The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-06-16 00:00:00, page 2

exported from each of the said States, for the relief
of the distressed inhabitants of those Islands, and that
it be required of the Captains of any vessel) on board
which the said corn (hall be laden, to return to the
refpedtive Executive Powers aforelaid certificates of
the delivery and faithful.appropriation of the said
provision, under the signature of at least two of the
principal inhabitants of the said Islands."
A motion was made by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr.
Penn, to Itrike out the words "and North-Carolina,"
and, on the question, Shall those words ftanu?
Resolved in the affirmative.
On the question to agree to the report,
Kelolved in the affirmative.
May 20. ^ letter of the 19th from the Hon. Sieur
Girard, Minnter Plenipotentiary of France, was read,
inclohng a note from Don Juan de Miraillis, refpedt
ing three Spanish (hips taken by privateers and car
ried into Mdffachufetts-Bay :
Ordered, That the fame be referred to a Committee
of three;
The Members chosen, Mr. Burke, Mr. Duane,
and Mr. Lovell.
In CONGRESS, 29th May, 1779.
Refolded, That the Paymaster General fhail keep
his office in the place where Congress may, from time
to time, hold their session::
That he be allowed to employ as many clerks, as
(ball be judged necessary by the Board of Treasury:
That he foe authorifed to superintend the several
Deputy Paymasters General, whose duty it ihali be
to make monthly returns to him, and fcafonable ap
plications for money for the use of the army, to fol
low his directions in the mode of keeping their ac
counts, and all other matters relative to their office :
That all accounts of advances, made by any of the
States or any officer or person whatsoever, for the pay
of the continental army, or for the recruiting service,
ihali be delivered to the Deputy Paymaster General
of the diftridt where such advances may be made ;
and the said Deputies are hereby directed to keep a
copy of such accounts in a book, to be provided by
them for that purpose, and to transmit the originals
immediately to the Paymaster General:
That the Paymaster General (hall keep regular
book, and charge therein all monies that have been
or may be advanced to the Deputies in the several de
partments , and when he receives their monthly returns
ih ill give them credit for the fame, charging the se
veral regiments or persons to whom luch advances
have been made, and tranimitting their accounts to
the Auditors of the army refpedively :
That the Auditors of the army in the fevera^dif
trids make monthly returns to the Paymaster Gene
ral of the accounts fettled in their office, particularly
fptcifying the manner in which such accounts were
balanced and the date of the lettiement:
That a Deputy Paymaster General be appointed for
the aimy, under the immediate command of his Ex
cellency General Wafliington.
Extras from the Minutes.
, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
IN obedience to the foregoing Resolutions of C<>n
gref, Publick Notice is hereby given, that the PAY
OFFICE is opened 111 Walnut-itre^t, between Second
and Third-ltreets, in the house where the Board of
War is held.
WILLIAM PALFRY, Paymaster General.
Philadelphia, June 8, 1779.
In CONGRESS, June 7, 1779.
Refolded, That the Commissary General of Prison
ers be au'horifed from time to time to pay to the order
of officers and foidiers in captivity, any sums not ex
ceeding the amount of their pay and subsistence, in
order to enable them to assist their families ; and that
lie make monthly returns to the Paymaster General
of their accounts refpedively.
Extras from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Mr. Collins,
0 'HERE is no question oftener handled by the wri-
I ters who have furnifhed publications for your
Paper than that refolding the regulation of the Pri
ces of our own and foreign commodities —A variety
of measures hath been proposed to remedy the ma
ny and great inconveniencies arising to the commu
nity from the high price of labour, of our own pro
ductions, and of all thearticles imported fr m abroad.
There is not, perhaps, any fubjedt whatever that
requires more extensive knowledge and enlarged
thought than that which I have here mentioned—lt
is so complicated and interwoven with a variety of
interests ; the connections and dependencies of things
are so extremely nice and intricate, that a single ill
judged measure may be productive of infinite disad
vantage to the state. I have seen nothing as yet sug
gested but partial remedies for general evils, paltry
wretched expedients for the cure of diseases which
have very extensive influence and have taken deep
root in this country.
Empericks in politicks, like those in medicine, if
they fee any thing, fee but a part —their perception,
like the vision of the fmaUeft infeds, cannot com
prise in its view more than one object at a time, and
that very minute.
Some with whom I have ponverfed, having confi
deiable landed property, are ever exclaiming against
the rapacity and extortion of the merchant and tra
der. These are perpetually finding fault with 'the
high price of provisions and the articles which they
arc obliged to purchase of the farmer ; and the trades
man execrates them both, and thinks there is a ge
neral conspiracy against him. They all severally juf
tify themselves in their own minds and openly to the
world, and loudly call for justice and vengeance 011
each other's heads.
I am not a Granger to the origin of these evils; I
know from whence they sprang---But as a'recapitu
lation of grievances will not at this time, perhaps, be
very acceptable to the publick, after the repeated
nauseous doses adminiftred by the writer who calls
himfelf A true Patriot, I ihall rest fatisfied with the
fads which may be garbled from this mass of things,
and the general knowledge my fellow-citizens and
countrymen have of these matters.
In order to a general plan, I would propose that
the Speaker of the Aflembly of this State be directed
by vote of Aflembly to write to the Speakers of the
Pennsylvania and New-York Assemblies, and a> many
others as may be thought proper, and propose that a
committee of the mofl intelligent members or other
informed persons out of the House, be appointed to
meet as early as possible at some fixed place, to regu
late the prices of labourers, horles and cattle, and all
commodities of every kind whatsoever. —'I hefe prices
at firft should not be too low ; some regard should be
had to the quantity of money in circulation and the
real scarcity of particular articles. In pursuance of
this principle it will be necessary that the said com
mittees inform themselves as minutely as possible of
the current prices of all things within their refpedive
States, and of the causes of the different prices of the
fame articles in different places —whether these are
owing to a real scarcity, to the expence of carriage,
or to a spirit of monopoly and extortion, &c.
Let these committees form a general plan of regu
lation, to take place on a certain day in the several
States, and let them be empowered mutually to pledge
the honour of their refpe—ive Assemblies for the true
and faithful execution of the several parts of the sti
pulations entered into with each other, as far as in
them lies.
This mode of regulation, upon so broad and firm a
basis, may poflibly answer some good end, and be
productive of real benefit to the community. A par
tial plan of ny kind will by no means answer the pur
pose.—For instance, luppofe the prices of grain should
be fixed higher in Pniladelphia than in this State, will
not the farmer fend his grain to that market ? Or lup
pofe the prices of foreign commodities should be high
er in this State than at Philadelphia, will not the peo
ple there, as is the practice at this time, bring their
goods on this tide the Delaware for tale.
But I have one thing farther to mention, which is,
that the success of the measure will altogether depend
on the liberality, general knowledge and good fenje of
thole who are to be sent on this bufincts. —It is not
fufficient that a man is honest and upright in his
views—if he is incapable and wants difeernment, he
will, with the best intentions, probably do more
harm than good to the State he may represent.
I remember a very honest Irish Gentleman who had
lived in Dublin, and been a Member of the Corpora
tion in that city—he had studied the conftitutio n of it
with great afliduity, and held it in so great esteem that
he thought there was no political frame of govern
ment in the world to be compared with it. —1 have
often heard him in conversation try the disputes be
tween the great powers of Europe by the rules of the
Corporation of Dublin, and I have seen his passions
swell into anger and wrath, because his oppo ent
would not admit the full force and scope of his ar
guments ; altho' I could not help loving and cfteem
ing the qualities of this man's heart, yet I could not
admire those of his head ; and I have often thought,
had he lived in these times, his zeal in this great and
good cause would have been so ill directed, and the
consequences so severely felt by his neighbours, that
any person unacquainted with the uprightness and
honesty of Itis views would have deemed him one of
the most mifehievous and ill intentioned men in the
world. CRI TO.
MONTEGO-BAY, (Jamaica) January 9.
LAST Saturday fe'nnight arrived at Port Royal,
the Diligence packet from Pensacola, by which
conveyance account, have been received of a violent
storm having happened at that place on the ninth of
OCtober; fourteen fail of vessels were entirely loft,
among which ^as the Sarah and Elizabeth, Foote,
loaded with lumber, and intended for this island;
the vessel being cast far upon land must be considered
as a mere wreck, the cargo however will be saved ; the
water is said to have arisen upwards of twenty feet
perpendicular beyond its usual height. His Majesty's
Goops Stork and Sylph rode out the storm, but the
Hound (loop was obliged to cut away her masts. The
wharfs in general and stores were carried away, a
great part of the town being overflowed. The Comet
packet for this island, having failed a few days before,
was loft in the gale, but the Captain and people saved,
as likewise the mail.
Last Sunday returned into port, the private armed
flrip Monmouth, having taken a copper-bottom pri
vateer brig of 14 guns and 75 men. —She left the prize
seven days ago.
June 3 This morning about 3 o'clock, a fire broke
out at the elegant row of buildings belonging to Tho
mas Fairweather, Esq. in Seven-Bar lane, which, not
withrtanding the activity of the inhabitants, consum
ed a great part of the fame.
BOSTO N, May 27.
BALTIMORE, June ~
Mr. James White, a gentleman of reputation, this
moment arrived here from Edenton in North-Carolina,
brings the agreeable intelligence of the defeat of the
British arm# from Georgia before Charleftown in Soutl
Carolina, which, by a rapid march, they had infefted
on or about the 19th ult. having, it is said, been en
couraged to contmit that rafb ahi by their evil counsel
lors the tories. The particulars of this great event
are gone forward to Congref by express, and may be
speedily expeded here. Mr. White obtained his in
formation of the Honourable Mr. Hewes of Edenton,
who, just as he left that place, favoured him'with the
perusal of a late letter from Charleftown, advising that
the enemy's force, fuppok d to be under the command
of General Provost, consisted of 3700 men ; that they
cannonaded the town upwards of three hours to little
effect, killing but two or three of the garrison during
the siege, which was suddenly raised by the gallant
exertions of General Moultrie and his troops, who
had to the number of 1500, previously entered the
town, aided by Count Pul riki, his corps and a noble
band of citizens, who have all gained immortal ho
nour; that a sally of volunteers closed the feene be
fore the town, from whence the enemy fled with the
utmort precipitation, leaving 553 of their number
dead on the spot, and did not halt until they had ran
t< 11 miles ; that they had but two or three days pro
visions left, and that 4500 men under Gen. Williamfoa
had advanced within 15 miles of Charleftown, and
Gen. Lincoln at the head of 2500 more, had entered
Jackfonborough on Ponpon river, (36 miles from the
capital) and taken all the enemy's baggage, burning
the village at the fame time, for lack of righteous in
• habitants. It was generally believed, the remnant of
the enemy's defeated army must inevitably furiender
themselves prisoners. Mr. White adds, that the ex
press from Charleftown reported, that during the siege
of that place, a great tumult had been raised by a
number of difaffeded inhabitants, which would have
given success to the enemy, had they not been check
ed by the execution of 40 Traitors.
" Accounts from Annapolis, just arrived, fay, that
a fleet of between fifty and sixty fail of veffcls appears
in our Bay, under convoy of two or three men of war
and some frigates, supposed to be the Nantz fleet."
We hear that a Dutch ship is arrived at Bolton with
dry goods and 300 chests of tea.
Extract of a letter from Edenton, N. C. June 1, 1779.
'' I have the pleasure to inform you, that our affairs
to the foutliward have a good afpedt. By several let
ters, and persons, from South Carolina, we are in
formed, that on the 9th and 10th of May, the enemy
under the command of Gen.Prevoft,approached with
in 20 miles of Charleftown: They were computed at
3500 strong, with 6 nine pounders, besides field pieces
and mortars. At the fame time Gen. Moultrie was
between them and Charleftown with 150 c men. Gen.
Williamson was in their rear, and within aday's march
with 2000 men. Gen. Lincoln, when the last accounts
left Georgia, was yet in that State,, with 3000 troops,
and had taken the whole baggage and stores of the e
nemy, from the station above referred to. The enemy
filed off along Ashley river as far as the ferry, On which
the Governor gave orders to difm^ntle Fort Johnston
and burn it, least they should cross over and take it.
On the iith they crossed Ashley river, and advanced
towards Charleftown, by the common road'; about
five P. M. they made an attack on the town, and
kept up their fire till half part nine, when they were
repulfcd. They left about 650 men on the field. Our
lots is said to be about 120. The enemy retreated
about five miles that night, and when the last accounts
left Charleftown they were hemmed in between the
rivers Ashley and Cooper, so that I hope by this time
General Prevoft, like his friend General Burgoyne,
is relieved from the fatigues of ^military life." 0
On Wednesday last ai rived in this port the schooner
Humming Bird, , late Master. This
vessel was bound from the Eastern Shore of Virginia,
for the Island of Santa Croix, laden with 50 hogsheads
of tobacco; and in lat. 36 40. long. 73. 29. die fell
a prey to the sloop Bayard, of ten carriage guns, Be
nedict Byrn, Commander, a privateer belonging to
Jonathan Eliback and Thomas Favian of New-York
city, but was retaken the Bth'inftant near Cape May,
by the General Green armed ship, in the service of
this State, commanded by James Montgomery, Esq.
And on Thursday came up the privateer brigantine
Impertinent, of 10 carriage guns, four pounders, 12
swivels, and 53 men, Jacob Getcheus, Co/umander,
late belonging to New-York, also taken by Captain
Montgomery. This vessel left Sandy Hook the 2dinft.
in company with the Delaware and Daphne frigates,
and the Union privateer of 2c guns, all bound on a.
cruize. Two days after, at the edge of soundings,
the Daphne was seen to approach an American frigate,
and loon after cannonading was heard. At this time
the weather was hazy, and the Delaware two leagues
behind. Captain Getcheus left his consorts in this
situation, and steered southerly till Monday the 7th
inst. when being seen at a great distance by the crew
of the General Green about day-break,a chace ensued,
and about two in the afternoon the (hip came up, and
the privateer (truck without resistance. The Imper
tinent appears to have been owned and fitted out by
Henry White, Esq. Richard Yates, Henry W. Perry,
and Reilly, of the city of New-York. Her stores
and provisions were calculated for a fix months cruize.
Extract of a letter from Baltimore, dated June 8.
PHILADELPHIA, June 12.