The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-04-25 00:00:00, page 1

To the Friends of our American Army.
ffi^^*^^& R A N CE declares foe will
&s^s^°^ not afhft the American colo-
Q g ^o^s § § nies until they dissolve their
F § connexion with Great-Bri
« $ ^^^ 1» tain. Should that event take
'^.fooco^^^f place, France would proba
°^ '^^ ^^^^^ bly involve England in a
war in Germany. America was conquered in
that country in the last war. In the prefect
war ihe might in the fame country be restored
to liberty." The whole of the troops sent by
England to America (where so much was at
£ake) did not amount to Igooo men. The co
lonies at one time had 25000 in pay, who bore
the heat and burden of the war, but mated in
no part of its glory 01 advantages. Americans
beware of reconciliation ! Yecan protect your
fclves.
-G=== ==— ==9.
To the Friends of our American Navy.
AN exact lift of the number of men em
ployed in the Provincial ships and priva
teers during the lull war in America.
Nova-Scotia, - - 300
Mahachufetts-Bay, - - 2300
New-Hampshire, - - s°o
Rhode-lfland, - 6 1500
Connecticut, - - 900
New-York, - - 1200
Pennfylrania, - - 1060
Maryland, Virginia, and theother South
ern colonies, - - 1000
8760
B sides these many of the merchantmen, who
were letters of marque, carried from titteen to
forty sailors.
When we add to these the number of Ame
rican sailors who were preyed in the beginning
of the war, to man the sglifh fleet,fhe propor
tion of sailors belonging^ the continent, would
not amount to Lfs than 12000 or 14000. The
trade of America at the commencement of the
present war with Great-Britain being one third
at least greater than it was at the conclusion of
the lift war with France, the number of sailors
in America mud have ' encrerfed in the fame
proportion. It is true, many of the men who
manned our privateers were landsmen, but as
the fame objeds, namely PRIZES, are held out
at present, as were in the last war, and as there
is now added to these, the glory of establishing
the freedom of the colonies, there is reason to
prefume„a greater proportion of landsmen will
embark in the present war by sea, than in any
former one. Twenty thoufarid men employed
in Grips of suitable force, would be (Efficient to
guard our coasts and trade against all the navy
that Britain could spare from her harbours, and
foreign dominions, to moled us. And Ameri
ca can spare that number of men for the pur
pose, without impoverishing her land forces, or
without putting a check to her agriculture or
manufactures.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 17 s. per Ct.
AWheaten Loaf ofthefineft FLOUR, to
weigh i lb. 11 1-2 oz. for 4 Coppers.
Published Marcb 18, 1776.
Mr. Printer,
IT is' said the Duke of Grafton is one of the
Commissioners who is on his way to Ameri
ca. That our country,nen jnay know how
fir to confide in him, I beg you would publish
the following extracts from his character by Ju
nius.
" In America we trace you from the firft op
pofition'to the Stamp-ad, on principles of con
venience; to Mr. Pitt's surrender of the right ;
then forward to Lord "Rockingham's surrender
of the fad; then back again to'lord Rocking
ham'. declaration ofthe right; then forward to
taxation with Mr. Townshend, and, in the lafl
instance, from the gentle Conway's undetermin
ed diferetion to blood, and compulsion with the
Duke of Bedford."
66 You know, my Lord, there is not a man in
either house, whose character, however flagiti
ous, would not be ruined by mixing his repu
tation with yours."
“ You began with betraying the people, you
conclude with betraying the King."
" Retire then, my Lord, and hide your
blushes from the world, for with such a load of
frame, even black may change its colour."
“ Yet, for the benefit es the succeeding age',
VO L. I. , NUMB 17.
THE
- T HE
A D V ERTI S E R.
a H U K. 3 v a 1, ^^^^^^^APRlL 25th, 1776.
Printed by SAMUEL LOUDON, in Water-Street, between the Coffee-House and the Old Slip.
Thursday, 16 Min. after 3
Friday, 6 Min. after 4,
Saturday, 52 Min. after 4
Sunday, 28 Min. after 5/
commander and other officers, the number of
the crew, and the quantity of provilions and
warlike floras ; which writing shall be delivered
tQ the Secretary of Congress, or to the Clerk of
the House of Representatives, Convention or
Council or Committee of Safety of the colony
in which the ship or vessel shall be, to be trans
mitted to the said Secretary, and shall be regis
tered by him. And that the commander of the
ship or vessel, before the commission or letters of
marque and reprisal may be granted, shall, toge
ther with fufricient furetics, seal and deliver a
bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars, if
the veiTel be of one hundred tons, or under, or
ten thousand dollars, if of a greater burthen,
payable to the I'refident of the Congress, in trust
for the use of the United Colonies, with condi
tion in form following, to wit.
" The condition of the above obligation is
such, that if the above bounden
who is commander of the
called belonging to
of / in the colony of
mounting carriage guns, and navigat
ed by men, and who hath applied
for a commission or letters of marque and repri
sal to arm, equip and set forth to sea the said
as a private ship of war, and to make captures of
British vessels and cargoes, shall not exceed or
transgress the powers and authorities which shall
be contained in the said commission, but flrall in
all things observe and conduct himfelf, and go
vern his crew by and according to the fame,
and certain inftruaions therewith to be deliver
ed, and such other inftruaions as may hereafter
be given to him ; and shall make reparation for
all damages fuflained by any mifeondud or un
warrantable proceedings of himfelf, or the offi
cers or crew of the said then this o
• bligation, flrall be void, or else remain in force.
" " Sealed arid delivered
in the presence of."
Which bond shall be lodged with the said Se
cretary of Congress.
I could wish that your retreat might be defer
, red until your morals {hall be happily ripened
to that maturity of corruption, at which, philo
sophers tell us, the worst examples cease to be
contagious."
INSTRUCTIONS to the Commanders
of private ships or velfels of war, which shall
have commissions or letters of marque and
reprisal, authorising them to make captures of
British vessels and cargoes.
First, You may by force of arms attack and
subdue, and take all fliips and other vessels be
longing to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, on
the high seas, or between high water and low
water marks, except ships and veflels bringing
performs, who intend to fettle and reside in the
United Colonies, or bringing arms, ammunition
or warlike stores to the said colonies, for the
use offuch inhabitants thereof as are friends to
the American cause, which you shall funer to
pass unmolested, the commander thereof permit
ting a peaceable search, and giving fatisfa&ory
information of the contents of the lading and de
stinations of the voyages.
Secondly, You may, by force ts arms, at-
PHILADELPHIA.
In CONGRESS, April 3.
RESOLVED, That blank commilhons for
private ships of war and letters of marque
and reprisal, signed by the President, be sent to
the General Assemblies, Conventions and Coun
cils, or Committees of Safety of the United Co
lonies, to be by them filled up and delivered to
the persons intending to fit out such private
ships of war for making captures of Britilh ves
sels and cargoes, who shall apply for the fame
and execute the bonds, which lull be sent with
the said commissions, which beads shall be re
turned to the Congress.
Resolved, That every person intending to let
forth and fit out a private flip or vessel of war,
and applying for a commission or letter of
marque and reprisal for that purpose, shall pro
duce a writing fubferibed by him, containing
the name and tonnage or but then of the ship or
vedel, the number of her guns, with their
weight of metal, the name and place of resi
dence of the owner or owners, the names of the
HIGH WATER at NEW-YORK.
I Monday, 14 Min. after 6
iTuefday, 56 Min. after 6
IWednefday, 40 Min. after 7
/ First Quarter 25th.
Fourthly, Yen, or one of your chief officers,
shall bring or fend the master and pilot, or one
or more principal person or persons of the com
pany of every ship or vessel by you taken, as
soon after the capture as may be, to the judge
or judges of such court as aforefaid, to be exa
mined upon oath, and make answer to the in
terrogatories which may be propounded, touch
ing the interest or property of the ship or vessel,
and her lading, and at the fame time you shall
deliver, or cause to be delivered to the judge or
judges, all passes, fea-briefs, charter parties, bills
of lading, letters, cockets, and other documents
and writings found on board, proving the said
papers by the affidavit of yourfelf or of some
other person present at the capture, to be pro
duced as they were received, without fraud, ad
dition, fubduftion, or embezzlement.
Fifthly, You shall keep and prefers every
ship or vchel and cargo by you taken, until they
shall by sentence of a court properly authorized
be adjudged lawful prize, not felling, spoiling,
wafting or diminishing the fame, or breaking
the bulk thereof, nor fuffering any such thing
to be done.
Si kthly, If you or any of your officers or crew
shall in cold blood kill or maim, or by torture
or otherwise cruelly, inhumanly, and contrary
to common usage and the practice of civilized
nations in war, treat any person or persons fur
prized in the (hip or vessel you shall take, the
offender flrall be severely punished.
Seventhly, You shall by all .convenient speed
fend to Congress written accounts of the cap
tures you shall make, with the number and
names of the captives, copies of your journal
from time to time, and intelligence of what may
occur to be discovered concerning the designs of
the enemy, and the destinations, motions, ope
rations of their fleets and armies.
Eighthly, One third, at least, of your whole
company, shall be landsmen.
Ninthly, You shall not ransom any prisoners
or captives, but shall dispose of them in such
manner as the Cangrefs, or if that be not fitting,
in the colony whether they shall be brought, as
the General Aflembly, Convention, or Council
or Committee of Safety, of such colony shall di
re&.
Tenthly, You shall observe all such further
inftrudions as Congress shall hereafter give in
the premises, when you shall have notice there
of.
Eleventhly, If you shall do any thing contra
ry to these inftruaions, or to others hereafter
to be given, or willingly fuffer such thing to be
done, you shall not only forfeit your commission,
and be liable to an adion for breach of the
condition of your bend, but be responsible to
the party grieved, for damages sustained by such
malverfation. b
Extradl from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
Serious QUESTIONS, addressed to the Con
gress, and all other Legislative bodies in A
merica..
I.^O not the tyrants of Europe think they
have a right to dispose of their fubje£ts
in the fame manner that a farmer in this coun
try disposes of his live-stock?
2. Have not the inhabitants of Poland been
divided between Austria, Prussia and Russia
without their consent?
3. Did not the. court of Spain lately exchange
St. Domingo for Louisiana---and were not ma
ny of the French fubjefts in the latter country
imprisoned and put to death,for refufing to sub
mit to the Spanish government?
4. Did not the Genoefe fell Corsica to the
court of France, and has xwt France (after ma-
tack, subdue and take ships and other vessels
whatsoever, carrying, soldiers, arms, gunpow
der, ammunition, provilions, or any other con
traband goods, to any of the British armies or
ships ofWar employed against these colonies.
Thirdly, You fliall bring such ships and ves
sels as you shall take with their guns, rigging,
tackle, apparel, furniture and ladings, to some
convenient port or ports of the United Colo
nies, that proceedings may thereupon be had
in due form, before the Courts which are or
shall be there appointed to hear and determine
causes civil and maritime.
Wheat per Bushel, ss. qd.
Flour, - - -16 s. od.
Brown Bread, - 143. od.
Weft-India Rum, 6s. od.
New-England do. 4s. od.
PRICE-CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 70s. od.
Single refin'd do. is. 3d.
Molasses, - --3 s. 6d.
Beef, per Barrel, 60s. od.
Pork, - - -80 s. od.
23. Considering the perfidy and'obflinacy of
the King, is not a declaration of independence
of the crown as just a measure no r w, as a declara
tion of an independence upon the parliament
was some years ago ?
24. Is it not noiv equally necessary to our se
curity and happiness?
25. Will it not be just, therefore, hereafter to
contound the- folly and fate of those who oppose
the former, with those who have opposed the
latter?
10. Suppose France should grow weary jn
likening to our Lining criesafter our Mother.
Country, and instead of striking a blow to
draw off the British armies and fleet fiom cur
coasts, should accept of Canada as a condition of
neutrality, and upon condition of her conquer
ing it?
11. Suppose the southern colonies should be
offered to Spain, on condition of her neutrality,
or abidance in the reduction of them?
12. Suppose the campaign of 1777 Should
open with Ruffian, French, British and Spanilh
armies on our coasts, what would be our Situa
tion ?
13. Is there any time in which a nation or
people can form alliances, or declare themselves
free, to greater advantage, than when their af
fairs are in a prosperous condition?
14. Should the American colonies neglect the
present critical moment of asserting and secur
ing their freedom, is it not probable that a few
months will put it out of their power of doing
it for ever?
15. What must we think of those men who
use their influence in assemblies, and in the
Congress, to obtain colony inftrußicns to pre
vent the delegates from assenting to the only
poilible measure that can save the colonies from
ruin?
16. Will not all the blood that shall be shed
in America, after the next dx months, lie at
their door?
17. Are not all inffruAions to oppose mea
sures leading to independence big with as much
folly as mifehief?
18. Does not every measure of the Congress,
except submission, lead directly or indirdaiy to
independence?
19. Considering that we are now totally in
dependent of Great Britain in every aft of go
vernment, whi not the inftrudtions of our As
semblies convey to the Court of Britain and tha
other European courts, ideas of the basest
Hypocrisy in the colonies ?
20. If it mould be difeovered next fall that a
declaration of independence this spring would
have terminated the war, or removed it from,
our borders, what will be the feelings of these
men who oppose it by provincial inftrudions?
21. Will their fadious zeal then be called
patriotism, or will their avarice, ambition, and
servility then be characterized by the courtly
phrases of timidity, or weak nerves.
22. Does not the fate of the fugitive or de
serted tories in Boston and New York furniffi a
ufeful lesson to all rulers not to,oppofe the tide
of popular prejudices, and to rely no more upon
the protection of British arms?
ny unfuccefsful attempts to conquer that island)
lince disposed of it to the King of Sardinia?
s°.Do not all parties agree that the court of
Britain will soon find that "it is impossible to sub
due, or govern America by force?
6. Will not mistaken notions of dignity, re
venge, and a despotism rendered furious by dis
appointment, lead the said court to adopt the
partition fbirit of the times, and to divide the
American colonies with the other powers of Eu
rope ?
7. Is it not probable that Russia in refufmg
the twenty thousand she had promised the king
of Britain, is waiting only for an offer of a (bare
of the dominion of the colonies after they are
subdued?
8. Has not Mr. Rigby (one of the abandon
ed junto of St. James's) declared in the House
of Commons, that Canada was a dead weight
upon the empire?
9. Have not the ministry (despairing of the
reduction of the colonies) employed Dean Tuc
ker to prove that the independence of rhe colo
nies would be an immense advantage to Great
Britain ?
Fine Salt, - - . None.
Coarse Salt, - - 3s. qd
Indian Corn, per Bush. 3s. 6d.