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ed usages of 500 years, and authorized her officers to burn all they pleased to call an enemy. Britain never followed the example. As soon as our war was declared, to the eternal disgrace of Mr. Madison, we saw our ships doing that very thing which he called "the most distressing mode of exercising might contrary to right.'

It made me tremble when I heard that the gallant Capt. ALLEN, of the Argus, had burnt 16 sail of Coasters and other vessels, and that St. George's Channel was illuminated by the fires. I feared the retaliation we now feel.But let us not be alarmed. The danger is limited to that, and will soon terminate in Peace."

THE Anniversary of our INDEPENDENCE Was celebrated in this town, with the usual parade and solemnities. From the Oration by BENJAMIN WHITWELL, Esq. we extract the following passages, near the close.

"The head which had been turned by he honours of French citizenship, ought never to have been the head of the American people. Left to the torture of remorse, perhaps there is not another being so miserable on this side the Isle of Elba. History will record, and posterity denote him-not, as he might have been considered, as the successor of Washington-but the confederate of Bonaparte ;not as the cherished friend of the American hero-but the abject dependant of an Italian adventurer;-not like Washington, insulated from foreign connexions, and standing on the pedestal of his own greatness-but, ignominiously clinging to a fallen colossus, which has crushed him under its weight. They who shared the friendship must participate the enmities of the usurper-and he, was the enemy of human kind. Into what an abyss might he have plunged our country! Almost ruined by evil courcus, whither can she turn for clief? If she remind the French monarch of the ties ancient amite, Witi he no repi- These ges you have long since ungratefully cut asunder. No sooner did you see the blood of your benefactor flow from the scaffold, than you clasped the reeking hand of his murderers. If not principal, you were accessary, to rob me of my crown, my subjects, and my life, and to aid in the pillage and massacre of Europe."

How the heart sickens, and shame tinges the fallen countenance, to feel that our nation has added its weight, to depress the fortunes of this illustrious family. That we like savages have adored through fear that destructive dæmon, who only gave his friends the miserable privilege, to be the last he should devour.

But for this fatal policy, we might this day have celebrated the festival of humanity-the universal jubilee of nations; in humble adoration might have knelt with the assembled crowns of Europe, encircling the altar of peace, and worshipping the God of heaven.

GENERAL REGISTER.

BOSTON, SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1814.
EUROPEAN. Nothing new, within the
past fortnight.

DOMESTICK. Our prospect of war on
the frontiers of Canada has now assumed a

very serious character. The British are
receiving large reinforcements, or rather we
may say, that at last, an army is arriving.
Ón the 26th ult. a fleet of ships of war, mer-
chantmen, and transports arrived at Quebeck,
the latter having on board 1500 troops, being
part of the army of Lord Wellington, who had
embarked and were embarking at Bordeaux,
for America. Besides those arrived, those

ordered for this country were the 85th, 76th,
3rd, 57th, 5th, 9th, 27th, 2 battalions-28th,
37th, 39th, 40th, 44th, 58th, 2 batt.-8ist,

88th, 60th, 5th batt.-60th, 4th batt.

Besides the troops from France, the 4th bat-
talion of the Royals have arrived from Holland.
A Quebeck paper observes, "This truly re-
spectable addition to the British force in this
country, denotes something of more than a de-
The heroes of the Peninsula,
fensive nature.
who have so nobly distinguished themselves in
the proud deliverance of Europe, will, we
hope, soon gather laurels of American growth;
and although not under the direction of the
great man, who has so often conducted them
to victory, yet we trust that the genius of
Wellington will accompany them; and that
the promptness, decision, and energy which
characterized their illustrious leader in the old
world, will distinguish their achievements in the
theatre now opened to our exploits in the new."

On the 4th inst. a large convention of " The
friends of Peace," was held at Trenton, New-
Jors wa the object probably to expostulate
with the general government, in favour of
termate the war.

The Unk: States' frigate Essex, captain
Porter, was in Valpariza, South America, on
the 4th of February last, and watched by the
Phebe frigate, and a sloop of war.

The French government brig Olivier sailed
from New York last Tuesday morning, for
France, with despatches.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS.

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

"And he said unto him,....Son, thou art ever
with me."

cided depravity of heart. He was susceptible of the deepest contrition, and possessed that consciousness of a corresponding sympathy in his excellent father, to which an abandoned

profligate would have been a stranger. He returns penitent and reformed, and is received with the tenderest evidences of parental emotion. The father not only forgives, but honours him, and his friends are assembled to heighten the festivity of the joyous occasion.

But his elder brother takes offence at what appears to him an undeserved and unjust partiality. He positively refuses to become a party at the entertainment; and when the good old gentleman condescends to expostu asks him, when, after long and faithful servilate with him, he upbraids him to his face, and

Ces, he had ever been indulged with even a kid, to make merry with his friends. It will be universally acknowledged, that it would have been more noble, had he suppressed his indignation, and cordially joined in the festivity of the family circle; but probably not a few will say, he had just reason of complaint. It was however the undoubted intention of the divine narrator of the story, to put into the mouth of the father, a reply which should not only check the uncharitable murmur of his elder son, but convince him that his repining was groundless. His answer conveys an ex. cellent lesson: it presents us a view of this kind of domestick intercourse, which well deserves philosophick consideration.

It is a misfortune, if not a fault of our nature,that we are inclined to form a very improper estimate of the true sources of our best en

joyments, and to judge of the favours confer ed on us, by a very erroneous scale. Transient splendour, in the one case, dazzles us more than permanent utility; and, in the other, emotion leaves a stronger impression than the milder sense of satisfaction This mistako ic poate, • notices the gentle 1065

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at the recovery Aathon abess,
al soil. He represented it as a just occasion
for some marked expression of his pleasure.
He did not pretend to depreciate the honour
he had thought proper to bestow; but con-
trasts the importance, whatever it might be, of
such a compliment, with the innumerable cir-
cumstances of endearment, which result from
the ordinary intercourse of those who are con-
stantly and affectionately associated. Particu-
lar marks of favour, attended by ceremony, and
exhibited before the world, wear an imposing
character; but their highest recommendation
is probably the incense thus offered to our
vanity while the thousand nameless civilities,
which are continually interchanged between
friends, in habits of uninterrupted intimacy,
are overlooked or unfelt, because they are di

THE parables of our divine instructer have ever been admired for their engaging simplicity, and many of them no less, for their comprehensive reference at once to some important doctrine of religion, and to some useful principle in morals. The parable of the Prod-vested of eclat. igal Son is one of this description. The sublime illustration it affords of the benevolent, forgiving, paternal character of Deity, has been Could we have hailed the restoration of that the subject of many an excellent discourse family, whose arm supported us in our une- from the pulpit. It contains, likewise, several qual contest with Britain; could we have aid- allusions to circumstances of common life, ed to conduct their king to the throne of which, without regard to the allegorical mean his ancestors, and have received his gratefuling, well deserve attention; and the passage I acknowledgments that we had thus extinguish ed the original debt, which gratitude had written in our hearts; on this day, the fraternity of nations might have united in one grand celebration of the Independence of the Eastern and Western world. From myriads of voices, Europe and America would have resounded with grateful acclamations, while the opposite

shores of the Atlantick re-echo to each other the names of their heroick deliverers, WELLINGTON and WASHINGTON.”,

have quoted has suggested a train of reflections,
which I have thought might properly be com-
municated in this paper.

None of us are aware how much happiness we derive from those who are ever with us, until we are called to sacrifice the blessing of their society. We take no note of the salutary council-the friendly remonstrance-the useful information, we derive from a constant companion. To persons of sympathetick minds, even conversation, on customary topicks of business or pastime, is a source of perpetual enjoyment.

to our

Mere existence is but a blank ! We are The younger son, at his own request, had apt to consider happiness as belonging received his share of the paternal estate; and, very being, and therefore experience little as is the case with many a volatile youth with gratitude to him, who is the author of all good, the means of indulgence at command, rushed and little love for those, who are his instru immediately into such a round of dissipation, mens in conferring on us the most essential as soon reduced him to beggary, and wretch-comforts of life. It would u dubtedly inedness. His errours appear to have been owing to the folly of his age, rather than to a de

crease both, and our own sense of felicity, were we often to examine, critically, how much we

derive from contingencies, to which we attach no value, because habitually possessed. We should look around us, and whether we see parent, child, husband, wife, or friend, remember that to BE EVER WITH THEM is a privilege far more inestimable, than the occasional festival, or the honours of "the best robe and ring."

THE WRITER, No. IX.

It has been a very common complaint, that no encouragement is given, in this country, to literature or the fine arts. In this accusation we are reproached for want of taste or want of liberality; and it is rather mortifying to plead guilty to either of these charges.

To treat this subject technically, it would be proper to examine, first, how far this complaint is justified by facts; and secondly, whether the cause is to be sought for, alone, in the want of the qualities above noted.

It is not true, that no encouragement is given to science and literature in our country; for although every man of learning does not become a rich man, yet the respect and veneration paid to men of talents and erudition are a sufficient inducement, without mentioning the abstract pleasure of learning, for men to devote themselves to study. But there are many instances of gentlemen, who have acquired handsome fortunes in the learned professions, and thus their literary labours have been rewarded with riches, as well as by rank and honours.

But the complaint has been made generally, if not exclusively, by authors; and it must be allowed, that few of this class of the literati of our country have written themselves into opulence. We may however stand acquitted by our consciences, and by the world, from any extraordinary, or uncommon neglect of these worthics, when we recollect how many

not mer of this profession have been sufAct^0 10 andľké, negizuit is in the most liesral Countries of Europe. It we call to and Pie miserable poverty, in which Savage, Otway, Chatterton, even Spencer, languished and died, we ought not to be reproached with a singular disregard for literary men, because we never pensioned Barlow, Freneau, Old South, or Phiilis Wheatley.

With respect to the fine arts, it must be confessed, that several of our countrymen, who discovered great skill in them, and received little or no encouragement here, are now very liberally patronized in England, and it has always been the case, when a young gentleman has had a taste for painting particularly, he has found it for his advantage to look to Europe for the reward of genius, rather than in America. Two good reasons may be given for this preference; there is both more taste for these things, and more money, in those countries, than at home. That there is more money, I think will not be disputed. The English nation is rich; their nobles and gentry are immensely rich; and where an individual has an income of fifty or sixty thousand pounds sterling a year, it need not be thought the effect of great liberality to give a hundred guineas for a picture that had obtained credit, or that should happen to please his fancy.

Now, as it regards taste, without entering into the discussion about this talent as a natural quality of the human mind; it may be said in general to depend upon knowledge and experience; a man that studies paintings, for instance, and becomes familiar with them, acquires a taste or judgment that enables him to discover beauties, or point at defects, where another, whose natural taste was equally good,

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but who had not been conversant with the subject, could not see any. We have but few fine paintings in this country, and therefore cannot be supposed to know much about them. Europe most certainly is the school to acquire, or at least to improve a taste for these matters. Burke, in his elegant work upon the "Sublime and Beautiful," has given some useful remarks upon taste, and has told us when any defect in a picture may be owing to a bad taste, or only to a want of knowledge of some particular circumstance represented in it. He has these two examples. "A Turkish Emperor on being presented with a fine painting of a decollated head of St. John the Baptist, observed that the skin did not shrink from the wounded part of the neck as it ought." This, says Burke, was no fault or want of taste in the painter, who probably had never seen a real head in this situation; whereas such terrible spectacles were very familiar to his Turkish Majesty. The other example is the story of the antient painter and the shoemaker. The shoemaker pointed to some mistakes in the shoe of one of his figures, which the painter, who had not made such accurate observations on shoes, and was content with a general resemblance, had never observed; but this was no impeachment of the taste of the painter; it only shewed some want of knowledge in the art of making shoes." Thus far Burke; and to these examples I might add a third, which is the objection said to have been made by a sailor to Copeley's [or West's is it, Mr. Editor] picture of the young man saved from the jaws of a shark. The men, in the act of dragging the youth from the water, are all on one side of the boat; Jack observed, that the fellow who drew that picture might be a good painter, but he was no sailor, otherways he would have known that when all hands were on one side, the boat would careen down.

Thes above.

PHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATION.

FROM a belief that it would be agreeable to many of our readers, we proposed to devote some portion of this paper to speculations in natural philosophy. It is to be regretted that subjects of this kind do not command a more general attention. The utility of investigating the laws of nature, in producing various phenomena, which we daily witness, but imperfectly comprehend, cannot be disputed; and to gentlemen, in particular, what topicks of conversation can be more animating and pleasant? The effect on the mind is good-it tends to discipline our reasoning powers-it diversifies and extends our knowledge-it encourages genius-promotes friendship-and we may add, favours morality,-for we cannot contemplate the works of nature, without being led to discover and admire the wisdom of NATURE'S GOD.

Such speculations cannot be deemed trifling, though relating to facts of the most ordinary occurrence, only to the superficial observer. To the curious, it is always pleasant to understand what we see. I now hear the guard on the Common, bawling "Twelve o'clock-all's well!" What is there to interest my feelings in that ?-But if it lead me to inquire-how is it that an aspiration from this man's throat, at the distance of quarter of a mile, produces a sensation in my brain, and I can ascertain on what principle it is effected? the train of reflection thus induced, becomes a source of no inconsiderable pleasure.

Heaven has ordained for wise purposes, that mental exercise should in itself be agreeable. The philosophick 'mind has an unbounded scope of perpetual gratification. We have but to open our eyes to discover a thousand wonders. Time then need never hang heavyconversation need never flag; we may always instruct, or be instructed-Felix qui potest rerum cognoscere causas.

RELIGIOUS CHARITY.

are small defects, and, as is said not prove a want of natural taste in the painter, nor in the person who does not THE liberal spirit displayed and recommenhappen to notice them; but there is a picture ded by many christians, at the present day, has which I have seen in several gentlemen's not unfrequently been stigmatized, as a deviahouses in this town, and one I believe that is tion from the steady, firm principles of our considered by many as a very valuable piece, fathers, if not from the tenour of the gospel. which furnishes a notable example of a very We are induced to conclude that liberty of bad taste. I allude to "The Last Supper:" conscience is not a new claim, in this part of near the arm of Judas Iscariot, in this pic-the country, from perusing the following essay, ture, is a salt-cellar overturned, and appears to have been accidentally done by Judas. The painter could have had no other view in this representation than a piece of low wit, or a ludicrous reference to the vulgar notion, that 'tis an unlucky omen to spill salt. So poor a conceit would be unworthy any historical painting whatever; but to have introduced it into a subject of such solemnity, I should have considered as almost sacrilege.

extracted from a periodical work, published about eighty years ago, in this town.

THE UNREASONABLENESS OF PERSECUTION, AND TRUE RELIGION AN ENEMY TO IT.

"Religion, without the corruption of imposposture, never banishes reason, or embitters the heart; on the contrary, it improves and enlarges the faculties of men, exalts their spirits, inspires them with generous and beneficent affections towards one another, and with universal love and benevolence to the whole creation: nor can we better shew our love to

God, than by our love to our neighbour.

When I began this number of my weekly labours, my principal aim was to clear our country of the imputation of want of patronage or liberality towards men of learning. My Almighty God instituted religion for the old friend Dr. Reverie differs a little from me sake of men their frail power of acting could on this subject; for as he has written a pam- no further be interesting to him, than to see phlet and some newspaper pieces himself, he his creatures increasing their own happiness, very naturally assumes the rank of an author, by making happiness mutual among themand in this character thinks, with many others, selves: Religion therefore teaches and anithat he has not been rewarded altogether mates them to be assisting, forgiving, kind, and equal to his literary merits; but he preserves merciful to one another. But when the spirit the hope that things will take a better turn ; of false zeal agitates them to revile, calumniate, that when we shall be blest with more pros-hate, and destroy one another, it is contradictory perous times, our countrymen, as they grow rich, will grow generous: and he has often told me he has a strong premonition, that the first golden monument erected to an author, will be inscribed either to himself or to the Writer.

to religion, and a defiance to the Author of it. To quarrel about belief and opinions, which do not immediately produce practical virtue and social duties, is wicked and absurd; it is to be wicked in behalf of righteousness, and to be cruel out of picty.

But the spirit and precepts of true religion are love and charity, given to inspire men with every social virtue. Imposture, indeed, among people and nations who call themsclves christians, has introduced gallies, racks, and dungeons, to propagate her tenets; and christianity has proved as bloody and inhuman as Mahometanism. The heathen tyrants, in persecuting christianity, only destroyed christians: but when christian tyrants were for protecting none but true christians, that is, those who were as vicious, as ignorant, or misled as themselves; when they were for punishing all who were not true christians, that is, all that were better and wiser than themselves, who would take religion from no man's word, but from the word of God alone; then christians listed against christians, and banished christianity by a false friendship to the professors, who, at the same time, were struggling for secular power, not religious advantages: thus zealots lied for the truth, and killed one another for God's sake.

To encourage all members of a society to perform the practical duties of religion, is of general interest; to enforce all to consent to the opinions of men, which are merely speculative, is a sure method to destroy any society: no man's belief is in his own power, much less in the power of another. Men may be forced to become hypocrites; they may be compelled to belie their consciences, or to act against them; they may be driven to infidelity; for if they suspect religion is an imposture, infidelity is the next consequence, from a belief, that religion countenances and imposes bitterness, outrage, inhumanity people cannot be made religious by force, nor all the pow ers in the world make a man embrace truly what his reason tells him is absurd: convict his errours, if such there are, by reason, and it will seldom fail of effect. Power can do nothing kindness, example, argument, have all a prevailing efficacy.

As arbitrary princes want a religion suited to the genius of their power, they persecute all religion which is against tyranny, as all true religion is; for this reason, not one of the great absolute princes in Europe embraced the reformation, nor would suffer their people to embrace it, but were all bitter and professed enemics to it. Whereas all the great free states, except Poland, and most of the small free states, became protestants. Thus the English, the Scotch, the Dutch, the Bohemians, and Sweden and Denmark (which were then free kingdoms) the greatest part of Switzerland and Geneva, with all the Hans Towns, which were not awed by the emperour, flung off the popish yoke.

Liberty is the preservation of Religion; for no one will deny that in king James's time we owed the preservation of our religion to our liberties, which both our clergy and people almost unanimously concurred to defend with a resolution and boldness worthy Britons and freemen.

As the cause and blessings of liberty are better understood, its spit and interest daily increase; and as there cannot be a better defence for religion, it is our own faults only that we are not religious.

The whole scope of this letter is to shew my countrymen, how superiour in happiness they are to the greatest part of the world. From hence I would inculcate a principle of christianity, brotherly love, and charity; that no difference in particular modes of thinking, should force them into a false zeal, which will hurry them into intemperance, uncharitableness, and all the evils of a bigotted mind."

POETRY.

SELECTED.

THE GRECIAN MOTHER AND HER INFANT SON.

LEUCIPPE, paragon of matchless charms,
Clasp'd one dear boy within a mother's arms;
And oft to shun the summer's noontide heat,
Sought for her infant charge some cool retreat,
Of antiquated grot, or sea-girt cave,
Whose base, the refluent billows rudely lave
With murmuring sound, which soothed to balmy rest,
And lulled the darling babe, on beauty's breast;
While rapt to more than ecstasy of bliss,
The mother faints along the fervid kiss,
That warm affection seals upon the boy,
In all the raptures of maternal joy,
Too exquisite, for feeling to sustain,
Without those thrills of intermingling pain,
Which check the rapid pulse that beats too high,
And give to transports, sorrow's deepest sigh;
That sigh, impassioned by ideal woes,
Which none, yes, none, except a mother, knows ;
That sigh, which breathes a mother's soul away,
Forbids the eye to wake; the heart to play;

And wraps a mother, hovering round her boy
In fancied dreams of everlasting joy.
Such was Leucippe's state.-Excess of bliss
Had breathed her spirit in the last fond kiss,
Far, far away-At length she 'woke-But oh!
What powers can paint her height, her depth of wo!
For as she gaz'd with awful horror round,
Her babe was seen upon the summit's bound,

That wildly hung athwart a craggy steep,
Projecting to the depths, adown the deep;
While on his arm he seemed to half recline,
With eye averted from the opening mine
Which yawn'd beneath.-Leucippe caught his sight,
Fixed her's upon the babe; and quick as light,
Unveil'd her bosom on his raptur'd view,
While nature's magnet to affection true,
By magick power draws home the darting boy,
And whelms the mother in a flood of joy ;
Joy of the purest, most celestial kind;
Such as in heaven pervades th' angelick mind,
When wandering pilgrims turn their steps aside,
Tread in the path, which elder saints have trod,
From sin, from folly, vanity, and pride;

And "rest upon the bosom of their God !”

[We insert the two following pieces, agreeable to the
wishes of correspondents, without knowing whether
they have been published or not. We will thank
contributors to this paper, always to distinguish sc-
lected from original communications.]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

PLEASE insert the following, and oblige your's, &c.

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A SUBSCRIBER.

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Where'er the lonely reed is bent,
There mercy's healing stream is sent,

There Heaven's own work is done.

And can it be, that He whose arm,
Whose bosom shields his lambs from harm,

Who clothes their paths with flowers,
Claim that the weak attain the rill,
Where scarce the perfect climb to fill
Their more expanded powers ?—

Is hope presumptive when she deems
Her fav'rite Zion's silent streams

Have quench'd great Sinai's blaze?
The waters from that sacred font
Extend their blessings o'er the mount
Ten thousand varying ways.

Oh! if, in simple strains, the pray'rs
Of feeble Saints, a Saviour bears
To mercy's sov❜reign throne,
Deem not that Intercessor e'er
Will from his censer, shake the tear
Which Love has made his own.
We trust-and therefore in the choir,
Though Angels, and Archangels, higher
Chaunt the REDEEMER'S name,
Our voices shall the chorus roll,
In lowly eloquence of soul,

And humbly mean the same.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

LOOKING Over some old papers, last evening, among which were many letters from Dr. Benjamin Franklin, while a resident in London, to his nephew in this town, written in the years '77, '80, &c. I came across the following lines, written by a gentleman of New-York. By inserting them in the Spectator, you will oblige Your constant reader, PH T

LINES

ON BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, ESQ.
LIKE a Newton, sublimely he soared
To a summit before unattained;
New regions of science explored,
And the palm of philosophy gained.
A spark, which he caught from the skies,
He displayed with unparallel'd wonder ;
And we saw with delight and surprise,
That his rod could protect us from thunder.
O! had he been wise to pursue
The track for his talent designed,
What praises would then have been due
To the father and friend of mankind.
But to covet political fame
Was in him a degrading ambition,
A spark, that from Lucifer came,
And kindled the blaze of sedition.
Let Candour then write on his urn,
"Here lies the distinguish'd inventor,
"Whose fame to the skies ought to burn,
"But inverted, descends to the centre."

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR

JOHN PARK,

By MUNROE & FRANCIS,

NO. 4 CORNHILL.
Price three dollars per annum, half in advance.
Subscribers may be supplied with the preceding
numbers.

DEVOTED TO POLITICKS AND BELLES LETTRES.

VOL. I.

POLITICAL.

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

Ir will be happy indeed for the United States if there be found as much zeal to excite popular feeling, when we are engaged in a just war, as there is now, when we are fighting, that Mr. Madison and his friends may enjoy the honours and emoluments of office. There are not a few who have a very convenient scale, by which they form their decisions. It is good policy in our rulers to employ Indians and scaiping knives-it is execrable barbarity in the English. What is spirit on our side, is outrage on theirs. If an English officer use an uncivil expression, he is a brute if an American officer abuse the enemy, and that too by gross, national reflections, of the most vulgar kind, there have been some of them who are proud to have it made publick, and multitudes who admire it as the proof of a noble patriotism.

This is "pitiful-wondrous pitiful;" but it is not the only means by which attempts are made to keep alive the rage for war. We have long been, and it seems are still to be knights-errant for the world. We are to take care of the interests, the rights, and the honour of every nation, as well as our own, if we can thus protract hostilities with Great Britain. An unofficial statement has appeared in the papers, alleging that the Essex was attacked and taken within neutral jurisdiction; and without further inquiry, some writers are pressing the most unqualified indignation at the supposed outrage. We are not of those, if there are any such, who would justify in the British, what we would condemn in the French or any other nation; but as we are likely to have enough to do to fight our own battles, and settle our own disputes, we are not disposed to espouse the cause of foreign nations. It is, (by law, our business to destroy the English; it is theirs, to destroy us. In doing this, both parties must beware of violating the rights of neutr I powers; but if they do, it is no outrage of belligerent against belligerent: the wrong is to the injured neutral, and to him, and him alone, the offending belligerent is accountable. The principle, which every democratick writer in the United States so recently scouted, that a neutral is bound to preserve his neutrality, is a correct one. If the Spanish nation suffers theirs to be violated, by the British, so as to affect us, we shall undoubtedly feel that resentment, which it was deemed insolence in the British to express, when we tamely permitted Bonaparte to sport with our rights, as he pleased, in prosecuting his plans against England.

In the first place, the fact ought to be well ascertained, in what situation the Essex was taken. Perhaps before this meets the publick eye, a statement may appear, officially, from Captain Porter. As yet, we have had none; and yet the English have been assailed with the utmost asperity-and not the captain of the Phebe, merely, but his whole country and gov

erument.

The next thing to be ascertained, is, whether the Spanish government consider the place where the Essex was at anchor, as within

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this principle originally obtained, not for the advantage of the belligerent, but of THE NEUTRAL. The writer begins with a quotation, which exhibits the doctrine in its proper light, in these words "That we may not kill or plunder enemies in a peaceful country, is a right they have, not from their [the enemies'] own persons, but from the right of him who there holds command." This is a very important position; particularly at this moment, when so few seem to understand who is wronged by a belligerent, when he violates neutral ground. Supposing the Essex to have been within Spanish jurisdiction when taken, the application of the law above quoted would be evidently this, "That the British may not take and destroy the Essex within Spanish jurisdiction is a right she has, not from her character, but from the right of the Spanish

their jurisdiction. It is not for us to say how far from their coast the Spaniards shall claim and defend, as within the scope of their jurisdiction. We have a right however to hold them to whatever can be proved to be their established rule. If the boundaries prescribed by their usages have been violated, they have sustained an insult. If they tolerate it, as Great Britain would have been justifiable in declaring war upon the United States, when they would not resent the operation of the Berlin decree, so our government will be justifiable in declaring war against Spain, if she thus permit her rights to be violated to our injury. If the facts therefore eventually appear just as they have been represented, these are the only bearings of the subject. We shall in this case, undoubtedly, as in every other, as belligerents, have recourse to the very doctrines, which we decried, when main-government." tained by the English. We shall look to the Spanish nation to preserve their neutrality.

This is the practice of all nations. A British cruiser, during the recent war, was said to have driven a French ship ashore, and destroyed her so near the coast of Virginia, as to be within the jurisdiction of the United States. Bonaparte held us responsible for this; but I believe the point of fact was never settled, so as to implicate our government.

The consequences which may result from this transaction, if it appear that the Essex was taken within Spanish jurisdiction, will probably afford new reason to deplore the singular obliquity of Mr. Madison's policy, towards the Spanish nation. With what face will he claim justice from a government, whose minister he has long refused to recognize? Don ONIS has been many months in this country-presented himself at Washington on his arrival-but still remains unacknowledged! Mr. Madison will not dare to remonstrate-his fort is proclamation; his policy has been so unfriendly to all the world, except the Exile of Elba, he fears to address neutrals; it better suits his views, by a general proclamation, to wail over their alleged wrongs, to his good people of the United States.

IF the fact be, that the Essex was taken on neutral waters, she is not lost to us. We must claim of the Spanish government to cause her to be surrendered; and they must do it, or they become accessaries in the war. So, it is a frigate better for us, if the case be as stated, than if she had been taken on the high seas.

Same subject continued.

If I have a dispute with an individual, he may not strike me in another man's house; not that I, there, have any particular right of inviolability, as it respects my enemy, but neither he nor I have a right to disturb the peace of the landlord. If he be so rude as to strike me there, it is no greater an injury, than if he was to strike me in the street; but he breaks the peace within the domicile of a com-mon friend, puts him in fear, injures his repu-tation, perhaps endangers his family.

The sole violation of law then, committed: by a belligerent, who attacks an enemy on neutral grand, is against the neutral; and it is his business, exclusively, to seek, or neglect to seck redress.

But we now repeat precisely what we have formerly asserted, in controversy with democratick writers, when the question was the same, but the parties different. Neutrals have duties to perform, growing out of their character, which are as positively binding as any engagement by treaty. The neutral power is always supposed to possess absolute and exclusive control within his proper jurisdiction. Every thing done within his jurisdiction, therefore, becomes his act. This being the case, if. a belligerent is attacked in a neutral country, he is not bound to inquire whence the assault proceeds. No matter whence it proceedsthe assault is made, where the power professing friendship has exclusive authority, and is accountable for all treatment received by friends; within his domain.

The British have availed themselves of these principles-the writer, to whom we allude, has cited an instance, which shews how correctly they proceed in such cases as that of the Essex is represented. The passage may well be quoted. "What need of foreign authorities, when the British as a nation, have given their own con

was not only admitted by us in its utmost extent, but enforced in their favour, and against France, no longer ago then the year 1793 ? "in a note to Du Ponceau's translation of. Bynkershock's Law of War, page 60-we thus find:

SINCE Writing the above, we have seen instruction of their rights in this respect, which one of our newspapers, a grand series of authorities, from the Punick wars to the present day, to prove that belligerents are not to commit hostilities upon each other, on neutral ground. The compiler of these authorities, though strong in armour, will gain no victory, for most certainly he will not be controverted. There is perhaps not a principle in publick law more simple, more reasonable, or more uniformly admitted. But let it be remembered

In year 1793, the British ship Grange, was, captured by the French frigate L'Ambuscade,, in the waters of the bay of Delaware, and. brought into the port of Philadelphia to which

to make it valuable.

GENERAL REGISTER.

she was bound. The British minister demand- | tainly purchasing our knowledge dear enough ed her restitution of the government of the United States. In vain did the French minister, M. Ternant, allege that the bay of Delaware was an open sea, not subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the American government. His arguments had no effect, and the Grange was very properly restored?"

Now if this course was right, and it undoubtedly was, to follow their example we shall apply to the Spanish government for indemnification for the loss of the Essex, and for whatever damage we sustained by her cap ture. If they refuse it, presuming the transaction proved to have taken place, within their jurisdiction, they have informally made war upon us, and it will be incumbent on President Madison and Congress to govern themselves accordingly.

Thus we agree to the principle first laid down, and to all the authorities quoted by the writer in Thursday's Gazette. But what are we to think of the rhapsody with which he concludes ?

"There is a spirit in man," says this writer, "but none in the nation, if this outrage is to pass unredressed. We talk of war beggaring the country. But hos he that would not rather take his portion with mendicants the world over and remain an honourable man, than live in affluence the member of a community that could suffer and submit to such an indignity? This subject admits of but one determination, worthy the American character. Till amends are made for this glaring defiance, of the clearest principle of our national law, we look for no peace, which will not be obtained by our valour in the field, and our vigour on the ocean."

There is so much feeling in this passage, we are at a loss to discover the sense. As not a word is said of the Spanish government, we must presume he means "no pekee" with Great Britain. Indeed he cannot mean no peace" with Spain, it would imply that we are at war with her, which is not the fact.

Now it appears to us, that if all disputes between the United States and Great Britain can be settled, we had best make peace as soon as possible-particularly as it will not in the least invalidate our claims upon Spain, for the capture of the Essex. The British, yery dispassionately demanded the restoration of the Grange, from the American government, and it was immediately effected. Let us take the same steps towards the Spanish. If we obtain redress, where we have a right to look for it, it will scarcely be worth our while to espouse the cause of a foreign nation-or as we began the war for France, shall we continue it for Spain?

We have been induced to make these remarks, because the reported circumstances of the capture of the Essex have furnished occasion for inflammatory writers to produce an undue excitement in the publick mind, by perverting a simple principle in the law of nations. It answers well for such to clamour

about to the uninformed; but our government will probably take no measures on the subject; as it will undoubtedly appear, on examination that Valparaiso is without any settled government; and if so, even the shore was as proper a place for contest between us and the English as the middle of the Pacifick.

This war, with its many evils, brings some good. Belligerent rights will now be better understood among us, for we are interested to claim and maintain them. Neutral rights will be better understood, for we now begin to feel that they are of consequence; and we are cer

BOSTON, SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1814.

EUROPEAN. Another week has elapsed, and not a word of news from Europe, except a report, which will be noticed below. DOMESTICK. A report was yesterday in circulation from Eastport, "that a frigate arrived at Halifax, July 1st, in about 20 days from England, bringing accounts that our commissioners had been met at Gottenburgh by those appointed by Great Britain; that a gentleman came out in the frigate, with despatches for Quebeck, which were said and believed to contain accounts of the Conclusion of an Armistice between this country and England. That he immediately set out for Quebeck; and that it was confidently expected Peace would take place." Transports had arrived at Halifax from France, with about 12,000 of Lord Wellington's army.

With this report there are likewise some contradictory accounts; so that it does not appear to have any strong claims to confidence, though we trust and believe it is, at the worst, but an anticipation of the advices, which may soon be expected.

The United States' frigate Essex, Captain Porter, was attacked at anchor, in the harbour of Valparaiso, on the 28th of March last, by the British frigate Phebe, 36 guns, and sloop of war Cherub, of 18 guns. After an action of above an hour and a half, during which both the officers and crew of the Essex fought with a spirit of gallantry that has not been surpassed, the Essex struck, having 58 killed, 38 severely wounded, 25 slightly wounded, and 31 missing. The Essex Junior was in the port of Valparaiso,unable to join in the action; by mutual arrangement she was taken as a cartel, and in her, Captain Porter, and the survivors of his crew have returned to New York. It is said Capt. Porter landed two millions in specic at Valparaiso, before the action. Valparaiso is a port of Chili, on the west coast of South America, latitude about 33 south, and we believe is in a state of political anarchy.

July 3. The Americans, under General Brown, crossed Niagara river, and surrounded Fort Erie, which immediately capitulated. The garrison consisted of about 170 men.

On the 4th General Brown advanced to Chippewa plains, attacked a considerable body of English and Indians, who were defeated, leaving above 400 killed and wounded on the field. General Brown speaks very handsomely of the conduct of his troops.

An article from Plattsburgh, dated July 8th, states that the British have opened the road that leads from Odletown to Laprarie, and that an immediate attack on the military post at Champlain is apprehended.

The President has required the governours of the several states, except Vermont and Rhode Island, to organize and hold in readiness for the field 93,000 militia. The quota of Massachusetts is 10,000.

The New-York Evening Post of the 8th inst. contains the following extract of a letter from Washington

"It is a fact that Bayard and Gallatin wrote from London in May to our government, that they were confident they should be enabled to make a PEACE. They are not confined to negotiate at Gottenburgh. I have this information from the highest authority."

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS.

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

THE WRITER, N. I.

Writer, post paid." As there is no date nor THE following letter came directed, “To the name of any place attached to it, I am at a loss to know, to what part of the country my correspondent belongs; but as he undoubtedly reads the SPECTATOR, I can think of no better way of replying to his address, than through the medium of this paper. Neither do I know, whether the letter was meant for publication; but as there may be others in the community, besides Mr. Cholerick, to whom his case will apply, I have thought proper to give it to the publick; and here present it, together with my advice and observations upon it, for the benefit of all concerned.

SIR,

I am one of those men who are said to have an unhappy temper; that is to say, one who makes it a very unhappy lot, for all those who have the misfortune to live with him. I am so passionate, that 'tis often dangerous for any of the family to come near me, and am therefore frequently left alone in my room, like some untamed animal, that nobody dares to approach. Yet there are times when I am as gentle as a lamb, and a little child may lead me; but then my paroxysms of rage are so sudden and violent, that 'tis not very safe for one to undertake it.

I have always considered this as a trait of nature which I could never get rid of, and therefore have not made, what I supposed would be vain, attempts to overcome it; but as I find it grows upon me, and there is danger of my being deserted by every body, for their own safety, if I do not endeavour to check it, I have resolved to hear advice respecting this my disorder, and think I should be willing to pit myself into the hands of any person who would undertake a cure. With this view,

Mr. WRITER, I address myself to you, and as you seem to have some knowledge of mankind, you may perhaps know the best method of treating such a subject; I hope therefore you will give me your advice; and to the end that. seeing more fully into the nature of my comby knowing the extent of the disorder, and plaint, you may be able to treat it with better success, I will here acquaint you with some of its symptoms, and how I am generally affected with it.

If from any cause my dinner happens not to suit me, I immediately fly into a great rage, throw the victuals out of the dishes, overset the chairs, break some of the furniture, andstamp and foam about the room, to the great terrour of my wife, and no small merriment of the saucy domesticks in the kitchen.

if i am interrupted when reading, it is not only dangerous to the offender, but almost a certain damage to any book I may happen to have in my hand; for I usually throw it at somebody's head, or into the chimney corner; in this way I have committed to the flames many an author worthy of a better fate, and several books, which I believe would have passed the ordeal of the inquisition itself, have gone out of my hands to suffer in these kind of auto de fe's. The least disappointment puts me in a rage, and not long ago I threw my cup and saucer in my wife's face, with all its scalding contents, because, by mistake, she

sent me coffee instead of tea.

These fits are generally sudden and transient, and often the first burst of the cloud dis

charges all its fire, and is soon succeeded by

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