thou art nought but vanity

Q. E. D.

a barrel of hog's tars, which he made with him all the day, and go to bed with at night; happy mortal, to be so completely ballasted! Well! but an Englishman, even if he be only a laborer—a porter, will enjoy life; will go every day to the ale-house, smoke his pipe and pore over the newspapers, and talk politics, and settle the affairs of the nation; but who is the Frenchman that can do any thing like this, in France?

In this truly, the English seem to have the advantage over the French; I say seem; because, when it comes to be considered to the bottom, that advantage will prove to be but a vain ignis fatuus, anglicæ a Will o'the Wisp, or a Jack with a lanthorn, that leads the infatuated Englishman through the clouds of smoke produced by his pipe, or the vapors arising in his brain by swallowing his porter or whatever else he drinks, to an imaginary world of incongruous systems and notions; and then lulling him to sleep, leaves him to his fate, without producing the least good or profit of any kind. Indeed, it is an amusement for all your ale and coffee-houfe politicians, and so far it may be an agreeable, tho an idle pastime; but still, what benefit does arise from all their polylogy, either to themselves or to their country? They settle the affairs of the nation over the bowl or the cup; but well it is that those at the helms never try how their admirable plans would succeed; for, where only one out of every million tried, what confused fœnes should we be embroiled in! So that these politicians reap no other fruit from their speculations, but the vexation of finding things to continue going on at the fame fate that displeafes them so much—and thus, much good may do them this liberty of their tongue, and also what ever liberties of that kind they may take with the PRESS.

The French are not a jot the better governed than the English nation, but they make themselves easy with that; and take it patiently, as a fore, which the more it is scratched, the more it will smart. Their King is an bon infant, who would (if he could) make his people as happy as their an-cestors were under the reign of his Great-Great-Grand-Father, HENRY the IV. of glorious and blessed memory; but una troope de Coquins surround him, who make him believe black is white, and white black: And so good soul! he cannot help it, if his subjects are ever so badly governed.

As to taxes, about which so much fufs is made by the fons of liberty: The French certainly are not taxed to one fourth part of what the English are. But then you'll say, the English can afford to pay ten times as much as the French; and besides, Britons are taxed by themselves, i. e. their representatives which comes to the fame, you know; whereas the French are taxed arbitrarily, by their Grand Monarch, and whether they are willing or no, they must pay if their bed is fold for it, for their opprobrious collectors know not what mercy is.

["APRIL, 1785.", "THE", "Numb. 181.", "INDEPENDENT", "OR, THE", "CHRONICLE", "GAZETTEER;", "OF FREEDOM.", "That the People have a Right to Freedom of Speech, and of writing, and publishing their Sentiments;\nLet it be impreffed upon your Minds---let it be infilled into your Children; that the Liberty of the Pref", "therefore the Freedom of the Prefs ought not to be restrained.\n---PENNSYLVANIA BILL OF RIGHTS.\nRights of FREEMEN---JUNIUS.", "1785.", "SATURDAY, APRIL 16.", "Price Six Pence.", "mported in the ship Commerce, Captain Truxtun, from London, and to be fold by", "Stephen Auftin and Co.", "At their Store in Second-freet, between Chefnut and\nWalnut-freetes, a large and general aftortment of well\nchofen Goods from the different manufactoryes of\nEngland, among which are the following articles, viz-", "9-8, 4-4, and 7-8 linen\nand cotton checks and\nstripes,", "Ruffels,", "Gauzes and tiffanies,", "Gauze handkerchiefs,\nAnd printed linen ditto,", "Cambricks and lawns,", "Plain and figured keating\nlawns and handkerchiefs,\nSarftnets and black modes,", "Yard wide Irifh linens,", "9-8 Irifh sheeting,", "White and brown buck-\nrams,", "Ladies gloves and mits of\nall forts,", "Mensilk & leather gloves,\nSewingilk and twift af-\nforded,", "Scotch thread No. 9 to 70,", "Mens and boys hats,", "Writing paper,", "Ribbons and tafe,\nBroad and narrow shoe and\nquality bindings,", "Ladies calimanco and fat-\ntincten shoes by the trunk.\nAlso a large aftortment of\ncutleries, files, nails, staves, &c.", "FINE and coarse coat-\nings, and bear fkins\nof all colours,", "Crimon and scarlet baizes,", "A great variety of Scotch\ncarpets and carpeting,", "Fine and coarse hofiery,", "Superfine, fecond and low-\npriced broad cloths, mofh\nfashionable colours,", "Superfine and bruffels cam-\nbllets and camblettées,", "Chintzes and calicoes,", "Printed cottons and linens,", "Morens,", "Calimancoes,\nDurants and tammies of all\ncolours,", "Rattinets,", "Fine princefs stuff and black", "Corduroy,", "Cordelure and Queen's scord,", "Black fattinets and monte-\nreiffis,", "Plain and figured beavers\nand fuffians,", "Plain and bordered Mar-\nfelles quilting,", "Mack ditto, and figured di-", "Mofes Cohen, Broker,", "HAS removed from the corner of Second and Chefnut-freetes, to the east fide of Second-freet, nearly oppofite the Friends' Meeting, or next door to Mr. James Gal- lagher, at which place he means to tranſaft the buſineſs of a BROKER, as uſual. He buys and ſells bills of exchange, loan-office certificates, or any other public ſecurities, and ſtate money, procures money on loan, and likewife receives goods to be diſpoſed of on commiffion, and caſh advanced if re- quired.---He flatters himſelf by the many acquaintances, both in the city and country, he will have it in his power to diſpoſe of great quantities of goods, having one of the beſt ſtands in this city, for the ſale of goods. He has now an elegant aftortment of goods, which he will ſell low, and receive public ſecurities on the beſt terms in payment.", "EDWARD HANLON,\nWINE-COOPER.", "Has removed his Wine-cellar from Front to Walnut-\nstreet, on the fourth ſide, about mid-way between Front\nand Second-freetes, where he", "Has for Sale, Wholeſale and Retail,", "I ONDON and New-York particular Madeira Wines,\nBurgundy, Champagne and Claret of the first qualitie.", "Red Port, by the quarter-taſk, dozen or gallons.", "Biff London Porter,", "Bottled Beer, and by the groce or dozen.", "Bottled Cider,", "He returns his ſincere thanks to bis former friends and\ncustomers, and from bis knowledge and long experience in the\nWine-buſineſs, bas laid in an aftortment of the first qualitie\ntherefore, from bis affiduity to pleafe the public in general,\nbopes to merit the continuance and ſavors of bis former friends\nand eſtablishers.", "Gentlemen in town and country, maſters of veffels, pri-\nwaſe families, &c. may be ſerved on the ſhortiſt notice.\nPhiladelphia, April 27, 1784.\n31--", "THE ſubſcriber embraces this early opportunity of\nreturning his moſt ſincere thanks to the public in\ngeneral, and his friends in particular; and takes the li-\nberty to inform them, that he has moved from the ſign\nof the great American Wagon, to that celebrated, elegant,\nand commodious tavern, well known by the name of the", "Old Indian Queen Inn,\nSituate in Fourth between Chefnut and Market-freetes,", "formerly kept by Mr. Francis Lee.", "To be Sold,", "In Penn-freet, at the STORES of,\nWilling, Morris, and Swanwick,", "Willing, Morris, and Swanwick,\nA large ASSORTMENT of MERCHANDISE: among", "which are the following Articles,\nAARLEM lace,", "H Satin and Silk ribbons,", "Writing paper and other ſationary,", "Silks and fattins,", "Gauze bandkerchieſs and catguts,", "Chip and flawo Leghorn batts,", "Chintzea and calicoes,", "Muffins,", "Printed linens,", "Pins and needles,", "Threads of various qualities,", "Bindsings, tapes and garterings,", "Cotton and linen checks,", "Serges and ſagabietis,", "Jeans and jeanets,", "Pillows and ſuſtions,", "Beaver and felt batts,", "Plain, houndoght, blifs, and purple hardies,", "Needle and prigged aprons,", "Muffins, ſbawl and Silk bandkerchieſs,", "Sattinets, cotton linings and denins,", "Thread and cotton boſes,", "Calimancoes and ſballoons,", "Morcens, rattinets and everlaſtings,", "Sileſia linens,", "Corduroys and honeycombs,", "Irifb linens,", "Mens, boys and childrens leather ſhoes,", "Womens Silk and ſtuff ſhoes,", "Modes,", "Manchester velvets,", "Clear lawns and ſouſſee gaumes,", "Buckrams,", "Turk's carpetts,", "Sewing ſilks,", "Artificial flowers,", "Black and nobise crapes,", "A few caſks of sun-powder,", "Olive oil in bottles and jars,", {"bbox": [813, 1145, 1011, 11

["freet, on the four sides about the fire and", "and Second-frees, where be", "Has for Sale, Wholefale and Retail,\nLONDON and New-York particular Madeira Wines,\nBurgundy, Champagne and Claret of the first qualities,\nLifton, 3 by the quarter-cask, dozen or gallons", "Lifton, 3 by the quarter-cask, dozen or gallons\nRed Port, 3", "Red Port, 3 by the quarter-cask, dozen or gallons\nBottled Beer, and\nBottled Cider,", "Bottled Cider, 3 by the quarter-cask, dozen or gallons", "He returns his sincere thanks to his former friends and customers; and from his knowledge and long experience in the Wine-bufines, has laid in an assortment of the first qualities; therefore, from his affdity to pleuse the public in general, hopes to merit the continuance and favor of his former friends and customers.", "Gentlemen in town and country, masters of weffels, pri-\nvate families, &c. may be served on the shortest notice.\nPhiladelphia, April 27, 1784.\n31--", "THE subfriber embraces this early opportunity of\nreturning his moſt sincere thanks to the public in\ngeneral, and his friends in particular; and takes the lib-\nerty to inform them, that he has moved from the city\nto a new and more agreeable habitation, to that celebrated,\nelegant, and commodious tavern, well known by the name of the", "Old Indian Queen Inn,", "Situate in Fourth between Chestnut and Market-streets,\nformerly kept by Mr. Francis Lee.", "The subfriber thinks it unneceffary to pay any more\nthan that nothing in his power shall be to wanter to render\nthe utmoſt satisfaction to those gentlemen, who may\npleafe to favor him with their cuſtom.", "JAMES THOMPSON.", "N. B. The flables are large, excellent and common diaries, and horſes will be kept at livery by the years, on the moſt reaſonable terms.", "Philadelphia, July 28, 1784.\n44--", "THE subfriber having at a very great expence, ſur-\nnified himſelf with an elegant Hackney Coach and\nChariot, as well as Chairs and Sulkeys of all kinds, pro-\nſoſes to hire him either for particular airings, or ſhoars cauſed\nto be bath alſo provided a number of the beſt borſes, and care-\nful drivers--fo that ladies and gentlemen may be ſupplied\nwith either of the above mentioned Conveniences on the ſor-\nſt notice, and on the moſt reaſonable terms, by the Public's\nvery bumble ſervant.", "JAMES THOMPSON.", "N. B. Gentlemen may alſo be ſurſuited with good ſaddle\nborses.\n56--\nOld Indian Queen Inn, Fourth-street.", "Old Indian Queen Inn, Fourth-street.\n56--", {"bbox": [10, 801, 357, 863], "category": "Text", "text

ed by an unjust law, was free? That this
would not be true even if we suppoſe
all the laws to be the work of the entire
nation assembled; becauſe, in fact, the in-
dividual has certain rights which the nation
cannot take from him but by violence and
an illegal uſe of the general force. Although
you have had regard to this truth, and have
explained yourſelf thereon, yet perhaps it
merits your care to develope it more at
large, confidering the little attention which
hath been paid to it by even the moſt zea-
ous partizans of liberty.

It is also a ſtrange thing that it ſhould
not be counted, in England, a trifling ob-
ſervation to ſay, that one nation can never
have a right to govern another; and that
fuch a government could have no founda-
bly the world the moſt cruel and moſt intolerable,
leaving no remedy for the oppreſſed; where-
as a ſingle depot is at length flopped in his
career by ſelf-intereſt, he has the check of
remorſe, or that of public opinion; but a
multitude makes no calculations, feels no
remorſe, and decrees to itself glory when
in fact it deferves the utmoſt diſgrace.

Events are to the English nation a terrible
commentary upon your book. For ſome
months they have been falling headlong
with accelerated rapidity. The knot is un-
tied in regard to America. Lo! he is inde-
pendent irrecoverably! Will the be free and
happy? Will this new people, situated ſo
advantageously to give to the world the ex-
ample of a constitution wherein man may
enjoy all his rights, exercise freely his whole
faculties and enjoy all the benefits of a free
state.

I am not ſatisfied, I own, with any con-
flitutions, which have as yet been framed by
the different American States. You blame
with reaſon that of Pennſylvania for exact-
ing a religious teſt upon admittance into the
representative body. It is much worſe in
others. There is one of them, I think that
of the Jerſies which requires (II) ****

I fee in the greatest number an unreaſon-
able imitation of the uſages of England.
Inſtead of bringing all the authorities into
one, that of the nation, they have eſtablish-
ed different bodies, a Houſe of Repreſenta-
tives, a Council, a Governor, becauſe Eng-
land has an Houſe of Commons, an Houſe
of Lords and a King. They undertake to
balance the different authorities as if the
fame equilibrium of powers which has been
thought neceſsary to balance the enormous
preponderance of royalty could be of any
uſe in republics, formed upon the equality
of all the citizens, and as if every article
which confers the right of the Houſe

only one founded in nature between two
clades of men; I mean thoſe who are pro-
prietors in lands and thoſe who are not;—
to their intereſts and conſequently to their
different rights, with reſpect to legislation,
to the administration of justice and of the
police, to the contribution for public ex-
pences and to their employments.

No fixed principle is eſtablished in regard
to impoſts. Each ſate is ſuppoſed to be at
liberty to tax itſelf at pleafure, and to lay
its taxes upon perſons, conſumptions, or
inportations; that is to ſay, to erect an in-
terfeet contrary to that of the other ſates.
They ſuppoſe in all the ſates that they

have a right to regulate commerce. They
even authorize the executive bodies or the
governors to prohibit the exportation of
certain products upon particular occasions;
to far are they from feeing that the law of
entire liberty of all commerce is a corollary
of the right of property; to far are they
ſtill involved in the mifts of European illu-
ſions.

In the general union of the ſates with
one another, I do not fee a coalition, a melt-
ing of all the parts together, ſo as to make
the body one and homogenous. It is only
an aggregate of parts, always too ſepera-
ted and which have a continual tendency to di-
vide themſelves, from the diversity of their
laws, their manners, and their opinions;
from the inequality of their preſent ſtrength,
but more fill from the inequality of their
future proſeets. It is only a copy of the
republic of Holland! and this had no oc-
casion, like that of America, to dread the
poſſible growth of any one of its provinces.
This whole edifice has been ſupplied until
now upon the falſe baſis of very ancient and
very vulgar policy; upon the prejudice
which nations, which provinces may have
concerning intereſts as a province or a na-
tion, different from thoſe which individuals
have of being free and defending their pro-
perties against robbers and conquerors:—
a pretended intereſt in carrying on more com-
merce than others, in not buying merchan-
dize of foreigners, but in forcing theſe to
confuse our productions and the works of
our manufacturers:—a pretended intereſt in
having more extenſive territory, in acquir-
ing ſuch and ſuch a province, ſuch and ſuch
an inland, ſuch and ſuch a town—an intereſt
in infpiring other nations with dread:—an
intereſt in excelling them in the glory of
arms or that of arts and sciences.

Each of theſe prejudices is cheriſhed in
Europe, becauſe the ancient riyalry of na-
tions and the ambition of princes obliſes all
flates to be in arms for defence against their
armed neighbours, and to regard a military
force as the principal objeſt of government.
Such is the good fortune of America that
the cannot have, for a long time, an exter-
nal enemy to fear, if the does not become
ſelf-divided; therefore, the may and ought
to eſtimate, at their true value, theſe pre-
tended intereſts, theſe grounds of diſcon-
tinued intereſts, the moſt

uniting opinions and intereſts, and of re-
ducing them to uniform principles through-
out all the ſates.

In this purſuit there are great obſtacles
to be overcome.

In Canada—the constitution of the Ro-
mish clergy and the exiſtence of a body of
nobleſe.

In New-England—a ſpirit of rigid puri-
tanism fill ſubſluiting, and always, as is ſaid,
in ſome degree intolerant.*

In Pennſylvania—a great number of ci-
tizens, who ſupporting a religious principle
that the preſſion of arms is illicit, of courſe
revolt from ſuch arrangements as are neceſ-
fary to lay the foundation of a military
ſtrength for the ſate, in an union of the
militia-man; which brings on a neceſſity of
making the buſineſs of war a buſineſs for
mercenaries.

In the middle ſates—a too great inequal-
ity of fortunes and more eſpecially the great
number of black ſlaves, whoſe ſlavery is in-
compatible with a good political conſtitu-
tion, and who, even if ſet at liberty, would
ſtill give embarraſſment by forming two
people in one ſate.

Throughout—prejudices, an attachment
to eſtablished forms, an habitude of certain
taxes, a dread of ſuch as ſhould be ſubſluit-
ed in their place, the vanity of thoſe ſates
who have thought themſelves the moſt pow-
erful, and an unhappy beginning of na-
tional pride.

I think the Americans are bound to agran-
dife themſelves not by war but by cultiva-
tion. If they leave at their backs thoſe im-
mense deſerts which extend even to the
wide ocean, a mixture of the banifed
and other vile ſubjects ſeeped from the cor-
rection of laws may there ſettle with the
Savages, and compoſe ſwarms of robbers
who would ravage America as the Barba-
rians of the North have ravaged the Ro-
man empire; hence another danger,—the
necesſity of being in arms on the frontiers
and living in a continual ſtate of war. The
fettlements near to theſe would conſequen-
ly be more warlike than the reſt; and that
inequality of military force would be a ter-
rible ſpur to ambition. The remedy for
this inequality would be to maintain a ſtand-
ing force to which all the ſates should con-
tribute according to their population; but,
the Americans who have fill all the fears
which the English ſought to have, dread no-
thing more than a permanent army. They
are in the wrong. Nothing is eſtainer than
to connect the constitution of a permanent
army with the militia, ſo that the militia
may thence become better, and liberty thus
be rendered more ſecure. But it is far from
safy to calm their fears on this head.

Here you will be many a question.
Perhaps, the ſecret intereſts of powerful in-
dividuals will unite with the prejudices of
the vulgar to reſift the eſſort of true ſages
and true citizens.

policy had been allowed to do before han-
what the will inſalably be ſtored to do in the
end; if the national opinion could have been
brought to allow your government to pre-
vent what has happened, ſuppoſing it to
have been ſoreen; if it could have conſent-
ed out-right to the independence of Ameri-
ca, without making war upon any one, I
firmly believe that Britain would have loſt
nothing by the change. Now the will loſe
whatever ſhe has expended, or ſhall yet ex-
pend: She will experience a great diminu-
tion for ſome time in her commerce and great
internal conſuſion, if the is ſe ſorced into a
bankruptcy; and, be that as it may, a great
loſs of political influence abroad.

But this laſt article is of very ſmall import
to the real happineſs of a people; and i am
not at all of Abbe Raynal's opinion in your
motto. I do not think that this will bring
you to be a contemptible people and throw
you into ſondage.

Your misfortunes will perhaps on the con-
trary, produce the eſſect of a neceſſary am-
putation. They may be the only means of
faving you from the gangrene of luxury and
corruption. If in your agitations you could
correct your conſtitution by making elections
annual, by diſtributing the right of repre-
fentation more equally and in better propor-
tion to the intereſts of thoſe repreſented, you
would gain perhaps as much as America by
this revolution; becauſe your liberty would
remain to you, and your other loſſes would
rejoon be repaired with that, and by that.

You ſhould judge, Sir, from the frank-
neſs with which I open myſelf to you upon
theſe delicate points, of the eſtatement
which you have inſpired me, and of the
fatſisfaction which I feel upon obſerving that
there is ſome ſemblance in our modes of
thinking. I promife myſelf that this confi-
dence will reſt with you only. I even beg
you not to anſwer me at large by the poſ-
becauſe your letter would be inſalably open-
ed in our offices: and they would diſcover
me to be far too much a friend to liberty
for a minifter, even for a minifter in diſgrace.

I have the honor to be,
With the utmoſt regard,
Sir, your moſt humble,

Sir, your moſt humble,
And moſt obedient ſervant,

TURGOT

["a religious body. It is much worse in\nrepresentative than others. There is one of them, I think that\nof the Jerfies which requires (II) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extract of a letter from Paris, June 19.

“M. l’Abbé Vella, a very learned professor of the Oriental languages in Sicily, has announced that he saw at Girgenti a volume of cotton paper, written in the Western Moorish character, that contains a translation into Arabic of seventeen books of that part of Livy’s history which is wanting. It goes from the 60th to the 77th. This last is not complete, and there are some faults in the others, occasioned by being in some places worm eaten. The 6th begins at the epoch, when the Conful Aurelius subdued the rebels of Sardinia after a very considerable slaughter, and went afterwards into Corsica to punish those who had bidden defiance to him. The 61st books opens with the foundation of Aix en Provence by the Pro Conful L. Sextius, from whom that city took the name of Aquæ Sextiæ. The Abbé has already translated some of this valuable work, and promises to present the Republic of Letters with an edition of it in the Arabian language on one side, and the Latin or Italian on the other.”

Uninfluenced by Party, we aim to be JUST.

ATURDAYS.

Price Three Cents.

NUMBER

20, of VOL. IX.

[12s. per ann.]

1788.

white, with black velvet jockey-caps, silver taffets, half-boots, &c.

HATTERS---Skins and hats displayed upon an obelisk, at the base of which appeared a beaver and a fox. Mottos, "With the industry of the beaver, we will support the federal Constitution," "With the eye of the fox, we will watch and guard our rights."

TAYLORS---A flag, displaying Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden---thirteen stars, &c."

STAYMAKERS---A flag, displaying a spread pair of flays---thirteen stars, on a white field.

COMBMAKERS---A large comb elevated on a standard. Tools decorated, &c.

BARBERS---Buffs---a goddef, furrounded by sons of freedom---a figure presenting to the goddefs the new Constitution---the goddefs inclining with a smile of approbation. Motto, "May our trade succeed, and the union enrich us."

SILVERSMITHS and WATCHMAKERS---A flag presenting the different articles of their manufactures. Motto, "No importation, and we shall live." Under it a bee-hive. Motto, "If encouraged."

COPPERSMITHS---A figure with her head and worm complete, scales, &c. Motto, "May our industry be rewarded."

BRASSFOUNDERS, CUTLERS, PLUMBERS, WHITE-SMITHS and GUNSMITHS---Three large candle-flicks, disposed in a triangular manner, supported by a column, with thirteen stripes displayed---jack, bell, an-dirons, fender, grate, shovel and tongs, rifles, guns-locks, &c.

TALLOW-CHANDLERS---A frame, bearing seven candles---a wedge of foam in the center---a flag---thirteen stripes; seven stars---a chandler making candles. Motto, "Let your light shine."

PRINTERS---Mr. Goddard and Mr. Hayes---A figure, Guttemberg---compositors, &c. with volumes, American productions---Mercuries distributing copies of the new Constitution, without amendments.

PILOTS---preceded by Capt. John Pitt, with lead and line, founding the channel.

each order, the happineſs of each individual, the happineſs of every ſpectator, was increaſed by the confiſcuation of heightening the ſelicity of others. Thoſe diffiſivities which make us referve and check the progress of ſocial influence, when local character hath not affumed its pro-tercourse, were abſorbed in the approach of mutual confidence, and were abſorbed in the plenitude of unanimity. Every citizen of the United States, every citizen of the world, who was inſpired by the general ſentiment, was embraced with the warmest feelings of benevolence, hofpitality and friend-ship. Beauty, elegance and taſte were exhibited in all their luſtre, by the delicate fair, whole irrefiſtible charms which attract us to---a Federal Union. May the infant mind, in its first impreſsions, receive the great ideas of the preſent mo-ment---may it be nurtured in the clearest perceptions of their ſuperior utility---and, when all human inſtitutions shall terminate in the acquifition of their objects, virtue and happineſs, may heaven itſelf approve the wifdom of our Federal Constitution.

MISCELLANY.

For the CENTINEL.

Mr. RUSSELL,

THE ignorance of the antifederaliſts is discoverable in many instances—but, perhaps, in no one more ſo, than in their frequent ſuggestions, that the people of the United States are SURPRIZED INTO THE NEW GOVERNMENT—that it is a new thing invented by the Convention, &c. when it is well known to every one acquainted with the poli-ticks of America, that ſuch a government was confidered by our wifelſt men, even during the revolu-tion, as the only ſystem that could inſure the hap-pineſs and independence of our country. Many instances could be adduced in proof of this remark—ſuffice it, that we have one in General WASH-INGTON's Farewel Addreſs to the United States, at the close of the war—a performance which was published by order of the legiſlatures of the ſeveral States, and declared by all ranks of citizens in Europe and America, as a legacy worthy to be written in Letters of GOLD. In this letter, that good man writes,

"There are four things, which I humbly conceive are ſential to the well being, I may even venture to say, to the EXISTENCE of the United

AMERICAN LITERATURE.

From the Critical Review, for January 1788.
The Vision of Columbus: A Poem in nine Books, by
Joel Barlow, Esq. 12mo. 2s. in Boards. Dilly.

THE subject of this poem, in regard to the author's local situation, is well chosen; the delign grand and extenfive, adapted for the display both of his descriptive and reflecting powers. The attempt is arduous, and, in general, he shows himself not unequal to it. The scenery and appearance of the hero, with which the first book opens, is solemn and interesting.

"Long had the sage, the first who dared to brave,
The unknown dangers of the Western wave,
Who taught mankind where future Empires lay
In thefe the fair confines of descending day,
With cares o'erwhelm'd, in life's diftressing gloom,
Wifh'd from a thanklefs world a peaceful tomb;
While Kings and Nations, envious of his name,
Enjoy'd his toils and triumph'd o'er his fame,
And gave the chief, from promised empire hurl'd,
Chains for a crown, a prifon for a world.
Now night and filence held their lonely reign,
The half-orb'd moon declining to the main;
Descending clouds, o'er varying other driven,
Obfcur'd the stars and flut the eye from heaven;
Cold mifts through opening gates the cell invade,
And death-like terrours haunt the midnight shade;
When from a vifionary, ſhort repofe,
That raifed new cares and temper'd keener woes,
Columbus woke, and to the walls addreſſ'd
The deep-feft forrows of his manly breast.

After a characteriſtick and affecting ſpeech of Co-
lumbus.

------------, a thundering found,
Roll'd round the fluddering walls and shock the ground,
O'er all the dome, where solemn arches bend,
The roofs unfold and freams of light descend;
The growing ſplendour fill'd the aftonifh'd room,
And gales etherial breathed a glad ſperfume;
Mild in the midft a radiant Seraph ſhone;
Robed in the vestments of the riling ſun;
Tall roſe his ſtature, youth's primeval grace
Moved o'er his limbs and brighten'd in his face.
His cloſing wings in golden plumage dreſt,
With gentle fweep came folding o'er his breaſt,
His locks in rolling ringlets glittering hung,
And ſounds melodious moved his heav'nly tongue."

These lines are equally musical with the preceding,
but have no great pretensions to originality. The an-
gelick apparel, like an Afiatick's drefs, or military uni-
form, ſeldom or never varies in poetick writ. The
' glad ſperfume, robes of ſplendour, golden plumage,
grace of youth, glittering locks, and wings folding
o'er the breaſt,' have decorated their appearance, or
constituted their wardrobe, time immemorial. The
laff circumſtance is not ſo common, though it may be
found in the pictureſque repreſentation of Raphael, in
the ſth book of Paradife loft, and which, probably,
the author had in his eye, when he compofed the
preceding paſſage. The idea is taken from the pro-

fake of peace.' This liberality of ſentiment is doubt-
lefs highly laudable in an abſolute Monarch; and as
his own people ſeem deftrous of partaking the bleſ-
ſings of thofe inherent natural rights for which he
has ſo generously contended abroad, how can he con-
fiftently ſubſpect their reaſonable requeſts? Should the
reader ſuſpect that Mr. Barlow may be a little mif-
taken in the principles he attributes to his Gallick
Majeſty, and that his zeal for liberty may by this time
be ſomewhat abated, he will, we truſt, accord with
us in praiſing the juſtice and ſpirit of the following
encomium on one of our illuſtrious countrymen.

"High on the talleſt deck majestick ſhone
Great Raleigh, pointing toward the western ſun;
His eye bent forward, ardent and ſublime,
Seem'd piercing nature and evolving time;
Befide him ſtood a globe, whose figures traced
A future empire in each wilder'd waſte;
All former works of men behind him ſhone,
Graved by his hand in ever-during ſtone;
On his mild brow a various ground displays
The hero's laurel and the ſcholar's bays."

Several ſubſquent lines are equally animated, but
fome of them rather verge on the bombaſt. Mr.
Barlow's general merit renders it excuſable. So dar-
ing a muſe as his muſt ſometimes be expected in her
ſublime flight to veil her head in the clouds. In juſ-
tice to this gentleman we muſt obſerve, that, unlike
a late American Poet, he abſtains from all illiberal a-
bufe of the British army, and the generals who com-
manded it. As an American, indeed, he is partial to
his countrymen, and we commend him for it. A cer-
tain degree of enthuſiaſm is laudable both in a pa-
triot and a poet. We find likewife, in this perform-
ance, many philosophical diſquifitions on the caufe of
the diffimilarity among nations; on the peopling of
America; on the progreſs of arts and ſciences; and
the extenfive influence which the discoveries of Co-
lumbus may have upon the intereſt and happineſs of
mankind. That ſubjects ſo extenfive and arduous
ſhould not always be accurately investigated, that ſe-
veral faulty paſſages might be ſelected from a poem
of ſuch magnitude as the preſent, cannot be wondered
at, and ought not to detract from its general merit.
Mr. Barlow thinks with freedom, and expreſſes him-
felf with ſpirit. The introduction which contains
the life of Columbus, is written in an agreeable, eafy
manner; the diſſertation on the genius and institu-
tions of Mango Capac, in which the Peruvian Legi-
flator is compared to some of the

conferred their wardrobe, time immemorial. The last circumstance is not so common, though it may be found in the pictureque representation of Raphael, in the 5th book of Paradise lost, and which, probably, the author had in his eye, when he composed the preceding passage. The idea is taken from the prophetic writings, and the description there given of an angelick being, we apprehend inferior to none in any language. We do not blame the author for treading in his predecessors' steps. It is a circumstance much easier to remark than alter. Particular images annexed to supernatural beings have gained pojection of our minds, and to vary from them might appear unnatural or absurd.—The idea in the first lines, is well expressed; but the thunder and lightning are, according to Fielding, the proper paraphernalia of a ghost, yet neither of them seems a proper attendant on a celestial visitant, who appears for so benevolent a purpose as the present. The last line is obfeure, but might be easily altered. The grand design of the poem now commences. The angel displays, in a vision to Columbus, a view of the American continent; its principal mountains, rivers, lakes, &c. are described. The natives, their characteristic qualities, and supposed origin are investigated. The two great Empires, Mexico and Peru, are particularly dwelt upon. An historical detail of the transactions of the latter, intermixed with some romantick fictions, supposed to have happened before the Spaniards subdued that country, is next given. The proceeds of the European settlements in the Northern parts, and the nature of those colonial establishments, is delineated. This leads to the military transactions, particularly those in the late contest, that have ravaged that quarter of the globe. Here, as it may naturally be supposed, the leaders of the continental army receive a large tribute of applaufe. The author too often blends ancient manners, with those that are modern. 'Steuben's veteran armour.' The Britons advancing with 'lifted lance,' and Montgomery, by his single prowess, overthrowing hostile legions, is not descriptive of modern warfare. The attributes of a romance, here, suit but badly with a general of the present time; and we think Washington must smile, at seeing himself represented, as mowing down whole armies, like an Amadis or Orlando.

Behind, great Washington his falchion drives,
Thins the pale ranks and copious vengeance gives,
Hofts captive bow, and move behind his arm,
And hofts before him wing the driven storm.

The Americans' great ally, in this poem, as in all others that have from the same quarter fallen under our inspection, is invested with the splendour of an Afatick despot, and complimented with the spirit of an Hampden.

Bright o'er the scenes of state a golden throne,
Instart'd with gems and hung with purple, sapphire,
Great Lewis there, the pride of monarchs, fate,
And fleets and moving armies round him wait;
O'er western shores extends his ardent eyes,
thro' glorious toils where struggling nations rife.

The expresse great zeal for the 'liberal universal
'is melted into the tears for the opprested A-
ungs, and 'assumes his arms reluctant for the

MR. GREENLEAF,

I OBSERVE in your paper of this day a paragraph, mentioning the progress of ARTS in America, and containing an encomium upon some of the ARTISTS. Permit me to add to the list the names of others, who, though less known, merit the notice and encouragement of their countrymen.

Mr. BENJAMIN DEARBORN, of Portsmouth (N. H.) invented a fire-engine, on a small scale, capable of being fixed to a pump, and so designed as to be acted upon by the same force which raises the water in the pump, and throwing the water to the height of common houses. The invention is ingenious, although it cannot be useful, except in particular cases. See memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, p. 520. The same gentleman has constructed a Printing-Press, so as to perform the whole impression of a sheet at a single pull. The newspaper at Exeter is printed in this manner.

The Reverend Mr. PRINCE of Salem, has made great improvements in the model of the air-pump. See memoirs of American Academy, page 497.

Mr. BENJAMIN HANKS of Litchfield, is distinguished for his genius in mechanical improvements. Several articles in the construction of his wind-clocks discover great ingenuity and a clear knowledge of the principles of mechanism.

Mr. WRIGHT, of this city, son of the celebrated Mrs. Wright, so distinguished for her skill in working figures in wax, stands high in the list of portrait painters. I do not recollect to have seen a more exact delineation of features, a more precise expression of character, or more elegant drapery in any American paintings, then in some of this gentleman's portraits.

Mr. PAYNE's model of a bridge, which I have seen in miniature, constructed and supported entirely by the right angles of the timber, and which may be extended to any length, in which the timber will bear its own weight, discovers the inventor to be as well acquainted with geometrical principles, as with those of COMMON SENSE.

New York, March 11.

or, if any had been, could not be discovered, a quality of logwood, and five hundred and fifty-one fathoms of mahogany. And whereas, by an advertisement formerly published in one of the news papers printed in New-York, the said goods and merchandise were said to have been saved and taken on board the said brigantine Port-Roseway, on Thursday the 5th day of Aug. 1784. And whereas, Gibbon Bourke, John Donnan, on behalf of John Shannahan, and Samuel Nesbitt, mate, Malcom Taylor, Martin George, John Harper, Swiney Wilson and Alexander McKensie, mariners, and Richard Halkowne of the said brigantine Port-Roseway, have filed a claim in the said court, praying a decree for their proportional shares of the net proceeds of the said goods: and whereas, Daniel M'Cormick, the city of New-York, merchant, for and on behalf of Hyem Cohen, of the Island of Jamaica, has filed a claim in the said court, to the monies which have arisen from the sales of the said cotton wool, or part thereof, after the payment of salvage: and whereas William Cock, of the city of New-York, Esq., for and in behalf of Richard Halkowne of Shelburne, in Nova-Scotia, as sole owner of the said brigantine Porte-Roseway, hath also filed a claim in the said court, praying an allowance for salvage out of the monies arisen by the sale of the said goods, wares and merchandise. And whereas, it appears by the depositions of William M'Kenney and Malcom Taylor, two of the persons on board the brigantine Port-Roseway, the time the said goods and merchandise were saved and taken on board; that the deferted vessel out of which the said goods were saved, were generally supposed by themselves and others then present, to have been a brigantine; and it further appears by the said depositions, and the deposition of Swiney Wilson, which depositions were several taken in open court, that the said deferted vessel was a stout vessel (perhaps about three hundred and twenty) had a woman's head, with guard-iron round it, that she had black fides, and yellow mouldings, that she had either three or four ports each side abaft her chains, that she had a double deck as far as her main-mast, and had deck-beam but no plank on them before her main-mast as part of her lower deck.

said court are hereby authorized and empowered to enquire into the justice of the said complaint, and if the fame be found true, to take sufficient recognition and security of such author or proprietor, conditioned that he or she, shall, within such reasonable time as the said court shall direct, publish and offer for sale in this State, a sufficient number of copies of such book or pamphlet, at such reasonable price as the said court shall on due consideration affix, and if such author or proprietor shall neglect or refuse to give such security as aforesaid, the said court are hereby authorized and empowered to give such complainant a full and ample licence to re-print and publish such book or pamphlet in such numbers and for such term as the said court shall judge just and reasonable: Provided such complainant shall give sufficient security before the said court to afford such re-printed edition, at such reasonable price as the said court shall thereto affix.

> And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That any person or persons who shall procure and print any unpublished manuscript, without the consent and approbation of the author or proprietor thereof first had and obtained, if such author or proprietor be living and resident in, or inhabitant of these United States, shall be liable to pay to the said author or proprietor his or her damages for such injury, to be recovered with costs, by action brought on this act in any Court of Record. Provided always, that nothing in this act shall extend to effect, prejudice or confirm the rights which any person may have to the printing or publishing of any book or pamphlet, at common law, in cases not mentioned in this act; or to authorize any person or persons to print or publish any book, pamphlet or paper that may be profane, treasonable, defamatory or injurious to government, morals or religion. Provided also, that this act shall not extend or be construed to extend in favor, or for the benefit of any author or person residing in, or inhabitant of any other of the United States, until the State in which such person resides or dwells shall have passed similar laws in favor of the authors of such new publications and their heirs and assigns.

> And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the trustees of the reformed protestant Dutch church, of Flat-Push, in the county of Kings, shall be, and they are hereby authorized to grant, bargain and sell, in fee simple, such part or parts of their real estate within the said county, to such person or persons, and for such price or prices as they may think proper, for the express purpose of creating an academy in the said county: Provided, that the quantity which the said trustees shall grant and convey by virtue of this act, shall not exceed six acres.

Irish linens

Sheetings and dowlafs

Mannels

Printed linens

Do. handkerchiefs

Pullout, Romall & Lungo

Filk handkerchiefs

Barcelona do.

Silk bandanas

Clots and calli罩ers

Counter panes

Dinities and diapers

Marblelles quilting

Chinzez and cottons

Callicoes

Table cloths

Callimancoes

Durants and ramettes

Shalloons & sattinets

Cassillers

Princefs Stuffs

Everlastings

Bombacceas & morceas

Humpum, jaconum, plain,
Iprigged, Striped and
cross bard muffins

Laces and edgings

Gauzes

Thread Lene gauze

Tafes

An allortment of ribbons

Cambricks and lawns

Worked & plain bo dered
lawns aprons and hand-
kerchiefs

India perlans

Sattins, modes and satti-
tics

Sewing filz

Cinghums

Fens

Mens thread gloves

Womens fill and leather
gloves and mitts

Pastors and twiſts

Broad and narrow built-
ing

Gartering, tapes & bob-
bin

Quality & shoe binſings

Sewing & laine twine

Womens and girls calli-
mancees and morocco
flippers & pumps

Looking glaſſes and Ipy
glaſs

Japanned ware

Belt & common writing
paper

Tins and needles, that

Spelling books

Scamens deſly affiſant

Meriners comgals recti-
fied

Belt London white lea
ground in oil

Yellow easter dry & do.

Spanish brown do. do.

Red lead do. do.

Prussian blue do. do.

8 by 10 window glaſs

4 6/8 to 42 20 and 22

Penny nails, in caſſes of
12 cwt. each

to 12 and 20. brads

Crowley steel in whole
& half laggate

Tacks and clout nails

Coopers rivets

2d. pump & chutter nails

Belt F and F E Holland
powder

Green and Toukay teaz

Glaſs ware in crates

Queens do. in do.

Phials in do.

A L S O,

A very large and general allortment of Ironmont-
gery, and a quantity of Beef and Pork and Ship-
Bread; Bar Iron, and the belt white Holland Ge-
neva in butts.

New York, May 25, 1786.

93

To be SOLD, at Private Sale,

A Valuable FARM, containing about one hundred
acres, within three miles of this city; situated
on the Greenwich road, and adjoining the North-
river. The whole is surrounded with a good new
fence, and there are on the premises a small stone
Dwelling-Houſe, two good Orchards, and a num-
ber of other fruit-trees. For further particulars en-