The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1776-07-29 00:00:00, page 1

Monday, July Ig, 1776. THE [No. 1294 j
NE^-rO R Km&lM^G A z E'T T E:
W E E K L Y M ERCU R Y.
&ntmng the frc^ ''"^"-'—^^
0 Printed by HUGH GAINE, Printer, Bookseller, STATIONER, ^ the Bible and Crown, Hanover-Squire.
PHILADELPHIA, July 20.
In CONGRESS, %/, 19, 17,6.
Resolved,' That a copy of the
circular letters and of the declara
tions they enclosed from Lord Howe
to Mr. W. Franken, Mr. Penn,
Mr. Eden, Lord Dunmore, Mr. Martin and
Sir James Wright, late Governors, sent to
Amboy by a flag and forwarded to Congress,
by General Washington, be published in the
several Gazettes, that the good people of
these United States my be informed of what
nature are the Commissioners and what the
terms, with the expectation of which the
insidious Court of Britain has endeavoured
to amuse and disarm them ; and that the few,
who still remain suspended by a hope Bounded
either in the justice or moderation of their
late King, may now, at length, be convin
ced that the valour alone of their country is
to save its liberties.
Ext? alt from the journals,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
“ EAGLE, off the Coast of the Province of
Maffachufets-Bay, June 20, 1776.
"SIR,
BEING appointed Commander in Chief
of the ships and vessels of his Majesty's
fleet, employed in North- America, and hav
ing the honourto be by his Majesty consti
tuted one of his Commissioners for restoring
peace to his Colonies, and for granting Par
dons to such of his fubjedts therein as Shall be
duly felicitous to benefit by -that effect of tis
gracious indulgence; I embrace this oppor
tunity to inform you of my arrival on the
American coast. where my firft object will
be an early meeting with Gem Howe, whom
his AJaieth ha^been pleased to jon with me
^i^ % ^ ^ffr^
the&B.n ^ie, fh&au^ed it expedi
ent to iCTe the enclosed Deflation, in order
that all perforis may have iirihkQte Infor
mation of his Majesty's ms grampus intenti
ons: And I desire you will be'pk^d forth
with to cause the said Declaration obe pro
mulgated in such manner, and at i^i^laces
within the province of New-Jerfeyas will
render the fame of the most public n^^wty.
Assured ofbeing favoured with y^^g&g
arice in every measure for the fpd
effectual restoration of the public tranquility,
I am to request you will communicate, from
time to time, such information as you may
think will facilitate the attainment of that
important object in the province over which
you perfide.•
I have the honor to be,
with great respect and confidetation,
Sir, your most obedient humble servant.
HOW E."
By RICHARD VISCOUNT HOWE of
the kingdom of Ireland, one of the
KING'S COMMISSIONERS for re
storing peace to his Majesty's colonies and
plantations in North-America, &c. &c.
A DECLARATION.
WHEREAS by an aCt pahed in
the last session of Parliament to
prohibit aW trade and intercourse with the co
lonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-
Bay, Rhode-Ifland, Connecticut, New
v York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the 7 hree
Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina,
and Georgia, and for other purposes therein
mentioned, it is enabled, that “ It Shall and
may be lawful to and for any person or per
sons, appointed 'and authorised by His Ma
jesty, to grant a pardon or pardons ter any
number or description of persons, by procla
mation in His Majesty's name, to declare
any colony or province, colonies or provin
ces, or any county, town, port, diftridl, or
place, in any colony or province, to be at
the peace of His Majesty ;" and that " from
and after the issuing of any such proclama
tion in any of the aforefaid colonies or pro
vinces, or if His Majesty should be graci
ously pleased to fignify the fame by his royal
proclamation, then from and after the issuing
of such proclamation." the said “ ads, with
refpeft to such colony or province, colonies
or provinces, county, town, port, difttify
or place, shall cease, determine, and bam,
terly void."
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 17a. per Cent.
A White Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to weigh
ilb.ri 1-2 oz. for 4 Coppert.
Published March 18, 1776.
And whereas the King, desirous to deli
ver all his fubjecfts from the calamities of war,
and other oppressions which they now undergo,
and to restore the said colonies to his protec
tion and peace, as soon as the corlftitutional
authority of government therein may be re
placed, hath been graciously pleased, by let
ters patent, under the great seal, dated the
sixth day of May, in the sixteenth year of
His Majesty's reign, to nominate and ap
point me Richard Viscount Howe, of the
kingdom of Ireland, and William Howe,
Esq; General of his forces in North-Ame
rica, and each of us, jointly and fevera.ly,
to be His Majesty's Commissioner and Com
missioners, for granting his free and general
pardons te all those who, in the tumult and
disorder of the times, may leave deviated from
their just Allegiance, and who are willing, by
a ipeedy return to their duty, to reap the be
nefits of the royal favor: And also for de
claring, in His Majesty's name, any colonv,
province, county, town, port, diftri&, or
place, to be at the peace of His Majesty, I
do, therefore, hereby declare that due con
sideration shall be had to the meritorious ser
vices of all persons who shall aid and assist in
restoring the public tranquility in the said co
lonies, or in any part or parts thereof; that
pardons shall be granted, dutiful reprefenta
tiobs received, and every suitable encourage
ment given for promoting such measures as
shall be conducive to the establishment of
legal government and peace, in pursuance of
His Majesty's most gracious purposes afore
faid.
Given on board His Majesty's ship the
Eagle, off the coast of the province of
Massachusetts-Bay, the 20th day of
Junv, „f»
HO W E,
By order of Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
Extract from the minutes,
Charles Thomson, Secretary.
Extract of a letter from the Hoh. Major
General LEE, dated Charleftown, July
2, 1776, to the President of the Congress.
IS H OULD have done myfelf the honor
f>oner of informing the Congress of (he
attack made by the enemy's squadron on
Sullivan's island, and their repulse, but con
jectured, that by Waiting a day or two, I
might probably be furnifhed with the means
of fending a more minute, full, and fatis
fa&ory account.
My conjeaure was right; for yesterday
five seamen made their escape, one of whom
is a more intelligent fellow than is common
ly found amongst men of his level. Enclosed
is a copy of their narrative. I may venture
to congratulate Congress on the event. Not
only the advantage must be considerable, but
the affair refle&s no small credit to the Ame
rican arms.
On Friday about eleven o'clock, the Com
modore (Sir Peter Parker) with his whole
squadron confining of two line of battle ships
and fix Frigates, the rates of which are
marked in the enclosed narrative, anchored
at less than half a musket shot from the fort,
and commenced one of the most furious and
incessant fires I ever saw or heard. It was
manifestly their plan to land, at the fame
time, their whole regulars at the east end of
the island, and of course invest the fort by
land and sea. As the garrison was composed
entirely of raw troops, both officers and
myn, I thought it my duty to profs over to
the island, to encourage the garrison by my
presence. But I might have saved myfelf
that trouble, for I found on my arrival they
had no eccafion for any fort of encourage
ment. I found them determined and cool
to the last degree ; their behaviour would,
in fa&, have done honor to the oldest tr®ops.
I therefore beg leave to recommend in the
strongest terms to the Congress, the com
manding Officer, Cel. Moutrie, and his
whole garrison, as brave soldiers and excellent
citizens. Nor must 1 omit, at the fame time
mentioning Col. Thompson, who with the
South-Carolina rangers, and a detachment
of the North -Carolina regulars, repulsed the
enemy in two several attempts &> malce a
lodgement at the extremity of the island.I
Monday, 47 Min. after 7
Tuesday, 4.3 Mm. after ^
Wednefday,4i Min. after 9
Thursday, 45 Min. after 10
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, thia Werk.
Friday, 3 0 Min.afi^ 11
Saturday, 22 Min. after iz
Sunday, n Min.?fter 1
Full Moen t morrow.
The narrative of the five sailors referred to in
the foregoing letter, who were on boaid at
the time of the aaion.
' The Bristol of fifty guns, commanded
by Sir Peter Parker, greatly damaged in her
, hull, large knees and timbers shot through
and smashed; if the water had not been very
linooth, it would have beei> impoffib ! e ^0
have kept her from finking, all the carpenters
T the fleet have been called to her afliftance;
,i zen man shot through, main-mast badly
wounded by three several shot, sore-mast by
tun, rigging, fails and yards much damaged.
The Capt. of the Commodore loft his left
arm above the elbow; he was sent yesterday
(June 30th) to England in a brigantine;
the Commodoie's breeches torn off, his thigh
and knee wounded, he walks only when sup
ported by two men ; forty-four men killed
and thirty wounded^ among whom were
many midshipmen and petty officers ; twen
ty of the wounded dead since the action ;
t.r' in the if et, that the twoJarge ships would
{({over the bar again, and proceed to isnglifh
harbour in Antigua, to be repaired. The
Briflol, when lightened as much as possible,
draws eighteen feet water.
Experiment of fifty guns on two decks all
twelve pounders, a Slighter built veflel than
the Bristol, exceedingly damaged in her hull ;
several po:ts beat in one, her mizen-maft
hurt, but uncertain of particulars; killed
fifty Seven, of whom the Captain was one,
wounded thirty, several since dead; draws
when lightest Seventeen feet water ; the ge
neral opinion that neither of these large Ships
will go Safely over the bar again; Solebay
twenty-eight guns, two men killed, four
wounded ; A&ive twenty-eight. Lieutenant
killed, four wounded ; Acteon twenty-eight ;
Sphynx twenty, Syren twenty-eight, all got
aground; the firft in comirg up, the two
, latter in running away; the Sphynx cut
away her bowsprit ; the Syren got off; Ac-
I teon remained fail-burnt and blown up by
I her own people. While file was on fire,
Mr. Millegan, one of the Carolina marine
I officers, and a party of men boarded her,
brought of her colours, the Blip's bell, and
as many fails as three boats could contain.
The Thunder bomb lay at a considerable
diflance, throwing Shells at the fort, and by
overcharging had Shattered the beds, and
damaged the Ship so much, as to render it
neceflary for her to go into dock before She
can aft again.
rifoe Friendfllip, an hired armed vefTel of
26 gyms of various Sizes, covered the bomb,
as did the Syren who also fired very briskly dt
the fort. The whole fleet badly manned and
Sickly, particularly the Syren's crew, as two
thirds Short allowance of provisions and wa
ter, they have had no freih meat since their
arrival (firft of June.)
Lord william Campbel had been very anxi
ous for the attack, and proposed to take all
the forts with only the Syren and Solebay.
Lord Cornwallis and General Clinton are
both on Shore with the troops at Long-Bland ;
his Lordship had, some time ago, urged Sir
Peter Parker to attack on the sea fide, other
wise be would march up, attack and take the
fort, and complain of Sir Peter's tardinefs.l
The Commodore replied, Lord Cornwallisl
miglr march his troops when he pleased, j
but the fleet required a fair wind, the firft
that happened he would proceed against
the fort. The General at that time believed
we had no troops out of garrison, but he was
soon better informed, being since rcpulfed,
and drove back with loss ; he remained quiet,1
Our loss, c'orifidering the heat and dura
tion of the fire, was inconsiderable. We
had only ten men killed on the spot, and
^rntvnwo wounded, seven of whom loft
th 1 limbs. But with their limbs, they did
' — t lose their fpirit^ ; for they enthusiastically
e icouraged their comrades never to abandon
the ftandaid of liberty and their country.
This, I do aflure you, is not in the stile of
gasconading romance usual after every fuc
cefsful a&ion, but literally a fa&. I with
great pleafue mention the circumstance, as
it augurs well todhe cause of freedom. At
eleven the fire ceased, having continued just
velve hours without the least intermission.
llVhentper Buftte, „• 6c.
I F°;ur, 16s. oci.
I Brown Bread, i<s. 6d.
IWel-India Rum, Bs. od.
I Nfw-England, do. 59. od.
PRICE-CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 61. zo^<
Single refin'd ditto, 2S. gd.
Molasses, ss. 6*.
Beef per Barrel, 60s. od.
Pork, 80s. od.
and left the Commodore to enjoy the glory of
being defeated alone.
The negr.o pilot, who is exceedingly carefL
ed, was on board the Commodore, and put
;down with the do3or out of harm's way.
I Between nine and ten o'clock, the night
I of the aßion, the Comm dore and other
I Ships began to steal away, they made no piping
I nor waited to heave up their anchors, but
I Slipped their cables; the Commodore has only
I one anchor and cable left::
JULY ! 7 .
WHERE AS the Hon, the Continental
Congress have declared the United Colonies
Free and Independent States : WE the Depu
ties of New-Jersey, in Provincial Congress
assembled, Do Resolve and Declare, That
we will fapport the Freedom and Independence
of the fad States with our lives and fortunes,
and wdb the whole force of New-Jersey.
JULY 18.
RESOLVED,
That this House from henceforth, inflead of
the file and title of Provincial Congress of
New-ferfey, do adopt and afume the file and
title of, The Convention of the State of
New-Jersey.
Extraßs from the Minutes.
Wm. PATERSON, Secretary.
The foregoing E xtra^ of a Letter from
General Lee, as also the Narrative of the
deserters, is published by order of the Con*
gr^.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
IK C ONGRE S S,
July 17, 1776.
Refolded, '1 hat General WhsHingtgN,
in refufing to receive a letter said to be sent
from Lord Howe, addrefled to GEORGE
WASHINGTON, Esquire, a&ed with
a dignity becoming his Ration ; and therefore
this Congress do highly approve the fame,
and do direct that no letter or message, be re
ceived on any occasion whatever, from the
enemy, by th commander in Chief, O other
the Commanders cf the American army,
but such as Shall be directed to them in the
characters they respectively sustain.
By order of the Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
or NEW-JERSEY, Trenton,
July 16, 1776.
ORDERED,
or HAT the federal Township Committees
thought this Colony do immediately
exert them/elves in procuring L EAD for the
uje of the army now engaged in our defence,
as the demand for that article is very g? eat and
prefog; that, to this end, they do forthwith
collect all the leaden weights from windows and
clocks, and all the leaden weights of fhops,fo r es,
and mills, of one pound weight and upwards;
afo all other lead in and about boufes and other
places ; and that they forward all the lead which
shall by them be so collected, to the hands of
Alexander Chambers, Abraham Hunt, David
Pinkerton, and William Tucker, of Trenton ;
Hendrick Fisher of Somerset County ; Azariah
Durham of New- Brunswick ; John Ross of
Woodbridge ; Isaac Woodruff of EHzaheth-
Town ; and Dr. William Burnet of Newark;
or any of them, Commifeners appointed for
purcbafog arms, &c. And the Jaid Commifr
oners are directed to pay for all such lead at the
rate of fxfence Proclamation money the pound
weight, together with the rcafonable expences
in forwarding the fame.
About two O'clock on Friday, some of the
men cried out the Yankees had 'done fighting,
others replied they were glad of it, for they
never had such a drubbing in their lives, they
had been told the Yankees would not hand
two fires, but they never saw better fellows;
all the common men in the fleet spoke loudly
in praise of the garrison. There was a report
in the fleet that no quarters would be given to
the Americans, and that 50001. had been
effered for Genera! Lee.
Fine Salt, ---None.
Coarse Salt, Ss. 6d
Indian Corntperßu.gs. 6d
Coffee, 2s. od
Chocolate, 265. per Dol