The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-09 00:00:00, page 3

'W O RCE S 'tE R, March 1. „
' We are told a gentleman, who came out of Borton last Fri
day, reports that the enemy have taken away their mortars
from Bunker's-Hill, and carried them to,Borton; that a
council of war had,been held in Lofton for several days; that,
General Howe had advised the Mandamus Councilors to gp
to England, and the Tories to leave the town ; that all the
veflels in the harbor, that were not in the King's Service, were
taken up, to transport the Tories and their effeds; and that
it was surmised in Bdrton, that fnould another battle ensue, and
the regulars be defeated, they would set fire to the town, and
remove to feme other part of the continent.
It is a prevailing opinion that something extraordinary will
turn up in the course of a few days.
N BW-Y O R K, March 6.
We are informed, by a Captain of a vessel from Rhode-
Iftahd, that last week Captain Wallace landed his marines on
Gonanicut in the evening, and began to burn the buildings,
but being difeovered by ' one of the centinels, a number of
our people concealed tnemfelv'es behind the Walls, and fences
until they came near then?, # but the commander thinking it
unfair to fire on them without giving therh riotice, called
out, “.WhocOmes there, 7 '' when he heard Wallace order his
men to make ready, upon which our party inftarifly fired
among them, and killed and wounded thirty of Wallace's
people; among the (lain was an officer of marines; and a
drummer, who was killed by Wallace's fide, which was plain
ly. seen by the light of the houses on fire. Those that were
not wounded of Wallace's party recreated on boardthe Blip
with greater h'alte than they landed.
"Wediefday last Wallace and his fleet went down the bay
to^Rhode-lTfand, on which they gave him a cannonading as
he puffed, and on Saturday he returned again, when they
paid' him the fame compliment.
We hear by a gentleman from Rhode-Ifland, that the Mac
cafoni' privateer had taken a transport ship from London.
It'is said there were found on board orders for General Howe
orily to a& on the defenfive, till farther orders.
We hear, a number of troops are evacuating Boston, and
embarking on board the transports; and it is thought they
intend to visit New-York very shortly.
We are just informed that our army at Roxbury had re
gained poffchion of Dorchester neck, and hid brought with
them some mortars arid battering cannon.
^PHILADELPHIA, March 9.
Copy of a letter written by the Committee for the City and
Liberties of Philadelphia, to the several County Commit
tees of this province.
Philadelphia, March 5, 1776.
" The Committee for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia
have always been attentive to the important duty enjoined
upon them by the resolution of the late Provincial Conven
tion, to call another Convention when they may judge it ne
cessary. . But though many circumstances have occurred,
which seemed to invite to a general conference, yet the Com
mittee have been willing to hope that Security against every
impending evil would have been procured without fubje&ing
the province to the trouble and expense, at this uncomfort
able season of the year, of appointing deputies, and attending
in Convention. They would have been, happy could they
have found their expectation so fully answered as the exigence
of the times required. On a review of the proceedings of
the late sessions of Assembly ; from a proffer of the very
123
vigorous measures resolved upon by the Britifli adminiftratiori,
which the latelf accounts assure us may every day be expected
to take place ; alarmed at the appearance of intrigue by the
appointment of Commissioners (as it is given out) to treat
with the Colonies, though we have reason to believe they are
inverted only with an infuiting power to pardon (perhaps to
corrupt and divide) the Committee judged they cohld not ac
quit themselves to their own confidences, to you, and to the
American interest, had they not given the province an imme
diate opportunity of a conference, in which they might speak
the unrestrained language of determined freemen, and act
with that vigor which has ever been the charaderiftic of
Pennsylvania, when free from the influence of partial coun
cils. The Committee were of opinion, at a late meeting,
that a Provincial Convention ought to be called.
“ Among other Subjects, which they proposed for conside
ration, they had the following in view.
" As the opposition given to the present measures arises
chiefly from the members representing the three interior
counties, who constitute a majority of the House, though
two of them are inferior to several other of the counties,
which have not half their number of members, the proceed
ings of the Assembly might more properly be said to big
the proceedings of thole three counties than of the pro
vince in general; to conceit means therefore of effecting a
more full and equal reprefentatibn, the Committee thought an
object worthy your immediate attention; conducive to the
Strength and dignity of the Houle of Assembly; arid essenti
ally neceffafy to the fafevytof this province in particular; and
the United Colonies in general.
" As the present unequal representation is the ground of
every other complaint, rtie.Committee had this principally
in'view. There are others which are attended with imme
diate' danger ; and we thought required immediate remedy.
To name them will be fufficient.
"Our military association labors under the imperfections and
injurtice of the " Rules and Articles," though almbit a year
has been employed in framing and correcting them.
" The providirig of arms, &c. has been firrt intruded, and
since continued, notwithstanding remonstrances, tbl periods
who have in some initances so far neglected the duty, as that
they have it yet almost to begin.
" The military measures of the province are under the di
rection of a Committee of Safety, many of the members
not having the authority of the people; notwithstanding a
power of 10 great importance ought not to be intruded to
others than their immediate representatives.
" The appointment of gentlemen, as Delegates frorii this
province in Congress, who are not of the Assembly; and
the inftruCtions given to them, by which thy are bound to
dtfclofe every, even military, movement ; and are prevented
from the.free exercise of their judgments as the rieceflity of
the times may require ; appear urifrife, as well as dishonora
ble; to have a direct tendency to countenance the illiberal
insinuations of our enemies; to create jealousies and divisions
among ourselves ; and to mislead the neighbouring Colonies
into a falfe opinion of the feme of this province.
“ These, gentlemen, are the objects the' Committee had in
view to recommend to your attention. Th'ty also vyifhld to
confer with you on the means of giving the aid of the back
counties to the exposed parts-of this province on the naviga
ble waters, Should they be actually invaded, and their trade
suspended, agreeable to your virtuous resolution at the late
Convention These being provided for, we doubt not the
province wouid Sustain its part in theprCfent unhappy, yet
nobie contest, with dignity to itfelf, and fafety to the whole.