THIRD SERIES. No. 12-VOL VI.]

BALTIMORE, MAY 20, 1826.

[VOL. XXX. WHOLE No. 769

THE PAST THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE.

Edited and PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 per annum, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

"CONSOLIDATION." Navigation and commerce- and speedy arrival; because that as, on account of the roads, bridges and canals, steam boats and stages, "abominable tariff," we furnish coarse cotton goods far (and steam stages and wagons, after a while], are cheaper than the British, "John Bull" has exerted bringing about a complete consolidation of the inter- himself in Mexico, as he did in Buenos Ayres and in ests and the feelings of the people of the United States Peru, to cause the levy of a heavy or prohibitory du-a consolidation which most timid politicians have ty upon them, that finer goods, and of British manufac➡ no cause to fear. A person now may breakfast with ture, may be consumed in that populous republic. his family in Baltimore, or Philadelphia, and take It was a "fearful crisis" to see 10 or 15 drays "all in tea with his neighbor in Philadelphia or New York, a row," laden with the products of our own looms, respectively; or, in like manner, if at N. York, make for the supply of a foreign market! such a call upon a friend in Albany, only 160 miles off.

As my friend of the Richmond "Enquirer," Like friendly visits may be extended to Boston; and has not found a "crisis" for the last two months, Detroit, which was as it were on capt. Symmes' verge though, before that, he met with half a dozen at every of the world during the late war, will soon be as a stopping place for dinner, in excursions through the corner, he will, no doubt, feel much obliged to me for furnishing him with this crisical intelligence. regions of the west. Our country is, indeed, quietly proceeding in improvement, and unless the present MARYLAND CLAIMS. General Smith, in a letter policy of the general government and that of most of the states, shall be abandoned or preverted for some dated Washington, 11th May, says-I have the pleamean party, or petty, or local purposes, even the Al- sure to inform you that the act "for the payment leganies will sink before our eyes, and the interests of interest due to the state of Maryland," has passed of a part become those of the whole people of the U. both houses of congress. The 3d auditor estimated States. The Baltimorean will be as at home in N. the amount at $114,000. It was simply an act of Orleans, and a borderer on the Rocky Mountains justice, and I have a right to no other credit, and take a trip to Washington, with less preparation than, I claim no other, than attention to my duty as a sena40 years ago, the people used to make before they start-tor in presenting the claim to the general assemed for the "back woods" of Pennsylvania, about two-bly, the fact being first ascertained that the state had borrowed money for the service of the United States, thirds of the way to Pittsburg! A late New York paper says-The intercourse the repayment of the interest followed as of course. between this city and the surrounding country and The principle was fixed, "that an individual who had states, has never been carried on upon such an ex-made purchases and paid interest on money borrowtensive scale, as at the present time. There are four ed, should have the same returned." It was allowed distinct lines of steam boats between New York and to Amasa Stetson by an act of 5th May 1824, and he Philadelphia. There are at least 14 steamboats em- had returned him the sum of $6215 for interest paid ployed upon the North river. There is one to Flush-by him. The act in favor of Virginia, passed 3d ing, one to the Sawpits, one to Bridgeport, two to March, 1825. The claim of Baltimore will also bo New Haven, two to Hartford and a third nearly allowed if the house can reach the bill. S. SMITH. ready; one to Norwich, one to New London and two

to Providence-making no less than twenty-nine, in MASSACHUSETTS CLAIMS. A letter from Washingthe whole, that arrive and depart steadily from this ton, published in one of the eastern papers, says "r port, and a great portion of them principally for pas- think in some shape and to some extent, the claim sengers. It would be extremely difficult, and per-will be allowed and paid-but Massachusetts will be haps impossible, to ascertain the whole number of pretty heavily muleted for her opposition to the adpersons that arrive and depart from this city in a sin-ministration."

gle week, in these vessels. It is, however, very great; | What, and was Massachusetts only "opposed to the for it would seem that the increase of travelling very administration" during the late war? So were seve nearly keeps pace with the multiplication of steam ral other states, and among them Maryland-but boats. The rapidity with which men pass in them all these states have been paid for militia services renfrom place to place is astonishing. It is said that pas- dered by them, for, though" opposed to the administrasengers, who left Philadelphia at 6 o'clock in the tion" they submitted to the laws, and placed their milimorning, have breakfasted the next morning at Al- tia at the disposal of the general government for the bany-a distance of 250 miles. common defence and general welfare. But MassaAn estimate of the amount and of the increase of chusetts refused-her authorities would have the travel, may be made from a list published in a late control of their own militia, and it is impossible that Geneva Gazette, of four daily lines which pass east the United States can pay for services performand west through that village from Albany, one daily ed over which they had no direction. I am among line between that place and New York, via Ithaca, those who believed, at the time, and I believe so still, one daily line between that place and Lyons, one that the militia of Massachusetts, in 1814, were held three times a week to Bath, and another three times a in readiness rather to oppose the United States than week to Newark, on the canal. The average num-Great Britain.

ber of passengers, arriving and departing daily, (says

the Gazette), cannot be short of seventy, amounting in "TRIBUTE." The tonnage duty demanded and paid a year to the round number of twenty-six thousand per-on boats navigating the New York canals, is thus calsons that pass through Geneva in stage coaches! led in the "Buffalo Journal." We had thought that this taxation had been done away. There is no more

"A CRISIS" "A TERRIBLE CRISIS." One of our fly-reason why a canal boat should be taxed than a wagon, ing schooners left Baltimore a day or two ago, wholly and surely the law never contemplated any thing of laden with domestic cottons, (several hundred bales), for the sort. How is it that the New York delegation Mexico-in which we most sincerely wish her a safe in congress has been silent on this subject one that Von. XXX.14

more substantially, in our opinion, interferes with "state rights," than nine tenths of the various subjects which are so much discussed. But if these boats navigate the great lakes, or the Hudson river, we suppose they would be subject to the payment of tonnage duties, as other boats and vessels are.

LITERAL ERRORS. The title of an act which recentby passed both houses of congress, and has been approved by the president, is thus published-"An act to equalize the duties on vessels of the republic of Columbia, (Colombia), and their cargoes:" and throughout, the title of the republic having been written Columbia, requires the explanatory word Colombia. It is thus that the act has been published “by authority." Might not the authority by which the word was inserted in a parenthesis, have corrected the literal error? Is it required in laws that every word should be rightly spelt-is there no discretion, any where, to correct what are manifest errors? Has the word in parenthesis the force of law? This is a small mat ter, but serious questions may be involved by its principles, and it would be worth the while to provide some way by which to avoid the necessity of such interpretations, or explanations of the laws.

THE JUDICIARY BILL, which so long occupied the house of representatives, has been virtually rejected, because of the "amendments" of the senate-see proceedings. In respect to this great and important bill, the Washington papers of Wednesday say

The bill for the amendment of the judiciary system has met its anticipated fate, having been indefinitely postponed, (rejected), yesterday, in the house of representatives; and it is said that, had this vote not prevailed, the bill would have been lost, by even a larger majority, who were prepared to vote for an adherence to a disagreement to the senate's amendments. It is hardly worth while to inquire very nicely how it happened that such should have been its fate, seeing that a majority of both houses of congress were doubtless favorable to the principle of the bill. It cannot escape observation, however, that the vote of the members from Ohio was unanimous against the bill. Their vote decided its fate; and it is, therefore, presumable that they considered the interest and wishes of that state as having been disregarded in the new arrangement of the circuits proposed by the bill. It is to be regretted that the bill has been lost through a difference of opinion as to its details. It is yet to be hoped, that, at the next ses sion, the views of the several western states may so harmonize as to concentrate upon a bill acceptable to the whole. In that event, the labor upon the funct bill, which is supposed to have been absolutely lost, may yet be turned to profitable account.

[Nat. Int.

variously estimated. It probably amounted to somewhere about $500,000. It was not ascertained how the accident occurred.

Mr. Randolph's speech of the 1st of March, is published in the "Alvarado Mercury," acompanied with severe and indignant remarks by the Mexican editor. This speech, and extracts from others delivered in the senate, will probably pass through every press in Mexico and South America. The British and French agents will take especial care of that.

The Mexican writer says "Mr. Randolph will obtain the highest encomiums at Madrid; abusing the privilege nobly and wisely granted by free nations to their representatives, he insults, quite at his ease, and in the most slanderous and malignant manner, the new republics of America, whose sacrifices and zeal merit, however, applause and respect. Let the North Americans who reside among us, speak, to the confusion of this man, and tell whether we are lunatics and fools. Fools, and great fools must we be, when we shall appoint a Mr. Randolph senator. He plays a part in this attack, like that of a bufo in an opera, though with little melody." Nat. Gaz.

Mr. Randolph was in the senate on Thursday, and made many speeches, and on the same evening passed through Baltimore on his way-somewhere, as the wind blows. Perhaps to "England"-where it was proposed to send the "prince of Denmark," and for a certain reason.

DOMESTIC SLAVE TRADE-PIRACY AND MURDER. The following article is extracted from the ship news report of the brig Rooke, capt. Atwood, from the Canary Islands, arrived at New York.

May 5, lat. 30, 30, lon. 65, fell in with schooner Decatur, of Boston, which sailed from Baltimore about the 20th of April for N. Orleans, and took from her fourteen slaves. The crew and slaves stated that capt. Walter R. Galloway, late master, and Mr. William Porter, the mate, both fell overboard on the 26th April, at 10 A. M. and were drowned. The weather was pleasant at the time, and the vessel running at the rate of 6 knots, did not heave to to pick them up, but immediately shifted her course for St. Domingo, as they supposed; but having no navigator on board, they had been drifted about, and when fallen in with, did not know where they were. Capt. A. put on board his second officer, Mr. Gallilee, and ordered her to keep co. but, parted on Friday night, in a gale, lat. 37 lon. 70, 30. It was his intention on gaining the coast, to take out the 2 remaining slaves, and one of her crew, and to put on board a suthicient number of his men, for fear they might do violence to Mr. G. or de-run the vessel ashore, and make their escape. The crew also informed captain A, that a ship bound to Nantucket, boarded the Decatur three days before, took off the female slaves, two of the crew and the papers, and put a navigator on board, who, however, refused to remain, and was received on board the ship next morning. The slaves were 32 in number, and belonging to Mr. Woodford, [Woolfolk), of Bal timore. Captain Atwood is of opinion that captain Galloway and his mate were thrown overboard.

We most sincerely regret the final failure of the judiciary bill. Although the original bill passed the house by a very large vote, it was impossible, it seems, to prevail on a majority of that body to agree to the senate's amendment. We learn that many members voted against the indefinite postponement who yet would not have agreed to the bill in its existing [The ship alluded to has been spoken, and the facts shape. If the motion had been taken on agreeing to are generally substantiated, with additions that renthe proposed amendment, the majority, in the nega der it almost certain that a part of the crew had jointive, would doubtless, have been much larger thaned the slaves and murdered the captain and mate. that by which the bill was indefinitely postponed.

[Nat. Journal.

The ship, (the Constitution), had 17 of the blacks on board, but the captain, not thinking it safe to take possession of the schooner, left the remainder of her

CUBA. A late letter from Havana says "The in-crew and of the blacks on board.] vasion of this island is postponed by particular desire." The documents which accompanied the president's message will explain the above phrase.

MEXICO. The custom house stores at Vera Cruz, were destroyed by fire on the 7th ult. The loss is

SLAVERY PROHIBITION IN LOUISIANA. At the late session of the legislature of Louisiana, an act was passed prohibiting further introduction of slaves into that state for sale. The following is an abstract of the act:

SES. 4. Any slave or slaves, brought into this state in contravention of any of the provisions of this act, shall, after due condemnation, by any court of competent jurisdiction, be sold after ten day's notice by the sheriff of the parish in which said slaves have been It is said that a new treaty is to be formed between condemned, and the nett proceeds of said slaves, France and Spain, by which the occupation of the when sold, shall be paid over, one fourth to the infor-latter will be prolonged several years. mer or informers, and the other three fourths to the treasurer of the state.

Two king's messengers have been despatched by Mr. Canning to lord Ponsonby, who is waiting at Ply- In the French chamber of deputies, March 25th, mouth a favorable wind, to depart for Buenos Ayres. petitions were presented from Paris and from Havre, The Globe observes, that no doubt great importance for a more effectual prohibition of the slave trade. A is attached to the mission of lord Ponsonby, in conse-member stated that more than 30 vessels had been quence of the desire of the English cabinet to see the war between the Brazils and Buenos Ayres at an end, which so seriously affects British commerce.

It is rumored that a lady, closely connected with an exalted foreigner, lately raised to one of the highest and most dignified stations in Ireland, is shortly to be led to the altar of Hymen, by a gallant son of Mars, the near relative of a rev. dignitary of the church of Treland and of a Scotch peer. [This al- Germany. The Austrian government has declared Judes to Miss Caton, sister of marchioness Welles-that the benefit promised by the Vienna congress re Tey.1 ative to the navigation of the Rhine, was the free and

uninterrupted navigation into the sea, and from the sea into the Rhine, for all nations.

Colombia. On the 1st of February, of the present year, was installed with much solennity in the city of Carthagena, the superior court of justice for the districts, composed of the departments of Magdalena and the Isthmus. Thus e perceive Colombia indicating the progress of and perpetuating all its moral good by th instalment of district courts.

Russia. The funeral ceremonies of the late emperor of Russia, were finished without any disturbance Some movement was apprehended as the police were on the alert and the guards were called out. The week preceding the ceremony a careful inspection was made of the subterranean apartments of the cathedral, to discover whether any powder had been de- In the fulfilment o. posited there. The empire appears to be entirely the 21st July, in the y、 iranquil, though there are some rumors to the con-manumission of slaves s trary. as are consecrated to n

Extract of a private letter from Moscow, dated the 28th February, 1826:

rticle of the law, of
hordained that the
Nace on such days
vity, as a motive
and thankful-
'en manumit-
that of the
\rtment of
` of Mar-
ia; 3 in
11 in
se of

the more powerful for cal
ness for public blessings, t.
ted, for the last year, 63 slav
department of Venezuela; 1
Asua; 21 in that of Ibague, in
quita; 5 in the canton of the ca
that of Garagoa; 3 in that of Chi
that of Coqui, and 4 in the capital
Casapare. In Maracaibo, 13 slaves
manumission at the column of the mi
of the great square, where there had
plished the deliverance of the country fro
age of the Spanish general, Morales, and, a
8 received their freedom in a similar manne

The revenue of Colombia last year, amo
$6,196,725; and the expenses of the army an
alone to $11,794,596-nearly double the revenu

eir

"The body of the late emperor passed through this city last week. The procession was a mile and a quarter long, and was an hour and five minutes in passing. The order of the procession was this-First came a body of trumpeters, sounding solemn blasts every minute; then came a squadron of cavalry, followed by fifty-two horses, covered with black cloth, each having the arms of the separate governments displayed on their sides; after these was led a horse richly caparisoned, called 'the Horse of Joy,' and then followed a warrior in armour of gold, named 'the Herald of Joy;' immediately after him came another warrior in black armour, denominated 'the Herald of Mourning,' followed by a horse similarly comparisoned, and called 'the Horse of Mourning; the order of the two warriors in the procession being reversed. Then followed the priests, to the number of about one thousand, dressed in their sacerdotal robes, and many of them bearing standards; after these ecclesiastics, was carried a large golden lantern, containing a number of candles, an [emblem of light]; then followed the cross, and afterwards a portrait of the Vir-soon return to Colombia-his work being done. Calgin Mary; next in order came the funeral car, (on lao presents a woeful appearance. Rodil had left Pe which the coffin, containing the body of the deceased ru in the British frigate Briton. emperor, was placed,] decorated with flesh colored satin, ermine and ostrich feathers, and highly ornamented with silver, and drawn by eight horses. Numbers of generals and other officers followed the car, and the whole procession was closed by several regiments of soldiers."

From the Pacific. We learn that the officers crews of the United States squadron were well. M Humphreys, purser of the Peacock, died on the 10t of March, at Callao.

Bolivar had returned to Lima, and was received in the most grateful manner. It was said that he would

The general congress had not opened its session at Panama, but most of the deputies, from the South American states, had arrived, and much anxiety was manifested to know whether the United States would send commissioners.

India. The Burmese war is at an end, after a vast Greece. It will be recollected that at our last ad-sacrifice of human life, by which, however, the Brivices, the Turks and Egyptians were preparing for tish have gained four or five provinces, and were to another assault upon Missolonghi, by sea and land. receive one croze of rupees-10 millions, equal to It will rejoice our friends now to learn, that letters five millions of dollars. from Missolonghi of the 5th of March, contain the information that Ibrahim Pacha has been driven from the siege of that place On the 28th of February he attacked the town but was repulsed with great loss. The same letter states that 7,000 men were lost by the Turks. The Greeks lost 500.

Blockade of the La Plata.

Ayres would appear strange.

MONTEVIDEO, 28th Feb. 1826. "I send you the Mercantile Gazette of Buenos Ayres with the protest of our charge des affaires, Mr. Forbes, A letter from Corfu, of the 7th of March, states that against the existing Brazilian blockade, and if you the captain Pacha had quitted Ibrahim and sailed for think proper to give it for publication, I would ob Constantinople, and was pursued by Miaulis. Ibra- serve that it ought to go together with his letter to him had caused several of the chiefs under his com-gen. Cruz, as without it the publication at Buenos mand to be beheaded. The departure of the captain Pacha leaves the sea completely free, and succour can It has been highly gratifying not only to the Amebe afforded to Missolonghi. The Austrian Observer ricans but to individuals of all nations, not excepting reluctantly admits that the Greeks have repulsed the the English, to see this plain elucidation of national Turks, and succeeded in victualling that fortress. law and this manly vindication of neutral rights. It These pleasant articles of news appear to be sup-forms a striking contrast to the subserviency of the ported by accounts from various quarters. The British agents and naval commanders, which is highly Greeks fought with resolution-to conquer or die-criticised; and even the French are observed to use a and the slaughter of the Turks was dreadful. A more determined tone than they, but the fact is they French col. Selves, who belonged to the imperial are aware of having given the precedent, and, as guard of Napoleon, employed by the pacha of Egypt, they express themselves, being now beaten with their has surrendered himself and his troops, at discretion, own arms. to Colocotroni, at Tripolizza.

At Corfu, the Greek cruisers visited some vessels, sent from Alexandria for the Morea, under English colors, and confiscated all the Turkish property they had on board. The lord commissioner of the Ionian Islands honorably refused to interfere.

There seems no doubt that a nation which once unsheathed the sword to vindicate the very principles now maintained by Mr. Forbes, against the most pow erful nation of the world, will not tamely submit to a second edition of similar oppression from a much weaker source, from a feeble imitator and inventor

of tyranny. The eyes of Europe seem hopefully fix- Thus it has ever been maintained by the U. States, ed on that nation. In my letters from various cor- that a proclamation or ideal blockade of an extensive respondents on the continent, an opinion is expressed coast, not supported by the actual presence of a na"that America will not submit to this blockade;" theval power competent to enforce its simultaneous, conlawlessness of which appears to have been anticipat- stant and effective operation on every point of such ed from the nature of these waters. All the shores coast, is illegal throughout its whole extent, even for of this river are as good a port or harbor as the outer the ports which may be in actual blockade; otherwise or inner roads of Buenos Ayres, and if the river every capture under a notified blockade would be leis to be blockaded it ought to be done from cape to gal; because the capture itself would be proof of the cape, a thing impossible with all the Brazilian navy." blockading force. This is, in general terms, one of the From the Buenos Mercantile Gazette, Feb. 17. fundamental rules of the law of blockade as professThe following important documents have been remit- ed and practiced by the government of the United ted to us for publication, from the department of States. foreign relations:

Legation of the U. S. of America,
Buenos Ayres, Feb. 13, 1826:

}

And if this principle is to derive strength from the enormity of consequences resulting from a contrary - The undersigned, charge des affaires of the United terms of the original declaration of the existing Brapractice, it could not be better sustained than by the States of America, having communications of highzilian blockade, combined with its subsequent pracinternational interest to make to admiral Lobo, com-tical application. manding the Brazilian blockading squadron, most respectfully requests his excellency gen. de ia Cruz, minister of foreign relations, to grant him a flag of truse according to usages of war, to guarantee the safety of such an intercourse.

The undersigned prays his excellency general de la Cruz, minister of foreign relations, to accept the assurances of his highest consideration and respect.

The manifesto of his excellency, admiral Lobo, dated 21st December last, declares that "all the ports and coasts of the republic of Buenos Ayres, and all those on the oriental side, (of La Plata) which may be In order to manifest to this government that sin-date, subject to the most rigorous blockade." This decla occupied by the troops of Buenos Ayres, are, from that cere confidence which ought to exist between sisterration of blockade embraces an extent of maritime republics, the undersigned has the honor to commu-coast of more than twenty degrees of latitude; on nicate a copy of the note which he wishes to trans-which vast coast it is not pretended that his imperial mit to the Brazilian admiral. This note has for its majesty maintains any force beyond a single corvette, object an humble effort to vindicate neutral rights in the "Maria da Gloria." If, therefore, there can exist the principles and rules which ought to be observed any thing like an imaginary blockade, this is, most in cases of blockade; and it is to be hoped that this unequivocally, one of that description, and, as such, attempt will not be misconstrued into any, the slight-in conformity with the principles before laid down, est, deviation from the straight line of most scrupu-calls for the resistance of the government of the U. lous and delicate neutrality between the belligerant States. If we turn our attention to the manner in parties, which it is the policy of the United States to which the blockade has been enforced in the immediobserve under present circumstances. ate waters of Buenos Ayres, abundant matter of criticism presents itself. Since the establishment of the blockade, six foreign vessels, according to the annexed list, have entered the inner roads of Buenos Ayres, and three have gone into the port of Ensenada. Among the former, one was carried into Montevideo, detained nearly a week, and then suffered to take a Legation of the U. S. of America, Buenos Ayres, Feb. 13, 1826. new destination, without any endorsement of the notice of blockade on the principal papers of the vesIn the official note which the undersigned, charge sel, as is practised in similar cases by other maritime d'affaires of the United States of America, had the nations. Another Hamburg ship, "Daphne," passed honor to address to his excellency admiral Lobo, com within gun shot of the Brazilian squadron, and, unmander of the imperial Brazilian squadron blockad-der the protection of a very inferior force, proceeding the coasts and ports of Buenos Ayres, under date ed up to the anchorage of the inner roads. By these of 1st of January last, it was reserved by the under examples, occurring in a fine season of the year, there signed to present, on a future occasion, the views and being no violent stormy weather to justify such a principles professed and put forth by the government failure to enforce the blockade, it seems to be conof the United States on the law of blockade. In conclusively proved, either that the Brazilian squadron formity to that reservation the undersigned now takes cannot, or that it will not enforce it.-And thus, this the liberty to present to the consideration of his ex-high and important belligerant measure, which ought cellency admiral Lobo, and if deemed worthy of to be rigorously, constantly and uniformly put into extransmission to that of his imperial majesty's minis-ecution, has dwindled into a feeble and inefficient eftry, the following observations. fort, depending on casualty, caprice or convenience.

JOHN M. FORBES.

To his excellency general Don Francisco de la Cruz, minister of foreign relations, &c. &c.

}

If the subject of blockade, so simple in its original On a full view and mature consideration of all these application, now involves the most complicated ques- circumstances, the undersigned feels it his indispentions of maritime law among nations, it is to be ascrib-sable duty to remonstrate and protest, and he thus reed to abuses of power on one side, so too much con- monstrates and protests against the blockade of the descension on the other, and to the multitude of inci-ports and coasts of the republic of Buenos Ayres, as dental cases which have arisen as precedents, establishing arbitrary and ephemeral doctrines, since the breaking down of the original bounds and land-marks of mutual and universal rights.

lately declared by h. ex. admiral Lobo, commander in chief of his imperial Brazilian majesty's forces; the said blockade being, in its general character, as well as in its practical application, stamped with inefficiency; supported by a naval power wholly incompetent to enforce it in its whole extent, and consequently illegal; prostrating neutral rights, and wholly inadmissible on the part of the government of

Although the commerce of the United States has been, to a greater extent than any other, the victim of those gigantic abuses of power, it has never suffered without just complaints, in individual cases, and constant and strong remonstrances on the part of the go-the U. States. vernment of the said states, against the principle and practice of every thing like an imaginary blockade, The Hydra of lawless oppression.

Having thus remonstrated and protested against the said blockade, the undersigned reserves to the government of the U. States, the right of continuing, as