southern latitude and milder weather had their usual effects upon the sick, and on the 28th April, the day of arriving at Havana, the list was reduced to twenty, all of them convalescent. One only had died during the passage. "Towards the end of May, the sickness incident to the climate made its appearance on board, and, presuming that it was occasioned by the climate, and becoming alarmed lest it might increase, I went to sea on the 4th June. During my stay at Havana, I had the misfortune to lose seven of my people by fever. "it was of course a just expectation that, on quitting the port, the condtiion of the crew, in respect to bealth, would have become ameliorated. Yet, to my great distress, this was not the case; and, although the weather at sea was unusually fine, the people were taken down with fever in the most surprising manner. ficult to believe it would be omitted, even in the absence of all regulation on the subject. Yet the great bulk of ballast in this ship, although covered with mud and dirt, was never moved, nor properly cleansed; and the hold was stowed with this horrid and offensive matter remaining in it. Offensive, indeed, it might not have been at Boston, ir the winter season; but it is obvious that it would, and must have become highly so, after it had time to ferment within the tropic. "Another regulation of the service requires, that the hold shall be whitewashed previously to receiving the provisions and stores on board; and this regulation was also neglected at l'oston. "The sickness and the mortality on board has been greatest among the persons employed in the hold, and among the carpenter's crew: who, by working the pumps, were most exposed to the oTensive bilge water discharged from the ship. "With all the means in our power, such as ventilation, whitewashing, fumigation, fires, and letting water into the ship, we have been able but partially to correct the impure and offensive air emitted from the hold. This can be effectually corrected only by breaking out the hold, and thoroughly cleansing it; but medical gentlemen whom I have prudent to do this in the West Indies. As the cause of the sickness on board, therefore, must continue as long as we continue in this climate, I have felt it my imperative duty to those under my command to return home; and accordingly I got under weigh from Havana this morning, and I shall proceed to the Chesapeake. "I need not say, sir, how deeply my feelings have been afflicted at this distressing mortality and sick. ness; and since so many deaths have unhappily tsken place-since the safety of the ship has in some degree been hazarded, and the purpose defeated for which she was equipped, I hope you will order an investigation into the cause of the sickness on board." REPORT. "The crew of this ship have never been on an allowance of water; they have been carefully pre. served from unnecessary exposure to the sun and the rain, and particular attention has been paid to cleanliness. I took down from the birth deck, two large state rooms, and a paint locker, and a close bulk head forward of the midshipmen's apartment, and, préviously to arriving among the islands, I birth-consulted are of opinion it would be extremely imed 135 persons on the gun-deck. By these precautions I had a right to expect a healthy crew, not withstanding the unhealthiness of the climate; but, owing to the neglect of duty on the part of the officers of the navy yard at Boston, it is now mani. fest that no precautions on our part could have prevented the introduction of sickness on board. "When this ship was last commissioned, a part of the ballast was taken out and landed; and for the purpose of ascertaining if the keelson was cased, the ballast immediately on each side of it was mov. ed; all the ballast was completely covered with black mud and dirt, and so hardened together that it was a work of much labor to separate the different pieces of iron. The quantity of mud taken from the ballast that was moved was so great, that midshipmen Gerry informed me he saw two cart loads of it carried from the wharf. Mr. Doggett, In making this inquiry, the attention of the court the gunner, acquaints me that the water casks or the was first directed, by the testimony of captain Bidground tier were immersed in mud to about a fifth dle, to the state of the Macedonian's hold, and the of their height-and this extraordinary accumula- circumstances connected with her fitting out from tion of mud is to be explained by the extraordinary the navy yard; then to the treatment of the crew fact, that, on the return of this ship from the Paci-and the management of the ship in respect to meafic, the hold was not broken out; and that, as re-sures of health on the passage out, to the Havana, spects the hold, she was laid up in ordinary nearly during her cruise in the West Indies, and on her in the condition in which she arrived from sea. return to the United States. Midshipmen Turner acquaints me, that he was sta- It appears to the court, that, in June, 1821, on tioned within the Boston navy yard last winter; the third day after the Macedonian's return from that the fire-wood he used was taken out of this the Pacific, the breaking out of her hold was comship, and that, when ignited, it became so offen-menced. This was finally completed in October sive that he was unable to remain in the room. and November, 1821, when all the water casks Thomas Pewmont, a seamen on board, informs me that he was employed in the Boston navy yard last summer; that, in September last, some gang casks were taken from this ship, for the United States brig Spark; that this ship's hold was at that time The bold was cleaned and the skin down to the extremely offensive, and that there were in it seve ballast, and the ballast and the keelson were wash. ral casks of salt provisions, in a rotten and putrided and scraped, and all the dirt taken up; then, condition. Pewmont also states, that this ship had about three feet of the ballast on each side of the not been pumped out for upwards of two months! keelson was taken up, in order to case the keelson. That it then took half a day to pump her free, and This ballast was square kentlege, was stowed very that the water discharged from the ship was bor-close, and, by the pressure of the ballast in the ridly offensive. wings, was so compact and cemented by the cor"A positive regulation of the service requires, rosion of the iron, and frozen, that it was necessathat a ship, when put in commission, shall be perry to use wedges and mauls to separate the pieces. fectly cleansed; and so necessary is this precaution All the limber boards were taken up, except those to the health of the ship's company, that it is dif-under the shot locker, and the limbers were found were broken out of the hold, and, before the 15th January, 1822, every thing except her ballast was taken out of the vessel. The spirit room was bro ken out soon after her arrival. to be not more dirty than usual. The pumps were] was let into the ship on her passage out, but dur got up, and the pump well was cleared. ing the first week after the ship arrived in the Havana, the water of the rbor was several times let into the hold, and pumped out; that this water was impure as appeared afterwards. It appears that the hold was very warm, and the It also appears that nearly one half of the ballast was removed for the purpose before mentioned, and to give it a different shape, and but very little cart was found under the ballast so removed. The cid hoop-poles used for dunnage under the kent-air very close, dense, and offensive; that a quantity lege, which had been removed, was taken out, and the skin scraped and washed, and fresh hoop poles substituted for the old before the kentlege was replaced. After the kentlege was put in place, the hold was swept and all the chips and dirt sent qut of the hold, and every part was white-washed down to the ballast, and a part of this, as much as the state of the weather, it being very cold, would permit. of fresh water was, at one time, while in the Ha vana, brought off from the shore, and started into the hold and pumped out; that the ship was once, but for only two or three days warped broadside to the wind. But, while she lay at all other times with her head to the wind, the wind sails were kept constantly trimmed at proper times down every hatch. It appears that the awning was constantly (spread while in the Havana, and that the men were very little exposed to wet or to the sun, or to duty in the boats, or to fatiguing duty on board, being excused from keeping watch at night, That the first case of malignant fever which occurred on board, was of an ordinary seamen belonging to one of the boats. He sickened the 8th May and died the 11th. It was a case of yellow fever, and it ap peared that this man had, the day before, taken part in a boat race in the harbor of the Havana.-Another ordinary seamen died of the fever on the 19th; lieutenant Clements died on the 26th. He had been on shore the evening preceding his sick. ness for a shot time: a marine died on the 28th May; several others sickened in this month. The names of all who died of the fever, from the 11th of May to the 8th September, inclusive, being 100 cases of fever, are mentioned in the list communicated by Dr. Chase, and attested by him and lieut. Simonds, hereunto annexed. From this it will appear that, Of 10 commissioned officers on board, 4 died of fover; It appears that the water casks used on the cruise to the Pacific, were not unusually decayed: of these only two or three were condemned; the rest were accordingly repaired and painted. In stowing these, care was taken by sweeping off the dirt from each before it was stowed to keep the hold clean. The wood for fuel was stripped of its bark, and the provision casks were carefully brushed off to prevent any snow or dirt from getting below with with them. It also appears that the ballast in the spirit room was removed and cleaned, and that the spirit room and ballast in it were white-washed before the spirit casks were stowed. It also appears that the magazine was carefully and thoroughly repaired, and that all the store rooms were put in order and white washed. Here it may be proper to observe that Doggett, the only witness who asserts that the hold was not white washed before the wa ter casks were stowed, had not much opportunity of knowledge, or was not observant, of what pass ed. He states that there was no superior officer in the hold, superintending the stowing of the hold. It, however, appears that lieutenant Percival was there from time to time, directing this operation; and this officer, and the nien who were actually employed in the operation of white-washing the hold, have, on examination, distinctly and positive. ly sworn that the hold was white-washed down to Of 27 boys on board, 15 died of fever; the ballast before the water casks were stowed It Of 50 marines on board, 14 died of fever; also appears that many of the men were afflicted That of these, 7 died in May and June, while at with colds about the time the ship sailed; that most the Havana; that 30 in all had died by the 15th of Juof the men suffered from catarrh in consequence ly, when both the surgeon and surgeon's mate sick. of bad weather at sea a few days after leaving the ened, and were unable to do duty; that the surgeon, port of Boston; that they recovered generally from Dr. Cadle,died on the 20th July; and while Dr. Chase, this before the ship arrived at the Havana, at which surgeon's mate, was confined to his cot, 35 more time there were from 18 to 20 on the sick list, and died. It also appears, that a great despondency prethese generally convalescent, and the crew was apvailed among the crew, from having been so informparently in a healthy state. It appears that the men were not as well clothed as usual on board public ships on the passage out and at the Havana. But, there was as much cleanliness among the crew as practicable under these circumstances. It also appears that, although captain Biddle manifested great anxiety for the health and comfort of his crew, yet the men were suffered to sleep in their watches on deck, on the passage out. It appears that the birth deck was washed two or three times a week, on the passage out, and oft. ner during the first week, after the ship's arrival in the Havana, and the spar and gun deck every day, But the washing of the birth deck was discontinued after the second week in the Havana. It also appears that 155 men were birthed upon the gun-deck for the sake of the health of all. But, on one occasion, these, as a punishment to them, were sent below to sleep, and all the crew stept two or three nights on the birth Jeck after the ship's arrival in the port of the Havana. appears that no water Of 25 warrant officers on board, 7 died of fever; ed, it was generally believed on board, that the cause of the sickness was owing to the foul state of the hold, and the men were under strong conviction that all who sickened would inevitably die; that, during this state of despondency and sickness, the crew were allowed to sleep any where about the ship--some slept in the chains, some in the tops, some in the boats, and on the booms, and but few in their hammocks. It also appears, that, on the 4th of June, the ship sailed for Port au Prince, and on the passage, the number of new cases was less, and the sick appeared better while at sea. But at Haytien, and subsequently, the sickness and mortality continually increased, and the ship became so infected, that there was no reasonable ground for expectation, that the crew could be relieved but by change of situation or climate. It also appeared, at the Hsvana, after the ship's return to that port, a person recommended by a physician of that place, came on board to do the duty of a surgeon, and assist in the care of the sick. It appears that an alarming | last by 60 or 80,000 bales. The cultivation has state of sickness continued on board during the been much extended in Alabama, as well as in South passage from the Havana to Norfolk, and that the Carolina, &c. men were allowed to sleep in any part of the ship, as before stated, during the passage home, and the sickness and mortality were not diminished till af ter the vessel's arrival in the U. States, and the landing of the crew. The preceding report embraces all the facts and circumstances elicited by the inquiry which this court is required to report, and are respectfully submitted with the following OPINION: The court is of opinion that the conduct of the officers of the navy yard at Charlestown, manifested great zeal and attention to the fitting out of the Macedonian for her late cruise; and that the preva lence of sickness and mortality, on board the Ma cedonian, is not to be ascribed, in any degree, to any omission of duty on their part; on the contrary, it is the opinion of this court, that the hold of that ship was sufficiently cleansed. The court is further of opinion, that the princi pal causes of sickness and mortality on board the Macedonian, during her late cruise, were the sud den transition from a northern climate, to the cli mate of the port of Havana, the continuance of the ship in that port for so long a period, as it appears she was there detained, and the want of proper medical aid, for a considerable period. The court is further of opinion, that, beside these principal causes, the debilitated state of a large portion of the crew at the time of their arri val at the port of Havana, the admission of water at that place, into the hold of the ship, until its injurious effects were suspected, and the permission given the crew to sleep about the decks, may also be considered as additional causes for the sickness and mortality which prevailed on board the Macedonian during her late croise. The want of additional clothing, of tea and su gar, and the despondency of the crew, which have been enumerated by the medical officers, in the opinion of this court, have not produced in themselves very considerable injury to the health of the crew. The court feel themselves incompetent to deter mine, whether the treatment to which the sick were subjected, was judicious or otherwise, and therefore refer, in that particular, to the opinions of the medical officers, which are annexed to these JOHN RODGERS, proceedings. President of the court. GEORGE SULLIVAN, Judge Advocate. Navy Department, Nov. 15, 1822. I certify that the foregoing has been carefully ex. amined, and collated with the original, and is a true copy. BENJAMIN HOMANS. CHRONICLE. Mr. Jefferson lately broke one of the bones of his left arm by a fall-but we are really happy to learn that, though advanced in life as he is, every pros. pect is afforded of a speedy recovery from the injury. Cotton. Eight cents have been offered for the new crop at Milledgeville, Geo. The product of the present year will be very large in the United States; and, it is thought, exceed the amount of the New York. The revenue received on the Erie canal, for tolls, will exceed 60,000 dollars for the present year! When this great work, and others of the like nature, are finished and in complete operation, it is very possible that their profits may be equal to the whole ordinary expenditure of the government of the state. The following are the names of the persons elected to the 18th congress from this state-S. Wood, Jacob Tyson, John I. Morgan,* Churchill C. Cambreleng, Peter Sharpe, Joel Frost, William Van Wyck, Hector Craig, Lem'l Jenkins, John Strong, James L. Hogeboom, Stephen Van Rensselaer,* Charles A. Foote, Lewis Eaton, Isaac Williams, Henry R. Storrs, Jno. Herkimer, Jno. W. Cady, Jno. W. Taylor, Henry C. Martindale, John Richards, Egbert Ten Eyck, Ela Collins, Lot Clark, Justin Dwinell, Elisha Litchfield, Rowland Day, Samuel Lawrence, Dudley Marvin, Robert S. Rose, Moses Hayden, Wm. B. Rochester, Isaac Wilson, Albert H. Tracey. Those marked thus are members of the present congress. They are thus politically classed in some of the New-York papers-republicans 27, federalists 4, "Clintonians" 3. The state senate, just elected, is said to be unanimously republican; in the house of representatives there are only 4 federalists, and a few "Clintonians." A republican governor and lieutenant governor have been elected without serious opposition. A duel! Wesley Tapsico, a black man and native of Philadelphia, was lately killed in an affair of honor at Port au Prince, by another black named Kelly, who eluded the summary justice of the go. vernment of Hayti by concealment and escape from the island. Longevity. The Indianapolis Gazette says--"There is now living at the Bluffs of White River, a Mr. Summers, aged 119 years--his eldest child is 93 years old, and his youngest 14. Mr. Summers enjoys good health, for a man of his age, and can read the smallest print without the aid of glasses." Steam. In a conversation which a short time since took place upon the wonderful and various applications of steam, an Irish gentleman present, who had just arrived in England, suddenly exclaimed, "It is quite entirely past all belafe; by the powers! I'll be no way surprised to find myself going a hunting, some morning, on my own tay kettle." [London paper. New Orleans. The following was published in the papers of this city on the 26th October: "The board of health have seen, with regret, that several strangers have had the temerity to come into the city within the last week, and fallen victims to the fever, which, notwithstanding the cool weather, unhappily continues to prevail. The sudden decrease in the number of deaths, is believ ed to be owing more to the absence of proper subjects, than to any change in the character of the disease. Strangers are, therefore, admonished to avoid the city, until the board of health shall redeem the pledge made to the public, to give the earliest information when they may enter it with safety. H. K. GORDON, Secretary of the board of health. October 25. PRINTED BY WILLIAM OODEN XILES, AT THE FRANKUN PRESS, WATER-STREET, FAST OF SOUTH-STREET. WEEKLY SERIES. No.14-VOL. XI BALTIMORE, DEC. 7, 1822. [No.14-VOL. XXIII. WHOLE NO. 586 THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. THE MESSAGE. The usual communication of the president of the United States, at the commence ment of a session of congress, will be found in the subsequent pages. It does not contain any thing new or important-nor was matter of either charac ter to be expected. The receipts of the year have much exceeded the estimates; and we learn that the money borrowed in 1820, to help out with expenditures of that year, is now to be paid off, and something is said that is, in part, or partially, favorable to the support of manufacturing industry. The commercial interest appears to have been carefully protected-and restrictio. has produced reci procity, in regard to it. FROM MEXICO a minister arrived at Baltimore, the latter end of last week-don Jose Manuel de Zozaya, with a numerous suite of officers and attend ants. Massachusetts, Connecticut, New-York, Pennsylvathe District of Columbia, met at Philadelphia on nia, Delaware, Maryland and South Carolina, and the 25th ult. for the purpose of agreeing on some person to be supported as president of that institution, on the retirement of Mr. Cheves. After various preparatory proceedings, it was agreed that Nicholas Biddle, esq. should be recommended. On the final vote-the delegate from Massachusetts was absent, those from Pennsylvania declined voting, but all the rest were in the affirmative and without division, except Connecticut-two for and one against Mr. Biddle. This gentleman is highly commended. by some and much objected to by others, and it is about the matter. The "misery" is, that a few unlikely there will be some noise made in the papers · known, irresponsible individuals, have the power of an institution that grasps at a regulation of some States, and can assess, as it were, the price of every of the dearest interests of the people of the United man's farm, if to be brought into market for sale. BANKS. The mania to make new banks, though the best managed of the old ones can hardly do business, and, in general, yield not more than 5 per cent. per ann. has broken out afresh. Some two or three have been made in New Jersey, and several that some of those, and, seemingly, nearly all the PORTO RICO EXPEDITION. It will be remembered are projected in New York, under different names chiefs of the expedition fitted out at St. Bartholoand with various ostensible purposes. We appre- mew's for the conquest of Porto Rico, had arrived hend that this is not the time to institute new banks at Curracoa, where they were taken into custody by -the specie capital of the country, rapidly decreas the Dutch authorities. ing, will not sustain those already established in Irvine, and others, were yet in prison at the begin-" doing one half of the business that they would do,ning of last month. Captain Spence, of the U. S. Gen. De Coudras and Mr. under different circumstances; and any diversion of ship Cyane, had requested the release of Mr. I. as that capital will only add to the danger seriously an American citizen; but the governor, though he apprehended by some, that many of our banks will expressed great willingness to cultivate a good = either have to suspend specie payments, or sup-understanding with the United States, would not =port themselves by the ruin of their debtors. The consider him in any other light than as "secretary of former is an evil of great magnitude; for it will be state of the island of Bouqua," as declared by every immediately followed by associations of money-ma. paper relative to the affair. It was believed that nufacturing swindlers, and render unavailing all that captain Spence would not persist in his request. the people have suffered to bring about the restoration of a wholesome currency. that the banks do not accommodate those whom It is complained they ought-but the fact is that they cannot. Some of them, and especially the Mammoth, may be chief ly devoted to an accomplishment of the views of certain great traders in money and bills--specula. tors and shavers; but, by affording them more room for iniquity, we cannot expect to diminish it. It is the principle of monied institutions to grow into aristocracies, for they have no souls; and we are not disposed to increase their number. While on this subject, we are pleased to notice the introduction of late resolutions into both branches of the legislature of Kentucky, which, if adopted and persevered in, will relieve the people of that state of their present rag-system and its accompanying stay laws and stop laws, as rapidly. perhaps, as the condition of things will admit of. The sudden appreciation of the value of a curren ey has almost as severe an operation as a sudden depreciation. There is not, probably cannot be, any standard of value; but the best than can be devised is that which is most generally considered so -whether it be gold, silver, iron or leather, as used to measure the exchange of labor and commodities. failed, after the cost of some lives and much money or worse than wild expedition, has completely It may be only necessary to add, that this wild. and suffering; and we hope that it may do a little, in addition to many things of the kind that have happened, to teach caution and prevent others from engaging in such illegal, unwarrantable practicesthe foundation of which is desperation and the de. sire of plunder, though some may embark in them with different views, and others are fairly kidnapped and reduced to a state of slavery, by sets of the purposes of justice. knaves, no punishment for whom is sufficient for tally raised in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, COTTON, of a good quality, has been experimen◄ Pennsylvania and Ohio, during the late season. We have a specimen of some that grew near Steubenville, which is said to be equal to the average quality of the Georgia upland. It is probable that some crops of the article may be attempted next year. If it will succeed in a thickly populated state like Connecticut, there is no doubt that it can be raised cheaper by the labor of free persons than by that of slaves. Charleston, estimates the average cost of slaves, A late writer of a pamphlet at BANK OF THE UNITED STATES. A convention of-but, as not more than one half of the whole numincluding interest on capital, at 70 dollars per head delegates as from the stockholders in the states of her on a plantation are effective workers, the cost VOL. XXIII.14. of the latter is supposed by him to be about 140 dollars per annum. For this sum, in many parts of our country, free white laborers of the first class, may be hired and supported with food. See an interesting article on this subject in the present sheet. WORCESTER'S GEOGRAPHY. You ask Mr. Niles how he can "be alarmed by the specious imaginings of "Caculator" of the Richmond Enquirer, at the danger of a contingent "vote by states," in the event of no candidate having a majority of electoral votes."-And you are charitable enough to add that "the purpose of this sound of alarm from Richmond, we took to be We have a copy of obvious. We allude to no further purpose of this the second edition of Mr. Worcester's geography, alarm than the effect of a congressional nomination." How do you discover that I prefer a congresas reduced for the use of schools or young persons: it is accompanied by an atlas of neatly drawn and sional caucus? Do I avow such a preference? Surely All that I inferred, was, that we should "unite seemingly correct maps. Having long felt anxious not. for a work of this sort that might be freely adopt in some fair and constitutional mode in favor of one ed for the instruction of children in geography, man, so as to secure him a majority of the electoral without the danger of leading them into errors or votes." Now, whether this is to be done by a cauopinions on subjects not connected therewith, we cas, a convention of state delegations proportioned regard this little work as a valuable acquisition.—to their electoral representation, or any other Brought into a space of a moderate duodecimo, it mode, I have not undertaken to say. All that I must needs be supposed that the various subjects, urged, was the concentration of votes-the mode belonging to all the known countries of the world, was left to the good sense of the people. I am are briefly spoken of-but the great leading or re-free to confess, however, that I would infinitely markable things are distinctly mentioned, and the volume abounds with statistical information, by which a knowledge of the most important items is conveyed in the shortest and most intelligible man. ner. In our opinion, the compiler has completely succeeded in his purpose of forming a book for the use of schools. MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, and Fermont Academy of Medicine. The college faculty consists of a president three professors, one lecturer and two tutors -the medical faculty of five professors, in the different departments. The senior sophisters are 18, the junior 31, the sophomores 18, and the freshmen 20-the medical students amount to 85. The cost for tuition, room rent, repairs and incidental charges in the college, are about thirty-two dollars per ann: the price of boarding from 100 to 150 cents per week, in private families. For all the medical cour ses, 40 dollars are charged; graduate fees 12; reading terms 8; board, washing and lodging, 150 cents per week. The medical lectures continue twelve weeks. GEORGIA. Students in Franklin college, univer sity of Georgia-Seniors 20; juniors 17; sophomores 42; freshmen 41-total 120. Nearly all the students belong to that state-but there are several from Alabama, &c. prefer a caucus, (provided it would have the desir ed effect) to an election by the H. of R. I have no interest to promote by a caucus. Richmond has none. The state at large has none. I dread the mischiefs of a vote by the H. of R.; and in my opinion, every Virginian, and every friend to his country, should view it with apprehension. You make my only objection to consist in the members being "liable to corruption." You misrepresent me again. I did not dwell on this objec. tion.-The one on which I principally relied was this: that the election might possibly be made by 31 representatives only! at all events, by "an extremely small minority"-a result which the people at large ought not to provoke. Whether the vote of the 13 states which are represented by the 31 members, will be "obtained incorrectly," or not, is not the question.-The re. sult in defeating the will of the majority is still the same. By fair means or by foul, a man may be im. posed as a president upon the nation by an insig. nificant manority, when he had possibly received only a few of the electoral votes. It is a consequence of this sort which I would especially avoid. Some of these representative votes may be incorrectly obtained. Bad men would bid high for the votes of the weak and the wicked-and I would not expose them to so great a temptation. I think my countrymen purer than any other people on the globe; but human nature may be corrupted, and suspicion is the very principle of a republic. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. The following is the reply of a writer in the Richmond "Enquirer," to an article published in this paper on the 23d ultimo: To the "one word to Mr. Niles"—we are quite as But, putting corruption aside, what do you say to much opposed to any collusion and corruption that cabal-to party views-to sectional feelings--to a may exist in opposition to the manifest intention of variety of considerations, which may swerve men the constitution, as to injuries that may arise from from the best interests of their country? what do the operation of its established provisions. We do you say to the only experiment we have already dislike a caucus, and also the idea of a vote in the seen? to the election in 1801? Are you so ignorant house of representatives-but it does not follow as not to know that there was a design even then of that, for disliking both, we must adopt either. There appointing a president by law? Have you seen Bay. is time enough yet to act on the case-and, though ard's letter, who states that the eastern federalists at "present" so much diversity of opinion exists, were determined to trample the constitution under no reason can be offered why the public intelli-foot, rather than elect Mr. Jefferson? Really, sir, if gence shall not be prepared to act, in due season, you wish to see another election by the H. of R. I on the momentous question submitted to the pub. do not. Deliver us from this evil, I beseech you. lic will; for, no doubt, certain great principles will I say, then let us concentrate the votes of the be brought to bear upon it. We are opposed to all electors, How is it best to be done? You do not attempts to forestall the opinion of the people, or like a caucus. Well, give us some better mode. put a president over them by intrigue or by storm. If I like it, I will take it. I wish with you to do To the author of "Triginti Quatuor, of New York." away the caucus, if I could only find a better subSIR: I have seen your remarks, (in Mr. Niles' last stitute, but to abolish it without any other plan, and Register)-and beg leave to offer a very short re- leave the matter to such risks and perils as might joinder. larise in I. of R., requires more nerve than I possess. |