The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-10-19 00:00:00, page 1

different colonies, plantations, and provinces, above
mentioned, we now separately make the offeis which
we originally transmitted to the Congress ; and. we
hereby call upon and urge them to meet expressly for
the purpose of considering whether every motive, po
litical as well as moral, (hould not decide their resolu
tion to embrace the occasion of cementing a free and
firm coalition with Great-Britain. It has not been,
nor is it, our with, to seek the obje&s which we are
commiflioned to pursue by fomenting popular di
vilions and partial cabals; we think such condu&
would be ill-suited to the generous nature of the offers
made, and unbecoming the dignity of the King and
the State which make them. But it is both our wish
and our duty to encourage and support any men or
bodies of men in their return of loyalty to our So
vereign, and of affection to our fellow-fubjeas.
Toall others, free inhabitants of this once happy
empire, we also address ourselves. Such of them as
are a&ually in arms, of wh itfoever rank or descripti
on, will do well to recollect, that the grievances, whe
ther real or supposed, which led them into this rebel
lion, have been for ever removed, and that the just
occasion is arrived for their returning to the class of
peaceful citizens. But if the honours of a military
life are become their objed, let them seek those ho
nours under the banners of their rightful Sovereign,
and in fighting the battlesof the United British Em
pire against our late mutual and natural enemies.
To those whole profeffion it is to exercise the
functions of religion on this continent, it cannot sure
ly be unknown, that the foreign power with which
the Congress is endeavouring to conned them, has
ever been averse to toleration and inveterately opposed
tree interests and freedom of the places of worship
which they serve; and that Great-Britain from
whom they are for the present separated, must both
from the principles of her Confutation and of pro-
think it confident either with the duty we owe to our
country, or with a just regard to the characters we
bear, to persist in holding out offers which in our
estimation required only to be known to be most
gratefully accepted : and we have accordingly, ex
cepting only the Commander in Chief, who will be
detained by military duties,refolved to return to Eng
land a few weeks after the date of this Manifesto and
, Proclamation.
Previous however to this decisive step, we are led
by a just anxiety for the great obje&s of our million
to enlarge on some points which may not have been
Diffidently understood, to recapitulate to our/fellow
fubje&s the blessings which we are empowered to
confer, and to warn them of the continued train of
evils to which they are at present blindly and obfti
mately exposing themselves.
To the members of the Congress then, we again
declare that we are ready to concur in all fatisfa&ory
and just arrangements for securing to them and their
refpe&ive constituents, there-establishment of peace,
with the exemption from any impofitian of taxes by
the Parliament of Great-Britain, and the irrevocable
enjoyment of every privilege consistent with that
union of interests and force on which our mutual
prosperity, and the fafety of our common religion and
liberties depend. We again alTeft that the members
of the Congress were not authorized by their consti
tution, either to reje& our offers without the previous
confederation and consent of the several assemblies
and Conventions, their constituents, or to refer us to
pretended foreign treaties which they know were de
lusively framed in the firft infance, and which have
never yet been ratified by the people of this conti
nent. And we once more remind the members of
the Congress that they are responsible to their coun
trymen, to the world, and to God, for the continu
ance of this war, and for all the miseries with which
it must be attended.
To the General Affimblies and Conventions of the
N E W-Y ORK
AND
WEEKLY
Rank and Denomination.
By the Earl of CARLISLE, Sir HENRY
CLINTON, and WILLIAM EDEN, Efg;
Commissioners appointed by his Majefly, in Pur
suance of an Aft of Parliament, made and
sassed in the 18th Year of his Majefly's Reign,
to enable his Majesty to appoint Commifoners to
treat, consult and agree upon the Means of
quieting the Disorders now Jubfifling in certain
of the Colonies, Plantations, and Provinces in
North-America.
HAVING amply and repeatedly made known to
the Congress, and having also proclaimed to
the inhabitants of North-America in general, the
benevolent overtures of Great-Britain towards a re
union and coalition with her colonies, we do not
Monday, October 19, 1778.'
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 355. per Cent.
Published February 2, 1778.
A White Loaf of the fineftFLOUß, to weigh
2 lb. 6 oz. for 14 Coppers, and in the fame
Proportion for Loaves of a lesser Weight,
JAMES ROBERTSON, M. G.
To the Members of the Congress, the Members of
the General Assemblies or Conventions of the
federal Colonies, Plantations and Provinces of
New-Hampfoire, Maffachujetts-Bay, Rbode-
IJland, Conneßicut, New-York, New-Jersey,
Pennsylvania, the three lower Counties on De
laware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina,
South-Carolina, and Georgia, and all others,
PROCLAMATION.
free Inhabitants of the said Colonies, of every
MANIFESTO
Containing the carliefl lattices
AND
0 Printed by HUGH GAINE, at THE BIBLE and CROWN, TN HANOVER-SQUARE.
If however there are any who think that notwith
standing these reafonihgs the indperidence of theco
lonies will in the result be acknowledged by Great-
Britain, to them we answer without reserve that we
neither poss fs nor expert powers for that purpose;
and that if Great-Britain could ever have funk so low
as to adopt such a measure, we should. not have
thought ourselves compellable to be the instruments
in making a concession which would in our opinion
be calamitous to the colonies for whom it was made,
and difgraceful as well as calamitous to the country
from which it is required. And we think proper to
declare that in this spirit and sentiment we have regu
larly written from this continent to Great-Britain.
It will now become the colonies in general to call
to mind their own solemn appeals to Heaven in the
beginning of this contest, that they took arms only
for the tedrefs of grievances, and that it would be
theff wish as well as their interest to remain for ever
connected with Great-Britain. We again ask them
whether all their grievances, real or supposed, have
not been amply and fully redressed; and we infill
that the offers we have made leave nothing to be wish
ed in point either of immediate liberty or permanent
security; If those offers are now rejected, we with
draw from the exercise of a commiflion with which
we have in vain been honoured; the fame liberality
will no longer be due from Great-Britain, nor can it
either in justice or policy be expected from her.
In fine, and for the fuller manifestation as well of
the deposition we bear, as of the gracious and gene
rous purposes of the cornmiffion under which we a&,
we hereby declare, that WHEREAS his Majesty in
pufuance of an a&, made and passed in the eighteenth
,feffiun of Parliament, entitled “ An a& to enable
, his M fcfty to appoint commissioners with Sufficient
powers to treat, consult, and agree upon the means
of quieting the disorders now subsisting in certain of
the. Colonies, Plantations, and Provinces of North-
America" having beep pleased to authoiife and im
power us to grant a pardon or pardons to any num
ber or description of persons within the Colonies,
Plantations, and Provinces of New-HampShire,
Maflachutetts Bay, Rhode-Ifland, Connecticut,
New-Yo k, New-J?rfey, Pennsylvania, the three
lower counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia; And
WHEREAS the good effects of the said authorities and
powers towards the people at large, would have long
since taken place, if a due use had been made of our
firft communications and overtures, and have thus
far been fruftrated only by the precipitate resolution
of the Members of the Congress not to treat with us,
and by their decling to consult with their constitu
ents ; We now in making our appeal to those consti
tuents and to the free inhabitants of this continent
in general, have determined to give them what in
our opinion Should have been the firft object of those
who appeared to have taken the management of their
interests ; and adopt this mode of carrying the said
authorities and powers into execution. We AC
CORDINGLY HEREBY GRANT AND PROCLAIM
A PARDON OR PARDONS OF ALL, AND ALL
MANNER OF, TREASONS OR MISPRISIONS OF
TREASONS, BY ANY PERSON OR PERSONS,
OR BY ANY NUMBER OR DESCRIPTION OF
PERSONS WITHIN THE SAID COLONIES
teftantifm be at all times the best guardian of religious
liberty, and molt disposed to promote and extend it.
Toall thof: who can estimate the blessings of peace
and its influence over agriculture arts and Commerce,
who can feel a due anxiety for the education and
establishment of their children, or who can place a
just value on domestic security, we think it fufficient
to observe that they are made by their leaders to
continue involved in all the calamities of war without
having either a just objeft to pursue, or a subsisting
grievance which may not instantly be redressed.
But if there be any persons, who, divested of mis
taken resentments, and uninfluenced by felfifh inte
rests, really think that it is for the benefit of the
colonies to separate themselves from Great-Britain,
and that so separated they will find a constitution
more mild, more free, and better calculated for their
prosperity than that which they heretofore enjoyed,
and which we are impowered and disposed to renew
and improve; with such persons we will not dispute
a portion which seems to be fufficiently contradicted
by the experience they have had. But we think it
right to leave them fully aware of the change which
the maintaining of such a position must make in the
whole nature and future conduct of this war; more
especially when to this position is added the pretended
alliance with the court of France.---The Policy as
well as the benovolence of Great-Britain have thus
far checked the extremes of war when they tended to
distress a people still considered as our felloW-fubjeCts,
and to desolate a country Shortly to become again a
source of mutual advantage : But when that country
profeffes the Unnatural design not only of estranging
herfelf from us but of mortgaging herfelf and her re
fourcesto our enemies, the whole contest is changed;
and the question is, How far Great-Britain may by
every means in her power destroy or render useless a
connexion contrived for her ruin-, and for the aggran
dizement of France. Under such circumstances the ;
laws of felf-prefervation must direst the conduct of
Great-Britain, and if the British colonies are to be
come an accession to France, will direct her to render
that accession of as littleavail as possible to her enemy.j
Monday, 38 Min. after 8
Tuesday, 20 Min. after 9
Wednesday, 2 Min. after 10
Thursday, 46 Min. after ro
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
. Mt^l^
--4&^^^
Friday, 32 Min. after 11
Saturday, 19 Min. after 12
Sunday, 4 Min. after 1
New Moon to-morrow.
THE
And we think proper farther to declare, that no
thing herein contained is meant, or Shall be construed
to let at liberty any person or persons, now being a
prisoner or prisoners, or who during the continuance
of'this rebellion Shall become a prisoner or prisoners.
' 'And we offer to the colonies at large, or separate
ly, a general or separate peace, with the revival of
their antient governments secured against any lu
ture infringements, and protected forever from tax
ation by Great-Britain. And with refpeCt to such
farther regulations, whether civil, military, or com
mercial, as they may wish to be framed and eftablfh
ed, we promise all the concurrence and assistance that
his Majesty's commission authorifes and enables us
to give.
And we declare that this Manifefto and Proclama
tion Shall continue, and be in force Forty Days
from the date thereof, that is to fay from the thiid
day of Oftober, to the Eleventh Day of November,
both inclusive.
And in order that the whole contentsof this Mani
fefto and Proclamation may be more fully known we
Shall direct copies thereof both in theEngliSh and Ge
rman language to be transmitted by Flags of Truceto
the Congress, the General Assemblies or Conventions
of the Colonies, Plantations, and Provinces, and to
several persons both in civil and military capacities
within the said Colonies, Plantations, and Provinces.
And for the further security in times to come of the
several persons or numbers or descriptions of persons
who are or may be the objects of this Manifesto and
Proclamation, we have set our hands and fals to
thirteen copies thereof, and have transmitted the lame
to the Thirteen Colonies, Plantations, and Provin- 1
ces abovementioned, and we are willing to hope that
the whole of this Manifefto and Proclamation will b,e
fairly and freely published and circulated for the.im
mediate, general, and most serious conside r ation and
benefit of all his Majesty's Subjeds on this Conti
nent. And we earnestly exhort all persons who by
this instrument forthwith receive the benefit of the
King's Pardon, at the fame time that they entertain
a becoming sense of those lenient and affectionate
measures whereby they are now freed from many
grievous charges which might have risen in judge
ment or have been brought in question against .them,
to make a wife improvement of thefituation in which
this Manifefto and Proclamation places them, and
not only to recoiled that a perseverance in the present
rebellion, or any adherence to the treasonable con
nection attempted to be framed with a foreign power,
will, after the present grace extended, be considered
as crimes of the most aggravated kind, but to vie
with each other in eager and cordial endeavours to
secure their own peace and promote and eftabliih the
prosperity of their countrymen and the general weal
of the Empire.
And pursuant to his Majesty's Commission we
hereby require all officers civil and military and all
others his Majesty's loving fubje&s whatsoever to be
aiding and affixing unto us in the execution of this
our Manifefto and Proclamation and of all the mat
ters herein contained.
G IYE Nat New-York, this Third Day of
October, 177^
And we farther declare and proclaim, that if any
person or persons, or any number or description of
persons within the said Colonies, Plantations and
Provinces, now actually serving either in a civil or
military capacity in this rebellion, Shall, at any
time, during the continuance of this Manifefto and
Proclamation, withdraw himfelf or themselves from
such civil or military service, and Shall continue
thenceforth peaceably as a good and faithful fubj°&
or fubjeCts to his Majesty to demean himfelf or
themselves, such person or persons, or such number
and description of persons, fhr.ll become, and be,
fully entitled to, and hereby obtain all the benefits of
the pardon or pardons hereby granted ; excepting only
from the said pardon or pardons every person, and
every number or description of persons, who, after
the date of this Manifefto and Proclamation, Shall,
under the pretext of authority, as Judges, Jurymen,
Ministers, or Officers of civil Justice, be instrumental
in executing and putting to death any of his Maje Sty's
fubjeCts within the said Colonies, Plantations and
Provinces.
St. Croix, Christianstaed, Aug. 22.
By a gentleman arrived here the 14th instant
from the Windward, we have the following.
VERSAILLES.
Copy of a letter from the KING, to Monsieur
Le Coinpe Darbau, dated June 28, 1778.
Monsieur Le Compe Darbau,
T'HE insult offered my flag by one of the
King of England's frigates, against my
frigate the Bella Poule; the taking of my fri
gates La Licorne and La Pallas, and of my
PLANTATIONS, OR PROVINCES, COUNCELL
ED, COMMANDED, ACTED, OR DONE, ON OR
BEFORE THE DATE OF THIS MANIFEST 0
and Proclamation.
CARLISLE (L.S.)
H. CLINTON (L.S.)
Wm. EDEN (L.S.)
By their Excellency's Command,
Adam Ferguson, Secretary.
Wheat per Bushel, its. od.
Flour, 355. od.
Brown Bread, 60s. od.
Welt-India Rum, ss. 6d.
New-England do. 4s. od.
G AZETTE:
THE
MERCUR Y.
PRICE CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufcovado Sugar, 51. 10S.1
Single refin'd ditto, is. gd,|
Molasses, 2s. 6d.
Beef per Barrel, 81. od!
Pork, 81. ios.;
foreign anb Domeflick.
cutter La Coureur, by an English fleet, in
contempt of the laws of nations ; the seizing
on the high seas, and confiscation of ihips, the
property of my fubje&s, against the faith of
treaties; the continued disorder and damage
which that power occasions to the maritime
commerce of my kingdom, and to my Ame
rican colonies, either by her Ships of war or
privateers, whose lawless depredations She
countenances : All these injurious proceedings,
and particularly the insult offered to my flag,
have forced me to fix bounds to the moderation
I had proposed to myfelf to observe, and will
not permit me any longer to suspend the effeds
of my resentment.—The dignity of my crown,
and the protection of my fubjeds oblige me
at last to make reprisals, and to commence
hostilities against the King of Great-Britain:
That my Ships attack and endeavour to take
and destroy ail the Ships, frigates and other
vessels belonging to the King of England,
which they may meet with: And that they
take and destroy in like manner all English
merchant Ships they may meet with: And that
my troops attack, seize and occupy the pos
sessions of his Britannic Majesty.
" I write you this letter to inform you, that
it is my intention that you employ ail the force,
as well by land as by sea, that you have under
your direction, to attack and take the possessi
ons of the King of England, his Ships, fri
gates, and other vessels, as well as all the
merchant Ships belonging to his fubjeds ; and
to that effect, that you exercise, and cause
to be exercised, every kind of hostility autho
rised by the laws of war.
" I am sure of finding in the justice of my
cause, in the valour and dexterity of my ge
neral officers, in the talents and bravery of my
officers, as well by land as by sea ; in the firm
nefs and courage of my troops and sailors, and
in the love of all my fubjeCts—the resources of
which I have so often experienced the good
effects : This being the design of this letter.
I pray God, Count Datbau, to take ,ou into
his holy protection.
(Signed) LOUIS.
(Countersigned) S ARTI N E.
PROVIDENCE, October 3 .
BOSTON, September 28.
An account of the engagement between the
Brest fleet, commanded by Muns. D'OrviL
Jiers, with the English Squadron, command
ed by Admiral Keppel, on the 27th of July,
! 77 8 -
"rHE Amphion returned here on the 28th
at 9 o'clock, having fired 22 broadsides
in the engagement, and reports as follows: —
On the 27th, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon,
the Englilh fleet having come up with ours,
the combat began ; at 4 in the afternoon the
Amphion loft fight of the fleet, having had her
bowsprit, mizen mast and rudder carriedaway,
and being otherwise much damaged ; fne had.
11 men killed and 20 wounded, being no
longer able to work She retired ; Mons. Jillard,
commander of the Refle&e, returned in the
evening of the 28th, being roughly handled,
he had been obliged to return. —The number
killed and wounded in this vefiel was incon
siderable.
This morning (the 29th) signals were made
for all the fleet being in fight. At night, the
Sphynx entered the harbour, towed by a fri
gate, many ships and frigates soon followed.
At three in the afternoon' all the fleet returned,
except the Duc de Burgogne and the Alexan
der, which had been separated from the fleet iri
a gale of wind and thick fog, the evening be
fore the fight.
Mons. D'Orvilliers endeavoured to renew
the combat, but the English had fled during
the night; he kept his ships in a line, and.
proceeded as far as Ufhant, the next morning,
in order to come up with them, but in vain,
they were retired, as 'tis supposed to their
ports, after having been very roughly handled.
The enemy in the engagement made use of
grape and small shot; but this was not of so
much advantage to them as they expeded, for
in general we loft but very few men. Mon
fieurs D'Chaffault, the father and son are both
dangerously wounded, the father in three pla
ces in the shoulder, the son was wounded in
the thigh, which we are afraid must be ampu
tated.
Mons. Biu, Captain of his flag, and Mons.
Boifguehanene, and Mons. Vincelle, Ensign
of the Amphion^ are killed, Mons. D'Croix,
IFine Salt, it. 6d
ICoarfe Salt, is. od
'lndian Corn per Bu. 7s. od
ICoffee, is. gd
IChocolate, 16s. per Do.
[No. 1409]