The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-06-25 00:00:00, page 2

WATERTOW N, June 17.
Last Thuriday the inhabitants of the town of Boston were
made acquainted, by the beat of drum, that an expedition
was to be undertaken, against cur enemy's Ihips in Nantafket
road, and for erecting proper fortifications in the lower har
bor. Accordingly detachments from the colonial regiments,
commanded by the Colonels Marshal and Whitney, and a
battalion cf train commanded by Lieut. Col. Crafts, were
embarked on board boats at the Long-wharf, together with
cannon, ammunition, provisions, intrenching tools, and every
nceffary implement, and proceeded for Pettick's-ifland and.
Hull, where they were joined by some Continental troops,,
and sea coall companies, so as to make near fix hundred men
at each place ; a like number of the militia from the, towns
in the vicinity of Boston hai bor, with a detachment from the
train, and some field pieces, took poll at Moon-island,,
Hoff's-neck, and Point Aiderton. —At the fame time a de
tachment fr m the Continental army under the. command of
Col. Whitcomb, with two eighteen pounders, one,thirteen
inch mortar, with the necessary apparatus, intrenching tools,,
&c. were embarked for Long-island, to take poit there ; the
troops did not arrive at their several places of di.ftination.till
near morning, occasioned by a flat calm; notwithstanding,
Such was the activity and alertness of our men, that they had
the cannon planted, and a line of defence hove up on Long
ifiand and Nantafkei-hill in a few hours,, when a cannon shot„
{rom.J/mg-illand announced, to the enemy our deiign. Upon
which a signal was immediately made for the whole fleet,
confiding of eight fhips,„two snows, two brigs and one
schooner, to remove and get under way. The Commodore
(Banks) bore our fire, and returned it with spirit, till a ,shot
from Leng-ifland pierced the upper works of his ship, when
he immediately unmoored or cut his cables and got under
fail, and happy for him that he did so, forin a small (pace of
time afterward a, Ihell from our works fell in the very ipot he
had just before quitted, Unhappily our cannon did not ar
rive at Pettickfoifland arid Nantafket,. as soon as might have
been wished, but the. fire from the. latter place being properly
pointed againftthe. Commodore's ihip, who cqme too in the
Light-House channel, js apprehended to have done consider
able execution. —In dhort, the enemy were, compelled once
more to make a difgracefu! precipitate flight;, and we have
it now in our power to congratulate our readers on our being
in full possession of the lower harbor of Boston ; and had the„
wind have been to the eadward, we are confident we flioujd"
have had the much greater pleasure of giving them joy on
cur being in the posse ffion of many of their Ihips. Through
divine providence, not one of our men were hurt.
The minilierial fleet on Friday last, before they quitted
the harbor of Boston, blew up the Light-Houle, which en
tirely destroyed the fame.
We can assure the public; that there is not a ministerial
troop in all New-England, except what are prisoners ; nor is
there a ministerial ship in any harbor in New-England.
Yesterday fe'nnight the Highlanders taken in the Scotch
man mentioned in our last, were conducted to the Provbft
prison in Boston, by a strong guard from Col. Glover's at
Marblehead, —The officers are lent to Concord, and we hear,
the soldiers are going to Worcester.
It was reported yellerday at Salem that two large Blips were
Uken the night preceding.
N E W-Y O R K, June. 24.
Extract of a letter from St. Eullatia, dated May 31.
“ By a vessel that arrived here this moment from Antigua,
we learn that a vessel had arrived there from London, wuo
316
brought an account that the grand fleet of foreigners were
not to leave En land till the middle of April, their failing;
orders being postponed till that time."
Last Friday morning the two Philadelphia battalions, com
manded by the Colonels Shee and Magaw, marched from this
city for King's Bridge, where, we hear, they are to be en
camped.
PHILADELPHIA, June 25.
Accounts, received this day from Canada, fay that Gen,
Thompson, with two thousand men, has been defeated by four
thousand, and that the General was accidentally taken pri
soner. But it is. hoped that Gen. Sullivan, who appears to
be in high spirits, will soon be able to give a better account
of our affairs in Canada^
By letters from Boston received this day, we learn that soon
after the men of war and transports were drove from Nantafket
road, two more transports arrived there with upwards of two
hundred Highlanders on board, which were both made prizes
after some refdance..
Extract of a letter from New-York, dated June 24, 1776.
“ Since my letter on Friday last, a moil barbarous and in
fernal plot has been discovered amongst the Tories. The
particulars I cannot give you, as the Committee of Exami
nation consists of but three, who are sworn to secrecy, two
of Walhington's 4 guards are concerned, and a third, who
they tempted to join them, made the firft difeovery.. The
general report of their design is as follows: Upon the arrival
of the troops, they were to murder all the Staff Officers,
blow up the magazines, and secure ^he paffe§ of the town.
Gilbert Forbes, gunfmiih, in the Broadway, was taken be
tween two and three o'clock Saturday morning, and carried
before our Congress, who were then fitting. He retuied to
make any discovery, upon which he was sent to jail, and put
in irons.. Young Livinglion .went to lee him early in the
morning, told him he was sorry to find he had been con
cerned, and, as his time, was very fhorc, not having above
three days to live, advised him. to. prepare himfelf. TQis
had the desired effect; He asked to be. carried before the
Congress again, and he would difeover all he knew ; levetal
have been since taken, between twenty and thirty, among
them our Mayor, who are all now.under confinement. It is
said their party confided of about live hundred.
" On Saturday afternoon our men returned from the Hook,
without being able to effect their design ;, not haying heavy
cannon fufficient to make any breach in toe light-hpufe, they
made the attack Friday morning twenty minutes after three
anTcontinued.firing till about lix ; no lives are 101 l on our tide,
cny two men very.flightly wounded..
“ I have just heard the Mayor has confeffed bringing mo
ney from Tryon, to pay for ride g/uus that Forbes had made.
A large party goes oft his morning to the Hook again with
heavy cannon, &c. the men of war there 1 am.afraid will hurt
them, as they- can command the pass.—Burgoyne is arrived
at. Quebec with his fleet. No.account of ours. 1 expect to go
to Long-llland this day, in a party of about two hundred, ip
quell of Tories."
Philadelphia, June 2s, 1776.
GENTEEL furnifhed lodgings; likewise Lodgings
and Board for gentlemen, in Chelnut-ftfeet. -Inquire
of the printer. N
N. B. There is a small front ihop for a single perform who
might lodge in tne house.- *