The New Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1794-03-15 00:00:00

New Hampshire Gazette.
PORTSMOUTH: Printed by JOHN MELCHER, Printer to the Hon. GENERAL COURT of the State of New-Hampshire, at his Office in Market-Street, at nine shillings per Annum.
From the American Daily Advertiser.
Messrs. DUNLAP & CLAYPOOLE.
IF your correspondent Americanus had adopted a signature conformably to the principles he has vainly laboured to disseminate, it would certainly have been that of Anglicanus, in place of posting that of Americanus. The virtuous republicans of America know too well the quarter from whence they illu to be deceived by them. The cob-web covering does not sufficiently veil them to conceal the cloven foot. The contemptible picture he has had the effrontery to draw of America—the pitiful point of light he has held her up in—the odious and insulting view he has given us of the French nation, of their government and the magnanimous, the virtuous republican characters who have had the firmness and courage to sustain it thro' an ocean of apparently insurmountable difficulties, would have better comported with corrupt and mischievous principles of the degenerate part of the English nation, their tory and refugee adherents, than that of a genuine American, whose republican heart glows with reanimated ardor in the great cause of nature's rights, the cause of France—the cause of all mankind.
In this eventful period, big with the fate of millions, view the national representatives of France, roused by the numberless and intolerable wrongs the nation for ages had suffered, surrounded by the darkest treasons, assailed by the most cruel and savage treachery, beset on every hand by hosts of tyrants, and their murdering minions collected from every quarter of the continent of Europe, long trained for scenes of human carnage, fell destruction and dire oppression, heroically contending for the mighty prize, the rights which God and nature equally bestow'd on man, when the sad alternative presented to mourn in chains the sweets of liberty, or strike the awful blow to free the nation, I say view the awful sight of 25,000,000 of fellow beings awakening to a sense of their rights, bursting asunder the fetters of tyranny, bigotry and superstition, lifting the powerful arm of the nation from the life pressing force of the most commanding necessity, from the sacred impulse of self preservation, from every tie that binds man to man, to slay their fierce oppressors and proud foes, which Godlike act the arrogant presumptuous Americanus, the disguised tory has dared to arraign and impeach at the bar of his own infamy, and ascribe at the offspring of the most hateful, the most malignant passion, a delight in human sacrifice whilst impartial reason taking a surrounding and reflecting view, lamenting the horrid and imperious necessity, will trace to its true and original cause the tyrants of Europe. It is remarkable that the Anglo Americanus, and our late tory gentry who transported themselves to this country since the peace, from Britain and her dominions, are here endeavoring to corrupt and undermine the genuine principles of liberty, equality of rights and privileges, and raise a disgust and hatred in the Americans against the French and their cause, by placing it and the unavoidable proceedings of the representatives of that nation in the most odious and horrible point of view, in order to awaken our sympathy.
They are swarming in the sunshine of favor, with a certain Junto, in some of our principal cities, as men of the greatest importance, and have the insulting assurance, on every occasion to dictate the line of conduct, which ought to be pursued by America. The same chilling language—the same kind of reasoning—the same epithets adopted by the disguised Americans, were used by those enemies to the happiness of man, against the righteous cause of America, its probable success and the virtuous characters, (tho' not of noble blood,) who supported it in the late struggles for FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE—Take a review of the conduct of the British government, with the unjaundiced eye of prejudice, and in every quarter of the world, and examine it by serious reflection in the balanced scale of right, of justice, of humanity, of benevolence, and in uprightness; say whether it merits theme of panegyric—even such as we have heard on the floor of representative America—can it be denied, in the eye of reason, that they have not far outstrip in acts of cruelty, barbarity, and inhuman carnage, every nation on earth?—Have they not ranacked every sea, and every country in search of plunder and of prey, and indelibly tarnished their fame? And this nation and their government are loudly held up to us by the emissaries of Britain, the tory Junto, and even by some of our Representatives as models of perfection, worthy of imitation: and which with sorrow, I am constrained to say, we have copied in a number of instances to the loss of our original principles and the irreparable injury of America—View this nation in the ferocious act of plundering and murdering the innocent—the peaceful—and happy people of the fertile plains of Hindostan, three thousand leagues from the cur'd Islanders without any manner of provocation! Hear this same nation, and their late bearers, whose own atrocious enormities challenge a parallel in the annals of man, indulge in outcries against the acts of the French nation, just-
ly and legally exterminating Tyrants, who have overwhelmed the nation in blood—who have rioted on their misery, lavished their treasures, and cruelly and murderously oppressed them for a thousand years, so lost to a sense of shame and dishonor as not to recollect that they are at the same time calling to our remembrance their own acts of unutterable infamy, so shocking to humanity in every part of the habitable globe, as well as those committed in their own Island, on their own most sacred and inviolable majesty, who in the eye of their law cannot possibly do any wrong, which was not the case with the kings of France. And the sycophants and abettors of this same nation, our insidious foes, we are fostering in the bosom of America, numbers of whom are now reaping the fruits of our toil, and enjoying the honors of our government—who have snatched from the brow of virtuous achievement the glorious laurel of freedom, which they are wearing in defiance of those who acquired them, whilst themselves are mourning in penury and neglect the loss of their rights—Well may we weep and mourn over the departed virtues of 76, and the loss of our pure republican principles, when we suffer such wretches to remain amongst us, to rob us of our wealth and our fame, as well as creep into our counsels—when it is proposed in the National Legislature, to assert our rights, they start alarmed at their situation, have the audacity to tell us a lamentable tale of wants thronging upon us on every side of the enfeebled energy of pusillanimous America, when first in competition with the favorite Nation, and this we suffer to be told us of America, who in recent and yet bleeding memory performed prodigies of valour, and laid the foundation for the happiness of the whole human race—It is not out of good wishes for the rights, the liberties, and prosperity of this country, that Anglo Americanus, the tory and paper gentry, wish to avoid the calamities of war, they so feelingly describe, it is because they are well aware that war will probably forever interrupt the wealth of America, from flowing into their laps—more especially in a war against their favorite England, would derange all their schemes of acquiring riches and ennobling themselves at the expense of the industry of unsuspicious America. For they well know, that the fire of resentment against that nation, and their tory and paper adherents of war kind, would be re-kindled with redoubled fury for the many insults and cruelties we have suffered from them—they well know the finesses they have enjoyed would vanish, the pickings they have had by robbing the certificates from those who established our independence, would eternally cease. For it is the tory Junto, who have chiefly enjoyed the fruits of our Independence, especially since the adoption and administration of the new government, they have enjoyed peculiar favor.
I am not for war, if it can justly and honorably be avoided—Its horrors which I have experienced, make me recoil on myself and call an awful pause on that scourge of mankind, which has desolated the earth, and which has generally arisen in the ambition of blood thirsty monsters among men called kings.
My principles lead to an adjustment of all disputes among individuals as well as nations by arbitration and negotiation—I am for forming the whole family of mankind into one grand republic, to have one interest, one aim, namely that of rendering the whole happy. But the canker worms, those pests to society I have just mentioned, and of whom every nation have more or less to disturb its repose, I would scourge with the unrelenting sword of justice in every possible shape they could assume. France is wisely ridding herself of such vermin by the aid of the Guillotine as we ought to have done, or forever banished them this happy land, and not act upon Chatham principles (so much recommended by the authors of Phocian at the conclusion of the late war) cherished them in our bosoms to pray on our vitals. We should then have had a rational hope of reaping the first fruits of our toil, and enjoying liberty and repose. The great omniscient author of our being never designed that the few, and those few too the scum and offscouring of humanity should lord it and tyrannize over the many. I ask what advantage has America obtained from her nominal Independence, as yet not a solitary one, for we are tributary to the very nation from whom we declared ourselves Independent as well as to a paper aristocratic Junto at home who are sapping the foundation of Liberty—That nation reaps double the advantage from us since that declaration than when we were her colonies—she enjoys every advantage without incurring any expense from our commerce and navigation, while we on the other hand suffer the most unjustifiable and humbling restrictions on both. She has an immense wealth poured into her lap yearly by the firen modulation (that lulled America to sleep) of our public debt which is increased in a ten fold ratio by our consumption of her useless, say pernicious manufactures, and yet there are those in America who have the imprudent and insulting assurance on our lenity and forbearance to advocate her cause and step
forth the champions as they say of that emaculate nation who has done us every wrong, well may Americanus extol the moderation and forbearance of the people of America, when they are tamely and peaceably suffering the aristocratic and tory Junto to rob them of their rights.—It is high time the American Panther should rouse from his torpidity and inaction, and see for himself what the whelps of the British lion scattered over America have been about—It is high time that the quiescent Columbians who have patiently taken every thing for granted that was plausibly advanced since the year 87, should examine for themselves what has been doing since the adoption of the new balancing government that is to equipoise the minds of men, which from the spirit of divination that has prevailed promised the long expected millennium on earth, but from any thing I have yet seen has not or is likely to make its appearance.
It is fortunate, thrice fortunate, for the people of America, that that excellent constitution, has within its womb the seeds of reform and amendment, which are gradually advancing as the eyes of experience are opening—however all the blessed effects of its administration, that I have so far heard of since its adoption of glorious memory, are funding systems that have violated the solemn right of contracts (which it expressly forbids,) and has robbed the war worn soldier, who fought and bled for its establishment, of his hardly earned dues, and his small remaining pittance doubly taxed to pay off the evidences of a debt once due to him, but now serving to enrich a Junto that are gradually depriving him of his liberty—Bank systems, alias paper money Aristocracies under foreign influence, which are to rise on the ruin of America—Indian wars, Loans both foreign and domestic—Lucrative offices and hosts of officers, to eat out our substance, all for the blessed increase of a public debt as a public blessing!—Irredeemable debts, taxes on news papers, an indirect attack on the freedom of the press—the dangerous precedent of Royal Proclamations with the force of standing laws of the land, a fatal wound to liberty, copying all the potent edicts and manichos's of German despots, whose capricious wills are laws with other pompofities of Royalism, these are among the happy productions of its administration.
Had these things been told us in the year 76, what would have been the language of America? They would with indignation have said in the nature of things it is not possible. For we shall never suffer the tory, the Peculator, and the speculating swindler, to enslave us, which the omnipotent power of Great-Britain, with her host of auxiliaries will not be able to effect. But strange to tell it, these things have come to pass! The tory gentry themselves had a better opinion of the stability of our principles. They never expected such a change in their favor, and are therefore now determined not easily to let it elude their deathly grasp. In order treacherously to keep us in our torpid state, and continue the existing state of things; the Aristocratic paper and monarchy men tell us the hackneyed and plausible tale of the flourishing and prosperous condition of America, which could not possibly be better, and pompously ascribe it solely to the talismanical effect of the administrative attributes, of the omniscience of the new government, with what prosperity we do enjoy is in truth only the natural result of the enterprising spirit and habits of industry of the people of this country, returning to their wonted path, from a state of fluctuation and war, to a state of permanence and peace.
They tell us that nothing, however pressing should induce us to change our present system of things, but unwearied patience was the best remedy to oppose to burthen, and procure us our rights, did patience procure our Independence? They tell us if we attempt to change our fiscal and commercial arrangements our prosperity the envy of the world, nay our existence as a nation would be put in jeopardy, and a doleful ditty of war and its concomitants surcharging the picture till they work themselves almost into tears, would certainly overwhelm us—That we should "rouse the British lion" who would crush us to atoms and blot us from among the nations of the earth—That this is not the proper time while England is in an irritable state to regulate our commerce and such like stuff—What! my neighbour must not regulate the affairs of his family, when and in what manner he pleases, because I am in a state of anger with another neighbour, least he should incur my displeasure and I in consequence fall upon him pell mell. Absurdity itself. Such was the language of our tory Junto at the commencement of the late American war, such was the language of the Galloways (for there was more than one) in our late Congress when they were about declaring the Americans Free, Sovereign and Independent—and such is now the language of the aristocratic junto when we are about doing ourselves justice (which we have been patiently waiting for the English government to do to us, when it was folly itself to suppose or expect such a thing) when we are about doing
an act of Sovereignty which every Independent nation have done before us, and which our government ought of right and justice to their constituents to have done long since.
A New-Jersey Farmer.
Federal Legislature.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, February 18.
THE subject of the post office was resumed in committee of the whole. It was moved to reduce the postage on the transportation of newspapers.
In favor of the motion it was urged that country presses are inadequate to convey a proper knowledge of public transactions;—every printer must have a bias, and his paper will take a correspondent complexion,—the opportunity which the number of papers published in large cities, and especially the seat of general government gives to neighbourhoods of hearing both sides, is better calculated to render them well informed, than the mutilated and weekly accounts which the pages from country presses can possibly afford. Besides, these presses are often under the influence of the little lord of the village who, through its medium is able to scatter his concerts without opposition or reply. Though the presses of the metropolis may also be liable to influence, if not external, at least from the opinions of the editor, yet as they do not all bear the same complexion, a judgment may be formed by reading both sides.
The recommendation of the executive in favor of the repeal of the tax was dwelt on. Information by means of papers from the seat of government is received more expeditiously than it can be detailed, retailed, or curtailed by the country printer.
Jealousies do exist in the minds of the people. An idea has gone abroad, that government will to keep the people in ignorance;—it is of the greatest importance that it should be done away, and nothing can more effectually do this, than facilitating the circulation of intelligence. The importance of a diffusion of information in a republican government was much dwelt on. Some gentlemen regretted that it did not flow with more purity through the channel of periodical publications; but they believed the evil would be greater if those channels were obstructed. The newspaper character of a government is generally bad. The evil must be borne with; the tongue of calumny is less to be feared than the arm of faction.
To the motion was objected that it would cut up the trade of the country printer, the only luminary, tho' shining with borrowed light, in country neighbourhoods. Country people pay their printers with produce, a weekly paper is as much as they can read and indeed pay for. If they are destroyed, then all newspaper information will be taken from those who cant afford 31. cash per annum.
The surplus from the letter department of the post-office, should be applied to opening new roads for the extension of epistolary correspondence, and not lavished upon newspapers which are half the time useless lumber. The difference between the existing charge and that proposed is trifling, only 1 dollar and 56 cents per annum for a daily paper going 600 miles. The people of the country can't at any rate, take two papers from the Metropolis, and therefore cannot hear both sides. The country printer does give both sides; they were represented as impartial—immaculate; by no means akin to their city brethren, whose productions are even so wretched, that tho' daily, a weekly paper is able to contain all they give worth republishing or preserving. [In short, tho' Philadelphia newspapers may have been censorious on the conduct of government or members of the government,—tho' they may have been abusive and in some cases have carried their censures to an indecent length, yet they are with some members of the House of Representatives by no means creditors now; indeed there may be a balance against them which probably will not go unpaid. Fortunately newspapers are not always the subject of legislation; but the proceedings of government are always the order of the day for newspaper discussion.
The motion for a diminution of the tax was lost, 44 to 40.
WEDNESDAY, February 19.
Mr. Fitzsimons gave notice, that he would tomorrow, move for the consideration of the report of the select committee reporting the naval armament necessary to protect the commerce of the United States, from the piratical depredations of the Barbary Corsairs.
THURSDAY, February 20.
In committee of the whole, on the state of the Union, Mr. Trumbull in the chair.
The naval armament of the United States being under consideration, a motion was made by Mr. Murray, to strike out SALT, and the duty intended to be laid on it, as one of the items reported by the select committee as object for taxation to complete the armament—Whereupon a
31. 78 8. 76 6. 46 1. 06 -9. 46

debate commenced, which continued nearly to the hour of adjournment, when the question was put, and 63 members rose in support of the motion.
PHILADELPHIA, February 22.
A letter from Baltimore of the 18th current to a mercantile house in this city, mentions that the new Ambassador from France [his name unknown, but supposed to be Mr. Fauchet] came passenger in the fleet lately arrived at Norfolk, and left Baltimore that morning for Philadelphia, escorted by a party of volunteer light dragoons—and that 50,000 barrels of flour had been purchased in that town for the French.
Capt. John Crandon, of the Ship Edward arrived here, from St. Petersburg, on his passage, Jan. 18, spoke a schooner from St. Thomas' out 11 days, and commanded by Capt. Armand, who gave the following intelligence.—That a French privateer formerly belonging to Baltimore and manned partly by Americans, had captured, and carried into St. Thomas' a British ship loaded with sugars; that the French had captured 17 sail of the Havana fleet, in which fleet were 28 millions of dollars—This he asserted to be a fact—and that a British fleet consisting of 8 sail of the line, with a large body of troops, were arrived in the West-Indies.
MARCH 3.
Extract of a letter from Bourdeaux, 1st Dec. 1794, received by the ship Richmond, arrived in the Delaware.
"There are now 63 American vessels here, the Jane of Baltimore is the last arrived, I have asked permission to send her to Amsterdam, it was refused, on the ground of the last arrest of the Convention, which claims a preference, and in case their agents cannot agree with the holders, then they may export. The Convention have rendered great justice to the Americans in late decrees, and accused Citizen Genet, who is replaced by Citizen Fauchet; they have ordered the treaty to be legally executed, and named agents to the different ports to buy grés à grés (as can be agreed on) the American produce, and in case they disagree, permit them to re-export it; these agents are not yet named here, but I hope in a few days they will be in activity. The commerce of Bourdeaux is more flaganted than at the date of our last, on account of the scarcity of money, Dollars. 5 lvs. 5s a specie at par, silver and gold under par, and at Paris crowns lose. This is as true as it is strange; no exchange here, but at Paris 15d a 20d per 3l. on London no takers; to my very great disappointment the embargo still exists, and I have the same assurances it will not last two days."
It is reported, that the communications from our Minister at London, are far from bearing a pacific aspect.
Melancholy News!
The following letter from Capt. WILLIAM PENROSE, Master of the ship President of Philadelphia, was received by his owner there, on the 3d inst. by the way of Alicante and Baltimore.
ALGIERS, NOV. 4th, 1794.
SIR,
I AM utterly at a loss how to proceed, or how to inform you of the distressed situation I am in.
On the 23d of Oct. at 9 o'clock, A. M. a sail to windward bore down upon us, which we thought was a Spanish privateer; when he came nigh, hoisted Spanish colours, fired a gun to leeward, and brought us too. As soon as he saw the American colours hoisted, he hoisted out the launch immediately. It being then nearly calm, as it had been for 8 days before; in an instant nearly 30 armed men on board, they first saluted me with a dreadful stroke with one of their cutlasses, made me jump over the rail into the boat, and all hands after me, without ever suffering any one to go below, and carried us on board the cruiser, where they stripped us to our skins, and gave us a few old rags that would scarcely cover our nakedness, let alone keeping us from the cold. In this situation we were obliged to lay on deck—the people they let go below, and Mr. Barry got below by some means for two nights—I was forced to lay on the poop, and the wind being E. N. E. it almost perished me; but at length an old man more humane than the rest, lent me a blanket, which they had taken out of the ship. The provisions they gave us was black bread and water, sometimes a few rotten olives, and that we thought was a treat. In this situation we continued eight days.
On the 31st we arrived at Algiers; we tho't ourselves hardly treated on board the cruiser, but alas! our sorrows were but coming on, for we were not on shore scarcely, when they almost loaded us with irons, and the second day made us go to work like criminals, and murderers, that we are in the most abject slavery ever people were in the world. The same day arrived 2 frigates and a brig, who had taken nine more American vessels; so that our number now is above one hundred, and are expecting more daily. They have several cruisers out now, and there are several in the harbour equipping with the utmost speed.
When I was taken, Cape St. Mary's bore N. N. W. 5 or 6 miles distance, the 17th, Cape St. Vincent's on the 15th; on the 17th spoke an English brig, but I suppose he had not heard of the Algerines being out of the Straights, for he said nothing about them; but we have every reason to suspect them to be our worst enemies.
There is part of two ships' companies here that was taken 8 years ago, but the plague and hard usage hath carried them all off but ten. The small pittance they had from the United
States, has been taken off near 3 months, so that we have nothing to subsist on, but a little black bread and water, and sometimes nothing, for it is against their Religion to give Christians, as they call us, any Flesh Meat; and if you will be so kind as to supply me with a few dollars for the present, I shall take it as the greatest favor any person ever conferred on me, for it is impossible to subsist long in this miserable situation.
NEW-YORK, March 3.
The President of the United States has issued his proclamation, offering a reward of two hundred dollars for the discovery of each of a band of disturbers of the peace, who on the 23d of November broke open and entered the House of Benjamin Wells, collector of the revenue in Westmoreland and Fayette counties, state of Pennsylvania—and compelled him to give them his commission and books.
Yesterday arrived in this harbour the prize Scorpion East-India packet, captured by the Papillon French armed brig, on the 12th Jan. in lat. 27, 37, long. 42, 42, in sight of the French fleet. They sailed from Madras bound to England, and had been out four months.
Official Documents.
Those who want further evidence to prove the "amicable disposition" of the British to the Americans, are humbly requested to read the following 3.]
NEW-LONDON, March 6.
The following PROTEST or DECLARATION of the Owners, Captains and Supercargoes, of American Vessels, carried into St. Kitts, was forwarded us by an obliging correspondent.
WE the subscribers, owners, masters, and supercargoes of American vessels taken on the high seas, by vessels of war and privateers belonging to Great-Britain, and now illegally detained in this port, under pretence of trial—Do state—That whilst prosecuting a trade which we have been in the practice of following some years, and from which we have had no previous intimation to desist, on the part of Great-Britain were industriously, piratically, and contrary to the faith and usage of nations, seized, brought into port and detained, some of us for six or seven weeks, without a trial, to our very great detriment—that our remonstrances have been treated with a contempt unexampled—that we have been denied access to our own papers, unless we chose to incur the expense of a fee to the recorders—that our private papers have been scrutinized with inquisitorial rigour, taken from us forcibly, and detained in the Court of Admiralty—that our trials have been shamefully put off, we presume, with a view of harassing our patience with tedious suspence, and forcing us to abandon our property—that we have been refused permission to dispose of a part of our cargoes, for the support of ourselves and crews, and told, "that we might sell (such of us as were masters only) our own private ventures for this purpose, and nothing else."—That many of us find ourselves incapable of standing trial, because we are in a strange country, without money to fee lawyers, or friends to be our securities for the costs of suit—that the order which is alledged to sanction the seizure and adjudication of our property, arrived but the 18th instant, and at this moment is not received officially, notwithstanding it has been the constant practice for months past.—We conceive the operation of law thus by anticipation, inconsistent with justice, and common custom, and consequently justifiable on no ground whatever—that such of us as are masters have been tampered with to betray the trust reposed in us, and sacrifice the interest of our employers, for the paltry bribe of our private ventures—that some of our sailors have been enticed for the sake of gold, and at the expence of perjury, to turn evidence against us—In short no means has been left unattempted, which rapacity, cunning and fraud could suggest; in this dilemma we see no alternative, but to appeal from the decisions of a court, where prejudice, partiality and self interest predominate, to the legislature of our country, from which we have a right to claim protection and redress—that our vessels have been stripped of their sails and some of them of their rudders and booms, and left in this mutilated state, in an open road exposed to all the dangers of storm and tempest—that we have made a calculation of the American property now in the road, and find it exceeds on a very moderate estimation, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Spanish Dollars.
We submit to the consideration of our country, whether such an amount of property, together with the ruin of many families, necessarily involved in this loss, merits public attention.
(Signed)
J. Glover, Norwich—E. Grant, Boston—J. Lathrop, ditto—R. Crownfield, Salem, R. Gray, ditto—O. Fitch, Norwich—I. Savage, Middletown—I. Isaacks, Baltimore—C. Cranflor, Rhode-Island—I. Robinson, New-York—S. Hayt, New-Haven—R. Towne, Boston—R. L. Sill, Windsor—I. Hilton, Portland—G. Gardner, New-York—W. Marshall, Boston—J. Holland, Newbury-Port—W. Trow, ditto—J. Bouton, Fairfield—I. E. Stanbury, Baltimore—R. Sprague, Providence—J. Sullivan, Philadelphia—J. Hemplead, Wethersfield—D. Warner, Hartford—B. Tilton, New-York—G. Colley, Salisbury—J. Verry, Salem—N. Wattles, Alexandria; and many others not herein mentioned.
St. Christopher's, January 30, 1794.
MORE OF IT.
Extract of a letter from Capt. T. Stillman, carried into Montserrat, by a British privateer, to his owner in Connecticut, dated Jan. 20.
"I have passed the court of admiralty, and am with the rest of my countrymen, condemned, vessel and cargo, together with my cash, and am thus reduced to a morsel of bread, and almost to despair; being destitute of friends, money and cloaths. I leave my friends to judge of my situation.
"Since my last, the following vessels have been brought in here, viz. Capt. Morris, in a brig from Philadelphia, Capt. Indicot and Capt. Putnam in brigs, from Salem, and Capt. Lee, from Cape-Ann; all loaded with sugar, coffee and cotton. Most of the American vessels here are condemned; some of them stand trial, and some not, but all share alike. I partly stood trial, but seeing the issue of others before me, withdrew my suit.
"How or when I shall get away from this place and return home I cannot tell, unless I work my passage, for they have robbed me of my money, not leaving me sufficient even to pay for a protest, or the Doctor's bill for one of my sailors. I have begged them to give up all or part of the adventure of the poor sailors, but in vain; they refused to give up any of their property unless they would ship on board their privateers, and cruise for Americans; which they all, like faithful countrymen, utterly refused.
"I would inform you that Capt. Lester of Norwich (whose sloop had been taken and libelled) was on the morning after his vessel was taken off by his mate, put into a most dismal gaol among French prisoners and negroes, but was by the petition of the Americans, liberated in three days. He is to wait for his trial till March or April, and in the mean time is without friends, money or cloaths.
"This may give you some faint idea of our situation, and of our reception in this place."
Arrived sloop Nancy, J. Brown, in 17 days from Antigua, via St. Eustatia. Capt. Brown says, there were 33 sail of American vessels at Montserrat; 15 of which were condemned before he left the West-Indies; at Dominico, upward of 30 sail carried in for "lawful adjudication," as they term it; and several sail at Antigua; but none of them condemned.—The amount of American property at Montserrat alone, was calculated at 200,000l. They pretend to act upon authority of a Proclamation from the British Court, which is supposed to be of West-India manufacture.
FEBRUARY 26.
The U. S. Senate have resolved, 17 to 10, to open their doors, as soon as galleries can be provided whenever legislative business shall be under discussion. The Supreme Court of the United States have lately decided, in an appeal from the Circuit Court of Maryland, that every district court in the United States possesses all the powers of a court of admiralty, whether considered as an instance or a prize court.
The same court have also adjudged and decreed that no foreign power can of right erect any court of judicature, within the jurisdiction of the United States, except warranted by and in pursuance of treaty—and therefore the admiralty jurisdiction which has been exercised in the United States by Consuls of France, not being so warranted, is not of right.
Extract of a letter from Philad. dated 25th inst. "The French Minister, the Consul-General, and the Consul for the port of Philadelphia, were acknowledged on Saturday last, by the President, and on Sunday night, one HALF MILLION sterling in specie, was lodged in the Bank, belonging to the republic."
HARTFORD, FEB. 24.
Extract of a letter from an officer in the Western army to a gentleman in this city, dated Fort Washington, Jan. 16.
"THIS goes by express, who is charged with dispatches from the commander in chief, on a very interesting subject to the United States. As Congress are now sitting, they will undoubtedly have the contents before them. Those who are for peace with the savages, in this country, are in high spirits. On the 11th inst. an old Stockbridge Indian, with an Irish merchant, made their public entry into the cantonment of Green Ville, under a white flag. The yellow ambassador speaks very good English. He says that in consequence of what a Mr. WELLS (a spy and Indian interpreter to our army) told an old squaw, who he had taken prisoner and sent back, "that the United States were yet willing to treat," he was sent by the Delawares, Tauwais, and some other tribes, to see the great War Chief, and to know if this report was true. He further says, that if a negotiation can be set on foot they will treat with us. That they are now tired of the war, and they are sorry they did not listen to our commissioners last spring. They were received by the commander in chief, and treated in a proper manner; told of their weakness, and of the great power of their adversaries; the Irish merchant remained as a hostage. The Indian, with a gentleman belonging to the army, went out to meet some chiefs, who were at a small distance from the cantonment. In the evening of the 13th they returned, with a son of BUCKANGELW, the chief of the Delaware nation, and another warrior of equal distinction; from these circumstances we conclude that the enemy are at least serious in their overtures. This corresponds with the intelligence I have lately had from the Indians, through a channel that may be depended on. They are a cunning, subtle people, and should be cautiously guarded against, at the same time our reputation as a free and liberal nation, might suffer, did we not, even at this period establish them as our friends and allies."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Paris, to his friend in Philadelphia.
"Since my letter of the 20th of October I
am every day more and more convinced, and impressed with the propriety of Congress sending Commissioners to Europe to confer with the Ministers of the Neutral powers on the means of terminating the War—There are a variety of subjects to be taken into consideration, all of which have some tendency to put an end to the War.
"I am not how this war is to terminate if some intermediate Power does not step forward. There is no prospect that France can carry Revolutions thro' Europe on the one hand, or that the Combined Powers can conquer France on the other. It is a sort of defensive War on both sides—This being the case how is the War to close? Neither side will ask for Peace though each may wish it, I believe that England and Holland are already tired of the War—The Commerce and Manufactures of both those countries have suffered most exceedingly, and besides this, it is a War to them without an object, Russia keeps herself at a distance.
BOSTON, March 8.
A letter from Philadelphia mentions, that the new French Minister is about instituting an inquiry into the conduct of the Ex-Minister, respecting the condemnation and spoliation of the French East-Indiaman. The result, it is expected, will furnish fresh machinary for the Perpetual Motion at Paris.
A correspondent, who is a zealous American, entertains the hope, that the characteristic generosity of his countrymen, will restrain them from any exultations on the fall of Mr. GENET; and however, they may have resented his disrespectful behavior to the Man of their choice, and the government they have established, they will unite their prayers, that not the errors of his head, nor the failings of his heart, may consign him to a punishment at which humanity revolts.
Three sons of Dr. PRIESTLEY have arrived in the United States, and a letter from the Doctor to Mr. GOUCH, of Savannah, informs, that he intends soon to follow them.
The Hon. Mr. RANDOLPH, Secretary of State, has made enquiry of the British Minister, whether he has received any instructions respecting Commercial negotiations. The Minister has answered that he has not yet received them. Mr. RANDOLPH thanks Mr. HAMMOND for the communication of his Britannic Majesty's declaration.
MARCH 10.
The following is a letter from Capt. Timothy Newman, inclosed in a letter to, and forwarded by Messrs. Robert and John Montgomery, at Alicante, to Capt. Thomas Adams, of this town:
Algiers, Nov. 3, 1793.
"SIR,
"I wrote you from Cadiz, by Capt. Obadiah Rich, Oct. 3, that I was ready for sea, and failed the 4th, and on the 8th, in lat. 37. 45, N. long. 10. 50. W. had the misfortune of being captured by an Algerine Corsair, of 24 guns, and brought to this place, after receiving the most cruel treatment.
"On our arrival here, found a great number of Americans in the same situation, being all put to hard labour, and nothing to subsist upon but bread and water; the small allowance allowed by Congress to the American slaves being stoop for some months past.
"We have sent a memorial to Congress, setting forth our situation, which we trust they will take into Consideration, and appoint some method for our relief.
Intelligence of maritime injuries and oppression is accumulating fast, from which some effective materials will undoubtedly be furnished for the decision of Mr. Madison's propositions.
We learn that the late embargo on American vessels, in France, is taken off.
The diet of Poland have ordered that no Frenchman shall enter their dominions, unless he can produce a certificate that he is no Jacobin; and prohibited the circulation of French books, Journals and Gazettes.
The reflections on Mr. Sherburne, Representative from New-Hampshire, in the Centinel, is agreeable to many other infamous remarks in that paper on Mr. Madison and his friends. Mr. Sherburne stands too high in the estimation of his Constituents to be injured by such publications. He has acted becoming the Representative of a Free People, by writing them on a subject in which they are materially interested; he does not presume to harangue for two hours without some more substantial documents than partial communications from his private correspondents. The State he represents has ever been in favor of measures similar to those now before Congress. [Chronicle.]
Extract of a letter from Lisbon, to a gentleman in Norfolk, dated Dec. 14.
"The risque of being captured by the Algerines is more dangerous than at any time hitherto, there being, by the last accounts from Cadiz, and Gibraltar, 18 sail of Algerines without the Straits. There are ten sail of Americans lying at Lisbon, and three at St. Ubes, waiting for the answer to our consul's application for a convoy. The reason the answer has not been given, is, they are waiting the return of a frigate they sent to Algiers. It is currently reported that the Dey of Algiers has broken some of the articles of the truce between him and the Portuguese. Should this be the case, they will keep them within the Straits again.
"Capt. George Haynes, of the schooner Patty, is safe arrived at Cadiz, after a passage of 34 days from Norfolk."
MARCH 13.
Arrived on Tuesday last the brig Hope Capt. Thomas Field from Cadiz, on the 22d ult. in lat. 20, N. long. 59 W. fell in with the schooner Hannah, from Westcasset bound to Boston, from on

board of which he took the master, Sylvester Bance and 2 men. They failed from Wisbeech Jan. 28, and were blown off the coast with only 10 days provision on board. They had eaten one leather cap, and that morning they ate a piece seal skin that they ripped from a trunk, which the Captain presented him with as a token of friendship. The Captain was so weak that he could not stand on his feet, and they had turned into their cabins to die.
IMPORTANT NEWS.
A gentleman who arrived yesterday from Newport, has favored us with the following intelligence, copied from a Charleston Paper of March 3, which we are happy to communicate to an anxious public.
Charleston, (S. C.) March 3.
Agreeably to adjournment, the Citizens met again on Saturday last, to receive the report of their committee, appointed the preceding day; when a memorial to Congress was presented by the committee, which was considered paragraph by paragraph, and unanimously agreed to.
The memorial represents, in energetic terms, the ruinous consequences of the regulations adopted by Great-Britain, to the trade and navigation of the United States, and complains particularly of an order of the British Court, filed, "additional instructions to commanders of ships of war and privateers, &c. &c." dated at St. James' the 5th day of November, 1793, and signed HENRY DUNDAS .
An additional clause was moved by Doctor RAMSAY , stating that the memorialists were willing to suffer the inconveniences of a total prohibition to the intercourse with Great-Britain, (if Congress, in their wisdom, should deem it necessary) until that power should fulfil the treaty of peace and make reparation for the injuries done to American vessels; which was also agreed to with only two dissenting voices.
The memorial was then laid on the table for signing by the citizens present, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to carry it about the city for the signatures of such other citizens as may approve of it, viz. JOHN EDWARDS, JOHN BLAKE, JOHN SLETT CRIPPS, SAMUEL CLARK, SAMUEL BUKMAN, THOMAS COCKRAFT and FLORIN CHARLES MAY.
AUTHENTIC DOCUMENT
KINGSTON, (Jamaica,) Jan. 29. GEORGE R.
"Additional instructions to the commanders of all ships of war and privateers that have, or may have letters of marque against France.
GIVEN at our Court, at St. James, the fifth day of November, 1793, in the 34th year of our reign.
That they shall stop and detain all ships laden with goods, the produce of any colony belonging to France, or carrying provisions or other supplies for the use of any such colony and shall bring the same, with their cargoes, to legal adjudication in our Courts of Admiralty.
By his Majesty's command. HENRY DUNDAS. JOHN IBBETSON.
A Copy.
On Monday last arrived here the brig Hope , Capt. Field , in 48 days from Cadiz . By him we learn, that about ten days before he failed, information was received at that place, and published by order of the Spanish Court, of the RE-CAPTURE OF TOULON, by the French republicans. The particulars Capt. F. was so unfortunate as to leave behind him; but he thinks this event took place about the 18th of December: that the French carried the great Fort of la Malgue, by storm, during the sitting of a council of war, at 12 o'clock at night; that the combined forces immediately fled to their boats; that many were drowned, and that the French put every Englishman they found to the sword, in retaliation for some enormities exercised by them on republicans of the town: That the combined fleets slipped their cables and had departed for Port Mahon in the Mediterranean, after destroying the French fleet they had captured at that place: The slaughter was said to be great, and the account of it was fully credited at Cadiz .
Capt. Stutson arrived yesterday from Cadiz , and confirms the foregoing account of the Re-capture of Toulon .
Captain Whellen , arrived here Tuesday evening in 30 days from Dominique , informs—That at the time of his sailing, it was reported at that place, that the British had taken intire possession of Martinique , excepting Fort Bourbon —That the Governor of Dominique informed him, that they were determined at all events to put a stop to our supplying the French with provisions, and that an epidemic fever, not unlike the late Philadelphia pestilence, raged there with great violence, and that three British frigates were cruising off that place.
It is not, as was stated in yesterday's Centinel , that the late order, an account of which was first brought by Captain WEBB , forbids the captures of our vessels till after the first of January; as, in fact no time is described in the last orders of our good friends, the British.
FROM NEW-YORK, March 8.
A Gentleman, who arrived in town last evening from New-York, via Providence, has favored the Editors with several New-York papers, published on Saturday last. These papers contain a full confirmation of the Re-capture of Toulon from several arrivals. In consequence of which, there was the greatest rejoicings in that city, by the ringing of bells, firing of cannon, &c. They also contain a very lengthy account from Algiers , of the miserable situation of our unfortunate Countrymen at that place: Several letters from Capt. O'Brian and others, which give an account of the failure of the negotiation of Mr. Humphreys with the Dey: He refusing either to make a treaty or to release the American prisoners; being determined to carry on their depredations against us.
On Tuesday morning arrived in the outer harbor, the Hussar Frigate, belonging to our "amicably" disposed friend, the King of Great-Britain, Rupert George , Esq. Commander. It is whispered that he has come for a supply of provisions, &c. and intends cruising on the coast for neutral vessels bound to or from France or her colonies; having orders for that purpose. This we are informed is conformable to the MODERN law of nations!
A Correspondent observes, that the only measure that Congress can adopt at this important period, to prevent further destruction of American property is to lay an EMBARGO on our vessels—stop all British ships from taking provisions from our ports—and confiscate every pound of British property, either in the FUNDS, or in the hands of private Merchants; until that Government shall make complete restitution for the destruction of American property in their West-India islands, and elsewhere. It is said that some British Agents, fearing an event of this nature, are transferring their property into the hands of their American friends!!
MODERN NEUTRALITY, EXEMPLIFIED.
The United States on one side are enjoined by their government to act within the line of "impartial neutrality," and the British on the other by the orders of their government, are commanded to take for condemnation all American vessels "let their cargoes be what they may," going to or from France or her colonies. In consequence of which our navigation is every day falling into their hands, and depredations made on our property on the high seas. On what ground then does America stand as a nation? Are we neutrals or principals? Are we at war or peace? If we are neutral, why do we not receive the privileges of neutrality? If we are at peace, why is our property subject to capture? Let us know our real national situation, and we shall then know what to do. But as we are at present circumstanced, we are losing our property and seamen, without being acquainted with any one principle upon which we are thus subject to depredations and insults.
But the most remarkable part of our situation is, that a Captain of a Man of War shall arrive in our metropolis, and on public exchange declare that he is commissioned to take all American vessels; notwithstanding which he is permitted to supply his ship with provisions, to cruise on our coast against our trade. This is truly a modern refinement of neutrality. For a Captain of a Man of War to come into the harbors of a sovereign nation to take provisions therefrom, to enable him to continue at sea to capture all vessels coming into their port, is in fact carrying neutrality to the highest pitch of politeness, but disgraceful to the nation that suffers it.
PORTLAND, March 3. IMPORTANT NEWS.
Arrived in this harbour, on Saturday last, the brig Rebecca , Capt. Stowell of Boston, 60 days from Hamburg in Germany. The Captain informs, that on the 10th of December, a severe action took place between the French and Austrians, in which the former were victorious—their enemies fled before them 12 or 15 miles. Fourteen thousand were left dead on the field. The French as they pursued them, burnt and destroyed every thing in their way. Capt. Stowell does not recollect the name of the place where the battle was fought, but says that the news was received at Hamburg , on the 19th, 48 hours after the action took place. And that on that day a number of persons arrived at Hamburg who saw the battle.
It was the opinion of many at Hamburg , that a war between Great-Britain and America was highly probable; but no one appeared to think of its having actually taken place.
Capt. Stowell informs that the ship Fair Lady , Capt. Ewin of Boston, was cast away on the Goodwin Sands , about the first of Dec.—the crew saved.
SALEM, March 11.
Extracts of letters from a public character at Philadelphia.
February 26.
I have hitherto consoled myself with the hope and persuasion, that we had passed the crisis of our greatest exposure to being involved in the general war which prevails in Europe, and that we should weather the storm by suffering partial evils; and I would fain continue to hope so; but the political horizon rather darkens, and increases our apprehensions—from the numerous spoliations made on our trade by Great-Britain, and by communications made to Congress yesterday from our Minister at London, that Court does not seem so desirous of avoiding a war with this country, as has been imagined. I do not mean to give an opinion that we shall have a war; but this I will say, that from appearances within a few days, and particularly from the intelligence of this disposition of Great-Britain, the apprehensions of such Members of Congress, whose opinions I have heard on the subject, have been much increased. I wish it to be understood that I give no opinion, but only state what I conceive to be facts, leaving you to form your own conclusions, as to what may be the event; to do which, you are as competent as myself. I have been most ardently solicitous, and shall continue to be, upon rational principles to avoid this direful calamity."
"March 1.—As I ever wish to give you the earliest intelligence of such events as may still more hazard the tranquility of our country, I would inform you, that it is said, letters were yesterday received in town from Kentucky , giving an account of an army of 2000 men under the command of General Clark , and commanded by Genet , who were preparing for an invasion down the Mississippi , to attack the Spaniards , elements on that river, and that they this set out by the 1st of March.—What may be adopted by this government in consequence of it (should it prove true, as I believe there is little doubt) I know not."
"The Committee who brought in the report for equipping a fleet for the protection of our trade against the Algerines , have also reported a defence for the principal ports and harbours of the United States to protect them from sudden invasion and insult: Among others, Cape-Ann, Salem and Marblehead each to have a fort of 8 guns, and to be garrisoned with about 20 Continental troops."
PORTSMOUTH, March 15.
Through the politeness of Col. Hamilton , we are enabled to present the public with the following genuine copy of a letter from the Captain of his Brig, lately sailed from this port, and captured by the Algerines .
ALGIERS, Nov. 3, 1793.
Dear Sir, This is to inform you of my unhappy fate, by being captured by an Algerine Frigate, within five leagues of Lisbon , on my outward bound passage, and have been but three days in this place, where I found nine other Americans; and in case something is not done soon the whole Western Ocean will be infested with their cruisers, as they have now seven ready to sail, mounting from 30 to 44 guns, and are fitting every thing as vessels of War to cruise against the Americans, whom (by our sufferings) I sincerely wish may keep out of their way, as their slavery far exceeds death. The labour is very hard, and they give us nothing but bread and water, and so little of that, that it is hardly sufficient to sustain life; and unless our humane Congress gives us some small allowance to alleviate our sufferings, we must continue in the most abject slavery; every other nation allow their countrymen in slavery something. We were stripped of every thing when taken but life, and it is almost enough to take that, to think of remaining in captivity for life-time, loaded with chains, and destitute of every thing but horror, and hard labour from sunrise till dark; unless a peace should be made by our people, I expect to linger out my days in this cruel place. My people keep as good hearts as can be expected. I have not time to write any more; but bid adieu to my native soil, friends and relations.
I am, Sir, Your very humble servant, WILLIAM FURNASS.
The names of the American Captains, brought into this place, are as follows:
Timothy Newman, of Boston; William Penrose, of Philadelphia; John M'Shane, of ditto; Moses Morse, of Newbury-Port; Michael Smith, of ditto; James Taylor, of Newbury-Port; S. Calder, Gloucester; William Wallace, Richmond, and three more, whose names I cannot recollect, besides prizes coming in every day.
W. FURNASS.
At the annual town-meeting, held at Exeter , on the third day of March, 1794. Sunday propositions made to the House of Representatives of the United States, respecting further restrictions and higher duties in certain cases on the manufactures and navigation of foreign nations employed in the Commerce of the United States:—also sundry resolutions of the town in this State, principally concerned in foreign commerce (which resolutions seem in some degree calculated to promote the propositions aforesaid) being read and considered:
1st. Resolved, As the opinion of this meeting, that peace maintained with honor is one of the first blessings of heaven, and that all attempts to disturb it and provoke war, should be discouraged by every virtuous Citizen.
2d. Resolved, As the opinion of this meeting, that it is extremely improper to make great
changes in commercial restrictions at this time when war rages with such violence among so many of the European Nations.
3d. Resolved, That although the Commerce of America has in many instances been interrupted, the propositions above mentioned do not appear to this meeting to be the proper means of obtaining redress; but on the contrary, we fear that (if adopted) they will tend to destroy the peace of our common country, and involve America in all the horrors of War!
The votes for Governor, Councillor, and Senator at the above meeting, were as follows:
For GOVERNOR.
Hon. John T. Gilman, Esquire, 190 COUNCILLOR.
Christopher Toppan, Esquire, 88
Phillips White, Esquire, 22
Jeremiah Libbey, Esquire, 21
SENATOR, District No. II.
Oliver Peabody, Esquire, 181
Monday next, is the day by law for holding our Town-Meeting for the choice of Governor, Senator, Councillor, Representatives, &c, for the ensuing year.
SHIP-NEWS.
On Monday evening last, arrived here, the Schooner Industry , William Trefethen, master, in 18 days from St. Martins —Capt. Trefethen informs, that there has been upwards of two hundred sail of American vessels taken by the British cruisers, many of which, together with their cargoes, had been condemned, as having violated the prohibitory regulations decreed under the administration of Louis XVI, and the others would share the same fate; that even the poor seamen were plundered of their private adventures. Three American Mates were passengers with Captain Trefethen, their vessels being condemned at Montserat . Capt. Trefethen saw the instructions to the Commanders of British cruisers, which authorized them to take all neutral vessels bound to or from any French port, without any exception or limitation whatever. He further informs, that the siege of Martinique by the English commenced about the 18th of February, soon after which he left St. Martins , when nothing relating thereto had transpired.
Arrived the sloop Nancy , Elisha Low, master, in 22 days from St. Lucia . Left there ship Hiram , Warner, of New-York; sloop Betsey , Tate, of Charlestown ; Schooners Hope , Snow—Polly, Smith, of Boston; Schooners Flora , Folsingby, and Schooner Norton, of Newbury-Port; Schooner Sukey and Betsey , Ingersol; Eunice, Lambert, of Salem, and several other vessels embargoed.
ENTRIES AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE OF THIS DISTRICT.
  ENTERED  FROM    Schooner Dispatch ,  Trefethen, Surinam.    Schooner Industry ,  Trefethen, St. Martins.    Sloop Nancy ,  Low, St. Lucia.    Schooner Nancy ,  Odlin, St. Eustatia.    CLEARED  FOR    Sloop Abigail ,  Moore, Philadelphia.  
FOR THE GAZETTE.
MR. MELCHER,
IN your paper of the 1st instant appeared a piece signed "A Friend to truth," in which the writer asserts that Mr. Sherburne had charged the opposers in Congress of Mr. Madison's Resolutions, with being "British Agents and Factors, and their opposition to proceed from such unworthy motives"—As Chairman of the late meeting, I conceive it my duty to correct the error, lest its further propagation should prove injurious to the public, and to the reputation of that gentleman: The only letter read in the meeting from Mr. Sherburne, on the Resolutions was directed to me, and as a Friend to Truth, and impartiality I feel myself bound publicly to declare that he has not in that letter, nor in any other within my knowledge charged the opposers of the Resolutions with being British Agents and Factors, neither has he in any way expressed his opinion of their motives, except it may be inferred from his being opposed to them in sentiment, which it was the design of his letter to signify: It is unnecessary to express any opinion on the propriety of inserting in the public prints letters of private correspondence; it was only with the view to introduce the business immediately before the meeting, that the letter alluded to, was permitted to be read.
SUPPLY CLAP.
Portsmouth, March 12, 1794.
Mr. Duport, Dancing-Master from Paris PRESENTS his respects to the Ladies and Gentlemen of this Town.—He proposes giving Private Tuition in the polite accomplishment of DANCING—And he engages in three months to perfect those Ladies and Gentlemen, who shall please to honor him with their attendance. Several of the first Families at the Southward, he has perfected in this accomplishment, in that short period, from whom he has Letters of Recommendation.
A Subscription Pa-
per is lodged at Capt. WHIDEN 's Assembly-Room; where the terms will be made known.—Provided suitable encouragement is given a School will be opened the first of April next in said room.—[Forty Scholars are expected.] Portsmouth, March 8, 1794.