1,948 133 2,082 1,874 484 2,369 2,198 103 2,301 2,551 412 2,964 2,072 284 2,357 1,568 163 1,731 5,200 230 5,430 61.133 12.430 73,677179.871 40 343220.959|324.237| 80,561|406,511} NOTE FOR THE PRECEDING PAGE. Ohio became a state in 1802-the census of which follows (for 1800), contains the then population of the counties named, forming a district of country at that time called the "Territory of the United States N. W. of the Ohio." American Antiquities. FROM THE MERCURY. Chilicothe, Nov. 6, 1811. Mr. GILLELAND,-In a former letter I promised to send you a description of the ruins of an Indian city which has been discovered in this state. The wildest speculations have often proved to be the most correct, and conjecture or accident are the leaders to the discoveries of experience. But on this subject the first impressions will prebably with most people be the lost; and the general opinion will be still generally admitted as the true. The notion of bishop Madison of Virginia that those ancient works, whose remains appear in our country, were never intended as fortresses, is the most outre that I have known to be advanced. I think he has not had the opportunity of viewing any one built of stone. Very few, I presume, who have examined for themselves, will believe that these works contain the fixed habitations of the people who erected them. The situation of these fortifications (for I will venture to call them so) must have rendered them every way inconvenient for the settled residence even of a warlike people, and present only the advantage of security. I was upon an electioneering excursion some weeks ago, when I came in company with Mr. De Voss, a gentleman who lives about eleven miles from this place (Chilicothe) and he politely invited me to his house. On our way thither we passed an Indian mound, which I made some remarks up Placed on the summits of hills they screened those on, and then enquired of him whether there were within them from all missile weapons and from not in his part of the country some antiquities that all weapons I suppose, their antedeluvian inhabitone might conveniently visit. He replied that there ants were acquainted with. The face of the hill were some on his farm (for they are all farmers there) formed the glacis and superceded the necessity of which would highly gratify the curiosity, and that fosse. if I had any curiosity, he would go with me to ex amine them. a Of that long destroyed race of people we know nothing except what we learn from their works; On the next morning we rose early and proceed even their traditions have sunk with them into a ed to examine a fortification which is on the level common grave. But we have enough left in these summit of a high hill. It contains about one hun vestiges of their labors and their wars to convince us dred acres, end is enclosed by a stone wall, which that they were much more civilized than the present (if we may judge from the quantity of stones, for Indian inhabitants of any portion of our continent. it is in ruins) must have been twelve or fifteen feet Concerning the origin of the Indians there have high and four or five thick. Within the area there been numerous, learned, profound and original conare about thirty furnaces, from some of which Ijectures. To me the one that seems most reasona took cinders that resemble in every way those form-ble, is, that they are degenerated branches of the ed in blacksmith's forges. From some of them nations which erected these works; and those na I got pieces of burnt unwrought clay that look tions were originally from Asia, and if so, probably somewhat like pumice stone, but are of a pale blue they are Scythians. Among the little of the nacolor. Those lying on the surface of the earth are tional traits of character, that these branches bear covered with coasts of rusty mail, which probably to the other representatives of their original stock. had lain there since the days of Lycurgus. I am, my dear sir, with the sentiments of friend The fort is nearly circular, and has, if I recol-ship and esteem, yours, &c. lect rightly, ten passes or gates, which are placed at regular distances from each other. At one of these passes, and on the outside, there is the appearance of a well or spring enclosed, with a stone wall. This well was intended, I suppose, to supply water to those who might have occupied the fort, as there is nothing like a spring or watering place within the limits of it. JAMES FOSTER. Militia of Maryland. OFFICIAL RETURN-1811. Major-generals 3. Brigadier-generals 12. Adjutant general 1. Aids-de-camp 6 Brigade-majors and inspectors 12. Quarter-master-generals, &c. There are trees now growing in this fortification Lieut. Colonels 40. Majors 82. Adjutants 42. which are four or five feet in diameter, and they ap. Quarter masters 33. Surgeons and surgeons mates pear to have been preceded by a race still more gi73. Captains 447. Lieutenants and ensigns $71. gantic, if we may judge from the long traces left by Sergeants 1633. Musicians 448. Rank and file those that have rotted into their native dust. Some 28, 193. of the largest grew out of the foundation of the wall in places where the stone had tumbled down on the side of the hill. These things shew the antiquity of the work, but there are things that shew it to have been also a work of great labour; for there are no stones that could be used for building, wit hin a mile of the ruins, except in Paint Creek, which runs by the edge of a hill; but the creek stones are of a very different kind from those used in be wall. Arms belonging to the state.-Rifles 530. Muskets 3889, chiefly with bayonets and cartridge boxes, complete, and some small stores, or appendages. There are 40 regiments or battalions of infantry12 brigades, and including the officers, 39,539 men. Cavalry.-Major 1. Captains 32. Lieutenants and cornets 94. Sergeants 106. Rank and file 1135-in all including the officers 1385 men. Artillery.-Captains 12. Lieutenants 29-men 423. Field pieces 22. Of the Riflemen no particular return is given.Total militia 41,410. At the bottom of the hill on the south west side are the ruins of the town, or rathe a city. The cel. lars and the stone foundations of the houses still re- The return contains a minute detail of all the main. The streets are in regular: quares. Near it arms and ammunition belonging to the state lying there is a large mound perfectly level to the top.-in deposit Among them we notice 2400 new musIt was from all appearances the residence of a war kets, a quantity of old ditto fit for service; 5.800 like race; but a description of it will form the subject new cartridge boxes and 250 pair(new) horseman's of a future communication. pistols. Printed and published by H. NILES, Water-street, near the Merchants' Coffee-House, at $5 per annum. Postage of the Register. Resolved, that national honour and sound policy call imperiously on congress to put the country Having understood that some doub s existed as to into an armour and attitude demanded by the crisis the legal character" of the " WEEKLY RE-and corresponding with the national spirit and exGISTER," and that pamphlet price had been exact pectation." ed, in certain cases, as the postage of it, I felt it a Resolved, that in the event of the United States duty to myself and subscribers to appeal at once, being compelled to resort to the exercise of the to the highest authority, and have the point "terrible right of war," (so severely to be depresettled. The following letter from the gentleman cated) the freemen of Maryland will demonstrate to who presides over the post-office department with the world, that they are prepared to renew the so much honor to himself and usefulness to his pledge given by their fathers for the defence of Amecountry, will silence all doubts ou the subject-rican liberty-" their lives, their fortunes and their it is copied word and letter from the original. sacred honor." The following are the rates of postage which may A bill for taxing bank stock which passed the be legally demanded for the Register-for each house of delegates by a considerable majority, was, paper, if carried not over 100 miles, one cent-after much debate, rejected in the senate by the castover 100 miles, one cent and a half-but to any ing vote of the president. part of the state [Maryland] in which it is print ed, be the distance what it may, the postage is only one cent. GENERAL POST-OFFICE, January 13th, 1812. Sir-Yours of the 6th is before me, as well as your former letter on the same subject. The delay of this answer has arisen partly from a multiplicity of business, and partly from a serious doubt of the legal character of your publication. But I am now satisfied and admit your publication to be a news paper and to be rated at News-paper Postage. With esteem, H. NILES, Bullimore, Ed. G. GRANGER. The Legislature of Maryland Adjourned on Tuseday evening, the 7th instant, after a long and busy session, in which upwards of 220 acts (124 of which were public) were passed, and many other important matters done. per The legislature has made liberal provision for the Penitentiary-also appropriated $1000 annum to St. John's College, and $ 25,000 per annum for the support of county schools. They have also passed a new assessment bill chiefly conformable to the old law. The following resolution was adopted by both branches of the legislature.-We are informed that the $ 80,000 thereby invested in the banks was of. fered to the government of the United States, and declined. "Resolved, That the treasurer of the Western Shore shall be, and he is hereby authorised and empowered to subscribe, on the part of the state, on account of the stock reserved in the Commercial and Farmer's Bank of Baltimore. 25,000 dollars; in the Hagers' town Bank, 5000 dollars; in the Eikton Bank of Maryland 10,000 dollars; in the Merchant's and Farmer's Bank of Baltimore, 15,000 dollars; in the Franklin Bank of Baltimore, 15.000 dollars, and in the Marine Bank of Baltimore 10,000 dollars; and that the amount thereof be paid out of any unappropriated money in the treasury. members. The resolutions introduced into the senate by Mr. Lloyd, (see Weekly Register, page 212) were The per diem of the members has been raised t approved in the house of delegates-aves 34, nays four dollars-a very proper and prudent provision. 23. Previous to the final vote on these resolutions, As opportunity offers, we may further notice the Mr. C. Dorsey offered the following in their stead proceedings of the session. It is however pleasing "Whereas the President of the United States, in to remark that the legislature with wise liberality has dipped its hand more deeply into the public his message to congress at the opening of the pre sent session of that honorable body, has signified, treasury than, perhaps, on any former occasion. that unless an accommodation of our differences and that an uncommon harmony existed among the with Great Britain should speedily take place, a resort to force will be requisite for the vindication of our neutral rights and recommended "a system of more ample provision for maintaining them."--This general assembly, feeling at all times disposed to co-operate with the government in giv ing effect to measures calculated to maintain the dignity and support the independence of the union, and believing that "taking care always to keep ourselves in a respectable defensive posture," is the best security for the permanent enjoyment of the blessings of peace-therefore, "A voice in the Wilderness." Legislature of Chio. Revolution of the general assembly of the state of The occasion, which induces this measure, impresses the general assembly of Ohio with a full sense of the responsibility consequent on its adoption. The efforts of the two principal belligerents of Сс Europe to weaken and humiliate each other, have pregnant with events of serious import)—the gene fallen upon this strictly neutral land, like a scourge ral assembly of the state of Ohio, trust, will be from heaven. The property, the persons and the promptly taken and vigorously pursued. The relives of an honest people have been assailed by the port of the select committee, in the house of repreruthless hand of unprincipled power. This assem-sentatives in congress, to whom was referred that bly have watched the afflicting progress of belligerent part of the president's message which relates to our outrage and aggression with painful concern. A foreign affairs, breathes a spirit in unison with our retrospective view of the sufferings, injuries and own; the energy it proposes is demanded by the insults which have flowed to this country, from a crisis. peculiarly characteristic system of maritime depre When we reflect on recent occurrences on the dation, must elevate the mind of every American Wabash, new sources of grief and sympathy are to the posture of unyielding resistance. opened. This assembly cannot pass over this opThe conduct of the government of France in re-portunity without assuring all friends to freedom, scinding the Berlin and Milan decrees, has, as it and the rights of humanity, especially the friends respects the United States, manifested a disposition and relations of those who have fallen in the late to return to the paths of justice; and is in its nature struggle with savage perfidy and ferocity, that we a tacit acknowledgment of the violence and wrong commiserate their loss, and offer our condolence at committed against the eternal principles of equity the shrine of their sorrows. and the laws of nations; and carries with it an Therefore resolved, by the general assembly of implied engagement to make fair and ample restitu the state of Ohio, that we will at the call of our tion for their depredations of our neutral com country ra'ly round the standard of freedom: We merce. And we have the utmost confidence in the will suffer every hardship-submit to every privavigilance and firmness of congress; and that they tion in support of our country's rights and honor. will insist on a full and prompt indemnity for the Though we love peace and invoke its blessings; yet aforesaid spoliations; and that they will meet the late we will not shrink from the danger of war. In berestrictions on our commerce, in the municipal re half of our constituents we pledge ourselves that gulations of that nation, by corresponding restric our government will receive from them a prompt tions, so as to ensure an equality of rights so far as and efficient support. Relying constantly, on the may be to our citizens. interposing protection of heaven, we will meet with firmness every crisis. Attest, R. ORSBORN, clk. H. R. The conduct of Great Britain towards this country, is a gross departure from the known and es- And be it further resolved, That his excellency tablished law of nations. Our rights, as well those the governor of this state, be requested to forward derived through the immemorial usages of nations to the president and vice president of the United as those secured by compact, have been outraged States, the speaker of the house of representatives without acknowledgment-even without remorse. in congress, and to our representatives therein, one Solemn stipulations by treaty, and implied engage certified copy each, ofthe foregoing preamble, and ments have given place to views of an over-reaching, resolution. MATHIAS CORWIN, Speaker of selfish, and depraved policy. Life, liberty and pro the house of Representatives. perty, have been the sport of measures, unjust, THOMAS KIRKER, Speaker of cruel, and without a parallel. The flag of freedom the Senate. and impartial neutrality has been wantonly insulted. Tears of the widows, and orphans of murdered Americans have flowed in vain. Our countrymen have been torn from the embrace of liberty and plen ty. The cords of conjugal, filial, fraternal, and paternal affection have been broken. Almost every sea and ocean buoys upon its impartial surface, the victims of capture and impressment. Vain is every effort and sacrifice for an honorable state of safety and tranquility., Mission has followed missionremonstrance has followed remonstrance-forbear The following are the principal features of the ance has stepped on the heels of forbearance, till constitution, as reported by Mr. Magruder some the mind revolts at the thought of a prolonged en durance. Will the freemen of a still favored soil unresistingly groan under the pressure of such ig. nominy and insult? I certify the foregoing to be a correct copy; the original is on file in this office. JER. M·LENE, Sec'ry, of the state of Ohio. days ago. Louisiana. From the Louisiana Gazette. The State to be called LOUISIANA. The general assembly to consist of two branches. The lower house to contain not less than 25, nor more than 50 members; to be elected by persons owning 50 acres of land (or paying tax on property of the value therof) for two years. Their qualifi cations are, twenty four years of age, property to the amount of 500 dollars, citizenship of the United States, and two years residence in the state. This assembly looks back on the conduct of the government of the United States, relat ing to foreign affairs with a consolation unembittered with the recollection of a single act of injustice. or partiality, towards either of the European belligerents. In a retrospective view of the Presi dent's deportment towards them, we feel a satisfac Senate elected for four years, by the electors of tion, which alone can flow, from an entire, and representatives. Qualification-thirty years of age, unshaken approbation of his conduct. The senti- cuizenship of the United States, and four years rements expressed in his communication to congress, sidence in this state, and property to the value of at the opening of the present session, have given one thousand dollars. One half of them to go out new and additional evidence of his fitness for the every two years. The state is divided into twelve high station he occupies. The measures he recom senatorial districts, of which each county forms mends are not only justified, but are rendered in one: and they are to remain indivisible. dispensably necessary, from the critical posture The governor elected by the people for four years. of our national affairs. The attitude he advises Qualifications--35 years of age, citizenshi of the congress to assume, at this momentous period-(a United States, and six years leidence in the stateperiod in the destinies of the American republic, ineligible for the four succeeding years. |