Fowle's New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser ([Portsmouth, N.H.]), 1785-04-29 00:00:00

Conclusion of M. TURGOT's letter, continued from our last.
EACH of these prejudices is cherished in Europe, because the ancient rivalry of nations and the ambitions of princes obliges all States to be in arms for defence against their armed neighbours, and to regard a military force as the principle object of government. Such is the good fortune of America that she cannot have for a long time an external enemy to fear, if she does not become self-divided; therefore she may and ought to estimate, at their true value, those pretended interests, those grounds of discord which are all that can endanger her liberty. The sacred principle of freedom of commerce being considered as the necessary consequence of the right of property, all the pretended interests of trade vanish before it. The pretended interest of possessing more or less territory vanishes also when the territory is justly considered as not belonging to nations but to the individual proprietors of the soil; and when the question whether such a canton or such a village ought to belong to such a province or such a state, is not decided by the pretended interest of that province or that state, but by the interest which the inhabitants of the canton or village have in assembling themselves to transact their affairs in places the most convenient of access; when that interest, being measured by the length or shortness of the way which a man can go to manage his most important without too much injury to his common concerns, becomes the natural and physical measure of the extent of the jurisdiction of States, and establishes, throughout, an equilibrium* of extent and power which annihilates all the danger of inequality and all pretensions of superiority.
The interest of being dreaded becomes null when we make no demands, and when we are in a situation not to be attacked even by a considerable force with any hope of success.
The glory of arms cannot compare with the felicity of living in peace. The glory of arts and science belongs to every one who has spirit to acquire it. There is an harvest of this kind abundantly sufficient for every body; the field of discoveries cannot be overtilled, and ALL profit by the discoveries of ALL.
I imagine that the Americans have not felt these truths so strongly as they ought to be felt by them for the security of the happiness of their posterity. I blame not their leaders. There was a necessity of providing against the exigencies of the moment by some sort of union, against an enemy actually present and formidable; there was not time to correct the defects in constitutions or in the models of the different States. But there should be a dread of perpetuating them, and an application to the means of uniting opinions and interests, and of reducing them to uniform principles throughout all the States.
In this pursuit there are great obstacles to be overcome.
In Canada—the constitution of the Romish clergy and the existence of a body of noblesse.
In New-England—a spirit of rigid puritanism still subsisting, and always, as is said, in some degree intolerant.*
In Pennsylvania—a great number of citizens who supporting a religious principle that the profession of arms is illicit, of course revolt from such arrangements as are necessary to lay the foundation of a military strength for the State, in an union of the quality of citizen with that of soldier and militia-man; which brings on a necessity of making the business of war a business for mercenaries.
In the middle States—a too great inequality of fortunes and more especially the great number of black slaves whose slavery is incompatible with a good political constitution, and who, even if set at liberty, would still give embarrassment by forming two people in one State.
Throughout—prejudices, an attachment to established forms, an habitude of certain taxes, a dread of such as should be substituted in their place, the vanity of those States who have though themselves the most powerful, and an unhappy beginning of national pride.
* This seems to be a particular of much consequence. The great inequality now existing, and which is likely to increase, between the different States, is a very unfavourable circumstance; and the embarrassment and danger to which it exposes the union ought to be guarded against as far as possible in laying out future States.
* This has been ONCE true of the inhabitants of NEW-ENGLAND, but it is not so NOW.
I think the Americans are bound to aggrandize themselves not by war but by cultivation. If they leave at their backs those immense deserts which extend even to the western ocean, a mixture of the banished and other vile subjects escaped from the correction of laws may there settle with Savages, and compose swarms of robbers who would ravage America as the Barbarians of the North have ravaged the Roman empire; hence another danger,—the necessity of being in arms on the frontiers and living in a continual state of war. The settlements near to these would consequently be more warlike than the rest; and that inequality of military force would be a terrible spur to ambition. The remedy for this inequality would be to maintain a standing force to which all the States should contribute according to their population; but, the Americans who have it all the fears which the English ought to have, dread nothing more than a permanent army. They are in the wrong. Nothing is easier than to connect the constitution of a permanent army with the militia, so that the militia may thence become better, and liberty thus be rendered more secure. But it is far from easy to calm their fears on this head.
Here you see are many difficulties; and perhaps, the secret interests of powerful individuals will unite with the prejudices of the vulgar to resist the efforts of true fages and true citizens.
It is impossible to refrain from fervent wishes that this people may arrive at all the prosperity of which it is susceptible. It is the hope of the human race. It may become their model. It should prove to the world in fact that men may be free and tranquil, and may rid themselves from the many shackles which tyrants and impostures of every garb have endeavoured to impose on them, under a pretext of the public good. It should give an example of political freedom, of religious freedom, of the freedom of commerce and of industry. The asylum which it opens to the oppressed of all nations, ought to console the whole earth. The facility of taking advantage of this to get free from the effects of bad governments will oblige such governments to grow just and enlightened; and the rest of the world will by degrees open their eyes upon that bubble of illusions wherein politicians have lulled themselves. But, for this America ought to become guarantee, and that she will never come to be what your ministerial writers have so often repeated, an image of our Europe, an amas of divided powers, quarrelling about territories or the profits of commerce, and continually cementing the slavery of the people with their own blood.
All men of understanding, all the friends of humanity should at this time unite their knowledge and join their reflections to those of the sage Americans to contribute the great work of their legislation. This, Sir, would be worthy of you. I wish I may kindle up your zeal: And, if in this letter I have allowed myself to be hurried on by my own ideas further than was proper, that will have been my only motive, and will, as I hope, excuse me where I may have been tedious to you. I am desirous that the blood which hath flowed, or which may still flow in this quarrel should not be useless towards the happiness of mankind.
Our two nations are about to do each other much injury, though neither of them will from thence reap any real profit. The encrease of debts and expences *****; and the ruin of a great number of citizens will perhaps be the only result. England appears to me to be nearer to it than France. If, instead of this war, you had been able to behave with a good grace from the very beginning; if policy had been allowed to do beforehand what she will infallibly be forced to do in the end; if the national opinion could have been brought to allow your government to prevent what has happened, supposing it to have been foreseen; if it could have consented out-right to the independence of America, without making war upon any one, I firmly believe that Britain would have lost nothing by the charge. Now she will lose whatever she has expended, or shall yet expend: She will experience a great diminution for some time in her commerce, and great internal confusion, if she is forced into a bankruptcy; and, be that as it may, a great loss of political influence abroad.
But this last article is of very small import to the real happiness of a people; and I am not at all of Abbe Raynal's opinion in your motto. I do not think that this will bring you to be a contemptible people and throw you into bondage.
Your misfortunes will perhaps on the contrary, produce the effect of a necessary amputation. They may be the only means of saving you from the gangrene of luxury and corruption. If in your agitations you could correct your constitution by making elections annual, by distributing the right of representations more equally
and in better proportion to the interest of those represented, you would gain perhaps as much as America has by this revolution; because your liberty would remain with you, and your other losses could soon be repaired with that, and by that.
You should judge, Sir, from the frankness with which I open myself to you upon these delicate points, the esteem with which you have inspired me, and of the satisfaction which I feel upon observing that there is some resemblance in our modes of thinking. I promise myself that this confidence will rest with you only. I even beg you not to answer me at large by the post, because your letter would be infallibly opened in our offices: and they would discover me to be far too much a friend to liberty for a minister, even for a minister in disgrace.
I have the honour to be, With the utmost regard, Sir,
Your most humble And most obedient servant,
TURGOT
VIENNA, February 25.
The preparations for war are renewed with more vigour than ever; and his Imperial Majesty has certainly taken the resolution of repairing in person to the Netherlands.
LONDON, March 17.
We have undoubted intelligence from Paris of the following very important facts:
The French minister at Berlin has written to Vergennes, that the King of Prussia's minister at Vienna says the Emperor is determined to persist in his demands to have Bavaria annexed to his imperial dominions.—This has caused immediate orders from the King of Prussia for foreign and provisions to be prepared for an army of 100,000 men in one body, and 80,000 in another; and he is resolved to take the field as soon as the frost will permit his troops to move. The French ministers are eager to keep back from openly declaring, till the Emperor makes some movements; and we may be assured at the same time they are awaiting the result of our proceedings in regard to the differences in the Cabinet.
Extra d of a letter from Edinburgh, March 9. We hear that the silver plate, taken in April last, by the crew of the Ranger American privateer, then commanded by Paul Jones, from the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Selkirk, was last week sent back to his Lordship by Paul Jones, and the carriage paid by him.
The most authentic accounts from Peterburgh say, that the Empress of Russia has declared to his Prussian Majesty (upon the late political negotiation) her resolution of supporting the Emperor of Germany in the exchange of Bavaria for part of the Low-Countries, with all her forces; in which case the King of Prussia will be powerfully supported by the Court of France, and, in all human probability, the Empress's declaration will produce a general war.
Authentic advices from Amsterdam, dated March 10, declare that the preparations for war are carrying on in all parts of the United Provinces with the utmost vigour and dispatch.
The same accounts assure us that the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt has, within these few days, entered into an alliance with the States General; and that a body of 3000 troops in the service of that Prince are immediately to march to the frontiers of Holland, in case of a rupture with the Emperor.
By letters from Marseilles we learn that the Barbary corsairs openly attack all French ships they can meet in the Mediterranean, and that they lately took Le Fleur de la Mer worth 1000 florins which they carried into Algiers, and sent the crew into slavery. The Algerines are supposed to have taken this step in consequence of the French having fitted out five ships of war to protect the Spanish traders, and that too at the immediate request of the Spanish Court.
PHILADELPHIA, March 16.
The American Philosophical Society at their last meeting, received from William Henry, Esq. of Lancaster, the following piece of mechanism, and other curiosities, communicated by Mr. Rittenhouse:
The model of a wheel carriage, which rolls directly against the wind's force alone.
Two pieces of chrysal, of an unusual magnitude, found in Lancaster county.
An exceeding large tusk, and one of the grinders of some unknown animal; brought from the neighbourhood of the Ohio.
Mr. Rittenhouse also presented from Mrs. Paul, of the city, an horn, of extraordinary size, of the Canad. moose deer.

To the IMPARTIAL PUBLIC.
ALTHOUGH I have no desire to satisfy, or even to answer, a malicious false and cowardly writer, who under a feigned and very improper signature, has endeavoured to wound my reputation by a publication in the New-Hampshire Gazette of the 15th instant: yet as I am conscious of having acted with uprightness in every part of my political conduct; I shall for your satisfaction answer the three charges which his malice has suggested; and which his knowledge of their falsity has prevented being signed by his proper name.
The first charge is obtaining a considerable sum from Congress by false representations, respecting the taken powder from fort William and Mary.
Secondly, giving up the fishing-ground. And
Thirdly, receiving a bribe in my office of Attorney-General, which prevented my complying with my duty in endeavouring to confiscate a valuable estate; by which I suppose he means Col. Boyd's.
To answer the first, it will be necessary to relate the manner of taking the stores from the fort.
When I returned from Congress in 1774, and saw the order of the British King and Council, prohibiting military stores being sent to this country; I took the alarm, clearly perceived the designs of the British ministry, and wrote several pieces upon the necessity of securing military stores; which pieces were published in several papers.
On the 18th of December some gentlemen belonging to Portsmouth, went to the fort and took sundry barrels of powder; and sent in a gundalow one hundred and ten barrels to my care; which myself and others deposited in places of security. The next day a report was spread that two vessels of war were coming from Boston to take possession of the fort and harbour.
I went down with a large number of men; and in the night following went in person with gundaloes, took possession of the fort; brought away the remainder of the powder, the small arms, bayonets, and cartouch-boxes; together with the cannon and ordnance-stores; was out all night, and returned to Portsmouth next day. I might here add that I bore the expence of all the party: these gundaloes, with the stores, were brought to Durham, after several days spent in cutting the ice, Durham river being then froze over; the cannon, &c. was then deposited in places of security. These are facts known to almost every person in the state—and to all them concerned, that almost the whole expence was born by me: Notwithstanding which I never applied for a single farthing to Congress, or any other body for this service; and when a committee of Congress, who were appointed to report what was due for my allowance in separate departments where I commanded; reported one hundred dollars for this service, I warmly opposed it, and told Congress I never expected, or desired a single farthing for it—for the truth of this I appeal to the hon. Judge Livermore, who was with me in Congress, at the time, and knows every fact relating to it; he is now on the circuit through the state, consequently any gentleman may satisfy himself, by asking him whether these facts are true or false.
But to prove whether Congress have been generous to me in their grants, I beg leave to mention that by a resolve of Congress of the 15th of June 1775; general officers in separate departments, were to be allowed one hundred and sixty dollars per month, over and above their wages; I served thirty months in separate departments, and Congress made me a grant of thirteen hundred dollars only, in lieu of four thousand eight hundred, which was my due; it is true, one hundred of it was reported for the above-mentioned service; but upon my objecting to it, was not in reality granted in that light—and further, to prove the generosity of Congress to me, I now say that for near five years service, I have never received only the nominal sum in paper money for my services; and am the only officer in America that has received no depreciation or allowance therefor.
With respect to the second charge, I can only say, that the general and secret instructions to our ministers respecting the fishery, remained the same as they were first formed; years before I went to Congress in 1780. The secret instructions made the independence of the thirteen United States, and every part of them, the grand ultimatum of a peace; and the general instructions among other things directed them to secure our right of fishery on the banks.
When I was in Congress Doctor Franklin, Mr. Jay, Governor Jefferson, and Mr. Laurens were added to Mr. John Adams. New instructions were formed, but no alteration made respecting the fishery; it was indeed moved by a member that the fishery should be made an additional article of the ultimatum; to which I among others objected; and thought our general instructions to our ministers on that head were sufficient to show the wishes of Congress; that their own inclinations would prompt them to use every possible effort to secure it; and that it would be dangerous for Congress at so great a distance, who could not possibly know the disposition of the European powers, to dictate positively the articles of peace; and thereby fetter ministers who in my opinion, had as much zeal for the American interest, and had more knowledge of what we could or could not obtain, than all Congress together, besides let the articles agreed to, be as they might, they could not be binding on Congress, until ratified by them.
Every person must know that the capture of General Lincoln and his army; was owing to the positive orders of Congress to keep possession of Charlesstown.
And I confess myself to be one of those who had rather trust the command of an army to a good General on the ground, than to a Congress at five hundred miles distance; and the making a peace to five of the greatest characters in America, than to a Congress at three thousand miles distance; especially as after all, Congress could approve or disapprove as they thought proper.
There never was a question in Congress whether the fishery should be given up; and if there had, I should have been the last man in America to have yielded it
to Britain; but I could not see the necessity of making it an additional article in our ultimatum: Our right to fish on Jefferey's ledge, and off Boon-Island, and the Isles of Shoals, were not articles of the ultimatum, yet we were never in danger of losing it.
When the instructions Honestus alludes to, were made out; great part of New-York and Virginia, and the whole of Georgia, were in possession of the enemy; we were without money, our paper currency had vanished, and our army was revolting; a change against us, even before our instructions arrived, was at least possible: Had Arnold's plan succeeded, had Greene been defeated in the South, had Washington been unsuccessful against Cornwallis, had the French fleet been blocked up in Chesapeake by the British: Had Britain obtained a decisive naval victory over our allies, had Russia and Germany, or even the former, declared in favour of Britain; we might have been compelled to accept terms less favourable than we obtained. Either of those events was possible; and yet our ministers obtained not a single point, but what they were instructed to insist on. But as the events of war were uncertain, I acknowledge and glory in the confession, that I was one of those who objected to fettering our ministers, and positively to dictate orders of peace, to five gentlemen, who were, in my opinion, more than equal in the business of negotiation, to all the members then on the floor of Congress.
Had the refugees, with the very sagacious and candid Honestus at their head, had the power of dictating terms, I dare say that our having possession of the island of Great-Britain would have made one article of the ultimatum, to prevent a peace which torey's detest, and Britain laments.
As to the third charge, I would only observe that in March, 1782, Mrs. Boyd sent to me, and informed me, that as I had ever been attorney for Col. Boyd, was then engaged in several important matters pending, and was expected to take charge of all affairs relating to the family: She wished to make me some satisfaction, and offered me a chariot, which I then agreed with her for. In the last of June following, I was without my knowledge or expectation appointed Attorney-General. John Smith, Esq. then clerk of the house gave me the first information of it, and I informed him that it was not possible for me to accept. In July following, at Dover, I was called upon to act as Attorney-General, and refused to take the oath, because I was previously engaged against the State in some matters. In September following I was called upon by the Superior Court, (President Weare being present) to take the oath, and refused for the reasons aforesaid: and particularly mentioned my previous engagements with Mrs. Boyd, &c. which I could not break through. The Court agreed to excuse me in all matters where I was previously engaged; and even at that term appointed Mr. Bradbury to act as Attorney-General in some matters where I was engaged against the State. The truth of all these facts will appear by the following certificates.
THIS certifies whom it may concern, That the subscriber having the care of Col. Boyd's business during his absence, and living in his family, is well knowing to Mrs. Boyd's application to General Sullivan to appear as her attorney in all cases respecting her husband the said Col. Boyd, or his estate during his absence, and in particular, that the time of her so engaging him was long before his being appointed Attorney-General for the State, and before the subscriber ever heard he was like to be appointed.
SUPPLY CLAP. Portsmouth, April 21, 1785.
I HEREBY certify, That soon after Gen. Sullivan was appointed Attorney for the State, he told me (as near as I can recollect) that he could not act fully in that office, and therefore supposed he must decline accepting it; as he had received fees from several persons, who expected his assistance in matters that came under the cognizance of the Attorney-General, which would prevent his acting against them; he mentioned Mrs. Boyd's as one, and that he had received a chariot from her as a present—which by the tenor of what passed, I understood was for the purpose of securing him in her interest as an attorney. JOHN SMITH. Durham, April 23, 1785.
STRAFFORD, ss.
Court of General Sessions of the Peace, holden at Dover, within and for the County of Strafford, on the third Tuesday of July.
THE justices of the Court calling upon John Sullivan, Esq. to know if he would act as Attorney-General, by virtue of his late appointment to that office by the General Assembly; he informed them that he knew nothing of the appointment until after the Assembly was adjourned, or he would have given them an immediate answer; that prior to the appointment he was engaged in two or three disputes against the Commonwealth, received his fees, and cannot in honor desert his clients; that unless the Assembly will permit him to be excused from acting in that office in those disputes, he must attend to the preservation of that honor or which results from an upright conduct in preference to that which may flow from the most honorary commission, or appointments; that being thus situated he is unable to give a decisive answer, or to enter upon the duties of that office by virtue of his late appointment, until he can be satisfied that he can act without being liable to censure from those persons to whom he was under the strongest engagements, long before his appointment took place, but unwilling that the business of the state should suffer in the least degree on his account; he begs leave to inform the justices of this Court, that in case they think proper to appoint him to act in that office at this session, he will with cheerfulness attend to that business during this term.
Copy examined by E. THOMPSON, Clerk.
WE the Justices of the Superior Court, in justice to the character of John Sullivan, Esq. certify, that when he was sworn in as Attorney-General, in September, 1782, he informed the court, that he was (previous to his appointment) engaged for George Boyd's estate, and in two or three other matters against the state, and that unless the court would consent to excuse him from acting for the state in those matters, he should not accept the appointment; upon which the court informed him, that in those matters he should not be called upon to act.
SAMUEL LIVERMORE, Chief Justice. LEVERETT HUBBARD, then one of the Justices of the Superior Court.
Dover, April 22, 1785.
—Having now answered every charge exhibited against me by the malicious Honestus, and I flatter myself, given satisfactory evidence of the uprightness of my conduct, I cannot avoid saying that I feel myself exceedingly mortified at being reduced to the necessity by a dark and cowardly assassin of either having my reputation wounded, or revealing facts from the secret cabinet of America; which ought never to appear in print. And perhaps after all have only proved to the public that there is a malicious calumniator who has been indulged to publish his groundless insinuations and impose on the public without ever being able to discover the man.
I know that my political character is proof against all the shafts of malice: and I shall ever be ready to answer any accusations made against me by any person who will venture to add his proper signature to the charges.
Yet I hope, as I have ever been in the most secret councils of America, the print will not again suffer me to be called upon by an anonymous writer to reveal secrets which ought not publicly to be known; but having been at this time driven to the disagreeable necessity, and having fully proved the falsity of his charges; I think I now have a right to demand the real name of the author of the piece signed Honestus, which I shall insist upon to be published; and shall then leave the public to judge which of us has most probably received our education at Wapping or Billinggate.
JOHN SULLIVAN
DURHAM, April 23, 1785.
N E W Y O R K, March 24.
A correspondent observes, that notwithstanding the corruption and venality which pervade almost all ranks and orders of people in England, yet they are so tenacious of what little liberty they have left, that though they idolize their King, they will not trust him with their purse. Let us adopt their wise maxims, and remember that the SUPREME POWER in all republican governments must ever remain with the PEOPLE, and cannot be transferred either to a King or would-be-Lords.
INTELLIGENCE EXTRAORDINARY.
Monday last arrived at this port from St. John's Nova Scotia, the sloop Mary, owned and commanded by Captain Bennison, who accumulated a large fortune by pilfering and plundering the Rebels during the late war. He has brought a cargo of Tories, consisting of about thirty-five, many of whom held commissions in the refugee corps, &c. A Capt. Steward, from Jersey, who had a company of refugee horse—a Capt. Fowler, from ditto—a Capt. Parker, who commanded a company of infantry, and one Moore, of Newtown on Long-Island, compose a part of this groupe—two others were put on shore as they came down the Sound—one of the Blanchards of Elizabeth Town, has his family near White-Hall; so that in a short time we may expect to see the country again over-run by these infernals; against whom the laws should guard and defend the community, as they would from the Plague or Pestilence.
Extract of a letter from St. John's (Antigua) Oct. 22.
“On Saturday evening last, about eight o'clock, was picked up by the master and crew of the Schooner Eagle belonging to Mr. Coats, of this island (the owner himself being on board) close by the Sugar-Loaves, on the island of St. Lucia, a molatto man, master of a French Schooner, which had failed a few days before from Tobago, bound to St. Vincent, and from thence to Martinico. The man had set upon a box 24 hours, in the sea, and was almost exhausted with fatigue at the time of his being discovered. The vessel overiet by accident, the crew, 15 soldiers and an officer, were drowned, the master being the only person saved. The Schooner had also 600 joes in cash on board.”
PHILADELPHIA, March 30.
A letter from a gentleman in New-York, dated March 17, says, “the rumour which has been lately propagated, both here and in your city, respecting the captivity and cruel treatment of Colonel Palfrey, is, I have every reason to suppose, totally groundless.”
“There is a gentleman in the Emperour of Morocco's dominions, who is a very great friend to the United States, and keeps up a regular correspondence in this city; a letter has been recently received from him, which gives a correct and circumstantial account of the late captures by the barabarians and does not mention a single word respecting the Sibilab, the vessel in which the unfortunate Palfrey failed.”
“There is, therefore, my friend, every reason to conclude, that, instead of pining in dreadful slavery, that brave man has paid to mortality the tribute, which will sooner or later be taxed from all the children of Adam, and that he met with his fate in a watry tomb.”
TO BE LETT,
A LARGE commodious HOUSE, suitable for a Tavern or Boarding House, with a Barn, Garden, and every other convenience.—For further Particulars Inquire of JONATHAN WARNER.

S A L E M, April 26. The General Assembly of Pennsylvania, on the 16th ult passed an act for emitting bills of credit to the amount of 150,000, which by law are to pass equal to gold and silver, within that commonwealth, for the sums mentioned in each bill respectively. Twenty thousand pounds are to be cancelled the ensuing year, and the like sum annually, till the whole shall be destroyed. The want of a sufficient circulating medium is mentioned as the reason for issuing paper money. The committee of the Pennsylvania Assembly, to whom petitions against the bank (in Philadelphia) were referred, have reported a resolution, "that a bill be brought in to repeal the act for incorporating said bank;" which was agreed to by the House.
As taxing the Vehicles of Knowledge and necessary Intelligence, (which are "essential to the Security of Freedom,") by a Stamp-Act, appears to be of true British extraction, it may be a curiosity to many of our readers to be presented with a specimen of the manner in which some of the members of the Parliament of Britain are chosen, which will readily account for their Stamp-Acts , and every other species of oppression, which from age to age, have been heaped upon the poor deluded people of that country. It is taken from a London paper of January 31, 1785, and is verbatim as follows, viz.
"Few circumstances more clearly demonstrate the necessity of a reform in the representation of the people in the House of Commons, than those which are connected with a borough belonging to Lord Monmouth, that sent two members to parliament: this borough is now entirely gone to decay; and the only marks by which it may be known that it was once a borough, are some stones in the noble Lord's park wall, marked 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. denoting the number and situation of houses that formerly stood there: the occupiers formerly enjoyed the right of voting merely as occupiers of these houses; and though the houses exist no longer, the elective franchise once attached to them has survived their ruin; and these stones in the park wall are actually called voters by the country people in his Lordship's neighbourhood. This is a fact attested by his Grace of Richmond, who, travelling along the road in front of this park wall, and seeing some stones in it numbered , and perceiving that they stood too near each other to be mile-stones, stooped his carriage, and asked a man what was the reason of their being numbered; the man instantly replied, that they were voters, and gave his Grace the history of these curious electors."
Extract of a letter, dated New York, March 14.
"The late treaties held by the commissioners of Congress with the western and northern Indians have extinguished the Indian claims to more than fifty millions of acres of land—A treaty, to be held in June on the western side of the Ohio, will acquire an additional territory of perhaps nearly as much more. These lands are in the most fertile regions of the United States. Cessions have been made of the state rights by Virginia and New-York."
It were devoutly to be wished, says a correspondent, that these lands might be honestly disposed of by Congress for the discharge of our national incumbrances.—The debt of the United States, both foreign and domestic, including principal and interest, stood, in 1783, at about forty-two millions of dollars. May not that debt be paid off at one third of the sum in ready money? Or, will not one half of the lands, acquired from the Indians in 1784, be more than sufficient for the purpose? With such resources, is it our interest to become bankrupts, to expose ourselves as a sneaking, pilfering band of swindlers , and establish a sharping, trickish, fraudulent, faithless, deceitful national character, throughout the universe? With such resources, and that of an impost on all foreign articles, shall we continue most absurdly, to burden the people, by perpetually taxing their industry, and the manufactures and produce of this country, which are the effects of that industry? Or, is it not more for our advantage to enable Congress to dispose of the public lands, in order to pay honest debts—to encourage our own industry, manufactures, agriculture and commerce, by wise imposts and restrictions upon those of foreign nations, who now pay nothing to indemnify us for draining the country of all its cash? But unless speedy and decisive measures are taken, our citizens will not even be, what they have been since the late war, the factors of foreign merchants; we shall sink to the same state with the coasts of Africa or India, where the whole trade is in the hands of foreigners—where foreigners are every thing—and the natives nothing.
* SWINDLER, One who assumes the appearance of a man of property, takes up goods or money, and disappears without paying
PORTSMOUTH, April 29.
Tuesday last, the Superior Court fit in this town, when the commissions under the new Constitution were opened, appointing the Hon. Samuel Livermore Esq. Chief Justice, and the Hon. Josiah Bartlet, William Whipple and John Dudley, Esquires, puisne Justices of said Court.
At the same court was tried Jabez Anderson for theft, and found Guilty.
This week was brought to this town for sale, two oxen, supposed to be the largest, and by far the fattest ever killed in this State; one weighing 1401, the other 1406 pounds.
DIED Mrs. Hannah Chandler, aged 38, wife of Mr. Benjamin Chandler, of this town.
M A R I N E L I S T.
PORT OF PISCATAQUA, April 29, 1785.
C L E A R E D. None.
E N T E R E D.
Sloop Betsey, Trundy, from North-Carolina. Brig Endeavor, Riley,
To be LET,  For the Term of THREE YEARS, by  Jonathan Moulton,  OF HAMPTON,
A CONVENIENT HOUSE, and other necessary BUILDINGS, at a place called Center Harbour, in New-Hampton, for keeping a publick Tavern, being a place of considerable travelling, and is much wanted at that place with about 50 acres of improved and two re they may cut upwards of 200 tons of Hay annually.—A sufficient quantity for pasturing. Should the person who may take said place, intend to trade in ENGLISH and WEST-INDIA-GOODS, will have great advantage of collecting most all kind of provision at a very reasonable price, as well as furs and produce of country manufacture: as said Moulton's business will not admit of his taking the care of his interest in that quarter, as formerly, he stands in need of a faithful person, as a trustee to receive in, and deliver out, &c. as occasion may require; for such a one he will give great wages, and other privileges.—Also, is wanted a just-able person to take the care and charge of a Tan Yard, for such a one who may undertake to visit it (part of which is already done, and many hides prepared) may have wages equal to his trust and care, and other privileges allowed him, which may be worthy of his attention; and as it is necessary there should be a Publick-House for entertainment kept at said place; for the encouragement to a suitable person, who may engage to keep it as aforesaid, as soon as may be, with conveniences, said Moulton will give a free head of good West India Rum and a barrel of good Sugar, for a beginning, as a present—Any person inclining to accept of the proposals, are desired to apply to him, where they may meet with other encouragements, a said Moulton purposed to have several Mills erected at that place, as soon as can be done with conveniency.
(Marlborough.)
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Cheshire ss.  N OTICE is hereby given to the non Resident Proprietors or Owners of Land in the Town of Marlborough, who have not paid their Taxes for the Year 1774 and 1775, that so much of their Land will be sold at Public Vendue, at the House of Lt. Richard Roberts in said Town, on Tuesday the 17th Day of May next, at 12 o'Clock of said Day, unless prevented by previous Payment, the Delinquents are as follows.
   No. R. S. d. No. R. S. d.     John Moore, 78 0 16 4 Robert Moore, 5 2 8   Samuel Wilson 40 0 16 8 Ditto, 30 0 10   David Morison, 1 0 4 2   Ditto, 30 0 7 7   Robert Clerk, 3 8 4 8 Samuel Allison, 34 0 16   Thomas Wilson, 7 3 8 4   Ditto, 1 1 8 4   James Lyons, 9 4 7 9 Thomas Cochran, 60 0 8   Wm. Gilmore, 27 0 8 4 Samuel Morison, 2 2 3   Heib't Morison, 35 0 5 4   Ditto, 101 0 5 4   Andrew Omer, 47 0 8 4 Isaac Cochran, 82 0 16   Thos M'Lean, 47 8 4 8 Robert Allen, 100 0 1   John Moore, 6 8 8 4 Samuel Allison, 44 0 8   Ditto, 102 0 7   Arch'd Dunlap, 37 0 8   John Gilmore, 5 8 10 Ditto, 58 0 7   Samuel Steal, 83 0 10 8 James Moore, 7 2 8   Ditto, 40 0 8   Thomas M'Clary, 7 7 8   James Willson, 7 5 8 4 Ditto, 41 0 8   Ditto, 7 0 8 4 Ditto, 100 0 14   Ditto, 8 5 8 4 John Morison, 9 1 8   Ditto, 8 6 8 4 Ditto, 9 2 8   John Willson, 12 0 7 5 Ditto, 69 0 6   Samuel Michel, 6 6 8 4 Samuel Cochran, 57 0 13   Ditto, 3 0 8 4 James Morison, 50 0 8   H. Montgomery, 1 8 3 8 Samuel Allison, 4 6 8   Robert Moore, 12 1 2 11 Robert Allen, 7 1 8   Ditto, 97 0 8   Ditto, 98 0 8  
DAVID WHEELER, Proprietors Collector. Marlborough, April 22, 1785,
Jonathan Moulton,  OF HAMPTON,
H AVING for more than 20 years past, been principally engaged in settling several new towns in this State; which are now become so far peopled and cultivated, that he proposes to devote a principal part of his time for the future, in carrying on a trade at Dover; and intends to close all his old affairs as quick as possible, particularly with those persons who live in the upper part of the county of Strafford, and in the county of Grafton.
He is sensible of the scarcity of cash, and the difficulty of persons in the country, in particular, making that pay, and also that this is not the season of the year to expect much produce or stock; but his present design here is earnestly to request all those that have accounts open with him, or that he has concerns with, either by notes of long standing, or otherwise, to be prepared to settle them as soon as possible.
He proposes, in order to make it more easy to those who are indebted to him, in those counties, to receive from them next fall, or winter, all kind of merchantable produce and cattle, in payment, at the current price; and he trusts it will be acceptable to them to be seasonably reminded of it; and as he thus indulges them, he hopes they will use their best endeavours to be prepared accordingly.
Those persons who can contrive to make payment by the first day of July next, shall, for their encouragement, have a generous allowance made them.
Said Moulton being fully convinced that it will be to the interest of the people in the new country in general to raise and save what flax-seed they can, would
earnestly recommend it to them. And he hereby offers
GOOD ENCOURAGEMENT FOR  2000 bushels of good FLAX-SEED,
He will pay in CASH, or any kind of GOODS, at his store in Dover.—As he wishes to complete the collection by the first day of September next; any suitable person that will contract for the whole, or a part, may be supplied with goods on credit, to facilitate their collecting the same.—He would also be glad to engage
A QUANTITY OF MERCHANTABLE  POT-ASH, and a few Tons GINSENG.
One half to be delivered by the first day of September next, and the other half by the tenth day of November following; for which a good price will be given in cash, or goods as aforesaid. Part of the pay will be advanced upon a proper person's engaging, and the remainder will be paid on delivery. Also,
Good new Lands for Sale.
NOTWITHSTANDING said MOULTON's design of applying principally to trade at Dover, as forementioned; yet his interest in the country must still demand a considerable share of his attention. It was to subserve that which originally induced him to fix on this trade, and soon expects to receive reciprocal advantages from it.—But owning more lands than he shall be able to take proper care of, without inconvenience to his business at Dover, he proposes to sell several large tracts of good Land, in each of the following towns, viz. Orford, Piermont, and Bath, joining on the East side of Connieticut river; and in Moultonborough, New-Hampton, and Tamworth, lying on or near Winnepiseochee Lake; also in Eaton, which joins on the Easterly side of said Tamworth;—in Burton, joining the North part of Tamworth, and South on Conway;—and in Chatham, adjoining the North side of said Conway.
Any that apply, may expect to receive very encouraging proposals, (even better than any he has ever heretofore offered) and accompanied with such favourable circumstances, as he thinks must induce them to accept his terms, in preference to any (he apprehends) they will meet with elsewhere. He would now mention that he gives long or short credit, as most agreeable, and takes produce, stock, and all merchantable articles of trade.—Likewise publick securities of all kinds at their current value.
Any gentleman, or company of gentlemen, who may become purchasers, and shall be disposed to clear and cultivate one or more plantations, in either of the aforesaid townships, can be well accommodated, and shall be afforded every necessary assistance. If any enterprising gentleman or company, desirous of making plantations, and will take the lead, in furthering the settlements of some of said townships, by applying will find them under circumstances peculiarly adapted to their purpose, and may be assured of meeting with singular encouragement.
SETTLERS may still be furnished with lots or parcels of land on credit, as usual, (and if desired) even so long, as to give them an opportunity to raise produce from off the land to pay for the same.
Likewise, to be sold or exchanged,
Sundry good FARMS, in several  of the aforesaid townships.
WHEREAS said MOULTON will require good resources for cash to execute his plan of trade to good effect, therefore he intends to sell a number of his farms in the country, on a very advantageous lay for that purpose. They will be such as are well situated in Moultonborough, Tamworth, &c. consisting of excellent land, and of different sizes and degrees of cultivation.
Take Notice! Here he particularly presents a fine opportunity to persons possessing old farms in the lower towns, that have a number of likely smart sons, and who wish to exchange their farms below, for large ones in the country, of more fertile soil, with many other additional advantages, especially to improve the present fair opportunity of acquiring a sufficiency of good improved lands adjoining, at a reasonable rate; so as to enable them to settle their families compactly around them. A similar offer he also makes to others, who consider their places too small, indifferent as to quality, want of fire wood, or for any other reasons, are desirous of exchanging their old lands for new. He acquaints them of his readiness to accommodate them, and is assured that he can, and is as willing to do it, as good at least, if not on a better lay than any person in this State. He would in fine observe, to those who may incline to dispose of their old places for new, that he will make it convenient for them to make sale of their old places, or if most agreeable, will exchange with them, if can agree on terms. For further particulars, concerning any of the above premises he invites such as incline to be concerned, to make personal application; and shall be glad to wait on them on the subject either at his seat in Hampton, at his store in Dover, or at Center Harbour and Orford, at such times as his business may require his retreating to the respective places.
JONATHAN MOULTON.
HAMPTON, April 7, 1785.
WHEREAS applications are frequently made to the SELECTMEN individually, and sometimes on matters of importance—which mode, does not appear to them either regular or proper; therefore they give this public notice that they will meet at UNION-HALL every Thursday evening, at 7 o'clock—any person or persons having business with them may govern themselves accordingly.

POET'S CORNER.
PATRIOTISM: Or the Liberty of the PRESS.
ALL public officers are public game, Heirs to our praise as objects of our blame: Pseudo patriots may persist in feign, But constituents must compare and judge, Turn them from office and the same impeach. Or those that want just principles to teach. That man who sees the public offic'd knave Betray the people and their faith deceive, Without displaying to the public eye, Their dark deceptions and manœuvres fly, Is not the friend that true republics need, But is a villain to the state indeed. First from the people power is all receiv'd, Therefore the people should not be deceiv'd; The man who wrongs them to his country's foe; To God the first, our country next we owe, And third our families, are nature's dues, Debts which no human being should refuse: God claims the soul, our country life and art, And social families our faithful heart; Those are the debts which life incurs on man, And to desert them changes nature's plan. Believe me friend, 'tis nonsense to debate, Or whether voice or virtue guides the state, Without you lend a friendly hand in need, To crush corruption and each noxious weed: Let each contribute ev'ry proper due, And have the general public good in view, Then wheels of government will move along With due gradations and coercion strong; Not clogg'd, embarrass'd, nor their progress stay'd. Nor public justice half an hour delay'd; No plaintiff's cringe to speak with folks of state, Nor worthier men on meaner tyrants wait.
To be sold at public vendue, at the house of Jonathan Smith, Inholder in Amherst, in the county of Hillsborough, on Wednesday the 4th day of May next, so much of the following lots of land in said town, as will be sufficient to pay the tax assessed on them by the selectmen of said Amherst, in the years 1781, and 1782.
   For the year 1781.   Old Emission. N. Emiss'n. Silver Acres. l. s. d. l. s. d.     Heirs Col. Brown 166 38 6 5 6 1   Heirs Wm. Gorden 200 20 9 2 13 6   Heirs Col. Blanchard 5 2 3 3 4 1   Heirs Anne Cole 76 18 15 3 12 6   Heirs J. Wheeler 150 22 12 3 15 5  
   GEORGE BUMS, Constable.   Acres. D. s. d.     Heirs of Peter Cochran 11 1 4 9   Jeremiah Dodge 60 1 11   Heirs of Joseph Majiry 40 1 9 4   Heirs of Samuel Preston 45 No 10 6 4 9   Nathan Barker 23 1 3 7   Read or Jayueth 35 1 5 3   Joshua Budget 30 1 3 7  
   JONATHAN SMITH, Constable.   Acres. l. s. d.     Heirs of Anne Cole 76 18 8   Heirs of Joseph Wheeler 150 4 3   Heirs of William Brown 166 1 17 2   David Burnham 234 2 13 2  
OLIVER CARLTON, Constable. Amherst, March 26, 1785.
Stratford, fs. WHEREAS the Proprietors and Owners of Barnstead, at a legal Meeting, holden at said Barnstead, on the 24th, Day of February 1784, by adjournment; Voted to raise the Sum of Two Pence pr. Acre, on all the Lands in said Township, for the payment of Lands claimed and taken by the Proprietors of Chichester, which Sum having been duly Assessed, and a Warrant committed to me as Collector thereof, to levy and collect the same by the 10th Day of March last. Wherefore said Proprietors are hereby Notified to pay said Tax, to me the Subscriber, at my Dwelling-House in said Barnstead, on or before the 16th Day of May next, otherwise so much of their Lands will be Advertised and Sold, as may be sufficient to pay the same Tax, with incidental Charges.
JONATHAN CHESLEY, Collector. Barnstead, April 6, 1785.
Thomas Manning,
HAS for sale, Rum by the Hog-head, Barrel or Gallon—Cheese—Porter, by the Dozen or Cask—Cordage—large and small Hausers—Lines of all kinds—Twine—Stationary—Lignumvitæ—Newcastle Sea-Coal—Limes—and a number of other Articles, which he will sell at a low Advance, or trade for Lumber.
Portsmouth, April 14, 1785.
State of New-Hampshire. NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident Owners of Land in Andover, who have not paid their Taxes for the Year 1783, that so much of their Lands will be sold at Public Vendue, on Thursday the 12th Day of May next, at one o'Clock in the afternoon, at my own House in said Town, as will pay the Taxes and Charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   War tax. State.   No. R. Q'ty. s. d. s. d.     Israel Blake, - 4 2 25 1 4 0   Ebenezer Loverin, - 7 1 80 4 6 1   Joseph French, - 10 2 100 4 4 2   Ditto. - 10 4 50 3 4 1   Archelus Lakeman, - 12 2 40 1 8 0   Ditto. - 12 3 80 4 4 2   Ditto. - 12 4 60 3 4 1   Samuel French, - 21 1 50 1 4 0   Robert Miller, - 25 3 100 3 6 1   Ditto. - 25 4 60 1 2 0   Benjamin French, - 26 4 100 2 2 1   Ditto. - 26 2 80 2 2 1   Ditto. - 26 4 60 2 0 1   Benjamin Sweat, - 28 4 50 2 0 1   Benjamin Leavitt, - 29 3 80 4 0 2   Amos Dunnell, - 31 4 30 0 10 0   David Norton, - 32 2 80 2 2 1   Jonathan Leavitt, - 34 2 80 2 2 1   Hezekiah Kerr, - 42 4 80 3 6 1   Samuel Bathrick, - 51 3 100 6 2 3   Daniel Pierce, - 53 1 50 5 0 1   Ditto. - 53 3 100 5 4 3   Benjamin Tilton, - 57 3 80 2 8 1   John Marston, - 61 3 80 2 8 1   Jesse Prescott, - 65 1 100 6 8 3   Anthony Emery, - 69 3 100 2 8 1   Ditto. - 69 4 40 2 2 1   Nathan Longfellow, - 73 1 50 2 4 1   Ditto. - 73 3 100 2 8 1   Tobias Lakeman, - 75 1 100 2 8 1   Ditto. - 75 3 90 2 8 1   David Page, - 80 2 100 4 0 2   Ditto. - 80 1 100 2 8 1   Ditto. - 80 4 80 2 8 1  
JABEZ MORRILL, Collector. Andover, March 28, 1785.
[Nottingham.] NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident Owners of Land in the Town of Nottingham, who have not paid their Taxes for the Year 1783, that so much of their Lands as will pay said Taxes, with incidental Charges, will be sold at Public Vendue, at the House of BENJAMIN BUTLER, Esq. Inholder in said Town, on Monday the second Day of May next, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon.
   JOSEPH HODGDON, } Constables. SAMUEL DANIELS, }   Persons Names No. ac. S. tax. C. tax. T. tax.   unim. f s d q f s d q f s d q     Hodgdon's list.   Josiah Burleigh 40 0 19 2 2 0 10 3 6 10 3   Sam'l Brown, jr 50 0 13 10 3 0 7 3 4 4 2   John Carr, - 38 1 0 8 0 0 9 3 7 5 2   Phineas Fogg, - 88 0 2 4 3 0 7 0 3 9 0   Benja. Smith, - 50 1 8 0 0 1 3 3 10 3 3   Benja. Norris, - 10 0 3 7 1 0 2 0 1 3 0   Original Proprietors } Names, 1st Range.   Cutt & Moulton, - 210 0 8 4 3 0 4 3   John Favout, - 50 0 2 4 3 0 1 2   Col. Rich. Kent 100 0 4 9 3 0 2 3   Sam'l Penhallow, - 100 0 4 9 3 0 2 3   Woodbridge's Gore, (so called.)   Geo. Jeffery or Will. Langdon, - 110 0 6 9 2 0 4 1   B. Woodbridge, - 250 0 6 0 0 0 3 1   Gore, back of Fifth-Street.   John Goodmann, - 30 0 1 7 2 0 1 0   Constable Daniels' List.   Col. Step. Evens, - 176 1 8 0 0 1 3 3   Original Proprietors. Winter-Street.   William Peirce, - 100 0 4 9 2 0 2 2   John Allen, - 50 0 2 4 2 0 1 1   Cross-Street. Lower Range.   Job Giddings, - 176 0 2 4 3 0 1 1   Lt. Gov. Wentworth's heirs, } - 400 0 12 9 2 0 7 1  
NOTTINGHAM, March 21, 1785.
JOHN WHITE, Dancing-Master, WOULD inform the respectable ladies and gentlemen, whom he proposed to teach Minuet Dancing, &c. by means of the roads being yet impassable, has thought best to prolong the time of opening his school, to the third day of May, when he will open it at the Assembly-Room in this town.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Inhabitants of the Town of PORTSMOUTH, to make out true and exact Inventories of all rateable Polls and Estates, agreeably to Law, and make return of the same to the SELECTMEN of said Town, by the first Day of May next; as none will be received after that Date, April 12.
Wanted to CHARTER, A VESSEL, of about 40 Tons.—Enquire of the Printers.
(Rindge.) State of New-Hampshire.
To be sold at Public Vendue, at the house of Mr. Samuel Whiting, Inholder in Rindge, on Tuesday the Tenth Day of May next, at Ten o'Clock in the forenoon, so much of the following lots of Land laying in Rindge, as will pay the following Taxes and intervening Charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   No. R. l. s. d.     Jonathan Parker, jr. - 1 10 0 2   Ensign John Pollard, - 3 1 0 5   Jonas Hadley, half. - 1 3 0 5   Ditto. - 2 3 0 5   Ebenezer Blanchard, - 7 5 0 6   Levi Farr, - 3 2 0 6   Major James Richardson, - 9 1 0 6   Cotton Whiting, half, - 4 4 0 4   Ditto. - 5 4 0 4
The above Taxes are for the State, War and County for 1783. JEREMIAH CHAPMAN, Collector. Rindge, October 18, 1784.
LANDS On, and near LAKE OTSEGO, in Tryon County, State of New-York.
THE Subscriber, owner of 27,000 acres of excellent LAND, which lay on the above Lake, and on Oaks and Fly-Creeks, as well as more westerly in the same patent; hereby gives notice to farmers and others, residing in the States of New-York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, that he, or his agent will attend at the South end of the Lake from the 10th to the 30th of May, for the express purpose of selling the whole tract together, or to subdivide it into lots from 300 to 400 acres, as may best accommodate purchasers. The price for it, in the aggregate, or lesser proportions, will be then made public: In the mean time, he makes known, that the payments he shall require, will be one third down in Spanish milled dollars, and the remainder (also in Spanish dollars) in three equal annual payments, with interest: but if more eligible to farmers, one half to be prompt payment, and the residue, on interest, in five equal annual sums:—and on the whole being paid, a full, clear and absolute title shall be given.—
To describe the fertility of soil, its proximity to the Schoharie river, to Springfield, Cherry Valley, the German Flatts, and to Schoharie; or the advantages derivable from its situation on, and near the Susquehannah, would be equally tedious and unnecessary, because they are generally known to the inhabitants of the Eastern States.—It is however incumbent on me to caution all men from confiding in any person or persons in Tryon County, who either ignorantly, or illicitly, have assumed to be vested with a power of attorney from me to sell these, or any other lands of mine in the State of New-York, at a less price than I affixed in my letters: For in strict truth, no such power hath ever been granted; nor will any pretended sale (inasmuch as I have never been made acquainted therewith, if any hath been made) be sanctioned or confirmed by
J. WHARTON. PHILADELPHIA. March 1, 1785.
William Brewster, Proposes to open a Livery Stable, Where any Gentlemen may have their HORSES Kept in the best Manner, and constant Attendance given, and good Care taken of them; having good Ostlers, who understand the Business; and will be afforded at a reasonable Rate. Any Gentlemen, inclining to put their Horses out, may apply to said BREWSTER'S Tavern.— Portsmouth, April 7, 1785.
TO BE SOLD At PUBLIC VENDUE,
BY Virtue of a Licence from the Hon. Judge of Probate, at the House of Capt. WILLIAM BREWSTER, Inholder in Portsmouth, on Wednesday the 25th Day of May next, at 3 o'Clock, P. M. by Capt. JONATHAN TILTON, and DANIEL TILTON, Administrators to the Estate of Capt. JACOB TILTON, late of Portsmouth, deceas'd, one half of a HOUSE in Portsmouth and the LAND adjoining, now occupied by Capt. GEORGE KING, of said Town.
Exeter, April 25, 1785.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for this Paper, at Four shillings & six pence per six Months (exclusive of postage are taken in at the Printing-Office in Portsmouth and Exeter, where Essays, Letters of Intelligence, Advertisements, &c. are received, and all kinds of Printing performed expeditiously, and at a reasonable rate.