The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-05-18 00:00:00, page 1

Has imported in the Lenox and “John,
AFrefe foppty, which makes his all nment very
compleat of all kind, of goods fuirable to this
market, which he continues felling on the most reason
able terms for the calh, and by whokfale only, at his
store in Water-ftrect, between commhDry Loring's and
Air.V n Dam's.
N. B. Light and defaced GOLD taken in pjm^t,
61. IQs, per cuacc.
Dr.; RY A N's
Incomparable Worm-destroying
SUGAK PLUMBs,
Necessary to be kept in all Families.
SO exceedingly valued by all People who Fave had
of them in f^reat- Britain and Ireland, jor their
transcendent Excellency in the defraying Worms of all
kinds both in the Bodies of Men, Women, andCbildren,
by not only breaking the Knots in the Duodenum or Gut
next the Stomach, but they pass through the smalled
Passages of the Body, and purge away the ropy and
slimy Humours which are the cause of those pernicious
Vermin, and the Source of many other Disorders; th,y
are one of the bes Purges in the whole World for grefs
bodied Children that are apt to breed Worms, and have
large Bellies; their Operation is mild, fafe andplea
fant ; they wonderfully cleanse the Bowels of all fliff
and clammy Humours which flop up the Parts and
prevent the Juice of Food being conveyed to the Liver
and made Blood, which is ojten the Case with Children,
and is attended with a bard Belly, finking Breath,
frequent Fevers, Rickets, and a Decay of Strength in
the lower parts: 'Likewife fettled Aches and Pains in
the Head, Swellings, old Sores, Scabs, Tetters, or
Breakings-Out, will be perfectly cur'd, and the Blood
and Skin restored to its original Purity, and Smooth
ness; they purge b, Urine, and bring away the Gra
vel, and effectually cure all Obfructions of the Urine,
or Ulcers in the Kidneys. They at once strike at the
true cause of the Scurvy, and entirely defray it, at all
fcorbutick Humors and Effefis, Root and Branch, so
as never to return again, and what makes them more
commendable is, they are full as agreeable to both tafe
and fight, as Loaf Sugar; and in their Operation as
innocent as new Milk.
Ihave, by theft Plumbs cured a great many. Children
of Whooping or Chin-Coughs, and Agues, which Dis
tempers are very common and troublesome to Families,
and the Want of tbefe Plumbs are the Ruin oj Many
Children's Constitutions.
These Plumbs enrich and sweeten the whole Mass of
Flood, carry off allgrofs, corrupt and putrid Humours,
and create afrfb and healthy Complexion in fueb as
are affefled by any putrid Matters.
The Plumb is a great Dieuretick, cleaning the Reins
of Slime ; it expels Wind, and is a ft^ereign Medicine
in the Cbolick andgriping of the 'Guts. It allays and
carries off four Vapours which occasion many Disorders
in the Head. It opens all Obfrudions in toe Stomach,
Lungs, Liver, Reins and Bladder; causes a good Ap
petite and helps Digestion. It hath been found won
derfully faccefsful to Juch Persons as are going into
Chronical Difempers, as Afbmas, Phtbijicks, Short
ness of. Breath, Dropsies and Yellow Jaundice. Now
I hope all impartial Persons are fatisfied, that the Me
dicine which weeks upon such Humours, will almof
teach any Diflemper, if not too far gone, face Corrup
tion and Putrefaction are the fore-runners of all Dis
eases; therefore no better Phyfck can be taken for all
Ages, Sexes and Confitudons, from Infancy to an old
Age. Price Bs. Sold by Hugh Gaine.
By Major General JONES,
Commanding bis Majefy's Forces on the IJland of
New York, Long-Inland, Staten-Island, and the
Ppfis depending.
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS it is thought expedient in order to
give the neceffapy Assistance to the Comman
dant of the City, that a Superintendent General of the
Police should be appointed : I do hereby appoint
Andrew Elliot, Esq; Superintendent General
c€ the Police of the City of New-York, and its
Dependencies, with Powers and Authorities to issue
Qch/Orders and Regulations, from Time tJ Time,
as may most effectually tend to the Suppr^ffion cf
Vice and Licentiousness —the Support of the Poor---
the Direction of the nightly Watch---the Regulation
of Markets and Ferries, and all other Matters in
ifrhich the Oeconomy, Peace, apd good Order of the
City of New-York, and its Environs, areconcerned.
The Superintendent General will be assisted in the
Administration of the Police by David Mathews,
Elq; Mayor of this City : And I do hereby enjoin
and require all Persons whatever, to pay due Obe
dience to the Superintendent General, the Mayor,
and all others anting in Authorityunder them, in the
Execution cf their Duty ; and all military Officers
commanding Guards to assist them when it Shall be
found neceflary.l
Given under my Hand at Head-Quarters, in
New-York, tbis a,h bay of May, 1778.
Daniel Jones.
By Order of the General,
Nathaniel Philips, Sec'ry.
flfl The Business of the Office is, for the present,
tranfaaed at No. 39, Wall-fireet; Office Hours from
X to I o'clock.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 355. per Cent.
Published February 2, 1775.
fl White Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to' weigh
2 lb. 6oz. for 14. Coppers, and in the fame
noportion for Loaves of a letter Weight.
JAMES ROBERTSON, M. G.
Monday, May iB, 1778.
N E W-Y ORK
AND
WEEKLY
COLBORN BARRELL,
^ Printed BY HUGH GAINE, At the BIBLE ANb CROWN, IN HANOVER-SQUARE.
Containing the earlier OoSces
In CONGRESS, April ii, 1778.
THE Committee to whom was referred the Ge
neral's letter of the 18th, containing a certain
printed paper sent from Philadelphia, purporting to
be the draft of a bill for declaring the intentions of
the Parliament of Great-Britain, as to the exercise
of what they are pleased to term their right of im
posing taxes within these United States ; and also the
draft of a bill to enable the King of Great-Britain,
ta appoint Coramiflioners, with powers to treat, con
sult, arid agree upon the means of quieting certain
disorders within the said States, beg leave to ob
ferv°,
That the said paper being industriously circulated
by emissaries of the enemy, in a partial and secret
manner, the fame ought to be forthwith printed for
the public information.
The Committee cannot ascertain whether the con
tents of said paper have been framed in Philadelphia
or in Great-Britain; much less whether the fame are
really and truly intended to be brought into the, Par,
liament of that kingdom, or whether the said Parlia
ment will confer thereon the usual solemnities of their
laws. But are inclined to believe this will happen,
: for the following reasons; f,.
ill. Because their General hath made divers feeble
efforts to set on foot some kind of treaty during the
lad winter, though, either from a mistaken idea of
,his own dignity and importance, the want of infor
, mation, or fo^e other cause, he hath not made ap-
Iplication to those who are invested with a proper au
'thority..
zdly. Because they suppose that the fallacious i^a
of a cessation of hostilities will render these States
[ remiss in their preparations for war.
gdly. Because, believing the Americans wearied
'wi,h war,. they suppose we will recede to thflr terms
Ifor the fake of peace.
Qthly. Because they suppose that our negotiations
•may be fubje& to like corrupt influence with their
debates.
sthly. Because, they expea from this step the
fame effects they did from whet one of their Mini
sters thought proper to call his conciliatory motion,
viz. that it will prevent foreign powers from giving
aid to these States; that it will lead their own fub
je&s to continue a little longer the present war ; and
that it will detach some weak men in America from
the cause of freedom and virtue.
6thly. Because, their King, from his own Shew
ing, hath reason to apprehend that his fleets and ar
mies instead bf being employed against the territories
of these States, will be neceflary for the defence of
his own dominions. And,
ythly. Because the impracticability of subjugating
this country being every day more and more mani
feft, it is their interest to extricate themselves from
the war upon any terms.
The Committee beg leave further to observe, that,
upon a supposition the matters contained in the said
paper will really go into the British Statute-Book,
they serve to Show in a clear point of view, the
weakness and wickedness of the enemy. Their Weak
ness,
ift. Because they formerly declared, not only that
they had a right to bind the inhabitants of these States
in all cases whatsoever, but also that the said inha
bitants should absolutely and unconditionally submit
to the exercise of that right. And this submission
they have endeavoured to exa& by the sword. Re
ceding from this claim, therefore under the present
circumstances, thews their inability to enforce it.
zdly. Because their Prince hath heretofore rejected
the humblest petitions of the representatives of Ame
rica, praying to be eonfidered as fubje&s, and pro
tested to the enjoyment of peace, liberty, and fafety;
and hath waged a most cruel war against them, and
employed the Savages to butcher innocent women
and children. But now the fame Prince pretends to
treat with those very Representatives, and grant to
the arms of America, what he refufed to her prayers.
gdly. Because they have uniformly laboured to
conquer this continent, rejecting every idea of ac
commodation proposed to them, from a confidence
of their own Strength. Wherefore it is evident, from
the change in the mode of their attack, that they have
loft this confidence. And,
4thly. Because the constant language, spoken not
only by their Ministers, but by the most public and
authentic a&s of the nation hath been, that it js in
compatible with their dignity, to treat with the Ame
ricans while they have arms in their hands. Not
withltanding which, an offer is now about to be made
for a treaty.
The nvickednefs and infacerity.of the enemy ap
pear from the following confederations.
ift. Either the Bills now to be psfled, contain a
direst or indirect cession of part of their former
claims, or they do not. If they do, then it is ac
knowledged that they have facrificed many brave men
in an unjust quarrel. IF they do not, then they are
calculated to deceive America into terms, to which
neither argument before the war, nor force since
could procure her assent.
zdly. The firft of these Fills appears, from the
title to be a declaration of the intentions of the Bri
dil ifdiamcni GQnciwg the right of m^ojing taxa
From the New-Jersey Gazettee of April 6, 1778.
We havejuf received a fork-Town paper of the 24th
ult. from which cue have extracted the following
spirited proceedings of Congress.
Monday, 33 Min. after 2
Tuesday, 26 Min. aftei '3
Wednel'day, 14 . Min. after 4
Thursday, 55 Min. after 4.
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
4l|@0 < ^^^
Friday, 47 Min. after $
Saturday, 37 Min. after 6
Sunday, 28 Min. after 7
Las Qgar. next Tuesday.
THI
And further your Committee beg leave to report it
as their opinion, That these United States, cannot
with propriety, hold any conference or treaty with any
Commissioners on the part of Great-Britain, unless
they shall, as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw
th eir fleets and armies, or else, in positive and ex
press terms, acknowledge the Independence of the
said States.
And inasmuch as it appears to be the defigu of the
enemies of the States to lull them into a fatal security
to the end that they may aft with a becoming weight
and importance, it is the opinion of your Committee,
That the several States be called upon to use the most
strenuous exertions to have their refpe&ive quotas of
continental troops in the field as soon as poflible, and
that all the militia of the said States be held in readi
ness to aft as occasion may require.
The report being read, and debated by Paragraphs,
Refolded unanimoufy, That Congress approve and
confirm the said report.
Published by order of Congress.
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
BALTIMORE, April 7.
Extract of a. letter from an officer in the American
army dated Camp, Galley Forge, March 10.
" A Committee of Congress has been fitting for
feme time ^ Head-Q^arteify to concert with his
within these States. Wherefore, should these States
treat under the said bill, they would indirectly ac
knowledge that right, to obtain which acknowledge
ment, the present war hath been avowedly under
taken and prosecuted on the part of Great- Britain.
gdly.,Should such pretended right be so acquiefed
in, then, of confluence, the fame might be exeiciled
whenever the Britilh parliament should find them
selves in a different temper and difpoftion; since it
muff depend upon those, and such like contingencies,
how far men will aft according to their former in
tentions.
4thly. The said firft Bill, in the body thereof,
containeth no new matter, but is piecilely the fame
with the motion before mentioned, and liable to all
the objections which lay against the said motion, ex
cepting the following particular, viz. by the motion,
actual taxation was to be suspended, so long as Ame
rica should give as much as the laid Parliament might
think proper: Whereas, by the proposed Bill, it is to
be suspended as long as future Parliaments continue
of the fame mind with the present.
gthly. From the second Bill it appears, that the
British King may, if he pleases, appoint commission
ers to treat and agree with those whom they please,
about a variety of things therein mentioned. But
such treaties and agreements are to be of no validity
without the concurrence of the said Parliament, ex
cept so far as they relate to the fufpenfon of hostilities,
and of certain of their a&s, the granting of pardons,
and the appointing of Governors to these sovereign,
free and independent States. Wherefore, the said
Parliament have reserved to themselves, in express
words, the power of setting aside any such treaty,
and taking the advantage of any circumstances
which may arise to fubjeft this continent to their
usurpations.
6ihly. The said Bill, by holding forth a tender
of pardon, implies a criminality in our juftifiable re
sistance; 'apd consequently, to treat under it would
be an implied acknowledgment that the inhabitants
of thcle States were, what Britain declares them
to nefk^els.
7thlyV The inhabitants of these States being
claimed by them as fubje&s, they may infer,
from the nature of the negociation,now pretended to
be set on foot, that the said inhabitants would of
right be afterwards bound by such laws as they
should make. Wherefore any agreement entered
into such negociatiori plight be at any future time
repealed. And gthly. Because the said Bill pur
ports, that the Commissioners therein mentioned may
treat with private individuals ; a measure highly de
rogatory cf national character.
From all which it appears evident to your Com
mittee, that the said Bills are intended to operate
upon the hopes and fears of the good people of these
States, so as to create divisions among them, and a
defe&ion from the common cause, now by the bles
sing of Divine Providence drawing near to a favour
able issue. That they are the (equal of that insidious
plan, which, from the days of the Stamp-a& down
to the present time, hath involved this country in
contention and bloodshed. And that, as in other
cases so in this, altho' circumttances may force them
at times to recede from their unjuftifiable claims,
there can be no doubt but they will as heretofore,
upon the firft favourable occasion, again display that
luff of domination, which hath rent in twain the
mighty empire of Britain.
Upon the whole matter, the Committee beg leave
to report it as their opinion, that as the Americans
united in this arduous contest upon principles of com
mon interest, for the defence of common rights and
privileges, which union hath been cemented by com
rhon calamities and by mutual good offices and affec
tion, so the great cause for which they contend, and in
which all mankind are interested, must derive its
success from the continuance of that union. Where
fore any man or body of men, who should presume
to make any feperate or partial convention or agree
ment with Commissioners under the crown of Great-
Britain, or any of them, ought to be confideied and
treated as open and avowed enemies of these United
States.
Wheat per Bufliel, 12s. od.
Flour, 355. od.
Brown Bread, 20s. od.
Weft-India Rum; 6s. 6d.
New-England do. ss. od.
GAZETTE:
THE
MERCUR Y.
PRICE CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufcovado Sugar; sl. 10s.
Single refin'd ditto, is. 2d.
Molasses, 2s. 6d.
Beef per Barrel; 90s. od.
Pork, §l. lOS.
foreign anti Domeffick.
Excellency, on some better regulations for the army,
though nothing material hath, as yet, transpired —
We are told that all the Staff Departments are to be
filled up with officers from the Line, which will con„
tribute much to the preservation of our army.
The above mentioned Committee have since re
turned to Corgtefs. Their report hath not yet been
published.
Extract of a letter from the American camp, at the
Valley Forge, dated April 2.
<b The American States appear to me extremely
tardy in their operations, particularly in reinforcing
his Excellency General Washington's army, which,
notwithstanding the numbers of Sir William Rowe's,
and the profpe& of its being early and Strongly rein
forced, amounts to but 8000 effective men. It is
true, they are in high Spirits, and well ported on the
heights of Schuylkill ; but candour mult allow they
have a brave and Skilful adversary to cope with, and
therefore ought to be better supported by their coun
try. «The tioops that are on their march it is expe&-
ed, will increase our army to 12,000. This, how
ever; is not half enough. In my humble opinion,
to enable us to do business effectually, we should
have in this camp, by the firft of May, at least,
thirty thousand men."
YORK-T OW N, April ir.
On Thursday last the Hon. M.jor-General Lee
arrived here from Philadelphia.
Gentlemen, St. Alban's, April 2, 1778.
" This will inform you of my misfortune in
losing the Virginia, at three o'clock in the morning
of the 31st ult. I had weighed from Annapolis at
eight the preceding morning, and had taken the ad
vantage of going down the Bay in company with a
brig which had a pilot on board, supposed to be one
of the bell in the Bay, to whom I had agreed to give
1001. provided he carried me out clear of the ground.
The wind blew hard at N. W. and in every other re
fpe& it was a most favourable time; and altho' my
tender was absent with nineteen hands, I thought it
mutt advifeable to proceed. At the abovementioned
time Ihe Struck on the middle gound, and in about
an hour and an half beat over it, with the loss of
her rudder, and making as much water as we could
well clear her from, with four pumps ; in which
case, we thought it most advifeable to come to an
anchor until day-light, when we found two of the
enemy's (hips about two gun Shots off, abreart cf us,
and another up the Bay ; upon which I hoisted out
my barge, and took such of my crew as inclined to
run the rifque of getting on Shore, viz. ten including
myfelf, and with the greatest difficulty got on
Cape Henry, where I waited until 10 o'clock, when
I saw the two Ships. I immediately went to Portf
motrth, got a boat, and came on board the St. Al
ban's with a flag, in order to procure the parole of
my officers, which I expe& to accomplish ; after
which I Shall proceed to Baltimore, and from thence
Shall immediately wait on Congress. The Virginia
is obliged to be towed, and is not yet got up.
I am, Gentlemen, with much refpe&,
Your most obedient Servant
JAMES NICOLSON.
" The Hon. Marine Committee."
LANCASTER, April 15;
Extract oj a letter from York-Town, dated April 14.
" A Gentleman just from Baltimore informs,
That a vessel had arrived from Martinico in Che
sapeake-Bay, the matter whereof brings an account
that 1 5000 French troops had embarked, with a large
train of artillery, at St. Domingo, and other places
in the French Weft-Indies, and had actually failed
for Canada, convoyed by twelve line of battle Ships
and a number of frigates."
To the INHABITANTS of the UNITED STATES.
From the great number of deputies and agents
nec: ffarily employed in the Quarter Master General's
department, and from the unavoidable hurry in
which much of the business has been tranfa&ed,---
which has greatly increased the number of those de
puties and agents, and, in some instances has occa
sioned the employment of improper persons, many
irregularities have taken place in the department.
That order and regularity which is necessary to the
well-conducing a business so important and exten
sive, has been much broke in upon ; and many of
the good people of the country have complained of
disappointments and ill treatment. In order to re
medy the manifold inconveniences arjfing from these
causes, and, as much as possible, to guard against
abuses in future, great care will be taken to engage
such persons in the department who are best adapted
to the business of their Several employments, and ths
most likely to preserve a proper deportment and to
giye fatisfa&ion to the well disposed part of the com
munity, in the refpeCive diftriCs assigned them.
To this end pun&uality in payment for such articles
as Shall be purchased, will be highly necessary ; and
we mean to preserve it as far as possible : But as it
will be impracticable to make such a distribution of
cash as will enable every person employed in purcha
sing to pay as he goes, regular printed certificates will
be put into the hands of the Deputy Quarter-Masters
to be filed up and delivered out to the people from
whom purchases Shall be made. In every State
where these certificates are distributed, persons will
be appointed to attend and pay them off at certain
Short periods, and at such places as will best accom
modate the Inhabitants; of which public notice will
be given. This mode, it is imagined will relieve tkf
Fine Salt, Bs. od
Coarse Salt, Bs. od
Indian Corn per Bu. 7s. od
Coffee, is. gd
Chocolate, 265. per Do.
13^.]