Sunken Treasure, Counterfeits, and Prohibition
New-York, Jan. 12. [1786]
We have learned from an informant in St. Johns that about three weeks ago, the infamous American traitor, BENEDICT ARNOLD, arrived off the coast in his own brig. He was bound for the port with a cargo worth nearly £30,000. While he was in this critical situation, a clash of the elements arose, which baffled the generalship of this former soldier both as a warrior and a Christian. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the accumulated REWARDS of TREASON and MURDER were quickly deposited in the bowels of the ocean.
Our informant further adds that the town and the countryside surrounding St. Johns are almost entirely deserted by their new inhabitants, the refugees. Nearly 3,000 of them have recently packed off; some out of a distaste for the government and the country, and others out of sheer necessity. It seems the high-handed, arbitrary measures of their rulers are intolerable, and their uncultivated lands do not produce enough bread to prevent the hungry from starving.
We have learned that, as a result of the circulation of large quantities of counterfeit copper coins sent from Europe throughout this city and its environs, the city's Chamber of Commerce has resolved to cause the specific act provided for this situation to be fully enforced.
Extract of a letter from Wilmington (Delaware), dated Jan. 4.
"From a private letter from Baltimore, we learn that on the 23rd of last month, a dreadful fire broke out there, which consumed three two-story houses as well as several smaller buildings. Three thousand dollars in coin were melted in one of the houses. This accident occurred when hot embers were thrown into a cask in the cellar, which caught fire and spread the flames to the floor. Three or four people narrowly escaped with their lives, having lain in their beds until they were nearly suffocated; they were dragged from the impending danger by the timely aid of some friendly hand."
It must be pleasing to the friends of America to be informed that, in consequence of the prohibition on importing books into the state of Pennsylvania, a printing of 25,000 copies of the New Testament will shortly be struck off in Philadelphia, having hitherto been supplied by other countries. What quantities of cash might be saved to THIS STATE, were a similar prohibitory act in force here!
A great clamor has now been raised in New Jersey regarding a printing of paper money. Their papers are filled with arguments both for and against it, and petitions are industriously circulated by each party to win their point. However, a majority appears to favor it, which not only entitles them to the NOTICE of the Legislature, but an absolute CLAIM to compliance with their requisition.
A new and promising manufactory has recently been established by Messrs. Gillet de la Vallee and Co. at Packer's Falls, New Hampshire, under the patronage of the Honorable Major-General Sullivan, at whose house we are informed the manufacturers currently reside. The benefits the United States will derive from the encouragement of domestic manufacturing are as numerous and important as they are obvious—no one, therefore, in whose breast one spark of patriotism is alive, will withhold encouragement from such laudable efforts to benefit our country.
Concluding sentence of a speech in the Assembly of Frankland:
"It was a good resolution of an ancient ruler that he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than dwell in a place enjoying sinful power. At this time, and in this country, who is it that possesses a soul attuned to right notions of glory and fame that would not prefer the praise of freemen, and of thousands yet unborn, over wearing the shackled chains of aristocratic patronage?"
Poughkeepsie, January 19
We are pleased to inform the public that, in order to prevent unfair advantages previously taken by some, the merchants and most residents of this town have agreed to adopt the practice of receiving and paying all copper coins at the rate of FOURTEEN to a shilling.
All persons who entered into debts with the undersigned before the year 1778, and who still owe balances recorded on the books, bonds, or notes, are earnestly requested to settle these accounts immediately. The need for prompt payment, it is hoped, will be properly considered, as failure to do so will leave the subscriber no choice but to place the unsettled accounts in the hands of an attorney, a measure he would much prefer to avoid.
Richard Cantillon.
January 19, 1786.
Arrangements will be made to meet and settle these matters on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays each week until the first of next April, at the stores of Cantillon and Stoutenburgh, seven miles north of Poughkeepsie.