The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1792-02-07 00:00:00

The POTO MAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER.
PRICE TWO DOLLARS PER ANN.]
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1792.
[NUMBER 65—VOL. 2.]
WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS, THERE IS MY COUNTRY.
Franklin.
From the CONNECTICUT COURANT. Serious Hints on a very serious Subject.
THE Indian war is very unpopular. Why? Say the Friends of the war, because it has been unsuccessful. No, this is not the reason. It is because its success has called the attention of people to the subject.
What excuse have we for waging war with the Indians? Why this: The savage fellows make war upon our frontier settlements, and kill and scalp the whites. Then establish forts and garrisons on the Ohio, and a sufficient number of chosen light troops to secure the borders of the rivers, and keep the straggling Indians at a distance. Cannot this be done? But this is all that can be done. We must make peace with them or kill them—But we can do neither. It lies with them to say whether they make peace or not; and in order to kill them, we must first catch them. We must set traps for them, or put salt on their tails.
But why send large bodies of men after Indians; and let them know a year before hand what is to be done? Why send cannon into the woods after Indians? The Indians learn war from us, why not we learn of them? Why not fight them in their own way, with small parties, in the bushes, by surprise, when a handful are to be found alone? Why alarm them, and give them time to collect warriors from Lake Superior?
But is the land, where we go in quest of Indians, ours? Is the Indian title extinguished, bona fide , in good conscience? If not, what right have we on the ground? But the Indians will not keep their own limits—they trespass and murder our people on their own ground. Then contract our frontiers as much as possible—send force enough to defend them—and if our people trespass on Indian property, let them be scalped.—But we want to make sale of the western lands to sink our debts. We do not. We do not want a foot of land. We have more vacant land, within safe limits, than will be settled these thirty years; and if there was no savage on this side the Mississippi, Congress would do wrong to open a Land-Office for the sale of the lands in controversy.
Let Pennsylvania, New-York, and Kentucky be first settled—well peopled—and the land farther west will be valuable.—The population in those states is rapid—a few years will see a body of men in these fields of blood which will be able to cope with all the Indians on this side the Mississippi; and when that force is near, the Indians will recede gradually and leave the land, or sell it willingly, without bloodshed. Let offensive operations cease. They are calculated for land-jobbers merely—they are fatally ruinous, without a public object.
But if money must be expended to kill Indians, offer to the whites and friendly Indians a large bounty upon Indian scalps; five, nay ten dollars a scalp. We shall soon see that country clear of savages. Start not at this proposal as dishonourable. It is not dishonourable. If war must be carried on, by us, it is the most proper way of doing it, for it is the Indian way—and the laws of war urge for retaliation. It is shocking, it is monstrous to send solid columns of men into the woods, to stand as marks to be shot at by an enemy in the grass. Offer bounties for scalps, and prompt the avarice of men, in a war where no glory is to be obtained. Until the mode of war is changed, our men do not fight on equal terms.
Besides, a different mode of war will be less expensive. Have we money to throw away? It should be considered, that while our public expenditures are increasing, our revenues are failing.—The duties on spirits have diminished the consumption in this part of the country to a most obvious degree; while the disturbances in the islands check the importation, so that the revenue must, in all probability, fall far short of calculation.—How then is the Indian war to be supported? Perhaps, by hiring soldiers for one dollar a month—All which is humbly submitted to wiser heads.
BOSTON, January 11.
Of the Corps Diplomatique , in Portugal, none support a more elegant style than Col. HUMPHREYS, the Resident from the United States—and in his attention to his countrymen none can exceed him. All his domestics are Americans—his state-coach was made at Philadelphia, and is drawn by four beautiful American horses. His Excellency, we understand, is shortly to be married to an accomplished young lady of Lisbon, possessed of an immense fortune.—“The fair reward the brave.”
The gentleman nominated by the President of the United States, as Ambassador to the Court of London, acted a very distinguished part during the late war: He was wounded at the battle of Camden, when Aid de Camp to General Gates. This is merit sought for and rewarded.
Among the various important matters which it is expected will come before the legislature, at their present session—the separation of the district of Maine—establishment of a Theatre in this town—
incorporating the Tontine Society, and the building a bridge from West-Boston to Lechmere's Point, will probably be subjects which will engage much of their time and attention.
Jan. 13. We have the pleasure to inform our readers, that there is some reason to doubt that part of the news received from Port-au-Prince, relating to the indiscriminate massacre, in the time of the late fire.
On Thursday last arrived in town from Philadelphia, LEMUEL TRESCOTT, Esq; late first Major of the 2d United States Regiment.—This gentleman, it is said, has been forced from the army, in consequence of Mr. WILKINSON a much younger officer, being appointed to the command of the regiment.—To those who are acquainted with the Major's long services, his unparalleled attention to duty, and eminent professional abilities, it is almost unnecessary to mention, that the time when merit, independent of Court-favour, was sought for and rewarded, is at an end:—But as every man, in public life, is subject to the changes and vicissitudes of fortune, it may not be amiss to repeat to those who recommend to vacancies, what was some time since written—
Gods! how you'd share should fickle Fortune drop Your misfrown Lordships, where she pick'd you up.
NEWARK, January 10.
A correspondent asks what rational ground there is to expect, that the western Indians will be disposed for peace with the Americans, so long as they are furnished with all necessary warlike stores by the British merchants and traders at Detroit, and the other western posts? And wishes to know what prevents the Americans from taking possession of those places, which were ceded to them, by the British court, eight years ago? He thinks, that the frontiers of the southern states cannot have peace with the Indians, though formidable armies may be sent to look after them in the woods, while those garrisons afford them an asylum and succours on all occasions.
PHILADELPHIA, January 25.
On Saturday last his Excellency General St. CLAIR, Governor of the Western Territory, arrived in this city.
The following particulars, relative to the late engagement with the Western Indians, are mentioned by a gentleman of Massachusetts, who was at Niagara when the news of the defeat of Gen. St. Clair's troops arrived—“That in the engagement the Indians lost but 56 of their number; that they captured 359 of our troops, and estimate our loss killed, and taken, at 1200—that the Indians were commanded by a Miamisago Chief, a man much in their confidence, who has been a renowned and fortunate warrior—That the next day after the engagement, 700 Indians from the Westward, joined their victorious brethren; they came armed with bows, arrows, and spears; a circumstance which indicates that they have hitherto had but little or no acquaintance with fire arms—That Colonel Brandt was not, (as has been imagined by many) with the Indians in the late action, but lay very sick, at a small distance from Niagara: that the Indians were much exasperated against him, and threatened to use him and his people as they had done the whites.”
The circumstances above mentioned, in conjunction with many others, probably not widely varying from the truth, strikingly evince the necessity of speedy, efficient and decided measures being entered into by the general government, to check the progress of savage depredation, and protect the inhabitants of the Western country. A second defeat may involve in its consequences the ruin of thousands, and the waste of almost unnumbered acres, now cultivated by the hardy hand of industry.
“It is said that one of the first acts of Colonel Simcoe's Government in Canada will be, to deliver up the British posts situated on the east of the River St. Lawrence, and to the south of Nova-Scotia, according to certain articles in the peace with America.”
Thursday, the 5th inst. a large supply of provisions for the garrison at Fort Franklin, were forwarded by the contractors, under convoy of a number of volunteers from Washington and this county commanded by Captain Hughes.
January 23. On Tuesday last more news papers were brought to this city with the mail, on horseback, than has been received since that day, including all that have been brought on horseback and in stages; and on that day the mail arrived at one o'clock.—The Editor of this paper took notice of this last circumstance, and expressed his approbation of the new arrangement in the Gazette of that evening. Sorry are we to say, that, notwithstanding the promises of the Postmaster-General, in his circular letter, addressed to the printers, confusion and irregularity yet prevail with regard to the conveyance of newspapers.
We are not actuated in this business by private resentment—the safe and expeditious conveyance of
news-papers, at a moderate expence, is all we require. When there was a prospect of this, by the new arrangement, on Tuesday last, we were willing and ready to praise—not to censure or condemn. We lament the necessity of again complaining—the printers and other citizens are aggrieved, they are insulted—they are ROBBED! By whom?
The President—the Senate—the Representatives of the United States are now convened in this city; and before their eyes these and other things are done, which would disgrace the most tyrannical aristocracy in the universe.
IN SENATE of the UNITED STATES.
WEDNESDAY, January 11.
THE Senate proceeded to the third reading of the bill sent from the house of representatives for concurrence, entitled, An act to extend the time limited for settling the accounts of the United States with the individual states—and sundry amendments being made, in which the house of representatives were desired to concur—Resolved, that this bill pass.
A written message from the President of the United States, was by Mr. Secretary Lear, delivered to the Vice-President.
United States, January 11, 1792.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the house of representatives,
I LAY before you, in confidence, two reports, made to me by the secretary for the department of war, relative to the present state of affairs on the western frontiers of the United States.
In these reports the causes of the present war with the Indians, the measures taken by the executive to terminate it amicably, and the military preparations for the late campaign are stated and explained, and also a plan suggested of such further measures on the occasion as appear just and expedient.
I am persuaded, gentlemen, that you will take this important subject into your immediate and serious consideration, and that the result of your deliberations will be the adoption of such wise and efficient measures as will reflect honor on our national councils, and promote the welfare of our country.
GEO. WASHINGTON.
PITTSBURG, January 7.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Fort Franklin, to his correspondent in this place, December 29, 1791.
I arrived at this place after a disagreeable and fatiguing journey of six days. Immediately after my arrival we received very alarming news from the Cornplanter, that the western Indians were coming to cut off both him and us—the event of this God only knows.—By accounts from Indians we hear that 800 Canadians were in the action against our people the 4th of November last, and that 100 Indians were killed, and 400 wounded at that time.
Fort Washington, Nov. 27, 1791.
My dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to make for you, agreeably to your desire the following extract from general orders, and am your most obedient humble servant.
W. Sargent.
Major Hamtramack.
Head Quarters, Fort Washington, Nov. 27, 1791. Officer for the day, &c.
At the General Court Martial, whereof Major Clark is President.
Major Hamtramack, commandant of the first United States Regiment was tried upon the following charges exhibited against him by Lieut. Colonel Darke, of the Levies.
Unofficer and unsoldierly behaviour in shamefully retreating from or for fear of the enemy on the 4th instant. Also, for scandalous behaviour in endeavouring to prevent a guard from going with provisions to relieve Fort Jefferson.
The court are of opinion the charges exhibited against Major Hamtramack are not supported, and do acquit him with honour which the General approves, and directs that he may be immediately released from arrest, and hold himself in readiness for command to Vincennes.
The court martial is dissolved.
WINTHROP SARGENT, Adjutant General.
BALTIMORE, January 31.
A French Squadron, from France, having on board Seven Thousand Troops, under the Command of Count Dillon, was lately spoke within a few Days sail from Hispaniola, destined for Cape-Francois. This Force, it is thought, will be amply sufficient to quell the Insurrection of the Negroes in that Island.
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL and WILLIAM SHORT, Esquires, are appointed Commissioners, on the Part of the United States, for negotiating a Treaty or Convention, relative to the Navigation of the River Mississippi, with such Commissioners as are, or may be, authorized for that Purpose by the King of Spain.

SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, February 7.
—GOOD NEWS—IF TRUE.—
Last Sunday evening came to this town, a young man from Cat-Fish, which he left about two weeks ago, and who gave us the following pleasing, interesting, and important intelligence, viz.—That two days before he left Cat-Fish, two men arrived there from Licking, who informed that they had been out with a body of 1300 volunteers on horseback from Kentucky, under General Scott—that they left Licking on the expedition a few days before Christmas—that General Scott dispatched three spies in advance, who, when they arrived about 13 miles beyond the spot where Gen. St. Clair was defeated, they discovered a large body of Indians diverting and enjoying themselves with the plunder they had taken, riding the bullocks, dancing, &c. and appeared to be mostly drunk—that on this information being given to Gen. Scott, who, with the main body, were a few miles in the rear, he divided them into three divisions, advanced, and fell on the enemy by surprise—that the contest was short but victorious on the side of the volunteers, 700 of the enemy being killed on the spot, all the cannon and stores in their possession retaken, and the remainder of the savage body put to flight—that General Scott, having lost but 6 men, returned to Licking in triumph, with most of the cattle, stores, &c. leaving the cannon at Fort Jefferson.—That Gen. Scott had previously gone out with 400 men, but finding his number insufficient, was returning, but met a body of 900 volunteers, who, upon joining him, he immediately proceeded in prosecution of his original design, which fortunately proved successful.
Our informant further adds, that he saw a Kentucky newspaper of the 8th of January, at Morgan-town, brought by Major Reed, containing the account of General Scott's expedition, which corresponded with that given by the two men at Cat-Fish, and that Gen. Scott brought in near 700 scalps. What the plan of our future military operations will be, time will disclose—but we may justly expect, that, guided by experience, government will adopt the most economical plan, by making the most ample provision for the effective defence of the frontiers.
The following affecting circumstance is related by a person who was with General St. Clair's army in the action of the 4th November last.—There were with the American troops a number of white women who had attended them on the expedition. When the retreat was ordered, one of these women having a child in her arms, and being hard pursued by an Indian with a tomahawk, who she found must inevitably overtake her in a few minutes if she did not leave the child, the desire of self-preservation overcame the paternal feelings of nature, and, stopping short for a moment, she placed the infant (being about a year old) on a stump, and immediately renewed her flight.—The Indian rushed on, and in the attempt to kill an officer, who made a stand to save the woman, was shot dead on the spot.—The woman escaped with the troops, but there is every reason to suppose that the child was tomahawked, or its brains dashed out, as it is not likely that the savages, upon such an occasion, found themselves in a humour to carry off an infant of a twelve-month old, to their towns.
In the debates in the House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 20th inst. Mr. SCOTT represented, in strong terms, the necessity of able-bodied active men, of experienced woodsmen and marksmen, of good soldiers, for the defence of the frontiers, at this alarming juncture, and the necessity of a bounty to procure such—he recommended Col. CLARK as a suitable officer to command such men, having never failed in whatever he undertook against the savages. The House agreed to raise a small body of troops, and to give a bounty of eight dollars to each soldier.
The following remarks (copied from the Argus, a Boston paper of the 22d ult.) entitled
RIGHTS OF BLACK MEN,
Are presented to our readers with the amiable and learned author's name subscribed.
IF Freedom depends upon colour, and if the Blacks were born for slaves, those in the West-India Islands may be called Insurgents and murderers. If freedom depends upon colour, we have only to seek for the whitest man in the world, that we may find the freest, and for the blackest, that we may find the greatest slave. But the enlightened mind of Americans will not receive such ideas. We believe, that Freedom is the natural right of all rational beings, and we know that the Blacks have never voluntarily resigned that freedom. Then is not their cause as just as ours? We fought with bravery, and prayed earnestly for success upon our righteous cause, when we drew the sword, and shed the blood of Englishmen—for what? Not to gain Freedom, for we were never Slaves; but to rid ourselves of taxes, imposed without our consent, and from the growing evils of usurpation. Believing our cause to have been just. I believe firmly, that the cause of the Blacks is just. They are asserting those rights by the sword, which it was impossible to secure by mild measures.—Stripes, imprisonment, hunger, nakedness, cruel tortures and death were the portion of those Blacks who even talked of liberty, or who, for a moment conducted like Freemen. Did we talk coolly about the cruel murders of our brothers and sisters at the Northward?—Did we act coolly, when our officers and
soldiers were loaded with irons in loathsome dungeons, and dying by hundreds in prisonships?—We did not.—Then shall we preach lessons of coolness and moderation to the Blacks?—Alas, they are not in a situation to hear us. Gallowses, are erected, and tortures prepared for them at this very moment.
Review the history of their past sufferings: be but a moment in their situation, and judge whether, in a climate warm as theirs, your blood would flow coolly. Let us be consistent Americans, and if we justify our own conduct in a late glorious Revolution, let us justify those, who, in a cause like ours, fight with equal bravery.
We may feel in the cause of humanity, and may lament, that the blood of white men is spilling. It would be happy indeed, if the rights of man could in all countries be asserted as coolly and judiciously, as they have been in France; but in the French West-India Islands, this could not have been done. The efforts of the blacks for a peaceable assertion would have cost them their lives. Arms gave them courage in a common cause. If their Lords had kept them in savage ignorance, shall they be blamed that they fight like savages? Had they been learnt the art of war, they might have conducted their measures more according to Baron Steuben.—Had they been treated with mildness, perhaps their measures had been more mild.
We talked in the late war about the hand of Providence. Since that we have seen the wonders of Providence in various parts of the world, and have gloried that men, long oppressed, had dared to assert their rights. Shall we now cease to glory?—Shall we sacrifice principle to a paltry partiality for colour? Can we believe that the French were ever oppressed as the blacks have been?—Let those differ from me, who will. I have a firm confidence, that we shall now see the hand of Providence more visible than ever. The Universal Father seems now "demonstrating, that of one blood, he has created all nations of men, that dwell on the face of the earth."
J. P. MARTIN.
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN away from the subscriber, living about six miles from Shepherd's-Town, last night, a Negro Man named GEORGE, about 23 or 24 years old, near 6 feet high, something lame in one of his knees, had on and took with him a new coat and breeches of brown coating, a greenish broad-cloth jacket, an old light-coloured great coat, an old blue broad-cloth coat without buttons on the breast, a white country linen shirt, and a new tow linen ditto; he is an artful cunning fellow, and it is probable will change his name and dress, and endeavour to get to Baltimore or Alexandria. Whoever will take up said negro and confine him to that I get him again, if 30 miles from home shall have four dollars reward, if 30 miles six dollars, and if at a greater distance eight dollars, and reasonable charges.
JAMES BLUE.
Berkeley County, near the Swan Ponds, Feb. 2, 1792.
THE Subscriber, in compliance with the solicitation of many of his Friends, has again opened a PUBLIC HOUSE, where those who may wish to afford him their patronage and support, may depend on meeting with every agreeable accommodation, and a supply of the best provisions and liquors to be obtained.
Necessity obliges him to remind such as are yet indebted to him to make payment, if they with a future credit.
ALEXANDER ROGERS.
Martinsburg, February 2, 1792.
FOR SALE, A TRACT OF LAND,
L YING on Gnaty Creek, in Harrison County, Virginia, containing ONE THOUSAND ACRES. As it is presumed that no person will purchase without viewing the premises, it is needless to say more than that it was surveyed early in the settlement of that country, and that an indisputable title will be given and the terms of payment made easy. Any person inclinable to purchase, may see the Land, by applying to Mr. JOHN STEWART, near Morgan Town, or treat with the Proprietor, living at Hager's Town.
WILLIAM BAIRD.
12th January, 1792.
N O T I C E.
THE Managers of the Shepherd's-Town, New-Church Lottery, being of opinion that a number of the adventurers will be desirous to attend on the day of drawing, and apprehending that the inclemency of the season might prevent numbers from attending on the day published for the drawing, and being desirous to give as general satisfaction as possible, are induced to postpone the drawing until the first Monday in March, when the drawing will commence without fail. Those indebted for Tickets are earnestly requested to remit the money to the person from whom they purchased, that the Managers may be enabled to discharge the Prizes as soon as the drawing is over.
N O T I C E.
WHEREAS George Adam Collingburger passed his bond for seventy pounds, some time in September, 1790, by my consent, in the name of Smith Slaughter, which bond I intended should discharge an execution which was then in the possession of Mr. Smith Slaughter, as deputy sheriff for Berkeley County, which execution was due to Mr. T. Whiting, but said bond not being applied to the use designed, I applied to Mr. Slaughter to assign said bond to Cornelius Conaway for security for the payment of fifteen pounds, or for said Conaway to receive the above-mentioned and to return said bond to me or Mr. Smith Slaughter, but after Conaway got said bond in his possession, he applied to G. A. Collingburger for the whole amount, which said Collingburger paid said Conaway about forty pounds of said bond, before my discovering his deception—I now forewarn all person or persons from taking an assignment on said bond, as I believe from Conaway's connections and his treatment to me, he will defraud some innocent person by an assignment thereof.
WILLIAM BRADY.
February 3, 1792.
A MILLER wanted at the Lick Mill.
A SINGLE MAN, of undoubted abilities, and a good character as to his honesty, sobriety and industry—such a character will meet with immediate employ and liberal wages, by
JAMES MAXWELL.
Lick Mills, 29th January, 1792.
Dr. Robinson,
FINDING that the Small-Pox is still prevailing in the vicinity of this town, and being solicited by many of his friends again to commence inoculation, he now offers his service to the public:—He will inoculate for the Small-Pox, furnish medicine, and give attendance, to any number of patients (within 30 miles of this place) for five shillings, each person.
From the success which attended his practice last summer, having inoculated upwards 500 persons, without losing one, and they not only having it extremely light, but recovered their usual, if not a superior, state of health, he doubts not of meeting the general approbation of the public.
The Poor, to any number, he will inoculate gratis, and hopes they may not, by too great a degree of modesty on their part, deprive themselves of the benefit which those in more affluent circumstances are about to receive at this favourable season of the year.
Application to be made at Capt. WILLIAM LEMEN's.
Shepherd's Town, January 24, 1792.
Wanted immediately,
TWO JOURNEYMEN SADDLERS, who are good workmen, to whom constant employ by the month or piece will be given, by the subscriber.
JOHN RICHARDSON.
Shepherd's-Town, Jan. 28, 1792.
STRAYED or stolen from the Sub-
scriber, on the eighth of this instant, living near Shirley's Mill, one and half miles from Martinsburg, a bright bay HORSE, four years old, with one hind foot white, a small star and snip, neither docked or branded, a natural trotter, fourteen hands and half high. Whoever takes up said Horse and delivers him to me, shall have Three Dollars Reward, and reasonable charges, paid by me,
JOHN SHIVLEY.
Berkeley County, January 14, 1792.
N O T I C E.
WHEREAS some time in the year 1789, the Subscriber gave a Note to Isaac Long, for the sum of three pounds, Pennsylvania currency, which note has since, (as I am informed) been assigned to Owen Roby, but as payment has been fully made to the said Isaac Long, as well also the said Owen Roby, if he holds the note, I therefore forewarn all and every person from taking any assignment on the said note from either of the above persons, as I am determined not to pay the same unless compelled thereto by law.
RICHARD McMAHAN.
Martinsburg, January 9, 1792.
THERE is at the plantation of the Subscriber, near Shepherd's-Town, a stray BULL, four years old; he has some white on the back, belly, and head; his sides brown; neither earmarked or branded; he has been posted according to law. The owner is desired to prove his property and take him away.
JOSEPH SWEARINGEN.
Berkeley County, 19th January, 1792.