| Gazette |
| [No. LXII.] |
| SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1789. |
| [Publifhed on Wednefday and Saturday.] |
| THE LXII. |
| " There is, generally Speaking, lefs truth in panegy- ricks than in fatires." HOEVER might be the author of the re- mark contained in my motto, he certain- ly did not mean it as a compliment upon human nature. Some of the afperity, which the obfer- vation difcovers, will be taken off, when we re- flect that men, who write fatires, draw too lively an image of the bad qualities of others and thofe, who beftow panegyricks, give too favorable a co- loring to good qualities. Both may be carried to extremes, though neither originated in falfhood. It is no proof that fatirical writings contain more truth than panegyrical, merely becaufe the for- mer excite more forcible impreflions than the latter, The fact is, we are more ftrongly affect- ed with the failings, than with the virtues ofone another. If in company I draw a favorable cha- racter of my neighbor, my companions attend lefs eagerly to what fay, than when I prefentito their view an odious character. But this does not prove that I do not fpeak, with an equal degree of truth, in both inftances. It only fhews that there is a predifpofition in men to attend more critically to the bad, than to the good qualifica- tions, that are made the fubject of converfation. |
| The enemies of a man are more active and vi- gilant in expofing his bad actions, than his friends are, in difplaying the meritorious points of his character. This however is no proof that his friends depart from the truth, any more than his enemies. Men more readily make a common caufe offpying out and reprobating the vices or defects of others, than they do, in fearching for and proclaiming their virtues and excellencies. A vicious action roufes fome of the moft energet- ic paffions of the foul. It produces in the mind more ferment and agitation than can be excited by any exhibition of virtuous deeds. |
| The truth contained in fatire is generally more obvious, and more readily acknowledged, than in encomiums. Men, who draw upon themfelves the pen of the fatirift, often have other enemies to encounter befides the writer for a fatirical attack upon a man is of itfelf a circumftantial evi- dence, that his conduct deferves reproach. An innocent, virtuous man will commonly be fhield- edby his innocence and virtue. He will not be dangeroufly expofed to the fhafts of flander while his character is really unimpeachable. This man may, for a long time, pollefs excellent qua- lities without their ever being a fubject of fpecial commendation. But let him once depart from a fair, virtuous line of conduct, and I cannot war- rant he will long be exempt from reproof and in- vective. We cannot however infer, that praife would not have been equally juft, while he yet was a good man, as blame is, after he becomes a bad one. In fhort, though it is a plaufible theory, that there is, generally fpeaking, more truth in fatire than in panegyrick, it will neverthelefs not appear fo, upon a ftrict examination. It ison- ly true, that blame and reproach meet with a more ready reception, and affimilate better with the ufual feelings of people, than praife and applaufe. As it has been before hinted, men will more eagerly hunt down their enemies, than raife up their friends. The emotions of jealoufy, envy, and hatred are pungent and irritating, and pro- duce a ftronger controlover the mind, than the operations of friendfhipand humanity, which are ufually tranquil and inefficacious. The unfriend- ly paffions have, in the natural conftitution of things, a very fudden and ftimulating influence over human actions. If the propriety of pane- gyric, beftowed on my friend, is called in quef- tion, I fhall, no doubt, be difpofed to vindicate his character; but it may ftill be impoffible to con- vince ill-natured, envious he is bound to pay any regard, either to the panegyrick it- felf, or to my comments upon Whenmy enemy meets with reproach, I fhall fearce have occafion to bring arguments to condemn him. Mankind eafily believe the report of his unworthy actions, becaufe they are predifpofed to believe it. He probably is, in fact, a bad man, or he probably had not been my enemy. I cannot however imagine that panegyrick has generally lefs truth than fatire, merely becaufe the latter meets with more attention and credit than the former. |
| ANECDOTE. |
| PORTSMOUTH, OCTOBER 31, 1789 IMPROMPTU on the approach of THE PRESI DENT of the United States. |
| MR. MORLAU, firft Phyfician to the Duchefs of Burgundy, going one day, we know not for what purpofe, to the Prince's with a fword, was jocofe upon his adjuftment, and faid, " Monfeig- neur, do not you think I refemble Capt. SPEZ- ZAFERRO, of the Italian comedy ?" It is impoffi- ble to refemble him lefs," anfwered the Prince, " Spezzaferro never killed any body, |
| F AME ftretch'd her wings,and with her trumpet blew, Great WASHINGTON, is near What praife his due! What Title fhall HE have She paul'd and faid, one HIS NAME alone ftrikes every Title dead. |
| ADDRESSES TO THE PRESIDENT. SALEM, Nov. 3, 1789, ADDRESS of the Inhabitants of the Town of Salem, to the PRESIDENT of the United States. SIR, |
| T HE Inhabitants of the Town of Salem, upon receiving a vifit from a perfonage the firft object of their efteem, cannot forbear exprefling thofe fenfations, which an occafion fo pleafing muft naturally excite. While we view it as an high honor done us, a moft obliging mark of condefcenfion and regard fhewn us, in making us this vifit moft readily would we manifelt the fatisfaction we feel, in being gratified with an opportunity of feeing the man, whofe deeds have been fo illuftrious ; and of paying our particular refpects to the character, which not only the peo- ple of America, but all the world are agreed to admire and celebrate. How great foever, Sir, we had conceived our obligations to be, and how ftrong the motives of attachments we were under to you, for thofe military fervices and at- chievements, from which fuch effential benefits have been derived, an addition to thofe obligati- ons we are fenfible is now made and ftill further reafons of attachment are prefented, from your acceptance of that important truft in our newly inftituted government, which was fo earneftly, and univerfally defired, That remarkable fpirit of patriotifm, of benevolence towards this peo- ple, which has been fo confpicuous in your paft conduct, we doubt not has determined you to this arduous undertaking.-Whatever therefore may contribute to the eafe and happinefs of your adminiftration, whatever réturns of refpect, and dutiful fubmiflion, it becomes a grateful people to make, we wifh you to receive and enjoy. |
| Long may you be continued, diffufing thofe blef- fings of freedom and good government, by which our profperity fhall be further promoted-Long may you be indulged a feries of the beft fatisfac- tions, which the honors and enjoyments of this world can afford. And by that Álmighty Being, whofe agency and aid you have ever acknowledg- ed, in thofe great events you have been improv- ed to accomplifh, with diftinguifhed honors and felicities may you finally be rewarded. THE ANSWER. |
| GENTLEMEN, W OULD words exprefs the feelings of my heart, I fhould have the happinefs to de- monftrate to my fellow citizens of Salem, that their affectionate addrefs is received with grati- tude, and returned with fincerity-T your good- nefs I refer myfelf for a juft conftruction of thoughts which language will not explain. |
| Honored by the high, yet hazardons, appoint- ment which my country has conferred upon me, it will be my beft ambition to difcharge its im- portant trufts with fidelity-for the reft I muft caft upon her candor, and kind indulgence. |
| Towards you, Gentlemen, permit me to affure you, I entertain every difpofition that is due to your virtue- and the promotion of your interefts will be among the moft grateful of my employ- ments. |
| May your navigation and commerce flourifh- your induftry, in allits applications, be reward- ed-your happinefs, here, be as perfect as be- longs to the lot of humanity- and your eternal felicity be complete G. WASHINGTON. SALEM, OCTOBER 29, 789. Newburyport, Nov. 4, 1789. Soon after The Prefident's arrival in this town, he wasprefented with the following addrefs. To The PRESIDENT of the UNITED ST ATES. SIR, WHEN, by the unanimous fuffrages of your countrymen, you were called to prefide over their public councils, the citizens of the town of Newburyport participated in the general joy, that arofe from anticipating an adminiftration, conducted by the man, to whofe wifdom and va- lor they owed their liberties. Pleafing were their reflections, that he, who, by the bleffing of Heaven, had given them their Independence, would again relinquifh the felici- ties of domeftic retirement, to teach them its juft value. |
| From your own induftry and enterprize you have every thing to hope that deferving and good citizens can expect. |
| They have feen you, victorious, leave the field, followed with the applaufes of a grateful coun- try-and they now fee you entwining the Olive with the Laurel, and, in peace, giving fecurity and happinefs to a people, whom in war, you co- vered with glory. |
| At the prefent moment,the indulge themfelves in fentiments of joy, refulting from a principle, perhaps lefs elevated, but, exceedingly dear to their hearts, from a gratification of their affection, in beholding perfonally among them, the friend, the benefactor, and the father of their country. |
| They cannot hope, Sir, to exhibit any peculiar marks of attachment to your perfon ; for, could they exprefs their feelings of the moft ardent and fincere gratitude, they would only repeat the fentiments, which are deeply imprefied upon the hearts of all their fellow-citizens but, in juftice to themfelves, they begleave to affure you, that, in no part of the United States, are thofe fenti- ments of gratitudend affection more cordial and animated, than in the town, which, at this time, is honored with your prefence. |
| Long, Sir, may you continue the ornament and fupport of thefe States, and may the period be late, when you fhall be called to receive a reward, adequate to your virtues, which it is not in the power of your country to beftow. To the foregoing Addrefs, the Prefident was pleafed to reply as follows: To the Citizens of the Town of Newburyport. GENTLEMEN, |
| HE demonítrations of refpect and affection which you are pleafed to pay to an indivi- dual, whofe higheft pretenfion is to rank as your fellow-citizen, are of a nature too diftinguifhed not to claim the warmeft return that gratitude can make. |
| My endeavors to be ufeful to my country have been no more than the refult of confcious duty. Regards, like yours, would reward fervices of the higheft eftimation and facrifice Yet, it is due to my feelings, that I fhould tell you thofe regards are received with efteem, and replied to with fin- cerity. |
| In vifiting the town of Newburyport, I have 0- beyed a favorite inclination, and I am much gra- tified by the indulgence. In expreffing a fincere with for its profperity, and the happinefs of its inhabitants, I do juftice to my own fentiments, and their merit. G. WASHINGTON. |
| LONDON, September 7. SWEDES and RUSSIANS. |
| A Tranfaction which has lately taken place be- tween the King of Sweden and his adverfaries in Finland, may probably in its confequences an- nihilate thofe diffinctions it been fo much the object of all civilized nationsto eftablish; diftinc- tions which have been found to leffen the hor- rors of war, whilft not national advantage has been loft by extending kindnefs to thofe brave men, who ceafe to be enemies the moment they are prifoners. A Ruffian officer was taken prifoner at Hogsfors, to whom his Swedifh Majefty wifhed to give his parole and he was defirous at the fame time of fhewing fome civility to the Prince Labanoff, Col. of the regiment, to which the captive belonged, he ordered Baron Klingfporre, his aid-de-camp general, to write a polite letter to the Prince, and fend back the officer on his parole. This was, done on the 20th of July. A trumpet, accom- panied by a Swedifh officer, conducted the Ruffian prifoner. Arrived at the advanced pofts of the enemy, the trumpet founded, and they hailed ; but the only anfwer they received was, the double difcharge of arquebulles from the Coffacs and Chaffeurs, and notwithftanding a fecond found- ing of the trumpet, the fignal of truce, the firing was continued. The officers and the trumpet were obliged to retire and return. The King was ftill at Hogsfors, to whom they gave an account of the reception of his trumpet. His Majefty, fuppofing that fo ftrange a conduct could be owing only to the ufual licentioufnefs of the barbarous and undifciplined hords who compofe the light troops of the Ruffian army, and that even their own officers could not reftrain them, ordered Baron de Klingfporr, to write a letter to the Prince de Naffau, who commanded the Ruffian fquadron, then ftationed off Frede- rickfham, to inform him of what had happened, and to fend his letter to Prince Labanoff through that chanel perfuaded that with an officer like the Prince de Naffau, he had no reafon to fear the violation of the laws of war. The Baron acted according to his directions and as the Prince de Naflau was perfonally known to the King, his Majefty added a complimentary poftfcript to the letter, in his own hand writing. The Prince thought himielf under the neceffity |
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