especially those of the grain-growing states, who stand as monuments of the safety with which error have no vent for their surplus commodities?-of opinion may be tolerated, when reason is left whose wheat, deducting the cost of the labor of free to combat it." It cannot do harm to invest carrying it to market, hardly produces an average them with the enjoyment of every political right price of 40 cents per bushel! This gives a serious which we possess. It is time that the spirit of those aspect to the affair, and will bring some to a pause; days when fire and faggot were brought in furious yet we contend that without a direct tax the expen- aid of the meck doctrines of Christ, should be banditures of the government cannot be equally impos-ished from the earth, as repugnant to all that is ed upon those who ought to contribute to them. reasonable, all that is rightful, all that is just. It is At present, a tax of this nature will be opposed by in opposition to those principles, that some persons the representatives of some states, because it would in England affect to be alarmed at the arrival of a much distress their constituents to pay it--and by few Jesuits in that country, and are striving to raise the representatives of other states, because their up a call on parliament to send them away. It is constituents are unwilling to bear it, and so we true, the ethics of this sect-"that the end justifies shall borrow, and trust to the chapter of accents the means," are not very acceptable; and they are for relief. A retrenchment equal to the defici. apt to meddle with things which do not belong ency can hardly be made; though a good deal to them. Hence they have been bandied about in might be done in this way if there was firmness the Christian world pretty much like the Jews. enough to do it, and virtue enough to commence They may freely come to the United States, and no it at head-quarters. The trappings of several estab. danger would be apprehended from them-yet we lishments are very costly, without adding much to would rather receive one Irish ditcher or a German their efficiency--perhaps, indeed, lessening it, by farmer than a dozen of them; we want workers, but dividing the responsibility. The rank and file of have consumers enough already--We mean, if workthe army is small enough, and it seems the general men had employment, which is not the case at wish that the navy should proceed until it reaches present. what may be called a defensive power; and in respect to these, in their essential parts, not much can be done-still they have, like the rest, their trappings, which may be lopped off without injury to the service, and the great sumas disbursing for fortifications may, perhaps, be lessened without prejudice to the works going on. The third leading subject relates to the tariff, which, it is supposed, will again be discussed at large. Having expressed our opinion freely on this matter several times, and recently, we shall pass it over just now. It is a discussion which will excite great feeling, and, let it be decided as it may, produce important results. FAIR PLAY. When the editor of the St. Louis "Enquirer" sees any thing in the REGISTER which he thinks proper to copy, he will oblige by giving at least a far view of the matter spoken of. Thus, in the "Enquirer," of the 19th ult. a paragraph from the Register, by leaving out the precedent one, is made to have a bearing exactly the reverse of what it was intended to have--helped by some words in italic not used by me. Will the editor of the "Enquirer" do me the justice to publish, entire, the short article from which the extract is made? If so, he may indulge himself in as many comments upon it as he pleases, if it is worthy of any. JEWS IN MARYLAND. From an agitation of the RUSSIA, SPAIN, &c. The National Gazette says--subject in the papers, we presume that another at. "There are, we understand, good grounds for be tempt will be made at the ensuing session of the le- lieving that the Russian court has directly acknow. gislature of Maryland, to exonerate this persecuted ledged the constitutional system re-established in sect from the odious restrictions which our incom-Spain, and congratulated the Spanish monarch on prehensible constitution imposes on them. The the harmony subsisting between him and his new principle is worth contending for, though the num- ministers and advisers. It is also said, upon inforber of such persons, who are residents in the state,mation which we think worthy of credit, that the very small. new administration in Spain are decidedly in favor is It is truly wonderful, if not miraculous, that this of the ratification of the Florida treaty, and had people are almost every where denied some part of resolved to exert to that end their influence with those rights which belong to other men in similar the cortes. We have heard of a very amicable corlocations. There must be some moral cause to pro-respondence between the Spanish secretary of state duce this effect. In general, their interests do not appear identified with those of the communities in which they live, though there are some honorable exceptions to this remark. But they will not sit down and labor like other people-they create no thing, and are mere consumers. They will not cultivate the earth, nor work at mechanical trades, preferring to live by their wit in dealing, and acting as if they had a home no where. It is to this cause, no doubt, that an hostility to them exists so extensively; and that hostility is again, perhaps, a cause why they do not think and act like other people, and assume the character and feelings of the nations in which they live. But all this has nothing to do with their rights as men;-let us do our duty and place them upon an equality with ourselves, or renounce the great Christian obligation, "to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us." It is not the business of the state to judge them their religion is an affair between them and their Maker. If we believe them to be wrong-«let them and Mr. Forsyth, in which the latter makes full amends by the glowing kindness of his tone for the asperity of his former address. We rejoice in eve. ry act of conciliation and kindly communion between the two governments, because we believe the arrangements of the treaty are the best that could be made under all circumstances, and that the final confirmation of them will be for their mutual advantage. The rights of this country cannot be relinquished out of deference to the noble career in which the Spanish liberales are engaged; but in asserting them we owe every testimonial of consideration and sympathy compatible with the main object.” LOTTERIES-authorized by congress. We understand that application was lately made to chief justice Marshall for a writ of error from the supreme court of the United States, to a judgment of one of our superior courts of law, against a vender of Washington lottery tickets; and that the chief jus tice, finding that it was the judgment of the highest court of law in Virginia in which a decision in the cause could be had, and that the judgment was against a defence set up under the constitution and law of the United States, allowed the writ of error, as a writ of right, under the 25th section of the judicial act of congress.* We are told that the chief justice gave no opinion on the merits, and declared he had formed none. Thus the case will go up to the supreme court of the United States for their decision. Rich'd Enquirer. drawn from his pocket, to vote for those who may require such services or cause such exactions-and that persons so elected are responsible to such electors for their good conduct, legislative or executive. The possession of a certain quantity of property is, by no means, necessary to an acquirement of the right of suffrage: if the law for such purpose relates to things of small value, it tempts to fraud-if it respects large amounts, it forms an aristocracy. Party and partizans can make freeholders by hun dreds, without hazard or loss-and, when personal property is the criterion, a single watch may make fifty voters in one day. We know that such things have been done, and must believe that they will The Right and Power of Suffrage. continue to be done, so long as offices are desired We observe that in several of the states, discus-by men who ought not to have them. So every sions are going on which have for their purpose an man, liable to fight the battles of his country, or to extension of the right of suffrage-to which we pay taxes to support its government, should be a wish success. In looking at some of the state con-qualified voter. stitutions, we have much cause to wonder that in In Virginia--(the names of states are mentioned this enlightened day, so many barriers should be only for examples), none but freeholders have the placed between the people at large and their local right of suffrage. In New-York, the same descrip governments as though it were necessary to have tion of persons elect the governor and senate. În a body of patricians to stand between the plebeians Pennsylvania all vote who pay taxes. In Maryland and power! But yet, the right of suffrage is so nothing but citizenship is required-not even a common in other states that it is not valued as it record of the voter as such. Objections may lie to should be. Whatsoever is most estimable, whatso- either of these modes: the freehold suffrage repreever most delightful-even the enjoyment of health,sents property, always best able to protect itself, at the acquisition of wealth, or the society of lovely the cost of liberty, and even life, to be involved in woman loses a large part of its zest from complete its legislation; poll taxes may not be desirable, and possession: and hence it is, that that which nations without them many must be disfranchised; and unihave waded through oceans of blood to obtain-versal suffrage, without check or controul, but the that for which America contended in a seven years opinions of the judges of election, is liable to the cruel war, with the "mother country," to secure to most disgraceful frauds-for a minority may easily herself, is, in some places, enjoyed so much as a rule, if resolved to appear as the majority, in pomatter of course, that very little reverence or re-pulous districts where the places of polling are adspect is paid to it. The inestimable right is exer-jacent to one another. cised with indifference, or from favoritism. The In corporate cities and towns, it has been conchoice of a sheriff, to execute the law, produces tended by many, that their local government should ten times the bustle of the election of an officer represent property only. There is some feasibility who is to make the law. This should not be so. in this proposition, but it will not bear the touchWe may have our friends at elections, but never stone of truth. Property is nothing, unless it is ought to forget that our first duty is to serve our-occupied and made productive; and it must be deselves, in a serious selection of persons best qua- fended to render it valuable. It is the consumer lified by their wisdom to discern the wants and that pays the tax on every article subject to taxa. wishes of the people of a state, and vested with tion: thus, the tenant pays the tax of the landlord, virtue sufficient to pursue its interests to their con- and even the boarder the rent of the tenant. A summation, in defiance of the intrigues of party or house makes nothing-it will not, of itself, produce the clamors of unworthy men. When the ballot is one cent's value in a hundred years: it is the occu this used, it brings about revolutions without con- pant that gives value to it-the income which it fusion, which cannot be accomplished in a different brings for the accommodation afforded. No prustate of things, except through force and arms. Ident man will build a house without estimating the the state of Massachusetts a convention is about to taxes to which it is to be liable, as well as the rent bechosen to change the constitution of the common- which it may produce, unless he builds it for his own wealth; and so quietly has this great affair proceeded, use; and then he estimates the taxes in its cost to that nothing more than the simple fact that a conven- him, just as if he imported a bag of coffee for his own tion is to be called, is known out of the state. There table, on which he knew he would have to pay five is no anxiety about the matter-no convulsion is ex-cents per lb. duty. And yet the right of suffrage pected to grow out of it-for the people are acting should not be made too cheap, Some act should for themselves. How different would be our feel be done by which a person may become possessed ings if such measures were in progress in a foreign of it. country, with which we had an intimate connexion? We should all be gaping for news, and every day expect to hear of a civil war. Paine said it was better to go to the place of voting than the field of battle;" and, if the right of suffrage is regarded as it ought and dispened as it should be, it is hardly possible that any serious contention can arise among the people of a free state. We hold it to be the natural right of every citizen, who is bound by the law to render personal services to the state, or aid its revenue by money *Laws U. S. 1 vol. c. vo. § 25, p. 63-4 As a general principle, then, we hold it to be equitable, that every citizen who may be called into the military service of a state, at the hazard of his life, by privation or exposure in battle, or who is liable to a poll or other taxes on his person or property, should have the right of voting, for any office in the gift of the people; and a vote in one district should have the same weight as a vote in another district--not as it is in Maryland, &c. where one vote, in certain counties, has twenty times the influ ence of a like vote in other counties: but this high privilege should be carefully guarded that it may be rightfully exercised. Something should be done by which the legal voters should be recorded, and known to those they elect as reponsible to perform the duties of citizens. In Pennsylvania, &c. this is accomplished by a small poll-tax; and no one can vote who has not paid a tax which was assessed six months previous to the election, except the sons of persons so qualified, between the ages of 21 and 22 years. If a state wants revenue, and will admit people to vote on paying their portion of it, perhaps a poll-tax, as one means of a system, is as proper a mode of raising it as any other: but if that be thought inexpedient, the names of all the voters should at least be recorded, at their own expense or that of the state, in their respective districts, say six months anterior to an election-which record should be handed over to the judges of their election districts, and if the name of an applicant to vote should not be found thereon, (unless in special and well defined exceptions), his`vote should not be received. And every person offering his name for record, should prove his citizenship and qualify that he had not had it recorded in any other district, except in the case of a removal, when he should distinctly state the same, of which a proper entry should be made. of nations, I feel encouraged in entering upon the arduous task before me. I congratulate you, gentlemen, upon the happy change which has just taken place in our political affairs. From the dependent condition of a territorial government, we have passed into a sovereign and independent state. We have formed for ourselves a constitution, which, though perhaps not free from the imperfections incident to all hu man institutions, does honor to the character and intelligence of our infant state, and gives us every reason to expect that we shall, without further difficulty, be admitted into the federal union. Much remains yet to be done to insure to our. selves the perfect enjoyment of all the inestimable blessings of self-government; and it becomes us, in the measures which we shall adopt to put the new government into operation, to act with a degree of prudence and deliberation, comporting with the importance of the duties to be performed, as the future character and prosperity of our country, in a very great degree, depends upon the measures of the first general assembly. ration. It is deemed adviseable to remind you that the election of president and vice president of the United States is approaching, and that it will be necessary to make provision as soon as possible for the election of three electors in this state, in order that we may have a voice in filling those highly im You will have the constitution laid before yon, which points out the principal subjects of immediThis procedure would cause little trouble. Per-ate legislation, to put the new government in ope sons paying taxes would be electors ipso factotheir names being recorded; and all others would have to give in their names but once in their life time, but in consequence of a removal. It would affect transient persons only who have nothing at stake, and prevent them and others from voting several times, at different polls, at the same election, as may easily be done in large cities or popu-portant ofices. lous districts. Thus would the purity of suffrage be defended-the poor citizen be protected in his rights, and wandering persons be debarred the privilege that exclusively belongs to settled inhabitants. Missouri. Gentlemen, I shall, from time to time, make to you such further communications as, in the progress of your labors, shall become necessary; and be assured that I shall, at all times, most readily and cheerfully co-operate with you, to the best of my abilities, in all measures calculated to promote the welfare of our country. ALEXANDER M'NAIR. Report on the Navy. By accounts from St. Louis, to the 20th Septem- St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1820. ber, we learn that the legislature met according to the constitution. James Caldwell, Esq. was chosen speaker of the house of representatives, and Silas Brent, Esq. elected president of the senate, pro tempore. The votes for governor and lieutenant governor were examined, and it appeared that Mr. M'Nair harl 6,576, and Mr. Clark 2,656, for the former; and that Mr. Ashley had 3,907, and Mr. Cook 3,212 for the latter. On the 19th September, governor M'Nair met both houses of the general assembly and delivered the following speech: Fellow-citizens of the senate, and of the house of representatives: Having been notified by you that I have been called, by the voice of my fellow-citizens, to fill the office of governor of the state of Missouri, it becomes my duty to enter upon the discharge of the arduous and important duties which the constitution of our state bas assigned to that magistrate. In doing so, I cannot but feel the greatest diffidence and embarrassment, arising as well from a want of experience in the affairs of the civil administration, as from the present important political crisis of our country. Relying, however, much upon the aid which I shall receive from the representatives of a liberal and enlightened people, and above all, relying upon the protection of that Supreme Being, who watches over and directs the destinies Report of the committee on naval affairs, upon the subject of reducing the expenses of the naval establishment of the United States, made March 7th, 1820. The committee on naval affairs, to which was referred the resolution adopted by the house on the 5th of January last, directing an enquiry "into the expediency of suspending, for a limited time, so much of the standing appropriation of $1,000,000, for the increase of the navy, as may be consistent with the public service; and also enquire whether any other reduction of the expenses of the navy can be made, consistent with the public service," report: That they have carefully considered the several important subjects referred to them. They have carefully and diligently investigated the expenditures of the standing appropriation, made by the act of the 29th of April, 1816, for the gradual increase of the navy. In prosecuting this investigation, the committee received promptly from the navy department every facility and statement necessary to aid them in arriving at a true and rational conclusion. The committee here respectfully refer to the letter of the secretary of the navy, dated February 4th, 1820, and the documents therein referred to; all of which accompany this report. They have also, so far as they deemed it compatible with their duty, enquired into the expenses of the navy, This In obedience to the second enquiry, directed by the resolution of the 5th of January, viz: "Whether any other reduction of the expenses of the navy can be made, consistent with the public service," the committee respectfully remark, that this enqui ry appears more peculiarly to fall within the cogni zance of the committee of ways and means. committee, however, turned their attention to the subject. They obtained from the department of the navy a statement, shewing the class, names, force and station, of all the public vessels of the United States in active employment, and the number of officers and men attached to each. Which statement accompanies this report, marked B. By this statement it appears that the whole number of officers and men attached to the vessels of the U. States is 4,354. That of this number 1,399, includ ing officers and men, are employed in the Mediter, ranean squadron, The committee also obtained from the same department "a statement of the naval force of the Barbary powers, copied from a report made by commodore Isaac Chauncey, dated the 23d of October, 1817." This statement, mark., ed C. accompanies this report. with the view to comply with the second enquiry, I tressing accidents which resulted from defective directed by the resolution above referred to. With-ordnance prior to the year 1816; their equally juout entering into a minute and detailed report of the dicious arrangements to obtain at all times, either progress made in building and equipping the ships of war or peace, "supplies of canvas of our own authorised to be built and equipped by the act above manufacture, so that in this essential article of naval referred to the necessity of such detailed report equipment we might be at all times independent," being superseded by the statement of the commis. would, by a suspension of the annual appropria sioners of the navy, document marked A, the com- tion, or any portion of it, to a certain extent, be demittee will, in discharge of the duties enjoined on feated. "The principles of confining the expendithem, present to the view of the house some of the ture to the amount appropriated seems to have most important facts which have influenced their been invariably observed by the commissioners of deliberations, and conducted them to the conclu- the navy." The committee are irresistibly led to sions at which they have arrived. By the act of the the conclusion, that true economy and the best in29th of April, 1816,nine ships are authorized to be terests of the nation, are opposed to a suspension, built, to rate not less than seventy-four guns each. even for a limited time, of any portion of the sun Of that number one ship is launched and nearly annually appropriated for the gradual increase of ready for sea. Five are now building, (four of which the navy of the United States. number it is expected will be launched during the next summer, and one in the course of the next year). The frames of the other three are contracted for, and nearly all the materials received at the navy-yards. And ten ships, to rate not less than forty-four guns each, are also authorized to be built; of this number one is now building, the frames of the other nine are all contracted for, and most of them received at the navy-yards. All the pine plank, and all the oak knees, required for all the ships, have been contracted for. These are large and essential articles in building. Most of the copper for all the ships has been procured. The frames and other very valuable articles for the three steam batteries have been contracted for, as appears by statement A. Such arrangements have been made for the completion of the whole number of vessels authorized to be built by the act above recited, as to leave no doubt that the annual appropriation, if continued, will be amply sufficient to effectuate the great national objects contemplated by congress at the passage of the law. Many of the articles now on hand could not be preserved without great expense, such as the erection of sheds and buildings to protect them from the effects of the weather. Some of the materials, and those the most scarce and valuable, it is believed, could not be effectually preserved even under sheds. The live oak, it is said, is liable to rents and other injuries from the action of the atmosphere. The commissioners of Navy Department, Feb. 4th, 1820. the navy express the fear that it would be impracSIR: I have the honor to transmit to you, in comticable to replace the live oak frames, should they pliance with your letter of the 20th ultimo, as chairreceive injury, and make the following communica-man of the naval committee of the house of repretion: "that they have received information from an unquestionable source, that the British government have now an agent in this country for the Purpose of obtaining live oak frames for twenty sts, and should they succeed in obtaining them, Paper A contains a full and explicit statement of the uantity of that timber in our country will be facts from the board of navy commissioners, with so exausted that but little of consequence will their opinions upon the most material points, relabe let An efficient and skilful body of men, tive to the gradual increase of the navy; in all of amount to 1600, composed of mechanics, artifi- which I entirely concur, and believe the best inteaborers, are now engaged at the different rests of the nation to be inseparably blended with building arte. Labor, materials for building, and the completion of the original views.of congress, provisions have been fe epresented to be lower than they to establish a permanent and respectable naval annual approng time past. A suspension of the on, or a portion of it, even for a limited time, produce derangement in the plans already adet? Workmen of skill and integrity, who are m vernment, must nece to the officers of the go. on emergency, be diry be discharged. It would, other workmen of equa to obtain the same, or prudent and judicious a and integrity. The commissioners of the navy ments made by the the best quality, and on reasorbtain ordnance of by to guard against the recurterms, and there. cers, and a The committee have not been able to ascertain where any essential reduction can be made in the expenses of the navy, without reducing the estab lishment. sentatives, the documents herewith, marked A, B, and C, which have been prepared with a view to meet all the enquires suggested by the co:nmittee, in relation to the naval affairs of the United States. force. Papers B and C are statements in answer to the other enquiries, which embrace all those contained in your communication. In relation to the enquiry concerning the contingent appropriation, I would further respectfully observe, that the charges included under that head of expenditure are numerous, and vary every year in many incidental circumstances, which cannot be foreseen at the time of making the estimates for the general service; in addition to which, more or of those dis- less is paid every year, in consequence of the set. tlement of old accounts, even as far back as the strakes, on; first futtock heads driven; diagonal ricommencement of the late war; and, it is appre-ders more than one third got out. hended, that this head of appropriation, could not be divided, without producing inconvenience to the service, and an inevitable suspension of many claims, the extent and nature of which will be seen by a reference to a report from this department to congress, made on the 2d instant. The contingencies of freight, transportation by land and water, and those of the recruiting service, are, in themselves, too precarious to admit of a more specific classification. I have the honor to be, with very great respect, sir, your most obedient servant, Hon. NATHANIEL SILSBEE, SMITH THOMPSON. Chairman of the naval committee, H. R. Navy commissioners' office, 31st January, 1820. Sir: In reply to such of the queries, propounded in the letter of the honorable Ñ. Silsbee, as appear connected with the duties entrusted to the commissioners of the navy, they have now the honor to make the following communication: Query 1st. What number of ships, to rate not less than 74 guns each? What number to rate not less than 44 guns, have, by virtue of the act, entit led "An act for the gradual increase of the navy," been commenced? Answer. Six ships to rate not less than 74 guns, and one ship to rate not less than 44 guns. Query 2d. What number have been finished? Answer. The following is the state of progress of the ships now building, viz: Ship of the line at Norfolk.-Timbering all complete; planking completed from keel to rail, with the exception of garboard, strake, and shutters; planking inside or circling, completed from keelson to rail, with the exception of spirketing on orlop, lower and second gun deck; poop deck, six beams in and kneed; spar deck beams, all in and kneed, with the exception of hanging knees; deck framed, and dubbed off for plank; water ways in and secured; upper gun deck, beams all in, but not kneed; lower gun deck, twenty-five beams in, and six of them kneed, orlop deck beams in and kneed, deck framed, and dubbed off ready for planking; breast hooks all in and fitted, except two; diagonal riders all in, and partly secured; fore and main steps all in, and fitted; stern plank up, inside and out; cat heads fitted; rail on fore and aft, and secured; bottom bored off, ready for treenail, and now treenailing. Ship to rate not less than 44 guna, at Washing ton. Keel laid, stern and stern post frame raised; Aoor timbers bolted; and the remainder of the frame prepared, and preparing to raise. Ship of the line at New York.-Timbering and planking inside and out, completed; top side, caulk ed; orlop, lower gun deck, upper gun deck, and spar deck laid, and partly caulked; galleries and head, building; treenailing her bottom, squaring it ready for the caulkers.. Ship of the line at Philadelphia.-Timbering all complete, part of the fillings in; has on all the strings, drifts, channel wales, main wales, and 29 strakes of plank on the bottom; ceiled up, and the orlop deck clamps in; beams in; four breast hooks fastened, and the fifth faying; orlop deck, transom rider fayed; all her ports formed, and sills fitted, except the bridle port on the lower gun deck, and the stern chase ports in the poop; lower gun deck, beams in; stern timbered and partly planked; carlings for all the decks, mizen steps, and support underneath, got out; bilge bolts drove; part of the butt bolts, and bolts through thick Ship of the line at Boston.-The whole frame up, except the stern timbers, long and short top timbers, and filling in pieces; the plank from the bilge strake up, to the lower port sills, on, except six strakes under the wales; lower port sills, all in; channel wale, fitting; long top timbers over the ports, putting in. Ship of the line at Portsmouth, N. H. -Keel laid, false keel on; deadwood on, except the forward piece; the main inner and false post, three transoms, and eight timbers of the fashion pieces finish. ed, ready for framing the stern; twenty-nine floor timbers fayed to the keel; and four-fifth parts of the timber sided, moulded, and bevelled, ready to make the frames. Query 4th. What is the character of the materials now on hand? Answer. The materials now on hand, consist of Query 5th. Are the most valuable such as would be liable to injury by keeping? Or are they of that character which would require them to be imme diately applied to the purposes of building? Answer. The cannon, carronades, ball, anchors, be re copper, iron, and lead, would not be liable to injury ided un had not Meegagements of the goQuery 6th. What a formaterials for building, vernment by contry expenditures? labor, and all necgements of the government by Answer. Theials for building are, contracts for |