with copies of several letters written by him in 1778 BPA very interesting notice of George Mason, 1781, 1793 and 1787, may be found in the volume collected and published by the editor of the Register, in 1822, entitled "Principles and acts of the revolution,” page 121 to 128; it, however, claims for that revered father in the republic, only the authorship of the declaration of rights.] duced; and could not, from mere lassitude, have been induced to open the instrument again: but that, being pleased with the preamble to mine, they adopted it in the house, by way of amendment to the report of the committee; and thus my preamble became tacked to the work of George Mason. The constitution, with the preamble, was passed on the 29th of June, and the committee of congress had, only the day before that, reported to that body the draught of the declaration of independence. The fact is, that that preamble was prior in composition to the declaration; and both hav ing the same object, of justifying our separation with Great Britain, they used necessarily the same materials of justification; and hence their similitude. Withdrawn by age from all other public services and attentions to public things, I am closing the last scenes of life by fostering and fashioning an establishment for the instruction of those who are to come after us. I hope its influence on their virtue, free-mages, (the amount of all that the defendant was supdom, fame and happiness, will be salutary and per-last week, in a case of seduction. posed to be worth!) was recovered at Philadelphia manent. The form and distributions of its structure are original and unique; the architecture chaste and classical, and the whole well worthy of attracting the curiosity of a visit. Should it prove so to yourself, at any time, it will be a great gratification to me to see you once more at Monticello; and I pray you to be assured of my continued and high respect and esteem. THOMAS JEFFERSON. The hon. judge Augustus B. Woodward. [Letter from president Madison to judge Woodward. MONTPELLIER, September 11, 1824. DEAR SIR: I have received, and return my thanks for the printed communications accompanying your note of the fourth instant. To appreciate your proposed expedient for a standard of measures ard weights would require more time than I can apply; and more mathematical science than I retain. Justice will, doubtless, be done to it by competent judges. I have given a hasty perusal to the observations "Addressed to the Individual Citizen." Although I cannot concur in some of them, I may say of all, that they merit every praise for the perspicuity, the precision, and the force with which they are presented to the public attention. You have fallen into a mistake in ascribing the constitution of Virginia to Mr. Jefferson; as will be inferred from the animadversions on it in his "Notes on Virginia." Its origin was with George Mason; who laid before the committee, appointed to prepare a plan, a very broad outline; which was printed, by the committee, for consideration; and, after being varied on some points, and filled up, was reported to the convention, where a few further alterations gave it the form in which it now stands. The declaration of rights was, substantially, from the same hand. CHRONICLE. on the first Monday in June next, his Albemarle esThe late president, col. Monroe, offers at public sale land of 700 acres, near Milton. Applicants are retate in Virginia, of 3,500 acres: also another tract of quested to address themselves directly to him. Seduction. Five thousand five hundred dollars da Naval. A board of naval surgeons is in session at Philadelphia, for the examination of candidates for promotion and appointment in the medical department of the navy. The board consists of Dr. Edward Cutbush, president, and of Drs. Barton, Harris, Hoffman and Gordon. The United States corvette John Adams, master commandant Nicholson, bound to Chagres, and thence to join the West India squadron, got under way from Hampton Roads, on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and proceeded to sea. Captain T. Ap C. Jones, who has gone out in the John Adams to take command of the Peacock in the Pacific, is succeeded, as inspector of ordnance, by captain Wadsworth. Captain Wadsworth is succeeded by captain Booth, in the navy yard at Washington Captain Finch succeeds captain Thompson at the naval rendezvous, Boston. Captain Wolcott Chauncey succeeds captain Ballard at the naval rendezvous, New York. Captain Ridgely has been appointed to the Ports mouth station, in place of captain Crane, transferred to Boston. Commodore Barron is to take charge of the navy yard at Norfolk, and captain Biddle of that at Philadelphia. The U. S. schooner Porpoise, lieut. Skinner, has arrived at New York, from a ten months' cruise on the coast of Africa and in the West Indies. Pittsburg is full of bustle and business. The arri daily. Vast quantities of valuable products have been val or departure of steam boats takes place almost brought down the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers during the present season--and, a few days since, the "American" left Pittsburg for Brownsville, being the first steam boat that ever navigated the first named river. Our rivers, says the Pittsburg Mercury, of the 28th ult., are now in fine navigable order-the recent rise The preamble to the constitution was probably de- of the waters, has given renewed life and vigor to our rived, in great measure, if not wholly, from the funds ommercial operations. Within a few days past, proof Mr. Jefferson; the richness of which, in such ma-perty, of various descriptions, has been brought to terials, is seen in the declaration of independence, as well as elsewhere. The plan of Mr. Jefferson, annexed to one of the editions of his "Notes on Virginia," was drawn up after the revolutionary war, with a view to correct the faults of the existing constitution, as well as to obtain the authentic sanction of the people. Your love of truth will excuse this little tribute to it, or rather would not excuse its omission. With esteem and good wishes. AB. Woodward, judge, &c. &c. JAMES MADISON. this market, exceeding, at the lowest estimate, half a million of dollars. The shores of the Alleghany river alone, are covered with arks and flat boats, upwards of a hundred in number, richly freighted for this market. Within the last week, there have safely arrived, by this channel, on a moderate calculation, 7,000 barrels of salt; 500 tons of bar-iron; 500 tons of pig-metal; besides other articles of merchandise. Mineral tallow, which was discovered in Finland, in 1736, has lately been found in a bog on the borders of Loch-Fye, in Scotland. It melts at 118, and boils at 280 degrees heat. FRINTED BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, AT THE FRANKLIN PRESS, WATER-STREET, EAST OF SOUTH-STREET. THIRD SERIES. No. 9-VoL. IV.] BALTIMORE, APRIL 30, 1925. [VOL. XXVII. WHOLE NO. 711 THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Soon after publishing the last REGISTER, a letter was received from Mr. Miner, (to whom the collection of many bills, due to this establishment, was confided in January last), which apologises for his silence, and assigns reasons for it, that would have been perfectly satisfactory had they been, in any manner, made known to me; but, as he did not appear in very good health when he left Baltimore, and not one line having been received from him for so long a period, a fear was entertained that he might be deceased, and the accounts, (which are receipted), have fallen into the hands of a stranger. However, I now have the pleasure to state that he was well at the date of his letter, and prepared to act efficiently on the business committed to him-and all the authority which he had to attend to my concerus is cheerfully renewed, with entire confidence that he deserves that reputation which originally induced me to entrust them to him; and I have respectfully to request that payments may be made to him, on account of the REGISTER, as they would be to myself. father, zealous for the welfare and success of an affec tionate son. The business of the REGISTER is not sus ceptible of such a division as to bring out whatever talent he may have to be useful to himself and others. and I feel myself fully capable of attending to the ed with myself when I have enough to do: hercin are whole of it-besides, I am fond of it, and best pleasthe reasons on which the project is founded. They cannot interest the public-but it seems right that I should frankly give them. MORE SPECULATION. There was much bustle among the merchants and dealers of Baltimore, yesterday morning, in consequence of information not made public at the time of writing this article. Flour was in great demand, and many thousand barrels were bought up by the "knowing ones." At the present moment, we understand, that there is none for sale persons not being resolved what to ask or receive. But it will settle down speedily as to its price. A short crop in Spain, the prospect that the British ports will be opened for the reception of Canadian flour, and the manifestation of some degree of restlessness or hostility in certain of the European powers, are assigned as being the cause of this speculation. But we know nothing about it, further than that large purchases have been made. THE PIRATES. In addition to what is stated in the interesting letters from licut commandants Sloat and McKeever, we learn that the pirates, captured by the Our sheet is again chiefly given up to the pub- latter, have been given up to the captain-general of lication of official documents, and the preservation of Cuba, who, it is believed, will promptly punish them; articles growing out of the late presidential elec- and that seventeen more have been sentenced to death tion. The latter consists of a long address from Mr. in Porto Rico, and were to be speedily executed. Ingham to his constituents, in replication to certain The fact is, if piracy is to be suppressed, liberty matters stated by Mr. Clay, in his address--an ex-must be granted, or taken, to pursue them on the land tract from the address of Mr. J. T. Johnson, of Ken-as well as on the water-and that, when the Spanish vicky-a letter from Mr. William L. Brent, of Lousi-authorities shall fail to punish those captured on ana-and an extract from the Lexington Reporter.shore, self-preservation will require us to exert the The latter is inserted to shew what are the opinions right of doing it ourselves. of Mr. Clay's [late] immediate constituents "as to the purity of his conduct, and the propriety of his course." I sincerely regret that gentlemen have thought it necessary to say so much on this subject, but feel that it is my business impartially to publish all such things, and without comment. As the controversy goes on, new persons are involved in it, and it is not easy to predict at what period we may expect its termination. But, if they shall tend to establish truth, these articles will not be less useful to the people at large, than they are interesting to that portion of them who are more especially entitled to be called politicians. BALTIMORE. It is computed that the water power within twenty miles of this city, is equal to one million six hundred and thirteen thousand spindles. All this power, however, is located within a semi-circle. TRAVELLING. By the mail from New York to Philadelphia, and the steam boats from the last named city to Baltimore, the passage from New York to Bal(timore is made in twenty-seven hours, without any extraordinary exertion. The Chesapeake steam-boats are among the best fitted and most convenient vessels of the sort that there are, and as well furnished. The The oldest son of the editor, William Ogden distance from Baltimore to Frenchtown is seventyMiles, wishing to build up an establishment for his two miles-this is often made in six hours. The own support and that of his little family, has issued "Constitution" has travelled it in five hours and an proposals at Albany, for the publication of a news-half-or at the rate of thirteen miles per hour; and paper, to be called the "Albany Journal and Mercan- the construction of this boat is such and her engine File Advertiser, "--three times a week, on an imperial works so smoothly, that no one could suspect the sheet, at five dollars a year. rapidity of her motion unless by comparing it with time. On this occasion it may be proper to say, that the project has my entire approbation-and to request that my friends in the state of New York, and elso- IMPROVEMENT OF THE SUSQUEHANNAU. We feel where, will aid him in this undertaking, with that dis-gratified in publishing the following correspondence tinguished kindness which they have so generously on the interesting subject of the improvement of extended towards myself; but, at the same time, it the Susquehannah river: may be also necessary to add, that i have not, nor do I ever expect to have, any further interest or concern in this affair, than what naturally belongs to a VOL. XXVIILI- --9. House of representatives, March 24, 1825. SIR-The citizens of Maryland and Pennsylvania feel a great interest in the improvement of the river graph of Bolivar's proclamation, has something very BOLIVAR. The following, which is the last paramagnificent in it: Susquehannah, so as to make a safe descending as well dorser on a note may be a competent witness to invalias an ascending navigation, suitable for such boats date a note; that his interest in the note does not and vessels as may be constructed for the navigation vitiate his testimony; and that the only exception of that river. But, in order to obtain a correct know-which can be taken to it, is, to his credibility as a ledge of the river, and to know the necessary im-witness. The case occurred in a suit upon a note, provements to be made for the accomplishment of the the maker of which pleaded usury to evade its payobjects stated, a regular survey and levels must be ment. taken by competent persons, who have had experience in this line of business. The undersigned have, therefore, to request, that you will please to cause the necessary order to be issued by the secretary of war, for a complete survey to be made of the river Susquehannah from New Town, in the state of New York, to York fiaven, in the state of Pennsylvania, with a view of ascertaining the best manner of improving the river Susquehannah, for a descending as also an ascending navigation, with an estimate of the expense, and all other information which may be deemed requisite for the carrying into effect the proposed improvement. We remain, with great respect, sir, your most obe ⚫dient servants, (Signed) Peter Little, Raphael Neale, Walter Lowrie, George Plumer, Isaac McKim, Thos. Patterson, To the president elect of the United States. meet again, will be the day of my glory-the day in 'Peruvians! The day in which your congress will which I shall reach the utmost limits of my ambition: To command no more.' for the third time, tendered his resignation of the preLate advices from Colombia, inform us that he had, sidency, but which the congress still refused to accept. While on the subject, it is fitting to notice the folhas lately published, in London, a volume of Travels lowing anecdote, related by captain Cochrane, who in Colombia. "Ata magnificent public dinner, given to Bolivar at Bogota, one of the company, when called upon for a Ph. Y. Markley,vernment be established in Colombia, may the liberatoast, gave-Should, at any time, a monarchical goS. E. Edwards, Saml. Breck, tor, Simon Bolivar, be the emperor.' Saml. McKean, ed public character, senor Pépe Paris, then requestA high spiritJames Buchanan, to, he filled his glass, and exclaiming-'Should Bolied permission to give a toast, which being acceded James Wilson, James S. Mitchell.clared emperor, may his blood flow from his heart in var, at any future period, allow himself to be dethe same manner as the wine now does from my GENTLEMEN-Your letter of the 2d of March last, to senor Paris, and, most warmly embracing him, exWar department, April 18, 1825. glass,' he poured the wine out of his glass upon the floor. Bolivar immediately sprang from his chair, ran addressed to the president elect, stating that the citi-claimed,-'If such feelings as those declared by this zens of Maryland and Pennsylvania felt great interest in the improvement of the river Susquehannah, and requesting that orders might be given by the seeretary of war for a complete survey to be made of the river, from New Town, in the state of New York, to York Haven, in the state of Pennsylvania, with a view to ascertaining the best manner of improving the Susquehannah for a descending as well as ascending navigation, with an estimate of the expense, has beeu received, and referred to this department. The department views the subject of the letter as one of great importance, but has to regret that it is not in its power to comply with your request. The arrangements for the employment of the engineers, and others connected with them, will occupy them during the present season, and will absorb all the funds applicable to internal improvements at the disposal of the department. honorable man, shall always animate the breasts of the sons of Colombia, her liberty and independence can never be in danger." want to know of him. He is one of those rare men The more we hear of Bolivar, the more we that seem as if formed for the redemption of a nation. The glory of our WASHINGTON, thus far, is his may it be perpetual! decidedly refused to give up that fortress, under the PERU. The Spanish commander of Callao has most convention of Ayacucho. Having denied access to an officer sent by the liberator to confer on the subject, it was proposed that the commissioners should be conveyed to Callao in a British vessel of war, the Cambridge. They were received on board for the purpose, and the commander of that vessel, having It is proper here to state that your letter above re-arrived at Callao, made known the object of his comferred to, was received before the organization of the present administration, and, in consequence of the accumulation of papers in the office during that interim, was not attended to as early as it should have been. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with great fe- R. Neale, Jas. S. Mitchell, ing-but the governor still refused to receive them, and the commissioners returned to Lima. Such was the state of things at the last advices. A decree on the subject is inserted below. tulated at Ayacucho, had embarked for Europe, on The Spanish generals and other officers who capi board of a French vessel. PROCLAMATION. To the soldiers of the army who conquered at Ayacucho. Soldiers! You have given liberty to South America, and a quarter of the world is the monument of your glory-Where have you not conquered? South America is covered with trophies of your valor; but Ayacucho, like Chimborazo, rears her exalted head above them all. Soldiers! Colombia owes to you the glory with which you again cover her--Peru, life, liberty and peace. La Plata and Chili also are your debtors for for immense benefits. The good cause-the cause of LAW. A case has been decided, we observe, by the rights of man-has conquered by your arms in the court of last resort, in South Carolina, that an en-her terrible struggle with the oppressor. Contem plate, then, the blessings you have conferred upon humanity by your heroic sacrifices. only method of keeping dry mines 800 or 900 feet deep. In 1822, the amount of gold and silver coined from the mines of Mexico, under these disadvantages, was 214,128 dollars in gold, and 5,543,254l. 4s. 6d. in silver. The total amount of money coined in Mexico alone, from the year 1690 to 1823, amount1,580,260,7761. 6s. 44d. in silver. Grand total, 133 years, 1,940,493,784l. 6s. 41d. Soldiers! Receive the limitless gratitude which I bestow upon you in the name of Peru. I pledge myself that you shall be recompensed as you deserve, before your return to your beautiful country. But no-you never can be worthily rewarded-your ser-ed to the sum of 60,233,008 dollars in gold, and vices transcend all price. Soldiers of Peru!-Forever will your country rank you among the first saviours of Peru. Soldiers of Colombia!-You will live in hundreds of victories until the end of the world. BOLIVAR. Head-quaters in Lima, December 25, 1824. Peru, &c. &c. Considering-1. That the capitulation concluded between the commander-in-chief of the united libe IMPORTANT PROPOSITION. The following article relative to the formation of a grand confederation among the American states, is copied from the official Gazette of Colombia. On the original, which has been received at the office of the REGISTER, we are given to highest officers of state in that republic, and hence understand that the remarks are written by one of the much importance is attached to them. It appears to us very probable that the proposed council will be rating army, and general Canterac, commander-in-held, and that great good may grow out of it-and, it chief of the royal army, included the surrender of would also seem to us proper, that, when the plan is matured, the United States should appoint commis2. That this treaty was proposed, agreed to, and sioners to attend it, as suggested, if for no other pursigned by the Spanish general, on whom devolved, pose than to shew the interest that we take in the legitimately, the chief command of the points occupi-progress and success of liberal institutions in the new ed by the royal army, the viceroy, don Jose de la world. And the time may come, if the holy alliance does not perish of its own corrupt principles, when Serna, having been taken prisoner. it will be necessary to rally the free nations of this with their herds of slaves. continent in opposition to the despots of the other, the fortress of Callao. 3. That the commandant of the fortress of Callao depended upon the authority of the viceroy, as by him he was appointed so that command. 4. That the commandant having obstinately refused to hear or treat with the persons sent with flags of truce by the republic, has forfeited all right to be treated according to the law of nations. 5. That, therefore, the commandant of the fortress of Callao is an authority absolutely isolated, arbitrary and independent: Has decreed and does decree as follows 1. The enemies who occupy the fortress of Callao shall be considered as having separated themselves from the Spanish nation, and all other nations. 2. They are, with respect to the republic, cut off from the rights of nations. 3. All vessels, their captains, supercargoes or owners, who shall, in any manner, afford assistance to the fortress of Callao, shall be prohibited from entering the ports of the republic. 4. All persons who, by land, render aid, in any manner, to the said fortress, shall suffer capital punish ment. 5. All persons are excepted from article two, who, complying with their duty as capitulated Spaniards, in good faith fulfil the compact to which they are legitimately subject. 6. A copy of this decree shall be sent to the commanders of all forces belonging to the neutral powers stationed in the Pacific. Let it be printed, published and circulated. In a New-York paper, of the 6th of January last, we find the following paragraphs on the important subject of the projected American confederation: "We observe in our Mexican journals a project of a treaty of confederation for all the American nations, an extract from which may be acceptable to our rea ders: "The objects of the confederation are, to complete the independence of the new world, by expelling the foreign forces that still occupy certain points; to adjust existing differences between some of the American states, and to facilitate the emigration of those who are disposed to abandon Europe and settle on this side the Atlantic. "The general congress to be composed of three deputies from each free state, and to be organized in any part of the Floridas that the United States may designate. An expedition to be forthwith fitted out against the Island of Cuba with the combined forces of the confederation. Those forces to consist of six ships of war from each of the three principal nations, that is to say: the United States, Mexico, and Colombia; three from Buenos Ayres, Peru and Chile, and one from St. Domingo. The number of troops from each of the principal powers to be three thousand men, and from the others in proportion. "An amphictionic council to be afterwards formed in the Havana, which, in case of emergency, sha!! Given in the palace of the dictator, on the 2d of name a general to command the forces of the confeJanuary, 1825-4th of the republic. By order of his excellency: Jose S. Carrion. SIMON BOLIVAR, MEXICAN MINES. Sir W. Adams has published an interesting pamphlet on the state of the mines of Mexico. Besides a good deal of general information on the subject, authentic documents are given to show the produce of the Mexican mines, and the reason of their ceasing to be worked, even in the unsatisfactory mode of the Spaniards. The labors of the miners, it appears, were suspended by the Mexican revolution; and the water gaining ground, soon reached such a depth, that their imperfect means of draining were not equal to recovering what had been lost. Mules and leather buckets formed their deration, though the election of one may be left alternately to each of the states-that is to say: the United States, Mexico, Colombia, &c. &c. &c." At the present moment, when the government of Colombia, in concert with that of Peru, is making the most strenuous efforts to form a grand assembly of the American states at the isthmus of Panama, we confess that we have read, with indescribable pleasure, the Mexican project, and we believe that our readers will participate with us in this pleasure. Our opinions, nevertheless, in relation to the project, are somewhat different, inasmuch as great enterpri ses ought always to be commenced in the most practi cable manner, that they may not be crushed in their outset. A meeting of American plenipotentiaries in the Floridas cannot fail to suggest, for the present objections, arising from the neutrality of the Unit States. At Panama, the deliberations might be c ed THE FRENCH REFUGEES. The committee had a meeting at Guildhall, London, March the 4th, at which a letter from general Lafayette, dated Washington, January 8, was read. It was written in French; the translation of which is as follows: ducted with greater freedom, as to the measures which the belligerents might propose to be adopted in future, to compel Spain to abandon her absurd schemes of conquest. And if our good and illustrious friends, the United States, are willing to contri bate, they may do so with propriety, by taking part in "My proscribed fellow citizens, who are formed those deliberations which are not of a hostile cha- into a committee to assist each other, and who had racter towards Spain, with whom we are at war, and often received the expression of my best wishes, will they at peace. now, I trust, allow me to profit by the first opportuIn any other mode, it is evident that the objects of nity, in which I can add something to the tributes of the grand assembly will be considerably more com-friendship which have already reached them. My plicated. To simplify them as much as possible, we | personal friend, Mr. Rush, will receive 2000 dollars, should endeavor to divide their labors into two which I have requested the bank of the United States parts. The one may relate to the peculiar and ex- to transmit to him, to be handed over to those of my clusive affairs of the respective belligerents; the other fellow citizens who are intrusted with the relief of the may be confined to the common principles which proscribed natives of France, and I fully rely upon govern powers, some of which are in a state of war the judicious disposal of the amount. I beg of them while others maintain their neutrality. Thus the at- all to accept the assurances of my best wishes and of tention of the congress may be limited, as to the bel- my friendship. LAFAYETTE. ligerents, exclusively to the following: 1st. To the formation or renewal, with greater solemnity, of a compact of perpetual union, league, and confederation, between the new American states against Spain, or any other power or sovereign that inay attempt their subjugation, or assist Spain in such attempt. 2d. To address, in the name of their constituents, a proper manifesto on the justice of their cause and their system of policy, in regard to the other powers of Christendom. 3d. To make, or renew, a convention of comPierce and navigation, among all the allies and con federates. 4th. To decide, as to the islands of Porto Rico and Cuba, whether the forces of all should be united to free them from the yoke of Spain, and what quota, in such case, each ought to contribute towards that ob'ject. 5th. To take measures to carry the war, by common consent, into the seas and upon the coasts of Spain. 6th. To determine whether these measures shall be extended also to the Canary and Philippine islands. As to the belligerents and neutrals conjointly, 1st. To take into consideration the means of rendering effective the declarations of the president of the United States to congress, in relation to the frustration of any ulterior design of colonization on this continent, and resisting any interference in our domestic concerns. This letter is addressed-"A Messieurs du comite Francois pour les affaires des patriots proscrits hors de leur pais." In a subsequent letter it was announced, that the venerable general had transmitted 200 dollars for the relief of the Spanish, and 200 for the Italian refugees. TRADE TO ST. PETERSBURGH. From the "General review of importation and exportation at St. Petersburgh, 1824, according to the value declared at the custom house," it appears that the total import amounted to 120,426,176 rubles, about $24,000,000; export, 97,066,608 rubles, about $19,000,000. Of the houses participaing in the American trade, the following had Department of state, 20th April, 1825. 2d. To establish, by common consent, the controvertible principles of the law of nations, and especi-president of the board of trade in England, to Mr. The following communication from Mr. Huskisson, ally those which relate to the mutual obligations of Rush, our minister there, is published for the inforbellegerents and neutrals. 3d. To agree upon the footing on which our political and commercial relations ought to be placed with those portions of our hemisphere, which are, in fact, like Hayti, or may be, separated from the mother country, without being recognised by any power, American or European. As these three last points look to the future, and involve a common interest, without infringing, either directly or indirectly, their neutrality in the present war, we are persuaded that the United States, and the other American powers similarly situated, will not refuse to concur in the plan of a congress at Panama, by means of plenipotentiaries. We are perfectly aware that the subject is infinitely important and complicated, as well on account of its novelty as its extraordinary magnitude. But we have ventured briefly to give our humble opinion, in the hope that our brother editors, as well as other enlightened citizens, may enter into the discussion of a subject the most difficult and delicate that has been presented to the public since the commencement of cur glorious revolution. mation of the concerned: Mr. Huskisson to Mr. Rush. Great George street, 4th March, 1825. with answers to the two queries contained in your DEAR SIR: I have the pleasure to send you hereletter of the 15th ult. Directions will be given to our custom house officers in the West Indies, and in our North American colonies, to treat American vessels, having only passengers and baggage on board, as vessels in ballast. I have the honor to remain, dear sir, your most faithful humble servant, WM. HUSKISSON. Richard Rush, esq. &c. &c. Querics-Is a steam boat of the United States, arriving at a British colonial port, say St. John's, New Brunswick, with passengers and their baggage, liable to tonnage duty? Is a vessel of the United States, so arriving, in ballast only, liable to tonnage duty? Answer The duty is imposed on vessels of the United States arriving with articles the produce of the United States. Vessels in ballast are, therefore, not liable to the duty. Vessels having passengers and |