The Providence journal, and town and country advertiser (Providence [R.I.]), 1800-04-16 00:00:00

The Providence Journal.
AND
TOWN AND COUNTRY ADVERTISER.
Published on WEDNESDAYS, by JOHN CARTER, JUN. Printer of the LAWS of the UNITED STATES for the State of RHODE ISLAND, &c. At the NEW PRINTING-OFFICE, West Side of the great Bridge, PROVIDENCE.
[ No. 68. ]
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 1800.
[ Vol. II. ]
Foreign Intelligence.
ARMY OF THE EAST.
Intercepted Correspondence.
FROM this last intercepted correspondence from Egypt, now published under the authority of government, we shall select some passages from the letters of Kleber, Poussielgue, general comptroller of the expenses; General Dugua, and Buonaparte himself, to develop the character of the Arab-Consul, and shew the miserable and destitute condition in which he left the Army of Egypt, when he meanly stole away from it; stealing also at the same time every single sous belonging to the military chest.
BUONAPARTE to General KLEBER.
"The Commission of the Arts shall return to France on board a flag of truce, which you will demand for this purpose, conformably to the late cartel, some time in the month of November, immediately after they have completed the object of their mission. They are at present engaged in putting a finishing hand to it, by an examination of Upper Egypt. Nevertheless, if you think that any of them will be of service to you, you may put them in requisition without scruple!"
"If, by a series of the most extraordinary events, none of your attempts should succeed, and you should neither receive reinforcements, nor intelligence from France by May next; and if this year, in spite of all your precautions, the plague should break out in Egypt, and carry off more than fifteen hundred of the troops—a considerable loss in addition to that which the events of the war will daily occasion, I think that you ought not to venture upon another campaign, and that you are sufficiently justified in concluding a peace with the Ottoman Porte; even though the evacuation of Egypt should be the leading article. It will merely be necessary for you to postpone the execution of it (if such a thing be possible) to the period of a general peace."
"Endeavour to get together five or six hundred Mamelouks, in such a manner, that, when the French fleet arrives, you may be able to lay your hands upon them at the same instant of time, either at Cairo or in the other provinces, and send them off immediately for France. If you cannot procure Mamelouks, such Arab hostages, Cheiks el Belad, as may then be in custody, no matter on what account, will answer the end as well. These people, landed in France, and detained there for a year or two, will contemplate the grandeur of the nation; they will acquire, in some degree, our manners and our language, and when they return to Egypt, will prove to us so many partisans."
"The army I entrust to your care is entirely composed of my own children. I have never ceased, even in the midst of their most trying difficulties and dangers, to receive proofs of their attachment; endeavour to preserve them still in those sentiments for me. This is due to the particular esteem and friendship I entertain for you; and to the unfeigned affection I feel for them!"
KLEBER, Commander in Chief, to the DIRECTORY.
"The commander in chief, Buonaparte, quit-ted this country for France on the morning of the 23d ult. without saying a word of his intention to any person whatever. He had appointed me to meet him at Rosetta on the subsequent day! (the 24th.) I found nothing there but his dispatches. Unable to divine whether the general has had the good fortune to reach Toulon, I think it incumbent on me to send you a copy of the letter by which he transferred to me the command of the army, as also of another which he had addressed to the Grand Vizier at Constantinople, although he knew perfectly well, that this officer was already arrived at Damascus."
"My first cares have been directed to obtain an accurate knowledge of the present condition of the army."
"You know, Citizens Directors, and you have it in your power to procure the requisite statements; you know, I say, the actual strength of the army at its arrival in Egypt. It is reduced a full half!—and we occupy all the capital points of the great triangle, from the cataracts of El Arisch, from El Arisch to Alexandria, and from Alexandria again to the cataracts; meanwhile it is no longer a question, as it once was, of contending with a few hordes of dispirited Mamelouks, but of resisting and combating the united efforts of three great powers, the Porte, England and Russia."
"The troops are naked—and this privation of clothing is the more calamitous, as it is perfectly ascertained in this country to be one of the most active causes of the dysenteries and ophthalmies which constantly prevail here. The first, in particular, has operated with an alarming effect this season, on bodies already weakened and exhausted by fatigue. The members of the board of health remark (and never fail to mention it in their reports) that although the army is so much diminished, the number on the sick list is considerably larger this year than at the same period of the last."
"Gen. Buonaparte, previous to his departure, had, it is true, given orders for the new clothing of the army; but for this, as well as for a great many other projects, he contented himself with the mere orders. The poverty of the finances, (which is a new obstacle to be combated) reduced him, doubtless, to the necessity of adjourning the execution of this useful design."
"Notwithstanding all this, Buonaparte, at quitting us, did not leave behind him a single sous in the military chest, nor any thing capable of being turned into money! He left, on the contrary, a debt of near ten millions, more than a whole year's income in the present state of things; the pay of the army alone is in arrear full four millions."
"Such, Citizens Directors, is the situation in which Gen. Buonaparte has left me to sustain the enormous burthen of commanding the army of the East! He saw the fatal crisis approaching—your orders have not permitted him to surmount it. That such a crisis exists, his letters, his instructions, his negotiation lately set on foot, all contribute to evince it is of public notoriety, and our enemies appear to be no less perfectly informed of it than ourselves."
"P.S. At this instant, Citizens Directors, just as I am making up my dispatches, I learn that fourteen or fifteen Turkish vessels are at anchor before Damietta, where they are waiting for the fleet of the Captain Pacha, now at Joppa, and having on board, as I am told, from fifteen to twenty thousand land forces; besides these there are still fifteen thousand men at Gaza, and the Grand Vizier is marching from Damascus. A few days since he sent us back a soldier of the 25th demi-brigade, who had been made prisoner in the neighbourhood of El Arisch; after having shewn him all his camp, he desired him to acquaint his comrades with what he had seen, and to tell their commander to tremble. This seems to announce either the confidence which the Grand Vizier has in his forces, or a wish to enter upon an accommodation. With respect to myself, it will be absolutely impossible for me to get together more than five thousand men capable of taking the field against him; notwithstanding this I will try my fortune, if I do not succeed in gaining time by my negotiation. Djezzar has withdrawn his forces from Gaza, and marched them back to Acre."
POUSSIELQUE to the DIRECTORY.
"The enemy loses an army; he raises another instantly. He was beaten at Mount-Tabor; two months after he was beaten at Aboukir; the same period is elapsed, and he is again ready to be beaten at Salahieh! but every victory carries off some of our best troops, and their loss cannot be repaired. A defeat would annihilate us all to the last man; and however brave the army may be, it cannot long avert that fatal event!"
"The war has deprived us of a number of excellent officers, such as Gen. Caffarelli, Gen. Dommartin, Gen. Bon, Gen. Rambault, and Gen. Dupuis; it has also deprived us of almost the whole corps of engineers, and of a very considerable part of the Chiefs of Brigade, both of infantry and cavalry. Several able Generals have left us, and Buonaparte has taken with him five."
"The army, without cloaths, and above all without arms, and without stores of any kind, reduced to less than two-thirds of its original numbers, have now no more than eleven thousand men capable of taking the field, although about thirteen or fourteen thousand appear under arms; this is owing to the appearance of a great number of soldiers at the roll-call, who prefer, sick and wounded as they are, doing duty at their quarters, to staying in the hospitals or the depots. When they are wanted to march a little farther than usual, or to fight, the force they have put upon themselves instantly appears. Wounds, ophthalmies, dysenteries, and other diseases not less common here, have absolutely disabled the rest of the army."
"Even those who are in a condition to march are exhausted by fatigue, enfeebled by the climate, and the wounds and sickness which they have endured; and their courage is proportionably diminished."
"With this handful of men we have to cover five hundred leagues of country, overawe three millions of inhabitants, who may be reckoned as so many enemies; and garrison the holds and fortresses of Alexandria, Rosetta, Ralimanic, Gizeh, Benifues, Medine, Miniet, Siout, Girge, Kene, Coffeir, Cairo, Suez, Mitt, Kanior, Salahieh, Arison, Cilbeis, Catleh, Damietta, Mansora, Semenoud, and El Benouf. Should the Grand Vizier attack us, we cannot oppose more than five or six thousand men to all the Ottoman forces which will be at his disposal; and should he attack us in two places at once, he will penetrate into the country without a possibility on our side of preventing him. This would certainly have happened to Gen. Buonaparte, if the Turks, while they were landing at Aboukir, had made the Syrian army advance upon Egypt."
General DUCUK to the Director BARRAS.
"I confess to you, Citizen Director, that I could never have believed Gen. Buonaparte
would have abandoned us in the condition in which we were; without money, without powder, without ball, and one part of the soldiers without arms. Alexandria is a vast intrenched camp, which the expedition into Syria has deprived of a considerable portion of the heavy artillery necessary for its defence. Lesbe, near Damietta, is scarcely walled in; part of the wall of El Arisch is crumbling of itself. Debts to an enormous amount, more than a third of the army destroyed by the plague, the dysentery, the ophthalmia, and the war; that which remains almost naked, and the enemy but eight days march from us! Whatever may be told to you at Paris, this description is but too true. You know me to be incapable of imposing on you by a false one."
"A numerous army is assembling in Syria; fleets, of which we know not the strength, threaten our coasts, which we know to be accessible in many places. The Commander in Chief cannot bring together more than 7000 fighting men. The enemy have it in their power to make three separate attacks at the same time—what can 7000 men, and those necessarily divided, hope to do?"
"The letter of Buonaparte to the Grand Vizier is a composition of hypocrisy, meanness, and a clumsy attempt at imposture, upon a subject on which, according to Kleber, that officer must have been full as well informed as himself."
Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Tuesday, April 1.
THE Judicial Bill was introduced by Mr. Harper, and read twice.
A letter from the Secretary of State, respecting the promulgation of the laws, was read.
Mr. Griswold, of the committee of unfinished business, proposed that the committee of revival report sundry bills which would expire before the commencement of the next session of Congress.
The bill for the sale of Lands passed to be engrossed.
Wednesday, April 2.
The bill to amend the act entitled, "an act providing for the sale of the lands of the United States in the territory N. W. of the Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river," was read a third time and passed.
Mr. S. Smith, from the committee of commerce and manufactures, reported a bill to provide for certain repairs and additions to the light-house at New-London; for the support of a light-house at Clarke's point; and for the support and erection of a light-house at Wigwam point; which was read a first and second time, and committed to a committee of the whole House.
Mr. Sewall, from the committee appointed to confer with the committee of the Senate, on their amendment to the bill allowing a drawback of duties on goods exported to New-Orleans, which was disagreed to by this House, made report, that it would be proper for the House to recede from their said disagreement. The report was concurred in.
The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill to make further provision for the removal and accommodation of the government of the United States—Mr. Morris in the chair.
Mr. H. Lee moved to fill the first blank in the bill, with the words "ten thousand dollars, in addition to the balance remaining on hand," for furnishing the President's house in the city of Washington.
Mr. Rutledge was not willing to appropriate so large a sum without having information of the amount of the balance on hand; and wished the chairman of the committee who reported the bill to state what the balance was.
Mr. Gallatin replied, that the chairman of the committee (who had been requested to enquire of the proper department the balance of money remaining unexpended of the former appropriation of 14,000 dollars) not being present, it was impossible for any other member of the committee to state it. Mr. G. said, it had been agreed in the committee, that the furniture now in the use of the President should be sold, and the proceeds applied towards furnishing the house in the city of Washington; that now in use being unfit for the purpose.
The committee then rose, and obtained leave to sit again.
The House went into a committee of the whole on the bill to provide for the execution of the 27th article of the treaty with Great-Britain, when
Mr. Nicholas moved an amendment, providing that any person arrested by virtue of the treaty, should be allowed to prove his being an American citizen, &c.
The committee rose without taking the question upon it, and the House adjourned.
Thursday, April 3.
Mr. Rutledge obtained leave of absence from the services of the House for three days.
On motion of Mr. Harper, the House came to the following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire and report by bill or otherwise, whether any and what further provisions are necessary to be made relative to sales of real estates in satisfaction of judgments against persons indebted thereto.
Mr. Harper, from the committee of ways and means, brought in a bill making appropriation for the military establishment of the United States, in the year 1800; which was committed for Monday next.
The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill for the better government of the navy, and to repeal the act heretofore made for that purpose—Mr. Harper in the chair.
After making sundry amendments, the committee rose, and on the question shall the bill be engrossed for a third reading?
Mr. Randolph moved for a recommittal of the bill, on the ground that some of its provisions were unconstitutional.
After some observations from Mr. Parker, the motion was negatived—and the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.
Mr. D. Foster, from the committee of claims, made a report on the petition of Benjamin Stites, of the county of Hamilton, in the N. W. Territory, who prayed for payment for two several parcels of corn sold and delivered to the Quartermaster-General, in the year 1795. This petition was supported by the affidavit of the said Benjamin Stites, the petitioner, who made oath before Judge Symmes, that he had never received payment for the said corn. On application at the treasury department, the committee reported, that they found he had been paid, and had given a receipt for the money, within three days after the delivery of the corn. The committee therefore recommend that the petition should be rejected. In this report the House concurred.—Adjourned.
Friday, April 4.
A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that the Senate had considered the bill providing for the removal of any military force from the place of holding elections, and resolved that the same do not pass; and that they had passed the bill for establishing a general stamp-office at the seat of government, with amendments, to which they desired the concurrence of the House. These amendments were referred to the committee of ways and means.
A message was received from the President of the United States, notifying the House that he did, on the 3d instant, approve and sign a bill extending the privilege of franking letters and packages to Martha Washington; and that he did this day approve and sign an act to establish an uniform system of Bankruptcy throughout the United States.
The House then went into a committee of the whole on the bill for the removal and accommodation of the government of the United States—Mr. Morris in the chair.
Mr. Harper proposed to amend the act so as that the sum to accommodate the household of the President of the United States with furniture, in addition to what was now in possession of the President, should not operate until after the 3d of March next. This he did, he said, in consequence of some constitutional doubts which had been expressed—The constitution declaring that the salary of the President should receive no addition or diminution during his being in office. This was concurred in.
The question then was, what sum should be allowed for that purpose; 20,000 dollars, 15,000 dollars, and 10,000 dollars were severally named. Mr. Randolph considered the principle itself unconstitutional; he moved, in order to defeat the section altogether (it having been amended, and being out of order to move its being stricken out) to insert the sum of 500 dollars. These different sums called forth a lengthy debate. The sum of 20,000 was negatived, 35 to 39. Fifteen thousand was carried—ayes 44, noes 42.
Mr. Harper proposed a provision that this money should be expended under the direction of the secretaries of the four executive departments, which was agreed to: 1000 dollars was allowed for removing the public property appertaining to the household of the President, to the Federal City.
On motion of Mr. Bayard, the secretaries of the executive departments was inserted in lieu of the Secretary of Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, and were to provide for the accommodation of Congress.
Mr. Smith moved a new section, which was carried. That the clerks in the several offices of the departments of State, Treasury, War, Navy, and General Post-Office, should be allowed each one quarter additional salary to provide for their removal.
5000 dollars were appropriated to furnish the two chambers of Congress, offices, committee rooms, &c.
The committee rose, when Mr. Gallatin moved to strike out the 2d section, which provided 15,000 dollars to accommodate the President's

house with furniture. He did it, not because it would not be necessary to appropriate something, but he said what that something might be, it would be better ascertained by waiting for the proper estimates, and until the Congress removed there, when as much as should appear necessary might be appropriated, since it was not to come into use until after the 3d of March.
Twenty-six members only, rose in favour of this motion, so it was negatived. The bill being gone through, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading on Monday. Adjourned.
MONDAY, April 7.
The following bills were read a third time, and passed, viz.
An act to repeal the act laying duties on mills and implements employed in the manufacture of snuff.
An act to continue in force the act entitled, "An act to authorize the defence of the merchant vessels of the United States against French depredations"—and
An act to make further provision for the removal and accommodation of the government of the United States.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their secretary, informing the House, that the Senate have passed the bill to continue in force an act concerning certain fisheries of the United States; for the government of the fishermen employed therein; and for other purposes, as therein mentioned; with an amendment.
FOR THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL.
The Advertiser, No. XXXIV.
NO Dramatic Author has ever excited so much conversation and criticism as Shakespeare. About him there is always a great variety of opinions entertained, suited to the turn and disposition of his readers. The nice and observant critic, with his line and his plummet, attempts to measure the size and proportions of a mountain. When we survey the earth, covered with hills and valleys; the ocean, with all its grandeur of waters, and all the tremendous variety of nature; the noble irregularity constitutes the sublimity and majesty of the prospect. I have always considered the tragedy of Macbeth as a master-piece of dramatic composition. Dramatic compositions, like novels, most frequently begin with love, and after a series of improbable events and mutual flouts, jealousies and disappointments, conclude with either murder or marriage, as the case may require. Shakespeare has built this tragedy on a more grand and magnificent foundation. Macbeth enjoys the love of his king, and the confidence of his army. His royal master loads him with honours and favours. This awakens his ambition, and makes him aspire to the regal diadem of Scotland. Before this can be obtained, he must be guilty of the blackest crime, and of the foulest treachery and deceit against his benefactor. King Duncan must be murdered. Here the terrors and anxieties of a mind agitated by the conflicting passions of ambition and fear, are portrayed with all the magic colouring of Shakespeare. After Macbeth had resolved to accomplish his bloody purpose, his horror at the contemplation of it is expressed in a manner entirely original. While on his way to the chamber of the king, his disordered imagination represents a bloody dagger before his eyes. His apostrophe to that phantom of his own creation, shews a mind oppressed with a sense of guilt, and frantic with horror. The bloody deed is at last committed;—Duncan is murdered, and Macbeth is a king. But guilt is never secure; suspicion now wakens with his hundred eyes, and perceives a spectre in every bush. The foul of his old and tried friend Banquo follows that of his royal master, to testify to the murders of Macbeth. This furnishes the ground-work of a plot, in which Shakespeare may be said almost to have transcended his own imagination. During the moments of regal mirth and convivial festivity, Macbeth looks across the table, and beholds the ghost of his murdered friend sitting in his chair. This is exactly conformable to nature. Guilt, in the midst of its fancied security, even in the moments of revelry, festivity or debauch, is still haunted by the spectres of remorse. At length the tyranny of Macbeth becomes intolerant, a conspiracy is formed against him, his kingdom is invaded, and the usurper falls in single combat by the hand of one whose wife and children he had inhumanly murdered. When the plan of this tragedy is so awful, it is easy to judge how difficult its execution must be. I will venture to say, that no one but Shakespeare could have done it.
The moral of this celebrated story deserves to be written with the point of a diamond. It shews how difficult it is for the most conscious integrity to resist the power of temptation. When once we give way to its dictates, it shews that neither a sense of duty or of gratitude, of shame or remorse; no, not the inspirations of nature, can always restrain us. Like Macbeth, we may behold the "bloody dagger," we may shudder at the perpetration of a crime, and yet not have the resolution to avoid it. How solemnly does the poet caution us not to sacrifice our honour and integrity, however strong the temptation may be. We may arrive at wealth and honour—ambition itself may be satisfied with the acquisition; but
"Not poppy nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, Will ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep That thou ow'st yesterday."
The "bloody Banquo" of our departed virtue haunts every enjoyment. It is in vain that we fly, as Macbeth did, to external pomp and ornament, to festive revelry and debauch, to hide ourselves from the reflections of our own hearts. The couch of midnight has no repose for the guilty man. But the admirable moral derivable from this tragedy does not end here; Shakespeare is not satisfied with informing us
that every enjoyment of life must be blasted to the guilty man, but even all the honours, emoluments, wealth and popularity acquired by dishonour, shall be of a short continuance, and finally will bring down misery on the head of the wretch devoted to destruction. We need not the authority of Shakespeare to prove this fact; this is recorded in holy writ, in language too expressive and beautiful to be passed over in silence. "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree, yet he passed away, and lo! he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." The whole of the life of Macbeth may be considered as a beautiful exposition or illustration of this passage in the bible. How strongly has the inspired poet marked the contrast. He "who delighteth in the love of the Lord, shall be like a tree planted by the side of the rivers, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he doth shall prosper." He who reads Shakespeare for amusement, and neglects the morality of his works, may be said to lose one half of the beauties of that excellent author. The play on which we have just been commenting, is in all its parts solemn and impressive; it holds out a most awful example to youth—young man beware of your steps. Acquire popularity if you can, but acquire it by just and meritorious actions. Your path is covered with flowers, but every inch of way is dangerous to your feet. Fix in your mind certain principles of action, and cling to them as a drowning man to a plank, and let no possible change of circumstance relinquish your hold; otherwise you may have too much cause to exclaim with Macbeth, when his heart is crushed under a sense of his own guilt and despair—
"I have lived long enough, my way of life Is fallen into the fear, the yellow leaf; And that which should accompany old age, As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have; but in their stead, Curse, not loud, but deep—mouth-honour, breath, Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not."
Domestic Intelligence.
PHILADELPHIA, April 8.
Medical Information.
Dr. Beddoes has just put in operation his long projected and much talked of Medical Pneumatic Institution. The first-fruits are curious, and interesting enough. He hastens to the press, on the spur of the moment, with a small pamphlet, to communicate the results of some experiments made by his assistant, Mr. Davy, and himself, on what was originally named by its discoverer, Dr. Priestley, De-phlogistical Nitrous Air . The gas was first breathed cautiously in a diluted state; then more boldly, on finding no mischief to result, and finally in a state perfectly pure. The most extraordinary effects ensued. Giddiness, sense of fullness in the head, and other feelings of incident intoxication were first perceived; then followed wild and uncontrollable gesticulations, extravagant and tumultuous joys, bluffs, rapture and extacy, more exquisite than poetry ever imagined, or fable ever feigned. Many persons of great literary distinction, besides Dr. Beddoes and Mr. Davy, were the subjects of the experiments. Some compared their sensations of muscular vigour and alertness to that which might enable them to mount aloft in the air like a balloon. Mr. Southey, the celebrated poet, after inhaling this gas for some time, exclaimed in a delicious paroxysm of enjoyment, that "the atmosphere of the highest of all possible heavens must consist of this air." Mr. and Mrs. Barbauld (the children's friend) among other very distinguished persons, participated in these experiments. Some of them, after feeling all the most delicious transports of the first experiments in their subsequent trials, enjoyed a very fascinating pleasure of a more sedate and tranquil kind—others still continued to experience all the force and tumult of their primitive raptures. It is remarkable that no depression, fatigue or debility followed those high sensations, but that, on the contrary, more activity or alertness than usual remained for some time. Dr. Beddoes conjectures that the breathing of this gas might enable a person to dispense with sleep for a considerable time; as he found, after using it, a singular degree of refreshment from very diminished portions of sleep, and that he awoke in the morning with all the propensity to active motions observed at the puerile age. This gas has been employed with remarkable success at the Pneumatic Institution, in case of palsy. Dr. B. imagines this remedy will be particularly adapted to the relief of persons whose constitutions have been worn out by debauchery and intemperance, and to obviate and relieve the infirmities of old age. He supposes the efficacy of this gas to depend upon its oxygene being rendered more active by its combination with a portion of azotic matter.
Six ships are now discharging their rich cargoes from the East-Indies, at our wharves, and 12 others are daily expected from the same quarter, with cargoes of equal value.
In noticing the arrival of Commodore Barry, and the dispatches from our Envoys to the French Republic, most of the newspapers have stated that Mr. Murray was at Paris. As we did not mention that gentleman's name in our account (which was correct) it is proper to say, that he was not at Paris, but at the Hague, where he would remain until he received passports of admission to Paris.
When the United States left Corunna (February 16) nothing had transpired as to the proposed negotiation for peace, that we are not already in possession of.
A letter had been received at Corunna from the Spanish Admiral Massaredo, at Paris, in-
forming that the French and Spanish fleets at Brest were in readiness for sea, and would shortly leave that port.—Their destination secret.
NEW-YORK, April 8.
On Monday came on the trial of LEVI WEEKS, for the supposed murder of a Miss G. SANDS; and continued till Wednesday morning, half past 8.—An immense crowd attended.
From the industrious circulation of false and exaggerated tales, the prisoner appeared under all the disadvantage of strong popular prejudice. The Attorney-General, Mr. Olden, opened the prosecution with great ability—stated the atrocity of the crime—the interest every man had in the discovery and punishment of the perpetrator, supported by various testimony the sanity and cheerfulness of the unfortunate sufferer—dwelt on the circumstance of the prisoner and the deceased leaving the house that night nearly at the same time—and combined, collated and commented on the evidence adduced with very considerable ingenuity, point and energy.
After his witnesses, which amounted to 30 or 40, had been examined, Mr. Burr opened the defence with such perspicuity and force, as disentangled every circumstance of perplexity; tore away the suspicions that had obliquely hung upon the public mind; and shed such luminous evidence on every part of the subject, as dispelled all the distraction of doubt, and left on the jury, court and audience, but one impression, that the prisoner at the bar was an injured and innocent man; that if the deceased was murdered, this at least was not the man.
The examination of all the witnesses being then concluded, and their evidence and force scrutinized with the utmost severity, the attorney-general moved an adjournment, urging that he was so exhausted as to be incapable of following the gentlemen in opposition to him through the course of the observations which they were about to make in vindication of the prisoner, and much less of entering on the support of the charge. The court and jury objected, and after some conversation had taken place, Mr. Hamilton, one of the counsel for Weeks, arose, and observed that the case was too plain to require any laboured elucidation, and that they were willing, without a single commentary of their own, to rest the conviction or acquittal of their client simply to the recital of facts, as summed up and explained in the charge of the court. This being assented to, chief justice Lansing arranged, sifted and weighed the evidence with great ability, and concluded with expressing the unanimous opinion of the court, that Mr. Weeks was not guilty of the crime of which he was accused.
The jury, which was very respectable, after having retired 3 or 4 minutes, returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
Thus without the aid of eloquence—without the influence of powerful connections, but by the evidence of facts alone, is this young man's innocence completely established. Not a single doubt remains on the mind of any person who was present at the trial; and though the concourse of people was great, and every one had come more or less impressed with the idea that he was guilty; yet in the course of the trial every circumstance of suspicion which had been so zealously and malignantly propagated, were so satisfactorily explained, or proved so totally false, that the auditory, who had come prepared to condemn, were, as soon as the verdict not guilty was given, just bursting into involuntary and exulting acclamations, when they were peremptorily ordered to refrain by the court.
It is to be hoped that those persons who were not present at the trial, and who may yet harbour any doubts—will at least suppress them till they have read the whole circumstances, as detailed in the trial, an account of which is shortly to be published. It is still more to be hoped that those who have been instrumental and active in misleading public sentiment, and stirring up public indignation, would seal up their lips. Suspicion at length may fasten on them.
We cannot conclude these remarks without adding, that even those witnesses which were brought forward on the part of the prosecution, as well as a great number of neighbours and respectable persons—indeed all who knew the prisoner, and could conveniently attend, gave testimony in favour of his character—that he was industrious, prudent and amiable, in such an uncommon degree, as to have gained the esteem of every one—that no probable motive was produced that could have prompted him to the commission of such an enormity; that the distance of the well where the body was found, was about a mile; that Mr. Weeks spent the whole of that evening, except from 8 o'clock to 20 or 25 minutes after, at his brother's house: that 14 or 15 of these were proved to have been spent at his own lodgings: that these dates were precisely fixed; that before he went out, and after he returned, he was composed, spoke as usual, and gave no symptoms of absence or agitation of mind; that he slept that night soundly, and rose at the customary hour and went about his work as usual; that the circumstance of the sleigh being heard going out of Mr. Weeks' yard appeared on examination unworthy of the smallest credit; that the young woman and the prisoner were not seen going out together; that she was not pregnant; that there was no reason to believe he had promised her marriage; and that she had before, more than once, staid out late, and so late as to create serious uneasiness and enquiry, and on returning, was known to have said she had been at a place where she really had not been; and particularly and emphatically, that several physicians, among whom was one or two of eminence, had examined the body, and who unanimously declared, that they saw no marks of violence.
These circumstances are detailed from memory, and therefore may be inaccurate in part. We have not at least intentionally erred.
April 9.
This morning Judge Washington delivered his opinion in the case of the Amelia.
The Amelia was a Hamburg ship, and taken in September last, in going from Calcutta to Europe, by a French privateer—after remaining about ten days in her possession, she was recaptured by the Constitution frigate, commanded by Capt. Talbot. The ship and cargo were libelled in the District Court—one half of the net proceeds given to the re-captors as salvage. From this decree the owners appealed to the Circuit Court of the United States. The appeal was argued on Saturday last. Mr. Burr and Mr. B. Livingston contended that the decree of the District Court should be reversed in toto, or that a much smaller salvage should be allowed.—Gen. Hamilton and Mr. Harrison argued in favour of the decree.
Judge Washington, after taking notice of the arguments on both sides, gave his decided opinion that no salvage was due, and therefore reversed the decree of the District Court.
It is but justice to Judge Washington to say, that we have never heard an opinion delivered in a manner more amiable, elegant, or perspicuous.
We understand that the Amelia and her cargo sold for about 200,000 dollars; the whole of which will now be paid to the owners—a circumstance which reflects the greatest honour on the administration of justice in the United States.
BAD NEWS.
Capt. Bell, arrived here last evening in the schooner Americana, informs, that on the 21st of March, off Guadaloupe, he fell in with the U. States frigate John Adams, the Capt. of which informed him, that the U. States sloop of war Merrimack had been taken by a French ship of war, off Cayenne. [Daily Advertiser.]
The brig Christian, Capt. Chase, which arrived here on the 4th inst. came out under convoy of the Merrimack from Nevis. The latter parted with the fleet on the 17th March, in lat. 25, long. 70. It is highly questionable whether she should beat up to the latitude of Cayenne in less than 15 days, the tide-wind being always to eastward. From these circumstances we have a well-grounded conviction that the report of the capture of the Merrimack is wholly destitute of truth. [Mercant. Adv.]
Extract of a letter from Norfolk, dated March 25.
The Congress will not sail for some time; her masts are not yet finished. The Conquest of Egypt is arrived here, a prize to the Connecticut, Capt. Tiyon. She is a fine brig, mounting 20 guns.
April 10.
Late from Europe.
By the British packet Earl Gower, Capt. Deake, arrived yesterday afternoon from Falmouth, we received a London paper, "The Star," of Feb. 3, from which we give some extracts.
LONDON, February 8.
This morning Capt. J. Bradby, commander of his Majesty's ship Ariadne, arrived in town with dispatches for government, which were sent off to his Majesty at Windsor.
By this conveyance accounts were received of captain Sir Home Popham having reached the Russian frontiers on his way to Peterburgh, where this officer is to act as Inspector-General of the Russian forces which are to be brought into the field against France the ensuing spring. The arrangements for the intended expedition to Brittany, which is to take place early in the ensuing campaign, are now nearly adjusted. Gen. Sir Ralph Abercrombie, it is intended, shall have the chief command of the British forces; three battalions of the first, second and third regiments of Foot-Guards are to accompany him. The Russian troops at Jersey and Guernsey, and a fresh quota to be sent for the service of England, by the Emperor Paul, are to act in concert with the allied powers in their endeavour to establish a monarchical government in France.
Several requisitions are now signing by the Livery of London, requesting the Lord Mayor to call a Common-Hall to petition for peace. Westminster, and several counties and principal towns throughout the country, we understand, will quickly follow the example.
An order has been issued last year, in consequence of which the nobility of Brandenburg and Pomerania are no longer exempt from the payment of certain duties. They have taken great offence at an expression in the beginning of that order, which says, that the nobility have never contributed towards the expenses of the public, in proportion with other subjects. This, they say, is a truth which should be passed over with silence in a monarchical government, and which exposed him to contempt, without any benefit to the state.
By accounts from India, received yesterday, we learn, that in the month of August last, the Trincomalee sloop of war, of 16 guns, commanded by Lieutenant John Roe, engaged a French frigate of 24 guns, for the space of two hours, in the Straits of Dabemandel. The action was so heroically maintained on the part of the British ship, having laid herself close on the quarter of the enemy, that both vessels unfortunately blew up, and we are concerned to state, the whole of the respective crews perished.
BOSTON, April 12.
His Honour MOSES GILL.
We are unhappy to inform the public, that his Honour the Commander in Chief of this Commonwealth lies dangerously ill of the dropsy. The best medical aid which our country affords, has been prescribed to him: but we are sorry to say, in all human probability we shall soon have to add the name of GILL to the numerous illustrious characters who have lately been called from the scenes of active life on earth, to the regions of immortality.
The Hon. Gouverneur Morris, Esq. is elected a Senator of the United States for the State of New-York, in the room of James Watson, Esq. resigned.

The obituary of 1799 will be ever deemed remarkable, as recording the deaths of the three most considerable characters of three quarters of the globe, viz. In Asia, of the Emperor of China; in Europe, of the Pope; and in America, of General WASHINGTON. To the eye of genius, this singular coincidence of events, we think, must present ground-work for fame and usefulness.
April 14.
Extract of a letter from one of the most respectable houses in Liverpool, to a gentleman in Baltimore, dated 5th of February, 1800.
"We have just time by this conveyance to inform you, that wheat has this day been sold at 24s per 70lbs—a cargo of flour is arrived from New-York, for which 80s a 84s per bbl. is expected—new rice is 35s a 36s per cwt. and all in great demand."
Yesterday arrived here the ship John Adams, Capt. Tolman, in 54 days from Liverpool: By her we have received London papers to February 13th, which, though several days later than before come to hand, contained nothing of great importance.
The subject of the Legislative Union of Ireland with Great-Britain, was laid before the Irish Parliament the 6th of February; by a message from the Lord Lieutenant. The union is to take place in January, 1801, and the two Kingdoms after that period are to bear the name of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Ireland . This message it was moved should be taken into consideration; and a debate ensued, when on a division, the number stood—ayes 158, noes 115—majority 43, in favour of the union.
Under the Hamburg date of the 4th of February, we find the following articles:—"The intelligence is at length confirmed, that the Russian troops have, in consequence of the differences existing between Austria and Russia, received orders to return home. This event has caused considerable anxiety throughout Germany; and England is the only power that will be in a state, after the re-establishment of the usual communication, to effect once more a change in the determination of the Emperor Paul. Russia and England are on such terms of reciprocal friendship, that every thing may be hoped from the interference of the latter."
By the comments on this article, in the London papers, the fact appears substantiated, that the Emperor Paul waits to be coaxed by Great-Britain, before he will again cordially take his brother of Austria by the hand. This circumstance, however, has not abated the commanding tone which the British ministry here assumed.
It appears probable that the High Consul of France is in treaty with the Sublime Porte; for we find by a Paris article, that the Turkish Ambassador at Paris had conferred with Mr. Talleyrand, after the receipt of dispatches from Constantinople, and afterwards had dined with Buonaparte.
Mr. Pitt has given notice he shall require a loan of 21,000,000. sterling.
The Loire frigate has captured a French frigate of 40 guns, after a smart action.
The King of Prussia equally resists the "per-suasions of France, as the threats of Russia, to urge him to relinquish his neutrality."
The Hetty Meale, from New-York, is taken by the French, and carried into St. Andero. Lloyd's list, February 11.
The English channel fleet, under Sir Allan Gardner, was at sea February 8.
To many other respectful tributes of applause of the life, talents and virtues of our WASHINGTON, it is with pleasure we add the following, the pathetic effusion of one of the French Legislators.
LEGISLATIVE BODY, 13th Pluviose, Feb. 2.
In speaking of General Washington, Felix Paulon said,
"This is not the moment to retrace in this hall all that that great man has done for the freedom of America; the number and importance of his war-like exploits; the generous inspiration with which he animated the French who fought under him, and the sublime act by which he did eternal honour to his memory, when, after having contributed so much to give freedom to his country, he laid down voluntarily the supreme power, to hide his glory in the obscurity of private life."
Malice and mean jealousy have attempted to spread a deadly venom over so great a life, but their perfidious insinuations are lost in the universal suffrages of his grateful fellow-patriots, and of all the free men in the universe."
Yet he is no more! the hero whose eulogium affords pleasure to great minds; who has doubly merited the civic palm, both as a warrior and as a citizen; who combined every virtue with every talent; who, after having begun and supported the revolution by his abilities, his valour and virtue, knew how to terminate it by the moderation as well as the wisdom of his counsels; who has done more yet than render his countrymen free, who has rendered them happy."
Oh Legislators! feel you not your souls swell at these illustrious recollections, which, by a privilege worthy to be envied, are connected with nothing to be regretted, and create none but sweet and elevated emotions? Do you not desire that this tribune, where we are forbidden to mix our voices in legislative discussions, should at least serve to shew the impression of our gratitude, of our veneration, of our unanimous sorrow? Do you not feel the necessity of joining our portion of funeral praise to that which all free people will address to the manes of the magnanimous Washington; and which we owe him still more particularly, we, among whom the electric example of the American revolution sowed the first seeds of the desire of independence? He moved, that the President should, on the 28th Frimaire (the anniversary of the day of the General's death) make a speech in honour of the hero whose loss every one deplores.
For the PROVIDENCE JOURNAL.
MR. CARTER, OBSERVING in the Providence Gazette of the 5th instant, a remark said to be made by Capt. Perot, of the ship Vengeance, to Capt. Phillips, respecting the splitting of the shot fired by Commodore Truxton, from the Constellation, against the French ship; I am induced to make some observations on the subject, and hope, by contributing my mite of experience in the business of manufacturing and using cannon shot, to be of some use to the public.
It has been supposed by many, that any kind of cast iron, such as old pot-metal, scraps, &c. would answer to cast into cannon balls; but this is well known, by those who have had experience in the business, to be a mistake, as the difficulty of casting shot from iron which is not adapted to the purpose is so great, the workmen are obliged to make use of an art which is highly detrimental to the shot, in order to make them globular, as this hard kind of sulphurous iron, while in a state of fusion, is so turbulent, and emits so many particles, that it is impossible to fill the moulds, so as to produce a good and fair casting; and this kind of iron is so hard, that one stroke with a sledge will reduce a cannon ball into many parts. This quality in the iron is owing to the nature of the mineral of which it is made. Iron of a different quality from that described, is mild in fusion, lies perfectly still in the furnace, emits no particles, and runs like cream from the ladles; fills the moulds without bubbles; and as cast iron (contrary to all other metals) expands in cooling, fills every crevice, and produces a smooth and fair casting, which, when it is cold, is so malleable as to endure the hammer, leaving only the impression of the stroke.
It is probable, from the dispersed and scattered state in which the parts of shot are found in a battery of earth, that many of those hollow, hard and imperfect shot, are split and broken in the air, before they reach the object, by the violent concussion which they receive in the explosion from the cannon. It is evident from experience, that guns made of hard and brittle iron will not stand the proof, although they are made of an extraordinary size and weight; whereas guns made of the mild, soft, and malleable iron, stand the proof, though much reduced in size and weight, to the great ease of the ship, and convenience of managing.
In Europe, the iron smelters have the art of reducing this hard and brittle iron into a soft and tough nature, by mixing with it some kind of ferruginous earth, ochre, or sand, and by applying a suitable degree of heat while it is in fusion. But the best smelters of iron in the northern States have not this art, and I believe it is not known in America. If from our first essay with our shot we find any of them defective, it is material that particular attention should be paid to them in future. It is evident that if this essential article fails, the bravery of our countrymen and the complete equipment of our ships will be of no avail.
It will be found by calculation, that if the French ship Vengeance was worth two millions of dollars, as is reported, and Commodore Truxton had been so fortunate as to have brought her into this country, he would have returned five hundred dollars, or about thirty pounds of silver, for every pound of iron expended in the action; and if opportunities ever present for exchanging iron at this rate, it is essential that our cannon and ball are of a good quality. Muller, in his tables on gunnery, calculates the diameters of the calibres of cannon, and the diameters of shot for each size, to the thousandth part of an inch, with suitable windage allowed for the shot. It is found by the nations of Europe, in their long experience in the art of war, necessary to be particular, in this respect; and as the present stock of cannon and shot will probably in part remain for the future use of the country, it is highly necessary that the agents who purchase for the public should contract for or receive none but what are of the best quality.
Notwithstanding we have missed of recovering in part the plundered property of the American merchants by the capture of the Vengeance, we have the exulting satisfaction of remarking the bravery and courage of our countrymen, displayed in their nocturnal contest, so exemplary to our growing navy, and so essentially necessary to the establishment of our naval character; and it is hoped, that if Commodore Truxton is permitted by Congress to go to sea in a 74 gun ship (as was proposed by a very worthy member of that honourable body) he will be supplied with ball that will pierce either royal or republican oak, when hurled from the American Eagle by legal authority; and if the Lyon of the wilderness should growl, on his return he will shake the golden chain of his medal at him, and point to the motto.
A Friend to the American Navy.
Scraps from London Papers.
The message of the Grand Consul of the Great Nation has not had the least influence on the Consols at our Stock Exchange; whence it may fairly be concluded, that French Consols here are greatly below par!
A Maid of 64—credent qui vult—on whom stern necessity had imposed an irksome state of celibacy, some weeks since became rich by the demise of a distant relative, and on Tuesday last was led to the Hymeneal altar by a young man of 21. The happy pair have not chosen their new residence with much regard to the Shandean system—it is on Labour-in-vain-hill.
The Duke of Modena and the United States of America are the strongest evidence to prove that Buonaparte and Talleyrand are the greatest Swindlers in Europe.
The present year is quite a Natty Crop a la Bedford! No long tails to the cyphers, either crooked or straight! All round-headed, honest, plain numbers! It is expected this fashion will just last seven years.
Providence, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16.
Monday last being the anniversary of the PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION OF MECHANICS AND MANUFACTURERS, for the choice of officers, the following members were re-elected to the offices affixed to their respective names, viz.
Mr. JAMES BURRILL, President , Mr. BENJAMIN TALLMAN, Vice-President , Mr. SAMUEL THURBER, jun. Treasurer , Mr. JOSEPH BALCH, Secretary .
At half past 10 o'clock, agreeably to previous arrangements, the Association, formed in procession, and proceeded to the First Congregational meeting-house, where an Oration was delivered by TAITAM BURRILL, Esq. in which was judiciously displayed the importance of the Mechanic Arts to the rising greatness of our country—the beneficial effects of corporate and individual exertions for their attainment and perfection, and the advantages resulting therefrom to the community, by increasing its wealth and preserving its independence.—The impressive manner in which the orator spoke, and a conviction of the truth and justness of his remarks, excited the admiration and applause of a numerous and respectable audience.
The new standard of the Association which was displayed in the procession, attracted general notice, and contained, besides the several devices of the Mechanic powers, emblems expressive and appropriate, all wrought in needle-work, in a manner which does honour to the taste and ingenuity of Miss BALCH, under whose direction the work was executed, principally by Miss ELIZA WALKER, a young lady who has been taught to excel in so elegant an accomplishment, in the school which has justly gained such reputation under the government of Miss BALCH.
Summary of late European Events.
In Dublin, Feb. 3, the question of Union was postponed until the Wednesday following. The Paris journals of Feb. 3 state, that the warfare has been favourable, in the western departments, to the republicans; several of the chiefs, D'Autichamp, Chatillon and Bourmont, have accepted terms of peace. Several severe skirmishes have taken place in various quarters of the division of M. M. Froet and Georges, in which the republicans claim victory. Georges is said to have been wounded. Brune has declared, that he will pursue them until he compels them to surrender.
A letter from Pifa, of the 11th of January, states, that a quarrel has taken place between the Hon. Mr. Windham, and the commander of the Russian troops in Tuscany; the cause is said to have been the disbanding of the armed peasants.
Raib Effendi, late envoy of the Grand Seignor to the court of Vienna, was beheaded in the island of Rhodes, for carrying on a correspondence with the French.
Sir Sidney Smith has failed in another attempt on Dalmatia.
A treaty between England and the Porte has been concluded, similar to that concluded between Russia and the Porte.
CHARLESTON, March 18.
CAUTION TO SEAMEN.
Such navigators as use Hamilton Moore's tables of the sun's declination, where the year 1800 is called a leap year, may be liable to fall into a material error on and after the first of March inst.
This present year, 1800, according to the Gregorian calendar (or new style) is not leap year, nor does the month of February contain 29 days, as stated in those tables: hence the true declination for the first of March next, must be taken from what is called the 29th of February in those tables; that of the second of March from the 1st, and the 3rd from the 2nd, and so on.
Without attending to this caution, the navigator will be lead into an error, sometimes of 20 minutes and upwards in the declination, and of course in all the calculations where it is used.
N. B. Some editions of Moore's navigation are right, particularly the 13th.
Veneration was on Sunday paid to the memory of the deceased General WASHINGTON, by the officers and sailors of the American ships in the port of London, assembling in solemn devotion at St. John's Church, Wapping, clad with mourning for the irreparable loss. [ London Pap. ]
The state of the votes for Governor of Massachusetts, by the last returns received at Boston, was on Monday as follows: The Hon. Mr. Strong, 12,054—The Hon. Mr. Gerry, 10,419.
We have it from indubitable authority, says a New-York paper, that the port of the Havannah will remain open to the American trade during the war.
The ship Refource, Capt. Pearce, of this port, arrived at Canton the 20th of November last.
Died,
"On Sunday evening last, after a long and distressing illness, in the 38th year of her age, Mrs. Sarah Young, the very amiable and virtuous consort of Mr. John Young. Apprised, through the debility of decaying nature, that her dissolution was at hand, she consoled her sorrowing friends, by evincing that patience and tranquillity which are characteristic of the true christian; and cheerfully resigning her soul to its merciful Creator, in the firm belief of a blessed resurrection to eternal life. The funeral obsequies will be performed at half past 4 o'clock this afternoon, which the friends of the deceased are requested to attend, without further invitation."
On Sunday last, Col. Joseph Hoyle. At sea, George Vandepuy, Esq. Admiral of the Blue in the British navy, and commander in chief on the Halifax station.
REMOVAL.
Nathan Truman, APOTHECARY,
TAKES this method of tendering his sincere thanks to his friends and customers for their past favours, and begs leave to inform them, and the public in general, that he has removed his business from his late stand, a few steps north-east, to a new shop he has erected, next door east of Messrs. Williams and Bulard, and opposite Mr. Abner Daggett's store; where he has for sale, a very general assortment of Drugs, Medicines and Dye-Stuffs, too numerous for an advertisement, which he is determined to sell on terms that he flatters himself will induce his old friends and new customers to call on him for whatever they may want in that line. Particular care will always be taken to procure the very best articles he deals in. Prescriptions from physicians and others will be carefully attended to, and their favours of every description received with gratitude.
N. B. Constant attendance given from sunrise till nine o'clock in the evening. April 16.
For SALE, by Samuel Ames,
ELEGANT Chinez Furnitures , which being a consignment, will be sold at cost and charges only. April 16. (6w.)
For Sale,
ABOUT three acres of LAND, in this town, lying near the estate of the late Col. JOSEPH HOYLE, being part of the lot commonly called the Tyler Lot. For particulars, enquire of DEXTER BROWN. April 9.
Just received, and for SALE by Rufus Greene,
(Price, on fine paper, 33 cents—on coarse, 25 cents.)
A NARRATIVE of the loss of the ship HERCULES, commanded by Capt. Benjamin Stout, on the coast of Caffraria, the 16th of June, 1796.—Also, a circumstantial detail of his travels through the southern deserts of Africa, and the colonies, to the Cape of Good Hope; with an introductory address to the Rt. Hon. JOHN ADAMS, President of the Continental Congress of America.
EXTRACT FROM THE INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.
"SIR, IF this volume be transmitted across the Atlantic, and should find its way to your hand, receive it as the voluntary homage of a native American, who from his earliest life hath been taught to venerate your virtues and your talents. A work like the present, which has for its object the diffusion of science, the promotion of civilization through the unexplored regions of Africa, and the establishment of colonial settlements in that fertile but neglected quarter of the earth, cannot, be addressed to any individual with more propriety than to you. Succeeding our illustrious WASHINGTON in the chair of the people, your constitutional influence must be extensive, and there lives a powerful advocate in your bosom, for the success of every measure that has a tendency to alleviate the sorrows of humanity. The untutored tribes of America have already experienced the beneficence of your nature, and I am now desirous to arrest your attention, and interest your feelings, on behalf of those wandering children of nature, who are scattered over the deserts of the African world; a race of unoffending mortals, long persecuted by those enlightened savages , who, under the appellations of christians and Dutchmen , settled themselves by violence on the southern promontory."
To me, Sir, this is a subject that takes full possession of all my affections. Cast with sixty of my people, on the shores of Caffraria, after combating the horrors of a tempest, which I believe has but few parallels in the history of naval misfortune (and which will be fully described in the succeeding narrative) I found in the natives a hospitality, and received from them a protection, which on many of the shores that belong to the polished nations of Europe I might have sought for in vain. These unfortunate inhabitants of Caffraria, who have been so often and so wickedly denominated savages , that delight and revel in human slaughter, I found possessed of all those compassionate feelings, that alone give a justie to, and adorn humanity; living in a state of perpetual alarm from the persecuting and avaricious disposition of the colonists, and instructed by their fathers to consider a white man as a being who never hesitates to murder when plunder is in view. Still a justifiable revenge yielded to the virtuous impulse of compassion, and our necessities were generously relieved, without even the prospect of a recompence. When thrown, by the raging of the elements, on the sandy shores of their country, we were all unarmed, not having saved from the wreck a single article, either for our defence, clothing or subsistence; in this situation, we were completely at the mercy of the natives; but instead of remembering and revenging the wrongs they and their predecessors had endured from the savage whites , they made a fire to dry us; they slaughtered a bullock, which they gave us for our subsistence; they conducted us to a spring of the most limpid and wholesome water; and when we were enabled to travel, furnished us with guides through the deserts of their country. Such was the conduct of a people, who have been described as barbarians, possessing no other semblance of the human character than what they derived from their formation."

Selected Poetry.
HOPE.
From Campbell's Pleasures of Hope.
At Summer's eve, when Heaven's aerial bow Spans with bright arch the glittering hills below, Why to yon mountain turns the musing eye, Whose sun-bright summit mingles with the sky?
Thus, with delight, we linger to survey The promis'd joys of life's unmeasur'd way; Thus from afar, each dim discover'd scene More pleasing seems than all the past hath been;
What potent spirit guides the raptur'd eye To pierce the shades of dim futurity? Can wisdom lend, with all her heavenly powers, The pledge of joy's anticipated hour?
With thee, sweet Hope! resides the heavenly light That pours remotest rapture on the sight; Thine is the charm of life's bewilder'd way; That calls each slumbering passion into play;
Primeval Hope, th' Aonian Muses say, When Man and Nature mourn'd their first decay--- When every form of Death and ev'ry Woe Shot from malignant stars to Earth below;
NEW-YORK, April 8. As we daily hear of the Chouans, and of the extraordinary exertions which Ministers are making to furnish them with money, arms and ammunition, the public may naturally be curious to know the origin of the appellation by which they are designated. Chouan signifies a screech-owl; and under the monarchy this term was made use of to describe a gang of rebels, who for several years ravaged the West of France, carrying on their depredations principally during the night. The Republicans now bandy it back upon the Royalists.
An English paper mentions that an aged seaman, named Edward Hardcastle, died lately at Gosport. He was celebrated for the following exploit:—During the visit which the Duke of York paid to Admiral Rodney, on board the Marlborough, in 1766, he got to the very top of the vane of the main-mast, and stood there on his head, waving his hat several times with his foot. He received a present from his Royal Highness, with a request not to repeat so dangerous a proof of his dexterity.
The Lollia Paulina of the present day, is Madame Buonaparte, who, it is said, on her own person, exhibits gems, diamonds and antiques, to the value of more than 200,000. sterling. The Philanthropist, who said he never looked at a Lump of Sugar without fancying it was spotted with the blood of Negroes, would see many strange images in those gems. Provinces debolated, and thousands of families straying naked and without bread, would, without the assistance of much imagination, occur to the mind of any one who beheld the gaudy pageant of the day adorned with the spoils of ruined nations:
"Can all these gems make pallid Hippia glow, Or in her bosom heal the throbs of woe?"
It is said of Buonaparte, that while in the Syrian expedition, he was bitten by a snake; and, what may appear very extraordinary, the Serpent died in half an hour afterwards.
TO BE LEASED, For any length of time, THE Wharf and Store, belonging to the heirs of JOSEPH BROWN , deceased, lately occupied by Col. THOMAS LLOYD HALSEY , adjoining the estate of Mr. JOHN EVELETH . For particulars enquire of OBADIAH BROWN . Providence, April 5, 1800.
Rhode-Island District, ss. BY virtue of a warrant from the Hon. BENJAMIN BOURN , Esq. Judge of the District Court for the District of Rhode-Island, there will be exposed for sale at Public Auction, on Thursday the 24th of April instant, the snow MARY , as she now lies at Col. ARCHIBALD CRARY 's wharf, in Newport; said snow having been decreed forfeit, at a special District Court held in Providence on the 7th day of April, 1800, for having been employed in transporting aves from the coast of Africa to the West-Indies, contrary to a statute of the United States. April 9. W. PECK, Marshal.
Notice.
THE subscriber hopes it will be convenient for his friends, who may have business to settle, or who may wish to consult with him in the line of his profession, to call upon him, in future, on WEDNESDAYS or SATURDAYS ; on which days he proposes to give special attendance at his office. And, on other days, as usual, Mr. W. C. WHITE and Mr. JOHN PITMAN , jun. the present clerks in his office, give constant attendance.
D. HOWELL. N. B. The DWELLING-HOUSE belonging to said HOWELL , near the north end of this town, is to be let—to be entered upon immediately. April 9.
Just arrived, and for sale by Benjamin and Edward Aborn, At their Store, near the Long-Wharf, 1000 bushels of CORN White-Oak Hoghead Staves and Heading. April 9.
Public notice is hereby given, that there will be sold at Public Auction, on the 12th day of May next, at 12 o'clock in the forenoon, by order of the Supreme Judicial Court,
THE Real Estate of which GEORGE W. RHODES , late of Providence, died seized, lying in Scituate, or so much thereof as will be sufficient to make up the deficiency of the personal estate, which belonged to the said George, to pay the debts due from said estate, with the expences of settling the same. The sale to be made on the premises. The conditions of sale to be made known at the time and place of sale. SAMUEL ABORN, jun. Administrator. April 9.
William Blodget, jun.
At Store, No. 7, Cheapside , next door north of Capt. Seth Wheaton's , adjoining Mr. Thomas Arnold's , will sell for cash, at prices remarkably low, BROADCLOTHS and Cassimeres , of every description Genoa and Queen's Cord , Nankeens Cotton , Cassimere , white and fancy colour'd Marseilles and mouselinet  Veltings India and English  Lustrings Sattins , Sarcenets Patent and common silk Hosiery , of every description Plated  Cotton do. Umbrellas , Kid and Morocco  Shoes Cambricks , Linens , jaconet and book Muslins and Handkerchiefs Cock'd and round Hats Superfine , common and low-priced silk and kid Gloves , of fashionable kinds and lengths Stuff Goods Carpets and Carpeting 3-4 and 4-4 Calicoes and Chintzes , worthy very particular attention Gingham , Powder , Pomatum Camel's-hair Shawls Crapes , Gauzes , Edgings Pocket-Books , Platillas Bleach'd and brown Sheetings Dowlas , Tiffany Paris  Net Gauze , Purses and Slings Muskets , Pistols , Epaulets , Laces , Dirk and Swords .
The prices of all the above (for cash) will be made perfectly satisfactory to the purchaser. April 2.
BY APPOINTMENT.
For Sale,
At the POST-OFFICE in this Town, DR. LEE's patent New-London Bilious PILLS , celebrated throughout the United States and the West-Indies, in the cure and prevention of intermittent, remittent, bilious, inflammatory and yellow fevers—jaundice, bilious cholic, indigestion, dropsy, gout, rheumatism, pleurisy, chlorosis, worms, dysentery, bilious vomitings, convulsion and epileptic fits, asthma, coughs and colds accompanied with costiveness, foul stomach, scurvy, sore throat, hypochondria, and hysterical affections, &c. &c. &c.
Certificates of their efficacy may be seen by applying to the vender, who has the exclusive privilege of vending in this town, and will be regularly supplied with the genuine pills from the patentee. April 2. (3m.)
For SALE, by Augustus Larned,
200 Barrels of Prime Beef 100 do. Prime Pork 75 half do. Mefs do. 75 do. do. Beef 100 Barrels of Menhaden Fish West-India Rum, per hhd. Molasses, per do. Sugar, per do. or barrel First quality Cape Coffee, in barrels A few bags of Cotton Wool Butter and Lard, Hoops, &c. The above articles will be sold on good terms for the purchaser. March 26.
THE co-partnership of DODGE and WILLIAMS is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All persons having unsettled accounts with said firm, are requested to call and settle them immediately. The Goldsmith and Jewellers business is carried on in all its branches by NEHEMIAH DODGE , at his shop, opposite Mr. Hawes' Tavern, a little north of the Baptist Meeting-House. The Clock and Watch-making business in all its branches will be attended to with fidelity and dispatch, by STEPHEN WILLIAMS , at his shop, Main-Street, a few doors north of the Market, directly opposite Mr. Shaw's Tavern. The smallest favours will be gratefully acknowledged by NEHEMIAH DODGE, STEPHEN WILLIAMS. March 25.
GUNNERY.
THE subscriber respectfully informs the public, that he carries on the Gunnery business at his Shop, South-end, next door north of Col. John Spurr's ; where may be had the following articles, at short notice, made up in the best manner, viz. Grape Shot, Cannon and Musket Cartridges, Priming Horns, Portfires Match-ropes, Musket Balls, Powder and Shot. &c. &c. March 5. ALLEN GLADDING.
MAIL-STAGE.
THE subscribers respectfully inform the public, that the only regular line of Stages for New-York and Boston, start from A. AMMIDON's , at the sign of the Golden-Ball, near the State-House, in Providence; where ladies and gentlemen are invited to call and take their seats. The Mail Stage leaves Providence for New-York and Boston, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; for New-York at 4 o'clock, A. M. and for Boston, at 6 o'clock, A. M.
Particular care will be taken that the Mail-Stage is not crowded; not more than eight persons are allowed to go in the Mail-Stage to Boston. SOLOMON HATCH, and Co., January 22. (tf.)
THOMAS JONES
Has for sale, the ensuing season, the following SEEDS, received from London in the ship Halycon , last month; which he presumes, from the care taken to procure them, are genuine and good, viz.
EARLY golden Hotspur , early frame, charlton, Spanish dwarf and marrowsfat PEASE Early Yorkshire, early Dutch, drumhead, large late winter, yellow and green Savoy , and true red CABBAGE Early and late Coliflower , and green Cale Four sorts of Radish , and five sorts of Lettuce Early and long late Cucumber Beet , Carrot , Turnip , and many small seeds, too tedious to particularize Fresh  Onion Seeds, from Concord, Harvard and Bristol, and a variety of Garden Seeds of this country's growth Long-Island  Flax-Seed , imported the last winter, and other Flax-Seed , clean for sowing Carolina  Field-Beans and Pease Clean  Barley from Vermont, and elsewhere Oats , Rye , &c. Herd's-grass , clover , bent , and red-top GRASS-SEEDS . March 19.
For SALE, by Amos Maine Atwell,
CONNECTICUT Salted Provisions of the best Qualities, and in excellent shipping order, viz. Prime Beef , Prime Pork , Mefs Pork , and one hog Pork .—Also, 20 Firkins of Butter , 7000 feet 1-4 inch Planed hard Pine Boards , 2000 feet 2 inch Pine Plank , 700 feet 1 inch cherry-tree Boards , Two thousand Clapboards . The above Goods are offered for sale on terms highly favourable to the purchaser. October 30. (tf.)
For Sale,
A FARM , as good, and as pleasantly situated, as any in the country, lying on the turnpike road leading from Hartford to Boston, near the centre of the town; with a large house, two barns, merchant's shop, corn-house, cider-mill, slaughter-house, and a forty-eight feet building; with a shed, chaise-house, &c. under the same roof. Said farm contains twenty-five acres in the home lot, eighteen acres of wood land, and fifteen acres of mowing and ploughing; and an orchard, which is a little distance off. Will make from forty to fifty barrels of cider annually. It is an excellent stand for a tavern, and is now improved as such. ALSO, A convenient HOUSE for a mechanic (to be sold separate from the above.) For further particulars, enquire of NATHAN GROSVENOR, living on the premises. Pomfret, March 9. (4w)
To be SOLD, by Samuel James,
On the west side of the great Bridge, Providence, 20 Hhds. of good retailing Molasses 2 do. W. India Rum , of an excellent flavour 40 Kegs of Lard 10 Firkins of Butter 10 Barrels of Prime Beef 100 Quintals of Codfish 30 M. Hoghead Hoops , of a good quality 400 Shaken Hogheads Rum and Fish Barrels . ALSO—as usual, A general assortment of Dry Goods , suitable for the season;—all which will be sold very cheap for cash, or on a short credit, with approved notes. February 26. (2m.)
Thomas S. Webb
HAS FOR SALE, At his Paper-Hanging Manufactory, in Broad-street, opposite Dr. Dyer's (west side of the river) a large assortment of PAPER-HANGINGS.
CONSISTING of upwards of four thousand rolls, suitable for covering rooms, chambers, entries and halls; with festoon, patch, chintz and common borders, from one to ten inches in breadth, by wholesale and retail. A handsome deduction made to those who purchase to sell again. Also, a general assortment of Books and Stationary, Music and Instruments.
C and B . Clarionets , Hautboys , Flutes , Violins , Fifes , Books of instruction for the Clarionet , Hautboy , Violin , Flute , Fortepiano , &c. and several hundred different songs in sheet music. March 5. (6m.)
JUST RECEIVED, AND FOR SALE BY BENJAMIN THURBER,
At the sign of the Bunch of Grapes, A FRESH supply of fine India COTTONS . ALSO, India  Bandano  Handkerchiefs , and other fancy Goods, likewise, Sleece Cotton , all at moderate prices. February 19. (6w.)
HAPPY CONTRADICTION.
OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES, An extraordinary event at the opening of the extraordinary year 1800. Being the beginning of the latter end of a century.
AT a tavern last night an old fashioned health was drank—"May we never see an old friend with a new face."—Q, who sat in a corner, slyly observed, that it was all FUDGE; that he could satisfy the company they would be all glad to see their friends with new faces. Some grumbled; others laughed, but all seemed curious to learn the particulars; he began thus: "Have you never used "HOPKINS' RAZOR STROPS?"
Yes, said one—No, said another; the experienced applauded the explanation, and those who had been in the habit of mowing their muzzles with handflaws, felt the brushes on their chins bristle with eagerness to render their old fashioned faces new to their friends—to satisfy their curiosity Q went on thus; HOPKINS' RAZOR STROPS , which disappoint the most sanguine by their smooth and agreeable execution, are sold by appointment, at 75 cents, 1 dollar and 25 cents, and 2 dollars each, with the addition of a composition that will keep it in order for ages, at 50 cents. BUT MARK THE IMPROVEMENT.
To men who travel where there are no professional face-scrapers—to seamen of every grade—to the whiskered soldier in his huted tent—(how comfortable.)
The new invented and improved Box , containing, in the compass of little more than an ordinary comb-case,
A polished Razor — Comb — Brush — Lather Box , and Mirror —with a box for the surprising composition, all in a Morocco case, most conveniently calculated to fit the pocket without incumbrance.
The whole of this new portable and useful apparatus sold at No. 65, South Third-Street (opposite the United States Bank) Philadelphia; and in Providence, by JEREMIAH F. JENKINS , at No. 3, Market-street;
At only three Dollars. And by the agents usually appointed to dispose of the invaluable and agreeable STROP . Feb. 19. (t.f.)
DANCING-SCHOOL.
John C. Devero
Respectfully informs the inhabitants of Providence, and its vicinity, that he proposes renewing his Dancing-School on Wednesday the 9th of April next, for one quarter. He returns his grateful thanks for the very liberal patronage he experienced from the citizens of this town last season; and as a further encouragement to those parents and guardians who are pleased to bestow on their children this polite and necessary part of their education, he proposes the following moderate terms:—If one scholar, six dollars; two from a family, eleven dollars; and if three, fifteen dollars—to attend two days in the week, and the hours of tuition regulated so as not to interfere on the time appropriated to other schools. March 19.
This Day Published,
Price single, neatly bound and lettered, 75 cents; and for sale, by ABRAHAM SHEARMAN , jun. New-Bedford; and likewise may be had at the Book-store of RUFUS GREENE , Providence.
A WORK, entitled, " The Power of Religion on the Mind, in Retirement, Affliction, and at the Approach of Death ": exemplified in the testimonies and experience of persons distinguished by their Greatness, Learning or Virtue.
'Tis immortality—'tis that alone, Amidst life's pains, abasements, emptiness, The soul can comfort, elevate, and fill. Young.
From the seventh edition, corrected and much enlarged.
Advertisement to the sixth edition. The compiler of this Work having very considerably enlarged the present edition, by the insertion of a number of additional characters and testimonies, the Bookseller will be under the necessity of advancing the price. But as the additions consist of many instances of female excellence (in which the former editions were defective) and of other instructive examples; in the choice of which, the introduction of a suitable variety of matter has been carefully attended to; the editor hopes that these considerations will prove a sufficient apology for enhancing the price of the book: and the more so, as he receives no pecuniary advantage whatever from the publication.
Besides the enlargement of this edition, with an accession of fresh characters, those of the preceding one have been corrected and extended, and the arrangement so conducted, as to coincide nearly with the order of time, and to diversify the whole.
Subscribers are desired to call or send for their Books.—Those persons who may hold subscription papers, would much oblige the publisher by returning them to him at New-Bedford. March 19.