The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-03-26 00:00:00, page 3

It appears from the speeches of the King of
Preffia to Duroc, as well as from different reports
from Constantinople, that the Porte has altogeth
er given up Egypt; '
The Helvetic Government is about to experi
ence a change necessary totliffappoint projects un
favourable to the independence and unity of that
republic.
Three Hundred and twenty members of the
Council of Five Hundred have accepted and sign
ed the new Constitution ; which, considering the
number of deputies excluded, and of those on
mission, makes upwards of seven eighths of what
remains. '
ft is believed that the members of the Conferva
fve Senate hitherto elected are 31.
Domestic Intelligence.
—< -k+#HH4^^4+" to>i —'
An Official Account,of the Accident which has
happened to the frigate Congrefo.
The following is art extrafraf a letter from Capt,
James Sever to the Secretary of the Navy. It
was written at sea, (fooh after the misfortune
which happened to the frigate Congress) in an
expectation of an opportunity offending it on im
mediately ; but none offered before her arrival at
Norfolk. ' ;- %
"Q# board fri;atc Congress, at sea,
"Jan, ,4, 1800,
" Under the impression of the moll poignant
regret, 1 have the misfortune to report to you, hr,
the difaflrous fixation of the U. $. frigate Con
gress under my command. I failed from New
port on the 6th inst. accompanied by the Eflex
.frigate, Capt. Preble, having under convoy a ship
and a brig, belonging to Philadelphia ; and a
final! (hip from New-Haven, but finding them to
fail very heavily, and two or )hree being in bal-!
last only, on the day fucceedinfe that on which 1
jest Newport, I determined on leaving them faha
° with the Essex to make th, best of my way, to
carry into effect,the inftrudions with which you
had been pleased to honor me. The firft three or
v four days (übfequfflt ^ leaving port, we had the
Y winds tar northwardly, the weather cQol, attend
ed with snow and bail. On Saturday the nth
the wind veered to the fop thward and came ontd
blow very freffi, attended with warm rain, and a
heavy sea : this weather produced an aftoniHung
effeft ypon my rigging (which had previously been
In very good order) it Aretching so much as to in^
dnce apprehenlions, for the fetay of the masts.—
S - ^ery person has a right of addressing pri
vate petitions to every constituted authority, and
particularly to the tribunate..
84. The public force is heceffjrily in a flare of
obedience ; no armed body can deliberate,
85. Military crimes are fubjelted to special tri
bunals, and particular form, of judgement.
86. The French natron declares, that it will
grant pensions to all military wounded in defence
of theircouhtry, and also to the widows and chil
dren of filch military as hive died on the field of
battle, or in confeqnence of their wounds. . „,,
87. It (hall decree national rewards to rife war
riors who shall have rendered diftiuguifhed ser
vices in fighting for the republic.
88. A cooilituted body cannot deliberate except
in a fitting, at which two thirds of its members, at
lea ft, are present.
8,. A national institute is charged with receiv
ing discoveries, and perfecting the arts and scien
ces.
90. A committee of national cornptabilite re
gulates arid verifies the accounts of the receipts
and expences of the republic. The committee is
composed of seven members, chosen by the senate
from (heir national lift.
91. The regime of tlie French colonies is deter
mined by special laws. ,
92. In case of the revolt of an armed body, or
of troubles which menace the fafety of the state the
law taa'y Tufpend in the places and for the time it
determines, the empire of the constitution.
• The suspension may be provifioually declared in
the fame cases, by an arrette of Government, the
fapflirtive 'body nut being fitting, provided this
body be convened at a very short term by an arti
cle of the fame arrette.
93. The French nation declares, that in no case
will it fuffer the return of the French who, hav
ing abandoned their country since 1789, are not
comprised in the exceptions contained in the laws
against emigrants. It interdicts every new accep
tion on this point.
The property of emigrants irrevocably belong
to the republic.<
94. The French nation 'declares that after a sale
legally completed of national property whatever
may be its drigin, the lawful purchase cannot be
• difpofleffed, fading the right of third persons, if
foch there should be, claiming td be indemnified
out of the public treasury.
95. The present constitution shall be offered
forthwith for the acceptance of the French people.
Done at Paris the 22d Frimaire, (Dec. 13) in
the Bth year of the French Republic; one
and indivisible.
(The signatures of the members of the legisla
tive committees and consuls follow.)
PARIS, DEC. 15.
The Consuls were named the day before yetter
dry by the, two commissioners. Buonaparte was"
unanimously.appointed firft Consul. Cambateres
and Labrum had each it votes. The Confull, and.
five persons who are to assist them, met latt night
to appoint the Gonfervaters to the number of 60.
These 6o will elect the Tribunes and Senators.—
The Consuls appoint the Ministers and the 30
Counsellors of State. General Kilmaine is dead.
The new Conflitution was published yesterday
at Paris with much pomp.
dec.16. 1
This day all the troops eompofing the 17th divi
sion aflenrofed in the Camp de Mars to take the
oath to the New Constitution.
h . PEC;. 1 8.1
The Conftitutioh does not prevent the firft Con
sul from taking command of the armies. Thus it
is frid that if Ruouaparte dues not this winter in
duce Austria to make p ace, his intention is in the
spring to put himfelf at the head of the armies to
figri a peace in the heart of Germany!
The American Antbafladors, who have been ap
pointed to negotiate with France, have just arriv
ed at Lisbon, from whence they will proceed to
Paris.
The register of acceptance and non-acceptance
# are opened at Paris. The confidence is prodigious.
And the whole of the votes almvft are in favour of
the new Gonttitution.
•December 20.
EGYPT CEDED TO FRANCE.
The weather being such os to preclude the practi
cability of Setting it up": I caused tickles to begot
up to fuccour the mails, and the rigging to be
fwifter'd ; but unfortunately every Step taken to
fopport tire maffa proved futile. On Sunday
morning the t2th it blowing hard, and a heavy
sea running, at half part fix the mainmast sprung
about eight feet above the upper deck : 1 imme
diately caused the main yard tv b'e lowered down:
(the top gallant yard having pteviourty been sent
down, and the top-gallant mails housed) on con
sultation with the officersit was decided as afford
ing the only probable means of faring the main
mast, to endeavor to cut away the main-top-mafl.
This wpp immediately attempted ; Mr. Bofwerth,
my fourth lieut. with 4 or 5 smart active iheb,
going into the top to perform the service § While
tn its execution the mast unfortunately gave way,
and in itsfall involved the loss of that active, de
serving officer ; die other men who were aloft,
and engaged in thf fame Service, were ^ll happily
Saved. Lhe fall of the mainmast carried away the
mizen top-matt with tire head of the mizen-mafl.
Being under an apprehension that from the rough-;
nefs of rite sea, the hull of the Ship might be eflen
tially injured by the action of the wreck, was in
duced to clear it from the Ibip With ali possible
expedition, by which means a very (mail part on
ly of the riggigg and fails' attached to tbofe mails
were saved. 1 now turned all thy attention to,
aud made life of every practicable exertion to
prYferve the foremaft ; the wind still continuing
rd blow hard with a very heavy sea, and the Ship,
from the loss of her after masts, laying in the
trough and labouring very thuch—at half past 12
She rolled away her fore top-mast ; soon after
which it was discovered that the bowsprit was ve
ry badly sprung, just without the gammoning.—
I immediately caused the jib boom to be rigged
in, and endeavored to secure the bowsprit by
flrong lashings round the heel of the jib-boom ;
at the fame time getting up tackles to the fore
niaft head to secure the mart (which was already
sprung) and to relieve, in fame meaAire, the Rrefs
upon the bowsprit, caused by the tore and fore
preventer flays.
It is with great regret 1 am to add that all my
endeavors proved of no farther confeqnence titan
probably to retard, for a very little time, what
eventually took place, as at half past 3 P. M- the
bowsprit gave way, and at the fame infant th)
foreman went over the fide, leaving us totally dtf
mafled, anti with the loss of the principal part of
the fails and rigging; which in our then situation
it was not practicable,to preserve.
Thus, fir, we were left, in the short fyace pt a
few hours, in a most deplorable situation, entierly
at the mercy of the wind and waves ; and thus
my expectation of being enabled to render im
portant fervjces to my fellow citizens, by afford
ing a protection to their commerce, were at once
marred. I hope, fir, you will do me the justice
to believe that this misfortune (which I most sen
sibly feel) is not attributable to any negligence on
my part ; every thing practicable haying been at
tempted to ward off the evil which the nature of
the circumstances would admit."
PRIVATE LETTER: ,
PHILADELPHIA, MARCH ft
Extra# of aletter from an officer on board the Con-,
grefs, dated Hampton Roads, Feb: 24.
“ Weare now in the Bay, about two miles from
Hampton Roads, Where we were obliged to come
to an anchor, in confequepte of tarrying away
our [Jury] fore-top-roah; whith will be replaced
this evening, and with nibriling tide we shall go
as far up towards Norfolk, as the water will ad
mit. ft is very uhcetrata what arrangements**,
take place with refpeft to the officers and crew of
this ibip, as it will be a confielerable time before
(he can be fitted for sea. From the important na
ture of our voyage, it is probable, If the frigate
Chesapeake of 44 guns, now fitting out at Nor
folk, is in a forward Rate, the will be ordered out
in our Read, and our fhip's company turned over
to her.'
" The fate of the Elfex is tb us unknown. We
are willing to hope that she weathered the gale
without sustaining much injury, and has proceed
ed on the voyage.
" Poor Bofworth perilled in difeharging with
alacrity and gallantry, a most important and haz
ardous dtiiy. The word to cut away the main
top-mast, was no sooner palled, than he was tip
the shrouds.”
At a late hour last nights we tiopt the press, to
give our readers a piece of news they have been
eagerly looking for, and which redounds more to
the honor even of the intrepid Truxton and his
brave crew, than We had reason to expert.
The brig Rebecca, capt. Harding, belonging^
Messrs. 'Scott and Seaman, arrived here lalt even
ing in 35 days,rom Gurracoa.
By capt. Harding we are informed, that about
9 days before he failed, the French ship Ven
geance, Capt. Perot, of 54 guns, arrived there en
tirely diftnajied, with the loss of 100 men killed,
and 60 wounded, in the engagement with the U;
States frigate Cualtcllation, CommodoreTruxton,
of 38 guns.
The Vengeance was bound from Guadeloupe th
France, with a valuable cargo, belides a large
quantity of specie, and had on board the govern
or of Guadeloupe and family.
Capt. Handing also informs, that the Vengeance
was a niere wreck when the arrived,-both pumps
were gfoing, and nine feet water in the bold.
The French captain laid, at Curracoa, that he
Was on the eve of striking ; and indeed had do
hopes of escaping from his gallant, though ' then
unknown anragoriilt—But ' before the Rebecca
failed,be learned who it was that so bravely con
tended with him. ,
fate ■
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
:'; MARCH Ig.
We are this day enabled to give further loteieft
iug particulars of this almolt unparalelled adti<&
,rom the mouth of Mr. James Howe, who wa^
•on board of the Vengeance, before, during, aQ
tome days after the conflict.
Mr. How, who is sensible and intelligent, fe|
forms us, that the Vengeance mounted on her ph
deck 32 long id's, including 2 that were ufedai
fern-chafers— on her quarter 12 36 pound frig
tarronadeswith 4 long 12's— and onher forecastle
6 long 12'i—That the had on board 400, men,in.
eluding 80 paffeugers, who all affitted during the
engagement ; halides 36 American Seamen, who
were taken out of the prison at Guadaloupe to
work on board this strip feme weeks before fa
(biled, and who nobly rehtfeq, to fight, and said
they considered themselves as prikmers of war,
ana rather than aft offienfively against their conn
TR^XTON'e ANTAGONIST.
New-York, march 14.
try, or any.nation at peace With them, they Would
DIE BY THE SWORD ! They Were then order
ed below, where they remained tilfthe firing rear
ed, as will appear by the fobjoined Certificate
from the Captain of the Vengeance—of which we
have obtained a translation from die original now
in the hands of Mr. How. A Similar certificate
was giren to each of the prisoners, agreeably to
promise, on condition that they would exert
themfelycs in getting the wreck into port,,.which
they effected on the fifth day after the engagement.
The Vengeance bad 186 ball holes in her hull
above water, feme having gone through and thro'
her. Most of the passengers were killed, and from
3 to 5 pf the Wounded died each day before the
ireached port, one of whom wai the failing master.
Capt. Pitot, is said to be an old and a brave com
mander, having 160 a hand, &j;. in fbrfyer battles.
In present one he had his trumpet knocked out
of his^ hand by the fame ball which took off the
arm Os a Lieutenant who was finding near him.
r itwa, the number of passengers, with upwards
million of dollars on board, that made the
Vengeance Unwilling to come to action. She had
been out only 36 hours from Guadeloupe, and was
bound to Brest. ~-
The particulars of the chace, &c. from Mr. How
correfpopd exattly With those of Com. Truxton,
to the Secretary of the Navy.
A letter from a Lieut, on board the Conflella
tion, at sea, Feb. 3, after mentioning the action
with a French (hip of 50 guns, that jhe ceased fir
ing, and left the field— He adds, “ You can have
no idea of the figure we cut. There is scarcely a
spar or fathom of rigging abaft the fore matt.—
We are just able, by fecuring' the crippled fore
man, to set the forefail and fore-topfall half-matt.
We have this day, rigged a mizen ftayfail, from
the slump of the mizen-maft. What is left of the
Matter we are now securing to make more after fail,
Our hull is very much battered. The enemy's
(hip was greatly injured, and "the left of our main
mast alone prevented our taking poffeffionof her.7
A very lingular eircumflance happened last week
at Old York. A well dressed gentleman who had
lodged at a public house ip that town for a fort
night, was taken very ill with the cramp cholic ;
a phyficlan was immediately sent for, who soon
arrived, and was (hewn to the sick man's chamber;
—ln a few minutes he returned and desired the
landlady to fend for the afliftaoce of some old wo?
, u TRANSLATION.: ,- '.A
I, the underlined. Captains de VaiHeau, com
manding the ship Vengeance, belonging ffi the
French Republic, at present in the harbor of Cur
racoa, Certify, to ill whom it may concern, that
James How,an American Seaman, embarked on
board the said ship, at Port Liberty,, as a passen
ger, by order of the Agents of the Consul at Gua
deloupe—and that he continued on board from
the Bth Pluviofe to this day.—t also certify, that
in confeqnence of a just demand made by the laid
James How, to toe not to Serve in case of an en
gagement, he was put below during the combat
which this ship had from the 12th to the 13th of
the present month ; that he remained there thro',
out the whole of it, and that after the action, he
wrought with all possible zeal and activity in re
pairing the damages which, this frigate sustained.
In confeqnence of the fervjces which he render
ed on this occasion, I awe him tlie justice to requefty
every officer coHimanding French ships of war, or;
frivateers, not to gire nor fu&r to be given, to ,
the.faid James How, any hindrance or molestation
on his return from this port to the. U.. S. but on
the contrary to render, him.him every assistance in
their power, Unless he should be found on board a
vessel armed rgainttFrance. Iri testimony where
of I have signed these prefects on board the Ven
geance, Curracoa, the eotb Pluviofe, Bth year, &c.
~ D. M. PITOT.
Certified by the Delegate of the Agents of the Con- ;
fills of the French Republic teethe windward ifl
ands—Curracoa, 20th Pluviofe, Sth year, &c.
Joubert.
0e Republican Lebgen ,
—*<44«&»^+fc>> —
Portsmouth, March 26, ißoo.
+
At our annual Town Meeting, held yef
tetday; the Votes sot Recorder of Deeds,
were as follow :
JOSIAH ADAMS, Est ,62
SAM'I BROOKS, 59
Adiourhed till the firft Monday in April.
Many have been furprifedon obfetving British
halt pay officers, holding military commissions in
these Rates ; we have also observed ebullitions of
indignation, break forth from men who bled pro
fufe|y' for our national independence, on feeing
the tools feot here, by a,fanguinary tyrant, clothed
in our uniform, and holding commands over A
mericans whom but a few years ago, they essayed
to enslave. Are the incendiaries who burned our
dwellings, and laid walls our fields, to become
our leaders, ahd to teach ns how ro contend with
our former friends ?
The British miuiHry deign to fufnilh with of
ficers, that they may increase theEnglifh influence
among us, and the English prints assert that our
government have accepted the favour, have ap
pointed several of these gentlemen to commands
in the provisional regimnlent^
Can this proof of an exiling gOot lunderfland
ing between the British and American govern
ments, be a cause of pleafute to the people of the
United States ?' Can we expedfehat profeffed roy
alists, are fit or qualified to be supporters of our
republic, or can we be such dupes, as not to per
ceive that the permiflion allowed to them by their
•Majler, arises from an infiduohs policy, which em
braces every ffleans that can be tiltiriiarely hoflile
td our interest, and subversive of reptiblicanifm.
Mr. Pitt has denounced republican principles,
and every country that cherishes them. He com
menced a war, and now continues it avowedly, to
extirpate theth. To accomplish this purpose he*
wields the weapons of force and of corruption;
both he applies, with what success it is, necessary
to recapitulate, should we not then guard againit
his hostile designs, under whatever malk they may
appear. To the liberties of this country, neither
he nor his corrupt supporters can ever Be ftiendly,
How highly improper mull it be, to admit his noto
rious agents, to fill places of trust, and of the ut
most importance, for certainly no Situation can be
so dangero^ to have foch men in, as in the mili
tary line, on whose fidelity, very little reliance can
be placed, and who are known to be attached to
principles and forth# of government foreign to our
own. Mrgus.
Peter Collin,. Esq. has been duly acknowledged
by the President, as Vice-Consul of his Swedish
Majesty, for the Rate of Maryland.
,?9 fc h: W* C ^ L Atkins, failed from Port.
de-Paix (St. Domingo,) far. Bottom in Dec. hfi
.%" ta ±,^ a ßritifh frigate, retaken by a Span
ish vessel, gent into Cuba, and condemned. The
American CQn@,writefo that on claiming the a
bove vessel of the Spanish Court of Admiralty, he
was told f that by an order of jhe King of Spain,
all neptty veflels retaken would be confided
good prizes !*
A PASTURE, for Sale.
TO BE SOLD,
AT AUCTION;
l On Tuejday the 15th day of April at Mr. Greet'
leafs Tavern (if nut before differed ts at
private Jale,)
A Valuable Failure, containing
ato,t 15 acres, lituate on the Nurtri
tide of the upper mill-pond, adjoining the
estate of Col. S. Sherburne. Many cir
cumitances combine to enhance its value,
among which ate, its adjacency to the town
and convenient lituauon for water carriage,
a part of it near the shore being very (una
ble for a brick yard. It contains also a
spring of excellent water.——The terms
and price will be reasonable, if any person
should with to petchafe at private sale, o
therwise it will be fold at auction a§ above.
For particulars apply to
SAMI SPARHAWK.
PertJmouth,-March ^, i&>o.
#.■■■.,.an- ■; —„^,? w i^ >ui in .pill ■>—- nW
WANTED, (famthe Country,)
A smart, active Lad, about 15
or 16 years of age, as an Apprentice to the
Boot and Shoe rawing bufinef, to whom,
good encouragement will te^iven —inquire
of the Printer. \ Ma
men, which me did, iin^ a number fedti arrived!--
w^en, to the astonishment of all present, the gen^
than was fatelydelivered of a beautiful rntrte
chiM, winch is likely to do well.
.We learn from New-York, that she Port finollth
° f 2 4 ^^ Capt. M'NeiU, has been
ordered by government to be got ready for sea in
12 days to fail with difyatches for France.
m"". o .^ ?° ^"f 1 'hr Adams frigate write,
! .1. ,w 9 th € Adams is the fafteft Sailer
in the Wert-India fees."
in Market-flreet, Portfmoutb, and offers his
service in felling or purchasing on commits
fion, all kinds of Merchandize, Bills of Ex
change, Vessels, ,Houses and Lands, &c.&c.
He likewise has a License ah an
AUCTIONEER, and will receive Mer
chandize or any of the above articles for pub
lic sale; and promises • those gentlemen
who may be pieafed to favor him with an,
articles for sale, that his best endeavors shall
not be wanting to complete the fame with
fidelity and dispatch, and the smallest favor
shall be duly attended to, by the public's molt
obedient humble fervanf,
Lieut. Simon'W. Geddes(not Captain C.) of th
marines, is under trial of a Court-Martial, at Phil
ladelpbia, for difoLediance of orders.
THE fubfcfibefr begs leave to in
form the public, and his friends in par
ticular, that h^has opened a
BROKER'S OFFICE
;Alexander Riven.
.." * All letters dircaed to him in the
line of his business, (post paid) will be duly
attended to.
THE fubferiber purposes to lay
' out his Unds'in Jots which is pleasant
ly situated on the North fide of the road hear
the South School House, having a beautiful
profpea of the harbor wod fea—wirfe a road
running through the tame, 24 feet in width.
Any person inclining to purchase may fee
the plan—and know the terms by applying
to the fubferiber./,
=-ALso=-
The House and a fine Garden spot,
to be let—to be entered on by the midule of
April.)
A FARM,, containing 80
Acres of Good lAND, confuting of
a good Orchard, Mowing, Tillage, Pastur
ing, and some Wood, with a good House
and Barn on the fame, in North-Hampton,
about two miles from the Rev. Mr. Thurl
ton's Meeting-house, leading to the sea, and
about two miles from the fca.— The above
will be fold reasonably—For particulars ap^
ply to REUBEN DEARBORN, living on
the premises.
North-Hampton, March it, 1800.
George Jerry Osborne, fen.
Portsmouth, March 25, 1800.
' 1 ,'i'£REm
22d. Brig Dispatch, hay, Tobago.
£)sborrie%@uute Lift.
BARGAINS.
HASAL AFFAIRS. ~
TO BE SOLD,
Portsmouth, March 25, 1800.