The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-05-11
MAY DAY IN NEH- YORK

The oldest Of our inhabitants do not re-
member 10 have seen as much moving as on
Saturday last, at anv period IN the history Of
our city affairs There are but two cities or
any note, where this custom prevails Of NOV
ing On the Isl Of May New York, and or
beloved graudam. The city Of Amsterdam,
from whom &c draw our being, orr order,
cleanliness and stupidity; and surely no prac-
uCe could be more stupid than that OF NOV
ing whole city in one day. Such IN en-
counter ofcarts and handbarroWs such clash
ing Of jurisdiction in relation % furniture and
other moyeabies such moving Ia aud out al
the same moment such smashing Of glasses
and china jars (; cracking Of card tables and
5edsteads. Such havoc among the decanters,
sweetmeats and pickles snch clouds Of dust.
and remnants or dirt, left gratutousIy BY ten
ANTS. Such an army Of black scrubbers and
Whitewashers such stopping and hopping /;
and, above all. such sweating and painful ef
forts 70 raise the quarters rent, 10 appeaSe
the Just demands Of the landlord. Every
thing IS dear. difficult, and out of order Mis-
.tresscs are jadeh to death; the maids fatigued
to the loss Of their Sunday evenings walk in
Broadway, and the master ready TO make his
escape, and actually esca ping from a scene or
dirt, dust, Glamour and confusion. Poets
paint May day like Flora wreathed with hy-
scinths and honey-suokles, when the lads ana
the lasses 10 their HOLIDAY attire, gambol 90
the green and dance around the May pole.
Don't look for these sylvan Joys in n. York
on that day.-.NIdtio. al .4drocdte.
.Ne0 Plan for preserving he copper on ships
bottOms-We have lately observed in an En-
giish publication, that Sir Humphrey Davy
has read paper before scientific society in
London, proposing 10 connect a quantity OF
tin with the copper on ships bottoms, 10 pre-.
serve it from decay. The rapid oxidation Of,
cooper IN salt water, is well known to be the
effect Of galvanism and may, il is said, be
obyiated by resorting TO this expedient Fur
ther experiments are making which promise 70
be successful, & TO be productive ofgreat ad-
vantage.
The Philadelphia papers furnish the follow
ing particulars of the murder Of Mr. James
Crawford, merchant, of that city.
About FIVE months since, Mr.. Crawford and
Mr.. Andrews were dispatched by the U.States
Bank, to Mexico, for the purpose Of efecting
some important negotiation. On their return
from the city Of Mexico to AlVarado, as con-
siderable danger was apprehended froman at
tack by robbers, on the superstition Of their
having large amount 10 specie, they were
furnished with strong escort o. 25 men, well
armed.under the direction Of Capt. MI. ray Of
the British Navy. On arriving at Puebla,
they we're deprived Of his escort BY the pub
tic authority, and an inferior guard, Of y
worthless men, badly armed. was substituted.
A short distance from Puebla, most Of this
guard deserted them, and they were soon at
tackled by a sci of banditti Of twenty Eve. Mr..
Crawford was shot through the lungs. four Of
the party were wounded and courier, wko
had joined them az the moment with despatch
es for Capt. Marry, killed. Capt. Murry
ond Mr.. Andrews escaped unburt. The ban
dtti made prisoners ofthe party, robbed them
Of every thing, and, being joined by those Of
the guard who rad deserted, deliberatCd
whether TO put them 10 death, but through
the intercession Of two or three who had some
remains Of humanity, they were, after a few
hours detention and cruel treatment. set free.
Mr.. Crawford ex PRED in the arms OF Mr.. An
drews, three hours after receiving tie fatal
wound.