The American Apollo magazine
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Archival Material
Date: March 16, 1792
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. 11, Friday, March 16, 1792, was printed in Boston, Massachusetts, as a weekly periodical. The issue includes the second installment (pages 119-123) of a two-part series (see 2012.2008.115.1) 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.
No. 11.] FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 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 issue 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 Fane'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. 40.—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,
If the following have sufficient merit, by admitting it into your useful paper, you will gratify a customer.
Z. S.
December 22, 1791.
MY SANDER was a person, who hated the society of man, and was constantly cavilling at the works of creation. One morning to indulge a fit of the spleen he left his house, and directed his course towards a distant wood. He wore away the day, as he went, by searching after and condemning every apparent deformity of nature. The sun is set, he has lost his way; the clouds veil the skies, and not a star is seen to direct his course. His courage is small; at every quivering leaf he trembles. Again he hears a rustling; he starts; he looks before him, and spies a dog. The dog looks wishfully on him a minute, and trots away. This gives him a little hope; he summons up his courage, and follows him. The dog leads him to a small opening, in the midst of which stood a little cottage. He approaches it; the light shines through the cracks; he knocks at the door; a pleasant voice bids him enter; he goes in; SYLVANDER and his lovely DELIA sit supping at the table; their repast was milk. They bid him a hearty welcome. "Will you, says Sylvander, partake with us?" Delia immediately rises from table and brings another bowl enriched with this simple, but wholesome diet. Fatigue and hunger had prepared Myfander to accept of that, which in the morning he would have rejected. He sups, and is revived. They rise from table, and spend the evening in pleasant, yet innocent conversation. In the cottage was but one room, and but one bed; this bed is resigned to the stranger. Delia spreads a blanket on the floor. Sylvander with a heart according with his tongue, renders thanks to the God of Heaven, and prays for a blessing. In concert with his Delia he sings an evening hymn, and then with a lovely babe they lie themselves down to rest. Sleep sheds her poppies over them, and gentle dreams steal sweetly on their fancy; they repose in peace.
The morning blushes in the east; and Sylvander arises; he walks forth in contemplation; he listens to the music of the birds, welcoming
PART II.—VOL. I.
T.
the
the rising sun. Delia is employed in milking. In the mean time, Myfander awakes. He is refreshed by his repose, but his murmuring thoughts return upon him. Sylvander and Delia unite in their devotions. The table is spread: After looking to Heaven for a blessing, which Sylvander never neglected, they sit down to their repast. The words of Delia are mild and cheerful; innocence sits smiling in her arms! she smiles in return, with a heart as unspotted. After breakfast they thank Heaven for the favour, and Sylvander conducts Myfander to the fields. The stranger again indulges his complaining humour; he finds fault with almost every thing he meets. Sylvander with equal diligence endeavours to reconcile. "For what purpose is this ledge of rocks and this thicket of briars?" "This ledge replied Sylvander, furnishes me materials for fencing my ground, in the mean time my Delia plucks from these briars a delicious fruit; if she happens to wound her hand with the thorn, she does not complain of that; she calmly asks, where would be the sweet of our pleasure without the mixture of a little pain?" After a short walk they return to the cottage. At the north side of the room stood a table, on it was spread a large sheet of brown paper, in this was a little hole, under which appeared a white paper with several dotted lines on it: Sylvander took Myfander to the table, opened a wooden window above it, pulled out a drawer from the table, and took out a microscope. "Myfander, do you see that little hole in the paper? If you would divert yourself with something curious, look at it through this microscope." He looks; what does he see! Nothing but a rough white surface daubed over with several uneven, ill defined spots. What, says Myfander is this your curiosity? You have raised my expectation on purpose to disappoint me. It is as I said, all the works of nature are a mass of deformity; the more we examine them, the more ridiculous they appear. After he had stormed awhile, Sylvander entreated him to be patient. Examine it, said he, with your naked eye. Myfander examines it: Some of the lines were straight, others bending; some consisted of black dots, others of red; the black was deep and shining, the red vivified; the dots were small, round and equidistant; the paper of a most delicate white. This appearance of the lines gave him some pleasure, but he was dissatisfied with the arrangement, for they crossed the hole in irregular directions. Sylvander takes the brown paper by its sides, and, removing it, unfolds a most agreeable scene. It was a large sheet of delicate paper divided by a line into two apartments. The lower part contained a system of straight and curve lines, crossing in various directions, but all tending to advance one grand harmonious design. In the other part was a landscape; its colouring vied with nature; the scenery afforded no less pleasure. About the middle rose an elegant temple, delineated according to the most accurate rules of perspective. Before it was an ample green; on this was a company of boys and girls, sporting in their innocent amusements; the former running for the goal; the latter picking violets, and other little flowers to decorate their bosoms. On the left hand were several rich dwelling houses, with fair gardens and spreading shady trees. At the right hand was an extensive plain; in one part of it was an honest farmer, whistling behind his plough; in another part a field of corn waving before a gentle breeze. Separated from this by an intervening fence, was a rich pasture, it was covered with flocks and herds; some feeding, others quenching their
their thirst at the cooling fountain; some lying at ease under the spreading shade, others frisking and wantoning over the green. Beyond this plain, at a considerable distance rose the shaggy top of a stupendous mountain, at whose foot was a large meandering river. All these objects were struck out in a masterly manner. Over them was the blue sky looking at intervals through the brown skirted clouds. The whole design was noble, the execution complete. Myfander stood, like a stock, in silent wonder. He was charmed on the spot by the grandeur of the view. Sylvander thus accosts him: "Do you see no beauty here, nothing which affords you a pleasing sensation? Silence is consent. The glass, through which you first viewed a part of this paper, was the eye of prejudice. It magnifies the apparent defects of nature, and changes real beauty into seeming deformity. The second view was with the eye of unbiased reason; this placed the scene in a more agreeable light; but human reason is circumscribed within narrow limits; it indeed gives order and beauty to the parts, but the grand whole is left involved in obscurity. The last view represents the scene, which opens at death. Then will the veil be removed, and we shall see things as they are. The little seeming irregularities, which now displease us, when seen in their true connexion, will appear the marks of most perfect beauty. On the meanest pin in the grand frame of nature; we shall then see written in conspicuous characters: THE WISDOM OF GOD.
Myfander felt conviction seizing his mind, and stood wondering in silence. Sylvander darkened the window of his cottage, and at a small hole through a convex lens admitted a sun beam. This he received upon a triangular prism; the prism by its refractive power cast a most beautiful image on the opposite wall. The lower part of it was red, this was very vivified; next to the red was orange, next to orange a bright yellow; after these was a lively green, pleasing to the eye and delightful to the fancy; it was followed by the blue and indigo colors no less agreeable. But last of all, mild as the evening, lovely as a breeze in summer, stole sweetly on the light the enchanting purple.
In this image, said Sylvander, you see all the simple colors in nature. Their number is seven. From the composition of these alone arises that infinite variety of tints, which adorns the morning and evening sky, and paints the rich carpet of the plain. This is the work of God; and it is a distinguishing mark of his works, that by the most simple causes are produced the most complicated and wonderful effects.
He then removed the prism, and let the beam of light fall upon a sheet of white paper, forming on it a round white image. Over this he placed a large microscope, and bid Myfander look through it, he obeyed; he looked, and started back with astonishment. The view was august beyond description. It seemed a boundless field, interspersed with hills and valleys, groves and plains; and these abounding with life in every form. Upon this field in a constant flood descended the rays of light, which rebounded from it in every direction. Each ray seemed a succession of globes in the following order; first a large red globe, next a smaller orange one, then a yellow one, then a green, followed by a blue and an indigo one, and lastly a violet, the magnitude decreasing from the first to the last; the succession was then repeated; and each globe was a habitation of life and enjoyment.
Sylvander only observed, "here is the finger of the Deity." Myfander answered, "It is enough. Adieu, my gentle host, henceforth I will condemn my folly, not murmur at the works of creation." THE
[Concluded from page 102.]
CERVANTES did every thing in his power to cheer his drooping companions. He had them hope Viano would return; for so he either really thought or affected to think. But Viano was never more heard of.
As their minds grew more and more despondent, their bodies kept pace in sufferance. From the dampness of their subterraneous habitation, and for want of air and exercise, the major part of them fell dangerously ill. So long as Cervantes had strength sufficient left, he ministered to their wants; procured them proper aliment; tended upon, and comforted them; but at length falling sick himself, he was obliged to have recourse to others. He instructed one of his companions who was yet well, where he was to go, and how he was to conduct himself, in order to procure provisions.
As if the measure of their griefs was not yet full, this man, on whom their security and very existence depended, proved a traitor. He went straight to Azan the King, and made discovery of the whole. And having, the better to secure his pardon, turned Mahometan, the infamous wretch unhesitatingly conducted a party of soldiers to the spot where his countrymen lay concealed.
The wretched Spaniards were immediately seized and put in irons, and carried to the palace to receive sentence. When they came into the King's presence, he promised them pardon if they would discover their ringleader. "That am I, (exclaimed Cervantes,) save my innocent companions, and lead me to death." The King, struck with his magnanimity, remitted him his crime, and delivered him to his master Mami, with strict injunctions not to inflict punishment on so brave a fellow. The rest too were pardoned, except the poor gardener, who was executed upon the spot.
Cervantes, hardly dealt with by fortune, betrayed by a countryman, his friend too and companion, one like himself, in misery, and reduced again to the condition of a slave, instead of giving way to despondency, did but so much the more impatiently strive to regain his liberty; four several times he attempted it, but still without success. His last scheme was worthy of a daring mind: It was no less than to cause a general revolt of the slaves of whatsoever nation, to overpower the Barbarians, and make himself master of the city.
The conspiracy was discovered; and Cervantes, though known to be the author of it, again escaped punishment. So true is it, that undaunted courage forces respect even from our enemies.
It is probable Cervantes meant to speak of himself, when, in the story of 'The Slave,' (one of the most interesting episodes, in 'Don Quixote,') he lays; 'The cruel Azan King of Algiers, never showed any mercy, except to one Saavedra, a Spanish soldier; who often times, at hazard of his life, formed enterprises of so daring a nature, that the infidels are not likely soon to forget them.'
Though Azan spared Cervantes's life, he did not choose to trust so formidable a captive in other hands than his own; and therefore purchased him of his master Mami, and caused him to be watched very narrowly.
Not long after he was in his possession, the King was obliged to go to Constantinople, but was willing to be rid first of a person whom he considered in so dangerous a light: He therefore gave intimation to Cervantes,
tes. s.
tes's relations of his captive state; in order that they might, if they thought proper, redeem him.
Cervantes's mother, who was still living, a widow, and very poor, disposed of what few valuables she had; and hastened with the product, about three hundred ducats, of silver, to the Trinity Fathers at Madrid; whose particular business it was to negotiate for the ransom of Spanish captives. This sum, though the widow's all, was not deemed adequate. The King insisted upon five hundred golden crowns. The holy fathers, —for such, in this instance, they may be truly called,—compassionating the widow's distress, made up, with their own money, the sum required; and Cervantes was redeemed on the 19th of September, 1580, after a captivity of five years.
Upon his return to his native land, Cervantes, out of love with a military life, resolved to devote himself to letters. He settled in lodgings with his mother; and indulged the pleasing hope, that by his labours he should be able to procure her a comfortable subsistence.
He was then three and thirty years of age. His first publication was 'Galatea,' of which he gave only six books; but never finished it, although it met with a tolerable reception.
This same year Cervantes married Donna Catharine de Pelacios; a lady of good family, and doubtless of great personal merit,—for he had no fortune with her. To support his family, he took to writing for the stage; and he assures us, with very good success. Nevertheless, he soon quitted his theatrical concerns for an employ obtained at Seville, where he went to reside. It was there he wrote his 'Novels,' in which he has so well portraied the manners and vices of that great city.
Cervantes was in his fiftieth year, when business called him to La Mancha. The inhabitants of an inconsiderable village, called Argamazilla , upon some frivolous pretext quarrelled with him, and dragged him to prison; where he was a considerable time confined. It was in that very prison he began his incomparable 'Don Quixote.' He thought to revenge himself for the ill treatment he met with, by laying the first scenes of this hero's extravagances in that neighbourhood; though he forbore mentioning the name of that particular village throughout the whole romance.
He began with publishing only the 'First Part of Don Quixote,' which not meeting with its deserved success, Cervantes, who knew thoroughly the disposition of mankind, immediately wrote a little piece, which he entitled 'The Serpent.' This pamphlet, which is no where to be met with now (not even in Spain) seemed, on the face of it, to be a criticism on 'Don Quixote;' but was in effect a cutting satire upon the blockheads who detracted from the merit of that excellent work. Every body read the satire; and 'Don Quixote' thereby gained a reputation which its own intrinsic merit ought rather to have procured it.
Hereupon all the wits in Spain combined against the author. Though living themselves in a state of warfare and hatred one of another, they were not so occupied but they could observe the hasty strides which our literary giant was making towards the temple of Fame; and they were sensible that, he having once gained admission, the doors would be shut against them for ever. For this reason, they agreed for the present to lay aside their animosities; and not only patched up a truce amongst themselves, but entered into a league against their formidable rival. Against him they drew up all their forces; against him pointed their envenomed
shaft, and directed all their artillery: But not in the way of honest open enemies; not by boldly facing him in the field, but by harassing him on his march. They attacked him, not as grammarians and philologists, but as quibblers, & cavillers; not with arguments, but insults: Nor blushed they even to add the grossest calumny to the most malicious criticism. In fine, Cervantes's growing fame proved more fatal to him than the neglect he had formerly experienced.
Whether from the tyranny of the Kings of Spain, or her sub-tyrants the priests (be it remembered that it is still an absolute monarchy, and the inquisition subsists in full force) that nation has been justly reproached with being very far behind the rest of Europe in learning. At the time, in particular, in which Cervantes lived, men of real knowledge and found judgment were very rare. So few indeed were they who had taste enough to relish the humour, or discern the beauties of his writing, that, overawed by the host of scribblers in combination against him, he durst not for many years put any thing to press. His means of support thus cut off, he fell into extreme indigence.
Happily for him, the Count de Lemos and Cardinal of Toledo were not insensible of his worth, and occasionally relieved him. The patronage and bounty, which Cervantes's grateful nature infinitely magnified, were continued to him to his death; but were neither proportioned to their rank and ability, nor to his penury and merit.
Cervantes eagerly embraced the first occasion which presented of testifying his sense of the Count's favours, by dedicating to him his 'Novels;' a work which made its appearance about eight years after the 'First Part of Don Quixote.' The year following he published his 'Journey to Parnassus.' Neither of these productions turned to much profit: and the Count's pecuniary assistance was so very trifling, that to keep his family from starving, he was constrained to publish 'Eight Plays,' which had been refused at the theatre.
It was Cervantes's hard lot to suffer great humiliation as well as great misery. An Arragonian, who called himself Avellaneda had the impudence to publish, during our author's life, 'A Continuation of Don Quixote.' A most wretched performance it was said to be; wholly devoid of wit, spirit, or taste: But it abounded in scurrility and personal abuse of poor Cervantes. This circumstance alone, which ought to have rendered Avellaneda and his work together odious, brought them both into repute.
Our author answered this unmerited abuse, as all abuse is best answered, by taking no manner of notice of it; but contented himself with publishing 'A Second Part of Don Quixote,' more excellent, if possible, than the 'First.'
Every one was now convinced of Cervantes's superior talents; and yet,—(how unjust mankind are!)—the more reason they had to be satisfied with our author's worth, the less they seemed disposed to pass censure on his execrable rival. Spain is not the only country in the world where malice is let loose to hunt down real merit, and detraction is taken into favour. As long as Cervantes lived, Avellaneda was talked of: as soon as he was dead, Avellaneda was forgotten.
The 'Second Part of Don Quixote' was the last of our author's writings published in his life-time. He was at work upon his 'Perfiles and Sigismunda,' when he was attacked by a dropsy, of which he died. As he was sensible how small was his chance of cure, he grew very anxious to complete the work; and by too constant application, aggravated his disorder, and thereby accelerated his death. As
As Cervantes, his whole life through, had borne up manfully against the heaviest pressure of misfortunes, his fortitude did not at the last forsake him. Four days only before he died, he ordered his romance, 'Perfiles,' to be brought him; and in his then weak state, and with a feeble hand, traced out the Epistle dedicatory to the Count de Lemos. This Dedication is too remarkable to stand in need of apology for inserting it here.
To Don PEDRO FERNANDES DE CASTRO, Count of LEMOS, &c. &c.
"We have an old Spanish Romance, the beginning of which is but too applicable to my present condition:—
Death has fast hold of me, yet I Would write to you before I die.
This is exactly my case. Yesterday I received extreme unction; to-day I am at the point of death; and am sorry that I cannot therefore properly express to you my congratulations upon your safe return to Spain. The pleasure that it gives me might, one would think, be the means of saving my life; but—God's will be done.
"Your Excellency will know at least that my gratitude has lasted as long as has my life.
"I regret that it is not in my power to finish certain of my works which were intended to be dedicated to your Lordship, viz. 'The Garden Calendar;'—'The Great Bernard;'—and the 'Last Part of Galatea,' for which I know you have a sort of partiality. But, to accomplish all this, I had need beg of the Almighty to work a miracle in my favour; whereas my most earnest prayer is,—that he will keep your Excellency in his special care.
Madrid, April 19, 1616.
MICHAEL DE CERVANTES."
The twenty-third of the same month he died, aged sixty-eight years six months and some days.
He who could manifest upon so many trying occasions such spirit and intrepidity—could comport himself, when a captive, as Cervantes did—could write such a book as 'Don Quixote,' and in a prison too—and could pen such a Dedication on his death-bed, was certainly a man above the ordinary stamp.
An Act to establish the POST-OFFICE and POST-ROADS, within the United States.
[CONCLUDED FROM PAGE 108.]
AND be it further enacted, That all letters and packets, passing by sea to and from the United States, or from one port to another therein, in packet boats or vessels, the property of, or provided by the United States, shall be rated and charged, as follows: For every single letter, eight cents; for every double letter, sixteen cents; for every triple letter or packet, twenty-four cents; for every letter or packet brought into the United States, or carried from one port therein to another by sea, in any private ship or vessel, four cents, if delivered at the place where the same shall arrive; and if directed to be delivered at any other place, with the addition of the like postage as other letters are made subject to the payment of by this act.
And be it further enacted, That if any deputy postmaster, or other person authorised by the Postmaster-General, to receive the postages of letters,
ters, shall fraudulently demand or receive any rate of postage, or any gratuity or reward, other than is provided by this act for the postage of letters or packets, on conviction thereof, he shall forfeit for every such offence, one hundred dollars, and shall be rendered incapable of holding any office under the United States.
And be it further enacted , That no ship or vessel, arriving at any port within the United States, where a post-office is established, shall be permitted to report, make entry or break bulk, till the master or commander shall have delivered to the postmaster, all letters directed to any person or persons within the United States, which, under his care or within his power, shall be brought in such ship or vessel, other than such as are directed to the owner or consignee: But when a vessel shall be bound to another port, than that, at which she may enter, the letters belonging to, or to be delivered at said port of delivery, shall not be delivered to the postmaster at the port of entry. And it shall be the duty of the collector or other officer of the port, empowered to receive entries of ships or vessels, to require from every master or commander of such ship or vessel, an oath or affirmation, purporting that he has delivered all such letters, except as aforesaid.
And be it further enacted , That the postmasters to whom such letters may be delivered, shall pay to the master, commander, or other person delivering the same, except the commanders of foreign packets, two cents for every such letter or packet; and shall obtain from the person delivering the same, a certificate specifying the number of letters and packets, with the name of the ship or vessel, and the place from whence she last failed; which certificate, together with a receipt for the money, shall be with his half yearly accounts, transmitted to the Postmaster-General who shall credit the amount thereof to the postmaster forwarding the same.
And be it further enacted , That if any person, other than the Postmaster-General, or his deputies, or persons by them employed, shall take up, receive, order, dispatch, convey, carry or deliver any letter or letters, packet or packets, other than newspapers, for hire or reward, or shall be concerned in setting up any foot or horse post waggon or other carriage, by or in which any letter or packet shall be carried for hire, on any established post-road or any packet, or other vessel or boat, or any conveyance whatever, whereby the revenue of the general post-office may be injured, every person, so offending shall forfeit, for every offence, the sum of two hundred dollars. Provided , That it shall and may be lawful for every person to send letters or packets by special messenger.
And be it further enacted , That the deputy postmasters or agents of the Postmaster-General, shall duly account and answer to him, for all bye or way-letters, and shall specify the number and rates in the post-bill. And if any deputy postmaster or agent shall neglect so to account, he or they so offending, shall on conviction thereof, forfeit, for every such offence, a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
And be it further enacted , That if any person, employed in any of the departments of the general Post-office, shall unlawfully detain, delay, or open, any letter, packet, bag or mail of letters, with which he shall be entrusted, or which shall have come to his possession, and which are intended to be conveyed by post. Or if any such person shall secrete, embezzle or destroy any letter or packet, entrusted to him, as aforesaid, and which shall not contain any security for, or assurance relating to money, as herein after described, every such offender, being thereof duly convicted,
shall, for every such offence, be fined not exceeding three hundred dollars, or imprisoned not exceeding six months, or both, according to the circumstances and aggravation of the offence. And if any person employed as aforesaid, shall secrete, embezzle or destroy, any letter, packet, bag, or mail of letters, with which he shall be entrusted, or which shall have come to his possession, and are intended to be conveyed by post, containing any bank note, or bank post-bill, bill of exchange, warrant of the Treasury of the United States, note of assignment of stock in the funds, letters of attorney for receiving annuities or dividends or for selling stock in the funds, or for receiving the interest thereof, or any letter of credit, or note for, or relating to the payment of money, or other bond or warrant, draft, bill, or promissory note whatsoever, for the payment of money; or if any such person, employed as aforesaid, shall steal or take any of the same out of any letter, packet, bag or mail of letters, that shall come to his possession; he shall, on conviction, for any such offence, suffer death. And if any person, who shall have taken charge of the mail of the United States, shall quit or desert the same, before his arrival at the next post-office, every such person, so offending, shall forfeit and pay a sum, not exceeding five hundred dollars, for every such offence. And if any person, concerned in carrying the mail of the United States, shall collect, receive or carry any letter or packet, or shall cause or procure the same to be done, contrary to this act, every such offender shall forfeit and pay, for every such offence, a sum not exceeding fifty dollars.
And be it further enacted , That if any person or persons shall rob any carrier of the mail of the United States, of such mail, or if any person shall rob the mail, in which letters are sent to be conveyed by post, of any letter or packet, or shall steal such mail, or shall steal and take from or out of the same, or from or out of any post-office, any letter or packet, such offender or offenders shall, on conviction thereof, suffer death.
And be it further enacted , That the deputy postmasters shall, respectively, publish at the expiration of every three months, in one of the newspapers published at, or nearest the place of his residence, for three successive weeks, a list of all the letters then remaining in their respective offices; and at the expiration of the next three months, shall send such of the said letters as then remain on hand, as dead letters, to the general post-office, where the same shall be opened and inspected; and if any valuable papers or matter of consequence, shall be found therein, it shall be the duty of the Postmaster-General, to cause a descriptive list thereof to be inserted in one of the newspapers, published at the place most convenient to where the owner may be supposed to reside, if within the United States, and such letter and the contents shall be preserved, to be delivered to the person, to whom the same shall be addressed, upon payment of the postage, and the expense of publication.
And be it further enacted , That the following letters and packets, and no others, shall be received and conveyed by post, free of postage, under such restrictions, as are herein after provided; that is to say: All letters and packets to or from the President or Vice-President of the United States, and all letters and packets, not exceeding two ounces in weight, to or from any member of the Senate or House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives, during their actual attendance in any session of Congress, and twenty days after such session. All letters to and from the Secretary of the Treasury, and his assistant, Comptroller, Register, and Auditor of the Treasury, the Treasurer,
Treasurer, the Secretary of State, the Secretary at War, the Commissioners for settling the accounts between the United States and individual States, the Post-master-General and his assistant: Provided , That no person shall frank or enclose any letter or packet, other than his own; but any public letter or packet from the department of the Treasury, may be franked by the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Assistant Secretary, or by the Comptroller, Register, Auditor or Treasurer; and that each person before named shall deliver to the Post-office every letter or packet enclosed to him, which may be directed to any other person, noting the place from whence it came by post, and the usual postage shall be charged thereon.
And be it further enacted , That if any person shall counterfeit the handwriting of any other person, in order to evade the payment of postage; such person or persons, so offending, and being thereof duly convicted, shall forfeit and pay, for every such offence, the sum of one hundred dollars.
And be it further enacted , That every printer of newspapers may send one paper to each and every other printer of newspapers within the United States, free of postage, under such regulations, as the Post-master-General shall provide.
And be it further enacted , That all newspapers, conveyed in the mail, shall be under a cover open at one end, carried in separate bags from the letters, and charged with the payment of one cent, for any distance not more than one hundred miles, and one cent and a half for any greater distance: And it shall be the duty of the Post-master-General and his deputy, to keep a separate account for the newspapers, and the deputy Post-masters shall receive fifty per cent on the postage of all newspapers: And if any other matter or thing be enclosed in such papers, the whole packet shall be charged, agreeably to the rates established by this act, for letters or packets. And if any of the persons employed in any department of the Post-office, shall unlawfully detain, delay, embezzle or destroy any newspaper, with which he shall be entrusted, such offenders, for every such offence, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding fifty dollars: Provided , That the Post-master-General, in any contract, he may enter into, for the conveyance of the mail, may authorize the person, with whom such contract is made, to carry newspapers, other than those conveyed in the mail.
And be it further enacted , That the Post-master-General be, and he is hereby authorised to allow to the deputy Post-masters respectively, such commission on the monies arising from the postage of letters and packets, as he shall think adequate to their respective services: Provided , That the said commission shall not exceed forty per cent to any deputy, whose compensation thereby shall not exceed fifty dollars, nor thirty per cent to any deputy, whose compensation thereby shall not exceed one hundred dollars, nor twenty per cent to any other deputy, except the Post-master at the port, where the European packets do, or shall steadily arrive; to whom such farther allowance, in addition to the emoluments of his office, shall be made, as the Post-master-General shall deem a reasonable compensation for his extra services in the receipt and dispatch of letters, originally received into his office, from on board such packets, and by him forwarded to other offices: And provided also , That the compensations aforesaid shall not exceed eighteen hundred dollars per annum to any one postmaster for all services by him rendered.
And
And be it further enacted , That if any deputy Post-master, or other person, authorized to receive the postage of letters and packets, shall neglect or refuse to render his accounts, and pay over to the Post-master-General, the balance by him due, at the end of every three months, it shall be the duty of the Post-master-General, to cause a suit to be commenced against the person or persons so neglecting or refusing: And if the Post-master-General shall not cause such suit to be commenced within three months, from the end of every such three months, the balances due from every such delinquent shall be charged to, and recoverable from the Post-master-General.
And be it further enacted , That all pecuniary penalties and forfeitures, incurred under this act, shall be, one half for the use of the person or persons informing and prosecuting for the same, the other half to the use of the United States.
And be it further enacted , That it shall be lawful for the Post-master-General, to make provision, where it may be necessary, for the receipt of all letters and packets intended to be conveyed by any ship or vessel, beyond sea, or from any port of the United States to another port therein; and the letters so received shall be formed into a mail, sealed up, and directed to the post-master of the port to which such ship or vessel shall be bound. And for every letter or packet so received, there shall be paid, at the time of its reception, a postage of one cent. And the Post-master-General may make arrangements with the postmasters in any foreign country for the reciprocal receipt and delivery of letters and packets, through the post-offices.
And be it further enacted , That the deputy post-masters, and the persons employed in the transportation of the mail, shall be exempt from militia duties, or any fine or penalty for neglect thereof.
And be it further enacted , That all the surplus-revenue of the general post-office, which shall have accrued, previous to the first day of June next, not heretofore appropriated, be, and the same is hereby appropriated towards defraying any deficiency which may arise in the revenue of the said department for the year next ensuing.
And be it further enacted , That the act passed the last session of Congress intitled, "An act to continue in force, for a limited time, an act intitled, "An act for the temporary establishment of the post-office," be, and the same is hereby continued in full force until the first day of June next, and no longer.
And be it further enacted , That this act shall be in force for the term of two years, from the said first day of June next, and no longer.
JONA. TRUMBULL, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
JOHN ADAMS, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
Approved, February the twentieth, 1792.
G o . WASHINGTON, President of the United States.
Deposited among the Rolls in the Office of the Secretary of State.
TH. JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.
BOSTON, Friday, March 16, 1792.
TOWN MEETING.
Monday, March 12
Prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. ECKLEY.
The Hon. THOMAS DAWES, Esq. was chosen Moderator.
The
The officers for the last year, were, in general, rechoisen.
A Committee was chosen, to consider and report, at the May meeting, on some measures necessary to be taken to carry the By-Laws of the town into execution.
NEWS FROM PORT-AU-PRINCE.
By a gentleman lately from Port-au-Prince we have a confirmation of the melancholy state of the French colony of St. DOMINGO. The account which we at first had of the indiscriminate slaughter of men, women and children, at the time of the fire, was indeed exaggerated, as none but the mulatto men were objects of vengeance; the reason of which was this: The day preceding the fire was the day on which peace was to have been established between them and the whites; but a quarrel which happened between a white man and a mulattoe occasioned the death of the latter, on which both parties took arms and several were killed. In the night the mulattoes set fire to two buildings in different parts of the town as a signal to their brethren in other parts of the bay; these fires were extinguished before morning, when the general fire began in the town, which is supposed to have been caused by other means. Ever since that time there has been a mortal hatred between the whites and the mulattoes; but the former seem to be the most exasperated and implacable, having frequently cut off the heads of the others and carried them about on bayonets and poles, and of the aristocrats who join the mulattoes, they have hung several and exercised the most wanton barbarities on their bodies. In the quarter of Leogane several plantations have been destroyed by the mulattoes and the planters murdered; but the negroes are not so deeply concerned in the opposition as in the northerly part of the colony. When our informant left the Island, about the middle of February, no more than 300 troops had arrived from France. The town is fortified by intrenchments and redoubts on the land side; two ships of war, and a floating battery are there, but the whole force of the whites is totally insufficient for the defence of the place if the mulattoes were determined and desperate, which it was expected would prove to be the case, unless a very large force should speedily arrive from France.
S H I P N E W S.
On Saturday evening last a ship from Liverpool, Capt. Isaac Chauncy, belonging to Col. Eliphalet Ladd of Exeter, was bilged on a ledge of rocks off Duxbury beach. The master and thirteen other persons were drowned—two only of the hands were taken off the wreck alive by a boat from Plymouth light house. Among the dead are two young gentlemen from Birmingham, who intended to settle in this town, and had large property on board. It is said that the Captain was confined to his cabin by sickness, and the Mate, trusting rather to his own judgment than the Captain's directions, kept the ship too far to the westward; and when the mistake was discovered it was too late to rectify it. Capt. Chauncy met death with much composure, and gave his pocket book, containing his most valuable papers, to his cabin boy who happily was one of the survivors.—The friends of Capt. Chauncy mingle their tears with those of his sorrowful parent the Hon. Mr. Chauncy of Kittery, on this melancholy occasion. The corps is brought hither, and deposited in the family tomb with the remains of his worthy grandfather the late Rev. Dr. Chauncy.
DIED —At Lynn, Mrs. Rachel Roby Æt. 67, consort of the Rev. Joseph Roby.—In this town, Mr. Richard Folts.—Suddenly on Wednesday morning Mrs. Sarah Grant, Æt. 39 the amiable wife of Moses Grant, Esq. Her funeral will proceed from his dwelling house at West Bolton, precisely at 5 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, which her friends and acquaintance are desired to attend without further invitation.
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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.
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Those who have subscription papers on hand, are requested to return them immediately, to THOMAS & ANDREWS, Boston, or to the Rev. Mr. MORSE, of Charlestown; where they, and all other subscribers, may receive their Books, and purchasers be supplied.
Feb. 24.
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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.
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Essays on various Subjects.