of the ledger-for these are fair as well as plain questions:

When a country exports more specie than it im ports, is this no evidence of a favorable or unfavorable commerce?

Is a rate of exchange, thirteen per cent. above par, advantageous or otherwise to the operations of commerce?

Do these causes combined, or either of them separately, promote or retard the prosperity of the country?

country at large, these unreasonable credits are
extremely injurious, has been long and deeply fett.
If there is not in congress a perfect apathy-nay,
if there is not a determination to see how far the
interest of the nation may be depressed by their
supineness and subserviency to foreign policy, they
will look to the evils which afflict the nation, and
administer the remedy, nauseous as it may be, to
those who are preying on its vitals.

The Atmosphere.

T.

From an article in the Encyclopædia Britannica,

BY MR. LESLIE.

If the answers to these questions should be favorable to the operation of these two causes, then let us make the most of them, increase the exporta. The vault of heaven seems to darken by insensition of specie and raise the rate of exchange by every possible encouragement, which the govern. ble transitions, from the western to the eastern nient or people can give-let the country be drain-horizon. It is most probable, therefore, that the ed of its last dollar of current coin, let the people diminution of light, after the close of evening, is pay for every 100 dollars worth of imported goods owing to the prodigious rarefaction of much highfifty dollars in exchange beyond the first cost. Let er portions of the atmosphere, which still catch some me repeat the injunction, if this will promote the faint rays of the sun, without being able, from exgeneral welfare, carry it to the utmost possible cessive attenuation, to reflect them efficiently to extent for it cannot be beneficial on a small and the earth. But since, unless the sky be overcast, injurious on arge scale. But if it portends ruin, there is total darkness in no climate, even at midthen let it be stopped. I here offer a fair alterna. night, we may, therefore, infer that the body of tive to the merchants, that they may come out pub. air extends to such an altitude as to receive the licly and express their opinion with candor; they most dilute glimmer, after the sun has obtained his owe it to themselves, and cannot, in justice to their utmost obliquity, and sunk ninety degrees below own character, decline doing it. Public opinion the horizon. It would thence follow that the elemust not be forever divided on these all important vation of the atmosphere must be equal at least to questions-to, settle them at once, I do not throw 1638 miles, or the excess of the hypotenuse of an down the gauntlet of defiance, but only seek to isosceles right angle triangle having 3956 miles, or elicit truth from those best qualified to disclose it. the radius of the earth for its base. This very great extension of a rare expansive atIt is an invitation, not a challenge-a request and not a threat. There is not any mystery in the sub-mosphere appears conformable to the general ject matter; it will expose no secrets of trade, em- phenomena. But the thin investure of our globe, barrass no commercial operation, interfere with no at least near the equator, may stretch out much adventure or speculation. Every importing mer farther, and yet its elevation can never exceed a chant is well informed about these matters, and certain absolute limit. The highest portions of Baltimore abounds with mercantile intelligence, the atmosphere, which is carried round in 23 hours and it must not be thought unfair or indecorous to and 56 minutes, by the rotation of the earth about ask, nay, to insist, on an answer to these questions-its axis, would be projected into space, if their cenaye or no, with reasons for their opinion-short and trifugal force at that distance were not less than pithy as may be pleasing to whoever will take the their gravitation towards the centre. But the centrouble; but so much at large, at least, as to enlight-trifugal force is directly as the distance while the en public opinion and enable the people to judge and decide correctly.

power of gravity is at its square. Consequently, when the centrifugal force, at the distance of 6.6 I now leave the subject of the exportation of our radii of the earth, is augmented as many times, the coin and the rate of exchange, in the confident ex- corresponding gravitation is diminished by its pectation of being speedily furnished with a satis- square or 43.7 times, their relative proportion befactory answer, or at least some information re-ing thus changed, to 289. Now, the centrifugal force being only the 289th part of gravity at the specting these subjects. There is another subject which deserves the very surface of the equator, it will, therefore, just balance serious consideration of the American people-it is this power at the distance of 6.6 radii from the cen. the credit on the duties. I have long been of opi-tre, or at the elevation of 22,200 miles. Such is the extreme boundary of atmospheric nion that they are not required for the accommoda. tion of the American importer, that their tendency expansion. Though it surpasses all our ordinary is to throw the commerce of the country into the hands of foreigners, to encourage the importation of goods beyond the wants of the people or their ability to pay; for that, owing principally to the facilities afforded by these credits, our government Jends to foreigners a capital to trade upon, which is drawn from the people without any aid to our revenue-and that they are one great cause of the deep embarrassment which now threatens prostration to all the great interests of the country. On this subject I must also endeavor to elicit informa. tion from our merchants-they must not be backward in giving it; for, if I am not greatly mistaken, there is no class of men so deeply interested as themselves: and if they will but take a view of their operations, they must find this to be one of the greatest drawbacks on commerce. That, to the

conceptions of the space occupied by that dilateable fluid, it yet scarcely exceeds the twentieth part of the distance of the moon, which was held by the ancients to communicate with our atmosphere. If it really spreads out to the limit now assigned, it must, in its remote verge, attain a degree of tenuity which would utterly baffle imagination to conceive. Perhaps the fluid itself may change in those lofty regions, and pass into a sort of etherial essence, more analogous to diffuse light than to a mass of air.

Perhaps air, in its most concentrated state, occupies the bottom of the ocean, and forms a vast bed, over which the incumbent waters roll. Air has actually been condensed above a bundred times, and during this process it betrayed no deviation from the fundamental law, that its elasticity is di

REPORT.

rectly proportional to its density. There seems no reason, therefore, to doubt that, if an adequate This court, in obedience to the warrant of the compressive force could be exerted, air might be secretary of the navy, having examined into the reduced to the thousandth part of its ordinary vo- official conduct of captain Isaac Hull, since his aplume. But this elastic fluid would then be denser pointment as commandant of the navy yard at than water, and, consequently, instead of rising Charlestown, and having considered the testimony would fall through the liquid. Suppose, for in- and the defence or statement of capt. Hull, report stance, a bladder filled with air, and having a small the following as all the material facts and circum. bullet attached to it, were thrown into the sea: instances disclosed by the inquiry: continuing to sink, it would reach a depth where It appears that capt. Hull was ordered to the nathe enormous weight of the column of water vy yard at Charlestown the 1st day of July, 1815, would compress it to the same density with the took command there in the same month, and has surrounding mass; and if the bullet were now discontinued in the command to the present time. engaged, the bladder would remain suspended in As no charges or specifications were exhibited that stratum, or if carried a little lower, it would against capt. Hull, the court was left, by the terms precipitate itself to the bottom. of the warrant, to discover, from a generai investiTo form some estimate of this singular event, agation of his official conduct, if, in any respect, he simple calculation will be required. Air, of the had failed in the faithful performance of his duties. ordinary temperature, is 840 times lighter than dis-To this end, a series of general interrogatories were tilled water, and is, therefore, 865 times lighter prepared, embracing the whole course of duties on than sea water, assuming the density of this to be this station; and these have been propounded to 4.03. But the mean pressure of the atmosphere all such persons as were supposed to have opporbeing equal to that of a column of 34 feet of distil.tunity of knowing any thing of his conduct, or to led water, is, hence, equal to the weight of a co-possess any means of information on the subject; lumn of 323 feet of sea water. Wherefore, 323 864, or 28,296 feet, is the depth of the ocean where the necessary compression would obtain. This computation is to be considered as only a near approximation, yet sufficiently accurate for the object in view. It is enough to mark the conclusion, that any portion of air, carried five miles and a half below the surface of the sea, will never ascend again. Now, this limit is only half the depth which the theory of tides assigns to the waters of the ocean. There is more difficulty in conceiving by what process air can be conveyed to its abyss. Increase of pressure, however, enables water to hold a larger share of air; and the effect is, hence, the Had charges and specifications been exhibited, same as an augmented attraction. The minute glou- these would have incidentally directed the court bles of air may therefore be gradually drawn down-to witnesses connected with the transactions to be wards, from stratum to stratum, till they are, at last, investigated. The duty of this court would have detached from the body of water by their own su- been less arduous, but the result of their inquiry perior density. The precipitation and accumula-might have been less satisfactory. tion of concentrated air under the ocean, would By the course they have pursued, which, how. thus be the result of some unceasing operation. ever, they presume will not be cited as a prece. Such a process may, perhaps, constitute a part of dent in any other than a perfectly similar case, no the great economy of nature. It seems probable source of information has been left unexamined; that the existence of a subaqueous bed of air is ne- and they confidently believe that every transaction cessary to feed the numerous fires which continu. which has given rise to any imputation against cap ally rage in the bowels of the earth, and occasion-tain Hull, has been spread upon their record in ally burst forth on the surface in volcanic spiracles.

Naval Court of Inquiry.

Navy department, July 31st, 1822. GENTLEMEN: You are hereby appointed a court of inquiry, and required to assemble on the 12th day of August next, at the United States' navy yard in Charlestown, in the state of Massachusetts, to examine, minutely, into the official conduct of captain ISAAC HULL, since his appointment as commandant of that yard: and you will report to me all the facts and circumstances which shall be disclos. ed by the inquiry, together with your opinion in relation to the same. You will please to appoint a gentleman possessing the requisite qualifications to offioiate as judge advocate. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SMITH THOMPSON. To John Rodgers, Isaac Chauncey, and

Charles Morris, captains of the U. States navy.

Navy department, Nov. 15, 1822.
I certify that the above is a true copy from the
original.
BENJAMIN HOMANS.

and all the witnesses have been permitted to testify freely as to the reasons for their belief where it appeared they did believe that captain Hull bad failed in the performance of any duty. The restriction of witnesses to their own knowledge, without permitting them to disclose what they had heard from others, would, it is obvious, have precluded the court from resort to many unknown sources of information, to which the court might and ought to resort, for evidence of those facts and circum. stances which had given occasion for the ordering of this court, and which it was expected this court should report upon to the department.

such a manner that the government may be satisfied that the conduct of captain Hull, during his command, has been fully inquired into, and that no instance of misconduct has escaped the attention of the court.

In presenting their report or statement of all the facts and circumstances disclosed by the inquiry, the court will follow the analysis of captain Hull's official duties, which suggested the standing or general interrogatories propounded to the several

witnesses.

In respect to the first branch of their inquiry how far public property has been converted to the private use of captain Hull, or of any other person with his knowledge?-they find that some public property at first appeared to have been so converted, but, on investigation, it appears this was, in fact, applied to public use; some appears to have been borrowed for his use, and afterward returned; some appears to have been taken for his use by his orders, and some without his orders or knowledge; but an equal quantity of the same kind, or an equiva lent of a different kind, has been returned. But, it does not appear to the court that any public pro

perty, with captain Hull's knowledge, has been converted to his own use without his returning some equivalent: neither does it appear that any public property has been converted to the use of others with his knowledge or assent.

Pursuing this analysis of the evidence, the court, in obedience to the warrant, proceed to state the facts and circumstances respecting this branch of their inquiry in regard to property which at first appeared to have been converted to captain Hull's use, but, on investigation, appears to have been ap. plied to public use. It was proved that several sticks of timber were taken by captain Hull's or ders from the navy yard to remove certain buildings of captain Hull's. On investigation, it appears that these buildings were situate on the Woodward estate, purchased by captain Hull, on his own account, at the suggestion of Mr Crowninshield, then se. cretary of the navy, upon an understanding that the government might subsequently purchase such portion thereof as might be deemed necessary for the convenient enlargement of this navy yard: that the government did take a portion of this estate on an appraisement fairly and satisfactorily made: that the department agreed to remove the buildings thereon to land of captain Hull at the public charge; and this timber was used to remove his buildings conformably to this agreement. It also appears that all this timber was subsequently and seasonably returned into the yard, and is now there in the use of the United States.

this as a customary allowance, but so insisted with Dr. Elliot, who, on receipt of the money, transferred the amount to the debit of the United States, and acknowledged receipt of his money as from the government.

In respect to public property, borrowed by captain Hull for his own use, it was proved, that four sticks of timber were taken by his orders and used to remove a small house of his in the vicinity of the yard; but these were returned without injury, and it does not appear that the U. States have suffered any inconvenience from this use of them.

In respect to public property taken by captain Hull's orders for his own use, it appears that 300 pound of nails were taken from the navy store by his orders, and were used in his buildings; for these he returned 320 pounds of a different kind, but of equal value and utility. It also appears that 23 pounds of spikes were taken for his use with bis knowledge, at different times, in small parcels, and for these he returned a like quantity and of equal quality. It also appears that 1000 feet, in board measure, of sawn pine timber, were taken for his use, upon his order, and, subsequently, a quantity of the same kind was returned.

These are all the instances of the taking of public property for capt. Hull's use, by his orders or with his knowledge at the time, during his command on this station.

In respect to public property, taken for his use by mechanics in his employment, it appears that, It was proved that some glass was taken from at a time when he was confined to his house by inthe store to be set in the buildings of captain Hull disposition, his carpenter obtained from the yard a after they were removed from this estate. On in- quantity of clear pine plank of the value of 12 dolvestigation, it appears that the government engaglars, and, instead of this, returned, on the same day, ed not only to remove captain Hull's buildings from a quantity of merchantable plank of the same value that portion of the Woodward estate which govern and of equal utility. ment might take for its own use, but also to place the buildings, after removal, in as good order and condition as before, and that this glass was taken to replace that which was broken in the removal.

It was stated in evidence that a shovel, three pair of tongs, a pot-bale, and pot hooks and grid. irons, were made at the smith's shop; but, on in. vestigation, it appears that these were made for public use: the shovel and tongs for the fire places in the yard, and the residue of these articles for the quarters of an officer attached to, and residing in, the yard, and, after his decease, they were re. turned into the public stores.

It also appears that six small rakes, worth from 12 to 15 cents each, were made and used in capt. Hull's garden, but were used also in the yard.

It also appears that a bar of iron, about two or three feet long, was taken by one of his mechanics from the smith's shop, and used in capt, Hull's buildings for the chimney bar, but another of equal value was returned.

It also appears that hoops were put on a wheel of captain Hull's travelling carriage, immediately after a journey by captain Hull with Mr. Barker, master builder, into New Hampshire, for the ser vice of the United States, in quest of timber for the navy yard: but this was without his knowledge at the time.

It appears that two small pieces of yellow pine, and one of oak, were taken to make some cellar cills, of the estimated value of one dollar and a quarter; but this does not appear to have been To this class of cases may be referred the pur-known to captain Hull at the time. chase of medicines at the public charge for the use In respect to public property converted to the of capt. Hull's family. use of others, it appears that an axe was made for It appears that captain Hull did obtain of Dr. El-lieutenant Ward and delivered to him on his enliot, an apothecary in Boston, a quantity of medi-gagement to return it; also that a gridiron was made cines to the amount of $53 54 cents, for the use of and delivered to sailing master Waldo; also, that two his family; that these were paid for by the navy garden rakes were made and delivered to James agent, were by him charged in account to the go. Bogman, gunner of the yard, for use in his garden vernment, and was allowed by the department. within the limits of the yard. It further appears, from the testimony of Mr. Crowninshield, late secretary of the navy, and several surgeons in the navy, that it had been the practice at the naval stations, in this place, at Portsmouth, New-York, Philadelphia, and Washington, and on the Lakes, of the surgeons of the navy, to supply medicines from the public stock for the use of the officers' and men's families. It appears that captain Hull had obtained this supply from Dr. Elliot, under full conviction that this was conforma ble to usage, and it fully appears to this court that captain Hull did not at the time doubt his right to

It also appears that a small oven door, 14 by 9 inches, was made of a piece of sheet iron, and also a frame for this, by the blacksmith, for his own use; but it does not appear that captain Hull knew of either of these instances of the conversion of public property to the private use of others.

These are all the instances of the conversion of public property to private use, which were proved to the satisfaction of this court. Some witnesses did indeed mention other articles of very trifling value, as dog nails, old hinges, &c. but, on inves tigation, it fully appeared that the materials were

not public property, or that the witnesses who men- laid there. But, on investigation, it appears that tioned such articles, as appears by the record of this earth was hauled within the navy yard, to imevidence, were so fully discredited that their testi-prove the passage or road from the gate by the mony could not justly have any weight with this

190

of the state of New York; also of an eminent cour
sellor of the city of New York, and of the bon. judge
Livingston of the United States' supreme court, that
the conduct of capt. Hull, throughout his pursuit of
Fosdick, was that of a perfectly innocent man, and
highly zealous officer. No fact or circumstance
appeared in any manner tending to prove or to jus-
tify any suspicion that capt. Hull had ever been
connected with Fosdick in this fraud, or ever knew
of its existence, till discovered by examination of
some pay rolls, with reference to the true time
which certain men had labored. Of all the wit-
nesses examined on this subject, none expressed a

or its contents known to capt. Hall, before it was
sent to the department, or before he approved the
account of lieutenant Percival, nor, indeed, until
very recently. It further appears to this court, that
the payment, by lieutenant Percival, of the sum of
126 dollars, through the hands of sailing master
Waldo, was repayment to capt Hull of money which
lieutenant Percival held in his hands, and claimed
in satisfaction of certain charges, and that, on the
disallowance of these charges by capt. Hull, this
money was repaid: That this repayment was not
made with any reference to capt. Hull's approval
of lieutenant Percival's public account for his own
pay, but was entirely disconnected with that sub-present belief of such connection or collusion, ex-
ject.

The next branch of analysis is, neglect of any proper measures for the detection of Fosdick's fraud, by capt. Hull, or his collusion with Fosdick in this peculation.

It appears to the court, that the fraud of Fosdick was effected by his procuring the men to sign their names to the pay rolls, in which either the time they had worked or the amount of their pay was not written, and that these blanks were filled up by Fosdick after the men were paid, with more time than they had worked, and larger sums than were due them; that he drew from the navy agent the whole amount, and kept the excess above the just sum due to the men, for his own use. tion of the pay rolls laid before the court, they ap. pear to be fair, and to each is subjoined, in common form, a certificate by the person paying the men, that he has compared it with the muster roll, and found it correct, and below this is the approval of capt. Hull.

cept lieut. Joel Abbot and Daniel Leman; but
these were so utterly discredited, as appears on
the face of the record, that they were deemed un-
worthy of any credit by this court.

The next branch of the analysis is oppression;
and in respect to this branch, the court find no evi-
dence tending to prove any oppression by capt.
Hull of officers or men, except in respect to dis.
allowances of chamber money, wood and servant
money, and in respect to his refusal to lieut. Abbot
of leave to visit Newburyport. It appears that
lieut. Joel Abbot, who states that one of his rea
sons for procuring orders to this navy yard, was
that he might receive chamber money, made ap-
On inspec-plication to capt. Hull for this allowance. Capt.
Hull was in doubt if he might with propriety allow
it, and corresponded, and suffered lieut. Abbot to
correspond, with the department on the subject-
the whole of which correspondences are annexed,
lieut. Abbot by a court martial, and are as follows!
in copies from the original record of the trial of
The letter of lieutenants Abbot and Caldwell, and
sailing master Ferguson, to the secretary of the na-
vy, under date January 2d, 1821, and his answer
of the 16th of the same month; a letter from Con-

This is in the usual course, and no circumstance
of any kind ever occurred to capt. Hull's know
ledge, during Fosdick's service in the yard, to ex
cite the least mistrust of his correctness, or doubt of
his integrity. It appears that Fosdick had been high-stant Freeman, accountant, to capt. Hull, dated 30th
ly recommended to capt. Hull's immediate prede-
cessor, capt. William Bainbridge, and that persons
of high standing warmly recommended him to capt.
Hull. No officer in the yard sustained a fairer repu
tation for integrity or talents in his particular sta-
tion than Fosdick. But it appears to this court that,
on the first intimation of the fraud, capt. Hull in.
stantly adopted, and constantly, zealously, and ably
pursued at Charleston, Boston, New York, and New
It appears that lieut. Abbot was very importu
Orleans, all proper and requisite measures for the
detection of this fraud, and the recovery of satis
faction for the U. States, and that, through his acti-nate with capt. Hull on this subject, reiterating
vity and zeal, in an eminent degree, a full and com-
plete satisfaction was obtained from the property
and effects of Fosdick.

It further appears, that capt. Hull, in negociating with Fosdick for this satisfaction, was more rigorous and unyielding than the other commissioners appointed for this purpose: That Fosdick complained of this treatment of him by capt. Hull as harsh, and was greatly incensed against him at the time. That Fosdick then complained that the government would get from him more than he had taken from the United States: That in this state of Fosdick's affairs, it was represented to him by an intimate friend that some persons suspected capt. Hull of being concerned with him in the transaction, and advised him, upon motives of policy, to expose capt. Hull, if in fact he had been concerned. This Fosdick instantly denied, declaring in effect that the fraud could not have been conducted by more than one person, and that no person was concerned with him in the transaction. It also appears, from the testimony of the district attorney of this state, and

March, 1816; one from T. H. Gillis for the accountant, to same, dated 16th May, 1816; capt. Hull's letter to Constant Freeman, 4th auditor, dated 17th July, 1817-Constant Freeman's reply, dated 26th July, 1817-another letter to same, from capt. Hull, dated 30th of September, 1820-Constant Freeman's reply, dated 4th of October, 1820; capt. Hull'sletter to the secretary, dated 9th of October, 1820, and the secretary's reply, dated 10th November, 1820.

his solicitations for this allowance, in a manner not
well and sailing master Ferguson.
usual for officers, and not pursued by lieut. Cald.

It is represented by lieut. Abbot that capt Hull repulsed him with harsh and profane language. On the other hand it appears that capt. Hull is not in the habit of using such language to officers. It appears, that capt. Hull gave much attention to this subject of chamber money, and to the particu lar application of lieut. Abbot and others.

In respect to the allowance of wood, it appears that there were two boatswains in the yard, one of whom was old and infirm, and only able to do light work, and as, by the regulations, there was an allowance of wood only for one, capt. Hull advised or directed, that this allowance of wood should be divided in some way between them. It does not appear that they or either of them objected or have complained.

In respect to the allowance of servant-money, it appears, that the gunner of the yard had received, through mistake, servant-money, as if entitled to

F