The Providence journal, and town and country advertiser (Providence [R.I.]), 1801-08-12 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. 137.]
WEDNESDAY, August 12, 1801.
[Vol. III.]
From the NEW-ENGLAND PALLADIUM.
WE were assured, that the election of Mr. Jefferson would unite all parties—that harmony would be restored, and the din and bustle of these contentions would be forever at an end. These assurances were not worthy of credit, but they obtained it. It was expected by some very good people, that human character was not to be made up in future of the materials of our being, and that there would be more force in these new similitudes than in old prejudices and passions, with the edge and tenacity of steel. Mr. Jefferson's inaugural speech added something to the hopes of many, when he assured us, that we are all republicans, all federalists. It is very proper for our candour to admit that he thought so, and knowing, as he did, that the federalists are the supporters of government, and that, as a party, they want no office—all they ask is such an administration of the government as will preserve it, such as will maintain the tranquillity of the state, and give, ever when it needs, the authority of law to common honesty. He was sure of the federalists. He might think himself sure of the whole body of the supporters of his election. There lay his and our mistake. The jacobins want him as President, not for his sake but their own. They want his authority and influence as instruments, and that their party shall be President, while he has the name of office. That they insolently aspire to use the office as an instrument, as a means to some further ends, yet to be disclosed, is as evident as the sun's meridian light. They openly call upon him, and in a tone of menace and authority, to remove all federalists from office, and to foil in the vilest wretches, whose jacobinism is abundant merit. If they wish to support Mr. Jefferson as President, in the manner most agreeable to his supposed character and feelings, as a scholar and gentleman, and especially so as to conciliate the good will of all good citizens, they would abstain from the virulent, vindictive, suspecting spirit which, on the contrary, they seem to think the election of their chief and leader authorizes them to indulge. They talk of the conquered federalists: They denounce them, in some of the jacobin gazettes, "Pests of society." New-England is called the La Vendee of the union. There is no file of passion that they have not adopted, as if they would force the President, in spite of his interest and his public professions, to make his administration altogether M'Keanish. It is not believed, it is indeed inconceivable, that Mr. Jefferson will descend to be the M'Kean of the United States: Yet the old jacobin wranglers evidently think it for their interest, if not for his, thus to shape the new order of things. Is it that they expect to be nothing unless they can keep up the passions of the ignorant multitude? When the public mind is cool, do they discover that jacobinism will then have no power over it? Must they keep us forever in what the blacksmiths call a welding heat, otherwise will the nation be more cold iron in their hands? It must be red-hot to hammer well. In order to produce this necessary red-hot popular rage, they are now blowing with every jacobin pair of bellows in the continent. Marat's gazette, and the famous Pere du Chene , were not more virulent. Why is this, what have the federalists done to merit or to need all this new clamour, all this united rage of inuendo? They are not in power, they have no new fins of office to answer for, and as to old ones, let their successors prosecute, impeach and hang the very offenders, if they can prove their guilt. If they cannot, why din the ears of their readers with unproved, indeed long ago disproved charges, and with the sing song of unmeaning, general, pointless inuendo? The reason is obvious. It will not do to let their party cool. They want their passions for business, for the only business that jacobins can do, to satiate their thirst for vengeance, and power, and plunder. They want to play Paris in Philadelphia and here.
Let the public note these things. Let sober men note it well, that the jacobins shew by actions, which speak louder than professions, that all they have yet gained is only of value as it enables them to gain something further, that is, the power to oppress and destroy. Awake, good men and true, and save your throats and your liberties.
FROM THE SAME.
MR. JEFFERSON'S LETTER.
AS long as a party is struggling to get into power, it has many advantages and helps, all which it loses as soon as it is got in. The leader of such a party has also the snuggest birth in the world. He has nothing to do, but to be tolerably gifted at holding his tongue, and to learn that sort of modesty, that will stand still, or kneel down like a camel, to take a back-load of praise, which
his obsequious admirers, who know nothing about him, will be sure to pile on. Accordingly, party has had its divine favourites, who were supposed to be endowed with all the qualities that could give grace and success to an administration, because they were not called to act, and every man's fancy was at full liberty to suppose there would be perfect wisdom when they did. Whether these observations are intended to be applied, or whether they are applicable, we leave as an exercise to the ingenuity of such of our readers as are fond of riddles and rebuffs. But this we venture to say, that it would be prudence for a prevailing party immediately to remove pen and ink from their new chief, especially if he is fond of writing, and values himself much on his shining in print. It is a temptation not to be resisted. He will think himself impelled by his duty to enlighten the world, and to display the triumph of philosophism over prejudice. It seldom fails that this philanthropic scheme miscarries, and the enlightener finds himself in the dark. Genius and judgment are not always yoked together, and the man of genius assumes facts that are not true, and reasons from some single exception to a rule as if it was itself a rule. Thus, for example, if a man should remark that men of seventy-seven are fit for office, because Franklin was bright at that age, he would reason like a philosopher—he would take a particular case for a general rule, an extraordinary instance for the ordinary state of things.—Experience and the known rules of evidence are nothing to a well trained philosopher. Franklin was bright at seventy-seven, and therefore a man is not fit for office till he has passed that period of life, which before the flood was boyhood. Methuselah had not a beard till he was ninety, and he was pitching quoits, and huskling coppers in a hat, with his long-winded mates, till long after the age of Mr. Samuel Bishop, of New-Haven. Men's bodies do not indeed hold out now a days so long, but the mind, the imperishable mind, has nothing to do with that matter, and therefore it is clear and established, that a man's usefulness begins after he is reputed to be in his dotage. A blind man is the best watchman over smugglers, and the numb palsy is no impediment to official activity. The senses are great deceivers, and every one has had experience of their illusions. For some purposes, therefore, a man is never so good as when he has lost his senses, and has fairly got out of the way of their impostures. Then he is pure intellect, all spirit, and as fit for a good officer as he would be if his soul had quietly laid the incumbrance of its body in the grave.
When a man undertakes to give reasons for his conduct and gives bad ones, it is manifest that he has hurt his cause. Indeed there is a singular fate attending vindications. Secretary Randolph made a terrible hand of it. It is seldom that persons are to be scolded into a liking of some grievous subject of their complaint. The federalists are, perhaps, unreasonable, when they dislike to be called a sect, a minority, and to be lectured severely for their bad temper. But it is the nature of man, now he is man, and has not yet put on his angelic perfectibility, to think such language irritating, and even wantonly insulting. Some may also think that the insult is publicly conveyed in a manner as little consistent with good sense and good policy, as common good breeding. For to what purpose is this stile of reproach? To intimidate and awe the spirits of the federalists into shame and submission? Perhaps it may have that effect, if the federalists are as poor creatures as they see about them, celebrating their party triumph. But if the federalists are really the men of property, sense and worth, if they comprehend the middle classes of society, and they certainly do seven-eighths of them in New-England, it is probable they will persevere in thinking and believing according to the evidence before them. They will think that they are as good patriots as any that can be imported; that they are the nation, the owners of seven-eighths of its wealth, the contributors of more than that proportion of its revenue, and if they are treated as a sect, a minority, and the sort of people who call themselves the majority, the nation, are to be believed, appointed to office, and invested with full power, then the federalists will lament the blindness and bitterness of that spirit that can fall into so great an error; yet they will submit to authority. They will exercise candour in their judgment of public men and measures, they will not violate truth or decency in their remarks on the subjects of their censure; but they will remark.
AN ADDRESS
From the convention of delegates from the Abolition Societies established in different parts of the United States.
To the Citizens of the United States, Friends and Fellow-Citizens, VARIOUS Societies having been formed, in different parts of the Union, for the
purpose of promoting the Abolition of slavery, they have several times met in convention to deliberate on the best means of furthering the humane work they have undertaken.—We, the seventh association of delegates from these bodies, now convened in the city of Philadelphia, appealing to the Searcher of hearts for the rectitude of our intentions, believe it our duty to address you with a few remarks, to which we solicit your candid consideration and attention. Believing as we do, that the benevolent Author of nature has made no essential distinction in the human race, and that all the individuals of the great family of mankind have a common claim upon the general fund of natural bounties, we have never hesitated to avow the objects of our institutions, nor the honest means by which we hope for their ultimate attainment. Yet we are sensible that many of our fellow-citizens have laboured under mistaken impressions on both these points, and have ascribed to us views as inconsistent with the policy of our country, as with our real prospects. It is true we contemplate the deliverance from slavery of all the blacks and people of colour in these States, sooner or later, by such means as your humanity, and the wisdom of our rulers may suggest; and though we think the existing laws of some of the States unnecessarily severe; yet we pointedly disavow any wish to contravene them, while they remain in force, or to hazard the peace and safety of the community by the adoption of ill advised and precipitate measures.
In common with the rest of our fellow-citizens, we sincerely deplore the late attempts at insurrection by some of the slaves of the southern States, and participate in the dreadful sensations the inhabitants in their vicinity must have felt on so awful an occasion. It is fervently to be hoped that they may induce a weighty consideration of the source of the evil, and of the best means of its future prevention. We are convinced, that so long as a relation subsists between cause and effect, and the present policy of those States is pursued, so long the deprecated calamity is to be dreaded; and while we all revolt with horror from the anticipation of an organization on the part of the slaves, we conceive there is a certain state of degradation and misery to which they may be reduced, a certain point of desperation to which the human mind may be brought, and beyond which it cannot be driven. If then the premonitory signs of this crisis have appeared, if a recurrence of the desperate feelings which gave birth to the design is to be so awfully dreaded, ought not the attention of every humane mind to be exerted in devising adequate means for averting so enormous a danger? We advance with confidence our firm belief, a belief founded on mature reflection, that to be effectual they must be in many respects different from those which have heretofore been adopted. An amelioration of the present situation of the slaves, and the adoption of a system of gradual emancipation, while it would tend to remove the charge of inconsistency between the constitutional declaration, and the legal provisions of some of the States, would also be an effectual security against revolt. If the severity of their treatment were lessened, and the hope of freedom for them or their posterity were held forth as the reward of good behaviour, the slaves would be bound by personal interest to be civil, orderly, and industrious. It has been argued, that they are not qualified to enjoy the blessings of freedom, even under a gradual emancipation: but are they not rational creatures, and why will not the same methods which have civilized others, in the course of time also civilize them? A principal means of effecting this purpose, would be to instruct them in the duties and obligations of religion, morality, and social justice. We find that the cultivated inhabitants of different countries, and even the individuals of the same country, have very different ideas on these subjects. Is it therefore to be wondered at that the poor illiterate blacks, who are so little instructed in the principles of christianity, and strangers to the refined sentiments which result from education; is it, we ask, to be wondered at, that they are susceptible of error and delusion?
Fellow-citizens of the southern States! we invite your calm and dispassionate attention to the subject; and, with the aid of that Being to whom we must look for instruction in this, as in all our other undertakings, we firmly trust that you will be enabled to devise such measures as may terminate in your own peace and security, and the benefit of that unfortunate race whose miseries excite our sympathy, and the improvement of whose situation is the object of our anxious solicitude and care.
Another subject that requires general attention, is the inhuman crime of kidnapping, which, in some parts of our country, has recently increased to an alarming degree. The friends of liberty view with horror the perpetuation of this abominable practice, and
the holders of slaves have no security for them, as property, during its continuance. There is therefore a common interest in the removal of the grievance; and we confidently look for the assistance of the humane of all descriptions in detecting and bringing to punishment, these shameless violators of the rights of their fellow-men.
It is also a lamentable fact, that notwithstanding the general repugnance of all well disposed citizens to any further importation of Africans into this country, or concern in the infamous commerce in the persons of our fellow creatures; notwithstanding the prohibitions of the laws of most of the States on this subject, and the strict instructions of those of the general government, upwards of two hundred vessels, belonging to our own citizens, are employed in the purchase and transportation of slaves from Africa to the West-Indies, and the southern parts of this country.
The rage for this traffic is so far extended by avarice, that many persons have risked their all in its pursuit; and it seems that nothing can stop the cruel and disgraceful enormities which are thus committed, in violation of the dictates of humanity, and the laws and policy of our country, but a more general activity and exertion on the part of the good citizens, in the discovery and prosecution of the offenders. So large a number of vessels are fitted out for this trade, and sent to the coast of Africa from the eastern States, that we are induced earnestly to call on our brethren of those parts, to aid in its suppression; and surely, as they have done away the evil of personal slavery among themselves, they cannot want inducements to enforce the laws against such of their citizens as set them at defiance, by pursuing a prohibited commerce, as shocking to the feelings of every benevolent mind, as it is offensive in the eyes of the Almighty Ruler of the Universe.
Finally, fellow-citizens! as you value your own peace and that of your families; the quiet and security of our country; the obligations of our holy religion; and the favour of an over-ruling Providence; let us entreat you to enter into the consideration of the subjects now submitted to you. Assist in mitigating the present ills of personal slavery, by an amelioration of the situation of slaves; lay the foundation for an eventual extinction of the mighty evil throughout our land; commence a determined opposition to the wicked infractions of justice and the laws of our country; and may the Divine blessing attend you in every attempt you may be encouraged to make, for the good of your fellow-men.
Signed by order of the Convention.
RICHARD HARTSHORN,
President.
Philadelphia, June 6th, 1801.
ATTEST,
OTHNIEL ALSOP, Secretary.
[CIRCULAR.]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
July 15, 1801.
CIRCULAR—TO COLLECTORS OF THE CUSTOMS.
SIR,
THE Quarantine Laws of some European nations have proved so oppressive to our commerce, that it has become necessary to adopt every measure which may induce a reasonable relaxation.
In order to produce that desirable effect, it seems requisite to impress a conviction that the most strict adherence to truth always characterizes the certificates of health which may be granted to our ships; and to attach to those certificates the forms which are most usual in other countries, and such attestations as may give them the highest degree of authenticity.
It cannot be too strongly impressed, that no temporary cause should at any time induce a concealment of any circumstance whatever, however unpleasant an acknowledgment of any contagious disease may be to the officer obliged to certify it. Nor should any speculative opinion, however plausible or perhaps well founded, be indulged on the question of what is or is not a contagious disease; but bills of health being operative only abroad, those diseases, which in other countries have heretofore usually been considered as contagious, should be stated in the bill whenever they do exist in the port of its vicinity.
The annexed form of a bill of health, in which are specified, the name of the vessel and captain; the number of persons composing the crew, and of the passengers respectively; the species of merchandise of which the cargo consists, and the destination of the vessel; and which applies also to the state of health of the port and of the adjoining country, seems from information received to be the most eligible, and it is recommended that the same should be uniformly adopted. If there is no prevailing sickness at

the time of the vessel's sailing, the blank between the words that and in , is to be filled up as follows: No plague or other contagious or dangerous disease at present exists. But if the contrary should be the case, the blank is then to be filled up in such way, as to clearly and unequivocally express the nature of the existing disorder.
The practice of other countries renders it desirable that bills of health, so far as they relate to the health of the port itself and its vicinity, should be attested by other authorities beside that of the custom-house officers. Those which, it is believed, will inspire most confidence, are the board of health, or any similar institution, whenever such one does exist, and the municipal authority of the proper city, borough, or town—it is not doubted that these will co-operate with you in granting such certificates as may be requisite. You are, therefore, requested to confer with them, and to adopt, for the present, such forms as will appear most eligible.
But as uniformity in all the sea-ports, so far as the variety of state regulations will permit, is desirable, you will be pleased to report the result to this Department, in order to enable me to propose hereafter such practicable alterations as a general view of the subject may suggest. In the mean while, it is perhaps superfluous to observe, that, in order to prevent any injury which might arise from the want of such attestation, it will be proper that the municipal authority should certify the non-existence of a board of health, whenever no such institution exists in the port, and that when they (the town or city officers or corporation) are ex officio health officers, they should also certify the same.
Whenever it can be done, it will be useful to obtain a certification of the facts stated in the bill of health, by the consul or agent of the country to which the vessel may be bound; and from a late public notification, this caution seems particularly necessary in respect to vessels destined for Spain. This attestation it will be the interest of the owners of vessels to procure. But in those ports where the distance from the place of residence of the proper consul may prevent its being obtained, you may, on application of the party, certify that there is not within the district, county, or state, as the case may be, any consul or agent for that country to which the vessel is bound.
As you must be sensible that there is no law by which to compel the masters of vessels to take certificates of health, the probability is, that in times of sickness they will refuse to receive them. In such case it becomes your duty to inform them, that the regulation has been adopted solely for the benefit of commerce, and that their arrival in foreign parts without these certificates will be regarded as a presumptive evidence of the existence of infectious or contagious disorders in the ports from whence they were cleared out.
The President, by whose directions I have addressed you on this subject, entertains no doubt of your carefulness in carrying into effect regulations which may, in many instances, relieve our vessels from very injurious and useless detentions.
I am, with consideration, Sir, your obedient servant, ALBERT GALLATIN.
At a meeting of the Mayor and Commonality of Alexandria, regularly convened on the 20th day of July, 1801.
ORDERED—That on the application of any master of a vessel bound from this port to any foreign port, to the Mayor, or in his absence to the Recorder, for a certificate of the state of the health of the town and adjacent country, if no contagious fever or disease shall exist at that time in the town or adjacent country, the Mayor or Recorder do grant a certificate to such master of a vessel, according to the following form:
"Corporation of Alexandria, viz. "I, _____, Mayor (or Recorder) of the town of Alexandria, in the district of Columbia, do hereby certify and make known to all whom it may concern, that no plague or contagious disease exists in Alexandria, or in the adjacent country, and that no board of health or similar institution is established in the port or town of Alexandria. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the corporation, this day of _____ in the year _____."
[And if, at the time of any such application being made, a contagious disease shall exist in the town or in its vicinity, that the certificate be so varied as clearly and unequivocally to express the nature of the contagious disease.]
A Copy: Test, R. I. TAYLOR, C. C.
Loss of the Spanish Ship St. Jean Nepomucene de Lima, Capt. Don Anselmo Ulaches, bound from Monte Video, to Lima.
THE ship sailed from Monte Video, in the River de la Plata, on the 10th of December, 1800, destined for Lima in South-America, manned with 90 Spaniards, including the officers. She mounted 30 pieces of cannon, 12 pounders, and was upwards of 1000 tons burthen. Her cargo consisted of bale goods, to the value of 250,000 dollars; bees-wax to the amount of 80,000 dollars; tallow, oil, tar, &c. besides 65 or 70 slaves of different nations, principally Negroes and Moors, from Senegal, several of whom had been condemned for crimes. The slaves were not confined, but suffered to go at large among the crew. No danger was apprehended from them as the Spaniards were more numerous; however, on the 17th of December, after they had been at sea a week, a revolt broke out among the Negroes, which ended in their becoming
complete masters of the ship in about an hour's time. It commenced at half past 2 o'clock, P. M., just after dinner. The captain and part of the officers were in the round-house, and most of the Spanish crew were on the fore part of the ship, totally unprepared for resistance. Among the slaves was one named Antony, aged about 30; he was a determined and desperate fellow, had been a ship-carpenter, and ran away from his master. This person headed the revolt; they divided their force into two parties, and upon a signal given, in an instant, seized all the arms, rushed upon the captain and officers with drawn swords, and muskets which were ready loaded to their hands. Only a feeble and ineffectual opposition could be made to this desperate attack. The captain was badly wounded with the cut of a sabre across the neck, and stabbed in the side, and three of the officers were killed, and one died of his wounds. The names of the officers were, Elfareo Deos, the first pilot; Queon Quifona, the second mate, Joseph, the steward, and Antony Prerara. No other lives were lost on either side. Part of the officers, during the struggle, had secured the cabin, and supplied the crew with two guns, and ammunition to oppose the negroes, but the latter threatened to put every man to death, if the crew fired a single shot, and offered to spare the lives of every individual, if they would quietly give up the ship to them. She was accordingly surrendered to the slaves. The negro chief, Antony, now became master of the ship, and immediately harangued the prisoners; and informed them that his sole object was to regain his freedom, and that of his brave followers, and if the Spanish officers would navigate the ship to Senegal, on the coast of Africa, he would engage on his part that their lives should be spared, and they should be kindly treated on the passage; which the Spaniards agreed to. The next day they fell in with a small Spanish vessel from Spain, bound to Lima, and sent away in her the Spanish captain, who was very ill of his wounds, the ship's clerk, and 24 of the Spanish crew, keeping Joseph Petre to navigate the ship to Senegal, with the remainder of the Spanish crew. In the course of the passage they saw several vessels, but none approached very near, except two ships which they met just after passing the Equator. These they prepared to engage, but after they had received a few shot, the two vessels sheered off, and they soon saw no more of them.
Twenty-four of the Negroes died of the scurvy on the passage, which was long and tedious, as they had to contend with the trade winds during the whole time. The negroes kept their word with the Spaniards during the whole passage, but they always took care to be well armed and prepared to resist any attempt they might make to take the ship. After five months, the ship touched at St. Nicholas, one of the Cape de Verde, for water and provisions. Here a Spanish officer was allowed to go on shore with about twenty of the Spanish crew, in order to obtain supplies. Antony, the negro chief, was then enticed on shore and secured, and the governor and inhabitants of the island being made acquainted with the situation of affairs, a plan was laid to retake the ship, which laid under the guns of a small fort. An engagement took place between this fort and the vessel, but the negroes who were on board finally cut the cable, and went off with the vessel, the command of which now devolved upon another negro chief, named Lowra, who also belonged to Senegal, where he was well known. The Spanish Doctor navigated the ship, and in 12 days they arrived off the harbour of Senegal, and went in under Spanish colours, regularly saluted the fort with 12 guns, which was returned. The negro chief, Lowra, now went on shore with all his followers, delivered the ship up to the French Governor of the place, and claimed their liberty. Here the ship and cargo were sold at public auction for the benefit of the former owner, and the Spanish crew allowed to go where they pleased.
A Philadelphia ship named the Theresa, that was at Monte Video, sold to this ship a large quantity of goods. The ship and cargo were the entire property of Don Ignacio St. Jago Pretalda, a very rich merchant living at Lima.
OFFICIAL PAPERS. RESPECTING AMERICAN COMMERCE.
(COPY.)
Mr. John King, to Mr. Hammond. Whitehall, May 27, 1801.
SIR, HAVING laid before the Duke of Portland your letter of the 18th instant, with its inclosures, relative to the capture of American vessels trading to the Spanish colonies in the West-Indies, his Grace lost no time in referring them to the consideration of his Majesty's Advocate-General, and I am now directed to transmit to you, for Lord Hawkesbury's information, a copy of his report thereupon, together with a copy of a letter which the Duke has written upon the subject to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I am, &c. (Signed) J. KING. George Hammond, Esq;
(COPY.)
Letter from the Duke of Portland to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Whitehall, May 27, 1801.
MY LORDS, I TRANSMIT to your Lordships herewith, for your information, an extract of a letter from Mr. Thornton, his Majesty's Charge D'Affaires in America, to Lord Gren-
ville, with copies of its inclosures, relative to the capture of American vessels trading to the Spanish ports, together with a copy of the report of his Majesty's Advocate-General, to whom by the King's command the papers in question have been referred.
I have at the same time the honour to signify to your Lordships his Majesty's pleasure, that you should direct the judges of our colonial Vice-Admiralty Courts to follow and be guided in their decision, in cases relating to the trade carried on between a neutral and belligerent nation, by the rules and principles established in the High Court of Admiralty, and laid down in the inclosed report of his Majesty's Advocate-General.
And the better to enforce an uniform and strict adherence to those principles, I am further to signify to you the King's commands, that directions should be given to withdraw letters of marque and reprisal, in cases where the owners thereof shall appear wilfully and knowingly to have captured and brought in for adjudication, contrary to his Majesty's existing instructions, vessels trading between a neutral country and the enemy's colonies. I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed)
PORTLAND.
(COPY.)
Report of the King's Advocate. Lincoln's Inn Fields, May 23, 1801.
MY LORD DUKE,
I AM honoured with your Grace's letter of the 19th inst. transmitting to me several papers which have been communicated to your Grace by Lord Hawkesbury from his Majesty's Charge D'Affaires in America, with a direction to take them into consideration, and to report to your Grace, for his Majesty's information, my opinion, whether, in consequence of what is contained in the extract of Mr. Thornton's letter to Lord Grenville, especially that part of it which states "a principle to have been lately adopted in the Courts of Vice-Admiralty at Jamaica and Providence, that no commerce would be permitted between a belligerent and neutral nation in the vessels of the latter, but such as had been authorized previously to the commencement of hostilities," it would be advisable to make any or what communications to the Vice-Admiralty Courts at Jamaica and the Bahamas, for their guidance and direction.
In obedience to your Grace's commands, I have considered the papers referred to me, and I have the honour to report, that the principle stated to have been lately adopted in the Courts of Vice-Admiralty at Jamaica and Providence, is directly in opposition to the decisions daily passing in the High Court of Admiralty, and the Court of Appeals. It has been held by the Tribunals of this country, that neutrals cannot be admitted by the enemy, under the pressure of war, to carry on his colonial trade, from which in time of peace they were wholly excluded.—But this principle may be, and has been, on account of special circumstances during the present hostilities, to a certain degree relaxed. His Majesty's instructions of January, 1798, only order that vessels shall be brought in for legal adjudication which are coming directly from the enemy's colonies to Europe, and not being bound to England, or a port of their own country. A trade between the neutral country and the enemy's colonies is now clearly permitted. Colonial produce, actually re-exported from thence to any other place, even to the mother country of that colony of which it is the produce. His Majesty's existing instructions are therefore the rule by which at present the Judges of the Vice-Admiralty Courts ought to govern themselves; and I humbly apprehend that it would be advisable to convey to the courts referred to, a direction to that effect; as the application of the more extended principle, upon which they are represented to act, may be productive not only of much injustice, but of great public inconvenience.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) J. NICHOLL.
A true Copy,
J. WAGNER, Chief Clerk D. partment of State.
Domestic Intelligence.
PHILADELPHIA, August 3. COUNTRY GAZETTE.
We feel great satisfaction in being able to inform our friends that the publication of the Country Gazette will commence in a few days. The number of subscribers received is greater than was expected—it exceeds 500. Arrangements are now making, and in the course of next week the first number will be published.
Those gentlemen who take the Daily Gazette, and who mean to take the Country Gazette in lieu of it, are requested to give us immediate information, and all gentlemen who have subscribed will please to forward their names, that we may know what number to print.
The printers in the United States who are not unfriendly to the Gazette of the United States, are requested to announce the publication of the Country Gazette.
August 2, 1801.
It has been observed, that the possession of Egypt, by either French or British, would tend to humanize the piratical States in the Mediterranean, and compel them to abolish the practice of making slaves of their prisoners. If these beneficial effects should be the consequence of the struggle for Egypt, human nature will probably be benefited; but with respect to piracy, there requires a
reformation throughout the whole civilized Europe, for in the United States it has been doubtful which were the greatest pirates, the British, the French or the Barbary powers.
August 4.
A new work, entitled, "The Temple of Truth," has made its appearance in Baltimore. From its prospectus, the "Temple," is designed "to embrace every department of liberal science, but its most prominent and striking feature will be an investigation and defence of True Christian Theology ." The Editors are the Rev. John Hargrove, and J. B. Colvin.
NEW-YORK, August 1.
Yesterday came on the trial of Alpheus Vincent, charged with the commission of a felony, after escaping from the state prison, in which he had been for a previous and heinous offence sentenced to imprisonment for life. The law to a felony committed under these circumstances having prescribed the penalty of death—the public curiosity was considerably awakened.—Mr. Washington Morton was the advocate of the prisoner—the Assistant Attorney-General, Mr. Colden, the prosecutor ex officio .—By testimony it was undeniably established, that the prisoner had been actively engaged in breaking out of the prison;—that those who were with him, and whom he aided, had, after getting outside the strong inner walls of the prison, taken out of the arm chest of the keeper eight muskets, valued at 80 dollars—that they then secured the keeper—knocked down the sentry at the outer gate—unlocked it—and in a body made off, carrying with them the above mentioned arms.—Mr. M. contended, that as his client had not been seen with any of the arms, the theft did not lie on him—that if he had, it could not have been with a felonious intent , that is, as he construed the law, to defraud others, or to obtain any pecuniary gain for himself, but merely for the purpose of escape.—And that if he even admitted the fact and the intention, that it was done previously , and not subsequently to his escape from the prison walls—and therefore out of the purview of the act.—Mr. Colden replied with great ability and decisive effect—that having aided and abetted in the conspiracy, he was personally responsible for the actions of all his accomplices—that pecuniary gain was not the only motive that stamped a theft as felonious—and that the felony contemplated by the law in question was not disproved, although he should allow that the theft was committed before they had passed through the prison gates,—as it was obvious that here, as in other perfectly analogous cases which had been decided, every moment after the felony was continued in, was a fresh repetition of the crime .
Judge Kent, in his charge to the Jury, with great clearness of method, and strength of reasoning, corroborated the arguments of the Attorney-General.—And stated to them, that if they admitted the facts as proven by the evidence, the law was decisively against the prisoner.—The jury, after retiring a few minutes, brought in a verdict of GUILTY!
We understand from good authority, that Samuel Osgood, Esq; received his appointment this day, as Supervisor for the District of New-York, vice Col. N. Fish.
We learn that the Secretary of State has recently received a letter from Mr. Dawson, at Paris, who writes, that he had been favourably received by the government there, and that there was a prospect of every thing being speedily and happily adjusted.
A letter has also been received by the Secretary from our minister at London, in which he states, that Lord Hawkesbury had informed him, that his Majesty having understood the President of the United States had ordered a squadron into the Mediterranean, instructions had been issued to the British commanders of ports and ships of war in that quarter, to treat the American flag with respect, and that if the American vessels should at any time need supplies, they should be furnished from the British stores and arsenals.
August 3.
Extract from the Journal of Capt. Baxter, of the brig Huntress , arrived yesterday from Cadiz.
Arrivals from the different ports in the Mediterranean.—1st, six sail of Brazil ships, taken by a French privateer, 2 of which were sunk. April 20, four arrived at Cadiz—those of the Portuguese from 18 to 24 guns, and from 100 to 150 men each.
Orders had been received from the French government by the Spanish Consul at Cadiz, to take possession of all captured American property; which was complied with.
The King of Spain has given to the French 12 sail of the line, ready for sea, to be officered and manned by Frenchmen.
Six thousand French troops were on their march for Cadiz; to protect the place; and the French and Spanish fleets from Brest were daily expected there, where 5 sail of the line from Ferrol, and two frigates from Brest, had arrived, the latter having on board officers and seamen for the above fleet. Fourteen more ships of war were daily expected from the Mediterranean.
Letters from the American Consul at Malaga, and the Consul at Algiers, mention, that eleven sail of American vessels had been captured by the Tripolitan cruizers—and that no American vessels were permitted to sail from the Mediterranean without convoy.
Oliveuca, on the frontiers of Portugal, is taken by the French, who sent a flag, requesting the place to be given up, which was agreed to by the Portuguese; but as the French troops were marching in, 8000 Frenchmen were blown up by the springing of a mine, which was prepared for the purpose.

The remainder of the French, who were exasperated in the highest degree, rushed forward, carried the place, and put every foul to death.—They pursued their march to Charvees, and Alamanda, of which they possessed themselves, and put all the Portuguese in these places to the sword."
The public are cautioned against receiving French Crowns of the date of 1793, as a number, plated on copper, of that stamp, are in circulation. Sawing the edge is a sure mode of discovering the counterfeit.
August 5.
On Friday last the President of the United States left the city of Washington for Monticello. On Thursday Mr. Madison, Secretary of State, also left Washington for his seat in Virginia.
Aaron Burr, Esq. Vice-President of the United States, arrived at the seat of government on Friday last.
"Il faut beaucoop d'Argent!" OF PORTUGAL.
The intelligence we published yesterday, via Salem, respecting the purchase of a peace by the Portuguese from the French and Spaniards, for a few millions of Dollars, the cession of some territory, and exclusion of the British from their ports, is confirmed by the arrival at Philadelphia of the Schooner Dagborough, Smith, in 26 days from Madeira. Capt. S. states, that the day on which he sailed from Madeira, a vessel arrived from Algeciras, with information that, in consequence of a decisive victory obtained by the combined forces of France and Spain, over those of Portugal, the latter had acceded to the terms of pacification offered by the former. The price of peace is stated to be Eight Millions of Dollars, of which France is to receive 5, and Spain 3,000,000. The other conditions of the treaty are not stated, except shutting the British out of their ports. The captain from Algeciras said that he had seen the Spanish account of this information.
The last accounts from Europe state, that the crops of grain of every kind, both in Great-Britain and on the Continent, promise to be uncommonly large; and as the intercourse between the former and latter will be free, it is expected the price will be low.
Extract of a letter from the Rev. Dr. Hawes, of Aldwinckle (Great-Britain) to the Rev. Dr. Rogers, of Philadelphia, dated in May last.
"I am just going up to London to meet our brethren in our annual assembly, for missionary purposes, and have the pleasure of informing you, that our work at the Cape of Good Hope is very prosperous and promising. The first fruits to Christianity among the Hottentots have written to us their grateful acknowledgments for the truth, as it is in Jesus preached unto them, and embraced in the love of it by them. A large society, at the Cape, of 229 members, vigorously pursue the same objects with us, and about 2000 heathen are under their tuition."
"From our affiliated society in Friesland, we have received the most cordial co-operation, and several German Brethren have been proposed to us, and accepted by us. Three of them are immediately to be added as a reinforcement to the Cape mission."
"Among ourselves, the work continues to spread greatly; the sheet-anchor of hope for our country. If the Lord meant to destroy us, he would not have shewed us such and such things: I look more to the gospel for our deliverance and preservation from the devouring scourge, than to any of our victories in the Baltic, Egypt, or elsewhere."
Private Correspondence from London, June 13.
"It may not be amiss, as you are at a great distance from England, to inform you of the opinion entertained of Mr. Addington, the present Chancellor of the Exchequer. On both sides of the house he is respected for his integrity. John Horne Tooke, when Mr. Addington first took his seat as Minister, said, in speaking of him in that capacity, that he had the highest respect for him as a man of worth, and confidence; but that in accepting the office he held, "he became a victim to his gratitude"—these were his words. Other gentlemen of equal weight with Mr. Tooke, on the same side of the house, have paid their tribute of respect to his moral rectitude; and being held in such high estimation in the house, as an honest man, the public at large look with confidence to his promise to bring about a negotiation for peace with France, though such an event cannot go forward, with any certainty or effect, till another great event is known, namely, the fate of Egypt. Buonaparte, in endeavouring to lessen the triumph of the British flag, depended much on the success of the league entered into by the Northern powers; that league being broken by the vigilance and valour of the British fleet, he is foiled in that hope; and the late dispatches from Egypt give him but slender reason to expect greater success in that quarter. The Chief Consul is therefore supposed to be meditating at this moment some grand stroke as his dernier resort. Intelligence has been received that the combined fleet at Brest is full of troops, and the ships ready to put to sea. If this conjecture be well founded, news of still greater importance from Britain may soon be expected on your side; should any event of importance take place, depend on hearing from me by the first opportunity."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in St. Pierre, Martinique, dated July 8, 1801.
"The Schooner Eliza, captain Otis, with a prize brig called the Adventure, purchased by captain Otis at Guadalupe, was taken by his Majesty's sloop of war the Arab, on their passage to Philadelphia and Boston; both vessels were sent into St. Pierre for adjudication, but the judge could see no cause why
they should be brought to trial; therefore discharged them. Accordingly captain Otis sent the Schooner Eliza on for Philadelphia. July 1st, captain Otis took sick of a fever and died after three days illness. His brig was sent for Boston by Wm. Boxwell, Esq. of this place."
RED-STRAW WHEAT.
This celebrated wheat has been reaped in considerable quantities this harvest on the Mount-Vernon estate. Its excellence consists in its repelling the fly, and suiting the most indifferent soils better than the general quantity of wheat. Its produce is likewise abundant. Gentlemen wishing to try this wheat on their estates, may be supplied by applying to the subscriber, and are requested to send their orders as soon as possible, specifying the quantity and time when wanted. There will be an additional charge of ten cents, more than the price of common wheat.
George W. P. Custis.
Mount-Vernon, July 30.
PORTLAND, July 27.
On Friday last there anchored in our road, the French privateer L'Esperance, having in company, as prize, the English Schooner British Queen, captain Ketchum, from St. John's, bound to New-York, with Plaister of Paris. The prize has been ransomed for 2000 dollars. It is with pleasure we mention, that the French captain treated his prisoners with a liberality and gentlemanlike conduct, not frequent among his brother privateersmen.
BOSTON, August 8.
The trial of Jason Fairbanks, for the murder of Miss Eliza Fales, came on before the Supreme Judicial Court, at Dedham, on Thursday last, and was not finished last evening. This trial has excited a great degree of interest, and was attended at the opening by so numerous a concourse of people of both sexes, that the court found it necessary to adjourn from the Court to the Meeting-house. The court is composed of the Hon. the Chief Justice, Judges Paine, Dawes, and Strong. Messrs. Otis and Lowell are the counsel assigned for the prisoner. The witnesses are very numerous.
IMPORTANT TO MERCHANTS.
We are informed that our Minister at the Court of London has obtained an order to the West-Indies and Halifax, which will put an end to the capture of our vessels, on the plea, that we could not carry on an indirect trade from our own ports with the enemy of England, in articles manufactured or produced in the enemy country: This order, joined to the reform of the Colony Courts of Admiralty, will be of great advantage to our trade, should the war continue, which is not improbable. One court is to be established at Martinique, another at Jamaica, and a third at Halifax. The two first will have jurisdiction over all the islands, and the salaries of the Judges will be from 2 to £. 3000 sterling per annum. The proceeds of those Courts, as well as that of the Court of Appeals, will be abridged, and made to reach, in the first instance, the owners and bail as well as the captors. They will have power to send cargoes to England for sale under proper security, the money to be lodged in the bank. It is also expected that a regulation will be established to prevent the money from going into the hands of the captors or their agents, in any case, until it is definitively decreed to belong to them, and that the prizes shall be sent to Jamaica or Martinique, instead of being sent to other islands, and their papers or copies sent to the respective Courts. These regulations would be a great security against the abuses which our commerce has suffered from the Courts and cruisers of the British Colonies.
A letter from Washington, dated July 25; says, "You may rely the exterminating plan of the President has not the approbation of the Secretary of State. It is strongly expected the Vice-President is at the bottom of it; and that his main object is to render the First Magistrate unpopular, that at the close of the Presidency he may leap into the saddle of the government. Some facts to this point will ere long see the light."
Providence, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12.
On Friday last the trial of Jason Fairbanks, for the murder of Elizabeth Fales, on the 18th of May last, was concluded before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting at Dedham. The evidence of Fairbanks' criminality was clear and conclusive—and little or nothing appeared in extenuation of his guilt. The jury went out on Friday evening, after 10 o'clock, and returned their verdict next morning, that the prisoner was "GUILTY!" The Court on Saturday passed sentence of DEATH upon him: "After which the Chief Justice addressed him in terms spreading the heinousness of his crime before him, and exhorting him to repentance; but he remained, as he always has done, apparently insensible—the only person in the assembly who was not affected at the solemnity of the scene."
"The judgment of the Court, and the final verdict of the Jury, appear to meet the public approbation."
A letter received at Philadelphia from Barcelona dated April 29, mentions, that the corsairs of Tripoli are out, with a view of capturing all American vessels which may fall in their way.
A letter from Cape-Francois to a gentleman in Philadelphia, dated July 17, has the
following sentence: "You will observe by the inclosed copy of a new Constitution, that the island is declared INDEPENDANT, and General Toussaint Governor."
[Under the Hamburg head of June 2 we find the following paragraphs.]
A Congress is about to be opened at Peterburgh, for the final settlement of the late disputes between Great-Britain and the Northern Powers.
A closer alliance than ever is to be concluded between Russia and Prussia, in order to effect the restoration of tranquillity in Europe, and the due indemnification of their respective allies, who have suffered by the treaty of Luneville.
The effective force of the Austrian army is still upwards of three hundred thousand men. None of the officers who were allowed horses in the field are permitted to sell them. On the contrary, they receive the usual ration of forage, at the expence of government.
Buonaparte, according to authentic letters from Berlin, has desisted from his late pretensions upon the Electorate of Hanover, and the shutting of the navigation of the rivers Elbe and Weser. The French Minister, Bournonville, at Berlin, has also assumed a much gentler tone in his diplomatic communications with the Prussian cabinet. Under these circumstances it is expected that the Prussian troops will soon evacuate Hanover.
OFFICIAL.
Appointments by the President of the United States.
George W. Erving, of Massachusetts, to be Consul at London.
Mr. De la Motte, Vice Commercial Agent at Havre.
Edward Jones, of Columbia district, to be Commercial Agent at Guadalupe.
Thomas Aboyn, of Rhode-Island, to be Commercial Agent at Cayenne.
Peter Dobell, of Pennsylvania, to be Commercial Agent at Havre.
Fulwar Skipwith, of Virginia, to be Commercial Agent at Paris.
John C. Murray, of New-York, Consul at Glasgow.
Joseph Peckis, Consul at Malta.
Etienne Cathalan, Commercial Agent at Marseilles.
Daniel Clark, of New-Orleans, to be Consul for that port.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The Petition of the Masters and Supercargoes of American vessels lying in the port of Barcelona, the 15th of May, 1801.
HUMBLY SHEWETH,
THAT your petitioners came into the Mediterranean sea, in the pursuit of a lawful commerce, and a just reliance on the faith of existing treaties, for protection against any depredation that might be attempted on them; it is with pain they have therefore now to represent the actual situation in which they are placed, by the Bashaw of Tripoli having declared war against the American flag. They forbear intruding on you, by dilating on the unhappy consequences that usually result from a rupture with a Barbary State. Sensible of the exquisite feelings which are yet alive to the sufferings of our fellow-citizens, when under that worst of human degradation, slavery, a repetition of which is now threatened, and may in all probability be at this moment felt by many of our unsuspecting countrymen, who could not be apprised of their danger.—
Your petitioners look to their government for aid and protection against the ruthless hand of a barbarous enemy; to whose tyrannic grasp upwards of three hundred citizens of the United States (now waiting to return to their families and friends) would be exposed, if they attempted to leave this port; they therefore solicit your prompt attention to their situation, that ships of war may be sent to this place to protect them in this hour of danger and calamity. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
(Signed by twenty-three American masters.)
The Washington official paper [the National Intelligencer] gives the following as a correct statement of the late correspondence between Tom Paine and the President, on the subject of his return to this country:
"We understand that Mr. Paine wrote to Mr. Jefferson, before he was elected President, stating to him a strong desire to return to America; but also stating his apprehension, from information possessed by him, that if he came in a private vessel, the English would be likely to intercept the ship, make him their prisoner, and convey him to England; where his "liberty," and perhaps life, might be endangered. He therefore requested, in case Mr. Jefferson should be elected President, and a national vessel should be sent to France, he might be permitted to take passage in her for this country. This letter Mr. Jefferson answered, and gave the permission required."
By a letter from London, of which we have been favoured with an extract, it appears that Admiral Parker, who commands on the Halifax station, is ordered home, and captain Douglass is to succeed him. Captain Pellew, also, who was formerly recalled from the same station, having been permitted by Admiral Parker to proceed to the West-Indies, instead of returning to England, has been recalled from the former place, and positively ordered home. [Nat. Int.]
It may not be generally known, that Tripoli is at peace with Portugal; and should the former have actually begun its piracies on
our trade, it is possible its cruisers may reach the Atlantic in quest of American vessels. ibi.
A letter from Ireland, dated May 16, cautions the American merchants against the shipment of flax-seed.
It is very common for people in speaking of anything valuable, to say, it is worth a Jew's eye; a saying that few can define the origin or meaning of. The intrinsic value of an Israelite's eye seems to have been settled a short time since by a bench of Justices in London, when a complaint was lodged by a Moses Isaac, against an Irish chairman, for knocking out one of his (the complainant's) eyes.—It appeared that honest Mr. Moses (to use a twirling phrase) had taken in the poor Irishman by obliging him with a very good watch—at little more than treble the value. This roused the indignation of the poor Teague, (when told of the imposition) in so much that he swore "by his thoul, when he met with the pretty faced jontleman again, but he'd give him a pop of his peeper."—A day or two after, cunning little Isaac was unfortunate enough to accost his friend with "vill you buy a nishe sheal for your vatch?" "yes my honey," says Teague, "but I'll pay you for the watch first," and, without further ceremony, beat out one of his eyes. The Justices being informed of the particulars, fined the Irishman five shillings, and dismissed the complaint.—The Hibernian, on paying the fine, told the bench, he thought Moses' eye so cheap, that he would give 5 shillings more to knock out the other.
From the Boston Centinel.
Mr. Russell—I perused with astonishment, in the paper called the Chronicle, of Thursday, "That it is an uncontroversial fact, that General Washington commenced his operations at the Federal City on the Sabbath; that he mounted his horse, and with a large retinue proceeded the spot and set his workmen to felling trees, making roads, &c. on that day." As I was a resident in the vicinity of the Federal City at the time it was first surveyed, I take upon myself to say, that the above statement is false in every particular; and I defy the writer to substantiate it by any correct record. No man was ever more punctual in his attendance on Divine Worship than General Washington; and no one ever appeared more impressed than himself of the necessity of a strict observance of a Sabbath.
A STRANGER IN BOSTON.
AUTHENTIC.
A letter from a mercantile house of the first respectability in Bilboa, dated June 11, informs, "That the Board of Health of that port have given orders, that no vessel should hereafter be kept at quarantine, unless some of the crew be found to have the yellow fever." The several printers of newspapers in the sea port towns of the United States are requested to insert this article in their papers.
Two children, lately born in New-Jersey, have been named Thomas Jefferson Shinn, and Aaron Burr Shinn. A Connecticut wit noticing the circumstance sportively says, "There's no help for sickness, and fore shins."
From the N. E. Palladium, of Yesterday.
FROM EUROPE.
By the arrival of the ship Sachem, and brig Fox, from Liverpool, London papers have been received to June 19. They contain intelligence from Egypt, stated as official, as late as May 3. No new action is mentioned, but the arrival of British forces at Suez is announced.—A communication continues between the British and the French governments, which keeps alive the hopes of the friends of peace. Buonaparte's paper is liberal of compliments to the British Ministers, and acknowledges the unprecedented potency of the British nation. France appears anxious for peace.—There is nothing new respecting Portugal.—A British Squadron of four ships of the line sailed from Plymouth, June 16 with sealed orders.
Died,
In this town, Mrs. Nancy Justin, wife of Mr. John Justin, in the 32d year of her age
Twenty-Five Dollars Reward.
ON Friday the 7th inst. the subscriber lost a Black Horse, with one of his hind feet white, and about fifteen and a half hands high, a well carried horse 5 years old, a natural trotter, rather thin of flesh, with a single weltsed Saddle, double reined bridle, and a Ciringle, to a certain man who called his name WILLIAM READ, to go to Bristol; to be gone not to exceed twenty-four hours. Said Read is about thirty years of age, said about six feet high, short dark hair and black eyes, well proportioned; and tolerable likely. He had with him one other horse, which he called his own, about fifteen hands high, a little lame in his off hind leg, of a light bay colour, a pair of black Saddle-Bags with a small brass lock on one end, and a blue Surtout. He also had in his possession two Watches, one of which he shewed to the Int holder, where he tarried while in town, or the outside cafe of which was inscribed, "Dr. William Little, 1797." He had on when he went away a blue coat, buff-leather pantaloons, and half boots. Whoever will return said Read and the property to the subscriber, so that he may be brought to justice, shall be entitled to the above reward.
STEPHEN SMITH.
Providence, August 12.

Selected Poetry.
From Thomas' MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
PHILO to the HUMMING BIRD.
POOR little thief of varied hue, That robb'st each choicer flower Of all its sweets and honied dew, And humm'st around my bower!
Ah! blossom-robber, this small cove, Round which thou lov'st to be, My care had built for her I love, And not, thou rogue, for thee.
But happier is thy flow'ry fate, Far, far more blest than mine; Where I had hop'd to see my mate, Thou sipp'st in bliss with thine.
'Tis thus in life—Those rosy scenes, Which all our aims employ, We gain at last with toilsome pains, For others to enjoy.
Sip, little thief, joy's nectar'd bowl! I'll not thy bliss molest; If I'm unhappy, 'tis no rule, That thou should'st not be blest.
THEODORUS.
From the NORFOLK HERALD.
A CANDID EXAMINATION OF MR. JEFFERSON'S CONDUCT.
DURING the administration of Washington and Adams, it was not unusual to see columns of Jacobin prints teeming with denunciations against the too extensive powers vested in the President of the United States; a power, in some instances, by them only exercised to its full extent, and when so exercised the constitution was at rest, and the load of reproach attached itself upon a mal-administration. Whether the fault lay in the government or the administration, perhaps would never have been decided, had not the public will changed men as a hope for a change of measures.—Mr. Jefferson's entry upon the duties of the office of President, was submitted to by those who had espoused the measures of his predecessors, with cheerfulness, and with a firm reliance that by an exercise of wisdom with which his party has gifted him, there would be no room to call in question any single act of his administration; but unfortunately, in the outset, we discover him doing acts, which cannot even find a solitary plaudit in the corner of any democratic paper. It was (prior to Mr. Jefferson's election) a principle with that gentleman and his party, to deprecate an idea, that the United States should do any thing like copying from the government of Great-Britain. It is a grand tenet with us, that our administration should not be tinctured with monarchy. In England, it is frequently a source of reproach and murmur, and is there regarded as a bad exercise of power, that upon a change of administration, men without a blemish, who for years may perhaps have served their country, are hurled from their resting places to make way for the favourites of the new Minister.—This is supposed to be the worst feature in the British administration, and it is the very first that Mr. Jefferson copied, after being seated in the saddle of power and pre-eminence. That Mr. Jefferson has the power to remove every officer in the United States, I do not mean to deny; but power and right are two different words. There are men in office whom, for past services, the collected will of the nation would with ample to reward and provide for; I say, then, in such a case, although Mr. Jefferson hath the power, yet he hath not the right to barter the gratitude of the nation, for his caprice, in the display of little official parade.
"But man, proud man! Drest in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assured, His glassy essence—like an angry ape, Plays such fantastic tricks, before high Heaven, As make the Angels weep."
A President in the exercise of his power should not discard every reflection on the people's happiness. He should so act, as to come as near the will of those who delegated him as possible. Every step should trace an inclination to banish all jealousies, or the suspicion of acting from the pique of a party. He should be the point where the rays of the national will should centre, and in which there should not be a speck by the transit of fac-
tion. The instances of Mr. Jefferson's removing from office men who deserved well of their country, are numerous. By so doing, if he did not meditate it, he certainly laid the first stone of disorganization in all the public offices of this country. Men are not qualified as Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of the Navy, of the War Department, and as Collectors of the ports, merely by appointment, although that appointment is made by the President of the United States. It requires a period of full four years to understand fully the duties of either of these offices, and what man of worth, of integrity, and in his senses, will hereafter accept of either, to hold it at the whim or the nod of a picqued or powerful President? These offices, therefore, bid fair in future to be in great disorder, of course the duties of them not well discharged, and Mr. Jefferson the primary cause of all the evil.
A CITIZEN.
From the Washington Federalist.
AS it is a consideration in which the dignity of the United States is much interested, we conceive it necessary to make due enquiry, and, if possible, ascertain the truth of the report relative to Mr. Jefferson's invitation to Tom Paine. Sorry we are to find, as we now do, that the report was founded in truth: and we do unequivocally assert that Mr. Jefferson did send a message to Tom Paine, and did offer him a passage to this country.
Tom Paine is a wretch of an abandoned moral character, a bitter enemy to the christian religion, a reviler of George Washington and John Adams. Was it a congeniality of feeling that induced the President to transmit an affectionate message?
Will any man say that Mr. Jefferson is not an avowed enemy to the character of G. W.—The manner in which he is mentioned in the inaugural speech, and the invitation to Tom Paine, his most bitter reviler, are among the numerous evidences of this supposition.
What could tempt, we wonder what could tempt the Executive to this outrage? To us it is unaccountable on every side, but on that of similarity of sentiments, feeling and opinion.
We were about to say more, but we cannot enlarge at present; we are two much choked with indignation, an indignation we should deem ourselves miscreants indeed did we not feel.
The offended reader will examine the following extracts from Paine's letter to General Washington, and judge for himself why any man should have respect for their author.
Extracts from Thomas Paine's letter to George Washington, President of the United States, dated Paris, July 30th, 1796, and printed by Benjamin Franklin Bache, the immediate predecessor of William Duane, editor of the Aurora. At the same office was also published The Age of Reason, part 1st and 2d.
"I declare myself opposed to almost the whole of your administration; for I know it to have been deceitful, if not fraudulent." p. 5. "Injustice was acted under the pretence of faith; and the chief of the army became the patron of the fraud." "Meanness and ingratitude have nothing equivocal in their character. There is not a trait in them that renders them doubtful. They are so original vices, that they are generated of the dung of other vices, and crawl into existence with the filth upon their backs. The fugitives have found protection in you, and the levee-room is their place of rendezvous." p. 7. "Your cold and unmilitary conduct would in all probability have lost America. You slept away your time in the field till the finances of the country were completely exhausted, and you have but little share in the glory of the final event." p. 10. "Elevated to the chair of the Presidency, you assumed the merit of every thing to yourself, and the natural ingratitude of your constitution began to appear. You commenced your Presidential career by encouraging and swallowing the grossest adulation, and you travelled America from the one end to the other, to put yourself in the way of receiving it. You have as many
addresses in your chest as James the II. As to what were your views, for if you are not great enough to have ambition, you are little enough to have vanity, they cannot be directly inferred from expressions of your own; but the partizans of your politics have divulged the secret." p. 10, 11. "It has for some time been known, by those who know him [Washington] that he has no friendships; that he is incapable of forming any; he can serve or desert a man or cause with constitutional indifference; and it is this cold hermaphrodite faculty that imposed itself upon the world, and was credited for awhile by enemies as well as by friends, for prudence, moderation and impartiality." p. 15. "All that period of my imprisonment, at least, I owe not to Robespierre, but to his colleague in projects, George Washington." p. 25.
"The character which Mr. Washington has attempted to act in the world, is a sort of non-describable, cameleon-coloured thing, called prudence." p. 40. "In what a fraudulent light must Mr. Washington's character appear in the world, when his declarations and his conduct are compared together!" p. 46. "It is laughable to hear Mr. Washington talk of his sympathetic feelings, who has always been remarked, even among his friends, for not having any." p. 54. "Something more ought to be understood than the Tyberian system of doing nothing. The nothing part can be done by any body. Old Mrs. Thompson the house-keeper of head-quarters could have done it as well as Mr. Washington." p. 55. "There was a spirit of enterprise at that time, which the presence of Mr. Washington chilled into cold defence." p. 56. "No wonder we see so much pusillanimity in the President, when we see so little enterprise in the General." p. 57. "The same unfortunate languor that marked his entrance into the field, continued always." p. 58. "As to you, Sir, treacherous in private friendship, and a hypocrite in public life; the world will be puzzled to decide whether you have abandoned good principles, or whether you ever had any." p. 63, 64.
NOTICE.
THE Creditors to the Estate of ROBERT S. PACKARD, late of Providence, deceased, are informed that a further time of one month, from the 3d of August inst. has been allowed by the Honourable Court of Probate, for claims against said Estate.
RICHARD JACKSON, Jun. } Com's. PARIS J. TILLINGHAST. } August 5.
A STORE TO LET.
TO be let, the Store lately improved by Mr. GANALIEL L. DWIGHT, on the south side of Market-street, and only four doors from the great Bridge. Said Store is neatly finished for disposing of goods, and the stand equal to any in town. More room in the upper part of said Store may be had if wanted. Apply to
THOMAS JONES, WHO HAS JUST RECEIVED. A quantity of the best heavy RYE, and has it to sell at his store in Market-street. July 29.
LOOKING-GLASSES.
THE subscriber has just received an assortment of Elegant Gilt-Frame LOOKING-GLASSES, with glass pannels, and ornamented tops, of the latest fashions, as low as can be bought in New-York or Boston.—Prices from 20 to 65 dollars the pair. SAMUEL AMES. July 29. (12 w.)
TO be let, a convenient tenement for a small family, on the west side of the great bridge, adjoining the back of Capt. JOHN MASON'S House, that he now lives in. For terms, apply to HENRY BRICKLEY. Jun 24.
FOR SALE, BY Wanton Steere, At the Long Wharf, EIGHTY hogheads of good retailing MOLASSES, on reasonable terms; Likewise—For sale, freight, or charter, brig CHARLOTTE, burthen 102 tons. July 8.
Joseph Mason
Informs his Friends,
THAT he has removed to Capt. SAMUEL GODFREY'S House, at the South End, where he will be at all times ready to attend the calls of those who may please to employ him in the line of his profession. He will keep constantly on hand a good assortment of Medicines, and will put up Medicine Chests for ships, and private boxes for officers and seamen, with particular directions, on reasonable terms, and on the shortest notice. July 29.
NOTICE.
WHEREAS a Commission of Bankrupt is awarded and issued forth against JOHN HAVEN, of Providence, Trader, and he being declared a Bankrupt, is hereby required to surrender himself to us, the undersigned Commissioners, on the twenty-fifth day of July, and on the eighth and twenty-second days of August next, and on the fifth day of September next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon on each day, at ALPHEUS AMMIDON'S Golden-ball inn, and make a full discovery and disclosure of his estate and effects; when and where the Creditors are to come prepared to prove their debts, and at the third meeting to choose Assignees, and at the last meeting the said Bankrupt is required to finish his examination, and the Creditors are to assent to or dissent from the allowance of his certificate. All persons indebted to the said Bankrupt, or that have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to whom the said Commissioners shall appoint. PARIS J. TILLINGHAST, } Com'ts. JOSEPH JENCKES, GEORGE R. BURRILL, } July 22.
THE Copartnership of HARRAS and RHODES, being this day dissolved by mutual consent; all those who have any unsettled accounts with them are requested to call on WM. N. RHODES for settlement. CYRUS HARRAS, WM. N. RHODES. July 15.
FRESH FLOUR.
Just received, and for sale by Malachi Rhodes and Son, At the Long-Wharf,
ALEXANDRIA fine and superfine FLOUR; 20 barrels Ship Bread; Corn, Rye, and Wheat Bran, by the hundred or single bushel; Also, One ton of Red-Wood. July 15.
To be Sold,
A NEW fall-back CHAISE. For terms, apply to JOHN C. JENCKES, At his shop, near the Turk's-Head, where he has for sale, GOLD and SILVER WORK, and JEWELLERY;
A L S O, PLATED HARNESS-FURNITURE, as low as can be bought in Boston or New-York.
N. B. All persons having accounts unsettled with the firm of JOHN JENCKES and Co. are requested to exhibit them to said JENCKES within three months from this date. Cash given for old Gold, Silver, Copper, and Brass. July 15. (5 w.)
Grinnell and Taylor
Respectfully inform the public, and their good customers in particular, that they have just received a general assortment of Painters Colours, &c. viz.
LONDON white lead, dry or ground in oil, per cwt. or lb. Spanish white, stone yellow, red lead and Spanish brown per do. Prussian blue, first, second and third qualities; Venetian red, vermilion, king's yellow, white vitriol, gold leaf, copal varnish, ivory black, umber, lampblack, Dutch pink, rose pink, drop lake, shewing small litharge, verdigrease per sack or lb. copperas, alum, brimstone, red chalk, pumice stone, rosin, patent yellow, English and Russia glue, linseed oil, per bbl. or gall. spirits turpentine, black and bright varnish for vessels use, painters brushes and tools of various sizes, marking brushes, large and small camel hair pencils, window and china putty, window glass 15 by 12—15 by 11—14 by 10—12 by 10—12 by 9—10 by 8—9 by 7 and 8 by 6. The above articles are of an excellent quality, and are sold as low as can be purchased in this State.
They continue the painting business at their Store opposite the Bank lane; where colours are prepared at short notice, and all favours gratefully received.
N. B. They earnestly solicit all persons that have been indebted to them more than one year, to call and settle the same without delay. June 17. 8 w.
THE Subscriber having lately arrived in Providence from Georgia, takes this method to invite all persons who have any demands against him to call on him at the house of Mr. Nathan Truman, or on Dr. Benjamin Dyer, and receive their money; and as he proposes returning to Georgia in the fall, the sooner a settlement of his affairs can be effected, the more agreeable to him. June 15. EBENEZER JENCKES