The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1780-10-16 00:00:00, page 1

To the Inhabitants of /America.
I Should forfeit even in ray own opinion,
the place I have so long held in yours, iff
could be indifferent to your approbation, and
filenton the motives which have induced me
to join the King's arms.
A very few words however (hall fuffice upon
a fubjed so personal; for to the thousands
who fuffer under the tyranny of the Ufurpes
in the revolted provinces, as well as to the
great multitude who have long wished for
its subversion, this instance or my conduct
can want no vindication : and as to that class
of men who are criminally protracting the war
from sinister views at the expence of the pub
lic interest, I prefer their enmity to their ap
plause. I am therefore only concerned in
this address to explain myfelf to such of my
countrymen, as want abilities or opportuni
ties to detect the artifices by which they are
duped
Having fought by your fide when the love
of our country animated our arms, I (hall ex
pert, from your juitice and candor, what your
deceivers, with more art and less honesty,
will find it inconsistent with their own views
to admit.
When I quitted domestic happiness for the
perils of the field, 1 conceived the rights of
my country in danger, and that duty and
honour called me to her defence. A redress
of grievances was my only objedand aim ;
however I acquiesced in a Rep which I thought
precipitate, the declaration of independence:
To juftify this measure many plausible reasons
were urged, which could no longer exist when
Great Britain, with the open arms of a parent
offered to embrace us as children and grant the
wished for redress.
And now that her worst enemies are in her
own bosom I should change ray principles,
if I conspired with their designs: yourselves
being judges, was the war the less just, be
cause fellow fubjeds were considered as our
foes? You have felt the torture in which we
raised our arms against a brother. God in
cline the guilty protractors of these unnatural
diffentions to resign their ambition, and cease
from their delusions, in compassion to kindred
blood.
I anticipate your question, Was not the war
a defenfive one until the French joined in the
combination? I answer that I thought so.
You will add, Was it not afterwards necessary
till the separation of the British empire was
complete / By no means; in contending for
the welfare of my country I am free to declare
my opinion, that this end attained, all ftrife
should have ceased.
I lamented therefore the impolicy, tyranny
and injustice, which, with a sovereign con
tempt of the people of America, Rudioudy
regleded to take their collective sentiments of
the British proposals of peace, and to negoci
ate, under a suspension of arms, for an ad
justment of differences : I lamented it as a
dangerous facrifice of the great interests of
this country to the partial views of a proud,
antient and crafty foe. I had my suspicions
of some imperfection in our councils, on
proposals prior to the Parliamentary Com
mission of 1778 ; but having then less to do
in the cabinet than the field, (I will not pro
nounce peremptorily as some may, and per
haps justly, that Congress have veiled them
from the public eye:) I continued to be guided
in the negligent confidence of a soldier. But
the whole world law, and all America confef
fed, that the overtures of the fecomd Commffi
on exceeded our wishes and expectations, and
if there was any suspicion of the national li
berality, it arose from its excess.
Do any believe we were at that time really
entangled by an alliance with France ? un
fortunate deception ! they have been duped,
by a virtuous credulity, in the incautious mo
ments of intemperate paflion, to give up their
felicity to serve a nation wanting both the will
and the power to protest us, and aiming at the
deftrudion both of the mother country and the
provinces# In the plainness of common sense,
for I pretend to no casuistry, did the pretend
ed treaty with the court of Versailles, amount
to more than an overture to America ? Cer
tainly not, because no authority had been
given by the people to conclude it, nor to
this very hour have they authorized its ratifi
cation. The articles of confederation remain
still unsigned.
ASSIZE of BREAD.
Flour a* 4k per Cent.
Published September 29, 17804
A White LOAF, of the fintft FLOUR,
to weigh zlb. for 21 Cbppeis.,
Monday, October 16, 1780.
N E W-YOR K
AND
WEEKLY
tfanuiubug ^ eatheti ^^^
a - Printed by HUGH GAINE, at the BIBLE and CROWN, in HANOVER-SQUARE.
In the firm persuasion therefore, that the
private judgement of any individual citizen of
this country is as free, from all conventional
restraints, since as before the insidious offers
of France, I preferred those from Great-
Britain ; thinking it infinitely wiser and fafer
to call my confidence upon her justice and
generosity, than to trust a monarchy too feeble
to ettablilh your independency, so perilous to
her distant dominions; the enemy of the
Proteftaut Faith, and fraudulently avowing
an affection for the liberties of mankind,
while Ihe holds ner native sons in vassalage and
chains.
I afted no disguise, and therefore frankly
declare that in these principles, I had deter
mined to retain my arms and command for
an opportunity to surrender them to Great
Britain ; and in concerting the measures for a
purpose, in my opinion, as grateful as it
would have been beneficial to my country, I
was onoy solicitous to accompliffi an event of
decilive importance, and to prevent as much
as possible, in the execution of it, the effufion
of blood.
With the highest fatisfadion Ibear testimony
to my old fellow soldiers and citizens, that I
find solid ground to rely upon the clemency of
our sovereign, and abundant conviction that
it is the generous intention of Great-Britain,
not only to leave the rights and privileges of
the colonies unimpaired together with their
perpetual exemption from taxation, but to fu
p^radd such further benefits as may contift
with the common prosperity of the empire.
In short, I fought for much less than the pa
rent country is as willing to grant to her colo
nies as they can be to receive or enjoy.
Some may think 1 continued in the struggle
of these unhappy days too long, and others
that I quitted it .0 > soon.— To the firft I reply,
that 1 did not fee with their eyes, nor perhaps
had so favourable a situation to look from, and
that to our common matter I am willing to
stand or fall. In behalf of the candid among
the latter, some of whom I believe serve
blindly but honestly in the bands I have
left, I pray God to give them all the lights
requisite to their own fafety before it is too
late; and with refpod to that herd of cen
surers, whose enmity to me originates in their
hatred to the principles by which I am now
led to devote my life to the re-union of the
British empire, as the best and only means to
dry up the dreams of misery that have delu
ged this country, they may be assured that
confeious of the rectitude of my intentions I
shall treat their malice and calumnies with
contempt and neglect.
B. ARNOLD.
New York, October 7, 1780.
&S& ^^ ^s©^x^ 858&5^
NEW-YORK, Odober ii.
On Saturday morning last the Refugee Post
at Bergen Point, under the command of Capt
THOMAS WARD, was attacked by a party
of rebel infantry and horse, confiding of about
zoo men. After receiving a {mart tire from
the artillery and mufquetry of the Refugees,
affixed by a cannonade from the gallies, they
were forced to retreat. On the preceding
night, as Capt. Frederick Hauser, in the Re
fugee gunboat was rowing guard, he met near
Brown's Ferry, with a detachment of the re
bels in five boats, which, it seems were intend
ed for the purpose of making good a retreat
for the above mentioned party in case they
should happen to be prevented from retreating
by tne way of Bergen. Upon being 'hailed,
and refuting to give an account of then>felves,
Captain Hauler immediately fired upon them,
when two of the boats struck, in which were
made prisoners four of the continental light in
fantry ; the others on board hadjump'd afhure,
and made their escape. One other beat was
'funk, having, it is said, one killed and two
wounded left on board by the crew who defer
red it, Mr. Charles Homfray, with two others
and a boy, belonging to the Refugee party,
who had landed some time before the Rebels
were discovered, were taken by some rebel
horse ; they were immediately pinioned, and
otherwise cruelly treated, according to the
usual custom of the rebels, when American
Loyalists are so unfortunate as to fall in their
hands, in which cruelties they are likely to
persevere until a full and spirited retaliation
Monday, ±2 Min. after 11
Tuesday, 10 Min. after 12
Wednefday,6 Min. after 1
Thursday, 4. Min. after 2
HIGH-WATER at N E W-Y 0 R K,
THIS WEEK.
THE
^^'W'
^^^^
Friday, 77 Min. after 2
Saturday, 55 Min. after 3
Sunday, 48 Min. after 4.
Last Quar. Friday next.
shall take place. An inhabitant of Bergen,
named Van Waggener, was taken by the Re
fugees on his return from the rebels. He had
gone after reconnoitering the Refugee Post, to
give intelligence of their situation. It is hlfo
laid that the rebels have carried off Mr. John
Philips, aquiet inhabitant, on a suspicion of
his having been friendly to our people.
On Saturday the goth of last month, died,
much lamented, Mrs. GRACE BONNEL, the
wife oflfaac Bonnel, Esq; of Amboy, formerly
High Sheriff, of Middlesex in New-Jersey,
and on Sunday her remains were interred in
Trinity church-yard, attended by a numerous
and refpedable company.
Sunday lalt departed this life, after a long
illness, which she bore with a becoming resig
nation, in the 53d year of her age, Mrs. Griz
zel Selkrig, wife of Mr. James Selkng of this
city.
On Thursday last departed this life, much
lamented by all who had the pleasure of her
acquaintance, Mrs. LEWIS, spouse of Mr.
JOHN LEWIS, a Loyal Refugee from Boston,
and on Friday her remains were attended to
the place of interment, by a numerous and re
fpeftable company.
Yesterday was sent in here by his Majesty's
frigate Greyhound, a rebel privateer, of 16
guns and log men, three days out from Phila
delphia. She formerly belonged to this porr,
was named the Queen, and was taken by the
rebel privateers Holker, Fair American, and
General Green, commanded by Capt. Ridley.
Last Monday arrived the brig Hope, Cap
tain Taer, in eight weeks from Cork, by her
we learn, that a fleet of one hundred and forty
fail, under convoy of a squadron of his Maje-
Ry's fllips, bound for America, failed from
Cork the 14th of August. They were to be
joined in a certain latitude by a fleet from Lon
don, which had failed under convoy of his
Uajefty's ship Bienfaifant, and several other
ships of force. On the 20th of August, in lat.
49 3. lon 17, 59, Capt. Taer spoke a fleet of
one hundred and sixty fail from. Jamaica, bound
for London, under convoy of his Majesty's
ships Medway, Centurion, and Sphynx; Ad
miral Sir Peter Parker had his flag hoisted on
board the Medway. They had been cut fix
weeks, and were all well.
Last Sunday was fentin here the sloop Su
sannah, from Tom's River, bound to Gauda
loupe, laden with lumber.
Monday last were brought to town, conduc
ed by Captain Luke of the Loyal Refugees,
and fafely lodged in the Provost of this city,
the following rebel gentry, viz. Major Brufli,
Capt Cornelius Conklin, Capt. J. Conklin,
Capt. Rugers, and Lieutenant Faeley, all no
torious offenders that have been long pradtifed,
in coming from the New England there, to
murder and plunder the King's loyal fubjeCs
on Lopg-Ifland. They were last Saturday,
taken by Lieutenant Fendergrafs, and a party
ofColonel Cuvier's Refugees, at Smith Town,
with their whaleboat and considerable booty.
A certain Capt. Ketchune, one of the above
gang, was killed in attempting to make his
scape.
NEW-YOR K, Odo. 13.
Yesterday arrived tie ffiip Patty, Captain
Marquis, from GJafgow, which place ihe left
7 weeks ago: By her we learn, that a packet
bound from Philadelphia to Holland, in which
Henry Laurens, Eiq; late President of Con
gress, was passenger, was captured by his
Majesty's frigate Vcftal, Captain Keppel, one
of the fleet on the Newfoundland Nation, the
2d of September last; the mail, containing
papers of the greatest importance, was thrown
(verboard before the Vestal came up with the
packet, but as it did not immediately fink, it
vias taken on board the Vestal undamaged.—
The prize was carried into St. John's, where
the contents of the mail were found to be of
such consequence, that a frigate was immedi
ately diftatched to carry it, and the person of
Henry Laurens, to Britain. The foregoing
intelligence Caprain Maiquis received on the
z;th of September, from the Commander of
his Majesty's ship Mercury, then eight days
out from St. John's, who was io kind as to
convoy Captain Marquis several days.
On the 23d September, the Patty had an
engagement of five glasses, with a rebel fri
gate of twenty-fix guns, which hailed from
Salem; in the adion two of the Patty's hands
were killed, and Captain Marquis and other
Wheat per Bufhcl, 265. od.
Flour, 70s. od.
Brown Bread, 70s. od.
Weft-India Rum, ss. 6d.
New-England do. 4s. od.
PRICE CURRR N T, in N EW.YO R K.
GAZETTE:
THE
MERCURY.
. Mufcovado Sugar, 51. 10$.
. Single refin'd ditto, Is. gd.
. Moiaffes, 2s. 6d.
. Beef per Barrel, 81. od.
, Pork, 81. 10s,
ffm^ten anb Dameflicfc
three slightly wounded; the carnage on board
the rebel frigate must have been great, as she
appeared full of men, and was twice beat off
by the Patty, which mounts only 18 guns.
Yesterday arrived the schooner Lovely Bet
sey, Captain M'Donald, in thirteen days from
Bermuda. On the 30th of September, while
off Bermuda, in company with his Majesty's
frigate Pearl, — Montague, Esq; Com
mander, they saw a fail to the northward ; the
Pearl gave chace, and at noon discovered her
to be a large ship standing N. W. the Pearl
being to windward, bore down upon her, upon
which she hoisted French colours and fired a
gun at the Pearl; but Captain Montague not
regarding her fire or colours, hoisted a British
ensign at the mizen-peak, got along-fide, and
poured .a broadside into her. A furious en
gagement then commenced, which continued
about seven glasses; the French ship attempted
several times to run, but his main top-fail-yard
and fore-top-faß-tye being shot away, found
it impracticable. About SP. M. she struck,
and a little after her mizen-maft fell over her
fide; it was soon followed by her fore-matt,
and after the Pearl's boat boarded her, the
main-mast fell upon the quarter-deck. She
proved to be the Le Efperance, of 28 twelve
pounders, and zoo men, from St. Domingo,
bound to Bourdeaux, laden with sugar, cotton,
coffee, indigo, and ingots of gold. She is said
to be the richest prize that ever was taken in
the American seas. She had 50 men killed
and wounded in the action. The loss on board
the Pearl was five men killed and fix wounded,
among the former is a lieutenant of marines.
The Lovely Betsey left the Pearl, and her
prize, on Saturday the 7th instant, in lat.
bearing for this port. The prize had got uo
jury -malts.
°XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX°
By the Sty Patty, Capt. Marquis,/^ arrived
here last Thursday, in 8 Weeks from Glasgow ;
and the Swift. Packet, Capt. Hall, that arrived
thefame Da, in 8 Weeks from Falmouth, with
the August Mail, we have the following Ad
vices, viz.
From the LONDON GAZETTE.
Weftminfer, July 8.
THIS Day his Majesty came to
the House of Peers, and being
in his Royal Robes seated on
the Throne with the usual So
lemnity, Sir Frances Moly
neux, Knight, Gentleman Usher of the Black
Rod, was sent with a Message from his Mfje
fty to the House of Commons, commanding
their Attendance in the House of Peers. Ihe
Commons being come thither accordingly, his
Majesty was pleased to give the Royal Af
fentto
An Ad to prevent any Mifchief or Inconve
nience which may arise to the Sheriffs, Gao
lers, Suitors, Prisoners, or others, by the
Prisoners in the several Gaols in the Counties
of Middlesex and Surrey, and. the City of
London, having been set at Liberty during
the late Tumuhs and Infurre&ions.
After which his Majesty was pleased tomake
the following most gracious Speech:
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
IT gives me great Satisfaction to find myfelf
able to determine this long Session ofPar
hament, that you may be at Liberty to return
to your several Counties, and attend to your
private Affairs, after so laborious a Discharge
of your Duty in the public Service; and I
take this Occasion to express my sincere Ac
knowledgement for the frefh Proofs you have
given me of your affectionate Zeal for the
Support of my Government, and of your jn+
Estimation of the real and permanent IntereiH
of your Country.
Your Magnanimity arid Perseverance in te
Profecuteon of this just and necessary War have
enabled me to make such Exertions as will, I
trutt, by the Assistance of Divine Providence,
disappoint the violent and unjust Designs cf
my Enemies, and bring them to listen to
equitable and honourable Terms of Peace.
These Exertions have already been attended
with Success by Sea and Land; and the late
important and prosperous Turn of Affairs in
North-America affords the faireft prospect of
the returning Loyalty and Affedion of mv
Subjects in the Colonies, and of their happy
Re-union with their Parent Country.
1 Fine Salt, ss. do
, Coarse Salt, xs . d o
, Indian Corn perßu. 10s. do
, Coffee, is. d®
Chocolate, 265. per Do