The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1788-08-14 00:00:00

NEW-HAMPSHIRE
AND
GENERAL
THURSDAY,
PORTSMOUTH:
By JOHN MELCHER,
GAZETTE, THE ADVERTISER.
AUGUST 14, 1788.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN MARKET-STREET.
"WHEN ANGRY NATIONS PART IN LEAGUES OF PEACE, LET PRIVATE FEUDS AND CIVIL DISCORDS CEASE."
AN ACT
Passed February 13th, 1788,
For repealing an act passed February the twenty-seventh, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-three, to extend a Resolve of the General-Court, passed the tenth day of November, A. D. 1779, prohibiting the sale of lands belonging to persons who have absented themselves from this and any other of the United States, and gone over to our enemies, for taxes to lands belonging to the subjects of Great-Britain, and for preventing the sale of all such lands for taxes.
WHEREAS the before recited act, if continued in force, will be very injurious to the good people of this state, and the reasons for passing the same having ceased,
Therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL-COURT convened, That the said act, every part and clause thereof be and hereby are repealed.
The RURAL TASTE of a LONDON TRADESMAN'S WIFE, humourously exposed.
[From the St. JAMES'S Chronicle]
"SIR,
NEVER was any poor devil of a husband plagued in the manner I am with the singularities of a wife. You must know, sir, though her father was a carcase-butcher in White-chapel, though she was educated at a boarding-school in Thames-street, and never travelled farther than Bethnal-green, or Hoxton, or Hackney, or Newington-Butts, yet she affects such a taste and passion for the country, as would have ruined the patience of all the heathen philosophers put together: every room in my house, from the cellar to the garrets, bears testimony of her rural ideas in some way or other: the leads of my house, and the rails of the windows, are crowded with pots and pans, and vegetables, and ever-greens, like the shop of a botanist or seedsman. When I go into the kitchen, I find the light, which is none of the liveliest at the best, totally shut out by a range of physic phials huddled together as close as they can stick, and filled with mint, to give the windows a rural appearance. Then, sir, the dining room windows, in summer time, are so crossed and crowded with pack-threads fastened like bars from the top to the bottom of them, that if it were not for the French Beans which cluster
round the strings, it would enliven my mind with the pleasing imagination of being cooped up in a spunging house. Every chimney-corner is then set out, as it is called, with bough pots, and not a china jar in my house escapes an ornament from Covent Garden market. I have been, you must know, severely lectured for this week past, for spoiling a charming bed of parsley, as my wife calls it, upon the leads, while I was giving a bricklayer orders to make some repairs to the chimney; and what is still more provoking, upon enquiring for my best wig box, a few days ago, I was told by the maid, that the box was put to a much better use, for that her mistress had sown a small salad in it of mustard and cress, which would be fit to be cut in a few days. Sir, this passion for the vegetable world is so predominant in my wife's mind, that not a broken chamber-pot is free from some cultivation or other: as I hope to be saved, she had some time since a geranium in full blossom, which, to save expense, was stuck fast in a c—e (—) pan; a myrtle in a butter firkin; an orange-tree in a washing-tub; a tulip in a salt-box; and a young gooseberry bush in a punch-bowl. Nay, to such a pitch of extravagance does this enthusiastic help-mate of mine carry this gardening taste of her's that the house was thrown into convulsions three days ago, upon a report that the cat had kittened upon the grass-plot, which grew upon the top shelf of the pantry. Then, sir, to add to my vexation, I have had the happiness to be threatened with an indictment for being a nuisance to my neighbours and the public, as hardly a week passes without some pan or pot tumbling upon the heads of passengers, and doing some mischief or other. If I expostulate, I have no taste; if I threaten, I have no humanity; if I coax her, I have no influence; and if I give way to her, I can expect no comfort. My very bed room in summer, sir, is so filled with flowers, that I am in nightly dread of being perfumed to death before morning. Then I never must stir out without a noseday in my button hole, because it makes so rural and so countrified an appearance. In short, what with rural smells and rural conversation, rural ornaments and rural nonsense of one kind or another, my patience is quite exhausted: therefore I take this public method of giving my wife warning, that unless there is a thorough reformation in her manners, I am determined to assert some spirit, to turn the grass-plot out of the house at a minute's notice, send the parsley-bed into the dust-tub, pack up
her shrubbery in an hamper, and restore my wig box to its proper use.
I am, sir, your's, &amp;c.
HOMO.
For the New-Hampshire Gazette.
On the KINGDOM of CHINA.
(Continued from Gazette July 17)
IN China, the beauty of a country seat consists in its being happily situated, surrounded with an agreeable variety of cultivated fields, and interspersed with trees planted irregularly, and with some heaps of a porous stone, which at a distance have the appearance of rocks or mountains.
The hills are generally cut into terraces, supported by dry walls.—Here there are reservoirs, constructed with ingenuity, for the reception of rain and spring water. It is not uncommon to see the bottom, summit, & declivity of a hill watered by the same canal, by means of a number of engines of a simple construction, which save manual labour, and perform with two men what could not be done with a thousand in the ordinary way. These heights commonly yield three crops in a year. They are first sown with a kind of radish, which produces an oil, then with cotton, and after that with potatoes. This is the common method of culture, but the rule is not without exception.
Upon most of the mountains, which incapable of being cultivated for the subsistence of man, proper trees are planted for building houses or ships. Many of them contain iron, tin, and copper mines, sufficient to supply the empire. The gold mines have been neglected, either because their produce did not defray the expence of working them, or because the gold dust, washed down by the torrents, was found sufficient for the purpose of exchange.
The sandy plains, saved from the ravages of the ocean, which changes its bed as rivers do their course, in a space of time so exactly proportioned to their different moments, that a small encroachment of the sea causes a thousand revolutions on the surface of the globe, form at this day, the provinces of Nankin & Ichekiung, which are the finest in the empire.—As the Egyptians checked the course of the Nile, the Chinese have repulsed, restrained and given laws to the ocean. They have re-united to the continent, tracts of land which had been disjointed by this element. They still exert their endeavours to oppose that overruling effect of the earth's motion, which in conformity with the celestial system drives the ocean from east to west. To the action of the globe the Chinese oppose the labors
of industry: and while nations the most celebrated in history, have by the rage of conquest increased the ravages that time is perpetually making upon this globe, they exert such efforts to retard the progress of universal devastation, as might appear supernatural, if daily experience did not afford us strong evidence to the contrary.
To the improvements of land, this nation adds, if we may be allowed the expression, the improvement of the water. The rivers, which communicate with each other by canals, and run under the walls of most of the towns, present us with the prospect of floating cities, composed of an infinite number of boats filled with people, who live constantly upon the water, and whose sole employment is fishing. The sea itself is covered with numberless vessels; whose masts, at a distance, appear like moving forests. Anson mentions it as a reproach to the fishermen belonging to these boats, that they did not give themselves a moment's intermission from their work to look at his ship, which was the largest that had ever anchored in those latitudes, but this inattention to an object which appeared to a Chinese sailor to be of no use, though it was in the way of his profession, is perhaps a proof of the happiness of a people, who prefer business to matters of mere curiosity.
(To be continued.)
Some remarks on the modern manner of preaching.
MEN of real sense and understanding, prefer a prudent mediocrity to a precarious popularity; and, fearing to overdo their duty, leave it half undone. Their discourses from the pulpit are generally dry, methodical, and unaffecting; delivered with the most insipid calmness, insomuch, that should the peaceful preacher lift his head over the cushion, which alone he seems to address, he might discover his audience, instead of being awakened into remorse, actually sleeping over his methodical and laboured composition.
This method of preaching is however, by some called an address to reason, and not to the passions; this is stiled the making of converts from conviction; but such are indifferently acquainted with human nature, who are not sensible, that men seldom reason about their debaucheries till they are committed; reason is but a weak antagonist when headlong passion dictates; in all such cases we should arm one passion against another; it is with the human mind as in nature, from the mix-

ture of two opposites the result is most frequent neutral tranquility. Those who attempt to reason us out of our follies, begin at the wrong end, since the attempt naturally presupposes us capable of reason; but to be made capable of this, is one great point of the cure.
There are few talents requisite to become a popular preacher, for the people are easily pleased if they perceive any endeavours in the orator to please them: the meanest qualifications will work this effect, if the preacher sincerely sets about it. Perhaps little, very little, more is required, than sincerity and assurance; and a becoming sincerity is always certain of producing a becoming assurance. Si vis me flere, dolendum est primum ipsi tibi , is so trite a quotation, that it almost demands an apology to repeat it; yet tho' all allow the justice of the remark, how few do we find put it in practice; our orators, with most faulty bashfulness, seem impressed rather with an awe of their audience, than with a just respect to the truth they are about to deliver; they of all professions seem the most bashful, who have the greatest right to glory in their commission.
The French preachers generally assume all the dignity, which becomes men who are ambassadors from Christ; the English divines, like erroneous envoys, seem more solicitous not to offend the court to which they are sent, than to drive home the interests of their employer. The bishop of Massillon, in the first sermon he ever preached, found the whole audience, upon his getting into the pulpit, in a disposition no way favourable to his intentions; their nods, whispers, and drowsy behaviour, shewed him that there was no great profit to be expected from his sowing in a soil so improper: however, he soon changed the disposition of his audience by his manner of beginning:—"If, says he, a cause, the most important that could be conceived, were to be tried at the bar before qualified judges; if this cause interested ourselves in particular; if the eyes of the whole kingdom were fixed upon the event; if the most eminent council were employed on both sides, and if we had heard from our infancy of this yet undetermined trial; would you not sit with due attention, and warm expectation, to the pleadings on each side? Would not all your hopes and fears be hinged upon the final decision? And yet, let me tell you, you have this moment a cause of much greater importance before you, a cause where not one nation, but all the world are spectators, tried not before a fallible tribunal, but the awful throne of heaven, where not your temporal and transitory interests are the subject of debate, but your eternal happiness or misery; where the cause is still undetermined, but, perhaps, the very moment I am speaking may fix the irrecoverable decree, that shall last forever; and yet, notwithstanding all this, you can hardly sit with patience to hear the tidings of your own salvation; I plead the cause of heaven, and yet I am scarcely attended to, &c." The stile, the abruptness of a beginning like this
in the closet would appear absurd, but in the pulpit it is attended with the most lasting impression; that style, which in the closet might justly be called flimsy, seems the true mode of eloquence here. I never read a fine composition under the title of a sermon, that I do not think the author has miscalled his piece; for the talents to be used in writing well, entirely differ from those of speaking well.
PHILADELPHIA, July 15.
This morning, in pursuance of an arbitrary edict from the supreme court, was committed to prison, without being permitted either a trial by jury, bail or mainprize, sentenced to be confined for one month and pay a fine of ten pounds, for the imaginary offence of writing and publishing his sentiments, constitutionally, as a free man, which was maliciously construed into a contempt of court, that assertor of the rights of mankind, in the liberty of the press, Col. E. OSWALD.
He was escorted by a respectable multitude of his fellow citizens, who laid aside the contracted prejudices arising from the different sentiments of federal and anti-federal, and all joined in the common cause of freedom, in testimony of their approbation to him and disapprobation of his persecutors, by giving him three cheers at his entrance into prison.
OB LIBERTY, how art thou falling! SHIP NEWS.
Friday last arrived here the Ship Sally, Capt. Hopkins, from France. By this vessel we learn, that the unhappy commotions in that kingdom have not yet subsided.
MIDDLETOWN, (Conn) July 28. Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Georgia, to a gentleman in this city, dated June 6, 1788.
"We have a very cruel war between this State and the Creek Indians; and never, perhaps, was one conducted worse. Not the least opposition is made to the Indians. They every week carry off more or less negroes or whites, and kill whenever they please.—The people, sometimes, turn out and follow them a few miles, and return home and wait for another attack. Yesterday they came and killed a man, as he was ploughing in the field, about 200 yards from the house. They stabbed and scalped one of his sons, a child 6 or 7 years of age, and left him; it is hoped he will yet recover.—They then took another son of his and three daughters and carried them off.
"Our situation as a State is now felt severely. Instead of that compact manner New-England is settled in, we are only a margin near 400 miles in length and no breadth; as the greater part is only here and there a plantation upon the rivers; and an enemy may take their choice where to attack us. If the Federal Constitution does well, we shall share the blessings: And it is a fact we want them much. There is greater clamour at this time for calling the legislature to pass an instalment act, before nine States have adopted the Constitution, but the house cannot be called without the pleasure of the executive, and I surely shall use what little influence I may have with that honourable body, against it."
NEW-YORK, August 5.
Sunday arrived the sloop Experiment, John Park, Master, from Trinidad. On the 25th of July, about 6 P. M. lat. 32. 03m N. long. 71, 50m W. fell in with a sloop's mast, with the top mast an end, and all the rigging on, which by appearance seemed to have been cut away in distress of weather very lately, the cut appeared very fresh, and was cut very high up, which gave us reason to suppose it to be some out ward bound vessel; we attempted to catch at it, but there being so high a swell from the N. W. we did not think it altogether safe for fear of damaging ourselves. On the 29th, about 6 P. M. spoke a sloop from Antigua, which we had spoke before, and while in discourse a large piece of a wreck floated past us, which was seen from both vessels at the same time. The captain of the Antigua sloop informed us that on the 25th ult. he fell in with a great quantity of lumber and shingles, which gave us great reason to expect it was the unfortunate vessel we saw the mast of. July 30th, about six A. M. made land about six miles to the southward of Cape Henlopen, when we saw a brig standing in under jury masts.
Extract of a letter from Nazareth, July 22.
"I am happy to inform you, that Col. Pickering is at liberty again, and that four of the gang of Wyoming are taken and put in Easton jail."
We learn, that a very capital manufacturer, country born and bred , who has for some time been extending the iron branch by manual labour, has possessed himself, by native genius , of a plan for carrying it to a very great length by Water Machines .—The articles he makes are augers, chisels, spades, shovels, hoes, &c. which, at a duty of five per cent. cannot be imported from Europe without an advance of above 25 per cent. Iron being cheaper, labour by mechanics as low, and there being a premium (in charge) of 25 per cent. this worthy iron manufacturer and his brethren must enrich their country and themselves.
By a gentleman from Kentucky, we learn that a party of the Wabash Indians have attacked the continental troops stationed at St. Vincents, on the north side of the Ohio—and after a severe conflict, in which a number of the soldiers were killed, the Indians were repulsed.
We hear from Baltimore, that on Wednesday the 23d ult. at night, came on the severest storm ever experienced there in that season of the year. The wind at E. N. E. blew with unabated fury (accompanied with heavy rain) for upwards of 12 hours, which occasioned a most dreadful inundation of the sea, that deluged all the wharfs, stores, and low grounds near the basin and at Fell's Point, producing a scene of devastation and horror, not to be described. The industrious merchant beheld with unavailing regret the fruits of his toil and enterprise, in one moment destroyed by the rage of combined elements.—Immenze quantities of sugar, rice, salt, dry goods and other valuable merchandise, were entirely ruined. The damage cannot at present, be ascer-
tained with precision; but it is estimated at fifty thousand pounds specie. While the contemplative mind, reflecting on the awfulness of the scene, which displayed the amazing power of the God of Nature, and the feebleness of man, gratitude towards Him, who "rules the whirlwind and directs the storm," must have been excited in every feeling breast, that the winds and waves were mercifully restrained from further ravages.
The intelligence from Europe since our last, has been exceedingly interesting. They say, That his Most Christian Majesty seems determined to persevere in his measure and to be more violent should he meet with opposition; that the province of Brittany had protested his proceeding; that French and Swiss guards are placed in additional numbers, round all the public offices in Paris; — that a Petition has been presented from a large body of the most dignified ecclesiastics, expressive of their fears respecting the public national faith, which was received very graciously—That the Chevalier Eme was ordered not to oppose the passage of the Turkish Squadron; that the war had already cost the Russians 65 millions of florins exclusive, who have lost in different skirmishes 3,000 killed, and 10,000 by sickness, many running over to the Turk, who are there promoted to commissions.—That the commotions in the Austrian Netherlands have not yet subsided that the Emperor, at Constantinople, has determined not to molest the Polish troops, but make another attempt to enter the kingdom.
NEW LONDON, July 31. Monday 28th. Hazy morning, wind at S. W.
Arrived the Schooner Grampus, Guyon, from Trinidad and St. Eustatia, in 15 days; who on the 21st inst. in lat. 20, 40 long 68. experienced a severe gale of wind, which continued with equal violence until the 23d, shifting from W. S. W. to S. E. & at 4 o'clock A. M. the Schooner was struck by a heavy sea on the starboard quarter, which laid her on her beam ends, in which situation she remained some time, the hold shifted, the boat and caboose washed overboard, &c. when he was obliged to cut away his main mast boom, &c. all which were totally lost—On the 24th instant, after the gale had abated, Capt. Guyon saw three dead bodies floating along side within 50 rods; from which circumstance, and the long continuance of the gale, it is apprehensive many vessels must have suffered. On the 25th, he spoke three whale-men, one of which (Capt. Stout, belonging to Bedford) supplied him with bread, his being all damaged.
On the 14th ult. Point Peter was opened to American vessels.
TO BE SOLD, All that Tract of Land that was taken off Packerfield and annexed the town of Sullivan in the county of Cheshire, and State of New-Hampshire, by a late act of the General-Court. For further information enquire of the subscriber, or Joshua Brackett, Esq. of Portsmouth. THO'S PACKER. Greenland, August 11.

L O N D O N , May 16.
A letter from Rouen, in France, says that the members of the parliament are made prisoners in their own houses, a centinel being placed at each of their doors. No person is suffered to go in, without being first examined; and suspicious persons are searched.
Of the Troubles in France.
In Brittany—a great part of the province is in actual rebellion. The commander at Rennes has ordered the regiment of Soubise to march, but the troops refused and laid down their arms. He has likewise dispatched two couriers to Versailles, fearing from the state of the province that one might miscarry, desiring an immediate supply of troops.
In Paris—the people are more quiet, but it is only because of the large body of troops in its vicinity. They have been dispersed with much circumspection in every quarter of the town for fear of any tumult.
At Versailles—where the king is, the place is surrounded by a double sentry of guards and some additional regiments are posted in the neighbourhood.
Besides the resolution of the Parliament of Paris of the 9th instant not to accept of any seat in the Court Pleniére, the grand Chambre of Parliament, and several Peers, have refused giving their assistance at it; and they have declared further, that no power shall oblige them to it, as the existence of the court is a violation of their privileges.
Of Mercantile Failures.
May 27. The two great commercial houses, whose stoppage, has occasioned so much distress in the capital and elsewhere, have, after a laborious application to the state of their respective concerns settled matters in the following manner; one of them offers 15s. in the pound at stated periods, which it is thought the creditors will not hesitate to accept, rather than take out a statute of bankruptcy; to the other, the creditors have agreed to grant a letter of licence for two years, it appearing upon minute investigation that there is a considerable surplus in their favour.
B A L T I M O R E , July 29.
We have general accounts, from various quarters, of great damage having been done by the violent storm on Thursday last. It is asserted that 40 sail of vessels, large and small, were, on that day, forced ashore at Norfolk.
B O S T O N , August 12.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to prorogue the General Court of this Commonwealth, which stood adjourned to the third day of September, to the eighth day of October next, then to meet at the State-House.
S H I P N E W S.
New-York, July 30.
Extract from Captain Raymone's Logbook,
Wednesday, July 23d. At noon, we experienced a most severe and tremendous gale of wind from N. to W. with a cross, jumbling sea, lying hull to. At 5 P. M. the gale blew with increasing fury, with heavy rain, wind at W. At 8 it began to abate, and at midnight put to scudding, wind S.S.W. At 8 next morning, un-
der full sail, spoke the brig Nep-tune , N. Phillips, master, from the coast of Africa, on his return from a whaling voyage, entirely dismasted, lying hull to. She had lost, besides her masts, her boat, anchors, cabouse, and every thing off deck. At 4 P. M.supplied her with our best topmast. Lat. by judgment, 35 N. long. 74 W. She was bound to Rh. Island. At meridian, the 24th, spoke a schooner, whaling, 6 weeks out from Martha's Vineyard, having lost her foremast and gunnel in the gale. Alto, spoke a sloop from Bedford, dismasted. Lat. this day, by observation, 35, 50 N. long 73, 30 W.
Captain Ventrus, the 24th inst. spoke the schooner Columbia , Freneau, from this port for Charleston, dismasted, off Virginia. Captain Cannon of this place, who was passenger in the schooner, was knocked overboard, and drowned.
N E W B U R Y - P O R T , August 13.
A vessel from Boston to the Cape of Good Hope and Mauritius last fall, is said to have taken out 2200 barrels of the choicest mess beef, at 9 dollars per barrel, all warranted. Beef of the same quality, by letters from Cork, was then worth 9 dollars and one third, so that we have good reason to trust that we shall be able to vie with the Irish market heretofore (the first in Europe) in the price and quality of our beef. It would add to the profits of this branch if we were to imitate the Irish in the exportation of pickled tripe and tongues, of which they ship annually many thousand kegs.
Captain Newman, who arrived here yesterday in 26 days from Guadaloupe, informs that the French fleet bound to Boston left the West Indies before he failed. We further hear, that the said fleet has been spoken with on our coast, so that we may expect soon to hear of its arrival.
P O R T S M O U T H , August 14.
O F N O R T H - C A R O L I N A.
We have not yet received any information since the Convention of that State first met—A short time, we trust, will furnish us with the ratification of the Constitution by that State.
The alterations and additions recommended by the Convention of New-York, are 32 in number—but very few are original. One of them is, that Congress shall not make the federal city an asylum for criminals, or debtors from the other States—and another, that the President shall not be eligible as such, a third time.
In the Grand Procession at New-York there were Fifty One flags displayed, each adorned with emblematical devices—on Nine of them were portraits and figures of his Excellency General Washington.—A number of the orders took the style of Federal—there were the Federal cordwainers, Federal Butchers, Federal Confectioners, Federal Drum makers, Federal Riggers &c. &c.
Mr. Greenleaf, Printer of the New York Journal, hath resumed his business, and the publication of his weekly paper, in New-York. In his paper of the 31st ult. he makes a manly apology for the publication which excited the resentment of his fellow citizens against him—and from the tenor of the several articles in that paper, appears determined to support the Constitution which the people have adopted.
A tradesman in Newbury-Port complained two years ago to an iron merchant, that he could not pay his rent.
The merchant asked him how much rum he used in his family in a day.—Upon his answering this question, the merchant immediately shewed him that his rum in a year came to more money than his house rent. The calculation so shocked the tradesman, that he determined from that day to buy and drink no more spirits of any kind. In the course of the ensuing year he paid his rent, and bought a suit of clothes out of the savings of his temperance. He is now in a thriving way, respected and trusted by all who know him.
A letter from Baltimore informs that on the 23 d ult. during a violent and tremendous storm, the tide rose to such a height as to drive many large vessels upon the tops of the wharves—the streets were like so many creeks—and the damage done by this inundation estimated at 50,000l.
Out of seventeen thousand people who appeared on the green, at the late Procession in Philadelphia, and partook of the collation, (it is said) there was scarcely one person intoxicated, nor was there a single quarrel or even dispute, heard of during the day. All was order, all was harmony and joy. These delightful fruits of the entertainment are to be ascribed wholly to no liquors being drank on the green but BEER and CYDER.
Tuesday evening last, arrived in this town, His Excellency JOHN HANCOCK , Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with his lady and suit.
DIED Mr. Thomas Pillar, aged 55 years; a child of Mary Norise; also, a child of Mr. Daniel Lowd; all of this town.
Mr. MELCHER , In your last you published a short sketch of the late Rev. Mr. Stearns' character, which may make the following in the opinion of some less necessary, yet as it is more particular, and it being the desire of some worthy friends of the deceased, that it should be published, I cannot doubt your readiness to comply with their request.
"The memory of the just is blessed." Departed this life, on Friday the 25 th ult. the Rev. JOSIAH STEARNS , of Epping, in the 57th year of his age. On Monday following, his remains were decently interred, after a pertinent and affecting discourse, delivered to a large solemn assembly, by the Rev. Mr. Noyes of South-Hampton, from Matthew xiv. 12. 'And his disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.'
In him, the people of Epping have lost a laborious, and faithful pastor—The church, a judicious counsellor, and the world a faithful friend. He was truly one of those great and good characters, which at once excite admiration and command esteem. In his family, he practised a conscientious exactness—Much affectionate tenderness was apparent in his conduct towards his amiable consort. A truly christian parental affection, appeared in his being careful, thorough, and seasonable in the government of his children; of consequence was revered, loved and obeyed by them with cheerfulness. He justly merited the character of a good Patriot. During his late troubles and embarrassments, he invariably displayed an uncommon attachment to, and ardent desire for, the cause and welfare of his country.
By means of an excellent genius, and many years close application, he acquired a large fund of knowledge. Divinity was his favourite study, in which he greatly excelled. He had an uncommon acquaintance with the sacred writings, which eminently appeared in all his public performances. His large acquaintance with divinity,
and the great pains he took in composing his Sermons, rendered him an instructive, plain, entertaining, and profitable preacher. He ever appeared master of his subject; and placed truth in a light, clear and convincing.
His Prayers (though generally long) were by no means formal; and always expressed with respectful gravity, decency and propriety.—Mr. Stearns died of a Cancer, which had been troublesome to him for several years; notwithstanding which, he continued to preach (tho' frequently with great difficulty) 'till the 9 th of April last, which completed the 30th year of his public ministry; when sensible of his approaching dissolution, he delivered his dying discourse, and took an affectionate leave of the dear people of his charge. He preached as though he never should preach again, and as a dying man to dying men. Submission to the divine will, he ever considered in his life, conversation, and doctrine, as absolutely necessary to the enjoyment of his God. This he particularly and eminently exemplified in the last destroying stages of his disease; by a serene, thoughtful, composed mind, and steady patient submission to the will of his Creator—no discontented expressions, no appearance of a murmur to the last. The great doctrines of revealed religion were what he generally dwelt upon in the sacred desk, and they were professedly his support, in the near view of his own dissolution.
Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth.
P I E R M O N T.
To JOSIAH MOULTON , Esq. Clerk of the Proprietors of Piermont. W E the subscribers, owners of more than a sixteenth part of said township; request you to call a meeting of the Proprietors of said Piermont, to be held at the house of Col. Brewster, in Portsmouth, on Monday the 8th day of September next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, to act on the following particulars,—viz.—
 1st. To choose a Moderator.  2d. To see if the Proprietors will receive the report of the Agents who were employed to lay out the common and undivided lands, and establish the same.  3d. To see if the Proprietors will confirm a certain pitch or pitches, that have been made on the common land, or make such exchange of any of the same as they may see fit.  4th. To take some measures concerning the sale of certain lands confirmed to the said township, by the settlement of the line between Piermont and Haverhill.  5th. To adjust all demands that remain unsettled against the Proprietors.  6th. To see if it is necessary to renew any rate bill due from the said Proprietors, and act thereon as to them shall seem meet.  7th. To take some method to oust trespassers upon the common land, and to prevent any person from taking up, and improving any of the undivided land, under the pretence of owning common rights.  8th. To see if they will settle with such as have entered on, and made considerable improvements on some of the common land, who may be entitled to some indulgence for reasons they may give. 
THOMAS LEAVITT { One of the Executors of General Moulton's Will.
DAN'L HUMPHREYS { Executor of the Will of George Atkinson, Esq. dec'd.
SAMUEL SHERBURNE, JONATHAN WARNER, JOHN WENDELL, A. R. CUTTER.
Portsmouth, August 5, 1788. PURSUANT to the above request, I do hereby notify said Proprietors of Piermont to meet at time and place, and for the purposes aforesaid. JOSIAH MOULTON , Prop. Clerk. August, 5, 1788.

Parnassian Spring.
THE BACHELOR'S WISH.
A Beauteous face let others prize, The features of the fair; I look for spirit in her eyes, And meaning in her air.
What though she seems quite sweet and mild, With colour fresh as morn, An innocent and harmless child, As ever yet was born!
This will not kindle my desire, Or make me wish to wed, Lest ignorance should quench the fire Which wisdom would have fed.
The charming puppet may pass by Or gently fall and rise; It will not hurt my peace; for I Have ears as well as eyes.
I want to know the inward state And temper of her mind, If she will frown, or rage, or fret; Be gentle, or unkind:
If her discourse is calm and staid, And judgment rule her life: Nonsense may charm us in a maid, But never in a wife.
I love to see a female friend, Who looks as if she thought; Who on her household will attend, And do the thing she ought.
A Quaker plainness in her dress; Kitchen and servants clean; Provision neither in excess, Nor scandalously mean.
O, could I such a female find, Such treasure in a wife! I'd pass my days to peace resign'd, Nor fear the ills of life.
From a View of the ancient Grecian Philosophy.
ABOVE all things, entertain the highest regard for truth; therefore be honest in your tran- sactions, faithful to your engage- ments and true to all your pro- mises—Abhor dissimulation, yet be neither subtle nor simple. Reveal not what is committed to your bo- som; and carefully avoid the times or circumstances whereon you are apt to be least on your guard. From your opinion of others form their real worth and character; not from the blood in their veins; the ho- nors they may have obtained; their rank in life; or from their vast possessions.
View ingratitude as the basest of crimes, and of course the strong- est mark of a vicious character; be- ing assured that in the breast where it reigns, no amiable quality ever did, or could dwell.
State of New-Hampshire, Strafford, ss.
THE honorable the Judge of Por- bate for the county of Strafford, having allowed six months from the 8th day of July, instant, for the credi- tors to the estate of JOHN GRIFFIN, late of Durham, in said county, Esq. deceased, represented insolvent, to ex- hibit their claims: The subscribers being appointed commissioners to receive and examine such claims, hereby notify all persons having demands against said estate, that they will attend upon that business at the dwelling-house of Mrs. Hannah Griffin, in Durham, the after- noon of the first Monday in August and the afternoons of the first Monday's of the four following months.
JOHN SULLIVAN, } Commis- EBEN'R THOMPSON, } sioners. Durham, July 24th, 1788.
(RUMNEY.)
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and own- ers of land in Rumney, who have not paid their taxes for the years 1785, 1782, 1781, and 1784, that so much of their land will be sold at public vendue, on the third Tuesday in September next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at the dwelling-house of Col. Alexander Craig, innholder in said town, as will pay said taxes together with incidental charges, unless prevent- ed by previous payment. Certificates.
   l. s. d.     Mark H. Wentworth, Esq. 031 0 0   Benning Wentworth, Esq. 031 0 0   Governour's farm 071 0 0   S. Holland, 2 interv. lots one } 50 acr. lot & 11 undiv. lots. } 1 19   Joseph Brown 0 1 8   Humphrey Lyon 100 acr. undiv. 1 9   Joseph Ayers 2 undivided 0 0 9  
ASA FULLER, Collector. Rumney, July 9, 1788.
LIST of taxes on Samuel Holland, Esquire's lands for 1782. Certificates.
   l. s. d.     Samuel Holland, Esq. 8 4 0   Luke Withee 0 6 4    JONATHAN CLARKE, Constable. Rumney, July 9, 1788.
LIST of taxes for the year 1781.
   N.Em. specie. rum. l. s. d. s. d. s. d.     Eph. Rand, undivid. 0 1 8 0 1 0 2   Sam'l Holland, Esq. 1 13 4 1 8 3 4   Jacob Coffin 0 1 10 0 1 0 2   Moses Seavey 0 1 8 0 1 0 2    THOMAS RAMSEY, Constable. Rumney, July 9, 1788.
LIST of taxes for the year 1781.
   N.Em. filv. beef. l. s. d. s. d. lb.     Henry Champion, Esq. 0 14 5 0 9 12   Ephraim Rand 4 10 3 4   Samuel Holland, Esq. 4 17 2 4 10 14   James Underwood Esq. 0 4 10 0 3 4   Moses Seavey 0 4 10 0 3 4   Joseph Brown 0 4 10 1 11    JOHN CLIFFORD, Constable. Rumney, July 9, 1788.
LIST of taxes for the year 1784.
   Certificates. N. R. Q'ty. s. d.     Samuel Holland, intervail 2 6   50 1 2   100 15   Undivided 4 7   Edmund Adams 4 3   William Greenough 100 1 5   Undivided 5   Humphrey Lyon 100 1 5   Samuel Seldon 100 1 5   100 2 10   Undivided 10   Ebenezer Dalton, intervail 7   50 7   100 8   Undivided 3    WILLIAM WEBSTER, Constable. Rumney, July 9, 1788.
A FURTHER time of 6 months being allowed for the settle- ment of the estate of JOHN WENT- WORTH, Esq. late of Dover deceas- ed, the commissioners will attend that service, at his late dwelling house, in said Dover, on the first Tuesday of the next, and of the four following months, from two to six o'clock in the afternoon. MOSES WINGATE } Comissi's. W. ATKINSON } Dover, July 17th, 1788.
THREE months longer from the 19th of June last, are allowed the creditors to the estate of JOHN MOFFATT, Esq. deceased, to ex- hibit their claims. Portsmouth, July 21st, 1788.
ALL persons indebted to the estate of JOHN TUFTON MASON, late of Buchden, in the kingdom of Great-Britain, Esquire, deceased, are desired to make speedy payment—and all who may have demands upon, or accounts open with said estate, are requested to settle them with
THOMAS MARTIN, Attorney (to the Executrix). Portsmouth, August 7th, 1788.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in the following towns, viz. Hawk in 1781 and 1780; Peterborough 1784, 1785, 1786 & 1787; Gunthwaite from 1774 to 1787; Protectworth 1782, 1783 and 1787; Unity 1784, 1786, 1787 and road tax 1788; Landaff, Windham and Meredith 1785; Peterborough- Slip, Candia, Hanover, Wilton, Pem- broke, Mason, Canaan and Conway, 1786; Deerfield, Burton, Rochester, Middleton and Hollis, 1786 and 1787; New-Durham, Keen, Marlborough, Weare, Effingham, Cockermouth, Sut- ton, Raymond, Orford, Nottingham, Heniker, Hillsborough, Pittsfield, Chiche- ster, New-Chester and Bridgewater, Northumberland, Fitzwilliam, Fishers- field, Antrim, Canterbury, Loudon & Grafton, for 1787; Sandwich, 1788. That their lands in said towns are taxed for the years aforesaid, and if they are not paid within eight weeks from the first publication of this advertisement to the collectors or the subscriber they will be advertised for sale.
THOMAS ODIORNE, Receiver of non-resident taxes. Exeter, July 23d, 1788.
(FITZWILLIAM.)
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Fitzwilliam, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1786, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber on or before the 25th day of September next, so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at the dwelling house of Major Sylvanus Reed, innholder in said town, unless prevented by previous payment.
   N. R. Specie. Facilities. county   s. d. q. l. s. d. s. d.     Col. Stoddard 1 3 0 8 2 0 7 0 0 3   ditto 6 3 9 7 2 1 0   ditto 7 3 9 7 2 1 0   Nathan Parse 8 3 9 7 2 1 0   Col. Stoddard 12 3 8 2 7 3   ditto 1 4 8 2 7 1 0   Benjamin Edwards 2 4 8 2 half 7 3   ditto 3 4 8 2 7 3   Abel Lawrance 4 4 8 2 7 3   George Libbey's heirs 5 4 10 3 9 1 1   Col. Stoddard 6 4 1 1 3 5 2 3   ditto 13 4 8 2 7 3   James Reed 2 5 8 2 7 3   Col. Stoddard 7 5 8 2 7 3   ditto 1 6 8 2 7 3   ditto 2 6 8 2 7 3   ditto 8 6 4 2 half 3 2   ditto 19 6 8 2 7 3   ditto 6 7 8 2 7 3   M. Thornton 1 8 8 2 7 3   Col. Stoddard 9 8 8 2 7 3   Thomas Carter 19 9 2 5 2 3 2   Col. Stoddard 17 9 1 9 3 1 6 2 2   John Stevens 1 10 8 2 7 3   Col. Stoddard 3 10 8 2 7 1 0   M. Thornton 15 10 9 3 8 1 1   Jotham Odiorne 19 10 2 5 2 3 3   Solly and March 3 11 1 6 1   Col. Stoddard 17 11 1 2 2 1 1 3   Abel Lawrance 20 11 1 6 1 1 3 2 1   Col. Stoddard 8 12 9 7 2 1 0   M. Thornton 9 12 11 3 9 2 1 1   Col. Stoddard 16 12 1 5 1 1 3 0 2 1   ditto 22 12 8 2   ditto 18 7 3 3 half 3 2   ditto 21 5 7 1 half 6 3   John Moffatt 9 10 1 1 3 11 1 3   Nathan Brook 10 12 1 1 3 11 1 1  
LEVI BRIGHAM, Constable.
Fitzwilliam, May 27th, 1788.
BLANKS of all sorts, printed and sold at Melcher's Printing Office, in Market-Street, Portsmouth, as cheap as at any office in the United States.
TO BE SOLD At Public Vendue,
on the 25th instant, (if not sold before at private sale) at 4 o'clock P. M. at the house of Col. Robinson, innholder in Greenland—About fifteen acres of good land, consisting of mowing and tillage, with a good growth of wood, and a good house and barn on the same—being situate in Greenland nearly opposite the Clarke tavern (so called) and is part of the estate of the late William Simpson, of Greenland, deceased.
Greenland, August 5th, 1788.
(UNITY.)
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in Unity, who have not paid their taxes for the years 1781, 1782 and 1783, that so much of their land will be sold at public vendue, on the third Wednesday in September next, at the dwelling-house of Abner Chase, innholder in said town, at two o'clock in the afternoon, as will pay the taxes together with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   N.Em. Cert. Cert. N.R. Q'ty. s. d. s. d.     Samuel Winflow 15 1 61 4 6 5 5 1 11   5 1 50 3 9 4   Nath'l Barrell, Esq. 18 1 78 5 8 7 2 2 4   21 1 87 0 5 8   James Bean 23 4 50 3 9 4 6 1 6    ELIJAH WEED, Constable. Unity, July 18, 1788.
For S. & L. E.
A Genteel Chaise, cheap.
Apply to the Printer here.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for this Paper at TWO SHILLINGS and THREE PENCE per quarter (which has a very extensive circulation) are taken in by the Publisher at his Printing-Office in Market-Street, Portsmouth, where Advertisements are received, the favours of Correspondents carefully attended to, and Printing performed reasonably.—This Paper to contain a copy of all the Laws of this State, passed since January 1787.