The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Abstract of Politicks, &c.

FOR OCTOBER, M,DCC,XC.

MULTUM IN PARVO.

Nov. 1, 1790.

POLITICAL knowledge, as it is the
glory of Freemen, so it is the best
security for the long enjoyment of their
privileges. In the United States
a
greater degree of this important know-
ledge is to be found, than in any other
nation. To increase it ought, in a
particular manner, to be the endeavor
of those Editors of news-papers who
propose to inform the public. We
have long had in contemplation the a-
doption of a plan which would remove
one obstacle to this object amongst the
diligent and industrious, who, from
their avocations have not opportunities
to attend to that succession of events,
which is detailed in the papers from day
to day :--This plan is, Monthly to pre-
sent the public with an Abstract of the
Political and other transactions which have
transpired in the preceding month--wherein, at one view, they may be made ac-
quainted with every thing of import-
ance that hath taken place.--But sus-
picious of our ability to prosecute the
design with utility and reputation, we
have not, heretofore, attempted it. To
blend intelligibility and brevity--to u-
nite with a general sketch of all important
transactions, an impartial accuracy, is cer-
tainly arduous--and to please every one
we know to be impossible Notwithstanding these difficulties; and pre-
suming that what is well-meant, will,
in general, be well-received, we have, at
length, ventured upon the undertaking.
We have, heretofore, experienced, in a
great degree, the candor and generosity
of the public--these we will strive to
deserve, in future--One advantage we
expect to derive to ourselves from this
plan we shall have good opportunities
to correct any errors which our anxiety
to be early in announcing events, and
other causes, may unintentionally lead
us into--for we have ever borne in mind
the Aphorism, That a man should
not be ashamed to own he has been
in error, which is only saying, that he
is wiser to-day, than he was yesterday."
But to our task.

FOREIGN ABSTRACT

FRANCE. We have learnt by late
arrivals, that the National Assembly are
continuing, unremittingly, their labors
for regenerating that extensive king-
dom. The prerogatives of the King
(whose power they have made less than
that of any other Monarch in Europe,
except the King of Poland) are estab-
lishe--as are also those of the Legisla-
ture.
The re-organization of all the
various departments of the realm is in
contemplation--some progress has been
made in amending the Ecclesiastical, Mi-
litary, and Literary establishments; and
they have recently ratified the Family
Compact of 1761--In consequence, they
have requested the King to augment
the fleet in commission, to, at least, 45
sail of the line. to assist, if necessary, the
Spaniards, and to protect their own
colonies and commerce. They have
also abolished all titles of Nobility, and
declared, that it shall in future be the
policy of France, never to engage in
war, but upon defensive principles.
The King appears cordially to acquiesce
in all their decrees--the riots which
have convulsed and disgraced the king-
dom, have, in a great measure subsided
--the Refugees are returning--and the
Nation begins again to wear the ap-
pearance of business and prosperity.
SPAIN and ENGLAND are carrying
on a War of civility--negotiating and
arming.
Both nations have made
much noise--fitted out fleets, consisting
each of between 30 and 40 sail of the
line. These fleets have sailed, and, ac-
ccording to our last accounts, have both
returned into port.
"Two mighty fleets with 20,000 men,
Went out to sea, and then came in again."
Spain hath consented to pay for the
Brig and Schooner seized by Don Mar-
tinez, at Nootka--which seizure was the
origin of the fracas--but the right to
the trade there, continues still under li-
tigation. Both nations seem anxious
for hostilities, and are both confident of
success; but whether the dispute will
terminate in drawing the sword, or dis-
playing the Olive Wreath, we can only
exercise the "gift of prophecy."
AUSTRIA and TURKEY have set-
tled a Peace--Prussia was the media-
tor. [At the head of 100,000
men.] The Emperor gives up to the
Grand Seignor, Oczakow, and that grave
of almost Millions, Belgrade, &c.--The
King of Prussia, receives from the Turks,
Ten Millions of Dollars for his inter-
ference; but he is to assist Austria in
bringing back to their allegiance to the
Emperor, the revolted Province of Bra-
bant--on condition its real grievances
are redressed.
RUSSIA--governed by an Absolute
Autocratrix, who claiming the gratitude
of her subjects, still continues the war
with Sweden and the Turks. In several
engagements with the latter, the Rus-
sian arms have been successful. The
Russians have also defeated the navy of
Sweden in a late engagement, in which
the Swedes lost six ships of the line,
several frigates, an immense quantity of
ammunition, baggage, &c. taken or de-
stroyed. The Swedes have also had a
ship of the line foundered at sea. On the
other hand, the intrepid and amiable
Monarch of Sweden has obtained a
signal victory over the Russian galley-
fleet, commanded by the Prince of
Nassau, in which the Russians lost 8 fri-
gates, and between 40 and 50 gun-
boats, &c. 207 officers, and above 6000
men. The spirit with which this bloody
war is conducted on the part of the
King of Sweden--the interference which
the King of Prussia threatens, in behalf
of his relation GUSTAVUS III. and
the vast expenses of the war--must,
we think, ere long, oblige the haughty
CATHERINE to consent to terms of
peace, and to relinquish to Sweden those
fertile territories which have been wrest-
ed from her by former Czars of Rus-
sia.
The Province of BRABANT, (belong-
ing to the Dutch and Austrians) has
erected the standard of Independence.
But she has exchanged the oppressions
of Austria, for the greater oppressions of
her own Clergy and Nobility.--These
the Emperor has tampered with; and
their "zeal" for Revolution rapidly a-
bates. The disunion which prevails
amongst the Patriots--the repeated ill-
success of their arms--the interference
of Prussia, and the want of confidence
in their leaders, must accelerate their
submission to the Imperial sway.
The UNITED NETHERLANDS are
governed, if not by the Stadtholder, by
his influence--and the Stadtholder is
the tool of Great-Britain. The English
have demanded of Holland the fulfil-
ment of their late treaties of Alliance--
and these states have accordingly fur-
nished six ships of the line to augment
the English fleet.
"The ruling passion, be it what it will,
The ruling passion governs Nature still."
--The great principle of action with
the Dutch, is gain--therefore, notwith-
standing the above armament, and the
influence of the Stadtholder, if Spain
should offer them more for their assist-
ace than England gives, it would not
be a matter of surprise, to see the fleet
of Holland quitting the standard of
George the Third, to fight under that
of Charles the Fourth.
The States of ITALY, appear agitated
by the Spirit of Revolution--which, in-
deed, more or less. pervades all the
European nations. The power of the
Pope daily decreases; and the triple
crown trembles on his reverend head.
He holds his rod over the feeble aris-
tocracy of Poland, which for several causes
may yet be called the country of the
Vandals. Avignon, (formerly the resi-
dence of the Pope) has been anathematized
by his Holiness, for the neglect of his
Bulls--But Avignon joins the rest of
Europe in smiling at the thunders of
the Vatican.
IRELAND, groaning under British
oppression, it is said, is much convulsed.
The "National cockade" has been
introduced therein; and the tone
of their language is far from being
loyal.
The other powers are too indolent
or too insignificant to arrest attention.
The French WEST-INDIA ISLANDS
exhibit a scene truly distressing. Civil
war there rages with the greatest vio-
lence. At the altar of anarchy, human
lives are daily immolated. Accounts
have confirmed the tragick scene near
Fort Bourbon, in Martinique--in which
near a thousand persons lost their lives.
Business is at a stand, and "every man's
arm is raised against his brother's life,"
The contending parties are nearly equal
in strength; and if some measures are
not taken in the Mother Country to
terminate these enormities, the depo-
pulation of the islands, we fear, must be
inevitable.

DOMESTIC ABSTRACT

The august Legislature of the Union is
not now in session; but is to meet in
December. From this source we expect
to derive a great part of the utility of
our design.

SECOND CONGRESS.

It was objected to the Federal Con-
stitution, during its discussion, that no
check of rotation was provided in it. The
people have in the last month shewn the
objection to be ill-founded: For such
rotations as they have thought proper
to make, have been made in the Con-
stitutional manner. As far as our in-
formation extends, the following is the
result of the late National Elections:
REPRESENTATIVES.--NEW-
HAMPSHIRE, Hon. Mr. Livermore,
re-elected--Candidates, Messrs. Gilman,
Foster, Sherburne and Smith.--MAS-
SACHUSETTS, Messrs. Ames, Gerry,
Goodhue and Sedgwick, re-elected by great
majorities. Four are not yet chosen.
In Maine District, Messrs. G. Thatch-
er, F. Thatcher, and Gen. Lithgow, stand.
we hear, the highest. In Bristol,&c.
Messrs Spooner, Leonard, Cassin and Bish-
op. In BARNSTABLE, &c. Messrs.
Bourne, Davis and Thomas. In Wor-
CESTER, Messrs. Grout, Ward, Sprague,
and Tyler.--CONNECTICUT,
Messrs. Sherman, Sturges, and Trumbull,
re-elected--Messrs. Edwards and Hill-
house, new members.--RHODE-I-
SLAND, Mr. Bourne, re-elected, by a
majority of 276.--NEW-YORK, Messrs
Lawrence, Benson, and Sylvester, re-elect-
ed. Messrs. Gordon and Schoonmaker,
new members. One member is yet to
be chosen, vice, Mr. Townsend, deceased.--VIRGINIA, Messrs. Madison,
Lee, Page, White, Giles, Parker, and Grif-
fin, re-elected, Mr. Venable, new mem-
ber--two others unknown. From the
other States we have not learnt.
SENATORS.--MASSACHUSETTS,
Hon. Mr. CABOT, vice, Hon. Mr.
Dalton.
Connecticut,
Hon.
Mr. Ellsworth, re-elected.
The above elections from the bulk of
the political events of importance in the
last month.
In Pennsylvania, a new Constitution has
been established--and the government
under it organized. This constitution
is said to be the "perfection of excel-
lence" President Mifflin is elected
Governor, by an immense majority.
VERMONT. Another political event,
much and long desired, the last month
gave birth to. The State New-York,
by a publick decree, signed by six com-
missioners, has consented, "that the
community now actually exercising in-
dependent jurisdiction, as the State of
Vermont, be admitted into the United
States of America, and that immediately
from such admission, all claim to the ju-
risdiction of the State of New-York
within the State of Vermont, shall cease."
There are some conditions annexed, re-
specting the New-York grants, &c.
which, without a doubt, Vermont will
accede to, and thereby add, to use a
favorite figure, another Star to the
Federal Constellation.

The WESTERN POSTS--

Those barriers of the United States--
are still retained by the British; and
we are told, have lately been strength-
ened by additional fortifications and
troops.--That at Niagara, in particu-
lar. The half-pay officers therein have
been put on the full pay establishment;
and there appears not the smallest pros-
pect, that Great-Britain will ever peace-
ably relinquish those strong holds which
Nature and Treaties made 'in the name of
the most holy and undivided Trinity,' have
given to the United States. It is said,
"some constant good attends on ill"
and some believe our having the jealous
Spaniard on our southern, and the aspi-
ring Briton on our northern and western
borders, are circumstances in which are
to be found as much good as evil. "It
will (say they) prevent that indolence
and inactivity which extensive empire,
and security of possession, often intro-
duce. It will teach us, that although
we ought not to attack, we ought ever
to be ready to defend; and that our
territory is so extensive that it demands
no addition." Plausible as these re-
marks may seem, the United States
must appear pusillanimous in the eyes
of nations, if she suffers her rightful
territory to be hostilely retained by a
foreign power.

THE COMMERCE

Of the United States is rapidly reco-
vering from the injuries it received
from partial laws, impolitic restrictions
and selfish regulations. Its basis now
rests on extensive and equal principles:
And while our enterprising merchants
and hardy navigators are exploring ev-
ery region between the Poles, for new
marts of commerce; the products of
our country are increasing in demand,
and appreciating in value. The atten-
tion of the General Government has
been constantly paid to these great ob-
jects--the encouragement of Commerce
and Agriculture. Both have revived from
that attention.

The MANUFACTURES

Of our country, too, rapidly increase,
in extent and reputation. Many arti-
cles, for the supply of which we have
heretofore depended on foreign coun-
tries, we have ceased to import, and a
spirit to encourage home manufactures
prevails.

LITERATURE

Likewise flourishes. As one instance
we mention the patronage given to the
American press. The new publications
in the United States multiply fast. Be-
sides original productions, many trans-
atlantic works have been re-printed.
The Bible, in 12mo. has lately been
published in Philadelphia--in which ci-
ty, and in New-York, two or three o-
ther editions of this valuable book, are
now in the press--and Mr. THOMAS
(whom an ingenious southern writer
has called the American Baskerville, and
from whose press have issued many large
and valuable books)--is now engaged
in printing Two Editions of the Bible;
one the large Royal Quarto BIBLE; the
other a large Folio, with 50 copper-
plates.--A patriotick, laudable and
heavy undertaking, deserving the pat-
ronage and encouragement of every
friend to his country, the sciences, and
religion. Mr. Dobson, of Philadel-
phia is also publishing an "American
Edition of ENCYCLOPEDIA, or a
Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature."--Two volumes of
this work are finished--it will comprise
16 volumes.

The HARVEST.

Throughout the United States, the
latter as well as the former. has reward-
ed the toil of the Husbandman with a
rich abundance, both for man and
beast. Pomona has not been less pro-
fuse of her favors than Ceres of hers;
and the great plenty of that federal be-
verage, Cyder, will, we hope, by ren-
During the use of that antifederal liquor, Rum, less excusable, make it less common.

Our fertile country wanted nothing to complete its happiness, but an energetic, general government—that government, praised be Heaven, is now established: And the people feeling its beneficial effects, have exhibited their warm and unequivocal attachment thereto, in their late election of decidedly independent, federal men. May their attachment still continue to strengthen, and in the language of that celebrated Historian, Dr. Ramsay, "May the Almighty Ruler of the universe, who has raised us to independence, and given us a place among the nations of the earth, make the American Revolution an era in the history of the world, remarkable, for the progressive increase of human happiness!"