the engagement was neither so close nor so hot as assembly transmitted me orders from Philadelphia, that with the Solebay, and I at length escaped by on the 5th of February, to undertake a secret expepassing through the flats, and entered a little harbor dition of great importance, the design of which was, next day, where I destroyed the fishery and vessels to lay the island of St. Christopher, and the north After this, I set sail for Ite Madame, where I made side of Jamaica, under contribution; after which two descents, at the same time destroying the ashe we were to attack Pensacola. This project was first ries, and burning all the vessels I could not carry conceived by me, and then communicated to Mr. away with me. Having accomplished this, I return Morris, afterwards minister of finance: but such ed to Rhode Island, after an absence of six weeks was the jealousy of Hopkins, the commander in and five days from the Delaware; during this inter-chief, that it was never carried into execution. He val I had taken sixteen prizes, without including was, however, soon after suspended, and then disthose destroyed. missed from the service.

The commander in chief, who had remained all this time in harbor, now adopted a plan proposed by me, and which consisted,

1. In the destruction of the enemy's fisheries at Ile Royale; and

The season being now too far advanced for the execution of the scheme in the West Indies, myself and crew received orders to remove on board the Amphytyite, a French vessel, destined to sail frau Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, to France, whence 2. Of restoring to liberty more than 300 Ameri- we were to pass into Halland, and take possession can prisoners detained there in the coal mines.of the Indienne, a large frigate, constructing there Three vessels were destined for this service, the Al- for the congress; some difliculties however ensued fred, the Hampden, and the Providence; but the and I was ordered to prepare the Ranger, a vessel Hampden having received considerable damage in mounting eighteen guns. consequence of running on a rock, could not ac- When general Burgoyne and his army were oblicompany me. I, however, embarked on board the ged to surrender at Saratoga, it was I who was the Alfred, and, taking the Providence by way of con first obliged to carry this interesting intelligence to sort, I set sail, and on the 2d of November, 1776, Nantes, whether I arrived on the 2d of December, made prize of a vessel from Liverpool, and soon af-1777. In the course of my voyage, I took twe ter the Mellish, a large armed vessel, having two prizes, forming a part of a convoy from the Medit British naval officers on board, and a captain be-terranean, under the protection of the Invincible, longing to the land service, with a company of sol-seventy-four-gun ship, under the guns of which one diers. This ship was carrying ten thousand com- of them was taken. plete sets of uniform to Canada, for the army posted there under the orders of generals Carleton and Burgoyne.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

Literary Intelligence.

The Providence having now left the Alfred during the night, without the least pretext whatever, I remained alone, and that too during the stormy sea Mr. Edward J. Coale, bookseller, of this citys son, on the enemy's coast; but notwithstanding has lately published a most ingenions and useful this, and that I was also greatly embarrassed with work entitled "MNEMONIKA, or chronological tabmy prisoners, I resolved not to renounce my project.lets; exhibiting in a methodical manner, the most I accordingly effected a descent, dertroyed a trans- remarkable occurrences from the creation of the port of great value, and also burned the magazines world to the present period, &c." The immense la and buildings destined for the whale and cod fishery, bor and astonishing research bestowed upon the In addition to this, I took three transports and compilation of this volume, give it a claim to the a vessel laden with ling and furs, Bear The Royale; attention of all who desire to receive information these prizes were escorted by the Flora frigate, upon subjects of general interest, which few other which happened to be at a small distance, but which books of the same size can boast. Nor is it calcuwas concealed from us by a fog. Having taken a lated solely to instruct the ignorant; the judicious privateer from Liverpool, mounting 16 guns, in the arrangement of its various matter, and the neat comcourse of next day, I instantly returned with my pactness of its form, will render it a valuable, as prizes, towards the United States; but, when in the well as a convenient vade mecum, for every class of latitude of Boston, fell in with Milford frigate, which readers. I unwillingly engaged. Towards night, however, To have published a work of this description, I placed the Alfred tween the enemy and my pri entirely free from error, would have been to have zes, and having given the necessary instructions to done what has never yet been, and, we apprehend, the latter, to make for the nearest port, I changed never will be accomplished. It is not, therefore, my course, set up lights, and by this stratagem sav-extraordinary, nor do we mention it as an objec ed the vessels I had captured, as the frigate conti-tion to the general utility of the book, that occasi nued in chase of me. Next day I myself was fortu (onal inaccuracies are to be discovered in some of nate enough to escape, after a very serious action, the vast variety of subjects which it embraces. Prewhich was not terminated until dark, and even then judices and partialities are human frailties which in consequence of a hard gale of wind. can never be wholly overcome; hence it is not to

Having returned to Boston, December 10, 1776, be expected that all men should agree in the relathe intelligence of the uniforms taken on board the tion of an important event, or in the account of re Melish, re animated the courage of the army under markable occurrences. The occasions, however, general Washington, which at that period happen- which occur in the work before us, to call forth ed to be almost destitute of clothing. Let me add these observations, are perhaps fewer than in most also, that this unexpected succour contributed not other compilations; and every man who has at a little to the success of the affair at Trenton against heart the dissemination ofuseful knowledge, willbe the Hessians, which took place immediately after pleased at the opportunity which the publisher has my arrival. here offered of accomplishing that desirable object,

I now paid out of my own purse the wages due to hy placing his book so completely within the reach the crews of the Alfred and the Providence, and of the pecuniary capacity of the people at large, lent the rest of my money to the congress. That It is a neat duodecimo volume of 348 closely

printed pages; ornamented with an elegant fron- Astonishing increase of the Society of Methodists. tispiece, designed by Master Leslie, a young Ame- It appears, that in the year 1767, the number of rican artist, whose talents bid fair to place his itinerant preachers was not more than 92, and of country in the first rank of enlightened nations, and the people in the societies, 25,911; but that in 1795, engraved by Fairman in his best manner; repre- the number of preachers was 357, and that of the senting the Genius of History holding back the people of the societies, 83,368. By the reports veil behind which have been concealed the events of produced at the Methodist conferences held at Brispastages, and opening the rich treasures of anti-tol, it appears, that the numbers in the Methodist quity to every inquirer. The whole is sold at the societies amounted to 170,547, viz. very moderate price of 187 cents. The following extracts and calculations, will serve to shew the na ture and extent of the information to be derived

from this

very

valuable

work :

French Revolution,) statistically compared.

Great Britain, (Ireland included,) Austria, France, Prussia, and Spain, (before the

In Great Britain,

In Ireland,

In the West Indies,

83,368

16,540 11,986

In the United States of America, - 58,653
In 1806 a conference of this society was held at
Leeds, and the numbers appeared as follows:-

In Great Britain,

In Ireland,

In Gibraltar

In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,

and Newfoundland,

In the West Indies, whites,

110,804

23,773

40

1,418

1,775

Duration of life in certain animals.

Cricket, 10 years; Spider, (sometimes more than) 1; Scorpion, (generally, and sometimes more than) 1; River Cray-fish, 20; Carp, 100 to 150; Pike, (sometimes more than) 40; Crocodile, 100; Tortoise, 100; Hen, 10; Peacock, 24; Nightin gale and Lark, 16 to 18; Canary, (if it does not couple) 24; (if it breeds annually) 10; Sparrow Hawk, 40; Goose, 50; Swan, 100; Eagle, 100; Parrot, 110; Rabbit, 8 to 9: Goat, 10: Sheep, 10; Hog, 20; Cat, 18; Squirrel, 7; Hare, 7 to 8; Dog, 23 to 28; Wolf and Bear, 20; Fox, 15; Lion, 60; Cow, (sometimes more than) 20; Bull, 30; Ox, employed in agriculture, 19 Deer, 20; Horse, 25 to 30; Ass, 25 to 50; Camel, 50 to 60; Elephant, 150 to 200.

Of these, upwards of 109,000 are found in England and Wales, to which may be added 109,000 more who have not ventured to have their names enrolled, and to these may be added the younger branches of families, making about 218,000 more -forming in the whole nearly half a million of persons.

Depreciation of Money.

There are two estates, near one of the colleges in Scotland, (says the author of an essay on money,) which were originally taxed an equal number of bolls of grain [the Scotch boll is almost six bushels] to that institution. In very remote times [it would be satisfactory to know in what year] it pleased the proprietor of one of these estates, with consent of the college, to convert the payment into money, according to the then current value, which was a groat or four pence sterling per boll. At the present time one of those farms pays the same number of bolls that the other does of groats, which [in this year 1812] is about three hundred for one. Further, as the same writer observes, there is also said to be existing a very old lease of a borough aere, near a town, in Scotland, for which the tenant was to pay a boll of wheat, and a boll of barley; or, if he did not bring the grain between Christmas and Candlemas, the proprietor was not obliged to accept it-the tenant being compelled to pay a sum of money which is now 10-12ths of a penny sterling for the boli of wheat, and 8-12ths of a penny for the boll of barley.

nued and excessive; as comes home to every man's The depreciation of the value of money is conti experience. Within fifty or sixty years past wheat was sold in our sea-port towns for about 3s. (40 cents) per bushel. The average price of it for ten years past, at the same places, was not less than 160 cents-a depreciation, in the United States, of four for one, in fifty years; which depreciation goes on in a geometrical ratio.

This great rise of commodities, or depreciation of money,comes from two causes-the increase of luxu ry, and the increase of the precious metals; but chiefly to the first, which is the main spring of the latter. As the globe weinhabit becomes better known to civilized men, those metals will become more and

more abundant; for it cannot be doubted that im- cube of the tenth part of the metre. They chose mense stores of them are yet concealed from our also, for the measuring unit of weight, the quantity view. Some person, indeed, has ventured to offer of distilled water equal in bulk to the same cube in an opinion that gold and silver may become so abun a constant state presented by nature, viz. of a cerdant as to deprive them of their present quality as a tain temperature. And lastly, it is decided, that the medium of commerce, and to compel posterity to multiplies and submultiplies of each kind of measure resort to something else to carry on their traffic whether of weight, capacity, surface or length, shall with each other! But those who know the pinch. be always taken in the decimal or decuple progresings of the present times will believe that day is far sion, as the most simple, natural and easy for calcudistant! lation, according to the system of numeration which all Europe has used for many centuries.

Spanish America,

Silver

As the basis of this new metrical system depends

The following table, shewing the annual and universal product of the mines of gold and silver, is extracted from Blodget's Economica. Our author on a quarter of the terrestrial meridian, it is necesdoes not inform us from whence he derives his au sary that the magnitude of this are should be known thorities-he merely says that "however deficient, with great precision. Therefore, although many it is the best we can obtain ;" and it is, probably, different degrees of the meridian have been carefully as nearly correct as can be expected in an estimate measured at several times, and in different counof the kind : tries, the Institute ordered a new and actual measurement of the whole are of the meridian, extending the whole length of France, viz. from Dunkirk, on the north, to Barcelona in Spain, and passing through Paris; an extent of almost ten degrees. The measurement of this arc, in several years, was at length completed by Mechain and Delambre, two eminent astronomers; in which they employed rules or rods made of platina, of two toises or 12 feet in length, for measuring the bases; and whole circles, accurately made, for taking the angles, to tenths of seconds, by repeating the measures in many different parts of the circumference, and taking mediums of the whole. The precision with which the angles were observed is such, that out of

Residue,

Europe,

Asia,
Africa,

Annual waste and consumption, Annual increase on an average for 10 years,

Glis Tutal. dols. 33,000,000 1,000,000 34,000,000 5,000,000 3,000,000 8,000,000 1,500,000 500,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 4.500,000| 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,500,000 42,500,000 8,500,000 51,000,000 20,000,000 5,000,000 25,000,000

22,500,000 3,500,000 34,000,000

French Weights and Measures.

90 triangles which connect the extremeties of the

meridional arc, there are 36 in which the sum of [The following, with the article that has already the three angles differs from its proper quantity by appeared in the REGISTER, NO. 35, page 132, less than one second; that is, in which the error of contains all that is necessary to a correct under-the three, taken together, is less than one second: standing of these matters.] there are twenty-seven triangles, in which this error is less than two seconds; in 18 others it does not amount to three seconds; and there are four triangles, in which it falls between three and four seconds; and three triangles only in which it is more than four, but less than five seconds.

Account of the present metrical system of France, with its exact reduction to English measure.

The Savans of the French nation devoted their attention for severals years to the invention of a new set of measures, for lengths, surfaces, capacities and weights. The substance of their operations is Every care was taken to support and dispose the contained in a variety of memoirs that have been platina rods properly in measuring the bases. The presented to the National Institute; and it appears extremeties of the rods were never brought into that a great number of the most learned men of contact; an interval being left, which was measur different nations contributed their assistance to this ed by a tongue of platina, sliding from the end of object: some in performing the numerous and de- one of the rules and carrying a vernier and telescope. licate experiments; others in making the necessary The corrections and allowances for difference of calculations and deductions; and others in arrang-temperature, for obliquities of the line actually mea ing the results and drawing up the reports. The sured, and for the elevation above the level of the result of the whole is contained in a report made the sea, were also attended to, and allowed for. One to the Institute on the 17th June, 1799; the abridg. rod was kept unemployed, for a module or standard, ment of which is as follows: which was exactly equal to the double toise of Peru,

The first object was to fix upon a standard of in ten degrees temperature of Reaumur's thermomelength; thence to deduce the measures of all the ter, or fifty four of Fahrenheit. With this module, other kinds. To employ, says the reporter, Van and also with the toise of Peru, the other measuring Swinden, as the fundamental unity or standard of rods were compared, both before and after the ope all measures, a standard taken from nature itself-ration of measuring,and found not to be at all altered. a standard as unchangeable as the globe we inhabit; The celestial latitudes, &c. also observed with to propose a metrical system, having all its parts the same repeating circle of Borda, are such as not intimately connected, with its multiplies and sub to have an error of any thing near half a second. divisions following a natural progression, which is simple, obvious and always uniform-is a beauti was deputed to Lefevre Guineau, together with The settling the article of the measure of weight ful, grand and sublime idea. This standard is Fabroni of Florence; and the calculations from founded on the basis of the circuit of the earth be the measures of Mechain and Delambre, and the ing the fourth part of the terrestrial meridian, con-management of the whole business, was under the tained between the equator and the north pole. The direction and conduct of a number of commissionten millioneth part of this quadrantal arc was adopters, several of whom were deputed from other naed to be the lineal measuring unit, which they called tians.*

metre, applying it equally to superficial and solid measures, taking for the unit of the former the

*For the remainder of this article we shall be in

aquare of the decuple; and for that of the latter the debted to Aikin's Chemical Dictionary.

The metre is equal to 36.9413 French inches,] which is equal to 39.38272 English inches, the standards of each being at the temperature of melt ing ice, or 32° Fahr. But as the standards in this: country [Great Britain] are always referred to the temperature of 60° or 62° (and the lattter is now preferred) the expulsion of brass-(which is the material of which the standards are made) from 32° to 62° must always be taken into account; for it is obvious that if the English standard is at 62o and the French at 32°, the latter will measure a less quantity of the former than if both were at 32°.The number 39.38272, therefore, which is the equi valent to the French metre when both are at 32°, must be diminished in the proportion in which brass expands 30 degrees, which is estimated by Dr. Soung, from Bordas' experiments, to make the equivalent of the metre to be 38.371 English inches, the standard of the metre being at 32°, and that of 5 the English inch at 62°.

2

3

4

6

8

Litre.

All the new French measures increase and de7 crease in decimal proportion, a distinctive prefix being put to the term by which the integer is called. These prefixes are Deca-, Hecto-, Kilo-, and Myria, (taken from the Greek numbers) to express the multiplication of the integer by 10,100,1000 and 10000 respectively; and Deci-, Centi—, Mili-, (from the Latin numbers) to express the division of the integer by 10,100, or 1000. Or according to the following scale, taking the metre as the integer.

Metre.

1 Myriametre = 10000 1 Metre =

Gramme

1= 15,444|1=

Avoirdupoise oz.

2 34.44|1= 3.2175=3-5279

Metre.

1.

108.108 | 7 For square dimensions, the metre, or its parts 8 123.552 8 squared, are employed. When used for measuring 9 138,996 9 23 9.969 28.9575 31.7511 land the term are is adopted, which is a decametre The decimal progression of all the French squared. A Hectare, or 100 Ares, are about equiva-weights and measures renders it only necessary to lent to 2 English Acres.

For the integer of the measure of capacity, both change the decimal point in order to convert one wet and dry, the decimetre cubed is employed, and and numerically the same, of a different denomina into the equivalent of any other, of the same species is called the Latre. It is more than a third larger tion. Thus, as 9 litres are equal to 15.5817 ale pints, than the old French Litron, and is equal to 2 1-8 9 hectolitres will be equal to 1558.17 ale pints; and English wine pints. so of the rest.

The cubic metre is also called Stere, but is only used for measuring fire wood, to be substituted for the old French Corde de Bois.

For the integer of the measure of weight, the weight of a cubic centimetre of distilled water at 320 has been adapted. This is called a Gramme, and is equivalent to 15 1-2 English grains.

Of these measures, the Metre, Litre and Gramme, are almost the only integers that the chemical read er will ever meet with; and certainly their unifor mity and exact ratio to each other, and decimal pro gression, render the comparison of them with our own measures, extremely easy.

The following are the correspondences between these and English measures.

The Metre 39.371 English inches. The Square Metre 1550.075641 English square inches.

The sqr. decimetre 15.50075 English sqr. inches. The Cubic Metre 61028.028 Eng. cub. in. 35 cubic feet 548.028 cube inches.

The Cabic Decimetre the same as the Litre. The Litre, equal to the bulk of a kilogramme of water 61.028 English cub. in.

The Gramme, or weight of a cubic centimetre of water-15.44402 Troy grains.

Presidential Nomination.

Twelfth Congress.

A meeting of the republican members of the legislature of New-York was held in the capital, at Albany, on the 29th inst. The whole number of business of minor importance republicans in the senate and assembly is 95, of whom 91 were present. Gen. James W. Wilkin of the senate, was unanimously called to the chair, and Alexander Sheldon, Esq. speaker of the house of assembly, appointed secretary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, May 29.-After the disposition of some

Mr. Randolph, after stating that he had a motion to make, commenced a speech involving generally the present state of our relations with France and Great Britain. When he had been speaking about an hour and an half, a question of order arose, and it was decided by the speaker that the gentleman ought, previous to debating so much at large, to submit his motion to the house.

After some desultory debate and decisions on points of order, Mr. Randolph submitted the following proposition: "That under present circumstances, it is inexpedient to resort to a war with Great Britain.”

A motion, that the meeting should proceed to nominate a candidate for the Presidency of the Unit ed States, was approved by 87 voices. It was then proposed that DE WITT CLINTON, Esq. should be supported for that office, and determined unani mously; after some debate, in which general Root was the only opponent, who retired before the ques tion was put. A grand committee, composed of one gentleman from each congressional district, was then appointed to promote the election of the candidate selected. After the meeting adjourned, this YEAS-Messrs. Baker, Basset, Bleecker, Boyd, Breckenridge, committee waited upon Mr. Clinton, and informed Brigham, Champion, Chittenden, Davenport, Ely, Emott, Fitch, him through their chairman of their proceedings, Goldsborough, Jackson, Key, Law, Lewis, Livingston, Macon, Milon which he said, "that he sensibly felt and dulynor, Mosely, Nelson, Pearson, Pithin, Randolph, Reed, Rodina, appreciated so distinguished a proof of their confi-Stanford, Stuart, Sturges, Sullivan, Taggar, Tallmadge, Tracey, dence."

This remarkable unanimity is well calculated to increase the high confidence already reposed in Mr. Clinton, in many parts of the union. Partaking i berally of the spirit and firmness of his illustrious relative, our late revered vice-president, with a high ly cultivated mind and polished manners, his pre tensions, supported by the state of New York, are truly respectable. He is said to possess those qualities, in a super-eminent degree, that distinguished his uncle in the exercise of his executive functions for so many years; and he would, in the opinion of those who know him best, fill the presidential seat with much honor to himself and benefit to his country. His character, for several years past, has stood very high in many parts of Maryland.

If, according to the line we have chalked out for ourselves, it were consistent to express a wish on the ensuing presidential election, we would say, (speaking of men as their conduct at present appears to merit, and wishing to prevent confusion and dis order in the ranks of the interest of which we as individuals form a part)—it were well, that De Wit Clinton had been nominated vice-president of the United States, with a view to his succeeding Mr. Madison at the end of four years, if so long the present power predominates-though we respect and reverence the old patriot Langdon, named for that place, by the meeting at Washington.

vice versa.

And the question being taken, that the house do now proceed to the consideration of the said resolution, it was decided in the negative.

White, Willianus, Wilson-37.

NAYS-Messrs. Alston, Anderson, Archer, Bard, Bartlett, Bibb, Blackledge, Brown, Butler, Calhoun, Cochran, Clopton, Condit,. Crawford, Davis, Dawson, Desha, Dinsmoore, Earle, Findley, Fisk, Gholson, Goodwyn, Green, Grundy, B. Hall, O. Hall, Harper, Hawes, Hyneman, Johnson, King, Lacock, Lefevre, Little, Kent, Lowndes, Lyle, Moore, McCoy, McKee, McKim, Metcalf, Mitchill, Morrow, New, Newton, Ormsby, Pickens, Piper, Pleasants, Pond Richardson, Ringgold, Rhea, Koane, Roberts, Sage, Sammons, Seaver, Sevier, Seybert, Shaw, G. Smith, J. Smith, Strong, Taha ferro, Troup, Turner, Whitehil!, Winn, Wright-72.

The usual hour of adjournment having arrived, the house adjourned to Monday.

Monday, June 2.-Mr. Newton presented the petition of certain Spaniards lately arrived from Teneriffe, stating the distressed situ ation of the inhabitants of that island, and praying permission to export provisions. Mr. N. stated that the petition itself contained contradictions; and that its statements were contradicted from other sources. The petition, &c. were ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Poindexter ofered the following resolutionates of America in congress assembled, That the legislature Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the Uni of the state of Georgia be, and they hereby are, requested to give their assent to the formation of two states in the Mississippi territory, provided, in the opinion of congress, a division of that territo ry may hereafter be deemed expedient.

Mr. P. said, that it would be recollected, that the senate had postponed the bill for the erection of the territory of Mississippi into a state. The basis of that decision was, that it was expedi eut to form two states out of that territory, which could not be done without the consent of the legislature of the state of Geor gia, which he therefore wished to obtain.

The resolution lies on the table.

The engrossed bill supplemental to the act for dividing the Indiana territory imo two separate governments, was read a third time and passed.

Mr. Quincey said, that by the provisions of certain laws now in existence, the consuls and vice consuls of the United States were authorised to send home vessels and seamen left destitute in foreign ports, and that masters of vessels were obliged to receive them at a certain price if it should not exceed ten dollars for each man,— It had been found, however, in certain cases, that the expense far It is probable that some who denounce the can exceeded that allowance; and, from certain expressions in the cus at Washington will approve that at Albany, and law, the former comptroller did decide that a sua greater than One nomination is just as legitimate as ten dollars per man might be allowed for such service, by the des partment of state. The course of proceeding in such cases, has the other; and the right of either meeting to select been regulated by that decision. A new comptroller, however, had and name a candidate will not be reasonably ques-given a different decision, and had considered that the law pres eluded the allowance of incre than ten dollars. This decision, tioned. Every attempt to excite animosities on which the comptroller had grounded on the positive expression of account of them, or either of them, should be the statute, although it might be correct, the secretory of state confceived would operate oppressively to the citizen. Under these cirzealously discountenanced, particularly such as are cumstances, he moved the following resolution: founded on geographical distinctions." If the coming state of things, a state yet untried since the organization of our government, is not calcu Jated to promote union, let our differences manifest we have one common object-the welfare of the republic, and the defeat of its foes.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire whether any alterations are requisite in the several acts relative to consuls and vice consul, and for the protection of American seamen, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise. The resolution was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Wright, the house resolved itself into a com mittee of the whole, Mr. Nelson in the chair, on the bill for the recovery, protection and indemnification or American seamen. After the bill was read through,

BUSHROD WASHINGTON, Esq, one of the judges Mr. Clay (the speaker) made a motion for the committee to of the supreme coart of the United States, has also rise. He objected to some of the provisions of the bill, though he been named as a suitable candidate for the presi-applauded and fully coincided in its object. He submitted to the gentleman from Maryland whether, as it was in contemplation to Itake a measure still more strong, and which would supersede the

dency.