The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-04 00:00:00, page 1

NEWBERN (North-Carolina) December I.
WE hear from Cape Fear, that Governor Martin
has been reinforced with three hundred men, that
he has issued a proclamation, offering to spare
the towns of Brunswick and Wilmington from
the flames, on their laying down their arms, and giving
holtages for their future behaviour. But Col. Moore, at the
head of the provincial forces Rationed there, we hope will'
stop his Excellency's intentions of destroying his fellow fub
je&. -—— —
WILLIAMSBUR G, December 23.
On Wednesday the 13th instant, a sloop belonging to Capt.
Mallory, and a schooner belonging to Captain Brown, bound
to Smithfield, from sea, were taken by a tender, which put a
midihipman, two sailors, and a Negro pilot on board, with
orders tocarry them to Norfolk ; but last night the Captains
of the vessels, by a promise of forty-three dollars, and a passage
back, prevailed on them to join in re-taking the vessels,
which they accordingly did, and have now got them within
the creek, with two thousand bushels of salt on board.
The gentlemen of North-Carolina have set a noble example
to our countrymen, and to all Americans, how to a& when a
neighbouring colony is attacked. One hundred and fifty
gentlemen volunteers marched into Virginia on hearing of
Lord Dunmore : s insolence and outrages, joined Col, Wood
ford, have co-operated with him ever since, and such of them
as were quartered near the breast-work repaired to it, and
fought with great bravery. A few days after the engage
ment, Colonel Howe joined Colonel Woodford with about
three hundred and fifty men of his regiment, which being on
the Continental establishment, takes place of our Provincial
'forces, and therefore the command devolved on Colonel Howe.
There is the greatest harmony between the commanding offi
cers. Colonel Howe is a gentleman of experience and abili
ties* he ftrved several campaigns last war as Captain of an
independent company from North-Carolina, in conjunction
with the Virginia regiments ; he had a Colonel's cemmiffion
under Governor Tryon, commanded fort Johnson, and was
very active and serviceable to Tryon in suppressing the infur
reftion, shewing himfelf a firm supporter of government
whilst proceeding on constitutional principles, and now nobly
opposing it, when it attempts to trample on the dearest rights
and privileges of his countrymen.
Extract of a letter fre m Colonel HOWE to the Honorable the
President of the Convention.
<< Sir, Norfolk, December Is, 1775.
“ The course of service necessarily inducing an inquiry be
tween Colonel Woodford and myfelf, refpeding our commis
sions, we found that mine, from the nature of it, had the pre
cedence of his. He conduced himfelf upon this occasion in
that manner which his knowledge of discipline could not but
dilate, and with that gentility which never forfakes him. It
is with diffidence, Sir, that I undertake this charge, and
I must add, however honorable, with reluctance, as I fa
perfede a gentleman I so much esteem, whole abilities I
know to be equal to the duties of the station, and who
hath so amply filled the measure of his duty. If real
The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
Vol. ll.]
Pifee only T^o Coders. Publifned every Tuesday, Pburfday, and Saturday Evenings.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1776.
5
To the officer commanding at Norfolk.
“ Capt. Squire's compliments to the commanding officer,
informs him that several musket balls were last night fired at
the King's ship, from some people at Norfolk. Capt. Squire
did not return the fire, from a supposition it was done out of
wantonness. Capt. Squire does not mean to fire on the town
of Norfolk, unless firft fired at; mult beg to know if any
Extract of a letter from Colonel WOODFORD to the Honors
able President of the Convention.
“ Sir, Norfolk, December 15, 177;
“ I wrote you last night; since then nothing material has
happened ; we ilill remain in the fame situation. This morn
ing a midihipman, with a flag of truce, arrived from the Ot
ter. That and our answer you have enclosed. All the prin
cipal Tories, with their families and effects, have retired on
board the ships of war and other vessels in the harbour, of
which there is a very large fleet. What they intend I know not,
and lam much at a loss to inform your Hon. B>dy what steps
-we shall take, farther than to keep possession of this part of the
town, and afford what protection we can to the inhabitants
that claim it. We are much ata loss for your farther orders,
which we hoped to receive before this time, and are not with
out our fears that some accident must have happened to your
express. I received a letter this morning from Mr. Cary Mt
chell. Our answer is enclosed, with his letter. I have the
word opinion of the people here, and have no doubt but every
thing relating to us is laid before his Lordship. If it is your
intention that a part only of the present force should remain at
this place, 1 would submit it to your confederation, whether
the second regiment, or any part of it you may think proper
to withdraw, may not, after their hardy duty, be drawn off.
I wrote the Convention last night that I had resigned the com
mand to Col. Howe. As that gentleman's military abilities
and great experience will be full equal to every talk, I
would ask the Convention's leave of absence to fee my family,
and attend to my private affairs, for so long time as shall be
agreeable to them. Ido not mean this so long as there is a
profpeft of any actual service, either offenfive or defenfive.
You have enclosed a return of the Length of the troops at
this place, and for farther particulars mult referyou to several
Members of your refpedable body, who are the bearers of this,
I am, with the greatest refpe&, Sir, your meft obedient servant,
WILLIAM WOODFORD."
attachment to the noble cause in which I am engaged, and the
ftrideft attention to my duty, can in any manner compensate
for my want of abilities, the colony of Virginia may rely up
on my utmost exertion to serve them, in which, I Batter my
felf, I shall not be wholly unfuccefsful, as I am promised the
assistance of my friend Colonel Woodford, whose advice I
shall upon every occasion ask, and whose aid I am certain will
never be denied me. I shall be happy to be honored with your
inftru&idns on every occasion, and an exaft compliance with
your commands shall be considered as an indispensable obliga
tion. I have the honor to be, with great refpe&, Sir, your
obedient servant, ROBERT HOWE."
[Num. 149.