The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1799-11-20 00:00:00, page 2

Let not our passions go beyond our reason. The
union of France and America is of the utmost
consequence, in a commercial view. The British
know it, and counteract it. But we trnft the
>cool deliberation of our " Conflituted Authorities,"
anting under the lately appointed Envoys, will
restore that harmony which has unfortunately
been interrupted between the two Republics.
OLD-SOUTH.
From the Centinel of Freedom.
To the Free and Independent Sohs of Columbia.
MUCH has been said of the present important
crisis, pregnant with the fate of nations, &c.
I thdii not dwell on this topic, as 1 believe events
themselves are felf-evident of that, in the minds of
ail the present generation. I Shall only introduce
to your minds, the progress of some of the old re
publics of Eerope, and show that aristocracy has
crept into those countries under the name of re
publicauifm, and fubjefted the people to the most
abjeCt tyranny. In the firll place, let us take a
view of the republic of Venice, which sprung from
the ruins of the Roman empire. “ The Indepen
dence of Venice was not built in usurpation, nor
cemented with blood ; it was founded on the fir#
Jaw of human nature, and the unbounded rights
of man ;" and, like that of America, their tirft
settlers were those who fled from the hand of ty
ranny ; and for an affylum of peace, they chose
their dwellings on the little islands and marfoes
at the bottom of the Adriatic Gulf. Thence from
the dreadful commotions of war, and the tyrants
of that day, many fled. Such was the beginning
of that celebrated republic. Their firft form of
government was purely democratical ; magistrates
were chosen by the general assembly of the peo
ple : and as this small community inhabited seve
ral little Islands, they were to distribute justice on
each of those islands ; their power continued for
one year ; they were then accountable to the peo
ple for their conduct, who then elected new ones.
This simple form of government, while it marks
a drift regard to that freedom so delightfuLto
the mind of man, was found fufficient to govern
that republic for the space of one hundred and
fifty years. The firft essential alteration which
took place in the Venetian government, was the
appointing of a chief magistrate, who (hould be
the centre of public authority, and to give such
vigour to the laws as was absolutely necessary ;
he was not to be called king, but duke; his of
fice wasto be elective, but to be enjoyed during
life ; he had the foie power of declaring war, or
making peace, &c. without consulting any of the
citizens.' But this form of tyranny was not of
very long duration ; the people who had long
been accustomed to freedom, could not bear the
yoke of tyranny so suddenly ; and for a long
time after this, the Venetian annals display many
dreadful scenes of cruelty, revolt and assassination;
doges abusing the power, endeavoring to eflablifh
a permanent and hereditary despotism, opposing
the people with double violence. The people on
the other hand, impatient with the capricious
cruelty of their tyrants, rife and murder them.
About the year 1173, after the assassination of a
doge, another important alteration took place in
the Venetian government —there was a council
appointed, confining of 470 members, a senate of
sixty, and a privy council of the doge, confiding
of fix, and lastly eleven commissioners ; to the
latter was given the power of appointing the
doge. The people did not observe, that this was
totally excluding them from all their privileges
of election, it being held forth to them as mere
temporary regulations, only intended to preserve
order, and prevent confufion, at a time when fac
tions ran high, and dangers were threatening
them. This, however, proved to be the founda
tion of Aristocracy at Venice, which was soon af
ter established; and was immediately followed by
a set of ecclesiastical inquisitors, with all the ca
pricious cruelty of priests and tyrants. Such was
the manner in which aristocracy was introduced
at Venice, and the people forever after fubjefted
to the mod abjeft tyranny and oppression.
Fellow Citizens, Is there not something in the
proceeding narrative, characteristic of the present
government of America ? Here we have an ex
ample of a government, which was once as free
and as independent as the United States of A
merica : and thus we fee, by their supineness, they
became the dupes of aristocracy. “ There is no
period when the real and enlightened patriots
ought to watch with more vigilance over 1 the
rights of the people, than in times of danger
from foreign enemies ; for the public in general
are then so much engrossed by the dangers with
out that they overlook the encroachments which
are more apt at this time than any other, to be
made on their confutation from from within :
And it is of small importance that men defeud
their country from foreign foes, unless they retain
such a Share of internal freedom, as renders the
country worth defending." And it has always
been the case, that when imminent dangers were
hovering over the heads of a nation, that this was
the time that the artful and evil-designed of man
kind, by insidious art,and and fophiltry, seize an
opportunity to violate the constitution and tram
ple on the rights of the people. And is it not to
be feared, that while our pretended friends to or
der and the conllitution, united with the old to
ries of '76 (who were then either resorting to the
Britiffi to murder and plunder their country, or
committing depredations on their neighbours and
countrymen at home) is it not more than proba
ble, that while they are amusing us with the idle
stories of a French invasion, the necessity of a
standing acmy, alien and sedition laws, &c. that
this is merely to lull us into security, and make
us forget the most important objects, until they
can arm themselves with fufficient weapons, and,
like those of Venice, prostrate our boasted con
stitution at the feet of aristocracy ? The next
thing to be feared is an ecclesiastical establish
ment. This is one of the pleating ideas which
result from aristocracy : view with the eyes of a
christen, one of your friends and brethren, rpaft
ing in the flames, or perhaps hanging by the neck,
or something equally cruel and ferocious, merely
for differing in opinion with some of the elves in
power. And has not this principle already made
its appearance in America, only instead of being
applied to ecclesiastical affairs, it is applied to po
litical ones, and men's mouths are tied by the
strong cords of federalifm, and dare not utter a
sentiment of disapprobation, except on a penalty
next to life itfelf. 1
These, fellow-citizens, are importances, on
which, the happinefsof the future as well as the
present generation, ultimately depends ; and it
defers the most candid and serious reflection -of
every rfhn who is a friend Y to bis country; and to
human society. If thou art a father view thy
loffspring groaning under the tyrnny and oppref-
(ion of a let of hereditary knaves and blockheads,
who would facrifice half the lives of their coun
trymen, to effect one single plan of their pride,
vanity, and ambition. We find fufficient evidence
of that, in the histories of all other ariflocratical
and monarchical governments, as well as Venice.
And while 1 am meditating on the fate of that
country, methinks I hear the voice of some of the
patriots of that day, call in the language of truth,
and fay—Americans beware ? be mindful of your
rights, be not pusillanimous nor fupiiie, but be
firm and vigilant „ and remember, that that
knowledge which is drawn in by experience Ind
observation, is far more powerful than that of
precept : Venice once, like you, could boast of
all that liberty and freedom which hath ever been
found so delightful to the human mind ; and, be
ware that you do not, like her, while, bu merely
support the name of a republic, become seduced
and debased into the most abjeCt slavery.
Columbos.
PENNSYLVANIA:
PHILADELPHIA, NOV,6.
Extract of a letter from Ltfbon, dated 15th Septem
ber, 1799.
" We have had the Infurgente frigate here for
a few days ; the appearance of so fine a ship under
the American flag, recalling the glorious heroifin
by which she was added to the American navy, has
greatly exalted the American, character, and will,
no doubt, render our government more refpefta
ble and our navigation more fafe —All nations will
be disposed to show more refpeft than they have
hitherto done, for a flag which waves over such a
ship.
“ Yesterday, Mr. Smith (attended by Mr. Bulk
ley, the Consul of the U. S.) and his secretary,
went on board the Infurgente to breakfaft with
Capt. Murray ; the regulations of the port not
permitting a salute every other mark of refpe&
was shewn—on the minister's arrival the yards
were manned, the officers and marines were drawn
up on deck, and presented their arms while the
music played the President's march. After break
fad, and Mr. Smith had visited every part of the
ship, the men were exercised at the great gnns,
and went through all their manoeuvres ; among
others,thofe of the pikemen or boarders all of
By this public instrument of Protest, be itknown
that on the 6th day of July inSt. personally appear
ed before me B. H, Philips, consul of the United
States of America, Joseph Stackweather,late gun
ner, Alexander Coulter, and James Noyes, late
seamen of the schooner Nautilus, whereof Robert
Dixon was matter, who, having severally been duly
sworn on the holy Evangelist of almighty God, did
depose and fay
That they failed in the Nautilus from New-york
bn or about the 12th day of June last, boutyi to
and within a few leagues of Curraco, the, per
ceived a small schooner come from the land and
give chafe to the Nautilus ; the schooner prefled
fail, and about seven o'clock had neared her so
much, that She fired a (hot at the Nautilus, arid
hoisted French national colours, and in fifteen
minutes afterwards (he fired another shot hoisted
a dark flag with a /kull and white bones painted
thereon, when an engagement commenced at long
shot, and continued until half past 8 o'clock, and
then she came along fide the Nautilus, and about
60 people of various coloife came on board, some
with cutlasses, and others poignards in their hands,
with which they cut and stabbed nine of the Nau
tilus's ,crew in a most barbarous manner, although
the officers and'erew begged to have their lives
spared, and had ceased refinance and surrendered
themselves prisoners ; that after they had so far
rendered five of the crew of the Nautilus were kil
led and thrown overboard, viz.
Robert Dixon, master,
Mr. Merryman, mate,
Wyatt Simmons, boatfwainj
- John Hantren, and ) -
William Grier. f
And that John Fyall, James Burnett, William
Millar, and Alexander Coulter, were very danger
oully wounded ; the latter received eleven stabs
and cuts—he was the only person wounded pre
vious to the Nautilus being boarded, and that by a
musket ball in his face which broke his lower jaw
bone and carried away fix of his teeth :
That the small schooner is called “ Trois Amis,"
and commanded by "Joseph Rival," mounting 6
carriage guns, and had on board 70 people
PROCLAMATION.
A great cause induces to combine the naval for
ces of the King our master with those of the French
Republic. This natural and happy alliance is the
only check that can be put to the inveterate inten
tions of Great-Britain to enslave the seas. There
can be no other means but that their natures should
make a proper effort to support the dignity oftwo
great nations. The principle of a good combina
tion, which is fraternity and reciprocal esteem, is
so well rooted iu Spaniards and Frenchmen as has
already been seen on other occasions, especially. in
the war from '79 to 'B3, that I think it unnecessa
ry to recommend their observance in the fleet un
der my command. But in order to secure it I
must recommend the most exaCt discipline in the
crews. And the confidence I place in my worthy
Subaltern. Admirals, Commanders and Officers of
the (hips, and in the refpeCt and bravery of the
soldiers and sailors makes me hope with exquisite
complacency the glorious effects of the combina
tion.
SPAIN.
CARTHAGENA, JUKE 2,.
The French fleet is now under way, and the
Spanish is preparing to follow.
The combined fleet carried into Cadiz with it,
the Barbata, Clark, of Boston ; the , Mount
ford, of New-York, and a Philadelphia /hip.
BERMUDA, OCT. 19.„
We have had a most extraordinary drought this
year here; but yesterday and to day we had a lit
tle rain with a firong gale ; we hear that a vessel
bottom up, is off the Weft-End.
We are informed a brig from Savannah for Lis
bon is put in at the Weft End with all hands very
lick of a fever. We hope from the cool weather
they will soon recover.
On board the fltip Purifima Conception, at Car
thagena, the 24th sane, 1799.
S MAZAREDO.
At a true copy— Antonio de Escano.
European Intelligence?
Domestic Intelligence.
WEST-INDIES.
CURRACOA, SEPT. „.
ADDRESS
Os the Republicans of Philadelphia,
which were performed with great Drill and aCtivi
ty. On the minister's departure the yards were
again manned, and the officers drawn up on the
poop gave three cheers, which were repeated by
the whole crew and answered by the minister and
the company in the boat, who retured to Lifbou,
highly gratified by the excellent discipline, good
order and fine appearance of the crew, and the
gentlemanly deportment and judicious regulations
of the gallant captain and his brave officers.
IN the name of the republican citizens of the
city and county of Philadelphia, we offer to you
our Sincere and cordial congratulations ou the tri
umph of the republican cause, in your election to
the chief magistracy of Pennsylvania.
This is an event which we anticipated with anx
ious solicitude ; for we could not but believe, that
the principle of Republicanism itfelf was involved
in the issue, and we are free to declare our appre
hensions that had defeat attended the Republican
effort, the consequences would have been fatal to
the principles of our government —It cannot be
necessary to adduce evidence to you, fir, in support
of this impression, Your mind, long and uniformly
intent upon the general welfare, discerned at the
dawn of the Revolution, and will always be prompt
to difeern, with pain and patriotic indignation,
the artifices employed to undermine our political
fabric, aud to prostrate in ruin the comforts, the
interests and the rights of the people.
Knowing then, as we do, your solicitude for the
happiness of all, and believing as we do, that you
are fully apprized of the machinations against the
Republican principle, we engaged in your support
to the Executive chair with peculiar cheerfulnefs
and alacrity ; confident, that in the event of suc
cess, the republican cause would find an inflexible
supporter, who would not be alienated from his*
duty by intrigue, by menace, or by feduftion.
In an integrity which has flood the test of half a
century, and in a firmnefs that neither cabal nor
faction has been able to shake, and in principles,
which flood unmoved amid the trials and perils of
a revolution, we cannot but rely with confidence
—ln a man of the people, we doubt not a fulfil
ment of their withes ; and although in the courtly
language of the day, the sovereign people are de
rided—your old fashioned principles of right, in-
SlruCt you still to maintain a deference and refpeCt
for the only legitimate sovereign in the United
States.
I introduced Capt. Murray to the British cap
tains of men of War, and they have exchanged
signals."
We forbear on this occasion to notice the means
by which the people of Pennsylvania were to be
cajoled and milled—We will not here dilate on
that indecency of conduft and traduction of cha
racter which distinguished our opponents, ' and
which, to the difhonour of our country, are unpar
alleled in the annals of civilized life—Charged by
them with dispositions, that we shall for ever dif
clalm, but which they themselves have but too
strongly evinced, your administration and our con
duct will be a lesson to them, and will demonstrate
to the world, that not only property but person
and character are deemed sacred objects of repub
lican care—For charges thus unfounded and inju
rious, for conduct thus unmanly and dishonorable
the only reparation we claim is the reformation of
our revilers, or that their means of future injustice
may be rendered less and less efficient.
On you, fir, not only the eyes of republican
Pennsylvania but the eyes of the republicans thro'-
out the union are fixed, on you a momentous trull
has devolved, which engages all their attentions
and affections, and it is with priae, with honest
pride we avow our confidence, that the chief ma
gistrate of Pennsylvania will exhibit to the United
States an illustrious example—Contemplating as
you do, the present awful crisis in human affairs ;
possessed as you are of the capacity and means to
give efficacy to a just and honorable political prin
ciple, and disposed as you are to cherish virtue and
worth, the only wish that we have now to add is,
that you may have health and life continued to you
by a kind providence, to aid in the perpetuation
of the liberty and happiness of the people.
Signed by order, and in behalf of a large and
refpettable meeting of the republican citizens of
the city and county of Philadelphia.
ISRAEL ISRAEL, Chairman.
1 JOHN SMITH, Secretary.
TO THE
REPUBLICAN CITIZENS,
OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA.
GENTLEMEN,
AN address from the republican citizens of the
city and county of Philadelphia, on my election to
the chief magistracy of the state of Pennsylvania,
affords me very sincere pleasure. I thank you
most cordially for your favourable opinion and
kind expressions of me, and trust you entertain a
well founded hope that under my administration,
our present happy fyllem of government, raised
on the authority of the people only, will by the fa
vour of God, be continued inviolate ; and that nei
ther foreign nor domestic enemies, neither intrigue,
menace nor fedudtion shall prevail against it. The
open arts and secret practices of its enemies have
been completely excited and exhausted in the late
election. Traitors, Refugees, Tories, French aris
tocrats, Britifli agents and British fubjeds, and
their corrupt dependants, together with not a few
apostate Whigs, all combined against your candi
date; the molt abominable lies were propagated
and nothing omitted that could arrest a vote ; and
what is strange but true, all the officers and ex
peftants of office under the Prefideut of the Unit
ed States, not only in Pennsylvania but in neigh
boring states, joined in the coalition, with very
few exceptions.
Your tender and affediopate expressions of re
gard for my life and health are extremely kind
and obliging ; permit me devoptly to reciprocate
them with you. „
THOMAS M'KEAN.
Philadelphia, Nov. 6, 1799.
NEW-YORK.
NEW-YORK, NOT. 4.
Arrived here on Saturday, Samuel Shaw, pas
senger on board the brig Friends, Gaptain Lyman.
Left Gaudaloupe the 3d of October—was captured
by a French sloop of 26 guns, in lat. 17, 1, long.
61, 28, the 16th day of August, in the schooner
Swan, of Swan's llle, carried into Point Petre, in
Gaudaloupe, and there imprisoned in a few hours
after his arrival, where he remained 42 days on
allowance of 6 ounces of salt fifh, and 3 4 of a
pound of bread, for 34 hours. He informs that,
To THOMAS M'KEAN, Esq.
Governor clef! of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
SIR,
MASSACHUSETTS.
BOSTON, NOV. 14.
By the arrivals on Tuefday, we learn, that Capt.
Willen, in a schooner from Philadelphia (or Balti
more) for St.Thomas's, had arrived at St. Earts.
Thirteen days after he failed, three Spaniards,
whom he had fltipped in the U. States, rose in mu
tiny, wounded Capt. W. severely, with a hatchet,
as he lay in his birth, killed the supercargo (Mr.
Saunders) in his birth, murdered the mate on deck,
with an ax, and an American seaman that would
not join them. The Captain remained matter of
his cabin, which he defended with his pistols and
sword, for 36 hours, when an agreement was en
tered between him and the pirates, conditioning
that the captain should navigate the veflel to the
Spanish main. Ten days after, the captain, being
partly recovered of his wounds, and a favorable
opportunity presenting, secured two of them in
the hold, and presently reduced the other to obe
dience. In this situation, he pinioned the Span
iard on deck, so that he could merely steer the ves
sel, and fuppiied his two prisoners in the hold with
water, poured down a hole made iu the deck with
a crow-bar ; and was 12 days before he received
assistance ; —which was sent him from the Eagle,
and the Swedish King's vessel, on his appearing off
St. Barts. The Spaniards were taken on board
the Eagle, and carried to St. Kitts, where Com
modore Tingey delivered them into the hands of
justice. They confefled the whole of their ini
quity before a magistrate.
On Monday last the citizens of this State
assembled in their refpe&ive towns for the
purpose of making choice of a Representa
tive to supply the feat in Congress, vacated
by the resignation of Mr. Sprague.
In this town, after making choice of
Dodor JOHN GODDARD,as Moderator,
the inhabitants proceeded to give in their
votes. At the close of the poll, the votes
flood as follows :
W. Langdon, J. Sheafe.
302 218
In Rye, 90/
Northampton, 54 ' 30
Greenland, 25/ 11
Newmarket, 26 44
Deerfield, 2 24
On Friday last that worthy patriot and
statesman, JOHN LANGDON, Esq. left
this town for Philadelphia, to take his feat
in the Senate of the United States. He car
ries with him the best wilhes of the Repub
licans of New-Hampshire. May the prin
ciples which he has invariably advocated,
triumph and prevail ; and may those who
are bellowing tor government, but who in
reality are endeavouring to destroy it, in or
der to introduce one more congenial with
their withes, meet with that contempt which
they have been so lavilh in pouting upon the
patriots of '75.
From Hartford, Nov. it.
" The public are informed that Mr. Webtlerfs
hiftory of pestilential and epidemic diseases is now
in the press in this place, and will be published iu
about three weeks. The work confits of two
volumes in oftavo—the firft containing the prin
cipal historical fafts on the fubje&, and the second,
the deductions and reafuning from thole fads ; to
which are added fafts and observations of a philo
sophical and miscellaneous nature. The results
from these are altogether new. The price of the
work will not exceed 4 dollars."
The Directory have appointed citizens Foron,
Fauchet, and Alet, commiffiorti at St. Domingo ;
Jeannet, Barot and General Laveaux at Guade
loupe, and Vidor Hughes, at Cayenne.
Prices of produce at Charleston, (S. C.) by the
'quantity —October 18.
Rice, iis. to 12s. cash, according to quantity.
Sea-Island Cotton, belt quality, 3% (rising.)
Upper country do. is. 2d, to is. 6d. none of the
new crop at market
Tobacco, 6 to 7 dollars.
Indian corn, 4s.
The Duke de Rochefoucalt,a French Emigrant,
who resided a Short time Since in this country, is
publishing in London, “ travels through the Unit
ed States of America, the country of Iroquois, and
Upper Canada, in the years 1796, 7 and 8, with
an authentic account of Lower Canada, 111 two
large quarto volumes, embellished with maps and
latiliicql and commercial tables, &c>
At the Supreme Court, at Cambridge, last week
Samuel Smith, a notorious offender, received sen
tence of death, for a burglary committed at Sher
burne, in April last.
BOSTON NOV. 15.
Since our last, information has been received,
which appears entitled to belief, that the Brig Pick
ering, ot 14 fix pounders and 80 men, commanded
by Lt. Hyllier, has captured, after an adion of
fix hours, the French privateer Conqueror of Egypt?
of 8 nine-pounders, 6 fixes, and 75 men, command
ed by one Williams, cousin to the Privateerfmaa
of the name, now under the hands of Judice iu
Connecticut. The fight was very bloody. The
French are said to have loft 50 men. The infor
mation further states, that this Privateer was sent
out from Guadaloupe, for the express purpose of
taking the Pickering. After the action the Amer
ican and her Prize entered St. Kitts harbour.
while he was in Point Petre, there were 18 or 20
fail of American veffcls captured and brought in
there. It is the opinion of Mr. Shaw, and several
others, matters of vessels, who were with him, that
if there werf three government Ships ftation'ed as
follows, they would recapture all or the most part
that were sent in :—One to be Rationed near Grand
Terre, one between the Saints and Guadaloupe,
and one on the north fide of Guadeloupe.
Brig Eagle, Lt. Campbell, has captured and
sent into St Kitts, a French letter of Marque, rich
ly laden, from Guadaloupe tor France.
Cbe Republican Lebgen
Portsmouth, November 20, 1799.