The New-England chronicle — Boston [Mass.], 1776-09-12 00:00:00, page 2

ballot of. both Houses of Assembly at the end
of every three years, and be ineligible for the
three next years. The vacancies occasioned by
death or incapacity are to be supplied by new
elections in the fame manner. With all defer
ence to the great abilities that composed the Vir
ginia Plan ofGovernment,lconceive that it isca
pable of an improvement,oratleaft of being better
suited to this Northern Colony. If I understand
this expreflion aright --two Members Jhall be re
moved at the end of every three years —there must
beachafm of three years between every removal;
of consequence, two Members may be continu
ed in twelve years before the firft rotation is
concluded ; and after that, each may fit thus
long in the Council of State; and yet the Gover
nour is not to continue in office longer than
three years successively ; and is not eligible un
til the expiration of four years after he shall
have been but of that office. This regulation
appears out of proportion. Betides, twelve
years is certainly too long for any perfoh to
possess a share of the executive Power, in dwell
ordered Common-Wealth, before he is reduced
toa private Ration. The executive Department
should be stable, and have men of knowledge
and experience in business : but this may be
provided for, without admitting any man's re
maining in it for so long a time. I would with
all due refpe&, Gentlemen, offer to your consi
deration the&>llowing proposals. Let there be
^Council of State confining of eight Members,
cffofen out of the legislative Council, the Heufe
of Assembly, or the People at large. Let each
Branch of the Legislature choose four, instead
of choosing by joint ballot ; and at the end of
every year, in the like manner, remove and add
two, till at the end of four years they have gone
through the firft rotation ; after which, in the
succeeding years, let the two that have been in
four years be invariably removed. By this means
no one will be in more than fouryears; and ever
after the three firft years, the Council of State
will confiftof two Members that are in their firft
year of service, two that are in their fecond,ftwo
that are in their third, and two that are in their
fourth Areanyofthem chosen out ofthelegifla
tive Body det their places in that Body be Vacated,
and filled up by new elections. In cafe^f va
cancies by death or refignation,let them be filled
up, when the number is even, by each Branch
of theLegifloture's choosing a moi'ety as before;
when odd, by the odd one's being chosen by
joint ballot, or from time to time alternately,
firft by the Hottfe, then by the legislative Council.
Let no Member, when removed, be eligible till
he has been out as many years as he was in.—
Let no Officer of the Army or Navy, in the ser
vice of the Continent, or ofthe Colony, be eli
gible. To this Council of State, let the Legisla
ture add a President chosen by jointballot,or let
the Assembly nominate two or three,and the le
gislative Council choose out of that nomination.
Let the Council of State choose from among
themselves a vice-President. Let four make a
quorum for doing business. Let the President
have a single vote'with the Council, befidcs a
casting vote when necessary: the vice-President
the fame when the President is absent. Let the
advice and proceedings of the Council be en
tered on record and signed by the Members pre
sent (to any part whereof let any Member be at
liberty to enter his dissent) to be laid before the
whole Legislature, when called for, by thejoint
voice of both Branches, but not otherwise. Left
I should be too lengthy, I shall close for the pre
sent, and. remain, Gentlemen, your faithful
servant, WILLIAM GORDON,
A Gentleman just arrived from Augustine,
fays, he was present when Hopkins's squadron
look poflTffion of New-Providence ; that they
landed fix Tundred Marines, who marched as
regnla^nd made as fine an appearance as any
troops he ever saw.
LOND O N, May 16.
IT is said that a Great Man in Administra
tion, (Lord Geo. Sackville) whose milita
ry knowledge is unquestionable, builds his
principal hopes, as to conquest of America, up
on the activity and resolution of the British
light horse, who, it is presumed, are to gallop
some-what fafter than the body of Cavalry did
at Minden, whom Prince Ferdinand so indif
penfibly wanted in the moment of impending
dangers.
Roxbury, Sept. 7, 1776.
For nor ever happen in the former Letter, firft
column, line 38, —read nor ever happy.
August 17. By an express from Col. Russell
of Fincaftle, we learn, that on his approaching
the Wataugah fort with the mtn under his com
mand, the Indians retired precipitately ; how
ever, not without losing one man and having 2
wounded, by a party that pursued them. The
fort was thus fortunately relieved after a fort
night's close siege, during the greater part of
which time our people lived on parched corn.
There were supposed to be about 500 women
and children in this little fort, who fled there
for Shelter on hearing that the Indians were
marching into that part of the country. We loft
not a man in this long affair, except fouror five
who ventured out to drive in some cows—some
were found scalped."
WILLI AMSBURG, Virginia. Aug. 16.
From undoubted authority, we can assure the
public, that (5,000 wt. of pure lead has-been got
from our mines in the back country ; which,
after being craft into bullets, we hope will be un
erringly directed against our enemies.
An express from South-Carolina arrived this
morning, who brings advice thatGeneralClintori
with his troops, escorted by Sir Peter Parker's
fluttered squadron, departed from Charleftown
the 3d of this instant. They had been moving
off for several days, and were supposed to be
bound part for Virginia, the rest farther north
ward. In going over Charleftown bar, a row
battery that was sent to annoy them made prize
of a brig transport, having on board a whole
company of the Royal Highland emigrants; the
Captain only eleaped. The fame day a boatfrom
General Clinton's ship was taken, with nine lai
lors in her. General Lee is expected here soon.
The advices since ourlaft from the back coun
try are, that the Cherokee and Creek Indians,
to the number of between 6 and 700, are en
camped in Carters valley, from whence they
fend out parties against the fettlemerits, some of
which had penetrated near, rco miles on this fide
of the Big iffand, carrying destruction wherever
they come, by burning houses, fences, fields of
wheat and other grain, and turning droves of
horses into the corn fields. Upwards of 1000
head of horses have been drove off, and a great
number of cattle ; the sheep and hogs they shoot
down. They had killed and scalped i 8 men, one
or two women, and several children ; some of
the people were most barbarously murdered, too
Shocking to relate. The ruined fetters had col
lected themselves together at different places,and
sorted themselves, 400 and upwards at Major
Shelby's, about the fame number at Captain
Campbell's, and a considerable number at Amos
Eaton's—The fort at Wattaugah, which was be
sieged by 400 savages, is now relieved, the In
dians having abandoned their enterprize upon
the approach of Col. Russell with about 300 men.
people have continually worsted them ; and, in
the whole, have killed and scalped 27, and badly
wounded many others, as was difeovered by the
tracks of blood — A man from the frontiers of
Georgia had arrived in Fincaftle, who declared
upon oath, that he saw upwards of 100 people
buried in one day, who were killed by the Creek
Indians.
The CongreG have struck a number of filter
and copper medals,which are distributed among
the officers of the army, who wear them con
stantly. On one fide are two vases swimming
on the water, with the Motto, " Frangimur Ji
collidimur." On the other is an emblematical
device ; four hands clinched together, and a
dove over them. Beneath them is a serpent
cut in pieces.
Private letters from Germany, by Monday's
Dutch mail, bring advice, that the remainder
of the Hessian Forces that are ordered for
America, have been waiting for above ten days
for transports to take them on board ; that the
common men begin to think that they are
trifled with ; and the officers find it a great
difficulty too keep them together, they not
liking the business they are going upon.
Private letters from the Hague, by Friday's
mail, fay, that there are so many objections
started against their troops going into the ser
vice of Great-Britain, that it is imagined the
English Ambassador will not obtain his desires;
besides, the French have interested themselves
a great deal in the affair to prevent it ; and it
is thought the Dutch will not disoblige the
Court of France on any account, as they now
look upon England to be involved in total'
destruction.
AMERICAN NEWS.
State o' theMgaebuJett's-Bay.")
Southern Diftra ff. )
Toall whom it may concern:
NOTICE is hereby given, That the Ma
ritime Court for the said Southern
Diftrift, wilt be held at Plymouth, in theCoun
ty of Plymouth, on Thursday the third day of
October, 1776, to try the justice of the capture
of the ship called the Charming Sally, of about
three hundred tons burthen, lately commanded
by John Steele, and her cargo and appurte
nances ; of the snow called the Ann, of about
one hundred and eigty tons burthen, lately
commanded by John Bowes, and her cargo
' and appurtenances ; of the brigantine called
the John, of about ninety tons burthen, lately
commanded by Daniel M'Kay, and her cargo
and appurtenances ; against which vessels, their
cargoes and appurtenances, libels are filed be
fore me in behalf of the officers and company
of the arm^d sloop called the Broom, and the
owners of the fame sloop : And the owners of
the aforefaid vessels, or either of them, or any
persons concerned therein may appear and (here
cause (if any they have) why the laid vessels, or
any of them,, with their cargoes and appurte
nances should net be condemned.
Cushing, Judge of said Court.
State of the Mafachufett's-Bay. ) To all whom it
Southern 'DiJlriSt,f. j may concern.
NOTICE is hereby g^en, That the
Maritime Courtfar theJaid Southern Diflria
will be held at Plimou'h in the County of Pli^
mouth, on Friday the fourth Day of CD ^7, 1776,
to try the fufiice of the Capture of t/Brigantine
called tfcCaioiina a^Mt, of about 1;o Tons bur^
then,lately commanded by John M'Donnell and her
Cargo and Appurtenances ; against which a Libel
is fled, in behalf if the Officers and Company of
the armed Schooner lamed the Independency, and
the Owners of thefame Schooner. And the Owners
of the said Brigantine, or any Persons concerned
therein may appear and Jhew Cause, if any they
have, why the fame Brigantine, her Cargo and
Appurtenances foould not be condemned
N Cushing, fudge of said Court.
Charleftown Ferry to be Lett to the higheji Bidder.
TF any suitable Person or Persons
are inclined to hire the said Ferry, they are
desired to bring or fend their Proposals to the
President of Harvard College, within oraeMonth
from the Date of this Advertisement, that the
Corporation may determine who shall have the
Preference. Cambridge Scit. 10, 1776.
To be fold by PUBLIC VENDUE,
On Tuesday, the 17th Inst. at Nine o'Clock
in the Forenoon, at Capt. John White's Store
in this Town,
W O Hundred Hogsheads of
^ Turk's-Island Salt, anda Quantity of
Eriglifh Goods together with a Number of
other Articles, Salem, Sept, 7, 1776.
, To all whom it may concern.
NOVICE is hereby given, That the
Maritime Court for the SouthernDiftrift
will be be held at Plymouth, in the county of
Plymouth, on Tuesday the firft day of October,
1776, at the hour of ten in the forenoon, to
try the justice of the following captures, viz.
of the ship called the Argo, of about 170 tons
burthen,lately commanded byWilliamCockran,
and her cargo and appurtenances ; of thefl>op
called theElizabeth, of about 30 tons burthen,
lately commanded by (homas Ludlow.jun. and
her cargo and appurtenances ; of the brigantine
called the Frederick, of about 140 tons burthen,
her cargo and appurtenances, lately in the pef
feffion, and under the care and command ofEd
mund Cottle ; seized and taken in the port of
Dartmouth, in said diftruT, on a part of the sea,
between high water and low water mark ;. of
the fchooncr called the Spermac, ta, of about
90 tons burthen, and her appurtenances, lately
in the pofieffion and under the care and com
mand of John Peas; Lized and taken in the
port of Nantucket, in said diftri&, on a part of
the fea,between hign water and low water mark.
Against which veflels, their cargoes and appur
tenances libels are filed before me, they having
been brought into the Southern Diftrift afcre
faid ; and the owners of the fame, or any per
sons concerned may appear and fnew cause, if
any they have, why laid vessels, or any of them,
with their cargoes and appurtenances Ihould
not be condemned.,,
State of the Maffachufett's Bay,?
Southern Didrift, ff. ,
Na han Cushing fudge :f said Court.