the increase which has unavoidably taken place in different branches of my expenditure. "I must also return you my warmest thanks for the extensive provision which you have made for the exigencies of the public service, and especially for the just and prudent attention which you have shewn to true economy, and to the permanent credit and welfare of the country, by the great exertions you have made for preventing, as far as possible, the accumulation of debt, and for raising so large a proportion of the expences of the war within the year." "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I have now only to recommend to you to carry into your respective counties the same zeal for the public interest which has guided all your proceedings. It will be your particular duty to inculcate on the minds of all classes of my subjects, that the preservation of all that is most dear to them requires the continuance of their unremitted exertions for the national defence. "The preparations which the enemy has long been forming, for the declared purpose of invading this kingdom, are daily augmented; and the attempt appears to have been delayed only with the view of procuring additional means for carrying it into execution. "Relying on the skill, valour, and discipline of my naval and military force, aided by the voluntary zeal and native courage of my people, I look with confidence to the issue of this great conflict; and, I doubt not, that it will terminate, under the blessing of Providence, not only in repelling the danger of the moment, but in establishing, in the eyes of foreign nations, the security of this country on a basis never to be shaken. "In addition to this first and great object, I entertain the animating hope, that the benefits to be derived from our successful exertions will not be confined within ourselves; but that, by their example, and their consequences, they may lead to the re-establishment of such a system in Europe, as may rescue it from the precarious state to which it is reduced; and, finally raise an effectual barrier against the unbounded schemes of aggrandizement and ambition which threaten every independent nation that yet remains on the continent." Then the lord chancellor, by his majesty's command, said, 46 My Lords and Gentlemen, "It is his majesty's royal will and pleasure, that this parliament be prorogued to Tuesday, the 4th day of September next, to be then here holden, and this parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the 4th day of September next." A circumstance altogether unprecedented, at least during the reign of his present majesty, occurred in the delivery of the speech, which did not, however, produce any embarrassment. The king passed over two paragraphs. The omission is thus accounted for---the speech is always written out for the king in a large text, on account of his short sight, and, being long, it occupied seven or eight leaves of paper. In reading it, his majesty turned over two leaves, which stuck together, instead of one, and thus left out the two para graphs. SVOL. XVIII. DOMESTIC EVENTS. GENERAL HAMILTON. The New York Papers, received on the 22d ult. are almost entirely filled with particulars relating to the death of Qeneral Hamilton, killed in a duel near New York, by Colonel Burr, Vice President of the United States, which has diffused a general gloom over every part of the American Continent where intel. ligence of it had been received. That unfortunate catastrophe, which has torn from the State of New York one of its most distinguished characters, appears to have deeply interested the feelings of the inhabitants, not only of that particular province, but of the contiguous States. The following is a correct account of the duel: Colonel Burr arrived first on the ground, as had been previously agreed on: when General Hamilton arrived, the parties exchanged salutations, and the seconds proceeded to make their arrangements. They measured the distance, tea full paces, and cast lots for the choice of position, as also to determine by whom the word should be given, both of which fell to the second of General Hamilton, They then proceeded to load the pistols in each other's presence, after which the parties took their stations. The gentleman who was to give the word, then explained to the parties the rules, which were as follow:---" The parties being placed at their stations, the second, who gives the word, shall ask them whe ther they are ready. Being answered in the affirmative, he shall say, present," after this, the parties shall present and fire when they please. If one fires before the other, the opposite second shall say, one, two, three--fire;' and he shall then fire, or lose his fire." He then asked if they were prepared, being answered in the affirmative, he gave the word "present," as was agreed on; both parties presented; and fired in succession, the intervening time is not expressed, as the seconds do not precisely agree on that point. The fire of Colonel Burr took effect, and General Hamilton almost instantly fell; Colonel Burr then advanced towards General Hamilton with a manner and gesture that appeared to General Hamilton's friend to be expressive of regret, but without speaking, turned about, and withdrew, being urged from the field by his friend, with a view to prevent his being recognized by the surgeon and bargemen, who were then approaching. This unfortunate conflict was occasioned, in the first instance, by a pamphlet published by Dr. Cooper, in which is the following passage: «General Hamil→ ton and Dr. Kent say, they consider Colonel Burr as a dangerous man, and one unfit to be trusted with the reins of government." In another place, Dr. Cooper says, "General Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr opinions still more despicable." This latter passage chiefly excited the resentment of Colonel Burr, who sent his friend with a letter to General Hamilton, in which he demands " a prompt and unqualified acknowledgment, or denial, of the expression which could justify this inference on the part of Dr. Cooper." General Hamilton, in his answer, admits the first statement, the language of which, he contends, comes fairly within the bounds prescribed in cases of political animosity. With respect to the demand made by Colonel Burr, in the second instance, his objection to it is, that it is too vague and indefinite, as calling upon him to retrace every con versation which he had held, either publicly or confidentially, in the course of fifteen years of opposition, and to contradict that which, very possibly, might have escaped his memory.---If any thing more definite should be proposed, he expresses his willingness to give Colonel Burr all due satisfaction.---Colonel Burr, in his reply, insists upon a general retraction, and says, it is no matter to him whether his honour has been attacked loudly or in whispers, and he therefore perseveres in his original demand. General Hamilton rejoins by calling for something more defined, and refuses either a general denial or general acknowledgment. After a long correspondence, in which the language is a little varied, but the points at issue are the same, the parties met. It appears that, from scruples of a religious nature, General Hamilton had determined not to return Colonel Burr's first fire, but that, on his receiving the shock of a mortal wound, his pistol went off, involuntarily on his part, and without being aimed at Colonel Burr. This statement being denied by the opposite party, search was made for the ball, which was found lodged in a cedar tree, at the height of eleven feet and a half, fourteen paces from the place where General Hamilton stood, and more than four feet out of the line of direction between the parties. This circumstance appears to us to be conclusive as to the intention of the unfortunate deceased. The particulars of General Hamilton's funeral are too minute and numerous for us to copy, but it appears that he was attended to the grave by all the Public Bodies, Civil and Military Authorities, and respectable private associations in New York. General meetings of all ranks and classes, professions and trades, whatever was venerable in the Church, or dignified and respectable at the Bar, of opulent merchants and poor hard-toiling mechanics, have been convened for the purpose of adopting the most proper measures to express their grief, and to testify their sense of the esteem and affection in which he was held. Funeral discourses have been pronounced over his grave, and the clergy of all persuasions have, by public request, delivered sermons against duelling. It is intended to erect monuments to him in various parts, and his unhappy widow has received letters of condolence from many public bodies. As a part of the funeral ceremony, and before the body was committed to the grave, Mr. Morris, the Governor of New York, from a stage erected in the portico of Trinity Church, pronounced to the immense concourse in front an extemporary funeral oration. Four of the sons of General Hamilton, the eldest about sixteen, and the youngest about six years old, accompanied him; and the effect of his manly oratory, while encircled by the sons, is described as irresistibly impressive upon the feelings of the multitude who listened to it. We are happy to find it mentioned, with much apparent satisfaction, that the English packet the Lord Charles Spencer, and the Boston frigate, lying at Sandy Hook, paid their tribute of respect to the memory of a man so much esteemed by his fellow Citizens, by wearing their colours half-mast high, and firing minute guns during the procession. The following paper, in the hand-writing of General Hamilton, was enclosed with his will and some other papers in a packet addressed to one of his executors, which was of course not to have been delivered, but in case of the melancholy event that has happened. As it contains his motives and reflections on the causes that have led to this fatal catastrophe, it is deemed proper to communicate it to the public. On my expected interview with Colonel Burr, I think it proper to make some remarks explanatory of my conduct, motives, and views. sons. I was certainly desirous of avoiding this interview, for the most cogeut rea 1. My religious and moral principles are strongly opposed to the practice of duelling, and it would ever give me pain to be obliged to shed the blood of a fellow creature, in a private combat, forbidden by the laws. 2. My wife and children are extremely dear to me, and my life is of the utmost importance to them, in various views. 3. I feel a sense of obligation towards my creditors; who, in case of accident to me, by the forced sale of my property, may be in some degree sufferers. I did not think myself at liberty, as a man of probity, lightly to expose them to this hazard. 4. I am conscious of no ill-will to Colonel Burr, distinct from political opposition, which, as I trust, has proceeded from pure and upright motives. Lastly, I shall hazard much, and can possibly gain nothing, by the issue of the interview. But it was, as I conceive, impossible for me to avoid it. There were intrinsic difficulties in the thing, and artificial embarrassments, from the manner of proceeding on the part of Colonel Burr. Intrinsic, because it is not to be denied, that my animadversions on the political principles, character, and views of Colonel Burr, have been extremely severe; and, on different occasions, I, in common with many others, have made very unfavourable criticisms on particular instances of the private conduct of this gentleman. In proportion as these impressions were entertained with sincerity, and utter ed with motives and for purposes which might appear to me commendable, would be the difficulty (until they could be removed by evidence of their being erroneous) of explanation or apology. The disavowal required of me by Colonel Burr, in a general and indefinite form, was out of my power, if it had really been proper for me to submit to be so questioned; but I was sincerely of opinion this could not be, and in this opinion I was confirmed by that of a very moderate and judicious friend whom I consulted. Besides that, Colonel Burr appeared to assume, in the first instance, a tone unnecessarily peremptory and menacing, and in the second, positively offensive. Yet I wished, as far as might be practicable, to leave a door open to accommodation. This, I think, will be inferred from the written communications made by me and my direction, and would be confirmed by the conversations between Mr. Van Ness and myself, which arose out of the subject. I am not sure whether, under all the circumstances, I did not go farther in the attempt to accommodate than a punctilious delicacy will justify. If so, I hope the motives I have stated will excuse me. It is not my design, by what I have said, to affix any odium on the conduct of Colonel Burr, in this case: he doubtless has heard of animadversions of mine which bore very hard upon him; and it is probable that, as usual, they were accompanied with some falsehood. He may have supposed himself under a neces sity of acting as he has done. I hope the grounds of proceeding have been such as ought to satisfy his own conscience. I trust, at the same time, that the world will do me the justice to believe, that I have not censured him on light grounds, nor from unworthy inducements. I certainly have had strong reasons for what I may have said, though it is possible that, in some particulars, I may have been influenced by misconstruction or misinformation. It is also my ardent wish that I may have been more mistaken than I think I have been, and that he, by the same future conduct, may shew himself worthy of all confidence and esteem, and prove an ornament and blessing to the country. As well because it is impossible that I may have injured Colonel Burr, however convinced myself that my opinions and declarations have been well-founded, as from my general principles and temper in relation to similar affairs---I have resolved, if our interview is conducted in the usual manner, and it pleases God to give me the opportunity to reserve and throw away my first fire, and I have thoughts even of reserving my second fire---and thus giving a double opportunity for Colonel Burr to pause and to refiect. It is not, however, my intention to enter into any explanations on the ground. Apology, from principle, I hope, rather than pride, is out of the ques tion. To those who, with me, abhorring the practice of duelling, may think that I ought on no account to have added to the number of bad examples, I answer that my relative situation, as well in public as private, enforcing all the considerations which constitute what men of the world denominate honour, imposed on me (as I thought) a peculiar necessity not to decline the call. The ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or effecting good in those crises of our public affairs, which seem likely to happen, would probably be inseparable from a conformity with public prejudice in this particular. A. H. The following is a statement of the quantity of table beer brewed by the first twelve houses in London, for the last two years, ending the 5th of July each year: |