The Rhode-Island American, and general advertiser — Providence [R.I.], 1810-08-24 00:00:00, page 2

FOR THE RHODE-ISLAND AMERICAN.
PRACTICAL ECONOMY.
It will be recollected that Mr. Jefferson, on his assuming the government of the
United States, promised the people that the expenses of government should be lessened,
and that the salaries of the officers, which were then considered to be higher than was
necessary, should be reduced. The federalists, who have ever been political unbelievers,
would not, and did not place any confidence in these assertions. But fuels sufficiently
prove, that the past and present administrations have invariably pursued an economizing
* system. It cannot be denied that Mr. Jefferson reduced the salaries of the officers to the
Min nt 13,230 dollars more than they were under the administration of Washington ;
♦ and that iach man in his gun boat navy costs the United States a sum by 448 dollars per
annum more than when In the navy of John Adams. If these sums have bet n xuued to the
nation by the /iraeft’eaf economy of Messrs. Jefferson and Madison, who would m* be the
admirers of their administrations ? Who would not be the advocates of gun-boats ? Lest
tome people should be inclined to doubt the truth of the preceding remarks, the follow
ing examples, taken from a Vermont paper, arc exhibited as proof positive.
EXAIAPLE, J.
For the first session of the third Congress in 1793, (while Washington was president,)
the sum of $ 10,000 was appropriated for the contingent expenses of both Houses,
which gave to each member g 72 46.
For the first session of the eighth Congress in 1803, (when Jefferson presided.) besides
printing the President's Message, 828,000 were appropriated for contingent expenses,
which b«ing averaged among the members, gave to each 8 159 9*
For the contingent expenses of the second session of the e*. venth Congress in 1809,
(Madison President,) 8 34,000 were appropriated, which being averaged us above, gave
to each member $193 18.
EXAMPLE, 11. ,
Washington's Administration. fefferton's Administration.
Secretary of the Treasury, $3500 reduced to $ 5000
Secretary of State, 3500 do. • 50uO
Sccreto.y of War, 3000 do. 4500
Secretary of the Navy, 3000 do. 45(X)
Comptroller of the Treasury, 2250 do. 3500
Auditor, 1500 do. 3000
Treasurer, 2400 do. 3000
Register, 2000 do. 2400
Alton sy-General, 2400 do. 3000
Commissioner of the Revenue, 2400 do. 30C0
Accountant of the War Department, 12Q0 do. 2000
Accountant of the Navy Department, 1600 do. . 2000
Postmastcr-Genen.l, 2400 do. 3000
Assistant Doatmaster-General, 1200 do. 1700
$ 32,350 , 45,600
EXAMPLE. 111.
Tn the administration ot Mr. Adam*, each man in the navy cost the United States, per
dunum R 443, and in the last vear of Jefferson’s economical administration, each man in
the gun-boat navy coat the United States only 8 891
These are small specimens nf the late popubir mpdr of reducing the publick expenses.
The operation is performed, it seems, by reduction ascending.
»This, fellow-citisens, is according to the d. mocraticH arithmetick, by which you have
been defrauded out of much money. Under the administration of Washington, the fede
ralists were the majority to Congress. They appropriated all monies for the contingent
expenses of government. When they were in power, they were satisfied with small
salaries. • With Mr. Jefflrson, the democrats came into power. Under hie administra
tion the expenses of government were increased, nd the salaries of the officers were
raised. Nut satisfied with the administration of|Washingtnn, they practised innovations
ht year expense, and these innovations have been continued by the democrat*under Mad
ison To this latter class of politicians belong Messrs. Hasaxs and BroWX. Should
you elect them as-your Representatives to the twelfth Congress, they will pursue the
same measures that have been pursued since Mx Jrfcrson came into power. They are
the advocates of g>ih-boats and extravagant Ulaftes. But should you elect Mcrnra
Jacksow and Pottkk, they will earn themselves tn introduce economy in publick ex
penditures. These mon are the disciples of Wa ISiWotow. They are firm»y ottmehed
to the Constitution. They are opposed to gun-feats, and high salaries. They arr the
friends of commerce, agriculture and manufeertres. A CITIZBN.
only of the men in service, were officers; now the officers in pay amount to full
one third of the whole number employed. What other reason can be given for
this redundancy of officers, than that these officers are needy dependants upon
administration, and employed by it to influence elections ?
Upon a dispassionate view of matters as they really are, we behold every thing
in our governmental economy going swiftly to destruction. If our revenue is
reduced to almost nothing, our unnecessary expenditures ought to be curtailed—
the idlt toad-eaters of administration should be discharged. Two years since,
under adeep conviction of the truth of these observations, you promptly dismissed
bpm your confidence, a Representative who could not say nay to the demand of
( i profligate ministry; youthen elected to the representation, men who would
know the u whys and wherefores” before they gave their votes in the national
council. Mr. Jackson, who was elected in the place of Mr. Knight, deceased,
solemnly In the face of the nation, “ washed his hands*' of that iniquitous, traitorous
measure, the embargo. Mr. Potter has exerted himself to the utmost to obtain
a reduction of the army and navy; he has opposed unnecessary restrictions upon
commerce. These gentlemen are the only Representatives from this State, who
have afyoken the sentiments of their constituents for many years. This has
mightily offended Robert Smith and the other leading characters of the ruling
party; they have sent fieremfitory orders to the leaders of their party in this
Stale, to prevent the re-election of Messrs. Potter and Jackson, if possible.—
“ We do not want," say they, “ any Yankies to tell us what to do t it is sufficient for
them to receive their six dollars a day to give us their votes, we desire none tf their
oratory."
Th* importance and future effects of the approaching election, cannot be too
•deeply impressed upon your minds. J doubt not but the many documents which
have been published, have fully informed you of the policy of our present rulers.
In our foreign relations you have been informed, that our administration, after
more tnan three years spent in a temporizing submissive demeanour towards
Trance, have obtained nothing but additional sequestrations and confiscations of
the property of our merchants, to an incalculable amount; that the tone of menace
and of insnlt, which has been adopted in the diplomatick proceedings of our cabinet
with res; ret to Englund, have put that nation under the necessity of withholding
a Plenipotentiary from the insults of our Secretary of State, and of leaving its inte
rests in the hands of an under officer. When we look to the management of our
domestick concerns, we behold our revenue annihilated, while our disbursements
are enormously increased. The standing army, small as it is, now costs us more
than the fifty thousand men raised under the federal administration. Our pigmy
navy of gun-boat a now costs us more than the dreadful navy of that administration,
which consisted of thirteen frigates and twenty-four sloops of war, besides a great
number of gallies and tenders. Under the former administration, one seventh
FELLOW-CITIZENS—: These gentlemen have proved themselves worthy
of your suffrages; they have done tUeir duty ; the lowering aspect of a vindic
tive majority has not frightened them from it; inflexibly pursuing the path of
patriotism, they haveileserved the malevolent enmity of French emissaries and
of doniestick traitors ; and to them, the approbation of one honest man, must be
infinitely more grateful than the bacchanalian plaudits of a fanatic k mob. Fellow
citizens, you know the men ; you have known their opponents but recently. Mr.
Ha sard, acting the part of a renegado, tramples upon the ashes of a father, whose
memory will never cease to call the tear of gratitude into the eye of every true
American ; and Mr. Brown essays to lift his head from obscurity without a soli
tary mental acquirement to enable him to support with dignity the dazzling eleva
tion. On one side you have talents, eloquence, patriotism, inflexible integrity;
on the other, effrontery and devotion to France. If in your choice, ftarty names
can have any influence, remember that Washington, Hamilton, Bradford,
Bourne, were Fsonastisrs j and that Burr, Skinner, Bidwell, Snyder,
have truly merited the name of Dtstocxsrs.
Be watchful, for the hoar is at hand; the imps of democracy are always
busy; they have no rest lor. the soles of their feet; beware of their craft. Let
every true American consider himself as a principal; that he is not merely inte
rested in the measures which may be adopted within the ensuing two years, but
that if the advocates of France get this election, embargo will be the least of our
evils; that disgraceful slavery may be the only portion of our unhappy offspring.
Let every one cheerfully devote himself to the duty. Let. those who reside at a
distance from their freehold, procure certificates, and prompt the tardy to do
so. Let them be at the polls in season with all their friends. Let them endea
vour to convict the erroneous by candid and calm reasoning, and by facts. Let
every disciple of Washington, every American, every Federalist, be at
the Poll. TULLIUS.
Representatives to the Twelfth Congress.
Hon. ELISHA R. POTTER, )
Hon. RICHARD JACKSON, jun.$ tjS< l ulres '
FOR THR RHODE-ISLAND AMERICAN.
FELLOW-CITIZENS,
I, Sarah Brown, of Johnston, in the county of Providence, in the State of Rhode-Island,
he. widow of the late Gideon Brown, of said Johnston, deceased, (on solemn oath, make an
swer to the following questions.)
— Did you know of certain promissoiy notes made, one by Nathan Brown, and two by
Gideon Brown, payable to your late husband, Gideon Brown ?
.datturr—Yes, I knew of such notes ; the one made by Nathan Brown amounted to twenty-
Ave hundred dollars, and the two made by Gideon Brown to four hundred and fifty dollars each ;
these notes were dated the very day that Gideon Brown, my husband, executed two deeds—
the one to Nathan Brown was of part of the farm where Nathan Brown now lives, and the deed
to Gideon Brown was of lands adjoining the same where said Gideon now lives and then did
live.
Question— Do you know where those notes now are ?
J/irawr—l do not.
Qytrion —At what time were they payable ?
I don’t recollect, but they were on interest until paid.
Question —Did Nathan Brown and Gideon Brown request you to deliver the notes aforesaid
unto them, and if so, when was It I
Answer— Nathan Brown and Gideon Brown did ask me to deliver the said notes unto them.
This took place in the month of August, about a fortnight before Gideon Brown, my husband,
died.
%ewi<Ni—Did you deliver the notes aforesaid unto Nathan Brown and Gideon Brown agreea
ble to their request ’
Answer—Nen, 1 did deliver the notes unto said Nathan Brown and Gideon Brown, agreeable
to their request.
Did your husband previous to the execution of said deeds and notes express a de
sire to give deeds of gift to the said Nathan and Gideon of the lands contained in the deeds you
have before mentioned ? ...
Answer— No, not to me.
Question— Did he not request you to join with him in the execution of deeds of gift, or for very
small considerations ?
The first deeds my husband gave to Nathan Brown and Gideon Brown were deeds
°f K>*t; but the last deeds given to Nathan Brown and Gideon they gave the notes afore-mention
ed to my husband, Gideon Brown, for the consideration of the deeds.
Qucttian— Did not your husband snd yourself, for a long time before said deeds were made,
talk over the sums that notes should be given for, as the consideration ?
dnstver—No.
U OUr hu’b’tnd [ever] hold any conversation together relative to said
Answer— No otherways than this—that if he let them have the land he meant to make a will,
and they should pay for the land.
Stettion— Was there not a difficulty between you and your husband about the giving said
a!
Antver—No ; neither before nor after the deeds were executed.
Question— Were not different items talked of at different times by your husband as the con
sideration of said deeds ?
Antver —No.
Question— Where were you when you delivered said notes to the said Nathan and Gideon I
Answer —Up in the chamber where 1 now live when I am at home.
Question— Did you send down stairs for the said Nathan and Gideon to come ap and receive
them ?
Answer- Yes, I did.
Question— Did your husband at sundry times request you to deliver said notes to said Nathan
and Gideon ?
Answer— No; never.
Question —How came you to deliver them ’
Answer—Nathan Brown and Gideon told me that there would be an inventory taken after the
decease of my husband, and that the inventory would be sold and 1 should have nothing to help
myself with; and if 1 would deliver the notes to them that they would secure them until after
the inventory was taken, then Nathan Brown said be would return that note 1 delivered him ;
and Gideou Brown said, for the notes 1 delivered unto him at that time, he would finish the
house.
Question— When and where was this conversation holden ?
Jnawrr—lt was held upstairs when the notes were given up, and there was no person present
but Nathan Brown, Gideon Brown, and myself
Question — What was your object in sending for them to come upstairs ?
Auswer— Because they were not there, and I bad tha notes upstairs, and the conversation I
had with them 1 Lave told, ami Gideon Brown on the same day talked with me about the notes.
Quest ion— When and where was this conversation holden with Gideor. Brown?
Answer— 1 cannot say what place it was in j but it was on the same day and it was in the
house ; and that I first had conversation with Gideon Brown, and then with Nathan Brown and
Gideon Brown about said notes, upstairs together as afore-related.
Question — At what time of tlic day was wis conversation with Gideon Brown ?
Answer— l do not recollect.
Question— D.d you ever hold any conversation with your husband about giving up said notes ?
Ansvxr— No. Not about the three notes I gave up ; but 1 had conversation with my husband
about the note that was given up to Gideon on account of what he had done to the house.
Question — Did Nathan and Gideon come there together at that time ?
Answer—l do tittt know whether they came together or happened together—they wore there
together at that time. '•
Question — At what time of day did said Nathan Brown come to your house ?
Antver— l cannot tell, but it waa in the day time.
Shsettien— Are you positive the notes were delivered up just about a fortnight before your
husband died ?
Answer— It was not over a fortnight.
Question— Was the will of your Ltc husband, Gideon Brown, wrote and executed on the day
the deeds you have mentioned in your deposition ?
Answer— l cannot say whether it was finished on that day, but it was wrote on that day.
Question Was there a forty dollar note ghen up to Nathan Brown at the time the other notes
were given up ?
Answer— Yes, and said note was not on interest.
Quistion— Please to relate the Conversation that took place at that time ?
j carrf< d the note with the other, and he told me that it ought to have been given
up a good while ago. . "
Question— What was the last mentioned note given for I
Answer—•! do not know, but I asked Nathan Browm what it was given for, but he did not
tell me.
Question— Who was to bare the benefit of tbe notes first mentioned after being delivered un
by you? *
Antver— There was no conversation about it but of the. notes.
Question— Wm the forty dollar note to be returned to jou, and if it was not, why was it not
to be returned ?
Answer— There was nothing said about it.
Question— What was the reason that induced Nathan Brown not to return the note of forty
dollars to you I
Answer— Brown told me that the note ought to have been given up a good while ago, and as
I understood it was paid, and there was a neglect that it was not taken up.
SARAH BROWN.
STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, foe.
... . - Psovroawca, December 1, A. D. 1809.
T " e ” **Banww, subscriber to the foregoing came before tbe subscriber, and
**’ car * f * cautioned and sworn to testify the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, and swore SSnd Deposition contained the whole truth.
Before me,
WHEELER MARTIN, Chief justice /rfc Cbnre qTCereresn JYres.
GeNTLEMKN,
The enclosed copy of a Deposition is sent to you for publication, at the request of a number
°f o"r f Uow-ciusens. If it is possible to place the character of Nathan Bbown before the
publick in a blacker point of view, this will do it. His father was on his death-bed, fast approach
ing the hour of dissolution ; Nathan could not wait the ordinary course of nature* until the
tomb had enclosed the remains of his venerable father^—no, not even until his eyes were closed
in death, before he began to lav his hands upon his property to defraud and cheat his brothers
and sisters. But this is not ail, though enough to condemn him in the opinion of every honest
man ; Nathan was Executor to his father’s will, and took upon himself that trust. By law he
was hound “to return upon oath a true and perfect inventory of his testator’s estate.** Did he
do thia ? True, he made oath ; but was bis inventory “ true and perfect Those notes were
neverindtided in the inventory. Huw then can Na than reconcile his conscience with his oath ’
Let him make answrr to this, before the throne of Him whose name he has thus taken in vain.
A CITIZEN.
TO THE HUMANE FREEMEN OF RHODE-ISLAND.
, FtLLOwCITIZKNS,
It hi an inestimable privilege that we enjoy the right of electing the officers of gov
en<*nent. Ort a juet execution of thia right depends the safety and respectability ot
uar nation, the preservation of good order, and the happiness and prosperity of the peo
ple. In the selection of candidates to office we should seek for those who are upright,
intelligent, capable anti humane. In the language of a judicious writer, they “ought
to lie men of liberality, integrity and information. Those who consider liberty not mere
ly as the effect of chance, or most rightfully to belong to those who are possessed of the
most power ; but to mankind universally; not as an adventitious, but natural and inhe-,
rent right—to an African, as well as an American—to a black as well as a white man.
Possessing swell sentiments as these, I would recommend to your choice the Hon. Etl
lisha R. Pottih and Rich abd Jackson, jun, Esquires, for your Representatives to
the twelfth Congress of the United States. These men possess the esteem of their fel
low-citizens. Their nomination was not of their own seeking, but it was by the earnest
solkltHiiuii of a number of the respectable freemen of the State, that they consented to
become candidates. Respecting their sentiments of the elave trade, their conduct hath
uniformly evinced their oppos'd ion to it. Opposed to these gentlemen, are Messrs. Ha
zahu tind Biiown. The former gentleman is well known to be partial tothegoyern
incnt of iht State of Virginis, which tolerates tlavery. Haughty aud imperious in his
natarr, he wishes every one to bow at his nod. Should he be elected, and opportunity
ever present, he would o/ienhj advocate the principles, which now, in order to be popu
lar, he endvavnuts to conceal. These principles ere repugnant to order, humanity and
justice. Mr. Brown, not possessing talents himself, will be entirely ruled and directed
by the whims and caprices of Hazard. If then, fellow-citizens, you are the friends of
humunity, if you are opposed to tlavery, you will elect those who possess similar senti
ments with you—you will elect Messrs. Jackson and Pottkb, whose pride and am
bit ion it will be to promote such measures, as will best subserve the general interest, and
maintain inviolably the Highte of Man. AN ELECTOR.
Anew —Yes, I did.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE RHODE-ISLAND AMERICAN.
£OR r/fg RHODBISJMM) JMXRICjtM
"Dear Sir—l have only time to write
you that James Aldrich has been here elee-*
tioneering. In a conversation with him,
he told me that it wa> of the utmost conse
quence that the lower House of Assembly
should be democratick. David Howell,
he said, wggto be elected a Senator to (Cop
gress, if the Governour's influence could
effect it. This assertion of Aldrich's will
be injurious to the democratick cause, for
the people will not elect those to the As
sembly, who will give their votes for How
ell. They know that his politicks are of the
“ doubtfol and mingled kind ;** that he is
♦ metimes a federalist, sometimes a reftnb-
I'can, as best suits his own purposes. Al
drich, I am informed by a friend frem Scito
ate, will not be elected. The people of
that town know that he has never flaid the
bill of cost he received in behalf of the
town, wherein •* Scituate was appellant,
and the town of Coventry appellee." I
hope the people of this county will attend
with punctuality the town-meetings, and
shew by their votes, that they are not un
der the influence of Aldrich and Howell,
who have the Governour completely under
their control."
Tkr ridiculous stuff to the Phenix, It
favour of Tn on a s Fl R tc ■ x >, aad crim
inating the respectable Tuwn-Comcil W
Providence, In their proceedings towards
that ill-advised and deluded asaa, to lee
Freemen of Rhode-Island, do you value
your free republican constitution; are you
solicitous for the honour and reputathm of
the State; are you anxious for the peace
and prosperity of your country J do you
wish ior economy in publick expcadit wrest *
are you opposed to wasting the publick. '
money in absurd and visionary schemes;
are you averse to an expensive and useless
guo-boat navy; do you disapprove of un
necessary embargoes and standing armies
to enforce them ? Onite then with cae ac
cord in promoting the re-election of your
present worthy Representatives to Co*-
gveaa. Let not falsehood aad slander with
draw your regard from the great concerns
of your country and of yourselves. Judge
of the candidates by their conduct, and con
sult alone your own reason and consciences
in the decision. In voting for men whom
you know and have tried, you will be safe.
If you vote for others, it will be a danger
ous experiment, which can produce no
good, but may prove ruinous to the best in
terests of the State and of the nation. Lee
no personal considerations or affairs of busi
ness, prevent any one from attending town
meetiog, and discharging conscientiously
the solemn duty he owes to his country, to
his family and to posterity.
IMPORTANT ELECTION.
The present is a most interesting and
alarming crisis in the affairs of our country.
The United States now constitute the only
republick In the world. AU the others
have been destroyed by the perfidy and
arms of France; and her injustice and ra
pacity towards ourselves, evidently skew,
that if it had been in her power, we should
have suffered a similar fate. Had it not
been for the wide ocean which rolls be
tween us and those enemies of the peace
and liberties of mankind, Americans would
long since have had tn contend on their own
soil, for the blessings they Let us
not expose ourselves to ruin, by a fatal de
lusion, that the danger is past. The storm >
still roars with increasing rage, and how
soon it may burst with desolating fury on
our own shorA,Heaven only knows. Sure
ly it becomes us to be on our guard.**.
Amidst the awful perils which surround us,
shall we be so infatuated as to permit the
miserable intrigues vf party to divert our
regard from those things which make for
our safety and peace I Every friend to the
happiness and independence of his country,
of whatever party, if he rightly estimates
our situation, must be anxious tlret those
who are selected for the management of
our national affairs in these eventful times,
should be men whose wisdom, firmness, in
tegrity and experience qualify them for that
important and arduous task* Such men,
fellow-citizens, are Elisha R. PoTtkm
and Richard Jackson,juo, As our Re
presentatives in Congress ior the last two
years, they have ably and faithfully sup
ported our rights and interests. They pos
sess strong apd liberal minds, enlightened
by various, extensive and useful informa
tion. They are of tried fidelity and un
blemished characters. They have bad
long experience in political
Free from alt partiality or prejudice to
wards any foreign nation, their feelings and
principle* are purely American, Their
politicks are the politicks of Washing
ton. They are intimately acquainted with
the affairs and interests of their native
Stale, and of the United States, and they
will not sacrifice them* to foreign influence,
ambition or party prgjudic*. They afb
the friends of “gricukuty, commerce, num
ufecturea and the much snick arts. ’
The following ia an extract <f a letter
frat* a gentleman in t Glocetter, to hie
friend in thia town.
ptstnunwc,
FRIDAY, AVGUST U. 1810.
Gloceater, August 81, 1810.