ence 272 260 287 431 Adams 160, 192, 272, 288; saa P. Meligion-as a duty or a sci- 416 440 Revenue of the U. S. see trea- sury, &c. noticed 319; cutters 257 Rhode Island of the office of secretary of state 239; des- 79 lature 239; extract from Mr. 419 Potter's speech 319 238 Payson, Samuel, dies 368 Richmond, exaggerated state- 78 ment respecting failures 434 in the legislature 56;---see Riggs, Romulus gov. Plumer's message on his Mr. Sergeant's case 107; sale of the oturnpikers" 440 tary of state 347; robberies on Rodney, Mr. his report men- 55 256, 271 Royal deaths 77 270 Perry, com. see naval-"John Russel, Jonathan Russia-births and deaths, quills 440 24; masonic hall burnt 56; re 175; new minister arrives in 273 marks on a paragraph about U. S. 176; California, a frigate the Baltimore banks, &c. 258; in the Pacific 237; commerce of Petersburg 237; voyages 431 progress of the empire in 430 ed in London 364; loans 383; 6 lace at Petersburg 383; finan- 438 271 S. 240 Sailor's cogitations! 287 105 272 288 160 Savannab, health of 448 113 Scott, gen. his correspondence 129 Clinton's address, and general Richmond papers 135 432) Sergeant, Thomas, his case 107 397 140 sheep, in New York 271; fine 145 Shoes, a pair of 270 R. Shrim, capt. John, dies 368 497 1 Skioner J. S, his prospectus 56, 78/ Reigning families of Europe 297) about the 'Aperican Farmer' 108 110 4.38 3 365 415 354 16L 367 Slaves-see "colonization," ne. Lancasterian system 58 Tonnage of the U.S. 378 270 Tortoise, an old one 416 140 Towson, col. resigns 256 150 237, 296, 345 Newspapers, forbidden 270) Travelling, rapid 176, 271, 400; between Baltimore and Phi. ladelphia 357 174 78 circular to consuls 168; do. to 4, 140 collectors, &c. 200; notice 55 296 about a circulating medium, 206, 233, 288 and remarks 372; its prostra- 237 236, 286 tion to the bank of the U. S. 417 110 Treaty with Spain-see “Flori. 415 Treaty with the United States da:" with indians-see In- 158 dians, &c. 192 204 Specie 142, 224, 271; price of 310 Tulip trade of Holland 439 compared with paper 357; ar Turkey-naval preparations 5; Wechabites defeated 5; 415 Spencer, Mr. see congress contests at Constantinople 142 383; revolt of the pacha of 223 Furcomania 438 367, Turnpikers, robberies by 440 Turtle, a large one caught 319 at Blakely 56; siip Savannah Tyler, capt. E. disinissed 432 U. western waters 144, 319;/Rich- Union line of steam boats, &c. mond 256; boat of 700 ions between Baltimore and Phi- 158, 191 launched 192; new applica ladelphia Unwelcome necessity 56 V. 56, 191, 415, 438 Alabama 224; a fleet of 240; Venezuela-see "S. America." 438 191 water 298; steam power 314, Vermont-legislature noticed 113 271 336; James Ross 319; on lake Virginia—the university 142; George 384 internal improvements 142; 207) Steel, Mr. of his slaves 276 elections 224; agricultural so- 287 ciety 346 272 W. 160 Supreme court-see Law cases, ed 6, 139, 287; anecdote of 781 him 224; city, fires at 159; 430 Water spout 140 144 384 derful spring! 175; loan 223; Webb, Thomas S. dies 384 111 207 335, 346; uneasiness 383; mi. West Indies- St. Vincent 112; nister to the U.S. 439 Tobago 112; slave trade at 365 Havana 112; several colonies 430 344 T. 344 210 Tasso, a manuscript of 55 Whale fishery, importance of 142 thie 272, 400, 416 206, 270 Tennessee-the Holston river 416 Whales, many seen 140; one 1 dead of wounds, found 287 140) Theatrical novelties-women Wheat, price of 319; harvest 288 384; 236, 270 320 159 Whipple, com. A. dies 288 Wilkinson, Jemima, dies 346 383 Times, the pressure of,* &c. Williams, George, his memoria! 6 178, 242, 255 Winder, gen. Levin, dies 35 Tobacco, frauds in 416 Woolsey, gen. M. L. dies 346 215 Worcester's Gazetteer injured by a fall 40; of his ac Worthington, W. G. D. 191 z. 296 400 399 Pacz. 5. 346 286 439 141 5 239 180, 222 SEV SERIES, No. 1-Vol. IV.] BALTIMORE, FEB. 27, 1819. (No. 1-Vol. XVI. WHOLE No. 391 THE PAST-TILE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY A. NILES, AT $5 PÊR ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. We now have concluded the documents ac The paper of most of the specie-paying banks in companying the report of the committee appointed the United States is received in payment-but re. to investigate the affairs of the bank of the United mittances are always expected in the best kind of States, so far as they have yet been published at paper circulating at the place to which the RegisFashiogton, except a series of heavy tables or not ten is ordered-Baltimore money, however, is most much immediate interest, though needful, perhaps, acceptable from any place, as answering our purto a full understanding of the subject. For the pur- poses the best. pose of inserting these tables, we shall make a lapse of eight pages between this number and our next, THE BANK QUESTION. It is ascertained by the and issue a supplement containing them, as soon as vote on Thursday last see "congress,” that the we can make it convenient: say in two or three house of representatives will neither agree to repeal reeks being at present engaged in getting out the the charter of the bank of the United States, nor large supplement for the volume just finished, &c. order a scire facias. These results were expected, We congratulate ourselves on the conclusion of the and are, in part, in conformity with our wishes on documents, for we now shall have room to notice the subject--reformation, and not destruction, is the arany important things that we have been compelled thing that we continually aimed at. What will be 'ta defer the insertion of. The list of stockholders' done-what can be done, to effect the former, is times is yet wanting-some extracts from it may be doubtful. It is probable that no act will be passed interesting, and we should have been pleased with at present, except the bill to regulate voting, &c. its publication before any decision took place in It is stated that upwards of 100 shares of stock congress about the bank. We learn that about forty were really sold in Baltimore, at $115, "for money," members are stockholders--some of them heavily so: a few days ago; but since then, we believe, other e hope that none of them voted in their own case. sales have been made at 107 or 108,-which proThe great danger of incorporations is that the bably, is the full worth of the stock, under the most chief members of them are our governors, judges favorable circumstances that can be anticipated, to and legislators; and thus their individual interests persons desiring to possess it as an investment of may be placed between the people and the justice capital; but the spirit of speculation in which the that they claim. institution has been so much managed from the be ginning, may keep its price fluctuating, until the TERMS OF THE REGISTER. stock passes into the hands of those who intend to The subscription is five dollars per annum, paya- hold it, for the sake of its interest or dividends. ble in advance. The volumes begin in March and We learn from Charleston, that Mr. Cheves has September every year, for each of which a proper been invited to Philadelphia, to assume the duties title page and copious index is published. of the president of this bank; and it is understoo:1 The Register commenced in Sept. 1811, and com- that his arrival in that city may be speedily expected. plete sets may be had as follows The bank is calling in from 5 to 10 per cent. eveFor eigbt years siibscription to Sept. 1819, 40 ry sixty days, on the notes discounted on stock; and extra supplements to vols. 5, 7, 8, 9 & 15, 5 we see that the office at Wasbington city is demandGeneral Index, 3 ing 25 per cent. every 60 days, on the discounts made there upon the stock of the district banks. In sheets, 848 This severe presstire upon the latter class of borIf desired bound, add for the 15 vols. now rowers, seems to have occasioned some agitation in published, and the General Index-16 the district, and we observe that a meeting of the rols. at 87} cents per vol. 14 cashiers of the district banks is invited. The case of McCulloh versusthe state of Maryland 862 --that is, on the right of a state to tax the bank The work will be sent in sheets, by the mail to of the United States, has been in argument before any part of the United States, (at the cost of the the supreme court since Monday last. Messrs. purchaser) and its delivery guaranteed by the edi. Pinkney, Webster and Wirt (the latter as the attortor-or, either bound or in sheets, to any of the ney general, representing the interest of the governprincipal sea ports, at the cost of the editor, but at ment in the institution) for the bank; Messrs. Martin, the risk of the purchaser. All sets disposed of are Hopkinson and Jones against it. The discussion has considered as sold for cash. been very able and eloquent--itinvolves some of the The editor invites his friends to use their influ- most important principles of constitutional law, and ence for the further extension of the circulation of the decision is anxiously expected. Much will de the REGISTER, believing that three objects of some pend upon it. interest may be affected by it: 1st, a diffusion of the facts that belong to the proceedings of our own and other governments , among the people, on which Supreme Court of the United States. they may reflect and conclude for themselves; 2d, On Wednesday, the 17th inst. Mr. chief just ce in enabling the editor to make his work more and Marshall delivered the opinion of the court in the more valuable, by an increased ability to give a case of Sturges against Crowninshield. greater quantity of matter for the sum received; 1st. Tbat, since the adoption of the constitution an: 34-which comes home to him, that his profits of the United States, a state has authority to pass say be increased! After all, this is the main-spring a bankrupt law, provided such law does not impair that causes the most of us to exert ourselves, and the obligation of contracts, within the meaning of is the best security for good conducte the constitutio:. Vol. XV1, -1. 2dly. That the act of New York, (that of 1811) the loss of time and money attending upon a suit which was pleaded in this cause, so far as it purports instituted on these principles, he would ry ihe force to discharge the contract on which this suit was in. of them against some of our swindling, vankrupt stituica, is a law impairing the obligation of contracts, and bankrupt-making banks. The stockholders anust within the meaning of the constitution of the Uni- be liable as indirruuuls; and, when this is establishi. 1cd Siates. ed, there will be an end of rag-money-making. The efiect of which we understand to be, 10 invaliclate such parts of the state law as discharge the insolvent as to his subsequent acquisitions of pro. Progress of the Navy of the U.States. perty, whilst it confirms them so far as they dis Another ship of the line-probably as fine a vescharge the person of the debtor only from arrest sel as ever was built, and which, perhaps, will be as and imprisonment. [. Nat. Int. powerful too as almost any that ever floated, though her numerical force in guns will be less than that of -This opinion has given much alarm to many many to be found upon the navy lists of Europe, is persons-it is highly inieresting to every one, and to be launched at Washington city this day, or on we shall publish it at length as soon as we receive Monday next, as the state of the weather may perit: it appears that all the judges concurred in it. mit. This vessel, we are informed, has been built It will probably, make some great revolutions in under the special direction of commodore Rodgers, property, and raise up many from penury whose and this is sufficient to inspire an universal confi. «eyes have been blinded by the dust of the coach dence in her character and capacity, for he is notoriwheels of those that ruined them;" and cause ously one of the most practically skilful seaman in others to descend to the condition that becomes the world. Her name, we learn, is the “Columbia," honest men, by compelling a payment of their debts in honor of the district in which she was built. The -as every man ought to be compelled to do, if name is a very good one, but not exactly such as we eser able, unless his creditors by a bankrupt law, could have wished; had it been left to us we should or an operation of the principles of such a law, have have called her the “SARATOGA," baving already an coerced him to give up his means, and start in bu- Independence, a Washington, and a Franklin, ships of siness de novo. It ought not to be at any one's dis- theline. There is more in the names of public vessels cretion to say when, er under what convenient cir- ' than many persons at the first view of the subject. cumstances, he will wipe of his debts, by the bene- may suppose: though a name cannot add any thing fit of an insolvent law-as some do every two or to the force or success of a vessel, still it may have three years; or, just as often as they can get credit much influence upon public opinion, and considerenough to make any thing by it. ably tend to a national character. Thus, were sine The decision powerfully shews the necessity of a called the "Saratoga," a child would ask his father general bankrupt law, and, if it had taken place at the meaning of the name and what a happy oppor. an earlier period of the session of congress, might tunity would present itself to give an account of the have led to the passage of a bill on the subject-for first iime in which the standard of a whole British it is exceedingly important whilst the present sys- army sunk beneath the newly raised «striped bunttem of credits exists, that either party to it may ing, with sketches of the characters of the men who know what may be depended on. The debtor acted on that great occasion! And then, we might should be protected so far as to let him have a have our •-Yorktown,” and, by the very name, give chance of retrieving his fortunes; but we much the idea that there it was that Washington may be question the policy of discharging bim from a fu- said to have terminated the war for independence. ture liability to pay his debts, unless it be by some But, with the name of Columbia, as applied to the act of his creditors. Many honest, prudent and ten miles square, no such recollections can be excited, worthy men have failed, and with a serious deter- and the mind, at once satisfied, becomes indifferent mination to pay their debts thereafter, if legally to it. Under the influence of such considerations, released from the obligation to do sobut, alas! poor might it not be worthy of the congress of the United human nature, though we are not without examples States, when voting money for the building of ves. of the kind; they are so rare as to be considered es. sels, also to designate their names? traordinaries! The temptation is too great; even The jealousy, if not fear, with which the buildthe well-disposed cannot resist it: to part with 10, ing of a few ships in America is viewed in England 15 or 20,000 dollars that a man has earned, and --with her "thousand ships of war,” and her boast which he may keep-why, it is hardly to be expect that “no'sail was spread without her permission," ed, was the world goes!" whilst it almost provokes laughter, also gratifies our The decision will afford a golden harvest to law. pride. We believe it to be a just and laudable yers and sheriffs--we have heard that one gentle-pride; because, although in the course of events, it man has ordered writs for the recovery of eighty may be accepted as a moral certainty that the rethousand dollars, due to him by persons that failed, public will acquire a power to maintain her pretenbut who are now able to pay. sions to "free trade and sailors' rights”-yet, also, Regarding this decision in extenso, we have no that, invested with such power, she will not become manner of doubt but that any and every person, an aggressor. Thus far, we have kept ourselves being a stockholder of a bank, incorporated by the aloot from th.. squabbles of Europe it is a fixed authority of a state, may be made liable for any principle with us to offer shonest friendship to all debts contracted by said bank, during the period nations, but to form entanglmg alliances with none;' of his co-partnership in the institution, as shall ap- and, though some persons may have a greater or pear upon the face of its bills, as to the time at lesser degree of attachment or antipathy to one na. which they were issued, &c. The editor is not a tion than another, the good sense of the commulawyer--but this seems to be a natural and rightful nity will refuse to act upon either, and restrain the construction of the facts of the case-and, as to the government also, from being influenced by impropropriety of the thing itself, he never has hesitated per feelings. Happily for us, being constitutiona moment. Each partner should be bound to be ally opposed to kingeraft and priestcraft, we care extrot of bis fortune, for the debts of the association nci a straw whether a descendant of the illustrious. to which he belongs. If the editor were able to bear house of Stuart”snatches the legitimate sceptre from THE FLORIDAS ARE CEDED. the “illustrious line of Brunswick," or another Na Cession of the Floridas. poleon wrests it from the contemptible Bourbons of France or Spain. Tom, Dick dr Harry are all the Something, at last, has resulted from our long same to us—it is their conduct alone that concerns negociations with Spain-in which, b; the bye, we us. Nor do we regard of what sect the government apprehend that gen. Jackson has acted as a powerful priests are—we know that any system upon which mediator; We shall they can be established, must needs be corrupt, and hear great grumblings about this on the other side a mockery of true religion; and have less respect of the Atlantic, and hope that matters are so fixed for the pope himself, or the archbishop of Canters that we may get possession before the intrigues of bury, than for the simple village teacher of righte-jealous foreigners can interfere to prevent the ratia ousness. May these feelings endure as long as the fication of a bargain which they have not any right Blississippi rolls a drop of water to the ocean-and to meddle with. The fact has long been evident, make us a peculiar people, zealous only of good that a sovereignty over these countries was needful works. They will forever present a barrier which to our peace and quietness, and that we would pos. the deleterious influence of foreigners cannot pass: force. We have preferred the former, and Spain sess them by fair or foul means-by treaty or by In looking forward to events, it may be reasonably anticipated that the future wars of our country wiń has happily agreed to do that which her own interest be chiefly carried on on the ocean. The rapidly ac prompted-for the Floridas, though so valuable to cumulating force of our population on the Canadian us, have always been a real incumbrance on her. frontier soon will, of it own weight and a due portion The following exposition of the treaty, &c. is coof discipline, defend us on that side-the Floridas pied from the National Intelligencer of Thursday last. are ceded, they will also soon become reasonably po- ture of our western limits—but a little reflection, Some difficulty may arise with a few, as to the fixe pulous, and their present ferocious inhabitants must feel the necessity of becoming our friends instead we hope, will reconcile most persons to the propos of being led into enmity against us. On the side of ed boundaries—for many years must roll on before Mexico, &c. we have nothing to apprehend—but, either security for our citizens or the wants of our den assailments of our towns, and the consequent ble. By the time that either of those things occur, to prevent predatory excursions on our coasts, sud- population, can require an extent of territory be yond the Sabine, though that territory is very valuaharrassing of the militia, at a vast sacrifice of life and treasure,—we must have force enough afloat to con we can probably get it, on fair terms--if we desire fine the operations of an enemy to a few points, if it. Our country is large enough at present! not to defeat and capture him. It will not, perhaps, "It is seldom that we have had so acceptable an again soon occur that an American woman shall be office to perform, as that of announcing to our reahold the smoke of an enemy's camp.” ders the unanimous ratification, by the senate, of a As to the building of ships, we are quietly march- TREATI OF AMITY, SETTLEMENT, AND HIMITS, BETWEEN ing to the state of preparation-for wais inust come THE UNITED STATES AND SPAix, as recently conclud. whilst kings rule: but ships without men will not do ed at this place, by Mr. secretary Adams and dun much for us, and the statesman will see the necessi. Luis de Oris. ty of carefully fostering the foreign and coasting As the treaty, though ratified on our part, will not irade of our country, and of protecting our fsheries, be promulgated officially until it has also been rati. as qurseries of the means of defending us best. The fied by the sovereign of Spain, we shall state the progress of these is strictly compatible with the en- principal provisions, as distinctly as we have been couragement of domestic manufactures and home in- able to ascertain them, of this important instrumen:. duxiry--it is the latter that must furnish the means By this treaty, we understand that Florida, inof supporting our commerce in peace and navy including all the claims of Spain to territory east of the Mississippi, is ceded in full sovereignty to the United States. We shall conclude these hasty remarks, with the 'following extract from the London Morning Chroni That the western boundary, between the territocle, of the 2nd of October last ry of the United States and that of Spain, is adjust. od as follows: Beginning with the mouth of the Sa. «We see a navy growing to such a magnitude on bine river, and running with the west bank thereof the other side of the Atlantic, that those who have to the north west limit of the state of Louisiana; our maritime superiority at heart have the best thence by a direct line north to the Red river: founded cause of apprehension. What are the funds thence along the south bank of that river to the one devoted to the increase of this navy which so justly hundredth degree of longitude; thence on that meri. alarms us! We are so accustomed to the expendia dian to the Arkansaw, and thence along the Arkan. ture of great sums for little objects, that we can ill saw to its source, in the forty second degree of form an idea of what great objects can be perform- north latitude, and thence upon that parallel to the ed by the expenditure of small sums by a really Pacific. economical government. The expense of the estab. A sum, not exceeding five millions of doliars is to Lishment at Windsor exceeds the annual allocation be paid by the United States, out of the proceeds of for the rapid increase of the navy of America. It the sales of lands in Florida, or in stock or money, as exceeds, too, the whole of the civil expenditure of the congress may prescribe, to our own citizens, on a government which causes itself to be respected in account of spoliations and other injuries reccived by every quarter of the work? government which them from the government of Spain, or from the gohas never found any difficulty in obtaining men of vernments of the colonies of Spain. abilities in every department. The lay lords of the To liquidate the claims, a board is to be constiadmiralty. whom we are taught by ministers to look tuted by the government of the United States, of up to as the nation's hope, cost more than the whole American citizens, to consist of three commissio'sa of the United States' cah with the president ers, who are to make their report within three into the bargain. Yet the United States are better years. able to pay their public servants than we are. Let There is a mutual renunciation, on the part of the Us not be above taking a lesson from them, for, in two governments, of furthee claims on each other. truth, they can already give us not a few." for spoliations, &c. |