The Olden Time Series Volume IV Part 11

_SALEM FRIGATE_.

*** Proposals therefor, will be received from any Smith, sealed and directed to

JOHN JENKS.

_Salem, Nov. 21._

In the "Gazette" of Oct. 1, 1799, appears the following brief account of the launching of the "Ess.e.x;" also a communication in reference to the frigate.

Salem,

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1799.

Yesterday the FRIGATE ESs.e.x, of 32 guns, was launched from the stocks, in this town. She went into the water with the most easy and graceful motion, amidst the acclamations of thousands of spectators, and a federal salute from her guns on the hill, returned by an armed s.h.i.+p in the harbour, commanded by Capt.

Thomas Williams. The Committee acting for the subscribers, Col. Hacket, the superintendant, and Mr. Briggs, the master builder, have thus the satisfaction of producing to their country as fine a s.h.i.+p, of her size, as graces the American Navy. It is not yet known who will command her; but it is on all hands agreed that she is well calculated to do essential service to her country.

_COMMUNICATION._

_And_ ADAMS _said_, "LET THERE BE A NAVY!"

_and there was a Navy._

To build a Navy was the advice of our venerable sage. How far it has been adhered to, is demonstrated by almost every town in the United States, that is capable of floating a _galley_ or a _gun boat_.

Salem has not been backward in this laudable design. Impressed with a due sense of the importance of a Navy, the patriotic citizens of this town put out a subscription, and thereby obtained an equivalent for building a vessel of force. Among the foremost in this _good work_ were Messrs. DERBY and GRAY, who set the example by subscribing TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS each.

But alas! the former is no more--we trust his _good deeds follow him_.

Such was the patriotic zeal with which our citizens were impressed, that in the short s.p.a.ce of SIX MONTHS they contracted for the materials and equipment of a Frigate of 32 guns, and had her completed yesterday for launching. The chief part of the timber was standing but six months ago--and in a _moment_, as it were, "_every Grove descended_," to put in force the patriotic intentions of those at whose expense she was built.

Yesterday the Stars and Stripes were unfurled on board the Frigate ESs.e.x, and at 12 o'clock she made a majestic movement into her destined element, there to join her sister craft in repelling foreign aggressions, and maintaining the _Rights_ and _Liberties_ of a "GREAT, FREE, POWERFUL & INDEPENDENT NATION."

The concourse of spectators was immense; and the averted face of jacobinism was not seen depicted on the countenance of a single one;--but on the contrary, the heart-felt satisfaction of the beholders of this magnificent spectacle, was evinced by the concording shouts and huzzas of thousands, which reiterated from every quarter.

The unremitting zeal of Mr. BRIGGS, the Architect of this beautiful s.h.i.+p, cannot be too highly applauded. His a.s.siduity, in bringing her into a state of such perfection, in so short a time, ent.i.tles him to the grateful thanks of his country; and we fondly hope that his labours have not been spent in vain, for we may truly say that he has not _given rest to the sole of his foot_, since her keel was first laid.

The "Ma.s.sachusetts Mercury," Dec. 27, 1799, says:--

The frigate _Ess.e.x_, of 32 guns, capt. PREBBLE, sailed from _Salem_ on Sunday morning last for _Newport_. She saluted _Fort Pickering_, which returned the salute. She sails remarkably well.

At "No. 1, Honesty Side," Salem, dry goods were to be had in 1807.

_John H. Keith_

Informs the inhabitants of Salem and its environs, that on the 15th day of April next ensuing, he intends opening a Shop for the purpose of vending

Dry Goods,

_No 1, Honesty Side_.

Constantly for Sale, American, French, English, Italian, Dutch and India manufactures, from the coa.r.s.e _Tow Cloth_ to the fine _Cobweb Muslin_.--Said Keith will attend personally from the _sun's oriental ascension_ to its _occidental declination_.--To prevent a superfluity of _words_, he observes that there will be only one price for his goods at _retail_, and another for _wholesale_, and that _cash_ will be the staple commodity receivable at his bank. Bills of any of the States will be received, provided the stockholders are known to be good and _responsible men_. March 24.

_Salem Gazette_, April 3.

The "Worcester Spy" in 1797 had the following quaint advertis.e.m.e.nt:--

_Honesty is the best Policy._

THE Gentleman Night Walker, alias Night Villain, who of late has frequented the SLAUGHTER HOUSE of LEMUEL RICE, and taken therefrom a considerable quant.i.ty of FRESH BEEF, is informed, that if he comes forward, in a gentleman like manner, and settles for the same, his name shall not be exposed; but, if he neglects this friendly hint, he must shortly expect to be complimented by a WARRANT, which will give him that _reward his_ LABORS justly _merit_.

_Worcester, April 5th, 1797._

The "Grand Lodge." Paul Revere, master, has the following notice in the "Ma.s.sachusetts Centinel:"--

_Grand Lodge._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE OFFICERS and MEMBERS of the GRAND LODGE, and the Representatives of Lodges, are hereby requested to attend a Quarterly Communication at Concert-Hall in Boston, on the evening of Monday, the 9th March, at 7 o'clock.

By order of the Most Wors.h.i.+pful

PAUL REVERE, G. Master.

DANIEL OLIVER, G. Secretary.

Boston, Feb. 28, 5795.

A remarkable dog is on exhibition in Salem, March 24, 1807.

THE SAPIENT DOG.

_AT WAs.h.i.+NGTON-HALL_, TO-MORROW EVENING.

The extraordinary sagacity of this Animal, supercedes the necessity of puffing advertis.e.m.e.nts or exaggerated bills--that the Sapient Dog is a great curiosity, the Proprietor feels no hesitation in affirming, that his feats of activity are more various and pleasing than any preceding exhibition of a similar nature, all of which will be made manifest to every spectator, by his dexterity and precision in exhibiting the following performances--viz.

_He illuminates the Exhibition Room, himself, by Lighting his own Lamps._ By means of Typographical Cards, (in the same manner as a Printer composes,) _He Spells, and Reads Print or Writing._ By any person's watch in the company, _Tells the time of the Day,_ Both the hour and minutes--the date of the year, day of the month, and week, and distinguishes colours.