The Kentucky gazette (Lexington [Ky.]), 1789-10-03 00:00:00

KENTUCKY GAZETTE.
S A T U R D A Y, OCTOBER 3, 1789.
LEXINGTON: Printed by JOHN BRADFORD at his OFFICE at the corner of Main and Cross Streets, where Subscriptions, Advertisements, &c. for this paper, are thankfully received, and PRINTING in its different branches done with Care and Expedition.
An essay on the appointment of public officers, humbly submitted to all persons concerned in electing or appointing them.
THE perfection of government requires that every public office, in all the legislative, judicial, and executive departments, should be filled with the most suitable and fit persons.
Good government manifestly depends much more on the goodness of the men who fill the public offices, than on the goodness of the form of government, constitution or even laws of the state; for the errors of all these, under the administration of good men will be mended or made tolerable, either by the authority of the legislature, or favorable construction: but weak and wicked men will pervert the best of laws to the purposes of favour or oppression—And one principal thing which makes one form of government better than another, is, that there is a greater and more natural chance of the appointment of suitable men to public offices in the one than in the other, and this makes the power of appointment, or right of election, a right of the highest importance to the community; it therefore requires the greatest wisdom in human policy, to vest this great authority in such persons, as will most probably exercise it with the most discretion and least corruption.
As the appointment of suitable men to public offices is of the utmost importance to the well-being of the state, and consequently implies a most sacred trust and duty in the electors; it may not be amiss to designate such outlines of character, as are most essentially necessary in a public officer, and especially when his office is of high rank, and very weighty concern to the community.
1. Integrity ought to hold the first place. The integer vitae scelerisque purus of the poet, is of mighty consequence in every society. A man of strict honesty and uprightness in his private life and dealings, is easily known and distinguished among men. Let this be an essential part of the character of the man for whom you give your vote, to serve in any public office of trust and importance.
2. A good reputation, free from scandal. A man attained of scandalous crimes, either by conviction or record, or by general opinion of his neighbours, appears with great disadvantage, in the sacred seats of public councils of law, justice, or equity. I have heard of a judge, who was generally supposed to have corrupted his neighbour's wife, and having once a very impudent offender before him, was severe in his censures of the offence and opening the law book, read the description of the offence and punishment: the defendant said, with a most malignant sneer, he could with his honour would turn over a few pages more, and see what the law said to whoresmasters.
3. Religion and sincere piety. I don't think it of much consequence of what particular profession of religion he may be, whether episcopalian, presbyterian, quaker, lutherian, calvinist, moravian, &c. if he is reputed to be devout, sincere, and faithful to the religion he does profess. But a loose liver, or an apostate in religion, I cannot think fit to be trusted in the state because a man who is not true to his God, will not probably be so to his country; for when the highest possible obligation cannot bind a man, it is not to be expected that he will be governed by less and more subordinate ones: when the grand first principle of all true morals is wanting, the practice must become too uncertain to be trusted in matters of weight and high moment.
4. Sufficient ability to execute the
the office that is to be filled. There must be a congruity between the business to be done, and the abilities of the man appointed to do it.
5. Gravity, wisdom, and sound judgment. A grave and wise man gives weight and dignity to any department in which he is employed, inspires confidence that the business under his direction will be well managed, and what is more than this, will really do it well.
6. Decision, close attention, and perseverance. Some men are undecided in their judgment, variable in their attention, act by fits and starts, and often leave their business half done. It is very dangerous to admit men of this disposition into public offices, where a coincidence of sundry departments is often necessary, and a failure of one will sometimes put a full stop to all the rest.
7. A great command of his passions. A man who is known to be a slave to any favourite passion, or who is too strongly devoted to gaming, the bottle, or his mistress, is not thought a safe person to trust private business with, especially business of consequence, which requires a watchful diligence, discretion, and caution; much less can such a man be fit for a public trust.
8. Public offices should be filled with men of steady attendance. There is great complaint of tardy or totally deficient attendance, especially in the members of aggregate bodies, such as Congress, councils, assemblies, &c. by which means the public business is much and often very injuriously retarded.
I hope we do not live in an age so degenerate, as to render the above characters difficult to be found. The importance of them must be obvious to every person concerned in electing or appointing public officers, and I hope will induce them to make such a choice as shall satisfy the high trust reposed in them, and such as shall effectually secure the honor and safety of the state.
Observations on the bones, commonly supposed to be elephants' bones, which have been found near the river Ohio in America: by William Hunter, M. D. F. R. S.
NATURALISTS, even those of our own times, have entertained very different opinions concerning fossil ivory, and the large teeth and bones which have been dug up in great numbers in various parts of the world.
At first, some thought them animal substances, and others mineral. When only a certain number of observations had been collected, the substances were determined to be mineral: but the subject having been more carefully examined, they were found certainly to be parts of animals.
At this point was settled, a dispute arose, to what animal they belonged. The more general opinion was, that they were the bones of the elephant; and the great similitude of the fossil tusk to the real elephants' teeth gave this opinion considerable credit.
It was liable, however, to great objections: the bones were observed to be larger than those of the elephant; and it was thought strange that elephants should have been formerly so numerous in western countries, where they are no longer natives, and in cold countries, Siberia particularly, where they cannot now live.
We had information from Muscovy, that the inhabitants of Siberia believed them to be the bones of the mammoth, an animal of which they told and believed strange stories. But, modern philosophers have held the mammoth to be as
Of late years the same sort of tusks and teeth, with some other large bones, have been found, in considerable numbers, near the banks of the Ohio, in North America. The French academicians became possessed of some specimens of them; and having compared them with bones of real elephants, and with those which had been brought to France from Siberia, and with similar bones found in various other parts, determined, with an appearance of probability on their side, that they were elephants' bones.
Monsieur Buffon gives us the following account of this decision. "All this put together leaves no longer any room to doubt, that those tusks (defenses,) and those large bones (ossements,) are truly the tusk and bones of the elephant. M. Sloan had said this, but had not proved it. M. Gmelin has likewise said so, and more positively; and he has given us some curious facts concerning this question; but M. Daubenton appears to us to be the first who has put the matter beyond doubt, by accurate measures, by exact comparisons, and by reasons founded upon the great knowledge which he has acquired in the science of comparative anatomy."
From the first time that I learned this part of natural knowledge, it appeared to me to be very curious and interesting; inasmuch as it seemed to concur with many other phenomena, in proving that, in former times some astonishing change must have happened to this terraqueous globe; that the highest mountains, in most countries now known, must have lain for many ages in the bottom of the sea; that this earth must have been so changed, with respect to climates, that countries, which are now intensely cold, must have been formerly inhabited by animals, which are now confined to the warm climates.
Some time in the last spring, having been informed that a considerable quantity of elephants' teeth had been brought to the tower from America; being desirous of procuring some information concerning them, I waited upon Mr. Bodington, to know the particulars, and to beg leave to examine them. He obligingly gave me a verbal account of their having been brought from the banks of the Ohio; and on the following day sent me one tusk and one grinder, as specimens for my examination. The tusk, indeed, seemed so like that of an elephant, that there appeared no room for doubt. I shewed it to my brother, and he thought so too: but, being particularly conversant with comparative anatomy, at the first sight he told me the grinder was not an elephants'. From the form of the knobs on the body of the grinder, and from the disposition of the enamel, which makes a crust on the outside only of the tooth, as in a human grinder, he was convinced that the animal was either carnivorous, or of a mixed kind. This made me think that the tusk itself was not an elephants' tooth: For Mr. Bodington had told me, that there were many grinders, as well as tusks, and that they were all similar to those specimens which he had sent to me. And some time after, when I went to the tower, and examined the whole collection, which had been sent over from the Ohio, I saw that the grinders were all of the same kind. I examined two elephants' jaws in my brother's collection: I examined the tusks and grinders of the queen's elephants: and I examined a great number of the African elephants' teeth at a warehouse.
From all these observations, I was convinced that the grinder tooth, brought from the Ohio, was not that of an elephant; but of some carnivorous animal, larger than an ordinary elephant; and I could not doubt that the tusk belonged to the same animal. The only difference
real elephants' tusk, was, that it was more twisted, or had more of the spiral curve, than any of the elephants' tusks which I had seen.
Some time after this, Dr. Franklin received a large box of the same sort of bones from the Ohio, by way of Philadelphia. He informed me of this, and told me likewise that another large box of those bones was sent to the Earl of Shelburne. I waited upon Dr. Franklin and found the bones to be exactly such as I had seen: and was, therefore, confirmed in my former opinion.
Then I waited upon Lord Shelburne, and was permitted to examine the bones which he had received. Besides the tusks and grinders, which were all such as I had seen, and still served to confirm me in my opinion, there was the half of the lower jaw of the animal, with one large grinder still fixed in it. This jaw bone was so different from that of an elephant both in form and in size, and corresponded so exactly with the other bones, and with my supposition, that I was now fully convinced, that the supposed American elephant was an animal of another species, a pseudo elephant or animal incognitum, which naturalists were unacquainted with. I imagined farther, that this animal incognitum would prove to be the supposed elephant of Siberia, and other parts of Europe; and that the real elephant would be found to have been in all ages a native of Asia and Africa only.
I examined all the fossil teeth, as they are called, in the museum of the royal society, and the head and teeth of an hippopotamus. Then, with Dr. Knight, first, and a second time with Dr. Sloan, I examined all the fossil teeth, and all the jaw bones, and teeth of elephants, and hippopotami, and other large animals in the British museum; and some likewise in private collections. In making this search, I met with grinders, of the incognitum that were found in the Brazils and Lima, as well as in different parts of Europe.
I went to four of the principal workers, and dealers in ivory, with whom I saw and examined many hundred of elephants' teeth. Though they all assured me, that the real elephants' teeth have often a spiral twist, like a cow's horn; they could not shew me one tooth so twisted in all their collections, at the time when I visited them. Three of them gave it as their opinion, that my two American tusks were genuine elephants' teeth. One of them was even positive that they were African teeth. Another worker in ivory cut through a tusk which Lord Shelburne gave me. It proved to be found on the inside. He assured me it was true elephantine ivory; and that workers in ivory could readily distinguish the genuine, by its grain and texture, from all other bony substances whatever. He polished it: we compared it with other pieces of genuine ivory; and indeed they appeared to be perfectly similar. His opinion was afterwards confirmed by another experienced worker in ivory. Yet their opinion, and what I saw with my own eyes, convinced me of this fact only, viz. that true or genuine ivory is the production of two different animals; and not of the elephant alone.
Having thus collected all the materials to which I could have access; I carefully read what the French academicians Messrs. Buffon and Daubenton have written on this question, in the Histoire Naturelle , Tom XI. p. 86, &c. and p. 147, &c. Tom 13, p. 63, and Memoires de l'Acad. Roy. des Sc. Ann. 1762. p. 206, &c. But, instead of meeting with facts which could disprove my opinion, I found observations and arguments which confirm it. One very material fact which Mr. Daubenton furnishes in support of my hypothesis, is the comparison of the American tusk, with that of a real elephant.

Both of which he has represented in figures, which appear to be done with accuracy. To me it seems most evident, that they are bones of two distinct species. The vast disproportion in thickness of the American bone, compared with that of the elephant, is surely more than we can attribute to the different proportions of bones in the same species, which arise from age, sex, or climate. But Mr. Daubenton, to support his hypothesis, that the American femur is elephantine, is obliged to refer the great disproportion in thickness to the causes above-mentioned; and he affirms that, in all other circumstances, they are exactly alike. Now, to my eye, there is nothing more evident, than that the two femora differ widely in the shape and proportion of the head; in the length and direction of the neck; and in the figure and direction of the great trochanter; so that they have many characters, which prove their belonging to animals of different species.
It may now be fairly presumed that the American bones are proved to be certainly not elephantine: and whoever is of that opinion, will naturally suspect that the Siberian bones are of the same kind. I imagine that it will be found upon strict enquiry, to be so. But, as I have not the necessary materials for discussing this question at present, I shall only state a few facts, to show that there is some ground for the opinion.
1. All accounts, and particularly those of Messrs. Gmelin, Buffon, and Daubenton, say that the bones found in Siberia are larger than the bones of common elephants. This would make us inclined to suspect that they were not the elephants' bones, but that they were of the incognitum .
2. The Siberian femur, as represented by Monsieur Daubenton, is very much like the American femur in size, shape, and proportions.
This circumstance appears to be almost a demonstration, as we have before proved, that the American femur is not that of an elephant. And in this argument, we have even the weight of Monsieur Daubenton's opinion in our favor. For he (page 211) taking it for granted that the Siberian femur was undoubtedly elephantine, reasons from the likeness in size, shape, and proportions, that the American femur is so. Now, as we have shown that the American femur is not elephantine, his proof taken from the size, shape, and proportions of the two bones, must serve to convince us the Siberian thigh bone is not of the elephant, but of the incognitum .
3. Monsieur Daubenton found a difference between the temporal bone brought from Siberia, and that of an elephant. This likewise is an argument in favor of our supposition.
4. The supposed elephant's tusk, which was bought from Siberia by Mr. Bell, and presented to Sir Hans Sloane, and of which we have a description and figure in the memoirs of the academy of sciences at Paris (ann. 1727. page 309,) is evidently twisted like the tusk of the incognitum , and not at all like any elephant's tusk which I have ever seen.
In the last place, it may be observed, that as the incognitum of America has been proved to have been an animal different from the elephant, and probably the same as the mammoth of Siberia; and as grinder teeth, like those of America, have been dug up in various parts of the world; it should seem to follow, that the incognitum in former times has been a very general inhabitant of the globe. And if this animal was indeed carnivorous, which I believe cannot be doubted, though we may as philosophers regret it, as men we cannot but thank heaven that its whole generation is probably extinct. Feb. 23. 1768.
From the New-York Daily Advertiser. MR. CHILDS, By giving the following OBSERVATIONS on the propriety of settling the WESTERN COUNTRY, and disposing of the PUBLIC LANDS, a place in your Paper, you will oblige, A. E. THE difficulties which have already appeared in the arrangement of the impost business, and which will from the
time to the execution of such a general and extensive plan, make it manifest, that, that source of revenue, will be two uncertain, and fluctuating for our sole dependence; and it is a favorable circumstance for the union, that we have other resources almost as commensurate to the object of revenue, as the duties proposed by the impost bill.
From some observations made by a worthy member in the lower house of Congress some days ago, in support of a proposed resolution for opening a land office, for the disposal of the unappropriated lands in our western territory, I was first led to consider that subject, in a two-fold point of view, first as to revenue, and secondly as to policy.
The revenue arising from the sale of our western lands, must from the very nature of things if attended to, be very considerable. It is here, and here only we have it in our power, to do justice to that army, which led our country to freedom and independence. It is likewise to this source, we are to look for means to cancel our domestic debt. These considerations are no doubt too weighty to pass unnoticed by the continental legislature, and therefore require the less attention in this place. I shall nevertheless take the liberty of making one other observation on this subject. It appears that we have already disposed of lands to the amount of near three millions of dollars we have nearly complied with our promise of lands to the army; with the inconsiderable expense attending that department, of about forty thousand dollars!
The policy of opening a land-office for the disposal of our western lands, will in part depend upon the admission of some facts, too well known to be controverted, by the most uniformed. These are the British and Spanish nations, both claim, and possess extensive tracts of country, adjoining the territory of the United States; and it is likewise equally as well known, that both these powers do continue to invite the citizens of the union to settle among them, by granting lands upon easy terms, and exempting them from taxation a number of years. That these offers have in a considerable degree, had the intended effect, is likewise well known. Here we find two channels open to draw off the inhabitants of the United States; and if the wealth, strength and dignity of a power, consists in any measure, in the number of subjects, these drains must be viewed as highly detrimental to the union, by the patriot and politician. And although it may be found impossible to prevent the emigration from the Atlantic states it is a fortunate circumstance, that we have it in our power to direct the emigrants into our own territory. In the latter case if I may use the expression, they only go from one part of the building to another; but in the former, they quit the house altogether.
I have heard but one objection to opening an office for the sale of our western lands that deserves any attention, and that is "Such a measure will have a tendency to depopulate the Atlantic states, and thereby prevent the growth of our manufactures, so necessary to our existence as an independent people." This objection, however plausible, is answered both by facts and experience. It is a fact that the British and Spanish nations have land in the neighbourhood of the territory of the United States; and experience has taught us, that our citizens are settling them.
Hence it is plain, that any thing we can do, by withholding our lands, cannot possibly have any tendency to retain such of our citizens as are inclined to remove. This is certainly as plain a deduction as can be drawn from facts: it therefore becomes our duty, as we cannot prevent the removal of our citizens, to direct their attention to our own territory. We have likewise organized a government in that country—I would ask, why continue that government, without permitting that country to be peopled? That this government had its origin in both justice and policy, I have no manner of doubt. In support of this opinion, I beg leave to submit the following observations.
The United States have, upon the most mature deliberation, appropriated a considerable tract of country, to the use of officers and soldiers of our late army. Can any person suppose, that it would be either just or prudent, to let
value in that detached situation, without being under the restraint of government? I think not—It would be neither prudent nor just, for these reasons—If the settlers found themselves hard pressed by the savages, they must either be compelled to quit the country, or form some alliance with the neighbouring powers. In the first case, by leaving them to the mercy of the Indians we should treat them unjustly; and such an event as the latter, I trust would give pain to every friend to the Union. There is yet one other argument in favor of establishing that government in the western territory which is certainly unanswerable. By our treaty of peace with Great Britain, we came possessed of several French settlements beyond the Ohio river. The inhabitants made application to Congress, to have the advantages of government extended to them; and as they could not be attached to any one of the United States; being without the territorial claims, it became necessary to establish a distinct government in that country.
To conclude this subject, when considered both as to policy and revenue will be found of as much magnitude, as any that can be brought before our national government. A. E. New York, June 10, 1789.
WANTED
A MILLER, and DISTILLER, who can come well recommended for their honesty, diligence, and sobriety: good wages will be given, enquire of Mr. Christopher Chinn at Limestone, or to the subscriber within four miles of Lexington. JOHN ALLEN. Sept. 30, 1789. 6-9
ALL persons indebted to the estate of Sam. Grant dec'd, are requested to make immediate payment to Elijah Cragg, who is authorized to settle the same, and those who have any demands against the estate, are requested to bring in their accounts, that they may be settled. LYDIA GRANT Executrix. ELIJAH CRAIG, WM GRANT, jun. Ex'ors. ISRAEL GRANT,
Strayed or stolen from the subscriber, living near Lexington, on Russell's road, about the last of June, a chestnut sorrel horse, three years old last spring, about fourteen hands and a half high, neither docked nor branded, has a few white hairs in his forehead, and a lump on the pastern joint of his left hind foot; Any person delivering said horse to me, shall receive two dollars reward. SAM. NISBET. Sept. 26, 1789. 6
ALL persons indebted to the subscriber, are requested to settle and pay up their respective balances immediately; those who fail to comply before the last of November, need not expect any indulgence. Tobacco, Wheat, Rye, Corn, Oats, Beef, Pork, Butter, Cheese, and Hogs lard, will be taken in payment, at the selling price at this place. CHRISTOPHER KISER. Sept. 13, 1789. 4-7
BLANKS OF ALL KINDS
ALL persons indebted to the Printer hereof, for the news advertisements &c. are once more requested to pay up their respective balances. Good Wheat, Rye, Wool, Flax, Feathers or well dressed Deer skins, will be taken in payment, at the selling price in this place.
THURSDAY the 8th of October, is appointed for the General Muster at Lexington,
ALL persons having cloth to Full & Dress, may have it done the ensuing Winter, at the Royal Spring Mill, in the best manner the country will admit: the Fuller will attend at Mr. Collins's Tavern in Lexington, the first day of every Fayette court to receive and deliver cloth, and also to give receipts, to any person who may apply, of the best methods of preparing, and manufacturing Wool for Fulled-cloth. Craig & Login. 6-6
CASH will be given for good Flour, in this place, by NICHOLAS WOOD, Baker. Lexington, Sept. 25, 1789. 5-11
TAKEN up by the subscriber near Strodes Station, a dark roan horse, full fifteen hands high, paces has some saddle spots and his shoulder has been hurt with the collar, branded on the near shoulder P.S., had on a small bell, with a double buckle to the collar. Appraised to £ 3. Also a bay mare near thirteen hands high has a baid face, her hind feet white, toots, is 11 or 12 years old, branded on the near shoulder T. and a stirrup iron over it, and on the near buttock B., had on a small bell. Appraised to £ 6. Also a year old sorrel mare colts her hind feet white, has a star. Appraised to £ 4. JACOB CROSTHEIT. June 23, 1789.
TAKEN up by the subscriber, living on the dry fork of Chaplain, a small bay Mare, about 12 hands high, 2 years old last spring, a small white spot on the off fore leg: Appraised to £ 5. Mercey OB. 2 1789 Philip Board.
TAKEN up by the subscriber, a black heifer has some yellow hairs in her ears, some white hairs in her tail and under the belly, about three years old, has a red heifer calf, with a white face, pasted in Fayette County and appraised to £ 2-10. JAMES HOGAN Sept. 21, 1789
TAKEN up by the subscriber, at the mouth of Hickman's creek, a Bay Mare, 2 years old, with a blaze face, a white spot under the right eye, and one under her throat and breast, neither docked nor branded. Posted, in Fayette county, and appraised to £ 7. ARTHUR NASH. 7
TAKEN up by the subscriber, living near Lexington, a bay mare, about 13 and a half hands high, well made, a small star, branded on the near shoulder RR., and on the near buttock D., Appraised to £ 8. STEPHEN BARTON July 9, 1789. 4-6
TAKEN up by the subscriber, living on the North fork of Elk-Horn a brown cow, with a white face and legs, no ear mark. Appraised to £ 3. CLEMENTS MOSLEY. Sept. 13, 1789. 6
***** A large company will meet at the Crab Orchard the 10th of October, in order to start early the next morning for the settlement. *****
All kinds of Blank Books for Merchants, Clerks, &c. made and ruled to any pattern: Also old books new bound, on reason-