Poland-the diet of 152; em- 142 420 Pollard, Robert, dies 425 16 80 370 Robertson, William Davis, one 16; Amer. commerce with St. 281 Post offices, number of in the 421 Public lands,see congress; debts ૨ 66 210 S. 421 47 Sardinia 77; naval and military 141, 201, 323, 381, 396; allied Silk, sewing, domestic Army, vot of thanks to 62; state of the King-the answer of the pope to him 21; 395 Porlier 14; priests 15; population classed Tariff, the new 395, 406, 425; tobacco Specie, arrivals of &c. 128, 256; 209 Vaccination, efficacy of 382 Teachman, Nicholas specting the new bank and 421 396; tythes, opinion of Valentia 381; Valdez, admiral 395 United States, claims against 351, 417 abundant 370 Squash, East India 352 Squirrels-many killed 143 St. Helena, the establishment at 109 Steam boat-William Penn 280 Thomas, William, dies 79, 432 Storms on the lakes 152 115 Toleration, religious Supreme court of the U. S. in 366 Tamahamaha, dies Taylor, John, of Caroline 5; 345 367 225 263 Venezuela-proceedings and ge- W. 67 Waggon load of flour! 342 264 142, 328, 336 Washington, Canova's statue, 400 Tonnage of the U. States 130, 318 128 city population of 326 19 reported free ports in 46 Whale fishery 212 White, bishop 225 Wild cat, killed 367 Williamson's machine for roast- Winter, early Woollen factory, McClure's 128 99 Y. 421 Young, William Y. dies 190 NEW SERIES. NO. 1-VOL. VII.] BALTIMORE, SEPT. 2, 1820. [No. 1-VOL. XIX. WHOLE No. 469 THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOH THE FUTURE. EDITED AN1, PUBLISHED BY H. XILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, $59 Sets will be sent at the risk of the editor, to any of the principal sea-ports of the United States, and also to many places in the interior-the money therefor being paid. By a reference to the 13th vol. of the REGISTER, If desired bound, add 75 cents per vol. for the 18 page 29, it will be seen that when this ship was volumes published, and for binding the general in-hauled up, we published a copy of a letter from dex-$14.25. com. Rodgers to the secretary of the navy, dated 28th July, 1808, in which that gallant officer stated that the bomb ketch Vesuvius was yesterday hove up on ways, "and in which he also estimated that, "on permanently constructed ways, a 74 might be drawn up for four or not exceeding five thousand EXPATRIATION. A late London paper says "On dollars," &c. Since then the Adams frigate, with the 2d of July a question was to be argued in the the brigs Enterprize and Vixen, have been hauled courts of Paris, whether a French subject, by set-up and repaired; and so well are the commissioners tling in Great Britain, and there procuring from of the navy satisfied of the success and utility of the government letters of naturalization, could af- this invention, that "a model of a plan for hauling terwards in France claim his citizenship as a French up ships of the line, has, for some time past, been subject." preparing, with a view to recommend its adoption" It is a most singular circumstance that, while in preference to docks, or any other known means every government which we know of exercises the of repairing ships; and this preference is given power to naturalize foreigners, that so few, not one both on the grounds of convenience and economy." that we recollect at present, has fired provisions by It is stated that fourteen hundred men were rewhich a citizen or subject may expatriate himself. quired to haul up the Kent-yet, that, by the conThough the British, for instance, naturalize foreign-trivance of com. Rodgers, one hundred and fifty, ers, and from the simple fact of serving two years it is believed, can haul up the largest ship in the as British seamen convert foreigners into subjects, world. What mighty power and great ingenuity yet the British laws declare that none of their sub-must there be in the tackle--when we recollect it jects can throw off their allegiance. Still, in many is supposed that the timber growing on fifty acres of cases, respect has been paid to acts of other nations well-timbered land, is required to build one of by which native born Englishmen were naturalized. these vessels, besides the enormous weight of iron Witness the persons seized and held as traitors to and other materials employed! the king of England during the late war with the United States, who were released; and even in the United States, it has been pronounced, by high authority, "once a citizen always a citizen"-though the common practice of our courts has been to admit the right of any one to change his country at pleasure, without a statute on the case! That every freeman has a right to alter his domicil and transfer his allegiance, cannot be doubted by any, Of the fifty six illustrious men who signed the deexcept those who regard men as cattle-as the pro-claration of independence, forty four years ago, four perty of certain other men called kings, princes, remain to witness and enjoy the fruits of their mag&c. but some forms should be observed by which nanimous determination to possess the rights of its exercise should be legally ascertained. In the self government. When we reflect that the perpresent state of things, a person may claim the pro- sons elected for members of the old congress, were tection of two countries or more. A native English- persons of mature age and eminent for their expeman, who has resided in the United States from the rience, wisdom and virtue, it is a subject for gratitime that he was a year old, we presume may, with- tude and congratulation, that some yet remain to out any ceremony whatever, return to his native bless the nation with their presence, with strong faland, and there become a subject, to all intents culties to point the path which leads to the public and purposes; and many of our citizens recently en- good. gaged in service under the patriot flags of the South, But, perhaps, the whole history of revolutions afmay claim to belong to either North or South Ameri-fords no example of such steady perseverance and ca, as convenience serves. These things ought not to be-they are productive of hostile feelings and political frauds, which should be avoided, and the matter be so regulated that the fact can be clearly deVOL. XIX.- -1. AMERICAN WORTHIES. We have to correct an error respecting the age of Mr. Jefferson as stated in the last volume, in the number of the 19th of August, page 447. We are informed on the best authority, that Mr. Jefferson was born on the 2d of April 1743, and consequently was 77 years old in April last, instead of 73. unshaken constancy, as the sages and heroes of our own presents for admiration. Of the lifty six who signed the declaration, we have never heard that any one became a reprobate, though they passed. through times, which, indeed, "tried men's souls:" of fighting them! Neither of these distinguished nor in the army was there any one of considerable men were of doubted courage-the latter especialrank, Arnold excepted, who turned traitor to the ly, was brave even to temerity; yet he wanted firmcause of his country, notwithstanding the powerfulness enough to yield to the voice of reason, and temptations offered to sin, and the artful means afford an example which he must have known exerted to disengage them from their devotion to would have been very b, neficial in arresting a prothe new-born republic. We think that in a consi-cedure, which, in general, can be productive only deration of these facts, we may discover something of mischief. When will mankind become truly ho honorable to human nature, and it is our pride nest, and do what they believe to be right? Is "tythat this singular honor belongs to America. It rant custom" forever to master the intelligent thay further be observed, that those who have de- mind? parted descended tenderly loved to the grave, and that those who survive are reverenced as fathers of the people; between whom and them the most happy and pleasing intercourse exists. We fasten our eyes upon them and hang upon their words, as if they were of a superior order of beings: yet they do not receive that sort of homage which kings exact and the people of king-governed countries be-same as the javelin, with which Achilles, Hector stow-it is the homage of virtue, to virtue, freely given and affectionately received on principles of political equality, for services rendered or attentions paid; honorable alike to both parties to it. As it is appointed to all men to die, we cannot hope many years longer to be blessed with the presence of any of those who acted in the revolution -yet we pray, that the day of their departure may be as distant as their desire is to remain-and, when it shall please HIM who raised them up for the great work of giving birth to a nation, to take them to Himself-that they may be blessed, and leave the world triumphant-without one wish ungratified! While on the subject of duelling, the following anecdote, (an old story, 'tis true, but it is a very good one), presented itself, by which one of our countrymen may have saved his life by his wit and courage. And why should not a person elect a harpoon as well as a pistol, for his weapon?-there is the plea of antiquity in favor of it-it is nearly the and Alexander fought;-one party to a duel may be as ignorant of a skilful use of the latter as the other can be of the former; and, in things of this sort, it is pretended that the combattants are to meet on equal grounds. The story is as follows: "Some years since, captain Smith, of the brig of Newburyport, who had been on many a whaling voyage, being inSurrinam, was playing billiards with some other American captains at a public house, when some English officers in full'uniform came to the house and claimed the table. A British captain of regulars informed captain Smith, that the Americans must give up the table immediately; which being refused rather uncivilly, the Briton challenged Smith to fight him next morning PUBLIC SPIRIT. It has been my practice far seve- at 3 o'clock; offering him at the same time his ral weeks past, to walk upon one of our turnpike choice of weapons, which was immediately agreed roads, and, for about two weeks, I noticed a very to by the Yankee. Smith then went on board his large stone lying in what is called the "summer brig, and informed his mate that he had to fight a road," which I wished to remove, but my strength duel next morning, ordering him at the same time was not sufficient to do it. It remained there as per to grind the harpoon, and make it sharp: next mornmanent, to the great annoyance of all who passing Smith appeared at the place appointed, accomed that way in carriages. But one day as I was panied by his mate, carrying the harpoon, and sevepassing it, I saw a stout negro fellow, whose cartral American captains; where they found the Eng. was beyond it as to the course which he was going,lishman and his second, with a crowd of spectators. tugging at it, and he finally succeeded in putting it Smith seeing the Englishman armed with sword and out of the way, saying to himself loud enough to pistols, abruptly told him that his weapon was a be heard by me, as he laid it down, "now you can't harpoon and his distance eight paces. He then upset any body!" Pleased with the incident, I ask-stepped back to his place, and seizing the harpoon, ed the man if he often travelled that road? "No, told his antagonist to defend himself, at the same sir," said he. "Why, then, did you take so much trouble to remove that large stone?" "Because, sir," returned he, "it might have upset some one in the night!" I then left him, reflecting that if all our politicians had a full portion of the same public spirit, and all our self-righteous persons as much of a desire to do good to their fellow men as this poor negro exhibited-we should have a very different time of it! time raising his harpoon over his shoulder, in the act of throwing, and ordering his mate to "stand by to haul the fellow in." The Englishman's second seeing the destruction of his principal certain, called to Smith to hold, and thus ended the duel." SPAIN. We are exceedingly interested with the events happening in Spain. They bear a charac. ter, thus far, which is honorable to man and fearful to tyrants. A mighty revolution—a radical change DUELLING. A merchant of Boston has lately had in the government, civil and religious, has been courage enough to refuse to fight a duel. It is pub-effected by the mere formation of a rallying point lic opinion that must bear him out in rejecting this to centre public opinion. The most gloomy mobarbarous mode of deciding controversies-yet we narchy in Europe, and the most abominable priestfear that, even in that sober town, he has not been hood which disgraced humanity, have sunk into supported as he deserves to be. We are wonder-nothing, or rather been divested of their giant inifully constituted-our words and actions are too quities, without striking a blow! The people have often at variance with the dictates of the heart; a bounded from the dungeon to the mountain--for vulgar prejudice, on many subjects, triumphs over the foul air of despotism they breathe that of liber. the convictions of reason and the laws of God. Wety--they have "shaken their locks," and from a are hypocrites, and indirectly advocate what con- night of terror, awakened to the beams of a meriscience condemns, if we do not directly counte-dian sun. All without bustle, confusion or blood nance it. The greatest men are not exempt from shed, save that of a dozen or two fanatics who this singular state of mind-Hamilton and Decatur "loved darkness because their deeds were evil." both died in duels, protesting against the practice | This revolution is of its own kind, and shews a degree of intelligence in the Spanish nation which causes | inaccurate and are disposed to lament that ano. us to wonder that the people so long groaned un- ther blow should thus have been aimed at the rights der their king and priests-so long permitted the of the states. Perhaps it may be said, that the law exercise of powers at open hostility with all that is made by the representatives of the nation, who belonged to their rights as men, or privileges as have the unquestionable power "to exercise exclu Christian professors. Yet we have more to regard sive legislation in all cases whatsoever" over the the moderation of their movements and proceed-10 miles square-and as the law thus proceeds ings-all Spain has been made mad with enthusiasm from the nation, it has a right to operate uncontrolby the meeting of the cortes and the oath of the led throughout the nation. But here is a plain disking to support the constitution; yet nothing has tinction. The powers of congress over the district occurred to tarnish the triumph of freedom. Their are certainly of an anomalous character. Though wildest rejoicings have had a method and forbear- they are elected by the nation, their powers are loance in them, which must command the respect of cal, while they legislate for the local property and the bitterest enemies of liberty. They appear as interests of the district. They are in fact, quoad hoc if new born, and even the king, the wretched thing a local legislature-though they were orginally Ferdinand, as he always appeared to be-a dolt elected by the nation at large. Suppose, as The and an ideot, has revived, and, seemingly, is as Federalist anticipates; that "a municipal legislature zealous as any one to regenerate Spain by whole- for local purposes, derived from their own sufsome laws! The press is free-the dungeons are frages (of the citizens inhabiting the district), will opened-schools established—all sects tolerated-the of course be allowed them"-And suppose, this inquisition abolished, and the king himself proud to be municipal legislature had authorised this canal lotcalled the "first soldier of the nation!" Hymns to litery, would it be fair to contend that its tickets berty succeed the dull monotonous whinings of canting priests, and splendid civil processions occupy the space hitherto allowed to others of a description which we know not of a phrase to express our abhorrence of-parades of images and relicts, and called "holy!" We can hardly believe in the change -yet it is so; and, as friends to the human race, ardently devoted to the cause of liberty in every country, we humbly pray that this work may pros per, and its good fruits be for the benefit of all the neighboring nations, as well as regenerated Spain. might be sold any where in the states without their ntervention? And yet where is the real difference between the cases? Take too another case: suppose Virginia wished to impose a tax upon foreign bank notes, would any one say that the district banks were "national banks," and that, therefore, their notes might circulate through the states at pleasure? "We throw out these hints for consideration. We are afraid, that in these times too little attention is paid to state rights; for it is fashionable with many even to scout them-We are not disposed to chime in with these doctrines, but on the contrary to "snuff the approach of violation in every tainted breeze."-To think of raising the lever on the disfranchised 10 miles square to batter down the rights of the states, is out of the question.” PREPARATION OF COFFEE. Our ingenious fellow townsman, Mr. P. Williamson of Baltimore, having furnished the public with a coffee roaster, already in very extensive use among us and universally approved, as a great saving of fuel, time and fatigue, as well as for enabling us clearly to ascertain when Since the preceding was prepared for the the coffee is properly done-has turned his atten- REGISTER, we have received a copy of the "opition to a subject even yet more important (the in- nion" above alluded to--to which was added a formation concerning which he intends to convey transcript of the act to authorise the canal lottery, to the public for the benefit of those who use his the drawing of which is speedily to commence. roasters), that, by the use of his machine, the whole The "opinion" was given in respect to the lotteessential properties of coffee may be so far trans-ry now drawing at Washington. There is a litferred to an equal quantity of ure, that it is nearly tle difference in the manner of getting up these impossible, if not utterly impossible, for the nicest lotteries, but their essential parts are the same.judges to discern the shadow of a difference. We We publish these articles at present without comexpect to make a trial of his process, and to pub-ment, except to express our belief that the supreme lish the result next week. court of the United States, if consistent with its own doctrines about the bank, will certainly sancANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL POINT. The "Rich-tion those maintained in the opinion. mond Enquirer" has an article on a subject which we have heard frequently mentioned-whether tickets of the "national lottery,” as it is called, to be drawn at Washington, for the purpose of making some local improvement within the district, can be sold in those states which have laws prohibiting the sale of foreign lottery tickets? We have heard of the opinion of a number of the most eminent law. yers in the United States in the affirmative-but are now told that some eminent lawyers of Virginia, are in the negative. We wish that the practice of granting schemes to tempt the people to gamble, was entirely done away. OPINION. By the constitution of the United States, power is given to congress "to exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatever, over such district, (not exceeding ten miles square), as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the government of the United States." This clause was, no doubt, inserted in the constitution from the indispensable necessity which was felt to exist, that the national government should have entire authority in the place where it was to be located. It was a government established for national purposes, and it was fit and proper that the The editor of the Enquirer, after noticing the law of Virginia, to prevent the sale of foreign lotte-national legislature, and the members of it, should ry tickets, &c. says "We state these facts for consideration. It were very much to be wished, that the opinion in favor of this "national” lottery, as it is called, could be laid before the public. We wish very much to see it. But, as at present advised, we think the opinion be entirely free from and unmolested by the authority or power of any state legislature. By an act of congress, power is given to the corporation of the City of Washington to authorize the drawing of lotteries for effecting any important Im provement in the city, which the ordinary funds out is. led |