FROM THE CENT IN EL.
Ms. RUSSELL,
The following letter was received by the lajl pojl. The manifejl design of
it is to give information to the Citizens oj the United States on points
to whith mofl of them mufi be Jlrangers. Ido not know how better to
throw it before them t than by requeuing the printers to injert it in their
several paperr. B. L.
CENTLEMEN, Dec. ?, 1789.
f ~P , HE permanent residence of Congress hasfurnifhed so interest-
X inga fubjeft for debate, in the late fefliou of that honorable
body, as to juitify us in presuming that the individual citizens of
each State must feel themselves deeply concerned in the eventual
decision. Next to the great constitutional question, which so
lately agitated our minds, we conlider it as an object of the great
est importance to the present and future welfare of our country,
that ever called for a difcuflion in our national councils.
Such being the sentiments of the inhabitants of Alexandria and
George-Tow n, they have appointed us a committee to communi
cate with the principal towns in the Eastern States, on this inter
esting fubjeft ; and to give them an impartial and candid detail of
those circumstances, which in our estimation, render the Poto
mack the moll eligible situation in the Union.
In compliance with their wishes, we now beg leave to address
you; with the fulleft confidence, that a free and manly difcuflion
will never incur the censure of Americans. We are, however,
aware of the obje&ionsthat may be made to our representations on
the score of felf-intereft ; nor, will candor permit us to disown the
many advantages we (hall peculiarly derive from a decision in fa
vor of the Potomack—but, if they be found ftri&ly true, we hope
they will have their due weight, notwithstanding the motives to
which they may be attributed.
We presume it will be univerlally admitted as just, that the feat
of Federal Government ought to be fixed as near the centre of ter
ritory aspoflible ; since population and wealth are circumstances
as fluftwating and variable as the winds, and equally undeserving
of attention, if permanency is the objett. The expense which
will attend the erection of the necessary buildings, makes us hope
that this is meant. Some regard then ought to be paid to poster
ity, if a perpetual union is the wilh of all ; and to the hiftoryof
emigrations, that we may not have a fimiiar expence to encounter
in a Ihort time. That the river Potomack is nearer the centre of
the Union, than any other considerable river, and is more advan
tngeoufly situated for preserving an intercourse with the inhabi
tants of the Western Territory, none can doubt; when we recol
lect the anxiety the English nation felt thirty years ago, in confe
rence of the poffeflion of this extensive ana fertile country by the
French, we think ourselves particularly interested, from our great
er vicinity, in giving the inhabitants thereof no cause to complain.
The fafefy of all the Atlantic States requires the utmost attention
to the continuance ofthis intercourse ; as their independence and
separation from the Union would beget connexions highly dan
gerous to our existence. Presuming that the navigation, extent,
and productions of the Potomack are not well known to many of
your citizens, it may not be improper to give them a full and just
description thereof.
The Potomack empties into the bay of Chefapeak in latitude
37* 50* onc hundred miles above the Capes : From the mouth of
the river to Grorge-Town—the highest part to which navigation
is pra&icable for sea vessels—is one hundred and sixty miles; the
depth of water is from three and a half to fifteen fathoms ; the
breadth of the river is from one to twelve miles : The navigation
is more fafe and easy than that of any other river in the United
States, affording every where good anchorage,and fine harbors from
its numerous creeks.
Aveffel of twelve hundred hogsheads of tobacco burthen has
loaded at Alexandria, and one of seven hundred at George-Town.
The inland navigation is at present used twenty-four miles above
Fort-Cumberland : From thence to the Great-Falls is two hun
dred miles ; though it may be made navigable to the mouth of Sa
vage-Creek, eieht miles higher. The present land-carriage from
the mouth of Savage to Dunkard's Bottom, on Cheat-River, is
thirty-seven miles; from thence to the Ohio it is navigable ; but it
is very pra&icable to improve the navigation so as to reduce the
land carriage between the Potomac and Western Waters to only
seventeen miles. As a proof of the facility of the communication,
we apprehend the authority of Mr. Wa l pol e and his afTociates
in their answer to the report of the board of trade in England will
have some weight. Dr Mitchell too, who onoccafionof the
war between France and England, on account of the back coun
try, was employed by the Ministry to take an accurate survey of
all the country, and publifti a map in consequence thereof, accom
panied with a defcriptionof the country, agrees with those gentle
men, in proving the easy communication between the Eastern and
Western Country, when it was Icfs known than at present. Speak
ing of the Ohio, they fay, " The country is well watered by se
veral navigable rivers communicating with each other, and by
which, and a short land-carriage of only forty miles, the produce
of the Ohio can even now be sent cheaper to the seaport town of
Alexandria, on the river Potomack, (where Gen. Braddock's
transports landed his troops) than any kind of merchandize is at
this time sent from Northampton to London." And Mr. Jef
ferson, in his Notes on the State of Virginia, speaking of the
connection between the Atlantic and Western Waters, fays, " The
Potomack offers itfelf under the following circumstances tor the
trade of the lakes and the waters westward of lake Erie. When it
shall have entered that 1 ke, it must coast along its Southern ftiore,
on account of the number and excellence of its harbors, the North
ern, though shortest, having few harbors, and thole unfafe. Hav
ing reached Cayahoga, to proceed on to New-York, it will have
825 miles, and five portages : Whereas it is but 425 miles to A
lexandria,its emporium on the Potomack, if it turns into the Cay
ihoga, and partes through that, Big-Beaver, Ohio, Yohogany, (or
Monongahela and Cheat) and Potomack, and there are but two
portages ; the firft of which, between Cayahoga and Beaver, may
be removed by uniting the sources of these waters, which are lakes
in the neighborhood of each other, and in a champaign country.
The other, from the waters of the Ohio to Potomack, will be from
15 to 40 miles, according to the trouble which shall be taken to
approach the two navigations. For the trade of the Ohio, or that
which shall come into it from its own waters or the Miflifippi, it
is nearer through the Potomack to Alexandria than to New-York
by 580 miies, and is interrupted by one portage only.
There is another circumstance of difference too. The lakes
themselves never freeze, but the communications between them
freeze, and the Hudson's river is itfelf shut up by the ice three
months in the year ; whereas the channel to the Chefapeak leads
direttly to a warm climate—the southern parts of it very rarely
freeze at all, and whenever the northern do, it is so near the
sources of the rivers, that the frequent floods to which they aie
liable break up the ice immediately ; so that vessels may pass
through the whole winter fubjeft only to accidental and ftiort de
jays." From the mouth of Savage to the settlements in the Mhf
kingum, weft of the Ohio, is about 140 miles. A good road
between these places is now opening, if not completed; from
the Great-Falls to tide water, following the course of the river,
is fourteen miles, and by land only eleven ; from the Great-Falls
to George-Town, is also fourteen miles, and to Alexandria seven
teen, with good roads to each. The lands on the lower parts of
the Potomack produce tobacco, corn, wheat and cotton plenti
fully. The country above the falls is remarkably fertile, and
yields large quantities of hemp and flax, with the several articles
produced below except cotton ; the streams which empty into
the Potomack are many; the principal are Pflttevfon's Creek,
which falls into the Potomack ten miles below Fort-Cumberknd,
and is navigable twenty miles above its mouth ; the South-Branch,
seventeen miles below Cumberland, is navigable one hundred
miles : Cape-Capon, iixty miles below, is navigable twenty
miles. Conococheague, ninety miles below, is navigable twen
ty-four miles. Opecan, one hundred and five miles be ow, is
navigable twenty-five miles from its mouth, and within a ew
miles of Winchester, a flourifhing inland town. anarx
doah, one hundred and thirty miles below, may with a tmall
expence be made navigable for one hundred and lixty mites, an
is already used for a great part of that distance. The Monoca y,
one hundred and fifty miles below Cumberland, is navigable
thirty miles above its mouth ; this river is within two miles o
Frederick-Town in Maryland ; one of the largest inland towns in
the United States ; these several dreams pass through a country
not exceeded in fertility of foil or salubrity of air by any in A
merica, if any in the world ; perhaps no part of America can
boast of being more healthy than the Potomack in general ; and
we have been more aftoniftied at the objections which have been
made to fixing the feat of government on it, from a iuppolcd de
ficiency in khisrefpeCt, than any other ; the country is almott en
tirely high and dry, with plentiful streams of pure water through
out the whole extent of it: And are not these the principal cir
cumstances which conduce to health in every climate ? But we
ascribe the imputation to the general idea entertained of a southern
clime by the inhabitants of a more northern one, which is only
just with respeCt to the country adjacent to the sea-coast ; for it is
a faCt we believe well ascertained, that the upper country, even in
Georgia, the mod southern State, is extremely healthy. But wc
wjfh to refer you on this fubjeCl to numbers of your friends and
countrymen fettled amongus ; their health will prove the aHer
tion. The Berkely springs, or bath, is situated within a few
miles of this river, and frequented by the afflitted from all the
States, and much celebrated for its effeCts : Slate, marble, free
ftone of the red and grey Portland kinds, and iron ore may be
had in great abundance on the banks of the river ; indeed seve
ral iron works are already established thereon ; of coal too there
is «yi inexhaustible quantity near Cumberland, convenient to wa
ter carriage, from whence the towns in future may be tupplied—
With regard to fifh the ir plenty is too well known to require a
particular description ; fuffice it to fay that large quantities ol
herring and white hfli are annually exported to the Weft-Indies.
As to the defenfibility of the Potomack, we are of opinion no
river in America is capable of being rendered more secure : Iti
banks are every where high and bold, with the channel often
not more than two hundred yards from the (hore ; Digges's point,
about fix miles below Alexandria, and just above Pifcataway creek,
is remarkably well calculated for a battery, as all vefTels coming
up the river must present their bows to that point, for the distance
of three quarters of a mile ; and, after palling, their sterns are
equally exposed, for about the fame distance ; the middle of the
channel there is not more than two hundred yards from the point.
Having now enumerated the particular advantages of the Po
tomack, fuffer us to observe that the commerce of the river on
which the feat of government shall be fixed, will thereby be
greatly encreafed ; and propriety and justice seem to require that
the merchants of every part of the Union ftiould partake of the
advantages resulting from that circumstances, as equally as the na
ture of the cafe will admit. Upon the Potomack are but few
merchants of large capital, and but very little shipping; hence
the merchants to the eastward would have a fairer chance of sharing
in the trade of the metropolis, than could be expeCted, if the feat
of government should be fixed either on the Sufquehanna or De
laware, where the opulent and comparatively long established
towns of Baltimore and Philadelphia, furnifh merchants of large
capitals, ready and capable of seizing every advantage themselves,
and thus er.grofTing the whole commerce of these rivers. Besides,
we apprehend it to be an incontrovertible faCt that your produce
and manufactures would meet with a more ready market on the
Potomack, than on either of those rivers. The southern States
are too much engaged in raising valuable flaple commodities to at
tend to manufactures ; it will therefore be a long time before they
can rival you in this branch ; while the inhabitants of Pennsyl
vania have already made considerable progress in these arts. The
preference given by Britain to the commerce of the southern States
before the revolution was founded on this policy, that they inter
fered least with her manufactures : Ought not the fame motives to
influence you, who are anxious to supplant her with refpe&to the
articles with which she still continues to furnifh us ? When the
greater centrality of the Potomack is considered, we think this
circumstance ought to be decisive with you, in giving it the pre
ference we contend for. To us it appears evident that the produce,
manufactures and shipping of your country would be in much
greater demand on the Potomack, than any where else more to
the northward.
We accordingly request you to take the fubje& into your seri
ous consideration, and weigh maturely the merits of a plaee,
which besides its other advantages, presents the easiest communi
cation with our western brethren.
We are, Gentlemen, your obedient Servants,
Robert Peter, George Walker Jiejnard 0' Neill, Benjamin Stoddcrt,
William Deakins,jun. Gearge Gilpin, John Fitzgerald, Charles Simms,
David Stuart., Robert T. Hooe.
MR. FENNO,
The following was latch received from a gentleman in Bofton —The
plan appears to he fimple y and a real improvement —and as it includes
a provision for both sexes, its liberality and benevolence must recom
mend it to the friends of the rifng generation.
THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC EDUCATION,
Adopted by the Town of Boflon, OElober 15, 1789.
I. r I there be one School in which the rudiments of
A the Latin and Greek, languages shall be taught, and schol
ars fully qualified for the Univerfitics. That all candidates for
admifTion into this School (hall beat lead ten years of age, having
been previously well inftru&ed in Englifti Grammar; that thev
(hall continue in it not longer than four years, and thai they have
liberty to attend the public writing Schools at such hours as the
visiting Committee (hall direst.
11. That there be one writing School at the South part of the
town : one at the Centre, and one at the North part ; that, in
these Schools, the children of both sexes be taught writing, and
also arithmetic in the various branches usually taught in the Town
Schools, including Vulgar and Decimal Fractions.
111. That there be one reading School at the South part of the
Town, one at the Centre, and one at the North part ; that, in these
Schools, the children of both sexes be taught to spell, accent, and
read both prose and veife, and also be inftru&ed in English Gram
mar and Composition.
IV. That the children of both sexes be admitted into the read
ing and writing School? at the age of seven years, having previous
ly rece/ved the inftruflion usual at Women's Schools ; that they
be allowed to continue in the reading and writing Schools till the
age of fourteen, the boys attending the year round, the girls from
the 20th of April to the 20th of Ottober following ; that they at
tend thefeSchools alternately, at such times, and lubjeft to such
changes, as the visiting Committee in confutation with the Masters
(ball approve.
V. That a Committee be annually chosen by ballot, to consist
of twelve, in addition to the Sele&men, whose business it (hall
be to visit the Schools once in every quarter, and as much oftener
as they (ball judge proper with three of their number at least,
to consult together in order to devise the best methods for the in
ftru&ion and government of the Schools ; and to communicate
therefultof their deliberations to the Masters; to determine at
what hours the Schools (hall begin, and to appoint play-days ;
in their visitations to enquire into the particular regulations of
the Schools, both in regard to inftruftion and discipline, and give
such advice to the Masters asthey (ball think proper ; to examine
theScholais in the particular branches which they are taught ; and
by all proper methods to excite in them a laudable ambition to
excel in a virtuous, amiable deportment, and in every branch of
ufet'ul knowledge
WILLIAM TAYLOR,
Has for Sale, at his EAST-INDIA GOODS STORE,
No. 4, Burlinc-Slip,
A General Aflortment: of EAST-INDIA GOODS,
Among which are the following Articles : .
BOOK Muslins 8-4 6-4 5-4 || HUMHUMS',
Jackonet do. ij Long Cloths,
Hankerchiefs,of various kinds,|l Calfas,
Chintzes, N Seersuckers,
Ginghams, H Boglapores.
A Variety of handsome painted MUSLINS.
With many other Articles, which will be fold by the Piece or
Package, low for cash.
And a few pair large harrdfome Cotton COUN
TERPANES, much warmer than Blankets.
January g, 1790. t. f.
PROPOSAL,
FOR PRINTING BY SUBSCRIPTION,
MEMOIRS
OF THE
BLOOMSGROVE FAMILY.
In a SERIES of LETTERS from a gentleman in New-England
to a refpettable citizen of Philadelphia.
CONTAINING
Sentiments on a MODE of DOMESTIC EDUCATION, fuitrd
to the present state of Society, Government and Manners in the
United States, and on the Importance and Dignity of the Female
Character.
INTERSPERSED WITH A
VARIETY of interesting ANECDOTES.
CONDITIONS.
They will be printed on a good paper and type—neatly bound
and lettered, in two volumes, 12mo. and delivered to fubferibers
at three quarters of a dollar per volume.
w These Memoirs are dedicated to Mrs. Washi ncton, by
her permijfion. Having seen the manuscripts, and approved the plan,
" She heartilv wilhes that every laudable effort to improve the
*' mode of education in this country may be attended with merit
j " ed success."
„ FROM the literary chara&er of the reputed author of
the above work, and a table of contents left with the printer here
of, being eighty-three letters on the most interesting fubje&s of
education, life and manners, it is expe&ed these Memoirs will
prove a very valuable and interesting performance.
Suhfcriptions received by the Editor, at his office, and letters (peji
paid J duly attended to.
ADVERTISEMENT.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE OHIO COMPANY.
WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Agents, it is very much
for the interest of the proprietors at large, that all the
lands of the purchase should be divided and allotted as immedi
ately as may be—And in order to accommodate them generally,
by the option of clafling as they may think proper, and drawing
their rights or (hares (where they may possess more than one)
either together in contiguity, or by detaching and annexing them
to diftinft claflesor divisions (at their own ele&ion) to give them
the greater chance for variety in foil and (ituation—ltisunani
moufly refolved,That as foonas the exploring committee (hall have
appropriated the lands for donation fettlements,in quantity fuffici
ent for all the proprietors,Wi nth rop Sarcent,Joseph Gili -
man, and Return J. Meigs, Esquires, who are hereby appoint
ed a committee for that purpose,(hall immediately makeout,upon
a large fcale,a complete map or plan of the whole purchase from the
best information,which they may be then able to obtain,exprefling
all the lands of the eight acre, three acre, city lots and commons,
one hundred and sixty acre, and donation lots, the reserved lots
of Congress, school lots, and lots appropriated for religious pur
poses—also, the two townships given by Congress for an univerfi
ty,and the towns or situations for towns to be reserved by the com
pany for a future allotment.—That, all the residuary lands lhall
be, by them, the said committee of three, divided and numbered
upon paper, into forty equal grand divisions of twenty-five (hares
each, as like in quality as may be: That each grand division be
divided into five sub-divisions of five (hares each, and each sub
division into fettions of (ingle (hares :—That as soon as the map
or plan is completed, the agents will form or class their fubferib
ers (who (hall not previously class themselves) by fe&ions or Angle
shares, into sub-divisions of five, and grand divisions of twenty
five, and immediately proceed to drawing Vy lot for said lands;
by grand divisions, sub-divisions and feftions : That in all
draughts of sub-divisions (into fe&ions) which may be madeup ot
proprietors,holding four,three, or two and single (hares,it (hall be
the usage for the greatest proprietor, or holder of the greatest
number of (hares, to take his lands in contiguity, by lot, either ia
the southern or northern part of the sub-division, where they (hall
be numbered from north to south, and in the western or eastern
(by lot also) where they may be numbered from weft to east; and.
where fub-dirifions maybe made up of two proprietors of two
(hares each, and one of one (hare, the two greatest proprie
tors (hall receive their fc&ions, by lot, either in the southern or
western part of the sub-division. Resolved % Th3t the before na
med committee, be dire&ed to prepare the names and numbers,
and make all the necelTary arrangements for the intended draught:
That previous to the drawing for this ultimate grand division of
lands, there (hall be returns of the proprietors, as they may be
classed by the agents (or otherwise) lodged in the Secretary's office,
and it is recommended in all cases to consult the inclinations and
interests of the proprietors in the order of clafling.
Rejtlved, That the agents will give public notice of the time and
place of drawing, and that there be two perfonsno ways interest
ed in the draughts, who (hall be sworn to the faithfully drawing
out the names and numbers from the boxes, and who alone shall
be employed in this business for the draught of grand divisions,
sub-divisions, and feflions.
Resolved, That the Secretary cause the foregoing resolutions to
be published in the newspapers of New-York, and the New-
England States ; to the end that the proprietors at large may have
the option of clafling themselves as they may think proper : And
they are hereby requested so to do, and to express themselves
upon this fubjctl, cither to their refpe&ive agents, or by informa
tion in writing addreflcd to, and to be lodged with the Secretary,
at his office in the city of Marietta,previous to the firftMonday of
March, 1790 —Upon which day it is expe&ed the division will
take place. WINTHROP SARGENT,
Secretary to the Ohio Company.
Marietta, 3d November, 1789.
WANTED IMMEDIATELY,
AY OUNG LAD, of suitable character, to fervc
as an Apprentice to the printing Business.
Enquire of the Printer.
Published by JOHN FENNO, No. 9, Maiden-
Lank, ne«rtheOfwcgo~M*rkct t New-York.—[3dol. pr. an.]