The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1786-10-02 00:00:00, page 2

Rev. and dear fir,
NOTHING very remarkable occurred in the
following part of our voyage to Venice. I
returned home in December 1743, and again, by
my imprudent conduct, disappointed my father's de
signs in my favour; which almost provoked him to
disown me. Before any thing suitable offered again,
I was impressed, owing entirely to my own thought
less conduct, which was all of a piece, and put on
board a tender—lt was at a critical juncture, when
the French fleets were hovering upon our coast, so
that my father was incapable to procure my release.
In a few days I was sent on board the Harwich man
of war, at the Nere. I entered here upon quite a
new feene of life, and endured much hardship for
about a month. My father was then willing that I
ihould remain in the navy, as a war was daily ex
pected, and procured me a recommendation to the
captain, who took me upon the quarter-deck as a
midshipman. I had now an easy life, as to externals,
and might have gained refped; but my mind was un
settled, and my behaviour very indifferent. I here
met with companions who completed the ruin of my
principles—My chief intimate was a person of ex
ceeding good natural talents, and much observation —
he was the greatest master of what is called the free
thinking scheme I remember to have met with, and
knew how to insinuate his sentiments in the aloft
plausible way—and his zeal was.equal to his address
—he could Hardly have laboured more in the cause,
if he had expected to have gained Heaven by it.
Allow me to add, while I think of it, that this
man, whom I honoured as my matter, and whose
practice I adopted so eagerly, perished in the fame
way as I expelled to have done—he was overtaken,
I have been told, in a voyage from LiJbon, with a
^violent storm—the vessel and people escaped-—but a
great sea broke on board, and swept him into eterni?
ty. But, to return, I was fond of his company, and,
having myfelf a smattering of books, was eager
enough to shew my reading. He soon perceived my
case that I had not wholly broke through the re
straints of conscience, and did not therefore shock
me at firft with too broad intimations of his design-—
He rather, as I thought, spoke favourably of religion
---but when he had gained my confidence, he began
to speak plainer; and perceiving my ignorant at
tachment to lord Shaftfbury's Charaderifticks, he
joined ifTue with me upon that book, and convinced
me that I had never understood it---In a word, he so
plied me with objections and arguments, that my de
praved heart was soon gained, and I entered into his
plan with all my spirit. Thus, like an unwary sailor,
who quits his port just before a riling storm, I re
nounced the hopes and comforts of the Gospel, at
the very time when every other comfort was about
to fail me. In December 1744 the Harwich was in
the Downs, bound to the Eafl-Indies—l obtained
liberty to go on Shore for one day; but, regardless
of consequences, I went to take a last leave of my
friends in Kent---! had little fatisfadtion, as I was
sensible I was taking pains to multiply my own trou
bles. This rash step, as it was not the firft liberty of
the kind I had taken, highly displeased the captain,
and loft me his favour, which I never recovered.
At length we failed from Spithead with a very large
fleet, but a storm upon the coast of Cornwall occa
sioned our putting back to Plymouth. While we lay
there I heard that my father was at Torbay---he had
a connexion with the African company. I thought,
if I could get to him, he might easily introduce me
into that service, which would be better than a long
voyage to the East-Indies. It was a maxim with me
in those unhappy days, never to deliberate. The
thought Jiardly occurred to me, but I was resolved
to leave the Ship at all events---! did so---I was sent
one day in a boat to take care that none of the peo
ple deserted---but I betrayed my trust, and went off
myfelf---All went fmdothly the firft day, and part of
the next---and when I expeded in about two hours
to be with my father, I was met by a party of sol
diers---they brought me back to Plymouth---! walked
through the streets guarded like a felon—my heart
was full of indignation, Shame and feat---! was con
fined two days in the guard-house, then sent on board
my Ship, kept a while in irons, then publickly Strip
ped and whipped, after which I was degraded from
my office, and all my former companions forbidden to
Shew me the least favour, or even to speak to me.
As mid Shipman, I had been entitled to some com
mand, which, being fufficiently haughty and vain, I
had not been backward to exert. I was now, in my
turn, brought down to a level with the lowest, and'
exposed to the insults qf all. My present Situation
was uncomfortable, and my future profpeds still
worse. The captain, though in general a humane,
man, was almost implacable in his resentments, and
took several occasions to Shew himfelf so to me, and
the voyage proved to be for five years, yet I think
The Litl of John Niwton, in a ferics of letters
to the Rev. Mr. Hav/eix—continued.
LETTER V.
The armed body becoming impatient at the long
time taken by the justices in deliberating what con
duct to pursue, sent a detachment, formed by part
of the Hampshire and Worcester insurgents, on horse
back, and part by their own footmen, who marched
to and fro by the tavern, where the justices were as
sembled, and finally halted and faced about to the
houle in a menacing manner. The justices sent them
word, that neither court would be attempted to be
opened, as an armed force rendered it impossible, and
the party! matched off to the main body. After-'
wards they came back to demand it in writing, under
the hands of the court, who referred them to their
clerk, who declined doing any thing in the matter, as
he was a recording officer, and had no order therefor
from the court. - r
. ™ e justices, in the mean while having departed, the
insurgents made violent complaints on being difap
d°;°,,; hf "^^^^^^' ate ° n Tues-
The body was computed at about 300, and con
tained about 50 lads from 16 to 20 years of age, and
excepting some of the lads, and about 8 or 10 of
the party of Worcester and Hampfoire, who were
of tolerable, appearance, were the most despicable
wretches that could be collected in the commonwealth.
American Intelligence.
'BOSTO N, Sept. 14 .
ON M^&y last about joo men, with arms, es
'various.@;hfo6Jed at. Concord, under the
direction of oDe?Shattuck, # Qf Groton, and one Smith,
of Shirleys ; Thgt made with posts and boards Shel
ters, under which theyflept, On Tuesday they took
possession of the : grounds opposite the 'courthoufe,"
and kept a number ofguards marching bgekward and.
forward, from the line;they formed to the courthouse,
to prevent any perfonsg other than their own friends
and comrades, approaching it. A few who by mis
take infringed or the ground thus set fapart, were
treated with great hafShnefs, and there were several
instances of thrifts with ' bayonets being wantonly
made at men andjiorfes, when on their way to quit
to them what, they required exclusively to occupy.'
They had procured Several barrels of rum, which
were on tap at convenient places near them, and' se
veral loads of hay fb'r.the accommodation of the
parties at a diftate/ expected in to their aid. About
two o'clock in the afternoon, a man ading as a ser
geant, with two drums and fifes, went some distance,.
and in about half an hour returned at the head of
about 90 armed men, from the counties of HampShire
and Worcester, under the leading of one Wheeler,
of Hubbardfton, and Converse of Hardwick, who
joined the other party, which had Since Monday in
sensibly iricreafed to about 200. A convention from
about twenty-fix towns, in consequence of a circular
letter from Concord, were fitting in the meetinghouse,
and a communication wag opened between them and
the armed body, who firft communicated their reso
lutions to the cohventibn, with refped to publick bu-
Sinefs, and from them intelligence was conveyed to
the court.'.
nothing I either felt or feared diftieffed-rae so much
as to fee hlyfelf forcibly torn fro'm'the objeft of my
affe&ions, and the improbability of eveT' feeing her
again, or of feeing her mine. Thus I was as mise
rable on all hands as could well be imagined. My
breast was filled with the most excruciating passions,
eager desire, bitter rage, and black despair---every
hour exposed me to some new insult and hardship,
with no hope of relief or mitigation---no friend to
take-my part, or listen to my complaint-—whether I
looked inward or outward, I could perceive nothing
but darkness and misery---! think no case, except that
of a conscience wounded by the wrath of God, could
be more dreadful than mine. I cannot express with
what wilhfulnefs and regret I cast my last looks upon
the English Shore---! kept Yny eyes fixed upon it till
(the Ship's distance increasing) it infenlibly disappear
ed; and when I could, fee it no longer, 1 was tempted
to throw myfelf into the sea,. which, according to
the wicked system I had adopted, would put a pe
riod to all my sorrows at once—but the secret Hand
of Providence restrained me the most unworthy of all
his creatures.'
[To be continued.] ..
Foreign Intelligence.
LONDO N, June 29.
Extract of a tetter from Lisbon, June 16.
TH E death.of the king has suspended the na
val ope^tions going on in the Tagus, which
are ..certainly intended against some of the African
fetes, in ,concert with other powers, who have not
yet finished their disputes with those barbarians. The
queen and the whole court removed from Belem to
St. Caffidelare, tending the obsequies of the late
king. As they are now over, their return may be
expeded daily. The prince of Brazil is now regent,
and manages all publick affairs."
• ft 1 . " JOB SHATTUCK."
".The number of insurgents have been increasing
during the whole day. About three o'clock a com-
P. a ?J ! rom Worcester, of about 90 men, on borfe
back, chief of them armed, drums beating, &c.
marched with solemn pace by Jones's tavern, where
, he court were at dinner, in order to join the mob
on the green before the courthouse; but the com
mander of the company from Worcester county
hearing-one Nathan Smith, of Shirley (a person out
lawed, who seemed a leader among the Middlesex
infurgehts) declare aloud, that every person who did
not follow his drum, and join the Regulators, in two
hours, ihould be drove out of town at the point of
the bayonet, let them be the court, town-committee!
or who else, which he did with high oaths and im
precations, and whoever Ihould be left, would be
monuments of Gods sparing mercy, &c. &c. upor
which the Worcester leader flopped, ^d. told Smith
that he would never join him until he re-called them
words, &c. which he, afterwards did, and united
forces; and at this time are. about 250 or 300 strong
Have just marched over to shew themselves to the
court, and return to the green again."
By a gentleman ^om 'j aunton, who left that place
last Tuesday at noon, we learn that on Monday
Morning, general Cobb and colonel Hafcl, with ^
party of men, took pofleflion of the courthouse in
that town, in order to protect the justices of the
court, which were by law to fit there that day, from
insult that the courts were opened in the usual man
ner that they fat about half an hour, and then ad
journed without day---that the militia under arms
amounted to 300, with one field-piece---that the mob,
confiding chiefly of young men, boys, &c. were about
4.00 in number that the courts were not influenced
in their adjournment, by any of the threats of the
infurgepts, but merely fiom a desire of preventing
any coercive measures, until the complaints of the
people Were enquired into by proper authority--. and
that they had not dispersed when he came away.
H ART F O R D, Aug. 28.
Last Wednesday afternoon a very feverc storm, at
tended with thunder and lightning, passed over this and
several of the neighbouring towns, by which conlide
rable damage was sustained. At Wethersfield, a wo-
yHalf past three o'clock.
^ince writing the within it is agreed, that the
°° urt 9', Sessions, may open, and adjourn to the
lalbTuelday of November next, without going to
" the courthouse.
The liquor circulated very brifldy,- and it was fu,
posed (and charitably enough too) that by. 5 o'clock,
three quarters of the whole were inebriated, and noi
only then, but when they were sober, the major part
seemed to be very indifferent as to their errand, and
ready to quit it if desired—they were kept together
by about fix men, viz. Shattuck, Smith, Wheeler
Gale, Morris and Converse, and could they have
been arrested, beyond a doubt the party would have
cheerfully retired in peace to their own homes. Thet
had very few cartridge-boxes, about half the gum
furnifhed, with bayonets, about 220 guns, :and the
other arms were swords, clubs, &c.. Almost all the
muskets were rendered useless by the rain, and the
men by New-England rum, so that probably, if oe.
cation had required, not above thirty or forty met
would have been procured capable of opposing any
governmenta! measures. : •
Extrffloj a letter from a gentleman of the greateJi
.veracity, at Concord, dated
" Tuesday, 6 o'clock^ P. M.
" I arrived in Concord about ten o'clock this
merning, and found seventy men, assembled at th<
courthouse, under arms, and as it was very rainy
suppose a number had taken shelter in the neighbour
ing houses; was informed that a large arf very re
fpedable body, confiding of committees from aboui
26 or 27 towns in this county, had afem bled at
Brown s tavern in Concord, and then adjourned tc
the meetinghouse, where they chose a committee tc
confer with the insurgents, to know ofc them theii
complaints, and what they then wanted. The com
mittee met them, and they immediately, prefentec
them with a.paper, a copy of which is as follows:
" To the honourable jujiice's of the court ts Gener.
Sessions of fbe # Peace, and Court of Common
" Pleas, for the county of .Middlesex, &.
"THE-voice of ^he people of this county is, that
" the Court of General Sessions of the Peace and
Court of Common Pleas, Jball not enter, this court
" house, until such times -as the people fliall have re
“ dress of a number of grievances they labour under
at present, which will be set forth in a petition or
" remonstrance to the next general court.
"J. SHATTUCK.
" Concord, Sept. 12, 1786."
!' This was about twelve or one o'clock at noor
and it seems was written previous to the committee'
meeting them; and afterwards, viz. about half aftt
three o'clock, P. M. Job Shattuck expressed himfe;
in the following manner, and signed it on the back 0.
the above-mentioned paper.