The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-03-06 00:00:00, page 2

of Colonel Stevens of tne artillery. The eye was. very
' agreeably &ruck with the frontispiece of a temple, about
one hundred met in length. It was divided into thirteen
arches, each arch embellished with an illuminated paint
ing, allegoric of the progress of your empire, or the wife
policy of your alliance; the center arch was ornamented
with a pediment, and proportionally larger than the
others ; the whole supported by a colonade of the Corin
tuian order. The different works in pyrotechny were
very agreeably disposed, and displayed togreat advantage.
In all public rejoicings, I make it a point to mix with
the multitude ; if they are not pleased, the demonstration
may be considered as wrong. In the present inflate I
was charmed to find that every man's heart went al&Dg
# with tne occasion.
When the fire works were finished, the company re
turned to the academy, the fame room that had served to
dine in Served to dance in; the tables were removed, and„
had left a range for about thirty couple, to foot it to
no indifferent measure. As it was a feftival given by men
who had not enriched tbemfetves by the war, the lights
were cheap and of their own manufacture; the feits the
work of their own artizans ; and for knights oj different
orders, there were hardy soldiers, happy in the thought
of having fame hand in bringing round what they were
celebrating.
The ball was opened by his Excellency the General.
When this man unoends from his Ration, and its weighty
functions, he is even then like a philosopher who mixes
with the amusements of the world, that he may teach it
what is right, or turn its trifles into inftruCtion.
As it is too late in the day for me to follow she windings
of a fiddle, I contented royfeif ,with the conversation of
some one or other of the Ladies during the interval of
dancing. I was particularly amused with the lively Tallies
of a Mils * * * te l^kin^her if the roaring of the British
lion in his latefye^h^&' not interrupt the spirit of the
dance ? Not at all, fail (lie, it rather enlivens ; for I have
heard that fych animals always increase their howlings
wnea most frightened. And do you not think, added the,
you, who ihould know more than young girls, that he
has real cause of apprehension from the large armaments
and honourable purposes of the Spaniards? So, laid I,
you suppose the King of Spain afts in politics as the la
dies do in affairs of love, fmilein a man's face, while they
are foreading out the net which is to entangle him for life.
At what season, replied -the fair, with a glance of ineffa
ble archness, do men loose the power of paying such com
pliments?-
If I have looked on the whole sex with an equal eye
of obfervahce, I here confefs the attrocious philosophy;
and were it not too late, I should wish. to lead down the
remainder of the dance with so sweetly vivacious a part
ner. But, alas !my dear friend, you will Toon find that
sixty is a better fecufity against the hot-spur passions of
man, than those beautiful ficles that Shakespeare tells us
are curled of purest mow, and hung up " on Diana's tem
ple," for the benefit, we may suppose, of her chaste at
tendants.
I do not recollect that I have ever been more pleased
on any occasion, or in so large a company: There could
not be less thaa sixty Ladies. I had no eyes to encounter
that ihot forward in rays of studied superiority; nor any
of those conscious interchanges, too often the result of
great experience and knowledge. Through the whole,
there was a remarkable stile of looks and behaviour, ufi
debaached by "British manners or British entertainments.
Their charms were of that kind which give a proper de
termination to the spirits, and permanency to the affecti
ons. More than once I imagined myfelf in a circle of
Simmies, wiser beauty and fidelity were made subservient
to the interest of the Rate, and reserved for such citizens
as had diftinguiflied themselves in battle.
Is it that the nvorcen of Jersey, by holding the space
between two large cities, have continued exempt from the
corruptions of either, and preserved a purity of manners
fuocrior to both ? Or have I paid too great attention to
their charms, and too little to those irtipetiedions, which
observers tell us are the natural growth of every foil?
You have obliged me so often, during the eourfe of my
little tour through the Eastern Rates, with histories of
city feafts, city balls, and city exhibitions, that I thought
I could do no 1 efs than fend you a description of one, at
which I enjoyed to much ratio nal pleasure. You will
fy, I have divested myfelf of my national character to
find amusement in huts and among woods: Be it so—l
expected the compliment.
To-morrow I leave this quarter, and take the route of
Princeton and Trenton to Philadelphia. I ihall Ray a
few days with you, to thank you for your civilities, and
that I may fee those sages, so greatly celebrated through
Europe for giving birth to an empire, already the theme
of poets, the fubjeft of hiftormns, and the astonishment
of nations. Adieu.
To the Printer of the FennSYLVANia Packet.
'SIR, ,
HAVING heard it frequently averted, that tne Rate
of Georgia had copied in their frame of government
from that of Pennsylvania, I was curious enough to bor
row of a friend the pamphlet containing it ; in order to
afeertain whether the fad is so or not. From this exami
nation it appears, that there are several essential differences
between the two; and in regard to the making of laws in
particular, that the provisions in the former are better a
dapted to the security of the people, and to be wifely en
forced ; A perusal of the eighth, twenty-seventh and twen
ty eighth articles of the Georgia governments ill evince
t^s.° The last elaufe of the eighth article is in these
words ;—" and all laws and ordinances Ihall be Tent to the
Executive Council, after the fecund reading, for their fee.
The great room was fifty feet by thirty, arched in ah
agreeable manner, and neatly plaißered within. At the
lower end of the room was a small enclosure, elevated
above the company, where the preceptor to the park
gave his military lessons. Tias was converted into an
©rcheftra, where the raufic of the army entertained the
company. The Rile of the dinner was of that happy
kind, between the extremes of parade and unmeaning
proCußon, and a too great fparingnefs and simplicity of
difnes. Its luxury could not have djfpleafed a republican.
Tae to dts were descriptive of the day, while the joy and
complacency of the company could have given umbrage
to none, except oar enemies the Britifn.
Just as night c«me on, we were called upon to the ex
hibition of fire works. These were under the direction
rufal and advice." The twenty -seventh article is, fiat
"during the fitting of the Assembly, the whole of the Ex
ecutive Council ihall attend, unless prevented by sickness
or some other urgent necessity; and ia that case, a majo
rity of tlie Council ihall make a Board, to examine the
laws and ordinances sent them by the Houle of Assembly ;
and all laws and ordinances lent to the Council, ihall be
returned in five days after, with thrir remarks thereon."
And the twenty eighth article directs, that " A committee
from the Council sent with any proposed amendments to
any law or ordinance, ihall deliver their reckons lor such
proposed amendments."
'lhefe obligations on the legislature, to take the advice
and to confider the remarks of the Council upon the (object
of any proposed law; to receive any proposed amendments
from them, and to deliberate on the reasons adduced in
their support, make a wife provision in this constitution;
but are totally unknewn in that of Pennsylvania.
If the manner in which the refpe&ive Councils of these
two Rates are appointed, and the circumstances they Rand
in, are attended to, this defe& will appear very great.
The Council of Georgia are chosen by the Assembly, at
their firft sessions, by ballot, “ out of their oven body," to
wit, two from each county fending members ; and by the
fourth article it is provided, that “ all officers of Rate Shall
be accountable to the Alfepbly." The Council of Pennsyl
vania are elected by the people, are not taken from the
Assembly, nor accountable to them. From the total Con
trariety in the conßru&ion of th# two bodies therefore, it
is an easy and natural deduction, that as it has been thought
absolutely essential in the former Rate for the legislature
to appeal for their remarks and advice on the point of le
gislating to the Council, who are moR liable from their
formation and dependence, to entertain the fame views
with them, and so, to be biaffed by them,--it would have
been a more promising, and therefore more essential provi
sion in the other government, from the free principles in
the ftrudure of its Council.
I me n however not to be underßood here, in any other
light, than as drawing a comparison; and to fl^w, that in
the ^reat point of making laws, there is a material differ
ence between the two governments, instead of the one be
ing a copy from the other; for in truth, the utility of
such a body as the Executive Council of either Rate, may
be and is in fad, very reasonably doubted. Certainly
they create an enormous expence to the Rate, and perhaps
as needless an one ; particularly if they fit from one year's
end to the other : since the administration could be equal
ly well conducted by the Governor or President, with ad
vice of two or three wife men, as by a dozen or twenty :
and this is an idea generally adopted in the constitutions
of the other Rates, and been Satisfactorily pradifed upon.
S.
LONDO N.
HI S Majesty observing a few days ago near Datcliet,
a very old man planting an apple tree, so weak and
infirm that he could hardly it nJ, could not help alking
him, if he expeCted to reap the fruits of his toil. •' No,
Sir, replied the venerable rustic, but I hope some honest
Englishman will." The King was so delighted with the
spirit ®f the man, that he instantly made him a handsome
present.
The Marquis de Pombal, the late Prime Minister of
Portugal, is Said to be now in this kingdom.
Ext^aS of a letter from the Hague, September 22.
" We are assured that the States General took a final
resolution on the 17th relative to a petition of the mer
chants of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, in which they
complain heavily of the insults, &c. to which their vef.
fels are Subject from the English, who have taken many
of them on pretence of their being laden on French account.
“ It is said that the States General, in consequence of
the above resolution and rejueft, have consented to the
fitting out Sixteen men of war. This resolution, the peti
tion, and the memorial, will we hear be sent this evening
to Count Welderen, the Dutch Ambassador at London,
to lay them before the British government, and alk re
dress of the grievances complained of."
By a letter from Paris, of the nth instant, we learn,
that a Guernsey privateer, having landed fifty men near
Boulogn during the night, in order to pillage some houses
near the Shore, a troop of dragoons, quartered in the
neighbourhood, galloped instantly up, in order to cut off
their retreat, when a conflict ensued, in which twelve of
the men belonging to the privateer were Slain, and the
rest made prif®ners.
St. PIERRE, (in Martinique) January zi.
Extract of a letter prom Breji, dated November xo, 1778.
" The stormy season which is now come on hath not
relaxed either the labours or activity of our marine. A
division of Seven Ships of the line, commanded by M. La
Mothe Picquet, has been gone some days, on a cruize be
tween Ulhant and Sorlingues ; and nearly the whole of
our frigates are out to interrupt the English and protest
our own navigation. The activity of our commercial
people is almost wholly turned into this channel, and the
Royal Marine is perfe&ly Seconded by the merchants.
The port of Bayonne alone hath Sent out in the eourfe of
eight days, Seventeen privateers, the smallest of which
mounts twenty-two guns; and St. Malo, which hath
been always distinguished for its privateers, does not
yield to Bayonne. All the ports of the kingdom are, in
general, filled with a noble emulation, and correspond
excellently with the encouragement given them by the
Ministry. We reckon that above ten thousand English
prisoners have been taken since the commencement of hosti
lities, the greater part on board of privateers and King's
Ships. Mr. Mouchel, a Norman Captain, who made
himfelf known to great advantage in the last war, is come
here to take the command of a King's frigate of forty
guns, which will fail in a few days. The English on their
fide exhaust all their resources to cover the Channel with
privateers ; thus during the season, which does not per
mit great fleets to measure their arms, we are going to
make a petite guerre of privateers with privateers ; a mur
derous war for l>oth nations, and which will produce nei
ther riches or advantage to either. The labourers of our
Ship-yards are pushed to the highest de ree of activity in
afl their departments. Scarcely have they launched their
vessels into the water, but their places are filled with
others. They write us from Toulon, that they are about
putting three new ones on the Rocks. We hope that the
grand views of the Ministry, Supported by a wife admini
stration of the finances, will reffore to our marine all that
To be SOLD by, Public Vendue,
On Friday the 26th instant (March) on the premises, at
one o'clock in the afternoon,
TH AT well know valuable PLAN TAT lON and
TRACT of LAND on which Robert Hender
son, deceased, formerly dwelt, and now in the tenure of
John Kerr, Situate in the townfllip of Buckingham, Bucks
sounty, bounded on the York road, which divides it from
Thomas Watson's land, leading from Philadelphia to Ccr
yel's ferry, and about twenty-fix miles from the former,
and joining lands of Israel Pemberton, containing about
five hundred acres of land, about two hundred of which
is cleared, the remainder well timbered, and the whole in
good repair; there is about thirty acres of excellent wa
tered meadow by a never-failing stream running thro' the
fame, and more may be made; the plow land is divided
into fix fields, most of which are watered ; i ewife 'wo od
orchards. There is on the premises, a two Rerv wane
dwelling-house, two rooms on a Roqr, with a good ce far
under the whole, a good log kitchen with two rooms on a
floor, a Spring house near the fame, a large Rone barn and
Stables, a good cow-house, and sundry other necessary
buildings. The terms of sale will be made known on the
day of hie, by MARGARET HENDERSON.
N. B. There is an extraordinary mill feat nearly join
ing the York road, on that Handing stream which waters
the above-mentioned meadow, &c.
glory which it had in the times of Duguay, Tfoin, and
Duquefne.
" We haveTiere getting ready for your islands, a Squa
dron of ten Ships, which, it is said, will be commanded
by M. de Graffe, and accompanied by twenty or thirty
transports filled with troops. Weexpect news with much
impatience from our Coloniesand North America. They
become every day more interesting in our eyes, because
we are well periuaded that they will have great influence
on the affairs of Europe. As to the rest, we are still in
the fame Rate of uncertainty we were in at the commence
ment of hofiilities, and when the Marquis d'Alinodavar
entered upon his negociation. Nothing transpires, and
the rumours ®f a reconciliation with England, which were
always Supported with tire fame credit, are only founded
upon conjectures."
Philadelphia, March 3-
JOHN DIAMON D,
R O P E-M A KE K,
Living in Market, street above Sixth-street, (in the house
formerly occupied by Mr. Thomas Tisdell, rope
maker, deceased)
MAKES and SELLS, wholesale and retail, on
the most reasonable terms, sewing. whipping,
Seine and blocking twine ; log, deepfea, and h nd lead
bnes; house line and marline, jack lines, fifhing lines
of ell 101 ts ; bed cords, leading lines, lacking bottom
lines, halters, plow traces, &c.
He gives the highest price for good hemp and flax, like
wise tor good hemp feed of last year's growth. Two
or three journey men rope makers would meet with the
greatest encouragement by applying as above.
Philadelphia, Mnrcb 6.
To be SOLD by Public Vendue,
On Thursday the eleventh inst. at fix o'clock in the even
ing, at the Coffee-houfe,
AVery neat two Rory BRICK HOUSE, Situate
on the weft fide of Second-street, one door from the
corner of Plumb-street, and near to Prior's lot ; it has two
rooms upon a floor, a good cellar, and an alley, over which
the upper rooms are extended ; there is also a convenient
kitchen adjoining to the house. The lot on which these
improvements are built, is twenty feet in front on Second
ftreet, and sixty feet in depth, and is Subject toa ground
rent of 4CS. Sterling per annum.
Any perlon inclining to purchase the said House before
the day of sale, may be informed of the terms, by apply
ing to ROB ERT M'F E E,
near the premises.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY cn the 28th of last month, an Eng
lish servant lad named FRANCIS WILLIS,
about nineteen years of age; had on when he went
away, a blue jacket and leather breeches. The above
reward is offered to any person who ihall secure him for
the fubferiber, at the corner of Front and Pine Streets,
Philadelphia. WILLIAM WHITE.
March 5.
SIXTY DOLLARS REWARD.
STOP THIEF!
QTOLEN a few nights past, out of the fubferiber's
3 Stable near the corner of Third and Vine-Streets,
opposite the Dutch brew-house, a Strawberry roan Horse,
with a small Star in his forehead, between thirteen and
fourteen hands high, and about nine years old, had a
bad cough and cold, is a natural trotter, and more suit
able for the geers than saddle, as he is rather dull.
Whoever secures the horse and the attrocious offender,
(as there are gangs of them infeft this city) so that he
may be brought to justice, ihall have the above rewrad,
or for the horse alone Fifty Dollars, and reafonabie
charges, paid by JOHN TURNER.
CAME to an Island in the river Susquehanna,
near the Blue Rock, whereon the fubferiber lives,
a stray sorrel MARE, with a blaze in her face, mid
dle sized, branded on the near buttock and Shoulder,
but the brand cannot be made out, about ten or twelve
years old, and paces. The owner is desired to come,
prove property, pay charges and take her away.
Dec. 177 8. THOMAS MALSON.
CA ME to the plantation of the fubferiber,
in Haverford townihip, Chester county, two stray
HORSES; one a small brown, and the other a black,
middling large. The owner or owners proving their
property and paying charges my have them again, by
applying to ISAAC DAVIS.