American Aurora
Page 26
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
ENVOY CALLENDER
Left this city on a tour to the westward. His business or destination is not known. But he was seen a few days since, near the 22d mile stone, on the Lancaster road … DRUNK.
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
Three French frigates are said to be on their way towards the American coast.
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
FOR THE AURORA ADVERTISEMENT EXTRAORDINARY! ! !
Orator M u m takes this very orderly method of announcing that a THINKING CLUB will be established in a few days at the sign of the MUZZLE in Gag street. The first subject for cogitation will be
“Ought a Free People to obey laws which violate the constitution they have sworn to support?”
N. B. No member will be permitted to think longer than fifteen minutes.
The Editors of newspapers in this city are requested to insert this important information.
The Constitution of the United States says that “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press,” but Congress have passed a law abridging the freedom of the press and therefore the Constitution is infracted. Quere, of what efficacy is a law made in direct contravention of the Constitution?
Today, John Adams approves and signs into law the federal Sedition Act:
AN ACT
In addition to the act entitled
“An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States.”
Be it enacted, &c., That if any persons shall unlawfully combine or conspire together with intent to oppose any measure or measures of the government of the United States … [&c.]
Sec.2. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall write, print, utter, or publish … any false, scandalous, and malicious writing or writings against the Government of the United States, or either House of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States with intent to defame … or bring them, or either of them, into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the good people of the United States … or to impede the operation of any law of the United States … or to resist, oppose or defeat any such law or act … then such persons, being thereof convicted, before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars and by imprisonment not exceeding two years …538
With Adams’ signature, it becomes a federal crime for any American to print, write, or speak criticism of the President, the federal government, or the Congress (though one can still criticize the Vice President!).539 Like the British monarch, John Adams now has Alien and Sedition Acts to silence his critics. John Adams:
I knew there was need enough of both, and therefore I consented to them …540
U.S. Secretary of State Timothy Pickering will be the enforcer.
War Measures … Today, John Adams approves and signs into law
AN ACT
To lay and collect a direct tax within the United States.
Be it enacted, &c., That a direct tax of two millions of dollars shall be, and hereby is, laid upon the United States … under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury … assessed upon dwelling-houses, lands, and slaves, according to the valuations and enumerations to be made pursuant to the act, entitled “An act to provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses, and the enumeration of slaves, within the United States” [signed by the President on July 9th].541
Today, Moreau de St. Méry writes in his diary,
I received a passport for myself, my wife and the children.
Antagonism against the French increased daily.
I was the only person in Philadelphia who continued to wear a French cockade.
Soon thereafter the Republicans, fearing acts of violence on the part of the Federalists, met secretly and took steps to defend themselves. Since I was a party to these meetings, I was given keys to two shelters in which I and my family could take refuge in case my own house should be attacked.542
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
“Envoy Callender” is gone to the Westward; and Fenno says he was met a few days ago near the 22 mile stone, DRUNK … [T]o do historical justice, he must bring himself under the gallows tree; and in that case, I hereby promise to put a finishing hand to the performance and publish it for the benefit of his friend BACHE, the Grandson of Old Franklin.
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Have the government the right or power to send the Federal Constitution out of the country as an Alien ?
War measures … More warships. Today, John Adams approves and signs into law,
AN ACT
To make a further appropriation for the additional naval armament.
Be it enacted, &c., That the sum of six hundred thousand dollars shall be, and hereby is, appropriated … to cause to be built and equipped three ships or vessels, to be of a force not less than thirty-two guns each …
More war measures … Today, Adams also approves and signs into law,
AN ACT
To augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted, &c., … That the President of the United States be and he is hereby authorized to raise, in addition to the present Military Establishment, twelve regiments of infantry and six troops of light dragoons, to be enlisted for and during the continuance of the existing differences between the United States and the French Republic …543
Today, the Second Session of the Fifth Congress of the United States of America adjourns (though the Senate will remain in executive session for three days to receive the President’s nominations of army officers). Republican congressmen who have remained at their posts, such as Edward Livingston (New York), Matthew Lyon (Vermont), and Albert Gallatin (Western Pennsylvania), will now depart.544 President and Mrs. Adams will also leave. Benny and I will remain.
Tonight, the Gazette of the United States reports restlessness in Virginia:
From a Gentleman in Virginia
TO the disgrace of our state, the spirit of opposition still runs high. The anti-governmental party … revives the animosity against our government. To accomplish these objects, our members of Congress have deluged the state with Auroras … Through the same channels of calumny, we have lately been informed that “JOHN ADAMS WAS AT THE HEAD OF THE MOB WHO ATTACKED BACHE’S HOUSE.” …
A VIRGINIAN
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The Legislature of the United States closed yesterday a very long and important session …
The misunderstanding between the United States and the French Republic is made use of to justify the enaction of odious laws. But what has this misunderstanding to do with a sedition or an alien bill? Will a sedition bill repress French aggressions or an alien bill make the Directory listen to our terms? … What has their conduct to do with our constitutional or our republican principles? … Let us not forget ourselves in our attention to others, and while our eyes are fixed upon distant dangers, let us not omit to turn them likewise to those which may menace us nearer home …
Persons pretending to the utmost liberality, professing the most unbounded toleration, and perpetually blubbering out praises on liberty, justice, and the rights of private opinion, are yet hourly supporting persecution for opinion’s sake… Dr. Franklin, in his celebrated examination, briefly told the English parliament that men’s opinions are not to be conquered !
Today, U.S. marshals arrest William Durrell, Republican editor of the Mount Pleasant Register in upstate New York, for criticizing the President of the United States. After posting a $4,000 bail, Durrell is released pending trial. Today’s edition of the Mount Pleasant Register is the last that will ever appear.545
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTIS
ER
NEWBURGH [New York] … A Liberty Pole is erected in this town with the following inscription thereon:
LIBERTY 1776 JUSTICE
THE CONSTITUTION INVIOLATE …
NO SEDITION ACT.
We hear that others have been erected at Blooming Grove, Montgomery, Goshen, Fish-kill, &c.
The ensuing trials for libels will determine whether the press is to be the palladium and centinel of liberty or the mere vehicle of madrigals, rhebus’ [pictures] and lampoons on the people …
[Adv.] PARLIAMENT SHIP FOR BORDEAUX
THE naval vessel ADRASTUS … currently at BRIGHT’s WHARF, between Sassafras and Vine streets, will depart for BORDEAUX [France] during the course of this month. Its construction is very solid … very appropriate for these crossings. Those who wish to profit from this favorable occasion will wish to act and engage passage at MESSRS. BOUSQUET Bros., No. 117 South First Street
Today, Moreau de St. Méry writes:
I engaged a passage on the Adrastes. Shortly afterwards, we learned that Mr. Adams, the President of the United States, has made a list of French people to be deported and that the list was headed by Volney … myself, etc., etc. I was sufficiently curious to question Mr. Adams through Mr. Langdon, [U.S.] senator from New Hampshire, to find out what I was charged with. He replied, “Nothing in particular, but he’s too French.” Now Mr. Adams had often come to my house, to my study and to my shop during his term as Vice President, and we had exchanged our books as gifts. But after he became President, I never saw him.546
Today, in the U.S. Senate, the Annals of Congress report:
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
Believing the letter received this morning from General Washington will give high satisfaction to the Senate, I transmit them a copy of it…
JOHN ADAMS
UNITED STATES, July 17, 1798
MOUNT VERNON, July 13, 1798
DEAR SIR:…[W]hen everything we hold dear and sacred is so seriously threatened, I have finally determined to accept the commission of Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of The United States …
Go: WASHINGTON…547
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
I nominate Alexander Hamilton, of New York, to be Inspector General of the Army, with the rank of Major General.
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, of South Carolina, to be a Major General …
Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, to be a Brigadier General …
William Stevens Smith, of New York, to be adjutant General … [&c.]
JOHN ADAMS548
John Adams is nominating leading Federalists to command the new federal army. Alexander Hamilton, founder of the Federalist party, will be second in command (behind Washington). C. C. Pinckney is the Federalist whom Washington appointed and France rejected as James Monroe’s successor as minister to France. Jonathan Dayton is the Federalist Speaker of the House, who expelled Benny Bache and me from the House floor. William Smith is John Adams’ son-in-law.
Today, John Adams writes some citizens:
No light or trivial cause would have given you the opportunity of beholding your WASHINGTON again relinquishing the tranquil scene in delicious shades.—To complete the character of French philosophy and French policy at the end of the eighteenth century, it seemed to be necessary to combat this PATRIOT and HERO.549
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
On Monday last, in consequence of an order from the PRESIDENT to the French Consul in New York to cease his functions, the arms of the Grande Nation were taken off from over his door.
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
The Secretary of War arrived in town yesterday morning from Mount Vernon.
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Something like treason by the new bill.
Some time ago, there were people so wicked as to think America could not have a worse man for President than Gen. Washington; but we learn that they have since, from the most complete conviction, acknowledged the error of their opinion.
FOURTH OF JULY. SELECTION OF TOASTS …
Celebration in Montgomery (N.Y.) … Benjamin Franklin Bache and the Republican Printers throughout the United States. [M]ay their virtues be rewarded with the applause of their country and may they never bow to Baal or worship the Golden Calf.
Benny will neither bow nor run. Not so with New York Time Piece publisher James Smith. Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
Doctor Smith and Burk. The two editors of the Time Piece it seems have had a squabble … Last Friday morning, it seems Burk had written for one of the papers a most violent invective against the President, had got it set in type, and was proceeding to correct the proof sheet when Dr. Smith came into the office. Burk, being delighted with the production began to read it aloud to his coadjutor, but he had not more than finished the first paragraph before Smith interrupted and told him it would not do, it was going too far and would even work a forfeiture of their recognizance [guarantee to the court of their good behavior]. Burk flushed up in the face and told him his fears were childish, that as to the forfeiture of their recognizance, suppose it did, it was nothing to them, it would not be left for them to pay, that the piece was well written … Smith shook his head and said it was indeed going too far … in short that it should not appear in the paper … Burk … swore by G-d the piece should appear. Smith pulled off his spectacles and called Burk a dam’d rascal and an unprincipled alien … Burk gnashed his teeth and retorted the language with tenfold recrimination … On this Smith laid hold of a handful of types all covered with ink and threw them dab into Burk’s face—Burk returned the compliment with the same ammunition … Burk in his zeal to defend himself had not once thought of his piece which in the end he found scattered all over the office and was irretrievably distributed; it became necessary instantly to repair the loss with other matter, and this accounts for the late hour at which the Time Piece was delivered last Friday morning.
The government’s prosecution of James Smith has intimidated him. As Poor Richard observed,
Without justice, courage is weak. 550
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Extract of a letter from Norfolk … “Our noble president was burnt in effigy in Williamsburgh on the 4th of July by the students of William and Mary College and a troop of cavalry—He was exhibited in the act of receiving a loyal address and looking among a budget of ready-made answers for one in return.”
A Federal fire company has expelled Thomas Adams, printer of the [only Republican paper in Boston, the Independent] Chronicle from their company: as no reason is assigned for it, we must suppose it was for some such reason as that for which the republicans of this city have been threatened with loss of their licenses—not subscribing to the good royal doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance.
Today, the Time Piece of New York City announces its demise as a Republican newspaper:
The Subscribers to the Time Piece are … to take notice that no libelous or inflammatory matter shall be inserted in [this] paper in [the] future … and that [I] will not be answerable for any debts contracted by Mr. [John Daly] Burk on account of the Time Piece from the date hereof.
JAMES SMITH
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1798
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
There was a time, Citizens, when … we flattered ourselves that the liberty of the press was a right too dear to Americans to be resigned with tameness and too firmly secured to be violated with impunity. We will not say that time is past, but we will say that, under … an exaggerated and mischievous system of alarm and pretexts of order and submission to the Laws, we have seen a system maturing, openly hostile to the spirit of freedom, and measures carried in the face of our Const
itution;—for what?—to screen from scrutiny the conduct of your own government … To the laws of our country we owe that profound submission which a Republican will never withhold. But to the constitution … we owe duties still more sacred, and these we will never violate …
Such are our sentiments with respect to the present unwarrantable system of legalized terror with which we are menaced. But this is not all;—personal violence is threatened and insolent suggestions held up to deter! … [T]hey will come in vain …
A number of boys a few evenings ago collected a band of HURDY gurdys, conch shells, pot lids and salt boxes with a view to compliment an amiable young lady … but the musicians were prevailed upon to retire—to the great joy of the young lady and the neighborhood!
A few days ago, a French citizen, in passing Water street, was assaulted by four or five persons … From his hat they tore a [tri-colour] national cockade forcibly away … [T]his gentleman … served with distinction in our revolutionary war and was twice wounded. At the storming of an important redoubt [fortified emplacement] at Yorktown, he was the first who leapt into the entrenchment … Americans, be just … Reflect that those Frenchmen now among you have many claims on your humanity …
Federalist crowds pursue Republican leaders. Today, Vermont Republican Congressman Matthew Lyon encounters one crowd after another as he passes through New Jersey in his return to Vermont. The Gazette of the United States reports: