National gazette. (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 1791-11-07 00:00:00

National Gazette
By PHILIP FRENEAU.
VOL. I.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1791.
NUMB. 3.
FOR THE NATIONAL GAZETTE.
SOME PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO THE SOIL, SITUATION, PRODUCTIONS, &c. OF KENTUCKY;
Extracted from the Manuscript Journal of a Gentleman not long since returned from those parts.
THE river OHIO is, beyond all competition, the most beautiful in the Universe, whether we consider it for its meandering course, through an immense region of forests, for its clean and elegant banks, which afford innumerable delightful situations for cities, villages and improved farms, or for those many other advantages, which truly entitle it to the name originally given it by the French of La Belle Riviere . After passing a distance of five hundred miles upon those waters, I arrived at Limestone , which is the general landing place for people coming by water from the United States. The descriptions hitherto given of Kentucky have generally been thought extravagant; but as nobody has come forward in contradiction to the common reports, we naturally conclude a country must be very extraordinary, which every body unites in extolling.
Influenced by this idea, I approached this earthly elysium , (as I supposed it) upon which Nature has been thought to bestow her most peculiar favors, and the seasons have been said to smile without interruption. The first appearance of Limestone , however, will be found dissatisfactory to every one that lands from up the River. A number of houses situated on a lofty and uneven bank, apparently at the foot of a very high hill, (which, on account of a bend in the river is not seen till you come within two miles of it) gives the stranger notice of his approach to Limestone . As you arrive you are mortified at finding the creek on which the town stands (so very conspicuous in the smallest maps) nothing better than a mere gut, which may nearly be leaped over. In this harbour are seen a few Kentucky boats, generally laying near the mouth, many of which have been broken up to form those straggling houses which are perceived on the bank. The people of this place never fail to inform you that this is the rag end of Kentucky, and as you are willing to consider it such with them, for want of comfortable accommodation, you are glad to get away from it as fast as possible.
However, as the quality of the land is the great object to emigrants, every one must be pleased with the soil, and was that the only thing requisite to make a country valuable or pleasing, Kentucky would be the most so in the world, as the land is no where excelled. After you are got fairly into Kentucky the soil assumes a black appearance, rich and light in substance, and should you visit the country in the spring, you will be surprised at finding no leaves under the trees. The reason is, the ground is so rich and damp, that they always rot and disappear with the winter, except where the soil is evidently poor, for that country. It then bears the appearance of the better sort of land in Pennsylvania and Jersey, tho' differing widely in substance, there being no land to be met with in the soil of Kentucky.
There is a species of flat, or split Limestone that pervades all the country, laying at unequal depths. In the rich and black-looking soil, it lays near the surface, and in general the nearer the stone lays to the surface the richer the land is found to be. At the same time the stone does not, as I expected, impede the growth of the trees, as they grow every where to an amazing height, except near the salt licks, where the influence of the
saline particles seems to check their growth.
Among the many accounts that have been given of Kentucky, none of them have done justice to the timber. Oak and locust on the flat lands are common at five feet diameter. Poplars growing on the beach lands are so common at five and six feet through, as hardly to be noticed. The beech grows to the thickness of four and five feet, and both of the last mentioned to the height of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty feet. These, and the advantage of pasture in the woods, constitute the great excellence of Kentucky; the disadvantages will, I fear, nearly counterbalance the luxuriance of the soil.
The stories told of the abundance of grass in the woods are in many instances true. You frequently find beds of clover to the horse's knees, sometimes a species of rush-grass commonly called wild rye, from the similarity of its stalk to the rye so called among us; in other places we meet with large tracts of wild cane, very much esteemed by the wild and tame cattle, it continuing in verdure all the winter. There is also a species of vine called the pea vine, from its producing a small pod, resembling that of the garden pea, of which both horses and cattle are extremely fond. These are scattered generally through the country, according to the different soils, but are not to be met with universally. The woods, however, afford abundance of food for cattle, and in consequence of this abundance the people pay very little attention to making and improving pasture lands. The milk from this food is thin, and both that and the butter retain a strong taste of weeds. In hot weather their milk will turn sour in two or three hours after milking; but, as the custom of the country is to eat sour milk, this disadvantage is not much regretted.
It is generally the practice with the Kentuckians to turn out their horses with the cattle, and a man is frequently two or three days hunting for a horse he wants only for half an hour. Their cattle have been, and are of necessity exposed during the winter to subsist in the woods, but the consequence is, that many of them die, and all suffer extremely; the common opinion being not well founded, that the climate is more favorable than in the middle States, which is sufficiently evident from the winters here frequently proving as cold as in Pennsylvania or Jersey: with this difference, that the changes are more sudden, and the effects more severely felt.
The houses in Kentucky, some few in the towns excepted, are scarcely deserving of the name; which we shall have the less room to admire at, when we recollect the short interval that has elapsed since the first settlement of the country.
A temporary hut is at first erected, at least as open as a New-England corn-crib; yet in those miserable habitations are seen Ladies neatly dressed, who are, as yet, obliged to reside therein for want of better houses. The Taverns are generally wretched, unless one or two in the Capital town, Lexington ; and you are charged extravagantly for the worst fare; should a man go to Kentucky, who could eat neither milk nor bacon, his case would be pitiable; but I do not mean to reflect, on the contrary I am willing to allow that the buildings of every kind are improving as fast as the circumstances of the country will permit.
The convenience of a spring of water is the first and chief consideration in choosing a spot for a house; and as the roads in general are laid out upon the higher grounds, the country, to a traveller appears still to be uninhabited, an endless range of solitary woods preventing the agreeable view of farms and settlements. But upon a general muster-day, the scene is wholly changed. You
are then surprised at the number of inhabitants that emerge from the forests to practise in the art military.
The great boast of a Kentucky-man is the quantity of corn that the land will raise upon an acre; of which, one hundred and seven bushels is the greatest quantity that I could find ascertained to have been produced. This, in the fall, sells for six pence a bushel. The common produce of the soil is from fifty to eighty bushels an acre, in a favorable season. This upon an average, is about three times the quantity we can raise on an acre in the old states; grain of this kind must therefore always be low in Kentucky, probably lower than at present, when the country comes to be more opened.
Hitherto there has not been much more grain raised than has been consumed by the inhabitants; and the persons emigrating there, together with the trade down the river, may afford a fine prospect in theory, to individuals, but will never turn out of any solid advantage to the public of this settlement: The difficulty in returning up the river must render the voyage terrible. To make head against the stream must be done by dint of severe labor and main strength, and would require exertions which no man would ever wish to make a second time, who was not urged by the inducement of gaining a speedy fortune thereby.
In passing through the country during the summer season your attention is always drawn to the dryness of the creeks and runs. A little water is in some places, seen standing among the flat stones, but so warm with the sun that cattle will scarcely drink it. We feel hurt at the sight of a large and beautiful country, that will forever labour under the inconvenience of a want of springs and running water, at least, five months in the year. The lightness of the soil, in wet weather, soon makes the roads unpleasant for travelling, which are as soon dried again in fair weather. The rain sinks presently below the surface, the brooks which were just now flowing with water, are in a few hours dry, and seized as it were with a general thirst.
At present horse mills grind a great part of the corn and wheat of the country, altho' a comparatively small part of the latter is used by the inhabitants, who generally give the preference to Indian meal baked in a pot, or before the fire.
All strangers, upon their arrival here, undergo a purgation, which is thought to proceed from the limestone quality imparted to the water from the nature of the soil. Gnats and flies are very troublesome, particularly in the fall, at which season they become a perfect torment both to man and beast.
Log houses must be expected to be met with every where, boards being a very scarce article for want of saw mills; but the materials will in time afford beautiful habitations, walnut and wild cherry being common articles of building.
A Lawyer in travelling through Kentucky might well exclaim in the language of Virgil,
Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris—
For of law there is enough, claims for land interfering continually, and rights so laid one upon another, that scarcely any body knows who is safe. The emigration to this part of the continent has been amazing, and this is the best place in the world for people to remove to with large families, where they will find Providence sufficiently bountiful; or, if the view of the Emigrant should be to render himself and his posterity independent, here is the country that will suit his wishes—at the same time, let him understand that if he does not bring a fortune with him, he will find he must at first live low and work hard
It will require a long time to introduce luxuries into the region called Kentucky, in any great plenty. But if the Emigrant should be an enthusiast (as many are who come to settle here) and looks forward to the complete settlement of this territory, he will think it the land of promise, and point it out to his children to be the spot for the millennium of the world, where the farce of titular dignity and the parade of courts shall never be exhibited; where monarchy shall never intrude to trample upon the rights of man; but a pure and equal republican form of government shall gradually introduce the practice of those virtues, which are consonant to the true nature of our species.
The Buffaloes have entirely quitted the cultivated parts of Kentucky, and the Deer have become scarce; of wild turkeys however, there are an abundance nearly as tame as those bred in the yard. From their being extremely poor in the summer they remain unmolested: in the winter they grow very fat, and are reckoned delicious food: of other birds there is no great variety.
No land appears better adapted to the culture of tobacco than that of Kentucky, and it is now become one of their staples. At present there are but few orchards, but as the country opens they will find it their interest to plant them.
The flour I have seen made here is generally black, and not so good as might be expected. Possibly it may be the fault of the mills, or it may proceed from the richness of the ground, tho' it must be confessed the grain itself looks well. As to money, it is scarcely a medium of commerce, except with shop and tavern keepers. Every thing has two prices, the trade and cash price. What cash there is, soon becomes collected in the shops, and returns for goods; imports selling from one to two hundred per cent more than the Philadelphia price; notwithstanding which, every one dresses gay, and except about the houses, you find the appearance of industry and cleanliness. The general mode of settling, with a new Emigrant, is to build a little log hut—he then sets about girdling, or killing the trees, and when that is done, puts in his corn without delay. Should he, after all this, not feel at home, nor relish his situation, or admire his prospects, his only consolation will be (if it can be called a consolation) that to the family of a poor man, women and children, it is a dreadful, I may say, almost an impossible thing to return.
Philadelphia Nov. 5, 1791.
Extract from the Proceedings of the General Assembly of St. Domingo, Sept. 28.
[Translated for the National Gazette.]
THE secretary of the committee of reports has reported the case of Mr. Bourne, and presented to the assembly the draft of a decree, which has been adopted, in the following terms:
"Mr. Silvanus Bourne, who has been appointed by the President of the United States of America consul for the said states at St. Domingo, having met with some difficulties from the Colonial tribunals in respect to his admission as consul; and being in consequence thereof upon the point of returning to his country—the provisional administrative assembly for the northern department of this colony having notified their desire to the general assembly that Mr. Bourne should be invited to remain at the Cape and exercise the duties of his consulship, the general assembly has referred the further consideration of this matter to the committee of the constitution.
Sept. 29.
Decreed provisionally, That Mr. Silvanus Bourne be invited to remain in this colony; and in consequence of his compliance with this invitation, that the president of the assembly shall put his

exequatur to Mr. Bourne's letters, that he may provisionally execute the duties of consul for the United States of America in the three ports of St. Domingo, called the ports of entry, and not elsewhere.
Decreed, further, that copies of Mr. Bourne's letters, and other writings by him produced to the general assembly, shall be deposited in the public office of records, to be occasionally referred to; and that the articles agreed upon at Versailles the 14th of November, 1788, between M. M. de Montmorin and Mr. Jefferson shall be printed, and published in all such places as shall appear necessary and proper, for the sake of general information: and, lastly, that Mr. Bourne be requested to apply to the admiralty of the three ports of entry in St. Domingo, to cause his commission and other powers to be registered in the offices of their court.
Translations from GAZETTE NATIONALE and other French papers, printed at Paris, Aug. 26, 31.
CONSTANTINOPLE, July 24.
Intelligence of a very disagreeable nature is received from Mecca, the consequences of which will in all probability prove fatal to the Ottoman power in Asia; an Arabian tribe, consisting of near fifty thousand men have possessed themselves of Mecca, pillaged the treasures, and deposed the Sheriff, whose place is filled by one of his Chiefs. The caravan which travels every year to this city, carrying with it a vast number of pilgrims of the Mussulman faith, has stopped in Syria, not daring to pursue their journey any farther. This event has occasioned many conferences in the Divan, but any decisive step is deferred till further particulars are received.
H A G U E, August 17.
The Princess of Orange is preparing to set out on a journey to Brunswick and Berlin, with a view to encourage the enemies of the French revolution, and engage them, if possible, to fall upon Alsace and Lorraine. As a preparatory step they have inserted in the public prints the articles of the treaty of Westphalia, which are there pretended to have been infringed by the Decrees of the National Assembly. Secret advice has likewise been sent to France from this quarter, imploring the King not to accept the new constitution, or at least to delay the acceptance of it as long as possible, with a promise of speedy relief from his present disagreeable situation; to effect this purpose no money will be spared; but as to the Prince of Orange himself, he is quite phlegmatic on the occasion, and does not seem to espouse the cause of the aristocratical party, with that warmth they expected. Some of these poor gentlemen waited on him the other day, on purpose to pay their court; he received them with a deal of ceremony, and, in a very formal manner, addressed them as follows:—"I am truly grieved, gentlemen, for your unfortunate situation, and prospects; I, too, in my time have had factions, perplexities, and popular injustice to contend with, but I defy the world to say the fault was mine." With these words he wished them well, and left them, under pretence of more urgent business.
W A R S A W, August 14.
The Sultan of the Turks is so ill pleased with the conditions of peace, offered by the Empress, that he has now for a second time applied to the court of Spain, that by their means and interference, he may obtain better terms. The discontents of his own subjects will, however, compel him to accede to the peace that is offered. News is just received here that the consequences of the battle of Maczin were much more fatal than the defeat itself. After the Grand Vizir had retreated to Hetsowa, and from thence to Schiumlja, he was very near being cut to pieces by his own troops, and only made his escape by a very precipitate flight. The whole Turkish army was dispersed, and in the greatest confusion, the Arnauts having fallen upon the Janisaries and put a greater number to the sword than had fallen in the battle.
AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, Aug. 20.
The continual going and coming of couriers has given rise to a suspicion that certain sovereigns have something else in view, than merely making a peace for the Turks, since that may be considered as good as accomplished. The French exiles are persuading themselves that France is the principal object of all these movements, and that the respective sovereigns have it much at heart to reinstate Louis XVIth in all his prerogatives, to restore the French Noblesse to all their privileges, and the clergy to their estates!
Extract of a letter from Pont Beauvoisin, August 18.
"Having had occasion to travel through Savoy, I sit down a moment to give you some particulars of my journey. The self-exiled French in Savoy are but few in number; few as they are, however, they are not without their little army, encamped near Lake Bourget. Their uniform is blue with scarlet lining, buttons with three fleurs de lis , and a white cockade. This army consists of near fifty men, well paid and fed. The General I saw on the parade; they call him M. de Builly.—Here are also a great number of fugitive priests, who seem very poor and destitute. The late Archbishop passed along here several days ago; in some of the villages he was complimented as he went through, but the town of Couflans absolutely refused to pay him any respect whatever, and even tied up the clappers of the bells.— Sic transit gloria mundi! "
N A N C I, August 25.
We have daily accounts of the German troops on the frontiers and at Luxembourg, deserting from their garrisons and passing into France with their arms and baggage, which they dispose of at a very low price. It is even said, that they desert in whole platoons and detachments, and to such a degree, we are assured, that after changing his regiments five or six times, the German General has been obliged to retire from the frontier with all his remaining troops, to prevent a total desertion.
A letter from Longwy informs, that a number of the inhabitants had formed a design to seize upon the person of M. Bouille and carry him into France: unfortunately the plot was discovered, and they were making preparations to hang the conspirators when these accounts came away.
AUGUST, 26.
Intelligence is just come in, that the German troops at Luxembourg, together with the inhabitants, have risen in a body to prevent the execution of the sentence upon the persons that attempted to seize M. de Bouille and deliver him up to the vengeance of France. There has also been a serious insurrection in Brabant, in which the refugees from France have suffered not a little. M. M. Gourcy, in particular has just arrived here, with his carriage full of company, who thought they were snugly lodged in the Brabantine territories, till such times as the old government of France should be restored.
A N N E C Y, Aug. 20.
They write from Thouon, near Annecy, that a young man who was singing the song, ça ira , in the night time through the streets, was arrested by the guard, and taken to prison. Next day the citizens rose, broke open the prison, and carried him in triumph to all the public places in the city, making him sing ça ira to his heart's content, in spite of the garrison. The intendant, however, and the aristocrats of the town kept themselves carefully concealed all this time, till a large body of troops which they had sent for, came in sight. Unfortunately the citizens, to the number of 4000, were unarmed, and incapable of defence. Twenty-four of the principal of them had the good luck to escape to Geneva. Messenger after messenger was sent to have them delivered up, but the friends of humanity had them carried over the lake and conducted into the French territories. This day the Senate condemned four others of the ringleaders to be broken alive. These four victims to aristocratical resentment, are a physician, a surgeon, a lawyer, and a private gentleman. Forty other citizens of note concerned in
this affair have been sent to the galleys for life, and a reward of one thousand livres is offered for apprehending every fugitive.
M A D R I D, August 10.
Three foreign vessels have recently unladed their cargoes at a port near Oran, consisting of all kinds of warlike stores, without the Spanish squadron, which was cruising before the place, being able to prevent it. The siege of Oran is going on as usual. The new Dey of Algiers, who it was thought entertained sentiments favorable to Spain, has at length shown quite a contrary disposition, and we have reason to fear, will follow the maxims of his predecessor.
Letters from Naples, dated July 30, mention a torrent of Lava having for some days proceeded from Veluvius, on that side of the mountain adjacent the coast of Refini. It flows in great abundance, and had already begun to inundate the cultivated fields.
AUGUST 15.
News is just come in that the Dey of Mascara, yielding to the instances of the Dey of Algiers, has raised the siege of Oran, and departed with his whole army.
P A R I S, August 31.
Much time has been spent in devising means to prevent the exportation of specie from France.—Nothing is more easy; let us stamp upon our gold and silver coins, the words, " Freedom or Death ," and there is no danger that our neighbors will admit such money to circulate amongst them. But, it may be objected, "they will melt it up." Chymists will tell us, however, that there is a method of so alloying metals, as to render the fusion of them destructive to the intrinsic value. We must then, of necessity, practise this art and our enemies will soon be weary of an operation by which more is to be lost than gained.
The French plan of Defence, in case they are attacked by a junction of European Powers.
 1. Never to surrender themselves up alive to an enemy.  2. Not to give quarter to any foreign hostile officer whatever, be his rank what it may, from the corporal to the general, inclusive, if taken with arms in their hands.  3. Still less shall quarter be given to any Frenchman, who shall be found in arms against his country.  4. To treat in a friendly manner every foreign soldier, who shall be so unfortunate as to be compelled, by constraint of military discipline, to obey the order of his officer; it being contrary to the disposition of a generous people to reckon any person their enemies, except those who shall have the command in this work of murder, and who would, if possible, perpetuate the slavery of the human race. With a faithful adherence to the above rules, the French will continue free and invincible, tho' all the tyrants of the world should enter into a combination against them! 
Presentment of the French Constitution to LOUIS XVI.
September 3.
On Thursday the 1st inst. the new Constitution of France was presented to the King, as finally digested, for his acceptance. The whole was read to him except that part on the manner of convoking national assemblies of revision.—This clause was sent back to the committee of the assembly of the nation, on which the subject was resumed next day, when it was proposed by the committee, that the articles should stand as follows.
"The national assembly declares, that the nation has the indefeasible right to change its constitution: and, nevertheless, considering that it is the interest of the nation not to exert, but by the means pointed out in the constitution, and by the forms hereinafter mentioned, this right of reforming the constitutional articles, of which experience may point out to them the inconvenience,
"When three legislatures shall have expressed an uniform desire for the revision of some part of the constitution, a revision shall take place. The two next legislatures, however, shall not have the power to express a wish for revision.
"The legislatures shall not employ themselves in examining if there is reason for demanding a revision; but the third legislature, who deliberates on the invitation, shall employ themselves in the discussion during the two first months of the second year of their session.
"The fourth legislature shall be a revising legislature; shall be composed of 249 members more than the ordinary legislatures—These 249 members shall withdraw after the labor of revision, and shall not participate on objects of legislation. The revising body shall take an oath not to employ themselves but on the objects on which the three preceding legislatures shall have called for the revision.
"The decree by which the legislature shall demand the revision of a constitution article, shall not be submitted to the sanction of the king."
The propositions, after some debate, were adopted.
After some debate, relative to inserting in the constitution, the right of granting pardons, as the king's prerogative, it was moved by M. Languinai, as follows:
"The National Assembly declares, that the constitution is formed, and that it cannot be changed."
The motion was put and carried unanimously. Not one member rose in opposition on the right hand. The burst of applause which followed from every part of the assembly, testified the triumph of patriotism. The acclamations continued for several minutes. It was precisely half past twelve, at noon: and thus, in two years, three months, and fifteen days, a new constitution has risen out of the ruins of the old monarchy, the corruptions of which forced an enlightened people to begin from the foundation. It would be impertinent in me to detain our readers with observations of my own. Present the constitution to them entire, and demand if it does not at least promise to secure to the people of France the blessings of a pure government, cheaply administered.—At the interesting moment of this motion passing into the affirmative, all parties seemed to unite. Feuillans and Jacobins joined in equal expressions of triumph. The one party happy that they touched the end of the glorious labours which have employed them so incessantly, and subjected them to such various calumnies, foreign and domestic, surrounded as they were with dangers, alarms, and calumnies of every kind. The other party, to all the world, had the additional motive of joy, that they were now safe against further modification, for, irritable and jealous, they dreaded that every moment was pregnant with changes.—The surrounding public were elevated beyond powers of description, for they saw the glorious labor accomplished, under the progress of which they had suffered such inquietudes and agitation, and had now the double prospect of liberty and peace.
Mr. Dandre then rose and moved, that the Constitution of France be presented to the King by a deputation of sixty members, on this day, the second of September.—The President then went to the Thuilleries, and took the King's pleasure at what time he would receive the deputation.—He fixed it for nine, in the evening. About three quarters after eight the procession set out, and upon their arrival at the palace, M. Thouret, who was the orator, presented the grand act to his Majesty, with these words,
"Sire, "The National Assembly has charged us to present to your Majesty, for your acceptance, the Constitutional Act, which consecrates the imprescriptible rights of the French people; which regenerates the government, and ascertains the true dignity of the throne."
The King read his answer from a paper. "Gentlemen, "I shall examine the Constitution which the national assembly has charged you to present to me. I shall make known to you my resolution, with the shortest delay possible, which the examination of an object so important will permit. I am determined to remain in Paris. I shall give to the commandant general of the national guard of Paris, the orders which I shall think necessary for the service of my guard."
He read this with an open countenance and an air of satisfaction, and gave the paper to M. Thouret. Neither the Queen nor Dauphin were present.
The deputation moved back in the same order to the Assembly, where M. Thouret read the King's answer to the members, who had remained there during the important interval.
BALTIMORE, November 1.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Nantz, to his friend in this town, dated Sept. 10.
"We learn with concern, by Captains of vessels from your side of the water, the erroneous reports made you of the situation of this country. We can assure you that we are in the most perfect tranquillity, and that commerce was never more flourishing or better protected."
SHEPHERDS-TOWN, Oct. 24.
Late advices from the westward state, that the grand army under General St. Clair, after having marched 25 miles, halted and erected a fort without opposition. That it was the intention of the General to continue the chain of forts at 25 miles distance, until his arrival at the Maumee towns, provided the ground will admit of them. That at their arrival there, a garrison of 1200 men was to be established. That the army had been joined by 1100 Kentucky militia, which made a body of upwards of 8000 strong; and that the Court Martial held on General Harmar, had acquitted him with honor.

CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES.
THURSDAY, November 3.
Mr. John Page and Mr. Richard Bland Lee, both from Virginia, appeared and took their seats.
Read a third time, the bill, deferring for a further period the return of the enumeration of the Inhabitants of the District of South-Carolina.
Upon motion to fill up the blank with March the first, 1792, the question was taken upon the motion, and carried in the affirmative. The question upon passing the bill was also carried, when the same was sent to the Senate for their concurrence.
The several petitions of Peter Bellew, Sampson Brown, Henry Crane, Thomas Ditton, Thurston Hillard, Hannah Holbrook, late widow of Alexander Borghen, deceased, William Hott, in behalf of the children of Lieut. John Bulh, deceased, Henry Lebo, Patrick Lemmon, John Lether, and Deborah Patrick, widow of the late Capt. William Patrick, deceased, were read, respectively, praying compensation for wounds received, injuries sustained, or services rendered in the American army, during the late war.
Also, two petitions of John Manley, late a Captain in the navy of the United States, praying to be allowed compensation for certain arrears of pay, and also his proportion of the prize money for sundry captures, which he made in the late war.—Referred to the Secretary at war.
The petitions of Phineas Ware and Daniel Robbins were presented to the house and read, respectively praying the renewal of certain loan-office or final settlement certificates, consumed by fire.
A petition of William How, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, praying that as he became an American citizen at the commencement of the late war with Great-Britain, entered into the service of the United States, and has continued to be a citizen thereof since that time, he may be relieved against the operation of certain proceedings of a court of law in Nova-Scotia, contrary to the provisions contained in the fourth article of the treaty of peace between the United States and Great-Britain.—Referred to the Secretary of state.
A petition from Gofinus Erkelens was presented to the house, and read, praying that the report of the Secretary of the treasury, made to the last session of Congress in opposition to a claim exhibited by the petitioner, may be reconsidered and his claim allowed.
A petition from Ebenezer Prout, praying to be allowed the balance of his account against the United States, as clerk to the assistant commissary of prisoners at Rutland, during the late war. Referred, respectively, to the Secretary of the treasury.
A petition from Abraham Hunt, praying to be allowed five years half pay as a Captain in the first Massachusetts regiment, during the late war.
Upon motion, the presentment of said petition to the Secretary at war, was negatived.
A petition of David Cook, late a Captain in the third regiment of artillery, of the state of Massachusetts, was presented, and read, praying that the consideration of the report of the Secretary at war, at the last session, on a claim of the petitioner, may be resumed, and his said claim allowed.—Referred to the committee "for making compensation to widows, orphans, and invalids in certain cases."
Messrs. Giles, Clark and Livermore were appointed a committee (in consequence of Mr. Giles's motion of yesterday) to examine, and report their opinion to the House on so much of the message and communications from the President to both Houses on the 17th of January last, as relates to the bounty lands granted to the late officers and soldiers of the State of Virginia, and all other papers relative thereto.
Upon motion of Mr. Sedgwick, a committee was appointed to bring in a bill, specifying the mode of renewal in cases where persons holding evidences of the debt of the United States, may have had them lost or destroyed.
Mr. Dayton's motion of yesterday was then taken up, that the Commissioners for settling accounts between the United States and individual States report to the House the progress they have made in such settlement, and the time in which it may be expected they will conclude this business. The motion was agreed to.
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Francis and Isaac Choat, on Thursday last, made a report, which was read and ordered to lie on the table.
The House, pursuant to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the Census returned —Mr. Muhlenberg in the chair.—The motion before the House, one Represen-
tative for thirty thousand to be the ratio.
Upon motion of Mr. Sedgwick that the ratio be increased in the proportion of one Member to every 34,000 persons,
It was wished by Mr. Clarke that this subject might be considered with the greatest deliberation, as complaints had already arisen among the people of too numerous a representation: he therefore moved for striking out the words thirty thousand from the original resolution, and inserting forty thousand in their stead.
Mr. Williamson, feared the consequences of any additional burthens for the support of government, which he thought was already sufficiently expensive. The ratios that had been mentioned were from thirty to forty thousand; in case those were disagreed to, he should propose the medium of 35,000 Inhabitants to one Representative.
Mr. Lawrance, was against the motion for striking out, and insisted that the general sense of America was for "thirty thousand," and that a reasonable addition to the number of Representatives would be productive of no ill consequences to the public; at all events, the number ought to be so considerable as to embrace the opinions and secure the confidence of the people at large. A narrow economy in this respect did not prevail in choosing the number of Representatives for the State Legislatures, why then should the House of Representatives, for all America, be alone restricted to a parsimonious representation, the objects of whose deliberations were at all times by far more important?—He concluded, by hoping that a business of such consequence would not be hurried through the House.
Upon motion, it was then carried, that the House will again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole on the Schedule, containing the Census of the Inhabitants of the United States.
Ordered, that the report of the Attorney General, on matters relative to the administration of Justice under the authority of the United States, as require to be remedied, together with certain propositions of amendments to the constitution of the United States, which were offered on the third of March last, and deferred for consideration to the present session, be committed to a committee of the whole House to-morrow.
FRIDAY, Nov. 4.
Egbert Benson, a member from New-York, attended and took his seat.
The speaker laid before the house a letter from the Secretary at war, accompanying his report on the several petitions of John Younglove, praying the continuance of his pension; of sundry inhabitants of the counties of Albany and Washington, in the state of New-York; and of John Torrey, administrator of the late Major Joseph Torrey, which were read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Several petitions were read, from officers and soldiers in the late army and navy of the United States, during the late war, praying compensation for wounds received, injuries sustained, or services rendered.
Also, a petition of Christian Coon, senior, of Frederick county, Maryland, praying compensation for three horses, the property of the petitioner, which were impressed and died in the service of the United States, during the late war.
Also a petition of Hannah Richardson, late widow of Lieut. Wadleigh Noyes, who died in the service of the United States; and of Joseph Richardson and John Osgood, guardians of the children of said deceased, praying that the allowance granted to the widows and orphans of those who died in the service of the United States, during the late war, may be extended to them.—Said petitions were referred to the Secretary at war.
A petition of David Meade Randolph, executor of Richard Randolph, deceased, was presented to the House and read, praying to receive payment for a quantity of flour, supplied for the use of the army, during the late war, by the testator. Referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.
The House then proceeded to consider the report of the committee, to whom was referred the petition of Jeremiah Allen, sheriff of the county of Suffolk, Massachusetts, respecting a prisoner committed under the authority of the United States.
After some debate thereon, the petition and report were referred to the committee of the whole House on the revision of the Judiciary system.
The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee to whom was referred the petition of Susannah Fowle.—
Referred to the committee of the whole House on the state of the Union.
The House then took up the report of the committee to whom was referred the petitions of Francis and Isaac Choat; which, being read as follows, That in the opinion of the committee,
the prayer of the said petitions cannot be granted, was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House.
A petition of Charles Colvill, of the city of Philadelphia, was read, praying to be paid the amount of his ransom from slavery among the Algerines, together with his expenses in travelling from Algiers to Scotland, and from thence to America; as also that measures may be taken for procuring the ransom or relief from slavery of Captains Osborn and Stevens, with their respective crews, being citizens of the United States, and now in slavery at Algiers.
Mr. Fitzsimons moved a resolution, that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill to regulate pilots, and to provide for the superintendence of light houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, throughout the United States; which was read and ordered to lie on the table.
The order of the day for the house to resolve itself into a committee of the whole house on the schedule of enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, was further postponed until Thursday next. [Adjourned till Monday.]
PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER 7.
On the 11th July last, the President of the United States formally recognized the appointments of
Richard Codman, Esq. Vice-Consul of Portugal for the state of Massachusetts; of
John Abrams, Esq. Vice-Consul of Portugal for the state of New-York; of
James Barry, Esq. Vice-Consul of Portugal for the states of Maryland and Virginia; and of
Francis James Verenocke, Vice-Consul of Portugal for the state of South-Carolina: And on the 25th of October of
Joseph Ravara, Esq. Consul-General from Genoa, for the city of Philadelphia, &c.
The last letters from Algiers mention that the ransoms demanded by the Dey, for the American prisoners detained there, amount to thirty four thousand, seven hundred and ninety two dollars.
On the 24th of October upwards of seventy sail of vessels left the port of Boston, bound to different parts of Asia, Europe, and America.
We learn from a New-York Paper, that upwards of two millions of acres of land still remain unappropriated in the northern parts of that state, and are now to be disposed of by the Commissioners of the land office of said state.
Accounts from New-York mention, that an English frigate had arrived at the Hook from Jamaica, with the Countess of Ellingham on board, who it is said had come for the benefit of her health.
It is mentioned in a Baltimore paper of the 1st inst. that on the Sunday preceding, between the hours of ten and twelve, A. M. ninety-five sail of different kinds of vessels passed the fort point, bound to Baltimore, a considerable number of them from sea. Nothing can be a stronger proof of the thriving situation of this town; which has every prospect of becoming in a short time one of the first marts of commerce in the United States.
By the Brig Hetty , Capt. Davis, from Cape-Francois, we are informed, that a considerable number of French families have removed from Hispaniola to Jamaica, in order to avoid the fury of the Negro insurgents. Their house slaves, at their first arrival, having from their conversation, given rise to some suspicions of treasonable intentions, has been the cause for limiting the number for each family, by order of government.
The loss of such a number of Sugar Estates (says a Jamaica paper) in St. Domingo, must occasion a considerable advance in the price of Sugars. Thus, while the Jamaica planters were kept in fear by accounts of the East-India manufactured Sugars, and the growing importance of the Maple Sugar of America, in one moment has that been effected which no human foresight could possibly have discovered.
A letter was a few days ago received by a gentleman in New-York from his correspondent in the island of Jersey, mentioning that "it is the prevailing opinion there, that the American vessels which had been seized upon their arrival at Guernsey and Jersey with cargoes of tobacco, under an act of Parliament in the reign of Charles the second, will be released, and measures taken to secure indemnification to the concerned."
We learn that the Directors of the Bank of the United States have completed the appointment of their officers, and fixed their salaries as follows.
   Dollars.     Thomas Willing, President 3000   John Kean, Cashier 2700   George Simpson, 1st Teller 1500   Julian M c Evers 2d do. 1000   William Lawrence, 1st Book-keeper, 1000   John Rudd, 2d do. 800   Philip Enk, 1st Discount clerk 750   Edward Stow, jun. 2d do. 600   Gustavus Leiberg, Runner, 600  
   Price of Stocks at New-York, Last Friday noon.     Bank Stock, from 146 to 147   Six per cents. 21½. 11d.   Three per cents. 12½.   Deferred debt. 13s. 3 1 2d.  
** Several Pieces and Extracts of Letters, prepared for this day's paper, are unavoidably postponed till our next.
TO THE PUBLIC. THE First Number of this paper appeared on Monday the 31st of October, and will continue to be regularly published on Monday and Thursday mornings.
The price to subscribers will be Three Dollars a year, the first half-yearly payment to be made in three months from the time of subscribing; the remainder at the end of the year.
No advertisements are to be admitted except to a number not exceeding a page, without a supplement; the remaining three pages to contain a miscellany of the most interesting intelligence, collected not only from the foreign and domestic newspapers, but also from original communications, letters and other papers, to which the Editor may have an opportunity of recurring for the most authentic information relative to the affairs of the United States and Europe. In addition to the above, will be inserted a summary of the proceedings of the House of Representatives of the United States; politics, poetry, and literary entertainment in general.
In this paper the Editor engages to support, as far as a newspaper can with propriety be supposed to support, the great principles upon which the American revolution was founded, a faithful adherence to which can alone preserve the blessings of liberty to this extensive empire—an empire, in which the grand experiment is now making, whether or not the assertion of certain European philosophers be true, that a pure republic can never subsist for any length of time, except in a very limited extent of territory.
Convinced that a dissemination of useful knowledge is the most effective means to preserve alive the spirit of rational liberty, in every country, no pains will be spared to make such selections, and publish such essays as shall appear best adapted to that purpose.
Subscriptions for the National Gazette are received in Philadelphia at the Office, No. 239, High-Street—By Mr. Thomas Dobson, Bookseller, No. 41, South Second-Street, and by Mr. Francis Bailey, No. 116, High-Street.
Advertisements, articles of intelligence, &c. are gratefully received at the Office by the Editor, P. FRENEAU.
For the NATIONAL GAZETTE.
Lines written on a paper of TOBACCO.
THIS Indian weed that once did grow On fair Virginia's fertile plain From whence it came, again may go To please some happier swain: Of all the plants that Nature yields, This, least belov'd, shall shun my fields. In evil hour I first essay'd To chew this vile, forbidden leaf When half ashamed, and half afraid, I touch'd and tasted to my grief: Ah me! the more I was forbid The more I wish'd to take a quid. But when I smok'd, in thought profound, And rais'd the spiral circle high, My heart grew sick, my head turn'd round— And what can all this mean?—said I— Tobacco, surely, was design'd To poison and destroy mankind! Unhappy they, whom choice, or fate Inclines to prize this bitter weed! Perpetual source of female hate— On which no beast, but man, will feed— That chills my heart, and turns my head And sends me reeling home—to bed.
ROBERT SMOCK, Woollen Draper & Mercer,
Has just received by the ship Pigeon, from London, and for sale at his store, on the north-west corner of Market & Third Streets, Philadelphia,
AN ELEGANT ASSORTMENT OF SUPERFINE and super broadcloths, in almost every colour.
 Ladies superfine habit cloths, in the most fashionable colours.  Superfine cassimers, do.  Do. and super elastic striped cloths.  Milled drabs and hunters cloths.  A variety of fancy waistcoating, in silk, silk and cotton, silk moleskin, cassimers printed and tamboored, and superfine striped Spanish tolenets.  Mens black fattins, florentines, and silk prunellas of superior qualities.  Silk, silk and cotton, cotton and worsted hose, assorted.  Satins and mantuas, a beautiful variety.  Superfine rattinets, with a large collection of best trimmings for cloths, &c. of every quality.  Moreens, joans spinning, durants and calimancoes.  Hairlines and camblets, &c.  9-8 wide superfine Marceilles quilting with borders.  Marceilles bedquits and cotton counterpanes, 9 4 to 12-4.  Flanders bedhunts and bedtickings.  A beautiful variety of chintzes and cottons.  An elegant assortment of yard wide furniture chintzes, in beautiful colours and patterns, with a large variety of furniture cottons.  Velveteens, velvets, corduroys, thicksets, fancy cords, flockinets, royal ribs, fatinets, hair plushes, &c.  Striped and grey, twilled and plain Bath coatings.  Rose blankets assorted. rawf 

AUTHENTIC
[Communicated for Publication.]
LIST of such Goods, as by virtue of the Ordinance dated April 19th, 1789, the 8th Art. are granted by the Royal West-India, Guinea, Exchequer, and General Custom-Chamber, to be imported in St. Croix, from foreign American places paying the Duty stipulated in said Ordinance of 5 per cent. on absolute necessary, 10 per cent. on necessary, and 25 per cent. on superfluous or less necessary goods.
Table with columns for item names and their corresponding ad valorem duty rates (e.g., 5%, 10%, 25%). Items include Apples, Bananas, Beams, Beeswax, etc.
Table with columns for item names and their corresponding ad valorem duty rates. Items include Iron pans, Iron in bars, Knives and forks, Lampblack, etc.
Table with columns for item names and their corresponding ad valorem duty rates. Items include Pewter, Rat traps, Sheet lead, Surgeons instruments, etc.
At stump of pine, for want of flax, All night beneath a dripping tree, Not fed with oats, but fill'd with wind, And husks, and blades, alone flood he.
Discourag'd at so vile a treat, Yet pleas'd to see the early dawn In halle we left this dismal place Nor flay'd to drink their dear YOPPON.
May never weary pilgrim here, Unless for penance he's equip'd, Before'd to pass his tedious night, Or, doom'd to sleep where I have slept.
† A shrub leaf frequently used in some parts of Carolina, as a substitute for tea.
Gentlemen who have subscription papers in their hands, for the National Gazette, are requested to send on the names and addresses of those persons who have subscribed, with all possible dispatch, to the Editor, at No. 239, High-Street.
CHARLES BITTERS, No. 120, South Market, near Fourth Street, Has received from New-York, and manufactured BY LOT MERKEL, A large and General Assortment of Muffs & Tippets, Trimmings & Edgings, Great Coats, Caps, Mitts & gloves lined with Fur; which he will sell, Wholesale and Retail, at the lowest Prices. Oct. 4.
LIVERY STABLE.
PETER WEBBERS HAS removed his Stable from Black-Horse-Alley to Drinkers-Alley, formerly kept by Mr. HYDEL, betwixt Arch and Race-Streets in Second-Street, where he continues to take in HORSES by the Night, Week, Month or Year, &c. at the cheapest rate. Philadelphia, Oct. 7.
TO BE SOLD, BY JOHN CAREY, No. 112, Union-Street, A COLLECTION OF Scarce and Valuable BOOKS, Which may be seen every day, until 5 o'clock P.M. Among them are the following: Folio. Homer, Xenophon, Plato, Plutarch, Euripides, Sozomen, Theodoret, Virgil, Horace, Livy, Tacitus, Patricius, Pliny, Concordantia Lat. Concordantia Gr. Thesaurus Ciceronis, Biblia Junii & Tremellii, Bible de Martin, Wells's Maps, Scapulae-Phavorini-Martinii-Hofmanni Lexica, Vossii Etymologicum, Antiquit. Eccles. Britannica, &c. Quarto. Pindar, Cyropaedia, Bentley's Horace, Terence and Phaedrus, Ovid, Juvenal, Manilius, Ciceronis op. om. Caesar, Suetonius, Julius Pollux, Hederici Lexicon, Vossii Ars Gram. Cluverii Geographia, Justinian Code, &c. Octavo & infra. Homer, Anacreon, Aristophanes, Longinus, Theophrastus, Hesiod, Poetae minores Gr. Isocrates, Phalaris, various editions of Horace, Virgil, Terence, and Ovid, Tibullus, Plautus, Lucan, Martial, Claudian, Val. Flaccus, Asinius, Buchanan, Sallust, Curtius, Florus, Justin, Val. Maximus, A. Gellius, Hist. August. Scriptores, English and French Translations of some of the Classics, a great variety of Greek and Latin Grammars, &c. &c. Catalogues may be had of Messrs. Rice & Co. Booksellers, Market-street, or of JOHN CAREY. Oct. 31.
The Government over the Danish American Islands, July, 1780.
For the NATIONAL GAZETTE.
LOG TOWN TAVERN.
The following was composed some years ago at a small Inn, situated in a remote and desert part of Carolina. A very incorrect copy having appeared in a Northern Newspaper, the subsequent Stanzas are now published as written by the Author.
THROUGH fandy wastes and floods of rain To this dejected place I came, Where swarthy nymphs in tatter'd gowns From pine-knots light their evening flame. Where barren oaks in close array, With mournful melody, condole, Where no gay fabric meets the eye, Nor painted board, nor barbers pole. Thou town of Logs!—so justly call'd In thee who hails at evening's close Not dreams from Jove, but hosts of fleas Shall join, to sweeten his repose. Since here I pac'd on weary feed, Ah! blame me not, should I repine That sprightly girl, nor social bed, Nor jovial glass, this night is mine. The Landlord, goug'd in either eye Here drains his bottle to the dregs, Or borrows Sufan's pipe, while he Prepares the bacon, and the eggs.
JAMAICA, that inspires the soul In these abodes no time has been To dart its genial influence round, To kindle wit, and kill the spleen. The squire of this disheartening inn Affords to none the generous bowl, Displays no BACCHUS on the sign, To warm the heart and cheer the foul.
To cider drawn from tilted cask While some their fond attention paid, He griev'd to see the empty flask, Its substance gone, its strength decay'd. A wandering hag, in dismal notes Screech'd out a long, to ease my grief; Two boors their dull adventures told, A shepherd each, and each a thief. Dame justice here in rigour reigns, All have on all the griping paw; Who e'er with them a bargain makes, Scheme as he will, it ends in law. With scraps of songs and smutty words, Each lodger here adorns the walls— The wanton muse no pencil gives, The coal her mean idea crawls. In murmuring streams no chrysal wave To cheer the wretched hamlet flows, But frowning to the distant bog Sulanna, with the pitcher, goes. At dusk of eve, the tardy treat Was plac'd on board of knotty pine; Each gaping, gaz'd to see me eat, While round me lay the flooring swine. Unblest be she, whose heavy hand Before me plac'd that mouldy pone; * May she ne'er meet the joyous kins, Condemn'd to fret and sleep alone. The horse, that bore me on my way Around him cast a rueful eye, He look'd—and saw no manger near, And hung his head, and seem'd to sigh. * A composition of Indian meal and water, baked before the fire
This day is Published, By CHILDS and SWAIN, In one Volume Octavo; [Price One Dollar and a half, the small Edition, and One Dollar and three quarters the large.] THE LAWS of the UNITED STATES. Collated with, and corrected by the original Rolls in the Office of the Secretary of State. With a copious INDEX; or A complete DIGEST of the LAWS; (Making 56 pages:) Executed by an eminent Law Character. To obtain this useful and necessary Part of the Work complete, has retarded the Publication. This Volume comprises the Acts of the Three Sessions of the first Congress; also, the Federal Constitution, and the Treaties between the United States and Foreign Nations—Together with an Appendix, containing the Declaration of Independence, and sundry Ordinances and Resolves of Congress under the Confederation. Sold by Childs and Swaine, No. 239, High-Street, Thomas Dobson, Joseph Crukshank, and Robert Campbell, Philadelphia. October 25.
PRINTED BY CHILDS and SWAIN, AT THEIR OFFICE, NO. 239, HIGH-STREET, NEAR SIXTH-STREET, PHILADELPHIA.