The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1777-12-24 00:00:00, page 3

former predictions, not to be believed till the event
shall verify it. .'
“ Long did I endeavour, with unfeigned and up
wearied zeal, to preferye from breaking, that fine and
noble china vase---the British empire ; % for I know,
that being once broken, the separate parts could not
retain even their shares of the strength and value that
existed in the whole ; and that a perfect re-union of
these parts could scarce ever be hoped for. Your
Lordship may possibly remember the tears of joy that
wet my cheek, when, at your good fitters in London,
you once gave me expectations that a reconciliation
might soon take place. I had the misfortune to find
these expectations disappointed, and to be treated as
the cause of the mifehief I was labouring to prevent.
My consolation under that groundless and malevolent
treatment was, that I retained the friendlhip of many
wife and good men in that country, and, among the
rest, some ihare in the regard of Lord Howe.
“ The well founded esteem, and, permit me to fay,
affection, which I shall always have for your Lord
ship, make it painful for me to fee you engaged in
conducting a war, the great ground of which, as de
scribed in your letter, is "the necessity of preventing
the American trade from passing into foreign chan
nels:" To me it seems, that neither the obtaining
nor retaining any trade, how valuable so ever, is an
object for which men may justly spill each other's
blood ; that the true and sure means of extending and
securing commerce, are the cheapness and goodness
of commodities ; and that the profits of no trade can
ever be equal to the expence of compelling it, and
holding it hv fleets and armies. I confider this war
against us, therefore, as both unjust and unwise ; and
I am persuaded that cool and dispassionate posterity
will condemn to infamy those who advised it ; and
that even success will not save from some degree of
dishonour those wbo have voluntarily engaged to con
duct it.
“ I know your great motive in coming hither was
the hope of being instrumental in a reconciliation ;
and believe, when you find that to be impodible, on
any terms given you to propose, you will relinquish
so odious a command, and return to a more honor
able private station. With the greatest and most fin
ccre refpeCt, I have the honor to be,
My Lord, your Lorßhip's molt
Obedient humble servant,
Directed, B. FRANKLIN."
To the Right Honorable Lord Fifeount Howe.
INDEPENDENT of what sovereign states owe
to themselves, according to the sacred laws of nature
and of nations, in cafes'where any of their provin
ces may rebel ; and, not to mention that should the
efforts of the English American Colonies prove fuc
cefsful, the provinces appertaining to other states
might be induced to make a similar attempt ; the sub
scribing party is instructed to represent to the en
lightened Ministers of France, that our Colonies have
nearly formed themselves into an independent and
formidable empire. Should they not be timely pre
vented, it will by no means be difficult (considering
their powerful resources of every kind) for them tar
attempt the conquest of other provinces in America,
richer and better situated. France and Spain have
therefore every thing to apprehend for the fafety of
their Colonies, should those of Great-Britain succeed
in their designs.
The fubferibing party hopes that these reflexions
may induce his most Christian Majesty, not only to
continue his pacific intentions at this particular junc
ture, but also, that he may so far extend his neutra
lity and friendfllip, as to prohibit the merchants in
his dominions from affording those of America (with
whom they now trade openly) such vast fuccours as
have hitherto been furnifhed. Above all, it is hoped
that Messrs. Dean and Franklin may be retrained in
those measures which have been gradually unfolded,
so as to become less and less equivocal. The papers
annexed to this memorial will so amply display the
nature and the progress of Mr. Dean's negociations,
that after perusal it might reasonably be expected that
he should be delivered up.
(Signed) STORMONT, '
LONDO N,
yune 4. Two motions of some consequence are ex
pected to be made on Thursday next in the house of
commons: One by Lord North, and the other by
Mr. Luttrell; but on what particular fubjeCt is not
certainly known.
Extract of a letter from Bantry, May 26.
" We have just had a messenger here from Beerha
ven, with an account that an American privateer of
16 guns, and full of men, put in there for water and
frefh jprovifions ; ihe Raid near ten heum, and paid
for every thing.".
July 4. They write from Lisbon that the Spanish
ships of war are now admitted into the Portuguese
ports, as usual, and the Intendants have orders to
furnifh tftm with whatever necessaries they want.
Copy of a -Memorial lately presented to the Ministers
of France, by Lord Stormont, the English Am
bassador at the Court of Versailles.
Altho' in some instances we have unfortunately
failed ; yet upon the whole, Heaven has smiled upon
our arms, and crowned them with signal success ; and
we may upon the belt grounds conclude, that by a
spirited continuance in the measures necessary for our
defence, we shall finally obtain the end of our war
fare, Independence, Liberty, and Peace. These are
blessings worth contending for at every hazard —but
we hazard nothing —the power of America alone,
duly exerted, would have nothing to dread from the
force of Britain. Yet we ftaud not wholly upon our
own ground. France yields us every aid we ask ;
and there are reasons to believe the period is not
very distant when Ihe will take a more active part,
by declaring war against the British ciown. Every
motive, therefore, irresistibly urges us, nay, com
mands us to a firm and manly perseverance in our
opposition to our cruel oppreflors —to flight difficul
ties, endure hardships, and contemn every danger.
The General ardently wishes it were now in his
power to conduct the troops into the best winter
quarters : But where are these to be found? Should
we retire to the interior parts of the State, we should
find them crowded with virtuous citizens, who, fa
crificing their all, have left Philadelphia and fled thi
ther for protection : —to their distresses humanity
forbids us to add. This is not all—we should leave
a vast extent of -fertile country to be difpoiled and
ravaged by the enemy, from which they would draw
vast supplies, and where many of our firm friends
would be' exposed to all the miseries of an insulting
and wanton depredation—A train of evils might be
enumerated, but these will fuffice. These consi
derations make it indispensably necessary for the army
to take such a position as will enable it most effectu
ally to prevent distress, and give the most extensive
security ; and in that position we must make our
selves the best shelter in our power. With alacrity
and diligence, huts may be ereded that will be warm
and dry. In 'thefe the troops will be compact, more
secure against furprizes, than if in a divided state,
and at hand to protest the country. These cogent
reasons have determined the General to take post in
the neighbourhood of this camp, and ' influenced by
them, he persuades himfelf that the officers and sol
diers with one heart and one mind, will resolve to
surmount every difficulty with a fortitude and pa
tience becoming their profeffion, and the sacred
cause in which they arc engaged. He himfelf will
share the hardships and partake of every inconve
nience.—
Several vessels have lately arrived in James River,
from Nantz ; among the many valuable articles they
brought, are 250 pair of blankets, a quantity of coarse
cloth; and between 3 and 3000 Wfhtls of salt.
By a gentleman (a native of Boston) who made his
escape from New-York, and arrived here last Sunday,
we are informed, that he was taken in March last, in
a fliip bound from Newbury to Bordeaux, and carried
into Plymouth in England, from whence he came in
a transport to New-York. He informs us that he left
Plymouth the Bth of July, at which time about half
the militia of the kingdom was kept under arms to
suppress the riling of the populace, so great were
their difaffedtion to the present measures of admini
stration. That Great-Britain had applied to all the
powers of Europe for troops to fend to America, but
could obtain no more than 2000, which, with about
400 drafted from the guards in England, was the
whole of the reinforcement that lately arrived at
New-York. He was desired by a number of gentle
men in England, to inform the people of this country,
that no more troops would be sent from any foreign
powers ; and that England is drained to such a degree
that 4000 troops could not be raffed in the kingdom
for twelve months to come. That by the best intel
ligence he could get while in England, above one
third of the people of that country were friends to
America; and that a number of Americans that
were taken in privateers, had, to his knowledge, been
lent to the Ealt-indies.
dated l^oiember 19, 1777.
" A whole picket guard came off together from
Kingibridge two days ago, which they fay is the se
cond instance of late. The new levies are very dis
contented, and eavneftly wishing to escape, throwing
themselves on the mercy of General Gates's army,
and are palling faft to Head-Quarters.
" The tories are universally difeouraged through
the country, and there appears not in the minds of
the people the least doubt of the final success of our
great and glorious cause."
Extra# of a letter from a gentleman at FiJh-Kill,
THE Commander in Chief, with the highest
fatisfadtion expresses his thanks to the officers
and soldiers for the fortitude^nd patience with which
they have sustained the fatigues of the campaign.
HEAD QUARTERS on Schuylkill, Dec. 17.
N E W-L OND O N, November 7.
BURLINGTON, Dec. 24.
GENERAL ORDERS.
LANCASTE R, December 3.
Extra# of a Letter from a Gentleman at Cam, at White
mar/h, dated Dec. 10, 1777.
" On the night of the 4th inst. the British army
(distressed for want of elbow room) marched from
Philadelphia with the avowed intention of obliging
the American army to quit their post at Whitemarfh,
and driving them back into the country. —Early on
Friday morning they posted themselves strongly on the
heights of Chefnut-Hill, about two miles in front of
the right wing of our army. While they lay here.
General Irvine, with a body of militia, attacked a
party of their light troops which were a little advan
ced in front of their encampment. The skirmish was
pretty warm, and the enemy being reinforced, our
militia were obliged to retire in some confufion —Un-
fortunately Gen. Irvine was wounded in the hand and
thrown from Ids horse, by which means he was made
prisoner.—The enemy had a number killed and
wounded, among the latter was Sir James Murray,
a Captain of the light infantry.—Having reconnoitred
our right Efficiently, and not liking its appearance of
strength, on'Saturday night they silently filed off to
our left, leaving a party behind them to keep up their
fires. On Sunday morning they took post on Edge-
Hill, in front of our left : In the afternoon Col. Mor
gan, with his light corps, fell in with a large body of
the enemy, attacked them with spirit, and did great
execution. Burgoyne's Grasshoppers * galled them,
extremely.—The next day, the enemy suddenly retir
ed, and before we could fufpedt such a thing from,
these braggadocios, they were on full march for Phi
ladelphia.
" This expedition has only served to discover the
weakness and cruelty of the British army—When
ever they marched it was in the night—whenever they
halted they took post on the strongest grounds —where-
ever they came they plundered the miserable inhabi
tants without refped of person—Those merciful con
fideratiops which should influence us in our treatment
of our worst enemies found no place among them, —
The poor, the widow, the fatherlefs children, were
stripped of their all, even without leaving them bread
to eat or cloaths enough to coverthem. —Did they -
who talk of British mercy and protection but fee these
unhappy fufferers !"
* These are two light 3 pounders, made of ^wrought
iron and manageable with a very few bands, which
were taken at Saratoga.
Extract of a Letter, from a Gentleman at Camp, o?z
Schuylkill, dated Dec. 17, 1777.
" We have been for several days paftpofted on the
mountain near the gulph mill, and yesterday a party
of the enemy, to the number of forty-five, were sur
prised and made prisoners."
Died in this city after a short and painful illness,
Mrs. CECII/IA SHEE, wife of Lieutenant-Co-
Icael B. Shee, Quarter-Matter- General of artillery,in
the 35th year of her age ; and dn Tuesday her remains
were interred in the burying-ground of the episcopal
church in this place.
Being a stranger among strangers, her character
demands this small tribute to her memory from one,
who is no stranger to her merits. Early initiated in
the paths of virtue and religion, file commanded the
esteem and conciliated the love of all within the circle
of her acquaintance. To a manly understanding the
added the advantages of a liberal education ; —good
sense improved by industry and confirmed by experi
ence. Neither her religion or understanding were
the fubje& of ostentation ; the former has been prov
ed by many years pain and fufferings, the latter was
evident from her conduct and conversation. She
knew the world enough to despise the things of it :—
Every domestic 'virtue was hers; and next to her
Creator, the cares of her family were her greatest
happiness. She died in the faith of the episcopal
church, with that fortitude that ever attends a recon
ciled conference, and a perfect reliance on the merits
of him who is mighty to save : die left this noisy
confuted state of existence in exchange for a world
of peace, joy and eternal felicity. A husband and
two small infants are left to lament the loss of the
most amiable of women.
We hear that on Friday last Lord Cornwallis, Gene
ral Cliveland, Sir George Osborne, and the Rev.
Jacob Duche, failed from Philadelphia for England.
The Legislature of New-Jersey, at their last fitting
at Princeton, appointed the Honourable John Wi
therspoon, Abraham Clark, Jonathan Elmer,
Nathaniel Scudder and Elias Bovdinot, Efqrs.
delegates to represent this state in Congress.
A correspondent informs us, that Congress have re
commended a convention of commissioners of all the
states to form a plan of general regulation refpeHing
the limiting the prices of sundry articles of produce,
manufacture and trade —that those from the Dela
ware state, inclusive, northward, are to meet the 15th
day of January next at New-Haven—and that com
miflioners are appointed for thatpurpofe for this state,
viz. the Hon. John Cleves Symmes, Esq. Moore
Furman, Esq. and Col. John Neilson.
" It is remarkable," fays another correspondent,
" that the New-York miserable mercenaries called
Printers, never published their forgeries of the Ruf
fians procured by Great-Britain, till after the defeat
Of Gen, Burgora, It theq become necessary to ad-