The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-05-23 00:00:00, page 4

The Independent American, No. 111,
To the PEOPLE of AMERICA.
Friends and Fellow Citizens,
THE actions of men in the administration and publick councils of
a nation, especially of those men who have not made the wel
fare of their country the rule of their conduct, are often so involved
in obfeurity, that it is impoflible to form from thence a clear, decid
ed opinion of the characters of the persons themselves. The art and
secrecy with which they a&, together witii the natural or affe&©d
complexities of the business, render it impoßibic to trace out their
motives and designs. Where the general run of business is mysteri
ously conducted, or imperfectly communicated to the publick, one
cannot judge, with the least propriety of the virtue or ability of the
persons who tranfaeted it. Under these circumstances, mankind in
general are apt to rest fatisfied with the reputed characters which
those persons have luftained. They do not recollect that the real
character is not unfrequently found to differ from the reputed one.
That men, anting in a collective capacity, where the odium or the
infamy of a bad measure falls on no one in particular, but reds on
the body at large, are less felicitous to obfcrve that delicacy and up
rightness in their proceedings, which they would be ashamed to de
part from, if it were to be publickly known : That good men, being
freed from the quickening eye of publick observation, may become
inattentive and careless; while others, finding themselves under no
restraint or controul, eagerly seize every opportunity to propose and
carry measures that may serve their private views, however injurious
they may prove to the publick. In the mean while, the national pros
perity declines; and difficulties and distress present themselves on
every fide. Where this transition from glory and happiness has been
uniform and great, it juftifies a suspicion that the adminißration of
affairs is badly conduced. The flourilhing or ruinous Rate of a coun
try, is a certain proof of the ability and virtue, or of the weakness
and corruption of its government. To refled that the prosperity,
and even the liberty of nations have been frequently destroyed by the
incapacity, felfifhnefs, and perfidy of those who had the administra
tion of their affairs, should render a free people extremely attentive
to all publick measures. Should one or more of these circumstances
obtain in our case, the method in which Congrcfs tranfad the pub
lick business, will render it very difficult to redress the evil. It is
impossible from the printed journals of Congrcfs, to form an accurate
judgment of the management of affairs by that body. As those jour
nals are the only general means of information, and very defective,
it is likewise impossible that the bulk of the people, or even those in
the governments or legislatures of the several Rates, or indeed any
others than those who have resided some time in the place where Con
gress is held, and have thereby had additional opportunities of look
ing into things, should be able to judge rightly of the administration
of affairs. They cannot know the real conduct of the several mem
bers; nor which of them it may be neither proper nor fafe to continue
in the trust.
In this difficulty, however, we are net utterly destitute of the
means of forming a true opinion of these matters. Though publick
tranfadions may in general be so myfterioully carried on, or of such
a nature as to preclude the making rational conclusions from them on
the points in question, it is not always the case. Inßances fgmetimes
happen, and that too in matters of great importance, wherein the
principal circumstances are fufficiently known, and the characters of
men are strongly and clearly marked by their actions. Such instances,
if properly attended to, will give us an insight into men and things.
From what plainly appears in them, we may fairly judge what hap
pens in cases that do not come within our knowledge. If for example,
such instances should afford proofs of palpable abuses in administra
tion, if they should afford fufficient reason to think that the publick
welfare was made to give way to private considerations, it may rea
sonably be believed that the like practices may obtain in other cases.
It is not to be expedited that men will be more scrupulous of doing
what is improper where there is less chance of detection. Such in
stances are just criterions of any administration; and according to the
behaviour of the several individuals, of the wisdom and weakness,
the virtue and turpitude of the persons composing it. To judge of
an administration, 'or of private men, by their actions, is certainly
just. Doubts and difficulties may sometimes possibly occur'in a par
ticular case. Where they do, let tenderness always determine.
Were a few of the measures of Congress to be investigated and held
out to publick observation, they might give you some idea of the
principles and wisdom which direct the administration of our affairs.
At present, I shall confider the conduct of Congress, and the pro
ceedings in that body, in one or two instances relative to our foreign
affairs.
~ In September 1779, Congress thought it necessary that a Secretary
fliould be appointed to our Embassy in France. Lieut Col. Laurens
/ was appointed to that office. When the appointment was notified to
rim, he declined to accept of it ; and Congress has ever face omitted
co appoint another person to it. This is a short and plain Rate of the
fa&. ' It naturally occurs to ask what can be the reason why Congress
have omitted, for eighteen months, to appoint some other person to it?
The necessity which occasioned the appointment of Col. Laurens, sure
ly existed after his refufing to a&, and therefore another person
ought to have been immediately appointed in his room. As that has
not yet been done, what are we to think of the appointment itfelf—
that it originally proceeded from a patriotick view of serving the pub
lick, or from some other motive? That the necessity on which it was
founded was real or pretended ?
Though we had a Minister Plenipotentiary, Dr. Franklin, at the
Court of France, Congress were last fall struck with the necessity of
fending another person to that Court, to negotiate some business of
the firft importance. Lieut. Col. Laurens was appointed Envoy
Extraordinary for that purpose. The title of Envoy Extraordi
nary was afterwards changed for that of Minister for fecial business;
an alteration of no consequence in our enquiry, since, notwithftand
in< rthat change, and his being directed to advise with Dr. Franklin,
the abfoluje management of the business was committed to him.
The appointing an Envoy Extraordinary, or Special Mi
nister, while we had a Minister Plenipotentiary in France is a tacit
confeffion that Congress thought that Minister unequal to the station
he fills, let the cause of the incapacity be what it may. But whether
the appointment be considered in that light or not, the conduct of
Congress appears very improper and exceptionable. The matter lays
in a small compass, and is very plain and clear. If Dr. Franklin was
really incapable of doing any part of our business at the Court of
France, he was unfit to be our Minister, and he ought to have been
recalled, and another person sent in his room. Common sense would
have dictated this measure : and perhaps we mull have recourse to
some cause, which neither common sense nor patriotism has any thing
to do with, to account why it was not done. It is folly at all times to
keep a man in that Ration, or in any Ration, who is unequal to it.
In the critical filiation of our affairs, it is something worse than folly.
On the other hand, if the Do&or was really able to difeharge the
duties of his Ration, there was no occasion to fend over an Envoy
Extraordinary, or Special Minister, and to unnecessarily
burthen the publick with a double expence. In short, let the tran
fa&ion be considered in the moR favourable light, it amounts to
this: either that the Do&br is incapable of tranfa&ing important bu
siness, that he is nevertheless to be left in France to attend to trifling
things, and when a matter of consequence is to be done, an Envoy
Extraordinary is to be sent : or that an Envoy Extraordinary was
unnecessarily sent, and the publick burthened with an unnecessary
expence. In either case what are we to think of the conduct of Con
gress?
It has been observed that wife Ratefmen ffiew their judgment in
no refped t more than in feleding men to fill the great offices of go
vernment, and to execute their political designs. Where this Riga
city is wanting, publick business must naturally fuffer; and the best
planned political schemes, which depend on ability in execution,
muR fail of success. There is great difficulty in some cases in making
a proper choice. There never can be any in avoiding a manifeft im
propriety; and therefore where that occurs, it muR be referred to
some other cause than want of judgment. Admitting that Col. Lau
rens possessed al the talents tfiat any man of his age ever did possess,
yet prudence and policy are the produce of time and experience. IT
is reasonable to suppose that a young man of 25 or 26, not bred to
any business, who had fyent the three last years in ,military feryice,
From tbe Pennsylvania Gazette of March 28.
who had devoted himfelf to the military Lienee, ind had never been
employed in political tranfa&ions, could possess the .knowledge of the
world, the prudence and policy, requisite to conduct * difficult poli
tical negotiation ? If this supposition be not admitted, how are we to
account for the conduct of Congress in making this appointment,
unlcfs by fuppofmg they acted from the mod unjuftifiable partiality,
and in contradiction to the uniform experience of mankind ? These
observations are not intended to detract from Col. Laurens. They ;
come from a person who is sensible of his merit. To allow a man to
be as well qualified as it is reasonable to think any one in the like cir
cumstances can naturally be, is surely not being stingy of applause:
to ascribe to him more than that, would be paying no compliment to
his delicacy or understanding. The conduct of Congress at any rate
appears unjuftifiable. If the negotiation or other business then in agi
tation was of a difficult kind, it will be hard to drew that Congress
have not atied inconsistently with wisdom: if the business was not
of a difficult nature, it will be hard to assign a good reason why Col.
Laurens was invested with extraordinary powers and an extraor
dinary character, the publick put. to.great and unnecessary expence on
that account, and an old Servant of the publick, Dr. Franklin, held
up in a disagreeable light to the world.
But these are not the only reasons for which this tranfaßion is re
prehensible. The honour of a nation depends on the wisdom and
justice of its councils. The people in Europe are not accustomed,
unless in reigns of weakness and folly, to fee inexperienced young men
appointed Envoys extraordinary to tranfadl important business. There,
they generally feledt for that office persons who have not only had
experience in life, but experience in similar business What opinion
then will foreigners entertain of our wisdom, when they fee a young
gentleman of 25 or 26 invested with such extraordinary powers?
When they fee an inexperienced young gentleman taking rank, in
an important business, of an old one who was deemed incapable of
of doing it, but Rill co-operating with him: will they not be apt to
smile, and fay that Congress, in order the more effectually to ac
complish an important point, had united the imbecility of age with
the inexperience of youth? Should they go further, and recollect the
publick faith solemnly pledged and ffiamefully violated, what opini
on will they form of the wisdom and virtue of that Assembly?
It has been observed that bodies of men have their passions as well
as individuals. At the period we are speaking of, there seemed to be
a great disposition in Congress for making young men ministers.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton, a young gentleman to whom I allow
every merit but that knowledge which time and experience only can
give, who was then twenty three years of age, was likewise nominated
for envoy extraordinary, and at the firft balloting had as many
votes as Col. Laurens. The Europeans have heard Grange things,
and entertained grange nations of America. Thus disposed to expert
and to believe what is marvellous of our country, may they not infer
from hence, that the course of nature in this western continent is di
rectly the reverse of what it is in their own : that men decline in
knowledge as they advance toward the meridian of life; that experi
ence, observation, and the Rudy of men and things for a considerable
length of time, do not qualify men for business. So refpe&able an
authority as that of members of Congress, must undoubtedly have
great weight in deciding a point of this kind!
Proceedings, my fellow citizens, so inconsistent with the wisdom,
Readiness and gravity of conduct, which ihould ever mark the
iupreme administration of a free people, may at firft fight excite ridi
cule and laughter. They deserve however your most serious consi
deration. Think what muR be the consequence to your country,
your families, your fortunes, and yourselves, if publick affairs should
continue to be conduced on the fame principles. Confider whence
these measures arose ; whether inattention, want of judgment, and
a want of virtue may not have feyerally had a share in them. It is
certain that no Rep can be taken so likely to defeat or injure impor
tant measures, as by getting persons to execute them who are not
the best qualified for the undertaking. To place the last tranfa&ion
in a clearer point of view, it is to be observed that Colonel Hamilton
went early from College to the army, and remained in it afterwards.
Yet this young gentleman was to be taken from the army—a line
in which he was very ufeful, —to be placed in one, the line of poli
tical negotiation, where the probability was that he could be of no
great use! An Envoy Extraordinary, of twenty three, thus edu
cated to politicks, to supersede a Minister Plenipotentiary! To con
du& a difficult and important political bofinefs! What could be the
inducements of the gentlemen who were for making this very lingu
lar appointment? Did they originate from a design of serving the
common cause, or a desire of serving some other purpose? To confi
der the matter in another point of view, does it favour most of the
overweaning partiality of good motherly women ; or, of that solidi
ty of judgment, p opriety and gravity of conduct, which alone can
bring order out of confufion, restore publick happiness, and eßablifh
an empire on the immortal balls of wisdom, virtue, and^honour ?
X SICOIU%~ I/A?^6. An Independent American.
BY PERMISSION.
To be SOLD at PUBLICK SALE,
By JOHN MORRIS,
On WEDNESDAY the 6th Day of June next,
To begin at TEN o'Clock,
At the Store lately occupied by Mr. Sampson Clarke, No. 30, on
the Bay, near the Exchange,
A large and compleat Assortment of
DRY GOOD S,
Among which are,
Irish Linens, Cambricks, Ofnaburgs, Broad Cloths, Ker
feymires, Sattins, Luteftrings, Callicoes, Silk and Thread Stock
ings, Check Shirts, Soldiers ditto, Trowfers, &c. &c. Also, a
Quantity of Soap and Candles in Boxes, and Salt in Barrels ;
being late the Property of the said Sampson Clarke.
A N D,
On FRIDAY the Bth Day of June,
In the Exchange, at TWELVE o'clock,
A HOUSE and LOT, No. 30, on the Bay, near the Ex
change, an excellent Situation for Trade.
A HOUSE and LOT, No. 19, Beresford's Alley; and
A vacant corner LOT of LAND, situated on the South Side
of Queen-street and the Bay.
CONDITIONS of SALE.
One-third of the Purchase Money to be paid down either in Cafli
or Government Bills, and four Months Credit for the Remainder,
with approved Security, paying Interest.
Possession will be given in ten Days from the Sale, upon the Terms
being complied with.
The Property may be seen, by applying at No. 30, on the Bav, or
to JOHN MORRIS.
Charlefown, Ma, 11, 1,81.1
A Few Calks of very fine Sugar—Jamaica Spirits—and a
few Pipes of Madeira Wine, to be fold by
t GEORGE MOWATT, & Co. No. 41, Bay.
TWO compleat SADDLE-HORSES, for sale. Enquire of
#. WILLIAM BURT, No. 1,
Queen-street.
WANTED TO CHARTER,
A VESSEL that will carry 1000 or 1200 barrels of turpen
tine. For particulars, enquire of
ALEXANDER & LESLIE, No. 10, Tradd-ftreet. $
To be let on Shares, or to be fold,
A TRACT of LAND containing 300 acres, within ten
miles of Charleftown, between Wando and Cooper Rivers,
well timbered with oak and pine wood, within half a mile of the
landing, that a vessel of any burthen may come to it without any
difficulty, and as good rice and corn land as any within that distance
of Charleftown. For further particulars, apply to Mrsi Martha
Edwards in St. Thomas's Parifli, or, in Charleftown, to
$ WILLIAM BURT, No. 1, Queen^Rreet.
Charkferum, May 22, 1781.
THE subscribers intending to go to Britain by the firft op
portunity, request those indebted to them, will please
immediately to make payment; and such as have claims against
them, to call for a fettlemcnt on
CAMPBELL, STEVENSON, & Co.
t No. 19, Church-street.
rjOHE copartnerihip of Hare & Dennis being dillblved by
I mutual consent theist instant, EDWARE HARE car
ries on business by himfelf, at No. 105, Broad-street. *n.
ALL persons indebted to the elUte of Robert Cuning
ham, deceased, Merchant, of Charleftown, are requested to
make speedy payment; and those who may have any demands a
. gainft him, will please give in their accounts, to
WILLIAM ROBB, & Co. Administrators,
No. 4, on the Bay,
Who have for SALE,
Cordage of different Sizes, including one Cable 114 Inches; Sail
Cloth from No. I to 7, Mens Shoes and Pumps, Broad Cloths, Ker
feymires, and some few Pieces of Manchester Stuffs, &c. Also Port
Wine in Pipes and Hogflieads; Souchong, Congo and best Hyfou
TEAS.f
npHE VESTRY of St. Philip's, Charlestown, give
this Publick Notice to the Inhabitants, that all Fune
rals in future, fhal! be between the hours of 6 o'clock in the
morning, and 6 o'clock in the evening.t
JAMES BENTHAM, ) , —,
I.AMBERT LANCE, § Hardens.
IT is requested of all persons indebted to William Bryce,
late of Charleftown, merchant, deceased, to call and make
payment; and those to whom the estate is indebted, will
please make their claims known, to
t JAMES M'MURRAY, Administrator.
AS I have been obliged to break up my PLANTATIONS,
I will difpole of all the LANDS I am possessed of at the Conga
rees. They consist of several tra&s lying on both sides of the river,
making in the whole, according to a late re-Rirvey, 2910 acres; 1362
are river swamp, esteemed by good judges not inferior to any on that
river, and very valuable ; about 400 of it are cleared, and under good
fences. Upon the high land, which lies on the north fide of the river,
and is in .general tolerably well timbered with pine, are two settle
ments, and on one of them is a very comfortable dwelling-house of
three good rooms upon one floor, pleasantly situated upon a hill near
the river, which is upwards of 200 feet above the level of the land on
the opposite fide, and commands a very extensive profpe&. Whoever
is inclined to purchase the said lands, will be informed of the terms
by, and may treat with Col. William Thomson at the Congarees,
or, at Goofecreek, with f HENRY MIDDLETON.
THE fubferiber finding it necelfary to reside constantly in
the country, will dispose of his HOUSE, No. 69, in Broad
ftreet, and the whole of the lotupon which it stands. It is a conve
nient, roomy, well finished house, and will accommodate a large fa
mily; the out-offices belonging to it are also large and convenient.
The lot extends from street to Rreet, and affords ground fufficient for
a very good garden. The premises may be viewed at any time by
such persons as are inclinable to purchase, and the terms will be made
known to them; by applying at the said house to Charles Drayton,
Esq; Messrs. John & Adam Tunno, or, at Goofecreek, to
+ Henry middleton.
JULIUS SMIT H,
INTENDING to leave this Province in a short time, will
dispose of his remaining STOCK of GOODS on very low terms,
at his store, No. 95, Church-street, confining of the following arti
cles, viz. elegant brocades, flriped and plain silks, fattins, perfians,
modes, gauzes, muslins, dimities, laces, flockings, kerfeymires,
chintzes, callicoes, linens, &c. &c. &c. very fine hyfon tea, and a
few hogflieads of claret. He requests all persons indebted to him will
fettle their accounts as soon as poflible, to prevent him the difagreea^
ble neceflity of leaving them in the hands of an Attorney.
April loth, 1781. t
ALL persons indebted to Robert Mackenzie by bond,
note or otherways, are required to pay off their refpe&ive debts
to the fubferiber, before the firft day of July next : every demand
then unsettled will, without delay, be immediately put in suit; and
those who have been good enough to difeharge their bonds, &c. some
time ago in money without value, will please to take notice, that
unless those debts are renewed by the day above-mentioned, every
Rep will be taken to force a just and equitable settlement.
t ANDREW MACKENZIE.
MR. James Carmichael having assigned over all his es
tate real and personal, as also his bonds, notes and books of
accounts to the fubferiber for the payment of his debts, he hath to
request that all indebted to him may difeharge the fame without
delay, otherwise they may depend that accounts, bonds and notes
will be sued for without diftin&ion.
The fubferiber has for sale, TWO HOUSES in King-street, No.
31 and 50, the possession of which may be given immediately.
May 3d, 1781. J LEWIS LESTARJETTE.
WILLIAM BENNIE,
BEING returned to this province, takes the liberty to inform
his friends in particular, and the publick in general, that he
carries on the Baking Business at No. 12, Tradd-ftreet, and would
be much obliged to his former customers for the continuance of their,
favours, as he will make it his Rudy to give general fatisfa&ion.
N. B. Matters of vessels, merchants and others, maj rbe supplied
with Ship Bread, Butter and Milk Bifket, in any quantity, on the
Riorteft notice.t
THE fubferiber is under the indifoenfable necessity of ac
quainting those who are indebted to him, or to the estates for
which he is concerned, That unless they difeharge the interest due 011
their debts, and renew their bonds by the firft day of June next, he
will endeavour to recover from them both the principal and interest.
Those who have made crops, he expects will pay the whole of their
debts. THOMAS SMITH.
Cotfectcek, A,ril 23V. .1781.,
TH E Commandant is sorry to find frequent complaints
macle to him by the Officers commanding his Majesty's
ships of war, that their men are decoyed, and very unjuftifi
able means used by the recruiting parties of nevi corps to en
list, and carry them off, in violation of all orders. He there
fore now publickly declares, That any Officer who shall be
found giving countenance to such practices, wilt be put in
arrest, and tried by a Court Martial for disobedience of or
ders : Any non-commissioned officer or soldier, so offending,
will be immediately confined, and may depend on being pu
nished in a most exemplary manner.
Bj Order of the Commandant,
C. FRASE R, Town-Major.
JACOB JACOB S,
Licensed VENDUE-MASTER,
BEGS leave to acquaint his friends and the publick in
general, That he intends carrying on the VENDUE BUSINESS
in all its branches, for which purpose he has hired a very convenient
Acre and cellar in Broad-Rreet, near the Exchange, No. 1, for the re
ception of such goods as his friends may please to favour him with ;
to whole interest a Rri& attention will be paid, and flatters himfelf
with the hopes of giving general fatisfaftion, being well conversant
in that branch, having followed the fame many years in Georgia and
in this province. |/.
GARRISON ORDERS,
Chariestown, 10th Moy, 1781.