“Short Readings”

Date

3-31-1812

Newspaper

Lexington American Statesman

Page and Column

Page 4, Column 1-3

Newspaper Location

Lexington, Kentucky

Serial Number

200

Abstract

Brief mention that the February 7, 1812 earthquake was felt in New Orleans as a sever shock. It is embedded in a longer article of miscellaneous news items

Transcript

Short Readings. The suppression of the Monastic Orders in Italy, has placed in the hands of the Imperial Commission, immense estates in houses and lands. One third of the Roman state is stated to have belonged to Ecclesiastics, and another third to wealthy and powerful families-all of which has been exposed to public sale. This must tend greatly to the improvement and solid wealth of the country. An article from Rome, informs, that Madame Blanchard, the celebrated aeronaut, has lost her life, in one of her late ascensions in a balloon. The wind was high, and being unable to controul the balloon, it was dashed against the tiles of houses, and lastly against a tree, in consequence of which she perished. A letter from Belfast, Ireland, dated Nov. 23, 1811, affirms, that the people of that ill fated country are only waiting a favorable opportunity to shake off their chains-that since '98, the spirit of rebellion has never been, nor can be expected to be extinguished. To get rid of the idle and superfluous population, thousands are sent by government to Spain, Portugal and other parts of the world. Government is buying up all the metallic medium in the country, by giving a premium, in order to push their paper currency into circulation. A French squadron is reported to be at sea, capturing and burning American vessels. The American vessel Telegraphe, from [unreadable] to Lisbon, has been captured by the French frigates La Nymph and Medusa. The ship Victress of Boston, from Gibraltar to Naples, was, in the first place, plundered by a Sicilian privateer of every thing valuable on board-even the sailors were robbed of their money and clothes, and then permitted to proceed. She was afterwards carried into Palermo for trial, by another Sicilian privateer, and cleared by paying 800 Sicilian dollars, as the amount of costs.-The Meteor, of and for Philadelphia, from Bordeaux. , with a cargo of silks, wines and brandies, have been all captured and condemned under the orders in council.-A quantity of colonial produce has been confiscated and sold by the French government, at Hamburg, to pay duties and other charges. This property had been held under sequestration since 1810. A Mr. Charles Merril, born in Hartford, Connecticut, was impressed on board a British man of war in May last. He has written on to the United Sates for a copy of his protection. Henry Stone, who was impressed on board a British man of war in 1802, writes from Minorca, to his father in Rhode Island, to forward him a similar evidence of his being an American citizen. The British sloop of war Dauntless, took from the ship Mary of N. York, in Dec. last, 4 men; but released 3 after great delay and frequent remonstrances. The British brig Caroline, lately took from on board the American ship Columbus, from N. York to Savanna, one American seaman. We have seen an address to the inhabitants of Liverpool, in which it is stated, that its trade has declined-its merchants failed-the dock yards empty of trading vessels-few goods in the ware houses, and very little employment for the laboring classes of the community. These calamities are ascribed to the present war, and the orders in council, or rather the retalitatory measures of the American government, in consequence of which England is interdicted in her trade to the continent, and prevented from sending to America, in manufactures, the usual amount of nearly 10 millions. Besides, the United States no longer re-export British goods to any part of the continent under the protection of her neutral flag. Owing to the excessive frauds through out the breweries of England, a writ of Enquiry has been issued from the court of Exchequer, instituting in almost every county, a commission composed of 5 magistrates, before whom a jury is to be impannelled to investigate charges and assess the revenue fraudulently withheld from government within the last 7 years. Large sums have already been recovered; and it is conjectured the whole withheld will amount to, from a million to twelve hundred thousand pounds sterling. John Horne Tooke is said to have recovered his health so far as to be capable of active duties. He lately made an eloquent speech at a vestry meeting at Wimbleton parish church. A member of the Pennsylvania Legislature has introduced into that body, a preamble with resolutions, intended to prevent white females, (except those of abandoned characters,) from risquing and destroying their health by immodestly exposing their shoulders and elbows, & wearing attire of too thin a texture. The resolutions interdict naked elbows and shoulders from the 1st Nov. to the 1st March, and compel ladies above 10 years of age, whilst at any public place, within the dates above, to wear three body garments, if she is able to procure them; one of which shall be of silk, wool, or other substantial materials. Those who shall be guilty of violations shall be heavily fined-one half being paid to the informer, and the other given for the benefit of the poor. The offender is liable to pay costs, and may be compelled to enter bail, in a reasonable sum, and with satisfactory security, for her good behaviour during twelve months after conviction. Parents and guardians permitting such violations are subject to similar penalties. It is made the duty of the grand jury to present all such offences; and in case the Justices and Aldermen fail to convict and punish, and the Constables and Overseers of the Poor to give information within 48 hours after the offences come to their knowledge; the penalty is, removal from office, and a fine, left to the discretion of any court of record, in which the trial is had. Mr. Cooper, professor in Carlisle college, in heating a solution of Bismuth in aqua regia, was nearly stricken blind, in consequence of the explosion of the nitrous fumes which had collected in the upper part of a corked phial. He experienced very severe anguish for several hours, but it is supposed will regain his sight. A British officer is said to have lately offered, in Portland, (Mass.) £.450 for one ton of gun powder, to be conveyed into Canada. From Oct. 1811, to Jan. 1812, the importation of produce into St. Johns, Canada, has been immense, and exhibits that channel as an important outlet to some of our farmers most remote from the seaports. The following resolution has passed the Senate of Pennsylvania, Ayes 21, Nays 7, and the committee who reported it ordered to bring in a bill--"Resolved,that a committee be appointed to bring in a bill, abolishing the punishment by death in this commonwealth, and substituting, in lieu thereof, hard labor for life." Owing to the low price of produce and scarcity of money in Georgia, petitions have been circulated in the upper counties, praying the governor to convene the Legislature that a law may pass, affording relief to debtors. An article dated at Baltimore, says the sloop Betsey, of Still Pond, was found on the 27th Feb, on her beam ends, below the rocks in the river. Three whites and a mulatto, who had perished with cold, were found on her side; and the bodies of two other whites and one mulatto have not yet been found. The Time Piece of Jan. 14, printed at St. Francisville, says, that they have been visited by the heaviest fall of snow ever witnessed in that country-it having measured 18 inches deep. It was the first opportunity for sleighing ever offered to the people in that part of West Florida. The oldest inhabitants are of the opinion, that all the snow which has fallen since the settlement of the country, is not equal to what fell a few hours in one day. An account received at N. York, says that a severe shock of an Earthquake was felt at N. Orleans on 7th Feb. The spotted fever rages with considerable violence in Worcester, Antrim, Lyndeb rough, and Mount Vernon, N. Hampshire. At a numerous and respectable meeting of the friends to the liberty of the press, held at the Crown and Anchor tavern, in the Strand, London, on Monday the 2d inst. to take into consideration the claim of Mr. Henry White, to public support, Sir Francis Burdett, Bart. M. P. in the chair, it was Resolved, That a subscription be commenced for the purpose of affording Mr. White some remuneration for the very great expenses he has incurred in his struggle in behalf of the liberty of the press. Sir Francis Burdett subscribed £. 50 The whole of the sums subscribed amount to £, 300 and subscriptions still received. The Duke of Bedford £ 50 John Johnson, esq. late Indian Agent at Fort Wayne, has furnished the governor of Ohio with a list of the number of Indians of every description within that state-which he affirms to be correct, viz. 550 Ottaways; 300 Wyandots; 250 Senecas; 200 Munceys and Delawares; 700 Shawanoese. Total 2,000. Governor Meigs has received from the Secretary at War Commissions of officers for 2 companies of Rangers-to be raised and paid by the United States-they are designed to watch the movements of the Indians on our Frontiers and protect the other settlements. The Supreme Court of the U. States, in the very important case the Schooner Exchange vs. John McFallon and William Greetham, have reversed the decision of the Circuit Court, which had reversed that of the District Court of the United States for the District of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Gray, who robbed the Branch Bank in Charleston, South Carolina, was sentenced in the last court of sessions, to the branded on the brawn of the left thumb with the letter T-which sentence was immediately executed. William Drake, seaman on board the American schooner Matchless, writes to his brother in N. York, that himself and the rest of the crew were taken by the British frigate Semiramis, on 16th Sept. last. They were hove neck and heels into the boat and treated harshly-were robbed of their clothes-kicked and beat about the deck, with a strong guard over them. They had scarcely victuals enough to keep them alive, and were told, that they should be made to remember the Little Belt. They were detained on board this vessel two months; and 4 weeks on board the Gibraltar of 80 guns, which conveyed them to Plymouth, where they were given up to the American consul, and sent to Norfolk in a cartel.-Captain Jesse G. Hulks, last master of the schr. Ruthy of Boston, writes from Gibaltar under date of Jan. 14, that in sailing from Iwica to Boston, he was taken on 14th Oct. by a Genoeso privateer, about 25 leagues to the westward of cape Pallas. The crew, vessel and cargo were ordered for Almeiru, where the captors took out various articles, fitted for a cruize. She was afterwards send to Calarunna where the whole cargo was taken out-the master and crew being left at Almeira. The master's application to the French consuls for redress were ineffectual. The court of admiralty at Gibraltar, decided that the captors were entitled to one sixth of the properly captured.-A letter from Cadiz, states, that two American vessels have been captured off that place by the French, and afterwards burnt by the English. The French frigates Andromache and Herald, both of 44 guns, and Marmaluke corvette, of 18 guns, have captured and burnt the American ships Asia and Gershom, both laden with flour and corn-the first from Philadelphia for Lisbon-the last from Boston for Oporto. The crews were put on board a brig, with only one puncheon of water, and 108 quarters of bread to subsist on. The following account is received from Copenhagen: Brig Packet, Joseph. from Salem. Captured by the Danes, cleared, hauled up to winter; brig Washington, Brown, from Newburyport, captured by the Danes, waiting the sentence of high court; schr. Jeremiah, Russell, from Salem, captured by the Danes, waiting do; Boston-Packet, Somes, from Boston, captured by the Danes, cleared, hauled up to winter; ship Nancy, Evelith, from Newburyport, captured by the Danes, waiting sentence of the high court; brig Hannah, Dennis, of do. captured by the French an Danes, waiting sentenced at Paris; ship Egelra, Law, from Norway, captured by the Danes, preparing to discharge; ship Two Generals, from Norfolk, captured by the French, waiting sentence from Paris; Ann-Maria, Morfett, from N. York, captured by the French, cut out of Swinnemundi Roads, and brought to C. the capt. and 4 men on shore at the time; the Danish government has taken possession of her, and it is expected will be given up on the arrival of the captain; brig Rover, Groves, from Boston, captured by the Danes, hauled up to winter; ship Andromache, Lang, from St. Petersburg, captured by the French, waiting sentence from Paris; barque Roboreous, Williams, from Libeau, captured by the French, waiting do; ship John, Reynolds, from St. Petersburg, captured by the Danes, captors appealed to high court. Capt. Allen was captured last June, on his passage to St. Petersburg, by a Danish privateer, condemned at the lower court and acquitted at the court of chancery. The ships Horace and Augustus sailed from Copenhagen, to Elsineur, between which places they were fired into by two French privateers. On their arrival, those vessels were demanded by the French; but the Danes took their papers and sent them to Copenhagen, where the business was to be laid before the king. Captain Sisson, of schooner Trimmer, arrived at Norfolk, states, that on the 16th Nov. last, off Curracoa, he was brought to and boarded by the British sloop of war Metheteus, captain Robertson-when the boarding officers ordered captain S. to haul down his pendant. This being refused he ordered his own men to haul it down, put it into his boat, and after suing much abusive language, carried it off. The case of JAMES MCCLURE, a native of the U. States, detained in France near four years as an English prisoner of war. We are informed by Mr. Rodman, who came passenger in the frigate Constitution, that the above named gentleman has been acknowledged and claimed by Mr. Barlow as an American citizen; his release has, therefore, undoubtedly since taken place. Cobbett has written a letter to the Prince Regent, on the dispute with America. He rebuts the idea of French influence over our government, and says, that all measures tending to widen the breach between England and America, favor the views of France. This has been the effect of the orders in council, besides preventing the West Indies from obtaining lumber and provisions from the U. States, which her northern American provinces cannot supply. Corbett states, that American is no longer dependent upon the woolen manufactures of England, owing to her own rapid internal improvements, and advancement in mechanical science. He says America has every thing within herself. She has an abundance of all sorts of corn-wool-flax-cotton, wine, and will soon have the oil of the olive. Our advancement in manufactures is ascribed to the tyranny of England on the ocean-arising out of her jealousy of our commercial prosperity. By a change of system at home, the intercourse and ties between England and America, which have been on the decline, will acquire additional energy, and there may be formed some counterprise to the overwhelming power of the Emperor of France. A system, says Cobbett, that would combine the powers of England and America, and thus set liberty at war with despotism, would ensure the lasting independence of England, and give new life to an enslaved world. Blank Checks, For sale at this office.

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