The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1779-05-31 00:00:00, page 2

miles in length, lies exposed to our fleet and
armies , and it will be impeffible for the Re
bels co protest them, except they can march a$
fall as cur Ihips can fail. But it may be said,
that the French will protect their good allies.
—ls this probable, when it appears the French
cannot pro ed themselves ? or D'Eftaing would
not ha\e run into Boston from only a small
part of the Britilh fleet, where he is afraid to
flay, and dill more afraid to meet Admiral
Byron. Nor dare the other grand French fleet
venture to appear before the British flag on
their own coafc. Thus we find almost the
whole naval power of France in two fleets
only, and these inferior to ours, even in their
odn judgment, because they dare not fight us,
while their trade is totally neglected; which
will appear evident, from the captures we have
made, and the insurance they are obliged to
pay, which, from their Welt Indies and Ame
rica, is above 60 percent. How different this,
from our situation? For our trade has been
protected with conveys universally, and the
benefit is evident; for we pay to our Weft-Indies
only zo per cent, to return 10, if they fail with
out convey ; and to America only 10 per cent,
to return 5, if they fail without convoy. Such
a disproportion of rifque will be attended with
the happiest consequences to Britain, by ex
tending her commerce while it ruins that of her
molt perfidious enemy, the French. —Indeed,
we have nothing to fear but difeords among
ourselves, for Britons have, and (with unani
mity) Britons can dill, at sea, give laws to the
,world; and I defy opposition, and the moll
extreme and inveterate enemies to our country,
to mark the time, when the disproportion of
naval force was so greatly in our favour, when
compared with that of our enemies, as it abfo
ilutely is at this very inflant.
But it will be said, the expences of the war
will ruin us.—This I deny ; — for our expences
were enormous lajt war and no such consequen
ces was produced; and let us confider the
object of the present war ; it is no less than an
empire !—an empire that has cost us millions
almost without number, to bring it to its pre
lent state ; and shall we not fight to preserve
and reunite it to Britain ? In short, with Ame
rica we shall indeed be independent, but it is
possible to remain so for half a century without
it.
But if expences fall so heavy on us, that have
an open and unbounded trade to every indivi
dual part of the globe, what must the expence
be to the Americans, who have no open trade
to any place whatsoever, without a rifque
that must destroy it totally ? Some talk of their
internal resources : But what are they, when
in so short a time they have created a national
debt of fifty millions? And how can indivi
duals acquire, or preserve their property, be
sieged as they now are, and without labour?
To shew the consequences that must arise from
the want of labour, or employment for the
people, let me instance a hard froft in this
country far only three weeks, when our streets
exhibit feenes of poverty : Then what must be ;
the situation of the Americans, who have chief- 1
ly been without employment for three years ? !
And I further contend, that the greater their^
numbers, the greater mull be their distress ; 1
therefore perseverance on our part, in our pre
sent measures, must soon bring about a happy
reconciliation.
A Friend to Qld England.
F^^^^^l^^
PHILADELPHIA.
Extracts from the Journals of CONGRESS.
In CONGRESS, March 31, 1779.
ON motion by Mr. Drayton, seconded by
Mr. M. Smith, Congress came to the
following resolution :
Whereas it is essential to the interest and
security of every free State that the conduct
of the public servants should be known to their
constituents :
Refolded, That from the firft day of Janua
ry lad, the Journals of this Houfc, except
such parts as have been or shall be ordered to
be kept secret, be printed immediately; and '
that for the future the Journal, except as|
above, be printed weekly and sent to the Ex- !
\ ccutive P. wers of the several States, to be by
them laid before their refpedive Legiflatures;l
and that a Printer be engaged to print forl
Congress; and also a Printer or Printers be 1
employed to bring up the Journals from the
time of their present publication to the said
firft of January.
April 3. The Board of War, to whom was
referred an extract of a letter from Major-Ge
neral Schuyler to Mr. Duane, refpeding com
missions for the Chiefs of the Oneidas and
Tufcaroras, brought in a report, which was
taken into confide ration; whereupon
Rejolved, That twelve blank commissions
be transmitted to the Commissioners of Indian
affairs for the Northern department, and that
they or any two of them be empowered to fill
them up with the names of faithful Chiefs of
the Oneidas and Tufcaroras. giving them such
ranks as the said Commissioners shall judge
they merit ; the names and ranks to be by the
Commissioners reported to the Board of War.
April 5. On motion by Mr. F. L. Lee, se
conded by Mr. Dyer.
Refloed, That Baron Stuben, Infpedor Ge
neral, be informed by the President, that
Congress entertain a high sense of his merit
displayed in a variety of infiances, but espe
cially in the fyllem of military order and di
scipline formed and presented by him to Con
g.efs.
April 8. The Committee to whom was re
ferred the letter of the icth of February from
M jor-Gcneral Lincoln, brought in a report:
Refolded, That, until a cartel for a general
exchange is established between the Com
mandcio in Chief of the forces of the United
States and Great-Britain, in order to relieve
as much as possible the difficulties pressing up
on the prisoners taken during the operations
of the forces under the command of General
Lincoln, and the British forces who have in
vaded Georgia; the commanding officer of
the fouthein army for the time being, be au
thorifed to exchange the fame to the extent
of their relative numbers, on the terms pro
posed by Major Pinckney to Lieutenant-Colo
nel Provoit on the firft day of February last,
as far as the fame will apply to the said pri
soners:
That the said commanding officer for the
time being, be authorifed to dispense with the
said terms where he shall judge that humanity
or very pieffing expediency may require it,
and it shall not contravene general utility.
That effectual provision be made by a Com
missary of Prisoners for supplying such of our
people as remain unexchanged :
That a deputy Commissary of Prisoners be
appointed for the southern army by the Com
manding Officer thereof.
April 9. Refolded, That a warrant issue
on the Treasurer in favour of the Honourable
the Supreme Executive Council of the Stare of
Pennsylvania, on the application of the Legis
lature of the said Stare, for 2,000,000 of dol
lars, for which the said State is to be account
able, with interest at fix per cent, per annum.
April 12. Congress took into consideration
a report from the Committee on the treasury of
the §th, and thereupon,,
Refolded, That the three Commissioners for
dellroying Bills of Credit to be taken out of
circulation by order of Congress, be allowed
on every hundred dollars so destroyed, two
ninetieth parts of a dollar, to be equally di
vided between them.
The following Gentlemen are nominated as
proper persons to be appointed Commissioners
for dellroying the Bills to be taken out of cir
culation, viz.
Andrew Doz, by Mr. Paca,
John Shee, by Mr. Atlec,
Hugh Montgomery, by Mr. Witherspoon.
Congress by general consent proceeded to
an election ; and the ballots being taken,
Andrew Dez, John Shee, and Hugh Mont
gomery were elected.
Refolded, that the L%n Office Certificates
which may issue for prizes of the third class of
the Lottery of the United States, shall bear an
interest of fix per cent, per annum, any reso
lution to the contrary notwithstanding.
Aprilif The Committee appointed to
confider what farther measures are necessary
for the defence of South-Carolina and Georgia,
report :
" That the fubjeds of the Moll Christian
King residing in South-Carolina have offered
to form a corps of volunteers for the defence of
the said State, to be commanded by officers of
their own nation; that the said offer is ap
proved by the Miniller of France, and that the
Marquis of Britigny requests to be appointed
to thcfommand." Whereupon
Refolded, That Congress have a high sense
of the off-r made by the fubjctls of his Most
Christian Majesty, refidingin South-Carolina,
to incorporate themfelyes for the defence of the
said state, and that the fame be accepted.
Refolded, That the Marquis or Britigny, who
from his generous faprifices, from his great
fufFerings, and from his military abilities is
intitled to the regard of the United States,
appears from his military talents, rank and
abilities, to be a proper person to command
the said corps, and that he be accordingly re
commended to the Governor of South-Caro
lina.
April 14. It being represented to Congress
that the General Assembly of the State of
Massachusetts Bay have authorifed and direct
ed the Board of War of the said State to pur
chase flour and grain for the use of the inha
bitants thereof, who are greatly distressed by
the want of bread;
Refolded, That it be and hereby is recom
mended to the Executive Powers of the States
of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylva
nia, New Jersey, and New-York, to permit
the exportation of such flour and grain as has
been or may be purchased within the said Rates
refpe&ively, under the direction of the said
Board of war, if authorifed as aforefaid.
April 1;. Congress resumed the considera
tion of the report of the Committe appoint
ed to take into consideration the foreign affairs
of these United States, and also the condu& of
the late and present Commissioners of these 4
States, wherein the Committee report,
iff, That it appears to them that Doßor
Franklin is Plenipotentiary for these States at
the Court of France, Doctor A. Lee Commissi
oner for the Court of Spain, Mr. William Lee
Commissioner for the Courts of Vienna and
Berlin, Mr. R. Izard Commissioner for the
Court of Tufcary; that Mr. J. Adams was
appointed one of the Commissioners of the
Court of France in the place of Mr. Deane,
who had been appointed a joint Commissioner
with Duftor Franklin and Do^or A Lee, but
that the said comm flion of Mr. Adams is su
perseded by the plenipotentiary commission to
Doctor Franklin.
2d, That it is the opinion of the Committee
that Ministers PlenipotentiaryXfor these States
are only necessary for the present at the Courts
of Versailles and Madrid.
3d, That in the course of their examination
and enquiry they find many complaints against
the said Commissioners and the Political and
Commercial Agency of Mr. Deane, which
complaints, with the evidence in fapport there
of, are herewith delivered, and to which the
Committee beg leave to refer.
4th, That suspicions and animosities have
arisen among the said Commissioners, whjch
may be highly prejudiced to the honor and
interest of these United States.'
sth, That the appointments of the said
Commiffionefs be vacated,-and that new ap
pointments be made.
6th, That there be but one Plenipotentiary
Miniiler or Commifijoner for these United
States at a foreign court.
yih, That no Plenipotentiary Minister or
Commissioner for these United States while
he arils as such, shall exercise any other public
office.
Bth, That no person be appointed Plenipo
tentiary Minister or Commissioner for these
United States who is not a citizen thereof,
and who has not a fixed and permanent inter
est therein.
9th, That fit and proper ,persons be ap
pointed to fettle arid adjust Mr. Deane's pub
lic accounts, and the public accounts of all
other persons who have tranfarited the com
mercial affairs of these States in France.
10th, That each of the Plenipotentiaries,
Ministers and Commissioners, who now is or
has been, or may be, appointed, be allowed
at the rare of
per annum.
The House having on the former days,
when the report was under debate, agreed to
the firft and second articles thereof, and hav
ing also read the third article and the papers
therein referred to, a motion was this day
made by Mr. G. Morris and seconded by Mr.
Drayton,
" That the Members of this House who
may have any papers or evidence in their pos
session relative to the said report, do lay the
fame upon the table."
On the qaeilion put,
Resolved in the affirmitive.
Congress proceeded to confider the fourth
article in the report, when a motion was made
by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Carmi
chael, to ttrike out the words " which may
be."
After debate thereon,
Adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow.
April 17. The delegates of South-Carolina,
to whom was referred the letter of the 7th of
March from Major General Lincoln, brought
in a report, which was taken into considera
tion, and thereupon Congress came to the fol
lowing resolution.
Whereas it appears from the report of the
Committee appointed to confer with Major
Mead, Aid de Camp to Major General Lin
coln, Commanding Officer in the Southern
Department, that he is in such an ill state of
health as that his continuing longer in that
warm climate may endanger his life :
Resolved, That the said Major General Lin
coln be permitted to retire from the command
of the southern army, and join the army under
General Walhington, that the public may
avail itfelf of his services in a climate more fait
able to his constitution when his health will
admit of it.
PHILADELPHIA, May 22.
Extras of a letter from Thomson Mdfon, to the
Prefdent of Congress, dated Leefurg, May 17.
" My son, who is immediately from Hamp
ton informs me, that about forty fail of the
enemy appeared in Hampton Road on Sunday
the 9th instant. On Monday they attacked
our fort at Portsmouth, where Major Mathews
commanded with 150 men. They were re
pulsed. They renewed their attack on Tues
day morning, but the fort was gallantly de
fended till four in the afternoon, when per
ceiving that the enemy had landed a great
number of men and were marching round to
attack it on the land fide, Maj. Mathews spiked
up his cannon, destroyed his (lores, burned
three fine (hips of war we had on the flocks
there, and marched off. A small party of thir
ty of the enemy, who had marched up to
Great Bridge, were intercepted by the militia,
14 killed and 16 taken prisoners. The enemy
have with them three thousand men only; and
I have the pleasure to inform yout that the mili
tia of the lower counties are turningout with
great alacrity." Published by order ofCongrefs,
Charles Thomson, Secretary.
Theatre Royal.
This Evening, being May gift,
Will be presented
The TRAGEDY of the
Fair Penitent,
With the Farce of the
Upholsterer.
N. B. The characters by the Gentlemen of
the Army.
Tickets to be had at Messrs. Rivington's
Gaire's and Robertson's, Printers ; at the'
CofFee-houfe ; and at Mr. Pettit's; next door
to the Theatre.
Boxes and Pit Bs. Gallery 4s. No money
will be taken at the door.
Ladies and Gentlemen are desired to fend
servants to keep their places at half past four
to prevent mistakes.
Pivant Rex ^ Retina.
OF the very best fort, in firkins, to be fold by
REMSEN and COWENHOVEN, at their
store.
CASTO R OIL,
OF excellent quality, j^ft received from the Weft
-Indies, and to be (old by WILLIAM
STEWART, in Q^een-ftreet, oppefite the Fly-
Market.
THIS DA Y,
Will be fad at the Ceffee-houfe,
A large Y AWL, clinker built,
3 Carriage guns, 1 cable 9 1-2
inch, 1 do. 7 1-2, with 100 new
muskets and bayonets in a lot.
by P. M"Davitt.
N. B. A few firkins of Irish BUT
TER, just imported, to be fold by
P. M'Davitt.
- j'u~s™r ittpo rte~d; -
And to be fold, THIS DAY, at eleven o'clock,
At Mr. M'Davitt's Store-House,
} Near the C< ff e House,
A Great choice of chintz copper-plate and printed
linens, fine white linens ; likewise a new in
vented Gained liren of different colours, exceedingly
handsome, light summer corduroys, ccrdreels, jeans,
buff durants, thickfos, with great choice of Man
chester silks, all of the latest filhions, and properly
calculated for the summer's dress, a small quantity
of velvet, unbleached wide linen, linen and cotton
checks, linen and rouflin handkerchiefs, cotton and
book handkerchiefs, ladies evei lading shoes, gent c
mens afbmbly shoes, strong welts, double turn'd
pumps, ready made fuftim suits of cloaths, ditto
check drifts, huckeiback towels, and pattern waist
coats ; likewise, to be fold, a repeating watch, also
? v^ry °<vd fop wa+ch.
10-MuRRUW, at l o'clock, at the &ercvants
Coffee Hsufe,
The Prize POLACRE SHI?
St. ANTONIO,
As ffie row lies opposite the Queen's Head-
Tavern, Brownjohn's dock,
Patrick M"Davitt.
Tomorrow Also,
At it o'clock, mill be fold at the Coffee-Houfe,
A Cargo of Prize F LOUR,
Just arri v'd.
P.M“D \VITT.
Fv-MuRkOW, Likewise,
kHill be fold at 1 o'Cloch at the Coffee-Houfe,
The Prize Brig SPEEDWELL,
Now lying at Hall t's-Whaiff.
By P. M“DAVITT.
On Wedne/day, at one o'clock, will be
fold, at the Coffee-Houfe,
The Schooner FANNY,
.Prize to the Snow Vengeance, and Sloop
Who-would-have-thought it, an exceeding
good vessel, and well found, now laying at
the wharff below the Coffee-Houfe. Invento
ry to be seen at
P. M'Davitt's Office.
Publick Auction, this Day,
(If fair Weather, or the firft fair Day after)
On Bro-wnjohn's Wharf,
Will begin at lx o'Clock, arid continue from Day to
Day, until the whole is fold, by
Taylor and Bayard,
180 HogjheaH of choice Virginia Tobacco,
§O9 Tierces of Rice,
33 C^ftj of Indigo.
Opfo/s e ;/f Cofee-boufe Bridge, between
11 and 12 o'clock, 'will be fold,-
40 Barrels fre/h ricur,
A few Half Barrels Neat's Tongues,
Ditto of Beef, \
4 Bales of Hops,
For private Sale, at their Store,
^ few Barrels of ice cwt. each, of the very
oefl Gun-powder. a£.i2 10 per Hundred.
Public Auction,
—^^^flNGLlSf
At his Licensed Auction Room, No. 940, in
Water-street, near the Fly-market, To
morrow, at 10 o'clock, will begin the sale
of
STRIPED Hollands, checks, bed ticken, fine
frith linnen, breeches patterns of many forts,
fine and middling fhii ts, pocket hand erchufi, gauze
handkerchiefs and aprons, Huff sh es, threads, silk
hose, trimmed hats, hair powder, & c . a few ni@e
silver lace, jewellery, hard ware, &'.
Private Sale, prime Role BUTTER.
A Neat assortment of BOOTS, BOOT-LEGS,
SPATTERDASHES, and SHOES; jutt
imported from London, and to be fold by the dozen
or larger quantity, by PETER GOELRT, ar the
Golden Key, in Hanover-Square, together with many
other articles.
- MTCHAEL PRICE?'
At No. 15, Wall-street, has for sale the following
articles,
BRoad cloatbs of various colours, German serges,
rattinets, thalloons, durants, and tamies, Ve
netian poplins, and Denmaik letters, Irish linens,
from ißd. to 5 s. 3d. per yard, Irish Meetings, dow
hfes, Drogheda linens and forlix, ofnaburgs, vitcry
Ruflia toweling, low priced checks, chik, cotton
and linen handkerchiefs, lawns, gawzes, cainbii^ks,
catgut, flowered lattins, and modes of diff r:ro co
lours, tewing fiks, tlueads, binding, linked brick
and white Dutch lace, fine and coarse cMlor-aml fit
hats, silk hole, soldiers shirts, a quantity of keit
white thread hose, well adapted for the army, Jesuits
bark in the quill in large cases, ditto puvrriz?d in
bottles, brown sugars and coffee, in hogthrads, tierces
and barrels, indigo by the calk or cwt. mould' ami
dipt candles in boxes, soap in boxes, together with
a quantity of choice four and teas, imported in the
ship Mars, from London, with many other articles,
too tedious to mention, which be will dify^fe of on
good terms for cash, or short ciedit.
SO L D,
A ST ORE-HOUSE, back of Mr. John
Ricker's, at Burling's Slip, and now
rents for §ol. per annum. The lot is 45 feet
long, and 20 front. For terms apply to Wil
liam Tallman,, at Peck's Slip. A good title
will be given,,