The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1776-01-08 00:00:00, page 1

At a meeting of the Livery of London, in Common
Hall assembled, on Friday the 29th of Sept. 1775.
n ffR. Deputy Piper acquainted the Livery that at
a previous meeting of the Livery at the Half
Moon Tavern in Cheaphde on Monday evening last,
at which meeting he was Chairman, if was by them
agreed, that an address to the Electors of Great-
Biitain on the present alarming crisis of public griev
ances, be recommended from that meeting t® the con
iideration of the next Common-Hall.
And an address being accordingly produced, a
motion was made and question put, that the fiicl Ad
drels be now read ; it was resolved in the affirmative,
and the said address was read accordingly.
Monday, January ^, 1776.' THEf°- t2 6fl
14 E ^ - r 0 R K G A Z E T TE:
WEEKLY " " ' ' ' ' ''
Joreinn anti Domenici.
Containing the freU^l^b^ =r_ === -========-
Refolwed, That the Freedom of the Press
is essential to the exigence of a free government.
Refolded, That by a judicious exercise of the free
dom of the press, the minds of men are enlightned ;
knowledge, both civil and religious, is diftufed; and
the people are taught to prize, as inestimable, thole
political rights secured by the Revolution.
Refolded, That any attempt totally to destroy, or
partially to infringe, the liberty of the press, is to
frufirate the hleflings we, as pvote&into, enjoy from
the reformation ; and to violate those privileges we,
as Englishmen, inherit from the laws and corftitu
tion of our country.
Refolded, That EX OFFICIO INFORMATIONS
filed by the Attorney General are unconsti
tutional stretches of arbitrary power, tending as
effectually to deltroy the liberty of the press, as the
mod arbitrary process that ever issued from the star
chamber, during the reigns of the detectable Stuarts.
Refolded, That as we are well convinced of the
despotic intentions of ministry, we will endeavour
to defeat their attempts to exercise an improper jurif
di&ion over the press. Should any effort be made to
revive the office of a Licenser, we will oppose it
as unwarrantable ; and should any expounder of the
laws (for Judges are no more) sport with the
SACRED CHARTER OF OUR LIBERTIES and
tamper with Juries, on questions, relative to
the freedom of the press, we will never cease our
Druggies until a criminal of such magnitude is made
amenable to parliamentary justice.
Refolded, That at the fame time as we wish to
eherifh the liberty, we would entirely discountenance
the licentieufaefs of the press. Publications, there
fore, which have a tendency to depreciate the revo
lution, whether they assume the titles of "Me
moirs,” "Histories," or "State Compi
lations," are equally to be reprobated, as so many
atrocious Libels on'that happy eftabiifhment,
secured to us by the accession of the illustrious
House of Hanover.
LIBERTY of the PRESS.
AS, on the part of adminirtration, fume wan
ton exertions of despotic power have jukly
spread an alarm throughout the kingdom,
the people cannot witli too much vigilance
prote& their few remaining rights from violation.
The Liberty of the Press hath ever been
esteemed as one of the choicest bindings a free people
can enjoy.—Yet we have seen the deltruflion of that
liberty but too fuccefstully attempted by the instru
ment of despotism. Prosecutions have been com
menced by the officers of the crown, apparently for
no other purpose than that of silencing the f refs, by
denouncing ruin to such printers as (hall difeharge
their duty to the public with the becoming spirit of
Englifhmcn. Noris this all: In the very mode of
prosecution an eye hath been had toSTARCHAMBER
Tyranny. The printers of our news-papers
have not been presented on the Oaths of jurors, but
on the bare Suggestion of an officer of thecrown,
who, by filing Informations, ex officio, againtt
his Majesty's innocent fubjeds (to whom no crime
whatever hath been imputed by their peers) thereby
supersedes the utility of Grand Juries in dAe&
ViOLATiONof Magna CHARTA—and to the total
overthrow of the great bulwark of English liberties.
Conceiving an opposition to such opprcllive mea
sures, to be a duty incumbent on the people at large---
desirous, as well of rescuing the press from the
shackles of ministerial slavery, as of affording fame
protection to those printers who may otherwise fuffer
in the cause of liberty, the members of the London
Association have determined to fopport the free
dom of the press upon true constitutional grounds, and
they have therefore agreed to the following RESO
LU TIONS.
Refolded, That if those printers, who have (hewn
themselves favourable to the rights of British fubje&s
shall be harraffed by expensive prosecutions, (nomi
nally at the suit of the crown, but virtually and sub
stantially at the instigation of the ministry, and cer
tainly at the expence of the people) we will patronize
such printers, that the freedom of the press may not
be wounded through their sides.
Refolded, That this association will appropriate
the sum of One Hundred Pounds out of their
fund, to be expended as occasion may require, in the
defence of the printers of such papers as shall appear
to have the justest claim to public protection.
Refolded, That it be earnestly recommended to
every friend of civil and religious liberty throughout
the kingdom, to assist in an undertaking, the utility
of which is felf-evident ; for, as to the revival
of Letters, we owe our deliverance from monkish
fuperftimm, so to the Freedom of the Press
alone fliall we be indebted, if the liberties of our
country survives---the wishes of administration.
Signed by Order of the Afociation,
THOMAS JOEL, Secry.
LONDO N, Oaober 5.
A White Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to weigh
A ilb. 8 1-2 oz. for 4 Coppers.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 2os. per Cent.
^ PRINTED BY HUGH GAINE, P R I NTER , Bookseller, ^ d Stater ft^
Globe Tavern, Fleet-Street, O&. 4, 1775-
LONDON ASSOCIATION.
Published November 2, 1775.
We cannot, therefore, difeover any real objt&,
or possible event of this dispute (should we be fuccefs
ful) but that of establishing the arbitrary power of
the crown, over our fellow fnbje&s in America,
which must greatly endanger the constitution here,
and increasing the number of placemen and pensioners,
already so enormous, as to threaten the utter destruc
tion of freedom and independence among us.
The people of the colonies have appealed to their
fellow fubjefts in Great-Britnin, for the justice and
necessity of their conduct. We are convinced of their
having been injured and ofepreffed. We fympathife in
their griefs, and revere their fortitude; every motive
of humanity, of justice and of interest, calls upon
us to condemn the measures of which they complain,
and to declare, that we will never willingly contribute
to urge their oppressions, or abridge their liberties.
It has been our grief and our misfortune to fee,
that the repeated petitions from his Majesty's fubjecls
in America, Supported by many in this country,
have not availed to prevent the dreadful extremities
we now lament. The petitioners have been studiously
driven to the last resources of despair, by a denial of
redress, and an accumulation of grievances, too
severe to be endured by a free people.
In the united petition last year, from all the colonies
to the King, they asked for peace, liberty, and fafety.
Did it become us to refufe such a request ; or to
persist in violating the peace, liberty and fafety of any
part of our fellow fubje&s ? They pledge themselves,
" that in time of war, they will be ready and willing
to demonstrate their loyalty to his Majesty, by exert
ing their most strenuous efforts, in granting supplies
and raising forces."---What can we in justice require
more from a part of the empire, restrained, in points
of commercial advantages, for our benefit; and
labouring, in consequence of that restraint, under a
heavy and accumulating debt ? Can we expe& success
from a war, founded in such flagrant injuflice ?
Appealing, fay they, “ to that Being, who searches
thoroughly the hearts of his creatures, we solemnly
profefs, that our councils have been influenced by no
other motive, than a dread of impending deftru&ion."
That dread has been realized. Famine, fire and
Gvord, have answered their reasonable requests, and
It is impossible we can fee, without the iitmoft
alarm, preparations making for the prosecution of
an expensive and ruinous war with our own colonies,
from which so much of our commerce, and therefore
the sources of our wealth are derived. The inevita
ble confequence^ this mult be an increase of taxes
already too heavy, and an addition to the natural
debt which presses us with intolerable weight. V/e
beg you to confider what must be the fituarion of tin's
kingdom, under an augmentation of taxes anl axh
minution of commerce—an increase of national debt,
and an equal decrease of national resources.
These are the immediate and unavoidable tonfe
quences of this war. The probable ones are (Lll
more fatal. If our natural and inveterate ehenties
should fall upon us when we are exhausted of men
and money, when our most valuable commerce is ru
ined, and our bravest and veteran troops facrificed--
what is it that can shield us from immediate ruin : If
we involve ourselves, then, in this obflinate and ex
pensive civil war, we. must owe our fafety to the for
bearance of our enemies. Neither do we think it
improbable, from the desperate valour with wh ; 'h
the Americans defend their dearest liberties, that 11
our efforts will be unfuccefsful, and that we shall at
last be obliged to lit down under a grievous add^
of debt, the shame of defeated armaments, and the
total loss of our ufeful aod affectionate colonies.
The prevision that is making for the introduction
of Hanoverian and Hessian troops, instead of re
moving, confirms our apprehensions: because we
cannot have any confidence in the projection of
foreign mercenaries; and feel at once the shame and
folly of that policy, which is to burthen us with
taxes for the payment of foreign protectors, while
ourown brave troops are slaughtered in an unnatural,
unnecessary, and inglorious contest.
For the certain expences of this war, we fee no
reparation, even in conquest. Defoliated fields, and
depopulated provinces, are little likely to contribute
to our necefTities, either by revenue or commerce.
No complaint from the merchants and manufacturers
in Great-Britain, of illicit trade, and aCt of navi
gation infringed, has called for these coercive mea
sures. On the contrary, they have repeatedly
petitioned against the principles upon which the war
is founded. To secure our commerce therefore,
can neither be the aim, nor issue of this war.
Neither can it be to fettle a due subordination of
the colonies, upon the parent state, since they have
repeatedly and folcmnly acknowledged their subor
dination, and submitted to our contrwul.
Refolded, That the Address to the Eleanors of
Great-Britain now read, be entitled, The Addie s 0
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of London,
in Common-Hall assembled, and be entered in the
City Records, and published in the papers hgneu by
the'Lord Mayor and Sheriffs and counter figned^ by
the Town Clerk ; which Address follows in to le
words ;
To the Electors of Great-Britain.
Gentlemen,
The mifehiefs which have already arisen, and the
greater calamities which are threatened, from the
unnatural war excited in America, by the arbitrary
and inexorable spirit of his Majefiy's ministers, and
advisers, have impressed our n^nds with alarms and
apprehenfn ns, which occaiion this address to you.
As Electors we are more particularly called upon
to take into consideration these dangerous proceedings
against our fellow fubje&s in America ; because the
representatives of the people are unhappily made the
inifruments of these measures.
Monday, 12 Min. after 11
Tuesday, 55 Min. after 11
Wednesday, 37 Min. after 12
Thursday, 16 Min. after 1
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
Friday, 5 6 Min. after 1 1
Saturday, 40 Min. after 2
Sunday, 22 Min. after 3
Lafl barter next Saturday. \
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS the General Assembly of
this Province Hands prorogued to
the firft Day of February now next
ensuing: I have thought fit for his
Majetty's Service, and I do, with
the Advice of his Majesty's Council, and by Virtue
of the Power and Authority unto me granted by his
Majesty, diflblve the said General Assembly, and the
faidGeneral Affemblyare hereby dissolved accordingly.
GIKF, N under my Hand and Seal, at Arms,
in the (At, of Neve-York, the 2dDay of "January,
One Tboufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-fix,
in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of our
Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace
of God, of Great-Britain, France, and Ireland,
King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth.
Wm. TRYON.
By his Excellency's Command,
Sam. Bayard, jun. D. Secry.
GOD save the" KING.
PURSUANT to his Majesty's Writ to me directed
and delivered, for the electing four Representatives
to serve in a General Assembly of this Province, Notice
is hereby given to the Freemen and Freeholders of the
City and County of New-York, in my Bailiwick, to
assemble and meet together on Thursday the firft Day of
February next, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon of the
fame Day. on the Green near the Wotk-Houfe, in the
City of New-York, and then and there to nominate
and chufe, by a Plurality of Voices, four able ard fuf
ficient Freeholders of the Ciu and County of New-Yurk
aforefaid, to be Representatives of the said City and
County, to assist the Captain General, or Commander in
Chief of the Province of New York, in a General
Assembly. JOHN ROBERTS, Sheriff.
New-York, January 4, 1776.
To this petition an answer has been refuted. The
unhappy petitioners are left to deplore the profpea:
of inexorable war and desolation, and to seek protec
tion in those fatal resources, which felf-preferyation
fuggeits against impending deftruaion^
This, Gentlemen, is the alarming State of America,
which fills us with anxiety and apprehensions.
We lament the blood that has been already died ;
we deploi^ the fate cf those brave men, who are
devoted to hazard their lives, not against the enemies
of the British name, but against the friends of the
prosperity and gloiy of Giem-Briiain. We feel for
the honour of the British aims, Sullied not by the
misbehaviour of these who bore them, but by the
mif-eondu6 tof the ministers who employed them,
to the oppression <f their fellow fubjeas. We are
alarmed at the immediate, iufuppqi table expence,
and the probable consequences of a war, which we
are convinced, originates in violence and injustice,
and mult end in ruin.
WILLIAM TRYON, Esq ;
Captain General and Governor in Chief, in and over
the Province of New-York, and the Territories
depending thereon in America, Chancellor and
Vice-Admiral of the fame.
These are the sentiments, Gentlemen, which we
take the liberty of communicating to you, as the
reasons upon which we have acted, trusting that, if
they meet with your approbation, vou will co-operate
with us, in endeavouring to bring the authors of
these evils, to the juttice of their country.
earned applications. Utter delfruaion; or uncondi
tional fubmdlibn, is the only alternative left them,
by this imperious and intemperate administration.
Yet (till they were determined to try the force of
frefh I'upplication. This they have done in their late
petition to the Throne, more humble, but Rill
iruitlefs as the former. They lav, " knowing to
what violent rrfemihents and incurable aninu hues,
civil difeords are apt to exasperate and itiflame the
contending parties, we think ourselves lequnud by
mdifpenhble obligations to Almighty God, to your
Majesty, to our fellow fubjeds and ourselves, imme
diately to use 7.11 the meansill our power, not incom
patible witli oiif fafety, for Rapping the further
efiufion of blood, and for averting the impending
calamities, which threaten the British empire."
We feel these as the molt amiable sentiments of
men, cordially interested in bur welfare, and earnestly
aiming at peace and reconciliation.
Tn pihfuit of iheie laudable pm poses; they fokmnly
declare, their molt ardent delire thert, “ the former
harmony between the two countries may be rettored,
and a concord may be established between them, upon
so firm a Dafis, as to perpetuate its bleflmgs, unin
terrupted by any future diflentions, to Succeeding
generations in both countries :" They declare that
“ they do not requett such a reconciliation, as t might
in any manner, be inconfiSlint with the dignity or
welfare of Great-Briiam , that " they are ready
And willing, at all times, as they have been, with
their lives and fortunes; to aflert and maintain the
rights and interests of his Majetty, and of their
mother country." They therefore implore his MA
jUt, “to take measures for preventing the fu ther
ddbuUion of the lives of his fubj.&s ; and that he
will be plcafed to di;e& f,me mode by which the
United applications of his faithful cHonitis to the
throne, in pursuance of their common councils,
may be improved into a ha ,y and permanent recon
ciliation ; and that the wilhed for opportunity may
soon be restored to them, of evincing the Sincerity of
their piofeffions, by every testimony of devotion,
becoming the most dutiful fubjifts, and the molt
aHc&ionate toloniOs;"
Signed in obedience to the order of the Common-
Hall, JOHN WILKES, Mayor.
GEO. HAYLEY, 7
NATH. NEWNHAM, §
— -tT'WM^ffi^^^
By his EXCELLENCY
Wheat per Bushel, js. gd.
Flour, 18s. od.
Brown Bread, 15s. od.
Weft-India Rum, 4s. 6d.
New-England, do. zs„ 6d.
PRICE-CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, 60s. od.
Single refin'd ditto, is. 2d.
Melaffes, 2s. od.
Beef per Barrel, 60s. od.
Pork, 655. od.
N. B. Good encouragement will be given to those who
underhand making Steel from Pig-metal, in the
German method, as the above Forge is designed to be
employed in that business, they having twa fires at Ster
ling now making it, which Reel they warrant equal to that
imported from Germany ; but should the purchasers not
think so, they on returning the Perl shall have their mo
ney returned. Any one applying to William Hawxhurft,
in New-York, may be fiipplied therewith.
rfTiE Printer is desired to inform the Public, that
R Joseph Peatfall, mentioned in the lift of delin
quents in Queen's County, published in this paper of the
iff instant, is not |oeph Pearfall, Watch-maker, of
New-York, now at Cow-Neck, on Long-lfland.
And entered upon any time between this and Mav,
situated in the borough of Westchester, op pofite the
church,
A Large HOUSE two stories
X high, fit for a store or tavern, with a good barm
find out-hoofes, and about ten acres of good land, one
half of which is meadow, and the whole may be made
meadow with a little trouble ; a good orchard, a large
garden and fruit trees. Anyone that has a mind to pur-
Lfe may apply to the fubferiber, now living on the
pre^YGs, who will give a fufficient title.
SAMUEL WEBB.
RIT 1 N G
n~'AUGHT in fix Weeks, atone Hour per
I Diem, at Homeor abroad, by the Sub
fcr^ber, at his House the lower End of Crown-
Street, next Door to Mr. Ralph Thurman's:
Where Specimens of Improvement may be
seen. W. ELPHINSTON.
~GRA NTIN E,
LT AV ^ Y e - ° n hand a few pipes of choice old Fayal
I WINES, fix gallon cases of belt GENEVA, best
SWEET OYL, CASTILE SOAP. BRISTOL PIPES,
short and long; a few calks of TOBACCO. Also the
remains of their store of IRONMONGERY and CUT
LERY, among which are anvils, vices, and corn mills,
which they will fell as cheap as ever, at thtir store cypc
fite the crane on CrommeliM's wharf.
KALENDAR,
For the Year 1776.
CONTAINING,
THE Kalendar ; Royal Family of Great-Rritaia,
and Extent and Situation of England, Scotland
and Ireland ; Royal Family, &c. of France, Spain, Por
tugal, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland,
Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, Orange, Italy and Turkey ;
Engliffi Nobility, Scots Nobility, Archbishops and Bi-
Ships of England, Privy Council, Knights of the Garter,
Knights of the Thistle, Knights of the Bath, Secretaries
of State, Lords of Treasury, Lords of Trade, Lords of
Admiralty, High Court of do. Poftmaflers General,
Army, House of Commons, Rank of Army and Navy,
Royal Navy, Holydays at the Custom-House, Pay of the
Navy, Pay of the Army, Precedency among Men, Pre
cedency among Women, Kings and Queens of England,
---of Scotland,---of Great-Britain ; Iriih Nobility, Arch-
Li/hops and Bishops, Enumerated Goods fubje& to Duty
in America, Description of America, General Efhblifh
ment, Government of Weft-Fl(>rida,-—Eaft-Florida,---
Georgi a,---South-CarJina,---North -Carolina, --,-Virgi
mr...-Maryland,--.Pennijlvania a<d lower Counties cf
New-Castle, Kent, and Suffer, upon Delaware,---New-
J'r'ey,---New-Ycrk; Corporation for the Relief of the
Widows and Children of Clergymen of the Church of
England, Government of Connecticut,-—Rhode-ifland,
—Massachusetts-Bay,—New-Hampshire, Nova-Sco
tia,—-Newfoundland,---St. Jbhn's,---Canada; Ministers
and Congregations belonging to the Revd. Syn< d of New-
York, &c. Afleciate Prefoytery of Philadelphia, his
Majefly's Forces at Boston, Governors of New-York,
from the Ye.tr 1664 to the present Time, Governors of
New-Jersey, Governors of the Weft-India Islands, Staff
of the Army of the thirteen United Province in North-
America, State of the four Regiments raised in the Co
lony of Xevv-V ^k, Royal AAtincry raffed in New-York,
Officers in the Troop of Light Horse in New-York, In
dependent Companies in New-York, New-Jersey Bills
reduced to New-York Currency, Table of Interest,
Roads, &c,
A FORGE with fix Fires,
To be built near Stirling, for Messrs. NOBLE
and TOWNSEND,
WHO will give great encouragement to any person
that will erred and compleat the fame. Any
one tha fc inclines to undertake it, must give jn their pro
;oLiSfefyre the 25th of January, as immediately after
that, it is intended to set about cutting and drawing the
timber. As the roughness of the country makes it neces
sary to colled rhe timber while the snow is on the ground,
the perfen that applies ought to be strong handed. For
farther particulars apply to William Hawxhurft, in New-
York.
Journal of the Proceedings
OF THE
JUST PUBLISHED,
And to be SOLD at his Book-Store and
Pritikng-Office, in Hanover-Square,
[llluftrated with a beautiful and accurate Cop
per Plate Plan of the Ci, of New-York.)
Universal Register,
O R,
ALS 0,
On Tuesday last was published,
And may be had at the fame Place, Price, 3s.
THE
Continental Congress,
Held at Philadelphia, May 10, 17,5.
AMERICAN and BRITISH
G A I NE's
Fine Salt, 3s. 3d
Coarse Salt, 33. gd
Indian Cornperßu.gs. 64