The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1779-02-01 00:00:00, page 1

t . THE(No. 1424]
londay, February, 1, 1779, 1 HE
VE W-Y ORK ^^f G A ZETT E:
THE
AND 4^iH^f^
WEEKLY mercury.
By Major General JONES,
Commandant of New-York,
PROCLAMATION.
BY a Proclamation of his Excellency Sir
Henry Clinton, dated New-York, De
cember 20, 1778, the farmers of Long-liland
snd Staten-Illand, were ordered to thrash and
bring to market by Rated periods such propor
tions of Wheat, Rye, and Indian Corn, in
their possession, as they did not stand in need
of for the support of their families, and the
(owing their l&nds: They were required allo
to give an account to the Colonels of mili
tia of their relpe&ive diftrifts, what quanti
ties of grain they possessed, and what it might
be necessary to reserve for the above uses. Ihe
Commander in Chiefhas been pleased to order
that Proclamation to remain in force, and be
hriaiy observed, the rates excepted, which,
as an encouragement for an ample supply of the
markets are to be as follow.
Shillings.
Wheat, - - 26 currency per bulhel.
Wheat Flour, 80 - per Cwt.
Rye, - 10 - per Bushel,
Rye' Meal -30 - per Cwt.
Indian Cern, 10 - per Bulhil,
Indian Meal, 28 - pcr Cwt.
Buckwheat, 7 - per Bulhel.
Buckwheat Meal, 26 per^Cwt.
It is therefore ordered, thatfrom and after
the firft day of February next, no greater
price for any of the above articles, ffiall be
demanded, offered or received, on the penalty
of the perlon offending, forfeiting (on being
convi&ed on oath, before the police of New-
York, or the Colonel of the militia of the
diftrifton Long-Bland or Staten-Iflamd, where
th^ offence is committed) the Grain, Flour,
Cern or Meal, so offered to be fold or purcha
sed, or the value thereof, and to fuffer impri
sonment till the said forfeiture is paid; the
one half of the forfeiture to be paid to the
Informer, and the other half for the use of the
poor of this city, or the township where the
offence is committed.
The Police of New-York, and the Colonels
of militia on Long-Bland, and Staten-Island,
are hereby required, to take an account of what
quantities of Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, Grain,
flour, or Meal arc in their refpedive districts,
and in whole possession : and report the fame
as soon as possible to the Commandant of
New-York.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at Sos. per Cent,
fab^fhed January 22, 1779.
m White Loaf of the firieft FLOUR, to weigh
2 lb. for 21 Coppers.
The weight of all loaves being fixed at Two-Pounds,
is intended for the convenience of the Poor, and to avoid
fr &ions in the weight, which rendered detections of
fraud in the affiae more difficult.
ANDREW ELLIOT,
Superintendent. General#
Office of Police, D. MATHEWS, Mayor.
Jan. 2 2, 1779. PETER DUBOIS,
Marftrate of Police.
Fames rNG-i7is
~/= EEPS bis licenced Auflion Room (for the pre*
font) at No. 915, in Water-Street, a little below
the Coffee House, and next door to Mr. Ludlow's. He
carries on the vendue business in the mos extensive
manner, agreeable to tbe late regulations. A boufe and
flore, or a commodious flore alone is wanted. An extra
, ordinary rent, ^c. will be given for a place that faits.
T)INE HOARDS, LAMP OIL, and a few CAR
-1 PETS. Enquire at No. ao, WalLfreet.
Frefli Ship Bread,
A QUANTITY to be fold, enquire of
Sturges Perry, at No. 46, Quecr.-
Itreetj near Eckman's flip.
New-York, January 22, 177%
D. JONES, Major-Oeral.
ASSIZE of BREAD,
Tw, Pounds for Twenty-One Coppers.
PUBLIC Notice is hereby given, that from and after
the firft day of February next, all the Bakers in
thim city are to make their Loaves of Two Pounds
weight,' and that no Baker or Retailer of Bread, Ihall
from and after that date alk, demand, or receive uay
raore or greater fom than Twenty-One Coppers for each
such Loaf weighing Two Pounds, and that from and af
ter the firft day of February next, every Baker within
this city shall pvt a mark witty the initial letters of his
chriftian name and firname upon the Leaf-Bread he fliall
expose to sale, and shall make his Bread good, and ac
cording to theaforefaid Assize, aider the penally of for
feitingall such Bread as shall be defective in quality or
deficient in weight to the Alms-House in this city, and
any person who shall alk, demand, or receive any more
or greater sum tor a Loaf of Bread weighing Iwo
Pounds, shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of
Five Pounds, to be applied to the use of the Poor of this
citv.
Containing tbc carhett Ibices
0 Printed by HUGH GAINE, at the BIBLE AND CROWN, IN HANOVER-SQUARE.
NOTICE is hereby given so the Citizens,
That JOHN NORRIS, at the Corner
House, near the Main-Guard, and DAVID
HENRY 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 sent
to the Place required. The Fine of FIVE
POUNDS heretofore eftablilhed, will be punc
tually exacted from every Inhabitant whose
Chimney shall take Fire through Negled.
Each Chimney to be swept once in every
four Weeks.
ANDREW ELLIOTT, Sep. General.
DAVID MATHEWS, Mayor.
NOTICE is hereby given, that John
Roome is appointed to examine the
Stoves put up in this City, and the Places al
lotted by the inhabitants to keep their Ashes
The injudicious Method of firing Stoves,
and keeping Ashes, having often endangered
this City, it is expeded that the Citizens will
punctually attend to such Directions as Mr.
Roome may judge necessary, in order to pre
vent the Calamity of fire, which is equally to
be dreaded by every Inhabitant.
ANDREW ELLIOT,
Superintendent-General.
D. MATHEWS, Mayor.
Superintendent-General's Office,
The indofed extrude of letters (No. I. 11. and
III.) which I received within these few days from
Major General Pigot, and have now the honour to
transmit to your Lordship, will Show that my opinion
was well founded, refpe&ing the destination of the
French fleet ; though I am not at present able to give
your Lordfllip any other information concerning its
operations at Rhode-Ifland, than what is contained
in the before-mentioned extrads of Major-General
Pigot's letters.
By dilpatches which I have just now received from
St. Augustine, from Governor Tonyn and Briga
dier-General Prevoft, dated the 11th and 25th of
last month, I find that the rebels have been checked
in their attempts upon the frontiers of East-Florida;
and that they are now under no apprehensions of the
enemy being able to effeft any tiling against that pro
vince.
WANTED,
A Dwelling house and commodious store, near
the coffee-houfe (now or in May next) a great
rent will be given for a place that pleases, or a pre
mium to move out. A large convenient store by it
felf, near the coffee-houfe, and a neat final! dwelling
house in a by-street, not too far off also wanted.
Whoever can provide in the above manner,, will be
well paid by enquiring at the Printer.
From the LONDON GAZETTE Extraordinary.
WHITEHALL, OR. 15, 1778.
Extra# of a letter from General Sir Henry Clin
ton, Knight of the Bath, to Lord George
Germaine, one of his M&jeffs Principal Secre
taries of State, dated New-York, August 11, 1778,
received by Capt. IVlfon, of the yzd regiment,
who came in the Duke of Cumberland Packet-boat,
•which arrived at Falmouth, on the 11th infant,
in thirty four days from New-York.
IWAS honoured with your Lordship's circular
letter of the 3d, and dispatch of the 7th of June,
by the Sandwich packet on the 3d instant.
In my last, transmitted by the Mercury, I had the
honour of informing you, that the French fleet had
quitted their Ration near Sandy- Hook, and that I
thought it more than probable that Rhode-Ifland was
become their object.
Lord Howe, with the fleet under his command,
went sea on the 6th.
Monday, 37 Min. after 9
Tuesday, 29 Min. after 10
Wednesday, 20 Min. after 11
Thursday, 6 Min. after 12
( No. I.)
Extrafl of a letter from Major-General Sir Robert
Pigot, to General Sir Henry Clinton, dated New
port, July 31, and August 1, 1778.
THE French fleet appealed the 29th, about 11
in the morning. The Anfpach regiment, and
Brown's corps, who were at Conanicut, were imme
diately withdrawn, leaving a detachment in the re
doubts. The next morningtwo line of battle ships
came tip to Narraganzet paflage. Our battery hulled
one of them twice; they anchored opposite tlie north
end of Conanicut. Two 36 gun frigates and a
brig are in the Seconret passage; upon their moving
towards the King's Fisher and galleys, they were
set tire to and blown up. This day the two deckers
have been endeavouring to return to sea, and join the
fleet, which has been tacking backward and forward
the whole day, and this evening have come to an
anchor off Brenton's Lodge, where they anchored
upon their firft coming. They do not Glow any in
clination of entering the harbour, and destroying the
transports and Flora frigate. The other frigates are
advanced towards Briftoi ferry, near the shore, and
have been busy getting out their provisions, guns and
powder; but if the two deckers go and join the
fleet, they will come into the harbour and land their
guns and (lores. The parties on the redoubts at
Conanicut are withdrawn, and. the Creep and pK:a
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
Friday, 50 Min.afte: 12
Saturday, 33 Min. after 1
Sunday, 17 Min. after 2
Full Moon this Day.
brought off the island. Every thing is prepared for
the regiments at the advanced pofL, and the out
detachments to retire within our redoubts, where we
intend to make our stand, and oppose any force that
may come against us. It is uncertain where the
landings are to be; I have twice endeavoured to get
an inhabitant from the main, but both times failed
in the attempt ; thir evening another person has of
fered to land and gain intelligence. There is very
little appearance that the rebels are ready, from the
few that are seen on either shore ; but it is likely the
embarkation will come from Providence, where all
their tents, dores and provisions are. The commis
sary's ftcres are removed from houses on the wharff
to the ropewalk, and the navy provisions are remov
ing from the town.
August i. The wind has been against the two
ships in the Narraganzet passage, so cannot fay if
they mean to join the fleet, or continue where they
are, but they are at present of little use to them.
(No. II.)
Extra# of a letter from Major-General Sir Robert
Pigot, to General Sir Henry Clinton, dated New
port, Augufl 2, 1778.
YESTERDAY I did myfelf the honour to write
to you, to acquaint you of the arrival of the French
fleet off the mouth of the harbour. Last night I
sent ashore, and brought off two inhabitants, the one
belonging to Warwick Neck, the other to North
Kingiton. They give an account, that every thing
is nearly ready, and that it.is believed next Wed
nesday or Thursday three different landings will be
attempted ; the one from Bristol ; another from the
Seconnet shore; and the third from the fleet and
island of Conanicut, where a force is to be affembied.
It is said General Arnold with troop# from the Dela
ware, is on board the French Qeet. The militia
from the New-England provinces are drafted and
marched to Providence. These people fay that the
admiral is determined to destroy the town, and will
fail into the harbour whenever the other landings at
the north of the island are to take place. The two
frigates and brig are still in the Seccnnet, and the
two line of battle Ships have not been able to get out
of the Narraganzet parage. The French have put
two guns on the Dumphns, and, it is said, a force
will be sent on that island this day. All our bag
gage is brought in from the camps, that the regi
ments may retreat as convenient as possible when
found necessary. I have not at present more to add.
(No.IIL),
Copy of a letterfrom Major-General Sir Robert ^igot,
to General Sir Henry Clinton, da(ed Newport, Aug.
3, ! 77 8 .
LAST night and the flight before I had the hon
our of writing to you, and acquainted your Exeter
leucy with the situation we were in, and what we
could learn of that of the rebels and the French. I
hope one or other of those accounts you have received.
This morning I had the pleasure of your Excellen
cy's letter of the 29th, and an hour afterwards arrived
a naval officer from Lord Howe with dispatches.
Since I wrote yesterday, two armed b%s
have arrived in the Seconnet, along fide the French
frigates, full of men; the officers could not tell
whether they were rebels or French, soldiers or fai
lers. The brigs continue with the frigates, but the
men are either put on board the frigates, or landed.
Yesterday and this day a great number of small ves
sels, and two ships, foppoLd to be rebel frigates,
went up the Narraganzet passage from sea towards
Providence, fupppfed ro be full of men ; but they
were at too great a distance to difeover any thing
particular. About 200 French marines were seen
this day ashore on Conanicut, and a number of men
about the Dumplins. It is thought to be a working
party. We shall make the signal on the high ground
near the place you desire ; and if in my power will
execute the rest of what you recomend. If tha
French fleet comes into the harbour, the Seconnet
passage will be open. We are making , redoubt to
secure the George from Brenton's Neck, flr>uld a
landing be made there. In my last I told you that
the people I had made prisoners acquainted me, that
the rebels would be ready by Wednesday or Thurs
day at the farthett ; that three different landings
were intended, from Bristol, from the Secannet,
and from th fleet and fhoieat the south end 01 in the
haibeur. We are prepared against every event.
All the cattle and teams are drove in. The out-potts
will continue till the latt moment, and have ordeis
not to retreat till the fleet enteis the harbour, or a
landing is attempted. We will make our front as
ftrong^s we can. Should they raise batteries against
us, it will take time. If they make a bidden attack,
Ihope we (hall defend ourfelres well. The troops
are healthy and in good spirits ; and shall have all
the encouragement I can give them to maintain their
ground to the last. We have secured molt of our
provisions and ammunition, and I don't know that
any thing is wanting. Three frigates are gone to
the north end of the island, I don't think the French
will venture after them, left they may want their
assistance when absent.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant General Earl Corn
wallis, to Lord George Germaine, dated New-York,
Sept. 6, 177^. .
UPON receiving information that, notwithstand
ing the departure of the French fleet, the rebels still
continued the attack at Rhode-Ifland, Sir Henry
Clinton embarked in person with theist battalion of
Wheat per Bushel, 12s. od.
Flour, 355. od.
Brown Bread, 60$. od.
Welt-India Rum, ss. 6J.
INew-England do. 4^. od.
PRICE CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 51. tos.
Single refin'd ditto, ts. 9d.
Molasses, zs. 6d.
Beef per Barrel, fl. od.
Pork, 81. los.
foreign enb Domeffich.
light infantry, tnp ift battalion of grenadiers, and
the 3d and 4th brigades, under the command of
Major General Grey, and proceeded through the
Sound to the relief of that place. I have received
a letter fom his Excellency, dpted the ittof this
mentb, off Rhode-lfland, acquainting me that the
enemy had evacuated the bland the evening before.
We learn from Capt. Wjlfon, that Lord Howe
and Count D'Eftaing had been upon the point of an
engagement on the nth of August, and were sepa
rated by a storm ; that Lord Howe had been joined
by the Monmouth, a 64 gun fliip, part of Admiral
Byron's Squadron; and that Count D'Eftaing was
in Nantafket Road on the 29th ; and that Lord Howe
had anchored opposite to him; that two fleets of
victuallers had reached New-York, one on the 30th
of August, and the other the iff of September, iu
which last w^s the Lionel's store-ship ; that Rear
Admiral Parker, cm the 29th of August, with fix
ships of the line, part of Admiral Byron's squadron
had also reached New-York; and that the Hessian
and Anfpach regiments were spoke w^h by Captain
Wilson, in New-York river, the 6th of September.
Admiralty-Office, October 15, 1778.
Lieutenant Dod, of his Majesty's armed brig the
Cabot, arrived at this office from Halifax, on Tuesday
last, with dispatches from the hen. Vice Admiral
Byron, and Sir George Collier, to Mr. Stephens,
of which the following are extracts :
Extra# of a letter Jrom the Hon. Pice Admiral By
ron, dated on board the Princess Royal, Halifax
harbour, August 27, 1778.
IN consequence of their Lordships orders of the
sth of June, I failed on, the morning of the gtb,
from Plymouth found, with the squadron under my
command; and worked out cf the channel against
a fiefh of wind at S. W. Nothing very material
happened till the 3d of July, when the squadron
was separated in lat. 49, 4. North, lon. 26, 48, Wert
from the Lizard, in a molt violent gale at North,
with excessive heavy rain. At eight o'clock next
evening the storm abated, and Showed only the
Princess Royal, Invincible, Culloden, and Gauda
loupe, of the squadron. On the 6th the Culloden
was direded to look cut in the North-east quarter,
and the Gaudaloupe in the South-weft. The Gauda
loupe joined again next afternoon, and kept compa
ny till the 21st, when foe and the Invincible sepa
rated in a very thick fog, upon the banks of New
foundland. On the sth of August we fell in with
the Culloden, after being a month from us; but Ihe
parted company again in the night of the nth. The
Princess Royal being thus left by herefelf, I conti
nued my belt endeavours to get to Sandy-Hook, but
the prevailing winds being from the fouth-wtd to
weft, we made very flow progiefs. On the ißih cf
Augutt, at five o'clock in the morning, we difeover
ed twelve fail of ships at anchor to leeward < f us
about nine or ten miles, Sandy-book then beating
north 40, weft, distance 28 leagues. We immedi
ately bore away for them, but at fix o'clock we per
ceived they were large Ihips, and several of theca
getting under way and making fignzls to each other,
which we did not underhand, we hauled our wind
to the weftwerd, in order to clear Hup; at half part
seven having cleared ship, we tacked and took in the
firft reef of the topsails, flung the yards, &c. and
got the flilp in every refpe& fit for action. At nine
we tacked to the westward, two ships of the line
were then in chafe of us from the fleet, and one of
them, which appeared to be the fmalltfl, came up
with us very fart. At ten we made the private signal
established for the American squadron, which was
not answered; before this we had loft fight of the
fleet, and in half an hour after the headmoft and
finalleft of the chafing ships backed her mizen top
sail, to let the Iteinmort and largest ship, which ap
peared to be of 71 or So guns, come up with her ;
as fo®n as fire got up, they made some lignal, and
both bore away for their fleet, which furprized us
greatly, for they werenot above three miles d.ftant,
and had so much the advantage in failing, that they
might have been up with usin ,efs than two hours, had
they continued the chace. The weather was hazy
when we were at the nearest to this fleet ; one ship
wasobfeived to have loft her bowsprit, and another
to have jury top-marts; ore carried a flag at the
main, and another at the forc-top-gallant mart-heads,
which, with the signal they made to each other, and -
the whole of their conduct and appearance, left us
in no doubt of their being the French squadron under
the command of Monl. D Ertaing ; and I flatter
mvfelf, that if the squadron I was entrusted widi,
bad not been separated, 1 Should have completely
fulfilled his Majesty's intentions and their Lprdfhjps
orders ; but unfortunately I had no fllip with me. I
did not think it adviEble, after this to try with the
Princess Royal alone to reach Sandy-book, neither
could I attempt to get to Rhode-Ifland, as the ene
my's squadron lay dirtily between us and both these
places; I therefore determined to push for Halifax,
and arrived there last night. 1 found no ship left
, here of any force, except the Culloden, whose com
mander had judged expedient to bear away for this
harbour, where he arrived the :6th. Not a moment
shall be left in getting the Princess Royal put in a
condition for sea •.As faon as that is done, I pur
pose failing with her and the Culloden, to sum a
junaion w'ith Lord Howe, of which I have endea
voured to give his Lordfliip notice, by a finall deep
belonging to the naval yard, which comimfucn^i
Hughes has lent for that Ervice,
'Fine Salt, 2s. 6.1
fCoarfe Salt, is. 00
;Indian Corn per Bu. 7s. 9^.
;Coffee, is. 0.!
Chocolate, 265. per Dd