The gazette (Portland, Me.), 1798-10-01 00:00:00

The Gazette.
[NUMBER 23.]
By ELEZER ALLEY JENKS, Portland, Maine.
[VOLUME 1.]
Portland.
Monday, October 1st, 1798.
Communication.
THUS was finally accomplished the union of the United States, and they became prepared to meet the storm which was seen rising in the east. If we may indulge conjecture a moment, what scenes might have taken place on this continent if foreign influence, powerful as it has been in the present state of things, had acted directly upon the several States without the controul of a general government?—It is highly probable that before now the northern and southern States would have been at war, the former assisted by England, the latter by France; and so much jealousy and hatred would ere this time have existed as would have divided us effectually forever, and rendered us insignificant in the world by setting half our force against the other half, and keeping us in perpetual fermentation. In fact, we are not left to conjecture in this respect, for the influence of France has wrought the effect to an alarming degree in our House of Representatives, and probably the whole train of miseries would have followed, if an Executive, consisting of a single magistrate, entire and not subject to division or disunion, had not constantly resisted the pernicious principle, and baffled its operations.
Let us now attend to some of the prominent features of the administration of this new government, and see if every American has not cause to admire and esteem it more than any other which can be imagined. It will be acknowledged to be a great and arduous task to legislate for a nation so lately composed of separate States pursuing their distinct and particular policies, and widely variant in habits, temper, and even interest.—The government began by an act of justice, which as it removed at once the fiscal distress of the several States destroyed the root of bitterness which had even caused a rebellion in this State, I mean the assumption of the public debt. This measure, connected with the settlement of all the public accounts, by which the balances due to and from the several States appeared, and were accordingly credited or charged, produced an equitable assessment of the expenses of the war, which had in vain been attempted under the confederation. As it was impossible to pay this debt at the moment when the amount of it was ascertained, it became necessary to take a credit from those to whom it was due on the most advantageous terms consistent with justice, which is the first and indeed, extensively considered, the only requisite in national affairs. It was funded in such a manner as to reduce the interest, and yet to place the creditors on better terms than they had been before. The nation proposed the terms, and they were eagerly accepted.—A discrimination of the public creditors was attempted by Mr. Madison and the nascent opposition; but found impolitic and inconvenient, and even unjust and impossible. Thus the government began by a line of conduct evincive of its character and intentions, and ominous of that integrity and firmness which never have abandoned it for a moment even to the present day.
To pay this debt, the price of our freedom, and to support the necessary charges of the new government, it became necessary to estimate those resources which the new model of the United States had vastly amplified, and in many instances even created. An impost on commerce had been long deemed the most eligible as the first experiment, and the confederation. Congress had proposed a duty of five per cent throughout the union, but this proposal requiring unanimity to give it effect, was defeated solely by the opposition of the little State of
Rhode Island. Congress had now acquired the right of laying imposts by law, and such an impost was accordingly laid on importations as had respect to superfluity and necessity, wealth and poverty, and the encouragement of our own produce and manufactures. The principle of this revenue is such that every man pays more or less, or even almost nothing at all, of the public debt and expence, at his pleasure and discretion. And a singular excellence of this mode of taxing in republican commercial governments is, that while it defrays the public charges, it corrects the habits of luxury, extravagance and vice essentially produced by war, and gradually restores economy, reflection, method, simplicity, and all first principles.—In addition to the impost, a very light tonnage was laid on our own vessels, and a pretty heavy one on foreign vessels by way of recompence and encouragement to our own navigation—all together producing a revenue sufficient for an accelerated redemption of the debt in a time of tranquillity and peace. But the Indian war, the eagerness of government to pay the French debt on the request of that nation before half of the instalments of it were due, and more especially the impending war which the gratitude of France is bestowing upon us, have since made it necessary to draw upon several other resources.
But scarcely had the government settled our domestic affairs, when it was called to encounter a trial of a new and singular kind, the French revolution. It is chiefly in this particular that I wish to examine its conduct, as this has been the principal touch-stone of its solidity and permanency hitherto, and will eventually determine the question, whether free governments are chimerical or not, forever. It was a matter of infinite moment, when Europe was pretty universally embarking in a pretended war of principle, to fix the attitude and temper of the United States. With great sagacity, knowing the imposing manners which France was adopting towards republics, the President in the recess of Congress proclaimed the neutrality of our nation, and received the thanks and approbation of Congress for his prudence and precaution. Had this been omitted till the meeting of Congress, I leave it to every one to judge, whether the House might not have been so tampered with by France as to prevent it from being done at all, and then we should certainly have been at war with England five years ago. This was the grand object of French intrigue in America, and they did every thing they possibly could to create a misunderstanding and rouse the dormant antipathy of the people. Nobody stood firm but the Senate and the President. The House was corrupted or crazy. The Madisonian resolutions, all fair and plausible on the outside, like the damnable revolution they were intended to serve, were faithfully analysed and exposed by Messrs. Ames, W. Smith, and Dexter, and very hardly the House were kept to reason and moderation.—Suppose at this moment that our government had consisted solely of that body!—Fortunately the declared neutrality was not broken by a legislative act, and France was obliged to change her battery to sedition and rebellion.—Let us see how the government behaved in this conjuncture.
M. Genet by receiving addresses and answering them, by encouraging democratic, or as they falsely called themselves, republican societies, by affecting to take it for granted that the sister republic might make free use of all that belonged to her dear sister, because, forsooth, it would all go in the republican cause and against kings, preoccupied the people so strongly as to bring the President into the most dangerous possible dilemma. The government was almost forced to go down the tide and receive laws from Blair M'Lenachan & Co. M. Genet did all in his
power to bring the President into contempt with the people, while his intrigues had actually formed a majority in the House. The Senate stood between and supported the President, and every body remembers that French puppies and democratic clubs about this time cried down the Senate as an useless body in the constitution, and forced open their doors, upon the pretence that their debates ought to be public, but in fact to overawe this respectable branch with popular displeasure, and by degrees, I suppose, by fifth women in the gallery. Genet complained that Washington had the picture of Louis, XVI. in his house, in the same manner that Talleyrand complains that in some of our almanacks the British Minister's name stands before that of the minister of France. His whole behaviour was so rude and insolent that the President demanded his recall and announced it to Congress by message at the same session in which while detailing in his speech the state of the Union he denounced the "self created societies." This was a damper for the moment.—But France knew very well how to repair the breach and lose no ground. M. Fauchet was sent over, and trumpeted here as a mere philosopher and herb-woman, silent, reserved, and of wonderful simplicity.—He brought the seditions of Genet to open rebellion at Pitsburg—and tells his own government in the letter intercepted in the Jean Bart , that "for a few thousand dollars," which it seems he had not, "he could have decided on peace or war."—Is it not gratifying to every American on this occasion to see the maiden attempt of our Executive able to crush a rebellion supported by France?—What can we be proud of, if not of such a government?—Of the devilish power to perplex it? (To be continued.)
Of the FEDERAL CITY.
"The President's house and public offices in the Federal city, we understand, are rapidly progressing, and that the capitol may also be completed before the next meeting of Congress, the roof being on and floors and plastering only wanting. General Washington has commenced two houses near the capitol, not to benefit or accommodate himself, but to aid in preparations for the reception of Congress in 1800, or before if necessary.
"It is pleasing to find that experience has justified the selection of a central spot for the metropolis of this extensive empire, remarkable for the salubrity of its air, the purity of its water and the cheapness of provisions and fuel; and that whilst the yellow fever stalks with desolating strides in some of the principal towns of the Union, the Federal City, destined at some future day to rival the glory of ancient Rome, bids fair to be secure from this ravager of cities, and to enjoy from its peculiar situation and construction an enviable scene of health.
"London, since the New River supplied it with fresh water, and the introduction of coal, has ever been exempt from the plague; and the Federal City, at a small expence can have pure water conveyed to the top of every house, and coal in immense quantities, can be obtained at half the price of wood fuel."
NOBLE GENEROSITY!
The following letter was published by order of the Board of Health of Philadelphia. It deserves to be engraved on the temple of Fame.
"Boston, Sept. 12, '98. "To William Jones, Esq. President of the committee of Health at Philadelphia. "I have somewhere read that the widow's mite was received into the treasury—accept mine in the cause of hu-
manity; 'tis a trifle, but alas! a trifle is my store—Would those who wallow in prosperity, but feel the miseries of your devoted city, and offer in proportion to their abilities, your distresses would not be severely felt. My only unhappiness is, that my power is not equal to my will. [50 dollars]
Yours', A YANKEE SEAMAN. Published by order of the Board, WM. JONES, President. Attest—TIMOTHY PAXON, Clerk.
"When the French began their revolution, did they not swear perpetual war with royalty, and friendship, with Republics? Every reader must remember this. Yet what is the result? Not a republic remains in Europe, but that of St. Marino,* which has not been subverted in its Government, or plundered to beggary, by the intrigues, the arms, and the friendship of France; not a Throne existed in Europe, at the commencement of the revolution, (except that of Poland) which does not stand firm at this hour. Spain is the most endangered of any; and her danger is in exact proportion to the confidence she had placed in the French Government. I here appeal to facts which every person has read, and which every body knows; if, therefore, I falsely state things, I may be easily convicted. But I defy the conviction. Such then has been the consequence of French friendship, and such has been the consequence of French hatred."
"* St. Marino stands upon the top of a very high and craggy mountain in Italy, generally hid among the clouds, and sometimes under snow when the weather is clear and warm in all the countries about it. There is but one passage to approach the town. The whole inhabitants live together, and are about five thousand in number; miserably poor, without any commerce or foreign connections. Yet even this has not protected them from French rapacity, for a few months since I saw an order from the Directory, to one of its Generals, "to go and give freedom to the Aristocratic State of St. Marino." If they send an ambassador to a foreign Court, they pay him "One shilling per day!" Such is their Aristocracy!!!!"
"The four New-England States, send 27 members to Congress; out of that number three only can be counted on the side of opposition; and it is confidently expected that not more than one of them will be re-elected. The Representation then from New-England is almost nine tenths in support of the measures of government. But look at the late addresses of the several Legislatures of the same States to the President, you will there see in those four Legislatures 482 votes decidedly in approbation of the measures of the Executive, and pledge themselves and their constituents for their support. In opposition to those addresses you will find only the diminutive and pitiful number of 39. Almost 15 sixteenths then of all the people in the four New-England States, we may finally conclude, are on the side of government and of the administration."
The Isles of France and Bourbon are virtually, but not nominally independent of France. They govern themselves. French soldiers, those modern heroes and freemen, ripe from the hotbed of equality, attempting some of their heroic tricks, and to excise their principles of liberty, were meted the measure they had made to others, and transported, some to Seringapatam, some to Batavia (niece to France) and others to the bosom of their mother.—The Islanders cannot speak English yet.

By the last Mail.
BALTIMORE, SEPT. 19.
We have been obligingly favored with Norfolk papers to the 15th inst. brought by Capt. Barbine's packet, from which we copy the following circumstantial account of the capture of the ship Nigre, by the American frigate Constitution, detailed to the printers of the Norfolk Herald by Capt. Nicholson himself.
NORFOLK, SEPT. 15.
Constitution's Prize!
In our last paper we mentioned the arrival of a ship of war, taken by the United States frigate Constitution; we are now enabled to furnish our readers with the following statement:
On the 8th inst. in lat. 33, 10, long. 70, at 6 A. M. they discovered a sail, to which they gave chase; at 10 o'clock they got along side and fired a shot over her, on which she hoisted English colors and fired a shot to leeward. The 3d lieutenant was sent on board of her and found they had laid a train of gunpowder to the magazine to blow up the ship; the officers were dressed in the French naval uniform, and said they were French royalists, and were bound from Jamaica to Philadelphia; they had a commission from the English government, and a register and clearance from Jamaica, all of which appear to be counterfeits; they have no articles, shipping paper, or log book on board; the crew are made up of seven French officers, Frenchmen, Spaniards, three Englishmen, Portuguese, Italians, one American, Dutch, and several negroes, in all about 75 men. A British officer, his lady and two children, and an American gentleman (of Baltimore) are passengers. She is called the Nigre, is built of cedar by the Spaniards, was taken by the British 2 or 3 years ago, and sold at Jamaica; she mounts 24 guns, nine and twelve pounders, is coppered, well found, and is a remarkably fine vessel. It appears she has a large sum of money on board, as well as 30 hogsheads of sugar and 15 puncheons of rum; the crew have a great deal of money, and every one of them an American made trunk full of goods, clothes, &c. which it is supposed they have plundered.
One of the seamen on board the Constitution has sworn, that 7 months ago he belonged to a schooner from Portsmouth (N. H.) which was taken by a French privateer, on board of which the boatwain of the Nigre was an officer, who stripped him and the crew naked, and sent them into Guadalupe.—They have behaved in a cruel manner to the passengers, whom they turned out of the cabin; and, we understand, had attempted to poison them by giving them drugs in their wine.
There was every reason to believe the ship was cruising, as she was not consigned to any person in Philadelphia, and it is supposed has different sets of papers. They had English and national colors both bent, when boarded by the officers of the Constitution; they sailed from Port Royal to Port Antonio with a few hands, and took the remainder on board at that place.
It also appears they could not stay at Jamaica, in consequence of a proclamation issued by the Governor of Jamaica, of which the subjoined are the heads:
"The commander in chief has, with the advice of the privy council, issued a proclamation, under the alien bill, passed last sessions, ordering that after the first day of September next, all vessels having French people on board arriving at Port Royal from St. Domingo, shall not be suffered to pass the forts until the French passengers are carried on shore and examined with regard to their principles before John Ramsay, and Dennis O'Farrell, esqrs. appointed by the proclamation, commissioners of police, who will judge whether they are proper persons to have certificates granted them to go at large in the island—and all French people of every
description now here (citizens and naturalized subjects excepted) are to repair before the hon. John Jaques, Kean Osborne, Simon Taylor, Henry Shirly and Alexander Shaw, esqrs. to be examined by them and to receive from them police tickets, otherwise to be considered improper persons to reside in this island; and every French person travelling in the island without a police ticket, is to be taken up and carried before any justice of the peace, and in case of his or her not giving a satisfactory reason for his or her being without it, and the magistrate have reason to suppose he or she is going about with sinister views, to keep him or her in safe custody and send notice thereof to the commander in chief.
Lieutenant Claiborne is making preparations to receive the prisoners at Port Norfolk, where they will be landed in two or three days.
By a gentleman passenger we learn, that the Nigre, 3 days after she was out, retook the outward bound Jamaica ships Favorite and Boushy Park, captured a short time before by a French privateer, and sent them into Port Antonio.
By the same gentleman we are also informed, that Jeremie was evacuated the 12th inst. by the British; and they had accounts at Jamaica, that they had also commenced the evacuation of Cape Nichola Mole.
Mr. P. Garts, passenger on board the prize from Jamaica, embraces this medium of publicly returning his acknowledgments to capt. Nicholson, for his politeness and attention to him while on board the Constitution.
BOSTON, SEPT. 27.
Extract of a letter received on Tuesday from on board the Constitution frigate, dated within the Capes of Virginia.
"We have captured a Twenty-four gun ship, manned by Frenchmen, Englishmen, Spaniards, Italians, creoles, and blacks. She has a magazine, according to the gunner's story, equal to ours. I saw the commodore when she first hove in sight. The Sailing-Master went aloft to look at her, and said she appeared to be a two-decker. "If" said the old Man, "she is a four decker I will speak her." It is said there is considerable money, and 30 trunks of dry goods on board her; besides sugars, &c. If she be condemned, she will be worth a good round sum. She is copper bottomed, has fourteen long 12 pounders and six nine-pounders on her gun-deck, and four six-pounders on her quarter deck, with a new suit of sails. We shall go into Norfolk, land the prisoners, take our men, and continue our cruise after the rascals. She is called by the Englishmen on board, the Niger; and has a number of Commissions.—Our Captain told the Master of her, he was nothing more nor less than a pirate. I am told that two of the crew have said, they lately took a black ship, plundered, and then sunk her. She is supposed to be Mr. Parson's black ship from Boston. I think she will be condemned."
From a late New-york paper.
We have lately received from England a pamphlet entitled, "the conduct of the French government towards the republic of Geneva," addressed to Mr. Gallatin member of the house of representatives of the U. S. by D Chauvet. The pamphlet contains a brief history of the conduct of France towards Geneva from the first invasion of that little republic by gen. Montesquieu, about the year 1792, to its final subjugation and annexation to France, in the present year. It is too lengthy for a newspaper, and besides, the general facts it contains, are fresh in the memories of most intelligent Americans.
But the introductory address to Mr. Gallatin, is of too much importance not to merit insertion. It unfolds to that steady friend of France, the errors which he indulges in regard to the views of France, and assures him that France is pushing towards universal dominion.
TRANSLATION.
To Mr. Gallatin, member of the house of representatives of the United States of America, for the State of Pennsylvania.
"SIR,
"To whom could I, with more propriety, present a picture of the crimes of the French directory towards the republic of Geneva, than to one of my compatriots, to a citizen of Geneva, who is at present placed in a distinguished situation among the representatives of the United States of America? Your success in your adopted country, doubtless, has not extinguished your affection for that which gave you birth, and in which your talents received in a liberal education, that development to which you owe your elevation. The name of Geneva, awakens in you sentiments of gratitude and love—and the shameful persecutions which it hath suffered, cannot fail to excite your indignation.
"It was in consequence of seeing your speech in Congress on the 19th of April last (1798) that I determined to address to you this small pamphlet. It seems, sir, that you yet entertain doubts about the gradual but undeviating march of the usurpations of the government of France, as appears by the following passage in the said discourse: "The committee were told, that if we did not resist, France would go on step by step in her course of aggressions against this country. This is mere matter of speculation. It is possible France may go on in this way. Let us however, not act on speculative grounds, but examine our present situation, and if better than war, let us keep it." Speech of Mr. Gallatin's, Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, 28th April, 1798.—You regard then as a subject of speculation her projects of invasion, her unbridled ambition, the art with which she profits of every circumstance to spread disunion, and propagate her principles among the people whom she intends to subjugate, and the system of which she has never for a moment lost sight, of subjugating to her power, her friends and her enemies, by deceiving them first by negotiations and treaties, and afterwards breaking them under the most frivolous pretexts. The saying of Livvy is perfectly applicable to their whole conduct. "Perfidy never wants a pretext for violating engagements."
[Perfidos nunquam causa deficit cur patris non fides.]
"I am so ignorant of the true causes of the differences between the parties in America, that I shall be cautious of pronouncing a hasty judgment on them. But if you have supposed that you see in the French the true friends of liberty; if you have taken the declarations of the directory, for the principles of their conduct; if you imagine they are the protectors of weakness, and the defenders of the interest of mankind; if you judge them by your own wishes, and if you measure your hopes by their promises, read the following pamphlet—see how they have dissolved a small State, whose independence they were bound by the most solemn treaties to respect. Follow them into the complication of their most infamous intrigues. This is not a great and dazzling point of political interest. It is no Cromwell who usurps a throne—it is a forger who compels a feeble man, with a knife at his throat, to sign away to him all his estate, and afterwards to boast of the legitimacy of his title. I know not, sir, what direct consequence you will draw in relation to the politics between France and America; but you will see at least, that you must, in regard to France, count for nothing, justice, generosity, and the most sacred engagements, and that in the employment of means, she is the most audacious, the most perfectly indifferent to morality, the most oblique and deceptions of all that ever disgraced the most scandalous and iniquitous reign of royalty.—Yes, out of the political range of the French directory, Machiavel himself appears a prodigy of virtue, and the cabinet of Phillip second, the sanctuary of good faith.
"I confine myself to facts—I say little of persons. I may perhaps be deceived
as to their character; but I cannot mistake their system. It makes little difference who is director or minister—they are all such as circumstances make them. Such will men become under the disorganization of government and the prostitution of laws. Such will become almost every man, however irreproachable to day, provided he should be placed in a state of disorder, fatal to integrity, and favorable to crimes.
"I have thus disclosed to you what appears to me important for a man in your station, where you have an opportunity to use your influence over a great nation, and to preserve it from those changes, in which the chiefs rarely retain their probity, and where the least of their sufferings is the loss of their estates and their lives.
"I have the honor to be, sir, your very humble and obedient serv't.
D. CHAUVEY."
Kensington, 22d June, '98.
Latest from France.
BOSTON, SEPT. 27.
This morning arrived, capt. Samuel Taylor, who came passenger in the brig Eliza, Kempton, arrived at New-Bedford, from Bilboa, which place they left the 6th August. Accounts had been received there, of an EMBARGO throughout France, on all American vessels. That Mr. Gerry was not allowed to leave Paris. Mr. Pinckney and family, were at Lyons.
SALEM, SEPT. 28.
Last evening Capt. Thistle, late master of the Pilgrim, of Beverly, condemned at Bayonne, arrived home.—He came in the brig Eliza, Kempton, of New-Bedford, from Bilboa, with capt. Mackay of the Galen, and about 20 other American passengers. He heard, that the baggage of Mr. Gerry had arrived at Bourdeaux, and that he had repeatedly applied for a passport to come away himself, but was as often refused.
PHILADELPHIA, SEPT. 19.
Affair at the New Jail.
Yesterday about 12 o'clock the malefactors in the east wing of the new jail made an attempt to break out—taking the advantage of the Doctor's visiting them, as the turnkey was shutting the door of the east wing they rushed forward, knocked him down and advanced towards the front gate; by which time the keepers, capt. Wharton and others, who were in the outer part of the jail flew to their arms, which were prepared for an attempt of this kind, when they fired on the ringleaders who would probably have killed the turnkey with the second stroke he was preparing to give him, with an axe he had picked up. The shot took effect and he dropped, which intimidated the remainder, and they fled to their cells—The culprit wounded died in less than an hour. He was a fellow confined for money making.—Notwithstanding the deserted state of the city, in less than half an hour after the alarm was given, not less than fifty armed men were paraded at the jail, to give any assistance that might be necessary.
SEPT. 21.
During the past week the fever has progressed but little, if at all. The mortality of the 19th and 21th infants, remains unequalled. But here let us consider the rapid decrease of the population—If it be true that not more than 10,000 citizens are in the city, every week of the disease in its present malignity, will destroy One Twenty-fifth part of the number. Several hundred persons, besides remove every week.
British convoys will be appointed for the American trade to Europe, if requested. The British minister and admiral Vandeput, are making the necessary dispositions.
[Continued.]
A Mr. Graham, at Jamaica, has been executed for the murder of his slave. There is justice in Jamaica.

THE GAZETTE.
Portland.
Monday, October 1st, 1798.
MILITARY INSPECTION.
On Thursday last, the militia companies of this town, and the artillery company, were inspected by Major ALLEN...
Mr. NATHANIEL MOODY is chosen Captain of the artillery company in this town, lately commanded by Major WEEKS.
Capt. Stoddard has enlisted 25 recruits for the Federal Artillerists and Engineers—all fine fellows—in complete uniform, and under good and regular discipline.
The laws of the Union are peculiarly favorable to the soldiery. One of them provides, that no soldier, while in the service of his country, shall be arrested for any debt or contract, either on mesne process or execution.
TEMPEST.
On Tuesday last a violent tempest was experienced at Livermore, in this District.—It is supposed that near a hundred acres of woods have been levelled to the ground. The largest trees were torn up by the roots. The damage is very great.
FIRES.
On Monday night, capt. Gilbert, of Littleborough, had a barn burnt to ashes. It was full of corn, grain, hay, &c.
On Tuesday night, capt. James Allen, of Turner, had a joiner's shop, full of working tools, &c. consumed by fire.
On Wednesday night, a store belonging to Mr. Loring, of Turner, was also consumed by fire. It contained a considerable quantity of goods, his books, accounts, &c.
The American Consul at the Havana, has received information that the French are ordered to take, burn, sink, or destroy American vessels.
Thursday last was set apart, in Boston, as a day of prayer and supplication.
In the year 1797, the commerce of the Danish dominions employed 2,776 vessels, 154,255 tons, and manned by 22,171 sailors. The freebooters of France have taken into safe keeping a pretty handsome proportion of it during the year '98.
Citizen Giraud, it seems, is the new French consul appointed for Boston. At least, so says the Chronicle, & its editor knows all about French affairs. They add, this appointment is a proof that France does not wish a war with the United States. Bein! And pretty rational gentlefolks, who wishes a war with France? Surely if the capture of 3 or 400 of our vessels by the French is no war—our capturing one schooner, and one ship is none!—If their refusal to receive our ministers is no war—our rejection of a consul is none!—If their violating a treaty is no war, the annulling this same maimed treaty can be none. If their having a million of men in arms is no war against us, our arming a few thousand can be no war against them! et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. If we are an independent nation this reasoning is good. If we are colonies we ought to have waited the orders of masters.
(Mercury.)
An article dated Basle, June 18, speaks of new complaints, made in the Great Council, against the threatenings of the French to make domiciliary visits, and an order that no Swiss shall proceed from one place to another without a pass—"What is our constitution worth," exclaimed citizen Suter, "if we are to be controlled by French bayonets: I swear I will live free or die!" M. Nuzet observed, "it was better to be cut to pieces than to live under a foreign yoke." [London Paper.]
THE FEVER.
Boston—Sept. 24. Since the return of the 21st two persons have recovered; eleven have died; fifty six new cases have occurred; eighty now remain sick, sixteen of whom are on the recovery. JAMES LOVELL, Inspector of Police.
Sept. 26. Since the return of the 24th inst. twenty persons have recovered; seven have died, forty four new cases have occurred, ninety seven now remain sick, twenty of whom are on the recovery. WM. COOPER, Town Clerk.
71 deaths at Wilmington (Del.) from August 7 to Sept. 16.
63 deaths in New York in 24 hours ending on Wednesday evening the 19th.
In Philadelphia the deaths continue about sixty a day.
DIED—At Philadelphia, on the 16th day of Sept. Mr. JOHN FENNO, Editor of the Gazette of the United States. In no instance has the rage of pestilence been directed against our country with more malignancy than in the fall of him who was the promulgator of her statutes, the announcer of her resolves, and the first medium of her political information. But it is not the loss of the publisher of her resolutions, or the channel of her intelligence that we alone deplore—taste and science equally lament him, as guiding the typographic art with the lamp of genius, information and taste.
At Philadelphia, Mr. Francis Rogers, printer—Mr. Archibald McLean, printer—Mr. Thomas White, printer—Mr. Patrick Cassidy, printer—Mr. W. Ray, printer.
At New York, Mr. Archibald McLean, printer—Mr. Copp, an old and much respected printer—Mr. Z. Webster, son of Mr. Webster, printer.
At Lynn, of the lock-jaw, occasioned by a felon on his hand, deacon NATHANIEL SARGENT, aged 38. It is a tribute due to so worthy and benevolent a citizen, to notice some of the virtues which characterized his life—He was exemplary in his conduct, and an ornament to religion; a faithful, ingenuous friend, an obliging neighbour; active and industrious in his secular affairs; executed his public trust with fidelity, and philanthropy glowed in every vein. In him were combined the dear and tender husband, and the affectionate father. He has left a wife, four children, a widowed mother, and an only brother, to lament in his death an irreparable loss, his friends an amiable acquaintance, and society a valuable member.
Marine Articles.
Port of Portland.
Yesterday arrived at this port a ship from Kennebec.
Sept. 22d, arrived at Peppereboro' the brig Union, Capt. Moulton, 24 days from St. Vincent. Sept. 4th, in lat. 23, 14. long. 65, 0. was boarded by the brig Harlequin, Capt. Benjamin Stiles, commander, of Barbadoes, bound to Baltimore, with ship Smallwood and two other Americans under convoy. Found on board the Harlequin, Capt. John Lemon, with five of his people, from the brig General Keppel, from Philadelphia for Martinique, who was upset on the 28th of August, in lat. 23, 50, long. 60, and after surviving seven days and nights in a small yawl, was fortunate enough to get on board the abovementioned brig. Captain Lemon regrets the danger of his second mate and sixteen men whom he left six days before he was picked up himself. The said 17 people were left with the long boat, which would not contain above two thirds—the remainder on a raft which they made of the spare spars, before separated from the wreck.
JOHN LEMON, of the brig General Keppel, of Martinique.
Salem, Sept. 28. The ship Eliza, M'Neil, from Charlestown, mounting 12 guns, with 30 men, was taken by a French privateer mounting 18 nine pounders and 180 men, after maintaining an engagement of one hour and an half, in which they had one man killed and three wounded: was carried into Passage, in Spain, the 13th of July, and the mate and all the people put into prison, as was the crew of a schooner from Baltimore.
In the small port of Passage there were eight French privateers, mounting from 18 to 20 guns, mostly 6 and 9 pounders, and manned with 160 to 200 men, many of them Americans.
Capt. Walker, late of the brig Union, of Kennebec, arrived here last evening. On his outward passage to Grenada he was taken by a French privateer, and carried to Guadalupe where vessel and cargo were condemned. Capt. W. came from Guadalupe the 2d inst. in a vessel belonging to Wiscasset, which, in a lucky moment of good humour in Huger, was cleared, the only American which had been cleared for 3 months.
So general is the system of capture and condemnation, that the schooner Three Friends, of Boston, bound to Guadalupe, and consigned to a merchant there, was captured at the mouth of the harbour by a privateer owned by the very merchant to whom the schooner was consigned.
Capt. W. informs, that the schooner Clarissa, Benjamin Rains, master, from Demarara bound to Old York, was taken by a French privateer, who took out all except the mate and one man. These afterwards attempted to recover their vessel. The mate with a blow laid the prize-master, as he thought, dead upon the deck, and then turned upon the man at helm; but the prize master, who was only stunned, quickly recovered himself, and thrust a dagger through the mate's back, which killed him instantly. The other man made no further efforts; but when the vessel arrived at Guadalupe, he was loaded with irons, put into the lower hold of the frigate, and kept upon bread and water. The master and other hands, who were carried in the privateer, were also put on board the frigate as prisoners, but not in so rigorous a confinement. The captain and people of the privateer declared, that if they had known of the attempt of the mate to retake the vessel, they would have thrown the master overboard.
Capt. Fearing Clark of Newhaven, was carried in the first September. He solicited Huger to give him his adventure, who told him to go to John Adams and John Jay for his perquisites.
Capt. W. was informed at Guadalupe, that there was not more than six months provisions in the Island, and considerate men appeared to deprecate the effects of a war with the United States.
Ten Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the Danish brig Die Frean Fredrica, two sailors, NEIL and CHRISTIAN CARLSON, about 20 years old: one of them rather fleshy, the other spare and of a pale complexion; speak broken English.—Whoever will take up said runaways and return them to said brig at Deacon Titcomb's Wharf, shall receive the above reward and all necessary charges. CHRISTIAN G. JORGENSEN. Portland, Sept. 4.
NOTICE
IS hereby given, that a further time of three months is allowed, by the Judge of Probate, to the creditors of the
Estate of Joseph Weeks,
late of Portland, mariner, deceased, to bring in and prove their claims:—And that the commissioners will attend for that purpose at the house of Mrs. Lois Weeks, on the fourth Monday of this, and the next month, from half after two to half after five o'clock. P. M. EBENEZER MAYO, ISAAC GAGE, Commissioners. Portland, 6th September, 1798.
Genteel Entertainment.
MRS. ANN HEYLIGER,
At the sign of Washington & Franklin, near Clay Cove,
Has opened a house of genteel entertainment. Those gentlemen who may favor her with their company, shall receive every attention. Being long accustomed to this business, she flatters herself she shall be able to give general satisfaction, Portland, Sept. 10th.
Wanted Immediately,
A LAD, about 14 or 15
years old, who is acquainted with writing and arithmetic; to attend in a small store, and assist in a tavern. None need apply who cannot bring good recommendations.—Inquire at this Office, or of the subscriber at New Gloucester. N. JENKS. September 18. '98.
JOHN DEERING,
Has for sale at his Store, at the bottom of Fish-street, an assortment of WEST-INDIA & HARD WARE GOODS, and GROCERIES, AMONG WHICH ARE,
Duck & Cor- Buntings, Coffee Mills, Sewing and Whipping Twine, Hammers, large & small, Knives and Forks, Pen & Jack-Knives, Spoons, Chisels, Gouges, Iron Squares, Paint and Tar Brushes, Mason's Trowels, Hones, Fire Steels, Flints, Gun Locks, Latches, Saws, Bung Boarters, Gimblets, Serers, Bruthers, Tin Ware, of all kinds, Time Glasses of all sizes, Earthen Ware, of all kinds, Alfence, Pepper, Allum, Red Wood, Log Wood, Coppers, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Raisins, Chock-a-n-c, Win-Glasses, Tu-ta-lers, Spirts of Turpentine, Tobacco, Drawing Knives, Deep seed Lines, &c. September 3, 1798.
For Spain,
THE Schooner HUNTER, DAVID SMITH, jun. master—will sail in 20 days, having two thirds of her cargo engaged—For freight apply to DAVID SMITH, No. 1, Union Wharf. Freight on board, Codfish, Salmon, Beef, Oil, Coffee, Sugar, and Butter. Portland, Oct. 1.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors of lands, lying in the town of Durham, in the county of Cumberland, that their lands are taxed in the State, Town and County tax, for the years 1797 and 1798, and committed to me the subscriber to collect, viz.
Table with 5 columns: Proprietors, No. lot, No. Acres, D. C., D. C. Rows include: Proprietors { 129 100 1 30 1 40, unknown { 114 100 1 30 1 40, Samuel Rols 143 100 1 30 1 40, Unknown 136 60 1 30 85, Ditto No. unknown 50 65 70.
Unless said taxes, with intervening charges are paid to me the subscriber, on or before the fifth day of December next, so much of said lands will then be sold at Public Vendue, at the dwelling house of JOSEPH PROCTOR, inn-holder in said Durham, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, as will pay said taxes and charges. JAMES DYER, Collector. September 26, 1798.
CLOTHING MILL.
THE subscriber informs the public, that he has taken the CLOTHING MILL, erected by Mr. RUST, in Rutland, in the town of Norway; and shall commence the business of said Mill by the middle of October next, when those who will please to favor him with their commands, may depend on the greatest dispatch and punctuality. SAMUEL MERRILL. Biddeford, Sept. 17.
FOR SALE, AT Joseph Warren's Book-Store, Fish-street, Portland,
PAPER, of all kinds, Paper Hangings, American Coast Pilot, 2d edition, largely improved, with Revenue laws, &c. Robison's Proofs of a Conspiracy. Sept. 10, 1798.
Latest Prices Current AT BOSTON—PER QUANTITY.
Large table of market prices for various goods including Ashes, Pearl, Butter, Beef, Brandy, Coffee, Cotton, Chocolate, Wine, Candles, Cheese, Coal, Cod, Duck, Fish, Flour, Grain, Hemp, Hops, Iron, Lumber, Nails, Paper, Pepper, Rice, Rum, Salt, Sperm, Sugar, Tallow, Tea, Tobacco, Wood, etc.

POETRY.
The early check which the progress of Freedom suffered from the turbulence of anarchy, is thus energetically described in a Poem entitled "REVOLUTIONS."
WHAT epithets shall justly mark thy deeds, What found articulate thy horrid yell, Indurate Anarchy! 'tis thine to see, Unmov'd the slaughter of surrounding friends, And bathe thy sinews in their fluid stream. The dismal moanings of acutest pain To thee are gentle symphonies; and groans That issue dreadful from the embattled plain, Hoarse with the thunder of the cannon's throat, Compose the chorus of thy grisly band. In climes unciviliz'd, where passion foams By judgment unrestricta'd, thou might'st exhaust Without surprise thy maledictive rage: But why for polish'd days such crimes reserve? Why ope in Gallia thy pandorian box? 'Tis done.—And from the caverns of Despair, Where cold Malignity, in fetters bound, Sat brooding schemes of inexperienc'd woe, Rush the fell ministers of human blood; And perpetrate in day's meridian beams Acts that might blacken midnight's deepest shade.
The Republic of Letters,
(Extracted from "Curiosities of Literature")
THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS is of an ancient date. It appears by the pillars Josephus has noticed, on which were engraven the principles of the sciences, that this republic existed before the Deluge; at least, it cannot be denied that, soon after this great catastrophe, the sciences flourished.
Never was a republic greater, better peopled, more free, or more glorious: it is spread on the face of the earth, and is composed of persons of every nation, of every rank, of every age, and both sexes. They are intimately acquainted with every language, the dead as well as the living. To the cultivation of letters they join that of the arts; and the mechanics are also permitted to occupy a place. But their religion cannot boast of uniformity; and their manners, like those of every other republic, form a mixture of good and evil: they are sometimes enthusiastically pious, and sometimes insanely impious.
The politics of this state consist rather in words, in vague maxims and ingenious reflections, than in actions, or their effects. This people owe all their strength to the brilliancy of their eloquence, and the solidity of their arguments. Their trade is perfectly intellectual, and their riches very moderate; they live in one continued strife for glory and for immortality. Their dress is by no means splendid; yet they affect to despise those who labour through the impulse of avarice or necessity.
They are divided into many sects, and they seem to multiply every day. The state is shared between the Philosophers, the Physicians, the Divines, the Lawyers, the Historians, the Mathematicians, the Orators, the Grammarians, and the Poets who have each their respective laws.
Justice is administered by the Critics, frequently, with more severity than Justice. The people groan under the tyranny of these governors, particularly when they are capricious and visionary. They rescind, they erase, or add at their will and pleasure, much in the manner of the Grand Monarque— Car tel est notre plaisir ; and no author can answer for his fate, when once he is fairly in their hands. Some of these are so unfortunate, that, through the cruelty of the treatment they receive, they lose not only their temper, but their sense and wits.
Shame is the great chastigator of the guilty; and to lose one's reputation among this people, is to lose one's life. There exist, however, but too many impudent swindlers, who prey upon the property of others; and many a vile spunger, who snatches the bread from the hands of men of merit.
The public are the distributors of glory; but, too often, the distribution is made with blindness, or undiscerning precipitation. It is this which causes
loud complaints, and excites such murmurs throughout the republic.
The predominating vices of this state are presumption, vanity, pride, jealousy, and calumny. There is also a distemper peculiar to the inhabitants, which is denominated bunger , and which occasions frequent desolations throughout the country.
This republic, too, has the misfortune to be infected with numerous plagiarists; a species of banditti who rifle the passengers. The corruptors of books, and the forgers, are not less formidable; nor do there want imposters, who form rhapsodies and bestow pompous titles on unimportant trifles, who levy heavy contributions on the republic.
There are also found an infinite number of illustrious Idlers & Voluptuaries; who, only seeking for those volumes that afford amusements, draw all their subsistence from the state without contributing any thing either to its advantage or its glory. There are also Misanthropes, born with an hatred of men: Pedants, who are the terror of schoolboys, and the enemies of urbanity and amiable manners.
I will not notice the licentious Geniuses of the republic, who are in eternal hostility of sentiments, and a warfare of disputes; nor those fastidious minds who are too delicate not to be offended every moment; nor those Visionaries, who load their imagination with crude and false systems.
All these may be supposed to exist in a republic so vast as that of Letters; where it is permitted to every one to reside, and to live according to his own inclinations.
ACCOUNT of the SURINAM BAT.
(From Stollan's Expedition to Surinam)
"I CANNOT here forbear relating a singular circumstance respecting myself, viz. that on waking about four o'clock this morning in my hammock, I was extremely alarmed at finding myself weltering in congealed blood, and without feeling any pain whatever. Having started up, and run for the surgeon, with a fire-brand in one hand, and all over besmeared with gore; to which if added my pale face, short hair, and tattered apparel, he might well ask the question,
"Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, Bring with thee airs of heav'n or blasts from Hell! The mystery however was, I had been bitten by the vampire or spectre of Guiana, which is also called the flying-dog of New Spain, and by the Spaniards perovallador ; this is no other than a bat of a monstrous size that sucks the blood from men and cattle when they are fast asleep, even some times till they die; and as the manner in which they proceed is truly wonderful, I shall endeavor to give a distinct account of it. —Knowing by instinct that the person they intend to attack is in a sound slumber, they generally alight near the feet, where while the creature continues fanning with his enormous wings, which keeps one cool, he bites a piece out of the tip of the great toe, so very small indeed that the head of a pin could scarcely be received into the wound, which is consequently not painful; yet through this orifice he continues to suck the blood until he is obliged to disgorge. He then begins again, and thus continues sucking and disgorging till he is scarcely able to fly, and the sufferer has often been known to sleep from time into eternity. Cattle they generally bite in the ear, but always in such places where the blood flows spontaneously, perhaps in an artery—but this is entering rather on the province of the medical faculty. Having applied tobacco-ashes as the best remedy, and washed the gore from myself and from my hammock I observed several small heaps of congealed blood all round the place where I had lain, upon the ground: upon examining which the surgeon judged that I had lost at least twelve or fourteen ounces during the night.
I have since had an opportunity of killing one of these bats. Having mea-
sured it, I found it to be between the tips of the wings thirty-two inches and a half; it is said that some are above three feet, though nothing like in size to the bats of Madagascar. The color was a dark brown, nearly black, but lighter under the belly. Its aspect was truly hideous upon the whole, but particularly the head, which has an erect shining membrane above the nose, terminating in a shrivelled point: the ears are long, rounded, and transparent: the cutting teeth were four above and six below. I saw no tail, but a skin in the middle of which was a tendon. It had four toes on each wing, with sharp nails divided like the web-foot of a duck—and on the extremity of each pinion where the toes are joined was a nail or claw to assist it in crawling, like those of its hinder feet, by which it hangs suspended when asleep, to trees, rocks, roofs, &c."
The Ladies, in the present unreserved display of their charms, should recollect the observation of the late Lord Chesterfield, who on being asked if he did not think a certain Lady had a fine bosom, drily answered, "It is very pretty, but I have seen it before."
A Husband, troubled with a termagant partner whose name is Isabella ; and much addicted to Latin quotation, often applies as a charm to still the tornado of her billingsgate, the apt exclamation of ' Bella horrida! Bella! '
One day an arch wag said in company, that tailors were like woodcocks, for they got their sustenance by their long bills.
AGRICULTURAL.
HINTS TO FARMERS.
THE cheapest and quickest way to make poor land rich, is the object. The method is by covering the land.
There are few farms which do not furnish yearly covering for one-half, one-third, or one-fourth the arable land if the farmer would care fully gather all the vegetables, briars, smil bushes, leaves, brush, corn stalks, husk, tops, straw, &c. which grow upon it. This combustible spread over the stubble field so thick as to suppress vegetation, and let lie two years, until again to be put in corn, will enrich the soil equal to a complete manuring; and when cleared off in the spring for tillage, the land will be as mellow, clean and fertile, as fancy can desire.
Let none be discouraged by thinking it impracticable to find so much—try it, perievere through the whole year in this work, and you will be agreeably disappointed both in the quantity & costs—it will be found cheaper to gather and spread over the land such neglected combustible, than to ball the necessary manure from your stable and spread it. Some will object to this, and plead the want of force: let such pitch a crop something less, and thereby have a spare week of their force in every stage of tilling this crop. I mean a spare week after planting, after harrowing, after each plowing, &c. This time, united to that of the fall and winter, will do wonders. Let none object and plead their want of the stubble pasture. It is better to sell or even give away all surplus stock, than continue to work poor land. Keep no more than barely horses to plow, and cows for family milk for a few years. This retrenchment will, when folded, make up difference of the short crop the first year; and the excess of grain in each succeeding year, will more than enable you to repurchase stock after your land is renovated. This same retrenchment of stock will enable you to dispose of your stalks, husks, and tops, which are the more valuable, as they are more permanent, and may assist to cover a second field. The writer cannot look around without seeing the land bearing great quantities of weeds, whose stalks are too light to fall even with frost. They keep the earth in action, instead of being at rest, and return nothing for all the valuable vegetative particles they extract; but when mowed down and laid on the land may be said to be warm covered in bed.
The writer thinks it needless to enter into a disquisition of the properties of earth, air, vegetative principles, &c. It is enough to know such are the facts—that to cover land, will enrich and mellow it. That the facts are so, cannot have escaped the most common observer. If a load of rails, logs, boards or even stone, happen (as has been often the case) to have lain out a few months on a piece of land, when removed, this land is invariably found rich and mellow. What then would a two years' covering do? The quicker after harvest land is covered, the better; and still the better if fresh plowed before covered. These hints, calculated rather to turn farmer's attention to what they see, than to what they do not know, applying a well known principle to a more extensive use, are given, without claiming the merit of a discovery, and are warmly recommended by an
EXPERIENCER.
Just Published, By David West, Boston, Numbers 6 & 7 of Count RUMFORD'S ESSAYS; or 1 & 2 of vol. 2d.
These numbers, containing 310 pages Letter Press, and 8 copperplate engravings, will be given to subscribers in boards, at 1 dol. 37 1/2 cents, which, when compared, will be found cheaper than the former numbers of this valuable work. Boston, Sept. 20.
To be Sold by PUBLIC AUCTION, On the 9th day of OCTOBER (if not previously sold at private sale) at Saccapappa Falls, in Falmouth,
A Dwelling House,
Convenient for two families; with half an acre of good Land, and an excellent well of water. It is in a good situation for a merchant or mechanic.—The terms will be made easy to the purchaser. Apply to SAMUEL PIKE. Saccapappa. Sept. 8, 1798.
Stone Lime.
Jonathan Bryant, has for Sale at his Store and Lime kiln, fresh LIME, which he will warrant to be of the first quality. Portland, July 30.
The sale of the following land, is postponed till the 6th of February next.
THE nonresident proprietors of the several lots of land lying in the town of Sand, in the county of Cumberland, are hereby notified, that the same are taxed for the State, County and Town taxes in the bill committed to me the subscriber to collect, for the year 1797, in the respective sums following, viz.
Table with 6 columns: No. Lots, No. Acres, State tax, Town tax, Road tax, and a column for the Second Division. It lists tax amounts for various lots in the town of Sand.
If no person shall appear to discharge said taxes and all necessary intervening charges, on or before Wednesday the sixth day of February, 1799, at 9 o'clock A.M. so much of the said lots of land as will be sufficient to discharge the same, will then be sold at Public Auction, to the highest bidder, according to law, at the house of DANIEL JACKSON, Inholder, in said Poland.
JOHN T. MERRILL, Collector. P.S. Sept. 17. 1798.
THIS GAZETTE,
Is regularly published every MONDAY, at E. A. JENKES'S Printing-Office, in Middlestreet, near the head of Fifth-street, Portland; where subscriptions, advertisements, and communications, are received with attention.
The terms are, ONE DOLLAR & FIFTY CENTS per annum, exclusive of postage. Punctual payments are requested.
The extensive and rapidly increasing circulation of the GAZETTE, renders it highly advantageous for ADVERTISEMENTS.
PRINTING,
In its various branches, executed with attention and dispatch. Orders for Books, Pamphlets, Blanks, Handbills, &c. duly attended to.