The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-09-13
INCREASE OF CARRIAGES.

strongly cxhoiteu IN the increasing num-
bers of carriages Of all descfp,ions.-.
Mankindi is becoming, every day. less dc.
pendent on the locomotive powers that
nature gave them. The ladies' desert
their houses to live in their carriages,
like the Scythians of nld in their wagons
and the gentlemen in imitation of the
ancient Lipths arc identified with their
horses.
It is a singular fact mentioned by Da.
vid Hume, in his life Of Charles 1. that
there were not more than go hackney
coaches in London-at that period. Tho
historian states that they had increased in
his day TO near 500. And it is calculated
that not less than from $4,000 to $4,000
carriages are maintained in London at the
present day. A modern French writer
speaking Of the revolutions of fashions, of
which there may yet be found living wit
nesses, says, that towards the middle of
the last century, there were only six or
seven hundred private coaches in Paris
but that there are now four thousand.-
The hacks have multiplied in the same
proportion-their present number is at
least two thousand.
The increased use OF carriages in the
u. 5. shows what successful imitators we
are Of the luxurious habits of our trans
| atlantic models.
The editor of the National Gazette
mentioned in a late paper, that in a COM
! municarion from an old man of 72 years,
tho writer states that he remembers when
Baltimore possessed but two coaches, not
superior to common hacks--and that n
man who kept chair was deemed itch.
There is now living in the city of Charles
ton gentleman of advanced age who re-
collects when there but three carriages
in the state Of South Carolina. IfCharies-
| ton alone (within its bounds) can now
maintain upwards of $50 carriages and
| chairs, what display must not the supe-
rior opulence Of Baltimore exhibit in
these articles of fashionable indulgence.
Seizure Of the Steam Boat Phoenix.
The following letter from friend ar
Burlington (Vt.) gives more PARTICULAR
| and satisfactory account Of the seizure of
the Steam Boat Phoenix, than we have
ever before seen. The letter is dated
September /.
al have been waiting to answer your
letter, with hope that might be enabled
10 give you some satisfactory information
| respecting the seizure Of the Steam Boat
Phoenix, at ST. Johns, on the Goth ult.
| Ii appears, that on her arrival at that place
information was lodged with the custom
house officer that she had contrabapd
goods on board. The officer reported the
vessel, and made known his suspicious to
| Captain j. Sherman, who unequivocally
declared if there zuere any goods ON board
| they had bccu placed III tho i,i.ous
| MS knowledge and expressed his utmos.
Willingness for the officer 10 freouen:
| any part of the boat. On examination il
vas found there had been secreted in q
par, 1.-THE vessel (without the knowledge
Of Capt. Sherman) quantity OF silk
goods .hetwere declared forfeited, and
AIKEN possession of by the officer. When
the time had nearly arrived for the depar-
lure of the boat, the custom officer came
| on board a second time declared the
boat forfeited placed guard to protec.
her, and refused permission for her de-
| parture. Capt. Sherman Immediately
started for Montreal,to endeavour through
the aid of the Governor, TO effect her re,
lease. After he left St. Johns, without
| his knowledge, it is supposed, the steward
! and hands took possession of the guard,
and departed with the beat and il is sue.
gested. that The measure was concerted
by the passengers, and done to aid some
specula,ions OF British subjects, who were
interested in the passage Of The late bill,
opining the West india ports to our trace.
1t appears clear, that it was done with,
out the knowledge or consent of capt.
Sherman. The boat made her usual trip.
and returned with the guard as far as
ChamplaiD, where they were furnished
| with boat to convey them to St. Johns,
| with letters to their commanding officer,
| that they were overpowered, (should they
be called upon for defence before a
Court Mar,ial.)
Capt. Sherman, understand, has re-
turned from Canada, being unable to ef-
| feet compromise for the release of thu
boat. The transaction has excited an unu.
sual degree Of interest in this quarter.-
The uibanity and rigid integrity of capt,
Sherman, leaves no doubt in the public
mind, that he is Innocent in this business.
and if the usual facilities by this boa, are
to be broken up between the States and
ST. Johns, ii must be attributed to the un>
yielding and peDurious spirit of one under
Custom House officer of the port, with
whom no compromise could be made for
4 a ons,r 80 t