The Kentucke gazette (Lexington [Ky.]), 1788-02-23 00:00:00

K E N T U C K E G A Z E T T E
S A T U R D A Y, FEBRUARY 23, 1788
To the HONOURABLE the CONGRESS of the United States of AMERICA.
THE representatives of the good people of Kentucky in Convention assembled, pursuant to an act of the general Assembly of Virginia intitled "an act concerning the erection of the District of Kentucky into an Independent State," having determined that it is expedient that the said District should be erected into a sovereign Independent State on the terms and conditions specified in the said act, and that the jurisdiction and authority of Virginia and her laws shall cease and determine forever over the said District on the 31st. day of December 1788, do therefore be leave to address your Honourable Body on the important subject.
HAPPINESS we all eagerly and incessantly pursue - this is the mark to which our aims are and while we continue to be rational creatures will forever be directed - If the inhabitants of the District of Kentucky connected with the Commonwealth of Virginia cannot from the pecuniary of their situation obtain this great object it is natural, it is reasonable to wish for a change.
THIS separation we anxiously desire to effect in the general constitutional mode prescribed in the act under which we act, but to avoid a more present suffering, which must grow with our growth and increase with our population that should we be unsuccessful in this application, we shall not consider ourselves in any manner answerable for the future conduct of our Contendents. We assure your honour, that our will to separate from our parent State does not proceed from any impatience under the necessary restraints of her Government, which we think wisely organized and well administered, but our remote situation and the exertion of Government, and the many intermediate natural obstacles prevent our enjoying equal advantage with our Eastern Brethren and preserve the idea of a connexion on republican principles.
THE force, implicitly confiding in the justice and liberality of Congress - Confiding that their care is equally extended to every part of the confederacy - sensible that as it is their duty, it is their inclination to relieve the distress and to communicate happiness to all the Citizens of America.
We in conformity to the act of Assembly before referred to and agreeable to a subsequent act intitled "an act making further provision for the erection of the District of Kentucky into an Independent State," apply to your honours to ratify the compact to be entered into between the State of Virginia and the District of Kentucky, by declaring your assent to the erection of the said District into an Independent State on the terms and conditions stipulated in the said acts, and that the said District when erected as aforesaid be permitted to enjoy equal privileges with the other of the United States of America and be styled the COMMON-WEALTH OF KENTUCKY.
As it is of great consequence to the good people of Kentucky to have the earliest information of the decision of your honours on this important and to them deeply interesting subject. We most earnestly intreat you to enter on the consideration thereof as soon as the other great affairs of State which demand your attention will permit, and that when decided you will be pleased to transmit the result of your deliberations in order that the CONVENTION to be elected to form a Constitution of Government may have time to accomplish that and other an important business before the expiration of the period fixed on by us when the authority of the Commonwealth of Virginia and of its laws, under certain exceptions, shall cease and determine for ever.
A copy from the journals.
THOMAS TODD C.C.
Printed by order of Convention. H. INNES.
Mr. PRADDESO.
THE following is in your paper. WHEN a combination of men persevere in a violent opposition to one man; there is reason to believe, that one side, or the other, is extremely to blame, and hence the necessity of a candid enquiry. If the party oppose this individual merely in the political line; and do not descend to attack his private character; this itself be supposed can proceed from nothing but a diversity in political sentiment. And whether the one
or the other is in the right; should be left to the impartial public to determine, upon a view of the measures pursued by each. And thus, while the politician is detected, exposed, and destroyed; the man provided he has no sinister views, remains unassailed, unhurt. For while human happiness like a single object plays before the dizzy light of man, and is seen through different medium; it will follow of course, that different men will pursue different means to obtain it. And on this score, however a person may deserve compassion, or not, for involuntary errors, he cannot possibly in the nature of things deserve censure. But my enemies, do not pretend, to lay hold on my political sentiments; tho' frequently and fully expressed. Yet it is my progress in the political line, which they would fain to obstruct. And in order to effect this, they attack my private character, and endeavour to bring me into contempt among my fellow citizens.
This is artful no doubt, for upon this ground a man may be accused that name who may not be capable of forming one just idea on a political subject; may be made use of as the most destructive tool.
But surely, if a man is a villain he should not be mixed with the public at all. Well then this is the ground of the opposition; and the cause of the combination against me, this then requires a little examination.
No man was ever born from nature, then if he is a villain, it must be by his own conduct. And this conduct consists of a number of transactions with other men, which come under the head of facts, reducible to proof. Now to conduct the business fairly. A man ought at least to know what he is charged with; indeed natural justice requires, that he should be heard in his defence, before he is judged, and found guilty before he is condemned. This is bringing the matter to a point. Now as it is a fundamental principle with me neither to impute, nor injure, any man, without cause. And as I am totally ignorant of having done anything to deserve that train of vulgar epithets, too gross to be repeated, which have been thrown on me by local custom-house people, to such a people, I demand if on them, I demand them, to exhibit a charge of the facts against me, which will justify their conduct. Let them colour the facts to suit their purpose, or if they cannot be mentioned without disgrace, let them make them such, or sign their names. And to this I will appear. If the charge is supported then let me suffer all the blame which my conduct may deserve. If it is not supported then let my enemies take the measure of their injustice and injury. I am assured that this investigation should take place. I have a public, as well as private, character at stake. If I am the villain unmasked me, for notwithstanding their activity in endeavouring the contrary, I still am flattered by the attention of friends both public and private, which I would not have deceived, and in that case should not deceive. I know it would be thought impertinent in me to trouble the public with contentions that were merely private. But give me leave to say, the case in question is but too public. And I should think that degree of confidence from my fellow citizens, to which I aspire, could I let quiet at home; while foul-mouthed slander is abroad.
The persons so active to ruin me I have called upon to bring forth their charge. To their however I would not be thought to address myself. It is not to them I would clear my name of those degrading appellations which from time to time but more particularly since a certain affair between Horatio Tappan and myself, have been thrown upon it. But it is to the candid part of the community, to my unprejudiced countrymen that I appear, with many of you I have transacted business, to most of you I am known, and have been seen by all, upon your decision I rest my merits.
Some of this kind I perhaps should have published long since; but it is with reluctance I go into extremes. I am with a becoming respect the public's very humble servant.
H. MARSHALL.
N.B. I have been told that a certain Jordan Harris asserted in a public and very positive manner, that I had acknowledged myself a liar and a scoundrel, in a letter to Maj. Crittenden. This letter was merely private, but since the motive which produced it, and the matter it contains have
been both mistaken and misrepresented I demand a publication of the genuine letter from under my own hand, the public will then see who is the liar and the scoundrel. H. M.
MASSA PRADDESO.
Me been gette one whitey man writey one piece saw me want what de farmer jay in your paper bout de poor negro. If you pre-se printe my piece too me will tank you; and when you come my massa h use me feede you luns berry well, and creane you boots too. Gau Bresse you, massa Braddefo, do disse one ting saw poor negro.
Sir
I saw a piece in your Gazette No. 23 querying if the new constitution to be framed in Kentucky, ought to have a clause respecting slavery, and asking what that clause ought to be. From the signature to that piece, I am doubtful the author is no friend to my sort of people, because men of his calling have been the general, and almost the only holders, and particularly the most cruel oppressors of Slaves in America. The gentleman I hope will pardon me for doubting. But as there are good time of all callings, and as that gentleman seems to be thoughtful on many other important matters; I will take upon me to hope that Reason and Humanity hath for once vouchsafed to reside in the breast of a Farmer. God send them a dwelling-place in the breast of every Farmer in America. Upon a supposition that the Farmer is in earnest, and would wish to do what is right; and in hopes that the white people in general will take this matter into their serious consideration; I will make a few observations, and give my opinion on the question.
It is commanded in Scripture, and I think every honest man's own heart feels the force of it That we ought to do as we would be done by - and it is no less true that, justice ought to be done to all. If the white people, as they would be done by, they must emancipate the Slaves. But if the state should let us free, they will do manifest injustice to our masters, who have paid a price for us, and have had no hand in importing our ancestors from Africa. Again if my countrymen were to be set at liberty without land, without property, without trades or education, and even without one qualification necessary to make good free citizens; it is more than probable that the generality of us would be in a worse condition than we now are; the common white people would cheat us out of all our labour, and we should be obliged to rob or steal for bread; which would be doing the State an injury, ruining our Masters and benefiting but few of us. This I would not wish to see; altho' I, as an individual am daily fighting for liberty; I would not wish to obtain it at the expence of so many thousands as must suffer, if a general emancipation was to take place all at once.
I think if the white people would do their endeavour to raise the Negroes that shall be hereafter, born in such manner as would fit them for good useful citizens, and then set them at liberty, they would do us all the favour we could reasonably ask, and would do themselves justice at the same time - and I am sure that if I could know, that part of my labour was to be laid out upon the Education of my Children and grand Children in order to make them free honest Citizens; I could labour with much greater freedom, and reconcile myself much better to my state of slavery than I can at present.
I am of opinion that to bring this about, your constitution ought to have a clause respecting slavery.
I am also of opinion, that the clause ought to contain something like the sense of the following words (to wit,)
All men are by nature free and Independent, slavery is against the rights of Humanity, and ought not to exist in any government; Therefore no person shall be born to servitude (for more than thirty years) after the first day of January 1790. And the legislature ought to take proper gradual means to emancipate the unborn race of Slaves, and have them brought up in such a way, that they may become good free citizens.
I think that the first Assembly ought to appoint a Committee to devise ways and means for this

gradual emancipation. And for fear I shall never have another opportunity I will now offer a few of my thoughts on the subject.
Let all the slaves be free at the age of twenty one years and let it be provided that every male who shall at that age be made masters of a mechanic art or mystery, shall serve his master seven years for the expense and trouble he was at in learning him his trade and let every female who at that age is learned to sew, knit, spin or weave, serve her master five years longer; and let those be bound out from twenty one years to the ages above mentioned, while masters fail to learn them as aforesaid. Let some such law as this be in force for twenty eight years; after which let all be free at twenty one years old; and then every man would be able to take care of his own children.
I would not wish to see a convulsion in the state by too sudden a liberation of the slaves. Such a gradual emancipation would hardly injure the owners or their posterity; and their praises would be eternally sung for the infinite advantages that would redound through their liberality to the Descendants of.
MANCIPUM.
LEXINGTON.
On Saturday last, an Indian was seen near the mouth of Cabin run (a branch of N. Elkhorn) just below Maj. Johnson's mill. On Sunday, a party of Indians (supposed to be the same that was seen the preceding day) came to Mr. Elijah Craig's on Elkhorn, and took off with them about fifteen head of horses; they were immediately discovered, and a company instantly collected and pursued them the same evening; we have no doubt but they will be overtaken, as the men were exceedingly anxious for the chase; one who had the opportunity to be out of place, mounted on a woman's saddle and without the loss of time pursued the enemy; A remarkable instance of Heroism. We hourly expect to hear they have returned laden with their spoil.
Strayed from the plantation of the widow Stevenson near Lexington last November, a gray horse about fourteen hands and a half high, paces trots and canters well, has a remarkable tear on his head occasioned by burning him to cure the pole evil, he has a speck on his right eye, branded on the near buttock B 3 about ten years old had on a small bed tied on with a tug. Also a black mare about thirteen hands high, about twelve years old some white on her hind feet paces naturally whoever takes up said creatures and delivers them to James McConnel or the subscriber shall receive three dollars reward. JOHN BARR.
I have for Sale on Cumberland river, and the waters thereof.
FIFTY THOUSAND
Acre of land, of the first and second quality, at fifty pounds per. thousand. Good titles will be made the purchaser. Apply to the subscriber or his Agent at Nashville Cumberland settlement N. Carolina during the present year.
Feb. 21, 1788 JOHN HADLY.
THE FOLLOWING
BLANKS
MAY BE HAD AT THIS OFFICE, VIZ.
 DEEDS,  SUBPOENA'S,  REPLEVI and  COMMON BONDS,  AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 
ALSO,
 SPELLING BOOKS,  WRITING PAPER,  SEALING WAX,  &c. &c. &c. 
The public should be cautious how they deal with a certain cap John Martin of Lincoln county, as that man has lately taken advantage of the law in pleading the limitation act, and that only, because he has been indebted nearly three years. Thus I hope will be a sufficient warning to the citizens of Kentucky particularly those in business.
Danville, Dec. 4, 1787. 29 M. NAGLE.
N. B. He says to every man, let him produce his account proved, and then I will give him credit on the execution I have against him. M. N.
ROBERT BARR
HAS just received a fresh assortment of grocery and dry goods, and has opened the remaining stock of his dry goods, and now are on hand, two P. Philadelphia made silk worsted mts., four dicket rifle guns and a number of Coaxan beaver hats, with the following M. goods viz Glass dishes, Brooms, brushes, pith hats, cream of tartar, soap, caustic, magnesia, camphor, flower of sulphur, quick lime, sal ammoniac, British oil, harlem oil, turbinetons balls, anderson's pills, hoop steels, female pills, essence of peppermint, honorish ball &c. Also, two surveyors compasses and chains, together with a cabinet of printing instruments that eight pounds each compals.
As I propose quitting trade as soon as this cargo of merchandise is vended, shall in future sell on the lowest terms to expedite the same, super fine broad cloths with other fine goods will be sold on lower terms than this district can in future be supplied. R. B.
The famous horse
PIG GARLICK
Of a beautiful chestnut colour, full fourteen hands three inches high, rising ten years old will stand the coming season on the head of Salt river at capt. Aron Irvin, mercer county, and will cover mares at the very low price of ten shillings a leap if the money is paid down, or fifteen at the expiration of the season: and twenty shillings the season in cash, or thirty shillings in good trade. Pigarlick was got by the noted imported horse Janus, his dam by old Silver-eye: And is the swiftest horse in the district of Kentucky from one to six hundred yard. Does the property of Mr. Berwell Jack - ) Also deceased. JOHN DEVENPORT.
WHEREAS I passed my bond sometime in the year 1787, to Thomas Aruckle for £100. the Condition of which bond I have fully complied with; I therefore forewarn any person from taking an assignment thereof, as I do not concieve myself a ny further bound by said bond. Feb. 2, 1788. 27 JOHN GRUNDY.
WANTED
AN APPRENTICE TO THE HATTING BUSINESS.
Enquire of the printer hereof. tf
VIRGINIA:
at a General Court held at Richmond, October 6, 1787.
The Court doth authorise and appoint the acting Justices of the peace within this commonwealth, and every of them, severally, to take cognizance of special bail within their respective counties, in actions which now are or hereafter may be depending in this court; and it is ordered that a copy of this order be published three weeks in each of the Virginia Gazette.
[A Copy]
Teste, JOHN BROWN, C.G.C.
WHEREAS I have rented my post office at the mouth of Hickman for the term of one year, for several reasons particularly to settle my accounts, my books becoming troublesome. I therefore request all those indebted to me will settle and pay off their respective balances otherwise they cannot expect the like and discharge. Mr. Fine Peak who occupies the ferry has a copy of my books and is authorised to receive settle and give receipts to any person applying for that purpose, produce will be taken in payment at per bushel will be given for corn and a price in proportion for wheat, oats, bacon, butter, molasses, sugar, or salt. I hope the mildest of the terms will induce the whole of my customers to comply therewith. I am and shall expect to be a friend to the public. JAMES HOGAN.
FOR SALE
ON THE LOWEST TERMS FOR
Cash, or work horses.
The following tracts of land the property of Thomas Bedford, to wit, five hundred acres of land in Bourbon county, on or near the Ohio river, the quality and situation, may be known by applying to Mr. William Kennedy, living near Danville, who located and surveyed the same.
Also five hundred acres, in the name of John Pemberton, lying in Nelson county, on Ashers creek a branch of Salt river, the land may be seen by applying to Mr. William Suley living near the mouth of said creek or the quality known by applying to Col. Isaac Cox, who surveyed the same. For terms apply to
WILLIAM HENRY.
agent for Thomas Bedford.
Credit will be given until the tenth of April next.
TO BE LET
IN Lexington, on the first day of March next, the building of a stone courthouse, a plan of which will be exhibited on that day, the undertakers to come provided with sufficient security.
 EDWARD PAYNE,  ROBERT TODD,  LEVI TODD,  THOMAS LEWIS,  ROBERT JOHNSON,  JAMES TROTTER,  WILLIAM CAMPBELL. 
Commissioners.
LEXINGTON: Printed and Sold by JOHN and FIELDING BRADFORD, at their PRINTING-OFFICE in Main Street where subscriptions at 18/ per Ann. Advertisements for this paper, are thankfully received, and PRINTING in its different branches done with Care and Expedition - Advertisements of no more length than breadth, are inserted for 3/ the first time and 2/ each time after and longer ones in proportion.