The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-07-20 00:00:00, page 3

the said " Act, witl rUpe^t to fucli Colony or
" Province, colonies or provinces, county, town,
" port, diftrift, or place, Ihall cease, determine,
"and be utterly void."
And WHEREAS the King, desirous to deli
ver all his fubjc&s from the calamities of war, and
other oppressions which they now undergo, and to re
store the said colonies to his protection and peace,
as soon as the constitutional authority of govern
ment therein may be replaced: Hath been graci
ously pleated, by letters patent, under the great
seal, dated the Sixth day of May in the fifteenth
year of his Majesty's reign, to nominate and ap
point, me Richard Viscount Howe, of the king
dom of Ireland, and William Howe, Esquire, Ge
neral of his forces in North-America, and each of
us, jointly and severally, to be his Majesty's Com
missioner and Commissioners, for granting bis free
and general pardons to all those who in the tumult
and disorder of rhe times, may have deviated from
their just allegiance, and who are willing, by a
speedy return to their duty, to reap the benefits of
the Royal favour: And also for declaring, in his
Majesty's name, any colony, province, county,
town, port, diftrift, or place, to be at the peace of
his Majesty. I, DO, THEREFORE, hereby
declare ; That due consideration Ihall be had to the
meritorious services of all persons who Ihall aid and
aflid in restoring the public tranquility in the said
colonies, or in any part or parts thereof; That
pardons shall be granted, dutiful representations
received, and every suitable encouragement given,
for promoting such measures as shall be conducive
to the ehabliihment. of legal goverment and peace,
in pursuance of his Majesty's most gracious pur
poses aforefaid.
Given on board His Majesty's ship the Eagle,
off of the Coast of the Province of Maffachu
fett's Bay, the Twentieth Day of June, 1776.
HOWE.
By order of Congress,
Jew n Hancoc it, President.
Extras front the Minutes,
" On Friday about 11 o'clock, the Commodore
(Sir Peter Parker) with his whole squadron confin
ing of two line of battle fliips and fix frigates, the
rates of which are marked in the enclosed narrative,
anchored at less than half musket ffiot from the fort
and commenced one of the most furious and inces
sant fires, I ever saw or heard. It was manifedly
their plan to land, at the fame time, their whole
regulars, at the east end of the island, and of course
invest the fort by land and sea. As the garrifen
was composed entirely of raw troops, both officers
and men, I thought it my duty to cross over to the
island to encourage the garrison by my presence.
But I might have saved myfelf that trouble, for I
found on my arrival they had no occasion for, any
fort of encouragement. I found them determined
and cool to the last degree; their behaviour would,
in fact, have done honor to the oldest troops.
" I thereto!e beg leave to recommend in the
strongest terms to the Congress, the Commanding
Officer, Col. Moutrie, and his whole garriibn, as
brave soldiers and excellent citizens. Nor must I
omit, at the fame time, mentioning Col. Thomp
son, who with the South Carolina rangers, and a
detatchment of the North Carolina regulars repul
sed the enemy in two several attempts to make a
lodgement at the extremity of the island.
Our loss, considering the heat and duration of
the fire, was inconsiderable. We had only ten men
killed on the spot, and twenty two wounded, seven
of whom loft their limbs. But with their limbs,
they did not lose their Spirits; for they enthusiasti
cally encouraged their comrades, never to aban
don the standard ofliberty and their country. This
I do assure you, is not in the stile of gafconading
Romance usual after every fuccefsful action, but
laterally a fad. I with great pleasure, mention
the circumstance, as it augurs well to the cause of
Freedom. At eleven the fire ceased, having con
tinued just twelve Hours without the least inter
mission."
" The Bristol of 50 guns, commanded by Sir
Peter Parker, greatly damaged in her hull, large
knees and timbers shot through and smashed; if the
water had not been very smooth it would.have been
Charles Thompson, Secretary,
Extrafl of a letter front the Hon. Major General
Lee, dated GharlefoWn, July 2d, 1776. To
the President of the Congress.
"J SHOULD have done myfelf the honour
I sooner of informing the Congress of the attack
made by the enemy's squadron on Sullivan's island,
and their repulse, but conjodured, that by waiting
a day or two, I might probably be furnifhed with
the means of fending a more minute, full, and fa
tisfaftory account.
“ My conjecture was right; for yesterday five
seamen made their escape, one of whom is a more
intelligent fellow than is commonly found amongst
men of his level. Enclosed is a copy of their Nar
rative. I may venture to congratulate Congress
on the event. Not only the advantage must be
considerable, but the affair reflects no small credit
to the American Arms.
The narrative of the five sailors referred to in the
foregoing letter, mho mere on board at the time of
the action.
irnpoffibie to have kept her from finking, MI the
carpenters in the fleet had been called to her assist
ance; mizen-maft shot through, main-mast badly
wounded by three several shot, fore-mad by two,
rigging, fails and yards much damaged. The
Captain of the Commodore loft his left arm above
the elbow; he was sent yesterday (June 30th) to
England in a Brigantine ; the Commodore's breech
es torn off, his thigh and knee wounded, he walks
only when supported by two men; 44 men killed
and 30 wounded, among whom were many mid
shipmen and petty officers; 20 of the wounded dead
since the action; talk in the fleet, that the two large
fliips would go over the bar again, and. proceed.to
English harbourin Antigua, to be repaired. The
Brihol when lightned, as much as possible, draws
18 feet water.
Experiment of. 50 guns on.two decks all 12
pounders, a slighter built vessel than the Bristol,
exceedingly damaged in her hull; several ports'
beat in one, her inizen must hurt, but uncertain
of particulars, killed 57, of whonOhe Captain was
one, wounded 30, several since dead; draws when
lighted 17 feet water; the general opinion that
neither ot these large fliips will go fafely over the
bar again; Solebay 28 guns, 2 men killed, 4 wound
ed: A&ive 28, lieutenant killed, 4 wounded: Ac
tion 28; Sphynx 2*o; Syren 28: All got aground;
the firft in coming up, the two latter in running
away; the Sphynx cut away her bowsprit; the Sy
ren got off; Adeon remained fall,---burnt, and
blown up by her own people. While die was on
fire, Mr. Millegan, one of the Carolina marine Of
ficers, and a party of men boarded her, brought
off her colours, the gup's bell, and as many fails
as three boats could contain.
The Thunder bomb lay at a considerable distance,
throwing shells at the fort, and by overcharging
had Shattered the beds and damaged the ship io
much, as to render it necessary for her to go into
dock before she can act again.
The Friendship an hired arm'd vessel of 26 guns
of various fixes covered the bomb, as did the Syr
ren, who also fired very briskly at the fort. The
whole fleet badly man'd and (ickly, particularly the
Syren's crew, at two thirds Ihort allowance of pro
visions and waters they have had no frelh meat
since their arrival (firft of June.)
Lord William Campbell had been very anxious
for the attack, and proposed to take all the forts
with only the Syren and Solebay.
Lord Cornwallis and Gen. Clinton are both on
shore with the troops at Long-Island, his Lordship
had, some time ago, urg'd Sir Peter Parker to
atrack on the sea fide, otherwise be would march
up, attack and take the fort,and complain of Sir
Peter's tardiness, The Commodore replied, Lord
Cornwallis might march his tooops when he pleated,
but the fleet required a fair wind, the firft that
happen'd he would proceed against the fort. The
General at that time believed we had no troops out
of garrilon, but he was soon better informed, being
since repulsed, and drove back with loss ; he remained
quiet, and left the Commodore to enjoy the glory of
being defeated alone.
The Negro pilot, who is exceedingly carreffed,
was on board the Commodore, and put down with
the Doctor out of harm's way.
Between nine and ten o'clock, the night of the
a&ion, the Commodore and other fliips 'began to
steal away, they made no piping, nor waited to
heave up their anchors, but flipped their cables; the
Commodore has only one anchor and cable left.
' About two o'clock on Friday, some of the men
cried out the Yankees had done fighting, others re
plied they were glad of it, for they never had such
a drubbing in their lives, they had been told the
Yankees would not hand two fires, but they never
saw better fellows; all the common men in the
fleet spoke loudly in praise of the garrison. There
was a report in the fleet that no-quarters would be
given to the Americans, and that 50001. had been
offered for General Lee.
The foregoing Extract of a Letter from General
Lee, as also the Narrative of the deserters, is pub
lished by Order of the Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
On Monday last the Convention of this province
met at the State-House, but there not being a fuffi
ent number of members preterit, they adjourned to
the next day, when they met and chose Dr. Ben
jamin Franklin President; Colonel George
Ross Vice-President; and John Morris, Esq;
Secretary.
The Reverend Jacob Duche', Redor of
Christ-Church and St. Peter's, in this City, is ap
pointed Chaplain to the Honourable Continental
Congress.
By accounts from Canada we learn, that our
troops a few days after the battle at Three Rivers,
retreated to the Isle of Noix, but finding that an ex
treem unhealthy place, were obliged to retire to
Crown-Point, where they are repairing that old
fortification. That the English had got to St.
John's, where they would have to build boats be
fore they could cross the lakes, and that we hada
schooner of 6 carriage guns, and foua other armed
vessels, with which, it is hoped, the English will be
prevented crossing the lake.
Since our last the Militia of this City, with a.
Dumber of Companies from the other parts of the
province, have marched for New-Jersey.
From the Royal Kalender, for the fear i„p.
A Lid of Shipping on the Norths American Stat: a
Third Rates.
ASIA, Captain George Vandeput, 64
Boyne, Brod. Hantwell, ya
Eagle, Vice Admiral Howe, H. Duncan, 64
Somerset, G. Ourry, 6 r
Fourth Rates.
Briftoß Com. Sir Peter Parker, John Morris, 50
Centurion, Richard Braithwait, '0
Chatham, Vice Admiral Shuldham, J. Rayner, 50
Experiment, Robert Keeler, rc>
Jersey, Hospital Ship, W. A. Halfted, (0
ifis, C. Douglass, ' ro
Preston, J. Robinson, ro
Renown, F. Banks,^
Fifth Rates.
Blonde, P. Pownal, 32
Brune,'
Emeral, B. Caldwell,
Niger, G. Talbot,
Orpheus, C. Hudson,
Pearl, J. O'Hara, 32
Phoenix. H. Parker, junr. 44
Roebuck, Andrew Snape Hammond, 44
Thetis, 32
Sixth Rates'
A&eon. C. Atkins, 28
A&ive, W. Williams. 28
Boreas, C. Thomson, 28
Carrysfort, Fanfhaw, 28
Cerberus, z S
Deal Castle, Worth, 24
Fowey, G. Montague, 24
Fox, Fotheringham, 28
Greyhoun:
Glalgow, 1. Howe, 24
Lively, T. Bishop, 20
Lizard, 28
Mercury,
Millford, J. Burr, 2 8
Rose, J. Wallace, 2 0
Scarborough, Andrew Barclay, 20
Seaford, J. Colpoy, 2 o
Solebay, T. Symons, 2 g
Sphinx, A. Hunt, 2 j
Syren, T. Furneaux, 2 S
Tartar, 2 g
Triton, Skeff. Lutwidge, 2 $
Sloopq
Atlanta, T. Underwood, 36
Carcass, R. Dring, 8
Cruizer, F. Parry, . g
Falcon, J. Lindzee, 16
Ferret, J. Codney, ,3
Hawke, R. Cooper, jo
Kingfisher, 16
Martin, W. Parker, T 4
Merlin, C. Burnaby, ]$
Nautilus, J. Collins, 16
Otter, M. Squire,' 10
Savage, H. Bromedge, -• 8
Scorpion, J. Tolemache, 16
Senegal, W. Duddingfton, 16
Swan, J. Ayfc'ough, 14
Tamer, E. Thornborough, 16
Viper, D. Price, 10
Armed Vessels.
Canceaux, Cherokee, Lieut. Ferguson, Diligence,
Labradore, Magdalen, Lieutenant John Nunn,
Sultana.
Bomb Ketch, Thunder, J. Reid,
^^oc^foefoefoe^^tcfoc^focfo^
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Four Letters
On Interesting Subjects.
Containing (among other things) Remarks or.
the .Charter of Charles the Second to IFilliain
Penn. —On HOlliam Penn's Will.—On Forms op
Government, Cmfitrtion, OF.