of his country. In the most remote and wild situations no one thinks of offering The undersigned, officers of the army of the United resistance to the laws, any more than he would do States, beg leave most respecfully to represent- in one of their most crowded cities. However far That your memorialists are, the first of the under-party zeal, and even party rage, may be carried in signed, president, and the others, all the members that free country, the partizans of all parties always of a general court martial, which convened at fort respect the laws. What a contrast with the south Independence in the harbor of Boston, on the fifth of Europe, where, under the most absolute govern day of the present month, for the trial of captain ments, the most lawless violence every where preWilliam F. Hobart and lieutenant Edward S. Gantt, vails, where injustice is practised with impunity, both of the United States regiment of light artillery, because there is no judge whom bribery cannot gain the latter on the charge of "sending a challenge to an officer to fight a duel," the former on the charge of "being a second and carrier of a challenge in order to a duel," in the same transaction: that each of these officers plead guilty to the charge exhibited against him, but submitted to the consideration of the court. That under the excitement of the moment, it was over. What a contrast with our sister kingdom, Ireland, where in many parts, the laws are ser at open defiance. If they go on in this manner, giving the name of anarchy to a most signal obedience to the laws, they will soon endear that name to the world. position he prepared and sold. Some idea may be formed of the importance of thought that the honor of lieutenant Gantt requir-don, from the fact that on a late legal investiga even the business of making Shoe Blacking is Loned that the course should be pursued which was adopted, that speedily after the transaction, and be- tion, one manufacturer was found to have in his pos fore charges were preferred against them, an ami- session eight thousand five hundred gallons of acid cable adjustment and understanding took place liquid, forming one of the ingredients in the combetween captain John R. Bell, of the regiment of light artillery, the officer challenged, and captain Hobart and lieutenant Gantt; that captain Bell was desirous their arrest should be withdrawn, and requested the commanding general to that effect, and that lieutenant colonel Eustis, who ordered their arrest, and the commanding general, were willing the matter should rest. Your memorialists, in their character of officers of the army, most respectfully and earnestly pray the president of the United States, in the event of his approving the proceedings and sentence of the court, to take into consideration the feelings and delicate sensibility of an officer under a supposed outrage to his honor, and to reinstate captain Hobart and lieutenant Gantt. N. Towson, brev. beut. col. lt. artillery. and paymaster lt. artillery. N. CLARKE, lieutenant. Boston, August 11, 1817. Extract of the letter from brigadier general Miller, enclosing the proceedings of the court martial, duted Head-Quarters, second military department. "I believe it to be the wish of all the officers ( of my command, as it is sincerely my own, that The 74th annual conference of the Methodists of the united kingdoms, has just closed at London. Nearly 300 preachers were present-36 of whom were young men, then received into full connexion. The society conducted its business with much harmony and love. Eight additional Missionaries are to be sent to the East Indies, Ceylon, India, and other parts of the world, the ensuing year: The number of Travelling preachers is as follows: In England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man, 585 46 -27 -104 5 7 captain Hobart and lieutenant Gantt be continued grain, and of the revival of manufactures, in Eng- FRANCE. Richmond-The following facts are copied from A royal ordinance has been issued for bringing the Compiler;back into actual service the half pay officers of the old army. It is reported that the allied ministers at Paris have refused to let the king of France manage his own affairs, by withdrawing any more of their troops -for the present. The king of Prussia, travelling under the name of the count de Ruppin, is expected at Paris. The commissioners for the liquidation of the claims of the foreign powers, make upon France a demand of above 62,000,000 sterling. NETHERLANDS. The Duke of Wellington is prosecuting, at law, a Flemish printer for an alleged libel upon him. TURKEY. Georges, the famous Servian chief, after being treacherously captured by the Turks, was decapitated and his head sent to Constantinople. BARBARY POWERS. The Plague is said to be raging at Algiers, Tunis, &c. at which those in the adjacent countries are much alarmed. FLORIDA. The assessment of real property for the year 1817, and` in 1813, in the different wards. Valuation of real property in Jefferson ward Valuation of real property in Madison ward Valuation of real property' in Monroe ward 1817 1813, 5,653,400 2,907,417 5,738,681 3,136,414 4,605,820 2,490,316 $15,997,851 $8,534,147 There was no assessment from 1813 to 1817. Indiana. The whole number of votes given at the congressional election in this new state in 1816, was 6,769-in 1817, 9,152. What an increase!-almost 50 per cent. in one year. Charleston Oct. 1.--Don Antonio Argotte Villalegas, consul of his majesty the king of Spain, has filed a libel in the admiralty court of Georgia, against the schooner Camilla and ber cargo, now at Savannah, as Spanish property, "forcibly and piratically taken on the high seas, by persons having no authority to make prizes of war, or capture the proper. The Mexican flag has been hoisted at Amelia-ty of Spanish subjects; and that no sentence or de- PROCLAMATION, Fernandina, East Florida, September 20th.-The inhabitants of Amelia are informed, that to-morrow the Mexican flag will be hoisted on the fort, with the usual formalities. They are invited to return as soon as possible to their homes, or send persons in their confidence to take possession of the proper. ty existing in the houses, which is held sacred. All persons desirous of recovering their proprerty are invited to send written orders, without which no. thing will be allowed to be embarked. Proclamations for the organization of the place will immediately be issued. AURY, commander in chief. cree of condemnation hath ever been pronounced against the said vessel, goods, wares and merchandize, or any part of them." A libel has also been filed in the same court, by J. H. Elton, commander of the U. S. brig Saranac, for and in behalf of himself, his officers and crew, and of the United States, against the Iris and her cargo, now lying in the river of St. Mary's. The Iris was fitted out at New-Orleans, and sailed from there for Amelia Island, about the 22d August, with a cargo of provisions and gunpowder, was armed. with two carriage guns, and several of the same description were found concealed in her hold. She was detained by the Saranac on suspicion that she was to be employed in cruizing or committing "hos tilities against the subjects, or the property of the subjects of his majesty the king of Spain, or against the subjects, citizens, or property of some other prince, state, colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are at peace, contrary to an act of The powder mills belonging to Messrs Levering congress of the said United States, entitled "an act and others, about 7 miles from Baltimore, blew up more effectually to preserve the neutral relations of on Saturday morning last, with terrible effect.-the United States, passed 3d March, 1817." There were three explosions in succession, by which New Orleans, Sept. 1.-Yester lay a wit of habeas four men were killed and several badly wounded. corpus was issued by the honorable judge Lewis to Washington city. We have a census just taken of bring before him a man named Thomas Lamb, de. one of the four wards of this city-it shews a gross tained on board the British government brig Beaver, population of 3354 souls, and an increase since the then lying in this harbor. The captain refused obecensus of 1810, of 1196. From this, the National In-dience to the writ, and in half an hour after it was telligencer says, it is probable that at the census of served, got under weigh and proceeded down the 1820 the city will have a population of between fif river. teen and twenty thousand. CHRONICLE. An order in the mean time was issued by the Alexandria.-Population in 1817, taken by or-judge to attach the captain, with which the deputy der of the court. White males 2653 sheriff went along side in a boat, but being threatened to be fired upon, retired:-Time will not permit us to make any comment on this outrageous insolence, it might have been expected that the sight of Jackson's lines would have recalled the idea that our laws and our rights are not to be infringed with impunity. But measures, we under stand, have been adopted to prevent the passage of the brig out of the river, and no doubt can be entertained that the captain will be punished as he deserves. [The Beaver has since arrived at Boston, as from Vera Cruz, with a large quantity of specie for the merchauts there. She fired a salute of 13 guns $1,384,280) which were returned.] The British brig of war Harrier, has arrived at New-York from Havana, with three tons of specie for the United States bank. Servility. We have often reprehended the servile disposition of too many in the United States to copy English manners. The following is the first New York battery-During the war, the city of case of the sort that we have heard of, and the New York ceded to the United States the space name of the actor therein, with a description of his called the battery-one of the most beautiful walks person, ought to be given, so that every man might in the world, whereon might be erected works for mark him, and hold him up in terrorem-"We have the defence of the city. A range of offices, it the authority of the Monitor, (says the National Inseems, are about to be built on this ground, under telligencer)a paper printed in Franklin county, Tenthe direction of general Scott, of which the corpo-nesee, for stating, a man sold his wife in that counration has expressed its decided disapprobation, ty, a week or two ago for three hundred and twenty. not considering such "an occupation of the pre-five dollars. Is there to be no discrimination bemises as within the spirit and meaning of the grant."tween virtue and vice, in our imitation of foreign We really hope it may not be so construed, and customs?" that that elegant and highly useful space may remain open to the public, unless the public need should require its occupancy for actual defence. Alabama. A vessel has sailed from New York with forty passengers (emigrants) for the Alabamaterritory. Joseph Bonaparte has taken lodgings at Washing. ton Hall, New York. Trotting. A mare trotted twenty miles in seventy five minutes and a half, on the Jamaica turnpike, near New York, for a wager of 1000 dollars, a few days ago. The time given was 80 minutes. Cleopatra's barge. This superb vessel excites the wonderment of the people, at every place she visits. At Gibraltar she astonished the English; at several Spanish ports the people "have been thunderstruck." They had no idea of such a thing. At Carthagena she was visited, as was supposed, by 20,000 persons-so great was the press that Mr. West point. We understand that a thorough inCrowningshield was compelled to leave the port vestigation of the complaints and alleged abuses to get clear of the incessant crowd, and after he at the military school is soon to be held by order had started many boats filled with men, women and of the executive, and that orders have actually been children were rowed after, in the hope of yet view-issued for a general court martial and court of ining her. She has just returned to Salem. quiry, to be held at West Point on the 20th October The sea serpent. An animal supposed to be one of inst.-Nat. Int. the spawn of the great sea serpent, has been taken Singular acquittal.—On the 25 ult. in Orange counnear Lob Lolly cove, about which place the serpent ty, New York, came on the trial of Brigs Belknap, bad been frequently seen. The spawn, or young for stealing a large sum of money belonging to the serpent, is about 3 feet long, and 3 inches in cir- Newburgh bank. The most satisfactory evidence cumference about 4 inches from his head there is proved the theft, but the jury were obliged to dea rising, or protuberance, which is succeeded by clare him not guilty, in accordance with the staothers till within four inches of the end of his tail tute which limits the time of commencing a prose-making 32 in all. It so nearly answers the de-cution to three years and one day. This theft was scription we had of the great serpent, that no doubt committed about six years ago. exists as to its being of the same species. It was killed near the shore-and is preserved in spirits. U. S. bank. A branch, it is said, is to be established at Louisville, Ky. with 800,000 capital.There are also to be branches at Augusta, Geo. Pittsburg, Pa. and Chillicothe, O. The yellow fever carries of from 35 to 40 persons per week, at Charleston. Debate or reform. The editor has been furnished with a London paper containing, perhaps, the New daily paper-From and after the 27th inst. mast interesting debate on a reform of parliament the Washington City Gazette,edited by Mr. Jonathan ever heard in that body. Burdett's speech is a hisElliot, will be published daily, at ten dollars per tory of the parliament, and very interesting; its annum, and thrice a week, at five dollars. Its pros-length is so great as rather to repress the wish pectus is very broad and comprehensive, and it pro- that we have to lay it before our readers-but we mises to become a useful vehicle of information to shall probably give it an insertion, as necessary to the people of the United States. those who wish fully to understand the real merits Note-Making. An association called the Inde. of things in England. pendent Manufacturing company of Baltimore, it The President's tour. Having entered so much seems, have issued many pieces of paper having the at large into a detail of things happening in the resemblance of bank notes, and circulated them in late tour of Mr. Monroe, while in the eastern states, distant places-they have not passed in Baltimore, to make the history of it complete and extend the nor did one in a hundred, perhaps, of our citizens same courtesy to the citizens of the northern and know that such things were. The editor of the western sections of the country through which he Register received 4 of these as remittances; two of has past as we have afforded to those of the eastthem were honorably paid some months ago, and two remain, that have been many times called for; the shop was always shut when we happened to call. They will not be received hereafter. ern, the detail will be concluded with his arrival at Washington on some convenient opportunity. Though many have felt rather displeased at some of the ceremonies that have occurred, it is not less A New York paper mentions that about a cart load useful to have a record of them. They will be of of bank notes, printed in the name of the Mansfield ten referred to before many years passes rounds bank, was passing somewhere through the country, or we are much mistaken. to be put upon the people. Just as the last page of this paper was closThe Western Waters. The following is a fine il-ing for the press, I happened to recollect that Willustration of lord Sheffield's predictions about the liam Cobbett has mentioned my letter to him, with so western country-"A Louisville paper states that little regard as to what belongs to his own charac. there are nine steam boats building on the waters of ter as a gentleman, as to have excited no other feelthe Ohio and the Mississippi, which will complete ing than that of contemptuous pity; though it forbids the number of twenty on those waters." all further notice of him in the WERKLY REGISTER NEW SERIES. No 8-Vot. I] BALTIMORE, OCTOBER 18, 1817. [No. 8-VOL XIII. WHOLE NO.320 THE PAST-THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT 5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Commodores Porter and Hillyar. FROM THE RICHMOND ENQUIREN. Register) been informed, that the error in punctua tion complained of, was promptly corrected by the editors of the National Intelligencer, and that it did not originate with them, but in the clerk who oopied his official letter for their paper. REMARKS BY THE EDITOR OF THE REGISTER. To the editor-Six-In the last number of "Niles Weekly Register," a letter is published from Com modore Porter, requesting the editor to correct an error of punctuation, committed in one of his (Porter's) official letters to the secretary of the Navy, Always feeling a deep interest in the honor ated New-York, July 14, 1814. Commodore Porter of the gallant men that so gloriously supported in bis letter to Mr. Niles, uses the following an- the "star-spangled banner," by land or by sea, guage: "I am very far from wishing to do any injus in the late war-so happy in its effects as to tice to commodore Hillyar, (who believe to be one of the most honorable of British naval officers, "the building up of a national character, and in On turning over to the official letter of commodore the establishment of a national pride, the editor Porter to the secretaty of the navy, (see 6th Vo!. W. of the WEEKLY REGISTER has made a very Register, page 338,) dated from the Essex Junior a general reference to all the things that com. sea, July 1814-detailing the particulars of the at- Porter has said respecting com. Hillyar, and tack on the Essex in the harbor of Valparaiso cannot see that discrepancy which the writer find the commodore speaking in these terms, (page in the "Enquirer" seems disposed to charge 341.) "We have been unfortunate but not disgraced. The defence of the Essex has not been less honora him with. To judge correctly, we ought to ble to her officers and crew, than the capture of an take "a view of the whole ground," and this, equal force, and I now consider my situation less I think, will fully shew that com. Porter has unpleasant than that of commodore Hillyar, who, in acted consistently, in every respect. violation of every principle of honor and generosity, and regardless of the rights of nations, attacked the Essex in her crippled state, within pistol shot of a neutral shore; when for six weeks I had daily offered him fair and honorable combat, on terms greatly to his advantage; the blood of the stain must be on his head, and he has yet to reconcile his conduct to Heawen, to his conscience, and to the world." Again in the very letter of the 14th of July, 1814, There are degrees of honor. It is a common saying, that "there is honor among thieves"-but this is not the sort of honor that honorable men would aim at: and com. Porter, in calling Hillyar "one of the most honorable of British navul officers," expressed exactly the same idea as if he had said that H. was one of the least dated from New-York, in part of which the punctu. dishonorable of them; a negative compliment, ation is said to have been erro eous, the commodore and evidently used in this way-the designation speaks explicitly of the duplicity of captain Hillyar, "of British naval officers," indubitably markand expressly states, that when Hillyar, in company ing its extent and character: for com. Porter's with captain Tucker, visited him on shore, he asked opinion of those is notorious to all men. If we him "if he intended to respect the neutrality of the refer to the 6th vol. of the Weekly Register, port?" "Sir," said he (Hillyar) "you have paid such respect to the neutrality of this port, that I page 349, we see that he sent this message to captain Nash, of the Saturn razee, (who overfeel my self bound in honor to do the same." Now, with these documents staring him in the hauled the Essex Junior off our coast) saying, face, a man of plain understanding will be at a loss he "was satisfied that most of the British naval to conceive what commodore Porter means when he officers were not only destitute of honor, but says, that he believes commodore Hillyar to be one of regardless of the honor of each other"--and in the most honorable of British naval officers. Does the commodore mean that all British officers are disko- vol. X. page 591, he urges his sentiments at norable, and Hillyar one among the least so-or has large, observing "I have been cowardly deceived any thing occurred to induce him to recant the de- and basely attacked, while confiding in the clarations he officially made in 1814, declarations di- neutrality of a port, and in the word of a British rectly at war with that recently made in the Week-officer, while he professed to me friendship ly Register? FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. H. In answer to the Richmond Enquirer of the 3d inst. captain Porter replies, that he has seen no cause to recant any declaration he officially made and gratitude"---adding "I have told only the truth, of which let those judge who best know British naval officers---but the whole letter should be read to get his full and deliberate opinion of them. The following extract from his After the opinions he had publicly expressed of official letter, giving an account of the capture the character of British naval officers generally, he of the Essex [see Vol. VI. page 341] is condid not deem it necessary to say whether he intend-clusive as to his consistency---he says, "In in 1814. ed it as a compliment or as a reproach, to rank justice to com. Hillyar, I must observe, that, com. Hillyar as one of the most honorable among them. although I can never be reconciled to the man. Captain P. takes this opportunity to remark, that*As will appear by referring to the National Inhe has (since the publication of his letter in Niles'telligencer of July 25, 1314] VOL. XIII 8. |