that of the prisoner Mr. W. Wickham and Mr. James Riddle, who, at the request of the court, assisted in the defence. Russian Finance Report.. St. Petersburg, April 9, 1819. Black, a witness on the part of the prosecution, Report of M. de Gourieff, first minister of finance of his imperial majesty, the emperor of Russia, pronounced in the council of public credit, at the opening of its annual session, by virtue of the imperial manifesto of the 7th May, 1817. and who had been first lieutenant on board the Irresistible, stated that the captain of the Superior came on board the privateer, the captain of which (Ferguson) knew him to be an American captain (an acquaintance of F's at Baltimore); that the American captain told F. he had Spanish passengers and property on board his schooner; and that F. then gave instructions to his boarding crew, to respect the American property, but to bring with them all the valuables they could find on board belonging to the Spanish passengers--Black stated that he was told by F. that this captain was an American captain; and says that he himself saw the American register. Gentlemen-The duties with which you have been charged by the law of the 7th May, 1817, call you success. The heads of the several bank establishments, will render a detailed account of their proceedings The counsel for the prisoner asked if he knew and I will confine my self to lay before you the gewhich will shew you the advance of their credit, the register to be a genuine one-to which he re-neral view of the steps that have been taken, and of plied he did not. their results. And first, of the commission of the sinking fund. to the debts of the empire, however contracted. This bureau has, in the last year, received sixty millions (three millions sterling from the imperial treasury) for particular destinations. They then moved the court to instruct the jury, 1st, that to prove her to be an American vessel, it was necessary that her register, or an authentica-tain the credit of the state, by a careful attention ted copy of it, should be produced in court; 2dly, that the capture of Spanish property in an American vessel, was not piracy under the act of congress. The chief justice observed, he had little doubt such a capture was an act of piracy in the eye of the law, and as to the other point, he should sus- dated, in great part, by the year 1823, that due to Many engagements of short terms will be liquipend his opinion. But, if the jury should be in-Holland not included; the funds employed for these clined to think, that the Superior was an American vessel, he recommended it to them to bring in a special verdict, reserving the question whether she could be proved to be American property without the production of her register, or a copy under seal And that they might also reserve the point as to the Spanish property found on board of her. The jury retired, and brought in a verdict of not guilty. The U. States' attorney then stated to the court, that he had no further business for a jury, and they were accordingly discharged-the witnesses recognized to appear at the next term of the court in November next. payments, will then be applicable to increase those In the report of the commission, you will find the exact amount of all the debts of the state, both for short terms, and on perpetual annuities. The second and most important portion of the public debt, is equally attended to for its order and regulation. The assignats were at first a bank paper cred'; they became afterwards a paper money of the state, and by their gradual depreciation (through The other cases under the 3d indictment will lation, and endangered, at some time, both the pub an issue to great excess,) they embarrassed cireulie over until the prosecution can obtain the regis-lic fortune and individual property. They are, ter, and other evidence, as to the fact of American ownership. The point growing out of the act of congress of 1819, and reserved in the several special verdicts, will probably be adjourned to the supreme court at Washington. In the case of Thomas Watson, a nole pros has been entered up by the attorney. The other prisoners will probably remain “in jail until the winter, to await their fate. however at this time, converting, through our loans, into funded stock, or capitals bearing interest. has left to every one the perfect liberty to avail In taking this important step, the government himself of the advantages which it offers; no one suf fers any constraint, for the free disposition of al pr’vate property, and its inviolability, are the first se curities of all credit. The loan of 1817 was a happy experiment only. The novelty of the measure did not admit the capitalists, who are always wary and circumspect, to enWe have taken some little pains to report ter into it so extensively as was necessary; it neverthese cases to the public. The scenes of outrages theless contributed, together with a large exporta. on the high seas which they develope, belong to tion of our products at a high value, to draw into the history of the times. Such scenes ought to be the empire a large portion of the precious metals, understood. To repress them, should be the wish which assisted the improvement the government of every American, who values his country, her had in view; although, at the moment, there suc character and her laws. We owe it to the civilized denly appeared, through some peculiar circumworld to arrest such lawless outrages, perpetrated stance, a larger demand for metallic money in the by vessels and by crews who have their equipment interior than the circulation of commerce could and their sanctuary in our own ports. If the law supply. Government then determined on a second be so weak that pirates can escape through its loan, in June last, fixed at 85 for a six per cent anmeshes, let us strengthen it. Let congress do their nuity, instead of 82 1-2, the rate of the preceding duty, and not leave it to judges and juries to do it year. In November 47 millions had been inscribed; for them. If the law then be undefined in its pro-when at this time, circumstances foreign to our af visions, let them give clearer and more practical fairs, checked the means and inclination of foreign definitions. capitalists to make further investments. Many, Enquirer. THE LOAN DANK however, had sent here ingots of gold and silver to this permission has been already granted to Mos be coined, and exchanged for assignats to be paid cow, as centre of the commerce of the interior of into the inscription for the loan; and in the month the empire.} of September last the quantity of these deposites was so large, that notwithstanding the great activi-is not yet completely organized. It has received ty of the mint, it was obliged to deliver a fifth part in the last year deposites of 45,000,000. only of the amount brought in, with receipts from month to month for the remainder, as fast as the quantities could be struck into coin. THE BANK OF ASSIGNATS. The principal employment of this establishment, in its present state, is to exchange new assignals. The commission will now present to you more for those which, through long wear, cannot continue than eighty millions (four millions sterling) of assig-in circulation; or to exchange large or small notes, nats, withdrawn from circulation, and paid into the as is required, or to deliver copper money. royal treasury on the loan of perpetual annuities, to be cancelled and burned. The value of all the circulating property of Russia is still represented by the assignats of this, na tional bank. The sacrifices which the government is making to restore their original value, would be fruitless, if we were not well convinced that no new emissions are made, and that proper precautions These are nearly the principal operations of the commission of the sinking fund. The effects they have produced, fulfil all the expectations formed of them, and effect all the purposes designed. The system of loans on perpetual annuities, the intro-are taken against forgeries of this paper. duction of which into Russia, had appeared, to many dfficult to effect, is already, in a degree, nationalized among ourselves; while at the same time our stock debentures circulate freely all through Europe, and maintain a general credit, an inappreciable advan>tage, which delivers us forever from the necessity of having recourse to the further emissions of paper money! These two conditions, so indispensable to the credit of our assignats, are the charge and care of this bank. We have already withdrawn 118 millions of paper roubles, and the imperial mint has issued in 1817 and 1818, about 43 millions of gold and silver roubles, (about two millions sterling only) a quantity which had not been coined in ten years at any time from 1762 to 1810. The report of this establishment, and the inspection of its books, will convince you, gentlemen, that the law which forbids any new creation of assignats is strictly observed. The appearance of some forged assignats, though few in number, has drawn the attention and solici tude of government. It must be confessed that the fabrication of our paper money, has not kept pace with the improvement in the mechanical arts, and that it had allowed too great facility for counterfei ing. It has been found necessary to form a new esIf an extraordinary exportation of all our produc-tablishment, which is providing notes of a new form, tions in 1817, caused an influx of the precious me- which will be ready on the 1st July next, and will tals, though the same cause did not exist in the afford new facilities for circulation. last year, the subscriptions of foreigners to the Such, gentlemen, is the state of our establishments loan made up this deficiency. The sudden influx of of public credit. In 18 months, the sinking fund specie, has satisfied the demand which some local has withdrawn 118 millions of assignats Our sysand temporary circumstances has caused for coin.tem of crédit enjoys a general confidence. This demand is already sensibly diminished," and that for assignats, or state paper roubles, has incrcased; and thus have vanished all the debts that had arisen, on the progressive improvement of the value of our paper. The bank of commerce has transacted operations of 357 millions of roubles in discount, and very considerable capitals have been deposited in the loan bank. These satisfactory results demonstrate, with the Without dwelling longer on this subject; I shall fullest evidence, the correctness of the principles only add, that the resistance which is always more which have been made the basis of our system. or less made to novel proceedings of this nature, These principles should remain unchanged; but exought to yield at last to the efforts of the govern-perience has shown the necessity for some meament, when instead of allowing itself to be led on by the illusions of a fictitious system, or into measures which may be called forced, it founds its operations on principles, whose justice and solidity are consecrated by the evidence of experience. [Here follows a report on the bank of Commerce, for mercantile discounts, with a capital to accrue of thirty millions, confined to discount with the paper money of the state, and not to issue its own notes. This bank receives deposites, allowing interest on them; discounts bills of exchange, and makes advances on merchandise. sures, in practice, whose application will most ce1tainly insure to us the end proposed. The august founder of these establishments has charged you, gentlemen, to examine well all other propositions of this kind, which may be designe, and tend to the support of public credit, which we shall have the honor to submit to you in the course of this session; deign to be at once our judges aud our fellow laborers, in carrying into effect his great designs for the good of our country. Antediluvian Antiquities. The deposites at interest in this bank, are already The township of Middletown, N. J. is remarkable eighty millions. for the relies of animals and things that may be corThe receipts of this bank, for transfers of deco-ceived to have existed before the flood. For seve site, are accepted in payment of duties at the custom house. The sum of discounts has amounted to fifty milHons of roubles. ral years the farmers have been in the practice of enriching their lands with an earthy substance dug from the stratum which underlays their arable soil. This material they call marl. It is such an excelThe rate of interest regulated by that on the ex-lent fertilizer, that the thin, poor and exhausted ange, with a desire to reduce it, rather than profit by a high rate. The evident advantages of this establishment have induced several cities to solicit simitar burgaus, and¡ grounds of that region, have been, by being properly dressed with it, rendered as productive as those of the inland country, by the operation of gypsum. Alinest every fam contains a plentiful supply of this. valuable article-and on many, the marl can be f procured abundantly in the several sections or fields of the same plantation. The inhabitants really possess the means of raising at pleasure the heaviest crops; for their industry, with the aid of the marl, is rewarded with manifold increase. Doctor Mitchell and Mr. Pierce, have lately reconnoitreed this interesting tract, and confirmed the accounts given of the abundant product in grass and grain, which follows the application of this fossil manure. The marl pits are replete with extraordinary things. Remains of animals, either extinct, or not now known to be alive, or not found in these parts, constitute a considerable part of the marl. None of shem are petrified; but all are detached, and the pieces are in various states of decomposition, according to their situations and qualities. Belemites, five or six inches long-Gryphites, a pair of whose shells weighs between six and seven pounds; a small sort of zig-zag oyster, not more than an inch longvery distinct teeth of the famous animals of Maestrent with portions of the jaws annexed-several species of clams and cockles-bones belonging to whales, or 20 some kind of cetaceous creatures-Teeth and vertebrae of sharks-exceedingly curious baculites-are some of the animal remains, which the proprietors find by penetrating with the pick-axe and shovel, a few feet. They discover also various tools and implements, made by the hand of man. Fragments of clay pipes for smoking, have been repeatedly found. One of those received by Dr. Mitchill from Dr. Reynolds, is uncommonly curious, unusually large, and nearly entire. It is even said that metallic articles, such as buckles and tongs, have been, likewise, dug out of the marl pits. Bones, horns and teeth of land animals, are mingFed in this jumble of materials which the marl pits afford. The horn of a deer, the tooth of an elephant, the thigh of a rhinoceros, and the fragments of other skeletons, not so well ascertained as yet, show the admirable and unaccountable association of heterogenous substances deposited here. Such are some of the disclosures made in the be-1 ginning of these investigations. Every quarry that is opened, and every load that is removed, promises new and valuable additions. Thus, while the marl pits afford agricultural wealth to the proprietors, they will furnish a harvest equally abundant to the antiquary, the theologian, and the geologist. It is believed that the belt or zone containing this marl, reaches from the Hudson to the Delaware, in a direction parallel with the other great formations of North America, from N. E. to S. W. It is thought to be from two to five miles wide, beginning at the base of the Neversink Hills, near Sandy Hook, and ending between Bordentown and Burlington. The disclosures hitherto made in this region may be considered as in their commencement. There is a wide and inviting field for improvement, and such a spirit of research has gone forth, that there can be no doubt that both owners and laborers will preserve for deliberate examination, the rare and curious things they may discover. Old Times. From a London paper of 1798. Middle of the fourteenth century. Price of the quarter of wheat $s, 3d. a 4s.. Medium, 3s. Sd, 22 days, a quarter of wheat. 20 days, a fat hog; two years old. 20 days, clothing for a year of a common servant of husbandry. ༣ 6 days, a quarter of beans or peas. Middle of the fifteenth century. 17 days, clothing for a year of a servant. 4 days, a yard of cloth, for a shepherd. Former part of the sixteenth century. 13 or 14 days, a quarter of malt. 7 days, 3 quarters of oats. 1 day, eight or nine pounds of beef, pork or veal. 1 day, seven pounds cheese, four pounds butter. About the middle of the seventeenth century. In Essex, the medium pay of a laborer (rated) was 13d. Price of wheat (per Fleetwood's Chronicon, p. 106) 40s. and of malt 24s per quarter, as estima ted by the bishop. 37 days, a quarter of wheat. 4 days, two shirts for a man, made. Latter part of the eighteenth century. Pay of a laborer per day, 14d. Price of a quarter of wheat 428. 6d. of malt 30s, 41 days, a quarter of wheat. 264 days, a quarter of malt. 96 days, a fat hog, fourteen score, at 8s. perscore. 26 or 28 days, a quarter of beans and peas. 20 or 21 days, a quarter of barley. 41 days, a flitch of bacon, six score, at 8s. 9 days, a yard of cloth for servants. 6 days, a pair of men's shoes. 1 day, less than a gallon of ale. 1 day, three pounds ordinary cheese-1 pound butter. 40 days, clothing for a year of a common servant of husbandry. Bank of England. From a London paper of May 27. Parliamentary paper.—An account of all distributions made by the bank of England amongst the proprietors of bank stock, whether by money, payments, transfer of 57 per cent; annuities, or otherwise, under the heads of bonus; increase of dividend, and increase of capital, betwixt the 25th February, 1797, and 1st of May, 1819, in addition to the ordinary annual dividend of 71, per cent. on the capital stock of that corporation existing in 1797, including therein the whole dividend paid since June, 1816, on their increased capital; stating the period when such distributions were made, and aggregate amount of the whole: In June, 1799, 10 per cent. bonus in 5 1,164,240 582,120 In Oct. 1806, 5 per cent. bonus in cash on 11,642,4001. is From April 1807, to April 1819, both inclusive: 1 Increase of dividend at the rate 3 per Increase of capital at 251. per cent. is Dividend at the rate of 101. per cent. per annum on 2,910,6007. increased capital, is 3 year's dividends, or 301. per cent. on 2,910,600/ is Aggregate amount of the whole Annual dividend payable on bank stock, in 1797, on a capital of 11,642,4001, at the rate of 71. per cent. per annum Annual dividend payable since June, 1816, and at present on a capital of 14,553,000l. at the rate of 101, per cent. per annum 4,365,900 "In our paper of Wednesday we published a return of the amount of the effects of chancery suitors 2,910,600 at different periods. It is curious to trace the increase of these sums. In 1756 they were under three millions, and had scarcely exceeded four millions at the end of ten years (1766.)—In the next ten, the increase was above two millions and a half (1776.)-In the next above two millions (1786.) 873,180 Thus in thirty years the total amount rose from 2,800,000l. to 8800,000. The increase in the next ten years, from 1786 to 1796, was nearly six mil lions. From 1796 to 1806, above seven millions. But from 1806 to 1816 above ten millions. The 814,968 increase in the two years 1817 and 1818 is above one million and a half. The total amount is now above thirty-three millions and a half!" 11,933,460 1,455,300 Court of Chancery, in England. FROM THE PHILADELPHIA UNION. Foreign Articles. GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. HOUSE OF LORDS, JUNE 10. State of the Navy. The earl of Darnley made some observations on the papers relative to the state We copy, to day, two curious articles from the of the navy, which had been lately laid on the table, London Courier, upon the subject of this growing but as his lordship spoke in a low tone of voice, and evil. Law,' says the Edinburg Review, is cheap the bar was very crowded, we could not correctly in America: In England it is better, in a mere pecu hear what fell from him. From the perusal of the niary point of view, to give up forty pounds than to paper in his hand, he admitted that in no former contend for it in a court of common law; and, in the period of our naval history did the navy appear on court of equity, it is better to abandon five hundred, the whole to have been in a state of greater efficienor a thousand pounds, than to contend for it. We cy in time of peace. He spoke strongly in appro mean to say nothing disrespectful of the chancellor,bation of the exertions of Mr. Seppings, whose imwho is an upright judge, a very great lawyer, and provements had been of great advantage. Notwithzealous to do all he can; but we believe the court of standing the praise which he thought generally due chancery to be in a state, which imperiously re-to the admiralty, there were some particulars with quires legislative correction. We do not accuse it of any malversation, but of a complication, formality, entanglement, and delay, which the life, the wealth, and the patience of man cannot endure.' Mr. Broughan, in his recent pamphlet upon the abuse of characters, relates an anecdote of lord Erskine, which conveys the keenest satire upon the <law's delay' in the chancery court. Some dispute arose as to the mode of redress to be pursued by one of Erskine's clients. The judge said, let him go into the court of equity.' Erskine answered, in an artless tone of voice which made Westminster hall ring with laughter, would your lordship send a fellow creature there?' SUITORS IN CHANCERY. respect to the state of the navy, which he thought it right to notice, as they might be of importance in case of the country being involved in a contest. He could not overlook the naval power of another country-he meant the U. States of America, which the events of the late war had tended to raise to a state of consideration. It appeared from the papers, that means had been taken for building ships of large dimensions, corresponding with those of the same rate built by other powers. It was known that the American two deck ships were superior to those of the same rate, built in this country, both as to guns and men. He did not, however, think that it would be advisable to have all the British navy raised to the same scale. It appeared to him that to attempt such a measure, would be only a useless waste of money. The American frigates were of a very superior class, compared in the scale on which British frigates had formerly been built, but he could not think it necessary that all the British frigates should henceforth be built on so et.larged a scale. He thought it would be better to build frigates of a size between those formerly fitted out by this roun 1 try and the American frigates: This seemed the more advisable, as the latter could not be expectej to be very numerous. The following is a return of the total amount of the effects of the suitors in the high court of chan cery, in the years 1756, 1766, 1776, 1786, 1796, 1806, 1816, and 1818, as laid before the house of com 4 Lord Melville expressed liis acknowledgments to 6the noble lord for the candid and handsome manne: in which he had spoken of the state of the muy, 8,848,535 7 11 He concurred in the propriety of this country buildo g The fleet off Peru consists of eight vessels-of 60, 54, 48, 22, 20, 20, 16 and 14 guns. Another corvette ship had sailed to join it. THE PLAGUE. At Tangiers the plague had nearly ceased-at Teutan 997 persons died of it in 13 days, At Fez it was carrying off 600 persons a day-at Salee 80 to 100-at Alcassar from 50 to 70. It had declined at Rabat, Mequinex, and Larache. Morocco and Mogadore were reputed healthy. ships on a scale similar to those with which our navy might propably have to contend. It was the duty of the legislature to look forward to the future, and to be prepared to maintain, on any emergency, that naval greatness and supremacy which the country had acquired. With respect to the dimensions of ships of war, it is true that some were building on a scale considerably beyond what had formerly been thought proper for the same rate. He did not, however, think that all the two deckers of the navy ought to be raised to that scale. Many vessels were wanted for convoy and other purposes in time of war, and frigates and ships of the line might be so "Land office money"-the sum of $37,069 66 in employed, though not constructed on so large a scale as those of other powers with which the coun-ri, by gen. Thomas A. Smith, receiver of public mogold, was recently deposited in the bank of Missou try might happen to be at war. nies at Boon's Lick. At the same time that he did not concur with the noble earl in his opinion, that it would be proper to build ships of an intermediate size between that scale hitherto adopted in the navy and that of other countries. He did not think it right to place the officers of the British navy in a situation which would compel them to go into action with a great disparity of force. Were ships of the description the noble earl suggested to be built, it would be a class different from any either in the navies of Europe, or of the United States of America. The officers of the British navy would therefore be placed in ships of a kind with which it was not probable they would ever have the opportunity of encountering. Lord Darnley explained. After which the papers were ordered to be printed. SPAIN. CHRONICLE. arrival at that place of Don Onis, and suite, "late «The court!" A Liverpool paper announces the Spanish minister at the court of Washington.”Court of WASHINGTON !!! for vessels of considerable size, is much to be desir Erie. The want of a good harbor, easy of access ed on lake Erie. The harbor at Erie is good, but the bar at its entrance seriously affects its utility. We learn that major Anderson, of the corps of engineers, is now engaged in surveying this harbor, and twelve miles of the adjacent coast, with a view to its improvement and security. London, with 70 tons of patent cast iron pipes, for Iron. A vessel has arrived at Philadelphia, from the water works of that city! Law case. A priest at New York, brought an action against one of the vestry of his church, for The "grand expedition"-six ships of the line, nothing more than show a zeal to investigate the scandal. It appeared that the vestryman had done eight frigates, several sloops of war, &c. &c. with truth of certain charges against the priest for lewd18,000 men, was expected to be ready for sailing ness and the robbery of a church; and here the matby the 1st of the present month. A French squad-ter rested. The court very properly decided that Fon of one frigate and six brigs, had joined this ex- it was the duty of the vestryman to do this, and the pedition, and were to sail under the Spanish flag. plaintiff was non-suited. The crew of the patriot privateer Constitution, captured off Tariffa, had arrived at Cadiz, and were ment among the Cherokees at Brainard having greatThe Chochaw Indians. The missionary establisliplaced in the dungeons. The Spaniards it wasly prospered, has encouraged the formation of anosaid would be pardoned, but the foreigners exe-ther at Yellow Busha, for the instruction of the cuted. The men was chiefly composed of citizens Choctaws, where a school is already opened, under of the U. States. A Spanish brig, the Volunteer of 14 guns, fought the Buenos Ayrean brig Independencia, of 18 guns, three hours, off Cape St. Vincent, and defeated her! Both vessels appear to have suffered much. The Volunteer lost 18 men. and female. We cannot but admire the heroism of the care of some humane and pious persons, male these people in taking up their home in the woods. to associate only with the rude sons of the forest, for the purpose of instructing them in morals, religion and the arts. One of them writes to his friends in The Niagara Patriot mentions, that the celebrat-care, who are bad off for apparel and he asks New Jersey about the wants of the people under his ed Mr. Gourlay has been removed from an upper where are the friends of the missions?" We anroom to one of the cells in Niagara jail. CANADA. SOUTH AMERICA. swer, it is not fashionable to do a good thing for We have a variety of accounts from Buenos Ayres though better than the imported-for we see that home use, no more than to use home-made goods, by a late arrival. The truce with Artigas had been while these missions to our own poor Indians so renewed for three weeks; that chief was said to much want support, we have various societies, rich have entered Brazil, and to be driving in the Por-in funds, to assist similar establishments in other tuguese..The anniversary of the evacuation of Bue-parts of the world! For instance, there is now before nos Ayres by the British, after the complete beat- us a list of contributors to the "foreign missionary ing they received there, was celebrated with great pomp. The new constitution, (said to be liberal, and which we shall publish entire when received) was publicly proclaimed and sworn to by the offcers, in ample form, and the people seemed to feel like freemen. The new director had not yet been elected. The Spanish general Osorio, so severely defeated at Maipo, is reported to have collected two thousand men, and to have been advancing into the province of Conception. The supreme director of Chili, by a public decree, has ratified the blockad ing proclamation of "our admiral lord Cochrane." society" of New York, "since the last publication," shewing an aggregate of donations amounting to $1,645 77-which is to be charitably bestowed on East Indians, perhaps, or even Kamschatkadales, because we have no occasion to instruct any persons nearer home! last session of congress, no foreign gold coin will be a Foreign coins.-Agreeably to a law passed at the legal tender after the 1st November next; nor will any foreign silver coin, except Spanish dollars, and parts thereof, be a legal tender in the U. States, after April 1, 1821. |