The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1782-07-01 00:00:00, page 1

New-York, if June, 178:.
SIR,
¥ HEN Ilaft saw you at Elizabeth Town,
J\ I mentioned the bad confquence,
which in, all probability would takeplace in
the hot weather, if an exchange of prisoners
^ not agreed to by the commissioners on the
part of General Washington.
His Excellency Rear-Admiral Digby has
(ordered me to inform you, that the very great
W^afr^t prisoners, and heat of the weather
row baffles all our care and attention to keep
them healthy : Five fhip> have been taken up
for their reception, to prevent being crouded,
and a great number permitted to go on pa
role.
In winter, and during the cold weather,
they b.v:d comfortably, being fully supplied
with warm eloathing, blanket, &c. purchased
whb nr^ey which I coile&ed from the charit
the of bis city; but now the weather requires
afi.E G~ply—fomething light and iuitabie
to the feafon—for which you will be plealed to
make the necessary proGfion; as it is impossi
ble for them to be wealthy in the rags they
row we&s without a tingle fhift of cloathig to
keep them clean. Humaniy, sympathy, my
dur; and orders oblige me to trouble you again
on this tifagreeable fubjed, to request you
will loose n time in laying their fiiuation be
fore hrs Excellency General Wafhingt3n, who
I hope will liftpn to the cries of a distressed
people, and grant them (as well as the British
prisoners in his hands) relief, by consenting
W a ^fr^ and immediate exchange.
I am, SIR,
Your molt obedient Servant,
(Signed) DAVID SPROAT,
Comm-ffary General for
Naval Prisoners.
Abraham Sinner, Esq; Commissary-
G^rat for Pryners.
New-York, June gib, 1782.
STR,
"['ROM the c efent situation of the American
, nv; prisoners on board your prison ships,
lam induced ^ oropofe to you the exchange
of as maay of them as I can give you Britilh
New York, 11th sane, 1782.
ririHlS will be handed you by Captain
I Daniel Aborn, and Dc&rJofeph Bow
en, who, ageeable to your petition to his
Excellency Rear Admiral Digby, have been
permitted to go out, and are now returned
frem General Washington's Head-Quarters,
where they delivered your petition to him,
repreferued your disagreeable situation at this
extern hot fe^fon of the year, and th your
rentes forfeited his Excellency to grant you
fpecdy relief, by exchanging the British lol
d ers, prisoners in his hands, the only possible
means in his power to effect it.
Mr. Aborn, and the Doctor, waits on you
with his answer, which 1 am firry to fay is a
flat denial.
Inclosed I fend you copies of three letters
which hve palled between Mr. Skinner and
me, on the occasion, ,and will convince you
thm every thing has been done on trie part of
Admiral Digby, to bring about a fair and
general exchange of prisoners on both sides.
lam,
iYourmoft bumble Servant,
DAVID SPROAT,
Commissary-General for
Naval Prisoners.
To the Prisoners on board his Majesty's
Fiijcn-Sbip Jersey.
Monday, 10 Min. after 2 1
Tuesday, 5, Min. after 2 i
Wednesday, 29 Min. after 3
Thursday, 7 Min. after 4 I
NEW-YORK, June 26.
On board the Prison Ship Jefey, June 11, 1782-
SIR,
INCLOSED are five letters, which if you
will give a place in your news-paper, will
greatly oblige a number of poor prisoners, who
feenpo be defeated by our own countrymen,
whohas it in their power and will not ex
change us.
Iq behalf of the whole, we beg leave to
fubferibe ourselves,
S I R,
Your much obliged Servants,
John Cooper,
Signed inbehalf of John Sheffield,
the whole. William Chad,
Richard Eccleston,
John Bass.
To. Mr. Gaine.
Monday, July I, ly&b THE 4 ,
N E W-Y OR K i#^i% GA ZE T
hot- AND THE
Containing tbe eatlieff atmiccf kJ!^W^\^7^ foreign anti Domeffick.
HIGH-WATER, at NEW'-YORK, this Week.
^ Printed by HUGH GAINE, at his Book-Store and Printing-Office, at the BIBLE and CROWN, in Hanover-Square.
Friday, 50 Mm. after 4
Saturday,34 Min. after 5
Sunday. 22 Min. after 6
Last Quar. To-morrow.
1 naval prisoners for; leaving the balance al-
Iready;due t® you to be paid when in our pow
er. I could wish this to be represented to his
Excellency Rear Admiral Digby, and that the
proposal could be acceded to, as it would re
lieve many ofthofe distressed men, and be con
fident with the humane purposes of our office,
I will admit that we are unable at present to
give you teaman for feaman,and thereby relieve
the prison ships of their dreadful burthen ; but
it ought to be remembered that there is a large
balance of British soldiers * due to the United
States, since February last, and that as we have
it in our power, we may be disposed to place
the British soldiers who are now in our pos
session in as disagreeable a situation as those
men on board the priion ships.
I am, Sir,
Your mod obedient humble Servant,
(Signed) ABRAHAM SKINNER,
Commffary General for Prisoners.
David Sproat, Esq;
Commfdry Generalfor Naval
Prisoners, Neiv To : L
* ANut 2.^0 men, ivbo Mr. Sproat offered to
discount if a general exchange took place.
New-York, fune q, 17^2.
SIR,
I HAVE received your letter of this date,
and laid it before his Excellency Rear Ad
miral Digby, Commander in Chief, &c. &c
&c. who has direded roe to give for answer,
that the balance of prifoners,* owing to tie
British, having proceeded from lenity and hu,
marnry, on the part of hnnfelf and those who
c inmanded before his arrival, is furprized 1
you have not been induced to offer to ex
change them firft ; and until this is done con
not content to your proposal ofa partial ex-1
change, leaving the remainder, as well as the
British prisoners in your hands to linger in l
confinement.
Confeious of the American prisoners under
my direction, being in every refped taken asl
good care of as their situation and our's will
admit; you must not believe, that Admiral
Digby will depart from (he justice of this
measure, because you have it in your power
to make the British soldiers who are prisoners
with ycu more miserable than there is any
necessity for.
I am Sir,
Your humble Servant,
(Signed) DAVID SPROA T,
Commissary-General for
Naval Prisoners.
Abraham Skinner, Ejq; American
Commissary-General for prisoners,
at prefnt in New York.
* Upwards of 1,300 naval prisoners have been
font more than we have received.
On board the prison Jhip ferfey,
New York, June to
Friends and fellow-countrymen of America,
YOU may bid a final adieu to all your
friends and relations, who are now on
board the Jerfoy prison-ship at New York,
unless you rouse the government to comply
with just and honourable proposals, which has
already been done on the part of Britons, but
alas ! it is with pain we inform you. that our
petition to his Excellency General Washing
ton, offering our services to the country du
ring the present campaign, if he would fend
soldiers in exchange for us, is frankly denied.
What is to be done? are we to lie here and
ffiare the fame fate of our unhappy brothers
who are dying daily. No, unless you relieve us
immediately, we ffiall be under the necessity of
leaving our country in preservation of our own
lives.
„ohn Cooper, 1
j John Sheffield,
Signed in behalf J William Chad,
of prisoners, . Richard Eccleston,
I George Wanton,
IJohn Bass.
To Mr. Gaine.
New-York, 22a June, 1782.
SIR,
WE beg you will be pleased to give the
indofed Report and Reflose of a number
of Matters of American vessels, a place in your
next News-paper, for the information of the
public. In order to undeceive numbers of our
countrymen without the British lines, who
have not an opportunity of feeing the Bate
Very best Penknives, Razors
and Temple Spectacles,—fold by H. Gaine.
WE, whose names are hereunto fubferib
ed, late makers,of American vessels,
which have been captured by the British cruiz
ers and brought into this port, having obtain
ed the enlargement of ? ut paroles from His
Excellency Rear Admiral Digby, to return
to our refpeftive homes, being anxious before
our departure to know the true hate and situ
ation of the prisoners confined ,on board the
prison ships and prison hospital ships, have
requested and appointed fix of our number,
viz. Robert Harris. Charles Colons,, John
Chace, Philemon HcJkell, Jonathan Carnes, and
Cbriftopher Smith, to go on boa<d the laid pri
son ships and prison hospital ships for that
purpose, and th* said Robert Harris, Charles
Collins, John Chace, Philemom Hafed, fona
than Carnes and Chifopber Smith, having gone
on board five ofthofe vessels, attended by Mr.
David Sproat & Commissary General for Naval
Prisoners, and Mr. George Rutherford, Sur
geon to the prison hospital ships; do report to
us that they have found them in as comforta
ble a situation as it is possible for prisoners to
been board of ships this season of the year,
and much more so than they had any idea of,
and that any thing said to the contrary, is
falfe and without foundation. That they in
fpefted their beef, pork, flour, bread, oatmeal,
peafe, butter, liquors, and indeed every other
species of provisions which is issued on board
his Britannic Majeftv's ships of war, and found
them all good of their kind, which survey be
ing made before the prisoners they acknowledg
ed the fame and declared that they had no com
plaint to make but the want of cioatht, and a
Jpeedy exchange : We therefore, from this Report
and what we have all seen and known, DO
DECLARE, that great commendation is due
to his Excellency Rear Admiral Digby, for
his humane disposition and indulgence to his
prisoners, and also to those he entrufis the
care of them to; viz. the Captain and officers
of his Majefty'sprifon ffiip Jersey, for their at
tention in preferying good order, having the
ffiip kept clean and awnings spread over the
whole of her, fore and aft : To Dader Ruther
ford and the Gentlemen idling under him as
Mates, for their constant care and attendance
on the sick, whom we found in wholesome
clean ships; also, covered with awnings fore
and aft, every man furnifhed with a cradle,
bed and sheets, made of good Russia linen, to
lay in; the best of frefh provisions, vegeta
bles, wine, rice, barley, &c. which was serv
ed out to them. And we further do declare,
in justice to Mr. Sproat, and the gentlemen
anting under him in his department, that they
c&nfcientioufly do their duty with great huma
nity and indulgence to the prisoners, and re
putation to themselves: Aid we unanimously
do agree, that nothing is wanting to preserve
the lives and health of those unfortunate pri
ioners but clean cloaths, and a speedy ex
change, which testimony we freely give with
out constraint, and covenant each with the
other, to endeavour to effeft their exchange as
soon as possible: Far the remembrance of this
our engagement, we have furnifhed ourselves
with copies of this instrument of writing.
Given under our hands at New-York, the
twenty-second day of June, 1782.
and Situation of the prisoners in New-York, as
we have done,
We are, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servants,
Robert Harris,
John Chace,
Charles Collins,
Philemon Hasskell,
Jonathan Carnes.
To Mr. Gaine. l
'Robert Harris,
Charles Collins,
John Chace,
Philemon HaJkell,
John Carnes,
Chrifopher Smith,
CAPTAINS. James Clifton,
John Tanner,
Daniel suborn,
Richard Mumford,
Robert Clifton,
John M'Kever,
sys. Bo^en, Doftor,
Hair Powder by the Pound
Horsewhips and Canes,- —fold by H. Gain :
Commissary General's Office, June 24, 1782,
The Public, are informed, that;
Cord Wood;
Will be continued to be received after the*
goth Day of June, as usual, from all Perfoii,
willing to deliver it at ony of the King'#
Magazines, at the usual Prizes, to be paid
for on Receipt; and previous Notice will be
given when it shall be necessary to put a Stop
thereto.
Barrack-Master General's Office, June 15,
1782.
THOSE Persons who have any Demands
on the Barrack Master General's De
partment, to the 4th of May incisive, arc
requested to call at this Office with their
Accounts, that they may be immediately fet
tlee and paid.
ts L L persons Ihat have demands
agamf bis Majedy's Forage
Office, for Forage of any denomina=
tion, carting or freight of toe fame,
or for any other articles furnifhed
prior to the 27th May last, are de
fied to fend in their accounts imme
diately tJ said office, in order that a
general settlement may be made to
that per iod.
New-Forh, June 22, 1782.
WILLIA M S's,
No. 41, Smith-street, near Pitt's Statue,
Have imported in the last Ships from England,
and are now opening for Sale, Wholesale
only, on very low terms for Cash,
ALA RGE aflortment of Ironmongery,
Cutlery, Pewter, Hardware, Jewellery,
&c. among which are, aquan ity of Table
Knives and Forks, fine and common Penknives,
Curteau's and pocket Knives, Razors, Sciffars
and Snuffers, great Variety; plated aod metal
Buckles, Spurs, Bitts, &c silver and plated
Ware, sorted; Pocket Books and Pencils;
Watch and Cane Strings; Swords, Belts and
, Pistols ; /having and dreffiog Cases; (,eather
and Velvet Stocks ; Pewter Table and Tea
Spoons; Andirons, Shovels and Tongs; caff
Iron Pots and Kettles; Tin and Japann'd Ware
forced ; with many other articles coo tedious co
mention.
Also, a few Trunks, London made Men and
Women's Shoes, fine and common Hats, a few
Cases sorted Glafs.Ware, with an afforfment
ofMillgnary, Hosiery, Men's Mercery, Stati
onary, &c. by the Package, at a very low ad.
vance.
Murray, Sanfoirfy ~,and Co.
Hav for file at their store, No. 184., Q^en-ftreet,
a general assortment of European and East-India
goods, among which are the following articles,
viz.
SUPERFINE flour, Poland starch, white and tur-
Pennine soap, peafe, ex and rein deer tongues,
mustard in bottles, nutmegs, cinnamon, cloves,mhce,
orange and lemmon juice, Holland geneva, Tene
rieffe and Port wine, long and short pipes, excellent
fnuffin bladders manufa&ured by Geor e Watfem,
in Bristol ; mess and cargo pork, English foal lea
ther, mens and womens /hues, copper tea kettles,
plow (hear moulds, anchois of different sizes, Ger
man steel, tin plates, (hot, window glass of different
sizes, dry white lead, red paint, copperas, Hum,
briinfto: e, nests of gilt trunks, an assortment of
brushes, a quantity of oakum, sheathing nails, &c.
f L For Cork and Liverpool,
n' The remarkable and noted fait failing
, SHIP
& THREE FRIENDS,
P AUL JAPPIE,, Master,
Will pofnively fail the beginning of
next month, as the greater half of her cargo is al
ready on board. For freight or passage, apply to the
Master on board, at Bache's wharf, or to Philip
Murphy, at No. 3, Fly Market, who earnestly re
quells those indebted to him to make immediate
payment without further trouble,