The New Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1798-06-05 00:00:00

THE New Hampshire Gazette.
— OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD OUR CONSTANT AIM —
PORTSMOUTH: (NEW-HAMPSHIRE)— PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY MORNING BY JOHN MELCHER, PRINTER TO THE STATE, AT HIS OFFICE CORNER OF MARKET STREET, WHERE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THIS PAPER, ADVERTISEMENTS, AND ARTICLES OF INTELLIGENCE ARE THANKFULLY RECEIVED.
Vol. XLII.—Numb. 2166.]
TUESDAY, June 5, 1798.
[One Dollar & half pr. Annum.]
Important Documents.
MEMORIAL of the American Commissioners to the French Government.
(Concluded.)
THE decree of the 14th of Messidor was soon followed by another which has spared but little of the American commerce, except what has fortunately escaped the pursuit of the cruisers of France. On the 14th Ventose, 5th year. (2d March, 1797) the Executive Directory considering the treaty of amity commerce, and navigation concluded at London the 19th November, 1794, between the said United States and England, as containing concessions of privileges to Britain which, under the treaty of February 1778, might be enjoyed by this Republic also, proceeds to modify the treaty between France and the United States, by declaring enemies goods in American bottoms liable to capture and confiscation; by enlarging the list of contraband and by subjecting to punishment as a pirate any American citizen holding a commission given by the enemies of France, as well as every seaman of that nation, making a part of the crew of enemies ships. The decree next proceeds to exact from American papers which had been made necessary to establish the neutrality of foreign vessels, generally, by the ordinance of the 26th of July, 1778, but which had never been considered as applying to the United States; which required papers their vessels could not be supposed to possess, and which the treaty between the two nations was supposed to have rendered unnecessary.
The basis taken by the Executive Directory, on which to rest their modification of the treaty of the 19th of February, 1778, is that the treaty of the 19th of November, 1794, "particular favours in respect of commerce and navigation have been granted to England."
It has been demonstrated that no particular favours in respect of commerce or navigation, have been granted to England. That treaty has been shown only to recognize, regulate, and moderate in the exercise of the rights before possessed—rights which France and America have reciprocally ceded to each other, without requiring, a condition of the cession, that either should compel England to form a similar stipulation.
But to admit for a moment that the treaty with England might be considered as stipulating favours not before possessed, yet the American government did not so understand that treaty, and had manifested a disposition to modify, by common consent, its relations with this republic, in such manner as to reinstate a rule, which has been voluntarily changed. It cannot but be sincerely regretted, because it seemed to indicate an unfriendly temper, that France has deemed it more eligible to establish by force, in opposition to her treaty, a principle which she deemed convenient, than to fix that principle on the fair basis of mutual and amicable agreement.
But the clause under which these modifications are justified is in these words: "The most christian King and the United States engage mutually not to grant any particular favor to other nations, in respect of commerce and navigation, which shall not immediately become common to the other party, who shall enjoy the same favor freely if the concession was freely made,—or on allowing the same compensation, if the concession was conditional." If these stipulations unequivocally amounted to the grant of favors, still the grant is not gratuitous. The concessions on the part of the United States are made on condition of similar concessions on the part of Britain. If therefore France chooses to consider them as modifications of treaty of 1778, she can only do it by granting the reciprocal condition; on this supposition she has either of the rules at her elections, but she cannot vary from the first without a compact on her part to grant the reciprocal stipulation. Such a compact is in the nature of a national treaty.
But the rules laid down in the decree of the 14th Ventose, 5th year (March 2, 1797) as founded on the 17th, 18th, and 21st, articles of the treaty of the 19th of November 1794 are materially variant from those articles. To demonstrate this it is only necessary to contrast the rules of the decree with the articles of the treaty on which those rules are said to be founded.
Articles of the Treaty of the nineteenth November, 1794, as quoted by the Directory.
Article 17. It is agreed that in all cases where vessels shall be captured or detained on just suspicion of having on board enemies' property, or of carrying to the enemy any of the articles which are contraband of war, the said vessels shall be brought to the nearest or most convenient port: and if any property of an enemy should be found on board such vessel, that part only which belongs to the enemy shall be made prize, and the vessel shall be at liberty to proceed with the remainder without any impediment. And it is agreed that all proper measures shall be taken to prevent delay in deciding the cases of ships or cargoes so brought for adjudication; and in the payment or recovery of any indemnification adjudged or agreed to be paid to the owners or masters of such ships.
Rules established by the arrests of the Directory.
Rule 1. According to the seventeenth
article of the treaty of London, of the nineteenth of November, 1794, all merchandise of the enemy or merchandise not sufficiently proved to be neutral, laden under the American flag, shall be confiscated, but the vessel on board of which it shall be found, shall be released and restored to the owner. It is enjoined on the commissioners of the Executive Directory to accelerate, by all the means in their power, the decision of contests which shall arise either on the validity of the prize-cargo or on the freight and demurrage.
According to the article, when on just suspicion of having on board enemy's property, or of carrying to the enemy contraband of war, a vessel shall be brought into port, that part only which belongs to the enemy shall be made prize, according to the article, then the fact whether the property does or does not belong to an enemy is to be fairly tried. The party who would establish the fact must prove it. The captor must show the justice of the suspicion on which the capture or detention was founded. The burthen of the proof rests on him. If in truth and in fact the property does not belong to an enemy or is not proved to belong to an enemy, it must be discharged. But the rule purifies a different course. The rule declares that merchandise of the enemy or not sufficiently proved to be neutral, laden under the American flag, shall be confiscated. The burthen of the proof is shifted from the captor to the captured. The question to be tried is not solely whether the merchandise be in fact the property of an enemy, but also whether it be sufficiently proved to be neutral. The sufficiency of this proof is to be ascertained, not by general and satisfactory testimony, nor by the great principles of truth and the common understanding of mankind, but by the exhibition of certain papers demanded at the will of one of the parties, and not in the possession of the other. This may be a regulation which France chooses to establish; but certainly it is a regulation, essentially variant from the article it professes to resemble.
Article 18. In order to regulate what is in future to be esteemed contraband of war, it is agreed that under the said denomination shall be comprised all arms and implements serving for the purposes of war, by land or by sea; as cannon, muskets, mortars, petards, bombs, grenades, carcases, saucisses, carriages for cannon, musket reles, bandoliers, gun-powder, match, salt petre, ball, pikes, twords, head pieces, cuirasses, halberds, lances, javelins, horse furniture, holsters, belts, and generally all other implements of war; as also timber for ship building, tar or rosin, copper in sheets, sails, hemp and cordage, and generally whatever may serve directly to the equipment of vessels, unwrought iron and fir plank only excepted.
Rule 2. According to the 18th article of the treaty of London of the 19th of Nov. 1794 to the articles declared contraband by the 24th articles of the treaty of the 6th of February, 1778, are added the following articles:
Timber for ship building, pitch, tar and rosin, copper in sheets, sails, hemp and cordage, and every thing which serves directly or indirectly for the armament and equipment of vessels, unwrought iron and fir planks excepted. These several articles shall be confiscated whenever they shall be destined or attempted to be carried to the enemy.
The immense number of articles, which may serve indirectly for the armament and equipment of vessels, are made contraband by the rule of the Directory, though they are not so by the article it professes to cite.
Article 21. It is likewise agreed that the subjects and citizens of the two nations shall not do any acts of hostility or violence against each other, nor accept commissions or instructions to act from any foreign prince or state enemies to the party; nor shall the enemies of one of the parties be permitted to invite or endeavour to enlist in their military service any of the subjects or citizens of the other party; and the laws against all such offences and aggressions shall be punctiliously executed. And if any subject or citizen of the said parties respectively shall accept any foreign commission or letters of marque for arming any vessel to act as a privateer against the other party, it is hereby declared to be lawful for the said party to treat and punish the said subject or citizen having such commission or letters of marque as a pirate.
Rule 3. According to the 21st article of the treaty of London of the 19th of November, '94, every individual known to be an American, who shall hold a commission given by the enemies of France, as well as every seaman of that nation making a part of the crew of enemies ships, shall by that act be declared a pirate and treated as such without being allowed in any case to allege that he was forced to do it by violence, menaces or otherwise.
The government of the United States has never formed a treaty comprehending an article in any degree similar to this rule. It has never assented to such stipulations as they relate to its own citizens, or required them as they relate to those of other powers. The difference between the article and the rule requires no comment. Nor will the rule be commented on. The undersigned will only observe, that the article is by no means uncommon, but is to be found in most treaties of amity and commerce. The 21st article of the treaty with France, the 19th of the treaty with the United Provinces, the 23d of the treaty
with Sweden, and the 20th article of the treaty with Prussia, contain similar stipulations. It is not easy to conceive a reason why it should not also be inserted in a treaty with England, or why its insertion should give offence to France.
But the fourth rule of the decree is in its operation the most extensive and the most seriously destructive. That rule declares, that, "Conformably to the law of the 14th of Feb. 1793, the regulations of the 21st of October 1744, and of the 26th of July, 1778, concerning the manner of proving the property of neutral ships and merchandise, shall be executed according to their form and tenor."
"Every American ship shall therefore be a good prize, which shall not have on board a list of the crew in proper form, such as is prescribed by the model annexed to the treaty of the 6th of Feb. 1778, the observance of which is required by the 25th and 27th articles of the same treaty."
This rule requires, that American ships and merchandise, in order to prove the property to be American, shall exhibit certain papers, and especially a role d'équipage, which are required of neutrals generally by the particular marine ordinances of France recited in the decrees of the Directory. But France and America have entered into a solemn treaty, one object of which was to secure the vessels of either party, which might be at peace, from the cruisers of the other which might be engaged in war. To effect this object the contracting parties have not referred each other to the particular statutes or ordinances of either government, but have enumerated the papers which should be deemed sufficient. They have done more: They have prescribed the very form of the passport which should establish the neutrality of the vessel, and prevent her being diverted from her course. The 25th and 27th articles of the treaty between the two nations, which are quoted by the Directory, and are considered by the undersigned as conclusive on this subject, are in these words:
ART. 25. "To the end that all manner of dissensions and quarrels may be avoided and prevented on the one side and on the other, it is agreed, that in case either of the parties hereto should be engaged in war, the ships and vessels belonging to the subjects or people of the other ally must be furnished with sea-letters or passports, expressing the name, property and bulk of the ship, as also the name and place of habitation of the master or commander of the said ship, that it may appear thereby that the said ship really and truly belongs to the subjects of one of the parties, which passport shall be made out and granted according to the form annexed to this treaty, and they shall likewise be recalled every year, that is, if the ship happens to return home in the space of a year. It is likewise agreed that such ships, being laden, are to be provided not only with passports, as above mentioned, but also with certificates containing the several particulars of the cargo, the place whence the ship failed, and whether she is bound, that so it may be known whether any forbidden or contraband goods be on board the same; which certificates shall be made out by the officers of the place, whence the ship set sail, in the accustomed form; and if any one shall think it fit or advisable to express in the said certificates the person to whom the goods on board belong he may freely do so."
ART. 27. "If the ships of the said subjects, people or inhabitants of either of the parties, shall be met with either sailing along the coast, or on the high seas, by any ship of war of the other, or by any privateers, the said ships of war or privateers for the avoiding of any disorders shall remain out of cannon shot, and may send their boat, aboard the merchant ship, which they shall so meet with, and may enter her to the number of two or three men only to whom the master or commander of such ship or vessel shall exhibit his passport, concerning the property of the ship, made out according to the form inserted in this present treaty; and the ship, when she shall have shewed such passport, shall be free and at liberty to pursue her voyage so as it shall not be lawful to molest or search her in any manner, or to give her chase or force her to quit her intended course."
It will be admitted that the two nations possess the power of agreeing that any paper in any form shall be the sole document demandable by either from the other, to prove the property of a vessel and cargo. It will also be admitted, that an agreement so made becomes the law of the parties, which must retain its obligation.
Examine then the words of the compact, and determine by fair construction what will satisfy them.
The 25th article states substantially the contents of a paper, which is termed a sea-letter or passport, and which "it is agreed that in case either of the parties should be engaged in war, the ships and vessels belonging to the subjects or people of the other ally must be furnished with:" To what purpose are they to be furnished with this sea-letter or passport? The article answers, "To the end that all manner of dissensions and quarrels may be avoided and prevented, on one side and the other." "That it may appear thereby that the ship really and truly belongs to the subjects of one of the parties."
But how will the passport "prevent and avoid all manner of dissensions and quarrels on one side or the other," if ordinances, both prior and subsequent to the treaty, are to be understood as controlling it, and as requiring other papers not contemplated in the public
agreement of the two nations? How is it to appear from the passport, that the ship really and truly belongs to the subjects of one of the parties, if it is denied that the passport is evidence of that fact, and contended that other papers not alluded to in the treaty, shall be adduced to prove it?
But the 27th article is still more explicit. It declares that when a merchant-ship of one of the parties shall be visited by the ships of war or privateers of the other, "the commander of such ship or vessel shall exhibit his passport, concerning the property of the ship, made out according to the form inserted in the present treaty, and the ship when she shall have shewed such passport, shall be free and at liberty to pursue her voyage, so as it shall not be lawful to molest or search her in any manner, or to give chase, or force her to quit her intended course." What is it that shall prove the property of the vessel? The treaty answers, the passport. But the decree of the Directory requires in addition certain other papers, perfectly distinct from the passport. The treaty declares, that the ship when she shall have shewed (not the role d'équipage or any other paper, required by the particular ordinances of either nation, but) "such passport shall be free and at liberty to pursue her voyage, so as it shall not be lawful to molest or search her in any manner, or to give her chase or force her to quit her intended course." Yet the vessels of America, after exhibiting "such passport" are not "free and at liberty to pursue their voyage;" they are "molested;" they are "chased;" they are "forced to quit their intended course;" they are captured and confiscated as hostile property.
It is alleged that the form of the passport, which is annexed to the treaty, manifests that certain acts were to be performed by the person to whom the passport is delivered, and that such person ought to prove the performance of those acts.
But the treaty far from requiring such proof absolutely dispenses with it. The treaty declares that the passport shall itself evidence the property of the vessel and secure it from molestation of any sort. By consent of the parties then the passport is evidence of all that either party can require from the other. Neither the right to give such consent, or the obligation of a compact formed upon it can, as is conceived, ever be denied, nor can the form of the passport, whatever it may be, change the compact.
But let the words of the model be examined. They are "A tous ceux que ces présentes verront: soit notoire que faculte et permission a été accordée a maître ou commandant du navire appelle de la ville de de la capacite de tonneaux ou environ, se trouvant presentement dans le port de qu'apres que son navire a été visité et avant son depart, il pretera serment entre les mains des officiers de la marine, que le dit navire appartient a un ou plusieurs sujets de dont l'acte sera mis a la fin des presentes; de meme qu'il gardera les ordonnances et reglemens maritimes, et remettra une copie signée et confirmée par temoins, contenant les noms et surnoms les lieux de naissance, et la demeure des personnes composant l'équipage, de son navire, et de tous ceux qui embarqueront, lesquels il ne recevra pas a bord sans connaissance et permission des officiers de marine; et dans chaque port ou havre, il montrera la presente permission aux officiers et juges de marine."
It is material to observe, that the model requires the oath concerning the property of the vessel to be annexed to the passport, but does not require any other certificate or the annexation of any paper whatever. Why this difference? It is a solemn proof of that for which the articles stipulate, and therefore the model expresses that the evidence of this fact shall be annexed, but it does not require the production of the evidence of any other fact.
It seems then to be demonstrated that the sea-letter or passport, a model of which is annexed to the treaty, is by solemn agreement to be received by each party as conclusive testimony, that the vessel producing such passport is the property of a citizen of the other, and is consequently to continue her voyage without molestation or hindrance.
But let it be supposed that the treaty on this subject was less conclusive, and that its stipulations had been ambiguously expressed; yet it is certain that it has been uniformly understood by both parties as the underfigured have expounded it, and that neither France nor the United States, previous to the decree complained of, considered the vessels of either nation, producing the passport agreed on, as liable to capture for want of a role d'équipage.
For more than four years after her treaty with the U. States, France was engaged in a war with Britain, and in the course of that time it was never suggested that a role d'équipage was necessary for the protection of an American vessel. It does not weaken the argument that the United States were also parties to the war. The principle assumed is, that without the production of the papers required by the decree, the vessel does not appear to be, and cannot be considered as American property. If this principle be correct it would not cease to apply because the United States were engaged in the war. Was America even engaged in the war on the part of France, a British vessel carrying American colours would not be secured by the flag she bore. It would be necessary to prove by her papers, or other admissible testimony, that the vessel was American property. If this fact cannot appear without a role d'équipage
while the United States are at peace, neither could it appear without the same evidence if the United States were parties to the war.
About four years of the present war had also elapsed before this construction of the treaty at the same time so wonderful and so ruinous, had disclosed itself. In the course of that time the ports of France were filled with the vessels of the United States. Very many of them failed under contracts made for the government itself by its ministers in Philadelphia. No one of them possessed a role d'équipage; no one of them was considered on that account as being liable to condemnation. Indeed, in some instances vessels have been captured and discharged, although this paper was not among those belonging to the ship.
Such a long course of practice appears to have evidenced unequivocally the sense of France on this subject.
It is too apparent to be questioned for a moment, that on the part of the United States no suspicion had been entertained that such a paper could have been required. A role d'équipage could have been obtained with as much facility as that passport for which the treaty stipulates.—Could it have been imagined that American vessels incurred the possible hazard of being regarded only one day in a voyage for want of such paper, it would in every instance have been supplied. No vessel would have failed without.
Your own mind, Citizen Minister, will suggest to you, with irresistible force, the extreme hardship of thus putting a new construction on a long existing contract, or of giving a new and unexpected extension to ancient municipal regulations, and of condemning thereby vessels taken on the high seas for want of a paper not known to be required, when they failed out of port. If a role d'équipage was really considered by France as necessary evidence of any fact, the establishment of which was deemed essential, common usage and those plain principles of justice which all nations should respect, indisputably require that the regulation should first be made known to a neutral and friendly nation by other means than by the capture and confiscation of its property. If this measure had been announced to the government of the United States, before it had been put in practice, and American vessels had failed without a role d'équipage, they would have taken upon themselves the hazard of such a procedure. But in a moment when the ocean is covered with peaceful merchantmen, pursuing a just and lawful commerce, to bring into sudden operation a measure which had never before been applied to them, which had for so many years slept unheeded, and by the force of this regulation to confiscate unguarded property which had been trusted to the seas, under the faith of solemn and existing treaties, and without a conjecture that this, more than any other formula would have been required, is to impose on unoffending individuals a ruin from which no wise precautions, no human foresight could possibly have protected them.
On this subject then the undersigned appeal with confidence to the justice and equity of the French government.
But could it be conceded for a moment that the Executive Directory might rightfully modify the treaty of France with the United States by that of the United States with Britain, and might rightfully require a role d'équipage in order to establish the neutrality of a vessel, for want of which the vessel might be confiscated, yet the cargo being proved to be neutral ought to be safe.
According to the law of nations, the goods of an enemy found on board the ship of a friend are liable to capture, and the goods of a friend found on board the ship of an enemy are safe. The United States and France have consented to change this rule as between themselves. They have agreed, that the goods of an enemy found on board the vessels of either party shall be safe, and that the goods of either found on board the vessel of an enemy shall be liable to capture. The one part of this rule is in consequence of and dependent on the other. The one part cannot on any principle of justice be abandoned while the other is maintained.
In their treaty with England the United States retain unchanged the principle of the law of nations. If France modifies her treaty in this respect by that of England, she ought to take the principle entire. If in conformity to the treaty between the United States and England, France claims the right of taking enemies property found on board an American ship, then, in conformity with that treaty also, France ought to spare American property found on board an enemy's ship. If, therefore, this extraordinary position could be maintained, that an American ship without a role d'équipage becomes the ship of an enemy, still the cargo, being proved to be the property of a friend, ought, on the principle of modifying the treaty between the two nations by that with England, to have been restored to the owners.
The result of these regulations has been the most extensive and universal devastation of the American commerce. Not only vessels bound to and from the enemies of France, but vessels bound to and from her allies, and to and from her own ports, have been seized and confiscated.
The inevitable consequence has been, that direct commerce between the two nations is almost annihilated, and that the property of American citizens has been taken to a much larger amount than would have been possible in a state of actual war.

Yet the Government of the United States wishing, if it be possible, to avoid even defensive measures, has sought assiduously and unremittingly, though hitherto without success, for such peaceful and amicable explanations as might do away existing animosities and restore between the two republics that harmony which it so truly desires.
America has accustomed herself to perceive in France only the ally and the friend. Consulting the feelings of her own bosom, she has believed that between republics an elevated and refined friendship could exist, and that free nations were capable of maintaining for each other a real and permanent affection. If this pleasing theory, erected with so much care and viewed with so much delight, has been impaired by experience, yet the hope continues to be cherished that this circumstance does not necessarily involve the opposite extreme. It is believed that there exists no sufficient cause for solid and permanent enmity between France and the United States—but that on the contrary the interests of both would be promoted by that friendly intercourse, which a reciprocal observance of the great and immutable principles of justice would certainly establish and can alone preserve. Under the impression America reflects the opinion that the present state of things has grown out of a digested system to which France designs to adhere. She wishes and she endeavours to persuade herself that temporary causes, which too often produce effects a sound and just policy must reprobate, connected with a misconstruction of the conduct of her Government, as well as of the motives on which it has acted, may have occasioned those very serious aggressions of which she complains. She recedes therefore, even under the pressure of these aggressions, slowly and with difficulty from the attachments she has formed. So intertwined with every ligament of her heart have been the cords of affection which bound her to France, that only repeated and continued acts of hostility can tear them asunder. The government of the United States, therefore, still searches the means of terminating peacefully, and in a manner which ought to be mutually satisfactory, the calamities of the moment, and of averting the still greater calamities which may be reserved for the future. Not even the discouraging and unusual events which had preceded the present effort to negotiate, could deter that government from repeating its endeavours for the preservation of amity and peace. Three citizens of the United States have been deputed as envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French Republic. Their instructions authorize and direct them to review the existing treaties between the two nations, and to remove by all proper means, the inequalities which have grown out of the stipulations of those treaties, in consequence of the refusal of England to adopt the principles they contain. They are also directed to give fair and complete explanations of the conduct of the government they represent; to state fully and truly the heavy injuries which their fellow-citizens have sustained; and to ask from the equity of a great and magnanimous republic that compensation for those injuries which, we flatter ourselves, their justice will not refuse, and their liberal policy will not hesitate to give.
Bringing with them the temper of their government and country, searching only for the means of effecting the objects of their mission, they have permitted no personal considerations to influence their conduct, but have waited under circumstances beyond measure embarrassing and unpleasant, with that respect which the American government has so uniformly paid to that of France, for permission to lay before you, citizen minister, these important communications with which they have been charged.
Perceiving no probability of being allowed to enter, in the usual forms, on those discussions which might tend to restore harmony between the two Republics, they have deemed it most advisable, even under the circumstances of informality which attends the measure, to address to your government, through you, this candid review of the conduct, and this true representation of the sentiments and wishes of the Government of the United States. They pray that it may be received in the temper with which it is written, and considered as an additional effort, growing out of a disposition common to the Government and people of America, to cultivate and restore, if it be possible, harmony between the two republics. If, citizen minister, there remains a hope that these desirable objects can be effected by any means which the United States have authorized, the undersigned will still solicit and will respectfully attend the development of those means.
If on the contrary no such hope remains, they have only to pray that their return to their own country may be facilitated; and they will leave France with the most deep-seated regret, that neither the real and sincere friendship, which the government of the United States has so uniformly and unequivocally displayed for this great Republic, nor its continued efforts to demonstrate the purity of its conduct and intentions, can protect its citizens, or preserve them from the calamities which they have sought by a just and upright conduct to avert.
The undersigned pray you, Citizen Minister, to accept the assurances of their perfect respect and consideration.
Paris, January 17th, 1798, in the 2nd year of American Independence.
[Here follows the formalities of the Law relative to vessels laden with English merchandise; the principles of which have already been published.]
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, MAY 19.
THE Loan-Office Certificate, Final Settlement, &c. bill , passed thro' various stages, and was ordered to be engrossed. This bill suspends the limitation on the unfunded paper above mentioned and provides for its payment. Private business as usual.
MONDAY, May 22.
The Naturalization Bill
was again discussed, amended, and read a third time. This bill provides that Aliens shall in future reside 14 years in the United States, and give 5 years notice of their intention of becoming citizens, before they can be naturalized;—except those who were in the country before the passing of the law of January, 1795, but who have neglected to become citizens; and those who have come since, and have given due notice of their intention to become citizens, provided the former do it within one year; and the latter within four years from the passing of this act. All Aliens are to be reported to the District Court;—and those who are subjects or citizens of a country with whom the United States are at war, are excluded from citizenship altogether.
On Motion,
Resolved , That this House, in refusing to allow Thomas Pinckney, late Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of London, and Envoy Extraordinary to the court of Madrid, to receive the presents usually made by those courts, to foreign ministers upon taking their leave, was induced to such refusal, by motives solely of general policy, and not by any view personal to the said Thomas Pinckney.
TUESDAY, May 22.
Magnanimous Measures.
Mr. Sitgreaves laid on the table the following resolutions:
Resolved , That the commanders of the private armed vessels of the United States, be authorised, by law, to take or destroy any cruisers of the French Republic, which shall attack them on the high seas, for the purpose of search or seizure.
Resolved , That the commanders of the public armed vessels of the United States be authorised and directed to take or destroy any cruiser of the French Republic which may be found attacking on the high seas, any public or private vessel of the United States, for the purpose of search or seizure.
Resolved , That the commanders of the public and private armed vessels of the United States be authorised to re-take any vessel of the United States which may have been captured by the cruisers of the French Republic, and to take or destroy any cruiser which may have made such capture.
Resolved , That the public armed vessels of the United States be authorised and directed to take or destroy all armed cruisers of the French Republic, which may be found on the coast of the United States, within the shore.
The Alien Enemies' Bill
was again debated, amended, and ordered for a third reading to-morrow. This bill provides, that, whenever there shall be a declared war between the United States, and any foreign nation, or any invasion, or predatory incursion, shall be perpetrated, attempted or threatened against this country, all unnaturalized aliens of such country here, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien enemies, and their goods and effects subject to just retaliation of any unusual severities and confiscations, which shall be suffered by the citizens of the United States, in the country with which we are so at war, &c. And any person so obstructing the execution of this act, or who shall harbour and conceal any Alien liable as an enemy, knowing him to be such, after the Proclamation of the President, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and liable to a forfeiture not exceeding 1000 dollars, and be imprisoned not exceeding seven years.
WEDNESDAY, May 23.
A message from the Senate announced the following IMPORTANT BILL , which was read a first time, and committed; viz.
WHEREAS , armed vessels belonging to the Republic of France, and citizens thereof, have committed depredations on the commerce of the United States, and have recently captured the vessels and property of citizens thereof, on and near the coasts, in violation of the law of nations, and treaties between the United States and the French nation:
Therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, and he is hereby authorised to instruct and direct the commanders of the armed vessels belonging to the United States, to seize, take, and bring into any port of the United States, to be proceeded against according to the laws of nations, any armed vessel, fitted out at any port belonging to the said Republic, or elsewhere, being commissioned by the French government, and which shall be found hovering on the coasts of the United States, for the purpose of committing depredations on the vessels belonging to citizens thereof—and also to re-take any ship or vessel of any citizen or citizens of the United States which may have been captured by any such French cruiser.
This measure is what nine tenths of the people of the United States have for weeks wished. It has been with pain and indignation, that they have seen the depredations committed on their hard earned property, almost within our inner harbours; and at the same time known that the hands of our hardy seamen were tied behind them, and that they were necessitated, for want of such a law, to be the supine spectators of a series of piracies unparalleled in the depredations of all the Captain Kids or Blue Beards of ancient or modern times. Let any American, peruse but the articles of ship news in one single paper; and then let him ask his heart, whether the phial of American degradation and sufferings is not full and overflowing, and whether a state of active, declared War is not fifty times preferable? If one drop of Yankee blood animates that heart, it will answer, Yes, Yes. There need not be the least debate on the subject; necessity calls for the measure;—and policy dictates its immediate operation. Nor is the law inconsistent with any obligations which ought to bind the United States.—It is not a measure of offence, but defence;—It is not to take or destroy the property of any nation;—but to protect our own, and rid our seas of pirates. The Great Law of self-preservation loudly calls for it; that it is justified by the
Law of Nations,
the following extract from the most modern Commentator, will most irrefragably demonstrate:
Martens, Book VIII. cap. 1. sec. 3.
Of Reprisals.
"A sovereign [or state] violates his perfect obligations in violating the natural or perfect rights of another. It matters not whether these rights are innate or whether they have been acquired by express or tacit covenant or otherwise."
"In case of such violation, the injured sovereign [or state] may refuse to fulfil his perfect obligations towards the sovereign by whom he is injured, or towards the subjects of such sovereign. He may also have recourse to more violent means, till he has obliged the offending party to yield him satisfaction, or till he has taken such satisfaction himself, and guarded himself against the like injuries in future."
"Whether the state or its subjects be the offending party, if the state refuse to make satisfaction, the property of each of its subjects, coming within the reach of the injured state, is liable to seizure (in which case such subjects have a right to be indemnified by the state to which they belong;) and even the persons of such subjects may be seized."
"There are many acts by which a sovereign refuses to do or to suffer what he is perfectly obliged to do or to suffer, or by which he does what he is ordinarily perfectly obliged to omit, in order to obtain satisfaction for a real injury sustained: all these acts are called reprisals."
CHARLESTON, May 9.
A spirited address to the President has been agreed to with wonderful unanimity; and a subscription of 15,000 dollars made in a short time for aiding government in fortifying our harbours.
FEDERALISM, UNION, INDEPENDENCE, and the DOWNFALL OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE are the orders of the day.
A vessel employed by the United States, in laying down buoys, off St. Mary's river, has been fired on by a Spanish privateer.
A French privateer has landed 15 men on Edisto Island, took off a quantity of fowl, and were on the point of taking French leave; but the lady who owned the poultry finally got ten dollars for the booty.—The crew observed that there were three privates on the coast.
PHILADELPHIA, May 24.
The French Consul DUFONT, has succeeded LE TOMBE as Consul-General of France.
FRENCH PIRATE.
The Captain of the vessel which brought the Cannon for the frigate from New-York, who arrived here on Friday, says, that on his passage he saw a French privateer brig off Egg Harbor, lying too under her top-sails.
NEW-LONDON, May 23.
The master of a fishing boat on Sunday last returned into port, and reported that early in the morning near the east end of Plumb-Island, he saw about a mile distant an armed schooner, mounting 10 guns and full of men. Her course was then east, and appeared to have been into Gardner's Bay; a large vessel was east of them. The information, true or false, excited considerable anxiety in this place, as Capt. Ingham of the ship Pacific, failed the day before for India; and other valuable vessels are in the harbor. At a time, when principles established for ages are considered lighter than a feather, when plunder and piracy are systematized and fostered by a powerful nation,
when our coasts are threatened to be ravaged, well may we feel a considerable degree of alarm at our defenceless situation.
NEW-YORK, May 19.
Extract of a letter dated Charleston, May 1.
"We are pestered with a French privateer on our coast, which has taken the ship Favorite, loaded with Rice, bound to Cowes and a market, out 2 days; and what other vessels we know not. We complain of the inattention of Congress, as the collector says he has no orders to do anything for our defence. The dispatches from our commissioners, have caused a general change in our sentiments here, respecting our ancient and good allies."
A PARALLEL.
The situation of the United States at present, in many circumstances greatly resembles that in which we were previous to our rupture with Great-Britain. From the first establishment of our ancestors on this continent, down to the commencement of hostilities, from Great-Britain, as the mother country, the infant colonies derived the first rudiments of political science, as well as the stable means of advancing to maturity. By a perverse and erroneous policy she was drawn into an experiment which happily proved fatal to her ambitious views. The parent having derogated from her character, by a lawless attempt at extortion and oppression, justified the children in resorting to opposition, and in finally weaning themselves from her treacherous and destructive embraces.
To these particulars our subsequent relations with France bear considerable analogy. By the breach with Britain, our national affections were partly drawn home to ourselves, and partly transferred to France. She became our adopted parent, and under that title performed many acts of maternal duty; which we repaid with filial respect. In this, therefore, and our former connexion with G. Britain, we perceive a great resemblance. Like G. Britain too, France has vilely derogated from her relative duty; has violated unoffending innocence, and outraged the weakness of infancy. The former behaved as an unnatural parent; the latter perhaps, has been more guilty of harlotry towards us.
On future events depends the completion of this parallel. Instead of the milk of nourishment, we have received from this treacherous mother-in-law, the sediments of destructive poison; instead of the caresses of friendship, we have been offered the embraces of a tyger.—As in a former instance, we have repressed the influence of power, and the encroachments of ambition, let us, in the present, disappoint the expectations of the fashion, and subdue the efforts of perfidy, corruption and violence.
Brown's Phil. Caz.
The court of Naples has forbidden the admission and circulation of Newpapers.
BOSTON, May 30.
Young Men of Boston.
On Monday evening the Committee of the Young Men of Boston, received an answer from the President of the United States, to their excellent address, some time since inserted;—and yesterday, at 1 o'clock, several hundreds of them assembled at Faneuil-Hall, to hear it read:—It was received with loud and sincere acclamations, in which many of the more aged citizens, cordially joined.
THE ANSWER
Of the PRESIDENT of the United States, to the YOUNG MEN of Boston.
GENTLEMEN,
IT is impossible for you to enter your own Faneuil-Hall, or to throw your eyes on the variegated mountains, and elegant islands around you, without recollecting the principles and actions of your fathers, and feeling what is due to their example:—one of their first principles was to unite in themselves the character of Citizens and Soldiers, and especially to preserve the latter always subordinate to the former.
With much solicitude for your welfare, and that of your posterity, I take the freedom to say, that this country never appeared to me to be in greater danger, than at this moment, from within or without—never more urgently excited, to assume the functions of Soldiers.
The state of the world is such, the situation of all the nations of Europe, with which we have relation, is so critical, that vicissitudes must be expected, from whose deleterious influences, nothing but arms and energy can protect us:—To arms, then, my Young Friends,—to arms, especially by sea, to be used as the laws shall direct, let us resort; for safety against dangers, which we now see and feel, cannot be averted by TRUTH, REASON, or JUSTICE.
Nothing in the earlier part of my public life, animated me more, than the countenances of the children and Youth of the town of Boston; and nothing at this hour, gives me so much pleasure, as the masculine temper and talents, displayed by the Youth of America, in every part of it.
I ought not to forget the worst enemy we have;—That, obloquy, which you have observed, is the worst enemy to virtue, and the best friend to vice; it strives to destroy all distinction between right and wrong, it leads to division, sedition, civil war, and military despotism.—I need say no more.
JOHN ADAMS.
Philad. May 22.
FOR SALE BY Will'm Boyd, At his Store in Fore-street, For Cash or on a liberal Credit, A FEW Hhds. good Molasses.
Ditto, W. I. Rum. Gin in Cases. St. Martins' Rock Salt. Alexandria superfine Flour. Rice, Brown Sugar, Nails, &c.
ALSO,
The sloop Nancy, about FIFTY Tons burthen, completely sheath'd, caulkd and grav'd, may be put to sea at a small expence.
TO BE LET,
The Store in Market-street, now occupied by Messrs. Clark & Connor, may be entered upon the 16th inst.—Apply for terms as above. Portsmouth, June 1, 1798.
Lang, Brierley & Co. Have received an assortment of Spring Goods which will be sold low for cash or approved credit. Portsmouth, June 1, 1798.
Fancy Hats & Bonnets.
Just opened by
Peter Coffin,
A GREAT variety of fancy Hats and Bonnets. Straw and Bugle Trimmings. Straw Bands and Tassels. Fashionable Girdles. Ladies fashionable Beavers. Fancy silk Shawls. Mens' yeoman crown and other Hats. Cotton and silk Hosiery. White and color'd Threads. Quality and Shoe Binding. Galoons, Ferrets, &c. &c. Portsmouth, June 1, 1798.
Just received in the Orion, Capt. Rice, & FOR SALE BY Matthew S. Marsh,
SALMON and sewing Twine. 2d and 3d Herring Net do. Lines of all forts. Herring Nets.
—ALSO—
Ravens Duck; Cordage. Aux-Cayes Molasses. Hollands Gin. Bristol Crown and Hamburgh Glass. Tar and Turpentine. Portsmouth, June 1, 1798.
Bargains.
Town and Country Shopkeepers, are invited to attend at Abraham Isaac's Auction-Room, To-Morrow,
Where will be sold the following articles, E IGHTY pieces India Cotton, 1 yd. wide 18 yds. in a piece; 140 do. do. 3/4 yd. wide, 14 yds. do.—Ladies' coloured Hats; Damask Table Cloths 2 3/4 yds. long and 2 yds. wide; muslin Aprons; a few spotted muslins; do Handkerchiefs; a few doz. common Fans; a few doz. pair India Shoes; Ladies' Kid Gloves; Felt Hats; a number doz. Wine Glasses and Decanters; whip and crockett Saws; Tables, Chairs, &c. &c. Sales to be at 10 o'clock.
A. Isaac, Auc'tr, by Authority. N. B. Vendue kept every Wednesday, as usual.
STOLEN from the
inclosure of me the subscriber, a dark bay HORSE, about fourteen years old, and 14 hands high, white hairs about one of his fore ankles; if any person or persons will apprehend said thief, so that he may be brought to justice, and return said horse, shall have all necessary charges paid, and handsomely rewarded by JOHN COLEMAN. Newington, June 2, 1798.

Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Thursday, May 24.
EFFICIENT MEASURES.
A MOTION to postpone until June, the Resolutions moved by Mr. Sitgreaves, for instructing American armed vessels, was lost by a great majority. These resolutions and the bill from the Senate, on the subject, was referred to a select committee.
Friday, May 25.
A bill for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt, &c. passed to be enacted.
Mr. Sewall, from the committee for the protection of commerce, &c. reported in favor of a concurrence in the bill from the Senate, for the more effectual protection of the commerce of the United States; which was made the order of the day for to-morrow.
Highly Important!
Saturday, May 26.
This day the bill from the Senate, for the more effectual protection of the commerce and coast of the U. S. passed in the House, Yeas 50, Nays 40.
YEAS, Messrs. Allen, Bear, Bartlett, Bayard, Brooks, Bullock, Champ-lin, Chapman, Cochran, Coit, Craik, Dana, Dennis, Dent, Edmond, Evans, A. Foster, D. Foster, Freeman, Glen, Goodrich, Griswold, Grove, Harper, Hartley, Hindman, Hofmer, Imlay, Kittera, Lyman, Machir, Matthews, Morgan, Morris, Quis, J. Parker, Reed, Schureman, Sewall, Shepard, Sinnickson, Sitgreaves, N. Smith, Thatcher, Thomas, Thompson, Tillinghast, Van Allen, Wadsworth, J. Williams.—50.
NAYS. Messrs. Baldwin, Bardd, Benton, Blount, Brent, Bryant, Burges, T. Claiborne, W. Claiborne, Clapton, Davis, Dawson, Elmdorff, Fowler, Gallatin, Gillespie, Gregg, Hanna, Harrison, Havens, Heilner, Holmes, Jones, Locke, Lyon, Macon, M'Clanahan, M'Dowell, Milledge, New, W. Smith, Sprigg, Stanford, Sumpter, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Van Cortlandt, Varnum, Venable, R. Williams.—40.
BALTIMORE, May 21.
A person of veracity from Aux-Cayes, says, that he witnessed the burning of several barges, and imprisonment of the crews in Irons, who have lately been partially employed in capturing American vessels; and that the new commissioner (Hedouville) is positively forbid granting any commissions against Americans. As very few American vessels now venture to the West-Indies, and as the Islands must starve if not aided from the United States, may not this be a trick of the Agent, to decoy the property thither; and when supplied let loose his blood bounds again? The best that our merchants, who shall send cargoes, can possibly expect, is, that this agent will give them, for their property, draughts, which will be received in part payment of the contributions to be demanded of the United States!
INTELLIGENCE.
From FRANCE.
LATEST.
PHILADELPHIA, May 28.
Capt. Brown has just arrived here from Bourdeaux, which he left the 3d of April. The day before, he failed, Mr. Fenwick informed him, that the latest accounts from Paris stated, that our Envoys were not received; that he thought there was no prospect of their effecting their mission; & that matters were becoming worse and worse. A letter from Mr. Fenwick, dated April 2d, to a respectable house in Philadelphia, says, "There is no change in the situation of affairs relative to America. Two of our Envoys, Messrs. Pinckney and Marshall are about quitting Paris." The Paris papers by this arrival do not contain any events of importance.
Loss of the British Convoy Sloop of War. On Friday, the Braak, British sloop of War, Capt. Drew, of the convoy from Cork, within half a mile of the Light-house, upset, by a sudden squall of wind, and instantly sunk. Capt. Drew, all his officers, about 40 of the crew, and 9 Spanish prisoners, were drowned. The boatwain and mates, with the residue of the crew and prisoners, were saved by two pilot boats then in sight. The Braak parted from the convoy in a gale of wind, off the Western Isles; and about 30 days since captured a rich Spanish ship from La Plata for Cadiz, with 200 tons of copper, &c. on board; and had just brought her into the Delaware when the melancholy accident happened.
The French seem to respect the Swedish and Danish vessels as those of America.
BOSTON, May 30.
The Southern papers are crowded with addresses.—Even in North-Carolina we see a spirit pervading the State which would do honor to '75, and which we hope will produce an entire change in its representation in Congress.
Our Foreign Articles, by the latest arrivals, do not partake of much importance: Accounts from Vienna and Paris, concur in mentioning a very serious disturbance at Rome, between the citizens and the French.—The latter is said to have lost 2000 men; but the French commandant Vival, says, the insurrection was quelled, and many imprisoned. The cause of the riot, was the cruelty with which the French exacted the first requisition of money.—The French preparations for the invasion of England, assumed a more serious face at the last dates—transports and seamen were going from all ports of the Republic to Brest, &c.—The English prisoners were removed into the interior country, and the discipline of the army, the concentration of warlike apparatus and munition; together with the general language of every one, were such as makes the most incredulous Frenchman believe, that the Directory really intend to embark a powerful army on the shores of Albion. If the whole should prove a farce, it will prove the most costly one ever got up even in the vagaries of Gallic chivalry. In England, the fears of invasion are not so great as the hopes of the attempt.
The Adriana, is purchased by government, at Baltimore, to be fitted for sea immediately as a cruiser.
A 22 gun brig, built for our best ally, the Dey of Algiers, has been launched at Philadelphia, by Mr. Humphreys.
Letters from Jeremie assure, that the American shipping reported to have been pressed by government to assist in the evacuation of Port-au-Prince, St. Mark and Port-au-Palmar, were all chartered, at a high price; and that the Captains were happy in the prospects of good speculations.
Nothing now mortifies the remnant of the Jacobin faction more, than that the French TALLEYRANDS make no complaints against the British treaty. Since the publication of the dispatches, it has been as difficult to find fulminations against that instrument in the Jacobin papers, as to find the truth.
JUNE 2.
Latest News from England.
Yesterday an arrival in 3 days from Halifax, furnished us with London dates to the 16th April. We have condensed all the news they contain in the fewest words possible.
Descent on England.
PARIS, MARCH 31.
The Executive Directory has this day decreed, that Gen. Buonaparte shall repair to Brest within 10 days; and that he is charged with the direction of all the forces, both military and naval, destined for the expedition against England.
Signed
MERLIN, President.
APRIL 5. Ad. Nielly commands at Brest. He is in the Ocean of 120 guns. Eight men of war, are with him. The greatest activity prevails, all along the coast.
Every 5th man is placed in requisition in Holland to be employed in the descent on England.
LONDON, APRIL 10.
The Swifts are to form a Republic, representative and democratic—to be governed by a Senate of 24, and a grand council of 48, with a Directory of 5—to reside at Lausanne.
APRIL 16.
On Saturday, a circular letter from Mr. Dundas was sent to all parts of the kingdom, recommending a general arming of the people; and pointing out the measures best calculated to carry it into effect:—Among other plans is one of driving the stock into the interior country, securing valuable property, &c. also, for associations of Nobility, Gentry, and Yeomanry, to supply waggons, horses, &c. for supplying them with bread, forage, fuel, &c.
Lord Bridport with the channel fleet is at sea, as is also Sir Roger Curtis, with a squadron.
The French have 100,000 men, at and within 50 miles of Brest.
Of PORTUGAL.
The Portuguese Minister d'Yranjo, has been released from the Temple.
Since the Swifts have submitted, the last accounts say, that the expedition against Portugal is immediately to take place. The staff of the army destined to act against Portugal, under Gen. Angereau, is appointed.
Sir Horatio Nelson, has destroyed about 40 gun boats on the French coast.
At every port where boats have been built, orders have been received to concentrate them near Brest.
The British Cutter, Constitution, has arrived at Halifax, in 30 days
from Falmouth, and on Monday week failed with the April Mail, for New-York.
Above 100,000. sterling has been subscribed in Jamaica, in aid of their mother country.
Gottenburg, in Sweden, is made a free port. By one article in the ordinance, Rum may be admitted when directly imported in vessels belonging to the United States of America, or in Swedish vessels.
T. Hedouville, has published an explanatory decree, on the Arrest of the French Directory which empowers cruisers to capture vessels having English goods on board; in which he excepts from the operation of that law such neutral or allied nations, bound to any ports in the colony of St. Domingo, which have remained faithful to the Republic. It is our duty to state this as an article of intelligence; but at the same time, no great faith is to be placed in the French West-India agents.
The Committee raised to ascertain the votes for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, reported.
Gov. Sumner has above 17,000 out of 21,000 votes, and Lieutenant-Governor Gill above 19,000 out of a similar number.
The Legislature of Connecticut, is fortifying the seaports of that state.
Last evening the Philadelphia Packet John. Capt. Daggett, arrived from Philadelphia, having completed her voyage in 21 days. Capt. Daggett left at Holme's Hole, Wednesday morning, eight schooners; and a ship, Treadwell, for Portsmouth from N. York.
SALEM, May 29.
Extract of a letter from Capt. John Pitman, dated at Baltimore, May 28.
Last Monday, being in the Bay, beating up, with the wind from the northward, fell in with Capt. Very, of Salem, off New Point Comfort. He informed of his being boarded by a French privateer sloop of 16 guns, on his passage, which put on board of him the masters and crews of five American vessels which they had taken on our coast belonging to Boston and New-York, who were then all on board, 48 in number, as I understood. Having a fresh breeze, and passing by him quick, could not get particulars, but understood they were all outward bound. Expect the particulars by to-morrow's post from Alexandria, as I think Capt. V. must have arrived there on Friday or Saturday last."
Capt. Webb, from the Savannah, informs, that the brig Olive-Branch, Taylor, of Salem, had arrived there, and was taken possession of in port by a French boat of 2 guns, to be searched for English goods.
In lat. 37, long. 75, Capt. W. saw a fleet of 21 sail of Americans, from Ireland, bound to the Chesapeake, under convoy.
Capt. Flint, arrived yesterday from the Savannah, in 18 days. He mentions the capture of a fch'r from Baltimore, the day before he failed, laden with dry goods, and of course her damnation was sure.
Arrived at Marblehead, fch'r Joanna, Goodwin, from Corunna. On his passage spoke fch'r Hope, Day, 25 days from Boston, long. 37, W. all well.
JUNE 1.
We are informed that Capt. Geo. Crowninshield & Sons, of this town, have offered to government, the loan of the ship America, of 700 tons, at a valuation made by appraisers appointed by Government. The ship is now at New-York, is a very fast sailor, well calculated for force, and will carry 28 guns. This is efficient patriotism, and may it find many imitators.
The subscription for the Newburyport ship is filled, and contracts are made for building her.
A rendezvous has been opened a few days in this town for the frigate Constitution; a number of good hearty fellows are already engaged, and there is no doubt that the complement will soon be obtained.
The Adriana is purchased by government, at Baltimore, and the Herald at Boston, to be fitted for sea immediately as cruisers.
PORTSMOUTH, June 5.
To-morrow the General-Court are to meet at Hopkinton.
A correspondent observes that the PIG OF KNOWLEDGE now exhibiting at the Assembly-Room, is without exception the greatest phenomenon ever exhibited on the continent of America, and has been the topic of conversation in every polite circle, in fact not to have seen this sapient animal, is to become unfashionable, tho' we are not in the habit of passing eulogiums on exhibitions in general; yet it must be universally allowed, great merit is due to the teacher of this stubborn animal; as profound genius, perseverance and assiduity must have
been the only means of bringing to perfection this very extraordinary and much admired exhibition.
Several of the armed vessels, provided by the government, are ready for sea, and on the point of sailing; others are preparing with expedition. It is hoped they will clear our own coast of French picaroons.
True Patriotism.
A veteran General, who has done essential service to his country, during the last war, conversing upon the present situation of the United States, and the probability of a war with France, observed: "that, should his country be invaded by the French, he would put on his spectacles, and meet them in the field of battle."
The United States ship Ganges, Capt. Dale, mounting 20 guns, has failed from Philadelphia, on a cruise, with instructions from the Secretary at War.
Capt. Dale, in the Ganges, will, we expect, have the honor of sending in the first French privateer.
The Thetis English frigate has sent the notorious French pirate, commanded by one Love, into Bermuda.
A new ship (by the boiling over of a kettle of tar) was burned the 25th ult. at Baltimore, to the waters edge, and it was with difficulty, that the ship Montezuma, just arrived from London, was preserved from the flames.
On the arrival of the New Jersey at Porto Rico, the crew, with the exception of one man, remained by the vessel. This man entered on board a French privateer, which shortly after fell in with an American armed merchantman. The first shot from the American ship took off his head.
A few days ago, as Mr. Edward Kitfield, of Manchester, and his wife, were riding home from Salem, in a chaise, the bits having accidentally worked out of the horse's mouth, so that they could not command him, they threw themselves from the chaise, when it was going with rapidity, and were so much injured that Mr. K. died in a few hours, and his wife's life was despaired of. The horse finally stopped in a yard, without injuring the carriage.
Marine Intelligence.
Sunday arrived here brig Fusileer, Capt. Joseph Chase, 18 days from Martinico, failed under convoy of one sloop of war and four frigates, in company with about 350 sail merchantmen from different parts, 60 or 70 of which were Americans; parted with the convoy the 25th May, lat. 25, 21. long. 65, and with Captains Tibbetts, Oram, Briard, Brown, Noble and Cutts of this port, all of which may be expected to arrive in the course of a few days.
Same day arrived a brig belonging to Old York in 13 days from the West Indies.
The brig Lovely Lass, Captain Thompson, arrived the 28th ult. at Philadelphia in 32 days from Madeira, says whilst he lay there, the ship Sarah of Boston arrived from Algiers, last from Gibraltar, having on board the crew of the Crescent frigate, who were returning home.
There are 41 American vessels, prizes at St. Martins; 25 sail at St. Eustatia; 150 sail at Guadaloupe; between 60 and 70 at Porto-Rico; and upwards of 100 sail in St. Hispaniola!!
Centinel.
PORTSMOUTH
MARINE LIST, for May 1798.
May 1st, failed sloop Amity, Woodward, Philadelphia.
5th, arrived brig Betsey, Noble, Aux-Cayes.
do failed sloop Driver, Clark, Pafamaquoddy.
do failed brig Polly, Furnace, Curacoa.
do arrived sloop Charlotte, Neal, Baltimore.
6th, arrived ship Eliza, Chauncey, St. Ubes.
do arrived brig Ann, Pendar, New-York.
do failed brig Hepe, Hooper, West-Indies.
do failed brig Nancy, Follett, West-Indies.
do failed brig Drake, Tredick, West-Indies.
do failed ship Pacific, Salter, West-Indies.
do failed schooner 3 Friends, Trefethren, West-Indies.
do arrived brig Union, Treadwell, Port-Liberty.
7th, failed schooner Mary, Wentworth, Edenton.
8th, arrived schooner Amity, Shapleigh, Georgia.
do failed schooner Dove, Cole, Labrador.
do failed schooner Nancie, Trefethren, Labrador.
do failed schooner Union, Gunnison, Labrador.
9th, failed schooner Speedwell, Hayley, Labrador.
do arrived ship Florenzo, Currier, Demarara.
12th, arrived brig Alletta, Wainright, St. Croix.
13th, arrived sloop Harmony, Prowse, Philadelphia.
17th, failed ship Mermaid, Tilton, Surinam.
18th, failed schooner Eliza, Shaw, Baltimore.
20th, failed brig Ann, Pendar, N. Carolina.
21st, failed ship Cato, Wardrobe, Surinam.
22d, arrived ship Mary, Salter, Liverpool.
25th, arrived barque Neptune, Hooker, Liverpool.
26th, failed brig Maria, Watts, Surinam.
do failed sloop Charlotte, Paul, Labrador.
27th, arrived snow Orion, Rice, South-Hampton.
do arrived brig Sally, Barlow, New-York.
28th, arrived fch'r Federal, Crowel, Virginia.
31st, arrived ship Caroline, Cutter, Aux-Cayes.
DIED—In this town, Mrs. Mary Humphreys, aged 55, comfort of Daniel Humphreys, Esq.—also, his son Mr. Daniel Humphreys, merchant, aged 28; and Mr. Jonathan Marden.
At Boston, suddenly, Master Geo. Makepeace Larkin, Aet. 5, only son of Mr. Eben. Larkin.
"I clasped the phantoms, and I found them air, 'O had I weigh'd it ere my fond embrace! What darts of agony had mis'd my breast!'
ENTRIES at the CUSTOM-HOUSE.
District of PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
ENTERED FROM
Ship Caroline, Cutter, Aux-Cayes.
Brig Fusileer, Chase, Martinico.
CLEARED FOR
Brig 2 Friends, Phillips, Havannah.
Brig Union, Kennard, St. Croix.
REMOVED.
Rich'd Evans
Has Removed to the Store directly opposite the one he formerly occupied. He has received a general assortment, Consisting of Fancy and other
GOODS,
WHICH ARE VERY CHEAP.
Portsmouth, May 25, 1798.
Mr. Pinchbeck,
Respectfully informs the Ladies and Gentlemen of Portsmouth, that he has just arrived in town with that great natural curiosity, the
Pig of Knowledge,
WHICH he intends to exhibit at the Assembly-Room, for a few evenings only, as this exhibition needs no vain puffing, allusive advertisement, the proprietor will only simply state, that he has performed with unbounded applause before the PRESIDENT and his family, as well as the greater part of the union—This wonderful and sagacious animal will without any exaggeration actually perform the following surprising particulars, viz. he reads print or writing, spells, tells the time of day, both the hours and minutes, by any person's watch in the company, the date of the year, the day of the month, distinguishes colours, how many persons there are present, ladies or gentlemen, and to the astonishment of every spectator, will answer any question in the four first rules of Arithmetic. To conclude, any lady or gentleman, may draw a card from a pack, and keep it concealed, and the Pig without hesitation will discover the card when drawn.
Doors to be opened at seven, performance to commence at eight o'clock.
Tickets a quarter dollar each, to be had any hour in the day at the Assembly-Room and at Mr. J. Davenport's.
N. B. Mr. Pinchbeck in order to accommodate such ladies and gentlemen who cannot make it convenient to attend in the evening, will to a party of twelve, exhibit any hour of the day by giving previous notice; nothing immodest or immoral will ever be introduced.
Portsmouth, June 5.
Found last evening, an Umbrillo, the owner may have the fame, by applying to the Printer hereof and paying for this advertisement. June 4.
TAKEN up adrift off the Isle Shoals on Friday last, a Moses Boat, about 15 feet keel, painted red with a yellow streak, the owner may have the fame by applying to John Newton, living on Star Island, and paying charges. June 4, 1798.
Daniel Croxford
ACQUAINTS his customers and the public that he carries on the Clothier's business in Durham, in all its various branches. Constant attendance will be given, and work finished as soon as possible.

Yankee Doodle.  [Sung by Mr. Marshall, at the Theatre in New-York.]  COLUMBIAN 's all, the present hour, As brothers should unite us— Union at home's the only way, To make each nation right us. Yankee Doodle, guard your coast, Yankee Doodle, Dandy— Fear not then nor threat nor boast, Yankee Doodle Dandy.  The only way to keep off war, And guard 'gainst persecution, Is always to be well prepar'd, With hearts of resolution. Yankee Doodle, let's Unite, Yankee Doodle Dandy, As patriots, still maintain our right, Yankee Doodle Dandy.  Great WASHINGTON , who led us on, And Liberty effected, Shall we we'll die, or else be free— We will not be subjected. Yankee Doodle, guard your coast, Yankee Doodle Dandy— Fear not then nor threat nor boast, Yankee Doodle Dandy.  A Band of Brothers let us be, While ADAMS guides the nation; And still our dear bought Freedom guard, In every situation. Yankee Doodle, guard your coast, Yankee Doodle Dandy— Fear not then nor threat nor boast, Yankee Doodle Dandy.  May soon the wish'd for hour arrive, When PEACE shall rule the nations; And Commerce, free from fetters, prove Mankind are all relations. The Yankee Doodle, be divine, Yankee Doodle Dandy— Beneath the Fig-tree and the Vine, Sing Yankee Doodle Dandy.
For Freight or Charter to any of the Southern ports,  THE Sloop Harmony, burthen 52 tons, now lying at the south side of Long Wharf; freight or pas- sage apply to the master on board. DANIEL PROWS. Portsmouth, May 30, 1798.
The beautiful high bred, full blooded  HORSE,
Bold Hunter,
To be let to Mares this season, at 3 dollars the single leap, and 7 dollars the season; the money must be paid when the Mares are taken away. Hunter is 4 years old this June, 15 hands high, is a beautiful bay colour, clouded with the Arabian shade, with a black mane and tail—and as for beauty, figure and limbs, he is exceed- ed by none in New-England. He has proved himself a very sure foal getter. The following certificate will shew the pedigree and properties of the Bold Hunter: Hunter was bred by Dr. Jeruld of Warwick, in the State of Rhode- Island. His sire was King Herod, who was imported from England to the West-Indies, and from thence to America. His dam was Donna, by Ranger, who was bred in Arabia; he was never beat in running. He covered a number of years at Hart- ford, where he proved himself an ex- cellent sire. He was sold by Mr. Bull of Hartford, to Col. H. Lee of Virginia, for 2800 dollars, when he was 25 years old, so that the blood of Hunter on both sides could hardly be equalled in England. Hunter is the same that won the stakes at War- wick, of £100 in September—do of £400, the 24th of Nov. 1797. Bold-Hunter will stand at the sta- ble of Capt. Huse in Greenland, un- til the 1st of August. PHILIP WEVER. Good attention will be given at the place above mentioned. June 1, 1798.
Windsor Chairs of every description, warranted of the best kind, made & constantly kept for sale as cheap as can be purchased at BOSTON or elsewhere By Josiah Folsom At his shop in PORTSMOUTH.
Wanted immediately,  An Apprentice to the Joiner's business; one from the coun- try would be preferred; Inquire of the Printer.
Treasury Department, March 1, 1798.
Public Notice is hereby given,
IN pursuance of the Act of Congress passed on the sixth day of July one thou- sand seven hundred and ninety-seven, entitled "An act laying duties on Stamped Vellum, Parchment and Paper," and the Act passed on the 15th day of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, entitled, "An Act to postpone for a limited time the commencement of the duties imposed by the Act entitled "An Act laying duties on Stamped Vellum, Parchment and Paper," that from and after the first day of July ensuing, the several Stamped Duties hereinafter enumerated, will be levied and collec- ted throughout the United States.
   Dolls. Cents. ms.     For every skin or piece of Vellum or Parchment, or sheet or piece of paper, upon which shall be written or printed any or either of the instruments or writings following—to wit:   Any Certificate of Naturalization, 5   Any License to practise, or Certificate of the admission, enrol- ment or registry of any Counsellor, Solicitor, Attorney, Ad- vocate or Proctor, in any court of the United States, 10   Provided, that a Certificate in any one of the Courts of the United States for one of the said Offices, shall so far as relates to the payment of the duty aforesaid, be a suffi- cient admission in all the Courts of the United States, for each and every of the said offices.   Any Grant or Letters Patent, under the seal or authority of the United States (except for lands granted for military services) 4   Any exemplification or certified copy of any such grant or let- ters patent (except for lands granted for military services) 2   Any Charter-Party, Bottomry, or Respondentia Bond, 1   Any Receipt or other discharge for or on account of any Le- gacy, left by any Will or other testamentary instrument, or for any share or part of a personal estate divided by force of any statute of distributions, other than to the Wife, Children or Grand Children of the person deceased, the amount where- of shall be above the value of fifty dollars, and shall not ex- ceed the value of one hundred dollars, 25   When the amount thereof shall exceed the value of one hundred dollars and shall not exceed five hundred dollars, 50   And for every further sum of five hundred dollars, the addi- tional sum of 1   Any Policy of Insurance or instrument in nature thereof, on any ship, vessel or goods insured from one district to another in the United States, 25   From the United States to any foreign port or place, when the sum for which Insurance is made shall not exceed five hundred dollars, 25   When the sum insured shall exceed five hundred dollars, 1   Any Exemplification, of what nature soever, that shall pass the seal of any Court, other than such as it may be the duty of the Clerk of such Court to furnish for the use of the United States or some particular state, 50   Any Bond, bill single or penal, foreign or inland bill of ex- change, promissory note or other note, other than any recog- nizance, bill, bond, or other obligation or contract, made to or with the United States or any state, or for their use respec- tively, 10   If above twenty dollars and not exceeding one hundred dollars, 25   If above one hundred dollars and not exceeding five hundred dollars, 50   If above five hundred and not exceeding one thousand dollars, 75   And if above one thousand dollars,   Provided, that if any bonds or notes shall be payable at or within sixty days, such bonds or notes shall be subject to only two fifth parts of the duty aforesaid, viz.   If above twenty dollars and not exceeding one hundred dollars, 4   If above one hundred dollars & not exceeding five hundred dol- lars, 10   If above five hundred dollars & not exceeding one thousand dol- lars, 20   If above one thousand dollars, 30   Any Notes issued by the Banks now established, or that may hereafter be established within the United States, other than the notes of such of the said Banks as shall agree to an annual composition, of one per centum on the annual dividends made by such Banks, to their Stockholders respectively, according to the following scale.   On all notes not exceeding fifty dollars, for each dollar, 6   On all notes above fifty dollars, and not exceeding one hun- dred dollars, 50   On all notes above one hundred dollars, and not exceeding five hundred dollars, 1   On all notes above five hundred dollars, 2   Any Protest or other Notarial act, 25   Any Letter of Attorney, except for an invalid pension, or to obtain or sell Warrants for Land granted by the United States as bounty for military services performed in the late war, 25   Any Certificate or Debenture for drawback of Customs or du- ties, for less than five hundred dollars, 1   For five hundred dollars & not exceeding two thousand dollars, 2   For more than two thousand dollars, 3   Any note or bill of lading for goods or merchandise to be exported, if from one district to another district of the United States, not being in the same State, 10   If from the United States to any foreign port or place, 25   Any Inventory or Catalogue of any furniture, goods or effects, made in any case required by law, (except in cases of goods and chattels distrained for rent or taxes, and goods taken in virtue of any legal process by any officer) 50   Any Certificate of a Share in any Insurance Company, of a Share in the Bank of the United States, or of any State or other Bank, 10   If above twenty dollars and not exceeding one hundred dollars, 25   If above one hundred dollars,   If under twenty dollars, at the rate of ten cents for 100 dollars. 1  
The duties aforesaid will be collected and received by the Supervisors, In- spectors and other Officers of Inspection, in the several Districts, Surveys and Divisions of the United States, and by such other persons as shall from time to time be specially appointed and employed by the Supervisors of Districts for that purpose.
Given under my Hand, at Philadelphia the day and year abovenmentioned. OLIVER WOLCOTT, Secretary of the Treasury.
State of New-Hampshire. County of Rockingham. ALL persons indebted to, or that have any demands on the estate of Ephraim Lock, late of Epsom, in said county, gentleman, deceased, are desired to settle the same with the sub- scriber, administrator on the estate of said deceased. FRANCIS LOCK. Epsom, May 25, 1798.
POCKET BOOK FOUND. PICKED up in the road leading to Greenland, by the subscriber, a few days since; a black leather Pocket Book, containing a sum of money and several notes of hand.— The owner may have it again without any expence, save paying for this ad- vertisement. J. DAVENPORT. Portsmouth, May 21, 1798.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, March 30th, 1798.
Public notice is hereby given, THAT by an act of Congress passed on the 19th day of March 1798, the following alterations and amendments have been made to the act passed on the 6th day of July 1797, entitled "An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment and paper."
I. The stamp duties on debentures or certificates for the drawback of Cus- toms or duties on Imports, are re- pealed.
II. A discount at the rate of seven and one half per centum, will be allowed by the Supervisors or Inspectors re- spectively, to any persons other than Officers of the Revenue, who may purchase at one time or procure to be stamped, any quantities of Vellum, Parchment or Paper, upon which the duties shall amount to Ten Dollars or upwards.
III. Stamped Paper, will be provided, and sold at the rates prescribed by law, without any additional charge or expense on account of the price of Paper; but for stamped Parchment or Vellum, an additional price will be demanded at the rate of Fifty Cents for each skin of Parchment, or Two Hundred Cents for each skin of Vel- lum of medium size, which may be furnished at the expense of the United States and proportionally for any less quantity.
Given under my hand, at Philadel- phia, the day and year above- mentioned. OLIVER WOLCOTT, Secretary of the Treasury.
India Cottons, Cheap.
Received and for sale at  Bayley's Variety Store, Sign of the Spinning wheel, A QUANTITY of India Cottons, which will be sold very low for ready money. A fresh supply of Beverly Cotton Bed- ticks, warranted not to shed feathers. Portsmouth, May 25, 1798.
State of New-Hampshire. County of Rockingham. ALL persons indebted to the es- tate of George W. Ham, late of Pittsfield, in said county, yeoman, deceased, are requested to settle the same with the subscriber, administra- tor on the estate of said deceased, and all persons having demands on said estate are desired to exhibit the same for settlement. WILLIAM M'CLARY. Epsom, May 26, 1798.
State of New-Hampshire. THE proprietors and owners of lands in the township of Co- ventry, in the county of Grafton, and State aforesaid, are notified that at a legal meeting of the proprietors & land owners on the 20th day of Sep- tember 1797, at Haverhill in said Coventry, a tax of ten dollars on each proprietor's right or share of land, and four dollars on each settler's lot, containing 100 acres, and in propor- tion for a greater or less quantity, was voted to be raised for the use and benefit of the said proprietary, and there being a warrant with a tax bill, committed to me the subscriber to collect the same, this is therefore to notify the said proprietors and owners of land in said Coventry, that unless they pay the sum or sums above men- tioned to me at my dwelling house in Coventry, within fourteen days after this publication, so much of the del- quents land will be advertised for sale as will pay the same with inci- dental charges as the law directs. OBADIAH EASTMAN, Collector. Coventry, May 7, 1798.
THE subscriber being Executrix to the estate of STEPHEN HARDY, late of Portsmouth, Taylor, deceased, request all persons who have any de- mands against said estate; or are in- debted by notes of hand or otherwise, to call and settle the same, as they may find it to their interest to attend to this request. Should it not be con- venient for them to pay the balances immediately, a reasonable time may be agreed on for that purpose—Provided the accounts are closed. Those who will not attend to this request so reasonable, may expect to have their accounts and notes put into such hands as will produce a settlement, which will be disagreeable to REBECCA HARDY. Portsmouth, May 14, 1798.
New Goods JUST RECEIVED BY Phineas Ellis,
At his store in Market Street, and for sale on very reasonable terms for cash. N. B. Good Tow Cloth received the same as cash. Portsmouth, May 22.
New Goods.
Oliver Briard
Has just received a general assortment of  European GOODS, which are now for sale at his Store in Market Street, cheap for cash. Portsmouth, May 22, 1798.
ALL persons who are indebted to or that have any demands against the es- tate of Samuel Prescott, late of Kenning- ton, gentleman, deceased, are requested to exhibit the same without delay to the sub- scriber for settlement. ROBERT PRESCOTT, Executor to the last Will and Testament of said deceased. Kennington, May 25, 1798.
PURSUANT to a legal request to me the subscriber, proprie- tor for the township of Millsfield, in the county of Grafton, and State of New-Hampshire, from more than one sixteenth part of the proprietors of said township; I do hereby notify said proprietors to meet at the dwelling house of Mrs. Wells, innholder in Hampton-Falls, in the county of Rockingham, in said State, on Wed- nesday the 4th day of July next, at 10 of the clock in the forenoon, for the following purposes, viz.
 1st. To choose a moderator, pro- prietors clerk, treasurer, assessors, and a collector or collectors.  2d. To see whether the proprietors will reconsider and annul all their former votes, for lotting and dividing said township, and annul all their pro- ceedings in consequence of said votes.  3d. To see if the proprietors will agree to give a certain quantity of land in said township, or make any other compensation to any person or persons that will agree to settle in said township.  4th. To see if the proprietors will agree to raise money by a tax on each right, to satisfy any demand or de- mands which may exist against the proprietors, & direct their treasurer to satisfy the same demand or demands.  5th. To see if the proprietors will agree to raise any sum or sums of money by a tax on each right, to be appro- priated to any purpose or purposes, which they may think proper.  6th. To see if the proprietors will agree to make compensation to those proprietors and proprietors attorneys, who may attend the present or future meetings, or both.  7th. To choose a committee to set- tle with every former treasurer and collector, and receive what money may be in their hands, and obtain from any former clerk, treasurer or collector, any books or papers belonging to the proprietors which may remain in the hands of the same officers. 
JOHN JENKS, Proprietors Clerk of said Millsfield. Salem, May 12, 1798.
PURSUANT to a legal request to me the subscriber, proprietors clerk for the township of Errol, in the county of Grafton, and State of New- Hampshire, from more than one six- teenth part of the proprietors of said township; I do hereby notify said pro- prietors to meet at the dwelling house of Mrs. Wells, innholder in Hamp- ton-Falls, in the county of Rocking- ham, in said State, on Wednesday the 4th day of July next, at 10 of the clock in the forenoon, for the follow- ing purposes, viz.
 1st. To choose a moderator, pro- prietors clerk, assessors, treasurer, and a collector or collectors.  2d. To see whether the proprietors will reconsider and annul all their former votes, for lotting and dividing said township, and annul all their pro- ceedings in consequence of said votes.  3d. To see if the proprietors will agree to give a certain quantity of land in said township, or make any other compensation to any person or persons that will agree to settle in said township.  4th. To see if the proprietors will agree to raise money by a tax on each right, to satisfy any demand or de- mands which may exist against the proprietors, and direct their treasurer to satisfy the same demand or de- mands.  5th. To see if the proprietors will agree to raise by a tax on each right, any sum or sums of money to be ap- propriated to any purpose or purposes they may think proper.  6th. To see if the proprietors will agree to make compensation to those proprietors and proprietors attorneys, who may attend the present or future meetings, or both.  7th. To choose a committee to set- tle with every former treasurer and collector, and receive what money may be in their hands, and obtain from any former clerk, treasurer or collector, any books or papers belong- ing to the proprietors, which may re- main in the hands of the same officers. 
JOHN JENKS, Proprietors Clerk of said Errol. Salem, May 12, 1798.