The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1790-09-02 00:00:00

New - Hampshire Gazette, and the General Advertiser.
Containing the Laws, &amp;c. of the United States, as well as those of this State passed since 1787, with a variety of other matters both useful and entertaining.
PORTSMOUTH: Printed by JOHN MELCHER, at his Office in Market-Street, at nine shillings per Annum.
LAWS of the UNITED STATES.
CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES: AT THE SECOND SESSION,
Begun and held at the City of New-York, on Monday the 4th of January, 1790.
An Act further to suspend part of an Act, intitled, "An Act to regulate the Collection of the Duties imposed by Law on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels, and on Goods, Wares and Merchandize imported into the United States," and to amend said Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That so much of an Act, intitled, "An act to regulate the collection of the duties imposed by law on the tonnage of ships or vessels, and on goods, wares and merchandise imported into the United States," as obliges ships or vessels bound up the river Potowmac, to come to and deposit manifests of their cargoes with the officers at Saint Mary's and Yeocomico, before they proceed to their port of delivery, shall be, and is hereby further suspended, from the first day of May next; to the first of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the landing places in Windsor and East-Windsor, in the State of Connecticut, shall be ports of delivery, and be included in the district of New-London.
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, & President of the Senate. Approved, the 15th of April, 1790.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. (True copy) THO'S JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES: AT THE SECOND SESSION,
Begun and held at the City of New-York, on Monday the 4th of January, 1790.
An ACT for regulating the MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT of the UNITED STATES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the commissioned officers hereinafter mentioned, and the number of one thousand two hundred and sixteen non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians shall be raised for the service of the United States, for the period of three years, unless they should previously by law be discharged.
And be it further enacted, That the non-commissioned officers and privates aforesaid, shall, at the time of their enlistments, respectively, be able-bodied men, not under five feet six inches in height, without shoes; nor under the age of eighteen, nor above the age of forty-six years.
And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers hereinafter mentioned, and the said non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians, shall be formed into one regiment of infantry, to consist of three battalions, and one battalion of artillery. The regiment of infantry to be composed of one lieutenant-colonel commandant, three majors, three adjutants, three quartermasters, one pay-master, one surgeon, two surgeon's mates, and twelve companies, each of which shall consist of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, sixty-six privates, and two musicians. The
battalion of artillery shall be composed of one major commandant, one adjutant, one quarter-master, one pay-master, one surgeon's mate; and four companies, each of which shall consist of one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, sixty-six privates, and two musicians: Provided always, That the adjutants, quartermasters, and pay-masters, shall be appointed from the line of subalterns of the aforesaid corps respectively.
And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States may from time to time appoint one or two inspectors, as to him shall seem meet, to inspect the said troops, who shall also muster the same, and each of whom shall receive the like pay and subsistence as a captain, and be allowed ten dollars per month for forage.
And be it further enacted, That the troops aforesaid shall receive for their services the following enumerated monthly rates of pay; lieutenant-colonel commandant, sixty dollars; major-commandant of artillery, forty-five dollars; majors, forty dollars; captains, thirty dollars; lieutenants, twenty-two dollars; ensigns, eighteen dollars; surgeons, thirty dollars; surgeon's mates, twenty-four dollars; sergeants, five dollars; corporals, four dollars; privates, three dollars; senior musician in each battalion of infantry, and in the battalion of artillery, five dollars; musicians, three dollars: Provided always, That the sum hereinafter specified, shall be deducted from the pay of the non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians stipulated as aforesaid, for the purpose of forming a fund for cloathing and hospital stores: From the monthly pay of each sergeant and senior musician, there shall be deducted for uniform cloathing, the sum of one dollar and forty cents, and the farther sum of ten cents for hospital stores; and from the monthly pay of each corporal, for uniform cloathing, one dollar and fifteen cents, and the farther sum of ten cents for hospital stores; and from the monthly pay of each private and musician, for uniform cloathing, the sum of ninety cents, and the farther sum of ten cents for hospital stores.
And be it further enacted, That the subalterns who may be appointed to act as adjutants, shall each receive for the same, in addition to their regimental pay, ten dollars per month; and quarter and pay-masters so appointed, each five dollars per month.
And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers aforesaid, shall receive for their daily subsistence, the following number of rations of provisions, to wit, lieutenant colonel commandant, six; a major, four; a captain, three; a lieutenant, two; an ensign, two; a surgeon, three; a surgeon's mate, two or money in lieu thereof, at the option of the said officers, at the contract price at the posts respectively where the rations may become due.
And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers hereinafter described, shall receive monthly the following enumerated sums, instead of forage: Lieutenant-colonels commandant, 12 dollars; major commandant of artillery, majors and surgeons each 10 dollars, surgeon's mates each six dollars.
And be it further enacted, That every non-commissioned officer, private and musician aforesaid shall receive annually the following articles of uniform clothing: one hat or helmet, one coat, one vest, two pair of woolen, and two pair of linen overalls, four pair of shoes, four shirts, two pair of socks, one blanket, one stock and clasp, and one pair of buckles.
And be it further enacted, That every non-commissioned officer, private and musician aforesaid, shall receive daily, the following rations of provisions, or the value thereof: One pound of beef or three quarters of a pound of pork, one pound of bread or flour; half a gill of rum, brandy or whiskey, or the value thereof at the contract price where the same shall become due, and at the rate of one quart of salt, two quarts of vinegar, two pounds of soap, and one pound of candles to every hundred rations.
And be it further enacted, That if any commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer, private or musician aforesaid, shall be wounded or disabled while in the line of his duty in public service, he shall be placed on the list of the invalids of the United States, at such rate of pay, and under such regulations as shall be directed by the President of the United States for the time being: Provided always, That the rate of compensation for such wounds or disabilities, shall never exceed for the highest disability, half the monthly pay received by any commissioned officer, at the time of being so wounded or disabled; and that the rate of compensation to non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians, shall never exceed five dollars per month: And provided also, That all inferior disabilities shall entitle the persons so disabled to receive only a sum in proportion to the highest disability.
And be it further enacted, That every commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer, private and musician aforesaid, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation, to wit: "I, A, B, do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) to bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers, whomsoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the articles of war."
And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians aforesaid, shall be governed by the rules and articles of war, which have been established by the United States in Congress assembled, as far as the same may be applicable to the Constitution of the United States, or by such rules and articles as may hereafter by law be established.
And be it further enacted, That the "Act for recognizing and adapting to the Constitution of the United States the establishment of the troops raised under the resolves of the United States in Congress assembled, and for other purposes therein mentioned," passed the twenty-ninth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, be, and the same is hereby repealed.
Provided always, That the non-commissioned officers and privates continued and engaged under the aforesaid act of the twenty-ninth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, and who shall decline to re-enlist under the establishment made by this act, shall be discharged whenever the President of the United States shall direct the same. Provided further, That the whole number of non-commissioned officers, privates and musicians, in the service of the United States at any one time, either by virtue of this act, or by virtue of the aforesaid act, passed the twenty-ninth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, shall not exceed the number of one thousand two hundred and sixteen.
And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of aiding the troops now in service, or to be raised by this act, in protecting the inhabitants of the frontiers of the United States, the President is hereby authorized to call into service from time to time such part of the militia of the States respectively, as he may judge necessary for the purpose aforesaid; and that their pay and subsistence while in service, be the same as the pay and subsistence of the troops above-mentioned, and they shall be subject to the rules and articles of war.
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, & President of the Senate. Approved, April the 30th, 1790.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. (True copy) THO'S JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES:
AT THE SECOND SESSION, Begun and held at the City of New-York, on Monday the 4th of January, 1790.
An ACT to prescribe the mode in which the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings in each State shall be authenticated, so as to take effect in every other State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the Acts of the Legislatures of the several States shall be authenticated by having the seal of their respective States affixed thereto; that the Records and Judicial Proceedings of the Courts of any State shall be proved or admitted into any other Court within the United States by the attestation of the Clerk, and the seal of the Court annexed, if there be a seal, together with a certificate of the Judge, Chief Justice or presiding Magistrate, as the case may be, that the said attestation is in due form; and the said Records and Judicial Proceedings authenticated as aforesaid, shall have such faith and credit given to them in every Court within the United States, as they have by law or usage in the Courts of the State from whence the said Records are, or shall be taken.
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate. Approved May 26th, 1790.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. (True copy) THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
THE PARENTS MISTAKE.
A MOST fatal mistake is made by parents of all classes in the present age. Many of them seem to think vice and irregularity the marks of sense and spirit in a boy; and that innocence, modesty, submission to superiors, application to study, and to every thing laudable, are the signs of stupidity. They often smile at the tricks of a young villain, and seem pleased with boyish profligacy. Hence it happens, that their offspring frequently proves a scourge to them, and that they feel that sting, which, to use Shakespear's expression, is "sharper than a serpent's tooth," the sting inflicted by a thankless, an immoral, an ignorant, an extravagant and an infidel child.
PRE-DE-GARD.

DUBLIN, June 15.
Insurances on all vessels and goods in British bottoms from and to the West-Indies, were on Friday last, at noon, risen to double what they were antecedent to the present rumor of War.
PHILADELPHIA, August 21.
Extract of a letter from Cape-Francois, dated August 6.
"We have now a civil war throughout this island, citizens are fighting against citizens, and trade is entirely at a stand, and unsafe: it is a very critical time, and very dangerous to have debts out. Produce has got exceeding high and scarce, a great part of the people's time is taken up with the present disturbances, so that they cannot attend to the plantations. Molasses is not got at any price."
NEW-YORK, August 21.
Yesterday arrived in this city, His Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Western Territory.
On Thursday last Col. M'GILLIVRAY, and the other Chiefs of the Creek nation, sailed from this port for St. Mary's River, in high spirits, and greatly pleased with having concluded a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the United States.
The issue of the negotiation with the Creeks, observes a correspondent, must give pleasure to every friend to humanity, and the peace and honor of the United States. The solemn ratification of this just and equal treaty, with which the Creeks appear to be so fully satisfied, and which has received the deliberate sanction of the President of the United States, and of the Senate, affords the happiest prospect of lasting peace and tranquility to our southern frontiers.
AUGUST 24.
On Sunday last, The President of the United States returned to this city from Rhode-Island: He had a fine passage of 24 hours only. His Excellency Governor Clinton, Mr. Jefferson, Secretary of State, Judge Blair, Colonel Humphreys, Major Jackson, and Mr. Nelson, who accompanied the President to Rhode-Island, returned with him.
The Sloop Experiment, Capt. Boyd, from Albany, has brought to this port forty Hogheads of Maple Sugar, made at Cooper's town, on Otsego Lake: Mr. William Cooper is the proprietor of this valuable specimen—which by a certificate in the Albany Register, signed by a number of the most respectable characters in that quarter, ladies and gentlemen, who had used it, is declared to be superior to the best Muscovado sugar.
Maple sugar has been made in this country more than thirty years; but from inexperience, and the badness of the apparatus used in manufacturing it, it was never contemplated that it could be brought to its present excellent quality: There is no doubt that it will attain to a much greater degree of perfection.
HARTFORD, August 16.
"The interest on the foreign debt has this year been paid; and there will remain in the treasury at the end of the year, a sum which employed in a bank operation, may be very convenient in facilitating at once the payment of the duties and a prompt discharge of the quarterly interest."
"It is sincerely to be regretted that so much of the public paper has heretofore been trifled away for the want of a criterion to ascertain its value, or indeed evidence that it would continue to be of any value at all. There are now data for calculation, which men of forecast will regard, and which after a few payments of interest shall have been made, all will attend to. The stocks created by the new loan will average a profit of about four and half per cent. which is more than real estate produces, and which in a shorter period of time probably than is generally imagined, will be near the rate which money in this country ought to produce in deposits unaccompanied with trouble and risk."
BOSTON, August 26.
WAR.
On Friday last, Capt. Daniel Muffey, in the brig Delight , arrived at Portland, in 12 days from Gaudalope. The merchant with whom Capt. Muffey transacted business, the day before he sailed, informed him that a war had certainly taken place between Great-Britain and Spain—that a Declaration of War from the former against the latter had absolutely arrived from Dominique—and that he himself had read the declaration.
Capt. HINKLEY from Martinique, informs, that on Sunday the 1st of August a brig arrived at that island from Cadiz, in 31 days. By her information was brought that a WAR was daily expected to commence between Spain and England. That every preparation possible was making when the brig left Cadiz—that 40 sail of the line were fitting out, and that there was not a boat or flat, that was not employed in transporting cannon, ammunition and stores, on board the ships—That it was generally thought at Martinique, if Spain and England should go to War, that it would be general throughout Europe; and that it was reported there, that Great-Britain had demanded of Congress which side, in case of a war, the United States would take.
By Capt. SMITH, from Port-au-Prince, we learn that the demon of insurrection and riot had again infested that place, and had produced an affray, in which several persons had been killed—and which ended in the interference of the military, who made prisoners of several of the rioters, and secured them in prison. We also learn, that in the absence on shore of the Captain of one of the French 74 gun ships lying there, the crew rose on the Lieutenant and obliged him to conduct the ship to sea; previous to which she fired on a frigate which lay in the harbour, and obliged her to run out of the port.
The military preparations making in Spain, evince, that the English will not find it so easy a task as they imagine to make the Spanish Monarch "concede." However desirous they may be of fingering the Carolus of Spain, it is pretty certain that CHARLES the IVth will urge, what the Spanish artillery bear on their muzzles, " Ultima ratio Regnum ," rather than submit to any degrading terms of accommodation.
Congress in a late act, have appropriated Forty Thousand Dollars for the payment of Pickering's notes issued after 1782. They have also appropriated Thirty-eight Thousand Dollars for the payment of the people on Long-Island, who have claims for subsisting American prisoners during the late war. Persons who have such claims, or who hold Pickering's notes, may therefore obtain their money on application to the Treasury.
TEMPEST.
On the 5th inst. a violent whirlwind, attended with rain and thunder, was experienced in the town of Gray, Cumberland county. Its effects were confined to but a few rods in width, within which, waste and devastation marked its progress. Trees were either twisted asunder or torn from the soil, and buildings unroofed and entirely demolished. The dwelling-house of Mr. Humphreys was greatly shattered, and the roof taken off. His barn a building of 70 or 80 feet in length, was removed from its foundation and totally destroyed.
The following extraordinary circumstance lately happened in Hartford county, Maryland:—Miss Sally Wilson, being indisposed, had taken some medicine prescribed by the doctor, but incautiously drinking some cold water, it immediately, to all appearance, deprived her of life, and her sorrowing friends were preparing to lay her out, when some person proposed putting sweet oil in her mouth, which was accordingly done, and in a few minutes
returning life appeared, and she is now in a fair way of recovery.
PORTLAND, August 23.
On the 15th of August instant, the house of William Wedgery, Esq. of New-Glocester, was set on fire by James Tool and Francis Hilton, two apprentice boys, the first of whom is 18, and the other 16 years of age.
By the accounts that we have been able to collect, it appears, that on the 5th instant Mr. Wedgery ordered the two lads to go down into a meadow and rake some hay—that Mr. Wedgery soon after followed, found them idle, and flogged them. Mr. Wedgery tarried with them about half an hour, and then left them. After his departure, the boys had some conversation with each other on the subject, concluded that they had been injured by their master, and came to a determination to be revenged on him.—Tool proposed first to kill a cow—then a horse; and afterwards to knock down Mr. Wedgery himself with a hoe, if he ever came again into the field to flog them.—But Hilton would not agree to any of these proposals. Tool then suggested an idea of setting fire to the house; to which Hilton consented; and the more readily, as by this means he thought it probable that his indentures would be destroyed. It was accordingly agreed that on the night of the 14th inst. the business should be accomplished; but finding a young woman up, who lived in the house, it was found necessary to postpone it till the next evening. On the 15th a quantity of punk, or touch-wood, was prepared, and about dusk was set on fire and when they went to bed, was taken up stairs with them. Betwixt 8 and 9 o'clock, the fire was communicated by Tool, to a large quantity of Hemp which was deposited in the Chamber.—The room was instantly in flames; and the Lads obliged to leave it. They took care, however first to awake and take with them two of Mr. Wedgery's children, who slept in the same chamber. They then alarmed Mr. Wedgery and his family, and run to the neighbors and called on them for their assistance. From some suspicious circumstance Mr. Wedgery was induced on the 16th, to examine the boys; and with some difficulty the above facts were drawn from young Hilton—on the 17th they were both committed to the Jail in this town. Since their commitment, it has been asserted by young Tool, perhaps with an intention to palliate their offence, that he flogged them often, and very severely.—Mr. Wedgery's loss is said to be heavy indeed.—It is supposed that his house, and the property consumed with it, were worth upwards of a thousand dollars.
FROM THE UNIVERSAL ASYLUM.
ON DRINKING HEALTHS,
Formal Introductions, and that distant reserve of the Sexes, towards each other, so remarkably prevalent in AMERICA.
THE American Revolution, among other consequences, had nearly extirpated several embarrassing English customs, and substituted in their place, the easy and elegant simplicity of the French manners; but the intercourse with England returning, and our country being crowded with her formal sons , their customs are insensibly stealing upon us. At many tables, the company seem at a loss, whether to make the round with "your health, Sir,—your health, Madam,"—whether to rest at the health of the lady of the house—or whether to disturb any one with this foolish ceremony, which is condemned even by those who practice it; but why should we rest in doubt to banish a custom which our reason condemns!
As a nation, we ought to form some national customs, and not be eternally subservient to those which prevail abroad. A few leading men in each town, by setting the example, might effectually destroy this health drinking custom.
The table customs of France are wor-
thy of imitation, for they are (if I may use the expression) refined into rural ease and simplicity, the essence of true politeness. The most agreeable and happy hours of the gay lives of the French, are spent in a large circle, nearly divided by each sex. While we are cloyed with ceremony and form, they enjoy the rich luxury of perfect freedom and social ease. If the company is composed of both sexes, each gentleman places himself between two ladies—every one has his glass, a bottle of claret, and a decanter of water, and they drink or not as they feel disposed—the soup and a rich variety pass round—and the lady of the house pays as little attention to her guests, as if she was one of the number; every gentleman, for his situation, is attentive only to the two ladies, one on each side of him, whom custom has committed to his charge; and, instead of formal harrangues and abstruse debates, (too common on such occasions in America) the position of the females in France imposes a barrier between the males, and divides the conversation into a lively vein of pleasantries; but the ladies of America generally huddle together in a body, and the conversation is confined to the distinct sexes; it is well the prevalence of this custom does not carry their scruples so far, as to assign separate tables to the ladies and gentlemen.
In America, a stranger is often introduced into a room of new faces, and separately to each individual; his personal situation, on this occasion, is extremely awkward and embarrassing, and it never fails to fill a Continental European with disgust. In France, a stranger is introduced to a company collectively—and, in a few minutes, he becomes a member of the company at large, entirely at his ease with all around him: And if his business or inclination leads him to withdraw, he steals off softly and unnoticed.
In America, we keep up the line of separation between the sexes, even after dinner; the ladies, at a certain signal, file off to a separate room, when the men unbend in their conversation, as if a weight had been removed from them. In France, so much of the happiness of the people depends on the mutual intercourse between the sexes, that they rise together, and retire into another room, to drink coffee, and divert themselves in the most agreeable manner.
ADMONITORY.
AMONGST the various sins of the present day, perhaps no one is greater than that spirit of complaint so common among all ranks. Enjoying as we surely do, the blessings of peace, plenty, civil and religious liberty, it is the height of ingratitude to heaven, to be thus perpetually complaining. Let us look at the old world—see famine, war, commotion and destruction pervading a greater part of it, then view our country, and let reason and justice make the distinction. But to this complaint is added the comparative blessings of other parts of the union. In the southern States, say some, commerce is more flourishing, and the mechanic is more liberally encouraged—and their police is under better regulation. Others anticipate a better situation on the banks of the Ohio, where nature, they think, will unasked, pour forth into the lap of man, her choicest gifts, in a superior abundance: but let all those reflect, that the same complaints exist there that do here; and that life, let it be passed where it will, must be subjected to cares, anxieties and troubles. The maxim, that one's country is always the best, is founded in nature and reason; and it is a matter of indifference, whether it is Iceland or Otaheite, the south of America, or the south of France, on the banks of the Ohio, or on the banks of the river Senegal.
WANTED,
A Lad about 14 years of age to tend a store in this town.—Enquire of the Printer.

BALTIMORE, August 17.
By accounts from Stockholm, dated the 18th ult. we learn, that on the 11th, the Swedish fleet made an attack on the port of Revel. They entered the Bay, and a brisk cannonade took place. They silenced the forts which defend the entrance of the harbour, and set fire to the town, which was soon in a very general conflagration. They took and burnt seventeen ships, of which six were of the line, and the rest frigates and smaller ships, and destroyed a considerable quantity of stores. In this bold and successful attempt they lost two ships of the line, and suffered a great slaughter. We must wait for the arrival of the mail for the particulars of this important affair; but from good authority we are informed that the above is the substance. [London paper.]
NEW-YORK, August 24.
By accounts from Jamaica we are informed that, from a prevalent opinion of war having commenced between Great-Britain and Spain, the home bound convoy, consisting of forty-five sail, under the protection of the Centurion of 50 guns, Commodore Otrway , and Blond of 32 guns, Capt. Affleck , took the windward passage in preference to the gulph; and the ship Countess of Effingham , from Montego-Bay , which arrived here last week, fell in with them off the east end of Jamaica. All the Spanish vessels in the ports of that Island had been detained, nor would the custom-house officers clear any ship or vessel for the American continent. The crops on the island have fallen so short that many ships, which have been long waiting for freight, could not obtain an hoghead of sugar—for the planters, in the early part of the season, had shipped all the rum they could make for Great-Britain and Ireland , expecting a dissolution of parliament, which was considered as a certain prelude to a rupture with one or more foreign nations, consequently the price of rum has greatly risen; the contractors in Jamaica have lately bought up all they could command, which has started it from 2s. 4d. to 3s. 6d. per gallon, yet the old and opulent planters hold up their latter produce, expecting a better price: In short, produce of every sort has become greatly advanced in price. All vacant commissions are ordered to be filled up, the militia mustered, armed and accoutred, and, with the seven British battalions, to be reviewed; the forts and defensive posts are repairing with all possible exertion and diligence; and some more regiments are expected from England to augment the present force on the island.
A gentleman lately shot himself in the Bird-cage-walk, St. James's Park, (London). It is said that a disappointment in the Lottery occasioned his committing the action, having been induced by the high price to sell a share of a ticket, which afterwards came up the 30,000l. price.
The long wished for period is at length arrived: Speculation in the public securities has received a check, on principles which alone are competent to producing so desirable an effect, in a way consistent with justice, and a due regard to personal right.
The donations of the city of Paris to the nation, amount to 40,600,000 livres.—A noble offering on the altar of freedom.
BOSTON, Sept. 1.
Every Messenger tells his diff'rent tale, And all OF WAR.
For several days the rumours of WAR between Spain and England, have greatly increased—so much so, that were we to give them in detail to our readers, their patience would be exhausted. That there is a prospect of a War between these powers is undeniable—But whether it hath yet been declared—or whether the altercation will end in open hostilities, time alone can develop.
Our latest account is, by Capt. Hall, from the port of St. Andera, in Spain, which he left about the 15th of July—at which time every preparation was making for war—and the declaration of it, by England, was momentarily expected:—The Spaniards, he says, were in high spirits; and that all the fishermen had been impressed a few days before he left Spain to man the fleet.
We are assured, as a fact, that the 14 sail of the line, 14 frigates, and 14 cutters, which by the family-compact, France is obliged to assist Spain with, in case she is engaged in a war, were all completely manned, and ready for sailing, at the date of our last accounts from Europe. This may be depended on.
Many elaborate volumes have been written to ascertain the rights of war; as if murder and devastation, things essentially wrong, could be reduced to right by system. For what is war, but theft and robbery on a great scale? As burglary is nothing but a siege in miniature. Yet we do not find that the rights of theft, robbery, murder and burglary, have been as yet defended. The numbers concerned in any aggression, are so far from diminishing the guilt of the action, that they increase it in proportion to those numbers, because they can do more mischief than a few. Extract of a letter from Ferrol, July 11.
"You have no doubt heard, long ere this, of the very great preparations which are making, both in this country and England, for war. They here work night and day, Sundays not excepted; and it is expected every day that war will be declared."
WESTERN POSTS.
In 1784, Congress deputed General HULL, to demand of General HALDIMAND, the Governor of Canada, the surrender of the Posts within the United States, then and now garrisoned by British troops. And this demand Great-Britain has refused to comply with, notwithstanding the solemn stipulations of treaty; and notwithstanding every ALLEGED CAUSE for their retention has been removed in the adoption of the Federal Constitution. If a war should break out between England and the House of Bourbon, and if by accident, or otherwise, Great-Britain should gain any material advantage over its enemies, perhaps the disadvantage of their holding our Frontier posts may be more apparent, than it now appears to be.
The Hon. JAMES WILSON, Esq. Associate Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court of the United States, is elected Professor of Law in the College of Philadelphia.
The number of persons in this town, taken in conformity to the act of the Legislature of the United States, at this period, exceeds 18,000. Three or four years since, the whole number was but 14,200.
The disturbances in Cape-Francois, are between the friends to the National Assembly, and the people who will acknowledge no other supremacy than the King. The excesses committed have been great—and the consequence hath been, an almost entire stoppage of trade.
AMERICAN PRODUCE.
In the city of New-Haven, in 60 families, there has been raised the present season, no less than four hundred and forty-two thousand silk worms. In the family of Mr. Abraham Thompson 60,000 of the above number were raised: and it was with much satisfaction, in perusing the names of the persons who raised these valuable and industrious animals, we saw, that several young ladies had turned their attention thereto—one of whom, Miss Betsey Sherman, actually raised this season twelve thousand—and that one young lady, from 1200 cocoons, or silk balls, reeled eight ounces of the best of silk.
POLITICAL RETROSPECTION.
STOCKBRIDGE. [Mass] Aug. 14. It must give sincere pleasure to every one who wishes well to his country, to
reflect on the happy issue of the late session of Congress. The business they had to accomplish was arduous—the obstacles to be removed almost insurmountable. The wisdom of our rulers, their industry and perseverance have attained the objects of their patriotic wishes. They are called by the election of their fellow citizens, to administer an unorganized government, that last hope of America; to provide for the support of public credit; to restore the wounded name of their country to the esteem of the world; to relieve the industrious farmer and mechanic from the pressure of enormous burdens, which had produced almost intolerable distress; to provide for the regular and impartial administration of justice; to discharge large anticipations, which from the imbecility of the former government, had become unavoidable; to establish administrations for the colonial governments in the Western Territory; and to propose the necessary taxes to effect all these important operations.—All these things, in two sessions of the National Congress, have been performed; although in every step of their progress, the most inveterate prejudices of some were to be encountered, and local, jaring, and opposing interests to be reconciled.—They have done more; they have provided effectually the means of lessening considerably the principal of the national debt. And in all this, the malign predictions of the enemies of the government have not been verified—no direct tax has been laid on the people at large. Congress finding one million of dollars in the Treasury, have directed that sum, together with two million more to be obtained on loan, to be employed in purchasing the debt, while it remains below par. By this measure, many important, valuable effects will be produced. The money will, instead of remaining useless, be again carried into circulation; the public burdens alleviated, and the people convinced that the national faculties are equal to all its necessities. This will remove all those apprehensions of opposition, which the arts of some have disseminated, and the fears of others entertained.
It must be confessed, that it is to be lamented, that in some instances, the allowances and grants which have been made are beyond the expectations of the people in this part of the United States. It will, however, give pleasure to the citizens of this Commonwealth to reflect, that this exorbitancy met a manly and determined opposition from their Representatives; and the good people will, with that moderation which ever distinguishes their conduct, consider this as the effect of the difference of habits prevailing in the several parts of the nation; and that what here would be considered as profusion, would in other places be termed parsimony. Though in this instance, respecting allowances and grants, the Representatives of this State were in a minority, yet it has been their singular good fortune, and highly honorable to the people they represent, that in no other measure of importance was that the case.
PORTSMOUTH, September 2.
On Monday last the freemen of this State assembled in their respective towns for the purpose of voting for three suitable persons to represent them in the House of Representatives of the United States. In the following towns, the votes stood as follow, viz.
PORTSMOUTH.
  Samuel Livermore, 323   James Sheafe, 193   John Samuel Sherburne, 161   Nicholas Gilman, 129   Phillips White, 121   Jeremiah Smith, 52   Nathaniel Peabody, 9   Woodbury Langdon, 9   Col. Samuel Sherburne, 2   Abiel Foster, 1   William Page, 1   Charles Henzell, 1 
EXETER.—Nicholas Gilman, 218
  Nathaniel Peabody, 124   Abiel Foster, 101   Phillips White, 57   John Samuel Sherburne, 53   Benjamin Bellows, 28   Samuel Olcott, 19   Joshua Wentworth, 13   James Sheafe, 5   Scattering votes, 6 
  NEWMARKET.—James Sheafe, 66   Jeremiah Smith, 52   Phillips White, 42   Samuel Livermore, 26   Nicholas Gilman, 13   John Samuel Sherburne, 4   Woodbury Langdon, 2   Nathaniel Peabody, 1   Abiel Foster, 1 
  NOTTINGHAM.—J. S. Sherburne, 58   Nathaniel Peabody, 43   Samuel Livermore, 41   Nicholas Gilman, 10   Jeremiah Smith, 10 
  DURHAM.—John S. Sherburne, 27   James Sheafe, 26   Samuel Livermore, 26 
  LEE.—Samuel Livermore, 18   John S. Sherburne, 16   Jeremiah Smith, 14   Nicholas Gilman, 2 
  NORTH-HAMPTON.—J. Sheafe, 52   John S. Sherburne, 47   Jeremiah Smith, 46   Samuel Livermore, 8   Phillips White, 5   Nicholas Gilman, 4 
  GREENLAND.—Sam'l Livermore, 30   John S. Sherburne, 29   James Sheafe, 22   Nathaniel Peabody, 8   Nicholas Gilman, 2 
  RYE.—John S. Sherburne, 78   Samuel Livermore, 63   Nicholas Gilman, 42   Phillips White, 14   Nathaniel Peabody, 5   James Sheafe, 3 
  DEERFIELD.—Sam'l Livermore, 54   Abiel Foster, 51   Nicholas Gilman, 51   John Samuel Sherburne, 3   Jeremiah Smith, 2   Nathaniel Peabody, 1 
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, August 14.
"Some of the blessings anticipated in the removal of Congress to this place, are already beginning to take effect. Rents of houses have already risen, and I fear will continue to rise in a shameful proportion. Even in the outskirts of the city, rents have lately been increased from 14, 16 and 18l. to 25, 28 and 30l. This is oppressive. Our markets, it is expected, will also be dearer than heretofore. Whether the advantages we shall enjoy in the removal of Congress will be equivalent to these advantages upon the inhabitants, time alone will determine. I am convinced, however, if things go on in this manner, a very great majority of our city will have good reason to wish them well settled at Congocheque, long before our ten years are expired."
DIED —Mrs. HANNAH GERRISH, aged 70 years—a child of Mr. Still—Mr. THOMAS PRIEST—and a Negro child.
ENTRIES at the CUSTOM-HOUSE of this district.
  CLEARED FOR   Ship Nancy, Sellars, West-Indies.   ENTERED FROM   Brig Two Sisters, Fernald, St. Lucia.   Scho'r Adventure, Trefethen, N. York. 
FASHION.
A BOSOM rais'd up to the chin, A perfect balloon puff within— A bishop in the rear to suit ye— These form the crooked line of beauty.
Thus nature—we abuse thy work, To hit the true sublime of Burke.