The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-09-28 00:00:00, page 2

W ILLIA MSBURG, Sept. 23,
General Lee writes from Purryfburg,, of August
i„h, that he is going to break up Enft Florida.
P'reiident Rutledge, in a letter to the Council writes,
that the South Carolinians had destroyed five In
dian towns.in the lower Settlements, and laid waste
fhhr fields (it corn. They have had two skirmish
es, in both of which the Carolinians have been fuc
ccfeful. They suppose they killed between 60 and
70 men.
By letters from Cape Nichola Mole, of the 28th
ult. we learn, that two frigates had lately arrived
at St. Domingo, from France, cohnpleatly manned,
in order to cruize off that island and protect all
American vessels within their limits. Two more
.frigates were daily expelled for the lame purpose.
These four frigates a.re to act in conjunction with
two Spanish frigates, which are Rationed at Porto
Rico, for the protection of all North American vef-,
lels. The Spanilh captains are to pay equal atten
tion to the General of St Domingo's orders as to
thole of the commander at Porto Rico. There is
every appearance of a speedy rupture between
France, Spain, and Great-Britain, as Spain and
Portugal are absolutely now at war.
H A L I F A X, September 6.
Friday fall arrived his Majelty's frigate Milford,
Captain Burr, from a cruize, and brought in a
prize schooner, loaded with fifh and lumber for the
Well India market. Also, the Princess Royal, a
homeward Jamaica fliip loaded with rum, sugar,
and other valuable articles, which having parted
her convoy, fell in (off the Bermuda islands) with
a letter of marque schooner in the American service
of 6 guns, and lome Iwivels, bound to Santa Croix,
who took her and put an ofli.er and 12 men on
board. But after they had her in poffeflion 16 days
ihe fell in with the Milford, in Bolton Bay, who
retook heh; but the prize-master and his men took
to their boat and got 011 shore before the Milford
came up.
BOSTO N, September 12.
Monday and Tuesday last the British tyrant fri
gate Milford, was seen in our bay, and to have two
schooners and a sloop as prizes: She has taken the
Continental privateer Warren, Capt. Burk, and is
continually cruizing between Cape-Cod and Cape-
Ann, that we apprehend ffie will intercept all our
trade. It is hoped that some of the American Fri
gates will come this way, and rid our coast of this
inhuman plunderer.
An authentic LIST of the Naval and Military Force,
in the Province of Nova-Scotia, Augufi 13th,
1776, collided from the bes Authorities in said
Province.
IN the harbour of Halifax, the Milford and Li
verpool frigates, of 28 guns; the brig Hope, of
12 guns; the new sloop of war, fitting out^called
the Albany (late the Rittenhoufe, belonging to
Philadelphia) to carry 16 guns, Mowatt, com
mander.
August 16. Since writing this lift, the Milford
and Liverpool frigates failed, and the 17th, the
brig Hope will fail for Louifbourgh. [And since
mbich (by an honefl JiJherman ) me are informed,
that the Milford frigate is cruising off this coast
again. Look out, cruizers, &cl]
In the town of Halifax, two battalions of marines,
.the whole 900 rank and file, —near 100 invalids, —
12 artillery men, —one company of the 14th regi
4nent of infantry, 47 rank and file,—one company
of the royal Highland emigrants,— 39 rank and
file. fix brass field pieces, 6 and 3 pounders.
Fortifications in the town and suburbs ——a five
sided redoubt about 100 paces W. of the dock
yard — a redoubt on a hill, called Pedley's hill,
about I and half mile N. W. of the Dock yard,—
a redoubt, 4 sides, about 500 paces S. W. of the
dock-yard— a small breastwork on a hill called
Still-house hill, about 40 paces N of the dock-yard,
small block houses to be built in eacli of the above
redoubts— a block house 20 foot by 30 at the
N. W. corner of the dock-yard, and another of
the fame demenfions at the S. W. corner—a small
block house 15 foot by 8 each fide of the dock-yard
gate; the foregoing works had no cannon mounted
August 16th.
A large square breastwork for cannon (almost
finifhed) on the top of Citadel hill, mounting 12 24
pounders, 3 each way. viz. N. E. S. W. the
Eastern fide fronts the harbour; a block house, 40
foot by 60, erecting in said works.
In the county of King's county —part of the roy
al Highland emigrants, confining of 327 rank and
file.
In the county of Cumberland, the regiment of
royal fencible Americans, commanded by Colonel
Gorham, confiding of 272 rank and file (when the
lad accounts came away) but frequent desertions
Ellen their number.
The dock-yard is situate upon low land, a mile
N. by W. of the middle of the town of Halifax sur
rounded with a done wall, 10 foot high, but is
not strong enough to refill the force of a 3-pound
ball.
The Governor of Halifax received the Declaration
of Independency, about four weeks since, but would
not permit the poor dupe of a printer (had he ever
so good a mind) to pudifh any more of it than
barely the lad clause, where it fays, “ We therefore,
the Representatives of the United States of Ameri
ca in General Congress assembled, Do, &c. &c."
And his reason (as we are credibly informed) was
“ because it may gain over to them (the rebels)
many converts; and inflame the minds of his Ma
jedy's loyal and faithful fubjeds of the province of
Nova-Scotia.
Our lad accounts from Halifax fay, that there
are forty fail of vessels, prizes, &c. that they were
in great fright, expecting an attack from our troops
every day; three expresses arrived fuccedively,
with an account of their being at Cumberland, and
having 500 Indians with them, and it was suppo
sed there, about 2000 Americans ; they had, it was
said, cut a road of 90 miles in 3 weeks, through
the woods, from Shepherday to Cumberland; that
the above news came from the mouth of an express
from Col. Gorham, who every moment expe&ed
to be besieged, and wrote to Halifax for fuccours;
and that an Indian (of the St. John tribe) was
executed for damning his Excellency General Wash
ington.
Captain Gill, in a small privateer schooner from
this port, has taken and sent into plymouth, a brig
antine from Antigua bound for Europe, laden with
rum and sugars. ,he was firft taken by a Connec
ticut privateer, but the people role and took her,
allo had her in polßffion three days before Capt. Gill
came up with her.
We hear a privateer from Salem has taken a brig
antine,from Cork, loaded with provisions tor New-
York, and sent her into some port at the Eastward.
We learn from undoubted authority, that the
schooner Sally, Captain Roach, which lately went
from Pifcataqua to Halifax, as a flag with lome
prisoners, was on her arrival there made a prize of
and all the hands put on board a man of war.
Yesterday fe'nnight was sent into this harbour by
the Lce, Captain Waters a floop'from the East
ward, bound for Halifax, laden with cord wood.
We hear that a Inow, laden with rum and lugars,
was carried into Cape Ann lall week,
Enemies to the American States commonly called
Tories, gone and going to Staten Island (the Head
Quarters of the forces of our late King)—viz.
1 homas Brown, Gibb Atkins, William Parker,
Henry Liddle, Andrew Cazneau Nathaniel and
William Coffin, James Henderlon, Andrew Black,
Francis Skinner, Dr. Sullivan ; —Palhley, Taylor;
— Jones (who lately made his escape from Concord
goal) — Sharwin, Sadler, Wm. Hill Baker, Isaac
Clemens, Arch. M'Neil, jun. — Roberts, Jeweller,
Colonel Willard and son, Colonel Lutridge, Gen.
Ruggles and Son. John M'Known, Peter Johon
not, Gregory Townihend, J. Anderton, John
Mansfield, Hawes Hatch, John Phillips Painter;
Dunbar, Bowman, and Codner, Francis Johonnot,
Hugh Gordon, John Patten, Blacksmith, James
Murray, John and Tom Moociy, Barbers, Dupes
Coffins, Clerks to Chamier; John Cross, Leverett
Saltonftall, William Campbell of Worcester, and
Thomas Achinclofs of New-Hampshire. Ebenezer
Bridgham, Jame* Forrest, Captain Beeman, of
Peterfhman (mho piloted the miniferial butchers to
Lexington) Edward Winslow, secretary to the board
of ministerial General officers; Captain Bowen;
— Goldsborough, Wm. Beattie; —Powell, James
Afby — Smith Tinman, Lewis Grant, Joshua Lor
ing, Sheriff, -- Sullivan, Capt. Gilbert, ---Curtis,
David Black, which in our last we called Andrew;
Thomas Apthorp, Rhodi Thayer, John Perkins,
deputy commissary to Chamier; Golonel Gilbert, of
Freetown; Edward Foster. Blacksmith; Josiah Ed
ion, --- Sparhawk, --- Prout, Fishmonger, John
Sargeant, of Salem.
Tories gone to Quebec, from Halifax, viz. Benja
min Mulberry Holmes, peddling rum; Leonard,
Miller; Barto, Ship-Carpenter, all of this town,
and Thomas Foster. of Plymouth.
At a General Court Martial held at Ticonderoga,
the 26th day of July, 1776, by order of the Hon.
Major General Gates.
Colonel POOR, President.
MEMBER S.
The four eldest Colonels, the four eldef Lieut. Colonels,
and four eldest Majors of the Northern Army.
C^APTAIN Wentworth was brought before the
J Court, and accused of “ refuting 10 go on duty,
when regularly warred by the Adjutant of the re
giment to which he belonged.
The Court having considered the evidences were
of opinion, that Captain Wentworth was guilty—
and tentenced him to be cashiered and advertised in
the public papers, as having wilfully neglected his
duty, <with A view of being difeharged the service.
Agreeable to this lenience Jonathan Wentworth,
of Somerfworth, in Stratford County, Nem-Hamp-
Jbire, late Capt. in Col Poor's regiment, is publish
ed to the world as a scoundrel, guilty of neglecting
his duty—evidently with a design of obtaining- a
dilcharge /rom the service of his country A crime
until this day unheard of !
His countrymen it is hoped will treat him with
the contempt merited by so infamous a conduct.
By the General's Order,
JOHN TRUMBULL, Deputy Adjutant
General of the Northern Army.
Head Quarters, Ticonderoga, August 25, 1775.
Captain Waters, in the Lee velkl of war, has
retaken a sloop bound for Halifax, which was late
ly taken off this harbour, by the Milford frigate,
and sent her fafely into port.
W A TERTO W 111,.September 16.
All military commissions bearing date in the year
of the King's reign, were by two laws of this state
to have ceased on the 19th instant, unless altered
in regard to such date &c. But we hear the general
court, to prevent a delay in the present military
movements, is palling a resolve for contituing in
force for a further limited time, all such commissi
ons, the aforefaid Stile notwithstanding,
Last Sunday fe'nnight was taken and carried into
Gouldfborough by two small boats, a brig from
Ireland, bound for Halifax, laden with beef, but
ter, &c. She parted company with 12 other provi
veffels the day on which she was taken, all bound
for the above port.
The firing heard last Saturday morning, was oc
casioned by the fafe arrival of a fine prize ship of
300 tons at Cape-Ann. The contents of her cargo
at present unknown to us.
NEWPOR T, September 16.
1 he sloop , Captain Lever, belonging to
New-York, arrived at Dartmouth last Thursday,
in seven weeks from France, by whom we learn
that American vessels find a very free trade there,
and that the French only waited for a Declaration
of Independence from the country, when they were
determined to Strike lome capital blow.
We learn by the above vessel, that the carpenters
were so closely engaged in the ship yards, she could
not procure a single hand to do one day's work on
her; that Mr. Dean, from the Honourable ihe
General Congress, was at the French court; and
that letters for the Congress from him came in this
veffcl, which were defpatch'ed forward last Friday
morning.
On the 3d of August, Capt. Nathan Bull of this
place, and Mr. Gideon Coggefhall of Middletown,
with 12 other Americans, made their escape from
Halifax in an open boat, in which they came round
Cape Sable, crossed the Bay of Fundy, and arrived
at Beverly on the 14th of August, from whence
Capt. Bull was brought to town by land last Wed
nesday, in a very low state of health, by whom,
and Mr- Coggefhall, we learn, that Halifax was
left without one ship of war; that the whole force
they can raise there, would amount to but 1500
men ; that a little before they came away, a number
of transports arrived from England, which brought
out 300 head of cattle, but 93 of which lived thro'
the passage, and those miserable thin.
Capt Samson, in a brig belonging to Plymouth,
has sent a sloop into an eastern port, loaded with
rum and cotton, bound for Halifax.
Three brigs loaded with rum, sugar and molasses,
arrived in some neighbouring port since our last;
and it is laid the ship loaded with 15,000 bushels of
wheat, taken by the Andrew Doria, is arrived a
little way to the eastward.
By a letter from Gen. Thompson. dated August
5, Quebec harbour it appears that he, and our
men who have been so long in captivity, were about
to be sent to General Howe, to be landed in the
States they belong to.
Last Tuesday a fine large brig loaded with about
240 hogsheads of rum, &c. went up the eall passage;
she was taken by the sloop Revenge, from Swamey,
Captain Samuel Dunn, who was reported to have
been taken.
H A RTFOR D, September 16.
By a gentleman from Albany, since our last, we
are informed that Gen. Schuyler had received in
telligence by express from Gen. Gates at Ticonde
roga, that a heavy firing had been heard at that
place, which continued with some intermissions, for
I'everal days, supposed to be between Gen. Arnold,
at the head of the American fleet on that station,
and a party of the enemy; but as no return had
been made to the Gen. when the express came awav,
no farther particulars have as yet been obtained.'
The handing militia.of this State, together with
the troop of Light Horse, on the eall fide of Con
nedicut river, are ordered to march with the utmost
expedition to Weft Chester, near New-York, where
it is imagined the enemy will make an attempt to
land from Long Iflind.
PHILADELPHIA.
In ASSEMBLY, September 26, 1776.
Refolded, by a majority of tie Members present,
That it is the sacred right of Freemen to give and
grant their own money, and that all taxes levied
without their consent are arbitrary and oppressive.
And that no Freemen can be conftitutionAly re
trained of his Liberty, or be lentenced to any pe
nalties or punifhnQent wbatloever but by the judge
ment of his Peers, and a trial had by a jury of his
country.
Resolved, That the CONVENTION have
derived no authority from the good people of Penn
sylvania to levy taxes and dirpole of their property,
and therefore, that the late Ordinance for impeding
a rate of '1 wenty Shillings per month and Four
Shillings in the pound on the estate of every Non-
Associator is illegal, and the laid sum ought not to
be paid.
Resolved, That the late Ordinance of the Con
vention impowering two or more Justices of the
Peate to imprison tor an indefinite time, at their