these men have bought the lands at a very Anall
price, and are very much disposed to get your
valuable farms in exchange for them. Various
irrfidious arts have been employed to ensnare and
betray the unwary.—Let me counsel you mj
rountrymen, to flay at home, content with that
support which honeit induftrv will secure to you
in any populated part ot the United States.
Your emigration to these lands will be as in
jurious to your country,'as emigration to another
planet. In a political view, these lands may pel
liaps, be made produtftiv e of money, it fold abi oad,
and reserved for foreign emigrants—but in a
commercial and agricultural view, they are, at
this moment, very injurious—they open a refoit
for all who would escape from debt and from m
duftry they weaken the effe<si of penal laws
throughout the Union, by receiving and protect
in<r their jult vitftims. There no law reaches,
nocurfe descends—but in lieu of them a compli
cation of miseries neceflarily attendant on fetlers
in a new territory.—Convinced I am, that if those
lands were overflowed by tne lakes—or funk in
the ocean—or turned into a desert—we fliould be
a richer people.
On the fubieeft of the iihmenfe compliments to
our Western Territory, I pledge myfelf, (if fair
ly challenged, under this signature,) to prove,
that the accounts have been, for the moti part,
absolutely falfe and insidious. Stay, then, my
countrymen, in your honest callings, and never
be caught, Handing like Shakespeare'sblackfinitli,
with fufpentfed hammer, and out-ftretch'd mouth,
swallowing ataylor's news
for the gazette of the united states.
MR. FEN NO,
THE critical moment is at hand. Whether the new govern
ment will Hand or fall : Whether the United State', will rife
into refpeflability, or fink into contempt, will be decided, when
the qucOion, resetting public credit, lhall be determined. If
justice and true policy (hall appear among the leading features ot
this all important determination, our government will obtain en
ergy, our legislators merit the confidence of their conftitucnts, and
the oeople lie happy. But Should this not be the cafe, the laws of
Con'-'itls will be treated like the creatures of a day, and its mem
hers arpear only ascyphers. Ido not wilh a government that is
not founded in justice; and I am sure we lhall have no other to
continue long,except it be in tyranny. .
I would be tar from impeaching the worthy character ol tne Se
cretary ot the Treasury : It would be with reluctance, should I
disapprove the plan contained in his report, in which he has dif
olayed so much ingenuity. But I wilbto makefome remarks upon
it tter-writers andcorrefpondents whofeem to applaud his plan.—
It is applauded, btcaufe it probably cost him much labor ; and it
is the performance of one in whose abilities and fidelity we have
rcal'on to confide. But we have a right to call to mind, that the
author of the report is one who is not wholly exempted from the
common imperfections of human nature. It is polfible that he
tbouldcrr.
By whom a letter-writer is authorued to fay, That the public
creditors will be content with receiving an interest ot 4 per cent,
xvhen they loaned their money to the States upon condition of rc
ceiving 6 per cent.—or how he can fay that they have cxpeftedno
more, lam not able to conceive. I know that some ol the pub
lic creditors xvill not be content with this : I have not heard one
fay that he would be content with it. Money is let, and has been,
and' trill be let at an interest of 6 per ccnt. Is it not rare patrio
tic that inclines a man to let bis money at a less interest to the
States than to his neighbors ? _
I think the present servants of the public, do nol fervethe State*
for less wages than they would serve individuals. When we
loaned our money to the States,we might have loaned it to private
r-erfons at 6 per ccnt. and continued itfo to this lime, and as much
longer as wc plcafc. How then is it rational to c-mclude that the
crcditorsof the public will be contort to receive only an interest of
a per rent, upon those obligations which solemnly promise 6 ?
I believe that if Congress propose this, and they confcnt to'it, it
w ill bebecaufe they think they can do 110 better with the uUuna
hx regum.
Would ConireTs know whether the pub.ic creditors are willing
tocontinue their money in the loan, or subscribe to the new pro
iefted fund, at an interest of 4 per ccnt. let them make a fair trial.
I.et them offer full payinentot principal and interest already ari
f"n, in real Ipeeie, and fav, will you acceptor, or continue your
property in the loan at 4 per rent.? Unless the public debt be
continued upon an intcrclt of 6 per cent, and provision made for
thcannual payment of it. I (hall not view the foundation of our
government as laid in justice : Except the consent of the public cre
ditors to a lower intceft is obtained in the mannerjuft m-ntioncd,
or some other as fair. That the States have any right to depart
from an original contrast made with any ol their fubjeas, without
the confcnt ot the fubjeft fairly obtained, is, tor me, as difficult
to undei stand, as that either party, in a private contrast.has a right
to make alterations without the confcnt of the ot hcr. If the States
can make afavingof interest in a manner that is jult and fair, let
them do it; hut in any other manner it ought to be reprobated
The letter-writer furtherobferves, that only 4 per cent, interest
is within the compass of the ability of the United States This I
dcema miftakc 111 him, and a falfehood in fact The Stairs are
not yet reduced to bankruptcy, They are not under the necclhty ol
compounding with their creditors at one thud dilcount. Let not
an idea, so fa'lfe, and so ruinous to Our credit he fuggeftcd or che
rished To be sure, if the States are not able to pay any more
than two thirds of the interest they owe, the creditors who are
but a small Dart of the States are not ableto lose onethird. I hev
mud bear a part in paying this two thirds, at the fame time they
mud lose one third, and no body to bear a part with them.
Ido not suppose the letter-writer means that there:i- not pro
perty or refourccs enough in the States to pay their * its lone .V,
but it will be too heavy : If they be really able, it will be more
pinching than they can bear. I hope wc are not so > destitute ol
virtue yet. The creditors maybe ableto lose a part of their dues,
but win it not he h. avy and pinching to them ? Were power upon
'heir fide, 'they might fay with a like pofiuve air—lt is too heavy
for us. If they are deprived of one third ot their interest, they
a-edeprived of one third of their principal too. Certainly it
300 dollars draws no more intcrell in the public funds than 200 111
a private fund, it is worth no more than 200, it will tell tor no
more. Is not this too heavy upon thecrcuitors . If any uppo e
that in years to come interest will be no more t.ian 4 per curt. in
common through the States : Yet let in wait till that time : It
will then be fooncnough to rcduceth: interest of the public fundl:
Thecreditois will then be willing for it. That period is no doubt
distant from ui. In such a new and extenfivecountry as this,
therearc, and foi a longtime will be, ways tor people to difpole
c»f't'neir n>on< y to a greater advantage, than letting it even at 0 per
cent. I need only mention the cncrc«lmg value ol lands.
A REPUBLICAN
If the people will not bear a burden heavy enough to dojuftice, *
let us know ir. II their character is known, future generations
will not be deceived and cheated as the present has been. Should
this sentiment declared and patronized, that the States are not
ibieto dojuitice to their creditors, it would give as fatal a blow
to public credit as the want of jufticc. I think my neighbors as
unwilling to trust a man whom they suppose unable to pay th?m
again, except in part, .is „hey aj e one who is-able, but unwiling,
till compelled to ii by law. I fear the States will never be able
to obtain another loan, if once they fliilt by any means reduce
their creditors to a neccfluy of accepting a less rate of intcrell than
was originally agreed upon. For what they do now may be done 1
again. This will Hand as a precedent. The character which
they get fixed upon thetnfelvcs now, will probably be imputed
to them foi: a long fucceflion of generations.
If the States think, they pay too high interest, or could borrow
at less, let them do as a prudent lubjeCt would in such a cafe, pay
up their former loan and contratt a new one. Should any lay,
this is not a fair proposal, because it is what they cannot do—the
present state of o'ur treasury is not fuffccicnt. for such a thing : I
answer, let them getthemoney lutothe'treafury by opening a new
loan. Let them, by advertisements through the States, delire the
monied fubje&s to deposit their money in a public fund at 4 per
cent, imcrelt, and with the money thus obtained, pay off the ob
ligations which have been given at 6 per cent. If money cannot
be thus obtained, it will prove that monied men can do better with
their money; and if so, it proves it unjust and impolitic to reduce
the public creditors to the neceflity of taking less than 6 per cent.
Why this class of citizens fliould be called to make a facrifice to
the public, 01 why it should be expetted from them I know not.
They have fuffered as much during the war. in other ways, as any
class of people ; they have for many years fullered beyond others,
by having no iptereft paid them, or that which in value has been
next to none. I believe them not behind others in patriotism :
but it seems to me they are the last class of citizens that should be
called to make so great a facrifice ; They have been not only th£
nominal but a&ual friends of their country in thq time of her
grcateft neceflities. J"here could be much better ak pro
duced in favor of an advanced interest than of a reduced one ; but
let jufticc take place, I a(k no more.
A CONNECTICUT MAN.
BY AUTHORITY.
PROCLAMATION oj the KING of FRANCE,
For granting Bouutie/ on ths importation of Grain.
November jth, 1789.
JL HE King being informed that in many of the
Ports of his Kingdom, the merchants would bedif
pofed to import foreign grain, if tlicy could ex
pect to receive the like Bounties as were granted
until the firft of September last ; His Majesty be
ing deiirous to induce the merchants to pursue
measures so conducive to the supplying his peo
ple with provisions, has thought proper to grant
this Encouragement : His Majesty has therefore
ordained, and does ordain as follows.
That there shall be paid to all French and Fo
reign Merchants, who from the-ift December,
1789,10 the Ift July, 1790, lhall import Wheat,
Rye and Barley, and the Flour thereof, from the
different Ports of Europe, or of the United States
of America, the following Bounties, viz. thirtyfous
per quintal on Wheat—; forty sous per quintal on
Wheat Flour—twenty-four sous per quintal on Rye
—thirty-two sous per quintal on Rye Flour—twenty
fout per quintal on Barley, and twenty-seven sous
per quintal on Barley Flour.
11.
The said Bounties Ihall. be paid by the Recei
vers of the Farm-Duties in the Ports of the King
dom, where the said Grain and Flour lhall arrive,
on the Declarations furnifhed by the Captains of
the Vessels, who lhall be bound to annex thereto
a legal copy ot the Bill of Lading of their cargo.
111.
All the Vessels indiscriminately, which, during
the space of time above fpecified, lhall import in
to the Kingdom Wheat and Flour, coming from
the different Ports of Europe, and those of the
United States of America, lhall be exempt from
the Duty of Freight, on account of the said im
portations. His Majesty enjoins the persons em
ployed in the Farms to conform to, and carry in
to execution the present Proclamation, which lhall
be read, published, &c.
Done at Paris, the fifth of November, 1789.
[Signed] DE SAINT PRIEST.
LONDON, December, 31.
Extract of a letter from Rome, Nov. 21.
" Yesterday morning a courier arrived from
Bologna, with news of tne death of the Duchefsdf
Albany, natural daughter of the late Pretender,
who sent for her from France some time before
his death, and had her legitimated. Her com
plaint was an abfeefs inthefide, and is attributed
to a fall from her horse some time before she left
"France. She was the last diredt descendant (if a
natural child can be so called) of the Stuarts, ex
cept the Cardinal of York ; who since his bro
ther's death has afliimed the title of Henry IX."
The patriotic furor of freedom which f<» high
ly dignifies the present period, has at length ex
-371-
ARTICLE I
tended to the Bi uifh iilands of Jersey andGuerr
fey ; in both of which the standard of liberty i«
eredled. The points resolved upon are grand ju
ries, trials by juries, and an abolition of appeal
and jurifdic'tion. 1 i<e friends of government
have Itrenuoufly endeavored to oppol'e thole re
solutions, but the patriots carried ihein by a pro
digious majority.
file loss liiftaiued by the Grand Vizier in the
adtion with Prince Potemki:), is about 20,000
men, molt of whom were drowned ; the Rcis
Effendi and many principal officers were among
them.
At Rome, the middle of November last, the
weather suddenly became so cold, that the inha
bitants were obliged to button theinfelves in their
great coats. A circumltance so unufiial in those
climates, may lead to a conjecture, that the li
vers which are described by the Roman Poets to
have been frozen over in the day of Augustus,
may (hortly exhibit the fame phxnomenon.
A detachment from the Rullian grand fieet in
the Norto palled the Streights of Gibraltar oil
the 23d ult.
A patenthas just paff'ed the Great Seal toa Mr.-
Hancock for a molt valuable invention : It is a
portable, compa<fl machine, for winnowing and
cleaning all forts of corn. It will do eight quar
ters in an hour ready for the market, prevents
all waste, and gives the Corn a lighter colour than
the usual mode.
THE TABLET.
" It is a difficult tajk to get above a defre of being
applauded for things that should be wholly indifferent.
THERE is no circumstance in the conduct «f
a person that requires more discretion, than
to regulate that partot'converfation which relates
to hinifelf. The love of commendation is (!>
strong in the minds of mo ft men, that it often,
tempts them to praifc ..heir own qualities or ac
tions. Though applause which one bellows on
hinifelf may denote vanity, it is no mark of a
perverse disposition, unless the things which he
applauds, are such as deserve censure, rather than
praise. lam apt to believe, that when a person is
left to the necessity, either of speaking in his own
commendaton, 01 of having nothing commenda
ble said of him, that he will be vain of qualifica
tions that are vicious or ufclefs.
What are we to think of a person who takes a
pride in boasting that he can drink a greater
quantity of wine than any of his acquaintance
without intoxication? It is natural to infer, that
he wiflies applause, and that as he is not consci
ous of any real merit, he had rather be remarka
ble for vice or folly, than not to be diftingijiftied
at all. A person likewise who is vain of any pe
culiarity of dress or manners, rtiews a desire to be
applauded for things, about which he should be
indifferent. Few men are capable of regulating
their love of applause in fucli a manner, as 110 c
fpinetimes to doat upon Trifling qualifications ;
and to seek commendation in points, which pru
dence would direct them to conceal. But we
ihould be on our guard against the fafcinating
influence of admiration, or it may lead us into ac
tions that may leflen our chara&er in the view of
those, whose efteein and approbation are moll to
be vplned.
NEW-YORK, MARCH 3
FROM CORRESPONDENTS.
When it is considered how -highly the public
expectations were raised at the adoption of the
New Constitution—and how greatly those expec
tations have been realized in the administration,
ofthe government thus far, a doubt cannot be
entertained refpe&jngthe adoption of fuchmea
fures in future, as will ensure the most essential
objedt, the eftabliftunent of the PUBLIC CREDIT.
As a leading step to this great event, every na
tional and patriotic motive, concurs to enforce
the assumption of the State Debts. This will
prove a most important link in the chain of our
Federal Union—and which, if not done, will be
a dereliction of the interest of a very refpecfiable
class of the most diftioguiflied Patriots of our
Country. _
Local politics were universally decried but a
Ihort time since, as the disgrace and curse of our
country —all the members of our present enlight
ened NationalLegifiature, in all their deliberations
on the great questions that come before them, es
pecially those relating to FINANCE, discover
minds superior to all felfilh, State attachments.
So that the interests of all, appear to be equally
dearto all. When this isthecafe, how glorious
; is the profpetft of our country !
" A chain of felf interest is no better than a
rope of sand. There is no cement, nor cohesion be
between the parts —there is rather a mutual anti
pathy and refulfton —hence we fee this chain is al
ways ready to fall in pieces, andon any sudden
concussion to break into an infinity of factions."
" When this comes to be the cafe with a com
munity, wefindthat no public measure, however
falntary, can be carried into effect, ifit.clafh with
arty iorefeen particular interest." EJNm?a.
No. XCIII,