National Intelligencer from Washington, District of Columbia • 3

bring any rJcws-Papcrs, but in- 1 not any news ot moment. The markets were very high, there he smallest idea of an Embargo taking place there, or in the ports of Franca. dated from the Madrid Gazette, i of'ith LISBON, Nov. 25. An English cartel from the divi-j I sion of Sir Sidney Smith, who has es- tablisked his cruizing ground at the i entrance of our port, brought yester- 1 day en official note of th.c following tenor: By these presents we make known to whomsoever it should concern, that it being notorious that 1 1 ports of Portugal are shut against, the flag of Greal-Britain, and that the ih'hish Minister Pleni- potei the court of Lisbon, i ttal in compliance with the instructions remitted to the tdmiral of the blue, and rin chief of this di- i mouth of the Tagus dared in a rigorous state of block- ii The uese government is to it thus, and be certain ye been given that it itiftue with the utmost strictlila friendly adjustment of ac place.

The utral states must also ice of it, that they may in season inform their governments that in a state of blockade atidthv from this time and the nie.ar.ures authorised by the laws of nations and by theretreaties between 11. B. M. neutral powers, shall be adopted and executed with any vessels whatever that shall attempt to violate on board the ship Ilihornia, off the Tagus, the 23d of isor. WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH." The BT JOKI.

BAHI.OW. Lovers of the FINE AR'! need only see it, and they Will universally pronounce it tho mast splendid Work ever published in America. The Engraving of Plates alone, cost rds of 4,000 dollars. A few copies of the above work received, for Sale at J. March's i k-store, Georgetown.

February A BRICK HOUSE and LOT FOR SALE. ON Monday the Bth day of February Xt, if fair, if not the next fair day, will be exposed to public sale on the prem lock the evening, part ef Lot 6, in square No. 141. this city, fronting 16 feet 9 inches forth street, aid running hick 3 33 feet, with the improvements thereon, consisting ef a nvi nient two story Uk House and enclosure. The Lot was leased to the former tenant for a i sat the rent of 35 dollars p.

annum, and the benefit of a coverant to purchase the fee simple there- On d. fault of payment of three years rent, the subscriber has been put in ef tin premls according to the ed for which, and accruing txpenc.es, it will be so! ret to the conditions of the former and a xecuted to the purchaser on complying wil I the terms de. Being in the vicinity of the public offices, and in a thick it would be an eligible situation for a gentleman doing ie departments. The premise may be i I the applying to Thomas rty, prior to the dl JOSEPH NOURSE. a negotiable note with an approved endorser, payable Property is pnnri until Monday the 14th day of i' will be offered for at the heur and place above-menruary FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD.

Ri from die subscriber nn nf 0 last a mv- ARRY he is about aboat 28 or 29 plays the fidtfle well he js a enter and stone mas spot on the top of his licad about 2 or 3 mclvs square, hy a hurt when stn Ml; no mark of scar ree'cUec'ed him. He had i ii when he went away a brown I cloth fur hat, and waptcoat. It is has alt' red his name and I. a cunning fellow, and money with him, or at fitly be-is an easy spoken fellow and generally speaks low, no way's forwarder impudent.VAny person secure him in any jail in the United Stat and give information to the subscriber living in' Hampshire county, 18 miles from Winchester en the road leading from Winchester, Komncy and Morefield, I and all i. juahle eh rought hnme, JACOB JENKINS.

19 3t ST. AA V) RE WS SO CIE TV. A will beheld at the house pf VViff. on Friiay heKt of which the mem' i I TO CT 2 Communicated for the Philadelphia ta Register. 6 he llavvmna, Jam.

22. su The Heads of Departments here, St having received advice ftom hisCa- as I tholic Majesty's Charge dcs Affairs a lin the United States, of an expedition being preparing in England and, ac- cording to news-paper reports, said fi to be intended against the Spanish possessions in the Bay of Mexico, hs The most active preparations arc mak- de ing here to repulse the enemy, In the event of their attacking this port or island, by immediately calling out, and properly arming and training all the militia, of every description, jp, which, together with the French set- tii tiers in the island, and the Spanish planters, merchants and artisans, al- oi ready trained, will compose a formi- dable body. The fortifications have jj already been put in the best state of defence, and are most, amply supplied I with all Warlike stores, to resist a siege sc I even should it last six months. The department of the Marine (besides ai covering the garrisons, and assist- ing it with men and means, will fur- (l lush a considerable number of officers to fill the vacancies that may exist not only in the corps of artillerists ngineera, but also in the infan- try) have armed and completely Vfitted fifty and bomb yes- sels, provided with ovens for heating vv shot, with which we shall not only be completely able to defend the lines of our harbor, but also to attack the a enemy, should he anchor on the out- side. The greatest harmony and military ardor prevades the whole, and so far from dreading an attack, we rather wish for one." tl a ,1 Washington City, Feb.

18 At a meeting ofthe students ofthe 1 Western Academy of this city, it was ti resolved that as a testimony of their esteem and regard for the memory of their fellow student Alexander Kerr, whose premature death, they sincere- ly deplore, they wear crape on the left a arm for the space of thirty days. Valentine Welch, Ch'm. John Eveiisfielo, Secretary. Go mild youth, to endless joys above, And take with you our sorrow and our love. RISE of TICK IS.

Tickets in the Philadelphia Grand highest prize 10.000 sell at TWO Dollars on TikfrsrtajP the 22d lust, and will continue to rise as the drawing progresses. ts to be had at R. C. Weight- man's Book-store, Pennsylvania, aye- nue. February 19 St CONGRESS.

1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Debate on the bill for the classifica- I tion of the Militia the United States. Tuesday, Jan. 19. In committee ot the whole, Mr. HE I ms in the Chair.

The first section being read as foi- lows "That all the militia of the United i States, liable to do duty, over twenty- 1 one and under years of I age, shall be deemed and held in gui- sition, and called the junior class of mi- lltla. And the President of the United States shall be, and he hereby is air ho- i rized, on the appearance of national i danger, to order out the same or any i part thereof, ta any part ef the United i or their territories, for not mere I than one whole year at any one time, i And whensoever a part of the said junior rl shall, by the President of tlie I United States, lie called into actual ser i vice, such call shall commence with i those that are liwest in number, as to i age, first, and so in rot-tion the same shall not be compelled to do duty a second time until the whole of the said junior class shall have served one tour; nd when called into the actual service the. United shall be arme.i and equipped by the United States. For this put -post; two hundred thousand stand of arms imph tc, sh ill b. (1- posited in such places as the President of the United States shall direct, and whensoever the whole, or any part of the said junior class of militia, shall be call into service by the United States, and shall be armed and equ by the same, it shall be lawful, and they, and each ef them, are hen by rmiUctl to retain the said arms and ments, as their own property, any law to the contrary notwithstanding." Mn.

M. Ci.at said it was to fill the blank in the first sectioi foie they proc-eih'l any farther, ami it was incumbent on those, who were friends to tins project to shew that there were defects in the militia law as it now 1 stood and if they could prove to the House, that the systeat offered was ter than the old he pr sum ed could he U0 objection to the bill consideration. At all events he wished) li men to ike a serious view i the Ct it was a great national guvs- on which the aalvution of the coun' try lie would endeavor to bring forward the best testimony that could be had to prove that the was defective, and he hoped he should be aide to do it. I will commence, said Mr. C.

with the adoption the copstitu which we ar now acting. We th it sident Washington alway i this Bubject in the view of the national his shews that th was pinion to do it was tell us what it was, I out. If will take up the Presidential communications th from the commencement of the govern- la ment, they will find that the subject has sit been uniformly recommended by each su successive President ot the United of States to the present time. I state this th as a strong evidence in their opinion that no a change was wanting somewhere, sa Next to this I will call your attention to bu th? communications made from the state ca Executives to their legislatures. We th: find also that the state legislatures al- to most every year and in every session sti have, had the subject under their consideration, and turned it over in one way nu the other.

This proves that there ca jis in their opinion some defect. We 18 must now remedy that defect if we can, th behoves us to do go and if 1 shall be pr fortunate enough to point out the priety and mode of making this altera- fn tioii, 1 shall hare done my duty. We pa I will go further back than the adoption co of the constitution we do not recollect i the whole body ef the militia ever to cc been brought into action, to such cr cir- ct as ourstr ngth of hum would vt warranted, if the militia had been cr I organized defect at' somewhere, which should be remedied ut going either to one extreme or vi er. If gentLmen will turn their as eves to the bill on the table, the; will ta iur pre jeet is to steer b.tw en 35 two, not to irrass the militia, but to render them fit for service, sli by taking only lhase that can be best tl from home, and wncn in actual service can be most li cl on. His- ai tory itself furnishes no untauce, the mode of warfare he whet it might, in where the whole btKly of the mi; were ever ailed in'o actual servics and in pt there for any length of time to ad- tl vantage; if there was much marching ft and fignting the old men with families would soon find the way home they 2' could not be relied on for a length of time.

member often to have heard al this complaint made before the revolu- rr ti nary war when we were at war with ci the Indians. Nay farther, if we go si amongst the savages we find that they ol do not all turn out to battle, and leave their women and children only behind th ke neither old or young men, I mean their 1 ids to battle, but such only il as may be useful in the field. When we recur to the times of the revolution, which every old gentleman recollects, and every young one has 2 heard ot, every one then in service will attest the tact that wherever the the militia were called on to march, old and young together, the old men soon found their way into the hospital; they wouldcomplainof oldrheumatisms, Sec. Sec. would often fatigue 1 and break down the young men by im- I posing on them the additioual burthen of their kanpsacks.

a My obj.ct is to leave at home the se- nior and minor class, as much as pos- i sible nothing but imperious necessity, i and imminent danger should call them i to the field, and that within their own 1 state, or in the neighboring state. I whh aot to derange the state of society, which must be the case if the whole I I body of the militia are called out at once. During the last war we saw not 1 only fields and neighborhoods, but whole states laid waste from being de- prived of their cultivators. I wish to 1 avoid this evil I wish to leave men i enough at home to cultivate the earth i and take care of the crop. It is well known to gentlemen of the revolution 5 that while we lay at Villay Forge in Pennsylvania, at Middlebrook, in New Jersey, and at other places, we were i almost in a state of starvation, because all hands, meaning the whole body of i the militia, had been.called out, and i cultivation and manufactures neglected.

I I have seen (and an awful sight it was) 1 not less than five thousand men on pa- rade at a time in the midst of winter, i almost naked, without shirts or i i oft times have I seen them march on i the frozen ground barefoot, marking i I their footsteps with blood as they i m.ached. At the times here spoken i I of, the army was reduced to the awful necessity of going into the adjacent; I I country and threshing out the grain i from the straw, and whilst thus engag- i ed the poor and almost naked women with their helpless babes crying round them, would ask with tears running i down tin ir withered cheeks, for God's sake not to take all, telling the soldiers I i that was their all, and when that was gone they must starve that they had no money nor werewithto get I Now my object is to avoid such another scene. Not only on this account, but in seme of the Southern states we have an internal enemy, an enemy within our own I' milies There should always be I a sufficient force left at home to awe and keep that enemy down. By taking out the junior class only we shall always 1 have a Sufficient number left to quell and keep down insurrection at 5 We shall presently shew that we have 1 a sufficient number of young men under I the age of twenty six and over twenty oik to me the enemy whenever they are called on. We have three points of assault, New York, Ch.rlesv ton, and New Orleans, and I shall I trust be able to shew that we have a sufficient number of young men of the nior clas to keep up a continual force if necessary to meet all attacks.

i It behoves mo now to shew what disposition 1 intend to make of tl. nor class, young men under 21 years of I age. It is not my intention that they shall be called into service, except in case ofthe utmost necessity, and then only within tlu.ir own state. We find 1 irom report that to be the rock on I which the emperor of France has split, jHe takes bis men when in their infan- i- cy Irom the age ef 18. They ought to be left until thi are twenty one lo it lay in a sufficient stock of information to it carry them into life.

Let them Lam trades or attend to their studies for we consider the trade or prefessioa I which a man learns in his youth, ther mechanical Or mental, as a tord tune and therefore we do not wish to it interrupt them until they have com-! il pleted their studies or tr dcs, except is imperious iv cessity should require it, is It is necessary tha man should have somewhat, horn which he II r.cciye subsistence during his through life. During his minority he wh lays up by learning a trade or profes- pri sion, a principal, the interest of which yer supports him after he attains the age mv of twenty ne. We also well know, ret that youug men under twenty one can- goe not stand hardship; they may do some be ssrvice they may march about a little, lan but their system is not matured they I cannot undergo fatigue. We also know stn that it will almost take two men of IS sen to cope with one man ct 25 in bodily car strength. fro We shall now proceed to shew the tro numbers of each class as nearly as they thi: can be ascertained from the census of the we have taken the authority of Co the best statistical writers for the the progressive numbers.

thfl The census of 1800 gave of males ir.t from 26 to 45, 432,193. lam not yerv Crtt particular as to ft act tans, being of lit consequence. The annual increase from 1790 to 1800 whs about 3 1-2 per ma cent, which we will assume for the in- ate crease since the last census, being 6e- tin. yen years. This will give us an in- mt Crease since 1800, ot added to the by the last census, Sts makes 538.075.

From these dunfit for a 8 riy ye can I nv. ascertain, 35 or 40,000, yVe for th sake of equal numbers, mi 38,075 Which leaves 500,000 men, Xt who may be relied on it the danger nu: should be so great as to call for all nun over 26 and under 4.5. a By the census of 1800 those over 21 ph an 1 under 26 wer 190 and 200,000 men. To this add for the in- on increase since by the rule just laid thi down which will 219,000 he. under 20 and over 21.

Deduct this number Bor 9000, for those unfit do for service. For the Bake ot round numbers deduct 9000, which will leave i 240,000 able men. We will suppose wanting at any one time 30 or 40,000 th at each of the three great points I have re mentioned, which would still leave or enough at home to supply the succes. sion and deficiencies. Out of this class on of men then between 21 and 26 could be called out sufficient for service at any VV! one time, from 90 to 100,000 and leave double that number still in requisition if however it should be thought that 240,000 would not be a sufficient nam- I il ber, we have only to take all under 27 I fij instead of 26.

Those between 26 and 'hi ij 27 added to the others would form a body of 280,000 men without taking any under 21 or over 27. It is about this time ot life, 26 or 27, when a man be- ll i gins to know mankind they have then a.i i sowu their oats, as we generally say they then wish to settle and see a farm- ly rising up before him. They feel vi- gorous, Ihd wish to shew their acti- i vity and strength, in running, tumbling wrestling they think themselvei geat men they wish to travel and see the world they have a roving ciispo- 1 sition. This is the moment to lay hold i of them, and make them good soldiers, ii I know well that it will be said by some I that, it is an invidious distinction to stop at 26 or 27. Why may not the sam (i i be said of stopping at 45 or beginning at 18? It is said that this classification will tear up the old militia system.

I 8 to not care how soon it is plucked by 3 the roots we have had enough of it. a Why persist in a system which we can- i not get along with What is the con- sequence To shew what that is, it is I only necessary to read the report of the ill a Secretary of War. Under an exertion i of all the energies of the commanding 7 officers, atte-r tin-insult ot the 22d of 1 June last on the Chesapeake; after ihe Executive offi-ers had exerted them- if selves to procure the best information .1 upon the subject ot the militia held in I. requisition, what is the result? The report just mentioned will shew that you cannot rely with confience on the. militia in its present state.

Nor can you on volunteers. These last will do for a moment at the commencement a war. In case ot invasion they will do very well for the moment. They do not go out with a view of brushing I their own coat, washing their shirts, and to cook their victuals they expect to call for the best of every thing at every house. Some gentlemen voluti- i teers went down lately to Norfolk trom Petersburg and Richmond.

They co I ceived themselves on a level with tl officers; it would not do; they came home disgusted, and you will not them to go again. What was the case dwring the last war When a large troop of volunteers was raised (I know the fact, I had a brother amongst them, ni and can therefore speak of it) th I came prancing to General Washington, The old general asked them what Hhey could do? Fight for our country, said they. Will you go into camp with the I army and do regular duty They anrs swered no. You have my thinks then I II gentlemen, said the veteran, go home i again. This was only to make a shew, i they intended nothing else they may do for a moment; but there method and regularity in cur army, will not do to have a large body of men I it collected for any purpose, without it.

I i- And therefore it is that as the great mass i I of our militia now stand, no reliance a can be placed upon them. It will not i- answer to rely on regular troops. Lis easy enough to landing army, but it is difficult to disband them. We it had at the close of the last war an awi testimony of the truth of this. Noing but tlio vast weight of character of Gen.

Washington, who descending iv from his high office of commander in ni ohiei mixed wih them as a brother hlicr, could have prevented them from volting. Sec what a clamor is now it, raised and rumours afloat through the ii- i country about your standing army ot to 300Q men. Get a man sufficiently pular for commander in chief of a large to standing army and what sort of governm ment should we soon have We may or shudder even to think of what might be the result. Look the contrary proposed to regulate the MItITIA. You take them from the bosom to pf meir families for nee year.

At the end of that term they will be anxious to pt return home. Mutiny will not arrest h. them. With avidity they will return rid a tear of joy will bid them welcome. ay the bill dors not give lge We can fix all thh when we have once pissed upon principlei This I repeat nearly one year lia9 elapsed since the outrage milted on the Chesapeake, and yet nd return of volunteers or militia, This goes to shew that volunteers are not to be relied on, and also that the militia laws are.

th fective. I hope we have shewn that We have strong reasons to suspect that the present militia system is not thy best that Can be devised. We have shewn this from th 2 best testimony in our power from the adoption ofthe constitution to this day. From the communications ot the President of the United States to Congress, and from st the state legislatures, it "that the subject introduced and recomi on of tie If this is not the st aystfi adopted, 1 am willii man shoul -'f let any oilier system, we is (Ughly and act with ijt on it. This Is a time when the whol States are tion of our present system" must be Tow militia' beavan to fight lo Ken tacky the fi ous.

lose of the war to against covin go placed their soli! 1 era when oi vice en the frontier, with natives on their borders, of which we at war. Virginia gave lands to her soldiers which were in the ground. Why? Because it woaid net ilo to fix these men of seven or years standing among the body of people. We will give tivin this l.uufy I said the cfficersof I them go and figHt the Indi ms, The reason was, that they had served i or eight years fungus, a standing on cur frontiers as a br and a safe-guard, to'keep off sh i we wanted to keep them out of jWe could hive burnt up the Indian towns put an end to the immediately; but we did nol i 1 it; we wished to ktep our old soldiers fighting till they cooled off from the habit tf inactivity acquired by aervic 10 the war. We have endeavored to shew volunteers will do but tor a moment, and that when there is nothing to do, and they can have both male tint! fe, male waiting upon them.

They cum. be relied on in war. They are cot the kind of troops for service whm mvi by a powerful may do for marines if the to go to sea. We. I to shew that classihcHtion is only mode by which th 1 for the real service ot their that oh! the best young men under 21 ought: to be kept at home till they ci, 1 Ot experience to serve them th: life, and that young men eyer 21 ler 26, have a price, nsiiy to be in action, to see their Co to quire fame.

Some gentlemen make the mode ef have nu Soubta upon that subject, the tluoe; will work i the constitution has reserved to the states the-mselves. When officers I are wanting, youne; men always I found peculiarly qualified to conduct their companions to the men of high standing and weight of character. The soldiers having taem- Ives choice of their will chtise one out of many ci as there lw -ys will be, in whom tl I confide, I presume youtig men of fi talents and enterprise will have pier ence. Let them have a man to i mand them, of their own Th i will say one to the other I know this msn I have known him from my i youth, and can confide i him. I As a reward for services of th'se young men, after a Campaign is ended, let them keep as their own property arms with which they fought, which will be handed down from father to son This is the piece 1 fought with Let it be engraven on the barrel, this be- longs to such a one, he earned it by serving his country at such a time.

Att men have served one year, sutfici'iit will be found to replace them, I who will be anxious to see the country, and travel over the Union, emulous of I fame; and when they have served a tour will long to return tn th ir kindred loaded with an honorable pledge of the trrvice done their country. It is certainly a desirable thing tl ie the physical strength of the country should be applied in the geous manner the protection of the ie country. We admit that some men marry early. In this case let them hire man as substitutes from thejr own cl his substitute may serve out his time. It and return.

By that time another you man may have married, and this subt. stitute being ar.custotved to Bervice, ss i may ro Out second term. By the adoption nf this principle of Ot tion yuu get Mie best bleed ofthe counts try, that which you can rely upon. You will not see your hopitals filled with. fe old men disabled by the rheumatUm m.

and gout nor will you see children in o- the ranks, at every leaf that er fills around them, not sufficiently tiling dened to lie out upon the ground covered in with ice and snow. If we go on in the er same bungling manner as we shall never have an efficient i )W tia you will sident's message recommending nt subject to your o- I will think and not impute impure moti fact is, I have two sons that v. 1,1 ay he 21, and I love tlm-m as much as fit man cqk, and perhaps can say ry tew can. The first I lie each ot them Has a gtW 1 have enjoined it on them in my he will, that it was to fend that country which till had as istee. iv delivering from ti My son's gun shall Bear in his i ie.

tlmt he must ye calls for hU.