The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-02 00:00:00, page 3

honors due to the Britilh flag, an engagement en
sued between her and the Amirali ship (the Medway
of 60 guns) in which the Frenchman was fevercly
handled, and so much disabled that they were obli
ged to make off, and with the utmost difficulty got
into Cadiz; but that the Britilh Admiral (Mann)
was killed.
The man of war that arrived last week is the
Roebuck of 44 eighteen pounders, Capt. Hammond,
manned with 400 feameii, and 100 marines. She
now lies opposite Sowell's Point.
ANNAPOLIS, February 22.
Extract from the Proceedings ol the Convention of
the province of Maryland, held at the city of
Annapolis, on Thursday the 7th of December,
1775-
Thursday, January 18.
The Convention took into consideration the
King's speech to Parliament on the 27th day of
October lall, and after tome time spent therein,
Refolded unanimously, That the following decla
ration be entered on their journals:
We, the Delegates oi r he freemen of Maryland
in Convention, affixed with the deepest concern by
the opinion declared in the King's speech to Parlia
ment, on the 27th day of O&ober lad, and exprefhd
in the address of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal
to his Majesty in an wei thereto, that the necessary
preparations for defence made by these colonies, are
carried on tor the puipofe of eltabhlhing an Inde
pendant Empire, and being desirous to remove
from the mind of the King, an opinion which we
feel to be highly injurious to the people of this pro
vince, and to declare and manitelt to his Majesty,
to the Parliament, the people of Great Britain, and
to the whole world, the reditude and purity ol our
intentions in the prelent opposition to the measures
of the Britilh Ministry and Parliament, do declare,
That the people or this province, strongly at
tached to the Englilh constitution, and truly sensible
of the bl< flings,they have derived from it, warmly
impressed with lentimnts of affedion for, and loy
alty to, the house of Hanover, connected with the
British nation by the ties of blood and interest. and
being thoroughly convinced, that to be free fubjeds
of the King of Great^Britain, with all its conse
quences, is to be the freell members of any civil
society of the known world, never did, nor do en
tertain any views or desires of Independancy.
That as they confidcr their union with the mo
ther country upon terms that may insure to them
a permanent freedom, as their highest felicity, so
would they view the fatal necessity of separating
from her, as a misfortune next to the greatest that
can befal them.
Descended from Britons, intitled to the privile
ges of Englishmen, and inheriting the spirit of their
ancestors, they have feen 1 , with the moil extreme
anxiety, the attempts oi Parliament to deprive them
of those privileges, by raising a revenue upon them,
and assuming a power to alter the charters, consti
tutions, and internal polity of the colonies without
their consent. The endeavours of the Britilh mi
nistry to carry thole attempts into execution by mi
litary force, have been their only motive for taking
up arms, and defending themielves against those
endeavours, is the only use they mean to make of
them. Intitled to freedom, they are determined to
maintain it at the hazard of their lives and fortunes.
NEW-LONDO N, Feb. 16.
By Captain Arthur from Guadaloupe, we learn
that a French frigate had arrived at that island from
France, with reports that the French laid made a
demand on the Britilh court for fifty millions of li
vres, as a relfitution tor vessels taken by the Englilh
before the declaration of last war. He also informs
that there are not so many Englilh cruisers off the
foreign ports in the Weft-Indies, as has been re
presented.
N E W-YO R K, February 26.
Extras of a letter from St. Rocks Suburbs, near
Quebec, dated January 23,
"It was thoughtby many that after ourlate misfor
tune we were too weak to maintain our ground, and
many talked of retreating, but at a Council of War
it was determined to keep up the blockade, and the
remaining troops to be under the command of Col.
Arnold, who is wounded in his Leg. They have
never dar'd to sally out of the town against us : we
have kept them ever since in continual alarms. Sa
turday and Sunday night last, refpedively, I was
sent out by Major Dub'oy's, with a party of men
under their walls, to burn some houses which we
were informed they were breaking up for fire wood,
which was effeded without feeing the face of an
enemy, last night a party of Canadians went into
(he harbour ofQuebec, and set fire to two of their
vessels, the blaze of which no doubt terrified them,
for it enlightened the whole Horizon."
Extrafl of a letter from Montreal, dated Feb. 4,
“ Quebec is inclofed by a considerable body of
forces under brigadier general Arnold : they hope
to avoid Forming, and thereby prevent effufion of
blood on both sides. The garrison consists of the
seamen belonging to two frigates, and the merch
antmen that winter at Quebec, two companies of
wretched emigrants raised from the outskirts or sub
urbs, the dependants of government, and a few ci
tizens whose exposed effects obliged their remaining
to preserve: in the whole we climate from U to
1300 men capable to beararms; a body not fuffi
cient:.o do th daily duty ofruards only. To this
may uc added 'he wor ot Wood to that degree that
by a delerter jult efc:ped, without destroying the
houses there remains not iuel for five days. These
circumstances we flairr ourselves will engage gene
ral Carleton (out ot humanity) to offer terms be
fore the season becomes so advanced as to oblige
the Continental Army 10 force their admittance."
Extract of a letter from Cambridge, February 15.
" Yesterday morning about four o'clock, the ene
my landed 1000 men, with two field pieces, on
Dorchester point, and burnt all the houses on that
point, except three, which were saved by our
people. A Captain and 70 men, who were on
the point, retired to a height, between two cause
ways, which adjoins to Roxbury, and there de
fended themselves until they were reinforced by
Colonel Read, with 1000 men. The enemy, after
setting the houses on fire retreated to the castle in
boats. -We loft two men, taken prisoners."
The Governor of Nova-Scotia has issued a pro
clamation, publilhing MARTIAL LAW in that
colony.
We are informed that the Continental Congress
have ordered General Lee to take the command of
the forces in Canada, and that General Schuyler is
to succeed in the command in this city.
/PHILADELPHI A.
EXTRACTS from the Totes and Proceedings of the
General AfTembly of the Colony of New-Jersey.
Tuesday, November 28, 1775.
The house took into consideration the inquiry
had yesterday touching the petitions presented to
this house; and it appearing from the petitioners
of the city of Burlington, who were called in and
heard, that they signed the fame from reports that
some men affeded Independency; and being alarm
ed at such sentiments, they were induced to present
the petition, hoping that the house would difeou
rage such sentiments by their resolutions; whereupon
the several petitions being read the second time,
1 Refolded, That reports of Independency in the
apprehension of this house are groundless.
2 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Dele
gates of the colony to use their utmost endeavours
for the obtaining a redress of American grievances,
and for restoring the union between the colonics and
Great- Britain upon constitutional principles.
3 Resolved, That tlie said Delegates be directed
not to give their assent to, but utterly to reject any
proportions, if such should be made, that may se
parate this colony from the Mother Country, or
change the form of government thereof.
In CONGRESS, February 26, 1776.
RESOLVED, That no vessel loaded for Great-
Britain, Ireland, or the Britilh Weft-Indies, be per
mitted to fail until the farther order of this Con
gress; and that it be recommended to the different
Committees of Infpe&ion and Observation, to fee
that this Relolution be carried into execution.
Ordered to be published.
Extract from the minutes, C. THOMSON, Sec.
In Committee of Safety, Feb. 29, 1776.
Whereas many persons have been employed in
purchasing Fire Arms in order to carry them into
other provinces, and as a practice of this kind may
be of pernicious consequence unless they are intend
ed to be employed in such places, as from their situ
ation are exposed to the danger of an attack, of
which this committee in this case reserve to' them
selves a right of judging, therefore
Resolved, That no perlon or persons whatever, do
presume to purchase or carry out of this Province
any Fire Arms without application to, and Licence
from this Committee being firft obtained.
Extract from the Minutes,
WILLIAM GOVETT Secretary.
In Committee of Safety, March 1, 1776.
All persons who are willing to supply the officers
and men in the naval armament and artillery of this
province with the following rations, viz. For each
man per week—Seven poundsof bread orfix pounds
of flour, one fourth, at lead, to be in flour if requir
ed.—Ten pounds of beef, mutton, or pork.— A fuf
ficient proportion of fall and vinegar.—Three pints
and a half of rum, or beer in proportion—
Are desired to lend in their proposals to this Com
mittee on or before the Bth day of March instant.
The contrast to commence the iith inst. and con
tinue in force for three months, if the men are not
sooner discharged. Extract from the Minutes,
WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.
Mr. Humphreys.
Please to insert the following paper, taken from the
Public Ledger of October 24th. It contains a
curious anecdote, and shews to what miserable
Ihifts adminifiration are reduced, in order to ob
tain popularity, when they can countenance the
circulation of so despicable a production as John
Wessley's Two-penny pamphlet against the co
lonies.
« (\N Sunday the 15th of October, at the Parish
Church of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green,
the Minister read over the calm Address to our
American Colonies, by John Wessley, M. A.
much more to the astonishment than edification of
his congregation
" P e great numbers of this treasonable Efay
against the CQii&cutiQ^ of England, daily fold or
given away at the Royal Exchange, ought to alarm
every well wither to our civil and religious liberties.
The whole is a barefaced and base attempt towards
establishing the doctrines of absolute monarchy; but
the following quotation will prove this beyond
I contradiction.
In a Bristol paper of Dec. 16th. the Rev. Ms.
Caleb Evans has convicted him of great duplicity
Such as his having but lately asserted in print, that
“ he doubted whether the mealures taken refpeding
“ America could be defended either on the foot of
“ law, equity, or prudence"—that he had declared
in various companies, “ that the Americans were a
“ distressed injured people, and if they submitted to
'• taxation they muftbe either fools or knaves; and
“ had recommended a book in defence of the exclu
“ five right of the colonies to tax themselves."
Mr. Evans then informs us that Mr. Wefsley,
unwilling to appear as great a Proteus in politics,
as he has long appeared in divinity, “ denies that:
" he ever saw the book with his eyes, nor did ever
“ any of the above words come out of his lips."—
But Mr. Evans having made his proof good, con
cludes thus—“ As you fay you have one foot in
“ the grave, excuse me if I fay that before the o
“ ther is there too, it .will become you to take the
“ advice long since offered you by the amiable Mr.
“ Hervey, to prove yourfelf an Honest Man."
Mr. Wefsley's reply does him little honor. He is
obliged to acknowledge that he had seen and recom
mended the book, but had entirely forgotten it, and
that although at firft he was in favour of the right
of the colonies to tax themselves, he is now of an
other mind. What arguments his patron, Lord
Dartmouth, made use of to induce him to change
his mind, let the reader judge.
<\ V 'l' ? ? ? 0 9 ? Y 'l' 'l''f ? T 1' TT? ? s,
TH E Members of the St. George's Society
are desired to meet on special bnfinefs, at
Patrick Byrnes's in Fronc-ftreet, on Monday even
ing next, at seven o'clock.
By special order of the Vice President,
Richard Peters, junr. Secretary.
Philadelphia, March 1, 1776.
TO BE SO L D,
In Front-street, on George Alley, between Vine
and Race Greets,
A Large two dory frame BUILDING, 17
by 36 feet deep; one other ditto, 13 by 26
feet, with a small Stable joining, the Lot fubjed to
a ground rent of twelve pound, per annum; the
'whole in good repair. Enquire of Joseph Hens
zey, next door to Colonel Chevalier's.
N. B. Their is a House on said lot that rents
for thirteen pounds, per annum.
KE YSER's famous PILLS, so well known
all over Europe, and in this and the neigh
bouring colonies, for their superior efficacy and pe
culiar mildness, in perfectly eradicating every de
gree of a certain disease, without the least trouble
or confinement; also the Rheumatism cured by
these famous Pills, are felling at 10, 20, and 40
Shillings a Box, By NICHOLAS BROOKS,
at his shop in Second-street, three doors above
Black-horle Alley: At which place mav be had,
MAREDANT's. DROPS.
N. B. Good allowance is made to people who
fell again.
" Answering a position in Dr. Smith's celebrat
ed Se RMON, that no power on earth has a right to
grant our money without our consent, this reverend
man of God (Mr. Wefsley) by way of reply lays —
thenyou have no Jovereign, for every Jovereign under
heaven has a right to tax his fubjeCts; that is, to grant
their property, with or without their consent. Our
Jovereign has a right to tax me and all other Englifo
men, whether we have votes for parliament men or no,
" It would be a mortifying talk, Mr. Printer, to
be obliged to combat the above moll damnable doc
trine (of Mr. Wefsley's); therefore 1 IhJi only add
that the calm Address is now reprinting in Lon
don, with an Aferijh* at the third word, Sovereign,
and a marginal note at the bottom as follows— That
is, in conjunction with Lords and Commons. This
note is not to the pamphlet as it was originally print
ed at Bristol; and is allo so widely different from the
sense of the author, that it will not iquare with his
blessed text; but appears evidently to be added by
his ministerial friends, for fear the public stomach
should otherwise revolt against the deadly potion."
Signed —A Friend to the London Association.
Thus far the writer in the Ledger. As to Mr.
Wefsley's allowing that the Sovereign or King alone,
has a right to tax him—we mayfay as Bishop An
drews said in the like case " Your Majesty has a ve
ry good right to brother Neill's money, since he
seems willing to give it" —and it is hoped his Ma
jesty will take every penny of John Wefsley's; but
let other peoples money be likewise their own free
grant.
Mr. Wefsley has also, to answer his purpose,
Shamefully mangled Dr. Smith's position, by sup
pressing part of the sentence, and quoting falfe
ly. But it seems this famous Apostle of a conside
rable party in America, is not very scrupulously ho
nest in matters of this kind.