ought to fce helifacred in time o£ war.
Mr. S. remarked that it had been fuggeit
t\ that the Britilh nation had been guilty
of a violation oi the laws of uations in their
treatment of us—and that therefore we were
cot bound to govern ourfelvesby that law in
®ur coilduil towards them-—This argument
however plausible he fald would not bear the
tell of examination —that all reprisals were
juftified only on the principle that the natioii
on whom reprisal is made has been guilty of :
a previous violation of the laws of nations —
When .* nation disregards that general law
fc,- which the conduit ofall independent com
munities towards each other Is to be regulat
ed the tine law points out the mode 6f re
drefs—lf" ther« has been no violatfon of that
law, there, can be no reprisal. .If there has
been a violation, then the feprifal rtvuft be
purl'uanttoQrfWV. &<"-& is the highetl. ib
furdity to lay, that because there has been an
infraction of a law which authorizes,! certain
mode of redreft, that we may pursue a dif
ferent mode 6f redress in violation of the law
which gives us the right: This would be at
once to renounce the whole fyltem of the lawS
gf nations, and threw mankind bark into a
state of savage barbarity and ferocity.
Mr. S. then adverted to the policy of the
meal'uie, He laid upon a fair oalculation, it
would be found that the adoption of the pro
pufition, would be productive of far greater
mjury to this country, than the aniounc of
the loifes fultained by our citizens, in confe
cu nce of the fpciliations committed upon
our commerce. It is evident that this coun
try> even admitting that a war lhould take
pia :e, would with to review their commerci
al connexion with Great Britain. But if in !
contempt of the law of nations, we seize on j
private debts, we iHall forevtr forfeit all cre
dit; no (rufi can be reposed in our citizens,
and no faith in our government. No foreign
Merchants willever deal on credit with wr
dtizeus, from a well-guirtted apprehension
that in caie of a 'war between the countries,
the'litred nature of private contradts will
not protect them against the hahd of a Go
vmiment flfl.ieh !:as exhibited the example of
a deliberate violation of the laws of nations.
When we consider the immenl'e advan;ages
that can be derived from private credit and
national honor, it will be easy to imagine
the uifcnke miichief that mull result from a
diiVegard of thofc principles.
Mr. .Swift obiefted to the meafilre on
the ground thai he considered it to be a
declaration of war—and he did not think
that the cireumftances required or juftified
our taking that ltep. He said that uot
withftanding the unwarrantable prcceed
; intra of the Britilh nation—yet, no ast
"liad been done, by tin. Court that
clearly indicated an intention to make wai
directly upon ns, or thtt could be coufr
cered as direct and intentional vrarj tho'
we might consider many of their a&s as
jaft causes of making war on our part.
The revocation of the order of the 6th
of November, the new inftruftion& of the
Bfh of, January, aiid the explanation giv
en t« the merchants of London, clcarly
evidenced that a war might be avoided
with that nation. While there was the
Temoteft poffibilityof preserving our peace,
we ought not. to do art ast tvhich might
endanger a war. While ther. the conduct
of the Britilh cabinet Would admit of an
pxpjanation, while there was a profpeft
that we might obtain by negoeiation, res
titution of the property of our citizens
or compensation for the lofles they had
fultained, we ought to pursue that mode
—but if we proceeded to make reprisals
by adapting an illegal rr. -dure, it mull
certainly be deemed a declaration of war.
The omiflion of the regular means of
obtaining latisfnftion by negotiation and
an itriwar antable mode of reprisal would cer
cei tainiv be jult causes of war. If ,ve mult
be driven into a war it would be of the
liightft advantage to us, to conduct in
inch ama mi i-1 as to convince the people
of Gieat Britain, that we sincerely wi(h
ed to avoid it, and that the unjust and ille
gal proceedings of their own Court have
been the sole cause of the war. In such
caff ire have reason to think, that so great
is the interest of that nation in preserving
our commercial connection, that a power
ful party will be formed in our favor to
oppole the injuitice of the I
The sentiments of the people-Will be a
•rainft the war, and the Court will find it
extremely difficult to maintain it under
iucli cireumftances.
Bnt, if without demanding an explana
tion, we proceed to adopt raft, violent,
and unwarrantable measures—the fpirft
of the nation will rife against us, and the
people will join the Court in prosecuting
a war which will be then deemed just and
neceflary.
Mr. Swift then observed that we ought
tnJake into canfideration the'prefent Ctu
rfrjon of Europe— that the late fuccefTes
-<>' the F '"*ach nation bad materially chan
ged the political profpeft. I t was poffi
.ble tha; these fucceflei had been the cause
v -hat! produced an alteration in the
views of the Briti/h Court. If events had
happened which had rendered the difpoli- i
tion of that natioh less unfriendly and hof- i
tile, we ought to take advantage of that
circumstance, and not do any thing to
check the progress of that favorable dif
polition. He most sincerely hoped that
their successes would convince the combi
ned powers of the impossibility to con
quer France,and produce a general pacifi
cation.
While such were the profpeft j he ar
dently wilhed that a measure repugnant to
the principles of common honesty and
■ common justice might berejeftea—and he
hoped that no gentleman in the commit
tee would vote in favor of a proposition
which would fix an indelible stigma on
Q ur national character.
PHILADELPHIA,
APRIL 9.
There are letters in town from Antigua
of the 15th March, and from St. Etiftatia of
the 30th, to a refpeclable merchant of this
city—which fay that the condemnation of
American property has ceased in the Illands,
since the receipt of the late inftruclions fioin
the Britilh government.
By a gentleman just arrived from Lexing
ton, Kentucky, we are informed that Gen.
Wayne moved from his winter cantonmept,
■with the legion of the] United Stales, 011 the
ftrftof March, for the Miami Villages.
The fame gentleman alio informs,that-pre
vious to the march of the Legion, a duel
was fought by Lieut. Huflon of the 3d, and
Lieut. Bradlhaw, of the lit Sub Legion,
which terminated in the death of both, the
former having expired on the spot, and the
latter 10 houis after.
ExtraS of a Utter from a «tr.tkrr.n h> his
correfpondrfit in Ihis place, da'ed New
art, Bfh April, 1794.
" Mr. B. informs of the arrival of a
schooner it New-York on Saturday, from
St. Lucia in 17 days—the Captain re
lates that a fleet of 8 fail of the line had
arfived at Martinique from France, and
had landed s,cxjo men, wbo had cut off
the communication between the British
army and fle/t.
" The Captain faiv the fleet failing
' for Port-Royal Bay, in wliicli the IJotigh
ty Sir John Jarvis, was at anchor—vfe
may reasonably expect therefore that the
fiegc of Martinique may be converted in
to an attack on Jamaica.
" The Sans Culottes it is said, were
furnifhed with only three pounds, and
were ordered to rely on the bayonet."
Extract of a letter from a gentlemart hi St.
Martins, dated March 15, 1794.
" By the last accounts from Martinique,
of the id inlt. the whole ifiand, (except Fort
Bourbon) was in potTeffion of the British,
who had then 70 pieces of cannon and 14
taortars playing on the fort, which was de
fended only by 400 men—-the colored people
having delivered themselves up, on condition •
of their leaders being permitted to go to A
merica."
LONDON, January 21.
It is remarkable that the Portuguese,
who, for very many years, have not met
an enemy in the field, lhould have beat the
French the very firlt time they came to
blows with them ; and, though raw in
arms, made those troops fly, who had
more than once routed the best troops df
Spain. But this is an age of novelties.
The following particulars of the action
in which they were thus fuccefsful is too
authentic, and too glorious to the troops,
and to some of our countrymen who acted
with them, not to be made known to the
public.—The letter which brought the in
telligence to England was dated the 14th
of December.
" The Povtuguefe troops recently re
lieved General Ricardos from a difagrea
bk dilemma, in which he had fuffered the
French to out-general him. The French
having taken a circuitous march, had fe
cuied a post, find fortified it on and near
a bridge, in a defile where the General
war. marching through,to effect a junction
with the other troops, and by which
means he was cut off. General Ricardos
was consequently reduced to the necessity
of cutting his way through, or laying
down his arms. Information having by
some means been conveved to General
Forbes, they (the Portiigaeft j ioft not » I
moment in coming 10 General Ricartl
os's relief, and attacked the French
with such Heady bravery, that they carri- '
ed the poits, took qjany cannon and or -
loners, and effectually relieved the Spanish
General.
>i . • . *
" General Fortes had his l.orfe killed !
by. a ''Srho'i bail. He dun led rtu the I
in.liu jp'+'y <'« {<-Ot, K id g-'Hied the da\\
He WW pcrumally aflilivd by the Ij dke or'
Northumberland, iviuch praise is due to
Colonel Claviere, who led on the 2d Porte
regiment, and whose cunduit in a great
measure fccured the success of tde day."
PORT OF PHILADELPHIA.
arrived.
Ship Eagle, Hubble Oporto, 50
Schqoner Fly, Hcylander, Virginia, it
, Mille, Wtlfon, St. Euftatia, 16
Sloop Fair Haven, Bidcock, Egg Harbor.
Captain Hubble arrived here from O
porto in the ship Eagle, informs, that he
left there the following American vefiels 1
Ship William, Cogzey, Rhode-Island
Snow Fruity, Cook, Philadelphia
Brig Courtney, , Boston,
and two brigs belonging to Baltimore,
nalHes unknown—«-The above vefTels were
to fail ihortly for their refpecftivc ports.
Captain Hubble on the 13th February,
spoke the (hip Catharine, Capt. M'Collin
of this port laying at anchor in the road,
inward bound. The schooner Betsy of
Beverly, had arrived at Oporto—the capt.
mate, and two hands balonging tb the
Betfy,were washed overboard by a heavy
sea, 1J days after leaving Beverly. Capt.
Hubble on the 2 7th ult. spoke the fchoo.
ner Fair Lady, Capt. Thompson of New-
York, lat. 32, 30 —out n days, bound
to Bermuda.
By Capt. Harden, in 12 days from i St.
Thomas's we arc informed that the En gHh
privateers have ceased capturing American
veilV.s, in confequetlce of some late' inftruc
tiora—That provisions were so low there and
at feme of the other islands, that he was ne
cefljtated to bring back part of his cargo —
that a few days previous to his failing from
$t. Thomas's, he was at St. Sufrea, and that
while he was there, a canoe came in from
Fort Bourbon, by which a gentleman at that
plate, had received a letter from Gen. Uo
chan»beau,who commands the French troops
Rationed at Fort Bourbon, informing that
he had provisions enough to iaft 18 months
without an additional l'upply.
Capt. Hughes arrived here, informs that
previous to hie failing from St. Thomas's ac
counts were received therefrom St, Croix,
wkich mentioned, that about 40 fail of Ame
liun vcflels were there, all preparing to fail
for their refpe«slivfc ports.
• ~ Arrivcdot New-York, April &,
Ship Jenny, Ch.uncy, Savannah
Schrs. Maria, Collins, Beniera
Polly, Edwards, Marigallante
Capt. Smith of Providence, in a brig,
failed from Jackmell, in company with
Capt. Rancy, and was next day captuied
in light of her;
The schooner Induflry, Capt. Adams,
bound to Peterfburgh, Virginia, failed
from Marigallante, in company with
Capt. Edwards, of the Polly, who saw
her captured the next day, after failing,by
a Britilh privateer.
The lnduftry and.her cargo, confiding
of sugar and coffee, were owned by Mr.
Myers, of Virginia.
C?" The Editor is much obliged to the
writer of the piece signed " A Friend to Re
publican Frte4om." A' it takes up the fuk
jeß on general principles, it merits a prefer
ence to any remarks which might have been
Contemplated in answer to the personal at
tack in the Independent Gazetteer of this
morning.—lt Jhall appear to-morrow.
P oft-Office, April 8, 1794.
(CJ* Letters to go by the opportunity
expected for Halifax, in the course of
next week, in order to be conveyed by
the Britilh Packet, from that place to
Englafid, will be received at this Office,
until Saturday at 12 o'Clock noon.
N. B. The inland poltage to New-York
tnuft be paid.
TO THE PUBLIC.
THE accidental breaking of a bench in
the New Theatre, having- created an alarm
during the performance erf Monday evening
last, the Managers, ever anxious to remove
the slightest cause of apprehension, have ta
lc: n this occasion to survey the building, and
with pleasure inform the public, that alter a
ltriift examination, Major L'Enfant, Capt.
Sadler, and Mr. John Harrifon, confidently
pronounce that no ftruclui e was ever, more
iecure; and that no weight of any number
of people which it is pofiible to admit into
the Theatre, can in any degree impair that
feeurity.
(Signed)
iVIGNELL fcf REINAGLE.
Philad. April 9. 1
A letter "ron S.> lem oMie ;jft of March
Siys, " v.:Vcl is arrived at Marb. : eliead
sri inß lbja, - h -ii left thai place the 30th
Jaiuaiy, and lr rigs an account that the
I'tu'iiani had !ett the combined armies, and
returned home."
1 Hvufe of Reprrfentjtives, dpril 9.
'Mr. Clark's moti n, for {topping the
commercial intircourle between the United
States ana Great Britain, and Ireland, was
difeuued this day in committee of the whole
—No deciiion took place,progrefsreported.
A NEW SONG,
Sung by Mr. Dari.ey in the Comic Ope
ra of the Highland Ren,.
The Words by Mrs. Rutvfon. _
A Si.lditr is the noblest name
Enroll'd upon the lifts of fame,
His country's pride aud boall j
HoruJar the glorious bright reward,
For which the hero draws his sword,
Should ne'er be ftain'd or loft.
To guard our rights and liberty,
Our duty and our care ;
The brave and worthy to refpedl, »
And to the verge of life protect
The innocent and and fair.
When glory led our squadrons forth,'
Her influence lpread from south to north,
There freedom soon appear'-! ;
'Twas there she found her fav'rite son,
1 hrough all the world his name is .known,
Through all the world rever'jl.
And smiling thus the Goddess spoke,
Columbia's sons draw near ;
A soldier's duty ne'er forget,
Behold the gr -at example set, •
The school of honour's here," *
Loft last Night,
Between Second and Seventh streets, a
Red Morroeco Pocket Book, *
C ntaining a few private letters and a bill
of xenange, dated Chartefton, March ,
lira Kn \>y John Mianick on Philip Care, in i'a
vor of Sims White, which can be of 110 life
io any on: but rhe owner, whoever has found
she Tame, and will deliver it atlfrael Israel's
Inn, ihall be haDti.ouiey rewarded.
April g.
- - - '
V/ANTED,
A PRESSMAN,
Apply at this Office.
NEW THEATRE.
' TIMS EVENWGt
April 9. '
"Will bs performed,
A COMEDY, called the
RIVALS.
Sir Anthony Ahfolute, Mr. Morris
Capt.in Absolute, Mr. Chalmers
Mr. Fe;mel
Acres, Mr. Batts
Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Mr. Whitlock
Tag, Mr. Marshall
David, Mr. Francis
Coachman, Mr. Warrell
Boy, . Master J. Warrell x
Mrs. Malaprop, Mrs. Shaw
Lytlia Laaguifh, Mrs. Marshall
Julia, Mrs. Francis
Lucy, Mrs. Rowfon
End of the Comedy,
A Pantomimical Dance, called
The Sailor s Landlady,
OR
' jack in Diftrfcfs.
To which will be added,
A COMIC OPERA, in two acts, called
the
Agreeable Surprize.
(Written by the author of the Poor Soldier.)
Sir Felix Friendly, Mr. Finch
Compton, Mr. Darley
Eugene, Mr. Marihail
Chicane, Mr. Warrell
Jnhn, Mr. Francis
Thomas, Mr. Greea /
F-rmer Stump, Mr. Harwocd
Cudden, jVJ r - BlUIetS:
L.ngt), Mr. Bates
Lilira, Mrs. MarlhaH
Mrs. Clielhire, Mrs. Shaw
Cowslip, Miss Broadhurft
Fringe, Mrs. Rowfon
Places in the Boxes to be taken at the Box-
Office of the Theatre, at any hour fromnine,
in the morning till three o'clock in the after
noon, n the day of performance. Tickets
to be hid at the office near the Theatre, at
she corner of Sixth-flreet,and at Carr Sc Ct>'»
Muficalßepolitory, No. in, Market-street
* % * As inconveniences to the public have
arjfen from the Box book being open on the
days of performance only, in future attende
ance will be at the office in the Theatre 1
every day from ten 'till one, and on the days
of performance from ten.ti.il three o'clock in
the afternoon. Applications for Boxes, it i»
retpectfuHy reonefted, may be addressed, M
1 Mr. Franklin, at the Box Office.
| Boxes, one dollar —-Pitt, three quarter
I of a dollar —and Gailery, half 3 dollar.