■were for the fame fervlees, and ftipplifis, and were to have been
paid out of a common fund fuppiied by the refpe&ive States t in
certain proportions, but which has not been done ; and on ac
count of the deficiency and inability of this fund, were, at the re
commendations of the late Congress, assumed by the several States
to their refpeflive citizens.
By the change of government, the funds appropriated to dif
eharge the.e demands were now occupied or might be possessed
by Congress ; and it was proper, when the revenues were taken,
the debts (hould also be taken. Arr effe&ual proviAon could be
made for all the debt*-, with more ease and convenience, and with
3efs expence to the citizens of the union, by systems proceeding
from the general government, than if they were made by the for
mer for one class of creditors, and by the State government for
another. If the assumption {hould not be made, probably dif
ferent provisions would be made by the States for their debts,
"which would depend either on their abilities or policy, and a di
versity of interest be occasioned, which, in its operation, might
be prejudicial to the general happiness; and the only effe&ual and
proper mode of obviating this, was to assume the State debts,
"whereby the different creditors would have their demands pro
vided for and discharged by the fame body, and those contend
ing interests, which would otherwise take place, prevented.
He remarked that a question had been asked, whether it Was
caher to provide for a large debt than a small one ? The debt ol
the union was fufficiently large, and if we added the State debts
the difficulty would be increased.
Mr. Lawrance observed that these debts already existed, though
an different shapes, yet substantially the fame : transferring the
demand from the State to the anion did not change the entire sum
owed by the union and the States, and provision ought to be made
for the whole : that supposing it would be made, the union, hav
ing the revenues of the particular States unincumbered and unoc
cupied, could make provision moie conveniently and more fatis
iattorily than can be done if the assumption (hould not take place,
and part of these revenues, probably the mod produ£live part,
prc-occupied and retained by several of the important States ; the
mode of providing for the debrs would be more agreeable to mi*
3iy States in the union, as it could be done by imports and exci
lcs, and we should rid many of the States from the oppreflive
®f. taxes ; the former would do general justice, as
each individual in the union would pay according to his confump-
Particular instances have been mentioned to (hew that injuf
be done to some States, if thfe proportion was adopt
ed ; but these contemplated that no fettlemcnt would take place.
\ " r ovuion could be made to obviate difficulties in these cases ; ami,
m determining on a general proposition, it was lufficient thrat the
principle of it was ju(t, because when it was assented to, and to
be carried into effeft,the details and provisions could be suggested,
considered and made as fliould appear proper.
Mr. Lawrance concluded that the proposition was just and pro
per, and would be productive of national advantage; and as it
had, so it again should receive his afleot.
The following objervations were made by Mr. Sherman, the 12 th injl.
' A CC ou^c f( l divided on so important a fub
jeft, It gives mc great concern on account of the threatning as.
pert it has on the peace and welfare of the government.
The support of public credit by a provision for doing justice to
*k " '. ors t ' le United States, was one great objefl that led to
the eftabliffiment ot the prefenl government, and ffiould it fail of
doing justice to so great a proportionof them as are involved in this
provision. it would lose the confidence of many of its bell friends,
and disappoint the expe&ations of the people in geneeal.
I consider the debts incurred by the several states in support of
the war, and for the common defence and general welfare, as the
oebts of the United States, and that those creditors have as just
and meritorious a claim on theunion for payment as any creditors
whatever. A great part of them were aflTumed by the states in be
half of the United States, in consequence of reqnifitions of Con
gref-. ,
I (hall not now go into a particular discussion of the proposition
before the committee, (every thing having been already said that
may relief! light on the fubjefl) but (hall only Hate the reasons on
"which I (hall give my vote in the affirmative.
The measure appears to me both just and politick. Just, with
refpeft to the creditors, whose debts are due for services and sup.
plies rendered in support of the common caufeofthe union, which
therefore ought to be paid out of the fame common funds, as the
"ther creditors of the United States, and although some of the
"ates would be able to provide for their creditors as well as the
United States, yet that is not the cafe as to those whose exertions,
luffentigs and burthens have been much greater, than the others,
and it would not give fatisfaftion to aTTume the debts of some
states, and not of others.
The measure will be jujl with refpeft to the several States, be
caufeeach will bear only its just proportion of the present bin.
then, and their past exertions and expenditures, will be equitably
adjusted in the final settlement of their accounts, for which effec
tual provision is to be made by the fame a£l that provides for the
assumption of the debts. '
The policy of the measure confills in its tendency to promote
iuftice and harmony, and confidence in the government, in al
leviating the burthens of a number of the States, who from
their situation and circumstances during the war, were necefiitated
to make grcaten exertions, and were fubjefted to greater fuf
ferings ana expenditures than the other States, and by put
ting all the funds neccflary for paying the debts under one dj
rtition, to facilitate the collc&ion and render thein more produc
tive and less embarrafling to commerce. The principal resource
for pay (the impost) is in pofTellion of the general government.
But if the date debts are jiot assumed, the states which have
heretofore borne the greatest burthens,-will be left still to fuflain
ihofe unequal and grievous burthent, or their creditors will be
left without any provision for fatisfying their claims either of
which would be unreasonable, and occasion great uneasiness
-which will tend to embarrass and obfti u£ithe measures of govern
ment.
It has been (aid, let those States wait until their accounts with
the United States (hall be fettled, and then receive feenritv for the
balances that mav be due to them ; But why Ibould those States
Vie fubjefted to greater burthens at prefenl, than the other States ?
As it is not known which are Debtor or Creditor States, why not
bear the burthen equally until that can be afcertamed ? If there
is to be no settlement, I think it is a conclusive argument that the
-whole public debt Ihould be alTiimed bv the United States. It
ougfit to be presumed that the States have made exertions accord,
ing to their abilities, and in due proportion until the contrary ap
pears, and that can no otherwise appear, but by a settlement of the
accounts ; and until that is done I can fee no good reason why any
State (hould bear more than its ju(t proportion of the exiftingdebts
whether contracted by the United Slates, or by the individual States'
it incurred for the common defence, or general welfare of the
Union. It is said there is no rule established toafcertain tjie quo
tas of the several States ; but I think the rule is fixed by the refo-
Jutions of the late Congrcfs,of the 22d of November 1777, and the
third of June 1784, and the provision in the new Conllitution for
apportioning dire£t taxes.
PROGRESS OF MANUFACTURES.
Philadelphia,
THE ufeful arts are constantly encreafing a
mongit us. A single Manufacfturer in the
Northern Liberties makes annually 400 dozen
pair worsted, cotton and thread (lockings ; the
last superior in appearance andgoodnefs to those
that are imported from England at a much higii
er price. From the laboratory of Mefl'rs Marihal,
we are informed, this fuminer 60000 lb. of crude
fait armoniack will be exported to England and
Holland, the very countries from which we have
hitherto imported this article. Glauber salts of
an excellent quality is made cheaper than it can
be imported.
ON DII'ISE PROVIDENCE.
A S some fond mother, views her infant race
i 1 With tenderness o'er flowing while (he fees ;
She Miles one, one c lafps in her embrace ;
Her feet fupportingone, and one her knees;
Then, as the winning gefture-fpeakihg face,
Or plantive cry explain their different pleas,
A look, a word, (He deals with various grace,
And finiles, or trowns, as love alone decrees.
O'er frail mankind, so Providence divine
Still watches ; hears, sustains, and succours all,
With equal eye, beholding each that lives.
If Heaven denies, oh ! let /lot men repine!
Heav'n but denies to quicken duty's call,
Or feigning to deny, more largely gives.
LONDON, February 1
ML ALLY, in his second letter to his coiiftitu
• ent», quotes the following remarks of a
ihodern French author.
" A nation, after having groaned un
der the chains of for many centuries,
whenever it is bold enough to attempt to break
them, not withstanding all the absurd institutions
that (lill inuft surround it, resembles a sick man,
whole strength is extreamly weakened by long
fufFerings, and whose vital spirits have been con
sumed by inceflant fevers ; if he makes use of too
violent or too many remedies at once, or def
pelately takes it into his head to force nature,
he dies the victim of his imprudence."
An extraordinary miniature has been made of
the King by Bowyer : inftpadof a crystal, there
is a flat diamond over it, half an inch square !
Adam Smith's pliilofophical pen has been a long
time silent, though not unemployed. This learn
ed and fagncious politician is at length comii!g
forward again with a work which he has been
some years preparing for the press. It is chiefly
a review of the political do«ftrines ofthe celebrat
ed.Montesquieu, which tlie profound Caledonian
has examined with such perspicuity, and refuted
with fucli strength of argument, thatitisfaid the
renowned fabric of L'Efprit des Loix is likely to
be fliattered into ruins,orfto moulder in oblivion
after so formidable an aftault. '
M. La Rive, the aiftor, who has performed the
character of Bayard for many years with diftin
gnHhed success, was presented by a defendantot
Rayard with a golden chain, which that famous
general used to wear ahout his neck. M. La Rive
thought that a chain which belonged to man who
acquired the title of Chevalier fans p lt ,r et fans
r.-prvche, would be a proper present for M. de la
Favetre, delivered it to him with the following
address. 6
1) un ordre chcri des guerriers,
Cette antique et simple parure
Dans les combats ornoit l'arnmrc
Dn plus brave des Chevaliers.
Qui mieuxque vous, anroit des droits fur eile >
Comme Bayard, " fans reprocheetfanspeur,"
Sage, valiant, a vos devoirs fidele
Chaque jour vous obtient une gloire nouvelle
it maigre les complots de l'envie en fureur
Vous fortez des dangers toujours calme et vain
queur.
Letters j.ift received from Lisbon mention,that
a large Alger,ne corsair of ,8 guns, and foil of
rn 1 ' 7, aS n. h ? venn S Kock, the latter
end of 1 ast month ; upon notice of which, a flout
frigate and sloop of war were dispatched in quest
of the rover, and the next day ca.neup with her ■
when, after a most obstinate and bloody contest
of 4 hours and 40 minutes, they were obliged to
lei off. Ihe frigate received a number of (hot
between w.nd ami water, and was muchdamag
edl ~, her upper works ; the sloop was alio in a
Mattered condition, having h er rudder shot away
and most of her fails torn to pieces : it is said the
pirate had three parts of her crew killed or
wounded : among the latter was their, fierce and
danng leader Hkewife he, fails and rig J™
were so terribly mauled, and the (hip To nfuch
crippled, that it is thought impoflible (he ever
could reach Algiers. The robbers fought all the
nZrl'T b,OOC,yfla g' n »d swore inceflkntly
whil languages, they never would strike'
while man or boy was left alive. The Portu'
gnefe had near 100 killed, and a srrear rm™l
VV :; n, ' dt 7 l ; most ° f the >" mortally as the balls
which the p,rates fired from their small ™
were all chewed ; notwithllanding, tile Portu
guefe fought with uncommon bravery throughout"
.he „ d rrf jh.U.
TI F EBRD ARY 12.
•It,of cin-utei,,,. r ])e=b in s;
chcate the extent of commerce, ve ,-aXJf
theincreafe of the latter by coVpa '•l £ f °
wind, ;he : h,« „«£
434
coin. By George I, 8,72>,921].fieri, were coined.
In the longreign ofGeorge 11, 11,966,576!. and in
the firft 24 years of his present majelty's rei<m
the fuinscoined amounted to 33,082,2741. (terlinr,
From Madrid we learn, that a Mr. Fitzgerald
a member of the Parliament of Paris, being at
dinner at the Duke de Crillon's house there, the
fubjeift of France became the topic of converfati
-011. Mr. Fitzgerald exprefled himfelf very warm
ly in favour of the revolution, and imprudently
fuffered some words to escape him, reflecting on
the condud: of Count d'Artois.
The Duke de Crillon could not permit fnch re
flections to pass unnoticed, accordingly desired
Mr. Fitzgerald to withdraw. Fearing that this
mifimderftanding might create much noise with
out doors, the Duke went immediately to the
Prime- Minister's house, where he obtained an or
der for the apprehension of Mr. Fitzgerald, who
was fliortly after seized at chehouleof the Count
Cabarras, and conduced to prison. It is intend
ed that he fliall be escorted out of the kingdom
immediately.
On the thirteenth instant, the Emperor, attend
ed by all t' e Nobility of the Court, publicly re
ceived the Sacrament ; and in consequence ofhis
Majesty's weak state, public prayers have been
ordered to be made in all the churches ; and the
Opera and Playhouses are Ihut.
On the 20th of February, at fix in the morning,
/lis Imperial Majesty Jol'eph 2d, Emperor of Ger
many departed tliis lite. Fie died with the grea
test firmnefs and coinpofure, perfectly retaining
his senses to the lall moment. All good men will
ever reverence the memory of this Prince,whofe
various good qualities and ardent defile for the
happinel's of his fubjeits,entitle him to the eftecm
of mankind. Previous to his death he made the
neceflary arrangements with regard to his success
or, whole arri\al at Vienna was hourly expected
at the time of the Emperor's death. Excepting
this intelligence, the present inltant is rather bar
ren ot great events. The cabinets however are
very buly, the hour is pregnant with futurity,
and the ulual events of ages.arc ready to built
upon 11s in a moment.
Particulars of the Death of JOSEPH lid.
No sooner had his chief physician informed
hi'" that his diflblution was near, than liegener
oufly rewarded him for his attention, and fnnk
nefs in telling him his real opinion.—On thefe
venteenth he was informed that the arch dutchefs
Elizabeth, whom he tenderly loved, was brought
to bed. He seemed pleased at the news, but the
information of her death upon th® day following
affe<sled his spirits in a dangerous maimer, altho'
conveyed to him with the greatest caution. Alto
nWhed at the intelligence, he leaned his head up
on his hands, and cried our—My Cod ! and ill
yet live thy will be done !—He then remained for
about ten minutes in a profound meditation.—
.jeing, soon after told that his death was very
near, lie alked for Prince JKaunitz and the two
generals Laudohn and Lafcey. Stretchingouthis
, a tender finile upon his countenance,
n a _ to tllein —f r 'e»ds> it is all over with int.
We n/Hjl tiowfeparate jor ever. To your care 1 recom
mend my fuljells, my armies and my brother Leopold.
e then ordered his will to be brought, in which
he made a few alterations and additions, and
c ' e " P utt 'ngit, with other papers, into the hands
of Prince Kaunitz, could
'■n tv/th less regret if he had been only fortunate e
nough to have had more confidence in his (the Prin
ce s) judgment.—lt was thoughtjhe hereby alluded
to something that had pafibd between them in the
beginmg of the Brabant troubles, when the Em
peror excused him (elf to the Prince for not having
made him acquainted with all his orders and
plans, relative to a certain undertaking in that
part of his dominions ; apologizing for his neg
ei y o serving that he feared the Prince was
too old to be troubled with so many minute parti
-1 ai j S * old, answered the Princt
but I would have your Majesty to know, that 1
.\° 11 ' S cr, ough to fee you without a crown, if
? • ! 111 utnre pursue such measures as you have
l i(v'r r ' OC Emperor having taken his
1 j CWc . o^. about him, very calmly gave
; r , ,°" s 1 e ' :ltlve to his funeral, and particular-
I•"' i £-!' e 7 to be fi' ven to his servants. A
' T.r , • ehe ex P' re d, he caused hiinfeif
iiiit nn F 1 I" h ' S his boots and spurs
P o.i, and other military array. His lass ftrug
fhc!,h" t i7 r rf. bout * i ua " erofa "
sentencef entence against the unfortunate Favras,
lioht " Ce ? confll ,lie^' he was executed by torch
n.nrnl, 01 mftant, at two o'clock in the
the n-„1 ma kjngthe amende honorable &
r s f" *the Cnthedra l of the Notre Dame, he
Gi /ve 1 f7- execllt ioner to the Place de
brimfW ru , I,T a ~ i ncn frock ' covered with
r• a hel 011 his breast, inferibed, " Con
hand and I'■ i j' ; , a flambeau in his
to his if IS 5 a,UI ect naked Agreeable
his k L -' e " there confefled his crimes, on
his rv'" 'f" Pegging pardon of God 'and
nary height' __a S a B allows of extraordi
attended the " Uniber ol f P e^a tors
March 3
■;\