National gazette. (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 1792-05-14 00:00:00

National Gazette.
By P. FRENEAU: Published MONDAYS and THURSDAYS, at THREE DOLLARS per annum.
VOL. I.
MONDAY, May 14, 1792.
NUMB. 57.
In the House of Representatives of the United States, Tuesday the 8th of May, 1792.
MR. FITZSIMONS from the committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the failure of the late expedition under major general St. Clair, reported that the committee had according to order proceeded to examine all the papers furnished by the executive department relatively thereto, sundry papers and accounts furnished by the Treasury, and war departments, with explanations of the same by the heads of those departments in person, to hear the testimony of witnesses upon oath, and written remarks by general St. Clair upon the facts established by the whole evidence, and that as the result of their inquiries, the committee had agreed to the following Report.
The contract for the supplies of the army on the route from Fort Pitt, was made by Theodosius Fowler, with the Secretary of the Treasury, and bears date the twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, that at the same time a bond in the penalty of one hundred thousand dollars, with Walter Livingston and John Cochran, securities thereto, was entered into for the due execution of the contract.
That on the third day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, the contract was wholly transferred from the said Fowler to William Duer, a copy of which transfer was lodged in the office of the Secretary of the treasury, that by letter from the Secretary at war, bearing date the twenty-fifth of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, addressed to William Duer, it appears that he was considered as the contractor, that no correspondence appears to have taken place subsequently to that time between Theodosius Fowler and either the treasury or war departments—that on the sixth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, a contract was entered into by William Duer with the Secretary at war, for supplying the troops with provisions until their arrival at Fort-Pitt, and at Fort-Pitt a bond was at the same time entered into by the said William Duer for the due execution of the said contract in the penalty of four thousand dollars without any security whatsoever.
That the act making provision for the defence of the frontiers received the signature of the President of the United States the third of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one—That general St. Clair was appointed commander in chief of the army destined for the expedition on the fourth day of the same month, and on the twenty-eighth left Philadelphia for Fort-Pitt, at which place he arrived the sixteenth day of April, and from thence proceeded to Lexington, and from thence to Fort Washington, where he arrived on the fifteenth day of May—At the time of the arrival of the General at Fort Washington, the garrison there consisted of seventy-five non commissioned officers and privates fit for duty—the garrison at Fort Harmar of forty-five—at Fort Steuben of sixty-one—at Fort Knox of eighty-three; and on the fifteenth day of July the whole of the first United States regiment, amounting to two hundred & ninety-nine non commissioned officers and privates arrived at Fort Washington under orders from the commander in chief—General Butler was appointed the second in command in the month of March, and immediately proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for the recruiting service, that he arrived in Baltimore in the state of Maryland the twentieth of April, and continued there till the thirtieth of the same month, that he arrived at Carlisle in the state of Pennsylvania on the ninth of May, and at Fort Pitt on the twenty second of the same month—It appears that
no monies for purchasing supplies were furnished at Carlisle, which was the place of rendezvous, for the enlisted soldiery, on the ninth of May, and that Mr. Smith, agent for the contractor, was actively engaged in furnishing supplies for the troops on credit.
It appears by letters from John Kean, another of the Contractor's Agents, that no monies had been received by him on the eighth of May, and it appears that on the twenty-third of March there was advanced to William Duer upon the last mentioned contract, from the Treasury, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, that there was advanced upon the first mentioned contract, the sum of seven thousand dollars, in the following sums, and at the following dates to wit:
  March 22d 10,000 Dollars.   April 7th 15,000 Ditto.   April 25th 15,000 Ditto.   May 7th 20,000 Ditto.   July 20th 10,000 Ditto. 
It appears from the correspondence of General Butler to the Secretary at war, from the ninth of May to the ninth of June, repeated complaints were made of fatal mismanagements and neglects, in the Quarter Master's and military stores department, particularly as to tents, knap sacks, camp kettles, cartridge boxes, pack saddles, &c. all of which articles were deficient in quantity and bad in quality.
The pack-saddles particularly were made in Philadelphia, which with the transportation, amounted to more than double the price at which they might have been procured at Fort-Pitt, and were found upon examination to be unfit for use;—the arms sent forward appear not to have been duly examined, and arrived at Fort-Pitt extremely out of order, and many totally unfit for use, which circumstance rendered repairs absolutely necessary, and added to the delay of the troops at Fort-Pitt.
It appears that a great proportion of the powder supplied for the use of the army, was not of good quality, though an experiment was made by Major Ferguson at Fort-Pitt with a howitz who reported in favor of the quality of the powder. On the ninth of June General Neville, another of the contractor's agents informed General Butler, that he had not at that time received any monies from the contractors, for the purchase of provisions &c. for the troops, and was obliged to supply them on credit, that the country furnished provisions in abundance at a cheap rate, when money was had for the purchase.—That shortly after this information was communicated to General Butler, at his request four hundred dollars were advanced to General Neville by the Quarter Master for the purchase of provisions for the troops.—The troops arrived at Fort-Pitt in the following order, to wit:—
 May 16th.—Captain Slough sixty-nine men.  May 18th.—Captain Powers seventy-eight men.  May 19th.—Captain Cribbs forty men: same day Capt. Guthree twenty-three.  May 25th.—Captain Armstrong seventy-six: same day Capt. Kirkwood sixty-seven.  May 28th.—Captain Snowden one hundred and one.  June 2d.—Captain Sparks eighty-three.  June 3d.—Captain Butler sixty-one: same day Captain Brock, eighty-two; same day Captain VanSwearingen eighty-eight.  June 5th.—Captain Pike seventy-three: Total including officers and privates eight hundred and forty-two; and left that place in the following order, Major Ferguson with Captain Armstrong's company, about the first of June. Captain Snowden with the troops under his command on the day of 
Major Gaither with about five hundred men, 12th day of July—and on the 22d August the last of the troops under the command of Captain Phelon, and General Butler with the Quarter Master-General, on the 26th of August.
It appears that General Butler, had orders from the department at war to protect the frontiers with the troops under his command, and that the delays in sending forward the troops from Fort-Pitt arose partly from that circumstance and partly from the temporary want of supplies of provisions and other necessaries, and from the want of the necessary boats for their transportation, which were not in readiness as soon as the troops were.—It appears that General Butler acted with ability, activity and zeal in his command at Fort-Pitt, and that the delays of the troops there cannot be imputed to his want of judgment, or his want of exertion.
The troops met with considerable difficulties and delays in going down the river from the low state of the water, and arrived at Fort Washington in the following order.—Capt. Mumford from North-Carolina, with about fifty men on the day of Major Ferguson with Capt. Armstrong's company, on the day of Major Gaither with the troops under his command on the day of Colonel Darke with the troops under his command on the day of and the Kentucky militia on the day of.
The army, consisting of about two thousand non-commissioned officers and privates, moved from Fort-Washington by orders from the commander in chief to a place about five or six miles from thence, called Ludlow's station, where they continued till the seventeenth day of September, at which time the whole army amounted to about two thousand three hundred non-commissioned officers and privates fit for duty.—That the price of rations at Fort-Washington agreeably to contract was 6 3/4 goths of a dollar per ration, the price of rations at Ludlow's station was 15 3/4 goth of a dollar per ration.
That the inducements of the commander in chief to this movement, appear to have been to furnish green forage for the horses and beef cattle of the army, to instruct the soldiery in field exercise and other necessary discipline, and to deprive them of the means of intoxication, which were very plentifully supplied at Fort-Washington, and used to an excessive degree by the soldiery, to correct the excessive use of which the most rigid attention to discipline was found incompetent.
Mr. Hodgson was appointed quarter master-general in the month of March, and continued at Philadelphia until the 4th of June, he then proceeded to Fort-Pitt, where he arrived the tenth of the same month—no sufficient causes have appeared to the committee to justify this delay, and his presence with the army appears to have been essentially necessary previously to that time, the duties of the commander in chief were much increased in consequence of the absence of the quarter master-general, and after a continued expectation of his arrival at Fort-Washington, for more than six weeks, the commander in chief gave him express orders by letter to repair to camp without delay.
The receipt of the letter is acknowledged, but the orders contained therein were neither answered nor obeyed, and his arrival at camp was not until the tenth of September. The commander in chief until that time in addition to the duties of his office, discharged those of the quarter master-general, and the military stores furnished by that department were so deficient from mismanagement and neglect, that many things essential to the movements, of the army were either wholly made or
repaired at Fort-Washington, and even the tools for the artificers to work with; the quarter-master particularly informed the commander in chief that two complete travelling forges were sent forward, and upon examination, both of them were found to be without an anvil, many other things equally necessary were either wholly omitted, or unfit for their intended use.—There were six hundred and seventy-five stand of arms at Fort-Washington the first of June, and most of them totally out of repair. The commander in chief appears to have been correct and attentive in all his communications with the Secretary at war, and to have discharged the various duties which devolved upon him with ability, activity & zeal.
The army moved from Ludlow's station on the seventeenth day of September, and arrived at the place where Fort-Hamilton is now erected, on the day of they employed about fifteen days building that fort, and then proceeded in their march to the place where Fort-Jefferson is now erected, forty-four miles distant from Fort-Hamilton, where they arrived on the twelfth day of October, and commenced their march from that place on the 24th of the same month—that the army at this time consisted of about 1700 non-commissioned officers and privates fit for duty; at this time the army had not more than three day's supply of flour, and were sometimes at one-fourth and sometimes at one-half allowance of that article, the deficiencies of which allowance were made up by increasing the quantity of beef with which they were plentifully supplied. The army was delayed five or six days on the march from Fort-Jefferson, for the want of provisions, and the season was so far advanced that sufficient green forage for the horses could not be procured, from which circumstance many of the horses were totally lost, and others rendered unfit for service.
The orders to the commander in chief to proceed with the expedition, were express and unequivocal, so much so, as in the opinion of the committee to preclude the commander in chief from exercising any discretion relatively to that object.
On the 31st of October about sixty of the Kentucky militia deserted in a body, and the first regiment, consisting of about three hundred effective men was detached with a view to cover a convoy of provisions which was expected, and which it was supposed was in danger from the deserted militia, and to prevent further desertions.
On the 3d. of November—after detaching the first regiment the army consisted of about fourteen hundred effective men, and on the morning of the 4th about half an hour before sunrise, a general attack was commenced, and in a few minutes thereafter, nearly the whole army was surrounded by the enemy, the action continued about four hours during which several charges were made by part of the army, which caused the enemy to give way but produced no good effect, the attack was unexpected, the troops having been just dismissed from the morning parade, it commenced upon the militia who were in advance of the main army, and who fled through the main army, without firing a gun, this circumstance threw the troops into some disorder which it appears they never completely recovered during the action, the fire of the army was constant but not well directed, and it appears that a part of the troops behaved as well as could be expected from their state of discipline, and the manner and suddenness of the attack; the commander in chief appears to have been cool and deliberate in the whole of the action, and the officers in general active and intrepid—the whole order
(See last Page.)

CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, May 8.
An engrossed bill making certain appropriations therein specified, was read a third time and passed.
A message from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis, informed the House that they recede from their disagreements to the amendments of the House to the process bill—and that they agree to amendments to the bill for regulating foreign coins, &c.
Mr. Bourne from the committee on engrossed bills, reported as truly enrolled, the following bills, viz. An act making alterations in the Treasury and War departments—an act for regulating processes in the courts of the United States, and providing compensations for the officers of said courts and for jurors and witnesses—and an act to provide for a copper coinage—The Speaker signed the above bills.
A bill to compensate the services of the late Col. George Gibson, was taken into consideration, in committee of the whole, and agreed to without amendment—It was then read the third time and passed.
Mr. Murray called for a resolution laid on the table a few days since, viz. Resolved, that the same allowance per diem be made to the President pro tempore of the Senate, as is given to the Speaker of this House; and that a committee be appointed to report a bill accordingly—The resolution was taken into consideration; some difficulties being suggested, the motion was withdrawn.
Mr. Willis presented the following resolution in substance, that the Secretary of the Treasury report at the next session, as early as may be, the number and capacity of the stills in the several districts and states; the net produce of the revenue arising from the duties thereon, &c. number of officers employed in collecting the duties, &c. This resolution was adopted.
Mr. W. Smith called the attention of the House to a report of the Secretary of State, on the subject of procuring fresh from salt water; and proposed a resolution pursuant to the Secretary's report, authorizing him to cause the several collectors to be provided with blank clearances, on the back of which shall be printed directions for the process. This resolution was agreed to.
Mr. Heifter moved the following resolution in substance—That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to report to this House at their next sitting, the quantities, kinds and values of foreign merchandise imported into the several districts of the United States, since the operation of the revenue laws—specifying the ports at which such importations were made, and the laws under which the duties were paid; this resolution was not agreed to.
Mr. Fitzsimons of the committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the failure of the late expedition under General St. Clair, brought in a report, which was read—after the detail of facts, the report contains the following result in substance: That the failure of the expedition was principally to be attributed to the deficiency of the necessary articles of military stores, &c. the failure in the quartermaster's department, failure of the contractors, and the want of experience and discipline in the army.
The commander in chief, General St. Clair, is fully exonerated from all blame or imputation whatever.
This report was ordered to be printed. It was then moved by Mr. W. Smith, that the House should resolve that they would take the said report into consideration early in the next session; this resolution was agreed to.
A message from the President of the United States by Mr. Secretary Lear, informing the House that the President has approved and signed the following acts:
An act relating to the compensations of certain officers employed in the collection of the duties of import and tonnage: An act concerning spirits distilled within the United States; and an act providing more effectually for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States.
A message from the Senate informing the House that the President had notified the Senate that he had approved and signed an Act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt—and an Act to continue in force an Act providing for mitigating or remitting certain forfeitures and penalties arising under breaches of the revenue laws—and to provide for the payment of invalid pensions.
The committee on enrolled bills, reported as truly enrolled, a bill to compensate the services of the late Col. George Gibson—which was signed by the Speaker.
In committee of the whole on the bill entitled an act, in addition to the act to provide for the Territory North-West of the river Ohio.
The committee discussed the several sections, and made sundry amendments, which were reported to the House—the House adopted
these amendments, and then the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
A resolution was offered for indemnifying the officers who have attended the committee of enquiry for their extra necessary expenses, also for compensating the clerk employed by the committee on this occasion—laid on the table.
A message from the Senate informed the House, that they concur in the resolution authorizing the Secretary of State to provide the printed clearances, agreeably to his report.
Mr. Williamson called up a report of a select committee on the petition of sundry inhabitants of the state of North-Carolina, praying Congress to authorise that state to pass a law imposing a duty on tonnage, to be appropriated to defraying the expence of clearing obstructions in the navigation of a particular part of that state—the report is in favor of the petitioners, and was agreed to.
Mr. Parker moved the following resolution: That the Secretary of the Treasury cause such returns to be made as will shew the quantities and qualities of the exports from one state to another coastwise—to report the next session—laid on the table.
An engrossed bill, entitled, "An act in addition to an act to provide for the territory North-west of the river Ohio," was read the third time, the blanks filled up, and the bill passed.
A message from the Senate, by Mr. Secretary Otis, informed the House that they have passed the bill making certain appropriations therein specified, with an amendment—also, that they have passed the bill relative to the claim of J. B. Cutting, against the United States. The amendment to the appropriation bill, appropriates the sum of 50,000 dollars for the purpose of carrying on negotiations and facilitating the intercourse with foreign nations. This amendment was concurred in by the House. Adjourned till 6 o'clock, P.M.
TUESDAY EVENING, May 8.
A message from the President of the United States by Mr. Lear, informed the House that he had this day approved and signed two acts, which originated in the House, viz. An act supplementary to the act making provision for the debt of the United States; and an act making compensations to the commissioners of loans for extraordinary expenses.
A message from the Senate by Mr. Otis informed the House, that they have passed an act respecting the government of the territory of the United States north-west and south of the river Ohio.
The committee on enrolled bills reported as truly enrolled the following bills: An act making certain appropriations therein specified—An act respecting the government of the territory of the United States north-west and south of the river Ohio—An act respecting the claim of J. B. Cutting—also, A resolve directing printed clearances of particular form for the collectors of the United States.
The Speaker signed the above bills and resolve: the same being laid before the President, a message was received by Mr. Secretary Lear, informing the House that they had received his approbation and signature.
A message from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis informed the House, that the President had notified the Senate that he had approved and signed two acts which originated in the Senate—An act to provide for a copper coinage, and An act to compensate the services of the late Col. George Gibson.
The Secretary also informed the House, that the Senate having completed the business before them were about to adjourn.
A message was sent to inform the Senate, that the House having completed the business before them, are about to adjourn.
On motion of Mr. Smith, it was ordered that the Clerk procure such of the laws of the several states as are not already in his office.
The Speaker then adjourned the House, to meet again on the first Monday of November next, according to law.
To SIDNEY and the WHISKEY-DRINKERS.
YOU are an unreasonable set of fellows, to make such a plaguy rout about a paltry excise. What? do not you know it has the sanction of some of the most experienced distillers in the United States, men of wealth and opulence, who could buy and sell the whole ragged race of whiskey-drinkers, twenty times over? When Members of Congress rise in their places and modestly inform the House that they are personally concerned in some of the most extensive distilleries in New-England, you cannot surely imagine those honorable distillers would be such fools as to join in any plan to ruin the distillery—that of rum and gin I mean—for as to your vulgar whiskey, it is not to be expected that genteel well-bred men should pay any regard to such mean plebeian liquor. When they assure you that New-England gin is equal at least, if not superior to any that is imported, can you question the truth of their disinterested assertions, or hesitate to swallow their rum and their gin
together with their excise, in preference to your filthy whiskey, that is only fit to poison the hostile Indians?
If you were not an ungrateful antipederal crew, you would thank them for sparing you the trouble of distilling for yourselves. All the plague and pother of whiskey-brewing will now be at an end: You will have nothing more to do henceforward, than to drag down your grain to the sea-coast , a trifling distance of five or six hundred miles (which is nothing to a back-woods-man) and there barter it for the amiable juices of the New-England stills. Ought you not to think yourselves happy to get any thing for the redundant produce of your farms? How much worse would be your situation, if the gin distillers were to take it for nothing?
Take a hint from a friend: hold your tongues, and either pay the excise duty, or break up your stills, lest an army of militia, collected from the gin and rum distillers, should be sent out into the back country, to make you sing a different tune over your whiskey. Recollect the law that has been lately passed, authorizing the President to march and counter-march the militia as he pleases. Recollect and tremble: for although the present chief magistrate would never consent to murder his fellow citizens for drinking his health and toasting the federal constitution in a glass of un-excised whiskey—who knows what freak his successor may take into his head, if ever he gets it heated with high-proof rum or gin? M U M.
PHILADELPHIA.
MAY 14, 1792.
On Thursday last the President of the United States set out from this capital on a tour to Virginia. It is said he is to be absent about three weeks.
The President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed TENCH COXE, Esq. commissioner of the revenue.
On Thursday evening, a Captain Morgan of a Schooner from Sinapuxent, lying at Bickham's wharf below South-street, having sold his cargo went on shore, leaving directions with his men, as his money was on board, to be particularly watchful; and to fire on any that might come to disturb them.
About twelve o'clock at night a person was heard on board—the men in the cabin hailed him—he made no answer. After some time they heard him as if he were attempting to force open the cabin door; they again and again spoke to him without receiving any answer. At length they discharged a loaded musket through the partition and shot the man.
The people about the wharf were alarmed and immediately collected to the place; where to the great astonishment of all present they found Captain Morgan lying dead.
In our paper of the 7th inst. mention was made of a refusal of eleven Rhode-Island captains, being in the port of Paramaribo, in Surinam, in February last, to join with their seafaring brethren of the other eastern states, at the same place, in celebrating the birth-day of the President of the United States.—This affair seems, however, to have been misrepresented; and the difference to have arisen from the Rhode-Island-men having insisted upon inviting all the respectable inhabitants of Paramaribo to the entertainment; which was opposed and universally negatived by the captains from the other eastern states, and caused a separation of parties. The day, notwithstanding, was celebrated with every demonstration of joy by the Rhode-Island captains and crews. The governor of Surinam declined the entertainment, in consequence of the exclusion of the Rhode-Islanders.
The following is mentioned in the Connecticut Courant of the 7th inst. as a matter of fact:—As two men, during the late winter, were crossing a pond, in the upper part of Keen County, in New-Hampshire, in pursuit of a moose-deer, one of them being thirsty, and perceiving a hole which had been cut through the ice by some fishermen, he stooped down to drink; but being possessed of a long red nose, a fish supposed he had let down some bait, and made bold to snap at it; when the man suddenly throwing his head back, drew out a trout which weighed three pounds four ounces!
Some time last week (says the Virginia Gaz. ) a negro woman in the county of James City, was delivered of a very extraordinary child: it had two heads and necks, four arms, four legs and thighs, and every other part distinct for two male children, except the body which was entire—there were only the appearance of two teats, and one navel, but proportionably large for two fine children. It was conjectured there was only one set of lungs and bowels; and it measured over the hips one foot. The woman is likely to do well.
All the British vessels of war on the Halifax station—together with the troops, have been ordered to, and have failed, for Jamaica—So fearful is the British government of the spreading of the St. Domingo insurrection.
West-India prints abound with circumstantial accounts of the disasters that have happened
in several of the windward islands, in consequence of the floods of rain that more or less fell in those parts, from the beginning till near the middle of April. The town of Bass terre, in St. Kitts, has suffered severely by the torrents of water, which rushed down from the mountains, and carried almost every thing before them. Nevis has suffered lightly; but at St. Eustatius the effects of this deluge of rain were tremendous; where the whole loss is estimated at near 30,000 joes, besides several lives; amongst which, unfortunately, was not included that of a baker, who immediately after this devastation of nature, advanced three flivers upon the price of each loaf.
Extract of a letter from Cape Francois, April 15.
"Amidst that unremitting fatigue of mind and body that has for many months past fell to my lot, I snatch a moment, to inform you of our situation and prospects. It would seem that the complete revenge of the ancient Caribbs of this island, who were extirpated by the Spaniards, is to fall upon the devoted heads of the French; not for want of ability in them to repel the evil, if united, but from those fatal dissensions which have been carefully nurtured by the infernal arts of a blood-thirsty aristocracy, and which threaten, nay, have almost accomplished the total ruin of French St. Domingo.—This place is reckoned the strongest in the island, and yet do we by no means think ourselves secure from the town's being taken by an attack, if made with vigour, and by 60 or 70,000 brigands, as we are threatened will soon be the case.—In the western districts of the island, every thing wears the most horrid appearance. The troops are in a state of anarchy, and subordination generally at an end, while the wretched remains of Port-au-Prince are surrounded by an enemy, from whom an attack is every moment expected, and from whose mercy (if conquerors) nothing is to be hoped.—To give you an account of the various assassinations, murders, tortures, and excesses of almost every kind that have been committed within these few months would ask a large volume. Vast numbers of opulent people are reduced to a morsel of bread, by the ruin of their plantations, and are going (many of them) almost penniless into foreign lands, for the preservation of an existence which has become altogether precarious here.—We are willing to hope that the ocean which surrounds Hispaniola will check the extension of the spirit of revolt; for, if it should become general through the islands, it will require almost half Europe to subdue it.—As to myself, I will endeavor to leave this once delightful, though now miserable country, in all June; a country which has become alike ungrateful to the sailor and the mechanic, to the merchant and the philosopher—a country,
Where cruel passions the warm heart infest And banish pity from the human breast, Where hostile ruffians draw the vengeful blade And stain with infant gore the blushing shade! I turn, disguised, from this horrid scene Of tortur'd captives, slaves, and murder'd men, To where the far-fam'd Pennsylvanian frays, Renown'd for justice, and for length of days."
"The celebrated Dr. Priestly (says a private letter from London) altho' not inconsolable, as a philosopher, for the loss of his curious, most valuable, and, unfortunately, irrecoverable property, yet seems much chagrined that politics and religion , or his opinions in both, should have been the cause of so much wanton destruction. The tools of religious and political phrensy were set upon the good doctor (in the language of Hudibras)
To ruffle all his pokes and febs, His jim-cracks, whims, and jiggum bobs: and the poor philosopher must swallow the loss as well as he can. "Had he been a clergyman of the church of England, of little or no reputation, and the injury been done by dissenters, no punishment would have been thought sufficient for the perpetrators of so much wickedness, and, in the eyes of the nation, the whole sect would have been thought deserving of extirpation. Like the death of Charles the first, the guilt of it would have been entailed on our latest posterity."
The exorbitant interest which has been paid in this country for the use of money, for some years past, and the ease with which the money-lenders have been enabled to evade the laws against usury, demonstrate the necessity of some decisive step to discountenance such dangerous excesses in individuals. If either the laws or the customs of a country establish a higher profit on money loaned than can be obtained by employing it in useful occupations, that country gives a direct encouragement to usury and idleness, tending ultimately to bankruptcy, to beggary and to general ruin.—It is a fact, well ascertained, that farms in the middle and northern states will not, on a fair average, rent for more than four per cent; houses, after every reasonable allowance, will not rent at more than four and an half per cent; and the profits upon commercial pursuits cannot average more than about five per cent net. In the present situation of the United States, it seems, therefore, necessary to reduce the legal rates of interest to at least four per cent—if our legislatures have the interest of the merchant, the farmer, or the manufacturer at heart.

Extract of a Letter from New York—May 10. Among other surprizing instances of speculating madness, previous to the bursting of the bubble, are the two following! About the 1st of March, a plan of a lottery for raising one hundred thousand dollars, to defray the expenses of the Indian war, was projected, and the following singular scheme adopted: 100,000 tickets at 10 dollars each, is 1,000,000 dollars.—One prize of 1,000,000 dollars and 999,000 blanks. The prize subject to a deduction of 10 per cent. Col. D— and Mr. W— two celebrated speculators were so hawk-eyed as to purchase up the whole of these tickets at once, and the next day they were selling at an advance of 50 per cent. in the Coffee house.
A farmer on Long-Island, proposed to dig a ditch across his land of 100 rods in length, and 4 feet in width, this was immediately noted through our city; a speculator rode, post-haste, to the farmer, purchased up the right of digging the ditch, and the next day Ditch Scrips were struck off at auction, for fifty dollars each. To make payment for purchases, some of these speculators borrowed money at 4 per cent. per month. But alas! the scene is totally changed! all now is dulness and despondency—the bells are continually tolling, the drums of our militia are muffled, and beat a solemn dirge—countenances of all classes of men have fallen surprisingly, and the amazing length of faces is truly astonishing. The butcher & baker, the barber & truckman, have lent their hard earnings, at 4 per cent per month, to a celebrated speculator, who now offers them six per Cents. at 30s. when they can sell in the market for only 10s. Those who have made their thousands at a single bid, will now consent to yield their pursuits for the painful task of acquiring property by shillings. Indeed I fancy we shall soon see other bankruptcies more distressing than those already experienced, and which will involve hundreds in their ruins.”
We are informed by a gentleman from Augusta, (says a Charleston paper of the 3d inst.) that a party of Indians lately came down into Greene county, and stole a number of horses. Some of the inhabitants immediately collected, went in pursuit, overtook, and killed two of them on the spot, the rest making their escape. But in a few days afterwards the Indians returned and revenged the death of their comrades by killing two white people in that settlement; after which they made a precipitate retreat.
It was feared that this disagreeable circumstance would prevent or retard the running of the lines in contemplation.
South Carolina accounts, as late as the third of May, mention many additional instances of distress, from the floods of rain that fell in that state the beginning of April. It is remarkable that this happened about the same time with those heavy rains in the West-Indies, which did so much damage in the islands of Nevis, St. Eustatius, &c. Many particulars of devastation, from the extraordinary swell of the rivers, are enumerated in the Carolina prints, of which we shall only mention the following.—The Congaree, was raised to such a height as to overflow an eminence on the banks of that river, which had been used by the Indians, from time immemorial, for a burying place. The rapidity of the current dislodged the skeletons from their place of interment, carrying off a great part of the soil, and leaving disclosed to view, a variety of curious urns, rude images of birds and beasts, wampum, bows and arrows, stone battle-axes, &c. &c. affording a quantity of curiosities of this kind, not unworthy the notice of the philosopher.—It is probable a similar swell in the Congaree river has not happened for many ages, since, had this eminence been subject to an overflow, the Aborigines of the country would never have chosen it for a burying ground.
From the accounts of Ensign Turner, who was taken prisoner by the Indians, on the memorable 4th of November last, the spirit of a general union amongst them against the intrusions of the whites, is gaining ground. His conductors informed him that the warriors of several tribes that had joined them were three moons on their journey, so that we may suppose some of them to have come at least six hundred miles from the westward of the Miami villages—After surrendering himself, Ensign Turner suffered no other injury, except being stripped of his clothes; but was kept so much by himself that he could learn nothing of the fate of the other prisoners. His conductors left the field, loaded with scalps, which, from hurry, were taken off with the spongy flesh adhering thereto, and afterwards scraped into their kettles, and eaten. He was soon after conducted to Detroit by a party of 12 Indians, where he was ransomed for 50l. in goods, by a British merchant.
Sir Joshua Reynolds, one of the most celebrated painters and men of genius of the present age, died some time the latter end of February last, in his 69th year—He had the happiness to live in an enlightened nation, where the fine arts are held in esteem;
and departed this life universally regretted and lamented.
Perhaps (says a Norwich paper of the 1st instant) there never was a government, at so early a period, verging so fast to venality, corruption, prostitution, and destruction as the American. Is there any one of my honest countrymen, who doubts the truth of this assertion, let him enquire, by what means the funding system was brought about—by whom it was brought about—who knew beforehand that it would be brought about, and what use they made of this foreknowledge. Let him enquire, why we have so many court favourites in foreign countries, as ambassadors, supported in the most extravagant pomp and parade, while thousands of their countrymen by taxation, are involved in ruin to gratify their vain ambition. Let him enquire why these Ambassadors are negotiating loans abroad, when we have a surplus of money in the Treasury; and if we had not, are possessed of resources adequate to every exigence of the State. And lastly, let him enquire, what is the tendency of such things, and if he does not see DESTRUCTION wide yawning, he may certainly see DEVILS, and DEVILS' IMPS, which are not imaginary.”
A good deal of puffing has been made in the late English papers, about Mr. Pitt's showing England “a proud day” on the 27th of February last, in consequence of a supposed reduction of taxes, and an excess of the produce of ways and means over actual expenditures, &c.—It must appear to every one who reads English newspapers, and other of their periodical publications with attention, that from the commencement of Mr. Pitt's administration there has been a regular system of trick and deception on Budget-days; and the result has constantly been, a surplus at the time of opening the budget, and a deficiency when the account is made up.
On the 1st instant, at Charleston, the books for receiving subscriptions for 67 shares in the Santee Canal company were opened in the city-hall, under the direction of the hon. Dr. David Ramsay, Thomas Jones, Esq. and Nathaniel Russell, Esq. such a crowd attended for the purpose, that it was extremely difficult to obtain access to the commissioners; and at the closing of the books, at two o'clock, there appeared to have been nearly 2000 shares subscribed.
The intended bridge over Rock-Creek, opposite the Federal city in Virginia, is now begun, under the immediate direction of Mr. Harbaugh.
The Governor of the island of St. Kitts, on the 5th ultimo, issued his proclamation, permitting the importation of lumber, flour, corn, corn-meal and ship stuff, into that island, from the United States of America, until the 20th day of May instant.
The following sentiments appear in the N.J. Newark Gazette, of the 10th instant. It is hoped there are few Americans who would subscribe to such ill-considered opinions:
Speaking of the constitution, the writer says, “When the privilege of writing and speaking without reserve was granted, it was done from this motive, that causes would frequently occur in which the sentiments of the people ought to be known; and it was supposed that a sense of common utility would ensure a moderate exercise of the privilege; but is there not reason to believe that it would be beneficial to lay restrictions on the press, and to make it criminal for men either in conversation or in print, to censure the government, or to calumniate its officers? This is indeed a disagreeable alternative, but still it is far better than anarchy, and if the illiberal and abusive spirit that has so long discovered itself does not cease, we may think ourselves happy in being able thus to restrict our privileges. If individuals have not sufficient resolution to refrain from abusing their rights, they are better without than with them.” [Ex pede Herculem.]
[The following paragraphs are from a correspondent]
It has been suggested, that the best method to facilitate the civilization of the Indians and attach them to the United States would be to encourage the intermarriages of whites with them. Were I to recommend a similar procedure in order to extinguish the prejudices which exist against the African race, and in a measure prevent their incorporation as free citizens, three fourths of your readers would turn from it with disgust and call it a breach of good manners and a trespass on the feelings of refinement. This might be urged with some degree of plausibility in part of the United States. But that it has not in fact taken place in many instances, I attribute only to a deficiency of philosophic resolution to encounter existing prejudices which are not overcome without great difficulty, even by those who are fully persuaded they exist only in imagination. To this cause I may venture to attribute it, that so few intermarriages of blacks and whites occur; for intercourses of a similar nature are by no means uncommon. The consideration of its being a duty incumbent on all parents to provide for their offspring, should stimu-
late them to go one step farther, and snatch from slavery and wretchedness their yellow descendants.
WHEN our present constitution was presented to the citizens of the United States for acceptance, its patrons reiterated its excellence by telling us there was no danger of encroachments upon the liberty of the people. It was not like a bill of rights which gave up every thing not particularly excepted; but greatly preferable, as every thing ceded was there defined, and so exactly that there was no danger of our legislators surpassing them. This I fondly imagined would have been the case, but alas! I begin to tremble for my countrymen; I fear there is an irresistible propensity in all governors to slide into despotism. Nor is this fear suggested by the writings of Calus, &c. but by occurrences in our national councils; nor can it be unfounded when laws are passed which violate the constitution, according to its interpretation, by members who stand high in the confidence of their constituents: If a majority in Congress are to interpret the constitution to suit their own sentiments, I can perceive no use in having one; we might as well annihilate it at once, and submit ourselves to their mercy.
It was intimated by some writer, that the public debt increased like the mushroom under the hand of night, by the instrumentality of the speculators. In answer to this it was said, (who that can read will believe?) that the speculators made their own certificates, or encashed the sums of them. It is a fact well known, that in some of the northern states, such transactions were frequently practised, and we know many were imposed on with the altered certificates, and I would thank some of your readers who can give information, to let it be known whether they could, in all cases, be detected when they were offered for funding?
Something more than a year ago, it was recommended to those who owned landed property in England, to dispose of it, as the parliament had passed a law prohibiting it from passing to the heir of the present possessor, if he was a citizen of any foreign state or kingdom. A correspondent would be glad of information on this subject.
The President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, has made the following appointments and promotions in the army of the United States;—
Appointed—Rufus Putnam, Brigadier General, Western Territory, vice Willet, declined.
Otho H. Williams, do. Maryland, vice Morgan, declined.
INFANTRY. Appointed—William Powers, Captain, Pennsylvania, vice Guthrie, declined.
William Lowder, Captain, Virginia, vice Biggs, declined.
William Rickard, Lieutenant, N. Carolina, vice Sumner, declined.
Hartman Leithzeiler, Ensign, Pennsylvania, vice Kels, declined.
CAVALRY. Appointed—Jedediah Rodgers, Captain, New-York, vice Craig, declined.
Henry Bowyer, do. Virginia, vice Manning, declined.
Promoted—William Winston, do. do. vice, Watts, declined.
Tarlton Fleming, Lieutenant, do. vice Winston, promoted.
Appointed—John Webb, jun. Cornet, do. vice Fleming, promoted.
SURGEON'S MATES. Appointed—Joseph Strong, Connecticut, vice Elmer, declined.
Joseph Andrews, Massachusetts, vice Mease, declined.
John C. Wallace, Pennsylvania, vice Woodhouse, declined.
*** From the 1st of June ensuing, newspapers forwarded by the public mail are to pay one cent, each paper, for one hundred miles or any distance under; and one cent and an half for any distance, within the United States, exceeding one hundred miles; the postage to be paid by the subscribers, at the office where they are delivered. Subscribers to the National Gazette who wish to receive their papers without this additional expense, will be pleased to direct, by what other modes of conveyance they would choose to have them forwarded from the period above mentioned.
SAVANNAH, May 3.
Yesterday the honorable James Iredell and Nathaniel Pendleton, Esqrs. gave judgment, in the Circuit Court, in the interpleading case wherein Samuel Brailsford and others were plaintiffs, and James Spalding defendant. One of the plaintiffs (Mr. Brailsford) was a real British subject, being a native of Great Britain, and having resided there from 1767 to 1784, and the other plaintiffs were citizens of South Carolina, whose property (with an express exception of their debt) was confiscated in that state. The Judges gave their opinions, with their
reasons at large, and the substance of their opinions was, that, as Mr. Brailsford's debts were only sequestered by a law of the state, upon which no further proceedings had taken place, the treaty of peace, as confirmed by the constitution of the United States, must have the effect of an express repeal of that part of the act of assembly which had created an impediment to his recovery; and that there was no bar in respect to the recovery of the other plaintiffs, inasmuch as, under the act of assembly of this state affecting them, their debts were not confiscated, because their debts had not been confiscated in the state of South-Carolina, the act of assembly of this state making citizens of other states liable to the same measure of forfeiture (and no other) in this state as in their own. They therefore gave judgment for the plaintiffs.
The following lines were written on a back-country parson, whose custom it was to have his neighbours cows milked, whenever they broke into his pasture.
WHAT! did you think your milk of grace would do For Margaret's brats, that thus you robb'd their cow?—
Poor imps!—how hard to live in leaky huts And with some meagre sermons fill your guts!
Because your cow some rotten rails leap'd over And snatch'd a mouthful of the guid-man's clover,
For this her milk in holy pails must flow, For this your breakfast to the priest must go.
Good folks—observe—altho' his mouth is shut 'Tis plain to see he's had his eye-teeth cut: With fist or foot can valiantly engage, To prove the pulpit talons of the age; Celestial food to orphans he dispenses And robs their cow—for jumping over fences!
Parson, adieu!—how can you hope applause From efforts of your lungs or holy paws, If thus you plunder what poor outcasts need And starve the wretches whom you ought to feed? April 28.
Mr. FRENEAU will oblige a customer by giving the following a place in his paper.
A SERJEANT and PRIVATE in Discourse.
Serj. DEFEAT and defeat, have we had, Let us wish, for a lucky campaign,
Sol. In honour we all shall be clad, If we conquer, with Anthony Wayne.
Serj. St. Clair, I have read, has resign'd,
Sol. (Sighing) Alas! and brave Butler is dead,
Some say, there's a party combin'd, To lay all the blame on his head.
Serj. May an investigation, take place, Then as sure, as there's horns on a cow,
We shall find, a quite different case, There's some will get swamp'd in a Slogb.
PRICE OF STOCKS.
Table with 2 columns: Stock Name, Price. Includes Six per cents, Three ditto, Deferred six ditto, Bank Stock, Shares Bank N. A., Indents, Final settlements.
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Table with 5 columns: Day, D. H., Bar., Ther., Wind., Weath. Includes data for Monday through Sunday, May 1792.
TO THE PUBLIC.
THE Subscriber has it in contemplation soon to decline his present business—and having on hand a considerable quantity of superfine second and elastic cloths, together with a variety of other articles in his way, proposes to sell them at the following reduced prices—
Table with 2 columns: Item, Price. Includes Best Superfine navy blue, Ditto. ditto. Scarlet, Common colours superfine, Elastic stripes, London buff and white cassimirs, Ditto, coloured, Yorkshire do., Striped toilenets, Rattimets, Striped Nankeens, A variety of waistcoat shapes proportionably low, Fancy buttons and trimmings, London best silk hose.
No. 3 South Fourth-Street. May 14, 2270. if.

of march as far as the committee are capable of expressing an opinion, appears to have been judi-
The committee have had no competent evidence before them to ascertain the number of the enemy in action—there were various conjectures as to the number, from different persons from five hundred the lowest to one thousand or twelve hundred the highest.
Mr. Barton, a witness examined by the committee, conversed with a chief at Niagara who was in the action, and was by him informed, that the number of the enemy in action was one thousand and forty, and that six hundred more had convened, but were engaged in hunting at the time of the action. He was also informed that the enemy had not collected in any considerable numbers until a few days before the action. This information appears to be corroborated by some other circumstances sufficient to induce a belief of the fact in the committee.
The contractors for supplies agreeably to the terms of contract were to furnish horses, &c. for the transportation of the supplies; in this condition of the contract there was a total failure, which compelled the commander in chief to direct between six and seven hundred horses to be purchased by Israel Ludlow, one of the contractor's agents, to draw bills on Mr. Duer, the acting contractor for payment, which bills were endorsed by the commander in chief, to the amount of about seventeen thousand dollars, were protested by the contractor, and paid at the treasury; the persons employed by the agents of the contractors to drive the horses, appear to have been totally unacquainted with that business, and from the want of bells, hopples, and other necessaries of that kind, as well as from other gross mismanagement, many of the horses were lost, and others rendered unfit for service;—from which causes there were not pack horses sufficient to transport the necessary quantity of flour from Fort Washington for the use of the army on their march; this circumstance retarded the execution of the expedition.
The officers agreeably to the terms of contract had an election of drawing the whole of the rations, to which their rank entitled them, or of receiving the contract price of them in cash; the contractor's agents not being furnished with money for this purpose gave rise to a general order, by which the officer was directed to receive a certificate from the contractor's agent called a due bill, of one of which bills the following is a copy:—“Due Major H. Gaither one hundred and seventy-three complete rations on the route to Miami village as appears by Mr. Wilson's certificate.”
(Signed) MATT. EARNEST, Fort Washington, for WM. DUER. Nov. 27th, 1790.
This due bill issued upon the officer's signing some acknowledgment of satisfaction for his whole retained rations, which acknowledgment of satisfaction forms a voucher for settlement to the contractor, with the treasury department; and the officer is refused payment for these due bills at the pay office, all casualties by which these evidences of debt become lost or destroyed, are the gain of the contractor and the loss of the officer.
It is suggested by the Secretary of the Treasury, though not with positive certainty, that a sufficient sum will be found due from the treasury to the contractors upon a final settlement, to cover all these debts to the officers; the general order which had the operation before stated, continued in force about five or six weeks, and was abolished about the 19th of October. The privates of the levies received but three dollars pay each, from the time of their respective enlistments to the time of their respective discharges, and were actually discharged without further pay or settlement; notes of discharge were given them, specifying the time of their service, and bearing indorsements, that some advancements had been made to them in account, without stating the amount, the object of which is suggested to have been to prevent transfers; the intended effect was not produced by the measure; the notes were sold for trifling considerations, the real sums due on the notes were various, from ten to twenty-five dollars, and they were frequently sold for one dollar, or one gallon of whiskey; the monies for the pay of the levies did not leave Philadelphia till the 4th of December, nor arrive at Fort Washington till the 3d of January 1792, some time after the last inlisted levies were known to be entitled to their discharges; two reasons have been assigned by the Secretary at War for this delay of payment, the one, because there was no regular Pay-master to the army, and the difficulties of transmitting monies to the army at so great a distance, in consequence of the want of such an officer; the other, because it was supposed the army would be at that time at the Miami village, so far advanced in the wilderness, as not to admit of the practicability of discharging the levies, the total defeat of the army not having been previously counted upon.
The clothing for the levies appears to have been of a very inferior quality, particularly coats, hats, and shoes, the last of which in many cases lasted not more than four days, and better clothing was furnished them upon their inlisting into the regular service, which was for a time counteracted by the commander in chief.
Various modes appear to have been pursued by the officers in inlisting the levies, which occasioned great uneasiness and some confusion; a considerable part of the Virginia battalion was so inlisted, that the terms of their enlistments appear to have expired the 1st of November; the orders to the recruiting officers appear not to have been sufficiently explicit upon this point—whether the terms of enlistment were to commence at the time of enlistment, or at the arrival at a place of rendezvous. The militia appear to have been composed principally of substitutes, and totally ungovernable, and regardless of military duty or subordination. It appears that the commander in
chief had it in contemplation to commence the expedition at least one month earlier than it was commenced, with the force he then had, which was not very different from the real force he had in action; but was prevented for the want of the quarter-master and contractor, and in consequence of the extreme deficiencies and derangements of the business of those departments, the person sent forward by the quarter-master being totally incompetent for the business, and the contractor's agents not being sufficiently supplied with money to enable them to execute their duties.
It appears to the committee, that in the wilderness where vegetables are not to be had, and the duties of the soldier uncommonly hard, the rations allowed by law, if completely supplied, are insufficient. This circumstance, with others, produced discontent and desertion among the soldiers.
It appears to the committee that there were appropriated for the use of the War department, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, the sum of six hundred and fifty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty-one dollars, and sixty-one cents, and that there have been advanced by the treasury to the war department, upon that appropriation, five hundred and seventy-five thousand, nine hundred and six dollars, and fifty-seven cents, to wit:
   Dols. Cts.     1791 February advanced 15,200.   March do. 46,002. 20   April do. 100,106. 20   May do. 80,109. 80   June do. 55,387. 44   July do. 14,105. 39   August do. 14,554. 59   September do. 14,796. 53   October do. 184. 81   November do. 107. 28   1792 January do. 33,753.   February do. 43,562. 61   March do. 1,741. 16  
Amounting to 419,311. 1 To which add monies borrowed from the bank of North America on loan without interest, 156,595. 56
575,906. 57 And that the treasury has always been in readiness to make the requisite advances upon the request of the Secretary at War. It does not appear to the committee in what manner, and to what amount these advancements have been disbursed, the accounts not having been yet settled at the treasury—nor was it possible, from the nature of the case, that they could at this time, have received any conclusive or satisfactory information on that point.
From the foregoing state of facts, the committee suggest the following as the principal causes, in their opinion, of the failure of the late expedition, under Major-General St. Clair.
The delay in furnishing the materials and estimates for, and in passing the act for the protection of the frontiers, the time after the passing of which was hardly sufficient to complete and discipline an army for such an expedition, during the summer months of the same year.
The delays consequent upon the gross and various mismanagements and neglects in the quarter-master's and contractor's departments; the lateness of the season at which the expedition was undertaken, the green forage having been previously destroyed by the frost, so that a sufficiency of subsistence for the horses necessary for the army could not be procured.
The want of discipline and experience in the troops.
The committee conceive it but justice to the commander in chief to say, that in their opinion, the failure of the late expedition can in no respect be imputed to his conduct, either at any time before or during the action; but that as his conduct in all the preparatory arrangements was marked with peculiar ability and zeal, so his conduct during the action furnished strong testimonies of his coolness and intrepidity.
The committee suggest as reasons for leaving the number of the troops at particular periods, and the dates of some facts blank, the want of sufficient time to complete the report with minuteness, and in some instances, the want of the necessary evidence.
The said report being read, Resolved, That this House will early in the next session proceed to take the same into consideration.
Extract from the Journal, JOHN BECKLEY, Clerk.
AUTHENTIC.
SECOND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
At the first Session, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the twenty-fourth of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.
An ACT authorising the grant and conveyance of certain lands to the Ohio Company of Associates.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a certain contract expressed in an indenture executed on the twenty-seventh day of October, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, between the then board of treasury for the United States of America, of the one part, and Manasseh Cutler, and Winthrop Sergeant, as agents for the directors of the Ohio Company of Associates, of the other part, so far as the same respects the following described tract of land; that is to say: “Beginning at a station where the western boundary line of the seventh range of townships, laid out by the authority of the United States in Congress assembled, intersects the river Ohio; thence extending along that river
south-westerly to a place where the western boundary line of the fifteenth range of townships, when laid out agreeably to the land ordinance, passed the twentieth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, would touch the said river; thence running northerly on the said western boundary of the said fifteenth range of townships, till a line drawn due east to the western boundary line of the said seventh range of townships, will comprehend, with the other lines of this tract, seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land, besides the several lots and parcels of land in the said contract reserved or appropriated to particular purposes; thence running east to the western boundary line of the said seventh range of townships, and thence along the said line to the place of beginning,” be and the same is hereby confirmed: And that the President of the United States, be and he hereby is authorized and empowered to issue letters patent in the name and under the seal of the United States, thereby granting and conveying to Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, and to their heirs and assigns, in fee simple, the said described tract of land, with the reservations in the said indenture expressed, in trust for the persons composing the said Ohio company of associates, according to their several rights and interests, and for their heirs and assigns, as tenants in common.
And be it further enacted, That the President be and he hereby is further authorized and empowered, by letters-patent as aforesaid, to grant and convey to the said Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, and to their heirs and assigns, in trust, for the uses above expressed, one other tract of two hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and eighty-five acres of land. Provided, That the said Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, or either of them, shall deliver to the Secretary of the Treasury within six months, warrants which issued for army bounty-rights sufficient for that purpose, according to the provision of a resolve of Congress of the twentieth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven.
And be it further enacted, That the President be and he hereby is further authorized and empowered by letters-patent as aforesaid, to grant and convey to the said Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, and to their heirs and assigns, in fee simple, in trust for the uses above expressed, a farther quantity of one hundred thousand acres of land. Provided always nevertheless, That the said grant of one hundred thousand acres shall be made on the express condition of becoming void, for such part thereof, as the said company shall not have, within five years from the passing of this act, conveyed in fee simple, as a bounty and free of expense, in tracts of one hundred acres, to each male person, not less than eighteen years of age, being an actual settler at the time of such conveyance.
And be it further enacted, That the said quantities of two hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and eighty-five acres, and of one hundred thousand acres, shall be located within the limits of the tract of one million, five hundred thousand acres of land, described in the indenture aforesaid, and adjoining to the tract of land described in the first section of this act, and in such form as the President in the letters-patent shall prescribe for that purpose.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
RICHARD HENRY LEE, President pro tempore of the Senate.
Approved, April twenty-first 1792. G. WASHINGTON, President of the United States.
PARIS, March 1. The three Generals are still at Paris. Luckner is supposed to advise war, Rochambeau peace, and Fayette an offensive war in preference to defensive.
A division is talked of among the ministry, of which the minister of marine is the cause.—Two of his colleagues are of opinion, that it is impossible to support a man against whom the public opinion is so pointedly declared; and the rest, that he ought not to resign, and must be supported.
The Emperor's answer to the king's late representations, was communicated to the diplomatic committee on Tuesday, and is expected to be laid before the assembly this day. It is long and elaborately ambiguous. The substance of the most favorable interpretation is,
That his Imperial majesty does not wish to destroy his alliance with France; that he never meant to interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom, nor to disturb the order of things established by the new constitution—only seeing the person of the king in danger, and the kingdom threatened with a total dissolution of government, he entered into engagements with the other powers of Europe to succour the king and his kingdom, if necessary; that the political state of Europe, and the rank which France holds in it, made such engagements necessary to save her from ruin; that these engagements still exist, but that the execution of them depends on what shall pass in France; and that if the person of the king shall be menaced, if the republican spirit shall make such progress as to attempt the subversion of the monarchy, his imperial majesty will find himself obliged to interfere, in concert with the other powers who have an interest in maintaining the order and the balance of Europe. It inveighs against the republican spirit and the Jacobin Societies, and concludes with a requisition for publishing it, that France, and all Europe, may be informed of his imperial majesty's desire to live in peace with the French nation, as long as the king, and the new constitution accepted by him, shall be respected as they ought.
Yesterday the Prussian minister presented a declaration, professing the adherence of his master to all the points of the emperor's answer.
UPWARDS of six months being elapsed since the first publication of this paper, and the subscription having succeeded beyond the Editor's most sanguine expectations, he now begs leave further to solicit the attention of the people of the United States to a publication which he trusts will at all times be found truly republican in its principles and tendency, as well as instructive and entertaining to every denomination of readers.
The National Gazette will continue open, as it has hitherto been, to all kinds of political discussion, without partiality to parties or opinions, provided such discussions are conducted with decency.
The most authentic and important domestic and foreign intelligence will be given, so digested as to convey the greatest variety of information in the briefest manner possible.
The Editor will also endeavor, as far as his bounds will permit, to gratify the lovers of mere literary amusement, in essays, &c. adapted to that purpose.
The laws of the United States, Secretaries Reports, and proceedings of Congress, will always occupy a considerable part of the paper during the session, as being supposed particularly interesting to every description of readers.
The National Gazette will be published, as heretofore, on Monday and Thursday mornings. The price, Three Dollars per annum; one half to be paid at the time of subscribing, and one dollar and an half at the expiration of every six months afterwards—exclusive of charges of postage and conveyance.
PHILIP FRENEAU. Philadelphia, May 5.—Market-Street, No. 209.
THE subscriber begs leave to acquaint his friends and the public in general, that he has removed from Pennington to that noted tavern and ferry stand opposite to Easlon, on the Jersey side of the Delaware.—He has provided himself with a good and safe set of ferry-boats, and purposes keeping the best entertainment for man and horse. Every attention shall be paid to gentlemen travellers and others by the public's most obedient and very humble servant,
THOMAS BULLMAN, May 8th 1792.— (see law.)
Washington, in the Territory of Columbia. A PREMIUM
OF 500 dollars, or a medal of that value, at the option of the party, will be given by the Commissioners of the Federal Buildings to the person who, before the fifteenth day of July next, shall produce to them the most approved plan, if adopted by them, for a President's house to be erected in this city. The site of the building, if the artist will attend to it, will of course influence the aspect and outline of his plan, and its destination will point out to him the number, size, and distribution of the apartments. It will be a recommendation of any plan, if the central part of it may be detached and erected for the present, with the appearance of a complete whole, and be capable of admitting the additional parts, in future, if they shall be wanting. Drawings will be expected of the ground plans, elevations of each front, and sections through the building in such directions as may be necessary to explain the internal structure; and an estimate of the cubic feet of brickwork, composing the whole mass of the walls. THE COMMISSIONERS. March 14.
Washington, in the Territory of Columbia. A PREMIUM
OF a lot in this City to be designated by impartial judges and 500 dollars; or a medal of that value, at the option of the party, will be given by the Commissioners of the Federal Buildings, to the person, who, before the fifteenth day of July 1792, shall produce to them the most approved plan, if adopted by them, for a Capitol to be erected in this city, and 250 dollars, or a medal for the plan deemed next in merit to the one they shall adopt. The building to be of brick, and to contain the following apartments, to wit: A conference room } Sufficient to accommodate 300 persons each. A room for the Representatives } A lobby or antichamber to the latter. A Senate room of 1200 square feet area. An antichamber or lobby to the last. 12 rooms of 600 square feet area, each, for committee rooms and clerks offices, to be of half the elevation of the former. Drawings will be expected of the ground plans, elevations of each front, and sections through the building in such directions as may be necessary to explain the internal structure, and an estimate of the cubic feet of brickwork composing the whole mass of the walls. THE COMMISSIONERS. March 14.
PRINTED BY CHILDS AND SWAIN, AT THEIR OFFICE, NO. 209, HIGH-STREET, NEAR FIFTH-STREET, PHILADELPHIA.