Few house cost as much or more than a tavern bill; for one fellow brought a glove, another a hat, a third a stick, a fourth a great coat, and a fifth, if nothing else were left, would not hesitate to snatch the handkerchief, if it invitingly shewed a corner, from the unwitting stranger's pocket, purely for the disinterested satisfaction of returning it. This practice having become quite intolerable, some spirited gentlemen in spite of incendiary threats, and blood thirsty anonymous letters, did call meetings in their counties, and by general consent abolished the evil; and by way of remuneration raised their servant's wages, to their present high rate, which with the addition of board and lodging is more than equal to the pay of a subaltern officer in his Majesty's forces-whose life or limb may be every day required in the service of his country. This evil which appears to the master to be abolished, is to my certain knowledge again creeping in to some of the great houses of the nobility unknown to their hospitable owners. friends (however esteemed) choosing to incur the risk of being thought meddling or officious in the domestic affairs of another; and this fact being too cer ain to my own knowledge, I think it my duty to give it publicity. Not content, however, with such means of filling their pockets, they are as with one accord, endeavouring to create a still more odious species of exaction, as in fact, it involves a breach both of trust and honesty, and the difficulty of discovery emboldens them so far, that it is the theme of discourse at their clubs, their hops, and their occasional orgies after their unsuspecting masters have retired to rest, or are absent from home. When the period for the adjustments of the annual family accounts arrives, in too many instances, the upper servants make their demands for a per centage thereon; and, disgusting as it may seem, there are many tradesmen villainous enough to hold out baits for custom by a competition, in the extravagant amount of their bribes. Nay, Sir, the fact is scarcely attempted to be concealed, of which an instance occurred in my own family, an upper servant having given me warning forsooth, because I presumed to pay my own bills; stating, or rather mis-stating to me, that by his becoming the medium of payment, I should suffer no loss, and he would obtain a considerable advantage; an assertion so self-which it has been but too truly said is the evidently absurd, that no one but a mere drivelling ideot could for one moment give credit to it. For, can common sense suffer one to believe that an honest tradesman can afford to sell goods to the master at a fair price, where the butler or housekeeper is to partake of his profits, without sharing his labours, or experiencing his risks and possible losses.-This may be exemplified in the discourses of an eminent coal merchant and horse dealer, the former assuring me he had lost several customers, from resisting the shameful exaction of servants; who when they were not acceded to, burnt and destroyed the best coals below, and sent nothing but the refuse to the parlour and the dining room.-The latter asserted that the high de mands for horses, arose chiefly from the fees required by servants, who without a share of the booty, would abuse their horses, and get their customers away, by various pretences; and he further assured me, that he had lost the disposal of a pair of carriage horses the day before, by refusing to add on to the amount demanded, the trifling sum of one fifth to be transferred by his means from the pocket of the master to that of the coachman-Again, it is not uncommon where a liberal hospitality exists, for the head servant to keep a sort of open table for any rascally acquaintance who may have forfeited his place or his character, or by the economy of the master have been placed upon board wages. For my part, I call such acts. far worse than picking pockets; as it is blackened by breaches of trust and honesty; for, it is of little consequence which we are pilfered of, money or money's worth.-If niore instances were wanting to prove the necessity of crushing these criminal and growing evils; many might be adduced, but that enough I think has been said to create dis gust at the conduct of the pampered menial; and to excite a determination in the higher classes, to resist and repress such mal-practices; as a duty even to their servants, who from luxury and progressive acts of roguery and rapine, too frequently terminate existence by a criminal and disgraceful death on the gallows, or through the lenity of their prosecutors have their sentences mitigated, by being banished from their country as felons and male factors. I cannot, however, quit this subject without attaching blame, and a very great share of it, to the absurd fashions of the day. For now a woman who condescends to regulate the household affairs of her husband's family, becomes absolutely a butt for satire and ridicule, to the ill-judg ing, but more numerous part of her sex, severest test of truth. Nor are the masters of families to be spared from severe animadversion for taking, as is too constantly.done, servants of indifferent, characters, and in some instances without any characters what ever, an evil so great in its consequences, 'that it ought to be made actionable at com mon law, and punished as severely as a servant would be for obtaining a false character. -To you, Sir, whose time is now so usefully dedicated to the service of the public, some apology might seem necessary, were not the subject of my letter one of so much importance to the public. For I trust you will agree with me, that devising the means of repressing crimes is a duty we all owe in our several stations.- -T. S. OFFICIAL PAPERS. AMERICAN STATES-President Jeferson's Message to the Congress, dated February 3,808. red to, but refused all co-operation until the French troops should be removed from the coasts, and the ports of Germany opened to English ships. But the question here was the checking of those aggressions which England had commenced, and by which all Europe was disturbed. The emperor demanded from the King of Sweden a co-ope ration founded on treaties; b 1 Swedish Majesty answered by pepung to delay the exeention of the meaty to another period, and by troubling himself with the care of opening the Dutch ports; for England. In a word, with rendering himself of service to that England, against which measures of defence ought to have been taken. It would be difficult to find a more striking proof of partiality on the part of the King of Sweden towards Great Britain, than this which he has here given.-His Imperial Majesty, on the 16th of November, caused a second note to be delivered, in which his Swedish Ma Having received an official communication of certaia orders of the British government against ritime rights of neutrals, bearing date the 11th of November, 1807, I transmit them to Congress, as a further proof of the increasing dangers to our navi-jesty was informed of the rupture between gation and commerce, which led to the provid ut act of the present session, laying an embargo on our own vessels.' RUSSIA. Declaration against Sweden, Feb. 10 1808. Justly indignant at the violence which England has displayed towards the King of Denmark, the Emperor of Russia, faithful to his character and to his system of unceas ing care for the interests of his Empire, nofified to the King of Great Britain, that he could not remain insensible of so unjust and unexampled an aggression on a Sovereign connected with him by the ties of blood and friendship, and who was the most ancient Ally of Russia. His Imperial Majesty informed the King of Sweden of this determination by a note, dated the 24th of Sepfember last, presented to the Swedish Ambassador-An article of the treaty concluded in 1783, between the Empress Catharine and Gustavus III and another in the treaty of 1800, between the late Emperor Paul and the present King of Sweden, contain the reciprocal and stipulated agreement to maintain the principle, that the Baltic is a close Sea, with the guarantee of its coasts against all acts of hostility, violence or vexations whatever; and further, to employ for this purpose all the means in the power of the respective contracting parties. His Im perial Majesty, referring to these treaties, considered himself not merely authorised, but bound, to call upon the King of Sweden for his co-operation against England. -His Swedish Majesty did not disavow the 'obligatron imposed upon him by the treaties refer Russia and England.--This note remained two months unanswered, and the answer which was transmitted on the 9th of January to his Majesty's Ministers, was to the same purport as the former.-The emperor is,however, far from regretting his moderation." He is, on the contrary, well pleased to recollect that he has employed every meats that remained to him for bringing back his Swedish Majesty to the only system of policy which is consistent with the interests of his States; but his Imperial Majesty owes it at least to his people, and to the security of his dominions, which is to a Sovereign the highest of all laws, no longer to leave the co-operation of Russia with Sweden a matter of doubt.--Informed that the Cabinet of St. James's, endeavouring to terrify Denmark into a concurrence with the interests of England threatened that Swedish troops should occupy Zealand, and that the possession of Norway should be guaranteed to the King of Sweden; assured also that his Swedish Majesty, while he left the Russian note unanswered, was secretly negociating a treaty at London, his Imperial Majesty perceived that the interests of his empire would be very ill secured were he to permit his neighbour, the King of Sweden, at the Commencement of a war between Russia and England, to disguise his well-known sentiments of attachment to the latter power, under the appearance of a pretended neutra lity. His Imperial Majesty, therefore; cannot allow the relations of Sweden towards Russia to remain longer in a state of uncertainty. He cannot give his consent to such a neutrality-His Swedish Majesty's being therefore no longer doubtful, nothing re-indifference. It is on this ground, in addimained for his Imperial Majesty but to resort to those means whith Providence has placed in his hands, for no other purpose except that of giving protection and safety to his dominions; and he has deemed it right to notify this intention to the King of Sweden, and to all Europe -Having thus acquitted hi self of that duty, which the safety of h dominions require, his Imperial Majesty i ready to change the measures he is about to take, to measures of precantion only, if the King of Sweden will, without delay, foin Russia and Denmark in shutting the Baltic against Engind until the conclusion of a maritime peace. He himself invites the king his bro her in-law, for the last time, and with all the feelings of real friendship, no longer to besitate in fulfiling is obligations, and in embracing the only system of policy which is consistent with the interests of the Northern Powers. What has Sweden gained since her king attached hinseit to El gland?--Nothing could be more painful to his Imperial Majesty than to' see a rupture take place between Sweden and Russia But his Swedish Majesty has it stil his rower to prevent this event by, without delay, resolving to adopt that course which can alone preserve a strict union and perfect harmony between the two States, FINLAND.Proclamation to the Inhabi- It is with the utmost concern his Imperial Majesty, my most gracious master, finds himself necessitated to order his troops under my command to enter your country, good friends, and inhabitants of Swedish Finland. His Imperial Majesty feels the more concerned to take this step, to which he is compelled by the transactions which have taken place in Sweden, as he still bears in mind the generous and friendly sentiments which the Fins displayed towards Russia in the last war, when the Swedish king engaged in an invasion of Finland, in a manner equally unexpected and, unwarrantable.-- His present Swedish Majesty, far from joining his Imperial Majesty in his exertions to restore the tranquillity of Europe, which alone can be effected by the coalition which so fortunately has been formed by the most power. ful states, has on the contrary formed a closer alliance with the enemy of tranquillity and peace, whose oppressive system and unwarrantable conduct towards his Imperial Majesty and his nearest ally, his Imperial Majesty cannot by any means look upon with - tion to what his Imperial Majesty owes to the security of his own dominions, that he finds himself necessitated to take your country under his protection, in order to serve to himself due satisfaction, in case his royal Swedish Majesty should persist in his design not to accept the just conditions of peace which have been tendered to him by his French Majesty, through the mediation of his Imperial Russian Majesty, in order to restore the blessings of peace, which are at all times the principal object of his Imperial Majesty's attention.-Good friends and men of Finland remain quiet and fear nought, we do not come to you as enemies, but as your friends and protectors, to render you more prosperous and happy, and to avert from you the calamities which, if war should become indispensible, must necessarily befall you Do not allow yourself to be seduced to take to arms, or to treat in a hostile manner the troops who are committed to my orders; should any one offend against this admonition, he must impute to himself the consequences of his conduct, while, on the other hand, those who meet his Imperial Majesty's paternal care for the welfare of this country, may rest assured of his powerful favour and protection.And as it is his Imperial Mas jesty's will, that all the affairs in your country shall pursue their usual course, and be managed according to your ancient laws and customs, which are to remain undisturbed, as long as his troops remain in your country, al officers both civil and military, are herewith directed to conform themselves thereto: provided that no bad use be made of this indulgence, contrary to the good of the country.-Prompt payment shall be made for all provisions and refreshments required for the troops, and in order that you may still more be convinced of his Majesty's paternal solicitude for your welfare, he has ordered several magazines to be formed, in addition to those which are already established, out of which the most indigent inhabitants shall be supplied with necessaries, in common with his Majesty's troops.--Should circumstances arise to require an amicable discussion and deliberation, in that case you are directed to send your deputies, chosen in the usual manner, to the City of Abo, in order to deliberate upon the subject, and adopt such measures as the welfare of the country shall require.It is his Imperial Majesty's pleasure, that from this moment Finland shall be considered and treated in the same manner as other conquered provinces of the Russian empire, which now enjoy happiness and peace under the mild government of his Im perial Majesty, and rentain in full possession of the freedom of religion and worship, as well as of all its ancient rights and privileges. -The taxes payable to the crown remain in substance unaltered, and the pay of the public officers of every description continues likewise on its ancient footing. SWEDEN. Declaration against Russia, 11 March, 1808. * The first intimation his Majesty received of the hostile entrance of Russian troops into Finland on the 21st of February last, and of their public incitements to rebellion and revolt circulated in that province immediately afterwards, on behalf of his Imperial Russian Majesty, was by a telegraphic dispatch.-A breach of peace without a previous declaration of war, without a single article of complaint being preferred; a breach of peace emanating from treachery, and carried on by a traitor of his native coustry, placed at the side of the Commander in Chief, is an event which has but few examples, and must at the first glance create detestation; but when this act is examined at the same time with what has lately occurred between the two countries; when contemplated in its forbidding deviation from those paths of truth and honour exemplified by his Ally, no feeling can then express, no name can compass the extent of such depravity; its features will remain without a parallel in history, filling up the deeds of iniquity heaped together in the present age. At a time when his Imperial Russian Majesty, seemed to feel tenderly for oppressed princes and countries; at a time when he estimated the dangers which threatened all Europe, his Majesty, actuated by similar sentiments, was led into engagements with him, founded on the confidence he placed in him as a neighbour, an ally, and as an independent Monarch. The Emperor of Russia, in reference to the general welfare, had entered into useful engagements, had yet to demand of France the fulfilment of existing treaties, was possessed of power to support his own rights and those of all others concerned; his Majesty entered into an alliance with him, and is now attacked by him on the direct ground of having been his ally. Never did a prince enter into an alliance with a more assured consciousness of the purity of its motives, as well as of its being inviolably kept. The Emperor had been personally insulted by the refusal of the French government to fulfil a concluded and sealed treaty; had been publicly defamed * George Springporten, by repeated insults levelled at his own person. The Russian nation had been no less insulted, being gazetted as savages and barbarians Thus every thing that is sacred to a government, was connected with the common interest. Was it then possible but to look upon as irrevocable, what the Emperor himself had declared, "that he would reject all conditions of peace, whether more or less advantageous, if they were not consistent with the glory of the Russian name; the security of the Empire; the sanctity of alliances; and the tranquillity and peace of all Europe." -In what manner, and how far these great objects have been obtained by the Peace of Tilsit, contemporaries have already decided, and futurity will more clearly discover. The King, although at his post on the theatre of war, was, contrary to the express tenor of his convention with Russia, § neither informed of the Armistice, nor of the definitive negociations, till the peace was concluded, having received advice of these transactions, accompanied with a cold and slight invitation to assist in the object of peace, || the King renewed his application for an armistice (which ought, no doubt, to have been stipulated in the peace of Tilsit), but received only evasive answers, and discovered at once the value of Russian co-operation. The King finding himself in consequence unable to defend his † A people (the Russians) who from thei barbarous customs and manners ought to create abhorrence amongst all civilized nations.--Ordre du Jour. Vienne, le 25 Brumaire, An. 14 (14th November, 1805.) -These savage bands, whose assistance shall for the last time, be called forth by European governments-25 Bulletin de la grand armeé, le 25 Brumaire, An 14. If the Greek religion be allowed once to spread itself between the Baltic and the Mediterranean seas, we shall soon see our provinces attacked by a heap of mad barbarians-proclamation, the head-quarters, Warsaw, 25th Jan. 1807. Signed Napoleon Buonaparte. See the Russian Manifest of the 30th August, 1906. Both the high contracting parties had engaged in the most powerful manner, that the hostilities being once commenced, they should not lay down their arms, or treat about any reconciliation with the French government without their mutual consent. convention between Sweden and Russia, dated the 14th January, 1805.—Art. IX. The General Budberg's letter to Baron de Wetterstedt, First Secretary for the foreign correspondence dated the 10th July, 1807, r German states any longer, was obliged to leave them to their subsequent fate. Haying sustained this loss, originating in the desertion of Russia, his Majesty was again placed out of the theatre of war, and endeavoured to enjoy within his own territory that peace and quietness which its geographical situation seemed to ensure to him. Having faithfully acted up to his engagements towards Russia, his Majesty promised himself that notwithstanding the different system she had adopted, a just and equitable retrospect would be given to former occurrences. The King had supported the operations of Russia with his ships of war; had shared with the Emperor his military stores; had rejected and immediately communicated the offers made him by the French Government. Among others one that on condition of breaking with Rassia while in the midst of the war, and when the Russian frontiers and her very capital were defenceJess, Sweden should be put in possession of all the provinces lost during the reign of Charles XII, together with such further part of the Russian empire as his Majesty might determine. His Majesty stands on higher ground than to make a merit of having resisted temptations so mean and contemptible; but he is not without hopes that the aggregated censure due to a power thus spared in the hour of danger, will be proportioned to its oppressive conduct towards this kingdom. The consequences of the secret articles of the treaty of Tilsit, which were immediately suspected, and which the Russian Ministry have since acknowledged, began by degrees to unfold themselves. England's commercial monopoly, that ridiculous scarecrow, erected by the French government, in order to usurp to itself the continent, was also brought forward for the contemplation of the North, for the sake of extending, even to that part of the world, the oppression and misery which, from port to port, from state to state, Europe had been subjected to. No government is any longer left to its own light and experience; no people to their own lawful industry; no Promise of Norway given by General Bernadotte to a Swedish officer-a prisoner, Nov. 1806, respecting the extending of dominions of the french minister, Bourienne to Netzel the Chargé des Affaires the 14th November 1806. General Grandjean's representation to Colonel Baron Tavast, the 27th May, 1807, that Sween was to demand what territory she wished to have in order that she might counterbalance Russia, &c. &c. middle class must be acknowledged between the vassal and the enemy. Peace signifies confederacy-confederacy, submission; and from paris must proceed the mandates which are to dictate both principles, laws, and ordinancies, to the ielf-styled independaut confederacy, while they promote only a lust for power, and violate what is most sacred in society and between societies.-Preparations were made in conformity at St. Peterburgh last Autumn, for a rupture with England, and they waited only for the proper season of the year to be able, with some what more security, to carry that measure into effect. A proposal was made to his Royal Majesty, in a note, dated the 6th of October, to assist agreeably to the convention made in 1780, in shutting the Baltic against foreign ships of war. His Majesty, on the 13th November, returned for answer that so long as the French government was in possession of so many harbours on the south side of the Baltic, and there exercised their system of exclusion, the Baltic could not be kept peaceable. His Majesty in consequence also requested that his Imperial Majesty would first endeavour to prevail on the French to quit those ports; and when the first-mertioned application was renewed on the 27th of the same mouth, as an objection grounded on the convention of 1780, his Majesty circumstantially declared on the 21st Jan. last, that by virtue of the convention made in the year 1801, between Russia and England, and to which his Majesty, at the pressing instance of Russia, and under her own guarantee, became a party, the previous armed neutrality had entirely ceased. That his majesty had then entered into direct engagements with England, in reference to that object, and which could not equitably be departed from, so long as the latter power, on her side, fulfilled her obligations. That at the same time that he armed neutrality was done away with, he stipulations grounded therein, respecting the shutting of the Baltic, became null and void, and which was the less applicable to existing circumstances, as the Danish naval force, then calculated upon, no lon-. ger was in being; not to mention that England had since that time, discovered the passage through the great Belt. But that of Sweden could not with her arms eontribute to the protection of the Baltic, she would, on the other hand, take upon herself to obtain, by negociation with England, that she should not send any ships of war into those seas, provided no other power made armaments there, or new hostilities should oblige her come there as an as |