LONDON, September *3— 28.
THE Trelawncy Planter, Cape. Mac Donald
failed on the 26th of July from Jamaica, and
in the Gulph of Florida* while in company with
the Louisa, Steele, fell in with a fleet of Spanifli
ships, of which three were regifler ships, under
convoy of two line of battle ships, and three fri
gates. A gun was fired for Cape. Mac Donald to
hoiitout his boat, and come 011 board theSpanifh
Commodore, which he did not comply with, da
ting that his »hip was indifferently manned, and
his boats were leaky : but itjbeing late in the even
ing, he informed the Commodore chat he would
remain in company all night. The Coqimodore
on this sent his own b«at, and Capt. Mac Donald
was carried on baard the Spanish man of war.
As soon a* he came 011 board, he was ordered
into a m oft cruel lpeciesof confinement, praftifed
on board Spanish ships, and«called the Bilboes.
He was stretched along on his back, between two
planks of wood, and a third piece of wood stretch
ed across the chest—his face expi/fed to a vertical
fun, andiii this posture he lay for lixteen hours,
and must have fallen a victim to the torture and
the heat, but for the humanity of some of the
crew, who occaiionally eased his torture, and
gave him room to turn.
During this time, an officer and fifteen men
boarded the Trelawney Planter, and rummaged
the cargo, and overhauled every part ofthefhip.
After they had made their report, he was dimif
fed without any explanation of, or apology for,
this outrage. He found, that tho' every thing
had been put in disorder, nothing had been
carried away. He made regular minutes of
this grols and scandalous infuTt, committed 011
the flag of England, which, on his arrival
in town on Monday last, he transmitted to the
Secretary of State, for the information of his Ma
jelly's Ministers.
1 lie Caprain was yesterday examined by Mr.
'let and a committee of the Privy Council; when
iie confirmed the narrative he had previously
transmitted to the Secretary of State, in every
particular—He was questioned very minutely as
to the course in which he was fleering—the la
titude, and his precise words in answer tothefirft
summons he received to go on board the Spanish
Commodore.
He was ordered to attend the Privy Council
again this morning, and to bring along with hiin
a gentleman, who was hispaflenger, and his firft
mate. Captain Mac Donald is a gentleman of
onimpeached veracity—a Lieutenant in the Roy
al Navy, and who is known and highly refpe&ed
l>y several Admirals in the service.
The public indignation at this insult offered to
the British flag is very great, and may poflibly
caufea very speedy termination to be put to the
iiegociations concerning Nootka Sound. " Are
English seamen, engaged in ths fair commerce of
their country, to be abused in their pcrfons and
property, and the Britifhflag to be insulted with
impunity ?" Is the general exclamation. Ma
ny Naval Gentlemen, however, take a different
view of the affair, and aflert, that the Captain's
refufal to go onboard a Spanish fliip of war, when
required so to do, warranted the treatment which
he experienced, as the request was, in every re
fpe<sl, agreeable to the eftabliflied practice.
Nothing further has transpired respecting the
contents of the dispatches brought by the last
meflenger from Madrid ; but we can assert from
very good authority, that they do not by any
means decide the dispute between the two courts,
indeed, the lilence of the Gazette is futficient,
without any comment on our part.
Government have chartered two large Itore
fhips, which are fitting out at Deptford, and are
to carry guns the fame as in war time ; they are
to carry over the next, convids to Botany Bay, and
to fail before Chriitjnas.
Four Dutch men of War, belongingto Vice Ad
miral Kingfbergen's squadron, which had lately
conic to anchor in theTexel, failed again onThurf
day last ; but their destination is a profound secret.
Accounts are received at the iiland of Jersey,
by boats from St. Maloes, Granville, and Cher
bourg, that 700 sailors were sent last week from
the latter to Breft,tobe put on board French men
of war : 200 men are to be sent from St. Maloes,
this week, and a number from Granville. Tliefe
accounts further fay, seamen are pouring daily
from all quarters to Brelt, where the greatest ex
pedition is making to fit out the (hips ordered by
the nation.
The Cortes, to which the King of Spain propo
fesfubmitting the present critical situation of af
fairs, is a meeting of the Grandees, and high of
ficers of the State. The term Cortes fignifies
Courts.
However improbable it may appear to fonie,
that the Spaniards should treat Capt. M'Donald
as has been represented, the cafe is not new. In
I 739, they cut off the ears of a Capt. Jenkins,
and afterwards repented of it in a long and ruin
ous war with this country.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE.
THE afflicfting recital of the dreadful affair at
Nancy, gave rife to many warm eiogiimis 011 the
rondud of M. de Boullie ; and atlaft the follow
ing decree, suggested by M. Mirabeau, was pal
fed * _
" The National Alterably decrees, That the
directory of the department de la Meurthe, and
the Municipalities ofNanci and Luneville, ihall
be thanked for their zeal.
" That tlie National Guards, who accompani
ed M. de Bouiile to Nanci, be thanked to.
the patriotism and civic bravery which they dii
playedin the i e-eitablilhnient of order at Nanct.
«• That M. de Silly /hall be thanked for the
heroic manner which he expoled himfelf.
" That the Nation fhalJ provide for the wi
dows and children ot thole who have nobly ialien
in the execution of the decrees of the National
Aflembly.
" That the General, and the Regular troops
which he commanded, shall be applauded for
having nobly done their duty ; and that thecom
mifiaries appointedfiiall goimn.ediately to Nancj
to take the neceflary steps to maintain peace in
that town, and to obtain exatfi information of
those facts which may insure puni/hment to tin
guilty, of whatever rank."
Sept. 4 The President read aletter of resigna
tion from M. Wecker to the National Affembly,in
wliich he pleads the want of health, and the un
easiness of a wife equally virtuous and dear to
him, as the motives wliich have determined him
to withdraw wholly to the afyluni which he had
quitted to devotn himfelf to the service of the
(tare. The National Aflembly has demanded an
account of" the receipt and expenditure of the
public treasure, from the i ft May, I 789, Co the ift
of May, 1790. " I have," he fays, " brought it
up to the 2lit of July." And he believes it may
be already known if there exists in it any article
of expence by which he maybe liable to blame.
If there fliould, he offers and leaves in guarantee
his haufe ill Paris, his house in the country, and
his property in the Royal Treasury, which has
long amounted to 2,400,00 c livres ; and he re
queils only to draw out 400,000 livres, which the
state of his affairs on leaving Paris renders neces
sary. The remainder he commits to the custody
of the Nation. He concludes his letter in these
words :
" The envy and injuflice which I have experi
enced, suggested to me the idea of the guarantee
which 1 now offer; bat when I compare these with
myconducfi in the adminiiVration of the finances,
I cannot help adding it to the Angularities which
have distinguished my life.
" I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) "Necker."
While this letter was reading, a profound fi
lencc prevailed in the Aflembly, and the resigna
tion of M. Neckar was received as a matter per
fectly indifferent.
Sept. 17. M. NourlfTart presented a report of
the committe of Finances, relative to a dreadful
fire which has consumed a great part of the city of
Limoges to aftics. By this unfortunate event,
800 families have loft their all, and are consequent
ly reduced to the lowest ebb of distress. The
Minister of Finances was directed to fend 60,000
livres forthe relief of the fufFerers.
September 18. A petition was read from the Mu
nicipality of Versailles, stating, that, the town of
Versailles was threatened with an armed banditti
of above 2000 men, who hovered in the park of
VersailleS under pretence of hunting, but in f'adt
subsisted by plunder. The Aflembly ordered the
matter to be taken into immediate confederation
by the Committee on Feudal rights and Domains.
A report was made of a very extraordinary na
ture. An order had been given by the executive
power for fitting out at the port of Bred, with
all expedition, the ship Le Ferme. She was ac
cordingly prepared, and on the point of failing
when fiie was, to the surprize of the whole fieet'
flopped the Municipality of Brest, without
their afligning the least reason for this extraordi
nary conduct. How they will excuse this piece
ofQuixotifm it is not easy to conceive.
The Aflembly parted a decree, importing that
it is a fundamental part of the French Constituti
on, that no Municipal or Administrative body
fliall take upon them to oppose the departure of a
ship of war ; and that the King be addrefled to
cause this decree to be publilhed at all the sea
ports of the kingdom.
A report was brought up from the Committee
of finances and Domaines, relative to the com
motions in the park of Versailles, and a decree
was palled in substance, That the Municipality
oi Versailles, the Mayor of Paris and the com
mandant of the National Guards of Paris, fliould
use their utmost endeavours to difperl'e this band
of 1 obbers ; and that twelve Members should wait
on his Majefly, to entreat him to take measures
for the attainment of the fame end.
Extratf from the address of the people of Rouen to
the National Ajfcmbly, again]} the afprnats, or
notes, Sept. 3.
" True it is, indeed, that notes of 24 livres
will circulate _ without difficulty from the richert
man in the kingdom, down to the humble arsi
fans, labourers and manufacturers ; but when
oncc they have got among this latterclafs of peo
658
pie, who are the numerous, and at the fame
time the inolt ufetul in the community, they will
ialtantly produce discontents, inurmuisand per
haps inliirreiftions : and who can tell to wh<it
length the artist ?r laborer will go, when he
finds he cannot procure with his note, without
absolutely facrificing it, the smallest share of the
commonest neceflaries of life ?—Upon this plan
the nation is to be given up to be ruined by hold
ers of capital, and to be diftrefled by a few men
of wealth—Persons of this description, will have
it in their power to discharge the heavieit debts
with the molt trifling confederations —and the
people alone, for a fucoeffion of years will have
to bear a loss, inseparable from the exchange ot
the finall notes.
" The lower class are not deeply /killed in ac
counts ; and every day, every moment of their
lives, they will be at the mercy of these stock
jobbing patriots, who being no longer in a situa
tion to plunder the public treasury, are now pre
paring to diretft their engines against the fiuiple
aud honest ploughman, and the poor and indust
rious artisan, who from inexperience, will inevi
tably fall a prey to their treachery and perfidi
ous ways of dealing.
" This can admit of no dispute, that the more
the notes are reduced, and subdivided into finall
er denominations, the more they, will circulate
among a numerous class of ufeful citizens, who
are the main support ofagriculture and commerce j
and of (fonfequence, in proportion to the number
of them that you render discontented, so many
more enemies do you make to the revolution from
among these very people, who with good usage
would be its principal fuccourand support.
" The service of the army, the marine, the
charitable lioufes ; none of these can be support
ed without money. Hitherto the subsidy, the
twentieths, and the poll-tax have been submitted
to, because these taxes were received in quarter
parts, antl the quotas of few people amounted to
more than 300 livres, and consequently in this
cafe might be paid off with notes. But, the mo
ment you have decreed the circulation of affig
nats (or notes) of 100, jo, and 24 livres it is evi
dent that seven-eighths of the above taxes will
be paid offin paper, and what possible resource
will there, in that cafe, be left for government !
" There is but one method to discharge the
public demands, and which will answer every
beneficial purpose of the aflignats, without their
inconveniences.—This is to pay off immediately
the whole fuin wanted, in notes from the finan
cier's office, or national acknowledgments, which
shall bear an interefl of five per cent, and to be
received equally with gold and silver in paying
the national dues.
" By such a measure, we shall put into the
hands of the public creditors, property that can
be transferred, and at least equal ill value to
what may be termed the domain or patrimony of
the nation."
AUGUSTA, O&ober 30.
A report prevails here that brigadier general M'Gillivray has
been fcnt to some of the Spanish mines. Iris said that Mr. Se
cretary Howard waited on the general 8n his arrival in the Si. Ma
ry, with compliments from the governor of East-Florida, and in
timating his earnest desire of feeing the new brigadier, and hence
it is concluded that this visit terminated in introducing the gene
ral to the supposed place of his pTefent refidcncc. Various are
the conje&ures occafxoncd by this report ; some maintain that a
war with Spain is inevitable, and that the dignity ot the United
States, and the magnanimity of the Secretary at war can never
brook, the insult—whilst others infill that it is a meritorious ast of
the Spaniards, in punishing the American general as a deserted
Spanish colonel. J
CHARLESTON, November 9.
Yesterday the followiug gentlemen were publicly proclaimed
representatives to Congress for the state of South-Carolina.
William Smith for Chailefton diftrift ; lioa lsf t 3 -;a Je
well, for the united diftri&s of Beaufort and Orangeburgh ;
Daniel Huger, for the united dlHrifts of Georgetown and
Cheraws ; Thomas Sumptih, for the diftrift of Camden : and
Thomas Tudor Tucker, for the diftritt of Ninety Six.
A gentleman fiom the interior part of this state, allures us, that
the crops are generally more abundant than usual, which circum
stance affords the pleasing profpeft of giving rhe honefl farmer
relief in present difficulties, and adding to his future views of hap
piness.
Died st Georgetown, on the fit ft instant, Dr. Bedford Wi l
lla ms, late a surgeon in the continental army—a gentleman whose
merit and abilities in the line of his profeffion, placed him high
:n the efleem of a very numerous acquaintance—he was an affee
tionate husband, a tender parent, and a generous friend. On the
day following Alexander Keith, Efq ; of the fame place.
A HINT TO FARMERS.
•WHEAT.
WHEN this valuable grain has attained its full plumpness,
and begins to (hew its ripening color, it should be reaped
and laid a few days with the ears a little elevatad, to harden be
fore it is bound up, and afterwards stand at least a week or tea
days in shock, which will be the means of its proving sweeter,
weighing heavier, and yielding a much greater proportion of flour,
and lels of bran, ihun when it is fuffercd to (land on the ground
till the ears becomc inverted, and the corn parched and Qirivcl
ied ; but this is far from being the whole of the evil, for straw,
when cut in a dry and brittle state, is not so valuable for thatch,
fodder, or litter, as it is when cut in a greener state; and when a
brisk wind happens, there is frequently a loss sustained ot one
third of the crop.
ANECDOTE ot Dr. JOHNSON.
THE fettled avcrfion Dr. Johnson felt towards an infidel, he
exprcired to all ranks, and at all times, without the smallest rcferve.
tor tho on common occafion® he paid great deference to birth or
title, yet his regard for truth and virtue never gave way to meaner
confidcrations. We talk'd of a dead wit one evening, and some
body pi aifed him :— '* Let us never," said he, lt praise talents so
ill employed, Sir. We ioul our mouths by commending such in- l
(ldcls Allow h?m the lumirres at lcaft, intreated one of the com- j
pany :— « I v do allow him, Sir," replied Johnson, "tuft enough /
o light him to Hell." J J /