National gazette. — Philadelphia [Pa.], 1793-07-17 00:00:00, page 2

pies upon which those have acted. into
whose hands power has been intruded, as
veil as to remark on such condufl .as I
may arbitrary, tyrannical, or incon
sistent with those republican principles
which should lorni the basis of our govern
ment, or an usurpation of more power than
they are legally pofTefied of, or have aright
to exercise. The period. I trait is not
t ir distant, w hen we (hall be able with ac
curacy to discriminate between tliofe who
are the real friends and enemies of the na
tion. A spirit of enquiry seems to have
animated our citizens, which cannot fail
of being prodtiftive of the most beneficial
consequences to the community. The
intriguing machinations o einiflaries, and
d?fign:ng plots of interna! enemies, many
p.it io*k and well intentioned writers are
endeavouring to expose, and I hope we
shall soon plainly discover the inimical dif
p ifutons and hostile intentions, now rank
-1".'5 in the of the enemies to fiee
dom. To every one who feel h'mfelf in
terested in thecaufe of his country, it mud
he productive of the greatelt uneaiinefs tr
fee some who have hnz irded their lives,
p.nd facrificed their property 111 the cause
of liberty, ro v become the dtipesofde
iignrog men, and labouring to e-Rablilt
t i if.- > e y doctrines which they former!;
tlifcl >im-*d a- repugnant to reafoii. It i
equally lamentable that certain meafurei
si >uld be pwrfued by our government
\vhi h by many honell citizens are thoushi
to lead to a violation..of filemn treaties,
to infringe the unalienable rights of fiee
men and perhaps ultimately to involve in
i 1 a war, unjust as to its inducement, and
tin natural as to itsohjeft.
The Prelident's late proclamation ha'
been thec,bjeft of much anitoadverlion, and
censure from fnmr quarters. Nt to bring
into queflion the policy or legality of the
n J i,(ure. the ambiguity of its language ha'
ie'i a flu iibliil* block with many. If a
ft.'irt compliance wth treaties was intend
ed, nothing would have been easier than tc
liave ad »;.ted I'uchexp 'fffi as v ould have
fui-fid every mind, and not milled the
judgments of-fuch* weak individuals a
now f ipp.ife that those co nparts whicl
formerly ui.ted France and America, nc
longer ex ft The want of expl inatior
on this fnhjeCt has induced many to put v
conftrurtio mpon the proclamation, whol
ly irreconcil.'able with the well kuowe
chnr.irter of him who iflned it.
The iraprifonment of two Americans
w'lo generously abandoned their rountrj
to combat the enemies of I berty under the
tri "co'oured flag of France, ii an instance
o r outrage, which I hope, will forevet
remain unparalleled in the annal of free
dom. The right of emigration is one ol
the nioft invaluable which a freeman car
enjov. It is not delivered up into t.'if
J"ia-ds of the com nunity .it is one which
so far from infringed, should be
pr-tccted by ttje government. The verj
jdea of detenr 0:1 when no criminality de
m'nds a furrendor to j aAice, is totally in
conp3tib]e with the name of liberty
When therefore citizen' Singleterry am
Henfirld chose to abandon fieir native
country, and engage in the contest on tilt
p'irtof France, on board of a veTTel be
longing to the Fren h, commanded by a
Frenchman, and acting Under a Trend:
co.mmifliai), was not the fetal re <f theii
p.-rfoi an art of tyran ly, an cver-llretch
oTpower, as unwarranted by the principle:
of liberty, the rights of freemen, and the
laws of nation.", as it was cont ary to a
solemn treaty, and difjj■ aceful to a free
pe iple !
Tie detention the prizes belonging tc
the Fre.nih republic, has received to > inucl
difcufliOn in the public papers, to admit ol
a ly inima'dverfiohs, upon thepreflnt occa
lioii. A myleriou s dakieT, an affuminc
conduct, intrigue and chicane have market
in indelible characters the v. hole o' the
proceedings relative to that affair, as wel
as the intended ftappage- of the Lrttle De
mocrat. The principles upon which the
prizes were held in cultod , and the calling
out the nvlitia for that piirpofe, were my-
Iteries known only within the veil of the
cabinet. Far be it from me to inlininte
that every official act of the preii-ien!
fliould be communicatee! to the public im-
Hi-diately upon its execution j but in ar
affor of furh magnitude as the one under
co ifiderution. on which the opin.o is o'~t'ie
citizens are so mil h divided, which mi)
poflioly plu ige the cdunti y into a war, in
■which the milit • v force was brought for
ward to take polfedi iii of F. ench property,
the citizens ihould certainly have been
made acquainted with the principles thai
led to a pnrfu tnce of such a measure
Wnen public for.e w-is necefl'aiy to be
called out, was it confident with the cha-
of freemen to fight when they knew
not for what they were .contending. Yet
thit> would hue been the cafe bad the
F ench artempted to ref-iie their property
from the captors, whilil inverted by the
Philadelphia militia.
Arbitrary measures, intriguing conduct,
and dark policy are totally ihconfident with
the generous Sentiment? and oudrfiembling
manners thut should eharatte ze a repub
lic It is time to enquire into the origin of
those abuses, and when found, infiaatly to
a|)My a remedy, or the rui l of the United
States is inevitable. Since the re-eftiblilh-
Biea; of psac?, our country has Blade jra-
pid rfrides to wards aristocracy. It is high
time to arred her prcgrefs, left a: a Future
period it may be impoflible to (top her ca
reer, without another effufion of blood.
Wherever may be its source, we are cer
tain of its pernicious confluences. It
has already induced us to bear with tame
j'Ulillanimity the inftiks and injuries of
ihat tyrannical power which we formerly
elided, from r. hence it has been conjee
rtired that too many among us llill leai
and honour their ancient master. It is ap
prehended too by many that the measure;
which have been pursued In conformity tc
i his principle may probably plunge us into a
war on the fide of defpotilm ; but notwith
landing every step which may be taken tc
prevent their designs. numbers are dil
ready to recognize the plighted faitli o
freemen, with the fame energy that mark
ed their opposition to Tyrannical llfn'rpati
on. 'I' re are thoufandiof honed citi
zens in the Union, who are ready to ac
complUh their part in the fulfillment o
treaties defence of the canfe of tini
verfal freedom ; and (liould their natio
ultimately (hew itfelf determined to pur
sue a conduil inimical to the rights of man
they are ready to adopt the maxim of th<
immortal Franklin—where Liberty it theri
is my country. ALCANOK.
Philad. July 15th.
For the National Gazette.
QCCt RRENCES sometimes very trifling
in their nature have a tendency tc
(hew, in a very striking and -expreflive
manner, the opinion-! of mankind.
Haying been one of the crou d of pefta
tors who attended Mr.Ricketts's perform
ance on Saturday, I could not but observe
« hat mud have been obvious to all, tha:
when " The man of the people" was toad
ed in the presence of the perlon to w hotn it
was intended to apply, those warm emoti
ons were not excited in the breads of the
many citizens who were present, that the
fame circumflancc would have producec
fotne time ago.
But a few years part, involuntary shouts,
and appl itife would havefiucecd
rd the mention of this toast, as natural!}
as an effect docs its cause; hut on thisoc
calion the vain and unfiiccefsful attempt!
of a few to raise ?n huzza, only served t
indicate more clearly the change that ha:
taken place in the sentiments of the peo
ple, with refpefl to the whom tliej
have placed at the head of their govern
ment.
The enlightened and republican citizens
of America will not continue their eulo
gies longer than tiifey are merited : The)
willrot faraur any. one with the. title <1
the man of the people (lh« mod Uonourablt
and gloriuus one ever annexed to the name
of Walhington) who attempts to impjjfe
the impoffibte talk upon freemen, of obfer
ling a conduit equally "impartial, and
friendly" towards the daring enemies ol
liberty, and her si mefl friend-
While their gratitude fpr his eminent
fsrvices in their late caufe,\ eils the fiiialler
faults of his administration, they will rot
continue infenlible to flagrant violations of
their rights : They will withdraw their
edeem and confidence from aMy one of
their public servants, whose efforts are ex
rrted tj flrengthcn collaterally the arm o<
le(j>otifin,by vveakeiii'ig that of liberty; the
l ya! a.hlrefles that were received are only
ind caiive of the sentiments of a lew inte
relied individualsthe grt?at mass of the
3t ople are the enemies of slavery, end its'
ibettors, and however they may with to
Jreferve the blefii;igs of peace, will never
ieign the nod of approbation to a procla
mation, a ftridt and implicit observance of
which, might eventually prodrate the glo
rious tree of liberty which they formerly
nourished with aportiou of the fame Wood
:!iat continues to animate them Mav out
ongedeemed Walhington fpeedi y ihfin
:angle himfelf from thecoiinfels of tliearif
:ocratic friends who surround him, be
:om. 1 the active friend of our gencroti
jlhe", and command the univerjalregard
>fhis coiiturymen.
PHILOGENET.
July 15th 1793.
For the National Gazette.
pVERY on? rem'mbers the celebrated
Balloon for which the late Mr. Dick
er set a subscription on foot in New V ork,
in January 1-89. The subscription was
lill.-d by the July following, and the day fixed
fir the afcentof theadventurou aeronaut.
It is almost needless to brinj, into view the
fate of that immense unwieldy smoke-bag.
1c was attempted to be filled by meafts of
fire being set to several lubftances spread
under it, ftich as damp draw, chopped
v. 001, &C.&C. but through some miftua
nagement, or the inadequacy of the mean ,
it was never completely indited Jn tin
midst of the exertions of those* in the Jeer el
the balloon (whieh was made of raven'
duck) took fire, and it was with some diffi
culty the aeronaut tfcjtped from the con
ftagration with the loss of his whlfliers.
a (kin conliderably scorched by the blaze,
and the pu: firing curses, menaces, and ex
ecrations of one or two thotifand fubferi-
Icrs,—A few days before Mr, Decker'
in. ended ascent; the following addrefi was
lent to him, which you will pieafe to
prefetve ia your National Gazette.
" To Mr. Dr.CJCF.R.
Ot k vi:it to America is pleasing to
every one, and to none more than mvfelf.
1 have read with much pleasure, mixed
with altonifhment, many publications of
the surprizing and fuccefsful vo'yagc-s that
have been made into the upper regions ;
and as the clay isfaft appro idling, on u hie;.
Von mean r.o aflonifh the inhabitants of thi>
Itibliuiary world -itli your bold flight,l am
half tempted to request a palTage in the
grand balloon you are now preparing for
the enter,ainment of tiie citizens of New
*?rk. There is bjit one preliminary I
' 1 t() adjusted with you previous tc
departure, and that being agreed to, the
pillage money (ball be paid down.—Sir,
■«- are informed, that the upper regions
belong solely to a great p.ince, even the
; nnce of the Tower of the Air, who ha.-
tiillfway and absolute authority over the
v atmosphere of this globe, therefore,
notu ithftanding he has kindly permitted
vers! balloon men hitherto to proceed on
uninterrupted, and without a legal pas
e>. octired from himfelt or some of his agent
ere below, ;t may not always be the cale.
.i(l that fiion Id he happen to be a little out
•■f humour on the day of your ascension,
& on your mounting some miles high, (ltould
chance to meet you, full butt, and demand
(l fee your puss, blef. me what mull be the
atal consequence, fliotild it not be in your
power to produce one ? Alas! 1 fear no
thing less than the entire annihilation of
Mr. Decker, balloon and aM, in an instant!
i oil to know, Sir, the whole artil
er\ of t.ie f. y is abfoUltely at the command
of this prince, and a single tremendous
• Imnder bolt would fee fnificient to do
}om btilinefs cffeftfially ; therefore prav
ake my advice, and arm your balloon
° IIC ' franklin's fpecific con
ncting-rods : we are convinced of the
' '"cr.cypf them, and theperfeft fecnrity of
ii,barking with yon when thus protected ;
hen will Mr. Decker and I. if permitted,
triumphantly (oar aloft, and dare to look
lis god/hip full in the face, undaunted
at his grim fuily phiz and terrific appear
ince, and exnltingly proceed on in fjiire of
'II his feeble etfoi t? to prevent lis, and take
picturesque view i fall this little globe and
the wonders above !
AN ORATION,
Delivered at the request of the Ciceronian
Society by their l>i efident, on the Anni
verf.iry of American Independence.
Gentlemen,
'"pHE impifilion which you have made
upon my mind, by appointing trie to
this place, tan never be removed. Called
upon so unexpectedly to (peak amor? .fl
you in commemoration of an event which
the whole world has witnclled with thf
plaudits of rapture, without having that
affillance of time and leifme afforded ms
which the importance of the ftrijeft de
mands, my situation cannot but appear ex
tremely awkward indeed. The vail theme
which requires the energy of pathos itfelf
o do it j'iftice, mud 'tisevident, dwindle
even b low itsown greatness, v. rt
tempted by Hmon whom you have thoiicht
proper to impose the duty.
The 4fn o* July, i 776, is a riemorable
sra—big in itfelf as iU'efpefls the prefen;
age, and of the gre ate ft moment as it re
gard- polterity. The annals of every Ra
tio 'i are consulted in vain to fx attention
(lpon one f» replete with striking instance
of hardy figeneC., magnanimity, and glo
riuiis enterprise. None living at the pre
feiu day are ignorant of the illustrious iafh
which have tendefl to immortalise the
names of thufe heroes who were actors in
the great scene of the revolution. None
withhold the tribute of gratitude and ap
plause, at this day, for the grand achieve
ments of the late American warriors.—
And who, in turning over the records of
tim-, pauses not to contemplate rile majes
ty of that ..nguft synod which spoke Ame
rica free and independent > W ho reads the
hiltoric p?.ge& becomes no' fafcinated by
rhe astonishing fefforts ot calm deliberation
in the cabinet, and warm intrepidity in the
fia-cl ; of an infant republic 'railing her
fe.f to the rank of a nation, from the (la
villi ignominy offoreign.dependence? Who
bears not in mind the memory of "tllefe
brave patriots, toU'hcm only the bed c;
honour afforded art asylum from the hor
rors^of-the bloody conflict? B-lit it is net
lor me, my friends, to awaken you to an
acquaintance with the men and measures
<if 17-6, nor to dwell on scenes so recent
which have been fa of ten painted to you,
view, and which c'n never be forgotten".
Fhe b'aft of gratitude has already fprc:
rheir exploits round the u.nverfc ; 1
trump or fame is still distended in th. ;
praise, ifltiingfounds which (hall he h,.M'
by temoteft >"flerity. We may, 'tis true
and we oughtto teftify our gratitude so.
the zeal 01 our countrymen who bled 1:1
ofifti'ig the efforts of their domineer!
eiiem es, butthe attempt were vain, toadd
a Itiftre totheir praise Indeed, whyfhould
e call back with ofteivtatious etilogies
he departed spirits of those lieroes who
save feaied our happiness with their all.
iVora the eljfuim oi g.ory wiiicli euvirotio
then), to vitnefs our mortality ? No. re
happy honored shades, we wifli not to dis
turb your tranquility by the fbuuts of en
tltufiafm, but will not lorget the services
you have done your country. In our pride
we will not make gorgeous facrifice to
your memory ; but we will watch round:
yonl' graves and pour over your facrerl
tombs, t.ie foft effufion of gratitude mm
"tir hearts. The humble shrubbery abort
■ heir heads, shall be dewed with the tears
<>f sympathy. The odorous myrtle fltnll
(lied its fragrance to the breeze. The lau
rel.and the cvpref*. shall interweave their
foliage,and wreath a garland lor your Jail
ing monument- -
But are we, it is afued, precluded from
acting a>art in the political drama ?—la
there nothing left lor us to do ?—We
know very well, that tbe> patriots of the
Iwte war struggled againlt the ifurpation of
tyranny and oppression, thtir exertians
were ci ovvned with success, the glorious
privileges of freedom and national happi
iiefs became their own. Bfeffings so great
onghtiitJt to perish with the pofleficrs.—
Tile youth of this day, whom the w ant of
igedt barred from uniting in the confl ft,
receive!) at their hands that im gift
«hicb An.ericans acquired by their blo< d.
Our children have a right to t xpect a tranf
iiiilfion of thisblefli.ig to them, pure and
' iviulate as we re.eived t. And hence it
is our indifbert' ble ciity to exert every ef
fort agair.ft all those who would wrelt the
legacy from its.
My friends, it is on this account wc
(liou.d pause whenever an important politi
cal qiiellion is agitated ; we ihould ask
ourit'lves if v. ehavebeen faithful to the
trull reposed in us; we should make a
ftricl(crutmy. ami on every occasion regu
late our conduct bythe ti.ierr ng guidance
of republican plainness. \\ e (houid bear in
mind that before the happy ;ra of the
American revolution, the urm.verfary of
w inch we rtionld delight in commemorat
ing, that juvenile associations like our own
were altogether unheal d of, that we are
indebted to that event for the legality of
our proceedings, and that only by ? mutual
emulation in adhering to the principles!
which gai-e rife to the eflyvlifument of li
berty and equality, can the catife of our
fathers be fnpported. For though the Uni
ted States are now free from the fetters
of tyrannical ufurpatir.n. and thoup.fi the
flame qf freedom has began to fl.ine beyonct
the Atlantic, yet as the great principle is
l «it univerfdlly adopted there is danger to
be apprehended from a fluggifli confidence
■if our fecunty. The Sre which has pur
ged th s land from corruption,& which is
kindled in the bosom ot France, may be
erctinguifhed. And it' this should ever be
effeoe<i, as it is to be feared it v ill if fuel
be not cottflantly added to tjie blntr, the
defpotifin o! f urope \\ ii! rage with great
er fury than before, the various impurities
of, tyranny ~,vill aga<n dc iiie our foil, anil
the cause of freedom w ill receive a .fatal
wound.
(Remainder in our next.)
[From the Fayertcville Gazette. J
OUR neutrality prefVnf war is
serving the Britilh court more efncaciouOv,
than any one power France has to contend
with. From the number of Btitifh
witli their fnperior force in the Wcit In
dies, she tvllj receive provisions in an a
tUl d lit manner, equal toiler wants, with
the advantage of capturing on the coalls of
the United f>tatei, the fiipplie- which
France may procure. Her opening at this
time one or two of her islands, to enable
her to defyroy our allies, is a l'refli inftilt to
American undcribnding; we know that
without these States ller iuands. -much less
her fleets and her armies, <-otold not be
fcbfiMed.
ft is said by the friend' of Britain, we
have no right to intermeddle., anil it is cer
tain that republics move with caution.—
if flvuiKl.be com. Hied to f'ibmit to
her enemies, would rhe i(lands in -the W eft
Indies conquered by Bi itain. be returned
her? The in'fe is, Great Britain aims at
an universal monopoly of trade and com
i-.iercc ; and these State:, would fee their
tolly, when, perhaps it would be too iate.
For the fake of maKvflg, perhaps, two
or three millions, of do.', lacs, by this neutra
i ty, \Ve are.'to facr.lice our allies, who ad
vanced us nea.rly twenty miiiicn-, and
came with forty thotifand ir.cn to our aid ;
for this _ our national charafler is to
be biafttd foragesto "tome 1
That France has a right to eftabiilh
whatever form of government is (nitable
to her happiness. every rational bei:;g mult
allow. Tnat the despots oi Europe fliould
interfere to prevent this right, is an abun
dant evidence that ihe French are ailing
for the general wollare of thetrjelves and
che human race.
The many maflacres, murders and lamp
hangings, wbi h micilte. ial writers dwell
on with pleafnre, by reasonable men
! u tifl be laid on those who united and set in
i ferment this great nation; and our won
der at these accounts mnft eenle, when we
confuler the dreadful provocations and in
fnlts'offered to the moll refined, polite and
liberal tninded.nation in Europe;
There are foine hereditar - flroke; of
charatter by wiiich a famvh may be as