ter time, but very dangerous if paflaule at ail,
as some tides flow it two feet and more ; I pall
ed it last March in this situation : This incon
venience however will be avoided by palling
through Exeter—and no part ot that route is lo
bad in the winter time as this caufway ; 1 have
heretofore travelled in the winter time through
Xenfin«non and Exeter on being advil'ed ic was
the belt road of the two ; and tliough there was
much snow on the ground we found no anlicul
ty in getting along—Hence, fir, 'tis evident to
me that the mail may easily be carried from iiol
ton, through Exeter to Fortfmouth 111 a day —
and that the objetfion founded on the increale
of distance is a mere pretence, originating m an
tinwillingnefs, in the minds ot some people, iliac
the mail flyiuld arrive an hour or two looner at
Exeter than Portsmouth. . .
The gentleman (Mr. Livermore) has laid it is
a principle of the bill, that the mail shall be
carried in the molt direct road from place to
place, and that it will be a deviation from this
principle to go through Exeter: 1 his, lir, is
not ftridtly true—no such principle has been ad
hered to but in a qualified sense ; and it has
been departed from whenever it would accom
date any considerable number of people. 1 willi
here to remind the Houle of Springfield in Mas
sachusetts—and Middleton, in Connecticut ; in
the former inllance the direct route from Wor
celter to Hartford is not through Springfield ;
but a deviation of near ten miles is made to ac
commodate that town : and in palling from Hart
ford to New-Haven a deviation ot tour or five
miles (if I am mistaken, gentlemen from that
State will corredt me) is made for the purpole
of accommodatingthe town of Middletown ; ma
ny other instances of this nature might be ad
duced—and why lliall not a small deviation be
now made in favor of Exeter, especially since no
inconvenience will result therefrom to Ports
mouth ! 1 can fee no real'on.
In order to convince ihis House that the mail,
an paffiug from Boston to Portsmouth, ought not
to be carried through "Exeter, the gentleman has
read a Jetter frem the Polt-Mafter at Portsmouth,
slating the number of letters that pass in a year,
by a cross pott, to Exeter ; by
which it appears the number indeed is very small.
Hence he would draw an argument that the bu
siness between Boston and Exeter is trifling, and
not of confeqnence enough to juftify so small a
deviation in the mail line of three or four—or,
as the gentleman contends, of five miles. But,
Mr. Speaker, this is strange logic ! and a very
different conclusion results in my mind from the
contents of the letter. The letter may be evi
'dence how little business is carried on between
Portsmouth and Exeter, and that consequently
there is no reail need of a port between thefetwo
places—but it does not contain she shadow of
evidence that there is no commercial business be
tween Boston and other places in Maflachufetts
and Exeter. If a gentleman in those places wish
ed to write to Exeter, he would never think of
putting his letter into the Portsmouth mail—he
inuft know that ii is liable to lay fix days in the
poft-ofKce at Portsmouth, and perhaps longer—
while various opportunities, by a private con
veyance, would pjrefent within that time.
I have hitherti? admitted the additional dis
tance, by going through Exeter, to be five miles
—b«t, fir, fitice the\jnail ttage pafles Merrimack
river, about four miles above the old ferry (the
gentlemen of the house acquainted with that part
of the country know the places I refer to) I can
not agree that this additional dittance will be
more than three miles, if so much. But, howe
ver this may be, I trust I have (hewn to thefatif
fa<flion of the house, that whether it be five or
three, it cannot produce any inconvenience to
Portfmoi)th,but mast be highly beneficial toExeter.
There is another consideration, fir, thai ought
to have forne weight in deciding this question —
which I will mention, & fay no more—it is this :
A letter that goes from Boston to Exeter, thro'
Portsmouth, will ttand charged twenty-five per
cent, more than if the mail was carried diredlly
from Boston to Exeter—while, on the other hand,
the postage of a letter from Boston to Poftfmouth
is the fame, whether the mail pafsthrough Hamp
ton or Exeter—because, in both of thele routes,
the distance from Bofton'to Portsmouth is more
than sixty miles, and Ihort of the next grade of
postage. For these reasons, fir, 1 hope the house
will disagree to the amendment.
Mr. Smith (N.H.) observed, that he was sorry
to find his colleagues differing in opinion on the
Jubjeft under consideration. He had no preju
dice in favor of one of the towns (Portsmouth &
Exeter) above the other.—He only wished the
bill might, establish that route which would best
.accommodate the ttate at large. He conceited,
when the fituatiori of New-Hampshire was consi
dered, it would be evident that the bill as pa (Ted
by the House, was better calculated to answer
this purpose, than it would in cafe the amend
ment proposed by the Senate (hould be; adopted.
He remarked that the trade of the greater part
of that state had been, and probably-would con
tinue to be with Bofton—thit if the general line
of the post-road fliould be eftabliflicd through
Exeter, it would be to the people in the interior
part of New - Hampshire, a saving of at least 25
miles in the dillance between them and Bolton—
that the trade of Exeter, though within ij miles
ot Portsmouth, was principally with Bolton—that
it the amendment proposed by the Senate fliould
lie adopted, they would be deprived of any be
nefit from the eltablifhment of post-roads—that
the route would be so circuitous, that the people
in the interior parts of the state would probably
in future, as they hnd in times past, fend their
letters to Bolton, and to the fotnliward, by pri
vate conveyance, rather than by post ft was
easy to fee that the revenue by this means would
be injured—that this circumstance would serve
to account for the Itatement read from the polt
mafler at Portsmouth, of the frnall number of
letters sent from his office to Exeter. It was his
opinion that the revenue would be oreatly in
cieafed, by taking Exeter into the main pott
road ; and that a contract for carrying the mail
from Portsmouth to Boston, might in that cafe
be obtained for as fin all a sum as by the road now
used—He could not fee how this would injure
Portsmouth, though it might not prove advanta
geous 10 the poft-malter at that place—How far
the House might think it their duty to consult
the particular interest of that officer, he would
not pretend to fay. He had reason to believe
(though he could not speak altogether from his
own knowledge) that the account given of the
road by one of his colleagues and the gentleman
from MaHachufetts, was a jnft one. — Upon the
whole, considering the amendment as not calcu
lated to promote the advantage of the Hate he
had the honor to represent, he fliould vote a
gainst it.
MONDAY, February 13.
Mr. S. Bourne, from the committee on enrolled bills, informed
the Speaker, that the committee, on Friday last, wailed on the
President of the United States, and presented to him, for his appro
bation, the bill to eftabhfh the poll-office and post-roads within
the United States.
A committee was appointed, pursuant to Mr. Sterret's motion,
to bring in a bill to continue in force an ast declaring the assent
of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and
Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
The House relumed the consideration of the hill relative to the
election of a President and Vice-President of the United States,
and declaring the officer who (hall ast as President in cafe of va
cancies in the riffices both of President and Vice-Prefident.
After some debate, on a motion made to amend the bill, by the
addition of a clause to confine the number of electors to the num
ber of Senators and Representatives in Congress at the time such
electors shall be chosen—the bill, together with the proposed
amendment, was ordered to be recommitted to a committee of
the whole House, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.
The House then resolved itfelf into a committee of the whole on
tbe representation bill—Mr. W. Smith in the chair.
The ratio of representation was fixed at thirty thousand by the
committee—Yeas 30, Nays2t.
A motion made by Mr. Mercer, to fubdifute the fird day
O&ober, 1792, indead of the 4th day of March, 1793, as the pe
'riod after which the representation is to be increnfed, gave 1 rfe to
a short debate ; the committee rose without taking the vote on
this motion, and reported progress. Adjourned,
TUESDAY, February 14.
The fifhery bill was brought in enrolled, and signed by the
Speaker.
Mr. Sterret reported a bill, declaring the assent of Congress to
a certain ast of the date of Maryland, &c. which was read the fird
and second time, and made the order of the day for Monday next.
In committee of the whole, on the bill relative to the elefton
of a President and Vicc-Prefidcnt, &c. Mr. Muhlenberg in the
cnair.
The motion for inferring a clause to redri£t the number of the
electors to the number of the present Senate and House of Repre
sentatives, was negatived.
Mr. Sturges observed that he supposed the clause had been re
jr&ed on account of its being indefinite and complex—-he there
fore renewed the motion in a more funple form. This motion,
after some debate, was negatived.
Mr. Gerry then moved a clause which provides that the num
ber of ele&ors shall be equal to the number of Senators and Re
prefentalivcs the dates shall by law be entitled to at the time the
President and Vice-Pielident shall enter on their refpe&ive offices.
A proviso was added,.by which the exiding numbers of Congress
shall regulate the number of the electors, in cafe th£ apportion
ment of Representatives shall not nave been compleated agreeable
to a preceding ennmeration. Tim amendment, with the pro
viso, was, after further debate, agreed to.
The committee then rose and reported this amendment to the
House—the House took the fame ; the question being divided,
the firft part was carried in the affirmative—ayes 29 —noes 21.
The proviso was then put and agreed to-—and the bill ordered
to be read the third time to-morrow.
Mr. Mercer had leave of absence for three weeks.
A mefTage was received from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis,
informing that the Senate have passed a bill regulating precedes
in the judicial courts of the United States, and providing com
pensations for jurors and witnedes.
The Fishery Bill was presented to the President of the United
States for his approba ion. this day. Adjourned.
FOR THE GAZETI E OF THE UNITED STATES.
IT seems to be as easy to form a recipe to write a good flinging
piece against the government, as \o make a pudding. Minis
terial puffers, the pomp and parade of government, court syco
phants, parasites, worshippers of power, See. are all prodigiously
smart sayings. Like common swearing, they give a life and bold
ness to writing, Which raise it a mile above the sneaking vulgar
(tyle. You may be sure the writer of a piecc abounding with
those excellencies, wears a cocked hat, and impolesfilence and re
fpeft in every company, which has the happiness to oemadewiler
bv his wisdom. It is really an happy thing to fee these lafhiona
ble phrases brought over sea to relifti our insipid politics: they
have long needed spicing. A formal fellow, who is in the old
homefpuu way, after reading a smart piece in the newspaper, told
me he did not know what the foohfti fellow (there he meant me,
for I wrote the piece) could mean by those huffifh, outlandish
terms of abuse on the government. Why, said he, and was there
ever such a fool betore, do we not make the government
and unmake it at our pleasure ? The public governs the Congiefs.
The considerate, and very often the mconfiderate opinion of the
public, is obeyed.—He was going on in this strain—but I thought
he talked so queer ly, that I left him abruptly. Z.
335
Philadelphia, February i
By the bft accounts from France it appears, that a report had
been . .related in Paris, of the King's intending to escape from
the kingdom. This report badexcred great nneafinefs m the
tourt— to do away the tmprrflions it might have made, a letter
was written to the Mayor by the tylinilter of the h'.rne depart,
mcnt, at the command of ihc Kir.g.
1 he King has written to his brothers, urging them by every
motive that can influence good citizens, to return 10 the bosom o' :
their country ,n peace.
There are great appearances of warl'ke preparation on the part
"f the emigrants—the Emprelsof Ruflia favors their designs it is
laid—.this, however, is an old (lory. S.ime fpmted decrees againlt
the emigrants have pasTed the National Alfembly,. and have been
presented to tr-e King tor his approbation; he has fulpepded his
decision, till the rcfujt of the itieafures he had tak.-rf were known.
The States of Brabant have agreed to acknowledge the fovc.
ol the Emperor's Council ; hv whicli means" it appears
that peace and confidence are fully reftorcd.
The English papers contain very lengthy and minute details of
the movements of their army «nder Lord Corriwdllis in the Ealf-
Indies. After an action with Tippoo, in which the English jolt
300 men, his Lordship was obliged to retreat from betore Serin
gapatam, and suspend his grand for the present.
Authentic extraff of a letter from a gentleman of the tejl information at
Havre, dated October 15.
<c Our harvest has not turned out quite lb well as last ye«r. We
shall he in want, not here but at Nantes, Bordeaux, and Bayonne.
Those provinces mull depend upon Grangers for supplies; for the
more fertile parts of France have not idea of succouring
those of a contrary description, and if they had, the means of
transmitting their produce are ohitrufted. About fifteen days
since the English opened their fea-poits to us; notwithstanding
which, I have reason to think that the inhabitants of the United
States will not be disappointed of a good market in fending their
grain to the above mentioned ports."
Another letter from the fame gentleman, dated Oft. 27, men
tions as follows " Virginia tobacco is ieihng from 34 to 40
livres per cwt. This is reckoned a good price,"
A motion was lately made in the Aflfembly of the State of
South-Carolina to request their representatives in Congress to use
their influence to obtain a repeal of the exctfe—The motion was
negatived by a majority of two only !! !!
N. B. It does not appear that any fubllitute for the excise was
proposed.
What would be the effect of a transfer by sale to the Northward,
of all the public Securities now in the Southern States, fays a cor
respondent, time only can disclose.
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS,
The conftitutfon of the state of Mafiachufetts, has made it ex
pressly the duty of the legislature to patronize and encourage the
UniverHtv at Cambridge. Such a fait will aflift future historians
in wr ting the history of this age. It is owing to the annual grants
of money by the legislature of that Hate, that the University ot
Cambridge has grown up tofuch celcbiity. That state will demht
lefs pursue the policy which the wife example of their forefathers
and their constitution have made so refpeftable—and by continiir
ing their public affiflance in money, extend the fame and ufeful
nefs of that ancient leminarv of learning. It is to be hopeo that
every state will turn its attention to this important object. It is
much to the honor of the state of North-Carolina, that they have
applied five thousand pounds to the cftablifhmcnt of a Univcrfity.
These instances do honor to our country, in our eyes and in thole
of foreign nations ; and they tend, by spreading igeneral know
ledge, to give the greatest degree of security to our liberties.
In this country, time and prosperity travel together. Without
being a prophet, with pen and ink a man may compute with to-*
lerable certainty, the grade of our advancement at any future pe
riod. There is some danger in this very fecuiity—We talk of our
happiness as a nation, as of a property which we hold by deed—.
a blefling which misfortune cannot interrupt, nor our toolifhjea
loufies and rivalfhips spoil after we have got it—But we run one
hazard—breaking the Union—Heaven defend us.—The idea aU
molt flops the pulse of the heart. But as common danger makes
friendfhips, fecuntv breaks them. In the American Dictionary
disunion (lands for every word of evil import—lt becomes every
good American to cultivate national fentinients, and to support
with all his powers a free federal government, which if it lads,
will make us the happied, and if it falls the most degraded wretch
ed people in the universe.
In consequence of the funding fydem, the southern dates expe
rienced a general refurre6lion of the credit of their paper se
curities; but conceiving that the circumstance was merely the
temporary inflation of a balloon, as soon as it appeared to rife,
those dates feaiing that it would fall again, cut the firings, and lep
it ascend-—Hence we may account for two millions of dollars, ac r
cording to the calculation of a learned gentleman, having found
a stationary point in a higher latiiude.
For 'tis an old and juJI opinion,
Good.paper from the Svuth dominion ;
Like eagles when full jledg'd tuillJly t
And perch beneath a northern Jky.
How often, and how solemnly, is Congress warned againften*
croaching on the state governments—these warnings and admoni
tions are heard from the legislators both of the general and date
governments-—they are presented on every occasion, " line upon
line, and precept upon precept," in doors and out. Yea, it has
been said, " better difTolve the union than encroach on the state
governments"—Very well ; but let us now advert to the other
fide of the exhibition—here we find no apprehensions, dangers or
terrors, are entertained—although the odds againdthe general go
vernment are as 14 to I—and the indances of dates attempting to
legislate for the union, are flagrant and numerous.
What conftru&ion mud difpaflionate, difintereftcd persons,
friends to the union, on the present confederation, put on such
condutt !
[The following lines were omitted in the l&Jl Gazette for want of room. ]
Allowance, or a bounty, which to pay,
Kept a decision five whole days at bay ;
To guard the conftiiution, how absurd,
To quibble Jive whole days about a word !
New-York papers received by yciterday's mail were da
ted, some in January—others thefirftof February.
PRICE CURRENT.—PUBLIC SECURITIES.
FUNDED DEBT.
24/7 P r - L '
M/ 8
"5/
6 pr. Cents
3 pr. Cents
Defered 6 pr.Cents
UNFUNDED DEBT.
Final Settl. and other Certificates 22\f 110 do.
Indents 13/4 14V 7° do,
halt snares Bank Stock— 103 per cent premium.
i? 3 P r - cent.
?3j do.
75 do.