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1807.

History of the Passing Times.

269

and to that general, or particular system, which he is determined to support. A conduct of this kind is always derogatory to the character of that statesman, who, aspiring to stand on the broad pedestal of individual integrity, and national patriotism, ought never to stoop to those mean, and pitiful arts, by which alone, partizans excite the notice of the multitude, and demagogues are raised to distinction. Even an inadvertent aberration from that erect posture, which a dignified statesman should always assume, is truly a cause of serious regret-but very different are the sentiments which such conduct excites, when it is the effect of pre-meditated artifice, or design.

Mr. Randolph had been charged with the last of these arts, in having, when he first addressed the house, designedly passed over one of the most important objects of the present resolution before them-the impressment of seamen. In reply to this insinuation, he did not, for a moment, attempt to excuse himself for this omission of his duty. He declared that he had scarcely left the house, before he recollected the circumstance with regret, and that no gentleman should ever be able to accuse him of having evaded any questions, which had been submitted to their discussion. In reference to this subject, however, he rather showed the grievance complained of, than entered into the investigation of the abstract question itself. He contended, that the resolution would never recover a single seaman, from British men of war. That the system of impressment, though subversive of individual liberty, must always be resorted to, where a large naval power is to be supported: And that America herself, must adopt this system, if she has long to contend with any great power on the The tardy operation of enlistment, is not calculated to meet a sudden emergency, nor could the wealth of Croesus sustain the expense. The difficulty of procuring seamen had been felt, even in the Mediterranean war; but far greater would be the difficulty in the event of a war with England. Numbers of those seamen, who would with alacrity face the Corsairs, and even the Dons, and the Monsieurs, would recoil at being led to battle with a British fleet-" And why? Be66 cause, waving other considerations, a great proportion of VOL. II. 2 M

ocean.

270

History of the Passing Times.

March.

"our seamen are foreigners-Natives of Great-Britain, who "still feel prejudices for their native country. Yes, Sir, the "character of the American seamen, like that of the neutral "trader, too often eludes our grasp. The moment you make much more if war, you resort to impressment, the Ameri6.6 can sailor vanishes; he becomes a subject of Denmark, with "the first frost, he disappears in a night."

66

In estimating the balance of interest between neutral, and belligerent powers, it is not to be expected that the first will make any sacrifice in favour of the last, unless some prospective good is held out as an equivalent; or some future evil is pointed to as a motive for such sacrifice. Friendship, between nations, is a plant of rare production; nor can it be longer nurtured, than while the soil of each is congenial to its growth-Continually vibrating as interest dictates; -Friends now fast sworn,

Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart,

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Not even the wire-drawing amplification of Guicciardini, himself, would be able to fill up fifty pages of history, with an enumeration of the friendly acts done by one nation to another;—of the mutual reciprocations of kindness and affection; the aid afforded in public calamity ;-the protection given in imminent danger ;-the prompt, and effectual support bestowed in the hour of national alarm, and under the prospect of approaching ruin.

1807.

Literary Intelligence.

271

MONTHLY LIST

OF NEW PUBLICATIONS; OF WORKS IN THE PRESS; AND NOTICES OF WORKS IN HAND.

Authors and Booksellers in the different parts of the Union are requested to send their communications (post paid) to the care of Mr. E. Sargeant, No. 39 Wall-street, New-York, by the 25th of each month-later than this they cannot be inserted in the next succeeding month.

ORIGINAL WORKS.

A Geological account of the United States of North America, with a view of the climate and productions-whether animal, vegitable, or mineral: together with an account of the natural curiosities. By James Mease, M. D. 1 vol. 18 mo. with plates. Philadelphia. Birch and Small.

French Homonyms, or a collection of Words, similar in sound, but different in meaning and spelling, by John Martin, Professor of Languages in New-York. 1 vol. 12mo. $1 New-York, Col

lins, Perkins & Co.

A Letter on the subject of Episcopacy, from Samuel Osgood, Esq. to a young gentleman of this city. Price 314 cents. Collins, Perkins & Co.

A view of the late difficulties in the Presbyterian congregation, in York-Town, for the information of the friends of Zion, by the Presbyterian Church of said place. Price one shilling. Poughkeepsie. I. Nelson & Son.

"A

Poems by Richard B. Davis; with a sketch of his life.simple solitary Bard was he." 1 vol. 12mo. Price & 1 in boards. New-York. T. & J. Swords.

Narrative of the Adventures of an American Navy Officer, who served during part of the American Revolution, under the command of John Paul Jones. Published for the benefit of the Author's Widow, and for sale by the Booksellers.

A letter to the Inhabitants of the city and state of New-York, on the subject of the Western waters; by Agricola. New-York. S. Gould & Co.

Dallas's Reports, vol. 4th, price 6 dollars. Philadelphia. P. Byrne.

Memoirs of Roger Clap, one of the first settlers of New-England, containing an account of the hardships which he and others experienced on their landing. It is presumed this Pamphlet will be considered as not unworthy the perusal of the descendants of the pilgrims. Boston. W. T. Clap.

The fifth and last volume of the life of Gen. George Washington, with the maps and charts, is just published in Philadelphia, by Mr. Wayne, and for sale by E. Sargeant in this city.

272

Literary Intelligence.

March.

REPUBLICATIONS OF EUROPEAN WORKS.

The Wanderer of Switzerland, and other Poems: by James Montgomery. Embellished with a superb engraving by Tisdale and Leney. 1 vol. 12mo. boards, price 1 dollar. New-York. S. Stansbury.

Memoirs of the life of Marmontel, written by himself. 2 vols. 12mo. price 2 dollars, neatly bound and lettered. New-York.

Brisban & Brannan.

An Essay upon the learning of Devises, by writing, to their consummation by the death of the Devisor, by John Joseph Powell, Esq. of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law. First American from the last London Edition. 1 vol. 8vo. Price in Law binding, $150. Brisban & Brannan.

Dr. Maskelyne's Requisite Tables, to which is added the most useful Astronomical Tables for Nautical purposes, with a variety of new and useful problems, and the method of finding the longitude by eclipse of the Sun, and occultations of the fixed stars by the Moon, with an example from the last Solar Eclipse observed by the Editor at Kinderhook. T. & J. Swords, New-York.

Nautical Almanac for 1807, 1808, 1809; with some useful additions, particularly the Moon's declination, calculated for every 6th hour, for finding the latitude at sea. T. & J. Swords.

Reports by the most learned Sir Edmund Saunders, knight, lord chief justice of the K. B. of several pleadings and cases, with three tables; the first the names of cases, 2d. the matters contained in the pleadings, the 3d. the principal matters in the pleadings, with notes and referrences to the pleadings and cases, by John Williams, Sergeant at Law. In two volumes in three parts-the first American edition, from the 3d London. Price. 12 dollars. Philadelphia. P. Byrne.

WORKS ANNOUNCED.

Messrs. Birch and Small, of Philadelphia, propose soon to publish The Wonders of Nature and Art, by the Rev. Thomas Smith, revised, corrected, and improved, by James Mease, M. D.

W. W. Woodward of the same city will shortly issue from his Press-1 Contemplations on the Sacred History, altered from the works of Bishop Hall; by G. H. Glasse, M. A. in 3 vols. 12mo,

2. A complete History of the Holy Bible, from the text of S. Howell, A. M. with additions and improvements by the Rev. G. Burder. In two volumes 8vo.

3. A Theological Dictionary, in two volumes 8vo. by the Rev. C. Burke.

Captain Lewis has announced his intention of publishing, in 3 volumes 8vo. Lewis and Clark's Tour to the Pacific ocean, through the interior of North America, during the years 1804, 1805, 1806. Performed by order of the Government of the United States. Also a map of North America, from Longitude 9 deg. west to the Pacific ocean, and between 56 and 52 deg. north latitude. Subscriptions for these works are received by all the principal Booksellers throughout the Union.

MONTHLY

REGISTER, MAGAZINE,

AND

REVIEW,

OF THE

UNITED STATES.

FIRST SECTION.

THE WANDERER, NO V.

ON LICENTIOUSNESS IN WRITING.

LL the world rails at licentiousness in writing. Even

ALL

the worn-out, almost extinguished libertine affects to screw his mouth into all the unloveliness of distortion, and to lengthen his faded face, at the bare mention of an indecent book. But all the world does not know what constitutes a licentious composition.

To the pure all things are pure ;-and in the minds of such beings unhallowed images find no place. I am, never, inclined to give much credit to the purity of those who are outrageously squeamish,-the very dragons of virtue,-those, who are fierce for delicacy.-Nor was I surprized to hear, that the daughter of a friend of mine, lately, ran away with her father's groom, and soon, there-after, went upon the town, when I recollected, that I saw this very girl, about three years since, put a covering of white muslin over a marble resemblance of a male grey-hound, which stood in her father's hall; because, forsooth, she was so shocked to see any thing of the masculine gender naked. The young lady might with equal propriety, have put a pair of breeches on a male frog; as the celebrated Spallanzani, in Italy, has so often done, VOL. II.

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