for any purpose now within contemplation. —When both of these branches of revenue shall, in this way, be relinquished, there will still, ere long, be an accumulation of monies in the Treasury, beyond the instalment of public debt, which we are permitted by con tract to pay. They cannot, then, without a modification assented to by the public creditors, be applied to the extinguishment of this debt, and complete liberation of our revenues, the most desirable of all objects. Nor, if our peace continues, will they be wanting for any other existing purpose.-The question, therefore, now comes forward, to what other object shall those surplusses be appropriated, and the whole surplus of impost, after the entire discharge of the public debt, and during those intervals when the purposes of war shall not call for them? Shall we suppress the impost, and give that advantage to foreign over domestic manufac tures? On a few articles of more general and necessary use, the supression, in due season, will doubtless be right; but the great mass of the articles on which impost is paid, are foreign luxuries, purchsed by those only who are rich enough to afford themselves the use of them.--Their patroitism would certainly prefer its continuance, and application to the great purposes of the public education, roads, rivers, cauals, and such other objects of public improvement, as it may be thought proper to add to the constitutional enumeration of federal powers. By these operations, new channels of communication will be opened between the States; the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble tics. Education is here placed among the articles of public care, not that it would be proposed to take its ordinary branches out of the hands of private cnterprise, which manages so much better all the concerns to which it is equal; but a public institution can alone supply those sciences, which, though rarely called for, are yet necessary to complete the circle, all the parts of which contribute to the improvement of the country, and some of them to its preservation. The subject is now proposed for the consideration of Congress, because, if approved, by the time the State Legislatures shall have deliberated on this extension of the federal trusts, and the laws shall have passed, and other arrangements made for their execution, the necessary funds will be on hand, and without employment. I suppose an amendment of the constitution, by consent of the States, necessary; because the objects now recomniended are not among those enumerated in the constitution, and to which it permits the public monies to be applied.-The present consideration of a national establishment, for education, particularly, is rendered proper by this circumstance; also, that if Congress, approving the proposition, shall yet think it more eligible to found it on a donation of lands, they have it now in their power to endow it with those which will be among the earliest to produce the necessary income. This foundation would have the advantage of being inde. pendent on war, which may suspend other improvements by requiring for its own purposes, the resources destined for that,— This fellow-citizens, is the state of the public interests, at the present moment, and according to the information now posessed.--But such is the situation of the nations of Europe, and such, too, the pridicament in which we stand with some of them, that we cannot rely, with certainty, on the present aspect of our affairs, that may change from moment to moment, during the course of your Session, or after you shall have separated. Our duty is, therefore, to act upon the things as they are, and to make a reasonable provision for whatever they may be. Were armies to be raised whenever a speck of war is visible in our horizon, we never should have been without them. Our resources would have been exhausted on dangers which have never bappened, instead of being reserved for what is really to take place. A steady, perhaps a quickened pace in preparations for the defence of our sea-port towns and waters, an early settlement of the most exposed and vulnerable parts of the country, a militia so organised, that its affective portions can be called to any point in the Union, or volunteers instead of them, to serve a sufficient time, are means which may always be ready, yet never preying upon our resources, until actually called into use. They will maintain the public interests, while a more permanent force shall be in a course of preparation. But much will depend on the promptitude with which those means can be brought into activity. If war be forced upon us, in spite of our long and vain appeals to the justice of nations, rapid and vigorous movements in its outset, will go far towards securing us in its course and issue, and towards throwing its burdens on those who render necessary the resort from reason to force.-The result of our negotiation, or such incidents in their course, as may enable us to infer their probable issue: such further movements also on our Western froutier as may shew whether war is to be pressed there, while negotiation is protracted elsewhere, shall be communicated to you from time to time, as they become known to me, with whatever other information I posses, or may receive, which may aid your deliberation on the great national incrests committed to your charge.-TH. JEFFERSON. my. CONTINENTAL WAR.-Forty-seventh Bulletin of the Grand French Ar Pultusk.. The affair of Czarnowo, that of Naslesk and Kursomb, that of the cavalry and Lapoczyn, have been followed by that of Pultask, and by the complete and precipitate retreat of the Russian army, which has finished the present year's campaign.Marshal Lannes first arrived on the morning of the 26th, directly opposite to Pultusk, where, during the night, the whole of Gen. Benningsen's corps had assembled. The Russian division, which had been defeated at Nasielsk, had arrived about two in the morning at the camp of Pultusk, with the third division of Marshal Dayoust's corps jn close pursuit of them. At ten o'clock Marshal Lannes began the attack, having his first line composed of the division of Suchet, the second of Gazan's, and that of Oudin, of the 3d light corps under the command of Gen. Dauttane, on his left wing. The engagement was obstinate; after various occurrences, the enemy was completely routed. The 17th regiment of light infantry, and the 34th, covered themselves with glory. Generals Vedel and Claperede were wounded. General Treilhard, commandant of the light cavalry; Gen. Bouslard, commandant of a brigade of dragoons under Gen. Becker; and also Col. Barthelemy, of the 15th dragoons, were wounded with grape shot. Voisin, Aid-de-Camp to Marshal Lannes; and M. Curial, Aid-de-Camp to General Suchet, were killed, and both have fallen with glory. Marshal Lannes was likewise grazed by a ball. The fifth corps of the army gave a proof of every thing that could be expected from the superiority of the French infantry over that of other nations, Marshal Lannes, though he had been for six days indisposed, persisted in following the corps. The 95th regiment sustained several charges of the enemy's cavalry with great coolness and success. During the night the enemy beat a retreat, and reached Ostrolenka. Forty-eighth Bulletin of the Grand French Army. Warsaw, Jan. 3. Gen. Corbineau, Aid-de-Camp to the Emperor, had set off from Pultusk, in pursuit of the enemy, with three regiments of light cavalry. After occupying Brok, he reached Ostrowiel, on the 1st inst. On his march he picked up 400 Russian soldiers, several officers, and a great' -Marshal quantity of baggage waggons. Soult, with three brigades of light horse,, part of Lasalle's division, has taken a posi tion along the banks of the little river Orcye, in order to cover the cantonments of the army.Marshal Ney, the Prince of Ponte Corvo, and Marshal Bessieres, have cantoned their troops on the left bank.-The light, corps, under Marshals Soult, Davoust, and Lannes, continue to occupy Pultusk and the banks of the Bug,-The enemy's army continues to retreat. The Emperor arrived at Warsaw on the 2d of Jan.-We have had snow and frost for two days in continuance, but it has begun again to thaw, and the roads which were becoming somewhat better, are now as bad as before.-Prince Borgheze has incessantly been at the head of the 1st regiment of carbineers, which he commands. The brave carbineers and cuirassiers testified the most anxious desire to meet the enemy; but the division of dragoons which came first into action, by carrying every thing before them, left the former no opportunity of attacking the enemy.-His Majesty has appointed Gen. Lariboissiere a general of division, and given him the command of the artillery of the guards. He is an officer of the highest merit.The troops of the Grand Duke of Wurtzburgh compose the garrison of the city of Berlin. They consist of two regiments which make an excellent appear ance. The corps under Prince Jerome continues to besiege Breslau. That beautiful city is in ashes. A disposition to wait the course of events, and the hope of being relieved by the Russians, have prevented the garrison from surrendering, but the siege makes progress. The Bavarian and Wirtemburgh troops have merited the praise of Prince Jerome, and the esteem of the French ariny.-The Governor of Silesia had collected the garrisons of the fortresses not yet blockaded, and formed out of them an army of $2,000 men, with which fore he had commenced his march to interrupt the operations of the army besieging Breslau. Against this force Gen. Hedonville, the chief of Prince Jerome's staff, detached Gea. Montbrun, commandant of the Wortemburghers, and Gen. Minucci, commandant of the Bavarians. They came up with the Prussians at Strenien, put them to flight, and took 400 men, 600 horses, and several convoys of provisions. which the enemy intended to send into the fortress. Major Herscher, at the head of 150 of Leiningen's light horse, attacked two Prussian squadion's, and completely routed them, making 36 of them prisoners. DOMESTIC OFFICIAL PAPERS. CAPTURE OF CURACOA.From the Iondon Gazette Extraordinary Sunday, Feb. 22, 1807. Concluded from page 672. No. 2.-Curacoa, Jan. 1, 1807.-Prelid minary articles of the capitulation agreeupon by Charles Erisbane, Esq. captain of his Majesty's ship Arethusa, and senior officer of a squadron of his Majesty's ships at Curacoa, on the one part; and by his Exc. Pierre Jean Changuion, Governor of the Island of Curacoa and its dependencies, on the other.Article 1. The Fort Republique shall immediately be surrendered to the British force; the garrison shall march out with the honours of war, lay down their arms, and become prisoners of war. Answer. Granted.-Art. 2. The Dutch garrison at Curacoa shall be prisoners of war, and by his Britannic Majesty sent to Holland, not to serve this war before they shall be regularly exchanged; and for the due performance of this article the officers pledge their word of honour. Answer. Granted.-Art. 3. The same terms as in the above article are granted to the officers and people of the Dutch men of war. Answer. Granted.Art. 4. All the civil officers may remain at their respective appointments, if they think proper; and those who choose shall be sent by his Britannic Majesty to Holland. Answer. Granted. Art. 5. The burghers, merchants, planters, and other inhabitants, without difference of colour or opinion, shall be respected in their persons and property, provided they take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty. Answer. Granted, neutral property being respected.-Art. 6. All the merchants' vessels, with their cargoes, in the harbour, of whatsoever nation they belong to, shall be in the possession of their proper owners. Answer. Not granted.-Art. 7. A definitive capitulation shall be signed upon this basis in Fort Amsterdam. Answer. Granted. Curacoa, Jan. 2. 1807.--The foregoing Articles having this day been mutually read and agreed to, this capitulation is become definitive. Signed on the one part by C. BRISBANE. Signed on the other part by his Excellency, P. J. CHANGUION. A list of killed and wounded on board his Majesty's squadron under my command, at the capture of the Island of Curacoa, on the 1st of January, 1807. Arethusa, 2 seamen killed, 5 seamen wounded.-Latona, 1 seaman killed, 2 seamen wounded.- -Anson, none killed, 7 seamen wounded.-Fisgard, none killed, none wounded.-Total, 8 seamen killed, 14 seamen wounded. (Signed) C. BRISBANE. Curacoa, Jan. 3, 1807.- -Lists of killed and wounded on board the Hastlar frigate, Surinam sloop, and Flying Fish schooner.Hastlar, C. J. Evertz, commandant, killed; G. B. Z. Gerond, second purser, ditto; A.Graaf, chief mate, badly wounded; J. J. N. Giblesperd, steward, killed; W. Maubers, seaman, ditto; H. Driel, seaman, ditto. Surinam, Jan Van Nes, captain, dangerously wounded; Jean Baptiste, lieut. do; G. B. Baltner, Midshipman, dangerously wounded; Arend Arens, seaman, ditto; Ferdinand Ballatin, seaman, ditto (since dead).-Flying Fish, G. H. V. A. Hinget, gunner, dead; M. S. Giblesperd, seaman, wounded. By Charles Brisbane, Esq. Captain of his Majesty's ship Arethusa, and senior officer of a squadron of his Majesty's ships employed at Curacoa. His Exc. Lieut. Gen. Changuion, Gover nor and Commander in Chief of the Island of Curacoa and its Dependencies, having refused to take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty, and surrendered himself prisoner of war, I have thought proper to appoint myself governor of the said island and its dependencies, until the pleasure of the commander in chief is made known; and I do hereby appoint myself accordingly. -Given under my hand at Curacoa, this 4th day of Jan. 1807. (Signed) C. BRISBANE. By Charles Brisbane, Esq. Captain of his Majesty's ship Arethusa, and senior officer of his Britannic Majesty's squadron in Curacoa harbour. Whereas this island and its dependencies have surrendered to the arms of his Britannic Majesty, as appears by the capitulation which has been signed by his Exc. Pierre Jean Changuion and me on the 1st instant, I therefore hereby require, that all the burghers and inhabitants of this island shall meet on Wednesday next, the 7th instant, at ten o'clock in the morning, at the Government House, in order to take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty aforesaid Those who belong to the militia companies will receive further orders from their major, and are to conduct themselves accordingly.-All those who fill public offices, of whatsoever nature they may be, and all such as do not belong to the militia companies, are also required to meet at the Government House, at the hour, and for the purpose aforesaid.— I expect that the burghers and inhabitants of this island will conduct themselves in such a manner as to deserve my protection and favour; and 1, on my part, shall not fail, as far as in my power lies, to promote the happiness and welfare of this island, and its inhabitants; and I flatter myself, that my endeavours, in this case, will be crowned with the gracious approbation of my Sovereign; and, I hope, to the satisfaction of the inhabitants of this island and its dependencies.--Given under my hand, on board his Majesty's ship Arethusa, in the harbour of Curacoa, this 5th day of Jan. 1807. (Signed) C. BRISBANE. CAPTURE OF ALEXANDRIA. From the London Gazette, Downing Street, May 9, 1807. A dispatch, of which the inclosed is a copy, has been received this day at the of fice of Viscount Castlereagh, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, from Major-General Fraser, dated Alexandria, the 25th of March, 1807, addressed to the Rt. Hon. Williain Windham : Alexandria, March 25, 1807. Sir, It is with much satisfaction I have the honour to inform you, that, in the afternoon of the 20th current, the town and fortresses of Alexandria, with two Turkish frigates and a corvette, surrendered to his Majesty's arms by capitulation; and that they were taken possession of on the memorable morning of the 21st, by the troops under my command.-You are already apprised of my having been detached on this service, with a body of troops from Messina, by his Excellency General Fox, under convoy of his Majesty's ships Tigre and Apollo; and the Wizard sloop was sent forward by Captain Hallowell, to get intelligence from Major Misset, whom I had been, by my instructions, directed to consult as to the best plan of operations for effecting the purposes of the expedition.I have now to acquaint you, that in the night of the 7th inst. (the day after we sailed,) the Apollo frigate, with nineteen transports out of thirty three, which conveyed the troops, parted company, and that the other fourteen, with the Tigre, came to an anchor to the westward of Alexandria, on the 16th-On our getting near the land we saw the Wizard, and Captain Palmer immediately brought me the intelligence he had received from Major Misset, together with a letter from him, stating that be had not come off himself, thinking his presence in Alexandria absolutely necessary to counteract the intrigues of the French Consul, who was endeavouring to prevail upon the Governor to admit a body of Albanians, from Rosetta, to assist in the defence of the place. He earnestly recommended me to land the troops immediately, as the inhabitants were well affected towards us, and that he had sanguine hopes, we should be able to get possession of it without firing a shot. Before I determined, however, upon this measure,, I deemed it prudent to acquaint Major Misset with the very diminished state of my force, and I therefore sent in my aid-de-camp, Captain A'Court, of the 31st regiment, with a flag of truce to him, with a detailed account of it, and at the same time, a manifesto to the Governor and inhabitants, (a copy of which 1 enclose,) which had not the desired effect, but, on the contrary, treated with contempt. The Major, however, in reply, strongly urged my immediately landing; still repeating that we should not meet with any resistance, and that my doing so would be the only nieans of preventing the garrison being reinforced by the Albanians, who had actually been sent for, and might be expect ed in the course of twenty-four hours These considerations led me to follow his advice, and accordingly I landed that evening (the 17th) as many troops as our small number of boats could convey, a few miles to the eastward of Marabout, without opposition, though I could only take up a position for the night; as before the next landing could be effected, such a surf had arisen on the beach, as totally to prevent the second division from approaching the shore.-The next morning, however, with infinite diffi culty and risk they were landed; but finding my situation now, from the increased height of the surf and appearadce of the weather, to be very precarious, both with respect to getting provisions or stores on shore, or having any communications with the transports, I determined at all hazards to force my way to the western side, where I could receive supplies from Aboukic Bay, at the same time, resolving to at tempt (passing) to get into the town, even with the small force I had, and push my way, if possible, into the forts that commanded it, a matter I had reason to believe from Major Misset and others, would not be very difficult to accomplish.I therefore moved forward about eight o'clock in the evening of the 18th,and in our way for ed a p lisadoed intrenchment with a deep ditch in front of it, (that had been thrown up by the Turks, as a defence against the Mamelukes and Arabs on the western side) stretching from Fort des Bains to Lake Mareotis, strengthened by 3 batteries mounting 8 guns, exclusive of Fort des Bains on its right flank, mounting thirteen guns.This we effected with very little loss, though under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry, and proceeded within a few yards of Pompey's Gate, where we found the garrison prepared to receive us, the Gate barricadeed, and the walls lined with troops and armed inhabitants this, added to the smallness of my force, (not exceeding one thousand men of all descriptions,) led me to think the risk too great, and I determined to proceed to the westward, as I had originally intended, where I arrived in the morning of the 19th, and took up my position on the ground the British troops occupied in the action of the 21st, immediately sending detachments to take possession of Aboukir Castle, and the Cut between the I akes Maadie and Mareofis, by which communication the reinforcement of Albanians was expected in Alexandria; in both these attempts we succeeded. -The next day, the 20th, I sent in (by a friendly Arab that had stolen out of the town, and joined us) a manifesto, addressed to the inhabitants, warning them of the danger of implicating friends and foes in the event of taking the place by assault, and urging them to force the governor to capitulate. This had the desired effect, a flag of truce was sent out, and a capitulation, (of which I herewith inclose a copy) was agreed to and signed.-Although this service has fortunately not been of long duration; yet, from the scantiness of our numbers, and the scarcity of all sorts of supplies, as well military stores as provisions, (which the boisterous state of the weather completely prevent ed our receiving) our situation was, for some time, rather critical; and I am happy to have it in my power to bear testimony to the patience and cheerfulness with which the troops bore every privation, and the ardour and spirit they shewed in the attack of the enemy's works, as well as the inclination and wish they displayedto have stormed the place, had I deemed that step adviseable.--To Ma jor-General Wauchope, the hon. BrigadierGeneral Stuart, and Colonel Oswald, who landed with, and accompanied me, I feel myself under great obligations, for their exertions and assistance in carrying on the service; and I am much indebted to Lieut.General, and Captain Green, acting as deputy quarter-master general, for the great attention and zeal shewn by them in forwarding and executing the duties of their respective departments; and I think it but justice to Captain Pym, and to the of ficers and men of the detachment of the Royal Artillery, that was with me, to mention the very great zeal and alacrity which they displayed on every occasion, which I am confident would have been equally conspicuous on the part of Captain Burgoyne and the officers of the engineers, had circumstances permitted them to have acted.— To Captain Hallowell, and the officers and seamen of his Majesty's ship Tigre, I cannot sufficiently express my acknowledgments for the assistance they afforded me, and for the readiness with which they stood forward on all occasions. Captain Hallowell march, ed with me to the attack of the enemy's entrenchments, and to the very gates of the city, and remained on shore until the place surrendered; from his advice and legal knowledge, I derived useful information -Capt. Withers, of the royal navy, agent of transports, is also entitled to praise, for his activity in landing the troops, and for the exertions he afterwards made for supplying them with provisions. I send you herewith a return of the killed, wounded, and missing, together with returns of prisoners made, and of the public stores of different descriptions found in the several batteries and magazines --I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) A. M. FRASER, Maj. Gen.-P. S. The Apollo, with the nineteen missing trausports, came to an chor in Aboukir Bay, on the morning of the 20th, and Sir J. Duckworth's squadron ar rived here on the 22d.--It is but due to Lieut. Hunter, and a small detachment of the 20th light dragoons, who were landed without their horses or arms, to mention the zeal and spirit with which they volunteered their services, and carried the scaling ladders, on the night of the 18th. Articles of the capitulation for the surren der of the city of Alexandria, Said Nahamed Naim Effendi being commissioned by his Excellency Emen Bey, the Governer, and Hagg Mahamet Katto, and Sieg Ibrahim, Chieftain of the people, accompanied by Signor Autonio Godard, propose to place the city and forts in the possession of the commanders in chief of the land and naval forces of his Britannic Majesty, his Excel lency Major General Frazer, and Captain Hallowell, upon the conditions hereafter to be mentioned. To be continued. Printed by Cox and Baylis, No. 75, Great Queen Street, and published by R. Bagshaw, Brydges Street, Covent Garden, whereformer Numbers may be had seld also by J. Budd, Crown and Mitre, Pall Mall. |