The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1793-01-21 00:00:00

UNITED STATES.
C O N G R E S S.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, December 28.
REDUCTION OF THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT.
MR. Steele, agreeably to notice, called up his motion, which is in the following words:— “Resolved, that a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill, to reduce the military establishment of the United States to such a number of regiments or corps consisting each of non-commissioned officers, privates, and musicians, with such proportion of commissioned officers, as the President may think proper to continue in service; and to repeal so much of an act passed the 5th of March, 1792, entitled “An act for making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers of the United States,” as may contravene this intention.”
Mr. Steele declared he did not rise to say much on this motion. The opinions of members must be made up from observations on facts that have come within their own knowledge, therefore, what he could advance, he did not suppose, would change their opinions. The house is in possession of the motion, and every member stands responsible to his constituents, and to his own conscience for the part he shall act upon it.
He prefaced some observations on the nature of governments in the progress of their administration. Time brings abuses into most, and he never was so sanguine, he said, as to expect, that the Federal Government would be exempt from them. But when abuses did creep into the administration of a government, silence he considered as criminal, and a quiet acquiescence worse;—a free people, however, were incapable of seeing them without remonstrating, and the people of America possessed enough of the true spirit of freemen, to suffer the progress of a ruinous war system, or to bear the burden imposed on them to support expensive projects of ambition without remonstrating. The people of the United States are peaceful, they are attached from education and habit to regularity and peace; he was sorry, he said, that part of our administration did not appear to be guided by the same spirit. Chimerical projects had been set on foot without regard to the public opinion;—armies had been raised and maintained without affording protection to the frontiers, and the expence of this system had justly roused the indignation of our citizens. The motto of a republic should be, ‘Economy and peace.’ With these cardinal qualities, any nation may be happy, without them no government can be tolerable. He should proceed, he said, to enquire how far they had dictated the measures of our government. For this purpose he returned to the appropriations, for the purpose of defraying the expences of the Indian war. He read some notes, taken from the existing laws of appropriation and the estimate presented for the ensuing year, from which it appeared, That
For 1789 137,000 dols. were appropriated for the war dep. and 20 000 for treaties.    90, 181,792 20 000   91, 702,885 74 cents 20,000   92, 1,205,949 76 25,000   93, 1,171,719 50,000 
Making a total of 3,534,347 : 20 c. for the support of the system since the establishment of this young government. He invited the house to take notice of this enormous sum,—the public, he said, had done so already:—and this money had been or was to be appropriated without scarcely enquiring how former appropriations had been applied. He hoped the house would do something to check this growing evil; if they did not, he should invite, he said, the Secretary at war himself, to take a retrospect for 20 years into the history of the frontier, and enquire into the expence of defending it when the defence was entrusted to each individual state and to compare that expence with what has already been incurred under the present system. It would be difficult, he said, to point out and justify the causes of their material difference. There was no good reason why so expensive a system as that now pursued should be necessary, and if the expences of the war department could not be reduced, the country, he conceived, would not be able to bear them.
His motion was intended, and his motives in making it, were, to afford effectual protection to the frontier, to diminish the expence at present incurred for that object, and apply the savings to the reduction of the public debt. He was firmly of opinion that if an economical system was pursued, the defence of the frontiers could be effected and a sinking fund established that would begin to operate 4 or 5
years sooner than was at present contemplated by the secretary of the treasury, and that without any additional tax. He could not approve of any sinking fund that must be entirely supported by new taxes,—much less of one which was to depend solely on loans.
He next turned the mode of warfare adopted since the establishment of the federal government against the Indians. The history of the frontier from Braddock's defeat to the present day amply proved, that regular armies are improper for that kind of war. If this history had been attended to and the fate of that commander had been considered and placed to its true cause, three millions of dollars and many valuable lives might have been saved to the United States. A regular army is an expensive machine, and in its operations unwieldy and tardy, composed of men without the necessary enterprize, constitution and activity to combat a savage foe, accustomed to fatigue and fighting for their ail.
He quoted a passage from a communication from the Secretary of war himself to the house, to shew the opinion he entertained of the enemy. Their subtlety and activity, and our ignorance of the country and mode of warfare. The house, he said had not sufficiently attended to the inadequateness of regular armies in opposition to such an enemy, as demonstrated by experience, and that pernicious facility of borrowing had induced to pass with two little difficulty appropriation on appropriation, to pursue it. — If taxes had been demanded to make these provisions perhaps the legislature, he suggested, would have been more cautious how they proceeded.
He again adverted to the mode of warfare which regular armies necessitated; one expedition can only be effected in one year, and indeed it had been found, that even one could not be accomplished this year! but one expedition could afford no effectual protection to the frontier. Besides the motions of a regular army are easily watched and known;—Indians well knowing when to expect their enemy, will collect in full force, and beat us as they have done, and will do again, if the same system is pursued.
He was of opinion, that if such a measure would be admissible on principles of benevolence and policy, that the Indian war might be farmed to the state of Kentucky, and completely terminated, for one half of the sum now about to be appropriated to support the present futile system. He appealed to the justice of the position to those gentlemen acquainted with the feelings and habits of the people of that state.
Upon the success of his motion he conceived the success of the war depended. Regular troops could never fight in the woods. If the system is not changed the war will be a seven or ten year's war. Active and enterprising frontier militia alone were equal to opposing Indians.
In his motion, as offered, there was, he said, a blank for the number of regiments to remain on foot. He should propose, at a proper time, he intimated, to fill this blank up with 1000, which would give 2120 privates, regulars, quite enough, even if the President should think it necessary to garrison all the posts which have been established for the protection of the frontiers.
He enumerated these Posts as follows: Fayette, Hamilton, Stuben, Knox, Tammany, Telfair, Harmer, Franklin, Jefferson, St. Clair, Marietta, Massachusetts, Matthews and Knoxville.
Abandoning the system of active expeditions by regular troops and giving to each of those an equal portion of the 2120 men, composing the two regiments, each post would be protected by 152 privates. This number would be quite sufficient and greater than that now defending some of those posts; But he wished it left discretionary with the President to distribute them.
He stated, that the only objection of the Secretary at War, even to employing the militia in this war was the expence. He wished to refute that objection and went into a reasoning of some length on the subject. Regular troops, when enlisted must be paid, cloathed, &c. during the whole time of their enlistment, whether in actual service or not; the militia, tho' more expensive while on foot, yet being on the spot, executing an expedition in forty or fifty days then returning to their homes and immediately on their return being out of pay, would be found in the end much less expensive as well as much more effectual. Five expeditions, he computed, could be made in each year, by a militia, on or near the frontier, and 30,000 dollars he let down as sufficient to pay the expence of each of these expeditions.
To give an idea of the expence of regular troops, and to shew the alarming progress of expence on this score, since the establishment of the new government, he gave the following items from appropriation laws past and reports of estimates of what will be necessary the ensuing year.
  Contingencies for the War department. For 1790 including expenses, &c. 3,000   91 5 000   92 20,000   estimate for 93 50,000 
Quarter Master's department.
  Appropriations for 1790 15 000   91 25,000   92 50,000   Estimate for 93 100,000 
Hospital Department.
  Appropriations for 1790 1,000   91 1,635 20   92 6 000   Estimate for 93 25,000 
Ordnance Department.
  Appropriations for 1790 7646 65   91 6303 66   92 7204 64   Estimate for 93 23,835 64 
The provision for the last mentioned department he conceived, bore a very ludicrous appearance.—He considered it as absurd to attempt fighting Indians with artillery. Not all the artillery of Europe would avail against such a foe. He could not see that either reason or policy would warrant an appropriation of upwards of 23 000 dollars in the present session for the purchase of artillery for such a war. And added that it seemed strange the Ordnance procured by the United States to carry on the British war had not been sufficient to defend the Frontier garrisons, without calling upon the government to appropriate in four years the sum of 44,988 dollars for this purpose.
He next turned to the pay, subsistence and cloathing of the troops. He premised on this head, that it was well worth considering, whether those articles kept up an exact proportion with the increase of the troops, in the items he should give;—they certainly should, he conceived. If the proportion of the sums latterly appropriated according to estimates for these articles proved greater, there must be, he contended, abuse somewhere, and it certainly is the duty of the House of Representatives to examine where the blame lies.
   Pay of the troops Subsistence     Approp. 1790 59,028 43,552   91 75,016 59,787   92 102,086 119,688   Estim. for 93 304,308 312,567 75   Cloathing Total   24,440 126,020   23,772 80 158,475 80   48,000 270,374   112,000 728,875 75  
He was at some loss to account for the want of proportion in the items above stated, compared with the number of troops employed—perhaps more officers were under pay than the public service required—these things deserve thorough investigation.
He proceeded to show what would be saved to the United States by a change of system. He shewed, by a quotation from a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, that it was the opinion of that officer, that the current service of the ensuing year would probably require the whole of the revenue; but that he contemplates a valuable surplus for the redemption of the debt should a termination be put to the Indian war. He made some observations on the importance of redeeming the public debt, as speedily as possible, and complimented the Secretary of the Treasury, in respect to the disposition he had shown on this subject.
He was of opinion, that with peace and economy the resources of the country would be sufficient to accomplish its total redemption in ten years, by purchases and regular instalment payments.—Under the present system of warfare, a beginning cannot be made without levying a new tax, and a new tax cannot be granted, until the abuses of the war department are considered and corrected.
He proceeded to shew the economical effect of the reduction he proposed, on our finances, by comparing the appropriation of 92 with the estimate for 93 for the war department.
  Contingent Expenses,   As settled at the treasury, 1792, 10,229   Per estimate, 93, 50,000   Difference   39,771   Quarter Master's Department.   1792, 50,000   93, 100,000   Difference   50,000 

  1792, 6,000   93, 25,000   Difference 19,000   Forage for Cavalry, &c.   1792, 4,852   93, 44,856   Difference 40,004   Ordnance Department.   The whole provision for this department, he conceived, might go out, however, to pursue his plan, he took the difference.   1792, 7,204. 64 c.   93, 23,835. 64 c.   Difference 16,631   Pay, Subsistence and Cloathing.   1792, 270,374   93, 728,875   Difference 458,501 
Total saved 624,607 dol.
This was the annual saving he proposed. In his calculation, he remarked, he neglected the bounty held out to the 1600 men yet to be enlisted. As he was counting by tens and hundreds of thousands, this sum he did not think worth attending to.
He concluded, that the decision of this question would speak the sense of the house in regard to the existing system, and whether there was in the government a serious desire to obtain a permanent peace, to defend the frontier effectually, and to provide, without resorting to new taxes or loans, for the regular and speedy reduction of the public debt. — An object which seems to be highly desired by the Secretary of the Treasury, and all other disinterested citizens throughout the union.
(The remainder of this interesting debate, will be inserted in our next.)
FRESH ADVICES.
By the British Packet, Carteret arrived at New-York in 42 days from Falmouth, we have the following important intelligence:
M I L I A N, October 1.
THE Austrian troops, which, to the number of 10,000, were encamped near Pavia, have at length, on the pressing solicitations of his Sardinian Majesty, begun to march to his assistance in Piedmont, as the French army, under the command of General Montequieu, has taken possession of the Duchy of Savoy, and the county of Nice. This unexpected intelligence has occasioned great commotion here. Orders are given for a general recruiting, which is carried on with the utmost vigour. Large quantities of artillery are sent to the frontier places, and engineers have been sent to inspect and augment their fortifications.
Vienna, October 22. The Emperor has issued, under date of the 14th, an official Note, exhorting all the Princes of Italy to make it a common cause with the King of Sardinia, by joining him against the French, who threaten to take all Italy.
B O N, October 5.
The necessity under which the Generals of the combined armies, in France, were to draw towards them, successively, all the German troops which were on the Rhine, has left all the country open to the French, not only on the side of Thionville where they have taken a considerable convoy, but also on the Rhine. In consequence of which they have attacked, with superior force, the garrison of Spire, consisting of 3000 Austrians and Mayencians, killed 600, and made prisoners of all the rest, taken the town, and transported the magazine to Landau. The alarm has spread to Mannheim, Worms, and even to Mayence. The inhabitants fly, and a general consternation prevails. This affair took place on the 29th of September. Higher up, and on the Moselle, the French made a second irruption into the Electorate of Treves. The same day, 5000 of them with nine pieces of cannon, at 7 o'clock in the morning attacked Metzig, forced the garrison to retire, pillaged the place, and destroyed the provisions, &c.
D U B L I N, October 6.
A private letter from Raphoe says, that on the 23d of September, in the morning upwards of 1200 men, well armed, entered the town, in order of battle, went through it in every direction, for upwards of an hour, and then marched to the principal church where one of them read a proclamation, by which they were all determined no longer to pay tithes. The people who bear the name of Hearts of Oak, retired in good order and without committing the least violence; but they gave notice they should return on the Sunday following in greater numbers, and then would further explain their intentions.
P A R I S, October 26.
General Dumourier took his departure from Paris, for the army, on Tuesday morning. He went, on Sunday night, to the Jacobins, and made a speech, in which he laid,
you have begun a great epoch; you have torn to pieces the ancient history of France, which offered nothing but the picture of despotism. A new era rises out of this revolution, which electrifies our armies, and which has given them the necessary courage to repulse superior force. We are not fatigued. Pain, misery and hunger do not exhaust us; we are more courageous than ever. We shall render unto despots, what they would have given us. Before the end of the month, I hope to have 60,000 men to attack Kings, and to save the people from slavery."
To which Banton, as President, made the following reply: "When Fayette, that vile eunuch of the revolution, took flight, you had already served the republic, by not despairing of its welfare, you rallied our brothers; you afterwards preserved, with address, the station that ruined the enemy; and you have deserved well of your country. A grand career is yet open to you: may the pikes of the people break the sceptres of Kings! and may crowns fall before the red bonnet, with which the society honors you! Return afterwards, and live among us, and your name shall figure in the grandest pages of our history."
Oct. 20. A body of troops is gone to reinforce General Custine, who is expected yet to lay Coblenz under contribution.
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
Friday, November 9.
The following letter from General Dumourier was read:
Head Quarters, at Mons, November 7.
CITIZEN PRESIDENT,
For five days has the army of the republic been in presence of the Imperialists, and not a day passed without an action. Victory at length crowned our arms, and Mons is the first fruit that we have reaped from it. We were received here, this morning, as friends and brethren. The sovereignty of the people is the basis of every public opinion here, and the inhabitants are eager to take up arms in defence of liberty; they are everywhere forming new municipal bodies; elections are going to take place, and soon there will be no difference between the province of Hainhault, and a department of France. Our successes give weight to our arguments; and for once, reason and justice have been on the side of power.
I cannot speak in terms sufficiently high of the superior bravery of our troops, and of their humanity after the most dreadful battle in the memory of man. Forty thousand Frenchmen have beat 28,000 Austrians, strongly intrenched in woods and heights, covered by upwards of 40 redoubts, by 20 pieces of heavy cannon, and a great number of light guns and howitzers.
In all the preceding actions the advantage was on our side; but the battle of Gennappe was decisive; it was one of the most general that ever was fought. Every point of the enemy's line and flanks was attacked at the same time; every corps, I may say every individual in the army, was engaged; and after a most obstinate resistance, the French nation was triumphant in every quarter, through those means in which her strength chiefly consists—artillery & the bayonet.
The citizen-minister at war will give the National Convention a more ample detail of this important business. A battle so long disputed, and so bravely won, could not but be attended with a considerable loss of men. I have not yet been able to ascertain it, but estimate the number killed on our side, at 300, and of the wounded, at about 600. The loss on the enemy's side from the 3d to the 7th, but particularly on the 6th, amounts to upwards of 1500 prisoners and deserters, and upwards of 4000 killed and wounded. Nine pieces of cannon, some tumbrils, and great quantities of ammunition, have fallen into our hands, and prisoners and deserters are hourly coming in. The inhabitants of Mons, who received us as friends and deliverers, assure us, that more than 100 Austrians had concealed themselves in different parts of the city from their Commanders, for the purpose of surrendering to us. I have some light-horse in pursuit of the enemy, who no doubt will bring us in more prisoners. We have found here, some stores of forage and provisions. I am despatching General Bonneron on one side with 800 men, and General Dempierre on another, with nearly an equal force, to make themselves master of Ath, and of the immense stores laid up in that town.
The Austrian army has retreated in the greatest disorder towards Brussels and Brune-le-Comte. It was to have been joined the day after the decisive battle was fought, by the forces under the command of General de Clairfayt. I will soon set out in pursuit of the runaways.
The troops of the republic, notwithstanding three nights of battle, and four days of fighting, and the absolute want of many necessaries, which cannot arrive as quick as we could wish, display an ardour and consistency, which cannot fail to overcome every difficulty. The privates, officers, and generals of this army, are all entitled to the confidence and esteem of the nation.
DUMOURIER, Commander in Chief.
The reading of this letter was frequently interrupted by thunders of applause.
Wednesday, November 14.
A letter from Lieutenant General Labourdouay, to the National Convention.—Ghent, Nov. 12.
I hasten to inform you, Citizens, that I this day made my entry into the capital of Flanders, without the smallest difficulty or opposition. My advanced-guard, under Major-General Lamorliere, found there only some soldiers, who had concealed themselves, and some deserters. Lieutenant-General Lamour, the Austrian Commander, arrived there four
or five days before, from Courtray and Meuin, with 5000 men. He sent some troops to Anwerp, and this evening sat out himself for Alst and Brussels.—If my army had not marched 42 miles from Tournay to this city, without once pitching their tents, I would have some hope of being able to overtake his rear, but the troops must have some rest. I still expect, however, that after my advanced-guard shall have had repose, some of his baggage, which he embarked on the Scheld, may fall into my hands. General Dumourier has desired us to march upon a line with him; he shall not find us lagging in the rear, though we are not as well provided with stores as he is.
LABOURDONNAYE.
Brussels, Nov. 9. It must have been observed in our last, that the affairs of this country were taking a very different turn from what had been expected. The event of Tuesday last is too great a proof of this. The French attacked, on that day, the Austrian army near Mons, with so much impetuosity, that in the action, which lasted from 8 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon, the whole Austrian army was completely routed, and retreated to Cassiau, a league beyond Mons. At 6 in the evening, Dumourier sent a trumpeter to offer the place a capitulation.
The capitulation was accepted, and the French took possession of Mons on Wednesday, at 12 o'clock at noon. As soon as the superiority of the French army was known, orders were sent to the troops in Flanders to fall back upon Mons, and succours were sent for to Prince Hohenlohe's army. All these succours united, form still an army of 500,000 men, which is at present posted at Braine-le-Compt and Nivelles, whilst the head of the French army is already at Soignies. It is assured that the capitulation was signed on the 7th, by General Dumourier's Adjutant and General Beulieu, who had remained in the city with two battalions.
L O N D O N,
October 24. It is evident from the letter of Mr. Paine to the people of France, that he wishes to spare the life of Louis and his family. He has recommended to the National Convention, that their resolves on the business should be tinged with mercy, and we have no doubt but that the nation will bestow due attention on his advice.
One would think that the princes of the continent were striving to render themselves ridiculous.—The Pope has issued plenary indulgences and promising eternal happiness to all those who shall die fighting against the Republic of France; The misguided man is ignorant of the opinion of the age he lives in.
November 6. The Duke of Brunswick, it is said, resigns the command of the combined armies, to which M. Mollendorf will succeed.
Extract of a letter from Brussels, November 2.
The Aulic Council of War of Vienna has sent into Hungary the most pressing orders to raise immediately a body of 10,000 men, 3,800 foot, 1,200 horse. This body is destined for the defence of the Milanese country. It is hoped that the Austrian army in Lombardy, being with this reinforcement 20,000 strong, will be sufficient, with the King of Sardinia's forces, to preserve that part of the possessions of the House of Austria.
It is said the Hungarians are so zealous in this, as to have offered his Majesty 90,000 men.
The French have already had a stop to their progress in Germany: They must have evacuated Mayence on the news of the advance of the Prussian troops. It is said they marked their departure by a general pillage.
It was indeed time for them to retire; the Prussian army are advancing rapidly against them. His Majesty paid a visit to Prince Waldeck, at Luxembourg, on the 29th, and from thence went the same day to the Abbey of St. Maximin, in the Electorate of Treves, where he means to establish his general head-quarters for the winter.
Tippoo's territory is now completely evacuated by our troops: but we learn with infinite concern, that during the period which elapsed between the Preliminaries and the signing of the Definitive Treaty, very considerable mortality had taken place among our troops. The badness of the water, some defect in the provisions, and at length a scarcity, brought on fluxes and putrid fevers, by which almost every individual in the camp was more or less affected. They reckon the loss of Europeans only, before the army left Seringapatam, at a complete regiment. The royal artillery has lost one quarter of its effectives, and buried the Commanding Officer. Nor did the sickness cease on their quitting this fatal ground; the detachments which closed the rear of the army, had the affliction of seeing the route of those who had gone before them marked by the new-dug graves.
November 8. His Prussian Majesty goes to Berlin by way of Spa, leaving his army on the frontiers of France. He has declared, that he will return with additional force, and open the campaign early next spring; taking better precautions as to provisions. In the mean while part of his army is to protect the Electorate of Treves and that part of Germany, and to take up their winter quarters in the Pays de Treves; whilst what remains of the army of the French Princes is to winter in the Pays de Liege.
November 10. Letters received yesterday from Brussels, positively assert, that the combined powers will renew the campaign against France next year.
November 20. M. Servan, it is now certain, will have the command of the French army destined to act against Spain, in the ensuing spring. His resignation of the war ministry arose solely from the

desire to be rather active himself, than responsible in any degree for the actions of others.
The report on 'Change yesterday' was, that the French had made themselves masters of Brussels, and taken 4000 prisoners. We must wait for the Dutch and Flanders mails (neither of which arrived yesterday) for a confirmation or refutation of this report.
It was reported in Paris, on Thursday morning, that General Valence had entered the county of Namur on Saturday, his troops shouting "Vive la République Française!"
The French are certainly going to fit out a strong armament by sea; for their agents in this city have, within this fortnight, bought up above 2000 tons of hemp, for their provision of cordage.
We are informed, that General Dumourier has entered Brussels at the head of a numerous army.
Hesse-Cassel was, yesterday, reported to be in the power of the French.
The news of the taking of Brussels arrived, yesterday by three different channels; the first, from a banker of Paris, who writes to his correspondent, that as he was going to seal up his letter, a private letter had been received, mentioning that Dumourier had taken possession of Brussels—the second, by a gentleman who declared, upon 'Change' that he had advice from his relations, at Dunkirk, laying that, three days before the 16th inst. the French had entered Brussels—the third, another gentleman, arrived this morning, from Brussels, asserts that, on Friday last he had the pleasure to breakfast with General Dumourier at Brussels.
Extract of a letter from Lisle, November 12.
"The gallant conduct of the French, at the taking of Mons, decided the fate of all the adjacent country, and determined the Austrian army at Tournay to evacuate that place."
"On Thursday morning, before daybreak, without waiting for Labourdonnaye's army which was advancing to besiege it, the magistrates immediately came forward to meet the French, with advice of the event, and to offer the homage of their citizens to the General."
"The townsmen received the French army with all possible demonstrations of gladness and welcome; and ever since then the road has been thronged with multitudes of Bourgeoisies, who exchange visits with their friends from whom they have so long been shut out. The implements of siege which were carried there have been brought back since Saturday last; there being artillery enough in the country for any attempts that may be necessary during the march."
The King of Prussia, it is said, has undertaken to furnish every French Emigrant, to the number of 8000, with rations of bread daily, at 15 livres per month. This subsistence will cost his Majesty no advance of money, as it is to be furnished by the Bishop of Liege, who is by this means to discharge the arrears due to the King of Prussia, for the succours sent to his assistance at the time the Revolutionists wanted to snatch his country from him, about two years since.
UNITED STATES.
BALTIMORE, January 15.
From a Paris Paper.
A battalion has set out from Dunkirk, to take possession of Ostend, agreeable to the invitation of the Magistrates, who have delivered the place into the hands of the French.
General Dumourier has entered Brussels, at the head of a numerous army, and the Regent of Sweden has acknowledged the Republic of France.
PHILADELPHIA, January 15.
Mr. Blanchard yesterday was 46 minutes in the air, and landed after three attempts, in Deptford Township, Gloucester County, in New Jersey, 15 miles from Philadelphia. The haziness of the horizon, especially over the sea, towards which he was flying, made it imprudent for him to lengthen his voyage. He imagines his greatest perpendicular height was two miles.
A report from a committee on the trial of the King of France, concludes with a number of articles, among others—That Louis XVI. can be tried—That he shall be tried by the National Convention—A detail of his crimes to be made out, printed, and published—The day for the trial is not fixed. As to Maria Antonietta, the committee say, the Queens of France have always been liable to trial for their crimes—General Montequieu has been accused of peculation—one article of the accusation is, that he charged the nation 13 livres for shoes, for which he paid only four and an half. General Custine has denounced General Kellerman to the National Assembly—Admiral Tragnet, Commander of a French fleet, has taken, plundered, and burnt Onaglia—this is a seaport on the Mediterranean, 70 miles from Genoa. This severity was brought on the place by the treachery of some peasants.
M. Dumourier has signified a wish to the National Convention to retire. Ghent, Namur, and Brussels are in possession of the French—General Dumourier entered the last at the head of a numerous army.
M. Neckar has published a long pleading in favor of Louis XVI. A battalion has set out from Dunkirk to take possession of Ostend, agreeably to an invitation of the magistrates of that city—The Regent of Sweden has acknowledged the Republic of France—300 000 livres of the contribution levied on Spire, had been received by the National Convention—General Dumourier has urged the giving General Valence the title of Commander in Chief of Ardennes
MARTINSBURG, JANUARY 21.
Late London news-papers, received by the British Packet Carteret, further advise, That the King of Sardinia, on the news of the invasion of Savoy, shed tears, and shut himself up for several days, refusing to see even his ministers; during which time a label was pasted on the palace gate, on which was written, "In 1792, a Kingdom without a King; but, in 1793, a King without a Kingdom"—That the form of government of Hainbault had been changed, by the inhabitants—that at Mons, which is the capital, the people assembled on the 8th of November, and chose thirty magistrates, who divided the different offices among themselves—that great joy and tranquillity prevailed in that city—and that they were raising one thousand men, to join the French army—That the armies of France, in Flanders, under Dumourier, Labourdonnaye, Duval, and Valence, amounted to 140,000 men, which were every day augmented by new battalions joining them—That the French Ex Princes were in imminent danger of being surprised and cut off, on leaving the Castle of Dye, near Stenay; they were indebted for their safety to the Gallantry of the Irish brigade, who acted on that occasion with great bravery, and were led to the charge by the Duke de Fitz-James, and M. W. Walsh-Serent—That Louis XVI. and Maria Antonietta were both indisposed—and that an account of the state of their health was ordered to be read every morning, in the National Convention—That a report prevailed in London, that the British Cabinet was disposed to acknowledge the French republic—that Mr. Pitt had at last discovered the necessity of granting a moderate Parliamentary reform—that the British ministry mean to abandon the resolution of prosecuting Thomas Paine—that orders had been sent to Woolwich to complete the two battalions of artillery, now in England, with the greatest expedition; and recruiting parties were to be sent to every part of Great-Britain for that purpose.
The Boston Centinel of the 29th ult. says, "We are informed that the Inhabitants of the Islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe have lately captured, by an armed Force, the Islands of St. Lucia and Marigalante, two French Islands. It is said the two former Colonies have renounced the Jurisdiction of France, and have established themselves as an independent State."
On the 9th of October, a debate arose in the National Convention of France, on the decree respecting the emigrants; and it was finally decreed, that such of them as are taken with arms in their hands, shall be executed within twenty-four hours after being first proved to be emigrants, before a military commission of five persons, to be appointed by the état major of the army; foreigners who have quitted the service of France since the 14th of July, 1789, and joined the emigrants, or the enemy, to be treated in the same manner; the powers at war to be responsible for all violations of the law of nations by any reprisals made by the emigrants.
A London paper of October 24, relates a continuation of the French arms in Piedmont, Savoy, and Switzerland—That it was generally thought that the King of Prussia made a separate peace for himself, leaving the Austrians to shift for themselves—That General Custine makes heavy contributions on the ecclesiastical Princes on the banks of the Rhine—That General Dumourier, at the head of 50,000 men, was ready to march to Brussels, there to plant the tree of Liberty, and to revenge the republic for the burning of the houses at Lisle—Strong symptoms of discontent and revolt among the people in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy; the seeds of Liberty are springing fast up even under the holy walls of the Vatican!—That at Paris, a difference of opinion exists between the Convention and the people of the capital (spirited on by the Jacobins,) respecting the embodying a protecting guard from the 83 Departments—The majority of the Convention apparently incline to lenient measures with the unfortunate Louis the Last.
"Married, in the neighbourhood of Charlestown, Mr. Francis Jett, to the amiable Miss M'Kinnie."
ALL Persons indebted to the Estate of
George Stewart, deceased, are requested to settle their respective balances against March Court next ensuing; those who do not may expect to be dealt with as the law directs, without discrimination of persons:—And all those having any demands against said Estate, are desired to bring in their accounts, properly attested, that they may be settled on Monday the 25th day of March next , at the house where-in Mr. Joseph Lemen now lives, in Middletown , which said house, formerly occupied as a tavern, is to be rented or sold, and possession given the first day of April next ensuing.
HUGH STEWART, } Executors. JOHN GRAY. }
January 16th, 1793.
TAKEN up by the Subscriber, living near Keeptryt Furnace , a small bay MARE , with her sucking COL —the Mare is shod all round, no brand, supposed about nine years old. She has been posted and appraised according to law. The owner is desired to prove his property, pay charges, and take her away.
WILLIAM MERRIT. Berkeley County January 14, 1793.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
WHEREAS JOHN EVANS, senior, hath been advised and prevailed upon by some evil-minded person, to contract Matrimony with a certain Elizabeth McFadden , a person of an infamous character:—WE, the Subscribers, children and heirs of the said John Evans, senior , do hereby caution and forewarn all persons whatsoever, of trusting the said Evans or McFadden , or any other person whatever, on their account, as we are determined (being in lawful and full possession of all the property of the said John Evans ) not to pay any debts of their contracting, from this date.
 JOHN EVANS, jun.  ISAAC EVANS,  JOSEPH EVANS,  SQUIRE EVANS,  GABRIEL EVANS,  JOHN FRYAT,  JAMES EVANS,  GEORGE MARTAIN. 
To those who are acquainted with the above-named John Evans, senior , and the circumstances of his pretended marriage, no apology is necessary to vindicate the present method of procedure. Was John Evans in the proper exercise of his reason, whatever use he made of his liberty in this respect, should pass by us unnoticed. As children, we are bound by every paternal tie, to administer to the comfort of his declining years: and this we are determined to do. But when the said Evans , contrary to our laudable and virtuous intentions, endeavours to introduce anarchy, discord, and disgrace, among his children, we think we are warranted by every tie of relationship, as friends of order, and the moral fitness of things, to discountenance this proceeding of his, and to render null and void the aforesaid pretended marriage. And this we think is already done in fact, from the following considerations.
1st. That the said John Evans laboured under such natural and accidental defects, that his consent to such a marriage could not even be implied.
On the first of these we shall make some observations:—The last, to wit, that the marriage was never consummated, shall be discussed in its proper place.
It is a maxim generally acknowledged, that natural inability or deficiency, excuses from the performance of any contract whatever.
That the said Evans was in such a state, is evident from the following particulars—1st, That he was naturally deprived of the proper use of his understanding, being now, as can be proved, in the 78th year of his age: Of this his present conduct is a most convincing proof. 2d, that in all contracts whatsoever, the free consent of both the contracting parties is necessary; and that resulting from clear proposal of the matter stated to each of them. But that this could not be the case in the present instance, is apparent—for 1st, The Dutch Parson, who is said to have performed the ceremony (might for aught they know) have repeated the funeral service—and 2d. Had he expressed himself ever so clearly, it was impossible the said Evans could comprehend him; he being, as is well known, deaf these many years.
From all these particulars put together, we are assured, that every honest man, every friend of order, and the peace of families, instead of faulting our present proceeding, will, on the contrary, view it both as laudable and praiseworthy.
Signed as above.
January 18, 1793.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
WHEREAS some time in December last, I accepted an order from James Wilson, Esq. in favor of John Cooke, Esq. for the sum of eighteen pounds Virginia currency, and have paid upwards of nine pounds, like currency, I do hereby forewarn any person from taking an assignment on said order, as I have an order on said Cooke for a larger sum justly due, therefore am determined not to pay the balance of said order, unless compelled thereto by law.
JAMES CRANE.
17th January, 1793.
N O T I C E.
WHEREAS on the 2d instant, I gave a promissary Note to William Vanborne , of this county for the sum of twenty pounds, currency, one half of which sum payable the last of April next, the other half in September following, which Note was given in consideration for a horse purchased of said Vanborne , but as the said horse did not prove found and free from defect, agreeable to the terms of the contract, I hereby forewarn all persons from taking an assignment on said Note, as I am determined not to pay it, unless compelled by law.
ANDREW MCCORMICK.
Berkeley, January 12, 1793.
3m.
The Subscribers for this Paper in the vicinity of Winchester, are informed, that their Papers are lodged every Tuesday evening, at Capt. John Brady's.

SEAT OF THE MUSES.
E L E G Y
On the Thirty-first of December.
YES, I will climb yon rough rock's giddy height That o'er the ocean bends his brow severe,— And as I muse on Time's neglected flight, Wait the last sunshine of the parting year!
Why do the winds so badly seem to rave? Why broods such solemn horror o'er the deep? It is, that Fancy points the yawning grave; And sick'ning, shudders at the pond'rous deep.
For O! since last December's hoary head Bow'd to oblivion's wave, and sunk beneath, From this strange world what flutt'ring crowds are fled, To throng the caves of pale relentless Death!
And every transitory shade is lost, That in its course was fondly call'd 'To-day!' Spring's sweets are gone! and Summer's flow'ry boast! And Autumn's purple honors pass'd away.
And now, tho' Winter, in rude mantle drest, Extends his icy scepter o'er the icy plain! Soon shall he sink on April's dewy breast! And laughing May shall re-assume her reign!
But Man, when once his bright day's flush is o'er, And youth's too fleeting pleasures take their wing, Must on life's scene re-vegetate no more, But leap its gulph to find another spring.
And can that something each man calls 'himself,' 'Midst this wide miracle of earth and sky, Waits the swift moments in the toil for self,— Nor raise one thought to Nature's Majesty?
On the globe's surface creep, a grov'ling worm! Nor joy the noon-tide radiance to behold— Nor trace the Mighty Hand that guides the storm— But deem existence relative to gold?
Ab! since this awful Now remains for me, To think, to breathe, to wonder at the whole, To move, to touch, to taste, to hear, to see, To call the mystic consciousness, my soul.
Fain would I seek a-while the sportive shade, Ere the scene close upon this doubtful state; Catch every painted phantom ere it fade, And leave the vast uncertainty to Fate!
But Grief is mine!—yet can I quit the crew, Whose bosoms burn with avarice and pride, In yon blue vault to quench my thirsty view, Or tell my feelings to the boist'rous tide.
For are there not, as journeying on we go, With pilgrim step thro' an unfriendly vale, Oppression, Malice, Cruelty, and Woe, And do not Falthood's venom'd shafts assail?
Thoughts on Christmas-Day. By C. C. STURM.
WHAT sentiments of gratitude and joy arise in my soul this day, on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus! But, at the same time, what is my surprise, when I reflect on the circumstances which attended this great event: I behold a Son of Man in the lowest state of humiliation; and this Son of Man is my God! I beheld the mighty, the invisible God, at whose word the Heavens and earth were made; at whose word they will fade away! And I see, at the same time, a being, visible, weak, and clothed in flesh, as I am! How wonderful is this union, the King of Kings, whom Angels adore, appearing under the form of a servant! A child, weak, destitute, shedding tears, lying in a manger! What astonishing humiliation!—Human nature, so limited, so corrupted, risen with Jesus Christ upon an eternal throne of Glory! What a miraculous change! But, can I well comprehend the greatness of this divine mercy? or rather does not the aston- ishment and admiration, with which they inspire me, doubly increase, when I reflect on my own un- worthiness, and the infinite majesty of our Saviour? Certainly, it was a love which infinitely surpasses all I can merit; a love beyond all I could conceive or hope; a love which I have only silently to ad- mire and adore: But, if my sense of this goodness is great, my joy and hope are no less so. In this union of God and man, I behold the joyful emblem of the new covenant. Faithful to his promises, God has sent his Son into the world, that through
he may have eternal life: And have we not assurance, that all which was promised in his name will be accomplished with equal fidelity. Christ would never have honored our nature so as to unite it with his own, had he not resolved to cure our infirmites by his power, to pardon our faults, to wipe out our sins, and thus to restore human nature to its original purity and innocence.
What then is more natural and just, than to give ourselves up entirely, on this solemn day, to a sense of pious gratitude? It is true, that little is in our power to return for such inestimable love, but, let us at least do that little, and hope that our weak but sincere gratitude will be pleasing in his sight; such are the sentiments with which we ought to ce- lebrate this solemn festival. They ought to spring from a lively faith. Let not our admiration be the fruit of ignorance, but an enlivened conviction. Neither let our hope be the effect of a blind per- suasion. If it is the work of a pure faith, what sweet consolation, what heavenly joy will fill our hearts! It will enable us to support every evil in life, because it is a felicity which nothing can de- stroy.
8 dollars reward.
STOLEN out of the Subscriber's stable, on Back Creek, on the night of the 27th instant, a black MARE, about 6 years old, 14 hands high, has a star in her forehead, paces, trots and canters, is branded on the neck, under the main, with the let- ter L, and was shod all round. Whoever takes up said Mare and returns her to me, or delivers her to N. WILLIS, in Martinsburg, shall have Two Dol- lars reward, or Eight Dollars for the Mare and Thief, to be paid on conviction of the offender. JAMES MCGOWEN. December 28, 1792.
P. S. The above mare has been some time past employed in the business of post-riding, on the Back- Creek rout, and was stationed at my plantation.
LANDS FOR LANDS. TO BE DISPOSED OF,
FOUR Hundred Acres of Land, (called MAHON's) lying on Buffalo-creek, Monongalia County, upon which there are upwards of 40 acres of the best meadow, a good mill seat and spring, and the land equal to any on the Western waters.
Three Hundred and eighty-four acres adjoining, below, on same creek, a large proportion of mead- ow, and a good spring, the upland equal, which is held by settlement-right, and a general warrantee will be given.
One Thousand Acres on the Dunkard-mill run, a branch of said creek, held by preemption-right, of equal quality to the above, and the same warrantee will be given, all lying from 14 to 25 miles from Morgan-Town, and from 3 to 11 miles from Mon- ongalia river—the State road from Morgan-Town to the little Kenhawa passes near or through the said land.
One Thousand Acres on Bingerman's creek, held by preemption-right, a great proportion of mead- ow, and well watered, which lies in the same coun- ty, the upland of good quality, about 10 miles far- ther 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 ve- ry rich.
Any property in the counties of Berkeley or Frederick, negroes, or good bonds, will be taken in payment.
DAVID GRAY.
Berkeley, April 25, 1792.
HARP AND CROWN TAVERN.
THE Subscriber, from the liberal encouragement he has met with since his commencement at this house, returns his unfeigned thanks to the Public; and informs them, that he has received an assort- ment of the purest liquors, such as Wines of the first quality, old Jamaica Spirit, Coniac Brandy, Gin, Porter, &c. &c. He has also, stableage for 50 hor- ses, in addition to his former, and has procured hostlers sufficient to attend the same.
FLORENCE MAHONY.
October 6, 1792.
WHEREAS the Subscriber did on November, 1791, pass a conditioned bond to Charles Black, of Martinsburg, and as the said bond is fully paid, I do forewarn any person not to take any as- signment on the said bond, as I am determined not to pay it again.
JOHN REECE.
Martinsburg, December 31, 1792.
TWO DOLLARS REWARD.
STRAYED from the Subscriber, living about a mile and a half from Shepherd's-Town, some time in April last, a brindle cow, with a white face, the left ear crop'd and a hole in the right ear, about 4 years old; also, a red and white heifer, with a white face, has a part of both her ears off, and a hole in the right one. Whoever has taken up said strays, and will give information to me, so that I get them again, shall have the above reward. HENRY SEAVER.
Jan. 8, 1793.
WANTED immediately, a good COOK, who can be well recommended, to whom good wages will be given. Inquire of the Printer.
ALL Persons indebted to, or have a- ny demands on, the estate of John Shroveley, late of Berkeley, deceased, are desired to exhibit their ac- counts, regularly proved, to the subscriber, as an immediate settlement of the said estate is intended. JOSIAH FLAGG, Administrator.
AL Persons having any accounts open with me, of my own concern, are also requested to come to a speedy settlement. JOSIAH FLAGG. Berkeley County, January 1, 1793.
THE Subscribers for Lots in the Town of Woodfinch, who live in Berkeley County, are hereby requested to pay their respective subscriptions im- mediately—the cash part into the hands of the Trustees, and the other into the hands of George Tilley, in Martinsburg, and Col. John Morrow, in Shep- herd's-Town, in whose hands certificates are lodged of the number of the lots each Subscriber has drawn. Titles for which may be had on application to the Subscriber, at any time, agreeable to the terms of the deed or charter, by me, JOHN HOPWOOD. January 3, 1793.
To be RENTED for three years, That well known, commodious T A V E R N, Belonging to the Subscriber, situated in the centre of MARTINSBURG.
This House, for situation and convenience, is not equalled by any one in the place for public business. For terms, apply to ALEXANDER ROGERS.
P. S. All Persons indebted to him, are desired to settle their accounts, if they do not pay. Those who do not comply with this request, may depend on having their accounts put in suit at the next February court. November 19, 1792.
F O R S A L E, 449 Acres of LAND, lying on New- Creek, in Hampshire County, within 2 1/2 miles of Potowmac River, 200 acres of which land are tilla- ble, 50 acres are cleared and under fence, 4 or 5 acres are in good meadow, and much more may be added. The land is thin, but valuable, being con- venient to navigation, which is daily improving— boats now load at the mouth of New-Creek. A ge- neral warrantee will be given the purchaser. For terms, apply to THOMAS WHITTAKER, near Charlestown. Sept. 14, 1792. r.f.
List of Letters remaining in the Post Office at Shepherd's- Town.
B.) Alexander Burnett, John Beard, care of Mr. Moseley. C.) James Crane. G.) Russell Goodrich, 3. K.) George Kellenburger, Bloomery. M.) Mr. Myers, comb-maker. P.) Allen Pollock, at Widow Miller's. R.) Robert Raine, at Jacob Beller's. S.) James Strother. W.) James Wright, taylor. Joseph Wier, care of David Elder. Charles Washington. James Wormley.
News-Papers. Baltimore—George Hite, 4. Winchester—Francis Hamilton, 2. If the above Letters are not taken away before the first day of April next, they will be sent to the General Post- Office.
HENRY BEDINGER, P. M. Shepherd's-Town, January 1, 1793.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for the Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette, are received at this Office.