The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-07-05 00:00:00, page 2

With refpea to the person of his Prussian majefly,
he is below the middle Gze, well made, and remark
ably adi/e for his time of life. Exercise and a labori
pus life have made him hardy; for his conflitution
originally ferns to have been none of the ftrongefL
He has fine blue eyes, his look announces spirit and
penetration, and, in my opinion, bis • countenance is
upon the whole agreeable. Som', who have seen him,
are of a different opinion ; and ah, who judge from his
portraits only, mod be so; for although I have seen
many which have a tittle resemblance of him, and some
which havea great deal, yet none of them do him jus
tice. His features acquire a Wonderful degree of ani
mation while he converses, and this must be entirely
loft upon cants. He (loops considerably, and inclines
his head almost con ftantly to one fide. His tone of
voice is the cleared and most agreeable in conversation
lever he?rl . He fp?aks a great deal, yet those tnat
hear him, regret that he does not (peak a great deal
more. Hs observations are always lively, generally
just, and few men possess the talent of repartee in a
greater perfection than this monarch.
His dress confits of a blue coat lined and faced with
re I, and yellow waistcoat and b eeches, which he fel
don varies. Healways wears boots, withhuffar tops,
which fall in wrincles about his ancles, and are oftner
of a dark brown than of a black colour. His hat
wond be thought too large even in England at this
day, though it is of the size commonly used by the
Iruffian offi ers of cavalry. He generally wears one
of the large fide corners over his forehead and eyes,
and the front tock at one fide. He wears his hair
queued behind, and dressed with a fingte buckle on each
fide. From this bein^ very carelefsiy put up, arid un
equally powdered, we may naturally conclude, that
the frifeur has not been permitted to be very tedious
in his business.
The king usually carries in bis pocket a large gold
fnutf box, the lid of which is ornamented with dia
monds, and he takes an immoderate quantity of Spa
nish fluff, the marks of which very often appear on his
waistcoat and breeches. These are also liable to be
foiled by the paws of two or three Italian grey hound's,
Which he often carreffes. He dresses as soon as he gets
up in a morning, which business takes up but a few
minutes, and serves for the whole day. His hours,
from four to five in the morning till ten at night, are all
de ined methodically to particular occupations, either
of business or amusement, and he seldom fuffers them
to be interrupted.
Every kind of business with the king is tranfaßed
by letter, and every petition or proposal must be made
in this f rm. This rule is adhered to so invariably, as
I ive been assured, that if any of his generals wished
to -remote a cadet to the rank of an ensign, he would
not venture to make his proposal in any other manner,
even though he had daily opportunities of converting
with his majesty The meanest of his fubjefts may
app yto him in writing, and be sure of an answer. His
sirs lbufinefs every morning is to peruse the papers ad
dressed to him ; and a (ingle word written with his
pencil in the margin, indicates the answer to be given,
which is afterwards made out in form by his fecreta
ri's. This method affords the king time to deliberate
on the justice and propriety of every demand, and pre
vents the possibility of being surprised into a promise
improper to perform.
Noonis the rcifeliour of bis dining; but of late
he allows mor; time than formerly, and it is generally
after three before he leaves the company. Eight or
nine of his officers are commonly invited to dine with
fpm. A' ttable the king likes that every one fhculd
appear to be on a footing, and that the conversation
flow'd be carried on with perfeft freedom; though
this, by the way, is impossible. That Confidential and
unr, drained flow of rhe heart, which takes place in a
society of equals, is a pleasure which a despotic prince
can never vafle. However, his majefly desires that it
may be ( , and every one does his best to please.
The king being in a gay humour at one of these meet
ings, id to the Abbe Baflain, " When you (hall ob
tain ue Ti ra which your exemplary piety must one
day procure you, how will you receive me when I ar
rive a Rome io pay my duty to yourholinefs ? " “ I
^ill immediately give orders, (replied Bafiiana, with
grea teadinefsjthat tl ey admit the black eagle to en
ter, at he may shadow me with hs wings, but pro
tea me from his beak." Nobody fays more lively
things in company than the king himfelf, and many of
his bon motsare repeated at Potsdam. I shall only men
tion one, which is at once an infiance of his wit and
great^fs of mind, in rendering juflice to the merit of
a man who had rendered him more vexation io the
field of battle than perhaps any other man alive.
When the king of Prussia had a personal meeting some
years face with the emperor, they always dined to
gether, a certain number of their principal officers be
ing with them. One day, general Laudohn was going
to place himfelf at the bottom of the table, when the
king, who was at the head, calledout to him, " pray
monfi-ur Laudohn, place your felf here; for f would
infinitely rattrer have you on my fide than opposite to
me."
Though all the cordiality of friendfhip and the full
charms o' unreserved society, cannot subsist where the
fortune of every other individual depends on the will
of one of the company, yet the king endeavours to put
every one as much at his ease as the nature of the case
will admit ; and I have heard of his bearing very severe
Character and Petfonal D (eruption of the KING of
PRUSSIA.
(Prop) tie Police Traveller, Vol. I )
MV readers must not expert that I shall presume to
dram a complete portrait of this monarch, as
that muff I) the work of much ab'er literary p inters,
who have Ten him in a more familiar manner, and
who'fe colours cm give an expriffion worthy the ori
ginal. I (hall only attempt to give a faithful iketch of
such features as I was able to Gize during the transient
views I myfeif had, or wajch I have learnt from those,
wno have passed with him many of the hours which
h p dedicates to free converfatioo, and the pleasures
of the table.
" That the interest which shall arise after the date of
“ this resolution on loan-office certificates which have
“ already issued, or which shall be issued before the
“ ift day of March next, be annually paid at the re
" fpedive loan-offices in bills of exchange on the com
" missioners of the United Statesin Paris, at the rate of
" five livres of France for every Spanish milled dollar
" due for interest as aforefaid, or in continental bills
" of credit, at the option of the refpeßive lenders."
Pursuant to these regulations of Congress, the inte
rest on the certificates now in contemplation, was re
gularly paid at the refpeßive loan-offices in the differ
ent flares, down to the last of February, 1782, with
out any pretence of depreciation, or an idea being sug
gested tnat depreciation was ever to be computed on
them till the United States should tender the payment
of the principal on the teams mentioned in the resoluti
on of the 28th of June, 1789 : neither has any resoluti
on of Congress since that time announced any alteration
in this refpe£t. How it has happened that difficulties
are now railed to the payment of the interest on these
certificates without computing the depreciation, the
public creditors cannot imagine; and they hope that
It is absolutely impossible for any man so enjoy any
office in the king of Pru ffia's service, without perform
ing the duty of it. 'He is himfelf active and assiduous,
and makes it a point that all his ministers and servants
fhab be so too; but to those who know their business,
and perform it exactly, he is an easy and equitable mas
ter. His favourites, of whatever kind were never a
ble to a< quire influence over him in any thing regard
ing business. Nobody ever knew better how to dis.
criminate the ' merit of those who serve him in the im
portant department of state, from theirs who contribute
to his amusements. A man, who performs the duties
of his office with alertness and fidelity, has nothing to
apprehend from the king's being fond of the company
and conversation of his enemy. Let the one be regal
ed at the king's table every day, while the otaer never
receives a single invitation, yer the 'real merit of both
is known ; and if his adversary should ever try to turn
the king's favour to 'the purposes of private hatred
'Or malice, the attempt would be repelled with disdain,
and the evil he intended to Another will fall on him
felf? It would be happy for society, if every one in
"an humbler sphere of life than that of royalty, were to
imitate so noble an example.
IT is not a little mortifying to such of the public Cre
d tors as hold loan office certificates, bearing
date between theist of September, 1777, and theist of
March, 1778, to find that the solemn compact, between
the United States and them, is attempted to be violat
ed, on a pretence which they esteem to be void of founda
tion, in the payment of the interest lately provided for
bv an aft of the legislature of Pennfy Ivania. The fa€t
alluded to is the refufal to pay the interest on the cer
tificates abovementioned without a deduction for depre
ciation. Where this idea originated, or by whose order
it is attempted to be put in practice, I shall not at pre
sent enquire: the following state of the case may assist
those who shall choose tp confider of the propriety of
this unexpected manoeuvre.
The aR of assembly, after making provision for,
and directing the payment of one year's interest on cer
tain certificates therein described, has the following
clause : “ And whereas the principal sum mentioned
'' in the said certificates, or some of them, may be de
" scribed in continental money, Be it enaded, &c.
" That the value thereof in specie shall be computed
" and ascertained according to the directions of the
'' United States in Congress assembled, in and by their
“ aft of the 28th of June, 1780."
The aft of Congress of the 28th of June, ryßo, above
referred to, after declaring at what rate and in what
manner the principal of all loan, which had been made
to the United States should be finally difeharged, has
the following clause rerpefting the payment of the in
terest in the mean time
cc That the interest on all loan office certificates, at
" the rate of fix per cent, per annum, computed on
" the principal, afeertained as aforefaid, shall be dif~
" charged annually, in like manner as the principal,
" until the principal shall be paid : Provided neverthe
“ less, That the fame interest and mode of payment on
" certificates taken out before theist of March, 1778,
" shall be continued as at present, until the principal,
“ afeertained as aforefaid, shall be ready to be dis-
retorts with very good humour. Helm too much wit
himfelf, and is too fond of it in others, to repel its
attack with any other weapons than those which it fur
nifhes.,/
A very bribing infiance of the frtedon which may he
used with him occurred previous to a review: and
what makes it the more remarkable, it happened not
during the gaiety of the table, but on the very scene
of military firßnels.— —Two regiments were in the
frld, one of which was commanded by a general, who
is fond of company, and paries more of his time in the
society of Grangers, and with the foreign ministers,
than most others in the Prussian service, Something,
it is probable, had chagrined the king that morning.
While his regiment advanced in a line, he said to the
general, who hood near him, '' fir, your regiment is
out of line; and that is not surprising, since you play
so much at cards !" The general mailed out indantly
with aloud vo b ce to the regiment, “ halt!" and they
immediately flopped ; then turning to the king, he said,
“ I have nothing to ask, fire, refpeding my cards; but
be so gracious as to fee if that regiment be not in a
line." The regiment was in a very straight line, and
the king moved away without speaking, feemingly<lif
pleafed, not with the general, but with himfelf. This
manly officer never had reason afterwards to believe
that the king had been offended with his blunt and ho
nest freedom.
“ charged."
To underfland the more clearly the meaning of this
proviso, it may be proper to recur to the resolutions
of Congress on this fubjeCt from the 2d to the 10th of
September, 1777, [fee the Journals for 1777, page 369
to 385] an d the usage under them. Tne resolution of
the 10th of September, 1777, is in the following words.
For the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
STATIONARY, &c.
WRITING Paper of all kinds—Blotting Paper,
Dutch and English Quills, and ready made Pens,
Sealing Wax and Wafers,
Beautiful Shining Sand,
Liquid Ink, Ink Powder and Ink Cake,
A Variety of Penknives,
Pocket Inkholdeis of a very convenient kind,
Elacklead Pencils,
Slates and Pencils,
A Variety of elegant red and green Morocco Pocket
Books lor Ladies and Gentlemen,
B'ank Account Books,
Message Cards,
King H^nry VIII and Ortho Playing Cards,
Battle-dcres and Shuttle-cocks,
Copy and Memorandum Books,
Excellent large Hatters and Wrapping Paper,
School Bibles sn.lTeftaments,
Dilworth's Spelling Books, Primers,
Ditto Schoolmaftei's Afliftant,
Ether's Arithmetic,
Ready Reckoner,
Blanks of all kinds, viz.—Bills of Lading and Ex
change,
Policies of Insurance, Bonds, Indentures, Bills of
Sale, &c. &c.
Perrin's and Boyer's French Grammar and Exercises,
An Italian ard French Grammar,
The Sentimental Novel of Julia Roubigne,
Horace Delphini, &. &c. &c.
The above Articles are of th* belt Quality, and may
behad at rrafor able rates, for Cath, from
David C. Claypoole,
On the south file of Market street, the third door east
of Second-freet, Philadelphia.
Came in the last VESSELS from LONDON, and to
be SOLD by
^obn Riley,
Clock and Watchmaker,
Seven doors below Market-street, on the cast fide of
Second street,
A neat ASSORTMENT of
Capped and plain Silver Watches,
with a Vaiiety of Chains, Seals, Kes, &c.
Likewise fecend-hand Gold and Silver WATCHES.
CLOCKS and WATCHES repaired, as usual.
*, A (mart a&ive BOY, who can be well recom
mended, will be taken as an Apprentice.
Houses for Sale.
TWO very commodious HOUSES on the raft fide
of Third-street, adjoining the Golden Swan Inn.
The Lot on which they are erected extends east
ward to a lot on Moravian alley, 17 feet front and a
bout 50 deep, by which both houses may be accommo
dated with an outlet. They will be fold reasonable,
either together or separate, as may suit ; and upon
payment of one half the purchase money some time will
be given for the other. For further particulars enquire
of JONATHAN D. SERGEANT, efqvie, on the
premises, or JAMES MEASE. July 5 s
TOBE SOLD OR LE T,
A FOUR story BRICK-HOUSE, in Chefnut-ftreet,
between Front and Second-streets, twenty two
feet frontand 20 feet deep. Pjfleffion will be giv
en the twenty-eighth of this month, by the fubferiber#
GEORGE GRIFFITH, in Southwark.
Philadelphia, July 5,1783 s
ALL persons indebted to the estate of ERRICK
ELLENSEN WIGDEL, late of this city, deceas
ed, are desired to make immadi^te payment; and
those who have any demands against the said estate, are
desired to bring in their accounts properly attested, for
payment, to JOSEPH RUSH, administrator.
N. B. Said Wigdel being a native of Stawangen, in
the weft of Norway, and supposed to have died with
out an heir residing in America, therefore those per
sons going to the place of his nativity, are earnestly re
queried to give information of his death.
Five Pounds Reward.
WAS stolen last nigh#, ont of the ftaole of Henry
Haves in Darby, Chester county, a dark Bay/
MARE fix years old, near 16 hands high, (hod all
round, a natural pacer and carries well, branded on
the near buttock W. and on the n # ar fhooldcr thus 3,
Whoever takes up and ficures f id Mare and Thief, to
that the owner may have his mare ^gain and the thief/S
brought to jyftice, fna|l have the above reward for
both, or THREE FOUNDS for the Mare only, and
all rfcaforable charges paid, by
ROBERT CAMPBEL, or HENRY HAYES.
Darby, July 2.
English Ironmongery,
TO BE SOLD
On MONDAY next, at the City-Auction.
those who have placed this obßruftion in the small
flream which the late ad of assembly had turned into
the channel of public justice, will speedily remove it,
or condefc'end to make known such reasons for its con
tinuance as may tend to foften the disappointment to
those who are injured by it. P. C.
A large QU A NTITY of