The New Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1799-04-30 00:00:00

THE New Hampshire Gazette.
— MY COUNTRY'S GOOD SHALL BE MY CONSTANT AIM —
PORTSMOUTH: (NEW-HAMPSHIRE)—PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY 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. XLIII—Numb. 2213.]
TUESDAY, April 30, 1799.
[One Dollar & half pr. Annum.]
INTERESTING SKETCH.
PHILADELPHIA, MARCH 20, 1799.
MY DEAR SIR,
ACCORDING to my promise, in my letter of Feb. 10, I now present you with a sketch of the principal acts of Congress during the session which closed on the 3d instant, and of the state of public affairs at the present moment.
In that letter I mentioned that a vote had passed for adding to our present navy six ships of the line of 74 guns each, and six sloops of war of 18 guns each. This vote afterwards passed into a law, and the building of the ships will speedily commence. The measure was founded on a conviction, that the commerce of this country, which is the great source of our revenue, and essential to the encouragement and prosperity of our agriculture, cannot exist without a maritime protection. This conviction is not only supported by general reasoning, and the experience of all nations, but is fully confirmed by the experiment which we have made: for, before we began to arm, our commerce was in a state of depression which indicated approaching ruin; at present it is flourishing and prosperous in a very high degree. The saving on insurance alone is estimated, on fair principles of calculation, at nine millions of dollars per annum, independently of the decrease of captures, which have been comparatively few since we began to defend our vessels, and suffer them to defend themselves. The sum expended before the beginning of this year, towards equipping and preparing for sea the naval armament heretofore provided for, and supporting such part of it as was sent to sea in the course of the last year, amounted to about 3,350,000 dollars. For completing that armament, one million more is appropriated. For the support of the whole establishment, during the present year, including the marines, the revenue cutters, and the six additional sloops of war provided for by the late act, the appropriation is something less than 2,350,000 dollars. The expense of building and equipping those six sloops of war, and the six 74's, will be not quite 2,350,000 dollars. These sums, added together, make an aggregate of 9,050,000 dollars. From whence it appears, that the saving made by our defensive measures, in the article of insurance alone, without calculating the diminution of captures, the benefits resulting from the increased spirit and activity of commerce, and the consequent rise in the price of produce, is sufficient, in one year, to pay for the whole naval armament which has produced this effect, to support it for a year, to build six ships of the line, and to build and support six 18 gun sloops. When this whole navy is complete, the annual expense of maintaining it, in time of war, will be about 3,650,000 dollars. In peace, the ships will be laid up, and will cost very little. So that if we suppose the protection to be afforded by it, in its perfect state, to be only as efficacious as that now derived from the part of it which is actually in service, this protection will pay for the expense, and leave a balance of five millions annually to the nation. In addition to this, we shall be respected by foreign nations; and our citizens, finding themselves protected, in their lawful pursuits, by the government of their country, will prosecute their enterprises with vigour and spirit: from whence must naturally result a high degree of public and private prosperity.
It has been sometimes said that this mode of calculation is unfair; because the saving in insurance, and captures, is a saving to the merchants alone; whereas the expense of a fleet is to be borne by the nation at large. But it is not true that the saving is to the merchants alone. To say that it is to the consumers alone, would be much nearer the truth. The merchant will have his profits on his goods, whether they come high or low to him; and this profit, together with the original price, the consumer must pay. If insurance rise from seven per cent to fifteen per cent, the additional eight per cent is laid on the price of the goods, and they come eight per cent higher to the consumer. If it falls from fifteen to seven per cent, the goods come eight per cent cheaper. The saving, therefore, like the loss from a rise,
though first felt by the merchant, goes finally to the consumers; that is, to the nation at large. If the nation, therefore, by expending four millions annually in the support of a navy, can prevent insurance from rising to fifteen per cent from seven, or can lower it from fifteen to seven, it prevents itself from being taxed to the amount of nine millions instead of four, and saves five millions by the bargain.
When we reflect, moreover, on the advantages of a navy, we are not to consider merely the expense, but the situation in which we should be without the navy. No farmer hesitates to make a fence round his fields, on account of the expense or trouble. He considers that, without a fence, his whole crop must be lost, his plantation ruined, and with it his credit and his family.
In order to facilitate these naval preparations, laws have passed to authorize the building of docks, and the procuring of ship timber. Fifty thousand dollars are appropriated for the first object, and two hundred thousand for the second. Towards building the six seventy-fours, and the additional sloops of war, one million is appropriated; which is supposed to be as much as can be expended on them in the course of this year.
In my last I stated, that of the naval force formerly provided for, there had been then equip and sent to sea, two frigates of 44 guns, and one of 36, three sloops of 18, three of 20, and three of 24 guns each; eight cutters and three galleys. No others have since gone to sea, though several are nearly ready. Those in service are, at present, in different parts of the West-Indies, where they are employed in convoying our merchant vessels, and keeping the French privateers in port. One of them, the Constellation, of 36 guns and 307 men, lately performed a very handsome exploit, which cannot fail to have a very happy effect upon the character and future conduct of our navy. She came up with the French frigate the Insurgente, a very fine vessel, of 40 guns and 409 men, which was cruising for American vessels, and had lately captured a small armed vessel of the United States. This ship of such superior force she took, after an engagement of an hour and a quarter, in which the French had 29 men killed, and 46 wounded; and the American, one killed, and three wounded.
Since this affair, another of our frigates, the United States, has sunk a French privateer in the West-Indies, which had taken many of our merchant vessels; but the crew was saved. It is reported, and I believe with truth, that the same frigate has lately taken another privateer, and retaken a British merchant ship which she had captured. This is returning the favour which the British have so often done us; for they have retaken and released very many of our ships.
In my last I mentioned, that the number of private ships armed in the United States, since permission was given for that purpose, was computed at 350, carrying in the whole 2625 guns. By authentic returns, it since appears that the number is 365, carrying 2723 guns, and 6845 men. This private armament is still going on with great vigour; and instances of its efficacy in protecting trade, daily occur.
Amidst these maritime exertions, preparations by land have not been neglected; but as the danger in that quarter is less threatening, the greatest and most expensive part of those preparations, is less dependent on circumstances. The army voted at the former session will be raised, unless the state of things should materially change for the better; and arrangements are made for that purpose; but the large additions which Congress has provided for in the last session, are not to take place unless "in case war should break out between the United States and a foreign European power; or in case imminent danger of invasion of their territory by any such power, shall in the opinion of the President, be discovered to exist." In either of those cases, he is authorised to raise twenty-four additional regiments of infantry, one regiment and one battalion of riflemen, a battalion of artillery, and three regiments of cavalry; or such part of the whole force as he shall judge necessary. The present
army is also to be increased, in that case, to a war establishment; which almost doubles the number of privates in each regiment. The whole regular force, therefore, that may be raised in case of war, amounts to about fifty thousand men, exclusive of volunteers and militia.
That this additional force may be speedily raised, at any moment when it is wanted, the President is further authorised to proceed immediately to the appointment of all the officers; a business which, in so extensive a country, from every part of which it is proper to make selections, has been found from experience, to be attended with much difficulty and delay. But the officers being once appointed, and properly organized, the enlistments may commence at any moment, when occasion shall require the force to be actually raised. The officers, however, are not to receive pay until called into actual service: and the authority to raise this eventual army is to expire at the end of the next session of Congress. The number of volunteers which the President may accept, pursuant to former acts, is limited to about seventy-six thousand, who are to be divided among the states in proportion to their respective population. The act for making a draft of militia to be held in readiness expired at the end of the session and was not renewed; it being considered that this draft was attended with some trouble and expense to the militia, and did not, in fact, put them in a better state for service; for which reason it was thought best to leave the matter to the President, who is empowered, by the constitution and the laws, to call out such portions of the militia, in case of need, as circumstances may render necessary.
It was objected by some, that since there is now less danger of invasion than heretofore, and the French government had exhibited some appearances of a disposition to settle its differences with us in an amicable manner, this eventual authority to raise a large army, was unnecessary and improper; but it was answered, and in my opinion with perfect truth and good sense, that if there was, in fact, no danger of invasion, the measure could do no harm, since in that case, no troops could be raised; that the best method of preventing danger was to be prepared in time, and always on our guard; that if the French were sincerely desirous of a reasonable accommodation, this precautionary measure could not obstruct it; and that, if they were not sincerely desirous, but meant only to amuse us, to put us off our guard, and to gain time, the best method of contracting their schemes, and inspiring them with a sincere disposition for peace and justice, would be, to go on with our preparations, provide for the worst; and let them see that we were not to be over-reached by their "diplomatic skill" now, any more than we were intimidated by their threats last year. In short, that the best way to gain peace, is, to be prepared for war.
In the mean time, the measures agreed to last year, for providing arms and military stores, and fortifying the ports and harbours, are pressed into execution with vigour; and considerable progress is already made.
These are all the additions which have been made to the measures of defence formerly adopted.
The act for suspending all commercial intercourse with France and her dominions has been continued in force for one year longer; but the President is authorised to restore the commercial intercourse immediately, with such particular parts of those dominions as he may judge proper. This authority was given on account of a disposition, manifested by the persons in authority in some of the French islands, to desist from privateering on our vessels; provided the trade of the United States, of which they are in most pressing need, since they depend on it for their supplies of provisions, should be restored to them. As the suspension of commercial intercourse was resorted to by Congress, as a mean of bringing these people to a sense of propriety, and protecting our trade from their depredations, there could be no reason to continue it after these objects should be attained. An arrangement for these purposes, it is supposed, will be made with some
of the French islands, especially St. Domingo.
The French government having lately passed an edict, by which all neutral sailors, found on board of British ships of war or merchantmen, though carried there by force, are rendered liable to execution as pirates, Congress, justly considering the measure as levelled chiefly at us, since it is our sailors who, on account of similarity of language and other circumstances, are most frequently found in British ships, passed a law authorising the President, in case the edict should be executed on any of our sailors previously impressed on board of British ships of war, to retaliate on any French prisoners who may be in our power. The British had before declared that they would retaliate if the edict should be executed in any case whatever. This threat is said to have produced its suspension, though not its repeal. For the sake of humanity, we hope that the French will refrain from its execution.
While Congress was employed on these measures relating to our external affairs, it did not neglect the internal regulations which the public good required. An act was passed for consolidating into one act, and amending all the various acts respecting the collection of duties on imports and tonnage. This was a work of much labour, and much utility. Considerable progress was made in a similar digest of the laws respecting duties on stills, and domestic distilled spirits; which is much wanted, and will probably be finished next session. The acts respecting stamp duties were revised and amended. A general revision and amendment of the post-office system took place. The act for the valuation of lands and dwelling houses was revised, and that part of it which required a return of the number and dimensions of windows, repealed; as being more troublesome and disagreeable to individuals, than useful for promoting the objects of the act. The regulations for the preservation of health, and the prevention of contagious diseases, were extended and enforced. Acts were passed for the government of the navy, and the better organization of the army. And a general bankrupt act was digested, considered, and matured; which, though rejected by a small majority, is now in such a situation as to be bro't forward at next session, with good prospects of success.
An attempt was made to repeal the alien and sedition acts; founded chiefly on their supposed unconstitutionality, and supported by petitions from various parts of the country. But, as Congress, after the maturest examination, found no reason to doubt about their constitutional power to pass those acts, and the particular circumstances which induced them to exercise that power, have by no means ceased, it was that inexpedient to consent to the repeal, and the motion was rejected. The reasons whereon this rejection was founded, are detailed and enforced in a report of a select committee, which was published, and of which I forwarded some copies to the district. The acts, if not renewed, will expire of themselves, in one year from this time. Their renewal will depend on the state of things at next session. The alien act, I believe, it will be proper to renew, unless circumstances should greatly alter; for there ought always, in times of danger, to exist a power of apprehending mischievous or suspected aliens, and of sending them out of the country: more especially when we have to deal with an enemy, which, like the French government, works more by intrigues than by open force. But the sedition act is less necessary; for there is no doubt that every thing which it makes penal, may be punished, with much more severity, by the common law of the land; and its only use was to declare that law to render it more generally known and to restrict it in some particulars where it was tho't, to go too far. By the common law, the courts could fine and imprison, to any extent, for libels; and persons indicted for such offences, could not plead the truth of the matter, in their defence. By the act the truth of the matter may be pleaded and the power of fine and imprisonment, is restricted to two years, and two thousand dollars. If it should become ne-
cessary, therefore, to restore the common law, in this respect, to its ancient rigor, the act must be suffered to expire.
I spoke in my last, of the general prosperity of our trade; which has recovered from its late depression, and continues to flourish with increasing vigour. The revenue of the last year was greater than it had been estimated at the beginning of the year; and exceeded that of the former year, instead of falling below it, as from the depredations on our commerce, and its consequent stagnation, there was reason to apprehend. The exports to have considerably increased during the last year; in 1797, they were 51,294,710 dollars; and in 1798, 61,327,411; in 1791, on the contrary, they amounted to no more than 18,399,202—so that, in one year, they have increased a fifth, and more than trebled in eight years.
Our shipping also, notwithstanding the great number of vessels, which have been captured, has increased very considerably. In 1794, we owned 628,617 tons of shipping; in 1797 it had increased to 831,900 tons; and at the commencement of 1798, we had 876,912 tons. From 1790 to 1796, inclusive, the foreign shipping employed in our trade, had decreased 230,748 tons to 46,346; which decrease was occasioned, and replaced, by the great increase of our own shipping.
For two years preceding 1798 our revenue, from commerce increased at the rate of a million annually, or one sixth, without an increase of duties; last year it increased very little, on account of the unprotected state of our trade. From 7,355,688 dollars, its product in 1797, it rose in 1798 to 7,405,420 only; and this small increase must be attributed, in part, tho' not wholly, to a small augmentation of duties began to operate upon the revenue in the course of last year. But, as our trade has now revived, in consequence of the protection afforded to it, we may reasonably expect that the revenue will regain its former state of rapid increase.
An increase was made in the salaries of certain officers employed in the executive departments, and by their duties obliged to reside constantly in this city. Those salaries were, for the most part, fixed nine years ago, when every article of life was nearly one half cheaper in the great towns, than at present. Consequently they had become inadequate, as appeared from the most undoubted information, to the support of the officers and their families; who were obliged to live upon their own property, while employed wholly in the public service; and, if not men of fortunes, were reduced to great difficulties. Hence a great discouragement to good public servants, a great temptation to those who have under their controul vast sums of public money, and a great difficulty in finding men properly qualified in respect of talents and character, for filling up the vacancies which from time to time occur.—Congress therefore, judged it true economy to put these useful and necessary officers more at their ease, by adding something to their salaries; and, in my opinion, it judged wisely. But, as the public has at present, great occasion for money, the increase was small, and confined solely to those officers whose duties obliged them to reside constantly at the seat of government. The whole amount of these different augmentations, was no more than eleven thousand five hundred dollars per annum; a most inconsiderable sum when compared with the importance of the object; and the resources of the nation. The augmentation is for three years only, to be continued or not, at the end of that period according to circumstances.
Our situation with France still remains as it was when, I wrote last. When the French government found that Gen. Pinckney and Gen. Marshall could not be inticed or frightened into terms disgraceful to the country, that its schemes, with respect to Mr. Gerry, were baffled by his recall, and that the American government and nation, instead of crouching at its feet thro' weakness and division, as so many other countries had done to their utter ruin, repelled its attacks, despised its threats, and were preparing, with vigour and system, to defend,

by arms, the rights and honor of the country, it all at once changed its tone, professed a great willingness to treat; our attempts at which it had so lately spurned; an anxious desire to avert a quarrel; which before it sought by every possible injury; and the most friendly sentiments towards a country which it had plundered and insulted for years together. One of Mr. Talleyrand's clerks was dispatched to Holland, under pretence of acting as secretary to the French minister there; but in reality to open an informal communication with our Minister. He threw himself in the way of our minister, and having engaged him in conversations respecting the state of affairs between the two countries, he wrote an account of those conversations to Mr. Talleyrand. Mr. Talleyrand wrote him letters in reply, which he was allowed to shew to the American minister. These letters, of which he even gave our minister copies, were filled with professions of friendship for the United States, of regret at the existing differences, and of willingness, and even anxiety, to enter into negotiations for their removal. The copies which our minister received, he transmitted to the President.
Hypocrites very often, in their abundant cunning, over reach themselves; and so it happened to the French government in this instance. We could be at no loss to discover the drift of all this sudden mildness and apparent good nature: when we considered that it was accompanied by no substantial change of measures towards us; but that, on the contrary, the French continued in force all their laws against our trade, took as many of our vessels as possible, and even in the midst of all these fair pretences, passed the atrocious and bloody edict, for hanging as pirates all our sailors who might be found in British ships, tho' carried and kept there by force. But lest all this evidence, joined to the numerous examples of cruel and studied perfidy which France had displayed towards other nations, especially the Swiss, whom she destroyed by similar arts, should not be sufficient to put us on our guard against her wiles, she took a step which served, in the strongest manner, to manifest her intentions. This correspondence between Mr. Talleyrand's clerk and our minister in Holland, which was carried on with the greatest apparent mystery, and transmitted to the President with particular and unusual precautions, was nevertheless sent, doubtless by Mr. Talleyrand's order, for his clerk would not of himself have ventured on such a step, to a gazette in this city, which is notoriously in the interest, and suspected, on good grounds of being in the pay of the French government; and in that gazette it was published. From hence alone without other proofs, it would be manifest, that the whole was a trick, contrived and executed for the sole purpose of producing an effect upon the people of America, of lulling this country, by the hopes of peace and accommodation, into a fatal repose, of increasing our divisions, of furnishing the French party with pretences for opposing all our measures of defence and preparation, and of raising a clamor against the government, if it should refuse to listen to this insidious overture.
Congress, however, did not fall into so very obvious a snare: but continued to pursue its system of defence and preparation, with unabated vigor. But as these letters contained a declaration that the French government was ready to receive, in a proper and becoming manner, any minister whom the President might authorize to treat respecting an accommodation; and as Mr. Talleyrand's permission to shew the letters to our minister, and to give him copies for the purpose of being transmitted to our government, might be considered as an advance towards reconciliation, on the part of the French government; the President thought it proper to meet this advance; and for that purpose appointed three ministers, who were approved by the senate. These ministers are Oliver Elsworth, chief justice of the United States, Patrick Henry, formerly governor of Virginia, and Mr. Murray, at present minister of the U. States in Holland. They are not to leave this country till they receive regular and formal assurances from the French government that they will be properly received, and that ministers, duly authorized, will be appointed, on the part of France, to treat with them.
Thus stands this affair. The sincerity of the Directory, in this pretended wish for reconciliation, may be judged of from the circumstances which I have mentioned, and from an additional fact, which I have authority to state on the most accurate and undoubted information. It is this:
Some time ago the Directory sent to St. Domingo, their principal West India possession, an agent of the name of Hedouville. This man, on his ar-
rival made some professions of justice and amicable conduct towards the United States; but he soon equalled, and even exceeded his predecessors in depredations on our commerce—Last summer, while Mr. Gerry was still in Paris, and the Directory was employing every artifice to keep him there and to draw him into an endless negotiation, Hedouville was preparing to invade the southern States from St. Domingo, with an army of blacks; which was to be landed with a large supply of officers, arms and ammunition, to excite an insurrection among the negroes, by means of missionaries previously sent, and first to subjugate the country, by their assistance, and then plunder and lay it waste. For the execution of this humane and friendly scheme, he waited only till the English should evacuate a certain part of the island, which lay most convenient for the expedition; but he was interrupted by a black general, of the name of Toussaint, who drove him from the island, compelled him to embark for France, and took the whole authority into his own hands; which he yet retains.
This scheme came to our knowledge in the following manner: A very rich ship, from the East Indies, valued at nearly 700,000 dollars was taken last summer by one of Hedouville's privateers. The owners, merchants of this town, employed a man of honor and character, well known here, and well acquainted in the West Indies, to go and endeavor to purchase the ship at a low rate. He went to St. Domingo for that purpose; and while there, conversed with some of the black officers who were to be employed in the expedition. As he spoke their language well, he was led to cultivate an acquaintance with them; and from them, in their moments of conviviality, he learned the project. I have it from him, through a person of the highest confidence.
Here may we learn to appreciate professions of the French government; and the wisdom, or honesty, of those counsellors, who perpetually tell us that there is no danger of an invasion from France, and no need to prepare against such an event.
Respecting the state of affairs abroad, our accounts are still various and uncertain. It is however, certain, that the King of Naples has renewed the war against the French in Italy: and from his manner of doing it, there is little doubt of his acting in concert with the Austrians, whose movements for some time past, have indicated hostile designs. Very direct, tho' unofficial, accounts have been received of a complete victory over the French by a part of the army of the king of Naples. The French, it is said, were 20,000 to 25,000, and defeated with 5000 killed and taken. Should this be true, and there is some reason to believe it from the manner in which the account comes, it may be considered as the forerunner of a general war and great events. It has been the usual fortune of the French to overrun countries by their impetuosity, and hold them for a while: and then to be as suddenly driven out. It is not improbable that the same fate awaits them now; and this defeat by the troops of Naples, if the account of it be true, may be considered as the commencement of their downfall.
The accounts respecting the destruction of Buonaparte and his army, have neither been confirmed, as yet, nor contradicted. I always considered his destruction as very certain, from the moment when he was left, without hope of recruit or supply, in the midst of an hostile and unhealthy country, where we know that his army suffered every want and hardship, and whose inhabitants, by his own account, fought him perpetually, and with great bravery. At any rate he is lost to France; for, cut off as he is by the loss of this fleet, from all hope of return or communication, he cannot assist her in the new struggle where she seems to be on the point of engaging. This cannot fail to have a very considerable effect on her success. The terror of his name was an host; and he has with him, not only her best troops, but a great number of her best officers. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to conjecture how she may act towards us. I have no doubt, however, that she will attempt to disarm us by deceitful appearances, and professions of a wish to negotiate; but I neither believe that she will keep peace with us, if we disarm, even should she make one, nor attempt to strike us, while we remain on our guard. Our wisdom, I cannot repeat it too often, consists in a state of watchful and vigorous preparation. She assumes an air of mildness for the present—as she did towards the Swiss, before she was prepared to strike the fatal blow; but we ought never to forget that "The Tyger always crouches before he leaps on his prey."
The Russians and Turks, it seems, have conceived, and expressed, a wish to be on friendly terms with us, and
to form treaties of commerce. The President has thought fit and very wisely as far as I can judge, to cultivate this disposition; from which great advantages in the trade of those nations, may accrue to us. He has therefore, directed our minister in England, to treat with the Russian minister on the subject; and our minister in Portugal, to repair to Constantinople for the same purpose. This advance, on the part of those remote, but powerful nations, is a pleasing proof of the encreasing importance and respectability of our country.
I find that in speaking of our domestic affairs, I have omitted one circumstance of great importance, & of a most satisfactory nature; as it shews in a very striking manner, the stability of public credit, the confidence reposed in our government, and the extent of our financial resources. I mean the loan. Last year the President was empowered to borrow five millions of dollars for the public service. The money was not wanted last year, but, in the course of this, there will be need of it. A loan was therefore opened, and an interest of 8 per cent offered. The subscription was kept open one day; in the course of which no less than fourteen millions eight hundred thousand dollars was subscribed; of which the public accepts five millions only. That sum together with the ordinary revenue, amounting to something more than ten millions, will be sufficient for all the expenses of the present year. Thus it appears that if the public had wanted fifteen millions, instead of five the money might have been procured.
Some persons have been of opinion that this money might have been borrowed on better terms. Perhaps it might: but it was better to offer a handsome interest, and make sure of success, than to risk a failure, which must have had the most unfavourable effect on our affairs. In the mean time, a right is reserved to the government of paying off the whole loan at the end of ten years. Consequently, if circumstances should be favourable at that time, a new loan may be made, at a lower rate of interest, for the purpose of paying off this.
There are still, my dear Sir, many things, which probably, it would be agreeable to you to hear; but these appeared to me the most important; and as you must be pretty well tired by this time, as well as myself, I conclude, with presenting to you the respects and best wishes of
Your very humble servant, ROBERT G. HARPER.
Foreign Intelligence
By the Connecticut, arrived at Philadelphia from London, latest papers Feb. 24.
PHILADELPHIA SUMMARY.
THIRTEEN mails were due from Hamburg. T. Grenville, destined as Envoy Extra to Prussia, had been ship wrecked and lost.—French Counter Revolutionists have become very formidable in Lower Languedoc.—Spanish troops have been marched to the frontiers of their country.—The Belgium Insurgents still continue powerful, and have by Proclamation invited a junction of the French soldiery. They retaliate all excesses.—The London prints still speak of Tippoo's having hostile designs; but he is so guarded that nothing is dreaded from him. Com. Blanket had orders to take possession of the Island Socotora, which commands the outlet of the Red Sea, which he has, doubtless, succeeded in.
A Cidavant Secretary of a Spanish Embassy to England, is now the King of Spain's favorite. The Prince of Peace is coming again into Power. The Ex Spanish Premier has recovered from the effects of the poison given him.
COUNCIL OF FIVE HUNDRED. Sitting of the 19th Pluviose, (Feb. 7.) The following message, addressed to the council by the executive directory, was read by one of the secretaries:
"The army of Rome, now the army of Naples, was attacked the 2d Pluviose, by an innumerable multitude, composed of the remains of the Neapolitan army, the Lazzaroni and peasants, all well armed, well conducted, and enflamed by the torch of the most delirious fanaticism.
The soldiers of liberty, surrounded on all sides, routed the assailants in every point; and after three days, signalized by prodigies of valour, which the preceding victories of the republicans alone render credible, all the obstacles were surmounted, and the army established itself in Naples. The energy of the Neapolitan patriots, so long restrained, was re-animated with vigour; their voice was heard, and united with the clemency of the conqueror, it converted into a holy enthusiasm for liberty, the fanaticism with which the hearts of a deluded multitude had been inflamed. The Neapolitan republic was proclaimed, and a provisional government organized."
LONDON, FEB. 8. By the Lisbon mail we have accounts from Madrid of a late date:—By these it appears, that a great number of Spanish troops have been sent to reinforce all the garrisons of the northern frontier; from which also intelligence has been received of the French Counter-Revolutionists having extended themselves quite across the Pyrenean Isthmus, and penetrated into several of the departments comprising the former province of Languedoc. Suspicion appears to be entertained by the Republican General Angereau, that these revolted are encouraged by Spain. At any rate, such a supposition may furnish the Directory, on convenient season, with a pretext for quarrelling with his Catholic Majesty. Indeed the court of Madrid seems to have some apprehensions to this effect, and therefore wishes to be prepared for the consequences.
FEB. 16. The whole continent of Africa, from Morocco to Egypt, has at length taken up arms against the French, at the instance of the Grand Seigneur.
The states of Barbary and the Emperor of Morocco are not satisfied with sitting out corsairs, but have sent large bodies of troops to attack Buonaparte in Egypt.
FEB. 21. Bulletin of Rastadt, 13th Pluviose, Feb. 1.
Yesterday half an hour after the delivery of the note to the deputation of the empire, another was given in particular to the Count de Lehibach, minister of the king of Hungary and Bohemia, and Archduke of Austria, in which the French ministers declare, that if within 15 days from the date of yesterday, the Emperor does not make the Russian troops evacuate Austria, and his other states which form a part of the Germanic empire, hostilities shall re-commence between him and France.
The deputation met this day on the subject of the last French note, and determined it should be sent to the diet at Ratisbon, and communicated to the respective envoys; that they may acquaint their constituents, and that the latter may be enabled to give instructions on it to their ministers at the diet.
In the sitting of yesterday the minister of Mentz expressed himself in strong language against the fall of Ehrenbreitstein. He observed, as previously remarked by the envoy of Cologne, that the middle state between war and peace, was worse for the people than open war, and that the elector, his master, with a view of fulfilling his duty in the capacity of arch chancellor of the empire, had given directions to his minister at the diet at Ratisbon, to make the most pressing remonstrances to the emperor and the empire, to procure a termination to such a state of uncertainty.
FEB. 24.
FRENCH FINANCE.
A message sent to the Council of Five Hundred on the 2d inst. states, "that the expenses of the public service are considerably beyond the receipts of the revenue; that there has been a deficit of 43,778,262 livres in the receipts of the first quarter! that the beginning of the second quarter (the present one) is equally alarming, and that instead of receiving 149,972,222 livres every decade, the commissioners of the national Treasury could not even obtain 10,000,000." The message concludes in the following manner: "The subsistence of the armies is no longer certain; the navy has very few provisions, or is entirely without them; the salaries of these servants of the public, are four months in arrear; the hospitals are in a state of the greatest distress for want of relief, the most urgent payments are suspended; the public credit is every day diminishing, and the public service exposed to a fatal and approaching catastrophe."
The British government have concluded to fix an agricultural establishment on the island of St. Johns, (Gulph of St. Lawrence) Abbe Calone and other French Emigrants are to go thither. It is to be called Prince Edward's Island.
Prince Edward is shortly to be made a peer with the title of the Duke of Kent.
WHITEHALL, FEB. 19.
The king has been pleased to constitute and appoint the right hon. Ralph Lord Lavington, of the kingdom of Ireland, K. B. to be captain general and governor in chief in and over the islands of Nevis, St. Christopher, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, Anquilla, and all other countries and plantations in America, commonly called or known by the name of the Charibbee islands.
ST. CHRISTOPHERS, March 17.
The American frigate Confellation , Com. Truxton, and Insurgente , Lt. Rogers, failed from this road, (Basseterre) on Wednesday last, and returned on Friday, with a French let-
ter-of-marque, schooner, of 6 guns, laden with dry goods and provisions, which they captured near Guadalupe, on Thursday.
BERMUDA, March 30. 30. Notwithstanding the great professions of the new Governor of Guadalupe to The President of Congress, he has allowed every American vessel carried in there, to be condemned, stock and stoke .
PHILADELPHIA, April 15.
A Kingston, (Jam.) paper of the 2d March, contains the following paragraph—
"It is reported, that the French frigate La Vetoile , arrived about 14 days ago at Cape Francois from France, with dispatches, and is now at Port au Prince. It is mentioned, that by her information has been received of three of the Members of the French directory having been put to death. Barras and Merlin are said to be the two survivors."
APRIL 16. It is said there is in town a letter of a late date from a gentleman of this city, at Gibraltar; stating, that information had been received there, of the French having got into Naples, and made a general slaughter of all the Nobles, Religieux, &c.
APRIL 18.
Yesterday Conrad Marks came to this city, and surrendered himself to the Deputy Marshall of the district of Pennsylvania. He offered bail for his appearance, but it was not accepted, and he was lodged in jail.—Judge Peters some time since issued a warrant for apprehending him, on a charge of Treason, in pursuance of which several parties of horse had been in pursuit of him, but he contrived to elude their vigilance—and has at length thought proper to surrender himself up to justice. This man has been among the most active of the Insurgents of Buck's county, of which he was an inhabitant.
APRIL 19.
Extract of a letter from an officer on board the Insurgente frigate, dated St. Kitt's, March 20.
"We have official accounts here of a violent commotion having taken place at Guadalupe. The inhabitants have raised the white flag and declared themselves Independent, and attempted to assassinate Desfourneaux, the Governor."
"It is said also, but this wants confirmation, that Admiral Harvey is preparing to yield them every possible assistance."
NEW-YORK, April 19.
Extract of a letter from Samuel Cabot, Agent for American Claims against British captures, to a merchant in Newburyport.
"The captures made in 1794, by Sir John Jarvis, have just been heard in the Admiralty Court here. Nearly all the Martinico cases were decreed to be restored, but in regard to 8 vessels and cargoes taken at Guadalupe, the judge did not restore them, but dismissed our claims on all of them—and declared that the British captors were justified in making the seizure; and were not responsible for any loss occasioned thereby; he said our remedy was against our then allies the French, who had recaptured the 8 vessels and were bound to restore them to us. From this sentence an appeal will be entered."
BOSTON, April 24.
Yesterday the officers of the First Legionary Brigade, of the First Division, commanded by Brigadier Gen. Winslow, paid their respects to the President of the United States, at his seat at Quincy. The President was in full uniform, and received the visitors with every mark of cordiality.
A letter from an officer on board the Factor , lately arrived at Liverpool, says, "if we had fired one gun we should all have been put to death."
It is asserted for fact, that amongst the papers of the United Irish Directory, detected in Ireland, were minutes of the receipt of money from Societies in the United States, for the purpose of carrying on rebellion and massacre. If this be true, it should be looked into.
We have a report from the West Indies, as late as the beginning of this month, that the Spaniards have captured Trinidad.
A letter from the Windward Islands mentions, that all the French frigates had gone to France.
FIRES.—On Sunday last a School House at N. Bedford, was consumed. An attempt was very lately made to set fire to the City of Charleston, S.C. On the 16th inst. at Johnstown, in R. I. a manufactory for gun locks, bayonets and trimmings for small arms was burned.—Loss 1200 dolls. Property belonged to Mr. Angel.

Miscellaneous Articles.
FOREIGN.
LONDON, FEB. 27.
The French Counter-Revolutionists in the mountains of the Cevennes, in Lower Languedoc, have become very formidable. According to the Madrid accounts, they have a number of Priests and Chouan officers among them, and are well supplied with arms. This place was the retreat of the Camisard rebels in the last century.
The Jesuits are said to have refused to permit one of their Churches at Lisbon to be converted into a barracks for the accommodation of a strong body of troops expected to arrive there from England; in consequence of which, temporary barracks were about to be erected at Belem. The account adds, that an insurrection had taken place at St. Salvador, in the Brazils, fomented by the French, and supported by the free Indians, several of whom had been put to death.
[Insurrection] has every where been the precursor of the French. They first paralyze by the contagion of their intrigues, then attribute to the bravery of their soldiers, those conquests which are effected by the infamy of their diplomatic corps.
Strong bodies of Spanish troops have defiled towards the French frontier.
[If the above intelligence is authentic, it leads to a conjecture that Spain is resolved to be no longer under the control of imperious France; but that she is assuming an attitude of defence against her, and is determined when she sees her way clear, to act in concert with the belligerent powers.]
From Madrid it is said, that a Neapolitan frigate was expected at Barcelona, with his Holiness the Pontiff, and some of the family of Parma.
A Paris paper says, that the Directory of France is by treaty, to controul the navy of Holland.
[The progress of Gallic freedom, in conquering provinces, is like that from virtue to infamy. First seduced, then cajoled, till they yield by dissipation what they ought to defend to the last struggle.]
The Insurgents of Belgium have, by proclamation, invited the French soldiers to join them in their efforts to throw off the common enemy, the Directory of France, observing, that they would retaliate on the officers of the Republic the cruelties that had been and continue to be practised by them. [We detest rebellion in every form; but cannot give that name to a justifiable and spirited resistance of abominable and usurped authority.]
The widow of the celebrated J. J. Rouveau states, in a recent publication, that her pension of 1500 livres, from the Grand Nation, is five years in arrears.
[Should the present rulers of France continue in office till the year 1804, there will then be ten years pension in arrears to this unfortunate lady.]
The Proserpine frigate is not lost; intelligence is received at Lord Greenville's office, stating that the ship and crew are safe, and Mr. Grenville and suite landed on the continent.
The Executive Directory of France on the 7th inst. informed the Councils, by message, of the capture of Naples after three days hard fighting; that the Neapolitan Republic was proclaimed, and a provisional government organized.
In the French Council of Five Hundred, Feb. 7, a message was received, announcing the defeat of the Neapolitan troops, and the establishment of the French army in Naples.
PHILADELPHIA, April 21.
We are informed, that a letter of a late date is in town from the sailing master of the L'Insurgente, containing the important information of the white flag having been hoisted at Guadalupe: of Desfornaux the Directorial Agent, having been assassinated, and a dispatch sent to the British commander, requesting him to come and take possession of the island. The disclosure of the design of the Directory to reduce the island again to a state of slavery, is stated to have produced those events.
A London paper of the 2d of March, says: "A draft of forty horses from all the cavalry regiments now in Great Britain is immediately to be made for the service in Portugal. They are to embark by the 9th instant, if the transports are ready for them."
NEW-YORK, April 22.
F I R E.
Yesterday about 20 minutes past 12 a fire broke out in the yard of the house occupied by Mr. West, builder, on the west side of Washington-street, between Cortlandt and Dey Slips, which soon consumed the whole block, except two houses belonging to Michael Price, occupied by himself and Mr. Clark—and one other the corner of Cortlandt and Greenwich streets, owned by Anthony Trepau, fruiterer at the Fly-market.
We are informed by Mr. West, that
one of his boys imprudently placed a pot just taken from the fire, among some shavings in the yard, by which a flame was soon kindled; and, owing to the strong wind, it communicated to a quantity of combustibles and became instantly irresistible. In the course of 15 minutes, half the block (the rear of which consisted mostly of wooden buildings) was in a blaze, and by half past one, the whole square, except the three houses, was levelled to the ground.
We have taken considerable pains to ascertain the names of the owners and occupants of the houses burnt.—They are, in Greenwich street, two elegant 3 story houses, belonging to John Rogers Esq. one occupied by Lady Temple, the other by Governor Crauford—one owned and occupied by Mr. T. Arden, one owned by Mr. Beakly, and occupied by Mr. Peter Elting.—In Dey street, 3 houses owned by Mr. Coddington, occupied by Mr. Laney, Mr. Seymour, and Mr. M'Leod, one owned and occupied by Mr. Post, a blacksmith's shop, a house owned and occupied by Mr. Barton one owned and occupied by Mr. Bonfil.—In Washington and Cortlandt streets, a corner house and the one adjoining, owned by Mr. D. Trembly, and occupied by Mr. D. Demurett and John Sharp—one owned and occupied by Mr. Campbell—one owned by W. Barton, and occupied by Dr. Lyon—one owned by Mr. M. Huffman, and occupied by Mr. West, and Lady Temple's stable.
We are sorry to observe, that Mr. Rogers had materials for a Country Seat, prepared at Mr. West's to the value of 1000. which were also lost. The property consumed is estimated at about 200,000 dollars.
NORWICH, April 24.
Preparations are making in this place, for building a sloop of war for the Federal Government, under the agency of Mr. Joseph Howland;—she will mount 18 guns, and is to be commanded by Capt. David Jewett.
BOSTON, April 24.
FROM EUROPE.
The Fair American, arrived at New-York from Portsmouth (Eng.) in a short passage, has brought Intelligence to the following effect, viz.
That a convoy of 200 sail, with 15,000 troops on board, left England for Lisbon, the 3d March, to co-operate with the Portuguese troops in opposing the progress of an army of 60,000 men destined from France to invade Portugal.
That the deliberations of the Congress at Radstad were not facilitated by the late successes of the French in Italy; the Republican Deputation having increased their demands, and discovered, (what the Germans ought long since to have known) a disposition to tamper with them; and to calculate the negotiation, not by the principles of justice; but by the arithmetic of power and strength.
That the King of Prussia had declared himself independent of the Germanic league.
That the union of Ireland with Great Britain, continued the subject of high debate; that although the House of Lords in the Irish Parliament had approved the measure, by a very handsome majority, the Commons had dissented therefrom;—though with all the art and declamation of the leaders of the opposition, no greater majority than five could be obtained.
Of England, the accounts speak favorably—strong in the loyal attachment of the people—and invincible in her vast navy, she stands unmoved, amid the wreck of empires, and the fall of states.
COMMERCIAL.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Marry, Consul of the United States at Liverpool, to the Sec'y of State, dated 18th Jan. 1799.
"The Privy Council having lately made it a condition to the admission to entry in our ships of goods not the produce of the United States, that they be in packages conformable to law, I would recommend to our citizens, that their cargoes be accordingly, especially coffee, which should be at least 112 lbs. per package.
Appointments by Authority.
George Little, a Captain in the Navy, to command the ship Boston, now building in this town.
Robert Haswell, First Lieutenant of the ship Boston.
The Insurrection boys of Pennsylvania have become quiet and peaceable, since the f-ver of sedition has abated of its malignancy. The patients will be thoroughly cured, when government shall have applied the cool and restoring balm of law and justice.
The last winter has been one of the most inclement, ever remembered. In Europe, many men and cattle have frozen to death; particularly at the review of the Russian troops, at Brim, in December last, and the ice has ob-
structed the navigation of the northern seas and channels.—The river Thames has been frozen over;—and the roads in many parts of England rendered impassable. In America winter fat seriously in, early in Nov. and on Wednesday last we experienced a severe snow storm of several hours. The mail sleigh from this town to Walpole, in New-Hampshire, ran eighteen weeks successively; and we have accounts from Connecticut, of the cattle actually starving for want of fodder. "According to some observations" remarks a London writer, "lately made in Holland, it appears that extreme cold winters have occurred every 400 years since the birth of Christ."
The first arrivals from Europe, in any moderate passages must we think, bring something decisive on the question, whether the war shall be continued, or prompt negotiations for a general Peace ensue?
From CAPE FRANCOIS, March 5.
"This morning M. Gerbier was arrested and confined in Fort Picoles. The motive I cannot ascertain. I suppose he will, as others have been, be shipped to America."
This Gerbier was one of the judges of Maritime causes—a dear lover of the Republic, and oppressor of Americans.
A letter from London mentions, that the British government has received the complaint of the Executive of the U. S. against Capt. Loring's treatment of Capt. Phillips' crew; and that it was confidently said he would be cashiered for his conduct.
Electioneering runs very high in New-York. Every engine is in motion; and the Federalists are waking from the fancied security.
The two negroes who murdered Mr. Todd, have been executed at Baltimore.
The troops, ordered out to quell the Insurrection in Pennsylvania, are on their return home, having effected the important business assigned them, without wantonly shedding one drop of blood.
The trial of the Pennsylvania Insurgents will come on at the Circuit Court, now setting in Philadelphia; bills of indictment have been presented against 7 of them for treason; and against five for seditious combinations, &c.
London, March 2. 4 per cent Consols 69 a 70.
The ship Connecticut, arrived at Philadelphia from London, has bro't 127 chests of stands of arms, and 80 heavy cannon, on government account.
The ship Amiable, of this port, stated to have been on shore on the coast of England, is safe arrived at London.
There are now in Spain 54,000 friars, 34,000 nuns, 20,000 secular clergy; and in Portugal 300,000 ecclesiastics of all kinds.
We have the satisfaction to inform the public that His Excellency Governor Sumner, who has for several days been dangerously sick with the lung fever, exhibits more favorable symptoms, which encourage the pleasing hope of a speedy recovery.
The French Directory have issued orders for the requisition of new levies of men, and enjoined that all citizens, excepting those of corporal infirmities, and those concerned in administrative employments, from the age of 20 to 30, shall serve in person in the armies, for the present year.
Norfolk, April 9.
On the 4th Jan. in lat. 49, 24. long. 19, 52. (while on his passage from Liverpool to this port) Capt. Wonnitot was boarded by a French privateer of 16 guns, and 100 men; they opened his hatchets, plundered several boxes of cutlery and hats, threw ten of his guns and all his powder overboard, took a quantity of Oznaburg, and sacking, robbed the Captain of his spy glass, sea stores, &c. and put twenty English and American prisoners on board him, which obliged him to put into Lisbon.
Boston, April 24.
A letter was received from Capt. Mackay, of the ship Galen, of this place, dated London Feb. 22. He informs, that in 24 days after he left Boston, he was moored in the Thames; that he experienced blowing weather on his passage, and had an opportunity of proving the goodness of the ship; that he was pursued 16 hours by a vessel (which finally proved to be a British frigate,) when his men were all called to their quarters, and displayed the most commendable spirit, and that a convoy was appointed to sail on the 8th of March, which he should embrace for return for America.
The Independence, Boyd, from Jamaica, for Wiscasset, was spoken 13th of April.
A letter from London Feb. 6, says, the Statira, from Boston, is reckoned as "out of season."
PORTSMOUTH, April 30.
FRENCH BARBARITY.
A New-York paper of the 18th mentions the receipt of several confirmatory particulars; and the postscript of a letter from Mr. Kelley supercargo of the ship Gen. Lincoln, dated Havannah, March 20, says, "Since writing the within, the news is confirmed, respecting the American ship being captured, of 22 guns. She was boarded ten leagues from this port by two French privateers, and 65 men killed out of 70."—The fact then appears substantiated; and as these inhuman have threatened to extend the murderous conduct to every American armed vessel; the Government will unquestionably take prompt measures for a severe retaliation. The world will justify the deed.
Persons are cautioned against purchasing old cloaths or feathers of travellers, or at auction, as some persons we are credibly informed, have lately purchased up large quantities of each at Philadelphia, which no doubt are infected with the late prevailing Epidemic, and too much caution cannot be taken to avoid this distressing malignant disorder; and in all probability some of those traders may pay a visit to this part of the country to dispose of their infected goods.
We are informed by a gentleman from Hawke, that the Billious fever has raged in that town the winter past, and from the last of Nov. to the last of March, upwards of thirty persons have died in that place principally adults.
A Philadelphia paper of the 17th says, Capt. Edwards from St. Kitts, brought dispatches from Commodore Barry, Nicholson, and Truxton.
FIRE! —At Bath, N. H. on the 6th inst. the dwelling house of Mr. Cooch, a store belonging to Capt. John Montgomery, of Haverhill, and an Attorney's Office, were consumed. Their contents were principally saved.
Extract of a letter from Capt. Neal, of the ship Cato, of this port, dated Tobago, March 7, 1799.
"I have been unfortunate in discharging my cargo. Sending the boat to Buccoo Bay, with a raft of lumber, she upset in crossing the reef, and two of our people were drowned, viz. Wm. Pillor and Moses Seaward, also Capt. Randall of a Portland brig, as he was going in our boat to receive some rum. The rest of the boat's crew saved themselves by swimming."
Arrived here the brig Resolution, Capt. Keene, in 32 days from St. Kitts, left there Sch'r Hiram, Capt. Wm. Appleton, of this port, to sail in the next convoy. April 6, in lat. 37, 30, long. 67, spoke with the sloop Plato, Capt. Levi Griswold, of Willingworth, (Con.) five days out, bound to Martinico; the night before had 14 oxen, and all his small stock drowned, and his sails split to pieces.
ENTRIES at the CUSTOM-HOUSE, Sloop Amelia, De Meulle, Halifax. Brig Resolution, Keen, St. Christoph's.
C L E A R E D.
Ship Pomona, Kennard, Barbadoes. Ship Thomas & Sarah, Crapo, Jamaica.
MARRIED —In this town, Mr. Bartholomew Berry, to Miss Polly Oliver; Mr. John Kinner, to Miss Ruthy Teaton.
At Philadelphia, Mr. Henry Sweetzer, Printer, to Miss Polly Kuglar.
D I E D.
In this town, on Wednesday last Capt. Timothy Montford, aged 68, this Gentleman has been afflicted for the last two years of his life, with a Cancer in his lip, which gradually extended to the roof of the mouth, palate, &c. and during the last fifty-two days, prior to his decease, he received nothing of the food kind, directly or indirectly; all he has subsisted upon has been a few liquids and opium. Incredibly as this may appear, we have the authority of his physician and family; to prove it an absolute fact.—Capt. Montford was an honest, worthy Citizen; and held an office in the department of the port of Portsmouth, which he executed to general satisfaction.
Mrs. Elizabeth Seaward, aged 59.
IRISH LINENS.
JUST OPENED BY
Peter Coffin,
An assortment of yard wide
Irish Linens.
Portsmouth, April 30, 1799.
READ THIS!
To the Delinquents, in paying their Taxes in the town of Portsmouth, for the years 1797 and 1798.
THE pressing demands of the Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor; compels the subscriber to address such persons of the necessity in discharging their arrearages; his duty as an officer, who has given his own security to those to whom the town were indebted previous to the annual Town-Meeting, in order to adjust his accounts with the Selectmen;—the injustice to those who have early paid; Likewise to those who have advanced their property—all combine to solicit and entreat such persons to an immediate payment; three fourths have already paid; those persons expect and require that the residue should be immediately collected.
I wish not to distress, and it would likewise be painful to wound the feelings of any individual, or family, but at the same time they must give me leave to say, that in justice to all I must do my duty; Therefore, I call on them, I invite and even intreat all such, for their own honor, and common justice, to come forward and enable the subscriber, to discharge his trust without the disagreeable alternative of being under the necessity of doing that which would give him painful reflections.
Geo: Wentworth, Collector.
Portsmouth, April 23, 1799.
State of New-Hampshire, Rockingham, ss.
TO BE SOLD AT Public Vendue,
By the Wardens of the first Parish in Portsmouth, at the north Meeting House in said Portsmouth, on Monday the 20th of May next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, for arrears of taxes on the following Pews, viz.
NUMBER 104 in the gallery, three years, 1796, '97 and '98, six dollars seventy-two cents—number 19 below, three years, 1796, '97 and '98, nineteen dollars twenty cents—number 44, half of said Pew, three years, 1796, '97 and '98, nine dollars sixty cents—number 59, two years, 1797 and '98, twelve dollars eighty cents.
R. HART, } Wardens. E. HALL, } S. HILL, }
Portsmouth, April 29, 1799.
FOR SALE, An Excellent Farm,
NEAR the centre of the town of Conway, in the State of New-Hampshire, one mile north of the lower meeting-house, on the main road from Co's to Portland, containing 60 acres of good intervale, and 240 of upland, about 50 of which are under improvement, on which are yearly cut 30 tons of hay, with tillage and pasturing adequate, has a House thereon 40 by 26, a barn 60 by 30, and a very large and convenient spring of water, with an orchard from which may be made 30 barrels of cider annually.—Any person wishing to purchase will please to apply for conditions to JOHN DOLLEFF, on the premises. Conway, April 23.
PHOENOMENON,
THAT beautiful full blooded Stallion, late imported from England by LANG, BRIERLY & Co. Will stand for covering this season at the stable of Maj. Thomas Leavitt, of North-Hampton, until Monday the 6th of May, then at the stable of Capt. John Higgins, at Berwick, on Tuesday the 7th of May; at the stable of Levi Dearborn, at Rochester, on Wednesday the 8th of May; at the stable of Col. Richardson, at Durham, on Thursday the 9th of May; at the stable of Esq'r. Clarke at Northwood, on Friday the 10th of May; at the stable of Benjamin Butler at Deerfield, on Saturday the 11th of May; at the stable of Maj. Simon Towle at Chester, on Monday the 13th May, then will return to the stable of said Thomas Leavitt, and from thence will return to each of the aforesaid places every fifteenth day, from the time he stood there before, until the season expires.
He is a fine chestnut, rising 7 years old, 16 and an half hands high, got by the famous Phenomenon, whose Grandfire was the noted Eclipse, Dam Recovery by Hyder Ally, Grandam Perdita by Herod, great Grandam by Sampson, and out of the Lass of the Mill.—He has already proved himself to be a sure horse, and his colts are very handsome.
Price 9 dollars the season, 5 dollars a leap; to insure a foal a price that may be agreed on; and 50 cents to the Groom. Northampton, April 29, 1799.

STANZAS.
ON her naval force depending, Let Columbia cheer her course; When afflicted, vengeance sending— And defying every force. II. Let us landmen—without party, Act like brethren on the flood, To one cause alone be hearty— And be that our COUNTRY'S GOOD. WILL STEADY.
PORTSMOUTH, NEW-HAMPSHIRE, April 20th, 1799.
Notice is hereby given, That PROPOSALS will be
received by the subscriber from all persons desirous of furnishing by contract, rations of provisions, straw and fuel, which may be required for the service of the United States, within the limits of the State of New-Hampshire; to be issued at any place or places, where troops are, or may be stationed, marched or recruited, for and during the residue of the year 1799—but it is expected that Portsmouth and Exeter will be the general places of rendezvous.
Those who may wish to furnish the supplies of rations aforesaid, are requested to send their proposals (under sealed covers) on or before the 14th of May next, to the subscriber, who is authorized to contract for the same. JACOB SHEAFFE.
"The ration to be supplied is to consist of the following articles, viz.
Eighteen ounces of bread or flour, or when neither can be obtained, of one quart of rice, or one and one half pound of sifted or bolted Indian meal; one pound and a quarter of fresh beef, or one pound of salted beef, or three quarters of a pound of salted pork; and when fresh meat is issued, salt at the rate of two quarts for every hundred rations, soap at the rate of four pounds, and candles at the rate of a pound and an half for every hundred rations."
"The proposals must also extend to the supply of rum, whiskey, or other ardent spirits, at the rate of half a gill per ration, and vinegar at the rate of two quarts for every hundred rations; and also to supplies of fuel and straw when called for." Wood is to be rated by the cord, and straw by the ton or hundred weight.
"The proposals will stipulate the prices of the several component parts of the ration, as well as those of the substitutes or alternatives, for parts thereof."
"It is expected that the Contractor will be governed in the price of the ration by the quantity to be daily issued at any given place; that is, he will require a higher price where not more than fifty rations are issued daily, than where a greater quantity is daily issued.—In the contracts therefore will be established the price for rations, at any given post or place—1st, where not more than fifty rations are issued daily—2d, where they do not exceed from fifty to two hundred daily—3d, where they do not exceed from two hundred to four hundred daily—and 4th, where more than four hundred rations shall be issued at any place daily."
The Contractor must obligate himself to answer all requisitions made for rations, by any officer having authority to make the same."
Bonds are required with two sufficient sureties to warrant the faithful discharge of the Contract on the part of the Contractor; therefore all persons who may send in proposals, are requested to forward also the names of their sureties, who must be men of ability and respectable character. FIRE WARDS
HAVING viewed and examined the buildings in town, report them (with few exceptions) in good repair, but very deficient in Buckets and Ladders. This is therefore to require all delinquents immediately to provide their houses and other buildings with buckets and ladders agreeable to law, otherwise they may depend on being fined for such neglect; we with our fellow citizens seriously to consider on the danger and risk of their lives and property, for the want of these necessary articles, that cost but a very few dollars. By order of the Fire Wards. THO'S THOMPSON, Chairman.
THE Fellows of the
New-Hampshire Medical Society are hereby notified, that their annual meeting will be held at the House of S. Dearborn, in Chester, the third Wednesday of May next, at 10 o'clock A. M.—As there is some business of consequence to be transacted, and several communications to be read before the society, it is requested a general attendance may be given. By order of the President. LEVI BARTLETT, Rec'd Sec'y.
The printers of the Dartmouth Eagle are requested to insert the above in their paper, three weeks prior to said meeting.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to all the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the town of Brookfield, who have not paid their highway and State taxes for the year 1798, that unless they pay the said taxes to me the subscriber, on or before the 17th day of June next, that so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the house of Mr. Richard Hanson, innholder in said town, at ten of the clock A. M. on said day.
Table with 4 columns: Name, No. of acres, No. of cattle, No. of sheep. Rows include Samuel Hall, Henry Wiggin, Samuel Varney, Tho. Wentworth, Love Roberts, Law lot, David Copp, Eben'r Varney, Joshua Sturgis, John Tash, ditto. THOMAS WIGGIN, Collector. Brookfield, April 15, 1798.
PAULSBOROUGH.
NOTICE is hereby given to all the owners and proprietors of land in the township of Paulsborough, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, that at a legal meeting of the proprietors of said township, held at Deerfield, in the county of Rockingham, in said State, on the 21st day of March, 1799, they voted to assess a tax of TWENTY-TWO DOLLARS on each original right or proprietor's share of land in said Paulsborough, for the purpose of making a road through said township, and defraying other proprietary charges, and committed the said assessment to the subscriber to collect; and that unless the same is paid to me at my house in Epping, in said county of Rockingham, on or before the first day of June next, so much of their lands will be advertised for sale as will pay said taxes with incidental charges. W'M PLUMER, Collector. Epping, April 6, 1799.
MAYNESBOROUGH.
WHEREAS the proprietors and owners of the township of Maynesborough, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, at their meeting held at Concord, in the county of Grafton, and State aforesaid, on the 5th day of December 1798, voted to raise the sum of TWENTY-TWO DOLLARS on each original right in said township of Maynesborough, for the purpose of defraying the charges of said proprietary—and whereas the assessors of said township did on the same day commit the said assessment to me to collect, and the sum of six dollars and two cents only has been paid on each of said rights. Notice is hereby given, that unless the delinquent proprietors and owners of the following rights, viz. Sir William Mayne, baronet; Robert Mayne, Esq. George Gray, Esq. John Graham, Esq. Walter Kennedy, Esq. William Botts, Esq. Paul Wentworth, Esq. John Nelson, Esq. John Ward, Esq. Robert Graham, Esq. David Serymouque, Esq. Colin Mackenzie, Esq. Tho's Mayne, Esq. Edward Mayne, Esq. W'm Senners, Esq. Hon. Robert Needham, Esq. Samuel Smith, Esq. Thomas Evans, Esq. William Wentworth, Esq. of Barbadoes, shall pay me fifteen dollars ninety-seven cents (being the balance of said taxes now unpaid) and incidental charges, so much of said delinquents land as will pay said taxes now unpaid, and the legal charges, will be sold at public auction, on Tuesday the 18th day of June next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, at the dwelling house of Daniel Watson, innholder at Epping, in said county of Rockingham. W'M PLUMER, Collector. Epping, April 8, 1799.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the town of Barnstead, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1798, that so much of their land will be sold at public vendue at the house of Jonathan Bunker, innholder in said town, on the 20th day of June next, at 10 o'clock A. M. as will pay said taxes with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
Table with 4 columns: First Division, Name, No. of acres, No. of cattle, No. of sheep. Rows include Tho's W. Waldron, Samuel Fabins, Benning Wentworth, John Walton, Jehro Bickford, Josiah Downing. Second Division, Matthew Plant, Col. T. Emerson, ditto, Jotham Odiorne. PELATIAH DANIELS, Jr. Collector. Barnstead, April 5, 1799.
TAKEN UP ADRIFT
THE 12th inst. in great-bay, so called, a Float about fourteen feet and a half long, the owner may have the same again by applying to the subscriber and paying charges. WILLIAM FURBER. Newington, April 15, 1799.
To Samuel Plumer, Jr. Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace, in and for the county of Rockingham and State of New-Hampshire; and to Jacob Ashton Clerk of the proprietors of Errol in said State.
THE subscribers proprietors of more than one sixteenth part of the township of Errol, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, hereby make application to you to grant a warrant to call a meeting of the proprietors of said township, to meet at the dwelling house of Mrs. Eunice Wells, innholder in Hampton-Falls, in the county of Rockingham, in said State, on Wednesday the fifteenth day of May next, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, for the following purposes, viz.
1st. To choose a Moderator, proprietors 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 proceedings 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 demands which may exist against the proprietors, and direct their Treasurer to satisfy the same demand or demands. 5th. To see if the proprietors will agree to raise by a tax on each right, any sum or sums of money to be appropriated 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 meeting, or both. 7th. To choose a committee to settle 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, HENRY THORNDIKE, WILLIAM SHILLABER, JONATHAN PEELE, JACOB ASHTON, WILLIAM PLUMER. April 6, 1799.
State of New-Hampshire, Rockingham ss. April 6, 1799.
Pursuant to the foregoing application, I do hereby notify and warn the proprietors of said Errol, to meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purposes aforesaid. SAM'L PLUMER, Jr. Justice Peace.
Pursuant to the foregoing application, the subscriber hereby notifies the proprietors of the township aforesaid, to meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purposes aforesaid. JOHN JENKS. Salem, April 6, 1799.
Twenty Dollars Reward.
WHEREAS some evil minded person or persons has for several nights past strolled about the streets in this town, and rudely damaged the sign-boards, destroyed some of the rails on the bridge at the south end of the town, and many other enormities have been perpetrated upon the property of the citizens; and more especially, the last Saturday night they broke into the north meeting-house and damaged some pews, and were so audacious as to ring the bell at midnight, thereby insulting and affrighting the inhabitants, disturbing their repose, and giving an alarm as if the town was on fire. Any person that will give evidence sufficient to convict the offenders or either of them, shall receive the above reward. GEORGE GAINS, MOSES WOODWARD, SAM'L HUTCHINGS, ELIJAH HALL, SAM'L DROWNE, Portsmouth, April 15, 1799.
FROM Quamhiggan landing some time in November last, a Whaleboat, about twenty feet long, upper streak painted with Spanish-brown, Hampton built, about two years old; whoever has taken the same up and will give information to Capt. Ebenezer Ricker, or John Tibbetts, of Somersworth, or the Printer hereof, shall be well rewarded for their trouble. Somersworth, April 15, 1799.
SCHOOL.
The subscribers will open a Morning School for MISSES, in the brick school-house, as soon as a number sufficient to engage their attention shall have applied. Attendance—One hour and a half, beginning at 6 o'clock. Price—10 5/8 per quarter; or, if the number of scholars exceed thirty, 9/6. Immediate application is requested. AMOS TAPPAN and WILL'M GARLAND.
To Samuel Plumer, Jr. Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Rockingham, in the State of New-Hampshire; and to Jacob Ashton Clerk of the proprietors of Millsfield in said State.
THE subscribers proprietors of more than one sixteenth part of the township of Millsfield, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, hereby make application to you to grant a warrant to call a meeting of the proprietors of said township, to meet at the dwelling house of Mrs. Eunice Wells, innholder in Hampton-Falls, in the county of Rockingham in said State, on Wednesday the fifteenth day of May next, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, for the following purposes, viz.
1st. To choose a Moderator, Proprietors 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 proceedings 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 demands which may exist against the proprietors, and direct their Treasurer to satisfy the same demand or demands. 5th. To see if the proprietors will agree to raise by a tax on each right, any sum or sums of money to be appropriated to any purpose or purposes which they may think proper. 6th. To see if the proprietors will agree to make any compensation to those proprietors or proprietors attorneys who may attend the present or any future meetings or both. 7th. To choose a committee to settle with every former Treasurer and Collector, and receive what money may be in their hands, and to obtain from any former Clerk, Treasurer, or Collector any book or papers belonging to the proprietors, which may remain in the hands of the same officers.
JACOB ASHTON, HENRY THORNDIKE, JONATHAN PEELE, B. PUTNAM, WILLIAM PLUMER. April 6, 1799.
State of New-Hampshire, Rockingham ss. April 6, 1799.
Pursuant to the foregoing application, I do hereby notify and warn the proprietors of said Millsfield, to meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purposes aforesaid. SAM'L PLUMER, Jr. Justice Peace.
Pursuant to the foregoing application, the subscriber hereby notifies the proprietors of the township aforesaid, to meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purposes aforesaid. JACOB ASHTON. Salem, April 6, 1799.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the town of Antrim, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1798, that so much of their land will be sold at public vendue at the house of Captain Mark Woodbury in Antrim, on Tuesday the 18th day of June next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, as will pay said taxes with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
Table with 4 columns: Name, Acres, Cows, Sheep. Rows include John M'Keen, J. Grimes, Ja's Wilson, Samuel Auld, Simeon Chase, Margaret Green, Thomas E. Childings, Alexander Cunningham, George Jaffrey. JOHN ALEXANDER, Collector. Antrim, April 1, 1799.
FOR SALE, A FARM of 100 acres,
WITHIN five miles of Durham landing, with a HOUSE and BARN thereon. For particulars apply to the Printer.
FOR SALE, A HANDSOME light Phaeton,
with harness compleat. Apply to THOMAS SIMES, Portsmouth.
STAMPED PAPER,
For Notes of hand, Bills of Lading and Bills of Exchange, and every other description of stamped paper sold at J. MULLER'S Printing Office, at the same price as at the Supervisor's office.
Treasury Department, March 11th, 1799.
Public notice is hereby given, Pursuant to the Act of Congress, passed on the first day of June, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-six, entitled, "An Act regulating the grants of land appropriated for military services, and for the society of United Brethren for propagating the gospel among the Heathen;" and the Act supplementary to the said recited Act passed on the second day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine—to wit:
THAT the tract of Land
herein after described, namely, "beginning at the North West corner of the seven ranges of townships, and running thence fifty miles due south, along the western boundary of the said ranges; thence due west to the Main Branch of the Scioto river; thence up the Main Branch of the said river to the place where the Indian boundary line crosses the same; thence along the said boundary line to the Tuscarora branch of the Muskingum river at the crossing place above Fort Lawrence; thence down the said river, to the point where a line run due west from the place of beginning, will intersect the said river; thence along the line so run to the place of beginning," has been divided into townships of five miles square, and fractional parts of townships; and that plats and surveys of the said townships and fractional parts of townships are deposited in the offices of the Register of the Treasury and Surveyor General, for the inspection of all persons concerned.
The holders of such warrants as have been or shall be granted for military services performed during the late war, are required to present the same to the Register of the Treasury, at some time prior to the twelfth day of February, in the year, one thousand eight hundred, for the purpose of being registered; No registry will however be made of any less quantity than a quarter township, or four thousand acres.
The priority of location of the warrants which may be presented and registered in manner aforesaid, prior to the twelfth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred, will immediately after the said day, be determined by lot, in the mode prescribed by the act first recited.
The holders of registered warrants, shall on Monday the 17th day of February, in the year 1800, in the order in which the priority of location shall be determined by lot as aforesaid, personally or by their agents, designate in writing at the office of the Register of the Treasury, the particular quarter townships elected by them respectively, and such of the said holders as shall not designate their locations on the said day, shall be postponed in locating such warrants to all other holders of registered warrants.
The holders of warrants for military services sufficient to cover one or more quarter townships or tracts of four thousand acres each; shall at any time after Monday the 17th day of February, 1800, and prior to the first day of January, 1802, be allowed to register the said warrants in manner aforesaid, and forthwith to make locations therefor on any tract or tracts of land not before located.
All warrants or claims for lands on account of military services, which shall not be registered and located before the first day of January, 1802, are by the supplementary act of Congress herein before recited, passed on the second day of March, 1799, declared to be forever barred.
Given under my hand at Philadelphia, the day and year above mentioned. OLIVER WOLCOTT, Secretary of the Treasury.
THE FULL BLOODED HORSE, JANUS,
WILL Stand this season at the Stable of Mr. Daniel Little, in Sandwich, except on Wednesday and Thursday in each week, which time he will Stand at the Stable of Eben'r and James Little in Centre Harbour—terms: 15/ the leap, 27/ the season and 42/ to warrant a foal. Janus is a fine bay, near seventeen hands high, smooth and handsome, and is acknowledged to be the best Horse of his size in the State; was bred by Charles Carroll, Esq. of Maryland, was fired by the beautiful full blooded Horse Badger, Badger was fired by the celebrated Horse Apollo, out of a Mare imported by Mr. Carroll. Janus' Dam was fired by an Imported Horse, out of a full blooded Mare, likewise owned by Mr. Carroll.
Any Gentleman that wishes to enlarge and mend his breed of Horses, is desired to call and see Janus, who is warranted to be as sure a Horse as any in the State. —ALSO—
The well known Horse, called the Dauphin, which has been kept at Sandwich and Moultounborough, for several seasons past, will stand at the above stables, at the times above mentioned.
Terms, 7/6 a leap, 15/ the season, and 27/ to warrant a foal.
Wm. WEBSTER & Co. N. B. The noted Horse called the Young Traveller, will stand at the stable of Col. David Webster, in Plymouth, the present season. Sandwich, April 20, 1799.