The New-York journal, and daily patriotic register (New-York [N.Y.]), 1788-01-17 00:00:00

The New-York Journal, and Weekly Register.
NUMB. 15, of VOL. XLII.]
THURSDAY, January 17, 1788.
[Total NUMB. 2193.]
HERE TRUTH UNLICENS'D REIGNS; AND DARES ACCOST—E'EN KINGS THEMSELVES, OR RULERS OF THE FREE Thompson's Liberty.
NEW-YORK: Printed and Published by THOMAS GREENLEAF, at the PRINTING-OFFICE, No. 25, WATER-STREET.
State of New-York, Court of Admiralty. Charles March, Timothy Penny, Abraham P. Mendes, John Thompson, Gad Wells, and others, Libellants.
vs. Sundry goods, Wares and Merchandize, saved out of a vessel having no person on board, by John Shannon and others, and claimed by Gibbon Bourke, John Donnan and the said John Shannon and others, and claimed in part by Daniel McCormick for Hyem Cohen, and by William Cock for Richard Hall.
WHEREAS Charles March, Timothy Penny, Abraham P. Mendes, John Thompson, Matthew Fergo, John Howard, Gad Wells, Samuel Eells, and Peter Noyes, junior, as passengers, and Malcom Taylor, and Henry Harris, as mariners on board of the brigantine Port-Roseway, have filed a libel in the said court, setting forth that in and with the said brigantine, in a voyage from the island of Jamaica to New-London, in Connecticut, on or about the first day of August, in the year 1784, in the latitude of 23 degrees and 30 minutes north or thereabouts, they discovered, and went to a vessel with only her foremast standing, and having no living creature on board, and five feet water in her hold; and that they saved and took out of the said brigantine, sundry goods, wares, and merchandise, which were by them brought to the port of New-York, and there sold at public vendue, by order of Gibbon Bourke, and John Donnan, of the said city, merchants: And whereas it appears by return of sales of Anthony L. Bleeker, that the said merchandise so saved and brought to the port of New-York, consisted of the following articles, viz. Six hogheads of sugar, the marks & numbers whereof were defaced, one hoghead of sugar marked V. No. 102, one other hoghead of sugar marked WB. No. 185, one other hoghead of sugar, marked F. S. one hoghead of spirits, marked E. [enclosed by a diamond] No. 6, one other hoghead of spirits, marked B. E. No. 4, one other hoghead of spirits, marked B. E. No. 5, one other hoghead of spirits, marked B. R. No. 3, one other hoghead of spirits, marked WB. No. 7, one other hoghead of spirits, marked WB. No. 8, and one other hoghead of spirits, marked WB. No. 9, thirteen bales of cotton wool without mark or number, one bale of cotton wool, marked B. three other bales of cotton wool, marked H. C. fifteen other bales of cotton wool, the marks & numbers whereof were defaced; four whole bales, four half bales, four broken bales, and four bundles of cotton wool, the marks whereof, if any had been, could not be discovered, a quantity of logwood, and five hundred and fifty-one feet of mahogany. And whereas, by an advertisement formerly published in one of the news papers printed in New-York, the said goods and merchandise were said to have been saved and taken on board of the said brigantine Port-Roseway, on Thursday the 5th day of Aug. 1784. And whereas, Gibbon Bourke and John Donnan, on behalf of John Shannon, master, and Samuel Nesbitt, mate, Malcom Taylor, Martin George, John Harper, Swiney Wilson and Alexander M'Kenzie, mariners, and Richard Hall, owner of the said brigantine Port-Roseway, have filed a claim in the said court, praying a decree for their proportional shares of the net proceeds of the said goods: and whereas, Daniel McCormick, of the city of New-York, merchant, for and on behalf of Hyem Cohen, of the island of Jamaica, hath filed a claim in the said court, to the monies which have arisen from the sales of the said cotton wool, or part thereof, after the payment of salvage: and whereas William Cock, of the city of New-York, Esq. for and in behalf of Richard Hall, of Shelburne, in Nova-Scotia, as sole owner of the said brigantine Port-Roseway, hath also filed a claim in the said court, praying an allowance for salvage out of the monies arising by the sale of the said goods, wares and merchandise. And whereas, it appears by the depositions of William M'Kenzie and Malcom Taylor, two of the persons on board the brigantine Port-Roseway, at the time the said goods and merchandise were so saved and taken on board; that the defected vessel out of which the said goods were saved, were generally supposed by themselves and others then present, to have been a brigantine; and it further appears by the said depositions, and the deposition of Swiney Wilson, which depositions were severally taken in open court, that the said defected vessel was a stout vessel (perhaps about three hundred tons burthen) had a woman's head, with guard-irons round it, that she had black sides, and yellow mouldings, that she had either three or four ports on each side abaft her main-mast, that she had a double deck as far as her main-mast, and had deck-beams but no plank on them before her main-mast as part of her lower deck, that she had quarter-barges, but no quarter-galleries, and was plain behind, and that her quarter-deck was raised about three feet above her main-deck. Therefore, pursuant to an order of the said court, public monition and notice is hereby given to all persons interested, or claiming to be interested, in the said goods, wares and merchandise, so saved, or any part thereof, to put in a claim in the said court for the same, within one year and a day, from the day of the date of this monition and notice. Dated the eighth day of October, in the twelfth year of the Independence of the state of New-York, and the year of our Lord, 1787.
By order of the court of Admiralty, JONH GRAHAM, Marshal. 36 gm
FLAX-SEED. STORED, Cleaned, Purchased and Sold at HARTELL and WOODWARD'S Flax-seed store, lately occupied by Mr. JACOB EARLY, last by Mr. Nash, between Van Zandt's and Murray's Wharves. 28—c.d.
At a Court of Probates of the State of New-York, held at the Probate-Office, in the City of New-York, on the ninth Day of January, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Eighty-eight.
P R E S E N T, The Honorable PETER OGILVIE, Esquire, Judge of the said Court.
WHEREAS Catherine Wendell, administratrix of Hermanus H. Wendell, late of the township of Schenectady, in the county of Albany, merchant, deceased, hath by her petition presented to the said judge, set forth, that the said Hermanus H. Wendell was, at the time of his death, seized of a real estate within this state; that the petitioner had made a just and true account of the personal estate and debts of the said Hermanus H. Wendell, as far as she had been able to discover the same; and that thereby it appeared, that the personal estate of her said intestate, was insufficient to pay his debts, and therefore requested the aid of the said judge in the premises, according to the directions of the act, entitled, "An act for the relief of creditors against heirs, devisees, executors, and administrators, and for proving wills respecting real estates;" and the said petitioner hath delivered to the said judge the account in the said petition mentioned; hereupon it is ordered by the said judge, that all persons interested in the estate of the said Hermanus H. Wendell, do appear before the judge of the said court of Probates, at the Probate-Office, in the city of New-York, on the twenty-sixth day of February next, to show cause, if any they have, why so much of the real estate whereof the said Hermanus H. Wendell died seized should not be sold, as will be sufficient to pay his debts.
87 th. 4w. PETER OGILVIE. Dated this 9th day of January, 1788. 87 3t.
NOTICE is hereby given by the petitioning creditors of John Youngs, jun. of Southold, in the county of Suffolk, an insolvent debtor, to all the creditors of the said John Youngs, that they show cause, if any they have, before John Hutbert, Esq. one of the judges of the inferior court of common pleas, in said county, at the county-hall, on Friday the twelfth day of February next, at one o'clock in the afternoon, why an assignment of the estate of the said insolvent should not be made, and he discharged, according to an act of the legislature, entitled, "An act for the relief of insolvent debtors," passed the 13th day of April, 1785.
JOHN YOUNGS, jun. Dated the 3d day of Jan. 1788. 87 3w.th. Petitioning Creditors. Nathaniel Youngs, John Carvin, jun.
WHEREAS Nicholas Bayard, Esq. of the city of New-York, by his certain indenture of lease, under his hand and seal, duly executed, bearing date the sixteenth day of September, in the ninth year of the independence of the United States of America, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, for the consideration therein mentioned, did demise and to farm let unto John Cailing, all those three LOTS OF GROUND, No. 279, 280, and 281, situate in the outward, at the corner of Moll-street, and Bayard-street, to have and to hold the said three Lots unto the said John Cailing, for and during and until the end and term of twenty-one years from thence next ensuing: and whereas the said John Cailing had erected on said three Lots of Ground a dwelling house; and whereas, the said John Cailing, on the twenty-eighth day of February, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, by indenture of mortgage, did convey unto John Egberts, of the city of New-York, house, carpenter, all the before mentioned Lots, No. 279, 280, and 281, with the buildings thereon erected to hold for and during the residue and remainder of the said term of twenty-one years then to come and, unexpired, to secure the payment of fifty pounds, with the lawful interest: NOTICE is hereby given, that in pursuance of an act of the governor, council, and general assembly of the late colony of New-York, passed the nineteenth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, entitled, "An act for the more effectual registering of mortgages, and for securing the purchases of mortgaged estates,"—the residue and remainder of the term of years yet to come, and unexpired, of, and in the said three Lots of Ground, with the buildings thereon erected, will be SOLD at PUBLIC VENDUE, to the highest bidder, on the premises, on the twenty-fifth day of February next.—The sale to begin at twelve o'clock. The condition of sale will be made known at the time of the vendue, and a deed executed to the purchaser or purchasers, subject to the proviso, in the said act in favor of other mortgages, judgments at law, and decrees in equity, prior to the said sale.
JOHN EGBERTS. New-York, August 23, 1787. t. th. 6m.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons indebted to THOMAS WHITE of the city of New-York, an insolvent debtor, that unless they make immediate payment to the subscriber, assignee of the estate of the aforesaid Thomas White, their accounts will be put in the hands of an attorney; and all persons having claims against the said Thomas White, previous to his discharge, under the act of insolvency, are required immediately to present their accounts, properly attested, to Thomas White, or to JOHN LOVETT, Assignee. New-York, October 16, 1787. 37—t. th. 3m.
At a Court of Probates of the State of New-York, held at the Probate-Office in the City of New-York, on the nineteenth Day of December, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-seven.
P R E S E N T, The Honorable PETER OGILVIE, Esq. Judge of the said Court.
WHEREAS Richard Davis, and Isaac Alling, administrators of Stephen Dwight, with his will annexed, late of Newark, in the county of Essex, and state of New-Jersey, deceased, have by their petition, presented to the said judge, set forth, that the said Stephen Dwight was at the time of his death, seized of a real estate within this state, that the petitioners have made a just and true account of the personal estate and debts of the said Stephen Dwight, as far as they have been able to discover the same; and that thereby it appears, that the personal estate of the said Stephen Dwight was insufficient to pay his debts, and therefore requested the aid of the said judge in the premises, according to the directions of the act, entitled, "An act for the relief of creditors against heirs, devisees, executors, and administrators, and for proving wills respecting real estates;" and the said petitioners have delivered to the said judge the account in the said petition mentioned; hereupon it is ordered by the said judge, that all persons interested in the estate of the said Stephen Dwight do appear before the judge of the said court of Probates, at the Probate-Office, in the city of New-York, on the eleventh day of February next, to show cause, if any they have, why so much of the real estate whereof the said Stephen Dwight died seized, should not be sold, as will be sufficient to pay his debts.
70—th. 4w. PETER OGILVIE. 45 th. 6m.
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given, according to an act of the Governor, Council, and General Assembly of the late colony of New-York, passed the 19th day of March, 1774, entitled, "An act for the more effectual registering of mortgages, and securing the purchasers of mortgaged estates;" that on the sixth day of June next ensuing, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, will be sold at the house of DAVID DAN, in Bedford, Westchester county, and state of New-York, to the highest bidder; all that certain Farm, Tract, pieces, or parcel of Land, lying and being in Bedford, and bounded as follows, to wit, beginning at the house of Benjamin Hayes, where he now lives, running westerly as it winds round Hayes's land, and northerly to the high way, thence westerly along the high way until it comes to Lewis McDonald's land, thence southerly until it comes to David Dan's land, thence easterly and northerly along said Dan's land until it comes to the high way or Town's land by the burying ground, thence by the high way westerly until it comes to Benjamin Hayes's land, thence by Hayes's land as it winds to the place of beginning; also one other piece of Land, lying on the north side of the high way, beginning at the Court-house, thence westerly by the high way until it comes to Lewis McDonald's land, thence northerly and westerly as it winds to Abraham Canfield's land, thence northerly and westerly by Abraham Canfield's land as it winds to the high way, thence northerly by the high way to Abraham Canfield's land, thence east by said land, until it comes to the land of the late Stephen Holmes, deceased, thence southerly and westerly until it comes to the parsonage lands, thence near the same course until it comes to James McDonald's land, thence westerly and southerly winding round McDonald's land to the place of beginning; containing in the whole eighty acres, more or less, with the appurtenances which said premises were by indenture bearing date the 10th day of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six; mortgaged by Jonathan Platt, of Bedford, Westchester county and state of New-York, to Daniel Bowne, of New-York, for securing the payment of eight hundred pounds with lawful interest for the same.
The conditions will be made known on the day of sale, by the subscriber, DANIEL BOWNE.
State of New-York, ff. WHEREAS all the real estate of which James M'Cluer, late of Southold, in the county of Suffolk, trader, deceased, died seized, has been sold by an order of Peter Ogilvie, Esq. judge of the court of Probates of this state, for the payment of his debts; all persons who have any demands against the estate of the said James M'Cluer are hereby notified and desired to produce the same to the said judge of the said court of Probates, at the dwelling-house of Ezra L'Hommedieu, in Southold, in Suffolk county on Nassau Island, on the twenty-eighth day of March next, when and where a final settlement and distribution of the said estate will be made. Given under my hand, at the Probate Office in the city of New-York the twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven. 75 th. 6w. PETER OGILVIE.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons indebted to JAMES MYER, jun. of the city of New-York, an insolvent debtor, that unless they make immediate payment to the subscriber, assignee of the estate of the aforesaid James Myer, jun. their accounts will be put in the hands of an attorney; and all persons having claims against the said James Myer, jun. previous to his discharge, under the act of insolvency, are required immediately to present their accounts, properly attested, to the subscriber. JOHN LOVETT, Assignee. New-York, Oct. 16, 1787. 37—t. th. m.
State of New-York, ff.
WHEREAS all the real estate of which John Thompson, late of Gollen precinct, in the county of Orange, yeoman, deceased, died seized, has been sold by an order of Peter Ogilvie, Esq. Judge of the court of Probates of this state, for the payment of his debts; all persons who have any demands against the estate of the said John Thompson, are hereby notified and desired to produce the same to the said judge, at the said court of Probates, at the Probate-Office in the city of New-York, on the twenty-fifth day of March next, when and where a final settlement and distribution of the said estate will be made. Given under my hand, at the Probate Office, in the city of New-York, the twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven. 69 th. 6w. PETER OGILVIE.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons indebted to PETER BERRIAN, of the city of New-York, an insolvent debtor, that unless they make immediate payment to the subscriber, assignee of the estate of the aforesaid Peter Berrian, their accounts will be put in the hands of an attorney; and all persons having claims against the said Peter Berrian, previous to his discharge, under the act of insolvency, are required immediately to present their accounts, properly attested, to PETER BERRIAN, or to JOHN LOVETT, Assignee. New-York, October 16, 1787. 37—t. th. 3m.
NOTICE is hereby given to all persons indebted to Jacob Hagemann, of the city of New-York, an insolvent debtor, that unless they make immediate payment to the subscriber, their accounts will be put in the hands of an attorney; and all his creditors are desired to bring in their accounts properly attested. A dividend is intended to be made on the first Monday in March next, provided the creditors accounts are sent in to JOHN MURRAY, or WALTER BUCHANAN, Assignees. New-York, Dec. 13, 1787. 63 10w. th.
NOTICE is hereby given to all the creditors of John Hartwick, an insolvent debtor, that they show cause, if any they have, before Benjamin Blagge, Esq. at his office in Beekman-street, by the sixteenth day of January instant, why an assignment of the estate of the said John Hartwick should not be made and he discharged, pursuant to the directions of an act of the legislature of this state, entitled, "An act for the relief of insolvent debtors," passed the 13th day of April, 1785. Dated this 8th day of Jan. 1788. 89 & 93. Petitioning Creditors. Andrew Van Tuijl, Philip Kiffler, Bartholomew Coen, John Johnson, Richard Platt, Gabriel Leggett, John Martin.
Masters & Owners of Vessel Are hereby informed, THAT they may be supplied with cables, large or small of any length, and cordage of all sizes, made of Peterburg hemp, first quality, at Ivers's Rope-walk, at the head of Mulberry-street, the first left hand turn above the Tea-Water Pump, on such favorable terms as to merit the attention of any gentleman that would wish to lay out his money to the best advantage. Cables spliced, with the addition of any length required, white rope of every sort for city or country use, bamboo lines, deep sea lines, hand lead lines, log lines, houlfines, and marline, &c. &c. by H. IVERS, Ropemaker. N. B. The above articles, whether in large or small quantities, will be delivered to any part of the city without expence of carriage to the buyer. New-York, Dec. 7, 1787. 58 e.d.
Ten Dollars Reward. Ran-away, from Cape Francois. A MULATTO MAN, Named JACQUES or JAMES, A CREOLE, from Martinico. AN excellent kitchen and pastry COOK, 26 or 27 years of age, about 5 feet 9 inches high, middling thick, his legs are much warped, much pock-marked, a very large mouth, small eyes and funk, a large forehead and long necked; he has a kind of ring-worm on one of his arms, and has a difficulty in his speech, stammering a little—He left Cape Francois in the beginning of May last, and was supposed to have taken passage for this continent. Whoever secures said Mulatto Man, and gives intelligence, will be handsomely rewarded, and all reasonable charges paid. Enquire at No. 15, Queen-Street. 73—e.d.
New-York RUM Of excellent Flavour and good Proof FOR SALE, By Charles Tillinghast, At the DISTILERY, near the New-Market Cherry-street and nearest to the Ship-Yards. October 3, 1787. 53—m. th.
A FEW copies of that much celebrated work of the late Rev. Dr. CHAUNCY, of Boston, "On the Fall, and its consequences," to be had at this Printing-Office.

THE design of civil government is to protect the rights and promote the happiness of the people.
For this end, rulers are invested with powers. But we cannot from hence justly infer that these powers should be unlimited. There are certain rights which mankind possess, over which government ought not to have any controul, because it is not necessary they should, in order to attain the end of its institution. There are certain things which rulers should be absolutely prohibited from doing, because, if they should do them, they would work an injury, not a benefit to the people. Upon the same principles of reasoning, if the exercise of a power, is found generally or in most cases to operate to the injury of the community, the legislature should be restricted in the exercise of that power, so as to guard, as much as possible, against the danger. These principles seem to be the evident dictates of common sense, and what ought to give sanction to them in the minds of every American, they are the great principles of the late revolution, and those which governed the framers of all our state constitutions. Hence we find, that all the state constitutions, contain either formal bills of rights, which set bounds to the powers of the legislature, or have restrictions for the same purpose in the body of the constitutions. Some of our new political Doctors, indeed, reject the idea of the necessity, or propriety of such restrictions in any elective government, but especially in the general one.
But it is evident, that the framers of this new system were of a contrary opinion, because they have prohibited the general government, the exercise of some powers, and restricted them in that of others.
I shall adduce two instances, which will serve to illustrate my meaning, as well as to confirm the truth of the preceding remark.
In the 9th section, it is declared, "no bill of attainder shall be passed." This clause takes from the legislature all power to declare a particular person guilty of a crime by law. It is proper the legislature should be deprived of the exercise of this power, because it seldom is exercised to the benefit of the community, but generally to its injury.
In the same section it is provided, that "the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion and invasion, the public safety may require it." This clause limits the power of the legislature to deprive a citizen of the right of habeas corpus, to particular cases viz. those of rebellion and invasion; the reason is plain, because in no other cases can this power be exercised for the general good.
Let us apply these remarks to the case of standing armies in times of peace. If they generally prove the destruction of the happiness and liberty of the people, the legislature ought not to have power to keep them up, or if they had, this power should be so restricted, as to secure the people against the danger arising from the exercise of it.
That standing armies are dangerous to the liberties of a people was proved in my last number—If it was necessary, the truth of the position might be confirmed by the history of almost every nation in the world. A cloud of the most illustrious patriots of every age and country, where freedom has been enjoyed, might be adduced as witnesses in support of the sentiment. But I presume it would be useless, to enter into a laboured argument, to prove to the people of America, a position, which has so long and so generally been received by them as a kind of axiom.
Some of the advocates for this new system controvert this sentiment, as they do almost every other that has been maintained by the best writers on free government.—Others, though they will not expressly deny, that standing armies in times of peace are dangerous, yet join with these in maintaining, that it is proper the general government should be vested with the power to do it. I shall now proceed to examine the arguments they adduce in support of their opinions.
A writer, in favor of this system, treats this objection as a ridiculous one. He supposes it would be as proper to provide against the introduction of Turkish janizaries, or against making the Alcoran a rule of faith.
From the positive, and dogmatic manner, in which this author delivers his opinions, and answers objections made to his sentiments—one would conclude, that he was some pedantic pedagogue who had been accustomed to deliver his dogmas to pupils, who always placed implicit faith in what he delivered.
But, why is this provision so ridiculous? because, says this author, it is unnecessary. But, why is it unnecessary? "because, the principles and habits, as well as the power of the Americans are directly opposed to standing armies; and there is as little necessity to guard against them by positive constitutions, as to prohibit the establishment of the Mahometan religion." It is admitted then, that a standing army in time of peace, is an evil. I ask then, why should this government be authorised to do evil? If the principles and habits of the people of this country are opposed to standing armies in time of peace, if they do not contribute to the public good, but would endanger the public liberty, and happiness, why should the government be vested with the power? No reason can be given, why rulers should be authorised to do, what, if done, would oppose the principles and habits of the people, and endanger the public safety, but there is every reason in the world, that they should be prohibited from the exercise of such a power. But this author supposes, that no danger is to be apprehended from the exercise of this power, because, if armies are kept up, it will be by the people themselves, and therefore, to provide against it, would be as absurd as for a man to "pass a law in his family, that no troops should be quartered in his family by his consent." This reasoning supposes, that the general government is to be exercised by the people of America themselves—But such an idea is groundless and absurd. There is surely a distinction between the people and their rulers, even when the latter are representatives of
the former.—They certainly are not identically the same, and it cannot be supposed, but it may and often does happen, that they do not possess the same sentiments or pursue the same interests. I think I have shewn, that as this government is constituted, there is little reason to expect, that the interest of the people and their rulers will be the same.
Besides, if the habits and sentiments of the people of America are to be relied upon, as the sole security against the encroachment of their rulers, all restrictions in constitutions are unnecessary; nothing more is requisite, than to declare who shall be authorised to exercise the powers of government, and about this we need not be very careful—for the habits and principles of the people will oppose every abuse of power. This I suppose to be the sentiments of this author, as it seems to be of many of the advocates of this new system. An opinion like this, is as directly opposed to the principles and habits of the people of America, as it is to the sentiments of every writer of reputation on the science of government, and repugnant to the principles of reason and common sense.
The idea that there is no danger of the establishment of a standing army, under the new constitution, is without foundation.
It is a well known fact, that a number of those who had an agency in producing this system, and many of those who it is probable will have a principal share in the administration of the government under it, if it is adopted, are avowedly in favour of standing armies. It is a language common among them, "That no people can be kept in order, unless the government have an army to awe them into obedience; it is necessary to support the dignity of government, to have a military establishment." And there will not be wanting a variety of plausible reason to justify the raising one, drawn from the danger we are in from the Indians on our frontiers, or from the European provinces in our neighbourhood. If to this we add, that an army will afford a decent support, and agreeable employment to the young men of many families, who are too indolent to follow occupations that will require care and industry, and too poor to live without doing any business we can have little reason to doubt, but that we shall have a large standing army, as soon as this government can find money to pay them, and perhaps sooner.
A writer, who is the boast of the advocates of this new constitution, has taken great pains to shew, that this power was proper and necessary to be vested in the general government.
He sets out with calling in question the candour and integrity of those who advance the objection, and with insinuating, that it is their intention to mislead the people, by alarming their passions, rather than to convince them by arguments addressed to their understandings.
The man who reproves another for a fault, should be careful that he himself be not guilty of it. How far this writer has manifested a spirit of candour, and has pursued fair reasoning on this subject, the impartial public will judge, when his arguments pass before them in review.
He first attempts to shew, that this objection is futile and disingenuous, because the power to keep up standing armies, in time of peace, is vested, under the present government, in the legislature of every state in the union, except two. Now this is so far from being true, that it is expressly declared; by the present articles of confederation, that no body of forces "shall be kept up by any state, in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgment of the United States in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defence of such state." Now, was it candid and ingenuous to endeavour to persuade the public, that the general government had no other power than your own legislature have on this head; when the truth is, your legislature have no authority to raise and keep up any forces?
He next tells us, that the power given by this constitution, on this head, is similar to that which Congress possesses under the present confederation. As little ingenuity is manifested in this representation as in that of the former.
I shall not undertake to enquire whether or not Congress are vested with a power to keep up a standing army in time of peace; it has been a subject warmly debated in Congress, more than once, since the peace; and one of the most respectable states in the union, were so fully convinced that they had no such power, that they expressly instructed their delegates to enter a solemn protest against it on the journals of Congress, should they attempt to exercise it.
But should it be admitted that they have the power, there is such a striking dissimilarity between the restrictions under which the present Congress can exercise it, and that of the proposed government, that the comparison will serve rather to shew the impropriety of vesting the proposed government with the power, than of justifying it.
It is acknowledged by this writer, that the powers of Congress, under the present confederation, amount to little more than that of recommending. If they determine to raise troops, they are obliged to effect it through the authority of the state legislatures. This will, in the first instance, be a most powerful restraint upon them, against ordering troops to be raised. But if they should vote an army, contrary to the opinion and wishes of the people, the legislatures of the respective states would not raise them. Besides, the present Congress hold their places at the will and pleasure of the legislatures of the states who send them, and no troops can be raised, but by the assent of nine states out of the thirteen. Compare the power proposed to be lodged in the legislature on this head, under this constitution, with that vested in the present Congress, and every person of the least discernment, whose understanding is not totally blinded by prejudice, will perceive, that they bear no analogy to each other. Under the present confederation, the representatives of nine states, out of thirteen, must assent to the raising of troops, or they cannot be levied: under the proposed constitution, a less number than the representatives of two states, in the house of representatives, and the representatives of three states and an half in the senate, with the assent of the president, may raise any number of troops they please. The present Congress are restrained from an undue exercise of this power, from this consideration, they know the state legislatures, through whose authority it must be carried into effect, would not comply with the re-
quisition for the purpose, if it was evidently opposed to the public good: the proposed constitution authorizes the legislature to carry their determinations into execution, without the intervention of any other body between them and the people. The Congress under the present form are amenable to, and removable by, the legislatures of the respective states, and are chosen for one year only: the proposed constitution does not make the members of the legislature accountable to, or removable by the state legislatures at all; and they are chosen, the one house for six, and the other for two years; and cannot be removed until their time of service is expired, let them conduct ever so badly.—The public will judge, from the above comparison, how just a claim this writer has to that candour he affects to possess. In the mean time, to convince him, and the advocates for this system, that I possess some share of candor, I pledge myself to give up all opposition to it, on the head of standing armies, if the power to raise them be restricted as it is in the present confederation; and I believe I may safely answer, not only for myself, but for all who make the objection, that they will be satisfied with less.
B R U T U S.
For the NEW-YORK JOURNAL, &c.
LETTER V.
WORTHY SIR,
I MIGHT have saved myself a world of trouble, in searching to find out the meaning of the new constitution, if I had only attended a little more closely at first, to that clause, which says, the Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts, and provide for the common defence, and general welfare of the United States—and the other clause, which gives them power to make all laws, that shall be necessary and proper, for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers, vested by this constitution, in the government of the United States, or in any department, or officer thereof. The first gives them power to do any thing at all, if they only please to say, it is for the common welfare, for they are the only judges of this—and, my neighbour is clearly of opinion, that they have power, under these clauses, even to ring and yoke all the hogs in the country; and a great many people, who have much meadow-lands, and who have them often rooted up and spoiled by the swine, think it would be for the general welfare; for they suppose, in this way, and in their corn-fields, if it was all reckoned up, they do more damage than they are worth, when they are fit for the knife—so, if this is the case, it would certainly be for the general welfare, not to let them run at large at all. By the last of these clauses, it would appear, that there are some powers vested in this government, besides what are mentioned in it, since it speaks of the foregoing, and all other powers: now I do not think it worth while to waste any time, in finding out what these other powers are, for those which are mentioned, will take in every thing, but the two or three little matters, they have accepted. As I said before, though I did not like the whole constitution, I was pleased to find that this new government would be prevented from making lords, and ex post facto laws; but I begin to doubt, whether these things were not put in on purpose to shew, they would have had authority to do them, if they had not accepted them—and to confirm more strongly their power of doing every thing else; howsoever, my old neighbour from Pennsylvania tells me, that this ex post facto law business was put in, not because it was a bad thing, but to place it out of our power of calling to account, people who have the public monies in their hands—for, by this means, there will be no such thing as getting at them, and indeed I think it is very likely, that this may be the case, for if they were really honest, and meant to hinder the doing of a bad thing, why did they not also say, that the Congress should never take away, the rights of conscience, trial by jury, and liberty of the press? These are all rights we hold very dear, and yet we have often read, and heard of government, under various pretences, breaking in upon them—and upon the rights of conscience particularly; for in most of the old countries, their rulers, it seems, have thought it for the general welfare to establish particular forms of religion, and make every body worship God in a certain way, whether the people thought it right or no, and punish them severely, if they would not: now, as it is known, that there has been a great deal of mischief done by rulers in these particulars, and as I have never read or heard of any great mischief being done by ex post facto laws, surely it would have been of more importance, to have provided against Congress, making laws to take away liberty of conscience, trial by jury, and freedom of the press, than against their passing ex post facto laws, or even their making lords. I conclude therefore, that there may be a great deal of truth, in what my neighbour from Pennsylvania says, about this matter.
By this new constitution, there are several things, which it is declared the state
governments shall not do, such as emitting bills of credit, making any thing but gold or silver coin a tender in payment of debts, and passing laws for the impairing the obligation of contracts, &c.—but I do not find, that this new government are hindered from doing these things, and yet if they are bad things, it appears proper, that they ought to be hindered from doing them, as well as the state governments—for I do not see, why we are to expect honester men in the general government, than in the state governments; there will be a great many there, that we never heard of or know any thing about; and I am sure we have suffered more by the paper money made by Congress than we have by that made by our own assembly. Indeed, Worthy Sir, take the new constitution all together, it is an odd jumbled kind of business, and yet some people say, they were very wise, honest men, who made it—though I have no doubt some of them might have been very honest, but I am widely mistaken, if the bulk of them were both honest and wise.
I am,
Honored Sir,
Your real friend, and Humble servant, A COUNTRYMAN.
From the CHRONICLE of FREEDOM.
[Printed at Philadelphia.]
CENTINEL, No. X.
To the PEOPLE of PENNSYLVANIA.
Fellow Citizens,
WHAT illustrious evidence and striking demonstration does the present momentous discussion afford, of the inestimable value of the liberty of the press? No doubt now remains, but that it will prove the rock of our political salvation. Despotism, with its innumerable host of evils, by gliding through the mist of deception, had gained some of the principal works, had made a lodgement in the very citadel of liberty before it was discovered, and was near carrying the fortress by surprise: at this imminently alarming crisis the centries from the watch-towers sounded the alarm, and aroused the dormant votaries of liberty to a due sense of their danger: who, with an alacrity and spirit suited to the exigency, answered to the call, repulsed the enemy, dislodged it from most of its acquisitions, and nothing is now wanting to a total rout and complete defeat, but a general discharge from the artillery of freedom. As the shades of night fly the approach of the radiant sun, so does despotism before the majesty of enlightened truth; where ever free discussion is allowed, this is invariably the consequence. Since the press has been unhackled in Pennsylvania, what an astonishing transition appears in the sentiments of the people! Infatuation is at an end, execration and indignation have succeeded to blind admiration and mistaken enthusiasm. The rampant influence of the conspirators is prostrated, black despair has taken possession of many of them, their countenances proclaim their defeat, and express serious apprehension for their personal safety from the rising resentment of injured freemen.
James, the Caledonian, lieutenant general of the myrmidons of power, under Robert, the cofferer, who, with his aid-de-camp, Gouverno, the cunning man, has taken the field in Virginia; I say James, in this exigence, summonses a grand council of his partisans in this city, and represents, in the most pathetic moving language, the deplorable situation of affairs, stimulates them to make a vigorous effort to recover the ground they have lost and establish their empire; and for this purpose, a generous contribution must be made by all those who expect to taste the sweets of power, or share in the fruits of dominion, in order to form a fund adequate to the great design, that may put them in possession of the darling object: then recommends, that a committee be appointed of those who are gifted with Machiavelian talents, of those who excel in ingenuity, artifice, sophistry, and the refinements of falsehood, who can assume the pleasing appearance of truth, and bewilder the people in all the mazes of error; and as the task will be arduous, and requires various abilities and talents, the business ought to be distributed, and different parts assigned to the members of the committee, as they may be respectively qualified; some by ingenious sophisms to explain away and counteract those essays of patriotism that have struck such general conviction; some to manufacture extracts, of letters and notes from correspondents, to give the complexion of strength to their cause, by representing the unanimity of all corners of America in favor of the new constitution; and others to write reams of letters to their tools in every direction, furnishing them with the materials of propagating error and deception: in short, that this committee ought to make the

press groan and the whole country re- verberate with their productions. Thus to overpower truth and liberty by the din of empty sound and the delusion of false- hood.
The conspirators, deceived by their first success, grounded on the unrelieved con- fidence of the people; do not consider that with the detection of their views, all chance of success is over; that suspicion once awa- kened, is not so soon to be lulled, but with eagle-eye will penetrate all their wiles, and detect their every scheme, however deeply laid or speciously glossed. The la- bours of their committee will be unavailing, the point of deception is passed, the rays of enlightened patriotism have diffused ge- neral illumination. However, this new ef- fort will serve to show the perseverance of ambition and the necessity of constant vigi- lance in the people for the preservation of their liberty.
Already we recognize the ingenuity and industry of this committee; the papers teem with paragraphs, correspondents, &c. that exhibit a picture which bears no resem- blance to the original; if we view this mir- ror for the representation of the senti- ments of the people, a perfect harmony seems to prevail, every body in every place are charmed with the new constitution, consider it as a gift from heaven, as their only salvation, &c. &c. &c. and I am infor- med expresses are employing to wait the delusion to the remotest corners; such a scene of bustle, lying, and activity, was ne- ver exhibited since the days of Adam. The contributions to the grand fund are so great, that it is whispered a magazine of all the apparatus of war is to be immediately pro- vided, and if all other means fail, force is to be resorted to, which they hope will successfully terminate the disagreeable dis- cussion of the rights of mankind, of equal liberty, &c. and thus establish a due subor- dination to the well-born few.
CENTINEL.
On Wednesday, the 9th instant, the Hon. the Assembly of this state formed a house, having for- ty-three members present, when Richard Varick, Esq. was chosen speaker, and the usual general committees appointed.
On Thursday forty-six members attended.
On Friday, the 11th instant, the house of assem- bly having forty-eight members present, and the honorable the senate, a full quorum to proceed on business, his excellency the Governor made a speech to both houses of the legislature, which is as follows, viz.
GENTLEMEN
Of the SENATE and ASSEMBLY,
IT being essential to the welfare of our confe- deracy, that a representation in the national coun- cil should be maintained without intermission, and as the term for which the delegates from this state were elected, is expired, you will perceive the ne- cessity of proceeding to an immediate new ap- pointment.
GENTLEMEN,
The requisition for the federal services of the current year also claims your early attention—I have full confidence, that the same spirit, which has invariably influenced the legislature of this state, will induce you to a cheerful and effectual com- pliance with every measure founded on the nation- al compact, and necessary to the honor and prof- perity of the union.
It will appear from the act of Congress, and other papers on this subject, that the supplies re- quired for the common treasury, are principally to arise from the arrears due on former requisitions; advantages will therefore result from the punctu- ality of past payments, as a greater proportion of the resources of the state may now be applied to the relief of our own citizens. To assist you in making the necessary arrangements, I shall cause to be laid before you estimates of the public debt, with the receipts and expenditures, since the con- clusion of the war, abstracted from the treasurer's annual audited accounts, by which you will be particularly informed of the present state of our treasury.
It gives me great pleasure to inform you, that the jurisdiction line between the commonwealth of Massachusetts and this state, which has been so long a subject of controversy, and attended with much inconvenience and distress to the borderers, is at length finally adjusted; and that the boundary line between this state and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania is also completed. The reports of the commissioners, employed in these respective transmissions, accompanied with maps of the lines, will be delivered to you, in order, that the proper directions may be given for their authentication and deposit, and for the final liquidation and set- tlement of the expenses which have attended these services.
I shall leave with you the several official com- munications, which have been made to me in the recess; with these you will receive the proceed- ings of the general convention lately held in the city of Philadelphia, and an act of the United States in Congress, for their transmission to the legisla- tures of the different states. From the nature of my office you will easily perceive it would be im- proper for me to have any other agency in this busi- ness, than that of laying the papers respecting it before you, for your information.
GENTLEMEN,
It must afford the highest satisfaction to observe, that under the blessing of heaven, tranquility and good order continue to prevail throughout the states, and that by the industry of the citizens, the country is in a great measure recovered from the wastes and injuries of war. The profuse use, how- ever, of luxuries brought from abroad, drains us of our wealth, and is the source from which most of our present difficulties proceed. I would there- fore submit to the wisdom of the legislature, the propriety of limiting the consumption of foreign
articles, by encouraging the manufacture of our- own productions, as far as may be consistent with our situation, and a due regard to beneficial com- merce.
GEORGE CLINTON.
Poughkeepsie, Jan. 11, 1788.
The following is the copy of a letter from the honorable ROBERT YATES, junr. and JOHN LANSING, Esquires, members of the general convention, lately held in the city of Philadelphia, aligning their reasons for giving their DISSENT to the CONSTITUTION, agreed upon by that body, and which was laid before the legislature of this state, by his excellency the governor, at the opening of the session, on Friday the 11th instant.
Albany, Dec. 21, 1787.
SIR, WE do ourselves the honor to advise your ex- cellency, that in pursuance of concurrent resolutions of the honorable senate and assembly, we have, together with Mr. Hamilton, attended the convention, appointed for revising the articles of confederation, and reporting amendments to the same.
It is with the sincerest concern we observe, that in the prosecution of the important objects of our mission, we have been reduced to the disagreeable alternative, of either exceeding the powers delegat- ed to us, and giving our assent to measures which we conceived destructive of the political happiness of the citizens of the United States, or opposing our opinion to that of a body of respectable men, to whom those citizens had given the most unequiv- ocal proofs of confidence.—Thus circumstanced, under these impressions, to have hesitated, would have been to be culpable: we therefore, gave the principles of the constitution, which has received the sanction of a majority of the convention, our decided and unreserved dissent: but we must candidly confess, that we should have been equally opposed to any system, however modified, which had in object the consolidation of the United States into one government.
We beg leave briefly to state some cogent rea- sons, which, among others, influenced us to decide against a consolidation of the states. These are re- ducible into two heads.
1st. The limited and well-defined powers under which we acted, and which could not, on any po- sible construction, embrace an idea of such mag- nitude, as to assent to a general constitution, in sub- version of that of the state.
2dly. A conviction of the impracticability of establishing a general government, pervading every part of the United States, and extending essential benefits to all.
Our powers were explicit, and confined to the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting such alterations and provisions therein, as should render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of govern- ment, and the preservation of the Union.
From these expressions we were led to believe, that a system of consolidated government could not, in the remotest degree, have been in contem- plation of the legislature of this state; for that so important a trust as the adopting measures which tended to deprive the state government of its most essential rights of sovereignty, and to place it in a dependent situation, could not have been confided by implication; and the circumstance, that the acts of the convention were to receive a state approbation in the last resort, forcibly corroborated the opinion, that our powers could not involve the subversion of a constitution, which, being immedi- ately derived from the people, could only be aboli- shed by their express consent, and not by a legisla- ture, possessing authority vested in them for its pre- servation. Nor could we suppose, that if it had been the intention of the legislature, to abrogate the ex- isting confederation, they would, in such pointed terms, have directed the attention of their delegates to the revision and amendment of it, in total exclu- sion of every other idea.
Reasoning in this manner, we were of opinion, that the leading feature of every amendment, ought to be the preservation of the individual states, in their uncontrolled constitutional rights, and that in reserving these, a mode might have been devised of granting to the confederacy, the monies arising from a general system of revenue; the power of regulating commerce, and enforcing the observ- ance of foreign treaties, and other necessary matters of less moment.
Exclusive of our objections, originating from the want of power, we entertained an opinion, that a general government, however guarded by declara- tions of rights, or cautious provisions, must una- voidably, in a short time, be productive of the des- truction of the civil liberty of such citizens who could be effectually coerced by it; by reason of the extensive territory of the United States, the dis- persed situation of its inhabitants, and the insuper- able difficulty of controlling or counteracting the views of a set of men (however unconstitutional and oppressive their acts might be) possessed of all the powers of government; and who, from their re- moteness from their constituents, and necessary per- manency of office, could not be supposed to be uni- formly actuated by an attention to their welfare and happiness; that however wise and energetic, the principles of the general government might be, the extremities of the United States could not be kept in due submission and obedience to its laws, at the distance of many hundred miles from the seat of government; that if the general legislature was composed of so numerous a body of men, as to represent the interests of all the inhabitants of the United States, in the usual and true ideas of repre- sentation, the expence of supporting it would be- come intolerably burthensome; and that, if a few only were vested with a power of legislation, the interests of a great majority of the inhabitants of the United States, must necessarily be unknown; or if known, even in the first stages of the operations of the new government, unattended to.
These reasons were, in our opinion, conclusive against any system of consolidated government: To that recommended by the convention, we sup- pose most of them very forcibly apply.
It is not our intention to pursue this subject far- ther than merely to explain our conduct in the dis- charge of the trust which the honorable the legisla- ture reposed in us—Interested, however, as we are, in common with our fellowcitizens, in the result, we cannot forbear to declare, that we have the strongest apprehensions, that a government so orga-
nized, as that recommended by the convention, cannot afford that security to equal and permanent liberty which we wished to make an invariable ob- ject of our pursuit.
We were not present at the completion of the new constitution; but before we left the convention, its principles were so well established as to convince us, that no alteration was to be expected to conform it to our ideas of expediency and safety. A persuasion, that our further attendance would be fruitless, and unavailing, rendered us less solicitous to return.
We have thus explained our motives for op- posing the adoption of the national constitution, which we conceived it our duty to communicate to your Excellency, to be submitted to the consider-
We have the honor to be, With the greatest respect, Your Excellency's Most obedient, and Very humble servant, ROBERT YATES, JOHN LANSING, junr. His Excellency GOVERNOR CLINTON.
Foreign Intelligence.
From the LONDON GAZETTE, WHITEHALL, October 30.
THIS morning a messenger arrived at the office of the Marquis Carmarthen, with the following declaration, counter declaration, &c.
DECLARATION.
THE events which have taken place in the re- public of the United Provinces appearing no longer to leave any subject of discussion, and still less of contest, between the two courts, the undersigned are authorized to ask, whether it is the intention of his Most Christian Majesty to carry into effect the notification made on the 16th of September last, by his Most Christian Majesty's minister plen- ipotentiary, which, by announcing that succours would be given in Holland, has occasioned the naval armaments on the part of his Majesty; which armaments have become reciprocal.
If the court of Versailles is disposed to explain itself on this subject, and upon the conduct to be adopted towards the republic, in a manner conform- able to the desire, which has been expressed on both sides, to preserve the good understanding between the two courts; and it being also understood, at the same time, that there is no view of hostility to- wards any quarter, in consequence of what had passed; his Majesty, always anxious to concur in the friendly sentiment of his Most Christian Majesty, would agree with him, that the armaments, and in general all warlike preparations should be discon- tinued on each side, and that the navies of the two nations should be again placed upon the footing of the peace establishment, as it stood on the first of January of the present year.
Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.
DORSET. WILLIAM EDEN.
COUNTER DECLARATION.
The intention of his Majesty not being, and ne- ver having been, to interfere by force in the affairs of the republic of the United Provinces, the com- munication made to the court of London, on the 16th of last month, by Monsieur Barthelemy, hav- ing had no other object than to announce to that court an intention, the motives of which no longer exist, especially since the King of Prussia has im- parted his resolution; his Majesty makes no diffi- culty to declare, that he will not give any effect to the declaration abovementioned; and that he retains no hostile view towards any quarter relative to what has passed in Holland. His Majesty therefore, being desirous to concur with the sentiments of his Britan- nic Majesty for the preservation of the good harmo- ny between the two Courts, agrees with pleasure with his Britannic Majesty, that the armaments, and in general all warlike preparations, shall be discontinued on each side; and that the navies of the two nations shall be again placed upon the footing of the peace establishment, as it stood on the first of January of the present year.
Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.
Le Cte. de MONTMORIN.
IN consequence of the declaration and counter declaration, exchanged this day, the undersigned, in the name of their respective sovereigns, agree that the armaments, and in general all warlike pre- parations, shall be discontinued on each side; and that the navies of the two nations shall be again placed upon the footing of the peace establishment as it stood on the first day of January of the pre- sent year.
Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.
DORSET. WILLIAM EDEN. Le Cte. de MONTMORIN.
New-York, January 17.
NOTHING has transpired from the house of assembly, at Poughkeepsie, other than is inserted this day.—The important pro- ceedings of the hon. the legislature shall, from time to time, be communicated through the channel of this paper, with faithfulness, the editor having es- tablished a correspondence for that purpose.
Four states have now adopted the proposed fe- deral constitution, viz. Pennsylvania, Delaware, New-Jersey, and Connecticut. Massachusetts are now in convention at Boston. We hope, by next Thursday, to communicate some important intelli- gence from that quarter.
It is said, that North-Carolina convention are not to meet until July next.
On Tuesday last the sloop Adventure, captain Potter, lately from North-Carolina, as she lay at the end of a wharf, near New Slip, the cur- rent being very rapid, was run foul of by the ice in so forcible a manner as stove in both her main and quarter decks, broke one of her anchors which lay on her decks, and parted a 7 inch cable with which she was made fast to the wharf. Fortunate for the owners, the cargo was all on shore. Capt. Potter, the day before, was so unfortunate as to lose a cable and anchor in the road.
Accounts from Versailles, of Sept. 20th, say that The King has been pleased to appoint the Chava- lier de Chateaufort, his late Consul for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be his Majesty's Consul General for the domi- nions of the empress of Russia.
On Thursday last, the young gentlemen of Mr. Hardie's grammar school, were examined in the Greek and Latin languages, in which they demon- strated to the clergy of the city, and a number of other respectable gentlemen who attended, that they had made such proficiency as reflected honor, both upon their industry and the assiduity of their teacher.
In the evening of the same day, the scholars all convened at Mr. Corre's hall, where were assem- bled a brilliant company of ladies and gentlemen, consisting of upwards of 500 persons. Here, un- der the tuition of Mr. Hardie, they performed the several tasks assigned them with great eclat.
As this plan, of publicly exhibiting the oratorical abilities of the pupils, was agitated sometime since, the spectators expected something excellent; and we have the satisfaction of assuring the public, that they did not retire dissatisfied. Many of the scho- lars performed in a more masterly manner than others; but, as distinguishing them by particular panegyric, others might be offended, this mode, however just it may be in reality, is omitted.
Extract of a letter from Carlisle, dated January 4. 1788.
"I dare say you have heard of the unhappy rum- pus which took place here on the 29th ult. This spirit of rage and discord is encroaching every hour; Squire Agnew issued warrants for some of the riot- ers, but none would venture to serve them; a boy indeed was taken, but the people of the town threat- ening to rise again, he was discharged, and the country people declaring they would come in and pull down the houses of any who should attempt to issue or execute any warrants. Nothing is or can be done! You cannot conceive the violent language used here, the whole country is a live with wrath, and it is spreading from one county to another so ra- pid, that it is impossible to say where it will end, or how far it will reach, as the best and leading char- acters in all these counties, during the late war, are now the foremost in this unfortunate dispute. The county of Franklin is, if possible, they tell me, worse than ours; they also are forming themselves into societies and associations to oppose this new constitution. The order from council to repair the arms cannot be executed; it is the subject of much speculation."
Extract of a letter, received by a gentleman in this city, from a correspondent in Philadelphia, dat- ed Jan. 13, 1788.
"The whole state is in ferment; all the business transacted here, will be reconsidered, and put in a proper situation."
CLEARANCES at the Custom House, since Thursday the 10th inst.
Sloop Betsey, Wood, Cape de Verd; Schooner Maria, Marsh, Norfolk; ship Montgomery, Bun- yan, London; sloop Polly, Alcut, Bourdeaux; sloop Rambler, Jackson, St. Eustatia; sloop Hul- dah, Summers, Darby; sloop Lookout, Lewis, St. Martins; ketch-boone, Boag, Dublin; brig Delia- gence, Fairlie, Londonderry.
Of the above vessels none has failed, owing to the inclemency of the season.
We are told, that several vessels are now ice- locked without the Hook. No vessel has arrived in this port since our last.
Died, on Wednesday the 9th inst. at Jamaica, on Long Island, Mr. Thomas Colgar of that place, who bore his severe illness, with a christian like fortitude. His virtuous character was much re- spected through life, and his death lamented by his numerous relatives and friends.
THEATRE.
By the OLD AMERICAN COMPANY. To-Morrow EVENING, the 18th of January,
Will be performed, A COMIC OPERA, CALLED, the
Maid of the Mill, With the Original OVERTURE, &c. &c.
To which will be added, A FARCE,
CALLED THE True Born Irishman,
OR THE Irish Fine Lady.
BOX 8s.—PIT 6s.—GALLERY 4s. VIVAT RES PUBLICA.
Remaining on Hand, And TO BE SOLD,
At this Printing-Office, No. 25, Water-street,
A Few MAPS,
Of the interior parts of North-America, includ- ing the lands intended for the NEW STATES, some of which are selling, and others already disposed of by order of Congress.
ORDERS are just received, by the printer heres- of, to sell these Maps at a much cheaper rate than they have yet been sold. The plates were cut and the impressions taken in London, and there sold (without the pamphlet) at One Guinea each.
To accompany this map, and explanatory of it, with references to it, will be sold, included in the price of the map, a pamphlet, containing 67 large octavo pages, with plates and figures, entitled, a Topographical Description of Virginia, Penn- sylvania, Maryland, and North-Carolina, compre- hending the rivers Ohio, Kenhawa, Sioto, Chero- kee, Wabash, Illinois, Mississippi, &c. The cli- mate, soil, and produce, whether animal, vegeta- ble, or mineral; the mountains, creeks, roads, distances, latitudes, &c. and of every part, laid down in the Map.
By THOMAS HUTCHINS, Esq. Late Captain and Engineer in the British army, and now Geographer General to the United States of America. 99 c. d.

POET'S CORNER.
Happening to meet with the following poem in an odd collection, I thought it worthy (if you please, Mr. Printer) of a place, in your Weekly Register: by inserting it, you will oblige your friend, &c.
THE WOODEN SPOON.
Filia sylva nobilis.—Hor. SINCE Jemmy sings the pudding's fav'ry taste, In lines responsive to the lumpish theme; Why may not I my rustic lay adorn With praise of wooden spoon! whether of box, Brazil, mahogany, or other plant Of Indian title proud, or humbler ash, Or doughty hickory, thy frame— Hail lynum vitae! whose capacious mouth, Replete with pudding dripping from the roast (A least peculiar to the Yorkshire swain) Or loup of peace, of gruel, or fat broth, Produced from neck of mutton, greets my taste With titillating joy. Tho' Nell may boast Her spoon of pewter glares with brighter ray; Or Peer exulting, shew Potof's pride; Yet, thro' regaling spoon, I hail thee still; Still praise thy virtue, and apply thine aid Benignant, to repel the various qualms, Which Hunger, all-devouring monster! breeds On fainting lungs. The tasker, tho' he moulds The spoon of lead obedient to his will, Or makes of pewter, heavenly bright its form, Or copper blazing like the sun; yet he (Conscious of their inferior excellence) To trace the nerves relax'd by daily toil, To drive fell hunger from his weary breast, Demands thy aid alone—Oft as from plough, Or fold, or barn, returning, Colin sees Thee, all immers'd in the full steaming mess, He grins with pleasure—sympathizing teeth, And lips, and belly wait the known alarm. Lo! now voracious his extended jaws Wide op'ning make thee way—and now they shut— Yet hail once more! Hail to thy safe return, From that deep, swallowing maw. Not more delights The ladle floating in the spacious bowl Of punch ambrosial, bane of human care! Or measuring out to the half-meeting lips The smiling bumper, endless fount of joy! Whose virtues I revere, as next to thee In kind or use. But vain would be the strife To give thy merits all their praises due: So I, reluctant, leave the copious feast To bards of better taste.
(Signed) SAMUEL SIPPLEWELL.
*This appears to be a parody on a poem on Pudding by Jemmy Copywell, which I have not had the good fortune to meet with.
Affize of BREAD,
As Established December 5, 1787. A Loaf of inspected superfine Wheat Flour to weigh Two Pounds Five Ounces for Six-pence. A Loaf of Rye Flour to weigh One Pound Twelve Ounces for Three-pence.
HIGH WATER.
This Day, January 17. 4h. 21m. Aft.
THOMAS SMITH
BOOT and SHOE MAKER, LEATHER CUTTER, AND CURRIER, Queen-Street, No. 179, Corner of Beekman or Chapel Street,
BEGS leave to inform his friends, and the public in general, that he carries on the above branches in an extensive manner. He makes and sells the following articles, wholesale and retail, viz.
   f. s. d.     Gentlemen's best boots with the best English legs and bend-foles, bound with Morocco, 2 12 0   Gentlemen's best boots turned down to, best English legs and bend-foles, 2 10 0   Gentlemen's best boots with the best English legs and bend-foles, bound with Morocco, 2 8 0   Ditto best plain, ditto, York legs and bend-foles, 2 4 0   Ditto, ditto, with York legs and foles, 2 0 0   Best water boots with bent foles, 2 0 0   Gentlemen's best calf-skin in boots with bound tops, 0 11 0   Mens strong shoes, from 8/ to 0 9 0   Ladies best silk shoes, 1 0 0   Ditto ditto, stuff'd into fatinet or calimanco, 0 10 0   Ditto ditto leather lined and bound, 0 9 0   Ditto do. do. common, 0 8 0   Boys, Girls, and childrens shoes of all kinds.   As also, all kinds of leather, whether for shoemakers, tanners, or harness-makers etc.—English boot-legs, bend foles as usual.   He wishes to inform the public, that, as he is determined to sell on the most reasonable terms, no credit on any account will be given, except to those of his former customers.   And likewise, that no shoes will be sent to any one for trial, except they be very well known, as he has already suffered too much loss on that account.   Country store-keepers, and others, will find it to their advantage to deal at the above store, as they can be supplied with upper leathers, foles, half foles, &c. by the dozen, on the most reasonable terms.   Black-ball of excellent quality for cleaning boots or shoes, wholesale and retail.   N. B. Rough leather taken in and curried on the most reasonable terms. 24 ed. 6w.  
Just published by M. CAREY, In Philadelphia, and now to be SOLD, By THOMAS ALLEN, Book-Seller, in Queen-Street, New-York (By whom Subscriptions are received)
THE American Museum,
For DECEMBER, 1787. CONTAINING, State and other public papers.
OBJECTIONS of the honorable George Mason to the new constitution,
The address and reasons of dissent of the minority of the convention of Pennsylvania,
Letter from the Hon. Richard Henry Lee, Esq. to governor Randolph,
Dr. Franklin's final speech in the late federal convention,
Resolves of the house of delegates of the commonwealth of Virginia,
Resolves of Congress,
Resolve of the convention of Pennsylvania, relative to offering congress the jurisdiction of a place for the seat of federal government,
Resolve of the supreme executive council of the state of Pennsylvania,
Resolve of the house of delegates of the state of Maryland,
Letter from the Hon. John Sevier to governor Matthews,
— from col. Robertson to governor Sevier,
— from col. Bledsoe to governor Sevier,
— from gen. Cooke, to gov. Matthews,
— from gen. Clarke, to ditto,
— from major Elholm, to major gen. Moultrie,
— from the Hon. William Fierce, to don Diego de Gardoqui,
Reply to the preceding letter,
Votes of the members of the protestant episcopal church in Providence,
Address of the inhabitants of Northampton, to their delegates in convention,
Resolution of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh,
ratification of the new constitution by Delaware,
Ditto by Pennsylvania.
Medical Essays.
Observations and remarks on the putrid malignant sore throat,
Observations on the bite of a mad dog,
Account of a worm bred in the liver,
Letter to doctor Franklin on the same subject.
Rural Concerns.
On the culture of trees,
To make cyder,
On planting potatoes,
Receipt for preventing the flies from damaging turnips,
On the culture of ginseng.
Law Information.
Law report. Watkeys against Delancey,
Law report. Norton against Birch,
Law case, respecting a captured vessel,
Law regulation.
Miscellanies.
The Federalist,
Account of an electrical eel,
Recovery of two drowned children,
Directions for the recovery of persons apparently dead from drowning,
Admiral Pococke's receipt for pickling beef, pork, &c.
Exemplary charity,
Extract from an oration pronounced by David Dager, Esq.
Indian anecdote.
Poetry.
The news-monger's song,
The crisis,
The retort courteous,
Poem on the prospect of seeing the fine arts flourish in America,
The old Bachelor.
Craigie, Wainwright, & Co.
DRUGGISTS,
No. 37, Wall-Street, Corner of Hanover-Square,
Have imported in the last SHIPS from Europe,
A General Assortment of
DRUGS, MEDICINE, and
SURGEON'S INSTRUMENTS,
which they will dispose of on very reasonable terms, for Cash, Bees-Wax, Snake-Root, Pot or Pearl-Ashes.
The following are Part of their Assortment;
Genuine red Peruvian Bark,
Peruvian Bark,
Campher,
Calomel,
Antimony,
Cream of Tartar,
Flower of Sulphur,
Tartar Emetic,
Ippacuanha,
Jalap, Rhubarb,
Surgeons Instruments.
Pocket Instruments,
Dissecting Knives,
Crooked Needles,
Teeth Instruments,
Lancets,
Mortars, and Pestles,
Spatulas and Bolus Knives, [ments.
Amputating Instru-
At the same place may be had, a great variety
Genuine PATENT MEDICINE.
Prisoners and Country Store-keepers may depend upon being well supplied at the above Store.
Medicine chests for shipping, plantations, of iron works, with directions suited to the disorders of the country, are made up on the lowest terms.
SALT-PETRE,
Very low, by the hundred, to be had at the above STORE. 37 d. e.
TO BE SOLD, A Valuable Plantation,
Situate on PENN'S NECK, Within four miles of PRINCETON; CONTAINING,
THREE hundred acres, with a sufficient quantity of meadow, lying on Mill-stone Creek; about 50 acres is excellent good timber land; the remainder, as good land for all kinds of grain as any about Princeton, all in good fence. There are on the premises, a very good large dwelling house, a large barn all covered with cedar; a waggon-house, with out houses, all in good order; a large orchard that will produce 100 barrels of cyder a year, with other fruit trees; a very fine well of water at the door; the situation is high, and has a fine prospect of Princeton College. This farm is rendered more delightful and convenient by the contiguous situation of a large branch of Mill-stone River.
Also, a Lot of excellent Wood Land, near the same, containing 58 acres; it lies convenient to divide into two farms, and will be sold separate, or the whole together, as may best suit the purchaser:
Also, the Stone Tavern and Lot of Land in Princeton, known by the sign of the thirteen stars, whereon is a large new stable, sheds, &c., all in good order, with a fine well of water at the kitchen door: the house is well known to be very convenient, as it has been kept as a tavern for many years.
Also, a Lot of Land of twelve acres, near this town, which may all be made into meadow.
A good and indisputable title will be given for any of the above premises.—For terms apply to the subscriber, at the sign of the College in Princeton. JACOB G. BERGEN.
THIS DAY, IS PUBLISHED in this City, The American Magazine,
For the Month of DECEMBER. CONTENTS.
   INTRODUCTION, Gen. Lincoln's letter on the ingrafting of trees, On education, Letter from Jemima Loveleap,   Anecdote of the Duke of Gordon, Floretta, or the Fountains,   Advice to macons, and to husbands that have scolding wives, and wives that have peevish husbands, Life of Sir William Jones, Kt.   Principles of government and commerce. Titus Blunt, on fashion,   On bills of rights, Anecdote of a tailor,   Letter to Doctor Stiles, accounting for the fortifications west of the Allegany, Letter from Philander, on marriage,   Abridgment of Smith's History of Virginia, Dr. Dwight's valedictory address, &c.   POETRY. Mr. Pope's letter to the Bishop of Rochester,   VERSES on the New Year, Letter from Guy Gumbleton, Curiosity,   Lydia, London review of Dr. Adams's defence.   The Virgin's first love,   The seasons moralized,   On a lady's striking a fly with her fan,   The rare adventures of Tom Brainless; shewing what his father said of him; how he went to college, and what he learned there;   Subscriptions twenty shillings a year, ten shillings for six months advanced.  
** Subscriptions are taken by Mr. Loudon, Messrs Berry and Rogers, Mr. R. Hodge, Mr. S. Campbell, Mr. T. Allen, Booksellers, and by the Printer hereof. New-York, January 1, 1788. 75—e.d.
TO BE LET, By Moses Gomez,
A VACANT LOT, for one or a term of years, in Hage-street; 45 feet in length, and 21 feet; six inches in front, and 19 feet in the rear.
A L O T,
A VACANT LOT, in Ferry-street, seventy-five feet wide, and one hundred feet long. It faces Cliff and Chapple-streets. The said Lot will be let, either whole or in two separate Lots, as best suits the applicant. MOSES GOMEZ.
MARSHALL's Porter and Oyster-House,
IS now opened at the corner of Cortlandt and Greenwicht-Streets, opposite Powles-Hook Ferry-House, at the North-River—where every exertion will be put in force to render those who will favor him with their commands agreeable. New-York, Dec. 12, 1787. 63e.d.
S H R U B,
Of the very best Quality, by the Hoghead, Barrel, or smaller Quantity, FOR SALE, by Charles Tillinghast,
At his House, nearly opposite the New-Market in Cherry-street.
The AMERICAN MAGAZINE,
For December, 1787. Just Published in this City, Sold at this Office, price Two Shillings
THE PUBLIC
ARE RESPECTFULLY INFORMED,
THAT the subscriber has lately removed from Princeton, New-Jersey, to this city, and now keeps the house lately kept by Talmadge Hall, No. 49, Cortland-Street (commonly known by the Boston, Albany, and Philadelphia General Stage Office) and has agreed with the proprietors of the Albany and Boston Stages, to make his house the public Stage-house. Those Ladies and Gentlemen, who wish to take passages in either of those Stages, will please to leave their names with the subscriber the evening before the Stage's departure; gentlemen passengers and others, are informed, that the subscriber keeps a house of entertainment, and accommodates gentlemen with boarding and lodging. Every attention will be paid to those who please to favour him with their custom.
N. B. The gentlemen of the city are informed, that the subscriber has a large convenient Assembly Room, which he proposes to let during the winter season, or longer if required.
CHRISTOPHER BEEKMAN. New-York, Nov. 13, 1787 51—th.
THE PROPRIETORS of the STAGE S,
Which ply between New-York & Philadelphia,
Respectfully inform the PUBLIC, THAT , after this date, their stage will leave Paules-Hook at three o'clock in the afternoon, and proceed to Elizabeth-Town; and that in order to accommodate passengers, one stage will leave Elizabeth-Town at day-light; and another stage leaves Newark at eight o'clock, and both stages go as far towards Philadelphia as the weather and roads will permit, during the winter season. December 13th, 1787. 6
By Order of the Honorable RICHARD MORRIS, Esq. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of New-York:
NOTICE is hereby given to Moses Franks, and to all others whom it may concern, that on application and due proof made to the said Chief Justice, pursuant to an act of the legislature of the state of New-York, entitled, "An act for relief against absconding and absent debtors," passed the fourth day of April, 1786, he hath issued his warrants to the sheriff of the city and county of New-York, and the sheriff of the county of Suffolk, commanding them to attach, take, seize and safely keep all the estate, as well real as personal, of the said Moses Franks, an absent debtor, of what kind or nature soever, and every or any part or parcel thereof in whatever part of their bailiwicks the same can be found, with all evidences, books of accounts, vouchers, and papers relating thereto. And that unless he the said Moses Franks shall appear by himself, or attorney, and discharge his debts within twelve months after the publication of this notice, all his estate, real and personal, will be sold for the payment and satisfaction of his creditors. Dated at the city of New-York, this twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven-hundred and eight-seven. 41 mth. 15w
FOR SALE, At the STORE of
Mr. Barnt Deklyn,
No. 39, Maiden-Lane, near the FLY-MARKET
GOODS,
Which will be SOLD at the most reduced Prices, to wit.
   A VARIETY of Mantuas and other Gown Silks, Cotton Checks,   Sarcenets, Peclongs, and Modes, Spotted and plain Velverets,   Chintzes, Printed Linens, and Cottons, A variety of Gloves and Fans,   Fancy Shawls and Handkerchiefs, Linens, Sheetings, and Osnabrigs,   Jeans, Jeanetts, and India Dimities, Marseilles Quilting, Fancy Jacket Patterns,   A quantity of Linen and A variety of Plumes and Ribbands,   Fancy Shoe Buckles and Buttons.  
With a Variety of other Articles, Which he is determined to SELL low, for Jersey (upon the face of the Bill) New-York, or Pennsylvania PAPER MONEY.
To the Afflicted with WORMS.
LATELY received from the western country, and may be had at No. 21, Beekman-street, an extraordinary and never-failing WORM POWDER .—From long experience it has been found, that three doses of these Powders will effectually destroy the Worms, either in children or grown persons. N.York, Sept. 13, 1787. 32—e.d.
A PERSON perfectly acquainted with MERCHANT'S ACCOUNTS, would be glad of employ, in that line, either in Posting of Books, or adjusting intricate accounts. Enquire of the Printer. New-York, October 25, 1787. 38—e.d.
—LETTERS of INTELLIGENCE—occasional PARAGRAPHS—speculative PIECES—ESSAYS, &c.—are gratefully received at this OFFICE.—For the greater CONVENIENCE and SAFETY of which COMMUNICATIONS, a LETTER-BOX is placed in the Window. SUBSCRIPTIONS for this PAPER (printed EVERY DAY, at Six, and ONCE a Week, at Two, Dollars per Annum) are also received here—and ADVERTISEMENTS, REASONABLY INSERTED. ** PRINTING, in all its Variety, performed with NEATNESS and DISPATCH.