The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-12-16 00:00:00, page 2

Admiral Byron failed from New-York, on the ißth
of October, with 16 fail of the line, several frigates,
and about ice fail of transports, victualling ships and
merchantmen; invalids, officers of reduced regi
ments, tories, &c. —After proceeding some way with
the fleet Admiral Byron with all the ships of the line
left it to the care of the frigates, and came to cruize
off this Bay, to block up the Count D'Eftaing, or
follow him wherever he should go. Here they were
overtaken by the late storm, in which the Somerset
was loft on Cape-Cod : The Somerset was one of five
ships that were in great distress. The 74 gun ship
arrived at Newport without masts is probably one of
them :—And as she makes but twelve in that harbour,
it is not unlikely from repeated accounts we have
lately received of part of the wrecks of some large
vessel or vessels being seen, that the other three are loft.
It appears that Byron's fleet was prepared for a
long voyage, if occasion required it: Five hundred
barrels of flour have been taken out of the Somerset,
great part of which it is hoped may be fit for use.—
This with the guns and other things make this wreck
no fmalf acquisition.
Saturday last arrived at Marblehead, a schooner
from France, Capt. James, who left Nantz the 28th
of September.
By this vessel we have an account, that the Count
D'Orvilliers with the Brest fleet returned to that port
about the 20th of that month, without having been
able to meet with Admiral Keppel, who they fay in
France had never failed, or kept out of the way of
their fleet :—That the Count D'Orvilliers brought
in with him a number of British vessels he had cap
tured,fome of them armed vessels, and among others
the Fox frigate, formerly captured by Capt. Manly,
and retaken in a manner not very honourable to us
by the Rainbow and Flora :—That the privateer Mif
flin from this port, Capt. M'Neil, had taken 13 prizes
in her way to Europe, one of which was worth
io,oool. sterling, being a ship belonging to the French,
captured by a British cruizer and recaptured by the
Mifflin; she was claimed by the original owners in
France, upon this ground, that the British cruizer
who firft took her was not commissioned against
French, but only American trade. —The prize how
ever, it is said, was adjudged by the French court
to the Mifflin. We also learn by this vessel, that
banckruptcies\ were increasing in England :—That
Spain was going on with her armaments, and every
preparation for war ; but her Ambassador was still in
England, and no appearance of an immediate de
parture ; and that Holland, as usual seemed to be
ainiing at, and was like to be indulged by England,
with a kind of neutrality in the present dispute.
On Saturday ,a prize brig was sent in here by the
privateer Brigantine. Capt. Daniels, who latelv failed
from this port. The former was a privateer fitted
out from Salem, captured by a British vessel, and was
going to Europe in company with a number of vessels,
among which George Prefcot and his suit were em
barked. One of his Aid-de-Camps, when they were
at sea, got on board this prize, and was brought in
with her, a boat, it is said, going from her to fetch
his wife and family funk ; and the vessel in which
they were embarked is supposed to be foundered.
Dec. 3: There have been saved from the wreck of the
Somerset British ship of war, of 64 guns, which was
lately cast away upon the Cape, fifty-four guns 0f24,
18, 12 and 9 pounders, with their carriages, 400 bar
rels of provisions, and 200 barrels of powder, all of
which are merchantable. The remaining 10 guns
were thrown over before she went a-shore.
A sloop belonging to New-Haven, which arrived
here last week from St. Croix, was taken last Thurs
day near New-Have^ harbour, by a small privateer
schooner of 6 swivels. The sloop had about 300
bushels of salt, and a quantity of rum on board. All
the people except one, got ashore in the boat.
We have certain advices that four of Admiral By
ron's fleet returned to New-York the 18th instant,
two of them difmafted.
FISH- KILL, December ro.
His Excellency General Washington passed thro'
this town on theist inst. on his way to Jersey. The
day following the Marquis de la Fayette left this
town for Boston, where he is to embark for France.
On Saturday last about 20 British ships, brigs, and
smaller vessels, made an expedition up the North-
River, as far as King's-Ferry, where they destroyed
two or three huts, and took off a barrel of stinking
fifh ; they seemed disposed to do further mifehief, but
as a large detachment was sent off by General M'
Dougal,' which arrived in time to defend the place,
they'went off with precipitation. —On their way
down the river they burnt, in a wanton and cowardly
manner, two or three defencelefs houses at or near
Tarry-town.
Reports from L. Bland fay, That Count 'd Eftaing
has taken seven of theCork fleet, and five other vessels,
and that an English cruizer had taken the French
packet and mail.: That Gen. Clinton was at alofs what
to do, or where he was to go, as he expected orders
in the packet, which they apprehend was taken or
loft.—ln the interim, the British troops were building
barracks cr huts at Jericho, not far from Hampftead
on Long-Bland.
A correspondent fays, the inhabitants of New-
York ar; heartily fck of their protestors, and with
NEW-LONDON, November 27.
BOSTO N, November 23.
PHILADELPHIA, December 3.
On Tuesday his Excellency J OSEPH REED,
Esquire, was proclaimed President of the Supreme
Executive Council of this Commonwealth, Captain
General and Commander in Chief in and over the
said Commonwealth ; and the fame day the Honora
ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, was chosen Vice-
President of the Council.
The schooner Gates, Captain Amory, arrived at
Cape Francois on the 9th ult. with Mr. Robert Lynch
Roberts paflenger.
DEC EMBER 5.
At a GENERAL COURT MARTIAL, held for
the Trial of Major General Schuyler,
Major General Lincoln, President.
Brigadier General Nixon, Colonel Putnam,
Brigadier General Clinton, Colonel M. Gilt,
Brigadier General Wayne, Colonel Russel,
Brigadier General Muhlenburg, Colonel Grayson,
Colonel Greaton, Colonel Stewart,
Colonel Johnson, Colonel Meggs.
OCTOBER 3, 1778.
The Court, having considered the charge against
Major General Schuyler,.the evidence, and his de
fence, are unanimously of opinion that he is not
guilty of any neglekt of duty in not being at Ticonde
roga, as charged ; and the Court thereupon do ac
quit him with the highest honor.
(Signed) B. LINCOLN, President.
In CONGRESS, December 3, 1778.
Congress took into consideration the proceedings
of the Court Martial on the trial of Major General
Schuyler ; whereupon Refolded, That the sentence
of the General Court Martial, acquitting Major Ge
neral Schuyler with the highest honor of the charges
exhibited against him, be and is hereby confirmed.
Ordered, That the proceedings of the laid Court
Martial be published.
Ordered, That the above Resolution be transmit
ted to the Commander in Chief.
Extract from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec.
Dec. 10. On Thursday last arrived in this port the
brig Nancy, Captain Doan, in 30 days from St. Croix.
On Friday the armed sloop Harriot, Captain Gan
fel, from the fame island, which she left the sth of
November.
And on Saturday the Continental brig Baltimore,
Captain Read, from Nantz in France, which he left
the last of September.
The report of a second engagement between the
French ail<l British fleets oIT XTfhant, On thc-^ftfrof
August last, is without foundation ; Capt. Read hav
ing spoke with the French fleet late in September,
when nothing material had happened.
The above vessels from St. Croix brought valuable
cargoes of Weft-India produce, with a quantity of
European goods, &c. Several other vessels were at
St. Croix, bound to Baltimore and Philadelphia.
The Rattlesnake privateer, of 18 guns, Captain
M'Culloch, on her passage from Charleftown in South-
Carolina to this port, off the Capes of Virginia fell
in with the Swift British sloop of war, which flie en
gaged some time in a running fight, when she run
ashore and bilged a little to the southward of Cape
Henry, and the Swift in pursuing shared the fame
fate. Captain M'Culloch and his crew landed fafe
in Virginia; the crew of the Swift, after destroying
the vessel surrendered themselves prisoners of war.—
This happened about the latter end of November.
Yesterday afternoon Colonel Hartley arrived in
town from the frontiers, where his fuccefsful exerti
ons against the Indians and tories have gained this
prudent and gallant officer and his little corps the
highest hondr.
On Wednesday last Captain Stevens, in a privateer
belonging to Egg-Harbour, took the schooner Two
Friends, Captain Sion, of 6 carriage and 12 swivel
guns, with 22 men, belonging to New-York.
DECEMBER 12.
In CONGRESS, December 10, 1778.
According to order, the House proceeded to the
election of a President, and the ballots being taken,
The Honorable JOHN JAY, Esquire, was elected.
Resolved, That such Continental vessels of war as
shall capture any of the enemy's vessels laden with
masts or any other naval flores, bound from any part
of Nova Scotia to Rhode-Bland or New-York, fliall
be entitled to the whole of the capture.
Resolved, That the twelve months pay allowed to
fupernumer^y officers of the army, by a Resolution
of Congress of the 24th of November last, be made
up in the payrolls of the regimental Paymasters, and
drawn from them by the said officers respectively.
Extract from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
T RENTO N, December 16.
Extract of a letter from Pennfylmania, Dec. 4, 1778.
“ I am sorry to inform you of the death of the
Rev. RICHARD TREAT, pastor of the Church at
Abington. He was taken from us last Tuesday, af
ter a few days illness. Though not personally ac
quainted with him, you know enough of his charac
ter to mourn the loss we have sustained. He was a
faint eminent for his piety ; and well did he deserve
the time may speedily come when they may be left
to themselves ; the greater part would rather leave
themselves to Whig-mercy than British clemency
and protection any longer.
the epithet of GOOD which was frequently bestow
ed upon him. In these days of levity and degene
racy he led a life resembling that of the primitive
Christians: his whole conduct being formed agree
able to the purity and Jbikinefs of the Gospel precepts.
He was zealous in the service of his Divine Maker,
and devoted his life to promote the interests of reli
gion. He was indefatigable in his attention to his
flock; and tho' they could allow him but a scanty sa
lary, yet contented with this he neither fought a
richer living or solicited a larger stipend. His fruga
lity and economy supplied the place of wealth, and
enabled him to live with decency and ease. He pos
sessed a strong judgment improved by found learning :
he was ar. able divine ; judicious in council ; kind to
his neighbours ; faithful and honefl in his friendihips.
Among his other excellencies, he was a firm whig;
and a dijinterefled patriot. 'The distresses of his
country bore heavy on his mind, and her welfare
was the frequent fubjedtof hit carneft petitions.
Such are the outlines of the character of the good
man who is at rest from his labours, and hath gene
from a world of trouble to the bosom of his heavenly-
Father. It is happy for him, but society fuffered
when flie loft him."
The Courts of Oyer and Terminer and General
Gaol Delivery for the cl inty of GLoucefter were
opened at Glqucefter on the 17th of November last,
and ended on the sth of this month. During the
session Benjamin Bartholomew was convicted of
Burglary, and Jonathan Chew, Harrison Wells,
William Hammett, John Eliks, John Franklin, Jo
seph Prat, Joseph Dill, James Birch, Daniel Fuf
man, Abraham Fennimore, David Lloyd, Lawrence
Cox, Gideon Urine, Joshua Dilks, Charles String,
Thomas Nightingale, Palerfon Cook, and Isaac
Lord, were convicted of High Treason. On Satur
day fc'nnight sentence of death passed against the
above offenders.
In a New-Yorl< paper of Dec. 2,' Brigadier General
Browne, (having failed for his government with a
number of troops) gives an invitation to all gentlemen
refugees and others, who are ialined to fettle on any
of his majelty's Bahama inlands, and offers every en
couragement to those who are desirous to retire thi
ther dur 1 g the rebellion.
We are assured that many ofihofe deluded wretch
es are about to embrace the offer.
We hear that the Legislature of this State have or
dered a genteel sword to be presented to Captain
Nathaniel Fitz, Randolph, of Woodbridge, in
consideration of his merit and Services.
Caleb Camp, Esq. is ele&ed Speaker of the House
of Aflembly of this State, in the room of John Hart,
Esq. detained from publick business by sickness.
The Council and Assembly in joint-meeting, have
appointed the Honorable fohn Wiiherfpoon, Nathaniel
Scudder, fohn Fell, Frederick Freelingbuyfen, and Elias
Da,ton, Efqrs. delegates in Congress, for the ensuing
year.—The Honorable fohn Imlay, Esq. Judge of the
Court of Admiralty ; fofeph Bloomfield, Esq. Register,
and Joseph Potts, Esq. Marshall. — fonatban Deare,
Esq. Collector of the Customs in the Eastern diftrift ;
Capt. Nathaniel Fit% Randolph, Esq. Naval officer.
Samuel Dick, Esq. Collector of the Customs in the
Western diftrid ; Thomas Sinnickfon, Esq. Naval offi
cer.—Elifba Boudinot, Esq. Commissary of Prisoners
for this State.
The Legislature adjourned last Saturday to Wed
nesday the 19th of May next, during their fitting the
following laws were passed, viz.
1. An Aki to authorize and impower the Delegates
of the State of New-Jersey in Congress, to fubferibe
and ratify the Articles of Confederation and perpetual
Union between the several States.
2. An Aki to revive and continue an ad, intitled,
An Aki to prohibit the exportation of provisions from
the State of New-Jersey.
3. An Aki to confirm certain private laws passed
in New-Jersey, previous to the present constitution.
4. An Aki for the support of the government of the
State of New-Jersey, to commence the 13th day of
October, 1778, and to end the second Tuesday in
October, 1779; and to difeharge the publick debts,
and contingent charges thereof.
5. An Aki further to suspend the operation ofan aft,
intitled, An Aki for regulati^ and limiting the price
of labour, and sundry articles of produce, manufac
ture and trade, and to prevent foreltalling, regrating
and engrossing.
6. An Aki to raise the sum of one hundred thousand
pounds by taxation, for difeharging the debts, and
defraying the necessary expences of the State of New-
Jersey.
7. An Aa for instituting a Court of Admiralty, and
for directing the mode of appointing custom-house
officers in the State of New-Jersey.
8. An Aki for amending and maint: 'ring the cause
way over the great cedar swamp in the upper precinct
of the county of Cape-May, known by the name of
the Great Cedar-swamp Bridge.
9. An Act for recovering the arrears of certain
taxes.
10. An Aki for the relief of Jc.hn Barber and Caleb
Farley, purchasers of certain lands fold by John
Barnes, late Sheriff of the county of Hunterdon.
11. An Aki for augmenting the fees of Sheriffs and
Constables, and for railing the fines to which they are
liable for negled or refufal of duty.
12. An Aki for the encouragement of education.
13. An Aki to continue an a& for regulating the
election of the Members of the LegiOative Council