Newspaper Page Text
!lettir n.
I PLAIN UNTARNISHED TALE."
\ddressed to the Printers of the
Augusta Herald.
ENTLF.MEV,
AT the fitting of the legislature
fanuary, one thousand seven hundred
I ninety-nine, a contrast was entered
> between the state of Georgia, on the
part, and Alexander M‘Millan of the
pr, for the purpofc of printing the laws
journals of that feflion. The anateri
onditions of this covenant were: That
work should be finifhed at a given pe-
I, and in consideration thereof, that a
ipenfation of nine cents per copy flieet
aid be allowed.. The laws were corn
ed and paid for, at the stipulated price;
with refpcCt to the journals, payment
ing been refufed by the Executive,
M‘Millan was neceffiated to have re
|>urfe to the ordinary mode of petition to
ie legislature, which was laid before them
their ensuing feilion. This petition
as referred to the committee on finance,
ho taking into view the aforementioned
mtraft, and other circumstances, which
all be noted in the course of this efi'ay,
ade a favorable report on the claim of
[r. M*Millan, and recommended to the
gifiaturc the completion of their con
aft, by a payment of the (lipulated a
ount. This report was, however, nega
ted in the house, and a resolution enter-
I into for the difeharge of the account,
r an appropriation of somewhat less than
half the consideration money of the con
trast.
The extraordinary procedure of the le
gislative body in this case, deltruftive in
the higliert degree of the radical principles
of the social compaft, as amounting to a
violation of a solemn engagement entered
into by their prcdecellbrs, was juftified on
the ground of Mr. M‘Millan’s failure in
s.ompletin" the journals at the stipulated
'period. This well chosen position was
peculiarly advantageous, because, the cir
cumstances, which operated to the detri
ment of the undertaker, as the faft of his
failure, were universally known, while the
reasons which would be alledged, in jufti
fication of this meafnre, must be confined
to the knowledge of a few individuals;
and these reflections, while they account
0 for the f.iccefs of this l'cheme with the le-
R giftature, serve also to render more necefta
|2 ry, the explanation proposed in the pro-
I grefs of this number. In order to thefor-
I tnation of a correft decision on this occa
-1 fion, it becomes neceflary to recapitulate
fafts, not generally undtrftood, and hi
therto indeed alfiduoufly concealed.
It will be recollefted by all who fuffer
themselves to refleft on the fubjeft, that
the fitting of the legislature in January
ninety-nine, was from the peculiar cir
cumstances which attended it, protrafted
to an uncommon and extraordinary length.
To tlte revision of the constitution which
almost immediately preceded it, and in
which many things were left open to le
-0 giflative decision, is chiefiy to be aferibed,
I the increnfe in the number of laws enaft-
I ed, and the extension of the journal?, be-
I yond their ordinary limits. Taking into
I view the aforementioned circumstances,
i and supported by the opinions of those,
I vvhofe pursuits have led them to acquire
I information on this fubjeft, it would not
1 I apprehend, be difficult to (hew, that the
| requisition of the legislature, with refpeft
I to the period, at which the public print
ing fliould be completed, was rather the ‘
fanciful effeft of their individual wishes,
than the serious result of their collefted ex
pectations. When therefore, the agent of
Mr. M‘Millan, had received payment for
•the laws, (which were finiflied within the
stipulated period) at the price contracted
for, well aware of the impossibility of com-
I pleting the journals, at the time fpecificd
I in the requisition of the legislature; he ap-
I plied to the Governor for his advice and
| iuftruftion, as to the propriety of com-
I mencing them. After a very considerable
I and equally unneceflary delay, he was
I authorifed to proceed, and if the faith of
I the Executive, unequivocally pledged,
I were not liable to mutability, the payment
I of the money was fufficiently secured.
I What then was the result? Was he fatisfied
J with the direst violation cf a positive en
I gagement ? Did he not go further, and
I were not the mofHin warrantable measures
I employed for the purpose of procuring a
H legiftat'vc fanftion to these proceedings?
jl I answer in the affirmative; and the dec-
By laration of his Excellency in the lobby
jS of the Reprefentatlve Chamber, in the
*1 Course of the lift feflion, that the journals
S] of that house were but just completed, is
6| indeed a melancholy evidence of the truth
El of this aflertion. For mv own lake, for'the
fake of my country, I could uifh it were
other wile. Yetis it nevertheless a faft,
ns in support of which, it is at all times easy
H to procure adequate testimony, that these
journals, wire published some time before
the late general eleftion, and that the Prin
ter, had even exceeded in this instance the
terms of his contrast, by Peeking opportu
nities of transmitting them to the different
counties, several of whom had actually re
ceived them previously to that period.
Let us in the retrofpeftive contempla
tion of this ftateinent, examine the conse
quences, which w ill result from its efta
bliftiment. The recapitulation is glaring
ly marked with inconsistency and error.—
If the failure of Mr. M'Millan, in comple
ting the journals, at the stipulated time,
were fufficient in the firft instance, to in
validate the contrast, and to release the
state, from the liability, originally attached
to it, the delivery of a portion of the con
sideration money, and the fojifequent au
thority by the Executive, to proceed in
their completion, with the engagement of
paying the remainder at the price contrac
ted for, was Purely an adequate acknow
ledgment of itsaftual validity—The nega
tive of tliis conclusion is fraught with con
sequences, the most alarming, and danger
ous. It carries with it, the annihilation of
general and individual contracts—lt is in
its nature, deftruftive of the strongest ties
by which man is bound to his fellow man,
the public faith of the government, and the
moral honesty of the citizen.
This position, theoretically uncontro
vertible, and manifeft from the praftice,
of each fuccellive period of our lives, is
ftrikinglv depifted in the fubjeft before
us. Resting on the consciousness of a
proper exertion, for the difeharge of his
own engagements, the agent of Mr.
M Millan, aware of the impossibility of a
literal compliance, with his contrast, ap
plies to the supreme tiding power of the
state, for his further iuftruftion. If con
ceiving himfelf bound by the obligations,
which were imposed by his situation, he
had at this time advantaged himfelf of the
failure in the undertaker, and had declared
to him, his intention of not adhering in
behalf of the state, to the original terms of
the contrast ; if he had even remained
silent, and had not expressly authorifed the
procedure, by the fan&ion of his approba
tion, the state might well have availed her
felf of Mr. M‘Mil!ans imperfeft perform
ance. Such t conduft, if not aftually
confiftcnt with the generosity of a free peo
ple, would have efc iped at all events, the
imputation, of violating the firft principle
of social intercourse, and the envenomeu
tongue, of calumny itfelf, would not then
have dared to whisper, what may now with
certainty be proclaimed aloud, th.t the
state of Georgia, lias deluded an individu
al into an expensive contrast, for which
lhe has refufed to compensate, in the ori
ginal terms of her own particular stipu
lation.
A few general obfervntions, addrefle.l to
the public at large, will dole this epistle.
Man is from nature, the most helpless, and
by praftice the most alert, of the Creators
works. The vveaknefs of extended infan
cy, and the gradually acquired powers, of
approaching manhood, form in the strong
features of contrast, a well drawn refem
hlance of his charafter. Compelled to
receive alfiftance, in the simplicity of in
fantine pursuits, and habitually accustom
ed to bestow, what his own necessities have
demanded, the firft principles of social in
tercourse, are interwoven in the very na
ture and constitution of man, are indelibly
imp re fled by the hand of omnipotence
It is unneceflary to trace further, the r :f *
1 mary sources of society. Suffix ft my fel
low-citizens, that ite firft principles, are
coeval with the existence of man, and are
unalterable as his nature on which they de
pend —As then the objeft of individual
obedience, is the attainment of individual
security—As the relinquishment of private
privilege, is intended solely to give effica
cy to public protection—As at the enlight
ened period in which you live, and under
the anfpices of a constitution, which may
with juliice be entitled, the apparent ulti
matum of governmental prefeftabilitv, the
exercise of individual right is secured by
the unalienable principles pf the general
compaft—You cannot lurely fit down in
the lift'idVnefs of indolent inaftivitv, and
tamely submit to the illegal extension of
power. You cannot relinquifti without
an effort, the privileges for which your
fore-fathers,and younelvs have contended.
You cannot barter for individual ambition,
thole dear bought rights, which posterity
will claim at your hands—Will you not
rather arming yourtelves with the law, and
the constitution of your country, and con
fiding in the justice of a righteous cause,
declare to your public servants, in the ex
pressive language of inspiration, “ thus far
{hall you go, and no farther?”
JUNIUS.
MAyle HAD AT THIS OFFICE,
Apprentices’ Indentures,
Blank Bills of Sale.
Mejjrs. Randolph t# Bunce,
I OBSERVED in Mr. Smiths paper
of the 25th inst. a piece calculated inttn
tionaly by the author to injure my reputa
tation, respecting the ginning of Cotton,
signing bin felf B. who this B. is I know
not, and but little do I care, for a man
that will attempt to injure anothers repu
tation and dare not own his name, both
himfelfand productions are beneath the
notice of anv £>ood man.—Neitherfhould
I thus far have gone only, that some per
sons unknown to me might ftippofe by my
silence I was guilty of what he charges
me with, which I deny—l rather suppose
the said Mr. B. to be a deminitive wretch
in foie, body and estate, li ing in the up
per end of Broad-street, fouth fide, which
has of late years gained his fma 11 pittence
by trading with and taking advantages of
poor ignorant people and negroes, who
fold him small quantities of feed Cotton in
mill bags and baskets—But since Cotton
is principally ginned by themakers thereof,
and his funds not fufficient to purchase
it clean he feels the want of his small un
lawful gains which has occasioned the Did
B. to labour and grone hard and loud, hut
like Eafops mountain brought a mouse
only—The said Mr. B. recommends to the
merchants to purchase Cotton only in the
feed, in order that thereby he may once
more get in business, and recommends hav
ing it ginned in Augusta by honest men,
if the Countrymen are biger rogues than
there is in town, God help them all, for
there is room for great amendment—had
Mr. B. came from behind the screen and
owned his name like a man, I would have
pointed a few of them out with their
crimes, and dare fay that he would have
been included in the number, but as he
has not, I fliall take no further notice of
him or his produ&ion, only inform him
that he had better let other peoples business
alone, and fall on some new plan of honest
dealing, for he never will purchase any
leed Cotton in Augusta.
I am,
S. MARSHALL,
Os Columbia.
January 30, 1800.
Millinery IA Fancy Articles.
Mr. Munns,
Refpecftfully begs leave to acquaint the
LAD I Eli of AUGUSTA, and its invirctts,
That he has opened an elegant aflbrtment of
Fajhionable MiLitury & Fancy
GOODS.
At his Store opposite Mr. J. M'lvers, in
BROAD-STREET.
—CONSISTING OF—
SUWARROW, }
Grecian, and > BONNETS.
Melon Crown y
Also a great variety of
Pipe and colored Straw Bonnets,
Schencle, Dunftable
and Chip do.
trimmed in the newest taste,
Ladies’ and Gentlemens’ Beavers,
Gold and Silver Fringe and Trimming'
Silk, Cotton and Schencle, d'~
Handfomc Wreaths and F ! '*‘ ers »
Ostrich Feathers of s> u Ain<^s >.
plain and
Black White, Lace and Edgings,
A HANDSOME ASSORTMENT OF
FASHIONABLE RIBBONS ,
White, Kid and other Gloves,
Shoes well afiorted,
Elegant dress Fans,
Pealan Sattins, colored Crapes,
Luteftrings and Mantuas,
Hofierv remarkably cheap,
Jaconet, Striped, Tambored, and
Lappet Muslin, Plain and colored,
White Shawls, handsomely fringed,
Camels Hair, do. do.
White, Colored, Clouded, and
Flad Silk Handkerchiefs.
A great variety of
Necklaces and Lockets,
Ear Drops and Thread Cases,
Cheap Calicoes, Ginghams,
Printed Muslin and Dimities,
Iriflt Linens and Humhums,
of all prices, well laid in,
And will be fold at low prices for Cash
only.
N. B. A handsome Chaise and Harness
complete, to be fold. Enquire as above.
January 29. (29 ts)
NOTICE.
A LL persons indebtedto the fubferiber
either by Bond, Note or open ac
count, are requested to come forward and
fett’e the fame, otherwise they will be pla
ced in the hands of an Attorney without
diferimination for colle&ion.
Jeremiah Wood.
February 5. (ts. 30.)
C. Magnan, & Co.
AT THEIR STORE
BROAD-STREET,
Next door to Mr. Wm. Kennedy.
Have Received per the Two Sifters, Sfa
her de/s, Hunt refs , Amazon and Dean
FROM NEW-YORK.
The Following
GOODS;
Which they offer for cash, tobacco and
COTTON.
Among which are, —•_
W HIT ci;r d sreen iw - -
White, blue, black and yellow Flannel.
Duffil and striped Blanketing, ’
Rose Blankets,
Wide & narrow Cloths of various-colours
Superfine do. do.
Baizes, Svvanfdowns,
Caffimeres and Toilewets,
Corduroys and Thicksets,
Plain and Corded Dimities,
Muflinets,
Printed Quiltings,
Twilled Sacking,
Bagging, ■
Rudia and Irish white & brovrn Sheetings
Shirting, 61
Bordered Muslin and Cambrick Handksr
ceiefs and Shawls,
Tambored, Jackonet & Book Muslins,
French Cambricks aflorted,
Cotton and Linen Checks,
Brown Flolland,
Dowlas and Table Cloths,
Printed Callico and Muslins,
Chintz and fancy Furniture,
Ginghams,
Durants, Bombazets, Calimancoes and
Fustians,
Laces, Edgings, Ribbons and Threads,
Men’s, Women’s silk, cotton and worded
Hose,
Fancy and leather Gloves,
Mens’ womens’ and childrens’ shoes,
Ladies flippers and sandals,
Hats of all kinds,
Shop and seine Twine,
Plow Lines and Bed Cords,
Crockery Ware,
London Pewter,
Japan and Hardware,
Cutlery,
Spades and Hoes,
Bar Lead and fliot,
Fowling Pieces and Pistols,
Gun and Piftoi Locks,
Gun-Powder,
Paints of all kinds,
Lintfeed Oil in jugs and calks,
Sweet Oil,
Carpenters and shoemakers TOOI3,
Taylors flieers,
Hair sieves,
Loaf and Brown Sugar,
Jamaica Rum,
Weft-India do
Northward
Coen’— brandy,
jzufland Gin,
Apple Brandy in Bbla.
Cherry Brandy,
Claret in Bottles,
White Wine Vinegar,
Madeira, "J
•TeneTfee, [ WINES ‘
And Porte 3
Bohea, }
Souchong, f TEAS _
Hylon and £
Gunpowder 3
Coffee,
Pepper,
Alfpice,
Rappee in Bottles, &c. &c.
January 22. (ts. 23.)
M. F. Houghton,
Begs leaze to inform his Friends and the
that he has received from London
Liverpool,
A LARGE SUPPLY OF
Winter GOODS
Well adopted for the present Seafon.l
Which he is determined to dispose oil
the ninft reduced prices for cash, cottoß
TOBACCO, BEES WAX, TALLOW, BUTT®
or DEER SKINS. I
January 29. (ts. 29J1
IRISH LINEN!
FOR SALE. I
4 Boxes 7-8 Irish Linens
Aflorted, and at a low advance for cas*l
Wm. WHITE I
November 13.