The American Apollo magazine
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: March 9, 1792
Place: Massachusetts
United States of America
Medium: paper
Dimensions: Height x Width x Depth: 9 1/16 x 5 7/8 x 1/8 in. (23 x 15 x 0.32 cm)
Description: The American Apollo, Vol 1, No. 10, Friday, March 9, 1792, printed in Boston, Massachusetts, has a name handwritten at the top: "Rev J French," who was likely a subscriber to this weekly periodical. The issue includes the first installment (pages 105-108) of a two-part series (see 2012.2008.115.2) publication of the Post Office Act of 1792, which introduced new low postage rates for newspapers, but did not specify magazines such as this. Legislation for magazine rates came with the Post Office Act of 1794.
The American Apollo, started in January 1792 by Joseph Belknap and Alexander Young, included a variety of informative formats and publications of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The publishers changed to Belknap and Thomas Hall in May 1792. September of that year saw the last printing in the octavo format, which was replaced by a weekly newspaper issue the following month until ceasing publication in December 1794.
References:
Brigham, Clarence S. 1947. History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820 : Announcement. Worcester, Mass.: American Antiquarian Society.
Kielbowicz, Richard B. July 17, 1995. History of Mail Classification and Its Underlying Policies and Purposes, prepared for the Postal Rate Commission.
Mott, F. Luther. 1930. A History of American Magazines, 1741-1850. New York: D. Appleton.
Geo J. French No. 10.] FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1792. [VOL. I.]
T H E AMERICAN APOLLO,
Containing the Publications of the HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Essays, Moral, Political, and Poetical, and the daily Occurrences in the Natural, Civil, and Commercial World.
❧ SUBSCRIPTIONS for the AMERICAN APOLLO, are received by the Publishers at their Printing-Office, State Street, BOSTON, and by the following Printers and Booksellers.—Mr. J. Dabney, and Mr. W. Carleton, Salem—B. Emerson, Esq. Post-master, Newbury-port—J. Libbey, Esq. Post-master, Portsmouth—S. Freeman, Esq. Postmaster, Portland—I. Thomas, Esq. Worcester—Mr. E. W. Weld, Springfield T. Hilldrup, Esq. Postmaster, Hartford, and by many other gentlemen in various parts of the United States.
PRINTED AT BOSTON, BY BELKNAP AND YOUNG, STATE STREET.
Bacon's Abridgment.
TO THE GENTLEMEN OF THE LAW.
DESIROUS to forward, as much as in my power, the printing of all valuable professional Books, that we may save in our country the money annually sent to Europe for their purchase, I have ventured to make a proposal for printing BACON's ABRIDGMENT; and doubt not, should I be encouraged by a liberal subscription, to execute the work to your approbation. This being the largest work in common use among your profession, should it succeed, all other Law Books, necessary in this country, will no doubt be reprinted here, and gentlemen may speedily have the satisfaction of being supplied with Law Libraries printed in the United States. Permit me, gentlemen, to solicit your aid to this undertaking, by giving it such attention as the advancement of the useful arts in your country demands, and such encouragement to the subscription as your influence can readily effect.
With esteem and respect, I am, Gentlemen, your very humble servant, ISAIAH THOMAS.
PROPOSAL
of ISAIAH THOMAS, of Worcester,
FOR PRINTING BY SUBSCRIPTION,
In Five large Royal Octavo Volumes,
Page for Page with the last British Editions, and from the most correct English Copies,
A NEW ABRIDGMENT of the LAW,
By MATTHEW BACON, Esq.
of the Middle Temple.
With many Additional Notes and References to and of Modern Determinations.
C O N D I T I O N S.
I. The work shall be correctly printed, on good paper, with a new type, cast for the purpose. II. The price, in handsome law binding, lettered, shall be only Sixteen Dollars, for a complete set. III. Those who subscribe for nine sets, shall have a tenth gratis. IV. The money to be paid, punctually, when the books are ready for delivery. V. The work shall be committed to the press as soon as 400 copies are subscribed for, and be completed with expedition.
SUBSCRIPTIONS are received by ISAIAH THOMAS, the intended publisher, at his Bookstore in Worcester, and by said THOMAS & ANDREWS, at Faulk's Statue, No. 45, Newbury Street, Boston; by the Booksellers in all the capital towns in the United States; and, to encourage the work, by many Gentlemen of the Law.
T H E
American Apollo,
No. 10.—Part II.—Vol. I.
Containing Essays, Moral, Political and Poetical, and the daily Occurrences in the Natural, Civil and Commercial World.
FOR THE AMERICAN APOLLO.
Messrs. PRINTERS,
The following life of the author of Don Quixote, (which is prefixed to a splendid edition of that work published by the Spanish Academy) I doubt not, will be new and entertaining. A. Z.
THE LIFE OF CERVANTES.
MICHAEL DE CERVANTES SAAVEDRA, whose writings have given celebrity to Spain, amused all Europe, and improved the age in which he lived—himself dragged on a miserable existence—and died scarcely regretted.
It is but very lately that the place of his birth has been ascertained. Madrid, Seville, Luchen, and Alcala, have severally laid claim to him. Cervantes, (as well as Homer, Camoens, and other illustrious men) has, since his death, been held in the highest estimation, though he lived almost in want of common necessaries.
The Spanish Academy, under the patronage of the King, has at length thought proper to pay, to the memory of Cervantes, those honors which were so justly his due. An edition of 'Don Quixote,' of unparalleled typographical splendour, has been newly published. The editors, having their national honor at heart, seem, by the extraordinary care and expense bestowed upon the work, desirous to atone for the stupid, and almost criminal neglect of the author.
Materials for Cervantes's life have been very sedulously collected, and wrought up by a distinguished member of the academy: From which it appears he was of a gentleman's family; being son of Roderick de Cervantes and Leonorade de Cortinas. He was born at Alcala de Henares, a town in New-Castle, the 9th day of October, 1547, in the reign of Charles V.
From his earliest infancy he was fond of books. He studied at Madrid under a very eminent professor; and soon distinguished himself from the rest of his school-fellows by his superior genius.
A proficiency in the Latin language, and an insight into theology, made up the learning of those days. His parents intended him either for physic or the church; those two being the only lucrative professions then.
PART II.—VOL. I.
R
followed.
followed in Spain: But, Cervantes had this in common with many celebrated poets; he made verses in spite of his parents.
An elegy on the death of Queen Isabella of Valois; several Sonnets, and a Poem entitled Filena , were his first productions. The indifferent reception these met with, seemed to our young author such flagrant injustice, that he thereupon took the resolution of quitting his native country, and went to settle at Rome. There penury constrained him to enter into the service of Cardinal Aquaviva, in the humble capacity of valet de chambre.
Disgusted very soon with an employ so little suited to the ardor of his disposition, he quitted it to enlist for a soldier; and distinguished himself for his bravery at the famed battle of Lepanto, won by Don Juan of Austria. It was there he received a musket-shot in his left hand, which deprived him for ever of the use of it. The only recompense he got for his maimed limb, and the display of extraordinary personal valour, was the being sent, along with his wounded companions, to the hospital at Messina.
Little as he had reaped by his first campaign, the trade of a soldier, with all its ills, seemed to Cervantes preferable to that of a neglected poet. As soon as he was cured of his wounds, he enlisted anew, and served three years in garrison at Naples.
As he was returning, after that, to his own country, aboard a vessel belonging to his sovereign Philip II. he was captured by Mami, the most formidable pirate of those times, and was carried to Algiers.
Though fortune seemed to persecute Cervantes with her utmost malice, she could not break his enterprising spirit. Become a slave; and that to a cruel master; almost certain of being put to the torture; and not improbably, to death, if he made any attempt to gain his liberty; he had the hardiness to concert, with fourteen other captive Spaniards, upon the means of escape.
The plan agreed upon was this: One of them was to be redeemed at their general expense; was to go straight to Spain, and procure a vessel, to return in as soon as possible to Algiers; and carry off under favour of night, his captive countrymen.
To put such a scheme in execution was no very easy matter. In the first place, they had to scrape together a sum of money sufficient to ransom the adventurer; and then they had to effect their escape from their respective masters; and to find out a convenient place for rendezvous, where they could remain concealed until the day of their liberated fellows return: Nor was it to be supposed but he would have many difficulties to encounter with on his part.
In short, the obstacles were so many and great, that it was next to an impossibility to effect their purpose. But, what will not the love of liberty incite us to?
One of the Spaniards, happening to serve in the capacity of a gardener, was of most essential use; for, having to cultivate a very extensive piece of ground which lay along the sea-shore, he undertook to dig, in a part of it little frequented, a cavern large enough to contain them all. As he could only work at it by stealth, it took him up no less than two years to complete it.
In the mean time, what with the money collected by alms, and what they earned by dint of labour, they had amassed a sum sufficient to ransom one Viano, a Majorcan; whom they pitched upon for the arduous undertaking, as well on account of his intimate knowledge of the coast of Barbary, as for the implicit confidence which they all reposed in him. Al-
Although the redemption-money was ready, and the cavern completed, six other months elapsed before all the captives found means to effect their escape. At length, however, they were assembled: Viano was ransomed, and parted; first solemnly pledging himself to use all possible dispatch in procuring a vessel, and to return and liberate his countrymen.
As Cervantes had all along been the soul of the undertaking, his ardor in no wise abated now. He took upon himself the greatest trouble, and ran the greatest risk. Every night, as soon as it was dark, he ventured out to purchase provisions; taking care always to be back before break of day.
The gardener was the only one of the confederated slaves that had not eloped; and for the very obvious reason, that he could best serve the common interest by remaining as he was. The appointment of any other to his place would, in all probability, have led to a discovery of the cave. So long as he continued in place, he might be considered as a centinel on duty in a watch-tower, from whence to give alarm to the little garrison in case of any enemy's approach; or, which was of equal importance, to apprise them of the coming of auxiliary troops. In other words, from the nature of his employ and his situation, he was best enabled to regulate their movements; and at the same time he could keep a constant look out for the anxiously expected Majorcan.
Viano kept his word. He had no sooner arrived at Majorca, than he waited on the Viceroy; made him acquainted with his countrymen's situation; and demanded (as it was a national concern) his assistance. The Viceroy forthwith furnished him with a sloop; and Viano joyfully set sail for the coast of Barbary.
He arrived at Algiers on the 28th day of September, 1577; exactly one month from the day he quitted it. He had taken such very accurate note of the quarter where the garden was situated, that he contrived, as had been concerted, to stand in for it at the close of day.
The gardener, who had some time perceived the vessel making for land, flattered himself that it might possibly be Viano's. He kept his eyes fixed stedfastly upon it; his mind, the while, suspended betwixt anxious hope and fearful disappointment. But when the vessel drew in so near that he could defy the agreed-on signal flying at the mast-head, how extravagant was his joy! He hastened to his fellows to communicate the felicitous tidings.
Delicious moment! What a transition from despondency to joy! The care-worn wretches have already forgot their sufferings. They congratulate, they embrace each other: they shed even tears of joy; and in wild tumultuous ecstasy hurry headlong out of their cavern.
It is even so; the gardener has not deceived them: It is; it can be no other than Viano's bark. And, look! The very signal. Nearer, and yet a little nearer, and they defy Viano himself standing at the helm. With what emotion they beheld him! They uplift their hands, and with one general voice, hail him their 'Deliverer.'
Now the vessel's keel is ploughing up the shore, and the mariners are letting down a ladder to facilitate their embarkation; when, ah! Sad chance! A party of Moors at the very instant appear, and seeing so many christians assembled about a bark, give the alarm, shouting, 'To arms! to arms!' Viano put to sea again; and his miserable compatriots fled back with precipitation to their hiding place; there to bewail their cruel disappointment.
(Remainder next week.)
PARNASSIAN SPRIGS.
THE WISH.
FAR from the noise of worldly strife I wish to spend my days ; There to enjoy a rural life, And sing my feeble lays. There to select a little spot, Beside some verdant hill, Where I might rear a simple cot, And hear the murmuring rill. At this delightful rural place, Where I might live at ease ; I would the works of nature trace, Where ev'ry scene must please. My fleeting days with joy should glide, without the pomp of life, My greatest wish and highest pride, To be remov'd from strife. I'd breathe the air of early day And drink the chrysal stream, While warbling birds their joy convey By singing notes serene. At noon I'd court the hawthorn bow'r, And view the gelid fount ; Secure from Sol's all potent pow'r ; I'd all my joys recount. When beauteous birds enchant the grove By singing lovely airs, Throughout the shady woods I'd rove To find the happy pairs. When night resum'd her ebon throne, And Cynthia gave her light ; I'd then return to happy home ! T'enjoy her lovely light. With books I'd pass the eve away, And then retire to rest ; Taste balmy sleep till coming day, With sweet repose refresh'd. Sometimes with ease I'd join the bands, And dance along the green. While rustic nymphs should give their hands, And drive away dull spleen. With joys like these I'd pass my life, In my sequester'd cot ; Remov'd from noise and far from strife, Contented with my lot.
FLORIO.
CHARACTER OF THE PRESENT EMPRESS OF RUSSIA.
CATHARINE II. Empress of Russia, who for various reasons deserves to be stiled the SEMIRAMIS of the north, ascended the throne in the year 1762 ; and it is not to be supposed that an administration of thirty years has failed to render her principles and character subjects of sufficient notoriety. If the public patronage of literature and talents, if an assiduous attention to the fine arts, if the love of splendor and the ambition of rendering her capital the centre of all that elegant leisure has been accustomed to admire, can give a title to immortality, the claims of the CZARINA are indisputable. But these are the bounds of her pretensions. She indeed continually sends forth missions of her younger subjects, to acquire knowledge in foreign realms ; but she does not seek to annihilate that slavery and vassalage, with the existence of which, knowledge and improvement are incompatible. She seeks to extend the commerce of her subjects to distant climates ; but she takes no effectual steps to disseminate that spirit of manufacture and industry without which, commerce is an unsubstantial phantom. She is seized with the phrenzy of conquest ; while her actual dominions, more extensive than the empire of ancient ROME, afford scope for the activity of the wisest politician. She is ever employed in warlike preparations or in actual war ; though her territories without this preternatural exhaufure, are little better than an uninhabited desert. She surveys with scientific accuracy the extremities of her empire ; while its centre and its heart are wholly neglected. The activity of her designs is exhausted in the intrigues of foreign courts. FRANCE has formerly been accused of invading the tranquillity of her neighbours, by the art of corruption. But France, in all the wantonness of civilization and wealth, was never more indefatigable in this respect than the Tartarian mistress of the savages of Muscovy.
New Annual Register.
An Act to establish the POST-OFFICE and POST-ROADS,  within the United States.
BE it enacted by the SENATE and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That from and after the first day of June next, the following roads be established as post-roads, namely : From Wilcasset in the district of Maine, to Savannah in Georgia, by the following rout, to wit : Portland, Portsmouth, Newburyport, Ipswich, Salem, Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford, Middletown, New-Haven, Stratford, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford, New-York, Newark, Elizabethtown, Woodbridge, Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, Bristol, Philadelphia, Chester, Wilmington, Elkton, Charlestown, Havre de Grace, Hartford, Baltimore, Bladensburg, George-town, Alexandria, Colchester, Dumfries, Fredericksburg, Bowling-Green, Hanover court house, Richmond, Petersburg, Halifax, Tarborough, Smithfield, Fayetteville, Newbridge over Drowning creek, Cheraw Court-house, Camden, Statesburg, Columbia, Cambridge and Augusta : and from thence to Savannah, and from Augusta by Washington in Wilkes county to Greenborough, and from thence by the great falls of Ogechee and Georgetown, to Augusta, and from Statesburg to Charleston, and from Charleston to Georgetown, from Charleston to Savannah, and from Savannah, by Newports bridge to Sunbury ; and also from Portsmouth by Exeter and Concord, to Hanover in New-Hampshire ; and from Salem to Marblehead, and from Salem to Gloucester ; and from Boston, by Providence, Newport,
and New-London, to New Haven, and from Boston, through Taunton, to New-Bedford; and from Taunton, through Warren and Bristol, to Newport, and from Boston, by Plymouth, to Barnstable; and from Springfield in the state of Massachusetts, to Kinderhook in the State of New-York, and from Springfield, by Northampton, Brattleborough, and Charlestown, by Windsor in Vermont, to Hanover, and from Hartford, by Middletown, to New London; also from Hartford to Norwich, and Providence; and from Providence to Worcester, and from Philadelphia, by Lancaster, Yorktown, Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Bedford, and Greensburg, to Pittsburg; and from Philadelphia to Bethlehem; from Bethlehem, by Reading and Harrisburg, to Carlisle, and from Bethlehem, by Easton, Sussex Court-house, Goshen, Ward's Bridge, and Kingston, to Rhinebeck; from Philadelphia, by Salem, to Bridgetown; and from Wilmington, by Warwick, Georgetown, Crofs-roads, Chester-town, Chester-mills, and Easton, to Vienna; and from Vienna, by Salisbury, to Snow-Hill; also from Wilmington, by New-Castle, Cantwell's Bridge and Duck-Creek, to Dover; and from thence by Milford, Dagsborough, Snow-Hill and Northampton Court-house, to Norfolk in Virginia; and from Baltimore to Annapolis, Upper-Marlborough, Piscatawa, Port-Tobacco, Allen's-Fresh, Newport, and Chaptico, to Leonard Town; and from Richmond, by Williamsburg, Yorktown and Hampton, to Norfolk; and from Fredericksburg, by Port-royal and Tappahannock, to Urbaina; and from thence, crossing Rappahannock, and proceeding by Northumberland Court-house, to Kinsale, on the river Yocomico, thence by Westmoreland Court-house, through Leed's-town, to Fredericksburg; and from Petersburg, by Cabin-Point, Smithfield, and Suffolk, to Portsmouth, and from Suffolk, to Edenton, and by Plymouth to Washington; and from Washington to Newburn, and thence to Wilmington; and from Fayetteville, by Elizabethtown, to Wilmington; and from Halifax, by Warrenton, Hillsborough, Salem, to Salisbury; from Halifax, by Blunt's ville, Williamson, Daileys to Plymouth; and from Edenton, by Hertford, Nixenton, Sawyer's Ferry, in Camden County, to Indian Town, in Currituck County; and from New-York, by Albany, Bennington, Manchester and Rutland, to Burlington on Lake Champlain; and from Albany, by Schenectady, to Connajoharrie; from New-York to Hartford, through Whiteplains, Northcastle, Salem, Poundridge, Ridgefield, Danbury, Newtown, New Milford, Litchfield, Harrington and Farmington; from Newark or Elizabethtown, by Morristown, to Sussex Court-House; from Woodbridge to Ambóy; from Alexandria, by Salisbury, Leesburg, Sheperd's town, Martinsburg, Winchester, Stevensburg, Strasburg, Woodstock, and Rockingham Court-house, to Staunton; and from Richmond, by Columbia, Charlottesville, Staunton, Lexington, Fincastle, Montgomery Court-house, Wythe Court-house, Abingdon, and Hawkin's Court-house, in the territory, South of the river Ohio, to Danville in Kentucky; and from Baltimore, by Fredericktown and Sharpsburg, to Hagarstown; and from thence to Chambersburg; Provided , That the route by which the mails are at present conveyed, shall in no case be altered, without the consent of the contractors, till the contracts made by the Postmaster-General shall be determined.
And be it further enacted , That it shall and may be lawful for the Postmaster-General to enter into contracts, for a term not exceeding eight years, for extending the line of posts, and to authorise the person or persons, so contracting, to receive, during the continuance of such contract, according to the rates by this act established all the postage which shall arise
arise on letters, newspapers and packets, conveyed by any such post; and the roads, therein designated, shall, during the continuance of such contract, be deemed and considered as post-roads, within the terms and provisions of this act: Provided , That no such contract shall be made, to the diminution of the revenue of the general post-office, and that a duplicate of every such contract, under hand and seal, shall, within sixty days, after the execution thereof, be lodged in the office of the Comptroller of the Treasury of the United States.
And be it further enacted , That there shall be established, at the seat of the government of the United States, a general post-office. And there shall be one Post-master General, who shall have authority to appoint an assistant, and deputy postmasters, at all places where such shall be found necessary. And he shall provide for carrying the mail of the United States, by stage carriages or horses, as he may judge most expedient; and as often as he, having regard to the productiveness thereof, as well as other circumstances shall think proper, and defray the expense thereof, with all other expenses arising on the collection and management of the revenue of the post-office. He shall also have power to prescribe such regulations to the deputy postmasters, and others employed under him, as may be found necessary, and to superintend the business of the department, in all the duties that are, or may be assigned to it, and also to direct the route or road, where there are more than one, between the places above established, which route or road shall be considered as the post-road.
And be it further enacted , That the Postmaster-General shall, once in three months, obtain from his deputies, the accounts and vouchers of their receipts and expenditures, and the balances due thereon, and render to the Secretary of the Treasury, a quarterly account of all the receipts and expenditures in the said department, to be adjusted and settled, as other public accounts, and shall pay, quarterly, into the treasury of the United States, the balance in his hands. And the Postmaster General, and his assistant, and deputy post-masters, and such as they may employ in their offices, shall, respectively, before they enter upon the duties, or be entitled to receive the emoluments of their offices, and the contractors for carrying the mail, and their agents or servants, to whom the mail shall be entrusted, before they commence the execution of said trust, shall, respectively, take and subscribe before some justice of the peace, the following oath or affirmation, and cause a certificate thereof to be filed in the office of the Postmaster-General; "I do swear (or affirm as the case may be) that I will faithfully perform all the duties required of me, and abstain from every thing forbidden by the law in relation to the establishment of post-offices and post-roads within the United States."
And be it further enacted , That if any person shall obstruct or retard the passage of the mail, or of any horse or carriage carrying the same, he shall, upon conviction for every such offence, pay a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars. And if any ferryman shall, by wilful negligence, or refusal to transport the mail across any ferry, delay the same, he shall forfeit, and pay, for each half hour that the same shall be so delayed, a sum not exceeding ten dollars.
And be it further enacted , That it shall be the duty of the Postmaster-General, to give public notice in one or more of the newspapers published at the seat of government of the United States, and in one or more of the newspapers published in the state or states where the contract is to be performed, for, at least, six weeks before the entering into any contract for
for the conveyance of the mail that such contract is intended to be made, and the day on which it shall be concluded; describing the places, from and to which such mail is to be conveyed; the time at which it is to be made up; the day and hour, at which it is to be delivered; and the penalty or penalties, for non-performance of the stipulations. He shall, moreover, within thirty days after the making of any contract, lodge the same, together with the proposals which he shall have received respecting the same, in the office of the Comptroller of the Treasury of the United States.
And be it further enacted, That every deputy postmaster shall keep an office in which one or more persons shall attend at such hours as the Postmaster-General shall direct, for the purpose of performing the duties thereof. And all letters brought to any post-office, half an hour before the time of making up the mail at such office, shall be forwarded therein.
And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this act, the Postmaster-General shall be allowed, for his services, at the rate of two thousand dollars per annum, his assistant, at the rate of one thousand dollars per annum, to be paid, quarterly, out of the revenues of the post-office, and no fees or perquisites shall be received by either of them, on account of the duties to be performed in virtue of their appointments.
And be it further enacted, That from and after the first day of June next, the deputy postmaster and persons authorised by the Postmaster-General, shall demand and receive for the postage and conveyance of letters and packets, except such as are herein after excepted, according to the several rates and sums following: For the postage of every single letter, to or from any place by land not exceeding thirty miles, six cents; over thirty miles, and not exceeding sixty, eight cents; over sixty miles, and not exceeding one hundred, ten cents; over one hundred miles, and not exceeding one hundred and fifty, twelve cents and a half; over one hundred and fifty miles, and not exceeding two hundred, fifteen cents; over two hundred miles, and not exceeding two hundred and fifty, seventeen cents; over two hundred and fifty miles, and not exceeding three hundred and fifty, twenty cents; over three hundred and fifty miles, and not exceeding four hundred and fifty, twenty-two cents; and to or from any place by land, more than four hundred and fifty miles, twenty-five cents; and every double letter shall pay double the said rates; every triple letter, triple; every packet weighing one ounce avoirdupois, to pay, at the rate of four single letters for each ounce, and in that proportion, for any greater weight.
(Remainder next week.)
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
L O N D O N, Nov. 11.
The merchants of Bristol have just had another general meeting in the Town Hall, relative to the intended dam to be made across the river between the Custom-house and the Hot Wells; and they have nearly concluded in its favour. It is an object of great importance to the commercial interest; and the merchants intend to undertake the work solely at their expense, which is computed at eighty thousand pounds, besides contingent expenses, which will arise in many instances, one of which is the destruction of several corn mills.
Father Altizya, of Ragusa, a pensioner of the Court of Spain, and the intimate friend of Cardinal Albano, has been arrested at Rome, upon suspicion of practising the mysteries invented by Cagliostro. A few
A few days since a wager was decided between two brick makers, of the names of Ogin and Clayton, who worked for Mr. Hoblon of King-land and Mr. Highman of Holloway, who could make the most bricks in one hour. These two men being famous for their expedition, a number of people attended, and so equally were they matched, as to have but ten difference, although the number was astonishing, Clayton making 318, and Ogin 308; besides which, it should be observed that all which were not properly finished were thrown aside, and not admitted in the number.
November 15.
Union of Poland and Lithuania, completed.
The kingdom of Poland and the Duchy of Lithuania, though long united under one sovereign, have been hitherto subject to separate administrations, which weakened their mutual force, and increased the expenses of government.
A proposal for their more complete union, which has been in agitation almost since the æra of the late revolution, was unanimously adopted by the Diet, on the 10th of last month, in the following
Mutual Guarantee of two nations.
"Article I.—The commission of war and that of the treasury of the two nations shall be composed of an equal number of Polish and Lithuanian subjects; and as to the commission of the police, the number of commissioners under it, in consequence of the free assent of the grand duchy of Lithuania, shall never be prejudicial to that duchy; on the contrary, all the magistracies, which the republic may in future form for the two nations in common, shall contain an equal number of persons of the towns of Poland and of the grand duchy of Lithuania.
II. The grand Duchy of Lithuania shall have always the same number of ministers and of national magistrates, with the same titles and functions as the crown of Poland.
III. The presidency in the commissions of war and of the treasury shall be alternately held by Polish and Lithuanian subjects, and with an equal duration.
IV. The treasury office for the public receipts of Lithuania shall be always in that Duchy.
V. All proceedings, which concern the commission of finances, as to Lithuania, shall be within the jurisdiction of a particular tribunal, composed of persons, who are not in the commission of the treasury, and constituted in that duchy, according to a separate regulation."
To these articles of the mutual guarantee are added to the king's acceptance and declaration, that the whole shall have the force of law, and have the same validity as the act of union between the two nations.
Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, February 20.
A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Lear, his Secretary, informing the House that he had approved and signed a bill which originated in the House of Representatives, for the regulation of the Post Office and post-roads within the United States.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary, to this purpose, that the President of the United States, had approved and signed on the 16th inst. the bill relative to certain fisheries of the United States, and for the regulation and government of the fishermen employed therein. TUES.
TUESDAY, February 21.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary, notifying that they have agreed to all the amendments made by this House to the bill for the election of a President and Vice-President, &c. except the last: Also that they have appointed a committee to join such committee as this House may appoint, to consider and report what business is necessary to be done during the present session, and also what business may without injury be postponed to the next, so that this session may close on the first Tuesday of April.
The House then considered the last part of the above message, and having concurred therewith a committee of five was accordingly appointed, to join the committee appointed by Senate.
The House then took into consideration the amendment disagreed to by the Senate, which provides, that in case of vacancy in the office of the President of the United States, the Secretary of State shall supply that vacancy; and the question being taken, to recede from the amendment, it was carried in the affirmative, ayes 31, noes 24.
The House then resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill providing for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States, Mr. W. Smith in the chair.
After considerable debate the committee rose, and the chairman reported progress, after which the House Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, February 22,
Mr. Gerry made a motion that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill for reducing the rates of postage on newspapers, which was read and laid on the table.
AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE.
PHILADELPHIA, February 25.
Wednesday last was celebrated in this city, the birth-day of the President of the United States, (when he entered his 61st year) with every demonstration of joy suitable to the occasion. At eleven o'clock, the volunteer corps of artillery, cavalry and infantry paraded at the State House, and took orders for the firing and exercises of the day. At half past two, the officers of the militia battalions of the city, northern liberties, and southern districts of Philadelphia assembled at the same place, together with the Members of the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati, from whence they went in procession to the house of the President of the United States. A variety of salutes were fired, and the day concluded with every mark of harmony, good order, and undissembled joy. In the evening was exhibited an elegant display of fire-works.
Both Houses of Congress walked in procession to wait on the President of the United States, to congratulate him on the anniversary of his Birth Day.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
The Convention for revising the Constitution of this State rose last week. They have made, as we hear, the following alterations: The President is to be stiled Governor: A Council is to be chosen consisting of a member from each county: The State is to be divided into districts, for the choice of Senators: Explicit power is given to the legislature to alter the judiciary system, should it be deemed necessary; and something is done about liberty of conscience, whether for or against it is another question, the alteration is, that no person who has contracted (as one
of a corporation) with a minister shall be exempted from paying his Ministerial taxes with the rest of the parish, though he should become a Baptist, Quaker, or one of any other persuasion.
N. B. These alterations are proposed to be voted upon by the several towns, and the returns to be made to the Convention at their adjournment the last week in May next.
BOSTON, Friday, MARCH 9, 1792.
LEGISLATURE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Thursday, March 1.
A BILL for regulating the militia, was sent down from the Senate for concurrence.
Friday, March 2. The House concurred with the Senate, in their amendments to the Resolve respecting the pay of the Council, Senate, and House. [ By this Resolve, the Senate are to receive 7s and the House 6s 6d pr. day. ]
Saturday, March 3. A representation and information from the Grand Jury of the county of Suffolk to the Supreme Judicial Court, and transmitted by them to this House, was read and committed.
Monday, March 5. A bill providing for the security of the Treasury of this Commonwealth came down from the Senate, & was read a first time.
Wednesday March 7. The committee on the representation and information of the Grand Jury, against two of the Justices of the county of Suffolk, reported verbally, that a law existed adequate to the cognizance of the offences, and that the information lie on the files till called for by the Attorney General.
Mr. Warren introduced a Resolve for the purpose of opening a gallery to the Senate chamber, "in order that the people of this Commonwealth may be more satisfactorily informed of the doings of their delegates in Senate."
The legislature of Vermont has passed an act empowering the Governor of that State to grant a charter of incorporation to erect an university in the township of Burlington, in the county of Chittenden.
The Trustees are, the Governor of the State, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the University (when elected) ex officio , together with Caleb Blood, Bethuel Chittenden, Asa Burton, George Bune, Ira Allen, Charles Platt, Jonathan Arnold, Enoch Woodbridge, Samuel Hitchcock, and Jonathan Hunt. The number of Trustees is never to exceed seventeen, of whom ten must be resident within the State, and a majority of that ten are a quorum.
This corporation is empowered to hold land to the amount of 70,000 acres; all its Estate both real and personal is forever free from taxation; and its officers, students and servants are exempted from all taxes and military duty.
Not a syllable by the last Mail respecting the Victory of General Scott, either by way of confirmation or contradiction!
About seven years ago the Academy of Arts and Sciences in this Commonwealth appointed an Agricultural committee, who attempted to raise a fund by subscription to promote the object of their institution, which was to give bounties for experiments and improvements in husbandry. At the last meeting of the Academy the committee reported that their efforts had been ineffectual; upon which an application was made to the legislature
legislature to incorporate an Agricultural Society on a distinct foundation. This application has been attended to, and the incorporating act has received the sanction of both Houses.
Extract of a letter from Midway (Georgia) Feb 10.
"We have just received general orders for drafting the Militia, who are to hold themselves in readiness to march for the defence of the frontiers, as there is some disturbance expected from the Indians."
We hear that the harbour of Nantucket has been frozen, and was not clear of ice till last week, when an opening being made, several vessels pushed out and arrived here.
Capt. Cathcart has arrived in this port from the Isle of France with a cargo of SUGAR.
To Correspondents. —The person who left a letter on the office stairs, last Wednesday, may have his wish gratified by applying personally.—We are obliged to Z. S. for his ingenious production, which shall appear in our next; but would thank our correspondents to consult brevity as well as elegance, as we are limited to a certain number of pages and must fill them with variety.— Anecdote of a Libertine —is millaid, if it was not, it is quite too indecent for insertion.
MARRIED. —At Long-meadow, Mr. Nathaniel Patten, mer. of Hartford, to Miss Sally Burt.—At Springfield, Mr. John Chaloner, to Miss Experience Bliss. This is the same Mr. Chaloner who lost both his arms by the discharge of a field-piece on Federal-hill, during the insurrection.—At Dedham, Mr. Thomas Stutson, of this town to Miss Matty Hadley, of that place.—At Pepperell, Capt. Jeremiah Shattuck, Æt. 90, to Mrs. Ruth Bixby, Æt. 75; from him have descended 10 children, 60 grand-children, about 70 great-grand-children and one of the next generation; from her have descended 13 children, 39 grand-children, &c.
DIED. —In Portsmouth, Mrs. Martha Stavers; Mr. William Cambridge.—At Concord, drowned, Mr. Taylor supposed to have been one of the best weavers in that state.—At Newbury-port, Mrs. Susannah Haskell Æt. 35.—In Gloucester (Cape Ann) Mrs. Sarah Allen, relict of Nathaniel Allen, Esq. late of that place, merchant.—In this town, Mrs. Elizabeth Eliot, the amiable wife of Dr. Ephraim Eliot, Æt. 26.—Mrs. Susannah Perkins, wife of Mr. James Perkins, Æt. 37.—Mr. John Dyer, Æt. 64.—Sambo Jackson, Æt. 44, a Black of an upright character; we need not add the epithet "free," since there are no slaves in Massachusetts.
Price-Current, as in our last.
CUSTOM-HOUSE—MARCH 8, 1792.
ENTRIES.
Schooner, 2 Brothers, Endicott, Martinico,—Ship 3 Brothers, Cathcart, Cape Goodhope,—Brig Jane, Shillabar, Aux Cayes. from
CLEARANCES.
Brig Mary, Oine, Annamaboe—Schooner Sally, Dennis, Annamaboe. for
CUSTOM-HOUSE, NEWBURY-PORT, Feb. 25 to March 4.
ENTRIES.
Schooner Fame, Adams, St. Martins,—Sloop Sally, Knap, Cape François. from
CLEARANCES.
Brig Hibernia, Toppan, West-Indies,—Sloop 3 Friends, Goodhue, West Indies. for
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A DISCOURSE concerning the Church. In which the several acceptations of the Word are explained and distinguished—the Gospel Covenant delineated—a right of admission and access to special ordinances, in their outward administration, and inward efficacy, stated and discussed.— Designed to remove the scruples and reconcile the difference of Christians.
By MOSES HEMMENWAY, D. D.
Pastor of a Church in Wells.
The importance of the subjects of the above mentioned Discourse, and the acknowledged abilities of the Author to discuss them, must recommend this Work to the perusal of Christians in general, and particularly of those who are unsettled in those points of which it treats.
N. B. Such is the reputation of this work, that nearly two thousand subscribers for it has been obtained, besides what are on more than a hundred subscription papers that are not yet returned.
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GEOGRAPHY MADE EASY.
being an Abridgment of the American Geography.
By JEDIDIAH MORSE, A. M.
There is not a SON or a DAUGHTER of ADAM but has some concern both in GEOGRAPHY and ASTRONOMY.— Dr. Watts.
Among those Studies which are usually recommended to young People, there are few that might be improved to better use than GEOGRAPHY.—
Essays on various Subjects.