Of f/JC %y>
[No. XIX.]
THE TABLE T. No. XIX.
u Sensible men as -well as others aftner have occafiou
to repent of faying too much than too little."
THOUGH I place a new motto at the head of
this number, yet 1 am continuing my last
filiation rather than introducing a new one.
There is such a direrfity of appearances in human
rtint the molt diligent enquirer after truth
Iv come to a stand in his researches He will
L to himfelf, I may as well remain idle, as per
' v mind with enquiries, which cannot ter
minate in a fatisfaCtory solution. This difficulty
'culiarlv attends the cafe now under confidera
■ n It has been fhcwn that in some instances
obvious advantages result from a cold, reserved
deportment ; while 011 other occasions, the fue
l's of aman seems to have originated in an open,
unreltrained communication of his thoughts. 1
will dilate a little upon the circumltances that
attend such a difference of behavior, and leave
the reader to draw his own conclusions. He will
recolleA, that in this paper, I am remarking up
on characters that deserve some eminence for
their abilities.
The different views men entertain of applaule
and influence lead them to strike upon different
expedients for promoting their reputation. One
man has ail ardour of spirits that tliirits conftant
lyafter frefh drafts of flattery ; and like a dram
drinker, he has a spark that al w ays wants quench
ing. This induces him to captivate attention
wherever he falls into company ; and he had rather
be gratified with momentary applause, than to
acquire that which may be durable, if the aequi
firion will fubjed: him to a temporary felf-denial.
The character the reverse of this gains slowly
upon the admiration of others ; but he holds fait
what he docs gain : He never loses any part of
the influence he obtains ; and encreafes the ve
neration of the world by appearing very indif
ferent abont it. _ _ i
While one man is ambitious of exciting admi
ration by the brilliancy of his wit, and the gaiety
and elegance of his conversation ; another avoids
those methods of allurement, and only wishes to
be refpccted for solidity of judgment, and for a
(paring, but pertinent, communication ofliisfen
timents. If one were asked which of tliefe cha
ratfters were molt desirable, he may re])ly that
eacJi of them may be most desirable to different
men, whose talte and views run in a different di
rection. The person of reserve, who seldom
speaks at all, and never but when he can fay
ibmethitig judicious and fingulatTy adapted to the
fubjed:, has more weight and influence in society
than he who always speaks, and often wanders
from the real merits of the queltion. It frequent
ly happens that men of the most active powers of
oratory are dazzled by their ownluftre, and make
many unimportant or erroneous remarks merely
for the fake of displaying their eloquence. Those
who fall into the praiftice of speaking a great
deahnay be certain they will let drop many things
that are neither jult or interesting. Every error
in opinion, and every falfe or improbable afier
tlon will bring a man into disrepute, and render
his judgment as well as veracity liable to suspi
cion. By this mfcans, when he makes an observa
tion that is judicious, it does not receive that cre
dit which it deserves, or that it would receive, if
he had been accustomed to speak with precaution.
It is true the fafcination of oratory, in many in
itances, gives a popularity to fpeeclies beyond
what they merit; but 110 substantial or permanent
influence can result from such captivations of ap
plause. Men guarded in their conversation
eltabliih a more beneficial influence ; their word
is equivalent to truth, and their opinions are ci
ted as authority to dired: the conducft of others.
Upon the whole, afenfible man, if he talks a great
deal may often be applauded ; if he talks but lit
tle, he will always be refpeCted.
A. £. ItiTablet No. XVIII, thefixth paragiaph, eleventh line,
"- r " mifdtmeavor" read demeanor.
A SKETCH OF THE POLITICAL STATE OF AMERICA.
[Continued from No. XVII.]
">S method and system, in conducting the
'ommon concerns of private life,are attended vtitli
''very advantage, and found to ailift greatly in
'he attainment of the objects we have in view,
wis argument applies with additional force to the
and important concerns involved in the eco
nomy of a nation. Tliefe being various and com
plicated in their nature, and indefinite in their
number, _ without order and system, would
e peculiarly liable to derangement and confufi
on - Hence arises the propriety of eftablifning
1| e K rea t executive departments of government,
' * their appropriate powers, and the
WEDNESDAY, June 17, 1789.
objects of their attention and management. As,
affairs relative to revenue and national income to
a financier—military matters to a secretary at
war—foreign affairs to a person specially appoint
ed—domestic concerns to their peculiar depart
ment—to a marine board the iuterell of a navy,
&c. Upon the requilite qualifications for tliefe fe
veral,offices and on the objedts of their commissi
on, I venture a few general observations. In a
financier we hope to find a critical acquaintance
with mankind, and the various thihgs which go
vern the heart—a knowledge of the history of
foreign nations—with a more particular infor
mation of that of his own country—the genius of
its inhabitants—different interelts of the commu
nity—the various sources from which to derive
an income to the public—the practical philoso
pher, and profound mathematician—acquainted
with the operation and fluctuation of money in
a State,and with the means of extending and equa
lizing itscirculation to common benefit; and in ge
neral,with a capacity to economize public expen
ditures,and by other means to eltablifh and support
national credit and consequence. The mechanical
bulinefs of the department of treal'ury or finance
will be to keep a fair and accurate ftateuient of the
national debts and credits, and so contracted as
to avoid embarraflinent, prevent error, and
deteCt fraud. In the war-office we are led to look
for a person of ability and information, acquired
by a long experience in martial purfuiis, a dis
ciplinarian, and well acquainted with the eco
nomy of a camp and military tallies—capable of
directing to the bell means for preserving the
health of the soldiery, of supplying them with ne
ceilaries,offupportinggarrifons and forts,and pur
suing every mode for his country's defence, with
propriety, and economy ; his attention to method
will enable him (whenever called upon for that
purpose by government) to present a full and ac
curate estimate upon every fubjedt comprised
within his department.
To dired: the concerns of the marine, will re
require an early and uniform education in naval
pursuits ; with ability to improve upon the infor
mation thus acquired—an acquaintance with the
best mode for obtaining good timber, &c. for the
building of ffiips and all the necellaries forcom
pleating them ; dlfo with the means to be purfu
cd for encouraging the increase of seamen—the
lealfc expenfivc mode for supplying them, and molt
efficacious method for preserving their valuable
lives, See. in this department will be kept accu
rate registers of the men employed in the navy—
estimates of their supplies and general expendi
tures, and upon a report of which to thefupreme
executive, will receive warrants on the treal'ury
for their disbursement.
The person filling the office for foreign affairs
with a knowledge of his own couiltry, ffiouldpof
fafs a general acquaintance with the history of
other Nations—be able to develope the arcana of
their politics,commercial purfuits,and readily fee
into their connection with probable effects upon
those of bis own country ; and while correspond
ing with our public officers and agents abroad on
tliefe fubje<fts,ffiould be fully capable of rendering
this information subservient to her best interests.
The department of domestic affairs, land-of
fice, national bank, &c. will be duly attended tc
in a future paper. AMERICANUS.
(To be continued.)
MESSAGE of the Governor of Maflachufetts to
both branches of the Legiflamre of that Com
monwealth.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House o/Representatives,
I AM happy in congratulating you upon the
return of this anniversary, established by our free
and excellent constitution.
In a free Commonwealth, extensive enough for
the great porpofes of civil government and na
tional defence, the sentiments and feelings of
the people can be undcrftood and confulted,in 110
other way, than through a representation fuffi
ciently numerous and frequently appointed : The
clear and absolute pofleflion of this privilege,
with the certain right of tranfmittingit inviolate
topofterity, will be conftdered by the good citi
zens of this Stateas a full compensation for their
late glorious aud arduous ftrugglefor freedom.
As my fellow citizens have seen fit to honor me
with the office of Chief Magistrate, it affords me
o-reat fatisfaCtion to find that they have commit
ed their Legislative concerns to men, who so well
understand and can so ably execute the important
trust : And feeling myfelf well assured that the
discussion of the public business will be attended
with candor and unanimity, I ffiall readily con
cur in those measures which ffiall be by you
proposed for the general good of the government,
and the happiness of our constituents : And may
{Publijhed on Wednesday avd Saturday.]
the great Author of mercies so bless our endeavors
as that we, and the people of the Commonwealth,
may rejoice in the continuance of his divine fa
vors,bellowed upon a free and enlightened nation.
Since the adjournment of the late General
Court, anew and important era has commenced ;
the government of the United States of Ameri
rica has been completely oiganized—atthe head
of our infant nation is placed, by the united voice
of his country, One, who from his piety, wisdom
and ability, is evidently designed by Heaven n>
unite the affections of ad his fellow citizens, and
thus united, to lead them to national glory and
felicity.
Fromthe characters which form the two branch
es of Congress, we mull poflefs the liighelt con
fidence in that alterably, and are lead to antici
pate from their nieafures, the blessings of that se
curity and dignity,'which at all times are the re
sult of national wisdom, integrity and jullice ;
and I believe that the good people of the great
confederated Republic, may allure theinlehes
that the principles upon which the revolution was
supported will so forcibly inlinuate tliemfelves
into all the measures of that augult Legislature,
that no place will be opened to tliofe ideas of
monarchy and defpotifin, which have long Icourg
ed other parts of the world.
But it ought ever to be remembered, that no
form of government, or mode of admin iftration,
can make a vicious people happy, and that there
fore, the public felicity will in a great measure
depend upon the exercise of the l'ocial and private
virtues, by the people of this extensive republic.
That this Commonwealth, which constitutes so
important a part of the general government, may
increase its own internal prosperity, while it pro
motes that of the Union, we ought to support and
encourage the means of learning, and all institu
tions for the education of the riling generation ;
an equal diltribution of intelligence being as ne
cellary to a free government, as laws for an equal
diltribution of property.
Our wife and magnanimous anceltors, imprefl
ed with this idea, were very liberal and careful
in the eltablilhment of inltitutions for this pur
pose ; among which, that of our Uni-verlity In
Cambridge, and that of Grammar Schools in our
• n*
towns, were very important : Every necellary at
tention will certainly be paid to the former, and
I cannot but earnellly recommend to your inqui
ry, the reason why the latter is so much neglected
in the State : Should any new laws be wanted in
this matter, you cannot do your country a more
efiential service, than provide them.
Notwitliltanding the just expectations we have
from the government of the United States, yet
the honor and crcdit of the several States are of
vast importance to the citizens of tliem. In this
State we have accumulated in the course of the
late war, a very heavy debt ; individuals of the
community have loaned their property to support
their diltreffed country.—The resources of the
Commonwealth are as well known to you, gen
tlemen, as they arc to me, and I feel myfelf allu
red of your serious attention to measures directed
to the support of public credit, and the ellablilh
ment of public jullice.
Pursuant to a rcfolution pafled by the Legisla
ture in their late feflion, the Sheriffs of the seve
ral counties have been called upon to return, and
fettle the executions which have been committed
to them againlt defective collectors of public
taxes : A Itate ps their settlements I have direc
ted the treasurer to lay before you.
I lhall communicate to you such matters, from
time to time, as I may find to be necellary for the
interest of government, but am very happy to in
form you, that from a state of external and in
ternal peace and quietnefs,no bulinefs is likely to
call for your attention but the common and or
dinary concerns of supporting government.
JOHN HANCOCK.
Bofion, June 8, 1789.
~~A TALK,
Lately sent by the Coinmiflioners of Indian affairs
in the Southern Department to the Creeks cor
respondent.
To the Head Men, Chiefs, and IVarriors of the Creek
Nation.
WE last year appointed a time and place for
holding a treaty with you to eltablilh a Jailing
peace between you and us, that we might again
become as one people ; you all know the real'ons
why it was not held at that time.
We now fend you this talk, inviting you to 3
treaty on your bank of the Oconee river, at the
Rock Landing. We wilhed to meet you at that
place on the eighth of June, but, as that day is
so near at hand, you might not all get notice. We
therefore lhall expect to meet you on the 20th of
June.