National gazette. — Philadelphia [Pa.], 1793-01-23 00:00:00, page 3

PHILADELPHIA.
' January 23.
The remarkable mildness of the present
winter season, exceeds that of every win
ter in the memory of the oldest inhabitant?
of Philadelphia; there has not been the
le a {t interruption to the navigation of the
Delaware, and now at the 23d of January
we hive moderate weather. A line shad was
caught on Wednesday last, and (hould the
river continue open, a considerable run
may f«on be expected.
Afew days since faded from New-Lon
don, for the coast of Africa, the schooner
Sally, Benjamin Buel, master, in whom
went a number of Panifh paflengers. We
her that this veflel is chartered by Col.
Benjamin Van Roler, now in that city, on
account of the Danish government, for the
tnrrpofe of eflaying to establish a colony 011
the fold coaft < at a P lace callell Crev . e
Coeur, In the s th degree of N. lat. It is
said 'he motives for this eftablifhi-gent are.
to cultivate the foil, &if pollible to civilize
the natives: much to the praise of the hu
manity of the Danes. It is intended that.
Jhould the Africans prove hoflile to the
delign, to give it up, as the principal airr
of the enterprize in that cafe would be
rendered abortive.
We hear that the eldest Ton of Mr. Peak
is aboi:-- to set out on a voyage to St. Ma
[ ry's river, the southernmost part of the.U
nited States of Amcrica, for the pnrpofe ol
Colle£ting fubjefts of natural hiitory, b>
whose labours and knowledge in his fa
ther's method of preserving them, Mr,
Peale's museum will be enriched with ma
ny of those beautiful birds and curious rep
tiles, &c. that abound in the warmer cli
mates.
We are informed that when Mr. Blan
chard, after his aerial' excursion, 011 the
9th irift. was attempting to descend frou
his perpendicular height of two miles, h<
was espied by two Jersey farmers, a
miles beyond Woodbury, in Glouceftei
county, one of whom was so terrified, thai
taking the aeronaut for fume sky-man
hoftilely inclined, he ran to his hou'e tor £
gun, to defend hiinfelf. It was in vair
thatM. Blanchard called to them for as
sistance in mooring his balloon ; their fear
conquered every other consideration ; ant
it was not till some citizens of Philadel
phia came up, who had followed on horf(
back, that he was fately landed.
Late letter's from Europe mention all I
taly to be in a state of disorder. The peo
pie, dreading above all things a visit tron
the armies and fleets of France. The Popi
had held a Coniiftory,in which it was agreec
to raise tax upon all his benefices
to contribute to the defence of the ecclefi
tactical ltate's, and to succour the king o
Sardinia. It is also said, that the preju
dices of his fubje&s operate strongly again!
the present Pope, Pius the sixth, and hi
conclave ; the old verse constantly recur
ring to their imaginations—Semper Jin
Sextis perdita Roma fait.
The spirit of French liberty already vi
brates through Ireland. A view ot thi
Former condition of the French with tha
of the present opprefied state of the Irilh
cannot but set them a thinking. The con
quests of republican France are ever;
where celebrated through that long op
preifed island; and " President Walhing
ton," " Thomas Paine," " the Rights o
Man," and " success to the French revo
lution," are every where the toalt.
Perhaps fsw crowned heads have eve
been more completely duped than the pre
sent king of Pruflia. Several accourfts a
gree that at the very time he W3S attack
ing France, the Empress of Russia and th<
Emperor of Germany had agreed to dividi
his kingdom between them. The packe
containing the articles of this infamous a
greement being intercepted by Gen. Pu
inouricr, and by him instantly communica
ted to the king of Pruflia, appears to hav<
been the <?aufe of that sudden retreat 01
the part of the PrulHan monarch, which a
the time appeared so unaccountable to po
liticians.
A fubfeription has been opened in Bos
ton for holding a grand Civic Feast, 01
account of the success of the patriotii
cause in France. The plan of the enter
tainment extends to all classes of persons
On the 18th instant, the committed o
the House of Representatives of the ftat<
of New York, finiflied their bulinefs, rela
tive to the decision of the seven canvassers
and were discharged. The whole hiltor;
of the legislative proceedings on this inter
efting fubje£t is ordered to be published it
four different newspapers of the state, foi
public information.—" The enemies to th<
decision of the seven canvaflers, in favoui
of Gov. Clinton's election, may now b<
considered as totally defeated ; and thi
victory obtained is as glorious in its naturi
against corruption and aristocratic power
as J the victories of France are over the com
bined foes of liberty and equality."
The following extratt of a letter, datei
Char It ft on, S. C.Dec. 24, is copied fron,
thi Norwich Weekly Regijler, of Jan. 14,
"A few days since departed this life
H-nry Laurent, Esq. about 70 y ears of age
and his cqrps was burnt the third day af
ter his decease. This was done by his
&>», at requrft of the Father ; who made
-j-ij o rpfervc iii will, that utile)s hi j
:ompliedvjith this re^teft, he /hould be cut
"uort of any of his ejlate ; which wa
worth about 60,0001. lterling. Tne allK'-
-emaining from tne body were taken up
ind put into a iilver urn for that purpole.
I'he reason that Mr. Laurens gave for
:his Angular delire, was, that his body was
too good to be eaten by worms.
Important-news from the IVeft Indies.
On Sunday Jan. G, arrived at Norfolk,
the brig William Pennock, Capt. Williams,
who failed from Point Petre, Guadaloupe,
[in the 15th December. Four days buiotc
Capt. Williams left the island, the frigate
La Felicite arrived at Dominica, in 3>
lavs from France, and brought news oi trie
leieat of the Comoined Forces, which let
:he whole idand in a fermentation ; the in
habitants were all quitting the llland, in
expectation of a fleet coming from f ranee.
Capt. Williams took in 20 paffengerstor
St. Euftatia, where ha arrived 011 the 18th,
and found five more American vefl'elsfroni
different parts of the island, full ot f rencli
palfengers, and a number more momently
expected. St. Euftatia was full of f rencii
people, and scarce a house to be got on any
terms. At St. Martin's on the 20th ult.
iikewife found several more veflels from
CJuadaloupe, with 40, 50, and 60 pallen
-"ers on bard ; aifo a veffe) from Martini
lo, with palfengers, wlro informed him thai
island was in the fame situation as Guada
loupe, which was continually under arms.
A gentleman on board the vellel from Mar
tinicu fay;, 1 yooof the inhabitants had quu
tedUe island,& all kind of bwfinefs was at ;
(land ; nothing doing except fortifying tm
island, repairing the lorts,and getting in or
der to arm tiieir negroes a gain It the flee!
which they expected to arrivefromr ranee.
InGv.adaloupe they purchased So,coo ftanc
[.farms from the other i lands ; and on
the firlt appearance ot the fleet, the Plant
er:; were determined to arm their negioes
to protect the white flag. Ihe frigate Lj
Felicite got information ofaFreuch frigate
who wore the white ftig, manned \\ ith
muiattoes, which the La Felieite ga\ e
chace to —the run into Hack - S tali", Guada
loupe, under cover of ti'e guns. The cap
tain of the La Felicite wrote the Gover
vernor of Guadaloupe, it he caught anj
Aristocratic flags in the Weft Indies, he
was determined to fink them —He ben: his
course to Dominica, he could not obtain
supplies in the French islands. 4
Th&atre in Boston.
Copy of a letter from Bolton, dated Jan.
14, '793-
" The theatrical squabble in Boston. ha;
gained the attention of the whole union,
and has been the subject of convertation.
even in the polite metropolis of America.
The part taken by the ftipreme executive
of Mafl'achnfetts, has been represented ii
various points of light, according the
taste, feelings, and even the political fenti
mcnts, of thufe who have chosen to niakt
their aniinadverfions upan it. Ihe honoi
of the town of Boston, and the reputatioi
of the government here, being in son.c
measure interested in having the trutr
known, I feud you a state of facts, whicl
may be relied on."
" In the year 1742 the general courl
made a law again!! theatrical enter tain
ments. What induced the government tc
take that measure, is not at this time, with
in the memory of any one now on the stage
of life. Whether a company of players vi
sited the town then, or were invited tc
come, or what was the reason of the aft';
being pafied, I am not able to learn."
" The ast was to continue in force foi
seven years only J but it was continued un
til the year 1779 by subsequent laws, anc
then revived and continued to the yeai
1786. Inthe year 1785, four years after the
present constitution was in exercise, itwa
continued to the year 1797. A Mr. Henry
:ame to Boston about three or four years
ago, and proposed a theatre, the town was
igainft the introduction of plays at that
:ime. Ido not conceive that their objec
tions arose altogether, nor in any confider
ible degree from an apprehension that the
norals of the people would be corruptee
jy a theatre : but they believed that the
own c«uld not afford the expence, anc
hey also concluded that no valuable pur
lofes could be answered by exhibitions of
hat kind. They knew very well, thai
he origin of the drama was in Greece, thai
;he Romans took it from those states, anc 1
ntroduced it to Europe ; and every one
ivho has read history knows, that the dra
ma in all those countries, was but a pre
lude to the loss of liberty. The exhibiti-
Dns of the theatre, of the circus, &c. amu
"ed the Romans, and Grecians, whiift theii
rulers robbed .them of their liberty."
" In the year 1791, another set of play
ers offered themselves in Boston : a town
meeting was called upon the petition of a
number who advocated the theatre. The
meeting wasfull, eight hundred people, out
of eighteen hundred inhabitants having a
right to vote, attended : warm harrangues
were made in favour of the measure. The
constitutionality of the law was called in
question : those who were against the mea
sure attempted to speak, but were hissed,
and a majority of the voters present, ap-
peared to inflruft the reprefentatires of the
town, to procure a repeal of the a£t-
When the session of the general court had
commenced, Mr. Tudor, and Mr. Jirvis,
representatives of the town, aided by the
learned dissertation of Mr. Gardner, cal
led up the queltion : they were patiently
heard, and seriously attended to, but no
member of the house attempted a reply ;
when the vote was taken, there was but a
very few indeed in favour of the repeal.
The governor had taken no part in all
this matter."
" 111 the yenr 1792 a fetof players offer
ed again; a building was ereited, and the
theatre : plav bills were iflued ;
tj tragedies-and comedies advertised with
r-iie names of the aitors. This was done
in open contempt, and defiance of the go
vernment. The grand jury did not pre
sent the breaches of the law, as was ex
pected. The general court soon after
wards was in session : the governor had
nsver dire£tly, or indire&ly tried to pre
vent a repeal of the law : but as it was in
force, and openly violated, he thought it
his duty to mention it to the general court,
by which the act: might be conlidered, and
repealed if necelfary ; inflend ot repealing
it, the two houses requefled the governor
in their answer to his message, to fee that
the judiciary power of the Itate should sup
port and enforce the law. As soon as the
general court had liiifhed their Seflions, the
pfay bills were multiplied* and the authori
ty of the government treated with con
tempt, by a few aliens and foreigners en
couraged by men from whom the public
iiiight have expected other treatment. The
cou.icil was in session in November, and
advised the governor to call upon the at
torney-general and the migiflrates, to Sup
port the laws. Still a piay was appointed
in an open, defiance of the
government. The fheritf poflefled of a
warrant went into the play house, took
one of the actors, and put an end to the
plays."
" Since then, there has been a meeting
of the town called, when thoSe who did
not incline to be hissed, or mal-treated for
Speaking their minds, did not attend.
Hand bills were struck off and served on
about three hundred chosen men, request
ing their attendance until the vote ihould
be taken. One man only appeared in the
oppolition, but he was not heard. There
appears therefore a vote on the town re
cords for the appointment of a committee
to obtain a repeal of the law, because it is
uiiConflitutional and absurd. Thus the
town of Boston appears to the public, as
pitted again!! the general court, on a quef
tioji -:he conllitutional rights of
tim people, to have the amusement of the
theatre. The town have heretofore flood
HM more relpe£table point of light, and
engaged .in matters of greater moment to
the public ; hut their then leaders were
engaged in nobler pursuits. The opinion
of Sober and judicious men is, that if this
law is unconstitutional, all those againfl
gambling, usury, and crimes not neceflary
to be mentioned, as well as Sundry laws,
and those for Supporting public worlhip,are
so likewise : in ihort that the con/iitution
itjelf is unconstitutional.''''
" You fee Sir, from these facts, that the
part our governor has taken, is not upon
the idea that it is wrong in itfelt to have a
theatre, but that it is right, and proper for
the magistrates to support the laws : and
that whilfl the legislature (hall continue the
law in being, it is right it should be sup
ported. It might have been carried into
execution without his attendingto it, but
it was not. He has the example of the
President in late instances, as well as of o
ther high executive officers, for this inter
ference.
' " But Sir, this fame governor, is the cen
tre of republican inurejt in our Common
wealth, he knows no dijlinHion bet*ween the
-well born arid ill born ; he is againfl mo
narchy ; and h>. therefore is to be abused.
But a large majority love him, he has the
confidence of his conflituents.'' 1
ExtraCls from the Leyden Gazette, to No
vember 2d.
r. The sudden change of affairs, with
regard to the combined invaders of France,
is to many a perfect mystery. How is it
to be accounted for, fay they, that after
such a fuccefsful progress the Duke of
Brunfwick suddenly halted in his career,
between St. Menehould and Chalons—and
how was it pofiible, that after such a vari
ety of movements, no one ot which mate
rially injured his plans, he should all at
once abandon the cause he had undertaken,
and make an inglorious retreat, worse in
its consequences to him than the absolute
loss of a battle ? We need no longer wOn
det, however, at this event when we con
sider that the sorest of Argonne is the Ther
mopylae of France ; and that their new re
public is chiefly indebted to the discern
ment of General Kellerman in timeoufly
pofTeffing this invincible post. This, and
his sustaining with so much firmnefs the
cannonade of the 20th of September, com
pletely deranged all the plans of the Duke
of Brunfwick.
2. As to the army of the French Emi
grants, it is broken up and dismissed-—
These wretched men have received a let
ter of license from marshal Broglio, by
which they are permitted to go wherever
they fee fit, with an exception, however,
to re-join the main army at the earlieji re
'{uifition : a clause that Teems to have been
added fnerely to aggravate despair. In
fa£t, in this permit neither their names
nor places of abode are mentioned ; but
they are advised to recommend themselves
in the best manner they can to such powers'
as {hall be disposed to receive them. They
are, indeed, real objects of pity, and efpe
:ially those among them who quitted their
country and property from dilinterefled
motives. Great numbers have determi
ned to return into France at all events;
and are daily felling, for almost nothing,
:heir coaches, horses, &c. &c. Such of
hele miserable people as are absolutely
without means, and know not where to
jo, arc to be quartered at Malmedy.
3. The recent events of tills campaign
lave wholiy disappointed the jjrojecltd
>lan of holding a pacific Congress at Lux
:mbourg : at lealt, there is no probability
jf filch an event taking place this year.
The French, in the career of their fuc
:efs, seem determined to carry the molt
inqualified liberty thro' Europe, and, ex
ravagant as it may seem, talk of nothing
jut exterminating tyrants from every cor
ler of the civiliz?d world.
4 Much has been said of Spain joining
lie belligerent league againlt France: It
s true that they are putting their frontier
nto a llate of defence, but that is all, and
nerely meant by way of precaution, and
lot of offeniive warfare. The rejection of
oyal government in France has occasioned
1 prodigious fliock in the minds of the
Spaniards, but the prime minitler seems
fully convinced that war with France can
lot be otherwise than ruinous to Spain ;
:here is, therefore, ev«!ry reason to think
:hat he will periilt in his pacific system,
aotwTtE (landing remonstrances from every
quarter of the kingdom, urging to a con
nary measure. Add to this, that the in
iuence of the clergy is in adeclining way ill
Spain, who in any other age than the pre
sent might have influenced the crown to
the support of despotism.
5- The English seem not to have viewed
with a complaisant eye the French mari
:ime expeditions to the Mediterranean.
Letters from Antibes mention, that admi
al Truguet has taken a large English ship
;oing into Nice with a load of mulkets,
ind other military {lores. She was can
lufted to a fafe port.
EXTRACT.
" The name of Hejfe awakens a melan
choly remembrance ! It was this prince
who, to fill his coffers, let out so many of
lis fubje£ts to England, to serve in the J ast
4merican war, not under the standard of
ibertyy but the bloody flag Of despotism.
These unfortunate wretches, torn from
:he bosom of their country, saw them
elves counted over to the hirer like
leads j transported beyond the ocean;
lrmed against men who had never ofFerkled
:hem ; and condemned to mafl'acre the ge
lerous inhabitants, who had formed no o
her intention but to free themselves from
1 ihameful dependence on the mother
country, which had treated them like ille
gitimate children."
" The sovereign of these Hessians fold
hem by the head, as the ferocious African
ells his timid slaves to the insatiable Eu
opean, who chains them, and crouds them
nto his floating prison, in which they are
liurried away, to labour under a scourge
us iron upon a foreign foil."
" By thisagreeme.it, equally difgraceful
to both the contracting powers, the En
;li(h were obliged to pay as much for those
Hessians w]io fhoijld be maimed, as if they
had been killed. Alas 1 what ail account
tt'as here opened : what a balance was to
je struck bet.ween the two fivereigns at
:he end of the war. Who could attend to
the horrid calculation without fhudder
ng ? You have delivered to me so many of
your fubje£ls, to be employed iti cutting
the throats of mine. Five hundred died
in the voyage : Two thousand perished in
different actions : Three thousand have
been wounded in such a manlier, that they
can exist only by the alfiftance which pity
may afford them : consequently I owe you
such a sum. Here it is—treafnre up these
juineas in your coffers; and disperse thro'
your llate the unhappy witnefl'es of my de
feats, and of your shame."
%* I Hh Officers ot the late New-Jer
sey line are requested to meet at the house
of James Drake, in New-Brunfwiclq on
Thurfdaythe seventh day of February
next, at the hour of ten in the morning, to
take into conlideration the application of
different lines of the late army now before
the Congress of the United States.—Dated
January 16th, 1793.
J. N. CUMMING.
JONATHAN RHEA.
SIX-PENCE REWARD.
RUNAWAY from the fubferiber, living in
Southampton townftiip, Bucks County, oil
the fifth of January, a servant Jad named THO
MAS SMITH, had on a striped cloth coat ? old
felt hat, and woolen trowfers, whofocvcr shall
apprehend the said lad, and bring him home to
his master, lhall have the above reward, but no
charges paid. JOSHUA WOOD.
Jan. 22*