Fowle's New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser ([Portsmouth, N.H.]), 1785-01-21 00:00:00

Description of the SEAL of this STATE.
THE Seal is two Inches in Diameter, and contains a Field encompassed with Laurel; intended to shew that the right of assuming Arms or Bearing was won in the Field--the Laurel is also Figurative of imploring the smiles of Heaven, as it is said that Lightning never injures it:-- On the Field is a Ship on the Stocks, with American Banners, and a Rising-Sun, to denote NEW-HAMPSHIRE's being the Eastermost State:--The Sun may also be considered as an Emblem of Prosperity in Business, and the Ship as a Staple of this State, and Figurative of Defence and Protection.--The first and last Ships for these purposes during the late glorious Struggle were built in New-Hampshire.
Of the Essential Excellencies in POETRY. To the PRINTERS of the NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.
Gentlemen, IT has been the general opinion of learned men, as well those who have professed other sciences, as poets, that there is something in poetry supernatural or divine. If a man was disposed to shew his learning upon this occasion, there would be nothing easier than to multiply quotations in support of this opinion from the greatest authors of antiquity; but as this would only prove what we laid down at first, that sensible and reasonable persons have been persuaded of the truth of this, we will endeavour rather, to see whether it may not be possible to discover the grounds of this truth, by looking closely into the thing itself. For this is an essential quality of truth, that the more nicely it is examined, the more curiously it is surveyed, the better it is understood, the plainer it appears, and the conviction upon which it is built sinks into the mind so much the deeper.
In all other branches of literatures, instruction does much, and experience more; so that as the first rudiments are weak and slight, alterations and improvements are made by slow degrees; but in poetry it is quite otherwise; for tho' the latent genius may be awaked, and called out to action, by the hearing or reading the works of other men, yet it cannot be kindled, nor was it ever found practicable to make a man a poet that was not born so. The perfection of this art seems to be as much a gift as the art itself; for at a time when other learning made no figure in Greece, Homer produced two poems highly perfect in their kind, that have been admir'd
and applauded in all ages, and are like to remain so, as long as learning flourishes. We may say the same of modern poets, Spenser, Shakespear, and Milton; for there is a perfection in their writings much superior to the times in which they lived; and this appears as plain from the works of Chaucer, for which it is very hard to account; without admitting something supernatural in poetry.
There are many other arguments might be deduced from the subject itself in support of this doctrine; but as I design not a long and regular treatise upon this subject, for which perhaps you will scarce find room in your paper, but an essay only, that may engage men of sense and learning to consider this point with attention, I shall at present insist on one argument only, as that which has had most weight with me, and has wrought in me a firm belief that there is something peculiarly luminous in the poetic genius, and it is this. There is nothing that gives us so clear a notion of the divinity, as his power of creating. The calling all things out of nothing, is in itself such a stupendous proof of omnipotence and omniscience, that it is impossible to consider it with any degree of attention, without feeling a reverence for the Supreme Being, which is the noblest act of worship that the human mind can form. Yet this very power of creating, though in a very weak and remote degree, seems to be communicated to the poet, and we cannot without amazement behold the effects of it in some of the best performances both of the antients and the moderns.
As to the former, I mean the antients, I shall wave giving you any examples; because they would not prove convincing to a part of your readers, and indeed that part of them which in respect to an argument of this kind, it is most difficult to convince. It must be allowed that Spenser has given very strong instances of this prerogative in poets; the best part of his noble work directly proves what I maintain, and demonstrates that the true poetic genius has a power of creating. It is indeed true, that this power does not quite reach the common idea of creating because the poet cannot call his image into being; but when the reader is pleased to distinguish between the two acts of creation, viz. that emotion of the mind by which the thoughts or character of what is to be created is excited, and that motion of the will by which it is called into existence, he will observe that the former, which is indeed the superior part of the creating power, is what we discern in the poet. All the fairy world of Spenser may be stiled imaginary, but still there is a kind of reality in it; because we conceive and apprehend what he celebrates and describes, and from thence we feel a pleasure from the contemplation of his ideas. We may say the same thing of the magic of Shakespear, it is entirely his own, but is nevertheless ours when we have seen, heard, or read his performances; and the impression is so much the stronger because as he was a dramatic writer, the stage in some measure adds the latter and lower part of the creating powers so that we not only conceive in our mind; the ideas the poet meant to raise there,
but we likewise see them in the scene, and from thence, as I said before, receive a stronger and clearer impression. It is a very difficult subject that I have undertaken to treat, and this may create some obscurity in my expression; but even that I think, will be so far from hurting my argument, that to candid and impartial critics it will appear a kind of new proof; because the same darkness and difficulty will be found to attend all other attempts to elucidate or explain this power of creation, from the weakness of human abilities in the endeavour to set forth that supernatural power which is confessedly so much out of their reach, and for which they must be at a loss for words; because words are human inventions, drawn from the performances of men, and will always appear inadequate, when applied as in the present case to acts of the divinity.
Let us now consider, that the pleasure we feel in the contemplation of this power in poets, does not always arise from beautiful or pleasing ideas, but also from the most terrible and hideous. We are charmed with a view of the Elysian fields; but we are as much struck, or perhaps more, with the description of Tartarus; yet these descriptions might perhaps be borrowed, or at least in a great measure taken from religious and superstitious fables; and therefore are not such direct instances of the power of creation; but the Pandæmonium of Milton is entirely his own. He had something to copy in the view of Paradise, but this rose from that enthusiasm which the antients esteemed, and I think, divine. He called it by the power of his genius, if not into being, at least into conception; and the picture he has given of that train of ideas which his genius furnished to the contemplation of his own mind, are so clearly, so admirably expressed, that even the dullest reader cannot help discerning that palace he describes, or avoid feeling that impression which the poet meant to raise. It is this great, this divine power that distinguishes true poets from mere versifiers; the latter only copy nature, and that but faintly; the former surpass nature, and transcend her. Therefore it is no compliment, but a bare piece of justice done to Milton, when we not only compare him to Homer and Virgil, but even prefer him to both those great poets; because his genius evidently appears to have been superior to theirs, by the frequent proofs he gives us of that power which constitutes a sublime genius, and which, as it is more conspicuous in him than any other poet, obliges us to own him the greatest of poets, for the same reason that we own those to be poets, that he has excelled.
Upon these principles we may safely maintain, that how deficient soever Cowley might be in diction and numbers, yet he, was truly a poet; and how excellent soever some moderns may be in the art of cloathing their thoughts in verse, which is what modern critics call correctness in versification, yet this alone cannot entitle them, or at least not justly to the appellation of poets. Accuracy and correctness are without doubt advantages which add to the beauty of per-
formances in which they are found; and it must be allowed, that all performances in which they are wanting, are from thence very deficient; but still they are not essentials. A palace may be nobly design'd, though indifferently executed, and the outlines of a figure may be admirable where the colouring is indifferent; but in both cases, the reputation of the architect and the painter depends on the essentials of his art, and not on the elegance and ornaments. It is in this respect that, except a very few, the moderns are held to fall short of the antients, even by those who are most willing to cry up the former at the expence of the latter. Yet it must be allowed, that in respect to the advantages that poetry may derive from learning, the moderns have, or at least might have, great advantages over the antients: And in my conception, a great poet ought to be well versed in all sciences, the proofs of which must appear in his writings, though naturally, and without pedantry; so it follows from thence, that a modern poet thus accomplished must, in this respect, be superior to any poet of antiquity. But as to genius, which is the essence of poetry, it must be born, and never can be taught; and as it is this that conducts all the rest, so it follows from thence, that without a genius equal to that of an antient poet, it is impossible that learning and criticism should enable any modern to rival him. There may indeed be more exactness, elegance, and correctness in what is performed; but the performance will not be so noble, so elevated, or so apparently superior to the ordinary efforts of the human understanding. I am Your's, &c. J. B.
For the NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.
An humble Attempt towards a Definition of LOVE.
LOVE is the most delicate refinement of the human mind: as the apostle lays of charity, It seeketh not its own ; but, on the contrary, places its happiness in that of another (and in pursuance of that consideration, must undoubtedly give place to charity, which is universal, whereas love considers an individual only.) Refined love, so far from being rendered happy but by the possession of the beloved object, would willingly resign that felicity, and would receive unspeakable satisfaction from the knowledge of their happiness, tho' enjoyed in concert with a rival. It is divested of sensual views, but takes part in the joys and sorrows of the person beloved, and would even be instrumental in rendering them happy in the possession of another more fortunate in having gained a heart in their esteem of so great price. I cannot deny, but it might appear at first sight more pleasing to be conscious of an equal return of passion; but where we perceive that to be impossible, the refinement consists of surmounting the first impression, and rendering what was a passion a virtue. I may perhaps be thought absurd in my notion of the subject I have undertaken; if any are of that opinion, if they will condescend to inform me where I err, they will confer an obligation on AURELIA.

L O N D O N, Oct. 16. In consequence of a report yesterday, (about half past two o'clock) that the Dutch men of war at the mouth of the Scheldt had fired three broadsides into an Imperial vessel, which was attempting to go up that river to Antwerp, the merchants at Change were greatly alarmed, and the stocks fell one half per cent. but the most judicious and intelligent, among the Dutch merchants, look upon the whole as a trifling matter, and view it in a different light from what the stock-jobbers at Jonathan's do.
Other accounts state, that the affair of the Dutch stopping a ship from Antwerp in going down the Scheldt, is by no means as the foreign gazette has related it: The vessel did return back to Antwerp, but not for the causes there mentioned, but on account of being too heavily laden to pass the bar, which is on that river.
The intelligence of the return of the Imperial ship to Antwerp appeared as it most properly happened, in our paper of Wednesday; it was stated, that the ship put back without being either fired into or allowed a passage by the Dutch frigates. It is not usual to fire at once into a ship, but to direct a shot ahead, to signify that she must proceed no further.
The PRIZE OF VIRTUE , instituted by Mr. de Monthion, one of the most enlightened and estimable men in France, has been adjudged this year to a young woman who hazarded her fortune and reputation, to secure an innocent prisoner from punishment. The worthy magistrate who instituted this prize, and whose penetration and benignity is superior to praise, thinks that the capital of the kingdom stands more in need of examples and incentives to virtue than the provinces, where the vices of great cities are hardly known. For this reason he established this annual prize, which creates an honorable contest among the candidates, in actions of piety, affection, friendship, industry, and beneficence.
Last year a tax of three pence was laid upon burials, which would have been no very great hardship on the living, if the parsons of several parishes had not had the good nature to charge fifteen pence for the trouble of collecting it. Let the ministers of state say what they will, they cannot raise supplies like ministers of the gospel.
Oct. 20. The ideas of Mr. Pitt's Reform are various and opposite. Some imagine that there will be a pompous and weighty opposition, even among the ministerial party, and that the patriot youth's plan will be over-ruled by the Lord Chancellor's party, Lord North's, and the mercenary tribe, who can never be brought to disfranchise themselves of a four, much less a six year's seat in Parliament, either by a triennial or an annual one. It is well known that septennial Parliaments were first introduced by the Whig Ministry, in the beginning of the reign of Geo. I. in order to establish the Hanoverian interest, as, by the parliamentary politics of Queen Anne, they were then triennial, and a Tory Ministry in possession of Government when she died.
Since that time, several attempts have been made to restore them to their pristine purity of a triennial duration, which have been hitherto always rejected; more, perhaps from the idea that the family was not firmly established, and that triennial elections would disturb the policy of the new establishment, than ideas of corruption. But as, by the late restoration of the forfeited estates, it is very plainly proved that Government have no expectation of any future rebellion, it is not impossible, though somewhat politically improbable, that the septennial Parliaments may be restored to triennial ones.
As to the Scotch fisheries, there is little doubt of their success, not on account of serving Scotland, but of serving the British navy. The Bill will probably be brought in by Mr. Dundas, and powerfully supported by the Pitt phalanx.
Gentlemen of the Opposition,—good men of Brooks's attend, attend! Here is a
prophecy for you, which challenges your regard. In the year 1794, you will be exactly in the predicament you stand in at present; Mr. Pitt, if he lives, will then be Minister ; you will then be as exempt from the cares of office as you are now; you will have no Cabinets to attend; no fatiguing duties to go through; no salaries to receive; no places of trust or profit to dispose of; you will not be attacked in the house on account of your posts, for your posts no man will covet; no, you will be exactly in all points as you are at present, unbothered, unannointed, unannulled —Hamlet.
MEMOIRS of the Year 1786 anticipated.
May 1. Mr. Fox is just returned from Somersetshire, his term of imprisonment having expired last Friday. —After being set down at the Golden Cross, and taken a glass of gin at the bar, he put his trunk into a hackney coach, and went to visit Mrs. Armstead in the Fleet. He is grown much gentler in person, though not in dress. His face is fairer, excepting his beard, which is extremely long and black. A great mob assembled round the coach on his arrival, and were remarkably quiet and silent, which seemed to make an impression on Mr. Fox's spirits.
May 2. By the last accounts from Moorfields, Mr. Burke had grown a little more temperate. He now generally employs himself in making an Indian Coronet of his straw. The keeper has ordered that no more ladies be permitted to look at him thro' the wicket, as several have complained of the indecency of the spectacle.
May 3. In the House of Commons Mr. Eden was extremely personal and severe on Mr. Sheridan; and declared, that he had never said the East-India Company were insolvent. He asserted, that his acceptance of a place had not altered his principles, and that the hon. gentleman might have acted more honourably than even he had in accepting a clerkship under the new commission.
May 4. Mr. Sheridan's new comedy went through a second representation. It met with much less opposition than at first, the passages taken from the French and Italian authors, have been more accommodated to the English taste and manners. It is said that he has two or three more upon the stocks, and that, if they succeed, he will be made deputy manager under Mrs. Siddons.
May 5. Lord Surrey was again taken up for rioting, and carried before the sitting Magistrate at Bow-Street. It is a pity that the bottle should have so entirely got the better of this representative of the noble family of the H—ds.
May 6. Letters from Nice inform us that the Society there is small though agreeable. They have at length accomplished a subscription for an Assembly-Room. The Duchess of Devonshire carried it through, having herself subscribed five guineas.—Her grace is still a fine woman, though she is greatly increased in bulk. She does not approve of the Italian Cicesbeos. His Grace is very melancholy, and frequently rides out by himself upon an ass.
May 7. One of the Lady Abesses of King's Place was committed to Bridewell for barbarous treatment of one of her boarders. Her name is Elliott, and she is said to be one of the tallest women in England. Lord Cholmondeley offered bail; but not being able to swear himself worth fifty pounds, it was rejected.
EMPEROUR OF GERMANY.
As many of our readers may be unacquainted with the character of the EMPEROUR OF GERMANY, we take the liberty of presenting the following characteristic Sketches of him, viz.
JOSEPH SIGISMUND , Emperour of Germany hereditary Arch-duke of the circle of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, Lord Paramount of Styria Carinthia, and Cormola, Duke of Swabia, Silesia, and Tryol, and Earl of Flanders, is the son of Francis Stephen, late Emperour, and Mary Theresa, eldest daughter of the Emperour Charles VI. who died at Vienna, the 14th October, 1740; he is now in the prime of life, and if we may be allowed to judge of his future, by his past conduct, and the expectations that must naturally arise from the descendent of two illustrious
houses, who have furnished the cabinet with wise, just, and magnanimous counsellors, and the field with accomplished generals, every age, for more than 800 years, there can be no difficulty in pronouncing his Imperial Majesty an honour to the very exalted rank he fills, at the head of above 300 Christian Sovereign States. In his general behaviour as a private man, he is rather too formal for what is called polite life, having a good deal of the ancient Teutonic stateliness and gravity, which a stranger might mistake for pride.—Though he lives on the best footing with every branch of his family, he never visits any of the Arch-duchesses, his sisters, without announcing his intention some hours before; he rises early, spends some time in his closet, and goes into an apartment where about a dozen counsellors, at times, or privy counsellors, wait his arrival; these consist of his Minister Count de Rounitz, the Prince of Saxa Taschen, post-master general and several other state officers, to whom he communicates such letters, advices or dispatches, from his ambassadors at foreign courts, as he thinks proper to divulge; here he receives the morning report of the lieutenant of police, touching any fire, murder, robbery, or other accidents that may have occurred in the city or its liberties, for the last twenty-four hours, on which he makes such orders and regulations as the nature of the account shall require. Once in every month he visits the goals and houses of correction, where he often sooths the broken heart of the wretched malefactor, by lessening his punishment or abridging the time of its continuance, or giving absolute liberty and free pardon as the case may deserve. Nor is this all; for he frequently orders an exact list to be laid before him of every person confined either for crime or debt, in the whole compass of his wide dominions with the nature and circumstances of their cases, and he has been known to have locked himself up, with a few of his council; for several days, deliberating in what manner those miserable creatures might be punished with the least rigour, consistent with justice, or relieved without injury to the publick, or his own honour as a sovereign.
Soon after his accession to the Imperial crown, he had the intrepid curiosity to descend into a salt-petre mine, in the county of Glatz, 1500 toises below the surface of the earth, by means of a chain, composed of ropes crossing each other; when arrived in these gloomy mansions, he was surprised at the sight of so many wretched figures, who resembled the demons or Genii, thought by the vulgar to inhabit the subterranean caverns of the earth, than living mortal men.—He enquired into the crimes which occasioned so dreadful a catastrophe as that of being thus buried alive, in the flower of youth and health, and condemned to incessant toil in the bowels of nature, without the cheerful beam of day to comfort, the fresh air to invigorate, or the possibility of alleviation or escape.
"My God, exclaimed the gentle Prince, am I seated on a throne, surrounded with greatness, charmed with pleasures and glutted with honors, whilst so many of my fellow-creatures thus languish out a frightful existence in the regions of the damned, in the abyss of misery, and the depths of despair; No, continued he, this day shall see an end of sufferings, which none but an offended Deity could with justice inflict;—he immediately spoke to the overseer of the mine, and the officer of the guard, and commanded that the whole tribe of slaves should be set at liberty; for, said he, let their crimes be what they will, I am sure that a few years, nay weeks residence and labour in such a hell as this, is or ought to be full satisfaction either to an angry monarch or an offended community."
It would wrong the utmost power of language to describe the confusion of joy that animated 400 unhappy convicts, on so unexpected a deliverance from punishment more dreadful than a thousand deaths; some fainted, others screamed like wild beasts, while a third sort leaped and danced as if seized with madness.
A N E C D O T E.
A SAILOR was tried and convicted at the Court of King's-Bench for highway robbery;—While his doom was pronouncing, he took out a quid of tobacco, and held it between his teeth till he heard the sentence of death passed on him, and then began to chew it with great moderation.—Sirrah, said the judge, piqued at the fellow's indifference, do you know that you are to be hanged in a very short time? So I hear, said the sailor, squirting a little tobacco-juice sideways from his mouth.—Do you know, rejoined the judge, where you will go when you die! That I can't tell indeed, a'nt please your honour, said the sailor.—Why, then, exclaimed the judge, in a tremendous voice, I will tell you: You will go to hell, you villain, and there be burnt to all eternity;—If I should, replied the sailor, with perfect tranquility, I hope, a'nt please your honour, I shall be able to bear it.
The following curious account of a RATTLE SNAKE is an abstract from Capt. Carver's Travels through the interior parts of North-America. It is of so peculiar a nature as, we flatter ourselves, will render it worthy the attention of our readers.—The author relates it in the following manner.
M ONS. PINNISANCE, a French trader, told me a remarkable story concerning one of these reptiles, of which, he said, he was an eye-witness. An Indian belonging to the Menomonee nation, having taken one of them found means to tame it; and when he had done this, treated it as a Deity, calling it Great Father, and carrying it with him in a box wherever he went. This the indian had done for several summers, when Mons. Pinnisance accidentally met with him at this carrying place, just as he was setting off for a winter's hunt. The French gentleman was surprised one day to see the indian place the box, which contained his God, on the ground, and opening the door, give him his liberty; telling him, whilst he did it, to be sure and return by the time he himself should come back, which was to be in the month of May following. As this was but October, Mons. told the indian, whose simplicity astonished him, that he fancied he might wait long enough, when May arrived, for the arrival of his Great Father.—The indian was so confident of his creature's obedience, that he offered to lay the Frenchman a wager of two gallons of rum, that at the time appointed he would come and crawl into his box.—This was agreed on, and the second week in May following fixed for the determination of the wager. At that period they both met there again, when the indian set down his box, and called for his Great Father. The snake heard him not; and the time being now expired, he acknowledged that he had lost. However, without seeming to be discouraged, he offered to double the bet, if his Great Father came not within two days more. This was further agreed on; when behold on the second day, about one o'clock, the snake arrived, and of his own accord crawled into the box, which was placed ready for him. The French gentleman vouched for the truth of this story, and from the accounts I have often received of the docility of those creatures, I see no reason to doubt his veracity.
Once More!
A LL Persons indebted to the Estate of DAVID GRIFFITH, late of Portsmouth, Goldsmith, deceased, either by Book, Debt, or Note of Hand, are desired to call immediately and settle the same with EDMUND ROBERTS, of Portsmouth, Administrator on said Estate, as Trouble and Expence to themselves may be saved by so doing, PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 21, 1785.
Dartmouth-College
LOTTERY TICKETS are now selling off by the Managers in Portsmouth, Exeter, and at Dartmouth.

KINGSTON (Jamaica) Nov. 17.
Yesterday morning, about six o'clock a duel was fought with pistols, on the race course near this town, between Mr. B—— and Mr. I——, in which, at the third discharge, the latter was shot through the heart, and instantly expired without uttering a single word. Upon this lamented fatality it may be necessary to observe, that no wounds are so incurable as those of honour, though it must be confessed in the present instance, that the satisfaction taken was infinitely disproportioned to the measure of the insult, which was reciprocally given on both sides.
Nov. 17. Saturday, Morris Keaton, (who was concerned with Joseph Twentymen and Benjamin Johnson, in the piracy and horrid murders lately committed, on board the Schooner Friendship) was apprehended at Mrs. Debois's lodging-room in Rum-Lane. The unerring hand of divine providence was so conspicuous in the detection of this inhuman monster, that we cannot resist the impulse of laying a short statement thereof before the publick.
A gentleman, who was a lodger at Mrs. Debois's, having learned that a sick stranger, who called himself Captain Carney, had been brought to the house the evening before, determined, from motives of humanity, to inquire after his health; accordingly, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, he went into the sick man's room, seated himself by his bed-side, after the usual salutation, and entered into a conversation with him, during the course of which, Keaton, in great agitation asked the other if some pirates had not been lately apprehended and taken to prison; upon which the visitor replied with great energy, that they were the most bloody and abandoned miscreants that ever were upon record; which made such an impression on Keaton, that he instantly exclaimed, after striking his forehead with great violence and falling into an universal tremour, "My God, what pain I have got in my head, and deadly sickness at my heart! for God's sake, Sir, send for a barber, that I may get my head shaved, as I am sure it will abate the fever in my distracted brain!" The other, whose suspicions were instantly awakened by this extraordinary behaviour, after measuring the man from head to foot with his eye, retired out of the room, and referred to a news-paper for Keaton's description, which having dispelled every doubt of his being the pirate in question, he gave notice to a Magistrate, who issued a warrant against the villain, and gave it to a party of the town guard to execute.
They immediately repaired to the house, and taxed Keaton with his guilt, which at first he strenuously denied; but upon one of the party reading aloud the name of J. Wilkinson, at full length, on the tail of his shirt, which hung out of his breeches, he again fell into an universal tremour, and again sunk down upon the bed in superlative agony, confessed he was the identical person they were in search of, and was carried to the Court-House, where he underwent an examination of three hours and a half, in which he made full and ample confession of his guilt, and at the end thereof was committed a close prisoner of the common jail of this town.
Nov. 20. On Wednesday died in the jail of this town, Morris Keaton, the pirate and murderer, who was concerned with Johnson and Twentymen, and apprehended on Saturday last.
BALTIMORE, Decem. 10.
By letters received from Paris, by the last French packet, we learn that the philanthropic scheme of the benevolent and good Dr. Fothergill is not buried with him. Several illustrious persons in Europe are forming an association, in order to establish a stock sufficient to carry it into execution.
With a subscription of £ 300,000, they propose to send missionaries to the different parts of Africa, to instruct the natives in the art of cultivating the sugar cane, which improvement would enrich those countries, and convince their miserable rulers, that it is more advantageous and profitable for them to employ their subjects in this useful husbandry, than to sell them to the Whites.
M. Vic. d' Azier Secretary to the Royal Society of Medicine at Paris, pronounced last year to a crowded and illustrious audience the funeral eulogium of D. Fothergill. He was truly an ornament to the British nation, to the human race, and to the Society of Friends, of which he was a member. He was very eminent in his profession, as a physician, and of extensive knowledge in other branches of science. It is said that he gave during his life three thousand guineas to the poor. He will not lose his reward.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 1.
On Christmas Day there were 206 vessels lying along the docks and wharves in this city, viz. 54 square rigged, several of which are loaded and prepared for sea, and 115 coasters and river craft, among the latter were 14 loaded with fowls.
NEW YORK, Jan. 6. By accounts from Baltimore, we are informed, that the legislature of Maryland, have appointed the Rev. Dr. Smith President of Washington College, to embark for London, and apply for consecration to perform the functions of Bishop of that state. Several other consecrations are applying for to embark to the bench of Bishops, and it is imagined that most of the states will be accommodated with episcopal establishments. It is certain their will be a Bishop consecrated and sent out in the spring to Nova-Scotia.
The Spaniards build men of War faster at the Havana in times of peace than in any of their European dock-yards: the island of Cuba is so full of excellent timber for that purpose, that they often export home the keels for large men of war. We learn from good authority that they are now constructing at the Havana seven ships of the line, one of which is of 108 guns, and several of them in great forwardness. The Spaniards are endeavouring to shut every other nation out of the ports in the island of Cuba; their jealousy being incurable since the Havana was taken by the English in 1702.
BOSTON, Jan. 17. Last Wednesday the Rev. PETER THACHER was installed to the pastoral care of the church of Christ in Brattle-Street.
The attack made upon the Printers of the Centinel on Saturday last, by a number of well known persons, ought to excite the serious attention of all those who duly regard that bulwark of our liberties—THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.—If a Printer, for advertising that he intends to publish a certain book for the information or merely amusement or innocent diversion of his fellow citizens, is to be beset and abused by a set of clubmen because the title page does not happen to hit their taste, we may take a farewell of our Independence which we have gloriously gained, not without great expense of our treasure, and the loss of some of our best blood. A wound in so tender a point must surely prove fatal! Should the government appoint licensers of the press, it would give just cause of offence. What right then has any set of men to forbid the printing a book till it has had their imprimatur, or to punish a Printer with club law, for advertising it? The institution of an assembly, under the name of Sans Souci, or Free and Easy, has raised the apprehensions as well as curiosity of many men of sober sentiments in this community, and such a manner of defending it does not tend to diminish their apprehensions.—But since this mode has been taken for its defence, it concerns the PUBLICK to inquire into its nature and design;—that if it be innocent it may have the common protection; but if it tends to promote GAMING, IDLENESS, and DISSIPATION, it may be, as it ought, discountenanced and suppressed.
The rapid exertions that the policy of Britain is making, to impoverish this country, by draining us of cash, is certainly a matter of astonishment, the baleful effects of which we begin to feel already, and experience, in a great degree, the want of a necessary circulating medium.
The following Lusus Natura actually happened at Bourges: the wife of a tradesman of that city was brought to bed of a girl, acknowledged as such by
the father, mother, and midwife, and was baptized accordingly; but in a few months after, to her great astonishment, perceived the child had changed its sex, and become a boy perfectly formed.—This extraordinary circumstance was confirmed on oath before the magistrate of the town by the parents, and an order given to alter the form of the first baptism.
SAL E M, Jan. 18. The attack mentioned under the Boston head was occasioned by the Printers of the Centinel advertising, in their paper of Saturday last, a Pamphlet to be published on the Monday following, (yesterday) entitled, "Sans Souci, alias Free and Easy; or, an Evening's Peep into a polite Circle." We hear that one or more of each side were considerably bruised; and that a judicial inquiry, respecting the matter, was to take place yesterday afternoon. The pamphlet, we understand, was published according to the advertisement, and met with a rapid sale.
PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 21. MARINE LIST. Port of PISCATAQUA, Jan. 21, 1785. ENTERED NONE. CLEARED. Schooner Mary, Welch, St. John's. Brig Jane & Elizabeth } Frazier, Grenada. Schoon. Wentworth, Marshall, Antigua.
From a late Irish Paper. A few evenings since, Major Rogers, a Major in the American service (who had the command of a small fort, in which one of the regiments now on duty here were prisoners during the war) went into Dalay's chocolate house: as soon as he came in he observed five of the officers belonging to that regiment in the room, from whom, on account of the exceeding good treatment he had given these gentlemen during their captivity, he expected every politeness; but, alas! how soon do we forget our benefactors!—the Major, with his wonted complaisance, saluted them; one in a manner which would disgrace the gentleman, with an air of visible contempt, turned away his head, another smiled, and some began to whistle. The Major stood amazed, and was for some minutes motionless; at last he sternly looked at him whose ingratitude bore most forcibly on his mind, and asked him, "Do you not recollect me?" the officer carelessly answering in the negative, the Major (not to leave him or them in the smallest loop-hole) told his name; one of the officers then came up, and instead of thanking him for the kindness they so recently experienced, said—Sir, we suppose your business in this country is to draw that rebellious sword, which in your own you have but just sheathed. The Major discovering the baseness of men to whom he had endeavoured to afford every pleasure the time and his situation would admit of to render their captivity light, scornfully replied, gentlemen, I see you are, one and all, the most ungrateful set of beings existing: I came here not for the purpose of rebellion, nor was my sword ever the sword of rebellion, but the sword of liberty, and I sheathed it on the completion of it; but gentlemen, my sword was to you a sword of mercy and protection, and since you are forgetful of it, mark me, for I cannot refrain telling you that this is my native country, and it would be my greatest bliss to see it rid of every enemy, foreign or domestic. At this one of the officers said—poh! poh! Sir, you mean to be insolent! Then the fire of indignation caught his aged breast;—he laid his hand on his sword, and said—ye young scoundrels, your insolence is as unbounded as your impudence is conspicuous—in the tented field it would be my pride to inflict on you the punishment you deserve; or, as a man, I should teach you the respect due to age, and how to treat a benefactor; and if you are gentlemen, DRAW:—The bucks slunk off.
TO BE LETT, And entered upon the middle of April next, A LARGE FARM, well stocked, within about one Mile of the State-House, in Portsmouth. None need apply that cannot come strong-handed, and be well recommended for their Honesty and good Management. Enquire of SUPPLY CLAP. PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 13, 1785.
Just OPENED, And to be SOLD by Moses Jewett, At the Store formerly Owned and Occupied by the late Hon. Nicholas Gilman, Esquire, in Exeter,
A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF European GOODS, All of which he is determined to Sell at the lowest rate for Cash, Public Securities Certificates or Shipping Furs, among which are the following ARTICLES, viz.
SUPERFINE midling and low priz'd Broad Cloths, Figur'd, plain and honey comb Velvet, Velvets, Corduroys, Baizes, Flannels, Linens of various kinds, Dowlas, Chintzes and Calicoes of various kinds, Callimancoes, Durants, Tammies, Shalloons, Cambleteens, Sattins & Modes, Rib'd and plain worsted Hose, Best Bandanno Handkerchiefs of different figures, BLACK Handkerchiefs of various sizes, Silk & cotton ditto, Checker'd ditto, Green & scarlet worsted Caps, Women's black worsted Gloves and Mitts, Ditto silk ditto, Figur'd and plain Lawns, Black and white Gauze, Saffle ditto, Millinets, Black love Handkerchiefs, Scarlet Broad Cloth Cloaks, Black and colour'd sewing Silk, Ribbons of various kinds, &c. — ALSO —
A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF CUTLERY AND HARD WARE, viz.—
HAND SAWS, Knives and Forks, Pen & shoe Knives, Womens Scissors, Taylors Shares, Ironing-Boxes, Snuff-Boxes, Tobacco Boxes, Common Ink-Pots, Iron Jews Harps, Plated Buttons, Washington pattern ditto, Plain gilt ditto, Plain ditto, plated on Bone, Plain white plated ditto, Metal flock Buckles, Swan neck silver'd Spurs, Silver'd Sturrips, Table Spoons, Brass Portmantau Locks, Steel Watch Chains, Steel Spurs, Japan'd Links sorted, Tin Tea Pots, BRASS Candlesticks, Iron Candlesticks, Brass ball ditto, Plated Spurs, Buckles plated on Pinch-back, Bath Metal Buckles, Brass and Steel Thimbles, Buckle and Tooth Brushes, Watch Keys and Seals, Plain and gilt hatt Pins, Lockets, Steel shoe Buckles, Gimblets, Two feet Rules, Two feet brass Slides, Brass feet size Sticks, Two feet double steel joint, Brass Draw Handles, Brass Hinges, Shoe Pincers and Knipers, Shovels & Tongs. &c. &c. &c. &c.
EXETER, January 16, 1785. TO BE SOLD, (on reasonable Terms)
A GOOD FARM, in the Town of Canterbury, in the County of Rockingham, containing about 90 Acres of choice Land, with a good House and Barn thereon. Said Farm is well situated, and consists of choice Orcharding, Mowing, Tillage and Pasturing;—The Premises are now improved by Nicholas Mariner, of said Canterbury. For further Particulars enquire of DAVID FOLSOM, of Portsmouth. PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 18, 1784.

HYMN to the NEW YEAR.
A WAKE in grateful sounds my lyre And thankfully revere, The pow'r who bids our notes aspire; High Heav'n's eternal seer,
Let rising thankfulness enflame, The unmolested song; Duly to raise his glorious name, And ev'ry note prolong.
Be mine the task to chaunt his praise; With loud Hosanna's join, Ye blest Angelick choirs, who raise Your voices most divine.
Delighted shall my every sense Exert its feeble might, Him to adore, who does dispense, Alternate day and night.
Who can command the starry pole The devious planets cheer; That these the boistrous main controul, Those lead the circling year.
My soul bespeak a grateful mind; Let God be still your care: That you may still his mercies find, Thro' each succeeding year.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE Strafford ss. To THOMAS MERRILL, Esq. Clerk of the Proprietors of Conway, in said State, and County of Strafford.
W E the Subscribers, owners of more than a Tenth part of all the common and undivided Land in said Conway, desire you to notify and warn a Meeting of said Proprietors, to be convened at the House of Capt. Joshua Heath , in said Conway aforesaid, on the second Tuesday of February next, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, for the Ends and Purposes hereafter-mentioned, viz.—First, to chuse a Moderator. Second, a Proprietors Clerk. Third, to see if the Proprietors will lay out and sell any part of the common and undivided Land, to the Freeholders and Inhabitants of said Town; and if consented to, to chuse a Committee to give Deeds in behalf of the Proprietors. Fourth, to have a Division of the remainder of the common and undivided Land, and order and direct said Committee cause a Plan to be made of the Town, with every Division. Likewise to chuse a Committee to examine the Records to see that every Division is properly and intelligibly recorded, agreeable to the true Interest of the Proprietors, and if said Committee, upon examination, improper vote, or wrong Entry of any Division, or Amendment, to reconsider the same, and act thereon, as may be thought proper. Likewise, to chuse a Proprietors Treasurer, and empower him to call in and recover any Debts which may be due to said Propriety.—Likewise, to see what the Proprietors will do in regard to voting any sum of Money or Labour for making and repairing Roads, building Bridges, &c. and in a particular Manner, the Bridge erected over Swift-River , by order of the Committee for making and repairing Roads from Wolfborough to Northumberland , at the upper Coos , on Connecticut-River . Likewise, to chuse Assessors and a Collector, and act on any other Matter which may be thought proper for the Benefit of said Proprietors.
ANDREW McMILLAN, RICHARD EASTMAN, JOHN CHASE, JEREMIAH ABBOT, ABIATHER EASTMAN.
STRAFFORD, ss.
A GREEABLE to the aforesaid Application, I do hereby notify and warn said Proprietors of Conway , in the County of Strafford , and State of New-Hampshire , to meet at the aforesaid Time and Place, for the Purposes in the Application.
GIVEN under my Hand this 29th Day of December, 1784. THOMAS MERRILL, P. Clerk.
A LL Persons indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of Ichabod Rawlings , late of Rochester , deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to JOHN and ANTHONY RAWLINGS , of said Rochester , Administrators to said Estate, in order for a speedy Settlement. Rochester, Dec. 29. 1784.
(Effingham.)
State of New-Hampshire.
N OTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners of lands in Effingham , who have not paid their state and war taxes for the years 1782 and 1783, that so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue at the house of Captain JOHN LEAVITT , inholder in said town, on Tuesday the 1st of February next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon as will pay said taxes and incidental charges, unless prevented before by previous payment, and if said lands are not all sold on said day, the sale to continue from day to day until all sold. I shall sell the quantity as they are commonly called, and sell according to the inequality or if so much remains unsold.
State. War.
Div. No. Q'ty. s. d. s. d.
  Abner Fogg, jun. 2 7 200 3 0   Abner Fogg 2 5 200 3 0   Benjamin Palmer 1 88 56 7 6   Joshua Wingate 3d. 2 3 200 9   Levi Dearborn 2 40 200 2 5 2 11   John Dearborn, jun. 1 95 56 2 5 2 11   Nathaniel Drake 1 39 56 2 5 2 11   Ditto 2 33 200 2 5 2 11   Abner Fogg, jun. 2 7 200 3 4   Abner Fogg 1 96 56 2 5 2 11   Ditto 2 5 200 3 0 4   Nathaniel Gookins 2 35 200 9 2 12 2   Nathaniel Hobbs 1 14 56 8 8   Ditto 2 8 200 4 7 6 1   David Knowls, jun. 1 31 56 2 5 2 11   Ditto 2 47 200 4 7 6 1   David Knowls 1 64 56 2 5 2 11   Matthew Livermore, Esq. 2 6 200 4 7 6 2   Ebenezer Lovering 1 17 56 1 4 2 1   Moses Leavitt 2 48 200 2 5 2 11   Simon Leavitt 1 45 56 1 4 2 2   Ditto 2 40 200 9 2 12   Simon Marston 1 15 56 8   James Marston 1 48 56 8 8   Daniel Marston 2 98 200 8 0 11 0   David Marston, jun. 2 36 200 6 8 9 2   Thomas Parsons, jun. 1 24 56 8 8   Ditto 2 26 200 6 0 9 2   Benjamin Palmer 2 88 56 2 5 2 11   1 4 Jedediah Prekett 1 68 50 2 2   James Wedgwood 1 2 paid 1 19 56 8 8   Ditto 2 57 200 6 8 9 2   Ezekiel Ruff 1 30 56 2 5 2 11   Ebenezer Smith 2 23 200 2 5 2 11   one 1 4 John Taylor 2 44 50 2 2   Jonathan Wedgwood 1 52 56 8 8   Ditto 2 29 200 4 7 6 1   one 1 4 David Wedgwood 2 97 50 2 3 2 3   Joshua Wingate 3d. 2 3 200 4 7 6 1   Ebenezer Smith 2 62 200 6 8 9 1   Benjamin Perkins 1 77 56 1 3 2 11   Thomas Nudd 1 90 56 1 9 2 3   John Weeks 1 72 56 1 9 2 3 
WEARE DRAKE, Constable.
Effingham, December 24, 1784.
Forty Dollars Reward
B ROKE out of the Gaol in Exeter , on the Night following the 3d inst. the following Persons, viz.— JABEZ ANDERSON , about five Feet ten Inches high, of a light Complexion, wears his own hair, had on a light coloured Surout. EZEKIEL SALMON , about five Feet four Inches, thickset, had on a light coloured Cloth Coat, and a round Hat.— PETER HAINES , about five Feet seven Inches, pale Complexion, wears a blue Surout.— JAMES PEMBERTON , about five Feet six Inches, a slim young Man.—All committed for Forgery and Theft.—Whoever will take up said Persons, and return them to the Gaol in Exeter or Portsmouth , shall have the above Reward, or EIGHT DOLLARS for either of them. JOHN PARKER, Sheriff. PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 5, 1785.
A few Tierces of
COFFEE, and Cases of HOL- LAND'S GIN —also— BOHEA, SOUCHONG, and HYSON TEA , by the Hundred, Dozen, or smaller Quantity,— NAILS of almost every Sort, by the Cask, with a variety of other GOODS —to be sold CHEAP for CASH by
JOHN SPARHAWK.
PORTSMOUTH, January 11, 1785.
JOHN SIMES,
In Pav'd-Street, Portsmouth , has for Sale,
L INSEED OYL by the Jug or Gallon,—Colours ground in Oyl, or dry, by the Cag or Pound,—White Lead,—Spruce and Stone Yellow,—Yellow Oaker,—Spanish Brown,—Red Lead,—Venetian Red,—Ivory Black,—Lamp Black,—Blue Black,—Umber,—Prussian Blue,—Blue Smalt,—Whiting and Chalk,—Putty,—Spirits of Turpentine, Brushes and Tools,—Glaziers Diamonds,—Gold and Silver Leaf,—Dutch Metal,—India Ink, &c.—All of which Articles will be sold cheap for Cash.
S TRAYED or stolen from me the Subscriber, on the Night of the 17th of December, a dark red HORSE , about nine Years old. Trotts and Paces, has a Star in his Forehead, bind Feet white, carries his Head rather low, and has a thick dark Main .—Whoever will take up said Horse, if strayed, and return him to the Subscriber, shall be handsomely Rewarded; if stolen, for the Horse and Thief, TEN DOLLARS. GILBERT FRENCH.
Rochester, Jan. 5, 1785.
T HE Subscriber intending to remove from the House he now occupies, on the 12th of February next, desires all Persons Indebted, to settle with him, on or before that Day, as he is then determined to put all his Notes and Accounts in suit, without Favour or Affection.—He hopes that no one will complain after so much Solicitation.
JOHN WEEKS.
Greenland, January 8, 1785.
Ichabod Nichols
Has for S A L E ,
Best French Brandy, Molasses, New England Rum, Salt, Swedes Iron, New Philadelphia Flour, and Coffee by the Bag.
The above Articles will be sold at the lowest Price for Cash or Indian Corn.
Portsmouth, Jan. 4, 1785.
T O B E S O L D, An Excellent
New Milch C O W,
Four years old next April. Enquire of the PRINTERS.
To be L E T T,
A Convenient House with a STORE, BARN and WELL belonging thereto, in Queen-Street opposite to Major WILLIAM GARDNER'S , for further particulars inquire of the PRINTERS.
A LL Persons indebted to, or that have Demands on the Estate of SUSANNAH LANG , late of Portsmouth , deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to MARK LANG , of Portsmouth , Administrator on said Estate, in order for a speedy Settlement. Portsmouth, Jan. 4. 1785.
B LANKS of most sorts may be had at the Printing-Office.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for this Paper, at Four shillings & six pence per six Months (exclusive of postage) are taken in at the Printing-Office in Portsmouth and Exeter , where Essays, Letters of Intelligence, Advertisements &c. are received, and all kinds of Printing performed expeditiously and at a reasonable rate.