The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1792-05-22 00:00:00

The POTOMAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER.
PRICE TWO DOLLARS PER ANN.]
TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1792.
[NUMBER 79—VOL 2.
WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS, THERE IS MY COUNTRY.
Franklin.
8 Dollars Reward.
STRAYED or stolen from the subscriber (living at Edward Beeson's mill, on Back-Creek) on the night of the 5th instant) a chestnut sorrel Horse, 5 years old, about 15 hands high, of a lofty carriage, trots and canters well, switch tail, with a number of gray hairs in both mane and tail, if branded unknown, shod all round with old smooth shoes, a remarkable large sheath, large full eyes, a small fore on his back occasioned by a saddle boil, one of his hind hoofs turning a little inward. Whoever takes up and secures said horse and thief, if stolen, shall receive the above reward upon conviction of the thief, or Three Dollars for the Horse only, and all reasonable charges, if brought home, paid by
PETER CLEAVER.
Berkeley County, Virginia, 9th May, 1792.
J. & J. Riddle,
HAVE JUST RECEIVED, A neat and general Assortment (At the RED STORE, MARTINSBURG) of DRY and WET
G O O D S,
A part of which are the following articles, viz.
WHITE and brown Sheeting, 2 3/4, and yard-wide Irish Linens, Plain and striped Ticking, Dowlas, striped Holland, Ticklinburgs, Oznaburgs, and Twilled Bagging, Plain, cross-bar'd, and needle-wrought Mullins, Mullin Handkerchiefs, Chintzes, Calicoes, Furniture ditto, Cambricks and Lawns, Mens' and Womens' Cotton and Thread Stockings, Apron Check, Shawls, Silk, Cotton, and Linen Handkerchiefs, Superfine, fine and coarse Cloths, Cassimeres, Corduroys, Thicksets, Striped Nankeens, Fustians, Jeans, figured Vest Patterns, Moreens, Durants, Camblets, Wild Boars, mixed Crape, Mens' and Womens' fine and coarse Hats,
BAR-IRON, Steel, Castings, Smoothing-Irons, Wool, Cotton, and Tow Cards, Coffee-Mills, Knives and Forks, Looking Glasses, Fiddles and Fiddle Strings, Sadler's assorted, Files, Augers, HL and Chest Hinges, Brushes assorted.
SPIRITS, Rum, Whisky, Port and Teneriffe Wines, Loaf and Brown Sugars, Coffee, Best Hyson and Bohea Teas, Chocolate, Raisins, Ginger, Allspice, Pepper, Madder, Allum, Copperas, Indigo, Redwood, Powder, Shot, and Lead.
ALL which they are determined to sell on the most reasonable terms, for ready pay. They will receive all kinds of produce, and give generous prices.—They flatter themselves that they will be able to please those who may think proper to deal with them.
MAY 4, 1792.
John Harry,
At the sign of the Stage Waggon, in Harrisburg, Rockingham County, Virginia.
RESPECTFULLY informs his friends and the public in general, that he remains and keeps the same tavern at the same house on the North side of the Court-House, for the entertainment of gentlemen travellers and others, who may please to favour him with their custom. He has provided himself with good liquors, and the best of hay, oats and corn, the stables convenient, and provided with a careful hostler, and flatters himself that he will be able to entertain persons of any rank, to their satisfaction; he hopes from a desire to give satisfaction to merit the custom and patronage of a generous public.
He carries on the hating business, and gives as great a price in cash or hats for any sort of fur, as any hatter in this State.
United States.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES.
TUESDAY, May 8, 1792.
Mr. Fitzsimons, from the committee appointed to enquire into the cause of the failure of the late expedition under Major General St. Clair, reported, that the committee had, according to order, proceeded to examine all the papers furnished by the executive department, relatively thereto, sundry papers and accounts furnished by the treasury and war departments, with explanation of the same by the heads of those departments in person, to hear the testimony of witnesses upon oath, and written remarks by General St. Clair, upon the facts established by the whole evidence: and that as the result of their enquiries, the committee had agreed to the following
REPORT.
THE contract for the supplies of the army on the route from Fort Pitt, was made by Theodosius Fowler, with the secretary of the treasury, and bears date the twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, that at the same time, a bond, in the penalty of one hundred thousand dollars, with Walter Livingston, and John Cochran securities thereto, was entered into for the due execution of the contract.
That on the third day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, the contract was wholly transferred from the said Fowler to Wm. Duer, a copy of which transfer was lodged in the office of the secretary of the treasury:—that by letters from the secretary at war, bearing date the twenty-fifth of February one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, addressed to Wm. Duer, it appears that he was considered as the contractor:—that no correspondence appears to have taken place subsequently to that time between Theodosius Fowler and either the treasury or war departments:—that on the sixth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, a contract was entered into by Wm. Duer with the secretary at war, for supplying the troops with provisions until their arrival at Fort Pitt; and at Fort Pitt a bond was at the same time entered into by the said Wm. Duer, for the due execution of the said contract, in the penalty of four thousand dollars, without any security whatsoever.
That the act making provision for the defence of the frontiers, received the signature of the President of the United States the third of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one; that General St. Clair was appointed commander in chief of the army destined for the expedition on the fourth day of the same month, and on the twenty eighth left Philadelphia, for Fort Pitt, at which place he arrived the sixteenth day of April, and from thence proceeded to Lexington, and from thence to Fort Washington, where he arrived on the fifteenth day of May.
At the time of the arrival of the General at Fort Washington, the garrison there consisted of seventy five non-commissioned officers and privates fit for duty; the garrison at Fort Hamer of forty five, at Fort Steuben of sixty one, at Fort Knox of eighty three; and on the fifteenth day of July, the whole of the first United States regiment, amounting to two hundred and ninety nine non-commissioned officers and privates, arrived at Fort Washington, under orders from the Commander in Chief. Gen. Butler was appointed the second in command in the month of March, and immediately proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for the recruiting service; that he arrived in Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, the twentieth of April, and continued there till the thirtieth of the same month; that he arrived at Carlisle, in the state of Pennsylvania, on the ninth of May, and at Fort Pitt on the twenty second of the same month. It appears that no monies for purchasing supplies were furnished at Carlisle, which was the place of rendezvous for the enlisted soldiery, on the ninth of May; and that Mr. Smith, agent for the contractor, was actively engaged in furnishing supplies for the troops on credit.
It appears, by letters from John Keath, another of the contractor's agents, that no monies had been received by him on the eighth of May; and it appears that on the twenty third of March there was advanced to William Duer, upon the last mentioned contract, from the treasury, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars; that there was advanced, upon the first mentioned contract, the sum of seventy thousand dollars, in the following sums, and at the following dates, to wit.
  March 22 10,000 dollars.   April 7 15,000   —25 20,000 
May 7 20,000 July 20 10,000
It appears from the correspondence of Gen. Butler to the secretary at war, from the ninth of May to the ninth of June, repeated complaints were made of fatal mismanagements and neglects in the quarter-masters and military stores department, particularly as to tents, knapsacks, camp-kettles, cartridge boxes, pack saddles, &c. all of which articles were deficient in quantity, and bad in quality.
The pack-saddles, particularly, were made in Philadelphia, which, with the transportation, amounted to more than double the price at which they might have been procured at Fort Pitt, and were found upon examination to be unfit for use the arms sent forward appear not to have been duly examined, and arrived at Fort Pitt extremely out of order, and many totally unfit for use, which circumstances rendered repairs absolutely necessary, and added to the delay of the troops at Fort Pitt.
It appears that a great proportion of the powder supplied for the use of the army was not of good quality, though an experiment was made by Major Ferguson at Fort Pitt with a Howitz, who reported in favour of the quality of the powder—On the 12th of June General Neville, another of the Contractor's agents informed General Butler, that he had not at that time received any monies from the Contractors, for the purchase of provisions, &c. for the troops and was obliged to supply them on credit, that the country furnished provisions in abundance at a cheap rate, when money was had for the purchase.
That shortly after this information was communicated to General Butler, at his request four hundred dollars were advanced to General Neville by the quarter master for the purchase of provisions for the troops—The troops arrived at Fort Pitt in the following order, to wit.
May 16. Captain Slough sixty nine men May 18. Captain Powers seventy eight men, 19. Captain Cribbs forty men, same day Captain Gutheries twenty three. 25. Captain Armstrong seventy six, same day Captain Kirkwood sixty seven, 28. Captain Snowden one hundred and one. June 2. Captain Sparks eighty three: June 3. Captain Butler sixty one; same day Captain Brock eighty two; same day Captain Van Swearingen eighty eight; June 5. Captain Pike seventy three;—Total including Officers and Privates eight hundred forty two. And left that place in the following Order.
Major Ferguson with Captain Armstrong's, company about the 1st June. Captain Snowden with the troops under his command on the day of Major Gaither with about five hundred men, 12th July—and on the 22d August the last of the troops under the command of Captain Phelon, and General Butler with the quarter master general, on the 26th August.
It appears that General Butler had orders from the Department at War to protect the frontiers with the troops under his command, and that the delays in sending forward the troops from Fort Pitt arose partly from the temporary want of supplies of provisions and other necessaries and from the want of the necessary boats for their transportation, which were not in readiness as soon as the troops were.
It appears that General Butler acted with ability, activity and zeal in his command at Fort Pitt, and that the delays of the troops there cannot be imputed to his want of judgment or his want of exertion. The troops met with considerable difficulties and delays in going down the river from the low state of the water, and arrived at Fort Washington in the following Order—Captain Munford from North Carolina, with about fifty men on the day of Major Ferguson with Captain Armstrong's Company on the day of
Major Gaither with the troops under his command on the day of Col. Darke, with the troops under his command, on the day of and the Kentucky militia on the day of
The army, consisting of about two thousand non-commissioned officers and privates, moved from Fort Washington, by orders from the Commander in Chief, to a place about five or six miles from thence, called Ludlow's Station, where they continued till the seventeenth day of September, which time the whole army amounted to about two thousand three hundred non-commissioned officers and privates fit for duty—that the price of rations at Fort Washington, agreeably to contract, was 6 3/4 cths of a dollar per ration, the price of rations at Ludlow's Station was 15 1/2 cths of a dollar per ration.
That the inducements of the Commander in Chief, to this moment, appear to have been, to furnish green forage for the horses and beef cattle for the army, to instruct the soldiery in field exercise and other necessary discipline, and to deprive them of the means of intoxication, which were very plentifully supplied at Fort Washington, and used to an excessive degree by the soldiery, to correct the excessive use of which the most rigid attention to discipline was found incompetent.

Mr. Hodgdon was appointed quarter-master general in the month of March, and continued at Philadelphia until the fourth of June; he then proceeded to Fort Pitt, where he arrived the tenth of the same month. No sufficient causes have appeared to the committee to justify this delay, and his presence with the army appears to have been essentially necessary previously to that time; and after a continued expectation of his arrival at Fort Washington, for more than six weeks, the Commander in Chief gave him express orders, by letter, to repair to camp without delay. The receipt of the letter is acknowledged, but the orders contained therein were neither answered nor obeyed, and his arrival at camp was not until the tenth of September. The Commander in Chief, until that time, in addition to the duties of his office, discharged those of the quarter master general; and the military stores furnished by that department were so deficient, from mismanagement and neglect, that many things essential to the movements of the army, were either wholly made or repaired at Fort Washington, and even the tools for the artificers to work with the quartermaster particularly informed the Commander in Chief, that two complete travelling forges were sent forward, and upon examination, both of them were found to be without an anvil. Many other things, equally necessary, were either wholly omitted, or unfit for their intended use.
There were six hundred and seventy five stand of arms at Fort Washington, the first of June, and most of them totally out of repair. The Commander in Chief appears to have been correct and attentive in all his communications with the Secretary at war, and to have discharged the various duties which devolved upon him with ability, activity and zeal.
The army moved from Ludlow's Station on the seventeenth day of September, and arrived at the place where Fort Hamilton is now erected on the day of October; they employed about fifteen days building that fort, and then proceeded in their march to the place where Fort Jefferson is now erected, forty four miles distant from Fort Hamilton, where they arrived on the 24th day of October, and commenced their march from that place on the twenty fourth of the same month, that the army at this time consisted of about  non commissioned officers and privates fit for duty. At this time the army had not more than three days supply of flour, and were sometimes at one-fourth, and sometimes at one-half allowance of that article; the deficiencies of which allowance were made up by increasing the quantity of beef, with which they were plentifully supplied. The army was delayed five or six days on the march from Fort Jefferson for the want of provisions, and the season was so far advanced that sufficient green forage for the horses, could not be procured, from which circumstance many of the horses were totally lost, and others rendered unfit for service.
The orders to the commander in chief to proceed with the expedition, were express and unequivocal. So much so, as in the opinion of the committee to preclude the commander in chief from exercising any discretion relatively to that object.
On the 31st of October, about sixty of the Kentucky militia deserted in a body, the first regiment consisting of about three hundred effective men was detached with a view to cover a convoy of provisions which was expected and which it was supposed was in danger from the deserted militia and to prevent further desertions. On the 31st of November after detaching the first regiment the army consisted of about fourteen hundred effective men, and on the morning of the 4th about half an hour after sunrise, a general attack was commenced and in a few minutes thereafter nearly the whole army was surrounded by the enemy, the action continued about four hours during which several charges were made by part of the army, which caused the enemy to give way, but produced no good effect, the attack was unexpected, the troops having been just dismissed from the morning parade, it commenced upon the militia who were in advance of the main army, and who fled through the main army, without firing a gun; this circumstance threw the troops into some disorder which it appears they never completely recovered during the action, the fire of the army was constant but not well directed, and it appears that a part of the troops behaved as well as could be expected from their state of discipline, and the manner and suddenness of the attack;—The commander in chief appears to have been cool and deliberate in the whole of the action, and the officers in general active and intrepid;—the whole order of March as far as the committee are capable of expressing an opinion, appears to have been judicious, and the ground for action well chosen;—the retreat was disorderly in the extreme, after it commenced no orders were obeyed if any were given; the men having lost all regard to discipline, or control; all the precaution appears to have been taken for the safety and comfort of the wounded which the circumstances of the case would admit of.
The committee have had no competent evidence before them to ascertain the number of the enemy in action—there were various conjectures as to the number, from different persons, from five hundred, the lowest, to twelve hundred, the highest.
One of the witnesses examined by the committee, conversed with a chief at Niagara who was in the action, and was by him informed, that the number of the enemy in the action was one thousand and forty, and that five hundred more had convened, but were engaged in hunting, at the time of the action. He was also informed, that the enemy had not collected in any considerable number, until a few days before the action; this information appears to be corroborated by some other circumstances sufficient to induce a belief of the fact in the committee.
The contractor for supplies, agreeably to the terms of contract, were to furnish horses, &c. for the transportation of the supplies—in this condition of the contract there was a fatal failure, which compelled the Commander in Chief to direct between six and seven hundred horses to be purchased by Israel Ludlow, one of the contractor's agents, to draw bills on Mr. Duer, the acting contractor, for payment, which bills were endorsed by the Commander in Chief, to the amount of about seventeen thousand dollars; were protested by the contractor and paid at the treasury. The persons employed by the agents of the contractors to drive the horses, appear to have been totally unacquainted with that business, and from the want of bells, halters, and other necessaries of that kind, as well as from other gross mismanagement, many of the horses were lost, and others rendered unfit for service; from which causes there were not half horses sufficient to transport the necessary quantity of flour from Fort Washington, for the use of the army on their march—this circumstance retarded the execution of the expedition.
The agents, agreeably to the terms of the contract, had an election of drawing the whole of the rations to which their rank entitled them, or of receiving the contract price of them in cash; the contractor's agents not being furnished with money for this purpose, gave rise to a general order, by which the officers were directed to receive a certificate from the contractor's agent, called a due bill, of one of which bills the following is a copy, "Due Major H. Gaither, 173 complete rations, on the route to Miami village, as appears from Mr. Wilson's certificate,
(Signed)
MATT. EARNEST, for WIL. DUER.
Fort Washington, Nov. 27, 1791.
This due bill presented, upon the officer's signing the same, is an acknowledgment of satisfaction for the whole retained rations, which acknowledgment of satisfaction forms a voucher for settlement to the contractor, with the treasury department; and the officer is refunded payment for these due bills at the pay office. All casualties, by which these evidences of debt become lost or destroyed, are the gain of the contractor, and the loss of the officer.
It is suggested by the secretary of the treasury, though not with positive certainty, that a sufficient sum will be found due from the treasury to the contractors upon a final settlement, to cover all these debts to the officers; the general order which had the operation before stated continued in force about five or six weeks, and was abolished about the 19th of October. The privates of the levies received but three dollars pay each from the time of their respective enlistments to the time of their respective discharges, and were actually discharged without further pay or settlement, no es. of discharge were given them, specifying the time of their service and bearing indorsements, that some advancements had been made to them in account without stating the amount, the object of which is suggested to have been to prevent transfers, the intended effect was not produced, by the measure; the notes were sold for trifling considerations, the real sums due on the notes were various, from ten to twenty-four dollars, and they were frequently sold for five dollars, or one gallon of whisky, the monies for the pay of the levies, did not leave Philadelphia till 4th Dec. nor arrive at Fort Washington till 3d of January 1792. Some time after the last enlisted levies were known to be entitled to their discharges, two reasons were assigned by the secretary at war for this delay of payment, the one because there was no regular paymaster to the army, and the difficulties of transmitting monies to the army at so great a distance, in consequence of the want of such an officer, the other because it was supposed the army would be at that time at the Miami village, so far advanced in the wilderness as not to admit of the practicability of discharging the levies, the total defeat of the army not having been previously counted upon.
The cloathing for the levies appears to have been of a very inferior quality particularly, Coats, Hats, and Shoes, the last of which in many cases lasted not more than four days, and better cloathing was furnished them when they insisted into the regular service, which was for a time countenanced by the Commander in Chief.
Various modes appear to have been pursued by the officers in enlisting the levies, which occasioned great uneasiness and some confusion; a considerable part of the Virginia battalion was so enlisted, that the terms of their enlistments appear to have expired the 1st of November; the orders to the recruiting officers appear not to have been sufficiently explicit upon this point—whether the terms of enlistment were to commence at the time of enlistment, or at the arrival at a place of rendezvous. The militia were principally substituted, and totally ungovernable, and regardless of military duty or subordination. It appears that the Commander in Chief had it in contemplation to commence the expedition at least one month earlier than it was commenced, with the few he then had, which was not very different from the real force in action; but was prevented for the want of the Quarter-Master and Contractor, and in consequence of the extreme deficiencies and derangement of the business of their departments the person sent forward by the Quarter Master being totally incompetent to the business, and the Contractor's Agents not being sufficiently supplied with money to enable them to execute their duties.
It appears to the committee that in the wilderness where vegetables are not to be had, and the duties of the soldier uncommonly hard, the rations allowed by law, if completely supplied, are sufficient. This
circumstance, with others, produced discontent and desertion among the soldiers.
It appears to the committee that there were appropriated for the use of the war department, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety one, the sum of six hundred and fifty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty-one dollars, and sixty-one cents, and that there have been advanced by the treasury to the war department upon that appropriation, five hundred and seventy five thousand nine hundred and six dollars and fifty seven cents, to wit:
   1791 advanced, dolls. cts.     February, do 15 000   March, do 46, 002 20   April, do 100, 106 20   May, do 80, 109 80   June, do 55, 387 44   July, do 14, 105 34   August, do 14, 554 69   September, do 14, 796 53   October, do 184, 81   November, do 107, 18   1792 January, do 33, 753   February, do 43, 562 61   March, do 1, 751 16   amounting to 419 311 10  
To which add monies borrowed from the bank of North America, on loan, without interest, 156,595 56
575,906 57 And that the treasury has always been in readiness to make the requisite advances, upon the request of the secretary at war. It does not appear to the committee in what manner and to what amount these advancements have been disbursed, the accounts not having been yet settled at the treasury; nor was it possible, from the nature of the case, that they could at this time have received any conclusive or satisfactory information on that point.
From the foregoing state of facts the committee suggest the following as the principal causes in their opinion, of the failure of the expedition under Major General St. Clair.
The delay in furnishing the materials for, and in passing the act for the protection of the frontiers, the time after the passing of which was hardly sufficient to complete and discipline an army for such an expedition, during the summer months of the same year.
The delays consequent upon the gross and various mismanagements and neglects in the quarter masters' and contractors' departments, the lateness of the season at which the expedition was undertaken, the green forage having been previously destroyed by the frost, so that a sufficiency of subsistence for the horses necessary for the army could not be procured.
The want of discipline and experience in the troops. The Committee conceive it but justice to the Commander in Chief, to say, that in their opinion, the failure of the late expedition can in no instance be imputed to his conduct, either at any time before, or during the action; but that as his conduct in all the preparatory arrangements was marked with peculiar ability and zeal, so his conduct during the action furnished strong testimonies of his courage and intrepidity.
The committee suggest, as reasons for leaving the numbers of the troops at particular periods, and the dates of some facts, blank the want of sufficient time to compile the report with minuteness, and in some instances the want of the necessary evidence.
The said report being read, Resolved, That this House will early in the next session proceed to take the same into consideration.
Extract from the journals. (Signed) JOHN BECKLEY, Clerk.
PHILADELPHIA, May 10 ACTS Passed the First Session of the Second Congress of the United States, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania on Monday the twenty fourth of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.
Nov. 8. AN ACT granting a further time for making return of the enumeration of the Inhabitants in the district of South Carolina.
Dec. 16 An Act for the relief of David Cook, and Thomas Campbell.
23. An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two.
Jan. 3. An Act for carrying into effect a contract between the U. States and the state of Pennsylvania.
23. An Act to extend the time limited for settling the accounts of the United States with the individual states.
Feb. 16. An Act concerning certain fisheries of the United States, and for the regulation, and government of the fishermen employed therein.
20. An Act to establish the Post-office and post-roads within the United States.
March 1. An Act relative to the election of a President and Vice-President of the United States, and declaring the officer who shall act as President in case of vacancies in the offices both of President and Vice-President.
5. An Act for making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States.
19 An Act declaring the consent of Congress to a certain act of the state of Maryland, and to continue for a longer time an act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the states of Maryland, Georgia and R. Island and Providence Plantations, so far as the same respects the states of Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
23. An Act to provide for the settlement of the claims of widows and orphans barred by the limitations heretofore established and to regulate the claims to invalid pensioners.

27. An Act providing for the settlement of claims of persons under particular circumstances barred by the limitations heretofore established.
An Act for the relief of certain widows, orphans, invalids and other persons.
28. An Act supplemental to the act for making farther and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States.
April 2. An Act for finishing the light-house on Baldhead, at the mouth of Cape Fear river, in the State of North Carolina.
An Act establishing a mint, and regulating the coins of the United States.
12. An Act supplemental to the act for the establishment and support of the light houses, beacons, buoys and public piers.
An Act to erect a light-house on Montock-point, in the State of New-York.
An Act for ascertaining the bonds of a tract of land purchased by John Cleves Symmes.
An Act for fixing the compensation of the door keepers of the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress.
13. An Act for altering the times of holding the circuit courts, in certain districts of the United States and for other purposes.
An Act to compensate the corporation of trustees of the public grammar school and academy of Wilmington, in the State of Delaware, for the occupation of and damages done to the said school, during the late war.
14. An Act for apportioning representatives among the several States according to the first enumeration.
An Act concerning consuls, and vice-consuls.
21. An Act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to the Ohio Company of Associates.
27. An Act to indemnify the estate of the late Major General Nathaniel Greene for a certain bond entered into by him during the late war.
May 2. An Act for raising a further sum of money for protection of the frontiers, and, for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.
5. An Act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt.
An Act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to John Cleves Symmes, and his associates.
An Act to alter the time of the next annual meeting of Congress.
8. An Act concerning the duties on spirits distilled within the United States.
An Act relative to the compensations to certain officers employed in the collection of the duties of import and tonnage.
An Act to continue in force the act entitled, "An act to provide for mitigating or remitting the penalties and forfeitures accruing under the revenue laws in certain cases; and to make farther provision for the payment of pensions to invalids."
An Act supplementary to the act making provision for the debt of the United States.
An Act making compensations to the commissioners of loans for extraordinary expences.
An Act making alterations in the treasury and war departments.
An Act making certain appropriations therein specified.
An Act to provide for a copper coinage.
An Act for regulating process in the courts of the U. States, and providing compensations for the officers of the said courts, and for jurors and witnesses.
An act concerning the claim of John Brown Cutting against the United States.
An Act to compensate the services of the late Colonel George Gibson.
An Act more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States.
The new government when it was adopted, was known to have many evils to redress, and many good things to attempt. It is a pleasant retrospect which we have now to take. We find that every session has advanced the work which the sense of America as well as the preamble of the constitution has marked as the duty of Congress. Two primary objects appear to have given birth to the new form of government. During the war, all America felt the want of national credit. Our liberties were exposed to extreme hazard, because Congress had only paper means of resource. It is true a free people supplied by an ardent enthusiasm in the common cause is almost every thing that was wanting. But at length time has cooled all strong emotions, and adverse fortune exhausted the powers of paper money. The illustrious General in his farewell letter, Congress in their addresses to the people, the attempt to prevail on the states to grant the 5 per cent, impost, and general sense of America, showed the necessity of a government adequate to support national credit. Accordingly, Congress in the 2d session made provision for the public debt, and in doing it, they have not been unmindful of the other common objects, the protection and advancement of our trade and manufactures. The laws which impose duties on imported articles, have given a spur to the activity of trade and manufactures. The wealth of the nation has grown with its industry in a wonderful manner. Experience, the judge of nations, and their forms of government, has declared in favor of the Americans.
Among the objects of the present session, the provision for the Indian war has been the most arduous. The government has nothing to hope for. It has
more than land enough to sell—and as to the honours of victory, experience has not afforded much to expect. Neither the pride nor capricious of the administration could desire the continuance of the war.—Unwelcome as the prosecution of it certainly is, government had no choice to make. The frontiers were bleeding. An enemy, scorning peace, can be made to forbear only by chastisement.—The war with the Indians which has continued ever since that with Spain, imposes a heavy burthen on the people.—Yet the duties imposed will cherish manufactures, and encourage the raising of hemp, flax, cotton, and the various products of the farmer. The success of manufactures is now put beyond hazard, and the demand for raw materials will increase that intercourse between the different states, that mutual dependence and common interest which every friend to the union will rejoice to see.
The alterations made in the excise law are intended to conciliate the affections of the complaining part of the country. The rate of duties holds out signal advantages to the manufacture of grain spirits.—They will not surely condemn a law which affords to those who produce grain, who distill spirits and who consume them, a preference, which considering the duties on all other spirits, gives them reason to desire the continuance of the law rather than its total repeal.
All America has a common interest in the encouragement of the cod fishery. The fishermen as a militia by sea, afford a security to the exports and imports of the nation in time of war, which is absolutely indispensable.—We have no other means of effecting the same important end. The act for the encouragement of the fishery, while it costs no money will hasten the naval strength of America to a very early maturity.
At length a mint is established, and the coin of the United States being regulated with accuracy, we shall no longer be subject to the capricious changes of the foreign standard; copper coin will be of no small accommodation and saving the poorer classes of society.
The militia law will probably seem a feeble system to many persons versed in military affairs. The great difference of the militia laws of several states is such, that some will improve, and others perhaps run retrograde in consequence of this law of the United States. But improvements and amendments will be made from time to time, and it is to be hoped that eventually this act will not be one of the least perfect parts of the national system.
Of all the subjects which have occupied Congress, none has been so fruitful of debate as the laws apportioning representatives. The constitution adopted and expressed by, the President in his objections to a bill presented to him, finally prevailed, and has become a law.—The people of the United States have reason to felicitate themselves that the difference of opinions in respect to apportioning representatives turns on smaller inequalities than any other nation has in its assemblies.
The law for admitting the unsubscribed debt to be loaned, completes the system of credit, excepting the provision for the state debts, which at the next session many expect to see assumed.
The humane purposes of Congress in favor of the invalids are in some measure thwarted by the unconstitutional objections of the judges. It might be arrogant to express a doubt whether the opinion they have expressed be sound.—It is hoped the invalids will not be neglected.
The table of Congress is still covered with business. Yet the people have reason to hope it will in due time be dispatched, under the direction of the same national principles which they have seen adopted thus far by Congress.
Some part of the measures of government may want wisdom, and some part of the country may want moderation and candor, but on the whole, no nation has prospered more, or enjoy tranquility in a greater degree than the United States since the establishment of the present happy constitution—and surely none can look forward into futurity with more pleasing anticipations.
Extract of a letter from Cape-François, dated April, 11, 1792.
"I assure you I long, impatiently long, to bid adieu to a place so detestable as this miserable Cape—always in arms, always at war—The revolted Negroes, still continue their cruelties with unabated fury against the whites, and of late become singularly audacious—they have published, or reported they intend to attack this Ville on Sunday next, with a force of 60,000; if 'tis true I don't know what resistance 4,000 whites will make for I believe it is as many as could be mastered with arms, &c."
This day arrived in this port, in thirty-eight days, from Marseilles, the ship Louisa, Capt. Birchhead. The Capt. informs, that the parties for and against the Revolution, had in some instances, proceeded to acts of violence; and that several persons, on account of their political sentiments, had actually been put to death.
BALTIMORE, May 15.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Marseilles, (a great commercial city in the South of France) to another at Philadelphia, dated March 11, 1792.
"We are here, in great want of WHEAT and FLOUR, which I fear will be the case for a long time, the crop now in the ground affording a very unfavourable prospect.—AMERICAN WHEAT would now bring Fifty Livres per charge, and SUPERFINE FLOUR Sixty Livres per barrel, which you may calculate on as the stated price, for those articles, deducting loss on remittances from the net proceeds. Those who may undertake to supply this place with Wheat and Flour, may therefore expect to find themselves amply benefited by their adventure."
MARTINSBURG, May 22.
Sunday evening the 13th inst. the illustrious PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES, arrived at Baltimore from Philadelphia, on his way to Mount Vernon.
On Tuesday the 8th inst. the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, after a session of six months and twenty-three days, adjourned their respective houses, to meet again on the first Monday in November next.
It is said, that General Brooks, of Massachusetts—General Willet, of New-York—and General Morgan, of this State, have severally declined accepting the appointment of Brigade Generals in the army now raising for the defence of the Western frontiers.
John Crane who was to have been executed at Winchester on the 8th day of June next, has obtained a respite for four weeks.—William Johnson is to make his exit agreeable to his sentence:—It is said, that in the confession of Johnson, he acknowledges to have stolen 36 horses since his commencement in that employment.
All the British vessels of war on the Halifax Station, together with the troops, have been ordered, and have sailed for Jamaica. So fearful is the British government of the spreading of the St. Domingo insurrection.
Extract of a letter from Thomas Ryerston, Esq. dated Meriville, April 26, 1792.
"The Indians are cutting us to pieces—my place has been attacked; several killed and made prisoners, and cattle destroyed—we are in great confusion—my horses are all taken by the Indians, as you will probably see by the news-papers."
MARRIED, on Saturday evening last, Captain JAMES STEPHENSON, to the amiable Miss ANN CUNNINGHAM—a young Lady possessing every virtuous accomplishment.
A C R O S T I C.
S O! you was married 'nother night? T o which you say, 'tis nought but right; E re long pray follow my advice, P erhaps before you hear it twice. H ark! for the sake of your dear wife, E lse you might feel the scalping knife; N o longer keep then your commission, S o you will feel with joyful passion, O n laying down the smoking rifle, N ot to exchange! it was no trifle.
WANTED TO HIRE,
An active, smart
Negro Fellow,
(For one year) to act in the capacity of an Hostler, &c. Inquire of the Printer hereof.
AN Election will be held at the Court House on the Twelfth day of next Month, for the purpose of electing three proper persons to act as Overseers of the Poor in the district on the Western side of Opecken. And on the same day an Election will be held in Mecklenburg for the purpose of electing three proper persons to act as Overseers of the Poor in the district on the Eastern side of Opecken. All persons intitled to vote, are desired to attend.
G. CUNNINGHAM, Sheriff
STRAYED from the Subscriber on the 13th inst. living near Tuscorora Meeting House, two Cows, both forward with calf—one about 6 years old, with a crop off the left ear, her colour black, with a star in her forehead, and some white on her hind quarters—the other about 3 years old, of a brindle colour on the sides, a white face, some white on her hind quarters, across her shoulders, and about half her tail, and has small horns. Whoever will give information to me of said Cows, so that I get them again, shall have Two Dollars reward.
DAVID BEATTY.
Woodstock-Town, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Foot of Laurel Hill.
THE Subscriber most respectfully informs his Christian Friends of every denomination, that in laying out the said Town he has reserved for them Lots for the purpose of erecting places of Public Worship, which he intends to convey to them gratis, together with a number of other Lots, provided they accept the same by a written order of their Church or Churches; to be furnished me before the Lottery for said Town Lots is drawn. He also informs the Purchasers of Lots in said Town, that on the flat lands on each side of the same, he has laid out 50 out-lots of three acres each, which will be reserved for the 50 first improvers and settlers in said Town, and conveyed to them at a low price not exceeding three dollars per acre, who are to have choice by rotation, as they improve and settle; the situation of the above said Town Seat is beautiful, well watered, healthy and pleasant; and very near the centre of the county, and on the principal road or chief carrying place from old Fort Cumberland, on the river Potowmac, to Red-Stone old Fort, on the Monongahalia River. The advantageous situation for choice either of Eastern or Western trade; in the midst of a fertile country, renders it of consequence, a suitable seat for manufactory, of almost every kind; it has some peculiar advantages of lasting streams for water-works and building materials, &c. I expect the Lottery will be drawn some time in June or July next; the place where is not yet fixed on, but when it is, it will be published in the Gazette, some time before, by the public's most obedient and very humble servant,
JOHN HOPWOOD.

SEAT OF THE MUSES.
CAROLAN'S MONODY.
ON THE DEATH OF MARY MACGUIRE.
It has been the fate of many a "mute inglorious MILTON," to languish with all his powers in obscurity 'till death, and die forgotten! The name of CAROLAN, Hibernia's sweetest Bard, stands almost without record—The following MONODY of his on the death of his WIFE, was composed in the seventeenth century.
WERE mine the choice of intellectual fame, Of spellful song, and eloquence divine, Painting's sweet flower, Philosophy's pure flame, And Homer's Lyre, and Ossian's Harp, were mine;
The splendid arts of Erin, Greece and Rome, In MARY lost, would lose their wonted grace; All would I give to snatch her from the tomb, Again to fold her in my fond embrace!
Desponding, sick, exhausted with my grief, A while the founts of sorrow cease to flow; In vain!—I rest not—sleep brings no relief, Cheerless, compassionless, I wake to woe!
Nor birth nor beauty shall again allure, Nor fortune win me to another bride; Alone I'll wander, and alone endure, Till death restore me to my dear one's side.
Once every thought, and every scene, was gay; Friends, Mirth, and Music, all my hours employ'd; Now doom'd to mourn my last sad years away! M life a solitude!—My heart a void!
Alas! The change—to change again no more! For every comfort is with MARY fled: And ceaseless anguish shall her loss implore, Till age and sorrow join me with the dead.
Adieu! each gift of Nature and of Art, That erst adorn'd me in life's early prime! The cloudless temper, and the social heart, The soul ethereal, and the flights sublime!
Thy loss, my MARY! chad'd them from my breast: Thy sweetness cheers, thy judgment aids, no more: The Muse deserts an heart with grief oppress'd; And lost is every joy that charm'd before!
THE LANDS devised by the last Will of General Adam Stephen, (deceased) to be sold by his Executors, will be disposed of to the highest bidder, at Public Sale, upon the 21st and 22d days of May next, on the respective premises.
These lands are in two tracts; the one which will be exposed to sale on the 21st, as above, contains 130 acres, whereon is erected a valuable Merchant-Mill, with two water wheels and a pair of Burr stones annexed to each, adjoining the town of Martinsburg, in Berkeley County; the other consists of about 500 acres of farming Land, within five or six miles of the said Town, whereon stands a convenient stone Dwelling-House, and some out-buildings.
A credit will be given for this property—the purchase money being well secured, on an annual interest.
April 19th, 1792.
ROBERT STEPHEN, EPHRAIM GAITHER, MOSES HUNTER, DAVID HUNTER.
At a Court of Quarter Sessions, held for Berkeley County, the 16th day of August, 1791. Executors of William Mumford, Compt. In
Executors of Martin Kerchner, Deft. } Chancery.
THE Defendants not having entered their appearance agreeable to an Act of Assembly, and according to the rules of this Court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that they are not inhabitants of this County: On the motion of the Complainants, by their Counsel, Ordered That the said Defendants do appear here on the third Tuesday of June next, to answer the bill of the Complainants, and that a copy of this order be forthwith published in the Virginia Gazette for two months successively, and published at the Church in the Parish of Norborne, in the County aforesaid, on some Sunday after divine service, and also at the Court-House door of the said County.
A copy, MOSES HUNTER, C.B.C
STRAYED, or perhaps stolen, the 25th instant, from the Subscriber, living on Dry Run, two miles from Martinsburg, a black Mare, four years old this spring, about 15 hands high, no brand, and has been docked, but her tail continues long and bulky, thick mane lying on each side of her neck, she trots, and has never been rode nor drawed.—Whoever takes up said Mare as a stray, shall have Three Dollars reward, if delivered to me, or Six Dollars, if stolen, for her and thief if delivered to me.
JOHN MOORE.
Berkeley County, April 30, 1792.
At a Court of Quarter Sessions, held for Berkeley County, the 24th day of March, 1792.
William Hays, John Hays, and Jeff Hays, Complainants,
against Henry Thornborough, heir at law of Walter Thornborough, Defendant.
THE defendant not having entered his appearance agreeable to an act of Assembly, and according to the rules of this Court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that he is no inhabitant of this County, on the motion of the complainants, by their counsel, Ordered, That the said defendant do appear here on the third Tuesday in June next, to answer the bill of the complainants, and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in the Virginia Gazette for two months successively, and published at the Church in the Parish of Norborne, in the county aforesaid, on some Sunday after divine service, and also at the Court-House door of the said County.
A copy. Teste, MOSES HUNTER, Clk. B.C.
Wanted immediately, AN APPRENTICE to the SADDLING BUSINESS.
Good encouragement and constant employ will be
given to a JOURNEYMAN SADDLER.
Inquire of the Printer.
Daniel Buckius,
Clock and Watch Maker,
From FREDERICK-TOWN,
MOST respectfully informs the Public, that he has established himself in the above line of business in this town. He repairs Clocks and Watches in the best manner, on the most reasonable terms; and with the greatest expedition, at the house of Mr. PETER DEAL, Senior.
Martinsburg, April 26, 1792.
HARP and CROWN TAVERN.
THE Subscriber, with gratitude returns thanks to his friends and the public, for the favor and patronage they have been kind enough to confer on him, since his commencement at this house—he flatters himself, from the unwearied attention to please, together with the satisfaction of being provided with the choicest of Liquors, and every other necessary this part of the country can afford, will induce a continuance of the same.—He expects from the room, neatness of the house, the tolerable share of furniture, and good beds, which he is every day adding to, will render it satisfactory to receive more company.—He has also a flock of excellent hay and oats—and is further provided with an honest, careful man, as an hostler.
FLORENCE MAHONY.
Martinsburg, April 30, 1792.
4 Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on the night of the 26th instant, an indentured Apprentice, named CALEB NORTHCOAT, near 20 years of age, of a dark complexion, has a down look, long dark-brown hair, is about 5 feet 7 inches high. He had on when he went away, a dark-brown sailor jacket, an under jacket of the same cloth, dark velvet breeches, much worn, a round deep-crown wool hat, has a blue coat with him, with white metal buttons, and a waistcoat figured in diamonds of various colours. Whoever will take up said run-away apprentice, confine him in any goal, and give me notice thereof, so that I get him again, shall have the above reward and necessary charges.
JACOB STEPHEN.
Wanted immediately,
One or Two Apprentices to the Tanning Business. Also, a quantity of such Bark as is made use of in that employment, for which the highest price will be given.
PAUL VERDIER.
Lands for Lands.
TO BE DISPOSED OF,
FOUR Hundred Acres of Land, (called MAHON'S) lying on Buffalo-creek, Monongalia County, upon which there are upwards of 40 acres of the best meadow, a good mill seat and spring, and the land equal to any on the Western waters.
Three Hundred and eighty-four acres adjoining, below, on same creek, a large proportion of meadow, and a good spring, the upland equal, which is held by settlement-right, and a general warrantee will be given.
One Thousand Acres on the Dunkard-mill run, a branch of said creek, held by preemption-right, of equal quality to the above, and the same warrantee will be given, all lying from 14 to 25 miles from Morgan-Town, and from 3 to 11 miles from Monongalia river—the State road from Morgan-Town to the little Kenhawa passes near or through the said land.
One Thousand Acres on Binger-mill creek, held by preemption-right, a great proportion of meadow, and well watered, which lies in the same county, the upland of good quality, about 10 miles farther from Morgan-Town.
One thousand acres on the little Kenhawa, about 14 miles from the mouth of said river, held by an old location on treasury-warrant, the land also very rich.
Any property in the counties of Berkeley or Frederick, negroes, or good bonds, will be taken in payment.
DAVID GRAY.
Berkeley, April 25, 1792.
2 Dollars Reward.
STRAYED from this town, on the 4th day of October last, a redish-brindle HEIFER, one year old this spring, marked with a swallow-fork in each ear, has a white tail, some white on the belly, and several white spots about her. Whoever will give information of the said Heifer, so that I get her again, shall have the above reward.
DAVID WOLGAMOTT.
To be sold, or rented, A small tract of land,
Consisting of 18 Acres, with two small Cabins, lying on Back-Creek, near Mr. Snodgrass's, and on the Warm Spring Road:—It is very suitable for a tradesman.
ALSO,
A HOUSE and HALF LOT, With a Stable, Garden, and many other conveniences, situated in MARTINSBURG.
For terms, apply to
GEORGE TILLEY.
May 8, 1792.
4 Dollars Reward.
STRAYED or stolen from off my plantation, about the 7th of October last, a dark brown Mare, 7 years old, near 14 hands high, branded W on the near shoulder, trots all, was shod before, and was with foal when she went away. Whoever takes up said Mare, and will return her to me, shall have the above reward, and necessary charges.
WILLIAM MAXWELL.
Dry Run, Berkeley County, May 6, 1792.
Robinson, Sanderson and Co.
Are now landing from on board the Nancy, Capt. Hamilton, from Whitehaven.
A very general assortment of
European Goods,
Suitable to this and the approaching season, which they mean to dispose of by the Piece or Package only, at their Warehouse in ALEXANDRIA.
April 4 179.
FOR SALE, By the Printer hereof, Lawyers Declarations of every Kind, Common Bonds, Blank Deeds of Bargain and Sale.