The United States oracle of the day — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-01-18 00:00:00, page 1

manner.
id. The price will be one dollar for each book,
jd. A lift of the names of the Subfcribc, will
be subjoined to the work.
£f Subferiptions for the above tvorl are received by
C. PEIRCE, at tie United States' Oracle Office,
and Columbian Boobfore, PortfeoLib, N.H.
Z== ——±—-r ?:-•-^r::™ , r:ms
PROPOSALS
FOR PUBLISHING
A Monthly Magazine,
ENTITLED,
THE COL UMBIAN PHENIX;
CONTAINING
All the Variety ulual in Publications of the kind;
and embracing particularly the fubje&s of
RELIGION, SENTIMENT, TASTE, E
CO NOMY, CRITICISM, and POLITICS.
C 0 NDNT I.ONS.
THE above work will contain from 60 to 70
pages, Bvo. handsomely executed, on good
paper, in double columns, monthly. Price, &
cents, each number%,to be paid quarterly
I The firft number to be issued the firfl Mon
hday in February next ; the fuccceding ones, the
^ firft Monday of each following month.
THE intended Editor acd Proprietor of the
COLUMBIAN PHENIX hopes he ffiall not
; be deemed impertinent, while he states his mo
, tives to the public, and solicits the fofteriug aid
! cf his patrons to his own efforts to merit their
, approbation.
4 Having been unfortunately deprived of his
fight ; but not till a considerable acquaintance
with books, and knowledge of the world,
acquired by travelling, had furnilhed him with
uftful obfetvatious, and a fund of materials for
; reflexion ;it is not only incompatible with his
• situation, but uncongenial to his whiles, to en
' g a g e i n the busy fcencs of life; and necessity,
as well as choice, induce him to seek his refour
;ccs and sphere of utility in the " intellectual
world."
He chcriihes, perhaps, an overweening hope,
that a generous public, which has already made
him a grateful fubje& of its liberality, may find
some return in his feeble, though unremitted ex
ertions, to make himfelf ufeful in the proiccu
tion of the above work. Without the means,
or ambition to amass a fortune, be has too much
pride to be burthenfome to his friends. It is
his defcn to devote his afliduous attention to
the COLUMBIAN PHENIX ; and while he
< ndeavors to make it a permanent establishment,
he flatters himfelf it will afford him a perma
nent fopport.
He has been frequently folicite&by his friends
to commence the undertaking, and by their as
sistance has formed the neceffury arrangements.
With the aIJ of a number of literary gentlemen
in Borton and different parts of the Continent,
and the bed periodical and original works, fiora
England, for his auxiliaries, he hopes to make
his'Magazire a faithful Chronolnger of impor
tant events, domestic and foreign ; a Reposito
ry of original and fcled matter, which the con
noisseur may peruse without disgust, and the
grave without offence; where, the gay may
find inftru&ion with amufementrfhe dull,a ftim
-1;!?% and the licentious a check: And while
The Compiler of rhe proposed work has been
induced to undertake its publication, at the re
quest of a number of his most refpe&able patrons,
who are desirous of possessing in one volume,
those truths, exhortations, and monitions,which
are calculated to inftru& the mind, amend the
heart, and inspire with true national spirit and
independence, every American bosom.
JOHN RUSSELL.
CONDITIONS.
OH, WASHING TO^ T ! tboa bcro,patriot,fagc!
Friend of all climes, and pride of every age !
Were tbirte the laurels, every foil could raise.
The mighty barvfl were penurious praise.
Well may our realms tby Fabien wisdom loaf ;
Tby prudence fuv'd, what bravery bad loft.
Tet e'er bads thou, by Heaven's fiverer fates,
Like Sparta's kero at the Grecian straits,
Been doom'd to meet, in arms, a world of foes,
Wbom jkill could not defeat, or walls oppose,
Then bad tby bread, by danger ne'er subdued,
The mighty BUCKLER of thy country flood ;
Fraud of Its wounds,each piercing spear woul ^idf,
Which left Columbia's foes one javelin Lfs;
Nor felt one pang-r-but, in the glorious deed,
Tby little band of heroes too, mud bleed ;
Nor throb'd one fear—but, that feme poifen'd dart,
Tby bread might pass, & rea.btby Country 's heart!
PAINE.
PROPOSAL,
FOR Printing an elegant Volume, to contain
those invaluable Competitions of our late Chief
and President, by which he communicated to
his Country, and the World, a fyflem of politi
cal Morality, that can only be surpassed by the
Scriptures of Divine Revelation.
THE LOOK WILL CONTAIN,
I. His Address to Congress on the Acceptance
of the Command of the American Army in 17,5.
11. His Address to the Governors of the seve
ral States, at the close of lite revolutionary war.
111. H;s Farewell Address to the Army at
the Peace.
IV. His Address delivered; to Congress op
resigning his Commiflion as General and Com
mander in Cffief.
V. His inaugural Speech to Congtefs, as firft
President of the United States.
VI. His parental and affectionate Address to
his country, declining their future fuffrages for
the Prefidcncy.
VII. His Letter ofAcceptance ofhis appoint
ment as General and Commander in Chief, in
1798.
Ift. The Work will be contained in about 200
pages i2mo. impressed with a new and beau
tiful type, on the fineft paper, and delivered to
fubferibers, bound and lettered in the neatest
THE POLITICAL LEGACIES
Geo : Washington.
,™T* tam& ^uwt--•■-—' —-Tr^'*"'*^/..--*J..-»« -------- .
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, TWENTY -FOURTH YEAR. ~~ " ='" —
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ELEVENTH YEAR.
Übe Unites States; ^^^^ ®rade of dje ^qi
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' •TT qfl,r^==i= ffiw ' r ^ PWMKI ■UH—MMW—m H'MSIII IS.lWlll ■»!'maaEWnai Tin— !■ 11 nil liww.'j
Printed and Published every SATURDAY MORNING, by ^ ^- CHARLES PEIRCE, No. 5, Danieldlreet, Portfmoutb, N.H.
iff i^i^^iMzi^raerzTC^cnCTFTrcCTs^FTCjrcvrrmremKsicmertM^eCTWMtCTCTsrcxxi^^
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, ,3^. v PRICE i DOLLAR CENTS Per
BW ■1 ■ 111 ■ 111 . 2£.1X1 icaMgiiaAa! M<— r ■ Mlin ;fw-wi[wMWM&ri»»»p»^ ■ niA
er ALL THE DISPOSITIONS AND HALITS WHICH LEAD TO POLITICAL PROSPERITY, RELIGION AND MORALITY ARE INDISPENSABLE SUPPORTS.
In linking a well in Roxbury, during the last
summer, Gen. Heath found a vein of afbeftoid,
of a leek green colour, of rather an inferior qual
ity, containing a very large proportion of iron.
From Marblehead, I have ften a specimen of
Molybdena, of argentine brilliancy, in small
scales, of a very superior quality.
In Orford, New-Hampshire, is found a large
quarry of the indurated Steatites, [Kirwan's
Magnefian Genus, 6th species, second Family.]
known by the name of Orford stone, it is of a
greenish grey colour, spotted with yellow and
red ; susceptible of an imperfect polilh, feels
greasy, may be cut with a knife or Scratched
with the nail. It is wrought with saws and
planes for building houses, chimneys, &c. It
relifts the heat of iron founderies, becoming
whiter and harder. The air furnace in Dart
mouth College Laboratory is made of these
stones, by cutting through fcvcral of them and
placing one above another, When it was firft
used it shews a disposition to crack, from a seg
ment of the furnace being of afinglc piece, but
this was prevented by making several saw-calves
on the inside of each piece.
The Moralist, the Philosopher, the Politi
cian, the Scholar, and the Friends of the Muse,
are solicited to favor the Editor with the pro
ductions of their Icifure hours, fele& extracts,
and interesting communications, which they
may judge of importance to the work : Every
favor will be cheerfully received, and grateful
ly acknowledged by their obliged friend, and
the public's devoted servant,
J. HAWKINS.
Boston, January, 1800.
bSubferiptions, for the above work, are
received by C. Peirce, at the United States' Oracle
Office, and Columbian Book-fore, Portfmoutb, N. H.
IN the lime pits in Newbury, (Mafoebufctt^)
is found large masses and veins of Afbeftoid, in
veiled with lime ftoue; [Kirwan's Magnefsan
Genus, 15th fpecies,firft family.] it is olive green,
of a waxy luftre, and partially transparent; val
uable veins of Amianthus (Afbeftus) are found
inhereing in it. This stone con fills of Silex,
Magnefta, and Iron ; the best specimens contain
nearly 50 pr.cent magnifia,&id may be wrought
to advantage. The miners thought this to be
Sulphur.
The amianthus (asbestos) found in these mines
is of a beautiful silky texture and silvery luftre ;
of different lengths, from one tenth of an inch,
to an inch or more ; it is usually found in veiled
with afbeftoid. It is called stone flax or cotton,
it is wrought into cloth and garments. It re
fills the fire of a smith's forge. The garments
are cleansed from filth, by burning in a clear
fire, when they become tolerably white. The
antients used to burn the bodies of their dead
in sacks of this cloth, that they might retain the
allies of the body for ritual purposes ; feperate
from those of the fire. The wick of the famed
Fhilofophical candle is made of this substances.
To manufacture it, it is firfl pounded in a wood
en mortar, to free it from earth and grit, it is
then elided, spun and wove like cotton, which
it very nitich refcmbles, except its luftre is/mere
silvery.
In these pits the Glassy A&inolyte may be
found, [Kirwan's Magnefian Genus, 18th fpe
cies.] it is of a greenish or silvery white colour,
and glassy or silky luftre; it very much refcm
bles petrified wood, splitting in concentric layers.
In these mines a Lapidary may fcaft himftlf
with many curious minerals not to be found in
American cabinets.
he makes it his constant aim to inculcate those
religious, social, and political featiments, which
constitute the strongest bonds of focicty; it will
be has ambition, that his Magazine may be of
the moss extensive utility, to make it u onhy of
the peruial, and mtereftiag to that important
part of the community—the A, Tricon Fair.
Not to feel a partiality lor his Country would
be ungrateful and absurd in the Editor. From
this predilection, a large portion of his pages
will be occupied by the productions of Ameri
can pens. Those that display and vindicate the
excellence of our free government, that tend to ,
filelice the clamour of party by manly argument,
that cherilh a love of country, and national
pride, founded in genuine patriotism, in short,
to improve its morals, taftc, and manners, .and'
add dignity to its character, will claim the firft
attention.
Remarkable account of a Land Turtle.
In the year 1763 Mr. Shuback Thompson
found a land turtle in the north easterly part of
the town of Middleborough, which, by some
Misfortune had loft one of its feet; and found the
following marks on its fhcll, viz. I. W. 1747.
He then marked it S. T. 1763, and let it go.
It was found again in the year 1773, by Elijah
Hap, who marked it E. C. 1773,, and let it go.
It was found again in 1775, by capt. W'm Shaw
who marked it W. S. May, 1775,and let it go.
It was next found by the fame person, in the Sep
tember following, about 100 roods from where
he let it go before. It was next found in 1784
by Jonathan Stout, who marked it J. S. 1784
and let it go. It was next found in 1791 by
Zeanaf Smith, who marked it Z. S. 1791 and
let it go, being the last time it was found, 44
years from the time the firft mark was put on.
It is a curious lad, perhaps rot generally
knowd, that in 1790, the muster roll of the
French National Guard contained above three
millions of names, all exercised in the use of arms
in marching and maneuvering, and of course all
ready, at an hour's notice to take the field.—
The levy of only one man out of every company
would enable the government in a moment to
fend sixty thousand men to the field. Onr readers
may judge from this circumflance v hether the
French government, even at this day, will not
find a greater facility in railing a disciplined ar
my, titan any other nation in Europe.
An excellent well toned Bell wasa few weeks
since created in the new Meeting House in Bof
cawen. The public spirit of the inhabitants in
this refpea, is laudable, and worthy of imitation
in every town of equal wealth and confluence.
Sketches of Natural Hiflory.
For the United States Oracle.
glory, was one continued universal glow
of private and public virtues ; and that
there is no solid wisdom but in the
I ° EULOGIUM
IN
HONOR of WASHINGTON.
Composed by a Lady ts Neto-York.
0
Hfre, Science, Feeling,Taste combin'd,
All weep the friend of human kind ;
A female's pen ; a female's form,
The heroic's patriots' foul must warm ;
With her, o'er Ternon's mound they bend,
And weep the father; mourn the friend.
did virtues, contemptible weaknesses, or bru
tal vices. That vain glory, and criminal
ambition, which made an Alexander, a
C^far, a Cromwell and a Pruffan mon
arch the scourges and polls of human
nature, which obfeured the rays of their
glory, we lliall find in the character of
Washington, their fplendour eclipsed
by the more fuhlime virtues of Citizen,
Patriot, Friend of man, and Founder of
the liberties of empires yet unborn by
theftpl endodr ofhis example-
The rec^-ds ofhis history would be a
detail of that stoical ciuhufiafni, which
makes the ground work of all thole
virtues, which form the character of the
great and nolle in the Soldier. The early
periods of his youth were marked with
prominent features of heroic courage,
and gave evident presages of his future
glory. The bravery with which, with
a handful of Virginians, he defended
the western frontiers, together with bis
counsel, (neglected by Braddock)which
would have prevented the loss of that
nerations, with an ability more equal to
the importance and dignity of a crisis
so solemn and interceding to your feel
ings.
To do justice to his virtues would
be to detail the variety of fcencs in
which he was engaged during the
ilorms of the revolution, which would
be incompatible with that brevity We
are reluctantly compelled to ebferve on
this important occasion. Were our
ability equal to our zeal, these impor
tant truths would result from the in-
veßigation That while others can
here and there bond a single a^ion, like
a splendid Rar amidst the vast expanse
of heaven, his life with scarce a tran
sient Ihade of diminilhed fplendour &
hearts, more durable than brass or mar
ble, and transmit them with undimin
ished vigour to grateful posterity.
The contour of the pi&ure is all that
you can expert from female patriotism.
To put on the drapery, and finish the
colouring, we leave to the dramatic pen
of feme future American Shakefpear,
who will doubtless arise and transmit
his tranfeendent merits to focceedfrig ge-
practice of those virtues which merit
the approbation of heaven, and secure
the prosperity and happiness of our
country.
If we search the records of hifiory,
and contemplate the condud of heroes
who have appeared on the theatre of
human nature, we Ihall find their career
checquered with an admixture offtlen-
From the Nezu-York Mercantile Advertiftr.
WHILE every, heart is swelled
with anguish, and heaves a sigh
of unfeigned grief for departed virtue,
and citizen drives with citizen in man
ifefting some public symbol or token of
refpe& to the memory of your deceased
Hero, permit the fair daughters of Co
lumbia to mingle their fympafltic
tears of refpedful condolence, and in
Ninian representations of unfeigned
gratitude, to express their sorrows for
the irreparable loss you have sustained,
by the death of the friend of^w; and of
his country, the illustrious Wash
ington.
To depia the pre-eminent virtues of
this father of his country will be the
peculiar talk of the historian, poet, bio
grapher and fellow soldiers, who have
seen him under the severe pressure of
those trying viciflitudes of fortune by
which his talents and virtues were de
veloped. To pourtray the outlines cf
this undiademed monarch cf your af
fections, in the humble garb of unco
loured female simplicity, and echo back
the groans and sighs of universal trib
ulation, is the only tribute we have to
offer at the shrine of this intrepid defen
der of your liberties.
Did we possess an eloquence fufficiently
powerful and energetic, to depid or de
tail the life and the many.eminent vir
tues of this unrivalled personage, it would
carry us beyond the limits of that mod
tft and decent refped, which we trust
will ever characterize the fair daughters
cf Columbia. His portrait, however
imperfectly drawn, will bring to your
recollection the eminent services he ren
dered his country, engraven in indelible
characters on the fiehily tables of cur
Though his peculiar occupation was
that of a soldier, yet without any claim
to what is called profound erudition,
his dispatches, answers to addresses and
the manner he.exercifed the function of
his exalted Ration as President, prove,
by the neatness precifan, and purity of
his diCtion, that he possessed the pro
found abilities of aJlatefman,joined to a
considerable portion of literary talents.
His conversation was diftinguiflied
by a great and uneffeCted modesty,
so that he could scarcely bear, with
tolerable grace, the just acknowledg
ments which all the world paid him for
his distinguished services. He had the
gentle, prevailing art of supporting the
drooping spirits of a vanquished army,
and both by precept and the example of
the manly and heroic fortitude, which
no disasters could subdue, or danger
diminish, by which he laved his coun
try from the brink of ruin, and was the
lak in the rear of his retreating army,
which proved to an admiring enemy,
that his spirits could not be broken by
reiterated misfortunes or the moll ad
verse circumstances. Every feature of
his public and private life proved that
he had a perfect command of those tu
multuous passions which disgrace the
Hero in the hour of victory, and de
prade the vanquished ; which by pre
serving th^nild co@efcending deport
ment of the gentleman free from fa
miliarity (the bane of discipline) with
out that austere dignity, which com
mands obedience, without exciting that
edeem, confidence and ardour wmch
Freedom inspires in the day of battle.
' In his politics he poifelfed an enlarged
way of thinking, and next to the sac
red and firft regards he owed his coun
try,he extended his benevolence toaha
tred cf tyrants, and an ardent wish for
the happiness of mankind. He lived
without ostentation in the most exemp
lary manner, conformable to the rules
of temperance, frugality, and economy.
His humane and generous treatment
of his prisoners, whom he considered as
the devoted victims of mistaken policy
or of guilty ambition, is one of the
brightest and moll amiable traits of
your departed Hero. Cruelty, carnage
or manton barbarity, never Rained the
banners, or disgraced the trophies of
his victories, in the midst of a dispersed
country, he dole those victories, & prov
ed to admiring posterity what a hand
ful of freemen can effeft, when conduc
ed by prudence, courage, and deter
mined bravery.
The disappointed ambition of a Paine
may dip his pen in gall, and draw a
veil over his military prudence, at Long
Island, New-York, Forts Lee and
Washington ; but, like the fun emerg
ing from a dark cloud, he will never be
able to darken the effulgent glory of those
victories which blazed with superior
force at Yorktown and in the Jerseys.
The masterly strokes of his genius, it is
reasonable to suppose, would hate giv
en additional eclat to this celebrated
General, had not the invidious policy of
the rival ofhis fame plucked laurels of
greater magnitude from the brow of
this American Fabius at Monmouth.
As gcneraliffimo of the armies of the
United States, no man poffAfed Clients
better qualified to discharge the varied
duties of his high station, and the vari
ous exigencies, perplexities, and difeor
dant opinions and interests, by w hich his
country was convulsed and divided.—
She found in his cautious circumj, eflion,
persevering fortitude, determined inflexible
courage, heroic zeal, unafaning dignity,
moderation and prudence, a cementing
principle and the centre of their union.
He was both the a hutment, the founda
tioband key fate, upon which the arch
of their liberties was to be ereded ; the
superior planets round which a constel
lation of illustrious patriots and virtues
moved in harmonious uniformity of
design, and rose faperior to the military
tallies of veteran braveryfufred fuccejs.
The blows of adverse fortune & a def
ponding country, from the brilliant suc
cesses of the armies of Britain served
only to rekindle the flame ofpatriotifm,
redoubled the vigour of those talents
and military virtues, which, at Trenton
and Princeton, reversed the fortune of
war, and will blazon the escutcheon of
the immortal Wafringten in the records
of military fame through all succeeding
generations.
brave general, and the defeat of his ar
my and their consequent disasters, dis
played military talents, which pointed
him out to the diferiminating eyes of
bis countrymen, as the auspicious youth
whom heaven had deiignated, and one
day reserved to do signal service to his
country,
Weep not, ye gentle fair ! Let this
consolation wipe away sorrow from
your tender bosoms, and teach you re
signation to the decrees of the unerring
Ruler of Nations. The actions of his
life, and the profeffion of his chrftian
faith, give you comfortable assurance,
that" though dead he still liveth." The
winged choristers of heaven, fluttering
about his etherial spirit, have doubtless
hailed his approaches to the bosom of an
approving Deity, and exalted him to a
more honourable Ration, where the in.
terceffion of your Chrillian Hero may
render Rill greater benefits to you and
your posterity. Be comforted. He
has not finished his career of earthly
glory, before the important fabrick of
your political rights was secured by
your happy constitution: You may still
behold him living in its letter, breathing
in its spirit. Would you Ihew your
gratitude to heaven and your protedor,
or refped to his memory ? Teach your
children to part with life rather than its
matchiefs bleflings, written in charac
ters of the blood of your gallant de
fenders.
which the f<^s of riot, profligacy and
prodigality condemn, who are not ca
pable of enjoying the more refined
luxuries of elevated & cultivated minds.
Freed from avarice, he served his coun
try without pecuniary reward. The
fame greatness of mind accompanied
him in the vicissitudes of fortune, which
chequered the life of the brightest or
nament of our country, and die boast
of man. He died as he lived, in the
religion of an boneft man, superior to the
pomp and pageantry of Rate, to which
the gratitude of his country had called
him. When he had finished his career
of glory, he retired with the blessings of
his country to the rank cf citizen, and
to the peaceful (hades of retired life.
He drew his fworef when the free
dom of his country was violated, and
returned it to its scabbard, when its
rights were secured. That natural
propensity to repose, which age de
mands, loft its charms when the com
mercial rights of our country were in
sulted. The indolence of declining
years yielded to his cardinal paffian the
love of bis country, and by his accepting
the command of the army a second time
set the. illustrious example, that when
the honour of our country is violated, or
its rights invaded, the post of inferior
rank is the post of honour, devoid of pride,
of the envy of the highest Ration.
In short, in whatever point cf view
we contemplate this noblest work of ths
Creator, we fee the finger of bis bene
ficence firongl, marked ; and through
every Rage of his existence, the vivid
colours of human excellence.
Ye gallant youth of the riling gene
ration—contemplate his virtues—en
grave him in your memories—imitate
his example, that you may inherit his
praises.
Ye tender infants— chaunt him in
your song—lisp him in your prayers—
civork him on your samplers— paint him
on your fans.
Ye fair daughters of Columbia—•
worship him in the temple of Hymen —
and in the foft hours of virtuous
affection, copy him as the most perfect
model, and with gulhing eyes and an
guiffied hearts, Rrikingyour per Jive bo
soms, cry—Here lies
General Orders.
Head-trotters, BOSTON,
January I, 1000.
IN order to express the deep regret,
and heart-felt sorrow, with which
every American Citizen muR necefla
rily be affected by the deccafe of Gen
eral GEORGE WASHINGTON,
America's bell and most endeared
friend ; the Commander in Clijef or
ders, that the Officers and Soldiers of
the Militia of this Commonwealth wear
their military uniforms every Sunday
for fix months from the date hereof,
with a black crape on the left arm, juR
above the cuff ; and that the hilts of
the Officers' fwerds be also covered
with black.
Salem, January 9' IBOO #
T^E Brigadier-Generals of the Se
con&^ivificn will communicate the
foregoing General Order of the ift init.
in such manner that it may be imme
diately carried into effeft in their ref
pe&ive brigades.
By order of Major General Abbot.
JOSEPH STEVENS, 4^. .1, 4). C.
WASHINGTON'S Lrgact.
iv order of the Commander in Chief.
WILLIAM DONNISON,
Adj. Gen.
Divlfion Oiders.
WASHINGTON.