The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1794-06-30 00:00:00

PHILADELPHIA, June 13.
[AUTHENTIC.]
Philadelphia, Saturday, June 7, 1794.
SIR,
HAVING, in conformity to the assurance expressed in my letter of the 22d ultimo, immediately transmitted copies of that letter and of your's of the 20th ultimo, to the governor general of his majesty's possessions in North America, to the governor of Upper Canada, and to his majesty's ministers in England, I concluded that any farther communication between us on the subject of those letters would for the present have been suspended;—But as you have resumed the discussion at some length in your letter of the 2d current, (which I had the honor of receiving on the afternoon of the 4th,) it is incumbent on me to reply in detail to the several points you have stated, and which you have been pleased to represent as "a train of recrimination against the United States;" although, one alone excepted, I had merely collaterally adverted to them as referring to the allusion of Lord Dorchester "to the conduct of this government towards the sea," and had expressly asserted that I was not disposed to urge them as general topics of recrimination.
I am perfectly willing to reserve for a future period any general discussion that you may institute with regard to the occasions upon, and the degrees to, which "an explanation may be required by the government of the United States from a foreign minister;" But I must be permitted, Sir, to repeat "that I never can acknowledge the right of this government to require from me to categorically as you have required it," any explanation of measures pursued by other servants of the crown in other departments, over whose actions I have no control, for whose conduct I am not responsible, and with whom I have no other public connection than that which results from the circumstance of our being employed in the service of the same master.
Your extract from Lord Dorchester's speech appearing to be a partial mutilated citation, in as much as it was not a detached separate position, but a member of a sentence immediately connected with and flowing from parts which preceded it, I esteemed it proper to quote the whole passage. From this it is manifest that Lord Dorchester founded his expression, that he should not be surprised if Great-Britain was at war with the United States in the course of the present year on his knowledge of the conduct of the inhabitants of the United States as well on the side of Canada as towards the sea. I therefore, Sir, cannot but imagine that the sense of "the Governor General" is materially affected by the preliminary words: for certainly there is an evident distinction between the expression of an opinion that the conduct of the United States might eventually lead to a state of hostility between them and Great-Britain, and the detached, unconnected assertion that it would not be a matter of surprise to him, if Great-Britain should be at war with the United States, in the course of the present year.—With respect to your declaration that I have not contradicted your "assertion that Lord Dorchester suffered and encouraged in the Indians hostile dispositions towards the United States," I have no difficulty in confessing that, as those few words contain the whole of your assertion upon this matter, they really escaped my notice. Had I attended to them, I should certainly have not omitted remarking, that I deduced from the whole tenor of the speech an inference different from your assertion, which can apply to those passages only of the speech, wherein Lord Dorchester demonstrates his regret at the continuance of the war and his concern that his hope of a pacification being effected had been disappointed—or to those in which he alludes to the infringements by American citizens on the territory occupied by his majesty's arms. In none of those passages however has his lordship expressed any personal sentiment, relative to the origin of the Indian war, or to the causes that have hitherto retarded, the restoration of peace, which can be construed into a disposition to impute more of blame in either case to one party than to the other. But even if I had admitted your assertion to the fullest extent, I could not have been deterred by that consideration from meeting the disquisition, when I reflect that I could contrast with that assertion a precedent in the annals of the United States of no very ancient date.—For it cannot be unknown to you, Sir, that on the 6th of January 1789, at a period of profound peace between Great-Britain and the United States, Governor St. Clair assured the Indians, whom he had convened at Mankin-gum, that Great-Britain at the conclusion of the war had ceded the Indian lands as the price of peace for herself. His words (after an endeavour to explain the nature of the claims of the United States to the lands of the Indians by a comparison adapted to the local relations of the latter) are just so,
Brothers, it was with the British and you. Con-
trary to your solemn engagements, you joined them in the war against us, and did us much harm. After a long struggle we got the better. They asked for peace, and your lands were given up as part of the price." Surely, Sir, language cannot be devised more capable of inspiring implacable hostility in the Indians, than this, which assumes as a fact of notoriety, that at the peace, the British government abandoned the interests of those whom it had deluded into a co-operation with it during the war, and whose lands it formerly ceded as the price of pacification for itself. Indeed this government seemed afterwards sensible of the impropriety of this language, since on the 31st day of July, 1793. Messrs. Lincoln, Randolph, and Pickering informed the Indians that this construction of the part of the treaty of peace, which settled the boundary between the possessions of Great-Britain and those of the United States, was erroneous: "for as the king had not purchased the country of the Indians, he of course could not give it away."
I shall now, Sir, proceed to offer some observations on those parts of your letter, which are intended to serve as answers to what you have denominated my "charges."
1st. I have never for a moment denied that the territory on which I represented encroachments to have been committed by the state and individuals of Vermont was within the boundary of the United States; but I presumed that, until the points in discussion between our respective countries should be amicably arranged, no part of the territory occupied by persons residing under the protection of his majesty's garrisons, should be forcibly wrested from that protection, either by the enterprizes of the state of Vermont, or by the unauthorized aggressions of individuals. Under this presumption, I addressed my letter of the 5th of July, 1792, to your predecessor, and on the same principle I stated in my letter to you of the 10th of March, 1794, that the grievances of which I then complained, had never been redressed. It is true that nineteen months elapsed between the dates of those different letters, but if from this circumstance it be inferred as a matter deserving of attention, that during this space "this government never understood from myself or any authority of his Britannic majesty that the original dissatisfaction continued," it is no less remarkable that it never received any thing but assurances that that source of dissatisfaction should be removed, and that in this interval and to this moment, no facts of its having been removed have ever been communicated to me by your predecessor or yourself, to oppose those which I formerly advanced, and have since repeated. Through casual channels of communication, I had collected that the interposition of the government had not produced the effect, which from its assurances I had expected, but the evidence did not appear to me of importance sufficient to found any complaint upon it. The first authentic intimation of these circumstances was indeed communicated to me by Lord Dorchester in a letter which I received three or four days antecedently to the date of mine to you of the 10th of March, and in which his lordship, who had not long before returned from England, acquainted me that those encroachments, the first acts of which had occurred during his absence, still continued unredressed. Here it is necessary for me to observe, with respect to your repetition of the assertion you advanced in your letter of the 20th ultimo, of the Indians to whom his speech was addressed, having been assembled by Lord Dorchester's directions, that unless your means of intelligence are more accurate than mine, I entertain a firm conviction, that the information on which you have founded your assertion, is totally erroneous. For I can assure you, Sir, that I have reason to believe that those Indians were not assembled by Lord Dorchester, but that the speech in question was an answer to a message brought by a deputation of Indians, who had proceeded to Quebec, spontaneously and unsolicited by his lordship. This belief is farther confirmed by the second paragraph of the speech itself, "children, you have informed me that you are deputed by the seven villages of Lower Canada, &c." I shall not however dwell on this part of your letter, as the passage of it to which I have last referred connected with the succeeding sentence—"Although it cannot be by any means believed that this was written in order to usher in the intelligence, which soon after arrived of his speech, yet it is difficult to account for so long an interval under the circumstances supposed"—seem to convey an insinuation so unmerited, that I feel too much the respect that I owe to the court which I have the honor of serving, and to my own character, to urge farther any argument which might be construed into a solicitude to refuse it. Though your letter of the 29th of April after a delay of fifty days may not be regarded as an assent to any charge I had made, I nevertheless do not esteem myself guilty of any impropriety in having imagined that the space of time might have enabled you to return me an answer more conclusive than a renewal of the as-
surances which I had received nearly two years before. You will, I am persuaded Sir, recollect in almost every conversation which I had with you during this interval, I requested you to acquaint me when I might expect a reply to my letter, and that you imputed the delay to the pressure of other business and to a desire of obtaining some information from Mr. Williamson of the Genesee country who was then in town. To this last circumstance you have alluded in your answer of the 29th of April;—but however accurate might be the knowledge of Mr. Williamson or of any other private gentleman, of the places to which I had referred, I cannot avoid remarking that in the course of fifty days such evidence might have been obtained from the highest public authority of Vermont (the Governor) as would have either confirmed or contradicted the facts I had specified.
2d. In adverting to the privateers illegally fitted out at Charleston, and allowed to depart from that port under the express permission of the Governor of South Carolina, I surely cannot have been considered as imputing that aggression to the General Government. But when Lord Dorchester had alluded to the conduct of American citizens towards the sea, this transaction naturally occurred to me, as indicative of the existence of an hostile disposition to the powers combined against France in the chief magistrate and in individuals of the state of South Carolina; and I trust you are yourself convinced from evidence which I have recently submitted to you that the disposition continues to exist unimpaired. How far Mr. Jefferson's letter of the 5th of June appeared satisfactory to me, you will collect from my memorial of the 7th of the same month in answer to it, which (in conformity to your example) I subjoin to this letter. From that memorial it is evident, that though I rendered justice to the assurances of the General Government, I recited as matters of notoriety the different facts of the illegal equipment of the privateers in question, and expressly and unequivocally asserted, as a circumstance equally notorious, that "they were suffered to pass the fort near Charleston under a written permission from the Governor of South Carolina." I have never yet learnt however that an enquiry has been instituted into the conduct of that officer from any quarter whatsoever.
3d. From the same paper it is also evident that I have never acquiesced in the propriety of the determination of this government not to restore vessels captured previously to the 5th of June—as well for the reasons which I have there stated, as because I have never perfectly comprehended the principles which could legalize the prizes antecedently to that period, and invalidate those which were made subsequently to it. The list of those prizes annexed to the memorial will evince that (whatever may have been "conceived by some") their value was not inconsiderable. But even if their amount had been less considerable the question in a national point of view could not have been affected by that circumstance.
4th. I derive great satisfaction from your assurance that "the secretary of war has undertaken to ascertain the precise state of the privateers Le Petit Democrat and La Carmagnole," since from the latest accounts I have received from New-York, I am inclined to apprehend that they both continue there completely armed, have numerous crews on board, and are in every respect in a condition immediately to proceed to sea. It is indeed a matter of some surprise that they should have so long remained in that port, but it is not less singular that you should regard my letter of the 22d ultimo, as "bringing the first notice of the omission of their not having been dismantled;" for if you refer to a letter from me to your predecessor of the 27th of December 1793, you will find the following expressions,
"The danger to be apprehended from these last mentioned vessels" (privateers illegally fitted out in ports of the United States) "still continues to exist to a very alarming degree. Since notwithstanding the repeated assurances I have received from the Federal government of its determination to exclude those privateers from any future asylum in its ports and the sincerity of its desire to enforce this determination, I have reason to infer that, in other quarters means have been successfully devised either to elude its vigilance or to render nugatory its injunctions. This inference arises from the information I have received—that the privateer La Citoyen Genet fitted out at Charleston, was on the 21st of August last permitted to return to the port of Philadelphia for the second time; to remain there for some days, and then to proceed to sea for the purpose of commencing new depredations, which, as it appears from the public prints, she is now prosecuting in the adjacent seas—that Le Petit Democrat and La Carmagnole, both fitted out in the Delaware, were permitted to enter the port of New-York, and to continue therein unmolested during a great part of the months of August, September and October last—that the latter vessel is still in that port, and that

ral Searcy, and having separated from it at sea, proceeded first to Boston, and afterwards returned for a second time to New-York, wherein he at present remains.
"I have thought it my duty to state these last mentioned particulars in the manner in which they have been communicated to me; but if my information has been erroneous, it will afford me the sincerest pleasure to have my error corrected.
5th. As you have not controverted the propriety of my alluding to the permission of this government to the commanders of French armed ships to dispose of their prizes by sale in the ports of the United States, but have admitted that "your treaty with France has been so interpreted as not to contemplate a freedom to sell," and that writers on the law of nations entertain different sentiments upon the subject; it is necessary for me to make only one remark—that as by the treaty with France prizes made by vessels belonging to the greatest part of the powers combined against her are excluded from admission into the American ports, the operation of the permission to sell that was granted by the government, has been partial, and has been solely beneficial to France.
6th. In my assertion that the vessels of France had been permitted to depart from Hampton roads, notwithstanding the imposition and continuance of the embargo, I certainly did not mean to insinuate that they were allowed to sail under an express permission from the government; but it is a fact of universal notoriety that the whole of the convoy under rear admiral Vanbrake, amounting to about 156 vessels (including ships of war and merchant ships) did sail from Hampton roads on the 17th of April, although the imposition of the embargo had been known there for more than a fortnight antecedently to that date, and had been rigidly enforced with respect to all other merchant ships whatsoever: and I really cannot perceive any very material distinction between an implied permission to those particular French vessels to depart from Hampton roads, and a neglect of employing any coercive means of preventing them from departing. But I must further remark, that not only these French vessels were not so prevented, but also—that on the 7th of April rear admiral Vanbrake, issued an order to Mr. John Cooper (an American citizen) forcibly to take possession of the American brig Venus , which was laden with flour on account of the French government, and which was detained in Norfolk harbour, in consequence of the embargo—that in conformity to this order, Mr. Cooper forcibly took possession of the brig Venus , and on the 8th of April delivered her to rear admiral Vanbrake—and that Mr. Wilson, lieutenant, commandant of Norfolk County, whose duty it was to prevent any infraction of the law, previously (on the 5th of April) gave his official sanction to the propriety of this vessel's (the Venus ) proceeding to join the French fleet, notwithstanding the provisions of the embargo. The whole of this transaction is contained in the inclosed copies, from authenticated documents in my possession, of the letters of rear admiral Vanbrake, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Wilson. At the very moment when these measures of partiality and favor were pursued at Norfolk towards the French ships, the most scrupulous caution was, as I before stated, employed to prevent any other vessels from contravening the embargo. One or two which had attempted to sail immediately after the receipt of the intelligence of its being imposed were brought back and detained during its continuance; and a small schooner named the Berry , belonging to or being under the direction of Mr. Hamilton, his majesty's consul at Norfolk, was on the 5th of April forcibly seized and stripped of her sails, by orders of a Gen. Matthews, under pretence, that she was preparing to elude the embargo, although Mr. Hamilton had assured Gen. Matthews that it was not his intention to allow the vessel to depart until its expiration; although no master was appointed nor any seamen engaged for her, nor had she any provisions or water on board. From this minute statement of the transactions in the only port to which I alluded, I conceive myself fully justified in having adverted to the conduct which has been observed by this government, or the officers acting under its authority towards the powers combined against France in the enforcement of the embargo.
7th. With respect to the uniformly unfriendly treatment which British officers have experienced in the ports of the United States, I had, exclusively of those instances, on which I have addressed specific complaints to you, several other cases of a similar nature in my contemplation, which is needless for me at present to enumerate. They are however all of them imputable solely to the unauthorized aggressions and insults of individuals, and not in any manner to any ill disposition in the government itself. In fact in no instance whatsoever have any British officers been implicated in any kind of immediate original discussion with the government, except in the case of the passport which I solicited in behalf of certain British officers, who were prisoners of war— anxious on every consideration to return to their native country—and which was refused.
8th. I consider the insult offered at Newport to his majesty's ship Nautilus , to have been unparalleled, since the measures pursued there were directly contrary to the principles, which in all their civilized states regulate cases of this nature; for if on the arrival of a ship of war in any European port, information be given that that ship of war has on board subjects of the sovereign of that port, application is made to the officer commanding her, who himself conducts the investigation, and if he disco-
ver immediately detects them, but if he be not satisfied that there be any such, his declaration to that effect, on his word of honor, is universally credited.—But the legislature and judges of the state of Rhode Island, refused to accept the assurances of the commander of the Nautilus , or to allow him to originate or prosecute the enquiry himself, and forcibly detained him and his lieutenant prisoners, by virtue of the act of assembly, until the vessel was searched, and the American, or pretended American seamen were liberated. I am certainly not inclined to dispute the merit which the governor of Rhode Island ascribes to himself for limiting the supplies granted to the Nautilus to such an amount as was merely necessary to carry her to her destined port—though this limitation in the stipulations of the treaty with France, is confined to privateers only, and does not extend to royal or national ships of war. But I must contend that those individuals of the legislative or judiciary departments of Rhode Island, who were concerned in this transaction, conducted themselves neither with moderation, decency, nor with that respect which was due to the commander of a vessel belonging to a sovereign with whom their country was at peace.
9th. Having in the preceding part of this letter vindicated Lord Dorchester from the accusation of his having "endeavoured to stir up the Indians against the United States," it is needless for me to enlarge upon that topic. In regard to the expedition of Governor Simcoe, as I have really no accurate knowledge of the precise situation, in which it is asserted that officer has erected or intends to erect a fort, so I must desire to decline all further discussion upon this subject, until I shall receive such information from Governor Simcoe, or from the Governor General of his Majesty's possessions in North America, as will enable me to enter into correct and definite explanations of the measures they may have pursued in this respect. But from the distinguished character and reputation of both those officers, I entertain no doubt that, whatever those measures may have been, they will appear to have been adopted on a sense of their expediency, and to have been prosecuted on just and equitable principles.
I have the honor to be, With great respect, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, GEO. HAMMOND. (The inclosures referred to in the foregoing, will appear in our next.)
FOREIGN ADVICES,
B R E S T, April 14.
A SIGHT of our harbour might induce some to think they were on the bank of the Thames, so great is the quantity of English ships taken by the ships of the Republic; within these few days a large number has arrived with cargoes of very valuable articles.
D U B L I N, April 28.
It is now reported, and that with confidence, in the first circles here, that the true motives for the emperor of Germany's visit to Flanders and Valenciennes, is for the purpose of negotiating a peace with the republic of France—nay further, that the emperor has positively offered to acknowledge the independence of the French republic, provided the French guarantee the possession of the Netherlands to the House of Austria.
Farther, that this proposal was made with the knowledge of the cabinet of Britain—who hold out on the sole condition of monarchy being restored in France—and without that, and the abolition of the Jacobin club, Britain would never treat. Here, for the present, rests all negotiation.
It is however thought, that the emperor will conclude a peace, and that the entire burthen of the war will devolve solely on Britain and Ireland!
This report in a great measure accounts for the late inaction of the great armies of the North.
L O N D O N, April 19.
Advice was yesterday received, that a Portuguese packet, laden with specie, had been captured by four French ships of the line, and sent into Brest.
A squadron is ordered by the commissioners of the admiralty, to be stationed on the American coast, for the protection of trade; and the command is given to commodore Murray.
In consequence of the very cogent arguments which have been used by the allied powers, the king of Prussia has consented to alter his determination, and has acceded to a convention, the preliminaries of which have been signed at the Hague, by the British, Prussian and Danish ambassadors.
In this convention his Prussian majesty declares, that he will act as an auxiliary in the present war on certain conditions and stipulations. What these conditions and stipulations are, the minister will soon inform us. There are some persons weak enough to suppose that they relate to a subsidy of a million and an half to be granted to his Prussian majesty by this country.
Our correspondent at Valenciennes informs us of an event at which every man must shudder—In consequence of the violation of a truce between the Austrian and French picquets near Le Cateau, the former fell upon the latter who were disarmed, and massacred them all, to the number of between two and three hundred!!!
General Hoche, heretofore commander of the army of the Rhine and Moselle, has been arrested.
which we have expected with such extreme anxiety, has at length been brought by a Courier from Berlin; and the field marshall Mollendorff has received orders not to divide for the present, the army under his command, but to maintain his position until his Prussian majesty shall transmit to him his ultimate determination.
This change in the disposition of the Prussian cabinet has been produced by the concessions of the diet of the Empire and the imperial court, and by the negotiations and splendid offers of a particular member of the Coalition.
This intelligence has infused great satisfaction into the minds of the inhabitants of the borders of the Rhine, who are no longer apprehensive of a visit from the powerful and enraged enemy.
It is decided that an interview will very speedily take place at Bonn, between the Emperor and the King of Prussia.
UNITED STATES.
B O S T O N, June 12.
A gentleman of respectability, who arrived in this town from Kennebeck, on Monday last, informs, that a brig had arrived there before he left it, in 36 days from L'Orient, the Captain of which informed him that a French squadron had fell in with a large Cork fleet of victuallers, bound to the West-Indies; that they had taken a large number of them; that 36 had actually arrived in port before he left L'Orient; in consequence of which provisions of every kind were exceeding plenty and cheap.
N E W Y O R K, June 21.
REPORTS.
SHAKESPEARE says—
"Open your ears;
"For which of you will stop the vent of hearing,
"When loud Rumour speaks!"
Reports since our last have been various and contradictory—the most material of which are—
From ALBANY, that the British, having penetrated 20 miles into the territory of the United States, with the professed intention of erecting a fort, were driven back by a detachment of armed Vermonters, with the loss of 11 British and 7 assailants.
From Boston, that 2 British frigates, having persisted in passing Castle William , were hailed, then powder fired, then a ball, which last caused them to put their helm a lee, at which moment the ball was returned, and several men killed at the Castle , the frigates proceeding out—And,
From PRESQUE ISLE, that Col. Simcoe had been driven off his assumed ground by a detachment of Americans.
These Rumours are speciously told, and believed by some, but we cannot treat them otherwise than ludicrously .
Other accounts from various quarters state, viz: from BOURDEAUX, April 29, that the Q uizore victories, related by the Duke April 17, had not been heard of there. From FALMOUTH (England) April 25, that 2 French frigates had been taken in the Channel, after severe engagements—Also, that Prince Edward shared 80,000. sterling plunder in his expedition, 10,000. of which he presented to the lady of the governor of Nova Scotia, on his arrival there. From KINGSTON (Jamaica) that the prevailing sickness, which attacks all new-comers, does not abate—not more than one in six recovers.
BRITISH SQUADRON.
Yesterday morning Capt. Rogers, of the British frigate Quebec , came up to this city, and waited on the governor, at his seat at Greenwich. The business of this interview has not yet transpired, and the public curiosity is greatly excited on account of it. In the afternoon the Quebec , Rogers, of 36, and the Alarm , Carpenter, of 32 guns, came up, and moored at the southward of Governor's island agreeably to the late orders.
These frigates, with seven others which sailed with them, are part of Admiral Jervis's squadron, which was destined for the reduction of the French West-Indies. Captain Rogers commands this squadron of 9 frigates.
Various are the conjectures with respect to the business of these vessels, but we are led to suppose that it is conciliatory ; perhaps on the spoilation subject; perhaps to pass the hurricane months only; perhaps they are destined to intercept provision vessels bound to France. The field of conjecture is wide, and we hope the public will be relieved from it by our next publication, as it is probable that the Cabinet secret will leak out before that time.
A Rumour of less consequence is—that five French line of Battle-ships had entered (some time last week) a southern port; and, on having intelligence from on shore, proceeded immediately to sea—supposed, to pursue the nine British frigates which are said to be on our coasts.
Whatever the cause may be we know not—but the day before yesterday the Quebec and Alarm , British frigates (which is mentioned above to have arrived in this port) weighed anchor, and are off!
We hear the British government of Canada feel such apprehension of an attack from the justly exasperated Americans, that a body of troops is ordered from Quebec to Montreal. What part of the frontiers they are destined for is not known.
The report of Col. Simcoe's return to Niagara is without foundation.
COMMUNICATION.
I find Mr. Printer, that the news of the arrival at the Hook of several British frigates caused much exultation, among a certain class, yesterday at the Tonine . "Who will go down to see our old friends?"

don't let go their fast at Jones's wharf. Being a long side of a New England vessel, they had the pleasure to insult the master and people with 'DAMNED YANKEE REBELS' &c. shaking a rope at them, and repeating, that they hoped soon to see them suspended by the neck, &c. It was difficult, Mr. Printer, to witness such villanous conduct and refrain from action, to prevent which I crammed my handkerchief in my mouth, and walked away.
PHILADELPHIA, June 21.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Pitsburg, dated June 10.
"On Friday last general Wilkins, Mr. Ellicot, and some volunteers, with Capt. Denny, and his detachment, left this place for Lebecuf, since which alarming accounts have arrived from Venango, by one Ransom, a trader, and an Indian called Broken Twig, of the Senecas. The statement of the former on oath is forwarded to you by General Gibson: the substance of the whole is, that the Six Nations, at the instance of the British, had joined the other Indians against us, and that a large body, assisted by them (the British) some in crossing the Lake and others descending the Alleghany, were to take Fort Franklin, destroy the settlements at Cussawago, and make an establishment at Presque Isle. What credit is to be given to these reports, I will not pretend to say, but this trader, well acquainted with Indian affairs, believes them. He moved his family and goods to this place by water, and sent his cattle with the three white men, who were killed near Fort Franklin. For my own part, I have no doubt of the hostile disposition of the Senecas, and that they actually committed the late murders on the Alleghany river."
"I think we shall have interesting news shortly from Venango, which I shall communicate without delay."
Extract of a letter from the same gentleman, dated June 13.
"Since I addressed you last, we learn that one man of the party, said to be all killed, near Fort Franklin, had escaped; we have also reason to believe that the Indians who did the mischief, were from the west, and not of the Six Nations; may, by accounts from the officer commanding Fort Franklin, so far from being hostile, a party of Senecas, joined to a detachment of that garrison, went in pursuit of the perpetrators of the last murder."
"The fluctuation and inconsistency of our news is such, that it is difficult to form a proper opinion. Capt. Denny has continued his march, and I suppose is now at Venango."
The Quebec and Alarm British frigates are arrived at New-York. The English will soon be in sufficient force on our coasts and in our ports, to preserve the status quo.
Nine days ago anchored at Cape Henry, five sail of large armed vessels; in twenty-four hours after they weighed anchor and stood off to sea again. It is supposed they are British men of war.
PITTSBURGH, June 14.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Greenville, Head Quarters of the army of the United States, to his friend in this town, dated April 23, 1794.
"The Legion is still in this vicinity, having performed no other exploit during the winter, than the erection of a small stockade-work, on Gen. St. Clair's unfortunate field. "We have been in a moving, halting posture," since the 1st of December, but it would seem that the longer we continue here, the more firm our attachment to the spot, and at present it is altogether uncertain when we may move, or where. These savages are still reserved, and excise us, whilst they depredated on the river settlements; we may however reasonably expect a stroke at one of our weekly convoys, from Fort Hamilton, in a very short time."
LAN SINBURG, June 10.
"We have just been informed by a gentleman, who left Montreal on the 29th ult. that great preparations were making under pretence of defending the Canadians from being plundered by the Vermonters, which they have been led to believe, from reports industriously circulated, no doubt for the purpose of calling out the militia, and uniting the Canadians against the States. The forts are putting in the best state of defence, and many boats are building, one of 70 oars was launched last week, alleged to be for carrying provisions. No account of Col. Simcoe having taken a new position was known when he left that place. Ten thousand troops were expected to arrive from Europe, as provisions were so cheap that soldiers could subsist much more comfortably than in England, and be ready for an expedition at any moment. Lord Dorchester was daily looked for from Quebec, to review the troops, militia, forts, &c. &c."
BALTIMORE, June 18.
The Georgia Gazette of Thursday the 29th ult. says, "By the sloop Fancy, from Cape Nicholas Mole, we learn, that Cape Francois was attacked and taken by the Spaniards, about the 13th instant."
MARTINSBURG, JUNE 30, 1794.
A letter from the duke of York to the honorable Henry Dundas, dated Cateau, April 18, mentions, that on the morning of the 17th the combined armies marched from thence in eight columns—that several villages, &c. were attacked and carried—
Imperial majesty to begin immediately the siege of Landrecies, under the direction of the hereditary prince of Orange, who had moved with the greatest part of his camp from Beauvais, and taken a position so as to complete the investiture of that place, while his Imperial majesty, with the grand army, covers the operations of the siege on the side of Guise, and that under the duke of York on the side of Cambray.
The letter of Master Frederick (Duke of York) to his papa, mentioned above, is so puerile, and its contents of so little consequence, that we do not conceive that the sacrifice of a column for its deposit would be acceptable to many of our readers: It does not appear by it, that any thing more had taken place, than a brave attack, by eight columns, upon a few out-posts of the Republican army, which out-posts they bravely repulsed, after fighting like British Lions ("especially those under M t immediate command") and losing three killed and six wounded! It further appears, that there was an intention of beginning the siege of Landrecies, which is probably the head quarters of the Republican army!
The PRESIDENT of the United States arrived at his seat at Mount Vernon, on Monday last.
On the 24th ult. a numerous meeting of the respectable Citizens of the State of Kentucky, assembled at Lexington, and after taking into consideration the degraded and deserted situation of that country, both as to its commerce and protection, and after passing a number of resolutions expressive of the hardships, injuries and disadvantages they labour under in being deprived of their right to the free and undisturbed navigation of the Mississippi, agreed to a spirited Remonstrance on the subject, to be presented to the President and Congress of the United States, requiring immediate redress.
A vessel has arrived at Portland (Massachusetts) in a short passage from Liverpool, which confirms the account that the Standard of Revolution is erected by the Patriots of Poland, and bloodshed on that occasion already commenced.
The 23rd ult. the Indians killed a family about 12 miles from Shelbyville, in Kentucky; the woman was tomahawked and scalped.
This morning the Mountain Leader, with 16 other Chiefs of the Chickasaw nation of Indians, will pass through this town, on their way to Philadelphia. They are to be escorted by a number of the principal gentlemen of this place.
Extract of a letter, dated Paisley, (Scotland) March 26, 1794.
"What from the fear of external and internal foes, it makes the minds of the thinking very uneasy; for besides the great preparations the French are making, to invade us, there are a great many of the lower class of people here very discontented, and reprobate the proceedings very much. What will be the result, God only knows."
"This day's paper says the militia in England is to be augmented and the fencibles in Scotland likewise—Some troops of horse to be raised for guarding our coasts. They are to receive pay while employed."
BY virtue of the last will and testament of Mary MacDonald, deceased, will be sold at Public Auction, to the highest bidder, on twelve months credit, a certain tract of LAND, containing by deed thirty-five acres, situate in Hampshire County, on Potowmac River, contiguous to a tract formerly belonging to William Williams, and now belonging to Mr. Strode, of Berkeley County. The sale will begin on the premises precisely at twelve o'clock, on the first day of September next, when due attendance shall be made, by
ISAAC HITE, jun., ARCH. McDONALD. } Executors.
JUNE 22, 1794.
TO BE SOLD, A HOUSE and LOT, in the town of Martinsburg, opposite Dr. Wintermith's. The house is new, and finished except plastering; is handy to water, and has a good stable on the lot.
A L S O, Another HOUSE and LOT, adjoining Mr. Bostick's, nearly opposite the Clerk's Office. This lot is also handy to water, the spring adjoining the same. The former of these houses is well calculated for a tavern, being plan'd for that purpose; the latter is very suitable for a tradesman. For terms, apply to PETER CLACOMB.
JUNE 28, 1794.
FOR SALE, A valuable TRACT of LAND, Lying directly on the Warm-Spring road, about 13 miles from Martinsburg, near Johnson's mill. This tract contains 100 acres of good land, 8 or 10 acres of good meadow may be made, with a small tenement thereon, water very convenient on the road side, &c. The terms will be made known by applying to the subscriber, on the premises.
WILLIAM GRAY.
JUNE 25, 1794.
WANTED IN EXCHANGE, A Negro Wench, who has been used to house work, for a young Negro Girl. A generous allowance will be made.
Inquire of the Printer.
JUNE 28, 1794.
THE Subscriber takes the liberty to inform his Friends, and the Public in general, that he has again opened a BOARDING-HOUSE in that large and commodious building in Bath-square, formerly occupied by Mr. M c Woolley, which he has, at a considerable expense, put in complete repair, and made many essential additions for the accommodation of those who may please to favour him with their custom, who may be assured that nothing on his part shall be wanting to render their visit to Bath agreeable.
JOSEPH BUTLER.
JUNE 25, 1794.
TO THE PUBLIC.
SOME injuries are of such a nature as to be neither easily forgot, or forgiven. An appeal to the public can only be justified by two things—these are, either first a desire to wipe off any unfavourable impression on a person's own character, or second, to expose the wickedness and depravity of persons with whom in the business we are more immediately concerned. The first of these considerations will scarcely, if ever, induce the vicious man to appear before the public. Secure in the approbation of his own heart, he disregards the note of clamour, and the strife of tongues; and although in his actions he pays a proper regard to the opinions which the world may form of them, yet it is not on every slight occasion he will be drawn forth to justify them. On the other hand, to expose the wickedness of the vicious designing man, is a duty which he considers incumbent on him. When he is defrauded himself, he wishes to put his neighbours on their guard, and it is from these reasons I am led to notify the public, to caution the farmer, that should they at any time discover a certain Jacob Painter, or Panther, lurking in their fields among their cattle, they may certainly conclude that some of them will as certainly be wrested from them.
Having said thus much, I shall proceed to give a faithful detail of the conduct of this Panther towards me, and perhaps when I have done, it will appear that he is an animal formed with all that savage voraciousness of disposition which his name denotes him to be.
Some time in the last fall, I discovered him among my cattle, enquiring after a heifer which he told me had strayed away from him. One of mine I pitched upon as like his, and demanded her of me. His demand I spurned, conscious that without favouring witness, he could have no feasible right to her. I could hardly conceive he himself was so abandoned, or that he could find persons so lost to a sense of moral action, as to solemnly testify, that a heifer but three years old (of which fact she is her own positive evidence to those who are judges) raised by my own people, was actually the property of Panther, and was four years old—yet this Jacob Panther did, not only depriving me of my property, but throwing me into a large sum of cost and expenses.
In disputes concerning the right of property, I conceive that right must always be presumed to reside in the person who is in actual possession of it, until the contrary is fully proved. Hence, where the evidence exactly preponderates, the possessor retains the property as his right. To take it from him with any colour of justice, there must be such an over-bearing weight in the evidence, as will counter-balance the presumption. But in the present case there was no such thing; for was it not much more reasonable to suppose that persons who lived about my house, who had the property in dispute constantly before their eyes, should be infinitely more certain as to the identity of it, than those who were brought forward by Panther, who could not have seen it so constantly, and who after all, could only testify, that they thought it was like his? But what was Panther's motive to impose on his credulous witnesses, and endeavour to cheat me? Why, it was to satisfy his avaricious devouring disposition. For this he sacrificed his conscience and their's. The Panther, like the Tyger (of whose family he is) delights in rending the prey, and glutting himself with the spoil.
Upon the whole, I think I have reason to say as a gentleman did, who was present at the trial—"that in a certain court, it has now become extremely hard and difficult to obtain justice for
ALEXANDER RODGERS."
JUNE 26, 1794.
A List of Letters remaining in the Post Office in Martinsburg, which if not taken up before the first day of October next, will be sent to the General Post Office, as dead letters.
Mr. Brinker, Tanner, near Martinsburg. Thomas Billingly, care of Mr. Chambers, inn-keeper, Berkeley. John Boyd, care Flo. Mahony. William Gilley, Mill-Creek. John Ham, care of Frederick Potts. George Hite, Berkeley. Abraham Lee, belonging to the company of infantry, raised in Berkeley County. John O'Ferrall, Martinsburg. Jacob Pennybaker, Martinsburg. Walter Ross, care Walter Ross, Bullskin. Rumsey, near Martinsburg. Smith Slaughter, Esq. James Vance, Bucklestown.
EVAN SHELBY, P. M.
JUNE 28, 1794.

SEAT OF THE MUSES.
THE PROVOKED HUSBAND.
WHAT a life does he lead Who has one of the breed Of Xantippi, fast bound to his side! Like a horse in a mill, He must follow her will, And his own never venture to guide.
It is true the old Greek Was so mild and so meek, That his rib could not ruffle his mind; I'm not quite so patient As that learned ancient, In my vixen no comfort I find.
She from morning to night Thinks the last word her right, While she rapidly rattles away; And her voluble tongue, While on swivels 'tis hung, Will not give even echo fair play.
In a nuptial debate I oft lose in my weight, Few points in my house I can carry; If her will is but crost, Every motion is lost— O why did I—“why did I marry”?
ANECDOTE.
AN Irish peasant was carried before a magistrate on a charge of having stolen sheep the property of Garret Fitz Maurice. The justice asked him “if he could read,” to which he answered “a little.” “You ought not to be ignorant then (said Mr. Quoram) that the sheep found in his possession, belonged to Sir Garret, as his brand G. F. M. was on it.” “True, (replied the prisoner,) but I really thought the letters stood for Good Fat Mutton.
NOTICE TO DISTILLERS.
WHEREAS it is probable that some of the Distillers of Spirits in this District may not be acquainted with the law respecting entries of stills, I take this method to inform all concerned, that the law requires that every owner or possessor of any still or stills shall make entry with the collector in writing, from under their hands, some time in the month of June, describing the marks and numbers, and the capacity thereof; any owner or possessor of a still or stills failing to make such entry, or working such a still or stills after the last day of June, without making entry thereof, shall forfeit and pay the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, and be liable to pay the yearly duty on such still or stills so neglected to be entered. As I am instructed by the Inspector to adhere strictly to the letter of the law in this respect, it is hoped that all owners or possessors of stills, will make due entry, to prevent the disagreeable consequences which will arise from neglect. I have to notify distillers also, to prepare for the payment of the next half yearly duty which will become due on the first day of July next, as no indulgence can be given after the fifteenth of the same month, at which time the law impowers the Collector to enforce payment by distress and sale of property, which he is determined to do, without respect to persons.
NICHOLAS ORRICK, Collector.
May 31, 1794.
HARP and CROWN TAVERN.
FLO. MAHONY,
Returns his grateful acknowledgments to the Ladies and Gentlemen who did him the honor to favor him with their custom last season, on their way to and from BATH. He takes this method to inform them, and the Public in general, that he is much better prepared this season, having provided sufficient bedding, five good lodging rooms in addition to the former, an excellent stock of liquors, neat wines of the purest quality, &c. He has procured a large yard room, and stableage for an hundred horses, also shades for carriages, &c. all under an inclosure. He hopes to meet with their further encouragement; and is with gratitude, the Public's humble servant,
FLORENCE MAHONY.
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, VIRGINIA, June 9, '94.
TO be disposed of, Four Hundred Acres of Land (called Mahon's) lying on Buffaloe-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 pre-emption-right, of equal quality to the above, and the same warrantee will be given, all lying from 14 to 25 miles of 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 Bingerma's creek, held by pre-emption 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, good bonds, or any claims against me, will be taken in payment.
DAVID GRAY.
BERKELEY, June 16, 1794.
Notice is hereby given that the Claimants of the Soldiers' Rights to the Sandy-Creek Lands, granted in the year 1754, being surveys of 28,000 acres, or more, intend to petition the General Assembly at their next session, that the division made May 10, 1775, and begun at S. Creek may be established.
MAY 26, 1794.
THE Subscriber returns his thanks to the Public, for exceeding his most sanguine expectations in sending cloth to be fulled, since his late commencement of business at EDWARD BEESON's fulling-mill: He also hopes that those pieces already returned have rendered general satisfaction. He also will have against the approaching season a quantity of dyes for to accommodate his customers in almost every colour.
I am, with due respect, the Public's friend, WILLIAM BAILEY.
N. B. An active boy, about 15 years old, would be taken as an apprentice to the above business.
Twenty Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the Subscriber, on the night of the 19th of September last, a Negro Man named SOMERS, about 26 or 27 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, tawny complexion, has a down look. He took with him when he went away, a light cloth coat and breeches, a red shag waistcoat, a round white sailor jacket, a pair of striped and a pair of tow overalls, a good wool hat, and shoes. He will endeavour to pass for a freeman, as he has obtained a pass from his brother William Larkins, who was lately set free at Hager's-Town. Whoever apprehends said Negro and returns him to me, or commits him to jail so that I get him again, shall have the above reward, and necessary charges.
JOHN KEARNEY.
Berkeley County, Virginia, April 28, 1794.
COPPER and TIN WARE.
The Subscribers in the most respectful manner, inform the Public in general, and the Inhabitants of Martinsburg and Fort-Cumberland and their vicinities, in particular, that they have commenced business in the Copper and Tin line in said towns; where they may be furnished, on the shortest notice and most reasonable terms, with Copper and Tin Ware, of every description; and hopes, from the goodness of their work, and moderation of their prices, to merit the patronage of a generous public.
Having just received a large quantity of Copper, they are enabled to comply with the commands of those who may wish to employ them; and are their devoted humble servants,
CHRISTOPHER & JOHN BRIDENHART.
N. B. The highest price will be allowed, in cash, or new work given in exchange, for old copper, brass, pewter or lead.
June 12, 1794.
Cash given for clean Cotton and Linen RAGS, at the Printing-Office.
Good encouragement will be given to a person who will collect Rags.
LOST, about two weeks ago, between Mr. Gera- som Key's, at Hall's mill, and the Lick. Whoever has found the same and will return it to me, shall have two dollars reward.
ALEXANDER BUCHANAN.
June 14, 1794.
THE Subscriber informs the Public, that he has commenced the HATTING BUSINESS, in its various branches, in President-Street, and opposite to Major Stephenson's, where he flatters himself, that by the close attention to business, and quality of his work, to render satisfaction to all who please to favour him with their custom.
JOHN STEWART.
Martinsburg, June 16, '94.
N. B. Store-keepers, or others, who purchase by the quantity, will have a reasonable credit, and a generous abatement.
New-York. May 17, 1794.
PROPOSALS
For Printing by Subscription,
MISCELLANEOUS WORKS,
PROSE AND POETICAL.
By a young Gentleman of this City.
CONDITIONS.
 I. THIS Work will be contained in a neat Duodecimo Volume, of about 300 Pages, printed on good Paper, with an elegant Type, and beautifully bound and lettered.  II. The Price, to Subscribers, will be so moderate as Three Quarters of a Dollar, but will be raised to non-Subscribers to One Dollar.  III. Those who procure Ten Subscribers, and become accountable for them, shall be entitled to the eleventh gratis—the usual allowance to Booksellers.  IV. The Work will be put to Press as soon as 300 Subscribers appear to patronize it. 
Subscriptions received at this Office.
ITAKE this method of informing the public, without respect to persons, and do forewarn all persons on their peril, from pulling down my fence, and going through any part of my place, with carriage or single horse, or on foot, that I must pay rent for to my brother, Cornelius Thompson, and am now under a distress by brother for it, and do not know how to pay it.
WILLIAM THOMPSON.
June 17th, 1794.
RICHARD RANSONE,
INFORMS the Public in general, that he has opened a PUBLIC HOUSE in MARTINSBURG, at that eligible stand formerly occupied by Mr. James Graham, and opposite the Harp & Crown. The conveniences of the house, stable, &c. together with his determination of keeping a constant supply of the best liquors, provisions, &c. and every requisite both for the traveller and citizen, he hopes to obtain a share of public patronage.
June 16, 1794.
FOR SALE,
A genteel SULKEY, with Harness.
WANTED, on hire,
A BOY, white or black, to wait on table in a public house.
Application to be made to the Printer.
June 16, 1794.
A Young lad, tolerably well educated, would be taken as an Apprentice, by the Printer hereof.
June 16, 1794.
WAS found, some time since, in this town, a man's double skirted saddle; the owner may have it again by applying to the Printer, and paying charges.
Martinsburg, June 16, 1794.
FOR SALE AT THE PRINTING OFFICE.
Bonds for deliverance of Property, Magistrates' Summons.
Lawyers' Declarations,
Blank Deeds of Bargain and Sale.
Common Bonds,
Blank notes, &c.