The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1791-03-05 00:00:00

New - Hampshire Gazette, and the General Advertiser.
Containing the Laws, &c. of the United States, as well as those of this State passed since 1787, with a variety of other matters both useful and entertaining.
PORTSMOUTH: Printed by JOHN MELCHER, at his Office in Market-Street, at nine shillings per Annum.
LAWS of the UNITED STATES.
CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES
AT THE THIRD SESSION, Begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, on Monday the 6th of December, 1790. An ACT declaring the Consent of Congress to a certain Act of the STATE of MARYLAND.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the consent of Congress be, and is hereby granted and declared to the operation of an Act of the General Assembly of Maryland, made and passed at a session begun and held at the city of Annapolis, on the first Monday in November last, intituled, "An Act to empower the wardens of the port of Baltimore to levy and collect the duty therein mentioned," until the tenth day of January next, and from thence until the end of the then next session of Congress, and no longer.
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate. Approved, February the 9th, 1791. GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. (True copy)—THO'S JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
CONGRESS,
THIRD SESSION.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9.
THE Bill for increasing the penalties contained in the Act for the encouragement of Learning and the Arts, was read a first time.
The President communicated by Mr. Secretary Lear, sundry papers relative to the admission of Vermont as a member of the Federal Union, which were read, and committed to Messrs. Lawrence, Boudinot and Carroll.
A Bill to continue in force for a limited time the Act regulating processes in the Federal Courts, was read a first time.
On motion of Mr. Smith (S. C.) a Committee of three was raised to bring in a Bill, supplementary to an Act for incorporating the subscribers to the Bank of the United States.
After which the galleries were cleared, and the doors closed, as business of a secret nature came under consideration.
THURSDAY, FEB. 10.
The bill to ascertain the time for the commencement of the next session of Congress, was read a third time, and ordered to lie on the table.
A Bill to continue in force, for a limited time, the Act regulating processes in the Courts of the United States, was read a second time and ordered to be engrossed.
Several petitions were read and committed.
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Boudinot, Fitzsimons, and Ames, was appointed to bring in a Bill supplementary to an Act establishing the Treasury Department.
Messrs. Bourne, Sherman, and Thatcher, were chosen a Committee to bring in a Bill to repeal so much of the Act, imposing duties on imports and tonnage, as rates the Rix Dollar of Denmark at 100 cents.
The Bill authorizing the President of the United States, to cause the debt due to foreign officers to be paid and discharged, was considered in Committee of the whole. The Bill being gone
through, the Committee rose and reported the same. The Bill was agreed to by the House, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
The Bill establishing offices for granting lands within the territory of the United States, was taken up, in Committee of the whole, who after some time spent in debate, rose, reported, and asked leave to sit again.
The Committee appointed for that purpose, reported a Bill supplementary to an Act for incorporating the subscribers to the bank of the United States, which was read a first time.
After which the galleries were cleared as secret business came before the House.
Supreme Judicial Court.
TRIAL FOR A LIBEL.
AT the Supreme Judicial Court, on Tuesday 22d ultimo, came on the trial of THE PRINTER of the Herald, &c. for a libel on JOHN GARDINER, Esq. of Pownalborough.
Mr. GARDINER requested permission to assist the Attorney-General in the prosecution—which the Attorney-General objecting to, the Court refused Mr. Gardiner's request.
None of the jury being objected to, the Clerk read to them, the following INDICTMENT.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. SUFFOLK, ss.
At the Supreme Judicial Court, begun and held at Boston, within and for the County of Suffolk, on the last Tuesday of August, in the Year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
The Jurors for the said Commonwealth of Massachusetts, upon their oath present, that EDMUND FREEMAN, of Boston, in the same county of Suffolk, Printer, being a person of evil conversation, and bad intentions, upon the second day of February, in the year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, at Boston aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, wickedly contriving and intending one JOHN GARDINER, Esq. to deprive of his good name, fame, credit and reputation; and him, the said John, to bring into contempt and hatred, with the good citizens of the same Commonwealth, and such contrivance and intention to complete, practice, and render effectual, he the said Edmund Freeman, on the same second day of February aforesaid, at Boston aforesaid, in the county of Suffolk aforesaid, a certain false, scandalous and libelous printed paper called The Herald of Freedom and Federal Advertiser, volume third, number one hundred and forty-one, Tuesday, February 2d, 1790, against the said John Gardiner, falsely, maliciously, and scandalously, did frame and print and in the name, and for him the said Edmund did frame, and cause to be made, framed, printed and published, which same paper, among other things, contains of, and concerning the said John Gardiner a false, scandalous and wicked Libel, of the tenor following, to wit.
"From a Correspondent.
"While the curiosity of the public, is excited by the professed reformation in the law practice—while the enemies of the lawyers wait with anxious expectation the result—it may not be improper to turn our attention to the character of the gentleman from whom the proposed reformation originates. The tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; it cannot be tamed, it sets on fire the whole course of nature, and is set on fire of hell." This saying of the apostle James, is peculiarly applicable to
the character of this gentleman—(meaning him the said John Gardiner)—The virulence of whose tongue none can escape; no, not even the dead. His (meaning the said John Gardiner) malicious disposition is such, that he cannot pass in silence the memory of his deceased father, but treats his character with such abusive and scurrilous language, as would strike even a savage with horror and amazement. A wife murdered by his (meaning the said John Gardiner) cruelty, receives not a tear from his humanity; and even her friends who are disposed to mourn her loss, are the subjects of his unnatural and inhuman reflection.—(thereby falsely meaning and insinuating, that he the said John Gardiner, had by cruelty murdered his then late wife)—A daughter, whose innocence and modest appearance, one would think were sufficient to disarm a ruffian, and arrest the most virulent tongue; its stings cannot escape his barbarity, but even in company, and before strangers, receives from her unnatural father (meaning the said John) such odious and shocking epithets as would not hardly be thought to proceed from the mouth of a mad man.
His (meaning the said John) turbulent temper knows no rest—troubles and tempests have attended him where ever he has resided—and indeed it is impossible for any place which is so unfortunate as to have him (meaning the said John Gardiner) for an inhabitant, to be at peace.—Prejudice, upon which he has expatiated so largely, never appeared in a greater degree, or more striking manner than in this man. Prejudice against quietness and peace—prejudice against sobriety and temperance—prejudice against every one who appears to differ from him in his opinion, who opposes his injudicious schemes, or who stands in the way of his importance; in short, prejudice against every body and every thing that is good, and in favor of every thing that is bad. His prejudice is likewise very liable to change. While in Europe and St. Kitts, we may from the present conduct, fairly conclude, that his prejudice was very violent against New-England, and as violent in favor of Old-England, or rather West-India. Immediately upon his (meaning the said John Gardiner) arrival in America, we find all his praise lavished upon the former, and nothing belonging to the latter escaped his virulence. His (meaning the said John) whole soul is so much bound up in New-England, that he (meaning the said John) keeps it in his head and at his side by night and by day, and not a moment are his thoughts turned from it to the contemplation of other objects.—(Thereby falsely and maliciously meaning and insinuating, that the said John Gardiner was an intemperate man and a drunkard)—Even on the Lord's day, his (meaning the said John Gardiner) God receives no part of his adoration—but the spirit of New-England rises so high as to remove the center of gravity.—(Thereby falsely meaning and insinuating, that he the said John Gardiner, did not attend upon divine worship upon the Lord's day, but upon those days practiced himself in drunkenness, looseness and intemperance)—
And as second cousin to the elect lady, the iniquities of his brethren and grievances of the people, stream from his mouth in plentiful effusions.—This, my fellow-citizens, is the man who proposes to alter the present method of law practice, and redress your grievances. Can you bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Can the fig-tree bear olive berries, or the vine, figs? So neither can the same fountain send forth salt water and fresh. Whoso curseth his father, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. I shall
make no apology for this piece; the gentleman himself (again meaning the said John Gardiner) has told us, that reverence for the memory of the dead, ought not to tie the tongue, nor clog the pen of the historian; and certainly a reverence for the character of the living, who have rendered themselves infamous by their conduct, ought not to have this effect."
And the said Edmund Freeman, with an intention to scandalize the said John Gardiner, did falsely and scandalously, on the same second day of February aforesaid, at Boston, in the county of Suffolk aforesaid, cause the same to be publicly read and made known to the great scandal, infamy and damage of the said John Gardiner, who was then a Member of the General Court of said Commonwealth; to the evil example of others to offend in like manner, and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth aforesaid.
After this indictment was read, the Printer having pleaded not guilty,
The Hon. the ATTORNEY-GENERAL opened the prosecution, by stating the nature of the most exceptionable parts of the libel complained of, which, he said, was the most cruel ever published in this country. We shall not pretend to detail the ingenious observations and conclusive reasonings of the learned gentleman—we shall briefly state, that he entered into a liberal discussion of the nature of libels in general—explained the article of the Constitution which provides for the liberty of the Press—which, he said, ought to be strictly guarded; but that its licentiousness ought to be restricted—He confessed that it was difficult to draw the line which divides the Liberty and Licentiousness of the Press—and after stating that in all enlightened countries, provision has been made for the punishment of libels, read, from Blackstone, the following
DEFINITION OF LIBELS.
"Of a nature very similar to challenges are libels, libelli famosi, which, taken in their largest and most extensive sense, signify any writings, pictures, or the like, of an immoral or illegal tendency; but in the sense under which we are now to consider them, are malicious defamations of any person, and especially a magistrate, made public by either printing, writing, signs or pictures, in order to provoke him to wrath, or expose him to public hatred, contempt and ridicule. The direct tendency of these libels, is the breach of the public peace, by stirring up the objects of them to revenge, and perhaps to bloodshed.
The communication of a libel to any one person is a publication in the eye of the law: and therefore the sending an abusive private letter to a man is as much a libel as if it were openly printed, for it equally tends to a breach of the peace. For the same reason it is immaterial with respect to the essence of a libel, whether the matter of it be true or false; since the provocation and not the falsity, is the thing to be punished criminally: though, doubtless the falseness of it may aggravate its guilt, and enhance its punishment. In a civil action, we may remember a libel must appear to be false as well as scandalous; for, if the charge be true, the plaintiff has received no private injury, and has no ground to demand a compensation for himself, whatever offence it may be against the public peace: and therefore upon a civil action, the truth of the accusation may be pleaded in bar of the suit. But, in a criminal prosecution, the tendency which all libels have to create animosities, and to disturb the public peace, is the sole consideration

of the law. And therefore, in such prosecutions, the only points to be considered are, first, the making or publishing of the book or writing; and, secondly, whether the matter be criminal; and if both these points are against the defendant, the offence against the public is complete. The punishment of such libellers, for either, making, repeating, printing, or publishing the libel, is fine and such corporal punishment as the court in its discretion shall inflict; regarding the quantity of the offence, and the quality of the offender. By the law of the twelve tables at Rome, libels which affected the reputation of another, were made a capital offence; but before the reign of Augustus, the punishment became corporal only. Under the emperor Valentinian, it was again made capital, not only to write, but to publish or even to omit destroying them. Our law in this and many other respects corresponds rather with the middle age of Roman jurisprudence, when liberty, learning, and humanity, were in their full vigor, than with the cruel edicts that were established in the dark and tyrannical ages of the antient decemviri , or the later emperors.
"In this, and the other instances which we have lately considered, where blasphemous, immoral, treasonable, schismatical, seditious, or scandalous libels are punished by the English law, some with a greater, others with a less degree of severity: the liberty of the press , properly understood, is by no means infringed or violated. The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state: but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public: to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press: but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity. To subject the press to the restrictive power of a licenser, as was formerly done, both before and since the revolution, is to subject all freedom of sentiment to the prejudices of one man, and make him the arbitrary and infallible judge of controverted points in learning, religion and government. But to punish (as the law does at present) any dangerous or offensive writings, which when published shall on fair and impartial trial be adjudged of a pernicious tendency, is necessary for the preservation of peace and good order of government and religion, the only solid foundations of civil liberty. Thus the will of individuals is still left free: the abuse only of that free will is the object of legal punishment. Neither is any restraint hereby laid upon freedom of thought or enquiry: liberty of private sentiment is still left; the disseminating, or making public, of bad sentiments, destructive of the ends of society, is the crime which society corrects. A man (says a fine writer on this subject) may be allowed to keep poisons in his closet, but not publicly to vend them as cordials. And to this we may add, that the only plausible argument heretofore used for restraining the just freedom of the press, "that it was necessary to prevent the daily abuse of it" will entirely lose its force when it is shown (by a seasonable exertion of the laws) that the press cannot be abused to any bad purpose, without incurring a suitable punishment: whereas it never can be used to any good one, when under the controul of an inspector. So true will it be found that to censure the licentiousness, is to maintain the liberty of the press."
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then recapitulated the definitions on the above quotation—traced the punishments inflicted on libellers in England during the reign of the Stuarts—and by the famous Star-Chamber —in the case of a libel against the Archbishop of Canterbury; but observed that he should do injustice to his countrymen, to give an opinion that the English definition of libels, or that the punishment inflicted for them, should be considered as binding in America.—He described
the difference between words spoken and those written, and the different opinions of the best law-writers thereon. How far the doctrine that the truth of a charge may go in extenuation of it—and where the line shall be determined, by which the licentiousness of the Press shall be defined, it was not for him, he said, to say—that information the jury would receive from the Court. After a number of other remarks, the Attorney-General, to prove the publication and application of the libel charged in the Indictment, called
JOHN GARDINER, Esq. who was proceeding in his evidence, when some doubts arising on the propriety of admitting the confession of the defendant, made to Mr. Gardiner, in the presence of Gabriel Johnson and George Tyler , Esq's as evidence—The Court gave it as their opinion, that it should be received. Mr. G. therefore proceeded in his evidence and was corroborated, by the testimony of Messrs. J. and T. as to all the facts of printing and publishing; and the confession of Mr. FREEMAN, with his explanation of the meaning of the most obnoxious words, "a wife murdered by his cruelty," which term, cruelty , the defendant had explained, by saying he "supposed it meant severe usage."—The Attorney-General then commented on the paper charged in the Indictment—and shewed that it certainly must mean to apply to Mr. Gardiner—and after a speech of considerable length, the Court adjourned until the afternoon.
In the afternoon, Mr. OTIS, one of the Counsel for the Defendant, in a speech replete with ingenuity, attempted to remove the effect of the Attorney-General's observations—He then called ABRAHAM HOLMES, Esq. and Mr. ADAM COLSON, to prove that if the paper charged in the indictment, had for its object Mr. Gardiner, that he could not have been materially injured in his feelings thereby, as it was a species of persecution which he was desirous of receiving.
Messrs. Holmes and Colson deposed, that they heard Mr. Gardiner say to the Defendant, that he had promised all the sketches of his speeches which he might make on the subject of Law Reformation, to the Printer of the Centinel , on condition that he should print every thing which the Black Birds (meaning, as we have learnt, the Gentlemen of the Bar ) should write against him, be it ever so black or smutty —observing at the same time, that they could not charge him with Murder or Treason.
Mr. OTIS then proceeded on his defence—but we cannot enter so fully therein as we could wish, and it would be injustice to attempt abridging it. He was heard both by the bench and audience, with flattering attention.
Mr. AMORY, the other Council for the Defendant, followed Mr. O. and introduced many new arguments, which he ably supported, and ingeniously applied.
The Attorney-General replied with great candour, and remarked on the various parts of the defence, and the whole proceedings of the cause.
The Hon. Chief Justice, Judge DANNA, and Judge SUMNER, summed up the evidence, and defined the nature of the libel in question, and of libels in general, with great ability and precision—when, after a trial of nine hours, the Jury retired to deliberate on their verdict.
On Wednesday morning the Jury came into Court, and delivered in their verdict that the Defendant was NOT GUILTY of the charge laid in the Indictment.
Comforts of Religion
THERE are many who have past the age of youth and beauty, who have resigned the pleasures of that smiling season, who begin to decline into the vale of years, impaired in their health, depressed in their fortunes, stripped of their friends, their children, and perhaps still more tender connections. What resource can this world afford
them? It presents a dark and dreary waste, through which there does not issue a single ray of comfort. Every delusive prospect of ambition is now at an end; long experience of mankind, an experience very different from what the open and generous soul of youth had fondly dreamt of, has rendered the heart almost inaccessible to new friendships. The principal sources of activity are taken away, when those for whom we labour are cut off from us, those who animated and those who sweetened all the toils of life. Where then can the soul find refuge but in the bosom of religion? There she is admitted to those prospects of Providence and futurity, which alone can warm and fill the heart. I speak here of such as retain the feelings of humanity, when misfortunes have softened, and perhaps rendered more delicately sensible; not of such as possess that stupid insensibility, which some are pleased to dignify with the name of philosophy.
It should therefore be expected that those philosophers, who stand in no need themselves of the assistance of religion to support their virtue, and who never feel the want of its consolations, would yet have the humanity to consider the very different situation of the rest of mankind, and not endeavor to deprive them of what habit, at least, if they will not allow it to be nature, has made necessary to their morals, and to their happiness. It might be expected, that humanity would prevent them from breaking into the last retreat of the unfortunate, who can no longer be objects of their envy or resentment, and tearing from them their only remaining comfort. The attempt to ridicule religion may be agreeable to some, by relieving them from restraint upon their pleasures, and may render others very miserable, by making them doubt those truths, in which they were most deeply interested, but it can convey real good and happiness to no one religion.
[Gregory.]
EASTON (Mar.) Feb. 8.
Sunday sen'night a sloop, supposed to be on her way to Baltimore, was overset in a flaw of wind off Sandy-Point.—Capt. Hadaway, in a schooner some distance from her, seeing her go over, bore down for the relief of the people,—when he discovered a man upon the bottom of the sloop, whom he endeavoured by three repeated attempts to take up—but from the violence of the wind, and the benumbed state of the man, which rendered him entirely incapable of helping himself, the schooner was forced off, and left the unhappy sufferer in a forlorn and deplorable situation.—The man informed Capt. Hadaway, before he left him, that there were, besides himself, three people on board the sloop when the overset, who were unfortunately drowned.
COLUMBIA (S. C.) Jan. 12.
The Speaker informed the House, that, in conformity to their resolve, at the last session, he had imported from England "a superb gown of black satin, ornamented with velvet tassels, richly fringed!" It is said to be an exact pattern of that worn by the Speaker of the British House of Commons! an important bijou.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 12.
Forty-one sail of American vessels were in the port of Charlestown (S. Carolina) the 9th ult.—of these, twenty-seven were from New-England, two from New-York, one from Hudson, two from Philadelphia, six of Charlestown, and three from Maryland.
A correspondent observes—This does not look like suffering the produce of the Southern States to rot, for want of vessels to carry it to market; if they cannot get freight owing to a partiality in favour of foreigners, does it not indicate a deficiency in the laws for encouraging our own navigation, or " that there is something rotten in the State of Denmark? "
Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. The value of Exports from this district, in October, November and December, was
234,080 dollars.—The value of Imports the same period 335,245 dollars.
NEW-YORK, Feb. 1.
THE FRENCH NOBILITY
Have hitherto had the same superiority over the people, that the farmer has over his cattle; and debauched by the daily homage offered to their dignities and riches, they certainly conceived themselves of a peculiar race. But a Frenchman now exclaims "We are all of the House of Adam; of a family equally ancient, and equally noble."
Nobles and Herald, by your leave,
Here lie the bones of Matthew Prior, The son of Adam and of Eve:
Let Bourbon or Nassau go higher.
NEW-LONDON, Feb. 18.
A gentleman from Susquehannah, informs us of the following melancholy event, which happened at Wyoming, last month, viz. Mr. JAMES HEADLY of that place, being from home, and his wife being called up in the night to visit a sick woman in the neighbourhood, she left her three children in bed, the eldest of them aged nine years, who were the only persons in the house. The next morning the mother returning home, and missing the children, search was made for them, and they were finally all found dead near each other, in a stack-yard. It was supposed, that waking in the night, and missing their parents, they attempted to get to a neighbouring house, but the snow being deep, they were bewildered and frozen.
BOSTON, Feb. 26.
ORIGINAL INFORMATION.
FROM PHILADELPHIA,
FEB. 13, 1791.
Congress, you know, expires the 4th March. The New Congress is not to meet until the first Monday of November—the bill has passed the House , and will pass the Senate , for that purpose.
The EXCISE-BILL has been considerably amended by the Senate —The amendments, I expect, will be sent down to the House to-morrow—and it is supposed will be agreed to at once.
The Galleries have been often shut of late. The frontiers are the subject—A Bill was sent to the Senate yesterday. A body of troops competent to the object will be raised. HARMAR, it is said, is to be recalled. General MORGAN (who commanded the rifle corps, during the war) is mentioned as his successor.
There is a supplementary Bill to the BANK system, now before the House —this respects only the time of receiving subscriptions—which is to be prolonged, so as to give the holders of assumed Certificates an equal chance.
The House has met at 10 o'clock, for about ten days past, and set on Saturdays also. Business is dispatched fast.
A report of the Secretary of State on Brown's Memorial respecting publishing the Laws in a volume, was yesterday agreed to, with an amendment, which places every other Printer on a similar footing—any one who pleases to print the laws, may, at his own expense, have the volume corrected, by comparing it with the rolls in the Secretary's Office .
The BANK BILL, having been signed by the Speaker, was yesterday laid before THE PRESIDENT, for his approbation.
A Bill has passed the Senate , to admit VERMONT, into the Union, on the 4th March next. Kentucky and Vermont , are to have two Representatives each.
It is not expected, that the Militia and Post-Office Bills will pass this session.—The Land-Office Bill is nearly finished.
Congress will have a long recess—but I think it right—there is undoubtedly important business yet to be done—but whereas, in respect to the Militia , the Post-Office , and the Carrying-Trade , a great difference of sentiment prevails; time may serve to unite, from feeling the necessity of doing something.
I shall continue here for some time

to come—and shall not fail to communicate to you, early, all the material information you desire.
I see you have fine speechifying in the House—you beat Congress hollow—That oracle of the Law—the great folio Doctor of infallibility, is, it seems, determined to separate the state in affection and politics from the Union. The word Foreign , applied to the general Government, ought to be enough in the first place to choke the utterer; and in next to blast the politics of any one, who shall use it. I think there is much to be said in favor of the exclusion—and do not know but it is right: But if the politics of such men are to govern the States—It is in vain to expect peace, freedom or good government, and we shall never see tranquillity, until we get where “the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.”
FEBRUARY 17.
The EXCISE BILL has come down from the Senate with various amendments—principally for the better.—They are now under consideration, and it is probable, will be concurred in this day.
It is currently reported here, that Great-Britain has refused to give up to the United States the WESTERN POSTS—those magazines, from whence the savage bipeds of the West draw their means of offence. The cause assigned for the refusal is, that they are held as a guarantee, that the United States shall make good all debts due to British merchants. But this is report all.
The PRESIDENT'S Message and the Memorial from South-Carolina, will most assuredly produce some firm and decided resolutions—and they, I doubt not, will produce benefit.
FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES.
The Governor and Council on examination of the returns of votes from the District of Bristol, Dukes County and Nantucket, and the District of York, Cumberland, Lincoln, Hancock and Washington, for the choice of Representatives to represent this Commonwealth in Congress, found them to stand as follows, viz.
BRISTOL, &c. District—NO CHOICE. Whole number of votes 2525—Necessary to make a choice 1263.
Hon. George Leonard, 213 Hon. Walter Spooner, 711 Hon. Peleg Coffin, jun, 603 Hon. Phanuel Bishop, 852 Hon. David Cobb, 146
MAINE District—NO CHOICE. Whole number of votes 2380—Necessary to make a choice 1191.
Hon. George Thatcher, 1137 Hon. Nathaniel Wells, 259 Hon. William Lithgow, jr. 919 John Gardiner, Esq. 21
SEMI-ANNUAL STATE LOTTERY.
The sale of Tickets in this Lottery has been uncommonly rapid within a few days past;—upwards of 1000 have been disposed of among various circles of social friends of both sexes, who have formed themselves into Classes, to court Fortune's favours, being fully confident that the “Courtship will not be long nor tedious.”
CENSUS
Of the Inhabitants in Massachusetts district, taken agreeable to law.
 Suffolk, 44,875  Essex, 57,913  Middlesex, 42,737  Hampshire, 59,681  Plymouth, 29,525  Bristol, 31,709  Barnstable, 17,354  Dukes County, 3,205  Nantucket, 4,620  Worcester, 56,807  Berkshire, 30,291  Total 378,777 
SINGULAR MURDER.
We have an account from Hudson, that a short time since, the conduct of a person, who visited a store in that city, was such, as to raise suspicions in the mind of the owner, of some intentions to rob the store. Accordingly three persons were desired to watch therein. During the night the watch heard, as they supposed, two or three persons endeavoring to cut through the door. The robbers were suffered to proceed, until a hole was cut, through which one of them thrust his arm to unbolt the door, which the people within immediately seized and confined.—In this situation both parties continued for some time, those inside, from being ignorant of the number outside, not chusing to go out. At length two of the robbers sat up the cry of murder several times—after which there was nothing heard for some time, when those inside finding the hand which they still held confined, grow cold—opened the door, and were shocked with the sight of the robber, with his throat cut from ear to ear. A deed which it is supposed his companions perpetrated, to effect their escape and prevent detection.
CORRESPONDENCIES.
Thank Heaven, exclaims a correspondent, we have JUDGES, who unhampered by the absurdities of arbitrary authorities, found their decisions on the broad basis of the public weal:—That we have Jurors, who are judges of the Laws as well as Facts , and who will not adjudicate away the Liberties of their fellow citizens to compliment any nation, the corruptions of whose government are hid only by the restrictions of the press; and, that the body of the people, while they may be desirous to have the abuse of a privilege redressed—do not wish to see it effected by severity and coercion.
Notwithstanding the charges in a recent libel are generally execrated, a correspondent thinks the verdict on the occasion highly proper, as there is no positive law of this State, for punishing libels by indictment—and as every one who considers himself injured by a libelous publication, can have redress by an action for damages.
SHIP NEWS.
Capt. H. Williams, lately arrived from Cape-Francois, left there the following vessels in distress:—Ship Elizabeth, Capt. Orne, from Bristol, owned in New-Hampshire, condemned. Sloop Sally, Capt. Cassa, from North-Carolina, for Boston. Sloop Dolphin, Capt. Dunbar, for Philadelphia, mast sprung, leaked very bad. The above valued themselves upon the House of Perkins, Burling and Co.—The Sloop Mermaid, Capt. May, from Philadelphia, bound to St. Thomas, leaked so much that the Captain put for the Cape. This would have appeared before, but Capt. Williams lent the copy to a gentleman in town, which was mislaid.
Loan-Office.
THE Subscriber being appointed Commissioner of the UNITED STATES LOAN-OFFICE, in this State—hereby gives public notice to all persons having business at said Office, that he is now ready to enter on the duties thereof.
WILLIAM GARDNER.
Exeter, N. Hampshire, March 4, 1791.
Bills for Sale.
THE Public are hereby informed, that the subscriber has for sale Bills drawn by the Treasurer of the United States (which may be filled up on Philadelphia or New-York, as shall best suit the purchaser) payable at sight—and will be disposed of at par.
WILLIAM GARDNER.
Exeter, March 4, 1791.
MOULTONBOROUGH.
To JOSIAH MOULTON, Clerk of the Proprietors of the Township of Moultonborough.
WE the subscribers, owners or representatives in trust, of more than a sixteenth part of said township, do request you to call a meeting of the said proprietors, at the house of Mr. Thomas Leavitt, innholder in Hampton, on Wednesday, 30th day of March next, at 11 of the clock in the forenoon, for the following purposes, viz.
 1st. To choose a Moderator.  2d. To consider of the doings of their meetings, September 15, 1783, and of January 29 and 30, 1789, and to receive the reports of the several, or either of their committees that were chosen at said Meetings—relating the Common Land—Land that has been in dispute with persons holding under Sandwich Proprietary grant—and on other matters for which committees were then chosen , and to pass any other votes concerning any of the premises which they may find necessary.  3d. To vote to raise by tax such a sum of money as may be requisite.  4th. To choose Assessors, a collector, and other officers as they may also judge necessary. 
JOHN MOULTON,
THOMAS LEAVITT, } Execut r of the Will of Jona. Moulton, Esq. deceased.
PHILIP TOWLE, JONATHAN GARLAND. Hampton, Jan. 1, 1791.
PURSUANT to the above Application I do hereby notify and warn the aforesaid proprietors to meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purposes above mentioned.
JOSIAH MOULTON, Propr rs Clerk. Jan. 10, 1791.
TAMWORTH.
To JOSIAH MOULTON, Clerk of the Proprietors of said Tamworth.
WE the subscribers, owners or representatives in trust, of more than an eighth part of said township, request you to call a meeting of the proprietors of said township, at Mr. Thomas Leavitt's, innholder in Hampton, on Wednesday the 30th day of March next, at 3 of the clock in the afternoon, to act on the following particulars, viz.
 1st. To choose a Moderator.  2d. To agree on measures for establishing the boundary line, between Sandwich and Tamworth.  3d. To consider and determine on several votes passed at their proprietary meetings, held February 10th, & 14th, and May 12th, 1780.  4th. To quiet certain pitches that have been made, on terms that will be offered at the meeting.  5th. To agree on a method for drawing the lots.  6th. To choose a committee to receive, examine and adjust all accounts against the proprietors.  7th. To raise by tax, such a sum as they may judge necessary.  8th. To choose Assessors, Collector, Treasurer, or any other officers, Committees or Agents, and confer on any other matters they may then think proper. 
JOHN MOULTON,
THOMAS LEAVITT, } Execut r of the Will of Jona. Moulton, Esq. deceased.
Hampton, Jan. 10, 1791.
PURSUANT to the above Application, I do hereby notify and warn the aforesaid proprietors to meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purposes abovementioned.
JOSIAH MOULTON, Propr rs Clerk. January 10, 1791.
State of New-Hampshire.
Rockingham, ss.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of Real Estate in the town of Portsmouth, in the County and State aforesaid, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1790, that so much of said Estates will be sold as the law directs, on the 21st day of March next, at Col. Brewster's Tavern in Portsmouth, at ten o'clock, A. M. as will pay said taxes with incidental charges unless previous payment thereof be made to the subscriber.
 Estate late Stephen March's £. s. d.  Thomas Peverly 1 18 0  Estate late James Stillson's 0 7 6  Estate of Benjamin Parker 1 10 0  Daniel Odiorne 0 15 0  Col. Josiah Waters for the 0 9 0  Estate occupied by J. Hallett 0 15 0  Estate late Sam l Odiorne's 0 12 0  That part of the Estate of  Joshua Pierce, Esq. owned 0 6 0  by the Heirs of Joseph Pierce  John Rollins 1 2 6 
JOSEPH AKERMAN, Collector. Portsmouth, Feb. 25, 1791.
EFFINGHAM.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in Effingham, who are delinquent in paying and have not paid the tax of one penny on each acre of unimproved land in said Effingham for the purpose of clearing roads for the year 1790, as by Act of the General Court for that purpose, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber, on or before the 8th day of June next, so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling-house of Weare Drake, Esq. in said Effingham, at ten o'clock in the forenoon on said day.
  No. D Q'ty. s. d.    Abner Fogg, jr. 5 2 200 16 8  Abner Fogg 7 2 200 16 8  Nathaniel Gookins 35 2 200 16 8  Ditto 46 1 56 4 8  Pierce Moore & Co. 45 2 200 16 8  Ditto 32 1 56 4 8  James Marston 48 1 56 4 8  Samuel Wedgwood 51 2 200 16 8  Ditto 55 1 56 4 8  Samuel Smith 2 2 200 16 8  Ditto 33 1 56 4 8  Tho's Wallingsford 10 1 56 4 8  Daniel Sanborn 18 1 56 4 8  Matthew Livermore 6 2 200 16 8  Nathaniel Hobbs 8 2 200 16 8  Ditto 14 1 56 4 8  Simon Dearborn 10 2 200 16 8  H. Batchelder half 24 2 100 8 4  Solly, March & Co. 1/2 38 2 100 8 4  Ditto half 43 1 28 2 4  Thomas Packer 42 2 120 10 0  Zacha. Batchelder 74 2 200 16 8  John Wentworth 63 2 200 16 8  Ditto 13 1 56 4 8  Simon Marston 15 1 56 4 8  James Wedgwood 57 2 200 16 8  Ditto 19 1 56 4 8  George Jaffery 80 2 200 16 8  Ditto 80 1 56 4 8  David Wedgwood 57 1 56 4 8  Thomlinson and  Marston half 84 2 100 8 4  Ditto half 84 1 28 2 4  Josiah Marston 87 2 96 8 0  
JOSEPH DRAKE, Collector. Effingham, February 14, 1791.
VENDUE
By Adjournment.
NOTICE is hereby given that the sale of land for proprietary taxes in Chichester, is further adjourned from the first Tuesday in February to the 5th day of April next, when said Vendue will be held at the dwelling-house of Thomas Leavitt, innholder in Hampton, at 10 o'clock, A. M. when and where so much of each delinquent's land will be sold at public vendue, as will pay said taxes and incidental charges.
THOMAS JOHNSON, Collector. Chichester, Feb. 26, 1791.

Parnassian Spring.
JACK and TOM.
As Jack and Tom in social chat, With thoughts quite unconfin'd, On various subjects, this and that, Disclos'd each other's mind; Jack pleas'd with sudden starts of wit, Which from his friend did flow, Solicits him that now he'd hit, A keen farcastic blow. Tom paus'd awhile, then laid his hand On Jack's sagacious pate, And his attention did demand To the decrees of fate. Thy nurse, says he, when thou wast born, Her hand thus on thy skull, Declar'd with a prophetic scorn Thou ever should'st be dull.
GRAFTON.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-residents and owners of land in the town of Grafton, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1789, that unless they pay said taxes to me the subscriber, on or before the 18th day of April next, so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling-house of Mr. Levi Martin, innholder in said town, at ten o'clock, A. M. on said day.
   D. L. R. Ac. d. q. d. q.     Capt. A. Barney 1 3 5 50 0 3 0 3   Stephen Smith 2 10 3 50 0 3 1 3   2 11 3 — 0 3 1 3   1 5 9 — 1 2 3 1   1 6 9 — 1 2 3 1   Const. Barney 1 2 5 — 0 3 1 3   1 7 6 — 0 3 1 3   1 11 10 — 0 3 1 3   1 9 8 — 0 2 1 0   1 15 3 50 0 2 1 0   1 16 3 25 0 1 0 3   Beno. Williams 2 8 2 — 0 3 1 3   1 9 7 — 0 3 1 3   1 7 3 — 0 2 0 3    AMHERST KIMBALL, Constable. Grafton, Feb. 10, 1791.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors or owners of real estate in the town of Portsmouth, in said State, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1789, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber on or before Monday the 21st day of March next, so much of their estates as will pay the same, with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at 10 o'clock, A. M. on said day, at Col. William Brewster's Coffee-House-Tavern.
   l. s. s.     Estate of Stephen March 2 10 18   Estate of Capt. James Stilson 2 0 15   Capt. John Rollins 1 10 10   Estate of Joseph Hammonds 0 10 3    TOBIAS WALKER, Collector. Portsmouth, Feb. 22, 1791.
BRADFORD.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in the town of Bradford, who have not paid their State tax for the year 1789, that unless they pay said tax to me the subscriber on or before Thursday the 24th day of March next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the house of the subscriber in said town, at ten o'clock, A. M. on said day.
   No. s. d. q. s. d. q.     Tho's Packer, Esq. 71 2 3 0 1 2 0   ditto, 53 1 8 3 0 9 2   ditto, 14 1 2 0 5 0   ditto, 58 1 1 2 0 5 0   ditto, 73 1 8 3 0 9 2   Washing.part. do. 3 1 0 2 0 6 2    JOSEPH PRESBURY, Constable. Bradford, Feb. 3, 1791.
R I N D G E.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owner or owners of land in Ringe, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1787, that unless said taxes are paid to me the subscriber, on or before the 5th day of April next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the house of Capt. Solomon Cutler, innholder in said town, at ten o'clock, A. M. on said day.
   John Hosmer, 50 silver.ind.cer.c'y   acres, more or less, N.R.s. d. s. d. d. d.   being the N. end, 8 2 3 1 2 1 11 3    OTHNIEL THOMAS, Constable. Ringe, Feb. 16, 1791.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in the town of Winchester, who have not paid their taxes for the years 1786 and 1788, that unless they pay said taxes to us the subscribers on or before the 5th of April next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling-house of Capt. John Alexander, in said town, at 10 o'clock A. M. on said day.
   l. s. d.     Martain Ashley, 100 acres 0 12 7   Michael Martain's right 2 1 6    For 1788.     Martain Ashley 0 14 7   Daniel Shatteek 0 14 7   Aaron Coppes 0 7 3   Michael Martain 3 0 6    JUSTUS JEWELL, } Constables. SAMUEL WOOD, } Winchester, Feb. 21, 1791.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in the town of Bradford, who have not paid their road tax of one penny per acre, laid on their land by order of the General-Court, for the year 1790, that unless they pay the same to us the subscribers, on or before Thursday the 14th day of April next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling-house of Ebenezer Eaton, Esq. in said town, at ten of the clock, A. M. on said day.
   No. s. d.     Theodore Atkinson, Esq. 38 8 4   ditto 51 8 4   ditto 88 8 4   ditto 54 8 4   ditto 96 8 4   Thomas Wallingsford 97 8 4   John Wentworth, Esq. 1 8 4   ditto 86 8 4   ditto 68 8 4   ditto 75 8 4   ditto 80 8 4   John Moffatt, Esq. 69 8 4   ditto 63 8 4   Solly and March 74 8 4   ditto 61 8 4   Joshua Peirce 27 8 4    EBENEZER EATON, } Selectmen. STEPHEN HOYT, } Bradford, Feb. 17, 1791. (6w)
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors or owners of land in Rindge, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1790, that unless they pay said taxes to me the subscriber on or before the 5th day of April next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the house of Capt. Solomon Cutler, innholder in said town, at ten o'clock A. M. on said day.
   Q'ty. N. R. s. d. d.     John White 100 1 8 0 4 3   ditto 100 5 10 0 3 1 3/4   Daniel Lincoln 10 21 3 0 1 1 3/4   ditto 50 21 4 0 3 1 3/4   Ben. Wentworth 100 12 10 0 3 1 3/4   William Parks 30 6 7 1 0 2   Miles Knowlton 70 2 6 0 10 4 1/2    JOSHUA WALKER, Constable. Rindge, Feb. 12, 1791.
TO be sold at Public Vendue, by virtue of a Licence from the Hon. Judge of Probate of Wills, &c. for the county of Rockingham, on Monday the seventh day of March next, at ten o'clock, before noon, at the house of Col. William Brewster, innholder in Portsmouth, the real estate of EDMUND ROBERTS, late of said Portsmouth, mariner, deceased, lying partly in said Portsmouth and partly in Somersworth, in the county of Strafford, with the incumbrance of dower.
MOSES WOODWARD, } Administrators. SARAH WOODWARD, } Portsmouth, Feb. 16, 1791.
NOTICE is hereby given to the proprietors and owners of land in the township of Dryden, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, that the proprietors of said Dryden, at their legal meeting, held the 6th day of July 1790, at the dwelling-house of Mr. James Brown, in Stratford, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, voted three pounds L. M. on each original right in said township, for the purpose of defraying proprietary expenses—which being duly assessed and committed to me to collect, and by me advertised for payment, and still unpaid, that so much of each and every of the original rights, aforesaid, as is found sufficient to pay said tax and incidental charges will be sold at public vendue at the dwelling-house of James Brown, in Stratford, in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, on the 15th day of March, next, at 10 o'clock, A. M. on said day, unless prevented by previous payment.
   £.     Samuel Averill 3   Samuel Hungerford 3   Elias Onjevine 3   Jacobus Bleecker 3   David Lespinard 3   Daniel Hawshurft 3   William Ames 3   James Beftey 3   Henry Coutant 3   James Fowler 3   Peter Huggeford 3   Thomas Seymore, jun. 3   David Matthews 3   John Beekman 3   Henry Van Vleck 3   Cornelius Cuyper 3   James Beekman, jun. 3   John Beekman, jun. 3   Gerandus Beekman, jun. 3   Thomas Beekman 3   Theophilus Beekman 3   Timothy M'Carthy 3   William Proctor 3   Carden Proctor 3   Thomas Miller 3   Christo Miller 3   Vinant Matthews, jun. 3   Thomas Matthews 3   Peter Farmer 3   John Gibbs 3   Benjamin Ferris 3   Aaron Quimby 3   Josiah Quimby 3   Joseph Connell 3   Joseph Connell, jun. 3   Drake Palmer 3   Aaron Palmer 3   Nathan Palmer 3   Benjamin Cornwell 3   Jacob Deyckman 3   John Abeel 3   James Abeel 3   Garrit Abeel 3   Edward Burling, jun. 3   Jonathan Quimby 3   Jacob Underhill 3   Joseph Farrington, jun. 3   Uriah Field 3   John Connell 3   Jonah Quimby 3   Isaac Underhill 3   John Hallock 3   Andrew Abrames 3   Anthony Lispenard 3   Thomas Marston 3   Leonard Lispenard 3   Hon. John Temple, Esq. Dep. Gov. 3   Theodore Atkinson, Esq. 3   John Nelson, Esq. 3   His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq. two shares 6    DAVID HIDE, Proprietors Collector. Brunswick, Feb. 18th, 1791.
F R A N C O N I A.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the proprietors and owners of land in Franconia in the county of Grafton and State of New-Hampshire, that the proprietors of said Franconia at their meeting held by adjournment on the tenth of November 1790, voted seven shillings on each original right, in said township, for making and repairing Highways in said township, which being duly assessed and committed to me to collect, and by me advertised for payment, and still unpaid—That so much of each and every of the original rights aforesaid, as is found sufficient to pay said tax and incidental charges will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling-house of Capt. Benjamin French, innholder in Dunstable in the county of Hillsborough in said State of New-Hampshire, on the 11th day of March next, at one of the clock in the afternoon, and so on from day to day, unless prevented by previous payment.
   s.     Isaac Searl 7   His Excellency F. Barnard 7   Thomas Hubbard 7   William Brattle 7   Joseph Penchen 7   Oxenbridge Thatcher 7   John Micowendall 7   Oliver Wendall 7   John Moffatt 7   Harrison Gray 7   George Willis 7   Samuel Mather 7   Samuel Blodgett 7   Samuel Blodgett jr. 7   Nathan Blodgett 7   Caleb Blodgett 7   William Blodgett 7   David West 7   Daniel Jones 7   Joseph Ruffel 7   Richard Draper 7   William Taylor 7   Sanderson West 7   William Shepard 7   Fitch Pool 7   Willis Hall 7   Jeremiah Webb 7   Giles Alexander 7   Giles Alexander, jr. 7   William Alexander 7   Isaac Willard 7   Moses Graves 7   Elisha Graves 7   Moses Graves, jr. 7   John Graves 7   Jonathan Graves 7   Samuel Dunbar Searl 7   Rev. John Searl 7   Titus King 7   Joseph Hutchins 7   Thomas Storr 7   Daniel Castle 7   Zephaniah Platt, jr. 7   Zephaniah Platt 7   William Mitchel 7   Thomas Mechins 7   Joseph Richardson 7   William Mitchel, jr. 7   Justin Wheeler 7   George Gardner 7   Samuel Hopkins 7   Caleb Strong 7   Samuel Hunt 7   Thomas Allen 7   Thomas Mechins, jr. 7   Ebenezer Birt 7   Wiseman Claggett 7   Samuel Mather, jr. 7   Daniel Hopkins 7   William Mather 7   Lewis Gray 7   Jacob Wendall 7   Daniel Jones 7   John Temple, Esq. 7   Theodore Atkinson, Esq. 7   Theodore Atkinson, jr. Esq. 7   Mark H. Wentworth, Esq. 7    JOSEPH NIXON, Proprietor's Collector. Franconia, February 12, 1791.
ALL persons indebted to or that have any demands upon the estate of MARY WENTWORTH, late of Portsmouth, widow, deceased, are desired to exhibit the same for settlement to
NATH'L ADAMS, Executor. Portsmouth, Feb. 22, 1791.