Gazette of the United-States. (New-York [N.Y.]), 1792-02-22 00:00:00

Gazette of the United States.
A NATIONAL PAPER, PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY JOHN FENNO, No. 69, HIGH-STREET, PHILADELPHIA.
[No. 86, of Vol. III.]
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1792.
[Whole No. 294.]
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE.
NOVEMBER 17.
AVIGNON.
THE minister of the home department produced dispatches, which the commissioners of the king employed for the purpose of restoring the tranquillity of Avignon, had addressed to him by an extraordinary courier.
They announce, 'that their endeavours had succeeded to the satisfaction of the unfortunate inhabitants, whom the ruffians of the army of Monteux, called Patriot, had pillaged and massacred with impunity. The French troops are in possession of Carpentras and Avignon, to the great displeasure of these ruffians. Those who had fled from consternation now return to their homes. One Lecuyer had pillaged the inhabitants of Avignon; he was massacred. His friends took occasion to ravage the town, and under the pretext of avenging his death, killed all the persons of probity whom they detested.
"They plunged them into the prisons of the palace, and there massacred them in cold blood. Sons were murdered in the presence of their fathers! mothers expired on the bodies of their sons! alas! all perished miserably!—[The assembly shuddered with horror; shrieks were uttered, expressive of the deepest concern.]
"Barbarity spared not even the bodies of the unfortunate victims:—they were beheaded, cut in pieces;—the bodies of women were embowelled! the mangled remains—[Here, M. Monteix could proceed no farther, his frame was convulsed, the paper dropt from his hands, he covered his face, and fled with precipitation from the tribune. His flight was behind in a gloomy silence: of so numerous an assembly not one person was found, whose curiosity had so far mastered his feelings as to oppose his departure, or demand his return.]
After a pause of horror, M. Isnard, the secretary, was ordered to proceed with the recital.—"These mangled remains of their fury were thrown into a ditch, called Glaciere du Palais: the entrance was closed up; we discovered this tomb, and caused it to be opened. A putrid stench rendered it almost inaccessible; we, however, caused it to be examined with proper precautions, in order, if possible, by the number of heads, to discover how many lives had been lost. [The assembly resounded with a mingled exclamation of indignation and sorrow.]
"A crowd of unfortunate citizens came every day to embrace our knees, and demand of us their fathers, husbands, children and friends, whose bodies were among the number of the sixty victims butchered at the castle.
"It appeared to us indispensable to cause to be arrested all the persons concerned in authority at Avignon at the period of the massacre: the Sieurs Jourdan and Tournel are arrested; the first was distant a league from Avignon, the other attempted to fly, after discharging a pistol at the officer who was going to seize him; he at first saved himself by clambering along the roofs, but fell, and having a leg broken, was taken.
"We arrested the young Lecuyer, who, incited by an insatiable thirst of blood, in order to avenge his father, massacred sixteen prisoners of the palace.
"All these facts have been authenticated: the national assembly, perhaps, regret having heard at its bar, an emissary of the ruffians, who had the audacity to accuse Mr. Mulot, the commissioner of pacification.—We are," &c.
The assembly referred these dispatches to the committee of legislation.
LONDON, December 7.
Amongst other singular properties of charcoal, it has lately been discovered by a gentleman at Peterborough, that all sorts of glass vessels and other utensils may be purified from long retained smells and taints of every kind, in the easiest and most perfect manner, by rinsing them well out with charcoal reduced to a fine powder, after their grosser impurities have been scoured off with sand and pot-ash. That people whose breath smells strong from a scorbutic disposition of the gums, may at any time get perfectly rid of this bad smell by rubbing and washing out the mouth thoroughly with fine charcoal powder. This simple application, at the same time, renders the teeth beautifully white. And that brown (or otherwise coloured) putrid stinking water may be deprived of its offensive smell, and rendered
transparent by means of the same substance.—Hence he thinks it would be of use for preserving water sweet during sea voyages, to add about 5lb. of coarse charcoal powder to every cask of water; it being only necessary afterwards to strain the water off, when wanted, through a linen bag.
The exhibition of legs in Mrs. Cowley's Comedy, reminds us of a bon mot of George Selwyn's, who, on being asked how he liked the then rage for short petticoats, observed, he liked it extremely well, and did not care to what height the fashion was carried!
Scottish plaids, to be used as furtouts, are become the fashion in Dublin. The Irish manufacturers resenting this, have begun to cut them in the streets, at night, and serious affrays are apprehended.
Of the fashionable colours in the Female world at present, the first is, the York flame , complimentary in its title, of course, to the Duchesses—It is a dark shade, something between a Coqueli-  cot and a Maroon . The second, the Maiden's blush , a pale pink. Between these two we are likely to have a warm winter .
FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.
O D E.
SAY, Muse, to whose illustrious name Shall I attune my vocal shell; That while the Lyric note I swell, My song may gain the meed of lasting fame? Shall he who in the realms of day, Cloth'd with immortal state, Treads the bright clouds beneath his feet, And holds high converse with the good and great— Shall FRANKLIN's name immortalize the lay? "Lo! in the bright abode of fame— "To virtue and to wisdom dear, "In words as lasting as this earthly frame, "Still bright'ning with the rolling year, "There stands inscrib'd a glorious Patriot's name! "When Britain, with ambition mad, "Sought to enslave COLUMBIA's land; "Her Generals sent with pow'r clad, "And pour'd her thousands on the strand: "The guardian Genius of your States, "With swelling indignation view'd "Their swords prepar'd to spill your blood; "And to avert your threaten'd fates, "Flew to Virginia's fertile plain, "When Ceres held her golden reign, "And gave to him this high command. "Go, Hero of undaunted mind, "Go—leave thy rural cares behind; "With all thy skill and force oppo'd "Thy country's fierce, ambitious foes, "And from the threaten'd ruin save my land." "Scarce had your Guardian spoke the word, "When o'er his shoulder hung the sword; "And to the field, with eager haste, "To meet your Foe, the Hero pass'd. "There horrid stood the British god of war, "A lion dreadful rose upon his shield; "His head was cover'd with a blazing star; "In act to strike a flaming spear he held. "No terror touch'd the god-like Hero's breast; "He rush'd impetuous on the furious foe, "Watch'd ev'ry motion, when to give the blow; "Wound follow'd wound, 'till overcome with toil "The Foe retir'd: still on the Hero press'd, "And struck the blow that forc'd him from your soil." "Curs'd be the hour (the raging warrior said) "When flush'd with hope, I fought in bloody fray "To seize a jewel for Britannia's head, "And my rich spoils in triumph bear away. "I came, in fancy sure of victory, "To meet a puny, dastard race of men, "Who 'twist before my voice and spear would fly, "As deer, when rush'd the lion from his den. "Am I defeated?—No, 'tis but a dream— "A mere delusion of my wilder'd brain: "But ah! I see the crimson-flowing stream, "O'er all my limbs I feel the raging pain. "But sure the Victor more than man must be— "Great as a god in skill, a god in pow'r; "His look was awful as Jove's majesty— "And who but he, such thundering deaths could show'r? "If man—transcendent over mortal man, "In wondrous skill, and valor in the war; "As the dread eagle o'er the tim'rous clan "Of feather'd tribes that wing the yielding air." "Thus spoke the baffl'd British God of War; "A chilling horror shiver'd thro' his veins— "With terror wild he caught his broken spear— "He fled—and left to peace these happy plains." "When the great Patriot's conquering sword "Had to his country peace restor'd, "To those who gave, he now resign'd his pow'r: "And feeling in his noble breast, "Such holy joy as all the bless, "Find for reward when their hard conflict's o'er— "Retir'd to his rural seat, "To pass his days in calm and wait the stroke of fate. "Soon by the grateful nation's general choice, "Elected to the lofty Chair of State, "He left his happy place, his calm retreat, "Obedient to the people's honoring voice.
"No base ambitious thirst of sway "Dwells in the Hero's generous mind, "Pure as the lambent flame of day, "Bright burns his Patriot-love refin'd. "In storms of war he show'd the soldier how "To quell the fierce, and lay the haughty low: "And now he gives a lesson to the great, "How they, in peace, should rule a freeborn state. "TRUTH, FAITH and JUSTICE, walking hand in hand, "Diffuse sweet union thro' the happy land. "I see the fairer virtues wait "Attendant round his chair of state: "Sweet Mercy! with her bleeding breast, "Humility! true wisdom's guest, "The brigheft daughter of the sky, "Blefs Charity! with smiling eye. "These form the wreath "That blooms in death, "More bright and glorious to behold, "Than fons of diamonds in a crown of gold. "As men in northern climes, long veil'd in night "With rapture blefs the sun's returning light, "So do admiring crowds with boundless mirth, "Honor the day that gave this Patriot birth. "His glorious name! thro' wondering nations spread, "Receives the homage of unfeigned applaufe: "The Gallic Spirit from his iron bed "Escap'd; (where long confin'd in galling chains "He wept with unavailing tears, his pains,) "Exulting blefles him the distant caufe. "Would'st thou acquire the meed of fame, "And lift from earth thy humble name? "Pour the sweet incense of melodious praife "To him, let WASHINGTON renown thy lays. Ah mufe! thou know'st too-well— I boaft no Heav'n-taught skill; That I can ne'er afpire his deeds to tell: E'en now a tremor thro' my frame I feel, And in defpair I drop my vocal fhell. ULLIN.
CONGRESS.
PHILADELPHIA.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1792.
In committee of the whole, on the Fishery Bill. [CONTINUED.]
MR. AMES,
AFTER some introductory observations, adverted to the necessity of fixing some point in which both sides would agree. Disputes he said, could not be terminated, or more properly, they could not be managed at all if some first principles were not conceded. The parties would want weapons for the controversy. Law is in some countries the yoke of government, which bends or breaks the necks of the people—but thank heaven, in this country it is a man's shield; his coat of mail, his castle of safety; 'tis more than his defence—'tis his weapon to punish those who invade his rights—'tis the instrument which assists—'tis the price that rewards his industry.
If I say that fishermen have equal rights with other men, every gentleman feels in his own bosom a principle of assent; If I say that no man shall pay a tax on sending his property out of the country, the constitution will confirm it; for the constitution says no duty shall be laid on exports: If I say, that on exporting dried fish, the exporter is entitled to drawback the duty paid on the salt, I say no more than the law of the land has confirmed.
Plain and short as these principles are, they include the whole controversy: For I consider the law allowing the drawback as the right of the fishery; the defects of that law as the wrong suffered, and the bill before us as the remedy.
The defects of the law are many and grievous.
  Supposing 340,000 quintals exported, the salt duty is Dollars. 42,744   The drawback is only - 34,000   Loss to the fishery, - 8,744   Whereas government pays - 45,900   at 1 3/4 cents including charges, which are 3 3/4 cents on a quintal: Which is beyond what the fishery receives - 11,900   And a clear loss to government of - 3,156 
So that though the whole is intended for the benefit of the fishery, about one fourth of what is paid is not so applied: there is an heavy loss both to government and the fishery. Even what is paid on the export is nearly lost money; the bounty is not paid till the exportation—nor then till six months have elapsed: Whereas the duty on salt is paid before the fish is taken; it is paid to the exporter, not to the fisherman. The bounty is so indirect that the poor fisherman loses sight of it. It is paid to such persons, in such places, and at such periods, as to disappoint its good effects—passing through so many hands, and paying so many profits to each, it is almost absorbed. The encouragement too is greatest in successful years when least needed—and is least in bad fishing seasons when tis most needed.
It is a very perplexed embarrassing regulation to the officers of government and to the exporter—hence the great charge; and with all this charge and trouble it is liable to many frauds. 400 miles of coast—little towns, no officer.
All these defects the bill remedies—and besides, gives the money on condition that certain regulations are submitted to, which are worth almost as much as the money.
The bill is defended on three grounds—1st it will promote the national wealth—2d the national safety—3d justice requires it; the last is fully relied on.
To show that the fishery will increase the wealth of the nation, it cannot be improper to mention its great value.

The export before the war, brought more than a million of dollars into this country; probably it is not less at present, and no small part in gold and silver: It is computed that 30,000 persons, including 4,000 seamen, subsist by it. Many say very composedly, if it will not maintain itself let it fall. But we should not only lose the annual million of dollars which it brings us; an immense capital would be lost. The fishing towns are built on the naked rocks or barren sands on the side of the sea. Those spots however, where trade would sicken and die, which husbandry seems to till, and which nature seems to have devoted to eternal barrenness, are selected by industry to work miracles on: Houses, stores and wharves are erected, and a vast property created—all depending on this business.—Before you think it a light thing to consign them to ruin, see if you can compute what they cost; if they outrun your figures, then confess that it would be bad economy as well as bad policy to suffer rival nations to ruin our fishery.
The regulations of foreign nations tend to bring this ruin about; France and England equally endeavor, in the language of the Secretary of State, to mount their marine on the destruction of our fishery.
The fish of Newfoundland is allowed liberal bounties by the English government; and in the French West-Indies—we meet bounties on their fish, and duties on our own, and these amount to the price of the fish: From the English islands we are quite shut out—yet such is the force of our natural advantages that we have not yielded to these rivals. The Secretary of State has stated these, page 5th and 6th, of his report.
The more fish we catch the cheaper; the English fish will need a greater bounty—whereas if we should yield, the English would probably need no bounty at all; they would have the monopoly. For example, suppose the English can fish at two dollars the quintal—we catch so much that we sell at one dollar and two thirds; the loss to them is 1/3 dol. each quintal. They must have that sum as a bounty.
Whereas if we encrease our fishery, a greater and a greater bounty is needed by foreign nations—the contest so painfully sustained by them must be yielded at last, and we shall enjoy alone an immense fund of wealth to the nation, which nature has made ours; and though foreigners disturb the possession we shall finally enjoy it peaceably and exclusively. If the lands of Kentucky are invaded, you drive off the invader, and so you ought—why not protect this property as well.
These opinions are supported by no common authority.—The State of Massachusetts having represented the discouragements of the fishery, the subject has received the sanction of the Secretary of State; he confirms the facts stated in the petition; he says it is too poor a business to pay any thing to government. [See page 12.]
Yet instead of asking bounties, or a remission of the duties on the articles consumed, we ask nothing, but to give us our own money back, which you received under an engagement to pay it back, in case the article should be exported.
If nothing was in view therefore, but to promote national wealth, it seems plain that this branch ought to be protected and preferred; because, under all the discouragements it suffers, it encreases, and every year more and more enriches the country, and promises to become an inexhaustible fund of wealth.
Another view has been taken of the subject which is drawn from the naval protection afforded in time of war by a fishery.
Our coasting and foreign trade are increasing rapidly; but the richer our trade becomes, the better prize to the enemy: So far from protecting us it would be the very thing that would tempt him to go to war with us. As the rice and the tobacco planter cheerfully pay for armies and turn out in the militia to protect their property on shore, they cannot be so much deceived as to wish to have it left unprotected when it is afloat; especially when it is known that this protection, though more effectual than the whole revenue expended on a navy could procure, will not cost a farthing; on the contrary, it will enrich while it protects the nation. The coasters and other seamen in the event of a war would be doubly in demand, and could neither protect themselves nor annoy the enemy to any considerable degree; but the fishermen thrown out of business by a war, would be instantly in action.—They would as they formerly did, embark in privateers—having nothing to lose, and every thing to hope, they would not dishonor their former fame. Their mode of life makes them expert, and hardy seamen. Nothing can be more adventurous. They cast anchor on the banks, 300 leagues from land, and with a great length of cable ride out the storms of winter: If the gale proves too strong they often sink at their anchors, and are food for fish which they came to take; for ever wet, the sea almost becomes their element—cold and labor, in that region of frost, brace their bodies and they become as hardy as the Bears, on the islands of ice; their skill and spirit are not inferior—familiar with danger they despise it. If I were to recite their exploits the theme would find every American heart already glowing with the recollection of them; it would kindle more enthusiasm than the subject has need of: My view is only to appeal to facts to evince the importance of the fishery as a means of naval protection. It is proper to pass over Bunker's hill, though memorable by the valor of a regiment of fishermen; nor is it necessary to mention further that 500 fishermen fought at Trenton.
It is known that the privateers man'd by fishermen, in want of every thing, not excepting arms, which they depended on taking from their enemies—brought into port warlike stores of every kind, as well as every kind of merchandise sufficient for the army and the country: the war could not be carried on without them. Among other exploits almost beyond belief, one instance is worth relating—these people in a privateer of 16 guns and 150 men, in one cruise took more than 20 ships with upwards of 200 guns and nearly 400 men.
The privateers from a single district of Massachusetts where the fishery is chiefly seated, took more than 2,000 vessels, being 1/3 of the British merchant vessels, and brought in near 1200. An hundred sail of privateers, man'd by fishermen, would scour every sea in case of a war.
Some gentlemen think of a navy: but what navy could do more; what nation would provoke a people so capable of injuring them. Could 50 ships of the line afford more security—and yet this resource of the fishery always ready, always sufficient, will cost nothing. The superior naval force of our foes should not discourage us; our privateers would issue like so many sword fish to attack the whale.
I leave these observations to their weight, and forbear to press them further—(strong as I think them, I rest my support of the bill on another ground.
I will only ask whether you will oppress if you will not encourage them—whether if you will not give them the money of the public, you will partially seize their own. This is all they ask—if your policy demands for them so much, will your justice deny them so little?
I have repeatedly asserted that the bill will not cost the public a farthing, you only take the money which the fishery brings into the Treasury for the salt duty, and pay the same or a less sum back in bounties, instead of a drawback on the exportation of the fish; here I rest the argument. Before I adduce my proofs, I cannot forbear to lay open the state of my mind.
I rely on the truth of the facts I propose to offer. I rely on the proof of them, being as near demonstration as the nature of intentions of the gentlemen whom I wish to convince; and yet am sorry to say I am far from being sanguine in the hope of gaining a single vote for the bill. I will explain my meaning and then I think no gentleman will take exception at it: This debate depends on calculation. In print or writing, or in private conversation, figures have the advantage of every other mode of illustration; the mind is fixed to a point and made to perceive it clearly.—But in public debate it is otherwise—figures not only disgust
attention, but, as the mind cannot carry them along, they confound it; they make a plain thing look mysterious, and bring it into suspicion; when I ask of the committee an hearing, and it is granted, I get nothing—I want a close attention, and I have to beg, and earnestly too, that gentlemen will not trust their first opinions and vote against the bill, without condescending to receive and to weigh the facts and calculations of its advocates.
The first question is, how much does government receive by the duty on the salt used in curing the fish which is exported.
The quantity of fish must be known.
Several ways of information are to be explored.
The Secretary of State supposes the fish of 1790, to be 354,276 quintals.
A treasury return of fish exported from Aug. 20th, 1789, to Sept. 30th, 1790, which is 13 1/2 mouths, is 378,721 quintals. For a year equal to 340,849
See Secretary's Report, page 16.
Foreign dried fish imported from 15th August, 1789, to August 1790, 3701 quintals.—5 per cent. drawback thereon is only 310 dollars, at 1 1/2 dollars per quintal.
Mr. Giles is mistaken in supposing that foreign fish deducts 16,000 dollars from our estimate.
Return of fish in 7 months, from May 30th to December, 1790, exported—all fish of the United States, 197,278 quintals;
Which for a year is 338,184 do.
The medium may be fairly taken for the time past at 340,000 quintals a year.
Six gentlemen of Marblehead certify, that 5043 hogheads, or 40,344 bushels of salt were used on 38,497 1/2 quintals; which for 340,000 quintals, gives 356,200 bushels.
The duty at 12 cents is 42,744 dollars, which government receives.
  But the charge to the United States is, at 13 1/2 cents per quintal. 45,900   Whereof the fishery receives 10 cents on each quintal exported, 34,000   Charges as the law stands 11900 
Further this is but an estimate made up from what the last year proved. The next may be very different, and probably it will be. If more money should be demanded than 44,000 dollars, we must not be accused of misleading Congress. But in that case an increase would be made by the law—for the more fish is exported the more 13 1/2 cents to be paid; so that the bill creates no burden in that way. But the increase of the export of fish will probably operate in favor of government. For it is known that the economy, skill and activity of the fishery are making progress. It's success has progressed. The more fish to a vessel, the cheaper the allowance on the tonnage—Therefore the tonnage of vessels will not increase in a ratio with the increase of the fish.
The very objections prove this. For they deem the encouragement too great. But any encouragement must have the effect.
The difference of the agreements for distributing the fish according to the present practice, or by this bill, makes a great one in the quantity taken. The bill reforms the practice in this point. Marblehead vessels take less than those from Beverly. The former throw the fish into a common stock, which is afterwards divided upon a plan very unfriendly to exertion. A man works for the whole—perhaps 12 hours, and they take about 800 quintals to a vessel. But in Beverly, the exertion is as great as can be made—18 hours a day, because each man has what he catches, and they catch 1100 quintals.
Marblehead seamen failing from other towns, and dividing as last mentioned, which the bill establishes, seldom fail to catch 2 or 300 quintals more than vessels and men from Marblehead on the first plan. Accordingly I assert on good authority, that the increase in Marblehead only may be computed at 15,000 quintals, merely in consequence of the reform by the bill. The best informed persons whom I have consulted, entertain no doubt that the export in case the bill should pass, would not be less than 400,000 quintals, probably more—but at 400,000 quintals, it would add 7,200 dollars more to the salt duty: a sum more than equal to any estimate of the actual tonnage, or any probable increase of it, 42,744
  7,200   49,944 Salt duty on 400,000 quintals.   Other facts confirm the theory, that skill and exertion are encreasing in this business.   In 1775, tons 25,000, seamen 4405. Fish sold for 1,071,000 dolls.   In 1790, 3/4ths of the seamen and 3/4ths of the tonnage, take as much fish. It is owing to this that our fishery stood the competition with foreign nations.   Finally, the average in future may be relied on not to be less than 350,000 quintals.   Salt duty on which 43,944 dollars.   Bounties 44,000   Wanted 56   The calculation first made will answer the purpose, 340,000 quintals pay salt duty 42,744 dollars   Tonnage bounty 44,000   Wanted 1256 
This is the mighty defect. Observe the authentic return of the export of fish may be, and export—Whereas to banish all doubt we go to the top of the scale for the tonnage, we take what we know to be the utmost. This we might have represented more favorably if we had chosen to conceal any thing. But even this will answer our purpose.
For 200 tons are wanting in the estimate of the bounties, being 19,800, not 20,000, which will take off one third of the deficient sum.
The tonnage over 68, which receives nothing, is not mentioned—which probably is not less than another third.
The boats under 5 tons tho' trifling, are to be noticed—they receive nothing.
But above all, the chances of non-compliance with the regulations are in favor of the remainder of the 1256 dollars being stopped. Boats may not get 12 quintals to the ton, or vessels may have their voyages broke up, and not stay four months on the fishing ground, in either case they would receive nothing. Take all these together, it is not to be doubted that 1256 dollars will remain of the 44,000 in the treasury.
But these are trifles which I cannot believe gentlemen are anxious about.
For the event cannot be reduced to certainty. What quantity of fish will be exported, no man can tell now. But as government may receive more than it will pay, the chance may turn the other way, and it may have to pay a few hundred dollars more than it will have received. We have
seen that the chance is most in favor of government. But one chance must balance the other. This answer is sincerely relied on as a good one.
I barely mention that the wear of cordage, cables, sails and anchors is very great. These articles on being imported, pay duties. So that it is probable the extra duty paid by the fishery on their extra consumption, will over balance any little sums supposed to exceed in the bounty.
It has been asked, as if some cunning was detected, why if the money received in the treasury to pay the drawbacks is equal to the proposed bounties, a further appropriation should be made? This cunning question admits of several very simple answers.
The bill being for 7 years, the average product is the proper sum to be calculated. But the 3 first years may fall short of the bounties, say 2000 dollars a year, which is 6000
The 4 last may exceed 2000 8000 Shall a poor fisherman wait for the whole, or if he takes his part according to the money in the treasury—for a 24th part of the bounty on his vessel, from 1792 to 1795.
2d. This delay would happen after a bad year, the very time when he would most need prompt pay.
3d. But fish taken this year will not be exported till December next. Therefore the money will not be stopped by the drawback as the law stands, till 6 months after.
A substitute has been proposed for the clause, to appropriate the drawback only.
This is absolutely improper. For the 10 cents allowed as drawback is but a part of the duty paid on salt—It is not easy to see any reason why a part stopped at the treasury should be equal to the whole paid there long before. The drawback falls near 9000 dollars short of the salt duty received by the government. The expence of the drawback would be very heavy and useless.
Nor may gentlemen apprehend that government, by paying next december, will advance money to the fishery. The salt duty will have been paid, and government will have the use of the money many months before the fishermen will have a right to call for the bounties.
It is left to the candor of the gentlemen who have urged this objection, whether a better or further answer is desired.
After having laboriously gone thro' the estimate of the probable export of fish, it will not be necessary to be equally minute as to the quantity or kind of vessels which are to receive the bounty.
The estimate we belive to be very high. That it is high enough, we suppose very probable from the estimate of the Secretary of State, which is only 19,185 tons.
This mode of paying the bounty on the tonnage is very simple and safe—The measurement is already made and costs nothing; and as it was made to pay a duty on tonnage, we are very sure that government will not be cheated by an over measure. The mode of paying the drawback, as the law now stands, is expensive, perplexed and embarrassing; liable to frauds and delays.
This intricate and disgusting detail of calculations was necessary, to satisfy the committee that each of the three grounds of defence on which the bill rests, is tenable.
Instead of impoverishing the nation by scattering the treasure of the whole to benefit a part, it appears that we are preserving a mine of treasure.
In point of naval protection, we can scarcely estimate the fishery too highly. It is always ready, always equal to the object—it is almost the only sufficient source of security by sea. Our navigation is certainly a precious interest of the country. But no part of our navigation can vie with the fishery in respect to the protection it affords.
There is no point which regards our national wealth or national safety, in respect to which it seems practicable to do so much with so little.
We rely on the evidence before you, that the public will not sustain the charge of a dollar. Those ought not to doubt the evidence who cannot invalidate it. If then the fishermen ask you to restore only their own money, will you deny them? Will you return to every other person exporting dutied goods the money he has paid, and will you refuse the poor fishermen?
If there must be an instance of the kind, will you single out for this oppressive partiality, that branch which is described by the Secretary of State as too poor even to bear its part of the common burden. That branch which nevertheless has borne the neglect of our nation, and the persecution of foreign prohibitions and duties:—A branch which, tho' we have received much and expect more both of money and services, urges no claims but such as common justice has sanctioned.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20.
A message from the President of the United States, by his Secretary, Mr. Lear, informed the House, that the bill, entitled "an act to establish the post-office and post-roads of the United

States," has received his approbation and signature.
A message from the Senate, by Mr. Secretary Otis, informed the House, that the act concerning the fisheries, and regulating the seamen employed therein, received the approbation and signature of the President of the United States on the 16th inst.
A petition and memorial of sundry merchants of North-Carolina, engaged in commerce before the late war, was read, and referred to a committee of the whole House on the state of the Union.
In committee of the whole on the representation bill—Mr. Livermore in the chair.
Mr. Seney moved that the 3d and 4th sections, which provide for an apportionment of the representation on the second census, &c. should be struck out.—This motion occasioned some debate, and was disagreed to.
The blank for the ratio of representation on the second census, was filled with "thirty thousand."
The bill was then reported to the House with the amendments. These were taken into consideration, and severally agreed to.
Mr. Dayton moved (in the House) to strike out the second section, which provides for a second enumeration in five years—and called the ayes and noes—which are as follow:
A Y E S.
Messrs. Barnwell, Boudinot, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Clark, Dayton, Gilman, Goodhue, Hillhouse, Key, Kitchell, Learned, Livermore, Niles, Schoonmaker, Seney, J. Smith, Sturges, Sylvester, Thatcher, Treadwell, Tucker, White—23.
N O E S.
Messrs. Ashe, Baldwin, Brown, Findley, Fitzsimons, Gregg, Griffin, Grove, Hartley, Huger, Kittera, Lawrance, Macon, Madison, Moore, Muhlenberg, Murray, Parker, W. Smith, Steele, Sterrett, Sumpter, Venable, Vining, Wayne, Wyllis—26.
Mr. Seney renewed his motion for striking out the 3d and 4th sections, which respect the ratio of representation on the second census, and called for the ayes and noes, which are as follow:
A Y E S.
Messrs. Barnwell, Boudinot, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Clark, Dayton, Gilman, Goodhue, Gregg, Hillhouse, Jacobs, Key, Kitchell, Livermore, Moore, Niles, Page, Schoonmaker, Seney, J. Smith, I. Smith, Sturges, Sylvester, Thatcher, Tucker—25.
N O E S.
Messrs. Ashe, Baldwin, Benson, Brown, Findley, Fitzsimons, Griffin, Grove, Hartley, Huger, Kittera, Lawrance, Macon, Madison, Muhlenberg, Murray, Parker, W. Smith, Sterrett, Sumpter, Treadwell, Venable, Vining, Wayne, White, Wyllis—26.
On filling up the blank in the fourth section with 30,000, the ayes and noes were demanded, and stand thus:
A Y E S.
Messrs. Ashe, Baldwin, Benson, Brown, Findley, Fitzsimons, Griffin, Hartley, Huger, Key, Lawrance, Macon, Madison, Muhlenberg, Murray, Page, Parker, Schoonmaker, Seney, Sterrett, Sumpter, Sylvester, Treadwell, Tucker, Venable, Vining, White, Wyllis—28.
N O E S.
Messrs. Barnwell, Boudinot, S. Bourne, B. Bourne, Clark, Dayton, Gilman, Goodhue, Gregg, Hillhouse, Jacobs, Kitchell, Kittera, Learned, Moore, Livermore, Niles, J. Smith, I. Smith, W. Smith, Sturges, Thatcher—22.
Mr. Livermore laid a motion on the table to the following purport:—That a committee should be appointed to report a bill authorizing the officers of the treasury to settle the claim on the estate of General Greene, so as that the said estate may be indemnified from the claims against it, by virtue of his having become security for certain contractors, who furnished cloathing and rations to the army of the United States, in the state of South-Carolina.
In committee of the whole on a bill providing for the settlement of the claims of certain persons, under particular circumstances, barred by the limitations heretofore established.
Mr. W. Smith in the chair.
The object of this bill is, to admit the claims of such officers, soldiers, artificers, sailors & marines, as may have been inevitably precluded from presenting them, within the times prescribed by the ordinances of the late Congress, dated the 2d November, 1785, and 23d July, 1787.
The committee agreed to sundry amendments, which were reported—the house adopted several of them—others were proposed, but not decided on. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21.
A message from the Senate, by Mr. Secretary Otis, informed the House that the Senate have agreed to all the amendments proposed by the House to the bill relative to the election of a President and Vice-President of the United States, &c. except the last, to which they disagree.
This amendment was to strike out the 9th sec-
tion, and to substitute a clause which provides that the double vacancy in the office of President and Vice-President, shall be filled by the Secretary of State for the time being.
The Secretary also informed the House, that the Senate have chosen a committee, consisting of Mr. Sherman, Mr. Langdon and Mr. Strong, to confer with such committee as the House may see proper to appoint, respecting the business necessary to be acted upon previous to a recess, which they propose should commence the 1st Tuesday in April next.
The representation bill was brought in engrossed, the blanks filled up, and the bill passed—ayes 34, noes 16.
The House took the message from the Senate into consideration, and concurred with them in the appointment of a committee to confer respecting a recess, and chose Messrs. Goodhue, Wadsworth, Lawrance, Sterrett and White on their part.
The disagreement of the Senate to the last amendment of the House to the above bill, was taken into consideration.
It was moved to recede from this amendment—This motion revived the former discussion of this subject.—The question being put, the motion to recede was carried in the affirmative—ayes 31, noes 24.
The House proceeded in the consideration of the amendments to the bill providing for the settlement of the claims of certain persons, under particular circumstances, barred by the limitations heretofore established.
Other amendments were made, and the bill ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
In committee of the whole on the militia bill. Mr. W. Smith in the chair.
The first section being read—a motion to amend it, by striking out part, and introducing a substitute was made. This motion was negatived. The committee made further progress, and then rose and reported and the House adjourned.
DERRY [Ireland] Nov. 7.
Last night the bridge of Derry was for the first time illuminated in a manner which does honor to the corporation. The bridge is one thousand feet long, and there is a globe lamp, with double burners, at every twenty feet distance, which makes fifty globe lamps on each side of the bridge.
They likewise have erected two elegant toll gates, executed in a masterly manner, with iron scroll work, and niches for eight globes, which are likewise lighted.
The corporation have, for the protection of the passengers, employed four watchmen, who are dressed in a very rich livery and armed, and are to patrol the bridge—the whole forms a view which is truly magnificent, and finally completes one of the most superb structures of the kind in Europe.
BOSTON, Feb. 9.
A subscription, we hear, is filled for a SALEM BANK—and that a petition for an act of incorporation will shortly be presented to the Legislature.
The capital of this Bank is said to be 50,000 dollars.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FEB. 7.
The report of the committee on the subject of funding the debt of this Commonwealth, was taken up in the House, and the consideration of it referred to the next session of the General Court.
According to assignment the bill to incorporate the Tontine Association had a third reading—on which the merits of the bill were again combated by Mr. Parsons, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Bacon, advocated by a great number of the members in every quarter of the House, and at eight o'clock the question was put, shall the bill pass—which was determined in the affirmative—yeas 84, nays 51.
FEB. 8.
The committee on the petition of the proprietors of the Duck Manufactory, reported a resolve for continuing the bounty on Duck and Twine, until the 1st of July, 1793.
ALBANY, Feb. 9.
The emigrations from the New-England states to the western parts of this state, are truly astonishing; and what is worthy of particular remark, these emigrants appear all in tolerable circumstances—and most of them go to settle a new and fertile country, with every article of necessary household furniture, farming utensils, stock, &c.
The Indians settled at Brotherstown in Herkimer county, we are told, have sent a petition to the legislature, praying to be put on the footing of free white citizens, except that they do not wish the privilege of selling their lands—They state as reasons for being admitted as free citizens, that they have been brought up in a civilized life, and that they profess the Christian religion.—Many of the Indians settled at Brotherstown can read and write, and some of them speak the English language with no small degree of grammatical propriety.
Philadelphia, February 22.
THE DAY.
SEE, with wide intervals of time and space, How few are scattered of the hero race; Heaven seems to raise them in the expanse of air, Refulgent stars that blaze, and disappear; To deck the night, and mark the wanderer's way, And cheer the nations with benignant ray; But from the centre how they rush afar, And comet-like, shed pestilence and war.
Genius how rare, bellow'd how much in vain, Or worse—destroyer of the race of man! The soul that sparkles with celestial fire, Lights up of power the unquenchable desire; Strong parts to stronger passions lend their force, And swift ambition kindles in its course— How fierce the rage from rivalry that springs, How welcome vengeance wreak'd on tyrant Kings! How victory shouts, how glory lights the skies, And dazzling lustre overpowers his eyes— Now drunk and blind with power—the world his own, He scorns all duties, and wou'd reign alone. Curlt with the rage for fame the hero's age Seems still to redden in the historic page; There truth instructs us, while our sorrows flow, More than the tragic muse she deals in woe.
Now history smiles delighted with her theme, And to admiring nations tells thy name; Thy name, O WASHINGTON, their zeal inspires, Slaves drop their chains, and glow with patriot fires. Another sunshine seems to cheer mankind, And from the frost of ages thaws the mind;
Wak'd by the vernal breeze, see Poland, France, With youth renew'd, and vig'rous health advance. Another spring has shed a sweet perfume, What fruits are promis'd by so rich a bloom!
Round the whole earth may liberty be spread, And vanquish'd slavery hide her hated head.—
The genial star, presiding at thy birth Not to thy country gave thee, but the earth.— Yet in what region 'twixt the pole and line Is not thy country's glory spread with thine? The tongue of Fame is never tir'd of thee, And virtue cries—my champion he shall be; The power confer'd he uses in my cause, He sav'd his country—yet respects the laws; Yet fame by others follow'd, follows him, And kings with envy see their crowns grow dim; They hide their vulgar heads, compell'd to own How much by virtue, fortune is outdone.
With tears of anxious joy, thy country hears, The long recital of thy SIXTY YEARS; And sees how well thy virtues have combin'd Repulsive parts—and by affection join'd: But ah! looks forward to a dreary shore, For fate ordains that thou shalt be no more. Union with discord holds a doubtful strife, Our liberty seems lengthen'd with thy life— To thee may ev'ry gale of heav'n bring health, A boon more precious than a nation's wealth— If heav'n thy valu'd being should prolong, Habit may make the sense of Union strong, Thy breath the bond that keeps us join'd and free— Thus thy admiring country lives with thee.
This day (and not on the 11th inst. as mentioned in a former paper) the PRESIDENT of the United States enters into the 61st year of his age.—The occasion will excite a glow of patriotism and gratitude in the breast of every friend to freedom and mankind.
The election of Governor for the State of New-York is drawing nigh. Three candidates have been started—His Excellency the present Governor, the Hon. John Jay, Chief Justice, and the Hon. Aaron Burr, Senator of the United States.
Anthony Morris, Esq. is elected Senator of this Commonwealth, in the room of the Hon. Richard Peters, resigned.
It seems to be lamented that there are writers who vindicate any of the proceedings of Congress. We are told of ministerial puffers and sycophants. Where one piece appears for government, are there not a score against it?—It seems as if sedition had an hundred tongues, and all of brass.
One of the legion of fault-finders (for they are many) in a late paper, in a very devout and tender hearted sentence, denounces the vengeance of Heaven on the government, because it has oppressed the widow and fatherless in the provision for the public debt. The same writer, however, it seems, would help them no further than by his prayers, or rather his maledictions on Congress; for he considers the provision for the debt unconstitutional, being against the general welfare. The creditors, doubtless, are a minor part, so that the general welfare or convenience is plainly on the side of making no provision for the debt. It goes terribly against the constitution of great numbers to pay their debts. Perhaps this is the ground of the writer's constitutional objection to the funding act. He is also averse to an impost tax—Both these difficulties, however, are overlooked, when he has occasion to mention the oppression of the fatherless and the widows. He calls down divine vengeance on Congress—yet he deems a provision by law for the debt unconstitutional, and the revenue to pay it oppressive. What a friend to the widows and fatherless!
PRICE CURRENT.—PUBLIC SECURITIES.
FUNDED DEBT.
  6 pr. Cents  24/1  pr. £.  120 pr. cent.    3 pr. Cents  14/4  14/5  72 do.    Deferred 6 pr. Cents  14/8   73 3/4 do.  
UNFUNDED DEBT.
  Final Sett. and other Certificates  22/6   110 do.    Indents  14/6   70 do.    half shares Bank Stock  95 per cent premium.    

PRICE CURRENT.—PHILADELPHIA.
PER QUANTITY.
FEBRUARY 20.—DOLLARS 100 Cents each.
Table listing various goods and their prices, including Anchors, Allum, Ashes, Brandy, Braziletto, Bricks, Bread, Beer, Boards, Beef, Butter, Candles, Cheese, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coal, Cocoa, Coffee, Copperas, Cordage, Cotton, Currants, Duck, Feathers, Flax, Flaxseed, Flour, Fustic, Gin, Glue, Ginger, Ginseng, Gunpowder, Grain, Iron, Lead, Leather, Lignum vitae, Logwood, Mace, Mackerel, Madder, Marble, Malt, Molasses, Mustard, Mahogany, Nails, Nutmegs, Oil, and various types of wine and spirits.
IMPERIAL HYSON, SOUCHONG, and BOHEA TEAS, REFINED SUGARS, COFFEE, & SPICES, &c. &c. Of the first quality—by retail, No. 19, Third-Street, between Chesnut and Market Streets.
TO BE SOLD AT PRIVATE SALE, ALL the landed estate of GEORGE WANER, deceased, consisting of a valuable Plantation and tract of Timber Land, supposed to contain between four hundred and 450 acres...
Any person that is disposed to view or purchase the said premises, may see the place and know the terms, by applying to the subscribers near the fame. MARK MILLER and ANDREW MILLER, Executors.
Joseph Anthony, & Son, HAVE FOR SALE, At their Store, No. 5, on Chesnut-Street Wharf, A FEW puncheons choice old Jamaica Spirits, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis Rum, Port-au-Prince, Cape-Francois and Surinam Molasses...
Table for a lottery with 5334 Tickets at 3 Dollars each. Columns show Prize amounts (1 to 10) and the number of prizes for each amount.
This Lottery is composed of 5334 Tickets, not two Blanks to one Prize, and subject to a deduction of twelve and an half per cent. which is more favorable to adventurers than any Lottery yet offered to the public...
The drawing will commence on the second Monday in April, or sooner if the Tickets are disposed of, in the city of New-Brunswick, under the inspection of Col. John Bayard, President of said city; James Parker, Esq. Mayor of the city of Amboy; and Archibald Mercer, Esq. Deputy Governor of the Manufacturing Society of New-Jersey.
American Lead Manufactory. STEPHEN AUSTIN, & Co. HAVE just now opened their LEAD-WAREHOUSE, two doors south of Walnut-Street Wharf, adjoining their New Factory—where they have now made, and ready for sale, a general assortment of SHOT of all sizes, with SHEET and BAR LEAD, the production of the Mines in Virginia.
Disposal Swamp Canal Company. PROPOSALS for cutting a Canal from the waters of Elizabeth River in Virginia, to those of Pasquotank in North-Carolina, or for conducting the work, will be received until the ninth day of April next, by Robert Andrews, of Williamsburg; Thomas Newton, jun. and Daniel Bedinger, of Norfolk, in Virginia; by John Cowper, of Gates County; and Benjamin Jones, of Camden County, in North-Carolina.
By order of the President and Directors, WILLIAM A. BAYLEY, Clerk. Norfolk, January 21. 1792.
PHILADELPHIA, February 16, 1792. NOTICE. THE Officers of the Militia Battalions of the City, the Northern Liberties, and Southern District of Philadelphia, are requested to assemble at the State-House, properly uniformed, at half past 2 o'clock, on Wednesday next, the 22d instant.
TO BE SOLD AT PRIVATE SALE, A VALUABLE PLANTATION, the title indisputable, in the county of Gloucester, supposed to contain five hundred and forty acres of Meadow Land and Cedar Swamp, situate on a branch of Little Egg-Harbour River, in the township of Galloway. There is on said premises a frame house and kitchen, a small hay house and stable.
SALES. Of the real Estate of JOHN KIDD, late of the Township of Bensalem, in the County of Bucks, Esquire, deceased, pursuant to the Directions of his last Will and Testament.
ON Tuesday the 27th of March next will be exposed to Sale, by way of Public Vendue, on the premises—One exceedingly valuable and highly improved Farm, containing about two hundred and ninety-nine acres, situate on the river Delaware; on which is erected a handsome two-story brick house, with a new piazza in the front, two kitchens, a good barn, stables, hay-house, and other convenient outhouses.
Also, at the same time and place, will be sold all the remaining Stock, Household-Furniture, Farming Utensils, and Wheat in the ground. N. B. The conditions of sale will be, one-third of the purchase money to be paid down, and the remainder in two yearly payments with interest.
War Department.
INFORMATION is hereby given to all the military invalids of the United States, that the sums to which they are entitled for six months of their annual pension, from the 4th day of September, 1791, and which will become due on the 5th day of March, 1792, will be paid on the said day by the Commissioners of the Loans within the states respectively, under the usual regulations.
The Printers in the respective states are requested to publish the above in their newspapers, for the space of two months.
PUBLIC SECURITIES, BOUGHT AND SOLD, on COMMISSION, by SAMUEL ANDERSON, Chesnut-Street, next door to the Bank, No. 97.