The Connecticut courant and Hartford weekly intelligencer — Hartford, Conn., 1775-04-03 00:00:00, page 2

WILLIAMSBUR G, March u.
To Col. Andrew Lewis, and Mr. John Bowyer.
Gentlemen,
FOR your part service, you have our thanks, and
we presume it is all the reward ye desire. Andas
we have again committed to you the greatest trust
we can confer (that of appearing for us in the great
council of the colony), we think it expedient ye hear
our sentiments on this important jundure. And
„firft, we require you to represent us with hearts re
plete with the most grateful and loyal veneration for
the race of Brunswick, for they have been truly our
fathers ; and at the fame time the mod dutiful ref
ped for our Sovereign, of whose honest heart we
cannot entertain any diffidence : A set of mifereants,
unworthy to administer the laws of Britain's empire,
have been permitted impiously to sway. How un
justly, cruelly, and tyrannically, they have invaded
our rights, we need not now put you in mind. We
only fay, and we assert it with pride, that the fub
jeds of Britain are one ; and when the honest man of
Borton who has broken no law, has his property
wrested from him, the hunter on the Allegany must
take the alarm, and, as a Freeman of America, he
will fly to his representatives, and thus inftrud them:
" Gentlemen,my gun,my tomahawk, my life, I de
sire you to tender to the honour of my King and
country: but my LIBERTY, to range these woods
on the fame terms my father has done, is not mine
to give up ; it was not purchased by me, and pur
chased it was; it is intailed on my son, and the te
nure is sacred. Watch over it, Gentlemen, for to
him it must descend unviolated, if my arm can de
fend it ; but if not, if wicked power is permitted to
prevail against me, the original purchase was blood,
and mine shall seal the surrender.
That our countrymen, and the world may know
our disposition, we choose that this be published.
And we have one requert to add, that is, that the
SONS of WORTH and FREEDOM, who ap
peared for us at Philadelphia, will accept our mort
ardent faithful acknowlegments; and we hereby
plight them our faith, that we will religiously ob
serve their resolutions, and obey their in ftructions,
in contempt of power and temporary interert; and
should the measures they have wifely calculated for
our relief fail nue will fland prepared for ever, contin
gency. We are Gentlemen, your dutiful, &c."
The Freeholders of Botetourt.
P H I L A D E L P H I A, March 22.
Since our last, failed from this port, for Boflon, his
Majefy's Cutter Diana, Capt. Graves, with a large
quantity of Dollars Squeezed from the traders of this port,
for the maintainance of a hand of
dis every perfa that visits a place, leaves a charaßer
behind him, —A correspondent remarks, that the Captain
and Crew of the Diana have left that of men who rode at
the top of their commijfon, and ailed as if they thought it
entitled them to abuse every man they found trading in
this river, by word or actions, and defraying their pro
perty, though ftrialy obeying the laws, the observance of
which, they pretend, they arefent to protect.
NE W-YO R K, March 3 0.
Extract of alerter which came by the Beulah, from
London.
" They talk of fending more men, ships, &c. but
what is still worse, they hope to bribe you by large
contrasts---to divide you amongst yourselves ;
'they have already sent to some leading men, Go
^vernment contracts (as they call them) and hope to
^deceive you into a compliance Watch, therefore
your own people ;---fee that no man amongst you
^/accepts of any place, or enters into any contrast or
^agreement to supply the army or navy, and by that
^means becomes interested in deceiving you into a
' concert with them in their imposition. Many hun-
C dreds are ready to be pensioned on the American
Revenue: a fine booty for younger brothers !
Take care of yourselves."
Extract of a letter dated Borton, March 22.
" We are still without any of your favours, we
suppose for the fame reason as was mentioned in our
lart:---fince the army have found, that the Season is
part for nature's forming a bridge from hence, they
become abusive and insulting.--They are now finifh
ing their fortifications on the Neck, by picketing
on each fide.- -We propose to give you an account
of the maneuvers of our adversaries as they may
occur.---The 16th instant (being recommended by
the Provincial Congress, to be observed as a day of
filing and prayer,) on the morning of this day,
the society at the weft end of Borton, were greatly
dirturbed by a party of officers and soldiers of the
4th, or King's "own regiment. When the people
were assembling, they brought two markee tents,
and pitched them within ten yards of the meeting
house ; then sent for three drums and three fifes,and
kept them beating and playing till service was over:
Col. Maddifon present part of the time-^-iyth. In
the evening Col: Hancock's elegant feat, situate near
the Common, was attacked by a number of officers,
who, with their swords cut and hacked the fence
before his house in a molt fcandulous manner, and
TUHEREAS it is indifpenfibly necessary for
the fafety of a free people, and the preser
vation of their liberties, that they at all times keep
themselves in a rtate of actual defence, against every
invasion or depredation, and this colony being still
threatened by a powerful army ported in its capital,
witha profeffed design of executing certain ads of
the British Parliament, calculated to dertroy our
invaluable rights and liberties, & the government of
this colony, as by charter and law eftablilhed therein :
behaved very abusively, by breaking people's win
dows, and insulting almost every person they met.
18th. The Neck Guard seized 13,425 mufquet
cartridges with ball, (we suppose through the infor
mation of some dirty scoundrel, of which we have
now many among us) and about 300 lb. of ball,
which were carrying into the country ---this was pri
vate property.---The owner applied to the General
firft, but he absolutely refufed to deliver it.---They
abused the teamster very much, and run a bayonet
into his neck---The fame evening a number of of
ficers, heated with liquor (as is said) with drawn
swords, ran through the streets, like what they real
ly were, Madmen, cutting every one they met ; the
Stage Coach just arrived from Providence, parting
by, they attacked it, broke the glass, and abused
the passengers; the driver being a smart fellow
jumped off his feat, caught one of them(Capt. Gore,
of the sth) and some blows passed---when the offi
cer retired, not much to his credit.
Therefore, RESOLVED, That the measures that
have heretofore been recommended by this and the
former provincial congress, for the purpose of put
ting this colony into a compleat state of defence, be
still more vigorou fly pursued by the several towns,
as well as individual inhabitants ; and that any re
laxation would be attended with the utmost danger
to the libertes of this colony, and of all America;
especially as by the latest advices from Great-Bri
tain, we have undoubted reasons for jealousy, that
our implacable enemies are unremitting in their en
deavours by fraud and artifice, as well as by open
force, to subjugate this people; which is an ad
ditional motive to the inhabitants of this colony to
persevere in the line of conduct recommended by
the Congress; and be ready to oppose with firm
nefs and resolution, at the utmost hazard, every
attempt for that purpose.
Signed by order of the provincial Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
A true extract from the minutes,
Benjamin Lincoln Secretary.
(Circular) Whitehall, Jan 4, 1775.
SI R,
CERTAIN Persons styling themselves Delegates
of His Majesty's Colonies in America, having
presumed, without His Majesty's Authority or Con
sent, to assemble together at Philadelphia, in the
Months of September and October last ; and hav
ing thought fit, amongst other unwarrantable Pro
ceedings, to Resolve that it will be necessary, that
another Congress should be held in the fame Place,
on the 10th of May next, unless Redress for certain
pretended Grievances be obtained before that Time,
and to recommend that all the Colonies in North-
America should chufe Deputies to attend such Con
gress. lam commanded by the King, t© fignify
to you His Majesty's Pleasure, That you do use
your utmost Endeavours, to prevent any such Ap
pointment of Deputies, within the Colony under
your Government; and that you de exhort all Per
sons to defirt from such an unwarrantable Proceed
ing, which cannot but be highly displeasing to the
King. I am, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
DARTMOUTH.
BOSTO N, (Thursday) March 3 c.
Capt. Samuel Andrews, who arrived here on Tuesday
evening in seventeen days from St. Chrifopher, informs
us, that the day he left St. Chrifopher, a /hip arrived
there in five weeks from London, bound to 'Jamaica, the
Captain of which Jhip informed him, that an intimate
friend of his was in company with Lord North's brother,
and Mr. John Williams of this town, just before he left
London, these gentlemen informed him that his lordjbip
has told them, that be did not doubt but tlat American
affairs would Joon be fettled to the Jatisfaßion of the Ame
ricans ; Capt. Andrews further Jays, that this was cre
dited at St. Chrifophrs,
19th. Colonel Hancock was again much insulted
by a number of inferior officers and privates, who
entered his enclosures, and refufed to retire after his
requiring them so to do, telling him, that his house,
stables, &c. would soon be their's, and then they
would do as they pleased.-—However, on his ap
plication to the General, he immediately sent one
ofhis Aid de camps to the officer of the Guard at
the bottom of the Common, to seize any officer or
private, who should molest Col. Hancock, or any in
habitant in their lawful calling. Your's &c."
BOSTO N, March 27.
Wednesday last the Provincial Congress met at Concord—
prefent, near 200 members.
We are also informed by Cajt. Andrews, that thirty
three days ago, he was at Damarrara, and that the Lynx
man of war arrived therefrom Antigua, to look into the
Jiate of that country, and it was thought by many that
that place would be claimed by the Engiijh. The Cap
tain of the man of war, failed a few days before him, on
bis return to Antigua, and gave out that there would food
be men of war Jent to Damarrraa.,
Agentleman from Newbury informs, that a Vessel ar
rived there last Thursday from the Weft-Indies, the mas
ter of which said, that ten days before, be spoke with a
veflel boundto New-York from London, in ballast, who
bad been out only 28 days, and that the Captain of her
told him there was glorious news for America, but the
wind blowing very frefe he could bear nothing further.
A letter from 'Taunton, dated last Saturday mentions,
'' That a person (who appeared credible and intelligible)
paged through that town from Dartmouth, who reported,
that on the Tuesday before, two corn vessels arrived at
Beeford and informed, that near Long JJland they spoke
with a Jhip from London bound to New York, who told
them the American alls were repealed ; and that the news
gained Jo much credit at Dartmouth great rejoicings were
made there on the occasion."
Extract of a letter from Bristol, fan. 12, 1775.
" Petitions are preparing in the Jeveral maratime and
manufaAuring towns to be prfented to Parliament, which
meets the iqtb infant, when it seems to be the general
expetfation that all our grievances will be redressed, Jball
be able fan to form a judgment, with refpelt to American
affairs ; at present ays cajj about you, as it is refolded to
fend no more troops to Bojion.---Your enemies think you ob
jlinate and rebellious, but yourfriends the most virtuous,
firm and Spirited people in the world."
Extrall of another letter from Bristol, to a gentleman in
this town, dated January 15,,1775.
" I am obliged to you for your communications of
the proc edings of the congress, which are highly
approved of by all your friends. But if a non-ex
portation had been refolded upon the irt of March,
instead of September, I think it would have had a
greater effed in alarming the nation, and hastening
your relief, and Ihewn the importance of the colo
nies, which would have beep jollified by the severe
meafuies employed against them ;. but no doubt,
they have wife andjuft reasons, which we are not
acquainted with, for protracting it. London has
given the lead and example of petitioning.---We
here have got one, which I signed yerterday, and
I believe will be signed by your friends and foes,
as their interert and feelings are affefted.----! have
just now received advice of Birmingham having
voted one, which is to be prepared against next
tuefd.iy; and I believe they will be general through
the kingdom; which will be conftreded not in a
political, but a commercial view. It is not known
yet what plan the ministry will adopt; but as Lord
North has given out, that no more troops will be
sent to Borton, it is not intended to enforce it vi et
armis, but by withdrawing the troops and block
ing u P your harbours, which would be aiding your
measures. It is my private opinion, that they will
be obliged to repeal the obnoxious ads this present
session, provided you remain firm, and they fee no
profped of breaking the union of the colonies. I
believe they are as much afraid for their troops, as
you are of them; and that those marines sent per
the three men of war, were only sent to rtrengthen
General Gage, and to ad upon the defenfive. The
Parliament will meet in a few days, when we shall
be able to form some judgment of their intentions;
for which purpose I intend going up to London."
From Savannah, in Georgia, we are informed,
that" the Colledor of the Customs there, having
seized some Mclaffes and foreign Sugars,on the ijtli
Day of last Month, about a Quarter of a Mile from
the said Town, put the fame under the Care of a
Waiter, and two Seamen from on board his Majes
ty's Schooner St. John. About 12 o'C'lock the en
suing Night, a large Number of People, disguised &
armed,went on the said Wharf, tarred and feathered
the Waiter, threw the two Seamen into the River,
and carried off the Sugar and Mclaffes. One of the
Seamen, named David Martin-, was seen in the Wa
ter begging for Mercy, and, as he has not since been
heard of, there is great Reason to believe that, not
being permitted to come out of the River, he there
perilled and was drowned. His Excellency Sir
James Wright, Governor of Georgia, has issued a
Proclamation, offering a Reward of Fifty Pounds for
the Discovery of any one or more of the offenders.
At a provincial congress held at Savannah in
Georgia, the 23d of January, Noble Wimberly
Jones, Archibald Bulloch, and John Huston, Efqrs;
were chosen delegates to represent that province, at
the next General Congress.
NEW-HAVEN, March 29.
Oue night last week, a brig owned by Mr. Bab
cock of this place, bound on a whaling voyage,run
on arock at Plumb-Island, the stores, &c. are fav'd,
but the vertel is not yet got off.
CASH given for clean Cotton and Linen RAGS..