The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1775-01-16 00:00:00, page 1

JUST PUBLISHED,
And to be sold by
HUGH GAIN E,
In Hanover-Square,
Leland's History of Ireland,
FROM THE
INVASION of HENRY 11.
WITH A
PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE
ON THE
Antient State of that Kingdom.
In Four Volumes.
Also just published and to be fold at the fame Place,
Gaine's
Universal Regifler,
Or AMERICAN and BRITISH
KALENDAR,
For the Year 1775 ;
Contents of which are as follow, viz.
THE Kalendar. Royal Family of G. Britain,
and Extent and Situation of England, Scotland
and Ireland. Royal Family, &c. of France and
Spain,---of Portugal, Denmark and Norway, Swe
den, Germany, Poland, Prussia, Ruflia, Sai dinia,
Orange, Italy and Turkey. English Nobility. Scots
Nobility. Archbishops and Biihops of England.
Houle of Commons, Privy Council. Knights of
the Garter, Thistle and Bath. Secretaries of State.
Lords of the Treasury, Trade and Admiralty. High
Court of Admiralty. Postmaster General. Army.
Royal Navy. Rank of Army and Navy. Pay of
the Navy, and Army. Precedency among Men and
Women. Kings and Queens of England, Scotland
and Great-Britain. Irish Nobility, Archbishops and
BiShops. Enumerated Goods lubje& to Duty in
America,and Holydays at the Custom-House. De
scription of America. General Establishment. Go
vernment of Weft-Florida, Ealt Florida, Georgia,
South-Carolina, North-Carolina, Virginia, Mary
land, Pennsylvania and lower Counties of New-
Caltle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware ; New-Jersey,
and New-York. Corporation for the Relief of the
Widows and Children of Clergymen of the Church
of England. Government of Connecticut, Rhode-
Illand, Massachusetts Bay, New-Hampshire, Nova-
Scotia, Newfoundland, St. John's, and Canada.
Ministers and Congregations belonging to the Revd.
Synod of New-York and Philadelphia. Associate
Preibyterry of Philadelphia. His Majesty's Forces
in North America, and their Quarters. Governors
of New-York, from the Year 1664, to the present
Time. Governors of New-Jersey, from the Sur
render of the Government by the Proprietor in 1702,
to the present Time. Tide Table for all the Pro
vinces from Boston to Weft-Florida. Value of
Coins as they now pass in Great-Britain and Ame
rica. The American Bill of Rights. Association
of the Continental Congress. Lift of Delegates in
the late Congress. Governors of the Wefclndia
Islands. Staff of the Army in North-America. Fairs
in thb Province of New-York. New-Jersey Bills
reduced to New-York Currency. Table of Interest.
Roads, with the Postage of Letters to most Parts of
the Continent, and an Estimate (taken in Congress)
of the Number of Souls in the provinces of Maffa
chufett's, New-Hampshire, Rhode-ISland, Connec
ticut, New-York, New- Jersey, Pennsylvania, includ
ing the Lower Counties ; Maryland, Virginia, North-
Carolina, and South-Carolina.
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, THE [No. 1214,
Monday, January 16, 1775. • „, i J
N E W - r O R K G A Z E T T E:
.AND ^W^J^/^^W"
WEEKLY M ERCU R Y.
====== foreign ans bomeffieft.
aontamin^bLl^^ — - ^—— — —-— ——
• p rD by HUGH GAINE, Printer, Bookseller, and Stationer, at the Bible and Crown, in Hanover-Square.
1 RINTED 5x ~ ...... . ...
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 20s. per Cent.
A W^te Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to weigh
A 11b. 8 oz. 1, for 4 Coppers.
Published Sth December, 1774 #
Do net mistake me, or imagine that I wilh
to inculcate do&rines of a ilavilh tendency—
Far from it—On the contrary, I adhere to
opinions which appear to me the moll favour
able to liberty free from licentiousness ; in a
word, my principles, as to government, are
those which I take to be the principles of our
glorious constitution, the envy of the world
and deserved boast of Britain, in its purity.
Supremely happy, in a political sense, had
it been for us and for the parent country too,
if through the ignorance or inattention of
weak or corrupt ministers we had been fuffered
to remain in our former situation, which a long
and fuccefsful experience had demonflrated to
be the best for us, and most advantageous to
the Mother Country, when Britain, extending
her protection to her infant colonies, was ulti
mately receiving the profits of our commerce,
and when our confidence in her parental and
affectionate regards towards us, induced us to
extend every nerve with alacrity, in the com
mon cause.—Happy, I fay, would it have been
for both had our political connection remained
fixed on the balis of reciprocal advantages.
Fatally for both, the Demon of Jealousy has
set us at variance, and to what point his ma
chinations will conduct us, time alone can
determine.
I cannot nor will imagine that any of my
countrymen entertain even a secret with, that
America Ihall be freed from all political con
nections with Great-Britain. The peace and
security we have already enjoyed under her
protection, before the mistaken system of taxa
tion took place, must make us look back with
regret to those happy days whose loss we
mourn, and which every rational man must
confider as the golden age of America. Even
that future independancy which, in the course
of human affairs, these colonies must arrive
at, cannot for our true interest be too long
delayed. Hiitory informs us that the consti
tutions of few or no governments have been
established without a vast effufion of blood :
and I need not remind you how much has
been shed to obtain that happy constitution we
now possess. Let us not, therefore, wantonly
sport with our inestimable privileges, but vir.
tuoully endeavour to deliver the fair inheri
tance entire and unsullied to our posterity;
and whilst with unremitting ardor we pursue
this grand and important object, let us cau
tiously pursue it by constitutional measures.
The Delegates from the different provinces,
in a Congress held in this city, have agreed
that no importation of British manufactures
should be permitted after the firft day of Dec.
1774, and have recommended the rnoft^propef?
From t^ Pennsylvania Packet, Jan. 2,
] 775-
To the PRINTER.
SIR,
Be fleafed to give the inclofed a place in your next
paper, and you will oblige,our bumble Servant,
RUSTICUS.
M, Friends and Countrymen,
AT this unfortunate and interesting
period, when the affairs of our once
peaceful country are involved in
the greatest difficulties, and the
united wisdom of America has been esteemed
necessary to direCt the steps becoming of a free
people, for the maintenance of liberty, and
the assertion of their rights, permit me to
offer my thoughts upon the present measures.
Influenced by no party, nor actuated by any
views but those which may tend to restore our
former tranquillity, and heal those unhappy
differences which at present subsist between us
and the Parent State, I Shall endeavour, in a
few words, to convey my sentiments to you,
tho' it is with the utmoff diffidence that I enter
upon this undertaking, being thoroughly con
vinced that the real difficulties of our present
Situation require political talents far greater
than I am possessed ofi
Enjoying the inestimable privileges of Bri
tish fubjeds, this once defart and howling
wilderness has been converted into a flouriffi
ing and populous country, and by the happi
ness of its climate, and the industry and virtue
of its inhabitants, has attained to a degree of
improvement not to be paralleled in the annals
of history in the fame space of time. But,
has not this been owing to the manner in
which the Colonies have been treated from the
beginning ? Is it not from the readiness which
Great-Britain has ever shewn to encourage our
industry and proted us from foreign injuries;
that we have attained this growth ? If so,
surely some returns of gratitude, such as be
come a free and liberal people, are justly due
for favours received.
Monday, 52 Min. after 8
Tuesdays 38 Min. after 9
Wednefday,23 Min - after 10
Thursday, 5 Min# after 11
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
Friday, 47 Min. after 11
Saturday, 29 Min. after 12
Sunday, 15 Min. after 1
Last Quarter the 24th.
methods to enforce the punctual observance of
that agreement, by appointing Commmitees
to superintend the due performance of it.
This is a peaceable and eligible mode of
^proceeding, as by it we Ihould appeal to the
pecuniary interests of our brethren at home,
and cannot by it be deemed guilty of an un
constitutional opposition. Our consumption
of the manufactures of Great-Britain is a
mutual advantage to both countries, and the
interruption of so great a source of wealth
will naturally lead the losers (for such I take
it for granted we suppose the inhabitants of
Great-Britain to be) to seek for and remove
every obstacle to its uninterrupted and placid
flow. This interest alone would incite them
to do, could we suppose, which is hardly a
supposable case, that the love of liberty and a
desire to vindicate the rights of mankind,
would not be fufficient motives to them to exert
themselves in our behalf. This opposition to
the oppressions we now groan under, appears
to be agreeable to the sense of all America,
from its being recommended by all America
assembled, and together with an address to the
Throne, as well as to our brethren in Great-
Britain, it is hoped will procure the wished
for redress.
The resolutions of the Congress, it is rea
sonable to imagine, were formed with the
utinoft deliberation, and when formed, were
judged to be fufficient to answer every good
purpose that could be expected from them.
In the fulleft hope that they will procure us
effectual redress it is agreed not to interrupt or
suspend our exports to Great-Britain, Ireland
or the Weft-Indies before the tenth day of
September, 1775.
As the congress expert to fee the effect of
their remonstrances before their next meeting,
having already taken what appears to them the
most essential measures for the preservation
of libercy, on their parts, by prohibiting the
importation from Great-Britain, I would beg
leave to ask, whether it will not be proper,
decent and only commonly refpe&ful as well
to the continental congress as to Great-Britain,
to wait with patience 'til we are informed
whether we are likely to obtain redress of our
grievances, before we pursue other methods ?
and if so, is not the calling of a provincial
congress altogether unnecessary at this time,
especially as committees are appointed in every
county to fee the resolutions of the continen
tal congress complied with. In a dispute
with a person at a distance which the disputants
were inclined to terminate amicably, would not
the aggrieved after dating his demands, wait
for the answer of his aggressor before he pro
ceeded to decisive measures? it is even so in
the contests of dates. Decency and good
manners should incline us to wait patiently the
event of our remodrances. For however vir
tuous in an high degree it surely is, to
withstand oppression, and endeavour conditu
tionally, to oppose any infringements of our
known rights, yet during the present contro
versy it is but prudent to be informed of the
event of the proceedings of the congress; nor
does it appear that till then any good can result
from a provincial congress, as the observance
of the agreements of the continental congress
is amply provided for.
Let us then, my friends and countrymen,
patiently attend this expected important period,
in the mean time avoiding all inflammatory
publications, and such as afre difrefpe&ful to
our mod gracious Sovereign, dill looking for
ward with an anxious hope to an happy termi
nation of our present disputes, and a cordial
reconciliation with our mother country, on
constitutional principles, as a consummation
most devoutly to be wished for by every true
and sincere lou L of his country.
BOSTON, Jan. 2, 1775.
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi
tants of the Town of Boston, by Adjournment, at
Faneuil-Hall, on Frida, lafl.
Mr. ADAMS in the Chair.
THE Committee appointed to take under Consideration
a Paper signed T. Gage, being an answer to a
Letter written to General Gage b, the Hon. Peyton
Randolph, Esq; PreJident of the late Continental
Congress---Reported as follows, viz.
WE would not, unless urgedby the clearef Neces
sity, have taken up the confederation of General
Gage's Letter to tbe Hon. Peyton Randolph, Est, late
PreJident of tbe Hc^ "Continental Congress ^ebut we
conceive that Letter, tho' it appears to be addrefs'dto
a Gentleman in bis private Capacity, has a firong
Tendency to impress tbe whole Continent tyth Senti
ments ver, favourable to this affixed 'Town. IVe
(ball not intentionally throw an, disagreeable Imputation
upon tbe General, but Jhall endeavour only to defend
ourselves against tbe injurious Tendency of bis Letter.
The General, contrary to tbe known Sense of ever,
ifeif common Underfunding, has bee# pleased to
Wheatper Bushel, 7s. od.
Flour, 19$. 6d.
Brown Bread, 15s. od.
Weft-India Rum, 3s. 4d.
New-England, do. 2s. 6d.
PRICE-CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufcovado Sugar, 645. od.
Single refin'd ditto, is. id.
Molasses, 2s. od.
Beef per Barrel, 50s. od.
Pork, 655. od.
insinuate that the Complaints of tbe Town of Boston
were utterly groundless and unreasonable : and would
have tbe Continent believe that not be but tbe People of
this Province, and especially tbe Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston, were tbe Aggrefors in all tbe Diffe
rences which have arisen. Wefreely acknowledge that
tbe Arrivaltf a Britifo Arm, with a profeffed DeJign
of enforcing AOs of tbe BritiJb Parliament deJiruHive
of our Liberties, gave a great and univer fal Alarm,
and it cannot appear flrange that we should be cenjider
ing of tbe Measures neceffar, to preserve ourjufi Rights
and Privileges : We hoped however that peaceable and
gentle Methods would have effected our Deliverance t
We believed that bis Excellency would have laid feme
Proposals before tbe General Affembl, which be bad
fummonedto meet at Salem ; but after treating both tbe
Council and House of Representatives in a Manner
which we Jhall not animadvert on, be was pleased to
dissolve tbe Afembly : Tbe People were then compelled
to turn their Thoughts and Attention to other Methods
of preventing tbe impending DefruHion. And though
thus difirefs'd, bis Excellency would gladly have pre
vented them from availing themselves of tbe Counsel of
each other in Town-Meeting, and actually ordered tbe
marching of a Bod, of armed Soldiers to difterfe tbe
Inhabitants of tbe Town of Salem, when peaceably
assembled to consult upon tbe most important IntereJis of
themselves and Poflerity : This was followed by tbe
seizing of Powder in the Magazine at Cambridge,
and tbe Cannon which bad been lent to tbe Jiji Regi
ment in Middlefexi ,Tbe mounting a Number 0, i .eld-
Pieces on an Emminence in Boston Common, fatoning
Guards in various Parts of tbe Town and many other
AHs, which could not leave an, Doubt in tbe Minds of
tbe People of tbe General's Intention to empl. Military
Force against tbe Province, at length roused tbe People
to think of defending themselves and their Property by
Arms, if nothing less could save them from Violence and
Rapine. For tbe ,unification of tbe conduct of tbe
People in that ReffeeH we ma, fafel, appeal to tbe
Continent—to tbe World and to tbe supreme omnifeient
Governor of $ tbe Universe. All tbe tranfaflions from
the firft Arrival of tbe Troops we hope will hereafter
be critically and judicioufy examined: And we truf
that tbe Time will come when we fall have a fair
and impartial Hearing. We mean not now to give par
ticular Answers except to such Parts of tbe General's
Letter as seem to charge tbe Continental Congress with
having misconceived tbe Faflfated in their Letter to
him.
Firfl bis Excellency fays that from tbe Letter (mean
ing tbe Letter of tbe Hon. Continental Congress)
“ People would be led to believe that Works vfre
raised against tbe Town of Boston, private Property
invaded, tbe Soldiers fuffered to insult the Inhabitants,
and tbe Communication between tbe Town and Country
shut up andmolefed." How Far bis Excellency was
governed by tbe Confederation of what Answer be
Jbould make when be gave this turn to tbe Expressions
of tbe Congress, need not be enquired into. To this
Charge bis Excellency replies, " there is not a Jingle
Gun pointed against tbe Town." His Excellency did
not advert to tbe number of Field Pieces which were,
at tbe time that Letter was written, and long before,
pointed against tbe Town from tbe Common : but if the
assertion bad been litterall, true, it would not in tbe
leaf affect the Point under Cons deration.
Are not tbe Works erected on tbe Neck in reality
ereHed against tbe Town ? Are tbe, not designed to in
timidate tbe Inhabitants, and to lead them to think that
tbe, are altogether in tbe Power of tbe Arm, ? The
Continental Congress plainly express tbe Sense in which
tbe, mean to be underfood b, bis Excellency Tbe, fa,
" that tbe Fortifications erefling witbin that Town"
(Boson,) “ tbe frequent Invafons of private Property,
and tbe repeated insults tbe," (tbe Inhabitants)
" receive from tbe Soldier, has given them great reason
to fufpeH a Plan is formed ver, defruaive to them and
tending to overthrow tbe libereies of America."
Tbe General therefore has in no Way answered tbe Charge
brought against bin:, but only by varying tbe Expreffon at
tempted to elude it. Tbe next assertion is that “no Man's
Property has been seized or hurt, except tbe King's." We
need not enumerate all the Infances of Property seized, it is
enough to fay that a Number of Cannon, tbe Property of a
referable Merchant in the Town, were fixed and carried
of by Force.
That Timber and Lumber has been violently taken from
tbe Owners---that rightful Proprietors have been driven
from their Lands---and it is impoflible for us to mention one
Half of tbe Infances in which Property has keen hurt ;
thy are notorious to every Inhabitant, and have been made
known to tbe Public from Time to Time.
His Excellency is pleased to fay, that " no Troops have
ever given less Cause for Complaint, and greater Care was
never taken to prevent it." What Care bas been taken is not
our Part so determine ; «we are ready to admit the most candid
Opinion : But ive beg Leaveto fay, that tbe Insults received
from Officers and Soldiers, have been in many Infances such
as luere flocking to a feirited People, and wbi:b Humanity
in feme Infances, Decency in ethers, and in all, a generous
Difftion to avoid placing even those who have injured us,
in an odious Light, prevent us from giving a particular
Account of.
Tbe General declares, that “ tbe Communication between
" tbe Toaun and Country bas been always free and unmo
“ lefed, and is so fill." We fall only give tbe Falls.
Guards lucre fixed at every Entrance into tbe Town No
Person was allowed to croft tbe Ferry to Charlefonun after
Light o'Clock in tbe Evening, however urgent bis Bufnefs —
Rf-^g'" ° n the Neck flopped for Hours by tbe Guard —
their Property injured or defroyed. One Inhabitant fopt in
bis Cbaife, and bis Horse fab'd with a Bayonet, ethers
Jhamefully beaten, abused and confined, and man other
Infances very alarming to our Friends in tbe Country, vekfe
free Ingress to tbe Town is essential to our 3ukffer.es,
Tbe General perhaps might not jufify tlfe Frxrritm,
but could be not have prevented them by removing tbe Cause
of those frequent Abuses ? Be that as it may, could F - verb
Jufice afert that " tbe Communication between the Iran
" and Country bas bra always fee and, ut&lfed, an '' %
" so fill I"
Fine Salt, 3s. 3d.
Coarse Salt, 3s. od.
Bohea Tea, 4s. 6d.
Indian Cornperßu. 3s. qd.