The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-07-06 00:00:00, page 2

present measures. Tie observed, that the foreign
troops were to be double officered, which was another
weighty and useless expence; that is, every compa
ny of 100 men were to have two Captains, two
Liercn-ants, two fecund Lieutenants, and two En^
signs, and so in proportion in servants, &c. So
that out of the whole number, upwards of 3000
men wer : not to be rank and tile, contrary to every
rule of war, which, in a given number of men,
endeavours to render the rank and file as numerous
as the nature of the service will possibly allow; be
cause it is on them that the weight of attack or de
fence generally reds. It is so in our own troops,
and ho always been an eftablilhed usage, never to
anew more than tour officers to a corps of 100 men.
His Grace made several pointed observations on
the uupenfion ol the several officers in the naval and
military departments, in which he maintained that
nothing like ip had ever happened in the Briiifh
service, without complaint or without enquiry.
Great faults had been found with General Gage and
'Admiral Graven the milcarri.tgeswhich happened
were imputed to their want of conduct; yet no
charge is made agamll them, but they are recalled.
To keep up the farce, the former is received .coolly,
but in a lew days alter a newcommiffion is made out
appointing him Commander in Chief; and in a few
<iays again, without any caule even pretended, for
there could be none as he remained on the spot, he
is fuperleded, and General Howe appointed in his
room. Yet that is not the bell of it; Admiral Sliuld
ham is appointed to succeed Admiral Graves; but
before he could take possession of this command he is
superseded, and Lord Howe appointed in his room.
Such an extraordinary condu& was surely never
known; that perhaps the superseded Admiral might
think himfelf easy under this indignity, if what was
reported was true, that he waste be created an
Irilh Peer. For the honour, however, of the noble
Lord who presides at the head of die Admiralty, he
hoped his Lordihip would rife and explain this last
official riddle, and fairly, and with his usual can
dour, inform the House, whether thdfe arrangements
originated from him, or whether he was' really,
as was reported, over-ruled in the cabinet.
Turn to the last page.
^'%- ^ vT•£& do oT«& £& . % .est, <A <fo
CilulLEb-I OWN, S. Carolina, May 22.
On Monday Capt. Tuffts, in the colony schoon
er Defence, returned from a cruise, with a brigan
tine belonging to New York, that had been a whal
ing. Ihe lame day an English man of war and
her tendei appeared off, and yesterday morning
Capt. furpin, in the colony brigantine Comet,
with a large ship, a prize, hove in fight. The man
of war had lain at anchor off the bar all the pre
ceeding night, and as loon as the Comet and her
prize appeared, weighed and gave chace; the wind
being at S. W. and the man of war considerably
to leeward, she could not come up with the Comet
or her prize, both of which bore down tor the bar;
but unfortunately the tide just then turning, and
the prize ship drawing 17 feet water, it was found
impracticable to bring her over, she was therefore
run aground about 3 miles to the N E of Fort
Jolinlon Capt.l uffts had, previous to this gone
down with an intention of affording all the assist
ance he could to bring off the prize, but likewise
run aground, and the tide falling prevented the
Comer coming near her. The man of war, taking
advantage or these circumstances, sent her tender,
full of men, to the prize, which had been aban
doned, and set her on fire. She was the St. James,
Capt. Wilson, and was .bound from Jamaica to
Bridol, with a very valuable cargo of rum, 'fugar,
&c, all of which was entirely loft. A few random
ihot were exchanged between the man of war and
the Defence; the Comet fired some guns at the
tender, but, being at a considerable distance, it is
supposed. without effect.
WILLIAMSBUR G, June 22.
By an express we learn, that a sloop arrived
at Charleftown the 25th ult. from St. Euftatia,
with 10,000 weight of gunpowder; the mailer of
which informed, that a large vessel had arrived
from Holland, deep loaded with arms and ammu
nition. He also said, that all the French ports in
the Weft-Indies were now open to us, and that
their fliips of war have received orders to protect
our vcffels in and out of their harbours; that the
French are fortifying Dunkirk, which produced a
remonstrance from the Britilh court, but without
effect.
Yesterday the Hon. Convention made choice of
the following gentlemen to represent this dominion
in General Congress, for one year, viz. George
Wythe, Thomas Nelson,junr. Richard Hen
ry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Francis
Lightfoot Lee, Enquires.
This morning Capt. James Barron came to town
from Jamestown, with the agreeable news that he
and his brother, in two small armed vessels, were
fafe arrived there with the Oxford transport from
Glasgow, having on board 217 Scoth Highlanders,
with a number of women and children, which they
took last Wednesday evening, on her way up to
Gwyn's island, to join Lord Dunmore. The peo
ple on board inform, that they are part of a body
of 3009 troops which failed from Glasgow for Bof-
' Ordered, That the commanding officer do not
.permit any baggage or effects belonging to Robert
Eden, Esq or any other perlon on board the Fow
tey, to be carried on board the said ship; and to
take care that all communication with the laid ship
immediately cease.
Ordered, That the letters of Capt. Montagu to
Robert Eden., Esq; of yesterday, and the several
letters from the Council of Safety, of this day, to
Capt, Montagu and Robert Eden. Esq; and their
answers, together with the above relolve and or
der, be immediately published.
Extraddrom the Minutes,
G. DUVALL, Clk.
ton,Qut upon hearing that place was in our pofr
session, they steered their course for Halifax; that
they had been taken by the Andrew Doria, one of
the Continental fleet, who, after disarming them,
and taking out all the principal officers, with such
„oi the transport's crew as were acquainted with na
vigation, put eight of their own hands on board to
bring her into port, but that the carpenter of the
transport formed a party and refeued the vessel
from them, and was concluding her into Hampton
road, when the two Captain Barons very fortu
nately cam across them, and moored them fafe at
Jamedown, where they are now disembarking, and
are expe&ed in town this day.
ANNAPOLI S, June 27.
In CONVENTION.
Annapolis, 24 June, 1776.
THE letters of Capt. Montagu, and of Robert
Eden, Esq; of this day, to the Council of Safety,
were laid before the Convention, and on conside
ration thereof, 1
Rejoined unanimously, That the said Capt. Mon
tagu, by detaining several servants belonging to
the inhabitants ol this province, and by relufing
.to deliver up a soldier who defected from the ser
vice of this colony, hath violated the truce and
a&ed in manifeft violation bl his promile to pre
serve the fame sacred.
Fowey, off Annapolis, Maryland. 23d June, 1776.
I HAVE the happiness to acquaint you that last
night I arrived here with his Brittannic Majesty's
ship the Fowey under my command, agreeable to
an order from Captain Hammond, of his Majesty's
ship the Roebuck, and senior officer of his Majesty's
ships at Virginia, and in consequence of your ap
plication to him, I have hoisted the flag of truce at
my lore top gallantmaft head to shew that I am not
come in a hostile manner, and ol which I desire you
will be pleated to acquaint the inhabitants, that
they may not offer any intuits to my officers and
boats, and on my part I shall hold the truce mod
sacred. I have the plealure to acquaint you that
every accommodation the Fowey can afford, is at
your and your friends service, and that my boats
shall at any time be ready to attend your coming
off; and sent for your property.
I am, Sir, Your very humble Servant,
GEO. MONTAGU.
To Robert Eben, Esq;
We request the favour of your Excellency to in
terpose your good offices with Capt. Montagu, for
the delivery of the servants to their refpedive mas
ters, if they should be found on board. We are
authorifed by the Convention to fay, that the peo
ple of this province will ftridly observe the truce, in
confidence that Capt. Montagu will do the fame'.
By order and on behalf of the Council of Safety,
I am, with refpe& and regard,
lour Excellency's most obedient servant
CHA. CARROLL, V.'p.
His Excellency Robert Eben, Esq;
In Council of Safety, Annapolis, June 24.
S I R,
APPLICATION having been made this morn
ing, by Mr. Samuel Galloway, and ot^er Inhabi
tants of this province, to our board, r presenting
that a number of servants had left their matters, a
lift of which we fend you inclofed, and that they
had reason to believe they were gone on board the
ship of war or her tenders, now at anchor in the
road.
In Council of Safety, Annapolis, June 24.
REPRESENTATIONS have been made to the
Council of Safety, this morning, by Mr. Samuel
Galloway and oilier inhabitants of this province,
setting forth that a number of white servants be
longing to the several persons so applying, had run
away from the service of their matters We are
also informed that a soldier in the lervice of this
province had deserted from Capt Scott's company.
—A flag is sent with a lift of the servants and to
request the delivery of them and of the soldier, if
they should be found on board and if they or any
others should hereafter attempt to get on board,
we expe& they will not be received. We are au-'
thorifed by the Convention to fay, that the people
of this province will ftri&ly oblerve the truce in
confidence that Capt. Montagu will do the fame.
By order and in behalf of the Council of Safety,
I am, your most obedient servant, ,
CHA. CARROLL, V. P.
George Montagu, Esq;
S I ,""'' °' ^" na j°^ s > 2fh June, 1776-
IT is my wish, in eveiy refpe&, inviolably to
preserve the truce under which his Majesty's ship
Fowey came up this bay for his Excellency your G
overnor, and as toon as his effe&s are all on . board,
which I exped them to be to-morrow morning, the
fowey wilfyeturn to the fleet, without committing
any holfility, if his Majesty's colours receive no
insult.
x With regard to the servants for whose. return
you apply, my inftrudions prohibit my ditcharging
them, to fuffer perhaps a severe and ignominious
Servitude, nor is it in my power to deliver up any
fubje&s of his Majesty who embrace his service, and
risk their lives in seizing an opportunity for that
purpose.
I he orders to his Majesty's ships are peremptory,
to receive all persons well affeded, and give th.m
every profedion.—Such boats along fide this ship
as are the property of any inhabitants of Maryland
shall under the truce be immediately restored to the
persons claiming them; I intended to have had them
landed this evening.—l hope that no obftrudion
will be given to the remainder of Governor Eden's,
baggage, and that of the gentlemen going down
with him being immediately put on board, as I have
orders to proceed down the bay, as soon as that
lervice which brought me up is compleated.
I am, Sir, Your humble servant.
GEO. MONTAGU.
Charles Carroll, Esq;
H 'S ff^'"' '"' F ° W "’ -7"" e 2 4"' '776'
IN answer to your letter by Capt. Stone, which
I have just received, relative to the application made
by Mr. Galloway and others, on account of some
runaway servants, I can only fay that Capt. Mon
tagu's orders. “ to receive on board, and give pro
te&ion to, all British well affected fubjeds," are po
sitive, and that he does not confider it in his power,
confidently with thole orders, to comply with your
request.
He fays that you cannot confider this refufal as
any violation of the truce; that the Fowey has not,
and will not, receive any runaway slaves on board •
that he is bound by, and mud follow his instruc
tions; that all vessels belonging to this place, now
along fide, he intends giving up 5 and that he has
never sent ashore to bring servants off, or encourage
deserters. I can add no more than that every exer
tion of my interest, or interposition on this lubj^d,
must prove inaffedual againll the King's orders.
I hope we shall get away to morrow, and not
be delayed by any obftrudion to the baggage, or
dock, of the gentlemen here, as yet not brought
off. Wishing peace and protperity to the province
on constitutional principles. I am, Sir
Your obedient humble servant,
ROBERT EDEN,
Charles Carroll, Esq; barrister, V. P. 7
of the Council of Safety, Annapolis.<
''^l' g Annapolis, the 25//, of June, 1777.
I HAVE been waiting all this day for the return
of the boat with the remainder of the Governor's
baggage, but to my great astonishment perceive she
is still along fide the wharf; and as I yesterday re
ceived a letter from Mr. Carroll on behalf of your
board, am apprehensive she is detained. If that is
the case, it will break off the truce that is now sub
sisting between his Majesty's ship under my com
mand, and the province of Maryland.
I desire that you will be pleased to let me know
the realon of this delay of the boat, that I may cake
my measures accordingly; and desire that his Ma
jeftys boat now lent on shore, will return with an
immediate answer. I am, Sir,
Your humble servant,
GEO. MONTAGU.
The President of the Council of Safety.
In Council of Safety, Annapolis, June 25.
B Y command of the Convention I inclofe you
their resolution of yesterday, which expresses the
occasion of discontinuing their intercourse with the
Fowey, which was wished and expected to have
ended more fatisfa&orily. Any measures that may
be attempted for the ostensible cause of flopping the
Governor's baggage must properly be imputed .0
your breach of the truce, and will be resented in
full proportion to the injury.
For and on behalf of the Council of Safety,
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
DAN. of St. THO. JENIFER. P.
In CONVENTIO N, June 25, 1776.
THIS Convention being informed that writs of
eledfion have been issued in the name of the propri
etary, for the election of delegates in assembly.
Revived, That the said writs be not obeyed, and
that no election be made in consequence thereof.
Extras from the minutes,
, G.DUVALL, Clk.
Yesterday about noon the Fowey hoisted fail, and
went down the Bay.
W A TERTO W N, June 24.
Yesterday afternoon 13 large ships were seen
finding in for Boston, thought to be the remain
der of tlie Scotch fleet, with tlieir convoy.