The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1779-02-15 00:00:00, page 2

“ The Tory-Free B,otep, who have their
haunts and caves in the pines, and have been
f- some time part a terror to the inhabitants
es this county, have during the course of the
prefect week, met with a very eminent difaf-
Vr. On Tuesday evening last Capt. Benjamin
Dennis, who lately killed the infamous robber
Fagan, with a p^rty of his militia, went in
pursuit of three of the most noted of the Pine-
Banditti, and was so fortunate as to fall in
with them, and kill them on the spot.—Their
ranker are Steuben Bourke, alias Emmons, Ste
aler C's, and Fz, r kiel Williams. Yesterday
they were brought up to this place and two of
t!'em ? it is fail will b? hanged in chains.
This signal piece of service was effected
0 rcuyh the inftrument^lity offobn Fan Kirk,
, 1° was prevailed upon to associate with them
rn purpose to ciferver their plaices, and to
l^ad them into nu r hands, die conduaed
himfe'fwith so much address that the robbers,
:°dcfoecially ths three above-named, who
wc.e the leading v^ains, looked upon bim as
In the moraine of the zgth/of November
Cornel John M'Tntolh, commanding officer
im Fort Morris, received the following from
Lieut. Col. Fufer, commanding a body of Bri
ti(h troops, who had the night before taken
.possession of the upper end of the town of
Sunbury.
Sunbury, Nov. 25, 177^, " o'clock in the
morning.
SIR,
Irot cannot be ignorant that four armies
are in motion to reduce this province;
the one is always under the guns of your fort,
and may be join d when I think proper by Col.
,revolt who is now at the meeting-house.
The refinance you can or intend to make will
only bring deftruflion upon this country. On
the contrary, if you deliver me the fort, which
you command, lay down your arms, and
retrain neuter until the fate of America is
determined, you shall, as well as all the inha
bitants of this parish, remain in the peaceable
possession of your property. Your answer,
which I expert in an hour's time, will deter
mine the fate of this country, whether it is to
be laid in affies, or remain as above proposed.
I am, Sir, your most obedient, &c.
L. V. Fuser, Col. 60 regiment, and
Commander of his Majesty's troops
in Georgia, on his Majesty's service
To Captain Thomas Morris,
Commander of the fort at Sunbury.
On the Outfit ——
P. S. Since this letter is closed, feme of
your people have been firing fcarte/ing Ihot
about the town. lam to inform you, that if
a Hop is hot put to such irregular proceedings,
l ffiall burn a house for every ihot so fired.
This letter was brought into the fort by
Major Lare, who soon returned with the fol
lowing answer, which he delivered to Col.
Fufer.
Fort Morris, Nov. 25, 1775.
SIR,
WE acknowledge we are not ignorant that
your army is in motion to endeavour to
reduce this state; we believe it entirely chi
merical that Colonel Prevoft is at the meeting
heufe; but should it be so, we are in no degree
apprehensive of danger from a junction of his
army with your's. We have no property, com
pared with the cbjed we contend for, that we
value a rulh, and would rather perish in a vigo
rous defence than accept of your proposals.
We, Sir, are fighting the battle of America,
and therefore disdain to remain neuter till its
fate is determined.—As to surrendering the
fort, receive this laconic reply—COME AND
TAKE IT.
Major Lane, whom I fend with this letter,
is direfled to fatisfy you with refpe& to the
irregular loose firing, mentioned on the back
of your letter.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, your most obedient, &<.
John M'lntosh, Lieut, Col.
of the Continental troops.
Lieut. Col. L. V. Fuser,
Of his Britannic Majesty's troops in Georgia.
About half past eleven o'clock, A. M. Major
Lane returned, after having fignified to Col.
Fufer, tha- the loose firing complained of was
intended to prevent the Britifli troops from
plundering the town ; and as to his threatening
to burn a house for every shot, the Major
remonstrated to Col. Fufer, that such a proceed
ding would be rather savage and inhuman ;
but if he was determined to do it —in order to
convince them how little we were to be deterred
by such threats, as soon as he burnt a house
at one end of the town, we would apply a
torch to the other, and let the flames meet by
a mutual conflagration.
TRENTO N, January 27.
Extras of a letter from Monmouth, Jan. 23,
1 77 8 -
“ On the loth day of December last at fix
o'clock in the morning, the armed sloop Three
friends, was cast away on the Long Beach
near Barnagat. A number of people from the
ffiore went to their afliftance, and saved all
the men, but one that was drowned. She
was, from Cape Nichola Mole, bound to Phi
ladelphia, laden with i6go Bushels of salt,
40 hogsheads of Molasses, forae rum and su
gar. She went to pieces in a ftw'hours, and
all was loft except about 160 gallons of rum.
The hands went to Philadelphia—and Captain
Bonnet went on board the sloop Endeavour at
Tom's River, to take his passage home to
Hispaniola, but, unfortunately, on the 25th
oflaft month in the night she parted her cable
and was cast away in the bay, and Capt. Bon
jict, with every foul on board, perilled."
TRENTON, February 3 .
Extrafl of a letter from,Monm&atb Court-house,
fanuarv 29, 1779.
To which Mr. Gerard returned the following
Answer:
Philadelphia, Jan. 14, 177,.
,SI R,
I Have received the letter with which you
honoured me the 13th inst. inclofing me
the resolve of Congress in answer to the repre
sentations I had the honour to make them on
the fifth and tenth.
I entreat you to receive, and to express to
Congress, the great sensibility with which I
felt their frank, noble, and categorical manner
of destroying those falfe and dangerous insinu
ations which might mislead ignorant people,
and put arms into the hands of the common
enemy.
To the King, ray Master, Sir, no proofs
ar?neceffary for the foundation of a confidence
in the firm and conftaat adherence of Congress
to the principles of the alliance; but his Ma
jesty will always behold with pleasure the mea
sures which Congress may taka to preserve in
violate its reputation; and it is from the fame
confederation, I flatter myfelf, he will find my
representations oa the seventh of December,
equally worthy his attention. I am, with rc
fpeft and consideration, Sir, yaur most humble
and most obedient servant,
Whereas it has been represented to this
house by the Hon. Sieur Gerard, minister ple
nipotentiary of France, that “ it is pretented
'the United States have preserved the liberty of
treating with Great-Britain separately from
GERARD.
Published bv order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
In CONGRESS, Jan. 14, 1779.
The Committee to whom was referred the
letter of the 7th of December, 1778, fr@m
the Hon. Sieur Gerard, brought in a report,
which was taken into consideration, and there
upon Congress came to the following refla
tion :
one of the body, kept him cbnftantly with
them, and entrusted him with all their de~
figp.s.
" Van Kirk at proper seasons gave intelli
gence of their movements to Captain Dennis,
who conduced himfelf accordingly. They
were on the eve of setting off for New-York,
to make fate of their plunder, when Van Kirk
informed Captain Dennis of the time of their
intended departure (which was to have been
on Tuafday night last) and of the course they
would take to their boat: in consequence of
which, and agreeable to the directions of Van
Kirk, the Captain and a small party of his
militia planted themselves at Rock-Pond, near
the sea shore, and Ihot Bourke, Weft, and Wil
liams in the manner above related. We were
in hopes at firft of keeping Van Kirk under the
rose, but the secret is out, and of course he
must fly the country, for the Tories are so
highly exasperated against him, that death will
certainly be his fate, if he does not speedily
leave Monmouth. The Whigs are soliciting
contributions in his favour, and from what I
have already seen, have no doubt but they will
present him with a very handsome sum. I
question whether the deftfuftion of the British
fleet could diffufe more universal joy through
the inhabitants of Monmouth, than has the
death of the above three most egregious villains.
A certain John Gibertfon, of the fame groupe
of villains, was killed about three weeks ago,
by a party of the militia, near Tom's River."
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12, 1779-
SI R,
IT is with real fatisfaaion, that I execute the
order of Congress for transmitting to you,
the inclofed copy of an a& of the i ith instant,
on a fubje& rendered important by affeding
the dignity of Congress, the honour of their
great Ally, and the interest ofboth nations.
The explicit disavowal and high disappro
bation of Congress, relative to the publicati
ons referred to in this ad, will, I flatter my
felf, be no less fatisfadory to his most Chris
tian Majesty than pleasing to the people of
these states. Nor have I the least doubt but
that every attempt to injure the reputation of
either, or impair their mutual confidence, will
meet with the indignation and resentment of
both. Ihave the honour to be, Sir, with great
refpea and esteem, your most obedient and
most humble servant, JOHN JAY.
To the Hon. the Sieur Gerard,
Minister Plenipotentiary of France.
In CONGRESS, Jan. 12, 1779.
Congress resumed the consideration of the
publications in the Pennsylvania Packet, of
2d and sth inst. under the title of" Comraon'
“ Sense to the Public, on Mr Deane's Affair,"
of which Mr. T. ^ayne, Secretary to the
Committee for foreign affairs, has acknow
ledged himfelf to be the author'; and also the
memorials of the Minister Plenipotentiary of
France, of the fifth and tenth instant, refped
ing the feid publications; whereupon resolved
unanimously. That in answer to the memo
rials of the Hon. the Sieur Gerard, Minister
Plenipotentiary of his most Chiriftian Majesty,
of the fifth and tenth inst. the President be di
reded to assure the said Minister, that Con
gress do fully, in the clearest and most explicit
manner disavow the publications referred to in
his said memorials ; and as they are convinced
by indisputable evidence that the supplies
Whipped in the Amphitrite, Seine, and Mer
cury, were not a present, and that his most
Christian Majesty, the great and generous ally
of these United States, did not preface his
alliance with any supplies whatever sent to
America, so they have net authorifed the wri
ter of the said publications to make any such
assertions as are contained therein; but, on
the contrary, do highly disapprove of the fame.
Extras from the Minutes,
Charles Thomson, Secr'y.
Public Au&ion,
This DA Y,
At 11 o'clock, at Hallet's wharf, will bs fold,
10 hhds. of choice old spirits,
3 hhds. of eld St. Lucar wine,
8 hhds of loaf sugar,
A quantity es mufeovado sugar, ceffee, canvass,
cottons, and Guinea cloths,
I chelt of bohea tea, and a large quantity @f iron
mongery, by
Thomas Ludl'ow, junior.
A GENEROUS premium will be given
for the whole or half a Few, in St.
George's Chappel —Enquire of Mr. Gaine.
Public Auction.
At HALLET's WHARF,
At Twelve o'Clock To-Morrow,
WILL BE SOLD,
21 Hogsheads of TOBACCO,
6 Calks of belt INDIGO, •
And a few Tierces of RICE.
On THURSDAY next, al the COFFEE-HOUSE,
The Brigantine PATRI OT,
A strong Vessel, of an easy Draft of Water, and
well found in Cables, Anchors, &c. by
REILLY and PERRY,
Liccnfed /luaieneers.
their ally, as long as G^at Britain Gall ngt
have declared war against the king his mailer."
therefore resolved unanimously, That, as nei
ther France or these United States jMAy of
right, so these United States will not, con
clude either truce or peace with the common
enemy, without the formal consent of their
ally firft obtained; and that any matters or
things which may be insinuated or asserted to
the contrary thereof, tends to the injury and
dishonour of the said States.
Extract from the minuses,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
THE Scheon# Hornet, Capt. Douglass
will faiv (Cruize, on Wednesday
the 17th Inst!
OiTt-«r PCSDAY ~ next,
Will be fol,at Public Vendue, at the Merchant's
Cefte-Houfe,
The Sloop yO HN,
Burthen 120 Tons, with all her tackle and ap
parel, as she now Ties at Murray's Wharff. The
Inventory to be seen at 'John Me Adam, and Co's
Office. She is ready for Sea, a prime Sailer, and
well calculated for a Privateer, was formerly com
manded by Edward Drew.
It is, I truss, unnecessary for me to assure you
that the fame care and concern for the happirefs of
m y people, which induced me to endeavour to pre
vent the calamities of war, will make me desirous to
fee a restoration of the blessings of peace, whenever it
can be effe&ed with perfe& honour, and with secu
rity to the rights of this country.
In the mean time, I have not neglected to take
.the proper and necessary measures for disappointing
the malignant designs of our enemies, and also, for
making general reprisals ; and although my efforts
have net been attended with all the success which the
justice of our cause and the vigour of our exertions
leemed to promise, yet the extensive commerce of my
fubje&s has been ptote&ed in most of its branches,
and large reprisals have been made upon the injurious
aggressors, by the vigilance of my fleets, and by the
active and enterprizing spirit of my people.
The great armaments of other powers, however
friendly and sincere their pyofeflioßS, /however just
and honourable their purposes, mult necedariiy en
gage our attention.
It would have afforded me very great fatisfa&ion
to have informed you, that the conciliatory.meafures
planned by the wisdom and temper of PaHiament,
had taken the desired efFea, and brought the troubles
in North America to a happy conclusion.
la this fituatien of affairs, the national honour and
fecuriry call so loudly upon us for the most a&ive ex
ertions, that I cannot doubt of your heartiest con
currence and fuppert. From the vigour ,of your
councils, and the condua and intrepidity of my of
ficers and forces, by sea and land, I flatter myfelf, by
the blcffing of God, to derive the means of vindicat
ing and maintaining the honour of my crown, and
the intsrefts of my people; against all our enemies.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I will order the proper eftim&es for the! service of
the ensuing year to be laid before you, and when you
confider theimportance of the objects for which we are
contending, you will I doubt net, grant me such sup
plies as you ffiall judge receffary for the public service,
and adequate to the present emergency.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
I have, according to the powers vested ie me fsf
that purpose, called forth the militia t® assist in the
interior defence of this country ; and I have with the
greatest and truest fatiefa&ion, been myfelf a witnofs
of that public spirit, that steady ardour, and that
love of the;r country,whichanimate and unite all ranks
of my faitful fubje&s,and which cannot fail of making
yifafe at home, and refpeaed abroad.
° [The above Speech is copied from the New-Jersey
Gazette, dated the leth of February.]
Ma ^i&t^M^^
His MAJESTY'S Most gracious S P EE C II to
both Houses of Parliament.
House 6f* Lords, November 26.
THIS day the King went in the tribal state to
open both Heufes of Parliament ; when
being fcated on the Throne, and the Com
mons by Command attending,he made the following
Speech:i,
M, Lords and Gentlemen,
fHAVE called you together, in a conjunaure
which demands you* molt lerious attention ;
in the time of profound ptace, without pre
tence of provocation or colour of Complaint,
the Court of France hath not forborne to
disturb the publick tranquility in violation
of the faith of treaties and the general rights of so
vereigns, at firft by the clar.dcttiue fcfyy cf arms
and other aid, to my revolted fubjeas tn North Ame-,
rica, afterwards by'avowir g openly ireir Import,
and entering into formal engagements with.the lead
ers of the rebellion, and at length by committing
open hostilities and depredations on nr, f^thOrl fub
jeas, and by an a&ual invasion of my dominions in
America and the Weft-Indies.
DECLA RATION.
%T 7 IL•^EAS the loyal refugees from the |-ro+'
%' W vincr of M.irachuietCs-Bay, ano other too
- , Ifcve futfereu many injuries pad indignities front
rebel 3*in general, and panxulniy b? two i'nhmiuu
a&s of the ufarped government of that province, by
one of which, our pr party is feted and ceniEcAied
for the express purpose of iuppo. ting and nwn,anting
the present rebellion ; and by themoer, cur petfood
are profcribtd, and for ever banithrd fidm our nave
land, never to return under penary of death 1 1 ho
enced by motives of loyalty, zealous so- .0; ^v^
of .his Majesty's service, and adopted p. t
elicit law of nature, we apprehend cuiHlves fuu,
juftified by the laws of God and man, in making 1; :
taliatior.s and repiifals.-----We, therefor, the fnd
Refugees and oilier Loyalists, do hereby declare our
selves die avowed enemies to, and that we will, fiuni
this time commence and carry on holtiiny agmr^
the.rebels and their adherents, that are in oppoti.wri
to our Sovereign Lord the King, his laws and go
vernment. Tis not our intention or delign to involve
the innocent with the guilty; therefore, in any expe
dition or defeent upon the rebels, if, through miltake,
any'peaceful loyal fubje&'s property should be in
jured, the directors of this allocation engage to
make good such damage ; and they hereby offer all
sincere Friends to Government, who are difyofed to
join, a full p micipation'of all the privileges, bem n .
and advantages, that have or may be conferred-'
this determined Band of Loyal Aflbciators.
In behalf of the dieaors, I pledge my faith act
honour for the jraforraanee of the above articles.
- 'GEORGE LEONARD.
Newport, January 18, 1779.
Iff, ^^w^&
Charles Oliver Bruff,
GOLDSMITH and JEWELLER,
At the sign of the Teapot and Tankard, No. 196,
Queen-street, at the Corner of Golden-Hill.
TAOS E- gentlemen of the navy and army, and
0 hers, in want of fwoidr, may be suited with all
forts, silver mounted; cut and taruft, and cutteaox de
chafe, mounted with beautiful green grips, or whatever?
other forms gentlemen may choose;, and li,t-horfe
swords with death's head and croft bones. Ail fort of
silversmith and jewellery work made and mended., Has
for sale, ladies paste buckles, flock and knee buckles,
stone broaches, seals, stone rings, ear-rings, an excellent
fkeleten watch, a variety of stone sleeve buttons, black
ebony, red wood, and buck handle table and deforc
knives, penknives and feiffars; placed shoe, flock and
knee buckles. He has employed a cutler, who makes,
grinds and polishes all forts of work in his way, and
makes scabbards of vellum, parchment, and calf-fkin,
at the shortest notice. Has for sale, fetew drivers and
double worms, it for cur array's use.
N. B. He wants to employ a Lapidary, Jeweller and
Cutler. Razors, lancets, swords, bayonets and dirks
made and mounted ; fleams, /hears, and feifTar, ground §
gum and pistols flocked and mounted in the neatest man
ner, and locks polished with the createft dispatch;
watches repaired and glaffci fitted in. Most money given
for gold, silver, diamonds, ivory-black, ebony, and t:.r
toife /hell.,
N. B. He makes all f orts of uniform- fwerds after
any pattern; liktewife belt plates, silver letters for caps,
Pinchbeck, brass and block tin : Also, a few best Turk
ish sword blades; any gentleman that wants cutbffes for
privateering, may have them at the ihorteft notice, and
•heap of said Bruff.
WANTED as a Housekeeper to a Angle Gen
vV tlemafa, who resides a good deal in tb:
country, a young woman from 18, to 22 or 23 years
&f age, to fuf eriptend a (mail family: A perfob wh^
has had a tolerable education will be preferr'd, as
the gentleman wishes to treat her with a certain deli
cacy not usual to' the generality of servants. Any
one that this may fait, is desired to leave a line ad
dressed to L. L. at Mr. Gaine's, the Printer, where
foe may be waited on, and it will be attended to.
All Gentlemen Volunteers,
V^ ,HO ^:fh to serve his Majesty, in the noted
V« Loyal Battalion of New-Jersey Volunteers,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant
Joseph Barton, for two years," or (Turing the
prefect wanton rebellion, shall on their being muster
ed, and approved of by the Tnfpe&or General, re
ceive TWENTY DOLLARS bounty, and every
thing necessary to compfyt a gentleman Soldier.
The above bounty will he given to those who enter
before the firft day of Ma, next: All who are de
sirous of entering in the above corps, are requeued
to repair to the quarters of the regiment on Staten-
Island, or to Col. Barton's quarters in Dock-street,
No. 330, New-York, where an officer will attend to
receive them.
Public Auction.;.
At the Coffee House, To-morrow,
20 Pieces of Rufia Duck, and
18 Pieces of ofl green Coffee,
By Daniel M'Cormick.
GLASGOW,
rpHE Brigantine JOHN and WILLIAM, lying.
I at the Wlmiff down, from Coentie's Dork.
She is a Ihong fylitd Vessel, about izo Tohs bur
then, well found, and fitted out lor 10 Guns, and
6 Swivels. For Terms apply to PROUDFOOT
and BRYDEN, at their Store opposite to Mr.
Gaine's, where Imr Inventory may be seen.
The Polacre' Ship UNION,
Also to be S OLD,
LYING at the Wallabovght. She is a new Ves
sel, compkatly found, and fitted out ready to
go to Sea, burthen about 160 Tons, apd would with
fame Alterations suit exceedingly well for a Cruise.
For Terms.apply at above,or typt.Wliite on board.
PUBLICK Auction 00 Tuesday next, at the
Bridge l will be fold by John M“Adan>
and Co. a few Calks best white
Spermaceti OIL.