The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1792-01-24 00:00:00

The POTOWMAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER.
PRICE TWO DOLLARS PER ANN.]
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1792.
[NUMBER 63—VOL. 2.]
WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS, THERE IS MY COUNTRY.
Franklin.
The following description is annexed to the plan of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia, as sent to Congress by the President some days ago.
Plan of the City intended for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States, projected agreeably to the direction of the President of the United States, in pursuance of an act of Congress, passed on the 16th of July, 1790, "establishing the permanent seat on the banks of the Potowmack"—By PETER CHARLES L'ENFANT.
Observations explanatory of the Plan.
I. THE positions for the different grand edifices, and for the several grand squares or areas of different shapes, as they are laid down, were first determined on the most advantageous ground, commanding the most extensive prospects, and the better susceptible of such improvements as the various interests of the several objects may require.
II. Lines or avenues of direct communication have been devised to connect the separate and most distant objects with the principals, and to preserve through the whole a reciprocity of sight at the same time. Attention has been paid to the passing of those leading avenues over the most favourable ground for prospect and convenience.
III. North and south lines, intersected by others running due east and west, make the distribution of the city into streets, squares, &c. and those lines have been combined as to meet at certain given points with those divergent avenues, so as to form on the spaces "first determined," the different squares, or areas, which are all proportional in magnitude to the number of avenues leading to them.
Breadth of the Streets.
Every grand transverse avenue and every principal divergent one, such as the communication from the President's house to the Congress house, &c. are 160 feet in breadth, and thus divided:
  Feet.   16 feet for pavement on each side; 20   30 of gravel walk, planted with trees on each side. 60   80 in the middle for carriage way, 80   160 
The other streets are of the following dimensions, viz.
  Feet.   Those leading to the public buildings or markets, 130   Others, 110   90 
In order to execute the above plan, Mr. Ellicott drew a true meridian line by celestial observation, which passes through the area intended for the Congress-House; this line here crossed by another due east and west, and which passes through the same area. These lines were accurately measured, and made the bases on which the whole plan was executed. He ran all the lines by a transit instrument, and determined the acute angles by actual measurement, and left nothing to the uncertainty of the compass.
References.
A. The equestrian figure of George Washington, a monument voted in 1783, by the late Continental Congress.
B. An historic column—also intended for a mile or itinerary column, from whose station (at a mile from the federal House) all distances of places through the Continent are to be calculated.
C. A naval itinerary column, proposed to be erected to celebrate the first rise of a navy, and to stand a ready monument to consecrate its progress and achievements.
D. A Church intended for national purposes, such as public prayer, thanksgiving, funeral orations, &c. and assigned to the special use of no particular sect or denomination, but equally open to all. It will likewise be a proper shelter for such monuments as were voted by the late Continental Congress, for those heroes who fell in the cause of liberty, and for such others as may hereafter be decreed by the voice of a grateful nation.
E. E. E. E. E. Five grand fountains, intended with a constant spout of water.
N. B. There are within the limits of the city 25 good springs of excellent water, abundantly supplied in the driest season of the year.
F. A grand cascade, formed of the water of the sources of the Tiber.
G. G. Public walk, being a square of 1200 feet, through which carriages may ascend to the upper square of the Federal House.
H. A grand avenue, 400 feet in breadth, and about a mile in length, bordered with gardens ending in a slope from the houses on each side: This avenue leads to the monument A, and connects the Congress garden with the
I. President's park and the
K. Well improved field, being a part of the walk from the President's house of about 1800 feet in breadth, and three fourths of a mile in length.—Every lot deep coloured red, with green plots, designates some of the situations which command the most agreeable prospects, and which are best calculated for the spacious houses and gardens such as may accommodate foreign ministers, &c.
L. Around this square, and all along the
M. Avenue from the two bridges to the federal house, the pavements on each side will pass under an arched way, under whose cover shops will be most conveniently and agreeably situated; this street is 160 feet in breadth, and a mile long.
The fifteen squares coloured yellow, are proposed to be divided among the several states in the Union, for each of them to improve, or subscribe a sum additional to the value of the land for that purpose, and the improvements round the squares to be completed in a limited time.
The center of each square will admit of statues, columns, obelisks, or any other ornaments, such as the different states may choose to erect, to perpetuate not only the memory of such individuals whose councils or military achievements were conspicuous in giving liberty and independence to this country; but those whose usefulness hath rendered them worthy of imitation; to invite the youth of succeeding generations to tread in the paths of those sages or heroes whom their country hath thought proper to celebrate.
The situation of those squares is such, that they are the most advantageously and reciprocally seen from each other, and as equally distributed over the whole city district, and connected by spacious avenues round the grand federal improvements, and as contiguous to them, and at the same time as equally distant from each other, as circumstances would admit. The settlements round these squares must soon become connected.
The mode of taking possession of, and improving, the whole district at first, must leave to posterity a grand idea of the particular interest which promoted it.
The small spaces coloured red, are intended for the use of all religious denominations, on which they are to erect places of worship, and are proposed to be allotted to them in the manner as those coloured yellow are to the different states in the Union; but no burying grounds will be admitted within the limits of the city, an appropriation being intended for that purpose without.
N. B. There are a number of squares, or areas, unappropriated, and in situations proper for colleges and academies, with which every society, whose object is national, may be accommodated.
Every house within the city will stand square on the streets, and every lot on the divergent avenues will run square with their fronts on the most acute angle, will not measure less than 56 feet, and may well be above 140 feet.
Some of the streets running north and south, and east and west, are about 1200 poles, and the transverse streets about 1300 poles.
Latitude of Congress house, 38. 53. N. long. 0. 0.
X. Tiber creek. The water of this creek is intended to be conveyed on the high ground where the Congress-house stands, and after watering that part of the city, its overplus will fall from under the base of the edifice, and in a cascade of 20 feet in height, and 50 in breadth, into the reservoir below, thence to run in three falls through the gardens into the grand canal.
The perpendicular height of the ground where the Congress-house stands, is above the tide of Tiber creek, 78 feet.
Perpendicular height of the west branch above the tide in Tiber Creek, 115 feet, 7 inches and two eighths.
This branch and that of the Tiber, is intended to be conveyed to the president's house.
From the entrance of the river Potowmack up to the second, the depth of water is from 5 1-3 to 4 fathoms—the deepest all along the shore where wharves are marked.
From the SALEM GAZETTE.
Reflections on the present situation of the DISTILLERIES of the United States heretofore employed in foreign Materials.
IT has been a subject of frequent apprehension, to attentive observers on the internal industry of our country, that the distilleries would one day be deprived of their necessary supply of foreign materials: The obvious possibility of various events suggested these fears. A contingency, as unhappy as it was unexpected, has at length happened, which menaces a long interruption, perhaps a total privation, of that large part of those supplies which have been drawn from Hispaniola; and the late disorders in Martinico have conspired to heighten the evil.
In consequence of these events, the ordinary operations of above one hundred distilleries will be suspended, and the subsistence of those numerous families that are dependent on them for a time be cut off. The ravages already committed in the West-Indies must occasion a defalcation of produce, which will require several years of industry to restore, after tranquility shall be established. To supply our demand for the raw material from any other source, is impracticable; and if it were possible to procure from the islands of other nations distilled spirits equal to our consumption, yet the importation would be excessively expensive, as well as impolitic. Little more than eight millions of gallons are annually made in those islands; and the demand for the expected Spanish war advanced the price of rum in Jamaica 50 per cent.—What then would be the effect of a new and certain demand for several millions of gallons?
But if it were practicable to procure the distilled spirits from abroad upon moderate terms, what would be the fate of the American distillers, their workmen and dependents? Would not their capitals become unproductive, and their distilleries sink into ruin? It is to be feared too, that the navigation interest connected with this branch of industry will feel a share of these unfortunate events.
To avoid evils so great and extensive, must be the wish and endeavour of every good citizen: If, however, they cannot be altogether avoided, prudence perhaps may mitigate them. It is thought that a mitigation of them may be found in the application of our distilleries to the manufacture of grain spirits.
The harvests of Europe are said to have been abundant; those of the United States are known to be so; and a reduction of the prices of grain seems to be a necessary consequence. The present time therefore, is the proper one to commence this business. The transportation of grain coastwise to the distilleries, and of the distilled spirits to the consumers, on all the navigable waters of the United States, will give employment to those vessels which may necessarily relinquish the French West-India trade.
It will not escape the observation of those who meditate the establishment of breweries, in the States, that the present is a favourable moment for proceeding in that most beneficial branch. It is well known that brewing, and the distillation from grain, are two very profitable manufactures in Great-Britain; although the breweries and distillers there pay 50 per cent. higher for grain than the ordinary price of the same article in this country. Holland also brews extensively, and in distillation from grain exceeds Great-Britain; yet the imports more grain than the manufactures, and more fuel than her breweries and distilleries consume.
The difference of eleven cents per gallon (about 40 per cent. on the value of the article) in favour of spirits distilled from native materials, when compared with imported spirits, gives an advantage to the home manufacture, which will be duly estimated by every judicious calculator. There can be no doubt that this advantage will be always preserved, and probably increased, by the laws of the United States.*
The strongest inducement to reasonable men, for the employment of their capital and talents in any undertaking, is the hope of permanent profit founded on fair calculation. This calculation the distillers are best able to make. To them, therefore, the ideas heretofore suggested are submitted, with due respect, by
A CITIZEN.
Salem, Nov. 19th, 1791.
NOTE.
*Among other inducements the National Government would have to adopt this policy it is demonstrable, that the encouragement of the culture of grain that would be derived from the use of it in distillation, would prove the most effectual security against a scarcity of bread.
NORWICH, (Conn.) December 25.
A sweet Past.
The following drollish casualty happened a few days since, at Mr. —'s store, in this City:
A merry buxom Joan not materially unlike, (either with respect to shape, corpulency or ponderosity) the renowned Dr. Slop, was in a merchant's store, and, after purchasing about two yards of velvet ribbon, for a girdle, which was the exact quantity the wanted, the being very slender in the waist, not more than two feet in diameter, and, of consequence, according to mathematical calculation, not more than six feet in circumference;—after purchasing her girdle, she, politely courtesying to the merchant, left the shop, intending to remount again her steed—Looking around for some time, she discovered there was no horse-block, but casting her eye on a tierce, that stood upon the head at a small distance from the shop door, and willing, by her agility, to render conspicuous the gracefulness of her person, and in order to mount her jade with more ease, the springs with humble feet upon

the head of the tierce—but, perfectly according to Newtonian attraction, as gravity ever tends to the centre, the head gulping in, instantly drops the graceful Mils Bridget, up to her arms in the cask of molasses—Thus stood the plump dame, entirely surrounded with the delicious juice of the cane!—But assistance being given, she was quickly removed from the sweet position she was in, placed on her horse, and rode off full speed, with dulcorated streams of treacle dripping from her sides.
The father has since been to the merchant, and paid for at least fifteen or twenty gallons of molasses, which, obsequious to the forcible command of flesh and blood, rushed out and made room, when the cask became pregnant with his daughter!
PHILADELPHIA, January 7.
A considerable sum of the debt to the French nation, by the United States, has been paid at the Treasury. The salaries of the French Consuls are paid therefrom.
The only reason assigned for enhancing the postage of news-papers, sent more than 100 miles, fifty per cent. is, that it will prevent a monopoly of the business, on the part of those Printers who publish at the seat of government, to the injury of the Printers at the southward, where labour and materials, in that line, are dearer than at the northward. This is one of those bad rules that will not work both ways—for if it would tend to equalize the matter at the southward, it will entirely prevent any papers being sent to the northward.
The half cent, originally proposed as a postage on news-papers, would be found fully competent to defraying every expense. All that is to be considered, with respect to the contracts for carrying the mail, is the weight —the trouble would not be increased, provided all news-papers were lodged in the post-office, as they ought to be—but it has never yet been made to appear, that the news-papers might not be included in all the mail contracts without one farthing's addition to the expense.
January 11. Captain Beeks, of the Lady Walderstorf, from Havre-de-Grace, informs, that about the 10th of November, a frigate and several transports lay there, preparing to receive on board five thousand troops, destined for Cape-Francois, to relieve the distressed inhabitants of Hispaniola from the ravages of the insurgent Negroes.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES.
Monday, January 9.
An engrossed bill to establish the post-office and post-roads being taken up for a third reading,
Mr. Murray moved for a recommittal, in order to amend the section relating to the conveyance of news-papers, by reducing the postage to half a cent for a hundred miles and a cent for any greater distance.
The question being taken on this motion, and lost, the House proceeded to fill up the blanks, and agreed—
That the post-master-general be empowered to make contracts for carrying the mail, for the term of five years:—
That any person, who obstructs or retards the mail, be subject to a fine of 100 dollars:—
That any ferryman, who refuses or neglects to transport the mail be subject to a penalty of ten dollars for every half-hour's delay:—
That the post-master-general shall give twelve weeks notice in the public papers, previous to forming a contract for the conveyance of the mail:—
That the salary of the post-master-general shall be two thousand dollars per annum; and that of his assistant one thousand:—
That the new rates of postage shall take place from the first day of next March:—
That any deputy-post-master, who makes an overcharge of postage, shall pay a fine of 100 dollars:—
That any private person carrying letters for hire, on the post-roads, shall pay a fine of 200 dollars; and 300 dollars for every week's continuance of the practice:—
That any person employed in any of the departments of the post office, who shall unlawfully open, detain, or embezzle any letter or packet, not containing notes or any other valuable property, shall pay a fine, not exceeding 300 dollars; and suffer imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months:
That any post-rider, who delays the mail, or gains it on the road, shall forfeit 100 dollars:—and,
That any post-rider, who carries letters contrary to the act shall pay a fine of fifty dollars.
Some other blanks yet remained to be filled up, when the House adjourned.
Tuesday, January 10.
The House again took up the post-office-bill and having filled up the blanks, passed it, and sent it to the Senate for their concurrence.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 13.
Extract of a letter from a Merchant at Oporto, to his Friend in this Town, dated October 31, 1791.
“The Crop of Indian Corn, as far as it has been collected, has proved very abundant, and there is no Doubt of the remainder being brought in safe. Our Warehouses are at present full of American Corn—Nine Gargoes are yet laying along-side the Wharves and more are daily arriving. Those who have been encouraged by last Year's Prices to make those Shipments, must inevitably lose considerably. I cannot advise you to undertake any Thing in this Article, be your Prices ever so low—any Change will certainly be for the worse.”
Extract of a Letter from Port au-Prince, dated December 6, 1791.
“Port au-Prince owes its Destruction to the Whites: Two were caught in the Act, setting Fire to the Town—one was instantly hung up to a Lantern, the other thrown into the Klames. The Mulattoes are encamped on both Sides of the Town, and refuse to form any Treaty of Peace; they are joined by large Numbers of the white People, from the Town and Country; their Intention is to make an Attack upon the Town, which they may easily force—The Citizens are so divided amongst themselves, that a small Force may overcome them.”
Lieutenant Jeffers, Commanding-Officer at Fort-Franklin, in a Letter, dated the 26th Ult. hath pressing called upon the Officer in command at Pittsburg, or Major Irwin, of the Militia, to send him a Reinforcement of a Subaltern and Thirty Men, (with such sick Soldiers as he had left at Pittsburg) and for five Months Rations for 70 Men. Lieutenant Jeffers apprehended an immediate Attack would be made by the Savages, who not only threatened the Reduction of that Fortress, but to spread the Horrors of their Mode of Warfare, far and wide in that Part of the Country.
It is with Pleasure we acquaint an interested Public, that the brave and worthy Col. Gaithe , (after many “Hairbreadth Escapes,” amidst Hosts of ferocious Savages) is safe arrived at Frederick-Town.
General St. Clair is supposed to be now on his Way from Fort-Washington to Philadelphia.—He is greatly indisposed, having suffered extremely by the Fatigues and Hardships of his late Campaign. His Life was wonderfully preserved while the grim Savages of the Wilderness, (armed with Fuses, Rifles, Tomahawks, Scalping-Knives, &c.) were dealing out their deadly Blows; and to which he long and bravely exposed himself—The Laurels, however, of this gallant Soldier will, we are persuaded, unceasingly bloom, though they have, alas! been “engrafted on the Cypress.”
On the 5th Instant, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted, and sent to the Senate for their Concurrence, the following Resolution:
“That in commemoration of the important and meritorious Services rendered to his Country by GEORGE WASHINGTON, whose Character and Conduct have triumphed in proportion to the difficulties they have encountered, and have attracted the Admiration and Respect of all Nations where VALOUR and VIRTUE are held in estimation, there be procured, at the Public's Expense, a full-length Portrait Painting and Marble Bust, expressive of his Person, and, as far as possible, characteristic of his Talents.
“Resolved, That the said Painting and Bust be deposited wherever the Legislature shall deem expedient.”
DUMFRIES, January 5.
By a gentleman who arrived here last week, and who left Fort-Washington the 24th of November, and Lexington on the 10th of December, we are informed that Generals Scott and Wilkinson arrived at Fort-Washington with 15 volunteers only—that, notwithstanding the exertions of these gentlemen, the people in that country could not be prevailed on to undertake another expedition against the Indians—on account of the heavy losses already sustained, without compensation made by Congress.
SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, January 24.
By several persons who lately came through the Wilderness, from Kentucky, we are informed, that Major Hamtramck has been tried and honorably acquitted—and that Fort-Jefferson has been strengthened, and has four months provisions in it.
The late severe cold has furnished us with an impregnable bridge over the Potowmac—loaded wagons pass and repass with the greatest safety.
A murder of the most barbarous nature was committed on the first inst. on a Mr. Joseph Ward and wife, on Seneca, Montgomery county, Maryland. The perpetrator of this infernal act is supposed to be a black fellow that lived in the house, and who, after the family had retired to bed, and all was dark and silent, got up, furnished with an axe to commit the horrid deed, and stole quietly to the bedside where Mr. Ward, his wife, and little daughter, (they being all the family) lay—the former of whom he struck first, in the head with the axe, and then his wife, repeating his blows until he had deprived them of their existence. He then took a chunk of fire and threw it into the garret of the house, among a quantity of tow, where it kindled in very little time. In the mean while the little girl made her escape to a neighbouring house, at which place the negro arrived immediately after, to inform his master's house was on fire; on hearing of which the neighbours went instantly, and the negro with them, to try, if possible to extinguish the fire.—When they arrived at the house the flames had not got as far down as the lodging room of Mr. and Mrs. Ward, (neither of whom were to be seen) it was conjectured that they must not have awakened, whereupon they instantly rushed up stairs to apprise them of their danger, but to their astonishment, they found them in their bed, murdered, the marks of violence being sufficient proof for the supposition. The negro is at present confined in Montgomery gaol.
The Vermont Gazette, of the 26th ult. mentions, that advice had been received at Bennington, by a gentleman from Canada, that when he passed St. Johns he observed three vessels on the stocks; which
on enquiry was informed were designed for vessels of force; one of them to mount 28, one 24, and the other 18 guns. The posts on our western frontiers are yet in the hands of Britain; several Indian Chiefs have lately been to London—and reports of their returning with sentiments unfriendly to the United States [perhaps more than bare reports] are circulating; when we add to this, that the most hostile tribes are near the neighbourhood of the western posts, withheld from us by Britain, and that they have lately fought with a degree of regularity unknown before to Indians, the surmise appears probable, that they have not only received supplies but assistance from that quarter.
From the Albany Gazette.
By a gentleman from the Genesee country, we learn, that previous to his departure, the Indian account of the defeat of the American arms on the Miami, had reached there, both from Detroit and Buffalo creek, and is by them stated as follows: That they killed 1200 Americans, and took 7 pieces of cannon—200 oxen, and a great number of horses, but no prisoners—and that their loss was only 56 warriors killed.
Our informant adds, that the number of Indians in the battle was not exactly ascertained, but said to have been between 3 and 4000; and this opinion is confirmed by a gentleman who was at Detroit when the Indians left it on their way to the Miami—who lays, they were so very numerous as to create serious alarm in that garrison, and that every precaution was taken for its safety—as the Indians were exceedingly irritated with the British government for not having countenanced them in their warfare with the United States—That the Indian army was composed of some from almost every tribe from the Miami to Lake Michigan, Michellimachanac, and probably even to the Mississippi—That it was commanded by one of the Missafago Indians, who had been in the British service, in the late war; that he planned and conducted the attack, which was even contrary to the opinion of a majority of the chiefs—and, that after the Americans began their retreat, he told the Indians they had killed enough, and that it was proper to give over the pursuit, and return and enjoy the booty they had taken—That their account of the commencement of the action and its continuance agrees with General St. Clair's letter to the secretary at war.
The principal part of the above information our informant had from the Farmer's Brother, an Indian of that name, an intelligent person, and Chief of the Senecas.
By reason of the severity of the season, we did not receive a supply of paper until late last evening—our readers will therefore excuse our publishing but half a sheet this day.
Dr. Robinson,
FINDING that the SMALL-POX is still prevailing in the vicinity of this town, and being solicited by many of his friends again to commence inoculation, he now offers his service to the public:—He will inoculate for the Small-Pox, furnish medicine, and give attendance, to any number of patients (within 30 miles of this place) for five shillings , each person.
From the success which attended his practice last summer, having inoculated upwards 500 persons, without losing one, and they not only having it extremely light, but recovered their usual, if not a superior, state of health, he doubts not of meeting the general approbation of the public.
The Poor, to any number, he will inoculate gratis, and hopes they may not, by too great a degree of modesty on their part, deprive themselves of the benefit which those in more affluent circumstances are about to receive at this favourable season of the year.
Application to be made at Capt. WILLIAM LEMEN'S.
Shepherd's Town, January 24, 1792.
A STRAY BULL.
THERE is at the plantation of the Subscriber, near Shepherd's Town , a stray BULL, four years old; he has some white on the back, belly, and head, his sides brown; neither ear-marked or branded; he has been posted according to law. The owner is desired to prove his property and take him away.
JOSEPH SWEARINGEN.
Berkeley County, 19th January, 1792.
WANTED,
An industrious, sober MAN, to take the charge of four good working hands, and the management of a plantation. Apply to the Printer hereof.
WANTED,
A young, industrious, sober MAN, to take the care of a public stable, horses, &c. &c. Inquire of the Printer.
Printed by N. WILLIS.