The Providence journal, and town and country advertiser (Providence [R.I.]), 1800-02-26 00:00:00

The Will OF GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON. (Concluded from our last.)
ITEM. I release, exonerate and discharge, the estate of my deceased brother, Samuel Washington, from the payment of the money which is due to me for the land I sold to Philip Pendleton (lying in the county of Berkeley) who assigned the same to him, the said Samuel, who, by agreement, was to pay me therefor: And whereas, by some contract (the purport of which was never communicated to me) between the said Samuel and his son, Thornton Washington, the latter became possessed of the aforesaid land, without any conveyance having passed from me, either to the said Pendleton, the said Samuel, or the said Thornton, and without any consideration having been made, by which neglect neither the legal nor equitable title has been alienated; it rests therefore with me to declare my intentions concerning the premises; and these are, to give and bequeath the said land to whomsoever the said Thornton Washington (who is also dead) devised the same, or to his heirs forever, if he died intestate; exonerating the estate of the said Thornton, equally with that of the said Samuel, from payment of the purchase money, which, with interest, agreeably to the original contract with the said Pendleton, would amount to more than a thousand pounds: And whereas two other sons of my said deceased brother Samuel, namely, George Steptoe Washington, and Laurence Augustine Washington, were, by the decease of those to whose care they were committed, brought under my protection, and in consequence have occasioned advances on my part for their education at College and other schools, for their board, clothing, and other incidental expenses, to the amount of near five thousand dollars over and above the sums furnished by their estate, which sum it may be inconvenient for them or their father's estate to refund—I do, for these reasons, acquit them and their said estate from the payment thereof—my intention being that all accounts between them and me, and their father's estate and me, shall stand balanced.
The balance due to me from the estate of Bartholomew Dandridge, deceased (my estate is hereafter) and which amounted, on the day of October, 1795, to four hundred and twenty-five pounds (as will appear by an account rendered by his deceased son, John Dandridge, who was the acting executor of his father's estate) and the negroes (then thirty-three in number) formerly belonging to the said estate, who were taken in execution, sold and purchased on my account, in the year (blank) and ever since have remained in the possession and to the use of Mary, widow of the said Bartholomew Dandridge, with their increase, it is my will and desire shall continue and be in her possession, without paying hire, or making compensation for the same, for the time past or to come, during her natural life: at the expiration of which, I direct that all of them, who are forty years old and upwards, shall receive their freedom; all under that age, and above sixteen, shall serve seven years, and no longer; and all under sixteen years, shall serve until they are twenty-five years of age, and then be free—And to avoid disputes respecting the ages of any of these negroes, they are to be taken into the court of the county in which they reside, and the judgment thereof, in this relation, shall be final, and record thereof made, which may be adduced as evidence at any time thereafter, if disputes should arise concerning the same—And I further direct, that the heirs of the said Bartholomew Dandridge shall, equally, share the benefits arising from the service of the said negroes, according to the tenor of this devise, upon the decease of their mother.
Item. If Charles Carter, who intermarried with my niece, Betty Lewis, is not sufficiently secured in the title to the lots he had of me, in the town of Fredericksburg, it is my will and desire that my executors shall make such conveyance of them as the law requires, to render it perfect.
Item. To my nephew, William Augustine Washington, and his heirs (if he should conceive them to be objects worth protecting) a lot in the town of Manchester (opposite to Richmond) No. 265, drawn on my sole account, and also the tenth of one or two hundred acre lots, and two or three half acre lots, in the city and vicinity of Richmond, drawn in partnership with nine others, all in the lottery of the deceased William Byrd, are given; as is also a lot which I purchased of John Hood, conveyed by William Willie and Samuel Gordon, trustees of the said John Hood, numbered 139, in the town of Edinburgh, in the county of Prince George, state of Virginia.
Item. To my nephew, Bushrod Washington, I give and bequeath all the papers in my possession, which relate to my civil and military administration of the affairs of this country. I leave to him also such of my private papers as are worth preserving; and at the decease of my wife, and before, if she is not inclined to retain
them, I give and bequeath my library of books and pamphlets of every kind.
Item. Having sold lands which I possessed in the state of Pennsylvania, and part of a tract held in equal right with George Clinton, late governor of New-York, in the state of New-York: my share of land and interest in the Great Dismal Swamp, and a tract of land which I owned in the county of Gloucester—withholding the legal titles thereto till the consideration money should be paid—and having moreover leased and conditionally sold (as will appear by the tenor of the said leases) all my lands upon the Great Kenhawa, and a tract upon Difficult Run, in the county of Loudoun, it is my will and direction, that whensoever the contracts are fully and respectively complied with, according to the spirit, true intent and meaning thereof, on the part of the purchasers, their heirs or assigns, that then, and in that case, conveyances are to be made, agreeable to the terms of the said contracts, and the money arising therefrom, when paid, to be vested in bank stock; the dividends whereof, as of that also which is already vested therein, is to enure to my said wife during her life, but the stock itself is to remain and be subject to the general distribution hereafter directed.
Item. To the Earl of Buchan I recommit "the box made of the oak that sheltered the great Sir William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk"—presented to me by his Lordship, in terms too flattering for me to repeat, with a request "to pass it, on the event of my decease, to the man in my country who should appear to merit it best, upon the same conditions that have induced him to send it to me." Whether easy or not to select THE MAN who might comport with his Lordship's wish in this respect, is not for me to say; but conceiving that no disposition of this valuable curiosity can be more eligible than the recommitment of it to his own cabinet, agreeably to the original design of the Goldsmith's company of Edinburgh, who presented it to him, and, at his request, consented that it should be transferred to me—I do give and bequeath the same to his Lordship; and in case of his decease, to his heir, with my grateful thanks for the distinguished honour of presenting it to me, and more especially for the favourable sentiments with which he accompanied it.
Item. To my brother Charles Washington I give and bequeath the gold-headed cane left me by Dr. Franklin, in his will. I add nothing to it, because of the ample provision I have made for his issue. To the acquaintances and friends of my juvenile years, Laurence Washington and Robert Washington, of Choptank, I give my other two gold-headed canes, having my arms engraved on them; and to each (as they will be useful where they live) I leave one of the spy-glasses which constituted part of my equipage during the late war. To my companion in arms and old intimate friend, Dr. Craik, I give my bureau (or, as the cabinet-makers call it, tambour secretary) and the circular chair, an appendage to my study. To Dr. David Stuart I give my large shaving and dressing-table, and my telescope. To the Reverend, now Bryan Lord Fairfax, I give a bible, in three large folio volumes, with notes; presented to me by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Wilson, Bishop of Sodor and Man. To General de la Fayette, I give a pair of finely wrought steel pistols, taken from the enemy in the revolutionary war. To my sisters-in-law, Hannah Washington and Mildred Washington; to my friends Eleanor Stuart, Hannah Washington, of Fairfield, and Elizabeth Washington, of Hayfield, I give, each, a mourning-ring, of the value of one hundred dollars. These bequests are not made for the intrinsic value of them, but as mementos of my esteem and regard. To Tobias Lear I give the use of the farm which he now holds in virtue of a lease from me to him and his deceased wife (for and during their natural lives) free from rent during his life; at the expiration of which it is to be disposed of as is hereafter directed. To Sally B. Hame (a distant relation of mine) I give and bequeath three hundred dollars. To Sarah Green, daughter of the deceased Thomas Bishop, and to Ann Walker, daughter of John Alston, also deceased, I give each one hundred dollars, in consideration of the attachment of their fathers to me; each of whom having lived nearly forty years in my family. To each of my nephews, William Augustine Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe Washington, Bushrod Washington, and Samuel Washington, I give one of the swords or cutteaux of which I may die possessed; and they are to choose in the order they are named.—These swords are accompanied with an injunction not to unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood, except it be for self-defence, or in defence of their country and its rights; and in the latter case to keep them unsheathed, and prefer falling with them in their hands, to the relinquishment thereof.
And now, having gone through these specific bequests, with explanations for the more correct understanding of the meaning and design of them, I proceed to the distribution of the more important parts of my estate, in manner following:
First. To my nephew, Bushrod Washington,
and his heirs (partly in consideration of an intimation to his deceased father, while we were bachelors, and he had kindly undertaken to superintend my estate during my military services, in the former war between Great-Britain and France, that if I should fall therein, Mount-Vernon (then less extensive in domain than at present) should become his property) I give and bequeath all that part thereof which is comprehended within the following limits, viz.—Beginning at the ford of Dogue Run, near my mill, and extending along the road, and bounded thereby, as it now goes, and ever has gone since my recollection of it, to the ford of Little Hunting Creek, at the Gum Spring, until it comes to a knoll, opposite to an old road which formerly passed through the lower field of Muddyhole Farm; at which, on the north side of the said road, are three red or Spanish oaks marked as a corner, and a stone placed; thence by a line of trees to be marked rectangular to the back line or outer boundary of the tract between Thompson Mason and myself—thence with that line easterly (now double ditching with a post, and rail fence thereon) to the run of Little Hunting Creek; thence with that run, which is the boundary between the lands of the late Humphrey Peake and me, to the tide water of the said creek—thence by that water to Potomac river—thence with the river to the mouth of Dogue Creek—and thence with the said Dogue Creek to the place of beginning, at the aforesaid ford, containing upwards of four thousand acres, be the same more or less, together with the mansion house, and all other buildings and improvements thereon.
Second. In consideration of the consanguinity between them and my wife, being as nearly related to her as to myself, as on account of the affection I had for, and the obligation I was under to, their father, when living, who from his youth had attached himself to my person, and followed my fortunes through the vicissitudes of the late revolution, afterwards devoted his time to the superintendence of my private concerns for many years, whilst my public employments rendered it impracticable for me to do it myself, thereby affording me essential services, and always performing them in a manner the most filial and respectful: for these reasons, I say, I give and bequeath to George Fayette Washington, and Laurence Augustine Washington, and their heirs, my estate east of Little Hunting Creek, lying on the River Potomac, including the farm of three hundred and sixty acres leased to Tobias Lear, as noticed before, and containing in the whole, by deed, two thousand and twenty-seven acres, be it more or less; which said estate it is my will and desire should be equitably and advantageously divided between them, according to quantity, quality, and other circumstances, when the youngest shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years, by three judicious and disinterested men; one to be chosen by each of the brothers, and the third by these two. In the mean time, if the termination of my wife's interest therein should have ceased, the profits arising therefrom are to be applied for their joint uses and benefit.
Third. And whereas it has always been my intention, since my expectation of having issue has ceased, to consider the grandchildren of my wife in the same light as I do my own relations, and to act a friendly part by them, more especially by the two whom we have raised from their earliest infancy—namely, Eleanor Park Custis, and George Washington Park Custis: And whereas the former of these hath lately intermarried with Laurence Lewis, a son of my deceased sister, Betty Lewis, by which union the inducement to provide for them both has been increased; wherefore I give and bequeath to the said Laurence Lewis and Eleanor Park Lewis, his wife, and their heirs, the residue of my Mount-Vernon estate, not already devised to my nephew, Bushrod Washington, comprehended within the following description, viz. All the lands north of the road leading from the ford of Dogue Run to the Gum Spring, as described in the devise of the other part of the tract to Bushrod Washington, until it comes to the stone and three red or Spanish oaks on the knoll, thence with the rectangular line to the back line (between Mr. Mason and me) thence with that line westerly along the new double ditch to Dogue Run, by the tumbling dam of my mill; thence with the said run to the ford aforementioned; to which I add all the land I possess west of the said Dogue Run and Dogue Creek, bounded easterly and southerly thereby—together with the mill, distillery, and all other houses and improvements on the premises, making together about two thousand acres, be it more or less.
Fourth. Affected by the principle already mentioned, I give and bequeath to George Washington Park Custis, the grandson of my wife, and my ward, and to his heirs, the tract I hold on Four Mile Run, in the vicinity of Alexandria, containing one thousand two hundred acres, more or less, and my entire square, number twenty-one, in the city of Washington.
Fifth. All the rest and residue of my estate, real and personal, not disposed of in manner aforesaid, in whatsoever consisting—wheresoever lying—and wherever found—a full share
of which, as far as is recollected, with a reasonable estimate of its value, is hereunto annexed—I desire may be sold by my executors, as such times—in such manner; and on such credits (if an equal, valid and satisfactory distribution of the specific property cannot be made without) as in their judgment shall be most conducive to the interest of the parties concerned, and the monies arising therefrom to be divided into twenty-three equal parts, and applied as follows, viz: To William Augustine Washington, Elizabeth Spotwood, Jane Thornton, and the heirs of Ann Alston, son and daughters of my deceased brother Augustine Washington, I give and bequeath four parts, that is, one part to each of them: To Fielding Lewis, George Lewis, Robert Lewis, Howell Lewis, and Betty Carter, sons and daughter of my deceased sister Betty Lewis, I give and bequeath five other parts, one to each of them: To George Steptoe Washington, Laurence Augustine Washington, Harriot Parks, and the heirs of Thornton Washington, sons and daughter of my deceased brother Samuel Washington, I give and bequeath four other parts, one part to each of them: To Corbin Washington, and the heirs of Jane Washington, son and daughter of my deceased brother John Augustine Washington, I give and bequeath two parts, one part to each of them: To Samuel Washington, Frances Ball and Mildred Hammond, son and daughters of my brother Charles Washington, I give and bequeath three parts, one part to each of them; and to George Fayette Washington, Charles Augustine Washington, and Maria Washington, sons and daughter of my deceased nephew George Augustine Washington, I give one other part, that is, to each a third of that part: To Elizabeth Park Law, Martha Park Peter, and Eleanor Park Lewis, I give and bequeath three other parts, that is, a part to each of them: and to my nephew, Bushrod Washington, and Laurence Lewis, and to my Ward, the grand-son of my wife, I give and bequeath one other part, that is, a third thereof to each of them. And if it should so happen, that any of the persons whose names are here enumerated (unknown to me) should now be dead, or should die before me, that in either of these cases, the heirs of such deceased persons shall, notwithstanding, derive all the benefits of the bequest, in the same manner as if he or she was actually living at the time; and by way of advice, I recommend it to my executors not to be precipitate in disposing of the landed property (therein directed to be sold) from temporary causes the sale thereof should be dull; experience having fully evinced that the price of lands (especially above the falls of the rivers and on the western waters) have been progressively rising, and cannot be long checked in its increasing value. And I particularly recommend it to such of the legatees (under the clause of my will) as can make it convenient, to take each a share of my stock in the Potomac Company, in preference to the amount of what it might sell for—being thoroughly convinced myself, that no uses to which the money can be applied, will be so productive as the tolls arising from this navigation; when in full operation (and this, from the nature of things, it must be ere long) and more especially if that of the Shenandoah is added thereto.
The family vault at Mount-Vernon requiring repairs, and being improperly situated besides, I desire that a new one of brick, and upon a larger scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard Inclosure, on the ground which is marked out—in which my remains, with those of my deceased relations (now in the old vault) and such others of my family as may choose to be entombed there, may be deposited. And it is my express desire, that my corpse may be interred in a private manner, without parade or funeral oration.
Lastly, I constitute and appoint my dearly beloved wife, Martha Washington, my nephews William Augustine Washington, Bushrod Washington, George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Washington and Laurence Lewis, and my ward, George Washington Park Custis (when he shall have arrived at the age of twenty years) executrix and executors of this WILL and TESTAMENT—in the construction of which it will readily be perceived, that no professional character has been consulted, or has had any agency in the draught—and that although it has occupied many of my leisure hours to digest, and to throw it into its present form, it may, notwithstanding, appear crude and incorrect—but having endeavoured to be plain and explicit in all the devices, even at the expence of prolixity, perhaps of tautology, I hope and trust that no disputes will arise concerning them; but if, contrary to expectation, the case should be otherwise, from the want of legal expression, or the usual technical terms, or because too much or too little has been said on any of the devices, to be consonant with law, my will and direction expressly is, that all disputes (if unhappily any should arise) shall be decided, by three impartial and intelligent men, known for their probity and good understanding, to be chosen by the defendants, each having the choice of one, and the third by these two—which three men, thus chosen, shall, uncontrolled by law or legal construction, decide the sense of the testator's intentions; and such decision is, to all intents

and purposes, to be as binding on the parties as if it had been given in the Supreme Court of the United States.
IN WITNESS of all, and of each of the things herein contained, I have set my hand and seal, this Ninth Day of July; in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety —* and of the Independence of the United States the Twenty-Fourth.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. (Seal)
A SCHEDULE
Of property comprehended in the foregoing WILL, which is directed to be sold, and some of it conditionally is sold; with descriptive and explanatory notes relative thereto.
IN VIRGINIA.
   Acres. Price. Dollars.     Loudoun co. Difficult Run, 300 6,666a   Loudoun and Fauquier, Ashby's Bent, 2481 10 d. 24,810   Chattins Run, 885 8 7,080   Berkeley S. fork of Bulskin, 1600   Head of Evans's, m. 453   In Wormley's line, 183   2236 20 44,730c   Frederick, bought from Mercer, 571 20 11,420d   Hampshire, on Potomac river, above B. 240 15 3,600e   Gloucester, on North river, 400 about 3,600f   Nansemond, near Suffolk, 1-3 of 1119 acres, 373 8 2984g   Great Dismal Swamp, my dividend thereof, about 20,000h   Ohio river, Round Bottom, 587   Little Kanawha, 2314   2901   Sixteen miles lower down, 2448   Opposite Big Bent, 4395  
dollars.
GREAT KANAWHA.
   Near the North-West, 10,090 10 97,440i   East side, above, 7276   Mouth of Cole river, 2000   Opposite thereto, 2950   Burning Spring, 125 3075  
200,000k
MARYLAND.
   Charles County, 600 6 3,600l   Montgomery co. 519 12 6,229m  
PENNSYLVANIA.
   Great Meadows, 234 6 1404n  
NEW-YORK.
   Mohawk river, about 1000 6 6,000o  
NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
   On Little Miami, 839   ditto, 977   ditto, 1235  
KENTUCKY.
   Rough Creek, 3000 5 15,255p   Ditto adjoining, 2000  
5000
2 10,000q
LOTS, viz.
City of Washington.
   Two near the Capitol, square 634, cost 963 dollars, and with buildings, 15,000r   No. 6, 12, 13 and 14, the three last water lots on the Eastern Branch, in square 667, containing together 24,438 square feet, at 12 cents, 4,132s  
Alexandria.
   Corner of Pitt and Prince-streets, half an acre laid out into buildings, three or four of which are let on ground rent at three dollars per foot, 4,000t  
Winchester.
   A lot in the town of half an acre, and another in the Commons of about 6 acres, supposed 400u  
Bath, or Warm Springs.
   Two well situated, and had buildings to the amount of 150l. 800w  
STOCK.
United States.
   Six per cents. 3746   Ditto deferred, 1873   Three per cents. 2946 2500  
6,246x
Potomac Company.
   Twenty-four shares, cost each 100l. sterling, 10,666y  
James River Company.
   Five shares, each cost 100 dollars. 500z  
Bank of Columbia.
   One hundred and seventy shares, 40 dollars each, 6,800a  
Bank of Alexandria.
   Besides twenty shares to the free schools, Five, 1000b  
STOCK LIVING, viz.
   One covering horse, five carriage horses, four riding ditto, six brood mares, 20 working horses and mares, two covering jacks, and three young ones, ten hares, 42 working mules, 15 younger ones, 329 head of horned cattle, 640 head of sheep, and a large flock of hogs, the precise number unknown.----- My manager has estimated this live stock at 7000l. but I shall set it down, in order to make a round sum, at 15,693  
Aggregate amount, 530,000
NOTES.
a. This tract, for the size of it, is valuable—more for its situation than the quality of its soil, though that is good for farming, with a confident
* It appears that the Testator omitted the word "NINE."
able proportion of ground that might very easily be improved into meadow. It lies on the great road from the city of Washington, Alexandria and Georgetown, to Leesburg and Winchester, at Difficult Bridge, nineteen miles from Alexandria, less from the city and Georgetown, and not more than three from Matildaville, at the Great Falls of Potomac. There is a valuable seat on the premises, and the whole is conditionally sold for the sum annexed in the schedule.
b. What the selling prices of lands in the vicinity of these two tracts are, I know not, but compared with those above the ridge, and others below them, the value annexed will appear moderate—a less one would not obtain them from me.
c. The surrounding land, not superior in soil, situation, or properties of any sort, sells currently at from twenty to thirty dollars an acre. The lowest price is annexed to these.
d. The observations made in the last note apply equally to this tract, being in the vicinity of them, and of similar quality, although it lies in another county.
e. This tract, though small, is extremely valuable. It lies on Potomac river, about 12 miles above the town of Bath (or Warm Springs) and is in the shape of a horse-shoe, the river running almost round it. Two hundred acres of it are rich low grounds, with a great abundance of the largest and finest walnut trees, which, with the produce of the soil, might (by means of the improved navigation of the Potomac) be brought to a shipping port with more ease, and at a smaller expense, than that which is transported 30 miles only by land.
f. This tract is of second rate Gloucester low grounds. It has no improvements thereon, but lies on navigable water, abounding in fish and oysters. It was received in payment of a debt (carrying interest) and valued, in the year 1789, by an impartial gentleman, at 800l.
N. B. It has lately been sold, and there is due thereon a balance equal to what is annexed in the schedule.
g. These 373 acres are the third part of undivided purchases made by the deceased Fielding Lewis, Thomas Walker and myself, on full conviction that they would become valuable. The land lies on the road from Suffolk to Norfolk, touching (if I am not mistaken) some part of the navigable water of Nansemond river; the rich Dismal Swamp is capable of great improvement, and, from its situation, must become extremely valuable.
h. This is an undivided interest which I held in the great Dismal Swamp Company, containing about 4000 acres, with my part of the plantation and stock thereon, belonging to the company, in the said swamp.
i. These several tracts of land are of the first quality on the Ohio river, in the parts where they are situated, being almost, if not altogether, river bottoms. The smallest of these tracts is actually sold at ten dollars an acre, but the consideration therefor not received. The rest are equally valuable, and will sell as high; especially that which lies just below the Little Kanawha, and is opposite to a thick settlement on the west side of the river. The four tracts have an aggregate breadth upon the river of sixteen miles, and are bounded thereby that distance.
k. These tracts are situated on the Great Kanawha river, and the first four are bounded thereby for more than forty miles. It is acknowledged by all who have seen them (and of the tract containing 10,990 acres, which I have been on myself, I can assert) that there is no richer or more valuable land in all that region. They are conditionally sold for the sum mentioned in the schedule, that is, 200,000 dollars; and if the terms of that sale are not complied with, they will command considerable more. The tract, of which the 125 acres is a moiety, was taken up by General Andrew Lewis and myself, for and on account of a bituminous spring which it contains, of so inflammable a nature, as to burn as freely as spirits, and is nearly as difficult to extinguish.
l. I am but little acquainted with this land, although I have once been on it. It was received (many years since) in discharge of a debt due to me from Daniel Jenifer Adams, at the value annexed thereto, and must be worth more. It is very level—lies near the River Potomac.
m. This tract lies about 30 miles above the city of Washington, not far from Kinrossan. It is good farming land, and, by those who are well acquainted with it, I am informed that it would sell at twelve or fifteen dollars per acre.
n. This land is valuable, on account of its local situation and other properties. It affords an exceeding good stand on Braddock's Road from Fort Cumberland to Pittsburg; and, besides a fertile soil, possesses a large quantity of natural meadow, fit for the scythe. It is distinguished by the appellation of the Great Meadows, where the first action with the French, in the year 1754, was fought.
o. This is the moiety of about 2000 acres, which remains unford, of 6071 acres on the Mohawk river (Montgomery county) in a patent granted to Daniel Coxe, in the township of Coxeborough and Carolan, as will appear by deed, from Marinus Willet and wife, to George Clinton (late governor of New-York) and myself. The latter sells have been at six dollars an acre, and what remains unford will fetch that or more.
p. The quality of these lands and their situation, may be known by the surveyor's certificates, which are filed along with the patents. They lay in the vicinity of Cincinnati; one tract near the mouth of the Little Miami—another seven, and the third ten miles up the same. I have been informed that they will readily command more than they are estimated at.
q. For the description of those tracts in detail, see General Spotswood's letters, filed with the other papers relating to them. Besides the general good quality of the land, there is a valuable bank of iron ore thereon, which, when the settlement becomes more populous (and settlers are moving that way very fast) will be found very valuable, as the Rough Creek, a branch of
Green River, a deep ample water for forges and forges.
LOTS, viz.
City of Washington.
r. The two lots near the Capitol, in square 634, cost me 963 dols. only, but in this price I was favoured, on condition that I should build two brick houses, three story high each; without this reduction, the selling prices of those lots would have cost me about 1350 dols. These lots, with the buildings thereon, when completed, will stand me in 1500 dollars at least.
s. Lots No. 5, 12, 13 and 14, on the Eastern Branch, are advantageously situated on the water; and although many lots, much less convenient, have sold a great deal higher, I will rate these at 12 cents the square foot only.
Alexandria.
t. For this lot, though unimproved, I have refused 3500 dollars. It has since been laid off into proper sized lots for building on—three or four of which are let on ground rent forever, at three dollars a foot on the street; and this price is asked for both fronts, on Pitt and Prince-streets.
Winchester.
u. As neither the lot in the town or common have any improvements on them, it is not easy to fix a price; but as both are well situated, it is presumed the price annexed to them in this schedule is a reasonable valuation.
Bath.
v. The lots in Bath (two adjoining) cost me, to the best of my recollection, between 50 and 60 pounds, 20 years ago; and the buildings thereon 150l. more. Whether property there has increased or decreased in its value, and in what condition the houses are, I am ignorant; but suppose they are not valued too high.
STOCK.
x. These are the sums which are actually funded, and though no more in the aggregate than 7,566 dollars, stand me in at least ten thousand pounds, Virginia money; being the amount of bonded and other debts due to me, and discharged during the war, when money had depreciated, in that rate—(3) and was so settled by public authority.
y. The value annexed to these shares is what they have actually cost me, and is the price affixed by law; and although the present selling price is under par, my advice to the legatees (for whose benefit they are intended, especially those who can afford to lie out of their money) is that each should take and hold one—there being a moral certainty of a great and increasing profit arising from them, in the course of a few years.
z. It is supposed that the shares in the James River Company must also be productive; but of this I can give no decided opinion, for want of more accurate information.
‡ These are the nominal prices of the shares in the banks of Alexandria and Columbia—the selling prices vary according to circumstances; but as the stock usually divides from eight to ten per cent. per annum, they must be worth the former, at least so long as the banks are conceived to be secure, although circumstances may sometimes make them below it.
The value of the live stock depends more upon the quality than quantity of the different species of it—and this again upon the demand, and judgment or fancy of purchasers.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Mount-Vernon, 9th of July, 1799.
European Intelligence.
Received via New-York.
PARIS, December 12.
NEW CONSTITUTION.
BUONAPARTE assembled at the consular palace, on the 8th of December, the two Legislative Commissions. Roger Ducos took the chair.
Dannou read the plan of the new constitution, of which we have only hitherto collected imperfect fragments.
The discussion was calm, and every way worthy of so great a cause. They first discussed it in whole, and then article by article.
Some of the articles were strongly combated, but they were carried by a great majority; others were rejected; and it was here that Buonaparte manifested his wonderful powers; for, after having collected all the opinions for and against an article, he commented on the arguments advanced, and concluded by bringing the majority to agree to the propositions which he made.
The assembly did not separate till 7 o'clock next morning; and the estimable Dannou was appointed to digest the alterations which were made; and the act will be made public in a few days.
Citizen Ræderer has now lifted up another corner of the curtain that concealed the new constitution. The following is the sketch which he gives of the public establishment:
LEGISLATIVE POWER.
There is to be a Council of State to propose laws, which Council of State constitutes part of the executive power. For the discussion of these proposed laws there is a Tribunate, or a select body of the representatives of the people; and a legislative body to decide upon the propositions, after they have been discussed or assented to.
The Legislative Body is to consist of 300 members; the Tribunate of 100; and the Council of State of 30.
EXECUTIVE POWER.
There is to be a first or principal Consul, invested with power to appoint and remove Ministers, Generals, Ambassadors, and Counsellors of State. There are to be two other Consuls, to discuss public matters in concert with the first Consul. They are to have but a consultive voice; their persons are inviolable. They are named for ten years—they may be re-elected they will have a guard. The grand Consul will have 500,000 francs of salary. There are besides two Councils of State, the one
other for the home department. This latter Council will have the initiative. It will have also to judge and decide on litigated questions in the department of the Admiralty. Such is the government.
The administration is confided,
1. To Ministers or Councils of Administration, such as the Admiralty.
2. To Administrations of Communes of twenty square myriametres, assisted by commissioners to be named by the Consuls.
3. To intermediate Bureaus, charged only with the transmission of the orders of the Ministers to the Communal Administrations, and of the reports of the execution of the orders by the administrative, as well as of petitions and appeals of the people to the Ministers, from the acts of the administrative bodies.
The consular acts must be signed by a minister before they can be executed. The Ministers are responsible, each in his department, for the execution of the Consular acts which shall be contrary to the law, and for the non-execution of Consular acts agreeable to the law.
JUDICIAL POWER.
It shall be afterwards organized by the constitutional means established for the formation of the laws.
CONSERVATIVE POWER.
There is to be a body of from 80 to 100 members, elected for life. They must have a qualification in landed rental of 25000 francs a year. They name themselves to vacancies in their own body. A person must be 40 years of age to be admissible. This body shall exercise various functions:
1. They elect the members of the members

United States, from the Select Committee appointed for that purpose, reported a bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States—which was read a first and second time, committed to a committee of the whole House for Monday, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Smith, from the committee of commerce and manufactures, to whom was re-committed "a bill to extend the time of payment of bonds given for duties of import in certain cases," reported the same, with amendments. The bill was read a first and second time, and committed for to-morrow.
Mr. Livingston laid the following joint resolution on the table:
Resolved , By the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, that the following article be proposed to the Legislatures of the several states, as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of said Legislatures, shall be valid as a part of the said Constitution, viz.
"No Judge of any Court of the United States shall, during his continuance in office, or within six months after he may have resigned the same, be appointed to any other than a Judiciary office under the United States."
FRIDAY, February 14. Mr. Smith, from the committee of commerce and manufactures, who were directed to enquire into the operation of the existing law, suspending the intercourse with France, made a report, which was committed to the committee of the whole House on the bill further to suspend the commercial intercourse with France.
The committee state it to be their opinion, that the law had been faithfully executed by the officers of government; but that the principles of it had been evaded by individuals acting from interested motives, and contains a variety of information in a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the chairman of the committee, propounding several questions relative to the existing law, and suggesting measures to prevent frauds in future.
The House went into committee of the whole on the bill further to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof, Mr. Morris in the chair.
Mr. Nicholas moved to amend the following part of the first section, to wit: "and if any ship or vessel owned, hired or employed by any person or persons resident within the United States," shall directly or indirectly proceed to a French port, &c. by striking out the words in italic, and inserting "citizen or citizens of," thereby giving neutrals, resident within the United States, or elsewhere, the liberty of trading from the ports of the United States to those of France in neutral bottoms.
Mr. Sewall conceived this amendment would render the bill intolerable to the citizens of the United States, who would view with a jealous eye foreigners among them enjoying the benefits of a trade they were precluded from, and employing our own vessels and sailors for that purpose.
Mr. Smith said, the original law now in existence was intended to embrace two objects—First, the cutting off all provisions and supplies from the French West-India islands—Second, and the main object, preventing our property from entering the ports of France, and being seized and confiscated, an open rupture being at that time considered as unavoidable—and both these measures were also intended to coerce the French government to an accommodation—But these objects had failed, and their policy, instead of benefiting, had injured this country. He was therefore in favour of the amendment.
What, said Mr. S. will be the operation of this amendment? Gentlemen were mistaken when they supposed our own vessels or our own sailors would be employed to carry on this trade—Neutral vessels could be alone employed. If a single American sailor was found on the list of the roll d'équipage, the whole property would be liable to condemnation, if taken by a French cruiser—And they were also mistaken if they supposed any protection would be required from the American government. What would be its operation on our commerce? Are we not now restricted from carrying our property, and shall we not be restricted by the bill upon the table—and how then shall we suffer by adopting the amendment? It had been said, we might carry on an intermediate trade. It was true this had, and might still be done; but the inconveniences and the risks were incalculable.
And what, exclaimed Mr. S. would be its operation on our agricultural interests? An immediate advantageous sale for our produce would be offered, which now lies rotting in our warehouses—Double risks and double insurances would be saved, by purchasers coming into our markets, and giving a fair price for our commodities.
If we were in actual war, said Mr. S. would it not be good policy to permit neutrals to purchase our produce, and thereby enable us to carry on that war; to support that navy which was raised for our protection; to enable the citizens to pay the additional burthens which our exigencies require; and finally prevent the sinking of our revenue, as was the case last year? It was this policy which enabled Great-Britain to meet her extraordinary demands—it was this policy which we ought to pursue, and which he hoped the citizens of the United States would not be deprived the benefit of.
A long debate ensued upon Mr. Nicholas' amendment, and the committee rose, and obtained leave to sit again, without taking the question upon it.
Mr. Kittera said, he perceived a disposition to travel over the whole of the arguments which
had been offered by the opponents to the expediency of suspending the intercourse with France;—and as some delay must ensue thereby, and it was important for the citizens of the U. States to know whether the prohibition would be continued, he would move the following resolution, to wit:
Resolved , That a committee be appointed to report a bill to continue in force for one month the act, entitled "An act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof." Ordered to lie on the table. Adjourned.
MONDAY, February 17. Mr. D. Foster, from the committee of claims, made a report on the petition from the Corporation of Rhode-Island college, recommending an agreement to a resolution heretofore reported on that subject, the purport of which is, that the accounting-officers of the treasury should liquidate and settle the claim of compensation for the use and occupation of the college edifice, and for the injuries done to the same, by the troops of the United States.
This report was read and referred to a committee of the whole House, and made the order for Wednesday next.
Mr. Rutledge gave notice, that as no order had been taken on the motion laid on the table concerning Thomas Nash, if the member with whom the proceeding originated did not call it up sooner, he should do it to-morrow.
Mr. Livingston said it was his intention to call it up this day; he then moved the reference of the subject to a committee of the whole House, for the purpose of taking into consideration certain resolutions which he should then offer.
This being carried, and made the order of the day for Friday next, Mr. Bayard proposed a reference of a resolution to the following effect, to the same committee of the whole.
Resolved , That the conduct of the Executive of the United States, in relation to the request made by his Britannic Majesty's Minister, for the delivery up to justice of Thomas Nash, otherwise Jonathan Robbins, on a charge of murder committed on board the frigate Hermione; which said Nash had taken an asylum in the United States, was conformable to the duties of the government, agreeably to the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation, entered into between the United States and Great-Britain.
Mr. Bayard said, he proposed this resolution on account of the propriety and duty of the House, if the conduct of the Executive should appear correct, to express their sense of it, as on the contrary, they undoubtedly would, if it should prove to be worthy of censure.
The resolution was agreed to be referred. Mr. Otis moved the postponement of the third reading of the bankrupt bill, in order to take up the bill for suspending the intercourse with France.
The bankrupt bill was accordingly suspended till to-morrow; and the House resolved itself into a committee on the intercourse bill.
The motion of Mr. Nicholas was before the committee for introducing the principle into the bill whereby neutral aliens, resident in the United States, should be permitted to trade with France, in neutral bottoms.
A long debate ensued on this motion, which was at length negatived, ayes 42—noes 51.
Providence, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26. COMMUNICATIONS.
CHARACTER OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. Gen. WASHINGTON was one of those exalted and dignified men, who are occasionally sent into the world to adjust its difficulties, and excite its admiration. He stood above the common infirmities of human nature, and was so really and unaffectedly great, that he seemed not to know his own majesty. There was something in his countenance, which could conciliate, overawe and controul, with resistless authority. Neither a Raphael nor a Rubens could portray his likeness. Ordinary countenances exhibit some leading trait, some individual ruling passion; but his exhibited an assemblage of all excellence, of all virtue, and all dignity. It was like the great outlines of nature, which lie beyond the reach of human art, and which none but God can imitate or mend. To an erect commanding, and engaging form, he united a mind sublime, heroic and invincible. The waves which beat down the millions of mankind, dashed against his feet and died. When he acted from the native sentiments of his own heart, and the ordinary dictates of his own understanding, he accomplished every thing with such ease, and with a dignity so far superior to that of his cotemporaries, that those who beheld him were overawed, and retired to contemplate his greatness. Virtuous from principle, he felt and acknowledged his dependence on God; and with an exemplary piety attended the institutions of religion. Amidst his exalted virtues, his modesty shone conspicuous, and shed such a lustre over his deportment, that he bore off in his train, the love and fear, the gratitude and wonder, of all. His country lavished all her honours upon him, and yet thought herself deficient. Immortal man! God only can reward thee! Thy laurels reach above heaven, and spread through eternity! To his country he never made but one request: He asked to be buried without parade or funeral eulogy. Six millions of people wept! Praise unutterable! The mighty WASHINGTON, though a hero inured to toil, to disaster and to victory, possessed the liveliest sensibility; and when the multitude pressed to behold him, and when the multitude pressed to behold him, he burst into tears. No vice tarnished his character; and envy herself, beholding his exalted and dangerous career, dropped her shafts and was silent. The prudent moderation of Fabius—the impenetrable integrity of Aristides—and
the remorseless valour of Alexander—wrought such a glory into his character, as would dazzle an archangel. He lived a christian, a hero, and philosopher, with a dignity peculiar to himself. He went out of the world as he had lived in it; full of virtue, full of honour; without fear, and without remorse.
IN reading the Will of General WASHINGTON, we are forcibly impressed with his anxious concern for the education of the American youth. He well knew, that a government like ours could not be maintained over an illiterate people. A tyrant, surrounded with the terrors of military power, with an immense treasury at his command, can controul a nation, however ignorant, vicious or barbarous. But such a nation links beneath the dignity of man: it is a nation of slaves. The leading principle of our government is, that all power is derived from the consent of the people. Hence our government is founded on opinion. Nothing but opinion supports it. Nothing else ever can support a free government. What power has the Congress to carry any law into execution, if the people say, we will not obey? And who can say that this may not be their language, be the government ever so good, if they are ignorant, uneducated? An ignorant people cannot form right opinions of the measures of government, especially if those measures (as is often the case) are founded on principles of deep reasoning, or are deduced from the experience of past ages. An ignorant people therefore is as likely to oppose good measures as bad ones.
The American government has neither a treasury nor an army at its command, independent of the approbation of the people. If they had, our government, it is probable, would be tyrannical; and it is equally probable that it would be such if the people were ignorant. Hence it is obvious that the soundest policy dictates immediate and constant attention to the education of the American youth.
Our constitution is on paper, and it will have no stronger support than paper, unless we transcribe it into the hearts and understandings of the people. Fix it here, and a thousand earthquakes cannot shake it. The security of liberty requires, that all the transactions of government should be exposed to the people. If they are ignorant, how can they examine? How can they judge? Will they not be perpetually imposed on by ambitious, designing men, who wish to throw every thing into confusion, and make their fortunes in the universal wreck of the republic? Those who oppose education, oppose the best interests of man. It is policy in a tyrant to keep his subjects in ignorance, because he can then forge and rivet their chains without molestation. But for a republic, for a government founded on the principles of civil liberty, not to trainize literature, not to afford it legislative aid, is to demolish what it pretends to build up, and to subvert what it pretends to establish. No ideas are more repugnant than ignorance and civil liberty. They can no more exist together than the snows of Norway and the flames of Ætna. No country in the world enjoys so much general information as ours. To this we are chiefly indebted for our national prosperity, and the stability and energy of our government. Great improvements remain yet to be made, especially in the establishment of FREE SCHOOLS, and in the endowment of Colleges. In these respects, some of the United States have been attentive and liberal. They enjoy an ample reward, in the improvement of the rising generation in knowledge, morality and religion.
It is with pleasure that we behold the legislature of Rhode-Island contemplating a plan for the more general diffusion of knowledge among the inhabitants. We sincerely hope that the importance of this object will impress every heart.
Legislators, your constituents have committed to your wisdom the preservation of their dearest rights. You are the depositaries of their esteem and confidence. Tell them to educate their children, if they wish their present liberties and rights perpetuated. They will cheerfully acquiesce in your decision, for they cannot be unwilling to promote the interests of their own families. A small expence in educating their children, may prevent a very large one, which may be incurred for the want of it.
It is much to be desired that the legislature would extend its fostering hand to the University in this State. Look, gentlemen, at the neighbouring States. Look at the measures lately adopted by their legislatures, for patronizing their public literary institutions. Are these measures not dictated by wisdom and sound policy? Or have wisdom and sound policy fled for shelter to the state of Rhode-Island? Look at the advice given by that eminent patriot Governor Jay, in his late address to the legislature of New-York. Look at the conduct of the great Washington, whom you almost adore. Do you believe him capable of giving advice which he was not fully persuaded would conduce to the prosperity of the American people? See this illustrious Man, the glory of his age and of the world, just as he was departing, bequeathing large legacies for the education of youth. This shews his solicitous concern for the welfare of that country, which had reclined under the shade of his shield. May his great example be followed by the wealthy, and through them bless the remotest posterity.
Extract of a letter from the gallant Commodore Truxton, to his friend in Philadelphia, dated on board the Constellation, Basseterre Roads, January 22d, 1800.
"I have not time to say much at present, having arrived only two days ago, and have not yet been on shore. A 44 gun ship and a corvette of 28 guns are at Guadaloupe. I shall give them a fair challenge to come out in a day or two, and am hurrying to put all things in readiness for that purpose."
The Honourable General Assembly of this State are now in session in this town. Yesterday a motion was made, and unanimously agreed to, that some suitable testimony of veneration and respect to the memory of the illustrious WASHINGTON, be adopted: a committee was appointed for that purpose.
Extract from the Answer of the Assembly of the State of New-York, to the Speech of his Excellency Governor Jay.
"When we properly estimate the means of supporting rational liberty, the education of youth must appear an object of primary consideration. Observing the success which has crowned our endeavours to promote the interests of learning, we acknowledge, with high satisfaction, the strong claims of literary institutions to the patronage of the legislature."
The American Envoys have arrived at Lisbon. This agreeable information was brought by Capt. Machet, who arrived at Boston on Saturday last from Cadiz. The intelligence was received at that place by letters from Lisbon, dated the beginning of December.
A Female Association, we hear, is lately instituted at Wilmington, in Delaware, for the benevolent purpose of affording relief to the indigent widow and the friendless orphan, who at this inclement season of the year are obliged too frequently to "drink the bitter cup of grief," and feel "the sad variety of pain."
A French Journalist says that the consulate has discovered that Talleyrand was totally innocent in the affair of the American negotiation. He only asked the Envoys for a supply of their Metallic Tractors , to relieve himself and the Directory of certain qualms and stomachic affections , to which their employments particularly exposed them, and for which complaints the consuls think they themselves may soon need a similar remedy. [Lon. pap.]
IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Mr. Fry, agent for the Insurance Company of North-America, by letters of the 16th of December, received at Philadelphia, informs that he has recently recovered and received payment for three claims, viz.—For the Start , Mallebay and Durand ; Rising-Sun , Wilkie , and Hannah , Foss ; and that the money has been recovered on several other claims, for which complete powers only are wanting to enable him to receive it.
As many other claims for other companies, and for private underwriters, must have progressed at the same time, this intelligence is of very great importance. [Gas. U. S.]
Agreeably to the Proclamation of the President of the United States, Saturday the 22d inst. was observed as a day of Humiliation and Mourning, by the inhabitants of this town.
At sun-rise the different bells tolled their solemn peals. The several houses of public worship were filled by the inhabitants, whose sympathetic feelings were highly excited by the solemn, impressive and energetic discourses delivered by the clergies of the several societies. The young, the middle aged and the old, all fervently joined in expressions of grief and mourning for the death of Him who reared our nation, secured its independence and established its government—for him "who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." A more particular detail of the transactions of the day, comprising the Masonic and other processions, shall be given in our next.
Married, At Taunton, Capt. Nathaniel Packard, of this town, to Miss Margaret D. Paddleford.
Died, In the 27th year of her age, much regretted, Miss SALLY CARRLE, daughter of the late Mr. John Carrle, after a long indisposition, which she endured with the fortitude and resignation of a christian, and resigned her breath in certain hope of a blessed immortality. Her funeral was attended on Friday last, by a numerous train of sympathizing friends and relations. At Pawtucket, Mrs. SARAH ASBORN, wife of Capt. John Asborn.
For Charleston (S. C.) The brig HERMES, JOHN EARLE, master—lying at Capt. Joseph Tillinghast's wharf; to sail by the 14th of March. For freight or passage, apply to the master on board, or to Capt. WILLIAM EARLE, South End. Feb. 26.
To be SOLD, by Samuel James, On the west side of the great Bridge, Providence, 20 Hhds. of good retailing Molasses 2 do. W. India Rum, of an excellent flavour 40 Kgs of Lard 10 Firkins of Butter 10 Barrels of Prime Beef 100 Quintals of Codfish 30 M. Hoghead Hoops, of a good quality 400 Shaken Hogheads Rum and Fifth Barrels.
Also—as usual, A general assortment of Dry Goods, suitable for the season;—all which will be sold very cheap for cash, or on a short credit, with approved notes. February 26. (2m.)
WHEREAS at the Supreme Judicial Court, holden at Providence, September term, 1799, the subscribers were, by said Court, appointed Commissioners to receive the claims against ANDREW COZZENS, of said Providence, who has obtained the benefit of an act passed in June, A. D. 1795, entitled "An act for the relief of insolvent debtors." NOTICE is therefore hereby given to the creditors of the said ANDREW, to exhibit their respective claims to us within nine months from the 25th day of September last, otherwise they will be precluded according to the act above mentioned.
SAMUEL W. BRIDGHAM, PAUL ALLEN, February 26. BENJAMIN COZZENS, jun.
Providence, 10.
WHEREAS ANNA SMITH, of Gloucester, wife of James Smith, jun. of said Gloucester, in said county, preferred her petition, to the next term of the Supreme Judicial Court, to be holden in Providence, in said county, on the third Monday of March next, praying, for divers causes therein set forth, that a decree of divorce between her and her said husband may be passed:—NOTICE is hereby given to the said James, to appear at the next term of said Court in said county, and shew cause, if any he hath, why the prayer of said petition should not be granted. PAUL ALLEN, Clk.
February 26, 1800.

EXTRACT
From Mr. King's Sermon, delivered at Norwich, On the Death of GENERAL WASHINGTON.
NOW he is gone, it remains that we make a suitable improvement of his exit—and First—Looking around us, we find a breach, a wide chasm in creation; especially in our own land, which no man can fill. In this we learn the loss we have sustained. Tell it not to our enemy, nor publish it in the streets of infidels, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. America never sustained so great a loss in a man. In this likeness we may see the displeasure of heaven—One of our “strongest rods” is broken—our defence is so far weakened: Hence in the same proportion we are exposed to calamities from abroad. The very name of our late Commander was of more use than an army of no small magnitude.
While we mourn the loss of so great a Benefactor, it becomes us to look inwardly, and view the sins of our own hearts and land; and confess them before God with deep penitence and humiliation. This will prove that we eye the hand of God in this afflictive stroke—are disposed to glorify him in it, and cleave to him still. Secondly—Being so sensibly struck with the loss of our political parent, let it excite us to put our trust in God more than ever. It would be infinitely criminal to lose sight of the source of all our comforts and expectations—It was the Lord of Hosts who raised up our late Protector—gave him all his accomplishments, and made him successful in all the enterprizes he performed—the same Being who raised up Moses, Joshua, David, Cyrus, and others. While we do honour to the man, and commend him for his public and private virtues, we are still to remember he was only God's instrument to do his work.—The God of Israel girded him, supported him, and carried him through his momentous labours. We are obligated to bless and praise God infinitely more than his instrument. But as God has raised up one benefactor, yea, many, he can raise up others just when he pleases—he can fill them with any degree of talents which his wisdom dictates, and make them even surpass their predecessors. To this source we are to look and pray with the greatest sincerity for the bestowment of all temporal and spiritual blessings. Trusting in God, we have nothing to fear.
Thirdly—If we would really honour the mighty subject of our lamentations, we must go farther than outward ceremony. We must imitate him in all things wherein he complied with the word of God. Could we now hear him addressing us from the world of spirits, what would he say? “Obey God,” would be his language—“Love and serve him with all thy heart, and soul, and strength, and mind.”—We are fond of thinking the gates of heaven were set open to receive his departing spirit: Be it so. In this case his exhortation to his friends here below would be precisely the language of angels, or the word of God. Were he to speak with an audible voice, and exhort in the language of Paradise, he would say, “Repent and believe in Christ: there is none other name given under heaven whereby ye can be saved—Fly to the Lord Jesus, the captain of your salvation, and take hold on eternal life. If you ever mean to be my company, you must become holy; for without holiness no man can see God—Break off your iniquities—fly from the wrath which is coming—make your calling and election sure—serve God and your generation with your whole heart—And if you would honour me and mourn my absence, so live as to come and dwell where I am.” Now, if we would honour Him, in his death, who was so dear to us in life, let us hear his address from the heavenly mansion, where we hope his spirit lives; let us practice it; and this will prove we respect him, and hold him in everlasting remembrance—this will be joining in the religious sorrow of this day, and gain spiritual advantage to our souls.
Fourthly—The event we contemplate teaches us that death is our certain lot—If a Washington is dead—if the King of terrors would not be bribed when such a victim stood before him, then we must die.—O let the light and trifling, the busy and the gay, think of this, and feel that they are dead men—The devout know it already. But since this is our certain end, can there be a wiser course than to prepare for it? Do we wish for Heaven? Do we wish, when we close our eyes on earth, to be gathered with angels and saints, and all the honourable and mighty who have died in faith?—If so, to devote ourselves to the service of GOD will carry us thither. But any other course will land us without end, with hypocrites and unbelievers.—Shall we lavish our praises on the righteous—mourn their death—accompany them with our wishes to Heaven's gate, and yet by our daily practice prove we have no serious meaning in all this? Shall we look upon death just as certain as our existence, yet make no preparation to meet it? O let it not be—but let it be our sole business to acquire a temper of mind suited to the heavenly world, and to follow the footsteps of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises—Then, when the moment of dissolution arrives, the transition will be glorious, and the society we shall enter will be pure and delightful beyond all our present conceptions.
Finally—This day, my friends, finds a sable cloud spread over our whole country, and such gloomy vestments as never shadowed it before—and all this for the fall of one man, a fellow-mortal! But how strikingly ought this to remind us of that awful period and what solemn ensigns of distress nature herself put on, when the SAVIOUR of men expired!—So great the Personage, so important his fall, the sun himself hid his face—the temple rent—and nature groaned with convulsions!!—Darkness shrouded the world, and hung it in mourning!!
This event called the attention of the universe, and was important beyond all imagina-
tion. By it an atonement was made for sinners, by which, through repentance and faith, they might be delivered from eternal misery, and received to eternal felicity in Heaven; and now, shall we make such great “lamentation, mourning and woe,” when a mortal like ourselves dies; and yet neglect to notice and celebrate the Death of Him, who conquered death, and purchased eternal life for his friends! Human nature, blush! Angels, stand aghast! But chiefly thou whose love and goodness has thus neglected, hide thy frown till thy pity reach us!
Are we friends to the great Washington? And are we no friends to Christ? Where is the proof of friendship to the latter? Do we in general celebrate his death? No—Do we expect eternal life from him—the purchase of his blood—yet forbear to commemorate his death; remain unmoved at his command do this in remembrance of me? O my friends, think how the Saviour views the indignity cast upon him, when he sees the dust of his feet preferred before him! O may this thought beget conviction in every breast where the censure falls. Now is the only time to correct the infinite error, and honour Christ—His long suffering waits upon you; but it cannot always wait—Seize the moment lest it be too late, and your misery be sealed—Remember Christ suffered not to put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel, but the ornament of salvation upon you; and if you are truly disposed to wear the garments he has prepared, and obey him; you will soon exchange these gloomy emblems of sin and death, for robes of righteousness and crowns of eternal life.—You will now find comfort springing up in the midst of temporal sorrows; while you are called to mourn the loss of the most excellent of the earth, you will have a glorious prospect of soon passing through this scene of trial, and joining them in mansions of eternal joy and triumph.
* The Sacrament was to be attended at the close of public service.
JUST RECEIVED,
AND FOR SALE, BY
Butler and Wheaton,
56 Hogsheads of excellent Georgia Tobacco
40 Casks of new Rice 600 Barrels of superfine and fine Flour 150 Barrels of Ship Bread 100 Barrels of Pilot Bread.
They have also for Sale, St. Peterburgh clean Hemp Russia and American Cordage New Sable Iron, Russia Sheetings Russia and Ravens Duck Feather Beds, Molasses. February 19.
MAIL-STAGE.
THE subscribers respectfully inform the public, that the only regular line of Stages for New-York and Boston, start from A. AMMIDON's, at the sign of the Golden-Ball, near the State-House, in Providence; where ladies and gentlemen are invited to call and take their seats. The Mail-Stage leaves Providence for New-York and Boston, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; for New-York at 4 o'clock, A. M. and for Boston, at 6 o'clock, A. M.
Particular care will be taken that the Mail-Stage is not crowded; not more than eight persons are allowed to go in the Mail-Stage to Boston.
SOLOMON HATCH, and Co, January 22. (t.f.)
Kent, sc. State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
WHEREAS SARAH JORDAN, of Coventry, in the county of Kent, wife of John Jordan, of Cogburn, in the State of New-Hampshire, has filed her petition in the clerk's office of the Supreme Judicial Court for said county, praying, for divers causes therein set forth, that said Court would pass a decree of divorce, rendering null and void the bands of marriage subsisting between her and her said husband:
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons concerned, to appear, if they see cause, at the Supreme Judicial Court, to be held at East-Greenwich, within and for said county of Kent, on the second Monday of April next, to show cause, if any they have, why the prayer of said petition should not be granted.
A. BOYD, Clerk.
East-Greenwich, Feb. 19. State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations. Providence, sc.
WHEREAS MARCY SLACK, of Smithfield, in said county, wife of JOSEPH SLACK, of said Smithfield, preferred her petition to the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Providence, at the next term thereof, holden at Providence, in and for the county of Providence, on the fourth Monday in March next, praying, for divers causes therein set forth, that a decree of divorce between her and her said husband may be passed: Notice is hereby given to all persons concerned, to appear at said court, and show cause, if any they have, why the prayer of said petition should not be granted.
Feb. 19. PAUL ALLEN, jun. Clerk.
Twenty Dollars Reward.
LOST,
ON the 28th of January, between Konimicut-Point and the Post-Office in this town, the sum of Two Hundred Dollars, consisting of 4 bills, one of an 100 dollars, one of 50 do. one of 30 do. and one of 20 do. The bills were wrapped up in a piece of paper, and the outside directed “Two Hundred Dollars, for Mr. James Temple.” A reward of Twenty Dollars will be paid to any person who has found the money above described, and will return it to Mr. TEMPLE, in Providence, or to WILLIAM SMITH, in Pawtuxet. Feb. 5.
Wanted,
AN experienced SUGAR BOILER. Any one that can be well recommended, will meet with good encouragement. Enquire of JEREMIAH F. JENKINS. Feb. 5.
Abraham Hayden,
BOOT and SHOE-MAKER,
Opposite the house of OBADIAH BROWN, Esq. EXECUTES every command in his line of business with neatness and dispatch. Those who wish to favour him with their commands, may rely on being served to their satisfaction.
Long Boots, 7 dollars 50 cents half ditto, 5 dollars—Shoes, 2 dollars. Feb. 12.
For SALE, by
Amos Maine Atwell,
CONNECTICUT Salted Provisions of the best Qualities, and in excellent shipping order, viz.
Prime Beef, Prime Pork, Mess Pork, and one hog Pork.—Also, 20 Firkins of Butter, 7000 feet 1-4 inch seasoned hard Pine Boards, 2000 feet 2 inch Pine Plank, 700 feet 1 inch cherry-tree Boards, Two thousand Clapboards.
The above Goods are offered for sale on terms highly favourable to the purchaser.
ALSO,
15 Puncheons Jamaica Spirits, of the first flavour and quality, which will reduce 33 1-3 per cent. October 20. (t.f.)
For SALE, by
THOMAS JONES,
FORTY Hogsheads of good retailing MOLASSES, at a low price, on which 90 days credit will be given.
Barrels of good brown SUGAR, Boxes of Window GLASS, 20 casks of POWDER, and an assortment of SHOT, RAISINS of the first quality, in casks and boxes,
Real Spanish SEGARS, in boxes of 1000. Ten-plate iron STOVES, and close ditto. A quantity of 3 thread Holland Seine TWINE, of the first quality, suitable for the menhaden fishery.
CASH GIVEN FOR
Clover, Herds-Grass and Bent HAY-SEED; also, for good OATS, RYE and INDIAN CORN
Any of the above Goods will be exchanged for good Butter, Cheese, Hogs-Lard, Oats, Rye, Barley or Tallow. January 15. (6w.)
REMOVAL,
At the Store occupied by the late WEL-COME ARNOLD, Esq. the subscriber offers, for the accommodation of Apothecaries, Physicians, and private Families, an assortment of genuine SIMPLE and COMPOUND MEDICINES:
Among which are the following Patent Medicines, viz. TURLINGTON's Balsam of Life, Cundell's celebrated Balsam of Honey, for coughs, colds, &c. Hill's Balsam of Honey, Bateman's pectoral Drops, Daffey's Elixir Salutis, Essence of Peppermint, Bowen's Sago in canisters, Anderson's true Scots Pills, in large and small boxes; Hooper's female Pills, Keyler's antiven. Pills, cephalic Snuff, pungent Smelling-Salts, &c.
Also, best Peruvian red Bark, common ditto, Columbo, Ipecacuanha, Gum Camphire, Salt-Petre, &c. &c. &c.
Medicine Chests put up at a short notice, marked and numbered, with accurate and neatly written Directions.
Families and Physicians may depend on having their orders attended to with the greatest exactness and dispatch.
To the above he has added an assortment of
GENUINE GROCERIES,
Consisting of Brandy, first and fourth proof; old Jamaica Spirits, fourth proof; Jamaica Rum, St. Croix Rum, Cherry Rum, Holland Gin, Hyson, Hyson-Skin and Bohea Teas; Loaf and Brown Sugars, Surinam Molasses, Coffee, Flour, Rice, Rye and Indian Meal, &c. &c. &c.
Constant attendance given from sunrise till 9 o'clock in the evening, and the smallest favours gratefully acknowledged, by JEREMIAH BROWN HOWELL.
N. B. He has five or six loads of THATCH (cut early and well secured) for sale, or to exchange for Posts, Rails, Wood, or other country produce. February 5.
GOLDEN BEE-HIVE.
Jeremiah F. Jenkins,
No. 3, MARKET-STREET,
Has for Sale,
BOHEA Tea, in whole, half, and qr. chests Souchoong and Hyson Tea, per chest Russia and Ravens Duck Russia Sheetings, Morocco Skins Complete tea-sets of China Piece and Hard-Ware Goods, as usual Citron, Zant Currants, Figs and Raisins Coffee and Sugar, per barrel Sheet Glass, of various sizes 8 by 6, and 9 by 7 Window-Glass Fashionable Hearth-Rugs and Fire-Fenders 400 Pieces of Nankeens 3 Pipes of pleasant flavour'd Brandy. A few old Dutch Cheeses January 22. (6w.)
HAPPY CONTRADICTION.
OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES, An extraordinary event at the opening of the extraordinary year 1800.
Being the beginning of the latter end of a century.
AT a tavern last night an old fashioned health was drank—“May we never see an old friend with a new face.”—Q, who sat in a corner, slyly observed, that it was all RUDE; that he could satisfy the company they would be all glad to see their friends with new faces. Some grumbled, others laughed, but all seemed curious to learn the particulars; he began thus: “Have you never used
“HOPKINS' RAZOR STROPS?” Yes, said one—No, said another; the experienced applauded the explanation, and those who had been in the habit of mowing their muzzles with hand-saws, felt the brushes on their chins bristle with eagerness to render their old fashioned faces new to their friends—to satisfy their curiosity Q went on thus,
HOPKINS' RAZOR STROPS, which dis-appoint the most sanguine by their smooth and agreeable execution, are sold by appointment, at 75 cents, 1 dollar and 25 cents, and 2 dollars each, with the addition of a composition that will keep it in order for ages, at 50 cents.
BUT MARK THE IMPROVEMENT. To men who travel where there are no professional face-scrapers—to seamen of every grade—to the whiskered soldier in his hutted tent—(how comfortable.)
The new invented and improved Box, containing, in the compass of little more than an ordinary coffee-cup,
Polished Razor—Comb—Brush—Lotion Box, and Mirror—with a box for the sharpening composition, all in a Morocco case, most conveniently calculated to fit the pocket without incumbrance.
The whole of this new portable and useful apparatus sold at No. 65, South Third-Street (opposite the United States Bank) Philadelphia; and in Providence, by JEREMIAH F. JENKINS, at No. 3, Market-Street.
At only three Dollars. And by the agents usually appointed to dispose of the invaluable and agreeable STROP. Feb. 19. (t.f.)
For Sale,
At the Store of the Subscriber,
200 Barrels of Beef 20 ditto of Pork 50 Pipes of excellent Geneva, warranted equal to any imported 500 Casks of ditto 3 Tons of Ship Bread, 3, 4, 6 and 9 pound Cannon; round Shot, double headed ditto, grape, &c. suitable for the above sized cannon.
The above articles will be sold in large or small quantities, as will best suit the purchasers—for cash or approved notes, payable at the Bank. JOHN BROWN. January 1. (t.f.)
To be Sold,
A FARM situated in the town of Scituate, nine miles westward from Providence, on the fourth road, so called, to Plainfield, containing about 100 acres; with a dwelling-house, barn, cornhouse and cooper's shop thereon—consisting of plough land, mowing, pasture, orchard and wood-land, and is a delightful stand for a country seat, for any gentleman that wishes to purchase. Payment will be made easy, if desired. For further particulars, enquire of JOB FISK, on the premises. Scituate, Feb. 11.
“He is in glory—the world in tears.” WASHINGTON MEDALS.
For SALE, by
David Vinton,
At the corner shop, No. 7, Market-Square, PERKINS' celebrated WASHINGTON MEDALS, gold, silver and composition; impressed with the likeness, the initials, the dates of the birth, death, and principal events in the history of the immortal WASHINGTON.
The peculiar excellency of this invention is to imprint on the minds of ALL, especially of YOUTH, the memory and important services of HIM who bought our freedom, and entailed it to posterity.
These medals are worn in Boston, particularly by children of all classes. January 20. (6w.)
Providence, sc.
WHEREAS JOSEPH COOKE, of Providence, Mariner, has preferred his petition to the next Supreme Judicial Court, to be held at Providence, in and for the county aforesaid, on the third Monday of March next, praying, for divers causes therein set forth, that a decree of divorce between him and his wife Susannah, of said Providence, should be granted:
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons concerned, to appear before said Court, to show cause, if any they have, why the prayer of said petition should not be granted. PAUL ALLEN, jun. Clerk. Providence, Feb. 19.
ALL persons are hereby cautioned against purchasing or receiving either of three notes, purporting to be signed by the subscriber to SLACK and DIXON, for twenty dollars each. One dated June 16th, 1798—dated September 18th, 1798, and one dated December 18th, 1798. As I have never executed any such notes to them, or either of them, I am determined not to pay them, or either of them, the notes all being forged; and I shall make defence against the same. MARVIN MORRIS. February 12.