Republican ledger, and Portsmouth price current — Portsmouth, N.H., 1802-12-28 00:00:00, page 2

tranquility, and have had the fitisfadion
to reflea, if you was not flattered, you was
not deJpfed; you never became the dupe of
a party, or the sport of those who made anin
ftrument of your crudulity ; —firm, manly,
hnd decisive, you never was obliged to apol
gize for your condua, by laying the blame
on those who presumed to dictate through an
" expe&ed or c/nexpeaed quarter" No—
you was a politician equal to yopr emergen
cies, &: certainly you was placed in a respon
sible situation, when the most critical pre
caution was necessary for your judgment.
When the proscription of Britan entwined
you and Hancock, as viaims to satiate
their vengeance, even at this momentous
crisis, Adams and Hancock never loop
ed to become suppliants for Ministerial or
Tory clemency. Your fellow-citizens,
Venerable Patriot, will ever embalm your
memory with their praise, and your name
will never be mentioned without reverting to
the magnitude of your virtues and the pre- 1
¥, eminent testimonies you have given of your
unbiased attachment to their freedom and
happiness. You have done your duty, and
no man can impeach your fidelity.
In this Number, I have chosen to felea
among the variety ofcircumHances attending
the Revolution, the Boflon Massacre. This
was the touchstone of the Englilh fyflem of
taxation. After the troops had arrived in
Bolton, every method was taken to bring
on a rupture ; they found town meeting
altercations were needless ; their only resort
was, to arms and the'/bedding of blood; The
Tories always held up to the Ministry, that
we were poltroons, and that the firft man
killed would end the controversy. The
Fifth of March Massacre was planned upon
this derogatory supposition ; the Ministry
expeded after they had displayed their pro
wess and evinced their determination, that
the citizens of America would have been
intimidated from any further opposition ;
but when they found that the blood of the
Americans operated like oil to the flame, they
became dismayed. The firmnefs of the
town of Boston on this occasion, was the
basis of the Revolation ; thi, was the trial of
principle ; this was putting theory into
practice. The conduct of Britain was
bringing our Town-Meeting Resolves to
the test, and this was the period when the
Republicans gave an unequivocal evidence
of their prtriotifm. The Tradesmen of Bol
ton were alert to the cause of their country !
they gave support to the adive citizens who
pledged their lives and fortunes in vindica
tion of the rights of the people ; they were
an irresistible body, and when they moved
within the orbit of Freedom and rose superi
or to Tory influence,all opposition fell before
them. The Tradesmen were fully informed
of the importance of the controversy, and
when they spoke, their voice was audible
and decisive. The independent Merchants
were not inactive, as we were not cursed at
this period with a body of mercantile rnufh
rooms, who live on the fcniles of a Britifo
Majler, and wno dare not aft cont ray to his
dictates. The Farmers also came forward
to vindicate their rights as Freemen ; this
valuable part of the community never failed
„hen their exertions were necessary ; on
this independent body we ever did, and ever
ipuft rely ; they are the itamina of our gov
ernment, and the great palladium of our
constitutional privileges. The Counties of
Midd/efex and Norfolk (till retain the horrors
of a British banditti, as they well remember
the sanguinary onset of a mercenary soldiery
on the commencement of hostilities ; the
19th of April, 1775, w "' impress on their
minds, the dreadful effects of Monarchy and
toryifm. Lexington was a telegraph, which
conveyed the intelligence to the remotest
parts of the continent—like the Star in the
E^/,mentioned in fcriptore,it directed Wash
ington to the fpot,where the camp of Ameri
ca was formed, to effe& the salvation of
Freementyfrom this moment the Americans
were alivtyo their situation, and nothing
short of hfrn could have infpited them
with their partial intrepidity, valor and
prowess ; utyepared with every warlike
implement, t^y were obliged to seek pow
der from the,vcq earth under their ancient
buildings, and, like the dull of Egypt by the
wand of Aaron, Ufyas converted to the pur
pose of annoying and distressing their ene
mies.
I have particularly feleded, as is before
observed, the fubjeft of the Lofton Maffacrt.
When this took place, the controvercy in
this country involved in it the right of the
British government to tax America ; they
sent troops to enforce jt. In this Rate of
things, could any patriotjuftify, fora trifling
fee, the indiferiminate slaughter of his fel
low citizens, merely from the unruly con
dud of a number of boys? Wm. Paine,
Esq. a worthy citizen, was wounded at his
door, and every man, woman and child were
more protested by providence, than the len
ity of the murderers. Would the people of
, London have permitted a band of soldiers
' (without even the formality of reading the
' Riot-ad) to spread death and carnage
through the metropolis ? And yet Mr. John
Adams, amidst the agonizing state of the
town, came forward and jnftihed PreJim
and his associates, for the daughter of his
countrymen. Not that I would wish. to
cenfur^ from party motives fr aQbis length,
time, his extraordinary behaviour ; but
when he saw the conduA of the Court in
packing a Jury, and their determination to
clear the pilferers, it ofight to have excited
his abhorrence, rather than his clemency.
The object of the Court was, totyace the
military above the tivil power, and 1 am sor
ry to observe, that Mr. Adams, as a Law
yer, facrificed his principles as a Patriot, by
affixing the British in this nefarious . design.
For if the country had been subjugated, the
arguments of Mr. John Adams would have
been plead as an authority, to substantiate
prompt decisions of the military, above the
legal, deliberate determinations of the civil
authority.
I would not dwell too long on this cir
cumstance relating to Mr. John Adams as I
believe the suggestion is fufficient to con
vince him of the impropriety of his conduct.
Whether the main guard of British troops
Should dispense the laws in a country where
their whole authority was disputed, was, the
question on which Preston and his associates
ought to have been tried.
The controversy had gone beyond the tri
fling consideration of a lawyer's fee ; the
important question of civil and military
boundary was to be ascertained, and when
a pretended patriot became the advocate for
a prompt decision of powder & ball (without
even the formality of a justice of'Peace) the
British naturally concluded, that a few guin
eas would silence our clamors, and bring
our leading charaders to juftify their mea
sures.
The political state of our country requires
us to look back, in order to take some line of
departure, by which we may draw our deci
sions. The Fifth of March Massacre in my
opinion, is the era which decided characters
within the town of Boston in the estimation
of Britain. They never forgave Semuel
Adams or John Hancock for infixing on the
removal of the troops ; English pride rose
indignant at the action ; this was the unpar
danable fin, which led to their proscription
—but while they thirsted for the blood of
these Patriots, gratitude ever induced them
to refpe& those who assisted a venal Court
release the murderers. At this moment, the hand
writing was discovered “ Mene TekeT Upharfin,"
which is thus interpreted, the man who vindicates
the murderers of his townsmen is found wanting
in patriotism.
_ OLD-SOUTH.
Foreign articles.
London, Oil. it.
It is reported in some well informed cir
cles that the Cabinet Council, which fat on
Saturday lad, took*very ferioua business into
consideration, and resolved on very import
ant fteds. The affairs of Switzerland, con
neded with the general conduct of France
were difeuffed ; and it was resolved that
not only this country should remonstrate
against the eondud of the Chief Consul in
attacking the independence of Switzerland,
but we fliould call on other courts to second
our efforts in putting a flop to his ambitious
career. For this purpose, Mr. Moore, of
Lord Hawkefbury's office, who assisted in
the negociations at Amiens, has been sent
from Harwich through Holland to Vienna,
to solicit the Imperial Court, in conjunct
tion with that of Great Britain to remon
strate against the attempt of France to ever
throw the ancient government of Switzer
land, for an overthrow it will be, since it
has been re-eftabliihed at the desire of the
people.
Nov 3 —The Helvetic Senate has re
turned to Berne, and the old constituted au
thorities have resumed their fundions.
General Ney has been appointed Minister
Extraordinary to the Helvetic Republic ;
and in the felf-diffolution of the Diet of
Schwitz, we have proof that the will of the
First Consul is acknowledged to be irrefifta
ble.
An Organic Senatus Confultum granting
to all foreigners who shall introduce any^
new inventions in the ufeful arts into the
Republic, augment the indyftry of the coun
try, or increase its capital ; the rights of
French citizens after a residence of one year
has been proclaimed as a law. It is to be
in force during five years from the date of
its publication.
In consequence of the inference of the
First Consul with the Regency of Tripoli, in
favor of Sweden, a treaty has been conclud
ed between the Pacha and the Swedish gov
ernment. It does not, however, appear to
be either advantageous or honorable, as this
piratical power is fully acknowledged, and
Sweden agrees to pay within fix months the
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand piaftres
in specie, and a yearly tribute of eight thou
sand more.
Philadelphia, dec. 13.
Don Diego Merphy, his Catholic Majes
ty's Consul, for North and South Carolina
Latent ®ails.
OFFICIAL.
and Georgia, acquaints the merchants and
traders, within his Consular jurifdiafon^
that he has received official information from
his ExcelleneyQe Governor of St. Augus
tine dating that all the ports in that province
are shut up to all neutral vessels ; but. that
the citizens of the United States shall be per
mitted tj trade finher in Spanish bottoms,
agreeably to thi Royal Order of the 19th
June, 1,3. _ Noy. 24,..
They who have been alarmed by the ma
lignant reports refpe&ing Mr Jefferfon, on
the fubje& of the return of Mr. Paine to
America, would ad a candid part if they
would read a publication relative to this fub
je& in a Maryland Paper. Upon Mr.
Paine's arrival he was alked the question,
after having been properly prepared for a
for a serious answer, if it were true that he
was invited to America by president Jeffer
fon r To which question Mr. Paine treely
replied, that Mr. Jefferfon had no concern
in the business, dire&ly or indirectly, ex-
f Gaining himfelf as he since has done in the
etter which relates to his return.
I Sal. Reg.
' President's Message.
The PreJident's Message was delivered to both
boufes of Congrejs, by Mr. Lewis, bis Sec-
retary, on Wednesday the fifteenth injl, at
twelve o'clock. ,
To the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives of the United States.
WHEN we assemble together,
fellow citizens, to confider the
state of our beloved country, our just
attentions are firft drawn to those pleas
ing circumstances which mark thegood
nefs of that Being from whose favor they
flow, and the large measure of thank
fulnefs we owe for his bounty. Ano
ther yea^has come round, and finds us
frill blessed with peace and friendship a-
The warlike appearances of Europe in
volve no necessary belief of a war. The af
fairs of Switzerland which were the firft
pretence are probably to be fettled at the
will of the firft Consul of France.—
Talleyrand gives a very unfavorable account
of the character of the opposition, and pro
bably on account of the deeped prejudices
against the French influence in their coun
try. The Council of War at Berne, repro,
bate the measure of the government in cal
ling foreign aid, but while they deprecate
the attempt of a resistance, appeal to the
generous .virtue of the firft Consul, which
imperious necessity makes the only hope of
their country.
The affairs of Malta seem tending to a
favorable issue, and the Parliament of En
gland was to meet on the 16th of Novem
ber. We may expert from that event a
more complete knowledge of the state of
English politicks. The change in the gov
ernment of Ruflia has a pacific appearance.
The affairs of the Empire will probably be
foop accommodated entirely. We cannot
refufe to hope for a pacification. The
French minister had actually reached En
gland, and the English minister was ready
to go for Paris. < .
We have been furnished with official in
formation refpe&ing the adually (hutting,
of the Spanish ports by order of the Gov
ernor at St. Augustine, but no special or
ders from the. Spanish Court have yet ap
peared concerning N. Orleans in particular
refpe&ing which we have some claims by
treaty. The President's speech may inform
us on this fubjed
The affairs of St. Domingo are evidently
becoming more desperate. The loss of
Gen. Le Clerc, the firft in command, mult
be* seriously felt. Rochambeau succeeds
him. The last reports are the moll diftref
hng.
NEW-YORK, DEC. 16.
A London paper mentions the arrival of
5000 negroes in France from Guadaloupe.
LOSS OF THE SHIP MONTICELLO.
Accounts from Cape-Cod, inform that
the valuable (hip Monticello, (formerly the
Merrimack (loop of war) Capt. Newell,
from the I fle-ot- France, with a cargo of
sugar, coffee, &c. is on shore near Morris
Island, back of Chatham—We underhand,
that she is insured to the amount of 150,000
dollars in Boston, viz. at the Fire and Ma
rine Office 40,000, Brooks, 40,000, Marine
J O,OOO, Hays's 20,000, and Taylor's 20,000.
t is said the went on shore, on Tuefday ev
ening last through the miscalculation of the
pilot—She fired Ggnal guns of distress, and
boats went of to her on Wednesday morn
ing.—She is bilged ; but we learn, that fix
hundred bags of pepper have been saved :
and that there were boats along fide taking
out the wet coffe, &c.
SALAM, DEC. 23.
FOREIGN SUMMARY.
-<-«g4fy„»-b
broad, law, order, and religion at home,
good affection and harmony with our
Indian neighbors, & our burthens lights
ened, yet our income fufficient for the
public wants, and the produce of the
year great beyond example. These,
fellow-citizens, are the circumstances
under which we meet ; and we remark,
with special fatisfadion, those which un
der the smiles of Providence, result from
the skill, induftry,-and ordet-ofour citi
zens, managing their own affairs in their
own way, and for their own use, unem
barrassed by too much regulation, un
oppreffed by fifeal exactions.
On the restoration of peace in Europe,
that portion of the carrying trade, which
had fallen to our share during the war,
was abridged by the returning - compe
tition of the belligerent, powers. This
was to be expected and was just. But,
in addition, we find, in some parts of
Europe,, monopolizing discriminations,
which, in the form of duties, tend effect
tually to prohibit the carrying thittet,
our own produce in our own vessels.—
From existing amities, and a spirit of'
justice, it is hoped that friendly difeuf
fion will produce a fair and adequate re-,
ciprocity. But should falfe .calculation^
of interest defeat out hope, it rests with
the legiflatyre to decide whether , they
will meet inequalities abroad with coun,-
tervailing inequalities at home, or pp
vide for the evilih any other way.
It is with fatisfadion I lay before you
an ad of the British Parliament antici
pating this fubje&, so far as to authorife
a mutual abolition of the duties and
countervailing duties, permitted under
the treaty of 1794. It (hews on their
part, a ipirit of justice and friendly, ac
commodation, which it is our duty and
our interest to cultivate with all nations.
Whether this would produce a due e
quality in the navigation between • the
two countries, is a fubjed for your con
sideration.
Another circumstance which claims
attention, as dired.y affecting the very
source of our navigation, is the defect,
or the evasion of the law, providing for
the return of seamen, and particularly
ofthofe belonging to veflcls fold abroad.,
Numbers of them, difeharged in foreign
ports, have been thrown on the hands)
of our cqnfuls, who to refeue them from •
the dangers into which their distresses
might plunge them, and save them tp.
their country, have found it necessary
in some cases, to return them at the.
public charge.
The cession of the Spanilh province
of Louisiana to France, which took
place in the course of the late-war, will,
if carried into effed, make a change in
the afped of our foreign relations, which
will doubtless have just weight in any
deliberations of the legislature conned
ed with that fubjed. ',
There was reason, not long since to
apprehend that the warfare in which we
were engaged with Tripoli might betak
en up by some other of the Barbary
powers. A reinforcement, therefore,
was immediately ordered to the vessels
already there. Subsequent information,
however, has removed these apprehend
fions for the present. To secure our
commerce in that sea with the finalleft:
force competent, we have fuppoled it
best to watch ftridly the harbor of Tri
poli. Still, however, the fhallowncfs of
their coast, and the want of smaller veG
fels on our part, has permitted some
cruisers to escape unobserved ; and to
one of these an American vessel upfor-.
tunately fell a prey. The captain, one
American seaman, and two others of
colour, remain prisoners with them ; —<
unless exchanged under an agreement
formerly made with the Bafhaw, ta
whom, on the faith of that, some of his
captive fubjeds have been restored,
The convention with the state of
Georgia has been ratified by their legif,
lature, and a repurchase from the Creeks
has been CQnfeqqently made, of a part
of the Talaffee country. In this pur
chase, has 'been also comprehended a
part of ths lands within the fork of O.
conee and Oakmulgee rivers. The par
ticulars of the contrast will, be laid be,
fore Congress so soon as they fhal lbe^
a state for communication.