The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1776-05-06 00:00:00, page 2

the voter fafe ; but an unfuccefsful attempt in the
latter, is death. Strange ! that, that which is our
right in the one, should be our rum in the otber---
from which reflexion follows this maxim, That that
mode of government in which our right becomes our
rum, cannot be the rig6z one. If all human nature
be corrupt, it is needle fs to ilrengthcn the corruption
by chablilhing a succession of Kings, who, be they
ever fobale are Hill to be obeyed ; for the mannhs of
a Court will always have an influence eVrthe morals
of a people. A Republican government hath more
true grandeur in it than a Kingly one : On the part
of the public it is more confident with freemen to
appoint their rulers than to have them born ; and on
the putof thole who preside, it is far nobler to bea
ruler by the choice of the people, than a King by
the chance of birth. Every honest Delegate is
mere than a Monarch. Disorders will unavoidably
happen in all States, but monarchical governments
art the molt fubjret thereto, because the balance hangs
uneven. Nineteen rebellions and eight civil wars in
England face the conquefi." Whatever commotions
ate produced in Republican States, ace net produced
by a Republican spirit, but by those who leek to
extinguish it. A Republican State cannot produce
its own^dedtuaion, it can only duffer it. No ration
of people, in their true senses, when seriously refK&^
ing on the rank which God hath given them, and the
reasoning faculties he hath billed them with, would
ever, of their own consent, give any one man a nega
tive power over the whole : No man since the fall hath
ever been equal to the trust ; wherefore, 'tis infinity
in us to entrust them with it ; and in this sense, all
those who have had it h.^e done us right by abusing
us i^to reason. Nature seems fometirres to laugh at
mankind, by giving them so many fools for Kings ; at
other times, die punches their folly by giving them
tyrants; but England must have offended highly to
lx cuift with both in one. Roffeau proposed a plan
for ehablithing a perpetual European peace ; which
w^s, for every State in Europe to fend Ambeffadors
to form a General Council, and when any difference
happened between any two nations, to refer the mat
ter to arbitration instead of going to arms. This
would be forming a kind of European Republic :
But the proud and plundering spirit of Kings hath
not peac§ for its object.---They lock not'at the good
of mankind They set not out on that plan :
find if the hiftoryef the Creation, and the history
of Kings be compared together, the result will be
this---that God hath made a world, and Kings have
robbed^im of it.
But that which fufficiehtly establishes the republi
can mode of government, in preference to a Kingly
one, even when all other arguments are left out, is
this simple truth, that all men are Republicans by
nature and Royalists only by fafhiom And this is
fully proved by that passionate adoration, which all
men (hew to that great and almost only remaining
bulwark of natural rights, trial by juries, which is
founded on a pure republican basis. Here the power
of King's is flint out. No Royal negative can enter
this Court. The Jury,which is here, fupreme,is aße
public, a body of fudges ckofen from among the people.
The ohm ter which secures this freedom in England,
was formed, not in the senate, but in the field ; and
infilled on by the people, not granted by the crown ;
the crown in that inllance granted nothing, but only
renounced its former tyrannies, and bound itfelf over
to its future good behaivour.--It was the compromise,
by which the wearer of it made his peace with the
people, and the condition on which he was fuffered
to reign.,
Here ends my reply to all the letters which have at
present appeared under the signature of Cato, being
at this time seven in number. I have made no par
ticular remarks on his two left, which treats only of
the mode of government, but anfweied to them ge
nerally. In or,eplace I observe, he accuses the wri-
« to form no politics! connection! with mypart of it. It
'' is the true interest of America to fleer clear of all Eu
" ropean c> ^ms." And where it proposes fending a
manifefto t> icign courts (which it is high time to do)
it recammmi it, only, for the purpose of announcing to
them tael?, ffbility of out living arty longer under the Bri
tish gwerem it, and of " assuring fuco Courts, of our peace
'• able dis, Alien towards them, and of our desire of entering
" tnt trade with them,' Learn to be an honest man,
Cato, and then thou wilt not be thus exposed I have
been the more particular in detecting Cato here, because
it is on this bubblat^at his air-built battery a?ainft inde
pendance is railed—a poor foundation indeed ! which
even the point of a pin, or a pen if you please, can de
molish with a touch, aid bury the formidable Cato be
neath the ruins of a vapour.
From this part of his fifth letter to the end of bis
fev&nth, he entirely defects tire fubje& of indepen
dence, and lets up the proud flandard of Kings,
in preference to a Republican form of government.
My remarks on this part of the fubje& will be gene
ral and conrife.
In this part of the debate, Cato Alters himfelf
chiefly ir, quotations from other authors, without
reasoning much on the matter himfelf; ^ in arfwer
to which, T present him with a thing of maxims and
reflexions, drawn from the nature of things, without
borrowing from any one. Cato may observe, that I
fc^cely ever quote ; the realba is I always think.
But to return.
Government should alwaysbe ronfidtrod as a mat
ter of convenience, not of right. The scripture
institutes no particular form of government, but it
enters a protest agab ft the monarchical form; anda
negation on one thing, where two only are offered,
and one mult be chosen, amounts to an affirmative on
the other. Monarchical government was foft set up
by the Heathens, and the Almighty permitted it to
the Jews as a punishment. “ I gave them a King
'' in mine angfr." Hosea xiii. if. A Republican
form of government is pointed out by nature-Kingly
governments by an inequality of power. In Re
publican governments, the leaders of the people, if
improper, arc removeable by vote ; Kings only by
arms : an unfuccefsful vote in the full case, leaves
ter of Common Sense with ioconfiftency, in having
declared, " 1 hat no man was a warmer wither for
" reconciliation than himfelf, before the fatal 19th
" of. April, 1775; " " that is, (fays Cato) recon
" ciliation to monarchical government :" to which I
reply, that war ought to be no man's wijh, neither
ought any man to perplex a state, already formed
with his private opinions ; “ the mode of government
“ beings proper consideration for thofe' countries"
“ only which have their governments yet to form."
Common Sense.
$ The following is an infiance of Gate's method of
conducing an argument, «If hereditary succession
" fe> s Common Sente, (meaning succession of mo.
" narchicN governments) did ensure a race of good
“ and wife men, it would have the seal of divine
“ authority," thus eye find him, fays Cato, " with
“ his own hand affixing the seal of heaven to
“ what he before told us the Devil invented and the
“ Almighty entered his protest against." Cato's 71b
Etter.---Tbis is a strange argument indeed, Cato ! or
rather it is no argument at all, Jor hereditary succession
does not ensure a race of good and wife men, confe
^uentf has net the seal of divine authority.
§ Cato and I differ materially in our opinion of Com
mittees; I confider them as theory constitutional bodies
at present in this province, and that for the following
reason ; they were duly ele&ed by thtr people, and
chearfully andfaithfully do the service for which they
were eleßed. The ENufe oj Assembly were Ukewije
elected by the people, but do the bufinefs jor which they
were not ele&ed. flheir authority is truly unconstituti
onal, being felf created. My charge is as a body, and
not as individuals.
* Forget not the hapless African.
to a^to*mp^ wrai&&XßC-evu raLßi m a weufflTC^V
Ite jollo<wmg Piece was fer.t to the Printer by Dr. [0 N Fs,
r nebom it was communicated by Mr. Wood, late ore oj
the Doffer s Pupils, ard ore nubofe Carder, Veracity, and
Ingenuity, has a just Claim to the Attention and Confidence
of the Public.
Goshen, April go, 1776.
To the PUBLIC.'
AS the Manufacture of Salt Petre is become so ne
cellary for our common Defence, I think every
friend to his Country who has made any Proficiency in
the Art, is under Obligations to difeover it. The Sub
scriber having tried a Number of Experiments, atid dis
covered something new, as he thinks, at lead something
more than he has yet seen published, has been advised by
a Number cf Gentlemen to whom be has communicated
it, to lay before the Public the following Account :
I fir.? made an Experiment on Stable Dirt, which had
no sensible taste ; four Bufbels of which I put in a Tub,
and proceeded with it according to the Direaions of the
Committee es Safety at Philadelphia : It produced only
two Ounces of Salt Petre.---I next made choice of the
Earth under the Fleur of an old Dwelling-House, which
On a review of the ground which I hare gone over
in Cato's letters, (exclusive of wha* I have omitted)
I find the following material charges against him :
Firfl. He hath accused the Committee with crimes
generally ; Rated none, nor proved nor attempted to
prove any. N. B. The pietence of charging the a&s
of a body of men on individuals, is too Render to be
admitted §.
Secondly. He hath falfly complained to the public
of the reltraint of the press.
Thirdly. He hath wickedly asserted that " gleams
of reconciliation had lately broken in upon us,"
thereby gruffly deceiving the people.
Fourthly. He hath insinuated as if he wished the
public to believe, that we had received " the utmost
" assurance of having all our grievances rediefleJ,
“ and an ample security against any future violation
"of ourjuft rights.
Fifthly. He hath spread falfe alarms of calling in
foreign troops.
Sixthly. He hath turned the scripture into jest.
These fabhoods, if uncontradi&ed, might have
pat Ted for truths, and the minds of persons remote
from better intelligence might have been greatly em
barrassed thereby. Let our opinions be What they
will, truth as to faffs Should be ltri&ly adhered to.
It was this affe&ing consideration that drew out the
Foreftcr (a perfect volunteer) to the painful talk of
writing three long letters, And occasioned to the
public the trouble of reading them.
Having for the present closed dry correfpobdence
witli Cato, 1 shall conclude this letter with a well
meant, affectionate address- -
Be not deceived.---It is not a little that is at Rake.
Reconciliation will not now go down, even if it
were offered. 'Tis a dangerous question; for the
eyes of all men begin to open. There is now no
Secret in the matter; there ought to be none. It is a
case that concerns every man, and every man ought
to lay it to heart. He that is here and he that was
born here are alike concerned. It is needless too,
to Split the business into a thousand parts, and perplex
it with endlels and fruitlefs investigations, in the
manner that a writer Signed a Common Man hath
done> This unparalleled contention of nations is
not to be fettled like a school-boy's talk of pounds,
/hillings, pence, and fraaions. That writer, though
he may mean well, is strangely below the mark : For
the firft and great question, and that which involves
every other in it, and from which every other will
flow, is bafpinefs. Can this continent be happy
tinder the government of Great-Britain or not?
Secondly, can She be happy under a government of
our own ? To live beneath the authority of those
whom we cannot love, is misery, Slavery, or what
name yob please. In that case, there will never be
peace. Security will be-a thing unknown, because,
a treacherous friend in power, is the meft dangerous
of enemies. The answer to the fecend question, can
America be happy under a government of her own, is
fhortand simple, viz. as happy as fae please; sh? hath
a blank Sheet to write upon. Put it not off too long.*
Painful as the task of Speaking truth must Some
times be, yet I cannot avoid giving the following
hint, because much, nay ahnoit every thing depends
upon it ; and that is, a thorough knowledge of the
persons whom we trust. It is the duty of the public,
at this time, to Scrutinize closely into the cendua @f
their Committee Members, Members of Affcmbly,
and Delegates in Congress ; to know what they do,
and their motives for so doing. Without knowing
this, we shall never know who to confide in; but shall
constantly mistake friends for enemies, and enemies
for friends, till in the conftifien of performs we Sacrifice
the cause.---I am led to this reflexion by the follow
ing circumstance, That the Gentleman to whom the
unwise and arbitrary inftru&ions to the Delegates of
this province owe their being, and who hath be
llowed all his power to support them, is laid to be
the fame person who, when the Ships new en the
Rocks were wanting timber, refuted to fill it, and
thus by preventing cur strength to cry out of our
insufficiency.---But his hour of fame is past----he
is hastening to his political exit.
The FORESTER.
Conquest, and not reconciliation is the plan of
Britain. But admitting even the last hope of the
Topics to happen, which is, that our enemies alter
a long faccellion of losses, wearied and disabled,
Should despairingly throw down their arms and pro
pole a re-union ; in that case, what is to be done ?
Are defeated and disappointed tyrants, to be con
lidcred like mistaken and converted friends? Or
would it be right, to receive those fur Governors,
who, had they been conquerors, would have hung
us up for traitors ? Certainly not. Rje& the offer
then, and propose another ; which is, we will make
peace with you as with enemies, but we will never
re-unite with you as friends. This effe&ed, and ye
Secure to ylulelvcs the pleasing profpea of an eter
nal peace. America, remote from all the wrangling
world, may live at case. Bounded by the oceoff,
and backed by the wilderness, what hath the to feat,
but her God ?
1T is not a time to trifle. Men, who know they
defer ve nothing from their country, and whole hope
is on the arm that bath fought to enclave ye, may
hold out to you, as Cato hath done, the falfe light
of reconciliation.--There is no such thing. 'Tis
gone ! ' Fis pall !---The grave hath parted us---and
death, in the persons of the (lain, hath cut the thread
of life between Britain and America.
TO THE PEOPLE.
had a Sharp bitferifh Taste, resembling Nitre, but mote
bitter :' I dug fix or eight Inches deep, and put up fifteen
Eufhels in Tubt, and having obtained the Lye, added to
ita fourth Part of strong Lye of AShes, upon which it
appeared very turbid and milky. Having let it stand
some Time in a Tub to fettle, 1 took a Small Quantity
from the Top, clear and free from the earthy Sediment,
and added to it a little more Lye of Ashes ; and finding
it put on the fame turbid or milky Appearance, and let
fall a considerable Quantity of Sediment, I fiippofcd more
of the Alkaline Lye was necessary. Accordingly! added
more to the Liquor in the Tub, and Continued adding at
several Times, until I found no more of the Turbidnefs
or Sediment before mentioned. I then let it hand some
Hours, but it would not fettle more than two-thirds of
the Depth, Then having taken off all that was clear for
boiling, I put up the remaining Sediment, and let it drain
through the Earth in the Leech Tub, which produced
another Lye to be heated as before. By this Method, out
of the fifteen Bhlhels of Earth, I extracted thirty Pounds
of good Salt Perre. I then imagined 1 had before dug
deeper than was necessary, and was confirmed in this
Opinion by further examining and tailing the Earth ;
therefore for a further Experiment I took three Bushels
from the Surface of the Ground, not above two Inches
deep, and proceeded with it in the Manner described
above, from which I obtained fourteen Pounds and ah
half of Salt Petre, which I weighed; and had net the
last boiling been accidentally mixed with other Salt Petrd
Lye in my Absence, I make nodoubt I could have weigh
ed twenty Pounds extracted from only three Bufhtls of
Earth. These three Bushels of Ehrth required all the Lye
. which could be drawn from the fame Quantity of Ashes.
In these two last Experiments I have been much assisted
by the Direaions given by Dr. Whiting, Chairman of
' the Salt Petre Committee at Watertown, which are the
best I have y&t seen pubfifhed ; but hb has not lufficirntly
: ascertained the Quantity of Alkaline Lyeor Lye of Affies,
necessary to difengagethe Nitre in t,he Earth Lye from its
. terrene Basis ; for want of which, I am sensible many
who have mAe Experiments have loft a considerable
Quantity of the Salt Petre, which might have b^en ob
tained by a proper Process. And indeed lam inclined to
think, that the not adding a (efficient Quantity of the
Lye of Afh.es to the Lye of Earth, has been a ctramon
Error in the mamitadlure of Salt Petre, and is a ronfi
derable Reason, why, in many Instances, so small Quan
tities have been obtained ; but by the preceding Experi
ments it is evident, that the Manuf ffurer should add
the Alkaline Lye as long as he perceives any ^edifneat,
or Turbidnef^ resembling curdled Milk, arise from the
Mixture; by carefully observing which, he cannot mis
take the proper Quantity.—As to the choice of Mate
rials (notwithftandiog what has been laid by Nitrifictfs in
the New-Yorli Journal, No. 1737) 1 think the best way
of judging is by the Taftc. The Earth which has a
sharp bitter Taste, resembling Nitre, but more fitter
(I cannot call it as Dr. Whiting does, “ Sourish and
Alldm-like) is the only Earth I have found fit to pro
duce Salt Petre ; and b- ex^r/ini # g in this Manner I
have never been deceived. The Earth I have found in
Stables having nothing of this Tafle, I find by Experi
ence to be of little or no Value. I have found the best
Errth under old D^elling-Houfes ; but this is often v^y
different under different Pit's of th? fame Building : In
fon.e Places it will be strongly imptemated w th the
nitrous Salt, for fix or e ; ght Inches deep, in &tl© Places
not above an Inch, and in feme Places none at all, f;
that f rty didect Experiments might be necessary to
examine the Ear r h under one Building, according ta the
Direaions of Nitrilicus, which would be too tedi; us for
common Manufacturers, especially as I think choosing by
the Tute is as fare, and much mare Expeditious.
DANIEL WOOD.
Ordered, That the circular letter from the Secre
tary of Siate, lately intercepted, together with the
cHufe of the a& of parliament therein referred to,
be published. (A copy)
John Berkley, Assistant Cleik.
SIR, Whitehall, Dec. 23, 1775.
THE King bring determined, in. concurrence
& with his parliament, to purlue the moil vigor
ous ^meafures for reducing his rebellious fobjeds
in North-America to obedience, and for restoring
legal government, has gi/en the royal assent to the
enclosed a&, which 1 am commanded by his M jetty
to tranimit to you, and at the lame time to fignify
to you bis Majetty's pleal^re that you do exhort all
perlons, upon whom the execution of this law shall
depend, to pay a due atcenrion thereto, and to use
their best endeavours for carrying the provisions of
it into effea; and I trull that when his Mjtty's
deluded fubje&s in the aflociated colonies are better
apprised of the fatal consequences of the conduift
tiiey have adopted, and fee the determined spirit of
the nation to maintain its eonftitutional rights, they
will avail themselves of the means which the justice
and benevolence of tlu fufreme legislature have held
out to them, of beinyledored to the Km 's grace
and peace, and that a happy and lasting reconciliation
and Union will be effe&ed. And I have the fatis
fa&ion to acquaint you, that, in order to accelerate
this deferable objea, the proper steps have been taken
for palling a commUiion, under the great seal, in
conformity to the hit fe&ion but one of that act ;
and that the commissioner or commissioners, to be ap
pointed for that purpose, will have full power to
enquire into the date and condition of tlie colonies,
and to confer with proper persons upon such points
as may be nectary for eff<aing a leftoration of the
public tranquil ly. i am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
GEO. GERMAIN.
Deputy-Governor EDEN.
The clause in the afl oj Parliament, puffed on tbeigtb
oj December lafl, which afeertains the powers of
the commiffieners, is in these words.
PROP IDED, that in order to encourage all
well uffefled persons, in any of the said colonies,
to exert tbemfelves in jupprefling the rebellion therein,
and to afford a fteedy protection to those who are di,
jofed to return to thir duty, it /ball and may be law
ful to and jor any person or persons, appointed and au
chorifed by his Majefy, to grant a parson or pardons
to any number or dejcrijtion f persons. with such
exceptions tbereJrum as fail seem fit and reafnable,
by proclamation in bis Middy's name, to declare any
colony or pros dice, colonies or provinces, or ary county,
town, port, dyirict or place, 1.1 an colony or pro
vince, to be at the penes 0; his itajejiy ; and jrom
and ajter the suing f an, fab proclamation in any
cf the aforefaid colonies x ;^ w/.^s, or p his Maje
fy shall be graAotyf .. : 'to jivaijy the Jame by
bis Royal proclamation. ri < mmf alter the ifo
% of Jhcb prcclamat;: dh rffiefi to jueb
colony or province, or . , count,, town,
port, difria or fa. . and be
utterly void. A/ri ^ . yr
thedate andifuingy . ,'&/.) ~ysor
CharlQwn, (S. Carolina) March 20.
The lari accounts from Savannah inform us, that
the men of war have all gone clown the river, and
have carried with them 16 merchantmen; the latter
wei^carried through the back river, and were obliged
to be lightened of great part of their cargoes, which
were thrown into the river. We are informed that a
number cf Negroes have been taken off a gentleman's
plantation, lying on Savannah river, and carried on
hoard the men of war.
W I LLIAMSBURG, April 20.
In Committee of Safety, at Williamsburg,
April 18, 1776.
^cffels add the# target, belonging bo the inhabitant
oj any fueb colony or pro vince, colonics or provinces,
county, town, port, difrite or place, or of any flips
trading to or from fueb colony or province, colonies or
provinces reftelively, the Jame foall be refored to
the owners of such Jbips cr veffets, upon claim being;
entered and due proof made of their property therein ;
and the captors fall not be liable to any aßion for
seizing or detaining the said Jbips or vejjefs, or their
cargoes, without proof being made that they bad ac
tual notice of such proclamation having been issued.
WATERTOW N, z/pril 29.
Saturday lalt, Precepts were iffiied, fummomng %
new Assembly to convene at the Meeting-House in
Watertown, on Wednesday the 29th of May next.
NEWPORT, April 29.
Last Wednesday a Ship, supposed the Scarborough
or Cei bcrns, and a black Brig, were Handing off
arid on a little without the Entrance of this Harbour
great Part of the Day; they were twice elofe in with
the Light-House; two American Brigs and three
Sloops, the fame Day, were chafed by the above
black Brig, but got clear, and went in the Ealt Side
cf this Island.
PHILA 1) ELPHI A, May 1.
We hear the Hon. Andrew Alien, Esq; has fom^
time ago refigped Ids feat in the Governor's Council.
In COMMIrIEE of SAFETY, New-Brunswick,
April 23, 1776.
^^ ,HEREAS many dangerous consequences
, I will attend the fuffering an unrefrained com
merce between the inhabitants of this Colony and the
Continental troops, Rationed in or passing through
this province, therefore Refclved, Tirat no inhabi
tant cd this Colony shall be permitted to purchase or
receive from any non-commissioned officer or soldier,
in the Continental service, unlels such non-commissi
oned officer or soldier shall firft produce a certificate,
signed by the commanding Officer of the regiment, or
company, to which such non commissioned officer or
soldier belongs, fpecifiying the particular goods
permitted to be fold, with the name of the vender ;
and every person presuming to purchase any goods,
cloatbing or effects, contrary to this Refofution,
after being notified thereof, shall be deemed unfriend
ly to the liberties of America, and treated according
ly ; and the Committees of the several counties and
townships in this colony are enjoined to enforce a
compliance with this refelution.
By Order of the Committee,
" SAMUEL TUCKER, President.
The Printers of the several News Papers in Perfyl
vama and New-York, are requeued to insert the above
rejolulion in their papers.
In C ONGRES S, April 30, 1776.
The Committee to whom was referred the memorial
of the Committee of Inlpr&ion and Observation,
for the city and liberties of Philadelphia, praying the
advice of Congress, whether they ought to continue
the exercise of the power of regulating the price of
goods in other instances than that of green tea,
brought in their report, which being taken into con
sideration was agreed to, whereupon
Refolded, That the ninth article of the association,
which enjoined the inhabitants o 4 the United Colonies
to fell goods and merchandizes at the rules they had
refpeaively been accustomed to do for twelve months
then left pail, was in its nature a temporary regulation
refpe&ing the goods then on hand ; but as those
goods are nearly corifumed, and a further supply
must be obtained at an extraordinary rifle and expence,
and it is reasonable thatadventurers Ihould be encour
aged by a prolpe& of gain adequate to the danger,
witich may be incurred in the importation, and a free
trade being now opened from the United Colonies to
all parts of the world, except the dominions belong
ing to the King of Great-Britain.
Refolded, That the power of Committees of In
fpe&:on and Observation, to regulate the prices of
goods, (in other instances than the article of green
tea) ought to cease. Extrafl from the minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secry.
Extract of a Letter from* Savannah, in Georgia,
March 3.
“ As the following resolutions will, I am persuaded
give you the gr^ateti fatisfa&ion, I have font you a
copy of them, that rather than our enemies ihould
peflefs our merchant flapping and our capital town,
we unanimously resolved, that all (hall perish in a
noble conflagration, lighted by ourselves !"
Savannah, in Georgia, March 2, 1776.
In the COUNCIL oF SAFETY.
For the DJety of this Province, and the good of
the United Colonies, it is unanimouflv Resolved,
1 hat the houses in the town of Savannah, and the
hamlets thereto belonging, together with the Whipping
now in ourport, the property of, or appertaining to
tri friends of America, who have associated and
appeared, or.who shall appear in the present alarum
to defend the fame, and also the houses of widows
and orphans, and no^e others be forthwith appraised.
Resolved, That it shall be considered as a defection
from tie cattle of America, and a defection of pro
perty, in such perlons, who have and shall leave the
town of -Savannah, or the hamlets thereto belonging,
during the present alarm; and such perlons shall be
precluded from any support or countenance towards
obtaining an indemnification.
Resolved, That it be incumbent upon the friends
of America, in this province, to defend the metro
polis, as long as the lame shall be tenable.
Resolved, That rather than the fame shall be held
and occupy I by our enemies, or the (hipping now in
the putt of Savannah, taken and employed by them,
that thedame shall be burnt and destroyed.
Captain Ebenezer Barker arrived at Bedford last
Thursday, in 23 Days from the Weft-Indies, in
forms, that last Wednesday, a little to the southward
of Montague, he was chafed by two large Ships,
but Night coming on, he made his Escape ; that the
Inlands were in gr^at Want of Provisions, and were
planting inoft of their Cane-Land with Potatoes, &c.
and that the Transports which were blown off the
Coast last Winter, were to fail for Boston about the
Time he failed.
N E W-LONDON, April 26.
We hear that it is the Determination of the Conti
nental Congress, to fortify New-London Harbour
in the best and most effe&ual Manner; it being
judged a good and convenient Rendezvous for the
Continental Fleet.
Yeltetday Week; the Brig Cabot, Captain Elisha
Hinman, one of the Continental, Fleet from this Port,
was chafed into Newport by a Man of War of 28
Gtins, commanded by John Simmons : The said
Ship failt d from Halifax i,Days before, in Company
with a Brig of to Guns :---They watered at Block-
Island last Saturday, when several People from that
Eland were on board the ^hip and learned the above
Particulars; and were further informed, that the
Miniileiial Fleet from Boston lay at Halifax when
they came out, waiting Orders from Home.
Latt Thursday Night, the Continental Ships Alfred
and Columbus, and the Brig -------, arrived in our
Bay, and anchored near Hope ; a Station occupied
by British Pirates a considerable Part cf the Winter!