istence, as composed of a number of independent 3. Congress having power to provide for governand united states, than to reduce the stripes in the ing the militia only when they are in the service of flag to the original number of thirteen, to repre- the United States, and the authority of training sent the number of states then contending for, and them belonging to the state governments, the comhappily achieving their independence, and to in-mittee have not deemed it proper that congress crease the stars to correspond with the number of should prescribe the time to be devoted to training, states now in the union: and hereafter to add one or the manner in which that object will be best star to the flag, whenever a new state shall be fully effected. It is the duty of the state legislatures admitted. to enact the necessary laws for that purpose. The These slight alterations will, in the opinion of committee deem it a sufficient exercise of the pow the committee, meet the general approbation, as well of those who may have regretted a former departure from the original, and such as are solicitous to see in it, a representation of every state in the union, The committee cannot believe that, in retaining only thirteen stripes, it necessarily follows, they should be distinctly considered in reference to certain individual states, inasmuch as nearly all the new states were a component part of and represented in, the original states-and inasmuch, also, as the flag is intended to signify numbers, and not local and particular sections of the union nor can the committee view the proposed inconsiderable addition, to be made on the admission of a new state, in the light of a departure from that perma nancy of form which ought to characterise the flag of the nation. ARMING THE MILITIA, &C. Report of the committee, on so much of the president's message as-relates to the militia.. -JANUARY 9, 1818. Accompanied with a bill to provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, &c. &c. The committee to whom was referred so much of the message of the president as relates to the militia, have had that subject under consideration, and beg leave to report: 4 That the constitution grants to congress the following powers in relation to the militia, to wit: To provide for organizing the militia; for arming them; for disciplining them; for calling them into the service of the United States; for governing them there. in; and for compensating them for their services, which powers the committee have considered separately. er to provide for disciplining the militia, to direct the appointment of the necessary officers, to prescribe their duties, and to provide a system of discipline, comprehending the camp duties, instruction, field exercise, and field service, for the militia. 4. The committee are of opinion, that the regulations for calling forth the militia may remain substantially as at present existing: that the president should, in all cases, address his orders immediately to some officer of the militia, and not to the exe. cutive of any state. The governor of a state is not a militia officer, bound to execute the orders of the president; he cannot be tried for disobedience of orders, and punished by the sentence of a court martial. 5. In providing for governing the militia in the service of the United States, it has appeared to your committee, that the senior class might be exempted from being marched out of the state to which they may belong; that the junior class, composed of ardent and vigorous men, the efficient force of the nation, should, when called into service, continue therein some time after having acquired the knowledge and habits of soldiers; that the officers should, by their own consent, be continued still longer in service, as military knowledge, principles and habits, are most essential to the officers, who who are the souls of an army. It has also appeared to your committee, that those principles would be best acquired by the officers of the militia, in serving with officers of the regular troops on courts martial, for the trial of offenders either of the regular troops or militia. 6. The compensation to the militia for their services, consisting of pay and allowance for clothing, and of pensions in case of disability by wounds received in the service, the committee would allow 1. The committee are of opinion, that in organiz-to remain nearly as heretofore fixed by law. ing the militia, it would be a great improvement to The committee acting according to the foregoing divide them into two classes, with a view to train principles, report a bill to provide for organizing, diligently, and to provide to arm immediately, the arming, and disciplining the militia; for calling them young men, and exempt the elderly men from that into the service of the United States; for governing sacrifice of time which effective training would them therein; and for compensating them for their require the organization of the militia might re- services. main in all other respects nearly as heretofore estab. lished. Foreign Articles. Parliament has been further prorogued to the 27th 2. The constitution having made it the duty of congress to provide for arming the militia, this power is not duly exercised by merely enacing that Summary of late news-London dates to the 8th of December, inclusive. the militia shall arm themselves. A law to that effect, unsanctioned by penalties, will be disregarded, and if thus sanctioned, will be unjust, for it wilt of January. It is intimated that England has resolv. operate as a capitation tax, which the opulent and ed to maintain a strict neutrality between Spain the needy will pay equally, and which will not be and her revolted colonies-a proclamation has been borne by the states in the proportion fixed by the issued forbidding the service of British subjects in constitution. The committee do not approve of the military force of either party-with an excepputting public arms into the hands of the militia, tion in favor of those at present in Ferdinand's serwhen not necessary. That mode would expose the vice, but they are not to act against the colonists. arms to be lost and destroyed. They conceive that Austria is recruiting her army by a conscription-the congress should provide arsenals, from which the first class, those between twenty and twenty five militia of every part of the United States could years of age, are to be drafted into the regiment of draw arms when necessary, which would be a suththe line. The Russian squadron, bound for Cadiz, cient exercise of the power to provide for arming has arrived at Deal. A report prevails that Lucien Bonaparte had escaped in the American bɛig Cos the militia... AMELIA. samer, of eight guns, and was on his way for Boston. The Prussian ambassador at Paris has very peremp- It is stated that a Spanish officer had reached torily demanded an explanation of a passage of Fernandina to ascertain whether the United States Louis' speech, and of the reply of the deputies.- had taken possession of the island as friends or ene There is a report that the duke of York, being pre-mies; at the same time expressing his satisfaction sumptive heir of the crown, will resign the command that the nest was broken up. of the army. ENGLAND, &C. The Boston Gazette has three and an half huge Columns, filled with a very small type, detailing the ceremonies, &c. that took place at the funeral of the princess Charlotte, and the "still-born male infant!" The world will not come to an end because that woman (though she may have been a good one) and her child are deposited in the "narrow house." Com. Aury has denounced a certain William P. Moore as running away from Amelia with a certain prize vessel, of about 70 tons, armed with 5 guns, with an intention to commit depredations on the high seas-saying that he is unauthorised, and requesting that he may be brought to trial as a pirate. It was expected that Aury, with his fleet, &c. would leave Amelia about the 20th inst. Some of the U. S. troops were embarking to join gen. Gaines at fort Scott, for which place the general, as before noticed, had departed. CHRONICLE. The English seem so much alarmed lest they thay not have a full blooded Guelph to ride them, that there is some talk of legitimatizing the marriáge of the duke of Sussex with lady Murray, strumpetized, by an act of parliament, in 1794. Lady Murray was honestly and fairly married to the duke EMIGRATION. A gentleman at New York has faat Rome, and is said to have more virtue and intel-vored the editor of the WEEKLY REGISTER, with the ligence than belongs to the whole of the royal fa- following list of emigrants arriving at that port, mily. It is said that she is a native American, from the 1st of January to the 31st Dec. 1817, botli daughter of lord Dunmore, and born in Virginia. inclusive, and assures us that its correctness may She has a son about 21 years of age and 2 daughters, be relied upon. nearly out of their teens. Frequent meetings of the cabinet have caused considerable fluctuations in the price of stocks. The 3 per cent. consols fell from 84 to 80, on an alarm of hostilities between Spain and Portugal; but they had again nearly recovered their highest price. The season has been so fine in England that a se Cond crop of strawberries were said to be growing on the 26th Nov. in a certain garden at Prescott. "SPANISH AMÈRICA.” We are compelled to express a belief that Mina has been captured and executed, and his party destroyed or dispersed. It is stated that he was put to death in the neighborhood of Mexico. The town of Campeachy was illuminated on the news of it. A letter, however, from Vera Cruz noticed in the Aurora, dated November 11, states that he was organizing the communities in the very centre of Mexico, &c. England, Scotland and Wales, - 3,131 Ireland, 1,703 Indian war.-Accounts from our Southern fron tier, state that major Muhlenburg, who was ascending the Flint river with three vessels, having on board a detachment of U. S. troops, provisions, &c. was attacked 30 miles below Fort Scott by twelve hundred Indians and negroes, on the 16th ultimo. When the express left, which was on the the 18th, the firing from both parties continued; at which We have several proclamations, &c. from Vene time major Muhlenburg had three men killed and zuela. A proclamation by Bolivar, supreme chief, thirteen wounded; but there was not the least ap. dated at Angostura, Oct. 17, announcing the dis-prehension of any the vessels being taken that were covery of the treachery of Gen. Piar, and his exe- under his command. The troops so defended themcution-it would seem that his ambition and avarice selves in the vessels, from the, enemy, that they combined to cause him desert the banners of the were perfectly safe. No man was killed or woundrepublic. 2. A despatch from the royal Col. Roque, ed except when in the act of warping or casting of the regiment of Navarre, announcing the defeat anchor. Capt. M'Intosh, who commanded a post 12 of a detachment of the patriot forces at Hogaza, miles from Fort Scott, with 40 men, was attacked in which "the whole of their infantry, and 400 of on the 15th ult. by between 2 and 300 indians. the cavalry perished" that they lost 2 pieces of Captain M. defeated them without losing a single artillery, and all their ammunition and stores, &c. man, and has since been relieved. There had also 3. A letter from Angostura containing a favorable been a skirmish between the friendly and hostile account of the forces and proceedings of the patri-savages, in which the chief of the former was killed, ts, and stating that they would pacify all the pro-in consequence of which a number of the party unvinces "before the end of the year." A supreme der his command are said to have deserted and council has been established at Angostura, and the joined the hostile indians. affairs of the republic appear to be well regulated We learn by a sick soldier who has just return-an expedition of 1800 inen, in 51 small vessels, ed home from the army, that the detachment of was about to sail from thence. 4. An address from militia from this state had reached Flint river and Gen. Bermudez to the people of Cumana, announc commenced erecting the fortifications directed by ing that his army is approaching to bring the "olive general Gaines. He also states, that the Indians of peace with the laurel of victory." An opinion had sent deputies to sue for peace on the conditions prevails that a decisive battle will speedily be formerly rejected by them, and that it was believed fought which may probably decide the fate of Ve- in camp, that hostilities would cease without the nezuela, and stop the oceans of blood that have further effusion of blood. We have no late intelliHlowed in that most unfortunate country. It is re-gence from the regulars at fort Scott, ported that some troops were expected from Spain. [Milledgeville Journal, 6th inst. NEW SERIES. NO. 23 Vol. I ]. BALTIMORE, JAN. 31, 1818. [No. 23-Vol XIII. WHOLE No. 335, THE PAST-THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. To dispose of some articles in type, the present humber has been made to consist of wenty pages—and we have matter enough yet lying-over to make 40 more. The GENERAL INDEX is in progress, and will be published early in the spring. A confidence is felt that it will meet the wishes and expectations of the friends of the WEEKly Register; and, that by it, immediate reference may be to any article in the twelve volumes now published. Additional subscriptions are solicited, as not many copies more than are engaged will be printed. The prospect respecting the volume of REVOLVTIONARY SPEECHES, &c, is not so flattering. Many contributions expected for it have not been receiv. ed, and the editor is yet undetermined on the course he shall take respecting it. A little more time may designate that course-but, in any event, the valuable articles collected shall not be lost. James Otis. The editor of the WEEKLY REGISTER, and the pub. lic, is much indebted to President ADAMS for the following sketches of the character and services of that distinguished patriot JAMES OTIS-a name dear to the history of American freedom. Mr. Otis lived to see the independence of his country established, but not to enjoy it. The wounds he received in the "assassination" mentioned by Mr. Adams, were not mortal, but they destroyed his reason, and he lived several years after"a great man in ruins." In a lucid interval he is said to have forgiven his assassins, and to have relinquished the sum of 1.5000 sterling which the chief of the gang was adjudged to pay for the [EDITOR. injury done to him. QUINCY, January 14, 1818. Mr. NILES-In a former letter I hazarderl a newspaper at New-Haven, has affected to laugh an opinion that the true history of the Ameri at my "ignorance" for having said that there "had been an established church in Connecticut" but he can revolution could not be recovered. I had kindly excuses it, because I am "living in Balti many reasons for that apprehension; one of more." The editor of the New Haven Herald has which I will attempt to explain. politely interfered, and demonstrated that either the said Mr. Converse or myself have spoken fool ishly, by publishing the following extract from CONNECTICUT A Mr. Converse, who publishes the laws of that state: Of the determination of the British cabinet to assert and maintain the sovereign authority of parliament over the colonies, in all cases of "This assembly do declare their great approba taxation and internal policy, the first demontion of such a happy agreement, [to wit, the Say.stration which ar ived in America was an onbrook Platform,] and do ordain that all the Chris- DER IN COUNCIL to the officers of the customs tian churches within this government, that are or in Massachusetts Bay, to carry into execution shall be the united in DOCTRINE, WORSHIP, and DIS THE ACTS OF TRADE, and to apply to the suCIPLINE, be, and for the future shall be, owned and preme judicature of the province for WRITS OF acknowledged as ESTABLISHED BY LAW." Vide ASSISTANTS, to authorise them to break and enter Stat, ed. of 1750, p. 169. all houses, cellars, stores, shops, ships, bales, casks, &c. to search and seize all goods, wares and merchandizes, on which the taxes imposed by those acts had not been paid. MANUFACTURES. The editor of the REGISTER was favored with and has attentively read, a pamph let addressed to the president of the United States, by John Mellish, on “the necessity of protect ing and encouraging the manufactures of the United Mr. Cockle, of Salem, a deputy under Mr. States." It is an interesting little work, and, so Paxton, of Boston, the collector of the customs, far as we are judges of what is true political economy, a very excellent one. Its leading principle is petitioned the superior court in Salem in Nov. bottomed on what must forever constitute the 1760, for such a writ. The court doubted its wealth of a nation-which is, the profitable employ constitutionality and consequently its legality: ment of the population, and he also clearly shews us but, as the king's order ought to be considered, that we cannot long continue to pay the present hea they ordered the question to be argued before vy difference between the value of our exports and imports, in favor of Great Britain. There is nothing them, by counsel, at the next February term, new in those positions; but Mr. Mellish's elucida- in Boston. tions of the facts appertaining to them are pleasing, The community was greatly alarmed. The and it is impossible that they should be too often merchants of Salem and of Boston applied to enforced until we have agreed to act upon them Mr. Otis to defend them and their country as we ought to do. We shall probably interweave against that formidable instrument of arbitrary some extracts from this pamphlet in the remarks that we had in a state of preparation on the same power. They tendered him rich fees--he ensubject before we received it, and which we de gaged in their cause, but would accept no fees. signed to publish under a hope that congress JAMES OTIS, of Boston, sprung from families would not rise without doing something to ensure among the earliest of the planters of the coloa sufficient protection to our manufactures. Much nies, and the most respectable in rank, while has been done, many millions have been spent for the word rank and the idea annexed to it were commerce—and we are content to say it is well: but manufactures, many times more important, have tolerated in America. He was a gentleman e been suffered to struggle for themselves; the du general science and extensive literature. P ties upon foreign goods having been levied for the had been an indefatigable student during t.. nlypurpose of raising a revenue. whole course of his education in college an VOL. XIII-24. at the bar. He was well versed in Greek and Although Mr. Otis, had never before interRoman history, philosophy, oratory,poetry and fered in public affairs, his exertions, on this mythology. His classical studies had been un-single occasion, secured him a commanding sually ardent,and his acquisitions uncommonly popularity with the friends of their country, great. He had composed a treatise on Latin and the terror and vengeance of her enemies; prosody, which he lent to me, and I urged him neither of which ever deserted him." to print. He consented. It is extant and may At the next election, in May, 1761, he was speak for itself. It has been lately reviewed in elected, by a vast majority, a representative in the Anthology by one of our best scholars, at a the legislature, of the town of Boston, and conmature age and in a respectable station. He had tinued to be so elected annually for nine years. also composed, with equal skill and great labor, Here, at the head of the country interest, he a treatise on Greek prosody. This he also lent conducted her cause with a fortitude, prume, and, by his indulgence, I had it in my pos- dence, ability and perseverance which has session six months. When I returned it I beg-never been exceeded in America, at every ged him to print it. He said there were no Greek sacrifice of health, pleasure, profit and reputatypes in the country, or, if there were, there tion, and against all the powers of government, was no printer who knew how to use them. He and all the talents, learning, wit, scurrility was a passionate admirer of the Greek poets, and insolence of its prostitutes. especially of Homer; and he said it was in vain Hampden was shot in open field of battle. to attempt to read the poets in any language Otis was basely assassinated in a coffee-house, without being master of their prosody. This in the night, by a well-dressed banditti, with a classic scholar was also a great master of the commissioner of the customs at their head. 'laws of nature and nations. He had read Puf- During the period of nine years that Mr. fendorph, Grotius, Barbeyrac, Bulamaqui, Yat- Otis was at the head of the cause of his countel, Heineccius; and, in the civil law, Domal, try, he held correspondences with gentlemen Justinian, and, upon occasions, consulted the in England, Scotland and various colonies in corpus juris at large. It was a maxim, which America: He must have written and received he inculcated on his pupils, as his patron in the many letters, collected many pamphlets, and, profession, Mr. Gridley, had done before him, probably, composed manuscripts, which might "that A LAWYER OUGHT NEVER TO BE WITHOUT have illustrated the rising dawn of the revolu A VOLUME OF NATURAL OR PUBLIC LAW, OR MO- tion. RAL PHILOSOPHY, ON HIS TABLE OR IN HIS POC KET." In the history, the common law and statute laws of England, he had no superior, at least in Boston. After my return from Europe, I asked his daughter whether she had found among her father's manuscripts, a treatise on Greek prosody? With hands and eyes uplifted, in a pa Thus qualified to resist the system of usur- roxysm of grief, she cried, "Oh! sir, I have not pation and despotism meditated by the British" a line from my father's pen. I have not even ministry, under the auspices of the earl of his name in his own hand writing." When Bute, Mr. Otis resigned his commission from she was a little calmed, I asked her, "Who has the crown, as advocate general, an office very" his papers? Where are they?" She answered, lucrative at that time, and a sure road to the They are no more. In one of those unhappy highest favors of government in America, and dispositions of mind, which distressed him engaged in the cause of his county without" after his great misfortune, and a little before fee or reward. His argument, speech, dis-"his death, he collected all his papers and course, oration, harangue-call it by which pamphlets and committed them to the flames name you will, was the mostimpressive upon his "He was several days employed in it." crowded audience of any that I ever heard I cannot enlarge. I submit this hint to your before or since, excepting only many speeches reflections. Enclosed is a morsel of verse, by himself in Phanuil Hall and in the House written soon after Mr. Otis's death, by a very of Representatives, which he made, from time young gentleman who is now one of our exto time, for ten years after wards. There were cellent magistrates. If you do not think fit to no stenographers in those days. Speeches were print this letter and that verse, I pray you to not printed, and all that was not remembered, return them to JOHN ÁDÁMS. like the harangues of Indian orators, was lost in air. Who, at the distance of fifty-seven On the death of JAMES Oris, killed by lightning, at years, would attempt, upon memory, to give Andover, soon after the peace of 1783, written at even a sketch of it. Some of the heads are when flush' with conquest and elate with pride, remembered, out of which Livy or Sallust Britannia's monarch Heaven's high will defy'd; would not scruple to compose an oration for And, bent on blood, by lust of rule inclin'd, history. I shall not essay an analysis or a With odious chains to vex the free-born mind; sketch of it, at present. I shall only say, and On these young shores set up unjust command, I do say in the most solemn manner, that Mr.Then Oris rose, and, grea in patriot fame, And spread the slaves of office round the land; Otis's oration, against writs of assistance, To list'ning crowds resistance dared proclaim. breathed into this nation the breath of life. the time. From soul to soul the bright idea ran, "The Drawing Rooms." QUINCY, Jan. 20th 1818. attributing to it an offensive article about "Drawing Rooms;" while I have to regret that this is not the first time in which my secret pride has been humbled by a similar misapprehension. And such mistakes are easily com mitted. because another paper is published (at another place, however,) in which the form and manner of the "WEEKLY REGISTER" is attempted to be copied probably, that it may pass for mine with the honest and unsuspecting. But of that paper, madam, I never opened or examined but one number, and do not expect ever to examine, much less to read another. I see it only by accident, because it is refused an admittance into my office: nor is my curiosity excited about it, although I am told that its ostensible editor, through a hireling pen,* has several times attempted to honor me with his abuse. I cannot see how I have deserved such marks of respect---seeing that I never have mentioned that editor or named his paper in this; and that very seldom appear to be wholly sensible that such a thing as the one or the other exists at all. I perfectly recollect to have observed some thing about "Drawing Rooms," copied from it, (in another paper) and remember to have read three or four lines of the piece; when I discovered that its subject was not suited for my own taste or that of my male readers, and cast it behind me-I could not believe that the public was any way interested in the domestic. arrangements of the president's wife. Hence I did not know until now that it was so rude as to wound the feelings of a lady---who, in every Mr. Niles---Upon taking up your Register rank and condition, is entitled to courtesy and the other day, a communication respecting protection, but especially commanding it as the drawing rooms, attracted my attention. Your worthy consort of a venerable and illustrious correspondent must have been misinformed patriot of the revolution, who has also filled the when he states, that there was any distinction most honorable office in the gift of any people in of party made at the drawing room while I had the world. And if, madam, I could have comthe honor to preside there; any gentleman or mitted myself so far as to publish in my "Regis lady, of either party, who chose to visit there, ter" a thing like that, please to believe that I were received with equal civility. And from would have been incapable of adding insult to your correspondent, I have now for the first injury by intruding it upon you. President time learnt, that any person withdrew from po- ADAMS receives my work only in volunes. litical motives. The gentlemen of both houses Not being decisively instructed, I have only of congress received and accepted the invita- to hope that in publishing your letter I have tions of the president to dine with him, and met your wishes on the subject---The record of but one of the whole number ever so far forgot the character of a gentleman, as to send an uncivil refusal. I am, sir, your humble servant, ABIGAIL ADAMS. REPLY TO MRS. ADAMS. MADAM---It is with high respect that I have the honor to assure you, you have mistaken my "REGISTER" as well as its character, in facts thereby made will much over-balance, *I acquit the ostensible editor of writing any thing that appears in his paper as original-because * Salus populi, was the motto of one of his essays. I know that he is not competent to it--no matter †Waller, on the death of Cromwell. what is its quality. |