United States oracle and Portsmouth advertiser — Portsmouth, N.H., 1802-08-28 00:00:00, page 2

After experiencing a succession of
cruelties, which it has been the lot of
few toendtne, I have barely escaped
with my life from the mercifefs Span
iards. I will endeavor to give you a
(bort recital of my Bufferings : but I
cannot vouch for the dates being accu
rate,as all my papers have been , detain
ed, and I have been sent hither more
like a cpnvid than the citizenof an in
dependent nation. I failed from New
Orleans for the Havanna, on the 24th
of Junp, 1891, master of the schooner
Good Hope, owned by G.W,M'lntire,
-of Boston. The cargo consisted for
t thftpaoft part of flour, belonging to A
merican citizens,,who were passengers
on board. Opthe 2?d of July, in fight
ofCuba, was captured by two Spanish
armed vessels. On the ?Bth we arrived
at Campeachy: were ordered on fh^re
from the schooner, but not permitted
to leave the place. About a week af
ter our arrival, [was taken before Don
Pedro Balrando, Contadore, interro
The vanity of its author is as con
spicuous as his want of talents. He
even arrogates to himfelf the high privi
lege of the critic, and condemns several
celebrated Poets ; among whom are
two aspiring Eagles of Britain, when
compared to the heavy goose of Provi
dence. The British Album has ever
been considered by the bed judges as a
valuable repository of tafle andfentiment;
yet Paul Allen alledges it to be " fil
led with the neplus ultra of nonsense,
peurile conceit, nauseous compliment,
distorted metaphor, grimace of senti
ment, and frigid raptures." The Bo
tanic Garden has ever been admired
for its originality, for its deep refearch
cs in natural philofephy, for the novel
ty ofits sentiments, and for the harmo
ny of its numbers ; yet Paul Allen
is pleased to call it " a jplendid trifle wider
Darinin's name.". He even contends,
that it is destitute of morality and tafle ;
and that it excites lascivious dfoes in con
sequence of its transparent drapery.—
What a profound critic ! a solitary idea
would split his skull. Gentle Reader!
As you perused the pages of the Bo
tanic Garden, did you ever find yopr
felf transported to a Bawdy-House ?
Such productions, with which every
Bookseller's shop is infelled, are below
the dignity of criticism ; and were it
not for the malignant influence which
,they shed on the Literature of ou|
country,they would Aide into oblivion,
unnoticed and unregarded.
i LUCAN.
IT was once the opinion of some
learned foreigners, that the human in
tellect in this quarter of the globe was
so circumscribed by physical causes, as
to be incapable of any valuable attain
ments in literature. At that period,
we could not boast of many produc
tions of genius and Skill, or of erudition
and taste ; and, therefore, there was
wme reat'on for this mortifying decla
ration—which was as applicable to us,
as to the aborigines of the wilderness.
America was then in her infancy, and
had not abandoned her leading-firings ;
but as She arrived to manhood, the ac
tive energies of her mind were gradu
ally unfolded ; her progress in the arts
and Sciences, was rapid ; and her pro
ductions in the various branches oflire
rature,ndw contend for Superiority with
thofa of the elder world.
But it is the fate of every country,
and especially of America, to have its
purer coin adulterated by a mixture ®f
baler metal. Unless the cutaneous mal
ady for voluminous publications of dul
nefs and peurility among us, be in a
great measure cured, or deprived of its
contagion, we (hall Hill incur the ridi
cule and contempt of the literati of Eu
rope. Every upstart coxcomb, who
has read of the Pierean fountain, but
fiever tailed of its nectar,manifefts a dis
position to write himfelf into notice—
publishes the freezings of a barren intel
lect, and miltakes them for genius and
learning. Bynumerous advertisements,
afulfome dedication, a stupid preface,
and a (till more stupid review, he impef
es on the credulity of the public, and
corrupts the taste of his readers.
These observations are applicable to
many—particularly to one Paul Al
len, of Providence, Rhode Island, who
has published a small volume of what
he calls “ Original Poems, serious and
entertaining," in 139 pages, Including
no less than 58 miscellaneous pieces. —
From the long preface, the reader is led
to expert “ the feaft of reason and the
flow of foul," accompanied with the
\auferity of the monk, and the severity of
the moralist ; yet on perusal he finds no
thing to gratify his expectations. In-
Read of a volume of original poems, he
finds a volume offale prose run mad :
Indeed of variety, and the charms of
diCtion,he stumbles on a dull monotory,
and on a style uncommonly vapid, and
ridiculous in the extreme. Erudition
is sometimes connected with dullnefo
and stupidity—but the want of know
ledge is a prominent feature in this pub
licatiori.
Philadelphia Lazaretto, July Ift, 1802.
DEAR SIR,
Ar the ORACLE.
American Liteiatuie.
' gated, and Swore that velfel and cargo
belonged to citizens of the U. States of
America.- For the fitft month I was
allowed a rial and a half per day to live
upon ; afterwards that was flopped,
and I was left to find subsistence by
begging, or any other means I might
adopt. About the firft of October, I
was thrown into close confinement ;
the cargo lauded in good order and
; fold. I was denied the use of pen, ink
or paper : no communication with any
person. In this situation, without any
thing but the Hags to rest on, not even
Straw to cover them, I received a small
quantity of liver and rice, as my daily
food : the portion of dirty water allow
ed me, was so trifling, that but for the
[humanity of the sentinel, I Should have
perilhed of thirfti Ten or twelve days
after my close imprisonment, I was
brought for examination to the Lieut.
Governor of Campeachy. Upon ap
pearing before him, and refuting to sign
a paper, the purport of which I did not
know, he took up a dagger, put it to
my bread, and in this manner compel
led me to sign it. I was then remand
ed to prison, the dungeon more dark
and loathsome than the former one—
About fifteen days from the lalt trans.
action, asleep upon the flags, the officer
of the guard entered, and gave me a
severe blow across the small of the back,
with a cutlass. Upon getting up, ren
dered desperate by what had been done,
and conceiving they came to take my
life, I (truck the person I firft came to.
The officer then ordered a soldier who
accompanied him to kill me. The fel
low drew his bayonet, and advanced to
wards me, in a manner that left no room
to doubt his willingncfs to perform the
order he had received. After making
several thrusts at mty parrying them as
well as an unarmed man could do, the
bayonet entered the under part of my
right arm, of which I yet feel the effe&s.
The soldiers without assembling at the
door, the officer desired the assassin to
desist, which he accordingly did ; lock
ed the door again ; and left me, bleed
ing, to live or die, as fate might order
it. From the loss of blood I sustained
and the cruelties I endured, without
any dressing to apply to my wound, my
health became so impaired, that they
thought proper to remove me to a
place called an hospital, where I re
mained 47 days, borne down by disease,
and without any kind of medical adift
ance. When they found there was a
probability of my outliving this treat
ment, ftili so wea as not to be able to
stand, I was thrust once more into the
dungeon, where I remained until the
9th of April, 1802, on which day I
was brought before the lieutenant gov
ernor, as I was informed, to receive
my papers, and proceed to the Havan
na in a Spanish vessel. the lieutenant
governor inquired, what my indentions
were upon arriving in the U. S ates ?
to which l replied, it was my intention
to represent the whole business to the
President ; upon which he ordered the
guard to put me in the stocks, where
I remained, faft by i)e head, for about
22 hours. I was then taken out, tied,
and put on board a Schooner bound to
the Havanna. The captain informed
me, that he had liberty to kill me ; to
use me in the worst manner possible ;
and had orders to give me nothing but
a little soup every day. After 17 days
I arrived at the Havanna, where I ex
pe&ed that my miseries would have
ended : but I was put into the common
prison, among murderers and malefac
tors, where I remained, with no better
usage than before, for 39 days. Iwas
then taken out, and conduced by a
guard on board the floop' Sea-flower,
with orders to Capt. Selby, to deliver
me to the Spanish Ambassador at Phi
ladelphia. Upon my appearing before
him, and relating some of the treatment
I had received, he expressed his furprize
and indignation, pitied my case, and
said, that as he had no charge against
me, I was, of course, at liberty. Such
is the outline of what I fuffered since I
saw you. A great number of Ameri
cans, more than one hundred, are con-
[ fined both at Campeachy and at the
Havanna. lam, &c.
THOMAS DUPLEX.
EXPIRATION of INTERNAL
TAXES.
r,HIS is the firft year of M r& Jes-
L feffarfs [republic, the Virginians
call it the firft year of liberty ; it may
feern so in the great Rate of Virginia,
but it certainly is not for New-Englandl
,a reggn of equality. Tfe lords of the an
cient dominion, and all the aristocrats,
who follow in her train, now ride in
their coaches without being taxed for;
. this luxury. „The duty on Rills is abol- |
ifhed—whisky pays nothing ; while the|
duties on Brown sugar, tea,"and coffee,l
which are as much necessaries in New-;
England, as whifky in Virginia, are
continued at war prices, in this season
of peace, And are consequently enorm
oufy high. The duty on coffee is about
40 per cent. —on brown sugar above
jo per cent. This is the higneft on the
lift of duties, except teas, which pay
higher duties than any article. But
what care our makers about all this,
of about us ? — Nothing. We are gov
rned by Virginia, and Virginians are
LONDON, JUNE 16.
MOTTO has presented several
. Notes to Lord Hawkefbury,re
fpedmg the language held in Parlia
ment, and the papers on the condud of
Bonaparte. The Ministry have not re
turnedan answer. The French Con
sul, perhaps thinks, that an English
Minister has the fame power that a,
french one has, and that the presses in
England can be sealed at the will of
an individual, and their conductors
sent upon a voyage of difavery, to Cay
ene, or St. Domingo.
The Portuguese Ambassador has
given a most brilliant fete at Sti Peters
burg, at which their Majesties were pre
sent.. The entertainment cost 20,000
dollars. —o—
— BIBLE,
To use a seaman's phrase is the belt
bower anchor.&, cable to man ; when
all other meansjail, he may find secu
rity here. The following well attested
anecdote is not generally known. It is
related by the accomplished Earl of
Chefterfield. —The following are his
Loidfhip's words : “ I,went1 ,went tp Mr.
Pope one morning at Twickenham, &
found a large folio bible with gilt clasps
lying before him upon the table ; and,
asl knew his way of thinking upon that
bock, I asked him jocosely, if he were
going to write an answer to it? It is a
prefect, fajd he, or rather a legacy
from my old ft lend the Bifhbp of Roch
ester. I went to take my leave ofhim
yeflerday in the tower, where Ifaw this
Bible upon his table After the firft
compliments, the bishop laid t,o me my
friend Pope considering your infirmi
ties and my age and exile, it is not like
ly that we ihould ever meet again ; and
therefore I give you this legacy to re
member me by it. Take it home with
you, and let me advise you to abide by
it.— Does your Lordlhip abide by it
yourfelf ?—ldo. - If you do, my Lord,
it is but lately. May I beg to know
what new light or arguments have pre
It is an ascertained fad, that there is
more bohea tea consumed in the small
Rates of Rhode-Ifland and Delaware,
than in the mighty state ofVirginia, &
in Kentucky—That there are more
coaches in Richmond, the capital of
Virginia, than in all the state of Rhode
.'"^^d' 'hat more whifky is drunken
in Tennessee, or Kentucky, than in all
New-England.— That there is more pub
lie income, derived from duites paid on
brown sugars only imported into New
port and Providence, than what the
National I reafury receives from both
the dates of Kentucky and Tennessee!
Indeed, it may be said that Kentucky
and i enneffee do nothingto wards main
taining the national government. Con
gress have appropriated millions to pay
th.e militia of these States, for defending
their own frontiers against the Indians.
Last winter, Congress passed an ad,
directing all the overplus monies arising
from the Poll-Office establishment, to
be applied in making roads -not in
New-England—not in the middle Rates
—nor from the feat of government to
our northern or southern boundaries —
but through Tennessee and Kentucky.—
This furnifhes a key to the policy of
our Virginia rulers. At the next presi
dential election, Kentucky will give
more votes than New-Hampshire, and
Tennessee altnoft twice as many as
Rhode-Ifland. Virginia herfelf will
give more votes than seven of the small
fates...
But our deluded citizens begin to alk
where is the political equality we once en
joyed ? Where are the fynems establish
ed by Washington, under which our
country was so flourishing and happy ?
Where are the anchors and cables,
which were to preserve us against eve
ry gust of party ? where is our judicia
ry, our tribunals,which were the grand
partition wall in our political fabric,
and designed to prevent the small
States' becoming subservient to the
great Ones? What voice has New-Eng
land in the affairs of Mr. Jefferfon's
Republic? [Newport Mercury..,
These fads are explanatory of the
measures of our Virginia Administra
tion. When the Constitutionalists wish
ed to lower the duties on fogar,falt, &c.
the Minifteralifts said No. This will
frustrate the plans of Virginia. We
will aboliSh the carriage tax ; and as
Kentucky, and Tennessee pay no tax
but on Rills we must aboliSh that also.
Ihis is the Scale by which justice is
measured out to the people of the U
nited States, by our rulers. This is the
liberty, Monsieur Gallatin & Co. fay is
true liberty, which they relish as much
as Ned Liviugfton does, whose several
offices afford him the moderate income
of io,oco dollars a year. Fine times
these for Virginia, with no tax on car
riages, and a Judiciary dependent on
her will. Fine times for Kentucky &
Tennessee, where there is no tax to pay,
and their Roads, made at the expence
of the national chest. Fine times for
the Clinton family, who hold offices,
the Salaries annexed to which amount
to 27,800 dollars !
no milklops— they drink neither tea
nor coffee— they prefer whifky, one
and all.
Foiegn Articles.
The ship Protestor Capt. Bull has
arrived from Cadiz ; which he left,the
middle of July. He informs, that the
brigs Franklin and Rose, of Philadel
phia have been captured by the Tripo
lines. He also confirms the following
articles:
CADIZ, 10/b July, 1802.
" A ferinus alarm took place a few
days ago, by the Emperor of Moroc
- - .
The French frigates which have ar
rived here from Guadeloupe, are, La-
Confolante, and 'La Volontaire, and
the Salamandre coryette. They have
on board from 7 to Soo blacks, taken
from Guadaloupe ; whith they intend
ed to land at Carthagena, in Squth|
America, but the Spaniards would not
receive them ; when they put away tor
the United States, having dispatched
one of the squadron to Guadaloupe for
inftru&i@ns refpeming the disposal of
the black prisoners. It is said these
wretches are almost in a state of Starva
tion ; arid that the Commandant of the
squadron finds it difficult to negotiate
for fubuftence for them. Some anxie
ty of their introduction having been ex
pressed by the citizens, the Mayor has
opened a correspondence with the Com
mander and Consul on the fubjed. La-
Caille,the Chefd'efcadre amires the May-^,
or that the mod severe orders had pre-°
vioufly been given to prevent any man
of colour from having any communi
cation with the land ; that those per
sons had behaved very peaceable since
their importation—and that this coun
try does not seem calculated to inspire
them with any ideas of revolt." They ,
are all now at Quarantine ground.
Between 30 and 40 negroes from the
French frigates have been removed to
the Hospital at Staten-Island.
WASHINGTON, AUGUST 16, XBO£
IN CORfequence of recent intelligence
the President has ordered the frigate
Newyork to be immediately prepared
for sea, and to proceed to the Mediter
ranean on a cruise. Capt James Barron
is appointed to the command. The
General Green which was to have fail
ed in the early part of the month,will
follow in a few weeks(with cannon and
other presents to the Emperor of Mo
rocco)but not with her full compliment
of men or guns.
From the latest information, it is ap
prehended that both the Emperor of
Morocco and Dey of Algiers have de
clared war against the United States.
It is therefore thought necellhry to de
lay the departure of the General Green,
and fend the Newyork to protest our
commerce.
AUGUST 18.
We are informed from an authentic
feurce, that the Dey of Algiers has
not manifefted any hostile disposition
towards the United States. The ru
mour therefore of hostilities with that
power are unfounded.
— —
On Saturday last the New-York was
put in commission, and it is expected
that in the course of two weeks from
that day She will be fully equipped for
sea. When the joins the Mediterranean
Squadron, Commodore Morris will
have under his command the Chesa
peake, the Constellation, the Adams,
the Boston, the New-York and the En.
terprife. These, with the squadron un
der the Command of the Swedish Ad
miral, Will, it is conceived, be Sufficient
to protest our Commerce against Tri
poli and Morocco.
[Government official paper, Aug. 20.
0
NEW-YORK, AUGUST 16.
Extras of a letter to a refpe&able commer
cial boufe in this city from their corres
pondent at Cadiz, dated July 6th, re
ceived by the schooner Rifng Sun.
" Contrary to what I assured you in
my last, we are ftili here, and our de
tention has been a fottunate circum
stance ; for it has ensured us the pro.
tedion of a Swedish frigate which came
in here three days since to convoy Swe
dish and Amercan merchantmen to the
Mediteranean ; and had we failed alone
from hence, there was great danger that
we Should have fallen into the hands
of a new enemy, the Emperror of Mo
rocco, having sent our Consul out ofhis
dominions, and proclaimed War against
the United States on the 25th ultimo. I
hope we have no danger to apprehend
in going toGibralter; but it wouldbe ex
tremely imprudent to attempt to go un
protected ; and if several more of our
fllips of war do not come out here soon
our commerce with the Mediterranean
must be abandoned. The Tripolitans
have lately captured two of our vessels
and one Swede. They and the Moors are
now arming with a great deal offpirit.
Commodore Morris, aware of the dan
ger, is coming here foo^to convoy a
number of our vessels to the westward.
We Shall fail to-morrow morning."
vailed with you now, to entertain an
opinion so contrary to that which you
entertained of that book all the former
part of your life ?—The biffiop replied,
we have not time to talk oftuefe things ;°
but take home the book ; Iwill abide
by it ; and I recommend to you to do
so too, and God bless you."
^^^^- ^=^s?,^~_- -■.■-■'^g»imn>wwi
United States.
The Anniversary of Comencement at Har
vard University was celebrated yesterday. The
weather being favorable, the audience was un
commonly brilliant and numerous. His Excel
lency the Governor, efeorted from Boston by
capt, Purkit's new company of Horse, attend
ed. The literary Exercises of the day were,
r, A Salutary Oration in Latin. By James
Trecothic Austin.
z. A Forensic Disputation upon this question,
" Whether it be right to male war merely to pre
serve the balance of power ," By Reuben Ma
fbn, and Peter Nurse. , ;
, 3. An English Poem upon—" Tlx Aeafurer
of Illufon." By James Flint.
4. An English Conference upon—" Thecffa
of Hopeh Tear, and a feoje of Duty in f Man.
By John Codman, Levi Lincoln, and Solomon
Kidder Livetmere. • [ <..
5. A Gieek Dialouge upon—" The refra
due to the aged." By Nathan Bourne Crocker
and Samuel Greele.
6. A Colloquial Difeuffion of " T& Impor
tance of a general Diffifan of Knowledge." By
Timothy Newell and Charles Saunders..
7. An English Di&rtation upon.—" Ufa"
By Leyi Frifbie.,
8. An Eriglifh Conference upon —“ Theefret
of Declamation, Ridicule and Argument upon popu
lar Assemblies" By William Allen, Charles
Winston Greene, and Leverett Saltonftall.
9. An English Oration upon—" Innovation''
By Andrew Ritchie.,
, 10. A Forensic Disputation upon this ques
tion—" Whether Wealth conduce to National Hap
pinefs? By Samuel Hoar and Ebenezer Kock
wood.
11. An English Poem upon.—" National.
Chara Der." By Henry Putnam.
12. „A Colloquial Difeuffion of—" T^e impor
tance of a Navy to the United States " By Jacob
Newman Knapp, and Richard Devens Harris
z - English Com portions; By Henry A
dams, Francis Blanchard, John Fofttr,Will%
Gammage, Isaac Gates, Stephen Hale, William
Minot, Henry Rice, Timothy Foster Rogers
and Jonathan Edwards Scott. ' &
14. Pieces in Algebra, Perfpe&ive and Af
troaom. By Henry Babcock, Caleb Holmes,
Asa Mitchell, John Randall, and Alexander
Townsend. 1
I, An English Oration, upon—" Liberali
ty." By Ichabod Nichols.
16. An English Oration, upon—" Rdfo/pec,
tion.' 1 By Mr. Luther Richardson.
17. A Valedictory Oration in Latin. By
Mr. Michael Hodge..
The time fixed on for the execution of Eben
ezer Mason, at Dedham, is Thursday & 7th
October. 1
It is the general belief at Cadiz,that
it will not be more than eight months,
before there will be an open hostility on
the part of all the Barbary powers a
gainß the United States. The Emper
or of Morocco wants money of us, and
if he does not get ifh^'is determined
to capture our merchantmen and en
slave their crews.
0
NEW-BEDFORD. AUG. 20.
An old sea captain advises, mariners
bound on long voyages to carry hand
mills, with which they can reduce their
hard bread to flour, for all the purposes
for which the latter may be wanted -—
Flour itfelf, it is known, will not keep
sweet a great while.
0
BOSTON, AUGUST 26.
MORE of the BOSTON FRIGATE.
Capt. Norman who has arrived at
Baltimore, from Trieste, (at the head of
the Adriatic) Rates, that on palling the
Streights of Meffina, he landed at that
city, where he was informed, that a
courier had palfed for Naples from Sy
racuse the preceding day, who related,
I'hat seven Tunisians were in chafe of
a Neapolitan frigate ; that Capt.M-Neil,
in the Boston frigate, passed between
the Tunisians and toe chafe, which so
incensed the Tunisian Commodore, that
he fired into the Boston, which fire was
returned,and the action became general
between the Squadron and the Boston.
The result was, two of the Tunisians
were funk, two dismasted, and the rest
fled. The Boston put into Syracuse,
(in Sicily) much injured, having seve
ral of the officers anj men killed.
«, The above is the ms direct account
W have seen. Capt. Normun left Medina
the id of June ; and gave the above infor
mation at. Gibraltar as he pafcd. Ihe
various reports which have been put in
circulation on thefubjefl, have "unfefliona
bly arisen from mistakes in the writers,dr
hearers at that fortrefs. It is highly prob
able that some event has retarded the Boston
in the Mediterranean, as her arrival here,
a month face, was expelled by government.
The last correft accounts from Gib
raltar, inform, That Mr. Sirapfon haj
returned to Tangiers, and that there
existed a profped of an amicable adjust
ment of the broil between the United
States and the Emperor of Morocco.
The public monies paid by the Unit
ed States to the Barbary Powers, finee
1791, amount to 2,059,320 dollars !
The prompt and efficient blockade
of Tangiers, by Commodore Morris, )
had its desired effe&, for the Emperor
soon recalled Mr. Simpson, and he was
a&ually carried back tq Tangiers in the
frigate Chesapeake, where he was in
formed, that he might remain in the
Emperor's dominions for fix months
longer, or till advices Should be receiv-'
ed from the United States.
The Washington papers by the last
mails, make no mention of the indispo
sition of the President.
co's turning away ourConful,Mr.Simp
son, from Tangiers—in confequeace cf
which, WAR was immediately to take
place ; but he has since recalled him &
promised the United States Six months
to make up the difference between him
and them."
COMMENCE MENT.