The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1783-08-26 00:00:00, page 3

An ADDRESS to the dillevented People ofAMERICA.
lAMI AM nonfood of fcrioling in public papers :Itis a busi
ness bywhi-h Attic good is to be done and less rep^cad
onto be acquired. But at this tumultuous period, wnen the
dread of a foreign enemy has given pl&e co domeiti- unea
siness and the uiianimity whi.h rebelled the common foe,
is followed by powerful comb nations against our own go
vernmen s, duty to my country hashes the whiffets. otac
ludante, and persuades me to undertake cue task, however
disagreeable.
I: appears to me that a real ignorance of political affairs
j I'the reasons of Sta e, is the principal source of that dis
! intent whi h, in some towns in this State, has proceeded
almolt to phrenxy. for this reason, I will here Rate the Con
tinemal de: tof America,and the proportion ofConue&cut.
The whole Continental debt, is forty two millions of dol
lars. Ifuppofe Connecticut to be one twelfth ,art of the
United States; o r proportion therefore of the wh Ie is
three millions fiv: hundred oiouland dollars. Connecticut
js nearly two millions on the lilt; however I wiA deduct a
quarter for bad fits ana ex°ence of collecting, and lay we
are but fifteen hundred choufand. According to th slum,
tillee mi lions, five hundred thousand dollars amounts to
two dollars and one third on a pound; whi.h would dil
charge our whole fro r ortion of the Continental deot, # 111-
cludin the commutation, and pay the expense of collecting.
The intercft of this whole sum u k on the foregoing princi
ples amounts, at fix per cent, to ten pen.c and one third of a
farthing on a pound. This fma 1 I^lll of ten pen^e on a
pound will pay the interelf of 0 4* national dent and elf.tr
blish our red,t. The commstation of half-pay is dated by
Congress at fi~e niilho sos dot ais. Our proportion of this
amounts to four hundred iixteen thousand, fix hundred sixty
fix dollars and one third of a do lar; which amounts to
twenty pence on a pound. The annual interest of tyis fam
is one penny and two fifteenths of a penny, or about half a
fa:thing on a pound.
This is a fail dating of the matter, without error or de
ceit. No part of the debt gives any uneMinefs but the com
mutation. Let us attend to this matter , and fiilf to the po
pular odjedt ons. It is la: d that Congrcls liad no powento
grant half-pa for life. If this betrue, we ought <0 arrest
Lem for High Treason, and bring their necks to the block.
It is idle to all town meetings, raise Liberty Poles, insult
brave orb ers curse our General, the greeted man on earth,
and threaten to oppose the execution of law at the hazard of
life. Tnis is Ike an attempt to dry up a fountain by
(wearing at the dream. Town meeting refolyes have no
more elfed in removing the evil, than puffs of wind;
they only expose us to the ridicule and contempt of our
neighbours..
It is Laid that the officers of the army ex orted a promise
from Congress, in times of danger and difficulty, and there
fore the promise is not obligatory. But we oughtto re
member, that if the promise is not bind.ng, the Confede
ration is ; and t 11 fu h time as more than four Rates deter
mine to rewind the resolve, it remains in force against eve-;
ry ndivid. ai Rate. A refufal of any one Ra.e to comply 1
with that resolve, diholves the union and anihilgtes our ex
istence. France and Holland may go to Novi-Zembla or
Otaheite for the money we owe them ; tor the Thirteen U
nited States of America wif no longer exist. However, the
charge againtt the army is falfe and scandalous. They ne
ver solicited for half-pay—they found they could not subsist
without r ay —numbers of officers resigned and others re
quested iberty to do th fame. General Washington, a
larmed at the , rofpe& of a total diliolution of the Army, or
at least of losing his belt officers, f?nt 10 Congress a lilt of
resignations from time to time, importuning them to adopt
some de- five measures for keeping officers in the service, :
and recommending h,if-pay. He felt as a patriot feels when
his country is running headlong ti deltru&ion --lie,felt
like a General who has an empire to preserve with a hand
ful of men-- he a&ed like a gre^t statesman who chooses
to preserve life and freedom at the expence of property. Con
gress did he fame ; they chose a Committee who wai ed on
his Excellency General Washington—who agreed with them
in a re, on to Congress for ha f-pay for Lie ; and so far from
$0 ictng it, the ar y did not know the meafpre was in agi
tation, til he resolve of Congress was published in general
orders. But upon hearing the resolve, the officers conferr
ed to continue in service, and live upon their fr.ends and
the r own private interest, till they had seen the con.lufion of
the war. This is no rime ; every citizen would have done
the faDie. You fay, no matter, if the army had d Ifolved,
ano her could have been raised. This is the language of
children and foolf. Is it poflib'e that when one army had
just left the field for want of pay, another could have been
raised wimo t ash ? The idea is perfectly ridiculous, One
half of the fol iers deferred and the other half were kept to
gether with the fear ofche halter. Hope in the officers and
fear in the so d ers kept them in, the field and secured oar
Independence, Necessity induced Congress to take many
meat, res whi h you d have been unp Rifiable upon any
ocher principle. Necefli y, arising from wane of credit,
obliges us to give 4 and 5 per cent, for loans in Europe,
when nations, whose credit is eftabli bed, borrow for three
and an half, We may just as well curse France for demand
ing higher interest from us, than other nations give, as to
curse our army for demanding unusual wages. In boo cases
it is our misfortune and not their crime. A bankrupt molt
not expert to borrow money at so low intereltas a man of
property ; and when we keep men out of the r demands for a
long tone, they have a right to exped a generous cam penfa
tion. It was our misfortune to begin the war without the
least preparation ; and we ought to submit cheerfully to the
inconvenien es resulting from our wants.
We are told that without the five years pay the officers are
in better circumftan.es than when they entered the service.
This is not universally the case ; in particular instances it is.
But where is the man that wishes to fee them return home
vi&oriQis, without bettering their circumstances ? This
would be the he gh: of envy and ingratitude. It is a crime
to wishit. If some have made fortunes by handling public
money, bring them to trial ; and if they have been honest
men, let their innocence be evinced ; if dishonest, let them
be punished. It is childish, nay wicked, to charge the pub,
Jic Servants with robbing the public and let them pass un
punished. B tis they have made money honestly in public
),rv 4 fc, even thy' they have risen from bankruptcy to inde-
pendence, none but rascals will envy them or refufe them
an honed dett. ,
Weare to d that the resolve of Congress does not equal
juftiie, as it makes no diltinaion between 0 e who has
feived eight years and one who has served but one. This is
areal ground for complaint even among the officers. How
f.r the dignity of Congress or the Army forbid any dilcri
mination of this kind, lam not competent to judge. But
if any a teration can now be made, it np It be done by Cou
grtfs ; the States can have no further influence in the mat
ter than by inftrußing the r Del: gates to change the tenor ct
the resolve. And even then it is a question wi hme whether
the Sates, in their legislative capacity, have power to give
such inftrudions ; or whether Congress have power to re
feind their resolve. They made a contract wth the Army,
upon certain conditions. The Army have complied with
the conditions, —they have performed the services required
- -and have Congress a ign t 0 a ter the contract without
the consent of the other party ? If they have, ad eu to all
public faith, Hol and and France have no security for their
money —the holders as Loan ( diice Certificates and 0 her
public securities, have nothing 0 depend on but the whim
of Congress and their conßituentS:—and the Lord have
mer y on us all !
It is objected that there are some worthlcfs officers, who
were a nuisance 10 the fervi.e, and certainly these can de
serve no e traordinary reward : This is true ; but it is utter
ly impossible to afeertain the [recife merits of every officer.
Nothing short of omniftience can do this. The Supreme
Ruler of the universe fullers the fame objection to his moral
government of the world ; the good and the bad share alike
in the benefits of his munificence ; the wheat and the chaff
grow together 'till har.eß : And why should - mortals at
tempt a perfection of civil go ernment which the Deity has
not seen fit to introduce into the moral system. If it be pos
sible for Congress to proportion pecuniary rewards to the
merits of every man, let them do it: But firice it is imprac
ticable— let us bear chearfu ly the least evil of two —let a
few worthlcfs, coxcombs share with men of meric; for it is
a maxim in law, that it is better for ten guilty persons to es
cape punishme t, than for one innocent person to fuffer.
It is said that there is an unjust dferimination made be
tween the officers and soldiers—as the former have five
years full pay, and the latter but one. Very well ; then let
the particular States make the reward equal. They are a'l
entitled to one year's extra wages, which, with the enor
mous bounties given to those who entered the service late,
makes them upon a par with the offices. Those who en
tered the service at an early period, are real fufferers and
ought to receive some farther reward, either by an exempti
on from taxation or by some gratuities from the Adembl.es.
This ought to be done ; it will be ingratitude to negleft it.
I have only to observe upon this point, that every man who
has paid his taxes, has, in the course of the war, paid to the
soldiers in bounties, more than double his share of the com
mutation. This I am bold to assert is a truth which can
not be controverted.
Much has beep said about the merits and fufferings of the
militia; vepy well; let them be rewarded. But Congress
have nothing to do with this matter : I" is the tufinefs of
the State. Lay before the alfembly an account ofyour losses
and petition for redress. The way is open—Congress and
General Washington wish to have every Offering patriot
rewarded handfomly and equally. But they have no concern
with the militia-- these must apply to the refpedive assem
blies ; —you have the fame right to petition to these assem
blies for fat sfadion, that the Continental army had to ap
ply to Congress ; butyou can ask no-comoenfation for losses
you have not ascertained ; nor can you expe& the assembly
will give you a reward, for which you never petitioned :
Cease therefore, to wrangle about a matter which has no
connexion with commutation ; and seek for redress from
the proper authority.
P. S. In the remainder ! shall Rate the folly of Connec
ticut, and the plan or a system of finance to be introduced
by which an annual sum often pence on the pound will dis
charge the PRINCIPAL as well as INTEREST of the nation
al debt in the period of twenty-five years.
TO S OL %
Ac Capt. DAVID MUMFORD's Score,
In New-London.
Large Glass, by the Box or
fmHler quantity, from 14 by 18 to 16 by at, French inches
hiicable for clocks, coats of aims, ar pißurcs. ALSO,'
Bandy, Geneva, Anizette, red and brown
Hair Plush.
„ JOHN PENEVERT.
Anguft 21, 1783,
BEi\jAiWijft^WA
HER EBY inform the Non-Commissioned Officers and
s ?/l':' s " f / h ' 2d Regiment Light Dragoons, that
they will deliver the bell of European, East or Weft-India
GOODS, at their Score, at little north of the Court Hsufe
in Litchfield, for which they will take Orders on their Three
Month. P A y, on the year 1783.---Any other Soldiers, who
have wages due as above, may trade on the fame terms.---
Notes ot the Hon. Robert Morris, Bank Notes, many
articles of Country Produce, or even Cash, will be received
far any Goods in Hore, which will be fold on the lowed
cerias.
Litchfield, August 20, 1783.
Just Publfed, ''
And now Selling by the Printers hereof, Messrs.
Petar & Daniel Read, New-Haven, and
Mr. Isaaac Johnson, New-Stratford.
'1 he Double Conspiracy,
Or Treason Discovered, but
not Punished.
A Matter of Fa&,, delineated after the Life, in
the Form of a Play.
SUPERFINE, second and
Ceahe Broadcloths.
Shalloons,
Durants of all colours.
Pink and blfick Callimancoes
and Ruflell.
A variety of Sowing Silk and
Twills.
White Gauze and Catgut.
Moreens.
Buckram.
Coatings and Serges.
White Flannel,
Metal, death-head & basket
Burtons.
Olive colour'd Velvet and
Thickfett.
Nankeens.
Fuftain.
Black Prunella and Lastings.
Irish Linens.
White and brown Platilla
Linens'
Britanias, Dowlas, Russia
Sheeting and Drilling.
Check'd Linen.
Black and white Silk Gloves.
White and other coloured
Mens and womens Leather
Do.
Black and light blue India
Taffacy.
Luteftrihg.
Pink and blue Sarfenet.
Black Mode and Belong.
Black Persian.
Black Crape.
Black and check'd Silk Hand
kerchiefs. ,
Linen and Cotton do.
A variety of Ribbons and
Tastes.
Black Ostrich Feathers.
Beautiful colour'd Feathers.
Sprigs and Head Flowers.
Quality and Shoe-Binding of
all colours.
Beaver, Castor & Felt Hatts.
Cambrick and Lawn.
Fine and coarse Thread.
Wide and narrow Tapes.
Dutch Laces.
Cap Wire.
White Cotton Stockings,
White and colour'd Siak do.
Black and other Fans.
Childrens Morocco Shoes.
Ladies Pocket-Books.
An affortmenc of Looking-
Gl&Tes.
Iron rim Locks, with Rings
and Knobs.
Desk and Drawee Locks.
Knob and Thumb Latches.
Double and single spring
Stock Locks,
Chest and Cupboard do.
Iron and Brass Pad Locks.
Raifors, Cuttoe Knives,
Barlow and other Pen do.
Leather anti paper Ink Stands,
Shoe Buckles,
Shoe and Knee Chapes and
Tongues.
Hertford, August ay, 178,
Hartford County, August 23d, 1783.
IT being the desire of many refpettable towns
in the counties of Hartlord, New-Haven,
Fairfield and Litchfield, lignified by their com
mittees, already chosen for the purpose, that
there should be aGENRRAt. Convention of the
several towns in this State, at Middletown, on.
the firft Wednesday of September next, at nine
o'clock, in the morning at the town-house
chamber ;---to confider what ought to be done
upon the fubje& of Commutation, in order
to some Conititutional Mode of Redress, &c. &c.
This therefore is to notify the several towns in
this State, then and there to meet by their Dele
gates duly chosen, for the purposes aforefaid.
The Printer in the County of New-London is
defled.to insert this in his next weekly Paper,
in order for a full notification, in the premises.
Ihomas Seymour, Hugh Ledlie, 7
George Smith, Seth Collins,+
Daniel Pitkin, J
Committee for the Townof Hartford*
By order of Committee of Wethersfield,
John Robbins, Chairman.
By order of the Committee of Glaftenbury,
\Wait Goodrich.
William & Joseph hart
Have for Sale at their Store in Hartford,
BEST Jamaica Spirits and Grenada Rum, by the hogshead
or barrel.
Nantz Brandy.
Ruflia and Ravens Duck, per bolt.
A few Pieces oflrish Linens, And
Many other Articles, which will be fold on the lowcftTerms
for Cash.
Just come to Hand, and now Selling
By Daniel jones & Co.
Opposite the Printing-Office:
Stock Buckles,
Childrens Clasps.
Large and small Sciffars;
Shears.
Jews Harps.
H and HL Hinges,
Table Butts.
Desk Hinges,
Brass Knobs,
Wood Screws, Ring do.
Brass Nail,.
Escutcheon Pins.
Plated anh Steel Spurs,
Stirrup Irons.
Girths of various Kinds.
Temple and other Spectacles;
Tobacco and Snuff Boxes.
Coarse and Fine Combs.
Horse Brushes,
Shoe, Buckle and Teeth do;
Brass and Steel Thimbles,
Steel Top'd do.
Half round, flat and three
fquate Files.
Carpenters Rules,
Compasses, Nail Gimblets,'
Marking Irons.
Nippers, AwlElades & Tacks
Sieve Buttons, Shirt do.
Shoe Knives.
Japan'd Candlesticks and
Snuffers.
Pound and other Pins,
Whice-Chappel Needles.
Nutmeg Graters.
Case Knives and Forks.
Capenters & Shoe Hammers;
Cuny Combs.
Iron Wire,
German and Swedish Steel,
jd. ^d. Bd. lod. & 2qJq
Nails.
Powder, Shot and Flints.
Barr Lead.
Frying-Pans,
Iron Hollow Ware.
Crown and Bar Soap.
Corks.
Copperas, per cwt.
Roil Brimstone, per do;
Allum.
Bonnet and Cartridge Paper;
Ink Cake and Powder,
Writing Paper, per ream or
quire.
Lead Pencils.
Watch Seals.
Cow-Skin Whips*
Wool & Cotton Cards.
White-Lead.
ALSO,
Rum, Sugar, Tea, Coffee &
Chocolate.
Lisbon Wine.
Geneva, in cases.
Rice.
Raisins.
Alfpice.
Cotton Wool.
Best Rock Salt.
Leiper's belt Bladder Snuffy
Pigtail and Plug Tobacco,
&;, &c. &c. *