The Providence Gazette and Country Journal.
(No 34, of Vol. XXVII.)..........SATURDAY,..........August 21, 1790...........(No 1390.)
Published by JOHN CARTER, at the Post-Office, near the State-House.
Mr. Carter,
The great Variety of accurate and useful Information contained in the following, must render a Republication thereof in your Gazette highly pleasing to every Reader who wishes to be well acquainted with the Country he lives in.
A Farmer
From the American Museum, for July, 1790.
Notes concerning the United States of America; containing Facts and Observations relating to that Country, for the Information of Emigrants. Ascribed to Tench Coxe, Esq; of Philadelphia.
THE United States of America are situated in the northern division of that extensive portion of the globe, between the thirty-first and forty-sixth degrees of northern latitude. The extreme length of their territory is about 1250 miles, the breadth about 1040.--Their superficies is computed to be 640,000,000 acres of land and water; and after deducting the space occupied by the capacious lakes and mighty rivers, which fertilize and accommodate this country, and occupy above a seventh part of its surface, there remain about 590,000,000 of acres of fast land.
In so very extended a scene, it will be naturally expected, that the fruits of the earth are many and various, and accordingly, we find, in the present half-tried state of the capacities of our soil and climate, a list of invaluable productions present themselves, some found by the first discoverers of the country--others introduced by more accident--and others transported from Europe, during the simple state of agriculture in the last century. In our southern latitudes, including the States of Georgia, South Carolina and North-Carolina, rice, much superior to that of Italy or the Levant, is raised to very great quantities. The comparative value of this grain was twenty-five per cent, in the English market for the American, more than the Italian or Levant rice, as long as the latter was sold there, but, from the ample quantity and goodness of our rice, it seems probable, that no Mediterranean rice is now imported into England, as it has for some time been omitted in their general accounts of prices. The South Carolina crop alone, of 1789, appears to have been above 100,000 tierces, weighing 60,000,000 of pounds--It is expected, that Virginia will add this article to her lust of exports, as it is supposed a large body of swamp, in her most eastern counties, is capable of producing it; and mountain rice has been raised, by way of experiment, in her new country near the head of the Ohio.
Tobacco is a staple article of all the States, from Georgia so far north as Maryland, including both Virginia, alone, generally exported before the revolution 55,000 hogsheads, weighing 55,000,000 of pounds--Maryland 30,000 hogsheads. The Carolinas and Georgia which raised but little of this article before the revolution, have, of late years, produced very large quantities; and, as Virginia and Maryland are turning more of their attention to the cultivation of wheat, Indian corn, flax and hemp, the Carolinas and Georgia will probably extend the cultivation of this plant, to which their soil and climate are well suited.
Indico is produced by North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia. Of this valuable commodity, 1,000,000 pounds weight have been shipped from the city of Charleston alone, in one year, but this, and the other two articles before mentioned, are raised in much less proportions in North-Carolina, than in South Carolina and Georgia. The uniform of our national troops has been heretofore of blue cloth, as also of the militia in general. Our clergy are also permitted by our customs to wear this colour; and it is generally liked among the most frugal and most expensive people. These circumstances will no doubt be duly attended to in our future laws and regulations, and will operate very favourably for the indico planters, without any expence to the country.
Cotton has been lately adopted as an article of culture in the southern States; and as the prices of rice, tobacoo and indico decline, it must be very beneficial to the owners and purchasers of lands in that part of our Union. This article is raised with ease in Spain, every part of which kingdom lies further north than the Carolinas, and in the same latitudes as Virginia, Maryland, and the Delaware States. It is also raised in all that part of Asiatic Turkey, which lies between Scanderoan and Smyrna, which are in the latitudes of the three last States. As our people will increase very rapidly, by emigration and the course of nature, it is certain we cannot procure wool from our own internal resources in sufficient quantities. The owners of cotton plantations may therefore expect a constant and great demand for this article, as a substitute for wool, besides its ordinary uses for light goods.
Tar, pitch and turpentine, are produced in immense quantities in North-Carolina, which State ships more of these articles, particularly the last, than all the rest of our Union. Tar and pitch are also produced in the southern parts of Jersey, and more or less in all the States southward of that.
Besides these, myrtle-wax, and those two invaluable timbers, the live oak and red cedar, are peculiar to the Carolinas and Georgia; and they have Indian corn, hemp, flax, boards, staves, shingles, leather, beef, pork, butter, minerals, fossils, and many other articles in common with the middle or eastern States; also skins, furrs and ginseng, from their Indian country.
The wheat country of the United States lies in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New-York, and the westernmost parts of Connecticut; as also the western parts of the two Carolinas, and probably of Georgia, for their own use. The character of the American flour is so well known, that it is unnecessary to say any thing in commendation of it here. Virginia exported, before the war, 300,000 bushels of wheat--Maryland above half that quantity. The export of flour from Pennsylvania (with the wheat) was equivalent to 1,200,000 bushels in 1788, and about 2,000,000 of bushels in 1789, which however was a very favourable year.--New York exports, in flour and wheat, equivalent to 1,000,000 of bushels. In the wheat States are also produced great quantities of Indian corn, or maize. Virginia formerly exported half a million of bushels. Maryland ships a great deal of this article; and considerable quantities, raised in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, New-York, and Connecticut, are exported--as are the wheat and flour of those five States, from Philadelphia and New-York, there being little foreign trade from Delaware or Jersey--and the western parts of Connecticut shipping, with less expence, from the ports on Hudson's river, than those of their own State.
Hemp and flax are raised, in very large quantities, throughout the United States. And though South Carolina and Georgia produce less than any other States of these two articles, they are capable of raising immense quantities. Georgia, from the advantage she has in the river Savannah, could produce hemp with the greatest profit. Large portions of the new lands, of all the States, are well suited to hemp and flax.
Though sheep are bred in all parts of America, yet the most populous parts of the middle States, and the eastern States which have been long settled, and particularly the latter, are the places where they thrive best in the four eastern or New England States, they form one of the greatest objects of the farmer s attention, and one of his surest sources of profit. The demand for wool, which has of late increased exceedingly with the growth of our manufactures, will add considerably to the former handsome profits of sheep. And the consumption of their meat by the manufacturers, will render them still more beneficial.
Horned and neat cattle are also bred in every part of the United States. In the western counties of Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, where they have an extensive range, and mild winters without snows of any duration--they run at large, and multiply very fast. In the middle States cattle require more of the care and attention they usually receive in Europe, and they are generally good--often very fine. But in the eastern States, whose principal objects on the land have until lately been pasturage and grazing, cattle are very numerous indeed, and universally fine. Cheese is, of course, most abundant in those States. No European country can excel the United States in the valuable article of salt provisions. Our exports of this kind are every day increasing; as the raising of cattle is peculiarly profitable to farmers, the greater part of whom have more land than they can cultivate even with the plough. Barley and oats are the productions of every State, though not much cultivated to the southward. Virginia however is turning her attention to barley, as also Maryland, and can raise great quantities.
Masts, spars, staves, heading, bosids, plank, scantling and square timber, are found in almost all the States. But New-Hampshire, and the adjoining province of Maine, which is connected with Massachusetts, are the two most plentiful scenes. The stock there seems almost inexhaustible. In New-York they abound; and in North-Carolina and Georgia, the pitch pine plank, and scantling, and oak staves, are excellent, especially in the former. The stock of these articles on the Chesapeak and Delaware bays is more exhausted. But yet there is a great deal on the rivers of both for exportation, besides abundance for home consumption. Considerable quantities are also brought to the Charleston market, but a large part of them is from the adjacent States of Georgia and North Carolina. When their internal navigation shall be improved, South Carolina will open new sources of these articles.
Pot-ashes and pearl-ashes have become very valuable articles to the land-holders and merchants of the United States. But their importance was unknown twenty years ago. A single fact will illustrate the wealth that may be acquired by this manufacture. The State of Massachusetts, which has been settled twice as long as the [other] States on a medium--which contains about a fiftieth part of the territory of the United States--which is among the most populous of them--and consequently must have far less wood to spare than many other parts of the Union--Has nevertheless shipped two hundred thousand dollars worth of these two articles in a year. New-England and New York have derived great advantage from their attention to pot and pearl ashes. B???t has hitherto been made in very inconsiderable quantities in the States to the southward of them in most of them it has been entirely overlooked. New-Jersey and Delaware have more forests than Massachusetts. And as there is no part of either of those States that lies twenty-five miles from navigable water, they may venture to expend their wood, and to depend upon coal. In the other six States, which lie south of Hudson's river, the materials for pot ash are immense--as also in the State of New York.
A grand dependence of the eastern States is their valuable fisheries. A detail of these is unnecessary. It is sufficient to say, that, with a small exception in favour of New York, the whole great sea-fishery of the United States is carried on by New-England. And it is in a variety of ways highly beneficial to our landed and manufacturing interests.
Iron is abundant throughout the Union, except in New-England and the Delaware State; though the former are not destitute of it; and the latter can draw it as conveniently from the other States on the Delaware river, as is it were in her own bowels. Virginia is the State most pregnant with minerals and fossils of any in our Union.
Deer skins, and a variety of furrs, are obtained by all the States from the Indian country, either directly, or through the medium of their neighbours. Hitherto they have been exported in large quantities. But from the rapid progress of our manufactures, that exportation must diminish.
The article of pork, so important in navigation and trade, merits particular notice. The plenty of craft or nuts of the oak and beach, in some places, and of Indian corn every where, occasions ours to be very fine, and abundant. Two names among us are pre-eminent--Burlington and Connecticut. The first of which is generally given to the pork of Pennsylvania, and the middle and northern parts of Jersey; the second is the quality of all the pork north of Jersey. It may be safely affirmed, that they are fully equal to the pork of Ireland and Britanny, and much cheaper.
Cider can be produced with ease in considerable quantities, from Virginia inclusive to the most northern States, as also in the western country of the Carolinas and Georgia. But New-Jersey and New England have hitherto paid most attention to this drink. An exquisite brandy is distilled from the extensive peach-orchards which grow upon the numerous rivers of the Chesapeak, and in parts of Pennsylvania, and may be made in the greater part of our country.
Silk has been attempted with success in the southernmost States, so far as due attention was paid to it. But is not well suited to the nature of their labourers, who, being blacks, are not careful or skilful. And there are many other objects of more importance and profits in the agriculture of those fertile States. In Connecticut, where there is a sensible and careful white population, and where land is comparatively scarce and dear, it is found to be practicable and beneficial. A project to extend the white Italian mulberry tree over all the States, has been formed by some persevering individuals, acquainted with the propagation of them. A great part of Connecticut is already supplied. An extensive nursery has been established near Philadelphia, another at Princeton, in New-Jersey; and two more at this time commenced on New York and Long-Islands.
Rye is produced generally through all the States north of the Carolinas, and in the western parts of the three southern States. But the detail of American productions, and the parts in which they most abound, would be very lengthy. It will therefore be sufficient to say, that, in addition to the above capital articles, the United States produce or contain flax-seed, spalts, lime-stone, allum, salt-parre, lead, copper, coal, free-stone, marble, stone for wares, potters clay, brick clay, a variety of ship-timber, shingles, holly, beech, poplar, curled maple, black walnut, wild cherry, and other wood, suitable for cabinet-makers, shingles of cedar and cypress, myrtle-wax, bees wax, butter, tallow, bides, leather, tanners bark, maple sugar, hops, mustard-feed, potatoes, and all other principal vegetables, apples, and all the other principal fruits; clover, and all the other principal grasses. On the subject of our productions, it is also necessary to add, that they must be numerous, diversified, and extremely valuable, as the various parts of our country be in the same latitude as Spain, Portugal, the middle and southern provinces of France, the fertile island of Sicily, and the greater part of Italy, European and Asiatic Turkey, and the kingdom of China, which maintains, by its own agriculture, more people than any country in the world.
The lands of the United States, though capable of producing so great a variety of necessary and useful articles, are much cheaper than in Europe Farms, which lie in such of our States as has been longest settled and
improved, can be purchased for less money than the medium value of farming lands in any civilised part of the world, and our new lands, as well within the particular bounds of the several States, as those in the Western Territory of our confederated republic, are to be procured at every variety of price, from a sistle of a Mexican dollar, or less, to two or three of those dollars per acre, either for cash at the time of purchase, a reasonable credit for a part, on a long credit on mortgage for the whole. This difference in the price of new unsettled lands is occasioned by the difference of situation and quality, their nearness to good roads and water carriage, the quantity wanted by the purchaser, his capacity to pay the money, the length of the credit given, the wants or necessities of the sellers, and other circumstances, which reason will naturally suggest. The most advantageous mode is, for a number of persons to emigrate together, with a minister and schoolmaster. If such all bodies of people can only command money enough to erect their little buildings, where timber costs nothing and is abundant, and to buy plain wholesome provisions to live on for a year, they may procure lands upon very convenient and easy terms for several years, with little advance, and in many instances without the least advance of purchase money.
[The Remainder in our next]
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
House of Representatives of the United States.
Monday, August 9.
A BILL for the relief of Adam Caldwell was read the third time, and passed.
Mr. Fitzsimons, from the Committee appointed for that purpose, reported a bill making certain appropriations; and also a bill for reducing the debt of the United States. The said bills were read a first and second time, and committed.
The House went into Committee on these bills separately,--they were both amended and passed.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill for the relief of disabled soldiers and seamen; and agreed to the same.
A message was received from the Senate, that they had passed the bill for satisfying the claims of Lady Stirling, with amendments--the said amendments being taken into consideration, were agreed to.
A message was received from the Senate, that they had passed the bill, giving the assent of Congress to certain acts of the State of Georgia, Maryland and Rhode-Island--with amendments. Also, that they had passed a bill to alter the times for holding the circuit Court in the States of South Carolina and Georgia.
Mr. Gilman, from the Committee of enrolment, reported that they had this day presented three acts to the President of the United States, for his approbation.
Mr. Smith (S. C.) from the Committee to whom was referred the accounts of the Treasurer of the United States, for the last two quarters, made a report on the same;--which was read and laid on the table.
The amendments of the Senate to the bill for giving the assent of Congress to certain acts of Georgia, Maryland and Rhode-Island, were taken into consideration, and agreed to.
The memorial and representation of the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the subject of the fisheries, was referred to the Secretary of State.
Mr. Gilman, Mr. White, and Mr. Smith (S. C.) were appointed a Committee, to join a Committee of the Senate, to notify the President of the proposed recess of Congress.
A report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the memorial of General Ha?en, was received, and laid on the table.
The House resolved that all surveys of lands in the United States, made under the direction of the late Geographer-General, agreeable to contracts for such parts of said lands made with the late Board of Treasury, be returned to and presented by the Secretary of the Treasury, so as to complete the said contracts; And that the said Secretary is hereby authorized to direct the making and completing any other surveys that remain to be made, so as to comply on the part of the United States with the several contracts aforesaid, in conformity to the terms thereof.
Tuesday, August 10.
A message was received from the President of the United States, to notify the House that the following acts had received his assent, viz.
An act making further provision for payment of the public debt of the United States.
An act to enable the officers and soldiers of the Virginia line, on Continental establishment, to obtain titles to certain lands therein described.
An act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to take measures for finishing the light-house on Portland-Head, in the province of Maine.
Mr. Gilman, of the joint Committee, reported the following enrolled bills.
An act for the relief of disabled soldiers and seamen, lately in the service of the United States, and of certain other persons.
An act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the states of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode-Island and Providence-Plantations.
An act for the relief of the persons therein mentioned or described.
An act to alter the times for holding the Circuit Courts of the United States in the districts of South-Carolina and Georgia, and providing that the district Court of Pennsylvania shall in future be held as the city of Philadelphia only.
A message was received from the Senate, to inform the House that they have passed a resolution to adjourn the 12th inst and request the concurrence of the House
This resolution was agreed to.
Adjourned till to-morrow, 10 o'clock, A. M.
Wednesday, August 11.
A message was received from the Senate, that they had passed the bill for reducing the national debt, with amendments. After some discussion, the amendments of the Senate were agreed to.
A message was sent to the President by a joint Committee, notifying him of the proposed recess to-morrow.
A message was received from the Senate, informing that the President had notified the Senate of his approbation of the bill, to assent to certain acts of the States of Georgia, Maryland and Rhode Island.
Another message was received from the Senate, that they had passed the appropriation bill.
Mr. Gilman reported the examination of two enrolled bills, which were then signed by the Speaker.
Thursday, August 12.
A message was received from the President of the United States, with the appropriation bill; and the bill making provision for the reduction of the public debt--to which he had given his assent.
Agreeable to the concurrent vote of the two Houses, an adjournment took place this day; to meet in the city of Philadelphia on the first Monday in December next.
Previous to the adjournment, an unanimous vote passed both Houses, returning thanks to the Corporation of the city of New-York, for the elegant and convenient accommodations furnished the Congress of the United States.
To the Freemen of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence-Plantations.
Gentlemen,
AS the time approaches for choosing a Representative for this State in the Congress of the United States, permit me to mention the name of BENJAMIN BOURN, Esq; a gentleman whose acknowledged abilities, and zeal for the honour and interest of this State, and of the United States, most certainly entitle him to your suffrages, and best support.
A LANDHOLDER.
August 20, 1790.
PHILADELPHIA, August 11.
Extract of a letter from London, June 5.
"Respecting the event of the present vigorous exertions to be prepared for war, I can give no satisfactory information--the public are profoundly ignorant as to what is going on in the Cabinet, and only draw their inferences from vague reports--the exertions to fit and man a fleet are such as we have not before known at any time; all tenders for supply of provisions are taken up; all kinds of naval stores in great demand, and great numbers of ships are engaged as transports; which bespeak war. Yet, many people think we shall still continue at peace. It is said the messenger has returned, and again gone back with fresh dispatches to Spain; if so, it looks like negociation: This much alone seems certain, that none but those connected in administration, and those as few as possible, are in the secret; so commendably cautious is our excellent minister, well knowing that America was lost in St. Stephen's. The public funds have fluctuated very little since my last advices, though there have been all the artifices practiced that the ingenuity of interested men, unawed by justice, honour or conscience, can invent, who know no principle but interest. Jews, Jew-churchmen, and Jew-quakers, are very busy in speculations in the alley--such reports are propagated as best suits their respective interests, so that none we hear are to be depended upon.
"A vessel is just arrived here from Greenland, to Champion and Dickason, with fifty tons of ice, a part of which sold at 25 l. per ton, and a part at 20 l. per ton."
Extract of a letter from Baltimore, August 4.
"I yesterday saw the Captain of an English ship, from Barcelona. He passed Gibraltar on the 7th of June, in company with 7 fail of Spanish hue of battle ships, coming round from Carthagena to Cadiz; no insult or molestation was offered him--from which it is certain that no hostilities had then taken place, whatever may be the case at last."
NEW-YORK, August 11.
The district Court of the United States for the district of New York, which was opened at the Court-Room in this city on Tuesday the third of August inst closed on the Saturday following. A respectable Grand Jury attended on this occasion.
We are informed that a special Court will be held at the Court-Room on Thursday the 19th inst. for the dispatch of business.
Last week the key of the Bastile, accompanied with a fine drawing of that famous building, was presented to the President of the United States, by John Rutledge, jan. Esq; to whose care they were committed by that illustrious patriot the Marquis de la Fayette, for that purpose. Mr. Rutledge arrived in the Chesterfield packet.
Saturday last a commission passed the great seal of the United States, appointing the Hon. Gen. Knox sole Commissioner for negociating a treaty of peace with the Creek nation.
Leases and Reflectors, for Light-Houses, have been found far superior to either coal or lamps, as they afford a brighter and more steady light, and are seen at a much greater distance than those which direct our mariners on the American coast.
August 14. Yesterday the treaty of peace and friendship between the United States and the Creek nation was solemnly ratified by the contracting parties, in Federal Hall, in presence of a large assembly of citizens--the Vice-President of the United States--the great officers of State--his Excellency the Governor--and of several members of both Houses of Congress.
At 12 o'clock the President of the United States and his suite--General Knox, the Commissioner; the clerks of the Department of the Secretary at War, Col. McGillivray, and the Kings, Chiefs and Warriors of the Creek nation, being assembled, the treaty was read by the Secretary of the President of the United States.
The President then addressed Col. McGillivray, the Kings, Chiefs and Warriors, he said that he thought the treaty just and equal; and stated the mutual duties of the contracting parties; which address was communicated sentence after sentence, by Mr. Cornell, sworn interpreter; to all of which the Creeks gave an audible assent
The President then signed the treaty--after which he presented a string of beads as token of perpetual peace, and a paper of tobacco to smoke in remembrance of it; Mr. McGillivray rose, made a short reply to the President, and received the tokens.
This was succeeded by the shake of peace; every one of the Creeks pasting this friendly salute with the President; a song of peace, performed by the Creeks, concluded this highly interesting, solemn and dignified transaction.
BOSTON, August 16.
By Capt. Henry Williams, who arrived here last Friday night in 19 days from Statia, and 21 from Martinico, we are informed, that the day he left Martinico an American sloop arrived there, which spoke with a Spanish privateer brig, of 14 guns: The Captain of which informed the American, that he was cruising to windward for English vessels; and that the English and Spanish fleets had an engagement in the Mediterranean sea.
The 23d of July a ship belonging to Philadelphia arrived at Statia in 25 days from Lisbon, having 5 or 600 barrels of flour on board.--The Captain informed, that before he left Lisbon, news arrived there, that in Spain the people were almost mad for a war with England, and that they had actually stabbed the Prime Minister in the street, because he was for peace.
PROVIDENCE, August 21.
On Thursday, about Four o'Clock, P.M. arrived from New-York, in the Packet Hancock, Capt. Brown, The PRESIDENT of the United States, with his Suite,--accompanied by Governor Clinton, of New-York, Thomas Jefferson, Esq; Secretary of State, Theodore Foster, Esq; one of the Senators from this State;--Judge Blair, Mr. Smith, of South-Carolina, and Mr. Gilman, of New-Hampshire, Members of Congress--A Procession was formed agreeable to a previous Arrangement, and the President escorted to his Lodgings at Mr. Daggett's.
ORDER OF THE PROCESSION.
The PRESIDENT of the United States
The Arrival of Capt. Brown at the Entrance of the Harbour was announced by the Discharge of a Cannon from Federal-Hill, when the Procession was formed at the South End of the Town. On the President's landing, he was welcomed by a federal Discharge of Cannon, and the Ringing of Bells. The Concourse of People was, prodigious. The Procession was conducted with great Decorum, and exceeded any thing of the Kind before exhibited in this Town.
All Ages, Classes and Sexes, were full of Sensibility on this joyful Occasion.--The brilliant Appearance of the Ladies from the Windows was politely noticed by
the President, and gave Animation to the Scene.--On the President's Arrival at Mr. Daggett's, another federal Salute took Place, and after three Cheers the People retired.--On the Evening of the same Day, the President and many others took a Walk on the College Green, to view the Illumination of that Edifice, which was done by the Students, and made a most splendid Appearance.
On Thursday, in the Forenoon, the President, accompanied by the Gentlemen who came Passengers with him, and many of the Citizens, walked through the principal Streets, to view the Town, in the Course of which they were escorted to the College by the Students, and by Dr. Manning introduced into the College Library and Museum, and afterwards went on board a large Indiaman on the Stocks, belonging to Messia, Brown and Francis.
At Three o'Clock an elegant Entertainment was served in the Court-House for upwards of Two Hundred Persons--and the following Toasts were drank under Discharges of Cannon, viz.
At the Close of the above Toasts, the President gave "The Town of Providence"--rose from Table, and went immediately on board Capt. Brown's Packet for Departure. He was attended by a very numerous Procession--which returned to Governor Fenner's, and after three Cheers dispersed in good Order.
It may be proper to remark, that no untoward Accident took Place--that every Countenance indicated the most Heart-felt Joy, and that we have Reason to believe the President was perfectly satisfied with his Reception.
The following Addresses were presented on Thursday: To the PRESIDENT of the United States.
SIR,
WE the inhabitants of Providence beg Leave to offer you our Congratulations, on your safe Arrival in this Place.
We are sensibly affected by the Honour conferred on the State, and on us in particular, in the present Visit: And be assured, Sir, we shall think ourselves peculiarly happy, if, by our utmost Attentions, it can be made agreeable to you.
We gladly seize this first Opportunity to express the most sincere Satisfaction in your Election to the Presidency of the United States.--The unbiassed Voice of a great Nation, which unanimously called you to that important. Trust, is an Event, of which the Annals of History afford no Example; nor will future Time see it followed, unless the most transcendent Merit and the clearest. Fame should be united in the same Person.
As General of the Armies of the United States, and to their President, we are attached to you, by every Motive of Oratitude and Affection.--To the Conduct and Magnanimity of her Commander in Chief, uniformly displayed in the Course of a long and arduous War, America is indebted, under the Smiles of Heaven, for her Freedom and Independence: And the consummate Prudence and Ability, manifested in the Exercise of the Powers delegated to the President of the United States, exhibit to the World a Character of no less Celebrity in the Cabinet than in the Field.
From our most excellent Constitution, and the benign Influence of those Virtues which characterize your Administration, we entertain the most pleasing Hopes of the Extension of Commerce, the Encouragement of Agriculture and Manufactures, and of the Establishment of public Faith, and private Credit; and that the Liberties of America will be transmitted to very late Posterity.
We ardently pray that a Life so conducive to the Welfare of Millions may be long protracted; and that, when the fatal Shaft shall be sped which will deprive America of her great Benefactor, you may ascend those Regions where only exalted Virtue will be fully rewarded.
Done in Town-Meeting, legally assembled, this seventeenth Day of August, A. D. 1790, and in the fifteenth Year of Independence.
Signed, at the Request of the Town, by
JABEZ BOWEN, Moderator.
Daniel Cooke, Town-Clerk.
The President's Answer.
To the Inhabitants of Providence.
GENTLEMEN,
THE Congratulations which you offer me upon my Arrival in this Place, are received with no small Degree of Pleasure.--For your Attentions, and Endeavours to render the Town agreeable to me, and for your Expressions of Satisfaction at my Election to the Presidency of the United States, I return you my warmest Thanks.
My Sensibility is highly excited, by your ardent Declarations of Attachment to my Person, and the Constitution.
As, under the Smiles of Heaven, America is indebted for Freedom and Independence rather to the joint Exertions of the Citizens of the several States, in which it may be your Boast to have borne no inconsiderable Share, than to the Conduct of her Commander in Chief,--so is she indebted for their Support rather to a Continuation of those Exertions, than to the Prudence and Ability manifested in the Exercise of the Powers delegated to the President of the United States.
Your Hopes of the Extension of Commerce, the Encouragement of Agriculture and Manufactures, and the Establishment of public Faith, as reared upon our Constitution, are well founded; and it is my earnest Wish that you may extensively enjoy the Benefits seising from them.
I thank you, Gentlemen, for your Prayer for my future Welfare, and offer up my best Wishes for your individual and collective Happiness.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States of America.
The Address of the Corporation of Rhode-Island College.
SIR,
THOUGH among the last to congratulate you on your Advancement to that dignified and important Station to which the unanimous Voice of a grateful Country has called you, the Corporation of Rhode-Island College claim to be among the first in Warmth of Affection for your Person, and in Esteem for your public Character. In placing you at the Head of the United States, Regard was had no less to the Influence of your Example over the Morals of the People, than to your Talents in the Administration of Government. Happy are we to observe, that similar Motives have influenced your Conduct in filling the lower Offices in the executive Department. We most devoutly venerate that superintending Providence, which, in the Course of Events propitious to this Country, has called you forth to establish, after having defended, our Rights and Liberties.
Agitated in the Hour of doubtful Conflict, exulting in your Victories, we watched your Footsteps with the most anxious Solicitude. Our fervent Supplications to Heaven, that you might be furnished with that Wisdom and Prudence necessary to guide us to Freedom and Independence, have been heard, and most graciously answered.
For the Preservation of this Freedom, one great Object still demands our peculiar Attention--the Education of our Youth. Your Sentiments, Sir, on this Subject, "that Knowledge is in every Country the surest Basis of public Happiness," and the strongest Barrier against the intruding Hand of Despotism, as they perfectly accord with those of the most celebrated Characters that ever adorned human Nature, so they leave no Room to apprehend you will refuse the Wreath with which the Guardians of Literature, here, would entwine your Brow.
By restoring your Health, and protracting your Life, so dear to this Country, Divine Providence has, in a late Instance, furnished to Millions Matter of Thanksgiving and Praise.
That you may long remain on Earth a Blessing to Mankind, and the Support of your Country; that you may afterwards receive the Rewards of Virtue, by having the Approbation of GOD, is our most sincere Desire, and fervent Supplication.
Signed, by Order of the Corporation,
David Howell, Secretary.
Providence, August 19 1790.
The President's Answer.
To the Corporation of Rhode-Island College.
Gentlemen,
THE Circumstances which have, until this Time, prevented you from offering your Congratulations on my Advancement to the Station. I hold in the Government of the United States, do not diminish the Pleasure I feel in receiving this flattering Proof of your Affection and Esteem;--for which I request you will accept my Thanks.
In repeating thus publicly my Sense of the Zeal you displayed for the Success of the Cause of your Country, I only add a single Suffrage to the general Testimony, which all who were acquainted with you in the most critical and doubtful Moments of our Struggle for Liberty and Independence, have constantly borne in your Favour.
While I cannot remain insensible to the Indulgence with which you regard the Influence of my Example, and the Tenor of my Conduct, I rejoice in having so favourable an Opportunity of felicitating the State of Rhode-Island on the Co-operation I am sure to find in the Measures adopted by the Guardians of Literature in this Place, for improving the Morals of the rising Generation, and inculcating upon their Minds Principles peculiarly calculated for the Preservation of our Rights and Liberties.--You may rely on whatever Protection I may be able to afford, in so important an Object as the Education of our Youth.
I will now conclude, Gentlemen, by expressing my Acknowledgments for the tender Manner in which you mention the Restoration of my Health on a late Occasion; and with ardent Wishes that Heaven may prosper the literary Institution under your Care, in giving you the best of its Blessings in this World, as well as in the World to come.
G. WASHINGTON.
The Members of the Society of the Cincinnati who were in Town waited upon the President on Thursday, and by his Permission were introduced by Col. Olney, who verbally addressed him to the following Purport:
"SIR,
"I have the Honour to wait upon your Excellency, with the Members of the Cincinnati of the State of Rhode-Island, assembled on this happy Occasion, to pay their Respects to you in Person, and to congratulate you on your safe Arrival in this Town; wishing you the Enjoyment of Health, and Prosperity in the Government over which you preside.--As many of the Gentlemen have not the Honour of a personal Acquaintance with your Excellency, with your Permission, Sir, I will introduce them."
To which the President was pleased to reply, "It gives me great Pleasure to see so many of my old military Companions on the present Occasion, and I shall be happy to take them by the Hand. After a particular Introduction, the President expressed his most sincere Wishes for their Health and Prosperity.
At a quarterly Meeting of the Abolition Society, held here Yesterday, Brigadier-General Thayer, of this Town, was admitted a Member, and took his Seat.
The Society's standing Committee for the ensuing Quarter are Arthur Fenner, Edward Thurber, Joseph Fuller, Elisha Olney, Oziel Wilkinson, Caleb Aldrich, and John P. Jones.
Married,] Mr. Oliver Bowen, jun, to the amiable and accomplished Miss Lois Demount, eldest Daughter of the late Capt. John Demount.
PORT of PROVIDENCE, August 20.
MEDALS, PAINTINGS, AND HAIR-WORK.
THE Public are respectfully informed, that the Artists who took the most correct Likeness of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and executed a Medal of that illustrious Personage, are now in Providence, where they propose remaining one Week from this Date.--They take correct Likenesses at two Minutes sitting, and finish them at from One to Three Dollars, or to Three Guineas.--They also execute the most elegant Devices in Hair, and have for that Purpose a Variety of Gold Lockets, in the most fashionable Taste, as well as for Miniatures. Medals of the President, and of the late Dr. Franklin, are to be seen, and may be had from One to Four Dollars.
[???] Be pleased to enquire at the House of Samuel Chace, Esq; in the main Street.
Providence, August 21, 1790.
Ohio Company.
WHEREAS at a Meeting of the Proprietors of the OHIO COMPANY, on the 31st Day of July, 1790, a Committee was appointed to write to the Hon. Theodore Foster, Esq; then at New-York, requesting him to make Application to the Treasurer of said Company to be furnished with a true Statement of their Affairs, and that said Meeting stand adjourned till the above named Gentleman returned to Providence, in order to receive the same:--And Mr. Foster having since returned, the Proprietors are requested to meet at the State-House in this Town, on Monday the 23d Inst. at 3 o'Clock, P. M. when every Information that has been obtained will be laid before them.
Providence, Aug. 20, 1790.
POETRY.
THE FABRIC OF FREEDOM.
By J. WILLIAMS, Esq;
[Air--The Topsail Shivers in the Wind.]
FAIR freedom, lend thy gracious aid,
To sing our fabric's fame,
By patriots rais'd, celestial maid!
It boasts thy sacred name:
On thy broad basis may it be
The pride and safeguard of the free!
Here justice holds her even scales,
And grasps her rightful sword,
As truth directs, she never fails
To punish or reward:
Here equal law is virtue's guide,
And virtue's sons therein confide.
Here blue-ey'd peace, with gentle sway,
Extends her blessings far:
Though by her dictates rul'd, we may
Be still prepar'd for war:
The force which from our union grows,
Shall aid our friends, and crush our foes.
Thus is our Constitution fear'd
On freedom, strength and peace;
By virtue lov'd, by faction fear'd,
For faction's self must cease.
Contended now we'll happy live,
While industry and trade shall thrive.
Come! Ceres, come! in golden pride,
Adorn each waving field;
Come! with Pomona by thy side,
And fruitful harvests yield:
The heav'nly pair their favours show'r,
And agriculture owns their pow'r.
See commerce with extended hand
Flies the restraint of kings;
And foreign riches to this land
From ev'ry climate brings:
Bless'd by her smiles, we soon shall find,
That where she's free, she's always kind.
May science, and her hand-maid, art,
To this new world belong!
And infant muses joy impart
In strains of sportive song!--
Apollo feel with glory dress,
Appears resulgent in the west.
America is thus become
A seat to freedom dear,
Where virtuous strangers find a home,
And no oppression fear.
The rising States shall be renown'd,
By plenty, art, and science crown'd
Extract from the Charge of the Hon Judge Sullivan, to the Grand Jury, at the Session of the Federal Court, for the District of New-Hampshire, on the 13th ult.
"WHENEVER we view and consider mankind, we shall find all engaged in the pursuit of happiness. The savage and the polished citizen, invariably pursue the same object: But it must be acknowledged, that the motives and the views of each are in some measure different. The former conceives his felicity to consist in gratifying his own spirit of revenge, and in ruling and governing himself according to the dictates of his own uncultivated nature; while the latter considers, that his happiness is connected with that of others, and consists in promoting, increasing and securing the felicity of all, and ensuring to the peaceable and industrious, the quiet possession of the property which they have acquired. Those advantages appear so strikingly superior to what could be obtained in a state of nature, that it is far from being surprising that government was, at an early period, instituted by the general consent of mankind.
"The forms of government have been constantly varying in almost every country, according to the temper of its inhabitants, its situation, and its circumstances; or the influence which the politics of other countries have had upon their national concerns. As those forms were at first but the hasty works of chance or the product of inexperience, it cannot be thought strange that mankind have, for a long time, been divided in sentiment respecting the best form of government for rendering the people perfectly and permanently happy.
"The present inhabitants of the United States of America have enjoyed advantages which no other people could ever boast; they having had in common with others the benefit of reading and considering the various systems of every other country; having been, for a long time, under a government, formerly supposed to approach as near perfection as any that had appeared in the world; and having on trial discovered the defects of many systems invented and practised upon in America since the late revolution, have at length called forth the united wisdom of America, and produced that excellent system which authorizes us to appear here this day."
The Elders and Brethren, in the same Belief of the Universal Salvation of All Men, through our Lord Jesus Christ, met in Convention in Philadelphia, on the 25th of May, and continued by Adjournments until the 8th of June, 1790.
To the Elders and Brethren in the same Belief throughout the United States of America, We wish Health, Peace and Happiness.
Beloved in one common Lord and Saviour,
WE herewith send you a copy of the Articles of faith, and plan of church government, which we have, with uncommon love and unanimity, agreed upon in Convention. The articles are few, but they contain the essentials of the gospel. We thought it improper to require an assent to opinions that are merely speculative, or to introduce words in expressing the articles of our belief, which have been the cause of unchristian controversies. The plan of church government is nearly that of the congregational church; we conceive it to be most friendly to christian liberty, and most agreeable to the word of God. We have submitted several matters of consequence to your consideration, under the title of recommendations; they form, as yet, no part of our system of faith or practice as a church, but we hope the time is not very distant, when the progressive light of the gospel shall banish all the error and vice, which are the sources of the present disorders and miseries of human society.
We rejoice in the progress of the long imprisoned truth of God's universal love to mankind, and that he hath in his infinite goodness raised up so many faithful witnesses of late years, to declare it in many parts of our country. We hope and pray that this glorious truth may continue to prevail against antichristian darkness and error, and that all who profess to believe it, may be led by the inward manifestations of God's love, to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, and thereby to confute the objections that are urged against us, by those who deny the infinite extent of the mercy and power of God. We request that such of you as are formed into churches, would send deputies or messengers to meet in Convention, to be held in Philadelphia on the 25th of May next; and that such of you as are not formed into churches, would associate for that purpose, and concur in sending representatives to the Convention.
Signed by order and in behalf of the Convention, by
WILLIAM WORTH, Moderator.
Attest, ARTIS SEAGREAVE, Clerk.
Philadelphia, June 8, 1790.
E. Thurber
Has now on Sale, on very low Terms, for ready
MONEY,
A fine-chosen Assortment of almost every Kind of
useful GOODS,
Consisting of American, French, Dutch, English and East-India MANUFACTURES;
Together with a general Assortment of HARDWARE, and
West-India GOODS.
To particularize each Article would exceed the Limits of an Advertisement, Customers are therefore invited to call at his SHOP, and examine for themselves, where their smallest Favours will be gratefully received, by their Friend and Servant,
EDWARD THURBER.
15 DOLLARS REWARD.
STRAYED or STOLEN from the Subscriber, in Pomfret (State of Connecticut) in the Night following the 3d Instant, an Iron-grey MARE, six Years old last Spring; a natural Trotter, about fifteen Hands high, her Body of a light Grey, her Head and Tail mostly black; has a small galled Spot on the off Side, under the hind Part of the Saddle-Pad, throws her fore Feet much out when she trost; her Mane hangs partly on the near Side, the Bone of her Tail is large; she trots pretty high.--Whoever will take up said Mare, with the Thief, if stolen, and deliver them to the Subscriber, shall receive FIFTEEN DOLLARS Reward; and for the Mare only FIVE DOLLARS, and all necessary Charges, paid by me,
SETH GROSVENOR
Pomfret, August 4, 1790.
FOR SALE, AT
W. ARNOLD'S
STORE,
Cheap for ready Money, by Wholesale,
One second-hand WHALE-BOAT, sit for Fishing, to be sold very cheap.
Providence, August 6, 1790.
WANTED to purchase,
FINAL Settlement NOTES, Loan-Office CERTIFICATES, and INDENTS; also a Sum of the 40 for 1 Money (so called).--For which the highest Prices will be given, in Gold or Silver, by William Allen, of Providence...........(T.b.c.)
DISTRICT of RHODE-ISLAND,
to wit:
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the Ninth Day of August, in the Fifteenth Year of the Independence of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the Rev. ENOS HITCHCOCK, D. D. of the said District, hath deposited in this Office the Title of two Books, Volumes first and second--the Right whereof he claims, as Author--in the Words following, to wit:--
"MEMOIRS of the BLOOMSGROVE FAMILY.--In a Series of Letters to a respectable Citizen of Philadelphia.--Containing Sentiments on a Mode of domestic Education, suited to the present State of Society, Government and Manners, in the United States of America:--And on the Dignity and Importance of the Female Character.--Interspersed with a Variety of interesting Anecdotes. By Enos Hitchcock, D. D."
In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the Encouragement "of Learning, by securing the Copies of "Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and "Proprietors of such Copies, during the Times "therein mentioned."
EDMUND T. ELLERY, Clerk
of Rhode-Island District.
FOR
BOURDEAUX
THE BRIG
MARY,
{illustration}
Seth Davis, Master: Will sail with all convenient Speed, most of her Cargo being already engaged.--For Freight or Passage apply to Edward Thurber.
Providence, July 23, 1790.
LOST,
A TORTOISE-SHELL
TOOTH-PICK CASE,
Studded with Gold Stars.--Whoever will leave it with the Printer shall be well rewarded.
An American Time Capsule: Printed Ephemera
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