The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-10 00:00:00, page 3

At about a quarter after one the Gondolas came
up with the whipping, and the Lady Washington
being the foremod, fired a (hot which hulled the
Rose, who was then under way, and obliged her
to come to an anchor. The Phoenix and Rose then
began a very heavy fire, which laded for an hour
and twenty minutes, and was as smartly returned.
Four shot were fcen to strike the dripping, but the
(moke enoreafing very soon prevented ns from fay
ing with certainty what farther execution was done.
During the action we had one man killed, one had
his leg shot off, and another badly wounded ; there
were &or 8 more Rightly wounded. The Spitfire
received 12 shot in her hull. The Lady Washington
unfortunately split her gun, and one other of the
Gondolas received considerable damage, which oc
casioned them to retire until they could refit. The
Spitfire (after the Lady Washington, who had got
out of the line of battle when she firft fired, and in
consequence of orders had fallen back) was the fore
mod during the engagement. The didance was
about half a mile.
PHILADELPHI A.
In COUNCIL of SAFETY, AuguJl 9, 177 6.
The Honorable Congress having resolved that the
PAPER MAKERS in Pennsylvania be detained
from proceeding with the associators to New-Jersey,
all Officers of militia in this State are required to
pay a ftrid regard to the fame.
By order of the Council of Safety.
THOMAS WHARTON, jun. President.
Extrafl of a Letter from Elizabetb-Town Point,
(New-ferfe,) dated Augufl 7 , 1 77 6.
" T WAS ordered by Col. Chevaiier to wait on
I two gentlemen (Mr. Maddifqn and Johnfcm)
one of whom is a Clergyman, and both natives of
Augusta county, Virginia, who arrived in the Lord
Hyde Packet, from Falmouth, a 1 Staten-Tland, the
29th of July, and have brought papers from Lon
don to the 23d of May, which are now here, and
kept for the use of General Washington, who, it is
said, will be in town to morrow.—A copy of the
King of England's Speech is enclosed.---The above
mentioned gentlemen left the island this morning,
with Lord Howe's approbation, and inform, that
Lord Cornwallis and General Clinton, with all the
troops, arrived there on Thursday lad from Caro
lina, as a reinforcement preparatory to the attack
on New-York, which these gentlemen fay would,
in their opinion be made in lets than a week, with
out waiting for the remainder of the Foreigners,
who were hourly looked for, having failed three
days before this ship.---That the troops now on the
ill end amount to about 12,000, and those expe&ed
will make the enemy 20,000 strong.
“ The current opinion of the British Generals is,
that they will find no difficulty in taking possession
of New York, but are much afraid that the rebels
(as they call us) will destroy it, as they speak most
contemptuously of us, looking upon us as a rabble
and entirely undifeipiined; and that they make no
doubt of effecting a junction with Burgoyne from
Canada, and thereby facilitate the fubjedion of this
country. The gentlemen add, that the enemy are
much distressed for want of frefh provisions.
“ The English papers inform, that the Minerva,
Winning, from Philadelphia, was arrived at Lon
donderry in five weeks, loaded with 320 hogsheads
flaxfeed, and that she was immediately made a prize
of, being American property---an article mentions,
that on the quedion for Independence in Congress,
the Pennsylvania Delegates voted against it, and in
consequence thereof the other Colonies kept a jea
lous eye over them. Tlie papers contain many
other matters which I cannot keep to tranferibe."
LONDO N, May 23, 1776.
His MAJESTY'S most gracious SPEECH,
To Both Houses of Parliament,
On Thursday, Ma, 23, 1776.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
TH E conclusion of public business, and the
advanced season of the year, makes it proper
for me to give you some recess; but I cannot put an
end to this session without assuring you, that the frefh
indances of your attachment to me, and your Ready
attention and adherence to the true interest of your
country, which you have shewn in the intercourse
of'your important deliberations, afford the highest
fatisfa&ion.
No alteration has happened in the date of foreign
affairs since your meeting; and it is with pleasure
I inform you that the assurances I have received
of the disposition of the several powers in Europe,
promise a continuance of the general tranquility.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
It was with real regret anti concern, that I
found myfelf under the necessity of asking, of my
faithful Commons, any extraordinary supplies. I
thank you for the readiness and dispatch with which
they have been granted; and they are the more
acceptable to me, as you have shewn, in the man
ner of railing them, an equal regard to the exigen
cies of the service, and the ease of my people. And
you may be assured, that the confidence you repose
in me shall be used with proper frugality, and ap
plied only to the purposes for^which it was in
tended.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
We are engaged in a great national cause, the
profecutioQ of which muff inevitably be attended
with many difficulties and much expence: but when
we confider, that the essential rights and intereds
of the whole Empire, are deeply concerned in the
issue of it, and can have no fafety or security but
in that constitutional subordination for
which we are contending, I am convinced that
you will not think any price too high for the pre
servation of fucli obje&s.
I will still entertain a hope that my rebellious
subjects may be awakened to a sense of their duty
They will juftify me in bringing about the favou
rite wish of my heart, the restoration of harmony
and there-establishment of order and happiness in
every part of my dominions; but if a due fubmidion
should not be obtained, from fucli motives and such
disposition on their part, I trust, that I shall be
able under the blessing of providence to effectuate
it by a full exertion of the great force with which
you have entrusted me
Then the Lord Chancellor, by His Majesty's
command, said,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
It is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that
this Parliament be prorogued to Thursday the firft
day of August next, to be then here holden. And
this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thurs
day the firft day of August next.
" Tomer-Hill, London, May 22, i 7 76.
" A " s com pl' ments to Mr. , and
begs his care of the inclofed letter. Mr.
may rely on it that the French minidry is
changed —the pacific men are turned out, and the
fpirired men, friends to America, are to come in,
viz. Duke de Choifuel, &c. &c.—Therefore a French
war, or fchmifon to America, is inevitable.---The
stocks from the battle of Lexington to this day,
have fallen upwards of fix per cent, a loss on the
national debt of at least seven millions---These
things should be publicly made known. To Mr.---."
The above letter is from Mr. , of London, to
Mr. Madison, one of the gentlemen mentioned in
the letter from Elizabeth-Lown, and cannot be
doubted.
A French gentleman, and an American, a Mem
ber of Congress, are fafe arrived in France.'
On Friday the second instant died after a short
illness, in Queen Anns county, Maryland, Mrs.
Cornelia Smith. The goodness and affability
of her disposition, added to an engaging sweetness
of manneis', captivated and secured the affeaions of
all her acquaintance; poffefTed of a happy evenness
of temper, and of those charms which invite to
friendship and command esteem, she lived beloved
and died regretted—As a mother she was praise
worthy, as an acquaintance deferable, as a friend
invaluable ; in short her character, when justly con
sidered, cannot but inspire with love, admiration
and refped.
Hear then this truth, confefs we mud,
A God there is, supremely wife and just,
If so, however things affect our fight,
Let's rest affiired---“whatever is, is right."
In COUNCIL of SAFETY Philadelphia, Aug. 6.
Ie consequence of a request of this board to the
Committee of Infpe&ion and Observation of the
different Counties, to appoint suitable persons to
hear the complaints of the families of those Asso
ciators that have gone to Camp, and to supply
them with such necessaries as they may Rand in
need of. The Committee of Infpedion and ob
fervatibn of this City and Liberties, have recom
mended the following gentlemen for that pur
pole, viz.
For the First Battalion.^ —lfaac Coats, William
Moulder, Jacob Shriner.
Lor the Second Battalion.---Moses Bartram, Gas
per Guyer, Ephraim Bonham.
For the Third Battalion.---Ge.orge Meade, Rich
ard Dennis, Robert Bailey.
For the Fourth Battalion.---George Graeme, Fred
rick Dufhon, Peter Knight.
For the Fifth Battalion.---John Hart, John Tit
tamary, William Drury.
Resolved therefore, that they be, and are hereby
appointed accordingly.
Extrafl from the Minutes,
JACOB S. HOWELL Secretary.
Tha Convention of the State of New-York have
appointed the 27th day of August to be kept as a day
of fading, humiliation, and prayer.
Extract of a letter from a person on board tie Wash
ington Galley, in the engagement between the two
foips (up the North-River) of his Majesty's navy,
one the Phoenix of forty, and the other the Rose of
fifty guns, dated the ,lh Augufs, I 77 6.
“ I have just an opportunity to inform you, that
yesterday at one o'clock, P. M. the gallies attacked
the Phoenix and the Rose off Tarry Town. The
Lady Washington fired the fird gun on our fide in
answer to one received from the Phcenix, this firft
shot from us entered the Pacenix. The General
Washington galley, on board of which the Com
modore's flag was hoided, then came up Within
grape shot of the ships, and singly fudained their
whole fire for above a quarter of an hour before
any other of our vessels took a shot from her (the
ride wafting them more than the pilot expelled to
the eastern shore, and the Lady Washington fai
ling back to take her Ration in the line according
to orders.) The Spitfire advanced in a line with
the Washington, and with her behaved well, we
had as hot a fire as perhaps aver was known for an
hour and an half The Washington, (on board
of which I was during the whole engagement) had
the ledgings of her bow guns knocked away, which
prevented our working them, and was otherways
considerably damaged being thirteen times hulled,
and three shot in the waist, many of her oars car
ried away, &c. the Lady Washington, after hulling
the Phcenix fix times, had her bow and only gun,
a two and thirty pounder, on which was placed
much dependence, split seven inches, and her gun
tacklings and britchings carried away. The Spitfire
was hulled several times and received one shot be
tween wind and water, which not being quickly
difeovered, occafior,d her making much water.
The rest of the gallies received considerable damage
in their rigging; spars and fails. Under these cir
cumßances our Commodore, Col. Tupper, thought
it prudent to give the signal for our little fleet to
withdraw, after manfully fighting a much Superior
force for two hours. Never did men behave with
more firm determined spirit than our little crews;
one of our tars being mortally wounded, cried to
his mess-mate, “ I am a dying man, revenge my
blood, my boys, and carry me along fide my gun
that I may die there." We were so preserved by
a gracious providence, that in all our gallies (whiclt
confided of fix) we had but 2 killed and 14 wound
ed, 2of which are thought dangerous. We hope
to have the other toucli at these pirates before they
leave our river, which Cod prosper."
cfa focfaSfocfafcc^cfa^^^-^^^fo c^ocfocfocfo
Just published, and now felling by ROBER T
BELL in Third street, price Ten Shillings,
Six Sketches on the History of Man,
Containing
The Progress of M E N as Individuals.
I. The Diversity of Men and of Languages.
II Of Food and Population.
111. Of Property.
IV. Tlie Origin and Progress of Commerce.
V. The Origin and Progress of Arts,
VI. The Progress of the Female Sex.
With an APPENDIX concerning the Propaga
tion of Animals, and the care of their Offspring.
By H ENRY HOME, Lord K AIMS,
Author of the Elements of Criticism.
N. B. At said Bell's may be had Simes's Military
Guide for Officers, 2 vol. Also all the new
Pamphlets.
W ANTE I).
A NEGROE Lad, who underßands cooking,
or is willing to be taught to cook. Any per
son having fitch an one to dispose of, who can be
recommended for his honesty and sobriety, may
hear of a purchaser by applying to the Printer.
EIGHT POUNDS Regard.
DESERTED lad night from Captain Samuel
Smith's company of Smallwood's firft Mary
land battalion, the following Soldiers.
Richard Basket, country born, 6 feet 3 inches
high, remarkably strong made, his limbs very large,
he walks very slovenly, had on and took with him.
a scabby caftor hat, blue hunting shirt, oznabrig
trowfers with five buttons at the ancle, a short light
coloured double breaded waistcoat, and a good
pair of shoes; he is about 25 years of age.
Richard Rigan, also country born, 5 feet 10 inches
high, about 26 years of age, had on and took with
him an old felt hat, a brown coat and red waist
coat more than half worn, a pair of leather breeches,
shirts, dockings, and a pair-of shoes; he is a cooler
by trade.
Adam. Cramer, a tanner, of Dutch parents, about
23 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, had on and
took with him an old brown coat and waistcoat witli
brass buttons, a pair of buckskin breeches, a pair
of oznabrig trowfers, a hunting shirt not dyed, a
felt hat, shirt, dockings, and n pair of shoes.
Martin IVheeler, an Irishman, about 22 years o'd,
5 feet 5 inches high, sharp face, walks lightly, had
on and took with him a mix'd colour'd coat and
waistcoat both good made short, one pair buckskin
breeches, one hunting shirt died very dark colour,
one buff cafimire waistcoat, shirts, dockings and
shoes.
Whoever takes up said Deserters, and secures
them, or fends them to their company in New-York,
shall have the above Reward with reasonable char
ges or for any one of them FORT) SHILLINGS.
They have all money, were inlifted in Baltimore,
and tis probable will make for Maryland.
SAMUEL SMITH, Capt.
N., B. The fame night deserted 6 men from the
Light Infantry and one from Capt. Simms of the
fame Battalion. The fame sum will be given for
each of them.
TONAS PHILLIPS has for file fuperfine French
J INDIGO, one hundred and eighty reams of
the bed Propatria writing paper, ofnabrugs and
ticklinburgs, checks and Holland dripes, needles
and pins, ikeleton wires, buckrams, umbrellas,,and
sundry other dry goods. Likewise Madeira, Tent
Mamfey, and Frontoniac WINES, Nc. '