enemy that continued to act offensively and destructively while unmolefted, but who funk under the first impreffions of his fuperior force. Actuated by the fame fentiments, he has no doubt but the whole of the army under his command will confider their infatuated and unfortunate prifoners entitled (being now their prifoners) to their most humane attention. It is not neceffary for him, at this time of day, to give to this fo eminently diftinguifhed army any orders on that head; the generals under whom they have ferved bave taught them, that an enemy conquered is an enemy no more: and he is convinced that the British troops, about to garrifon Pondicherry as conquerors, or about to take charge of French prifoners, will convince both the inhabitants and their prisoners, that they can be as orderly, generous and humane, in the difcharge of thefe duties, as they have been active and brave in the duties of the Trenches. To a chearful, unanimous and zealous perfeverance in their feveral duties, and to their established character for bravery, must be attributed the fuccefs of the prefent day; and their commander will ever remember it with pleasure and gratitude. To thank corps or individuals in an army, fo wholly entitled to his warmeft thanks and approbation, cannot be attempted: he thanks and approves the whole with all his heart, and will not fail to fpeak these his fentiments of them to his fuperiors. AFFAIRS OF FRANCE, : ON Friday, Dec. 20, a petition of the inhabitants of Lyons, imploring mercy, was prefented to the convention, and referred to the committee of public welfare. The deplorable fituation of these unfortu. nate people may be fomewhat conceived from the following extract from this petition: Two commiffions, the formidable inftruments of the vengeance of the outraged republic, have been established: four hundred heads were ftruck off in one month, by virtue of their refolutions! Soon after, other judges appeared, who complained that the blood did not stream in fufficient abundance and a revolutionary commiffion has heen appointed. That new tribunal received orders to repair to the prifons, to judge in one and the fame moment, the great number of prifoners with which they were crammed. That commiffion punctually fulfilled its rigorous orders; and no fooner had it pronounced fentence than the cannon arrived, and a thunder of cafe hot was difcharged upon the condemned. Struck by the fatal fire, the victims of the laws fell in heaps upon each other; and frequently, but mutilated, they were only half-killed by the firft discharge. Thofe victims who had still breath left in them after that punishment, were dispatched with the fword or the mufket. Even the pity of a weak and feeling fex has been conftrued into a crime: two women were dragged to the pillory, for having implored mercy for their fathers, husbands, and children! All tears, all commiferation, were rigoroufly forbidden. Nature has been forced to ftifle her most generous emotions, under pain of death. Four thoufand heads are now devoted to the fame punishment, and will be ftruck off before the expiration of this day !' On Sunday, Dec. 22, Barrere, in the name of the committee of public fafety, propofed, and the convention paffed the following decree: The national convention, confidering that the people of Genoa, repofing with too much tranquillity and confidence on the neutrality they had obferved; having no means of enforcing the respect due to the neutrality of their port, and of refifting an unlooked-for aggreffion, had no part in the maffacre of three hundred French, fhot on board the French frigate La Modefte, and the capture of the frigate in the port of Genoa ; That the republic ought to make those only answer for French blood, who have thed it by the basest treachery; That the republic ought not to confound with its enemies a nation that could neither hinder nor foresee a crime which was committed only to make the Genoese be confidered as accomplices in it; That France, amid the agitation and the refentment excited by the atrociousness of the crimes committed by her enemies, ought to give the example of a great nation that knows how, and wishes, to be just toward all other nations; • Declares Declares that the convention confiders the English government as alone guilty of the malfacre of the crew of the frigate La Modele in the port of Genoa; that it will direct all its forces against that ferocious government to avenge France and ali free nations; That the people of Genoa not having violated their neutrality toward France, shall not be treated as enemies of the frepublic; decrees; I. That the treaties between France and the republic of Genoa fhall be faithfully executed. II. The decree which forbids the commiffioners of the national treasury, and all debtors in France to make any payments to nations with whom the republic is at war, fhall not be applicable to the Genoefe. III. The commercial connection between France and the republic of Genoa fhall be maintained and protected. IV. The Genoete fhall be paid as the inhabitants of the countries and states with which France is not at war. V. To enable the Genoefe to comply with the rules pre cribed to the creditors of the republic, and to enter their claims in the great book, the period allowed by law for this purpofe, and which would expire on the firit of January, is prolonged to the 4th.' On Tuesday, Dec. 24, Salicetti, one of the reprefentatives of the people in the army before Toulon, fent advice to the convention of the recapture of that place. What will be the fate of the unfortunate inhabitants may be imagined from this paffage in his letter: The city is now in flames, and exhibits the most horrid fpectacle. Almost all the inhabitants fled; and those who remain fhall ferve to appeafe the manes of our brave brothers who fought with fo much valour.-We turn from the horrid idea of the judicial flaughter to which this fanguinary deputy alludes, and prefent a plealing fubject of reflection in the following trait of reciprocal generolity: Letter of General Dugomier, Commander in Chief of the army in Italy, and of that before Toulon, to General O'Hara, an English Prifoner. knowledge the fervice which they had rendered to thee in the fa&ion of the 30th of November ultimo, has been prefented to them: they refused it with the fame generofity which induced thee to offer it. I therefore send thee the fixty louis d'ors which thou hadst given to be diftributed among my brothers in arms: they are contented with the pleasure they felt in afufting unfortunate humanity. It is thus, general, our republic eftablifhes itfelf upon all virtues; and thus it fhall one day make blush the deluded nations who fight against it. (Signed) DUGOMIER, Commander in Chief." After this letter had been read to the convention, Barrere made a report of the recapture of Toulon, and propofed the following decree, which was adopted: The national convention having heard the report of its committee of public welfare, decrees, ift, That the army of the republic directed against Toulon has well deserved of the country.. 2dly, A national fête shall be celebrated throughout the republic on the 30th of December, on which the publication of this decree fhall follow in every commonalty. The whole convention fhall be prefent in a body at this civic ceremony. 3dly, The reprefentatives of the people with the victorious army at Toulon, are charged to collect the inftances of heroifm which illuftrated the recapture of that rebellious city. 4thly, They fhall give rewards, in the name of the republic, to thofe citizens who fignalized themselves by great actions. 5thly, The name of Toulon fhall be fuppreffed. That commonalty fhall from henceforth be called Port de la Montagne (Port of the Mountain.) 6thly, The houses within that rebellious city fhall be levelled with the ground, and nothing preferved but the establishments neceffary for the fervice of the war and the marine, and for subsistence and supplies. 7thly, The news of the capture of Toulon fhall be carried to the armies and... to the departments by extraordinary couriers.' On Wednesday, Dec. 25, advices from the army on the Mofelle were read, importing, that general Hoche had attacked the allies in their entrenchments before Haguenau, on the 22d of December, completely defeated them, and made himfelf mafter of that important place. A decree A decree then paffed, excluding all foreigners from the convention. On this occation, Bourdon obferved, Since there are no more Briffotines in the convention. Thomas Paine never came once among us; he is bufy with carrying on his intrigues fecretly.' On Friday, Dec. 27, a letter was read, announcing the complete defeat and difperfion of the royaliits in the weft of France. There was no fitting on the 30th of December, as the convention were engaged to attend the grand feftival in the Champ de Mars, on account of the recapture of Toulon. On Tuesday, Dec. 31, Anacharfis Cloots, a Pruffian, and Thomas Pa.ne, deprived by a decree of the convention of their fe ts in that affembly, were arrested, and feals put upon their papers. [To be continued. } AMERICA. SPEECH of George Washington, Pres fident of the United States of America, to both Houfes of Congrels, Decomber 3, 1793. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Reprefentatives, SINCE the commencement of the term for which I have been again called into office, no fit occ fion has arifen for expreffing to my fellow-citizens at large, the deep and respectful fenfe which I feel of the renewed teftimony of public approbation. While on the one hand, it awakened my gratitude for all thofe inftances of affectionate partiality with which I have been honoured by my country; on the other, it could not prevent an earnest with for that retirement, from which no private confideration fhould ever have torn me. But influenced by the belief, that my conduct wou'd be estimated according to its real motives; and that the people, and the authorities derived from them, would -fpport exertions having nothing perfonal for their object, I have obeyed the fuffrage which commanded me to refume the executive power; and I humbly implore that Being, on whofe will the fate of nations depends, to crown with fuccefs our mutual endeavours for the general happiness. As foon as the war in Europe had engaged thofe powers with whom the United States have the most extenfive relations, there was reafon to apprehend that our intercourfe with them might be interrupted, and our difpofition for peace drawn into queftion, by the fufpicions too often entertained by belligerent nations. It feemed therefore to be my duty, to admonifh our cizens of the confequences of a contrahand trade, and of hoftile acts to any of the parties; and to obtain, by a declaration of the exifting legal ftate of things, an easier admiffion of our right to the immunities belonging to our fituation. Un der thefe impreffions the proclamation, which will be laid before you, was iffued.. In this pofture of affairs, both new and delicate, I refolved to adopt general rules, which fhould conform to the treaties, and affert the privileges of the United States. These were reduced into a fyftem which will be communicated to you. Although I have not thought myfelf at liberty to forbid the fale of the prizes, permited by our treaty of commerce with France, to be brought into our ports; I have not refufed to cause them to be rettored, when they were taken within the protection of our i rritory, or by velfels commiffioned, or equipped in a warlike form within the limits of the United States. It refts with the wildom of Congre's to correct, improve, or inforce this plan of procedure; and it will probably be found expedient to extend the legal code, and the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States, to many cafes, which, though dependent on principles already recognized, demand fome further provi fions. When individuals fhall, within the United States, array themfelves in hoftility against any of the powers at war, or enter upon military expeditions, or enterprizes within the jurifdiction of the United States, within the United States; or where the or ufurp and exercife judicial authority penalties or violations of the law of nations may have been indiftinctly marked, or are inadequate, thefe offences cannot receive too early and clofe an attention, and require prompt and decifive remedies.. Whatever thofe remedies may be, they will be well administered by the judiciary, who pffels a long etablished courfe of investigation, effectual procefs, and officers in the habit of executing it. In like manner, as feveral of the courts have doubted, under particular cir I cumftances, cumftances, their power to liberate the vetiels of a nation at peace, and even of a citizen of the United States, although seized under a falfe colour of being hostile property; and have denied their power to liberate certain captures within the protection of our territory; it would feem proper to regulate their jurifdiction in thele points. But if the executive is to be the refort in either of the two laft mentioned eates, it is hoped that he will be authorized by law, to have facts ascertained by the courts, when, for his own information, he shall request it. I cannot recommend to your notice measures for the fulfilment of our duties to the rest of the world, without again preffing upon you the neceflity of placing ourfelves in a condition of complete de fence, and of exacting from them the fulfilment of their duties toward us. The United States ought not to indulge a perfuafion, that, contrary to the order of human events, they will for ever keep at diftance thofe painful appeals to arms, with which the hiftory of every other nation abounds. There is a rank due to the United States among nations, which will be withheld, if not abfolutely loft, by the reputation of weakness. If we define to avoid infult, we must be able to repel it; if we defire to fecure peace, one of the molt powerful inftruments of our rifing profperity, it must be known that ve are at all times ready for war. The documents which will be prefented to you will fhew the amount, and kinds of arms and miitary ftores now in our magazines and a fenals; and yet an addition even to thele fupplies cannot with prurience be neglected, as it would leave nothing to the uncertainty of procming a warlike apparatus in the moment of public danger. Nor can fuch arrangements, with fuch objects, be expofed to the centre or jealoufy of the warmelt friends of republican government. They are incapable of abufe in the hands of the militia, who ought to poflefs a pride in being the depofitory of the force of the republic, and may be trained to a degice of energy equal to every military exigency of the United States. But it is an enquiry which cannot be too folemnly purtued, whether the act, more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing an uni form militia throughout the United States," bas organized then fo as to produce their full effect; whether your own experien e in the feveral States has not detected fome imperfections in the fcheme; and whether 66 a material feature in an improvement of it ought not to be, to afford an opportunity for the ttudy of those branches of the military art which can scarcely ever be cbtained by practice alone. The connection of the United States with Europe has become extremely interetting. The occurrences which relate to it, and have pafied under the knowledge of the executive, wil be exhibited to congres in a fubfequent communication. When we contemplate the war on our frontiers, it may be truly affirmed, that every reasonable effort has been made to adjut the causes of diffenfion with the Indians north of the Ohio. The inftrucrions given to the commiflioners evince a moderation and equity, proceeding from a fincere love of peace, and a liberality having no restriction but the effential intereft and dignity of the United States. The attempt, however, of an amicable negociation having been frustrated, the troops have marched to act offensively. Although the proposed treaty did not arret the progrels of military preparation, it is doubiful how far the advance of the teafon, before good faith juft fied active movements, may retard them during the remainder of the year. From the papers and intelligence which relate to this important fubject, you will determine whethe the deficiency in the number of troops granted by law fhall be compenfated by accours of militia, or additional encouagements fhall be propofed to recruits. An anxiety has been alfo demonftrated by the executive for peace with the Creeks and Cherokees. The former have been relieved with corn and with clothing, and offenfive meafures against them prohibited during the recefs of Congrefs. To fatisfy the complaints of the latter, proficutions have been inftitused for the violences commited upon them. But the papers wh ch will be delivered to you, disclose the critical footing on which we ftand in regard to both thole tribes; .n it is with congrefs to pronounce what thall be done. After they shall have provided for the prefent emergency, it will merit their most erious labors to render tranquillity with the favages permanent, by creating ties of intereft Next to a vigorous execution of justice on the violators of peace, the ettablifhment of commerce with the Indian nations in behalf of the United States, is most likely to conciliate their attachment. But it ought to be conducted without fraud, without extortion; with constant and plentiful fapplies; with ready mar ket for the commodities of the Indians, and a itated price for what they give in payment and receive in exchange. Individuais will not purfue fuch a traffic, unless hey be allured by the hop-s of profi; but it will be enough for the United States to be reimbursed only. Should this recommendation accord with the opinion of congrefs, they will recollect, that it cannot be accomplished by any means yet in the hands of the executive." • Gentlemen of the House of Reprefen tatives. The commiffioners charged with the fettlement of the accounts between the United and Individual States, concluded their important functions within the time limited by law; and the balances truck in their report, which will be laid before congrefs, have been placed on the bocks of the treafury. On the 1t day of June laft, an inftalment of one million of florins became payable on the loans of the United States in Holland. This was adjusted by a prolongation of the period of reimburfement, in nature of a new loan, at an intereft of 5 per cent. for the term of ten years; and the expences of this operation were a commiffion of 3 per cent. The firit inftalment of the loan of two millions of dollars from the bank of the United States has been paid, as was directed by law. For the fecond it is neceflary that provifion fhould be made. No pecuniary confide ation is more urgent, than the redemption and discharge of the public debt; on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable. The productiveness of the public revenues hitherto has continued to equal the anticipations which were formed of it; but it is not expected to prove commenfurate with all the objects which have been fuggefted. Some auxiliary provifions will, therefore, it is prefumed, be requifite, and it is hoped that thefe may be made confiftently with due regard to the convenience of our cit zen, who cannot but be fenfible of the true wildom of encounter nga Imall prefent addition to their contributions, to obviare a future accumulation of burdens. But here I cannot forbear to recommend a repeal of the tax on the tranfpor tation of the public prints. There is no refource fo firm for the government of the United States, as the affections of the people guided by an enlightened policy; and to this primary good nothing can con duce more, than a faithful representation of public proceedings, diffufed, without reftraint, throughout the United States. An eftimate of the appropriations neceffary for the current fervice of the enfuing year, and a statement of a purchase of arhis and military ftores, made during the recefs, will be prefented to congrefs. "Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives, The feveral fubjects to which I have now referred, open a wide range to your 'deliberation, and involve fome of the choiceft interests of our common country. Permit me to bring to your remembrance the magnitude of your task. Without an unprejudiced coolness, the welfare of the government may be hazarded; without harmony, as far as confifts in freedom of fentiment, its dignity may be loft.-But as the legislative proceedings of the United States will never, I trust, be reproached for the want of temper or candour, fo fhall not the public happiness languish, from the want of my ftrenuous and warmeft co-operation. GEO. WASHINGTON. Philadelphia, Dec. 3, 1793.' On Thursday, Dec. 5. were received from the prefident, fundry papers relative to the European relations of the United States, and alfo the refult of the proceedings of the commiffioners appointed to fettle the accounts of the United States with the Individual States. The first fet of papers is introduced by the following message : UNITED STATES, Dec. 5, 1793. • Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, As the prefent fituation of the feveral nations of Europe, and especially of those with which the United States have important relations, cannot but render the itate of things between them and us matter of interesting inquiry to the legiflature, and may indeed give rife to deliberations to which they alone are competent, I have thought it my duty to communicate to them certain correspondences which have taken place. The reprefentative and executive bodies of France have manifefted generally a friendly attachment to this country; have given advantages to our commerce and navigation; and have made overtures for placing thefe advantages on permanent ground; a decree however of the national I 2 affem. |