The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1788-11-12 00:00:00

NEW-HAMPSHIRE AND GENERAL
GAZETTE, THE ADVERTISER.
WEDNESDAY,
NOVEMBER 12, 1788.
PORTSMOUTH:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED
By JOHN MELCHER,
IN MARKET-STREET.
"WHEN ANGRY NATIONS PART IN LEAGUES OF PEACE, LET PRIVATE FEUDS AND CIVIL DISCORDS CEASE."
An Account of the Conversion of the Reverend Mr. John Thayer, &c. (Continued from our last.)
I WAS a Minister in my own sect, and I must renounce my state and my fortune: I was tenderly attached to my family, and I must incur their indignation: Interests so dear kept me back: In a word, my understanding was convinced, but my heart was not changed. I was in these circumstances, fluctuating and undetermined, when a little book, intitled Manifesto di un Cavaliero Cristiano convertito alla Religione Cattolica , (which it would be good to translate into several languages, and to spread wherever there are Protestants) was put into my hands. The author gives an historical account of his conversion, and briefly discusses the points which are controverted between Catholicks and Protestants. He places in the beginning a prayer which was communicated to him by a Catholick to invoke the light of the Holy Ghost, and which the reader perhaps will not be sorry to see.
"Almighty and eternal God, Father of mercy, and Saviour of mankind, I humbly intreat thee by thy sovereign goodness, to enlighten my mind, and to touch my heart, that by true faith, hope and charity, I may live and die in the true Religion of Jesus Christ. I am sure that as there is but one true God, so there can be but one faith, one religion, one way of salvation, and that every other way which is opposite to this, can only lead to endless misery. It is this faith, Oh my God, which I earnestly desire to embrace, in order to save my soul. I protest therefore before thy divine Majesty, and I declare by all thy divine attributes, that I will follow that Religion which thou shalt show me to be true; and that I will abandon, at whatever cost, that in which I shall discover error and falsehood; I do not deserve, it is true, this favour, on account of the greatness of my sins, for which I have a profound sorrow, because they offend a God so good, so great, so holy and worthy of my love: but what I do not deserve, I hope to obtain from thy infinite mercy, & I conjure thee to grant through the merits of the precious blood which was shed for us poor sinners by thy only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Amen."
When I received this book I had a secret presentiment that it would give me the finishing stroke, and it was with extreme difficulty that I could prevail on myself to peruse it. My soul was as it were, rent by two contrary emotions. What combats, what assaults did I not at that time endure! I cast my eyes over the prayer, but could not prevail on myself to say it; I wished to be enlightened yet feared being too much so. My temporal interest, and a thousand other motives, crowded upon my mind, and counter-balanced the salutary impressions of grace. At length the interest of eternal salvation prevailed. I threw myself on my knees, I excited myself to say the prayer with the greatest sincerity I was capable of, and the violent agitation of my soul, with the conflicts it had sustained, drew from me an abundance of tears: I began then to read the book, which is a short exposition of the principal proofs which establish the truth of the Catholick Religion. The whole of those different proofs which till then I had only viewed separately: so many rays of light collected as it were into one centre, made a lively impression on my mind. Besides I did not make the same resistance as formerly to the divine grace: God spoke to my heart at the same time that he enlightened my understanding, and gave me grace to surmount the obstacles which had hitherto opposed me. I had
not entirely finished the book, when I exclaimed, "My God! I promise to be a Catholick." The same day I declared my intention to the family with which I lodged; it gave them joy, for they were truly pious. I went in the evening to the Coffee-house, where I imparted my change to all my Protestant friends; and to repair, as much as I could, the scandal which I had given, I defended the sanctity of Venerable Labre, and declared that I had more proofs of the truth of his miracles, than I would require for any fact whatever. Moreover, not to be ashamed of Jesus Christ, I invited a great number of friends to be the witnesses of my abjuration. Many lamented my weakness, others made a jest of it; but God who called me to the faith, supported me, and I have a firm confidence that he will support me to my last breath.
I must acknowledge that before my abjuration, I had struggles for some time with my imagination respecting the worship of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints. I had nevertheless been sufficiently instructed on this article, and did not doubt, but that it was profitable to employ with the Son, the intercession of his holy Mother, and that far from doing him an injury by honouring and loving her whom he had so tenderly loved himself, it was the mean of honouring him the more; yet my ancient prejudices returned and disturbed my mind in spite of myself. The reproach of idolatry, which I had heard a thousand times brought against Catholicks on this subject, still alarmed me, though I knew it to be ill founded. I resembled those persons, who in their infancy, having had their imagination strongly impressed with the ridiculous stories of apparitions, at a riper age involuntarily shudder, where the same ideas recur, in spite of their reason, which wholly disown them. I was obliged to offer violence to myself, and when I began to invoke the Blessed Virgin, I did it with trembling. I first addressed myself to God, protesting that I had no other design than to honor him, and that I desired to do it more perfectly by the intercession of his Blessed Mother, intreating him not to impute to me idolatrous intentions, which I disavowed with all my soul. Then addressing myself to the Blessed Virgin, "Oh tender mother," said I, "if it be lawful for me to implore thy succour, help me in the miserable state in which I am: it was through thee that the Saviour came to us, it is through thee that I desire to go to him. The Scriptures teach me, that by thy means was wrought the first miracle of the evangelical law in the order of grace, (the sanctification of St. John the Baptist) and the first in the order of nature, (the change of water into wine). Here remains another to be performed; do not refuse to employ thy credit; I do not deserve it; too long have I not known thee; but now though with fear and trembling, I begin to address thee; intercede for me with thy Divine Son." Then returning to God, "Oh Lord," said I, "I implore thy light; thou hast promised to listen to those who invoke thee; I do it from the bottom of my heart; thou art my witness that I seek truth at whatever expense: I cannot err in addressing my supplications to thy Blessed Mother: Thou thyself wouldst be the cause of my error." Confidence and tranquility were the fruits of this prayer. From that time I have always had recourse to the Blessed Virgin, and I am confident that I have received grace through her intercession; gratitude obliges me to make this acknowledgment. I endeavour to join my institution which tends to be
have pledged myself, and study as much as can depend on me, to extend the devotion to this dear Mother of God.
A very natural reflection here occurs: Can God suffer a person to be deceived in the choice of a Religion, when after exact watchfulness over his own conduct, after fervent prayer, after long and toil-some investigation, he determines to embrace it at the expence of all that is most dear to him on earth,—family, state, fortune, reputation? If this Religion be false, may he not say, with a celebrated Divine, "Lord, it is thou who hast deceived me." This reflection will acquire a new degree of force, if I add the prodigious change which is made in me by my conversion. I hesitate to publish it; but think it my duty so to do, in order to glorify the mercy of God, and to render homage to the Catholick Religion, which I now have the happiness to profess. What difference between my present and former state! My thoughts, my taste, my views are wholly changed; I do not know myself again. As soon as I had taken my determination, I renounced the profane studies in which I had been hitherto employed; I left my books half read; I parted with those which belonged to me. From that time my passions have had little influence over me; my projects of ambition and settlement in the world are entirely laid aside. I have no pretensions on earth: I take no pleasure but in the things of God, I feel within my heart, a peace which I had never known; not as formerly, the deceitful security of a stilled conscience, which presumes on the mercy of God, without seeing the danger to which it is exposed; it is the sweet confidence of a child who finds himself within the arms of a Father, and has reason to hope that nothing can tear him from them, notwithstanding the dangers with which he is surrounded. Yes, this Religion is adapted to the heart: However solid and powerful the proofs are which convince me that it is the true Religion of Jesus Christ, the satisfaction, the pure joy which accompanies it, is for me another kind of proof, not less persuasive. The truths, which I had most difficulty in believing, are those in which I now find the greatest consolation. The mystery of the Eucharist, which appeared to me so incredible, is become an ever flowing source of delight: Confession, which I had considered as an insupportable yoke, seems infinitely sweet, by the tranquility which it produces in the soul. Oh! if Protestants and unbelievers could taste those sweets which are felt at the foot of the Altar, they would soon alter their sentiments! Oh! that I could be heard by them all, I would cry out to them: Taste and see how sweet and good is the Lord to those who serve him in the holy society, which he has formed himself, and which he vivifies by his spirit. This is the prevailing wish, this is the only desire of my heart, to extend as much as lies in my power, the dominion of the true faith, which is now my joy and comfort. I ambition nothing more; for this purpose I desire to return to my own country, in hopes, notwithstanding my unworthiness, to be the instrument of the conversion of my countrymen; and such is my conviction of the truth of the Roman Catholick Church, and my gratitude for the signal grace of being called to the true faith, that I would willingly seal it with my blood, if God would grant me this favour, and I doubt not but he would enable me to do it. I intreat all those who shall peruse this narrative, to pray with fervour the Father of Lights, and the God of Mercies, to bless the designs of his unworthy servant, and to open an easy access to the faith in my country, and to cause it to shoot forth and to fructify in a land
in which it has never yet been professed. Perhaps, and I dwell with pleasure on the consoling thought, perhaps I say, he who raises up, and casts down Empires, as he pleases, who does all for his Elect, and for the interest of his Church, has only permitted and brought to an end, the surprising Revolution * of which we have been witnesses, in order to accomplish some great design, & much more happy Revolution in the order of grace. Amen.
JOHN THAYER.
London, August 24. 1787.
* The independence of the Thirteen States of America.
F I N I S.
(The Extracts to be continued to our next.)
From the ANALYTICAL REVIEW.
An abridgement of the Memoirs of Mr. Henry Masers De la Tude, containing an account of his confinement thirty-five years in the state prisons of France; and of the stratagems he adopted to escape, once from the Bastille, and twice from the Castle of Vincennes; with the sequel of those adventures.—Written by himself, and translated from the French of the Amsterdam edition, 8vo.
(Concluded from our last.)
THE next thing to be done, was to remove the iron bars from the chimney, which they accomplished in about two months, and then returned them to their places, leaving them ready to be removed when they should be wanted. This appears to have been an exceeding troublesome operation, as they never descended from their work without bloody hands, and their bodies were so bruised in the chimney, that they could not renew their labour for an hour or two afterwards. This toil over, they now set about making a wooden ladder of twenty feet long, which, as fast as it was finished, was hid with the other things between the two floors.
As the officers and turnkeys often entered the apartment in the day time, without any previous notice, they were obliged not only to secrete their tools, but the smallest chips and rubbish that were made; the least appearance of which would have betrayed them. To answer this purpose the more effectually, they gave each of them a private name, and when any body was coming in, he who was next the door gave the cant term to the other, that he might conceal them as expediously as possible. —When their ropes were all ready, their measure was four hundred feet: they had still to make two hundred steps for their ladders, which when accomplished, they covered with the lining of their bed-gowns and under waistcoats, to prevent their rustling against the wall as they descended.
These preparations cost them eighteen months work, night and day; and they now waited for a dark stormy night to favour their escape. At length, after a great number of difficulties, and many narrow escapes from being detected by the officers, the happy moment they had been so long expecting, arrived, and De la Tude was the first to mount the chimney. Here he was almost smothered with the soot, and the blood streamed from his hands, elbows & knees down to his legs. After some time, however, he got to the top, and by means of a string drew up his companion and all their implements to the top of the building, from which they lowered their baggage, by fastening a rope to the chimney, and in this way

descended both at once on the platform, serving as a counterpoise to each other.
Here they fastened their rope ladder to a piece of cannon, and let themselves and their baggage down into the trench, an operation which was attended with the utmost difficulty; for out of a thousand spectators who should have seen them by day-light, vibrating backwards and forwards in the air, not one of them, says Mr. De la Tude, but what would have given us over for lost. They arrived, however, at length, safely in the trench, and felicitated themselves upon the success of this part of their enterprise, having been extremely apprehensive of detection, as the sentinel was all the time walking on the corridor, at not more than thirty or forty feet distance.
From this place they proceeded to the wall which parts the trench of the Bastille from that of St. Anthony's gate, where there was a ditch six feet wide, and about the same depth, which wetted them up to their arm-pits. When they had crossed this, they had got to work their way through the stone wall of the governor's garden, which was more than four feet thick, and all the time they were employed in this business, the major's round passed them with a great lantern every hour, at about ten or twelve feet over their heads; during which time they were always obliged to retreat into the ditch, and to stand up to their chins in water, in order to avoid being seen.
Before midnight, by means of the iron bars which had been taken out of the chimney, they had displaced two or three wheelbarrows of stones, and in a few hours more a breach was made in the wall, sufficiently large for them to get through it. They were now in the trench of St. Anthony's gate, and thought themselves entirely out of danger, when they both suddenly fell into an aqueduct, with at least six feet of water, over their heads; in this dangerous situation De la Tude caught hold of the bank, and plunging his arm into the water, drew his companion towards him by the hair of his head, and thus happily escaped the danger which threatened them.
Here, says Mr. De la Tude, ended the horrors of that dreadful night; & here we embraced each other, and fell upon our knees to thank God for the great mercy he had bestowed upon us, in thus restoring us to liberty. They now mounted the slope of the ditch as it struck four o'clock, and after calling upon a friend, who was not at home, flew for refuge to the Abbey of St. Germain-des-prez.
Soon after this most miraculous escape, they both set out, by different routes for Brussels, agreeing to meet at the same inn; but, when De la Tude, who had to encounter with a number of perils on his journey, arrived at the place appointed, he found that his friend had been discovered and conducted back again to prison. Shocked at this intelligence, he set out immediately for Amsterdam, where he had not been long before he was demanded of the States by the French ambassador, in the name of the King, & carried back to his old quarters in the Bastille, fettered hands and feet, and only allowed a bed of straw, without covering, to repose on.
In this wretched situation he remained forty months, and during this confinement, was one day indulged with the barbarous privilege of being permitted to see his friend d'Alegre, whom he found raving mad, in the hospital for lunatics at Charenton. The poor creature had no remembrance of him, and made him no other answer, when he reminded him of their escape from the Bastille, than by telling him he was God.
Some time after this shocking interview, he observed from the tower of the Bastille, a large piece of paper, at the window of a chamber in St. Anthony's street, on which was written these words, Yesterday died Madame the Marchioness of Pompadour. This had been placed there by some young ladies who were acquainted with his story; and he was now persuaded that he should be released from his confine-
ment. But Mr. de Sartine had expressly forbidden all the officers of the Bastille to inform the prisoners of her decease. When De la Tude therefore wrote to him, intreating his deliverance, he came to the prison, and insisted upon knowing his author.
His behaviour, upon this occasion, proving offensive to Mr. de Sartine, he was removed from prison to the governor's house, loaded with chains from head to foot, and afterwards sent to the castle of Vincennes, to be confined in the black-hole. Here, however, the lieutenant-governor being a humane man, suffered him to walk two hours a day in the fosse, guarded by two fusileers, and a sergeant, who stood at the gate with another sentinel. Whilst he was walking here one evening, it happened to be a prodigious thick fog, which he thought was a circumstance by no means to be neglected; he therefore struck down the two sentinels with his elbows, and pushing boldly by the others, flew as fast as his legs would carry him. A great cry of stop thief, ensued, in which he joined, and by that means made his escape to Paris.
After this adventure, a number of exempts and setters were sent out upon the search after him, and a thousand crowns offered as a reward for his discovery: finding, therefore, that it would be impossible to elude the vigilance of scouts and informers, he wrote a letter to the minister of the war department, acquainting him that he would not fail to be with him such a day, and begging he would have the goodness to suspend the orders for arresting him till he had been indulged with a moment's audience. Going, according to his promise, to the apartment of the minister, he was immediately secured, without being permitted to utter a syllable, and put in one of the most gloomy dungeons of the castle of Vincennes.
At length, Cardinal de Rohan, president of the commission, discovered him at the bottom of his dungeon, in a visit he made to the Bicêtre, and being moved with his extreme wretchedness, promised him his liberty, provided he could give proper security for his good behaviour. This last kind office was undertaken by a charitable lady of the name of Le Gros, who, on being accidentally informed of his misfortunes, resolved to dedicate her whole time and attention towards the procuring his enlargement.—The difficulties she had to encounter, together with the narrowness of her own circumstances, rendered the accomplishment of this project almost impossible; but by incessant and persevering diligence, she at last obtained the object of her wishes, and after having set him free from all restraints, helped to support him by the small earnings of her own and her husband's industry. What a strange contrast, compared with the diabolical disposition of his persecutors!
V I E N N A, August 2.
Some disagreements are said to have taken place between our General Fabry and the Russian Generals in Moldavia; in consequence of which the former has desired to be recalled, & employed in some other parts. General Splyny has taken the command of the Austrians, and, having been joined by 15,000 Russians, is seeking the Turks in the neighbourhood of Jassy.
L O N D O N, August 28.
The ABSTRACT and BRIEF CHRONICLE of the TIMES.
The KING of ENGLAND harmonizing Royalty with the honest plainness of the British peasantry. His subjects happy, and his Ministers popular.
The KING of FRANCE overturning the fundamental principles of the Constitution, and his people in open rebellion against him.— Puff!
The KING of SPAIN shooting pigeons from a balcony, and winding up the watches of his domesticks, without harbouring one idea of either the sovereignty of a monarch, or the monarchy of a sovereign.
The EMPEROUR of GERMANY
maintaining a war, in which it was not his interest to be concerned, losing his reputation amongst the crowned heads of Europe, spilling the blood of his faithful people, and wasting their treasure, without any prospect of either honour to his Crown, or profit to his country.
The EMPRESS of RUSSIA in the character of a rich old lady, who, by grasping at more than she wanted, is likely to lose much of what she has got.
The KING of SWEDEN proving the moral of the fable of the Lion , the Tyger , and the Fox . He takes advantage of the contest between Russia and the Porte, and means to aggrandize his own dominions at the expense and folly of his neighbours.
The KINGDOM of PORTUGAL roasting hereticks, counting beads, debauching nuns, torturing innocence, pampering priesthood, propagating superstition, and denying to human nature the free exercise of common sense.
The UNITED STATES of AMERICA cursing the ill-fated hour when it became a general idea in the thirteen colonies, that Charles Fox and Oliver Cromwell , were the best statesmen in the world.— And all that.
IRELAND enjoying the blessings of an enlightened age, and securing the possession of natural freedom.
ROME furnishing fiddlers, dancers, and singers, to that world, of which she was once the Imperial Mistress.
ASIA parting with its native freedom for British laws and French tyranny, and in return for the immense wealth it furnishes to Europe, experiencing unheard-of cruelties, murder, robbery, and imprisonment.
Extract of a letter from Warsaw, dated Aug. 9.
"We now learn from authority that the reports of the surrender of Choczim and Oczakow were equally false; those fortresses still hold out against the Russians, and if, which is not unlikely, they should receive any material reinforcements, all hopes of an impression this campaign will be at an end. The Russians are in a very ticklish situation in Finland, which proves a certain diversion, and must occasion their withdrawing their forces from some other quarters, to operate against the Swedes."
It is a matter of wonder to all Europe that the Barbary corsairs are permitted to commit their barbarous depredations—but wherefore is the cause?—Those African States know, and have experienced, as well as felt, the power of England; in consequence of which, it is well known, that Britain supports the balance in the seas adjacent to Gibraltar.
In consequence of the ravages lately committed in France by dreadful hail storms; the benevolent Louis has issued an arrest for creating a lottery of 12 millions, for the advantage of the unhappy sufferers.
The differences in France are settled. They never amounted to more, than a similitude to the little disturbances in England, a few years ago, about Wilkes and Liberty ; notwithstanding they were magnified in certain daily prints, in the French interest, to a dangerous and alarming insurrection. These tales
are circulated in England, by certain French Agents, to amuse us, & put us off our guard; while the French Ministry, were, unobserved, making preparations for war.
The public will naturally be cautious how they give too ready credit to the daily reports so industriously circulated about war and peace, as the majority of them are mere fabrications for stock-jobbing purposes.
Sept. 2. The Algerines have sent six ships of war to Constantinople, and 2000 men under the command of Kagi Mackmor, a renegade Jew.
A letter from Madras, by the last ship, says—The inundation of the Coringa has done immense damage; the sea rose mountains high, and, aided by a strong wind, drove the shipping near 12 miles up the country. The ravages occasioned throughout the Coringa are truly melancholy, for besides the land being in vast tracts made desolate, near 40,000 of the inhabitants were destroyed.
When the king of Sweden received the manifesto of the Empress of Russia, he is said to have torn it, and to have expressed himself, in the presence of several general officers, as follows:— "We shall see whether the descendant of the Great GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS is to be the vassal of Russia."
Spain remains very quiet during the general disturbances; almost, and with good reason, tired of their family connection, they are cultivating arts of peace, and encouraging commerce. Another twenty years will probably see Spain totally disjoined from France.
A stop is put to the further sale of old ships of war, out of the King's service, which are now ordered to be broke up, and the buyers are in future to give security for that purpose.
Letters of reprisal having been issued at Petersburg against the Swedes, the Russians have seized on 30 Swedish ships that happened to be in their ports.
It is confidently reported, that government has received the most flattering overtures to form an alliance with the courts of Austria and Petersburg, but that they have been peremptorily refused on the just principle, that the blessings of peace will best cultivate the commerce and prosperity of the British empire.
The forces now employed respectively by the Turks, the Austrians, and the Russians, are in all computed at more than 900,000 men.
TIPO SAIB, among other presents to the KING of FRANCE, sent a Sword, with which this Oriental Alexander professed he had, with his own hand, in one action, killed FORTY-THREE of the enemies of the Gallic Monarch !
They write from Stockholm, that an engagement had taken place between a detachment commanded by Gen. Hortslear, and a corps of Russian troops, who had gone to the relief of Nyslott; and that the Russians were repulsed with great loss, and left their dead on the field of battle, and amongst them a General with the order of Alexander Newsky; it is supposed to be Gen. Michæloff.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10.
From the deposition of John Breck, mate of the Schooner Mary, and James Simpson, a foremost hand on board said Schooner, it appears—that they sailed from Point-Petre for this port on the 4th ult. at which time John Leaycraft was commander.—On the 12th, about 9 o'clock, P. M. in lat. 28 : 21, long. 66 : 44, the said Capt. Leaycraft standing on the quarter deck, shook hands with the mate, and wished him and the hands a good-bye; he then ran forward, and went out on the jib-boom end, and being followed by the mate, he was persuaded to come in; after his coming in, he said that he had got a prayer-book along with him, which was the cause of his not going over.
He was then persuaded to take rest, and in some measure seemed reconciled; but about half after ten o'clock the same night threw himself out of the cabin window, the vessel being then under way, at the rate of six knots an hour, and a heavy sea going.—They endeavoured to put her about, but could not stay her; in the interim, the mate threw out a piece of plank, and hallooing to him, told him there was a plank, and in the mean time wore ship.—The mate and one of the hands went up the shrouds, and one of the people went out on the bowsprit, but could not see or hear him, after their first attempt to put the ship about. He was perfectly sober for three or four days before he drowned himself, and appeared to be as sensible as usual, except on the day of this happening.—He mentioned several times the names of his three daughters, who live in New-York.—On said day he appeared to be a little uneasy, looking into his trunk, and also looking over his books.—The mate has taken an inventory of what property he had on board, and put them into his trunk, as per inventory sworn to, and left in the hands of Flahaven and Wilcox, of this city, for the use of said Capt. Leaycraft's family.
NEW-YORK, Oct. 30.
Extract of a letter from Augusta, Georgia, October 6.
"At length the much desired and long expected official information from Congress, of 11 states having adopted, ratified, and agreed to the Federal Constitution, has arrived in this place.
"The joy which pervaded the breast of every individual is worthy of remark, and much might be said on the occasion, but a laboured picture of the business might be irksome and troublesome.—Let it ever be remembered that a Washington is to guide the helm; and may he so steer the bark through a perilous sea as to arrive at last at its desired port in safety; May prosperous gales favour him, and every wind waft him the wishes of all great and good men. "And while along the stream of time his name
"Expanded flies, and gather all its fame, "O may my little bark attendant fail, "Pursue the triumph, and partake the gale; "When envy stung to death shall grant repose, "Sons then shall blush that fathers were his foes."
St. Clair's Defence."
"A detachment of the state troops served the artillery, and 11 rounds were fired, in front of the State House, in honour and commemoration of those independent states that have been great and worthy enough to adopt the federal constitution."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Ulster county, Sept. 24.
"A farmer in this county, who sowed one bushel of the white bearded wheat last fall, has now reaped and threshed it, and it yields 53 bushels, 13 quarts and 1/2; this he sold to the people about the country for seed, at the rate of 10s. per bushel, which amounts to 261. 14s. It was sowed on an acre and 1/8th of land."
MIDDLETOWN, (Conn) Nov. 1.
Last Thursday, Miss Lucy Gill, of this city, accidentally fell into the river, where it is supposed she lay 18 or 20 minutes before she was discovered, when she was taken up apparently a corpse, but happily soon recovered.
PROVIDENCE, October 25.
By accounts from the new City of Marietta, on the Muskingum, as late as September 15, we learn that about 180 Settlers were then on the Spot, who were highly pleased with their Situation, inasmuch that some had declared their intention of never revisiting the old States.—Several Families, consisting of about 50 Persons, had arrived at Buffalo-Creek, 90 Miles from the Muskingum, on their way thither. At Campus-Martius three Block-Houses were erected, another began, and the whole Stockade is supposed to be compleated by this Time; 7 good Dwelling-Houses were also finished, and many others building. The Treaty was expected to take Place soon. A great Number of Indians, with several Chiefs had visited the Settlements, and appear well pleased with the Prospect of living in Peace and Amity with their "Brother Yankees."—The Settlers were in high Health and Spirits. Provisions of the best Kinds were in great plenty, and very cheap. Venison, 1d. per lb Pennsylvania Currency.
The following List of Boats, Waggons, &c. which passed the Muskingum from October, 1786, to September 15, 1788, was taken from the Commandant at Fort-Harmar, and may be relied on as authentic.
 Boats, . . . . . 850  Waggons, . . . . . 600  Men, Women & Children, 20,000  Horses, . . . . . 7000  Cows, . . . . . 3000  Sheep, . . . . . 900 
Nov. 1. Sunday last the Sloop Lively, Capt. Nathaniel Hunt, arrived here in 9 Days from Charleston, S. Carolina. He informs, that it was currently reported in Charleston, when he sailed, that another Convention was to be immediately called in North-Carolina, for the Purpose of reconsidering the New Constitution.
WORCESTER, November 6.
Our astronomical brethren at the Southward, say that the long expected Comet now makes its appearance—that it rises about three o'clock in the morning in the north east, and is discoverable by the naked eye. It is supposed
that this Comet is the same which made its appearance in October, 1532, and again in January, 1661, its period being 129 years. It is probable that its nearest approach to the sun will be in January, and that it will soon make its appearance in the evening.
BOSTON, November 8.
The liberality of the choice of Federal Senators in Connecticut, and the wisdom which has dictated it, exhibit an example and furnish a lesson to all the sister States, highly worthy of their imitation. Fetters by no narrow system of individual interests, the wise people have deputed two gentlemen as their representatives in that august assembly, whose general knowledge and extensive information will equally embrace all interests—whose powerful talents will enable them to advocate, at once, the claims of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures—whose professional skill is prepared to combat the subtle, or to reason with the liberal minded—and whose political acquirements qualify them to negotiate with the ablest statesman in Europe—The Representatives of a State, not merely of a plough or a ship.
The idea of introducing men into the federal Legislature to administer a Constitution which they are known to be pointedly opposed to, is so absurd, that it meets with universal contempt from the federal electors of this metropolis.
As much as has been said about PRECEDENTS of late, it may not be impertinent to advert to the fate of those bugbears, these formidable nothings at, and since the revolution. Pray what attention was paid to them in throwing off our allegiance to the King of Britain? Where did we find a precedent for the wisdom and patriotism in forming our constitution? Existing and established laws are confessedly of more validity than precedents.—But did the old Confederation weigh a straw in the minds of the late Continental Convention who framed the glorious Federal Constitution? Precedents are formidable, when they will answer the purposes of party—but the good sense of our country has demonstrated, that when they come in competition with the interests of the people "they vanish into air, "into thin air."
PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 12.
HOME MANUFACTURES.
"Three houses only in the city of Philadelphia have sold, the present year, fifty thousand yards of LINEN made in NEW-ENGLAND; all which has been remitted for by shipments of flour, iron and steel. How much must have been sold in States which do not manufacture themselves! The farmers, the owners of coasting vessels, and the manufacturers, have been essentially served; a domestic trade and navigation has been maintained, and the nursery for our seamen extended.—Two houses only have had one thousand pieces of white callicoes printed, of the most saleable patterns in the city. A scheme, which thus unites the interests of the landholder, the tenant, the merchant, the manufac-
turer, and the mariner, must tend to public good. Let us therefore carefully examine into every thing that relates to it, and lay down one rule, never to be deviated from— that whenever we can purchase a home-made article as low as it can be imported, we will decidedly prefer it. "
A Silver Mine has lately been discovered at Rochester, in Ulster county, near Esopus; the vein appears to be five feet by two:—It is but just opened; there is no knowing how far it extends.
SHIP NEWS.
On the 20th September, arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, the brig Amazonia. About the middle of that month, she fell in with a sloop loaded with shingles, without any person on board, her name on the stern, JOSEPH; supposed to belong some where to the northward, by her built.
On the 26th Sept. lat. 73 : 13, long. 75 : 30. Capt. Manchester, from Providence for Baltimore, fell in with a wreck, which he supposed to be a New-England built vessel. She was a brig of 160 tons burthen, black bottom and waist: To appearance she was first intended for a sloop, having her partners for the mast remaining, and the plank new where the mast holes were cut. Both her masts were gone and no person on board. She appeared to have been loaded with salt, which was melted.
By a vessel arrived at Salem, from St. Peter's, we are informed of several vessels in a shattered situation on the Banks of Newfoundland—a Schooner upset, in a forsaken condition, supposed to be an American vessel, from apples, &c. floating about her; that a topsail Schooner, thought to be an American, ran in on an island near St. Peter's, went to pieces, and all on board perished.
On Sunday, arrived at Boston, the brig Nancy, Capt. Benjamin Leach, of Newbury-Port, in 18 days from Wilmington, N. C. having been obliged to throw over board the greatest part of his deck load in a heavy gale of wind. Capt. Leach has been absent from his friends 18 months. Same day, arrived there, Capt. Nickerson, in 30 days from Martinico—Left there the Schooner —, Capt. Thorndike, of Beverly.
Capt. Christopher Desbon, of New-London, who left Turk's-Island the last September, informs, that about the 21st of that month, a sloop belonging to Connecticut, arrived there with provisions, where he was not permitted to dispose of her cargo, so she proceeded to the cape.
Capt. Hillyard, arrived at New-London, from Turk's-Island, left Captain Squires there, where he was permitted to trade off his cargo, but intended proceeding to the Cape, and to return there and load.
Capt. Caddenhead, of the ship Success, who arrived lately at Philadelphia, from the Isle of May, but last from St. Jago, informs, that on 3d. of Sept, the rains came on, and prevented any more salt being procured.
NAVAL OFFICE.
Port of Piscataqua, November 12, 1788.
CLEARED for Schooner Blossom, Muchmore, N. York. Schooner Industry, Paul, St. Martins.
ENTERED from Brig Statira, Manning, Gaudaloup. Brig Elizabeth, Carrier, Hispaniola. Snow Ninefons, Parsons, Liverpool. Snow Abigail, M c Clure, —
ANECDOE.
A BLACKSMITH in a neighbouring town, while shoeing a horse was gazed at by a number of Ngroes as they were passing by; being a little piqued at being the object of the blacks attention, and attempting to cast a slur upon them said, "I believe Hell's broke loose."—"Yes, Massa (says one) I see de Devel got hold de horse's foot."

Parnassian Spring.
An Evening CONTEMPLATION.
YEARS , & days and hours revolving, Bring destruction as they roll, Sun and moon, and planets glowing, Serve to teach th' attentive soul. Let me rise above those trifles, Form'd to please a grov'ling mind; On the wings of contemplation, Rise to transports more refin'd.
See! the day is far advancing, Evening comes with dusky hue! Adieu, ye sweetly pleasing prospects, Beauteous scenes, adieu, adieu!
I'll not regret your swift departure, Since (with mild and gentle sway) Luna comes, celestial goddess! To supply the place of day.
O'er the eastern hills she rises, Spreading far her splendid train; Spangled robes with glitt'ring lustre, Deck the fields, the groves, the plain.
In the stream that softly murmurs, We behold her placid face; On the smooth transparent surface, See! she moves with matchless grace.
How delightful thus to view her! O how pleasing this employ! Scenes of idle dissipation, Ne'er afforded half the joy.
Let me catch divine instruction, From the streams that humbly glide. Learn to lull each rising passion, Check each willing gust of pride.
As the image in the water, Beams a radiance pure, refin'd, May each bright, each heav'nly virtue, Shine resplendent in my mind.
For the GAZETTE.
The LITANY.
FROM all old maids and old bachelors, good Lord deliver us.
From all unclean women, good Lord deliver us.
From scolding wives, good Lord deliver us.
From all prattling women, good Lord deliver us.
From all evil, good Lord deliver us.
From all bad times, good Lord deliver us.
From the want of CASH, good Lord deliver us.
From all ANTIFEDERALISM, good Lord deliver us.
For the GAZETTE.
A QUESTION.
WHAT English word is that, from which if you take the three last letters, the remainder will be the dread of all mankind; from the same word take the two first letters, and the remainder will be what all ought to; love and all together the greatest beauty in the known world.
BUCK-SKIN BREECHES and GLOVES
SOLD at Haslett's, the sign of the Buck & Glove Portsmouth, as cheap as in the United States,
ALSO,
DEER-SKIN and SHEEP-SKIN BREECHES and GLOVES.
THE Commissioners appointed to receive and examine the claims against the estate of JONATHAN MOULTON , late of Hampton, Esq. deceased; give notice that six months from the 16th day of October instant, are further allowed for that purpose, and that they will attend the business at the late dwelling-house of the deceased, in Hampton, on the last Thursday of this, and the five following months.
Hampton, October 17th, 1788.
Just Printed, And ready for Sale at this Office, Wholesale and Retail, as cheap as in Boston, a variety of Almanacks
For the Year
1789.
Among which are SEWALL's , which so rapidly run through two editions the last year.
Imported in the HERO , Capt. Thompson, from LONDON , A general Assortment of
GOODS
For all seasons, and to be Sold very low for Cash BT
Samuel Hill,
At his Store in Portsmouth, North of the Market.
—VIZ.—
Blankets,
Colchester and Drapery Baizes, Flannels, Duffils, Lamb-Skins, Coatings, Forest Cloths, Plains, Kerseys, Serges, Serge Denim, Velvets, Corduroys, Satinets, Lastings, Florentines, Broad Cloths, Trimmings of all sorts, Worsted Hose, Bolting-Cloths, A general assortment of hatters trimmings, Plated Bitts and Spurs, Warming-Pans, Frying-Pans, Shovels & Tongs, Nails of all sorts, 10 by 8 & 9 by 7 Window Glass, A general assortment of Hard-Ware, A few Boxes Tin-Plates, Looking-Glasses, A general assortment Crockery and Glass-Ware, Sleigh-Bells, of different sizes,
Camblets,
Cambletens, Poplins, Crapes, Callicoes, Shawls, Silk, Linnen and Cotton Handkerchiefs, Irish Linnens, Checker'd ditto, Bed-Ticks, Black Modes, Gauzes, Cambricks, Lady's silk and leather Gloves and Mitts, Bibles and Testaments, Spelling-Books, Psalters, Primers, Writing-Paper, Powder and Shot, Sheet & Bar-Lead, German Steel, English and Novascotia Grind-Stones, A general assortment of London Pewter, Brass-Kettles, Copper Teakettles, Copperas, Allum, Brimstone, A general assortment of Painter's Colours and Linseed Oyl.
May be had at the same place,
West-India and New-England Rum, Sugar, Molasses, Cotton, Green and Bohea Tea, Loaf Sugar, Philadelphia Iron, Iron Ware, Potash Kettles, Dye-Woods, and many other articles, too many to enumerate in this Advertisement.
N. B. Cash, or any of the above Goods given for Potash, Beeswax, Flaxseed and Furs. Portsmouth, Octo. 26.
ALL persons that have any demands upon the estate of MATTHEW STANLEY PARKER , late of Wolfborough, deceased, are desired to exhibit the same, and those indebted to make payment, to HENRY RUST , Administrator. Wolfborough, October 10, 1788.
Continental and State Securities NEGOTIATED BY Nath'l A. Haven
At his STORE in Market-Street, where may be had as usual, A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF Drugs, Medicines, & Groceries, at the lowest Cash Prices. Portsmouth, October 20, 1788.
TO BE SOLD At PUBLIC VENDUE , By licence from the Judge of Probate for the county of Rockingham, on Thursday the fourth of December next, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, at the house of Colonel William Brewster innholder in Portsmouth,
So much of the real estate of John Moffatt, Esq. deceased, as will discharge the debts due from the same: Among which will be sold, sundry tracts of land in the following towns, viz. Marlborough, Andover, Campbells-Gore, New-Bradford, Stoddard, Packersfield, Washington-Gore, Fishersfield, Peterborough, Meridith, Hillsborough, Conway, New-Hampton, Sutton, New-Chester, Henniker, New-London, Salisbury, Ossipee, Dublin, Island in Winnepesaukee, &c. &c. Conditions will be made known at the place and time of sale.
Portsmouth, Nov. 4th, 1788.
TO BE SOLD At PUBLIC VENDUE , At the house of Mr. John Greenleaf, innholder in Portsmouth, on Monday the 23d of February next,
BY virtue of a licence from the Hon. Phillips White, Esq. Judge of Probate, &c. for the county of Rockingham, the following real estate, belonging to Jacob Treadwell, late of Portsmouth, merchant, at the time of his decease, viz. One half a dwelling-house, pleasantly situated in said Portsmouth; Ten rights of land in Northumberland, among which is a valuable Farm under improvement, with the dwelling-house and other buildings thereon; also, Twelve rights of land in Percy; One ditto in Dummer; One ditto in Thornton; and part of two rights in Lancaster.—The whole, or such part of the above will be sold, as will be sufficient to discharge the just debts of the said deceased,
DANIEL RINDGE ROGERS , (Administrator.)
THE subscribers Commissioners to examine the claims on the estate of JONATHAN CLARK , late of Barrington, deceased, represented insolvent, give notice, that they shall attend that service at the dwelling-house of Major SAMUEL HALE , in said Barrington, on the second Wednesday of this and the five months next ensuing, from three to six o'clock in the afternoon. SAMUEL HALE , RICHARD SWAIN , Commissioners. November 3d, 1788.
B A R L E Y.
WANTED.
A Quantity of good BARLEY , for which a good price will be given. Apply to CLEMENT STORER. Portsmouth, October 29.
TO BE SOLD
A valuable small Farm in Portsmouth, containing about 30 acres of choice land, well fenced, and good buildings, viz. A GOOD double DWELLING-HOUSE, completely finished, two BARNs, a CYDER-HOUSE, MILL, &c. complete, a STABLE, and the farm UTENSILS, as carts, plows, &c. together with the stock of CATTLE on the same; also, 4 or 5 acres of PASTURE land, within half a mile of said farm, that is joining land of Capt. Swards; being well fenced.—For further particulars inquire of WILLIAM FURNALD , living on the premises. N. B. The aforesaid land was that which formerly was called Cotton's, and also, that of Clark's garden, and orchard; and will produce in common years—from 60 to 70 barrels of cyder, 30 to 45 tons of hay, 150 bushels of Indian corn, &c.
State of New-Hampshire. PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given, that a petition has been preferred to the General-Court by David Page, of Conway, Esq. setting forth that he was the Collector of the taxes of the Proprietors of Conway before the revolution, but had not an opportunity to complete the same and the law of the State respecting Proprietors affairs having expired, he therefore prayed that he might be enabled to compleat said collection. Upon which petition the General-Court ordered, that he may be heard thereon before them on the second Tuesday of the next session, and that in the mean time he cause the substance of the petition and order of Court thereon, to be published three weeks successively in one of the New-Hampshire newspapers, prior to the setting of said Court, that any person or persons may then appear and shew cause why the prayer thereof should not be granted. Attest, JOSEPH PEARSON , Sec'y. Exeter, Sept. 2d, 1788.
State of New-Hampshire. NOTICE is hereby given to the proprietors and owners of land in the township of Chichester, in the county of Rockingham, that at a legal meeting held by adjournment at Hampton, on the 25th day of January, 1786, and ratified and confirmed at a meeting held by adjournment on November 24th, 1787, in order to pay the money borrowed to carry on the lawsuits against the town of Barnstead, and and other debts of the proprietors, there was a tax of eight shillings lawful money assessed on each lot in the first, second and third division, and four shillings and six pence on each lot in the fourth division of lots in said town, and the same is committed to me the subscriber to collect by the fourteenth day of November next, and if any person or persons neglect to pay the same, so much of his or their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges will be advertised for sale, as the law directs. THOMAS JOHNSON , Collector. Chichester, October 24th, 1788.
BLANKS of all sorts printed and sold at John Melcher's Printing Office, in Market-Street, very cheap.