The Patowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]), 1790-11-22 00:00:00

The PATOWMAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER.
[PRICE TWO DOLLARS PER ANN.]
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1790.
[NUMBER 2 OF VOL. I.]
WHERE LIBERTY DWELLS, THERE IS MY COUNTRY.
Franklin.
To the PUBLIC.
THE acknowledged utility of disseminating information and useful intelligence, periodically, renders it unnecessary to urge many arguments in defence of establishing a weekly vehicle in this growing country, to convey such occurrences as have a tendency to improve, inform, or entertain. It has been a popular belief among the enlightened, that a press conducted with a spirited prudence, has a manifest disposition to preserve the rights of free men—to guard the glorious acquisitions of liberty—and to weaken despotic growth before it becomes too formidable to be subdued. The serenity of the political horizon, since the creation of our Federal Constitution, is an additional motive to animate those who love their country, to give news paper emigrants a hospitable and welcome reception. For when the printed column breathes nought but harmony, delicate minds have a great increase of delight in perusing the page. Besides the obvious certainty of the great FEDERAL CITY being established in the vicinity of this fertile retreat, contributes greatly to add dignity to a free and independent press.
Powerfully actuated with these salutary truths, I propose to establish a WEEKLY NEWS-PAPER in this town, under the title of the PATOWMAC GUARDIAN, and BERKELEY ADVERTISER. And from the kind and disinterested patronage of its encouragers, I trust disappointment will not counteract my endeavours. The Press shall be ever open to genius, science, or men of a literary turn, yet it never shall contain a line that will “Give virtue scandal, innocence a fear, Or from the lost-ey'd virgin steal a tear.”
With regard to domestic politics—pains will be taken to give the Public an accurate and early account of the proceedings and debates of those bodies in whose hands their dearest interests are entrusted.
Foreign politics will be collected from the most authentic prints, received with regularity.
Agriculture, being, with justice considered as the main support of a young country, particular attention will be paid to its interests and concerns.
Commerce, from the assistance which it affords to Agriculture, by furnishing an outlet for the productions of the earth, and from the tendency which it has to extend human knowledge, and to promote liberality of sentiment and universal philanthropy, by the intercourse which it occasions between the most remote nations, deserves and will hold a place in this paper.
Manufactures and useful Arts. Much valuable information will be given under this important head. The Public will be furnished with accounts of the progress and improvements in AMERICAN MANUFACTURES. This will tend to make our ingenious countrymen exert their talents in this way, by exhibiting what may be done and exciting a laudable spirit of emulation.
Essays and extracts, which may tend to promote the cause of religion and virtue, will be particularly noticed.
Works of wit, humour, and of fancy, provided they be the offspring of genuine good humour, free from abuse and indelicacies, will find a place. Interesting occurrences, an account of which may have a tendency to improve, to entertain, or to add any thing to the stock of useful knowledge, shall be faithfully recited.
Instructive and entertaining Anecdotes, deserve and will be noticed.
No pains will be spared to improve this Paper. Advice will thankfully be received and attended to;—yet, no consideration whatever shall induce me blindly to submit to the influence of any man or set of men.
But as pompous promises wear the appearance of empty ostentation, I will not further weary the Public attention, but trust to the liberal and men of taste for support—whose confidence and approbation I trust my exertions shall always merit.
I am, with every sentiment of respect and esteem, The Public's most obedient, humble servant, N. WILLIS.
SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, November 15, 1790.
Subscriptions for the GUARDIAN are received at Martinsburg by Messrs. M C KIGHT, M C KEWAN ROGERS, and HARDESEY.—In Middletown, by Capt. WILLIAM WILLSON.—At Hopewell, by Mr. GUIFFIN MINGHINI.—In Charlestown, by Capt. CHERRY.—By such other gentlemen as subscription papers are lodged with—and at the Printing-Office hereof.
*** Advertisements of a moderate length, are inserted in this paper three weeks, for One Dollar.
POLITICAL STATE OF EUROPE, For August, 1790.
WRITTEN IN LONDON.
THE first object that presents itself this month to an Englishman and a Spaniard, and perhaps to men of many other nations, is,
The London Gazette Extraordinary.
published by authority, on Tuesday the 5th inst.—This Gazette may be considered in two lights: first, as denoting the intentions of the Spaniards; and secondly, as indicating also, in some measure, the intentions of the English ministry with regard to the subject to which it refers.
The tone of the Spanish declaration is highly dignified and majestic. The King of Great-Britain appears before the Council of State of Spain in the character of an injured person seeking redress of grievances. Now, although in the sight of God and the spirits of just men made perfect, it is nobler to suffer than to commit an injury, yet, according to the general conceptions of mankind, and much more according to the general conceptions of courts the complainant is less respected than the aggressor. “His Catholic Majesty is willing to give satisfaction to his Britannic Majesty for the injury of which he has complained; fully persuaded that his Britannic Majesty would act in the same manner towards the King, under similar circumstances.”—This studied and very cautious mode of expression is more calculated to maintain the dignity of the King of Spain, than to give solid satisfaction to the King of Great-Britain. It neither specifies how the King of Great-Britain is to be satisfied, nor when; all that is particularized in the declaration is, “that his Catholic Majesty engages to make full restitution of all the British vessels which were captured at Nootka, and to indemnify the parties interested in those vessels for the losses which they shall have sustained, as soon as the amount thereof have been ascertained.” This the Spanish nation could afford to do, without the smallest diminution of national pride and honour; for, by restoring private property, they display that sympathy which distressed individuals, and that noble-mindedness which the Spaniards and Spanish nation are in the habit of exercising towards all mankind; and, secondly, because they had actually restored the ships in question before his Britannic Majesty's complaint was laid before the throne of Spain.
It is observed at the same time, that the generality of the terms in which the Catholic king declares his readiness to give satisfaction to our King, may, in one view, be regarded as the strongest and most unequivocal manner in which that readiness could be expressed. It would be so, if the king of Great-Britain were understood to be the sole judge of what ought to be considered as a reasonable satisfaction. We say reasonable satisfaction; because, that this acknowledgment is limited to a reasonable satisfaction, is evident from the whole of the context. It is such a satisfaction as George would have made to Charles under similar circumstances; that is, as one independent Prince and rational being would make to another. Now, what kind or degree of satisfaction, REASON, or a reasonable being, would award, in the case in question, is a matter as yet untouched and entire, and reserved for future consideration; “It being understood that this declaration is not to preclude or prejudice, the ulterior discussion of any right which his [Catholic] Majesty may claim to form an exclusive establishment at the port of Nootka.” But it is well enough known, that his Catholic Majesty does, in fact, claim an exclusive right to these parts. What satisfaction, therefore, is to be expected from that Prince, it is not difficult to conjecture. The general and vague terms in which he promises satisfaction, are to be interpreted only by the ultima ratio aequum .
It is plain that the Spaniards wish to compromise matters by an unequivocal shew of respect for Britain; by yielding to this country, in as many instances, as may suit their convenience, in the point of fact, but at the same time reserving their own unbounded pretensions, to be enforced on the first favourable opportunity. They will even, it is not improbable, declare in words, or stipulate by a secret article in a treaty of peace, that it is understood that the English may in the interim, during the ‘ulterior discussion of his Catholic Majesty's rights,’ (which may be protracted sine die) carry on their commerce in Nootka Sound and the southern whale fishery without molestation. Thus, preserving their honor and their ideal rights entire, they will allow the English, if they cannot restrain them, to resort to the south and western seas on a kind of temporary sufferance.
That the Spaniards will act in this manner on the present, it is reasonable to infer from their former conduct on a similar occasion. For the Spaniards are a people, notwithstanding some eccentricities since they fell under the management of the House of Bourbon, that naturally look far back as
well as forward, and who consult the records of former, as guides for their conduct in present times. The whole administration of the Spanish government is divided into different councils; though it sometimes, but not always, happens that there is a prime minister whose authority predominates in the whole. There is a council of state, a council for the Indies, a council for finance, a council for commerce, &c. Records are kept for the proceedings of each, and consulted on new emergencies. The King of Spain offered his mediation, at a certain period of the American war, for the purpose of reëstablishing peace between the Anglo-Americans and the parent country. At the same time the English were in possession of New-York, Rhode-Island, the capital of Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, and Georgia. The King of Spain proposed to the contending parties, to make peace, or a long truce, on the ground of uti possidetis . This plan, which a wife one, was evidently taken from the truce of twelve years in 1609, whereby the Archdukes Albert and Isabella, that is, the Spaniards, by whose authority these Princes governed, retained the ten Catholicies out of seventeen provinces. In like manner, the method by which they endeavour to settle the dispute concerning the freedom of navigation, and unappropriated shores, with Great-Britain, at the present moment, is the same with that by which they settled a dispute of a similar nature, on the subject, with the English in the reign of Philip III. of Spain, and James I. of England. This is a matter equally curious, and, at the present crisis, important.
As the Spaniards did then, so it is probable they mean to do now. They will give secret assurances of liberty of navigation and trade in what they call the Indian seas, but will preserve their exclusive claim in the eyes of the world undiminished. And this is the ultimatum of what is to be expected from them in the way of peace and apparent concord.—For if they are supported by the French, according to the terms of the family compact, they will, such by all accounts is the impetuosity of their new sovereign, proceed to extremities.
We observed that the extraordinary Gazette, which has produced these observations, may be considered as denoting not only the views of the Spaniards, but also, in some measure, of the English ministry, who are evidently disposed to make the most of this semblance of satisfaction on the part of the Spaniards.
An official letter was sent to the Lord Mayor of London, intimating the willingness of the Spanish Court to give satisfaction to the King of Great-Britain. Public expectation was raised to the highest pitch. The Gazette appeared—and all were struck with astonishment! It has been said, that the readiness of the Catholic King to give satisfaction to his Britannic Majesty, is more strongly expressed in the English version than in the original declaration. In the French it runs thus: ‘qu'elle [sa Majesté Catholique] est disposée à donner satisfaction,’ &c. in the English—that he is ‘willing to give satisfaction,’ &c. Undoubtedly there is a shade of difference, both in morality and in philology, between volition and disposition. Farther: labour'd dissertations have appeared in several newspapers, avowedly on the side of the minister, explaining and proving the exclusive right of the Spaniards to Nootka Sound and all the coast north of California! Wherefore is all this?
Quosum hoc tam putida tendunt?
Mr. Pitt, we sincerely believe, has more spirit as well as more sense than to make peace with the Spaniards without some concession more marked, some sacrifice more substantial, than equivocal words in an equivocal manifesto. He will never expose himself to the interpretation that his adversaries would give to a mighty armament raised on the eve, nay, during the time of a general election, but dispersed, re infecta on the meeting of Parliament; to the observation that all has yet been conceded by Spain even without menaces of hostility; and, above all, to the direct contrast between his own tameness and the prudent firmness of our ally the King of Prussia, who has obtained one million and six hundred thousand pounds sterling as an indemnification for those expensive preparations by which he enforced a pacification between Austria and the Porte, and maintained the balance of Europe.
The French Ministry.
and the National Assembly of France, appear to be as much disposed as the British cabinet, to magnify the Spanish declaration into an honorable satisfaction to England. The importance and urgency of the question. Whether it be the duty and interest of France to abide by the family compact with Spain, they affect to consider as somewhat diminished by that singular composition. In the committee of secrecy, at this moment the executive government of France, there were seven voices for assisting the Spaniards on the present occasion, and five in opposition to that measure. When we reflect on the minority, on the confusion that reigns in the navy, army

finances of France, there is no reason to appre- hend that the exertions of that kingdom, in support of the Spaniards, will, in the first instance, be for- midable. But if they be drawn into the contest, and put forth their strength in any degree, they will soon, very soon, be excited to strain every nerve in support of the cause in which they have embarked, and in opposition to England, against which nation- al rivalry and prejudice appear to be still alive and inveterate. The ardour of Frenchmen, notwith- standing present appearances, might be quickly di- verted from the new into the old channel. The sensibility, and consequently the levity, of the French is really excessive; and of this the enlight- ened patriots who have effected the late revolution are not ignorant. The French of this day are still distinguished by the character that is given of the ancient Gauls by Polibius, Cæsar, Tacitus, and other writers. We may add, that there is something in the climate and soil of the country that gives light- ness to claret, briskness to Champaign, and quick- ness to the people.
It is generally supposed that, although a small majority in what we call the council of state of France has declared their opinion that Spain is to be supported according to the terms of the family compact, the National Assembly will hesitate long before they give any cordial countenance and aid to the Spaniards in the present conjuncture. Their finances do not permit this; nor would it be con- sonant with sound policy if they did. But, on this subject, it is to be considered, that there is a very material distinction between a war by land, and a war at sea. In the former the formation of roads, the construction of forts, arsenals and magazines, the strengthening of garrisons and frontier towns; the raising of new regiments, and other circum- stances, all tend to exalt the power of the crown, and to arm it for a while with a power little short of dictatorial. It is not so in a naval war. The power of the crown is increased, indeed, by this also, but not to such a degree: And, for this reason, our independent gentlemen, our real patriots, while they maintain a prudent jealousy of standing armies even open their purses to strengthen the wooden walls of England. The National Assembly of France, fully aware of this distinction, will enter more read- ily into a war at sea, than into a land war, with any of their neighbours.
Some years ago a report prevailed, and an opi- nion was fondly entertained, that the Prince of Asturias, the present king of Spain, was jealous of the influence of France, but prepossessed in favour of the English. It is not improbable that this high spirited Prince, at one time, and in certain circum- stances, was more sensibly affected with the in- trigues of the French, and their ascendancy over the mind of his father, the late king, than with the overbearing manner of the English. At that time, and in those circumstances, the Prince of Asturias was inclined to be the friend of Britain in prefer- ence to France. But the American war arose, the French assisted the Americans, and the Spaniards, according to the family compact, the French. The combined arms of France and Spain were repulsed before Gibraltar, in the sight of the attentive world. The Prince of Asturias witnessed their de- feat with regret and wounded pride: And the ir- rasible part of his mind, to speak in the language of the Platonic philosophy, was transferred from the arrogance of France to another object.
Reflections.
If Britain were wise she would have endeavoured, or would yet endeavour, instead of provoking, to soothe and gain the great mind of his Catholic Ma- jesty. Even the sacrifice of Gibraltar would not be too great, if it could dissolve the family com- pact among the different branches of the house of Bourbon, and establish permanent and perpetual harmony between Spain and England. But, in or- der to effect this great purpose, there would not be a necessity for making a sacrifice of Gibraltar—let it not be sacrificed, but exchanged—valuable as it even appears to our imaginations, the rich and widely extended dominions of Spain present a fund capable of affording a full equivalent—some fortress and har- bour on the Barbary coast, with some island in the East and West-Indies, conceded to England, in lieu of Gibraltar, might dissolve the family compact and lead to an union between the two nations never to be dissolved—And this union, so naturally are Spain and England adapted to one another by a recipro- city of superfluities and wants, would raise the pro- sperity and glory of both nations to an elevation ne- ver before experienced by allied nations. It is to be hoped that our ministry, in the midst of their warlike preparations for hostilities, have in reality an alliance of the closest kind with Spain in con- templation. The court of Versailles surmounted more difficulties than are opposed to the formation of such a treaty, when they obtained the agree- ment of the king of Spain to the family compact. The history of this famous treaty of alliance is an ob- ject of extreme curiosity and importance at the pre- sent moment: And, if it were made the subject of due attention, it could not fail to suggest reflections, and would prepare the minds of both Spaniards and Englishmen, for the harmony which, according to the Spanish proverb, would be so eminently condu- cive to the interest of both nations. From the hi- story of those intrigues, and circumstances improved by French address that led to the family compact, it appears that it was carried through in opposition to the general inclination of the noble Spaniards, to that of three successive prime ministers of state, the Marquis de Carvajal, the Duke of Huescar, and Ge- neral Wall; nay in opposition to the very inclina- tions of the king and queen of Spain, who were strongly and avowedly on the side of that party
who were jealous of France, and aimed at the esta- blishment of a solid and perpetual connection with England. This is very surprising; but it is, never- theless, strictly true. All that ideal subtlety of in- trigue that we read of in romances, was realized in the progress and ratification of the family compact. The king and queen of Spain were both of them in- dolent and irresolute in their dispositions, both of them devout, and both passionately fond of music. The court of Versailles gained father Kurafo, the confessor, and the musician Farinelli, and ployed their Catholic Majesties night and day with professions of attachment on the part of France, and insinua- tions of hostile designs on the part of England.— Hence the family compact; a conspicuous memorial of the weakness of princes, the influence of in- trigue, and the dominion of folly and fortune.
It is equally whimsical and unfortunate that there should be any misunderstanding between Great-Bri- tain on the one part, and Spain and Russia on the other; parties that, from the reciprocity already mentioned, are formed by nature for one another. It is the business of prudent governments to correct such eccentricities of fortune, and to bring about, by all means, UNION BETWEEN ART AND NATURE which is the parent of all that is most excellent in the world. At the same time we recognize the propriety of friendship and alliance between such countries as Great-Britain and Russia, and cannot help reflecting that by supporting and advancing the power of some of her enemies, we are in danger of excluding ourselves, agreeably to our reasoning in a former number.
R O M E, July 23.
ON the 5th inst. a fleet of Barbary Corsairs con- sisting of four galleys and two large exbecks, hav- ing attacked two Venetian galleys, carrying eighty men, and an exbeck, which blocked up the lake of Goulette, before Tunis, were entirely defeated— two of their vessels being sunk, a third burnt and the rest dispersed.
B R U S S E L S, August 24.
PRUSSIA having abandoned us, our courage is abated, and our army is inactive, whilst that of Austria is making rapid progress. The volun- teers that were ordered to join some thousand pea- sants, to reconquer the provinces of Limbourg, and which were to have been collected five from each village (Brabant alone contains 586 villages, there- fore the number would have been very considera- ble) have, under different pretences, refused to as- semble, so that for these two days past every thing is at a stand.
The peasants had not only a want of confidence in their General, who holds a commission in the ser- vice of Austria, but were likewise dissatisfied with their pay; which is only eight sous, while that of the volunteers in Limbourg, raised for the service of Austria, is fourteen sous.
Things are come to such a crisis, that the nation must instantly determine either to fight for its li- berty, or return to its old government.
An assembly of the states was held yesterday, and another to-day, by order of Congress, to take into consideration our political situation with regard to foreign powers to consider the means of defence, and the resources for it, &c. in order to have a decisive part what measures to adopt.
The result of these deliberations is impatiently expected by every one.
I shall make no reflection, but if I may judge, from the preparations that are making, and the temper of the people, there is reason to fear that this country will shortly become the theatre of a most horrid and bloody war.
L O N D O N, September 2.
A Mr. Pye is appointed Poet Laureat to his Ma- jesty. Nothing remarkable is told of this man, except that he loves turtle soup, and has a full paunch. It is further said, that personally, he un- derstands nothing of poetry, but has engaged Mr. Haley to do the drudgery at 40l. a year. Peter Pindar is busy at a poem called Pycryph , which it is thought will broach several sarcastic reflections on his Majesty's taste.
The new Parliament whenever it meets, will have business for its first session of as much im- portance as has come before any parliament for many years past. The business they will have to dispose of, will be the impeachment; they will have the business of the East India Company to go through both commercial and territorial; the Canada con- stitution to form; the question on the slave trade to get rid of as fast as they can; and though last, not least, they will have to come before them many important considerations upon the politics of Eu- rope.
By letters from Petersburg there is advice, that it was the general opinion there, that the prelimi- naries between King Leopold and the King of Prus- sia had been signed; that the Empress would not con- tinue the war single handed. The people in gene- ral have been averse to this; for though advantages with respect to fortresses, &c. have been rather gained on the side of Russia, the trade and general prosperity of the empire have suffered. The pub- lic are now still more disposed to peace, and the Empress is too wise not to listen to the universal wishes of her subjects.
What favours this opinion is, that preparations for war have slackened in every quarter.
The present measure on the part of England has been thought indispensably necessary, whatever may be the sudden and ultimate event, as it is well
known the Danes are disposed and ready to sup- port the power of Russia against Sweden.
It is imagined that the trial of the Duke of Or- leans will blow over. The grand point is effected without a trial, viz. the taking away half his im- mense income .
As an excuse for the above conduct of the national assembly, it is said that his grandfather, the regent of France, had amassed a great part of his official situation. Admit this to be the fact, what has the grandson to do with the errors of his ancestors? What would become of half the great fortunes in this kingdom, was an enquiry to be in- stituted respecting the means by which they were originally obtained?
The King of France, on reconsideration, desires only to retain for his own use, the following eight places, Louvre, Versailles, Fontainbleau, St. Claud, St. Germaine, Compeigne, Rambouillet, and the palace of Henry IV.
Advices from Cadiz, dated July 28, say, "On the 24th inst. five ships entered this port from the Ha- vannah with cargoes of 80,876 piastres, 42,755 a- robes of sugar, 26,261 raw hides, and other mer- chandize. A polacre is also arrived at Malagar from the Havannah with a cargo of 32,605 piast- res, 640 casks of sugar, and 1100 raw hides."
A courier arrived on Sunday at the Spanish mi- nister's from Paris, and we are given to understand he brings the important intelligence, that on Thurs- day last the National Assembly resolved, that they should offer the mediation of France between England and Spain; and that they should declare at the same time, that on the event of their media- tion failing to settle the dispute amicably, they must fulfil their treaties with Spain.
From this time no merchantmen, whether French, Spanish, or neutral vessels, laden with timber or naval stores, will be suffered to pass from the Bal- tic. This will be a very political measure in case a war should happen.
The impress service is almost as active as it was on the first appearance of hostilities, particularly during the last week, in the course of which, seve- ral hundred men were pressed. The contracts made by government for provisions, continue to be very large, and Saturday night's Gazette informs us, that his Majesty had determined in Council on Friday last, to continue the bounties granted to a- ble seamen, as well as landmen (which would other- wise have been withdrawn on the 31st ult.) to the 31st day of October next, as such a regulation was expedient to his Majesty's service. The Gazette likewise gives notice, that the exportation of salt- petre is prohibited to every other country, except Ireland. This last prohibition is extremely unu- sual, and indeed never ordered but in time of war.
A century has produced amazing revolutions in political sentiments and interests. All Europe was then alarmed at the encroachment of the Turks, and Poland in particular, from its neigh- bourhood to so very formidable a power. Prussia was deemed an obscure and barbarous country, not noticed, or scarcely known. Tartars of Cuban and Crimea were an over-match for the Muscovites, while Spain, France, Austria and Britain were the only important states in this quarter of the globe. Since that period, preventing the ruin and dismem- berment of the Ottoman empire has become an ob- ject with different nations, least the Austrians and Russians should become the arbiters of Europe, and destroy the modern balance of Power.
The French, with their usual activity, are taking the most effectual means of spreading over Europe the knowledge necessary to inspire their fellow creatures with a just sense of their rank. French books and papers are proscribed in every despotic country. N'importe! They have manufactured many thousands of handkerchiefs, on which they have printed in all European languages the 'De- claration of the Rights of Man,' and these hand- kerchiefs they sent to the fair at Frankford, the great mart of Germany, and to which the chapmen of all countries come. They were bought up with avidity, and are already dispersed over Europe.
The Duc d'Orleans's immense revenue is now re- duced to 20,000. a year, and his influence to a nut- shell. So rapid and violent a degradation of for- tune is hardly to be instance in the history of mankind.
M. Dufresnoy has just published an account of the National Debt of France, the amount of which he states at 4,952,145,063 livres, a sum equal to 206,000,000. sterling.
The Scotch Peerage are to have a declaratory bill brought into the Commons the next sessions, purporting, that their eldest sons may sit there for Scotch boroughs, in the same manner as the eldest sons of the British Peers sit for English boroughs.
A letter from Paris, dated August 23, says, 'What future benefits are to be expected from our revolution remains for time to shew; but the pre- sent distress exceeds every thing that can be ima- gined. The commerce, not only of Paris, but of all the capital towns of France, is so much diminished that many reputable houses, who by their books ap- pear able to pay 40s. for every pound they owe, are under the necessity of applying to the Garde du Sceaux for letters of licence, to protect them against their needy creditors. The number of these daily applications is beyond belief. If this be the case with houses of reputation, what must it be with those which in themselves are not solid.'
"There is in fact but one class of people who are exempt from this general distress; and this is the rich, who have their money locked up in their coffers, to draw out as they please. Every branch of trade which is founded on necessity, such as but- chers, bakers, &c. &c. are almost at a stand!"

AMERICA.
SAVANNAH, September 23.
A letter from St. Mary's, dated the 10th inst. received by a mercantile house in this city the 19th contains the following intelligence, viz.
'We have the pleasure to inform you, that the King of Spain has ordered the governors of the Floridas not to receive any negroes from the United States of America. An officer arrived here ten days past from the Governor of East-Florida, with a proclamation to this purpose. Enclosed you have a copy of the Governor's orders to his officers commanding on the frontiers, which you may publish if you see fit, as coming from James Seagrove, Esq. collector of St. Mary's, lest the information should be doubted.'
By a royal schedule of the 17th of last May, his Majesty has been pleased to declare, that the practice of giving freedom to the negroes from the United States, who shall take refuge in the Spanish territories, shall cease for the present; of which I give you notice, that you should so give to understand to any negroes who may seek protection on this frontier.
St. Augustine, 23d August, 1790.
(Signed)
JUAN NEPOMACENA DE QUESDA, Governor of East Florida.
Directed To the Commanding Officers of St. Mary's River, Florida.
CHARLESTON, Sept. 29.
The late Indian Treaty made at New-York will become a test, whether the United States have any separate territorial rights, and in short, any rights or privileges at all; and perhaps may soon exhibit to the world one of the most extraordinary phenomena in the political history of human events. Three millions of people and upwards, to have contended with every adverse evil almost in nature for ten long years, to obtain their just rights and liberties from one of the greatest powers on earth, and in seven or eight years thereafter unconditionally to deliver them up, or submit them to arbitrary control is a circumstance scarcely credible!
BOSTON October 28.
Yesterday failed from this port, the fine ship COLUMBIA, Capt. Robert Gray, on a circumnavigatory voyage to the North-West of America.—This is the second voyage the COLUMBIA has made to that coast—too much praise cannot be given to the gentlemen, owners of the ship, for their exertions in extending the commerce of America. The native of Owhyhee has returned to the place of his nativity.
NEW-YORK, November 2.
It was nobly said by the Count de Clermont, "The National Assembly is accustomed to storms," If the arduous work they have undertaken is not wholly superior to the powers of human wisdom, the genius of that august body, notwithstanding present appearances, will ride in the whirlwind, and direct in the storm. —Though aristocratical and clerical combinations and intrigues may trouble and impede their progress in legislation for a time, they will finally prevail, being supported by reason, and even numbers on their side, and the invincible spirit of Freedom.
Another very fine day's work.
We are informed, that a gentleman in Orange County has lately erected a mill, with two run of stones, in the short space of one day—this mill is said to have been so completely finished, as on the same day to grind one hundred bushels of wheat. This may appear somewhat astonishing to the reader, when we inform him that the mill was turned by a drain of water which he cut near a mile and a half long, and seven feet on a level, and that her timbers were the preceding day standing in the woods!
This phenomenon of industry, we are happy to mention, was performed without the aid of spirituous liquors.
Very few English newspapers are independent, and very little that is conveyed through the medium of party, is pure, true or honorable; a free paper is generally understood there, to be, one that is full of abuse of the powers that be, or of those who think for themselves, of those who think very rashly, or of the party in whose cause it undertakes: You may read such publications till your eyes fail, and never be a whit the wiser; many such are the sources from which the American count of European news and politics is supplied: In respect to the French revolution, what a gloomy aspect is thrown upon it by the latest English accounts.—While that nation appears to be exulting in the progress of their constitution; while the people are as one man, uniting and rejoicing in the benign influence of a free government, and swearing in the most solemn manner to support their rights and privileges, we are told that M. Fayette is their King, General and Supreme Legislator, that he is the implacable enemy of M. d'Orleans, and will bring him to the block, or confiscate his large possessions, that
discontents distract the empire, that the King of Sardinia is on the point of invading the kingdom, and that the refugees, with the Prince de Conde at their head, has assembled an army to second his efforts, that the permitting the Austrians to march through part of France, is admitting an enemy into their country, who will effect a counter revolution, that the King's sickness is mere finess to facilitate an elopement from the kingdom, and in short that the prospects of the revolutionists are dark, gloomy and dreadful; but there is one circumstance that really is not easy to be accounted for, and that is, while many British characters are nobly engaged in fighting the cause of freedom in the low countries, as volunteers and officers of distinction in the Belgic service, their countrymen, the editors of the British newspapers are perpetually venting their spleen against the patriots, in a series of four ill-natured paragraphs; it is very rare that a commendatory sentence escapes their pens—What advantage can Americans derive from such opinionated, self-sufficient egotists?
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, October 26.
"The great increase of rents in this city is an evil that presses peculiarly hard upon such of the inhabitants as have no emoluments to expect from the Congressional sessions. What think you of one hundred dollars advance upon rents in such parts of the city as may in any degree be called central; yet this is common, and I wish I could say it is the most that has been demanded. This evil, however, will I doubt not, in time, work its own remedy. Induced by the present exorbitant rents, our moneyed people are building daily upon vacant lots, and erecting large edifices in the room of old ones of a smaller size; which must have the two fold effect of lowering rents, and enlarging the city far beyond its old bounds, in a short time."
BURLINGTON, October 25.
A correspondent has favoured us with the following account.—There is a person now living at Taconey, 7 miles from Philadelphia, by the name of Robert Glanby, trade a shoemaker, of the great age of 112 years next Christmas, who now follows his trade. When he was 27 years of age, he went from Scotland, the place of his nativity, to see the coronation of King George the 1st. It is said he retains his eye sight so as to be able to read the smallest print.
A gentleman of veracity from Brideport, in this state informs, that on the bank of the lake in that town, discovery has lately been made of a spring, the water of which, on being analyzed, produces large quantities of the bitter purging salts, commonly denominated Epsom salts. A pail full of the water, which our correspondent proved, produce half a pound of salts, in so pure a state, that half an ounce was a sufficient cathartic for an adult. The water, in this natural state, does flow freely, but continually oozes from the bank. The inhabitants of Brideport have prepared several pounds of this valuable commodity, and no doubt its utility will soon be experienced extensively.
PHILADELPHIA, October 29.
Extract of a letter from Havre de Grace, dated August 21, to a respectable house in this city.
"We now have a prospect of seeing the tobacco trade revive in this kingdom, for the committee of taxes presented to the National Assembly the day before yesterday, the project of a decree ordaining among other points, the entire demolition of the Barriers or interior custom houses, whereby goods once entered may freely circulate from one end of the kingdom to the other, and the abolition of the farm making tobacco a free article, with liberty to manufacture and cultivate it without restraint; as we have no doubt of the National Assembly's passing this decree, we have thought it material gentlemen to give you the earliest information of so important a change, thinking it probable we shall very soon have manufactories established in our neighbourhood, and knowing this port must become the mart for Rowen, Paris and the interior country, possessing local advantages beyond any other port in Europe; and as we are no longer restricted to one great Buyer, a fair and profitable competition will arise, so that we hope to see tobacco of as regular and sure a sale as coffee, or any West India article. This however, can scarcely take place before next Christmas, for the farmers will no doubt be allowed till the 31st of December to clear off their stock, though they have already discharged part of their workmen; and given the remainder warning for Michaelmas, besides it will take time for individuals to establish manufactories and the trade to run in a regular channel, in the mean while we shall advise you if this decree produces any immediate effect on prices of tobacco, which has lately been held at about 32 livres on the roolb."
"Our harvest proves in general extremely abundant, and we believe no orders for flour will go this year your side the Atlantic. Wheat and flour decline in price every day, and tho' we cannot give you an exact quote at this moment you may set down the barrel of flour at 30 liv. with appearance of further decline. New rice may go at about 22 liv. the roolb maze weight: the last sold here was at 21 liv. 10s."
We can from good authority assert, that the National Cockade is universally worn in Ireland. It is presented to all travellers, and extremely dangerous to refuse wearing the patriotic ornament. The people all exclaim against the politics of Mr. Pitt, and
it is generally apprehended that without a remanence of the two first Judges, and the appointment of a new viceroy, tranquility can never be restored in that distracted country.
We learn, that among other resolutions of the French Cabinet, a general embargo has been laid on all shipping, evidently with a view, among other purposes of manning their fleet.
RICHMOND, November 29.
The American wild-alspice we are happy to inform, is in all probability a shrub, which may save the United States many a pound; a gentleman in Montgomery county, has made so many improvements in the raising of this very useful spice, that we are i hopes soon of depriving the West-Indies of an article which hitherto has constituted a principal portion of their revenue.
SHEPHERD'S-TOWN, November 22.
Accounts from Nova-Scotia mention, that Gen. Benedict Arnold has been detected in a scene of villainy of the blackest nature. Having by some means or other procured his store goods to be insured, he had it privately set on fire, that the insurers might be obliged to make good to him what he held as the real value, which was upwards 5000l. This being rumoured about, Arnold sued a Mr. Hayt for defaming his character. After a trial of 17 hours the jury brought in a verdict for the plaintiff, damages 20s.
Since the respite granted by the Governor and Council of this state to the unfortunate Medlicot, now under sentence of death at Winchester, application has been made to that honorable body for a pardon, but which has been rejected, this unhappy man must therefore suffer execution on Friday next. As he has of late made several attempts to break from his confinement, a strong guard is now placed at the goal for his greater security.
It is said that two families have lately been missing from the West Fork of the river Monongalia. It is generally supposed they have been carried off by a party of Indians.
All the accounts we have been able to obtain relative to the late expedition against the Indians in Kentucky, being so vague and contradictory, we shall decline any particulars, until some information can be received which may appear to be founded in TRUTH.
There is a strange idea that prevails in the world, that wars are necessary at the return of different periods in the age of a nation; and on this principle there are those who justify a pleasing anticipation of this most capital of all misfortunes; It will however be generally found on examination, that this insensibility to the misery of our species, arises from an unprincipled love of Gain—for what are wars in general, but robbery and murder on an extensive plain?—The two principal inducements to all the wars which have deluged the world in blood, have been avarice and ambition. The first has given rise to predatory excursions, and extending the limits of particular States and Kingdoms: The latter has led to that species of war, which while it diverted the attention of the people from contemplating their domestic misery, enabled the tyrants of the earth to rivit the chains of slavery—and extend the limits of their despotism: Hence wars, however successful, and however advantageous to individuals, are always a losing business to the people.
(From the Federal Gazette.)
Admendment March 1st 1790.
STRAYET otter stolen otter he tit run away, py himself, vion te supcriber living in Logan Downship Langaster County, tad fiddle plack bay haufe I tit all awhile rite on every poty tis no him, bates before and drots behind, one of his eife is plint, and all along pack is zore;—He can slump over dree rales, he took mit him my naper Paul Shanks haufe, put dat was a meer, and he can slump a lidle too—any poddy dat will take up de haufe otter de meer bay vive bounds otter I will pud the law in vorse against all de peeples.
Wanted to purchase,
A good Saddle Horse.
Apply to the Printer,
THIS is to give notice to all persons, that I have given my obligations for one hundred and sixty pounds, in four bonds, each bond forty pounds, current money of Virginia, bearing date November the first. 1788, payable at different times, unto a certain George Jenkins, for a tract of land, which land when surveyed, wanted considerably of the complement the said Jenkins sold me, which bonus I forewarn any person or persons to take an assignment of, as I will not pay them until he makes said land good to me.
JOHN HARR. Berkeley County, August 31, 1790.

SEAT OF THE MUSES.
The SNAKE and WORM. A Fable.
Qui sit Mæcenas ut nemo quam sibi sortem, Seu ratio dederit, seu fors objecerit, illa Contentus vivat?
UPON a bank with mossy clad, A snake indulging lay, And in continu'd folds return'd His tribute to the day.
The lightning's quick and lambent flame Shot from his piercing eye, His chequer'd sides in lustre shone With scales of beauteous dye.
Now coil'd in various artful folds, A while repos'd he'd lie, Then rouse with quick elastic spring, And chase the heedless fly.
An envious worm, from darkness crept, His lucid charms survey'd, And, mov'd with rancour at the sight, He thus indignant said:
Why am I form'd of worthless clay, The vilest reptile sure? Curs'd with fatigue, with heat, and pain, I ev'ry pang endure.
Talk of distress, there's not an elf So wretched sure as I; On me, ye gods, your lightnings dart, For I'm content to die!
For when the summer suns exult, And Sirius burns the plain, Fix'd in some dreary cave, I waste A life of care and pain:
Or if perchance I creep for air, Then man arrests my flight; And in some pot, with moils well fill'd, I pine away the night.
Soon as Aurora gilds the east, For carp I'm doom'd repast, And tortur'd on the savage hook, I writhe away my last.
When winter with its icy chains, Has bound the captive earth, Then in some frozen cell I pine, With anguish, cold, and dearth.
While this luxuriant snake abounds With ev'ry with'd delight, Ranges by day the fertile fields, And seeks his hole by night:
Frisks o'er the plain with wanton bound, And circumspective eye; Feels not a want, nor feels a care, Tho' worms unpitied die.
With vigour and with beauty bless'd, He's uncontroul'd and free; But be it so, ye partial gods! And rain your ills on me.
Scarce had he spoke, when o'er the dale A trusty ploughman came, Tending his course to distant wake, To meet his ruddy dame.
The wanton snake's expanded length Soon caught his wand'ring eye, Straight to my rage, the rustic cry'd, A victim thou shalt die.
Quick o'er his head the weapon flew, The blow retards his flight; His eyes their pristine lustre lose, In endless, gloomy night.
The snake, which late in gambol play'd, Now writhes with shudd'ring death, And on the bank where late he frisk'd, And now resigns his breath.
The boist'rous clown the worm alarm'd, Who shrunk into his cell, And there, on cool reflection, found A heaven in his hell.
HAPPINESS.
IT is impossible to form a philosophical system of Happiness which is adapted to every condition in life, since every person who travels in this great pursuit, takes a separate road. The different colours which suit different complexions, are not more
various than the different pleasures appropriated to particular minds. The various sects who have pretended to give lessons to instruct men in happiness, have described their own particular sensations without considering ours, have only loaded their disciples with constraint, without adding to their real felicity.
A N E C D O T E.
A Certain young Blacksmith, in one of the United States, had paid his addresses to a girl of some merit and worth, but at the same time very poor, and in a low sphere of life. As love does not in many instances, act very powerfully for any length of time, where the prospect of gain is not an additional motive—this happened to be precisely the case with our son of Vulcan, who by degrees became less urgent than before, for evidencing the sincerity of his intentions, by assuming the chain of Wedlock.—In this interval of indifference, the girl happened to draw a capital prize in a lottery, and which was amply sufficient to make her pass for a fortune. Immediately upon hearing this good news, the Blacksmith renewed his addresses with more ardor and importunity than ever, his Dulcinea having become a hundred times more handsome than before, in his eyes, by the agreeable addition of many solid charms.—The fortunate young lady, however, thought proper to refuse his addresses, and desired him not to trouble her any more, as "the very light of him was disagreeable to her."—You won't, sure, turn me adrift, Dell! said the Blacksmith, with a whine—You have nobody to blame but yourself, (replied the girl) you should have struck while your IRON was hot!!!
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Sept. 20, 1790.
IT is hereby made known, that the following arrangement has been adopted towards carrying into execution the Act, making provision for the debt of the United States, viz.
Loan-Office Certificates, and those issued by the Commissioners for the adjustment of accounts in the several States, will be receivable only at the Treasury and by the respective Commissioners of Loans within the States in which they were respectively issued. The Certificates issued by the Register of the Treasury, by the Pay Master General and Commissioner of Army Accounts, by the Commissioners for the adjustment of the Accounts of the Quarter Master's, Commissary's, Hospital, Cloathing, & Marine Departments, Indents of Interest, and Bills of Old Omission, will be receivable indiscriminately at the Treasury and by the Commissioners of all the States. The situation of the Checks has dictated this arrangement for the greater security of the public against impositions by forged or counterfeit paper, and the details which have been adopted from the same consideration for the execution of the business are such, as will give facility and dispatch, if application from the Holders of Certificates of the Register of the Treasury and of the Paymaster General, and Commissioner of Army Accounts, and of the Commissioners of the five Departments above mentioned are made in the first instance at the Treasury; and if applications from the Holders of Loan Office Certificates, and Certificates issued by the Commissioners for the adjustment of Accounts in the respective States, are made in like manner to the Commissioners of Loans within the States in which they were issued. Transfers can afterwards be made to any Office that the Proprietors of these Certificates may desire.
The Printers in the several States are requested to insert this.
PREPARING FOR THE PRESS.
And soon will be published,
THE MIRROR,
A POEM:
Containing IMPARTIAL LIKENESSES of the characters in Winchester; drawn carefully, with an uncommon share of accuracy.
NUMEROUS men, in num'rous shapes we'll view, Through this clear MIRROR, impartial and true; Some with sad horror, here will see their face, And find each feature, mark'd with vile disgrace: Others with conscious courage in their breast, May see DAME VIRTUE in their looks express: These are the contrasts, held to public view, To aid faint worth—and dullness to subdue.
BERKELEY COUNTY,
THIS is to give notice to all persons, that I have given my promissary notes, bearing date the 31st day of August, 1789, to the amount of forty pounds, payable at different times, two for fifteen pounds, and one for ten pounds, Pennsylvania money, unto a certain PHILIP MILLER, for a tract of land, which notes I forewarn any person or persons to take an assignment of, as I will not pay them until he makes me a title according to bargain. MATHIAS RISER.
JUST PUBLISHED AT BALTIMORE, And to be SOLD, by W. GODDARD and J. ANGELL, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. With large allowance to those who purchase great quantities, THE Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia ALMANACK, AND EPHEMERIS, For the YEAR of our LORD, 1791; CONTAINING,
The Motions of the Sun and Moon, the true Places and Aspects of the Planets, the Rising and Setting of the Sun, and the Southing, Rising, Setting, Place, and Age of the Moon, &c.—The Lunations, Conjunctions, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, Festivals and other remarkable Days; Days for holding Courts in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia —Observations on the peculiar Delightfulness of Altronomy—A pleasing and affecting Story of the great Montesquieu—Nine Extracts from the Commonplace-Book of the Kentucky Philosopher, an American Sage, viz.—On Anger—Piety the Foundation of Morals—On Sincerity—Appearances often deceitful—The Consolation; a Maxim—Sayings and Sentiments of Wise Men on Temperance and Intemperance, &c. &c.—The Wise Man; or the Mute—Thoughts on Happiness—Mosaic Account of the Creation proved to be agreeable to the Newtonian Philosophy—Several valuable Agricultural Receipts, viz.—To multiply the Increase of Corn of any kind—To prevent the Smut in Wheat—To prepare Seed to be sown on poor sandy Land; Six different highly approved Receipts—A Method of having large Crops of Wheat and other Grain—Various useful Receipts and Directions—1. Against the infectious Distemper among the horned Cattle—2. Dr. Malone's famous Recipe for a Cold—3. Cure for Deafness, or a dry Ear—4. The famous American Receipt for the Rheumatism—5. Receipt for the Cure of the Stone and Gravel—6. To make white Diachylon Plaster—7. Diachylon with the Gums—8. An excellent Strengthening-Plaster—9. Turner's Cerate, for Burns and Scalds—10. To make an excellent Drink which has been found, on repeated Trials, to be of singular Use in Summer Months, especially while the weather is very warm—11. To make Meibeglin—12. To make and preserve Cider in the most easy Manner—13. To make Molasses of Apples—14. An approved Method to preserve the fine Flavour of Butter—15. To prevent Slugs getting into Fruit Trees.—POETRY—an elegant and interesting Hymn of Thanks for the Fruits, &c. of the Earth—On the Bills of Mortality—The Man of Business—Humorous Report of an adjudged Case, between Nose and Eyes—An instructive Epitaph—Epigram; on the Phrase "Killing Times"—An expeditious Method of finding the interest of any Sum of Money for any Number of Days, at the Rate of Six per Cent.—Reduction of the Currencies of the United States in Pounds, Shillings, Pence, &c. into milled Dollars—Reduction of Spanish milled Dollars, &c.—Table of the Weight and Value of Coins—Table shewing the Value of any Number of Dollars, from 1 to 1000, in the Currencies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland—Scale of Depreciation, formed from the Observation of accurate Gentlemen in Baltimore-Town, for the Years 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, and 1781—Scale of Depreciation, fixed by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for adjusting and settling the Payment of Debts and Contracts entered into and made between the first Day of January, 1777, and the first Day of March, 1781—iide Table for Chesapeake-Bay—Friends' Yearly and General Meetings—Roads, &c. &c.—The whole comprising a greater, more pleasing, and useful Variety, than any Work of the Kind and Price in NORTH AMERICA. "The Heavens and Earth God's handi Works proclaim, While Saints and Angels join to praise his NAME."
Wanted immediately, by the Printer hereof,
A N active, sober Man, who will undertake the business of Post-Riding. The tour for which he is wanted may be accomplished in two days in each week. Good encouragement will be given.
A L S O, A strong active Lad, who has received a tolerable education, would be taken as an Apprentice to the Printing Business.
May be had at the Printing-Office hereof,
Blank Deeds of bargain and sale—Common Bonds, &c. &c.