Gazette of the United-States. (New-York [N.Y.]), 1791-02-12 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. 83, of Vol. II.]
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1791.
[Whole No. 187.]
RICHMOND, (Virginia,) Jan. 26.
By the Clermont, Captain Colley, who arrived at Norfolk, in five weeks from London, newspapers are received as late as the 1st of December—from which is extracted the following.
BRABANT AND FLANDERS.
The affairs of the Provinces have now drawn to a crisis—The following are the latest particulars that have arrived, and as an article of importance, deserve attention.—The proceedings in the Congress on the 21st inst. were communicated to Mr. Pitt last night.
ON the 18th instant, an express arrived at the Hague with dispatches for Abbe Van Leempoe, Envoy for the Belgic Congress to the states general, informing him that four members of Congress M. Petitjean, the Chevalier de Bouffies, Count Baillet, and M. de Graaf, were on their way to the Hague, to assist him in treating with the Ministers of the three allied powers.
On the 19th these four gentlemen, accompanied by Abbe Van Leempoe, had a conference at the house of the Pensionary Van Spiegel, with the English and Prussian Ministers. On the 20th they met a second time at the same place, and set out the same day for Brussels.
At these meetings they laboured to procure a delay or respite from the 21st of November, the period fixed by the Emperor's Manifesto for the submission of the Netherlands, to the 6th of December.—But they failed in the attempt, the Ministers of the Allied Courts inflexibly refusing to bend themselves to a request which they said appeared to them unreasonable, and little suited to the dignity of their respective sovereigns, or of his Imperial Majesty.
Previous to the departure of the four members from Brussels, a schism had taken place in the Congress, and parties had run exceedingly high, and the two first orders of the states of Brabant, the Clergy and Nobles, had passed resolutions which were to form the basis of an agreement with the Emperor.
On the 13th, when it was debated in Congress, whether a negotiation should be opened with the Emperor's Ministers on the ground of the terms offered in his Manifesto, it is said, that Mess. Van Eupen and Vandernoot, successively rose, and each took a solemn oath never to consent to treat with the Emperor, upon any terms which should imply that he was, or ever should be, recognized sovereign of the Netherlands.
They endeavored to gain over the other members to their opinion, but without success; for the members for the Provinces of Hainault, Flanders, and Tournaisis, and for the cities of Tournay and Antwerp, declared that they had received instructions from their respective constituents, to consent to an accommodation with the Emperor, and to treat with him upon the ground of his being recognized their lawful sovereign.
To remove these differences of opinion, it was proposed, that in a meeting of the Congress, which was held at Brussels, on the 21st instant, the day limited by the Emperor's Manifesto, that the Emperor should never be acknowledged, as the sovereign of these states, but that to prevent, if possible, the further effusion of human blood, his third son the Arch-Duke Charles, should be elected to the sovereignty.
This proposal was debated for some time, and at 10 o'clock at night it was unanimously resolved in the Congress, that the Arch-Duke Charles be elected to the sovereignty, under the titles of Marque, Conte, and Duc de Belgic, under such regulations as may be determined on, bound to reside in the country of the states, to govern them by their ancient laws, and agreeable to the articles of their constitution; and to preserve to all and each of the states, their respective rights immunities, and privileges.—The succession to be hereditary in his family, never to revert to any branch of the House of Austria, possessing the sovereignty of any other country.
Whether the Emperor will agree to the proposal, will be known in a few days—At any rate, a fairer ground of reconciliation seems to have presented itself than was first expected.
V I E N N A, Nov 13.
Prince Gallitzin, the Russian Ambassador, received a courier the day before yesterday from Prince Potemkin, with the news of a complete victory gained the 10th of October, by the troops of the Empress of Russia, over the seraskier Catel Bey,
Pacha of three tails, who commanded an army of 40,000 Turks, with which he was ordered to penetrate into the southern provinces of Russia.
Prince Potemkin being informed that the enemy's army had already moved from Anapa, gave orders to the different corps, in the Cuban and the neighbourhood of Mount Caucasus, to march forward and give battle. One of the corps commanded by General Herman, met with the enemy at a small distance from the river of Cuban, which Catel Bey had just passed; he attacked the Turkish army, notwithstanding its great superiority, with such impetuosity as totally to defeat it.
The whole of the enemy's camp, with all the artillery consisting of more than 30 pieces, all the ammunition, provision, tents and baggage, fell into the hands of the victors, and the Turkish General himself, and all his suite, were made prisoners of war.
The Russian General had chosen a most advantageous position, and at one onset more than 5000 were killed on the spot, and the rest of the Ottoman army forced to a precipitate flight, in which a great number were drowned in the Cuban.
N A P L E S, Nov. 2.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius has ceased, without having done much damage to the cultivated parts of the mountain. The late eruption was certainly the most violent that has happened since that of the year 1779, which was truly alarming and destructive.
CENSUS of the Inhabitants of MASSACHUSETTS as taken by the Marshal of that District.
   Counties Towns Houses Families Free white males 16 years old and upwards Free white males under 16 years Free white females All other free persons Total of each county Slaves     Suffolk 23 6935 8038 11371 9334 23114 1066 44887 None   Middlesex 22 7644 10883 14263 12362 30328 880 57937 None   Hampshire 41 5008 7589 11490 9606 21494 597 42797 None   Plymouth 65 9381 1617 15419 15013 29299 451 55681 None   Bristol 15 4240 5173 7500 6834 14998 593 29533 None   Barnstable 15 4240 5173 7500 6834 14998 593 29533 None   Dukes county 3 243 288 4200 4097 16074 729 37509 None   Nantucket 3 243 288 4200 4097 16074 729 37509 None   Worcester 49 8613 9729 14015 1193 2324 409 460 None   Berkshire 26 4476 4829 7366 7793 14809 313 26991 None   11 counties, 265 54177 65779 94453 87289 19032 5463 3787 87 None  
   Town Families Whites Slaves All other persons Total of each town     Boston 2376 3343 4325 3376 9576   Salem 928 1493 1845 1710 4106   Marblehead 618 1104 1265 1327 2982   Newburyport 616 999 1155 1071 2544   Newbury 538 723 1039 844 2047   Gloucester 673 1006 1267 1216 2793   Ipswich 601 881 1151 916 2416   Beverly 422 637 748 733 1751   Cambridge 355 355   Plymouth 577 577   Dartmouth 538 661 661   New Bedford 454 582 582   Barnstable 481 481   Worcester 322 322  
* 16 miles N. E. from Boston. + 3 miles from Salem. † 45 miles N. E. from Boston. § Adjoins the former. ** On Cape-Ann. †† 1 N. E. from Boston. ††† 2 miles from Salem N. E. †††† 4 miles West from Boston. ††††† 42 miles S. E. from Boston. §§ 36 miles S. W. from Boston. ††††† 48 miles S. W. from Boston.
EXTRACT.
“Immodest words admit of no defence, For want of decency is want of sense.”
I WAS in company the other evening, with a set of young people, where the sprightly Levia happened also to be. Levia, as usual, had a great deal of real wit, with a great deal of that looser sort, which, as I have often hinted to her, bears, with me, the name of indelicacy. She has naturally a great fund of agreeable vivacity, which she displayed that evening with peculiar grace, had it not been for those disagreeable levities I am speaking of. However, with the greater part they passed for sterling wit, and Levia was uncommonly applauded by the gentlemen, & not a little envied by the less entertaining fair ones. But this light carriage and freedom of expression had like to have cost her dear in the sequel. A young officer, to whom she was an intire stranger, drew inferences from her conduct not at all favorable to her honor, & took an opportunity to offer his service to attend her to her own house, which was only a square distant. She accepted his offer with a frankness peculiar to herself, and which was to him a consummation of his suspicions. I could not help observing it, and slipped out after them, to prevent any disagreeable consequences that might happen to a good natured, giddy girl, whom I esteem. They were not twenty yards from the door, when I heard her using very harsh language to him, and immediately after she screamed out, broke from him, and was running back, when I caught hold of her, and discovered myself to her and her pursuer. She immediately fainted in my arms, which did not a little shock the young gentleman who was now standing by in a very penitent manner. I did not fail to reprove him, for his behavior, which he indeed sufficiently apologized for before he left me; and, I believe, from the impression it has made on Levia, she will be very sparing of her double entendres in future, and already wishes she had felt the force of my admonitions on that subject before.
NEW-YORK, Feb. 7.
Never (says a correspondent) was any species of atrocious villainy more prevalent in any country than that which is at present practised in the United States, of altering and counterfeiting State Certificates, and other public securities of different denominations. A gang of villains, generally well dressed, are employed in travelling through the country, imposing upon unguarded people; and in many instances to the great detriment, if not total ruin of the honest farmer, or other unsuspecting persons. A mode of counterfeiting is said to be now practised by those infamous wretches so completely answering their purpose as almost to baffle a possibility of detection. Their secret, however, is fortunately discovered, which it is hoped, will be one great step towards disappointing those pests of society in future. The following may (among numerous other instances) be depended on for a fact: A farmer in Morris county, (New-Jersey) had a state certificate of 600 dollars, which two or three persons, unknown to him, made overtures of purchasing. Having, by the farmer's consent, examined the certificate, and made their observations thereon, they took their leave, promising to call again in a few days and talk with the owner further about purchasing it.—They accordingly returned, bringing with them a false certificate of the same date, value, &c. and so nicely executed, that in passing it back and forward among them they took an opportunity of making an exchange, and thus imposing upon the unfortunate proprietor a counterfeit security for the true one.
The legislature of S. Carolina, now in session has chosen Jacob Read, Esq. speaker of the house, and David Ramsay, Esq. president of the Senate.
The speaker informed the house, that, in conformity to their resolve at the last session, he had imported from England “a superb gown of black sattin, ornamented with velvet tassels, richly fringed.”
It is said to be an exact pattern of that worn by the speaker of the British house of commons.
The number of inhabitants within the state of South-Carolina, as reported to the legislature, is 126,131.
The present session of the legislature of South-Carolina, will probably be lengthy, being the first under their new constitution.
A committee is appointed to draught a bill to repeal the confiscation act.

CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, Jan. 24.
The house resumed the consideration of the amendments proposed to the new REVENUE BILL.
MR. TUCKER proposed a clause to limit the duration of the bill: He urged this motion from the consideration of the security it would afford to the people, that the duties and burthens would not be continued after the necessity of their being laid should cease: He observed that a future house might agree to renew the law, or to originate a new one—nor did he conceive that the creditors of the United States would be placed in a worse situation with this limitation than without it; for a house that would refuse to renew the act, or originate a new one, on a principle of justice to the creditors, would not hesitate to repeal this law.
Mr. Sherman observed, that a clause already agreed to, supercedes the necessity of this amendment: That clause expressly provides, that other duties or taxes, of equal value, may be substituted, in case the present should prove burthensome or inconvenient.
Mr. Jackson supported the motion: He observed that it was the indispensable duty of this house to keep the purse strings in their hands—for his part he never would consent to a perpetual law, which in its operations might prove odious to the people—and he maintained that this law would be perpetual, inasmuch as it was to be commensurate with the debt of the United States—he urged the adoption of a limiting clause from a variety of considerations.
Mr. Lawrance objected to the motion: He said it not only interfered with the acts already passed, making provision for the public debt, and which have express reference to part of the duties contemplated by this bill; but it also contravenes the clause which makes it optional with the United States, to substitute other taxes in lieu of those proposed to be raised by this bill.
Mr. Gerry objected to the proposition of Mr. Tucker, on similar principles with Mr. Lawrance: He added, that it would prove a violation of the public faith, inasmuch as it would make part of the provision temporary , whereas the honor of the government is pledged to provide those funds that are permanent . Mr. Gerry enlarged on the importance and sacredness of the public faith—it has been sufficiently trifled with—he hoped more consistency would mark the public councils in future.
Mr. Giles said he thought the provision proposed, or something similar, so important, that he should think himself deficient in duty if he did not offer some observations on it. He denied the motion violated the funding system; but if it did, he should prefer such violation to a violation of the constitution. He read a clause from the funding system, and said the terms “permanent funds” meant established, fixed funds, such as Congress may hereafter deem necessary; it cannot mean that Congress are not at liberty to vary those funds at pleasure, provided they are but always made competent. Will gentlemen say that the system is so sacred that it can never be touched? He enquired, if in its operation any system is found to be contrary to the constitution, ought it to be held sacred? He then adverted to the impression under which the constitution had been adopted, and said that if the people had then supposed that they subjected themselves by it to perpetual burthens, which could never be controuled by the representatives of the people, not one in a hundred would ever have consented to its adoption. He asked, on what is the public faith founded? Is it founded on the fiscal regulations of this house? Is it founded on the funding system? I hope not: It is founded, sir, on the integrity of the United States, and their ability to pay their debts. He was afraid there was too great a sympathy with the public creditors in the house—such a sympathy as did not properly combine with it the interests and feelings of the people at a distance. He considered the power of regulating the resources of the United States, as at present situated, properly lodged—and he trusted it would not be delegated to any other body whatever. I hope, said he, we shall not arm the executive with the golden nerve of the United States. He considered the executive as possessing all the necessary powers—he wished they might not be extended—much less could he consent that the funding system should be superior to the constitution of the United States.
Mr. Lawrance adverting to the constitution, specified the powers thereby vested in the legislature of the United States, they are empowered to lay excises, imposts and other taxes. He wished gentlemen would be explicit when they taxed others with a design to violate the constitution—he had read the constitution, perhaps not so much as the gentleman from Virginia, still he had read it sufficient to convince him that nothing in the funding system, nor in the bill now before the house, was contrary thereto. He then adverted to the proposition of limiting the present bill, and said that it must appear to be a palpable violation of the public faith as pledged by the funding system; it goes to converting not only the present fund into a temporary one, but also converts part of that which is now a permanent fund into a temporary. He then adverted to the observation which tended to affix a stigma of odium on the bill; he remarked on the subject of taxes generally, and said there never was such a thing as a popular tax, strictly speaking—still the people submitted to them on principles of patriotism, and when it was said that the people are pleased with any particular mode of taxation, it only means that some are less exceptionable than others; this he conceived to be the case in the present instance.
Mr. Jackson adverting to the bill said, that the clause which empowers Congress to substitute new taxes in lieu of the excise, plainly shews that this bill is not a permanent bill—the proposition is therefore no violation of any principle in the bill, it is merely declaratory of what is fairly implied in the above clause.
Mr. Heister was in favor of the limitation.
Mr. Bloodworth said he had seconded the motion with a view that if the bill should not prove agreeable to the people, other measures may be adopted. Suppose the people should not consent to the law, is one part of the people to be marched against another? It will be in vain for us to pass a law that shall be opposed to the popular prejudices; gentlemen talk of the bill's being agreeable to the people—his experience taught him very differently; no system could be devised more odious to the people of the Southern States.
Mr. Gerry further opposed the motion.
Mr. Tucker rose to obviate some of the objections which had been offered to his motion—if the operation of it went to repeal any part of the funding law, he was content to have it altered so as to avoid that consequence. He then entered into a particular reply, to the several objections which had been offered: He invalidated that which arose from the danger of trusting a future Congress, by instancing the situation of the deferred part of the debt which is left entirely to the integrity of a future Congress; that the public creditors do not consider the perpetuity of the law making provision for the public debt as of any superior consequence, is evident from the increasing value of the deferred debt.
Mr. Stone said the motion would counteract the clause in the funding system which had appropriated the duty on rum as a permanent fund; he had been opposed to the United States pledging their faith for the payment of their debts, he was for a more dignified mode of procedure, but as the legislature had thought proper to provide a permanent fund in one instance, he thought it proper they should do it in another—and with respect to excise, if that is the best possible resource for paying the interest on the assumed debt, it ought to be continued on the same principle till the object is obtained.
Mr. Sherman offered a few observations against the motion.
Mr. Seney spoke in its favor, and proposed a modification of it to avoid the objection of its interfering with the funding system.
The question was taken on the original motion and lost, 39 to 19.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 9.
Mr. Huntington, from the committee appointed for that purpose reported a bill, for encreasing the penalties contained in an act for the encouragement of learning, which was read a first time.
A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Lear his secretary, notifying that he has this day approved and signed an act which originated in this house, entitled an act declaring the consent of Congress to a certain act of the state of Maryland; also communicating sundry papers relative to the admission of the territory of Vermont as a member of the federal union, which were read and referred to a select committee, of three members, Messrs. Lawrance, Boudinot and Carroll.
Mr. Sedgwick from the committee appointed for that purpose, reported a bill to continue in force for a limited time the act regulating processes in the federal courts; which was read the first time.
Mr. Gerry presented the the petition of Michael Jackson, late a colonel in the Massachusetts line of the army, praying to be placed on the pension list, in consideration of disability occasioned by public service, which was read and referred to the Secretary at War.
Mr. Bourne gave notice of the following motion, that a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill, repealing so much of the act laying impost and tonnage, as rates the rix dollar of Denmark, at 100 cents, which motion was laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Smith (S. C.) a committee of three was appointed to prepare and bring in a bill supplementary to an act for incorporating the subscribers to the Bank of the United States, Mr. Smith [S. C.] Williamson and Mr. Stone are the said committee.
Mr. Boudinot gave notice, that to-morrow he should move, that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill supplementary to an act for establishing the treasury department.
After which the galleries were cleared.
THURSDAY, Feb. 10.
The bill to ascertain the time for the commencement of the next session of Congress, was brought in engrossed, read a third time, and laid on the table.
The bill to encrease the penalties contained in an act, entitled, an act for the encouragement of learning, was read a second time, and referred to a committee of the whole house on Monday next.
The bill to continue the act, regulating processes in the courts of the United States, was read a second time, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
Mr. Huntington presented the petition of John Fitch, remonstrating against certain parts of the bill, to amend the act, entitled, an act to promote the progress of useful arts, which was read and laid on the table.
Mr. Smith, (S. C.) presented the following petition, which was read and laid on the table.
To the Hon. THE REPRESENTATIVES of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, The petition of the subscribers, Masters of American vessels, in the port of Charleston, South-Carolina, intended for the carrying trade to Europe, humbly sheweth,
THAT allured by the encouragement afforded by Congress in a former session, to the shipping of the United States of America, the owners of the vessels, commanded by your petitioners, were induced to engage their capitals in the carrying trade, from the Southern States to Europe; in pursuance of this plan they have greatly multiplied their shipping, by building new vessels; and others have been taken from the West-India and other branches of trade, in which for some years past, they have been engaged with very indifferent success; the aggregate constitutes a prodigious navigation, of which we are concerned to add, that the port of Charleston at the present moment affords a melancholy proof.
During the last season a very considerable number of American vessels were loaded at this port; but their freights were in general the least acceptable, and at lower rates than were at the same time obtained by foreign vessels: This preference could not be attributed to any inferiority in the American shipping; but to some circumstances that are incomprehensible to your petitioners; but which they trust the wisdom of Congress will ascertain.
In the present instance, your petitioners find themselves in this port, with shipping nearly adequate to the transportation of the whole crop of this country; and they beg leave to observe, that the season not yet being far advanced, many more vessels may reasonably be expected—and more than thirty are actually known to be coming. Thus situated, the majority of your petitioners find themselves destitute of employment; the influx of foreigners having been as great, or greater than ever—and the usual partiality in their favor still existing; many of us foresee the necessity of returning to our respective ports of equipment, or employment, almost as unpromising as remaining in port. But previous to departing, we conceive it a duty we owe to our country, as well as to ourselves, to represent our situation to the supreme Legislature of the Union.
In the fullest confidence that our petition will be favorably received, and its object be thought to merit the consideration of Congress; we have subscribed our names, our respective vessels, and their tonnage—and as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
Signed by the Masters of 24 Ships, 16 Brigs, } Tonnage, 8118. 1 Schooner, } Charleston, South-Carolina, Jan. 19, 1791.
Mr. Boudinot's motion of yesterday was taken up, and a committee consisting of Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Fitzsimons, and Mr. Ames, was appointed to prepare and bring in a bill, supplementary to the act, establishing the Treasury Department.
On motion, a committee, consisting of Mr. Bourne, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Thatcher, was appointed to consider and report what alteration may be proper in the act, imposing duties on imports and tonnage, in respect to the rix dollar of Denmark, rated therein at 100 cents.
The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Boudinot in the chair, and took into consideration the bill authorizing the President of the United States to cause the debt due to foreign officers to be paid and discharged: The bill being gone through with, the committee rose and reported the same without any amendment. The bill was agreed to by the house, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
The house again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Boudinot in the chair, and took into consideration the bill establishing offices for granting lands within the territory of the United States. The committee agreed to sundry amendments—then rose, reported progress, and asked leave to sit again.
Mr. Smith, from the committee appointed for that purpose, reported a bill supplementary to

“ MR. ELLIOT, late resident at the Court of Sweden, from this country, is named Ambassador to the United States of America. He is a gentleman of the first family in this country, and is much attached to yours. In this appointment Ministry have adopted a principle of regard for the promotion of the intercourse and a liberal trade between the two nations. The American credit is rapidly appreciating in this country—and the respect for the STARS and STRIPES is increasing throughout all Europe.”
NEW-YORK, Feb. 8.
At a STATED MEETING of the GENERAL SOCIETY of MECHANICS and TRADESMEN of the City of New-York, on the evening of the 2d. instant, a circular letter signed by Joseph Snowden and others, a committee of the mechanics, tradesmen and others, citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, together with a memorial of the said committee to the legislature of the United States, praying an exemption for apprentices and minors from militia duty were laid before the society.
The said papers having been read, and duly considered, the following resolutions were adopted.
Resolved, first, that a committee of six be appointed to make a reply to the representation of Joseph Snowden and others, a committee of the mechanics and tradesmen of the city of Philadelphia, on the subject of their memorial to Congress, respecting an exemption of apprentices and minors from militia duty.
Secondly, that Francis Childs, William W. Gilbert, Anthony Post, John Campbell, James Tylee, and John Stagg, be a committee for the purpose above mentioned.
Thirdly, that in the opinion of this society it is, neither necessary nor expedient for them at the present juncture, to make any representation to Congress, concerning the organization of the militia.
Fourthly, that it is the opinion of this society, should the operation of the militia law prove injurious to the morals or subordination of apprentices and minors, or subject them or their masters to any unreasonable inconvenience, the national legislature will in such case take the matter into consideration, and afford a remedy to the evil as soon as it is found to exist.
Fifthly, that as in the opinion of this society the good or bad operation of militia law, cannot well be determined but by an experiment, we should be left too much to conjecture, in making any interference at this stage of the business; considering at the same time, that the most proper season to make any representation in this matter will be, when facts resulting from their own experience, or happening within their own observation, can be adduced to corroborate the points set forth in a memorial.
By order of the Society, JOTHAM POST, Chairman.
In obedience to the resolutions aforementioned the following letter inclosing the said resolutions has been transmitted to Philadelphia, directed to Mr. Joseph Snowden, chairman of a committee, appointed at a respectable meeting of the tradesmen, mechanics, and other citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia.
New-York, Feb. 3. 1791.
SIR,
WE do ourselves the honor to inclose you some resolutions passed at a stated meeting of the mechanics and tradesmen of the city of New-York. These resolutions may be considered as a reply to the memorial which the tradesmen, mechanics and other citizens of Philadelphia, have lately presented to Congress relative to an exemption for apprentices and minors from militia duty. We shall at all times be happy to co-operate with you, in such measures as we deem beneficial to our respective avocations, or conducive to the public interest; but in the present instance, we do not imagine those objects will be promoted in concurring the memorial above mentioned.
FRANCIS CHILDS, WILLIAM W. GILBERT, ANTHONY POST, JOHN CAMPBELL, JAMES TYLEE, JOHN STAGG.
To Mr. J. SNOWDEN, Chairman, &c.
On the 28th ult. the following question was agitated in the Massachusetts House of Assembly—“ Whether the Hon. David Sewall, Esq. returned a member from York, holding the office of district judge of the United States, has a right to a seat in this house?” After a long and argumentative discussion, it was determined by yeas and nays, as follows: Yeas 5, Nays 113.
The magistrates of New-London have hit upon an excellent method of punishing petty criminals, and at the same time making them useful to the public. Great numbers who have been confined one, two, or three years in the prison called Newgate, have, at the expiration of their time, been turned out complete masters of the nailing business, who, when they were put in, were acquainted with no other art than shop-lifting and house-breaking.
an act for incorporating the subscribers to the Bank of the United States; which was read the first time.
A report was received from the Secretary of State, on the memorial of the merchants trading to China; which was read and laid on the table. After which the galleries were cleared.
FRIDAY, Feb. 11.
Passed, the bill empowering the President of the United States to cause the debt due to foreign officers to be discharged—
The bill to continue in force for a limited time the act, regulating process in the federal courts, And, the bill to alter the time of the next meeting of Congress—The blank, in the last, was filled with the FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER NEXT.
Read the second time the bill, supplementary to the act for incorporating the subscribers to the Bank of the United States, and referred the same to a committee of the whole house to-morrow.
This bill is to prolong the time of receiving subscriptions, and provides that they should not exceed five millions of dollars on the first of January 1792.
Sundry petitions were read, and referred to the Secretary at War.
A message from the President of the United States informed the house, that the Appropriation-Bill for the year 1791, has received his approbation and signature.
Read the first and second time a bill, providing compensation for Marshals, Clerks, and Jurors—and referred to a committee of the whole on Tuesday next.
Mr. Gerry presented a memorial from sundry persons, holders of bills of credit, commonly called new emission—which was read and laid on the table.
In committee of the whole on the land office bill—the discussion was finished; and the bill with sundry amendments reported to the house. The report it was ordered should lie on the table.
The petition of the masters of vessels in the port of Charleston, (S. C.) was referred to the select committee of thirteen on the trade and navigation of the United States.
Business of a private nature occurring—the doors of the gallery were shut.
EXTRACTS from Gov. HANCOCK's SPEECH to the Legislature of Massachusetts.
“ IN addition to the other favors we enjoy as a government, we have the blessings of peace and tranquility: Industry and economy prevail, and the people appear to be satisfied and contented.
The happiness of the people, that sole object of all good government, is every where acknowledged: The field has in the year past yielded its increase in great abundance: Our fishery and commerce have been prospered, and there appears to be laudable exertions to introduce the useful arts into the country. A number of gentlemen have in the town of Boston, and other towns, carried the manufactory of Duck to a great degree of perfection; they deserve great applause for their spirited exertions. And from the attempts of other worthy citizens, we have reason to hope, that there will be as great success in the manufactory of glass in the same town.
“ The Congress of the United States having assumed four millions of dollars of the debt of this Commonwealth, the residue remains as the object of finance for this particular government. Perhaps upon the final adjustment of our accounts with Congress, it may appear that this also is chargeable upon the United States, but the creditors still are to look to this state for payment. The original holders of securities issued by this government have received great injury, and greater still will accrue to them, unless from your proceedings it shall be made evident to the world, that the interest of the residue of our debt will be provided for in a manner fully equal in point of advantage to that proposed by Congress; and that a punctual annual payment may be relied upon: Unless this is done, the citizens who have parted with their property to save their country from impending ruin, will be obliged to continue to dispose of their securities at discount, and must be finally taxed to redeem them at par, from those who shall be holders of them. I have no doubt, gentlemen, but that you are fully impressed with this important subject; but I feel it to be my duty to urge upon you a speedy progress in restoring credit to the Commonwealth.
“ By the act of Congress for assuming a part of the debt of this state it is agreed, that if the whole of the sum allowed to be subscribed by the holders of our public securities shall not be subscribed within the present year, that this state shall receive from the United States interest according to the provision of the act upon so much of the sum proposed to be loaned as shall not be so subscribed. Which interest so received by the state, is to be received in trust for the non-subscribing creditors of this Commonwealth, until there shall be a settlement of accounts between this and the United States. If measures could be adopted to raise the credit of the government so far as that the holders of our public securities would place such a confidence in them, as they would in the proposal of the United States, it would afford great ease to those creditors who have a right to subscribe towards the four millions, to apply to our own Treasury for their interest. I propose this idea for your attention, but shall not enlarge upon it.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 14. PRESENTMENT of the GRAND JURY for the District of CHERAWS.
WE the Grand Jurors of and for the district of Cheraws, do present the inefficacy of the present punishment for killing negroes, as a great defect in the legal system of this state, and we do earnestly recommend to the attention of the legislature, that clause of the negro act which confines the penalty of killing slaves to fine and imprisonment only; in full confidence that they will provide some other more effectual measures to prevent the frequency of crimes of this nature, and that they will make the condition of this class of people as happy and comfortable as a state of slavery will admit of.
Signed by twenty Jurors.
Philadelphia, Feb. 12.
Forty-one sail of American vessels were in the port of Charleston, South-Carolina, the 19th ult. of these, twenty-seven were from New-England, two from New-York, one from Hudson, two from Philadelphia, six from Charleston, and three from Maryland—
A correspondent observes—This does not look like suffering the produce of the Southern States to rot, for want of vessels to carry it to market; if they cannot get freight owing to a partiality in favor of foreigners, does it not indicate a deficiency in the laws for encouraging our own navigation, or “ that there is something rotten in the State of Denmark?”
It is now fully demonstrated, that the shipping of the United States, if not at this moment competent to transporting the whole produce of the southern states to market, would be made so, under due encouragement in a few months.—An unnecessary preference therefore in favor of foreigners would be commercial suicide .
A correspondent observes—If the opinion of all the inhabitants of the United States could be collected, I am fully persuaded there would be two to one in favor of the excise on spirituous liquors—mothers, wives and sisters, would cheerfully assent to it; fathers would join in sentiment. When I behold reason the boasted pre-eminence of man over the beast—expunged as it were by the excessive draughts of this poisonous fluid; and when I reflect upon the melancholy consequences of intoxication, I am ready to wish (if it could be collected) that 100 per cent. duty was laid upon it. But perhaps I am wrong, it is doubtless a republican drink , and all from the highest to the lowest, when they have copiously drank, are reduced to one level; no odious distinctions any longer exist; indeed it is shortening being's chain by uniting the links of human and brute, so as to make them but one.
A correspondent observes, that the act for incorporating the subscribers to the Bank of the United States, is a measure of such universal utility, in respect to the revenue, and the commercial intercourse, and accommodation of the inhabitants of every part of the union, that its passage through Congress is really a subject of congratulation to every citizen of the United States. It was to be expected the subject would receive the sanction of the legislature, with a great degree of harmony, and finally pass both houses by a very large majority—this expectation has been realized, and thereby the system of finance and revenue is rendered compleat.
A correspondent observes, that the copious allusions to the federal government, contained in the speech of his Excellency Governor HANCOCK, sufficiently indicate the interest which the legislature of the commonwealth of Massachusetts feels in the government of the union; this is patriotism and policy—for the respect shewn to Congress by the individual governments, is reflected with encreased lustre on themselves; may we never forget that we are ONE.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The ELEGY on Mrs. —— though it may be interesting to the friends of the deceased, we think would not be so to a majority of our readers.
CURIUS came too late for this day's Gazette; but shall appear on Wednesday: Other favors necessarily postponed.
PRICE CURRENT.—PUBLIC SECURITIES.
   FUNDED DEBT.     6 pr. Cents 17/6. 17/8 pr. £ 88 3/4 pr. cent.   3 pr. Cents 9/2. 46 do.   Deferred 6 pr. Cents 9/2. 46 do.   UNFUNDED DEBT.   Final Sett. and other Certificates 16/3. 81 1/2 do.   Indents 9/2. 46 do.   N. and S. Carolina, debts, 12/. 60 do.  
ARRIVALS at the PORT of PHILADELPHIA.
   Sloop Friendship, Reeves, Tappahannock.   Clary, M c Williams, do.   Tryal, Welsh, Wilmington.   Schooner Polly, Hodge, Edenton.   Fredericksburg Packet, Stevens, Cadiz.  
TO BE SOLD,
THE SEAT OF THE LATE GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON,
situate about a mile from Elizabeth-Town, on the public road to Morris Town. The farm contains between 90 and 100 acres of land, 15 or 20 acres of which are wood land; there is also appertaining to the said farm about 19 acres of salt meadow. Particular attention having been paid to the cultivation of fruit; there is on the farm a very large collection of various kinds of the choicest fruit trees, &c. in full bearing; the house is large, convenient, well built and in very good repair.
Enquire of the Printer, for further particulars. New-York, Jan. 1791.

Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject of a MINT.
The Secretary of the Treasury having attentively considered the subject referred to him by the order of the House of Representatives of the fifteenth of April last, relatively to the establishment of a Mint, most respectfully submits the result of his enquiries and reflections.
A PLAN for an establishment of this nature, involves a great variety of considerations, intricate, nice, and important. The general state of debtor and creditor; all the relations and consequences of price; the essential interests of trade and industry; the value of all property; the whole income both of the State and of individuals, are liable to be sensibly influenced, beneficially, or otherwise, by the judicious, or injudicious regulation of this interesting object.
It is one likewise, not more necessary than difficult to be rightly adjusted; one which has frequently occupied the reflections and researches of politicians, without having harmonised their opinions on some of the most important of the principles which enter into its discussion. Accordingly, different systems continue to be advocated, and the systems of different nations, after much investigation, continue to differ from each other.
But if a right adjustment of the matter be truly of such nicety and difficulty, a question naturally arises, whether it may not be most advisable to leave things, in this respect, in the state in which they are? Why, might it be asked, since they have so long proceeded in a train, which has caused no general sensation of inconvenience, should alterations be attempted, the precise effect of which cannot with certainty be calculated?
The answer to this question is not perplexing.—The immense disorder which actually reigns in so delicately and important a concern, and the still greater disorder which is every moment possible, call loudly for a reform. The dollar, originally contemplated in the money transactions of this country, by successive diminutions of its weight and fineness, has sustained a depreciation of 5 per cent. And yet the new dollar has a currency in all payments in place of the old, with scarcely any attention to the difference between them. The operation of this in depreciating the value of property, depending upon past contracts; and (as far as inattention to the alteration in the coin may be supposed to leave prices stationary) of all other property is apparent. Nor can it require argument to prove, that a nation ought not to suffer the value of the property of its citizens to fluctuate with the fluctuations of a foreign mint, and to change with the changes in the regulations of a foreign sovereign. This, nevertheless, is the condition of one, which having no coins of its own, adopts with implicit confidence those of other countries.
The unequal values allowed in different parts of the Union to coins of the same intrinsic worth; the defective species of them, which embarrasses the circulation of some of the States; and the dissimilarity of their several monies of account, are inconveniences, which if not to be ascribed to the want of a national coinage, will at least be most effectually remedied by the establishment of one; a measure that will at the same time give additional security against impositions, by counterfeit as well as by base currencies.
It was with great reason, therefore, that the attention of Congress, under the late confederation, was repeatedly drawn to the establishment of a mint; and it is with equal reason that the subject has been resumed; now that the favorable change which has taken place in the situation of public affairs, admits of its being carried into execution.
But though the difficulty of devising a proper establishment ought not to deter from undertaking so necessary a work; yet it cannot but inspire diffidence in one, whose duty it is made, to propose a plan for the purpose, and perhaps be permitted to be relied upon as some excuse for any errors which may be chargeable upon it, or for any deviations from sounder principles, which may have been suggested by others, or even in part acted upon by the former government of the United States.
In order to a right judgment of what ought to be done, the following particulars require to be discussed:
 1st. What ought to be the nature of the money unit of the United States?  2d. What the proportion between gold and silver, if coins of both metals are to be established?  3d. What the proportion and composition of alloy in each kind?  4th. Whether the expence of coinage shall be defrayed by the government, or out of the material itself?  5th. What shall be the number, denominations, sizes, and devices of the coins?  6th. Whether foreign coins shall be permitted to be current or not; if the former, at what rate, and for what period. 
A pre-requisite to determining with propriety what ought to be the money unit of the United States, is to endeavour to form as accurate an idea as the nature of the case will admit of, what it actually is. The pound, though of various value, is the unit in the money of account of all the States. But it is not equally easy to pronounce what is to be considered as the unit in the coins. There being no formal regulation on the point (the resolutions of Congress of the 6th of July, 1785, and 8th of August, 1786, having never yet been carried into operation) it can only be inferred from usage or practice. The manner of adjusting foreign exchanges, would seem to indicate the dollar as best entitled to that character. In these, the old pistare of Spain, or old Seville piece of eight rials, or the value of four shillings and six-pence sterling, is evidently contemplated. The computed par between Great-Britain and Pennsylvania will serve as an example. According to that, one hundred pounds sterling is equal to one hundred and sixty-six pounds and two-thirds of a pound Pennsylvania currency; which corresponds with the proportion between 4/6 sterling and 7/6 the current value of the dollar in that state, by invariable usage. And as far as the information of the Secretary goes, the same comparison holds in the other states.
But this circumstance in favour of the dollar, loses much of its weight from two considerations. That species of coin has never had any settled or standard value, according to weight or fineness, but has been permitted to circulate by tale, without regard to either; very much as a mere money of convenience; while gold has had a fixed price by weight, and with an eye to its fineness. This greater stability of value of the gold coins, is an argument of force for regarding the money unit as having been hitherto virtually attached to gold, rather than to silver.
Twenty-four grains and 6-8 of a grain of fine gold, have corresponded with the nominal value of the dollar in the several states; without regard to the successive diminutions of its intrinsic worth.
But if the dollar should, notwithstanding, be supposed to have the best title to being considered as the present unit in the coins, it would remain to determine what kind of dollar ought to be understood, or, in other words, what precise quantity of fine silver.
The old pistare of Spain, which appears to have regulated our foreign exchanges, weighed 17 dwt. 12 grains, and contained 386 grains and 15 mites of fine silver. But this piece has been long since out of circulation. The dollars now in common currency are of recent date, and much inferior to that, both in weight and fineness. The average weight of them, upon different trials in large masses, has been found to be 17 dwt. 8 grains. Their fineness is less precisely ascertained; the results of various essays made by different persons, under the direction of the late Superintendent of the finances and of the Secretary, being as various as the essays themselves. The difference between their extremes is not less than 24 grains in a dollar, of the same weight and age; which is
too much for any probable differences in the pieces. It is rather to be presumed that a degree of inaccuracy has been occasioned by the want of proper apparatus, and in general, of practice. The experiment which appears to have the best pretensions to exactness, would make the new dollar to contain 370 grains and 933 thousandth parts of a grain of pure silver.
According to an authority, on which the Secretary places reliance, the standard of Spain for its silver coin in the year 1761, was 261 parts fine and 27 parts alloy; at which proportion, a dollar of 17 dwt. 8 grains, would consist of 377 grains of fine silver, and 39 grains of alloy: But there is no question that this standard has been since altered considerably for the worse; to what precise point is not as well ascertained as could be wished; but from a computation of the value of dollars in the markets both of Amsterdam and London (a criterion which cannot materially mislead) the new dollar appears to contain 368 grains of fine silver, and that which immediately preceded it about 374 grains.
In this state of things, there is some difficulty in defining the dollar, which is to be understood as constituting the present money unit; on the supposition of its being most applicable to that species of coin. The old Seville piece of 386 grains and 15 mites fine, comports best with the computations of foreign exchanges, and with the more ancient contracts respecting landed property; but far the greater number of contracts still in operation concerning that kind of property, and all those of a merely personal nature, now in force, must be referred to a dollar of a different kind. The actual dollar at the time of contracting is the only one which can be supposed to have been intended, and it has been seen, that as long ago as the year 1761, there had been a material degradation of the standard. And even in regard to the more ancient contracts, no person has ever had any idea of a scruple about receiving the dollar of the day, as a full equivalent for the nominal sum, which the dollar originally imported.
A recurrence therefore to the ancient dollar would be in the greatest number of cases an innovation in fact, and in all, an innovation in respect to opinion. The actual dollar, in common circulation, has evidently a much better claim to be regarded as the actual money unit.
The mean intrinsic value of the different kinds of known dollars has been intimated as affording the proper criterion. But when it is recollected, that the more ancient and more valuable ones are not now to be met with at all in circulation, and that the mass of those generally current is composed of the newest and most interior kinds, it will be perceived, that even an equation of that nature would be a considerable innovation upon the real present state of things; which it will certainly be prudent to approach, as far as may be consistent with the permanent order, designed to be introduced.
An additional reason for considering the prevailing dollar, as the standard of the present money unit, rather than the ancient one, is, that it will not only be conformable to the true existing proportion between the two metals in this country, but will be more conformable to that which obtains in the commercial world, generally. (To be continued.)
MANUEL NOAH, BROKER, No. 91, Race-Street, between Second and Third-Streets, BUYS and SELLS Continental & State Certificates, Pennsylvania and Jersey Paper Money, And all kinds of SECURITIES of the United States, or of any particular State. Philadelphia, Feb. 1790.
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.
New Line of Stages. THE Subscriber has established a line of STAGES from Hartford to Boston, by way of Norwich and Providence, which will run thro' twice a week during the Winter Season, and three times a week during the Summer Season. Good Carriages, Horses, and careful Drivers are provided. Passengers pay three Pence per Mile; and are allowed 14 pound Baggage each.—Extra Baggage pays at the rate of three Pence per Mile for every 150 wt. As the Mail is to go in these Stages for the year 1791, fixed hours for starting from the respective Stage Houses is absolutely necessary—from which there can be no deviation. Norwich, Dec. 14, 1790. The Stage for the Eastward leaves Hartford—Mondays and Thursdays, Norwich—Tuesdays and Fridays, Providence—Wednesdays and Saturdays, For the Westward, leaves Boston—Mondays and Thursdays, Providence—Tuesdays and Fridays, Norwich—Wednesdays and Saturdays. JESSE BROWN. 69—1w3m
THE Copartnership of HEWES and ANTHONY having expired the 31st ultimo, they request those, who have any demands, to exhibit their accounts and receive their money; and those who are indebted, are desired to make speedy payment, to either of the Subscribers, at their Compting-House, No. 5, Chestnut-Street-Wharf. JOSIAH HEWES. JOSEPH ANTHONY. Philadelphia, Jan. 15, 1791.
N. B. They have yet on hand, and for SALE, at their STORE abovementioned, HYSON, Souchong, and Bohea TEAS, Three cases Caffia, Pimento in bags, Martinico Coffee, Mucovado Sugar, A few Casks old Batavia Arrack, One cask of Durham Mustard, New England Rum in hogheads and barrels, A quantity of prime Boston Beef, Spermaceti, right whale and tanners' Oil, Best pickled Mackerel, 6 by 8—7 by 9—8 by 10—9 by 11—and 10 by 12 Window Glass, A quantity of excellent carrot Tobacco, And an elegant CHANDELIER. (22w6w.)
INFORMATION WANTED. THE Subscriber requests, if any gentleman can give him information of a purchase of Lands made by a Mr. Daniel Richardet, in the year 1781 and 1782, in some part of the United States, he will be so kind as to inform his Brother, by directing a line to him, at the Printer's office. S. RICHARDET. January, 1791.
PRICE CURRENT.—PHILADELPHIA.
PER QUANTITY. FEBRUARY 12.—DOLLARS at 7/6.
Table with multiple columns listing various goods and their prices. Columns include items like ANCHORS, Allum, Ashes, Arrack, Brandy, Braziletto, Bricks, Bread, Beer, Boards, Beef, Butter, Cedar, Chocolate, Coal, Coffee, Cinnamon, Caffia, Chees, Candles, Cocca, Cotton, Currants, Cloves, Copperas, Cordage, Cocoa, Duck, Flour, Flax, Fustic, Feathers, Glue, Ginger, Gunpowder, Hams, Hemp, Hoghead hoops, Herring, Hides, Hops, Indigo, Irons, Iron, Junk, Lard, Lead, Leather, Lignum vitae, Logwood, Meal, Mackarel, Mace, Mustard, Madder, Molasses, Marble, Malt spars, Mahogany, Nutmegs, Nails, Linseed, Train, Spermaceti, Whale, Olive, Ditto pr. case, Best sweet in flasks, baskts, Oak timber, Porter in casks, London pr. doz. and various other goods with their respective prices in dollars and cents.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, JANUARY 25, 1791. THE Public Creditors are reminded that, in order to the proper dispositions for paying the Interest in the several States, it is necessary that the amount to be paid in each should be previously known at the Treasury. And as the expiration of the first quarter is not far distant, it is wished that those who have not yet done it, may be expeditious in making and signifying their election, pursuant to the act making provision for the debt of the United States.