Fowle's New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser ([Portsmouth, N.H.]), 1786-06-29 00:00:00

F O W L E S NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE,
A N D GENERAL
T H E ADVERTISER.
T H U R S D A Y,
J U N E 29, 1786.
P O R T S M O U T H: By JOHN MELCHER,
PRINTED and PUBLISHED IN PAVED-STREET.
Vol. XXX.]
"Open to all Parties—Influenced by none:—We aim only to be Just."
[No. 1549.]
Natural History of the BOHON-UPAS, or the Poison-TREE of the Island of Java.
HAVING taken every opportunity of communicating to our readers whatever might appear most wonderful and extraordinary, or most pleasing and instructive, in Natural History, we have thought it our duty to copy the following very curious account from a contemporary publication, which, after observing that it is the production of Mr. N. P. Ferich, a Dutchman, and translated from the original language by Mr. Heydiger, formerly a German bookseller in the Strand, proceeds to introduce it with the following observations: "The Author, we are informed, is at present abroad, in the capacity of surgeon on board an English vessel. This account, we must allow, appears to marvellous , that even the credulous might be staggered. The readers of this narrative will probably think of the celebrated Palmanazar, and his equally famous History of the Island of Formosa. But this narrative certainly merits attention and belief. The degree of credibility which is due to the several circumstances rests with Mr. Ferich. With regard to the principal parts of the relation, there can be no doubt. The existence of the tree, and the noxious powers of its gums and vapours, are certain. Travellers and naturalists have mentioned trees of the same destructive nature in other places, and particularly, if we are not mistaken, in some parts of South America. This Bohon-Upas is mentioned by the learned Kempfer, but its situation, its nature, and its destructive qualities, have never been so clearly, so fully, so philosophically described, as by the author of the following description. It may probably be asked, why no efforts have been made to destroy so dreadful a tree?—more dreadful, indeed, in its effects than the union of plague, pestilence, and famine. The reasons are obvious. No man could venture to remain near it for so long a space of time as would be requisite to cut down a tree of such magnitude; nor could materials to set it on fire be carried to the place without almost certain destruction. But of all the arguments, the most forcible probably is, that the Emperor derives a very considerable revenue from the sale of the gum which is distilled from the Bohon-Upas. The auri sacra fames ! the rage for possessing riches, is too powerful to be withstood, even in the most cultivated ages, and among the most polished nations! What then can be expected from an inhabitant of Java, and that man an Emperor!"
This destructive tree is called, in the Malayan language, BOHON-UPAS, and has been described by naturalists. But their accounts have been so tinged with the marvellous , that the whole narration has been supposed to be an ingenious fiction by the generality of readers. Nor is this in the least degree surprising, when the circumstances which we shall faithfully relate in this description are considered.
I must acknowledge that I long doubted the existence of this tree, until a stricter enquiry convinced me of my error. I shall now only relate simple, unadorned facts, of which I have been an eye witness. My readers may depend upon the fidelity of this account. In the year 1774, I was stationed at Batavia, as a surgeon in the service of the Dutch East-India Company. During my residence there I received several different accounts of the Bohon Upas, and the violent effects of its poison. They all then seemed incredible to me, but raised my curiosity in so high a degree, that resolved to investigate this matter thoroughly, and to trust only to my own observations. In consequence of this resolution, I applied to the Governor General, Mr. Petrus Albertus van der Parra, for a pass to travel through the country. My request was granted, and having procured every information, I set out on my ex-
pedition. I had procured a recommendation from an old Malayan priest to another priest, who lives on the nearest inhabitable spot to the tree, which is about fifteen or sixteen miles distant. The latter proved of great service to me in my undertaking, as that priest is appointed by the Emperor to reside there, in order to prepare for eternity the souls of those who for different crimes are sentenced to approach the tree, and to procure the poison.
The Bohon-Upas is situated in the island of Java, about twenty-seven leagues from Batavia, four from Soura-Charta, the seat of the Emperor, and between eighteen and twenty leagues from Tinjoe, the present residence of the Sultan of Java. It is surrounded on all sides by a circle of high hills and mountains, and the country round it, to the distance of ten or twelve miles from the tree, is entirely barren. Not a tree, not a shrub, nor even the least plant or grass is to be seen. I have made the tour all round this dangerous spot, at about eighteen miles distant from the center, and I found the aspect of the country on all sides equally dreary. The easiest ascent of the hills, is from that part where the old ecclesiastical dwells. From his house the criminals are sent for the poison, into which the points of all warlike instruments are dipped. It is of high value, and produces a considerable revenue to the Emperor.
ACCOUNT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE POISON IS PROCURED.
The poison which is procured from this tree, is a gum that issues out between the bark and the tree itself, like the campher . Malefactors, who for their crimes are sentenced to die, are the only persons who fetch the poison; and this is the only chance they have of saving their lives. After sentence is pronounced upon them by the judge, they are asked in court, whether they will die by the hands of the executioner, or whether they will go to the Upas-tree for a box of poison? They commonly prefer the latter proposal, as there is not only some chance of preserving their lives, but also a certainty, in case of their safe return, that a provision will be made for them in future, by the Emperor. They are also permitted to ask a favour from the Emperor, which is generally of a trifling nature, and commonly granted. They are then provided with a silver or tortoise-shell box, in which they are to put the poisonous gum, and are properly instructed how to proceed while they are upon their dangerous expedition. Among other particulars they are always told to attend to the direction of the winds; as they are to go towards the tree before the wind, so that the effluvia from the tree are always blown from them. They are told, likewise, to travel with the utmost dispatch, as that is the only method of insuring a safe return. They are afterwards sent to the house of the old priest, to which place they are commonly attended by their friends and relations. Here they generally remain some days, in expectation of a favourable breeze. During that time, the ecclesiastical prepares them for their future fate by prayers and admonitions.
When the hour of their departure arrives, the priest puts them on a long leather cap with two glasses before their eyes, which comes down as far as their breast, and also provides them with a pair of leather gloves. They are then conducted by the priest, and their friends and relations, about two miles on their journey. Here the priest repeats his instructions, and tells them where they are to look for the tree. He shews them a hill, which they are told to ascend; and that on the other side they will find a rivulet, which they are to follow, and which will conduct them directly to the Upas. They now take leave of each other and amidst prayers for their success the delinquents hasten away.
The worthy old ecclesiastical has assured me, that during his residence there, for upwards of thirty years, he had dismissed above seven hundred criminals in the manner which I have described; and that scarcely two out of twenty have returned. He shewed me a catalogue of all the unhappy sufferers, with the date of their departure from his house annexed, and a list of the offences for which they had been condemned. To which was added a list of those who had returned in safety. I afterwards saw another list of these culprits, at the gaol keeper's, at Soura Charta, and found that they perfectly corresponded with each other, and with the different informations which I afterwards obtained.
I was present at some of these melancholy ceremonies and desired different delinquents to bring with them some pieces of the wood, or a small branch, or some leaves of this wonderful tree. I have given them silk cords, desiring them to measure its thickness. I never could procure more than two dry leaves, that were picked up by one of them on his return; and all I could learn from him concerning the tree itself, was, that it stood on the border of a rivulet, as described by the old priest, that it was of a middling size, that five or six young trees of the same kind stood close by it; but that no other shrub or plant could be seen near it; and that the ground was of a brownish sand, full of stones, almost impracticable for traveling, and covered with dead bodies. After many conversations with the old Malayan priest, I questioned him about the first discovery, and asked his opinion of this dangerous tree, upon which he gave me the following answer in his own language:
"We are told in our New Alcoran, that, above an hundred years ago, the country around the tree was inhabited by a people strongly addicted to the sins of Sodom and Gomorrha. When the great prophet Mahomet determined not to suffer them to lead such detestable lives any longer, he applied to God to punish them; upon which God caused this tree to grow out of the earth, which destroyed them all, and rendered the country for ever uninhabitable."
Such was the Malayan's opinion. I shall not attempt a comment, but must observe, that all the Malaysans consider this tree as an holy instrument of the great prophet to punish the sins of mankind, and, therefore, to die of the poison of the Upas is generally considered among them as an honourable death. For that reason I also observed, that the delinquents, who were going to the tree, were generally dressed in their best apparel.
This, however, is certain, though it may appear incredible, that from fifteen to eighteen miles round this tree, not only no human creature can exist, but that, in that space of ground, no living animal of any kind has ever been discovered. I have also been assured by several persons of veracity, that there are no fish in the waters, nor has any rat, mouse, or any other vermin been seen there; and when any birds fly so near this tree, that the effluvia reaches them, they fall a sacrifice to the effects of the poison. This circumstance has been ascertained by different delinquents, who, in their return, have seen the birds drop down, and have picked them up dead, and brought them the old ecclesiastical.
I will here mention an instance which proves this a fact beyond all doubt, and which happened during my stay at Java.
In the year 1755 a rebellion broke out among the subjects of the Massay, a sovereign prince, whose dignity is nearly equal to that of the Emperor. They refused to pay a duty imposed upon them by their sovereign, whom they openly opposed. The Massay sent a body of a thousand troops to disperse the rebels, and to drive them, with their families, out of his dominions.

Thus four hundred families, consisting of above sixteen hundred souls, were obliged to leave their native country. Neither the Emperor nor the Sultan would give them protection, not only because they were rebels, but also through fear or displeasing their neighbour, the Massay. In this distressful situation, they had no other resource than to repair to the uncultivated parts round the Upas, and requested permission of the Emperor to settle there. Their request was granted, on condition of their fixing their abode not more than twelve or fourteen miles from the tree, in order not to deprive the inhabitants already settled there at a greater distance of their cultivated lands. With this they were obliged to comply: but the consequence was, that in less than two months their number was reduced to about three hundred. The chiefs of those who remained returned to the Massay, informed him of their losses, and intreated his pardon, which induced him to receive them again as his subjects, thinking them sufficiently punished for their misconduct. I have seen and conversed with several of those who survived, soon after their return. They all had the appearance of persons tainted with an infectious disorder; they looked pale and weak, and from the account which they gave of the loss of their comrades, of the symptoms and circumstances which attended their dissolution, such as convulsions, and other signs of a violent death, I was fully convinced that they fell victims to the poison.
This violent effect of the tree, certainly appears surprising, and almost incredible; and especially when we consider, that it is possible for delinquents who approach the tree, to return alive. My wonder, however, in a great measure, ceased, after I had made the following observations:
I have said before, that malefactors are instructed to go to the tree with the wind, and to return against the wind. When the wind continues to blow from the same quarter while the delinquents travels thirty, or six and thirty miles, if he be of a good constitution he certainly survives. But what proves the most destructive is, that there is no dependence on the wind in that part of the world for any length of time. There are no regular land winds; and the sea wind is not perceived there at all, the tree being at too great a distance, and surrounded by high mountains and uncultivated forests. Besides, the wind there never blows a fresh regular gale, but is commonly merely a current of light soft breezes, which pass through the different openings of the adjoining mountains. It is also frequently difficult to determine from what part of the globe the wind really comes, as it is divided by various obstructions in its passage, which easily change the direction of the wind, and often totally destroy its effects.
I, therefore, impute the distant effects of the poison, in a great measure, to the constant gentle winds in those parts, which have not power enough to disperse the poisonous particles. If high winds were more frequent and durable there, they would certainly weaken very much, and even destroy the obnoxious effluvia of the poison; but without them, the air remains infected and pregnant with these poisonous vapours.
I am the more convinced of this, as the worthy ecclesiastical assured me that a dead calm is always attended with the greatest danger, as there is a continual perspiration issuing from the tree, which is seen to rise and spread in the air, like the putrid stream of a marshy cavern.
(Experiments made with the Gum of the Upas-Tree will be in our next.)
L O N D O N, April 10.
By letters from Liege of the 13th ult. we learn, that one Pierlot, a priest and church warden, who some time ago had committed four murders in the short space of fifteen minutes, has at last been apprehended and brought here to trial. He has confessed the whole, declaring, that finding himself overloaded with debts, contracted at the gaming table, and unable to discharge a bond of 50l. then due to a lady that had lent him the money, he resolved on the murder of Counsellor Delmotte, and to rob the house afterwards. In order to put the villainous plan into execution, he found means to entice the two women servants, under pretensions which his sacred functions rendered but too probable, to leave the house. These two he first dispatched, then taking out of the pocket of one of the deceased the key of the street door, he returned to the house; and entering the apartment of the Counsellor, who was seated on his bed with a book in his hand, he knocked him on the head with a club. Having dispatched his third victim, the monster ran to the brother's room, a clergyman like himself, but here he was foiled at his own weapons; his antagonist fought it out bravely, gave him blow for blow, and at last forced him to take to his heels. The wretch, disappointed in this part of his purpose, above all, in that part of the plunder which he figured to himself was to be his reward, wandered about for some time, and at
last was taken, and will undergo shortly, if he has not already received, the punishment due to such a complication of hellish villainy.
By letters from Liege, we learn that on the 4th ult. the priest Pierlot, convicted of murders accompanied with the most barbarous circumstances, received the punishment due to his crime. The sentence pronounced and executed upon him, was, first to have his flesh tore with red hot pincers in eight different places of his body, then to have his legs, arms, and thighs broke on the Cross of St. Andrew, and finally his mangled body to be put on the wheel, to remain a dreadful spectacle till life left him. All this horrid punishment he underwent with a spirit of fortitude worthy a better cause. It is said that during the whole time of his unparalleled suffering, not a complaint, not a groan escaped him that could betray the least symptom of pain or weakness.
He had, it is added, been far more affected at the awful ceremony which took place the day before. This was his being degraded from the sacerdotal dignity; it was performed as follows. He was brought in his clerical habit from the prison to the porch of the principal church; there on a temporary alter were placed the chalice, together with the cope and other garments used by the Romish Priests in the celebration of mass. He put them on one after the other, and when completely equipped, the Dean, assisted by the official or ecclesiastical Judge, stripped him by degrees; and when entirely stripped, delivered him over to the chief magistrate, who having ordered him to be clothed in a lay dress, had him conducted back to prison. As the facts had previously been proved against him, sentence was passed, and the execution performed on the following day.
"Muskick hath power to sooth the savage breast." Nay, it has a far greater one, even to effect a resurrection, if we credit the contents of a letter dated Chateaudun, a town in France, within the generality of Orleans, dated February 15.—A Friar, after a long illness which had baffled the skill of his physician, though he never could think him to near his end, died, and was laid in state in the Chancel of the Church according to custom, with the face uncovered. On the report of the Friar being on the eve of his interment, he flew to the convent, tried every means of bringing his departed friend to life, but all in vain; at last recollecting that his late patient was very fond of musick, he called in the musicians belonging to a regiment of dragoons quartered in the town. They began their harmonious noise, and the Friar recovered by degrees, till a copious sweat supervening, the good old Monk returned on foot to his cell, as nimble as if he had never been dead.
April 19. We may daily look for intelligence from Holland, of the most alarming nature. Rebellion in the Provinces, and distraction in the Council of the States, are but preludes to Revolutions that may involve every nation in Europe, however they may be averted, from policy or situation, to a renewal of the horrors of war.
Colonel Joseph Brandt (of the Six Nations, and Cherokee Chief) is to embark in the same ship with Sir Guy Carleton, for America.
This Summer, without any great foresight, may be declared to be pregnant with events of the most alarming consequence to the future fate of Great-Britain.
Nothing can surely be more distressing than to see, that all our schemes of reformation and economy are likely to be frustrated by the growing dissensions on the Continent. The political death of the King of Prussia, who has lost all his faculties, has again opened a wide field for ambition to range in. What the event will be, time must discover; the annihilation of the United Provinces seems, however, to be a natural consequence.
Commodore Gardner is to hoist his broad pendant on board the Expedition at Portsmouth, and will shortly sail for Jamaica, on which station he is appointed to command.
It is asserted on good authority, that yesterday morning a discovery was made of a design, which may be attended with the most dangerous consequences: Several foreigners of distinction had found means to get into our dockyards, arsenals, &c. &c. with the view of making full discoveries of our actual naval situation, through every department, in which business they were no doubt assisted by some of our countrymen, whose situations enabled them to afford the necessary informations. Upon this dangerous plot being discovered the whole was laid before his Majesty, who instantly summoned a Council, the result of whose deliberations was, that an express should be immediately dispatched to the French Ambassador, now at Bath, complaining of this treacherous proceeding, as the persons detected in it are strongly suspected to be in the pay of their master. Messengers are ordered to be in waiting to receive his Excellency's answer, and to proceed with the whole directly to the Court of France. They will be accompanied with very serious remonstrances to that Court; and to which a categorical answer will be demanded without delay.
MARYLAND.
BALTIMORE, June 13. The merchants of the French West India islands having, since the peace, trusted some Captains of vessels under American colours, with considerable credit, by which they were enabled to load with goods suitable for the markets of this continent, and several of them not having complied with their engagements, and others given false directions where application was to be made for payment, it is said, that to prevent a fraud so injurious to the interest of the commerce of the two nations, and to the mutual confidence that merchants are sometimes forced to put in one another. Orders have been issued to the Governors of those islands, to admit, for the future, no American colours in their ports (though loaded with permitted articles) unless, besides their naval papers in the most regular order, they are also provided with passports from the Consuls or Vice Consuls of that nation residing in the States of the Union to which they belong; by which means those that deserve credit will be easily known from those that cannot be trusted with any degree of security.
The Georgia Gazette of the 12th ult. says, Letters from Augusta mention, that an Indian war seems inevitable. Several people in the upper counties have been lately murdered; it is supposed by the upper Creeks."
PHILADELPHIA, June 17.
We learn from Delaware State, that politics run very high in that quarter. The Legislature are convened; and many of the people are clamorous for PAPER MONEY, which meets with the same and similar opposition and violence that have been experienced in this state, in New York and New Jersey. A petition, we are told, has been presented to the Assembly, praying that an act may be passed for suspending all executions in cases of debt for the term of five years; but upon what stipulations we cannot yet understand.
The commotions of Wyoming, which had so much the appearance of hostility and war, are, it is hoped, happily terminated in consequence of the interposition of Congress; who have generously offered to cede a large tract of territory, in one of the new states, to the Susquehanna Company in Connecticut, on condition that they relinquish their pretensions to the Wyoming claims. And, it is asserted, the delegates from that state have pledged themselves in Congress, that the propositions will be accepted, and peace and tranquility prevail.
A gentleman, lately from the western frontiers inform us, that the inhabitants, who are at least 500 miles distant from the seacoast, appear greatly alarmed and distressed, at the piracies and depredations committed by the Algerines off Cape Finistere, and in the Straights of Gibraltar.
Captain Baker, of the brig Hector, from Hispaniola, informs that in his passage to Port-au-Prince, due north from Cape St. Nicholas, in the lat. 20. 28. he fell in with a reef of rocks, which he discovered by the breakers upon them. These rocks are not laid down in any chart or draft, and appear to be hitherto unknown.
Extract of a letter, dated near Augusta, May 19, 1786, from a gentleman there to one in this city.
"It appears beyond a doubt, that the Indians have been long irritated by the encroachments of the Georgians, and have long waited for a pretext to take up the hatchet; a trifling event about three weeks ago gratified their wish.—Since the settlements have been extended to, and even over the Oconee river, many of the Indians remained among the whites, and lived with them 'till lately upon very peaceable terms; one of them had taken a fancy to a young woman, daughter of the man at whose house he stayed, and asked her for a wife, the man consented on his agreeing to give one hundred deer skins, part of which the Creek paid him. Before this singular bargain was completed, a brother of the young woman came home, and not being of the same way of thinking with the father, gave the Indian a very severe flogging; on which they all directly left the settlement, and shortly after, a party of them returned and burnt the man's house which was on their land. No blood was shed 'till about ten days ago, when

two of the settlers on the Oconee, one in Washington, and one in Green county, were killed, and one of the bodies had been found accompanied with every mark of confirmed hostility, conformable to the savage customs of the Indians. Col. Clarke had marched (tho' without orders) to cover the frontiers with about 150 men.
"I dined with Governor Telfair yesterday, and in the evening an express arrived from Clarke with very bad news; that he had marched towards the Oconee, fell in with the Indians (who were accompanied by many white men) in such force, (about 300) that he was compelled to retreat and send to Washington for a reinforcement, which marched two days ago to him. He further said, they had crossed in three bodies, one going towards Broad river, another was gone towards little Ogechee, and the third was going towards Williamson's swamp—that they had crossed the river high up at one Alltrie, whom they had killed with all his family. Another express came in from Williamson's swamp, about 65 miles from Augusta, with accounts that the other party of Indians were seen last Thursday, and it is generally imagined (by the thinking people) that their object is the plundering of Augusta, as several Georgia refugees are with them, who know the country well."
NEW-YORK, June 14.
Letters received last Saturday, by several gentlemen in this City from Rhode-Island, announce the arrival, in that harbour, of the ship Grand Turk, from Canton, in China, said to be valued at two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling, but no mention is made respecting the disposal of the Cargo, or of the vessel's destination.
We are informed, that the Honorable Mr. Pemberton, joint commissioner with Colonel Dundas, for investigating the Loyalists Claims, is appointed Chief Justice of Nova-Scotia, vice, the late worthy Mr. Finucane, deceased.
Extract of a letter from Versailles, April 5.
The fourth instant Mr. Eden, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the British Court, had a private audience with his Most Christian Majesty, during which, he delivered his credentials. This gentleman was presented to the King, and afterwards to the Queen and Royal Family, by Monsieur Tolozan. Nothing has yet transpired relative to the commercial treaty. As to the prohibition of English goods, it is a mere bugbear. The shops about this metropolis, particularly in the Palais Royal are loaded with our manufactures; which, like the British breed of horses, carry their superiority in spite of national jealousy. I had the curiosity no later than yesterday to enquire of a French shopkeeper, the reason of a prohibition, which did not seem to affect the dealer? His answer was English goods are prohibited but we contrive to get over whatever articles we want, at a trifling additional expence. So that we may conclude the whole is French finesse.
Yesterday arrived the ship Mars D'Castres, Captain D'Abbovill, from Portsmouth. She was built on Piscataqua River, by the celebrated Peck of Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, and fitted out there, and is intended as a Packet to ply constantly between this Port and l'Orient in France.
BOSTON, June 26.
The parade of a regiment of militia, at least in this state, is become a real novelty—we should therefore be culpable in omitting so singular a piece of intelligence as the following, extracted from the Springfield paper of the 13th inst.—"A correspondent informs, that Col-Porter's regiment of militia were ordered under arms in Hadley, on Tuesday last, and after arranging the companies, formed into two battalions, and performed not only the manual exercise, but the marchings and platoon firings, in a manner that would have done honour to the best troops in America, at almost any stage of the late war. The neatness, alertness, attention, and decent subordination of the officers, and even the men, is perhaps rarely exceeded by regular troops—and possibly never by bodies of the militia. The most solid pleasure was felt by the spectators, at seeing their fellow countrymen so familiar with the nicest principles of Tactics."
PORTSMOUTH, June 29.
A List of the honorable House of Representatives of this State, with the names of the towns they represent—omitted in our last for want of room.
Portsmouth. || John Langdon, Esq. Speaker, John Pickering, Esq. and John Sparhawk, Esq.
Exeter. || Mr. Ephraim Robinson,
Londonderry. || Col. Daniel Runnels, and Archibald M'Murphy, Esq.
Chichester. || Capt John Underhill.
Rye. Samuel Jennells, Esq.
North Hampton. Col. Moses Leavitt.
Hampton. Christopher Toppan, Esq.
Hampton Falls & Seabrook. || En. Elisha Brown.
Stratham. Col. Mark Wiggin.
Kensington. Mr. Moses Shaw.
South Hampton and East-Kingstown. Joseph Merrill, Esq.
Kingstown. || Solomon Wheeler, Esq.
Epping. || Mr. Jonathan Elliot.
Nottingham || Lt. John Gile.
Deerfield. Mr. Moses Barnard.
Chichester and Pittsfield. || John Cram, Esq.
Caterbury and Northfield. Mr. Asa Foster.
Pembroke. || Samuel Daniels, Esq.
Candia. Col. Nathaniel Emerson.
Hawke and Sandown. || Moses Hook, Esq.
Atkinson and Plaistow. Col. J. Welch.
Salem || Capt. Amos Dow.
Windham. James Betton, Esq.
Pelham. || James Gibson, Esq.
Dever. Col. John Waldron.
Somersworth. || John Rawlings, Esq.
Rochester. || James Knowles, Esq.
Barrington. || Major Samuel Hale.
Gilmantown. Col. Joseph Badger.
Lee. Doctor James Brackett.
Sandwich and Tamworth. || Daniel Bedee, Esq.
Moultonborough, Tiltonborough, Wolfborough and Alton. || Capt. Nathaniel Ambrose.
Barnstead and New Durham. || Mr. Jonathan Chelby.
Wakefield, Middletown, and Effingham. || Simeon Dearborn Esq.
Nottingham West. Samuel Marsh, Esq.
Dunstable. || Col. Noah Lovell.
Merrimac. || Capt. William Barron.
Bedford. || Mr. Stephen Dole.
Goffstown || Lt. William Page.
Hollis. Daniel Emerson, Esq.
Amherst. Major Robert Means.
Raby and Mason || Benjamin Mann, Esq.
New Ipswich || Doctor John Preston.
Wilton. Col. Philip Putnam.
Lyndeborough. Levi Spaulding, Esq.
Temple and Peterborough-Ship. Francis Cragin, Esq.
Peterborough and Society Land. || Capt. Samuel Cunningham.
Hancock, Antrim and Dearing. John Duncan, Esq.
Henniker and Hildesborough. Major Robert Wallace.
Weare. || Capt. George Hadley.
Hopkinton. || Aaron Greeley, Esq.
Dunbarton and Bow. || Mr. James Clements.
Salsbury. Capt. Robert Smith.
Boscawen. George Jackman, Esq.
Fitzfield, Sutton and Warner. || Zephaniah Clarke, Esq.
Charlestown. || John Hubbard, Esq.
Kene. * Capt. Jeremiah Stiles.
Swanzey. * Mr. Abraham Randall.
Richmond. Mr. Jonathan Gaskill.
Jaffrey. Mr. John Gilmore.
Winchester. * Capt. Daniel Ashley.
Westmoreland. Capt. Samuel Works.
Chesterfield. * Moses Smith, Esq.
Claremont. * Mr. Sanford Kingsbury.
Cornish and Grantham. * Mr. Dudley Chase.
Newport and Croydon. Mr. Jeremiah Jenks.
Askeworth, Lempster and Marlow. * Mr. Silas Mack.
Surry and Gilsum. Mr. Samuel Holmes.
Stoddard and Washington. Capt. Jacob Copland.
Dublin and Packerfield. * Stephen Ames, Esq.
Fitzwilliam. Samuel Kendall, Esq.
Plainfield. Major Joseph Kimball.
Holmes, Campton, Thornton, Lincoln and Franconia. * Hercules Mooney, Esq.
Plymouth, Rumney and Wentworth. * Capt. Absalom Peters.
New Chester, Alexandria and Cockermouth. * Joshua Tolford, Esq.
Enfield, Canaan, Cardigan, Dorchester and Grafton. * Jesse Johnson, Esq.
Hanover. * Capt. Aaron Storrs.
Lebanon. * Major Edmund Freeman.
Lyme and Oxford. * Joseph Skinner, Esq.
Haverhill, Piermont, Warren and Coventry. Moses Dow, Esq.
Bath, Lyman, Landaff, Concord and Dalton. Major John Young.
Those Representatives with these || † * marks were not of the house last year.
The General-Court at their present session made choice of the Hon. JOHN LANGDON, Esquire, PIERCE LONG, Esquire and JOHN SPARHAWK, Esquire, Delegates, to represent this State in Congress, the ensuing year.
A LIST OF SENATORS,
For the county of Rockingham.
The Hon. JOHN M'CLARY, JOSEPH GILMAN, GEORGE ATKINSON, JOSHUA WENTWORTH, and * JOHN BELL, Esq's
Strafford. The Hon. OTIS BAKER, and * JOHN M'DUFFE, Esq's
Hillsborough. The Hon. MATTHEW THORNTON and EBENEZER WEBSTER, Esq's.
Cheshire. The Hon. JOHN BELLOWS, and * AMOS SHEPARD, Esq's
Grafton. * The Hon. ELISHA PAYNE, Esq.
Counsellors to His Excellency.
* The Hon. JOSHUA WENTWORTH, AMOS SHEPARD, * CHRISTOPHER TOPPAN, * ROBERT MEANS and MOSES DOWE, Esq's.
The Hon. JOHN LANGDON, Esq is unanimously chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives—JOHN CALFE, Esq is likewise chosen Clerk of the House
JOSEPH PEARSON, Esq is chosen Secretary, JOHN T. GILMAN, Esq Treasurer, and SUPPLY CLAP, Esq Commissary-General of this State, for the ensuing year.
Those with this * mark affixed to their names are new members.
John White,
WHOSE wish is to introduce polite and decent amusement in this town, proposes for that purpose to open every MONDAY EVENING, for the ensuing season, a BALL at the ASSEMBLY ROOM from 8 to 11 o'clock, which he hopes by his exactness in keeping up the dignity, decorum and good order requisite in such an undertaking, to merit the applause of the gentlemen and ladies.—No person will be admitted, whose education will not admit him into polite company, and above the age of 17.—A variety of new dances will be introduced by said White.
* Tickets may be had from 10 to 2 o'clock, at Mrs. Purcell's on said days, at a very reasonable price. Portsmouth, June 29.
THOSE persons indebted for the New-Hampshire Gazette, Advertisements, &c. for the last six months past, are earnestly requested to make payment to the Printer hereof, who will receive Produce of any kind, if presented soon. Portsmouth, June 29, 1786.
ALL persons indebted for this Paper, Advertisements, &c. from December 1784, to January 1786, are earnestly requested to make payment, the one third part to George Jerry Osborne, and the remaining two thirds to John Melcher, who will receive produce of any kind, if presented soon.
Ten Dollars Reward.
STOLEN, on the night of 25th instant, out of the subscriber's pasture, a large chestnut colored HORSE, with a white face, full neck, about 15 hands and half high, trots all. Whoever will detect the thief or thieves, and secure the horse, so that the owner may have him again, shall have the above reward, and all necessary charges paid by WILLIAM BREWSTER. Portsmouth, June 27.
A New and Useful EXPERIMENT.
JOSEPH COOPER, Esquire, near Cooper's Ferry, in New Jersey, planted in his garden last Fall, 16 grains of Wheat, brought from the Cape of Good Hope, in the ship Empress of China. They were planted singly, about 6 inches asunder, and all came up; but some insect destroyed the shoots of 2 of them—One of the stools of Wheat, the production of 1 grain, consists of 77 stalks, each stalk an ear, containing on an average 70 grains: so that each grain will have produced when ripe, and there is every prospect of their coming to maturity, 5390 grains, full as large as the original seed. The whole product of the 14 grains will amount to 75,460 grains, a quantity sufficient, it is imagined to sow an acre of ground. Quere, Whether our Farmers in general do not sow their wheat too thick?
NAVAL-OFFICE,
PORT of PISCATAQUA, June 29.
ENTERED, From Schooner Dove, Trefethren, Martinico. CLEARED, For Sloop Sally, Smith, Philadelphia.
Blanks of most sorts may be had at this OFFICE, and of Mr. GEORGE ODIONNE, at his shop in Exeter, where may be had a variety of West-India and English Goods, cheap.

A PROPHECY of the future GLORY of AMERICA.
To years far distant, and to scenes more bright, Along the vale of time, extend thy fight; Where hours, and days, and years, from yon bright pole—
Wave following wave—in long succession roll; These see in pomp, for ages without end, The glories of the western world ascend!
See this blest land in her bright morn appears, Wak'd from dead slumbers of six thousand years; While clouds of darkness veil'd each cheering ray To savage beasts and savage men a prey. Fair Freedom now her ensigns bright displays, And peace and plenty bless the golden days. In mighty pomp AMERICA shall rise— Her glories spreading to the boundless skies. Of ev'ry fair she boasts th' assembled charms, The queen of empires, and the nurse of arms.
See where her heroes—mark their glori'ous way—
Arm'd for the fight, and blazing on the day: Blood stains their steps—o'er the conq'ring plain,
'Mid thousands fighting, and 'mid thousands slain,
Their eager swords promiscuous carnage blend, And ghastly deaths their raging course attend. Her mighty pow'r the subject world shall see, For laurel'd conquest waits her high degree.
See her bold vessels, rushing to the main, Catch the swift gales, and sweep the wat'ry plain;
Or, led by commerce, at the merchant's door Unlade the treasures of each distant shore; Or, arm'd with thunder, on the guilty toe Rush big with death, and aim th' impending blow;
Bid every realm, which hears the trump of fame, Quake at the distant terrour of her name.
On SUICIDE.—From MARTIAL,
WHEN fate in angry mood has frown'd, And gather'd all her storms around, The sturdy Romans cry, The great, who'd be releas'd from pain, Falls on his sword, or opens a vein, And bravely dares to die.
But know beneath life's heavy load, In sharp affliction's thorny road,
'Midst thousand ills that grieve; Where dangers threaten, cares infest, Where friends betray, and foes molest, 'Tis braver far to live.
PHILANTHROPOS.
State of New-Hampshire, Strafford ss.
WE the subscribers being appointed by the hon. Judge of probate, &c. for said county, commissioners to receive and examine the claims of the several creditors to the estate of Alexander Caldwell, late of Dover, in said county, deceased, represented insolvent; do hereby give notice that we will attend on said business on the second Monday of July next, and the five following months, at the dwelling house of Jonathan Gage, innholder in said town, from three to six o'clock in the afternoon of each of said days.
John Burnham, } Commissioners. Moses Wingate, }
Dover, June 23, 1786.
ROCKINGHAM, ss.
THE subscribers appointed Commissioners to receive and examine the claims of the several creditors to the estate of JOSEPH HIX- ON, late of Portsmouth, in said county, mariner, deceased, represented insolvent; give notice that they will attend and receive said claims, at the dwelling-house of Capt. George Hart, on the last Tuesday of this, and the five following months, from 6 to 9 o'clock, P. M. (six months being al- lowed for that purpose.)
JOSHUA BRACKETT, JOHN PARKER, JACOB TREADWELL,
Portsmouth, May 18 1786,
John Goddard,
Has for Sale at his Shop opposite the Print- ing-Office in Paved-Street.
A very general Assortment of Drugs & Medicines,
—Also—
Medeira, Sherry, Port, Cacavilla, Lisbon, Claret, Muscat, Frontinac, Malaga and George's WINE S.
LINSEED OIL, Painters Brushes and an assortment of Pain- ters Colors and Dryers, Loaf and brown Sugar, Rum, Brandy and Gin, London Porter, Olive, Florence and Lu- cao Oil, Hyson, Congo and Bohea Tea, Raisins, Currants, Figs, Olives, Capers, Almonds,
—Also—
A few Boxes of excellent
Boston made CHOCOLATE.
The above Articles will be sold as cheap as can be purchased in the State. Portsmouth, June 22.
Alexander Bruce,
Boot and Shoe-Maker,
ACQUAINTS the Public in general, and those who please to favour him with their custom, in particular, that he has removed from Boston to this place, and has opened Shop in Buck-Street (formerly Queen's-Street) where Gentlemen may be supplied with BOOTS and SHOES, as neat as in London:— He has also brought with him an assortment of the best of Draw-Boot LEGS, and other LEATHER of the first quality. Portsmouth, May 18.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the proprietors and owners of land in Fitzwilliam, who have not paid their taxes, that so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue, on Thurs- day, the thirteenth day of July next, at the house of Joseph Farewell in said town, at nine o'clock, before noon, as will pay the taxes and charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   No. Range. No. R.    Peter Joslin 1 Col. Stoddard 19  Isaac Goodnow 2 Conant 9  Abner Stone 9 John Allen 14  Robert Weare 14 Daniel Mellen 16  Col. Stoddard 16 Eben'zr. Bowtwell 7  ditto 1 Josiah Hartwell 12  Mathew Osborn 10 John Stevens 1  Joseph Farwell 11 Capt. Smith 10  Levi Wilder 12 Josiah Hartwell 11  Benjamin Scott 14 Heirs G. Libbey 10  ditto 15 Col. Stoddard 12  Col. Stoddard 1 ditto 13  James Reed 4 Ebenezer Tolman 23  Heirs of G. Libbey 5 Josiah Hartwell 8  Samuel Osborn 11 Heirs G. Libbey 10  Esq. Mellen 12 Nathan Brooks 11  Jotham Haven 19 Col. Stoddard 12  Samuel Kiteridge 21 Mat'w. Thornton 13  Nathan Hall 23 James Reed 15  Col. Stoddard 1 John Sweetland 22  ditto 7 Levi Wheeler 11  Samson Stoddard 8 Rufus Buckland 19  Matthew Osborn 9 Agabus Bishop 22  
   No. R. Acres. No. R. A.    Col. Stoddard 7 4 50 Wm. Tolman 20 10 66  Levi Wilder 6 4 50 Josiah Goodale 1 11 50  Benja. Davison 15 5 40 Samuel Bent 6 1 10  John Whitney 3 5 33 Jonas Gery 7 10 50  S. Farnsworth 17 6 65 Isaac Stone 21 7 35  Esq. Mellen 14 6 90 Samuel Bent 8 2 70  Jaton Stone 21 6 81 Esq. Batchelor 4 12 60  Joseph Stone 8 6 27 Jon. Whitcomb 3 8 50  Caleb Stacy 5 7 50 Levi Wilder 17 9 45  Silas Angir 6 9 20 Mich. Sweetser 4 10 65  Col. Stoddard 22 10 12 Daniel Millen 15 7 72  John Wright 21 10 88 John Stevens 21 10 74  Ezekiel White 20 12 15 James Reed 2 5 50  Peter Wheeler 10 12 34 James Reed 12 7 38  Morse 9 8 40 Jonas Woods 13 7 50  Heirs J. Bruce 21 8 62 John Allen 15 7 65  
JOSEPH FARWELL, Collector.
Fitzwilliam, June 7, 1786.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the town of Andover, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1784, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber, on or before Thursday the 6th day of July next, so much of their land as will pay the same, together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at my dwelling house in said town, at ten o'clock, P. M. of said day, unless prevented by previous payment.
   No. R. Q'ty s. d. s. d.    Jonathan Beck 1 100 3 9 1 9  Meserve & Company 2 100 1 10 0 10  Israel Blake 4 50 1 11 10  Daniel Marston N. h'l's 5 1 50 1 10 11  Ditto 5 2 40 1 11 10  Ditto 5 1 44 1 11 10  Ebenezer Loverin 7 1 100 3 9 1  Joseph French 10 4 50 1 11 10  Archelus Lakeman 12 2 50 1 11 10  William Swain 14 4 100 3 9 4  Joseph Gove 15 1 100 2 6 1  Samuel French 21 2 40 1 11 10  Thomas Cilley 22 3 60 2 5 2  Robert Miller 25 4 60 1 11 0  Benjamin French, jr. 28 3 50 1 11 10  Amos Dunnell 31 4 30 1 3 6  David Norton 32 4 38 1 5 7  Jonathan Leavitt 34 4 100 7 6 3  John Ellis 45 1 50 8 9 3  John Sanborn 59 3 20 4  Nason Cais 60 4 100 1 11 10  Jesse Prescott 65 1 100 1 11 10  Nathan Longfellow 73 1 50 2 6 1  Tobias Lakeman 73 3 100 3 9 1  Joseph Prescott 75 1 100 3 9 1  John Hoit 76 4 80 2 6 1  Amendments 77 1 15 1 11 1  73 3 68 2 6 1  24 3 50 2 6 1  56 1 100 3 9 1  Wm. B. Clough, half 41 3 40 3 9 1  
NIMEON CONNOR, Collector.
Andover, May 29, 1786.
For Sale,
A genteel new CHAISE,
Also,
A second-hand CHAISE,
For which payment will be made easy; a good Horse will be received in part pay.
Inquire of the PRINTER.
Wanted to purchase
A good FARM,
For which good pay will be made.
Inquire of the PRINTER.
State of New-Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the following delinquent proprietors of the Township of Wendell, for their Taxes assessed on their Lands in said Town for the year 1783. that unless the same is paid to me at my house in said Wendell, on or before the 12th day of July next, with incidental charges, so much of said delinquents Lands will be sold at the house of Mr. Moses True, in said Town, at Ten o'clock in the Fore- noon of said day, at public vendue, as will pay the same.
   l. s. d.    Eliphalet Spafford 0 7 8  Josiah Hart 2 4  Samuel Gilbert 7 8  Widow Boland 4 10  Jeremiah Hawkins 2 4  Stephen Woodward 4 10  Oliver Jerks's heirs 11 3  Deborah Burbanks 11 3  
DANIEL SHERBURNE, Collector.
Wendell, June 2, 1786.
State of New-Hampshire, Rockingham, ss.
THE SUBSCRIBERS appointed Commissio- ners by the Hon'ble Phillips White, Esq. Judge of the Probate of Wills, &c. for said Coun- ty, to receive and examine the Claims of the se- veral Creditors to the Estate of William Parker, late of Portsmouth, Esq. deceased, represented insolvent, and six Months being allowed for that Purpose, give Notice, that they shall attend said Service, at the Dwelling House of Col. William Brewster, on the last Wednesday of this and the five following Months, from 6 to 9 o'Clock P.M.
THOMAS MARTIN, JOHN PICKERING, JOHN SPARHAWK.
Portsmouth, June 6, 1786.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for this Paper, at Four shillings and six pence for six Months (exclusive of postage) are taken in at this Office, and by Mr. GEORGE ODIORNE, at his Shop in Exeter, where Advertisements are received, the Favors of Correspondents all Orders in the Art of Printing is attended to with Punctuality and Dispatch.