Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 1798-01-24 00:00:00

Gazette of the United States, and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser.
By JOHN FENNO, No. 119 Chestnut Street.
NUMBER 1677.1
PHILADELPHIA: WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24, 1798.
[VOLUME XIII.]
Marshal's Sales.
UNITED STATES, }
Pennsylvania District }
NOTICE is hereby given, that in pursuance of a writ to me directed, by the Hon. Richard Peters, Esq. Judge of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Pennsylvania District, will be exposed to Public Sale at the Custom-house, on Monday, the 29th day of January inst. at 12 o'clock at noon.
Marshal's Sales.
UNITED STATES, }
Pennsylvania District }
BY virtue of an order from the District Court of the United States, in and for the Pennsylvania District, will be exposed to sale at Chubb's Street wharf, on Saturday the 27th inst. at 12 o'clock at noon, for the benefit of the concerned - viz.
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY - JANUARY 19.
Debate on Foreign Intercourse.
(Continued from yesterday.)
Mr. HARPER observed, that if gentlemen who supported this motion had confined themselves to the question, and to those considerations on which its decision had usually turned; had they contented themselves with attempting to show that the diplomatic establishment was unnecessary in general, or inexpedient at this particular juncture, he should have deemed it unnecessary, and even improper, to add any remarks to those which he had yesterday submitted to the committee; having then urged those considerations which he regarded as the most important in deciding this question. But gentlemen had taken a wider range. Not content with insisting that the present diplomatic establishment is unnecessary or improper in itself, they had made a formal attempt to fix a legislative censure on the conduct of the executive, and had added to this a personal attack, of a most illiberal and unfounded nature, on a gentleman formerly a member of the house, but now holding a diplomatic employment. He said, unfounded and illiberal, because the fact alleged against that gentleman, and which went to charge him with having given a vote in an important case, with a view of promoting his private interest, was not supported or pretended to be supported, by any kind of proof; and because no person of aliberal or delicate mind would advance a charge of that magnitude, especially against a silent man, without the most substantial evidence. For these reasons, Mr. Harper said he should make some additional observations on what had fallen from gentlemen in this stage of the debate, and chiefly with a view to refute, which he should do in the most unadorned manner, the accusation so ungenerously made against his former colleague; a refutation which he was the more inclined to undertake because that gentleman was three thousand miles distant, and could not defend himself. But before he went into that refutation, Mr. Harper said, he would advert to some of those things having the appearance of argument, which had been advanced by gentlemen in favor of the motion since he rose before. As to all the idle declamation about executive influence, the danger of corruption, and the encroachments of patronage, on which the changes had now been rung, and which had been the constant topic of harangues in all governments constituted like ours from the days of James I. till the present moment; he considered them as unworthy of answer or regard: Neither now nor heretofore, were they intended as arguments but were thrown out merely ad captandum vulgus. They had hitherto produced no effect in this country, and he was not afraid of their producing any; because the description of people who might be denominated vulgus, was very inconsiderable in number here, and the good sense of the great mass had always enabled them properly to appreciate, and of course wholly to disregard, clamours of this kind. He should therefore now pass them by, as he had always done before, without an answer; but on those few positions which approached towards argument, he should bestow some few remarks.
One of these had been advanced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gallatin) who had made it the basis of almost all his other observations. It was this: that our political relations were distinct from our commercial relations; which last were managed by consuls, not by ministers; and that as consuls would still be employed although the ministers should be discontinued, our commercial interests would not suffer or be neglected. But was that gentleman yet to learn, amidst all the research of which the house so often heard the boast, was he yet to learn that almost all our political relations, and the whole of those which were still the subject of dispute, grew out of commerce? Was he yet to learn that our present dispute with one of the great European powers, grew wholly out of commercial relations? Was he yet to learn that the dispute which we lately settled with another great power, was in a great measure of a commercial nature? It was a fact, Mr. Harper said, which surely must be known to the gentleman from Pennsylvania; that we now have no differences with any nation, not even any interfering interests, which are not commercial. We had formerly a dispute about boundary with Great-Britain, and another with Spain, but both had been settled. All our treaties moreover, except in these two instances, were founded on commercial interests; and commercial interests were the only points by which we touched other nations, were the only sources from whence our political intercourse with them could flow. And yet the gentleman from Pennsylvania had affirmed that our political intercourse, was distinct from our commercial relations! These commercial relations he had further affirmed, were managed by consuls, from whence he had attempted to establish the inference that ministers were unnecessary. Did the gentleman from Pennsylvania believe this himself, or did he hope to make the committee believe it? Or did the affection proceed from that bold reliance on the ignorance or carelessness of others, whereof that gentleman had given so many proofs? our consuls, as that gentleman must well know, were circumscribed in their sphere and their powers. They were confined to particular towns, were in very many instances foreigners, enjoyed no salary, except those to the Barbary powers, and possessed no public or diplomatic character. Their functions, too, were no less confined: the
relief of the private wants, and some assistance in the private affairs of mariners and merchants, at the respective places of their consulates. But those great and general interests of commerce which form the basis of treaties, and are among the most important objects of national intercourse, and of the law of nations, are wholly above the reach of consuls, and wholly confined to those public agents whom we call ministers, and who alone possess the means, by their character, by their situation, and by their intercourse with the governments to which they are sent, of regulating, superintending, and preserving those interests. Did not the gentleman from Pennsylvania know this? He did know it; and yet he had asserted that our political and commercial relations were wholly distinct, that the latter were managed by consuls, and that for the preservation of our commercial interests and rights, ministers were not necessary. These assertions, on the slightest examination, vanished into air, and left nothing to be wondered at, but the boldness wherewith they were made. If commercial interests therefore, Mr. Harper said, were the basis of all our political intercourse, was it proper to discontinue our ministers? Was this a time to leave our commerce to itself in the various countries where it was carried on, or even to weaken our means of supporting and protecting it? Was our situation now less critical than heretofore, our commerce and our rights less threatened, or had we less need of the confidence and good will of other nations? Was it of less importance to us now that the justice of our cause should be well understood, the principles of our conduct clearly explained, the foundation of our claims fully laid open, than when these ministers were appointed. When we were on the eve, perhaps of a struggle for our national independence, was it a time to cast censures on the executive, to weaken its hands, and to sow dissension in the government? When the time, perhaps, was on the point of arriving, when we must resist encroachments or yield up our rights, was that a moment to diminish our chance of having those rights well understood, and generally acknowledged? He believed not. If there were gentlemen who wish to disgrace this government, to deliver up this country, bound hand and foot, to foreign power, confers that we have been wrong, and tread back our steps, if there were such gentlemen, it would be perfectly consistent in them to vote for a measure the natural effect of which was to weaken the government, divide the country, and impair our standing among foreign nations in a moment of crisis: but if there were no persons of this description, which he fondly hoped; if, as he firmly believed, a large majority of that house was determined to exert the whole force of the country in defence of its rights sooner than yield them up; they, he trusted, would agree with him in opinion, that we ought now, above all other times, to stand strong in the good opinion of foreign powers, that our foreign intercourse was more important to us now than ever heretofore, and that sound policy forbid its diminution. And yet, Mr. Harper said, this is the moment, it is in this critical situation of our affairs, that the patriotism of gentlemen calls on them to refuse the appropriations heretofore granted for the support of our ministers abroad! This is the moment in which they chuse to say to the world, "the Executive cannot be trusted; he has employed useless ministers, has expended the public money improperly, and we, no longer able to confide in him, will withhold that provision which the house has repeatedly functioned, and which it renewed and enlarged no longer ago than! How late!" Whence this change of conduct! How has the Executive become less worthy of confidence than it was in June? Is it because he has adopted a course of measures less tame and supple towards a foreign nation, than gentlemen desired? If this were the motive, he believed it would neither be avowed by gentlemen themselves nor borne by the country; and yet what other could be assigned? Mr. Harper then took notice of the remarks which had fallen from Mr. Gallatin yesterday, with respect to the manner in which the different appropriations for foreign intercourse had been made, and supported his former statement by a particular reference to the accounts, and the proceedings of the house. Mr. Harper said, he would now advert to another position advanced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gallatin) and founded on a total misrepresentation of what he, Mr. Harper, had stated when he was first upon this question. He should hardly have thought it conceivable that the gentleman from Pennsylvania, after a sentiment had been uttered in debate by a person whom he wished to oppose, should immediately rise and wholly misrepresent it to suit his own purpose; had he not seen so many instances of the boldness wherewith that gentleman relied on the inattention or the credulity of the house. That gentleman, on the present occasion, had represented him as having attributed the opposition to executive measures in that house, to the anger which gentlemen felt at the disappointment of their hopes of obtaining offices: and he had then gone on to infer that the hope of obtaining offices must also influence the conduct of those members who usually supported the measures of the Executive; since, if disappointment in the pursuit of office could produce opposition, it was equally fair to attribute a contrary conduct in other members to the hope of succeeding in this pursuit. But Mr. Harper affirmed that he had said no such thing; that he had never attributed the
Custom-House Sales.
Philadelphia, January 13, 1798.
ON Monday, the 29th of January, 1798, at 12 o'clock, will be sold by public auction, at the Custom-House, in pursuance of the laws in that case made and provided, the following articles of merchandise, having been stored more than nine months and not claimed by the owners or consignees thereof; which articles may be viewed during the space of three days antecedent to the day of sale, between the hours of nine and two o'clock.
An elegant House, No. 78.
IN Walnut-street, which is 25 feet front, by 171 feet deep, with a lot adjoining 20 x 12 feet wide, by 25 feet 9 inches deep; this lot is back of the house occupied by George Willing, Esq. The house is completely finished in every respect. It is 50 feet deep, has two large parlours, the front one 24 feet, the back 22 by 18 1-2 feet; a handsome drawing room 24 1-2 by 24 feet; the rooms below, the drawing-room, and chamber adjoining, have mahogany doors, and these rooms, as well as the rooms above them, have a communication with each other; the height in the first and second stories are 12 feet, and those rooms have fluoro cornices and nine rooms up stairs, besides the garrets, which are divided into three rooms, a good kitchen, wash and milk house, shower and plunging baths, a large ice house, a pump in the yard, and a 3 feet 3 inch alley, that leads into Fourth-street. The cellars are laid with lime and floored with two inch plank and plastered: the yard is well paved, and the house is clear of ground rent; it is rented for one year for 400 pounds per annum from the 4th of November last. Two brick stables in Walnut-street, with two coach houses, one of them will hold two carriages, the other one; the smallest stable has room for three, and the largest for four horses: it is 21 feet front on Walnut-street, by 50 feet 3 inches deep; they have excellent lofts over them, and are now rented for 100 pounds per annum; the cellar is arched and laid with two inch plank, and will hold about 100 tons of wine; is clear of ground rent; has the privilege of an 11 x 22 feet alley, that leads into Fifth-street. Also, a large brick store, 32 feet front on fourth street, by 50 deep, which might at a small expence be turned into a handsome dwelling house, having been so contrived in the building; it has a yard 48 feet 6 inches deep, by 24 wide; has a rain water pump and necessary, and the cellars laid with two inch plank, and is now rented at 250 pounds per annum; the rent was paid down for 18 months. This building is subject to a ground rent of eleven dollars and three quarters per annum. A lot situate on the east side of Fourth-street, 20 feet front by 50 feet, it joins on the end of Dr. Ruff's lot, and has the privilege of a three feet alley adjoining, it is subject to a ground rent of six dollars per annum. Purchasers, before the sale, may apply to the subscriber, GEORGE MEARS, or FOOTMAN & CO. auctioneers.
Public Sale of Real Estates.
On THURSDAY Evening, the 15th of February next, will be exposed to Public Sale, at the Merchants' Coffee-house in Second-street, at 6 o'clock in the evening, the following ESTATES.
No. 1. A two story brick House, with a two story frame Building, on a lot 20 feet front and 100 feet deep; also, a vacant Lot of 40 feet square, with the privilege of an alley to go thereto. This interest has lately been let for 400 dollars per annum, and is situated in Christian-street, between Front and Second-streets, the second house from Mr. Caleb Ash's.
No. 2. A three story brick House, situate at the north east corner of Chestnut streets, being 14 feet on Second-street, and 20 feet on Chestnut-street, now in the tenure of Mr. Morange, at the yearly rent of 400 dollars, and is deemed one of the best stands for the sale of dry goods in this city.
No. 3. A handsome well finished three story brick House, 20 feet front and 100 feet deep, situate in Fifth-street, between Market and Arch-streets, No. 40. This house is built and finished in the modern style, is in complete repair, with double cellars under the whole. There is a cistern of rain water in the yard; and the house is at present let for 600 dollars per annum with the taxes.
No. 4. A three story brick House, situate in Plum-street, between Second and Third street, being 20 feet front and 136 feet deep, at present occupied by Robert Keary.
No. 5. A three story brick House, on the bank side of Front-street, No. 171 North, going thro' to Water-street, where it is five story. It is 20 feet front and 48 feet deep, in complete repair, and is rented for 600 dollars per annum. The conditions of Sale are, one quarter cash, one quarter in 6 months, one quarter in 9 months, and one quarter in 12 months. Philadelphia, Jan. 12, 1798. 3awt15F
FOR SALE.
By JOHN MILLER, JUN. & Co.
No. 8, Chestnut-street,
One hundred and eighty bales
BENGAL GOODS,
Amongst which are,
Gurrabs Mamoodies
Baltas Sannas
Guzzemahs Tanda Coffees
Guzzies Emeretics
Blue Cloths Calicos
Palampooras Romahl Handkerchiefs
Amongst them are a great proportion of the manufactures of Patna. December 1. $
Philadelphia & Lancaster Turnpike Company.
January 4, 1798.
At a meeting of the President and Managers, this day, a dividend of 5 dollars per share was declared for the last half year, which will be by them retained, for the payment of the debts of the Company, agreeable to a resolution of the Stockholders the 12th June last.
TENCH FRANCIS, Treasurer
Of the Philadelphia & Lancaster Turnpike Company. January 8 m3aw43V
JUST RECEIVED,
(via New-York) AND NOW OPENING, BY
GEORGE DOBSON,
No. 25, South Third street,
An extensive and general assortment of HABERDASHERY, viz.
Best London mixt Pins
Common do. do.
Makenzie's super-patent white chapel Needles
Nuns Thread no. 6 to 40, regularly assorted
Lille do. no. 130 to 300, regularly assorted
Coloured do.
Black sewing Silks
Coloured do. and Twift Silk and cotton Wires
Do. do. Ribbands
Shirt Moulds and Wires
Black brush Feathers
A complete assortment of Goods, suitable to the present and approaching season, at reduced prices. Dec. 6. df
To be sold,
AN ELEGANT COUNTRY SEAT, containing 6 acres and 40 perches, with a neat two story brick House and Kitchen thereon, an apple Orchard, &c. situate on the Irish tract lane, in the township of Moyamensing, about one mile from the city of Philadelphia. Further particulars will be made known upon application at the office of the Philadelphia Gazette. The improvements upon this place, for taste and elegance, stand unrivaled. December 1. df
NOTICE.
ALL persons concerned are hereby notified, that the subscriber intends to apply for a renewal of the undermentioned lost certificates of Stock in the Bank of the United States. He forwarded them under cover of a letter addressed to John Anley, of London, by the ship Bacchus, capt. George, which left this port in June last for London. But that ship having been captured on her passage and sent to France, the above letter and inclosures have failed in their destination. Three certificates, viz. Nos. 26325, 26326, 26327, each for four shares, dated January 1st, 1797, and issued in the name of Henry Grace, of Tottenham Highcross, Great Britain. ZACCHEUS COLLINS. Philadelphia, november 8. zaw6W
The Subscriber intends to make
application for the renewal of a Certificate of a Share in the Bank of the United States, standing in the name of A. B. No. 8024, dated July 11, 1797, the same having been lost. JOHN GRAHAM. Richmond, Dec. 1. 6W
For Sale by the Subscribers,
Prime Rice in whole and half tiers
Bourdeaux Brandy
Teneriffe Wine
Malaffes
Georgia and Carolina Indigo
Ravens Dusk and one baghead of pair brabbi. N. & J. Frazier. No. 95, South Front Street. Nov. 7. dsm.

had given it, would induce it to correct its error in time to come.
But what did this supposed determination, at which gentlemen expressed such alarms, amount to? Simply to this—that the Executive, in conducting those concerns of the government with which it is exclusively charged, and for the management of which it is solely responsible, should employ such persons as subordinate agents, as were known to agree with him in opinion about the right mode of conducting them. Was this any thing so extraordinary? Was it not practiced by every man of common understanding in the management of his own private affairs?—Let me ask the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nicholas) said Mr. Harper, whether he does not himself constantly act upon this principle? Were he about to employ an overseer, would he take one who differed wholly from him in his opinions about agriculture and the management of his farm? Who thought that tobacco ought to be planted in the fall, and what in the spring? Or, would he choose a person whose ideas on these subjects he believed to be correct, and knew to agree with those principles about the truth of which he himself had no doubt? Would he not be the more cautious in this respect, in proportion as the farm to be managed was more distant from his own residence, and of course the conduct of the agent less subject to his superintendence and control? If he did not act thus, he would depart most widely from his usual prudence, and might think himself fortunate if he sustained no greater loss than that of his crop.
And shall the President of the United States, in conducting the affairs of this union, neglect those plain and ordinary maxims of prudence, which every man observes in his private affairs? The executive is charged with foreign relations of the country, and with the whole execution of all its laws. The greatest differences of opinion exist among us, arise from these relations. The executive has adopted a certain system as to the manner in which they ought to be conducted. This system is disliked and opposed by one set of men, while another description approves and supports it. The whole question is, whether the subordinate agents who are to execute this system under the orders of the President, shall be chosen from among those who like it, or those who think it radically wrong, and have never omitted any opportunity of attempting to change it? To choose from the latter would be to say, that those persons who are most opposed to a measure are, for that reason, the best qualified to give it effect.
A gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Harper said, has talked much of the executive having a party, a party in legislation: and has asked what then becomes of our government of departments, and whether the executive could refuse to execute a law because he did not think it a good one? Let me ask that gentleman (Mr. Baldwin) who spoke of a party in legislation, or doubted about the obligation of the executive to execute a law whether approved by it or not. Does not that gentleman know that there are executive functions distinct from legislative functions, and that the President is charged with the former, as well as the legislature with the latter? It is not perhaps, surprising, considering the degree of animation, not to say passion, to which the gentleman had worked himself up, that he should overlook a distinction so obvious as that between legislative and executive functions; but will he not now acknowledge that the President being solely charged with one, is solely responsible for it to the house, the country and his conscience, while the legislature is solely responsible for the other. And, in conducting those affairs, for which he is solely responsible, must not the President have a system? Or would the gentleman from Georgia with the executive department to be conducted without system? If he must have a system from whence is he to derive it; from his own judgment or from the direction of others? Surely from the former source.—Will not differences of opinion exist respecting this system, which some will approve, while it is considered as most improper by others? No doubt this will be the case.—From which class then, must the President take his agents, in the execution of this system, those confidential agents with whom he is to advise, by whose eyes he must often see, with whose hands he must often work, and to whose fidelity and discretion he must often trust in remote situations, beyond his immediate superintendence and control? Shall he take them from the approvers or opposers of the system? When he has a thing to be done shall he employ those to do it who think it right and beneficial, or those who think it wrong and mischievous? Shall he expose himself to the danger of having his orders disobeyed or neglected by an agent, who though charged with their execution, may choose to set up his own wisdom above that of his employers, and to dispense with that which they have considered as indispensable? Shall he expose himself to the danger of having his plans, however necessary in his own judgment, counteracted by an ignorant or presumptuous agent, who thinks them hurtful, and chooses to act according to his own opinions instead of his instructions? Should he thus act and thus expose himself and the great interests whereof he is charged, he would cease to deserve either the respect of individuals, or the confidence of the country.
But it may be alleged, continued Mr. Harper, that the integrity of an agent will be a sufficient security for his acting according to his instructions, though contrary to his own private opinions. It may sometimes be so, but the risk is great, and recent experience does not authorize the experiment. Even were it otherwise, still when you employ a person to execute measures which he does not approve, you take away one of the best and strongest securities for his due performance: you deprive yourself of his zeal of his heart, of his enthusiasm which are not only the surest guards of fidelity, but the most powerful means of success.
If the executive therefore, has a system in the conduct of those affairs with which it
is charged, and to say that it has not, is to charge it with folly, it must either be dishonest, or conceit that it is proper to be proper: and conceit it to be proper it is its duty to use the most effectual means for carrying it into effect. One of the most effectual of these means is, to make use of men, who otherwise qualified, believe the system to be right. Such men consequently, and such alone, ought to be employed; and hence it follows, that for the executive to neglect that, the determination to do which gentlemen charge against it as an impropriety, and even a crime, would be at best an act of folly, if not the breach of a sacred obligation.
Mr. Harper then proceeded to remark on what had been advanced yesterday by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gallatin) respecting the minister at Lisbon. That gentleman, said he, has charged my former colleague with having voted for an appropriation for a new office, in order to make room for his own appointment to a vacancy thus created. He says that my late colleague, when the minister at Lisbon was to be sent to Berlin, came into the house not indeed with a commission in his pocket, but certainly with a knowledge that he himself was to fill the vacant place at Lisbon, and voted for the Berlin appropriation. Did the gentleman advert to the extent of this charge? I am willing to hope that he did not; for then he would not have advanced it, especially in so positive a manner, without some sort of proof. No such proof could have been produced. I take upon myself to declare that none such exists. By recurring to the journals of the Senate, it will appear, that the nomination of a minister to Lisbon was made on the 6th of July. I have authority for saying, that the first intimation which my late colleague received of his intended nomination, was the day before the nomination took place, that is on the 5th, two days after that appropriation was made, for which he is charged with having voted in order to make room for himself. When he gave this vote, he might have expected the appointment; but he had no more right to expect it than any other man. He did not know that he would be appointed, nor was he applied to on the subject till after the Berlin appropriation had been voted. It would have been highly improper to apply to him before, and it is very improbable, in itself, that the application was made until after the appropriation for Berlin, for although the President had resolved to send the minister from Lisbon to Berlin, he could not execute this intention without a vote of money, and to apply to a gentleman to accept the vacancy before that vote took place and, of course, before it was certain that there would be a vacancy, would certainly have been very strange conduct.
This much I have thought it necessary to state, said Mr. Harper, and I will add one observation addressed to the gentleman from Pennsylvania. It is this, that he ought to take warning from this occasion not to make it necessary in future to defend persons in their absence against attacks, which being wholly unfounded, candour no less than delicacy and generous sentiments, ought to have prevented.
As to the general policy of the present motion as connected with the foreign relations of this country, Mr. Harper said, that he would add two or three remarks on that subject, and then conclude.
The motion went, he said, to reduce the appointments and salaries of three ministers: those to Madrid, Lisbon, and Berlin; and in support of the motion, it was alleged that the last of these ministers was entirely unnecessary, and that the other two had been improperly, because unnecessarily, raised from ministers resident to ministers plenipotentiary. To him it was a sufficient answer to these allegations to say, that the President had thought otherwise: because the President being charged by the constitution with the foreign relations of the country, must be invested with the means necessary for conducting them with effect; and was infinitely better qualified by his situation, to judge what those means were, and how they ought to be used, than the house could pretend to be. One of these means was the appointment of foreign ministers, which was expressly vested in the President by the constitution. When the President, therefore, had thought fit to appoint foreign ministers, or to alter their grades, he had exercised a constitutional power, and it did not lie with the house of representatives to object or judge. To him, therefore, Mr. Harper said, it was a sufficient answer to all those objections, to say, that the President had thought otherwise. To others, who might hold different opinions on him on this subject, he thought it was a sufficient answer to be told that the house of representatives, as well as the President had thought differently, and had sanctioned the changes which he had thought proper to make in this respect, by voting money to carry them into effect. This had been done expressly in all the three cases contemplated by the present motion. The ministers to Madrid and Lisbon had been raised from residents to plenipotentiaries in May 1796, at which time, and also in March 1797, the house had voted an additional sum made necessary by these changes and had hereby sanctioned the changes themselves. The embassy to Berlin was resolved on in June 1797, and the house then sanctioned the measure by giving the requisite appropriation. Surely it might have been expected that the strongest advocates for legislative control and legislative sanction, would be satisfied by this repeated approbation of the house: but no, gentlemen were not to be so satisfied. They still contended that it was proper to enquire into the use and the reason of these changes, and demanded why they had been made, what circumstances rendered them necessary, and what good they had produced? Though he protested against the right of the house to make these enquiries, more especially at this time, after the measures had been so for-
mally and so repeatedly sanctioned, he nevertheless had no objection to inform gentlemen what in his opinion had been the occasion, and the benefits of two of these appointments, those to Madrid and Lisbon. As to the embassy to Berlin, the reasons and advantages of it had been so fully explained in the summer session, that nothing seemed necessary to be added to the remarks made by some other gentlemen on that subject in the course of the present debate.
It could not, he said, be forgotten by gentlemen that in the beginning of 1796, or a little previous to that period, we settled very much to our own satisfaction, a long standing and disagreeable dispute with the government of Spain. The treaty whereby this settlement was effected, placed the two nations on a footing of unity, and secured to us objects of very great importance to an extensive and interesting part of the Union. The final attainment, however, of these objects and the due execution of the treaty, must depend very much on the continuance of a good understanding between the two governments. Spain, after keeping only commissioners, and charges des affaires here for a considerable time, had sent us a minister plenipotentiary, and in the intercourse between governments it was usual and an expected civility to return a minister of the same grade that was received. This compliment Spain expected, and however inconsiderable these matters may appear to us, we know that great importance is annexed to them by courts. We must deal with people as we find them, and where we have an interest to cultivate their good will, we must conform to their prejudices and fashions, instead of ridiculing or disregarding them. As Spain had made an advance by sending us a minister plenipotentiary, and expected a return of the compliment, would it have been wise for the paltry sum of 4,500 dollars, the difference between the two appointments, to disappoint and disgust a power which we had so great an interest to conciliate? He believed not: the President had thought not; the house on two or three former occasions had thought not; and he hoped that the same opinion would now influence its decision.
As to Portugal, the reasons in favor of the change had been equally strong. We had first a minister resident at that court; it had sent us a minister of the same grade who was afterwards changed into a minister plenipotentiary, and had been received by our government. Portugal not only had a right to expect, according to the ceremonial established among nations, that we should send her a minister of the same grade, but she did expect it, and even made a request to that effect. Had we not complied with Portugal, that we ought to have disappointed her in this respect, and run the risk of disgusting this friendly power? Our direct commerce indeed was not very great with her, but a very important and interesting branch of our trade, was likely to be deeply affected by her measures. She was the power which was usually at war with the Algerines, and had frequently kept them blocked up in the Straits; whereby all commerce to that quarter of the world,—a commerce for the security of which we had sacrificed nearly one million and an half of dollars, was rendered safe from their depredations. Was it a full object then, to be on good terms with a power which held so effectual a check over that commerce? Ought this good understanding to be endangered by withholding an accustomed mark of respect, which the expected, and of which she had the right to expect? And for what object do gentlemen contend, that this risk ought to have been incurred?—this good understanding endangered? For 4,500 dollars. Was this the wisdom of legislators, or was it the foolish vertisilla conduct of angry and petulant children?
Upon the whole, he said, considering the length of time this establishment had continued; the solemnity with which it had been so repeatedly sanctioned by Congress; the critical nature of our present situation—the importance of preserving all our means of good understanding with friendly powers—the perfect conduct which would arise from the present motion, to do away establishments so lately approved by this very Congress; and the mischievous tendency of fixing that censure on the Executive, in the present crisis, which was the direct tendency, and even the avowed object of the present motion,—he could not for a moment suppose that it would be adopted by the house.
Mr. Livingston said, he had not seconded the motion of the gentleman from Virginia, he knew not that he should have troubled the committee with his arguments on this occasion. He thought the reasons which had been adduced by the gentleman from Virginia, for the adoption of his motion, were forcible. He had stated, that in all governments, where the executive and legislative powers were placed in different bodies, there was a constant tendency to an increase of executive patronage, by means of the power to appoint to office. He did not expect that so plain a position would have been attempted to be controverted. Not that the gentleman wished to get rid of this patronage, or that the power should be placed any where else, but merely to prevent its increasing, and becoming mischievous. He stated, from proof which had produced conviction on his own mind, that there was a determination in the executive of this country to increase that patronage, by confining its appointment to office to men of a certain political opinion. He was sorry to hear his friend make this declaration, because, however well he might himself have been convinced of the fact, he was apprehensive the same conviction could not be produced on the minds of other gentlemen—he confessed it did not produce conviction on his mind. But what had been heard from gentlemen in opposition to this motion? The doctrine had been avowed. The people of the United States had lived to hear, that it was right in the executive to promote none to office, but of its own party. Or, if not party, clothe the thing in what words gentlemen pleased, it came to the same meaning.—This was at once declaring, that the executive of the United States had a party, and that there was a party in opposition to the executive, who were not deserving of the favour of government.
Mr. L. wished to examine this doctrine.—Was it intended that it was becoming in government to determine that men of a particular opinion only should receive the rewards which it had to bestow? For he denied that these offices were matters of paltry consideration. With respect to salary, he acknowledged the object was not great; but inasmuch as these offices were proofs of public confidence, they were high rewards. If this doctrine were to be admitted, before the president could appoint any person to office, he must hold an inquisition upon his political opinion, and require proofs of his having always acted in a certain way. If this were to be done, the president of the United States would sink from the exalted situation of the head of a free people, to the miserable leader of a party.
This was one effect; but there were others. This was supposed, in his selection for office, the president would seek for virtue and talents. But if the doctrine of gentlemen were to prevail, if men of this description were not to be found of a certain opinion, men must be chosen devoid of talents and of virtue.
Mr. L. would not believe, therefore, not withstanding gentlemen had avowed it to be the case, that the executive had come to any such determination. He believed that these gentlemen thought it would be right for him to do so;
but he could not believe that the president of the United States joined them in opinion. Nay, he had his own declaration that he did not; for, in the address which he delivered on his inauguration, which might be considered as his political creed, he expressly declared, that in appointments to office he would seek for virtuous men of all parties. And why not? Was virtue confined to men of a certain political or religious opinion? He trusted not: and whatever might be the private opinion of any person appointed to office, if he counteracted the instructions which were given to him, he stepped beyond the limits of his duty; he outstepped the laws; and then God (exclaimed he) we have laws, that will punish offences, whether they arise from ambition, corruption, or any other source.
But, as he had already said, he did not believe this, for another, and a very serious consequence might arise from it. Let us imagine it possible, said he (and pray God the imagination may never be realized) that, at some future time, the United States should have a president, who had a predilection for a particular form of government; who might think that the standard which he had formed in his own mind was the standard of perfection; and who would, therefore, cause all his measures to bend that way; suppose, for instance, he should think that no form of government was so fit for this country as a monarchical one—that nothing short of hereditary distinctions could give security and stability to government. If this were his opinion, he would, of course, confine his appointments to persons who subscribed to his sentiment. The consequence of which would be, the government would be undermined, before the people were aware of the design. If such ever should be the situation of this country, he trusted, however, there would be republican virtue sufficient to frustrate and overturn the design; but it could not be done without a convulsion, and this country knew sufficiently well the miseries attending such an event, to authorize every possible caution which could be taken, to prevent so great a calamity.
But gentlemen had spoken of the executive being warned, by awful experiences , from appointing persons to office of a certain opinion. The meaning of this insinuation could not be mistaken. Every one knew who was meant as well as if the gentleman had been named.—Yet those who made the allusion were so sensibly alive to every reflection on character, that the house had been entertained for half an hour in the defence of a character which had never been attacked; as when his friend from Pennsylvania mentioned the gentleman lately appointed to Portugal, it was only to shew the possible effect to be produced by executive patronage, for he immediately exonerated that gentleman from acting from improper motives. Mr. L. acknowledged that the lesson which gentlemen alluded to, was an awful and important one, and ought to be taken as an exemplification for the mischievous doctrine now contended for. For, said he, whence has arisen our present dispute with a certain foreign nation, but from an adherence to the principles which gentlemen recommended? Whilst that gentleman was in office, our affairs in that country bore a very different aspect from what they bore after he was recalled. Let gentlemen think of this, and consider whether it did not afford an awful lesson for the future government of the executive. He thought it did, and he hoped it was a lesson which would have its due effect upon the United States.
But, to turn to the amendment. It was objected to because it went to alter what was already established. Such arguments as these had little weight on his mind. He was never disposed to continue any measure longer than it was useful. Gentlemen were called upon to shew what good had been produced by the change which took place eighteen months ago. This they declined, and called upon the advocates of this amendment to shew what good would be produced, if it were to take effect. He believed it would produce much good. In the first place it would lessen executive influence; though he did not wish wholly to destroy this influence—for he had some respect to his oath, and he had some degree of admiration yet remaining for that instrument called the constitution, and some remembrance left of the efforts which he used to get it adopted; but, though he would not annihilate that patronage, he would not increase it. Did necessity require that we should have all the ministers plenipotentiary we now have, and those we soon shall have, if these are continued? Gentlemen told the committee they did not know the reasons which influenced the executive; that therefore this business must be left to that department, and that all the legislature had to do, was to appropriate for all the ministers it might chuse to appoint. This question had, however, been contrarily determined at a former session, after a discussion which could leave no doubt upon the mind of any one. Mr. L. said he would mention another evil, which he trusted would make some impression upon the house, that was the expense of the ministers in question, which, as he believed it was unnecessary, ought to be avoided; for, though the gentleman last up had said something about the advantages to be derived from Portugal, he never heard of any to be derived from Prussia. Indeed, experience shewed, that though we had gone on increasing our diplomatic agents, no good thing had ever been produced by them, except the Spanish treaty, which was of real advantage to the country; some other things had been done by them, which, he believed, had been far better undone. Indeed the gentleman from S. Carolina (Mr. Pinckney) than whom no one could be better able to give an opinion upon the subject, declared that, in his opinion, our diplomatic connections had been injurious to this country, and that they ought to be got rid of as soon as convenient; though, he added, he did not think this a proper time, or that this was the best mode of doing the business. He thought this declaration ought to have a great weight.
Mr. Dana said, he found, that if this amendment took place, it would produce a saving of 4,500 dollars a year to three ministers which would be 13,500 dollars a year in the whole. Yet the gentleman last up even considered this saving, as worthy of the debate which had taken place. In a pecuniary point of view, he supposed the debate itself would cost more money. But with respect to economy, this was vulgar lopping , and a miserable attempt at public economy . Public economy was not to be thus attained, but by introducing order and system into our affairs; and by employing talents in our public offices. But it was said, our liberties were in danger, from an extension of Executive patronage. This he allowed, was an admirable theme for popular declamation, and perhaps might produce the effect which the mover and supporters of the business wished. The gentleman from Virginia spoke of the liberties of the people as depending upon the minorities in Congress and that the preservation of the constitution was owing to them, at least so far as understood the gentleman; he would correct him if he was wrong. [Mr. Nicholas re-plied
what he had said.] Mr. D. continued, tho' the gentleman had not said expressly so, he seemed to wish this to be the understanding of what he said; and he considered this as a key to the whole debate. This motion, this debate were intended to attract public attention. If the gentleman thought this was the way to preserve the liberties of the people; he was certainly right in adopting this mode, but he was sorry that, for this purpose, the committee should be reduced to mere puppets, since the speeches which were made on this occasion were addressed more to the stenographers and the galleries, than to the chair or to the members present. Admitting that this was the view in which the business was brought forward, he doubted not it would be fully answered.
But what did the arguments of gentlemen with respect to Executive patronage, prove? Everything and nothing. Could an officer be made without generating Executive patronage? It certainly could not; and therefore to prevent this patronage every office under the government ought to be annihilated. But the constitution had declared the Executive was to appoint to office. The framers of it knew it would give the Executive some power; but they gave it notwithstanding. He might upon the same ground object to the superior talents of the mover of this amendment, which gave him so great an influence in this house, as being incompatible with the equality upon which the members of that body stood, and propose some process by which they might be reduced to the common standard. He did not think the argument applied specifically to any thing.
The next argument was the danger to be apprehended from a concurrence in opinion betwixt the different branches of the government, as the different departments were intended to be a check upon each other. For his own part, he apprehended no danger from this source. It was not probable that they would agree in measures that were wrong; but that they would agree in those which were right. But, according to the doctrines of some gentlemen, the government was made up of hostility and mutual rivalry between its different branches; and that when the two houses and the President concurred in any measure, mischief was to be the consequence. His idea of government, on the contrary, was, that when the different branches concurred, the thing which they did was right; and that when they did not concur, that something was wrong. He did not believe there was any danger to be apprehended from the influence of Executive patronage on the members of the legislature. Indeed, considering the obloquy which patriotism tho' it necessary to cast upon public officers, he did not think their situations were enviable. How many candidates for ministers plenipotentiary could the gentleman from Virginia point to in that house? If he knew one, it was more than he did.—Another argument was that diplomatic agents were not necessary for commercial purposes; that coadjutors were sufficient for this business. Commercial concerns between individuals could, doubtless be so settled; but when questions came into view of a national kind, ministers were necessary to settle them. He had not the hardihood to say none such would take place.
But as an argument against the amendment. The persons now in office were sent to Europe under an idea of remaining there for some time, and had arranged their affairs accordingly. As it respected the present gentlemen in office, the measure would, therefore, be unjust; for it could not be supposed that they would continue to hold their offices, when their salaries were reduced one half. Besides etiquette required that we should have the same grade of ministers abroad, that foreign courts had here. Mr. D. concluded by observing, that he forbade to follow gentlemen into observations wholly unconnected with the question before them. The present state of Europe, he said, forbade the proposed reduction of our ministers, as there probably never was a time when trifling causes produced greater events, or when the talents of ministers abroad might be more useful to this country.
(Debate to be continued.)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23.
Mr. Milledge, from Georgia, appeared for the first time to-day.
Mr. N. Smith asked and obtained leave of absence for his colleague, Mr. Allen, for fifteen days. Yesterday leave of absence for eight days was obtained for Mr. Livingston by Mr. S. Smith.
Mr. Reed presented the petition of Sylvanus Bartlett and Spooner, praying to be permitted to fund certain certificates which had been mislaid.—Referred to the committee of the whole to whom is referred the subject of the propriety of excepting certain claims from the operation of the limitation acts.
Mr. Milledge presented the petitions of J. B. Girardeau and J. F. Randolph, praying for compensation for military services in Georgia.—Referred to the committee of claims.
Mr. Sitgreaves moved that the committee of the whole, to whom had been referred the message of the President of the United States, and the report of the Attorney general, relative to the law for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt, be discharged from the further consideration of them, in order that they might be referred to a select committee which he should move to be appointed, to enquire whether any and what alterations are necessary in that law—both motions were agreed to and a committee of three appointed.
The amendments of the senate to the bill for suspending the act relative to foreign silver coin, were agreed to.
Mr. Dwight Foster, from the committee of claims, made an unfavorable report on the petitions of John Nelson and the widow Ruffel, who prayed to be allowed to locate certain lands, before the cession had been

made by the Indians.—Committed to a committee of the whole.
A message was received from the President of the United States, inclosing a long report from the secretary of state, and sundry documents therein referred to, on the subject of the dispute with the Spaniards at the Natchez, which were read and ordered to be printed.
A message was received from the senate informing the house that they had passed the bill to amend the several acts for laying a duty on spirits and on stills, with amendments; and that the President had approved and signed the act for compensating their door-keepers.
Mr. Harper, from the committee of ways and means, reported a bill making appropriations for the service of the year 1798, which was twice read and committed.
The speaker laid before the house a communication from the war office, containing a list of pension applicants, whose cases had been re-examined.—Referred to the committee of claims.
The house again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill providing the means of foreign intercourse; when Mr. Nicholas's amendment being under consideration, Mr. Findley spoke in favor of it, and Mr. Isaac Parker against it. The committee had leave to sit again.
Adjourned.
Foreign Intelligence.
VENICE, October 16.
On the 12th inst. a conspiracy was discovered here, which, as our patriots say, had for its object, to cut down the tree of liberty, abolish the new democratic constitution of government, and subject the city to a foreign monarchical power. Immediately all the shops and coffee-houses were shut up, and the guards augmented by the French Polish legion now here, and patroles sent out. Under the directions of the French general Bulland, assisted by a strong military force, on the night of the 13th, between 70 and 80 persons were arrested; among whom were 10 members of the municipality, 10 clergymen, several of the ex-nobles, as for example, Crimani, Danolo, Pefaro, &c. In consequence of this conspiracy, the following proclamation has been published by our municipality:—
“Liberty—Equality.—The Provisional Municipality of Venice to the People.”
“Citizens.—A dark intrigue had prepared new fetters for you. Base men accustomed to kiss the chains imposed on them by the oligarchy, anxious to restore the ancient slavery, sought to establish the despotism of a new tyrant. But the ever-watchful genius of liberty has detected and defeated the conspiracy. The traitors are arrested. The speedy and firm measures adopted by the committee of public welfare have crushed the hydra of counter-revolution. The brave patriot Bulland hastened with the rapidity of lightning to ward off the threatened danger. Citizens, public tranquility is now secured; respect the laws and obey the constituted authorities. Our liberty will for the future no more be attacked with impunity.”
“Done in the sitting of the 11th of October, at night.”
This event has given rise to many speculations, and many doubts are entertained with respect to its nature and views. On the 13th, the President of the municipality declared, that among the persons arrested, only a few were guilty; and that the rest would be detained only as hostages. It is supposed by some, that the whole has been concerted to remove some persons who stood in the way.
PARIS, October 27.
It said that the object of the appointment of Charles Delacroix in the room of Noell, as Batavian ambassador, is to invite the national assembly, as soon as possible to substitute a new constitution in the room of that which has been rejected.
October 16.
Letters from Tuscany state, that the French Venetian fleet, which has 15,000 land troops on board, can have no other object than the Neapolitan government. This at least is certain, that the court of Naples, as well as that of Rome, are making warlike preparations, with a degree of activity and zeal, which can only be accounted for either by a desire to attack, or by fear of being attacked.
It appears by a letter from Brussels, that the Archbishop of Mechlin, who has been transported beyond the Rhine, by order of the directory, is universally regretted in Belgium. The cause of his having been banished was occasioned by his having addressed a Pastoral letter to the commissioners of the executive directory, nearly as follows:—
“The Apostolic, Catholic, and Roman religion, which I most cordially profess, and of which I am a principal pastor, and obliged to give example to others, positively forbids an oath of hatred against royalty, or the person of a king. Being commanded to love our neighbour though he injure us, and royalty being good in itself, and of divine institution, we cannot hate one or the other without deviating from the principles of christianity, much less call God as witness to an action prohibited under eternal pains.”
“The impossibility of answering the obligations required under the present circumstances, should by no means render our fidelity suspected, for I flatter myself, that you have sufficient authority to assure the republic, that neither me nor my clergy will find the least difficulty in promising, if necessary under oath, never to co-operate, directly, in the re-establishment of royalty in France; and that the government may be perfectly satisfied that they shall never have cause to punish the priests, nor find them inimical to their views, except when the laws and the constitution is in opposition to the laws of God and the precepts of the gospel.”
COUNCIL OF FIVE HUNDRED.
SITTING OF OCT. 25. Chaplain, on motion of order, called the attention of the council to the situation of La Vendee. “That unfortunate country (he said) is rescued from the calamities of a civil war, and this would have been effected much sooner, but for Carnot's opposing every measure proposed for that purpose.—But now, numbers of robbers and brigands over-run and desolate that ill-fated country. It is not an army, but the Gend'armerie which is to be sent against these banditti;—and the number of gens d'armes not being sufficient to check their depredations, I move that a message be sent to the directory, to demand, whether it would not be advisable to establish a brigade of 50 gens d'armes in every Canton of La Vendee.”—Adopted.
LONDON, November 6.
The following account of the loss of the Monnikendam Dutch frigate, prize to the Beaulieu, is given in a letter from Amsterdam, dated October 19.
“The Dutch frigate Monnikendam is wrecked off West Cappel, having their wounded on board, with the English prize-master, a lieutenant, a midshipman and 33 seamen who were put on board for the purpose of carrying her to England. The frigate had 14 feet water in her hold: having lost the temporary masts with which she had been supplied, and being in the most imminent danger of sinking, the prize master suffered a Dutch Boatswain on board to run her towards the shore. By this means their lives were saved; the wounded were conveyed to an hospital, and the 36 Englishmen put on board the Walcheren, which lies at Flushing. The Monnikendam had 50 killed and 40 wounded, during the late action.”
The captain of the Hercules Dutch prize died on Saturday of his wounds, and was buried on Monday at Yarmouth, with great funeral pomp, attended by the Dutch and English officers, and a company of the Oxford militia, who fired three volleys over his grave.
Mr. Tierney and Mr. Bryan Edwards are to be the Pylades and Orestes of opposition during the ensuing sessions. Mr. Thomas Thompson, the member for Evesham, is to act occasionally as their aid-de-camp.—These gentlemen present a very formidable array to the Ministry!
November 7.
Lord Grenville is the author of the State Paper, which has drawn unwilling applause from the opposition papers themselves. The possibility of its having been composed by a relation of Mr. Sheridan, will solve the mystery.
One thousand pounds have been collected in the island of Guernsey for the widows of the seamen killed on board Admiral Duncan's Fleet.
November 8.
A paper of opposition observed yesterday that the project of the Directory for the invasion of this country was extremely likely to meet with success, as the numerous armies which had conquered all the continental powers might now be employed against Great Britain.
On this subject we shall only remark, that previous to the termination of the Congress at Rastadt, which from the variety of momentous objects to be settled there, may perhaps rekindle the flames of continental war, & make them rage with increased fury, the Directory cannot withdraw the Republican armies. It would be highly imprudent to weaken the army of Italy before the Cisalpine Republic is completely organized: and it is from this army that the troops must be drawn which are to form the garrisons of the Islands which the French have acquired in the Ionian sea, and their new establishments in Albania. Their final projects against such states of Italy as they have not yet subdued, call rather for an augmentation of their force in that country, than for a diminution.
As to the army of Germany, it is scarce strong enough to complete the Directory's plan of invasion against Hanover, Hamburg, &c. and to garrison the new conquests of Belgium. Besides, the comparative condition of our navy, and that of the enemy, renders the projected invasion a mere farce. The Directory may succeed in vomiting a few more of their galley slaves on some defenceless part of our coast, but we have no fear from any formidable preparation they may make.
ALBANY, January 16.
Communicated by a gentleman from Vermont. The LYON of Fairhaven continues his old practice of sending scores of Bache's infamous Gazettes from Philadelphia, to persons in different parts of the state of Vermont, by every mail which arrives—and serious mischief is apprehended by many from the effects which the misrepresentations contained in said papers may have upon the minds of those who are remote from other information than what is communicated to them through that vile and polluted source, the Philadelphia Aurora. Such misstatements have already been made respecting the Stamp Act , that numbers of the weak and misled, in two or three towns have assembled together and actually created what they term liberty poles . Lyon is now at home on a visit. Whether he has returned to fan the breeze of discontent, or to buff the suns , is not certain—Of this it is believed he is fully sensible, that unless a majority of his constituents can be kept from a knowledge of the political truths of the day, he stands no chance for success in the event of another election.
ALEXANDRIA, Jan. 18
A bill is before the legislature by which it is contemplated to tax a wholesale merchant, selling 20,000 pounds worth of goods annually £108: Merchants selling more than 3000 and not exceeding 20,000 pounds worth in the same proportion. Retailers who sell £3,000 worth to pay £6, and all who sell less than 3,000 worth to pay £4. The evidence to be required of the merchant as to the amount sold, is his own oath.
A bill is pending before the legislature for the more effectual restraining of gambling. By this bill all gaming tables in the state are to be burnt on the 9th of next
March. After that time if any money is staked as a bet, any of the bye standers are at liberty to snatch it and if the original possessor or any other person attempts to deprive him of the possession of it, he is to be punished by fine and imprisonment.
January 19.
We hear, that as by the treaty with Great Britain, individuals are liable for the debts contracted with British merchants prior to the revolution, the legislature of Virginia contemplate raising a revenue the ensuing year for the purpose of repaying to British debtors the sums they paid into the Treasury, during the revolution. As the money paid into the Treasury was depreciated paper currency, it is proposed to give them in specie the real value of the sum at the time deposited.
The Gazette.
PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24.
Joshua Clayton, Esq. formerly governor of the state of Delaware, is elected senator for that state, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John Vining, Esq.
Erratum in Scitico, No. XII.
In 13th line from bottom of first paragraph, for represented himself , read recommended himself .
At a quarterly meeting of the society of the Sons of St. George established at Philadelphia for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in distress, held at the City Tavern the 23d inst. the following gentlemen were re-elected officers for one year:
 President, Isaac Hazlehurst  Vice Presidents, Richard Rundle  Treasurer, Philip Nicklin  Secretary, George Davis  Stewards, John Travis  John Vaughan  Robert E. Griffith  Doct. Edward Cutbush  Thomas Keland  Thomas Cumpston  John Waddington  Joseph Bell. 
The Judges of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania, have appointed the following courts of Nisi Prius to be held:
For Philadelphia county, on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, March, for trials by special jury.
And by Chief Justice McKean and Judge Smith.
 In Franklin county, on Monday 16th April  Somersets do. Wednesday 23th do.  Alleghany do. do. 7th May  Washington do. do. 14th do.  Fayette do. do. 21st do.  Bedford do. do. 28th do. 
By Judges Shippen and Yates.
 In Lancaster county, on Monday 9th April  Do Monday, 16th April, 2d do.  York do do 23d do.  Cumberland do do 7th do.  Huntingdon do do 7th May  Mifflin do do 14th do.  Northumberland do do 21st do. 
The late Doctor Franklin left the Pennsylvania hospital a legacy of above five thousand pounds in old debts, conditioned with the payment of certain antiquated claims.—At a general meeting of the contributors, a resolution was passed to return the ledger to the executors, from a full persuasion that the acceptance of the legacy, would involve the institution in difficulties and debt. Query, whether this circumstance, and some others that might be mentioned, has not given rise to the ignorant false malicious and inhuman attack on the institution in the Aurora of this morning.
As the subject is now before the legislature, the members will see examine and judge for themselves, on the clear and undisguised facts laid before them, and not be influenced by anonymous slanderers, to abandon in its present incomplete situation, the only asylum of the kind in the state for the destitute stranger, and afflicted sick poor of our own country. An establishment founded on the pure principles of benevolence, and which does the highest honor to the commonwealth.
MR. FENNO.
IS there not danger that the word Patronage , which has of late been so much declaimed on, in the House of Representatives of the United States, may be understood by some persons in the Galleries, who are not well acquainted with the language, for the words put in a rage ? And that, from this unlucky mistake, they may be led to suppose some members are in a rage with the President because he has not nominated themselves, or their particular friends, for foreign appointments? I have been the more apprehensive of this mistake from having heard the word pronounced in a foreign accent, which renders it more liable to this construction.
PRICE OF STOCKS.
   Philadelphia, January 24, 1797.     Six Per Cent. 16/9   Three per Cent. 10/4   Deferred 6 per Cent. 13/9   BANK. United States, 20 to 2 1 per cent.   Pennsylvania, 22 per cent.   North America, 50 per cent.   Insurance Co. Pennsylvania, 10 to 11 per cent.   N. A. shares 40 per cent.  
   New-York, Jan. 18.     Ship Concord, Welman, St. Petersburg 104   Brig Cenance, Scott, Jamaica 18   Arrived at Jamaica, December 21 to 23.   Brig Nancy, Kings, New-York 19   Chatham, Stanwood, do. do.   Schr. Hiram, Murphy, do. 21   Sloop Minerva, Kiler, do. 16  
The Hiram, was chased into Turk's Island by a French privateer, and detained one day.
To the MEMBERS of the LEGISLATURE of PENNSYLVANIA.
To-morrow the order of the day being for the consideration of the bill for making a turnpike road through Gettysburg, &c. you will then have to decide whether you will grant relief to a considerable number of inhabitants, from what they consider a grievance; and which they find increasing in the same proportion as the population and prosperity of the country calls for redress.
It is well known that in all new countries almost every improvement is opposed to the prejudices of the inhabitants, as well as the different interests they combine. It is not my intention to examine all the sources of opposition that have hitherto frustrated the repeated applications to the legislature on this subject, the most material however I beg leave to investigate.
The first arose from a diversity of opinion and prejudice among themselves as to the utility of the measure; dire necessity has convinced a very great majority of the opponents that their interest and convenience demand it, and they are now (with but a very few exceptions) united in the present application.
The next proceeded from the inhabitants of the neighbouring counties above, who have invariably contended against it on any other principle than that of redemption ; their opposition is very considerably diminished on being informed that the present application is founded on this idea.
The last and most to be lamented is from a man whose principles are to me totally unaccountable and cannot stand the test of investigation, inasmuch as he has never offered (to my knowledge) one substantial argument against it; but to carry his point has been obliged to resort to the subterfuge of manoeuvres, of repeated postponements, and what he pleased to denominate amendments but with a manifest view of defeating the object, inasmuch that his name has become quite proverbial by the Carters &c. who in bad roads, when they get mired or stalled load him with execrations and curses; the weight of which lies I would not have rest on me, as the primary cause of them, for all the benefits of popularity he enjoys under them.
These manoeuvres have hitherto been too successful. I hope they have been too hackneyed as to become too stale to be repeated with success.
A candid investigation of the business is what is desired from the members generally, and particularly those who from their distant residence are no otherwise interested, than from a desire to promote the good of the country and the happiness and comfort of its citizens. If you are of opinion that a great benefit will arise to the petitioners as well as to the citizens of Philadelphia, without injuring any other class of inhabitants, you will no doubt afford that relief they think their situation gives them a just claim to.
Having shewn that the opposition in the two cases has nearly ceased, I hope it will not be expected as to the last. I suppose it nearly as practicable to turn the steeple of Christ's church topsy-turvy and stand it on its spire, as to convince a man that I am sorry to say (for the following reasons) I fear is neither open to the voice of reason, reflection, nor yet the dictates of conscience; the first because much has been opposed to him in vain—the second, because few persons have had a greater opportunity of seeing the state of the road—and last and worst of all, because he has acknowledged himself convinced of the necessity of the measure although he has made use of every means in his power to defeat it. I shall now leave him (with my best wishes for his reformation, and with full liberty to ride all his life time through quicksand and mud if it is his choice) and proceed to shew that the extension of the road to so great a distance as the borough of Reading at this time will certainly defeat the object.
There appears a manifest impropriety in carrying a road of this kind through a country, the inhabitants of which have not asked for but are opposed to it. This circumstance would of course greatly enhance the price of materials necessary to make it, there by increase the toll; and when complicated, every artifice would be practiced to evade the use of a thing, the propriety of which they are not convinced of.
The impossibility of raising money sufficient to go so great a distance at this time on the terms contemplated is an insurmountable difficulty, and at once puts an end to the business. Although it is hoped that enough may possibly be subscribed to go the 12 mile stone. The principle of redemption on which the opposition has been diminished, will of course fall to the ground or only be a name by the extension; whereas if the distance is short, there is every reason to believe it will be realized.
I cannot but consider it as impolitic to risk the fate of so desirable an object, by undertaking the whole of it at once. The smallness of an object almost always insures the success of it, as certainly as the magnitude of it clogs if it does not entirely frustrate it, which I verily believe would be the case in the present instance; and as I can see no reason why the remainder of the road may not be done to advantage whenever the inhabitants desire it, I am induced to hope that you will agree to strike out the borough of Reading and render the object attainable by stopping at the 10, or 12 mile stone.
JUVENIS.
Germantown, Jan. 24. 1798.
Bread will be distributed to the Poor Who may apply for the same from the Friends meeting-house, corner of Second and Market street, on Tuesday the 30th January inst. at 10 o'clock in the morning, by the guardians of the poor, agreeable to the wills of John Peay, and William Carter.
PETER MIERCKEN, President of the Board of Guardians.
Philad. Jan. 25.
NEW-THEATRE.
TO-MORROW EVENING,
JANUARY 24,
Will be presented (for the fifth time in America) a celebrated new Comedy, called
The Will;
OR, A SCHOOL FOR DAUGHTERS.
[Written by the author of the Rage, Dramatist , How to grow Rich, &c. &c. and performed to crowded houses all the last season at Drury Lane Theatre.]
 Sir Solomon Cynic Mr. Bernard  Handeville, Warren  Howard, Moreton  Veritas, Wignell  Realize, Harwood  Kobert, Fox  Old Copley, Warrell  Servants, Messrs. Hunter, Liberty, &c.  Albina Mandeville, (with the Epilogue) Mrs. Marshall 
 Mrs. Rigid, L'Esrange  Cicely Copley, Francis  Deborah, Doctor. 
To which will be added, a Musical Farce, (written by the author of the Poor Soldier ), called
The Dead Alive.
 Sir Walter Weathercock, Mr. Warren  Edward, Fox  Sable, (an undertaker) Morris  Sheers, (a Taylor) Harwood  Morley, Bernard  Dennis, Warrell  Grizley, Hunter  Miss Hebe Winterton, Mrs. L'Esrange  Comfit, Oldmixon  Caroline, Warrell. 
Box, one Dollar; Pit, three quarters of a Dollar; Gallery, half a Dollar.
The doors of the Theatre will open at five, and the curtain rise precisely at six o'clock.
Places for the Boxes to be taken at the Office in the front of the Theatre; from 10 till 2 o'clock, and from 5 till 4 on the days of performance.
Tickets to be had at H. and P. Rice's book-store, No. 50 Market-street, and at the Office adjoining the Theatre.
VIVAT RES PUBLICA!
JUST LANDED,
At Hamilton's wharf—A CARGO OF
Fresh Fruits and Wine,
By the brig Johanna, capt. Thieffen,
1000 casks fine Bloom Raisins
 300 Boxes } do. do. do.  300 Jars } do. do. do.  340 Boxes, and } fine Muscatel do.  120 Half boxes }  100 Boxes Lemons  100 Jars grapes  100 Kegs of figs  7 Bags soft shell'd almonds  60 Boxes Jordan almond kernels  8 Pipes  21 Hogheads } Red Catalonia Wine  50 Hogheads } Malaga Wine  200 Qt. casks } fine Mountain do.  100 Qt. casks } fine Mountain do.  30 Qt. casks Coleman do. 
Apply to
Edward Dunant,
No. 149, South Front Street.
Who will Freight or Charter,
The said Brigantine
JOHANNA,
Being a Dane of about 200 tons burthen, for any port in Europe.
January 24
DON JOSEPH IGNATIUS DE VIAR,
His Catholic Majesty's Consul-General and Commissioner to the United States.
WHEREAS, by the 17th article of the existing Treaty of friendship, limits and navigation, between his Catholic Majesty and the United States of America, it is stipulated, “That such ships, being laden, are to be provided not only with passports, but also with certificates containing the several particulars of the cargo, the place whence they ship failed, that so it may be known whether any forbidden or contraband goods be on board the time, which certificates shall be made out by the officers of the place whence the ship failed, in the accustomed form; and if any one shall think fit or desirable to express in the said certificates the persons to whom the goods on board belong, he may freely do so; without which requisition, they may be sent to one of the ports of the other contracting party, and adjudged by the competent tribunal, according to what is above set forth, that all the circumstances of this transaction having been well examined, they shall be adjudged to be legal prizes, unless they shall give legal satisfaction of their property, by testimony equivalent.” Now therefore, in order to prevent the improper capture, seizure or detention of any American vessels trading agreeably to said treaty, by his Catholic Majesty's cruisers or other armed vessels, I do hereby give notice, that such documents as are required in the said article, shall be granted to those who may apply at the office of the Consulate General or at any other of the Consulates throughout the United States.
Jan. 23
6t
For Sale,
A complete file of the Philadelphia Gazette for the year 1797.
Also, several other files of Gazettes, published in this city; for the last 9 months of the year 1797. Enquire at no. 94, north Front-street.
January 24.
3t
All Persons
Having any demands against the Estate of the late Captain George Irwin, are requested to bring in their accounts properly attested, on or before the first day of January next ensuing and those who are indebted to said estate are so limited to make immediate payment to

To be Exchanged for British, German, or India Goods, IN THE PACKAGE; A tract of valuable Land In Lycoming, joining that of the Holland co. and containing 10,000 Acres. Inquire of the Printer. Jan. 15.
ROSS & SIMSON, HAVE FOR SALE, A few bales Baftas, Coffas, and a quantity of Bengal COTTON Bengal SUGAR, in bags and boxes Jamaica, } RUM. St. Vincent, } and Bengal } 100 cañas RICE, and a parcel of ship building RED CEDAR. Oct. 27.
Chocolate and Mustard, of a superior quality manufactured, GINGER and Pepper; ground; shelled or pearl Barley; Philadelphia Porter, Beer, Ale and Cyder; Taunton and Burton Ale; London Porter; red Port and Lisbon Wine, suitable for exportation or home consumption. The highest price given for Mustard-Seed. Also for sale, A quantity of Bocking and common Baizes, a variety of colors; a bale of Fuliens, Shawls, &c, for sale by JOHN HAWORTH, No. 98, South Front-Street. Nov. 27. m.ath.t.ij.
Just Published, And to be had at the Book-stores of Messrs. DOD- SON, CAMPBELL, YOUNG and ORMEROD, in Philadelphia. OBSERVATIONS On the Causes and Cure of Remitting or Bilious Fever. To which is annexed, AN ABSTRACT of the opinions and practice of different authors; and an APPENDIX, exhibi- ting interesting facts and reflections relative to the Synocha Intermitens, or Yellow Fever, which has occasioned so much distress and mortality, at different periods, in several of the seaport towns of the United States of America. BY WILLIAM CURRIE, Fellow of the Philadelphia College of Physicians, and Member of the American Philosophical So- ciety, &c. 3m8v
Salisbury Estate. THE Subscriber, proposing to contract his busi- ness, offers this Estate for sale, on moderate terms. On it are one Blast and three Air Furnaces, a complete Boring Machine, and a very good grit Mill, with two pair of stones; also a good Forge, all in perfect repair, as are all the Water Works connected with these various branches. The Air Furnaces were lately built for the purpose of casting Cannon for this State—There are about two thousand acres of Land, one half of which is under wood, the other very fine arable Land, producing the best Hay and Pasture. The Cannon lately manufactured there, fully proves the excellency of the metal, which is superior to any in this country, and probably equal to any in the world; for not one of sixty-nine guns lately made, although some of the 24 were bored into 32 pounders, have failed on proving. The situa- tion is very eligible, particularly for this branch of manufacture, and a place of arms lying in the heart of Connecticut, and only 30 miles from several land- ings on the Hudson's river, and having every advan- tage that can result from a plenty of water issuing from a large natural pond, very near the Furnace, and which may be converted into a variety of other useful purposes. The purchaser can be accommodat- ed with all the stock and utensils, and have possession on or before the first of June next, and preparation may be made in the mean time for going into Blast im- mediately thereafter; for every part will be delivered in good order, with some coal, Ores, &c. For terms apply to Mr. Joseph Anthony, in Philadel- phia; David Brooks, Esq. one of the Representatives in Congress for this State; Mr. David Waterman, on the premises, or to the proprietor in New-York. WILLIAM NEILSON. Dec. 1. 3m8v
Canal Lottery---No. II. WILL commence drawing Monday, the 20th inst. Tickets for Sale in this Lottery, at Seven Dollars, at WM. BLACKBURN's Lottery and Brokers Office, No. 64, South Second-Street— Tickets in the Schuylkill Bridge Lottery, at Ten Dollars, where check books are kept for register- ing and examining in these, the City of Washing- ton, No. II. and Paterson Lotteries, and informa- tion where tickets may be had in most of the Lotte- ries authorized by law in any of the States of the Union. N. B. The business of a BROKER, in buying and selling all kinds of Public Stock and Securities, discounting Bills and Notes of Hand, sale of Lands, Houses, &c. &c. will be duly attended to, by WM. BLACKBURN. November 15. $
MUSIC. J. L. LENZ, Teacher of Vocal and Instrumental Music, RETURNS his sincere thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen, from whom he received a very liberal encouragement since his residence in this ci- ty, and respectfully informs his friends and the pub- lic generally, that, in consequence of the request of some of his friends, he has opened a Musical School at his house in Spruce Street No 174, where he will teach on the Piano forte, Violin &c. &c. &c. He deems it unnecessary to enlarge upon the ad- vantages the learner will derive from an institu- tion of this kind; he will only say, that attention and zeal are much excited in an assembly, where numbers are in pursuit of the same object. His arrangement is such, that an interference of the different lessons will be avoided. Those Ladies and Gentlemen who cannot make it convenient to attend at his school, he will wait upon at their houses.—Applications will be thankfully received at his house, where his terms and further partic- ulars may be known. Dec. 7. *twed
For sale or to be let on ground- rent. A valuable Lot of Ground; SITUATE on the north-east corner of Wal- nut and Fifth Streets, fronting the State- House square. This lot is fifty-one feet front on Walnut street, and one hundred and thirteen feet and an half on Fifth street; there are at present two small two story brick houses, and a number of small tenements thereon. Also, for Sale, Two three story Brick Houses With convenient stores, wharf, &c. situate on Water-street, between Mulberry and Sassafras streets, containing in front on Water street fif- ty-four feet, and continuing that breadth each- ward ninety-five feet, then widening to the south thirteen feet six inches. These houses have the convenience of a public alley adjoining on the north side, and are a very desirable situa- tion for a merchant, flour factor, or others who may have occasion for storage of goods. This property will be sold on very reasonable terms for cash. For further information apply to the printer. July 31. m&wtf
For Londonderry, The Brig SUKEY, William Whitten, master. A staunch good vessel, has the greater part of her cargo on board, and will sail as soon as the navigation permits. If speedy applica- tion is made, a few cakes will be taken on freight; for which, and passage, apply to the Captain, at Cuthbert's wharf, or the subscribers. John Skyrin, Landenberger's wharf, or George Dobson, No. 25 South 3d Street.
For Freight or Charter, To any Port in Europe, THE SLOOP STORK, ONE hundred and forty-one tons burthen—Staunch and well built, and sails fast. For terms apply to Joseph Anthony & Co. January 17. $
NICKLIN & GRIFFITH, At their Store on Walnut Street Wharf— HAVE FOR SALE, 58 hhds. of Jamaica Rum Madeira Wine in pipes and hhds. Teneriffe do. in pipes Old Port do. in hhds. Imperial Tea in quarters and eighths of chests Sail Canvass, No. 1, to 8 Dimities, Ginghams, and Muslins, in packa- ges suitable for the West India market. Nails assorted Black quart bottles Queens ware in hhds. and crates Yellow ochre dry in cakes; And at New-York, on board the ship DIANA, from Liverpool, expected round as soon as the navigation is open, Fine Liverpool Salt Coals Spanish Brown } Venetian Red } Purple Brown } PAINTS Patent white } White lead } Red lead } Colcothar vitriol 160 bundles Sheathing paper Seaming twine Ship DIANA, For Sale or Charter. ALSO, Brig AMAZON. N. B. The late firm of Philip Nicklin & Co. is now changed to NICKLIN & GRIFFITH. January 1. codtf
For Savannah, TO SAIL THE FIRST OPENING, The fast sailing ship SWIFT PACKET, PATRICK GRIBBEN, Master, NOW lying the first wharf below Market Street—has handsome ac- commodations for passengers—For freight or pas- sage apply to the Master on board, or to N. & J. Frazier, No. 95, South Front Street. Who have on hand, and for Sale, Prime Rice, in whole and half tiers, Georgia and Carolina ledges, Molasses in hhds, Teneriffe wine, &c. &c. December 27. 3m8v.
For Amsterdam, The Ship FARMER, JOHN MCCOY, Master; WILL sail in a few days, the greater part of her cargo being ready. For freight of fifty tons of Coffee, or pas- sage, apply to the master on board, at Walnut- street wharf, or to JOHN SAVAGE. Who is Landing, out of the said Ship, from Bour- deaux, and For Sale, Claret in hhds. White Wine in quarter casks Claret in cases, of a superior quality Fountaine, } Wines in cases Sauterne, } Lunille, } Prunes in boxes November 24. $
For Sale or Charter, The Snow GOOD HOPE, Will carry about 1200 barrels, and is ready to take in a cargo. For terms apply to Pragers & Co. No. 151, South Second-Street. Who have for sale—prime St. Croix Sugar and Rum, Madeira, Lisbon, and Teneriffe wine. November 7. dtf.
For Savannah, in Georgia, THE SHIP Sally Butler, Captain CHISHOLM, A new vessel, with excellent accommodations for passengers— Sails on the 10th of December. For Freight or Passage, apply to ROSS & SIMSON. Who have to dispose of, A small invoice of GLAUBER SALTS INDIGO, and a parcel of HOLLY WOOD. November 18. $
Landing this day, From on board the Schooner Two Friends, Dan- iel Crawley, Master, 80 hhds. and } 12 pipes } Jamaica RUM, FOR SALE BY George Latimer & Son. November 9. $
James C. & Samuel W. Fisher, AT THEIR STORE, No. 213, corner of Arch and Front Streets, HAVE FOR SALE, Cotton and worsted Hosiery in trunks, assorted A few bales red, white, and yellow Flannels Ditto fusty romal Handkerchiefs Ditto Pulicat silk ditto Ditto Pondicherry and Madras ditto Ditto Gurrabs Bengal black Taffeties 4000 pieces Napkins, and Few chests best Hyson Tea Also—1500 boxes best London Window Glass, from 8 by 6, to 19 by 14—and 15 hhds. Glass Ware, assorted, which they will dispose of cheaper than any in the city. November 28. 3m8v
For Sale or Charter, The Snow GOOD HOPE, Will carry about 1200 barrels, and is ready to take in a cargo. For terms apply to Pragers & Co. No. 151, South Second-Street. Who have for sale—prime St. Croix Sugar and Rum, Madeira, Lisbon, and Teneriffe wine. November 7. dtf.
For Sale or Charter, The Snow GOOD HOPE, Will carry about 1200 barrels, and is ready to take in a cargo. For terms apply to Pragers & Co. No. 151, South Second-Street. Who have for sale—prime St. Croix Sugar and Rum, Madeira, Lisbon, and Teneriffe wine. November 7. dtf.
For Sale or Charter, The Snow GOOD HOPE, Will carry about 1200 barrels, and is ready to take in a cargo. For terms apply to Pragers & Co. No. 151, South Second-Street. Who have for sale—prime St. Croix Sugar and Rum, Madeira, Lisbon, and Teneriffe wine. November 7. dtf.
To be Sold, A GRÉEABLE to the last will and testament of WILLIAM HESSMAN, deceased, and posses- sion given immediately, a valuable property in Arch street, between Third and Fourth Streets, consist- ing of the house, No. 107, with the lot on which it is erected, stables, and other improvements.— The house is 20 feet front, and contains ten good apartments. The lot is of the same breadth as the house and 200 feet deep, with a well of water and a very capacious walled cistern, both with pumps in good repair. The stable stands on the rear of the lot and will accommodate four horses and a car- riage. This property enjoys the perpetual privilege of a 26 feet court and an alley, 8 feet wide, extend- ing to Cherry Street. Its central position and the advantages it possesses with respect to free ventila- tion, renders it well worthy the attention of any person wishing to possess an eligible property in Phila- delphia. For further particulars enquire at No. 22, Vine Street— ROBERT HESSMAN, } or, } Acting Executors. FRANCIS BOWES STYRE, } January 11. $
W. HAYDON, Delineator of Drawing—from London, (Where he has studied several years under one of the most eminent masters in that science) INFORMS his friends, that he has re-commenc- ed his private tuition.—Terms, as usual, Six Dollars per month, for attendance three times a week. Likewise, all kinds of Ornamental Paint- ing, fruit, flowers, &c. taught on the above terms. W. H. flatters himself his terms will be particu- larly advantageous to those that employ him, as he makes no additional charge if there are two pupils in one family. A line directed to W. H. left at the office of this Gazette, will be immediately attended to. January 9. $2w
The owners of the Brigantine Mercury, William Upton, master, captured by a Spanish privateer and sold at Ceuta in last De- cember, may receive interesting information re- pecting her, by applying to the Department of State. * The Printers in the seaport towns of the United States will render a service to the concerned, by inserting the above in their news- papers. Jan. 3.
NOTICE. To holders of JAMES GREENLEAF's and EDWARD FOX's Engagements. IN consequence of many having been prevent- ed, from late unavoidable circumstances from obtaining their Certificates, agreeable to former notice. The Trustees now inform them, they are ready to issue the same to those who may ap- ply within sixty days, at No. 8 Chestnut Street, and those who do not, will be considered as re- linquishing their claim on the Aggregate Fund provided for their payment. HENRY PRATT, THOMAS W. FRANCIS, JOHN MILLER, JUN. JOHN ASHLEY, JACOB BAKER. December 15. 460t
LOST, IN this City, on Sunday Nov. 26th 1797, a Morocco Pocket Book, containing 6 notes of hand to READ & PIERCE, as follows, John Duffield's, for 441 dollars 73 cents. William M'Laws 435 37 George May's 177 19 John Doiks 11 90 Edward Clayton's 60 Do. 30 Do. 27 John Brown's £106-15-11 One 10 dollar Bank of Pennsylvania note—an or- der upon Walter Franklin, Esq. in favor of Charles Read; and sundry other papers that can be of no use but to the owners. Payment of the aforesaid notes of hand being stopped, a reward of 15 dollars shall be paid to the person or persons bring- ing said pocket book with the aforesaid contents to Read and Pierce, No. 65, Chestnut Street and no questions asked. January 19. *ced3t.
War-Office of the United States, January 19th, 1798. WHEREAS frauds have been practised, in obtaining Warrants for Bounty Lands, due to the Officers and Soldiers of the late Continental Army, by the production of forged instruments. To check in future such impositions, it has been thought advisable; that all persons, having claims for bounty lands, whether in their own right, as legal representative, or by virtue of any instrument or deed of transfer, be required to forward their respective claims to the War Office, on or before the first day of January 1799 in order that such claims may be duly examined, adjusted and deter- mined upon. To substantiate such claims, a strict observance of the rules heretofore issued from the War Office will be indispensable; and in addition to what is requi- red by the said rules, the certificate of the acknow- ledgement of a Deed or Power of Attorney, must also set forth the place of residence and occupation of the claimant or person making such acknowledg- ment; and when the proof of personal knowledge is by a witness or witnesses, their place or places of residence must be set forth in like manner. JAMES M'HENRY, Sec'y of War. Jan. 7. 46w
French Circulating Library. JOSEPH E. G. M. De LA GRANGE, No. 112 Walnut-Street, INFORMS those who wish to recur to the only means of becoming perfect in the French Lan- guage, that he has just opened his LIBRARY, con- sisting of upwards of 1500 volumes, the best cal- culated to afford either useful instruction, or plea- sure. The conditions, together with a catalogue of the Library, may be seen at every book-seller's in town. N. B. All translations from and into the French, English and Spanish Languages, executed with accu- racy and dispatch. coin nov. 14.
Imported in the brig Eliza, Capt. HASTIE, from Bourdeaux; Claret in Cases of a very superior quality, White Sauterne Wine in Cases, Olive Oil in baskets of 12 bottles each, White and coloured Kid Gloves, do. do. Silk do. A few pipes of Bourdeaux Brandy, For Sale by JAMES LATIMER, jun. 71, South Wharves. Who has also for Sale, A few qt. Casks Old Sherry Wine. Dec. 5. 42w
FOR SALE, By BENJAMIN CLARK, No. 55, the corner of Chestnut and Front Streets, A large quantity of Clocks and Watches. Also, a general assortment of Tools, Files and Materials, consisting of Clock Move- ments, eight day and thirty hour brass pinions and forge work; Bells, clock and watch Dials, Springs, Hands, Glasses, Punice Stone, Emery, Rotten Stone, Cat Gut; bench, stand, and rail Vices; Turas, Pliers, Chains, Seals, Keys, &c. &c. * Apprentices Wanted. November 3. f&rutf
FOR SALE, By BENJAMIN CLARK, No. 55, the corner of Chestnut and Front Streets, A large quantity of Clocks and Watches. Also, a general assortment of Tools, Files and Materials, consisting of Clock Move- ments, eight day and thirty hour brass pinions and forge work; Bells, clock and watch Dials, Springs, Hands, Glasses, Punice Stone, Emery, Rotten Stone, Cat Gut; bench, stand, and rail Vices; Turas, Pliers, Chains, Seals, Keys, &c. &c. * Apprentices Wanted. November 3. f&rutf
FOR SALE, By BENJAMIN CLARK, No. 55, the corner of Chestnut and Front Streets, A large quantity of Clocks and Watches. Also, a general assortment of Tools, Files and Materials, consisting of Clock Move- ments, eight day and thirty hour brass pinions and forge work; Bells, clock and watch Dials, Springs, Hands, Glasses, Punice Stone, Emery, Rotten Stone, Cat Gut; bench, stand, and rail Vices; Turas, Pliers, Chains, Seals, Keys, &c. &c. * Apprentices Wanted. November 3. f&rutf
FOR SALE, By BENJAMIN CLARK, No. 55, the corner of Chestnut and Front Streets, A large quantity of Clocks and Watches. Also, a general assortment of Tools, Files and Materials, consisting of Clock Move- ments, eight day and thirty hour brass pinions and forge work; Bells, clock and watch Dials, Springs, Hands, Glasses, Punice Stone, Emery, Rotten Stone, Cat Gut; bench, stand, and rail Vices; Turas, Pliers, Chains, Seals, Keys, &c. &c. * Apprentices Wanted. November 3. f&rutf
NOTICE. ALL persons who have any demands against the estate of WILLIAM FLEEWOOD, of Liverpool, late of Philadelphia, merchant, de- ceased, are requested to exhibit their accounts, properly attested; and those who are indebted to the same, are desired to make immediate payment, to GEO. DOBSON, } Administrators. No. 25, So. Third-Street. January 4. dtf.
To Cabinet Makers, Joiners, &c. Cavanagh & Hearn, Pine-street, near the New-Market, RETURN thanks to their friends and the public, for their liberal encouragement, and hope, by their unremitting attention, to merit a continuance of their favors. The Part- nership between them and Joseph B. Barry, has been dissolved by mutual consent. Cavanagh and Hearn have just received a quantity of St. Domingo and Honduras Mahogany, which they intend to sell on very reasonable terms for cash. Orders from the country most punctually ex- ecuted. Vineers of all kinds cut as usual. Jan. 15. 2aw4w
Musical Instrument Manufactory, 167, Arch-Street. TO THE LOVERS OF HARMONY. HARPER, INFORMS his friends and the public, that he has now ready for sale, a few of his new invented, and much admired fide board Piano Fortes, with Pedals, patent swell, sonopant and French harp stop, which for sensibility of touch, brilliancy of tone, simplicity and durability of construction, the superiority of which he flatters himself, a single trial will convince the unprejudiced judge—as they are manufactured under his immediate inspection, of the very best seasoned materials, he can sell on reasonable terms for Cash. Instruments repaired, tuned, &c. N. B. Second hand Piano Fortes taken in ex- change for new. November 18. 2aw2mo.
NOTICE. ALL persons indebted to the estate of Peter Gill, late of the District of Southwark, de- ceased, are requested to make immediate pay- ment to either of the Subscribers; and those who have any demands against said estate, are requested to bring in their accounts duly att- ached to JOHN MURPHY, PETER SCRAVENDYKE, } Execut- THOMAS FARRELL, } tors. Philad. Jan. 16, 1798. **2aw4w
FOR SALE, AT WM. YOUNG's Book Store, No. 52, Second Street, the corner of Chestnut Street. REPORT of the Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States, appoint- ed to prepare and report Articles of impeachment against WILLIAM BLOUNT, a Senator of the United States, impeached of high crimes and mis- demeanors, made in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives, authorizing the said Committee to sit during the recess of Congress, and instructing them "to enquire, and, by all lawful means, to discover the whole matter and extent of the offence whereof the said William Blount stands impeached, and who are the parties and abettors therein." Printed by order of the House of Representatives. December 20. $
Prison Manufactory. FOR SALE, At the Prison of the City and County of Philadel- phia. Cut Nails of all sizes, from 3dy to 20dy Flooring Brads, Spriggs, faddle and card Tasks Oakum and chipped Logwood Shoemakers and Saddlers Thread Alfo—Sawed Marble, suitable for currier's tables, tomb and headstones, hearths, chimney pieces, platforms, slabs, facia, window heads, fills, &c. All which may be had on reasonable terms. Shoes made and Weaving done at said Prison at a moderate price. Orders from a distance, directed to Daniel Tho- mas, agent for the prison, will be attended to. December 26. mth6m
DANCING SCHOOL. WILLIAM M'DOUGALL presents his most respectful compliments to his former employers and the citizens in general, and re- turns his most grateful thanks, for the very bountiful encouragement he has experienced for these twenty-five years past, takes this opportu- nity of informing them, that his school is now open; at his Elegant Ball Room, in South Fourth-Street, between Chestnut and Walnut-Street. To begin at 10 in the morning for young ladies, and 6 in the evening for young gentlemen. Dec. 8. 2awtf.
COLUMBIA HOUSE Boarding School for young Ladies. MRS. GROOMBRIDGE with much plea- sure and respect, returns her sincere ac- knowledgement for the liberal encouragement she has received during four years residence in Philadelphia; and assures her friends and the public, so far from intending to decline her school, she has made a superior arrangement for the more convenient accommodation of her scholars.—Every branch of useful and polite education is particularly attended to by Mrs. Groombridge and masters excelling in their respective professions. Corner of Spruce and Eleventh Streets. June 5th, 1797. 91m8f
This Day is Published, BY Mss. Dobson, Carey, Campbell, Ric, and the other Booksellers, Price One Dollar and twenty-five cents, Elegantly printed on Wove paper, and Hot- pressed, By John Thompson, A COMPARATIVE VIEW OF The Constitutions Of the several States with each other, and with that of the United States: exhibiting in Tables, the prominent features of each Constitution, and classing together their most important provisions, under the several heads of administration; with Notes and Observations. By WILLIAM SMITH, Of South Carolina, LL. D. and member of the Congress of the United States. Dedicated to the People of the United States. N. B. A few Copies printed on an inferior pa- per, at 3/4ths of a dollar.
Just Published, And to be had of Mssrs. Dobson, Campbell, Ric, Carey, and the other principal Booksellers in the city, price one dollar, twenty-five cents, in boards, New Views of the Origin of the Tribes and Nations of America. By BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON, M. D. June 20. *6t
City Commissioner's Office, January 1, 1797. FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE CITIZENS. THE following arrangement is made by the said Commissioners, for cleaning the streets, &c. District No. 1.—From the north side of Vine street to the south side of Mulberry-street; to be under the superintendence of Nicholas Hicks. 2. From the fourth side of Mulberry street, to the fourth side of Chestnut street to be under the superintendence of William Moulder. 3. From the south side of Chestnut street to the north side of Spruce street, to be under the superintendence of Joseph Claypoole. 4. From the north side of Spruce street, to the south side of Cedar street, to be under the su- perintendence of Hugh Roberts. mwfim
The Subscriber, Informs those to whom it is indebted, that his books, which have been kept open for their inspec- tion since December 1796 are balanced to the 31st ult. and will during the present month remain open at his Counting-house in Chestnut Street for their further investigation and settling. JAMES GREENLEAF, Philadelphia, Jan. 1798.
Just received a Fresh Supply: English Grammar, The second edition, with improvements, ADAPTED to the different classes of learners; with an appendix, containing rules and ob- servations for assisting the more advanced students to write with perspicuity and accuracy. By LINDLEY MURRAY. "This is a publication of much merit, and fully answers the professions in the Title. The appen- dix contains some of the best rules for writing e- legantly, and with propriety, that we recollect to have seen." Monthly Review, July 1796.
English Exercises, Adapted to the Grammar lately published by Lindley Murray, consisting of exemplification of the parts of speech, instances of false orthography, violations of the rules of syntax, defects in pun- ctuation, and violations of the rules respecting perspicuity and accuracy, designed for the benefit of private learners, as well as for the use of schools. "We have been much pleased with the perusal of these Exercises. They occupy with distinguish- ed excellence a most important place in the science of the English language; and as such, we can warmly recommend them to the Teachers of Schools, as well as to all those who are desirous of attaining correctness and precision in their native tongue." Monthly Review, July 1797. The above Books are for sale at JOSEPH & JAMES CROOKSHANKS book store, No. 87, Market Street. January 17. 3m8wtf.
60 Dollars Reward. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on the 24th of December, 1797, a Negro Man, about 22 years old, by the name of Cato, he is about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, midling well proportioned; he has a very coarse voice, his fore teeth stand very far apart; there were one or two with him—I cannot rightly describe the clothes he took with him, for he took two or three suits; he had on when he went away, a pair of bessey trowzers, a half worn straw coloured coat, a half worn wool hat; he took with him four very good shirts—I expect he has made for Philadelphia or the Jerseys. Whoever takes up said negro and secures him, so that the owner may get him again, shall have the above reward, paid by me, JOHN MOORE. Living in Still Pond, Kent county, Maryland. January 2. *62aw
Wanted, to Hire, A Large and convenient HOUSE, in or near the centre of the city—for which a generous rent will be given; to be taken for a year, or on more for a longer term. Inquire of the Printer. Oct. 17. doof
Valuable Books, Just received by the FAIR AMERICAN from London, and now opening and selling by J. ORMEROD, No. 41, Chestnut Street. CATALOGUES Of the newly imported books maybe had gratis. These added to O's usual stock, form an extensive and elegant collection of ancient and modern literature, and comprise books in fun- dry languages and on various subjects. This Day is Published, By J. ORMEROD, (Price 75 cents, handsomely bound and lettered, and embellished with an elegant frontispiece and seventy three cuts.) The Looking Glass for the Mind, OR, The JUVENILE FRIEND; Being a valuable collection of interesting and miscellaneous incidents, calculated to exhibit to young minds the happy effects of youthful in- nocence and filial affection.—In prose and verse. Designed to improve and amuse the rising generation. In the Press, and will be speedily published, DR. DARWIN'S Plan of Female Education. Subscriptions for this incomparable work will be thankfully received by the printer. The book will contain about three hundred pages, will be printed with a new type on fine paper, and de- livered to subscribers neatly bound, lettered and embellished with an elegant frontispiece, for one dollar. January 3. 3t.
This Day Published, And to be sold by WILLIAM YOUNG, corner of Second and Chestnut Streets, Price 3/4ths of a Dollar, Observations on certain Documents Contained in No. V and VI of "The History of the United States for the year 1796," In which the CHARGE of SPECULATION against ALEXANDER HAMILTON, Late SECRETARY of the TREASURY, is FULLY REFUTED. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. This publication presents a concise statement of the facts and proceedings of the Jacobins of the United States to asperse the characters of those persons who are considered as hostile to their dis- organizing schemes. It also contains the cor- respondence between Mr. Hamilton and Messrs. Monroe, Muhlenburg and Venable, on the sub- ject of the documents aforesaid, and a series of let- ters from James Reynolds and his wife to Mr.