CHAPTER VII.

Observations upon the Alien and Sedition Bills.... Arrestment of Dr. Smith and Mr. Burk....Origin of Dr. Smith's acquaintance with Mr. Adams.... Trial of Colonel Mathew Lyon....Barbarous treatment towards French prisoners....Case of Joseph Ball and others.

THE Alien and Sedition bills were acts, for the passing of which Mr. Adams deserves to be dragged and impeached before the bar of the Senate; nor will Congress perform their duty to the

DEAR SIR,

(No. III.)

Philadelphia, January 29, 1796.

I send you a copy of the bill for the sale of lands in the NorthWestern Territory; it would be well for Mr. Morton to publish it, that any persons may be at liberty to make such remarks, either by letters to members, or otherwise, as suggeft themselves. Has Capt. Waddell sailed, and did he sail before the receipt of my letters? It is possible that the publication of the inclosed bill, on Monday, may so affect the market for warrants, as to raise them on Monday evening. I wish, therefore, you would write to me by Tuesday's mail. If your broker should be offered more than 52 dollars in cash, or in proportion for thirty or sixty days, you may direct him to make engagements for 200 warrants, or 20,000 acres, to be delivered in eight days; or you can probably borrow them from Capt. Watson, or some other friend, until I can send them from this place. Your attention to this will oblige your friend, &c. JONA. D.

FRANCIS CHILDS, Esq.

people, if they suffer such an infringement of their rights to pass unnoticed. The rebellion of Fries, or the outrages committed by the western mob, were not such flagrant violations of the Constitution (No. IV.)

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, February 5, 1796.

In consequence of the great scarcity of cash, it may perhaps be more beneficial to make sale of the warrants upon credit. I wish the first payment of four thousand dollars to fall due the thirtieth of March, and the residue at such convenient times thereafter as may accommodate the purchaser. I expect an opportunity in one or two days to send forwards the two hundred warrants, as I shall want a supply of money in a few days beyond what I have at command. I would consent to your taking for one third or one half of them, fifty dollars in cash, if you cannot get more, as they have been sold in New-York for seventy-five dollars 'on a year's credit. It is best to request your agent to ask high enough for them, and to know from any persons offering to purchase, what they will give.

A company has formed itself here, which will absorb 16 or 1800 land warrants, amounting to 160 or 180,000 acres. I have desired Mr. Meeker to sign, in name of J. H. Lawrence and Co. such number of shares as amount to 30,000 acres, payable in warrants. If you or he wish to come in, it is so arranged that you can come in for a part of the 30,000, after the plan of the association and its objects are made known to you. Write to me by the next mail, and believe me yours,

MR. CHILDS.

with esteem,

J. D.

(No. V.)

Philadelphia, Feb. 9, 1796.

DEAR SIR,

I have received your's of yesterday, and agreeably to my promise transmit you herewith a copy of the bill reported by the committee, for locating military land warrants. Is it necessary Dd

of the United States, as those unwarrantable deeds. I do not mean to perplex the reader with a tedious argument upon a subject which has already been so fully discussed; divine inspiration itself, could hardly throw a new light upon it.

that I should send you the warrants before I have information that you have stipulated for their sale? as in case you fail I should wish to have them here, to take advantage of any sudden favorable offer in this place. If, however, you think it advisable, I will forward them by the first good opportunity, although the one which I expected by Mr. Ogden has failed, he having returned from Trenton home without visiting us as he had proposed. What terms have been offered you for the warrants in cash or on time? The enclosed bill may be printed if you think best. Yours with esteem,

J. D. P. S. Do you know whether James Watson still holds his warrants?

F. CHILDS, Esq.

(No. VI.)

Philadelphia, Feb. 10, 1796.

DEAR SIR,

I have this moment received your's of yesterday, and approve of the sale at 50 dollars for the whole 200. A good opportunity must be sought for transmitting them to you. I will thank you to inform me on what day you must have them, so that if a good conveyance does not previously offer, I must send a person purposely with them to reach you within the time. The payment in 10 or 15 days will answer my purpose well, provided you are certain of a compliance at that time, and the warrants are only to be delivered at the moment of payment. You will please to employ the money as you propose for me, if to be done safely and to great advantage. I have fifty more which I would sell at 55 dollars for 60 days to Mr. M. if he can give you a good endorser....perhaps John Stites. Inform me the day I must send

The 9th Sect. of Art. 1. of the Constitution, proves, in a sufficient manner, the illegality of the Alien bill. "The migration or importation," says that clause," of such persons as any of the States

them, and what can be had in cash or on credit, when you write me. I am holder of a very large quantity, which higher prices alone can tempt me to sell; do you know who are the buyers generally in your market?

The charters you request, shall be procured and sent.

Mr. Benjamin Williamson is now here, and will leave this place on Wednesday morning. I shall send the warrants by him, and he has promised that he will take them immediately to you in New-York, so that you may expect them on Saturday at farthest. Do not loose sight of the contract you have made, for I am aware that they will experience a temporary fall, and if you fear any disadvantage from the delay, it may be possible to borrow them; but as your letter mentions that you are to be paid in 12 or 15 days, I conclude the purchaser will think himself favored that you do not call upon him sooner. Your broker or agent would do well to enquire whether he will be ready to pay the money, and receive the warrants by Saturday, or if it is prefered, by Monday. Is it improper for you to tell me who the purchaser is? I am promised the papers which you wished to have to-day.

I have received your's of yesterday: I am of opinion that the land-office bill will pass, the difference in sentiment which occurs

now existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not ex

in debate appearing to turn principally upon the mode and system rather than upon the expedience of doing it. Warrants cannot be got here at 50....no broker or other person will engage to supply two or three hundred under sixty dollars each, but they bid no price in proportion in cash, as it is extremely scarce. I have not sold out as St. and Salt. suspect; or rather I hold more than two thirds of all I had, believing that they cannot eventually fall. I may, however, sell sixty more, but not for less than those you disposed of for me. They will, I am sure, soon rise in New-York, as they are not to be had here; and the Spanish treaty, which is arrived, and is said to have secured the navigation of the Missisippi, will give a new spring to that speculation. You will, without doubt, close the business of your wt contract as soon as possible, that you may have and employ the money to the best and carliest advantage.

Colonel Samuel Ward has probably informed you, that at his request, and to accommodate Mr. Comfort Sands, I agree to give up the bond and mortgage on the two lots, and take the note of the one, endorsed by the other for the sum. My papers are in the hands of Mr. Lawrence, to whom, with you, I have referred the business. I will thank you for your attention to it, and particularly to see that I am made secure, as you know infinitely better than I do the circumstances of the merchants or men of business. If Colonel Ward should comply with my request, and anticipate the payment of one third or one half, by giving one note payable on the thirtieth of March, and postponing the