The Kentucke gazette (Lexington [Ky.]), 1787-11-10 00:00:00

K E N T U C K E G A Z E T T E.
S A T U R D A Y, NOVEMBER 10, 1787.
A LETTER addressed to NOVICIATUS,
SIR,
THE blood red hands, and the distorted features, with which the Virginian appeared at the last Convention, were the intimate companions of a distempered brain. The late animadversions on his political character and publications, had unhappily aggravated a disorder, of which alarming symptoms had before frequently been observed in his conduct; and his last composition confirms the melancholy fact, that a desperate insanity hath seized him.
As you, Sir, (though I believe it was far from your intention,) have contributed to the increase of his misfortune, it seems peculiarly ungenerous in you (excuse plain dealing) to ridicule what should rather be considered his affliction than his crime. To account for this inhumanity, I must suppose, that being a stranger to him, you have not adverted to his condition. Therefore, I shall take the liberty of proposing a few of the many questions suggested by himself, which, I am persuaded, will convince you of your error.
How do you account for his not entering into the merits of the cause he was anxious to plead, until after its final decision?
When he attempts to reason, does he not wander into a rhapsody of words without pertinent ideas?
Like other Bedlamites, does he not affect superior sagacity, and realize dangers that the sober-minded know to be mere phantoms?
Can it be possible for a man, who seldom goes into company but when business calls him, & who never solicited the interest or the vote of an individual, to court honour and popularity?
Is it not madness to boast, that he is an honest inoffensive man, and at the same time, be guilty of the most glaring perversions of truth and scurrilous abuse?
Would any one in his sober senses glory in a petition, that is fraught with the most injurious falsehoods?
Is it possible for a christian in his right mind to apply passages taken from the sacred records, to the most ludicrous and perverse purposes?
Are not all lunatics subject to the most unaccountable terrors and disgusts in some instances, whilst they manifest an uncommon degree of genius in others? This is precisely the case with the Virginian . His strokes of wit are exquisitely sublime, & the delicacy & keenness of his satire are absolutely incomparable; but when he turns his attention to the Great Men of Kentucky , hear how he raves. Fortune hunter, tyrants, parricides, vultures, the most unparelleled monsters of iniquity. Then in a moment he is filled with horror, as if a pack of hell-hounds were let loose upon him. He prepares himself for the most excruciating torments devoutly prays to God, and with christian fortitude and resignation yields up the ghost.
When I read his last performance, it brings to my remembrance a Gentleman, who, to disprove a charge of lunacy, removed a brick building to a more commodious situation, by a device that could never have engaged the thoughts of a reasonable man. But unluckily the expence amounted to four times the value of the house, which effectually confirmed the charge. So the Virginian by labouring to display superior talents, has proclaimed to the public, what was only suspected before by a few,--- that he is a madman.
Now, Sir, instead of exhorting him to be a good man, (which in charity you ought to believe is true of all but Satan,) you had recommended the well known remedies of shaving, blistering, and low diet, as indispensable to his case, you would have given a better proof of your penetration and skill. You ought also to have suggested to his friends, the necessity of administering large doses of Ratan to allay the turbulence of his spirits, without which the other articles may not be efficacious.
Perhaps you will retort, and say that I have been imprudent as yourself. I confess the fault: and, by way of apology, beg leave to observe, That I considered his publications, and some of his more private compositions, as malicious attempts to assassinate the characters of those who had thwarted his ambitious designs. Therefore, as a murderer is executed to prevent a repetition of the crime, I stated his political conduct and principles in their true point of view, that he might no longer have it in his power to injure others. But when I find that he has likewise suffered his envy and ambition to destroy his own rationality, I am resolved never again to interrupt the CRAZY DOCTOR.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 27th day of October, 1787.
A KENTUCKEAN.
B. Brooke
Mr. BRADFORD,
AMONG all the objects which have in any age employed the attention of mankind, the education of youth is of the first importance. All moral and political writers have considered it in this light, and volumes have been composed on the subject. Perhaps nothing can reflect a greater disgrace upon human nature than the general neglect of those easy and natural methods by which the tender minds may be enlightened and the heart impressed with the principles of virtue and honour. The sad misfortune is, that superstition and party spirit have generally snatched the business out of the hands of the liberal and disinterested, and our youth are from their cradle inlisted for the service of some sect or interest in church or state. Every neighbourhood encourages schools under different teachers according to the different doctrines which are prevailing among the people; and in the paltry contention for a trifling salary, the masters degenerate into traders of knowledge and consult more what will sell best, than what will be of most advantage to their pupils in future life. In such a situation there are but two resources for the encouragement of real knowledge and the improvement of the human mind. Either the state must take up the management of this important business, as is proposed by one of the laws or bills in the revised code of Virginia; or a number of select and honourable gentlemen must be intrusted with it and enabled to undertake considerable designs for the benefit of the rising generation. Such a body of men I have hoped to see in the trustees of the Transylvania seminary, especially as there seems to be many gentlemen of respectable characters appointed from the different denominations among us. I think there ought to be different denominations to preserve a jealousy in those cases where the writer who appears in your fourth paper says it is a virtue; and watchfulness where it is a duty. I think also it is very happy that they are men of respectable characters and enlarged minds; because if they were not those jealousies might degenerate into feuds or quarrels and that watchfulness might produce a continual opposition to every proposition for the public good. Whenever there appears any unnecessary delay in the steps which are calculated to promote the design of such an institution; it must arise from one of these causes either a weak and unjustifiable jealousy; or from the discovery of partial intentions and unjust views in those who have recommended any particular plan. I am far from presuming to say that the honourable board have made unnecessary delays. If they have I am far from judging from which of these causes their delays have arisen. However it is pretty evident that if any plan is ever proposed or espoused without the appearance of moderation and impartiality; no authority can prevent jealousies from arising, and when they have taken place it will require more than professions of liberality to remove them. Wisdom and virtue Catholicus excellently observes, are the faithful guardians of liberty; and for this reason it is incumbent upon the Trustees of the Transylvania seminary to be faithful guardians of wisdom and virtue. For though the policy of our country has cut the sinews of ecclesiastical ambition by abolishing all partial emoluments; yet it is possible that religious faction may be more than ideal. There was a time when christianity was the general religion of a country without any partial emoluments; and yet faction soon began to rage with excessive fury. If then the board should exercise an absolute credulity in the Teachers of any particular denomination; might they not soon possess those partial emoluments in an opulent seminary which the policy of their country may have denied them? Or if a majority of Teachers might be chosen from any one denomination, as Catholicus seems to plead; would not those, who have the most learned men among them gain the ascendancy from the beginning, and probably hold it out to the end? I am not for banishing religion from seminaries of learning; but I think there is a difference between schools and churches. It will be sufficient to inspire the tender minds of youth with a reverence for the religion of their country; and a sincere benevolence for all who profess it. But there are only two ways that I can see to prevent
a seminary of learning from being subservient to the views of a particular sect. Either the teachers must be chosen in some equal manner from the different denominations of christians; or the board should take effectual measures to make the Teachers sensible that they are employed to enlarge the mind and not to hamper it with prejudices; that they are to promote virtue and the love of truth by their conversation and example; not to train up their pupils for the controversies of particular sects. I offer these thoughts to the public as an individual who am concerned for the welfare of others; and as a particular well-wisher to the Transylvania seminary. I have so good an opinion of the Honourable Board, that I am persuaded they will never employ their influence to serve the ends of any party. They will never sacrifice to partial or private interest the property which has been intrusted with them for the most important purposes of society. Whenever they can see the district prepared to receive the benefits of the institution, they will cheerfully set about their work: but they will not be induced by the subscriptions of one party to misapply the contributions of others.
A TRANSYLVANIAN.
Measter BRADFORD,
I Had a great liking to Measter Catholicus when ever I read his sermon to the Trustees, reproving them for the shameful neglect of their duty. I thought his treatise very edifying I can assure you and did not expect that any man would be so audacious as to gainsay what he wrote. I do think if Roger Dean had ever enjoyed the advantage of a learned education he would not distract the meaning of such a deep righter. How could he be such a fool as to think that the history of any heathen god could be unknown to such a man. I am mighty glad to see him so well answered: for I am certain it can be none but Catholicus himself under a fictitious name. For all our great righters take upon them fictitious names that they may escape our applause. I was right down glad to see how cleverly he beat Roger Dean in his own way: for he has spelt ten words wrong for Roger's one. Ay let Measter Catholicus alone, faith. He'll take care of himself I'll warrant ye. He's the only righter I ever saw who instructed me, that it was a duty to REGARD THE INTEREST OF OUR MORTAL PARTS THAT WE MAY THE BETTER SECURE THE INTEREST OF OUR IMMORTAL PARTS. Confound me if I have not always suspected that it was better to mind the main chance, and now I find it is better for the next world as well as the present. I am the more confirmed in this notion because I see the preachers of the gospel sometimes right keen after the affairs of this world, and they either quit it for some other calling or look plaguy cast down when matters do not go right. So Sir, I think Measter Catholicus is a very good Christian and his gainfayers ought for shame to stop their mouths.
I am sir,
Your humble servant PADDY MONEY-MAN.
Copy of a Letter written by Captain Sullivan, to his Excellency Don Diego Gordoque, his Catholic Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, extracted from the Columbian Herald , of the 6th Inst. printed at Charleston, South Carolina, the Editor of which asserts that it was taken from an original Copy in the Author's own hand writing.
State of Georgia, Frontier of the Creek Nation, 1st of March, 1787.
May it please your Excellency,
HAVING waited thus far in expectation of permission to join the Spanish troops in South-America, and having expressed to your Excellency an ardent inclination to obtain the mere honour of serving in any Spanish regiment as a volunteer; which requisitions as they were not complied with in due time I beg leave to decline the acceptance of any rank or degree in the service of his Catholic Majesty.---The annals of history must have informed your Excellency, that many nations have had abundant reason to deplore the impolicy of those whom they had invested with the powers of government, in slighting the proffered

services of men (however young like myself) whose bent, study and inclination naturally led to tactical pursuits and to war, and who afterwards arrived to the highest pinnacle of military eminence and glory; at the woeful experience of such countries and states as had rejected those early overtures of service in their armies. Not to talk of the Achaian league, or the Athenian, Spartan, or Theban story, modern history is replete with such proofs, and your excellency cannot but recollect (however inapplicable perhaps the instances may hereafter prove to a young and insignificant soldier of fortune) what France had suffered from a rejected Eugene; and that Saxe, whose services had been refused by an English court, had afterwards fertilized the plains of the Netherlands with the blood and carcasses of slaughtered Britons. But to the Point. Being a soldier of fortune, as I profess--and having studied from my infancy the science of arms, practical war is now my pursuit, as a profession most congenial with my principles and disposition; and thousands of Americans (officers in the late war) pant for an opportunity to serve this country. The banks of the Ohio and Mississippi, are actually alive with the first American characters of this stamp--and called upon from thence by my heroic brethren of the army--honour, virtue, and the bias of an ancient intercourse, and former habits incline me to assist them. from the Natches to the Kaskaskies--from Pittsburg to St. Mary's river, they are prepared to pour forth with the greatest ease 50,000 veterans in arms, in defence of their commercial rights, throughout the navigable rivers of the southern parts of this empire. The grain is actually germinating, sown by the pride, avarice and folly of a certain extern power, which the pure air of liberty working at the root, and the laws of nature, superior to the narrow policy of any foreign court, must finally and very speedily raise into a host of myriamils, the children of Enachim; the sons of the earth: irresistible in this land, at least by any force that may obstruct their pretensions or assail them.
The important drama, may it please your excellency, is now approaching; a new drama in which the tragedians of the west are to appear in the military huskin-- and I am invited to act as a character of some consequence among them. Time will tell how decisively my part shall be performed. Of this I am sure, that I shall exhibit to my utmost the part of a soldier. A very inconsiderable time must inevitably call forth to trial the mighty energy of the Ohio and Mississippi; and incidents and events are gradually teeming into birth, which will shortly open a spacious field for a daring spirit to explore.
May it please your Excellency, the States of Georgia, Franklin, and Kentucky, confederated; the counties of Bourbon, &c. on the Natches; the settlements on Cumberland, Kaskaskies, and the Wabash, and the governments of Pittsburg, Westmoreland, &c. abound with the seeds of war; nor will any obstruction from New Orleans to the Blaise, impede the overwhelming inundation preparing to pour down along the waters of the Mississippi, into the Bay of Mexico. The torrent will be irresistible; the crop is actually in the ground; the harvest is ready for the hook and the hook for the harvest; the reaper has introduced his sickle, combustibles are laid in a pile; may, the very brand is already applied, and the fire only requires to be fanned. The permission of Congress will not be solicited on this occasion. In Congress this people are not represented. I am now on my way to the western waters, where people too long confined to unnatural boundaries, are ready to float with the current of the Mississippi into the sea, and with irresistible irruption and impetuosity to burst over every artificial barrier and mound which may obstruct their free passage into the ocean. The Americans are amphibious animals. They cannot be confined to the land alone. Tillage and commerce are their elements. Both or neither will they enjoy. Both they will have, or perish.
I have the honour to remain with the utmost deference, your Excellency's most obedient, and most humble servant.
JOHN SULLIVAN,
Late Captain 4th regiment, American light dragoons.
P. S. In the alternative of peace or war, I shall ever entertain the highest respect for your Excellency, and should be happy in the continuance of a candid correspondence. In this case, enclose my address to Major Thomas Washington, of Georgia, who is acquainted with my routes.
To his Excellency the Spanish Minister, at New York.
** ** ** ** **
To the inhabitants of KENTUCKE.
GENTLEMEN,
FROM a real regard which I have for your interest, take the liberty of informing you, that the road o-
pened from Strodes station in Kentucky to the Kanawha, comes far short of answering the purpose intended; your interest was not consulted by those who had the direction of the road from this place, they having taken it 23 and a half miles from Greenbrier Courthouse, before they left the Kanawha, in order to carry it through their own lands, and to make a prey of you when you arrive here.
I have made it my business to enquire of the best woodsmen I could meet with, who all agree, that a better way, (and at least 60 miles nearer) may be had from Greenbrier settlement to the forks of Sandy. And by crossing the waters higher up will avoid the quicksands, which are very dangerous. Also it will shorten the road at least 60 miles and lead into the most fertile part of Greenbrier settlement, and most respectable inhabitants. As the interest of our leading men will be to continue the road as it now stands, they will in all probability discountenance the amendment, but I would earnestly recommend it to you to make the necessary amendments on your end of the road to the forks of Sandy, and I will omit nothing that is in my power, to have it viewed and opened from that place to the settlement of Greenbrier. Greenbrier, Sept. 16, 1787. I am yours, &c.
BOSTON, August 10, Massachusetts Bank.
FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS Reward, WILL be paid by the President and directors of the Massachusetts Bank, to any person or persons who shall apprehend and secure, so that he may be brought to justice, Lieutenant-Colonel JOSUA FARRINGTON, charged on the oaths of Robert Davis, Esquire, John May Esquire, Mr. William Smith, and Mr. Jeremiah Williams, of forging and counterfeiting their several names, as promisers and endorsers of sundry promissory notes, which were by said Joshua Farrington presented for discount at the Massachusetts bank. The said Joshua Farrington has for many years past kept a loge West-India store at the south part of the town of Boston; is about 38 years old, a small, thin man, of about 5 feet 7 inches high, wears his own hair, which is black, turning grey, short at the sides, and beavered on the forehead, with a short cue behind low broad forehead, a long nose, large dark eyes, thin visage, very dark complexion, and somewhat pitted with the small pox, has a scar on the left cheek, occasioned by an ulcer tooth, and is somewhat round shouldered. He absconded from Boston on Saturday morning, the fourth instant.
P. S. The said Joshua Farrington, when he absconded from Boston, rode a large dun horse, fifteen and a half hands high, a white streak half down his face, a dark streak down his back, interferes in his forefeet, and is a little wind-galed in his hindfeet.
** The Printers throughout the States are requested to insert the above in their Gazettes respectively, that the offender may be arrested and brought to justice.
*** **
Lexington, Nov. 2. 1787,
WHEREAS Sundry persons have subscribed to an article bearing date the tenth of July last, for the purposes of letting on the lands of col. John Harris, on main Licking on Monday the fifth Inst. in pursuance of which they have been notified in the gazette for three weeks successively: the subscriber, the legal representative of said col. Harris, to meet at this place yesterday, for purposes specified in said articles, and whereas I have attended agreeable to appointment in perfect readiness to comply on my part and the subscribers failed, I hereby notify them a second time, that I shall attend at capt. Robert Johnston's mill on North Elkhorn the sixteenth Inst. in order to meet them and march to the place, and give them possession of their respective claims, those who do not meet me, or send a reasonable excuse may depend I shall endeavour to make good the deficiency by the admission of others. JOHN CRITTENDEN.
ANY person or persons that are indebted to William Scott Schoolmaster, by note, or book accounts, are desired to make immediate payment. If not they may expect what the law directs. (31.) WILLIAM SCOTT, Schoolmaster.
FOR SALE On reasonable terms, either altogether or in two parts, five hundred acres of land within three or four miles of Lexington; part of an old military claim. James M'Dowell who lives on part of said old claim will shew the land if applied to, the terms may be known by applying to me in Mercer county.
3w.
SAMUEL M'DOWELL.
LOTS FOR SALE
On repeated application from the public, I have at length condescended to dispose of a part of my land at the royal spring, near north Elk-horn, about two miles above Major Johnstons mill, for the purpose of erecting a Town, which will consist of half acre in lots and out lots proportioned at five acres each, the lots are already surveyed: any person inclining to purchase, are desired to attend at my house on friday the sixteenth of November, when the terms of sale will be known and an equal lottery for choice be made. ELIJAH CRAIG.
STRAYED from the Rev. Mr. Rankins, in April last, a black mare, middle sized, well built, a natural trotter, and branded on the near buttock thus 9 any person who will convey said mare to me in Mercer County, or secure her so that I can get her shall receive a reward of three dollars, paid by (4w) DAVID RICE.
TEN DOLLARS REWARD
STRAYED from the subscriber last spring, a large bay mare near fifteen hands and a half high, ten or eleven years old, a large star and snip in her face and branded on the near buttock HT had on a small bell when she went away. Also a year old bay stud colt with a star and snip in his face, and one of his hind feet white, neither dockt nor branded.
Fayette, Oct. 20 1787. HORATIO TURPIN.
A GENEROUS PRICE WILL BE GIVEN FOR TWO OR three hundred acres of land within three miles of lexington. Enquire of the printer hereof tf
F I F T E E N DOLLARS REWARD.
STRAYED away from Cane run about four miles from Lexington, some time last spring, the following horses to wit, a sorrel horse eight years old, fourteen hands and a half high, with a small crooked blaze in his face and one hind foot white; branded on the near shoulder and buttock nearly thus S
One bay horse about the same height of the former, five years old, with a small star and two white feet, branded on the near buttock with the same brand with the former.
Also, a black mare near fifteen hands high six years old, with a small star and one hind foot white branded on the near buttock with the same brand of the two former: whoever takes up said horses and delivers them to the printer hereof shall receive the above reward, or five dollars each. They are supposed to have made up Licking.
LEXINGTON: Printed and Sold by JOHN and FIELDING BRADFORD, at their PRINTING-OFFICE the corner of Main and Cross Streets, where Subscriptions (at 18s. per Am.) Advertisements, &c. for this paper, are thankfully received, and PRINTING in its different branches done with Care and Expedition--Advertisements of no more length than breadth, are inserted for 3s. the first time and 2s. each time after and longer ones in proportion.