Gazette of the United-States. (New-York [N.Y.]), 1791-03-09 00:00:00

Gazette of the United States.
PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY JOHN FENNO, No. 69, HIGH-STREET, BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD STREETS, PHILADELPHIA.
[No. 90, of Vol. II.]
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1791.
[Whole No. 194.]
Discourses on Davila. No. 25.
(Continued from No. 88 of this Gazette.)
THE Queen, perfectly informed of all these projects, and wishing to preserve, with all her power, her own liberty and that of her children, continued to play off her artifices, to balance the power of the Grandees, and to prevent the ascendancy of one party over the other, from drawing after it, the ruin of the State. Thus, that she might not be obliged to favor, one or the other party, she quitted Paris and retired to Fontainebleau. She thought, that in this residence, where she was more at liberty, than in Paris, they could not compel her to declare herself, and she still studied to support her confidence, which she had managed with both factions, whose Chiefs she amused by equivocal discourses, and ambiguous promises. The Prince of Condé, and Coligni, yielding to the superiority of the Catholic party, had quitted Paris to take arms. The Queen gave them secretly to understand, that she was disposed to join them, as soon as she should see them supported by forces sufficient to make head against their enemies. On the other hand, she protested to the King of Navarre, the Constable and the Duke of Guise, that she had no intention to separate herself from the Catholics, nor to consent to the new reform, any further than necessity and the advice of good men should oblige her, to grant to the Hugonots, a moderate liberty.
Her letters were not less ambiguous, than her words: and she did not explain herself more clearly abroad than at home. She gave continually new instructions to the ambassadors in foreign courts, and especially to Delile, who resided at Rome. Sometimes the contracted and at other times she extended their powers, and by these variations held all minds in suspense. But this conduct began to be more delicate than ever. The Chiefs of the two parties, were not less politicians than herself: During the course of her regency they had found opportunities to unravel all her artifices, and penetrate all her disguises. The King advanced in age, and that circumstance was to them a necessity to hasten the execution of their designs. His minority might give to certain measures a colour, which would no longer exist, when he would be of age; when all ought to depend upon his will, to which they could no longer oppose themselves, without the guilt of rebellion: At the present moment they could pretend, that their opposition was only to a bad administration, and the pernicious designs of those who governed under his authority.
Already the Duke of Guise, more enterprising and more alive than the others, directed, at his pleasure, the resolutions of his party. He had drawn into his sentiments the Constable and the King of Navarre, by persuading them, that if they would all resort to court, they might bring off the King and the Queen-Mother to the capital, and reduce them to the necessity of taking measures, and issuing edicts, as the Catholics should judge convenient to their interests, without exposing themselves, any longer, to the danger of being anticipated, and without permitting their enemies to seize on the King and avail themselves of his authority. The Prince of Condé had formed the same design: He had retired at first to Meaulx, and from thence to his estate, at la Ferté, where he intended to assemble the main body of his forces. This resolution was the effect of the advice of the Admiral, suggested by the promises of the Queen, and by the projects of the Catholics, which had not escaped his penetration—nothing being more common in civil wars, than to discover the designs of an enemy either by the infidelity of some in the secret, or by the multitude of spies who are employed. The chiefs of the Catholic party had occasion only for their ordinary retinue to execute their design: the neighbourhood of Paris, which was wholly devoted to them, assured them of sufficient forces, and offered them favorable opportunities. On the contrary, the Prince of Condé, weaker than his enemies, and followed by few troops, was obliged to wait for the Lords of his party, and the nobility whom he had summoned from several provinces, who assembled but slowly. Thus the Catholics were before-hand, by appearing all well attended at the Court.
Their unforeseen arrival disconcerted not the Queen. Although she depended little on the success of her intrigues, she exerted herself to persuade the King of Navarre to depart from Court, with the Princes and Lords who had accompanied him. "No man is ignorant," said she to him, "that the Catholic Lords would take advantage of my weakness, and that of my son, to compel us, to regulate the State, according to their inclinations, by governing at the will of their ambition and private interests. This conduct, directly opposite to the principles of honour and of fidelity, of which they boast, is not less contrary to the tranquillity and the conservation of the State, which they pretend to have alone in view. To issue new edicts, and revoke those which have been published, is not to put arms into the hands of the Hugonots? These sectaries, already so audacious and so ready to revolt, will complain aloud of injustice, if we annul, without reason, an edict prepared and accepted with the consent of both parties. During the minority of the King, we ought to avoid war, and the troubles inseparable from it, to the utmost of our care and power. To whom will the nation impute the disorders which will overwhelm it? Will not an eternal infamy be the portion of those who have the principal share in government? It was to avoid these dangers, and to take away all pretexts from the incendiaries, that I subscribed to the edict of January, and quitted the capital. The most effectual means of irritating the violence of an evil, which as yet is only creeping on secretly, would be to carry us into a suspected city, and repeal an edict already published. The King of Navarre, and the Catholic Princes, ought to remember, that it belongs only to the flagitious, whose fortune is uncertain or desperate, to excite civil wars. The Prince commands without contradiction. The Lords of his party, loaded with riches, dignities, employments and honours, enjoy the most flourishing fortune. Can they envy the people an imaginary and momentary liberty? Let them suffer the King to arrive at his majority, without seeing his kingdom distracted with war. Forced by necessity, I have only pardoned faults which I could not punish—nor have I granted to the Hugonots other liberty than that which they had usurped. It is only by management that we can cure the people of this phrensy. Let the Catholic Chiefs then arm themselves with patience, for fear that, by rash remedies, they may envenom an evil which may draw after it fatal revolutions, and the most melancholly events. If however you are resolved to make any alteration in the edict, it ought only to be done by insensible degrees, and by the favor of suitable opportunities and conjunctures. To employ violent means, would be to furnish the seditious with pretexts, which they seek with so much ardour."
The TABLET.—No. 154.
"To catch the living manners as they rise."
IT is a circumstance much to be regretted, that there has yet appeared no complete publication, under the title of, a tour through the United States . Perhaps no species of composition is better calculated both to amuse and instruct, than a relation of travels, written with candor and discernment. The facts communicated through such a channel impress themselves much more strongly on the mind than those which are collected through the medium of general history. In short, some of the accounts of modern travels, such as MOORE'S, BRYDONE'S, DUPATY'S, and several others, occupy that middle station between dry history, and gay romance, which unites the utility of the former, with the allurements of the latter. The scenery exhibited in travels may be brilliant and fascinating, at the same time, that it is correct and real. And it certainly must be of more importance to gain information of characters and incidents cotemporary with ourselves, than of those which existed in periods, remote and dissimilar from our own. The preference of current memoirs over those which have long past, is almost as great, as true history is over fabulous.
There have been published some partial memoirs, at one time and another, of travels through the United States; but as far as I can recollect, they possessed more the spirit of criticism than philosophy. It is immaterial whether the prevailing opinions and manners, in this country, compare exactly with such as the traveller has been accustomed to notice in other countries.—It is not on the score of comparison, that our merit or our happiness is to be measured. The customs and manners which are most commendable, in many parts of Europe, would be highly improper, were they adopted by the people of the United States. The traveller, therefore, who cannot discern the aptitude of our manners and habits to our situation, fills his memoirs with sarcastic criticisms, which mislead the unwary reader, and stamp on his mind a thousand false impressions.
There are two sources of delusion to which memoir-writers are exposed, and against which they should fortify themselves with the armour of philosophic candor and precision. One of the points to which I allude, is the liability of travellers to overlook those circumstances which assimilate with what they have been accustomed to observe, and to confine their remarks to objects which custom has not rendered familiar to them. By this detached mode of viewing occurrences, they exhibit only a few peculiarities in which one nation differs from another, while they are silent with respect to many important particulars in which both nations have a resemblance. Thus it happens, we are led to imagine they are much more unlike than they really are.
The other point about which a discussion prevails, is the proneness of travellers to draw general conclusions from too small a number of particular cases. This is a source of mistake, from which even the most prudent and liberal man can hardly exempt himself. Exceptions from general rules are so apt to be taken for the rules themselves, that it requires the closest observation to make the suitable distinctions. Those instances, which may be deemed exceptions to general rules, are like some prominent part of an image, which allures attention to itself, to the neglect of those parts that are less conspicuously delineated. A Frenchman, who undertook to write memoirs of his travels through America, has given a specimen of a mistake such as I am defining. He was entering the town of Boston, and observed a small wooden building, on rollers, in the middle of the street—upon enquiry, he was told that the building was put on those rollers to be removed to a considerable distance from the place whence it was taken. Had he continued in Boston two years, he probably would not have seen another instance of the removal of any building in that manner; nor perhaps is there one building in fifty in that town that could be removed, without first taking the materials to pieces. However, the Frenchman thought it a proper incident to form a page in his memoirs. He mentions it as a general circumstance, that the buildings in the town of Boston are made of such light materials, and erected upon such a model, that they can conveniently be removed from one part of
the town to another. This error of the Frenchman is not more remarkable than frequently occurs with people travelling in the United States. Some incident takes place which strikes the view of the traveller, and he records it among the characteristics of the people who are then under his notice. Being thus deluded, and being too indolent to investigate the real state of the matter, he imposes upon the reader an extraordinary instance, as something usually prevalent.
Too much applause cannot be given to the discerning and liberal traveller, who justly describes the objects that come under his view, and makes the people of one country acquainted with the existing opinions and manners of another. The chains of superstition may be thus broken, and the clouds of prejudice dispersed. Mankind hate and persecute one another, only because they are ignorant of the true character of those who excite such hatred and persecution. Let the veil of error be removed—let true philosophers develop the history of countries—and men of all nations will find, there is much more reason to love and respect each other than they have been taught to imagine.
HENRY KUHL,
No. 143, North Second-Street.
FROM an expectation that a mutual advantage would be derived by the dealers in public securities, and a person who should undertake to transact such business on commission only, has concluded to offer himself for that purpose. Being of opinion, that every requisite to convince them and others of his disinterestedness ought to be attended to on his part, he has duly made oath before the Hon. the Chief Justice of the State of Pennsylvania, that he will faithfully execute the trusts which may be reposed in him.
COPY OF THE OATH.
"I Henry Kuhl, of the city of Philadelphia, stock broker, do swear, that I will not be concerned either directly or indirectly, on my own account, in any purchases or sales of the evidences of the debt of the United States or of particular States, but will truly and faithfully execute such purchases and sales on commission only for those who may employ me: that is to say, until I shall announce in one or more of the newspapers printed at the seat of the government of the United States, my determination to the contrary. HENRY KUHL."
Sworn at Philadelphia, February 12th, 1791, before THOMAS M'KEAN."
The commissions he will charge for the present, are— On the specic amount of all sums below 5000 nominal dollars, one half per cent. on do. from 5000 to 10,000 do. one fourth per cent. on do. from 10,000 and upwards do. one eighth per cent. Accounts stated, and certificates funded at the Treasury or Loan-Office of the United States, on moderate terms. N. B. All orders for purchases or sales to be in writing. Philadelphia, February 19, 1791. (85 t. f.)
Virginia, Culpeper County, 25th Jan. 1791.
To be SOLD by the Subscriber,
THE PLANTATION, where-
on he resides, laying on both sides the Carolina road, in the great fork of Rappahannock river, 36 miles from the town of Dumfries, 30 from Fredericksburg, and 28 from Falmouth; in a most healthy part of the country:—Consisting of 2,000 acres—half cleared, and in good fence, well adapted for farming and grazing—the soil is good, lays well, abounding with many excellent springs and streams of water, so dispersed as to afford great opportunity of making watered meadow of the first quality, perhaps more than 900 acres—of which 120, in one body, is already in grass, and all watered and drained at pleasure by a number of ditches, for that purpose, passing through the whole. Orchards of about 2000 bearing apple trees—near as many peach trees, and a variety of most other kinds of fruit, natural to the climate. A good dwelling house, the situation whereof is remarkably beautiful and pleasant; and many other valuable improvements of divers kinds.
And one other Plantation about 5 miles nearer said town, consisting of about 1500 acres, on which is good merchant, grist, and saw mills, where nature, labour and art, have fully conspired to render them complete; a large constant stream, on which they stand, affords them water in great abundance; convenient thereto is a kiln end house, for drying corn, a bake house, a dwelling house and several other improvements mostly new; about 300 acres of the lands are in cultivation, very good in quality; the other part thin soil, but abounding with timber, is an inexhaustable source for the saw-mill.
Also several detached tracts within said county, of about 2, 3, and 400 acres each, and though not of so fertile soil, their vicinity to the towns render them valuable, on some of them there are small improvements, and the lands so situated, that they can easily be made convenient little farms.
The whole or any part of the abovementioned possessions will be disposed of, on very reasonable terms—a small proportion in ready money, for the balance, the payments will be made entirely to accommodate the convenience of the purchasers, who may be supplied on the same terms, with all kinds of stock, work horses, oxen, &c. &c. &c. by JOHN STRODE. [t. f.]
IMPERIAL, HYSON, SOUCHONG, and BOHEA
TEAS;
REFINED SUGARS, COFFEE, and SPICES, &c.
Of the first Quality—by Retail,
No. 17,
Third-Street, between Chestnut and Market-Streets.
N. B. A few TICKETS in the New-York Lottery, which is to be drawn the first of April next, for sale.

CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, Feb. 4.
The BANK BILL under consideration.
MR. LAWRANCE.
THE advocates of this measure stand in an unfortunate situation; for being those, who in general advocate national measures, they are charged with designs to extend the powers of the government unduly.
The silence of the people on the subject now before the House is strongly presumptive that the measure of a bank is not considered by them as unconstitutional.
The great objects of this government are contained in the context of the constitution; he recapitulated those objects, and inferred that every power necessary to secure these must necessarily follow.
He then adverted to the late confederation and pointed out its defects and incompetency—and hence the old Congress called on the States to enact certain laws which they had not power to enact.
The deviation from charters and the infringement of parchment rights which had been justified on the principle of necessity by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Madison) he said had been made on different principles from those now mentioned.
On constructions, he observed it was to be lamented that they should ever be necessary—but they had been made; he instanced the power of removability, which had been an act of the three branches—and has not been complained of.
But the construction now proposed he contended was an easy and natural construction; recurring to the collection law, he observed that it was by construction that the receipts are ordered to be made in gold and silver.
With respect to creating a mass of capital he supposed, just and upright national measures would create a will to form this capital.
Adverting to the idea that Congress has not the power to establish companies with exclusive privileges, he observed that by the amendments proposed by New-Hampshire, Massachusetts and New-York, it plainly appears that these States considered that Congress does possess the power to establish such companies.
The constitution vests Congress with power to dispose of certain property in lands, and to make all useful rules and regulations for that purpose; can its power be less over one species of its own property than over another?
With respect to giving preference to one State over another, he observed, that 10 years hence the seat of government is to be on the Potowmac, and wherever the government is finally settled, the place will enjoy superior advantages, but still the government must go there, and the places not enjoying those advantages must be satisfied.
It is said we must not pass a problematical bill, which is liable to a supervision by the Judges of
the Supreme Court; but he conceived there was no force in this, as those Judges are invested by the Constitution with a power to pass their judgment on all laws that may be passed.
It is said that this law may interfere with the state governments; but this may or may not be the case—and in all interferences of the kind, the particular interest of a state, must give way to the general interest.
With respect to the corporation possessing the power of passing laws—this he observed is a power incidental to all corporations—and in the instance of the Western Territory, Congress have exercised the power of instituting corporations, or bodies politic, to the greatest possible extent.
He defended the right of Congress to purchase and possess property, and quoted a passage in the constitution to show that they possess this right.
He then touched on the expediency of banks, and of that proposed in particular: The advantages generally derived from these institutions, he believed, applied peculiarly to this country. He noticed the objection from banks banishing the specie—he said the surplus only would be sent out of the country—but is it given away?—No, Sir—it is sent off for articles which are wanted—and which will enrich the country.
With respect to a run on the bank—he mentioned the circumstances under which those runs on the British banks, which had been noticed, took place—and showed there was no parallel that would probably ever take place in this country.
From several particulars he showed, that the objection which arose from the United States' not having made a good bargain by the system, was not well founded. He then mentioned the peculiar advantages which the United States will enjoy over common subscribers.
The objection from banks being already established in the several States, he obviated, by stating the mischiefs which might arise from an ignorance of the situation of those banks—and concluded by some remarks on the inexpediency of the general government's having recourse to institutions of merely a local nature.
Whoe'er thou art—the Genius boasts the Pow'r To sooth the Soul in Nature's darkest hour. C. U. S.
FROM THE NORFOLK and PORTSMOUTH CHRONICLE.
"Come gentle Spring, ethereal mildness come."—THOMPSON.
BLINDNESS.
"COME gentle Maid, celestial Comfort, come And from yon azure opening in the Sky, (White Peace attends thy train) veil'd in a Show'r Of shadowing Blessings, on the Blind, descend!"
Oh come some pitying Spirit of the Sky, Seize some fair wand, dipt in the Fount of Light, Touch those Blue Eyes, and give them to the Day!
Norfolk, February 9, 1791. Y A N K E E.
* Mrs. C—L—V—R—T.
FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.
SONNET I.
Sent to Miss —, with a Braid of Hair.
FAIR shews the rose, but soon its beauty fades, And soon its balmy-breathing fragrance fails;
Nor does alone the vegetative realm Feel the destroyer's over-bearing power;
Nor yet can Beauty, radiant as the morn, Escape his wrath. The rosy cheek he pales;
And flowing honors that the head adorn. The soul, refined in sentiment and truth, Derides his power, and smiles eternal youth.
E L L A.
EXTRACT from the answer of the two Houses of the General Court of Massachusetts, to the Governor's Speech.
THE United States of America are now placed in a respectable situation. Their honor and credit, which at certain periods seemed doubtful, are now established on a permanent basis.
We presume it will ever be the disposition of our legislature, to guard against every infringement on the Constitution of our own State, being convinced that by such conduct we give vigor and energy to the general government.
The debt of the United States and of the particular States, we conceive to be the price of our peace, liberty, and independence, and it must be a pleasing reflection that we are not obliged to have recourse to oppression and violence, to cancel this debt, as the resources of our country, with decent economy, are amply sufficient to do justice to our public creditors.
While contemplating the pleasing enjoyment of liberty and independence, we are no less blessed with the fruits of industry and peace. The husbandman rejoices in the increase of his fields, and we acknowledge with gratitude the prosperous events which in the year past have attended the various branches of commerce.
NORFOLK, February 19.
SHIP NEWS.
CAPE HENLOPEN, Feb. 5.
P. M. Wind E. N. E. a heavy BANK hovering over Philadelphia—dark gloomy weather.
The B——t, a line of battle ship of New-Jersey, in the offing, making signals, but not understood by the fleet.
The A——s, one of the first ships of Massachusetts, sheltered herself under the bank, but was mistaken in her soundings.
The Constitution, a new ship, constructed for the Eastern Ocean. The crew of this ship, it is said, has disobeyed orders, in assuming prerogatives which they were not entitled to, at which, the late Lords of the Admiralty are much displeased, and for which she has been so generally assaulted, that her frame is much wrecked, and it is said she must be coppered, as her bottom is worm eaten.
The J——n, an active 74 of Georgia, has never seen an enemy, but has attacked it with firmness and intrepidity, but has unfortunately been overpowered by heavier metal; being much shattered, it is said she is to be laid up in ordinary, for two years, having received a sound drubbing from the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary at War, two flag ships of the enemy's squadron.
The M——n, a small ship with heavy ordnance, has been attacked by every capital ship of the enemy's fleet; she, however, broke their line and fought herself clear, but by an error in keeping the log, she over-ran her reckoning to the Eastward, and got entangled with the rocks of Scilly, and the whirlpool of Charibdis; but by altering her course she escaped shipwreck; she is a valuable ship and it is to be hoped she will be more cautious in her reckoning for the future. It is apprehended the bank has opened a false channel for her to enter at, to take her off from the support of her squadron, but it is expected she will keep a good look-out and not be decoyed—her batteries have been opened against the bank, with well directed fires, but it has such a number of heavy metal ships moor'd around it, that little impression has hitherto been made, being covered with the Wealth of the Nation, a ship of 120 guns, the A——s, a 74, the G——y, an old ship that has proved herself very obstinate in many hard fights, the S——k, commanded by a puritanical presbyterian, of more self-importance than any in the navy, the Sh——n commanded by old Reynard, who scarcely ever lost a battle, the L——e whose captain is very confident in the weight of his own metal, the V——g, a 50 gun ship, whose captain expects promotion from his ship's quick sailing, and his readiness to repeat signals from the Admiral, with a number of other of smaller note; hence it is supposed the M——n and its fleet will not be sufficient to dispel the bank, as he has in his fleet the J——n which has as already observed, been much wrecked in the service, the G——s, a new 74 from Virginia, the crew of which has not been yet well disciplined, the L——e a 64 who was never considered a sound ship, the W——e an old crazy ship, her command-

er very deficient of stability, the P—commanded by a man whose zeal causes him often to leap the bars of order, and break the line of battle, by attacks upon the invincible Armada, the enemy's selected squadron of reserve, but cannot prevail on them to open their ports, the S—h, a [S. C.] ship built in America, but raised on in England, supposed not to be a substantial ship, as the American and English oak does not well lay together. The S—e, a fine little ship from Maryland, has repeated the signals of the M—n, and thrown some dangerous shot into the enemy by ricochet and direct firing. The W—n, a good old ship from [N. C.] but very much hog'd from long service.
C O L U M B I A, (S. C.) Jan. 27.
It was asserted on Monday in the house of Representatives by several very respectable members, in a debate which took place on the case of an individual, that Lieutenant Col. Nesbit Balfour, while commandant of Charleston, during the late war between Great-Britain and the United States of America, did himself carry on a trade with the continental army in South-Carolina, and other parties in arms, and did on many occasions sign passes to orders for saddles, cloathing, gunpowder, and arms, which were carried into the country.
What a faithful servant was this commandant to his royal master! and yet he has been induced to reward him with rank, and the appointment of aid de camp to the king!!
GEORGE-TOWN, Feb. 26.
On Tuesday the first inst. died, near the North-Mountain, Frederick county, —ZOLL, aged nineteen years.—His death was occasioned by a slight cut in one of his feet, with an axe.—From the time of his receiving the wound, until he expired, no method could be devised to stop the bleeding—if the wound was bound up, the blood gushed out at his mouth or nostrils. Five brothers to the above person have bled to death at different periods, from the following simple accidents:—One received a prick with a thorn—another a scratch with a comb—a third, a prick with a needle—a fourth, bruised his cheek against a stove—and the fifth received a cut in one of his thumbs.—The father of the above persons has had two wives, and, by each of them, several children; those, who died in this singular manner, were all by the first wife. It should be noted, that when they arrived at a certain age, several black spots were discernable upon their bodies. However marvellous this account may appear, our readers may rely upon its authenticity. [Win. Gaz.]
BENNINGTON; February 14.
Public clamour seems busied in many parts, (as appears by newspaper squibs) with the character of General Harmar: His conduct in the late unfortunate Indian expedition is severely handled. A correspondent observes that fame generally follows victory, and disgrace defeat; people are apt to view the actions of the unfortunate soldier through their consequences, and feeling deeply wounded by the latter, condemn the former in toto.
Among the advantages that will accrue to Vermont in consequence of her accession to the federal union, that of a regular establishment of posts will be a circumstance extremely gratifying to the enquiring mind. By this means the interesting concerns of our extensive empire will be constantly and expeditiously conveyed to us, and domestic felicity heightened by an easy communication with distant friends. It will doubtless be deemed a matter worthy attention to bring the mail from Canada through Vermont. An office may be established at Burlingtonbay, from whence to Bennington the post will ride through a fertile country, the population of which advances perhaps equal to any part of America.
The present winter exhibits favorable prospects to Vermont: emigration is truly great: more than double the number of families are moving daily than was even seen among us before. The plentiful harvests of last year will afford an abundant supply to the industrious emigrant, while the labour of his hands will augment the value of an extensive, fertile country. Attention to agriculture and manufactures in Vermont, together with her accession to the union, will give a fresh spring to commerce, consequently encrease our circulating medium, and diffuse rewards to industry in every direction throughout the state.
The federal bird extends her well plum'd wing Millions unborn her fostering care shall sing.
WINDSOR, (Vermont,) Feb. 2.
Lately died at Montreal, Capt. James Munroe of Connecticut. His death was occasioned by a wound in his right breast, which had been improperly treated, or rather wholly neglected for several months. He had constantly refused to inform his surgeon how he received his wound: On being informed by him that he was dying, and again desired to tell how he was wounded, he replied, "Although I was villain enough to deserve it, I am not so destitute of honor as to betray the man who gave it."
BOSTON, Feb. 19.
Yesterday it was determined in the house of representatives, that the undivided two thirds of the Genesee lands, should revert to the Commonwealth. It was also resolved, to sell the said lands, and a joint committee was appointed to determine their value and situation.
N E W - Y O R K, March 3.
On the 22d. February, came on before the hon. the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, at Boston the trial of Edmund Freeman, Printer of the Boston Herald of Freedom, on the charge of publishing a libel against John Gardner, Esq. After a very fair and candid investigation, the case was committed to a respectable jury, who brought in their verdict, not guilty. "During the trial, (says a Boston paper) the Hon. Court were in their Scarlet Robes, attended by a vast concourse of citizens." This trial, it is said, was the first for a libel ever had in that part of the United States.
On the 24th ult. was to come on by assignment in the Massachusetts house of Representatives, an interesting question on the petition of the Portland convention preferred to the Legislature some few years since, whether it is expedient that the Province of Maine should be separated from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and become a separate sovereign state by itself.
BRUSSELS, Dec. 3.
THE patriotic army are all fugitives, except the column with Gen. Koehler. Gen. Schoenfeldt, who commanded the centre column in the front of Namur, retreated across the Meuse on the 22d ult. in the greatest disorder, without even being attacked by the enemy; his column was thrown into great confusion: He immediately demanded his dismissal, and obtained it, without being called to account for his conduct.
Thus far you may guess how matters stood with him and his opposite neighbours. The Austrians taking their advantage, entered Namur without the least opposition. Gen. Koehler's retreat was masterly, and does him great honor. He took his rout from Bouvens to Mons, where he received the appointment of commander in chief of the army, and immediately endeavored to collect the fugitives of Schoenfeldt's column together, but too late. The greater part of the dragoons were gone off with their horses; the infantry of course, followed their example, who arrived here in the greatest confusion. They went in large bodies to the town house, and demanded passes, which being refused, they instantly fired at the magistrates through the windows. They were then obliged to comply, to prevent worse consequences. The mob, at the same time assembled, broke into, and took from the several magazines and store houses, of the state all they contained; and luckily for the inhabitants they amused themselves so, or numbers of other houses would have been pillaged and destroyed by those wretches: Such was the scene in Brussels for 24 hours. Much more was to be feared from those people than the Austrians: however, the town was yesterday restored to its former tranquility, by the arrival of the Austrians, who were received by the people with great marks of respect, and amidst the repeated acclamations and shouts of VIVE LEOPOLD!
MADRID, November 15.
Our fears of a war with the Moors are happily on the point of being dispelled, as, owing to the reiterated advances of the Emperor of Morocco, peace between him and our court is nearly, if not quite concluded. Concessions will be made on both sides, and the present from Spain, which was formerly but 200,000 piasters (and not 500,000, as was reported) is to be encreased.
Philadelphia, March 9.
Letter from MR. PINTARD, the Consul of the United States, at Madeira.
Madeira, January 23d. 1791.
SIR, I BEG leave to inform you, that the government of this Island, have prohibited the importation of Train-Oil from America;—which has hitherto been an article of some considerable import, particularly from the Eastern states.—I thought it proper to give you this information, that the Merchants throughout the United States might be informed of it.—I have the honor to be &c.
JOHN M. PINTARD.
WILLIAM BARRY GROVES, Esq. is elected member of the second House of Representatives of the United States, for Wilmington District, N. Carolina.
By the last London papers it appears, that opposition to the minister, is left in the minority by 134 members, on a motion to have the papers produced respecting the Spanish convention. The numbers for the motion were 124 Against it 258
Majority for the Minister 134.
The Hon. JAMES WILSON, is empowered by the House of Assembly (unanimously) to revise and digest in proper form the laws of this commonwealth; to receive an adequate compensation therefor.
A correspondent observes that an appointment thus honorably obtained, must give pleasure to every friend of the country, especially as it is conferred on a character so confessedly competent to the execution of the important trust.
A Society for the promotion of Agriculture, Manufactures and Arts, has lately been instituted in the state of New-York, and the following officers elected.
Hon. Robert R. Livingston, President. Hon. John Sloss Hobart, Vice-President. John McKesson, } Esq'rs, Secretaries. Samuel L. Mitchell, } Alexander Macomb, Esq. Treasurer.
ARRIVALS at the PORT of PHILADELPHIA.
  Brig Ann, Glover, Madeira.   Schooner Alexandria, Stewart, Aux-Cayes.   Thomas, Stratton, Virginia.   Eagle, Barran,   Sloop Richmond, Block, Richmond.   Fanny, Walker, Virginia.   Nancy, Hilton, ditto.   Willingmaid, Harden, Wilmington. 
Public Securities as in our last.
Speculation in the Funds appears to be at a stand: In proportion as our public affairs approximate to the point of stability, the variations in the prices of Securities will lessen—and very shortly the only difference between paper and specie will be the per cent. allowance for transacting the business of sales and transfers.
The Speculation signed "One of the People"—though lengthy is not interesting.
ADVERTISEMENT.
Respecting the numerous complaints received, on the failure of the Gazette of the United States, the Editor would inform his subscribers, that since the first of January last, the Mail has been carried from this city to Baltimore, on horse-back, and lately the road to New-York has been so bad, that the same regulation has been adopted on that route: The mercantile interest being considered as the principal support of the Post Office, its accommodation, in expediting the Mail, has given rise to this arrangement—Meantime the Stages, East and South, have plied as usual; and the Papers destined to Baltimore, and the southward of that City, have been regularly and punctually dispatched by them: The badness of the roads to the eastward, has sometimes prevented the Stage from this city, reaching Powles's-Hook, in season, to have the papers taken by the Stage bound to Boston: The public dispatches frequently occupy the greatest part of the Mail-Portmanteaus, and the impossibility of transporting on horse-back, those of a sufficient size to contain the letters, public dispatches, and the newspapers, all at the same time, often occasions the detention of the latter at the post office, for many days, after they are left there to be transmitted.
The foregoing are the only reasons that the Editor can assign for the recent disappointments, having never failed in a single instance to have the Papers prepared in season.
As the original design of this publication was to diffuse information to all parts of the Union from the seat of government, as from a common centre, and the paper has received very general approbation, and a more extensive circulation than perhaps any other Newspaper ever published in America—the Editor hopes the present interruption will be so temporary, as not to exhaust the patience of his subscribers.
INDIA SALES, at Salem.
At the STORE of ELIAS HASKETT DERBY, Esq. On TUESDAY the 5th of APRIL next, at 10 o'clock, A. M. will commence the sale, by AUCTION, of the
Cargo of the Brig HENRY, Lately arrived from BENGAL, MADRAS, and ISLE of FRANCE; Consisting of a large and valuable assortment of
INDIA GOODS.
As follows—viz.
  BAFTAS, } Bengal. } Madras.   Sannas, and   Cassas,   Dureas—or striped Muslins.   Durea Chintz, or painted striped do.   Chintz, a great variety.   Striped Cottons,   Jagrenant Muslins.   Ditto Ditto Handkerchiefs.   Ginghams,   Blue Cotton Handkerchiefs.   Long Cloths, of a superior quality, suitable for shirting.   Madras Patches, beautifully figured.   Camboys, or blue and white striped Cottons.   Morcas, or plain white Cloths.   Madras Cambricks.   Ditto Ditto Handkerchiefs, with borders.   Book Muslins.   Ditto Ditto Handkerchiefs, a great variety.   A quantity of China Silk Handkerchiefs.   A quantity of Ostrich Feathers.   Surat Cotton, 23 bales.   Indigo, of the Isle of France, of a superior quality.   An assortment of fine Wines of the Cape of Good Hope.   Raisins of do.   A quantity of India Shirts and Trowsers, for Sailors' wear. 
To the above will be added, a great variety of other Goods, which are not enumerated. Also,
  100 Casks Raisins, } of the best qualities.   75 Chests Bohea Tea,   30 Ditto Hyson,   30 ditto Souchong, 
The Goods may be viewed a few days previous to the sale.
W. P. BARTLETT and CO. Auctioneers.
Salem, Feb. 21, 1791.
This day is published,
By Carey, Stewart, and Co.
No. 22, IN FRONT-STREET,
The American Museum,
FOR FEBRUARY, 1791.
Contents in our next.

Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject of a MINT.
(CONCLUDED.)
IT is conceived that the weight of the cent may be eleven penny weight, which will about correspond with the value of the copper and the expence of the coinage.
It may perhaps be thought expedient, according to general practice, to make the copper coinage an object of profit; but where this is done to any considerable extent, it is hardly possible to have effectual security against counterfeits.
The foregoing suggestions, respecting the sizes of the several coins, are made on the supposition, that the legislature may think fit to regulate this matter: perhaps, however, it may be judged not unadvisable to leave it to executive discretion.
With regard to the proposed size of the cent, it is to be confessed, that it is rather greater than might be wished, if it could with propriety and safety be made less: and should the value of copper continue to decline, as it has done for some time past, it is very questionable, whether it will long remain alone a fit metal for money.
The devices of the coins are far from being matters of indifference, as they may be made the vehicles of useful impressions.
The last point to be discussed, respects the currency of foreign coins.
The abolition of this, in proper season, is a necessary part of the system contemplated for the national coinage.
The foreign coins may be suffered to circulate, precisely upon their present footing, for one year after the mint shall have commenced its operations.
The monies, which will be paid into the treasury, during the first year, being recoined, before they are issued anew, will afford a partial substitute before any interruption is given to the pre-existing supplies of circulation.
This arrangement, besides avoiding a sudden flagration of circulation, will cause a considerable proportion of whatever loss may be incident to the establishment, in the first instance, to fall, as it ought to do, upon the government, and will probably tend to distribute the remainder of it more equally among the community.
It may nevertheless be advisable, in addition to the precautions here suggested, to repeal a discretionary authority in the President of the United States, to continue the currency of the Spanish dollar, at a value corresponding with the quantity of fine silver contained in it, beyond the period above mentioned for the cessation of the circulation of the foreign coins.
The Secretary for the department of State, in his report to the House of Representatives, on the subject of establishing a uniformity in the weights, measures and coins of the United States, has proposed that the weight of the dollar should correspond with the unit of weight.
Taking this as the proper standard of the dollar, a small alteration for the sake of incorporating so systematic an idea would appear desirable.
The end may however be obtained without either of those inconveniences, by increasing the proportion of alloy in the silver coins.
The organization of the mint yet remains to be considered. This relates to the persons to be employed, and to the services which they are respectively to perform.
A director of the mint, to have the general superintendence of the business.
An assay master, or assayer, to receive the metals brought to the mint, ascertain their fineness, and deliver them to be coined.
A master coiner, to conduct the making of the coins.
A cashier, to receive and pay them out.
An auditor, to keep and adjust the accounts of the mint. Clerks, as many as the directors of the mint shall deem necessary, to assist the different officers.
Workmen, as many as may be found requisite. A porter.
In several of the European mints, there are various other officers, but the foregoing are those only, who appear to be indispensable.
The number of workmen is left indefinite, because, at certain times, it is requisite to have more than at others.
The remedy for errors in the weight and alloy of the coins must necessarily form a part in the system of a mint; and the manner of applying it will require to be regulated.
A certain number of pieces are taken promiscuously out of every fifteen pounds of gold coined at the mint, which is deposited for safe keeping in a strong box called the pix.
ALL WHICH IS HUMBLY SUBMITTED, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, Secretary of the Treasury.
LAWS OF THE UNION.
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: AT THE THIRD SESSION,
Begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, on Monday the sixth of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
An ACT fixing the Time of the next annual Meeting of CONGRESS.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That after the third day of March next, the first annual meeting of Congress shall be on the fourth Monday of October next.
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives, JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
APPROVED, MARCH SECOND, 1791. GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. Deposited among the Rolls in the Office of the Secretary of State. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
An ACT supplementary to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States."
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the subscriptions to the stock of the Bank of the United States, as provided by the act, intitled, "An act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States," shall not be opened until the first Monday in July next.
And be it further enacted, That so much of the first payment as by the said act is directed to be in the six per cent. certificates of the United States, may be deferred until the first Monday in January next.
And be it further enacted, That no person, corporation, or body politic, except in behalf of the United States, shall, for the space of three months after the said first Monday in July next, subscribe in any one day, for more than thirty shares.
And be it further enacted, That every subscriber shall, at the time of subscribing, pay into the hands of the persons who shall be appointed to receive the same, the specific proportion required by the said act to be then paid.
And be it further enacted, That such part of the public debt, including the assumed debt, as is funded at an interest of three per cent. may be paid to the bank, in like manner with the debt funded at six per cent. computing the value of the former at one half the value of the latter, and referring to the subscribers who shall have paid three per cent. stock, the privilege of redeeming the same with six per cent. stock, at the above rate of computation, at any time before the first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three; unless the three per cent. stock shall have been previously disposed of by the directors.
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives, JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
APPROVED, MARCH SECOND, 1791. GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. Deposited among the Rolls in the Office of the Secretary of State. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
An ACT to explain and amend an Act, intitled "An Act making further Provision for the Payment of the Debts of the United States."
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the duty of one cent per pound, laid by the act "making further provision for the payment of the debts of the United States," on bar and other lead, shall be deemed and taken to extend to all manufactures wholly of lead, or in which lead is the chief article, which shall hereafter be brought into the United States, from any foreign port or place.
And be it further enacted, That the duty of seven and a half per cent. ad valorem, laid by the act aforesaid, on chintzes and colored calicoes, shall be deemed and taken to extend to all printed, stained and colored goods, or manufactures of cotton, or of linen, or of both, which hereafter shall be brought into the United States from any foreign port or place.
Provided always, That nothing in this act shall in any wise affect the true construction or meaning of the act aforesaid, in relation to any of the above described articles brought into the United States before the passing of this act.
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG, Speaker of the House of Representatives, JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
APPROVED, MARCH SECOND, 1791. GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States. Deposited among the Rolls in the Office of the Secretary of State. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
A few copies of the CONSTITUTION of the United States, printed with Notes, may be had of the Editor.
PHILADELPHIA, February 24th, 1791.
PROPOSALS FOR PRINTING BY SUBSCRIPTION, A COLLECTION of STATE PAPERS, INTENDED AS MATERIALS FOR AN HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
By EBENEZER HAZARD, A.M.
IN this collection will be contained the CHARTERS of the several states which now compose the UNION;—the Records of the UNITED COLONIES of NEW-ENGLAND;—Royal Instructions to COLONIAL GOVERNORS;—EXTRACTS from PUBLIC RECORDS;—and other authentic Documents tending to elucidate our History.
The design of this compilation was intimated to Congress, and honored with their approbation.—On the 20th July, 1778, their committee, to whom his memorial was referred, reported it as their "Opinion, that Mr. Hazard's undertaking is laudable and deserves the public patronage and encouragement, as being productive of public utility;" Whereupon they "Resolved, That it be recommended to the Governors, Presidents, and Executive Powers of the several states in the union, to assist Mr. Hazard, and give facility to the mint; and that for this purpose he be admitted to an inspection of public records, and be furnished without expence with copies of such papers as he may judge will conduce to the valuable end he hath in view.
He was, of consequence, admitted to the inspection and use both of public records, and the collections made by individuals, from whence this compilation (much the largest he has ever met with on the subject, and, he flatters himself, the largest ever made in America) was formed.
The compiler cannot suppress the following letter from the honorable the Secretary of State, to whose inspection part of the compilation was submitted, as it contains so flattering and respectable a testimony in favor of the importance of the work.
Philadelphia, February 18, 1791.
SIR, I return you the two volumes of Records, with thanks for the opportunity of looking into them:—they are curious Monuments of the Infancy of our country. I learn with great satisfaction that you are about committing to the Press the valuable Historical and State Papers you have been so long collecting.
Your most obedient and most humble Servant, THOMAS JEFFERSON.
MR. HAZARD.
CONDITIONS.
I. The Work to be published in numbers, each containing 160 pages, large quarto:—A number to be delivered every three months. II. On delivery of the first Number, payment to be made for the first and second, and afterwards for each Number as delivered (except the last) so that the price of one Number will be constantly in advance. III. The price to Subscribers will be one Dollar for each number. IV. To those who choose to subscribe for the Work in Volumes, the price will be Four Dollars and a Quarter of a Dollar, for each Volume, in boards. V. The collection will be put to the Press as soon as there shall be a sufficient number of subscriptions to justify an hope that the expences will be defrayed.
Those who receive Subscriptions will please transmit accounts of the numbers obtained to Thomas Dobson, No. 41, Second-Street, Philadelphia, by the first of May next.
SUBSCRIPTIONS will be received in Portsmouth, (N. H.) by Jeremiah Libbey; Boston, Thomas & Andrews; Worcester, Isaiah Thomas; Hartford, Thomas Hildrup; New-Haven, Isaac Beers; New-London, Timothy Green; Newport, (R. I.) Jacob Richardson; Providence, John Carter; New-York, Hodge, Allen & Campbell; Albany, Abraham G. Lansing; Philadelphia, Thomas Dobson, and Hazard & Addoms; Wilmington, (Delaware) Frederick Craig; Baltimore, I. Holmes; Alexandria, Joshua Murrman; Norfolk, Mr. Lindsey; Fredericksburgh, Callender and Henderson; Peterburgh, John Grammer; Richmond, Augustine Davis; Newbern, (N. C.) F. X. Martin; Wilmington, John Bradley; Charleston, (S. C.) William P. Young.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
Somerset County, ss. BY virtue of a writ of fieri facias to me directed, against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of CHRISTOPHER BEEKMAN, I have levied on, and seized that valuable house and lot of land, situate on the north side of the Main Street, in Princeton, now in possession of Adam Shaw, and known by sign of the College; it is an excellent stand for a public house, and has been occupied in that way for many years.
WILLIAM WALLACE, Sheriff.
Western Precinct, 18th February, 1791.
PROPOSALS FOR PRINTING BY SUBSCRIPTION, A COLLECTION OF MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS, Partly original, and partly already published, Written by MATHEW CAREY.
CONDITIONS.
I. THE Work shall contain 200 pages; be printed on the finest writing paper; and be elegantly bound, edge rolled and lettered. II. Price to subscribers two thirds of a dollar, to be paid on the delivery of the book. III. The work shall be put to the press as soon as 250 copies are subscribed for. IV. The subscribers names shall be prefixed.
SUBSCRIPTIONS are received by CAREY, STEWART, and Co. and all the other Booksellers in Philadelphia; also, by the different gentlemen throughout the United States, who supply subscribers with the American Museum.
Philadelphia, Feb. 23, 1791.