Printed and published by H. NILES, Water-street, near the Merchants' Coffee House, at $5 per annum. Legislature of Maryland. Communication from the Executive Council of land to the General Assembly. IN COUNCIL. trust they believe to have been regularly and attentively executed. The executive have also contracted Mary-for such repairs of the state house as they deemed necessary for its preservation, which have been in part executed. They think it at the same time proANNAPOLIS, NOVEMBER 4, 1811. per to suggest that a further appropriation will be indispensable to execu e the objec. of the general Gentlemen. It is to us a source of great pleasure, assembly, and repair the depredations committed to be enabled to inform the general assembly, that by time upon that valuable and costly building. the building erected for the purpose of carrying into Upon this subject, however, it is supposed unneces effect the act concerning crimes and punishments, passed at November session, 1809, is now completed, sary further to enlarge, as the means of information are equally accessible to all and in all respects prepared for the reception of The resolution relative to an exchange of laws those criminals, who may be condemned to work with our sister states, has been complied with. and labor therein. This valuable institution, we Conformably to a resolve of the legislature passed at confidently trust, will fully answer the wise, politic, their last session, we have caused to be printed for and humane views of the legislature, and while it the use of the state, one thousand copies of chanshall greatly promote the moral improvement of cellor Kilty's compilation of English and British those unhappy persons, who may become victims to the lawless violence of their own uabridled pas-sult economy, and make them conveniently assort statutes, upon such plan and arrangement, as to consions, will effectually enforce every necessary pur-with the revised code. pose of the criminal justice of our country. In cherishing this hope so consolatory to the philan-been lost in adopting every practicable means to have They beg leave also to remark, that no time has thropic feelings of the heart, we derive much en-arsenals properly fitted up and prepared, at Fredecouragement from the happy experience of our ri. ktown and Easton, for the reception and safe keepsister states, whose enlightened policy it has been ing of the public arms. to reduce to actual experiment what before was only admired in theory and speculation. Under the wise Conformably to the provisions of an act of the and superintending care of the legislature, this general assembly, passed at November session, useful establishment cannot fail to prove an efficient eighteen hundred and eight, the executive have corrective of vice, and a powerful auxiliary to virtue. purchased twelve hundred stand of arms, two field In conformity to the direction of the legislature, pieces, fifty braces of norsemen's pistols, and one expressed at their last session, a copy of the resolu-hundred horsemen's swords, all of which have been tion relative to the divisional line between this state received, except the pistols, which it is expected and the commonwealth of Virginia, has been trans-will be sent on as soon as practicable; twelve hun dred cartridge boxes have also been contracted for, mitted to the governor of that commonwealth, to one half of which have been received: the remainwhom the wish of the general assembly, that a similar resolution might be passed by the legislature der are ready for delivery, and are daily expected of that state was also communicated. To this The governor and council herewith transinit to position, no answer has yet been received; to what the general assembly, sundry communications from the executive departments of our sister states, upon cause the omission is to be scribed, has not yet the subject of the proposed amendment of the conbeen understood, and therefore cannot be stated, pro or even conjectured. No commissioners have stitution of the United States, inaibiting any citi been appointed on the part of this state, because as zens thereof from accepting, claiming or retainthe concurrence of both parties interested was es- ing any title of honor, or nobility, without consent sential to the accomplishment of the object of the of congress, or accepting or retaining any present, resolution, it was deemed unnecessary to make an pension, office, or emolument, from any foreign appointment until it was ascertained that a similar power. They also transmit sundry cominunications proceeding would be adopted by the legislature of which have been received from our sister states, relative to an exchange of laws. The general assem Virginia The resolution empowering the executive to grant bly will likewise receive herewith a copy of an act indulgence to certain debtors of the government, passed by the legislature of the state of New York, upon the terms and conditions therein stated, has together with a communication from the commisnot been acted upon, because no application has sioners the eby appointed, the object of which been made for the extension of payment thereby seems to be to solicit our aid and co-operation in an improvement of the internal navigation of that authorised. tate. As directed by a resolution of the legislature, the executive have appointed a person to take care of Congratulating you, gentlemen, upon your safe and preserve the public arms deposited in the arsenal arrival at the seat of government, and hoping, from at the seat of government; the duties of which the united wisdom and exertions of all, the happi VOL. 1. S [Mr Lloyd's constitutional period of service having expired, Robert Bowie, esq. was elected governor of the state of Maryland, as already noticed. The following is his reply to the joint letter written by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of delegates, informing him of his appointment.] Resolved, that the president's message, moderate, impartial and decisive, deserves all our praise. It points out the best course to an honorable indepen dence. Resolved, that the independence established by the aid and valor of our fathers, will not tamely be the Maryland regulars to battle, still exists in the yielded by their sons. The same spirit which led state and waits only for its country's call, TREASURY REPORT. Extracts from the Treasurer's Report, showing the Six per cent. stock of the United Ditto redeemed by the U. States, 187,123 64 Deferred 6 per cts. 672,205 95 Redeemed Leaving with 3 per 186,766 85 Notingham, November 13th, 1811. GENTLEMEN. Your joint letter of the 11th instant, announcing my appointment to the governmen of the state, was handed to me yesterday by express. Satisfied with the good opinion of my fellow citizens, hitherto expressed by the various situations to which, at different times, they have thought proper to summon me, and engaged in the management of my private concerns, I had formed a dete miaation, correspondent with my wishes, never again to return into public life; but at the pre-Loaned to Charlotte Hall school, sent interesting crisis of our affairs, a call so imInstalled bonds, valid, pertant as that which is contained in your letter, has determined me, however reluctantly, to wave all installed, do. do. private, personal considerations, and to exchange my present retirement for the more active performance of public duties. I accept the appointment-and permit me, through you, to express to the honorale bodies over which you respectively preside, sincere acknowledgments for the confidence ich they have thought proper to repose in me, at the same time, to inform them, that I shall attend at Annapolis on Friday next, to qualify agreea. bly to the constitution and form of government of this state. To the honorable, the president of the senate and speaker of the house of delegates. The following resolutions were introduced into the senate, by Mr. Lloyd, late governor, on the 19thult. Whereas, it is highly important, at this eventful the sum of 1. 8. d. 979,052 55 or 367,144 14 00 Due from clerks and sheriffs Stock in Potomac company in Bank of Baltimore Farmers' Bank of 1,000 00 00 8,795 17 1 3,344 17 4 6,985 00 914 45,166 13 4 39,825 00 00 15,900 00 00 71,250 00 00 29,062 10 00 7,500 00 00 3,750 00 00 1,875 00 00 2,812 10 00 604,412 2 614 sand seven hundred and sixty dollars.) Balances due from supervisors of roads, 11757 14 from the Poor House in Baltimore county crisis in our foreign relations, that the opinions and (About one million six hundred and eleven thou feelings of every section of the union, should be fairly and fully expressed: Therefore, we, the legislature of Maryland, do resolve, that in the opini-4-and on of this legislature, the measures of the adminis-12400. tration, with respect to Great Britain, have been honorable, impartial and just; that, in their negocia tions they have evinced every disposition to termi-Balance in Treanate our differences, on terms not incompatible with! our national honor; and that they deserve the confidence and support of the nation. Resolved, that the measures of the administration with respect to France, we highly approve. They have been fully authorised by the law and by the fact. Resolved, that the acts of injustice and violence, committed on our neatral rights by France, have excited all that indignation which a lawless exercise of power could not fail to do; but having now ceased to violate our neutral rights, we trust that the period is not far distant, when by acts of ample justice, all cause of complaint will be removed. lands For fines, forfeitures and amer. For marriage licenses From the treasurer of the East- From the president, directors Do. Union: bank of Maryland Do. Mechanics' bank of Balt. From Benjamin Harwood trus. From the United States for di- 1. 9. d. Printer Clerk to the council Clerk to the house of delegates Clerk to the senate Contingent expenses Donation to the academies and schools in the different counties Indian annuities 525 0 0 1275 0 C 750 0 0 168 15 0 75 0 0 300 0 0 450 0 0 300 0 0 112 10 0 56 50 43,718 9 3 1-2 Messenger to the council 960 19 81-4 1575 0 0 3 138 15 0 There is scarcely any thing more difficult, and consequently more rare, than correct delineation of character. This task is usually undertaken by friends or enemies, and the result is either panegyric or sa tire. Even amongst such as are unbiassed, how few the happy copyists, who can paint nature with her own colors, so as to be recognized by every beholder, and from every point of view. Conscious of this difficulty, I entertain humble hopes of success, or being able to satisfy the expectations and enquiries of the intelligent reader. 106,469 7 11-2 And this, more particularly, where there are no striking and prominent features, but the traits of am The probable annual demand on the treasury, for infant colony delicately marked. A colony, will not remain long separated from 1. 8. d. the parent stock, until it exhibits a peculiar and 1000 0 0 distinct character. Climate, situation and country 1000 0 0 although not exclusively the agents in forming this character must, nevertheless, be admitted to have great influence. Nor do the manners of the parent country continue invariable; other times, other 30000 1125000 men, other circumstances, produce the most sur prising changes, while the colony beyond the sphero manners. of their infuence retains its pristine customs and rapid decay; which was again accelerated by the The Spaniards of Mexico, are said to conquest of general Clark, for the United States in bear a stronger resemblance to their ancestors of 1779. The greater number of the wealthy and res the fifteenth century, than to their present brethren pectable, descended the Mississippi and settled in of Old Spain; the French inhabitants of the Mis-New Orleans, and the lower country. Others cro sissippi, have little resemblance to the gay, but dis-ed the Mississippi, and established St. Louis and solute, and frivolous Frenchmen of Louis the fif St. Genevieve. Scarcely any but natives of the teenth and sixteenth, and still less, to those who country remained. The foreigners, chiefly returnhave felt the racking storm of the revolution. ed to the countries, from whence they first emi To the country on both sides of the Mississippi, grated. the general name Les Illinois, was given. It was Such is the origin of the greater part of that class inhabited by a powerful nation of that name, and at of the population of this territory, which I have de present reduced to a handful of miserable creatures.signated by the name of the ancient inhabitants.— After the discovery of the Mississippi, by Mons. They are chiefly natives of the country; but few faJolliet, and the priest Marquette, from Canada, amilies are immediately from France, or even from number of Canadian traders, about the year 1686, New Orleans or Canada. settled in Kaskaskia,* originally a large Indian In the character of these people it must be rememtown. By degrees a number of families were in-bered; they are essentially Frenchmen; but without duced to quit Canada, for a country represented as that restlessness, impatience and fire, which distinmuch more desirable. A monastery of Jesuits was guishes the European. There is even in their de established here, which succeeded in converting a porument something of the gravity of the Spaniard: number of the Indians to christianity. I am credi-yet, extremely fond of every kind of gaiety and bly informed, that they had at one time twenty-five amusement. From the gentle and easy life which hundred catechumens. In time, these people, as it they led their manners and even language, have behas ever been the case, were found to degenerate come soft and mild-the word paisible, expresses and diminish, from their intercourse with the whites: this characteristic. In this remote country, there and the French were left the possessors and propri-were few objects to urge to enterprize, and few occtors of their village. casions to call forth, and to exercise their energies. About the beginning of the last century, the ce- The necessaries of life were easily procured, and a lebrated scheme of Law and company, was set on beggar was never heard of amongst them. Ambifoot, and supported by the high reputation for wealth tion soared far hence, for here there was no prey.and fertility, which Louisiana had already acquir-Hospitality was exercised, because no one thought ed. To further this delusion, it was represented in of being otherwise; a tavern amongst them is but a still more glowing colors, and it became the paradise late thing. Judges, codes of law, and prisons were of Frenchmen. The Illinois, were regarded as of of little use, where the utmost simplicity of manimmense importance; the attention of the nation was ners prevailed, and every one knew how far to conturned towards them, and notwithstanding the fai- fide in his neighbor. In such a state of things, to lure of Law's project, this remote colony flourish- what end are learning and science? The schools ed surprisingly. Besides Kaskaskia, which became were few, they were merely taught to read and write, a rich and considerable town, there were several and a little arithmetic. The number of those who large villages, a lucrative fur trade was carried were lovers of knowledge, or had made any profici on, and an extensive agriculture. These settle ency was small. From the habits of these people, ments sent to New Orleans, in one year, (1746) it would naturally be expected, that they would have eight hundred thousand weight of flour. But, at been little accustomed to reason on political subjects. this time there was not one permanent establish- These inhabitants, were as remarkable for their tame ment on the west side of the Mississippi; although and peaceable disposition, as the natives of France resorted to by traders, and the lead mines known are for the reverse. and worked. Twenty-five or thirty years after the Amongst their virtues, we may enumerate, hones. failure of Law's scheme, when the French govern- ty and punctuality in their dealings, hospitality to ment, with something more substantial in view, had strangers, friendship and affection amongst relatives formed the plan of securing the immense and fer- and neighbors. Instances of abandonment on the fetile valley of the Mississippi, and of connecting it male side, or of seduction are extremely rare. The with Canada, immense sums of money were expend-women make faithful and affectionate wives, but will ed. Fort Chartres, which is said to have cost the not consent to be considered secondary personages crown nine millions of livres, was built, and the in the matrimonial association. The advice of the village of Fort de Chartres rose by its side. But, wife, is taken on all important as well as on less such alas! are the reverses to which the affairs of weighty concerns, and she generally decides. nien are subject, the village has disappeared for- In opposition to these virtues it must be said, that ever, and the fort is but a noble ruin The post was they were devoid of public spirit, of enterprize or deemed an important one, at which there was sta- ingenuity, and were indolent and uninformed. tioned an officer of high rank with a suitable com- They are catholics, but very far from being bigotmand. Much of the elegance and refinement of the ed or superstitious, as some travellers have said.officers; was communicated to the susceptible inha-They have been more justly charged with a neglect bitants. of their priests. They were however strict observThe war between France and England which ers of the rules and discipline of their church, and broke out about the year 1754, deprived France of of all the different holy days in the calender. Their her possessions in this part of the world. In conse: fetes were considered as the most interesting occaquence of this, filinois, experienced a sudden and sions; they doubtless contributed much to their so*Pernsps the same with Quis-quisque, near which happiness. Of late this attention to the cere a party of the aortunate expedition of Hernandes de Soto, were defeated and almost destroyed, about the year 1539. A tradition prevailed amongst the Kaskaskians, of their having destroyed the first white men they had ever seca monies of their religion is much relaxed, since other objects of pursuit and interest have been opened to their view. The Catholic worship, is the only one yet known in the territory, excepting in private faindies, and in a few instances of itinerant preachers possessed of numerous herds, the churn was not useti they made butter by beating the cream in a bowl, of shaking it in a bottle. Amongst the ancient inhabitants, there could not properly be said to have been more than two classes, the wealthy or intelligent, and those with out education or property. But they all associated, Their amusements were cards, billiards, ar dressed alike, and frequented the same ball room.-- dances; this last of course the favorite. The danThey were in fact nearly all connected by the ties of ces were cotillions, reels and sometimes the minuet. affinity or consanguinity: for so extensive is this During the carnaval the balls follow in rapid succes connection, that I have seen the carnaval, from the sion. They have a variety of pretty customs, con death of some common relation, pass by cheerless, [nected with their favorite amusement. Children and unheeded. The number of characters ex-also, have their balls, and are taught from infancy a cluded from society was exceedingly small.- propriety and decorum of behavior highly pleasing. What an inducement to comfort ones self with ci- They learn a certain ease and freedom of address, cumspection and propriety! the same interest at and are taught the secret of real politeness, selfstake, the same sentiments, that in other countries derial; but which by the apes of French manners, is influence the first classes of society were here felt mistaken for an affected grimace of complaisant re by all its members. Unhappily the strugglers in gard, and a profusion of bows, scrapes and profesthe cause of virtue are faint, when there is no prosions. pect of a reward from our fellow men; and to vield Their language, every thing considered, is much is little dreaded when the loss is small, for we value more pure than could be expected; their manner of ourselves according to the estimation of the world. lengthening the sound of words, although languid, How many from having been unjustly despised, have and without the animation which the French usualbecome truly despicable, and how many from un-y possess, is by no means disagreeable. It is more. merited praise have been formed into the most valu-soft than the European French, but is very differable characters! ent from the language of the Creoles of the islands. Their wealth, consisted, principally, in personal They have some provincialisms, and some words property; lands were of a secondary value exceptare in use, which in France have become obsolete, when improved. Slaves were regarded in the light but in general, the French language is well spoken. of bien sonciere, or real property, and in fact, the The ancient inhabitants are far from being deficient highest species. Plate and money, the representa- in understanding; their minds are quick and sprighttive of wealth, and generally considered a very goodly. one, and merchandize occupied the next place.Lead and peltry, were frequently used in the place of a circulating medium. cans. In their persons, they are well formed, of an a greeable, pleasant, countenance; indicating cheerfulness and serenity. Their dress was formerly There was little variety in the employments of extremely simple; the men wore a blanket coat, or the inhabitants. The more enterprising and weal- of coarse cloth or coating, with a cap behind in thy, were the traders, with exclusive privilege of place of the cape, which could be drawn over the trading to a particular nation, or section of country, head; from which circumstance it was called a and at the same time kept a small stock of goods at capot; it was made something like a frock coat.their houses, for the accommodation of the inhabi-They wore a blue handkerchief on their heads; no tants, but not in open shops or stores as in the U-shoes, and seldom any stockings; moccasins were nited States. There were no tayiors or shoema- used by both sexes, and hats were rarely seen. The kers; such as pursue these occupations, are Ameri- dress of the ladies was likewise simple, and the va The few mechanics, principally carpenters riations of fashion were few: they were however and smiths, who exercised their trades, scarcely de-dressed in a much better taste than the other sex.—— served the name. The lead mines I have already ob- Yet, these manners will soon cease to exist but in served, engaged a considerable number. The go- remembrance and description: every thing has chanvernment gave employment to very few, excepting ged. The American costume is generally intro at St. Louis. By far the greater proportion was en-duced, among the more genteel. I never saw any gaged in agriculture: in fact it was the business of where greater elegance of dress than I have at a ball all, since the surplus produce of the country was in St. Louis. We still see a few of both sexes in too inconsiderable to be depended upon. A num- their ancient habiliments; capots, moccasins, blue ber of the young men embraced the employment of handkerchief on the head, a pipe in the mouth, and boatmen, which was by no means disreputable.-a long queue behind. It was a desirable thing for a young fellow to The condition of their slaves, when comparet have it in his power to say, that he had made a voyage in this capacity. They took a pride in their occupation, as if it afforded a field for generous ambition. They certainly possess great dexterity as oarsmen. with most countries, where slavery is tolerated, is not hard or severe. Their labor is not great, or painful, they are allowed many privileges, and are well clothed and fed. [Better information satisfies me that this encomium is unmerited.] -Adductis spumant fretaversa lacertis. Infin- The government of the province, though a mix dunt pariter sulcos; totamque dehisset convatsum re-ture of the civil and military, was not complicated. is rostrisque tridentibus æquor. Each distrist had its commandant, and the smaller But this occupation amongst many other changes villages or settlements their syndics. They were has been reduced to the same footing as with the A-the judges in civil matters under a certain amount, mericans. It is true the greater part of those who and the captains of the militia. These were ap followed this employment, were little more respect-pointed by the governor at New Orleans, to whom able than the same class in all countries; but the cir- there was an appeal from their decisions, and to cumstance of their being engaged in it was not suf- whom were referred such matters as exceeded their ficient to exclude them from bails or respectable so-jurisdiction. Arbitration, under the direction of cieties, and on such occasions they conducted them-the commandant, had in some degree the effect of selves with the utmost propriety. obviating his want of authority. A party cou There were no domestic inanufactures. The spin-plaining obtained a notification from the commandning wheel and the loom were alike unknown. So ant to his adversary, of the complaint and comdeficient were they in this respect, that, although mand to render him justice; if dis had not the |