Uon on these vain and ill-natured reflec
tions on Meflrs. IVignell isf Reinacls's
Company.
That this country should be incapable
of producing a good actor, I can scarce
ly believe, when speaking is so great a re
quilite in the completing a linifhed per
former. It is a well known fact, that
there are gentlemen in this country, both
at the bar and in public bodies, that per
haps yield to none in the world as Ora
tors—and, I think scarcely any person
will deny that our pulpit orators are fully
equal, if not superior any to in the uni
verse. If therefore we have produced
such a number of persons in the different
characters of legislators, lawyers, and di
vines, that yield the palm to none, why
could not equal talents for the flage be
found ? With regard to the other, that
no performers of merit ever come to this
country, this must molt certainly be a ve
ry erroneous and falfe opinion, if any re
liance can be placed on the English them
selves. The firft rate judges there, of
Theatrical abilities, have declared, that
Mrs. IVhithck, (who they will hardly de
ny is now here with the New Company,)
was second to no one, except her sister,
Mrs. Siddons, and but one degree inferior
to her; and I believe if real justice was
done them, there are many others who
would receive the fame applause. I have
been told by an Englishman who has fre
quently seen Mr. Chalmers on the stage in
Europe, that he was a very distinguished
and eminent performer there ; as further
proof of which, I beg leave to introduce
an article that appeared in Mr. Brown's
Philadelphia Gazette of lalh evening.
In the Morning Pofl, a London paper of
the 25th of Juiy, we find the following
article :
" The vefTel that was to have failed
with the Theatrical performers last week
for Philadelphia, has put back, and is now
detained in the river. In addition to
Miss Broadhurjl, Mrs. Marjhall, Mrs.
Shaw, &c. Mr. Chalmers is engaged.—
Talents, like his, (hould not be loft to the
Engljh Stage—for in Tragedy and Come
dy, he has held for the last three years,
the moji di/lingui/bed line of aSing, in the
Theatres Royal of both Ireland and Scot
land. The (hip fails with this enterpri
zing company on Sunday morning."
What then can be 'inferred fiom their
paltry attempts to itnderate the talents
and abilities of the performers Mr. IVig
nell has brought to this country, but a pi
tiful vanity, or incorrigible prejudice, that
will never allow that merit can be found
in any other place, than the (pot from
whence they sprang. And it is sincerely
wished, that the Observer may fulfill his
promise of handling such felf created and
felf-impoitant censors, " without mit
" tens."
A FRIEND TO MERIT.
March 4th, i 794.
For the Gazstts of the United States.
TO THE OBSERVER.
I HAVE given some of your numbers
a cursory reading, without taking much
trouble in considering whether your high
claims to candour wera well founded or
pot.
I nevertheless fufpefted, that as men of
the largest profefiion9, are generally the
lead sincere, you had some covert object
in view, for the accomplishment of which
you were endeavoring to eflablifli a repu
tation for candour to which you had no
jult pretensions, and your fifth number
seems to juftify the suspicion. After giv
ing an account of a conversation which
you fay you " accidentally heard at the
Theatre last evening between a gentleman
and lady," (iffuch a conversation really
happened, you might have said between a
P—y and a Lady) you proceed to remark,
" That the Obferveris in justice bound
to add, that since then, he baa received
information from indisputable authority,
that this company of Players are persons
of irreproachable characters, as men and
women, and as performers many of them
have not left superiors and some not equals
in Europe
That many if not all of them are of
irreproachable characters, and that they
have very great merit on the stage, I am
well fatisfied of, but the aflertion that
" many of them have not left superiors and
fame not equals in Europeis nlmolt too
extravagant to merit a serious refutation,
and would hardly have been made by a
person really po(Telling the candor to
which "c: "-etend,
If " many of them have not left fuperiori
in Europe" it follows, that we have many
performers, any one of whom, is equal to
the iirft performer in Europe! And if
some of them have not left equals in Europe;
it follows, that neither Mrs. Siddons or any
aSor, or actress in any country in Europe is
equal to some of the company of the Nezo
Theatre!
Contrail this with your following re
marks, and endeavour to extricate your
felf from the contradiction into which you
seem to have fallen. You fay " Mrs.
Whitlock's articulation is so perfe&ly just,
her face, her eye, and indeed her whole
attitude and gesticulation* come so near
the model you had feigned to yourfelf, for
an aftrefs, that you must do a violence to
your own fellings not to declare, that altho'
Jhe may not be equal to Mrs. Siddons, yet
(he is so equal to any expectations we had
entertained in America, the feaft of feing
and hearing her on the stage you hope
will be frequently repeated."
So then Mr. Obfervei, while you admit
that Mrs. Whitlock, the heroine of your
eulogium " may not be equal to Mrs. Sid
dons," you would have us believe, that
" some belonging to the New Theatre
have not left their equals in Europe." Be
fore we can do this, you must either fatis
fy us, that Mrs. Whitlock holds but an
inferior rank on the Americali stage, or
that Mrs. Siddons does not live in Europe,
but in Asia, Africa or America—lf you
can do neither, you must give over all pre
tensions to candour, or acknowledge that
the fault was in your head, and not in your
heart—lt is Mr. Observer, an old but just
proverb, that " an imprudent friend is the
worst of enemies," and you have so com
pleatly verified it, that if you really wish
to serve the cause you fcem to espouse,
I recommend to you to change your sig
nature, since you will no longer be regard
ed under your prcfent one—several of the
new performers are admirable in Tragedy
as well as in Comedy, and it is really a
pity that you should have Tragedized them
in so tragi-comicul a manner.
A SUBSCRIBER.
PHIL A'D ELP HI A,
MARCH 7.
The Peterfburgh paper of the 25th ult.
mentions the arrival of the (hip Harriot at
Norfolk, from Lymington, which place
'he left about the 25th December. The
only articles of news brought by this veflel,
which appear in the Peterfbiirg paper, are
the following :
There has been a quarrel between Dan
ton and Roberfpierre in the Convention,
which ended in a decree that they and the
President should fettle and make up the
dispute by a fraternal embrace in the pre
sence of the members.
On the 22d of November the Royalists
attacked the Republicans in Alsace, and
though fucoefsful in the firft onset, were
afterwards defeated, and so great was the
(laughter, that it is believed the party is
exterminated.
At the celebration of the Birth-Day of
the President of the United States in
Richmond, Virginia; and Annapolis, in
Maryland, the following Toasts were
given:
A speedy e(labli(hment of an American
Navy ; and success to the author of the
proposition, and its advocates.
Pain to our Sham friends, and Cham
paigne to our Real ones.
CONGRESS.
House of Representatives.
Thursday, March 6.
Several petitions were read and refer
red.
Mr. Trumbull reported a bill making
appropriations for the support of the mili
tary ellablifhment of the United States for
the year 1794 —which was twice read,
and committed for to-morrow.
A petition was presented by Mr. Watts,
from Stephen Paranque, captain of a
French Indiaman now lying in the port of
New-York, praying for reasons dated, a
longer time than is allowed by the letter
of the law, for the payment of the duties
on goods to be landed from said ship, giv
ing the cultomary bonds—this petition
was referred to a feleft committee.
Mr. W. Smith reported a bill making
provisions in cases of disability of a diflritt
judge—this was read/twice and committed
In committee of the \\ hole on the bill
to prohibit the carrying on the Have trade
from the ports of the United States—Mr.
Boudinot in the chair—The two hrftfec
tions of the bill were agreed to with one
alteration moved by Mr. Trumbull, which
was to give the Diltrid Court as well as
the Circuit Courts, cognizance of the of
fence.
The third fe£tion which relates to the
.penalty, 3cc. it was moved should be (truck
ollt —This motion was negatived—lt wa»
then moved to insert the word Foreign be
fore ' Ship or VelTel'—which was agreed
to.
The committee proceeded through the
bill—which was reported to the House
with sundry amendments—these were a
greed to by the House, and the bill order
ed to be engrofled for a third reading.
In committee of the whole on the biff
to provide for destroyed certificates of a
certain description—Mr. Bourn in the
chair; the bill being read, a motion was
made that the committee should rife and
report the fame—this was drtne ; it was
then voted that it be read the third time.
Mr. Watts of the committee on the pe
tition of Stephen Paranque, Capt. of the
French Jndiaman, brought in a report
which is in favor of the petitioner ; the re
port was accepted by the House, and a
bill ordered to be brought in puifuant
thereto.
A bill to provide for the expence attend
ing the intercourse between the United
States and foreign nations was taken up in
committee of the whole, Mr. Bo m in the
chaii; this bill being read, Mr. W. Smith
moved to add a (Virion to continue in force
f° r an ast already extant on this
fjbjeft ; this amendment was agreed to;
the bill was then reported to the House,
and with the amendment laid on the table
til] to-morrow.
Mr. S. Smith reported a bill for allow
ing to Lieut. Col. Toufard an equivalent
for his half pay for life—twice read and
committed for to-morrow.
In committee of the whole on the Hand
ing rules and orders, Mr. Boudinotin the
chair : The committee, after some discus
sion rose and reported progress—and the
House adjourned.
Friday, March 7,
The bill to prevent the carrying on the
slave trade from the ports of the United
States to any foreign place or country was
read the third time and parted.
The bill limiting the time for present
ing claims for destroyed certificates, was
read the third time and pafTed. The
blank for the time to be allowed for pre
senting the claims, was filled with " the
firft day of June 1795.
A meflage from the Senate, by Mr.
Otis their Secretary, informed the lSoufe
that they have pasTed the appropriation
bill with amendments.
Another meflage from the Senate, in
formed the Honfe, that they have ap.
pointed a committee to join a committee
of the House, for the purpose of consider
ing what business is neceflaiy to be done
the present feflion—what may without in
jury to the public service, be referred over
to the next feflion, and to report whether
the present may not be closed on the firft
Monday of April next.
The enrolled bill providing for the re
mifiion of the foreign tonnage duty on
sundry French veflels, wa6 brought in and
figued by the Speaker.
In committee of the whole 011 the bill
to provide a naval armament—Mr. Bou
dinot in the chair—
In the firft fedtion Mr. S. Smith moved
to strike out 20 guns, and to insert 36
which makes the force proposed, four (hips
44 g uns > an d two of 36 guns each—
the committee proceeded through the se
veral fettions of the bill, and made sundry
amendments in refpe£t to officers, rations,
&c.
Mr. B. Bourn observed, that the force
contemplated would afford no protection
to the Commerce of the United States,
for the present season—as it would require
several months to build and equip the
ships. He therefore moved to add ano
ther fe&ion, the objeff of which wa«, to
authorize the President of the United
States to provide a temporary protedlion,
till the ships proposed by the bill, (hall be
ready.
Mr. Fitzfiijions said the bill did net
restrict tile Prtiident to (hips to be built
—He m-'.y life his discretion in procuring
the reqnifite force.
The motion after some debate was ne
gatived.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill with amendments—the amend
ments were taken into conlideration by
the House— and all of them agreed to.
Several other amendments were propo
sed, some of which were agreed to—and
then the bill palled to be cngroiled for a
third reading on Monday.
Adjourned till Monday.
We are informed, that there is a Bri
tifli order of Government in town, in
which the commanders of the veftels of
war of that nation, are directed to take
and carry into British ports, all vclTels
loaded with provisions, bound either to
I' ranee, or to her colonics—alfo all veffelj
loaded with the produce of the French
1 (lands.
C"7" The Merchants and Traders of the
city of Philadelphia, are desired to rr.tet cn
Saturday evening, at 7 o'clock, at Barnabas
M'Shane's tavern, the sign of the Harp : nd
Crown, North Third-street, to receivr the
report of their committee, and to appoint a
committee to colleift information reipefling
the capture and detention of veflels belonging
to the citizens of the United States, by the
cruisers of the nations at war, to lay the fame
before the President of the United States,
with such representations as they may find ne
ceflary.
NEW THEATRE.
THIS E VENING, March 7,
Will be performed,
A NEW COMEDT,
(never performed here) called
Every one has his Fault.
Lord Norland, Mr. Whitlock.
Sir Robert Ramble, Mr. Chalmers.
Mr. Solus, Mr. Morris.
Mr. Harmony, Mr. Bates.
Captain Irwin, Mr. Fenncll.
r. Placid, Mr. Moreton.
Hammond, Mr. Green.
Porter, Mr. Warrell.
Edward', Mrs. Marfliall.
Lady Eleanor Irwin, Mrs. Whitlock.
Mrs. Placid, Mrs. Rowfon.
Mils Spiniler, Mrs. Dates.
Miss Wooburn, Mrs. Morris.
The Epilogue by Mrs. Whitlock.
At the end of the Comedy,
A COMIC DANCE,
Composed ly Mr. Francis, called
The SCHEMING CLOWN,
OR, THE
S PORTSMANTiECEIVED:
By Mr. Francis, Mr. Darley, juii. a«d
Mrs De Marque.
To <u>hich will be added,
A FARCE, in two A&s, (performed
here but once) called
The Viillage Lawyer.
Scout, Mr. Harwood.
Snarl, Mr. Francis.
Slieepface, Mr. Bates.
Justice Mittimus, Mr. Warrell.
Charles, Mr. Cleveland.
Mrs. Scout, Mrs. Rowfon..
Kate, Mrs. Bates.
Boxes, one dollar—Pitt, three quarter»
of a dollar—and Gallery, half a dollar.
.*** As inconveniencies to the public have
arisen frcm the Box-book being opened on the
days of performance only, in future attend
ance will be given at the office in the Theatre
every day from ten till one, and on the davs
of performance from ten till three o'clock in
the afternoon. Applications for Boxes, it i»
refpe&fully requcfted, may be addrcfled to
Mr. Franklin, at the Box-Office.
The Doors will be opened at < o'clock,
and the performances begin at 6 o'clock pre
cisely.
Vivat Refptihlka.
In the Name of the French
Republic.
EVERY Frenchman is forbid to violate
the Neutrality of the United States.
All coinminions or authorizations tending to
infringe that neutrality, are revoked, and are
to be returned to the Agents of the French
Republic.
Philadelphia, Ventofe 16th, second year t
the French Republic, one and ind.vifitle
(March-6th, 1794, o. s.)
The Minifttr Plenipotentiary cf the French
Republic. 1 JH. FAUCHET.
The Editors of neH'fpapcrs within the
United States, are requelted to repuUuii the
lo'.ice.
LOST,
In M rkcT ftrerf. between Fourth ?nd
Tiont ft-eets,a 5 Dollar DANK NOTE
of the Bank of the United States. Any
perfbn fl u'-njj the r ame, and will return
if to the Printer, (hall receive the thanks
of the fowner.
Msrch "th