The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1790-12-13 00:00:00

Foreign Advices.
By the ship Greyhound, Capt. Connor, arrived in James River, from London, the following late and interesting intelligence, has been received.
FRANCE.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
TUMULT AT ST. ETIENNE, IN FOREZ.
A Number of people had assembled on the 4th inst. of which M. Birtheas was the ostensible cause.
The commandant sent a detachment of the National Guard to conduct M. Birtheas to the Guard-house. This detachment was followed by a very great crowd of people of both sexes—it was feared the guard would be insufficient—it was accordingly doubled, and being even then not of sufficient strength, M. Birtheas, by way of safety was imprisoned.
He was accused of having monopolised corn.—To appease the people, his house was examined, in which there was found only a small quantity of corn. After this, the guards about the prison were almost dispersed, and the people were proceeding to break open the gates. Neither prayers nor intreaties could hinder them—they broke them open—seized M. Birtheas, and murdered him!
Next day [the 5th] the insurgents proceeded of their own accord, to the election of new Municipal Officers, and to make regulations respecting the prices of corn. On this a number of citizens armed themselves, and proceeded against the insurgents, made a number of them prisoners, who were conducted to Lyons.
The assembly remitted the process and punishment of this shameful business on the Tribunal of Lyons, who are charged to pursue all instigators and agents in this horrid affair with the most pointed severity of the laws.
M. de Sillery communicated to the assembly, intelligence, that in the plains of Jales, at the foot of the Convennes, an army of 20,000 Gardes Nationales are assembled, headed by a troublesome priest, named La Bastide, sword in hand, with a cross in his hat, who had made them take a sort of oath to set on foot a solemn Crusade for the reformation of abuses at Nismes.
M. Freteau observed, that the reports of tumults in Germany were daily confirmed—that disorders continued in all the frontier towns of France—and that the Patriots of Alsace required, that the military corps then stationed among them might be removed, or they suspected a criminal understanding subsisted between them and the different German powers.
A letter from the Minister at War was read, stating to the assembly, that the regiment of Vexin, stationed at Marseilles, upon being ordered to quit that place, and march for Antibes, had refused.
The districts of Marseilles had met to deliberate upon the orders, and only five out of twenty-four had decided for their departure.
The assembly felt itself insulted by this resistance to its decrees, and the orders of the King, and ordered proper measures to be immediately adopted to enforce them.
M. Voïdel, in the name of the Committee of Researches, stated to the assembly a discovery, in which he affirmed the safety of the state was deeply interested. It was as follows:
Madame de Pearson, of Paris, lately sent some linen to wash—in one of the pockets of this lady, the washerwoman found a letter which she could not read, but which she communicated to several washerwomen of her acquaintance—these, without being able to read it wholly, discovered that it spoke of a Counter Revolution.
She who first found it, thought it her duty to lay it before the citizens of her district—The President of the district happened to lay before the Committee of Researches, who, having read it, observed with astonishment:—
“That a Sieur Henry Cordon, heretofore Count de Lyon, informed Madame de Pearson that a great and formidable intrigue in France was on the point of unfolding itself—and that it would be prudent in her not to wait till the train should be kindled.”
As soon as the Committee of Researches had read this letter, a National Guard under a fictitious name, was sent to the lady, to endeavour to learn from her the address of the Sieur Henry Cordon—She answered the spy of the Committee, that she was unacquainted with the person for whose address he asked.
The Committee, informed of her answer, sent to her, in the middle of the night, two commissioners, to examine her papers—none were found.
She was then summoned to appear before the Committee next morning, which she obeyed. The letter in question being shewn to her, she acknowledged it to be that which had been written to her by the Sieur Henry Cordon, a Savoyard, and “That it relates to plans of the King of Sardinia, which she believes have for object a counter Revolution in France!”
Hereupon the Committee concluded, that the Chatelet should be directed to inform against the Sieur Cordon, and that Madame de Pearson should be set at liberty.
Some members opposed the release of the lady as highly improper, before she declared how she received that letter, and where the author of it resided; while others were of a different opinion, and even ventured to reprobate the conduct of the Committee of Researches, as having favored too much of the ancient system of tyranny which the nation had so lately shaken off. It was at last however decreed,—
“That the Chatelet should be ordered to proceed by information against Sieur Henry Cordon, heretofore Count de Lyon, as involved in a plan for effecting a Counter Revolution.
“2d. That Madame de Pearson be not allowed to absent herself, until, after having made a deposition—and be forthcoming during the course of the procedure.”
L O N D O N, September 14.
The letters received yesterday from Spain, by the French Mail, hold out a more hostile appearance than any that have been received for some weeks; and indeed the armaments preparing in all the Spanish ports are more considerable than they have been since the first idea of a rupture prevailed. The Imprest service, which is very unusual in Spain, is carried on with a degree of severity scarcely ever known, and the general language at Madrid breathes the spirit of war.
The Emperor of Morocco has declared war against Spain, on which account three regiments has been embarked at Cadiz to defend the Spanish Coasts, most likely to be attacked by these Barbarians.
The report of Earl Gower's having demanded an explanation of the Court of France, of what were the intentions in regard to Spain, is without any foundation. The best informed politicians at Paris observe in their letters, that were such an explanation demanded, it would not be favourably received. They confess their incompetency in some respect to act with vigour at the present moment, but they assert that should it be necessary to enter into a war, they are well able to procure the means, and they have the inclination to assist their old ally—In short they write, that France will never suffer the Spaniards to be insulted or crushed by any power whatever.
But a very few days will now determine the grand question of peace or war. Mr. Fitzherbert has delivered the ultimatum of the British Court, and the answer to it will shew the disposition of Spain in the most certain point of view, and whether the latter Court has changed its language of reconciliation, on hearing the news of what has passed in the National Assembly. From the letters received yesterday, we are inclined to believe that Spain is acting a very jesuitical part, and only waits the favourable moment to throw off the mask, and give us fresh cause for commencing hostilities.
Sept. 15. The next messenger, who is expected every day, will certainly bring some intelligence of a more decisive nature than has hitherto transpired.
The conduct of Spain has been extremely uncertain—to inexplicable as to the real intentions of that court—and so little to be depended upon, that it became requisite for this country to arm as it has done. Variety of conjectures were the natural result, and as the most profound secrecy was observed in the councils of the British Cabinet, the report of peace and war fluctuated every day.
It is very probable that Spain may wish to prolong her negotiation until she has a certainty of what force France can actually send to her assistance, and how far that force will be permitted to act as her combined friend. She may also wish to make a treaty with Russia, in order to try and form a triple alliance that may in some measure counterbalance the united strength and interest of Great-Britain, Prussia, and Holland, and on these considerations delay that categorical answer which our Cabinet insists upon.
Spain may also, and no doubt has in view the preservation of her arbitrary system of Government, from the new and dangerous innovations which freedom is daily making throughout Europe, and as the best mode of keeping slaves from an insurrection, is not to give them time to think, or to
be idle; so she deemed a great armament by sea and land the best security in her power against a Revolution, and that a war, whether successful or not, would be more beneficial to those views than peace.
The detaching Sweden from the Turks will no doubt strengthen the Empress, and in consequence afford her an opportunity of giving to Spain that fleet which otherwise must have been employed against the Swedish navy.
Upon the whole, however, as Spain, with the assistance of this new ally, and with the force that France could give her, would still be far, very far inferior to the united strength of Holland and England, it is not natural to suppose, unless she has something of much greater importance in view than Nootka Sound, that she will ever come seriously to blows. Indeed, the present embroiled state of France, and the Counter-Revolution which is at this moment working in the bowels of that distracted country, make it next to an impossibility to receive any thing but promises, in respect to the family compact, from his Most Christian Majesty—or rather from his Masters, the National Assembly.
The wane of the Marquis de la Fayette's power is very evident from the National Guards refusing to return thanks to the troops who acted against the inhabitants of Nancy. Though they were called together for that purpose, and though the Marquis himself proposed the question, and backed it by every means in his power.
When any man who leads a party, be a Minister or a General, meets with a rebuff of this kind, his power is in a ticklish situation, and generally near its end.
The number of killed and wounded, on both sides, in the late mutiny at Nancy, is stated, in a private letter, received by yesterday's mail, at upwards of 1600.
By official dispatches received at Luxembourg, from Vienna, the 23d last month, it appears that the army destined for the Low Countries, began its march on the 26th ult. and that the first column was expected there on the latter end of this month. Marshall Bender has informed the persons attached to the Royal Party, that his army will amount to 40,000 men. Prince Hohenlohe will have the command of it, under the Marshal's orders.
M. de Maillebois has taken a Hotel at Maestricht in order to be near the frontiers of France, where the number of French Malecontents was very considerably increased at their chief places of rendezvous, which are Deux-ponts, Saarbruch and Nice.
Lunardi has had another narrow escape of his life at Palermo. He went up from thence in a balloon, which carried him out to sea, where he was obliged to descend, and was very near being drowned, having scarce any remains of life, when some fishermen came and took him up.
Sept. 18. The Austrian army is actually on its march to Brabant, and the National Guards of France, alarmed by the prints are thronging to the frontier, to prevent any inroad into the kingdom, which is believed without probability, to be their design. A man who has made such a peace as Leopold, can hardly be suspected of a wish to interfere with his neighbours; 47,417 effective men compose the Austrian army upon march, as delivered to the war Minister at Paris.
The Belgic nation is now in such a state as to excite the sympathy of every friend to human nature. The waste of blood is at all times a dreadful prospect, but its horrors are aggravated, when the contest is hopeless and ineffectual. Without the aid of Prussia, the exhortation of their priests will be of little avail, when they are brought seriously to contend against the arms of Austria.
Sept. 21. Though upon the eve of a message from Spain, which it is said to be the ultimatum , there is little doing in the Ally; stocks however, keep up a full peace price at 78.
The estimate of the loss at the late fire at Madrid is now reported to be near FIVE MILLIONS STERLING. Some of the finest houses in that city have fallen a sacrifice to the flames.
A part of the grand fleet is ordered to be put in readiness, to weigh their anchors at a moment's warning. This is said to have been occasioned by a determination, that, notwithstanding the lateness of the season, a squadron shall be instantly dispatched, upon the arrival of our messengers from Spain, if the answer he brings is not completely satisfactory.
Stockholm, Aug. 31. To day peace was proclaimed with the usual solemnities in the different quarters of the city. The royal family, and other persons of distinction assisted at the Te Deum, which was sung with great pomp at the Cathedral, after which there was a court and public dinner at the palace, and the evening is to close with illuminations and other demonstrations of joy.

A succinct account of the Life of Dr. James Medicot,
Who was executed on the Commons near Winchester, Virginia, on Friday the 26th of November, 1790, for the Murder of JOHN HEFFERSON, a Journeyman Rope-Maker. To which is added, his Religious Exercises while in prison, after Condemnation, and a DECLARATION, published at his own particular request.
JAMES MEDLICOT was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. His parents and most of his relations were in affluent circumstances, and at the hands of the former he received an education, which, had he applied to a proper use, together with his natural talents, would have proved an ornament to this or any other country. The object of his affections, to whom he was married at a very early age, was a woman endowed with every qualification requisite to the sex; she died in child-bed, and he was inconsolable for the loss of so amiable a mate—for some time he was delirious on this account.—After he had recovered from his affliction he went a voyage or two to sea, and in a short time engaged in matrimony a second time. Unfortunately for him, he did not enjoy many happy years with this his second choice—jealousy, that bane to conjugal affection, entered his breast—a separation was the consequence, and this wife's friends commenced a prosecution against him, which very much injured his circumstances. At this unlucky moment he fell in with a most notorious vixen, with whom he eloped to this country, bringing with them an infant son, which he had by the last-mentioned wife.—From this time we may date his downfall.
Though bred in the mercantile line, which he followed with advantage for some time in his native country, the rash step he had taken, together with the circumstance of the prosecution, as above recited, deprived him of the materials requisite to pursue it in America; he was therefore necessitated to become a dependent on others; but, disdaining servility, he did not long continue in this situation.—Having acquired a knowledge of the theory of medicine, by reading the works of different eminent authors, the practice thereof, in the borough of Winchester, seemed to open a door to him, whereby he might obtain a competence sufficient to place him above the reach of dependence on the will and caprice of any individual; and it is generally believed he would have succeeded to his utmost expectations, had not that dæmon RUM and the conduct of his dulcinea interrupted him. From these two sources did all the evils spring which brought on his untimely end.
A report having gone abroad that this unfortunate man killed one of his wives in Ireland, we have the best authority for declaring, that such report is without foundation.
The following RELIGIOUS EXERCISES were written by him while in prison, after condemnation.
OH! great and incomprehensibly glorious God! whose divine excellence surpasseth human imagination; thou, who art every where present, and searcheth the heart and reins of mankind, and with unparallelled mercy and loving kindness, condescends to bestow thy particular providence on each individual of thy creation, whose good is pleasure to thy benevolence, and whose misery is only the fruit of that perverseness, the consequence of sinful nature, in which, alas! mankind hath been conceived and born—and from which thou hast been pleased to redeem all believers:—thy goodness surpasseth human conception, by giving thy beloved Son, in whom thou art well pleased to suffer the ignominious death of the cross, as an atonement for the sins of the faithful. Oh! thou Supreme Governor of the Universe! for the sake of Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate, forgive the manifold sins and wickedness which I have committed, and now look on with horror, and I hope sincerely repent of: The remembrance of them are painful to me, more especially when I consider thy gracious condescension in calling thyself my Father, who have acted in all respects so very contrary to any similitude with thy divine excellence, which is all perfection and holiness, and hateth sins and uncleanness. I am burthened with a load of iniquity, and defiled with impurity, so that I am not fit to appear before thy throne of grace, or open my vile lips in thy presence, much less ask any favour from thy Divine Majesty, whose wrath and indignation so justly are the reward of my ingratitude and sinful conduct.
O! most merciful Father! I should sink into despair was not thy bountiful goodness and divine revelation, the only comfort to a wretched sinner: O! father! I have sinned against heaven and against thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, O, blessed Jesus, thou spotless lamb of God! may thy memorable death and passion, atone for those sins which a wretched impotent mortal like me, is totally incapable of atoning for in the smallest degree—to thee I come: thou hast said come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh you; on thee, O merciful Saviour, I rely for pardon and forgiveness under a load of sin too heavy for me to bear. O! great and glorious Lord God! pour into my heart the healthful spirit
* It is asserted by those who knew him, that he had abundant proof of his wife's infidelity.
of thy grace, that I may thereby be enabled to a perfect repentance not to be repented of. Subdue and destroy all vain hopes, or the least dependence on myself, and fill my mind with a true Christian faith and trust in thy all-sufficient merits, and, O merciful Lord! guide me by thy grace, that my thoughts, words and deeds may be acceptable in thy sight; unto thee I commit my spirit, soul and body, beseeching thee to take me and all that is mine under thy gracious protection. Though sensible as I am of my own unworthiness, yet faith in thy mercy and loving kindness, makes me hope thou wilt be graciously pleased to look with an eye of pity on a wretched penitent, who prays for thy divine grace to perfect repentance; and that thou wouldst be pleased to work in me a reformation and regeneration, which thro' thy merits, O! my Saviour! may entitle me to an inheritance in thy everlasting kingdom.
Say! O thou Divine Principle of Animation! what is death, which man looketh upon with so much doubt, and too often with horror? and, what is life, which, while inhabiting this earthly machine, renders it the object of our principal care, although we are every moment convinced that the corporeal part was dust, and unto dust it must return. Wonderful machine! formed by the all-powerful hand! Who can look into thy structure, and not glorify the Almighty for his works? Man alone is but the sample of his incomprehensible goodness: the world and all therein, night to night, and day to day, proclaim the Creator's power.—O! thou great first cause! who art visible in all thy works, it is not within the scope of human knowledge to see the extent of thy greatness, or form a conception to innocence as thy glory: This very frame, which is our care on earth, is so formed by thee, that in it we are kept to certain bounds, which reason or the mind cannot go beyond, and vainly attempts the mystery, which it is thy will to keep from our knowledge, while in this state of mortal existence.
Thou all-pervading power! mighty and glorious Majesty! it should be our beings end and aim to extol and glorify thy inexpressible qualities, sensible that we are incapable of worshipping equal to thy merits. The life is thee, and thou art life everlasting: The spiritual existence which we call soul, is of thee: 'tis thine, and Death has no dominion over it. Death then demon-strates, that man consists of two distinct parts: He is an animated machine, wonderfully formed to serve the Creator's purpose, but evidently subservient to a nobler principle: Organized for sensations, it conveys, in a limited degree, perception to the soul: The eye, the ear, and every congeries of nerves, exercise a function which terminate in the principle of animation: The soul depends on this machinery for rectitude of perception, and is confined during what we call this life, to the bounds which the organs of sense cannot exceed.
Yet, in this corporeal state, distinct faculties of the soul are in all cases demonstrated, and reason shews that there is a superior excellence to dust, which is the material only of the soul's habitation here. Death separates the one from the other; at the hour of death, when animation ceases, a change begins, which soon reduces the curious and wonderful machine to its first principle—dust, and shews the vanity of that regard which was paid to corruptible matter—which too often, alas! hath been our care, in preference to the immortal soul. How loathsome is the corpe when deprived of animation: Every organ of sensation in the animated body feels disgust, when applied to the cold palid, ghastly, stinking mass, which soon becomes so irksome that, even those who felt for it love, friendship, and every tender and generous sentiment while animated, must acquiesce to hurry the lifeless putrefaction to the worms for food. See then, and think, O, man, what thou art! For to this all must come—this separation must take place.
A few revolving hours will produce an important change in my existence. Alas! the executioner will be instrumental in separating my mortal and immortal parts—Oh! Maker of me! great Creator! I am thine: Be thou, O God, merciful unto me, and so incline my soul by the operation of thy holy spirit, that all my thoughts, words and deeds may be to thy glory, and preparatory for the awful change, when through the merits of Jesus Christ, I hope for eternal life. To thee I look for the abode of that principle which moves these fingers, with a view of celebrating thy glorious praise. The meditating principle that looks through faith in thee for things unseen, humbly relies on thy mercy and bountiful goodness for the enjoyment of what thy wisdom wraps in mystery.
The eye that conveys the idea of visible objects, as to external appearance—the ear which conveys sound—the nose so nice to smell, and the nervous fibres so exquisitely formed for the feeling and taste, to distinguish and relish food, are now in the vigour of health; the economy of nature's laws goes in regular progression through my whole frame; the blood circulates, the vessels found, no secretary organ incapacitated, no duct or gland obstructed; a regular harmony is preserved through the whole, while animation holds the reins, and, by thought directs voluntary motion, for which these involuntary workings seem destined to fit the machine, which instantly obeys the mental part according to prescribed powers: In vain doth mankind search with indefatigable industry for a perfect knowledge of each part of this curious fabric; he sees it all, and knows that each depends on the other parts, so as to constitute a whole, which needs must operate together; but it is only the most conspicuous parts of which he can conjecture
the use and intent; of the most material or main part he knows but very little. The greatest anatomist's skill is lost in the mazy labyrinths of the brain, that organ of organs, is a mystery; hid from human researches are its functions in the animal economy; it hath not been unravelled so as to ascertain for what purpose it is, or what are its operations, though evidently of the first consequence. Are the nerves, which seem here to terminate as though in a focus, through numberless ramifications with unspeakable rapidity, conveying sensation to one particular point.—Cease, cease my busy mind, and enterprize no more in the field of wide conjecture—a Terrestrial Judge, to benefit society, it seems, hath thought fit to hurry you, where—
O! God of all Mercy! whose omnipotence hath formed man after thy own image—great and wonderful even in those parts which we see and know, yet knowing that we know but part of what we see, and are totally ignorant of the vital principle. How superlatively great and glorious must be thy excellence—how dazzled must the understanding be, when the vale of darkness is removed, and the mortal scale-drops from the mind's eye, to behold thy glory and greatness in those works which thy wisdom keeps in mystery.
Thy will, O God! be done; thou condescendest to call thyself my Father, and hast created man after thine own image. Boundless goodness! let me not, O Father! profane the exalted idea I entertain of thy incomprehensibly great attributes, by doubting thy merciful loving kindness. Tho', Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, hast thou not, in thy gracious goodness and mercy for the weakness and sinful nature of thy creature, provided a propitiation; O, let the thought fill my soul with gratitude, Saviour of the world, blessed Jesus Christ, thou beloved Son of God, in whom he is well pleased, who died for the sins of mankind; be thou my mediator and advocate, for my sins are so great and many, that when I look back, I shudder at the thought of so soon appearing before the all-seeing eye of unerring justice—but mercy is his attribute. O, blessed Lord, pour into my heart thy holy spirit to work a sincere and acceptable repentance, and to inspire me with a truly Christian faith, that thro' the blood of the blessed Jesus I may be forgiven and received into everlasting glory and happiness.
The following Reflections seem to have been written after an attempt to escape.
TOO oft, O Lord, doth ingratitude influence my soul to rely on thy boundless goodness and mercy, without the due tribute of praise and thanksgiving, which is all I have to offer: Alas, my actions, still prone to evil, are at this time intolerably vile: Alas, how can I expect the blessings which thou hast assisted me with in my heavy affliction, and which I have slighted and misused. O Lord, my God! I beseech thee for Christ's sake, forsake me not, help me with thy holy spirit to perfect the work of repentance unto salvation; without thee, O Lord, I am totally incapable; be merciful unto me, unworthy as I am. O, Saviour of the world, be thou my advocate and mediator, bestow on me a double portion of thy holy spirit, to guard me against the assaults of Satan; teach me, O Lord, to despise all attempts to extricate myself from the dreadful afflictions under which I labour; in thy divine providence do thy will, I only beseech thee to be merciful unto me, and bestow the light of thy countenance to uphold me in the scene of trouble with which thou art pleased to visit me. Thy will, O Lord, be done; enable me, I pray thee, to bear with patience my afflictions; and, O, my God! as I solely trust in thee, I pray thee bring them to a happy issue. Be it as thou wilt. O Lord, deliver me as to thee seems best, for unto thee I resign my spirit, my soul, my body, and all that is mine.—O chasten me not in thy heavy displeasure, but be merciful unto me, for thy name's sake, and the sake of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, thro' whose blessed cross and passion I hope for forgiveness of my sins.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Lord God, great and wonderful is thy might, majesty and dominion, and thy merciful loving kindness surpasseth all things; unto thee be all praise. I glorify thy holy name; O, hallowed be thy name, above all things in Heaven or earth, thy kingdom come. Teach me O Lord to do thy will; assist me, O Lord, I pray thee, so to conduct myself at this time, when thou art pleased to visit me with affliction, so that I may shew thyself devoted unto thee, and desirous only to be and appear glorifying thee, and firmly relying on thy mercy; support me, O my God, through this trying scene: O my God! my God! do not forsake me; I am firmly resolved, that if it is thy will that the sentence under which I am, shall terminate my existence here on earth, to devote the short space allotted me unto thee: But if it be thy merciful will, O Lord, to let this cup pass from me, and spare me, as I beg for Jesus Christ's sake some longer days, that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more seen: O blessed and merciful Lord, my life shall be devoted solely unto thee; by thy grace, O Lord, I shall daily and constantly embrace every opportunity to amend my past sinful life and fill my time with praise, thanksgiving to thy holy name, and in all thoughts, words and actions, to glorify thee. O God, my defender and keeper, I trust, O Lord, to thee, stretch forth thy right hand and deliver me in thy merciful loving kindness. I beg thro' the merits and mediation, and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen.

DECLARATION.
WHEN the awul gulph of Eternity opens its wide expanse, to receive a soul that is devoted in a few hours to be separated by the Executioner from a mortal body; the hope of good to mankind, from considering a case, which, notwithstanding the investigation of legal process, is yet not generally understood, induces me to make this declaration; for, by circumstances to me unaccountable, the truth has been obscured, and error in judgment brings on my untimely end; which would be a painful reflection to me, but that I am reconciled to the just judgments of God, and in humble resignation to his omnipotent will, I shall depart in hopes of a blessed inheritance, through the mediation of Jesus Christ.
By the rash and unguarded act of a moment, I was unhappily instrumental in hastening a fellow creature out of this world—and am condemned for murder; but the horrid crime of murder, which cannot be without malice propense, I solemnly declare I am innocent of. I did not harbour any malicious design against the unfortunate man who died by a blow from my hand—it was given in a violent rage, and in the dark, so that I did not know where he was wounded until my trial. I was investigated only to prevent a riot at my door, which the deceased and one Lynch had begun; and I was more particularly induced to endeavour for peace and quietness, because a disturbance had been occasioned the same evening by the outcry of a drunken woman, who had caused a crowd, and I dreaded my house being stigmatized as disorderly.
About a month before the melancholy event, the deceased had followed his wife to my house, where she took shelter, to prevent him from beating her, and (he being intoxicated) I pushed him out of doors without violence, and fastened the door; he went away, but in a few minutes returned and broke one of my windows, at which he entered the house; on my speaking to him from an upper room, he went out the same way he came in. The next day I got a warrant for him, and he was brought before a magistrate, when, on his submission and promise to repair damages, I freely forgave him, and thought no more of it; and although it was proved at my trial, that (when I left the magistrate's) I did, in the presence of the deceased and two others, say, that if he came to my house again, I would kill him—yet he had no more apprehension from me, than I had intention against him; for in a few days after he came to my house drunk, bareheaded, unarmed and riotous; and, on my saying, "did not you promise not to disturb me," he went away.
The night of the melancholy event, the unfortunate man had followed his wife past my door—loudly threatening her, and in a few minutes afterwards she came to my house, but I told her to go away, lest he should follow her and breed a disturbance! she obeyed, and the door was fastened when he came and enquired if she was there; Lynch, who answered him, bred a quarrel with him, and, in endeavouring to drive him off to prevent a riot, I unhappily gave the blow productive of such melancholy consequences.
But I never had any connection with him which did cause malice; the casual words from which malice was implied I do not remember—I did not lie in wait for him, and could it be supposed that I brooded on the dateable idea for so long a time:—It can hardly be reconciled to common sense that, in that time, I should never think of saving myself, or concerting measures for executing my design, without exposing myself to being immediately apprehended. The event happened before a crowd of witnesses, and in every point of view that it can be placed, my own inevitable destruction must be the consequence. But his death was not wilful, designed or intended, nor with the view of any possible gain, advantage, or gratification on my side; therefore, let mercy look with pity on the fate of an unfortunate mortal.
JAMES MEDLICOT.
November 25, 1790.
In one of his Books was found a solemn dedication of himself to God, according to a direction and form to be met with in Dr. Doddridge's Rise and Progress.
He met his fate with a becoming degree of fortitude and resignation to the Divine Will.
To accommodate our Readers with the foregoing Narrative, we have been obliged to omit a number of domestic paragraphs, intended for this day's paper, but which shall appear in our next.
NEW-YORK, November 18.
Last evening arrived here from Liverpool after a passage of 50 days, the ship Nereus, Capt. Thomson. By this vessel we have European advices as late as the 27th of September, which confirm the accounts lately received of the British fleet under Lord Howe having returned to Spithead; also, that a hot press for men was still going on in most of the British sea ports, and the public in general in a state of indecision as much as ever in regard to the probability of peace or war with Spain.
Three transports arrived in the channel of England, previous to the above vessel's sailing, chiefly laden with women and children, baggage, &c. from Gibraltar. Accounts came by those vessels that the Spaniards had made some encroachments upon the neutral ground, near Gibraltar, and had been threatened to be fired upon by the commandant.
The Captain, in addition to the above, says, that two days previous to his sailing, arrived in the channel the ship Trelawney Planter, Capt. McDonald, from Jamaica, who, in coming through the Florida straits, fell in with two Spanish seventy-four gun ships, who having hailed him, and their orders to him to come on board not being readily
obeyed, they took him out of his ship by force, put him twelve hours in the Bilboes, and in the mean time rummaged and ransacked his ship as they thought proper. After this outrage they suffered him to proceed on his passage.
RICHMOND, December 1.
Copy of a letter from Winchester, November 24, 1790.
"I am obliged to you for your news; but would have been glad you had stated more particularly the grounds upon which our assembly have reproached the assumption of the state debts by Congress. If it arises from those virtuous motives that should actuate the legislature of a Commonwealth, I will respect, nay even admire the conduct of our representatives, and consider them as the worthy trustees of a free people—but if it proceeds only from a peevish discontent at the diminution of their own power and influence, which will follow the assumption, and not from the apparent violation of the rights of their fellow citizens, it is of little consequence to me in whose hands the power be, if it be abused on both sides. I fear that but few either of our general or local legislators understand sufficiently the foundation or first principles of all government; or if they do, they are too apt to overlook them when they thwart or oppose a favourite pursuit. In public, as in private life, we are too apt to justify the means by the end, a practice destructive of all virtue.
"It is shrewdly said by the author of CommonSense, "That society is founded on our wants, but government on our vices." If men were uniformly just to one another, there would certainly be no occasion for government. Justice being the end, all exercise of power whether by ourselves or by our delegates, that has any different object is abuse ; if it opposes the end, it is injustice . If I employ an attorney to protect my property against invasion, recover my money, and pay my creditors, and were he to allow my debtors to game with my money in the public funds, or employ it to their own purposes, I would say he abused his powers—if he at the same time suffered my debts to remain unpaid, I would say he acted dishonestly.
"If this be true in the case of an individual, is it less true if there be a hundred attorneys, and a million of employers?
"Have our federal governors attended to these principles in offering to discharge debts contracted at 6 per cent by paying 3 per cent. They seem indeed to have felt this objection, by promising some additional payment at a distant period.—And by leaving the creditor to accept or not. But in this choice very different from what the robber gives, when he offers us the alternative of losing our purse or our life? Our governors then may with great justice reprobate the assumption, but what would the world say if whilst they censure the Congress, they should not make an equitable provision for their own debts, and leave their creditors at the mercy of those against whose justice they complain?
"The lois to individuals is but a trifling consideration, since the public effects have been acquired almost generally at a price that will leave a profit by the payments offered.
"What calls for attention, is the danger to the public. I trust if the legislature of a new republic shall trifle with moral obligation, which it is her most particular obligation to enforce, what is to be expected from individuals but a general corruption of manners?
"I will hope better things of my country—I hope they will always keep in view—that the sole foundation upon which a republican form of government can stand, is virtue and integrity—But if the source be impure, the waters must soon be corrupted."
SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, December 13.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Kentucky, to a member of the General Assembly at Richmond, dated November 5, 6, and 7, 1790.
"I have waited with expectation of giving you some certain account of our troops, but nothing certain—many improbable conjectures fill the minds of the people.—A hand-bill just come to Bourbon, contains an extract of a letter from Governor St. Clair, to General Wilkinson, which informs, that our army met with little or no opposition. The Miami villages were abandoned; from thence a detachment was sent up the St. Joseph's river, which fell in with a party of Indians, and had a severe engagement. General Harmer made a shew of retreating, and marched about eight miles, from which he detached a strong party to the field of action, in hopes of finding the Indians on the ground—as they expected, so they found them, and an action commenced the 22d of October—The action was obstinate, and many fell on both sides. There were so many Indians killed in crossing the St. Joseph's river, that their dead bodies stopped the current of the river for a considerable time, and formed a dam that could very easily have been crossed upon. Major Fountain of Fayette, and General Scott's son were killed the second fire; Capt. M'Murtry of the militia, and 73 militia killed; Major Willis, Lieut. Frothingham, of the Federal Troops, and 77 privates fell in the action.
"Col. M'Million of Fayette, passed by Col. Edwards's last night, and confirms the greater part of the above account. General Harmer never sent one single man to reinforce the detachment (consisting of 400 men who had to sustain the whole Indian army), and he had with him in camp more than 1100 men
—the party suffered much—Our men at last lost ground, Col. Harding's wing was beaten and broke—Lieut. Col. Hall of Bourbon, M'Million Major Willis broke the other wing of the Indians, which led to the amazing slaughter in the river St. Joseph. General Harmer never sent to bury the dead, nor bring off any of the wounded. Capt. David Tharpe, and his Lieutenant William Clark, fell in the field. The Bourbon militia has suffered very much, nearly one third of them, M'Million says, fell on the ground. I have given you the best information I have been able to collect. The army is now at Licking, and is expected home hourly.—Major Jones may, before he leaves the district (who will give you this letter) collect the whole truth of the matter."
The Honorable BEVERLY RANDOLPH, Esquire, is re-elected Governor of this Commonwealth for the year ensuing.
HARDIN BURLEY, JOHN STEELE, and MILES SELDEN, Esquires, are chosen Members of the Honorable Privy Council of this State.
From the LONDON GAZETTE.
WHITEHALL, September 18.
This morning, about five o'clock, departed this life, at Cumberland House, Pall-Mall, after a long illness, his Royal Highness Henry Frederick Duke of Cumberland, to the great grief of their Majesties and all the Royal Family.
NOTICE is hereby given, that agreeable to Law the following Tracts of Land, or so much thereof, will be sold for the Taxes due thereon, and the expenses, viz.
  JOHN BELL, 150 Acres for 1787 and 1788.   Jonas Bean, 100 for ditto   William Chambers, 225 for ditto   George Coon, 187 for ditto   George Clarke, 115 for ditto   Samuel Davis, 100 for ditto   Benjamin Foreman, 200 for ditto   Tho. Lord Fairfax, 761 for ditto   John Freed, 100 for ditto   Michael Ingle, 90 for ditto   Matthias Keen, 30 for ditto   John Lemon, 79 for ditto   John Loer, 1 Lot,   Edward M'Kennedy, 100 Acres for ditto   James Nourse, 879 for ditto   John Rizer, 103 for ditto   Jacob Roads, 295 for ditto   Daniel Rust, 100 for ditto   William Small, 150 for ditto   Wil. Vassall's heirs, 283 for ditto   James Willett, 123 for ditto   Thomas White, 167 & half for ditto   John Wimmer, 1 Lot   Bazel Abrams, 100 for 1788   John Brannon, 200 for ditto   Sam. Banks's exec's. 127 for 84, 85, 86, 87 & 88.   Jonathan Brown, 100 for ditto   William Barnes, 200 for ditto   William Crawford, 1 Lot for ditto   — Clarke, 1 do. for ditto   John Crockett, 1 do. for ditto   Col. Carlyle's exec's. 4 do. for ditto   Thomas Dent, 550 Acres for ditto   James Elliot, 100 for ditto   James Edmondson, 743 for ditto   George Eskridge 1000 for ditto   James Fulton, 150 for ditto   Peter Finakle, 40 for ditto   George Foland, 2 Lots   Nancy Fox, 148 Acres ditto   Tho. Lord Fairfax, 750 do. and 5 Lots,   William Fitzhugh, 1 Lot,   Michael Faulkner, 1 do.   William Gilbreath 105 Acres,   William Grant, 100   Richard Graham, 400   Jean Logan, 272   David Hosman, 240   — Hamlin, 800   — Higgins's exec. 1 Lot   Col. Howard, 1 do.   Col. Hite, 2 do.   Jeremiah Hoskinson, 200 Acres,   John Jackson's exec. 86   Joseph Keen, 300   Adam Kellon 1 Lot,   Fielding Lewis, 1 do.   Luke & Milback, 1 do.   William M'Mahan, 300 Acres,   Thomas M'Intire, 200   Joseph Mitchell, 145   Mary Manning, 300   John Noland, 1 Lot,   William Neal, 100 Acres,   William Neely, 400   John Perkins, 172   M. Page, 1 Lot,   Daniel Reed, 10 Acres,   Ann Roberts, 100   Thomas Ruisel, 1 Lot,   Gasper Seever, 96 Acres,   John Stull 1 Lot,   Henry Stephens & Co. 1 do.   Jacob Tabler, 1 do.   Mebeling Woolery, 2 do.   Jacob Ward's exec. 50 Acres,   Williams & Cary 100   Henry Yakey 450 
The sale will commence the 10th of FEBRUARY next, on the Land of John Bell, and continue from Day to Day, until the Whole is sold.
SMITH SLAUGHTER, (Late Sheriff Berkeley County.)
December 3, 1790.

SEAT OF THE MUSES.
FOR THE PATOWMAC GUARDIAN, &c.
The DISAPPOINTMENT.
A MISTAKE of vast magnitude lately arose, So mighty to think of, the whole i'll disclose. In the paper* a PASTOR was call'd for aloud, And beg'd the congregation to meet in a croud. But in preaching as printing mistakes will arise, For one happen'd now of a monstrous size. They, good folks, far and near, all solemnly met, While each said a good PASTURE he had for to let; "A pasture, said an elder, in an angry tone," (With a voice that did somewhat resemble a drone) "Do ye think, repeats he, that we want to get fat, "On grass, just like creatures, no more of your chat; "'Tis a preacher we want who will roar loud and strong, "Who will preach once a week seven hours 'mong a throng; "Zo, zo, said the peasant, excuse us I pray, "To letters we never yet had much to say, "Such great words! and learned words! are only for you, "Then I hope you wont scold, if your pasture wont do; "There's neighbour Spriggins I fware, who bawls like a bull, "And continues it too for twelve hours to the full: "Employ him at once, he will answer your taste, "He looks monstrous swell in a pulpit when plac'd," The throng all dispers'd, and were sorry in mind, For their PASTURE a tenant they could not now find: They all purchas'd lexicons of great renown, To scan learn'd advertisements 'ere they came to town. Ye daubers observe when you scribble and write, To be meek in expression, before ye indite.  S I M P L I C I T Y.  * See the Winchester Centinel of 20th October last.
The MOUSE'S PETITION.
OH! hear a pensive captive's prayer, For Liberty that sighs! And never let thine heart be shut, Against the prisoner's cries.  For here forlorn and sad I sit, Within the wiry grate, And tremble at th' approaching morn, Which brings impending fate.  If e're thy breast with freedom glow'd, And spurn'd a tyrant's chain; Let not thy strong oppressive force, A free-born Mouse detain.  Oh! do not stain with guiltless blood, Thy hospitable hearth; Nor triumph that thy wiles betray'd, A prize so little worth.  The scatter'd gleanings of a feast, My scanty meals supply: But if thine unrelenting heart That slender boon deny.  The chearful light, the vital hour, Are blessings widely given; Let nature's commoners enjoy, The common gifts of heaven.
The well-taught philosophic mind, To all compassion gives; Casts round the world an equal eye, And feels for all that lives.
If minds as antient fages taught's A never dying flame, Still shifts thro' matters varying forms, In ev'ry form the fame.
Beware, lest in the worm you crush, A brother's soul you find; And tremble lest thy luckless hand, Dislodge a kindred mind.
Or if this transient gleam of day, Be all of life we share, Let pity plead within thy breast, That little all to spare.
May thy hospitable board, With health and peace be crown'd, And every charm of heart-felt peace, Beneath thy roof be found.
So when unseeen destruction works, Which Men like Mice may share; May some kind Angel clear the path, And break the hidden snare.
A N E C D O T E.
A COUNTRY Clergyman, a short time since was abruptly called upon by a rustic, who ve- ry earnestly entreated him to baptize him imme- diately to christen a few new born children. "A few (replied the Clergyman) don't you know how many of them there are in the neighbourhood, says the fellow," scratching his head. "I don't know how many there are by this time!"
A Stray.
CAME to the Plantation of the Sub- scriber, about a month ago, a black GELD- ING, about four years old, well posted and ap- praised to forty-two dollars in current currency. The owner may have his property back on paying charges. December 3, 1790.
Richard M c Sherry, At his NEW STORE in Martinsburg, (Lately Mr. M c KEWAN's Tavern) Is now opening and has ready for SALE, on the lowest terms, by wholesale and retail.
BEST old Jamaica and Antigua Spi- rits, West-India and New-England Rum, London Madeira, Lisbon, Teneriff and Claret Wines, Loaf, Lump and Brown Sugar, Molasses, Coffee, Chocolate and Cotton, Hyson, Green and Bohea Tea, Ginger, Pepper, Allspice and Mustard, Gun-Powder, Shot, Flints, and Bar Lead, Indigo, Copperas and Madder, Crawly and blistered Steel, Cotton and Wool Cards, Iron and Salt, Queen's and Glass Ware.
Cash, Wheat, Rye, Oats, Be- Corn, and Public Securities, will Payment.
Fort-Cumberland Nail-Fact- tory.
At this place I make all sorts of Nails, Brads Spikes, and Which I will sell low cash, or country produce. I also want a Number of NAILORS, that are good workmen, and I will give good wa- ges.  JOHN PEIRCE. November 22, 1790. N. B. At this place we work all Stone Coals.
W A N T E D, A GOOD MILCH COW. Any person who has one to dispose of, may hear of a purchaser, by applying to the Printer.
FOR SALE, A Valuable Plantation,
Situated in BERKELEY COUNTY, About 8 miles from SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, and one mile from HALL'S MILL, containing about 363 a- cres, 100 of which is now under improvement, has a good ORCHARD, with 120 bearing APPLE- TREES, a two-story stone DWELLING-HOUSE, with a KITCHEN, BARN, convenient OUT-HOU- SES, LOOM-HOUSE, DISTIL-HOUSE, &c. &c. There are on the above Land 20 Acres of excellent MEADOW, and a number more might easily be made. A stream of good water runs through the whole Meadow. The Plantation is under good im- provement. Whoever may incline to purchase the above Land, are requested to apply to the Sub- scriber, living on the premises.
THOMAS CROW.
November 23, 1790.
Notice!
WHEREAS my Wife Catharine Lind- sey, for a long time past, has behaved herself in an unbecoming manner, which I have suffered with every fortitude I was master of, but, on my late re- turn from Winchester, I not only discovered her connected with another man, but that she had left me in debt at several places in this town—I therefore am, in justice to myself, obliged to forbid all persons trusting her in future on my account, as I will pay no debt of her contracting, after this date.
DAVID LINDSEY.
Shepherd November 23, 1790.
TO give notice to all persons, that I have given my promissary notes, bearing date the 31st day of August, 1789, to the amount of forty pounds, payable at different times, two for fifteen pounds, and one for ten pounds, Pennsylvania money, unto a certain PHILIP MILLER, for a tract of land, which notes I forewarn any person or persons to take an assignment of, as I will not pay them until he makes me a title according to bargain. MATHIAS RISER.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Sept. 20, 1790. IT is hereby made known, that the following ar- rangement has been adopted towards carrying in- to execution the Act, making provision for the debt of the United States, viz.
Loan-Office Certificates, and those issued by the Commissioners for the adjustment of accounts in the several States, will be receivable only at the Treas- ury and by the respective Commissioners of Loans within the States in which they were respectively is- sued. The Certificates issued by the Register of the Treasury, by the Pay Master General and Commis- sioner of Army Accounts, by the Commissioners for the adjustment of the Accounts of the Quarter Master's, Commissary's, Hospital, Cloathing, & Ma- rine Departments, Indents of Interest, and Bills of Old Omission, will be receivable indiscriminately at the Treasury and by the Commissioners of all the States. The situation of the Checks has dicta- ted this arrangement for the greater security of the public against impositions by forged or counterfeit paper, and the details which have been adopted from the same consideration for the execution of the business are such, as will give facility and dispatch, if application from the Holders of Certificates of the Register of the Treasury and of the Paymaster General, and commissioner of Army Accounts, and of the Commissioners of the five Departments above mentioned are made in the first instance at the Treas- ury; and if applications from the Holders of Loan Office Certificates, and Certificates issued by the Commissioners for the adjustment of Accounts in the respective States, are made in like manner to the Commissioners of Loans within the States in which they were issued. Transfers can afterwards be made to any Office that the Proprietors of these Certificates may desire.
The Printers in the several States are requested to insert this.
Wanted immediately, A lower Room and Chamber. One in the Front Street will be prefer- red. Apply to the Printer.
ENGLISH and German Almanacks for 1791 May be had at the Printing-Office.
Wanted immediately, by the Printer hereof, A strong active Lad, who has received a tolerable education, would be taken as an Ap- prentice to the Printing-Business.