Fowle's New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser ([Portsmouth, N.H.]), 1785-12-02 00:00:00

Josiah Bartlett, Esq.
F O W L E's NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE, AND GENERAL A D V E R T I S E R.
F R I D A Y,
D E C E M B E R 2, 1785.
P O R T S M O U T H: By MELCHER AND OSBORNE,
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN PAVED STREET.
VOL. XXIX.] "OPEN TO ALL PARTIES—INFLUENCED BY NONE:—WE AIM ONLY TO BE JUST." No. 1519
Agriculture.
From Mr. Varlo's new System of Husbandry.
On six-rowed Barley.
THIS is a species of barley that is very scarce in England, neither do I know whence it originally came.
I by great expense and trouble, procured four ears, which produced two hundred and eighty grains, which I sowed on a piece of lay ground, that was trenched without manure: The fifteenth of April last, I dibbled it in, twelve inches between the holes, and three grains in every hole.
When I got the said four ears, they were very green, and by keeping them long in my pocket, the grain shrivelled up to be very small; so that I was afraid they would not grow; being very dry, I steeped them in my pickle, twenty-four hours, then as directed in this work, I candied, or coated them over very well with the compound manure; and I believe every grain grew. Field mice would scratch to the grain, but leave it there.
Thus far it escaped from waste, grew up and flourished greatly, each grain stooped or branched out from twenty to fifty ears, but just as it was shooting into ear, I had a mare tethered in the same, which broke loose, and crooped every root, which vexed me more than if the mare had died, which cost me thirty pounds; because I did not know where to get as much more, were I to give an hundred pound for it; however, contrary to my expectation, a great deal of it shot out, and grew a second time, but the forward-est ears which were shot, grew no more; therefore I computed, that about one half of my crop was lost by this mischance.
When it got into ear, what with people going to see it, and plucking it and birds and mice feeding upon it, I had lost a great deal more. This obliged me to shear it before half ripe, or I found I should have little left; notwithstanding all this I really believe I have two thousand fold for every grain I sowed. I have as much as will sow an acre, by the same method that I took last year.
In short, it is of the greatest produce of any grain I ever saw; I promise myself a great deal of satisfaction from it.
The ear consists of six regular rows; the grain is close set, each row contains from ten to sixteen grains, but mostly fourteen.
The grain is as bald, short, plump, and thin skinned, as the two rowed sprat barley.
[To be continued.]
MISCELLANEOUS SCRAPS.
AMONG the many advantages that attend perfect good breeding, there is one that hath never been enumerated, though far from being the least; and that is the relief which the mind, when under any impression, receives upon the sudden intrusion of company, by finding itself compelled to bestow on another that attention which would otherwise be rivetted to its own situation.
There is a certain learned rust, which men as well as metals acquire; it is, simply speaking, a blemish in both; the social feelings grow callous from disuse, and lose that pliancy of little affections, which sweetens the cup of life as we drink it.
It often happens that we are blinded even with too much light, which instead of guiding us through the thorny mazes of indiscretion, very often casts us upon the brink, or down the precipices of misery and ruin.
To preserve friendship, care, confidence, and complaisance, are necessary; without the aid of these it expires.
Great minds bear affliction silently, but they bear it hardly; they know how few, how very few, are susceptible of any real compassion: they know too where it is bestowed with the greatest sincerity, how unprofitable a bounty it is.
If a temptation hath drawn us aside to lay down a sin, it is happy for us if we can arise, ere we be
State of New-Hampshire.
In the House of Representatives, November 9th, 1785.
VOTED that the Treasurer be directed to proceed in the most expeditious manner for collecting outstanding Taxes, by calling on delinquent Constables and Collectors, or issuing extents as occasion may require.
Sent up for concurrence,
CHRISTOPHER TOPPAN, Speaker, P.T.
In Senate, the same day, read and concurred,
J. PEARSON, D. Sec'y.
TREASURY-OFFICE, NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
EXETER, November 15th, 1785.
IN pursuance of the foregoing direction the several delinquent Collectors, and the Selectmen of such towns and places as have not made return of Collectors authorised and directed to collect the taxes required from their respective towns, are hereby required to make immediate payment of the sums due from them respectively.
The Treasurer expects particular attention will be paid to this request by all who are deficient, as this public notice is given to save them the expence of extents.
J. T. GILMAN, Treasurer.
A DIALOGUE between a Countryman and a Townsman, concerning the Times.
Townsman. YOU country people ask an extravagant price for every thing you bring us, and don't consider how hard the times are.
Countryman. What ails the times?
T. Money is scarce.
C. And who made it scarce?
T. We have all had a hand in bringing on the evil.
C. Then all must assist in removing it.
T. Which way do you country politicians think the times can be mended?
C. By making our own cloths, and living on the produce of our land. All the fine things the country folks buy, should be manufactured in our Towns, and then they and we should all have employment, and mutually support each other. But while we buy gauze, and they do nothing but fill it, the money goes away, and town and country grow poor.
T. You are right enough, but how can a reformation be produced?
C. Necessity is the greatest reformer, and this will stop the importation of gewgaws, and set the spinning-wheels going soon.
T. But it would be much better to act from reason than from necessity.
C. True, but mankind are not rational enough to act from reason—this is a malancholy fact; and no where more evident than it now is in America. Nothing could be more evident to common sense, and the true interest of America, than the policy we ought to have adopted immediately upon the close of the war, viz. To have given Congress full powers to regulate trade—to have laid heavy duties on all foreign superfluities—to have duties every thing that is British, heavy indeed. By these means our foreign debt by this time might have been nearly paid; our commerce flourishing; and our finances on a respectable footing—These blessings we have lost, because we did not follow the dictates of reason.
T. I know the folly of the times has been infamous; but how we shall get right, is the question?
C. A people may, and must, correct their errors as an individual does; when a farmer, or trader, finds his income less than his expences, he will (if he be wise) immediately lessen his expences until they are within his income.—This plain, rational conduct will relieve nations, and individuals.—There is no mystery
in it, common sense shows this plain path for every one to walk in safely.
T. After all your Dutch maxims, and wanton politics, it will be amazingly difficult for America to pay her debts, and establish public credit.
C. Not at all; common sense points to the way; and the means are in our power. Nothing is wanting but a spirit of resolution to persevere in the right way. One ninety-ninth part of the wisdom and spirit which were displayed in accomplishing the revolution, would establish commerce, pay our debts, restore public credit, and perfect our government.
T. How are we to pay the interest of the state and national debt, which are so very great, and at the same time lessen the principal?
C. In the same way we have begun—By the sale of lands, by impost and Excise, and by taxes.
T. But as Congress now calls for so large a sum to pay the interest on the continental debt, our burthens greatly increase; and as the trade is lessened by the embarrassments created by the designs of the British, it seems impossible that we should pay the whole interest, and also continue to lessen the principal.
C. Many things appear at first view to be impossible, which are very practicable. A small retrenchment in the use of foreign articles, which are no way necessary, will save more money than would pay the interest on our foreign debt. Therefore nothing is wanting to remove this difficulty, but a little wisdom. As to the interest on the domestic debt, it may all be paid by certificates, which are properly called facilities, because hereby the people pay a pound, with a few shillings, and in fact increasing the sum of interest, (which will be larger this year than ever, by reason of neglect for several years past) does not much increase the real taxes; for silver is the standard, and if the paper (let it be called money or certificates) be increased, it will decrease in price. Whereby nearly the same property will pay a tax of ten pounds, as of five; therefore we have an advantage connected with our debt, which will always keep it within the bounds of our ability; and consequently, if our money matters were wisely conducted, we should have nothing to fear. There is no nation in Europe can pay the interest of their public debts, with so much ease as we can. We have only to pursue a sober line of honest industry, and conduct our public affairs agreeable to the plain dictates of common sense.
T. You have, I confess, in some degree, dissipated the clouds that hung over my mind, but I wish to know the reason why Congress still neglect to allow the just demands of this State for the expence of the Penobscot expedition? And why so little regard is paid to the redemption of the Continental money?
C. The short, and true answer, is, a criminal neglect of duty, in our Legislature, and Congress, for several years past.
T. Will not this spirit of slumber and procrastination continue, to the ruin of our national faith and the public interest?
C. I hope not; as, upon this point, is suspended the being of federal government, and the promptitude and energy of all future measures of Congress. I should conceive they would not neglect for a moment longer, this high point of wisdom. Some excuses may be formed for past neglect during the war; but an attention to their act for the redemption of the Continental money, ought to have preceded any calls upon the States for money, or the settlement of their accounts with the Union.
T. As these important things have been so long neglected, I fear they will not be attended to in future.
C. If they should not be attended to, the worst consequences must follow, and eventually, our free states will be swallowed in one enormous empire. Free states cannot exist by policy founded on falsehood and injustice; but I hope better things and that Congress will immediately fix their eyes to this fundamental point, and set an example of consistency, system, equality, and decision, to all the states. Then may the rising glory of America equal the sanguine wishes of the friends to virtue and freedom through the world.
ALL persons indebted to the estate of John Griffin, late of Portsmouth, in the county of Rockingham, mariner, deceased, are hereby desired to make immediate payment to the subscriber, administratrix of said estate; and all persons having demands are desired to exhibit them for settlement.
ANNA GRIFFIN.
Portsmouth, Nov. 22, 1785.

L O N D O N, September 20.
Ireland certainly does contribute to the support of this country—What is the pension list? thousands to the Royal Family, thousands to a German Prince, thousands to Lords and Commoners of Great-Britain, thousands to an English Viceroy, thousands to the Bishops, who are all Englishmen, thousands to every Secretary who is sent over, and thousands to support an army to defend the British Islands. Are not these to be reckoned as a payment from the Irish, in order to have the assistance of the British navy? why is the claim of sovereignty and the title of King taken? have they no more affinity to Ireland than to France? does France pay pensions to British Nobility, and grant an hereditary revenue to the King? No, France is a feather, Ireland is a jewel, in the English crown, and Great-Britain has a right to protect the trade of that country, or to give up all title to the immense sums annually paid for that protection.
Sept. 21. A gentleman just arrived from Gibraltar, in the Bacchus, Capt. Prouting, reports, they met with six stout frigates, and one line of battle ship of the Portuguese nation, between Cape St. Vincent, and Cape Spartel, being part of a squadron of twelve sail, cruising for the protection of their trade from the Algerines. These pirates are now said to be gone farther to the Westward, to pick up vessels from the Brazils and the Americans.
It appears by the last mails, that a war has broke out in Dalmatia; the report is, that the Pacha of Scutari, in Albany, had received orders to march at the head of 30,000 men, against the Montenegrins, who effect to call themselves independent, and have committed such outrages as have not only affected their own country, but also the neighbouring provinces.
They have plagues in Smyrna, plagues in Aleppo, plagues in Grand Cairo, and so on; but what are all the plagues in the universe to the plagues of patriotism in this country, which swept away one hundred thousand men during the last war, and is certainly undermining the constitution of the country.
Extract of a letter from Brussels, Sept. 13.
"We are in agitation here, all is war and rumours of war. On Friday morning last marched to the frontiers of Holland, upwards of 3000 men of the Bender regiment, by order of the Emperor, and double that quantity, consisting of dragoons, &c. are preparing to follow them; there is to be an immediate encampment near Antwerp, which is to consist in all 20,000 men; and late last night, a courier arrived at the Court of Brussels, to the Arch Duke's, but the secret of his dispatches have not yet transpired. The general speculation is, that the requisition made by the Emperor, is acceded to on the part of the Dutch, but others are of a different opinion, and conclude that this military pageantry will produce very serious consequences; mean time, the amusements and levities of this gay town go on as usual, and the grim-visaged war has by no means "smoothed his wrinkled front;" the Brabantians, or rather the anglecised Flemings, "dance to the lascivious pleadings of a lute."
O C T O B E R 4.
The Hague Gazette, which was received yesterday, and dated September 30, contains the following: Preliminary articles settled for a treaty between the Emperor and the States General.
Article I. Their High Mightinesses give 9,500,000 florins as a compensation for his Imperial Majesty's pretensions to Maestricht, and the county of Vroenhoven, and half a million of florins for the damages done by flooding the Imperial territories. The payments to be of 1,250,000 florins every six months.
II. Dalem, and the appurtenances thereto belonging. Oot and Gader excepted, shall be ceded to their High Mightinesses, and exchanged for some convenient spot on the other side of the Meuse.
III. The limits of Flanders will remain in the same state as fixed 1664. The IVth article contains a stipulation for the construction of sluices.
V. The Emperor's sovereignty shall be acknowledged along the Scheldt, as far as the country of Sasningen; in consequence whereof their High Mightinesses give up all right of putting any hindrance to the free navigation of the Imperial subjects in that part of the river; notwithstanding which renunciation, no alteration for any thing else is to take place in the Munster treaty.
VI. The fort of Frederick Henry, Kruis-Schans, Lillo, and Kiefkenoeck, shall be evacuated within six weeks, and put into the hands of his Imperial Majesty, in the state they now are, ordnance and stores excepted. By the VII, VIIIth and IXth, the Emperor agrees to give up his claim to the villages called Redemption, as far as Bladest and Reussel are part thereof, but that of Postel is to be ceded by their High Mightinesses.
X. Final renunciation of both contracting powers to any pecuniary demands on each other. Commissioners appointed to examine private claims for damages, &c.
XI. Commissioners are also appointed to settle the limits of Brabant.
Lastly, it is provided that the convention of Munster, in the year 1648, shall be the basis of the treaty now to be entered into.
The above articles were signed at Paris the 20th of September, with the joint approbation of the Emperor and the States General.
Extract of a letter from Dublin, September 23.
"Captain Caazier, in one of his Majesty's revenue cutters, having been lately ordered round to the western coasts of Ireland, to put a stop to the smuggling tobacco, and India goods, which is now practised by the Americans, to a degree considerably injurious to the revenue of this country, a few days since fell in with an American brig, well manned and armed, which he attacked for near an hour, but had the misfortune to lose the cutter by an unlucky shot which took place between wind and water, which sunk her in a few minutes. The crew happily were saved in the boat, after having suf-
fered some hardships on one of the Sheling islands. The American vessel, after sinking the revenue cutter, landed 306 hogsheads of tobacco, of 100lb. each, which cost the merchant in Virginia under 4d. per lb. in all 2500. By smuggling this tobacco on those the concerned saved, at 1s. per lb. duty, near 9000l. which, together with the after sale of it, which is generally disposed of at 5d. per lb. will make a clear profit of a great many thousand pounds to the ship."
A gentleman just arrived from Bourdeaux, relates, that on the 14th of August, in his passage from Martinico to that place, the body of a man was seen floating about fifty yards from the vessel. The Captain immediately ordered out the boat and four hands, who soon brought the seeming dead carcass on board; but what was their surprise, on finding the unhappy person breathe, and manifest every symptom of returning sense and life! The surgeon bled him, and chased his temples with volatile spirits, and in less than half an hour he opened his eyes, and exclaimed in the English tongue, "O Lord! where am I?" On taking off his clothes, in order to put him to bed, a cork jacket, with a sort of trousers of the same, were discovered, the miserable man told them, that he sailed from the port of Salem, in New-England, in a brig bound for Madeira, and that about three days before, they were attacked by a Salletine rover, who boarded and took them; that, pretending to be lame, he was neglected by the Moors, and about eleven at night, took an opportunity of slipping on his cork apparatus, and let himself down as easy as possible from the fore chains, totally unobserved; that he floated to some distance, and then pushed himself on with his hands, willing to perish in the water, rather than be carried into slavery. In this condition, sometimes on his back, and sometimes on his belly, he drove about the ocean, and at last sunk into a kind of trance, in which state he was, when discovered by the French ship. On their arrival at Bourdeaux, the Chamber of Commerce presented the brave American with a purse of three hundred crowns, and he is now waiting an opportunity of returning in the packet which sails from Port L'Orient to New-York every month.
G L A S G O W, September 1.
A very respectable correspondent assures us the following is a fact: there is now a washer-woman living at Hull, whose name is Betty Jackson, a native of Scotland. She is a twin, and was brought into the world by the Cæsarion operation, after the death of her mother! her father also being dead. She was married at the age of twelve, and had a child before she was thirteen. Has had twenty-eight children by her husband, nineteen of whom are or have been in his Majesty's service. She is now about sixty years of age, very healthy and active, and frequently washes from two o'clock in the morning till ten at night. Quere: is not this woman as much entitled to a pension from his Majesty, as one of his veterans?
S O U T H - C A R O L I N A.
CHARLESTON, October 8. On Thursday last the Hon. Mr. E. Rutledge made his promised motion in the House of Representatives, to bring in a bill for prohibiting the importation of negroes into this state for the term of three years. After a lengthy debate, it was negatived by 63 to 48.
Oct. 17. Wednesday last the General Assembly adjourned until the 10th of January next.—During this session an act was passed to establish a medium of circulation by way of loan, and to secure its credit and utility.—The sum to be issued is 100,000l. to be loaned in the following proportion, to Charleston district, 25,000l. and to the other six districts 12,500l. each upon real estate security of three times the value of the sum loaned, or on silver or gold plate of double the value.—The principal to be paid at the end of five years from the first of March, 1786 (the time when the loan is to commence) and the interest on the first Wednesday in March annually, at seven per centum per annum; if the interest is not paid annually at the day, the mortgaged estate is to be sold at vendue to the highest bidder.—This money is to be received in payment of all debts, and for duties and taxes after the first of March, 1786.—A committee is to be appointed to inspect the Loan-Office yearly, and it is made death to counterfeit the bills.
An act was also passed agreeable to his Excellency's recommendation at the beginning of the session for the relief of debtors; by this act the debtor is permitted to set off property for the payment of his debts, which property so set off is to be appraised by three persons, under oath, chosen by the parties, who are to estimate the property as if sold at six months credit, and the debtor shall have liberty to tender his said property at three fourths the valuation thereof in payment of his debt; but if after such tender is refused by the creditor, he shall bring his action, he shall then be obliged to receive the said property at its full valuation.
P H I L A D E L P H I A, Nov. 2.
Saturday last the council and general assembly of this state met in the assembly room, for the purpose of choosing a president and vice-president for the ensuing year, when his Excellency B E N J A M I N F R A N K L I N, Esq. was chosen president, and the honorable C H A R L E S B I D D L E, Esq. vice-president of this Commonwealth.
N E W - Y O R K, November 21.
Extract of letter from a gentleman in P'Orient, to his friend in Philadelphia, dated September 16th.
"The Algerines have absolutely declared war against the United States, and captured five vessels, which, with their cargoes and crews, are advertised for sale.—The news is come from Paris to day, from a person of the most undoubted veracity, and who, from his station, must be perfectly well informed."
Extract of a letter from Oporto, August 10.
"Since our last arrived at this place, the Esprit, a Portuguese frigate, from a cruise; she is in a very shattered condition, having had an engagement with an
Algerine corsair, of sixteen guns, which lasted near two hours, in which the corsair had forty men killed, and eighteen wounded, all her rigging shot away, and so much disabled that she struck to the Portuguese. The next day they fell in with another corsair which retook her, and began firing on the Esprit, but luckily she made her escape; she had thirty men killed and ten wounded."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in London, to his correspondent in Virginia.
"I have conversed with Mr. Adams. He tells me he has full power for entering into a commercial treaty with this country. The ministers receive his propositions coolly. Mr. Adams is of opinion, that nothing will so speedily bring about a treaty, as your generally adopting the measures of the Bostonians and Philadelphians."
B O S T O N, November 18.
The following is a copy of a letter from three American Captains, prisoners at Algiers, forwarded to Cadiz by the British Consul, and brought hither by Capt. Byrne, who arrived at Salem, a few days ago, from that place. Algiers, August 27, 1785.
SIR,
WE, the subjects of the United States of America, having the misfortune to be taken by the Algerines, and brought into this port, and made slaves of, being stripped of every one of our clothes, and left in a state of slavery and misery, the severities of which are beyond your imagination, the British Consul Charles Logie, Esq. has taken us three masters of vessels to his own house:—one was a passenger in the ship Dolphin. Hope you will take our grievances into consideration, and make some extra provision for us, for the King of Cruelty's allowance no man can exist on. Inform Congress and the United States of our situation. All nations, whose subjects fall into the hands of these people, make them extra allowance.—Hope you will write to the British Consul on the subject, and are sure he would be glad to give you every information relating to us, and how matters may be accommodated with America. If we don't make some terms, our trade is ruined. They are fitting out cruises with all possible expedition: two will cruise off the Western Isles, and the rest off Portugal.
Americans beware! Let nothing tempt you to come in the way of these people, for they are worse than you can imagine. A master of a vessel and a fellow that does worse than murder, are all alike here. The ship Dolphin Richard O'Brien, master, belonging to Philadelphia, was taken, the 30th of July, 80 leagues S. W. of St. Ubes, belonging to Messrs. Matthew and Thomas Irving, merchants at Philadelphia. The schooner Maria, Isaac Stevens, master belonging to Messrs. Wm. Foster and Company, from Bolton, was taken the 21st of July, consigned to you, at Cadiz. The ship had 25 Moors and Turks on board, and is not arrived. We are 21 in number. Captain Steven's crew are all at the King's house; the crew of the Dolphin are at the Marine, where they experience all the miseries of slavery. We hope you will write to Charles Logie, Esq. and us unfortunate sufferers. The Spaniards have made peace with these people; in consequence of which, they will be all over the Atlantick Ocean, and every trade must suffer. They seem to talk of ransoming us as high as from 400l. to 600l. sterling; however, you perhaps know our price, and the customs of these heathens, in that particular, better than we do.—I take the liberty to mention, that it will be requisite, as a warning to all America, to advertise our sufferings.
We remain your most obedient, humble servants.
RICHARD O'BRIEN, ISAAC STEVENS, ZECHARIAH COFFIN.
Richard Harrison, Esq.
P O R T S M O U T H, Dec. 2.
On Monday evening last departed this life, in the 55th year of his age, and yesterday was decently inter'd, the Hon. WILLIAM WHIPPLE Esq. late a Judge of the Superior Court.
M A R I N E L I S T.
P O R T O F P I S C A T A Q U A. Dec. 2.
E N T E R E D,
Brig Endeavour, Riley, from Martinico. Schooner, Tryall, Lord, St. Eustatia. Ship Free-Trade, Yeaton, Havre-de-Grace. Brig Jane & Elizabeth, Fraser, London.
C L E A R E D,
Ship Atlantic, Trefethen, for West-Indies. Ship Hero, Wardrobe, Tobago.
ALL persons indebted for this Paper, Advertisements, &c. from December, 1784, are earnestly solicited to make payment up to the date hereof, as it is indispensably necessary that every account contracted with this office, since the above date should be presented for adjustment.
Printing-Office, Paved-Street, Dec. 1785.
For Sale, an elegant young Horse, suitable for Chaise or Saddle; Cash or clear Boards will be received in payment. Inquire at the House of Mrs. PURCELL.

All power residing originally in, and being derived from the people, all the magistrates and officers of government, are their substitute, and agents, and at all times accountable to them. Constitution of New-Hampshire. Messrs. PRINTERS,
AFTER the various speculations that have arisen on the subject of a currency, and the various conjectures that had been formed, of what the Legislature would, or would not do, respecting it, at their last session, at Concord, the two remedial acts, published in your last paper, under the distinguishing characters of authority, must have affected your honest, well-meaning readers with unusual surprise. That part of them who had given the subject a previous attentive consideration, must have imagined that the forcible, persuasive arguments drawn from the constitution, from principles of state-policy, prudence, and public utility, (some of which are common to both these acts,) and others particular to each, which wrought decision in their minds, would have made no light impression on those of their respectable substitutes. We trust they were determined by as good or superior motives.
These twin-like children were not born in a day; and as they are both entitled to a particular and separate consideration, we will direct our immediate and impartial view to that which had the priority in birth, I mean the Tender Act.
The members of our honourable Legislature have the letter of the constitution imprinted in tenacious characters on their minds, and the spirit of it deeply impressed on their hearts. The presumption is at least a laudable and becoming one. Should I retail paragraphs from our Bill of Rights, they can receive from me no information, and it would be an undesirable exercise of their optic faculties, to peruse in your paper, what is, or seems to be, opposed to their favourite acts. It would fatigue their eyes, and weary their ears, were I to make them see or hear that these acts are directly repugnant to that Constitution. I shall attempt to do neither. The larger part of this and of every community, is composed of farmers, tradesmen, and artificers; men whose liberties are equally dear to them, and, while our Constitution remains uninjured, will be equally valuable with those of any people on earth. But this part of society, unversed and unambitious of political erudition, have not always at hand that Magna Charta of their privileges, —the testimonial of their freedom. To save them trouble, I shall state in due order, using the liberty of the press as not abusing it, the several parts of the Constitution that are material to the acts in question, omitting superfluous words; this will enable them to judge for themselves, and to consider these acts and their Constitution in an uniform point of view. If I misrepresent, or do not quote with fidelity, they can easily detect me.
On turning over those hallowed pages, the first thing to our purpose that stares us in the face, is the 23d article of the Bill of Rights, in terms as follows: "Retropective laws are highly injurious, oppressive, and unjust. No such laws therefore should be made, either for the decision of civil causes, or the punishment of offences."
I am not ignorant of the late quibble on a popular occasion. The word Retropective had like to have suffered much in passing the late ordeal of sophistical refinement; but its etymon is simple and its meaning plain and obvious. A retropective law is defined to be any law that in its effect and operation looks backward. In criminal jurisprudence it is understood to be a law which makes a crime of any act that was not a crime at the time of the act's being done; or which annexes a severer or a lighter punishment to any crime than was fixed to it at the time of its commission. Let us take an example: by the local laws of this State, the punishment for stealing is, that the offender forfeit treble the value of the goods stolen, pay a fine not exceeding 1.5. or be whipped not exceeding twenty stripes. A man breaks this law to-day; should the Legislature three months hence make a law that instead of three times the value he should forfeit sevenfold—instead of five pounds, he should suffer five years imprisonment, or instead of twenty stripes he should suffer death, every one must perceive the injury, iniquity, and oppression of such a law. The man is in this case judged by a law he had never broken. The law which he had offended was of a complexion far different from the new one. The punishment of the former is too easily supportable, that of the latter is capital, sanguinary, and excessive. The one is, perhaps, too mild, the other too severe. We detest the villain but should remember the man; and wise and wholesome laws, though instituted to curb the vices, and lay a restraint on the passions of the wicked, have ever had respect to the frailties of human nature. I must solicit the reader's patience to another example. The lawful rate of interest is now 6 per cent. per annum. Should the Legislature at any time hereafter enact that in future no contracts should be recoverable in a court of law, wherein a larger rate of interest than 4 per cent. per annum was reserved to be paid, it is obvious that nearly all the private securities of the State must be at once destroyed. The formal obligation would become an oral promise. The honest creditor would hold his demand by the slender, precarious tenure of the honour and conscience of the debtor, and the law instead of
protecting the good against the baser part of mankind, becomes a safe asylum to superlative knaves and pre-eminent villains.
I go far, but no farther than truth and the Constitution will warrant me to go, when I affirm, without the least limitation or reserve, that the law under consideration, is a retropective law. It is such in its nature, operation, and extent. It looks back upon all contracts heretofore made and now existing in this State, and puts them upon an entire new foot. They are no longer to be complied with according to the meaning of the parties, and it is now more than ever at the option of the debtor whether he will discharge them; for when a refusal the creditor has no compulsory mean of obtaining his demand. The horrors of a gaol, the sovereign prompter to payment, and the creditor's best security, are taken away, and if the debtor has any less valuable property, he may keep his money safe in his chest. The law does not oblige him, in lieu of the money, to make the best payment in his power, but leaves him at full liberty to make the worst. Suppose a man immediately before the making of this law, lends another a hundred hard dollars, and takes his note, payable on demand; he is a man of substance, and the creditor is certain that if he will not pay the money, an ex'on in the hands of the catch-pole, will bring it at once. This is as the law stood formerly, how stands it latterly? in the course of the suit, he has made away with the best part of his estate, with or without a consideration; if he has received an equivalent he puts it up for use. He has reserved some old horses or scabby sheep, which he piously appropriates to pay this debt. If he tenders them to the Deputy-Sheriff, or other officer holding the ex'on, (and the creditor is in a manner by this law compelled to take them) ; it depends on three men, in the choice of only one of whom he has a voice, passing under oath, to say at what value he shall receive them, or, as there is little danger of too low an appraisement, whether for the hundred dollars he shall have an hundred, fifty, or ten; and this estate, let it be what it may, he shall take in any part of the State, where the debtor pleases. After a judgment of his country, that he have the hundred dollars, he is really compelled to take fifty, or hazard the loss of his whole debt. A dangerous dilemma, from which, till the law is destroyed, he can never escape!
Experience, the touchstone of theory, confirms this to be the state of fact. Such is the operation the law has already had, on some old contracts, and such the operation it will soon have on all of them, unless those who have made the evil, shall introduce a reform. I say the old, these are the only ones it can effect; the new ones will not be placed within its reach. Private credit must, in the nature of things, die away. The country will henceforth take the alarm, and only those individuals who have in time past trusted their neighbour, or loaned to the needy, shall feel the smarting effect of their unsuspecting credulity. These are our rulers doings, and they are marvelous in our eyes!
Inroads upon the Constitution, are like the swellings of mighty rivers over their antient banks—slow and unalarmed, at the beginning—rapid and tremendous in their progress—a deluge and destruction in the end. Behold large and stately forests, which are a covert to unclean birds, and a protection to the wild beasts of the desert, were once but tender cions on the surface of the earth!
I was on the point of concluding this paper, when the following remarkable passage blazed full upon my view:
"* A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the Constitution, and a constant adherence to justice, &c. are indispensably necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and good government; the people ought therefore, to have a particular regard to all those principles in the choice of their officers and representatives; and they have a right to require of their law-givers and magistrates, an exact and constant observance of them in the formation and execution of the laws necessary for the good administration of government."
A FRIEND OF GOVERNMENT.
* xxxviii th article of the Bill of Rights.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
CONCORD, October 31, 1785. PUBLIC notice is hereby given, that Joseph Foss, jun. in behalf of the town of Barrington, hath petitioned the General Court, setting forth, that said town is thirteen miles, and has three roads the whole length of the town. That the inhabitants are poor and unable to keep them in repair.
Therefore he prayed, that said town might be enabled to assess and collect a Tax of one penny per acre annually for three years, on all the lands in said town, to be appropriated towards making and repairing said roads; and that a committee be appointed to assess and lay out said money. On which petition the General Court ordered, that the petitioner be heard thereon, before said Court, on the second Thursday of their next session, and that in the mean time he cause the substance of said petition and order of Court thereon, to be published three weeks successively, in one of the New-Hampshire papers, that any person might then appear and shew cause why the prayer thereof might not be granted.
Attest. E. THOMSON. Sec'y.
The Co-partnership of GODDARD and STORER being mutually dissolved, all Persons having any Demands on the late Company, are desired to exhibit their Accounts, and those indebted, are once more called upon to make immediate Payment to either of the Subscribers, who will be ready to settle the same.
JOHN GODDARD. CLEMENT STORER.
Portsmouth, Nov. 26, 1785.
John Goddard,
Has opened his Shop directly opposite the Printing-Office in Paved-Street, where he has for Sale,
A very general Assortment of Drugs & Medicines,
—ALSO—
Madeira, Sherry, Port, Lisbon, Teneriff, Claret, Frontiniac, and Malaga WINES,
Linseed Oil, Painters Brushes, and an Assortment of Painters Colors and Dryers,
  Loaf and brown  Oatmeal, Rice,    Sugar,  Pepper, All-spice, Ginger,    Rum, Brandy, Gin,  Flour, Indigo, Starch,    Olive and Florence Oil,  Coffee, Chocolate, Nails,    Hyson, Congo and Bohea  Glass, Powder and Shot,    Tea,  Redwood, Logwood,    Raisins, Currants, Figs,  Fultick, Allum, Copperas,    Olives, Capers, Almonds,  Perl-Ash, Catile and    Tamarinds, Citron,  common Soap.    Preserves, Cinnamon,  Writing Paper.    Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs,  Bar IRON, &c. &c.  
The above articles will be sold on the most reasonable terms, and Indian Corn, Rye, Wheat, Oats, Flour, Pork, Butter, &c. will be received instead of cash for any of them.
Portsmouth, Dec. 1, 1785
WINTER GOODS,
Just arrived from LONDON, AND TO BE SOLD BY
James Sheafe,
  Baizes,  Forest Cloth,    Blankets,  Plains,    Coatings,  Serges,  
—ALSO—
  London Porter,  Hhds. Earthen    Cheshire Cheese,  Ware,    Port Wine,  Nails,    Loaf Sugar,  Roll Brimstone,    Painters Colours,  Allum,    Linnen,  Coals,    Paper,  Grindstones,    Oznabrigs,  Gun-Powder,    English Duck,  Iron Tea-Kittles.    Hemp,  &c. &c.  
Portsmouth, Dec. 1, 1785.
State of New-Hampshire.
THESE are to give notice, that at the session of the General Court, held at Concord, on the 19th of October, 1785, A Petition was preferred to said Court, by Benjamin Bellows, of Walpole, Esq. praying for the privilege of a ferry across Connecticut river, to extend from the south line of Walpole, three miles as the river runs north; and that a hearing was granted on said petition, on the second Tuesday of the then next session, for any person or persons to appear and shew cause why the prayer thereof may not be granted.
Attest. Joseph Pearson, D. Sec'y. Concord, October 24, 1785.

H O P E. A NEW SONG.
HOPE's a cheat, a great deceiver, Will of whisp who leads astray, Yet is man the fond believer, Trusts him on from day to day. Vast his promise beyond measure, Sickness now he sooths with health, Toil with rest, and pain with pleasure, Fills the beggar's purse with wealth
Whence each friend becomes a stranger, And the world now bids farewell, He ne'er warns us of our danger, Still he whispers "all is well;" But his flattery's never over, He attends when all forsakes, Over life he's sure to hover, But for Hope the heart would break.
Hope, I charge you come not near me, I'll not mind you from to day, You no longer now can cheer me, False is all that you can say, Lately you a while reliev'd me, Now I find myself undone, For you have at last deceiv'd me: Hope! thou bubble, get thee gone.
|| Lime. ||
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of land in Lime, who have not paid their tax due for State Beef for the year 1780, that so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue, on the 10th day of December next, at the house of Capt. John Thomson, of Lime, as will pay said tax, with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   Orig. Grantees. No. Sum No. Sum N. Sum Undiv. Su.   Div. 1st Af- 2d Af- 3d. Af. Af. Af.   Div. left. Div. left. D. left. left. left.   s. d. s. d. s. d.     Robert Brown 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 1 3 9   James McNitt 0 0 10 0 8 16 5 1 3 9   David Shaw, jr. 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0   Thomas Johnson 8 3 1 0 0 1 5 1 3 9   William Brown 0 1 3 9   James Lamont 19 3 1 10 0 8 18 5 1 3 9   Sam. S. Palmer 9 3 1 10 0 7   Isaac Fellows 10 & 44 2d Div.   Tho's Warren 20 3 1 10 & 55 3 9 55 5 1 3 9   B. Wentworth 10 3 1 10 & 62 3 9 3 5 1 3 9   John A. M'Clewan 10 0 8 58 5 1 3 9   Seth Shaw 25 3 1 28 5 3 2 6   Bernard M'Nitt 56 5 1 3 9   William Shaw 48 5 1 3 9   T. M'Clenathan 6 3 1 10 7 63 5   James Brown 64 5   Robert Hunter 10 & 67 3 9 38 216 1 3 9   John Lee 3 3 1 10 & 54 3 9 26 5 1 3 9   Charles Nelson 1 3 1 10 & 65 3 9   William Sloan 1 3 9   T. M'Clewan 3 3 1 10 & 30 3 9 35 5   William M'Clenathan 29 5   William Lamont 11 5 1 3 9   William M'Nitt 1 3 1 12 5 1 3 9   T. Johnson jr. 13 3 1   William Spear 18 3 1 10 & 28 3 9 1 3 9   William Bell, jr. 1 3 9   J. Bartholomew 10 3 1 1 3 9   Robert Bratton 1 3 9   John Nelson 10 0 7 53 5 1 3 9   Francis Lamont 1 3 9   John Clark 2 3 1 10 & 61 3 9 30 5 1 3 9  
WILLIAM CHILD, Collector.
Lime, October 14, 1785.
To be sold at publick vendue, on Thursday the 30th day of December next, at ten o'clock A. M. at the house of Capt. Solomon Cutter, inholder in Rindge, so much of the following lots of land, laying in Rindge, as will pay the following tax with incidental charges unless prevented by previous payment, viz.
   No. R. s. d.     John Thompson's place, part of 19 9   Ditto, part of 19 10 3   Samuel Parker's place, 18 10 5 6   Jonathan Parker, jun'r. 13 7 4 10   Do. 34 Acres, 19 3 0 1 5   20  
The above lots were rated in my rate list for the year 1784, to the State-tax.
EDWARD RINDGE, Constable of Rindge for the year 1784.
Rindge, October 8th, 1785.
Samuel Place,
HAVING just arrived from England, where he furnished himself with complete Apparatus for executing every kind of work within the branch of Clock and Watch-making business, would respectfully inform his old customers and the publick, that he intends carrying on the business in its various branches, at his shop in Buck Street, where he will acknowledge the smallest favour: he having made many improvements in this branch of business, from one of the first workmen in Europe, doubts not but he shall be able to give satisfaction to those who please to favour him with their commands. He has for sale at his shop, every kind of Watch furniture, at the lowest cash prices.
Portsmouth, November 15, 1785.
To be SOLD by SAMUEL BOWLES, At his Shop, a little below the State-House, PORTSMOUTH, A Variety of English Woolen GOODS, and HARD WARE,
The best of French BRANDY, by the Barrel or retail—Rum, Sugar, Molasses, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, best Turkey Figs, Raisins, Cotton, Oatmeal, Pepper, Spices, Ginger, Brimstone, Soap, Indigo, Copperas, Allum, Otter, Madre, Redwood, Logwood, Fustick, Men, Women, and Children's Shoes, of all Sorts, Iron hollow Ware, with a great Variety of other Articles, cheap for Cash.
Grist-Mill and Fulling-Mill.
The Public are hereby notified, that General SULLIVAN has erected a new GRIST-MILL, where his double Grist-Mill formerly stood;—
A new FULLING-MILL; both at Second-Falls, and nearly in the same Places where those Mills stood, which were swept off by the late Freshet.—Both Mills will be compleatly finished by the 19th Inst. The Grist-Mill will go constantly in the driest seasons, will be prepared with proper BOLTS for making FLOUR.—At the Fulling Mill, the Clothing and Silk-Dying Business will be carried on in the best Manner, and at the cheapest Rate.—CORN, WHEAT, RYE, BUTTER, FLAX, and other Country Produce, will be taken in Payment for dressing and dyeing Cloaths.—N. B. Said SULLIVAN has for Sale
a Set of excellent MILL-STONES, and all the iron Work for a single Grist-Mill, which he will sell on reasonable Terms.
DURHAM, Nov. 14, 1785.
Cornish, Octo. 1785.
WE the subscribers being appointed commissioners by the hon. Charles Johnson, Esq. judge of Probate of wills for the county of Grafton, in the State of New-Hampshire, to receive and examine the claims of the several creditors to the estate of Amos Stevens, late of New-Chester, deceased, represented insolvent; do hereby give notice that we will attend upon said business, at the house of Ephraim Webster, inholder in New-Chester, in the county and state aforesaid, on the second monday of the five following months, from two to seven o'clock in the afternoon of said days.
CARR HUSE, } Com'rs. New-Chester, EPH'M WEBSTER, } Oct. 20. REUBEN WELLS, }
State of New-Hampshire. ROCKINGHAM, ss. THE Subscribers, appointed Commissioners to receive and examine the Claims of the several Creditors to the Estate of WILLIAM LAMSON, late of Exeter, Taylor, deceased, represented insolvent, give notice, That six Months from the Date hereof are allowed the Creditors, to exhibit their Claims, and that they will be ready to receive them on the last Monday of this and the five following Months, at the House of BENJAMIN LAMSON, from five to eight o'Clock.
SAMUEL BROOKS, THOMAS ODIORNE, WILLIAM PARKER, jun'r.
EXETER, October 19, 1785.
NOTICE is hereby given, that all Persons who are indebted to the Estate of SAMUEL DODGE, late of Amherst, deceased, intestate, do make speedy Payment: also all Persons who have any Demands on said Estate, are hereby required to bring in their Accounts to me the Subscriber, Administrator on said Estate, for settlement.
SUSANNAH DODGE.
Amherst, 21st. October, 1785.
[Rindge.]
To be sold at public vendue, on Tuesday the 13th day of December next, at 12 o'clock on said day, at the house of Captain Solomon Cutler, inholder in Rindge, so much of the following lots of land laying in Rindge, as will pay the following tax with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   No. R. s. d.     Samuel Johnson, one half of 9 2 0 9   Howard and Perham, 20 acres 17 1 0 9   Major James Richardson 9 1 2 0   Joshua Bowers, 64 acres 3 2 1 5   Doctor Israel Atherton 21 2 2 1   22 2 2 0  
N. B. The above lots were taxed in my list in 1784, for a state tax.
SOLOMON RAND, Collector for 1784. Rindge, October 8, 1785.
[Packerfield.]
To be sold at public vendue, on Tuesday the 20th day of December next, at the house of Mr. Uriah Wheeler, inholder in Packerfield, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, so much of the following lots of land as will pay the taxes together with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   N. R. Q'ty. State. Soldier.   s. d. s. d.     John Minot 0 0 600 12 8 2 8   Banefer Maynard 50 1 3 0 3   Jason Harris 50 0 9 0 2   Unknown 2 5 100 1 7 0 4   Unknown 3 5 100 1 7 0 4   William Upton 10 50 1 7 0 4   William Tolford 400 10 7 2 2   John Tolford 400 10 7 2 2   Moses Tucker 1 4 100 4 2 1 1   John Ames 40 1 7 0 5  
N. B. The above lots were rated in my list for 1784, to the state and war tax.
JACOB WHEELER, Collector for 1784. Packerfield, November 2, 1785.
Imported, and to be sold by DANIEL RINDGE,
At his Store, in Paved Street,
8 by 6, 9 by 7, 10 by 8 Window Glass; 4d. 6d. 10d. and 20d. Nails; a large Assortment of Pewter, viz. Dishes and Plates, two-Quart, one-Quart and Pint Basins; Quart and Pint-Pots, Porringers of several sizes, Table and Tea-Spoons, fashionable Block-Tin Tea-Pots; Warming-Pans, Frying-Pans, Shovels and Tongs, Shoemaker's Tools, Hocks and Hinges, Table Knives and Forks, Cutteaux and Penknives, Tailor's Shears and Shaping Scissors, Womens Scissors, Spring and Thumb-Latches, flat Plate-Bolts, Candlesticks, Curry-Combs, and many other Articles in Hard Ware. Fashionable Buttons; Men's and Youth's low priced, middling and very fine Hats; Painters' Colours; Bar and Sheet Lead and Shot; St. Peter's Cod-Lines, &c. &c. Also, blue and light coloured Broad-Cloths; light blue, dark blue, claret and Cloth-coloured German Serges; Forest Cloths, Beaver Coatings, Bath-Beavers, Shalloons and Tammy's, Men's Hose, Linens and Chintzes.
NEW-ENGLAND RUM.
Whereas ELIPHALET LADD of Exeter, and SAMUEL HILL of Portsmouth, have purchased, and are now carrying on the Distillery in Portsmouth,
They hereby inform the Publick, that they will supply any Quantity of NEW-ENGLAND RUM, as good and as cheap as can be purchased on the Continent, at Exeter or Portsmouth. They have also for Sale, at their Stores, a general Assortment of
European and West-India Goods.
LIKEWISE, LINSEED OIL.
They pay CASH and the highest Price for Flax-Seed, Shipping-Furs, or Pot-Ash.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for this paper, at Four shillings & six pence for 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.