Bill, the Fishery Salt Bill, the Stale Bread Bill, the Standard Wheaten Bread Bill, to which the Affize was to be affixed by way of Rider, the Turnpike Act Bill, the Expiring Laws Bill, the Quarantine Amended Bill; which were read, and paffed. Adjourned to MONDAY, DEC. 29.

A Meffage was received from the Lords, ftating, that their Lordships had agreed to the Exchequer Loan Bill, the Bread Bill, and a confiderable number of other Bills, public and private.

A variety of fums were then voted for the ufual expences of the Legisla ture, as is customary at the conclufion of each Seffions, all of which were agreed to.

Mr. Nichols gave notice that he intended to move an Addrefs to-morrow to his Majefty on the important fubject of the restoration of the bleffings of peace.

Mr. Long brought up the Report of the Committee for regulating the bounty on flour imported.

When the feveral Refolutions were read a first time, the purport of which was, arranging the qualities of flour imported in three divifions, firits, feconds, and thirds, and conftituting the bounties on each at an average of 100, 90, and 78 fhillings the quarter current price, making thereby the proportion of average bounties at 40, 30, and 18 fhillings the quarter,

Mr. Jones faid, he hoped that the measures adopted would tend to the reduction of the price of bread; but, from fad experience, he was obliged to fay, that every effort made by Parliament tended to raife it, and no profpect appeared of its reduction, for he had

good authority to fay, that Government was in poffeffion of documents fufficient to fhew, that we were once more com mencing one of the most bloody campaigns that occurred fince the commencement of the war.

The Committee on the India Judica. ture Bill was appointed.

TUESDAY, DEC. 30.

At four o'clock the Speaker counted the Houfe; and there being present only twenty-five Members, an adjournment took place until

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31.

Mr. Nichols rofe, and, after a fhort prefatory fpeech, moved an Address to his Majefty, praying that he would be graciously pleafed to use his best means and endeavours to obtain and accomplith a fpeedy and honourable peace.

The Motion being feconded, the Houfe divided; when there appeared for the Motion, 1; against it, 42: majority, 41.

Mr. Windham prefented accounts of the number of men employed, enlifted, killed, wounded, and miffing, fince the commencement of the war. He obferved, that thofe accounts were rather in a crude ftate, from the nature of them, and efpecially from the circumftance of the difficulty of delivering them correctly, when it was known that they must be made up by perfons unaccuftomed to fuch matters. They were ordered to be printed.

Here the Speaker and the Houfe, on fummons from his Majefty, went to the Hqufe of Peers; and on his return, as is customary, read his Majefty's Speech at the Table. [See page 52.]

And thus ended the last Seffion of the Parliament of Great Britain.

AMERICAN CONGRESS.

ON N the 22d of November, the Prehdent of the United States met both Houfes in the new city of Washington, and, being feated in the Senate Cham ber, delivered the following Speech:

"Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, Immediately after the adjournment of Congrefs, at their laft Seffion in Philadelphia, I gave directions, in compliance with the laws, for the removal

of the public offices, records, and pro perty. Thefe directions have been executed, and the public officers have fince refided and conducted the ordinary bufinefs of the Government in this place. I congratulate the people of the United States on the affembling of Congrefs at the permanent feat of their Government, and I congratulate you, Gentlemen, on the profpect of a refidence not to be changed. Although there is caufe to apprehend that acommodations are not now fo

complete

thofe improvements, which may have been fuggefted by experience, be more beneficially applied.-A treaty of amity and commerce with the King of Pruffia has been concluded and ratified. The ratifications have been exchanged, and I have directed the treaty to be promulgated by proclamation. The difficulties which fufpended the execution of the 6th article of our treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation with Great Britain, have not yet been removed. The negotiation on this fub-' ject is ftill depending. As it must be for the intereft and honour of both nations to adjust this difference with good faith, I indulge confidently the expectation, that the fincere endeavours of the Government of the United States to bring it to an ami. cable termination, will not be difappointed. The Envoys Extraordinary, and Minifters Plenipotentiary from the United States to France, were received by the First Conful with that respect due to their character, and three per-. fons with equal powers were appointed to treat with them. Although at the date of the last official intelligence the negotiation had not terminated, yet it is to be hoped that our efforts to effect an accommodation will at length meet with a fuccefs proportioned to the fincerity with which they have been fo often repeated.-While our best endeavours for the prefervation of harmony with all nations will continue to be used, the experience of the world

complete as might be wifhed, yet there is great reafon to believe that this inconvenience will ceafe with the prefent feffion.-It would be unbecoming the Reprefentatives of this Nation to affemble, for the first time, in this folemn temple, without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the Univerfe, and imploring his bleffing. May this territory be the refidence of virtue and happiness! In this city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that conftancy and self-government, which adorned the great character whofe name it bears, be for ever held in veneration! Here, and throughout our country, may fimple manners, pure morals, and true religion, flourish for ever! It is with you, Gentlemen, to confider whether the local powers over the district of Columbia, vefted by the Conftitution in the Congress of the United States, fhall be immediately exercised. If, in your opinion, this important truft ought now to be executed, you cannot fail, while performing it, to take into view the future probable fituation of the territory, for the happiness of which you are about to provide. You will confider it as the capital of a great nation, advancing with unexampled rapidity in arts, in commerce, in wealth, and in population, and poffeffing within itself thofe energies and refources, which, if not thrown away, or lamentably mifdirected, fecure to it a long courfe of profperity and felfgovernment. In compliance with a Law of the laft Seffion of Congress, the officers and foldiers of the temporary army have been discharged. It affords real pleasure to recollect the honourable teftimony they gave of the patriotic motives which brought them into the fervice of their country, by the readiness and regularity with which they returned to the ftation of private citizens. It is, in every point of view, of fuch primary importance to carry the laws into prompt and faithful execution, and to render that part of the adminiftration of justice, which the Conftitution and laws devolve on the federal courts, as convenient to the people, as may confift with their prefent circumftances, that I cannot omit once more to recommend to your ferious confideration the judiciary fyf tem of the United States. No fubject is more interesting than this to the public happinefs, and to none can

our own experience-admonish us of the infecurity of trusting too confidently to their fuccefs. We cannot, without committing a dangerous imprudence, abandon those measures of felf-protection, which are adapted to our fituation, and to which, notwith. ftanding our pacific policy, the violence and injuftice of others may again compel us to refort. While our vast extent of fea-coait, the commercial and agricultural habits of our people, the great capital they will continue to truft on the ocean, fugged the fyftem of de. fence which will be most beneficial to ourselves our diftance from Europe, and our refource for maritime strength, will enable us to employ it with effect. Seafonable and fyftematic arrangements, fo far as our refources will justify, for a navy adapted to defenfive war, and which may, in case of neceffity, be quickly brought into use, feem to be as much recommended by a

wife and true economy, as by a juft re. gard for our future tranquillity, for the fafety of our fhores, and for the protection of our property committed to the ocean. The prefent Navy of the United States, called fuddenly into existence by a great national exigency, has railed us in our own efteen, and by the protection af. forded to our commerce has effected, to the extent of our expectations, the objects for which it was created. In connexion with a Navy, ought to be contemplated the fortification of fome of our principal fea ports and harbours. A variety of confiderations, which will readily fuggeft themiclves, urge an attention to this mea. fure of precaution. To give fecurity to our principal ports, confiderable tums have already been expended; but the works remain incomplete. It is for Congrefs to determine whether additional appropriations fhall be made, in order to render competent to the intended purposes the fortifications which have been commenced. The manufacture of arms within the United States ftill invites the attention of the National Legislature. At a confiderable expence to the public, this manufactory has been brought to fuch a ftate of maturity, as, with continued encouragement, will fuperfede the neceffity of future importations from foreign

countries.

happy; if all enjoy in fafety, under the protection of laws emanating only from the general will, the fruits of their own labour, we ought to fortify and cling to thofe inftitutions, which have been the fource of fuch real felicity, and refift, with unabating perfeverance, the progrefs of thofe dangerous innovations, which may diminish their influence. To your patriotifm, Gentlemen, has been confided the honourable duty of guarding the public interefts; and while the past is to your country a fure pledge that it will be faithfully difcharged, permit me to affure you, that your labours to promote the general happiness will receive from me the most zealous co-operation."

PRISONERS OF WAR.

IN confequence of many ill-founded and mifchievous reports refpecting the treatment of the French prifoners in England, Government have printed and circulated a variety of papers, proving, that they have behaved with the utmost attention and humanity towards the un-> fortunate victims of the calamities of war. We have never fufpected Minifters of having been guilty of any improper conduct in this refpect; we wish the French Government was equally blameless. The Tranfport Board deferve great praise for their anxiety to render the situation of the French prifoners as comfortable as poffible.

The correspondence opens with a letter from Lords Spencer and Arden, and Admiral Gambier, to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas, in confequence of a letter tranfmitted to them by the Commiffioners of the Tranfport Service, from Captain Cotes at Paris, ftating that the French Government would take charge of the Englifh prifoners in France from the 11th December, 1799.

alluded to: The following is Capt. Cotes's letter

(No. 3.)

GENTLEMEN,

Paris, Dec., 1799.

obliges me to confine myfelf to one object, that of communicating to you a circumftance of much importance, which has just taken place.

The

The Minifter of the Exterior having, by note, expreffed his wish to fee me, I waited upon him, and learned that, in confequence of orders from the Confuls, he had to inform me that the French Government would take charge of the English prifoners in France from the 1ft of the next Decade (the 11th inftant), and that the English were to provide for the French prifoners in England. I endeavoured to expofe to him the impoffibility of fuch an event taking place; firft, from the nature of the contracts lately entered into for the maintenance of the prifoners, and next, from the fhortnefs of time, which would not admit of my receiving any directions from you, from whofe authority alone I was empowered to act. He replied, that fuch were the orders of the Confuls, and that I must enter into details with M. Bonjour, the Chief of the fixth divifion for the prifoners of war.

Under these circumstances I have, Gentlemen, thought proper to write to the Minifter to-day, informing him that I could not look upon the communication. I had the honour to receive from him yesterday as official, and that a written authority could alone conftitute it fo; that I muft neceffarily fubmit to the orders that were to be given, but that I would by no means confent to receive them without the approbation of my Government; and, further, that, as your agent, I would never fubmit to receive any orders that did not emanate from it.

Thus the bufinefs ftands at prefent, and you will, no doubt, Gentlemen, fee the neceffity of adopting speedy measures, and furnishing me with your directions for my future conduct in this affair with out delay.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) JAMES COTES.

To the Commiffioners for the
Transport Service.

No. 4. is a letter from the Duke of Portland to the Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty, informing their Lordfhips his Grace had laid Capt. Cotes' letter before the King-attributes the departure from the arrangement to the French Government; and protefts againit fuch departure from an agreement which tended to mitigate the calamities of war; orders Captain Cotes to be instructed to afcertain exactly the rate of daily allowance made to each man by the French Government; and should any difference

exift between fuch allowance, and what was iffued by him under the late arrangement, defires that fuch difference may be fupplied at the expence of this Government refpecting French prifoners on parole in this country, they are to have the fame rations of provifions, from the date of the French ceafing to fupply them, as they had before the late arrange ment.-Clothing to be furnished by the French Government.-In order that the real grounds of the change may not be mifreprefented or mistaken, his Grace defires his letter should be communicated to Niou, the then French agent.

No. 5 and 6. Letters from Niou refpecting the measures then taking by the Confuls of France, in order to carry into effect their refolution, and enclosing the decree of the Confuls of the French Re public on that subject.

No direct answer was given to M. Niou's letters; the intentions of Government, as stated in the Duke of Portland's letter, having been conveyed to him through the Commiffioners of the Transport Service, by whom he was, at the fame time, informed that no official communication from him refpecting prisoners could be received through any other chan nel.

No. 10. Letter from Commiffioners of Tranfport to M. Otto, ftating pernicious practices among the French prifoners in Norman-Cross Prifon, many of whom, having money, purchale at the daily mar ket whatever is allowed to enter, and with thofe articles they alfo purchase of other prisoners their whole ration of bread for fome days together, which they again fell at an ufurious price, allowing the unfortunate prisoner one balf-penny worth of potatoes daily: cloaths and bedding are alfo purchafed in the fame manner, and the poor victims of this injurious traffic are left to lie naked on the planks, unless they will content to allow the merchant one halfpenny a night to lay in his own hammock, and which he makes them pay by a further deprivation of their rations when the original debt is paid. Captain Woodriff, by whom this report had been made to the Commiffioners, adds, that the origin of the distress complained of by the prisoners will be found among themselves, it having been daily detected by him, and punished feverely, but without the defired effect.

him to prevent the calamitous confequences which must enfue, if the French Government do not cause a supply to be given them.

(No. 18.) Tranfport-Office, 11th Sept. 1800.

SIR,

We inclofe, for your information, a copy of letter which we have this day received from Mr. Holmwood, the agent for prifoners of war at Portchester, and alfo a copy of the one therein referred to from feveral French prifoners confined at that place, stating that they are in a very miferable condition from the want of clothing.

We cannot pass this opportunity without again recommending to your mott ferious attention the abflute neceffity that there is of caufing fome clothing to be diftributed among the French pri

foners without delay.

We are, &c,

(Signed)

M. Olto.

RUPERT GEORGE. AMBROSE SERLE JOSEPH HUNT.,

You have fo often, and fo generously, given us proofs of your feelings for our unfortunate fituation, that we believe we may implore, through you, a relief the more urgent, as it becomes indifpenfable, It cannot be neceffary to lay before vou a minute picture of the ftate of nakednefs to which we are reduced; a ftate the more deplorable, as our debilitated bodies are the more fufceptible of the feverity of the featon, and the want of repofe.

The many fufferings we endure from the total want of clothing, and other neceffaries of this kind, are already fo well known to you, that there can be

I have received the letter which you did me the honour of writing yesterday, in order to inform me that the reports from your agents at the depôts continue to reprefent, in the most urgent manner, the neceffity of providing clothing for the French prifoners of war, before the commencement of the fevere weather which may be immediately expected.

I can only deeply lament the deplorable fituation to which thefe unfortunate men are reduced, and my own inability to provide clothing for them without having received the neceffary orders and inftructions from my Government to enable me to defray the expence. I fhall not fail, however, again to represent to the French Government the urgent wants of our prifoners, and to recommend to it to adopt in its wildom fuch meatures as the circumftances may appear to require.

I mult nevertheless obferve to you, that the French Government, having undertaken to clothe all the prifoners whom the chance of war has thrown into its hands, had reafon to expect a reciprocal attention on the part of Great Britain; and although the prifoners now detained in France are not exactly Englith, neverthelels they belong to powers in alliance with his Majefty. You will perceive, from the copy of the inclofed arreté, that thefe prifoners are provided with clothing at the expence of the French Government.

I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed).

OTTO. On