Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1804-12-11 00:00:00, page 2

Murat's newspaper," bawls a French jacobin
" Huzza for Marat, the friend of the people."
In the mean time, the cadaverous lantern jawed
Marat, observing how well his plans Succeeded,
" Grinn'd horrible a ghastly fmilc."
Robespierre was a noted Ipeech.maker ; and his
fpeches were generally filled with the cursed hypoc
ritical cant of ardent and botindlefs love to the
people, who, duped by this artifice, ufeo to teftify
their approbation and gratithae by loud fliotits and
plaudits. In this way, those two fiends, those
incarnate devils, rendered themselves universally
popular, and acquired unlimited confidence and
authority. And let t' e tears, the blood, the agoni
zing groans of millions of those deluded people tell
th e rest.—This method of grilling the people, by
the honeying professions of great friendfhip for them
is no new thing ; it is not a modern invention,but
was practifed by cunning ambitious men even in
the earliest ages of the world. There is a remark
able instance of thio nature, and of a very early date,
in fatted hinory.
Abfalorh, a ion of king David—a young man of
an unprincipled, depraved mind, but possessing great
external accomplishments,was banished for rhe mur
der of his brother, and lived sometime with the
King of Gefhur, his grandfather. At length, his
indulgent father recalled him from baniihment and
restored him to favor. This paternal indulgence he
requited, by forming the horrible plan of usurping
the throne, though, he well knew, that in rtepping
up to it he must dip his feet in his father's blood.--
And what method did Abfalorh pursue, in order to
obtain this advancement^he very fame that has been
pursued by ambitious demagogues ever since ; that
is, he won the hearts of the people by his flattery.
The hirtory of his political intrigue is very ffiort
and very inftru&ive. It is as follows :—" And
it came to pass after this, that Abfalom prepared
him chariots, and horses, and fifty men to run be
fore him. And Abfalom roie up early, and flood
beside the way of the gate ; and it was so, that when
any man that had a controvert came to the
king for judgment, then Abfalom called to him,
and said, "Os what city art thou ;" and he said,
"Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel." And
Abfalom said unto him, "See thy matters are good
and right; but there is no man deputed of the king
to hear thee." Abfalom said moreover, "O that I
were made judge in the land, that any man which
hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I
would do him juflice !"---Aod it was so, that when
any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance,
he put forth his hand and to~k him and kissed him.
And in this manner did Abfalom to all Israel that
came to the King for judgment. So Abfalom stole
the hearts of the men of Israel."
Abfalom, then, with no uncommon modeflv
proceeded to recommend himfeif tor office. "O,
laid he, that I were made judge in the land, and,
that every man which hath any suit or cause mi/ht
come unto me, and I would do him justice !".--
What a patriotic wi(h ! And how many a patrim
heart has devoutly uttered the like ejaculation. "O
that I might get myfelf snug into some office ol
honor and profit !"
" Were I to be King, said Abfalom in his pop
ular harangue,! would do justice to you all; I
would lighten your burdens, and redress all your
grievances.'' What charming talk ! The people
were all ears, all eyes, all attention. But what rap
tores of joy must have seized their hearts, when, be
fnEs thele kind expressions; he took them by the
hand, one after another, and killed them. It is
nothing ftrahge that he "flole their hearts," as the
tarred text expresses it.—" How wonderfully has
Abtalom altered of late ; said the people. He u fed
to be Io haughty, that we were not permitted to
{peak to him ; but now he is as meek as a shep
herd's lamb. Heufed to have a bard heart, a cruel
nature; but now his heart mel:s with pity and
kindness toward ns. We like himathoufand times
better than we do that conceited humdrum, Solo
mon, who never killed so much as one of us in all
bis life*'' "Did you observe, said one, that though
we be dirty or lagged, it makes no difference ; he
kisses us all;" "Yes, cried another, I came directly
out of the fields covered with duff and dirt, and he
killed me ;—"And me too, replied a blacksmith,
he kissed me, though I carne from my shop without
walking, and with my f? ce all over besmeared with
Iweat and coalduft." 'What a precious man of
the people ! exclaimed a thousand tongues. Tho'
be has fine chariots, fine horses and fine clothes, and
bis head is covered with the sweetest perfumes and
ms hands are white as lilies, he loves us, and even
takes us bv the hand and kisses us. God save Ab
ialom !-.-King Abfalom, live forever !"
The deluded people seemed in no measure to have
been shocked at the horrid guilt of Abfalom, in at
tempting to usurp the throne, at the expen'e of his
father's life. They were not shocked even at the un
equalled impudence of bis profligacy, in debauch
ing bis fathers women upon the house-top in open
dy, and in the public view. They did not con
fider, that such a bloody and vicious monfler, cloth
ed with power, would be the word of tyrants. No,
he had flattered them—he had told them that he
was their friend, be bad kissed them, and, by thele
means, bad Rolen their hearts; and, but for the for
tunate circumstance of bis death, the nation of Is
rael mipbt have found in Abfalom as horrible a ty
rant as France did in Robespierre. So the world
has gone on, from age to age ; the credulous mul
titude have been caught by the crafty few, even as
fifties are caught in a net.
Mark the craft of tins vile parricide. He flood
at the gate of the city, and harangued the people as
the, wete coming in and going out. Strangers
he took by the hand and courteously inquired of
them their places of abode, kindly asking their bu.
finefs at Jerusalem, and when he found that they
had some law-suit to fettle, or other important bu
siness at the royal court, while he flattered them
with his opinion of the goodness of their cause, he,
at the fame time, hinted to them the incapacity and
negligence of his fathers administration..-- “There
is no man, he laid, deputed of the King to hear
thee ;" as much as to lay, "The King neglects you,
and. through his negle&, you fuffer wrongs."
The great and all important experiment is now
trying, whether the people of our nation be wiier
than bare been the people of other nations and of
"So pants the hunted hart to find,
" And taste the water brooks"
former ages. God grant that the ex; erinntm =
prove fuccefsfu 1 , and issue in thee ;o,iif^lfn
or and happiness of this country.
People of the United States !- ik^re of ^^
who flatter yob, for they flatten you in order id
fleece you. Beware of men, who ipeak to you in
the whining cant of a lover, and profefs unbounded
affection for you—" Their hearts mean not fo."---
Beware of men, who are ever proclaiming their pa
triotism. It is the hypocrite's trumpet, that they
found. Beware of men, who use infamous in
trigues, to get themselves into offices.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Friday, Nov. 9.
The petition of John Steel, preferred last fefron^
and the petition of captain George Little, late of
the Boston frigate, now firft presented, for indem
nity against a judgment in the supreme court for
10,182 dollars 89 cents damages, for illegal deten
tion of a foreign vessel taken in the Weft-Indies, in
theyear 1799, were referred to the committee of
claims.
Dr. Mitchill moved the order of the day on the
Presidents mellage, but on Mr. J. Randolphs request
for alittle more time for members to digest and ar
range the various important points contained in
that communication, Doctor Mitchill withdrew his
motion. 4^
Mr. Kennedy presented a petition from a num
ber of merchants, traders and farmers of the Eden
ton diflria,in N. Carolina, praying the eftabiifh
ment of a part of entry and delivery at Plymouth.
The new dirtrid to comprehend all the creeks and
harbours on the Roanoke and Caskie rivers—Re
ferred to the committee of commerce and manu
factures, together with a petition prelrnted at the
last session on the fame fubjed.
M'. J. Clays motion relative to captain Decatur,
the officers and crew of the Intrepid Ketch, was
taken up in committee of the whole.
Mr. Varnum in the chair.
On motion of Mr. Clay the resolution was alter
ed by striking out after the word 'fworu'the words
'of the value of dollars, and filling up the oth
er blank with the word 'two' thereby giving the
officers and crew 2 months pay.
Mr J Clay, with a view of (hewing the propriety of the
measure, read extracts of letters written by commodore
Preble and lieutenant Decatur, which had been obtained
from the secretary of the navy ; they contained an account
of the circumstances attending this honourable exploit,
which have heretofore been printed in the publick newfpa
pers.
The committee rose and repotted the resolution as
amended.
Mr Griswold presumed the object of this step was to
pay a tribute to those brave men who had so gallantly
atchieved this glorious and dangerous enterprizc—He
wished to do this in a manner the most honourable and
notorious, and perhaps the best course would be to obtain
from the head of the navy department a lift of the names
of the officers and the number of the crew, together with a
detail ofthe circOmflances attending the event —With this
view he moved to postpone the confederation of the rcfolu
tion reported by the committee ofthe whole till tomorrow,
in order to introduce a rcfoititioo to this effed; That the
secretary of the navy be diredied to communicate to this
house the names of the officers and the number of the men
employed in the deftrudion of the frigate in the harbour
of Tripoli, together with a statement of the circumstances
attending that event
The postponement was agreed to without opposition,
and the refutation of Mr Griswold was adopted with a
small variation suggested by Mr J Randolph, and acquie
feed in by the mover viz "That the preftdent of the
United States be requeued to cause to be laid before this
house, &c"
Mr J Clay and Mr T M Randolph were appointed a
committee to wait on the president and communicate the
request of the house
On motion of Mr Holmes, it was agreed that when the
house adjourns, it adjourn to Monday next
The engreffed bill making further appropriation for
carrying into effect the treaty of amity, commerce and
navigation between the United States and Great Britain
was read a third time and passed
M R Griswold moved for the appointment of a com
niittee to inquire what further provision ought to be made
by law for the encouragement of the fifheries of the Unit
ed States ; the motion was carried ; and the report on this
fubje& made at the last session Was referred to the fame
Mr Jackson moved for the appointment of a committee
to confider of the making provision for the application of
the money heretofore appropriated for laying out and
making certain publick roads. A committee of five was
appointed
Mr Kennedy presented a petition from a number of the
inhabitants of Roanoke, tie in North Carolina, praying a
port of entry may be eflablifhed at the town of Plymouth
referred to the committe already appointed on that fubje&
Mr Findley from the committee of Elections reported
that the members who had been returned in the place of
those who had resigned or deceased were entitled to take
their feats
Mr Bryan reported from the committee on the official
letter of Mr Thomas Claxton, door keeper of the House
of Representatives, refpcdling the admission of chaplains to
preach in the chamber of Congress ; that in the case Bated
by him, he had adled with propriety, and they recom
mended a resolution to the following effect That no
person (ball be authorized to preach in this chamber unless
by consent of the Speaker or being introduced by one of
the chaplains
Ordered to lie on tie table
Adjourned
MONDAY, Nov. 19.
Gen. Varnum presented a petition from a num
ber of the inhabitants of Cambridge, near Boflon,
praying for the eftabbfliment of a Port of Delivery
It was accompanied by a recommendation from
Gen. Lincoln. Referred.
A resolution puffed, requeffing rhe President to
make to Capt. Stephen Decatur, a present of a
sword ; and the officers and crew of the Ketch, In
trepid, two months pay, as an honorable teOimonial
of the sense which Congress entertain of their servi
ces in destroying the Tripoline frigate of 44 guns,
in the harbour of Tripoli.---The resolution. Yeas
105. Nays 2.— The Nays were Messrs. Butler and
Stanford, both Democrats.
The Secretary of the Treasury communicated a
report and estimate of the appropriations necessary
for the year 1805 ; and a statement of the receipts
and expenditures of the current year, down to the
ift ofOdober. Ordered to be printed.
TUESDAY, NOV. 20.
A resolution passed without opposition, authoriz
ing the President to appoint an agen'., to colled all
the material information refolding the adual con
dition, occupancy and title of the Lead Mines,
CONGRESS.
FRIDAY, Nov 16
Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Senate ;
Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives ;
ASSEMBLED at this time, to which the Legislature
was adjourned agreeably to your request, for the purpose
of performing the public duties required by the Constitu
tion—while we gratefully acknowledge our obligations to
the Supreme Governor of the world, for the exalted priv
iledges with which our country has been favoured—may
we unite our efforts, as the Representatives of a free people
in deviling the best means of promoting the public wel
fare, and for securing the individual rights and lading hap
piness of our fellow-citizens.
It seems to be a principle uncontroverted, that none but
a virtuous people can long support a free Government.
How important is it then that the promotion of virtue
should be duly regarded in the formation and execution of
laws : that encouragement and support should be given
to inftitucions calculated to inform the mind, and inftrud
in the moral and religious duties.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21.
A report from the Secretary of the Treasury was
received and ordered to be printed.
The resolution authorizing the President to ap
point a Lead Mine agent, on its third reading, met
with fomeoppofition ; and occasioned explanations.
It was obj^aed to, as a needless expense, &c.---It
however parted, and was sent to the Senate.
Mr. Randolph, from a Committee on the fubje&
reported, that by exiting laws, philosophical appa
ratus, imported for Colleges, &c+ was free of dutv :
But that books so imported ought not to be ex.
empted from import. Referred.
THURSDAY, NOV. 22.
On motion or Dr. Mitchell, the Committee of
Commerce and Manufactures was directed to in
quire into the propriety of altering the law which
contains a regulation that vefftls of 150 tons, or
upwards, whose crews consist of ten men, fliould
be obliged to carry a medicine chest, and to extend
the regulation to smaller vessels; and to report by
bill or otherwise.
The House, in Committee, accepted the report,
on the fubjea of exempting college books ; and
the further consideration of the fubjed was post
poned until Monday.
The Britifli Treaty appropriation bill has passed
the Senate.
_BO_
NEW-HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATURE.
CONCORD, NOV. 28.
On Wednesday the lift instant the Legislature com
menced their session in this town, agreeably to adjourn
ment in June laftt That and the following day were
principally taken up in reading %d committing private
petitions for various purposes
On Friday at 12 o'clock, his Excellency the Governor,
attended by the Honorable Council, and escorted by a re
fpedable committee from the Senate and House, met the
two Branches in the Representatives chamber, and deliv
ered to the Legislature the following
Since the last session of the Legislature, I have received
a letter from the secretary of state, informing that the a
mendment ptopofed during the last session of Congress, to
the Constitution of the United States, respecting the man
ner of voting for Prefdent and Vice- President of the U
nited Bates, has been ratified by the Legislatures of three
fourths of the several states. This, letter will be laid be
fore you.
I have also received a letter from his Excellency to Gov
ernor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, inclofing a
resolution of their Legislature, proposing an amendment of
the Constitution of the United states as it refpeds the ap
portionment of Representatives among the several states,
nod confining the fame to the numbers of free inhabitants
refpeaively. The letter and resolution will be laid before
you. The importance of the proposed amendment, and
refpe& for the doings of a filter State, claim and will un
doubtedly have, your candid and deliberate attention, —
The Constitution of the United states was undoubtedly
formed with much deliberation, and ought not to be altered
without manifeft reasons therefor ; yet it was wifely pro
vided, that alterations might be made, if found necessary.
Representatives and direct taxes are included in the fame
article in the constitution, and were to be apportioned
among the states on the fame principles. That part of the
article which refpe&s direct taxes, appears to be nominal ;
while the proportion of Representatives from some of the
states is greatly increased in consequence ofthe large num
bers of Haves they hold; and the importation of Haves,
which, it is said, is now publicly allowed by one or more
of the states, has a tendency further to increase the ine
quality of representation.
The several matters unfinifhed at the last session, or re
ferred to the present, will occupy your attention; and I
cannot omit mentioning particularly that which refpe&s a
building for the confinement of criminals, as being highly
important
Whatever business you may think proper to lay before
me, will meet my rlady attention —And be assured, Gen
tlemen, that I shall esteem it a pleasure to co-operate with
you in meafurcs calculated to promote justice, and ad
vance the general welfare.
JOHN TAYLOR GILMAN.
State of New-Hampfhire,7
November 23, 1804 J
May it ftleaxe your Excellency,
ASSEMBLED at this time, to perform the duties en
joined upon us by the Conftitgeion of this State, and tak
ing into consideration the happy Situation of our public af
fairs, we feel ourselves bound to acknowledge with grati
tude the many unmerited favors and exalted privileges,
which we thro' the blessings of Divine Providence enjoy,
under our present free and enlightened Republican Gov.
ernment —Be assured fir, our united efforts Shall be exerted,
in devising the belt means to promote the public welfare,
to prote& and secure the civil and religious rights of our
Constituents, against the arts and intrigues of designing
men
Senfiblc that virtuous habits are the surest preservatives
of a free Government, we confider it our duty to encour
age and support those institutions, the best calculated to
inform and inftrua the mind in moral and Religious du
ties ; and we regret that the institutions established ac
cording to the indications of Divine Providence for the
benefit of mankind, Should ever be made instrumental in
attempts to fubveit the only free government now existing;
instead of affording encouragement to support it under our
present fuccefsful experiment, or that any Should attempt
to weaken the Energies of a Free People,by declaring that
our Rcprefentative Government cannot long exist, by
invidious comparisons of it with other systems
With pleasure and Satisfaction we receive your Excellen
cy's communication, of the ratification of the Amendment
to the Federal Constitution,in the choice of President and
Vice-President of the United States: hoping thereby to
escape those dangers to which we have So recently been
exposed
That part of your Excellency's communication relative
to an Amendment of one of the fundamental Articles of
the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the Le
gislature of Massachusetts will be duly attended to, and the
Subject receive all that candor and deliberation with re
fped for the doings of a filter State, and the more impor
tant consideration of preferring the Union of the Several
States merit—We coincide with your Excellency in the be
lief that the system of our general government was fram
ed and adopted after much Solemn deliberation, and that
the provision made for alterations as time and] experience
mentioned in the Presidents meffsge; and to re
port thereon.
—— ^ 0 ^ --> «= —
ANSWER OF THE SENATE.
SPEECH.
A committee of the principal merchants engaged
in the Spanish trade on the 26tlj September waited
by invitation on Lord Harrowby, one of the secreta
ries of state who informed them, that there were
certain negotiations on important points then pend
ing between Spain and Great-Br%in t^p. iesne, h £
which was uncertain. Some explanations had also
been required, as to the Intention with which the ar
maments preparing in the ports of Spain were to be
fitted out ; to which no satisfactory answer had
been received. His Lordship thought it necessary
to make these communications, leaving it to the dis
cretion of the Gentlemen who were present to adopt
that line of conduct for the regulation of their mer
cantile concerns, which they should think most ad
viseable.
The merchants afterwards waited 011 Chevalier
de Anduaga the Spanish Ambassador, to ascertain,
as far as could be consistent with propriety, his Ex
cellency's sentiments on the impending danger ; and
particularly to request what he would favor them
with an assurance, that ships laden with grain from
England for Spain, would be protected in the same
manner as those loaded with wool from Spain were
by the English cruizefs even in time of war. The
conduct of his Excellency evidently proved, that
he not only wished to avoid an answer ar that time
to questions of a public nature, but that he was fear- 1
ful of saying any thing which might commit his au
thority, or implicate precipitately in any degree the
interests of the two countries. His Excellency.how
ever, went so far as to say, that to start a doubt on
the subject, would be to suppose that the Spanish
government were about to act os a system diametri
cally opposite to that principle which had hitherto
governed their intercourse with Great-Britain. The
merchants then urged the proprety of assurances
from Chevalier de Anduaga, in his ambassadorial
capacity, that no sequestration of property would
take place so far as regarded vessels laden with
grain for the supply of Spain and that such vessels
would experience the same protection as those expe
rienced that carried wool from Spain to Great-Bri
tain. His Excellency still waved any direct answer
or assurance ; but when the merchants said that
such instructions respecting the wool ships had been
issued and sanctioned by the British government and
that they could produce such a paper for the satis
faction his Excellency, if he pleased, the Chevalier
Anduaga at last observed thatif they would favor him
with a copy "of the document described, he would
take the particular case which they represented in
to consideration.
Boston, Dec. 6.
FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN.
Caph Burges, who arrived at Salem, a few days
ficce,from Malaga, fays, it was computed, that the
terrible disorder which ravaged that city had de
stroyed two thirds of those inhabitants who had not
fled intothe country. This if too large a calcula
tion, will Bill Blow that it is most dedruaive.
Ofthe two persons who Capt Burges loft by the
Malaga fever, one was a John Weft, about 30 years
of age, a native of Bremen, but for the ten years past
a resident in America, and had formerly failed out of
Baltimore. He informed Capt B. that he was car
penter of one of the United States vtffels, which de
stroyed the frigate Philadelphia, and was engaged
in that desperate enterprize. He described the ac
cess to the town of Tripoli as very difficult, on ac
count of the shoals or flats, without passing under
the guns of heavy batteries, and was therefore very
appretenfive that Commodore Preble would not be
able to produce any considerable effect in attacking
the place. We hope, however, that the ingenuity
and energy of the Commodore will surmount aid
difficulties, and bring about a salutary peace
The Dublin Papers received by the ship Mercury
hold at the probability of arspeedy rupture between
Great-Britain and Spain. The usual packet,which
should have sailed from Falmouth the latter end of
September, had been detained by an order from Gov
ernment ; and several frigates had left Plymouth
with a view, as it was conjectured, to be ready to
act immediately on the declaration of hostilities,
Mr. Wellesly notwithstanding these appearances,
was preparing to set out on his embassy to the court
of Madrid as the successor of Mr. Frere.
WASHINGTON, NOV. 19.
« Intelligence has been received here to day, that
an insurrection and revolt among the blacks of soutli
carolina, and of Georgia, had been concerted, and
had well nigh broken out ; but a detection of their
plan having been made by apprehending several of
their embassies between the States, it was defeated
The southern states will wish that the day which
may see democracy prevail and flourish in New-
England might be blotted out forever ; for surely
that day will bring evil on them. The objects and
views of the democratis of the east being totally ad
verse to those of the democrats of the south.
New York, Nov. 24.
Yesterday failed from Staten-Island, the fine (hip,
Indoftan, of 20 guns, Leander, of 16, Oliver Ells
worth, Eugenia, Sophronia, brig Dolly of 14 guns,
and schooner Diana, of 6 gune, all for St. Domin
go. Four of these vessels are owned by Samuel
G. Ogden, and two chartered by the fame gentle
man.
might point out the necessity, was wife ; and also that re&
sons for a charge ought to be clear and strong, left whit#
endeavoring to avoid some apparent incenvenien es greats
er unforefeen disadvantages are produced, and by one
change after another the Constitution be efTentially altered,
and the hatmony of the system destroyed.
From the hiftory of other nations, we have no right to
etped a perpetual exemption from wars, —and under our
present happy situation, dlred taxation may appear nomi
nal ;—yet should we be so unfortunate as, to be engaged
in war, that would not be the case— For from the proba
ble failure of other tefoUrces, directtaxation, must be re
forced to ; and should this amendment take place, wd
should from the reduction of representation in those States,
to which the proposed alteration alludes, throw a much
heavier burthen on our agricultural interef than would be
imppfed tinder the present State of that article.
Difapppoving of slavery as we do we lament that one
of our sister States has repealed their law prohibiting the
importation of Haves ; yet we Ratter ourselves in the con
templation, that the time is not far distant, when Coogrefa
will have a Conftitutionll right to pur a flop to that
inhuman traffic, —and no serious evil we presume can
accrue to us, by the increase of representation from the
importation of slaves in the fbort period of four years.
Convinced of the importance of having a secure place
for the confinement of con<i&s to labor, we (hall use our
utmost endeavors to progress therein, as faft as the nature
of the undertaking will admit, without laying too great a
burthen at once, upon our constituents
The unfinished business of the last session, and fuck
other matters as may now come before us, will be
punctually-attended to ; not doubling of your Excellency#
cheerful cooperation with us, in promoting jufticc, and the
general welfare
^F THE MAILS.