National Intelligencer. (Washington City [D.C.]), Vol. 13, No. 1976, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 20, 1813 Page: 4 of 4
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GENERAL MONK.
There is a tradition m S otlarid, that
ad m of brandy produced the Restora-
tion of Charles the Second. The mes-
sender from the Parliament of England
h^d brought letters from the assembly
fo Monk whilst he remained at Edin-
burgh. He was at length intrusted
by ib Parliament with a letter to the
governor ol Edinburgh Castle. This
circumstance he mentioned to one of
Monk’s serjeants, as he was going to-
wards the Castle. The serjeant saw
something unusual in this, and prevail-
ed upon the messenger to drink a dram
of brandy with him at a neighboring ale-
house : i'rom one dram they proceeded
to another, till the serjeant made his
friend so crunk that he was enabled to
take the letter out of his pocket with-
out his being conscious of it. This be-
ing done, he posts to his general with
the letter, who, on perusing its contents,
found, that it contained an order to the
governor of the Castle to arrest him,
and keep him in close custody.
Provost Bailie says, “ Monk came to
Berwick, in the midst of December,
1639, and lay in the fields in a very cold
winter, near Coldstream, with six or
seven thousand foot, and with two thou-
sand horse. Many of our Scotch noble-
men came to him at Berwick, and offer-
ed to raise quickly for his service all the
power of Scotland. But the most of his
officers refused it, fearing the stumbling
of their army and friends in England ;
for as yet all of them, in their right well-
penned papers, did declare, as positive-
ly as ever, with divine attestations
against all kings and monarchy, and for
a free parliament, and all former prin-
ciples.”
Monk, however, paid very little re-
gard to these violent protestations; for
before that time, whilst he lay with his
army at Coldstream Moor, in Scotland,
his chaplain, Dr Price, represented to
him, how much his obligation and his
safety were equally concerned to bring
about the Restoration, and in complying
with the desires of the greater part of
the nation, who wished to have the gov
ernment settled in the old ma nner The
general told him, that he was conscious
of the truth of what he told him, and
that he should not be wanting therein
as soon as he should find himself in a
capacity to effect it , “ of which,” ad-
ded he, “ I have now somewhat more
hopes than formerly.” But on taking
his leave of Dr, Price, he said, putting
his hand on his sword, “ By God’s giace
1 will do it.”
Throughout the whole of the busi-
ness of the Restoration, Monk behaved
with gieat lenity and great disinterest-
edness. He saved for Sir Arthur Has-
lerig his estate, by pretending, that be-
fore the Restoration was confirmed he
had made him a promise to do so. He
was of great use during the plague in
London in 1665, and prevented the
spreading of that horrid calamity by the
wise measures which he recommended,
as well as by his extreme liberality.
Monk is thus described in the Me-
moirs of that pleasing and instructive
writer Sir Philip Warwick :
“ He was a person of a natural and in-
trepid courage, and who had made the
sword his profession as soon as he was
.able to wield it. He was bred up under
grAt captains, and very early taken
nouce of by that great prince and sol
dier*Henry Prince of Orange. Monk
was a man of deep thoughts and of few
words, and what he wanted in elocution
he had in judgment; and he had a na-
tural secrecy in him, prevalent upon all
these qualifications of a soldier, which
made him so fit an instrument in the
hand ef Divine Providence to work his
majesty’s restoration. Hence he car-
ried it all so closely, that I believe no
man, to this day, can positively say, that
he designed any more than the general
quiet of the land, and so he framed his
designs suitable to the opportunities
that were given him ; but that he wish-
ed that quiet might be procured by the
means of his majesty’s happy return, no
one can rationally doubt; and in this
shewed the solidity of his judgment, in
that, when despairing Haslerig and his
party offered him the crown, it was no
temptation.”
" | should put to him'impertinent and lead-
ing questions. The first Lord Shaftes-
bury he represents as addicted to judi-
cial astrology, who used to talk on that
subject before the Bishop, merely to pre-
vent his talking politics to him. Bishop
Burnet, at the age of eighteen, wrote a
Treatise on Education in very wretch-
ed language, but in which there is this
curious observation : “That the Greek
language, except for the New Testa-
ment, is of no very great use to gentle-
men, as most of the best books in it
are translated into Latin, English, or
French.”
According to Dr. Gockburn, when
Bishop Burnet was presented to Charles
the Second, by the Duke of Lauderdale,
he said to his majesty, “ Sir, I bring a
person t.© you who is not capable of for-
getting any thing.” The king replied,
“ Then, my Lord, you and I have the
more reason to foke care what wc say
to him, or before him.”
A HINT TO COURTIERS.
James the Second said to Mr. Clifton
one dny, “ I do not know how it is, but
I never knew a modest man make his
way at court.” “ Please you majesty,
whose fault is that ?” replied Mr. Clif-
ton'.
BISHOP BURNET
Was a great gossip, of a very inquisi-
tive turn in conversation, and of so much
absence of mind, that he would occa-
sionally mention in company circum-
stances that could not fail to be dis-
pleasing to persons that were present.
He teized several of his friends to intro-
duce him to Prince Eugene, whom he
soon very much offended, by asking
him some questions about his mother,
the Countess of Soissons, who escaped
to Flanders, being suspected of having
poisoned her husband ; and he mention-
ed to the Prince his own evasion from
France in early life, for having ridiculed
Louis XIV. in some intercepted letters.
Lord Godolphin he represents as a con-
tinual card-player, who, it seems, always
took care to play at cards when he was
in company with the Bishop, lest he
DUELLING.
A greater degree of ridicule was nev-
er thrown upon duelling that by the
following story, which Dr. Sandilands
told to Mr. Richardson, jun.
“ General Guise going over one cam-
paign to Flanders, observed a young
raw officer who was in the same vessel
with him, and with his usual humanity-
told him, that he would take care of
him and conduct him to Antwerp,
where they were both going, which he
accordingly did, and then took leave of
him. The young fellow was soon told,
by some arch rogues whom he happen-
ed to fall in with, that he must signalize
himself by fighting some man of known
courage, or else he would soon be des-
pised in the regiment. The young man
said, he knqw no one but Col. Guise.,
and he had received great obligations
from him. It is all one for that, they
said, in these cases. The Colonel was
the fittest man in the world, every body
knew.his brave; y. Soon afterwards, up
comes the young officer to Col- Guise,
as he was walking up and down the
Coffee-house, and began in a hesitating
manner to tell him, how much obliged
he had been to him, and how sensible
he was of his obligations. Sir, replied
Col Guise, I have done my duty by
you, and no more. But Colonel, add-
ed the young officer, faultering, I am
told that I must fight some gentleman of
known resolution, and who has killed
several persons, and that nobody—Oh !
Sir, replied the Colonel, your friends
do me much honor , but there is a gen-
tleman (pointing to a huge fiercc-look-
ing black fellow that was sitting at one
of the tables) who bus killed half the
regiment. So up goes the officer to
him, and tells him, he is well informed
of his bravery, and that, for that reason,
he must fight him. Who I, sir? repli-
ed the gentleman : Why I am Peale the
Apothecary” Richardsoniana
From a Liverpool paper of March 26.
Recent occurrences.—Our pre*
ceeding columns contain an account of
the capture and destruction of a British
vessel, by an American frigate of far su-
perior force ; this disaster palliated, as
it may be, by the consideration of the
valor with which the British vessel
contended, under her brave, but un-
fortunate commander, we consider as
another of those stains which our navy
has received from the unexpected suc-
cess of the few vessels of war belong-
ing to the United States. It is alledg-
ed that the Americans owe their tem-
porary advantages to the peculiar con
struction of their frigates. It may be.
so, but this does not free our ad-
miralty from blame. Why has the Bri-
tish navy been so many years without
vessels of so excellent a make, com-
bining swiftness with power? With
that practical skill and theoretical know-
ledge which might as certainly be
found in Britain as America, are we to be
taught only by dear and dreadful expe-
rience, that there is a peculiar ^onstruc
tion of ships unknown to our naval ar-
chitects and engineers able to circum-
vent all their most studied designs ?
Something is manifestly wrong in
our naval department, and we agree
with Lord Durnley in his obser-
v. tion, that an inquiry into the causes
of these calamities ought immediately
to be the business of Parliament. U-
nited in consideration with this occur-
rence, is another naval engagement;
that of the Amelia with a French frigate,
in which, after a long and severe con-
flict, the enemy escaped from her an-
tagonist, and joined another French
vessel, which had not been able to ad-
vance during the action. This affair
happened on the African coast, where,
from other recent accounts, it appears
the French have been for some time
ipeditating an attack upon our set-
tlements. Confident as we have been,
with good reason, in our naval superio-
rity, we must not suffer those who con-
duct our admiralty to be negligent:
the late occurences ought to rouse
the vigilance of the whole nation.
In Steele's List for March, 1813, we
observe the following articles :
The greatest energy prevails at pre-
sent in the disposition and direction of
the navy. In addition to the number of
fir frigates lately ordered to be built,
20 sloops of a large class have been laid
down, to be completed as quick as pos-
sible; and an order has been issued to
establish all the 38 and 40 gun frigates
with an increase of men and an acldi
tlonal lieutenant, which is to be carried
into effect immediately. The Scarbo-
rough 74, and Ripon 74, at Portsmouth,
in a new state, are brought forward for
service, and several other line of battle
ships are ordered to be completed with
all possible despatch.
The advantages expected to be de-
rived from reducing the 74 gun ships
to 64’s, stand little chance of being
speedily realized. The first four de-
termined on were, the Alajestic and
Thunderer, at Chatham; the Resolution,
at Portsmouth; and the Culloden, at
Plymouth. On the first mentioned
being inspected, she was deemed not
worth the expense that would be incur-
red ; and with regard to the latter, a
similar decision took place. The Mo-
narch, at Chatham, was then selected,
and after undergoing a similar investi-
gation, is also declared unfit, and is to
be broken up. The Goliah has since
been fixed on; and, if found fit, will be
made a razee.
Lieuts G E. Balchild and H. Ste-
vens, of Royal Marine Artillery, with a
company of that useful establishment
are detached to Woolwich, and practis-
ing the use of ShrupnelPs shells and
Congreve’s rockets, upon an approved
plan, preparatory to their embarking
upon a secret service.
The Lords ot the Admiralty have or-
dered the complement of marines to be
increased on board the several frigates,
on which account one hundred boys of
the royal marine corps, perfectly disci-
plined, marched last night from Wool-
wich, to Portsmouth, to complete the
additional number.
UPPER CANADA.
At this interesting crisis, when our
brave soldiers have taken possession of
the capital of Upper Canada, some ac-
count of the territory they are expect-
ed to conquer will not be unacceptable
to our readers. We are indebted for
it to the latest edition of the Geography
of Dr. Morse.
UPPER CANADA.
Extent.—If, as we suppose, this pro-
vince is considered as extending to lake
Winnipee westward ; and northward to
Poplar river, which falls into the mid-
dle of that lake from the east; the fol-
lowing account of its size and situation
may be regarded as generally accurate.
Its southern extremity on lake Erie is
in lat. 42, 30, N. its northern at Poplar
river in lat 52^ 30. its eastern on lake
St. Francis in Ion. 74 degrees W. and
its western on lake Winnipoe in Ion. 97
degrees. The northern line generally,
however, is believed to be considerably
south of lat. 52, 30. Its length from
east to west on this supposition is 1090
miles. Its greatest breadth from lake
Erie to the northern line is 525 miles;
the average breadth is not more than
.250 or 300.
Boundaries.-— Bounded N. by New
Britain; N. E. by Lower Canada; E.
by the same and by the river St. L .w-
rence, lake Ontario and Niagara river,
which divide it from New York ; S. by
lakes Erie, Huron and Superior, and
Winnipee river, which divide it from
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michi-
gan Territory and the N W. parts of
the United States ; W. by Detroit river,
lake St Clair, Huron river arid lake,
Winnipee river and lake Winnipee.
Religion.— 1'he great part of the
province is destitute of a regular gospel
ministry. At Kingston, Newark and a
few other places, there are settled cler-
gymen. Except those places the Me-
thodists are almost the only preachers
in the country. Methodism is the pre-
vailing religion of the province. There
ire a few Presbyterians or Episcopali-
ans., and scarcely any Catholics.
Government and civil divisions.-Like
the other provinces, Upper Canada lias
a lieutenant governor, who acts as go-
vernor in the absence of the governor
general.
The Legislature is composed of a le-
gislative council anu house of assembly.
The former contains not less than seven
members, the latter not less than 18—
['he manner of election and the tenure
of the office are the sime as in Lower
Canada. 1 .
The legislature meets annually in
May, and has the sole power of taxa-
tion.
Weekly courts are held in every
town in the province, by two justices
of the peace who have' final cognizance
of all debts under eight dollars. Dis-
trict courts are held every three months
by a district judge, in which cases are
finally decided by a jury of 12, where
the demand does not exceed 60 dollars.
Greater sums are tried by a jury, be-
fore the circuit court composed of the
chief justice and two associate judges,
who make an annual circuit through the
province. From them is an appeal to
the Governor and Council.
l%iis province is divided into 19
counties, which are subdivided into
townships ordinarily of nine by 12
miles.
The constitution which guarantees
to the people their political privileges,
was received from the British govern-
ment in 1791. That government bears
the whole cxpence of the civil estab-
lishment. There is ny land tax, quit
rent, or any other, excepting for tne '
regulation of internal police in coun-
ties and smaller corporatioris.
The people regulatq all local matters
and choose their town officers, as in the
United States. Their privileges are
much greater than" were those of the
American colonies previous to the re-
volution.
Population.—The number of inhabi-
tants, in 1783, was 10,000; in 1806,
80,000. They are composed chiefly of
emigrants from New England and New
Jersey. Some of the settlers are from
Great Britain. Many of the towns have
the names of the towns in New and Old
England.
Towns—York, formerly Toronto, the
seat of government, stands on York
harbor, on the north side, near the
west end of lake Ontario, an 43. 35 N.
directly opposite the mouth of Niaga-
ra river, which is 40 miles distant by
water, and 100 by land. A long and
narrow peninsula, called Gibraltar point,
forms and embraces this harbor, s.e'cur
ing it from the storms of the lake, and
rendering it the safest of any on the
coast. The town is projected to extend
a mile and a half in length from the bot
tom of the harbor, along the lake. Ma-
ny houses are already completed, some
of which display considerable taste. It
was laid out in 1791. Within the last
10 years its growth has keen rapid.
Kingston is in lat. 44, 8 N. long. 75
41 W. It stands at the head of the St.
Lawrence, on the north shore, oppo-
site Wolf Island. It occupies the site
of Fort Frontenac, was laid out in 1784.
and is of considerable size. It has an
excellent harbor, in which the king’s
shipping on lake Ontario winter. It
has an Episcopal church, a hospital and
a barrack for troops.
Newark stands on the west bank of
Niagara River, at its mouth, in lat. 43.
It extends a mile along the lake. It
contains two churches, one Episcopal
the other Presbyterian.
Queenstown stands on Niagara river.
7 miles above Newark. It qpntains an
episcopal church.
Chipawa is a little village, three miles
above the falls, and six above Queens-
town.
Elizabethtown, in the district of
Johnstown, near lake Ontario, was set-
tled in 1784, chiefly by British people.
1 he London missionary society have a
missionary established here.
Militia—.The militia in the several
districts meet annually. All the males,
except the Friends, Dunker3 and Me
nodists. from 18 to 45, bear arms.
Climate.—The climate is much mild-
er than in the Lower province.
Face of the country.—This country
is generally level, and, in many parts,
little elevated above the lakes. In the
northern part3 of the province is the
Canada range of mountains, which
branches from the rocky mountain
range, near the head of Columbia river,
and preserves an irregular course to the
eastern shore of Labrador.
Soil and Agriculture.—The soil is
generally good. The agriculture is
yet in its infancy. The whole country,
which is cleared, produces good wheat,
Indian corn, flax, and grass in abund-
nce. Hops of a good quality grow
spontaneously, also plumbs, mulberries,
blackberries; strawberries, raspberries
and grapes. Orchards begin to bear
fruit. Peaches, cherries, and currants
are abundant. Good pork is often fat-
tened entirely in the woods.
From the eastern boundary of the
province, to lake Ontario, the northern
bank of the St. Lawrence is laid out
into regular counties and townships ;
the land is fertile, and under good cul-
tivation. There are between 20 and
40 mills in this extent. Good roads
have been opened, bridges well con-
structed, and comfortable houses erect-
ed for the settlers. North of these
townships is a tier of more than twenty
others, most of which front on the Otta-
was river. Settlements have commenced
in these, and, from their soil, and the
advantages of their situation, they will
probably soon become flourishing, popu-
lous towns.
Bay.—The bay of Qainti is a very-
long, narrow harbor, on the northern
shore of lake Ontario, It is formed by
the county of Prince Edward, which is
a large peninsula, running out eastward
from the northern shore of the lake.
The eastern end of the peninsula is
called Point Pleasant. From Point
Pleasant to the western end or head of
the hay is 50 miles. It is navigable the
whole distance for the vessels of the
lake. The peninsula forms the three
townships, Ameliasburgh, Sophiusburgh
and Marysburgh. At no great distance
from the commencement of the penin-
sula, it becomes so narrow as to form a
short portage from the head of the bay
into the lake. The towns, which front
the north side of the bay, are Sidney,
Thurlow, Adolphustown, and Fredc-
ricksburgh. A little west of tue port-
age, Trent river supplies the bay with
the waters of Rice lake. A canal has
been proposed across the portage,
which would convert the peninsula into
a large island.
Minerals —Iron is abundant, but it is
not wrought in the province.
Boston, May 12.
York, the capital of upper Canada
Recently taken by Gen, Dearborn, is
a place of infinitely more value and im-
portance than is generally imagined
here in Boston. A brief description of it
may not be unacceptable to our read-
ers at this time.
After leaving the township ofPicker-
ing, you pass under the highlands ol
Scarboro’, and arrive at the township ci
York. This place; ‘which was the seat
of government of Upper Canada, lies
in about 43 deg. 35 min. N. lat. and is
mbst beautifully situated with an excel-
lent harbor of the same name, made by
a long peninsula which embraces a ba-
son of water sufficiently large to contain
a considerable fleet It has a navy-yard,
and here our troops found a frigate on
the stocks, pierced for 32 guns. The
harbor of York bus this advantage over
the other ports on Lake Ontario, that
vessels may-ride safely at its entrance,
during the winter.
On the extremity of the Peninsula,
which is called Gibraltar Point, are
commodious stores and block-houses,
which command the entrance of the
harbor; on the main land opposite to
the Point, is the Garrison, situated on a
noint made, by the harbor and a small
rivulet, which being improved by slui-
ces, affords an easy access for boats to
;o up to the stores ; the barracks be-
ing built on a knoll, are well situated for
health, and command a delightful pros-
pect of the lake to .the west, and of the
harbor to the east. The Government
House is about two miles above the
garrison, near.the head of the harbor
The front of the city (Tor so it was cal-
led by Smyth, the British Surveyor
General of the province of Upper C .-
nada, 1.4 years ago) is a mile and a half
?n length, who speaks of several hand-
some squares, particularly one open to
the harbor.The river Don empties itself
into the harbor a little above the town,
running through a beautiful meadow.
Flic long beach or peninsula, like Na-
Iiant, affords a most delightful ride, and
is considered so healthy by the Indians,
that they resort to it whenever indispos-
ed.
The Government House is situated
between the city and the river Don, in a
beautiful spot well suited for gardens
and parks. The oaks are large, the
soil excellent, and watered by various
streams, one of which may be thrown
into all the streets in the town. The
harbor is well calculated for ship-build-
ing, and caulking ot vessels. The cli-
mate of York is temperate, and well
sheltered from the northerly winds by
the high lands in the rear.
Yorige-street leads from .York to lake
Simcoe; and the Dundas-street crosses $
the rear of the town. These streets
are turnpikes or military roads, and
made by the British troops under Lieut.
Governor Simcoe, and extend mere
than an hundred miles in length.
Bost. Pat.
[■From the JVew-York Columbian.
A Jamaica paper says: “ We under-
stand that the naval department in A-
merica have had the.Macedonian frigate
fitted out, with 54 guns and a comple-
ment of 420 men, the command of her
given to Capt. Jones, late of the United
States brig Wasp, and that she had
sailed on a cruise.”
Now we understand, that in conse-
quence of the difficulty of obtaining 4,
guns to match her other complement, in
the place of that number disabled in the
action, she is to be sent to sea with only
45 guns, and a proportionate number of
men.
LAND AND NEGROES
FOR SALE.
Pursuant to a deed of trust from Alexander
Lithgou to Charles Tyler and Alexander Lith-
gou, Junr. will be sold at public auction, on
Monday the 17til day of May next, at the
oourt House in Dumfries,
A TRACT OF LAMP,
containing about 890 acres, lying within three
miles of Dumfries. It is well watered and
well timbered It has on it a good JJwslling
Rouse and out-houses—and is land of go cl qua-
lity. The title is indisputable, it will be sold
on a credit of Uvo years, and will be laid oil
into lots, so as to suit those disposed to pur-
chase. Bond with good security will be
quired of the purchasers, and a deed of trust
upon the land as a further security.
At the same time and place will be sold a
parcel of likely NEGROES, upon a credit of
uve.ve months.
PHILIP HARRISON,
Attorney in fact far Charles Tyler and
A. Lithgou.
Dumfries, March 15—w3ts._
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
That, app’icatiou will be made for the renew a
oi Certificate J\o. 626. for gJOOO Louisiana six
per cent.Sto«k, standing in the name William
Wingfield, ol Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London,
on the books of the Treasury and suited to he,
lost.
JAMES DAVIDSON.
May 7—3taw6w
FRESH FRUIT.
RICHARD PARROTT, & Co. have just
received
110 boxes fresh Muscatel Raisins
100 barrels prime net herrings
30 do. pork
18 do. Tanners ..Oil
Genuine Port "j
M. E. \V. & Cos. Madeira J WINE by the
Sicily do. )*p:po, half pipe
L. P Tener ife, quarter cask and
Catalonia, & j lea gallons.
Malaga J
Their assortment of Groceries is at this
time good, which they will dispose of at a
small Advance lor cash.
Their regular punctual customers can be
supplied on their usual terms.
May 17-4w.
POSTOFFICE, WASHINGTON CIT Y,
May 13, 1813.
TIIF, Great Western Mail, via Fredcrick-
town, Md Ghnmberaburgh,. Pa, Tee. will here-
a ter be closed on Sunday, Wednesday, arid
Friday, at half pastVix o’clock, A. M.
May 15—
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National Intelligencer. (Washington City [D.C.]), Vol. 13, No. 1976, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 20, 1813, newspaper, May 20, 1813; Washington, District of Columbia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth996073/m1/4/: accessed June 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .