:o the fuppcvi of onswellfed draft iioufts, Which,
■/'cultivated bythefpade, would maintain twelve
of the human f'pecies. Admitting his calculation
on a much lower scale, it is as easy to conceive
how beneficially inland communication by water
must operate in the reduction of animals, and
•what has been proved before a committee of the
Englilh House of commons In the year r774, will
give a pretty clear idea thereof. In that year it
was demonstrated, that the heavy goods which
pafleii in one year through Stamford-hill, Hack
jiey and Mile-end gates,amounted to 304,278 tons,
the carriage of which would employ upwards of
608,556 horses ; whereas in barges, thefomemay
be drawn by 7>608 ; a laving in the maintainance
of 600,248 iiories.
Died William Ebward, archited; and
bridge-builder; or the Rev. Win. Edward; for
he l'uftained both characters with equal afliduity
and ability : The celebrated bridge on the river
Taaff, called Pont ytu Pridd (by the Englilh New
Bridge) was conllrut r ted by him :It is the segment
of a circle, whole c hord at thefurface of the water
is 147 feet, and is the boldest and largest arch in
Europe : He was then a common mason, and
methodist preacher : His fame was diffufed thro*
England, and his assistance fought where ever
difficulties occurred in conltrurting bridges : He
retained his passion for religious exercises ; and
conducted a large and mingled congregation of
methodists and independents, and built bridges,
to the age of 71 ; at which he died, venerated
eyen among contending fedts for his exemplary
piety, and, for his inventive genius and talents,
ranked among the real benefa<ftors of mankind.
UNITED STATES,
... . NeKhYork, December <.
i ellerday His Excellency William Livingston, and the
Hon. John Beatty, Esq. presented the following Address 10
The Pr esident, in behalf of the State of New-Jerfcy.
To THE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
r T~ I HE Legiflatnrc of New-Jersey, altho fully fenfiblc of the
A trouble and interruption occasioned by the numerous ad
ureffes of congratulation, on your acceptance of the highfft office
In the Commonwealth, would neither forgive themfelvcs, nor
expect the pardon of their constituents, should they neglelt in
this their firll meeting, after the organization of the Federal Go
vernment, to express their joy, on feeing you at the head of the
united States.
New-Jersey having been the central theatre of the late war, and the
°M ome ,e nioft important military operations, which
uiltinguilhed the American armies, and added new honors to their
Il'.uftrious Commander, we are particularly induced to comme
morate those brilliant exploits, which, while they immortalized
your name, afforded peace and security to the inhabitants of the
Sjate.
Adulation, Sir, we are as much indisposed to offer, as you can
be disinclined to receive ; but while we add our voicc to that of the
world, in celebrating your military achievements, we cannot re
train irom acknowledgisg the attention, which you have always
paid to the Jaws of the State, and your inflexible pcrfcverance, a*
midii all the dire necessities of war, in prefering the rights of the
citizen, to the convenience of the soldier ; thus while equal to the
molt renowned warriors as a Hero, you have proved yourfclf su
perior to them as a Citizen.
As New-Jerlcv was early and unanimous in adoptingthe Con
fti:ut:on, under which you rule—As every voice called you forth
to the office of Ciiief Magistrate, and every person looks up to it
and you for protelYion, prosperity, and gooa government, we may,
we trull, afTure you, that the citizens of this Slate will, to the ut
rooft ot their abilities, ever strengthen and support you in the dis
charge of your high and momentous trust.
W c have reason to adore the divine Providence, in faifing up
for us a Leader and Ruler, so perfectly suited to our fttuation and
circumstances, and sincerely believe, that great and important as
your fcrvices have bet n,you will not derive more honor therefrom,
than from your humility and felf-denial, in modeftfy afcribingall,
as you constantly have done, to the power and wisdom of the
Moil High. V
We tarneftly pray, that the fame kind Providencc which has
U^. C( * y ou with so much honor to yourfelf, and such unfpeak->
able te'icity to the public, may'long continue you a blcflfing to the
united States, in your present important office, and at last crown
vou with that palm of vi&ory, which is promised to those, who
y/?' V J. nC a ®K*nce /ball finally prove to be more than conquerors.
Houfc of Assembly, November 30, 1789.
Signed in and by order of the House,
JOHN BEATTY, Speaker.
CeunciZ-Chamber, December 1, 1789.
Signed in and by o r der of Council
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Prudent.
THE ANSWER.
To the Honorable tht LEGISLATURE of the State of NEW-JERSEY
Giktl EMEN',
TM replying to the flattering and affeltionAte address, with which
you arc pleased to honor me, I confefs a want of expreflion to
convey the grateful fentirnents which it infpircs. You will do
justice to those fentimenu, by believing that they are founded in
sincere regard, and refpeltful eftcem.
The opportunities which were afforded me, in the trying vicif
utudesofour arduous struggle, to remark the generousfpirit which
animated the exertions of youi citizens, have impressed a remem
brance of their worth, which no length of time, or change of cir
cumstance can efface.
To the gallantry and firmnefs of their efforts in the field, they
have added the wisdom and liberality of diflmguifhed patriotism
jn Council : Appreciating, with judicious difcemment, the blef
ungs of that independence, which their efforts contributed to ef
tablifli, they were unanimoufty agreed to secure and perpetuate
them, by adopting a Conilitution, which promised equal and ef
icient protelhon to the privileges of confederated America.
The affiirance now given by your honorable body- to support
tic federal system, is a renewed proof of the estimation in which
'tis held, and a happy indication of the beneficial effects already
c *P e *ienced.and hereafter expelled to flow, from its operations. —
As inch it is tome peculiarly grateful, and mull be lo to every
citizen of the Union, whose wifti is private prosperity and public
honor.
Allow me, Gentlemen, to assure you of every endeavor on
roy part, to promote these desirable objelts.
In making my acknowledgments for the favorable opinions you
**prcfsof my military conduit, as it refpelted the observance of
c ' v| l-rights,it is justice to aflign great merit to the temper of those
citizens, whose estates were more immediately the scene of war
fare. Their personal services were rendered without constraint,
the derangement of their aflars fubiritted to, without dif
fatisfi-fiiofi ; Ti Was the triumph of patriotifrfi oVc* personal ron«
fiderntmn, and our prcfciit enjoyments ot peace and freedom re
ward the faerifice.
Imploring a continuance of these enjoyments tb our Ou::fry,
and individual happiness to the citizens, who procured them, I of
fer up a sincere prayer lor you Gentlemen, and vour Condiments.
G. WASHINGTON.
TuH J HE uAZETI'EOF 1 HE UNITED STATMi.
PROGRESS of LIFE, or the PRODIGAL SON.
w ITH anxious carc, nurs'd in our tender years,
1 ill life's full bloom a parent's love appears ;
Butj when to manly vigour we attain,
, Ihe bonds are loos'd, and we aflu me the reign;
Impatient ot control, our fouls on fire,
Mount on the wings ot hope, and strong desire :
1 en thoufaud plealures tempt our minds to rouna,
1 ill truth and virtue guide us wand'rers home.
I he Prodigal in sacred story known,
Is but the picture of each giddy son ;
In foreign climes, his patrimony spends,
Till want in ev'ry dismal form att, nds ;
Dear-bought experience taught him to be wife;
1 he hulks ot vice and folly to despise.
Shame and contrition in his bosom burn,
And joy and feafting hail'd his bieft return !
Paternal love pervades the mansion round—
My Son was dead, was lojl— he lives ! is jound !
PHILADELPHIA, November 23.
Tliurfday morning, about half past two, a fire
broke out at a house in Third-ltreet, next door
to the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, which had ar
rived at such a height before it was discovered,
either by those within, or by the watchmen, that
the whole was involved in a vivid flame, and
entirely consumed. A poor woman, with her two
lons perilhed.
SPRINGFIELD, November 25.
We are informed that the Hon. Board of Trus
tees of Dartmouth College, at a late meeting,
conferred the degree of Do<ftor of Laws on his
Excellency John Sui.livan, Esq. President of
the State of New-Hamplhire, and the Hon. Paul
Wentworth, Esq. of London.
NEW-YORK, DECEMBER y.
IMPORTANT NEWS!
By the arrival of a Packet, in five days from
Wilmington, North-Carolina, we have received
the agreeable intelligence that the Convention of
that State ADOPTED THE NEW CONSTITU
TION, on the 20th ult.
For the adoption, 195
Against it, 7$
Majority, 118
The Ratification of the Constitution by the
State of North-Carolina is an event of the high
est political confeqnence to the Union, as it leaves
but the shadow of a schism in the Bond thai
unites the gfeat Federal Republic. This i:
an additional ray to the fame and glory of oui
Country, and there is no doubt but Rhode-liland
•w ill be illuminated by it, to fee wherein her real
interest lies.
Letters from Pofi-Vincenues, inform that that
situation has been very ficlcly the season past—
that the Indians have been troublesome and feve
ra] murders have been committed by them in the
neighborhood of that place^
Roujfeau, Chcftcrjicld, and Voltaire, according to theEnglifh para-
severally predicted the revolution of France ! It is real
ly laughable that tnofe should bedubbed prophets ast r their death,
who ("pent their whole lives in ridiculing every kind of precogni
tion ; but there is no doubt thai some ptrjons can more easily dif
covcr the origin of Gallic Freedom, in the fabricated predictions
ot sceptic philosophers, than in the spark Which was Aruck from
the Altar of American Liberty !
So far as our Information extends, the lateFEDE
ral Thanksgiving has been attended in the
several States with that solemnity which became
the important occasion. One advantage which has
resulted from the Supreme Executives' of the in
dividual States having republiihed the proclama
tion of the President, has been, that the peo
ple havetliereby been more fully acquainted with
this truly federal and devout recommendation of
teftifying our gratitude as <7people, to the SOVE
REIGN LORD OF ALL, for his innumerable fa
vors conferred upon thtf United States—and the
only possible disadvantage that can arise front the
non-interference of any particular State is, that
some parts of the Union, or of some particular
States, not poflefling, so fully as others, the means
of information, may have been led, through ig
norance, to a negletft of the dutfes enjoined.
If, while the community at large has been so
lemnly engaged in adts of public thanksgiving
and praise, any individuals have availed them
selves of the opportunity to pursue their common
bulinefs, we may compliment their IhrewdnefSj
and keen relish for gain ; but it will be at the ex
pence of their patriotism, complaisance, and good
citizenship.
ARRIVALS.—NEW-YOk K.
Sloop Union, Watson, Philadelphia, 8 davs.
ThurJ'iliy, Schooner Betsy, Billings, Washington, 9 days.
Schooner Neptune, Jones, Curracoa, 31 days.
Schooner Sincerity, White, Baltimore, 21 days.
Sch >oner Sydney, Todd, Wilmington, N. C. 4 days.
Sloop Cato, Mills, Baltimore, 8 davs.
Sloop Wilmington Packet, BramSy, Wilmington,
Friday, Schooner Nancy, Lewis, Richmond, Virginia, 9 days.
Sloop Hunter, Foreman, Edenton, fj. C. 4 days.
Sloop Exchange, Biggs, Richmond, Vir 6 d^vs.
THE T A fl L E T. No. LXVIII.
" It may be qtief; ior.ed, whether it is a greater point
" of-wi/dom to dtfeovcr knoiviege, than t'j hide igue
" ranee."
ONE of the 1110 ft refpetftable men of inv ac
quaintance is a person who speaks very lit
tle. People in general believe him to be fenlible,
though no fmai t thing, lie ever laid, can be
etl ; nor can any other reaion be given, why he
is reputed araan of sense, but becaul'e lie never
betrays any weakness in conversation. There i»
however a Hi 11 better reason, why he is on fucli
good terms with mankind : He notonly has pru
dence to conceal his own defects ; but lie has nor
penetration to difceni thof'e of other people.
This want of discernment is called candor and
politeness ; while his ignorance is so covered, as
to acquire the dignified appellations of reflec
tion and gravity. When he is lilent he is l'uppo
fed to be 111 deep contemplation ; and when lie
speaks, though hedifcovers neither spirit or fen
tiinent, he is Hill thought to lhew wonderful sa
gacity. His remarks are not of importance c
noughto meet with opposition, and tliey are de
livered with so much formality as to lull all sus
picion of their being dull or uninteresting.
Thefecretof hiding one's ignorance is a very
ufeful acquilition. It spares the trouble of ac
quiring knowlege, andefcapes the disadvantages
thatrefult from fucli a deficiency. Indeed a mail
who has learned to put on a solemn air of myilery,
when afubjed: is difcufled, which he doesnotun
derftand, will often be appealed to, in fettling
any points in dispute that rife out of the discus
sion. He has only to evade giving any answer at
all, and his wisdom will be applauded. Itis cer
tain he gives no fpecinien of folly, which can
feldoin be said of a man who is prone to much
conversation. Too much stress is apt to be laid
on a ceremonious kind of reserve. Men of this
stamp pass themselves off for much more than
they are worth. When they are employed in
public life their measures are flow and inefficaci
ous, and Hone of their plans are attended with
vigour and utility. And yet it is almolt impofli
ble to dislodge them from any respectable polt,
they have once taken. They excite no a<stive en
vy, and a man of a noble, generous spirit isaflia
med to be found as their competitor. As they
do no positive harm, they meet with no ill-will;
and it is rather difficult to prove that a man, who
does and fays nothing, is destitute of capacity.
I will conclude this short eflay with the reply of
a pliilofopher, who was once asked what he
•bought of a person who had been fitting a consider*
able time in the company, without speaking a
word. —" If," said the philosopher, " he is a
fool, lie a«sls the part of a wife man ; and if he
is a wife man, he arts the part of a fool."
NATIONAL MONITOR. No. XXIX.
Ours is the present—let us then be blejl,
Since pleasing profpeils on the future rejt.
THE lot of mankind is uncertainty, fear and difqdiefude :—a
the whole force of our faculties is exerted through life, to a
bate the effeCts of these invariable attendants on human
I o this point our views are directed in all the enterprizes and haz
ards in which we engage—when we form connexions, increase our
cares, and add to our labors: Societies and communities owe their
origin to the fame caul*—and in forming systems of government
for extensive operation, certainty, security, and tranquility, are the
great impelling principles : But, from the imperfeCtion of human
wisdom, the best concerted plans often miscarry, and totally dis
appoint oUr expectations. After all our endeavors to guard againifc
adverse contingencies, we leave the fame, or a flmilar course of la
bors-, to our fuccefTors : For though one generation may be wiser
than another, yet every generation has much to learn.
From these confederations, candor (hould regulate our judge
ments, and modesty refti ain our censure, in considering thole in
stitutions which require time to ascertain their intrinsic
m appofitenefs to the objcCt they are designed to obtain. Syftem#
:>f government, founded upon a freedom of choice, must be view
id in the light of experiments—for to fuppofethrm unalterable,
avolves the greatest abfurditics. It has been observed, however,
;hat thole who ha*e arrogated to themselves a more tender feelinc
tor the liberties of the people than their neighbors, have objcCtecL
;o the New Confhtution, because it has been called by some of it*
Iriends an Experiment : But the question is, Whether there is noO
greater danger to the liberties of the people in rendering that un~
iltcrabUy which from the imperfeCtion of human nature,cannot bo.
luppofed perfect, than there is, in trusting to experience to point
Dut its defeats, and leaving the people at liberty to mend them, as.
prudence (hall di&ate ? The perfection of government is, necef
iarily, a progreflive work—Upon this principle, the good sense of
the free citizens of America, has led them to adopt that System
which is now happily brought into operation—for perfection, an
tecedent to trial, is an idea that never entered into the heart of any
man, honestly disposed to any government at'all.
The effeCts of System are gradually to be observed: They fhouldl
not be partially considered—a comprehensive view must be taken.™
Revolutions in government, founded on general principles, pio
duce no local, or temporary consequences, by which their utility
is to be determined : It is to the common, combined, and eflential
intercfts of the whole community, we must extend our views.—
If we perceive tbtthe grcatbody of the people are tranquil, in
dultrious and enterprizing, we cannot fairly trace these circum
fiances to any other source, than their confidence in the govern
\J Cm : /~ia WC °kk rve 'bat the Commerce, Arts, Agriculture, and
Manufactures of the States, are emerging from depreflion* extend
ing,and flourifhing, it is from an anticipation of security and pro
tection under the administration of Law and Justice :—lf vre find
t e general ientiment is hostile to temporizing fchemesy tendef
laws, and paper money, it is because the people recognize the
pmt of that Constitution, which has forever shut the door against
luch iniquitous and ruinous expedients If universal and un
bounded respeCt is (hewn to the Supreme Executive of the Un itcci
Mates, and the public expeaation is drawn to the adminiftrati oll
of the general Government, as to the common centre of Hope an<*
appine 4 it is evident that Union and Harmony reign trium
phant through the States, and that the uaiverfaUcfirc is, that rfc.o
Cotftitu liot mould have a fair tr»L