The Rhode-Island American, and general advertiser — Providence [R.I.], 1810-10-23 00:00:00, page 2

Perhaps some general regulations like the following, might properly be adopt*
•d by ths jrtate government. That the legislature provide, that the executive of
ths State appoint a register of arts, whose duty it should be, to record all new
discoveries in the arts and sciences, together with a brief statement of the con
tents of all the new literary publications, foreign and domestick. '•
That handsome premiums, at the expense of the State, be proposed annually
for the best treatise on each of tjje following subjects, viz. on Agriculture, show
ing the kind of crops, most proper for the farmer in any given soil and climate, and
how rural labours generally may be turned to the best account; suggesting new
subjects for expeftment, and reciting such experiments, as have proved useful;
pointing out bad modes of culture in common use, and the cheapest and most ef
fectual methods of fertilizing soils; of procuring the most productive seeds for
ail kinds of crops, improving the breed of cattle and sheep, with any other im-
Erovemehts, that might enrich the soil, save labour, and produce the most profita
le results. On Commerce and Navigation, directing the merchant to what
markets he might send the natural product of our country, to obtain the greatest
profits, having reference to the outward bound and return cargoes, giving also
the statement- of American trade with foreign nations, and how their balance of
trade stands with the United States. On Manufactures, showing what kind of
stuffs can be manufactured from our own native materials, with most profit, and
What real profit, and also the best and most approved machinery, that has been in
troduced into each branch, to save labour, with any Other remarks that may give
useful information on the subject. On Education, showing the best method of pro
ducing and preserving, in the whole community, pure religion and good morals, and
of diffusing general information; the best system of common school discipline, and
governing young children while at school. On Economies, pointing out the
kind of sustenance most cheap and nourishing for labourers in the field and wdrk
shops; the best substitute for ardent spirits, that will tend to nourish the labourer
as well as to reclaim the day-labouring drunkard, in a manner to preserve his'mo
kals and sobriety. Atap, the savings that 4 might be made by all classes of citizens
in food, in apparel, in implements of husbandry, manufactures, and household fur
niture. On Civil Liberty, showing the most effectual means to preserve it, re
faring to New-England usages and the influence of the, opinions, principles and
institutions of our emigrant forefathers on their posterity. On the Military Art,
Suggesting how the most effective military force can be formed in the militia,
that will combine the saving of expense with the security of civil freedom, and
on such other subjects as might be deemed important.
• That there be appointed five literary characters, of the first talents and respect
ability in the State, to be denominated Police Commissioners, whose duty it
should be, annually, to canvass each Treatise or Dissertation, (the authour's name
’ being unknown till after the merit of the work was decided on Q that they should
•elect the most approved in each branch for the highest premium, and as many
more, not to exceed five in the whole, on each subject, as the Commissioners
might think worthy of publication; the authour of qaen approved Treatise or Dis
sertation, to have adjudged him a premium of half the value of the first. All of
which Reports and Dissertations to be printed at the publick expense, and one
copy of each to be deposited in each town or corporate district for publick use.
That the Police Commissioners divide the whole State into Police Districts, and
appoint in each a President, with a competent number of other officers, to be
denominated Police Directors, whose duty it shall be to have periodical meet
ings for the purpose of contriving means to detect and apprehend great offenders
of the laws, such as robbers, thieves and counterfeiters ; to reform' drunkards,
idlers and all other dissipated persons; to endeavour to procure the means of
having the gospel preached generally, afld'to harmonize opposite sects in re
ligion and politicks; to ascertain the state of religion, morals, knowledge, agri
culture and manufactures in each town or district, and generally to endeavour to
effect'the amelioration of society in the several districts, by example, by instruc
tion and advice; to use their influence that social libraries be procured for each
society, town or district; to procure the establishment of agricultural, manufac
turing'and other useful societies; to examine in what manner the laws are obey
ed and executed, and to report once a year their observations and proceedings to
• the Police Commissioners, noting each particular that may any way contribute to
the publick good, and that the Commissioners, from time to time communicate
special instructions to the directors, together with such information as may be
thought useful to be made publick. That the Commissioners report annually to
the legislature a minute account of their proceedings and discoveries, noting in
what instances they may think it expedient to appeal, alter, or enact publick laws.
The State should erect and endow Universities, Colleges and Academies, where
a sufficient number of these seminaries have not already been furnished by the
liberality of publick spirited individuals. They should provide the means of sup
porting a sufficient number of Grammar and other Schools, to teach all the youth
the various rudiments of Education. Towns and parishes should be compelled
to provide the necessary means of supporting their schools on penalty of for
feiting to the government a sum, that should be adjudged sufficient for that pur
pose. And in addition to the immediate Support of tjjeir schools, they should be
obliged to pay yearly another tax equaftO their State tax, to be collected with
their State tux, and deposited in the State Treasury for a school fund, to be loaned
at compound interest, and to be continued from year to year until the annual in
come from it, would be adequate to pay th*'expense of the necessary instruction
of all the youth in the State.
And that as in &e first stage of youth children are mostly under the guardian
ship of their mothers, who have it in thpir power to make strong wid lasting im
pressions on the tender mind, that seminaries be established at the publick ex
pense, for the especial use of educating and accomplishing young women in a
manner to fit them for good wives, as well as useful instructors to their offspring.
Also, that provisions be made by the State for such feeble or decrepid young
men, who from bodily debility are unable to procure a livelihood from the ordi
course of labour, provided they sustain good moral characters.
Also, for other young men of fair moral characters, who, by examiners appoint
ed for that purpose, should be adjudged to possess extraordinary native genius—
to h.cfe a strong propensity to science, and were destitute of the means of pro
curing on education. But that in all cases of this kind, an exact account be kept of
all their expenses to be defrayed by the State, and that they should be holden to
refund them with legal interest, after they had so far progressed in their studies
as io render them capable of instructing a grammar school. That no master nor
mistress should be permitted to instruct any school without a previous examine-
L'Jte wMWm, Ht u> pIMM <h« of PfopU. on«
Sy a stntimet/thM gjwfrub of their education, an* waa etfltyy enjoined by
/ their natfoual religion. The refractory few oti>fiWh their national education
/ had not it* proper effect, Were reduced to subordination by the compulsion of the
/ civil officer. Peter the Great, of Russia,, and Frederick 111. of Prussia, united tp
the possession of unlimitted imperial power the talents of great legislators. The
union of philosophy and civil power in these men combined a physical force, that
like the plustick hand of nature modelled whole nations to a system of thinking and
acting, that united the publick good with the views of the monarch. In .modern
times we lack the influence of the one over the many, as well as a sufficient de
gree of civil power to produce such astonishing effect* on society. In Bonaparte
great, power has indeed been vested ; but it has always been exerted to excite
terrour and create distress. In our times we have not a Lycurgus, nor a Peter
the Grdat. Had any one the wisdom to dictate the best system of morals and laws,
he has neither the power nor the popularity sufficient to constitute him a legisla
tor; Mid the people, although it might render them more happy, will nut con
sent to pail with such d'portion of their liberties, as would, the moment it
vested in the sovereign of the State, cause them to be forced into new creatures.
It therefore follows, that in our country the means that remain to improve society
is vested in the civil power deputed to the legislature, and the wise and benevo
lent motives of private individuals. The nurse, the parent, the schoolmaster,
the religious teacher, the power of example and the force of the laws, all have
a combined effect in shaping the inind and manners of the man.
Jb forming the taste and shaping the character, early examples and the laws of
opinion contribute more than the positive laws of the land. It is hot easy to hit
Upon a system, which, when applied to a whole society, would make them more
wise and happy; and were such a system contrived, a still greater difficulty would
exist, in procuring its general adoption by a people living under a free elective
government. Finally, the mode of producing changes for the better in the minds
and manners of a people, free and independent, must be principally brought
about by persuasion. Publick spirited, influential citizens should form societies
in the whole community for the purpose of devising means to enlighten publick
opinion and promote publick good.
. The grand outlines and general directions for improving the state of society,
fry enlarging the stock of knowledge and virtue among the people, should origi
nate in the legislature. frnd the motives to obey the laws, on these subjects,
should consist rather in rewards than punishments—in hopes rather than fears.
JFoar may produce obedience to law, but wisdom and goodness must be excited
by nobler motives.
The duties of the pulpit are important in a high degree, as one branch of gene
ral instruction. The man who administers in holy things, should as much re
semble tfie perfectability of human nature, he labours to recommend, as is con
sistent with the wanness and frailty of man. My choice of a religious teacher
would be, not a mysterious, but a plain common sense man, without affectation,
pathetick, and, without pedantry, learned; wise in his choice of subjects for dis
cussion, as well as in the manner of giving old truths a new dress, with a view to
secure the attention of his audience; not opinionated, but fixed in his tenets,
which I would not have him define by metaphysical subtleties. His mind should
be rather turned to practical than speculative notions; he should be sincerely
{nous and devout without enthusiastical wild particularities. All things are law
ul, says Paul, but all things are not expedient. A preacher of the gospel should
not descend to the mere stoick moral essayist; he should be a pure evangelical
teacher of the bible. From the great variety of subjects the scriptures furnish,
the preacher should confine his remarks to such only as could be made intelligi
ble to the understanding, and interesting to the feelings of his hearers. The mat
ter of which the pulpit discourses consisted, should be sentimental and impressive,
such as comes home to every man’s bosom and conscience, rather than refined
metaphysical speculations and cold logical inferences from a laborious process of
reasonfog. In illustrating spiritual truths by familiar objects of sense, the
preacffK* should resemble his Divine Master, who taught as never man taught;
not by the art of logick and profound reasoning, which few could understand, not
by empty declamation that conveyed no instruction, but by natural similes and
beautiful metaphorical allusions, drawn from the occasion and the objects that
surrounded him, and were equally addressed to the heart and the understanding.
He should be apt to teach as well little children as those of mature age. For
his flock he should feel a pastoral love as the father of a family; counselling the
ignorant, reclaiming the vicious, reconciling the litigious, visiting the sick,
strengthening the weak, and comforting the afflicted. The effect of twenty years
continual preaching by such a teacher in one place, accompanied Mfith his good
example, would beget morals and habits that would, I had almost xKd, preserve
order and justice without law, should not its beneficial effects be counteracted by
extraneous unpropitious causes.
Children should early be taught, by exerting themselves, to supply their dwn
wants. Obedience should be enjoined as a most indispensable duty. Smatl ihis
demeanors should be rather winked at than punished, as chiding too often blunts
the edge of authority. Punishments should be certain and prompt, but not se
vere.' Disgrace, instead of blows, should be inflicted on a child, when his dispo
sition is not too base or his feelings too calous to feef shame; placing him'-in an
uncomfortable posture, or shutting him up, is bettfer than beating, and authbrlta
tive gestures aye generally to be preferred to scolding. The power of example is
great, and I have often thought that tyrants have been formed to sway the iron
sceptre'by being placed in darly youth under the care of arbitrary, ill natured
guardians and schoolmasters. The tender attachment of children to parents and
instructors should be cultivated with great care, bi yrhich means a frown would
often answer the purpose of a blow. Thus the fear fo offend would be excited by
love ; 'this would check vice by improving the social affection*. The lt>ye of
praise should be encouraged fend gratified, as in youth it is a powerful stimul.us'to
duty. Instructors of schools should create rivalships by exciting emulation
among the several classes, by distributing badges of distinction or small premi
umi among such as excelled. Children should be inured to little trials by fre
quent trifling disappointments, and applauded for bearing them with fortitude.
This would give hardihood tothe body and firmness* to the mind. They should
not be permitted to remain uhehnployed, as idleness enervate* the body and cor
rupts the mind. By the instructors of schools the Mligtous, Civil and moral du
ties should be explained and taught. Supreme love and reverence to the Deity,
obedience to civil authority, gratitude to parents, and general benevolence to all
men, should be inculcated with the rudiments of edufotion. Amusements should
be blended with instruction l» prevent the latter from becoming irksome. Chil
dren should be with interesting stories and anecdotes,
founded on facts in the bible; the history of our country, the curious phenomina
in astronomy, geography, philosophy and natural hlsUry. They should have lit
tle abusing books with pictures, showing to the eye objects described on sub
jects Adapted in matter and style to their capacities fWm five to twelve years of
age/. Thus in pursuit of amusement they would Imbibe the seeds of science from
their picture books, and from having acquired in childhood a glimpse of various
knowledge in miniature, their curiosity would be increased and their judgetrient
matured to drink more copious draughts from the -sadfe fountain.
GovKbmmbht, we understand, ha. re
ceived despatches from Gen. Armstrong,
by/the ship Sally, arrived in Baltimore ;
but they arc of a date anteriour to that of
the letter from M. Champagny to our Min
ister in Paris relative tothe repeal of the
Berdfaand Milan decreta.—JThfional In-
lt not thio extraordi
nary ? The letter in qveethn wae fiubliohed
in Parte the 9th Auguot, and in London
about the 16th i and the meeeenger nho
arrived in t he Sally, with deofiatchee, left
Liverpool 'the 28th of the eatne month.—
And yet government hat not, aeit declarer
received any thing official on the eubject
from General Amutrong or Mr. Pink
ney ! !]
NEW-YORK, October 17.
Yesterday, the schooner Laura-Ann,
Captain Chase, arrived at this port in 39
days from London, bringing London papers
to the evening of the 6th ult. These pa
pers however, contain nothing of political
or commercial importance.
Despatches from Mr. Pinkney, our Min
ister at Landon, were received by this ar
rival, and forwarded to Washington by yes
terday’s mail.
The Uqfted States sloop of war Hornet,
had arrived off Falmouth, and Lieutenant
Spencer had reached London with the de
spatches from our government.
Accounts from Basque Roads, received
in London, state that 13,000 French troops
I tfeai few certain raanactaMa, well instructed citisen*. whn ahmild be snnninijwi far
th 2 purpomin e<h town bfdiJtrimXm whom a cSdkufe of eacESEctor’s’
Htgrarf oalil»caoDns, and dr |oral character, fib otikl be obtained, be/orei
Having taken a view of the Ratios that seem to devolve on the legislature in
providing means for the education of the people, we will consider the subject as
it respects the parent, schoolmaster and divine. Fr6m the birth till the time of
going to school, the instruction of a child is confined to his parent; after this
period, and during the guardianship of parents, the minds of youth feel a com
bined influence from the various instruction they derive from the parent, the
schoolmaster, the clergyman and their intercourse with the world. During the
three- first years the province of education is concerned in giving strength and
hardihood to the body, and in forming to obedience the temper of the mind. At
this tender age, much care should be taken to preserve the native innocence and
courage of the child, by avoiding examples of deception and fraud, with the fright
ful stories of ghosts and hobgoblins. As children at school ought and will have
diversions, it concerns the instructor to direct their amusements, at intervals of
study, by selecting such plays and sports as would, while it improved the dexteri
ty of their bodies, require some exercise for their minds. He might indulge the
effusions of their sportive fancies out doors, by presiding as umpire to adjust
their rights of game, and preserve fair play. So that while diverting his' .own
mind from the severe duties of his office, he might occasionally, as a social father
of a family, relax his authority as master, to meet the convivial feelings'of playful
youth. He might here safely slack without loosing the reins of government,
which in school should always be held with an even hand. By thus taking a part
in these juvenile recreations, he might acquire the attachment and increase the
emulation of his scholars. -
ttje jßafltf.
ASHINGTON, October 15.
and 600 deserters are at Isle D’Aix, ready
to embark for South-America. Three ships
of the line were at Charante, and in Aix
Roads, three frigates, gun-brigs, Bcc.
The Regency of Spain has published an
order, declaring the Carracas, in conse
quence of the revolution there, in a state of
blockade. This order, however, compre
hends only apart of Carracas. Two Span
ish sail of the line have been sent out teen
force the blockade.
A Gottenburg mail brought an account,
that Servia is to be united to Austria.
London, September 4. '
The Chancellour pf the Exchequer has
recently adopted a system of retrenchment
in several of the Publick Offices, which
will produce a great annual saving.
September 6.
Gen. Armstrong lately presented several
of his countrymen at the ThuUleries. Bo
naparte addressing one of them who had
lately returned from England, said bruo
yuement, “Do you think the British will
permit your vessels to navigate the ocean ;
you see I have removed their apologies for
obstructing your commerced To be a great
nation you should sustain your flag. and
sustain it by your cannon.” Without wait
ing for a reply he turned to General Arm
strong, and asked him if he was not going
home, and when Congress would meet?
and then passed to another part of the cir
cle.—The attention of Bonaparte to the
Empress, who was present and evidently
pregnant, is extreme.—Her character is
said to be of the true German school of
supercilious dignity. It is remarked, in
fParieaUuhefritenfoykf Bonaparte's ap- ’
plicatfoa uf buAessls /vkAttly relaxed*
and that hj h«J Incensed fel bulk, consid
erably; bat hitfiorte without any apparent
diminution of activity., ,
The Active cartel, arrived at Plymouth
from Moria ix. bringing Mr. Ney. wUade
spatches from Mr. Mackenzie. hflßley
imfnediately set off for town with toe de
spatches, and the Active was kept In readi
ness to carry him back, <m bis return from
London. The conient* of these despatches
have not transpired, but a morning paper
states, that, “ the only obstacle which now
prevents the conclusion of an arrangement ,
for the exchange of prisoners, is occasioned
by > proposition of Bonaparte’s, that the
English shall be the last exchanged ; that
is, that the Spaniards and Portuguese shall
have the precedency I”
A treaty of commerce has been arranged
with the Deputies from the Carracas, in
the 4th article of which, we understand
that Great-Britain, on her part, engages
to protect the trade to those settlements
against any hostile attempts that may be
made to destroy it; a singular embarrass
ment thus arises from the late blockading
proclamation of the regency of Spate.
The money market continues to expert- '
ence much depression. Consols far mane/ J* ’
were yesterday done at 57 5 8, and the • of
Omnium was at a discount of 31 4 per cent. t
Tfee fall io the price of English doth is
perhyps the greatest ever known. The
finer sorts from Wilshire, which feat year
were sold at two guineas per yard; are Mt •
now worth 28*. and at some late Sales at
the Auction Mari, some of the best York
shire cloths, did not fetch 'above 4s. per
yard; so beneficial has been the late im
portation of Spanish wool.
COFENRAGKN, AugUSt 14,
Oar Court has published an Ordinance;
relative to a new toll line, and regulations
for the exportation of certain goods, of
which the following are the most essen
tial:—
“ This new toll line is to begin at the
town of NeWstadt, in the Duchy of Hdl
stein; continue through Cbunheck and
Segeberg; from thence to Oldesioe, over
Ulsberg and Bromstedt, to the city and fdf- .
tress of Gluckstadt; from thence along the
Elbe to Brunsbuttie, and as far as Busum,
in North Delhmapsh.
“ No merchandise that is not of European
origin, can pass this line, neither by sea nor
land expeditions;’ not even refined sugar
nor syrups.. . ... >
• ° However, those fabricks, that cannot j
exist without Colonial products, will have .
permission to bring through the line the
necessary articles, <m giving security that
they will return theiq through this line
when fabricated, city ef Altona being " M
exempt from the toll line, Commissioners i.
have been appointed there to take a speci
fic* inventory of all Colonial products.and
keep an exact control of the same, so tha t
none of this merchandise can be sent abroad »-
without special permission of the said Com- I
mlssiohers. . •
“ All transports of merchandise, not of .J
European origin, taken nearer the frontiers
than the above-mentioned places, without
proper passports and permits, are, forth®
first time confiscated, and the owner, or he •
who escorts such a transport, must psy a
fine equal to the value of the confiscated
goods; for a second or third offence, these
fines are raised in proportion; but for the
fourth, the goods are not only confiscated,
but the mulcts doubled; and iq case the
offender be a Burgher, he loses his freedom.
All the above-mentioned mulcts to be for
the benefit of the informers, or whoever
•tops the like transports.”
Riga, Augusta.
An express arrived yesterday from St.
Petersburg, with the news that the fate of
the ship* from Teneriffr, under embargo, is
now decided. It is bis Imperial Majesty’s
pleasure that all the imported goods are to
be placed under fcquestratioe; but tha
ships may sail with Russia products—
freight will therefore be lower.
___ •
We have seen a letter, per. the Laura- ’
Ann, dated London, August 30, the powt-.
script to which acknowleges thid receipt of ‘
a letter from Paris of the twenty-fourth of
August, stating, that Bonaparte had re
leased all the American property that, was
under sequestration. ’
Another letter by the same arrival, with
news from Farhsund, of July 38, mentions
the trial of the brig Nancy, of Phlladefphia,
and Mary, of Boston; the fohner was
cleared, and the captors condemned in
costs; and the latter was condemned <ut
the most frivolous pretexts, one of which
was, that her bottom was too clean to have
crossed the A tian tick !
SPANISH AMERICA.
The editors of the Federal Republican
have received the ** American Argus,” of
ficial Gazette, published at Carthagena, to
17th September. From their extracts fff
appears that the spirit of independence is
spreading through the provinces. Tie fol
lowing is the latest.
CAhTXAGBWA, September IT.
It appears, that all the people of Afoeri.
ca have felt the necessity of changiMthe
government and freeing themselvesjfem K
the tyranny of their cruel lypreaaon..