Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1804-02-28 00:00:00, page 3

vood, bearing in mind this maxim, that " united
wetland, divided nue fall.”
to Previous to the adjournment of the convention
it was voted, that a committee, confiding of fa
persons from each county, should be chosen, and
that they be denominated the Grand Committee
•f Election and Correspondence, whereof the follow
ing gentlemen were duly elected, viz. The Hon. I
John Goddard, of Portsmouth, Chairman of the
committee, to inborn all communications are to
be made.
For the County of Rockingham.
Gen. Michael M'Clary of Epsom,
Philip Carrigans,'jr. efq. of Concord,'
John M'Clintock, efq. of Portsmouth,
Major Benjamin Shaw, of Hampton,
Daniel French, efq, of Chester,
Simeon Marfton, efq. of N. Hampton.
For the Counts of Strafford.
Hon. Thomas Cogswell of Gilmanton,
Joseph Boody, efq. of Barrington,
John Marfton, efq. of Moultonborough,
:#ol. Jeremiah Gilman, of Burton,
remuel Quarles, efq. of Offipe.
John Bennet, elq. of New-Durham.
For the Canity of Hil,oorc% h.
. Fifc, efq. of Amherst,
John Butterfield, efq. of Goffstown,
Moses Eastman, efq. of Salifbury L
Aquilla Davis, efq. of Warner,
Barak Chafe, efq. of Hopkinton,
Dr. J. B. Moore of Andover.
For the County of Chefoire.
Col. Elilha Huntley, of Marlow,
Mr. William Belden, of Swanzey,
Capt. Thomas C. Drew of Walpole,
Capt. Nathan Efterbrooks, of Surry,
John Harris, efq. of Plainfield,
Capt. Silvanus Bryant, of Cornish.
For the County of Grafton.
Stephen Lumbard efq. of Bath,
Capt. Samuel Lathrop of Lebanon,
James Williams, efq. of Littleton,
Col. N. Barlow of Stratford,
Christopher B Noyce, of ~,
Gen. Moses Dow, of Haverhill.
County Election Committees were also ch&n,
confiding of one or more persons from each towh,
of which you, fir, were duly elected one.
The great obje& o' this measure is to promote
harmony, union and vigilance among the Re
publican citizens throughout the State, to repel
as well as reprobate all attempts and measures
that naturally tend to a dissolution of the union,
and to use every poffiblc exertion to make the
State government harmonize with the national;
to disseminate correct political principles, and a
love and vegetation for tie Federal and State
Conditutions ; for the Republican system of
government, and for every thing that will tend
to heal the political divisions which at present
agitate the state, and promote peace, order, law,
and pure and uodcfiled religion. In so honora
ble and virtuous a cause, we should use something
mere than mere blent wishes —We should make
every fair and open exertion for the election of
foch men to fill the various offices within the State,
as are known to be decidedly and unequivocally
Republican, and who will use theit highed efforts
to maintain the public peace, & secure the rights
and liberties of the nation. It is believed, that
the gentlemen heie offered to the consideration
and forth? support of their fellow citizens, will,
if elected, prove themfcives adequate to their
refpedive Nations and worthy of the public es
teem and confidence.
While we reprobate all feurrility as unworthy
the cause of Republicanism, and unbecoming the
dignity of freemen ; we should esteem it our duty,
to enighten by every mean> in cur power, the
mifinfofmed, correct their errors, and direst them
by rearning and a candid display of facts, to a
right knowledge of their intereds —lt is confi
dently believed, that-dhuuld proper exertions be
made at the approaching election, New-Hamp
fliire may be restored to her decreed rank among
• her filler States, and to the boiom of the Union ;
we should therefore exert ourselves, to bring eve
ry man to meeting, who is known to be friendly
to the eledion of a Republican Chief Magistrate.
Great care should be taken that the votes be
ConftitutEnaU, given, and legally retuened.
\ By order of the Convention,
PHILIP CaRRIGaIN, jun. Sec',.
To the honorable the Chairman of the grand
Committee of Election and Correspondence, duly
clewed at a general Convention of Republicans,
held at Concord, on the 2stb December lajj, and to
•whom all communications arc to be made.
Dear Doctor,
I received a letter from the Secretary of the con,
vention Phillip M'Carrigain, jun. informing
me that I had the honor to be duly chosen for the
town of ***+** a member of the eleaion com
' mittee in Rockingham county. It seems I was
not chosen by the town but a member )# the town.
J need not tell you fir that I reh&ntly accept the
appointment. In thislonly follow your example.
It is well known, that you have no inclination for
anv public office. I presume no one will doubt,
that your acceptance of the office of chairman of
the grand committee of eleaion and correfpond
cnee was the result of the purest patriotism. Af
ter saving this, I may venture to hope that you will
fuD D ofe me twated by the Jame pure motives.
Though I have not the honor to be a member of
the committing eleflion andcenfodeme; yet,
one of the county eleaion committee, I am de
rous of doing all the good I can in my small cir
and muff request the favor of some communi
frens frem you- Bis true, in the Secretary's let
fer, it is only laid, that all communications Rial! be
made to you ; but it could not have been the inten
tion of this refpe&able convention of republicans
that the immenle body of information, your official
situation will thus bring to you, should be locked
up and remain altogether ufelets—you are doubt
less to diffu/e, as well as to collect. In the firfl place
; I must beg the favor of you to inform, who chose me.
In the Secretary's letter 1 ara told I was'duly elected:
now though tfrs might be fufficien'.to fatisfy me,
yet it does not quite fatisfy my inquisitive neigh
bors. They new,, heard of such a body of men as
that of county eleaion committee. I have looked
into the constitution and laws and find nothing on
the fubje&.---Ybu will excuse me, but I find no
mention made of a grand committee of eleaion and
correlpondence,whole jurifdiaion extends through
out the State ; nor any mention of the dignified of
fice you hold---chairman of the grand committee--
The Secretary is doubdefs a man of veracity ; but
his manner is a littletoo much hurried. His letter
is not a ihort one, and yet it gives no information
asto the law, under which lam called to a&. But
taking it for granted, that there is iuch an office,
pray Da&or can you inform me, who were the
members, that composed this fame convention,that
chose the grand committee, the county commit
tees and that chose a member for each town, to
five them the trouble of chocking for themselves, and
that chose a chairman for the grand committee— I
have endeavoured to evade the inquiries of my cu
rious neighbors on this fubjea, not knowing how
the matter might turn out, when lifted to theybot
tom; but h have fume little curiosity of my own;
and surely there can be no hazard in letting me in
to the secret. I can't help entertaining tome sus
picions, that all is not as it should be. When
people are informed, that there was a general con
vention of our republican legislators, with a large
number of refreshable citizens (and this is the lan
guage they use, when speaking of themselves) from
the distant parts of the State held at Concord on the
28th December last, it is natural to inquire, howit
is, that the thing should remain a profound secret
hill a few days ago ?-.-I have talked with the mem
ber of the General Court from our town, and he
solemnly protests, that he never heard a syllable of
the matter, and yet he was at Concord at the time---
He fays indeed, that he recollects, feeing a set of
fellows coming out of Mr. Carrigain's office,
eleven or twelve o'clock at night, but he is certain,
that this could not have been the convention. His
idea at the time was, that these were an,ugly set of
fellows either indicted or likely to be indicted for
Creep stealing, receiving stolen goods, counterfeit
ing bank bills, writing libels on the Governor,
Treasurer, &c. or some Inch peccadillo, and that
they had been consulting with Mr. & Carrigain
who is an eminent attorney at the bar, in the way
of his proftfon-.-He will not be positive, that some
of the company were not members of the General
Court,; but he is mighty certain, that this was not
the convention -He fays further, that he has no
very exalted opinion of the modesty of such fel
ltys; bet he does not believe, that they would
havihad the impudence to stile themselves a large
numbers ic/peßaHe citizens of the State of New-
Hamp&re. Now if this was not the identical con
vention, tbu chose you chairman of the grand com
mittee of £teaio n an d correspondence, Mr. Car
rigain, Secretary, Mr. D. French, a member,
&c. be io obtyh;g a , , o i c ]| me, who the members
aßuady were. Receivers general) wi(h to know ,
the giver-—furelytfe Secretary must have kept a
roll---votes were p&d—-th'tre mutt have been a
fecord. Allowing l^eraily for the kcretary's inex
perience and hasty tinner, there must be some
minutes of these important proceedings---Who
was President of the convention ? I think you
were not there---my comtyiffion should have been
signed by the President ari( counter signed by the
fecretary...Were there no debates in the Conven
tion ? It seems every thing puffed unanimously at
last. Wife men actuated by p^re motives, after a
free and candid difcuffion,will nodoubt,unite in the
fame opinion ; but they arc not so likely to jump in
judgment as some others.
This unanimity, of itfelf affords^ ticking proof
of the independent spirit, as well as*the wisdom of
the mercbers—Thtre must have been the most per
fed freedom in theconvention—lnftances of such
unanimity have been rarely witnessed in this coun
try. They are of late much more frequent in the
Republic of France. Bonaparte is a good President,
and has an excellent knack of making every body
of his opinion. But tb return; can you tell me,
Do&or, where the Convention met ? Was it in
the meeting-house? By th&folicitude they difeov.
er in the interests " if pure andur.defiled religion," one
is led to conclude that this mutt have been the
place. Religion does not come wwh so good a grace
from a tavern, especially when the company have
had a pretty long fitting, so as to became quite mel
low. Did the convention meet in theday or in the
night? How many nights did they fit > Is there to
be no future meeting of the fame body ? Pray Doc
tor, to whom do you, and Mr. Me. CaArigAjn,
and Mr. French, apd the rest of the grand com
mittee hold yourfeives accountable? For my part,
I long to meet in a body with somebody, I care not
much with whom. I had some votes to be a mem
ber of the General Court last year, but Mr.-4—,
carried it all hollow—l never was, till I received
the present appointment, eleded a member cf aty
public bod,. I fay public ;in one fente it may §
so; for as it was laid by the Devils in ano:her case,
"we are man,," but the Lord only knows, unless
you, and the secretary do, who we are. The secreta
ry informs me thatthcre are chosen " one or more
from each town." I have made irq.iry in the
neighbouring towns, and I can find no person wil
ling t<; >own, that be is a member. Surely Mr.
Chairman of the grand Committee of eleaion &
correspondence, some time and pl;ce (liould have
been fixed on for a meeting of the County ele&ion
Committee. Was it supposed that we should know
each other by inftin& ; that we should flock togeth
er as crows attraded by carrion ? I think the con
vention must have been much hurried as well as
their secretary. However as they probably did their
business in the tight, it is natural to suppose, that
they did not fee things ver, clearl,. Have not you
Mr.CHAiRMAN fufficient power turemedy the evil ?
Cannot you appoint a time and place of meeting ?
If I am never to fee the wortty men, who chose me
intooffice, yet I am desirous of feeing my fellows...
those appointed to ad with me. It feercsthis worthy
god venlion met for the sole purpose of doing goodie/
fb themselves, but to the people—feme ^fpefiabb gen
tiemen came from the must distant parts cfthe State
on this benevolent errand; Why is it th<n, that
they have so carefully concealed from the Public
their names ? Men that confer favors arc not ufa
ally so reserved. My neighbors sneeringly insinuate
that they had their reasons for concealment. Some
fay, that the members of the convention are the ve
ry men nominated to the offices of Governor,Coun.
cillors, senators, &c. and that the secretary is to be
the representative from Concord. They fay, that
no other nineteen'men in the State can "be found,
who would makejuch nomination ; that no per
sons except those nominated would have ventured
to lay such fuliome things intheir praise. Now since
nobody comes forward to avow the nom nation,
the tiling at least looks suspicious. Pray fir, have
the goodness to clear this matter up—explain to
me, why every thing is done in the dark. We
are told indeed, that there are men, who love dark
ness raiher than the light ; but then the region is giv
en ; it is " because then deeds are evil ' —On the lap
pofitioa that the convention met for the purpose of
lecuring, each man hisown eleaion; of carrying an
eleaion by means that will not bear the lightflic tiling
is natural enough.
Is it not aftonifoing Mr. Chairman of the ^rand
committee of eleaion and correspondence (I like
to repeat the whole title,it founds grand, and though
a republican I lovetitles,) is it not astonishing that,
tae CG/Ivendor should not feel proud of what they
have done *—*they chose a gns#</Committee. Now
it requires no argument to prove that the Creator
is greater than the creature—ihe coovention, there,
foie, must bea ver, grand convention. The members
composing the grand committee would do honor to
any country. It puzzles me to account for this con
cealment. I hav, hit it. It mult be so. «The con
vention must have been as remarkable for their
modefy, as for their wisdom and patriotism. The
thing proves itfelf; the chara&er of the offspring,
designates the parent. They could not support the
gratitude, the applauses of their fellow-cinZ.ns. It
was too much for their tender feelings.
The grand committee are as remarkable for their
modefly as for any other chriflian virtues--.To fay
nothing of your modesty Mr. Chairman. There
is Gen. M'Clary, as remarkable for his modesty
as for his taciturnity. No one ever yet ventured
to call in qaeftien the Secretary's claims to their
virtue-.-Mr. Daniel French's pretentions to modes
ty will not be disputed by any who art willing to
allow bis temperance,-fobriU) and numerous other
moral es well as chriftian virtues.---I have been
asked by a company I was lately with, what the
Grand Committee of ele&ion and cortefpondence
are to do. I readily answered in the words of the
Secretary "to heal our political divisions, to pro.
mote peace, order and pure and undefiled religion."
Here I observed the company smile—-I proceeded
--.to enlighten the mifmformed.--to corred their
errors---to direß them by reasoning and a candid
display of fads to a right knowledge of their true
inttrefts. Here I was interrupted by aloud cough,
and could proceed no further,--.they would have it
that I was in jeft,-.-that 1 was humcuring them,
they called for the names of the committee again,
but I had n. footer repeated those of Mr. Carri
gain & French, than I was interrupted as before.
---It was impossible, they said, that the thing could
be ferious,---it was all a federal uick, to prevent the
ele&ion of republicans-. Mr. Langdon, "the pa
/ triode Mr. Langdon" the much refpc&ed and es
teemed the long tried Mr. Langdon, however de
(irons he might be to mount the ladder of promo
tion, never would consent to afeepdby such fleps,
it was too degrading, whit must we think (they all
cried) what mnft we think of citizens who can be
enlightened and influenced by the men you have
named ? are the refpe&able inhabitants of Concord
to be illuminated by Phillip M'Carrigain,
jun.-.-are the people of Deerfield, Chester, Lon
donderry, Hampflead, &c. to be influenced by Mr.
Danil'l French ?—I could bear it rolonger. I ]
was obliged to leave the company and apply to youi
for assistance. Dearfir, let the convention be call
ed together, I fear our refpc&able farmers will never
submit to be enlightened or influenced by M'Car
rigain and French —let these men play an un
der part —they will be ufeful behind the feenes ;
but Mr. Chairman we must place men of a differ,
ent chara&er in the front ground. Inihe mean
time, Mr. Chairman be so obliging as to furnifh
me with some ingenious arguments (you can do it
it any man can) by which I can convince my|
neighbours that heneft men ought to be affirmed
of doing good—that they fliould choose secrecy not
publicity when they are pursuing an loneft and by
honorable means—That such men fhoulo blu(h when
they are caught telling truth and maintain a bold
front when they arc caught in a that we
who are chosen by nobody knows who, can consist
ently with decency and modesty undertake the
offic^f inftruaing, enlightening, guiding and in.
fueling the people in the exercise of oneof their
molt important rights. Furnish me with argu
ments to prove these things, and I promise to be
in future what 1 have always been in time past.
Your sincere admirer,
THOMAS SOPINTUM.
****** 2 ^ Feb. ISO 4.
.tw ^RM^^gJgff^a | ^^■ ii."-^^'.’.y'r-'-■'-‘""ffi'■ i, LSS‘gg. ,,w ßff i fc i gegeM*
The Oracle.
TUESDAY, February 28.
Several communications have been received and are laid
by to give way to the extraordinary letter in the oppofitc
\olumns—We aik the particular attention of every reafon
i>g and reflecting man on this Letter, and the remarks of
ouiCorrefpondent—And ffiall this attempt fuccced--Is there
not yet too much good, diferiminating , sense in New-
Ham^lhire men, to suppose they will be gulled by this ma
noeuvte—The attempt is too bare—The community will
not support it—The spirit of our Countrymen will be in
motion, tyd the promoters of this scheme will feel their
difeomfitwe in the success of another TICKET.
\ Nominations.
JOHN T. GILMAN, Governor.•
OLIVER PEABODY, Treafurer.^
JOSEPH BLANCHARD, Counfellor.
THOMAS LEAVITT, Senator.
NATHANIEL PARKER, Recorder.
The Vice-Prefifent of the United States has pr.fecuted
Mr. Cheetham, Editor of the NewTork 'Citizen' for va
rious libels on his chars;cr ; and Mr. Cheetham has al
so entered his a&iorifer libellous publications agaipft th#
Editeis of tha x^j G#facA
At the Superior Court, now firing in this tdwn,EpMiAisi
Morse, Thomas Dow, and James Conner, were ten
vided cf counterfeiting and passing Bisk Bills, and sen
tenced, the firft tole whipped, fined, and imprifoneu ; aud
tbe two last to fines and imprifoHmenG
Inland Improvements. —lt is highly gratifying to
, fee the public spirit of the people of Ne®-E4frnd
direaed to obje&sof such real and fubEaniidl util
ity as the cutting of Canals, and establishing, in
almost every dire&ion, Imooth and fpscious Turn
pike Roads. There are now beforethe legislature of
Vermont, Petitions for a Turnpike from Newbury
to Peacham ; from Newbury to Danville ; from
W ells river to Canada line; from Montpelier to
Burlington ; and through the Green Mountains.
WALPOLE PAP.
Ihe theatre at New. York has been lately fold at Auc
tion, for 43 000 dollars— Its original coll was igo ooodls.
she eftabbihment of a commercial company at Wash
ington, is in contemplation. Exertions are making to pro
mote the trade cf that citv.
In a Kentucky paper es the 24th ult, notice was given,
that "two or three Republican Methodist Preachers were to
deliver difeourfes in the evening" of that d'ay.
Retort C^rfaus. —''Why Mr. ^," said a tall fellow
the other day^to a little person, who was iu company with
five cr fix hufl men, “ I proteftyou are so small I did not
fee yon before." “ Very likely," replied the little gentle
man ;" lam like a Jour fence half penny zmongfx cents—
not yreadil perceived, yet Tunr+b tbe uhoteof tL.&'
^B„fr„~^v,h^^ >}p^^&»(T),h ^7 fyws^Qfyk »§*+,te
DIED
On Saturday the fourth i^i/ant, the widow Eleanor
Shackford, in her ninetyfirft year.
Her Gift husband was captain John Sherburne, her se
cond Mr. Samuel Marshall, and'her third William Shack
fwrd esquire, who has beed dead thirtytwo years. She is
fuppefed to have been the oldeftf male iu Portsmouth,
except ene, at the time cf her death. All her defeend
ant- samount to forty-two, ten of whom have deceased. Her
great grand children amount to twentyone.
She bad lived till life was a burden and was desirous to
depart and be with Christ within the veil.
Augustus, an infant son of Rev Mr Willard.
*&«*>>> *)-»9*>>> •»P<6^- fob «<*«s««fy. fc>»
AUCTIONS.
On Sale at S. Little's
Auction Store.
30 chests Hvfon-lkin, Souchong, & Bo
hea Teas; *
100 boxes excellent Chocolate ;
ico ba^s do Shells;
100 Fos Spanish Float ;
15 bbls. Philadelphia Apples ;
10 pipes Brandy; bbls. Sugar & Tar;
50 bags ground Ginger ;
40 boxes Soap ; 30 bags Nutmegs ;
10 bbls. Annifeed .;
200 pair Mens Shoes & Boots ;
20 boxes 7 by 9 window Glass;
200 pieces India Chintzes & Cottons ;
5 Russia Feather Beds ;
100 pieces Bandannoes;
I elegant Piano Forte ;
Liberal advances made on configs
merits for private or public sale.
TO be fold, by virtue of a licence
from the Court of Common Pless in the
county of Essex, on the 27th day of March next,
ai_2 o'clock, P. M. at the Dwelling houle of John
Ladd Bodwell, Innholder, in Methuen—One
whole Right of Land in Shelburne, numbered
M'ne, on the fouth fide of the River, also, one half
of J<ot number Twenty-eight, on Great Jfland in said
town —Also four hundred acr^s of Land lying on
Rumford fouth line, in the county of Cumberland,
sandf and Commonwealth of Maffachufetis, all being the
I estate of Oliver Peabody late of f.id Shelburue,
deceased.
Thomas Poor, ^dmin^ralor.
February 20, 2804.
%Jt received end for fete by
Quincy & Pierrepont,
A FEW half chests Souchong] TJ? A Q
and quarter chests of BoheaJ '
I of a superior quality. —ALSO —
• Baltimore Superfine FLOUR.
Portsmouth, February 25, 1804.
NOTICE.
J HEREBY caution all Persons against
d L purchasing the following notes signed by me,„
as I have paid the fame, and am derernrined never
to pay either of them again, viz. one dated some
time in the year {799, payable to one Charles
Rundlett, forthe turn of two Dollars, un de
mand, the other to Joseph Gilman ,h, payable
sometime in September last, for fifteen Dollars,
Zebulon Gilman.
Gilmanten, Feb. T, 1804.
To Let, —
A GOOD Farm in Stratham, half a
mile above the M^eting-Houfe, about 300
rcfes — Also, wanted to hire, a Good Man by the
year, and another for the feafon—enquire of
Eliphalet Ladd.
February 2§.
^Wanted to Purchase,
ONE hundred and twenty M.Bricks
eight and half or nine inches in length,
four and half ditto in wedth, and 2^ ditto in
thickness ; —alfo a quantity of Stones suitable
for a cellar, and a good fubflantial white pine
Frame, for a Store, 77 feet by 44 ditto. In
quire of the Printers. Feb. 11.
T BRICKS f^rla-i^
ABOUT thirty thoufaud Bricks of an
excellent quality, may be d^iv^ed either by
Hedging, or early in the faring by water. —Enquire
gs the printer^ &QlB.