Gazette of the United-States. (New-York [N.Y.]), 1789-12-26 00:00:00

Gazette of the United States.
[No. LXXIV.]
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1789.
[Published on Wednesday and Saturday.]
THE TABLET.
No. LXXIV.
"It is the business of philosophers to guide; and of poets to delight mankind."
THE following speculation, with the remarks that precede it, were put into the hands of the Editor for publication, and they are presented to the public as the seventy-fourth number of the Tablet.
TO THE EDITOR.
SIR,
YOUR early attention to the Essay under the signature H, which I lately enclosed to you, induces a performance on my part of the promise I then made. The following SKETCH ON POETRY, is an effusion of the same pen, and will, I have no doubt, afford an equal degree of pleasure to those of your readers who delight in PHILOSOPHY, POETRY, the BEAUTIES OF COMPOSITION, or LIBERAL CRITICISM.
M.
SKETCH ON POETRY.
IT has been observed, that it seldom falleth to the share of one man, to be both a philosopher and a poet . These two characters in their full extent, may be said to divide betwixt them the whole empire of genius; for all the productions of the human mind, fall naturally under two heads, works of imagination , and works of reason . There are indeed several kinds of composition, which, to be perfect, must partake of both. In our most celebrated historians, for instance, we meet with a just mixture of the penetration of the philosopher, and the ardor of the poet; still their departments are very wide of one another, and a small degree of attention will be sufficient to shew, why it is so extremely difficult to unite in any high degree, the excellence of each. The end of the poet is to give delight to his readers, which he attempts by addressing their fancy, and moving their sensibility. The philosopher proposes merely to instruct, and therefore thinks it enough if he presents his thoughts in that order, which will render them most perspicuous, and seems best adapted to gain the attention. Their views demand therefore a very different procedure. All that passes under the eye of the poet he surveys in one particular view: Every form and image under which he presents it to the fancy, are descriptive of its effects: He delights to paint every object in motion, that he may raise a similar agitation in the bosom of his reader; but the calm and deliberate thinker, on the contrary, makes it his chief endeavor to seek out the remoter causes and principles which give birth to these appearances.
It is the highest exertion of the philosopher to strip off the false colors that serve to disguise—to remove every particular which fancy, or which folly have combined, and to present to view the simple and naked truth. But the poet, who addresses the imagination and the heart, neglects no circumstance, however fanciful, which may serve to attach his descriptions more closely to the human mind. In describing the awful appearances of nature, he gladly avails himself of all those magic terrors, with which ignorance and superstition have surrounded them; for though the light of reason dispels these shades, they answer the higher purposes of the poet in awakening the passions.
Is it the delight of poetry to combine and associate; of philosophy to separate and distinguish. The one resembles a skilful anatomist, who lays open every thing that occurs, and examines the smallest particular of its make. The other, a judicious painter, who conceals what would offend the eye, and embellishes every subject he undertakes to represent. The same object therefore which has engaged the investigating powers of the philosopher, takes a very different appearance from the forming hand of the poet, who adds every grace of coloring, and artfully hides the nakedness of its inward structure, under all the agreeable foldings of elegance and beauty. In philosophical discussions, the end of which is to explain, every part ought to be unfolded with the most lucid perspicuity. But works of imagination never exert a more powerful influence, than when the author has contrived to throw over them a shade of darkness and doubt. The reason of this is obvious, the evils we but imperfectly discern seem to bid defiance to caution—they affect the mind with a fearful anxiety, and by presenting no limit, the imagination easily conceives them boundless. These species of composition differ still further with respect to the situation of mind requisite to produce them. Poetry is the offspring of a mind, heated to an uncommon degree—it is a kind of spirit thrown off in the ferment of agitated feelings. But the utmost calmness and composure is essential to philosophical enquiry. No-
velty, surprise, and astonishment, kindle in the bosom the fire of poetry, whilst philosophy is reared up by cool and continued efforts. There is one circumstance relating to this kind of composition too material to be omitted. In every nation it has been found that poetry is of much earlier date than any other production of the human mind; as in the individual, the imagination and passions are more vigorous in youth, which in mature age subside, and give way to thought and reflection. Something similar to this seems to vary that genius which distinguishes the different periods of society. The most admired poems have been the offspring of uncultivated ages. Pure poetry, consists in descriptions of nature, and the display of the passions; to each of which, a rude state of society is better adapted, than one more polished. They who live in that early period, in which art has not alleviated the calamities of life, are forced to feel their dependence upon nature; her appearances are ever open to their view, and therefore strongly imprinted on their fancy. They shrink at the approach of a storm, and mark with anxious attention every variation of the sky. The change of season, cloud and sunshine, serenity and tempest, are to them real sources of sorrow and of joy; and we need not therefore wonder they should describe with energy what they feel with so much force. But it is one chief advantage of civilization, that by enabling us in some measure to controul nature, we become less subject to its influence. It opens many new sources of enjoyment. In this situation the gay and cheerful can always mingle in company; whilst the diffusion of knowledge opens to the studious a new world, over which the whirlwind and the blast can exert no influence. The face of nature gradually retires from view, and those who attempt to describe it, often content themselves with copying from books, whereby their descriptions want the freshness and glow of original observation, like the image of an object refracted through various mediums, each of which varies somewhat of its form, and lessens its splendor. The poetry of uncivilized nations, has therefore often excelled the productions of a more refined people, in elevation and pathos. Accustomed to survey nature in her general form, and grander movements, their descriptions cannot fail of carrying with them an air of greatness and sublimity. They paint scenes which every one has felt, and which therefore need only to be presented, to awaken a similar feeling again. For a while they delight us with the vastness of their conceptions, but the want of various embellishment, and the frequent recurrence of the same images, soon fatigue the attention, and their poetry may be compared to the world of waters, which fills us with amazement, but upon which we gaze for a moment, and then turn away our eyes. It is the advantage of enlightened nations, that their superior knowledge enables them to supply greater variety; and to render poetry more copious. They allure us with an agreeable succession of images. They do not weary with uniformity, nor overpower us with any one exertion, but by perpetually shifting the scenes, they keep us in a constant hurry of delight.
The poet's eye, in a fine phrenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven, And as imagination bodies forth, The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing A local habitation, and a name."
SHAKESPEARE'S Midsummer Night's Dream .
I cannot help observing that poetical genius seems capable of a much greater variety than talents for philosophizing . The power of thinking and reasoning is a simple energy, which exerts itself in all men nearly in the same manner. Indeed the chief varieties that have been observed in it, may be traced to two, a capacity of abstract and mathematical reasoning —and a talent for collecting facts, and making observations . These qualities of mind blended in various proportions, will for the most part account for any peculiarities attending men's modes of thinking. But the ingredients that constitute a poet are far more various and complicated. A poet is in a high degree under the influence of the imagination and passions, principles of mind very various and extensive. Whatever is complicated is capable of much greater variety, and will be extremely more diversified in its form, than that which is more simple. In this case every ingredient is a source of variety, and by being mingled in the composition, in a greater or less degree, may give an original cast to the whole. To explain the particular causes which vary the direction of the fancy in different men, would perhaps be no easy task. We are led, it may be, at first, through accident, to the survey of one class of objects—this calls up a particular train of thinking, which we afterwards freely indulge:
It easily finds access to the mind upon all occasions. The slightest accident serves to suggest it. It is nursed by habit, reared up with attention, till it gradually swells to a torrent, which bears away every obstacle, and awakens in the mind a consciousness of peculiar powers. Such sensations eagerly impel to a particular purpose, and are sufficient to give to composition a distinct and determinate character. Poetical genius is likewise much under the influence of the passions. The pensive and the splenetic, the serious and the gay, survey nature with very different eyes. That elevation of fancy which with a melancholly turn will produce scenes of gloomy grandeur and awful solemnity, will lead another of cheerful complexion to delight, by presenting images of splendor and gaiety, and by inspiring gladness and joy. Tho' these and other similar causes may be traced, that boundless variety which diversifies the works of imagination, and which is so great that I have tho' the perusal of fine authors, is like traversing the different regions of the earth; some glow with a pleasant and refreshing warmth, whilst others kindle with a fierce and fiery heat. In one we meet with scenes of elegance and art, all is correct and regular, and a thousand beautiful objects spread their colors to the eye and regale the senses: In another we behold nature in an unadorned majestic simplicity—scouring the plain with tempests—sitting upon a rock, or walking upon the wings of the wind. Here we meet with a STERNE who fans us with the softest breeze of delicacy: And there with a ROUSSEAU who hurries us along in whirlwind and tempest. Hence that delightful succession of emotions which are felt in the bosom of sensibility. We feel the empire of genius, we imbibe its impression, and the mind resembles an enchanted mansion, which at one touch of some superior hand, at one, brightens into beauty, and at another time, darkens into horror!
Even where the talents of men approach most nearly, an attentive eye will ever remark some small shades of difference, sufficient to distinguish them. Perhaps few authors have been distinguished by more similar features of character, than HOMER and MILTON. That vastness of thought which fills the imagination, and that sensibility of spirit which renders every circumstance interesting are the qualities of both. But MILTON is the most sublime—HOMER the most picturesque. HOMER lived in an early age, before knowledge was much advanced, he could derive little from any acquired abilities, and may be therefore styled the poet of nature ; to this source perhaps we may trace the principal difference between HOMER and MILTON. The Grecian poet was left to the natural movements of his own mind, and to the full influence of that variety of passions, which are common to all. His conceptions are therefore distinguished by their simplicity and force. In MILTON who was skilled in almost every department of science, learning seems sometimes to have shaded the splendor of his genius. No epic poet excites emotion so fervid as HOMER, or possesses so much fire; but in point of sublimity he can not be compared to MILTON. I rather think the Greek poet has been thought to excel in this quality more than he really does, for want of a proper conception of its effects. When the perusal of an author raises us above our usual tone of mind, we immediately ascribe these sensations to the sublime, without considering whether they light on the imagination or the feelings: Whether they elevate the fancy or only fire the passions. The sublime has for its object the fancy only; and its influence is not so much to occasion any fervor of feeling, as the calmness of fixed astonishment. If we consider the sublime as thus distinguished from every other quality MILTON will appear to possess it in an uncommon degree: And here indeed lies the secret of his power. The perusal of HOMER inspires us with an ardent sensibility. MILTON with the stillness of surprize. The one fills and delights the mind with the confluence of various emotions. The other amazes with the vastness of his ideas. The movements of MILTON's mind are steady and progressive—he carries the fancy through various successive stages of elevation, and gradually encreases the heat, by adding fuel to the fire. The flights of HOMER are more sudden and transitory. MILTON whose mind was enlightened by science appears the most comprehensive—he shews more acuteness in his reflections, and more subtlety of thought. HOMER who lived more with men, and had perhaps a deeper tincture of the human passions, is by far the most vehement and picturesque. To the view of MILTON the wide scenes of the universe seem to have been thrown open, which he regards with a cool and comprehensive survey, little agitated, and superior to those emotions which affect inferior mortals. HOMER when he rises the highest goes not

beyond the bounds of human nature—he still connects his description with human passions, and tho' his ideas have less sublimity, they have more fire. The appetite for greatness, that appetite which always grasps at more than it can contain, is never so fully gratified as in the perusal of paradise lost . In following MILTON we grow familiar with new worlds. We traverse the immensities of space, wandering in amazement, and finding no bounds! HOMER confines the mind to a narrower circle, but that circle he brings nearer the eye—he fills it with a quicker succession of objects, and makes it the scene of more interesting action.
H.
PHILADELPHIA, December 18.
A CORRESPONDENT has lately perused the publication of a letter giving a curious account of the rising of the waters in lake Ontario, which, from their continual advances, have alarmed the inhabitants around its borders to a great degree, as several buildings which stood at a convenient distance from its ancient boundaries now stand seven feet under water. He takes this opportunity to remark that the tide waters in general on the eastern coast of North America seem at present to be gradually gaining on the land, which is most perceivable in high northern latitudes. With a view to ascertain this matter, he has collected a great number of concurring accounts, among which is a certificate, dated 19th of May, 1788, from a certain Joseph Rice, an intelligent man, who was questioned on this account, the same who brought through these States a moose deer, which he caught to the northward, who offered in the presence of several credible witnesses to swear to the truth of his assertions, which are as follows—That he, the said Joseph Rice, when at home, resides on the banks of Annapolis river, in Nova-Scotia, about 35 miles from the mouth thereof—that along this river are large bodies of ground which shew the stumps and roots of trees, an incredible space below the common high-water mark—that the waters continue to rise higher every year—that he had often heard an elderly person declare, that they had risen so much there, that the tides extend now 50 miles higher up Annapolis river than formerly.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19, 1789.
IN CONVENTION.
Report of the Committee appointed to prepare the draft of a NEW CONSTITUTION.
WE, the People of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ordain and establish this Constitution for its Government.
ARTICLE I.
Section I. THE legislative power of this Commonwealth shall be vested in a General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
II. The Representatives shall be chosen annually by the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, and of each county in the State respectively, on the Tuesday of October.
III. No person shall be a Representative, who shall not, at the time of his election, have been, the three years next preceding, an inhabitant of the State; and one year next preceding, an inhabitant of the city or county in which he shall be chosen.
IV. The Representatives from the city of Philadelphia and the several counties shall be in proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants; provided that the number of Representatives shall never be fewer than sixty, nor more than one hundred: But each county shall have, at least, one Representative. An enumeration of the taxable inhabitants shall be made in three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall, by law, direct. Until such enumeration shall be made, the city of Philadelphia and the several counties of the State shall be respectively entitled to choose the same number of Representatives as is now prescribed by law.
V. The Senate shall consist of not fewer than sixteen, nor more than thirty-two members, chosen in districts, in proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants in each district.
VI. The city of Philadelphia and the several counties of this State, shall be formed into districts, containing each, as nearly as may be, such a number of taxable inhabitants as shall be entitled to elect one Senator; but where that cannot be done, then such a number of adjoining counties shall be formed into one district, as shall be entitled to elect not more than three Senators.
VII. The citizens of the city of Philadelphia and of the several counties in this State, qualified to elect Representatives, when assembled for that purpose, shall, if occasion require, at the same time, at the same places, and in the same manner, elect for every Representative, two persons resident within their city or county respectively, as Electors of the Senator or Senators of their district.
VIII. Within days after their election, the electors of each district shall meet together at some convenient place within the district, and elect the Senator or Senators for their district.
IX. The Senators shall be chosen for four years.
But immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided, as equally as may be, into four classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year; of the second class, at the expiration of the second year; of the third class at the expiration of the third year; and of the fourth class, at the expiration of the fourth year: So that one fourth may be chosen every year.
X. No person shall be elected a Senator, who shall not have resided four years next before his election in the State, the last year whereof shall have been in the district, for which he is chosen. No man shall be a Senator who shall not have attained the age of thirty years. And no Elector shall be chosen a Senator.
XI. No person shall be chosen an Elector, who shall not have resided in the district three years next before his election. And no person shall be chosen an Elector, who is a member of the Legislature, or who holds any office in the appointment of the Executive Department.
XII. Until the enumeration before mentioned shall be made, the number of Senators shall be sixteen.
XIII. The General Assembly shall meet at least once in every year; and such meeting shall be on the Tuesday of November.
XIV. Each House shall choose its Speaker and other officers; and the Senate shall also choose a Speaker pro tempore, when the Speaker shall exercise the office of Governor.
XV. Each House shall be the judge of elections, returns and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day; and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as the House may provide.
XVI. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member: And shall have all other powers necessary for either branch of a free Legislature.
XVII. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and, from time to time, publish them, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, require secrecy: And the yeas and nays of the members of either House, on any question, shall, at the desire of be entered on the journal.
XVIII. The doors of each House shall be open, unless when the business shall be such as, in their judgment, ought to be kept secret.
XIX. Neither House shall without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that, in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
XX. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the Commonwealth. They shall, in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of peace, be privileged from arrest, during their attendance at the session of the respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place.
XXI. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office, under the authority of this Commonwealth, which shall have been created, or the emoluments of which shall have been increased during such time: And no person holding any office, except in the militia under this Commonwealth or the United States, shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
XXII. When vacancies happen in either House, the Speaker of that House shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
XXIII. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments, as in other bills.
XXIV. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law.
XXV. Every bill, which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the Governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if he shall not approve it, he shall return it, with his objections to that House, in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, three-fifths of that House shall agree to pass the bill; it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by three-fifths of that House, it shall become a law. But, in all such cases, the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the name of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journals of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the Governor within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall be presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the General Assembly, by their ad-
jourment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
XXVI. Every order, resolution or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the Governor, and before the same shall take effect, be approved by him; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by three fifths of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in case of a bill.
ARTICLE II.
Section I. The Supreme Executive power of this Commonwealth shall be vested in a Governor.
II. He shall hold his office during the term of three years: and shall be chosen on the Tuesday of October in every third year, by the citizens throughout the Commonwealth, at the places where they shall respectively vote for Representatives.
III. He shall not be capable of holding his office longer than nine years successively; nor shall he be capable of being elected again till three years after the nine successive years shall have been expired.
IV. He must be, at least, thirty years of age; and he must have been an inhabitant of this State during seven years before his election.
V. No person shall be capable of exercising the office of Governor, who, at the same time, shall hold any other office under this State, or any office under the United States.
VI. The Governor shall, at stated times, receive, for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected.
VII. He shall be Commander in Chief of the army and navy of this Commonwealth, and of the militia, except when they shall be called into the actual service of the United States.
VIII. He shall appoint the Chancellor, Judges, Prothonotaries, Clerks, and all other officers of this Commonwealth, whose offices are established by this Constitution, or shall be established by law, and whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for. But no person shall be appointed to an office within any county, who shall not have resided therein one year next before his appointment.
IX. The Governor shall commission all the officers of this Commonwealth.
X. He may require the opinion, in writing, of the officers in each of the Executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices.
XI. He shall, from time to time, give to the General Assembly information of the state of the Commonwealth: and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary or expedient.
XII. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses; and in case of disagreement between them with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper.
XIII. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
XIV. In case of the removal of the Governor from office; or of his death, or resignation, it shall devolve on the Speaker of the Senate until the next annual election of Representatives, when another Governor shall be chosen in the manner herein before mentioned.
XV. The State Treasurer shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by the twenty-sixth section of the first article of this Constitution: All subordinate officers in the Treasury Department, Election Officers, Officers relating to the poor and highways, Constables and other township officers, shall be appointed in such manner as shall be directed by law.
ARTICLE III.
Section I. IN elections by the citizens, every freeman of the age of twenty-one years, having resided in the State two years next before the days of the elections respectively, and paid taxes within that time, shall enjoy the rights of an elector. The sons of freeholders, of the age aforesaid, shall be entitled to vote, though they have not paid taxes.
II. All elections shall be by ballot, except those by those persons in their representative or public capacities; which shall be viva voce .
III. If elections are not properly attended; attendance on them shall be enforced by law.
ARTICLE IV.
Section I. THE House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment.
II. All impeachments shall be tried before the Senate; and the Chancellor of the Commonwealth shall preside therein. When sitting for that purpose, the Senate shall be on oath or affirmation: No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
III. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under this Commonwealth; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.

ARTICLE V.
Section I. THE Judicial Power of this Commonwealth shall be vested in a High Court of Chancery and a Supreme Court...
II. The Chancellor of the Commonwealth, the Judges of the Supreme Court, and the Judges of the several Courts of Common Pleas...
III. The Chancellor, in addition to the other powers and duties of his office, shall cause to be tried, by a jury, such material facts...
IV. The Supreme Court and the several Courts of Common Pleas shall, besides the powers usually exercised by such courts...
V. Until it shall be otherwise directed by the Legislature, the several Courts of Common Pleas shall be established in the following manner...
VI. The Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas respectively, during their continuance in office, shall, the President being one of them...
VII. The Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas respectively shall, during their continuance in office, be Justices of the Courts of Quarter Sessions...
VIII. The Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas shall have the like powers with the Judges of the Supreme Court to issue writs of Certiorari...
IX. The Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas shall be Conservators of the Peace within the several counties of the circuits...
X. A Court of Chancery shall be established within each of the said circuits, except that, in which the high Court of Chancery shall be statedly held...
XI. A competent number of Justices of the Peace for each county shall, from time to time, be appointed by law...
XII. A Register's office for the probate of wills, and granting letters of administration, and an office for the recording of deeds shall be kept in each county.
XIII. Prothonotaries, Clerks of the Peace and Orphans' Courts, Recorders of Deeds, Registers of Wills and Sheriffs shall keep their offices in the county town of the county...
XIV. The title of all process shall be, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by the authority of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
ARTICLE VI.
Section I. SHERIFFS and Coroners shall, at the places of the election of Representatives, be chosen for three years...
II. The freemen of this commonwealth shall be armed and disciplined for its defence: The militia officers shall be appointed in such manner...
ARTICLE VII.
ALL debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the establishment of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the commonwealth...
ARTICLE VIII.
Section I. A SCHOOL or schools shall be established in each county for the instruction of youth, and the State shall pay to the masters such salaries...
II. The arts, sciences, and all useful learning shall be promoted in one or more universities.
III. Religious societies and corporate bodies shall be protected in their rights, immunities and estates.
[Bill of Rights in our next.]
BOSTON, DECEMBER 16.
The Twelve States of America, convened in Federal Convention, which proposed the Constitution, have now all adopted, ratified and confirmed it.
The following are the periods at which the several States adopted the constitution of the United States, viz.—
Delaware, Dec. 3. Pennsylvania, Dec. 13. New-Jersey, Dec. 19, 1787. Georgia, Jan. 2. Connecticut, Jan. 9. Massachusetts Feb. 6. Maryland, April 28. South Carolina, May 23. New-Hampshire, June 21. Virginia, June 25. New-York, July 25, 1788. And North Carolina, Nov. 20, 1789.
THE GUEST.—No. VIII.
"Ghosts and Hobgoblins rise, From fear, and from surprise."
THE tyranny of superstition over the hopes and fears of an ignorant world, was long maintained with a way totally incredible to the present enlightened age.
"Rule in the whirlwind, and direct the storm," as if, the Creator and Lord of all, because he had, in some sense, perfectly unintelligible to us, assigned the air as the element of evil spirits...
LONDON, Nov. 7.
THE Duke of Orleans had a private audience of the Queen, in her own apartments.
The celebrated Herschell has discovered a seventh Satellite, moving round Saturn, and still nearer to his body than any of the rest.
Intelligence from Russia informs, that they had the finest Autumn in that country ever remembered—All was quiet in that empire.
The batteries which the Russians had taken near Elgso, were attacked by the Swedes, on the 6th Oct. and carried with fixed Bayonets.
The Lincolnshire Ladies under the auspices of Lady Banks, persevere in their patriotic scheme, for the encouragement of their county manufactures.
Extract of a letter from New-York, dated August 4, 1789. You will see by our news-papers, that the taxes imposed by Congress are very trifling; they will, however, raise a large revenue...
NEW-YORK, DECEMBER 26.
The President of the United States has been pleased to appoint the Hon. WILLIAM PACA, Judge of the Federal Court, for Maryland district, vice the Hon. THOMAS JOHNSON, resigned.
Members of Congress now in this city: SENATE, President of the Senate.—Mr. Dalton.—Mr. Johnson.—Mr. Schuyler.—Mr. King.—Mr. Izard.—Mr. Butler.
REPRESENTATIVES, Mr. Gilman.—Mr. Gerry.—Mr. Lawrence.—Mr. Benion.—Mr. Scott.—Mr. Coles.—Mr. Brown.—Mr. Griffin.—Mr. Huger.—Mr. Smith, of South-Carolina.—Mr. White.—Mr. Otis, Secretary of the Senate. Mr. Beckley, Clerk of the House.
Wednesday arrived the British Packet Queen Charlotte, Capt. RADCLIFF, in 30 days from Falmouth—From English papers we state the following particulars in brief.—
The National Assembly commenced their proceedings at Paris, the 14th of October.
The contributions of plate for public service, in France, amount to about 120,000 marks of silver. A list of pensions is published; there are no less than 40,000 persons on it!
ate; that Religion and the Laws are prophaned; the rights and franchises of provinces violated; and that the lawful authority of the Monarch and his liberty, were lost in the cabals of the National Assembly."
Martial Law has been proclaimed, but has not been put in execution but in one instance—the case of the murderers of a baker.—Three districts of Paris are petitioning for the repeal of this law.—Count Mirabeau carried the following resolve in the National Assembly...
M. Camus the President of the National Assembly being unpopular with the democratic party, they found means to harrafs him in such manner as to induce him to resign—and M. Freteau was elected to the chair.—October 29, the National Assembly decreed...
The King still resides in the Thuilleries, guarded by the national militia. The Ministry has, in a body, addressed the National Assembly, on the incompetency of the Executive power.
The American funds on the London Exchange, are at 50 pr. cent. and many buyers.—Alderman PICKET is elected Lord Mayor of London. The total amount of the several branches of the British revenue, under the heads of customs, excises, stamps, and incidents, for the week, ending Oct. 23, 1789, as delivered in, to the Exchequer, is £.294,580 1 2d.
The following lines appeared in the Massachusetts Centinel of the 16th inst. under a sketch of twelve pillars, emblematic of the twelve states now in the union.—A small black column appears at the end of the Colonnade, almost prostrate, borne down by a paper bill, marked 40 for 1—pendant from the pillar:—
The GREAT PALLADIUM of our happy land Connects "the Union" by a "golden chain;" Which kept entire, these Federal States shall stand As long as Time's old annals shall remain: And nations see with joy, the beauteous Dome, "COLUMBIA's boast, and FREEDOM's hallow'd home."
Over the same pillars in the Independent Chronicle of the 17th, are the following:—
To rear the sacred TEMPLE to the skies, Behold these Adamantine COLUMNS rise; Where lasting strength unites with beauteous grace, UNION the Arch* and LIBERTY the Base; Where glorious PRIDE and patriot VIRTUE meet, And INDEPENDENCE finds her safe retreat. All hail POSTERITY, if from your hearts Your Father's Heav'n-born VIRTUE ne'er departs; Then shall THIS TEMPLE stand, till vengeful fire, Consume the spheres, and TIME himself expire.
* See Hon. Mr. BOWDOIN's Speech in Convention. The Selectmen of Boston, agreeable to powers vested in them by the town, have named the Highway (formerly called Boston Neck) commencing from Orange Street, and extending to the end of the town, Bounding on Roxbury, WASHINGTON STREET—and have recorded the same accordingly.

MR. ADAMS'S LETTERS.
LETTER XXV.
AMSTERDAM, OCT. 27, 1780.
SIR, QUESTION twenty-eighth.—“Has America gained, or lost, by the mutual capture of ships? How much is the benefit, or prejudice, of it by calculation?”
America has gained. She took early, from the English, ordinance and ammunition ships, and supplied herself in that way with those articles when she had them not, and could not otherwise obtain them; she has taken, in this way, a great number of British and German soldiers; she has taken a vast number of seamen, who have generally insisted on board our privateers; she has taken great quantities of provision, cloathing, arms, and warlike stores; she has taken every year more and more, since, 1775, and will probably continue to take more and more every year, while the war lasts. I have certain intelligence, that there have been this year carried into Boston and Philadelphia only, ninety-nine vessels, in the months of July and August. On board of these vessels there were not less than eight hundred seamen: Many of the ships were very rich. The vessels the English have taken from the Americans were of small value: This year they have been few in number.
I am not able to give you an exact calculation. The Quebec ships were worth from thirty to forty thousand pounds sterling each, and there were two-and-forty of them in number.
Privateering is a great nursery for seamen; and if the Americans had not imprudently sacrificed such a number of their frigates and privateers in the attack and defence of places, these alone would, by this time, well nigh have ruined the British commerce, navy, and army.
I have the honor to be, &c. JOHN ADAMS.
MR. CALKOEN.
LETTER XXVI.
AMSTERDAM, OCTOBER 27, 1780.
SIR, I BELIEVE you will be pleased, when I tell you, I now come to the twenty-ninth, and last question, which is, “What are the real damages sustained, or still to be suffered, by the loss of Charleston? And what influence it has had upon the minds of the people?”
An interruption of the commerce of indigo and rice; the loss of many Negroes, which the English will steal from the plantations, and send to the West-India islands for sale; a great deal of plunder of every sort; much unhappiness among the people, and several lives of very worthy men will be lost: But the climate will be death to European troops; and, at an immense expence of men and money, they will ravage for a while, and then disappear.
The effect of the surrender of Charleston, and the defeat of Gates, has only been to awaken the people from the dreams of peace.
The artifices of the English, holding out ideas of peace, seem to have deceived both the Americans and their allies, while they were only contriving means to succour Gibraltar, and invade Carolina. The people are now convinced of their mistake, and generally roused. But these disasters will have no more effect towards subduing America, than if they had taken place in the East-Indies. I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS. MR. CALKOEN.
SEASONABLE HINTS.
AT this inclement season, as our seamen are often put to difficulties, and our mercantile interest subject to great loss in consequence of the obstruction which happens to the navigation by the formation of the ice in our rivers and bays, whereby vessels have been impeded in their course sometimes to the great injury of vessels, loss of property, and endangering, if not actual loss of, the lives of many of that valuable class of men, the seamen—as well as attended with suffering and hardships; which it becomes the humane to endeavor to provide against, so far as is consistent with their abilities: With this view, I have wished that the following simple method of breaking away the ice a-head of the vessel might generally be known—for which purpose the printers of the several newspapers on the continent may give it a place in their papers.
When a vessel is inclosed with ice, which is practicable to make a way through, let a boat be taken a-head of the vessel, and fixed with a rope through the ring-bolt in the head of the boat, up to the head of the bowsprit; then hoist the fore-part of the boat up a little, so that it will have a bearing forward on this rope; fasten the stern of the boat to the head of the vessel, and break away the ice about the bow of the vessel, so as to let the stem of the boat sink a little into the water, and about one third of the length of the boat from the stern, to have a bearing with the keel of the boat on the edge of the unbroken
ice a-head: now load the boat with eight or ten barrels of flour, or other heavy lumber sufficient, and let two men get into the boat, and rock it from side to side continually, at the same time have the necessary sail set on board the vessel, and the boat will break away with her keel, the ice, so as to admit a passage for the vessel.
This method has been successively practised in divers instances, so as to bring vessels through a body of ice which appeared otherwise impracticable; and at the rate of three miles an hour, has cleared a passage out of creeks, and up creeks, through a body of ice which would bear, as my informant mentioned, a sled and two horses, to the admiration of some spectators.
The very awkward manner which some foreigners, who may be unpractised in navigating northern shores, have attempted to disengage vessels from among ice in our river, has induced the writer of this more particularly for their information, to communicate this simple method of breaking it for their benefit: The American navigators, being remarked for their activity and ingenuity, may not stand in need of any hints on this head. B.
From a Philadelphia paper.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
ABSTRACT OF JOURNAL OF THE FIRST SESSION of the SENATE of the UNITED STATES.
THURSDAY, August 6.
THE Senate proceeded to a second reading of a bill, entitled, “An act for allowing a compensation to the President and Vice President of the United States,” and committed it to Mr. Morris, Mr. Read, Mr. Elmer, Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Langdon, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Strong, Mr. Few, Mr. Izard Mr. Lee.
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, July 27, 1789.
The House proceeded to consider the report of a committee of the whole House, to whom was referred the report of the committee appointed to confer with a committee of the Senate, in preparing joint rules to be established between the two Houses, for the enrolment, attestation, publication, and preservation of the acts of Congress; and to regulate the mode of presenting addresses and other acts to the President of the United States: Whereupon, Resolved, That the following be established joint rules between the two Houses, to wit:
That while bills are on their passage between the two Houses they shall be on paper, and under the signature of the Secretary or Clerk of each House respectively.
After a bill shall have passed both Houses, it shall be duly enrolled on parchment by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, or the Secretary of the Senate, as the bill may have originated in the one or the other House, before it shall be presented to the President of the United States.
When bills are enrolled, they shall be examined by a joint committee of one from the Senate, and two from the House of Representatives, appointed as a standing committee for that purpose, who shall carefully compare the enrolment with the engrossed bills as passed in the two Houses, and correcting any errors that may be discovered in the enrolled bills, make their report forthwith to the respective Houses.
After examination and report, each bill shall be signed in the respective Houses, first by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and then by the President of the Senate.
After the bill shall have been signed in each House, it shall be presented by the said committee to the President of the United States for his approbation, it being first endorsed on the back of the roll, certifying in which House the same originated, which endorsement, shall be signed by the Secretary or Clerk, as the case may be, of the House in which the same did originate, and shall be entered on the journal of each House. The said committee shall report the day of presentation to the President, which time shall also be carefully entered on the journal of each House.
All orders, resolutions and votes, which are to be presented to the President of the United States for his approbation, shall also in the same manner be previously enrolled, examined, and signed, and shall be presented in the same manner, and by the same committee, as is provided in case of bills.
That when the Senate and House of Representatives shall judge it proper to make a joint address to the President, it shall be presented to him in his audience chamber by the President of the Senate, in presence of the Speaker and both Houses.
Read, and resolved, That the Senate do concur in the report.
A message from the House of Representatives, with a bill, entitled, “An act for registering and clearing vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes.”
An enrolled bill, entitled, “An act for the support of light-houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers.”
An enrolled bill, entitled, “An act to provide for the Government of the territory north-west of the river Ohio.”
An enrolled bill, entitled, “An act to establish an Executive Department to be denominated the Department of War.”—Several signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The three last mentioned bills were signed by the Vice President, and delivered to the committee of enrolment for presentation—Which was accordingly done.
Proceeded to the first reading of a bill, entitled, “An act for registering and clearing vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes.”
And assigned Monday next for a second reading.
The Secretary carried to the House of Representatives the bill, entitled, “An act to establish the Treasury Department,” with the resolution of the Senate to insert on their eighth amendment: Also
The concurrence of the Senate in the resolve of the House of Representatives of the 4th of August, and the appointment of a committee on the part of the Senate, to consider the business necessary to be transacted previous to recess of Congress. Adjourned.
ADVERTISEMENT.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE OHIO COMPANY.
WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Agents, it is very much for the interest of the proprietors at large, that all the lands of the purchase should be divided and allotted as immediately as may be—And in order to accommodate them generally, by the option of classing as they may think proper, and drawing either together in contiguity, or by detaching and annexing them, to distinct classes or divisions (at their own election) to give them the greater chance for variety in soil and situation—It is unanimously resolved, That as soon as the exploring committee shall have appropriated the lands for donation settlements, in quantity sufficient for all the proprietors, WINTHROP SARGENT, JOSEPH GILLMAN, and RETURN J. MEIGS, Esquires, who are hereby appointed a committee for that purpose, shall immediately make out, upon a large scale, a complete map or plan of the whole purchase from the best information, which they may be then able to obtain, expressing all the lands of the eight acre, three acre, city lots and commons,
one hundred and sixty acre, and donation lots, the reserved lots of Congress, school lots, and lots appropriated for religious purposes—also, the two townships given by Congress for an university, and the towns or situations for towns to be reserved by the company for a future allotment.—That, all the residuary lands shall, upon paper, into forty equal grand divisions of twenty-five shares each, as like in quality as may be: That each grand division be divided into five sub-divisions of five shares each, and each sub-division into sections of single shares: That as soon as the map or plan is completed, the agents will form or class their subscribers (who shall not previously class themselves) by sections or single shares, into sub-divisions of five, and grand divisions of twenty-five, and immediately proceed to drawing by lot for said lands; by grand divisions, sub-divisions and sections: That in all proprietors, holding four, three, or two and single shares, it shall be the usage for the greatest proprietor, or holder of the greatest number of shares, to take his lands in contiguity, by lot, either in the southern or northern part of the sub-division, where they shall be numbered from north to south, and in the western or eastern (by lot also) where they may be numbered from west to east; and where sub-divisions may be made up of two proprietors of two shares each, and one of one share, the two greatest proprietors shall receive their sections, by lot, either in the southern or western part of the sub-division. Resolved, That the before named committee, be directed to prepare the names and numbers, and make all the necessary arrangements for the intended draught: That previous to the drawing for this ultimate grand division of lands, there shall be returns of the proprietors, as they may be classed by the agents (or otherwise) lodged in the Secretary's office, and it is recommended in all cases to consult the inclinations and interests of the proprietors in the order of classing.
Resolved, That the agents will give public notice of the time and place of drawing, and that there be two persons no ways interested in the draughts, who shall be sworn to the faithfully drawing out the names and numbers from the boxes, and who alone shall be employed in this business for the draught of grand divisions, sub-divisions, and sections.
Resolved, That the Secretary cause the foregoing resolutions to be published in the newspapers of New-York, and the New-England States; to the end that the proprietors at large may have the option of classing themselves as they may think proper: And they are hereby requested to do, and to express themselves upon this subject, either to their respective agents, or by information in writing addressed to, and to be lodged with the Secretary, at his office in the city of Marietta, previous to the first Monday of March, 1790—Upon which day it is expected the division will take place.
WINTHROP SARGENT, Secretary to the Ohio Company.
Marietta, 3d November, 1789.
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE Gazette of the United States circulates in every part of the Union—being honored by subscribers in Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, New-York, Connecticut, Rhode-Island, Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, and District of Maine, Canada, Europe, and the West Indies. This extensive circulation renders it a proper vehicle for ADVERTISEMENTS of a general, commercial and governmental import:—By the particular desire and advice, therefore, of a number of its patrons, this paper will be open for the reception of advertisements of the above description; which as they will convey intelligence of an interesting nature, the Editor hopes their insertion will meet the approbation of his friends in general. Should the number at any time amount to more than a page in the Gazette, they will be given in a Supplement.
JOHN FENNO.
PRICE CURRENT.—NEW-YORK.
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