his NAYS-Mess. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tenn.mittee of the whole, Mr. Lacock in the chair, on the bill from the Crawford, Cutts, Gaillard, Pope, Robinson, Tait, Taylor, Varnum, senate for appointing an additional district judge for the district of" -12. The bill supplementary to the act to establish a war department, was read a third time and passed. The bill respecting associations for maritime security; and the bill concerning merchant vessels armed for defence, was read a third time and passed. Mr. Pope reported the following bill: New-York. Mr. Nelson stated the urgency of the business in the district court, &c. and the expediency of the bill. The committee rose and reported the bill, which was ordered to be read a third time to day; and was accordingly read a third time, and passed, The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. A bill mare effectually to protect the commerce and coasts of the Uni-Tallmadge in the chair, on the bill making further appropriations ted States. fore for the support of government during the year 1812. The bill was gone through and reported to the house. This bill contains an appropriation of forty thousand dollars for compensation to the marshals and assistant inarshals for taking an account of the manufactures of the United States in addition to the sun heretofore appropriated for that purpose." Whereas British or other armed vessels have harrassed and committed depredations on the commerce of the United States on or near the coasts thereof, in violation of the laws of nations; there" Be it enacted, &c. That it shall be lawful for the president of the United States, and he is hereby authorised to instruct and direct This appropriation was objected to by Mr. Goldsborough and the commanders of the armed vessels belonging to the United others, because too great an appropriation for a service which it States to seize, take and bring into any port of the United States, was said had been very loosely performed. It was stated in reply to be proceeded against according to the laws snd usages of na- that the labor had been performed in compliance with the requisi tions, any such British or other arined vessel which shall have com- tion of the law, &e. and that those who had engaged in the labor mitted, or which shall be found hovering on the coast of the United on the faith of the government for payment pledged by the law States for the purpose of harrassing or committing depredations ought to be compensated, &c. on the vessels belonging to the citizens thereof. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Saturday, April 25.-Mr. Roberts, after some preparatory re marks, in which he adverted to the indisposition which appeared in the committee to report on the subject, offered the following resolution: Resolved, that the committee of ways and means be instructed to report a bill with as little delay as possible, making an addition of an hundred per cent. to the several rates of permanent duties now imposed by law on all goods, wares and mer chahidize imported into the United States. After some remarks from Mr. Bacon, the further consideration the motion was postponed to Monday. of The house resolved itseit into a committee of the whole on the bill making further provision for the army of the United States. An ineffectual attempt was made by Mr. Wright to amend the seventh section, authorising the appointment of additional major and ongadier generals. The committee rose and reported the bill; which was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. The said bill was then read a third time, and debated at some length. It was opposed principally, if not altogether, on account of the section authorising the appointment of additional general officers. On the question there were For the passage of the bill So it was determined that the bill shall not pass 55 RECESS OF CONGRESS.-The house took up for consideration the joint resolution from the senate proposing a recess of con gress from the 29th inst. to the 8th day of June. A variety of propositions for amendment were made, many votes taken, and considerable debate, exhibiting no little warmth." At length about five o'clock, a motion was made to postpone indefinitely the further consideration of the resolution with an amendment thereto proposed. The question an indefinite postponement was decided in the affirmative as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Alston, Anderson, Archer, Bard, Basset, Bibb, The question on concurring with the committee of the whole in 65 And the bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. Tuesday, April 28.—Mr. Van Cortlandt and Mr. Gray obtained leave of absence for the remainder of the session; and Mr. Ridgely for ten days. Mr. Calhoun, from the commitee of foreign relations, reported a bill making further provision for establish a quarter-master's department; which the army of the U. S. and a bill to amend the act to were twice read and committed, On motion of Mr. Clay, Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be and they are hereby instructed to enquire whether any, and if any, what alterations ought to be made in the law passed the 16th of March, 1812, entitled "an act fixing the military peace establishment of the United States," and the law passed the 12th of April, 1808, "to raise for a limited time an additional military force," or in any other acts respecting the military establishment, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise. [Mr. C. stated his object to be to generalize the whole system, and to insure uniformity of operation in the forces created under these different laws.] On motion of Mr Poindexter, Resolved that a committee be appointed to enBlackledge, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, Cheves, Clay Clop-quire into the expediency of annexing that part of ton, Condit, Crawford, Davis, Dawson, Desha, Dinsmoor, Earle, West Florida lying east of Pearl river, and west of Findley, Fisk, Gholson, Goodwyn, Green, Grundy, B. Hall, Harper, the Perdido, to the Mississippi territory and that Hawes, Hyneman, Johnson, Kent, King, Lacock, Lefevre, Little, Lowndes Lyle, Moore, M'Coy, Morgan, Nelson, New, Newton, the committee have leave to report by bill or other- Wright-62. [The remainder of this territory, it will be recolNAYS-Messrs. Bacon Baker, Bleecker, Boyd, Breckenridge, lected, has been already annexed to the state of Brigham, Champion, Cochran, Davenport, Ely, Fitch, Gold, Golds-Louisiana; and as Mr. P. stated, this portion will borough Gray, Hufty, Jackson, Key, Lewis, Livingston, Macon, Stuart, Stow, Sturges, Taggart, Tallmadge, Tracy, Van Cortlandt, MBryde, MKee, Meteal, Milnor, Mitchill, Morrow, Moseley, in a few days be destitute of any government.] Newbold, Pearson, Pickens, Piper, Pond, Potter, Quincy, Randolph, Messrs. Poindexter, New, Goldsborough, Earle, Reed, Ridgely, Rodman, Sammons, Seaver, Sheffey, Stanford, and Alston, were appointed the committee. The engrossed bill for the protection, recovery, Mr. Bacon, asked teave of absence through Mr. Turner, for the and indemnification of American seamen," was read remainder of the session. The circumstances calling for his ab- the third time. sence were stated to be urgent, but such as would permit his re On motion of Mr. Nelson, the bill was, after de surn, if required, before the end of the session. After some gebate, recommitted to a committee of the whole, and neral objections fro a Mr. Newton, leave was granted. Mr. Minor obtained leave of absence for four weeks. and for other purposes, was read the third time and passed. made the order of the day for the 11th of May next. The engrossed bills "for the relief of Johu Thompson," and "making additional appropriaOn motion of Mr. Wright, the house resolved itself into a comtions for the support of government for the year for the protection and recovery of American seanen. The bill 1812," were read the third time and passed. mittee of the whole, 38 to 33, Mr. Stanford in the chair, on the bill was amended and reported to the house. Without debate Wednesday, April 29.-Mr. Gold presented a pe The question was taken on engrossing the bill for a third read-tition of sundry inhabitants of the state of Newing, as follows: Resolved, that the committee of commerce and person, one almude or two quarts to each person. manufactures be instructed to report a bill authori The peasants came upwards of 12 miles from the sing the president of the United States to cause to country, for that quantity. They pressed so hard be purchased barrels of provisions, and to have at the granary door, that the governor ordered out the same exported to some port in Caracas for the the soldiers to keep them back; but to no effect; use of the inhabitants who have suffered by the the crowd was so great, that a number were conearthquake. siderably hurt; several American seamen were On motion of Mr. Randolph, starving in the streets-captain A. took them to Resolved, That the committee of commerce and his lodgings, and fed them for twelve days, while manu ́actures be instructed to enquire whether any his ship was blown out of the roads; when the and what relief ought to be extended to the inhabi-ship returned, he took them on board, and brought tants of the Canary islands suffering from famine occasioned by the ravages of the locust. The resolution from the senate for a recess from the 6th of May to the 25th of the same month, was twice read. On its passage to a third reading it was negatived. For the recess 51 59 Thursday, April 30.-The bill from the senate concerning associations for maritime security, and of the bill concerning merchant vessels arming for detence, were read twice, and referred to a com mittee of the whole to-morrow. The house went into a committee of the whole, Mr. Nelson in the chair, on the bill for the appointment of two assistant secretadies to the war department. After passing through a committee of the whole without debate, on the question for engrossing the bill for a third reading, Mr. Tallmadge opposed it. He saw no necessity for those officers. Mr. Davenport moved to substitute the word clerks in place of secretaries. Lost. Messrs. Milnor and Williams opposed the bill, on the ground that it would be productive of more injury than benefit. Messrs. Troup and Johnson supported it ; insisting that these offi- The Chronicle. them with him. The LOCUSTS were so numerous on the island, as to darken the sky, devouring every thing before them. For want of rain last sea, son, the crops of wine were very short; the greatest part of which was shipped to England and Por tugal; the price had risen from 25 to 351. per pipe -Indian corn had sold at three dollars per bushel, and flour 20 per barrel-none at market. LONDON, March 22.-The funds experienced a further depres sion to-day. The 3 per cent. consols fell from 60 to 59 1-4, and the other stocks were affected in the same proportion. A greater pr nic in the stock market has not been witnessed for some time. Various are the causes to which have been ascribed the fall of the funds within these few days, and more particularly the further fall of today. The loan for the present, it is said, will be of much greater magnitude than was at first expected. It is estimated at no less a surb than eighteen millions. (79,920,000 dols.) March 28.-We (Courier) have to announce the following mini terial arrangements, which, we hear, were finally settled this morning. Lord Sidmouth is to be president of the council in the room of earl Camden. The earl of Buckinghamshire president of the board of controul, in the room of Lord Melville. And Mr. Valsittart to be one of the lords of the treasury. Intelligence has been received of the French ships from L'Orient having positively got into Cherburgh. A treasury journal of this day contains an article under the head of bread in which it announces the approach of famine, and recom mends, as palliatives of this evil, a reduced consumption, the dis use of pastry, and an immediate act of parliament to prevent the eating of new bread. Catholic question.-Meetings are holding in all the counties of Ireland on the subject of Catholic Emancipation. The language held up is bold and resolute; and it is thought the claims set up will be agreed to. The merchants of Liverpool are petitioning for a participation in the Fast-India trade. Eleven thousand frame work netters of the town and county of BALTIMORE, May 2, 1812, UNITED STATES LOAN.-The books for the loan of eleven millions were opened in this city yester day, and about seven hundred thousand subcribed. It is thought this enormous sum may be doubled to-Leicester, have petitioned parliansent for a repeal of the orders in morrow. Were our citizens fully assured that council. their government would pursue such measures as magnificient, the ambassadors from all nations were present, exthey think would best comport with the wrongs cept the Russian plenipotentiary. A strong fact, and worthy seriof our country, the amount would be enormously ous reflection. It is said, that at Napoleon's levee which is described as highly increased. This city, alone, would make a free gift In the present number, containing the report of half a million; such, at least, the opinion of of the committee of the house of representatives on many intelligent gentlemen. naval affairs, we conclude the great body of the doLondon dates to the 28th of March are received at cuments laid before congress at its present session; New-York. On the 19th of that month lord Dar-being all those deemed of such general interest as to rington made a motion in parliament to effect a require a full insertion in the REGISTER. On this change in the ministry, but was distanced. Peti- apt occasion the editor feels himself permitted to tions against the orders in council were stil for-say, that these documents, which do not make more warded to parliament-but no prospect is held out than one tenth of the work already published, that they will be abandoned. The arrival of an could not be purchased for the amount of a whole agent from Sweden was expected in England. "It year's subscription, in their usual form. The conis said all the male population of France are divided sideration of this fact, aided by the reflection, that into four classes and called out." The famous Horne Took has paid the debt of nature. From the coffee house books, of this city, we have the following interesting article the very soul and spirit of the work mutually depends on the editor and his patrons, will, it is hoped, induce every one of the latter to remit the pittance due, without further delay. The post-office medi um is as safe as convenient. Captain Adam, from Tenneriffe, reports, that of 4,600 inhabitants in the port of Oratavia, 3420 had The Agents of the REGISTER will be pleased to the fever, 370 died, and 2690 recovered, 550 escap observe, that all persons hereafter subscribing for ed the disorder-630 had left the city. The fever the work, if desired from the first number, must had ceased, the cordon was taken off, and the inha pay the sum of $5 on its receipt-and if from the bitants were returning. The island of Tenneriffe commencement of the second volume, the sum of The collections will be contains 95,000, and the six other islands 110,000 two dollars and fifty cents. souls. They were in a state of starvation in Ten- made but once a year, and it is important, in saving neriffe, and all the Canary islands; when he came time and trouble, that every gentleman's payment away, they were eating horses, dogs, and other ani- should be due at the same time. New subscribers mals: a number had died of hunger during his stay will, as a matter of course, be furnished with the there (sixty days.) The Indian corn was delivered current volume. They cannot be supplied on any from his ship in small quantities, by the mayor in other terms. KERING'S THE WEEKLY RE VOL. II.] BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, Nation Hæc olim meminisse jurabit.-VIRGIL, Printed and published by H. NILES, Water-street, near the Merchants' Cor Interesting to Humanity. of which he sustained in this t or miny great: upwards of 170 offiMA billed, wounded or taken prisonCo in rank and file bore rather a sual proportion to this number of eme junta issued a decree from at the general of the Estramaorps who had withstood the had deserved well of their other methods, heretofore adoptoomoted; the most distinJand cirenascribed in their effè ec understood in contra-distinction to need a degree and the considered as operating impartially as badges of honor and the country at large. The advantages. b. Of the recreants the particular districts in which they second, from causes apparent to every hour of need some exclusively to the rich. In a free governong the officers, ased April 9, 1811, Jedediah Peck, Joha Murray, junior, Samuel equality is established, and where the road non Qies and Robert Macomb, were appointed com- to all, there is a natural stimulus to education, en was reduced em for the organization and establish-find it generally resorted to, unless some great The system they have devised is now interfere. In populous cities, and the parts of th the French, tion of the legislature. settled, schools are generally established by indi In these cases, the means of education are facilitida, where, pences of schools are divided among a great many. ey remainremote and thinly populated par's of the state, wiert LEGISLATURE OF NEW-YORK. IN ASSEMBLY, Monday February 17, 1812. Gentlemen,-Pursuant to the power, vested in me, by the act 156 Dor, &c. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS. nted To report a system for the THE WEEnt of common schools of this state, apanying report and draught of a MURRAY, junior, Chairman. I repeat, that even if the Berlin and explicitly and formally revoked, the prete not be binding on the United States; seci thus causes our vessels and their cargoes demned, or burnt, sunk, and destroyed neutral rights: setting at defrance his States as well as the law of nations monster our government see any the governor, pursuant to the port a system for the organization schools, and the distribution of among the common schools of this to submit the following tants are scattered over a large extent, that education staker which ma These inconveniences can be remedied best by the establishme of common schools, under the direction and patronage of the state? In these schools should be taught, at least, those branches of edu cation which are indispensably necessary to every person in his intercourse with the world, and to the performance of his duty as a useful citizen. Reading, writing, arithmetic, and the principes of morality, are essential to every person, however humble situation in life. Without the first, it is impossible to receive those lessons of morality, which are inculcated in the writings of the learned and pious; nor is it possible to become acquainted with our nues most grossly to violate on ill be presented to the legislature a sub-political constitutions and laws; nor to decide those great political I am lost in astonishment at han the establishment of connon schools. questions, which ultimately are referred to the intelligence of the and honora inciple, it of improving the moral and intellectual people. Writing and arithmetic are indispensible in the manage-Hume in his History of circumstances, a subject of the most in- ment of one's private affairs, and to facilitate one's commerce with project was formed, not or To rescue man from the state of degradation the world. Morality and religion are the foundation of all that of the city (London) bed, unless redeemed by education; to unfold is truly great and good, and are consequently of primary impor verad to the legal ou ctual, and moral powers; and to fit him for tance. A person provided with these acquisitions, is enabled to which his Creator prepared for him, cannot pass through the world respectably and successfully. If, however, arbitrary mener ne most ardent sensibility of the philosopher and it be his intention to become acquainted with the higher branches Foralsts, thoopist. A comparison of the savage that roans through of science, the academies and universities established in diferent of liber; with the enlightened inhabitant of a eivilized country, parts of the state, are open to him. In this manner, education, in and from a brief, but impressive representation, of the momentous all its stages, is offered to the citizens generally. "rtance of education. In devising a plan for the organization and establishment of at were an casier task for the commissioners to show, that in common schools, the colamissioners have proceeded with great proportion as every country has been enlightened by education, care and deliberation. To frame a system which must died so has been its prosperity. Where the heads and the hearts of affect every citizen in the state, and so to regulate it, as that it men are generally cultivated, and improved, virtue and wisdom shall obviate individual and local discontent, and yet be generally must reign, and vice and ignorance must cease to prevail. Virtue benefioial, is a task, at once, perplexing and arduous. To avoid and wisdom are the parents of private and public felicity, vice and the imputation of local partiality, and to devise a plan, operating ignorance of private and public misery. with equal mildness and advantage, has been the object of the Ir education be the cause of the advancement of other nations, it commissioners. To effect this end they have consulted the exmust be apparent to the most superficial observer of our peculiar perience of others, and resorted to every probable source of intelpolitical constitutions, that it is essential, not to our prosperity only,ligence. From neighboring states, where common school systems but to the very existence of our government. Whatever may be are established by law, they have derived match important infor This information is doubly valuable, as it is the result of the effect of education on a despotic, or monarchical government,mation. it is not absolutely indispensable to the existence of either. In a long and actual experience. The commissioners by closely exa despotic government the people have no agency whatever, either mining the rise and progress of those systems, have been able to in the formation or in the execution of the laws. They are the jobviate many imperfections, otherwise inseparable from the novelty mere slaves of arbitrary authority, holding their lives and property of the establishment, and to discover the means by which they at the pleasure of uncontrolled caprice. As the will of the ruler have gradually risen to their present condition. is the supreme law, fear, slavish fear on the part of the governeil, is The outlines of the plan, suggested by the commissioners, ave the principal of despotism. It will be perceived readily, that jg briefly these. That the several towns in the state, be divided into rafice on the part of the people can present no barrier to the ad-school districts, by three commissioners, clected by the citizens ministration of such a government; and much less canit endanger qualified to vote for town officers: That trustees be elected in its existence. In a monarchical government the operation of each district, to whom shail be confided the care and superintenfixed lays is extended to supersede the necessity of intelligence in dance of the school to be established therein: That the interest the people. But in a government like ours where the people is of the school-fund be divided among the different counties and the sovereign power; where the will of the people is the law of towns, according to their respective population, as ascertained by the land, which will is openly and directly expressed; and where the successive census of the United States: That the proportion every act of the government, may justly be called the act of the received by the respective towns, be subdivided among the dis people, itis absolutely essential that that people be enlightened.tricts, into which such towns shall be divided according to the They must possess both intelligence and virtue; intelligence to number of children in each, between the ages of five and filteen perceive what is right, and virtue to do what is right. Our republic, therefore, may justly be said to be founded on the intelligence and years inclusive: That each town raise, by tax, annually, as much virtue of the people. For this reason it is with much propriety money as it shall have received from the school find: That the that the enlightened Montesquieu has said, "that in a republic the amount of monies received from the state and raised by the towns, be appropriated, exclusively, to the payment of the wages of the teachers: That the whole system be placed under the supertendance of an officer, appointed by the council of appointment. These are the great cuties of the plan; the details will appear more fully by the annexed sketch of a law, submitted to the con sideration of the legislature. whole force of education is required." The commissioners think it unnecessary to represent in a stronger point of view, the importance, and absolute necessity of education. as connected either with the cause of region and morality, or with the prosperity and existence of our political institutions. As the pople inust receive the advantages of education, the enquiry naturally arises, how this end is to be attained. The expedient This being the plan devised by the commissioners, let us next devised by the legislature. is the establishment of common schools, enquire what means the legislature have assigned to carry it into which being spread throughout the state, and aided by its bounty, effect. This will be explained by a reference to the report of the ill bring improvement within the reach of the humblest citizen. comptroller of the state, made to the legislature, the 11th of Fe Thit appears to be the best plan that can be devised, to disseminate bruary inst. By this it appears that the school-fund is compobed religion, morality a learning, throughout a whole country. All of the following itens : L VOL. II. —STER—INTERESTING TO HUMANITY. Resolved, that the committee of cr manufactures be instructed to report money tender sge at which children are sent to school; the length of the Dols. 240,370 67 time they pass under the direction of the teachers; when we consing the president of the United S ant's Bank 150,000 00 sider that their little minds are to be diverted from their maturai be purchased barrels of provon do. 15,000 00 propensities, to the artificial acquisition of knowledge; that they the same exported to some port 101.924 52 are to be prepared for the reception of great moral and religious 3,000 00 truths; to be inspired with a love of virtue and a detestation of use of the inhabitants wno bies for a lon ity of New-York 10,000 00 vice; we will forcibly perceive the absolute necessity of the above qualifications in the master. s and mortgages of earthquake. As an impediment to had men get35,831 13 ting into the schools, as teachers, it is made the duty of the townst December, 1811, be inspectors strictly to inquire into the moral and literary qualifica 3,338 37 tions of those who may be candidates for the place of teacherAnd it is hoped that this precaution aided by that desire which Dols. 558,464 69 generally prevails of employing good men only, will render it unnecessary to resort to any other measure. On motion of Mr. Rande manu actures be instruc and what relief oughtEVENUE. 1,600 00 The commissioners at the time that they feel impressed with the importance of employing teachers of the character described, cannot refrain from expressing their solicitude as to the introduction of proper books into the contemplated schools. This is a subject so intimately connected with a good education, that it merits the serious consideration of all who are concerned in the establishment and management of schools. Much good is to be derived from a judicious selection of books, calculated to enlighten the under 45,216 95 standing not only, but to improve the heart. And as it is of inappears, by the same report, that of the 500,000 acres calculable consequence to guard the young and tender mind from ich are directed, by law, to be sold for the benefit of the receiving fallacious impressions, the commissioners cannot omit Thursday, the surveyor-general has already sold 198,507 650-1000 mentioning this subject as a part of the weighty trust reposed in ciations foving 301,493 344-1000 nemes vet to be appropriated to that them. Connected with the introduction of suitable books, the vessels are. As soon as this fund shall have produced a revenue of commissioners take the liberty of suggesting that some observa mittee dollars, that revenue by the act of April 2d, 1505, is to be tions and advice touching the reading of the Bible in the schools might be salutary. In order to render the sacred volume produe Theled among the diffi reat countics of this state. tive of the greatest advantage, it should be held in a very different light from that of a common school book. It should be regarded as a book intended for literary improvement not merely, but as inculcating great and indispensable moral truths also. With these impres sions, the commissioners are induced to recommend the practice introduced into the New-York Free-School, of having select chapters read at the opening of the school in the morning, aud the like at the close in the afternoon. This is deemed the best mode of preserv ing the religious regard which is due to the sacred writings. the it will readily be peret ived by the legislature that if the common dieool establishment, were intended to be maintained by this find texclusively, the fund would fall far short of being adequate to the object. A brief statement will make this tact very apparent. Let us suppose that the school find were arrived at that point, when by law it is to be divided. There will then be 50,000 dollars of public money to be distributed among the schools; and as, by the contemplated plan, a sum is to be raised annually, by tax, equal to the interest of the school fund, the gross amount of monies It will naturally occur to the legislature, as the interest of the when the schools will receive, will be 100,000 dollars. There are in this stare 45 counties, comprising exclusively of the cities, 449 school-fund is to be divided every year among the counties and towns. It will be very evident therefore, that the proportion of towns as soon as it shall amount to 50,000 dollars annually, that ench town must necessarily be small. As, however, the school this sum must be forth-coming on a fixed day, annually, to meet districts are authorised to raise, by tas, a sun sufficient to purchase the contingencies for which it is appropriated. Without a certainty a lot, on which the school house is to be built; to build the school in the payment of the annual appropriation, the whole system will house; and to keep the saine in repair; and as the school-monies be impeded in its operation. By a recurrence to the report of the are devoted, exclusively, to the payment of the teachers wages, comptroller, it will appear that the greatest part of the revenue of the sum, however small, which cash district will be entitled to, will the school-fund arises from sources which preclude the probability be from these considerations, so much the more efficacious. It will, of certainty in the receipt. The interest arising from monies however, be evident to the legislature, that the finds appropriated loaned on mortgage, the net proceeds of the offices of the clerks by the state, for the support of the common school systein, will of the supreme court, &c. cannot be counted on with any certainty alone, be very inadequate; and the commissioners are of opinion, as to time. This inconvenience must be in some way, remedied, that the fund in any stage of it, even when the residue of the unsold And the most advisable method that occurs to the commissioners, lands shall be converted into money bearing an interest, never will will be, by the actual appropriation, by the state, of a sum équal to be alone adequate to the maintenance of common schools; as the the interest of the school-und, the state having recourse to the iercase of the population, will probably be, in as great, if not a debtors of the fund for arrears of interest for its reimbursement. The commissioners lave deemed it proper to recommend to the greater ratio, than that of the fund. But it is hardly to be imagined the legislature intended that the state should support the legislature the appointinent of an officer, whose duty it shall be to whole expence of great an establishment. The object of the superintend, generally, the interests, and watch the operations of Legislature, as understood by the commissioners, was to rouse the the common school system. They are induced to this ensure by public attention to the important subject of education, and by the consideration that the system is sufficiently important to justify adopting a system of common schools, in the expence of which the the measure. The commissioners cannot conclude this report without express' state would largely participate, to bring instruction within the reach and means of the humblest eitize. And the commissioners ing, once more, their deep sense of the momentous subject corr have kept in view the furtherance of this object of the legislature:mited to them. if we regard it as connected with the cause of for by requiring each district to raise, by tax, a sum sufficient to religion and morality merely, its aspect is awfully solemn. But build and repair a school house; and by allong the school-monies the other view of it, already alluded to, is sufficient to excite the solely to the payment of the teacher's wages, they have, in a mea-keenest solicitude in the legislative body. It is a subject, let it be sure supplied two of the most important sources of expence repeated, intimately connected with the permanent prosperity s Thus every inducement will be held out to the instruction of youth our political institutions. The American empire is founded on the As to the particular mode of instruction best calculated to virtue and intelligence of the people. But it were irrational to communicate to the young mind the greatest quantity of useful conceive that any form of government can long exist without virknowledge, in a given time, and with the least expence, the tue in the people. Where the largest portion of a nation is vicious, commissioner beg leave to observe, that there are a variety of new the government must cease to exist, as it loses its functions. methods lately adopted, in various parts of Europe, of iniparting laws cannot be executed where every man has a personal interest instruction to youth, some of which methods have been partially in sercening and protecting the proffigate and abalado..ed. inurodiced into the United States. The Lancastrian plan, as it is these are mirestrained by the wholesome coercion of authority, they called, which has lately been introduced into some of the large give way to every species of excess and crime: One enormity towns of the United States, merits the serious consideration of the brings ou another, until the whole community becoming corrupt, legislature. As an expeditious and cheap mode of instructing a bursts forth into some mighty change, or sinks at ouce into amiarie mumber of scholars, it stands unrivalled.--And the subjoined hilation. "Can it be," said Washington, that providence has not Certificates of the trustees of the New-York, Free-School, together connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The with these of divers tutors, carry with them the evidence of its experiment, at least is recommended by every sentiment winch vast wility and success.-The commissioners, therefore, recommend ennobles human nature." that a number of Lancaster's books, containing an account of his mode of teaching, &c. be printed, by order of the legislature, and distributed among the several towns this state with the annexed Certificates of recommendation. country. When And the commissioners cannot but hope, that that Being whe rules the universe in justice and in crey, who rewards vir.uc and punishes vice, will most graciously deign to smile benignly" The declature wifi porecive, in the system contained in the bill the humble efforts of a people in a cause purely his own; and tha selamitted to their consideration, that the commissioners are deeply he will manifest his pleasure in the lasting prosperity of our impressed with the importance of admitting, under the contemplated plan, such teachers only as are duly qualified. The respectability of every school must heri-sarily depend on the character of the master. To caitle a tencher to asstine the control of a school, he should be endowed with the requisite iterary qualifications not only, but with unimpeachable character. He should also he a man of patient and mild temperament. "A preceptor," says Rousseau, is invested with the rights and takes upon himself the obligations [Here follow the documents mentioned in the report ;-being t of both father and mother." And Quintilian tells us, "that to theters from the president and secretary of the trustees of the New requisite literary and moral endowments, he inust add the bencvo-| lent disposition of a parent." To enable a teacher to perform the trust reposed in him, the above qualifications are indispusible When we consider the JEDIDIAH PECK, Dated Albany, February 14, 1812. Commissioners. York Free-School, and from the teachers of the schools No. 1 and No. 2, as also from the teacher of the New-York African school, ill tending to prove the utility and economy of the Lancastrian systed of education.] THE WEEKLY REGISTER-MR. PICKERING'S Mr. Pickering's Letters. FROM THE BOSTON REPERTORY. of which he sustained in this events, which might or miny great: upwards of 170 offi of their actual revocation revocation of '.'s decrees, France. sident was authorised by-illed, wounded or taken prisonproclamation, for issuing in rank and file bore rather a impeached; combined "sual proportion to this number of LETTER I.—To the citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, cut which, the governmeneme junta issued a decree írom Constrained by my circumstances, to the constant and laborious into a war with Great-Britaat the general of the Estramamanagement of my little farm, I can ill spare the time necessary to finishing twist by an act of e the examination of the state of our public affairs, and the conduet As he had left Frauorps who had withstood the of our rulers. But, I consider my farm, my labor, and my life of 1810, on which day Mr. Madison had deserved well of their small account, if our public affairs are to proceed in their present whether they had been revoked to have been revoked, it was Somoted: the most distindownward course. I therefore suspend my labors, in order to lay before you some facts, some truths, and some reflections, which imperor in seizing and detaining Anced a degree and the conceive highly inportant to your interests, safety and freedom;ious and devoted partizans of France, the first day of November, had excite badges of honor and with which my own are indissolubly united. The attempt, I con revoked. The then secretary of state, b. Of the recreants fess, is attended with discouragements. Newspapers are the usual) means of conveying information to you: and a free press has ever very soon expressed his doubts to the presahour of need some been considered as the shield of our rights and liberties: but those de more ready to information of the ong the officers, a month after his proclamation had been iss. means are perverted, and that shield is changed into a mischievous soon as he had been received by the presidenten was reduced weapon of annoyance. Misrepresentations and falsehoods spread conversed with the French minister on the sub over the country in newspapers devoted, not to the public wellare, and the situation of our commerce with France but to build up and support a party, who seek their own and not interview by observing to the French minister, the French, your advantage, have deceived you into a belief, that your national propose in writing, the several questions which had vida, where, rulers have conducted your affairs wisely and honestly; and that the conversation. Mr. Smith committed them to p they and those who are their professed adinirers and abettors in the form of a letter to the French minister. The first ques ey remainseveral states, are the only friends to the people, the only real patriots. And how are you to be undeceived? how are you to come to the knowledge of the truth?" A vast proportion of the people read those papers only, which, with the fatal industry, disse nate the misrepresentations and falsehoods which have deceived you. They studiously omit and reject all those truths which would correct the errors, by which so many are influenced to their own harm and the approaching ruin of the country. If, however, my voice cannot rench you all, it may be heard by many, and contribute to their confirmation in the patriotic course they now pursue. ma on the first day of last November? Or, have they at any us, and The letter was not sent. The information was not obtained. And congress, (groping in the dark, or rather walking, only by the light shed upon their path by Mr. Madison, a light that served but to make darkness vissible) by an act passed the second of March, forbidding all importations from Great Britain, gave the finishing twist to the knot. Our commerce, consequently for a whole year and more, has been struggling for breath under the hands of the hang man, and now by the embargo it is strangled. Nothing remains but to cut down the body and burn it under the gallows. This the impending war is to accomplish. But why should president Madi son oppose Mr. Smith's most important inquiry? It is the prest dent's constitutional duty to "give to congress information of the state of the union ;" and his oath of office enforces the obligation. The state of the union" means the situation or condition of the United States in regard to foreign nations as well as among themselves. WAR WITH GREAT-BRITAIN. Yesterday I received from an experienced, discerning and upright member of congress, a letter dated the third instant, in which he says: "The aspect of affairs more strongly indicates war approaching than at any other period during the session, I believe, until very lately, some confidence has been placed in the effect of our scare-crow plan of warfare, or that the idea of our preparations would produce, on the part of Great-Britain, a relaxation in her maritime system. It has entirely failed in its intended effect; and has, on the contrary, produced union in Great-Britain ;] so that now our government has no choice left, but either to recede from the ground they have taken, or proceed to the last resort ;" that is to war. "I have all along been fearful that a series of blunder and misin gement, to give them no harsher epithet, would lead to that My fears are, I believe, like to be realized. The high honor which the advocates of the present measures profiss i retreat: there is, therefore, no alternative but to fight. eople at large have that high sense of national, or rather Sonal honor, which men of this stamp profess, they have to do but to shed their blood and waste their treasure, in secution of this war." My respectable friend then adds, Was Mr. Madison afraid that the real truth should be known? risis is fast approaching. The advocates of the present Did he fear that by the confession of the French minister himself, te been all along flattering themselves that it would be a his November proclamation should be proved unfounded and false i war. That impression will, I think, prove fallacious. Or was it a blind devotion to, or treacherous concert with France ttention will be paid to the approaching elections. Every which governed his conduct in this matter? I have stated the Gen for Gerry in Massachusetts will be considered here as a material facts: you will form your own conclusions. A series of favor of the war measures of congress." deceptions and double-dealings, which I have witnessed in the fellow-citizens, abandoning your greatest and best interests, executives of the United States for several years past, some of to engage in a destructive war for honor-You are to fight which I have heretofore exhibited to the public, leave me no choice: or-for "congressional honor (a happy distinction of my I can form but one conclusion, and that is that you are betrayed not for national honor, but for the honor of a set of men, a that your best interests are sacrificed, and your safety, liberty anti ty of whom, together with the adruinistration, and Thomas independence hazarded to enable the French emperor to extend his on, the master-spring at their head,) have been reviled, and conquests, and finally to destroy the only power yet unsubdued. tively speaking, cuffed, and spit upon by Bonaparte. To his I have already remarked, that where promises or compacts are ow. abjects, while he has grinds them to powder by his exactions mutual, where something is to be performed on one side as well as for has treasury and his armies, he yet shews some respect, but to on the other, if one party fails in the performance, the other is dis ottr rulers in all his words and actions for four years past, nothing charged. Now if the French emperor's Berlin and Milan decrees, but contempt. And finally, he has told them explicitly that they which so atrociously violated our rights as a neutral nation, were were "destitute of honom all which they have borne with the revoked, then the United States, were not bound to revive and entaineness of slaves. And yet these men now talk of honor! and force the non-importation law against Great Britain. But those are urging you into a war to defend it!-No, fellow-citizens! it is a decrees were not revoked on the 1st of November 1810, nor have war to rescue them from merited disgrace, and not to save or defend they been since revoked. On the contrary, the emperor has repeat the honor of our country. The French emperor has contrived to edly declared them to be the fundamental laws of his empire. Nor wist a knot about our necks, as one of the cubers said, “ A knot has he so modified them that they cease to violate our neutral which," he added," must be cut by the sword of war! But war rights. Many of our vessels have been captured and condemned, with whom? With him who twisted the knot? No, with Great-which were solely engaged in the commerce, which no other laws Britain! But how could Bonaparte twist s7ch a knot about our prohibited; and their condemnation proves those decrees to be stifl necks without the aid, the co-operation of our own rulers? And it, in force. But of what avail is it, if those decrees were repealed? in concert with them, how but by treachery? But, it is said, they The neutral rights and the interests of the United States, require have made a "compact" with hira: (and this is the knot twisted that our commerce should be perfectly free with all nations which about our neeks) and every agreement ought to be sacredly per- are willing to admit our vessels into their ports, whether they be formed. True: honest inen will always fulfil their engagements; neutral, or the enemies of France. Notwithstanding which, the but where promises and compacts" are mutual, where something armed vessels of the emperor take, burn, destroy all our vessels is to be performed on one side as well as on the other, if one party destined to Spain and Portugal and their dominions, which he has fails in the performance, the other is discharged. The pretended treacherously invaded and endeavored to subdue. But he has not compart was, that if France revoked or modified her decrces stopped here. In the Baltic sea, French arined vesses inke so that they should cease to violate our neutral commerce, and prizes of all the American vessels they can find, although bound to Great-Britain did not revoke or modify her orders au council in Sweden and Russia, nations at peace with France; their papers bike manner, then the United States were to prohibit all importa are sent to Paris, and all are indiscriminately condemned; his inons of the products and merchandize of the British dominions. perial majesty himself frequently sitting and passing the iniquitous But France did not so revoke or modify her deer.es: and president sentences and condemnation. The president and congress know Madison's proclamation of Nov. 3, 1810, stating that the French all this; for the facts are published in the newspapers, and admit decrees in question had been so revoked or modified was false in of no doubt; yet are they driving the United States into a war fact; for the emperor's declaration in the letter of his minister with Great Britain, (for such is the avowed object of all their war Champagny, to the American minister in Paris, was conditional, preparations; under the pretence of perforiking jts unfounded amounting only to a promise to revoke his decrees, on certainƒture compact with a faithless tyrant ! |