The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1784-08-02 00:00:00, page 3

I thought it necessary to try also the effects of the
poison given inwardly, which I did in the following
manner :—I dissolved a quarter of a grain of the gum
in half an ounce of arrack, and made a dog of seven
months old drink it. In seven minutes a reaching
ensued, and 1 observed, at the fame time, that the
animal was delirious, as it ran up and down the room,
fell on the ground, and tumbled about; then it rose
again, cried out very loud, and in about half an hour
after was seized with convulsions, and died. I opened
the body, and found the stomach very much inflamed,
as the intestines were in some parts, but not so much
as the stomach. The^ was a small quantity of coa
gulated blood in the stomach, but I could discover no
orifice from which it could have issued, and there
fore supposed it to have been squeezed out of the
lungs, by the animal's draining while it was vomiting.
From these experiments 1 have been convinced,
that the gum of the Upas is the most dangerous and
most violent of all vegetable poisons; and I am apt
to believe that it greatly contributes to the unheal
thiness of that island. Nor is this the only evil at
tending it, hundreds of the natives of Java, as well
as Europeans, are yearly destroyed and treacherous
ly murdered by that poison, either internally or ex
ternally. Every man of quality or fafhion has his
dagger or other arms poisoned with it, and in times
of war the Malayans poison the springs and other wa
ters with it; by this treacherous practice, the Dutch
fuffered greatly during the last war, as it occasioned
the lols of half their army. For this reason, they
have ever since kept fifh in the springs of which they
drink the water ; and centinels are placed near them,
who infpeCt the waters every hour, to fee whether
the fifh are alive. If they march with an army or
body of troops into an enemy's country, they always
carry live fifh with them, which they throw into the
water some hours before they venture to drink it, by
which means they have been able to prevent their to
tal deftru&ion.
Malayans were executed there with the fame instru
ment, and in the lame manner, and I found the ope
ration of the poison, and the spots in their bodies,
exactly the fame.
These circumstances made me desirous to try an
experiment with some animals, in order to be con
vinced of the real effects of this poison ; and as I had
then two young puppies, I thought them the fitteft
objects for my purpose. I accordingly procured, with
great difficulty, some grains of Upas. I dissolved half
a grain of that gum in a small quantity of arrack,
and dipped a lancet into it. With this poisoned in
strument, I made an incision in the lower muscular
part of the belly of one of the puppies. Three mi
nutes after it received the wound, the animal cried
out most pitioufly, and ran as fall as possible from one
corner of the room to the other. So it continued dur
ing fix minutes, when all its strength being exhaust
ed, it fell upon the ground, was taken with convulsi
ons, and died in the eleventh minute. I repeated
this experiment with two other puppies, with a cat
and a fowl, and found the operation of the poison in
all of them the fame; none of these animals survived
above thirteen minutes.
This account, I flatter myfelf, will fatisfy the cu
riosity of my readers, and the few fads which I have
related will be considered as a certain proof of the
exigence of this pernicious tree, and its penetrating
effects.
If it be allied why we have not yet any more fatif
fadory accounts of this tree, I can only answer, that
the objeCt of most travellers to that part of the world
consists more in commercial pursuits than in the study
of Natural History and the advancement of sciences.
Besides, Java is so universally reputed an unhealthy
island, that rich travellers seldom make any long flay
in it, and others want money, and generally are too
ignorant of the language, in order to make enquiries.
In future, those who visit this island will probably
now be induced to make it an object of their researches,
and will furnifh us with a fuller description of this tree.
I will, therefore, only add, that there exists also
a fort of Cajoe Upas on the coast of Macaffar, the
poison of which operates nearly in the fame manner;
but is not half so violent and malignant as that of Ja
va, and of which I Ihall likewise give a more circum
stantial account in a description of that island.
J. N. FOERSCH.
^•.''!',.— ^.-.g.-. ^*— ^-^^^^^
American Intelligence..
NEW-YORK, July 5.
Hpril 29. /CONGRESS took into consideration
the report of a grand committee, to
whom was referred the report of a committee on the
fubjeCt of Western Territory, which being amended,
was agreed to as follows :
Congress, by their resolution of September 6, 1780,
having thought it advisable to press upon the states
having claims to the Western Country, a liberal sur
render of a portion of their territorial claims ; by that
of the 10th of OCtober, in the fame year, having
fixed conditions to which the union should be bound,
on receiving such cellions ; and having again proposed
the fame fubjeCt to those states, in their address of
April 18, 1783, wherein, stating the national debt,
and expressing their reliance for its discharge, on the
profpea of vacant territory, in aid of other resources,
they for that purpose, as well as to obviate disagree
able controversies and confufions, included in the fame
recommendations, a renewal of those of September
the 6th, and of October the loth, 1780 ; which se
veral recommendations have not yet been fully com
plied with :
Refolded, That the fame fubjeCt be again presented
to the attention of the said states ; that they be urged
to confider, that the war being now brought to a hap
py termination by the personal services of our soldi
ers, the supplies of property by our citizens, and
loans of money from them as well as from foreign
ers; these several creditors have a right to expert,
that funds Ihall be provided, on which they may rely
for indemnification ; that Congress still confider va
cant territory as an important resource; and that
therefore the said states be earnaftly pressed, by im
mediate and liberal cessions, to forward these neces
sary ends, and to promote the harmony of the union.
July 19. By a vessel arrived at Salem, from Port
Rofeway, we learn, that 180 buildings were lately
consumed there by fire; and that the turf was still
burning when she left that place.
July 24.
On the second instant arrived at Providence, the
brigantine Friendship, Captain Coffin, from a fuc
cefsful whaling voyage, having made 750 barrels of
oil.
The General Court of the state of Massachusetts
have passed an ad, laying a duty of Four-Pence law
ful money per ton, upon every foreign vessel, to be
paid into the hands of the naval officer where they
ihall clear out.
Extras of a letter from Hartford, dated July 19.
" No person is allowed to pass from Canada into
these states, without a written permission, and all our
Indian trade into that province is absolutely prohibit
ed. Congress have fenta formal deputation to de
mand of Governor Haldimand, the surrender of the
frontier, posts agreeably to the treaty. Colonel Hull
is employed in this service, and has arrived in Ca
nada."
Jul, 29. Saturday last arrived in this city from
Paris, in the Edward, Captain Couper, his Excel
lency JOHN JAY, Esq. (late Ambassador from the
United States of America to the Court of Spain, and
one of the Commissioners for negociating the honour
able peace, sometime since concluded at Paris, be
tween Great-Britain and America) after an absence
of near five years from the continent. A reflection
on the happy success of his unwearied and anxious
endeavours for the publick good, in the execution
of the important calls of his mission, justly entitles
him to the grateful efteera of his countrymen, with
their unfeigned thanks for his patriotick zeal, and a
universal wish for his prosperity and happiness.
His Excellency left Paris the 16th of May, em
barked at Dover on the Ift June, and had 44 days
passage; he was accompanied by his lady and family.
Philip Livingston, Esq. of this city, Crowe, Esq.
(a gentleman of considerable estate near Norwich, in
England) with his lady; Mr. Turner ; and Mr. Hen
ry White, jun. (son of Henry White, Esq. now in
England.) We understand that he has brought with
him the ratification of the Definitive Treaty of Peace
on the part of Britain.
The Henry, Captain Miller, was to fail soon after
the Edward, for this port.
The Commerce, Captain Truxton, frorp Philadel
phia ; and the Mary and Fanny, Spence, from Anti
gua, are fafe arrived at Dover.
The Assembly of that state have also passed an ad
levying certain duties on all imports into that state;
also, impowering Congress to lay an impost of 5 per
cent, on all goods brought into the ports of the United
The fliip Liefde, Captain Van-Poolen, in 9 weeks
from Amsterdam, arrived here on Sunday morning
The Grand Dutchefs of Tuscany, Capt. Blacket,
which was taken possession of at Leghorn, by part of
the crew, and ran away with, is carried into Zant
by the above people; a number of persons with the
Consul went down to the vessel, and fortunately re
gained her from them, where die now remains fafe
and well. The pirates were immediately executed by
order of the Venetian governor.
Letters from the Marquis de la Fayette to his
friends in Jersey, inform, that he may be expected in
the June Packet.
The General AfTembly of North-Carolina, we hear,
have passed an ad, ceding to Congress all their unap
propriated Western Territory, contained within a line
to be run from the North to the Southern boundary
of that state, interfering the Blue Ridge or Appala
chian mountains, and the river Miffifippi, about 18
or 20 millions of acres.
RICHMOND, July 10.
States, which is to be applied to the Contingent charges
of the continent.
PHILADELPHIA, July 24.
Thursday morning arrived here the ship Alexan
der, Captain Pinkerton, from London-Derry :—She
brought upwards of fix hundred passengers, all in
perfect health.
Several other vessels, from different parts of Ire
land, with passengers, are daily expected here.
The Parliament of Ireland met the 11th of May,
and on the 24th was prorogued by the Lord Lieute
nant, to meet the 29th of June following.
Their High MightinefTes the States General have
resolved, to make a present to the commander de Suf
frein, Vice-Admiral of France, of a sword mounted
with gold and enriched with diamonds, in considera
tion of the services which that Admiral has rendered
to the Republick, by the reprisal of divers pofTeffions
belonging to the States in the Eaft-lndies, and the
preservation of the principal establishments. The
Dutch East-India Company will also make a consi
derable present to that illustrious Commander.
Tuesday the thirteenth instant arrived at Balti
more, in 9 weeks from Belfaft, the ship Paca, Capt,
Kell, with upwards of 460 paffengeis, all of whom
appear in perfect health.
TRENTON, August 2.
On Thursday morning the Bth ult. died, at Rea
dington, in the 30th year of her age, Mrs. Mary
Van-Artsdalen, the amiable contort of the Rev.
Simeon Van-Artfdalen, and on Friday evening her re
mains were interred in an adjacent burying ground,
attended by her friends and a number of refpe&able
inhabitants of the place.' Her affable disposition of
mind, politeness of address, and exemplary walk and
conversation, soon gained the affection of those who
had the happiness to be acquainted with her while
living, and rendered her much lamented in death.
Sunday last a barrack of hay belonging to Daniel
Scudder, near this place, was Rruck by lightning,
and entirely consumed.
There has lately been invented and made, upon an
entire new conftru&ion, by a gentleman in Connecti
cut, a float or water craft, rowed by two horses. In
the construction of this new ard curious machine,
two scows are lashed together with a platform on the
top of them. On this platform is ereCted the ma
chinery, consisting of a horizontal cogg-wheel and
trundle-wheel, which being moved by two horses
slowly, walking circularly on the platform, give mo
tion to one water-wheel on each fide of the float.—
The water-wheels perform the service of oars, and
carry the craft three miles an hour. The machinery
is simple, not expensive, and the whole easily managed.
It has attracted the attention of the ingenious in me
chanicks, and is deemed an invention which, if duly
patronized and perfected, will be highly ufeful to in
land navigation. The movement of this machine will
be always certain, as it goes against wind and tide;
it is expeditious, there being no loss of time in the
motion, as in the interrupted impetus of oars; it is
cheap, as one horse will perform the service of fix or
eight men.
Just come to Hand,
And now felling at the Printing-Office in Tren
ton — The
CHORISTERS COMPANION;
O R,
CHURCH MUSICK revised.
Containing,
Besides the necessary Rules of Pfalmody,
A Variety of plain and fuging Psalm Tunes ;
Together with
A Collection of approved Hymns and Anthems,
Many of which were never before published.
By Simeon Jocelin.
These Singing-Books are allowed, by the best
Judges, to be equal to any extant.
To be Sold, at Publick Vendue,
On Wednesday the fourth of August, instant, at the
house of the subscriber in Trenton, sundry goods,
to wit,
ALL the different kinds of men's apparel, beds
and bedding, different kinds of household fur
niture, broadcloth, ribands, gauze handkerchiefs, and
sundry other articles too tedious to mention. The
vendue to begin at ten o'clock, where attendance will
be given by JACOB BENJAMIN.
LATELY PUBLISHED,
And to be fold at the Printing-Office in Tren
ton —The
LADIES FRIEND;
Being a Treatise on the Virtues and Qualifications
which are the brightest Ornaments of the Fair Sex,
and render them most agreeable to the sensible part
of mankind.