The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1794-08-25 00:00:00

The POTOMAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER.
PRICE TWO DOLLARS PER ANN.]
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1794.
[NUMBER 197—VOL. 4.]
WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS, THERE IS MY COUNTRY.
Franklin.
From GODWIN'S POLITICAL JUSTICE.
CHAP. I.
Limitations of the Doctrine of Punishment which result from the Principles of Morality.
Definition of punishment—Nature of crime.—Retributive justice not independent and absolute—not to be vindicated from the system of nature.—Deject a chimerical property—Conclusion.
THE subject of punishment is perhaps the most fundamental in the science of politics. Men associated for the sake of mutual protection and benefit. It has already appeared, that the internal affairs of such associations are of infinite greater importance than their external. It has appeared that the action of society in conferring rewards and superintending opinion is of pernicious effect.—Hence it follows that government, or the action of the society in its corporate capacity, can scarcely be of any utility, except so far as it is requisite for the suppression of force by force; for the prevention of the hostile attack of one member of the society upon the person or property of another, which prevention is usually called by the name of criminal justice, or punishment.
Before we can properly judge of the necessity or urgency of this action of government, it will be of some importance to consider the precise import of the word punishment. I may employ force to compel any member of the society to occupy the post that I conceive most conducive to the general advantage, either in the mode of impressing soldiers and sailors, or by obliging a military officer or a minister of state to accept or retain his appointment. I may put an innocent man to death for the common good, either because he is infected with a pestilential disease, or because some oracle has declared it essential to the public safety. None of these, though they consist in the exertion of force for some moral purpose, comes within the import of the word punishment. Punishment is generally used to signify the voluntary infliction of evil upon a vicious being, not merely because the public advantage demands it, but because there is apprehended to be a certain fitness and propriety in the nature of things, that render suffering, abstractedly from the benefit to result, the suitable concomitant of vice.
The justice of punishment therefore, in the strict import of the word, can only be a deduction from the hypothesis of free-will, and must be false if human actions be necessary. Mind, as was sufficiently apparent when we treated of that subject, is an agent.—It operates and is operated upon; and the nature, the force and line of direction of the first, is exactly in proportion to the nature, force and line of direction of the second. Morality in a rational and designing mind is not essentially different from morality in an inanimate substance. A man of certain intellectual habits is fitted to be an assassin, a dagger of a certain form is fitted to be his instrument. The one or the other excites a greater degree of disapprobation, in proportion as its fitness for mischievous purposes appears to be more inherent and direct. I view a dagger on this account with more disapprobation than a knife, which is perhaps equally adapted for the purposes of the assassin; because the dagger has few or no beneficial uses to weigh against those that are hurtful, and because it has a tendency by means of association to the exciting of evil thoughts. I view the assassin with more disapprobation than the dagger, because he is more to be feared, and it is more difficult to change his vicious structure or take from him his capacity to injure. The man is propelled to act by necessary causes and irresistible motives, which, having once occurred, are likely to occur again. The dagger has no quality adapted to the contraction of habits, and though it have committed a thousand murders, is not at all more likely (unless so far as those murders, being known, may operate as a slight associated motive with the possessor) to commit murder again. Except in the articles here specified, the two cases are exactly parallel. The assassin cannot help the murder he commits any more than the dagger.
These arguments are merely calculated to set in a more perspicuous light a principle, which is admitted by many by whom the doctrine of necessity has never been examined; that the only measure of equity is utility, and whatever is not attended with any beneficial purpose, is not just. This is so evident a proposition that few reasonable and reflecting minds will be found inclined to reject it. Why do I inflict suffering on another? It neither for his own benefit nor the benefit of others, can that be right? Will resentment, the mere indignation and horror I have conceived against vice, justify me in putting a being to useless torture? "But suppose I only put an end to his existence." What, with no prospect of benefit either to himself or others?
The reason the mind easily reconciles itself to this supposition is, that we conceive existence to be less a blessing than a curse to a being incorrigibly vicious. But in that case the supposition does not fall within the terms of the question: I am in reality conferring a benefit. It has been asked, "If we conceive to ourselves two beings, each of them solitary, but the first virtuous and the second vicious, the first inclined to the highest acts of benevolence, if his situation were changed for the social, the second to malignity, tyranny and injustice, do we not feel that the first is entitled to felicity in preference to the second? If there be any difficulty in the question, it is wholly caused by the extravagance of the supposition. No being can be either virtuous or vicious who has no opportunity of influencing the happiness of others. He may indeed, though now solitary, recollect or imagine a social state; but this sentiment and the propensities it generates can scarcely be vigorous, unless he have hopes of being at some future time restored to that state. The true solitaire cannot be considered as a moral being, unless the morality we contemplate be that which has relation to his own permanent advantage. But, if that be our meaning, punishment, unless for reform, is peculiarly absurd. His conduct is vicious, because it has a tendency to render him miserable: shall we inflict calamity upon him, for this reason only because he has inflicted calamity upon himself? It is difficult for us to imagine to ourselves a solitary intellectual being, whom no future accident shall ever render social. It is difficult for us to separate even in idea virtue and vice from happiness and misery; and of consequence not to imagine that, when we bestow a benefit upon virtue, we bestow it where it will turn to account; and, when we bestow a benefit upon vice, we bestow it where it will be productive. For these reasons the question of a solitary being will always be extravagant and unintelligible, but will never convince.
It has sometimes been alleged that the very course of nature has annexed suffering to vice, and has thus led us to the idea of punishment. Arguments of this sort must be listened to with great caution. It was by reasonings of a similar nature that our ancestors justified the practice of religious persecution: "Heretics and unbelievers are the objects of God's indignation; it must therefore be meritorious in us to maltreat those whom God has cursed." We know too little of the system of the universe, are too liable to error respecting it, and see too small a portion of the whole, to entitle us to form our moral principles upon an imitation of what we conceive to be the course of nature.
It is an extreme error to suppose that the course of nature is something arbitrarily adjusted by a designing mind. Let us once conceive a system of perceiving beings to exist, and all that we know of the history of man follows from that conception as so many inevitable consequences. Mind beginning to exist must have begun from ignorance, must have received idea after idea, must have been liable to erroneous conclusions from imperfect conceptions. We say that the system of the universe has annexed happiness to virtue and pain to vice. We should speak more accurately if we said, that virtue would not be virtue nor vice be vice, if this connection could cease. The office of the principle, whether mind or whatever else, to which the universe owes its existence, is less that of fabricating than conducting; is not the creation of truth, and the connecting ideas and propositions which had no original relation to each other, but the rendering truth, the nature of which is unalterable, an active and vivifying principle. It cannot therefore be good reasoning to say, the system of nature annexes unhappiness to vice, or in other words vice brings its own punishment along with it, therefore it would be unjust in us not by a positive interference to render that punishment double.
Thus it appears, whether we enter philosophically into the principle of human actions, or merely analyse the ideas of rectitude and justice which have the universal consent of mankind, that, accurately speaking, there is no such thing as desert. It cannot be just that we should inflict suffering on any man, except so far as it tends to good. Hence it follows that the strict acceptance of the word punishment by no means accords with any sound principles of reasoning. It is right that I should inflict suffering, in every case where it can be clearly shown that such infliction will produce an overbalance of good. But this infliction bears no reference to the mere innocence or guilt of the person upon whom it is made. An innocent man is the proper subject of it, if it tend to good. A guilty man is the proper subject of it under no other point of view. To punish him upon any hypothesis for what is past and irrecoverable and for the consideration of that only, must be ranked among the wildest conceptions of untutored barbarism. Every man upon whom discipline is administered, is to be considered as to the rationale of this disci-
pline as innocent. Xerxes was not more unreasonable when he lashed the waves of the sea, than that man would be who inflicted suffering on his fellow, from a view to the past, and not from a view to the future.
It is of the utmost importance that we should bear these ideas constantly in mind during our whole examination of the theory of punishment. This theory would in the past transactions of mankind have been totally different, if they had divested themselves of all emotions of anger and resentment; if they had considered the man who torments another for what he has done, as upon par with the child who beats the table; if they had figured to their imagination, and then properly estimated, the man, who should shut up in prison some atrocious criminal, and afterwards torture him at stated periods, merely in consideration of the abstract congruity of crime and punishment, without any possible benefit to others or to himself; if they had regarded infliction as that which was to be regulated solely by a dispassionate calculation of the future, without suffering the past, in itself considered, for a moment to enter into the account.
PHILADELPHIA, August 5.
AUTHENTIC.
Official information is received at the War Office confirmative of the defeat of the savages on the 14th of July. They attacked the escort commanded by Major McMahan close under the walls of Fort Recovery on the morning of the 30th June. Their numbers estimated from one thousand to fifteen hundred. The attack of the escort was followed immediately by a general assault upon the Fort, in which they were repulsed with considerable slaughter. They however continued a distant fire the remainder of the day and by intervals during the night and until twelve o'clock the next day, July the first, when they retreated. They were followed some distance by part of the garrison, commanded by Capt. Gibson, but their numbers and ambushes compelled him to observe great caution. We lost twenty one officers and soldiers killed and twenty nine wounded, among the former was the excellent partisan Major McMahan; whose loss we greatly regreted. Captain Harithorne, Lieutenant Craig and Cornet Torrey, all of whom fell during the highest exertions of bravery. Among the wounded are Captain Taylor of the Dragoons and Lieutenant Drake of the Infantry.—one soldier missing.
The Dragoons suffered the most; out of fifty in the action, twenty one were either killed or wounded; one hundred horses remained after the action, almost all of them wounded; twenty seven horses were killed in the repeated charges made by the gallant Captain. Two hundred of the Contractor's horses were killed and missing.
There is but little doubt from the previous information that the attack was made by the mass of the Indian forces, and that they suffered severely; of which there were several unequivocal evidences. Their superior numbers and the horses which they gained during the action, enabled them to carry off the greatest part of their dead, but they left ten bodies on the ground before the fort, which they could not carry away.
The first division of the mounted militia of Kentucky was expected at Fort Washington about the 20th of July, and the second about the 23d. After the arrival of this auxiliary force at the head of the line, which may have been the latter part of July, General Wayne will be enabled to move forward for the purpose of accomplishing the objects of the campaign, which it is expected will not be very difficult, by comparing the quality and numbers of our troops with those of the enemy.
Fort Recovery is situated 57 1/2 miles from Fort Washington, on the Ohio, in the held where the action of the fourth of November, 1791 was fought. It is 24 miles advance of Greenville, Gen. Wayne's head quarters in July.
WHEREAS SETHA, the wife of the Subscriber, has eloped from my bed and board, and otherwise conducted herself imprudently; I therefore forewarn all persons from crediting or dealing with her on my account, as I am determined to pay no debt of her contracting after this date.
HENRY SNIDER.
JULY 25, 1794.
TAKE NOTICE,
THAT after this date, I will pay no debts that shall be contracted by any person, in my name, without my personal or written approbation.
GEORGE TABLER.
JULY 21, 1794.

IMPORTANT ADVICES,
Received by the ship Active , Captain Blair, arrived at Philadelphia from London.
Camp of Eclou near Thielt, June 21, 4 in the morning.
Ypres surrendered yesterday morning. The garrison, consisting of ten battalions, much reduced in number by the siege are prisoners of war, and have been escorted to Lille.
The Hanoverians are at Bruges, where the British who were at Ostend, joined them last night.
General Clairfayt is at Thielt, and unless he receives reinforcements, must fall back upon Ghent to-morrow.
Never was seen such a break up as that of yesterday at Ostend!—Every body that could find the means were quitting the place. The magistrates and people of property are all gone. When the French come, they will find nothing but magazines empty, shops shut up, and houses deserted. General Stewart yesterday gave leave to all the inhabitants to depart. All the ships in the harbour were ordered out into the road; and all the baggage belonging to the Staff, the 85th regiment of Foot, and the 8th Dragoons, was embarked. The departure of Prince Earnest was the signal of a start and flight.
The French came yesterday with 20,000 men to Rosalaer. A piquet of 30 men, of the 8th Dragoons, set out in the morning, was surrounded and taken, before Gistell.
As far as we can judge from appearances, Nieuport and Ostend will be abandoned to them in the course of 2 days without striking a blow, for the inundations have not produced the expected effect.
The French have again passed the Sambre, and invested Charleroi much more numerous than before, so that we have no assistance to hope from that quarter, but much to fear.
FRANCE.
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
28 Paris, June 16.
Barrier's report of the Naval Action of the 1st of June.
The Municipality of Chapelle Francaise presented an ear of corn at the bar of the Convention, the produce of the present harvest.
Barrier, organ of the Committee of Public Safety, spoke as follows:—
The valuable present which has just been offered you, seems to be the forerunner of the happy news I am about to communicate. The convoy of one hundred and sixteen vessels, coming from America, has entered our ports, and brings us subsistence of all kinds. Our news on the Alps, and towards the North, is equally good. Our troops have retaken possession of the Palatinate. Pirmasens is our own again; and the army of the Rhine is every where victorious. But an object still more important is, the provisioning the Republic. Here then, is an end of that Compact of Starvation between England and Spain, which was to desolate France with famine. The solicitude of the committee is great. The English had united all their forces on the occasion, to capture this rich convoy. The safety of the country depended on its arrival. What have your committee done? It has been secret in its measures. It has united all its maritime strength. Jean Bon St. Andre was on board the Montagne; and as our fleet was inferior to the English in the number of fourteen ships of the line; the Committee ordered the French fleet to station itself between the enemy and the convoy; and not to fight, unless it was to save this valuable fleet. The courage of Republicans, and their hatred to the English, triumphed over every obstacle. A battle became inevitable; and it has been one of the most glorious and bloody that ever occurred in the annals of naval history. Our fleet, though fourteen ships inferior in number, and to leeward of the English, made them feel our vengeance, and obliged them to abandon to us the scene of action. Seven of our vessels were dismasted; ten belonging to the English suffered the same fate, and there is every reason to presume, that one of their three decks went to the bottom. Our seven dismasted vessels are not yet arrived in port, and there is reason to apprehend they are lost. Let Pitt then boast of this victory to his nation of shop-keepers ( nation boutiquiere .)
BRUSSELS, June 23.
All is consternation here, and most people are packing off. The late battles we have had in Flanders on the river Sambre, are most dreadful—no time to rest—every day and night the French are attacking us; our troops are exhausted—the sight of the wounded which have passed under my window these several days past, is most distressing.—We imagine that Ypres has capitulated; in this town there are 100 pieces of cannon, and from 6000 to 7000 men. All the French are going off in great haste.
WARSAW, May 17.
The plan of setting a guard over the king has been put into execution since yesterday. Two Municipal officers accompany him wherever he goes, and eat at his table. For this service 14 members of the Municipality have been nominated, who relieve each other every 24 hours. In other respects the king is treated with every outward mark of dignity, and he shews himself to the people every day by riding through the streets of Warsaw.
An action took place on the 16th ultimo, between the Poles, stationed at Skola, and the Prussian army under the command of General Fayrat, the former stood the fire of the Prussians but for a short time, and made a precipitate retreat towards Cracow, leaving behind them two magazines, and a great number of pikes and scythes; part of their camp was set on fire, supposed to have been by accident. This was the corps which Koscinski had left to Cracow.
Another body of Polish troops stationed not far from the above, consisting of near five thousand men, on being attacked, likewise fled before the Prussians, who, in the pursuit, came up with the Polish General Wirkowski, and made him prisoner; the whole of his equipage likewise fell into their hands. A bribe of 1000 ducats was offered to a corporal, who had him in custody, to suffer him to escape; but this was refused, and he was carried immediately to General Fayrat, who is said to have since marched against Cracow. The loss in this affair on either side was very trifling. The King of Prussia is immediately to join his army in Poland. M. de Buckholtz, who has been permitted by the provisional council at Warsaw, to quit that city, is at this time with his Prussian Majesty at Posnania.
The Marquis Cornwallis arrived at Ostend on Friday last. The crews of the several vessels in harbour manned the yards, hoisted their colours, and saluted his Lordship as he passed. He was attended by Col. Roos and the Marquis Bouille, and received by General Stuart and Colonel St. Leger. Next morning he set out in his own carriage with six horses, for Thielt, the head quarters of General Clairfayt, from whence he proceeded to the British army at Tournay.
The Marquis Cornwallis is not expected to take any command on the Continent, but merely to assist the councils with his advice.
Intelligence was yesterday received in town from Warsaw, that the King of Poland had been taken into custody, and committed to the care of two municipal officers.
June 14. Last night a Naval Officer arrived at the Admiralty office with the agreeable intelligence that yesterday morning Earl Howe, with his fleet and prizes, arrived safe at Portsmouth—The gallant Admiral is expected in town this day.
June 16. By Admiral Montague government has received certain intelligence that the French American fleet, amounting to 160 sail, are arrived at Port L'Orient, and therefore the great object for which they had hazarded the action of the 1st June, is completely accomplished. Of this rich convoy the intrinsic value of which is above five millions sterling, but 40 vessels are loaded with cotton and sugar, the produce of their islands; the rest are loaded with provisions and naval stores of all kinds.
The convoy had four ships of war, and they were joined on the 3d instant by 12 more ships, so that Admiral Montague was unable to touch them; and there is reason to fear that these ships having effected their first great object of seeing their trade safe into port, are now at sea cruising against the trade of England.
June 19. "The Oracle of yesterday (which has the best continental news) positively states, that the Arch Duke and the Emperor, are set off to Vienna, and that the Austrian forces are to be withdrawn, from a sense of the utter impossibility of making any head against the French. Clairfayt is driven to Ghent. Ypres is said to have surrendered with 7000 troops; and the whole of West Flanders, it is expected, is by this time in possession of the French."
BATTLE NEAR TOURNAY.
"The French General in his account of it, according to a translation in the General Advertiser, makes it appear that he was successful and bore down all opposition after some severe fighting and drove the enemy beyond the Scheldt during the day, but at night retreated to his former position. The Duke of York gives as compleat a confirmation of that statement as could have been expected from him. The action was well fought, the loss of the French he modestly states at 12 000 but makes no mention of that of the allies. The merit of the retreat of the French, the Duke also modestly gives to the English brigade under general Fox; upon being attacked by them the French immediately retreated. The Duke does not say, as other English accounts assert, that the enemy were pursued several miles; but that during the night they withdrew from all their posts. Though Pichegru did not succeed in his first attempt of driving the allies from Tournay, it is an event that may be expected, as Cobourg has been obliged to detach some part of his forces from the main army, to oppose the obstinate Fromentin, who it seems passed the Sambre 2 days after his forces were cut up and dispersed and his artillery taken."
June 20. The committee of American merchants had an interview with Mr. Pitt on Saturday last to know whether they might with confidence prepare their goods for the American markets, as usual, or whether, under the existing circumstances, the alarm of a rupture was sufficiently grounded to make them hesitate in executing the orders they had received. Mr. Pitt declined giving them any advice as to executing their orders: he said, he was happy in being able to assure them, that the Governments of the two Countries were disposed to preserve a good understanding; but it could not be concealed, that Jacobine doctrines had made their way in America to such an extent as to make it doubtful what would be the issue of the differences now to be settled. He trusted, however, that they would be guided by moderation and wisdom in the proposi-
ons they had to make to this Country, and the gentleman whom they had deputed, on the occasion, would find his Majesty's ministers earnestly disposed to preserve the peace which so happily subsisted between the Countries.
June 25. This day we are informed that General Clairfayt again attacked the French, yesterday, but with as little success as on Friday; and that he has in consequence, given up all hopes of being able to relieve Ypres. In these two attacks he lost more than 2000 men.
June 26. We stop the Press to say that a gentleman in town has received a letter from the commander of Ostend, dated Monday last, stating that at that time the French were within seven miles of that place.
Despatches have likewise been received from the duke of York, but the contents have not yet transpired. It is however reported that our army has been obliged to fall back.
Yesterday government despatches were received at the secretary of state's office, from Mr. Hammond, his majesty's plenipotentiary to the United States of America.
We have the pleasure to inform our readers that all differences between this country and America are now in a fair way of being amicably adjusted. An official letter was yesterday sent to a gentleman in the city, belonging to the committee of American merchants, stating that all communication with America, both of a private and commercial nature, might be renewed—without the least constraint—"matters being so far settled with Mr. Jay, as to insure a final, and it is hoped, a permanent adjustment of every misunderstanding that has taken place between the two countries."
This information has afforded no inconsiderable pleasure to the commercial world: but particularly to those gentlemen who compose the committee of merchants.
June 29. No official accounts have yet been received of the fall of Ypres: the fact however is generally credited. Indeed this place had been given up as lost, from the time it was known that both general Clairfayt and the duke of York had failed in their attempts to relieve it. The only thing surprising, supposing the event to have taken place on Thursday or Friday last, as some of the letters from Ostend have stated, is that the French did not put the truth of the intelligence beyond the possibility of doubt, by immediately visiting Ostend.
When Admiral Pasley, whose leg was taken off by a shot in the late action was carrying down to the cock-pit, one of the tars met him, and hoped he had not lost his foot, he said, "I have, Jack, but take care, don't you lose my flag, before I come up again."
DUKE OF YORK'S ARMY.
Camp at Tournay, June 14.
We have just received intelligence that General Clairfayt yesterday attacked the French with his whole force, with a view to relieve Ypres. He at first succeeded, in driving in the out posts, and took ten pieces of cannon; but the enemy's number were so superior, that he found it impossible to raise the siege, and was at last obliged to retreat with some loss.
UNITED STATES.
BOSTON, August 9.
An embargo has taken place at Halifax, on all vessels bound to the United States. An expedition from that place is conjectured as the cause.
A gentleman from Salem yesterday morning, brings the following interesting intelligence:
That Capt. Diamond arrived there on Saturday evening, from Ireland, who fell in with the English fleet of men of war, frigates, cutters, firebips and tenders, in all about 50, bound up the channel to Portsmouth. Capt. D. says that he saw 11 of their ships of the line, dismasted and in tow, and the rest of the ships in a very shattered condition.
Capt. Diamond also fell in with and spoke a ship bound to Jamaica, who parted with the above fleet in the English channel, the captain of which confirmed the above—and added, that the British fleet had been most horribly mauled, and one of their 74 gun ships was sunk with all her crew."
ALBANY, August 4.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Plattsburg, (Clinton County) dated July 17.
"Should our government declare war against Great Britain, Canada would be very easily taken, as the Canadians are numerous, and chiefly Republicans. General orders were issued by Lord Dorchester for drafting men out of the Militia to form regiments, but were not executed in the vicinity of Quebec, the French have taken up arms to oppose them; the governor thro' fear, and sensible of the weakness of the British there, remained silent. His lordship makes use of every delusion and persuasion to bring them to compliance, but in vain."
"A town-meeting was held in Montreal last week, the business was to make the inhabitants take the oath of allegiance to the king of Great Britain, the English people complied, but the Canadians refused, except a very few who are commissioned by government. The inhabitants in the province of Canada amount to at least 40,000 of French extraction, which would prove very favourable to the United States, if we may judge by the spirit they manifest."
NEW YORK, August 13.
The debates in the two British houses of parliament, respecting America, are somewhat interesting,

though novel and mysterious. It appears by them, that the treaty between Portugal and Algiers did actually take place through the intervention of the British (as had been only conjectured before) but Lord Grenville denies that there was any reference to America had in this dark business. It will be observed, also, that Lord Grenville denies the existence of any ministerial order upon which Lord Dorchester could have grounded his speech to his children the Indians. On this denial many conjectures present themselves, which renders it impossible to draw a deduction which would be free from objections—but the most apparent deduction, and the least objectionable one (after giving a hearing to all objections which might be stated) is, that the business commenced in secrecy, and would be kept so until a certain crisis—when the facts will either be avowed or disavowed, as circumstances might favour or counteract the councils of the conclave.
PHILADELPHIA, August 16.
Mr. T. Francis came passenger in the Active—and has brought dispatches from Mr. Jay, which we learn are of the most agreeable complexion—We also hear that Mr. Jay had been cordially received—and had been assured by the British Ministry that full compensation would be made for all the property illegally taken from the Citizens of the United States—That Mr. Pitt had informed the British merchants that they might go on with their shipments and consignments to the United States with the most perfect security, for that Great Britain had no idea of any rupture with this country.
The barque Neptune, Captain Clifton, arrived at the Port yesterday, in 56 days from Ostend.—He informs that at the time of his sailing about the 18th of June, it was expected that place would fall into the hands of the French, who had a large body of men about seven miles distance from it. The shipping in the harbour prepared to sail at the shortest notice, and other circumstances evinced an intended evacuation. The firing between the two armies was kept up every day. A body of 500 cavalry, just arrived from England, on their being disembarked, were marched immediately into the field and lost 150 in the first action.
The accounts of the action between the fleets was related as in the accounts from the West-Indies, but it was reported that the Chesapeake fleet was safe arrived in France.
A person arrived in town from Pittsburg the night before last—the intelligence brought by him is substantially as follows: That the meeting proposed to be held in Braddock Field last Friday week, took place—that between 4 and 5000 persons in arms were supposed to be present—that the whole body marched from thence to Pittsburg—that they sent a deputation to Major Butler commanding officer of the continental troops, in the garrison there to inform him that the movement of the people towards Pittsburg was merely to see their friends and that they had no hostile intentions respecting the garrison or public store.
That Major Butler informed them, he was under no apprehensions, but if they meant to keep out of danger, they must not come within reach of his cannon—that the whole body took a circuitous distant route by the fort—entered, and marched thro' the town and dispersed.—We are further informed that Major Isaac Craig of Pittsburg, has been prohibited by the rioters—but is safe within the fort—we further learn that Messrs. Findlay Smilie and Gallatin are indefatigable in the exertions among the people to restore peace and good order.
The last accounts from Pittsburg are to the 3d instant. The insurgents had burnt Major Kirkpatrick's barn, grain, hay &c.—they had in a body marched into Pittsburg and retired again peaceably—they have ordered sundry persons to quit their habitations and the district immediately—Maj. Craig has been ordered by them to leave the country by the 14th instant—the military forces sent on from this city some time ago have arrived safe at Pittsburg.
There are no certain accounts in town of the insurgents having intercepted the provisions, &c. intended for Gen. Wayne's army.
Extract of a letter dated Head Quarters, Greenville, July 15. 1794.
"The General's dispatches just going off, I have only to acquaint you with our vigorous preparations for a campaign, which we fondly flatter ourselves will be conducted to the fullest satisfaction of the Union—at least I will dare to pronounce it is much, no officers have ever exerted themselves with more assiduity and pains, from our faithful commander down to the lowest grade, with very few exceptions. Should we be victorious, I promise myself the felicity of being with you and our mutual friends, on or about Christmas."
A letter from London dated June 23, received by the Active, states that Mr. Jay was then in London and in good health—that appearances respecting the object of his mission were flattering, but that it would be prudent not to be too sanguine in our expectations, as it was impossible to calculate on the effects of future events—That the campaign on the continent had been chequered—at that time the balance was pretty equally suspended with respect to the operations in West Flanders—but as it was then supposed that Ypres could not hold out more than five days, the French in that event would be able to over-run the whole country—Gen. Clairfayt had made several unsuccessful attempts to raise the siege, and had suffered greatly—Lord Moira had sailed from the Isle of Wight with a large body of troops to reinforce Ostend—On the frontiers to the north, the allies had gained some considerable advantages over the French—but in Piedmont and on
the Spanish frontiers the French arms were triumphant—This letter says nothing of Turin—In France some inconvenience had been sustained on account of a scarcity of bread, though no positive suffering had taken place, but the harvests were coming on and appeared favourable—Meantime the crop of potatoes which was immensely great, afforded a substitute—this vegetable had been cultivated with great industry, all the ci-devant royal grounds being planted with them. The French and English fleets were preparing for sea—the late battle was the most severe that had been known in the naval annals of Great Britain.
NORFOLK, August 16.
A gentleman who came passenger in the ship Atlantic, Capt. Holland, from New-York, informs, that on Wednesday evening last, about 5 leagues to the northward of Cape Charles, they fell in with the Blanche frigate, out 8 days from Halifax, who told them the June packet had arrived there; that the Duke of York was wounded and gone home, and that Lord Cornwallis has taken his place.—The ship perseverance is arrived in New-York, from the Isle of France.
ALEXANDRIA, August 21.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of information in Falmouth, to his friend in this town, dated June 29.
The French fleet have had a compleat beating—lost 8 sail of the line—but they have thereby got in their American fleet. The French fought desperately—1 ship the Vanguer, a 74, sunk close alongside the Marlborough, from which ship our crew saw the Vanguer sinking—in this situation the Frenchmen retired from the under deck and fired the upper deck guns, and as soon as that was under water, they retired to the poop and there fired their musketry, and then went down, crying VIVE LA REPUBLIQUE!!
By land the French are successful every where—Ypres is taken with 7000 men and 130 cannon, and perhaps the French are at Ostend by this. The grand army dares not stir from Tournay, as the French are still in possession of Courtray, and a strong army investing Charleroi, from which place they have been driven three or four times across the Sambre—but always returned again almost immediately with increased numbers.
Things look dismal on the continent. The Emperor is certainly about to abandon all Flanders.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Baltimore, to his friend in this town, dated August 19, 1794.
"We have received accounts by the ship Active, arrived at Philadelphia, that the Duke of York and Clairfayt are completely beaten—the former is lost or taken—That the Emperor and the Arch Duke have returned to Vienna—that all Flanders is in possession of the French—That Turin, the capital of Savoy, has been taken by the French, who are now masters of the channel having chased Admiral Montague into port."
Extract of two letters from London, received by the Nancy arrived at New York, dated June 17.
"We understand that the convoy from America to France is arrived safe at L'Orient. Notwithstanding the French lost 7 ships of the line in the late engagement, they were in force sufficient to chase Admiral Montague (who had 9 sail of the line of fresh ships) into port."
Captain Prentiss of the Schooner Chloe, arrived at George-Town last Saturday from Bourdeaux puts his signature to the following interesting information:
"That on the 29th of May the two grand Fleets, the French and English, had an engagement 100 leagues to the westward of the English Channel, the French force consisting of twenty five sail of the line, 3 of which were three-deckers, the English of thirty four sail of the line, 9 of which were three-deckers.—That the battle begun at 4 in the morning, and continued till 8 in the evening.—In the whole 17 were dismasted (7 French and 10 English) —1 French ship taken and another blown up, the latter continued fighting her upper guns while on fire below! —3 English were sunk, one of which was a three decker.—Also, that they had another on the 1st of June, in which the French gained the victory and put the English to flight! —That the French (Chesapeake) fleet had arrived at Brest, consisting of 116 sail, on the 14th and 15th of June, and brought with them 8 prizes.—The men of war that were in the last engagement had most of them got into Brest when I left France, which was on the 24th of June. Prizes taken into Brest—one Dutch frigate and one sloop of war, with 18 sail of merchantmen—One of the French ships dismasted and taken in the first engagement was retaken the second by the French."
"S. PRENTISS."
N. B. The foregoing intelligence was given to Capt. Prentiss by a clerk in the office of the Consul, when he was there for the purpose of clearing out.
MARTINSBURG, AUGUST 25, 1794.
THE Magistrates of this County are desired to attend on the first day of next Court, for the purpose of appointing officers in the companies, and for other purposes.
Orders were received on Friday last by General Dark, from the Governor of this Commonwealth, to compleat the quota of militia assigned to his brigade, agreeable to the late requisition of the President of the United States.
We are informed that General Morgan is to command the division of this State's troops. Gen. Darke and Gen. Mathews are appointed to the command of the two brigades.
SENEX is received, and shall have place in our next.
WHEREAS some time since I purchased of Amos Nichols, a certain tract of land, lying in this County, for which I paid him a large sum of money, and also gave him three bonds of one hundred pounds Pennsylvania currency each, the first payable in April next, the second in April, 1796, and the third in April, 1797, but as the said Nichols cannot make me a good and lawful title to the said land, having never obtained one himself, I hereby caution all persons from taking an assignment on said bonds, as I am determined not to pay them, unless compelled by law.
PETER LIGHT, Senior.
Berkeley County, August 19, 1794.
FOR SALE.
A Negro girl, 12 years old, has no fault, has been used to house and out work; price Forty Pounds, Virginia currency; apply to RICHARD WILLIS.
WANTED.
A sober, industrious Miller, to attend a Grist-Mill; apply to James Lowry, on Back Creek, August 25, 1794.
NOTICE.
THAT in order to satisfy the public and bring to shame a certain Reuben Broughton and his associates I once more beg the attention of the unprejudiced public. After being teased into a compliance of accepting said Broughton into my service, as an apprentice (being in doubt of his doing me any good, he having been three several times in places before) notwithstanding through the entreaties of his father's letters and his often importunities, I at last, with his father's consent, had him bound to me until he came of age, that was for the space of three years and nine months. After being at a considerable expence in cloathing this poor destitute vagabond, and using him more like a father than a master, which the following testimonies will make appear, he not only absconded himself, but took the liberty in a paper dated 26th May, to injure my character by malicious and ungrateful falsehoods, for which I am determined he shall not slip with impunity. I beg leave to caution my fellow citizens how they entertain tatterdemallians like Broughton, as they have an African nature, and cannot brook good usage. Not to leave the public in doubt, I have been at the trouble of proving by twelve unprejudiced witnesses his base assertions to be notorious falsehoods. PETER KERAN.
HIS day came before me, Samuel Oliver and Lydia his wife, and made oath on the holy evangelist of almighty God, that as well as they can recollect, Reuben Broughton entered as an apprentice to Peter Keran, about the last of March, or first of April, 1793. That during the time said apprentice lived with Keran, they were intimately acquainted with both, not living more than twenty yards apart. That when said apprentice came to said Keran, he was very needy in the article of cloathing; and to their certain knowledge, said Peter Keran had him very gratefully cloathed, and acted by the said apprentice more like a father than a master, providing him with every needed necessary of life in abundance, and that said apprentice left Keran his master without the consent or knowledge of said Keran. And further the deponents sayeth not. Samuel Jacobs also deposeth, that to his certain knowledge, the above is the truth, for his wife Priscilla had cooked and washed for the above Keran and apprentice the whole time they lived together, and to his certain knowledge the said apprentice did not want for diet or cloathing that was necessary, or that was to be had in the country, milk only excepted.
Given under my hand, this 28th day of June, 1794. RICHARD SEYMOUR.
ALSO, we the undermentioned subscribers do hereby certify, that we are intimately acquainted with Peter Keran, and have often been his customers, and while the above-mentioned Broughton lived with him, we are very certain if said Broughton had any reason to complain, it was by giving him the indulgence he was not worthy of; and that his opprobrious language he was instigated to, or set forth in writing against the said Keran, is false and without foundation. In witness whereof, we set our hands.
GEORGE SEYMOUR BENJAMIN BEAN, HANSON VEATCH JOHN CARR, WILLIAM CURL, JOHN HAWARD, JOHN SCOTT, MARTIN POWER, ROBERT PORTER, JACOB MACE, PETER JACKSON, JAMES CHRISTIE.
"AH! poor paddy! a trifold revolution round the Flints-Pane* of Laugh-Neagh, upon your bare stumps, would, I see, scarcely have proven a much severer penance (however inefficient as a moral purgation) than your native turpitude, and late public confession led to, and subjected you. It still might have been extended, but the mortification evidently sustained, has engaged my sympathy—you are now released, but only on condition, that you do sin no more! against honesty, against truth, against innocence."
I've put a rod in brine to supple for you. Which should you provoke the application of, 'tis an obstinate incorrigibleness, will make you smart in every nerve, and sweep at every pore.
A word, and only but a word, relative to your respectable compurgators—with those who know them, nothing necessary to be said—to those who do not, you must be the mirror, by which only their shining merits can be sufficiently reflected—let the world judge of it.
* A noted place in the north of Ireland, held very sacred by the ignorant and superstitious, and often resorted to peculiarly efficacious in expiating the guilt of the most leprose sinner!
REUBEN BROUGHTON.

SEAT OF THE MUSES.
"Pity the Sorrows of a poor old Horse."
NOW past my prime—blind, wounded, lame, and poor, My ingrate master drives me from his door; Forgetting all my toils and earnings past, To perish, on a ruthless world I'm cast. My worn-down teeth through a long summer day, Do seldom mumble one poor lock of hay. Fix'd to a spot, my limbs will scarce sustain, A meagre corps, thro' which my ribs complain. So weak I am—that while the hungry flies, In clusters fasten on my nose and eyes— Their tortures, undisturbed, I must bear; For I can't move a joint, or whisk a hair; Abandon'd in the street—the stroke I wait, Which shall release me from the world I hate. Welcome old death—old horses' last best friend— My master's woes begin, where mine shall end— In pastures green I shall forever dwell, While cruelty sinks to its native hell.
To be SOLD, by private sale, On very reasonable terms, if applied for in two months, The House and Lot whereon I now live. The house is built with logs, two story high, finished inside except plastering, has a good cellar, kitchen, stable, garden, and is handy to water.—It is situated at the south end of this town, adjoining Col. Pendleton's. For terms, apply to JOHN BOYD. Martinsburg, August 18, 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 and 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. August 18, 1794.
THE Partnership heretofore subsisting between John Webber and James Hays, under the firm of James Hays & Co. is this day dissolved by mutual consent; all persons indebted to said firm are requested to pay their respective balances to JOHN WEBBER, or whom he may appoint to receive the same. JOHN WEBBER, JAMES HAYS.
As my other affairs calls me elsewhere, I hereby impower JAMES RAMSEY, who will attend at the store of the late partnership, to receive and pass receipts for all debts due said firm, and three weeks from this date is the longest indulgence which can be given, after which, suits will be commenced against such as may then be in arrear. JOHN WEBBER. Shepherd's Town, August 15, 1794.
THE partnership of JOSEPH and JOSHUA RIDDLE, has been dissolved by mutual consent, all persons indebted to said firm will please pay their respective balances to JOSEPH RIDDLE. JOSEPH RIDDLE, JOSHUA RIDDLE.
As my situation will not admit of being often in Martinsburg, I do hereby impower Mr. WILLIAM RIDDLE to receive and pass receipts for all debts due said firm; I would also beg leave to inform the debtors, that such as do not come forward and pay off their respective debts, may expect suits to commence against them in two months from this date. JOSEPH RIDDLE. Martinsburg, August 1, 1794.
PAY YOUR TAXES
ALL persons indebted to me for Taxes, are hereby noticed, that I this day commence my collection, and earnestly request every one within my district to be prepared to discharge the same, as no indulgence can or will be given. GABRIEL HAYS. Berkeley County, August 11, 1794.
WILLIAM MAXWELL.
On FRIDAY, the 29th of AUGUST, instant, At ten o'clock, Will be sold by public vendue, at the plantation of the subscriber, Wheat, Rye, and Oats, lately stacked, horses, cows, hogs, stoves, mens' and womens' saddles, and several other articles too tedious to mention. A reasonable credit will be given, on bond with approved security. WILLIAM MAXWELL. August 11, 1794.
HAGER'S-TOWN RACES.
ON Wednesday the 17th day of September next, will be run for, over a handsome course adjoining the town, a PURSE of FIFTY POUNDS, free for any horse, mare or gelding, the four mile heats, aged horses carrying 126 pounds weight, with addition of seven pounds for every year under age. And on Thursday the 18th, will be run for, over the same course, another PURSE of TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS, the three mile heats, free and carrying weight as aforesaid, the winning horse of the preceding day only excepted. The horses to be entered with Jonathan Hager and George Shaulle; and entrance (one shilling in the pound) paid the day preceding each race, or double at the post. No person will be permitted to ride without being dressed in a silk jacket and jockey-cap. Four horses to start each day, or no race. Persons will be appointed as judges, and purses paid by JONATHAN HAGER, GEORGE SHAULL. Hager's-Town, July 21, '94.
Fisher and Cole, Book-Sellers, Book-Binders, and Stationers,
Three doors West of YATES and CAMPBELL'S Vendue Store, Market Street, BALTIMORE.
RESPECTFULLY inform their Friends, and the Public in general, that they have lately established a Book and Stationary Store in BALTIMORE, and humbly solicit the patronage of a generous public, whose favours they will endeavour to merit. They are now assorted with Books on every subject in polite literature; among the many valuable new publications they have now on hand, are the following.
   Dol. Ct.     Paine's works, compleat in 1 vol. 2 0   American Biography, 1st volume, to be continued. 1 50   Moore's Travels, 2 vols. 8 do. 3 50   Do. Journal in France, 2 vol. 12mo. 1 75   Morse's Geography, elegant, 2 vols. 8do. 4 50   Do.—sheep bound, 3 50   Do.—abridged for use of schools, 1 0   Pindar's works, 2 vols.   Compelet letter writer.   Love and Gibson's Surveyings.   Williams' Letters on the French Revolution.  
A L S O, Folio, Quarto, Royal, Octavo and Duodecimo Bibles, School Books of all kinds, a new edition of the common prayer for the Protestant Episcopal Church, price from 6/6 to 35/. and a great variety of history, divinity, medicine, philosophy, chemistry, novels, &c. &c. too numerous to be contained in a news-paper. Orders from the country gentlemen shall be carefully attended to. They expect in a few days, a new and elegant edition of Sturband's Military Discipline, &c. with copper plates.
Now in the Press, and speedily will be published, By FISHER and COLE, A Pamphlet, entitled, PROSPECTS ON WAR AND PAPER CURRENCY, The first American edition, By THOMAS PAINE, author of Rights of Man, Common Sense, &c. &c. Baltimore, July 21, 1794. 3m.
I HAVE many small debts due me, which I fear I cannot collect without legal means, I therefore give notice, that on the first day of next month, I shall sue such as do not make payment previous to that time. A number of notes have been assigned to me by Messrs. Paul Verrier and Robert Cochran, on which I can give no indulgence after that time. DAVID HUNTER. Martinsburg, August 2, 1794.
WANTED TO PURCHASE, Six large young COWS, of the best breed for milk. Also, Six Ewes of a large breed, for which a generous price will be paid in cash. Application to be made to the Printer. Martinsburg, August 4, 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.
ALL Persons are hereby cautioned against cutting wood and otherwise making waste and trespass on my land near Opeckon Bridges; and such persons as have already fell timber on the same and have not taken it away, are forewarned not to remove it, as I am determined to prosecute every person who shall be found trespassing in any manner on the said premises. ROBERT CUSICK. JULY 26, 1794.
BY virtue of the last will and testament of Mary MacDonell, 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 WHITE, jun. ARCH. McDONALD. } Executors. JUNE 22, 1794.
HUGH BLACK, Sign of the Ship. MARTINSBURG, INFORMS his Friends and the Public, that he has taken the public house formerly occupied by Mr. Christian Smith, where gentlemen, travellers and others, may be entertained with every necessary they may require. He hopes from his attention to his business to merit general approbation.
THE LAST NOTICE!
ALL persons indebted to the Subscriber, either by bond, note, or book debt, are hereby informed, that unless they come in and make payment in four weeks from this date, their several arrearages will, after that period, be put in suit, without discrimination. Merchantable wheat or rye will be received as cash, at the market price. It is easier for an hundred to help one, than one an hundred. GEORGE TILLEY. JULY 21, 1794.
An advantageous proposal to an INDUSTRIOUS PRINTER.
THE Proprietor and Editor of this paper, from his close confinement to business, has too long been prevented from making the collections absolutely necessary as well for prosecuting his present employment, as for other purposes, as he could wish, therefore, to enable him to settle all the arrearages due him at the expiration of the present volume of The Guardian (which is near at hand) and in order to adjust his affairs by the 7th day of November next, would give VERY ADVANTAGEOUS TERMS to an industrious, sober man, who is capable of conducting his business, while he may be absent. A contract may be made for a considerable length of time, if the parties agree.
ALL Persons indebted to the Editor are requested to make payment by the 7th November ensuing:—those who may be in arrear exceeding a year's subscription at that time, and do not discharge the same must expect their papers discontinued. Merchantable Wheat or Rye, at cash price, will be received in payment, delivered at any mill in this county.
FOR SALE AT THE PRINTING OFFICE. Bonds for deliverance of Property, Magistrates' Summons. Blank Deeds of Bargain and Sale. Common Bonds, Blank notes, &c.
Cash given for clean Cotton and Linen RAGS, at the Printing-Office.