網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

of his passions-he knows of little else worth seek-the heart will appreciate the motives that influenc ing after.

ed it. We should thus evade the difficulties imWith the facts before us, that the free negroes posed by local laws against emancipation-we of Baltimore (and we believe it is so every where) should disperse the sources of population and strike have less virtue than the slaves, and in no other efficiently at its increase, where an increase is to leading quality differ from them except in being be dreaded, and place a barrier to the vile business more impudent in wrong, and less careful of con- of kidnapping, by scattering the subjects of it ceaning their evil propensities, we have not view-through the country parts of the non-slave-holding The chief objection is in the separation of ed the regulations of some of the states for expell-states. ing the freed blacks with the same horror that children from their parents; but this would cause others have done,-though it is impossible that we only a small degree of affliction, if the blacks were should approve of them; and the spirit and character satisfied as to the purposes for which it took place. they bear are unjust beyond what even the laws of It is, we believe, the only way in which the work self-presti vation, as applicable to this case, will ad- can be accomplished, according to the existing mit of. Hence it is that the condition of the 5th state of our laws, feelings and prejudices, and the proposition naturally comes before us, as follows: undeniably debased condition of the slaves. We have thus passed through the series proposThat the states in which slavery is not allowed, should offer every reasonable facility and encou-ed and given our sentiments freely on the subject ragement to free people of color wishing to reside of slavery, and the means of mitigating its evils. In therein; and adopt some measures to lessen the some respects, we have, no doubt, differed with the received opinions of some of the friends of prejudices and antipathies of the whites, in qualifying the blacks to attain a respectable standing emancipation; but if we have said one word that any person can construe into a desire to maintain in society." the system, we shall always regret it. Nothing could It is difficult to determine what may be consider-have been further from our intention. But the meed "reasonable facilities" in this case. No laws ex-rit of the matter lies in this-slavery does exist, and ist to prevent the emigration of freed blacks to the the slaves are unfitted to take care of themselves, tates in which slavery is not tolerated, and in ge-through the policy of their masters. Freedom to live, neral, we believe, they possess common political ad-without the means of getting a living, is an empty vantages with the white people. Public pinion, must, perhaps, do all the rest that it can; and such gift; and we owe much to ourselves as well as to the Our safety and their hapdegraded African race. persons should be treated like rational beings, that piness are closely allied. Would it not be cruelty they may be encouraged to arrive at respectability to yoke half a dozen unbroken colts to a waggon,ii No manner of inconvenience, that we know of, exwe were willing to run the risk of the loss of properists in the states north and east of Delaware on ac- ty that might follow the proceeding? Let them first count of these people, who are useful as laborers, be taught what it is necessary they should do, before and many of them have deserved and obtained the we expect them to do it. The blacks in the United character of decent and honest persons, nor is any States are not one jot or tittle more rude or uncutdanger to be apprehended from a considerable in-tivated than our own immediate ancestors were, crease of their numbers. Their effect upon the boastful as we appear of our accomplishments. Let common mass of the population cannot be great, in them have light before we require that they should any respect. see, instruct them in the moral and civil virtues be.

In the present state of the blacks, we think that a fore we call upon them to exercise their reason regard as well for them as for ourselves, should in- about them. The moral force which alike constiduce persons disposed to liberate them in the south-tutes the strength of nations and secures the safety ern states, to confine their solicitude chiefly to the of individuals, comes from thinking upon the neces females, including a provision for the removal of the sity of exerting it. The negroes know little of this. girls to the northern states, where they should be If they reason at all in respect to themselves as bound out in respectable families. The simple li-slaves, it is natural that the worst passions should beration of the person of the negro does little for only prevail in their minds-it is nearly impossible him-in many cases, we seriously believe, that he that they can love the hand that smites them to the is injured by emancipation, and the condition of so-earth, and imposes burthens upon them beyond their ciety is not advantaged the least. Suppose that strength to bear. Vengeance is the master spirit any one holding slaves, were disposed to bear a tes-that operates. And why should it not be so? Here is timony against the practice, and to benefit his ne- the question! What would we do, what would we groes thus the males to be sold to humane masters, think, in the like circumstances? Certainly, we would on reasonable terms, conditioned that they should rebel," in respect to our own favorite dogma, that not be disposed of out of the new family they enter- rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God"—a dogma ed into, &c. The unmarried females of 10 years old which, with less than a millioneth part of the provoand upwards, to be immediately free-and all the cation, we have acted upon, and glory in it. But rest of the stock of females then existing to become the wrong of slavery is not doubted. It is agreed so at 10 years of age;-the proceeds of the males that it ought to be abolished-the how is what has sold being appropriated, under the care of some perplexed us, beset as we are by avarice and prehonest person who should be paid for his trouble, judice. We agree also, that slavery must some day to the removal, education, &c. of such females, on end, and generally look to its accomplishment by the plan proposed? We ask, whether the great pur-acts of violence. Is it not seriously demanded of poses aimed at, in emancipating the negroes at all,us to guard against that period-and, in obedience would not be better attained and more surely ac- to all that is honorable, all that is just, all that is hucomplished by such a scheme as this, than by the undistinguished liberation of all the slaves on an estate? Some may think that this would be to "compromise with iniquity"-but its merits will 16st upon the good hoped for, and II who judges

mane, to endeavor to do away the causes that must and will inevitable produce scenes of havoc and desolation to our people, such as the locusts of Asia inflict on the herbage, as though the country had been burned with fire?

Banks and Banking.

"The book!"--Something is still said in Philadelphia about the book found in the office of the bank of the United States at Baltimore. It is probable, that the eminent appellation of this thing will be Jost, by finding three or four similar books at other places! We have good reason to believe that attempts have been made to rival Baltimore in speculation!

Glorious conflagration! Bank notes, to the amount of 80,000,000 of roubles, were burnt in St. Petersburg, on the 26th of May, by the commissioners of the sinking fund.—But there is a great deal of this sort of work to do in Russia, The above is as a drop in a bucket.

E, States bank stock at London, June 23-23 to 231. 108. with dividend from January last. They had

not learned that no dividend would be made.

Wilson Cary Nicholas, esq. has resigned the presidency of the office of discount and deposit of the bank of the United States, at Richmond.

City Bank of Baltimore.-The board of directors elected since the "blow up" of this bank, have, at length, appointed a day for laying a statement of

the affairs of the institution before the stockholders -viz. the 20th of October next. This distant date, after so long a delay, has excited no little surprise; but we are told by those we have a right to believe, that the books and accounts of this bank were in such a state of confusion, that an earlier period could not be fixed upon, though the new cashier and clerks, (well skilled in accounts) had la bored and were yet laboring excessively, to ascertain the true state of the bank!!!

The stock of this bank is quoted by the brokers at $7 for 15 paid.

-A number of the

lation was to be ascribed the high price of provisions, which continued even to this day without dimunition or abatement. He suggested a restriction confining the issue to notes not exceeding the sum of five pounds."

The Farmers' and Mechanics' bank of Cincinnati suspended specie payments on the 29th ult. for the second time, and probably for the last. The ar rangement, by which it received the treasury deposites from the land office in that city, was not able to save the institution.

Kentucky. The friends of the paper system are getting up some meetings in that state to encourage ments," as the term is for the bankruptcy of banks. the bank of Kentucky to "suspend specie pay

Specie. It is triumphantly noticed that several vessels have lately arrived from foreign places with specie. It will always come to us when, as a re.. mittance, it is no more valuable to us than foreign goods.

North Carolina state bank, We learn by way of Petersburg, that, this bank has resolved upon an entire suspension of specie payinents. There is a very large amount of its notes in circulation.

The Milton bank, of Pennsylvania, has stopped payment. Its notes in circulation are said to be 55,000 dollars, and the debts due to the institution to

amount to 190,000.

Sincerity is fallen asleep-Piety has hidden herself, BAD TIMES! Honesty has fled from the world, and and Justice cannot find the way-the Helper is not

at home, and Charity lies sick; Benevolence is under arrest, and Faith is nearly extinguished; the Virtues go a begging, and Tuth has long since been buried; Credit is turned crazy, and Conscience is nailed on

the wall.-Freeman's Journal.

A question for lawyers.-[A communication in the Farmers' bank of Virginia.stockholders in the Farmers bank of Virginia, have notes in the lawful currency of the United States, Aurora.]-Suppose a bank, which refuses to pay its had a meeting in Winchester, at which they passed holds the promissory note of an individual, who resolutions censuring the mother board of directors for not publishing the reasons for a failure of the stops payment-suppose the bank brings an action last dividend, requiring a reduction of the salaries against the individual for the recovery of the amount of his note, and when the cause comes on of the bank officers, and expressing their sense that before a court, the defendant should produce, (no no one individual or firm ought to have an accom-matter where he got it) a promissory note drawn modation in bank exceeding 20,000 dollars.

Jacob Barker has published a pamphlet of fifty pages about his banking matters, &c. We under

stand, by an extract from it, that he has reinstated

the credit of the Washington and Warren bank, but that he cannot yet fix a time when he will pay the notes of his "Exchange bank," though he says that he will pay them. In this pamphlet he announces himself as a candidate for the state senate!

The Silver Lake bank has stopped payment. The directors say that they will pay its debts promptly. The editor of a Philadelphia paper offers to take its notes for debts due to him at 50 per cent. discount. The bank of Washington, Pa. is preparing to close its concerns. A meeting of the stockholders for this purpose is called for the 20th of next month.

Bank of St. Louis. The stockholders of this institution are invited to meet on the 15th of Sept. next, to take into consideration the propriety of continuing or closing the concerns of the institution. May the latter be resolved upon!

by the bank for the same amount, accompanied by a regular protest for non payment. Could the ar bitrators or judges refuse to allow the set off? Could they compel the parties to cancel or exchange the notes on the spot? Could they oblige the defendant to place any mark upon the bank note by which its subsequent negociability should be destroyed? Or would the bank be obliged to advertise and caution the public against receiving it, as their only remedy against being obliged to pay it to a third person into whose hands it should afterwards fall?

A case of this kind would make a good deal of botheration in the wigwam.

From the National Intelligencer.-We understand that the directors of the bank of Washington, of this place, influenced by the unpleasant incidents which have recently occurred in some of the banks of a neighboring city, as well as by general principles, have adopted the following rule:

"No officer, other than the president, shall deal, either for himself or for any other, excepting this Paper money. We accidently met with the follow-bank, in money, bills of exchange, merchan lise, ing extract from the proceedings of the British stock of the United States, or stock of any company, house of lords, on the 1st of June 1801-"The incorporated or unincorporated: provided, that this earl of Suffolk called the attention of the house to the subject of paper currency, which, he said, was so immense through every part of the nation, as to fill it with the most serious apprehensions for the state of the public credit. To this immense circn-! ed on the journals.”

resolution shall not prevent such officer from selling any such articles as he may now possess, or prohibit any purchase thereof, which the board' may sanction by express authority, given and enter

[blocks in formation]

Pay

Subsistence
Forage

A rule similar to that above recited, and, in some | Adjt, and insp. general's department— respects, even more rigorous, has been adopted by the bank of the United States, for the government of the institution and its branches. It is presumed the rule will become general, as to all banking institutions.

[If a recent failure of the president of a cer tain bank had been known at the time the preceding resolution was passed, the president might also have been restrained, and reul property been added to the list of things prohibited. A man may get as mad in buying lands as in buying stocks.]

Army of the United States.
Abstract of the returns laid before congress at its last
session, shewing the force and distribution of the
army of the United States, &c. January, 1819:
Major generals
Brigadier generals
Aids de camp
Adjt. and Inspec, gen,

Quarter master general
Adjutant generals
Inspector generals
Assistant Adj. gen.
Assistant Inspec, gen.
Deputy Q. M. gen.
Assistant do.
Topographical engin'rs
Assistant do.
Paymaster general
Judge advocates
Surgeon general
Assistant do.
Post surgeons
Apothecary general
Assistant do.
Com. gen. of purchases
Deputy do.

Assist.com. of issues
Store keepers
Com. gen, of supplies
Chaplain

2[Colonels

4 Lieut. colonels
8 Majors
1Adjutants
1Quarter masters
2 Paymasters
2 Surgeons

4 Surgeon's mates
4Captains

2 First lieutentants
16 Second lieutenants
6Third lieutenants
4 Sergeant majors
1Q. Master sergeants]
2 Master mechanics
1 and armourers

2 Sergeants

40 Corporals

1 Musicians

21

2 Mechanics & artificers 216
1Matross, privates,

Amount of gen. staff, 134 Total pres, and abs. 7676

The troops are stationed at a great number of posts and places, along the maritime and inland frontiers, &c.

ORDNANCE.

Return of ordnance on hand at the military posts and depots of the United States, from returns received at the war departmen, up to the 30th Dec. 1818: Mounted. Dismounted

10 inch mortars

Clothing, (25 servants)

Quarter master general's department-
Pay

Subsistence

Forage

Clothing, (14 servants).

Paymaster general's department-
Pay -

Subsistence

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

14,028

*6,354

4,704

930

26,016

9,708

4,015

2,400

520

16,643

12,000

7,154

1,824

[ocr errors]

1,264

22,242

Pay

25,600

6

Subsistence

5,840

6

[blocks in formation]

10

32,186

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

12,850

[blocks in formation]

131,376

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

70,00,5

Corps of engineers

524

[blocks in formation]

232

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

177

[blocks in formation]

732

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

71

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Clothing, (80 servants)

2,976

and 18's.

361,076

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

592,053

[blocks in formation]

74,091

[blocks in formation]

On account of double rations, 32,000
Pensions to widows & orphans 200,000

Subsistence of the non-commissioned offi-
cers and privates

Clothing of do.
Camp equipage

572,937
17,120

Literary studies of Youth.

MR. NILES.

590,057

Observing that some writer in the Albany Register was sorry to find in your Register, the piece you lately published, which proposed "a salutary reformation in the system of classical education,' who also had the boldness to denounce the sentiments of the excellent Dr. Rush, as "inconclusive reasonings and erroucous opinions," I hope you will grant me the favor to insert this reply.

professional characters, in my humble estimation, not from the most meritorious class of the commu 324,500 nity, but too much like the class through whose hands we are continually cursed with a wickedly 728,280 depreciated "paper currency." Our laws, our medicines, our literary and religious instructions are likely to be managed, if not already so, too much by me not duly acquainted with and tender of the rights and feelings of the middling and lower classes of the people. I mean the middling and lower classes of the people, not in the qualities of good citizens, but in property and shew. I long to see other men than these wholly from rich families, enabled by their priviliges to liave a due influence in the affairs of this country. The farmers, mechanics and manufacturers of moderate estates are often required to patronize our colleges by their bounty, bestowed through legislative acts, whilst a. system is pursued to carry the primary benefits of these colleges entirely beyond the reach of their sons. What, I again ask, are the benign effects of the study of Latin and Greek classics? Where are the men produced in these times more distinguished as benefactors, or indeed more truly learned, than were our Washington, Franklin, Rittenhouse, Sullivan, Fulton and a host of others who never experienced the "benign effects" of Latin and Greek classics: or than our Rush, who discards these classics; or than our Dickinson, Jeferson, the Adamses, Henry, Hamilton, Madison, Munroe, and numerous others, who obtained collegiate honors when much less knowledge of the Latin and Greek classics was required, than is now required?

This writer expresses his surprise and regret that a gentleman from the land of scholars, should endeavor to check this taste for elegant letters, when the study of the Latin and Greek classics is so deservedly popular in all our literary institutions, and its benign effects are daily becoming more and inore visible in every section of the United States." The proposal was expected to meet powerful opposition from those who live by the employment of teaching Greek and Latin, or who, perhaps, may acquire the reputation of scholars by merely advocating the study of these languages, for, indeed, pretensions to these have a sort of magical influence. There is, at this moment, a great number of gentleThe writer in the Albany Register tells us, "there men in the United States, as well as in other coun-is no exercise which brings into play so many facultries, supported as professors and teachers of these ties of the mind as the study of language." Isup. languages. In them these gentlemen naturally feel pose he means the Latin or Greek language. "The a lively interest. "sirs, ye know that by this craft, attention, judgment, reasoning, memory, imagi ye have your wealth." nation and taste, are simultaneously exercised and But that the study of Latin and Greek is de improved." I would ask if there are not studies in servedly popular, and its benign effects are daily our own language to exercise all these powers of becoming more and more visible in every section the mind, even to greater advantage than any Laof the United States," are assertions, in my view, tin or Greek author? If there is no superior aptness wholly indefensible. What are the proofs of in the Latin or Greek language to perfect the pow these benign effects? Within twenty or thirty ers of the mind, then I ask why we should study years colleges and universities have nearly or quite Demosthenes, Cicero, Livy, or Plato as superior to doubled their demands upon our youth, requiring the rest of mankind? I know of no evidence that them both for admission to a college-standing and they owed their superiority as writers or orators to for a degree twice as much study of Latin and the study of any other than their own language. Greek as was formerly requisite, or rather twice as Admitting there are important ideas contained in much time and labor to be sacrificed at the shrines the writings of Demosthenes or Cicero, which canof heathen gods and goddesses, with which these not be expressed by our translations, I would ask "elegant letters," except the Greek testament, whether we can have any practical use for such greatly abound. With boldness I repeat that the ideas? If all practical benefit can be derived from the Latin and Greek classics abound with fictious, friv-translations of these authors, then the study of the olous and obscene stories, and with extravagant translations must save great expense of time, labor, rhapsodies, and I am ready to adduce proofs of this and money. Dryden, Pope and others, have furassertion. Alas! that our instructors, physicians, nished excellent translations of a number of the lawyers, judges, statesmen and divines should waste Latin and Greek classics, the reading of which so much precious time upon such studies, to the ne- would give the scholar much more knowledge of glect of weightier matters. Such requisitions of the authors than he can acquire by reading the oriLatin and Greek made upon our youth must tend ginal. After all, the best translations of the Latin to exclude those belonging to families of moderate and Greek classics lie upon the shelves of our librafortune from the benefits of college education, and tories as useless lumber. Strange that works of suCA create a combined literary and monied aristocracy. superior merit have no communicable excellence to Young men of talents without fortunes, can scarce-attract the attention of more readers!

ly hope to obtain by their own exertions, college That, "in all countries and in all ages, these anbenefits, as were many of our most valuable pro-cient authors have been admired and imitated, as fessional men who were graduated forty or fifty furnishing the finest specimens of elevated sentiyears since, and who were the "ornaments" of the ments, elegance of style, and refinement of taste," is but a poor argument in their favor.It may This management operates to cause a great de-be said of idolatry and of monarchical and tyranficiency of professional men throughout this ra-nical governments, that in all countries and in pidly growing republic. This operates to furnish all ages, these have been admired and imitated

age.

whilst democracy or republicanism has been de- paigns. This money he appropriated to paying nounced as the most odious of all pests. What and supplying the force called out for the defence though "Pitt and Fox, Burke and Curran, never of the state, and to paying the demands of the of forgot to renew their libations at the fountains of ficers and citizens of the state for public services." ancient literature?" There were other fountains These payments were always made in current fountains of depravity, where, it is allowed, some of money only, and "never in a depreciated currency them never forgot to renew their libations, And or stock. The general government had at this there have been multitudes of others who, doubt-time borrowed of individuals and corporations, to less, drank as deep as they at the "fountain of an- the full extent of its credit, current money, for which cient literature," who never rose to their eminence they allowed a large discount or premium; and it is as orators and statesmen. alike discount or premium, for the money he sa Again let us hear the great and good Dr. Rush. borrowed, and paid for the defence of this state, He says "the rejection of the Latin and Greek lan-with the usual interest and commission upon it, that guages would greatly increase the number of students in our colleges, and thereby extend the benefts of education through every part of our country. The excellency of knowledge would then be obvipus to every body, because it would be constantly applicable to some of the necessary and useful purposes of life, and particular y to the security and order of a wise and just government."

Should you, sir, give this a place in your invaluable paper, other specimens like this, of "inconclusive reasonings and erroneous opinions," may probably be offered.

A FRIEND TO LITERATURE,

Vice-President's Affairs.

From the notoriety given to certain reports of long standing, respecting a supposed deficit of a large amount against Mr. Tompkins, as governor of the state of New York, during the late war, we have thought it right to publish the following correspondence. As a distinguished public man, his character is a public concern.

the late governor claims to be allowed in his ac-
count; and were we now to audit and adjust the
accounts of the late governor, we should allow him
a credit for these claims, and we recommend their
allowance accordingly."

That committee rejected (under a compromise and arrangement agreed upon by them, myself, and the comptroller, after various interviews and discussions) all the items allowed and admitted by the cominissioners, except that abové referred to, not because the rejected charges or allowances were not equitable and just, but because they were more properly charged against the United States than the state. In their report to the legislature, the joint committee refer to the report of Messrs. Colden and Bogardus, on this subject, and especially to the allowance mentioned in the above extract, as follows:-"Your committee have examined the said report, and the reasons of the said commissioners, in favor of the several items recommended by them to be allowed to the late governor, and however fully satisfied they may be of the justice and equity NEW YORK, JULY 19, 1819. of these items as claims against the United States, Gentlemen-By a resolution of both houses of the they cannot discover the legality of those claims Legislature of the state of New York, of April, 1818, upon this state. Among the allowances recomthe settlement of the residue of my accounts with mended, however, there is one arising upon monics the state of New York, upon principles of justice borrowed upon the personal responsibility of the and equity, was referred to William Bayard, Cad. D. late governor, for the purpose of paying and supColden, and Robert Bogardus. The first named plying the forces called out for the defence of this gentleman declined acting in the commission, and state, and to pay the demands of officers and citithe two latter, having met previously to the last zens of this state for public services. These loans Imeeting of the legislature, adjourned to meet again were made at the time when the credit of the gein Alany during the session, without adverting to neral government was exhausted, and when they the phraseology of the resolution, which required were obliged to borrow current money upon a large them to report previously to its commencement. discount or premium, and as these loans were geThey, however, met in Albany during the session, nerally paid, as the committee are informed and and after many investigations and interviews with believe, eitherin uncurrent money or in depreciated the comptroller and mysesf, made a report, which, treasury notes, which depreciation has been charg for the reason abovementioned, could be regarded ed by the United States against the late governor, as advisory or recommendatory only. That report the committee deem it no more than equitable that was communicated by the comptroller to the legis- the like premium, &c. paid by the general governlature, and referred to a joint committee. That ment for current money, at the several times the part of it which was accepted and adopted by the said loans were made by the late governor, should joint committee, is contained in the following ex-be allowed to him, not on the ground of his having

tracts:

[ocr errors]

any legal claim to this allowance from this state, but "The militia which had been brought from the on the ground that the state reaped the benefit of country to New York, in the summer, as the fall ad- the services for which the money was paid, and vanced, were clamorous for that pay which was ne- that nothing has been allowed or received by him cessary to provide them with the clothing and co- from the general government, on this account, alvering the season required.-Supplies of every though the justice and equity of his claim upon kind and from every quarter were demanded; the them is palpable. And the committee are more inresources and credit of the general government clined to make this allowance from the circumwere exhausted; the state government had not stance, that this state has in its possession the means thought proper to extend its aid; he could, there- of indemnity from the general government, which fore, only meet these exigencies, by pledging his the late governor has not." A bill was introduced personal responsibility to raise the necessary funds; at the same time with this report, which passed this he did, and borrowed thereon, with the assis- both houses. A copy is annexed. Whilst that bill tance, in some instances, of a deposit of depreciated was under discussion in assembly, Mr. Oakley mocurrency as a collateral security, large sums of cur- ved to strike out that clause, which directs the rent money, over and above what had been furnish-comptroller to pay the balance that might be found ed him by the United States in the previous cam-due to me, which was lost, Mr, Oakley also made

« 上一頁繼續 »