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search of him; but, we understand, all their vigilance has hitherto been unsuccessful.

The Manhattan Company have offered a reward of five hundred dollars for his apprehension, and ten per cent. upon such part of the embezzled property as may be recovered.

TRENTON, AUGUST 29.

On Monday evening last a daring robbery was committed on the person of a Dutch gentleman from Surinam, in the upper part of this township, by a person of the name of Zebulon Phares. The gentleman had lately come into the country for the benefit of his health, and was on his way to the state of NewYork, in the mail stage, where Phares came across him; who, after introducing himself by familiar conversation, very kindly invited the gentleman to spend a day or two at his house, which, he said, was near Trenton, to which the gentleman, after some hesitation, consented. On crossing the Delaware, they left the stage together, and walked five or six miles into the country, when coming intò a piece of woods in a by place, Phares caught the gentleman by the throat, and demanded his money, which he compelled him to give up, together with a number of trifling articles which he had about him, and a few pieces of wearing apparel. With these he immediately left the gentleman, and disappeared in the woods. The gentleman sought an asylum in the first house he could find, which was that of Mr. Israel Moore, where he lodged that night. On the following morning a warrant was issued by Andrew Reeder, Esquire, for the apprehension of the perpetrator, and by the activity of the people of the neighbourhood he was taken in the course of the day, and a number of the articles found upon him alleged to have been stolen; he was of course committed to Flemington goal to take his trial at the next court of Oyer and Terminer.

BOSTON, AUG. 30. Fire at Nahant.

On the 27th inst. midnight, the inhabitants of Lynn were alarmed with the cry of fire. On awaking from their slumbers, the awfully distressing spectacle of Johnson's Hotel at Nahant, enveloped in flames, presented itself to their view, which, in a short period was entirely consumed. So rapid was the conflagration, that the family escaped only with their lives, not being able to preserve the smallest article of furniture, or even of rai

ment.

SEPT. 1.

Came on before the hon. John Sloss Hobart, judge of the court of the United States for this district, the trial of a young man of the name of William H. Burredge, lately employed in the post-office of this city. The charge was published

some time since....it was that of

purloining a letter, enclosing bank notes to the amount of 800 dollars, the property of Mr. Jolin D. Martin. He pleaded guilty to the in

dictment.

The punishment was mitigated on account of the youth and contrition of the delinquent; he was sentenced to thirty stripes, and to suffer six months imprisonment.

It may be of use to observe, that this crime of letter-stealing is one which the laws of the United States consider highly atrocious, and treat with great severity. For the first offence the punishment in extent is thirty-nine lashes and ten years imprisonment; but a second conviction of robbing the mail, is punished with death.

flour inspected in Fredericksburg,
The following is the quantity of
(Virg.) from the 1st of September,
1802, until the same date 1803, viz.

Superfine.............41,627
Fine................... .12,944
X Middlings..........1,461

Total....56,032

NEW-BRUNSWICK, SEPT. 1. The following unfortunate circumstance happened at Matchipo

nix, Middlesex county, on Sunday morning last....A well had been dug the week before on a farm belonging to Mr. Cornelius Johnson, fiftyone feet deep. On the morning above-mentioned, Samuel Garritson, a tenant on the place, who dug the well, attempted, with the assistance of his son, to let down his son-in-law, William Brown, in a bucket, who, when he had descended about twenty feet, called to those above to lower away; a few moments after which they discovered that he had fallen out of the bucket to the bottom of the well....upon which Mr. Garritson was let down by his wife and son to the assistance of his son-in-law; when he had got down about the same distance, he also called out to lower away; he also fell out of the bucket when within about six feet of the bottom: a trial was then made with a lighted candle, which went out after it descended ten feet, and no person dare go down to their relief. Garritson continued to groan for more than half an hour, but there was no possibility of getting him out; they were afterwards taken up by grapplings and their remains interred. Thus were two honest, industrious and respectable men, snatched from their families and connexions when least expected.

Philadelphia.....The prosperity and growing wealth of our country, must be evident to the most common observer who will view the surprising increase of our cities and villages within a few years, and the change that has taken place in the whole face of the country, including many new and extensive settlements, in parts that were lately wilderness.

As an evidence of the monied wealth of Philadelphia alone, there have been lately established two new Insurance Companies, and a Bank, which will together embrace a sum of nearly two millions of dollars.

Under these circumstances, and as the welfare of agriculture and commerce mutually depend on each

other, and as there is a competition between the states of NewYork and Maryland, for a participation in the trade of Pennsylvania, would it not be good policy in our citizens to endeavour to promote an union of town and country capital. for the improvement of water carriage and roads generally, either by a new establishment for that purpose, or by engrafting an increased capital and plan on some one of those already existing, with the consent of the present stockholders.

This would produce a concert of measures, that might doubtless be highly beneficial to the whole trade.

We are told that a fund and institution of a private nature, somewhat of the kind proposed, is in contemplation by a company of landholders, for the improvement of their back lands. Whatever may be proposed in this way, is no doubt intended to be done with the approbation of the legislature, and will be something more solid, than the wild schemes of the extravagant landjobbers of 1794 and 1795.

NEWBERN, SEPT. 2.

On Wednesday last, this town was visited by the most violent storm of wind and rain, which has been experienced in many years. The day before, the appearance of the weather was extremely threatening; and about three o'clock in the morning of Wednesday it became alarming. Many persons who had property on the wharves, saved it, but notwithstanding every precaution great damage was done. The greatest sufferers on this occasion were Mr. Thomas Turner, and Mr. John Harvey; the former had his warehouses carried off, which were filled with pork, and other articles of value, and the latter, we learn, lost about sixteen hundred bushels of salt, &c. Several vessels which attempted to go up the river, ran ashore, and it will be with great difficulty that some of them will be got off.

The storm began about three o'clock in the morning, with the wind at N. E. and continued with increased fury, till about 4 o'clock in the evening, when the wind shifted to the westward, and checked its havock. It is supposed, that the water rose about nine feet perpendicular. A small negro girl was drowned.

SEPT. 7.

In the late storm there have been five vessels cast away in Edenton Sound, and none of the crews saved. There have been six dead bodies taken up, that floated on the beach, and some casks of wine; the latter belonged to Robert Armistead of this place, and was shipped at Norfolk, but we know nothing more of the vessels, than that the hulls are seen floating about. There are some women's as well as men's clothes found floating. We have not heard from the bar yet, but it is thought there are a great many vessels cast away there."

Frederick County, Sept. 4, 1803.

On Friday, the 2d inst. a most daring murder and robbery were committed on the main road from Strasburg, (Virginia) to Staunton. From the papers found about the body of the person murdered, he is supposed to be from Philadelphia; his name is William C. Simonton, or Simmerton; he rode in a chair which is marked on the back with the letter S. The chair was drawn by a bay horse, on whom no brand was perceivable. The property left by the atrocious murderer, and found about the body of the deceased, is all secured....it consists of one hundred and forty-five dollars in bank notes, four dollars in silver, and four and a half pence; a box of medicines, and some wearing apparel. It appears that he was travelling to the Sweet or Warm Springs. It would, perhaps, be an act of benevolence to have the contents of this letter inserted in the public prints, in order that the relations of the deceased may know his unfortunate fate, and get the property which he has left."

Being in Shenandoah county on Friday evening last, I was informed that a most atrocious murder and robbery had been committed on the body of a travelling gentleman, a little above Stoverstown, on the main road. Impelled by curiosity as well as duty, I rode with several gentlemen to view the body, early on yesterday morning.

Upon examination, we found that he had received a violent blow upon the head, just above the left ear.... the contusion was as large as the palm of a man's hand. There were several other wounds on the head, and a bruise on the breast. The attack was made about nine o'clock, A. M. not more than two hundred and seventy paces from Mr. Jacob Snapp's, and he expired about twelve. He was found weltering in his blood, a few minutes after, by two Germans; when they came up, they inquired "what was the matter?" He replied, "that he had been robbed by a negro or mulutto man," and immediately fainted. One of these strangers ran to Mr. Snapp's, whilst the other remained with him. The alarm was immediately given, and notice sent to P. Spangler, a magistrate, who made use of every exertion to discover the perpetrator of this horrid crime, but without effect. Two persons are suspected, one a mulatto fellow, who, it appears, was travelling towards Rockingham, and lives at Holker's plantation, in this county; the other calls himself James Scott, a free mulatto, who has lived some time near Middletown. Pursuit was made after the first, but, by the information of some travellers, it appears, the fellow had left the road, and was not taken early yesterday morning. Scott was apprehended on suspicion, examined before two magistrates, and committed to jail: I however incline to think he is not guilty, and that it is more probable that the first mentioned fellow committed the murder. He is said to be a tall dark mulatto, stoops much in his walk, blind of an eye, and was

dressed in coarse linen clothes; carried a budget, and a large club. The stick with which the murder was committed, was a dead hickory. It was found near the deceased, with the hair remaining to the big end from the violence of the blow. I am informed the above described fellow, was noticed to have used such a club as a walking-stick.

I requested to examine the papers in the pocket-book of the deceased, and found one hundred and forty-five dollars in bank notes, and four dollars and six cents in silver. It appears that his name was William C. Simonton; and that a commission of bankruptcy had issued against him in Philadelphia, in December last; that he was in a declining state of health, and on his way to the Sweet-Springs. It is highly probable that the assassin missed his object, and that he was routed before he could plunder his victim. He took nothing but a trunk, which was lashed behind the chair in which he travelled, probably containing nothing but clothing.

S. KERBHEVAL.

N. B. An inquest was taken on the body, before Capt. Spangler's, yesterday, and the jury pronounced it a most atrocious, wilful, and malicious murder, perpetrated by the hand of a mulatto man, by the information of the deceased, but by which particular person was not known to the jurors.

SEPT.8.

The foundation stone of St. John's Church, which is to be erected on the east side of Hudson-square, was laid by the right rev. Bishop Moore, in the presence of the members of the corporation of Trinity Church, the workmen who are to be employed in the building, and many spectators who attended on the occasion. The ceremony of laying the stone was succeeded by a short address by Bishop Moore; and the whole solemnity was concluded by prayer for the divine benediction on their present undertaking.

NORFOLK, SEPT. 8. Tuesday came on the trial of negroes George and Charity, before the magistrates of Princess Ann county, under a charge of attempting to poison the whole of the white family of Thomas Lawson, Esq. of said county; the charge being fully proven, they were condemned to be hanged on the seventh of October next.

the late papers as a runaway, and The negro fellow advertised in committed to the jail of this borough under the name of John (but whose real name is Peter) was yesterday delivered to a guard of citizens from Gates county, North-Carolina, to take his trial for the murder of a young man in the employ of Mr. Daniel Southall at Gates county court-house, about eight weeks since. He was outlawed by the government of that state, and a reward of seven hundred dollars ofanother black man, who is not yet fered for apprehending him and taken.

NEW-YORK, SEPT. 9.

This morning about half past four o'clock a fire broke out in the bake

house of Simon Frazer, in Cliff near John street, which before it was extinguished destroyed eleven front and four back buildings, four of which were brick. In consequence of the deserted state of the city, and particularly in that neighbourhood, the fire had made great progress before a sufficient number of firemen and citizens were collected to arrest its progress. Fortunately it was a perfect calm or its ravages might have spread destruction to a much greater extent. Many families have lost their all....several of the occupants had removed to the country. We have not learnt all the names of the sufferers....The following are among them: Simon Frazer, bake-house; Mr. M'Kee, brick-house, grocer, corner of John and Cliff-streets; Mr. Bukce, cooper, dwelling-house, Cliff-street; Michael Bloomer, pilot, dwellinghouse, corner of Cliff-street; Mr.

Cairnes, chair-maker, Cliff-street; W. Kersheitt, silver-smith, Johnstreet; Mr. M'Cleod, dwellinghouse, Cliff-street; Widow Baily, dwelling-house, do. Dr. Fargures, dwelling-house, in John-street; Mr. Hazlet, chair-maker's shop, do.

On Wednesday evening last, as one of the hearse-men was entering the alms-house gate his attention was attracted by a bundle, which on examination he found to contain an infant mulatto child. He took it into the alms-house, and also an old negro woman who was near the spot, and who appeared from her

actions to entertain no little concern for its fate. Great pains were taken to induce her to disclose the author of so brutal and unfeeling an act, but to no purpose. The child is about a week old, and was very abundantly supplied with cloathing.

September 13.

About eight o'clock, a smoke was discovered bursting out of the windows of the house lately occupied by Mr. Kelso, No. eighty-four, Fairstreet. On entering the house a straw bed was found on fire in the middle of the floor of the lower room, and in a few minutes the house would have been enveloped in the flames. It has been evacuated for three weeks past by Mr. Kelso's family, and there remains no doubt of its being the work of some incendiary.

Frost has been known in Hudson every month in the year excepting July and a few days past was perceived in the vicinity of this city to have damaged some vegetables.

FISHKILL, SEPT. 12

On Monday evening last, myself and Underhill Budd,of Philipstown, discovered one Nathaniel Searls, who had passed two counterfeit dollars in said Budd's store. We immediately pursued and took the fellow before esqrs. Neilson and Horton, and on interrogating him, he brought out four others, whom we also pursued and took, and on Tuesday evening we committed three of

VOL. I....NO. I.

them to jail at Poughkeepsie, but Nathaniel Searls and his brother Joseph Searls unfortunately made their escape. Nathaniel is about five feet three or four inches high, light complexion and light hair; had on a light blue coat, red and brownish striped vest, and I think wears his hair tied. Joseph is about five feet six inches high. I cannot give a particular description of him, as he made his escape while I was securing the principal coiner in his chamber. After Mr. Budd and myself with a number of respectable citizens descended a cave of about sixty feet, three quarters of a mile east of John Warrens in the high-lands, we had the good luck to discover and take a pair of bellows, and all the implements and contrivances those villains made use of for coining dollars, with a number of dollars. A reward of fifty dollars will be paid with reasonable charges for securing both the said Searls, and confining them in jail or delivering them to the authority in Duchess county.

N. B. It is supposed they will go to the Neversink, or lurk in the mountainous country, in Smith's Cove.

THOMAS PALMER.

WINCHESTER, Sept. 13.

Scott, the mulatto fellow, who was committed to Shenandoah county jail, on suspicion of murdering and robbing William C. Simmerton, has partly confessed to be the perpetrator of that crime, by giving information where he had concealed those articles of clothing &c. of which he had robbed Mr. S. and search having been made accordingly, found its statement to be correct.

BALTIMORE, SEPT. 23.

This day the sun entered the sign of Libra; at the same time the planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and the Georgian planet or Herschel, are also in Libra; Venus and Saturn are both in the twenty-fourth degree of Virgo, but six degrees distant from the sun. Thus all the planets are nearly in conjunction

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