The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-13 00:00:00, page 3

, .My Lords,
¥ fECEIVE 'with the mofl sensible fatisfaflibn this
^ ^ddrefs, so fully expressive of your duty and loyalty
#d%e. Nothing can be more acceptable than the assu
rances you give of your utmost support to enable me to
re-ejiablifo order and tranquility throughout all my
dominions, and Ifhall mos heartily concur with any
measures that may tend to so salutary a purpose.
WATERTOWN, December 2s.
Last week both houres of Affenibly^ came to the
choice of five Delegates to represent this colony in
American Congrees, for the Year 1776, by joint
ballot, and the ' following gentlemen were cho
sen, viz.
The Hon. John Hancock, Esq;
Samuel Adams, Esq;
, John Adams, Esq;
-Robert Treat, Paine, Esq;
~ . and Eldridge Gerry, Esq;
CAMBRIDGE, December 28,
We hear that a brig from Portugal, bound to
New-York, which had been taken by the enemy,
and ordered to Boftoh, was retaken a few days ago,
byone of the continental crullers and carried into
Plymouth. She was laden with fait, and had on
board when retaken, a midihipman,, and 6or 8
teamen belonging to the enemy #
PORTSMOUTH, New-Hampfloire, Dec. 25.
Last Aion 3) ar a public town meeting, the following Gentle
men Were ch fen Delegaes to represent this town in Provincial
Congress how convened at Exeter; and by a committee ap ointed
to dAw up inftruft^ns for them, they were the next day un
^nimo'jfi) vo d byah? town.
To SaMUEL CtyfTS, and SAM. SHERBURNE, Efq'rs.
# and Captain PIERCE LONG.
G.^TLFMEN,
-/A $ 'h e approacb'hg hilionof the Congress, will be attended
with the consideration of matters of more importance,
* A than perhaps ever came before any body of men in this co
lony ; your Confidents desire "^nr (irift attention to thefetheir
Injunctions. fuppohng your me s, in accepting our choice of
you, to be th fe alone of promoting the Public Good.
The precept sent to this town for the choice of Delegates,
'editions 'our' taking up a Form of Government in this colony ,
this W'e conceive to be a measure, to be entered upon with the
greatest caution, calmnels, and deliberation: We are of op nion,
that the present times are too unsettled to admit of perfecting a
Form, frable and permanent, and that to attempt it now, w uld
injure As, by furnishing our enemies in Great-Britain, with argu
ments foferfaade the good people there, that we are aiming at
INDEPENDENCY, which we totally disavow. We should
thetefot e prefer the Government of the Congress 'till God in
his Pro, zidence, shall afford us quieter times. If however the
is now become more general, and manifefls the
puipplepf citablifhing and maintaining an 'inde
pendent empire, we cannot but applaud your Ma
jelly's resolution to- vindicate the rights, the inte
rests, and the honour of this kingdom, by a Speedy
and moss decisive exertion ; and for this purpose, we
think it our inditpenfible duty to declare, that we
will support your Majesty with our lives and for
tunes; and being fully persuaded, that in the pre
fect Rate of these disorders, the most active will, in
its effect, be the most merciful mode of proceeding,
we hear with pleasure that your Majesty has en
creafed your naval establishment, and also greatly
augmented your land forces. We are sensible of
your MajeSy's kind co'nfideration, in having done
it in such a manner as may be lead burthenfome to
ynr kingdoms; and your Majesty may be assured
that we shall chearfully concur in whatever may be
necessary to enable your Majesty to profit of the
friendly diSpofitions of foreign powers.
' We are deeply impressed by the gracious mo
tives which induced your Majesty to fetid a part of
your electoral troops to the garrifohs of Gibraltar
and Port Mahon, by which assistance this country
will be enabled to employ a larger number of
its own established forces in the maintenance of
its authority; and we return your Majesty our sin
cere thanks for having so providentially pointed out
to us a farther resource in that national body of
men, so constitutional in their nature, and lb zea
lous in their duty, the militia of this kingdom
“ We cannot fufficiently admire your Majesty's.
benevolent declaration, that when the wifhed-for
period arrives, that the unhappy and deluded mul
titude, against whom this force will be directed,
111 ill become sensible of their error, your Majesty
will receive the milled with tenderness and mercy;
and we are fully sensible of the wife and compani
onate sentiment which has determined your Majes
ty to delegate authority to certain pe Sons upon the
spot, to grant general or particular pardons and
indemnities, in such manner, and to such persons
as they shall think fit, and to receive the submission
of any province or colony which shall be difpofea to
return to its allegiance; and we will most readily
concur in granting to the persons so commidioned
such farther powers as may best tend to promote
and effectuate your Majesty's salutary measures.-
" Permit us, Sir, to offer our grateful acknow
ledgments to your Majesty for the full and explicit
communication which your Majesty has been pleased
to make to us, and at tue fame time to express the
sense we entertain of the numerous blessings we en
joy, flowing from the Source of never-ceasing atten
tion with which your Majesty is occupied for the
fafety and happiness of all your people; and we beg
leave to assure your Majesty, that we participate
the fame ceire which animates your royal breast,
and feel no other with than to re-establish order
and tranquility through the several parts of your
dominions, upon the bails of a close connection with,
end constitutional dependance upon, Great-Britain.
To -which bis Majesty was pleased to return the fol
-# following mos gracious Hnfwer.
Congress shall think proper to establish a New Form of Govern
ment, we enjoin you, that no private pique or prejudice may se
clude from the appointment to any place of honour or profit, men
of approved honor arid integrity, whether members of the Con
gress, or not ; and if there are any members likely to be appoint
ed to such places, who you have reason to think fought an electi
on, that you do every thing in your power, to prevent their ap
pointment.
The courts of justice in this colony, you are sensible, have long
slept. We earnestly require you, that you use your influence in
the Congress, that^he law mt- have its couric, not only for the
punishment of off inters, but to enforce the payment of just debts,
under such regulations, as the Congress, in their wildom, shall
think proper.
As the daftardfy and inhuman behaviour of the persons hitherto
intruded by the British Minidry, to execute their designs against
America, convince us, that they will take all advantage of the
weakness of any pod, while they carefully aviod such as are in a
Situation co make a refinance, we desire you will pay a proper at
tention, to the further fortifiing, and guarding the Port of Pifeata
qua, now the frontier of the colony ; and that in general y r u
Ipare no pains; to have every part of the colony in a proper date of
defence: At the lame time however, that we give you this in
druftion, we recommend it to you; that should a Plan of Accom
modation be proposed, the commpletion of which will termi
nate, in an honourable settlement of the present dilutes, you
give your assent thereto ; and we the more readily advise this be^
cause we are by no means of cpinion, that the present measures
are countenanced by the British nation in general, (ever remarked
for their true valor, and love of freedom, and who, when they
are fully acquainted with the dispute, Will undoubtedly approve
the conduct of their Sons, so like that of their Ancedors at the
Revolution) but rather that they are the schemes of a fee of men,
101 l to every sentiment of true honour, ant ifunk into a date of
dissipation, and luxury,' which they are endeavouring to support,
by subjugating the moll loyal subj ds, their maftercould boad of.
As we are firmly persuaded, the measures we are taking, for
the preservation of our Freedom, are highly juftifiable in the Sight
of God and Man, we are 'etermined to hazard our lives and for
tunes, on the prosecution L them, convinced; that our brethren in
every part of the colony, are actuated by the fame motives, and
will readily pay their proportion of the public expence: you will
therefore be careful, to fee that the proportion, be equitably ad
jured with refpe&: to this town, which has already greatly fuf^
sered by the lols of its trade, almost its only support, and of the
revival of which, there is at prelent no profped.
We particularly recommend, that you fiddly guard against
every measure that may have a tendency to caule disunion, and
that at all times you keep Sight of this recommendation, as a dis
agreement among ourselves, is what our enemies are earnellly
wishing for, and consequently what we, should be more particu
larly careful, to fee them disappointed in.
You will use your endeavours that any Committees of Safety,
which may be appointed by the Colony Congress, may be directed
in their recess, to fit in this town, which in all probability, will
be the feat of action, and may want the readied affillance, and that
the said Committee be kept under Short adjournments.
We entertain the highett and molt grateful sense, of the merit
and bravery, of such of our brethren, as at this time are called
forth, to " jeopard their lives in the hi; h places of the field," and
hope this colony, will be behind hand in none, to fee that they
are properly rewarded, taking due care, at the lame time, to keep
up the very jail and necessary line of distinction, bet ween the Civil
and Military powers.
You will from time to time, inform the town Committee of
Safety, of such matters of importance, as are propoled to be
tranfaded in Congress, and take their advice and inihudin there
on, or that ot us youi constituents, in town meeting assembled; if
the laid Committee shall think proper.
PHILADELPHI A.
Extrafl of a Letter from Grenada, dated Dec. 4.
"There is a ihip arrived here this day in fix weeks
from London, which brings advice of molt of the
transports bound for America being Supposed to be
loft, as the Channel was filled with dead cattle and
stock of all kinds; and I have it from good autho
rity that there is to be a poll held in all the coun
ties of England, to know who are for and who are
against America "
The following Gentlemen are appointed Officers
in the tour battalions to be railed in this province.
Second Battalion. Col. Arthur St. Clair. Lieut.
Col. William Allen. Major, Joseph Wood.
Third Bat. Col. John Shee. Lieut. Col. Lam
bert Cadwallader. Major, Henry Becker.
Fourth Bat. Col. Anthony Wayne. Lieut. Col.
Francis Johnson. • Major, Nicholas Hauffeggen
Fifth Bat. Colonel, Robert Magee. Lieut. Col.
Joseph Penrofe. Major, George Nagel.
Captains, according to rank, who are not yet
nominated to particular battalions. 1 John Beatty.
2 Thomas Craig. 3 William Butler. 4 John
Miller. 5 William Weft. 6 John Brifban. 7
Samuel Benezet. 8 Perfifor Frazer. 9 Thomas
Robinson. 10 Rudolph Bunner. 11 Stephen
Bayard. 12 John Lacey. 13 Peter Scull. 14
Caleb\Noarth. 15 Christopher Stuart.l6 Alexander
Graydon. 17 Thomas Church. 18 Samuel Wat
son., I, James Hulings; 20 Frederick Vernon.
21 Lavid Lenox. 22 Walter Stuart: 23 Thomas
Byles. 24 John Reese, 25 John Spohn. 26
Nathaniel Vanfant, 27 James Moore. 2d Henry
Allice. 29 James Taylor. 30 Peter Decker. 31
Joseph Hubley, 32 Matthew Duncan.
Firlt Lieutenants. I Joseph Potts. 2 John
Richardfoh. 3 Alexander Johnson. 4 Thomas
Moore. 5 Jofep.h Davenports 6 John Chilton.
7 Evan Edwards. 8 John Bankfon. 9 Benjamin
Bartholomew. io\ Matthew Knox. 11 James R.
Reid; 12 Samuel Moore. 13 James Christie. 14
John Lawrence. 15 John Christie. 16 John
Williamson. 17 George Tudor. 18 John Gross.
19 John David Woelpepper. 20 Robert Wilkins.
21 Daniel Broadhead, jwn. 22 John Morgan. 23
Samuel Smith. 24 Andrew Kechlin. 25 Adam
Betting. 26 William Davklfon. 27 William Bird.
28 Michael Kimmle. 29 John Priestly. 30 Charles
Phile. 31 Michael Hoolnagle. 32 John Helm.
Second Lieutenants. 1 James Montgomery. 2
Ezra Bartielon. 3 Alexander McClintock. 4 Wil
liam Tilton. 5; Walter Becker. 6 Rol's Currie. 7
John Budd Dunn. 8 John Duguid. 9 Robert
Gregg. 10 William Crawford. it\William Cham
bers. 12 John Finley. 13 Thomas jenny. 14 John
Craig. 15 Richard Collier. 16 Andrew Forrest.
17 Henry Epple 18 Robert Connolly. 19 Isaac
Seily. 20 Thomas Boude. 21 Michael Ryan. 22
Thomas Holland. 23 Henry Becker. 24 William
Standley. 25 Charles M'H.nry. 26 John Wood^
fide. 27 Charles C. Beatty. 28 John Rudulph.
29 Charles Seitz. 30 Benjamin Armitage. 31
Andrew Douer. 32 Edward Young.
Ensigns. I Benjamin Miller. 2 James Hunter.
3 Alexander Hall. 4 Jdb Vernon. 5 Henry,
camp. 6 Thomas Park. 7 Joel Weftcoat. 8
frames M'Kie. 9 James O'Harra. 10 John Ganfel.
'll William Craig. 12 William Old. 13 Thomas
Wallice. 14 James Savidge. 15 John Evans. 16
Isaac Vanhorn. 17 Ezekiel Letts. 18 Harman
cout. 19 James Black. 20 Thomas M'Entire.
■ James Funk. 22 Edward Hovendon. 23 James
^fryd. 24 Samuel Schriver. 2; Abel Morris. 26
Waliice. 27 John Barclay. 28 James Mul-
My. 29 Mordecai Davis. 30 John Dover. 31
Levi Griffith. 32 James Gibbons.
Extrafl of a letter Jrom Point aux Trembles, dated
finnarj 11, 1776.
THE COPARTNERSHIP of Mifflin
and Irvin beings dilfolved, those Persons
having any demands against them are desired to
bring in their accounts; and all those indebted to
them by bond, ndte, or book-debt, &c. are re
queued to make speedy payment to Joseph Mifflin,
who is'appointed to receive, lie fame, otherwise they
may expe& to be proceeded against according tc
Law 'Mifflin and Xrvxs
December 1, 1775.
On Sept. 21st we reached Fort Western, 25th
to 29th one division marched off each day, with 45
days provisions, from 29th to the Bth Odober the
whole detachment were daily up to their waists in
water, hauling up the batteaus against the rapid
stream, to Norridgwalk, 50 miles from Fort Wes
tern; from the 9th to the 16th not a minute was loft
in gaining the dead river, about 50 miles, from
16th to 27th we ascended to lake Megantick, or
Chaudier pond, distance 83 miles; 28th Col. Ar
nold embarked with 17 men in 5 batteaus, being
resolved to proceed on to the French inhabitants;
and fend back provisions to the detachment, who
are near out, and must inevitably fuffer without a
supply; at io we passed over the lake, 13 miles
long, and entered the Chaudier river, which we de
feended about 20 miles in two hours, amazingly
rocky, rapid and dangerous, when we had the mis^
fortune of overfetting and having three batteaus
and loft all their baggage; provisions, &c. and with
difficulty saved the men. This difalter, though una
fortunate at firft view, we must think a very happy
circumftahce to the whole, and kind interposition
of providence, for had we proceeded half a rhile
further, we must have gone over a prodigious fall,
which we were not apprized of, and all inevitably
perished; here we divided the provisions left, and
Col. Arnold proceeded on with two batteaus and
five men with all pollible expedition, and on the
30th, at night, he arrived at the firft inhabitants,
upwards of 80 miles from the lake, where he was
kindly received, and the next morning early fentoff
a supply of freffi provisions to the rear detachment
by the Canadians and Savages; about 40 of the lat
ter having joined us; by the Bth the whole arrived
except two or three left behind sick; the loth we
reached Point Levy, 7; miles from Sartigan, (the
firft inhabitants) Waited until the 13th for the rear
to come up, and employed the carpenters in making
ladders and collecting canoes, those on Point L # vi,
being all destroyed to prevent our crossing having
collected about 3d. we embarked at 9 P. M. and at
4 A. M. carried over at several times goo men,
Without being difeoverpd.
Thus in about 8 weeks ve compleated a march
of near fix hundred miles, not to be paralelled in
history; the men having with the greateftfortitude
and perseverance hauled their batteaus up rapid
streams, being obliged to wade almost the whole
way near 180 miles, carried them on theif shoul
ders near 40 miles over hills, swamps and boggs,
almost impenetrable, and to their knees in mire,
being often obliged to cross three or four times
with their baggage. Short of provisions, part of
the detachment difh&artened and gone back; famine
flaring us in the face, and an enemy's country, and
uncertainty a head; notwithstanding all these ob^
ftacles, the officers and men ihfpired and fired with
the love of Liberty and their country, pushed on
with a fortitude Superior to every obstacle, most of
them had not one' days provision, for a week; thus
I have given you a short, but imperfect sketch of
our march, the night we eroded the St. Lawrence,
founu ^ impoflible to get our ladders over, and the
enemy being apprised of our coming, we found it
impracticable to attack them without too great a
riSque; we therefore invested the town and. cut off
their communication witli the country, we conti
nued in this Situation until the 20th, having often
attempted to draw out the garrison in vain; on a
ftri.& Scrutiny into our ammunition found many of
cur cartridges, (which to appearance were good)
unferviceable, and not ten rounds a piece for the
men, who were almost naked, barefooted and much
fatigued, and as the garrison was daily increasing
and near double our number, we thought it pru
dent to retire to this place, and wai^a gL^-^-^rHr
of General Montgomery, with artillery, clpathing,
&c. who to our great joy this morning joined us. We
propose immediately investing the town, and make
no doubt in a few days to bring Carlton to terms