The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1780-06-21 00:00:00, page 2

strong foot, smell, some of the company were confi
dent a chimney in the neighbourhood must be burn
ing, others conjectured the smell was more like that
of burnt leaves. About half past four, our compa
ny which had passed an unexpected night very cheers
fully together broke up. —I will now give you what
I noticed afterwards. I found the people at the ta
vern near by much agitated; among other things
which gave them furprize, they mentioned the ft range
appearance and smell of the rain water, which they
had laved in tubs ; upon examining the water I found
a light scum over it, which rubbing between my
thumb and finger, I found to be nothing but the
black allies of burnt leaves, the water gave the fame
strong sooty smell which we had observed in the air,
and confirmed me in my opinion, that the smell men
tioned above was occasioned by the smoke, or very
small particles of burnt leaves, which had obfeured
the hemisphere for several days past, and were now
brought down by the rain : The appearance last men
tioned fervid to corroborate the hypothecs on which
we had en eavoured to account for the unusual dark
ness. The van body of smoke from the woods which
had been burning for many days, mixing with the
common exhalations from the earth and water, and
conuenft d by the action of winds from opposite points,
may perhaps be fufficient causes to produce the sur
prising darkness.
The wind in the evening passed round further north
where a black cloud lay, and gave us reason to expeft
a hidden gulf from that quarter : The wind brought
that body of smoke and vapour over us in the even
ing (at Salem) and perhaps it never was darker since
the Children of Israel left the House of Bondage. —
This gross darkness held 'till about one o'clock, al
though the moon had fulled but the day before.
Between one and two the wind frelhened up at
northeatt, and drove the smoke and clouds away,
whi h had given distress to thousands, and alarmed
the brute creation.
May 22, 1780. VIATO R.
" By late official accounts from Europe we learn,
that the Court of London had made an earned appli
cation to that of Russia for assistance, and was abso
lutely refufed, a hearty friendfhip subsisting between
the latter and the Court of France : That the Dutch
entertain more favourable sentiments of us than for
merly—the Stadtholder, who hath been against us,
A Supplement to the Geographical Calender of this
A city, announces the appearance of a Comet in
the course of this year and the next ; according to
the table of Profeffor Lenell, which indicates the de
grees of longitude and latitude through which it will
pass in the Heavens, it will be visible from the month
of May 1780, to the end of April 1781. If this cal
culation be exaft, we fliall have all that time to fee
and observe it.
London, April 6. The meeting called by the Chair
man of the Westminster committee of the inhabitants
of the city and liberty of Westminster, this day at
Westminster-hall, seemed in a great measure aimed
to enforce the measure to be brought on this day in
the House of Commons. We are happy, however,
to hear that no particular riots or disorders had ensu
ed, when this paper went to press.
Capt. Joseph Atkins, of Newbury-Port, bound
from Martinico to Newbury, was taken the 24th of
December last, by the Sterling-Castle, of 64 guns,
Robert Carket, Commander. Capt Atkins informs,
that there were about 100 American prisoners taken
out of Barbados gaol, and diltributed on board the
different men of war. —That on board the Sterling-
Cattle they were alked if they would enter, and they
to a man said they would not; they had time given
them to think of entering till the next morning, when
being called on again, they still refufed ; the firft who
refufed was tied up, and received two dozen ; the
second, third and fourth, the fame, and then turn'd
over to the boatswain to do duty : The fifth feeing
it in vain to perfitt, complied, as likewise did the rest,
to the number of about ten.
Last Wednesday a prize schooner from St. John's
to Quebec, laden with wine, was sent into Marble
head by the privateer Rover, of that port.
The enemy have loft at the Nova Scotia shore the
winter past five Britilh sloops of war, viz the North
of 20 guns, the Falcon of 18, the Allegiance of 18,
the Sage of 12, and a Brig of 16 name unknown:
Tne crews of the two firft perished.
The celebrated Mr. Mowatt in the Albany (hip of
18 gains, commands the navy of Britain in Penobfcot
Bay ; confiding of the Nautilus of 18 guns, one other
sloop of war, and two small armed vessels.
June 5. Accounts are received by a vessel from the
Eastward, that the enemy are about evacuating Pe
nobfcot, and that a detachment of 200 men had left
that place and gone to Halifax.
Wednesday arrived a prize brig laden with tobacco,
taken by the letter of marque brig Fame.
Extract of a letter dated Middletown, Ma, 23.
'' Governor Trumbull received an express from
General Washington yesterday, desiring him to for
w rd a large quantity of provisions to New-London
immediately, as a fleet might be expected there in a
few days."
PROVIDENCE, June 3.
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, Ma, 16.
PETERSBURGH, January 20.
BOSTO N, May 29.
acknowledges he was deceived, and is for furnifhing
unlimited convoys for their trade : That Ireland is
not fatisfied, and Scotland uneasy: Th.it France
seems determined to maintain a decided naval supe
riority over the Britilh in the American seas—more
Ihips and troops are coming out, and perhaps some
to our immediate assistance : That the luccefs of the
Britilh fleet off Gibraltar had slushed the spirits of our
enemies, but not at all disheartened the Spaniards :
That Capt. Jones, in the Alliance, was ordered to
America—three ships, captured by him, were oblig
ed to put into Denmark, and were ordered by the
Danilh King to be delivered up to the Britilh Consul;
against this conduct Dr. Franklin hath remonstrated,
and demanded a restoration of the prizes or their va
lue : And that three millions of livres are to be ad
vanced annually by France, to allifl us in procuring
cloathing, &c."
Capt. Jonathan Tredwell, in the privateer brig
Happy Return, who failed from this port in October
lalt on a cruize, and was supposed to have been loft,
we hear was taken and carried into Barbados. Some
of his hands, who had been compelled to enter into
the Britilh ferviee, were lately teen on board the
Guadaloupe frigate, at New-York.
The privateer Ihip Harrison, of 20 guns, from
Newbury, is taken by the Galatea, and carried into
New-York.
NE W-H A V E N, June 8.
Extract of a letter from Stamford, Ma, 23.
" This morning we were alarmed by the approach
of the enemy to Horfeneck. That place has again
been ransacked and plundered. They burnt 2 houses
and 2 barns, broke the windows in most of the houses
which they passed—took off a number of horses and
cattle, and behaved in other refpedts so as to support
the infernal reputation they have acquired since the
commencement of hostilities with America. Six of
the militia were killed, most of them were hewed to
pieces, and mangled in the most Blocking manner,
after they had surrendered and sued for quarters.—
One woman perished in the conflagration, and an of
ficer of their's, Capt. Fowler, who has distinguished
himfelf in their service, was killed. Our situation in
this part of the Bate is truly distressing ; —within one
night's march of the enemy's lines; without any
troops to defend us but the militia in the neighbour
hood, who are dispirited by being continually called
upon duty."
Draughts from the militia are now making, which,
with two regiments of state troops raising by inlift
ments, are ordered to take post at Horfenec ; this
body it is hoped will cover that part of the c intry
against the excursions of the enemy.
Saturday last a brig with 300 pipes of wine, was sent
into New-London, captured by the Hancock, Capt.
Richards. She was from Madeira bound to New-
York.
Last Monday a flag of truce arrived here from New-
York for the purpose of carrying off some of the wives
of the refugees, late belonging to Freetown.
And on Wednesday a flag returned here from New-
York, and brought 115 Americans that had been pri
soners there.+
In addition to the European intelligence from the
New-York papers brought by the flags, is the follow
ing: That the. St. Anna Experiment, from Corunna
to Virginia, was taken and carried into Dartmouth,
in England, on board of which were Capt. Cunning
ham and several other passengers, bound to America:
That the channel fleet was to be at sea in April, and
to consist of 50 fail of the line, &c. The chief com
mander was not declared, but Admiral Digby was to
be second, and Prince William was to go out with
him : That the bill for a free importation and expor
tation to and from the port of New-York, would be
passed about the 15th of April, it had gone through
the Commons: That orders were issued on the 4th
of April for the Britilh court to go into mourning on
account of the death of his Molt Serene Highness the
Duke of Brunswick, &c.
It is observable that the late papers from New-York
fay nothing of the affairs of Ireland, or of the county
meetings and committees of correspondence in Eng
land. Ireland, by the last accounts, is determined to
be free; and has sense enough to know, that free
dom of trade, without a free government to support
it, is a mere shadow. The greatest characters in
England, and noblemen of the firft rank and fortune,
are warmly engaged for the county petitions, com
mittees of coi refpondence, and a systematical oppo
sition to the measures of administration, particularly
in the American war.
Monday last arrived at Providence from a short
cruize, the privateer sloop Argo, Capt. Talbot.
We hear that last Friday was sent into New-Lon
don, by the Hancock, Sally and Bunker-Hill priva
teers, a large brig loaded with beef, butter, &c. from
Ireland bound to New-York.
Yesterday returned into port the Sally privateer,
Capt. Warner, and brought in the brig Cornella, Wil
liam Adams late commander, in 17 weeks from Dub
lin, captured by the Sally and Bunker-Hill privateers;
her cargo consists of 585 tierces mess beef, 198 bar
rels ditto; 97 puncheons rum ; 98,000 yards ozna
brigs; 98 barrels pork; 20 boxes candles, &c. Her
sterling invoice is said to be 78001.
NEW-LONDO N, June 2.
N E W P O R T, June 3.
Mr. HOLT,
AT the request of the Joint-Committee for can
vassing the ballots for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor, &c. I herein enclose you for publication,
their certificate. —You will not fail to have it in your
next. . l am, Sir, your very humble servant,
ROBERT HARPUR, Dep. Sec'y.
P. S. It may not be disagreeable to your customers
to know, that his Excellency Governor Clinton, upon
the Committee's calling up the ballots, was found to
have 3264 votes more than any other candidate.
Kingston, June 3d, 178 c. R. H.
State of New-York, ff.
WE the Subfcribcrs, a Joint-Committee of the
Senate and Assembly, appointed for that pur
pose, having, according to the Form and Effect ofthe
Act of the Legislature, in such case made and provid
ed, met at the Secretary's Office, and canvassed and
estimated the Votes taken for Governor an&Lieute
nant Governor, severally at the late General Election :
DO CERTIFY, that upon such Canvass and Estimate,
WE did determine that, by Plurality of Votes, His
Excellency George Clinton, Esq. was chosen
Governor, and the Honourable Pierre Van Cort
landt, Esq. was chosen Lieutenant Governor of this
State.
F I S HK I L L, June 8.
By the latest intelligence from Schenectady, we are
informed that Sir John Johnson, (who stiles himfelf
Lieutenant Colonel commanding the King's Royal
Yorkers, in the paroles given to some of the prisoners)
on Lord's day evening, the lift ult. made his firft ap
pearance at Johnson hall, undiscovered by any but his
friends; who no doubt were in the secret.—On
Monday, about day-break, they begun to burn all
the houses except those of the Tories ; beginning at
Aaron Putnam's below Tripe's Hill, and continued
burning to Anthony's Nose, or Acker's house, except
a tew which by the vigilance of the people, were put
out after the enemy had set them on fire. There are
burnt 33 houses and out-houses and a mill; many
cattle were killed in the field, and 60 or 70 sheep burnt
in a barn. Eleven persons were killed. Col. Filher
and his two brothers fought with great bravery, when
the two brothers were killed and scalped ; the Colonel
went up stairs, and there defended himfelf, but be
ing overpowered, was knocked down and scalped, 01?
which they plundered the house, set it on fire and
then went off. The Colonel reviving a little, though
he was left by the enemy for dead, he pulled one of
his dead brothers out of the house, then in flames;
the other was consumed in the house. It is said the
Doctors have hopes that Col. Filher will recover : His
mother had a narrow escape for her life, being knock
ed in the head by an Indian : but she is like to do well.
Capt. Hansen was killed by an Indian, who had for
merly been used by him with kindness, and profeffed
much gratitude. Old Mr. Fonda was cut in several
parts of his head with a tomahawk. Had it not been
for the alertness of Mr. Van Vrank, probably more
would have been butchered by their savage hands;
he alarmed the people along the way to Caughnawaga,
who by crossing the river saved their lives. Having
done all the michief to the distressed inhabitants they
possibly could, they returned to Johnson hall in the
afternoon ; when Johnson dug up his plate, and
about sundown marched for the Scotch-Bulh, about
four milesthat evening. He has got 15 or 20 of his
negroes^ who had been fold : Several of his tenants
His Excellency the Governor, being at Kingston,
when intelligence was received that a party of the e
nemy, confining chiefly of tories with some Indians
and Britilh soldiers to the number of 400, under the
command of Sir John Johnson, had, on the 22d ult.
made an attack on the frontier inhabitants of Cona
waga, Conajohary, &c. near Johnstown, in Tryon
county, where they murdered and scalped 11 persons,
among whom were Mr. Fonda, fen. Col. Filher and
two sons, the latter of whom they barbarously tor
tured to death, took about a dozen prisoners, and
got about 150, chiefly of Sir John's tenants, to join
them. They plundered the inhabitants of the most
valuable clothes and effects, with which they loaded
70 horses, and burnt the rest with the houses, destroy
ed all the cattle and Itock they could find, except the
horses, which they carried off with them, together
with the negroes belonging to the inhabitants.
His Excellency, on receiving the intelligence, on
Thursday the 25th ult. immediately set out from
Kingston, and proceeded to Albany ; whence, with
a considerable body of militia, hastily assembled, he
set out for Lake George, the militia continuing to
join him by the way. From Lake George with his
troops, he crossed the lake on Tuesday last, and was
proceeding to Ticonderoga, where he was to be join
ed by a body of the militia from the Grants. And
as it is reported and believed, he has taken most of
the batteaus of the enemy, and got beyond them, it
is hoped he may cut off their retreat, and be able to
give a good account of them.
GIVEN under our hands the second day of June,
in the fourth year of the Independence of this
State, and in the year of our Lord, one thousand
seven hundred and eighty.
Thomas Tredwell, Nathaniel Sacket,
Thomas Moffat, Robert Boyd, jun, Sa
muel Dodge, Levi Pauling, Henry Wis
ner, Stephen Ward, Zephaniah Platt,
Jona. Lawrence, Henry Oothoudt.
POU G II KEEPSI E, June 5,