appointed in the House of Representatives; which,,

motion lies on the table.

relates to roads and canals, to a select committee; so much as relates to a revisal of the criminal The resolution to require the directors of the code, and to a revisal and modification of the juUnited States' bank to establish a branch at Wash-diciary, to the committee on the judiciary; so ington, was postponed to Monday next, upon the motion of Mr. Mason, of New Hampshire; and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

much as relates to a more effectual mode of preventing the slave trade, to a select committee; so much as relates to the office of attorney general, and to the establishment of an additional department in the executive branch of the governMonday, Dec. 2.-At 12 o'clock the Speaker,ment, to a select committee; so much as relates Mr. Clay, took the chair, and the roll being called over by the clerk of the House, Mr. Dougherty, it appeared that a quorum was present.

After the usual orders were adopted for supplying the members with papers, &c. for communicating with the Senate and the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President,

It was ordered, on motion of Mr. Taylor, of New York, that the House meet at twelve instead of eleven o'clock, for the present, [the object of this motion is to afford more time to the committees, a few weeks, to progress in their business, and thereby facilitate the business of the House.] And the House adjourned.

to the revenue, to the committee of ways and means; so much as relates to an uniform national currency, to a select committee; all the committees to have leave to report by bill or otherwise. These resolutions, the committee having risen, were concurred in by the House.

The Compensation Law-Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, after a speech of considerable length, advocaling the propriety of the law, and contrasting the compensation of members with other officers of government, and of the clerks of the several departments, in which he declared his opinion of the law to be unchanged, but submitted the following resolution on the implied instructions of

Tuesday, Dec. 3.-The message of the Presi-his constituents. dent having been read, was referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union, and five thousand copies ordered to be printed for the use of the House.

Mr. Nelson, of Virginia, without preface or remark, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to report a bill to repeal the act, entitled "An act to change the mode of compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the delegates from territo

ries."

The Speaker intimated that the motion was premature, the committee on the judiciary and other standing committees not having been yet appointed.

The question to consider this motion was decided in the negative.

The standing committees were then ordered to be appointed, [which is always done by the Speaker.]

And the House adjourned.

Wednesday, Dec. 4.-Sundry petitions were submitted.

The President's Message-The House having resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the state of the Union, Mr. Nelson in the chair, the following subdivision and distribution of the President's message was made, by several resolutions offered by Mr. Taylor, of New York, and adopted by the committee:

“Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of repealing or modifying the late act changing the mode of compensation to the members of Congress, and that they report by bill or otherwise."

After some remarks by Mr. Desha, the question for consideration and the resolution itself were agreed to without a division.

Mr. Reynolds made a motion to direct the secretary of war to lay before the House the report of the commissioner appointed to make and survey a road on Tennessee river, together with an account of the expenses attending the same; and the House adjourned.

The following gentlemen are appointed by the Speaker, in pursuance of the order of the House, to compose the committees of the House of Representatives:

LIST OF STANDING COMMITTEES.

Of Ways and Means-Messrs. Lowndes, Smith, of Maryland, Moseley, Burwell, Wilkin, Gaston, and Henderson.

Of Elections-Messrs. Taylor, of New York, Pickering, Hahn, Vose, Law, and Thomas.

Of Commerce and Manufactures-Messrs. Newton, Savage, Hulbert, Parris, Milnor, Mason, and Forney.

Of Claims-Messrs. Yancey, Alexander, Goodwyn, Davenport, Lyle, Hardin, and Lyon.

On the Public Lands-Messrs. Robertson, Mc Lean, King, Sturges, Harrison, Williams, and Hendricks.

On the Post Office and Post Roads-Messrs. Ingham, Cannon, Breckenridge, Avery, Carr, of Massachusetts, Caldwell, and Noyes.

For the District of Columbia-Messrs. Tucker, Lewis, Irwin, of Pennsylvania, Wendover, HerSo much of the message as relates to the sub-bert, Taylor of South Carolina, and Peter. ject of foreign affairs and commercial intercourse with the British colonial ports, was referred to a select committee; so much as relates to our military affairs, to a select committee; so much as relates to a re-organization of the militia, to a se- || lect committee; so much as relates to our naval affairs, to a select committee; so much as relates to manufactures, to the committee of commerce and manufactures; so much as relates to altering the condition of the Indian tribes within our limits, to a select committee; so much as relates to an uniformity of weights and measures, to a select committee; so much as relates to the establishment of a national university within the District of Columbia, to a select committee; so much as

On Pensions and Revolutionary Claims-Messrs. Chappell, Reynolds, Stuart, Southard, Wilcox, Wheaton, and Crocheron.

On Public Expenditures-Messrs. Pickens, Barbour, Hammond, Champion, Schenck, Thomas Wilson, and Jeremiah Nelson.

On the Judiciary-Messrs. Hugh Nelson, Wilde, Hopkinson, Wright, Ormsby, Webster, and Love. Of Accounts-Messrs. Lyle, Reed, and Edwards.

[No. 15.

Of Revisal, &c.-Messrs. Condict, Bradbury, || for the present session, and on counting the bal
and William Maclay
lots it appeared there were
For the Rev. Burgess Allison,

On Private Land Claims-Messrs. Sharp, Clark,
of North Carolina, Telfair, Atherton, and Huger.
Thursday, December 5.-The following commit-
tees, to whom were yesterday ordered to be re-
ferred various subjects of the President's Mes-house adjourned.
sage, were appointed, to wit:

On Foreign Relations.-Messrs. Forsyth, Smith,
of Md. Grosvenor, King, Baker, Ward of Mass.
and Darlington,

On Military Affairs.-Messrs. Johnson of Ky. Conner, Desha, Ward of NJ, Peter, Thomas M. Nelson, and Dickens.

On the subject of the Militia. Messrs. Harrison, Tallmadge, Blount, Roane, Taul, Hungerford, and Marsh.

On Naval Affairs-Messrs. Pleasants, Betts, Culpepper, Lovett, Robertson, Stearns, and Clendenen.

On Indian Affairs Messrs. Thomas, Griffin, Adgate, Baer, Woodward, M'Coy, and Fletcher. On the uniformity of Weights and Measures.Messrs. Pitkin, Calhoun, Hopkinson, M'Kee, Hall, Crawford, and Clark of N. Y.

On the National University-Messrs. Wilde, Wright, Breckinridge, Herbert, Powell, Birdsall,

and Heister.

On Roads and Canals-Messrs. Thos. Wilson, Brooks, Clayton, Bateman, Yancey, Adams, and

Hawes.

75

Walter Addison,
Scattering,

40

4

Mr. Allison was declared duly elected; and the

FOREIGN & DOMESTIC SUMMARY.

FOREIGN.

received at Charleston, which contradict the re-
English dates to the 25th October, have been
tilled from grain in Ireland.
port that spirits were prohibited from being dis

Intelligence from Italy states that several offi the American squadron in the Mediterranean. cers of Bonaparte's army had gone on board of The Paris journals state that the harvest in bundant one. France has been generally good, but not an e.

Russia intends to go from Warsaw to Berlin, and A report is still afloat that the Emperor of afterwards to Vienna.

is not so short as was apprehended, but that there It is intimated that the corn harvest in England is no chance of the average price being below 80s.. per quarter.

deputies occupies the greatest interest at present France-The subject of the new chamber of On the subject of the African Slave Trade- take place on the 4th of the present month, is er in the public mind. The sitting, which was to Messrs. Pickering, Comstock, Condict, Tucker,pected to be a very interesting one, and to fir Taggart, Cilley, and Hooks. On further provision for the Attorney General, ceedings will, in a great measure, determine the nish great events. It is expected that their preand on the subject of an additional Department-fate of France. Messrs. Lowndes, Bassett, Wm. Wilson, Ruggles, 258 members, of which 161 were of the las The chamber is composed of Forsyth, Bennett, and Tate. Cal-date on the 5th of September. This mandate, it chamber, which was dissolved by the royal ma is said, has created a variance between the duch ess of Angauleme and the king.

On uniform National Currency.-Messrs. houn, Webster, Hulbert, Whiteside, Hardin, Townsend, and Glasgow.

Many private petitions were presented, and the Speaker presented sundry documents transmitted by Rufus Easton, of the Missouri territory, relative to the election of John Scott, as a delegate to Congress from that territory, which was referred to a committee of elections.

Grouchy (who is now in this country] met on the The court to judge lieutenant general Emanuel 18th October, and declared him absent and çentsmax. The general's son, colonel Crouchy, presented himself at the bar, in behalf of his father, and read a memorial signed by four lawyers of

The following resolution was submitted for con-eminence, proving that a council of war could sideration by Mr. Williams of N. C.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to in- he should be tried by a higher court. After four not have jurisdiction over the general, and that quire into the decisions of Richard Bland Lee, hours deliberation the court determined to proEsq. commissioner, appointed under the act of ceed no further in the affair, and ordered the pr Congress, entitled, "An act to authorize the pay-pers to be returned to the minister of war, to be ment for property lost, captured or destroyed by acted on as the law directs. the enemy, while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes," passed the 9th of April, 1816.

Resolved further, That the said committee have leave to send for persons and papers.

Mr. Webster expressed some surprize at a motion to inquire into the decisions of an officer invested with the powers and discretion of a judge, which implied impropriety in the conduct of the officer, and moved that the resolutions lie on the table for present; which was agreed to.

On motion of Mr Lowndes,

Resolved, That the committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act, entitled, "An act to regulate the duties on imports and tonnage, so far as relates to the duty on tonnage."

DOMESTIC.

The separation of Maine is still under discus· sion in the legislature of Massachusetts.

Compensation Law.-Resolutions have passed disapproving the compensation law adopted by both branches of the legislature of Massachusetts Congress, and instructing their Representatives to exert their influence to obtain its repeal.

tions of banks have reported against the reduc The committee of the legislature on the peti

tion of tax on bank stock.

from Havanna, on the 3d instant. Captain PerUnited States brig Boxer, arrived at New York ter reports that the Spanish convoy had sailed for Cadiz, consisting of 15 or 20 sail. It was re ported that the Spaniards had impressed several Americans, who had returned from Africa in a

The house went into an election of a chaplain | slave vessel.

No. 16. VOL. II.] WASHINGTON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1816. [WHOLE NO. 42. PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY JOEL K. MEAD, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, &ç.

ration of literature and science. These are, in their nature, fraternal and harmonizing; they The reiterated recommendations of the Presi- soothe the heart, soften the impetuous passions of dent of the United States, on the subject of a Na- our nature, promote the freedom of social intertional University, are calculated to command the course, and beget sentiments of friendship and serious consideration of Congress. ́Hitherto they philanthropy. The youths of America, assembled seem to have been regarded merely as the sug- from the different sections of the United States, gestions of a man who made them without reflec-in one common seminary, and mingled indiscrimition, and whose sole ambition was to propose a measure without a view to its ultimate success. Some efforts have, indeed, been made to back these recommendations; but they have invariably proved abortive, feeble, and unavailing.

nately together, will soon be enabled to see the absurdity of their prejudices, form attachments which death may alone terminate; and by diffusing those feelings wherever they go, will check the growth and progress of those jealousies from which so much evil might ultimately result. In this institution might be educated men who could explore the hitherto undiscovered portions of our country, and collect all that is rare, valuable, or unknown in American mineralogy and botany; and thus add to the health, to the comfort, and to the happiness of society., Here too the future statesman might acquire an intimate knowledge of the principles of political science, by investigating the theory and contemplating the operations of government. In short, there is no species of knowledge that could not be here cultivated and diffused: while, at the same time, the nation would acquire a character for: rts, literature, and science, that would add an additional lustre to its name. The advantages that would result from the establishment of such a seminary here, are obvious. We shall but briefly enumerate them. 1st. Being under the eye of government, the professors would

It must be a matter of astonishment, that an institution like this, so useful in itself, should not have excited greater attention from its intrinsic advantages, and the innumerable benefits it is calculated to produce. Does not Congress perceive that by establishing, a National University, they are giving literature and science to the United States, that they are promoting the advancement of learning and the extension of the arts, that they are calling from obscurity and oblivion the native genius of their country, diffusing the light of science, the principles of liberty and of moral and political truth, and giving to their country a literary reputation and character it has not yet attained, and perhaps never will attain without such an institution? Cannot Congress see that from this concentration of the rays of science will emanate all that is intellectually and morally excellent; and that they are bringing into light and rendering useful the natural productions of Ame-be more vigilant and the students more emulous rica that have not yet been discovered, analyzed, to excel, and more solicitous to acquire a proficienand developed. In a territory like ours, so vast, cy in the sciences. 2d. The theory of the political so expansive, so diversified, there must be a head science would be illustrated and exemplified by to direct the march of science and the progress of an attendance to the political discussions of Conusefulness. In a territory so varied and ex-gress, the operations of government, and the tended, how great a portion of its mineralogy, botany, and zoology, is yet undescribed, or lies hid in the bowels of the earth and in the bosom of obscurity. Can any one, then, question the usefulness of an institution that will enlarge our views on these subjects, extend the sphere of science, and diffuse a love of letters and the arts? It is much to be regretted that from our connections abroad, and the diversity of our habits, manners, and inclinations at home, we seem to have a powerful tendency to diverge from the centre of union, and to entertain those local jealousies that are so inimical to political and moral harmony. The tendency of this dangerous sentiment should be counteracted as soon as possible; and for this end nothing will be more effectual than the ope.

VOL. II.

P

knowledge of our own institutions and general polity would be more easily and minutely attained. 3d. The fascinating art of oratory and elocution could be more successfully taught, by occasionally uniting to the theory the specimens of congressional and forensic eloquence, so often exhibited at the bar of the supreme court, and in both houses of Congress. 4th. To acquire a knowledge of jurisprudence no spot could furnish a better school. The highest judiciary tribunal in the United States sits at this place; a tribunal whose decisions are as luminous as they are solid and useful, and whose knowledge and research are co-extensive with their genius and their literary taste. What mind would not derive improvement from an attendance in such a court as this? 5th. Gentlemen coming

to Congress would have an opportunity to see their children, or those of their friends, every year at least, mark their progress, and stimulate them to fresh exertion. These are a few of the advantages that must result from such an institution founded at this place. Let it then be organized as speedily as possible; let a man of science and experience in the constitution of public seminaries, be authorized to devise a useful plan of internal police, &c. and let the work be commenced without delay.

It will be recollected that go ernment own a great number of lots in this city, which may be given to the institution, and that general Washington bequeathed 50 Potomac shares to aid in the accomplishment of this desirable object. This property, judiciously managed, would relieve Congress from the necessity of great annual appropriations, and be a fund of itself almost sufficient to maintain the institution.

]ber of scientific men, who shall be empowered to issue proposals for the construction of the edifice; select the best plan presented, and form a system of internal government and regulation, that shall be co-extensive with the design and importance of the institution.

TOPOGRAPHICAL.

To the Editor of the National Register. Detroit, 15th Nov. 1816. Sin,--As our government has lately established a military post at Green Bay, on lake Michigan, a description of that place, its inhabitants, and their manners, may, perhaps, be acceptable to some of our fellow-citizens in the interior. Should you think it the case, you are at liberty to publish in your Register the following extract of a letter from major C. Gratiot, of the corps of engineers, to capt. H. Whiting, aid to major gen. Macomb, dated at Green Bay, 24 September, 1816.

P. L.

Yours, &c. "It is unneccssary to say any thing of our voy. age from Detroit to Mackinac, which was, like others, very tedious and uninteresting. From Mackinac we procceded to this place, en force, having not less than four vessels in company, con taning most of col. Miller's command with us, and the colonel himself, heading the expedition. His motives for so doing have, no doubt, ere this, been communicated to the general, and consequently to you: a repetition, therefore, is unnecessary. Our

The necessity of establishing a military academy here, must be also obvious. The arguments urged. in favour of the location of the national university in this city, will apply with equal propriety to that of an academy. Virginia and Maryland have as great claims as any other two States to such an establishment, and no situation could be more convenient than Washington. We wish to see every thing of this nature here; we think it is due to the nation to fix them at this place, that they may be under the immediate eye of government, by which they are patronized and supported. This district can furnish more students than can be accommodated in the academy at West-progress onward was retarded only from a want Point; many have not been able to obtain admittance; another here would accommodate those of the district and the adjoining States, who wished to devote their lives to the profession of arms and the service of their country. As this must be the permanent seat of the national legislature, it would be desirable to have the mint also established here; and, connected with the Congressional library, a national museum on an extensive scale. Not only Congress, but enlightened travellers would then find a wide range of amusement and edification that would fill up profitably and interestingly the vacancies of business, and charm away the tedium of leisure.

of knowledge of the waters we had to navigate; which, however, we found easy and unattended with difficulties. The S. E. coast of the bay is cle vated and rocky, furnishing fine harbour for ves sels. The lands receding from the shore are beautiful and covered with fine overgrown forests of maple, oak, birch and white walnut trees.

"When the vessels came to anchor at the bar, six miles below the mouth of the river, colonels Miller and Boyer, and myself proceeded up the river to examine the country. On our arrival åt the first settlement we were hailed and saluted by such of the militia as could be assembled in time to receive us. This party was headed by justice L. Reaume, civil officer for the county of Since the above has been in type, we have re- St. Clair, commissioned by the governor of In ceived and herewith publish the report of the ana: he addressed col. Miller for and in behalf of committee on the subject of a national university. the people under his jurisdiction, expressing the We earnesly hope Congress may be equally dissatisfaction they felt in seeing the American flag set posed to aid this valuable institution. The build-up in their country, and hoped that, for the future, it ing, however, must be much larger than the one contemplated by the committee; and the whole internal arrangement on a more extensive scale. This, however, may be easily accomplished, by authorizing the President to employ a certain num

would never cease of waving over their heads. After returning the judge's civilities by discharges of musketry and treating his ragamuffins with some liquor, we departed to pay a visit to Thomas, the "Indian chief of the Manoininies, whose village con

mence forests of pine, oak and maple. The whole sists of three large lodges, and directly opposite to where the judge had paid us such marked atten- of the river upwards is said to be of the same nature. To this may be attributed the healthiness tion. On our landing we were again saluted as of the country, the S. W. winds prevailing throughwe had been by the militia, and beckoned to enter the council lodge. On our entrance Thomas out the summer, and blowing inmediately down the valley formed by the river, and meeting no rose from among about sixty Indians, and met us half way from where he was sitting, presenting pools of stagnant water in its course, must neceshis hand to each of us, complimenting us at thesarily be pure; and when any other winds prevail same time on our safe arrival, and courteously || (which is seldom the case) they, of course, blow pointed to clean mats prepared for the occasion towards the settlements the noxious exhalations where we were to set down. Col. Boyer, who, from those marshes; but these winds being of a while at Mackinac, had received a pipe of invita- short duration, and the marshes small, those vation from him, produced it, lighted it, and present- || pours cannot contaminate the air long enough, ed it to smoke to the chief, his young men and and to such a degree as to affect the health of visitors. That ceremony being over, the colonel those who breathe it. "The settlement in this place consists of fortyinformed Thomas of the object of his mission to this country, and assured the Indians, through one families, who are on small farms wretchedly him, that the garrison to be built was for the purpose cultivated; notwithstanding which, they gather of protecting them and preventing bad birds from ho- || considerable crops of wheat, corn, peas and potatoes; and were it not for the almost continual envering among them in future. The talk was well received by the Indians, and answered immediately || croachments of the Indians, would be more than through Thomas, who acquiesced in every propo-sufficient for their consumption. As it is, we sition made on our part, and expressed great satisfaction at what had been told him.

found them literally starving with fine promising crops around them. These people excel in their gardens, each inhabitant having one of the finest adjacent to his house. The culture of fruit trees has not as yet been attempted by any of them. They hold officers of government in 'highest possible respect, and would go any length to oblige one, and think themselves much honoured when called upon for any service. They are extremely polite and courteous, strictly preserving the manners of their forefathers, the French. The polish

"From thence we descended to where the French had their garrison. It is about one mile from the mouth of the river, on its left bank. The position is admirably calculated for a military post, it is not unlike Spring Well, being a sand mound of considerable extent; to the north it is joined by a ridge, which almost imperceptibly to the eye descends for two or three miles, at the distance of 1,010 yards. I found, on calculation, that we were 7 feet lower than the mound; this ridge being||ed refinements of society have not as yet found the highest land within three or four miles of it, determined us, at once, to occupy it. It is within one mile from the mouth of the river, and com-priety, still their innocence, and ignorance of the mands it completely. On its rear is a cramberry world often make them the dupes of the designing. marsh of half a mile in extent; in front, the river, with low lands on its opposite shore; and above an extensive prairie, some few feet lower than said mound..

||

their way among these children, (I may say of nature) though they possess a correct idea of pro

"Their women, the nine tenth of whom are of Indian origin, are modestly diffident and dignified in their manners, notwithstanding the shyness and taste they have imbibed from their mothers. Their costume is grotesque, wearing printed callico short gowns, petticoats of strouds, and mocasins. The men, with few exceptions, have partly adopted the Indians in their manners: their dress is that worn by the French people of Detroit."

"The country bordering on this bay and Fox river far exceeds in beauty any account given of it. The lands, on entering the river, are low and marshy, and from the extent of the marshes would indicate an unhealthy country, which, by no means, is the case: the inhabitants are remarkably robust and healthy, and do not recollect to have seen among them one single case of those diseases so Our common to countries similarly situated. troops, though only half a mile from those marshes, and encamped immediately on the cramberry marsh before mentioned, are, if any thing, healthier than the men at Michilimackinac. The banks of the river continue low for two or three "The Indians, though peaceable, have acquired miles up, when they gradually rise 80 or 100 feet above the water, from whence commence im-l such habits during the war that, notwithstanding

"Before the war this country was well stocked with cattle and horses; some of the inhabitants having from 120 to 150 head of cattle, and 40 or 50 horses-they then had plenty and lived well, but times have most horribly changed with them: now their cattle and horses are mostly destroyed by the Indians, and the only dependence for them and their families to subsist is few milk cows and the crops growing.