Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-04-22 00:00:00, page 6

falf ofa letter from tie Captain of Marine, on board
thejhip Alfred, dated New-London, April io.
" Before this comes to hand I make no doubt you
Will have heardof our arrival in this port, and of our
engagement with the Glasgow man of war ; but as I
intend giving you an account of our cruize, must beg
your patience for a wldle efpe&ing that matter^ —1 he
17th of February left Cap HeHopen, and after a ve
ry pleasant patfageof h^en days, came to anchor off
theifland oft Abacco, about 17 leagues distant from
New-Providence, where we brought too federal fmali
veiTels belonging to Providence, which gave the Com
modore an opportunity of enquiring into the state of
the illand, as to its defence, and found it very well
fu,plied with warlike flores, and an object worthy of
our attention, as it was not fufficiently manned to give
us opposition : The v^ffels we then hid in our poff^h
on weredetained as transports, to carry the marines
over to Providence. We embarked and made fail Sa
turday evening, March 2d, and on Sunday, 2 o clock,
landed all our men, 270 in number, under my com
mand, at the call end of the island, at a place called
New Guinea. The inhabitants ware very much alarm
ed at our appearance and supposed us to be Spaniards,
but were soon undeceived after our landing. Jud as I
had formed the men, I received a message from the
Governor, defiringto know what cu- intentions were:
I sent him for answer to take poffefiion of all the war
like stores on the island belonging to th'e crown, but
had no defigo of touching the property or burning the
perlons of any of the inhabitants, unlels in our de
fence. As soon as the melLnger was gone I marched
forward to take possession of fort Montague,, a Dr
tification built of stone, about half way between our
landing-place and the town ; as we approached the
fort (within about a mile, having a deep cove to go
round, with a prodigious thicket on one h e and the
water on the other, entirely open to their vi -w) they
fired 3 twelve pound shot, which made us had, and con
sult what was bed to be done ; Ve then thought it med
prudent to fend a flag, to let them know what our d e .
signs were in coming there; we loon ifocivA an an
swer, Netting us know that it was by the Governor's
orders that they fired. They 'piked up the cannon and
abandoned the fort, and retired to the fort within the
town. I then marched and took p Tliou of it; hr
which were found 17 pieces of cannon, („, 10, at d
1 2 Downders) and not mucaAamaged ; the , we # e 1 ktd
with nails and spikes, which are eahiy tekrn out. [
thought it necessary to flay ^I night dnd ichAh my
men, who were fatigued, being on b ^rd 'he fmali vet
fels,' not having a convenience either to deep or coak,
in. The next morning by day-light we matched hr
ward to the town to take pofcilion of the Governor's
boufe, (which frauds on an emuscree, with two four
pounders, which commands the garrison and town) ^
our match I met an exprtfs fr m the Governor to the
fame purport as the nrft; 1 sent him the Gme answer
as before; the mef&er then told me 1 might march
into the town, and if £ thought proper into the fort,
without interruption; on which I marched into town;
I then drafted a gua-d and went up t^the Governor's,
end demanded the keys of he H% wroch were given
to me immediately, and then took possession of fort
Nassau, in it there was 40 cannon mounted and well
loaded for our reception with round, langrel, and
cannider mot; all this was accomplished without firing
a tingle fast from our fide. VI e found io this fort a
greet quantity of diet and fhel s, with 17 brats mor
tars, but the grand article powder, the Governor lent
off the night before, viz. igocafts. Immediately af
ter we were in the fort, I Cent for the Governor, and
made him prisoner until the Commodore arrived, which'
was soon after. We remained at Providence till we
got all the stores on board the fleet, and then took our
departure the 17th of March. We have brought with
us from Province the Governor, his Secretary, and
one Mr. Ervin, Receiver-General of his Majesty's cus
toms, who belongs to South-Carolina.
“ On the 4th inst. we made the ea'f end of Long
lfland, and dilcoverel the Columbus with a schooner,
one of Capt. Wallace's tenders of fix guns, which (he
had taken that morning. We made Block-Bland in
the afternoon, the Commodore then gave orders for
the brigs to Hand in rrr Rhode-Bland, to fee if any
more of the fleet were out, and join us next morning,
which was accordingly done, but without feeing any
veflels. At day light we discovered a brigantine to
Jeward, we made sale and soon came up with her, and
after a few shot took her. She proves to be a bomb
brigantine belonging to Wallace's fleet, mounting 8
guns and 2 howitzers, commanded by one Snead, a
Lieut, in ih-navy. We continued to cruize all day
within fight of Block-Island, and in the evening took a
brigantine and (loop from New-York, and brought in
to port with us, not being fatisfied as to their clear
ance We had at fun set 12 fail and a very pleasant
evening—At 120'cbck went to bed, and half paftone
Was awakened by the noi'e of all hands to quarters ;
we were soon ready for action, the best part of my
company, with my firft Lieutenant, was placed in the
barge on the main deck, the remaining part, with my
second Lieutenant and myfelf on the quarter deck ;;
we had difeovered a large (hip ftapding directly for us,
the Cabot was foremoft of the fleet, our flrip close af
ter, not more than 100 yards behind, but to wind
ward with all, when the brigantine came clo'e up, the
6hip hailed and was answered by the Cabot, who soon
found her to be the Glasgow, the brigantine immediate
ly fired her broadfid?, andinftantly received a return
of two fold, which, owing to the weight of metal da
maged her so much in her hull and rigging, as obliged
her to retire for a whifeto refit ; we then came up,
(not having it in our power to fire a (hot before with
out hurting the brigantine) and engaged her fide by
fide for three glasses, as hot as it possibly could be on
both sides; the firft broad fide foe tired, my second
Lieutenant fell dead close by my fide; he was shot
by a mullet ball through the head, in him, I have
loft a worthy officer, sincere friend and companion,
that was beloved by all the (hip's company. Unfortu
nately for us, our tiller rope and main brace was (hot
away soon after the firing began, which caused the (hip
to broach too, and gave the enemy an':pp'brtunity of
raking us fore and aft. The battle continued till day
light, at which time the Glasgow made all the fai the
could croud, and stood in for New-Port; and our
ringing was'° much hurt that we could not make fail in
time to come up with her again, so that at fun rife the
Commodore made the signal to give over the chace,
he not thinking it prudent to rifque our prizes near the
land The Glasgow continued tiring figoal gurs the
whole day ater.
" In the action I loft three of my people out of
'welve that were on the quarter deck, and two fl'gh'ly
Iwounded, who were in tpe barge. Capt. Hopkins, in
the Cabot, is wounded, his Master killed, and the se
cond Lieutenant of Marines wounded and fiace dead.
Upon the whole it was a very hot engagement, in which
our Ihip and brig were much damaged, but have this
consolation, that the enemy is full as bad/y off, 'or by
Several expresses from Rhode-lfland, we are assured,
that it was with much difficulty the got in-o port with
both pumps going. We are now, thank God, in har
bour, and iball itay fume time to refit."
Extraß of a letterfrom Can bridge, dated April 7, 1776.
" [ can't emit informing you, that the Captains
Manly n 1 Waters have lately taken a brig 15 leagues
off Cape An- eastward, richly loaded with English
~r Is and other merchandize.—On board were one
Brush, formerly of New-Yoik, but hrely a mod bitter
refugee in Lofton, and William Jackson, the noted
imp ?rter', who had ofhfeown property in laid brig to
the q'u- . of /.34,000 ferling.— A ferjeaat and 12
folcrit werejn her.—She made refinance, but being
th had able to 4- fend herf;lfof any that w^nt offwnh
the fleet Ge was obliged to yield, tho' in fight of two
of the King's Orins.
In COM m'iTTEE ofSAFETY,
Philadelphia, Marco 6, 1776.
Resolved, That Major Meredith, Captain Wilcocks,
Captrin Peters, and Mr. Peter Dehaven, be app inted
to Superintend a?d' conduct the Provincial ManufaOry
01 Gun Locks in ths city- and they are empowered to
cunt a't fira convenient situation, and to etedt all works
nGefrary for carrying on the said Manufactory in ri e
m^ft beneficial manner to the Public: And furt' er, to
contract for th: making Fire Arms, and fee # at tle
artificers ' wh? have already contracted in this , ^ {, ,
that purpose perform the-r engagements fa:th,i;.:y;
a. d this Board will fupp'y them with such funis of mo
ney as the bufmefs ihail requite.
Fxtraft from the Minutes,
WILLI kM GOVETT, Secretary.
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given, That we
have, in pursuance of the above Relolve of the Com
mittee of Safety, provided a convenient place for the
carrying on a Provincial Lock Fadciy on an extensive
plan; and as a proper person is appointed to direct,
teach and Superintend workmen in that branch, all
fm ths who are already acquainted with the lock bu
tinels, or those who are desirous of indrudion, will be
employed, by applying to us, er to Mr. Benjamin Rit
tenhouse, at the Lock Fadtoiy, in Cheriy-ftreet, between
Third and Fourth-ore ts, Philadelphia. All perlons
desirous to contrail for the making of Fire-Arms, are
requested also to apply to Samuel Meredith, John Wil
cocks, Richard Peters, Jun. Peter Dehaven.
As the Gun Lock Factory was eftablilhed not only to
manufacture as many Locks as poflible, but also to serve
as a school for promoting the knowledge of this neces
sary business throughout the province, all journeymen
smiths, clock-makers, and other perlons, who have
been accustomed to filing and working iron or brass,
will be mdruAed in the laid business gratis, and receive
adequate wages for their Lbor: A fewa&ive boys will
be taken appieatices. A person well acquainted with
forging Gun Locks, will meet with encouragement.
Perlons having good Arms for sale are desired to apply
as above, or to Mr. Robert Towers, at the State Hou'e.
In ASSEMBLY, April 6, 1776.
WHEREAS the Honorable the Continental
Congress, did lately recommend to the several
AfTemblies, Conventions, Councils, and Commutes
of Safety, (fthe several United Colonies, to cause all
persons to be disarmed within their refpe&ive Colonies
who are notoriously difaffc&ed to the cause of America,
or who have not associated and refufe to associate for
the defence of thele Colonies, by arms, against the ho
stile attempts of the British fleets and armies, and such
arms having been duly appraised, to be applied to the
aiming the Continental troepsraifedin thsC(lony, the
troops railed in its own (pecial defence, and the resi
due for the use of the associators, the said aupraifement
to be paid by the Congress, Afemblies, Conventions,
and Committees of Safety refpe&ively, as the said arms
should be appropriated. And by a further resolve it
was declared that, the appraifement of the arms of
difaft&ed persons to taken as above, fliculd Act be
paid, unlcfs for such arms as were fit for the use of
the troops, or could be conveniently made so, but that
all defective arms should be fafely kept by the Affem.
biies, Conventions, Councils and Committees cf Safe
ty, to be delivered to the owners when the Congress
ihail direct.
The House taking iato Confederation the said re
commendations, and theory great difficulty of procu
ring arnjs to put into the hands of Continental and Pro
vincial troops, and the Afociators within this pro
vince, for the defence of the Liberties of America;
Thcrefue
Rejoiced, That it be earnestly recommended by this
House, to all well adeded non allocators who are
possessed of good arms, to deliver them to the Collec
tors, hereafter diredled to be chosen, as they regard
the freedom, fafety, and prolperity of their country.
Rejo vet, That the Freeholders and Freemen of eve
ry towulhip, borough, ward, or didrict, within this
province, qualified to vote f.> r Members of Alfembly,
Ihall lelpe&ively meet together, at some conven <nt
place within their several townships, boroughs, wards,
and didriris, on the twenty fifth day of this month,
and then and there chufe, by ballot, three performs for
collectors of arms; which perlons, so chosen, (ball
meet the perlons chosen by the next two adjoining
towrihips, boroughs, wards or diftritls; and the said
prions, or a majority of them, fhail coJeCt and re
ceive all such arms of non associators a; a~e fit for cie,
or can be.conveniently made io, within their respec
tive townships, boroughs, wads, and dittri&s, and
Iliad appiaife, or came the laid arms to be apprailed
according to the nue and real value, which they 11 a 1
pay to the owners, and then (hall depolit the laid arms
in lome dry, lase, and convenient place in the several
tqwafhips, boroughs, and diftriris, lubjeri to the or
ders of Alfembly, or in their recels, eftie C omm.t.ee
of Safety.
Rejolved, That the said perfoos so chosen, or a ma
jority of them, Ihall disarm all difaffetted perlons, be.
sere described, and (hall apprai e, or cause to be ap
prailed, as aforesaid, and Ihail pay to the ownes the
value of such arms as_ are fit for u'e, or that can be con
len^ntly made io, depositing all the arms in the man
n.r before mentioned.
Revived, That if any townships, boroughs, wards,
or diltriis, Ihall neg'eri or tefuie to clink inch per
fms as aforesaid, cr it the perlons so chosen, Ihall neg-
L& or refuse to perform the duties hereby required cf
them ; in luen cale the Committee of Infpedion and
Omervaton, in each county refpeftively, ihail imme
diately pioceed to carry the foregoing recommendation
of Congress effectually into execution.
.Rjoived, That the perlons so chosen (hall immedi
ately make returns cf all arms fit for use, or that can
conveniently be marie so, which they fhail take, col
lect, or receive, with the value thereof^ to ^he Assem
bly, or, in their recess, to the Committee of Safety,
who may draw erders for the amount thereof, in favour
of such perlons, 00 Michael Hillegas, Efqnire, Trea
lurer, who is hereby required to pay the fame out of
the monies diredied to be emitted by this Houle.
In CONGRESS, Aprilii, 1776.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the feve
veral Affemblie.% Conventic ns and Committees or
Councils of Safety cf the United Colonies, to use
their tell endeavours in communicating to foreign
nations, the Refoluticn of Congress relative to Trace.
April 16. W H EREA S much inconvenience
may be dip ved to the public from Committees (other
th^n tie Committees of Saf< ty in each Colony) on
the public poll roads, flopping and opening the
Mails, and detaining letters from the Ccnflitutional
Port: It is therefore refoived, That no Committees,
but the Council or Committee of Safety in each Co
lony, or luch person as they fhail, on extraordinary
occasions, authorife, should hop the Constitutional
Port, open the Mail, or detain any letters therefrom.
Extracts fcm the Minutes,
CHARLES I HOMSON, Secretary.
The celebrated Doctor Thomas Young, late of
Bollon, is appointed Surgeon to the Rifle Battalion
o f this city and county.
Extract of a letter from Peterfaurg, Virginia, April 12.
" In my way through \ irginia I found the inha
bitants warm for ludependance. 1 spent last evening
with Mr. - - from South-Carolina. He tells me
that the people there have no expedationof ever being
reconciled with Britain again but only as a foreign
state They have formed a government for them
selves. John Rutledge, Lfq; is appointed Pre
sident, with all the powers that are verted in the Go
vernor. From several letters 1 have received from,
North-Carolina, since that Convention have met, [
find they are for b dependance, as they either have,
or intend to repeal the Inftruaions that were given
to their Delegates, and to leave them at liberty to
vote upon every occasion, as they mav think bell
Mr. - was feme tittle time ar Halifax; he fays
they are qu.:e fpiri'ed and unanimous; indeed £
hear nothing praised but Common Scefe and Inde
pendance. The people cf orth-Carolina are mai -
ing great preparations, and fa, th^y are determined
to diehard. I affureyou, m'y good Sir, thr vehemence
cf th . Southern Colonies will require all -he coJnsfs
of the Northern ones to moderate their zeal. I fuf
pefted when I was with you. that whenever they
were urged, they would go great lengths."