Gazette Of The United States

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in the country to his friend in Philadelphia.

"I am pleased with the spirit of the debate on the part of Mr. Bingham's motion—" that it is inexpedient for this legislature, at present, to enter into any discussion respecting the laying and collecting excises by the government of the United States"—contained in the paper you last sent me.

"I have wondered, nay have been vexed at the imprudence of some Pennsylvanians. Some petition for altering the funding bill—some subscribe for the exemption of certain very important members of society from the militia bill (I mean minors and apprentices) because, if they were all excused, the muster-master would be put to difficulty to find his men. Others pout and bawl against excise. And if some people were indulged in their wishes and attempts, we might soon expect a resolution moved for—"that Congress might go home, as the Pennsylvanians were (in their own opinion) competent to do their business for them." Not a few, with indignation, behold their presumption.

"But it is believed that the Federal Ship will truly find her own course: That she has the head of the Branch at helm, the world acknowledges: That she is in the main well-manned, all the passengers testify: That she sails well, two years experience has proved: That her voyages have been profitable, appears from the credit of her bills.

". The expectations of the owners are by no means allayed from some little appearance of a mutiny on board one of her 'Tenders'—for they say, that the materials of the ship are good—that she was built by the first of the profession—that her sides in particular are strong—that the crew are in good spirits, and well paid—and that they are confident, the Ship will take more than one broad-side, before she will quit her course, in which she has an indubitable commission to navigate."