The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-04-01 00:00:00, page 2

himfelf to the membcrs jvho would compose that
Majority. He begged them to consider the manner
in which they were treated ; they were held unwor
thy to be trusted with a Secret; they were told it
would be fatal to trust them ; and yet this mighty
secret was thrown upon a board in another place,
that every news-paper reader in London might be
trusted with it. He begged them to reflect on the
important situation which they held, their rtlpoufi
bility to a body of free and independent representa
tives, and the regard due to their own honours as
men and members of a British parliament. He con
cluded by attempting to point out the inconsistency
of the Houle first asking for information, and then
refufing to grant it to thcmlelvcs.
Mr. Speaker rose and laid, the House would give
him credit for an assertion, that he meant no appor
tion against the honourable gentleman who fpokc lad,
in calling him to order. He found it neccliary, and
he knew it to be his duty to adhere; to one certain
rule ; and he hoped while he continued fair and
impartial, to have the support of the House in en
forcing that rule.
Mr. Fox, in a very long, , pointed and feverc Speech,
run over the whole ground of the debate. He Paid,
he never heard the noble Lord so zealous to preserve
the privileges of the Houle ; not, lays he, for their
right of enquiring into the Rate of the nation ; not
for the right of enquiring into the conduct of the
Ministry, the progress of the war, the negociations
towards peace ; not for the right of calling for par
ticular papers, and Searching for secrets ; but for the
noble right of ignorance ; —it is that privilege alone
which the noble Lord is anxious to preserve; and no
house but the Commons, fays he, Shall have the right
to remain in ignorance. Such is the language, inch
the affection, and the evident meaning of his this
day's condu—. But to the motion : There is a tech
nical term of ton used by you, Mr. Speaker, that
when a proposition is not proved, or a motion re
jected, it is called a nihil; but two nibils make a
fieri facias. I with to prove a truth from this. The
ad of parliament, and I suppose the commission pos
sesses two means to be prosecuted towards bringing
about a peace —the one by force; force hath been
used, arms employed, and much blood and treasure
wafted without effed. It hath produced — nihil. The
second means was—by amicable negociation. That
too hath been pradifed, in some degree, and hath
also produced— nihil. Here then are two mhils which
produce a fieri facias. We are convinced that the
mode adopted will not answer the end proposed. It
is then our duty to fix on new measures, and adopt
a scheme more amenable to the genius, temper, and
inclination of the people with whom we have to do.
They were considered, nay, they were declared by
the noble Lord at the head of a certain department,
beg leave to ask of that Lord, whether, from th« te
nor of their conduct, as described in the intelligence
published this night, he now believes them to be so >
lam of opinion he does not. I declare it appears
to me, that we are as far as ever from gaining by
conquest the peace we aim at. The news we have re
ceived is no way decifae, nor in any degree important.
The army of Mr. Washington retired in full force,
and remain posted in a secure situation, collected,
and capable of offence and defence. He went into
many other arguments, to Ihew the necessity of en
tering into the, investigation for whjth he moved, and
from the difeoveries that would produce of concert
ing a new plan for negociating peace with America.
To His Excellency General WASHINGTON.
SA Y—on what hallow'd altar fnall I find,
A sacred spark that can again light up
The mufe's ardour in my wane of life,
And warm my bofoin with poetic flame
Extinguifh'd long—and yet, O Washington,
Thy worth unequall'd, thy herioc deeds,
Thy patriot virtues, and high-Soaring fame,
Prompt irresistibly my feeble arm,
To grap the long-forgotten lyre, and join
The universal chorus of thy praise.
When urg'd by third of arbitrary sway
And over-weaning pride, a ruthless king
Grim fpurn'd us, suppliants, from his haughty throne,
And in the tyrant all the father loft ;
When to our pray'rs, with humble duty urg'd,
He, PHARAOH-like, his heart obdurate Steel'd,
Denouncing dreadful vengeance, unprovok'd,
And all the dire calamities of war —
No ray of mercy beaming from his brow,
No olive-branch extended in his hand ; —
A sword unfheath'd, or ignominious yoke,
The only fad alternative propos'd—
Then with one voice thy country call'd thee forth,
Thee, Washington, fhecall'd : —With modest blulh
But foul undaunted, thou the call obey'd,
To lead her armies to the martial field.—
Thee, Washington, the call'd to draw the sword,
And rather try the bloody chance of war
In virtue's cause, than Suffer servile chains,
Intolerable bondage ! to inclofe
The limbs of those, whom God created free.
Lur'd by thy fame, and with thy virtues charm'd,
And by thy valour fir'd, around thee pour'd
America's long-injur'd sons, refolv'd
To meet the veteran troops who oft had borne
Britannia's name, in thunder, round the world.
For the New-Jersey Gazette.
With warrior-bands, by Liberty imped'd,
And all their country glowing at their heart ;
And prodigal of blood, when the requir'd,
Tho' deflitute of war's eliential aids,
(The.well-ftor'd armory, the nitrous grain,
The roaring cannon, and death-bearing bail)
Thou mad'lt the solemn dread appeal to heav'n, —
The solemn dread appeal th' Almighty heard,
And fmil'd success. Unfabled Astrea weigh'd
Our cause in her eternal Scales, and found
It just: While ail-directing Providence,
Inedible, yet fcen, mysterious, crown'd,
And more than crown'd our hopes ; and flrange to
tell!.
Made Fritfb infidels, like Lucifer,'
Believe and tremble. Thou, with troops,new-raiy'd,
Undilciplin'u ; nor to the tented held
Inur'd, had kept the hostile host aloof;.
And oft dilQunhted: While victory
The laurel wreatn around thy temples twin'd ;
And Trenton, Princeton prove thy bold emprize;
Names then unknown to long, illustrious now,
Deriving immortality from thee.
Proceed, heaven-guided Chief, nor be difmay'd
At foreign myriads, or domestic foes,
(The belt have foes, and foes evince their worth)
Soon, by one danger rous'd, one foul inSpir'd,
One.caufe defending, on one goal intent,
From every quarter whence the winds can blow,
Ahembled belts their Hero shall attend,
Determin'd to be free —Them shalt thou lead,
To conquefc lead, and make the tyrant rue
His execrable perpofc to enslave;
And teach e'en British folly to be wife.
Far as th' encircling fun his chariot drives,'
Thy fame shall spread ; thy grateful countdown
Her millions fav'd by thy victorious arm ;
And rear eternal monuments of praise.
The arduous talk absolv'd, the truncheon broke ;
Of future glory, liberty and peace
The Strong foundations laid, methinks I fee
The god-like Hero gracefully retire,
Arid (blood-ftain'd Mars for fair Pomona chang'd)
His rural feat regain : His rural feat
Fresh-blooming at his vilitation, Smiles;
And in exprefiive silence Speaks her joy.
There, recoiledtirig oft thy p^ft exploits,
(Feast of the foul ne'er cloying appetite)
And kill assiduous for the public weal;
(Incumbent duty ne'er effac'd) amidst
Sequefter'd haunts, and in the calm of life,
Methinks I fee thee, SoLON-like, design
The future grandeur of confederate States
High tow'ring ; or for legislation met,
Adjust in Senate what thou lav'd in war.
And when by thousands wept, thou (halt resign
Thy fky-infus'd, and Sky-returning spark,
May light Supernal gild thy mortal hour,
But mortal to tranfiate thee into life
That knows not death ; then heaven's all-ruling Sire
Shall introduce thee to thy glad compeers,
The Hampdens, Sidneys, Freedom's genuine sons !
And Brutus' venerable Shade, liigh-rais'd
On thrones erected in the taste of heav'n,
Diftinguilh'd thrones for patriot demi-gods,
(Who for their country's weal or toil'd, or bled,)
And one referv'd for thee : There envf^ Shafts
Nor tyrants e'er intrude, nor Slavery clanks
Her galling chain ; but Itar-crown'd Liberty
Resplendent goddess! everlasting reigns.
HORTENTIUS.
as they relate to the hiring of fabJlitutes.
WHEREAS the second and third factions of the
act, intitled, An Aft for completing the four
battalions of this State in the Continental service, pas
sed the twenty-eighth day of May one thousand
seven hundred and fevepty-feven, have, on experi
ence, been found prejudicial, and arc not likely to
answer the good purposes by them intended ;
Self. I. Be it therefore Enacted by the Coun
cil and General Assembly of this State, and it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the fame, That the said
second and third lections of the aft, intitled, An aft
for completing the four battalions of this Stdte in the
Continental Service, puffed the twenty-eight day of
May one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven,
as far as they relate to the hiring of. Substitutes,
be, and they hereby are henceforward repealed and
made void.
STATE of NEW-JERSEY.
Bn ACT to repeal the second and third feclions of an
act, intitled, An Act for completing the four batta
lions of this State in the Continental service, as far
Extract of a letter from Gojport, dated Nov. 2.
" This evening the drums beat to arms, the pri
soners at Forton having rose in a body to the number
of 40, and forced their way out of the prison ; and not
withstanding a Stronger guard / was immediately sent
for from Portsmouth, and sent different ways round
the country, eighteen of them made their escape,
among whom is the Captain of the Oliver Cromwell,
a molt daring and resolute man."
On Thursday the 15th instant, a little after four
o'clock in the morning, a fire was difeovered in the
bake-house of one Moore, at the north end of Uni
corn-street. The alarm being immediately given, a
CHARLES-TOWN, ( South-Carolina) fan. 29.
L O ND O N, December 6.
At day break four men were sent on board the 16
gun Ship to take possession and fend the officers and
crew into the fort, the commanding officer bring
Shewn the 13 stripes hoisted in the fort, and informed
that it was then in the hands of the Americans, who
would fink the Ship if the order was not immedi
ately complied with, thought proper to submit, they
were carried to the fort and there put in irons.
% Other parties were sent to take possession of the five
prizes, which they soon effeded, and secured their
prize-masters in the fame manner.
This being done, a party marched to the Govern
or's and demanded the keys of the eastern fort,
which, after being informed what had happened (it
number of people with the engines, &c. was fcon
aSTcmbled, but the wind blowing frefh a: N. N. E.
drove the flames with an impetuosity that could not
be checked. The fire was so rapid in its progress,
that before twelve o'clock it had entirely deftreyed
all Union-Erect ; the south Side of Queen-Erect from
Mrs. Doyley's house to the Bay —greatest part of
Charmer's Alley—all the Bay, except 15 houses, from
Qu^en-ftreet to Granville's Bastion—the north fide
of broad-Street from Mr. Thomas Smith's house to
the Bay; the south fide of the fame from Mr. Sar
razin's to Mr. Guerard's house---all GadSden's al
ley—Elliot-Erect, excepting two houfes—Bedon's
alley—the tart fide of Church-Erect from Broad-
Erect to btdll's alley, excepting five tenements —and
the whole of Tradd ftrect to the eastwardof Church-
Erect. The crackling of tire flames—the dreadful
columns or fmokc, bearing with them myriads of
large fiery flakes, which fell in all parts of the town
lying in the direction of the wind—the roar of ex
plofmns—the crash of falling houses---the Shrieks of
unhappy fufferers---the horror painted in every coun
tenance---the contusion apparent every where---and
detecting the infamous wretches (and they were not
".'''') who availed themidves of the opportunity to
piller---altogether formed one of the meft diimal
Scenes of woe and distress that can puffibiy be con
ceived. Much praile is due to the officers and soldi
ers quartered in town, who afforded every assistance
in their power to the inhabitants; and it was chiefly
owing to their extraordinary exertions, that the
houses at the south end of toe Bay were preferred.
Capt. Biddle, with a party of his crew also assisted,
as did mos tof the masters and Sailors belonging to
the other rebels in harbour, and were of Angular
Service. The tire did not proceed any farther after
12 o'clock on the 15th, but it is not vet entirely ex
tinguished.
The number of dwelling-houfcs defroyed, exclu
sive of Stores and out-houses, is upwards of 250. The
quantity or merchandize and furniture loft is very
conncerable. The whole loss, by the most moderate
computation, exceeds three millions of dollars :
Many are of opinion it exceeds a million sterling.
The number of lives loft is not so great as was at
firft apprehended : We have not heard of more than
fix, some of whom were Negroes.
The Charleftown Library Society's valuable col
lection of books, instruments and apparatus for as
tronomical and philosophical observations and expe
riments, &c. &c. being unfortunately placed in a
house, in the neighbourhood of that in which the
fire broke out, is almost entirely loft.
In the evening of the 15th, publick notice was
given to all those who were at a loss for lodgings
and victuals, that both were provided for them, at
the pubhek expence, in the several publick build
ings ; ;lnd on the 16th the General Assembly voted
2c,00c1. for the immediate relief of the fufferers.
Our lifter State of Georgia has remembered us in
the hour of our distress: Their Assembly has generous
ly voted 10,000 dollars for the unfortunate fufferers.
N E W B E R N, ( North-Carolina) February Is.
On Sunday last arrived here from the island of
Providence, Mr. Wright Stanley, who was lately
taken in the Letter of Marque sloop the Lydia, be
longing to this port, and carried to Jamaica, where
all the Americans that are taken are confined till
they can be sent to England, but Mr. Stanley,
with Everal Captains of vessels, were fortunate
enough to make their escape to Providence.
Mr. Stanley, who himfelf, with Captains Cockran,
Annibal, Moor, and some others arrived with him,
were in the action, bring a very particular account
of the taking the forts on the island of Providence,
and cutting out of the harbour seven fail of veffelq
one a very large Jamaica Ship richly laden, with only
a Single privateer, and about 60 or 70 Americans,
The account is as follows :
ABOUT 11 o'clock at night, on the 27th of Ja
nuary, the continental hoop of war Providence,
mounting twelve 4 pounders, carrying 50 men,
commanded by John Pech Rathburne, landed 25
of her crew under the command of his Captain of
marines, on the island of New-Providence. They
were joined by 18 or 20 Americans who had been
made prisoners on board different Ships of war, and
made their escape from Jamaica and were there wait
ing for opportunities to their # refpedive homes.
They took possession of fort Nassau with the can-
non, ammunition, and 300 stand of small arms. A
Ship mounting 16 guns, 45 men, Johnson command
er, with rum, sugar and coffee from Jamaica to
New-York, lay there in the road, as also five vessels
captured by the privateer sloop Gayton, Captain
Chalmers, of Jamaica, and sent in there for con
demnation.