New-York, March 31, 1790.
ON the i-2th of February, at seven in the even
ing, a tremendous fire broke out at Point
Petre, in Guadaloupe, and was not extinguished
till midnight. There were twenty five capital
buildings confutned, belides a number of fm'»ler
ones—the whole loss estimated at fix millions
oflivres. We are happy to add, that a number
of veflels belongingto the United States were ly
ing in the harbor, the mailers and crews of which
exerted themselves in the most signal manner on
this diftreifing occasion ; and the assistance they
lent was eltecmcd so important as to entitle them
to receive the thanks of the public by a committee
from the citizens of the town, as folldws :
By aCommitteeof the Citizens ofPointa Petre, to
the Americans now amongst us
Brave and generous Friends and A!ties,
THE unfortunate persons who have fuffered by
the late mertilefs fire in this town, feel thein
ielves under the molt lasting obligations to you,
for yourfo generouily exposing your own lives in
endeavouring to lave their effe<fts and property
from ruin.
Such as have escaped the rage of this devour
ing element, are no less indebted to you for their
lives—your prefenceof iiiiiid,ftrtngth and resolu
tion in arrelting its fatal progress, lay claim to a
lading remembrance from every inhabitant of
this place.
This unfortunate accident was notnecefiary to
prove, that all mankind are brethren ; muchlefs,
to convince the French of your iincere attach
ment to them.
It is the wish of the committee that the address
may, in the most public manner teftify their grate
ful acknowledgments for your services on this
melancholy occalion ; and that a copy of the ad
dress may so far merit your approbation, as to be
lent to the minister of France, that it may be
forwarded and presented to the representatives
of the United States of America—And may a
people so illuitrious andfo generous as the Ame
ricans, enjoy all the prosperity and happiness of
which they are so highly deserving.
Done and concluded by the committee at Point
a Peti e, this 18th of February, i 790.
(Signed)
Via/l, J. Cadiot Lombard-Rebian.
Blandet.
Magagnos.
To the Honorable the Prefidenc and Members of
the Committee of the town of Point a Prftre,
Grand Terre, Guadaloupe, &c. &c.
Gentlemen.
We, the masters, commanders, and mariners
of the ships and other veflels belonging to the
United States of America, now riding at anchor
in this port, do acknowledge the receipt of your
affectionate and polite address, for which, from
this Angular testimony of your allied friendfhip,
we beg leave to return you our most hearty and
lincere thanks.
Tlie many eminent and often repeated services,
that we and our fellow-citizens of America recei
ved from your august nation, at a time when we
were groaning under the tyranny andoppreffion
of Britain) will ever leave a deep impreflion of
gratitude andefteem upon our minds for the good
people of France.
The encomiums you are pleased to bellow upon
us are ui the highest degree flattering ; at the
lame time permit us to fay, that we performed no
more than a duty we owed to ourfelvesupon the
principles of humanity, philanthropy, and good
■will to all mankind. We are sorry that the fnral
nefs of our number did not permit us to lend a
more effectual aid in sooner terminating this
deftrucfiive conflagration ; but, if our efforts had
■only contributed to favea single individual from
distress, we should confidcrthofe moments of dan
gerous exertion as the happiest of our whole lives.
Give us leave to add, gentlemen, that we fliall
ever have at heart the particular welfare, pros
perity andhappinefs ofthe citizensof Point Petre,
as well as of this refpc<ftable and flouriiliing co
lony in general. Long may you enjoy the happy
fruits, and every advantage and benefit ariiing
from an unrivalled commerce ; a commerce which
is at this momentthe envy of your neighbours, as
being under the protection and influence of that
benign genius of liberty in whose cause your na
tion has so nobly and conspicuously distinguished
itfelf. We fliall conclude, gentlemen, with ex
prcfling our warmest willies, that yon may long
be participators in the blellings of health, peace,
and prosperity ; the patrons of honor and justice
in your community ; and that our mutual fiiend
fhip may never again be interrupted, by our vei
fels being excluded from the commerce of this
port. With the most ardent wishes for the wel
fare of yourselves and j our families—we'remain,
gentlemen,
With every acknowledgment
of refpe«sl:, your most obedient
and humble servants,
(Signed in behalf of the Captains, &c.)
JOHN STFPHENSON.
Delort. Buident 1 - ,
Irouftl. 3 ***
The following Objervations on GYPSUM, Or PLAIS
TER of PARIS, by Dr. Log an, of Peunfyivania,
accompanied the Experiments, in our lajt.
GYPSUM, which has acquired the name of Plaifter of Paris 1
from its abounding in the neighborhood of that city is ot
a stony nature, yet loft and easy to be (craped with a knife.•« It is
found in innny parts of the earth in very great quantities, forming
hills of a considerable extent, a* in the vicinity of Faris, in the
hay of Fundy, in Russia, and in many other parts of the world.
It is found under different appearances.
lft Chryftalized into transparent plales, which can be easily
separated with a knife, and which, in tome part of Ruflia, arc
said to be so large as to answer the purpose of glass.
2d. Of a fibrous texture, and compofcd of oblong concretions
lying across the mass.
3d. Composed Of small chrvftalinc grains; this species is called
alabaster, when it a hardnffs capable of receiving a polish.
Ii» the crata of Mount Mart near Paris, all the above varieties
are found, and also a flratum of a leis perfect matter filled with
final! fliells : a fpccimen of which I have in my pofleflion : I
have also a bfcalitiful fpccimen of the chryftalized gypsum, lately
brought from the Bay of Fundy.
Every kind of gypsum, however different in exterior form or
appearance, have all a perfect rcfemblance in their chemical and
eirential qualities.
It is generally allowed that gypsum is principally composed of
calcarious earth, but it is not so well ascertained with what sub
stance it is united, which prevents it from having thfc power of
quick lime when burnt. Regarding calcarious earth as forming
the basis of this substance, it may beneceffary to take notice of the
different forms uhder which calcarious earths appear
That which is in the greatest quantity, dnd properly called cal
carious, is distinguished from the reft from the effett which fire
has upon it, in converting it into a quick lime ; alt others should
rather be termed alkaline absorbents. Calcarious earth appears
in a variety Of forms ; there are very considerable flrata of it in
the bowels of the eaTth, as marble, and chalk, which
differ only in the degree of purity or mode of concretion.
It is often found in veins filling up the rentsor cavities of tnoufi
tains, and is called calcarious spar : some of which contain a
Quantity of this earth, but not in a pure (late : some are perfe£lly
transparent : and from being found in Iceland, are called Iceland
crystals.
The matter with which animal and vegetable substances are in
cruftcd, or penetrated by the waters of particular (prings, so as to
retain their external form, but lose their nature and become (lone,
is generally of this kind ; and (hews that this earth is capable of
being difTolved by water, and being introduced into £he texture of
animal and vegetable fubftanCe. This earth also produces the
' 4r £ c pendulous columns and cones that are found hanging from
the roofs of large caves, as in Derbyfliire.
The ftoily shells of all cruftaceous animals, from thecoarfeft, to
the coral and pearl, are all composed of this earth, and a small
quantity of animal glue. A viscid fluid proceeds from the fur
face of the animal, which becomes a tough membrane, and gra
dually hardens into this form. The (hells of all kinds of animals,
together with all coraline concretions consist of the calcarious
earth, united with a small proportion of animal glue.
Marie is an alkaline earth, but canuot be converted to quick
lime : ft h composed of calcarious earth and clay : and its value
36 a manure is estimated in proportion to the quantity of calcarious
earth which it contains. Maries alfume a variety of colors, but
are pioperly divided into flteH atid (lone marie.
Shell marie is composed of the (hells of (hell fi(h, or dther a«-
quatic animal?, which are sometime entire, and often decayed or
mixed with other earthly fubftdnces.
fcxamining this matter as occurlng in different places, it may
be dtftinguilhed into frefh water marlfc and <he marie of sea fhelh.
The firlt is composed of a small frefh water \*ilk or snail : this
animal when alive is not easily diftoverable, the (hell being much
of the fame color as the (tones covered with the water, but great
numbers of them arc to be found in many small brooks, particu
larly in their passage through the low wet grounds ; as the a'rimal
dies the (hell is depofitcd.
The second com'pofed pi Ma Ihells conftltutes much greater col
lections, and are found in innumerable places now far removed
from the fca.—That mod'particularly dcfcribed by naturalists t is
a collection of this kindi in ToOrairte, a province in France. This
part of the country, where it is found, is computed to contain 80
square miles of l'urfaco ; and.wherever they dig to a c-rtain depth
they find this colle&ion of (Hells, compofmg a fttaia of 20 feet
thick Tnt- country at prelent is 108 miles from the sea.
The (lope or clay marles bear more or lefr arefemblance to clay ;
they are yery various in their color, and other appearances, but
agree in containing* quantity of clay united with calcarious earth,
so as to effervefee with acids—Thi stone marles are harder than
the clays, but being cxpofed to the action of thefun and froft, they
crumble into powder, which is easily mixed with the foil, though
some of them require a very long time belore they are divided
fine enough to be mixed completely with it.
Thefc are the principal formsin which calcarious earth is found.
They all derive their origin from the calcarious matter of (hellt;
for we find relics of (hells in by far the greatest number of lime
(tones, chalks, gypsums, and marbles.
In what manner thele great changes in nature have been brought
about, will perhaps never be discovered ; but they certainly in
dicate a prodigious revolution in this globe.
We know of no country where gypsum is mat?e ufc of as a ma
rtuie for grain : In fdm£ parts of Germany and in Switzerland, it
has been used upon grrfs. Mortf. dfc Laze.'lky, in a lhort ac
count of the agriculture of' Switzerland, inferred' in Young's an
nals, vol. B', observes, that " in Alsace thcif meadows are well
managed, and I have been allured that they have a powerful ma
nure in plaifter stone, 01 gypsum, qot burnt, but pounded to pow
der.—An intelligent person who ciihivates'for his anvufement, and
as an amateur, told me that the effect was aftoniftiing upon clover,
and in central much greater npoti ligHt than upon strong lands ;
it is so sure that (light failure rauft not disgust." Mr. Young, in
a note upon the above paflagt, fays he hopes he (tall hear from
R. S. on this fubjeft, it is an important one.*
Rv this note it appears that Mr. Young, the moll intelligent and
belt farmer in England, is ignorant of flic ufc of gypsum as a mi
nuie ; although it abounds in many parts of England. They have
lately renewed their farms, and made them very pjcwluftive by
the use ot marie, particularly in the light sandy lands of Norfolk
formerly the worst, now the bell cultivattd county in England!
"I he balis of marie and gypsum is calcarious earth ; the one urtiicd
with clay, the other with a fubftancenot clearly ifcertained- both
have their origin in the decay of (tells, and when put on the
tjrountf produce fnhiliir cffefls. Arable ground covered with ei
ther, Will have on thefurface a milky appearance durinp dry wea
ther ; both answer bed aS a manure upon sandy, gravelly or li E ht
lands, and when applied as a top dieffihg to grass or pafturc lands,
they equally produce a great luxunancy of white clover, giviac
the grass a rich black color. b b
Frort the natural history of these foffils and their effects in pro
moting vegetation, we irtiy conclude that thev contain in them
selves a certain nour.mment to plants, arising from a concentration
of the animal glue cxilting in their onginal ftatdof (hell fidi ■ too
much pains cannot be taken to engage our farmers generally in
Stcntony Ottobcr 3, 1789,
Read before the Agricultural Society of Pennfvlvam*.
-404-
GEORGE LOGAN
PREMIUM?
Proofed by the PHILADELPHIA SO.CIETT f r y
promoting AGRICULTURE,yir they ear 1790.
FOR the best experiment made of a course of
crops, eitirer small or large, on hot less than
four acres, agreeable to the English made of
farming,—a piece of plate, of the value of two
hundred dollars, inscribed \Vith thfc name and
the occasion ; and for the experiment made of a
course of crops next in m^rir, —apiece of plate
likewise inscribed, of the value of one hundred
dollars. Certificates to be produced by the2oth
of December, 1 790.
11.
The importance of cbmplete farm or fold-yards
for sheltering and folding cattle, —and of the belt
method of conducting the fame, so as to procure
the gl-eatelt quantities ofcompoft, or mixed dun*
and manure, from within the farm, induces the
society to give, for the btft dfefign offuch a yard,
and method of managing it, practicable by com
mon farmers, —a golden medal ; and for thele
cond belt, —alilver medal. Thedelightobepre
fented to the fotiety by the 20th of December
1790 '
For the best method of railing hogs, from the
pig, in pen or ftiesfrom experience ; their some
times running irt a lot Or field not totally excluded
if prefered,—a gold medal ; and fey the second
best, —a silver medal. To be produced by the
20th of December, 1790
IV.
For the best method of recovering worn-out
fields to a more hearty state, within the power of
common farmers, without dear or far-fetchedma
nttres ; but by judicious culture, and theapplicd
tion of materials comrtion to the gerterality of
farmers ; founded in experience,—a gold medal;
and for the second beft.—afilver medal, To be
produced by the 20th of December, I 790
V.
For the best experiment, foil and other citcum
ftances considered, in trench-plowing, not less
than ten inches deep, and accounts of theeffedh
thereof, already fnade or to be made, on not less
than one acre, —a gold medal ; and for the se
cond best, —a silver inedal. To be produced by
the 20th December, 1796.
(To be continutd.)
New-York City Lottery.
SCHEME of a LOTTERY, for the purpose of railing Sivtr. Titu
fund Five Hundred Pounds, agrcable to an ACT of the Lcgifli
turr of the State ot New-York, passed Bth February, 1790.
SCHEME.
1 PRIZE of £ i~'3 oo ®
2 i ot>o 2 (Joo
3
10
3*
120
180
795°
8346 Prizes, > , .. .
Blanks, J 2 5°°° Tickets, a( 40s. each, { &<><*>
Subject to a deduction of Fifteen p'efCent.
THEobje£fc of this LOTTERY being to raise a part oftfhe fuw
advanced by the corporation for repairing and enlarging the CI-
T\ HALL, for the accommodation of which docs
so much honor to the Architect, as well as credit to the city, "the
managers presume that their fellow Citizens will cheerfully con
cur in promoting the sale of Tickets, especially as the success of
this Lottery will relieve them from a tax, which must othcrwife
be laid to reimburfethe corporation.
The above SCHEME is calculated in a matiner very beneficial
t0 ven - urcrs » t here not being two blanks to a prize.
The Lotlery is intended to commence drawing on the Ftitsr
Monday in August next, or sooner if filled, of whidh timfcly
noifice' Will be given. A lift of the fortunate numters willbepub
lifhed at the expiratioii of the drawing'.
rickets are to be fold by ther fubfcribefti wb6 aire
Managers by the Corporation.
Isaac Stoutenburch, Abraham Herrin'o,
Peter T. Cuxtenius, John Pintard.
6tk Ma*chj 1790.
4i , To i be SOL D,
At PUBLIC AUCTION, cn the First Day of April next, (if
not disposed at before, at Private Sale.)
r I .''HAT pleafanc and'valuable Place formerly cal
led COLES-FERRY, nowby the name of VANDU2ER'S»
on St a ten Island, Richmond County, with two good fufnein*
Pettiaugers tor the ierrymg business. It is a beautiful situation,
and one of the best (lands for a Ferry, or Tavern, on Staten-Ifland,
and an excellent Shad and Herring Filhery within 20 yards of the
door, Black-Fish, «nd all other kind of Fifn in their It
is likewise the best and moil convenient FtrYy to Long-Ifond,
where a number of paflengerspafs and repafs. It lies within two
miles of the Pointof the Narrows, and between 8 and g miles from
NeW-York, TheVtf is about 30 acres of excel lent good Land, chief
ly Meadow, with a very good Whirs, House, Barn and Garden--
the whole being in good repair. It will also make a b'eahtih'i
Country Seat, fit for any gentleman.
For Particulars enquire of John Anderson, cornerofthe
Exchange, or Charles M'Lean, White Hall, New-York, or
of Meflrs BvEßssand R e'i ll y, Stateh-Ifland, or of the Subscri
ber on the prcmifes, where the conditions of sale Will be mads
known. ABRAHAM VANDUZ£R.
Stutch-IJland, March 6, 1790.
this day is published,
(Price Sid Shillings, bound ahd lettered)
And to be Cold, by appointment of the Author, by Meltis. Ber r *
and Rogers, No. 35, by A. M'Lean, No. 41, (Frankly 6
Head) Hanover Square, ana by the Editor hereof, No. 9,
den-Lane,
GEOGRAPHY MADE EASY
BE INC AN ABftIDGIMINT OF THE
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY.
111.
50°
200
1500'
2000
3000
2500
24 b®
1800
100
ao
10
4
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