The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-07-29 00:00:00, page 1

I have not seen the feeret hand of Great-
Britain in exciting thole infidels to this war.,
to render her own bottoms the more neccf
fary for carrying on our commerce, and for
Other purposes by the said ad intended.
/ have seen assemblies enabling laws for
— the amendment of the ,pra&ice in courts of
, justice. But
I have never yet seen that pra&ice really
amended by them.
I have seen, since our revolution, tones
promoted to offices of trust and profit ; but
Ihave never seen the man, who dared to
avow either the justice or the propriety of
such promotion.
/ have seen hundreds paying their debts,
with continental money, at a depreciation
of about sixty for one.
k But how many have I seen, who had too
much integrity to avail themselves of that
fubterfuge which the law unintentionally af
forded them ; and who, instead of infring
ing the golden rule, though proteaed by hu
man edi&s to sin-against it, nobly disdained
to violate the solemn didates of their con
sciences, and against light and knowledge,
and gospel, to defraud their neighbor of his
due ? How many ? Not enough to consti
tute a legal jury.
I have seen eongrefs necessitated to borrow
money from France and Holland ; but
I have not seen this state take proper mea
sures to discharge its proportion of those en
gagements.
(By the late Gov. Lfoingflbn.)
I Have seen several of our assemblies en
deavoring at public economy by lower
ing the Salaries of the officers of govern
ment, and other littlenesses of the like na
ture ; and coding the public more than
their wages hv the time they Spent in mak
ing the reduction /'which ought not to have
been made at all) than such reduction finally
amount to. But
/ have not seen one of them calling to a
ferions account the Sheriffs who have de
frauded lie of hundreds, hv nocketing fines ;
or commiflioners for forfeited estates, who
have plundered us of thoufinds, by the trad
ing with the money, converting it into real
estate, and afterwards paying ns at a great
depreciation. Whv are not these people
immediately compelled to pay this money
according to the value at which they receiv
ed it r This would really be an obje& wor
thy of a legislature. This would go a great
way towards filling the 6Scal coffer, and
casing the poor citizen in his taxes.
I have seen tories, members of congreSs ;
Tories, fitting as judges upon our tribunals ;
tories representatives in our legislative coun
cil ; tories members of our assemblies. But
1 have not seen them bribed with British
money ; nor was such a&ual vifinn n^cefla
ry for mv convia ; ^n that they were so.
I have seen our soldiers marching barefoot
through snow, and over ice ;
1 have not seen them duly recomnenfed for
it ; nor America so grateful for the inex
pressible hardships they fuffered ; as Itho't
lhe would have been.
/ have seen commerce declining ; and,
worse than declining, prosecuted to undoing ;
idleness prevailing ; felf-intereft predomi
nating ; luxury encreafing ; and patriotism
languishing But
When /ball I fee the true Spirit of republi
cans emerging from itslate imohlv-cohtraa
ed torpor ; and blazing out with the fame
splendor, the fame world-astonishing cor
ufeations, with which it so gloriously illnf
trated the firft morning of its appearance ?
I have seen justices of the peace, who
were a mere burlesque upon all maglftracv.
Justices illiterate—justices partial—justices
g r °ggy —juftices courting popularity, in or
der to be chosen aflemblymen—and justices
encouraging litigiousness. But
1 have not seen any joint meeting fuffi
ciently cautious against appointing such men,
justices of the peace.
1 have seen four times as many taverns in
the state as are neceflarv. Those Superabun
dant taverns are continually haunted by id
lers ; and a,re confeffedly so many nuisanc
es. All well regulated governments would
abolish them ; and yet
I have you seen any of the courts that li
eenfe them, willing to retrench the Super
numerary ones.
Ibave seen the regency of Algiers, mak
ing a cruel and unprovoked war upon the
U. States.
Number 49.— v01. I.]
" I have seen, and I have not seen."
" WHEN YOU SHALL THESE DEEDS RELATE, SPEAK OF THEM AS THEY ARE ; NOTHING EXTENUATE NOR SET DOWN OUGHT IN MALICE."
From the American Museum.
The Republican Ledger.
PRINTED AT PORTSMOUTH, (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) NEXT DOOR TO ROUSSELET's MUSEUM, MULBERRY LANE.
The Fourth of July, 1776. May.that
spirit, from which emihated the declaration
of Independence, inspire the sons of free
dom, to protea it against the machinations
of both foreign and domestic invaders.
5. I believe when the people eleft their
agents, they do not transfer their sovereign
ty to them ; but as agents who are paid for
their Services, 66 they are at all times ac
countable to the people."
6. I believe, under every democratical re
publican government, the people not only
have a right, but it is their duty to know,
and freely difeufs the conduct and charac
ters of their agents, without which, a re
publican form of government will be of
little or no utility to the freedom of the peo
7.1 believe the administration of a re
publican form of government ought to cor
respond with the constitution, without which
the bare name of freedom and republican
ism " is like the body without the Spirit,
dead, being alone."
4. I believe when persons are elected in
to office to adminider a republican govern
ment, their mod proper title is Agents of
the People, which is more agreeable to the
nature of a democratic republic, than that
of rulers, and founds fofter than that of Ser
vants.
8. I believe there have been essential dif
ference of sentiments and designs among the
agents of the people, in refpea to politics,
almost ever since we have been an indepen
dent people ; that while some were for hav
ing the democratical form of the American
government preserved in its purity, and
handed down to posterity inviolate, other c
were endeavoring to overthrow it, and ere&
aristocracy or monarchy on its ruins.
9. I believe, as the American govern
ment " is a government of laws and not of
men," we may bring into public view, and
speak against the condu& of certain agents,
without being enemies of, or speaking a
gainst the governments itfelf.
to. I believe there are many politicians
in A nerica, who are zealots for govern
ment, who call thpmfelves Federalists, who
are real enemies ^0 our constituted rights
and privileges, while others who are (tiled
Jacobins, Democrats, diforganizers, &c.
and are represented as enemies to the gov
ernment, are, in fad, its real & best friends.
11'. I believe it is a day of great struggle,
even in America, between the principles of
republicanism and aristocracy.
12. I believe it concerns every American,
who regards his own rights and privileges,
and those of his children, neighbours and
friends of his country and of mankind at
large, to awaken out of sleep, and attend to
those things which concern the preservation
and security of his rights, left he be deprived
of them by designing men, and repents when
it is too late.
2. I believe the American government is
a democratical republic, viz. democracy or
ganized, & is the best government on earth.
3. I believe a democratical republic is a
popular government, in which the fovreign
ty of the people is secured to them by cer
tain constitutions and laws.
I. I believe in the American constitutions,
that they are congenial to the unalienable
rights of man, and are calculated to Secure
and defend the fame.
I will not tell all that I have seen. The
veracity of an historian is often called in
question, when he- Speaks of disorders in
government that appear incredible. He is
obliged to relate fa&s, which, because ex
traordinary, though true, are received as
exaggeration and romance. I hope, for the
future, to fee virtue and patriotism resume
'heir primeval glory ; and our independence,
procured at the expense of so much blood
and treasure, for ever and ever established
in righteousness.
This anniversary morn, was ushered in
by the firing of one gun, and the ringing of
the bell for one hour ; at 12 o'clock, a large
and refpe&able number of citizens having
assembled at citizen Hoyt's inn, were salut
ed with 16 rounds ; about 3 o'clock, the
company set down at a table richly furnifh
ed with a large variety, and after dinner the
following 1 OASTS were drank.
A Political Confeffion of Faith.
STAMFORD, (Con.) JULY 4.
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 1800.
These Republican heroes who fell in de
fence of the liberties of America—-may they
be remembered with gratitude, while the
rights of man are refpe&ed.*
Washington, Franklin, Rittenhoufe and
all those departed worthies, who have in any
wife promted the cause of republicanism—
peace toiffi|ffiades, and a happy immor
tality. a
The ^^Lition of the United States—
may its raffs ever want the confidence
of the people.
President Adams—may he accept our cor
dial thanks for removing that fumbling block
(Timothy Picketing)—and may he retire
from public life, to the (hades of Braintree,
with the full approbation of every Ameri
can.
Thomas jefferfon—the author of the de
claration of independence; as his condud
will bear, may it never Shrink from scruti
ny behind a sedition law.
Langdon, C. Pinckney, Cock, Gallatin,
Livingston, Nicholas, and all the republican
minority in congress—may they yet fee the
time, When found argument (hall have a ma
jority.
Governors Munroe, M'Kean & Jackson,
and all other republican governors through
out the Union, may the approbation of their
constituents Rill equal their endeavours to
deserve it.
Those laws of the refpeaive ftates,which
make 8 per cent ufary. When money is
borrowed at an enormous interest, may it
not mistake the pockets of individuals for the
public purse.
William Duane may he continue to
Scrutinize the federal accounts. And may
the Aurora, aided by the Sun of Liberty,
illumine our political horifon, and enable
the people to discover how many millions
constitute the modern balance of power.
The 15th of June, 1800 —may that day's
example be followed by every nation on
earth— And may those who will not confide
in the militia want their confidence.
Thomas Cooper, the Northumberland
martyr of liberty. We would thank him
for a hiftory of the uid goose Chase.
Holt, Hafwell, Callender, Frothingham,
Durell, and all the Republican Printers
throughout the Union—May they never be
come proselytes to that poltical heresy which
makes it Jinful to speak the truth.
Judges Chafe and Bee —we would fay
many clever things of them—but alas ! fays
Britifb common law, truth is a libel.
President Adams' negociation with France
—May our commissioners return with th<
glad tidings of great joy. Peace with all
the world.—" Blessed are peace makers, for
they (hall be called the children of God."
May those who have funded illegally, be
entitled legally to refund. As we cannot
suppose that the advocates of the funding,
can have any material obje&ion to the re
funding system.
SIR,
'' l revived your kind letter of the 2d
instant, and am glad that you increase in
strength ; I hope you will continue mend
ing till you recover your former health and
firmnefs. Let me know whether you flill
use the cold bath, and what effe& it has.
“ As to the kindness you mention, I wish
it could have beqn of more service to you.
But if it had, the only thanks 1 should de
sire, is, that you would always be equally
ready to serve any other person that may
need your assistance, and so let good offices
go round, for mankind are all of a family.
“ For my own part, when I am employ
ed in serving others, I do not look upon
myfelf as conferring favors, but as paying
debts. In my travels, and since my Settle
ment, I have received much kindness from
men to whom 1 fltail never have any oppor
tunity of making the least return. And
numberless mercies from God, who is infi
nitely above being benefitted by our Services.
These kindnesses frem men I can therefore
[Much has been said about French philoJophy ; and
the difinguiJhed and patriotic , FFERSQN'is
ranked by our anglo-federalists in this clajs oj
PhiloJophers : we give a letter from the immor
tal FRANKLIN, who has been likewise di/lin
guiJhed as an Athrift, a Deist, a French philo
sopher, &c. wc. "The excellent jentiments con
tained in this letter, must put to the blu/h those
modefl and pt etended chrifians ; who have been
the base calumniators of a Franklin and a Jes
ferjon.]
Original Letter from Dr. Franklin.
Philadelphia, June 6, 1753°
[I DOL. 50 CTS. PER ANNUM.
only return on their fellow-men, and I can
only ihow my'gratitude for those mercies
from God, by a readiness to help his other
children and my brethren. For Ido not
think that thanks and compliments, though
repeated weekly, can difeharge our real ob
ligations to each other, and much less those
to our Creator. You will fee in this my
notion of good works, that I am far from
expecting, as you suppose, to merit heaven
by them. By Heaven we understand a Rate
of happiness, infinite in degree, and eternal
in duration : I can do nothing to deserve
Such rewards. Hethat for giving a draught
of water to a thirsty person should expeft to
be paid with a good plantation, would be
modett in his demands compared with those
who think they deserve heaven for the little
good they do on earth. Even the mixed,
imperfe& pleasures we enjoy in this world,
ire rather from God's goodness than our
merit ; how much more so the happiness of
Heaven. For my part, I have not the van
ity to think I deserve it, the folly to expert
it, nor the ambition to desire it ; but content
myfelf in submitting to the will and dispos
al of that God who made me, who has hi
therto preserved & blefled me, and in whose
fatherly goodness I may well confide, that
he will never make me miserable, and that
even the affiiaions I may at any time Suffer
Ihall tend to my benefit.
“ The faith you mention has doubtless its
use in the world. I do not desire to fee it
diminished, nor would 1 endeavor to lelfen
it in any man. But I wish it wee more
produaive of good works than 1 have gene
rally seen it ; I mean real goo^ works—
works of kindness, charity, mercy and pub
lic Spirit ; not holiday keeping, Sermon
reading or hearing, performing church ce
remonies, or making long prayers, filled
with flatteries and compliments, despised
even by wife men, and much left capable of
plea sing the Deity. The worship of G>d
is a duty, the hearing and reading of Ser
mons may be ufeful, but if men rest in hear
ng and praying, as too many do, it is as if
a tree should value itfelf on being watered
and putting forth leaves, though it never
produced any fruit. Our great Master
thought much less of these outward appear
ances and profeffions than many of his mod
ern disciples. He preferred 'the doers of
the word to the mere hearers, the Son that
Seemingly refufed to obey his father, and
yet performed his commands, to him that
profeffed his readiness but neglected the
work ; the heretical but charitably Samari
tan, to the uncharitable though orthodox
priest and fandified Levite ; and those who
zave food to the hungry, drink to the thirs
ty, raiment to the naked, entertainment to
the stranger, and relief to the sick, though
they never heard of his name, he declares
they shall in the last day be accepted when
those who cry Lord, Lord, who value them-
Selves on their faith, though great enough
to perform miracles, but have negk&cd
good works, (hall be reje&ed. He profil
ed he came not to call the righteous but Sin
ners to repentance ; which implied his mod
est opinion that there were Some in his time
so good that they needed rot hear him even
for improvement ; but now a days we have
Scarce a little parson that does not think it
the duty of every nian within his reach to
set under his petty ministration ; and that
whoever omits thetn offend God. I wish to
such more humility, and to you health and
happiness, being
Your Friend and Servant,
(Signed) B, Franklin.
A correspondent could not help observing
a notorious efpifcopal clergyman, who left
this town when it was evacuated by the
British, and who was obnoxious to every
republican American, for his well known
oppofrtion to our glorious revolution.
This tory Parson walked by the fide of
the President of the United States, in the
late procession in Boston, of the Seledmen,
School- Committee, &c. Does this modest
Parson obtrude himfelf ? or is he solicited
to attend on all public occasions ?—He was
observed on the 4th of July last, as a very
conspicuous character, in the procession
which moved to the Old South meeting
house, to celebrate the anniversary of Ame*
rican Independence ! 1 ! I !!!!
Conf. Te/egraphe.
A Bermingham wag advertised in his window
—" To be seen here a GUlNEA—j,riuc of admit?
tance, va< fe##,"
COMMUNICATION.