The country cannot have forgotten the protection afforded to trade by these measures, so honourable to the nation-measures by which our flag was respected in every sea, and the skill and courage of our officers and seamen displayed in battle with the ships of France.

It was in consequence of these decisive acts, that an early communication was made to our government, of the desire of France to return to the relations of peace and to the authority of publick law, and the convention, which was soon after concluded by our government, with the person who now sways the sceptre of France, accomplished those important objects.

Had our rulers, after the promulgation of the decree of Berlin, followed the example of their predecessors, the English orders would not have been issued, nor should we now have to deplore the distress. that afflicts the country.

If, then, these evils might have been avoided, by imitating the example of 1798, may they not yet be removed, by retracing the erroneous steps which have been taken, and by adopting now those measures which then proved efficacious?

To this end, let Congress repeal the embargo, annul the convention with France, forbid all commercial intercourse with the French dominions, arm our publick and private ships, and unfurl the republican banner against the imperial standard.

This done, the English orders would cease to operate, we should hear no more of the unparalleled folly of contending, at the same time, with all the great powers of Europe-our trade to every region of the globe, except France and her dependencies, would again recover and flourish-our agriculture would feel the influence of the emancipation of trade, and hand in hand with general prosperity, the revenue of the nation would once more exceed its expendi

ture.

Therefore Resolved, That it is inexpedient for this house to adopt and pass the resolutions proposed. By order of the committee,

C. GORE.

REPORT

Of a Committee of the House of Representatives,

RESPECTING CERTAIN MILITARY ORDERS ISSUED BY HIS HONOUR LEVI LINCOLN, LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOUR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSA 1 CHUSETTS.

THE committee appointed "to inquire what military orders have been issued by His Honour the lieutenant governour of this commonwealth', or by the adjutant general, for the purpose of calling on the militia of this commonwealth to enforce the embargo laws, and the manner in which such orders have been issued and executed," with orders" to proceed on said business, and report on the subject at large to this house as soon as possible," have attended to that service, and ask leave to report

That on the first day of February instant, military orders were issued though the adjutant general's.office, by His Honour Levi Lincoln, lieutenant governour and commander in chief of this commonwealth; a copy of which orders accompanies this report.

They find by the statement of the adjutant general, that these orders were directed and sent to the following officers severally, viz. Thomas Badger, lieutenant colonel commandant; Charles Turner, lieu

tenant colonel; Ebenezer Lothrop, brigadier general; David Nye, lieutenant colonel; Baker Loring, Ebenezer Bowditch and Thomas Williams, captains; James Brickett, major general; Charles Bean, Simon Nowell and Moses Bradbury, captains; James Merrill and Charles Thomas, lieutenant colonels; Joshua Danforth, captain; Samuel Reed, lieutenant colonel; and John Cooper, brigadier general: with the exception that the following words were not inserted in the order sent to Colonel Badger; which the adjutant general states to have been omitted by mistake, viz. "Recollecting that in the happy government established by the American people, the character of the citizen is not lost in that of the soldier, and that coolness, firmness, prompt obedience, and a sacred regard to the rights of society and individuals are essential to both; you will duly appreciate this opportunity of serving your country, and of even increasing the confidence she has placed in you."

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Your committee find that the officers above named were designated and appointed as "the militia officers" near several ports of entry within this commonwealth," to whom the collector of the district is to apply, if it shall be necessary, to accomplish" the purposes of the national government," as "specified" in the orders. They are required to "be prepared and hold themselves in readiness with those under their command, armed and equipped, at the call of the collector, and subject to his discretion, to aid him with their whole force, or such part thereof as may be sufficient to enable him within his district to discharge his duties, prevent disorders and oppoșition to the authority of government, and carry the aforesaid laws into execution;" and to "make correct muster and pay rolls of such militia as shall be employed in actual service, and transmit the same to the war department of the United States."

The places of abode of the officers, and the ports of entry comprised within their several commands,

I

are stated in a schedule from the adjutant general's office, accompanying this report.

Your committee find, according to the statement of the adjutant general, that an officer has not been appointed" in or near to each port of entry within. this state." No officer has been appointed, according to his statement, whose command appears to extend to either of the ports of Castine, Frenchman's Bay, Nantucket, Dighton or Gloucester; unless the name of Gloucester ought to be added in the schedule to the names of Newburyport and Ipswich, opposite the name of General James Brickett, of Haverhill; which the adjutant general "believes" ought to be the case, and which he says was accidentally omitted.

It will be seen by the said schedule, that Machias, Passamaquoddy, and Moose Island, were all placed opposite the name of brigadier general John Cooper, of Machias. By the same document it appears that the number of infantry, rank and file, of the entire command of the general and field officers afore named, amounts to fifteen thousand two hundred and sixty nine. The adjutant general does not state whether there are troops of any other description under their command. Your committee could not ascertain the number of men under the command of the seven captains, thus appointed, because the returns of companies never appear in the adjutant general's office.

Contrary to military custom and the uniform usage in this commonwealth, the orders to the brigadier generals, lieutenant colonels and captains were sent directly to them respectively, without passing through the hands of their superiour officers, and without consulting them, or giving them any notice of the same.

The adjutant general informed your committee, that he had seen a letter from the secretary at war to His Honour the lieutenant governour, upon the subject of these appointments, but that he had no copy of the same; and that he believed it had always been

the practice with other governours of this commonwealth, to retain any communications to them from the secretary at war of the United States.

Your committee did not think it expedient to apply to His Honour for any communications which he might have received from the president or the secretary at war.

Your committee, under the injunction to report as soon as possible, have confined their inquiries respecting the manner in which the orders of His Honour have been executed, to the district of Boston and Charlestown. They find that Colonel Badger received the orders of the commander in chief on the second or third of February instant; that by an order dated the seventh instant, he directed the commissioned officers under his command, to meet on the following evening on military business; that the of ficers having accordingly convened, the orders of the commander in chief were read to them, and they wère required to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning with the men under their respective commands,, for the purpose of enforcing the embargo laws, agreeable to the said orders.

Your committee find some of the officers so convened, belonged to a detachment consisting of five companies, with a suitable proportion of officers, which had lately been detached from said Colonel Badger's command, and put under the command of Colonel Barnes, of Roxbury; and that they form a part of the one hundred thousand men lately drafted for the service of the United States. Application was made to Colonel Badger, by some of his officers, at the time of said meeting, and afterwards, for a copy of said orders, but they could not obtain them. Application was also made to the adjutant general for a copy of the orders, but without success. It was stated to your committee, both by the adjutant general and Colonel Badger, that doubts have been entertained respecting the authority of the naval offi