The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1788-10-02 00:00:00

NEW-HAMPSHIRE AND GENERAL THURSDAY,
PORTSMOUTH: By JOHN MELCHER,
GAZETTE, THE ADVERTISER.
OCTOBER 2, 1788.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED IN MARKET-STREET.
"WHEN ANGRY NATIONS PART IN LEAGUES OF PEACE, LET PRIVATE FEUDS AND CIVIL DISCORDS CEASE."
LONDON, June 14.
AMERICAN LOYALIST.
THE House resolved itself into a committee on the report of the Commissioners appointed to consider the claims of the American Loyalists.
THE Chancellor of the Exchequer in opening the final arrangement with regard to the Loyalists, said, that he could not admit the establishment of the principal, that their claim was a claim of strict right; but they undoubtedly had a strong claim on the compassion and generosity of this country. The total amount of the losses that had been proved and allowed by the Commissioners was 1,800,000l. and that the amount of losses not yet proved, but under the consideration of the Commissioners, would be between two and three hundred thousand pounds, making together about 2,100,000l. Of this sum 500,000l. had been already advanced and there remained about a million and an half.
Of the various descriptions of Loyalists, some were unquestionably more meritorious than others; they have accordingly been divided by the Commissioners into different classes: And although it was not his intention to adopt precisely the distinctions they had made, nor to inquire into the relative merits of particular persons at this distance of time, yet he was desirous of making what was given, to appear to be given from generosity, and not on any recognition of right, and therefore he wished to make some distinction. It could not be expected that this country should make good the full amount of the losses that were ascertained. No person who had the misfortune to be involved in a civil war, and to be of the party defeated, could expect to come out as well as he went in. The Loyalists must be content to bear part of the loss which they had sustained in common with this country. But that none who had been in affluent circumstances might be reduced to poverty, and as the loss of a small sum from a small fortune, was a greater hardship than a greater loss from a greater fortune, he meant to allow the full amount to all whose losses did not exceed 10,000l. and to make a deduction of so much per cent. on the excess above that sum from those whose losses were greater.
To those whose whole property was in America before the war, he meant to allow in the first place 10,000l. without any deduction. From the excess above 10,000l. up to 30,000l. to deduct 10 per
cent. on sums exceeding 30,000l. from the excess above 10,000l. up to 50,000l. 15 per cent. on all sums exceeding 50,000l. 20 per cent. The total deduction on this class would be 38,000l.
To those who had property both in America and in this country, he meant to allow in like manner, 10,000l. without any deduction; and from the excess above 10,000l. up to 35,000l. to deduct 20 per cent. In this class there was only one person whose claim exceeded 30,000l. except Mr. Harford, and the total deduction would be 57,000l.
The great claim of Mr. Harford amounted to 230,000l. and although it far exceeded those of the same class, he had thought it necessary, for the sake of the general principle, to extend the scale in some sort to it. He meant to allow 20,000l. to pay two ladies, who had claims on property lost to that amount, and by giving to Mr. Harford 10,000l. without any deduction, and taking from the remainder 20 per cent. for every 50,000l. or 80 per cent. on the whole, to allow him in all 50,000l. After a short debate, Mr. Pitt agreed to add 20,000l. more to the sum allowed Mr. Howard.
The total sum, therefore, that he should propose to the Committee to vote for the loss of property, would be 1,228,219l.
The next description was of persons who, although they had not lost property, had been deprived of incomes which they before enjoyed, and who were no less objects of compassion than the others. With regard to these he should observe the same general principle. To those whose loss did not exceed 400l. a year, he meant to allow half-pay, or 50 per cent. on their former income; between that and 1500l. 40 per cent. and on all above, 30 per cent.
The proprietors of lands in Florida, whose claims already ascertained, amounted to 120,000l. were to be considered in a different light. Theirs was a claim of strict right. Their lands had not been wrested from them in the course of a civil war, but made the price of peace to the country; and they had the same claim on the publick as any other persons had whose property had been taken from them, or at least put in such a situation as that they could not retain it for the sake of the public good. To them therefore he meant to allow the full amount of their claims.
The sums thus allowed to the Loyalists, he meant to pay by instalments from the profits of an
annual lottery, and to issue debentures, bearing an interest of three and a half per cent. payable half yearly.—He concluded with moving his first resolution. Several gentlemen spoke in the debate.
Mr. Burke approved both of the principle and plan proposed. The claim of the Loyalists was not a claim of right, but it was more, it was a claim on the humanity, the generosity, the justice of this country; and he wished the Americans, as the first act of their peaceful independence, had afforded them that relief for which they applied to us. To have done so, would have been honourable to themselves; and the means of cementing a new connection between the two countries, which he hoped still to see cemented. The allowance was liberal beyond example, and so much the more honourable for those that made it. He was proud to stand forward and avow his approbation of the measure, and to claim his share of the responsibility annexed to it.
The several resolutions were then put and carried, and the report of the Committee ordered to be received on Monday.
July 3. The following is an extract of a letter from Petersburg, dated May 16:—"A circumstance has just happened, which causes no small commotions, as it will retard the sailing of the fleet, the first division of which, consisting of eight ships of the line, of which La Catherine, of 36 guns, was one, had just completed their equipment, and would have sailed in a few days for the Baltick. The matter briefly is, the resignation of all the English Officers, to the number of three score and upwards, who waited on the President of the Admiralty, and have laid down their commissions, on account of the appointment of the celebrated American Renegado, Paul Jones, to a commission and command in the Russian service, delivering at the same time a manifesto, whereby they had not only refused to serve under, but also to serve with, that officer. Another matter also alarmed the Government for some days, which was, that the French Officers had shewn a similar dislike, but no resignations have happened among the officers of that nation. There are now no fewer than ten sail of the line completely disofficered by this step, and should not some means be found to reconcile the differences, it will be impossible for so large a fleet, as had been intended, ever reaching the Mediterranean. A report is just current, which we hope for the benefit of the service may be true, i. e. that
the Admiral Paul Jones will go to the Port of Azoph, whither the Empress will defray the expense of his journey, and that he will have a separate command on the Black Sea and Sea of Azoph alone.
"P. S. May 18.—It is just now brought to me from authority, that the Sieur Tickigoste, an officer of great merit in the service, and who is a member of this Admiralty, has prevailed with the English Captains, Lieutenants, &c. that lately resigned, under a promise of advantageous offers from the Empress, to resume their several situations, which they have still unanimously refused, until the person whose character is disputed, shall have left this city and set out for Azoph, with the fullest assurances that Mr. Jones never shall be appointed to a commission or command in that part of the service where those officers remain."
Extract of a letter from Dublin, dated June 6.
"A fish was lately taken on the coast of Marlcroon, in Norway, which is situated in the 67th degree of latitude, and pretty much in the line with the longitude of London. This animal of the finny tribe has been found to be a mile and an half in bulk, and the antennae or fins, which are tubous, or hollow, are supposed to be about six feet in altitude. This accounts for the phenomena that had been lately observed in the North Seas."
John Paul Jones, who is now a Rear Admiral of the navy of the Empress of Russia, and who set off for Cherson the 18th of May, to command part of the squadron in the Black Sea is much spoken of. In the estimation of the Empress he stands high—and recommended as he is by the United States of America, and by his Most Christian Majesty, it will be difficult for the English officers in the Russian navy to effect his removal, which they have exerted their endeavours to, for some time. The English officers envy him his rank, though his merit placed him in it. For the head of the Chevalier Jones, the Dey of Algiers has promised a reward of 2000 sequins, to be paid to the person who first lays it at his feet.
PETERSBURG, August 28.
We are informed by a gentleman from Richmond, that an express arrived to the Executive, on Monday last, with dispatches from Congress, requiring of this state one thousand militia, who are to march immediately to the Western Frontier, and join the Continental troops stationed there. We are not acquainted with the particulars of this sudden and unexpected event—but if true, it certainly is a glorious opportunity for our military citizens to exercise their enterprising genius.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. The REPENTING GAMBLER.
I SHALL ever be willing to render a tribute of unfeigned thanks to the author of "HIGH-LOW-JACK" and the GAME"—A mature consideration of which, has caused me to think on that odious practice, that is there so highly exclaimed against: And I hope it will make many of my companions think on their ways and turn their feet into the testimony of the Lord. Every thing, my friends, that is carried to excess, becomes criminal, and consequently detestable in the sight of that Being before whom we must all soon appear. I mean to speak with freedom, and from experience. Gaming is a practice pregnant with the most horrid and complicated scenes of wickedness. I have long followed this practice, a practice big with shame and horror; night after night have I left the partner of my bosom in a lonely mansion, who, flushed with the idea of my speedy return, spent her solitary hours in employments becoming the dignity of human nature—while I was not only wounding her feelings, but disgracing human nature and injuring my own soul: But her expectations being soon vanquished, at my repeated and long absence, her anxious mind was fraught with feelings which none but herself could describe.
This course I pursued until my property was diminished, my health impaired, and my mind contaminated—my family in indigent circumstances, and all early following my own vicious steps. Determined not to refrain from my wicked and detestable practice, I resolved not only to pursue gaming simply, but all the fatal streams that flow from that corrupted fountain of iniquity. Sometimes in my hours of retirement I felt the sting and lashes of a condemning conscience; but in such critical moments, the father of lies and inventor of all mischief, who is ever ready to assist Gamblers, urged me on to the practice of all wickedness; by his damnable intrigues and flattering seductions, I went on from a step to step, until I had completed the measure of my iniquity. Every sentence that I uttered in public or private conversation, was loaded with an oath; and the sacred name of God, which ought never to be used but with the utmost reverence and awe, became mere by-words, sounds, without meaning, and names without a reality.
The first time I ever deviated greatly from the line of rectitude, was at the gaming table: there I enlisted under the government of Satan, who soon prescribed rules for my future conduct, and delineated the enchanting path that leads to destruction—Thus lost to all sense of virtue—and every sentiment of humanity being eradicated from my mind, and my heart steeled against all conviction, I could hear, without the least emotion, the tender pathetick cries of my bosom friend, in language sufficient to melt the hardest heart, entreating me in the most delicate and expressive language of forbearance. But, deaf to all such tender entreaties, I persisted, until the hand of poverty drove me from it.
I found my fortune scandalously consumed, my health foolishly impaired, my body emaciated, and my strength decayed. In this situation thoughts of the keenest distress pierced my soul; despised by my companions in vice, and by the virtuous, clouds of the blackest horror surrounded me; thoughts pregnant with the most complicated baseness, crowded my troubled, perturbed mind. Even such thoughts so big with horror, that the most iron hearted savage would bleed, or stupid heathen blush at the relation. The thought of suicide intwined itself closely to the fibres of my heart—and urged on by the father of gaming, I was almost persuaded to commit the fatal act. But prompted by a sense of my former rectitude and integrity, I withheld the blackest of all crimes—a crime which, alas! too often ends the life of Gamblers.—Thus, as apples of gold in pictures of silver to the eye, so has been the exclamations against gaming to my soul.
And now, ye gamblers, since experience has been allowed to be the best instructor, permit me, with the tenderest emotions of friendship, to intreat you to refrain from gaming, that slippery path which leads to inevitable ruin; that path which doubtless has conducted many of your companions in vice to everlasting destruction.
If then you love your own souls, or regard your families, do be persuaded to de-
* The Devil.
sert the cause of Satan and desist from gaming: Listen not to the seductions and intrigues of your grand adversary, who is always infatuating your minds and endeavouring to lead you astray; refrain from all vice and live answerable to the end for which you was sent into the world.
Think on that great and approaching day, when you must come before your Maker and give an account of your conduct: there you must answer for every night you have surrounded the gaming table; there for every act of fraud—and there for every oath.
Consider, ye Card-players, that you injure yourselves and affront your Maker: injure yourselves, because you endanger your own souls; and your Maker, because you disgrace his works.
ONE OF THE CLUB.
September 20, 1788.
THE PHILOSOPHIC COBLER.
THOUGH not very fond of seeing a pageant myself, yet I am generally pleased with being in the crowd which sees it; it is amusing to observe the effect which such a spectacle has upon the variety of faces; the pleasure it excites in some, the envy in others, and the wishes it raises in all. With this design I lately went to see the entry of a foreign ambassador, resolved to make one in the mob, to shout as they shouted, to fix with earnestness upon the same frivolous objects, and participate, for a while, the pleasures and the wishes of the vulgar.
Struggling here for some time, in order to be first to see the cavalcade as it passed, some one of the crowd unluckily happened to tread upon my shoe, and tore it in such a manner, that I was utterly unqualified to march forward with the main body, and obliged to fall back in the rear. Thus rendered incapable of being a spectator of the show myself, I was at least willing to observe the spectators, and limped behind like one of the invalids which follow the march of an army.
In this plight, as I was considering the eagerness that appeared on every face, how some bustled to get foremost, and others contented themselves with taking a transient peep when they could; how some praised the four black servants that were stuck behind one of the equipages, and some the ribbons that decorated the horses' necks in another; my attention was called off to an object more extraordinary than any that I had yet seen: A poor Cobler sat in his stall by the way-side, and continued to work while the crowd passed by without testifying the smallest share of curiosity, I own his want of attention excited mine; and, as I stood in need of his assistance, I thought it best to employ a Philosophic Cobler on this occasion: perceiving my business, therefore, he desired me to enter and set down, took my shoe in his lap, and began to mend it with his usual indifference and taciturnity.
"How, my friend," said I to him, "can you continue to work while all those fine things are passing by your door?" "Very fine they are, master," returned the cobler, "for those that like them, to be sure; but what are all those fine things to me? You don't know what it is to be a cobler, and so much the better for yourself. Your bread is baked; you may go and see fights the whole day, and eat a warm supper at night; but for me, if I should run hunting after all these fine folk, what should I get by my journey but an appetite? and, God help me, I have too much of that at home already, without stirring out for it. Your people who may eat four meals a day, and supper at night, are but a bad example to such a one as I. No, master, as God has called me into this world in order to mend old shoes, I have no business with fine folk, and they no business with me." I here interrupted him with a smile. "See this last, master," continues he, "and this hammer; this last and hammer are the two best friends I have in this world; nobody else will be my friend, because I want a friend. The great folks you saw pass by just now have five hundred friends, because they have no occasion for them. Now, while I stick to my good friends here, I am very contented; but, when I ever so little run after fights and fine things, I begin to hate my work, I grow sad, and have no heart to mend shoes any longer."
This discourse only served to raise my curiosity to know more of a man whom Nature had thus formed into a Philosopher. I therefore insensibly led him into a history of his adventures:—
"I have lived, said he, a wandering life, now five-and-fifty years, here to-day and gone to-morrow; for it was my misfortune, when I was young, to be fond of changing." "You have been a traveller, then, I presume?" interrupted I. "I can't boast much of travelling," continued he, "for I have never left the parish in which I was born but 3 times in my life, that I can remember; but then there is not a street in the whole neighbourhood that I have not lived in, at some time or another. When I began to settle, and to take to my business in one street, some unforeseen misfortune, or a desire of trying my luck elsewhere, has removed me, perhaps, a whole mile away from my former customers, while some more lucky cobler would come into my place, and make a handsome fortune among friends of my making: there was one who actually died in a stall that I had left, worth seven pounds seven shillings, all in hard gold, which he had quilted into the waistband of his breeches."
I could not but smile at these migrations of a man by the fire-side, and continued to ask if he had ever been married. "Ay, that I have, master," replied he, "for sixteen long years; and a weary life I had of it, Heaven knows. My wife took it into her head, that the only way to thrive in this world was to save money; so, though our comings-in was but about three shillings a week, all that ever she could lay her hands upon she used to hide away from me, though we were obliged to starve the whole week for it."
"The first three years we used to quarrel about this every day, and I always got the better; but she had a hard spirit, and still continued to hide as usual; so that I was at last tired of quarrelling and getting the better; and she scraped and scraped at pleasure, 'till I was almost starved to death. Her conduct drove me, at last, in despair to the alehouse; here I used to sit with people who hated home like myself, drank while I had money left, and run in score while any body would trust me; 'till at last the landlady, coming one day with a long bill when I was from home, and putting it into my wife's hands, the length of it effectually broke her heart. I searched the whole stall, after she was dead, for money; but she had hidden it so effectually, that, with all my pains, I could never find a farthing."
By this time my shoe was mended, and, satisfying the poor artist for his trouble, and rewarding him besides for his information, I took my leave, and returned home to lengthen out the amusement his conversation afforded, by communicating it to my friend.
An Extraordinary LAW CASE. Remarkable case of an unfortunate gentleman, who had two fathers, and yet ne'er a one.
SHOULD be glad of the opinion of the learned in the law, upon the following new, and, to me, important question:
My mother was married to her first husband only three weeks when he was accidentally killed by a fall from his horse. Four weeks thereafter she was married to a second husband; and exactly eight months and an half after her second marriage she was delivered of me, apparently come to the full time; but prior to my appearance in the world the second husband died also. Pray which of these two gentlemen was, or ought to have been, my father, according to the laws of England?
Each of them left a small estate.—The relations of the first husband have seized upon his estate, under pretence that he died without issue; had you been born, said they, the first day of the 7th month after the date of the second marriage, you would have belonged to that marriage; as the law has allowed to every mother a short coming of three months.
Say the relations of the second husband, you shall not have his estate, because the same law allows the mother three months over the nine; therefore had you been born upon the last day of the eleventh month after the first husband's death, you would have been his son to all intents and purposes.
They say further, that supposing the allowance of three months within or over the nine, should be found to strike equally against them both, yet they are at no loss to make good both their claims on a separate ground. Nine months, say they, is fixed by experience as the
medium period of a woman's pregnancy, and the law has humanely allowed three months within or over, from a presumption that it is probable she may so far exceed or fall short of the ordinary time: But when, as in the present case, there has been an inference of two lawful husbands, this legal presumption cannot be admitted: And there is no other method of determining the question, but by the natural presumption arising from the ordinary period of pregnancy: And when we attempt to ascertain your father by this rule, we find, that as you were born nine months and an half after the death of the first husband, and eight months and an half after the marriage with the second, the natural presumption for and against either husband being your father is equal. Since then the law will admit you no other father but one or other of these two persons, since you cannot lay claim to any one of them in preference to the other, and since it is impossible you can have two fathers; therefore, you have none at all.
MELCHISEDECK.
Facts concerning the BUTTERNUT TREE. of Northamerica.
From Dr. MITCHEL's Journal. THE Butternut Tree grows luxuriantly in many places, and is sometimes so large as to measure ten feet in circumference. It is a species of juglans , seemingly not noticed by Linnaeus , and although mentioned by Cutler (memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, vol. 1. p. 490) among the valuable indigenous vegetables of the United States, has been passed over, without a narrative of its particular uses and virtues.
The bark affords, by boiling in water, an extract that is found, by experience, to possess a purgative quality. This is safe, gentle and efficacious; and when administered in doses, from fifteen to forty grains, operates downwards without griping. It was much used in the Continental army, during the late war, and proved a good substitute for jalap, rhubarb, and other catharticks of foreign production. The country people, in several districts, keep it for their families, and prescribe it as a domestick medicine. Some of them have even been profitably busied in preparing the extract for sale to the practitioners of physic, apothecaries and housekeepers, both in this country and abroad.
It is an excellent medicine in those diseases where gentle purging and mild catharticks are proper, and therefore it is said to have been remarkably serviceable in dysenteries, hæmorrhoids, gonorrhæas and other ailments.
This remedy seems peculiar to Northamerica; it appears not to be employed in medical practice in Europe; I never knew it prescribed in the infirmaries at London, Paris or Edinburgh; nor has it been received into any of the pharmacopœias.
Besides its use in private practice, it is excellently adapted, from its cheapness, to the purposes of hospitals, dispensaries, navies and camps. If then, physicians and surgeons, in foreign countries be encouraged to prescribe this extract to their patients, they will not only bring into general vogue an useful medicine, but will likewise make it a lucrative article of commerce, for exportation from this quarter of the globe.
It needs scarcely to be mentioned, that the nut of this tree is very rich, esculent and oily; and that the bark is used for dying cloth with various shades of brown.
POUGHKEEPSIE, September 16.
The following melancholy instances are most striking demonstrations of the uncertainty of human life: On the 5th instant, as Mr. Eliphalet Wheeler, of Amenia, in this county, was dressing a mill stone in Albany, to all appearance in perfect health; he suddenly fell backward, and in a moment expired without a groan. His corps was immediately conveyed to his family, which consists of an amiable wife and two children, who will experience the loss of a kind husband and an affectionate father: though a mechanick, he had by his industry, obtained a genteel support.
On Tuesday morning, Mrs. Mary Kip, wife of Mr. Benoni Kip, and daughter of Lemuel Conklin, Esq. of Clinton, in this county, (having gone to bed the evening before, to all appearance in perfect health) was found dead in her bed, with her child, about 14 months old, still sucking her breast.

W A R S A W, July 23.
Letters from Bohopol, of the 14th of this month, bring accounts, that the Russian fleet, on the 13th, at three o'clock in the morning, attacked again, and completely beat that of the Turks, and burnt 4 of their largest ships and 10 frigates, the rest escaped into the open sea.—The action lasted till noon. Oczakow is now attacked by sea, and the Russian camp is but seven werstes from the place. Prince Potemkin has reconnoitered Oczakow in person, and the Turks made a brisk sally, but were repulsed. The Turks were drove out of the out-works, the suburbs are burnt, and the Russian chas- seurs on foot encamp upon the spot. The garrison is deprived of fresh water, as the Russians are in possession of all the sources from whence they obtained it.
N E W - Y O R K, September 16.
The 25th of August a violent hurricane happened at Martinico, Dominico and St. Eustatia, most of the vessels put to sea, those that remained were totally destroyed. A great number of houses were blown down; and lumber much wanted in those islands.
Monf. de. Callonne, the French Ex Minister, was lately married at Bath, in England, to the sister of Madame la Borde, whose husband is banker to the King of France. She is daughter to Monf. Didelot, Banker to the Emperor of Germany, and has a fortune of 15,000. sterl. per annum.
SEPT. 18.—Since our last the brig Anne, Capt. Lawrence, arrived from London, Capt. Lawrence brought papers to late as the 10th of July, but they contain nothing of consequence, except, That, the refusal of a passage to the Russian fleet into the Baltick and Mediterranean, by the Swedes, Danes, &c. has roused a cloud of investigators into its principles. It has so refounded through the north, and such preparations have been made in consequence, that it is now supposed the Russians will not attempt the passage:—That the plague rages in the Ottoman empire, particularly in the city of Constantinople, canal, harbour and fleet:—That the expenses of the grand army at Hungary is calculated at 50,000. sterl. a day:—That the Porte has received a declaration from Spain, intimating that they will not oppose the passage of the Russian fleet in the Streights of Gibraltar, if they have no English sailers or transports:—That the Emperor of Morocco has informed the Divan he will take part with the Porte, in the present war against any power whatever:—That General Prince de Linchenstein has desired the battalions which are sent to his assistance may march in the night; from this it is presumed that he is in daily apprehension of an attack from the Turks encamped near Dubicza:—That on the 14th of June, the Swedish fleet, consisting of 15 sail of the line, were an the entrance of the Gulph of Finland: That on the 18th of the same month, the Russian fleet sailed from Constadt, and were composed of sixteen sail of the line, among which were two first rates, mounting 100 guns each; an action between these two powers is therefore looked for as a consequence almost inevitable:—That the Swedish army assembled in Finland is composed of 35,000 men all well equipped, in a good state of discipline:—And that, according to the last returns, the British fleet consisted of 127 ships of the line, 115 gun ships, 101 frigates, and 40 sloops of war:—Also, via Paris, that hostilities had already commenced between their troops and those of Russia, on the borders of Finland.
W O R C E S T E R, Sept. 25.
A number of dwelling-houses, shops, &c. have been broken open, and entered in the night, in different parts of this county, within a fortnight past—and from several of them pieces of plate, and other articles have been carried off.—About three o'clock on Thursday morning last the dwelling-house of Mr. Salisbury in this town was entered by breaking the cellar window, by which means the villains had access to the kitchen which they rumaged, and carried off three silver table spoons and some other articles;
the front room being locked they could not easily enter it by the door, and therefore went outside the house, and were breaking the casement by boring, when they were discovered and hastily run off. From several circumstances, it appears that there are several of these villains lurking about, who without doubt are connected together in this diabolical business. It would be greatly conducive to the safety of the inhabitants of this county, if an association was formed of two or three men in every town in the county, who on notice given of a theft, robbery, housebreaking, horsestealing, &c. would immediately pursue the villains who commit the crime until they were overtaken and brought to justice. Such a plan would soon make this kind of gentry very scarce in this county; as it does in some parts of Connecticut where this method is adopted.
B O S T O N, September 27. HURRICANE in MARTINICO.
A gentleman who was at Martinico during the tremendous hurricane, on the 14th of August, gives the following description of its effects.—The gale came on in the morning and continued increasing and shifting until night—when it redoubled its fury, and made such devastation, that the next morning presented a scene greatly distressing—The vessels were all driven to sea, cast on shore or foundered—not a single vessel remaining in the harbour of St. Pierre.—During the night, the scene was terrible—the heavens appeared to be one continued glare of lightning—the rain poured down as if from sluices—the wind raging as if it was its last efforts—and the earth trembling under the appalled inhabitants, from the shock of an earthquake. The streets were rendered almost impassable from the timber, &c. blown into them—and the whole bay was covered with timber, boards, &c. great part of which was dashed to pieces and lost.
The damage done in the country is incredible. All the north part of the island is nearly laid waste. The town of Trinity is almost level with the ground—that part of the island, from that town, round to the N. N. W. part, there is scarcely a house or tree standing. A house 60 feet square, and one story high, was carried off its foundation to the distance of 100 yards.—Two white women were buried in the ruins, and a young lady endeavouring to make her escape, on perceiving the house in motion, was carried by the strength of the wind against a stone wall by which melancholy accident she had both her legs broken.—The negro houses that stood about 200 rods from the house, were entirely swept off, and 30 or 40 negroes lost their lives. The rest of the plantations suffered much in like manner, according to their numbers.
The young canes were twisted off close to the ground by the fury of the wind, and it is thought, entirely ruined. The negro food is almost totally destroyed; such as potatoes, yams, cassada, plantains, &c. The planters say, that this hurricane exceeds the one that was in the year 1766. The loss of their negroes, canes, &c. are far more considerable than was ever known before.
The merchants and planters petitioned the Commander in Chief, praying that some measure might be taken to alleviate their sufferings. The next day he ordered all the ports in the island to be opened for American produce, except those articles heretofore prohibited, free from duty, only the island duty which is one per cent.—This had effect from the 20th August last, and is to continue until the 1st January 1789.
Several estimates have been made of the losses sustained, and the lives that were lost by this dreadful hurricane, and it is generally agreed that there were between six and seven hundred lives lost, black and white—and that the whole loss in town and country, is 10,000,000 livres.
We learn from Philadelphia, that a plan is now on foot for redeeming and burning the remaining part of the late paper emission of 150,000. in bills of credit, which is supposed to be about 83,000.
by a private subscription, thereby preventing the present destructive speculation upon that commodity.
The London General Advertiser of July 18, advises That “the States General have recalled their Envoy Extraordinary to the American Congress, and will only have a Resident in future—in which last capacity the younger Mr. Van Berke replaces his father, who was Envoy.”
The same Paper mentions, that “General Conway, Governor of Pondicherry, in the East Indies, at the head of 1000 French troops, had taken possession of Trincomale, an important place belonging to the Dutch, without firing a gun.” Extract of a letter from Lisbon dated July 15.
“No danger is to be apprehended from the Algerines, because while we have the mouth of the Streights blocked up with two line of battle ships, three frigates and two cutters, there is not the least danger; we would insure this risk at half per cent. The Dey has declared war against France, which is in favour of the United States, as they will also have men of war to protect their trade in the Mediterranean, and prevent their passing the Streights mouth.”
We hear that in the prosecution of the voyage of the ship Alliance, Capt. Thomas Read, to Canton, he fell in with two islands, in the South Sea, which were not discovered by any of the great circumnavigators from Europe—one of which they have named Morris , and the other Alliance . Farther particulars of these discoveries, we flatter ourselves we shall be enabled to lay before our readers in a day or two.
So clear has of late been the Atmosphere that the Planets Jupiter and Venus have at noon day been seen at Philadelphia and at Newport; and several days the week past Venus was visible here by the naked eye.
S H I P N E W S.
Thursday evening arrived a cutter from Brest, with dispatches for the commander of the French squadron.
Sunday arrived the ship Mary, Captain Barnard, after a passage of 8 weeks and 2 days from London.
Same day arrived the brig ——, Captain Rich, from Holland.
His Most Christian Majesty's squadron, commanded by the Marquis de Seneville, sailed from this port, on Sunday last, with a fair wind.
P O R T S M O U T H, Oct. 2.
On Tuesday last arrived in this town, His Excellency the Count DE MOUS-TIER, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Court of France to the United States the Marchioness DE BREHAN, the Marquis her son, and the Chevalier DE POINTS. On their arrival they were waited on by His Excellency President Langdon and several gentlemen, who were introduced by the Sieur TOSCAN, Vice Consul; on the next day, a respectable number of gentlemen of the town waited upon His Excellency, and being introduced by the Consul, The Honorable Joshua Wentworth and Col. Oliver Whipple presented his Excellency with the following polite address: His Excellency the Count DE MOUS-TIER, Ambassador from His Most Christian Majesty to the United States of America.
The merchants and inhabitants of Portsmouth, impressed with a lively and grateful sense of the many and great favours conferred by His Most Christian Majesty upon the United States, beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on your safe arrival in this town.
Your appointment as the Representative of His Most Christian Majesty to the United States, we view as a fresh mark of his Majesty's friendly disposition towards them. Past experience of your kind exertions to strengthen the honourable and happy Alliance subsisting between the two countries, and to promote their real interests, give us a pleasing confidence that the period is not far distant when the commercial intercourse between them will be enlarged and permanently fixed on principles of mutual advantage, its only durable basis. We are happy in the honour done us by your polite visit, regret your sudden departure, which deprives us of a further opportunity of testifying in a manner more agreeable to our feelings, the joy we experience on this auspicious occasion.
Our ardent wishes for your prosperity, and happiness attend you in every situation of life.
To which His Excellency returned the following very polite answer:
GENTLEMEN,
I am extremely happy in receiving the honor which you show me by your kind visit. I hope that the expectation that you form of the advantage of a reciprocal intercourse of both our nations will prove well founded. It will be the result of the wise measures which will be taken by a general government, and which will comprehend in one view the interest of this Continent from one end of the United States to the other. I shall be happy if I may succeed in contributing to procure to the United States the advantages which may be expected from their Alliance with my nation, according to the intentions which I have always entertained.
His Excellency and the Marchioness DE BREHAN, and her son the Marquis DE BREHAN, with their suite, set out this morning on their journey for the Southern States, accompanied as far as Greenland by His Excellency President Langdon, the Consul of France, and a number of other respectable gentlemen.—A salute from the Castle was fired on the departure of His Excellency from the town in compliment of the high esteem for his person and character.
NAVAL OFFICE, Port of Piscataqua, September 25, 1788. ENTERED from Sloop Catharine, Gervais, Bonita. CLEARED for Brig Tryal, Brown, West-Indies. Brig Patty Wentworth, Mendum, Ditto. Brig Cooper, Fernald, Ditto.
J U S T I M P O R T E D,
And to be Sold
BY
THOMAS SHEAFE,
At his Store at the north end, adjoining his wharf.
A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF ENGLISH GOODS, Suitable for any season: : ALSO,
West-India Good, German Steel, Philadelphia Iron, Bohea and Souchong Tea, a few hogheads St. John's Stone Lime, &c. &c.
TO BE SOLD, By PUBLIC VENDUE, on Thursday the 2d day of October next, at ten o'clock, A. M.
at the dwelling-house of Mrs. Abigail Sparhawk;—all the personal estate of JOHN SPARHAWK, Esquire, deceased;
C O N S I S T I N G O F
House-hold Furniture, English Goods—A convenient Store—a second-hand Chaise—Whiskey, and several other articles.
Portsmouth, Sept. 17th, 1788.
T HE Creditors to the Estate of Capt. JOSEPH HOLBROOK, late of Portsmouth, are desired to call on the Subscriber for their respective Dividends.
BENJAMIN DEARBORN. Portsmouth, Sept. 15th, 1788.

VERSSES written by a sad Poet in a Fit of the HYP.
MUSE, lend thy gentle aid! heigh ho! Dull, dull, quite dull, and mal-propos; Heigh, ho! Pray Jove, no harm is hatching; I've heard them say that gaping's catching. Bless me, 'tis so; I've found it true. Readers, I'll put it round to you. 'Tis obvious what my yawnings mean, I'm burthen'd with that witch the spleen. The spleen! Good Charon, bring thy wherry,
I'm surely at the Stygian ferry.— Stay, can I walk? I move, 'tis true; But then, how know I that I do? Patients, in my distemper'd station, Want something more than confirmation. Hang this dull whim, 'tis fancy half, I'll hem, and try to strain a laugh: Strange that conceit has such a spell! I'm in a minute sick and well.
Great men have been like me beguil'd; A prelate thought himself with child; A fam'd soph express'd his fear, That he was grown an elbow-chair, But wanted yet another leg.— A third conceiv'd himself an egg. Another of this frantic class Thought his whole body made of glass, And begg'd the doctor'd undertake him, But not approach so near to break him. He'd do his utmost, he assur'd him, So—fell to beating, till he cur'd him.
A beau once told her grace at York He was de facto turn'd a cork, Which did her headpiece so betwistle, She fancy'd she was grown a bottle.
A lawyer had possess'd his poll That he was turn'd a parchment roll. And made him, at his taking ill, On his posteriors write his will.
It ran once in a cobler's pate His height o'ertopp'd a city gate, And that no arch cou'd let him thro'; Till he began his stall to view: And, finding there he sat upright, It cur'd him of the whimsies quite.
A taylor, troubled with the hyppo, Musing on wars and Don Filippo, Betook him, big as Alexander, To think himself was turn'd commander. His shreds appear'd, with aptest grace, To be converted all to lace: His yard for truncheon serv'd his use; A murd'rous cannon seem'd his goose: So up he closely barricades him, While vainly scolding wife invades him, And, to his last poor inch of carrot, He held that royal fort, his garret.
Such dreams, extravagant and wild, Will spleen suggest, sick fancy's child. All head-strong party instigators, All dirty whisperers of satyrs, All female scandal over tea, All milkfops that wou'd humour'd be, All hum-drumms, from Cheapside to Ban- tam,
Are govern'd by that apish phantom.
NEW-CHESTER AND BRIDGWATER. STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the townships of New-Chester and Bridgewater, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1786, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber on or before Wednesday, the fifteenth day of October next, so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at ten o'clock in the forenoon on said day, at the dwelling-house of Samuel Worthen, innholder in Bridgewater, unless prevented by previous payment. Silver. paper. loan-office. county.
   N. D. Q'ty V. s. d. q. d. q. s. d. q. d. q.     Thomas Packer 4 3 100 20 0 10 3 4 1 0 11 3 2 3   10 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   John Tolford, Esq. 28 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   29 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   38 1 90 10 5 2 2 5 3 1 2   22 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   24 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   45 3 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   39 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   57 2 100 10 5 2 2 5 3 1 2   7 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   Matthew Thornton, Esq. 69 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 4 3   67 1 31 5 2 3 1 2 3 3   89 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   77 4 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   4 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   13 2 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   6 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   71 2 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   19 3 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   82 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   41 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   87 4 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   39 3 71 10 5 2 2 5 3 1 2   86 1 90 10 5 2 2 5 3 1 2   87 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   45 4 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   60 2 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   51 2 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   79 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   Hugh Tolford 3 3 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   12 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   William Tolford 5 3 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   Samuel Moore 67 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   13 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   Mark Carr 18 3 9 3 2 3 1 3 1   33 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   Robert Fletcher 27 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   19 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   Joseph Clark 35 1 90 10 5 2 2 5 3 1 2   10 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Meserve & Company 36 1 59 8 4 1 1 3 5 1 1 1   5 2 71 21 11 1 4 2 1 1 3   10 4 86 12 6 0 2 2 6 0 1 3   Joseph Blanchard 42 1 90 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   3 2 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   85 3 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   35 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   William Parker 43 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Capt. Jonas Minot 60 1 90 20 10 3 4 1 11 3 2 3   93 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   38 3 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   75 4 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   76 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Archabald Dunlap 93 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   Henry Hall 16 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Solly & March 21 1 90 10 5 2 2 5 3 1 2   70 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   26 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   30 4 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   Robert Forsith 65 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3  
THOMAS LOCK, Constable.
Bridgewater, September 6th, 1788.
TO BE SOLD OR LET, A Grist-Mill & Saw-Mill,
in good repair, situated in Wolfborough on a stream where there is plenty of water all the year, with 100 Acres of Land, and a good House and Barn on the premises—Inquire of Judge Sewall at Old-York, or Ammi R. Cutter, of Portsmouth.
N. B. The Mills are so situated between two large ponds, that no freshet can affect them.
THE subscribers give notice that six months longer, from the 14th day of August last, is allow'd by the Judge of Probate, for the creditors to the estate of FREDERICK MORDANT BELL, late of Dover, deceased, represented insolvent, to bring in their claims, and that they will attend that business, at the dwelling-house of Mr JONATHAN GAGE, innholder in Dover, on the third Monday in this and the four following Months.
CHARLES CLAPHAM, } Commis- MOSES HAM, } sioners. Dover, September 1st, 1788.
THE creditors to the estate of LEONARD HARAMAN, late of Conway, deceased, represented insolvent, are hereby notified to bring in their claims to the subscribers, who being duly authorised, will attend to receive and examine the same, at the dwelling-house of Mrs. Anna Haraman, in Conway, on the last Thursday in this month, and the fourth Thursday of the five following months, from ten o'clock, A. M. to six o'clock, P. M.
RICHARD KIMBALL, } Commis- ABIAETHER EASTMAN, } sioners. Conway, September 10th, 1788.
NEW-CHESTER AND BRIDGWATER. STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in the townships of New-Chester and Bridgewater, who have not paid their taxes for the year 1786, that unless they pay the same to me the subscriber on or before Thursday, the sixteenth day of October next, so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue, at ten o'clock in the forenoon on said day, at the dwelling-house of Ephraim Webster, innholder in New-Chester, unless prevented by previous payment. Silver. paper. loan-office. county.
   N. D. Q'ty V. s. d. q. d. q. s. d. q. d. q.     Stephen Ferrenton 74 2 100 20 0 10 3 4 1 0 11 3 2 3   John Gorden 32 2 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Jeremiah Colburn 61 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   27 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   62 2 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   28 1 90 12 6 1 2 2 6 2 1 3   Joshua Tolford, Esq. 52 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   68 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   74 4 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Thomas Wallingsford, Esq. 68 1 90 10 5 1 2 5 3 1 2   63 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   56 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   78 4 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   Henry Herring 8 3 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   John McMurphy, Esq. 61 2 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   52 3 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   37 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   Robert Craige 56 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1 1 11 3 2 3   79 3 100 30 1 4 2 6 1 1 5 2 4   22 4 100 15 8 1 3 8 3 2 1   Jacob Sargent 66 2 100 25 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 3 2   James Quintin 59 2 100 20 1 10 3 4 1