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of his Envoys, be it what it might, how could he be certain that the sovereign people of that country would be so ready to fraternize with him. The poor sovereign people, with their thirty millions of dollars, seem not to have made a single unit in his calculations. We can assure him, however, that this sovereign people is not such a senseless dolt as he may imagine, and that it will require something more solid than the frippery and froth of Citizen la Fayette to outweigh the advantages which the Americans know they derive from the friendship of England. Should we be deceived, however; should the people of America be foolish enough to listen to the suggestions of their and our enemies, we know the worst that can happen. Ten stout ships, added to our squadron at Halifax, would, in the course of three months, bring the sixteen United States to our feet, or send them to seek for new constitutions in the pigeon-holes of the Abbé Sieyes. We wish most sincerely to live in peace and amity with America; but we know her disposition too well to hope by concessions to preserve her friendship: and we have too intimate a knowledge of her resources to deprecate her anger, or dread her hostility.

PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS,

During the Session which ended in March, 1801.

The Legislature of Pennsylvania continued, on the 25th of November, to dispute about the mode of choosing electors; and as the electors must hold their election in the first week in December, it is probable that the next President and Vice-President will be chosen without any vote being given by Pennsylvania;

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Pennsylvania; thus, in the most important election which can possibly be held in America, one sixth part of its "free and enlightened citizens" will be tricked out of their " imprescriptible, unalienable and inestimable rights !"-And this is called "representative government," or self-government," and sometimes" republican government." For our parts, we most heartily wish that the Pennsylvanians may be tricked out of their votes, because we think that the trick will preserve America from the fraternal embraces of Jefferson and Bonaparte; but we are not sure that the remedy will not prove too violent for the body politic of America, which, to make use of the words of the French Ambassador Fauchet, is in a state of "youthful decrepitude," of anticipated old age. We hope, however, for the best; and in all the changes which folly and faction may produce, the mass of the people of the United States will invariably have our good wishes.

On the 21st of November the President opened the Congress at the city of Washington. His speech was written more for the use of the people of this country than for the people of America: accordingly not a moment was lost in having it reprinted in the Morning Chronicle. But this speech stands in need of a commentary, which the Chronicle was not, we suppose, instructed to give; an omission which we shall endeavour to supply.

SPEECH.

"Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

"Immediately after the adjournment of Congress, at their last session in Philadelphia, I gave directions, in compliance with the laws, for the removal of the public offices, records, and property. These directions have been executed, and the public officers have since resided and conducted the ordinary business of the Government in this place.

congratulate the people of the United States on the assembling of Congress at the permanent seat of their Go

vernment

vernment, and I congratulate you, Gentlemen, on the prospect of a residence not to be changed. Although there is cause to apprehend that accommodations are not now so complete as might be wished, ye there is great reason to believe that this inconve nience will cease with the present session."

If the accommodations for two hundred persons are not so complete as could be wished, what a famous city must this be? We beg our readers to recollect the puff which a morning paper contained, a few days ago, on this subject. The fact is, this city is a mere ragged wilderness, in which more money has been sunk than the whole district, for twenty miles round, would sell for. But the speculators want to draw another half million from the pockets of John Bull, and, while the noble art of printing shall flourish, there will never be wanting prostituted newspapers to aid them in the swindling enterprize. We verily believe, that, with fifty guineas, fifty English newspapers might be led to discover Elysian Fields in the deserts of Siberia; and, with twice the sum, we think it possible to obtain, from the same papers, an eulogium on Lucifer.

"It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble, for the first time, in this solemn Temple, without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and imploring his blessing. May this territory be the residence of virtue and happiness. In this city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-government, which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be for ever beld in veneration. Here, and throughout our country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion, flourish for ever."

We do not see with what propriety the "Capital of Washington city is called a "solemn temple" nor do we much admire the exhortation to implore the blessing of "the Supreme Ruler of the Universe," which, on such an occasion, and from such a person, savours more of cant than of piety.

VOL. XII.

R

piety. The eulogium on Washington would have had the air of sincerity, did we not recollect that Mr. Hamilton has publicly declared, that Adams reproved the Secretary at War for praising General Washington, and he even made this offence a ground for displacing the said Secretary. But, it is said, this arose from Mr. Adams's admiration of the General, and from his desire to monopolize the pleasure of praising him! him! This may be, and we hope that we shall never be so graceless as to interfere in the monopoly.

"It is with you, Gentlemen, to consider whether the local powers over the district of Columbia, vested by the constitution in the Congress of the United States, shall be immediately exercised. If in your opinion this important trust ought now to be executed, you cannot fail, while performing it, to take into view the future probable situation of the territory, for the happiness of which you are bound to provide. You will consider it as the capital of a great nation, advancing with unexampled rapidity in arts, in commerce, in wealth, and in population; and possessing within itself those energies and resources, which, if not thrown away, or lamentably misdirected, secure to it a long course of prosperity and self-government." Reader, do you know what this " know what this "local power' is? It is this: the Congress is authorized, by the constitution, to exercise exclusive jurisdiction, in all cases whatever, over that district (not exceeding ten miles square) which is the seat of government. Thus, has this government, at last, got some territory to rule over. Its subjects may probably amount to about seven hundred, exclusive of the inhabitants of the little town of Columbia. There will now be eighteen different sorts of local governments; eighteen distinct sets of statutes for the government of one nation. It will not, it cannot come to good.

"In compliance with a law of the last session of Congress, the officers and soldiers of the temporary army have been dis charged. It affords real pleasure to recollect the honourable

testimony

testimony they gave of the patriotic motives which brought them into the service of their country, by the readiness and regularity with which they returned to the station of private citizens."

Three fourths of these soldiers were Irishmen. Shame! shame! to talk of patriotic motives! It is well known, that, when they were disbanded, they did not amount to above half the number that. they should have amounted to; and it is also well known, that one of the reasons (given by a member of Congress) for the officers' entering the service, was, to save themselves from being arrested for debt! And these are "patriotic motives!" There is not a man in America, not even a black fellow, who has not laughed at this part of the speech; but John Bull will think it wondrous fine; and his ANNUAL HISTORIANS will not fail to receive it

as information of the first authority.-Go, go thy ways, John; thou art as honest a gull as any in Christendom.

"It is, in every point of view, of such primary importance to carry the laws into prompt and faithful execution, and to render that part of the administration of justice, which the constitution and laws devolve on the federal courts, as convenient to the people, as may consist with their present circumstances, that I cannot omit once more to recommend to your serious consideration the judiciary system of the United States. No subject is more interesting than this to the public happiness, and to none can those improvements, which may have been suggested by experience, be more beneficially applied."

Especially with such judges as you have; while such men as Chase, Redman, Turner, Brackenridge, Shippen, Brammion, Brammon, and M'Kean, sit upon the bench of justice, you may rest assured of a "faithful execution" of the laws. A few anecdotes of these seven judges would make our readers stare: but we have not room for them at present.

"A treaty of amity and commerce with the King of Prussia has been concluded and ratified. The ratifications have been exchanged, and I have directed the treaty to be promulgated by proclamation."

R 2,

Ah!

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