The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1787-12-12 00:00:00

THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE AND GENERAL
WEDNESDAY,
PORTSMOUTH: By JOHN MELCHER,
[VOLUME XXXII.—No. 1631.] GAZETTE, THE ADVERTISER.
DECEMBER 12, 1787.
PRINTED and PUBLISHED in MARKET-STREET.
“WHEN ANGRY NATIONS PART IN LEAGUES OF PEACE, LET PRIVATE FEUDS AND CIVIL DISCORDS CEASE.”
The following ADDRESS of His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN , Esquire, to the PRESIDENT of the late Continental Convention, was delivered by him immediately before his Signing the proposed Constitution for the United States.—It may be relied on as AUTHENTIC—coming from a gentleman of respectability.
MR. PRESIDENT.
I Confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present,—but, Sir, I am not sure I shall never approve of it: For having lived long I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.—Most men indeed, as well as most sects in religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them, it is so far error. Steele, a Protestant, in a dedication, tells the Pope, that the only difference between our two churches, in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrine, is, the Romish church is infallible, and the church of England is NEVER IN THE WRONG. But though many private persons, think almost as highly of their own infallibility as that of their Sect,—few express it so naturally as a certain French lady, who in a little dispute with her sister, said, I don't know how it happens, sister, but I meet with no body but myself that is always in the right.
In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such;—because I think a general government necessary for us, and there is no FORM of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered:—and I believe farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.
I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views.—From such an assembly, can a perfect production be expected?—It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does. And I think it will astonish our enemies who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the builders of Babel, and that our states are on the point of separation—only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats.—Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best. Much of the strength and efficiency of any government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends on opinion,—on the general opinion of the goodness of that government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore, that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of our posterity, we shall act
heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution, where our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and endeavours to the means of having it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I cannot help expressing a wish that every Member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would, with me on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make MANIFEST our UNANIMITY, put his name to this instrument.—
From the Independent Chronicle.
Messrs. ADAMS & NOURSE,
WHEN I read DR. FRANKLIN's address to the President of the late Convention, in the last Monday's Gazette, I was at a loss to judge, till I was informed by mere accident, from which of the contending parties it went to the press. “I confess,” says the Doctor, (and observe the Printers tell us it was immediately before his signing) “I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present.” Surely, I thought, no zealous federalist, in his right mind, would have exposed his cause so much as to publish to the world that this great philosopher did not entirely approve the Constitution at the very moment when his “hand marked” his approbation of it; especially after the federalists themselves had so often and so loudly proclaimed, that he had fully and decidedly adopted it. The Doctor adds, “I am not sure I shall never approve it.” This then is the only remaining hope of the federalists, so far as the Doctor's judgment is or may be of any service to their cause, that one time or another he may approve the new Constitution.
Again, says the Doctor, “In these sentiments I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us, and there is no FORM of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered.” But are we to accept a form of government which we do not entirely approve of, merely in hopes that it will be administered well? Does not every man know, that nothing is more liable to be abused than power. Power, without a check, in any hands, is tyranny; and such powers, in the hands of even good men , so infatuating is the nature of it, will probably be wantonly, if not tyrannically exercised. The world has had experience enough of this, in every stage of it. Those among us who cannot entirely approve the new Constitution as it is called, are of opinion, in order that any form may be well administered, and thus be made a blessing to the people, that there ought to be at least, an express reservation of certain inherent unalienable rights, which it would be equally sacrilegious for the people to give away , as for the government to invade . If the rights of conscience, for instance, are not sacredly reserved to the people, what security will there be, in case the government should have in their heads a predilection for any one sect in religion? what will hinder the civil power from erecting a national system of religion, and committing the law to a set of lordly priests, reaching, as the great Dr. Mayhew expressed it, from the desk to the skies? An Hierarchy which has ever been the grand engine in the hand of civil tyranny; and tyrants in return will afford them opportunity
nity enough to vent their rage on stubborn hereticks , by wholesome severities , as they were called by national religionists, in a country which has long boasted its freedom. It was doubtless for the peace of that nation, that there should be an uniformity in religion, and for the same wise and good reason , the act of uniformity remains in force to these enlightened times.
The Doctor says, he is “not sure that this is not the best Constitution that we may expect.” Nor can he be sure that it might not have been made better than it now is, if the Convention had adjourned to a distant day, that they might have availed themselves of the sentiments of the people at large. It would have been no great condescension, even in that august Body, to have shown so small a testimony of regard to the judgment of their constituents. Would it not be acting more like men who wish for a safe as well as a stable government, to propose such amendments as would meliorate the form, than to approve it, as the Dr. would have us, “with all its faults, if they are such.” Thu the Doctor consents, and hopes the Convention will act heartily and unanimously in recommending the Constitution, wherever their influence may extend, and turn their future thoughts and endeavours to the means of having it well administered.” Even a bad form of government may, in the Doctor's opinion, be well administered—for, says he, there is no form of government, but what may be made a blessing to the people, if well administered. He evidently, I think, builds his hopes, that the Constitution proposed, will be a blessing to the people,—not on the principles of the government itself, but on the possibility , that, with all its faults , it may be well administered;—and concludes, with wishing, that others, who had objections to it, would yet, like him, doubt of their own infallibility, and put their names to the instrument, to make an Unanimity MANIFEST! No wonder he shed a tear, as it is said he did, when he gave his sanction to the New Constitution. Z.
VIENNA, (Germany) Sept. 11.
An answer has been dispatched by the Emperor to the blunt demand made by the Ottoman ministry respecting the part he would take in the war, it is as follows—“That the Turks being the aggressors, his Majesty could not but fulfil the engagements he had entered into with the Empress of Russia.” In consequence of this, we expect to hear immediately a second declaration of war, on the part of the Grand Seignor against the House of Austria.
The Divan has required from the European Ministers a declaration in writing in the name of their respective Courts, whether the Sublime Porte might depend on their neutrality. The Ambassadors of England, France, Prussia, Spain and Sweden declared neuter without any difficulty—but the Bailly of Venice only gave such a declaration, under the hope the Senate would ratify it. Our Internuncio declared he would sign nothing until he had received the formal orders from hence.
The Turks have assembled an army of 100,000 men in the environs of Oczakow, and another of an equal number near Silistria—the first is intended to retake the Crimea, and the other to cover Wallachia and Moldavia.

—European Politicks abridged.—
[On Monday the 26th Nov. the Ship JENNY, Captain SMITH, arrived at New-York, in thirty-eight days from Cork, in Ireland. Considering the intelligence brought by the Jenny as highly important and interesting, we have selected, from the papers received by Wednesday night's mail, the following detail of events, in the French, Prussian and Dutch politicks; in which the probability of a French and English war, the perpetual union of the English and Dutch nations, the suppression of the Dutch patriotick party, the ill success of the Prussians in their attacks upon Amsterdam and its vicinity, &c. are briefly related and made plain under their different heads. It is to be observed, that where so great a variety and difference in the relations of any particular occurrence (as is the case in the following summary) subsists, it must be supposed that veracity is not the leading principle in all; our readers, therefore, will consider these things, and let their own judgments guide them to the most probable relation.]
French offended at the Prussian invasion.
H A G U E , September 30. De Berkenrode, ambassadour of the republick at the court of France, has sent a note of Mr. sec'y Fagel, which the minister for foreign affairs delivered him at Paris: this note contains in substance. "That his most Christian Majesty is highly offended at the insult offered him by the invasion of Holland by the Prussian troops; the republick being at this time his ally.—That his majesty expects that these troops will immediately evacuate the territory of the republick, and that the king has already given orders to support, by way of arms, the pretensions of this note."
Emigrations from Holland.
A N T W E R P, October 1.
Our town is crowded with emigrants from all parts of Holland, which they abandoned, in consequence of their lives and properties being in the utmost danger. The stadtholder intends to publish a severe prohibition to the departure of the opulent inhabitants of the republick.
Ultimatum of the Princess of Orange previous to the attack on Amsterdam.
A M S T E R D A M, October 1.
We were in hopes that our commissaries in their conference with the Duke of Brunswick, would have obtained an honourable capitulation for this town, as every thing promised an happy issue; however the deputation of the two members of the regency sent to the Hague, to her royal highness the princess of Orange, has replied, "That she will accept no other satisfaction, than the submission of the town of Amsterdam to the four articles of the last memorial of the Prussian envoy."—This is also the ultimatum of the Duke of Brunswick.
The town council have in consequence assembled, and have resolved to send an express to the Hague, to demand of the states of Holland, a commission of two members of the provincial assembly to meet two members of our town council, for settling the means most proper to satisfy the princess of Orange, and to induce her to relax in some part the four articles of satisfaction required. At the same time they have sent a courier to the Duke of Brunswick, to request he will defer attacking the town, until the return of the express from the Hague. Such is the state of things at this moment.
Attack on Amsterdam.
October 4. At four o'clock in the morning of the 1st of this month, the Duke of Brunswick attacked this city, and a vigorous contest was maintained till about six. The ports of Muyden, Diemardam, Duiyendrick, Ouderkerk, and that of the Dyke of Haarlem, were assaulted at the same time. The enemy were repulsed from the four first mentioned ports with very great loss. The post of Ouderkerk sustained three different attacks in the space of three hours. Unable to withstand the fire from this place, the enemy abandoned their enterprise, which cost them dear. The post of the Dyke of Haarlem being attacked in two places, and by a superior force, was abandoned almost without resistance, and the auxiliaries who defended the place retired without loss. The post of Amstelveen was carried by the Prussians in the afternoon; and it is said might have been better defended. The loss of this port occasioned Ouderkerk to be evacuated, for by the above event it would have been situated between two fires, and could not possibly have been defended. An armistice for an unlimited time ensued; and each party is to give twelve hours notice before the recommencement of hostilities. We do not expect that the contention will be
renewed, as fresh negotiations are began. The number of killed and wounded is not known.
Surrender of Amsterdam demanded.
L O N D O N, October 3.
Yesterday, about twelve o'clock, a messenger arrived at the Marquis of Carmarthen's office at Whitehall, express from Sir James Harris, at the Hague.
The contents of the dispatches, we understand, are nearly as follows: the Duke of Brunswick, with a large army and a numerous train of artillery, well served, and the troops in high spirits, arrived at the very gates of Amsterdam, on Thursday last, and immediately sent an herald, summoning the city to surrender. From a delay of some hours, it was expected they meant to stand a siege; but at length they were agreeably surprized with an herald announcing a deputation, who arrived in the Duke's camp the same evening, for the purpose of fixing on the terms of giving up the city and its dependencies. The terms were not mentioned, but they were expected to be settled by Friday night, or Saturday at farthest, and the Duke put in possession. The Duke's answer to the truce-bearer was, that a short time only would be allowed for surrender.
The Duke immediately sent a courier to the Hague, the circumstance was announced to all the foreign ambassadours who sent off intelligence to their respective Courts.
The above dispatches were sent off directly to the king at Windsor, by one of the messengers in writing, with orders to use all possible expedition.
Pacifick Disposition of the French doubted.
The following short recital of facts is genuine. The dispatches from Paris, announcing the receipt of the intelligence that the British government were arming, gave ministers assurance of the pacifick appearance of the French cabinet. This dispatch came by the regular mail on Friday. On Sunday morning a messenger arrived, giving an account of Mr. Grenville's arrival on Tuesday, in which the pacifick assurances were repeated, but still with this very material circumstance against them, that orders had been given for equipping at the ports with all possible expedition. On Monday morning the messenger arrived with an account of the conference which Mr. Grenville had with the minister on the Thursday preceding, in which, according to the authority upon which we give this report, the French minister expressed himself so equivocally, and spoke in so high a tone of the equipments going on in England, that Mr. Grenville was of opinion they meditated hostilities, and he was supported in this conjecture by the preparations which are now making in every department.
Such was the posture of things on Monday, and upon which our ministers thought fit not only to continue, but augment the equipments.
Conjectural Paragraph.
It seems to be the will of fate, that the present ministers should break the mighty confederacy formed against us during the American struggles. No period was ever so propitious to the interest and felicity of the country as this. The general aspect of things indicates, that Britain is about to acquire a vast accession, not only of fame, but of strength—of fame, by having so seasonably interfered to restore the balance of power among the continental nations; and of strength, by attaching to herself, as she doubtless will very soon do, the undivided influence of the Dutch navy.
Surrender of Haarlem and Nieu-Sluis.
Oct. 6. The Hague Gazette, which came yesterday with the mail from Holland, says, that on the 21st of Sept. the town of Haarlem surrendered—and that news had just arrived of the capture of Nieu-Sluis, with seven hundred men in garrison.
The aim of the Duke of Brunswick, in his first skirmish, was to possess himself of a sluice, the power over which would enable the Amsterdammers to lay the country under water. The Duke effected his purpose by stratagem, but lost five officers, and 100 men.
Thus far the mails of yesterday, which we give in common with other prints; but a private correspondent, treating this affair more lightly, writes, that three squadrons of Prussian troops appeared before Amsterdam, and summoned it to surrender; but that the governor proposing terms which were rejected with disdain, a few shots were exchanged, in which some lives were lost, when the Prussian troops fell back to await the arrival of their artillery, against which the city was expected to make but a faint and short resistance.
The Works at Cherbourg an Eye-Sore and an Object of Contention.
A morning paper of this day says, to some of the demands of our court, the French ministry have acceded; they pledge themselves not to op-
pose the prince of Orange's pretensions in Holland; and withdraw the troops they have at the Cape of Good Hope: they are equally disposed to conciliate a good understanding with the court of Petersburg. The only point on which they hold out, and which they wish to carry, is the works of Cherbourg; our ministry insist on their annihilation within certain limits; but though they have not yet entered into any engagements on this head, they have gone so far as to withdraw their engineers from Cherbourg, and stopped the progress of the works.
The British court are so earnest to effect this object completely, that it will be the first expedition of our armaments.—The Arme en flutes fitting now at Portsmouth, will have Cherbourg for their destination, unless an accommodation take place.
French preparing for War.
Yesterday morning, an express packet was received from France, by which there is an account that the French are at length arming for war, with exertions nearly equal to, though somewhat more late than our own: as a proof of which the minister of the marine department, whose place answers to that of lord Howe in London summoned a council of naval Officers at his house on Sunday evening last, and after giving each their instructions, dispatched them for Brest and other ports, where they have appointment and orders to equip their ships directly with the utmost expedition.
French Ultimatum.
Oct. 8. Last night, about a quarter past nine o'clock the right honorable Mr. W. Grenville arrived at his house at the army pay-office, from Paris with the ultimatum of the French court, which we learn is pacifick.
English West Indies threatened.
Yesterday morning, Mr. Potter, one of his majesty's messengers, arrived at the treasury from Berlin, and shortly afterwards Mr. Coats, another messenger arrived—Both of them had passed through several parts of Holland so lately as Wednesday last; and there were at that time no accounts of the city of Amsterdam having surrendered—Advices are said to have been lately received that near 6,000 troops had been sent to the West-Indies by the French government, which they have contrived to send out in small vessels, in each of which were not more than 60 men, and that some attack was meditated against our West-India islands. The advice is said to have been received by government from the governor of Jamaica.
Cause of the French and English War.
The cause of the French war, if such an event should take place, will be on account of the Cape of Good Hope and the island Trincomale, which the French sometime since garrisoned and will refuse to surrender to the Dutch.
French possession of Good Hope.
The forces the French have at the Cape of Good Hope are 1000 men, supposed to be thoroughly well appointed, and with artillery and stores in the best condition.
N E W-Y O R K, November 23.
A letter from Londonderry (received per the Sally, Captain Moore) dated the 11th Sept., 1787, says, "This day's post from Dublin informs us, that the Prussians, after seven hours attack, were repulsed three several times at Amsterdam, and retired in the utmost disorder; but it is thought, notwithstanding, that they are at present masters of the city.—Pretenders are very numerous and busy, and ships fitting out with all possible expedition. The French are at this time in possession of the Cape of Good Hope."
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Cork to his Friend in this city, dated October 12th, 1787.
There seems to be a probability of a war with France. There have been great disturbances in Holland by a party set up against the Stadtholder. That affair is at an end—40,000 Prussians have made the patriotic Dutch, as they call themselves, return to their obedience of the Stadtholder. He is invested with as great powers as ever he had, and chief commander by sea and land. During the disputes the French stole out ships and men; and the report is that they have got and garrisoned the Cape of Good Hope, Trincomale in the Isle of Salem and another Dutch settlement on the Malabar coast. It is said the English sent to them for an explicit answer. If not agreeable, the Dutch and English will join to drive them out. The English cabinet gave them but four days to answer—The English are augmenting their troops both by sea and land.
A N E C D O T E.
A Sea-Captain, lately from sea, was asked by one of his neighbours how he liked the new Constitution? Why, Sir, (said he) I have not attended much to the plan,—but the gentlemen who formed it are such noble characters, that had they condemned me to be hanged, I should have taken pride in having it put into execution.

L O N D O N, September 28. We are informed, that a few days ago one of our frigates, which was stationed off Brest, to watch the motion of the French, came up with a large transport, which the English Captain hailed, but to which the commander of the French ship paid no attention; on this the frigate ran alongside of her, and boarded her; the Frenchman immediately threw her papers over-board. On examination, she proved to be one of a fleet that had failed from Brest the day before.
It is confidently said, that M. de Bouille has failed for the West-Indies in a single ship, to take the command of the French troops.
It is said that a great part of the present distresses of the French Court is owing to the secret pecuniary aids given to the Emperor by his sister the Queen—this may account for the good condition in which the Emperor's army is now found to be—It is said that not less than 15,000,000l. has been covertly sent to India.
Draughts are ordered, of such men as are able, from Greenwich hospital, to assist in rigging and fitting out the ships ordered for sea.
O.A. 2. Yesterday an express arrived from Mr. Grenville at Paris: As to the purport of the dispatches brought, nothing particular has transpired; all we have been able to learn in general is, that they are not so favorable as former reports gave us reason to expect; and some, who pretend to know more than others, do not hesitate to say, that, from the tenor of the advices received, a war seems almost inevitable.
In consequence of the express from Mr. Grenville yesterday, orders were issued from the admiralty, for impressing seamen in a more strict and peremptory manner than before.
August 29. A singular case of murder—Jane Norcott, the wife of Arthur Norcott, of Hartford, in the year 1629, was found dead in her bed, a knife sticking in the floor and her throat cut.—The coroner's verdict was felo de se . But thirty days after her death, suspicions arising that she had been murdered, the body was taken from its grave in the presence of the jury, and a great number of people; and an appeal was brought by the son of the deceased against his father, grandmother, aunt, and one Oakman to whom the aunt was married.
Mr. Serjeant Maynard, among whose papers this account was found, attended the trial, and has reported the following evidence:
The minister of the parish where the fact was committed, being sworn, deposed "that the dead body being taken out of the grave thirty days after the party's death, and lying on the grass, and the four defendants being present, were required each of them to touch the dead body. Oakman's wife fell upon her knees, and prayed God to shew tokens of her innocence. The appellant then touched the body, whereupon the brow of the dead, which before was of a livid and carrion colour, began to have a dew or gentle sweat arise on it, which increased by degrees till the sweat ran down in drops upon the face: the brow turned to a lively and fresh colour, and the deceased opened one of her eyes and shut it again; and this opening the eye was done several times; she likewise thrust out the ring, or marriage finger three times, and pulled it in again, and the finger dropped blood from it on the grass. The truth of this story being doubted, Sir Nicholas Hyde questioned the witness very strictly, but no imputation whatever appeared against his veracity. His brother also was examined, who testified the same facts."
It appeared from other evidence, that the deceased lay in a composed manner in her bed, the bed cloaths not at all disturbed, and her child by her; that her throat was cut from ear to ear, and her neck broke, that there was no blood in the bed, save a tincture on the bolster; that from the bed's head there was a stream of blood on the floor which ran along until it pended in the bendings of the floor, in a large quantity; and there was also another stream of blood at the bed's foot, but no continuance, or communication of the blood of either of those two places from one to the other, or from the bed; that under the matt of the bed there were clots of congealed blood; that the bloody knife was found sticking in the floor at a distance from the bed, the handle of which inclined from the bed, and the point towards it; that there was the print of a thumb and four fingers of a left hand.
Sir Nicholas Hyde enquired how it was discerned to be a left hand. Upon which the witness said "if it please that honorable judge, viz. (Sir Edward Powell, who was then on the bench) to put his left hand upon your left hand, you cannot possibly place your right hand in the same posture;" which on being tried appeared to be true. It was also given in evidence, that the grandmother and Oakman's wife had confessed
that they lay in the next room to the dead body that night, and that none came into the house till she was found dead. The prisoners made no defence, and the jury found all the defendants, except Oakman, guilty. The judgment against the aunt was respited on account she was enfant . But the father of the plaintiff and husband of the deceased, together with the grandmother, were executed.
P H I L A D E L P H I A, Nov. 22. Yesterday sixty-one members of the Convention met at the State-House, and chose for their President the Hon. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg. No other business was done, except the adjournment, until nine o'clock this morning.
On the 1st of June, 1787, at Amsterdam, his Excellency John Adams, Esq; in behalf of the United States of America, negotiated a loan of One Million of Guilders of sundry persons in Holland, to be paid in fifteen years from the date of the negotiation—which contract on the 11th October last, was approved of and ratified by Congress, and declared obligatory on the United States of America.
An article in the contract for the above loan, is as follows, "For the accomplishment and performance of all the above written, the honorable appearer binds, in the aforesaid quality, and thus in the names and on the part of the above mentioned United States of America, the said United States of America, jointly and each of them in particular together with all their lands, chattels, revenues and products, and also the imposts and taxes already laid and raised in the same, or in time to come to be laid and raised; and thus of all the United States of America, jointly, and each of them in particular, and for the whole."
Nov. 23. It is currently reported that there are only two men in Virginia, who are not in debt, to be found among the enemies of the federal constitution. Debtors, speculators in paper, and States demagogues act consistently in opposing it. It will reduce them to a level with their fellow citizens, and prevent their thriving any longer by the distresses of their country.
Nov. 27. A letter from Baltimore, dated the 22d instant, says, "By a vessel just arrived from Nevis after a short passage, we are advised of a frigate having arrived in 20 days from England with dispatches, which mention an engagement to have happened between the English and French fleets upon the coast of Holland."
Extract of a letter from Fort Pitt, Oct. 23. "The Indians in general seem to be ill-disposed to the States—they are killing people about Wheeling on both sides of the river frequently."
We have the pleasure of informing the public, that two thirds of the members returned to the Convention of this State are federalists, and it is expected that the whole of them will become federal, as soon as they hear the objections to the government removed by the gentlemen who have studied it attentively.
B O S T O N, December 6. Capt. Smith in the Ship Jenny , arrived at New-York, last week, from Cork (Ireland) confirms the accounts received of the inevitability of an European war.
A London news-paper received by Capt. Smith, dated Oct. 5, says "Just as this paper was going to press, we received the mails from Holland and Flanders, by which we learn that the negotiation between the duke of Brunswick and the Amsterdam deputies having failed of success, the outposts of the city of Amsterdam were on Monday last, at three o'clock, attacked by the Prussian troops; that about five the firing was very brisk, and continued so until seven, when the Prussians were repulsed in three different places, and retreated in disorder; that their loss, however, as well as that of the Amsterdammers, was not known, that the city was not out of danger, and that all the citizens were under arms."
"The cause of the negotiation proving unsuccessful, is said to have been occasioned by the duke of Brunswick's insisting upon the implicit submission of the city of Amsterdam to the four articles of the last memorial delivered by the Prussian Minister."
Our accounts from the southward are highly pleasing—The Pennsylvania Convention met at Philadelphia, on the 19th ult. Of the 63 members, the number returned, FIFTY are decidedly in favor of the new Constitution.—In Connecticut the Convention will certainly consist of TWO THIRDS advocates for the new government—even admitting that all those whose opinions on the subject have not been ascertained, are ant federal.
A correspondent notices as a federal feature, that in a neighbouring town, Agrippa had one vote as a Delegate to the Convention—and no more.
P O R T S M O U T H, Dec. 12. It is with real pleasure that we can announce the sentiments of his Excellency, President SULLIVAN , to be perfectly federal . He has been heard to express himself in near the following terms, "That although he did not doubt New-Hampshire singly considered, might have framed a better constitution for themselves, yet when the whole of the thirteen states were considered; that it was to unite them, jarring in interests, in politics and prejudices, he was bold to say, It was one of the best systems of government that ever was devised ; and that all the objections which have been raised against it are no more than what might be brought against any form of government whatever ."
Yesterday the honorable General Court convened together in the State House in this town, there being a quorum they proceeded to business.—the first matter submitted to their deliberations was the proceedings of the Grand Federal Convention, when they voted unanimously for a convention,—time and place not appointed when this paper was put to press.
We hear from Dover, that a barn, the property of — Hanson, was yesterday consumed by fire, —the particulars we have not been able to obtain.
The following circumstance which recently took place, will evince the very great efficacy of tobacco, when used as an emetic: A gentleman on his passage from Jamaica to America, in a small vessel, on board of which was no doctor, was seized with a violent bilious fever—beyond the reach of medical assistance and without apparent means of alleviating the disorder, his only hope was the strength of his constitution, until one day happening to swallow some tobacco juice, it caused an immediate evacuation of the bile, a violent perspiration ensued, and the disagreeable disorder quickly left him.—A knowledge of this event, we hope, will be of service to persons afflicted in a similar manner.
The humane society of Paris, have saved since their first institution, in 1772, 'till 1783, inclusive 599 out of 701 persons. And last year they were so successful as to preserve the lives of fifty-four; thirty were drawn out of the water with some appearance of life, the others apparently dead; their attempts miscarried only on six who had been too long under water.
The General Assembly of the State of Vermont, have appointed the hon. Ira Allen, Isaac Tichenor and Noah Smith, Esqrs. Agents to the honorable the Congress of the United States.
Died since our last, Mr. NATHANIEL MARCH , of this town, in the 26th year of his age.
Lately died in Ireland, Miss Pever, aged 27.—Her disease was the dropsy, and she had been tapped 111 times, in the course of which operations she discharged 90 barrels, 33 gallons, and 3 pints of water.
At Exeter, Mrs. Elizabeth Woodbridge, aged 27 years, the amiable and virtuous consort of Mr. William Woodbridge, preceptor of Phillips's Exeter Academy.
N A V A L - O F F I C E. Port of PISCATAQUA , December 12, 1787. E N T E R E D, From. Brig Dauphin , Cutts, Hispaniola . Schooner Polly , White, Martinico . C L E A R E D, For. Schooner Nancy , Lord, Medeira .
Almanacks, For the year 1788, May be had at this Office For 1/6. by the single dozen.
ALL persons that have any demands on the estate of RICHARD WALDRON , late of Portsmouth, deceased, are desired to exhibit their claims, properly attested, to the subscribers, executors to the last will and testament of said deceased, and all persons indebted to said estate are desired to make payment as soon as possible.
SARAH WALDRON, HALL JACKSON. Portsmouth, December 3, 1787. N. B. As a speedy and final settlement of the above estate is determined, the creditors are earnestly requested not to delay their claims.
ALL persons having any demands on the estate of Mr. Noah Parker , late of Portsmouth, deceased, are requested to exhibit their claims, and all who are indebted to said estate are desired to make payment to JEREMIAH LIBBEY , Attorney to the Administratrix.

( Fitzwilliam. )
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Fitzwilliam, who have not paid their state and county taxes for the year 1785, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber, on or before the third day of January 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 Samuel Barnard, in said town at ten o'clock before noon, unless prevented by previous payment.
   State. County.   N. R. s. d. q.     Col. Stoddard 16 2 0 10 2 1 1   Aaron Woodbury half 8 2 0 4 2 0 2   Nathan Pearce 8 3 0 8 3 1 1   James Read half 2 5 0 4 0 0 2   Col. Stoddard 2 6 0 8 0 0 2   ditto half 3 6 3 1   ditto half 23 6 2 2 1 3 0   Thomas Carter 14 9 2 4 0 3 0   Col. Stoddard half 17 9 0 10 2 1 0   Smith 10 9 1 9 0 2 1   John Stevens 1 10 8 1   Col. Stoddard 20 10 4 8 6   ditto 21 10 2 4 3   Solly and March 3 11 1 5 2 1 2   Heirs of George Libbey 10 11 8 1 2   Abel Larrance 20 11 1 5 2 2   Nathan Brooks 10 12 1 3 1 2   James Read 15 11 2 4 3  
BENONI SHIRTIFF, Collector. Fitzwilliam, Dec. 1, 1787.
( Marlborough. )
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Marlborough, who are delinquent in paying their taxes for the year 1785, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber, on or before the second Tuesday in January 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 Major Richard Roberts, in said town, at ten o'clock before noon, unless prevented by previous payment.
   N. R. s. d. q.     James Lyons 9 4 0 6 1   Thomas Cochran 59 0 1 8 2   Robert Wilson 5 3 2 4 1   ditto 6 3 2 6 0   Jonathan Warson 15 0 0 4 3   Samuel Morrison 43 0 2 6 1   Samuel Allinson, jr. 4 6 4 3 1   Robert Allin 7 1 2 4 1   ditto 97 0 1 10 2   ditto 98 0 1 2 2   ditto 13 7 1 5 2   Thomas McClary 100 0 1 9 1   John Morrison 9 2 0 6 1   John Wilson 12 0 0 6 0   Hugh Montgomery 1 8 2 4 2   John Moare 78 0 2 7 3   Samuel Wilson 46 0 1 2 2   David Morrison 80 0 0 2 3   Samuel Allinson 1 6 0 7 0  
DANIEL CUTTING, Constable. Marlborough, November 30, 1787.
( Weare. )
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Weare, who are delinquent in paying their taxes for the year 1786, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber on or before Tuesday the 15th day January 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 Jesse Woodbury in said town, at ten o'clock before noon, unless prevented by previous payment.
   N. Acres s. d.     3d Range   Elizabeth Fowler 59 60 1 0   North end   John Knap 61 120 2 6   5th Range   William Greenleaf 99 50 1 0   North end   6th Range   John Eaton 20 60 1 8   North end   Gore   Thomas Wallingford 10 110 1 10   East end  
THOMAS WORTHLY, Constable. Weare, November 27, 1787.
( Jaffrey. )
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Jaffrey, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1783, that unless they pay the same to me subscriber, on or before the first Tuesday in February next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at ten o'clock, A. M. on said day, at the house of Samuel Adams, innholder in said town, unless prevented by previous payment.
   County tax. State tax.   No. R. s. d. q.     Joseph Blanchard, Esq. 4 2 13 1 0   Jonathan Odiorne 8 4 6 6 0   Jonas Welch half 6 9 7 10 0   Samuel Philips, Esq. 2 4 19 7 0   Jeremiah Towns 11 10 5 3 0   John Usher 0 0 2 7 0   Thomas Bryant 10 5 2 7 0   Jonathan Hubbard 0 0 2 7 0   Solomon Cuttler 7 9 5 2 0   Joshua Cook 3 1 13 1 0   John Hart 5 3 13 1 0   John McAllaster 4 1 13 1 0   Enoch Hale, Esq. 9 1 6 6 2   Enoch Hale, Esq. } 5 1 12 8 0   Samuel Kittridge 6 1   Elias Elliot 7 2 6 6 2   Benjamin Winn half 8 2 6 6 2   Simon Davis half 7 7 6 6 2   JOSEPH CUTTER, Collector. 9 5 6 6 2  
Jaffrey, November 27, 1787.
( Stoddard. )
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Stoddard, who are delinquent in paying their taxes for the year 1786, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber, on or before the first Tuesday in February next, so much of their lands as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue at ten o'clock before noon, on said day, at the dwelling house of Israel Towne, in said town, unless prevented by previous payment.
   Lot Range Acres State tax s. d. q. County tax s. d. q.     John Chamberlin 21 10 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   Josiah Willand w. E. 14 5 22 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 3   Ebenezer Peirce E. N 19 5 40 0 7 2 1 0 0 6 3   Evans & Joslin's do. 20 5 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   Moses Genison 12 15 80 0 6 1 0 3 0 5 3   Col. Stoddard's heirs 10 13 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   East end 8 15 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   East end 11 14 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   East end 20 8 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   East end 24 6 80 0 7 2 1 0 0 6 3   East end 3 4 76 0 6 2 0 3 0 5 3   East end 28 2 22 0 3 1 0 1 0 3 0   East end 27 2 80 0 9 3 1 0 0 8 2   East end 16 6 80 0 3 3 0 2 0 3 1   Sarah Richardson 1 14 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   Heirs T. Cummings half 9 5 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 0   Nath'l Richardson 8 4 40 0 6 2 0 3 0 0 0   James Dunn 2 14 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   James Dunn 26 13 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   James Dunn 4 12 80 0 7 2 1 0 0 6 3   James Dunn 22 4 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   Nath'l Cummings 6 14 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   J. Blanchard's heirs 4 14 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   J. Blanchard's heirs 27 3 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   J. Blanchard's heirs 18 3 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   Thomas Spaulding 3 13 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   Capt. Joseph Read 16 2 35 0 6 2 0 3 0 5 3   Reuben Kidder 8 14 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   Hugh Willson 5 14 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   Mathew Thornton 27 9 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   East end 26 2 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   East end 15 15 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   East end 23 2 30 0 8 0 1 0 0 7 1   Cl. Stoddard's heirs 28 7 80 1 1 0 1 2 0 11 3   East end 12 5 80 0 3 1 0 0 0 8 2   East end 9 4 80 1 3 3 2 0 1 2 1   Jona. Blanchard 28 3 80 1 3 3 0 0 0   Hugh Willson 15 3 80 0 9 3 1 0 0 8 2  
WILLIAM TOWNE, Collector. Stoddard, Dec. 3, 1787.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the township of Barrington, who are delinquent in paying their highway tax in said town for the year 1786 and 1787, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber at my dwelling house in said town, on
or before the first Monday in January next, so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue as will pay the same with incidental charges at my dwelling house at ten o'clock, A. M. on said day, unless prevented by previous payment.
   1786. 1787.   No. Ac. l. s. d. l. s. d.     Joseph Moses 33 72 0 4 10 0 4 10   Robert Armstrong 36 190 14 8   Nicholas Bishop 37 72 4 10 4 10   Joseph Pitman 38 78 5 2 5 2   Nathan'l Jackson 52 16 1 1   Rich. Warhouse 63 80 5 5   Richard Cross 64 120 9   Alexander Dennet 75 60 3 11 3 11   Nat'l Tuckerman 77 33 2 8 2 8   John Daverson 82 72 5 5   Richard Waldron 101 26 2 2   Walter Warren 104 20 1 8 1 8   Thomas Beck, jr. 107 13 1 1 1 1   John Abbot 119 84 7 7   William Hunkin 126 18 1 1 1 1   George Jaffery 143 200 15 15   John Jones 146 4 4 4   Thomas Packer 149 300 12 6 12 6   Joshua Pierce 156 520 2 2   William Peavey 173 58 3 8 3 8   Gov. Wentworth 176 583 2 8 7 2 8 7   David Gardner 152 120 9 9   Benjamin Lucy 174 27 2 2   Robert Almony 175 27 2 2   Axwill Roberts 180 180 15 15   George Townson 183 72 4 10 4 10   Samuel Snell 184 36 2 4 2 4   S. Waterhouse 185 24 1 8 1 8   Benjamin Cross 189 120 7 6 7 6   A. McFederace 192 600 2 2 10 2 2 10   William Cotton 212 111 7 7   John Gowel 215 84 2 5 2 5   William Ross 216 72 4 4   James Sherburn 217 50 3 3   John Sherburn 218 120 8 8   Thomas Peirce 220 210 9 9   John Edmunds 222 48 1 1   Henry Sherburn 224 90 5 9 5 9   James Stootley 229 60 4 4 4 4   William Fellows 238 240 15 15   Col. H. Sherburn 241 552 19 8 4 8   William Tarrat 243 24 1 6 1 6   Edward Ayers 246 209 13 1 13 1   Joseph Simpson 273 120 7 10 7 10  
In the hundred acre lots so called.
 No.
Ac.
l. s. d.
l. s. d.