davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19
Sent to Norfolk, bv YOUR order, on the late
alarm, without waiting to be stamped.

" subside on reflection, have, nevertheless
revived old doubts and apprehensions, and
supplied the friends of foreign institution
of this description. with plausible argu-
ments against this most humane and excel
lent scheme of general mutual assurance
amongst ourselves at home
At this critical moment, my fellow citi-
zens, have | undertaken the principal n
eency of the Mutual Assurance Society of
Virginia ."i- tNs'
AT this moment too, there can be no
doubt that the agents Ofthat f1reign insur-
ance company, are most diligently foment-
ing discnntents and strengthening suspici-
Ons Of the permanency and responsibility
of our most eJ;cellent institution.
IF reliedon my own talents TO counter
act their plans and to produce a general
confidence in the Virginan Assurance So
ciety, their victory would be easy and their
final success certain. But l RELY not on
these yet trust this safe and cheap
scheme of general insurance, will NOT be
abandoned at il will rear its head wish
adigni6ed consciousness gifts own merits !;
anil in doing so, ] confde in those neTlts.
in the aid of an intelligent board of direct
ors, and of those weilipformed and reseec-
table citizens throughout the state, who
perfectly understand its principles, and
viii doubtless use every means in their
power, TO quiet groundless alarms &c con-
vince the doubtful and TO remove suspicion
from every bosom,
feel it 20 be duty. however, to endea-
vor in langua re suited to every capacity. to
shew in this and succeeding ESSAYS, the
certain security Of tho insured, the compa-
rative cheapness Of the rate Of insurance
in the Mutual Assurance Society, and the
great advantages which result from effect
Of insurance in our own state, rather than
in Great Britain.--I shall also. as far as I
can, anticipate and answer objections TO
the institutions.
Although with other citizens Of the state,
undoubtedly interested in the prosperity Of
this Valuabie institution like too many of
them, ] have seldom turned my attention
70 the probabilities in favor OF against IL I;
OF course, shall be compelled, in some of
my calculate IS 70 depend or presumption
instead of facts, which is the case as to that
which am now about To offer.
According to the best estimate
which ] have been able 70
make. the lowest value ofbuil-
dings in the city Of Richmond,
is Si,soo,o 900
The towns of Norfolk and Alex
andria, each contain more,
but say s,ooo,aoo
And suppose all the other build
ingsin other towns amount TO 4.SOO, 900
N| Iia. ra-t
The buildings in The towns
then, AZ a very moderate { 80 ,OoO, 600
estimate are worth
-Four h9hs efthissum equal 20 9 $780,
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

600 being insured at an average rate of
premium OF 8 per centun, would produce
an amount of premiums on hand, equal to
G216,0 00--the annual interest on which
viii amount at per centum. to S12,96O--
Which sum, if it had been paid annually
from the commsncs at of the institution
would, of itself, nearlyhave paid the whole
losses both in the towns and country, from
the commencement of the institution, not
withstanding the immense and unpreceden.
ted destruction of houses by fire since the
year 1896 .
With respect to the insurance on houses
in the country, there can be no doubt that
the number of buildings in the country is
much larger. perhaps four tines as many
rs there are in the towns but if they be no
greater in value, the losses being much
smaller in amount, may always be discbar-
ged with a smaller sum, than the annual
interest of the premiums paid; so that the
fund being once created, il will be morally
impossible, That future quota should be.
demanded. That such n fund may with
certainty be acquired. admits of no doubt
If the Intelligent and speCtable part Of
the community shall aid the exertions of
the directors and the principal agent.
'fhe neglect of insurance can never be
the effect Of calculation, but of thoughtless
rashness, and contempt of the risk. This
indltoreet disreg., rd Of the risk, may be ex-
pected from young man without family,
whose sanguhe hopes or thoughtless rash
ness, generally places danger at distance
or sets il At defiance. But it is astonishing
in the husband or the father, who must be
presumed 10 be anxious not only to acquire,
but to preserve his property.
il is indeed wonderful, that cheap and
safe means Of insurance should have exist
ed in this state during ~ years, and that at
this moment thereis scarcely one house in
twenty which IS insured. Nor is il less sur
prising, that nearly all Of the very great
losses by FIRE which have occurred in those 9
years, have been paid for by premiums not
exceeding an average Of S per centum on
the twentieth part Of the buildings in the
state. The enquiry must immediately pre-
sent itSelf--What would have been the ST.
tuation Of this society, had the influential
part of the community HEARTILY co-operated
with the directors and chief agent, to have
produced III the commencement, general
insurancel
But, my fellow citizens, II is not yet ,oo
late we have seen how much has been
done by an experiment upon a small scale,
and thence we may infer, what beneficial
effects would flow from general deiermi-
nation to encourage and support the ips,i-
tuition.
Many are the establishments OF Virginia;
which tend TO the happiness Of the indivi-
duals, and 70 her honor as state Nor will
this society, improved to ,hatextent which
Il vs. capable Of, be among the least useful
and honorable Of those Institutions which
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19
MUTUAL ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
10 me Citizens Or Virginia and Of The
CoMntn of Aerandria.

To me Citizens Or Virginia and Of The
County of.Acraudria.
THE 5fltuai Insurance Societydgainat
L Fire IN buildings of this state, was
first organised in the month Of December,
179S-Its plan was novel, and therefore,
like all untricd schemes, it was viewed
with doubt and sasp cion !, by some its
principles were not comprehended, and, by
others, it was deemed a chmerical and
de.usive theory, which could not be realIz-
ed. But the benevolance Of its object, the
Irresistible force of reason and truth,
which are on its side, aided by the indefa-
i;eable nerscversnce Of tile author Of the
project gradually dispellcd the doubts and
suspicious which had opposed it; the
strongest prejudices gave way, and, as 1t
was The offspring Of reason and phitanthro-
ply, II met with the patronage Of a large
portion Of the most respectable citizens OF
the state. rft. Nal q
II has now been in operation about ~
years, and during that psrioh, 1t is belicv-
ed, thatthe losses by hre'in this ststes have
been greater in amount, than had occurred
in any preceding perIod ofehfy years =
They have been such as would have pro-
ducsd, certainly, the dissolution, and pro-
badly the total bankruptcy of any ordinary
association of'individuais for the purpose
OF ensuring against fire. But this instituti-
on. based on an extended plan of beRevo-
lence,t and continually supported by the
Justice and good sense Of its members, has
resisted the reiterated shocks, which, DUR
ing its short existence, il has received
The ensured sufferers by FIRE, have been
fully paid. YAt, Vt still exists-aand the Sc
uuritv 70 those ensured IS undipirished.
If thss hasbeen the case, whilst the plan
has been carried into effect upon ccr-
trected- scale; how extended, and how
certain, will be IT'S beneficial effects, ifthe
whole or majority Of the citizens' should
become members OF the association
Already have several hundreds Of citi-
gems been saved, perhaps from total ruin +;
and several thousands ofothers, have been
ensured. many Of them. for twelve years,
AZ a ratt Of premium, less by one half than
would have been demanded by any other
Insurance company.
II is true, that fhr heavy lcsses sustained,
have compclledthe acquisition of addition
III quotas. The loss at Norfolk Of more
than made u necessary 20 require
an additional premium, to restore the stock
which mnst be preserved on band iha'
sufferers may be promptly paid. This re-
ouisiticn rrodnced some discomfort. Bat
the institution was rapids recovering from
that heavy misfortune, and is friends were
daily Increasing, when tie unfortunate fire
At Freserick sbuvg, which laid in ashes the
richest part " that fonrishirg town, pro-
duccd another considerable loss, and excl
ed alarms which, though they mast quiet.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

she has fostefed with maternal tenderness
The wisdom and humanity of the legis-
lature have done every thing in its power
to. prosper the institution, by giving il the
sanction Of the law. How then shall we ac-
count for its partial operation! There has
BEEN the NEST faithful disbursement of the
3 money: Its operations have been Conduct
ed with an economy surprising that of an
ordinary wholesale mercantile house and
the principles Of the Institution are those of
justice and humanity. II can only then be
supposed, that the citizens, less inclined to,
mercantile pursuits than other nations, are
less accustomed to reflect on the risk which
they are continually exposed TO-
But we see the merchant. who invariably
insures against sea risks, sitting down sa-
tished inchis house, though uninsured; al
though convinced that his utmost caution
will not preserve that house from the fame
which the negligence of his neighbor may
klndle. Like an incautious mariner, who
having often sailed in leaky ship, yet ven
lures again in spite Of the dictates ofreason
and common sense, to embark himself on
board the un-seaworthy vessel consoling
himself with the absurd idea, that because
he had so long escaped, he should once more
arrive safe in port nor is he convinced of
his folly, until he finds himself struggling
in vain amidst the waves OF the shoreless
ocean.
Or, like the weary traveller reaching in
a stormy night, decayed and crazy fruse
--he sees it letter before the wind, but he
reflects that il mast have withstood MANY
such storms, he hopes it will resist that,
before which. IL then bends and threatens
total (; and therefore he enters to rest his
timbered limbs beneath its shelter But ere
morning, the whole fabric is in ruin, aud
with d fficulty he creeps forth half dead.
Just such is the conduct Of the Individual,
who, knowing that fire is Of constant use in
his house that his servants have the chief
use of 1t; that they have no such incentive
TO caution as he has and that single
spark may bereaye him Of the greatest part
of his property; yet neglects 20 make an
insurance on his house.
How many individuals are there who
ieelnO hesitation at paying 40 or so dollars
for lottery tickets, with view 70 n consi-
derable prize, wheE the chance is against
them hs5O0t II Yet these very persons
will object to the appropriation ofthe same
sum, to secure from entire loss, n property
which they have in actual possession, al
though the risk Of loss by FIRE may bc con-
sidered as equal to the chance OF escape
from H.
This Is indeed astonishing, particularly
whe IL is recollected that We have IL. the
bosom Of our own state, a cheap, safe and
permanent assurance society which cannot
be bnnkrupted; which, notwithstanding
The great losses by FIRE in the last i2years.
has, when operating on n small scale, paid
sgery sufferer irsurcd. Witba promptitude
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19
JOHN CLARKE.

that, however complained of, surpasses that
of any other insurance company In most
institutions Of this sort, the smallest flaw
is taken advantage of to the injury of the
insured. But in this, except clear evil
-dence offrand he produced, the unfortunate
sufferer has promptly received his money.
1t IS extremely probable that, even, if
conviction should remove all doubts, and
general confidence in this institution should
be resumed many persons will DELAY to
declare for assurances; each man waiting
for the example of his neighbor, =
Let me entreat all such TO remember.
that neighbours carelessness is no shield
to them. 49,
Let not him who dwelIs within wallssof
stone, and under roof of slate or metal, ina
zinc that he is safe, because his house il not
principally composed Of wood for there are
almost miraculous instances of long e1cmpti-i
on from fire in towns whose buildings are all
most entirely composed of wood Pcterslurvy
and williamsburg are remarkable examples cf-
this; these towns principally composed Of
wooden buildings, have eScsped without any
material loss by FIRE for the last twelve wears.
whilst Richmond and Norfolk, built chielvF
with brick, have repeatedly suffered from ex-i
tensive CONGREGATIONS during the same period.
1t would be an insult TO the citizens AT large
% attempt sn argument calculated n Shcw the
IL
dings The man who holds property Of thar
description and neglects TO ins ure il, when h0
may do so cheaply, conveniently and in a soci.
ETY. which cannot be bankrupted, ezra against
the comm onest dictates of prlidence-He
sleeps on III post Of slarm-He rashly ehcoun-
tiers his armed enemy, himself unarmed-Ha
rushes into the midst of danger with inexcasa-
bic foolhsrdiness.
These observations are respectfully submit.
ted to the consideration Of the house owners
in Virginia.
have been drawn into unexpected length
in this publication, by desire to throw into
one piece, such general remarks rs seemed to
me worthy Reconsideration. In mysucceedinr
addresses 10 the pebble on this subject, shall
consider some facts which are supposed TO be
worthy Of the serious attention Of those WHO
are not members Of this society, a. well as of
those who are so.
Unaccustomcd 90 composition for the eye &C
the public at large, my style viii doubtless he
found greatly defective, and proper subject
Of cridcism.--But as Believe the subject to
be important, shall not be appalled, by any
apprehension ~ the censures oft the critic. K
deem IT duty and Will my best capacity Will
Perfom it.
SAMUEL CREENHOW,
Principal Ageaf ajffts Mafi,af .issvyance =
Socisty, &C.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

Richmond, Jsn. pa.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19
Council Chamber, January 10, 1908.
SIR,

men to the ARMS
of public
n epresnta tot to
oannong enemy,
dan manua ofarms,e
a the anoy OIL tmiita
of
n frent so the which
o OF the
cannon the mounted There the hands
d ne han col
lbs hwnth hereofore
he fasl m al defence
e n carrying the seve-
the art the
o mbe ast-It
first 6rstd of
heexe-
of mnutat As
kind
fund.-.
II an TO the consd Iteration General
be pidb
ntm m o muedw avw
Onthe
O inpr o mos of conduct They
me rhode,
ay adopted 70 prevtin the
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

/ BsEEBY foewsrn til perspns tr5m nafo,ul-
ing oT eredicHg my wife NANCY PECK. a.
will noi pay any dcbss Of her con'racting from
the date heTtof' and those Who IN. bur her mar
cNptct % be prOsccBied 10 TIE r.r,-sf extern 3f
The law. DANIEL, PECK.f,
January &. 1909. IN i \
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

Virginia Mandatory of Arms, January z,


- 80
distribution of public
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

4 Regt. Cavalry Gloucester.
1 do do City of Riehm'd
1 do do City of Richm'd
1 do do Chesterfield. 1
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19

In d OF ahras6 wsnym and oannuneS
DnSsdie a1
lam, sir e ~ q 20
Ob dent
ARKF&
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
NEW GOODS.
T. s. A. Yinton,
Ave received an e1tenhve aNIortment d

LAVE received an e1tenhve aGortment Of
4 q Fall and Winter Gods,
among which are the following articles -
London luperhne blue and black Broad
cloths common do. of every colour Cali
nleres, serges, Devsnihire Ke.feys, Izdies' Pc
hece Cloths, Flanuels, Baizes, Dutiils, Coatings,
India Cotrons, Bombazetts, Ruilels, Slai0on,
Calimancoes, Duran5s, Worried Hotiery,
Lambs Wool do Checks, Cambrics, Caiicoes,
bet OF Britilh SbiTtiug Cottons, Tabby V~s-
vc,s, common 90. black Luftrings, do. Satrins,
Furniture Patches, Copperplafe, Cotton Dia-
pers, Baadanna Handkerchief, Madras do.
black Barcelona do. Cotton Shawls, Velhngs,
nice Table Cloths, black, blue, and coioured
sewing SILK, ladies' Beaver and Silk Cloves,
Yea and Coat Buttons, Sulpenders, Cotton
Yarn Of high numbers, &c.
Also
One kair Rofe BLANKETS, all fEes, very
Cheap. Nv. 7.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
Pcerp.



sFNr TO A YOUNG LADY WITH RosE-BuI
Depart, thou Kwee,ell fow'r that blows,
and with Eliza, budding role,
Untold thy Latent bloom;
Adorn the bolom Of my fair,
LApand thy blufhing beauties there,
And neer in bIls thy doom.
Yet, rofe before thy charms decay,
While glows thy beauty, bright as day,
And all thy charms approve,
On tell Eliza, in an hour
Her charms may fade Ike thine fweet f0w'r
Oh teach her hearl 10 love.
Then 'et the blufhing fair one fee
Resemblance of Aerfelf in thee,
A rofe bud OF the morn;
But lwee;nels, beauty, youth combine
With innocence TO make her fhine
a rofe without thorn
And when at eve thou droop'a thy head,
And wilt, with all Thy bea utica dead,
Thy fragrance Oil retain,
Show Der, although thy day is paR,
Although thy night approaches fat,
Thai itill THY fweets remain.
Show her, although thy charms are gone,
Which eFil in brilliant colour: ihoue,
Thou lill hall fragrant brelth;
And let her draw this moral thence,
Virtue alone Is excellence
Surviving after death.
W. r. S.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
FROM THR AMERICAN.
wINTER.

Hark from the confines Of the polar regions
Old hoary Winter, unrelendns ryraut,
Calls up las forces to attend his march, from
ArGturns 10 Cancer.
10 all his legions, frozen names and natures,
Clouds, fleet and whirlwinds, froa and lnow
and haiilones,
In firm battalion range tfemielves in order,
Quick TO otey him.
Wrought 70 a tempeff by the wild connection,
Sudden the north Tea rwel.s with horid tuEuit (;
Mountains Of ice crsih, through the foamiDg
pillows,
Loud psals Of thunder.
Mark how TIE Tea fowllock acrofs rils ether,
Far 70 the fou-h to feeiS a warmer climate.
Fan from IT, trees the faded leaves are falling,
In fad proceihoD.
New the north eaR wind whiitles through the
pine top,
While the proud oak fands Hript Of all his
verdnTe,
Swift through the air. the fnow in whirling
eddiss w,
Shuts out tie daylight
Slowly, the ,eamaer founders through the
(now drift,
Der bis white lhoulders beats his frozen fin
gers,
While from the notes OF his painting oysn
Eiicles rattle.
Now tyrsnt Winter reigns in all his gloryl
So le, hin reiga, But fOoa the fmiling Spring
comes;
Soon fhaii the helds be clad 10 living verdure
Blooming Ia beauty.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
FRESH GOODS.
loGeph Barbour,

lOtGpn DdI DOui,
Opposite the Inlurance Office, head o.
- Fifh-Rreet, has Jun received variety Of
7relh
FALL e. WINTER GOODS,
--AMsNc WHICH ARE
Real fuper6ne Broadcloths and Keriameres
Common do. do.
-Velvets-Cords
Queens Cloths PeIiece Flannels
Coatings-Blankets
Fiannels, all colours
Bombazetts, WiIboars, Durants, Duroys'
Shalloons, &c.
Plain black & olive velvets-corded DO
Worried Hofery--SiIk do.--Cotton do.
Britiih ng-Linens-Linen Cambrick
Tabby Velvets-Brown Linens
Plaided and plain Lultrings
GInghams Prints : Furnitures-hlk Cham
brays
India Cottons--Huckabuck
Bandana Hkfs,-Fancy fix do-hlk Shawls
Fancy Munins-Sarfnetts Laces
Black CamkTstk-do. Grape
Ladies long white Kid Gloves
Do. Kid, Leather and Silk Habit do.
Gentlmen's doe kin Beaver and Silk do.
White Cotton Cambrick-Cotton Balls
CambricE Dimity-C omnon do.
Cotton ohawls-Fafhionabl Coat Buttons
Black fix Yevets-Cotton Umbrellas
Genitmen's Lambs-wool Hole, &c. sc.
ALSO,
An AGortment of MUFFS * TIPPETS,
Of Sable, Pole, Elk, Bear, * Mock
bic. o. 10.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
Il HOldAS BECK,
JAMES CHADBOURN
% TAILORLNG.

THE fubfcribers inform their old cuSomers
= and the pupblic in general, that they
have taken fhop in 7ifh ltreet, next door to
the Office Of Henry A. S. Dearborn, EGq
where they intend carrying on the
T.fILORING BUSINESS,
in all its branches. with neatnefs and difpatch.
WALTER HATCH,
DANIEL GARLAND.
NIB. To all thefe who make prompt paw
ment one third part Of the prefent price will
he deducted. Peyfiaa4, NeV 4.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28

Canine 2ynPatby.-The following
narrative IS given bya gentleman Of
Iefoetfability, living atStokc Green,
near Windlor -
"On "Wednesday lait my groom
went to Wiudlor on horfeback, &C.
companied by three d.ss, two poin-
tiers aud a terrier on his return,
within about half mile of home,
the horfe on which he rode took
fright, threw him, and ran home, at
tended bsstwo Of the dogs, the ter
rier and one pointer the appearance
oftAehorf. At home without the man
naturally excited III the hearts Of the
other iervants an apprehension that
fome accident had befallen him, and
two of them, man & woman, vent
in quclt of him; after fcarching III
vain about two hours in the lane
which IS il the direa road from
hence to Wmdfor, they were in.
daced 70 loaic into the cr9fs road
whittier they went through 4 Gsld
ghnll il The field, the man called sht
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28

Ladies, when they rife to take their leave
after Witt, have generally anumber Of things
to Gettle before they move; iuch as who owes
the other the next yist-whether they viii
come foen, and not Ter i be long fra--wheth-
er they intend to vift the new bride, and
when, &c. This is uieful TO exercife the pa
ticnce Of the gentlemen who are to wsis upon
them home. - Emerald
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28

When man is mounted on bis hobby-horfe
let him ambe, or trot, or gallop, 70 he will
he quit, and not let his heart do pnischief-GO
fpeed him And if feel an inclination to
put on nv fools cap, and jingle the bells for
TWO or three hours Of the fonr-and- twenty--
or the whole twenty four together-what is
that 10 any one a--SrERNE.
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
MuE e Ti2pets,

"A. Cheever & Co.
a T No. I, MuGey's Row, new offer for
4 Gale, large and elegant afTorrment, man.
ufactured under their own INFECTION and
warranted free from damage. They conGH
Of every kind fashionable and ufeful, and
viii BE fQ.d cheaper than can be purchafed
elsewhere VI the Diltrid Of Maine, at retail
ar wholefale, as low as can be purchaled II
Bottom.
HATS, they have Of their own manufac.
turing, Of every kind, which will be fold and
warranted 70 give the purchafer iatisfaction.
HoHjeb0id Furniture.
New Beds and Bedlfeads, with a varietS Of
Parlour and Kitchen Furniture.
~ Cath given for hating & fhipping Furrs
Portland on 81. (tf)
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
Fadory Cotton.

Jose X POPE, conaantly keeps for fzle !
large fupp!y Of cotton Warp and Filing
White and coloured Stocking Yarn,
ditto Thread,
Cotton Shifting and Sheeting,
do. Cheek and Stripe,
Bed lex, &C. which being con6gnmenI
will be fold at the Factory prices
Lasru5e-a quantity of loaf and lump Su
gar in hhds. & bbls.-NO. Z, INu6ey's Ro4U
Sept. l9. (6m)
Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-11-28
Elegant SIX HoEery.
N. P. poor.
NEW GOODS.

VIM. r. 4 G. Stockbridgc,
HAVE jun received variety Of
Enshb, ". India, and Hard
Ware Gods.
Aga-l5oo WI. warp, filing, and ftocking
COTTON 3-4RN.
White, blue, and fate Gotten Thread,
Cotton Stripes and Checks, Bed Tick, SC &c.
Which beng a confgament, will 5e fold 1t
the Factory prices.
Cotton ohirting and Sheeting expected IN 4
few days from Mandatory
~ Orders from their cuHomers will be
pundually attended t..
No'flyaymOnt6, NcV. 81. (4wl