The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-11-23 00:00:00, page 1

" T'HESE United Stakes having been dri
" 1 ven to hostilities by the oppressive and
*' tyrannous measures of Great Britain ; hav
*• ing been compelled to commit the essential
«' rights of man to the decifon of arms ; and
«' having been at length forced to (hake off a
*' yoke which had grown too burthepfome to
<c bear, they declared 'themfelves free and in
" dependent.
" Confiding in the juflice of their cause;
'' confiding in Hirn who disposes of human
" events, although weak and unprovided, they
'' set the power of their enemies at defiance.
“ In this confidence they have continued,
" through the various fortune cf threq bloody
" campaigns, unawed by the power, unfubdu
“ ed by the barbarity of their foes. Their vir
“ tuous citizens have borne without repining,
" the loss of many things which made life de
«' firable. Their brave troops have patiently
" endured the hardships and dangers of a situ
" ation, fruitful in both beyond former ex
" ample.
“ The Congress considering themselves
<< bound to love their enemies, as children of
" that Being who is equally father of all;
" and desirous, since they could not prevent,
<c at least to alleviate the calamities of war,
'' have studied to spare those who were in arms
" against them, and to lighten the chains of
'' captivity.
“ The conduit: of those serving under the
< c King of Great-Britain, hath, with force few
6C exceptions,been diametrically oppofite.They
“ havelaid wafle the open country, burned the
U defencelefs villages, and butchered the citi
" zens of America. Their prisons have been
“ the slaughter-houses of her soldiers, their
“ ships of her seamen, and the severest injuries
" have been aggravated by the grossest insults.
“ Foiled in their vain attempt to subjugate
" the unconquerable spirit of freedom, they
“ have meanly assailed the Representatives of
“ America with bribes, with deceit, and the
" servility of adulation. They have made a
" mock ofhumanity,by the wanton deftrudion
" of men: They have made a mock of religi
“ on, by impious appeals to God whilst in the
“ violation of his facfed commands: They
£< have made a mock even of reason itfelf, by,
'' endeavouring to prove, that the liberty and
“ happiness of America could fafely be entruf
" ted to those who have jo/d their ovun, unawed
" by the sense of virtue or of ffiame.
" Treated with the contempt which such
<c conduct deserved, they have applied to in
-66 dividuals: They have folici#d them to
New-York, Nov. 9, 1778
PERMISSION will be granted by the
COMMANDANT, to Refugees and
others, to cut wood on Long-lfland, for the
use of this city, on lands of persons not under
the proteaion of Government.
Permits will be issued on application ,at the
office of the Police.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Citizens,
That JOHN NORRIS, at the Corner
House, near the Main-Guard, and DAVID
HENRr MALLOWS, near the Tea Water
Pump, have the Care of the Chimney-Sweeps,
and that on a Note in Writing being left at
either of their Houses, a SWEEP will be lent
to the Place required. The Fine of FIRE
POUNDS heretofore eftabldhed, will be punc
tually exacted from every Inhabitant whole
Chimney ihall take Fire through Neglect.
Each Chimney to be fivept once in every
fcfbr Weeks.
ANDREW ELLIOTT, Sep. General.
DAVID MATHEWS, Mayor.
Wood for SALE.
PERSONS wanting to purchase WOOD,
may be fuppTied with any Quantity, by
fending Boats to Coldfpring Harbour, where
large Quantities are cutting, and will be de
livered on the Beach, by
ISRAEL YOUNGS.
^oboee&ooooo^^o^eo
fle following PAPER is reprinted in
New-York, by Authority, with the
Remarks Jubjoined to it.
^y^CONGRESS „/ GUNITED
STATES ^AMERICA.
MANIFEST O.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 355. per Cent.
Published February 2, 1778.
A White Loaf of the fineftFLOUß, to weigh
2 lb. 6 oz. for 14. Coppers, -nd in tb :^xme
Proportion for Loaves of a lesser Weight.
JAMES ROBERTSON, M.G. *
N E W-YOR K
MolTbAr, November 23, 1778.'
WEEKLY
Containing tbe eatlieo SDWccg
^ Printed by HUGH GAINE, at the BIBLE and CROWN, in HANOVER-SQUARE.
AND
I Monday, 38 Min. after 12
I Tuesday, 26 Min. after 1
§Wednesday, 13 Min. after 2
p Thursday, 58 Min. after 2
"'break the bonds of allegiance, and imbrue
" their fouls with the blackest of crimes: But
" fearing that none could be found Through
" these United States equal to the wickedness
" of their purpose, to influence weak mipds,
" they have threatened more wide devastation.
" While the shadow of hope remained, that
" our enemies could be taught by our example
" to refpe& those laws which are held sacred
" among civilized nations,and to comply with
" the didatesofa religion which they pretend
" in common with us to believe and to revere,
" they have been left to the influence of that
" religion, and that example. But since their
" incorrigible dispositions cannot be touched
" by kindness and companion, it becomes our
" duty by other means to vindicate the rights
" of humanity.
" We therefore, the Congress of the United
" States of America, DO solemnly De
" glare ano Proclaim, That if our ene
" mies presume to execute their threats, or
" persist in their present career of barbarity,
" we will take such exemplary vengeance as
" shall deter others from a like conduft. We
" appeal to that God who fearcheth the hearts
" of men, for the reditude of our intentions.
" And in his holy presence we declare, That
'' as we are not movec iby any light and hasty
" suggestions of anger or revenge, so through
" every possible change of fortune we will ad
" here to this cur determination.
" DONE in Congress, by unanimous con
“ Jent, this thirteenth day of October,
" One Tboufand Seven hundred and Se
" ve^ty eight.
'' Attest. Charles Thomson, Sec'ry."
SO long as the Congress rested their Cause
with the People on mere anonymous pub
lications, it was not surprising to find the Pub
lic amused with petulent sallies, affected irony,
half truths, downright falfhoods, declamation
and colourable pretences of every fort.
Uhder the name of Congress, however, and
in the formal afped of a state paper, more de
cency and more regard to the difeernment of
mankind might have been expected.
That mere silence may not be supposed an
assent, the People of America are called upon
to observe the following grounds, upon which,
in the above Paper, the blessings of peace are
with-held by their Leaders.
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
2. It is not true that the Colonies were driv
en to hostilities by the oppressive measures of
Great-Britain: Hostilities arose, as is com
mon, from flight, unguarded, accumulating,
mutual provocations; overtures of concilia
tion when coming from one fide, were fpurhed
Dy the angry passion which happened at the
moment to possess the other. Such a quarrel
cannot outlive the return of reason: If ever
those returns shall come at the fame time to
both the parties.
3. It is not true that the leaders of the pre
sent rebellion have studied to alleviate the ca
lamities of war, or lighten the chains of cap
tivity: They have lightly and wantonly im
prifoned —they have Rifled in dungeons—they
have robbed and murdered with finghlar cir
cumstances of derision and insult, persons who
differed from them in this contest.
4. It is not true that the war in America has
been conduced with cruelty, on the part of
his Majesty's troops.
The people of America are called upon to
judge of this allegation, by comparing the
condud of his Majesty's troops, with the fol
lowing indisputable laws of war.
I. Armies that occupy an enemy's country, may
demand /applies and raise contributions ; and to
enforce compliance may employ military execution,
lay nxafte and destroy.
2. If an enemy in bis own country, fading bis
advantage in protracting the war, decline action ;
it is lawful to lay waste the country in bis presence
that be may be made to expose bimfelf by endea
vouring to cover it.
1. It is not true that the measures of Great-
Britain towards her Colonies have been tyran
nical, or if they will, tyrannous.
It is on the contrary well known, that no
colonies were ever planted on so fair a ground
of public generosity and freedom; and that
con fequently no colonies ever advanced with
so rapid a progress in population and wealth.
3. When a party at war cannot otberways be
annoyed or brought to reason, than by the difrefs of
bis country it is lawful to difrefs it.
J^#^W^^
Friday, 41 Min. afte; 3
Saturday, 25 Min. after 4
Sunday. 9 Min. after 5
Firftgarter on Sunday.
THE
4. When the inhabitants are tbemfelves princi
pal parties in the war, as in the case of revolts
and rebellions, they are then the principal objects
of bofihty, to whom coercion mus; be applied in or
der to forward the end of the war.
The people of America will judge how far
their country has been made to feel the rigour
of these maxims.
Their towns have been occupied and left
unhurt, and the country through which the
army passed, though deserted and damaged
by tlip inhabitants in order to deffroy all means
of accommodation or subsistence, has been spa
red by the troops.
5. It is not true that the armies of Great-
Britain have been foiled in their attempts to
subjugate North-America ; it was always pro
posed to reclaim, not to subjugate North-
America.
But the contest is not yet at an end, and it
. is too soon to proclaim the vidory before it is
decided.
6. It is not true that the representatives of
America have been assailed with bribes, by
any person authorized from Great-Britain,
7. It is not true that breach of allegiance,
which the Congress has justly entitled the
blacked of crimes, can be charged against the
faithful fubjeds of the King in America ; this
crime has been deliberately committed by the
authors of the present rebellion : With an
equal breach of the allegiance that is due to the
King, and of good faith that is due to their
fellow fubje&s.
8. Itis not true that persons serving under
the b ng of Great-Britain, have employed de
<fervility ; that they have made a mock
of humanity or of religion, in their endeavours
to restore the peace of the British Empire; or
that they have made a mock of rcafon by offer
ing a participation of the liberties of Britain.
Such mockery of humanity, religion and
reason, is juflly to be imputed to those who
without being themselves exposed, urge their
country into desperate councils ; to those who
have broke their faith in the mod solemn con
ventions entered into to save the effufion of
blood, as in those of the Cedars and ofSarato
ga; and who have set examples tending' to
dedroy the confidence which induces men to
spare the vanquished, or to release the captive.
The mockery of religion isjuftly imputed to
those who having concealed from their consti
tuents rhe conciliatory offers that were made to
them, took God to witness that they had no
object beyond the redress of their grievances,
and now again appeal to God for the truth of
falfe assertions upon which they ground their
refufal of peace to their country.
9. It is not true that persons serving under
the King of Great-Britain have threatened de
vastations, they thought it their duty to men
tion the consequences to which the obflinacy
of this rebellion, and the odious combination
of British subjects with the antient enemies of
Britain may unhappily lead.
Such however are the falfe and illiberal
grounds on which the American Congress have
spurned the fulleft and faireft advances to
peace on the part of Great-Britain.
But as theeffeds of misrepresentation and
clamour cannot be permanent, the friends of
Great Britain may be assured that she will sup
port her claims to a right of union, and a re
sumption of the comtnon cause with North-
America, upon such a liberal footing as may
render it, what it formerly was, a common
strength and advantage to both.
To their Excellencies the Earl of CARLISLE,
Sir HENRY CLINTON, Knight of the Bath,
and WILLIAM EDEN, Esquire, his Majesty's
Commissioners, &c, &c. &c.
The PETITION of the Merchants and Traders of
the City of New-York.
May it please your Excellencies,
WE his Majesty's faithful and loyal
fubje&s, the Merchants and Tra
ders of the city of New-York,
actuated by the higbeft petfonal
refpe&, and feeling, with the warm
est sense of gratitude, the effectual and recent instan
ces you have been pleased to give, of your attention
and desire to promote the commerce and general inte
rest of this city ; wish to express to your Excellen
cies, our particular acknowledgements for the in
dulgence granted by your Proclamation of the 26th
of September past, by which we have been enabled
to (hip to the Parent Country, merchandize and pro
duce to the value, as we believe of neaily One Mil
lion, which sum, thrown into general circulation,
must tend greatly to the advantage pf commerce and
credit;'
Wheat per Bushel, iis. od.
Flour, 355. o'l.
Brown Bread, 60s. od.
Welt-India Rum, ss. 6d.
New-England do. 4% od.
GA Z ETT E:
MERCUR Y.
PRICE CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 51. fro%i
Single icfin'd ditto, is. %.
Molasses, 2 % 6d.
Beef per Barrel, 81. od.
Pork, 8). zos.
foreign ano Domfflieft.
But as that indulgence will soon expire, and as we
conceive the peculiarity of our situation requires every
relief which can be granted, confident with the pub
lic weal; we therefore hope, that your Excellencies
will be pleased to renew and extend the term of your
said proclamation to such further period, as to your
Excellencies ffiall seem meet.
And as we pr^fume the neceflity of a liberal inter
course with al! the British ports, muff now be evident
to your Excellencies, we beg leave to entreat your
attention to the precarious and restrained manner in
which our import trade is at present permitted ;
Trusting, that you will be pleated to allow a free
importation from all the British ports, of such stores,
provisions and other merchandize, as are necessary for
his Majesty's army and navy, and the inhabitants un
der their protection, fubjeft to such regulations as to
your Excellencies may apppear expedient.---We are
more immediately led earneify to entreat your Excel
lencies interference in this matter, by recent instances,
;in which loyal andfaithful fubje&s have been aggriev
ed, we fear beyond redrew, by the seizure and con-,,
demnation of yeffels intended for this port, with ma
ny articles necessary for the supply of his Majesty's
forces, and the inhabitants : And we conceive such
seizures are not authorized by the spirit of the prohi
bitory laws, which could only be intended to pre
tvent Applies to those colonies in a&ual rebellion, but
never meant to afic&the property of loyal fubjefts
under his Majesty's immediate proteaion.
These, may it please your Excellencies, are the ob
jects to which we more immediately entreat your
attention ; and as the liberal and generous principles,
which you have on every occasion displayed, leave us
no doubt, that your will to assist and relieve, is yet
more ample, than the very ample powers with which
you are intruded ; we rest in the assured hope, that
every possible relief and indulgence will be granted,
which public service will permit.---At fame time
beg leave to inform your Excellencies, we feel equal
Ivfcr our fellow fabje&B in Rhode-Ilfancf; and there
fore presume to pray that every possible indulgence
may also be extended to them.
And your Petitioners shall ever pray.
Signed by order, and in behalf of the Merchants
and Traders of the city of New-York.
WILLIAM WALTON, President;
Copy.
New-York, November 14th. 1778.
The Answer of his Majesty's Commiflioners to the
Merchants, &c. of New-York.
WE think it almost fuperfluous to assure the
Merchants and Traders that it gives us
great pleasure to learn that our Proclamation of the
26th September enabled them to remit a very large
quantity of valuable merchandize to Great-Britain,
and has been attended with other beneficial effiffs.
We shall readily comply with their farther wishes
by continuing the benefit of that Proclamation to a
longer period. And shall be glad, as well for the
fake of the Merchants, as for the supply of the inha
bitants under his Majesty's protection,to afford every
facility and security confident with our powers, and
what we mav th ; nk right to the introduction of stores
and provisions for the pfe of this place and Rhode-
Island.
New-York, isth Nov. 1/78.
PROCLAMATION.
By the Earl of CARLISLE, Sir HENRY CLIN
TON, and WILLIAM EDEN, Esquire, Com
missioners appointed by his Majesty, in pursuance
of an Act of Parliament, made and passed in the
18th Year of his Majesty's Reign, to enable his
Majesty to appoint Commissioners to treat, consult
and agree upon the means of quieting thedifurders
now subsisting in certain of the Colonies, Planta
tions and Provinces in North-America.
WHEREAS the Merchants and Traders of
this city have, by their petition of the 14th
inffant, represented to us, that the great benefits
which have accrued, as well to this port as to the
British trade in general, from the Proclamation issued
by uson the 26th of September last, may become Itill
more extensive, if the term for which the said Pro
clamation was made to be of force, shall be farther
prolonged : We being fatisfied that the said represen
tation is both just and reasonable, have found it ex
pedient to declare, and do hereby declare and pro
claim, that our aforefaid Proclamation shall continue
to be in force till the fiift day of June next ensuing.
And whereas in purfuanceof an a& of Parliament,
made and passed in the 18th year of his Majesty's
Reign, entitled '' an a& to enable his Majesty to ap
-66 point Commiffioters, with fufficient powers to
“ treat, consult and agree upon the means of quiet
" ing the disorders now subsisting in certain of the
" colonies, Plantations and Provinces in North
" America."---His Majesty has been pleased to au
thorize and empower us, by Proclamation under our
refpeftive Hands and Seals from time to time, as we
shall fe^convenient, to suspend the operation and ef
fe& of any of the provisions or reftriaions contained
in a certain a& of Parliament, made and passed in
the Sixteenth Year of his Majesty's Reign, for pro
hibiting all trade and intercourd with certain Colo
nies therein named, and for other purposes therein
„so mentioned,
THE
Fine Salt, 2s. 6d
Coarse Salt, is . od
Indian Corn per Bu. 7s. od
Coffee, is. gp
Chocolate, 265. per Do
(No. 1414]