The enquirer. [volume], August 25, 1804, Image 3

About The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815

Image provided by: Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA

                
Viihont t.:e in jil lively or lot ions, the »*xtr..£l JVo.n tht* i
Roy ai Orders which you CJiufed to be inferred in the
- Monittur" of the *7th of lull mouth.
_Tht lull sift of uncommon beneficence on the part
of « government toward* a people no longer governed
by it. laws complete* the nurtfberlof*proofs which hii
C -.tbolic Mujelly hcs never ceafed during the courle
ot forty year* to give u* of his folicitude and tender
affi dinn towards us. At the fame time, it will fore
ver focurt to his Catholic Majefty, the refpeft am!
gratitude of all his ancient and faithful ftibje&sin Loui
ILiua.
Their fentimriu, he perfuaded, fir, arc* general, in
the heart* of all honeft n>-n among us. Difregar.1
then, and peitnit not his Catholic Majefty to he mad*
acquainted with the vile imprecation* which a few
bale and doubt left ohlcurc individuals have dared
to Otter ag iinft his government, in the b number of
the “ Telegraph.” 'lire veil With w his. li thole wretches
h ive carefully concealed thcmfialvc* attefu at once
their turpitude and the thume which they themfeives
feel for their condmft. Obferve alfo, the general in- }
donation which they have excited, and vou will Let
yourfelf convinced, ur,d ready to alfure his Majefty,
that if Louifiaua contains in its boio.n a few perbdous i
and ui:gr?.;eful beings, by far the greateft proportion '
of its hihtb.tant* is conipofed of men, upright, fenfi- [
ble, grateful, and in a word, worthy, by their attach- !
merit to his auguft per Ion, of the numerous benefits 1
which they have received at his hands.
We arc, with refpe.M, Sir,
Your moll humble, and mod
Obedient lervants,
[ Hen follow the fi^natures.]
Certified conformable to the original,
Marquis De Casa Calvo.
* 'The refraining inhabitants m ould him- fn!'novel fl
ex tuiple, if nose, uni toe dfl„neeof their rfda.-m e Lad per
mitted. J
We under (land that on Sitmlay lad, a patri- '
otic meeting of French citizens was Holden, to
take into conlidcration the fituatlon of the pro
vince. That a memorial was prefented to the
nTembly dedined hereafter, to be forwarded to
Congrefs, complaining of innumerable grievan
ces, and boldly and rttngnanimoufly afierting the
right of the territory to be immediately incor
porated into the union as an independent date.
Upon this meafure we (ball Forbear at prefent,
to make many Comments. The memorial has
not as yet been made public, nor has it been in
our power to obtain the mod accurate know
ledge of its contents. We (hall wait therefore
with patience until the committee appointed to
obtain fpbfcriborsto this new hill of rights, fra
*rued by citizen Livingdon, and fupported by
citizens Korc, Tonner and others, (hall deign
ro fubmit it to public infpc>5tion. At prelent we
fna'l b? content to appeal to the fober good
fenfe of men of all defeription's, to requell them
to confidtr and refieft what are the objects, and
v/hat will be the inevitable effedt of this meafure
meafurt which we cannot hefitate to pro
nounce inconfiderate a-nd premature, fraught \
with pernicious c mfequenoes, and calculated, '
eminently calculated, to didnrhthat harmony
and tranquility which have hitherto been our
pnde as well as our fecurity.
That the people of Louifiana have aright to
remandrate Con grids on the fuh|e«5l of any re- ■
?.l grievance no man can deny who merits to he j
the citizen of a free country; but in all cafe*
of popular remonftrances the <7:to an.mo is a mat
ter of very ferioua eonfidcration. In the cafe of
Mr. Livingdon’s memoriri! it broom s a queftion
of no little curiofitv to determine what are the
ekuma which the peonle, the very people who
hare become fubfcribcrs to it, really wilh
that the government of the U. States fhould
grant. To fay that Louifiana is capable of form
ing a date at the nrefent moment, according to
»i./« -r*L rr r___ r
‘. /iuiuuuuii ui m U. «UiUvo iiijuij; more, 1
believe, than even M. bore could prove. As
Hus great queftion however is predetermined,
a id lince we are told that it is a truth unqueflion
able, that we have the right, not in future, but
at prefent, and that cangrefs have violated the
treaty of ceflion, in not having given us before
this tlie exercife of that right, viz. of framing a
conduction of government for ourfelves and
becoming an independent date of the American
Union: We may certainlv be permitted to en
quire how, and what manner, is this date to be
formed ?—What is to be the extent of its territo
r} ■—Where is to lie the feat of its government ;
and what will be the annual expense of its eda
biifhment ? If theie queftions cannot be fatisfufl
orily anfwsred, we mud conclude that the au
thor* of this memorial Complain of grievances
which they themfelves mud be eonfeious do not
^x;d, and demand rights, which if Congrefs
were at this moment to grant, they Would not
accept. In other words we mull look for the
motives of thefe fndden patriots, and determine
for ourfelves whether they are not hazarding
the happinef* and profperity of this country, for
the gratification of their own private views and
individual ambition.
(AT. Orleans Union, yune 7.)
THR repeal of the law for opening the ports for the
admitnoti of negroes, is now talked of, not upon fur
mifi, but foniething approaching to certainty. The
milchiefi which that ill-ad vifed meafure has already '
done to *he commercial p itt of the community is J
iri. ilculable, and is fo far from being balanced by any
advantage on the part of the agricultural, that its re
'1 '-in,no: be too foon. In fact, the benefit the p'.tn
•er may rsfippoled to derive from the increnfed quan- i
rity of produce, will be greatly <limini1hed by the re- ;
rtudtoji hi the p*ice, which mud ne*efi'irily follow a 1
f,lit at market, a.id will no: in all probability balance j
le intercut of die ptnrh-ifc money, and maintenance
and clo.thi lg of the additional hands. On the other
hand, it lias ft intirely abforbed—we fhould rather fay
fi* iW’ni, th j cafli of the country—that is to fiy, ta- '
ken it out of its fair ctvirfe of circulation, that the fi- I
news cl commerce arc palfted, and. if the catife were tr> |
contii't’..*, ntuit periih, 'I’he planter buys Haves with j
the cafh which would otherwise go to the merchant ’
h<r his f.ipplv of European, Indian, and ofh?r foreign j
jiroJuclions ; the niarrhant, of courfe, isdiCaliled from !
..ltkmg pnuJltrd payments ; piper currency rtsgnat's i
f<r- want of money to Keen the head of the fountain j
r.i.i^i ig : and th is credit, the life mi l foul of conimur- j
f i ll profp-rity, is deftmyc 1. From this injury to par- i
tmd irs, the general credit and reputation of the whole
iimuitry i#fo much fuCponded, that nothing but time, j
iriil great profperity ran reftore it again to its place, I
t-,‘ pa* it back into its euflonary courfe. Thefe evils j
begin to he feen, and being hackeJ by many other i
cirruAiil.uice« nod opinions derived from otliei* flares, I
w it is aid, certainly lead to tile i.W-fired repeal as. !
f ,-..i m the legislature of this ft.s»r (ball meet
Cbufl’Jii-i CoutL-r.
Accounts from St. Helena, ftate, that the
C.'.tcrpiljk'tv have made their appearance among
t! cotton in that and the neighbouring Jflandg i
and have done cortfiderable damage.
CCbarkjlon TJ/n/j.J
Th’ Unti l States G’or-Boat, No. f, com
nvindod by Lieut anant Lorzvi., arrived in this
port ycd- rday, from Hampton Roads. This is
one of the vcfl'els announced fume time ago, as
intended far the protection of our Southern coaft.
S!i • ia rigged like a cutter, and mount* a .1 {z poun
dtr <tn a tide on h« r bow, and two fix pounders
m ftern rhaferi, She draws only 3 l-g fr.?t wa
ter, andigfiid to fail remarkably faff. She hag
now on board men exclnfive of Officers,
which it her full compliment.—[fbd.
To the Editor of the City Croi.ette.
Mr. Fr> iUu-4 gentleman has lately arri
Croni Fiance, who being well acquainted
t I ,, t ► I ^ -■ M . < x
with thecoh/lruft ions ofrefTels of war, and jn
particular gun boats, dates, that he has lately
ffen and examined the gun boats built by the
French, that matiy of them are of iotl tons S:tr
tbe.t, that they are Rat 1*ottomed, and haVe fljd
ing keels, after the plan invented by the ingeni
ous capt. Schanks of the Britilh navy.asdeferibcd
itt u Chat nack’sN aval Architecture,’’ vol.$,pagc
30t—-and which may bealfo l'ecu iu the hit edi
tion or the Encyclopaedia.
A more full and particular account hereafter.
A Friend to Naval Improvements.
MFMBKRS or COSUICIS MOM n.caromna.
RALEIGH, Aitguft 20.
We hare not yet heard frdhi all the Congrelfiortal
Election*. It may be lafely concluded, that Mr.
Blarhledge i* re-eleCted for Ncwberu diftriiftjMr.
Alftou for Halifax diitriCt ; Dr. Alexander for Salif
hury diitriCt ; Col. Winllon for the Salem diftrift ;
Mr. Holland for the Morgan diftriCl ; and Mr. M.
D. William* for the Cai'weli d.ftrid. Thu latter gen
tleman, we believe, liad no oppolition.
1 he elections in EduiUmi, .h.dgcoinb, Wilmington
and Fayetteville dill rids have been pretty ftrouglf
contcfled. We Hi.. 11 probably hear the decifton from
Edgcomb and F.dentoti for our nos publication.
He unuerftafid Duncan M Far land is elected to
Congrcfs for Fayetteville diitriCt, by a majority of I
about 100.
The Wilmington paper fay*, •« We have not yet been I
enah cJ to obtain a corredt Itarement of the votes gi- j
yen in th s diitriCt for a Member of Congref*: thete {
is, lxowever, hut little doubt of the reflection of the i
Hon. James Gillripie."—[Raleigh Regifer.
Warr. nton DJfria,— The Hon. Nathaniel Macon
is re-elcded wirout opposition.
Halifax Diflriii,-Willis Alfton ha* a majority of
Cfi3 votes in Halifax, Northampton, and two of the •
Separate Elections ii» Bertie, There is no doubt hut i
he will be elected by a great majority over J. M.!
Benford. J
Tarfarougb Dijiria.—Edgecomb g’ve almoft an !
unanimous vote to T. Blount; Pitt gave Mr. Kenne
dy 477 and Mr. Blount 223, but as we have no other
returns, it io not kmwn who is elected.
Sa.'i/iary Djjiria.~-Dr. N. Alexander is rc-eleCtcd
without oppolition.
LcdeU, Shies, is'e. Winston. Franklin.
Stokes, 1040 o?7
Mo returns from the other counties.—TMinerva.
The following is a Jlatcm-nt of the SUPPLIES ;
required by Great Britain for the current year :
Wavy (excluGvfc of 325;
OOdl. Ordnance fea fer*
, vic*0 11 715 000
Army (England) 16 256 000
D.uto (Ireland) 3 887 000
_ , -19 MS 000
Ordnance (England) S 693 ooo
Ditto (Ireland) 369 000
.. .... -* ^ 062 000
Vote of credit, mciucLng
900 OvX)l. for Ireland 2 500 000
Mifccllanuous (England)
including 40 OOOl. for
ferricei not yet voted 617 000
Ditto (Ireland) inciudin<r
50 OOOl. voted for civil
contingencies 266 OOO
- 883 000
Iriih permanent grants 400 000
Joint charges of England
and Ireland S8 70J ^
Add England feparate
charges,
Tonloilcfe fhips 265 000
Deficiency of malt duty,
18l>-» 115 000
American awards 412 000
D- -l.. L *11 v» />
X-.vctu^uCl MU13, V.
180:1. 1 500 000
—. 2 292 000
Total ftp ply 40 935 OOO
Tliis fuin exceeds one hundred and eighty
millions of dollars ; is more than double the en
tire amount of our national debt : and is feven
teen times the amount of the taxes laid by the
general go|pmment. It operates as a tax of fif
teen dollars upon every man, woman and child
m the kingdom, and of more than one hundred
dollars upon ev.-ry family.
The navy cofts fifty three millions.
The army cods one hundred millions.
The poor are opprefled, not only by the di
red weight of thele taxes, but likewil'e by the
mcreal'ed price of all the necefiaries of life, occa
tioned by more than a million of hands being ta
ken from the plough or the work (hop.
On thefe fads we make no comments. Eve*
ry American will appreciate their importance ;
w'fil acknowledge, with gratitude, the unrival
led happinels of his own country, and will reve
rence with increafed aid or, the fuperiority of
republican to monarchical inftitutions.
Int.
NEW-YORK, August is.
The (hip Little Cornelia, capt. Harrifon, from
Rochefort for this port, captured on the tith
in Rant by the Britifn fiiip Leander, and ordered
for Halifax, was re-captured on the 9th, by the
captain, mate, and cook, and has arrived fafe at
New-London. The re-capture, from the prize
mailer and right feamen who were put on board, !
was effeded without tlie loft or injury of an in- I
dividual.—[/V. r. Mer. Mv.
The Leander, on Thurfday afternoon, captur
cq the fliip Ilibberts, from Ilavanna for Ncw
York, with a cargo of mahogany and logwood,
ami lent her for Halifax. She was an Englifli
\cfielj and was lately captured by tile French.
[JW.
The fchooner Araminta from Cayenne (not
the Amity, as mentioned yeflerday) was captur
ed on Wcdncfday by the Leander, and ordered
for Halifax, \fbd,
I lie captors of the fliip Eugenia, of this port,
iavc entered a plea, for the reiteration of the
fliip and cargo, on the ground of the illegality
ot the re-capture by American citizens.
We are informed, that Col. Barclay, the Eng
lilh Conful-General, has drawn up areprefenta
tiou ot the bufinefs, and has forwarded it to Mr.
Merry, the Englifli ambaflador, now at Philadel
phia. I hii fiihjeCt will now become a national
queftiou. A full and liberal difeuflton on the
part of the two governments is expert d. The
right of iiritifli cruifrrs to 'ohv.k up, as it were
our feaports, will alfo no doubt, be a fubjc£t,
of inveltigation.
On 'I ucfday ,1 Committee rf the MHHo-.ary
Society, con filing principal!) of difHnguilhed
clergymen, had an interview, at the City Hotel,
with the Chiefs of the Ofage tribe of Indians,
now in this city ; to whom they patented a Ui
ble, together with an addrefs, the object of
which was to inform thr-n, that this good hook
contained the will and the laws of tlu* Great
Spirit. The King, in reply to the committee,
allured them, that lie received the prefent with
vreat thankfulnefs-—that he would convey it to
his nation, and pref-rve it with care; but as
neither he nor hia people could read it, he lieg
j<cd that fome good white man might be fen* to
inftrtftt them ; that hitherto he hid »*-en blind,
but now his eyes Were opened j that he law we
were a gr**af and a good people, and he hoped
we would always live in friend (hip together.
THefp-j&acleaxlitiiirrvfinviln'uhall tiarjcr. 3- Mon
lav evening was novel cud ant ?re.'ting. In eapi&att
<>u of hearing the war-long, ^nd of witaifTirg the war
| ( a*.ice, and other extrcllrs of file Ofj^ iiuli .as, lit* im*
nerfe ccnt-oarfe oi pe'-plt. throng-d the garden at n
early hoar. A flag* had h*en rredle-t in a cfrtraJ fi
tuation. and lighted lip tor the ule of </vr brethren of
>he wiidemels. About 8 o’clock the kitg and fuite,
preceded by mufi.:, entered the garden, and, without
ddcovering any fjrt.iptouis of furprife, walked down
through the tnidrt of gazing multitude*, and sfcemled
~ i af-porcmenv wai majciuc and
cafy : he was dreff-d in a laced blue co it, and co.-ref.
ponding under vellment* wore a cocked hat, and had
a haridlome fwnrd by his fide. Several of his chief*
Rood around, dreifed in blue jacket* wiUi red capes ; j
the ether parts of their ureis were rather *i.in. tut
it was the lingular and favage appearance of the other
Indians, naked and painted p<Hri<t mare, that excited
principal attention. I hey wore c yhtorniue innuni
bor. Excepting a piece of doth, /aliened round the
wjifl, in which their tomahawks were flue!:, they
were ali in a (late ot nudity : their bodies, arms, attd
faces, were painted red— tlreaks of white were drawn
on the hccits and other places—-polilhed bones, piece*
of various metals, beads, and other trinkets depending
troin tht'T ears—the liead, excepting a tuft of hair on
the crown, in which a feath »r was Ruck, was entirely
bare. The tiu.e tnfrmblt of thefe men was favage and
ferocious. Upon mounting the llage, thefe aborigines
fquatted down on or.efide, and fat for foaitf time in a
liilkfs attitude, tlie king and chiefs, wkh the interpre
ter, octafionally converting. At length the drum ufed
by thefe people, which we could not fee fo as to de
feribe, was ltruck, and they commenced their fong in
a low tone. By degrees the drum became louder, and
tlie fong of the warriors arofe.—The air was very lim
ple, and fung in exaA time to the drum—the ho*;d, and
hands, and feet, generally moving in ur.ifon. The
drum next beat a kind of ruff, on which a fquall more
ludicrous titan terrific, was emitted. This over, the
mufic continued, and one of the favsges flowly riling
from his feet, commenced a feries of movements in ac
cord with die beat of the drum. There at firfl gentle
gradually became more rapid, ar.d were at laft very
v.oknt. The ruff and fquall were repeated, and the
dancer again fquatted. Anodier, and foon after a third
arofe, and performed as before, with periiaps more. {
violent geiliculation. After various repetitions of i
tne dance, accompanied with varied mavemenrs, all'
the Indian* arofe, and exhibited a feeae of frantic ap- i
pearance, dancing, or rather jumping, and «preffin» j
men- emotions in wild and frightful gefiure*. Having I
finifhed the fong and the dance, they fquatted down '
as at firft. The king and fuite were then aficed to i
drink, and on this occafion the former manifefHd a •
tnark of civilization which we fcarcely expeAed i he
took off hLs hat and made a deliberate and even grace
ful how to the fnrroundiug fyeAators. The pipe of
peace concluded the ceremony.
The general imprelfion which the feene left on our
minds wa* that of pity for our fellow creatures, igno
rant of civilized life, ignorant of themfelves viewed as
rational and moral beings, ignorant of the end of their
creation and their future defliny, and Grangers to thofe
principles and fentiments which cnoble our nature and
elevate ua to a near relation with the Supreme Being.
When we look on the numberlefs countenance* around
beaming with intelligence, and mild as humanity, and
then fixed our eyes on the vacant flare and ruthkfs vi
fage of thefe men, the contraft feemed complete ; gra
titude to heaven arofe in our breads, that we were
not roaming the defert, the companion of Ofa'i-es, ig
norant aa the deer they chafe, and cruel as the beafts of
prey.—N. r. Daily Adv.
Yefterday (Ai-guft 15) the chiefs of the Ofage Tribe
left this city for Philadelphia, whence they proceed to
thetr native country via Pittftiurg._Ibid.
ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND ;
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1804.
ON BANKS;
HO. V..—.CONCLUDED.
In the: preceding part of this eflay, it was ob-I
lerved, that there were tliree great dperationa j
Dy which the banking fyftem might aopear.
competent to promote the agricultural intereft.
It was ft own that the/^7 of thefe methods was !
really impraifticable, which propofes to efta
blift a bank upon the bafis of land, and fubjedt
that land to falc after ahe expiration of a cer- ;
tarn period, for the payment of its notes. The ■
principle feemed fulficiently clear, that land |
could not ferve as the bafis of fuch an eftablifh- :
ment, and that no hank could really be well ef
tabliihed, which was not bottomed Upon an a- 1
dequate capital in atfual fpccie.—It was ftown i
that in this country at leaft, the fccond method i
was extremely dangerous, which propofes to ad
vance a capital to the farmer, upon the mort
gage of his land, or upon the faith of his future
crops. A fecond principle appeared equally
clear, that “ in fuch a country as ours, it could
fcarcely be the intereft of the bank to lend its
notes upon any other fecurity than private notes,
or upon bills of exchange guaranteed by pro
per endorfers, or upon fome other depofit
Which is equally certain in its value, and convert
ible into money at equally psort periods” Whe
ther it is not in the power of tiie bank to con
tribute to the farming intereft by a procefs of
this kind ? was the third enquiry, which was
propofed for our Confideration.
5. A timple cafe will be fuflicient to illuftrate
the nature and utility of this operation. A far
mer poflelTcs not only land, hut the produce of
that land. His granaries and his barns arc filled
with the richeft treafures of the earth ; with corn
wheat or tobacco. There is no demand for
them in tne market at this particular period ;
but the period is not far diftant, when the de
mmhu wiii rife, and the value ot his commodities
wnl inefeafe. Meanwhile his ncceftities or his
convenience require the pofleflion of a certain
him of money. His annual taxes are to be paid :
or the flieri/f waits upon him with an execution,
which he can neither difeharge nor evade.—
I his is a Ample, but certainly it is not a Angu
lar cafe. No great depth of logic, or ektenfion
ot experience is wanting to convince us that
there are many farmers, whole contrails to pay
thc.r debts are regulated by the period when
their crops may be expected to come in, and
whole crops generally meet with the very word !
market, when they are firft collected. So that
they have form-times the greateft demand for
money, at the very period when their crops will
command the lowed price. Is it not in the
power of the bank to relieve them from this
embarraffment ? and by advancing to them a
Certain fum of money, fufficient to fuppiy their
immediate ncccflities, to allow them a longer
time for Peeking out Other purchafers, or wait
ing until a more favourable market is opened for
their commodities ? As it is not to be fuppoftd
that the bank will do any thing contrary to its
own intereft, the only enquiry in fa<ft ought to
hav- been Whether there is any confcqucnce to
be expected from this operation, which is no*
auspicious to the ntoft mercenary view:; of a
bank. 1 hat there is not, under certain condi
tions, may be clearly deduced from the piinci-i
pie whic!) has been already ilefurnr.tr l
it is the hitercft of 3 bank to lend ft* nioney
'■pon the faith of well endorsed notrr and bills
of exchange, or of fome other depof.t equal!"
certain in its value, and con»ert:ble into money
at equally Short periods, 'She characteristic
property of this deport mu St hr, that it Should
bt .ryperulrihi" or nnutterahfr in >f» nature, at
fotd dbrtng iltepitopct-.p^riod *r which fttmuft
remain in t be care of the hank, and that it Ihmld
a'ways have fucft a value dn the market, as that
it may be eatily convertible into money at a cer
*ain moderate rate of valuation j and in as tliort
i time as that which i) fceiieially allowed r ;r the |
payment of a private note ora bill of e*-.‘hange. j
Has the firner no fuch depofits as tin fe to I
make ? Has he no commodity in his gtsmarie;1
or his barns, whole nature is unchangeable ; & !
whole pr?c»is always equal to a certain rate of
valuation ? This queftion can only be anfwer- *
cd, in our own Hate, by examining the lift of our |
commercial com modi tics. Here we meet with j
corn, cotton, flour, tobacco, Sec. This laft oar
ticulariy, is cliaKti‘terifcd by theft properties •
and it enjoys ftill further the great advantage, I
that :t is put under the guarantee of the laws, St !
is made to circulate nfr fix itfelf in the market by
means o; a legalised piece of paper, which is
made to rvprefent it. And now then let me
afle, whether a tobacco-note is not a fuffiefent
feenrity to a bank for the repayment of the ma- I
ney which it lends out ? I would enquire whe
ther they arc not as fafe and futisfatfory a dep j-!
t:t, as any bill of exchange, or any private note ' l
i Know rnat t;ic merchants, who arc generally
belt acquainted with the theory of a bank, and
moft interefted in the management of it.-, eon-1
ccrr.s, will be oppofed to this arrangement. I ;
know that it is their pecuniary intereft. Their |
fortunes cannot be fo fuccefsftilly promoted, an
when they have the farmers eomp.'eatly in their
power. Tb-j wilh to become their only bank
er3- The truth has not efeaped them, that
mould 11: a fanners have any other refources to
lupply their immediate demands, they them
lelves cannot feize the opportunity of profiting
by their ncccffities. It is not to be exported
therefore, that they wul eagerly promote this
arrangement: and yet it is difficult to conceive
by what plaufibie ar.tumen.ts they will fupport
their opposition. They will not certainly ven
ture to alfert, that a tobacco-note, taken at a
very moderate eftimatc, is not as fatisratfory a
fecurity as any of their own notes. A tobacco
note is the ahnoft infa lible repicfentative of a
certain quantity of valuable tobacco. It may
be feeu a id touched. It is not here to-day a id
pone to-morrow. It is not like the merchants’
fortunes, uncertain in its exiftence, and ev^ef
cent in its duration. The property of a mer
chant is fometimes the mere creature of opinion.
It exifts no where but in tbe imagination of
thoie who have made a falfe eftimatc of their
wealth. And even they thcmfelves are fre
quently deceived m the calculation of their own
fortune. Eat even fuppofing that no merchant
leaves his note in the bank, who has not fuOki
ent refources at the tune to take it up, when the
day of paymenteomesround: Is it tobefuppofed
tha. he will always have fuffioient integrity to
comply with his engagements ? Is there no ft,eh
thing as Godding himfelf behind the protection
o. the very laws themfelves ? Let it be particu
aily recolledted, that m Virginia, lands are not
hab c to execution for the payment of debts.
And even iuppoling that the merchant contracts
this debt with an honourable intention, is he al
w ay s certain of poftc/fing fuflicient refources to
redeem it i During the interval of 60 days how
many casualties may happen to blight his prof
pects ! Bankruptcies may annihilaie hisequ:ta
ble claims. The ocean may fvvallow up his rich
ly freighted veflels. Are not tobacco notes,
therefore, as fafe and valuable depofits as private
notes or bilis of exchange can poliibly be ? What
more fatisfaftoiy fecurity then can the banks re
quire, provided they receive no more of them
than what they may be able to convert into mo
ney at any time without any lofs : and nrov:/!»'H I
they always receive them at a very moderate ef
. Have we not therefore difeovered one
mediod, by which the banks may be enabled,
a/.-vJ?/)!, to contribute to the intereft , of the far
benefits, which he indirsOIj receives
from the mcreafe of mercantile capital and mer
cantile competition by the eftabliihment of a
bank, are too apparent to elcape the moft ordina
ry mind.
Manufacturers & Merchants.—This
divifion of the fubjeCt, would certaAily fumifh
an active and[experienced mind with abundant
fources of ufeful enquiry. Such an examinati
• uBht S* t?ade to embrace all the changes
which are likely to be produced in the trade and
manufactures of Virginia. In what time and
!I,Ahfkd!fCe our carrying trade, now con
ducted by the merchants of the north, is likely
to become a d.reCt foreign trade of confumpti
°n, earned on by our own capital, would be one
?;^CEtfUrrCft,3rVOrthy of Srcat confideration.
It might alfo deferve to be confidered how far
the increafe and cheapnefs of capital, (if I mav
ufe the expreflion) may counterbalance the in
creafing value of the raw materials and the low
price of foreign goods, in the eftablifbment of
manufactures. But thefe interefting themes I
muft lead to the examination of fome more ex
perienced and enterprifmg mind. It is fuffici
ent for me to have explained, as far as iny capa
city would extend, the general theory of a bank
—to have examined fome of the objections
w'’’eh nave been urged againd fuch inditutions :
and to have dated the direft advantages which
they are capable of affording to the ruling Alte
red of our country ; the Altered of the cultiva
tors of the earth.
* The readar it invited to perufe an EITay which
appeared in Mr. Davit’s Virginia Gazette of July -1th,
1804. Wc may entitle it the firfl nunibei of the Ud
feries of Caudidus. It fuggeds ieveral valuable reflec
tions on thin part of the lubjeCt. h no part of the
produce of the earth except tobacco, recommended
by the fame advantages ?
<T' ff /A,- fit f f • f
-uuy tvnot+nrt uu t.jjijs on Dar.it,
For tur B N Q U I R B R.
THE BANK.
The objcdl of the ftockholders in fitbfcribing
the capii,i» of the Bank of Virginia was the hope
of getting a greater profit on their money than
could otherwife be obtained. This they had a
right to expedt from the proceeds of difeounts
authorized to be made to treble the amount of
the cilh adtually depofited in the Bank. It is,
therefore, the mtereft of the ftockholders, and
the indifpenfible duty of the Directors at all
times to grant difeounts to the full amount au
thorized bv law, provided fitisfadtory paper is
offered for the fame : but on no occafion to ex
ceed the amount limited by law. Neverthelefs
it is affirmed that no injury can accrue to the
bank from difeounts, let the amount be what it
may, provided care is taken to accept none hut
good paper. Thifc pledges will at all times
lecure the hank from harm. Before I proceed
farther, if. is nceclfiiry to premife the impracti
cability of any defigns being carried into efTedt
again ft the bank. In the firb place the bank will
poflefs a general and unoneffionable credit. Its
notes will be preferred to the paper of any other
bank, on accCoiint of the rifk in getting counter
feit.'; from them, and to fpccic, in paft, for the
» mi? re.ifon, and the great convenience of being
more portable. 1 he great utility of the bank in
Rcner.il will add to the ftockholders » number
of ftlbftaiit d friends, in addition to a common
intereJl for it» profperity* polfctTitd by each in
dividual ot the Hite, which will etifore a mime*
rojus patronage and make the number of its ene
mies few. The £r?if d depolited in gold and
fiivcr is *lfo large. It will, tnerefdre, be idle in
any individual or ooroUtfiKtioit of individuals to
# ♦ V 9 . ' • . i
fperid thought iri <.*,-•' g fheiUca to ♦. !
reP the note.t and other credits of tJi/tMhk, in
Ordci ^to make a.run tiiipn It, aqd ii tVoithl Ik*
t J'J diigritfeful and even li.urarddu* in -any tvr.
porate l*.d> to attempt it, which cerUmlv oh
Otrh f!»c b.irk hcyomi the o* ocfir.il Or afli
Mmoij. This point I'eing 1 tth-d, ! Ihai! ahlTrre
t.i it banks do not deal on their capital ^or cifii.)
but on their credit, which is acquired by
the known capital they podefs ; and thin ere.
they paft to individual* for valite received iii
g'Mbl cndoHed mper, together with fix percent,
thcieon rib a discount. This paper will be punc
tu.ilij paid when e»ue, And will enable the bmk
to anfwer every c ollhat enn poffiblv be made
on n without ever touching a fingie dollar of'
taetr capita!} exdejlt fomurh as may Ik* neve ilk
ry for clw..^ - voni a UT firri than fve dollars
.Ire wanted, that being the leal! ferries of credit -
tiiat they will circulate. Indeed there are but
tw° pre-rcqyifites neceffiary in themfehes to
g .e barms unlimited credit, to wit i hmiefl and
faithful office ’s, poffc.Ted of Pt.'P and ability fuf
licient to guard aga.::! f and ar.d impofition.
I he ideas, therefi.ne- fuggefted by lomeof the
Directors ot the 'tank of Virginia, of the ini proa
priety of granting difeounts btfoie the- lur.it
liibl'. nptionsare paid up. let! the floekholders
ihoulJ be enabled thereby to pay up the !>,•>
lance of then fubferiptious in l .-k notes infic.id
o: lptcie is both pernicious and chimerical,
which will he further lhewn by i!»c f<j!k,wir.-.>.
iFateu»eilt, viz.
1 foe Itockbolders of the R<nk of Vir
ginia have paid up liie firft inftil- Dels.
ment amounting to BJjjCuts
The ftate has fublcribed her quota
in full 300,000 more.
And on thefe two fum; th? bank goes
into operation; upon which capi
tal the direCtora are authorif.d to
pram difeounts within the firft fix
tv days (if called for) to the amt.
°fr, . , , , I,80Cf,©0ll
\\ hicfo debt will ftand on good and
fubftantial endnrfed notes, that
will be punctually paid when due,
from which have been difcountccl
hs the profits of the bank li.j.po
dollars.
At the end of 60 days after the bank
goes into operation the fecond in
ftalment will be paid in by the
ftockboldert 300,00(1
>— ■ .. t
Thefe debts together with the
calli in the vaults, amounts > Ddls. 2,400,oo«
to the fum of j
On thefe proceedings fundry mer*
chants Sec. will ftand creditors on
the book8 of the bank, and bank
notes iflued to the amount of l,782,orb
The above credits of l,782,obo'j
dollars fubftraCted from the .
debits andcafh in the bank, >,
leave a credit in its favor of j
1 hus it is fhewn by thefe operations that fo
tar from the ftockholdcrs and other debtors of
the hank having it in their power to encroach on
the fpeeie capital of the bank-, that thev have
bound themfelves to add thereto the fum of
18,000 dols. in fpeeie, it being totally out of
their power to pay in any thing elfe. Hence
the pofition laid down is fairly eftablifiied, and
it is proven to be totally immaterial through
whofe hands the fpeeie is paid into the bank,
whether directly from the ftockliolders them*
fdves or indirectly through the hands of the
merchants, the regular 3r proper channel
ed out by commerce, the* rcfult in eithcC cafe
is the fame.
A STOCKHOLDER.
Several fa£>3 appear in this day’s paper,
winch confirm the difhgreeable intelligence of
level a 1 of our trading veiltls being captured off
Sandy Hook by the Britifh Ihip of war, the Le
ander, and fent to Halifax for adjudication*
This infult can have been offered to our fl.«g un
der no otherplaufible pretext, than that thefe
veXIds have come from French ports, fit are fuf<*
pefted of having enemy’s property on board. A«
all the articles of the Britifh treaty have expired,
except the fcfttcn, and as neither of thefe pre
tends to regulate the intercourfe between the
two countries fhould either of them be involved
Hi a war, we can only examine the jufliceof this
pretext by referring to the common laws of na->
tion?. Here we meet with various fbades of ca
fe.-, to which the public codes of different rati
ons have given different decifions. Has a BritiOi
•hip of war a right tofearch an American vef
fel on the high feas convoyed by a national arm
ed vefTel ? This is one cafe infwhich the BritJBi,
court hasnotal ways purfuedaConfiBent conduct;
lome times giving up 8c fomqtimes refilling to rc
hnqnifh, the priviledge. Has a Britifh Blip of war
a right to examine and fend into their' own porta
for adjudication, an American vefTel failing on
the high feas and unprotected by a national vef
fcl ? Th;s is a right which they have ahv.av*
claimed, and which the 17th article of Mr. Jav’w
Treaty gave up to them. Have they a right
to take one of our vefTels placed within the ju
rifdiftion of the United States, and fend it to
one of their owH ports for adjudication ? This
is a right which no nation can claim, and which
no independent nation can relign. How far
then does the jurifdi<3ion 6f the United States
extend? Mod ofthc modern writers on the law
of nations, place it within a marine league of
thnrfhore ; and a late dcrifion of Sir W. Scott,
of the High Adiniraltv Court of England, ha*
applied the fame jurifdiiaionallirr.it to Prufli*.
Moil ofihc captures, however, made bytheLe
ander have taken place vtithin lefs than a marine
league of Sandy Hook, the farthert point that
projects into the fea< This comludt, therefore,
is a palpable violation of our inofl fat red nati
onal rights.
Capt. Lathfop, arrived at Bofton, from Ant
werp mentions a report which had fpread there
juft previous to his failing, (June 23,) that (he
populace of Paris had affembled, demanded the
releafe of MofcaU, and difeovered other' fynip
toms of difloyalty to the new Emperor.
From Dutch papcrt.
CtNGA, May 9H.
It 19 probable that a peace, under the mediati
on of the Englifh Confut, will fhortlv be effected
between the American States and (he Ra/haw
of Tripoli ; as the only remaining objedt in dif.
pute feeinsto be the er.fcnt of the tribute which
the Americans are to pay the Rrrbary poventT
DIED.—6n Wednefday the 2S>1 inftant',
ncrally beloved and rtfpedled, Mrs. Esthfr
CoMF.'f, in the flxtieth year of her age; the wife
of Mr. "Jucoh t. Cohen, oftiii, city.
, / r / ' ' -r rr y yy,y / /y / /y yy yyy, ry
YF "The f?d mo. of the Rainhow ha* been deUy
( d by the indifpofition of llje g»r.tL..ui:i, into v/h^ie
hand* it wa# committed.
r pubi.ic n oner. is her kb v orvr.N,
r I HAT /V Cornwall UnU of the C.tr of Rich
I rnr 'd, rv’/l a! t*>rr o,*f monthly m . t’T p?ve;cd tv
re, omnn.d to the Overt uf Hoftlrg, f», tl , xid 0*ty, ore
ft and props? pcrfon to he ippc.dtf a 00 S'HT.d HI £
t/thc taid Cit., in the re-.rx rf /ciahtcm H'ted, c ■.< Iath
tefgntd.
ANDREW STEVENSON, C. C. H.
/)■<»** 8.5. ,/*) :Sf