The New Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1800-03-05 00:00:00

THE New Hampshire Gazette.
— MY COUNTRY'S GOOD SHALL BE MY CONSTANT AIM —
PORTSMOUTH: (NEW-HAMPSHIRE)—PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY JOHN MELCHER, PRINTER TO THE STATE, AT HIS OFFICE CORNER OF MARKET STREET, WHERE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THIS PAPER, ADVERTISEMENTS, AND ARTICLES OF INTELLIGENCE ARE THANKFULLY RECEIVED.
No. 10, of Vol. XLV.]
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1800.
[One Dollar 83 half pr. Annum.]
THE WILL
OF GENERAL
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[We here present our readers the Will of the Great Washington, which abounds with profound wisdom, and we presume will be perused with avidity and satisfaction by all classes.]
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.
I, GEORGE WASHINGTON, of Mount Vernon, a Citizen of the United States, and lately President of the same, DO make, ordain, and declare this instrument, which is written with my own hand*, and every page thereof subscribed with my name, to be my last WILL and TESTAMENT, revoking all others— Imprimis : All my debts, of which there are but few, and none of magnitude, are to be punctually and speedily paid, and the Legacies herein after bequeathed, are to be discharged as soon as circumstances will permit, and in the manner directed.
Item . To my dearly beloved wife Martha Washington, I give and bequeath the use, profit and benefit of my whole estate, real and personal, for the term of her natural life, except such parts thereof as are specially disposed of hereafter. My improved Lot in the town of Alexandria, situated on Pitt and Cameron-streets, I give to her and her heirs forever; as I also do my Houldhold and Kitchen Furniture of every sort and kind, with the Liquors and Groceries which may be on hand at the time of my decease, to be used and disposed of as she may think proper.
Item . Upon the decease of my wife, it is my will and desire, that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right, shall receive their freedom. To emancipate them during her life, would, tho' earnestly wished by me, be attended with such insuperable difficulties on account of their intermixture by marriage with the dower Negroes, as to excite the most painful sensations, if not disagreeable consequences from the latter, while both descriptions are in the occupancy of the same proprietor; it not being in my power, under the tenure by which the dower Negroes are held, to manumit them. And whereas, among those who will receive freedom according to this devise, there may be some who from old age or bodily infirmities, and others who, on account of their infancy, that will be unable to support themselves, it is my will and desire, that all who come under the 1st and 2d description, shall be comfortably clothed and fed by my heirs while they live; and that such of the latter description as have no parent's living, or if living, are unable or unwilling to provide for them, shall be bound by court until they shall arrive at the age of twenty-five years; and in cases where no record can be produced, whereby their ages can be ascertained, the judgment of the court upon its own view of the subject, shall be adequate and final. The Negroes thus bound, are (by their masters or mistresses) to be taught to read and write, and to be brought up to some useful occupation, agreeably to the laws of the commonwealth of Virginia, providing for the support of orphan and other poor children.—And I do hereby expressly forbid the sale or transportation out of the said commonwealth of any Slave I may die possessed of under any pretence whatsoever. And I do moreover, most pointedly and most solemnly enjoin it upon my Executors hereafter named or the survivor of them, to see that this clause respecting Slaves and every part thereof, be religiously fulfilled at the epoch at which it is directed to take place, without evasion, neglect, or delay, after the crops which may then be on the ground are harvested, particularly as it respects the aged and infirm; seeing that a regular and permanent fund be established for their support as long as there are subjects requiring it; not trusting to the uncertain provisions to be made by individuals:—And to my mulatto man William (calling himself William Lee) I give immediate freedom, or if he should prefer it (on account of the
accidents, which have befallen him, and which have rendered him incapable of walking, or of any active employment) to remain in the situation he now is, it shall be optional to him to do so; in either case, however, I allow him an annuity of Thirty Dollars during his natural life, which shall be independent of the victuals and cloathes he had been accustomed to receive, if he chuses the last alternative: but in full with his freedom, if he prefers the first: and this I give him as a testimony of my sense of his attachment to me, and for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War.
Item . To the Trustees (Governors, or by whatsoever other name they may be designated) of the Academy, in the town of Alexandria, I give and bequeath, in trust, Four Thousand dollars, or, in other words, twenty of the Shares which I hold in the bank of Alexandria, toward the support of a Free-School, established at, and annexed to, the said Academy, for the purpose of educating such Orphan Children, or the Children of such other poor and indigent persons as are unable to accomplish it with their own means; and who, in the judgment of the Trustees of the said Seminary, are best entitled to the benefit of this donation. The aforesaid 20 Shares I give and bequeath in perpetuity; the dividends only of which are to be drawn for, and applied by the said Trustees, for the time being, for the uses above mentioned; the stock to remain entire and untouched, unless indications of failure of the said bank should be so apparent, or a discontinuance thereof, should render a removal of this fund necessary. In either of these cases, the amount of the stock here devised is to be vested in some other bank, or public institution, whereby the interest may with regularity and certainty be drawn, and applied as above: And to prevent misconception, my meaning is, and is hereby declared to be, that these twenty shares are in lieu of, and not in addition to, the Thousand Pounds given by a missive letter some years ago; in consequence whereof, an annuity of Fifty Pounds has since been paid towards the support of the institution.
Item . Whereas by a law of the commonwealth of Virginia, enacted in the year 1785, the legislature thereof was pleased (as an evidence of its approbation of the services I had rendered the public during the revolution, and partly I believe, in consideration of my having suggested the vast advantages which the community would derive from the extension of its inland navigation under legislative patronage) to present me with one hundred shares of one hundred dollars each, in the incorporated company established for the purpose of extending the navigation of the river Potomac from tide water to Fort Cumberland; the acceptance of which, altho' the offer was highly honorable and grateful to my feelings, was refused as inconsistent with a principle which I had adopted, and had never departed from me—Namely, not to receive pecuniary compensation for any services I could render my country in its arduous struggle with Great Britain for its rights; and because I had evaded similar propositions from other States in the Union. Adding to this refusal, however, an intimation that, if it should be the pleasure of the legislature to permit me to appropriate the same to public uses, I would receive them on those terms with due sensibility; and this it having consented to, in flattering terms, as will appear by a subsequent law and sundry resolutions, in the most ample and honorable manner. I proceed after this recital, for the more correct understanding of the case, to declare—That as it has always been a source of serious regret with me to see the Youth of these United States sent to foreign countries for the purpose of education, often before their minds were formed, or they had imbibed any adequate ideas of the happiness of their own; contracting too frequently, not only habits of dissipation and extravagance, but prin-
ciples unfriendly to Republican government, and to the true and genuine liberties of mankind; which thereafter are rarely overcome—For these reasons, it has been my ardent wish to see a plan devised on a liberal scale which would have a tendency to spread systematic ideas through all parts of this rising empire, thereby to do away local attachments and state prejudices as far as the nature of things would, or indeed ought to admit, from our National Councils.—Looking anxiously forward to the accomplishment of so desirable an object as this is, (in my estimation) my mind has not been able to contemplate any plan more likely to effect the measure, than the establishment of a University in a central part of the United States, to which the Youths of fortune and talents from all parts thereof might be sent for the completion of their Education in all the branches of polite literature; in arts and sciences, in acquiring knowledge in the principles of politics and good government, and (as a matter of infinite importance in my judgment) by associating with each other, and forming friendships in Juvenile years, be enabled to free themselves in a proper degree from those local prejudices and habitual jealousies which have just been mentioned; and which, when carried to excess, are never failing sources of disquietude to the public mind, and pregnant of mischievous consequences to this country; under these impressions, so fully dilated.
Item . I give and bequeath in perpetuity the fifty shares which I hold in the Potomac Company (under the aforesaid acts of the legislature of Virginia) towards the endowment of a University to be established within the limits of the district of Columbia, under the auspices of the general government, if that government should incline to extend a fostering hand towards it; and until such remedy is established, and the funds arising on the shares shall be required for its support, my further will and desire is, that the profit accruing therefrom shall, whenever the dividends are made, be laid out in purchasing stock in the bank of Columbia, or some other bank, at the discretion of my executors, or by the treasurer of the United States for the time being, under the direction of Congress—provided that honorable body should patronize the measure, and the dividends proceeding from the purchase of such stock is to be vested in more stock, and so on, until a sum adequate to the accomplishment of the object, is obtained; of which I have not the smallest doubt, before many years pass away, even if no aid or encouragement is given by legislative authority, or from any other source.
Item . The hundred shares which I hold in the James River Company, I have given, and now confirm in perpetuity, to and for the use of Liberty Hall Academy, in the county of Rockbridge, in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Item . I release, exonerate and discharge the estate of my deceased brother Samuel Washington, from the payment of the money which is due to me for the land I sold to Philip Pendleton, (lying in the county of Berkeley) who assigned the same to him, the said Samuel, who, by agreement, was to pay me therefor: And whereas , by some contract (the purport of which was never communicated to me) between the said Samuel, and his son, Thornton Washington, the latter became possessed of the aforesaid land, without any conveyance having passed from me, either to the said Pendleton, the said Samuel, or the said Thornton, and without any consideration having been made, by which neglect neither the legal nor equitable title has been alienated: it rests therefore with me to declare my intentions concerning the premises; and these are to give and bequeath the said land to whomsoever the said Thornton Washington (who is also dead) devised the same, or to his heirs forever, if he died intestate, exonerating the estate of the said Thornton, equally with that of the said Samuel, from payment of the purchase money, which, with interest, agreeable to the original contract with the said Pendleton, would amount to more than a thousand pounds. And whereas two other sons of my said deceased brother
Samuel, namely, George Steptoe Washington, and Lawrence Augustine Washington, were by the decease of those to whose care they were committed, brought under my protection, and in consequence have occasioned advances on my part for their education at College and other schools, for their board, cloathing, and other incidental expenses, to the amount of near five thousand dollars over and above the sums furnished by their estate, which sum it may be inconvenient for them or their father's estate to refund—I do, for these reasons, acquit them and the said estate from the payment thereof—my intention being that all accounts between them and me, and their father's estate shall stand balanced.
Item . The balance due to me from the estate of Bartholomew Dandridge, deceased, (my wife's brother) and which amounted, on the first day of October, 1795, to four hundred and twenty-five pounds (as will appear by an account rendered by his deceased son, John Dandridge, who was the acting executor of his father's will) I release and acquit from the payment thereof—and the negroes (then thirty-three in number) formerly belonging to the said estate, who were taken in execution, sold and purchased in on my account, in the year [blank] and ever since have remained in the possession, and to the use of Mary, widow of the said Bartholomew Dandridge, with their increase, it is my will and desire shall continue and be in her possession, without paying hire, or making compensation for the same, for the time past or to come, during her natural life; at the expiration of which, I direct that all of them, who are forty years old and upwards, shall receive their freedom; all under that age and above sixteen, shall serve seven years and no longer; and all under sixteen years, shall serve until they are twenty-five years of age, and then be free—And to avoid disputes respecting the ages of any of these negroes, they are to be taken into the court of the county in which they reside, and the judgment thereof, in this relation shall be final, and record thereof made, which may be adduced as evidence at any time thereafter, if disputes should arise concerning the same.—And I further direct, that the heirs of the said Bartholomew Dandridge, shall, equally, share the benefits arising from the said negroes, according to the tenor of this devise, upon the decease of their mother.
Item . If Charles Carter, who intermarried my niece, Betty Lewis, is not sufficiently secured in the title to the lots he had of me, in the town of Fredericksburg, it is my will and desire that my executors shall make such conveyances of them as the law requires, to render it perfect.
Item . To my nephew, William Augustine Washington, (if he should conceive them to be objects worth prosecuting) and to his heirs, a lot in the town of Manchester (opposite to Richmond) N o 265, drawn on my sole account, and also the tenth of one or two hundred acre lots, and two or three half acre lots, in the city and vicinity of Richmond, drawn in partnership with nine others, all in the lottery of the deceased Wm. Byrd, are given; as is also a lot which I purchased of John Hood, conveyed by William Willie and Samuel Gordon, trustees of the said John Hood, numbered 139, in the town of Edinburgh, in the county of Prince George, State of Virginia.
Item . To my nephew, Bushrod Washington, I give and bequeath all the papers in my possession, which relate to my civil and military administration of the affairs of this country. I leave to him also, such of my private papers as are worth preserving; and at the decease of my wife, and before, if she is not inclined to retain them, I give and bequeath my Library of Books and pamphlets of every kind.
Item . Having sold lands which I possessed in the state of Pennsylvania, and part of a tract held in equal right with George Clinton, late Governor of N. York, in the state of N. York; my share of land and interest in the Great Disnal Swamp, and a tract of land which I owned in the county of Gloucester—withholding the legal titles thereto till the consideration money should be paid—and having moreover leased and conditionally sold (as will appear by the tenor of the said
leaves) all my lands upon the Great Kanbawn, and a tract upon Difficult Run, in the county of Loudon, it is my will and direction that whensoever the contracts are fully and respectively complied with, according to the spirit, true intent and meaning thereof, on the part of the purchasers, their heirs or assigns, that then, in that case, conveyances are to be made agreeable to the terms of the said contracts, and the money arising therefrom, when paid, to be vested in bank stock; the dividends whereof, as of that also which is already vested therein, is to inure to my said wife during her life, but the stock itself is to remain and be subject to the general distribution hereafter directed.
Item . To the earl of Buchan, I re-commit "the box made of the oak that sheltered the great Sir William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk," presented to me by his lordship, in terms too flattering for me to repeat, with a request "to pass it, on the event of my decease, to the man in my country who should appear to merit it best, upon the same conditions that have induced him to send it to me." Whether easy or not to select THE MAN who might comport with his lordship's opinion in this respect, is not for me to say; but conceiving that no disposition of this valuable curiosity can be more eligible than the re-commitment of it to his own cabinet, agreeably to the original design of the goldsmith's company of Edinburgh, who presented it to him, and, at his request, consented that it should be transferred to me—I do give and bequeath the same to his lordship; and, in case of his decease, to his heir, with my grateful thanks for the distinguished honor for presenting it to me, and more especially for the favorable sentiments with which he accompanied it.
Item . To my brother, Charles Washington, I give and bequeath the gold-headed cane, left me by Dr. Franklin, in his will. I add nothing to it, because of the ample provision I made for his issue. To the acquaintances and friends of my juvenile years, Lawrence Washington & Robert Washington, of Chotank, I give my other two gold-headed canes, having my arms engraved on them; and to each (as they will be useful where they live) I leave one of the spy-glasses which constituted part of my equipage during the late war. To my compatriot in arms, and old and intimate friend, Dr. Craik, I give my bureau, (or, as the cabinet makers call it, tambour secretary) and the circular chair, an appendage to my study. To Dr. David Stuart, I give my large shaving and dressing table, and my telescope. To the Reverend, now Bryan Lord Fairfax, I give a bible, in three large folio volumes, with notes; presented to me by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Wilson, bishop of Sodor and Man. To Gen. de la Fayette, I give a pair of finely wrought steel pistols, taken from the enemy in the revolutionary war. To my sisters in-law, Hannah Washington and Mildred Washington; to my friends Eleanor Stuart, Hannah Washington of Fairfield, and Elizabeth Washington of Hayfield, I give each a mourning ring, of the value of one hundred dollars. These bequests are not mere for the intrinsic value of them, but as mementos of my esteem and regard. To Tobias Lear I give the use of the farm which he now holds in virtue of a lease from me to him and his deceased wife (for and during their natural lives) free from rent during his life; at the expiration of which, it is to be disposed of as herein after directed. To Sally B. Hame (a distant relation of mine) I give and bequeath three hundred dollars. To Sarah Green, daughter of the deceased Thomas Bishop, and to Ann Wallace, daughter of John Alston, also deceased, I give each one hundred dollars, in consideration of the attachment of their fathers to me; each of whom having lived nearly forty years in my family.—To each of my nephews, William Augustine Washington, George Lewis, George Steptoe Washington, Bushrod Washington and Samuel Washington, I give one of the swords or cutteaux, of which I may die possessed: and they are to choose in the order they are named. These swords are accompanied with an injunction not to unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood, ex-
*In the original manuscript, GEORGE WASHINGTON'S name was written at the bottom of every page.

cept it be for self-defence, or in defence of their country and its rights; and in the latter case, to keep them unsheathed, and prefer falling with them in their hands to the relinquishment thereof.
AND NOW, having gone through these specific Devises, with explanations for the more correct understanding of the meaning and design of them, I proceed to the distribution of the more important parts of my estate in manner following:
First. To my nephew, Bushrod Washington, and his heirs, (partly in consideration of an intimation to his deceased father, while we were bachelors, and he had kindly undertaken to superintend my estate during my military services, in the former war between Great Britain and France, that if I should fall therein, Mount Vernon then less extensive in dominion than at present) should become his property; I give and bequeath all that part thereof, which is comprehended within the following lines, viz:—Beginning at the ford of Dogue Run, near my Mill, and extending along the road, and bounded thereby as it now goes and ever has gone since my recollection of it, to the ford of Little Hunting Creek, at the Gum Spring, until it comes to a knoll, opposite to an old road which formerly passed through the lower field of Muddy-hole Farm; at which, on the north side of the said road, are three red or Spanish oaks, marked as a corner, and a stone placed—thence by a line of trees to be marked rectangular to the back line or outer boundary of the tract between Thompson Mason and myself—thence with that line easterly (now double ditching with a post and rail fence thereon) to the run of Little Hunting Creek—thence with that run, which is the boundary between the lands of the late Humphrey Parke and me, to the tide water to Potomac River—thence with the River to the mouth of Dogue Creek—and thence with the said Dogue Creek to the place of beginning at the aforesaid ford, containing upwards of four thousand acres, be the same more or less, together with the mansion house and all other buildings and improvements thereon.
Second. In consideration of the consanguinity between them and my wife, being as nearly related to her as to myself; as on account of the affection I had for, and the obligation I was under to their father when living, who from his youth had attached himself to my person, and followed my fortunes through the vicissitudes of the late revolution, afterwards devoting his time to the superintendence of my private concerns for many years, whilst my public employments rendered it impracticable for me to do it myself, thereby affording me essential services, and always performing them in a manner the most filial and respectful; for these reasons, I say, I give and bequeath to George Fayette Washington and Lawrence Augustine Washington, and their heirs, my estate east of Little Hunting Creek, lying on the River Potomac, including the Farm, of three hundred and sixty acres, leased to Tobias Lear, as noticed before, and containing in the whole, by deed, two thousand and twenty-seven acres, be it more or less; which said estate it is my will and desire should be equitably and advantageously divided between them, according to quantity, quality, and other circumstances, when the youngest shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years, by three judicious and disinterested men; one to be chosen by each of the brothers, and the third by these two. In the mean time if the termination of my wife's interest therein should have ceased, the profits arising therefrom are to be applied for their joint uses and benefit.
Third. And whereas it has always been my intention, since my expectation of having issue has ceased, to consider the grand children of my wife, in the same light as I do my own relations, and to act a friendly part by them, more especially by the two whom we have raised from their infancy—namely, Eleanor Park Custis and Geo. Washington Park Custis. And whereas the former of these hath lately intermarried with Lawrence Lewis, a son of my deceased sister, Betty Lewis, by which union the inducement to provide for them both hath increased, Wherefore, I give and bequeath to the said Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor Park Lewis, his wife, and their heirs, the residue of my Mount Vernon estate, not already devised to my nephew, Bushrod Washington, comprehended within the following description, viz.—All the Lands north of the road leading from the ford of Dogue Run to the Gum Spring, as described in the devise of the other part of the tract, to Bushrod Washington, until it comes to the stone and three red or Spanish oaks on the knoll, thence with the rectangular line to the back line (between Mr. Mason and me) thence with that line westerly along the new double
ditch to Dogue Run by the tumbling dam of my mill; thence with the said run to the ford aforesaid, to which I add all the land I possess west of the said Dogue Run and Dogue Creek, bounded easterly and southerly thereby—together with the mill, distillery, and all other houses and improvements on the premises; making together about two thousand acres, be it more or less.
Fourth. Actuated by the principle already mentioned, I give and bequeath to George Washington Park Custis, the grandson of my wife, and my ward, and to his heirs, the tract I hold on Four Mile Run in the vicinity of Alexandria, containing one thousand two hundred acres, more or less, and my entire square, number twenty-one, in the City of Washington.
Fifth. All the rest and residue of my estate, real and personal, not disposed of in manner aforesaid, in whatever consisting—whereforever lying—and whensoever found—A Schedule of which as far as is recollected, with a reasonable estimate of its value, is herunto annexed—I desire may be sold by my executors, at such times, in such manner, and on such credits (if an equal, valid, and satisfactory distribution of the specific property cannot be made without) as in their judgment shall be most conducive to the interest of the parties concerned, and the monies arising therefrom to be divided into twenty-three equal parts, and applied as follows: viz. To William Augustine Washington, Elizabeth Spotswood, Jane Thornton, and the heirs of Ann Alilton, son and daughters of my deceased brother Augustine Washington, I give and bequeath four parts, that is, one part to each of them: To Fielding Lewis, George Lewis, Robert Lewis, Howell Lewis, and Betty Carter, sons and daughter of my deceased sister Betty Lewis, I give and bequeath five other parts, one to each of them: To Geo. Steptoe Washington, Lawrence Augustine Washington, Harriot Parke, and the heirs of Thornton Washington, sons and daughter of my deceased brother Samuel Washington, I give and bequeath the other four parts, one part to each of them: To Corbin Washington, and the heirs of Jane Washington, son and daughter of my deceased brother John Augustine Washington, I give and bequeath two parts, one part to each of them: To Samuel Washington, Frances Ball, and Mildred Hammond, son and daughters of my brother Charles Washington, I give and bequeath three parts, one part to each of them; and to George Fayette Washington, Charles Augustine Washington, and Maria Washington, sons and daughter of my deceased nephew George Augustine Washington, I give one other part, that is, to each a third of that part; To Elizabeth Park Law, Martha Park, Peter and Eleanor Park Lewis, I give and bequeath three other parts, that is a part to each of them: And to my nephew Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis, and to my ward, the grand son of my wife, I give and bequeath one other part, that is, a third thereof to each of them. And if it should so happen, that any of the persons whose names are here enumerated, (unknown to me) should now be dead, or should die before me, that in either of these cases, the heirs of such deceased persons shall, notwithstanding, devise all the benefits of the bequest, in the same manner as if he or she was actually living at the time, and by way of advice I recommend it to my Executors not to be precipitate of disposing of the landed property (therein directed to be sold) if from temporary causes the sale thereof should be dull; experience having fully evinced that the price of land (especially above the falls of the rivers and on the western waters) have been progressively rising, and cannot be long checked in its increasing value. And I particularly recommend it to such of the Legatees (under this clause of my will) as can make it convenient, to take each a share of my stock in the Potomac Company, in preference to the amount of what it might sell for—being thoroughly convinced myself that no uses to which the money can be applied will be so productive as the tolls arising from this navigation when in full operation, (and this from the nature of things it must be ere long) and more especially if that of the Shenandoah is added thereto.
The Family Vault at Mount Vernon, requiring repairs, and being improperly situated besides, I desire that a new one of brick, and upon a larger scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard Inclosure, on the ground which is marked out—In which my Remains, with those of my deceased relations (now in the old Vault) and such others of my Family as may desire to be entombed there, may be deposited. And it is my express desire, that my Corps may be interred in a private
manner, without parade or Funeral Oration.
Lastly. I constitute and appoint my dearly beloved wife Martha Washington, my nephews Wm. Augustine Washington, Bushrod Washington, George Steptoe Washington, Samuel Washington, and Lawrence Lewis, and my Ward George Washington Park Custis, (when he shall have arrived at the age of Twenty years) Executrix and Executors of this WILL and TESTAMENT. In the construction of which it will readily be perceived that no professional character has been consulted, or has had any agency in the draught, and that although it has occupied many of my leisure hours to digest, and to throw it into its present form, it may, notwithstanding, appear crude and incorrect—but having endeavoured to be plain, and explicit in all the devices, even at the expence of prolixity, perhaps of tautology, I hope and trust that no disputes will arise concerning them; but if contrary to expectation, the case should be otherwise from the want of legal expression, or the usual technical terms, or because too much or too little has been said on any of the devices to be consonant with law, my will and direction expressly is, that all disputes (if unhappily any should arise) shall be decided by three impartial and intelligent men, known for their probity and good understanding—two to be chosen by the disputants, each having the choice of one, and the third by those two—which three men thus chosen shall, unfettered by law or legal constructions, declare the sense of the Testator's intentions; and such decision is to all intents and purposes to be as binding on the parties as if it had been given in the Supreme Court of the United States.
IN WITNESS of all, and of each of the things herein contained, I have set my Hand and Seal, this Ninth day of July, in the Year One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety—, and of the Independence of the U. States the Twenty-Fourth.
GEO. WASHINGTON. (Seal.) [Accompanying the above Will is a Schedule of the property directed to be sold, which upon a very moderate calculation is estimated at 530,000 dollars. The aggregate value of his estate, it is supposed, amounts to ONE MILLION.]
S I X T H Congress of the U. States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY, FEB. 14.
A Committee was appointed to consider whether any alterations are necessary in the compensations allowed to the officers of Congress.
SUSPENSION OF INTERCOURSE WITH FRANCE.
The Committee of Commerce of Commerce, &c. made a report on this subject.
The Committee state it to be their opinion, that the law has been faithfully executed by the officers of Government, but that the principles of it have been evaded by individuals acting from interested motives, and the report contains a variety of information in a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Chairman of the Committee propounding several questions relative to the existing law, and suggesting measures to prevent frauds in future.
The House went into committee of the whole on the bill further to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof.
Mr. Nicholas moved to amend the following part of the first section, to wit, "and if any ship or vessel owned, hired, or employed by any person or persons resident within the U. S." shall directly or indirectly proceed to a French port, &c. by striking out the words in italic , and inserting " citizen or citizens of " thereby giving neutrals, resident within the U. S. or elsewhere, the liberty of trading from the ports of the U. S. to those of France in neutral bottoms.
Mr. Sewall conceived this amendment would render the bill intolerable to the citizens of the U. S. who would view with a jealous eye, foreigners among them, enjoying the benefits of a trade they were precluded from, and employing our own vessels and sailors, for that purpose.
Mr. Smith said, the original law now in existence, was intended, to embrace two objects—First, the cutting off all provisions and supplies from the French West India Islands—Second, and the main object, preventing our property from entering the ports of France and being seized and confiscated, an open rupture being at that time considered as unavoidable—and both these measures were also intended to coerce the French Government to an accommodation—but these objects had failed, and their policy, instead of benefitting, had injured this country. He was therefore in favor of the amendment.
What, said Mr. S. will be the operation of this amendment? Gentlemen were mistaken when they supposed our own vessels or our own sailors would be employed to carry on this trade—Neutral vessels could be alone employed. If a single American sailor were found on the list of the Role d'Equipage, the whole property would be liable to condemnation, if taken by a French Cruiser—And they were also mistaken if they supposed any protection would be required from the American Government. What would be its operation on our Commerce? Are we not now restricted from carrying our property, and shall we not be restricted by the bill upon the table—and how then shall we suffer by adopting the amendment? It had been said, we might carry on an intermediate trade. It was true this had, and might still be done; but the inconveniences and the risks were incalculable.
And what, exclaimed Mr. S. would be its operation on our agricultural interests? An immediate advantageous sale of our produce would be offered, which now lies rotting in our warehouses—Double risks and double insurances would be saved, by purchasers coming into our market, and giving a fair price for our commodities.
If we were in actual war, said Mr. S. would it not be good policy to permit neutrals to purchase our produce, and thereby enable us to carry on that war; to support that navy which was raised for our protection; to enable the citizens to pay the additional burthens which our exigencies require; and finally prevent the sinking of our revenue, as was the case last year. It was this policy which enabled G. Britain to meet her extraordinary demands—It was this policy which we ought to pursue, and which he hoped the citizens of the U. S. would not be deprived the benefit of.
A long debate ensued upon Mr. Nicholas's amendment, and the committee rose, and obtained leave to sit again, without taking the question upon it.
Mr. Kittera said, he perceived a disposition to travel over the whole of the arguments which had been formerly used relative to the expediency of suspending the intercourse with France; and as some delay must ensue thereby, and it was important for the citizens of the United States to know whether the prohibition would be continued, he would move the following resolution, to wit.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report a bill to continue in force for one month, the act intituled "An act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof."
MONDAY, FEB. 17. The Bill respecting Bonds, was read a second time, and ordered for a third reading to-morrow.
A petition from Mr. Cutts of Pepperelboro' for an extension of drawbacks was committed.
A petition from the manufacturers of mutual instruments, for an increase of duty to prevent importation, was committed.
The Message of the President relative to Nash alias Robbins, was committed to the committee of the whole for consideration on Friday.
Mr. Bayard then laid the following resolution on the table, which was read and referred to the above committee, viz.
Resolved, That the conduct of the Executive Government of the United States, in relation to the requisition made by his Britannic Majesty's Minister, of the delivery up to justice of Thomas Nash, otherwise called Jonathan Robbins; upon the charge of murder, committed on board of the Hermione British frigate, which said Nash had sought an asylum within the United States was conformable to the duty of the government, and to the obligations of good faith stipulated in the 27th art. of the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation made with Great Britain.
In General Committee on the bill further to suspend the commercial intercourse between the U. S. and France.
Mr. Nicholas's amendment was taken into consideration.
Mr. Kittera renewed his motion for continuing the law for one month.
This motion was negatived, (a 37—n 44)
Mr. Nicholas's amendment was next negatived (a 42—n 51.)
BOSTON, Feb. 27.
F I R E !
A large and elegant new double dwelling house, the property of the hon. H. G. Otis, and Jonathan Mason Esq's. situated on the north west of the octagon, took fire yesterday noon, and the south part of the building was consumed. The northern part, through the spirited exertions of
the collected citizens was preserved with little damage.
Mr. Livingston has again had the folly to exhibit the raw-head-and-bloody-bones of Jonathan Robbins;—but we are satisfied, that so perfectly pure and unexceptionable has been the conduct of our Executive; in this transaction, that a large and decided Majority will consign this attempt of Livingston's to lessen the public confidence in the President, to that contempt and detestation which it so justly deserves; and to this every real American who has read the official documents will pronounce his solemn Amen.
WASHINGTON'S LIFE.
We are authorised to say, that Judge Washington is fully impressed with the propriety of having a History of the Life of his deceased relative General Washington, prepared for publication as speedily as circumstances will admit; and that, as a disorder of his eyes, and his professional duties, will probably prevent his undertaking the work himself, he will immediately select a fit character for the purpose.
The citizens of Savannah, (Georgia) have voted to erect a marble monument in honor of GEO. WASHINGTON.
MARINE INTELLIGENCE.
The following American vessels were captured and carried into Guadalupe by the French, from Dec. 25 to Jan. 10:
Rebecca, of Portland; Hope, Pratt, Newyork; Dolphin, Rice, Portsmouth; Neptune, Flint Salem; a brig belonging to Kennebec; Seaflower, Baker, and Phenix, Balson, Boston; Chance, Goodrich, Weghersfield; Harris, Philad; Ranging Polly, Cox; Barnard, and Commerce, Hutchinson, N. Carolina; Sally, Butler, Newyork; a Marblehead vessel; Alfred, Drinkwater, Danbury; Thomas, Drew, Wilmington; Abigail, Jones, Boston; Cygnet, Hunt, Newhaven; and a Schooner from Portsmouth.
By the brig Polly and Nancy, from the Havanna, we learn, that American produce bore a good price, when she failed. Flour was 18 Dollars a barrel.
Norfolk, Feb. 7.
The brig Betsey, Capt. Blackwell, arrived at Baltimore from St. Jago, was boarded off Cape Maize, by the United States frigate Constitution, Capt. Talbot. The Constitution was cruising for a French ship of war expected from the windward bound to Havanna.
Schooner Scorpion, Captain Sarenson, arrived at Baltimore, failed from Port Republican the 24th of January 1800, in company with 12 sail under convoy of the U. S. Schooner Experiment; parted with the fleet and convoy a little below the point of St. Marks, in the Bite of Leogane; on the 28th was boarded by the U. S. States frigate Constitution, Commodore Talbot, and detained six hours, and received dispatches for government, and was dismissed.
The Ship Carlisle, Capt. Brydon, arrived at Annapolis from Liverpool, on the 28th of January, had an action with a French privateer, which lasted from 10 minutes past 4, till half past 5, then the privateer bore away. The Carlisle had only one man wounded.
In lat. 24, long. 66, fell in with a French privateer, who engaged an hour and twenty five minutes, within pistol shot the whole time, and sometimes closer; supposed her to have just come out as she was quite clean and had not less than 60 men on board; she kept a constant firing of small arms under our quarter, so that we could only get our stern chasers to bear on her, until she came up with an intention to board us; but he met with too warm a reception, and thought proper to sheer off with the loss of about 20 or 30 of his men, and her fore gaff and rigging about their ears; I am happy to say that our officers and men behaved like Americans during the whole action, and I have only to lament the loss of one man who died of his wounds next day.
Yesterday put into this port in a leaky condition, the ship Martha, of Boston, Capt. Moore, after a passage of five months from Calcutta. The Martha, is loaded with salt petre, on account of government.
By this arrival we learn, that there had been a dreadful hurricane at the Cape of Good Hope on the 5th November last, in which the British ship Sceptre of 64 guns, a Danish 64 gun ship, and a number of merchantmen were lost; the brig Hannah, Wyman, belonging to Boston, was one of the number. All the crews were saved, except the Sceptre's, in which vessel upwards of 300 souls perished.
New-York, Feb. 20.
Capt. Thurston spoke a brig belonging to the convoy of the U. S. brig Richmond, the Captain of which informed, that several vessels had been captured out of the fleet by a French privateer; and others boarded and plundered, &c.

Interesting Intelligence.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT Of the Naval Action between the American frigate CONSTELLATION and a French 58 gun ship.
PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 24. YESTERDAY morning Lieut. Shaw, of the armed Schooner Experiment, arrived at Marcus Hook from a cruise, being dispatched by Commodore TRUXTON, with letters from the Secretary of the Navy; from which the following are extracted: United States Ship Constellation, at Sea, February 3, 1800.
Sir, On the 30th ult. I left St. Christopher with the Constellation in excellent trim, and stood to windward, in order to gain the station for myself, before the road of Guadaloupe, and at half past 7 A. M. of the day following I discovered a sail to the S. E. to which I gave chase, and for the further particulars of that chase and the action after it, I must beg to refer to the extract from my journal herewith, as being the best mode of exhibiting a just and candid account of all our transactions in the late business, which has ended in the almost entire dismantlement of the Constellation;—though I trust to the high reputation of the American flag. I have the honor to be, &c.
THOMAS TRUXTON. Benj. Stoddard, Esq. Sec'y of the Navy.
Occurrences on board the United States Ship Constellation, of 38 guns, under my command, Feb. 1st, 1800.
Throughout these twenty-four hours very unsettled weather, kept on our tacks beating up under Guadaloupe, and at half past 7 A. M. the road of Batturra bearing East 5 leagues distance saw a sail to the S. E. standing to the S. W. which from her situation, at first took for a large ship from Martinico, and hoisted English colours on giving chase by way of inducement, for her to come down and speak me, which would have saved us a long chase to leeward, off my intended cruising ground; but finding she did not attempt to alter her course, I examined her more minutely, as we approached her, and discovered that she was a heavy French frigate, mounting at least 54 guns. I immediately gave orders for the yards, &c. to be slung with chains, top-sails sheets, &c. stoppered, and the ship cleared; and every thing prepared for action, and hauled down the English colors. At noon the wind became light, and I observed the chase, that we had before been gaining fast on, held way with us, but I was determined to continue the pursuit, though the running to the leeward I was convinced would be attended with many serious disadvantages, especially if the object of my wishes were not gratified.
Passed two Schooners standing to the northward, one of them showed American colours, and was a merchant vessel, and the other I supposed to be of the same description.
Feb. 2d, at 1 P. M. the wind being somewhat fresher, than at the noon preceding, and an appearance of its continuance, our prospect of bringing the enemy to action began again to brighten, as I perceived we were coming up with the chase fast, and every inch of canvas being set that could be of service, except the bog reefs, which I kept in the top-sails, in case of the chase finding an escape from our thunder impracticable, should haul on a wind and give us fair battle; but this did not prove to be her commander's intention. I however got within hail of him at 8 P. M. hoisted our ensign, and had the candles in the battle lanterns all lighted, and the large trumpet in the lee gangway ready to speak him, and to demand the surrender of his ship to the United States of America; but he at that instant commenced a fire from his stern and quarter guns directed at our rigging and spars. No parley being then necessary, I sent my principal aid de camp Mr. Vandyke, to the different officers commanding divisions on the main battery, to repeat strictly my orders before given, not to throw away a single charge of powder, but to take good aim and fire directly into the hull of the enemy, and load principally with two round shot, and now and then with a round shot, and a stand of grape, &c. to encourage the men at their quarters; to cause or suffer no confusion whatever; but to load and fire as fast as possible when it could be done with certain effect. These orders being given, in a few moments I gained a position on his weather quarter, that enabled us effectually to return his salute; and thus a close and as sharp an action as ever was fought between two frigates commenced and continued until within a few minutes of 1, A. M. when the enemy's fire was completely silenced, and he was again heaving off.
It was at that moment that I considered him as my prize, and was trimming in the best manner I could my
much shattered sails: when I found the main-mast was totally unsupported by rigging, every shroud being shot away, and some of them in several places; that even stoppers were useless, and could not be applied with effect. I then gave orders for the officers to send the men up from the gun deck to endeavour to secure it, in order that we might get along side of the enemy as soon as possible; but every effort was in vain, for the main-mast went over the side in a few minutes after, and carried with it the top men, among whom was an amiable young gentleman who commanded the main top, Mr. James Jarvis, son of James Jarvis Esq. of New-York. It seems this young gentleman was apprized of the mast going in a few minutes by an old seaman; but he had already so much of the principle of an officer engrafted in his mind, not to leave his quarters on any account, that he told the man if the mast went they must go with it, which was the case, and only one of them was saved.
I regret much his loss, as a promising officer and amiable young man, as well as on account of a long intimacy that has subsisted between his father and myself; but have great satisfaction in finding I have no other killed and only 2 or 3 slightly wounded, fourteen of the former, and twenty five of the latter.
As soon as the main mast went, every effort was made to clear the wreck from the ship as soon as possible, which was effected in about an hour. It being impossible to pursue the enemy, and as her security was then the great object, I immediately bore away for Jamaica for repairs, &c. finding it impossible to reach a friendly port in any of the islands to windward.
I should be wanting in common justice, was I to omit hereto journalize the steady attention to order, and the great exertion and bravery of all my officers, seamen and marines, in this action, many of whom I had sufficiently tried before on a similar occasion, and all their names are recorded in the muster roll I sent to the Secretary of the Navy, dated the 19th December last, signed by myself.
All hands employed at repairing the damages sustained in the action, so far as to get the ship into Jamaica as soon as possible.
THOMAS TRUXTON.
List of Officers and Men, killed, wounded and missing by the action of the 1st of Feb. 1800, on board the U. S. ship Constellation, of 38 guns, Thomas Truxton, Esq. commander, with a French National ship of 58 guns.
Mr. James Jarvis, midshipman, missing, who was in the maintop, went overboard with the mainmast.
Killed—William Lightfoot; John Robinson, Seaman, John Smith, do. Thomas Stevenson, do. John Williams, Seaman; John Wilson, do. James Foster, do. Emmanuel Manna, do. Robert Smith, do. Emmanuel Drift, do. William Powell, old do. Joseph Grower, Seaman; Christopher McCormick, Midshipman.
Mr. A. Shirley, 2d Lieutenant, flight wound in the leg.
Mr. P. C. Wederstrand, flight wound in the head;
Mr. R. Warren, midshipman, flight wound in the head;
Mr. F. Comeford, master's mate, flight wound in the head;
John Highland, quarter gunner, shot through the back;
James Rodgers, sergeant of marines, flight wound on the arm.
Jonathan Bell, sail maker's mate, fractured leg;
John Hoxie, seaman, arm shot off, and wounded in the side;
William Musgrove, seaman, fractured thigh;
James Carter, seaman, wounded in the thigh and side;
Ephraim Jabins, seaman, wounded in the arm;
Benjamin Bradford, seaman, arm shot off, died;
Antonio Poyntz, seaman, flight wound in the arm and knee;
Edward Hallman, seaman, flight wound in the head.
George Matthews, old seaman, fractured thigh;
John Logan, old seaman, fractured leg;
Thomas Fitzgerald, old seaman, glatous maximus muscle badly wounded;
Charles Lewis, old seaman, shot through the arm;
John Baptist, boy, leg shot off;
Philip Smith, boy, wounded in the back of the neck;
Cader Branton, marine, wounded in the thigh;
William Small, marine, shot through the thigh;
William Howell, old seaman, flight wound in the thigh;
Geo: Carlson, marine, shot through the head;
ISAAC HENRY, Surgeon.
Feb. 3, 1800.
An Officer on board the Constellation, has forwarded the following address which was delivered by the brave Truxton,
to his Officers and Crew, on the 2d February, 1800.
Public thanks tho' but a small tribute is nevertheless justly due to seamen, and soldiers, who have manifested their zeal, activity, and bravery so conspicuously, in support of the honor and dignity of their Country's Flag, as the Crew of the Constellation, of 38 guns did last evening in an engagement with a French National frigate of 58 guns or upwards (carrying much heavier metal) in which the enemy was completely beaten, and would have become their prize, had the damages sustained in making the first efforts to get along side of her, together with the loss of the main-mast, main-top-mast, main-top-gaff, main-top-boom, mizen-top-mast, and several other spars, which also went over the side at the moment of her heaving off, together with the dismantled state of the ship otherwise, made a further pursuit impracticable.
As the commander, therefore, I feel infinite satisfaction in returning my thanks to the officers of every description, seamen, marines, and others, for the gallantry they displayed on this occasion, which, under a benificent Providence, has enabled me to add another laurel to the American character, on the records of the Navy, and you may be assured Gentlemen, Seamen, and Soldiers, that you shall be properly noticed to the President of the United States, and such of you as have been unfortunately wounded and furloughed, will no doubt be put on the pension list, and while their misfortunes I regret, I shall state with pleasure their just claims to the government, in order that they may have that protection and care taken of them which is provided by a grateful country for those that the fortune of war has been unkind to.
THOMAS TRUXTON. U. States Ship Constellation, February 2, 1800.
BOSTON, March 5. The Bankrupt Bill passed the House of Representatives of the U. States, on Friday 21st inst. by a majority of one vote.
Extract of a letter from Capt. Moses Tryon, dated on board the United States Ship Connecticut, to leagues E. N. E. from Delft, Feb. 10, 1800, to a gentleman in Middletown, Connecticut.
"I have been able to reduce it nearly to a certainty, that the Connecticut is the fastest sailing ship in these seas. I have had a fair trial with several British men of war; likewise, with the Insurgent, Captain Murray, and the Adams, Capt. Morris, both of which I have fairly beaten by the wind, and I think I can say the sails equally well from the wind. On the whole I am not afraid to have a fair look at any thing that floats on the ocean. I have had the good fortune to fall in with the French privateer brig, the Conquest of Italy, mounting 12 guns and 62 men, (having manned 6 prizes in the course of her cruise) which I captured on the 29th ult. on her return to Point Petre; she has done more injury to our commerce than any other privateer out of Guadaloupe; having by accounts, taken two hundred American vessels: she has run upwards of four years, and had bid defiance to all British frigates."
The frigate Constitution, Capt. Talbot, was cruising off Cape Francois the 2d February, all well on board. This intelligence was received in a letter from an officer on board, who also informs, that they had taken and detained the American Schooner Swift, on the suspicion of having French property on board.
Peter Porcupine has commenced a semi-monthly publication at N. York, under the title of the "RUSH LINE." The first No. appeared on the 25th ult. It is to contain never less than 48 octavo pages at 25 cents per No.
Providence frequently educes good from ill.—The outrageous conduct of Gov. M'Kean, and his democratic partisans, in Pennsylvania, is likely to disfranchise that State of its votes in the next election of President of the U. S. as the Democrats are determined no law, for the choice of Electors, shall pass unless graduated by their disorganizing thermometer.
Yesterday the prize-ship Two Angels, captured by the Boston frigate, Capt. Little, pierced for 18 guns, but mounting only 12 laden with coffee, came up to town. She is commanded by Lieut. Haswell, first of the Bolton; and is a very valuable ship.
Also arrived, the Herald's prize, French privateer ich. La Mutine, of 6 guns.
On Wednesday last, a new, unfinished house, belonging to a company of gentlemen, and situated near the water, on Beacon-street, was consumed by fire. The cause, carelessness . The exertions of the citizens saved the adjoining house;—which was separated by a brick battlement. The property was insured to the amount of 6000 dollars.
The following is the amount of the exports from the U. States, to foreign Countries and their Dependencies, for one Year ending the 30th Sept. 1799.
  To Russia, 46,030   To Prussia, 617,046   To Sweden, 733,597   To Denmark, &c. 4,348,839   To United Netherlands, 5,851,503   To Great Britain, 26,546,087   To Germany, 105,647   To the Hans Town, 17,144,400   To France, 2,780,504   To Spain, 17,421,402   To Portugal, 857,731   To Morocco, 48,000   To Italy, 1,157,212   To China and the East Indies, generally, 595,249   To Africa generally, 234,396   To Europe generally, 11,818   To the N. W. America, 72,941 
Total 78,665,522 Of this sum, 45,523,000 dollars respects articles of foreign growth or production.
A summary of the value of the EXPORTS from each State.
  From New-Hampshire, 361,889   Massachusetts, 11,421,591   Vermont, 20,480   Rhode-Island, 1,055,273   Connecticut, 1,143,818   New-York, 18,719,527   New-Jersey, 9,722   Pennsylvania, 12,431,967   Delaware, 297,065   Maryland, 16,299,609   Virginia, 6,292,986   North-Carolina, 485,921   South-Carolina, 8,729,015   Georgia, 1,396,759 
Dollars 78,665,522
The Spy, lately hung at Kingston, Jamaica, is stated in a Philadelphia paper to be the Frenchman "Salpor-tar;" whom '92, '93 & '94, was noted as the agent for French privateers at Charleston (S. C.) and who, in 1793 '94, in conjunction with the officers of the Lascars French sloop of war, then in that port, organized and headed the memorable riot in that city, distinguished from other Carthaginian manœuvres by being denominated the Riot at the Theatre, when the audience were drove from the theatre with drawn daggers;—and the fame who befriended the pirate and murderer Nash, and advised him to swear that he was an American citizen. If such be really the fate of this incendiary, we cannot but bless that justice which has inflicted it.
The Common Council of the city of Savannah have resolved, that a Marble Monument be erected in Johnson's square in that city, to the memory of that illustrious character, Geo. Washington. They have ordered that a subscription be opened for that purpose, the expense of which is not to exceed 3000 dollars; to which the Corporation have subscribed 500 dollars.
NAVAL AFFAIRS.
Capt. Russell, in the Herald sloop of war, has captured La Mutine, a French cruiser, of 6 guns and 61 men—which has arrived at the Vineyard.
On Monday arrived here from Newport, ship Two Eagles, prize to the U. S. frigate Bolton, Capt. Little.
The prisoners taken on board the Two Eagles, have arrived at Providence.
On the 28th Jan. the Constitution, of 44 guns, Capt. Talbot, was spoken in the West-India latitudes, all well. She was cruising for a French ship bound for the Havannah.
The principal part of the lucky Pickering's convoy has arrived. The Caroline of New-Haven, was robbed by a French privateer, the day after leaving the convoy of 400 dollars, &c.
The British naval officers in the West-Indies say, the d—l is in the United States ship-builders, for furnishing swift sailers. The Captain of the Tamer, told Capt. Wheelwright the Adams frigate was the fastest-sailing ship he ever knew.
Marine Intelligence.
Arrived at Savannah, February 18, brig Willing Maid , Capt. Hutz, from St. Croix, who, on the passage was boarded by a French privateer, called the Beauty , which put on board 17 Americans. The privateer had been 3 weeks on her cruise, and had taken 17 Americans, among which were sloop Charlotte , Allen, of Providence; sloop Alexander Hamilton Jewitt, of Philad.; and sloop Louisa , Sellers, of New-York.
The sloop Betsy , Brown, of Boston, has foundered at sea. Her crew were taken up by Capt. Anson, bound to Hamburg; and transferred on board the Oldbourn , Capt. Jaten, and landed at Baltimore. Captain Brown speaks in grateful language of the assistance he received.
The Commerce , Wood, of Boston, from Liverpool, for Wilmington, N. C. foundered at sea, Jan. 1. The Captain and crew were taken off by the brig Sea-Bloom , arrived at Charleston, the 8th February.
PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 5.
JAMES CARR, Esq. of Somersworth, is appointed Sheriff for the county of Strafford, vice THEOPHILUS DANE, Esq. deceased.
Thursday the 24th day of April, next is appointed by His Excellency Governor GILMAN, with advice of Council, to be observed as a day of Fasting and Prayer.
Portsmouth Town Meeting.
At a town meeting held in this town on Monday the 3d inst. for the choice of State officers, agreeable to notification.
JOHN GODDARD, Esq. Moderator.
Votes For Governor,
TIMOTHY WALKER, Esq. 486 JOHN T. GILMAN, Esq. 183
Counsellor,
LEVI BARTLETT, Esq. 484 JOSEPH BLANCHARD, Esq. 170 JOTHAM BLANCHARD, Esq. 11
Senator,
MOSES LEAVITT, Esq. 486 THOMAS LEAVITT, Esq. 176 DUDLEY LEAVITT, Esq. 1
Representatives,
WOODBURY LANGDON, Esq. JOHN GODDARD, Esq. and Mr. SAMUEL DROWN, chosen by a very large majority.
Voted that this meeting be now adjourned to meet again at this place, on Tuesday the 25th day of March inst. at 9 o'clock, A. M. for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee, appointed this day, to take into consideration the expediency of revising the Constitution of this State, and to act thereon as at that time may be thought proper.
A true copy of Record, GEO. WENTWORTH, Town Clk.
AT EXETER THE VOTES WERE
For Governor,
His Excellency Gov. GILMAN, 190 Hon. TIMOTHY WALKER, 3
Counsellor,
JOSEPH BLANCHARD, Esq. 165
Senator,
JEREMIAH FOGG, Esq. 143 EPHRAIM ROBINSON, Esq. 19
Recorder of Deeds,
SAMUEL BROOKS, Esq. 197
County Treasurer,
OLIVER PEABODY, Esq. 184 BENJAMIN CONNOR, Esq. was chosen Representative by a great majority.
The brig Aligator , 6 days out, for Martinique, was spoke February 9, all well.
MARRIED —At Kingston, Mr. Levi Sleeper, to Miss Betsy Lovering, of Exeter.
At Boston, Hon. Daniel Newcomb, Esq. of Keene, to Mrs. Hannah Goldthwait.
At Kittery, Capt. Ephraim Kaine, to Miss Catherine Fernald.
DIED —At Sterling, Mrs. Baileys widow, aged 100.
At Hamburg, John Beeldemaker, Esq. Consul of the United States, at Rotterdam, and late partner of the Houses of Roquette, Beeldemaker, and Co. of that place, and Beeldemaker and Co. of Hamburg. The business of the two Houses, will continue to be transacted under the same firm.
The Last Chance.
TOMORROW Dartmouth College Lottery
WILL commence drawing in this town, a few whole and quarter tickets may be had at J. Melcher's Printing Office if applied for immediately. March 5.
THE subscriber being
determined to settle his accounts, gives this early notice that people may call on him after the 20th of March next and he will attend to the business.—If any who owe him for more than one year, or whose accounts have not been regularly adjusted and settled he must and shall avail himself of the law, before the Limitation Act takes effect. Feb. 26. OZIAS SILSBY.
On Wednesday next, at 11 o'clock, A.M. WILL BE SOLD AT Abraham Isaac's Auction-Room,
2 Cales Mens' English
FELT HATS.
1 box containing 60 pieces yard wide
IRISH LINEN.
Broad Cloth,—India Handkerchiefs, &c. &c. March 5.
ALL persons having
demands against the estate of Charles Smart, late of Newmarket, deceased, are desired to exhibit their accounts at the house of the deceased, on the 26th of March instant, the 4th of July, and the 10th of December next, for settlement—and all those that are indebted to said estate are requested to make speedy payment to MOULTON SMART, Administrator. Parsonsfield, March 3, 1800.

THE IRISH GHOST. IN days of yore, but since the flood, Whilst Teague in bed was snoring, A spectre 'fore him ghastly stood, And woke him with its roaring. No nose it had, nor e'en an eye, Nor mouth to eat its bread; And would you know the reason why, Alas! it had no head! With horrid gape Teague view'd the sprite, And cried, "Ah! now be speaking, And tell me from my Jad aught, And tell me if I'm waking?" "Arrah, my dear, (the shade replied) "I cannot speak, you know; But I'm thy father's ghost who died "Betheaded, God knows how!" "Alack, poor ghost! (the son exclaim'd) "No wonder thou'rt not frisky, For he most surely must be dead "Who cannot drink his whiskey!" "Ah! bonny, true, (the sprite resum'd) "Therefore I leave the dead; And that I mayn't to h— be doom'd, "I'm looking for my head!"
TO BE SOLD  At Public Auction, At Mr. Greenleaf's Tavern, By Jacob Walden, Auctioneer, On THURSDAY the 13th day of  MARCH next, at 3 o'clock, P. M.  THE dwelling House of the subscriber, and the land adjoining in two lots, viz. one lot 69 feet on Vaughan-street, 80 feet on Cross-street, and 72 feet on the north line having a width of sixty-five feet at the east end of the lot; with a good well of water with- in those bounds and a pump to the well.—The other lot includes the House being 134 feet on Cross-street and 94 feet deep, this lot affording a large paved yard at the east end of the House, and a sufficient piece of ground for a garden at the west end; those premises have been advertised for sale in one lot, but concluding that it may be more conducive to the convenience of purchasers to divide it into two lots, I have done it so as to render the division more eligible, which may be observed and exam- ined by those who incline to become purchasers, or any others desirous of inspecting the lots any day previous to the sale. In a former advertisement a de- scription of the House was given which renders it unnecessary to add any thing further in this; as the estate is generally known to those who it is probable will become the purchasers, but any further particu- lars of the estate, also the conditions of payment may be known (previous to the sale) by applying to  Joshua Wentworth. Portsmouth, Feb. 25, 1800.
NOTICE! ALL persons having demands against the estate of DANIEL  PEIRCE , late of Portsmouth, mer- chant, deceased, are requested to bring in their accounts well vouched—and those who are indebted are desired to make immediate payment, or they will be treated as the law directs. W m  STANWOOD , Jr. Attorney, to  JEMIMA PEIRCE , Administratrix. Feb. 29, 1800. Portsmouth, February 25, 1800. TEN dollars reward is offered to any person who will give information to the subscriber (so that they may be brought to justice) of any persons who may after the above date cut down and carry off wood, or strip bark for dying or any other use, from black or yellow oak trees, upon the upper end of his farm in Newington; which has been practiced for some years past, by which means a large number of good thriving trees have been killed.  Samuel Hill.
PUBLIC VENDUE.  By Licence from the Hon. Samuel Tenney, Esquire, Judge of the probate of wills, &c. for the county of Rockingham, will be sold at public vendue, on Thursday the thir-  teenth day of March next, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, the real estate of  Richard Leader Nelson, late of Portsmouth, in said county, school-master, deceased, with the in- cumbrance of the widow's dower there- in.—Said estate consists of about one acre of land, situate at the Plains, fronting on the main post road, adjoin- ing the train-field and land of Samuel Sherburne, and is a corner lot;—the sale will be on the premises (if fair weather) if not, the sale will be at the house of Samuel Tucker, commonly called the Globe tavern.—Conditions of sale will be made known at the time and place of sale, by  GEORGE GAINS , Administrator. Portsmouth, Feb. 24, 1800.
WANTED, an Ap- prentice to the Clock-Making Business, a steady LAD may hear of a good place, where he will be well used and taken on liberal terms, by applying to the Printer hereof.
State of New-Hampshire.  NOTICE is hereby given to the proprietors and owners of land in Northfield, who have not paid their State and County taxes for the year 1798, that unless they pay said taxes to me the subscriber on or before the 6th day of May next, so much of their land will be sold at public vendue on said day, at the dwelling house of Walker Buzzell, innholder in said town, at 10 o'clock A. M. as will pay the same with incidental charges.
   No. Acres. State. County.   Cts. Cts.     Samuel Emerson, 40 100 25 10   John Peil, 175 100 13 5   Samuel Randel, 22 100 9 3   John Plaftard, 196 60 6 2   Edward Tibbetts, 28 100 9 3   Job Bennett, 6 100 9 3   ad Div. of 100 acre lots,   Robert Thompson, 52 100 34 13   4th Division of land   in Northfield,   Nathaniel Morrill, 39 38 3 1   James Davis, 40 38 3 1   Thomas Young, 41 38 3 1   John Smith, jr. 32 38 3 1   John Rowe, 33 38 3 1   Stephen Jones, jr. 25 38 3 1   John Dow, 26 38 3 1   William Rines, 16 38 3 1   Paul Gerrish, 17 38 3 1   Joseph Ellison, 18 38 3 1   Joshua Wentworth, 19 38 3 1   Edward Evans, 20 38 3 1   Israel Hodgdon, 58 38 3 1   John Syas, 53 38 3 1   Abraham Bennecke, 52 38 3 1   Francis Matthews, 49 38 3 1   Samuel Smith, 21 38 3 1   William Leathers, 22 38 3 1   John Blagdon, 23 38 3 1   Fran's Matthews, jr. 49 38 3 1    JEREMIAH SMITH , Collector. Northfield, February 26, 1800.
Rockingham, ff.  NOTICE is hereby given to those non-resident proprietors or own- ers of lands in the town of Chichester in said county, who are delinquent in paying the highway taxes assessed on their lands in said town for the year 1797, that unless the same are paid to me before the first day of May next with the incidental charges; that so much of their lands as will pay the same will then be sold at pub- lic auction at the house of Dudley Sanborn, innholder in said Chichester, at ten of the clock in the forenoon on said day.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and owners of lands in the town of Officee, who have not paid their county and highway taxes for the year 1799, that so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue, at the dwelling house of Capt. Jacob Brown in said Officee, on the 13th day of May next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, as will pay said taxes with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
   No. Acres. High- way. County.   Cts. Cts.     Theodore Atkinson, 9 200 1 50 9   Jotham Odiorne, 32 400 2 10 12   John Moffatt, 31 200 1 0 6   Tho's Wallingford, 32 400 2 0 12   Tho's Wallingford, 14 400 2 0 0   Joshua Peirce, 36 400 2 0 12   Richard Wibird, 11 200 1 0 6   Levi Dearborn, 28 400 2 0 12   33 400 2 0 12   0 260 6 0 36   13 100 1 0 6   100 acre lots by 14 100 50 3   Thompson's survey 17 100 50 3   on Conway road, 19 100 50 3   26 100 50 3   Lots in the up- 10 2 100 50 3   per Division, 14 3 100 50 3   15 4 100 50 3   22 5 100 50 3   27 5 100 50 3   28 5 100 50 3   32 6 100 50 3   34 6 50 25 2   42 6 100 50 3   44 6 100 50 3   46 6 50 25 2   56 7 50 25 2   58 7 50 25 2   65 7 100 50 3   67 7 100 50 3   68 8 100 50 3   69 8 100 50 3   70 8 100 50 3   71 8 100 50 3   76 8 100 50 3   78 8 100 50 3   80 8 100 50 3   82 8 100 50 3   91 9 100 50 3   93 9 50 25 2   101 10 100 50 3   106 10 50 25 2   107 10 100 50 3   109 10 100 50 3   111 11 100 50 3    JOSEPH FOGG , Collector. Officee, Feb. 20, 1800.
Schooner Sally,  A CONSTANT Packet from Portsmouth to Newbury- Port—for freight or passage apply to Capt. NEWMAN , on board at Port- mouth Pier—or JOHN BOADGE in Daniel-street.  WHO HAS FOR SALE,  STRONG BEER , by the barrel, gallon, or less quantity.
FLOUR.  FOR SALE  By Peter Coffin,  250 Barrels Superfine  FLOUR.  TO BE LET,  A GOOD FARM With a noted Tavern, in Epsom, one mile from the Meeting-house.— For further particulars apply to  James H. M c Clary.  Wanted a Boy of about fourteen years of age, that is capable of attending in a Store in the country, and can be well recommen- ded, for which good encouragement will be given. Feb. 23.
State of New-Hampshire.  NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident owners and proprie- tors of land in the town of Chatham, and county aforesaid, that at a legal meeting duly warned and held at the house of Nathaniel Walker, in said Chatham, in the county aforesaid, on the 13th day of November 1799, then voted to assess a tax of three dollars, on each original right or share of land in said Chatham, in proportion to said rights, for the purpose of finishing and completing the roads and bridges through said town, also, further warn the said proprietors and owners to pay a tax of seven dollars, which was voted October 24, 1798, at a former meeting of said proprietors, and unless they pay the same to the subscriber, or to Isaac Waldron, Esq. of Barrington, treasurer for said proprietors, on or before the first day of May next, so much of their land will be adver- tised for sale, as will pay said taxes with incidental charges.  JOSHUA HEATH , Prop s Collector. Chatham, Feb. 20, 1800.
APPLICATION being made to me the subscriber, by the owners of more than one eighth part of the proprietors of the township of Dor- chester, that a meeting of the said proprietors be warned for the follow- ing purposes:— 1st. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting. 2d. To choose a treasurer. 3d. To see if the proprietors will choose a committee to draft a plan of said township, and to examine into and confirm (if thought proper) those third hundred acre lots that have been pitched, and also to complete the allotment of those that are not pitched in the aforesaid division of lots in said township. 4th. To see if the proprietors will raise a sum of money sufficient to defray all ex- pences, and to appoint assessors and a col- lector to collect the same. 5th. To see if the proprietors will allow any accounts that may then be exhibited, and to do any other business necessary to be done on said day. These are therefore to notify and warn the said proprietors to meet at the dwelling house of Joseph Burley, Esq. innholder in said town of Dorchester, on Thursday the 20th day of March next, at ten o'clock in the fore- noon for the above mentioned purposes.  JOHN WOODWORTH , Prop s Clerk. Dorchester, Feb. 4, 1800.
State of New-Hampshire, Grafton, ff.  NOTICE is hereby given to the non- resident owners or proprietors of land in New-Chester, in the county and State aforesaid, who have not paid their highway and county taxes for the year 1797, that un- less they pay the same to me the subscriber, on or before the fifth day of May next, so much of their land as will pay the same together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue at the dwelling house of Edward Blodget, in said New-Chester, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, unless prevent- ed by previous payment.
   Names. No. Acres. High- way. County.   Cts. Cts.     John Tolford, Esq. 28 3 100 50 3   ditto 24 4 100 50 3   Samuel Searl, 98 4 100 50 3   ditto 43 8 21 5 7 0 7   ditto 65 3 100 50 3   Mat. Thornton Esq. 87 3 100 50 3   ditto 88 3 100 50 3   ditto 90 3 100 50 3   Samuel Mores, 67 3 100 50 3   Robert Fletcher, 27 3 100 50 3   ditto 19 4 100 50 3   Joseph Blanchard, 35 4 100 50 3   Henry Hall, 31 4 100 50 3   Jeremiah Colburn, 27 4 100 50 3   John Wentworth, 57 8 100 50 3   Joshua Tolford, Esq. 68 9 100 50 3   ditto 40 9 100 50 3   Tho's Wallingford, 56 9 100 50 3   Henry Herron, 8 3 100 50 3   John M c Murphy, Esq. 37 4 100 50 3   Robert Craig, 22 4 100 50 3   Timothy Ingals, 54 3 100 50 3   ditto 89 4 100 50 3   James Quintain, 53 3 100 50 3   ditto 42 4 100 50 3   Stephen Ferrington, 76 3 100 50 3   John Underhill, 94 4 100 50 3   George Atkinson, 3 0 80 50 3   Grantors farm, 47 8 50 0 46   Robert White, 27 8 100 50 3   Robert Fletcher, 19 4 100 50 3   ditto 19 4 100 50 3    THOMAS FAVOUR , Collector. New-Chester, Feb. 4, 1800.
FOR SALE, BY  W. & C. Neil,  BOHEA  TEA, Souchong. Hyson. Chocolate. Coffee. W. I. Sugar. E. I. ditto. Havanna ditto. Loaf do. Rum. Brandy. Gin. Sherry WINE. Malaga do. Salt Port do. Madeira. Raisins. Figs. Almonds. Florence Oil. Pepper. Alspice. Ginger. Cayenne Pepper. Salt Petre. Nutmegs. Cloves. Cinnamon. Mace. Citron.  FLOUR. Poland Starch. Window Glass. Nails. Gun Powder. Shot. Flints. Snuff. Smoking To- bacco. Segars. Crockery. Tumblers. Wine Glasses. Spanish Float. Indigo.  COTTON. Rice. Alum. Copperas. Dipt and Mould  CANDLES. Hair Combs. Pound Pins. a large quantity  CHEESES first quality.  BUTTER per Keg.
The above Goods WILL BE sold wholesale or retail on VERY MODERATE TERMS, for Cash or approved Credit. Portsmouth, Feb. 26, 1800.
Cheap India Cottons.  Peter Coffin Has just Opened a quantity of  INDIA COTTONS, Which will be Sold cheap for Cash, or short Credit.  TAKE NOTICE!  TO BE LET,  A small Farm IN EPPING, well known by the name of the Baker place, with a HOUSE and BARN on the same, which will be let (if desired) with only a Garden, and liberty to cut wood to supply one fire.—Likewise, A small place in Chester, near Bell's tavern.  FOR SALE,  A small Farm in Epping, With a HOUSE and BARN on the same, formerly owned by James Taylor. Likewise, About 15 acres of good LAND mostly mowing, near the Baker place (so called) in Epping.—Apply to  JOHN P. WILLIAMS, At Newmarket, who will dispose of the same on very reasonable terms.
New China  STORE. Sign of the Golden Teapot.  Abraham Isaac INFORMS the public that he has opened a NEW CHINA STORE at the sign of the Golden Tea-Pot— where he has for sale, complete Tea Sets of China, wholesale and retail, which he can sell cheaper than Liver- pool China.  Crockery and Glass Ware AS USUAL.
State of New-Hampshire, Grafton, ff.  NOTICE is hereby given to the non- resident proprietors and owners of land in the town of New-Chester, in said county who have not paid their taxes for the year 1799, that so much of their land as will pay said taxes together with incidental charges, will be sold at public vendue at the dwelling house of Edward Blodget, in said New-Chester on the fifth day of May next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, unless prevented by previous payment.
PUBLIC VENDUE,  THIS DAY.  By Licence from the Hon. Sam l Tenney, Esq. Judge of the Probate of Wills for the county of Rockingham—Will be sold, on Wed- nesday the 5th March next, all the personal Estate of Mr. JOHN BROWN, merchant, late of Portsmouth, deceased.— Consisting of the following articles, viz. Superfine Broad and Dimities. Forest Cloths. Chintzes. Elastic. Jacquet, book, sprigs, Cashmere. and lappet Mullins. Swoansdowns. Durants. Fancy Vesting. Tamnies. Velvets. Calimancoes. Thicketts. Strip'd & plain black Fancy Cords. Ruffles. Blue, mist & brown India Cottons. Coatings. Mullin handkerchiefs. Duffles. Purple and patch co- Blankets. lored Shawls. Baizes. Silk ditto. Flannels. Hosiery of all descrip- Carpeing. tions. Black Satins. Hats of all kinds. Lutestrings, and a va- Cambricks. riety of other Silks. Irish Linens. Scotch Threads. Ribbons. Mullines. Smalling Bottles. A large assortment of Snuff and Tobacco Boxes, and sundry small articles.—Also An assortment of Hard Ware, with