Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1777-04-29 00:00:00, page 4

PHILADELPHIA: Printed by JOHN D UNLAP, at the N%4 Printing-Office in Mar^t-fireet, where
uj.cnpucms at Fifteen Shillings per Annum, Advertisements, % are thankfully received for this Paper.
I* CONGRESS, Ip/il 18, !;„. <
TH E Committee appointed to inquire into the
hondod of the enemy beg leave to report,
That in every place where the enemy has been, there
are heavy Complaints of oppression, injury and insult,
fuffered by the inhabitants, from officers, soldiers, and
Ameiicans difaffefted to their country's cause. Tie
Committee found these complaints so greatly diverfified
that as it was impossible to enumerate them, so it ap
peared exceedingly difficult to give a diftind and com
prehensive view of them, or such an account as would
not, if published, appear extremely defective when read
by the unhappy lufferers or the country in general.
In order, however, in some degree to answer the de
sign of their appointment, they determined to divide
the object of their inquiry into four parts. Firlt, the
Wanton and oppressive devaluation of the country, and
dettru&ioa of property. Secord, the inhuman treat
ment of tbofe who were so unhappy as to become pri
soners. Third, the savage butchery of many who had
submitted or were incapable of refinance. Fourth, the
last and brutality of the soldiers in abusing of women.
They will, therefore, now briefly Mate what they found
to be the truth upon each of tliefe heads feparately,and
subjoin to the whole affidavits and other evidence to
support their assertions.
First, the wanton and oppressive devastation of the
country, and deftmaion of property.
The whole trad of the British army is marked with
reflation, and a wanton deltruaion of property, par
ticularly through West-Chester county in the State of
New-York, the towns of Newark, Elizabeth-Town,
Woodbridge, Brunswick, Kingston, Princeton and
Trenton, in New-Jersey. The fences destroyed,
houses deserted, pubed in pieces, or confirmed by fire,
and the general face of waste and devaluation spread
over a rich and once well cultivated and well inhabited
country, would kfftft the most unfeeling with compas
sion for the unhappy fufferers, and with indignation and
resentment against the barbarous ravagers. It deserves
notice tuat though there are many instances of rage
and vengeance against particular persons, yet the de
ftru&ion wa^ very general, and often undistinguished;
thole who submitted and tock protections, and some
who were known to favour them having frequently
fuffered in the common ruin. Places and things, which
from their public nature and general utility should
have been spared by a civilized people, have been de
flroyed or plundered, or both. But above all, places
of worship, ministers, and other religious persons of
some particular Proteflant demoninations seem to have
been treated with the most rancorous hatred, and at the
fame time with the bigheft contempt.
Second, The inhuman treatment of those who were
so unhappy as to become prifanerg.
The prisoners, instead of that humane treatment
which those taken by the United States experienced,
were in general treated with the greatest barbarity:
Many of them were near four days kept without food
altogether. When they received a supply, it was both
infufficient in point cf quantity, and often of the worst
kind. They fnffered the utmost distress from cold,
nakedness, and close. confinement. Freemen and men
of substance filtered all that a generous mind could
fuffer from the contempt and mockery of Brititli and
foreign mercenaries. Multitudes diedin prison. When
they were sent out, several died inthe boats while car
rying ashore, or upon the road attempting to go home.
The Committee, in the course oftheir inquiry, learned
that sometimes the common soldiers expressed sympa
thy with the prisoners, and the foreigners more than
the Englilh. But this was seldom or never the case
with the officers; nor have they been able to hear of
any charitable assistance given them by the inhabitants
who remained in or resorted to the city of New-York
winch Defed, if universal, they believe was never'
known to happen in any similar case in a Christian
country. *
Third, The savage butchery of those who had sub
mitted, and were incapable of resistance.
The Committee found it to be the general opinion
of the people in the neighbourhood of Princeton and
Trenton, that the enemy the day before the battle of
Princeton had determined to give no quarter. They
did not, however, obtain any clear proof that there
were general orders for that puipole, but the treat
ment of several particular persons at and since that time
has been of the most Shocking kind, and gives too much
countenance to the supposition. Officers wounded and
disabled, some of them of the firft rank, were barba
rously mangled or put to death. A minister of the
gospel at Trenton, who neither was nor had been in
arms, was massacred in cold blood, though humbly
supplicating for mercy*.
Fourth, The lust and brutality of the soldiers in
abusing women.
The Committee had authentic information of many
instances cf the most indecent treatment, and actual
ravishment of married and single women, but such is
the nature of that most irreparable injury, that the per
sons fufferingit, and their relations, though perfectly
* Mr, Rojeburgh, minifler at the Forks of Delaware.
innocent, look tipohit as a kind of reproach to have
the fads related, andtheir names known. They have,
however, procured fae affidavits which will be pub
lifted in the appendi:. The originals are lodged with
tae Secretary of the ^ongrefs. Some complaints were
made to the commanding officers upon this fubje&, and
one affidavit made bfore a Justice of the Peace, but
the Committee coull not learn that any fatisfadioo was
ever given, or punihment inflided, except that one
soldier at Pennyton was kept in custody for part of a
day.
On the whole, the Committee are sorry to fay that
the cry of barbarity and cruelty is but too well found
ed, and as in conversation those who are cool to the
American cause, hare nothing to oppose to the fads
but their being incredible and not like what they are
pleased to stile the gentrofity and clemency of the Eng
lifli nation, the Committee beg leave to observe that
one of the circumstances most frequently occurring in
the inquiry, was the opprobrious difdainful names given
to the Americans. These do net need any proof, as
they occur so frequently in the newspapers printed un
der their direction, and in the intercepted letters of
those who are officers, and call themselves gentlemen.
It is easy, therefore, to lee what must be the conduft
of a soldiery greed, of prey, towards a people whom
they have been taught to look upon not as freemen de
fending their rights on principle, but as desperadoes
and profligates, who have risen up against law and order
in general, and wilh the subversion of society itfelf.
1 his is the most candid and charitable manner in which
the Committee can account for the melancholy truths
which they have been obliged to report. Indeed the
fame deluding principle seems to govern persons and
bodies of the bigheft rankin Britain, for it is worthy
of notice that no? pamphleteers only but King and Par
liament constantly call those ads lenity, which on their
hr± publication filled this whole continent with resent
ment and horror.
Ihe above report received, approved, and ordered
to be published with the proofs.
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
[For the Proofs, Illustrations, to. fee the fecund page.]
*: ^ %^^^^ ^^^^^X^^^^M^
Just published and to be fold by JOHN DUNLAP in
Market itrcei, Philadelphia,
An A CT
To REGULATE the MILITIA of the Com
mon-Wealth of Pennsylvania.
TEN DOL L A rTVew' AR D.
DAN AWAY from the fubfcriher, the sixth inst. a
1 Scotch servant man named ADAM GORDON
about twenty-one years of age, five feet nine or ten inches
hl gh, light complexion, light brown hair, and it is sup
posed will try to get on board of some veflel; had on and
took with him, a homespun light coloured cloth coattee
with horn burtons, vpair of striped trowfers, blue yarn
stockings, neats leather (hoes with brass buckles i n them
homespun shirt, a silk handkerchief, and an old felt hat'
Whoever secures said servant in any gaol, so that his maC
ter may get him again, shall have the above Reward and
reasonable charges if brought home, paid by
ROBERTGRAHAM.
N. B. All masters of vessels and others are requested
not to harbour or Conceal the said servant.
Philadelphia, March 24th, 1777.
T) EVERTED from Capt. ,ofepb Protek's tompan, in
Col. John Patton's regiment, the four following men :
John Lee, about foefeet fix inches and a half high, born
in Cork, broiun hair, grey eyes, fair complexion, about
twenty four years of age ; had on afoort brownjacket, new
leather breeches, and an old small round bat. George
Warren, an Englifo man, about five feet ten incher high,
wellfett, of afwartby complexion, about tbirty years of age,
formerly belonged to one of the galleys of this State; bad on
blue trowfers, fart jacket and round bat. Charles
Bowin, born in Maryland, about five feet seven inches
high, nineteen years of age, Jlim built, formerly belonged to
theflying camp and lej/fck in the bofpital of this city on their
return home to Maryland. Isaac Carty, born in the
Jerseys, about five feet (even inches high, well sett, about
twenty two years of age and a fair complexion : It is sup
posed be is fomewbere about Woods-^own in the Jerseys.
Whoever takes up an, of the said deserters and secures tbe^
in an, goal or delivers them to an, of the officers of the regi
ment in this city, fball receive EIGHT DOLLARS
for each, and reafnable charges, paid by
JOSEPH PROWELL, Capt.
N. B. If any of the above deserters return and join the
regiment in ten daysfrom the above date, they Jhall be excu
fedfrom this transgression. f
Philadelphia, March 1,77.
TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the armed vessel Ranger, un
der my command, a certain William Burgen,
born in Ireland, about 3 6 years of age, black short curl
ed hair, about five feet ten inches high, a remarkable
ftoirt hearty looking fellow, very little addicted to liquor;
he entered in October last, and received bounty and wa
ges. Whoever apprehends said deserter and deliver# him
on board, shall be entitled to the above Reward and rea
sonable charges. It is most earnestly requested that all
friends to their country will encourage or countenance
him, as I am determined to put fully in execution the
Resolve against such as are so loft to their country's good.
JOHN MITCHELL.
FIFTEEN SHILLINGS Reward.
ST O»L E N from the fubferiber'# wharf, about four
weeks ago, a ciedar built BATTE AU, near 20
feet lang, newl, repaired, with a new fore peak ard
chain. Whoever will bring it to m*, shall have the
above reward, f BOUYER BROOK?, Boat builder
ELEVEN DOLLARS REWARD.
WAS STOLEN from the fubferiber, living in
Kingfeffing, Philadelphia County, in the night
of the 7th inst. (April) a black MARE, with a saddle
and bridle ; she is low in flefh, shod round, lengthy and
well made, paces, trots and canters, sbout fourteen
hands high, five years old this grass, one of her hind feet
white, long switch tail, her mane lays on the off fide
lately trimmed, the hair is wore off both her fides'with
the girth and off the near fide cf her neck with the bri
dle reins, also off her ne^ ham about three or four inches
in length; the saddle is almost new, neither faddle
cloth nor housings, the girth-strap broke on the off fide;
the bridle is old, the reins have been chewed, the throat
strap broke on the off fide and sewed with white thread.
Whoever apprehends said mare and the thief, (hall have
the above Reward, or EIGHT DOLLARS for the mare
saddle and bridle, or SEVEN DOLLARS for the mere
only, and seasonable charges, paid by SAMUEL
SMITH, inn-keeper, in Kingfeffing, or
§ EVERARD M^CLEES.
CONTINENTAL NAVY-B 0 A R D,
Philadelphia, April ai, 1777.
AL L Surgeons and Warrant Officers in or
near this city, belonging to the NAVY of the
L'nued States, and not in actual service, are hereby di
reCied to give perlonal attendance at the Continental
Navy-Board, every Monday and Thursday, between
the hAurs of ten and one in the forenoon, to receive
the orders of the said Board.
JOHN NIXON,
* FRANCIS HOPKINSON,
JOHN WHARTO N./
TO BE S O L D,
By the fubferiber, living in Londonderry Townihip,
Chester County,
AV ALUABLE Plantation, containing about 400
acres, nearly one half of which is woodland, 21
acres newly cleared, 12 of meadow and 12 more may be
made. The fence# are in good repair, with a two story
log hcufe, a room built of stone, with a double chimney
of stone and lime built last summer, a barn, stable, coop
er's shop, fmoak house, spring house, &c. It lies con
venient to five lime-kilns, the fartheft within thediftance
of five miles. Said plantation is three miles from the
Half-way Hcufe, three from the Manor Meeting-house,
and one from Ellis Pufey'sMill. The fubferiber will fell
the whole, or half the said premises, as may best suit the
purchaser. The title is indisputable. Any person in
clining to purchase may know the terms by applying to
Mr. James Davidson, one of the Profeffors in the Col
lege of Philadelphia, in Fourth-ftrect, or to the fub
feriber on the premises.
t HENRY SAUNDERSON.
TO E — D —
A PLANTATION in Northampton County,
within one mile of Eaftown, containing 330 acres
of limestone land, about 60 acres cleared, with 12 acres
of good cleared watered meadow, and a large quantity
more may be made at a small expence ; the land is ex
ceeding well timbered, is situated in a pleasant part of the
country, with a house, barn, fmith'sfhop before the
door, and a never failing spring of water: It lies on the
great road leading from Bethlehem to Eaftown. Like
wise 84 acres of land in New-London Township, Chester
County, 40 of it is clear, the remainder is wood and
meadow land, with a good house, a cellar under it, a
barn, Orchard, and a good spring of water. For terms
apply to Mr. George Corkey, in New London Town
ship aforefaid, or Joseph Carson, in Philadelphia.
To be SOLD, and entered upon immediately, a Lot
of Ground at Christiana Bridge, in Newcastle County,
containing in front on the main street four perches and
eight-tenths of a perch, and backwards twelve perches ;
there is on said premises a good frame dwelling-house,
with a large shop and store-house adjoining; also a new
frame kitchen, with a cellar under the whole, a large
store-house backward, with a chaise house, stable, gra
nary and sheds, all in good repair, a pump of excellent
water at the door : It has been a long accustomed store
and is fit for any public business. The title is indisputa
ble. Any person inclining to purchase the fame, may
^°\ th ° te . rm :^ ^PP^ing to Mr. Joseph Carson,
Mer , C ^^ in Philadelphia, or the fubferiber at Damafi
":^' L HUMPHRY CARSON.
A J° ^, LE T or S OLD, a neat Country.feat,
near the Falls of Schuylkill, lately belonging to Jonas
Adams, and adjoining his fnuff-mill, with a large, neat.
c °„, dl °, stone house, kitchen and spring house, also
a (table and coach-house ; containing 9 acres of land 1
acres whereof is wood, and a little meadow; also a fine
app,e orchard of the best grafted trees. For terms apply
to Joseph Carson, in Philadelphia.
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the fubferiber, living in
Southwark, a servant lad named JOHN D OYL
aged eighteen or nineteen years, born in Dublin, about
five feet four or five inches high, fair complexions smooth
face, dark curled hair, a dent in his nose, much addia.
Ar ' had °" °' d ffi ° e b white h ° fe > grey colour
ed linfey breeches, two cloth jackets of a whitish colour
a brown tow shirt, and an old flapped hat; a butcher
by trade, but latterly drove a team. Whoever appre
hends said servant and brings him home, (hall have the
above Reward, paid by
§ DANIEL ONEILL.