Herald of the United States (Warren, R.I.), 1806-08-30 00:00:00

Gerald of the United States.
WARREN:—PUBLISHED NEAR THE POST-OFFICE, BY NATHANIEL PHILLIPS.
[No. 48, of Vol. XIV.]
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1806.
[Whole No. 714.]
WEEKLY ALMANACK.
   AUGUST. f. Of. f. f. Sea. REMARKS.     31 Sunday, 5 29 7 15 9 30   1 Monday, 5 30 7 40 10 15 Days long. 12h.   2 Tuesday, 5 32 8 12 11 3 [56m.   3 Wednesday, 5 33 7 48 11 53 Dog days end.   4 Thursday, 5 34 7 30 12 43 Dry and very   5 Friday, 5 35 7 10 13 38 warm.   6 Saturday, 5 35 7 10 14 1 38  
FOREIGN ARTICLES.
BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS—JUNE 18.
SPEECH OF MR. ROSE.
Against the Bill for allowing a Commercial Inter- course between the United States, and the British West-India Islands.
MR. ROSE said, the persons who are most deeply concerned in the present question, he meant the merchants, ship-owners, ship-builders, &c. in this kingdom, who had petitioned against the Bill, entertained some hope of convincing the Right Honourable Gentleman on the opposite bench (at a private meeting he indulged them with) of the impolicy of the measure, and of the mischievous consequences it must infallibly be attended with, not only to their interests, but to the general prosperity of the country: unfortunately, however, after listening to them with much patience, he told them plainly, he was not convinced by their statements or arguments, and therefore felt himself obliged to persist in supporting the Bill: Mr. Rose owned he had no sanguine expectation of a favorable result of the meeting after the opinion expressed deliberately by the Right Hon. Gentleman in this House: that the admission of foreign ships into the trade between America and the West-Indies was indispensably necessary in time of war, and that he was much inclined to believe it would be found so likewise in peace: it was too much to expect, that after so public a declaration, he would acknowledge himself mistaken. Affections of that sort had been made very consistently out of doors for some time past, without attracting much attention; but supported as they have lately been in both Houses of Parliament, it was become of importance, they should, with all other matters bearing upon the question, be fully and attentively considered. In order to a full investigation of every thing that could affect the interests as well of the petitioners against the Bill as the West-India Proprietors, he had some weeks ago expressed an anxious desire to have the whole subject referred to a Committee above stairs, before whom a full hearing might have been had, and by whom an attentive enquiry might have been made on the allegations and proofs on both sides:—it was with a view to such an investigation he should now propose the second reading being delayed for a week; meaning, if he should succeed in that, to move for such a Committee, about which he was the more anxious, as the merits of the measure, if now discussed, would be decided on, without even the information called for by his Noble Friend a fortnight ago, from the Committee for Trade, although that would throw great light on the subject, and might have been finished in two or three days with ease. It would be seen how earnest the predecessors of those who now presided in that Committee had been to bring back the trade to British ships, and how unfounded the apprehensions of the gentlemen in the West-Indies are. Persons might differ in opinion whether the Americans should be allowed to be the carriers of lumber and provisions from the United States to our Colonies, or not: but no one would be found to deny that it is of importance to secure so valuable a branch of commerce to our own navigation, if that can be done, without risk of serious inconvenience to our islands; nor could it be denied that the interest of the British Colonies on the Continent of America, which must be deeply affected by this question, claim attention and protection. He trusted, therefore, his proposal for inquiry would not be resisted; he desired no more, and would willingly give up all further opposition to the Bill if he failed in making out the case of the Petitioners, which he would state as briefly as possible; he would also refer to the allegations of the West-India planters and others, whose claims for protection, when all founded, he could not be supposed to be indifferent to, as he and many of his nearest connections had a large proportion of their property in the West-Indies. Their alarm arose chiefly from an apprehension that they should not be furnished with regular supplies of lumber, provisions, on reasonable terms, and that they should not find a sufficient market for their rum, considering the obtaining vessels for the trade to be owned in the West-Indies as perfectly hopeless and visionary. During the American war, there was of course a complete interruption to all supplies from the colonies, which then separated themselves from the mother country; on the peace, an act passed enabling his Majesty in Council to regulate the trade between the American States and Great Britain; under the authority whereof a proclamation was issued in December 1783, confining the intercourse between the American States and our islands to British ships. The West-India Planters took the alarm at that; and on their petitions to the Council, an inquiry was entered upon, which occupied the Lords
more than two months; and after a full and patient hearing of the parties on both sides, a report was made to his Majesty, that such unmanufactured goods, the growth and produce of the United States, as cannot be supplied by Great Britain and Ireland, nor by the British colonies on the Continent, shall be permitted to be imported into the islands in British ships: and the produce of the islands to be carried to the American States in British ships; in both cases by British subjects. Thus confirming the practice as regulated by the King's proclamation. The trade was so carried on accordingly, under the authority thereof, till 1788, when the act, of the 28th, Geo. 3. c. 6. was passed to establish that mode, to which there was no interruption so long as the Peace lasted, during the whole of which period the islands were as abundantly and as cheaply supplied with all the articles of which they were in want, and found as ready a market for their rum, with a most abundant number of small vessels to carry it to America.
It should not, therefore surely be argued, that from the laws having been relaxed for 13 years, it followed of course they must continue to be infringed, and that the present law would be no injury to the British Navigation: The passing such a one without even making some provision to secure a reciprocity of duties on the ships of Great Britain and America in the ports of our Colonies, and of the rates, must have the effect of encouraging the American Owners, and preventing any subject of this country from attempting to enter into a competition with them: because British vessels from all parts of the world pay what is called the countervailing duty in the ports of the United States; whereas, the Americans pay that duty only in Great Britain and Ireland; and the severe responsibility under which the Governors have hitherto acted, being transferred to the Ministers, on whom in truth there will be none at all, the Americans will necessarily have nothing to apprehend from the rivalry of British ships. But if it should be admitted that a supply of lumber and provisions in foreign ships is necessary to our islands in the West-Indies, why confine that supply to American ships? Why not let in the Danes and Swedes, navigating these seas in abundance, to be carriers, and so give the full benefit competition to the West-Indies? In other respects the provisions of the Bill now depending, go much beyond what has ever been pretended to be called for: under these the Americans would be at liberty to send every sort of plantation stores, whether of iron or other articles, and to carry from the islands all their produce, for which there did not exist even a colourable pretence; as the Bill passed the other House of Parliament, and as now on the table, the duration is not confined to the present war, but extends to all times of war, the mischief of which would not be much lessened by shortening the time to two years, as was suggested by Mr. Fox; the measure, in truth, is on the whole, as ruinous to our navigation and exclusive trade to our Colonies, (secured not only by our own laws, but by the fundamental law of Europe, as stated by Montesquieu and other writers) as could be devised, if the framers of the bill had employed their ingenuity to devise how much harm they could do by the enactment of two sentences. To suppose Ministers meant mischievously to the best interests of the country, would be extravagant and unjust; but if they really had such an intention, he was not aware how they could effect it more completely than by the measures they had adopted; the measure in question must, from the superior advantages of the American fisheries necessarily tend to the serious injury of our own. And, in addition to other evils already enumerated, the British manufacturers and the East India Company must suffer greatly by the facility it would unavoidably give to the introduction by the Americans of German and other linens, and of East India goods imported into America.—Mr. Rose then strongly pressed upon the consideration of the House, the importance of maintaining our navigation laws; a system which commenced so early as the 5th of Richard II.; was improved through the reigns of his successors to that of Charles II. when it was perfected: since which time but little alteration was made in those laws, till the temporary suspension of them in the late war. Without meaning to blame those which certainly were meant to improve our commerce, it is impossible not to admit that they were injurious to our navigation; they are not nearly so extensive, however, now, as they were; at the same time there was not in the late Committee for Trade so bigoted an adherence to the old systems, as to prevent such a departure from it as appeared to be called for, there being three acts now in force passed in 1802, 3, and 4, to authorize the Council to admit, in particular cases, importations in neutrals, which cannot be made in British ships; so far no ground of complaint is afforded to the British ship-owner, and the merchant has all the advantage in commerce he can be entitled to, after showing the wide difference between the former suspensions of the navigation laws and the present proposal, and explaining with what certainty the West-Indies might be supplied by British ships. Mr. Rose enumerated the mischiefs that must follow from the
adoption of the latter by British Continental Colonies, British ship-owners, British fisheries, British manufactures in linen and cotton, and the East India Company. Where interests of such importance were at stake, and there appeared to be so much danger from admitting the principle, he trusted he should prevail that the numerous and highly respectable persons who had petitioned against the Bill, might be heard, an indulgence which, he believed, had never been refused in such a case and under similar circumstances. Mr. Rose moved for a Committee to inquire into the facts alleged by the petitioners; earnestly imploring the House not to turn from their duty so highly respectable a set of men without at least hearing them; a favour never refused in his memory since he sat in Parliament.
*** There were in favor of the Bill 119, against it 54.
BRITISH HOUSE OF LORDS.
Friday, June 24.
SLAVE TRADE.
A SHORT conversation took place between the earl of Westmoreland and lord Grenville, relative to the propriety of hearing council on a petition presented on a former day by the noble earl, against the abolition of the slave trade. Lord Grenville objected to hearing council, and no motion being made by the earl of Westmoreland, the former noble lord moved the order of the day for taking into consideration the resolution of the house of commons relative to the abolition of the slave trade, which being read.
Lord Grenville said, that upon this subject, after the repeated discussions and the minute investigations it had undergone for twenty years, he did not think it necessary to take up much of their lordship's time. The resolution of the house of commons contained a conclusion drawn from certain premises, and the question now was, whether those premises were correct; and if so, whether the conclusion drawn was correct. The resolution stated, that the slave trade was contrary to humanity, justice and sound policy, and ought to be abolished. That the trade was contrary to humanity could not surely be doubted for a moment, nor did he believe there was one man to be found who would venture to declare, that this trade was in the least degree consistent with humanity. Let it be considered in the three stages of its progress; first, dragging away the unfortunate Africans from their homes, their families, and their comforts; next, the transfer of them from thence to the West-Indies; and lastly, the treatment of them whilst there: and in all it would be found most inhuman. The means that were adopted to drag the unfortunate victims from their homes, were in the highest degree cruel, and at the same time contributed to keep up a continued system of barbarism in Africa. Torn from all the tender and social ties from which they derived their happiness, and feeling poignantly the miseries of the condition imposed upon them by our traders, they were doomed to endure still greater miseries in the transfer from thence to the West-Indies. It was impossible for any, however steeled his heart, to read of the horrors of the middle passage, of the treatment which these poor negroes experienced, or the miseries which they endured, without shuddering at the recital. Arrived in the West-Indies, a new scene of misery is opened to their view. Goaded with the lash they were compelled to labour from morning till night beneath a burning sun, and under the oppressive tyranny of task masters set over them by their owners, and though they might sometimes be mildly treated, yet it could not be denied that nothing was a greater corrupter of the human heart than arbitrary power, nor could be a greater temptation to the abuse of power, than situations where, as in the West-Indies, a white overseer, amongst a great number of negroes, had it in his power to ill treat them in the greatest manner, whilst they could not be legal evidence against him in any of the courts of justice. That the trade was contrary to justice was clearly in his mind established; the principles of justice as amongst the individuals of a nation, applied equally amongst nations, and nothing could be more contrary to justice than robbing men of the fruits of their industry, without giving them any compensation, as was the case with those unfortunate negroes, the fruits of whose industry was wrested from them, they receiving nothing in return, but an aggravation of the injustice, the bitter portion of slavery. That what was contrary to humanity and justice, must also be contrary to sound policy, it was unnecessary to argue. As to any argument set up respecting the profit of the trade, it would serve to justify robbery, or any other crime. On grounds of policy, he called upon those who advocated the cause of the planters, to agree to the abolition. He also dwelt at some length on the situation of St. Domingo, as holding forth an alarming lesson to this country with regard to the tendency of continued importations of new slaves. His lordship concluded with moving, that the house should concur in the resolution of the commons.
Lord Hawkesbury opposed the resolution, as being couched in terms too abstract to admit
of a fair consideration of the subject. The question to be considered was, whether we could put a stop to the existence of slavery, which every one admitted to be a practical evil; but one which in some form or other, had existed at all times, and particularly in Africa. His opinion was, that the only effect of the abolition of the Slave Trade by this country, would be to transfer it to those States who conducted it on principles less humane than those adopted by the British Merchant. With these sentiments, he thought the best way of disposing of the subject was to move the previous question.
The Bishop of London, in support of the resolution, quoted various passages of the evidence laid before parliament and the privy Council, as to the mode of conducting the traffic in slaves.
The Lord Chancellor stated that from his personal knowledge of the state of the slaves in Jamaica, a great deal of the evidence respecting them was exaggerated; but he had witnessed the horrors which accompanied the traffic on the coast of Guinea and in the Middle Passage, and he conceived that no man who believed in their existence, could withhold his assent to the motion now made.
The original motion was supported in the further progress of the debate by the Bishop of St. Asaph, Lords Spencer, Ellenborough, Holland, and Grosvenor; and opposed by Lords Westmoreland, Sidmouth, and Fitzwilliam; the two latter, however, objected rather to the form than the principle of the motion.
Lord Grenville then spoke in reply; and before sitting down, gave notice that as soon as the resolution was disposed of, he should move an Address to his Majesty, requesting him to concert measures with foreign Powers, for more completely carrying its purpose into effect.
The motion for the previous question was rejected on a division, by a majority of 41 to 19, and the resolution was put and carried without a division, as was also the motion for the Address to his Majesty.
FRANCE.
PARIS, JUNE 2.
ADMIRAL VILLENEUVE.
A letter has appeared in a paper called "Les Nouvelles a la Main," which has arrested the notice of government. It is said to have been written by the late unfortunate Admiral Villeneuve, commander in chief of the combined fleet which fought off Trafalgar, to the Emperor, just before his death. This letter is extremely vindictive, and discovers a mind capable of the act he threatens; while it serves to shew the falsity of those reports which stated that the Admiral had been murdered by order of the Emperor.—The letter is dated
"Rennes, April 26, 1806.
Villeneuve begins by stating that the appointment he received after the death of Admiral La Touche, was much against his inclination. It appears from the letter, that he received orders on the 24th of September, that the combined French and Spanish fleet then at Cadiz, should return to Toulon, were they even to fight their way through the English fleet. He obeyed the order; but at the same time reminded the Minister of his former resignation. The letter then proceeds, "Neither fault, nor want of valour, brought on the misfortunes of Trafalgar. This fact has fully been proved in my official account of this battle. Why refuse it a place in the Moniteur? While the calumnies and aspersions of my rivals and foes have always been admitted in its outrageous columns? When in the midst of your prosperous and ambitious career in Germany, my report reached you, did you not, with your usual petulance and cruelty, say, "I see that the example of a French Byng is absolutely necessary to make victory the order of the day in my navy?" Thousand voices have repeated this your unfeeling expression, this sentence of death pronounced against a patriotic French Admiral, by a ferocious foreign Usurper, while my dispatch was left unnoticed, unheard of, and perhaps unread. It contained nevertheless some severe truths, which would not have added any lustre to your naval talents, but proved, that he whose incapacity and ambition alone caused the loss of one French fleet near Aboukir, also occasion-

ed the destruction of another near Trafalgar. In my last conversation with you, you owned to me yourself, "that even were France the unopposed mistress of all the Continent, as long as she cannot compel Great-Britain to submit to her dictates, her external power must be precarious, her internal state unsettled, her commerce stagnated, her manufactures depressed, and her inhabitants suffering and poor."
The Admiral next takes notice of the oppression the people of France laboured under from this "foreign usurper," who shed their best blood for the sake of himself, his creatures, and his relatives—"Overburthened with taxes, and cruelly oppressed by an active, relentless, military despotism, my slavish countrymen mourn, without daring to utter a sigh, the gradual approach of inevitable ruin." He then asks, what advantage can Frenchmen or others derive from his usurpations, &c. "or from beholding a sanguinary adventurer an Emperor; his vicious harlot an Empress; his obscure and wicked brothers and brothers-in-law Kings and Princes; his profligate nieces Queens and Princesses; and his criminal accomplices, Dukes, Field Marshals, and Knights?"
He next observes, that while the French see 20,000 Austrian & Russian prisoners among them, they are only reminded of a much greater number of their countrymen in England, who have no chance of returning home, until France is delivered from his tyranny. "The French people, he says, are well aware that Great-Britain is too wise and too powerful to sign another peace with a man more conspiring against her independence as a pretended friend, than dangerous as an avowed enemy; whose olive branches have always been the sulphurous faggots of a political and social incendiary, who offers continually peace during war, and plots and meditates nothing but destruction during a peace." BONAPARTE, it seems, had directed his Minister to give the Admiral orders not to approach the capital; and the Admiral says, this "has again put off the period of your punishment, and the delivery of mankind from its scourge." Without it, resolved not to survive the ruin of the French navy, I meditated on dispatching you before I punished myself for having been your tool, to the disgrace of my profession.—That you are still among the living is therefore another evidence of a blind and unjust fortune, that from inscrutable motives, still permits the continuance of your barbarous tyranny. Depend, however, upon it, (and the vast enormity of your numerous crimes must convince you of its truth) that as you have lived one of the grandest criminals, your end must be untimely and terrible. An assassin or an executioner shall finish a career of atrocities, which to the shame of humanity and of our age, has already been too long endured. Notwithstanding what your vile flatterers say to the contrary, had your murder preceded my suicide, not only the present generation, but ages to come, would have hailed me as a deliverer, and revered me as a saviour. Altars, as well as statutes would then have been erected to my memory. Tremble tyrant!—You live abhorred and will expire with the curses of the universe, following you even on the other side of the grave.
(Signed) "DE VILLENEUVE."
ENGLAND. LONDON, JUNE 10.
DEATH OF NELSON.
Mr. WEST, [an American, and late President of the Royal Academy of Arts] has finished his picture on the memorable event of the death of Lord NELSON, and he opens his beautiful gallery in Newman-Street, for ten days, that the amateurs may see this elaborate work before it is consigned into the hands of Mr. HEATH, the engraver. It is a wonderful work, and will raise the fame of the master to a very high point. It was truly remarked by an artist of distinguished merit, that it was only necessary to look over the series of prints which have been taken
from the pictures of Mr. WEST, to form an estimate of the value of the original. While almost all his contemporaries have degenerated into the insipidity of portraits, he has maintained his enthusiastic love of the higher department of the art, and has seized on every great occasion to illustrate upon canvas, the triumphant achievements of the country.—Upon no former occasion had he so grand a subject, and upon no former occasion has he more highly distinguished himself. The picture is truly epic, for it combines a perfect history of the battle with such a burst of passion as to arouse every generous emotion of the soul. He has chosen the point of time when the hero, after hearing from Capt. HARDY that the battle is won, is raising his last ejaculation to the Author of his being, in gratitude and resignation. His attitude is nearly the same, though reversed, as that of Gen. WOLFE, but the expression of all the groupe which forms the centre is superior to every former effort of the master. He has departed so far from the reality as to make his last scene on the quarter-deck, instead of the cock-pit, because he could not otherwise have combined the other great features of the action which he had introduced as episodes, of Mr. SCOTT, and of several gallant youths, who fell beside their commander. All these are most forcibly introduced without confusing or encumbering the chief point, and the background shews the sublime character of the battle. It is a work which truly redounds to the praise of the English school, and we have no doubt but that Mr. HEATH will feel all his enthusiasm, as well as skill, aroused, in doing justice to the work in his engraving.
His Majesty some time since directed Mr. WEST to convey the above picture to the Queen's House , for the inspection of the Royal Family. They were occupied between three and four hours in examining it; and expressed their full approbation of this noble picture. His Majesty is now almost solely the patron of historical printing in this country.
TO MR. WEST, On his Grand Historical Picture of the Death of NELSON.
While thus thy magic tints, great Painter, show, A Nation's triumph, and a Nation's woe, The Harko! (lost, alas! in evil hour) Thy pencil rescues from Oblivion's power, Death who alone the Conqueror could subdue, Refigns the prize to Genius and to you.
NO PEACE.
No one can doubt Bonaparte's wish to conclude a Peace with Great-Britain. His dominion on the continent is as extensive as his ambition aspires to. He now wants " Commerce, Ships and Colonies ;"—and these he cannot obtain while war continues. Could he conclude a Peace, and make Great Britain dismantle her navy, and disperse her seamen, he could with the immense resources he has at command, equip a power on the ocean which would command the sea, protect commerce, take colonies; and seal the doom of England's maritime power. The English know this; and, therefore, it is we hear no clamour for Peace. —For the moment a Peace is concluded, and the bulk of the Navy put in ordinary; that moment the stroke of death will be put on her as a nation.
JUNE 17.
"Mr. Sullivan, private secretary to Mr. Bowdoin, has arrived here from Paris. He is said to have brought dispatches for Mr. Munroe, and is only 6 days from Paris. Something about Spanish cessions is spoken of, but what I have not heard. Portugal, it is said, is to be extinguished as a kingdom, and become a Spanish province; and Spain is to cede some of her maritime dominions to France."
JUNE 18.
American Intercourse.
The American Intercourse bill has been warmly opposed in every stage of its passage in both Houses of Parliament. In the Commons, Mr. Rose pronounced it to be a violation of the Navigation Laws, and highly injurious to our merchants, ship owners, and all concerned in commerce. He said the bill did not provide for a reciprocity of duties on the ships of Great-Britain and America, in the ports of British colonies, which, he said, must lose the effect of encouraging the American
ners, and preventing any British subject from attempting to enter into a competition with them, because British vessels from all parts of the world pay what is called the countervailing duty in the ports of the United States; whereas the Americans pay the duty only in Great-Britain and Ireland. But he said, if it is admitted, that supplies in foreign ships are necessary to our islands, why not let in the Danes and Swedes, why confine them to Americans? The bill, he continued, in other respects went beyond what had been asked for; under it, the Americans will be at liberty to send every sort of plantation stores, whether of iron or other articles, and to carry from the islands, all their produce. He contended too that it would essentially benefit the American fisheries, while it injured our own; and he exhorted the House to oppose a measure which would tend to destroy the efficacy of these navigation laws, which, since the reign of Richard II. had scarce ever been departed from in favor of any nation. The bill was also opposed by Mr. Percival, who declared that this was no time to relax those navigation laws, upon which so much of the maritime glory, strength and prosperity of this country were founded, in favor of America; especially, when so strong a disposition to quarrel with England had of late been manifest. Mr. Canning was likewise opposed to the measure. It was, he said, in effect, to tell the world we cannot supply our colonies—that at present, iron, leather, soap, candles, hats, and many other articles, found their way to the islands in American vessels, in violation of the law; but if the bill passed they would proceed thither in abundance, under the sanction of law;—and thus a boon be given to America at the expence of our manufacturers.—He asked, whether America, after the exhibition she had made of such an irritable temper, would not be disgusted, if, at a future time, this privilege was withheld; which it must be; and whether other states, even France herself, would not expect similar benefits, and demand to be put on a footing with this favoured nation? The ministry defended the bill on the principle of expediency; and a permanent supply for the necessities of the colonies. The bill passed yesterday to a second reading, 112 to 54.
Domestic Occurrences.
PENNSYLVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA, AUG. 21.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
WE have lately had a number of arrivals from England, where we have now two Ministers Extraordinary, who have been sent with special instructions to endeavor to obtain an adjustment of the existing differences between the two nations. This is a subject of the first importance to every description of people in the United States, and one on which they ought to have whatever information is possessed by the government. Is it possible that so good a patriot and so faithful a Minister as Mr. MUNROE is represented to be, can be loitering away his time at the Court of St. JAMES without making a single effort to vindicate the honor and to secure the rights of his country? All our patriots and friends of the people will say, with one accord the supposition is inadmissible. We are compelled to ask then, what has he done for the last nine months more than receive his salary?—Where are his dispatches? Have our executive officers so little regard for the interests and the wishes of the people as to keep such important information locked up in their cabinets, without giving the least intimation of the progress of our negotiations, and the probable issue of them? Not a single communication from our Minister at the Court of Great-Britain has been made public since the commencement of our differences. It is true, that one of MUNROE's letters was sent to the House of Representatives last winter; but it was ordered to be returned the moment it had been read, and Mr. RANDOLPH informed us, that the contents were such as the dominant party dared not disclose to the people. From that time to this, we have not so much as heard whether we have a Minister in Great-Britain, except from the English newspapers.
AUG. 25.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Liverpool to his friend in Wilmington, (D.) dated June 19, 1806.
I HAVE just had the pleasure of handing on shore from the Diana from Baltimore, the family of our envoy Mr. Pinkney, who dropped in upon us quite unexpectedly this morning. His arrival appears to have diffused a general joy throughout this city, and has in a great measure dispelled the doubts which have been entertained by many, of a rupture between the two countries, ever since the affair of the
Leander transpired. To-morrow, I understand, the merchants of Liverpool intend giving an elegant entertainment. All the Americans displayed their flags on his landing, and shewed him every mark of respect in their power. From his manners and general character, I am induced to believe that our government could not have appointed a person better qualified for the task of conciliation. His having brought his lady & a large family of children with him, is a favourable omen, and impresses us with the idea of the confidence of our executive, in being able to bring our affairs to an amicable adjustment. For my own part I never entertained the smallest idea of their resorting to hostilities, but I assure you, that the majority of the people of England, as far as I can inform myself, viewed the business in a very serious point of view."
NATCHEZ, JULY 1.
The following very extraordinary circumstance occurred a few days since:—
At about two o'clock, P. M. an Indian was discovered by the family entering the south end of Col. Girault's lane. He drew their attention, being painted in an uncommon manner, his whole body appeared red, he held in his right hand a gun, which he brandished with many gesticulations, in his left a bottle; he was attended by two other Indians in rather a sober pace—At the opposite end of the lane some more Indians were discovered, among whom was a man painted in like manner, but unarmed; he was held and detained by a woman, but when the one brandishing his gun came within about twenty steps of him, he burst from the embrace of his wife and rushed towards his antagonist—at about four yards distance they both halted, when the unarmed one presented his naked breast to the other, who took deliberate aim, but appearing to recollect himself, he dropt his gun, took a drink from the bottle which was tied to his wrist—the other patiently and resolutely holding his breast open and presented all this time—having finished his drink and given a whoop, he took fresh aim, and in an instant the other dropt almost at his feet; this done, he loaded his gun with all possible speed, gave it to a bye stander (son to the deceased,) who then in turn bared and presented his breast, and was instantaneously sent into eternity.
The dead bodies were carried each the way they had come, and by their respective friends interred, one at each end of the lane; the wife and relatives of the unarmed one, who was first killed, howled over his remains three days and nights, they then disappeared—on Friday last they returned again, fired several guns on approaching the grave, gave a general howl about a quarter of an hour, and retired.
We learned from one among them who speaks broken English, that they had quarrelled over a bottle some considerable time ago, when the Indian who was first killed had his finger bit by the other, in such a manner, that his arm inflamed; he declared he was was "spoiled" and that they must both die, they agreed and formed the arrangement as related.
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
NEW-YORK, AUG. 25.
Distressing Information.
The following we yesterday received from our correspondent at Philadelphia:
"By the Endymion, arrived at the Lazaretto from Laguira, we have received the melancholy advice of the execution of the whole of the officers and crews of the 2 Schooners belonging to Miranda's squadron. They were first hung; then their heads taken off, and exposed on poles. Among the number of unfortunate victims to the sanguinary rage of the Spanish government, we have heard of several whose cases certainly claimed exemption from this cruel fate; one in particular, a young man belonging to New-York, who had been impressed by the British frigate, which boarded Miranda on his passage out from New-York. He was transferred from the frigate to one of Miranda's Schooners; and was thus forcibly enlisted in the cause, for which he has innocently forfeited his life! While we sympathise with the friends of the deceased, we participate with them in indignation at this barbarous outrage on humanity."
AUG. 28.
Loss of the ship Rose-in-Bloom.—It is with much regret we have to state the loss of the ship Rose-in-Bloom, commanded by Capt. S. Barker, bound from Charleston, to this port. This ship upset at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning last, off Barnegat, during the gale which was severely felt in this city. It is painful to state, that out of 49 persons on board, 21 were drowned—Gen. Macpherson, of Philadelphia, in saving the life of his daughter lost his own. On Monday, at 11 o'clock A. M. the survivors were taken off the wreck by the British brig Swift, Capt. Phelan, of St. Johns, and brought safe to this port.

The following are the names of the persons saved:
Captain Stephen Barker, Captain Oliver Chempin, Miss Eliza Macpherson, Hon. John Rutledge, Mr. L. Peiray, M. Brennan, Joseph W. Page, B. Booth, John Davis, D. Bouteur, H. Turner, N. Perry, D. Crocker.
Seamen.
Benjamin Brayton, W. Van Eighteen, John W. Gibbs, Randell Cornell, Lloyd B. Burt, John Hathway, Lewis Division, Lewis Riley, James Quin, Thomas Conly, William Cowan.
Men of Colour.
Baptiste Hagerdie, John Murray, Henry Davis—28 saved.
DROWNED.
Gen. Macpherson and servant, Mrs. Booth and Son, Mr. Clark, James Miller, jun. Thomas Tait, Henry Bowering, Doctor Ballard and servant, Mr. Bouteur's servant, Mr. D. Crocker's do.
Stowage passengers and seamen.
William Whitelege, John Forchs, D. M. Carty, William Robinson, Charles Bryce, Fortune Johnson, John Trusty, black, Adam Kuott, do. Harry Kid, do.—Drowned 21.
From the log-book of the ship Three-Sisters, Capt. Rofs, from St. Domingo, at the Philadelphia Lazaretto.
Thursday, 31st July, about 8 A. M. saw a sail standing for us, took her for a cruiser, and prepared for action, at 11 hauled up our courses, and hoisted our colours; at half past 1 P. M. being then within gun shot on our weather quarters, she hoisted English colours and fired a gun, supposed to be shotted; this being contrary to usage, Capt. Rofs ordered it to be returned, which was immediately done with two mines, but being loaded with round, grape, and canister, (intended for close work) they fell short; the brig ranged round our stern, and came on the larboard side, to lee-ward, fired pretty brisk, and her shot passing over us, one only falling close to the starboard quarter. We had ceased, in consequence of the doubt as to her first gun being shotted; her colours continuing, persuaded us she was an English government brig, and desirous of an explanation, our colours were lowered, and the boat hoisted out, her shot still flying between our masts. Confident we could overpower her, but from our bonds, obliged to avoid hostility in the uncertainty of the first shot, we bore down within pistol shot and sent to demand the reason of such unwarrantable conduct; but the moment she reached the brig, Mr. King-son and the 2 bands who went in the boat were ordered aft, obliged to sit down on deck, and forbid to speak, two black men who appeared to be French or Spaniards, with sabres, being sent to guard them. The captain observed "it was useless to look at the papers, he considered her a good prize, and would send her to Jamaica for trading with the Brigands" though he acknowledged afterwards on board our ship he had a few days before conveyed 3 English vessels under Danish colours, or passes as such from the Admiral, into Jeremie.—This language and conduct, together with the appearance of the crew, not more than 4 or 5 of whom appeared to speak English, led to a conclusion that she was a French privateer, which was further confirmed by the armourer being ordered to prepare irons! In vain was it remarked that the ship had been examined the evening before by the king's brig Morn Fortune, he was deaf to reason—every circumstance appeared more to confirm the belief of her being French. The ship's boat being sent back with an officer and eight hands, Capt. Rofs was very politely requested to go on board the brig, which not doubting she was an English government vessel he agreed to. The captain of the brig asked him how he came to fire; to which Capt. Rofs replied "he had only returned the compliment, regretting he had not given him more of it, since his moderation was so treated;" the captain of the brig said "it was useless to talk, the ship should go to Jamaica;" he then desired Mr. K. to go with him on board the ship (not knowing his connexion with her as owner) this he gladly did, and as soon as they got on board, Mr. K. told him he was his prisoner, received his sword and the arms of his men, requesting them to go below, with assurance they should not be hurt:
The command of the ship was then given to Capt. Jacobson, a gentleman passenger, who ordered sail and every
preparation made to compel the brig to strike if requisite: (Capt. Rofs at the same time observing something going forward, was ready to make a diversion with the men on board the brig) but preferring mild means if possible her commander was then asked "if he would come on deck, bail his vessel and order his first officer to send his boat, with Capt. Rofs, his papers, and men on board, which being done, he was assured he should have leave to return on board his brig." This treaty being readily agreed, he bailed the "Atkinson" ordering what was desired. Capt. Rofs returned on board, and immediately presented Capt. Martin his sword, observing to him "Sir, I believe now that your brig may be an English vessel, but your conduct in firing so great a number of shot after we had ceased, is totally inconsistent with English manners, or the laws of war, even had I been an enemy: We will however now take a glass of wine together, and then you are at liberty to return on board with all your people, and act as you think proper; but if I had not been dissuaded from it, instead of what happened, I would have laid along side your brig, and probably you would have suffered severely."
Capt. Martin returned on board his brig, and we parted about 7 o'clock, P. M. She carried 12 guns, (2 eighteens in the waist) and 55 men.
Thursday, 4th August, brought too by his Britannic Majesty's frigate Redbridge, all ready for action—an officer came and demanded the captain to go on board with his papers; Capt. Rofs answered, "he should not quit his ship, but the gentleman might examine all the papers"—he seemed dissatisfied, and to prevent any thing more disagreeable, Mr. K. said he would go, and accordingly went, and after showing the register and sea letter, the captain wished the ship a safe arrival to a good market.
MASSACHUSETTS.
PORTLAND, AUG. 21.
More Gun-Boats.
We learn, that Commodore PREBLE has received orders from the Secretary of the Navy, to commence the building of Eight Gun boats, which are to be launched by the last of November next. Five of which will be built at Portland, and three in Brunswick.
WARREN:
SATURDAY, AUG. 30, 1806.
VOTES FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS—As far as has been received.
   WILBOURNE. KNIGHT. ARNOLD. HUNTER. HAZARD.     County of Newport.   Newport 121 127 165 195 4   Portsmouth 62 62 91 91 1   New- Shoreham   James Town 2 0 5 5 15   Middletown 25 27 10 10 2   Fiverton 40 40 7 7 0   Little Compton 70 67 30 30 1   County of Providence.   Providence 68 65 253 244 0   Smithfield 64 64 80 80 0   Scituate 102 102 28 28 0   Gloucester 110 98 54 42 2   Cumberland 53 56 67 67 3   Cranston 108 117 20 12 4   Johnston 50 50 14 14 0   N. Providence 22 22 46 46 0   Foster 95 95 55 55 0   County of Washington.   Westerly 38 38 32 31 1   N. Kingstown 62 109 29 29 47   S. Kingstown 7 96 16 60 133   Charlestown 1 25 33 10 51   Exeter 54 55 13 14 2   Richmond   Hopkinton   County of Bristol.   Bristol 55 55 21 22 0   Warren 63 63 17 17 0   Barrington 16 16 39 39 0   County of Kent.   Warwick 84 84 88 89 0   E. Greenwich 16 11 60 40 0   W. Greenwich   Coventry 78 72 92 92 0   Totals 1456 1616 1365 1360 266  
MIRANDA'S ENTERPRISE.
We have conversed with a gentleman who left Trinidad about the time MIRANDA failed from thence on his enterprise.—The troops he had been able to embody were not numerous; but they were confident of success.—The number did not exceed 500; though more were expected.—The squadron consisted of seven or eight armed vessels, and it was said they were to rendezvous at Margareta, an island off the Spanish Main coast, previous to the descent on the Main. A few South-Americans had joined MIRANDA at Trinidad and it was reported, 20,000 were in arms, in the Caraccas and Oumana, ready to aid him. They had received
accounts from the Americans taken in the Schooners; who were treated as prisoners of war. It was reported that some French troops had proceeded from Guadalupe to assist the Spaniards against MIRANDA.
BRITISH AND FRENCH SQUADRONS.
The situation of the squadron seen by Capt. LEWIS, the 10th August, and supposed to have been JEROME BONAPARTE's, should have been stated in lat. 33 o , 30', long. 67 o , 30'.—JEROME's squadron was seen the 2d August, off Long-Island, in about lat. 40 o , long. 73 o .—If the squadron seen by Capt. LEWIS was JEROME's, he may be retracing his course back to the West-Indies.
A Jamaica paper of July 26, states, that on the 17th July, the Serpent sloop of war, fell in with Admiral WARREN's squadron in the Mona Passage; and learnt that she should steer to the northward, in hopes of intercepting WILLAUMEZ's squadron on its return to Europe.
A dreadful accident occurred, on the 22d inst. in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. A man having with him in a chair three children, the horse suddenly became frightened, ran away with the chair, and dashed it to pieces. One of the children, a girl about 7 years of age, was most horribly mangled, and will probably lose both her legs; the second, a boy, had his arm shattered; and the third is seriously wounded by the wheel running over his body. We do not understand that the man was much injured.
MARRIED.
In this town, on Sunday afternoon, by the Rev. LUTHER BAKER, Mr. MARTIN SALISBURY, to Miss ELIZABETH COLE, eldest daughter of Col. Benjamin Cole.
DIED.
At Barrington, on Wednesday the 20th inst. in the 59th year of his age, Mr. JOSHUA KENT, and on Friday following his remains were decently interred after a suitable and well adapted address by the Rev. Mr. Watson, on a preparation for death. Mr. Kent has left a widow and twelve children to view (by this dispensation) the uncertainty of humane life.
SHIP NEWS.
STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND.
DISTRICT OF NEWPORT.
ENTERED, FROM Sloop Golden Age, Justin, New-York Polly, Norris, Guadalupe CLEARED, FOR Sloop Fame, Bliss, New-York Caroline, Childs, Bolton Snow Neptune, Hudson, Africa
DISTRICT OF PROVIDENCE.
ENTERED, FROM Sloop Hancock, Crapon, New-York Schr. Patty, Atterton, Macias CLEARED, FOR Brig Juno, Bates, Montevideo
Arrived this morning, ship Commerce, Cole, of this port, in 37 days from Isle-de-Mayo. Spoke, August 16th, in lat. 29, 34, long. 61, 58, brig Flora, Sawyer, of Boston.
The brig Stork, of Bristol (R. I.) taken by the British privateer schr. Redbridge, and carried into New-Providence, has been condemned.
BOSTON, AUG. 22.
Arrived, brig Tar-Abby, Newfoundland 71; Fame, Merchant, Halifax 8. The Fame was bound from hence to Labrador, for a cargo of oil to take to a foreign port, and was detained by a British cruiser and carried into Halifax, on a charge of being bound on a smuggling voyage. On trial she was acquitted, and the prosecutors were condemned to pay the costs. Capt. M. has besides commenced a suit for 8000 dollars for the interruption of his voyage. The above decision is understood to show, that a voyage to Labrador for oil, with supplies for the fishermen, is legal.
Passengers in the Fame—Capt. Church, of the Herkimer, from Lima for New-York, and Capt. Doble, of the Hope, from New-York for Bordeaux, reserved for further proof.
The following was communicated by Captain Church, from Halifax:
"The Herkimer was condemned by the court, ship and cargo. They also condemned my adventure, amounting to 4000 dollars. One powerful reason for condemning the adventure was, that 2440 was in specie, which the captors say they never think of giving up. They have liberated several vessels without trial, making the claimants pay all costs. If they bring them to trial they are sure to make them pay all costs, should vessel and cargo be cleared."
"The brig Hope, Doble, was brought to trial on the 9th of August. After reading the papers it was agreed between the judge and lawyers, that this vessel should lay over for further proof. The judge said it was a case deeply suspected of fraud; had the counsel for the captors urged it, he was of opinion they were entitled to a decree of condemnation."
"The schr. Fame, Merchant, was seized by a revenue cutter, under suspicion that she was going to smuggle. So sanguine were they of having her condemnation, that they brought her in and discharged her cargo before trial, without first obtaining permission from the court. This affronted the judge so much, that he cleared the schooner, and, strange to tell, decreed the captors to pay costs."
"On the last court day previous to my leaving Halifax, was brought on for trial, 10 tons of cocoa, belonging to a Portuguese gentleman, taken in a Spanish brig, from Caracas for Cadiz. The counsel for the captors plead that the cocoa was from an enemy's colony, going to the mother country of that enemy, under an enemy's flag, and of course was subject to condemnation. The judge, in making up his decree said, that from the particular friendship existing between the Portuguese government and that of Great-Britain, he decreed this property to be restored."
"This is the conduct of what they are pleased to call their just judge at Halifax. All
he principal result is, there is no use in appealing from judge Coke's decisions, for in no case, as they have his judgments been reversed. He is an independent man, they add, not to be influenced by any one; and above bribery, as he receives 2000l. per annum."
DELARUE and SMITH'S DANCING ACADEMY.
LOUIS Benjamin Joseph Delarue, and William Henry Smith, have the honour to present their compliments to the inhabitants of Bristol and Warren, and inform them, that their DANCING SCHOOL will begin in September next at both places.
They will begin their School in Bristol the first day of September, and will be held every Monday from 9 till 12 o'Clock, A. M. and from 3 till 6 o'Clock, P. M. and from 7 till 10 o'Clock in the Evening at Mr. BAKER's Hotel. Their terms are Seven Dollars per Quarter, and Five Dollars for those who attend only in the Evening School.
They will likewise open their School in Warren, the 2d Day of September, and the day of Tuition will be every Tuesday, from 9 till 12 o'Clock, A. M. and from 2 till 5 o'Clock, P. M. at Col. COLE's Hall. Their terms are Six Dollars per Quarter, of which Three Dollars will be paid in advance by each Scholar at the first day of tuition in both places, and the rest at the end of the quarter. Both Masters will be present to the tuition, and they will endeavour to merit the esteem and approbation of their Patrons, by the attention they will pay to the improvement of their Pupils in that elegant branch of education.
N. B.—Those who wish to attend their School will apply to Mr. JAMES LA BARON, in Bristol, and to Mr. JOHN PHILLIPS, in Warren, which hold Subscription papers. August 22, 1806. 3w
NEW GOODS,
Just received and now opening for Sale, by
ELIZABETH CROADE,
a few well chosen Goods, being of the latest Importations and newest Fashions, calculated to please the fancy of every one.
N. B. She invites her customers, friends and the Public, to call and see. *August 16, 1806.
WHEREAS, RUFUS FRINK, my Husband, has left my bed and board, and behaved in an unbecoming manner; I therefore forbid all Persons harbouring or trusting him on my account, as I will not pay any Debts of his contracting after this date. BETSEY FRINK. Rehoboth, Aug. 29, 1806.
FOR SALE, BY
6C. WHEATON & Wm. CARR, 2 Puncheons good flavored 3d Proof Antigua RUM. 9 Hogheads excellent retailing MOLASSES. *WARREN, AUG. 22, 1806.
Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court County of Bristol. BRISTOL, S.
THE Creditors of ABRAHAM WARREN, of Bristol, in the County of Bristol, Housewright, an Insolvent Debtor, are hereby notified, that they may appear if they see fit, before the Supreme Judicial Court, to be holden at Bristol, in and for said County on the second Monday of September, then and there to nominate Assignees or Commissioners, pursuant to the Act for the relief of Insolvent Debtors passed A. D. 1756, the benefit whereof has been extended to the said Abraham, by a special Act of the General Assembly.
DANIEL BRADFORD, jun. Clerk of the S. J. Court. BRISTOL, AUG. 9, 1806.
FOR SALE,
THE staunch and well Built Brig COMMERCE, Burthen 106 Tons, now lying at the Wharf of Charles Collins, Esq. and can be fitted for sea at a small expence.—Apply to HENRY SISSON. *Warren, July 25, 1806.
ALL persons indebted to JOSIAM MUNRO by book or note, are requested to make immediate payment to the Subscriber; an Assignment of all his property being made for the express purpose of a speedy settlement with all concerned. N. M. BURR, Assignee. *Warren, July 4, 1806.
BROKE into the enclosure of the Subscriber on the 28th ult. Two STEERS and One HEIFER.—The owner or owners are requested to prove Property pay charges and take them away. DAVID MASON. *Rehoboth, Aug. 9, 1806.
FOR SALE, BY
RUFUS & NATHAN M. BURR, 65 puncheons 3d proof Rum, Coarse Rock Salt, for the Diary, 14 half bbls. Mefs Mutton, 20 nest Molasses Casks, 2 bbls. R. Beef. Terms of payment liberal. Inquire of the above. *Warren, May 10, 1806.

APOLLO'S FOUNT.
From the BOSTON WEEKLY MAGAZINE.
THE MISANTHROPES.
FAR from the noise and tumults of the world, In a deserted vale, did Shalum dwell— Detach'd from man, he was from vice detach'd; No strife, no quarrels, had he e'er to quell.
Beneath a cragged rock, a little hut, Built by himself, of brush and bark of trees— A bag of oyster shells, on which to sleep— All these were Shalum's, far happy Shalum these.
Before the sun he ever used to rise, Compell'd against his will to quit his shells; Rarely he slept, the hungry crows without Did so assail his ears with hideous yells.
"Voluptuary" oft he would exclaim, Eating soup compos'd of logwood chips; "Know you but little of contentment, safe; Of luxury less," he'd cry, and smack his lips.
Oft on his shells—"when death hath snatch'd me No hypocrite for me shall shed a tear, [hence, I have no children, to disturb my peace; No wife, thank God, to cry, my love, my dear."
So Shalum liv'd, unknown, unthought, unseen, Save by the fowls without, owls, crows, and jays. Thus Shalum liv'd; and thus, O God, let me In a deserted vale—not spend my days.
A MAXIM.
TWO easy things will satisfy mankind, An easy FORTUNE, and an easy MIND: But the one thing, that gives a man content, Is a good CONSCIENCE from a life well spent!
THE NOVELIST.
From the BOSTON WEEKLY MAGAZINE.
PROVIDENCE; OR, THE SHIPWRECK.
IT was a dreadful storm. The wind blowed full on the sea-shore, rolled tremendous waves on the beach, while the half sunk rocks at the entrance of the bay were enveloped in a mist of white foam. A ship appeared in the offing, driving impetuous under her bare poles to land; now tilting aloft on the surging waves, now plunging into the intervening hollows. Present- ly she rushed among the rocks and there struck, the billows beating over her deck, and climbing up her shattered rigging. "Mercy! mercy!" ex- claimed an ancient Solitary, as he view- ed from a cliff the dismal scene. It was in vain. The ship fell on her side and was seen no more.
Soon, however, a small dark ob- ject appeared coming from the rocks towards the shore; at first dimly de- scribed through the foam, then quite plain as it rode on the summit of a wave, then for a time totally lost. It approached, and showed itself to be a boat with men in it rowing for their lives. The Solitary hastened down to the beach, and in all the agonizing vicissitudes of hope and fear, watched its advance. At length, after the most imminent hazards, the boat was thrown most violently on the shore, and the drooping half-dead mariners crawled out to the dry land.
"Heaven be praised!" cried the Solitary; "what a providential es- cape!" And he led the poor men to his cell, where kindling a good fire, and bringing out his little store of pro- vision, he restored them to health and spirits. "And are you six men the only ones saved?" said he. That we are," answered one of them. "Three score and fifteen men, women, and children, were in the ship when she struck. You may think what a clam- our and confusion there was: Women clinging to their husband's necks, and children hanging about their clothes, all shrieking, crying, and pray- ing! There was no time to be lost. We got out the small boat in a twink- ling; jumped in, without staying for our captain, who was fool enough to be minding the passengers; cut the rope and pushed away just time enough to be clear of the ship as she went down: and here we are all alive and merry!" An oath concluded his speech. The Solitary was shocked, and could not help secretly wishing that it had pleased Providence to have saved some of the innocent passengers, rather than these reprobates.
The sailors having got what they could, departed, scarcely thanking their benefactor, and marched up the coun- try. Night came on. They descried a light at some distance, and made up to it. It proceeded from the window of a good looking house, surrounded with a farm-yard and garden. They knocked at the door, and in a su- pi-
cating tone made known their distress, and begged relief. They were ad- mitted, and treated with compassion and hospitality. In the house were the mistress, her children and women-ser- vants, an old man and a boy: the mas- ter was abroad. The sailors, sitting round the kitchen fire, whispered to each other that here was an opportun- ity of making a booty that would am- ply compensate for the loss of clothes and wages. They settled their plan; and on the old man's coming with logs to the fire, one of them broke his skull with the poker, and laid him dead. Another took up a knife which had been brought with the loaf and cheese, and running after the boy, who was making his escape out of the house, stabbed him to the heart. The rest locked the doors, and after tying all the women and children, began to ran- sack the house. One of the children continuing to make loud exclama- tions, a fellow went and strangled it. They had nearly finished packing up such of the most valuable things as they could carry off, when the master of the house came home. He was a smuggler as well as a farmer, and had just returned from an expedition, leav- ing his companions and goods at a neighbouring public house. Surprised at finding the doors locked, and at seeing lights moving about in the cham- bers, he suspected somewhat amiss: and upon listening, he heard strange voices, and saw some of the sailors through the windows. He hastened back to his companions, and brought them with him just as the robbers opened the door and were coming out with their pillage, having first set fire to the house in order to conceal what they had done. The smuggler and his friends let fly their blunderbusses in the midst of them, and then running fowards, seized the survivors and se- cured them. The villains were next day led to prison amidst the curses of the neighbourhood.
The good Solitary, on hearing of the event, at first exclaimed, "What a wonderful interference of Providence to punish guilt and protect innocence!" Pausing a while, he added, "Yet had Providence thought fit to have drown- ed these sailors in their passage from the ship, where they left so many bet- ter people to perish, the lives of three innocent persons would have been sav- ed, and these wretches would have died without such accumulated ignominy. On the other hand, had the master of the house been at home, instead of fol- lowing a lawless and desperate trade, he would perhaps have perished with all his family, and the villains have es- caped with their booty. What am I to think of all this?" Thus pensive and perplexed he laid him down to rest, and after sometime spent in gloomy reflections, fell asleep.
In this dream he fancied himself seated on the top of a high mountain, where he was accosted by a venerable figure in long white garments, who ask- ed him the cause of the melancholy expressed on his countenance. "It is," said he, "because I am unable to reconcile the decrees of Providence with my ideas of wisdom and justice." "That," replied the stranger, "is probably because thy notions of Prov- idence are narrow and erroneous.— Thou seekest it in particular events, and dost not raise thy survey to the great whole. Every occurrence in the universe is providential, because it is the consequence of those laws which divine wisdom has established as most productive of the general good. But to select individual facts as more di- rected by the hand of Providence than others, because we think we see a par- ticular good purpose answered by them, in an infallible inlet to error and su- perstition. Follow me to the edge of this cliff." He seemed to follow.
"Now look down," said the stranger, "and tell me what thou seest." "I see," replied the Solitary, "a hawk darting amidst a flock of small birds, one of which he has caught, while the others escape." "And canst thou think," rejoined the stranger, "that the single bird, made a prey of
by the hawk, lies under any particular doom of Providence, or that those which fly away are more the objects of divine favour than it? Hawks by na- ture were made to feed upon living prey, and were endowed with strength and swiftness to enable them to over- take and master it. Thus life is sac- rificed to the support of life. But to this destruction limits are set. The small birds are much more numerous and prolific than the birds of prey; and though they cannot resist his force, they have dexterity and nimbleness of flight sufficient in general to elude his pursuit. It is in this balance that the wisdom of Providence is seen, and what can be a greater proof of it, than that both species, the destroyer and his prey, have subsisted together from the first creation. Now look again, and tell me what thou seest."
"I see," said the Solitary, "a thick black cloud gathering in the sky. I hear the thunder rolling from side to side of the vault of heaven. I behold the red lightning darting from the bosom of darkness. Now it has fallen on a stately tree and shattered it to pieces, striking to the ground an ox sheltered at its foot. Now it falls again in the midst of a flock of timor- ous sheep, and several of them are left on the plain;—and see! the shepherd himself lies extended by their side. Now, it strikes a lofty spire, and at the same time sets in a blaze an humble cottage beneath. It is an awful and terrible sight!"
"It is so returned the stranger, "but what dost thou conclude from it? Dost thou not know, that from the genial heat, which gives life to plants and animals, and ripens the fruits of the earth, proceeds this electoral fire, which ascending to the clouds, and charging them beyond what they are able to contain, is launched again in burning bolts to the earth? Must it leave its direct course to strike the tree rather than the dome of worship, or to spend its fury on the herd rather than the herdsman? Millions of millions of living creatures have owed their birth to this active element; and shall we think it strange if a few meet their deaths from it? Thus the mountain torrent that rushes down to fertilize the plain, in its course may sweep away the works of human industry, and man himself with them; but could its ben- efits be purchased at another price?"
"All this," said the Solitary, "I tolerably comprehend; but may I presume to ask whence have proceed- ed the moral evils of the painful scenes of yesterday? What good end is an- swered by making man the scourge of man, and preserving the guilty at the cost of the innocent?"
"That, too," replied the vener- able stranger, "is a consequence of the same wise laws of Providence. If it was right to make man a creature of habit, and render those things easy to him with which he is most familiar, the sailor must of course be better able to shift for himself in a shipwreck than the passenger; while that self-love which is essential to the preservation of life, must in general, cause him to con- sult his own safety preferable to that of others. The same force of habit, in a way of life full of peril and hardship, must conduce to form a rough, bold and unfeeling character. This, under the direction of principle, will make a brave man; without it a robber and a murderer. In the latter case, human laws step in to remove the evil which they have not been able to prevent.— Wickedness meets with the fate which sooner or later always awaits it; and innocence, though occasionally a suf- ferer, is proved in the end to be the surest path to happiness."
"But," resumed the Solitary, "can it be said, that the lot of inno- cence is always preferable to that of guilt in this world?"
"If it cannot," replied the other, "thinkest thou that the Almighty is unable to make retribution in a future world? Dismiss then from thy mind the care of single events, secure that the great whole is ordered for the best.— Expect not a particular interposition of
heaven, because such an interposition would seem to thee seasonable. Thou, perhaps, would stop the vast machine of the universe to save a fly from being crushed under its wheels. But innum- erable flies and men are crushed every day, and yet the grand motion goes on, to fulfil the benevolent inten- tions of its author."
He ceased, and sleep on a sudden left the eyelids of the Solitary. He looked abroad from his cell, and be- held all nature smiling around him.— The rising sun shone on a clear sky. Birds were sporting in the air, and fish glancing on the surface of the waters. Fleets were pursuing their steady course, gently wafted by the pleasant breeze. Light fleecy clouds were sail- ing over the blue expanse of heaven. His soul sympathised with the scene, and peace and joy filled his bosom.
FEMALE COURAGE.
WITH respect to courage, the author of L'Apologie de beau Sexe , re- lates a story, which, if true, has seldom been equalled by man. A servant girl of Lisle, remarkable for her fearless disposition, laid a wager, that she would go into a charnel-house, at mid- night, without a light, and bring from thence a dead man's skull. Accord- ingly at the time appointed, she went; but the person with whom she had made the bet, intending to terrify her, had gone before, and hid himself in the place. When he heard her descend and take up the skull, he called out, in a hollow, dismal voice, "Leave me my head!" The girl, instead of dis- covering any symptoms of horror or fright, very coolly laid it down, and said, "Well, there it is, then!" and took up another; upon which the voice again repeated, "Leave me my head!" But the heroic girl, observing it, was the same voice that had called before, answered in her country dialect, "Nee, nee, friend, yo' cannot ha' two yeads!"
SHORT LESSONS OF ADVICE.
LOVE your fellow creatures, though vicious; but hate vice in the friend you love most.
Never fish for praise—it is not worth the bait. Do well, but do not boast of it.
The greatest pleasure of life is love —the greatest treasure is contentment— and the greatest possession is health.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE Subscriber hereby gives no- tice, that there will be sold at PUBLIC AUCTION, in Somerset, Mass. on Monday the First day of December next, at 11 o'Clock, A. M. the following real Estates belonging to the heirs of SIMEON POTTER, Esq. late of Swanzey, deceased, viz.
THE very pleasantly situated MAN- SION HOUSE, being the well known seat of the late Henry Bowers, Esq. with the out Ho- uses and Eighty ACRES of Land adjoining, all under good improvement and well fenced with Stone-Wall. This seat presents one of the best views on the River, and is in the very heart of Somerset.
THE DWELLING-HOUSE, STORES and WHARF, heretofore belonging to Mr. Lloyd Bowers, this is confessedly the best stand in Somerset for Business. The Stores are ample and convenient, the Wharf is in good repair and well built, is at the head of the deep navi- gable water, and at ordinary Tides, Vessels of 200 Tons will float along side.
THE MANSION-HOUSE and LOT whereon it stands, fronting the Main-Street, and very conveniently situated for Business, her- etofore the property of Mr. Caleb Bowers, sub- ject to a right of Dower.
A TEN ACRE LOT at the head of broad Cove, a WOOD LOT of 12 Acres, and another of Three Acres. The above Estates will be Sold entire or in Lots as shall suit pur- chasers.—The Terms of Sale will be made known at the Time and Place of sale, which will be on the Premises. For any information that may be wanted about the Premises, apply to Mr. David Anthony, of Somerset.—By Or- der and in behalf of the Heirs of Col. Simeon Potter.
WILLIAM D'WOLFE, Agent for the Heirs.
*BRISTOL, JUNE 13, 1806.
NOTICE.
ALL Persons any ways indebted to the Estate of
NATHANIEL MARTIN,
late of Barrington, Esquire, deceased, are re- quested to make immediate payment to the Subscribers, Executors to the last Will and Tes- tament of said NATHANIEL: And those who have any demands against said Estate are also requested to exhibit the same to
CALVIN MARTIN, } Executors ANDERSON MARTIN, } *Barrington, March 8, 1806. (6m.)