A petition of the merchants, traders, and other
inhabitants of the town of Newport, in the State
of Rhode-Island, praying that a roue for the port
inay be eltablifhed from that place to Bolton,
through the towns of Bristol, Warren, and Taun.
ton, presented by Mr. Bourne, was read and re
ferred to the committee of the whole house on
the bill to eflabliih the port-office and poll-roads
within the United States.
Mr. Muhlenberg presented a memorial and pe
tition from the society of the people called (Qua
kers, in Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Vir
ginia, deploring thelofsof so many of our brave
citizens in the late acflion with the Indians ; and
praying that such measures may be adopted as
niay be the means of restoring peace and harmo
ny between this country aud the Indian tribes ;
■which was read, and laid on the table.
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury,
on the petition of George Webb, late receiver of
continental taxes in the State of Virginia, pray
ing com penfation for services, and indemnifica
tion for public money, of which he was robbed,
was read. Mr. Giles then proposed the follow
ing resolution—That a committee be appointed
to bring in a bill, allowing to such of the receiv
ers cf continental taxes as continued in office af
ter April 1752, a certain rate per cent, for their
services, &c. which was laid on the table.
Mr. Sedgwick afited leave of absence for three
weeks, which was granted.
Mr. Gerry, of the committee to vrhoni was re
ferred certain propositions relative to the annual
receipts and expenditures of public monies, &c.
brought in a report, which was read and laid on
the table.
In committee of the whole, Mr. Smith (S. C.)
in the chair—the bill sent from the Senate, rela
tive to the election of a President and Vicc Pre
lident of the United States, and declaring in cafe
of vacancies, in the office of President and Vice-
President, what officer flrtll a< r t as President of
the United Srares, was taken into consideration.
Several amendments were proposed, some of
■which were agreed to, and others negatived. A
motion to amend the ninth fedtion, by (h iking
out the words which designate the President of
the Senate pro tcntpore, or the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, to till the vacancy of
President, occasioned some debate.
The committee rose without coming to a deci
sion on the question, and reported progress.
Mr. Dayton asked leave of absence for one
week, which was granted. Adjourned.
FRIDAY, December 23
A meflage from the President of the United
States, by his Secretary Mr. Lear, informed the
House thai he had this day approved and signed
the adt making appropriations for the support of
government for the year 1792.
_ The House took into consideration the rcfolu
tion laid on the table yesterday, by Mr. Giles,
pursuant to the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury on the petition of George Webb, re
ceiver of Continental taxes—This resolution was,
after debate, agreed to, and a committee, con
fiding of Meflrs. Livermore, Giles, Clark, Fitzfi
luons, & Bourne (R. 1.) appointed to report a bill.
On motion of Mr. Benfon, the House took in
to consideration the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury, 011 the petition of Comfort Sands
and others—also the report of a committee to
which said report had been referred the last ses
sion.—Proceeding on this report being objeifted
to, as informal—the Secretary's report was again
referred to a feleift committee, confining of
Aleflis. Benfon, Gregg, and Venable.
Mr. Smith (S. C.) presented a memorial and
petition of sundry merchants of South-Carolina,
who were in bnfinefs in that State before the
revolution—rtating the hardships imposed on
them, in conftquence of being obliged to receive
during the war, paper money for debts, &c. and
now being called on to pay their foreign cre
ditors in specie, purfnant 10 the treaty of peace,
aud pray that Congress would grant such relief
as they may fee meet—read and laid on the table.
In committee of the whole, on the bill for car
rying into eftecft a contra<st between the United
States and the State of Pennsylvania—Mr. Smith
(S. C.) in the Chair. The committee made no
alteration 111 the bill, they reported it accord
ingly to'the House ; it was then ordered to be
sngrofled for a third reading.
_In committee of the whole on the Port-Office
kill— Mr. Smith, (S.C.) in the chair.
The committee took into consideration those
fcftion's of the bill which had been poltponed—
On motion of Mr. Fitzfitnons, the Bth feuion,
which regulated the rates of portage, was ex
punged, and a clause proposed by liini, fubftitut
fd, in which the rates are reduced below both
theprefent regulation, and that which was ori
ginally proposed in the bill.—The fec r tion which
made it death for robbing the mail, by persons
employed in the port office department, was a
nientled, by fubrtituting imprij'onwent J(,r iije > or
jor such turn as the jndgr 1 may determine.
The committee rose without finishing the bill
—Siid the Iloufe adjourned till Monday.
Philadelphia, Dcccrabcr 24.
Last Wednesday evening Lieutenant Denny,
A 1 ci-de-Camp to Majo.-General St. Clair, arrived
with di (patches for the Secretary lor the depart
ment of War, dated Fort-Walhington, ilie ilth
November.
i iie garrifan at Fort-JefFerfon was intended to
be continued, and was not conceived to be in any
danger: It was well f'upplied with provifious
pi ovided with artillery, and commanded by Cant
Shayler of the 2 d regiment. Mod of the wound
ed had arrived at Forc-Wafhington from Fort-
Jeffer fun.
Piamingo, the Chickafaw Chief, had returned
fafe wuh his warriors, and Captain Sparks, of
Clark s battalion, bringing with them fivefcalps.
7he Kentuckv militia, under Generals Scot
and Wilkinion, all mounted and furnilhed with
20 days provision, would probably arrive at Fort-
Washington about the middle of November.
It was expetfted that the dispersed 'ituation of
the Indians would afford a good opportunity for
the 111 ilira to make an important stroke yet this
winter.
The brave Major Clark (who covered the re
treat will] fomtr soldiers) supposed to be killed,
had arrived fafe at Fort-Washington.
The levies were generally discharged, except
ing those who had inlilted into the regular ser
vice.
Non commissioned Officers and Privates—Kil
led and Miffing, 593 —Wounded, 214.
N. B. Of the Ift United Stales Regiment, a
final! detachment only was in action, the Regi
ment being on-command.
Late accounts from Rotterdam mention, that
Gin has risen in pi ice from 71. ss. roi4l. per calk,
ot 30 v elts or 60 gallons. This is occasioned by
the unparallelled demand in France for that ar
ticle, owing to the scarcity of Brandy in that
kingdom.
It is laid that the denomination of people cal
led Methodists, ol the late Mr. Weltley'sperfua
fion, has greatly encreafed in France of late.
J he citizens of Petersburg and Richmond, Vir
ginia, are taking measures for the eltablifhmenc
of a State Bank in that Commonwealth.
We hear from Brunfwick, New-Jersey, that on
the 15th inft. the valuable mills upon Millltone
river, belonging to Archibald Mercer, Esq. De
puty Governor of the Manufacturing Company
of New-Jersey, took fii c and were totally con
sumed,, with property therein to the value of
about five thousand pounds in flour, wheat, and
other species of grain. The fire is said to have
been communicated from an iron sire-stove which
was used in fevcre weather to prevent the ice
from clogging the wheels.
Some of the Astern papers have publiftied the
following article, s\?.
" We learn from Philadelphia, that there is no
hope of any commercial treaty between Great-
Britain and the United Stales on terms of reci-
procity, but that the language of Mr. Hammond
indicares an adherence on the part of Britain to
her old system."
It is very frequently the cafe, that persons se
veral hundred miles from the scene of action, ap
pear to know more of a particular business rhan
those on the spot. It is fairly to be presumed
that the above is a fabrication, without the least
foundation to support it. Nothing that wears
the semblance of authority has ever appeared to
fantftion the suggestions.
The articles sketching the outlines of colonial
government, as proposed to the Aflembly by M.
Barnave, on the 24111 September, have been de
creed, only with the followingauiendment in the
third article : " The laws relative to slaves, and
the political situation of mulattoes and free ne
groes, as well as the regulations relative to the
execution of such laws, ihall be made by the co
lonial aflemblies ; and, with the approbation of
the several governors of the colonies, shall be
executed proviftonatly, during one year, for the
American colonies, and two yeais for the colo
nies in Asia; immediately after their passing in
the colonies they are to be sent home, for the
fantftion of the King, their execution in the mean
time not to be impeded, or the power granted to
the alietnblies, infringed, bj any prior decree
whatever. French Paper.
If the amount of free letters by the mail is at
the present time equal to the amount of those
wl)i(l) are not free, what will their amount be
when the number of the members of theHouie
(hall be double to what it now is ?
Will it not very much reduce the revenue of
the Poft-office ?
Will 110 c the diminution of the revenue of the
Polt-office necefl'arily tend to obftrutft the chan
nels of information, fmcc the Poftmalter-Gene
ral's arrangements arc confined to the amount of
the revenue ?
275
Wmle tliecotift.mtion of the United States was on its nafTaae
by the people, the men of wisdom and vi,t,ievery generally paid
a ctofc attention to polities; and never did any country profit
more by the united cares and exertions of its molt eftimablc c,t -
sens. Ihe constitution was gamed by the temperate zeal a, d
perluafive arguments of us advocate, ; „ .thing then escaped the.r
wh'iehTh" ' e m Wal r? ' or , ,bc ldf '' ,VHf • P'»» of government
which they justly considered as involving iheir own, and their
country-, fafety. 1 heir affeflion tor lo excellent a plan was na
turally great, but tins was greatly increased by the sense of the
hazaid while on its paifage, and even during the H. ft operations
under it But the federal zeal has abated, parties have, veiy
much to the.r honor, (hook hands : But ihe.e i, lo,ne r.tk it, s
hink it nn°l 6 V T ROV ' ri ' mCnt l ' c,n S P™<P"™>, its ft iends
think ,t no longer stands u. need of their cares-having ,a.„ed
strength and consistency, they tear nothing for it. They are
such i n" V '" Ve , much to fear f r « n They are open to
tn m r pr , efllons ' and c the men and 'he occasions are not wanting
<■0 make, hem The State governments are frequently called the
most popular, the molt friendly to republican liberty and then
confohdat'en is held up as a dreadful tendency of our political
tate Tho the constitution of the nation is acopvofthe bell of
,»i' a 'n C ? n ; t , Ut r ons ' P' rrha P san improvement upon them all,
yet this style of suspicion and accusation may grow into a hat,,,
very much to the prejudice of thofc sentiments of brotherhood
Which ought to prevail in every American bosom. The roncl .
lion from these obfervat.ons, is, that the government of the Uni
ted States having been Called into being and supported thus far
by the enlightened zeal and virtue of our bed and wisest citizens,
the neceflity still subsists for those men to aid it, to watch for it
and to guard it against those encroachments which maybeattempt
ed upon its authority. Jealousy against government is often re
commended ; let it still be wakeful : But jealousy for govern
ment is alio a virtue—as our present condition proves. We (hould
to this day have remained a divided people, if the friend, of
union had not guarded with a wife jeoloufy against the further
prottranon of all government; it was in effect liberty that they
watched for.—And (uch men will never be falfe to it. It is hoped
that they will never cease to pay attention to the conduftof go
vernment, as the weight of their virtuous influence will he fuffi
cient to iupport a good one, and to reform a bad one. There is
appearance that they are become more inattentive and cold
towards It than they once were. Being in part a government over
governments, questions of jurifdiftion will anfe. Very good
men it is well known incline to extend the jurifdiaion which
they exercise ; difputesßetween the State and national govern
ments will anfe—candor will allow that it is probable the latter
will be in the right half the times : But there are reasons
which will operale to make error and encroachment aopear
less excusable on the part of Congress than of a State legiflj
ture. In every fray, we naturally enough take part against the
strongest. A State, a small one especially, is not the object of fear
to the union—and under this ltnprcflion it is overlooked that an
encroachment made by one State eftablilhes a new and more am
ple line of authority to every other. In this way the power of
Congrrfs may be pared away, and the lrisnds ot union may not'
take any alarm.
On the other hand, the authority of the union being exercised
in one place, being very conspicuously placed, excites the feais of
manv, even when it keeps within its proper bounds—but if it
(hould pais them, the whole people would fee and check them.
Thus, Congress will feel the llrongefl rellraints against any undue
exercise of its power.
Very sanguine hopes were entertained at the time of the
blifhment ol the Bank of the United States, of its eminent utilit/ vt
to trade. We have seen its firft operations. Though the transac
tions of a Bank are not expoted to view, yet enough is conje&ur
fd, and on very fatisfaftory grounds, relating to the great e\tent
of its deposits and discounts, to juftify the conclusion that our firft
hopes will not be disappointed—Certainly the affairs of a trad
ing country cannot be well managed, where a Bank of extenlive
circulation is not in being. The utility of a Bank is little (hort
of that of a Canal—it opens a trade where obstacles not less flub,
born than those of nature's make, would have prevented any with
out it.
The late Fires which have diftreflcd a part of the public, were
solely kindled by the hand of a malevolent boy, who, after an
examination before the Mayor, uniformly perseveres in his de
claration, that he alone was the actual incendiary, and that no
other person was in any degree concerned in his villainy. The
panic therefore excited on that occasion, mult subside ; and age,
sickness and debility may taketheir usual repose. It nigft how
ever be confefTed, that the conduct of this boy has been artful
and attrocious, and can scarcely be paralleled. *"
On Tuesday evening next, the 27th inft. being the
of St. John the Evangelist, will be performed at the Theatre in
the Northern Liberties, the Tragedy of Venice Preserved,
&c. &c. The proceeds of the sale of Tickets to be applied to
the immediate relief of diftrefled Masons, Widows and Orphans.
Died, at Galacz, Prince Charles Frederick Henry of Wurtem
berg Scutgard, brother to the Grand Duchcfsof Russia, aged 21.
On his journey to Italy, Lord Craven. In London, Lieutenant-
General John M'Kenzie, aged 80. In Scotland, by his horse
rearing and falling upon him, Lord Haddo, only son of the Earl
of Aberdeen.
From PELOSI's MARINE LIST.
ARRIVALS at the PORT of PHILADELPHIA.
Ship Atlantic, Hutchinfon, Liverpool
Brig Nancy, Hathaway, Port-au-Prince
Schooner Friendship, Foster, Charlcfton
Franklin, Eves, Aux-Cayes
Sloop Polly 8c Sally, M'Neeran, Maryland
PRICE CURRENT.—PUBLIC SECURITIES.
FUNDED DEBT.
22/6 pr. £
6 pr. Cents
3 pr. Cents 13/
Defered 6 pr. Cents 13/3
UNFUNDED DEBT.
Final Scttl. and other Certificates 2
Indents 12/6
Bank Subscriptions, 146
Bank of the United States.
December. 22, 1791.
RESOLVED, That the Discounts in future be made upon
Tuesday and Friday, and that the Notes or Bills offered for
Discount, be presented at the Bank on Monday and Thursday.
(41) JOHN KEAN, Cajhicr.
TO BE SOLD,
On the Waters of Tye River, a Branch of James River, in
the County of Amherft, and State of Virginia,
About 7,000 acres of rich Land,
Well adapted to produce every kind of grain and grass a farmer
can wi(h to cultivate, distant from navigation twenty miles.
For terms apply to JAMES ROSE, residing on the Land.
Amherft County, Virginia, Dec. 10, 1791. (4t)
CHARITY,
in| pr. cent.
65 do.
do.
20/6
102J do.
64
Dollars,