The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1792-02-14 00:00:00

The POTOMAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER.
PRICE TWO DOLLARS PER ANN.]
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1792.
[NUMBER 66—VOL. 2.]
WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS, THERE IS MY COUNTRY.
Franklin.
On the proposed TAX on NEWS-PAPERS.
I CANNOT help lamenting, when I consider the great injury the People will derive from so UNPRECEDENTED and PARTIAL a TAX, as that proposed by Congress on the CARRIAGE of NEWS PAPERS—unprecedented, because I believe no such thing was ever heard of before, unless it was in countries where the Government wish to prohibit the circulation of News-Papers; and partial, because it is paid by one particular profession only. It is certainly a TAX, and, for my part, I believe it little short of a STAMP—and I wish it may not prove more destructive to the profession, than any STAMP-ACT would possibly be. I have always understood it as one grand principle, in our political creed, "THAT THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS OUGHT NOT TO BE RESTRAINED;" and I well know that the citizens of this country are so fully impressed with this idea, that any steps which might be taken to obstruct it, would be considered in a very unfriendly point of view. The People are not without their JEALOUSIES and FEARS, and I hope they never will be, as it is that alone which can prevent the arm of authority from encroaching upon their Rights and Liberties. The LIBERTY of the PRESS is the GRAND PALLADIUM of our POLITICAL FREEDOM—the people have a sacred regard towards its preservation, and they have too much penetration not to feel alarmed, when they see any measures taken to clog it. It is the only channel through which they can be informed of the proceedings of their rulers. They are already but badly informed of them, which has given rise to many misapprehensions; and they will be much worse informed, should the proposed ENORMOUS TAX, or POSTAGE, take place.
There are now published in Virginia , nine News-Papers, and more than two-thirds of them entirely depend upon subscriptions, for their support. Now, is it possible that a Printer who, perhaps, does not receive more than one or two advertisements a week (for this is actually the case with many of them) can afford to pay three or four dollars a week postage?—His subscriptions will barely support his Paper, and they are paid annually.—A Printer, therefore, thus situated, must give up his business—and this will be the case with a great many of them. Here is an Act of Government, restraining the Press, by which the People are debarred of that useful source of information. Will they not, then, have fears and apprehensions? I know it is suggested, by some, that so many News-Papers are a burthen to the community—but, if there was one printed at every courthouse in Virginia , I believe they would greatly tend to preserve our internal tranquility, and would prove a blessing to the community; and I will not harbour the idea, that any one can be so great an enemy to his country, as to wish to destroy a profession that has proved so beneficial to it.
In North Carolina , there are but two News-Papers published, and which afford but little profit to the proprietors of them. Here, in my opinion, Government ought rather to contribute towards the support of the Press, than do any thing which might tend to destroy it. The Printers of both these News-Papers derive little or no profit from advertisements—how, then, are they to pay the postage?—and, if they do not receive the Papers from their Brother-Printers, how will the People of this State be informed of the proceedings of Government?—This State is worse off than any other State in the Union, in the circulation of News-Papers; and I do firmly believe, that the enmity still prevailing in this State to the Federal Government, may be attributed to that cause. How, then, will the People be informed, should these two Printers be obliged to give up?
In South-Carolina , there are three News-Papers published, two of which are printed in Charleston ; the other, I expect, will meet the fate of the rest of his unfortunate brethren, whose Paper is not amply furnished with advertisements.
In Georgia , there are two. Both in South-Carolina and Georgia , the News-Papers circulate badly, and will much worse, when the people find themselves HEAVILY TAXED to receive that knowledge of the conduct of their rulers, which ought to be conveyed to them upon the most easy terms possible.
Now, situated as the Printing Business is, in the Southern part of the United States, is it POLICY, or is it SAGE, in Congress, to abridge the number of News-Papers?—and, if they lay that heavy POSTAGE, or TAX, which they have at present in contemplation, the downfall of some of them will be the natural consequence.
The Printers of the United States have always shown themselves to be men of liberal and independent sentiments; and I am well convinced, would cheerfully pay a compensation for their Papers being conveyed in the MAIL-COACHES—but for Government to attempt to derive a Revenue from them, is a measure so partial and impolitic, that, I flatter myself, a majority of our Representatives, on a review of the subject, will be more favourably disposed
towards them. By the proposed POST OFFICE PLAN, it can easily be proved, that from the Printers alone (if they were able to pay it) upwards of SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS would be annually paid Government—a sum fully sufficient, with proper management, to support the POST OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT—and this to be extracted from the VITALS of the poor Printers of the United States!—A circumstance they little expected while struggling, with their fellow-citizens, in the late glorious contest, and, since the termination of that happy period which gave us Liberty, have less reason to expect, in our present flourishing and prosperous situation. The Postmasters appear to have been extremely anxious in this business, and they really have completely effected their purpose—for, they are to receive one half of this postage, for their additional trouble; and the fact is, they will have no more trouble then, than they have now.
But, have not the mail-carriers carried the Printers' Papers for these seven years past, without asking one farthing more for so doing? And would they not have done it again, if Congress had not interfered in the business? Then, why should Congress saddle the Printers with a TAX that is unnecessary?—or why should Congress TAX them more than what is necessary to pay the carriage of their Papers? The fact is, Congress ought not to have interfered in this matter at all. They might, with equal propriety, lay a postage upon the baggage going in the mail coach. The Printers' Papers is, indeed, part of the baggage, though they have been admitted in the mail. The carriers of the mail had a right to refuse to carry News-Papers; and if they had done so, the Printers would have compensated them for their additional trouble, rather than pay GOVERNMENT an ENORMOUS TAX, UNPARALLELED IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF ANY POLITICAL BODY ON EARTH.
I hope, however, that Congress will permit the Printers to exchange their Papers with each other, free of postage, as it is of material consequence, both to them and to the citizens at large. In the mean time, the Printers had better associate together, and adopt some plan, so that their Papers may be conveyed, through their Friends and Brethren, in the places where their Papers circulate, to their Subscribers, without troubling the Postmasters with the business. Their Papers may be conveyed in the mail-stage, from one end of the continent to the other, at a considerable less expense than that proposed by Congress—and they may save the fifty per cent. by getting their Friends and Brothers to deliver their Papers to their Subscribers. In this they will be COUNTENANCED; for there is not a citizen but what repudiates the proposed TAX, or POSTAGE, on News Papers.
PHILANTHROPOS.
Virginia, January, 1792.
Philadelphia, January 29, 1792.
SIR,
TO the letter of the 9th of November, which I had the honour to address to you from Fort-Washington, a postscript was added, relating to information communicated by Capt. Slough to General Butler, and not imparted by him to me, and that did not come to my knowledge till after the army got back to that fort. As the nature of the information was not mentioned, the postscript must have appeared mysterious, and it is proper that I should explain it.
Captain Slough, Sir, was intended to have been the bearer of the letter, and so it was endorsed upon the cover, and therefore I thought it needless to insert the particulars; and had he presented it, you no doubt would have inquired into it fully, and all ambiguity would have ceased; but at the moment he should have set off, some account of the situation of Colonel Gibson (who is his uncle) induced him to delay his journey, and the packet was put into the hands of another person, then going to Lexington.
You will be pleased, Sir, to recollect it was stated in the letter, that in the night preceding the 4th of November, the militia were in advance of the rest of the army. For greater security, and to intercept any small parties of Indians that might be approaching, with predatory views, it was thought fitting that a party of regular troops should be advanced, from a quarter to half a mile, in front of the militia. The party was taken from the right wing, which formed the front line, then under the immediate command of General Butler, and Capt. Slough was the officer ordered out by him for those purposes. In the night, it seems, he discovered the Indians approaching in such numbers, that he thought it necessary to draw in his party, and immediately made report of what he had discovered to General Butler, from whom he had received his orders—He proposed to the General to make the same report to me; but the General replied to him, that as he must be fatigued, he had better lay down to sleep, and he himself would give the information.
This is, as nearly as I can recollect, the account Captain Slough gave me at Fort-Washington.
The orders given to Col. Oldham, mentioned also in the postscript as not executed, were, That he should send out, from his command, an hour at least before day, and as much earlier as possible, four or five parties of twenty men, with an officer to each, in different directions, for the purpose of making discoveries. I was very anxious on this point, and not without some doubt that it might be punctually attended to: The Adjutant-General was therefore, about the dawn of day, but rather before it, sent to Col. Oldham, that I might be certain of that precaution having been taken. Colonel Oldham was met by him at some distance from his encampment, and informed him the parties were not then gone out, but would be despatched the moment he returned. Unhappily he never returned.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant, A. ST. CLAIR.
The honourable Major General Knox, Secretary at War.
PORTLAND, January 9.
In the account brought by Captain Clap, from Port-au-Prince, and lately published, mention was made of the murder of the Negro and Mulatto women and children who were found in that town the day after the fire.—Captain Clap has since, however, declared, that he was not knowing to the massacre of the children.
BOSTON, January 18.
Legislature of Massachusetts.
TUESDAY, January 17, 1792.
FEMALE HEROISM.
A very extraordinary circumstance arrested the attention of the House this afternoon. A petition was presented by a Mrs. Deborah Gannet, who served with reputation, as a soldier, three years in the army of the United States, and received an honorable discharge therefrom. This extraordinary woman enlisted as a male, by the name of Robert Shurtliff, and as such did her duty without a stain on her virtue and honour. She only prays in her petition, for the payment of her arrears; but submits the circumstances of services to the legislature; and from the feelings which appeared on the occasion, expressive of a strong desire to reward heroism like hers, there is no room to doubt, that a compensation will be granted, adequate to her services, and honourable to the government.
Several members corroborated the facts stated in the petition; which was committed to a respectable committee.
A representation from the committee for the sale of Eastern Lands, was read, in which it was stated, that there have been sold since the last sitting of the General Court, about 2,700,000 acres of those lands and that there are further applications for upwards of 2,000,000 acres more of that valuable and fertile country.
WEDNESDAY, January 18.
The committee on the petition of Mrs. Gannet, reported a resolve for granting her wages in the terms usual on common occasions. But the House, after inquiring into her case, and finding that she had not only served faithfully as a soldier, but that she had been wounded, and had preserved her chastity by the most scrupulous concealment of her sex, ordered the report to be recommitted, in order that it might be prefaced with a recital of those singular and honorable facts. [The report, so amended, has been brought in, and a grant made to her of the customary wages; and interest from the year 1783.]
NEW-LONDON, January 19.
Extract of a letter from Port au-Prince, dated Dec. 4.
"On my arrival at this place I found the most valuable part of this town reduced to ashes—40 squares, containing upwards of a thousand houses, are burnt. You cannot form an idea, Sir, of the immense property that is destroyed, and our countrymen are no small sufferers: Some losing everything, and all something. Those who had goods ashore lost them by the fire—those who had disposed of their goods and had not collected their money, the debt is confiscated—those who had even lodged money in their merchants' hands to purchase goods, are refused the least satisfaction for it. There are several here from Connecticut river, who have met with great losses. Capt. Hillard is here from Norwich; he has lost every thing, he tells me, except about 50 barrels of beef."
"The Commandant-General, and the Captain of the 74 gun ship in the harbour, went out two days ago, personally to form a treaty of peace with the mulattoes; they returned yesterday, and went immediately to the municipality to inform of the terms which the mulattoes offered to accept, (or rather demand.) The conditions are these—that the whites shall deliver up on Monday next (which is three days from this date) the forts and garrisons together with all the cannon, ammunition, &c.—Also

immediately to France—the heads of one company, composed of citizens, to be put to death: And, in short, that the mulattoes should have the whole and sole command.
"The whole mulatto army is about three miles from town—All our vessels are full of women and children, which are their only refuge."
N E W-Y O R K, January 27. Extract of a letter from a gentleman now resident at Quebec, to his correspondent in this city, dated January 9, 1792.
"Our humanity was deeply affected by the dreadful carnage made by the Indians. You may be assured that the number of Indians did not exceed 1000 and nothing saved General St. Clair, and the remainder of his army, but the great quantity of plunder he left to the Indians: They were composed of various tribes, and three fourths of them remained in the camp to plunder it, and to take scalps, the trophies of their victory; and he that got the most, when he returned to his nation, acquired the greatest share of glory; hence only about 200 pursued. The loss of the Indians is under 20 killed and 30 wounded. The Victory they have obtained at so easy a purchase, and the riches they obtained by the plunder, and the provisions they found, will make them a more terrible foe than they have ever been; they boast of taking an amazing quantity of powder and arms, which they wanted; many of them were only armed with spears and hatchets, and I have no doubt but if another expedition should be set on foot, that they will be met by three times the number of Indians."
"The Indian tribes of nations who live many hundred miles back, have all entered into an association, and made the present war a common concern; they have made peace among themselves to enable them to oppose what they call a common enemy. The warriors of the different tribes, so united, are not less than 15 or 20,000: Meetings of the chiefs of ten or twelve different nations were held the last summer. Lord Dorchester advised them to make peace, and offered his mediation: He told them he was at peace with the United States, and could give them no assistance. Their answer was, that the enemy was in their country, and would not make peace with them, but on terms dishonourable, and at the expence of their country, and that they had determined to die before they would accept of such terms. They left us much dissatisfied with the answer they received, and with a full determination to defend their country with the last drop of their blood."
"You may depend upon it, that many years will elapse and many thousand men be expended, before the United States will, by the present measures, be able to possess the country in contest, and I may also add, that I have great apprehensions, that great desolation and destruction will be the consequence, on the frontiers of the Ohio, this winter and next spring; I would to God that some steps might be taken to prevent them. I have no doubt but the country might be purchased for one-fiftieth part of the expence already incurred by the different expeditions; the attempt to take the country from them by force, is founded in unrighteousness, and ought to be abandoned; besides, if the Americans mean to have any trade with them, they are taking steps that will prevent it for many years to come. —The Indians do not easily forget or forgive injuries."
P H I L A D E L P H I A, February 1. The English of a certain letter, said to have been written in Quebec, if it has any meaning, says a correspondent, is this:—
"The Indians are affronted, and if you do not buy a peace of them on any terms, they will, next spring, and perhaps this winter, bring an army of twenty thousand men into the field, and sweep all the settlements on the Frontiers, from the Mississippi to Lake Champlain.—You cannot kill more than two in an hundred of them—whereas they are sure to kill eighty in an hundred of you: The circumstances are so fully known to them, that though they have heretofore refused to make peace with you, yet at the moment they are flushed with victory, and glutted with plunder, you will find it the most favourable time to negotiate a treaty!"
The United States have made no encroachments on the lands of the Indians, and yet they are charged by letter fabricators with being guilty of acts of greater injustice than ever were perpetrated towards the savages by any of the European powers who have ever attempted to make settlements on this continent.—The spring of many remarks of the above complexion, is an inveterate hatred to the government and honour of the United States.
By an accurate calculation it appears, if the Post-Office bill passes into a law, in its present form, that London News-Papers, with the additional expence of their stamp-duty, may be brought to this city, through the channel of the British General Post-Office and the British Packets, at a cheaper rate than either the Portland or Savannah papers.
A correspondent informs the dealers in public securities, that the State of Pennsylvania will probably pay off all their debts and assumptions this session. The matter is now in agitation:
House of Representatives of the United States. FRIDAY, January 27. A MOTION, made by Mr. Sheredine, for the appointment of a committee to wait on the President of the United States for the purpose of learning from him at what time, if at any, it will be agreeable to him that his communications respecting the Western Frontiers shall become the subject of public debate, was ordered to lie on the table.
motion, by Mr. White was also laid on the table;
Resolved, That it be a standing order of this House, that whenever confidential communications are received from the President of the United States, the House shall be cleared of all persons, except the members and the clerk, and so continue during the reading of such communications, and during all debates and proceedings to be had thereon; and that when the Speaker, or any other member, shall inform the House that he has communications to make, which, he conceives, ought to be kept secret, the House shall in like manner be cleared, until the communication be made; and the House shall then determine whether the matter communicated requires secrecy or not, and take order accordingly.
The House then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the bill making provision for the defence of the Frontiers; whereupon the gallery was ordered to be cleared.
MONDAY, January 30. Mr. Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of War, together with sundry papers, relative to the steps taken for the temporary protection of the frontier counties of Pennsylvania.
These papers being read, The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the bill, making further and more effectual provision for the defence of the frontiers;—upon which the galleries were ordered to be cleared.
TUESDAY, January 31. The Speaker laid before the House a report from the Secretary of War, on the petitions of sundry persons, formerly referred to him, which was read.
The House then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the bill making further provision for the defence of the western frontiers. Upon which the galleries were cleared.
WEDNESDAY, February 1. The committee to whom was referred the petition of John Churchman, praying a grant of a sum of money to enable him to make a voyage to Baffin's Bay, for the purpose of making improvements in the art of navigation, made report in favour of the petitioner, which was read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table.
The House then resumed the consideration of the bill making further and more effectual provision for the defence of the western frontiers; upon which the galleries were cleared.
By the minutes of the proceedings of Monday, read in the House on Tuesday, it appears that the motion for striking out the 2d section, which provides for three additional regiments, was negatived, 33 to 18.
The bill "making further and more effectual provision for the protection of the frontiers," having had the blanks filled up, was passed (yeas 29, nays 19) and sent to the Senate for their concurrence.
THURSDAY, February 2. A resolution was laid on the table for the appointment of a committee to inquire into several particulars relative to the expedition against the Indians, and the causes of the late unfortunate defeat.
The House took up for consideration the amendments proposed by the Senate to the post-office bill, and concurred in them all, except one or two with respect to cross-posts.
One of the amendments proposed by the Senate, and agreed to by the House, is in favour of the news-papers; inasmuch as it permits any person whatever, without authority from the Post-master-General, to "take up, receive, order, dispatch, convey, carry, and deliver, news-papers for hire on the established post-roads, without being subject to any fine, penalty, or forfeiture, for so doing. Adjourned.
R I C H M O N D, January 27. On Tuesday evening last the frost was so severe, that Madeira wine froze in decanters standing in closets, and antimonial and spirits of wine, were also froze in the Apothecaries shops in this city.
SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, February 14.
As no further account of the success of General Scott in a recent expedition against our savage enemy at the Westward (as related in our last) has since come to hand, we much fear the report was founded in error.
The Bill, now before Congress, making provision for the protection of the frontiers, besides completing the Regiments already on the Continental establishment, contemplates the raising three additional regiments of infantry, each to consist of 912 non-commissioned officers, privates, and musicians, exclusive of commissioned officers; and one Squadron of light-dragoons (to serve occasionally as infantry) consisting of 304 non-commissioned officers and privates, besides commissioned officers.
Late letters from Birmingham mention, that Mr. Taylor (who had his house and other property destroyed by the mob) and several other respectable Dissenters, were preparing to embark for America, in the course of the present year. Mr. Taylor, alone, it is said, is worth near 200,000l. sterling.
Since the 3d day of March, 1789, between 6 and 700,000 children have been born in the United States—How prolific is the general government?
The National Assembly of France have manifested their loyalty in an exemplary manner, and like a set of able Physicians, they have given their King that, of which all monarchs stand in need, a good constitution!
There are living in the city of New-London, State of Connecticut, two persons, husband and wife, whose weight is as follows—husband 350,
wife 250. Total, 600 weight!!—Not a bad match.
DIED , on Tuesday last, in the 23d year of her age, Mrs. SARAH SWEARINGEN, wife of BENONI SWEARINGEN, Esq.—A lady whose amiable virtues endeared her to her husband and friends; whose affable disposition made her agreeable to her acquaintance.—Her husband and family have sustained a loss irreparable—her friends and acquaintance feel their loss—and are made sensible too of this truth, that it is not the virtues of the heart—it is not the bloom of health—it is not the vigour of youth—it is not the tears of friends, which can wrest the victim from thee, O Death!—when thou hast stretched forth thy cold hand!
Want of paper obliges us once more to issue half a sheet—we are, however, in expectation of receiving a full supply for our next publication.
BY virtue of a Decree of the Court of Berkeley, and State of Virginia, will be exposed to sale, by Public Vendue, for cash, upon the Fourteenth day of MARCH next, if fair, if not the next fair day, one third part of half an acre of Land in the town of Meclinburgh, known by number Twenty-five, lying on the main street, adjoining JOHN UNSELL and CATHARINE HAINS, with the Dwelling-House thereon.
SAMUEL DEVENPORT, Dep. Sheriff, (for GEORGE CUNNINGHAM, Sheriff. February 13, 1792.
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN away from the subscriber, living about six miles from Shepherd's-Town, last night, a Negro Man named GEORGE, about 23 or 24 years old, near 6 feet high, something lame in one of his knees, had on and took with him a new coat and breeches of brown coating, a greenish broad-cloth jacket, an old light-coloured great coat, an old blue broad-cloth coat without buttons on the breast, a white country linen shirt, and a new tow linen ditto; he is an artful cunning fellow, and it is probable will change his name and dress, and endeavour to get to Baltimore or Alexandria. Whoever will take up said negro and confine him so that I get him again, if 30 miles from home shall have four dollars reward, if 30 miles six dollars, and if at a greater distance eight dollars, and reasonable charges.
JAMES BLUE. Berkeley County, near the Swan Ponds, Feb. 2, 1792.
N O T I C E.
WHEREAS George Adam Collingburger passed his bond for seventy pounds, some time in September, 1790, by my consent, in the name of Smith Slaughter, which bond I intended should discharge an execution which was then in the possession of Mr. Smith Slaughter, as deputy sheriff for Berkeley County, which execution was due to Mr. T. Whiting, but said bond not being applied to the use designed, I applied to Mr. Slaughter to assign said bond to Cornelius Conaway for security for the payment of fifteen pounds, or for said Conaway to receive the above-mentioned and to return said bond to me or Mr. Smith Slaughter, but after Conaway got said bond in his possession, he applied to G. A. Collingburger for the whole amount, which said Collingburger paid said Conaway about forty pounds of said bond, before my discovering his deception—I now forewarn all person or persons from taking an assignment on said bond, as I believe from Conaway's connections and his treatment to me, he will defraud some innocent person by an assignment thereof.
WILLIAM BRADY. February 3, 1792.
F O R S A L E, A TRACT OF LAND,
LYING on Gnatty-Creek, in Harrison County, Virginia, containing ONE THOUSAND ACRES. As it is presumed that no person will purchase without viewing the premises, it is needless to say more than that it was surveyed early in the settlement of that country, and that an indisputable title will be given and the terms of payment made easy. Any person inclined to purchase, may see the Land, by applying to Mr. JOHN STEWART, near Morgan-Town, or treat with the Proprietor, living at Hager's-Town.
WILLIAM BAIRD. 12th January, 1792.
WHEREAS on the 7th instant, the subscriber, through the extortions and threats of a certain Thomas Somerset, of the State of Maryland, gave him my Note for six dollars, payable in one month from the date, but as said Note was unjustly obtained, and but a small part thereof due from me to the said Somerset, I hereby caution all persons from taking an assignment of said Note, as I am determined not to pay it.
JOHN LEE. Shepherd's-Town, Feb. 14. 1792.
Printed by N. WILLIS.