NEW SERIES. No. 23-VOL. VII.] BALTIMORE, FEB. 3, 1821. [No. 23-VOL. XIX. WHOLE NO. 491 THE PAST THE PRESENT FOR THE KUTURE. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY H. XILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, As was set forth at large in our minus in the sum of $4,658,483 03; yet he requires paper of Saturday last, (which notice will be re-borrowed "in aid of the funds, which it is estimatthat the sum of seven millions of dollars should be peated next week), this number of the WEEKLY REGISTER is sent to those who were subscribers to ed will be received into the treasury during the the NATIONAL REGISTER, lately published at Wash-year"-being five millions more than "Statisticus" ington city, which has been transferred to the un-supposes will meet all the demands. As before dersigned-with the view that such gentlemen may but it seems not a little extraordinary that such observed, we do not yet understand these thingsreceive this paper in the lieu of that--if agreeable varieties of opinion should exist as to a matter to them: the evidence of which agreement will be a the transmission of five dollars, in payment of the which, we think, ought to be made comprehensible year's subscription in advance. A few numbers will to the mind of every enquirer who has "cyphered be sent to all who lately received the NATIONAL through the rule of three." We are sure that there REGISTER, that they may examine this work-but must exist some latent difficulties in the way of po others will be furnished, except to those who correct estimate, in some of the accounting off ces, else it would seem to us impossible that such remit the years payment, in evidence of their asthings should be. In truth, the secretary does not sent to the transfer, as stated above. appear to rely on his supplementary estimate; if he did, he would hardly recommend a provision to borrow seven millions when less than five might do. H. NILES, Editor of the Weekly Register, Baltimore. FOREIGN NEWS. # 29th November. At a time when so many import it was in type, we have seen another long article Since the preceding was written, indeed since antings about our own affairs are lying over, we in the "National Intelligencer," the object of which cannot go into details. It will be seen, however, is to correct the statement made by "Statisticus." by a reference to page 380, that the British parlia-The latter writer appears to have labored much to ment was turned into a mob, and prorogued just as understand the subject, and it may be that he does. meetings of half starved weavers, &c. are dissolved by reading the riot act--that a new ministry is on foot, with much botheration—that the movements of the queen are regarded with the greatest anxiety and dread; that Austria, as one of the "Holy Alliance," is to invade Naples, from which, we trust, she will be beaten; that there are disquiets in Rus. sia; that there was great uneasiness in Spain; that a revolution was contemplated in Denmark, and so forth and so forth the tout ensemble giving us some reason to hope, that a commotion in Europe may relieve our statesmen of the disagreeable ne. cessity of looking at home for the means of private comfort and public resource!!! But, perhaps, all these appearances of havoc and confusion, may amount to nothing-and what then? He makes it out that the balance against the treasury, ed necessary to have a surplus of 1,000,000 in the treasury-"if no change is made in the existing establishments, and no resort had to taxation, a loan of 7,000,000 will be required." ten and put into type, we have another statement of Again-and since the above paragraph was writthe condition of the treasury, exhibited by a writer "THE REAL STATE OF THE TREASURY." As, after in the "National Intelligencer," in an article three 'having spent considerable time on the subject to columns in length! This last writer brings out his comprehend the condition of the finances of the balance against the treasury on the 1st of January, United States, as set forth in the annual report of 1822, at pretty nearly the amount agreed upon for the secretary of the treasury, with its supplement it by the secretary, in his supplementary reportand explanatory statement, [see pages 228, 299 and say $4,585,735 57. But, making an allowance of 364], we confess that we could not understand it-g1,200,000 of "special deposite," and as it is deemand knowing also, that several of our friends most acute in figures were in the same predicamentit was with much satisfaction that we saw a communication in the "National Intelligencer," signed Statisticus, captioned as above, and affecting to ex Resolved, however, to ascertain the facts and pro. plain the whole business. After many calculations babilities which belong to the finances, if we can, to shew the ways and means of the United States that we may explain them to others, we shall say for the year 1821, the writer concludes with these nothing more in respect of them just now than to words "It therefore follows, from the foregoing express our belief that-unless the rage for restatement, that a loan of three millions will give the trenchment reduces our useful and necessary intreasury on million surplus, for extraordinary or stitutions to inefficiency, or some fortunate accident unexpected demands." This is truly good news-occurs,-the seven millions, as demanded by the if true. secretary to aid the expected receipts in satisfying But, the anonymous writer assumes for himself a much better knowledge of the condition of the *This is a term given to those members of contreasury than even Mr. Crawford pretends to.gress who are favorable to an extensive reduction In bis annual report, the secretary estimates the of expenditures, and, we suppose, is used by way deficiency for the year 1821, at $7,451,586 77; in of reproach; though not by the writer from whom the supplement, it is supposed that we shall be only we now quote it. VOL. XIX.-25. the expenditures of the year 1821, will not be more than sufficient for the purpose. This remark requires a brief explanation. We are decidedly friends of economy, and, if it depend. ed on us, would never grant a loan, except of a temporary nature, with ways and means provided for its payment, to meet the current cost of government, after the present year, in a time of peace -but the extravagance and waste of life and trea sure which prevailed in the earliest periods of the late war, should teach us discretion, and induce us to preserve, at a small expense, those establishments which may hereafter save us thousands of lives and millions of dollars. That some of these establishments have been kept up at too great a cost, and that we have attempted to do too much at once, cannot be denied-every one sees and feels it: still, we should not too hastily attempt to reform lest we destroy. Every part ought to be carefully examined, and talent enough should be retained, if possible, to serve us again in the time of our need. It is thought by many--but how far the opinion is just we do not undertake to say, that what may be called the trappings of office, with the delay and difficulty of settling accounts, costs us more money than we pay for services substantially rendered. A rigid enquiry into these things would not do any harm. It is evident that the public revenue must be increased or the public expenditures diminished-perhaps, it may be necessary to do both; but before we start a general system for either, we should carefully feel our way, and endeavor to ascertain the bearings of the various parts on which we are about to act. beneficent views of the government in respect to the Indians, may be removed. The well known William Davis Robinson, whose memoirs of the Mexican revolution have excited so much attention, has addressed a paper to Mr. Eaton, of the senate, giving some highly interesting facts relative to our territory west of the Rocky Mountains, which he obtained when in the interior of Mexico-and proposing an accurate survey of the coast by some of our public vessels, whilst parties of men were penetrating the interior and reaching the North Pacific ocean by over-land routes. This paper from Mr. Robinson has brought to light another which was submitted by com. Porter to the president of the United States, in 1816, suggesting a voyage for these purposes, which met with so favorable a reception, that two public vessels were assigned to him to explore the coast-but for some cause not stated, the project was postponed. The country west of the mountains is described as very luxuriant, abounding with fine streams and sup posed to have many good harbors. While on this subject we may notice a bill brought into the house of representatives by Mr. Floyd, authorizing and requiring the president to occupy a portion of the territory of the United States on the waters of the Columbia river, providing lands for settlers, after the Indian title shall be extinguished, &c. & When less pressed for room than at preselt, we intend to insert all these papers. COMMODORE PERRY. A bill for the relief of the family of this late distinguished officer, has passed the house of representatives, with a small majority. We did not understand that his relatives were SPECIE. It appears by a late statement of the necessitous, nor have we seen the ground of this banks in Philadelphia and elsewhere, that specie vote to pension them. But we cannot object to it is very abundant in the United States. The New on any terms, so grateful are we for the services York canal-loan of $400,000, has been taken by the rendered by the illustrious dead, except for the banks of Albany at five per cent. interest, with a sake of the precedent which it furnishes, as well as small premium also, on every hundred dollars of for the distinction that it makes—as we do not recolthe stock; other banks offered to take the loan at lect any similar provision made for the families of a premium of 8 and 5-8ths per cent. if it should officers of the army. There is danger in separatbear 6 per cent. interest. These things shew aing any class of persons from the common interests lamentable diminution of business requiring money, of the people at large; especially so, if by way of and are evidence of a general depression of trade. pension, except on account of disabilities sustained There is now very little use for money except to in battle, &c. and the higher the reputation of such answer the current purposes of life and pay old as are put forward in things of this nature, the debts: for either of which it is difficult enough to greater is the injury to be apprehended from them. get it, though it is apparently abundant. But it cir-It is impossible that we should fail to respect the culates slowly, and it is on the circulation of money memory of PERRY, victor of Erie-but we love If his family is necessitous, let us that its plentifulness or scarcity, (as the terms are,) principle more. depends. We have reiterated this idea several ask if congress are willing to pension those of all times that every one may appreciate it. If there others (if so), who served their country as faithfully was business for money, we should have money as he did-such as those of PIKE, COVINGTON, &c. enough, without the erection of new banks, or who died on the field? the issue of baseless representatives of it. COM. PERRY AND CAPT. ELLIOTT, A pamphlet has recently appeared containing letters and other documents, exhibiting some severe charges against captain Elliott, on account of his conduct in the battle on Erie, said to have been left by the late com. P. in the charge of the late com. Decatur, as a sort of a check upon capt. E. It appears that a very rough correspondence had existed between those officers-but, as we cannot see in what man THE NORTH WEST. Mr. Schoolcraft, who accompanied gov. Cass last year in his expedition to explore the North Western regions of the United States, is about to publish, at Albany, a narrative of the journey, extending from Detroit through the great chain of American lakes to the sources of the Mississippi river, in an 8vo. volume of 400 pages, to be embellished with a map and eight engravings, for $3, in boards. Much interesting in-ner the public is to be benefitted by its publication, formation is expected from this work. we most sincerely regret that this pamphlet has ap peared. We shall not have any thing more to do with it in the REGISTER, unless the character of the transaction becomes much changed by events. The rev. Dr. Morse, also, under a commission from the president, has travelled 3000 miles on the northern borders of our country, and is soon ex. pected to make a report of his journey: the object A COMPLIMENT FROM GERMANY. A new work, callof which appears mainly to have been to obtain information by which any of the obstacles to the led the "German Correspondent," is publishing in God protect your honor many years. Office marine, Valparaiso, Aug. 10, 1820. monthly numbers, of 32 pages each, at New-York, I terior disposition with respect to the navigation of at $3 per annum. Its object is to make us better said vessel. acquainted with the literature and improvements of Germany, in return for the liberal attention of the German journals and other periodical works to the concerns of the United States; which appear to excite no little interest in that country, the land of many of the ancestors of the people in this. In the 6th number of this publication there is the following notice of the "REGISTER," several sets of which have been sent to Germany: "The Weekly Register," published by Niles, of Baltimore, since the year 1812 [1811] already consists of 13 octavo volumes, says the Wiemarische Zeitung, embracing political, historical, geographical, scientific, astronomical and statistical articles, as well as notices of the arts and manufactures, and is one of the most important journals of North America." HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. We are happy to learn by the report, that there is a probability of this hall becoming suited to the purpose which it was intended for-of being heard in. See page 374. JOSE AGNACIO TUTENO. To Captain DowNES, &c. "BRITISH POLICY." It is mentioned as a want of respect to the United States, that the British, who give their ministers al Paris, St. Petersburg, Amsterdam and Madrid, 11,0007. sterling per annum, only allow to their minister at Washington half that sum. Now, we should be sincerely glad if a much less amount were allowed. The fashion and folly introduced by British-ministers and their families in the United States, have cost the people more extra money, perhaps, per annum, than the whole of our civil list, by causing an increased consumption of useless foreign gewgaws and goods. We have heard it stated, and do not wholly disbelieve the fact, that a part of their business was to encourage the use of British manufactures, by a profuse exhi bition of novel articles-ad captandum. DUTIES AND DRAWBACKS. By official documents laid before congress, it appears that the amount of Gov. CLINTON'S MESSAGE, published in the present drawback on merchandize exported during the sheet, will be very generally read, on account of year 1817, 1818, and 1819, compared with the the nature of its matter. It can hardly be consi- amount of duties which accrued thereon respectivedered as complete without the accompanying do-ly, was as shown in the following abstract: uments; but their length is so great as to forbid their insertion in the REGISTER. Duties accru In the year 1817 ing. 22,087,754 25,832,685 Drawback payable. $,987,323 3,343,938 3,301,812 PATENTS. We have a list of the patents grant CAPT. DOWNES, in the Macedonian frigate, cruising in the Pacific ocean, appears to have been very successful in protecting our commerce on the coast of Peru, Chili, &c. Indeed, there is a spirit to per. form and an ability to execute such things in oured in the year 1820, with the names of the patengallant seamen, that we are only surprised when the tees, &c. Their whole number is about 140--the omission of an effort to do them is imputed. The greater part are for improvements. following correspondence shews capt. Downes in another favorable light, and exhibits his discretion. in maintaining the honor of his flag, without offence to either of the belligerent parties, on whose coasts he was stationed: BALTIMORE COLLEGE. This institution, under the direction of Mr. L. H. GIRARDIN, has been reopened for the reception of pupils. From the amiable manners and superior'acquirements of the principal, assisted by a learned and highly respectable board of trustees, there is reason to believe that this institution must rapidly flourish. United States' frigate Macedonian, VALPARAISO, Aug. 8, 1820. To his excellency the supreme director of Chili: In my conversation with your excellency yester day, I mentioned my intention of going to Lima MISSOURI. From the St. Louis Enquirer. "This for the purpose of attending to the mercantile in paper has labored for a long time to awaken the terest of the United States at that place. I howe- people to the criminal designs of the men who wish ver, stated that I would delay my visit until after to expel Missouri from the union. This audacious the arrival of the Chilian expedition on the coast undertaking is now verging to a crisis. What shall of Peru, provided no objection would then be made Missouri do, if rejected? Fall back into the territo my entering the port of Callao. Your excellen-torial grade? we hope not. Set up for herself? ey was pleased to say that none would be made. I we hope not. The former would be to succomb to have now to request that your excellency will be the Catalines of the north; the latter would be to pleased to communicate the same to me by letter. promote their views. The restrictionists wish to I have the honor to be, with great respect, your divide the union; and if Missouri would attempt to excellency's most obedient servant, break off, it would be into their hand; their object would be accomplished, and the blame thrown upon JOHN DOWNES. His excellency, the supreme director, being high-her. But let Missouri continue her efforts to enter ly gratified at the deference your honor has mani. the union, preserve all her relations with the genefested for the interest of the republic, in suspend-ral government as far as her amphibious condition ing the departure of the frigate under your com- will permit it to be done; be calm and dignified in mand for Lima, with a view of protecting there the asserting her rights, and a reaction may be prodoccommerce of the subjects of the United States, ed which will prostrate those Hartford convention until the Chilian expedition may have verified its men who now predominate in the north, and give arrival on the coast of Peru, orders me to say to the victory to the friends of the union and to the your honor, as I have the honor now to do, that republicans of the Jeffersonian school. Eventually, there will then be no difficulty in the Macedonian's Missouri must succeed, and good may grow out of effecting her entry into the port of Callao; and evil; the men who have raised this portentous storm under this security your honor can make your ul-may yet perish in it. Let Missouri preserve all her friends; do nothing to mortify them, or to please From the lateness of the period at which this reher enemies, and the sober reason of the people port is made, it may be proper to present an exmust ultimately resume its empire and consign to position of the causes of the apparent delay. Iminfamy the men who have sought their own aggran-mediately after the receipt of your letter, commudisement upon the ruins of their country." nicating the resolution of the house of representa On the 18th Dec. the circuit court for the coun- tives, a competent number of clerks was employed ty of St. Louis, Missouri, commenced its first session. on the subject. The investigations of these clerks The court decided, after the discussion of various extended to all the accounts of paymasters, both contested points of law, which grew out of the late settled and unsettled, which contained payments transaction of the government, thatfor services during the late war, embracing, not "The state government was not only theoretically only the voluminous accounts of the several states formed, but in full and constitutional operation, as re-which made payments to militia in their service, but garded the constitution of the United States and to all the accounts of the paymasters of the regu that of the state of Missouri." Mititia in service in the late war. "A letter from the secretary of war, transmitting a report of the third auditor of the treasury, in relation to the militia in service during the late war, &c. &c." in obedience to a resolution of the house of representatives of the 15th April, 1820, presents us with some curious facts well worthy of record. The following is the letter of the 3d auditor, dated TREASURY DEPARTMENT, lar army, as the accounts for the militia and regular service had not been kept distinct. In pursuing their examinations through such a multiplicity of various and bulky documents, great care and accuracy were requisite in noting down every roll that exhibited the services of militia, and ascertaining the connection of payments in one account with payments for the same tour of duty in other accounts, so as to meet the terms of the resolution; labor, of which the result is contained in the stateforming, altogether, a considerable mass of tedious ment referred to. I am, respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, PETER HAGNER, Auditor. The hon. J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of war. Third Auditor's office, Dec. 12, 1812. SIR-I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement of the whole number of militia in service [Here follows two ponderous tables, shewing the during the late war against Great Britain, shewing amount of generals, colonels, majors, captains, &c. the periods of their service, their pay, and from and privates employed, with the years they served what states and territories drawn; prepared in obe-in, their pay, and from what states and territories dience to a resolution of the house of representa-drawn: of all which the subsequent abstract may tives, of the 15th April, 1820. [afford every necessary information: The difference between the comparative proportions of men and pay, we must presume to arise from the different periods of time in which the former were in the service.] NOTES. In preparing this statement from the documents in the third auditor's office, it has been adopted as the most accurate course to estimate and The 3d auditor remarks, that, prior to the aot of enter the militia, according to the division, brigade, 3d March, 1809, no separate accounts were kept regimental, or company rolls, where the rolls have of the appropriations for the academy, and that, been rendered. Thus, in the sheets from which up to the year 1812, inclusive, all the accounts this condensed statement is formed, general offi- which had been settled, &c. were destroyed in cers, and commandants of regiments, have been en- 1814, &c. So that the idea of the whole cost of tered with their staff, and captains with the subal- the establishment is very imperfectly stated, and terns and rank and file of their companies. The the amount cannot be known. maximum number borne on these rolls have been carried into the statement, though that number would be diminished by death, or otherwise, in the course of the service; and hence the pay, as enter. ed for a company or regiment, will not equal the estimated amount due, according to its aggregate numbers, for the given period. In many instances the services mentioned in the statement to have been rendered in one year, have, in part, been rendered in another; as, for example, the service of a company may have commenced in November, 1813, and terminated in February, 1814; in such cases the rule has been to assign the company to the year in which the greatest length of service has been performed. It appears, in many instances, that the same troops, with slight variation of organization or officers, have performed several tours of duty in the same year. Such cases have most frequently occurred in sections of country most exposed to the invasion of the enemy; as, for example, in the state of Maryland, the militia on the seaboard were called into service, for short tours of duty, from six to ten times in 1813; it was also the case, to a less extent, in the states of New-York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and most of the western states; in these cases the course could only be to enumerate the militia as often as their service was repeated. It will be understood, that the foregoing state ment embraces only the pay of the militia, and the pay, subsistence, and forage, of officers, so far as the rolls exhibit the same. The subsistence of the militia, the quartermaster's suppñes, the transportation, ordnance stores, and all other expenses incident to their service, form no part of the estimate. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Third auditor's office, Dec. 12th, 1820. FETER HAGNER, Auditor. ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 8, 1821. SIR-I have the honor to present, herewith, in obedience to your order, a paper marked A, containing the information, as far as it can be obtained, required by parts of a resolution of the house of representatives, dated the 5th of December last. In addition to the information called for by the resolution, I take the liberty to report, that there have been educated at the military academy ninety cadets, who have been, but are not now, in service; and that twenty-three have been partially educated thereat, all of whom have been, and some are now in service. In illustration of the former and present condition of the academy, and, in anticipation of its future results, it may be proper to state, that, from 1812, when the present number of cadets was authorized, till 1817, the institution was in a very deranged state, and that so little attention was paid to the qualifications of candidates for admission, that, when an examination took place, in 1816, seventy of the cadets being found unqualified, were, on that account, under the necessity of leaving the institution. Since 1817, it has been in successful operation; and, from the rigid examination previous to admission, as well as the regard paid to the education of the cadets, it is believed that, hereafter, nearly the whole who are admitted will finish their academic course; and that of them, with not many exceptions, all will enter the mili tary service of their country. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. K. ARMISTEAD, Col. engineers. Hon. J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of war. Here follows a heavy table shewing the total number of cadets educated at the academy, which is 261 233 In obedience to a resolution of the house of re- The total number of cadets now at the academy, is Military Academy-West Point. presentatives, the secretary of war has made a report of many interesting particulars respecting |