The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1776-07-29 00:00:00, page 2

the prop fed attempt of ; fecund expedition
against Algiers. All the preparations for that
expedition have now another declination, and are
said to be intended to watch over oar settle
ments in America, as the war between England
and its Colonies render it necessary fir all
pdwers who have any Settlements in those parts
to put them in so fecme a Situation, that they
may be in no danger of buffering from the
above-mentioned deputes."
The Minerva, Capt. Gregory, from Jamaica
for London, a miffing Ship, having failed thence
the :6th of January, is late cff Dover, all well.
A letter from on board the Caryslort, Cove
of Cork, April 6, fays, '' This fleet are under
the convoy of the Carysfert and Pearl, and only
.%a: $ t a wind to put to sea. The Greyhound
man of war, Capt. Dixon, with ten ordnance
ffore ships and transports, failed yesterday for
Borton. The detention of the troops here
upon embarkation has been very great, as well
as the seamen from the different ships."
The last ship which brought feme dispatches
from Lord Dunmore, off Virginia, was to have
brought several paffengrrs, who wanted to leave
that country on account of the troubles ; but
she couid not get,provisions for them. A party
of tailors went ashore in order to procure pro
visions ; but seven of them were killed by the
provincials ; the remainder escaped to the ships.
Au Admiralty Court is appointed in Virgi
nia, by authority of the Congress, and John
Biair, Edmund Randolph, Efqrs, and another
gentleman, are appointed Judges of it. They
have condemned several En^rfh veffcls which
have been taken by the American privateers, as
lawful prizes. this Shew, rhe Americans are
proceeding to the establishment of a govern
ment.
It is reported that there are feme private letters
from America, which fay, that the Americans
had heard of the pr hibitory ad, and the hiring
of foreign troop ; in con Sequence of which the
Continental Congress came to two resolutions,
viz. to fend no more petitions to Great-Britain.
And to open their ports to the ships of other
nations, and' invite them to partake of their
trade. Men of difeernment fay, this last reso
lution is of more importance than people seem
to be aware of. The Americans ad with cool
ness and wisdom ; while our counsels are all vio
lence and ignorance. The nation in general
seems absorbed in luxury and dissipation. Every
venal wretch Scrambling for a contrast. In
Short, the people are enervated by an universal
depravity ; are unfeeling to the fuffcrings of
xheir fellow fubjefts, and unthinking of them
selves. And hence arises that total disregard,
which every man of reflection fees with sorrow,
of that inevitable train of ill consequences,
from this encreafing wound in the empire.
But few of tne German hirelings have been
embarked, for want of calks for their water.
Orders have Deen given at Amsterdam, for 3000
to be immediately lent to Stade ; and it has
been under consideration here, whether 100
coopers should not be sent from hence to Ham-
BREMER-LEBE, March ?,
T^ROM the 14th to the 16'h the firft brigade
[ of the Hessian troops arrived here, under
the command of Lieut. Gen. de Heister. From
the 13th to the 23d there arrived here successive
ly, 1) English transports, on board of which
were embarked, on the zzd, the regiments of
Trembrach, Prince Charles, and Ditfurth ; and
on the 24th the regiments of guards. Since
the 23d there arrived seven more transports.
The fecund Brigade, under the command of
Major General de Mirbach, is arrived here
ji.ee the 2 th. We expert here yet 22 trans
ports, which, it is said, mart have failed from
the Thames by this time.
LONDON,
Anril 16. We hear from Cork, that on the
z6.h and 27th ult. the 24th, 34th, and 6zd
regimens, were carried in lighters down to
Cove, aid embarked on board the transports
at (hat place; and on t b e 3d inst. the 9th regi
ment which lay at Cove, a d the 53d regiment
from Ki file, were aifa embarked under com
mand of Lieut. Col Fraser. Tne 300 Germans,
who arrived at Cork on the ill indent, in the
Uirrv Ann, and Elizabeth, from Hamburgh,
are dikmouked, and next week will go for
Dublin, and the other parts of the kingdom,
to be incorporated with the several regiments.
Extras of a letter from Madrid, March 19.
burgh, to help to make the necessary quantity
of those water cafc.---Lack-a-day, what fore
seeing mortals our blessed minivers are !
Had not the poor Corsicans been fold and be
trayea by their priests, and feme of their chiefs,
there are good reasons to think, that the Fiench
would never have been able to conquer them :
Ye: Corsica lies very near France, and the
French were ten times the number of the Corsi
cans. Now what profped of success have we
before us against the Americans compared with
the abovecafe? None, not even the shadow of
any; yet a great part of this infatuated nation
foolifhly thinks, that the troops that are to go
out, will bear down all before them. Alas!
they may perhaps ravage the coasts, but will
never be able to penetrate into the country; or
if tney are iuffered to do it, it will then be to
their ut<er deftru&ion.
Though it may seem to be a paradox, yet
there is nothing more true, than that the gene
rality of officers are the worst judges of the po
licy of war. In all ages and countries, when
similar expeditions to the present American mad
one have been p?cpofed by ignorant and tyian
nicai ministers, they have always been approved
of and represented as very erfy to make, and
sure to be crowned with success by most cf die
military men, as they think their honour is con
cerned in greedily embracing every opportunity
io fight, right or wrong, that they may ffiew
their prowess, and above all get prefered.
'• Our court seems to have qu te given ub
Thefoll^ing is the Message from his Majesty to
the Houje of Commons, delivered by Lord Terth
on Thursday.
GEORGE R.
" J JIS Majesty, reiving on the experience,
" z ^l an d affeCtion of his faithful
“ Commons, and considering, that, during the
“ present troubles in North-America, cmergen
“ cies may arise, which may be of the u meft
“ importance, and be attended with the molt
“ dangerous consequences, if proper r..eans
“ Arnold not be immediately applied to prevent
“ or defeat them, is defiro'us that this House
66 will enable him to defray any extraordinary
" expences incurred, or to be incurred, on
“ account of military services for the year one
“ thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, and
“ as the exigencies bf affairs may require.---
“ And his Majesty having judged it expedient
“ to issue his proclamation, in pursuance of an
“ aft of parliament, passed in the fourteenth
“ year of his reign, for calling in the remainder
“ of the deficient gold coin, doubts net but
“ that his faithful Commons will enable him to
“ make good the charges which Shall be iincur
“ red in this service, and which cannot it this
•• time be afeertained. G. X."
Never was Eogland in such a fixation ;s the
present, as the following anecdote, whicw may
be depended upon, doth certify : There is not
a fix pounder fit for service in this kingdom; and
very few of any other weight. Now if 40,000
French or Spaniards Should land on cur couft —
how could we repel them ?
However, to remedy this as fall as pcffible,
the Boa r d of Ordnance have ordered Verbruggen
the founder at Woolwich, to get ready wih ail
possible dispatch another boring machine, in
which case he will be able to Supply Government
with what number of guns they please. Lord
Townsend is amazingly active in the Station of
Master General —-vifus Woolwich almost every
week—and carefully infpefts the minuted cir
cumstance.
Extrafl of a Letter from Spit bead. Mate.
" It is expelled we Shall fail to-morrow for
Borton, under the command of Cemmodor Wil
liam Hotham, who is to hoist his broad pendant
on board of the Preston, aSO gun ship. The
ships which go under his command are the Jersey
hospital ship; the Emerald, cf 32 guns; the
They find great difficulties to get trarfperts
in Holland, to bring over the Dutch Scots
troops.
Copy of a letter and memorial from James
Wilson, Esq; to Lord George Germaine:
To the Ri^bt Hon. Lord George Germaine, one of
his Majetysprincipal Secretaries of State.
I T is not without concern that 1 find myfeif
obliged to address four Lord Ship on this occa
sion, as one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries
cf State. I trull your Lordmip will not require
any apology for the Requisition of that saver
which in your official character it may be proper
for you to comply with. Presuming, therefore,
that you are the person by whose means my sen
timents may be most regularly conveyed to his
Majefly, 1 b°g Leave to intreat your Lord Ship
may lay before bis Majesty the inclofed memo
rial.
THAT the memorialist hAs served your Ms
'jefty for upwards of fifteen years, as a Captain
in y< ur Majellft marire forces, during which
time meinori^ift discharged his duty with fide
lity. to the utmost of his power, and that memo
ria ill has had the honour of a feat in the House
of Commons in Ireland, during the prelent par
liament, in which capacity, as a servant of tie
people, his conduct has been uniformly directed
by the bed of his urderflanding, to promote the
interest of this kingdom, humbly conceiving the
well-being of this illand essentially conducive to
the honour and support of your Majesty's go
vernment; that memorialist is, by every bind
ing influence of allegiance and inviolable incli
nation, ready to rife his life and property, it
required, to maintain those inestimable princi
ples by which your Majesty's illustrious family
obtained the fr vereignty of these realms; but it
is with the m< ft poignant concern that memo
rialist finds himfelf compelled, by the pernicious
measures of your Majesty's mintilers, and : '
in&liable dilates of nature, to implore vpur
Majesty to withdraw him from the rank aro ho
nour he enjoys under your Majesty, as Captain
qn half-pay, memorialist thinking it inconfii^t
Vith fidelity to your Majesty, as a fubjcbt, or the
pe ple, as a teprefentative, to receive those wa
ges which render him liable to the command
of ministers, th? perpetration of whose designs
death would now be as much preferable to, as
it ever had been in the mind of memorialist to
heSitate in the support of your Majesty's real
glory and happiness. Memorialist therefore
humbly intreats your Majesty, in your royal
clemency, graciously to take his dutiful memo
rial into consideration, as the only reward for
his service, that memorialist may be emancipated
from the distressing apprehension which the pre
sent military preparations against America fug
g* ft, of being obliged to disobey the commands
of his fovereigri, or adopt the horrid alternate
of Rifling cverytepulfc of humanity, and'.#}
inginto the blood of kindred, fellow subj ds,
and countrymen.
[The above gentleman, who is a member in the
Irish Parliament, for Tagmon, in the count, of
Wexford, as a Capt, in the Year 1760, raifea 130
men (as the purchase of his company) on his own
estate, in Ireland, and served all the remainder of
the war in adual Jervice, with the bigheft credit
to himjelf.]
HOUSE of COMMONS, May 4.
I have the honor to be, your Lord Ship's
mod obedient humble servant,
JAMES WILSON.
Gilgorum, March 17th.
To the KING'S Meft Excellent MAJESTY.
The humble memorial of fames Wilson.
Sheweth,
Brane, of 32 guns; the Str^mbolo fire ship, the
Carcase bomb, and all the transports which are
ready. There are upwards of one hundred fail
of transports now here, all'of which have foreign
troops on board. Wehave on board five small
casks, and 30 cherts of Spanish dollars, amount
ing to 35.000 1,. for paying the marine troops
at & fton.,
Upon an average, the ships of war now
equipping for America have not more than
fix seamen to ninety others in their complements.
\Lord Howe is inverted with unlimited military
powers, which, it is said, he positively demanded
previous to his accepting the chief command of
the King's forces in America.
BOSTON, July iB.
Monday last an express arrived at Head-
Quarters in this town, from his Excellency
General Wafh ; ngton at New-York, with or
ders for all the troops in the pay of the Con
tinent to march for that city, as soon as possi
ble; and this day, it is said, cue regiment will
set off.
It is reported that Capt. Johnson in the Van
key privateer, who lent into this pc rt two va
luable prizes, on his paflage home, the priso
ners rose and overcome the privateer, confined
him and his crew in irons, and carried them
into Halifax,
By Mr. Stone we learn, that the day before
he left St. Peters, a French man of war arrived
there from France, who informed, that the Spa
niards had declared war agair ft Portugal.
Last Saturday arrived at Salem from Guada-
Icupe, the schooner Polly, David M'Ciecd,
mailer, who has brought one hundred casks of
powder, about seventy or eighty small arms, a
number of carriage and swivel guns, a quantity
of brimstone, sh t, flints, &c.
Yesterday morning, a filth 13 inch mortar
was found off the end of the Hon. John Han
cock, Efqr's. wharf.
PHILADELPHIA, July 24.
Since our last a great number of troops from
Maryland and the cifferent counties cf this Pro
vince, have passed through this city cn their way
to the Jerfies, where, no doubt, if Howe gives
them an opportunity, they will prove to the
world they deserve Liberty.
From the Pennsylvania Packet.
To the Printer,
Philadelphia, July 5, 1776.
By publishing the following Franfation of a Let
ter ewritten by a French Officer new in the Jer
vice of the States of America, to a French
Nobleman in Paris, you ewid oblige Fours F. P'
My Lord,
AFTER the permission you were pleased
to grant me to come to this country, I
am at last arrived ; not without many dangers
and great expence. 1 found here a happy peo
nle, averse to oppression, without any ipirit of
RESOLVED,
TH AT the following (ententes in the
Morning and Evening service Shall be
omitted: “ O Lord, save the King. And
« mercifully hear us when we call upon thee."
That the i§th, 16th, 17th, ard i sth Sen
tences in the Litany, for the King's Majesty,
and rhe Royal Family, &c. Shall be omitted.
That the two Prayers for the King's Majesty,
and the Royal Family, in the Morning and
Evening service Shall be omitted.
That the Prayers in the Communion service
which acknowledge the authority of the King,
and so much of the Pra; ei for the Church Mili
tant as declares the fame authority, Shall be
omitted, and this alteration made in one of the
above Prayers in Communion Service: " Al
- mighty and everlasting God, we are taught
“ by thy holy word, that the hearts of all
“ rulers are in thy governance, and that thou
“ dost dispose and turn them as it feemeth belt
“ to thy godly wifdem ; we humbly beseech
" thee so to dispose and govern the hearts of
“ the Magistrates cf this Commonwealth, that
“ in all their thoughts, words and works, they
'• my ever mere seek thy honour and glory,
“ and Study to preserve thy people committed
" to their charge, in wealth, peace, and god
" linefs. Grant this, O merciful Father, for
“ thy de^r fon's fake, Jefu6 Christ, cur Lord,
" Amen."
That the following prayer Shall be used, in
stead of the prayer for the king' 3 majesty, in
the morning and evening service : " O Lord,
“ cur heavenly father, high and mighty, k ; ng
" of kings, Lordof Lords, thoonly ruler of the
“ universe, who dost from thy throne behold
" all the dwellers upon earth, m ft heartily we
" beseech thee with thy favour to behold the
" magistrates of this common-wealth, and so
" replenish them with the grace of thy holy
" Spirit, that they may always incline to thy
“ will, @nd walk in thy way ; endue them
" pienteonfly with heavenly gifts ; Strengthen
“ them, that they may vanquish and overcome
' all their : enemies ; and finally, after this life,
" they may obtain everlasting j.y and felicity,
" through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen."
In the 20th Sentence of the litany use these
words : " That it may please thee to endue
“ the magistrates of this common-wealth with
" grace, wisdom, and uod^rila^in^ "
In the succeeding one, use these words :
" That it may please the to bless and keep
" them, giving them grace to execute justice,
66 and maintain truth."
Let every other Sentence of the litany be re
tained, without any alteration, except the
above sentences recited.
. Edward Pendleton, President.
( A C °py)
In CONVENTION, July 5, 1776.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 5.
y. Ta^tcwell, Clerk of the Convention.
'(edition, Active and hboiioui, w^h all th, r~-
ceflary qualifications required to the feumWit 4
of a powerful republic, able to Tapper: itfelf
without the assistance of Europe. This impend
country poffeffts all advantages, and-its trfe
riches cortfift in u.e produce of its foil. 4 It U
as yet in its infancy ; but still it is a vigorous
child, that in reality has no more rieed us its
mother nor its neighbours, provided it never
intermeddle with the balance of Europe. Per
haps, my Lord, you will not confider , these
things in the light I do: but this country
might be the greatest market for ourmanufac
tures, could we once give those people a ta^e
for these which we have in great abundance,
and with which Great-Britain wfed to furnidi
them, to the amount of immense sums. I
found the people generally inclined for abfelute
independency, at d willing to support it with
their lives and fortunes. I was furprized to fee
their troops exercise and marcevre as well as
they do ; 'and were they n^t animated by the
love of liberty, they would be an unparalleled
prodigy ; but when that takes place, albwon
der crafts. I visited many of theityert ficati
ons which have been raised with ah arizing
celerity. I never knew so many and fich
good works perf rmed in so fhert a time. Iwas
accr mpanied in this tour by several Get era!
Officers, particularly by Majors General Put
nan and Gates, and a member cf the Cengrefs.
I told them my opinion c f diofe wojks, and I
have been denmi to »l~ > & e nserfUrv ones
here where they are require L
This Government, its firm, its liberty, are
'0 similar to that of the ancient and once happy
people cf Bretagne, (the country of my nati
vity) that I am delighted with it. And, if I
can be ofeful to the United States, I intend to
end my days in them. I hull regard my origi
nal country and its fubjefls as my family, and
if I can be ufeful to them, and any thing ad
vantageous to the American States and equally
agreeable to France could be propefed here, I
would undertake to offer it oih the greatest
pleasure, without requiring from the King of
France either honour?, pecuniary rewards, or
any other mark of gratitude. Al ray fatit tec
lion uould corfift in the inward feelings of my
foul, if I c uld once by my endeavours fetca
foot a commercial correspondence —equally be
neficial to my former c untry and th.t which 1
now adopt. You will imagine, my Lord, that
l am too hasty, but permit me to assure you,
that after mature deliberation, and pofirive in
f^mation cf the flrength of America, I am
convinced they are able to refill against all their
enemies. If the Americans have not the great
est knowledge in the art cf war, they have
great advantages from the situation cf their
country, undaunted courage, determined refo
lutibn, and the bill ard inoft glorious cause.
Nothing will be able to divide them. Every
precaution is taken against their interior ene
mies wh< fe number is infignificant. Such a
Llemn and well fupporred revolution gives me
the highest opinion of these privileged fouls,
who defend their rights without ofte^tation or
fa&ion, aad who desire only Liber? and Jnde-
P en ''lgL_Qev &^%fc^'^ such 4 ^.fs
is not 2 chimera al ktoofof=ft^ g 4fc
Europe, Switzerland &cepted! F \
I have the n±or, my Lord, to enciofe you
the Declaration of Independency, published
yesterday b^he Honorable the Congress of
the United American States, apd, to prevent:
the dang^f my letter mifearrying, fnall fend
it by duplicate.
\Qj have the honor to be,
With refped, my Lord,
'™^ Your most humble, and
<Q» Most obedient servant.
== «smit^^—
In the Convention of the States of NEW
JER'EY, trenton, ful, 18, 1776.
WHEREAS it is necessary in these times of
danger, that crimes should receive their
due punishment, and the fafety of the people
more especially requires, that all performs who
fell be found so wicked as to devise the destruc
tion of good government, or to aid or efid the
avowed enemies of the Rate, be punished with
death : Therefore be it resolved and ordained
by the authority of the fame, that all persons
abiding within this State cf New-Jerfty, and
deriving protection from the laws thereof, do
owe allegiance to the government of this State,
as of late established on the authority of the
people, and are to be deemed as men bers cf
this date; and that all persons puffing through,
visiting, or making a temporary fay in this
State being entitlea to the protection of the law
during luch passage, visitation, or temporary
stay, during the Line time owe allegiance 10 this
Government.
And be it further resolved and ordained, That
all and every person cr pcr^ns, members of, cr'
owing allegiance to, this Government, as be
fore described, who, from and after the date
hereof, Iha'l levy war against this Hate within
the fame, or be adherent to the King of Great-
Britain, or others, the enemies of this slate,
within the fame, or to the enemies of the United
States of North-America, giving to him or them
aid or comfort, shall be adjudged guilty of High
Treason, and fuffer the pains and penalties
thereof, in like manner as by the ancient laws
of this state he or they should have furthered in
cases of high treason.
And be it further resolved and ordained.
That all and every person cr persons, who,
from and after thf cate hereof, ihall be found
guilty of reviling the Government of this state,
as by this Convention established, or of other
seditious Speeches or practices, (hall be purifhed
in like manner as by the former laws of this
state such perlon cr persons might or ought to
have been punished for such % feaftious speeches
and practices against the Gty&fement then in
being.