MR. ADAMS'S LETTERS.
LETTER XXIII.
Amsterdam, Oct. 27, 1780.
SIR,
/~\L EST ION twenty-fifth.—" Do they who have
loft their or fortunes by the mar, en
dure it patiently, as cow-patriots, Jo tbat nothing
can be feared from them ?"
Losing fortunes in America lias notfuch dread
ful consequences, to individuals or families, as
it has in Europe. The reason is obvious ; be.
caule the means of fubfillence are easier to be ob
tained, so that nobody fuffers for want. As far
as I am acquainted with fufferers. they have borne
their lolles, both of poverty, and relations, with
great fortitude ; and, lo far from producing in
their minds a desire of lubmiffion, they have on
ly served to irritate them, —to convince them
more fully of the precarious and deplorable situ
ation they would be in under the government of
the Engliih, and to make them more eager to
refill it.
Oueftion twenty-sixth—How has it gone with
" the cultivation oj the land, before the troubles, at
" their commencement, and at present ? What change
" has taken place
Agriculture ever was, and ever will be, the
dominant interest in America. Neverthelels, be
fore this war, perhaps, she run more into com
merce than was for her interest. She depended
too much, perhaps, upon importations for cloath
ing, uteniils, &c. and indulged in too many lux
uries. When the profpetfl opened in 1 775, of ail
interruption of her commerce, lhe applied her
felf more to agriculture ; and many places that
depended upon the lumber trade, tilefifhery, &c.
lor the importation of even their bread, have
turned their labor and attention to railing corn,
wool, flax and cattle, and h*ave lived better, and
advanced in wealth and independence fatter than
ever they did. For example, the towns in the
neighborhood of the sea, in the Maflachufetts'
Eay, uled to depend upon the filhery and com
merce, to import thein their wheat and flour
from Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia, and
rice from South-Carolina and Georgia : The
communication being interrupted by sea, since
the war, they have planted their own corn.
The caftern parts of the Maflachufetts' Bay,
before the war, depended on the commerce of
lumber for the Weft-India market, and of masts,
yards, and bowsprits, for the royal navy of Great
Britain, to procure them cloaths, meat, andftrong
liquors. Since the war, they have cultivated
their lands, raised their own corn, wool, flax ;
and planted the apple tree, instead of drinking
rum: In consequence of which they are more
temperate, wealthy, and independent than ever.
North-Carolina depended upon the commerce
of pitch, tar and turpentine, and tobacco, for
the importation of many things. Since the war,
they have turned their labor toraifemore of the
things which they wanted.
Maryland, Virginia, and North-Carolina, de
pended upon the trade oftobacco to import coarse
cloths for their negroes. Since the war, they
have raised less tobacco, and more wheat, wool,
and cotten, and made the coarse cloths themselves!
So that, upon the whole, the letlening of com
merce, and the increase of agriculture, has
rendered America more independent than lhe
ever was. I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
MR. CALKOEN.
ANECDOTE.
LORD LYTTLETON, upon inviting his Son
to pass the evening with him, received for
answer, he was engaged to pass the evening with
ten or a dozen friends. Whereupon his Lordfliip,
grown old in the knowledge of the world, replied'
" 1 am to hear, George, yJiu are so very
fortunate. Having made the belt search I could
for three score years, I can hardly fay it has been
my fate to meet one friend; and you, it seems
find them already by dozens."
LONDON.
EXTRACTS.
i oni a POEM on the Bill lately pafled for regu
lating the Slave Trade.
By Miss HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS.
From the MONTHLY REVIEW, Jqr March, i 789.
j HE accounts lately given, fay the Reviewers,
to the public, refpot'ting the Slave Trade, were
horrid enough to call into vigorous exercise the
amiable feniihi.ity of the. female breast. By
ladies this subject lias been contemplated through
the pure medium of virtuous pity, unmixed with
rhofe political, commercial, felfiih considerations
which operated in (feeling the hearts of some
men againftihe pleadings of humanity ! To find
THEM, therefore,writing on i-.,by 110 means exci
ted wonder.—Though among the Ir.ft, Miss Wil
liams is not the least deserving notice. Ineafy,
harmonious verse die pours fourth the fentiinents
of her mind nor do we recollect among tlie
poems that have lately attracted our attention, to
haveperufed one with more pleasure than that
which now lies before us.
She thus addrefles her country on the fubjeift of
her poem :
13rITAJN! the noble, blest decree
That sooths despair, is fram'd by thee !
Thy powerful arm has interpos'd,
Ancl one dire scene forever clos'd ; %
Its horror fhali no more belong
To that foul drama, deep with wrong.
O, firftof EUROPE'S polifh'd lands,
To ease the captive's iron bands !
Long as thy glorious annals shine,
This proud diftin&ion (hall be thine :
Not firft alone when valor leads
To ru(h on danger's noblcft deeds :
When mercy calls thee to explore
A gloomy path untrod before,
Thy ardent spirit springs to heal !
And, greatly gen'rous, dares to feel !
Valor is like the meteor's light,
Whose partial flalh leaves deeper night;
While mercy, like the lunar ray,
Gilds the thick fhadc with fofter day.
Tlielaft lines of this extra# lead us to observe,
that our poetess is peculiarly happy in the choice
and application of her limilies :
The traders in Haves are described as beings,
Whose harden'd fouls no more retain
Impreflions nature ftamp'd in vain ;
All that diftinguilhes their kind,
For ever blotted from their mind ;
As dreams that once the landscape gave,
Refle&ed on the trembling wave,
Their substance change, when lock'd in froft,
And reft, in dead contraction loft ;
Who view unmov'd, the look, that tells
The pang that in the bosom dwells.
The picture that follows, of the wretched Ne
gro just landed in the Weft-Indies, and fold; is
extremely natural :
When borne at length to western lands,
Chain'd on the beach the captive stands,
Where man, dire mcichandize, is fold,
And barter'd life is paid for gold ;
In mute affliflion, fee him try
To read his new pofleffor's eye ;
If one blest glance of mercy there,
One half-form'd tear may check delpair !
What is said of avarice mull not be here omit,
ted :
His sway the harden'd bosom leads
To cruelty's remorseless deeds ;
Like the blue lightning -when it springs
With fury on its livid wings,
Darts to its goal with baleful force,
j Nor heeds that ruin marks itscourfe.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
ABSTRACT of JOURNAL of the first SESSION
of the SENATE oj the UNITED STATES.
O SATURDAY, July ,8.
N motion to ftrtkr out of line 13th these words, " To be ap
pointed by the said principal officer," passed in the negative
w .?.* r - to cx P u "B e 'lie proviso in lines 17th, 18th, and i 9 tb, to
si fj'PV'&dnti'trihelifi, Thatno appointment of fnch chief clerk
lhall be valid, until the lame shall h.ve been approved by the Pre
lident of the United States."
Upon the queßion, "Toconcur.n this bill as amended ?" and one
°! the Senators present requiring the yeas and nays, the deter
minatioi) was as follows:
Y EAS. Mr. Baffett, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Ellfworth,
Mr Henr )'> Mr - Morris, Mr. Patterlon, Mr. Read,
* AYS ; Mr. Few, Mr. Grayfon, Mr. Gunn, Mr. Johnson,
e' Lan S do "> Mr. Lee, Mr. Maclay, Mr. Wingatc.
00 the bill was concurred with amendments.
a 11 MONDAY, July 2.0.
the day, proceeded to the second
reading of the bill, entitled, <• An ast to regulate the collection of
the duties imposed by law on the tonnage of {hips or vessels, and
on goods, wares and merchandize imported ",to the United States "
And after debate it was committed to Mr. Morris, Mr. Lanc
don, Mr Carroll. Mr. Dalton, and Mr. Lee. to report such ad
ditions and alterations as they may judge requifit ■
A the House of Rcprefenfcativts
Mr. President,
The House of Reprefcntatives have passed a bill, entitled "An
bu<w. r " h aUd f j PP °" ofll S h '-houfes, beacons, and
rh,S'n« T \ it VC COn , C ". rrCd in *' lc amendments proposed by !
the Senate ,0 a bill, entitled, '■ An ast for eflablifhing an Executive
Department to be denominated the Department of Foreign Af
fairs. And they have received from the President of ,1. r t
States an enrolled bill, entitled, « An a3 impo£ du t «
nage, with his f.gnature affixed thereto. Adjourned
T U E S D A Y, July SI
A message from the House of Representatives withwn
"An fto provide for
"O'th-weft o( the river Ohto j" * hich was read a fiiil time °
TL UM '!' DA Y, Jul V 23.
light fUPPOn °1
committed to Mr. Morns. Mr. La'ngdon, and Mr."Dalton™'
Onthe qucftion, whether the clauses in the bill, entitled " An
ast to regulate the collection of the dut.es imoofed hi I, u
.tonnage ot (hips or. vessels -id on <m.*> j 011
imported into the United Staus "nr i' raer ehandize
adminifteied to ot'her oei'fonfh . b{
command of anv fliiporvcftel " IhalU e rv * charge oj
« And the owner S T 'l deeb « pU ''t " " le words
5 A T t; R t A Y, Jul/
The honoiable Rufus King, from flie Stale of New-Y.
(sea«d, produced his credentials and took his feat" jnd u'" ''''
was adimiiiltercd to him according to law ' ' ' ,L oai "
M O N D A Y, July ?7 .
The honoi'able Philip Schuyler,froin'the State of New- York
pearcd, produced his credentials and took his feat; and th- '
was adininiftered to him according to law. ' "
Mr. Patterfon had leave of abfencefor (our da"*.
A melfage from the House of Representatives, with a hill
titled, •' An att for fettling the accounts between the United St™"
and individual States," for concurrence; and informed the S
that the President of the United States had affixed his
a bill, entitled, '• An ad for theeftablilhmentof an txccutiren"
partment, to be denominated the department of Foreign Ass "•
and had returned the fame to the House of Rcprefeutatives
The lirll mentioned bill was read a Srlt time.
Proceeded to the third reading of a bill, entitled, "Ana r >
regulate the collection of the duties imposed by law, o'n the ton" "
of Ihipsor vessels, and on goods, wares and merchandizes ,i,JS
into the United States^
And resolved that the Senate do concur therein with amend
ments.
TUESDAY, July 28.
Mr. Johnson, in behalf ol the committee appointed thetttliM
May, reported a bill, entitled," An ad for the puniihmt»tof ce»
tain crimes against the United States which was reads ftrft time'
The Secretary carried to the House of Representatives the bill'
entitled, " An ast to regulate the coition of the duties imposed
bylaw on the tonnage of ships or vessels, and on goods, waresand
merchandizes imported into the United States."
Oil motion, the Senators from the State of New-York pro
cecded to draw lots for their classes, in conformity to therefolieuf
the 14th of May : And two lots, No 3 and a blank, being by the
Secretary rolled up, and put into a box, Mr. Schuyler drew blink
and Mr. King having drawn No. 3, his feat Ihal'l accordingly be'
vacated in the Senate at the expiration of the sixth year. 3
The Secretary procended to put two other lots into the bo*
marked No. 1, and No. 2; and Mr. Schuvler having drawn lot
No. t, his l'eat shall accordingly be vacated in the Senate, at the
expiration of the fccond year.
A rncflage from the House of Representatives.
Mr. Prtfident,
The House ( f Representatives have confidrred the amendment
proposed by the Senate upon the bid, entitled, " Aft»fttort«uliK
the collection of the duties imposed by lawon the tonnageofftipi
or vessels, and on goods, wares and merchandize imported into tif
United States," and concurr* d therein, Adjoufned.
ADVERTISEMENT.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE OHIO COMPANY.
WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Agents, it is very much
for the interell of the proprietors at large, that all the
lands of the purchase (hould be divided and allotted as immedi.
ately as may be—And in order to accommodate them generally,
by the option of they may think pjopcr, and drawing
their rights or shares (where they may polTefs more than one)
either together in contiguity, or by dctaching and annexing them
to diflipct clafTesor divisions (at their own ele£lion) to give them
the greater chance for variety in foil and fituation—ltisunani
moiifly refolved,That as foonas the exploring committee (hall hate
appropriated the lands for donation fettlemcnts.in quantity fuffici
ent for all the proprietors,W inthrop Sa r ge nt, Joseph Gil i
m an,.and Return J. Meics, Esquires, who are hereby appoint
ed a committee for that purpofe,fhall immediately makcout,upon
alarge fcale,a complete map or plan of the whole purchase from the
best information,which they may be then able to obtain,expreflin«;
all the lands of the eight acre, three acre, city lots aud common*,
one hundred and sixty acre, and donation lots, the relerved lots
of Congress, school lots, and lots appropriated for religious pur
poses—also, tne two townships given by Congress for an universi
ty,and the towns or situations tor towns to be reserved by the com
pany for a future allotment.—That, all the residuary lands ihail
be, by them, the said committee of thrc#, divided and numbered
upon paper, into forty equal'grand divisions of twenty-five shares
each,as like in quality as may be: That each grand division be
divided into five sub-divisions of five lhares each, and eachfub
divifion into fe&ions of single shares :—That as soon as the map
or plan is completed, the agents will form or class their fubTcrib
crs (who shall not pi evioufly class thcmfelves) by feftions or single
shares, into sub-divisions ot five, and grand divisions of twenty
five, and immediately proceed to drawing }>y lot for said lands;
by grand .divisions, sub-divisions 'and feftions : That in all
draughts of sub-divisions (into fe£Lions] which may be raaefcup ot:
proprietors,holding four,three, or two and single (hares,it shall be
the usage tor the greatest proprietor, or holder of the greatest
number of shares, to take his lands in contiguity, by lot, either in
the southern or northern part of the lub-divifion, where they.shall
be numbered from north to south, and in the western or e'aftern
(by lot also) where they may be numbered from weft to east; and
where sub-divisions maybe made up of two proprietors of two
shares each, and one of" one (hare, the two greatest proprie
tors shall receivetheir feftions, by lot, either in the fouthernor
western part of the sub-division. Re/olved, That the before na
med committee, be dire&ed to prepare the names and numbers,
and make all the necefTary arrangements for the intended draught:
That previous to the drawing for this ultimate grand division of
lands, there shall be returns of the proprietors, as they may be
clafled by the agents (or otherwise) lodged in the Secretary's office,
and it is recommended in all cases to donfulr the inclinations and
interests of the proprietors in the order of clafiing.
Rfjblvcd, That the agents will give public notice of the timeand
place of drawing, and that there be two perfonsno ways interest
ed in the draughts, who shall be sworn to the faithfully drawing
out the names and numbers from the boxes, and who alone shall
be employed in this business for the draught of grand divisions*
sub-divisions. and fe&ions.
Resolved, That the Secretary cause the foregoing refolations t#
be published in the newspapers of New-Yoik, and the New-
England States ; to the end that the proprietors at large may have
the option of clafiing themselves as they may think proper : And
they are hereby requeftcd so to do, and to express themselves
upon thisJubjea, cither to their refpeftive agents, or by informa
tion in writing addressed to, and to be lodged with the Secretary*
at his office in the city of Marietta,previous to the firftMonday o»
March, 1790 —Upon which day it is expetted the division wiU
take place. WINTHROP SARGENT,
Secretary to the Ohio ConfW'
Marietta, 3d November, J 789.
advertisement.
THE Gazette cf the United States circulates in every
the Union—being honored by fubferibers in Georgia, South anabiorti
Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennjylvania, New-Jeff) >
New-} e»k, Connecticut, Rhode-lfland, Majfachufetts,
and DiJlriQ of Maine, Canada, Europe, Wefl Indus. This ex
ttnjive circulation renders it a proper vehicle Jor Advertisements
of a general, commercial and governmental import:—By the partus
dejire and advice, therejore, (>/ a number of its patrons, this
will be open for the reception of advertisements of the aboveJefcripM**
which as they will convey intelligence of an inter (fling nature, the '
tor hopes their insertion will meet the approbation of his friend l *
general. Should the number at any time amount to more than dp a s c 1,1
the Gazette, they will be given in a Supplement. f£V\ r O
New-York, Nov. 28, 1789.
Publi/lied by JOHN FENNO, No. 9, Maiden';
L*NE, NEW-York.— P r