The Kentucke gazette (Lexington [Ky.]), 1788-12-13 00:00:00

K E N T U C K E G A Z E T T E
S A T U R D A Y, D E C E M B E R 13, 1788.
LEXINGTON: Printed by JOHN BRADFORD at his Office in Main Street, where Subscriptions, Advertisements, &c. for this paper, are thankfully received, and PRINTING in its different branches done with Care and Expedition.
WHEREAS I am credibly informed that a certain Fairfax Hancock hath lately in a very public manner endeavoured to injure my character, by asserting that I have been partial in a trial in which he was brought before me and committed for feloniously taking a Negro out of the custody of Mr. William Eliot, I have therefore thought proper to lay the following articles before the impartial public, and leave them to be their own judges of my conduct in that affair. I am &c. ELI CLEVELAND.
This is to Certify that Mr. Fairfax Hancock came to my house the 16th Day of October at night 1788 and there met a certain Negro fellow named Harry, which had been in possession of Mr. William Eliot some days, and said to him (the said Negro) well Harry are you not convinced by this time that you have brought an old horse over your head. I talked with Captain Payne, and he says I have a right to go to Eliot's and drive you home and put you into bonds. The Negro confessed that he might be wrong and asked said Hancock's pardon, and said he would come home in the morning to said Hancock: the negro and said Hancock went out of the door, and had a private conversation, what, I know not; after this Mr. Eliot came to me and enquired after the negro Harry, I informed him what had past, between Hancock and the negro Harry, and what is above wrote I am ready to make Oath of when required: given under my hand, this 25th day of November 1788. ISAAC HALBERT.
This is to certify, that on the 18th day of October, 1788 I William Eliot, applied to Squire Cleveland for a warrant of felony against Fairfax Hancock, and George Winn jun. and John Jones, by the taking the oath the law required, he granted me a warrant. On the 19th the officer appeared before the Justice, with all three of them in custody and after the officer returned the warrant, the said Hancock applied to go before Squire Lewis for trial, who was at least six miles farther than the next nearest Justice, and at least sixteen miles from Squire Cleveland; then the Justice replied, that as the Warrant was returned it was too late, but if there was a Justice in the neighbourhood, he would not concern with it, the officer also refused to go any further with them; on this Mr. Hancock said he was determined to go to Jail, and often repeating it, on this the Justice entered into the trial, and acquitted George Winn and John Jones, and the Justice asked Mr. Hancock if he had a bill of sale, or Power of attorney, or any authority to show for himself or others, for the said Negro, he answered the Justice no, but he had an order but it was either lost or mislaid; then the Justice asked him if he did not believe that the Negro was in Mr. Eliot's possession at the time he took him? He answered he did know he was, but said if he had his witnesses Captain Payne and Lewis Turner, he could make his defence, on which the Justice left him in the custody of the officer until the 3d day at 12 o'clock, for to give him time to procure his witnesses, for it did appear to us that the Justice was loth to commit him. On the fifth day following the officer brought him to trial, but he had got no witnesses with him, and after the said Hancock gave the Justice many threats and expressions, the Justice asked him what defence he had to make, or claim to the Negro for himself or any other person? His answer was I have none, nor shall make none, you have all the power in your own hands; on which the Justice said no more to him but wrote his Mittimus, and all that is in here contained we are ready to make oath to when ever required. WILLIAM ELIOT. CORNELIUS RINCO. JAMES ELIOT.
Also am I ready to make oath to all that this contains when ever required, except that part of granting the Warrant and the words that the Justice said he would not concern if there was any other Magistrate in the neighbourhood, at which time I had slept out. ISAAC HALBERT.
I also (who was the officer who executed this Warrant) am ready to make oath of all that is in this contained, except that of granting the warrant. ALEXANDER PANLAND
Mr. PRINTER,
NOTWITHSTANDING there is a great many Eminent writers in the district of Kentucky yet you not under the disagreeable necessity of printing ordinary stuff some times, and pray Sir accept of this among the rest, we are all too ready to think well of any thing that is hampered on our own anvil, but I do not know as this is the case with me, I do not like my own performance and am seldom ever altogether pleased with the writings of any other person: I am better at finding out faults than mending errors. As the present Convention at their last setting shut their doors against no man I heard a petition to Congress read concerning the navigation of the Mississippi which Pleased me as well as any thing of the kind, it was manly and spirited yet with all decent and modest, the reasoning was powerful, it was calculated for informing the Judgment and striking the passions, the language was exalted and sublime yet smooth and not soppih; I would be glad that some able pen would handle the following subjects, but as no one to my knowledge has yet undertaken it, I shall begin, and perhaps one may excite another, a fife may set on a mathiff and if I am guilty of any errors I may receive the advantage of being corrected.
Sir in your paper Vol. 2d, No. 1 I saw a piece subscribed by a stranger, he seems to impute the present calamities in the State of Pennsylvania wholly to the exorbitant wages of officers, whereas if he would reconsider the matter he would find that the divisions which subsisted among the people and their own extravagancy of another kind (I mean that of fashion and dress) contributed all to accomplish their distress after the revolution they were so lifted up with the notion of a freecade that they laid aside making their own clothing as usual and depended on Europe for all, the money was carried back the balance of trade was against them and consequently not a sufficiency of money in circulation, therefore they could not pay their debt. Europe acted wisely after the Revolution when they changed the fashion of Buckskin breeches to that of their own Country produce, but we acted very foolishly in following after them, for by that one article they carry out of this Continent (at a moderate computation) one million of money annually which would be of great use in circulation among us and would perhaps pay more than ten million of debt yearly and relieve us out of many of our distresses. America before the Revolution produced not only barks skins sufficient for their own use but exported large quantities, but now Europe receives all this our valuable produce for about a third the usual value thereof.
Fellow Citizens, it is easy making the application if the exorbitant wages of civil officers and pernicious fashions has almost ruined the State of Pennsylvania that is an old rich State and sea ports at the door, what will become of us if we follow their steps? the great necessity that there is of new modeling our laws and custom is a sufficient reason why we should separate from the State of Virginia if it stood alone.
But some will say I am afraid in place of fixing our laws and customs to our circumstances, we will make it worse; if we do, it must be owing to our own divisions.
I attended the late setting of the present Convention like a spy I went there possessed with jealousies and fears lest we should be led into a premunire; but when I beheld their proceedings when I beheld the concern which appeared in their countenance concerning the divisions among us, I concluded they were endeavouring to do every thing in their power agreeable to the wish & interest of the people, I kept a jealous eye over an eminent officer in particular, but when I beheld what he had done even at the risk of life and fortune with the Spanish Governor in order to pave the way for the navigation of the Mississippi, when I considered that actions speak louder than words, I then concluded that he was not only an able friend but a hero in our cause.
It is a lamentable case that we are so divided and some are extremely stupid, if we let them are
you going to the Election? their answer is no not I, I do not know the use of it I don't care who they send for delegates, those kind of men (if they may be called men or free men) if they feel any thing like oppression they are the readiest of any to growl and complain, and they will talk as if all taxation was unjust, and it appears by the actions of such beings, that the language of their hearts is this we have the name & notion of paying taxes and the while we hate all legitimate executive officers Elections and all civil power, such beings are pests of society they do not deserve the name of free men, and if I had my will I would have them excluded; I would have a States catechism and make them pass examination, if they could tell nothing of the qualifications that a delegate ought to be endowed with, if they could not tell what they are about let them be debared from voting, may not a child of eight years of age or an idiot as well be admitted.
Black ignorance is exceeding dangerous in a free State; there are two sorts of men dangerous viz. great designing men and stupid ignorant persons, the latter are the tools that the former works with; tho' those sordid beings will not for common turn out to an Election yet those evil designing men can tell them out like hogs and for the sake of a drink of Whiskey they would sell their Country not knowing what they are doing.
Fellow Citizens let us guard against exorbitant civil officers wages, let us guard against reluctance in paying just and necessary taxes; either of those evils may prove fatal; I shall conclude with the language made use of by the present Convention. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL. A LAYMAN
PHILADELPHIA October 10. Extract from the JOURNAL of CONGRESS, Tuesday Sept. 16, 1788.
ON motion of Mr. Baldwin, seconded by Mr. Williamson. Resolved, that it be, and it is hereby recommended to the several States, to pass proper laws for preventing the transportation of convicted malefactors from foreign Countries into the United States.
On Saturday last a motion was made in the General Assembly for recommending the antifederal letter from the Convention of New-York, signed by Governor Clinton, to the attention of the next Assembly. After a short debate, the motion was negatived by 33 against 23--May that letter meet with the same treatment in every State in union.
The Electors of the President of the United States, on the part of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are to meet in the borough of Reading, where it is universally hoped and expected that one more tribute of merited approbation will be given to GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, by their unanimous suffrages. Of the several respectable characters in nomination for Vice-President, circumstances seem most to concur in favor of John Adams Esquire. While the conciliating talents of Governor Hancock, and the attachments to him that prevail in Massachusetts, render him necessary to the peace of new England, Mr. Adams is perfectly at leisure to fill a seat, for which nature, education, and the experience of several years at various Courts in Europe, have eminently and peculiarly qualified him.
We hear that Baron Polnitz has brought with him into New York, a model of the newly invented THRESHING-MILL. By means of this mill, a man and a boy may thresh 70 bushels of wheat in a day. The price of it is only 12 l. One mill will serve a whole township, by being used in succession by different farmers.
Extract of a letter from a Swedish Gentleman in London, to his friend in this city, dated July 22, 1788
"The rupture between Sweden and Russia is no doubt known already in America. The King refusing the demand of auxiliary troops, the Empress threatened to send 50 000 men to the frontiers of Finland; to which he replied, that she had a right to do so; but he would forbid them going to

ther. This happened in the latter end of May. Immediately the army was ordered to march; and forty thousand troops were some time ago already collected in Finland. His Majesty commands, in person and under him General Hord - the same who in 1756 was obliged to fly, because of his attachment to the Royal cause, and has since been in Prussia. Fifteen ships of the line and six frigates well equipped have left Calescroot; and six other ships of the line are fitting out. Every thing has been done with an expedition that is admired even by the proud English. Money is also in plenty, & people wonder from what resources. This stroke has disconcerted the design of driving the Turks out of Europe. The Empress cannot send her fleet to the Mediterranean. It is however cruising in the Baltic, to observe ours. Three Swedish frigates protect the trade in the North Sea. Several small encounters have already happened between the fleets and the armies, in which the Swedes constantly had the advantage. The war has not lessened the number of trading vessels in this place. There is some probability that Prussia and Denmark will take part with Sweden. The two Imperial armies have yet done nothing material against the Turks.
WINCHESTER, November 12.
By a letter from Richmond, of the 4th instant, we learn, that the Assembly had then been in session two weeks, that the letter from Governor Clinton, on the subject of a Convention to revise the Constitution of the United States, had been considered and approved. That resolutions had passed for dividing the State into ten districts, for the purpose of choosing electors of the President (these divisions to be made in proportion to the white inhabitants) and that bills be brought in agreeable to these resolutions. That Messrs. Griffin, Madison the present members of congress & and Brown, who have not served the time for which they are eligible, had been re-elected into that office, and Mann Page and John Dawson, Esqrs. chosen in the room of Col. H. Lee and Col. E. Carrington, who have become ineligible. That Saturday the 8th inst. is appointed for electing Senators in the Federal Senate. That Mr. Madison, Col. R. H. Lee, and Col. W. Grayson are spoken of as candidates for that office. That Governor Randolph had not resigned, tho' it was expected he would do so within a few days.
His excellency Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Western Territory, by his proclamation bearing date the 26th day of July, 1788, has laid off the first new County in that district, and called the same Washington.
Should a majority of the States approve the letter sent for their consideration, by Governor Clinton, of New York, another Convention to revise the Constitution will inevitably be the result. The last letters from Peterburg mention, that the capital was much deserted, from the fear that Wyburg would surrender on the attack of the Swedish army.
A late London paper mentions, that a body of Moors have marched towards Ceuta, and by their hostile appearance have created an alarm at Madrid, in consequence of which orders were immediately given to reinforce the Spanish garrison on the Barbary coast.
LEXINGTON, Dec. 10.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his friend in this place dated Oct. 14. 1788.
Mr. Pitch has had a contest before a Committee of the General Assembly, with a Mr. Rumsey of Virginia who claims a priority of invention and a superiority of mode in conducting a steam-boat. In both which perhaps he is mistaken. After a hearing at several adjournments, they have reported in favor of Mr. Pitch, and he is going on in his improvements. On Sunday last I went with him in his boat as far as Burlington (about 20 miles.) We went it with a very slack tide, in 3 hours and 27 minutes; and returned again under considerable disadvantages, in four hours and one minute. It is said there are several points in which very considerable improvements can be made, which leave it now beyond all doubt that his boat may be usefully employed, and it appears probable, from a conversation I had with him this afternoon, that he will endeavour to have a boat on the Ohio next spring or summer, if he can obtain some assistance among the people on that river in building it. I expect to see that one he has here, go through the water at near the rate of seven miles per hour; but then she is very long and sharp and draws very little water.
I should have said, that in the trip to Burlington we had thirty people on board.
Mr. BRADFORD, THE purpose of your press is intended to convey intelligence, as well as other advantages to the public and we are happy to find gentlemen who have it in their power, kind enough to publish in your papers copies of such letters as concerns this District. We therefore return our thanks to the Hon. John Brown for his favor in the publication of a letter from Governor Sinclair, especially as it points out Mr. Brown's earnest desire for the good of our country, and as report says some gentlemen in this District are not willing to publish some letters which they have received lately, which contains important intelligence respecting the Navigation of the Mississippi, owing to the ill treatment of some censorious persons, we therefore hope those gentlemen will not admit such persons to prevent the public of the benefit and satisfaction of intelligence which is in the power of such gentlemen to give. CITIZENS OF KENTUCKE.
WHEREAS the subscriber has given up Tavern keeping and wishes to be favorable to his customers, have hereby directed them to pay unto John Smith in Lexington such produce as is hereafter mentioned at the prices annexed. Wheat at 3/ per Bushell, JESSE PEAK Barley 3/ Rye 2/6 Buckwheat 2/ Corn 1/6 Dec. 1 1788.
TO BE HIRED
FOR the ensuing year at Danville on the first day of January next, eight Negroes, viz six men and two women. Bond and security will be required by Dec. 2. 1788. HARRY INNES. 1618
FIVE POUNDS
REWARD
Strayed or stolen from the subscriber in Fauquier County near Morrans Ford a sorrel horse about thirteen hands three inches high with a ball face and some of his feet white trots and paces, midling long dock, with a bushy tail, not branded as I recollect, seven years old next spring. Whosoever takes up the horse and thief and bring them to justice shall have the above reward paid by me WILLIAM WOODSIDE June 1 1788
FIVE DOLLARS
Broke out of Mr. John Williams's Pasture on Gens Creek on the fourteenth of April 1787 a bay horse fourteen hands high, trots and canters very elegant, branded on the shoulder and buttock thus \gamma S had a blemish in each of his eyes. Whoever delivers said horse to me near Hopewell town, Bourbon County, shall receive the above and reasonable charges. Wm. MORRIS.
I hereby forewarn all persons from taking an assignment on a bond given by me to Abraham Miller about the end of the year 1779, or the beginning of the year 1780, wherein capt. John Wall was bound jointly with me in said bond; I therefore take this method to inform the public least they should be taken in by fraud, that I will pay no bond or bonds bearing that date or including the name of John Gaston and John Wall. Dec. 5, 1788. JOHN GASTON. 1618
ALL those who have taken lots of the land belonging to the Transylvania Seminary, will please to send the names of those persons whose lives are to be the term of their leases, to Col. William Ward, in time for him to make out the said leases before next Court, when they will also attend to have them executed. W. WARD R. JOHNSON Agents. R. TODD
Dec. 11. 1788.
THE Public are hereby informed that a ferry is established over the Kentucky, at Gen. Scott's, and that there are roads from thence to Harrodsburgh, Bairds town and Loulville.
WANTED
A YOUNG man acquainted with the overseer's business, such a person, well qualified may find employ, by applying to the subscriber in Mercer County near Danville, SAMUEL McDOWELL Dec. 1 1788.
Strayed from Samuel Price's a likely bay mare, about fourteen hands high, branded on the buttock thus \text{IG} she has a thin mane and long tail, her hind feet are both white up to the foot lock, she is about four years old last spring, a natural trotter she left Samuel Price's the thirteenth of October 1788. Any one that will deliver said bay mare at Samuel Price's again shall have three Dollars reward. RICHARD PRICE
I WANT to purchase a negro fellow who understands the blacksmith's business with or without a set of tools, for whom a most liberal price will be given - Apply within three weeks from this date. Dec. 1 1788. JAMES WILKINSON
TWO DOLLARS REWARD.
STRAYED away from this place about the 10th of October a bright sorrel Mare, fourteen hands and a half high, rising four years old, branded on the near shoulder \text{I} not docked, paces and trots, light made; whoever delivers the said mare to the Printer hereof shall receive the above reward. DAVID MERRELL Lexington Nov. 27, 1788.
FOUND
On Saturday last about 5 miles from Curd's ferry on the road to Lexington, some clothes tied up in a napkin; the owner may have them by applying to the Printer hereof, and paying charges. December 5, 1788.
JUST OPENED
And for sale by
HUGH M c ILVAIN at his Store in Lexington, on Main Street in the house lately occupied by Mr. John Clarke, a general Assortment of
MERCHANDIZE, CONSISTING OF Cloths, Stuffs, Stationary, Saddlery & Ironmongery, Queens ware, Glass ware, & Tin ware which he will sell on the most reasonable terms for Cash.
JUST OPENED For sale by PETER JANUARY AND SON, At their Store directly opposite the court-house. A LARGE AND GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF GOODS
COMPOSING an assortment of cloths, coatings, stuffs, linens calicoes chintzes Books, Flannels, cutlery, saddlery, groceries, glass and Queens ware, pins and needles, smoothing irons, Nails of all sizes, hats, also two or three hundred articles which, for want of room in this paper cannot be particularized, all of which will be offered for sale very cheap for Cash.