Alexandria daily advertiser (Alexandria [Va.]), 1805-11-08 00:00:00

NAVIGATION.
[From the N. E. Palladium.]
Messrs. Editors,
On my passage from Charleston, S. C. bound to the Havanna, Island of Cuba, in schooner William, belonging to Mr. John Rice, Merchant, I was unfortunately cast away upon Elbow-Key Reef, which extends to the north east of Abaco, when I judged myself, by a careful calculation, to be at least forty miles to the southward of it. When I got ashore, I asked the inhabitants what distance it was to the Hole in the Wall; they told me forty-five miles. You may judge of my surprize; for the best English charts extant, say the distance is eighty miles. The next day when I took my passage on board a wrecking vessel for Nassau, N. P. I found, by observation, the distance was no more and the people correct.
I feel it my duty, through the medium of your paper, to inform my seafaring brethren how erroneously the eastern part of the island is laid down. Some of the reefs extend two and a half miles from Keys Single Coral Rocks, which are about 4 feet from the surface of the water, and will have three fathoms water all round them.
"Observations on the Gulph passage," taken from an Almanac published at Nassau, New-Providence, if you have room in your paper for them, would, I have no doubt, be of great service to navigators.
Your's,
BARNABAS C. KNOX.
Observations on the Gulph Passage.
From the current frequently varying in course, as well as rapidity, and the eddy currents likewise, various and uncertain, the ablest navigators and pilots are frequently deceived after passing the Havanna, and getting up as high as the pan of Matanzas, from which a departure is generally taken.
Vessels not steering to the eastward sufficiently, run on the reefs and shoals, that extend along the coast of Florida, and many instances has occurred, when a vessel has struck on a reef, she has been reckoned on the Bahama side; the helm immediately put a starboard, which has eventually proved her destruction.
The incorrectness of the English charts, operates very much to increase the accidents which annually happen in this passage. Roman's is esteemed the best, and consequently the most in use, but it is erroneous. To prove this assertion, allow that the west part of the Key Sal Bank, and Double Headed Shot Keys to be laid down correct in point of Longitude, it appears from this chart, that a north course from thence will carry a vessel through the passage nearly mid channel, but in reality a N. 1-2 E. course will not clear Cape Florida.
This circumstance must certainly account for the loss of vessels whose masters rely on the charts, N. N. E. or with a scant wind N. E. by N. is the most adviseable course, until you are clear of the southern and south east part of the reefs and Keys, and well up the passage. The Bahama side being generally a weather shore: in case a weather current which sometimes sets thro' the Santarem Channel, may have carried the vessel farther to windward than reckoned, any danger is easily avoided: the bottom being easily discovered, if any look is kept long before a vessel gets into shoal water, and the color changes.
The tide of flood sets on the Bahama bank from all parts of the middle, and the ebb sets off from the middle, and the cuts of Riding Rocks, Cat Key, Bimines, &c. run very rapid.
On approaching the Florida side, the eddy currents and tides setting through the different channels in the reefs and islets, are very variable, and frequently extend a greater distance into the gulf, than mariners are aware of, insomuch that the most expert of the Bahama pilots are often deceived in the night. Generally a strong s. w. eddy prevails, and the transition from the stream to the eddy is sometimes very visible, by causing what those pilots call Rip Raps; at other times it is not to be discovered—a strict look out about this part is particularly recommended, and if beating up on that shore in the night, stand four hours off and two on, and when you can come up with the s. e. corner of the Florida shore, and an s. w. e. wind, stand off till you have day light.
From these observations, it certainly appears most adviseable to incline to the Cuba shore, and from the Pan of Matanzas, if the wind be favorable, to make the Double Headed Shot Keys, or if scant, to beat up towards Point Jacko, there is no danger hereabouts, before you stretch across to Double Headed Shot, and from thence shape a course full two points more to the
eastward than laid down by Roman, say N. N. E.
A corroboration of these facts will appear manifest, when it is stated, that for several years past, only three vessels have been lost on the Bahama side, then in violent weather, and there are annually on an average not less than eight vessels lost on the Florida side, most of them run ashore in the night in good weather, and the captains have reckoned themselves on the Bahama side.
A Spanish chart, published by order of the king of Spain, and lately issued to his officers, will also on inspection further corroborate these observations, and put them in a clearer point of view. But that author does not presume to be correct, about the north part of Abaco, and the reefs which extend from them.
The Marantia Reef extends near fourteen miles farther north than laid down by Roman.
The island of Abaco, Grand Bahama, Great Isaacs, and all the chain of keys, which form the east side of the gulf, as far south as Orange Keys, are laid down full thirty miles to the westward, and the opposite shore of Florida in like proportion erroneous.
NEW-YORK, Nov. 5.
In the brig Susan, capt. M'Cormick, from Bassetterre, came passenger capt. John Watts, late of the schooner Two Brothers of and for Baltimore, which sailed on the 7th of October from Point Petre, with a cargo of sugars for Messrs. Hollingsworths, and was fired at three times on the day following as she passed the westernmost fort of Bassetterre. The first shot entered the vessel about two feet under water. On examining her a short time afterwards it was discovered that the water was two feet above the cabin floor, and that she was sinking. The people immediately got out the boat, abandoned the vessel after preserving a few necessaries, and proceeded for Bassetterre, where they arrived at midnight; & where the soldiery were preparing to fire upon them, on the supposition they were English. Capt. Watts requests us to express his gratitude to captain M'Cormick for the hospitable and polite treatment himself and his unfortunate crew received whilst on board the Susan.
Arrived ship Pomona, Dillingham, 65 days from Gottenburg. Left no American vessels there. The ship Sable for Boston, sailed a fortnight before; and the brig Mary, Southwick, for do. sailed with the Pomona. October 6, in lat. 42. 30. long. 46, spoke ship Brothers, Gault, 8 days from New York, for Newry. 18th, in lat. 42, 11. long 60 29, spoke ship Diana, Hopkins, of Newburyport, 4 days from Boston for Leghorn.
Brig Philanthropist, Bicker, 21 days from the city of St. Domingo. The ship Nymph, Champlin, sailed for the coast on the 13th Oct. to load. Left ship Harriet, Moffat, of Philadelphia taking in cargo; barque Ray, of New Haven, captured by a French privateer, and carried into Samana, has to discharge cargo and wait trial; brig Thompson, of N. wharves, under the like circumstances; Eliza, of Baltimore, arrived on the 12th; schooner Clarinda, Paddock, of New York to sail in 3 or 4 days; Two Sisters, Giles, of Beverly, to sail on the 14th for St. Jago de Cuba; and sloop Baltimore, Finch, of Newport Oct. 16 was boarded by the British sloop of war Snake, and on the 18th by the British sloop of war Cesario, and treated politely. November 1, lat. 36. long. 73, spoke brig Albert, Frazier, 3 days from Norfolk for Martinique.
Brig Orient, Jenney, 24 days from Point Petre, Guad. Left brig Harlequin, Dodge, to sail in a few days for New York. Oct. 30th, in lat. 35. 30, spoke schooner Dorchester, 30 hours from Baltimore, for Demerara.
Brig Susan, M'Cormick, 21 days from Bassetterre, Guad. Left there a brig for Portsmouth, N. H. to sail in two weeks; a schooner for Rhode Island and a brig for Charleston. October 14, off the island of Antigua, was boarded and treated politely by the British privateer John Burk, captain Morris, of and from Antigua, on a cruise. November 2, was boarded by the Cambrian, and treated in the same manner. Markets dull.
Schooner Harriet, Dange, field of Alexandria, in 19 days from Antigua, with 70 puncheons of rum, to the captain. Left there ship Clyde, Nicolls, of New York, from Point Petre, Guadalupe; brig Onatario, Bunce, from Cayenne, for New York; and sloop George, Reed, of Alexandria, from Guadalupe for New York, all sent in for adjudication; schooner Juliana, Jackson, of Fredericksburg, unload-
ing; schooner Raven, Sawyer; brig Dean, Harding, cargo unsold; Atlantic, Sellick, for New York, to sail next day; snow Alva, Atkins, for Penobscot, in 8 days; and schooner Hand, just arrived from Philadelphia. October 21, in lat. 26, long. 66, spoke schooner Citizen, 14 days from Philadelphia, for St. Croix. Passenger, Mr. A. Marshall. Markets dull; flour eight dollars, corn 1 50.
BALTIMORE, November 6.
The Editors submit to their readers the following observations, which they have just received from a distant correspondent; without either adding to, or diminishing from their merit, matter or spirit.
It is well known that the present administration obtained the reins of government under the most auspicious circumstances. Wars had been threatened, prepared against and averted by the energy of their predecessors; and the United States, resigned to their sole keeping, at peace with all the world, and enjoying an undisturbed commerce and profound tranquility. The new administration held out to the people the idea, that this state of things could be preserved by the magic of words. To oblige nations to do the United States justice on every occasion, no more was required than that the United States should be just to them.
This system of defence, and for obtaining justice from foreign nations, was printed on silk or vellum, ornamented with gilt frames, and preserved as a precious relict in parlors and dining rooms. Its efficacy was soon tried.
France once supreme on the continent of North America, wanted to regain an establishment there, from whence she could annoy the English West India colonies before they could be succored by the mother country and at the same time a position which should enable her to influence the councils or the fate of the United States.
To accomplish this double object, Spain had the goodness to turn over to France the province of Louisiana; and further, and before she was put in possession of it, and while the transaction was yet a secret to our government, to violate her treaty with the United States, by occluding from New Orleans the entry and exit of the productions of our fields.
There now was an opportunity to make trial of the new system. The most potent words were accordingly summoned on the occasion; but in Madrid they were heard without emotion; and at the Thuilleries, the spell which they contained, at the voice of T. Leyrand, fell to the ground without effect.
As such were the views of France at the period here referred to; as France, at this very moment had an army in her port destined to take possession of Louisiana, to what circumstance do the U. States owe the suspension of its sailing, and the consequent purchase of this province? Was it not to Bonaparte perceiving that a war with England was inevitable, and the strong probability there existed that if not speedily sold to the United States, it would be seized upon by England?
The subsequent conduct of Spain and France may serve to explain the true spirit of this transaction. The payment of the purchase money is no sooner secured to France, than Spain declares her opposition to the sale, more especially to the French boundaries of Louisiana, for which the U. States had bargained a d occupies with her retiring troops a military position on the East bank of the Mississippi, calculated to occlude all approach, except by sea, to New Orleans, and which she still holds in defiance of our government.
Again the new system is resorted to. Administration carry their remonstrances to the court of Spain and to the Cabinet of Bonaparte. Spain will not hear them on the subject and the latter is not in a humour to interpose his good offices. Our ministers retire from the vain pursuit in despair, and recommend strong remedies, composed of gunpowder, cannon balls and bayonets, to the administration.
While this affair is thus situated, another crisis, big with danger to France, arrives. Bonaparte is threatened with a new and terrible host of foes, consisting of all or most of the northern powers, in addition to her inveterate enemy, England.
This formidable array is no sooner made evident to the mind of Bonaparte; than he listens to our minister at Paris, and will not only aid the United States to settle their differences with Spain, but to obtain from her a still more extended boundary.
Such, it is confidently believed, is the present state of things.
Let the thinking part of the community ponder well upon these several circumstances, and believe, if they can, that what has
been thus parted with is not intended to be resumed, under some pretext or other, whenever circumstances shall favour the resumption.
But no sooner does the hurricane from one quarter intermit, that it begins to blow with violence from another quarter.
France has for some time past labored to exclude from every country in Europe the manufactures of England. We are now told that England is determined, as far in her power to keep from her enemies the productions of their colonies, by enforcing the principle that "makes legal prize of neutral ships trading to an enemy's colony which had been subject to a close monopoly on the part of the mother country in time of peace, and had only been opened by the enemy to neutrals, in order to relieve himself from the difficulties of the war."
According to this law, or principle, a neutral ship, trading to an enemy's colony of this description with all the privileges enjoyed by the ships of the enemy concerned in the same branch of commerce, is, from this circumstance, considered as adopted and naturalised by the enemy; consequently is looked upon as an enemy's ship, and liable to capture.
This we are constrained to observe, is not a modern doctrine, coined & circulated by England, to suit a pressing occasion. The law in this respect is thus laid down by the late lord Mansfield in the war that commenced in the year one thousand seven hundred & fifty six; has been long admitted for a general law of nations; and has been more or less practised by all nations, where it has not been otherwise stipulated by particular treaties, or relaxed by particular circumstances. If we take examples from England, we shall find, that although her maritime courts have, from well-known considerations, occasionally departed from its rigour, they have never, for a single moment, dis-adhered from the principle.
Should it now be enforced by Great Britain (a thing very likely, from the singular situation of the French commerce, and the impossibility of France's supplying her people with the productions of her colonies by means of her own shipping) it will fall most heavily on the commerce of the United States. The wealth of the merchants of the United States had enabled them to become the sole purchasers of all French and Dutch colonial produce, and the relaxation of the before mentioned principle, on the part of England, almost the sole carriers and vendors of it in France and the countries of her allies.
If this principle is to be resisted by the United States, what ground shall be taken? Shall we once more attempt the "powerful spell of words," without preparing for war? or shall we submit to the law, and leave those taken in travening it to their penalty?
It is true, there are other measures besides war that may be resorted to; but it is not certain that these lead to great and general distress or inevitable war?
Two things seem necessary to extricate the United States from their present situation: 1st Such a war against France by the threatened combination of powers, as shall induce her to put an end to our differences with Spain: 2dly, A speedy and general peace, to secure us from a war with England.
Now, having discarded all faith in the spell of words, and believing that our administration can neither influence the one nor the other of these events, and fearing that there exists a radical defect in our cabinet, like good Christians, we humbly place our reliance upon Divine Providence, who can extract good out of evil, and safety out of our weakness.
NOTICE.
BY authority of a deed of trust from William Mitchel, deceased, to the subscribers for the benefit of Samuel Craig, we shall on the second Monday in November next, (eleventh) expose to sale at public auction, a lot situated on the south side of Duke street, and to the westward of Water street, in the town of Alexandria, extending in front on Duke street, twenty seven feet ten inches, in depth, ninety one feet six inches to a ten feet alley. On the back part of the lot is a well built and well finished two story brick house, and a strong one story frame ware house in front.
A part of the money will be expected down, and a credit given for the balance, particulars will be made known on the day of sale.
Cleon Moore, Chas. M'Knight, } Trustees.
October 7.
22w1w-dts
3000 lbs. CHEESE now landing from on board the Sloop PACKET from Boston. And for Sale by
Lawrason & Fowle.
November 5.
d

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8.
A letter from Hamburg, of the 30th of August says, that the Prussian and Brunswick troops will occupy Hanover—in that case the blockade of Hamburg will be taken and commerce again be uninterrupted. [N. York Gaz.]
They write from Milan, the 30th of July as follows: The French troops in Italy have been in constant motion, for this month past; and they assemble in great numbers, on the Austrian frontiers, especially on the river Chiese, where, near Mount Chiaro, an army of thirty thousand men is already assembled; the destination of which is not known. The fortifications of Turin and Mantua are also placed in the strongest state of defence. (Paris paper.)
CREED TAYLOR, Esquire, was on Saturday unanimously appointed by the Executive of Virginia, a Judge of the General Court, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge Jones. The Executive, we understand, would not have proceeded to the appointment at this time, if the Legislature will meet on the first Monday next month, had they not conceived the clause in the Constitution vesting them with this power to be imperative , and consequently that it was their duty to fill the vacancy immediately. Richmond paper.
Mr. Ritchie says in yesterday's Enquirer, that "the friends of republican virtue have made a decided stand against the Yazoo claimants." In the same paragraph afterwards, speaking of Jack Randolph, Mr. Ritchie says that he has "set his face against the imposing opinion of the three ablest men of his own party, and the principal officers of the government." These we suppose to be Madison, Gallatin and Lincoln, and of the same opinion in this respect is the president. Now we think the inference direct, that Madison, Jefferson, Gallatin, Lincoln, Granger, &c. are not men of republican virtue. Cannot Mr. Ritchie stretch his fancy from the beginning to the middle of a short paragraph? He should begin Duncan or Watts, and learn how to draw inferences. The friends of republican virtue oppose the Georgia claims—Jefferson, Madison, Gallatin, Lincoln, &c. are not in favor of the claims; ergo Jefferson, Gallatin, Madison, Lincoln, &c. are not the friends of republican virtue. The reader shall have the whole paragraph:
"The friends of republican virtue have made a decided stand against the Yazoo claimants, and they deserve to be supported by every honorable and constitutional expedient. John Randolph and the respectable majority of the Virginia delegation, have appeared active in their opposition, and inflexible in their views; and it becomes the duty of the people, and the state, to support their representatives. If ever there was a statesman, who triumphed over the disadvantages of youth; who inflexibly pursued "the right instead of the expedient," who dared to set his face against the imposing opinion of the three ablest men of his party and the principal officers of government; who with an equal mind braved danger and corruption; who arrested the progress of one of the greatest speculations that ever originated in fraud, and was disseminating corruption; that man is John Randolph. Does it not then become the sacred duty of the legislature of Virginia, to deliberate at its next session, its deliberate sentiments on the Yazoo speculation: to instruct its senators, and to recommend to the representatives of the people, to vote against any compromise whatever with such iniquitous demands? If this solemn declaration has not effect, it will at least attract the attention and curiosity of the people: It will cause them to cast a suspicious and eager glance upon those representatives in congress, who may be disposed to foster corruption. The electors will be incited to instruct their representatives: and the waiving vote of Dawson, and Jackson shall be made to fix itself to the true interests of their country."
Who has instigated Mr. Ritchie to say a word about exciting the attention of the legislature of this state? It can easily be conceived. We can assure the Snyderites, however, that this trick will not answer any purpose; or rather, it will answer no other purpose than to hasten the downfall of their cause. It is too late, the current is turning; and the Randolphites wish to be in the way, they must go with it. (Virginia Gaz.)
Sir Sidney Smith's gun boats.—The one is called the Cancer, the other the Gemini. The Cancer is formed of a galley, about 48 feet in length, cut exactly in two, from stem to stern; those two parts are joined to the ends of five pieces of timber, which cross them and are made secure by braces of iron: upon those five beams is raised a platform, in the centre of which stands a three-pounder, ready mounted, with ammunition, boxes, &c. The wheels of this cannon stand in a groove, upon a sort of frame-work, which runs out some feet beyond the bows, so that the moment the vessel is run ashore, the cannon can be landed and instantly put in use. In the centre of each of the two extreme beams which join the two half galleys, masts are fixed, each of which carries a large square sail, with proper rigging. A foresail projects from a boom which is fixed to the frame. There are four rudders, one to each extremity of the half galleys, two only of which are worked at a time, by a cord connected with a larger one in the centre, and managed by a person on the platform. These rudders can be shifted or unshifted in a moment, and the half galleys being equally sharp at both ends, she can be run backward or forward at pleasure. The half galleys are decked, with eight holes cut along each, large enough to admit a man's body, to the mouth of each of which is fixed a canvas bag, painted so as to prevent the water penetrating, with a running ring in the top; in these bags the sixteen men, who pull at the oar, seat themselves and tie them above their hips; this sufficiently lashes them to the boat, and prevents their being washed overboard. Besides these sixteen oars, and the other persons who manage the sails, &c., this vessel is capable of holding fifty soldiers. Her sides are entirely lined with cork so that it is impossible to upset her; and in a heavy sea, it passes over her without doing any injury, except giving the men a wet jacket. The other boat, the Gemini, is of the same construction, but much larger, with sixteen holes in each galley, for the rowers are inside the other; the sixteen outside men row with oars while those at the inside are furnished with a sort of spade, in the shape of the paddle of an Indian canoe, the blade made of iron; and a space is left between the platform and the galleys for the men to work their paddles. This instrument is useful also in clearing away the sand or gravel, to facilitate the landing of the cannon. The Gemini also carries a six pounder, and a proportionate number of men more than the Cancer. These vessels, when heavily laden, draw only eighteen inches water.
The following elevated strain of pulpit eloquence is extracted from a collection of sermons, published under the title of THE SCO. CH. PREACHER.
"Twice had the sun gone down upon the earth, and all was yet silent as the sepulchre: Death held his sceptre over the Son of God: still and silent the hours passed on: the guards stood at their posts; the rays of the midnight moon gleamed on their helmets, and on their spears: the enemies of Christ exulted in their success; the hearts of his friends were sunk in despondency and in sorrow: the spirits of glory waited in anxious suspense to behold the event, and wondered at the depth of the ways of God. At length the morning star, arising in the east, announced the approach of light; the third day began to dawn upon the world: when on a sudden the earth trembled to its centre, and the powers of heaven were shaken; an angel of God descended; the guards shrunk back from the terror of his presence, and fell prostrate on the ground: his countenance was like lightning, and his raiments white as snow: he rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and sat upon it. But who is this that cometh forth from the tomb; with dyed garments from the bed of death? He that is glorious in his appearance, walking in the greatness of his strength! It is thy Prince, O Zion—Christian! it is thy Lord. He hath trodden the wine press alone; he hath stained his raiments with blood; but now, as the first born from the womb of nature, he meets the morning of his resurrection: he arises a conqueror from the grave; he returns with blessings from the world of spirits: he brings salvation to the sons of men. Never did the returning sun usher in a day so glorious! it was the jubilee of the universe: "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted aloud for joy." The Father of Mercies looked down from his throne in the heavens; with complacency he beheld his world restored; he saw his work that it was good. Then did the desert rejoice; the face of nature was gladdened before him, when the blessings of the Eternal descended as the dew of heaven for the refreshing of the nations."
Tristram Shandy.—Sterne, so celebrated as the author of Tristram Shandy, and the Sentimental Journey, was of Cambridge University; no strict priest, but as a clergyman, not likely to hear with indifference the whole fraternity treated contemptuously. Being one day in a coffee-house, he observed a spruce powdered young fellow by the side of a man, who was speaking of the clergy in the mass as a body of disciplined impostors and systematic hypocrites. Sterne going up while the young man was haranguing, and approached towards the fire, patting and coaxing all the way a favourite little dog. Coming at length towards the gentleman, he took up the dog, still continuing to pat him, and addressed the young fellow: "Sir, this would be the prettiest little animal in the world, had he not one
disorder!" "What disorder is that?" replied the young fellow. "Why Sir, (said Sterne) one that always makes him bark when he sees a gentleman in black." "That is a singular disorder (replied the young fellow) pray, how long has he had it?" "Sir, (replied Sterne, looking at him with affected gentleness) "ever since he was a puppy!"
A curious amusement.—The Thracians, as Seleucus in Atheneus (lib. 4. chap. 14) informs us had a custom of playing at hanging, for the diversion of their guests which was done in this manner: A large stone was placed in the middle of the room, over which a rope hung perpendicularly from the beam above. Several of them cast lots who should hang. The man on whom the lot fell mounted the stone with a sharp bill hook in his hand; when he had properly fastened the rope about his neck, one of the company went forward, pushed the stone from under his feet, and left him hanging. If in this situation he was dexterous enough to cut the rope, all was well, otherwise he continued capering until he was hanged & dead to the great entertainment of the spectators.
In the reign of Edward III. the salary of the chief justice of the king's bench, was sixty six pound thirteen shillings and four pence per annum; that of the puisne judges of that court, forty pounds each. Queen Elizabeth created the Earl of Shrewsbury Earl Marshal of England, and appointed him a salary of twenty pounds per annum! To her secretary for French correspondence she was more liberal, his salary was 60£ per annum!
A ROUT.— Route formerly signified the defeat of an army, and when the soldiers were all put to flight or to the sword, they were said to be routed. The ladies in order to preserve some idea of Agincourt, Cressy, Blenheim, &c. have agreed to call their assemblies by the name of routs. This title has some propriety, for at these meetings whole families are frequently routed out of house and home!
THE FOXES, THE SHEEP AND THE DOGS; OR, THE PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTIONISTS, A FABLE, Supposed to have been written by Mr. Charles Prentiss, Editor of the Virginia Gazette.
THE Foxes once (so authors write) In grave and solemn council met, And, after long and learn'd discussion, Came to the following resolution:
"Resolved, That for the time to come We will the name of Dogs assume; We'll trim our tails, our ears we'll slouch, We'll lick and fawn and cringe and crouch; With lies, and many a fair pretence, We'll gull the Sheep, Sheep have no sense; And when with tricks we've once made sure o'em, We'll cut their throats and then devour'em."
This having pass'd without dissent, To seek the sheep away they went.
They found them in a pleasant vale, Fann'd by the cheering vernal gale; Where flowers the level green inlaid, And trees their arms umbrageous spread, A chequer'd scene of sun and shade: Some peaceful, ruminating, lay, While others with their lambkins play; Some crop the flowers; and in the groves Some with their mates pursue their loves, Their faithful Dogs, with care, restrain Their thoughtless rambling o'er the plain; And vigilant still give th' alarm Upon the least approach of harm. This saw the Foxes, but intent On their bad schemes, did not reveal; The sight of Sheep so fair and good Sharpen'd their appetite for blood, They press'd along with eager haste— When a sly Reynard 'mong the rest, A Fox on foreign mountains bred, Half yell'd, half bark'd, and thus he said.
"We come, my friends! with pure designs, T'infuse new light into your minds. We've often seen, and see with pain, These Dogs your liberty restrain. What boots your plenty and your ease, When you can't range where'er you please? This plain indeed is fertile wide; But why not try the mountain's side? Can free born minds be satisfy'd, While there is ought to be enjoy'd Of nature's bounties, which she gives With lib'ral hand to all that lives? Hold him, dear friends! a knave or fool, Who says the Sheep themselves can't rule; The fearful Hares and tim'rous Deer, To you are an example clear;
They want no fences, pen nor Nor want no Dogs to be controu. From Wolf or Fox there's nought 'Tis childish stuff—a mere bugbear— All sham—a silly, vile pretence To raise a system of expense, For this, my friends, you're yearly shorn. For this, your Lambs are from you torn; For this, your flesh makes butcher's meat, For hungry Men and Dogs to eat; For this, your skins are sold, and tallow, For this pretence so vain and shallow— For shame, my friends! rouse from your sleep, And vindicate the Rights of Sheep! Those surly curs far from you drive, Who on your hard oppression thrive; Who, churlish, circumscribe your roaming On mother nature's open common; And strive to keep the flock together To crowd and jostle one another; When parting would be better thrift, For each would have more room to shift, Our service, friends, to you we'll give, Nor other recompence receive, But that reward which virtue finds, The heart-felt joy of gen'rous minds. We stand in need of no pretence, Our motive is benevolence. Then follow us to liberty; 'Tis but to will it, and be free."
Thus spoke th' arch Fox in reason's guise; Insidious, mixing truth with lies, The witless sheep began to crowd, To that side where the Foxes stood, They rais'd their heads and stood in gaze, Nor more they sport nor more they gaze. The Foxes' poison'd words sunk deep In the weak minds of the poor Sheep; Disturb'd, they hankerd to be at, A something, which they knew not what.
The faithful Dogs perceiv'd their plight, And labor'd hard to put them right. They prov'd the reasoning false & noxious, And swore the seeming Dogs were Foxes; Shew'd them their murd'rous teeth & nails, Their short ears slouch'd, and cropped tails; But all in vain—the sheep were blind, Nor could see fraud in words so kind; They grew tumultuous as a sea, And biated loud for liberty; Became a wild, licentious rout, And trod their guardians under foot; Call'd on the Foxes for protection, And gave themselves to their direction.
The Foxes now threw off disguise, No longer us'd their crafty lies; But showing nails, and teeth so grim, Tore them assunder—limb from limb.
Bank of Potomac, Nov. 8, 1805, THE Stockholders in the Bank of Potomac, are hereby informed, that a Dividend of three per cent on the Capital Stock for the last half year is declared, and will be paid to them or their legal representatives on Wednesday next, the 13th instant. By order of the President and Directors. Charles Page, Cashier. November 8. 1805
NOTICE. ALL persons indebted to the estate of Gen. George Washington, are requested to make immediate payment, as no further indulgence can be given—it is hoped this notice will be attended to, otherwise suits will be commenced in two months from this date. The Executors. November 8. 1805
FOR SALE. THE subscribers intending shortly to remove from Alexandria, are desirous of disposing of that valuable WAREHOUSE, at the corner of King and Patrick streets, opposite Davey and Mills'. Those who wish to purchase will please apply to the subscribers. R. & W. P. Richardson. NOTICE. THOSE persons who have claims against the subscribers are requested to bring in their accounts, and all who are indebted will be pleased to prepare for settlement. R. & W. P. RICHARDSON. November 8. N. B. A few Shares in the Bank of Potomac for sale.
WOOD. A quantity of excellent Firewood will be sold by the acre as it stands in the Forest of Washington, 4 and an half miles from Alexandria. These, desirous of being supplied during the winter, may let it remain upon the estate till the first of March. Apply to John Ball, Agent. Arlington, Nov. 8. 1805
CASH. Will be given for well secured Ground Rents—Application to be made to the PRINTER. November 8. 1805