The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1781-05-21 00:00:00, page 2

^-Pxtradis from Rebel Papers.—
From The Freeman's "journal.
In COUNCIL, May 4, 1781.
IT it not beneath the dignity of a government, whose
sole foundation is the authority of the people, it is a
duty to explain any public measure, which may be inif
underftood through ignorance, or misrepresented by de
sign ; and especially if such 2 measure is so general in its
operation, as really, or imaginarily to afcft the intetyefts
of a great number of people* There is fu fficient reason
to believe, that there ever has been a number of perfdns
in this city, who from difaffethion, or faction, or other
undue motives, ferment every uneasiness, from whatever
cause arising, sparing neither art nor falfhood to effect
their purpose, and too often impose on the credulous and
unwary. That such attempts are now making, with
rrfpe& to the refpluticn of this board, declaring the ex
change between specie and continental money, is very
obvious. We must caution our fellow citizens against
them, and request they would seriously tonfider the fol
lowing reasons, on which this measure has been adopted ;
and then, we have no doubt they will not only concur
with, but applaud a flep which was dilated, not
merely by common regard to the interests of the state,
but which was ihdtfpehfably neceff^ry in OUr present
circurnftances.
These fa&s are known to us all: -
Ift. That the council, unddr a positive law of the
state, and the obligation of their oath of office, are
required on the firft week in every month, to public
what is the then rate of exchange between specie and
cohitnental money ; which is to be the exchange between
continental money and the state rrtOhey.
zd. That the said rate of exchange has been, by com
mon content and usage of trade, gradually rifiag for
some time past, so that at present no perlon in his private
dealing, pays or receives at the rate of feventy-five for
one.
3d. That the neighbouring state of New Jersey, on
the 27th ulti declared the rate to be one hundred and
fiftv for one ; and the inhabitants of that state were
pouring the old continental money into this, receiving
our state money in lieu thereof, at the rate of feyenty-five
for one state dollar,
The facts being undeniable, furdy it is a gross error to
fay that government has railed the exchange. The peo
ple have raised it by common conferit, and the .council
have only followed them in making a declaration, of
What they have d ri ne ; and in this inßance, as for
merly, taking the lowest prffible rate at which any com
modity hab been transferred. Did not every one in his
private dealings, poss ffed of continental money, pay a
price for every article, which included the daily depreci
ation? Is not the merchandise and produce of the coun
try, fold for double, treble, and fourfold the price in
that money, that it was one, two, or three months ago ?
Who, therefore, can be a loser by the declaration ? Not
the man who wishes to employ it in private dealing,
whatever it may be ; every feller having in this case, a
voice with the buyer. The true and real disappointment
fills upon the difaffe&ed and the difeontented, who hav
ing by every artifice evaded the payment of his taxes,
fecks now to pay them at one half of what the good whig,'
who paid at the firft call, or the brave militia man, who
did his tour of du'y, has done. And is this reafohable?
Is this just to the virtuous part of<he community? The
citizens of Philadelphia are foremoft in the pvment of
their taxes: do they desire the people of the country
should pay them at one half or a quarter of the value
they themfclves have done? We are persuaded the peo
ple if the country are too just and rcafonable to delire
it, if the citizens were so unwise as to a(k it.
But there is another consideration deeply affe&ing the
integrity and conferences of the Council, which every
good man must refpedl Would we defi eof council to
publish what all the world knows tu be falfe, and that
under the fari&ion of an oath, by which they have so
lemnly engaged “ frithfolly to execute their office, do
ing equal right and justice to a!) men, to the best of thrir
knowledge and abilities, accord ng to law." The
council could not, without violating every principle of
truth and veracity, declare the exchange to be fevehty
* five, when there was not a single person in the city but
must know the contrary. Ifthey could thus prostitute
their confidences, and add perjury to falfhood, they would
be unworthy their Ration ; and it would ill become them
to call, as they have lately dome, upon the citizens of
this state, to join them in a solemn address to the God
of truth and justice, while they were thus breaking the
m ft sacred injunaicn of both. The council are in no
refpea interested io the measure, but in common with
their conftitutents ; but surely magistrates, Sheriffs, and
all other ministerial officers, whose fees Hand regulated,
and who must take them as offered have some claim to
that 66 equal right and juftiee" which by oath we are
bound to ffiew all men. The laws, the resolves, and
other public a&s have bad no effect to preserve the paper
from depreciation ; nor can we conceive that onr decla
ation of what is the current and otherwise well known
rate of dealing can operate in the least to the prejudice of
any man, but in the paymentof public dues, the greater
part of which ought to have been paid twelve months ago.
Our time being wholly devoted to the public service,
we have not the fame opportunities of knowing, with
accurate precision, the must cu rent rate of exchange as
those engagedin commerce and general dealing, and have
therefore adopted the lowest known rate, at which we
could difeover any commercial transactions were adjusted.
On this principle we continued it last month at feventy-'
five. But surely every one must be sensible of the great
difference which has happened finca that time. And
can the council be feppofed to be ignorant of what is
known to every other person in the city, of the years of
diferption, and on a fubjeft which the law supposed them
to be femewhat acquainted with, or it was absurd to
lodge the power of judgement with them ? It will be
hard, fallow citizens, in the facrifice you know we make
, private interest for your fake, if we cannot ferye or
prize you butat the expence of our integrity, truth, and
oti r understanding also. We Corn an effefted ignorance
which we do not feel or possess. But why ffiouid a mea
sure give difeontent here, which gave none to the state of
New-Jersey ? That state led the way in the declaration,
though we have reason to think the depreciation, which
is the actual evil, may be more generally ascribed to oar-1
selves ; butthe resolution of New-Jersey has furnished a 1
most unanswerable argument for what we have done.|
We have nothing to conceal from you, and have therefore j
no difficulty to acknowledge that, ^unwilling to giveany,
one the least difeontent or alarm (though ill founded) and )
at the fame time embarrassed with the duties of law, 1
truth, and justice, which seemed to claffi with each other,|
we had resolved to make no declaration ; but on this, as !
well as other accounts, immediately to call the Affcmbly,l
and to seek from them relief from a burthen, which to 1
an honest mind must be diftfeffing, if not insupportable. |
We trusted that the cause of this commission would I
furnish a fufficient apology for it; but while we weiej
deliberating, the refoUrtionof New-Jersey reached us,'
and soon after we were informed from undoubted autho'-(
rity, that the people of that state were pouring quantities|
of the old money into this, not only for merchandizef
and effects, but even exchanging it at the treasury, under {
the indulgence of this kind formerly allowed. The pal-'
pable gain on this (peculation, was doubling the money ,
by crossing the Delaware, and the loss to this state was 1
exactly the fame, as they received one state dollar or its ;
value, for one half of what they had really paid for it in (
New-Jersey. Now, fronds and fellow-citizens, to your }
judgement and candour we appeal, whether, as faithful {
managers of the public affairs, we could be indifferent 4
f edators of such a traffic ? Could we look tamely on, 1
and fee the money of this state carried into another, at !
one half its vdu% either to be redeemed by us at some {
futureday as gold and silver, or the faith and honour of 4
this state -xpreftly and openly violated ? If we have so
much miftden the dw^hr of the state we have the
yIL L persons indebted to the efate of THOMAS
SMITH, deceased, late of the city of New-York,
D„r,\ are desired to make immediate payment ; and
all ferfons that bane any demands upon the eflate 6f
said Smith, are defred to produce them to the fubferiber
within fix weeks, that they may be adjufed.
There are sundry coats, silk gowns, and other ar
tides, in my cufody, that have been coloured or
drefed by said Sm:th---tbe owner or owners are de
fied to call at the Jubfcriber's house, in Naffau-freet,
No. 26, within four weeks and pay for the dressing
them, or they will be fold. Said Smith's dying-kettle
and press are to be fold, by JOHN KINGSTON,
May zl, 17S1. Executor of said Smith.
' TO BE SOLD,
A LEASE of a lot of gtcund:---On the said
ground is a store, chair house, and stable,
nearly opposite the Provost, No. 71. Enquire of
Alexander Fortune, adjoining the premises.
To be sold or leased,
ALO r of land in Beaver-Street, 4.0 feet in
front, and 130 feet deep : It is next to the
corner of New-Street, and in the form of ~n L,
fronts that street 80 feet, and in depth 0, rfi-k.es it
verv advantageous for any person that means to im
prove die fame, For terms apply tp Hugh Gaine,
From the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
AT a time when disappointed avarice seeks
an object to vent its rage upon, apd difi
affedion is blowing the coals of discord, to
light up a flame which is meant to consume
this country, it may not be amiss that calm
teafon Ihould point to the cause of that con
vulsion which has taken place a few-days ago,
in this city, oh account of money. When this
is .done let the saddle be put on the tight horse.
Congress is, by some inconsiderate people, and 4
by some designing tools of .Great,Britain; ceri-:
fared, for having been the cause of this con
vulsion. Are Congress to blame for issuing
paper money to carry on the war, when there
was no other means of supporting an opposition
.against our determined and inveterate enemy?
Are Congress culpable for the rapacious and
avaricious views of those speculators, who, on
the flimfy pretence of being paid the value in%
gold or silver, fpecified (and at firft intended
to be paid) on the face of the bills, demanded
for their property ten, twenty, forty, fixty,and
. at length one hundred and fifty times its value
for those bills, and thereby rendered it necef--
fary to emit, in that proportion, more money
:for Carrying on the war, or that the army should
. starve for want of those articles ? Are Congress
to blame that the States did not universally,
and at one time adopt and adhere to their re-'
commendation of the :Bth of March, 1780, to
call in the old, and issue the new money on.
substantial funds, and give it a general cur
rency; whereby the present inconveniencies
and present distress would have been obviated ?;
Is it the fault of Congress that the money has
not been sooner called in by taxes and loans,
whereby depreciation would have been avoided
and that redundancy of money in circulation
lessened, which firft gave rife to depreciation,
and the consequent speculation thereof? And
can Congress be blamed by any rational being,
that the States did not adopt their recommen
dation, to make paper money a legal tender
only for its value when compared to specie ?
A measure which honesty, which wiggifm,
which common sense approved; an# which
nothing but toryifm and dilhonefly could re
ject. These are questions which I presume
will answer themselves in the mind of every
candid man. I would subjoin the following
queries.—Does it not prove, that the reputa
tion of money and the management of our
finances jhould flow from one source and be
governed by one power ; to counteract that
proneness which one state has (hewn to specu
late on another ; that individuals have /hewn
to fpecul'ate on the date; and that all have
shewn to speculate on the united States ? Does
not this prove, that the States must divest
themselves of that plume of sovereign autho
rity, and agree to place it in the hands of Con
gress ? the only power in whose hands it can
fafely or conrtitutionally be lodged; the only
power not intererted to agrandize and enrich
itfelf at the expence of any or all the States;
because all are there equally interested; and
each member is liable, in one week, to expe
rience his proportion of the evil he might,
either from ignorance or design, be weak e
nough to work to his fellow citizens, by being
displaced, and called into the rank of a private
citizen, to share the burthen he has imposed
upon them.
Surely no knave would be fool enough to
create an evil for others, of which he was to
partake in common with all, and bear an equal
if not a greater (hare than the majority of those
for whom he contrived it.
These are plain observations, addressed to the
commonest under Landing,*by a real Friend to
American Independency.
honour to fervs, and all the facrifices enumerated in this
address are expeded from us, we frankly acknowle dge
you have not (elected the proper persons to administer
your government. But if, as we firmly believe; you
with to be served on principles of integrity and honour,
we ffiall persevere in that line. We can fee no reason
for a total stoppage of tht continental money at this time,
which alone can operate mifehief to individuals and the
community. Let it pass as it did a few days ago, when
our last resolve certainly had no effect upon it to preserve
its value. By an aft of assembly passed last session, the
currency of old continental money will stop in all pay
ments for taxes on the firft 6f June 5 and by that time
20q,c001. of new state money will be ready to exchange
for it. The assembly will meet in the mean time, and
it is to be presumed, that Should any particular grievances
appear, they will be disposed to relieve and redress them.
Permit us now to remind you, that we have irrevoca
bly pledged our lives, fortunes, and sacred honour, to
support the great cause of America ; that every encou
ragement we give our enemies, counteracts this glorious
resolution ; and that our tifeontents will undoubtedly
protract all the blessings of which we have so fair a prof
ped.
JOSEPH REED, President,
IRISH linens,from 45.6&
' to Bs. per yard,
Cloutings tickens and
huckabacks,
Scarlet, blue, white, Lon
don brown, black and
garnet fuperfine cloths,
with rattinets and trim
miags,
Luteftrings, armozeens,
Ducapes, fattins,modes.,
an'dpelorfgs,
Black and coloured Barce
lona handkerchiefs,
Spotted bandanoes and re
ntals,
Sewing silk,
With a large assortment of Mancheffer Goods.
The sale to begin at ten o'clock in the morning,
and Continue morning and afternoon until finifhed.
Also, on 'TUESDAY the 29th instant,
Will be fold at the Coffee-Houfe,
HIS Dwelling-House, No. g„ Hanover-
Square, the conveniency and situation
of the house for any business is so well known
as to make any description of it unnecessary.
At the fame time,
The HOUSE No. io.
FRONTING Water Street, and in the rear
of the above, at present used as a store,
but may at a small expence be made into a
commodious Dwelling- House. Conditions will
be made known at the time cf sale.
By Daniel M'Cormick,
By the KIN G's PAT E'N T.
The new invented Salifb'ury
Portable Kitchens,
For roafong, boiling, and baking any Kind
of Provision, $ .
Tn any Room, or in the Open Air,
Without toe Affirtance of a common Fire place,
Ahd wElcn may be removed fr m Place tb Place, at
Pleasure.
BY the peculiar afr/a^tages of this invention, a com
plete dinner may be expedition fly dres?d, with a very
little exoence or trouble. A joint may be roasted, and ■
another boiled, wi^h vegetables and puddings, all at the
fame time. The meh : roasted in this kitchen is efleemed
fleeter thin v.hen done in the common way, and on fair
trial hs been found-to retain confidcrably more of its
original weight j the gravy and fat being better preferred.
. When a dinner is er: ffed, the fame fire, wi hout addi
tion, will bake a loafinkohe part, and pics, tarts, cakes,
rolls, or muffins, in he other, at the fami ttime.
The Salifbuty Portable Kitchen consists of an enclosed
fire-place, a cover, a bread-plate to hang to the coyer; and
a tart-plate, which serves also for a blotter; the e are'of
plate-iron ; In jhe front, a strong tin rest &or for roast
ing, with (pit, dripping-pan, and baster ; and on the top
a strong tin bailing pot, and a steamer,
• Very few experiments will convince every person that
the use of this machine requires no observations butthofe
which occur in cooking at every common fire ; but as new
inventions are often complicated, the following account'
is given of the real fimpbeity of this.
A p-ck of charcoal will fer've for two dressings; if it
is g cd, large, solid coal, it will be the better for the pur
pofc ; use the fmalirft of it to fight the fire/ and hang on
the tart plate to draw it up; put on the boiling pot im
mediately the fire is lighted, and lay on a few pieces of.
larger coal ; a.bnik fire will soon make the water boil;
but to prevent waste of charcoal, do not keep the drawer
on longer than appears needful ; put to the RefL&or with
the meat at the usual time ; keep an even fire, by occa
sionally adding a piece of charcoal, but be careful not to
make the fire too fierce,--, remember the refl^aor does
half the business. The meat is flatting in all parts at
once, and without any hurrying will be compkatly done
within the common time, The (pit may be fhifttd once
in a quarter of an hour, and the meat batted as usual.
The exhalations from the meat are all drawn off through
the fire, which renders this method cf ropfting perfectly
sweet ; the dripping and gravey are entirely screened from
the fire; and instead of being rancid, as usual, are pre
served as sweet as butter, the good effects of which will
be perceived in the flavour of the meat.
When meat, puddings, or vegetables are put into the
boiling water, if in hrftc, open the door of the reflfflor
and blow the fire gently, or put an end or two of stick on
the fire, to make a blaze, and the boiling will be instantly
recovered.
When dinner is taken up, put the tart-plate into the
reflector, and let on it puddings, pies, tarts, custards, muf
fins, rolls, or any thing to bake, fime of which may be
done in time for dinner; the embers of the charcoal will
be fufficient without any addition, A.loaf, or a p;e, may
be baked on the loaf-plate at the fame time, or if not
wanted, the iron cover only may be put on.
Those who chufe it may have added to the kitchen, a
gridiron the whole breadth of the refledor, which fixes
in the place of the spit, with an additional flat tin reflec
tor, extending obliquely from the back edge of the grid
iron to the bottom of the front of the principal lefleaor;
on this, gridiron may be dressed rump fleaks, mutton
chops, or several kinds of fifh, in the most delicious man-
To preserve the kitchen---Let the tin-work be clean
walked and Icept dry; the inside of the refl:6tor should be
kept as clean as poflible, which is best done by fcowering
it occasionally with toilers earth ---Use 10 sand. The
iron part must be kept in a dry place, and once or twice a
year, while the fire is in, rub the outside with a bit cf
suet, and when cold clean it off with cloth ; with this
little cat© every part of the kitchen may be preferred many
years.
The above Kitchens are to be fold by
SMI TH, and Co.
No. 3 0, QUEEN-STREET.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Gover
nors of King's College in the City of
New York )That they are desired to meet at
Roubalet's Tavern, in the Broadway, on Tuel
day the 29th Day of May Instant, at 10 o'Clock
in the Forenoon.
LAMBERT MOORE, Sec'ry.
' WTn^ TO ~hTrE, '.
A TAYLOR, by the, month or year,
ANY one qualified for iuch, may hear of con
stant employ, good wages, and the belt of
usage, by applying to David Blair, No. 30, Little
Dock-fir©, near Conger's Dock.
' Public Au&ion,
T 0 - M ORRO W,
Will be fold at the House of
Mr. Smith Ramadge,
No. 35, in Hanover-Square; all his large ami va
luable affogment of Goods,
They consist of
Cambiick and lawns,
Scarlet, red, yellowy and
white flannels,
Princesftuffs and fattinets,
Superfine black ruffels,
durants and moreens,
Book muslins, *
Silk, cottun and worsted
Hockings,
Callicoe and chintzes,
Ribbons and laces,
Wom^nscallimAuco shoes
Mens Condon made moes
Superfine hyfon and fu
fhong teas,fiom London
&:c. &c. &c.
-The third Class will commence
drawing on Friday Ift June.
New-York, May,gtk.
Kichard Jenkins,
INFORMS his friends, owners and matters of
1 vessels, that he continues to bake SHIP RREAD,
at his house, No. 24, John Street. He presents his
thanks to his old (hip-mates and friends, for their
favours. He is determined to bake the belt of bread,
knowing the difhefs cf eating bad bread at sea, by
the experience of upwards of thirty years. All
Captains cf vessels who want the heft of bread to
'keep, will please to call before band, and they shall
be provided with the best, on reasonable terms'
N. B. WATER and BUTTER BISCUIT,
made from the best of Philadelphia fupeifine fiefn
flour, for c^bbin or family use, fin fmali vr great
quantities,
At DEBLOIS's Store,
The corner of Smith-ftrect, by wholesale, a neat
arid general assortment of piece goods, and hard
wares; suitable to the season, and imported in the
last snips; ^mong which are the following, viz.
TRISH LINENS, all
'widths,=
Raffia & Tish meetings,
Cotton & Turkey stripes,
3-4, 78 and yard wide
checks,
Dowlafs, table cloths;
Drapers, eloutingand half
ell huckabacks,
Silefias, nankeens,
India Persians £ taffaties,
Striped ginghams,
Black Barcelona handker
chiefs,'
Black Princes fluff and
rich hair ditto,
Pasteboards, pound pins,
Men and womens gloves,
Calamancoes, durants,
Shallot ns, moreens,
Ladings, fattinets,
Fustians, jeans,
Jennets and cotton cords,
Womens callimanco
pumps,
Needles,,
Mouid and wire ihirt
buttons,
Silk velvet for capes,
Iron shovels and Ipades,
Brass scales and weights,
Black jacks,
Shoe buckles,
Fire (hovels and tongs
Padlocks, saddle-trees,
Velvet coi ks,
German fleel,,
Mops, sewing twine,
Tin plates,
Ktppen' sfnuff,
Pert wipe,
A large assortment of
JOHN HENRY,
has opened his fore at No. 209, QifEEN -Street,
near'BußLi,NG's Slip, where he has laid in a
general assortment of
India and European Goods,
Suitable for the present season,
Amongst which are the following articles, viz,
INDIA nankeens, callicoes, chintzes, and chintz
patches ; furniture ' callicoes, and check do.
cambricks, lawps. and kentings ; needle work'd do.
aprons and handkerchiefs, jaunet and book muslins,
needle work'd aprons and handkerchiefs do. fine
Dresden and tambour needle work'd ruffles do. a
variety of gauzes, gauze handkerchiefs and aptons ;
tiffany and Lenoe, men and womans silk, c tton,
thread and worded hose, plain and ribbed ; men
arid womens silk, thread, Doe-skin coloured jean,
and Kid (kin gloves ; plain and figured ribbons,
lore taste, &c. armozeens, 'mantuas, and lute-
Wrings, fattens, modes, pelongs, farfeneis, India
perfians, plain and striped ; jeans/ jeannets, fufti
ans, diapers, Enghta and Russia do. Turkey Itipefy
blue and white cotton do. Holland (tripes, &c.
India, bandano, ppullicat, and romal handkerchiefs,
black Barcelona do. printed cambrick, cotton and
iionen handkerchiefs, 'black silk cravats, Liih yard
wide and 7 8 linnens, Russia Huntings, drillings,
white and brown ; brown Hollands, dowlafs, &c.
apron yard wide and 73 cotton checks; Ruflii
calamancoes^ durahts, and tammies; shoe and
qual ty bindings, apron and cap t^pes, Skeleton and
fkaine wire fbiit buttons, threads, coloured and
white sewing silks, &c. and niany other things too
tedious to enumerate, which he is determin,J to fell
low so; cash.
TO BE LET,
Until the firit of May next,
A STORE and CELLAR, in an old eftabliflrd
and excellent Hand far business, both wholesale
and retail. And for the further accommodat on of
any Gentleman who may take it, he may, if agree
able, board in the family. For particulars apply to
the Printer.-
HERLATZ and BLACKWELL,
Have for sale, cheap for calh, at their ftore,Queen
^reet, No. 236, between King-street and the Fly
maiket, imported in the Quebec, Eleonora, and
other late veffJs,
SUPERFINE Scat let, dark blue, dark green, buff,
white and London brown broadcloths, luperior
to any evet imported here, Walloons to suit the above
cloths; an affonment „of I;i£ h 4-4 aud 7-8 wide
linen, ditto ribbons, tambou: worked aprons, fprigg'd
and plain muslins, lutefcings, Petfians and monies,
days, quilted' Huff petticoats, callicoes and calliman-
Coes, dyed and white fuftians and jeans, Dutch cord,
Marseilles quitting, with and without borders, wo
mens and mens shoes, an assortment of fats- and
black feathers,tilver & plated shoe and knee buckles,
do. parte, jewellery, hardware, china, and other ar
ticles too numerous to mention, also a few pipes of
Port Wine.
LOTTERY.
Adventurers in the Second
Clefs of the New-York Refugee,
and other Poor Lottery, are hereby
notified, that the time for exchanging
their Tickets will expire on Thurfdajr
the 31st instant, after which period no
Tickets can be renewed.
callicoes and ci intzes,
Silk and linen handker
ch efs,
Muslins, shawls, and
gaufes, of the neyveft
patterns,
Brown and white drills
in^s,
Russia towelling,
Cambricks apo lawns,
Flanders tick and bed
bunts,
Belongs, modes, and
fattins,
Waiitcoat Ihapes,
Sewing lilks,
Ribbons, twist, laces,
Thread, bobbins,
rapes and qualities,
Fashionable Superfine
and o^ber broad cloths,
Lwitn trimmings.
Striped cu tiriees,
Corded dimities,
Quiltings and drawboys,
Cotton Hollands,
Covered wire,
Campaign, death-head,
and gilt buttons,
Mens bats,
Brushes f all kinds,
Painted Icale b ams,
Hand saws and files,
Blafs cocks,
Coffee mills,
Hunting and other whips,
Wool cards, (hot,
Soap, spices, te s,
Vinegar in hogflieads,
Also a large ass rtment of
Birmingham and Shef
field goods, as usual.