The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-06-15 00:00:00, page 2

against their countrymen; the treaties of the King
of G/tePt-Britain with other Princes for engaging
foreign mercenaries, to aid the forces of that king
dom, in their hostile enterprizes against America,
and his answer to the petition of the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen arid Commons of the City of London,
manifeft such a determined and implacable refla
tion to effect the utter deftru&ion of these Colonies,
that all hopes of a reconciliation, on reasonable
• terms, are exflinguifhed. Nevertheless, it ss our
ardent defife that a civil war with all 'its attending
nvhG v , Should be eudeTby a secure and honour
able peace.
We therefore hereby authorize,you to concur
with the other 'Delegates in Cougrefs, in forming
fitch farthetveompaas between the United Colonies
concluding such treaties with foreign kingdoms and
states, and in adopting such other measures as ihall
be judged necessary for promoting the liberty, fafety
and uttered of America; referring to the people of
this colony the sole and exclusive right of regu
lating the internal government and police of .the
fine.
The happiness of these colonies has, during the
whole course of this fatal controveffy, been our
firfl wish. Their reconciliation with Great-l^ritain
our next. Ardently have we prayed tor the accom
plishment of both. But if we mud renounce the
one or the other, we humbly trull in the mercies
of the Supreme Governor of the Universe, that we
ihall not hand condemned before his throne, if our
choice is determined by that over-ruling law of felf
preLrvation, which his divine wisdom has thought
fi to imp! mt in the hearts of his creatures,
cfo ,fo^^fotfxfo^sffii^@o^
L O N D & N, March in
H E continent of America is to be allotted
i into three divisions; Admiral Shuldham is to
command in th^ River St. Lawrence and'to the
nor Award; Lord Howe from thence to North-
Carolin.i; and the third division intended for Sir
Hugh I'dbfer, from North-Carolina to the extent
of our fettkments.
March 12. From General Lee's taking possession
of New-York, it should seem as if the late of that
city was determined; for, from the nature of Gen.
Lee's expedition, none of the King's ships whicli lay
off, and Gov. Tryon on board them can long
er have arcefs to markets, frefh water, &c. the
coreiequence of which will probably be, that the
town will be served, as Norfolk in Virginia, was
on a like occasion.
On' Saturday his Majesty's fliip the Perseus was
commissioned, and the command given to the Hon.
Keith Elphingfton; she is ordered to be got ready
immediately for America.
A letter from Portsmouth, dated March io, fays,
“ Jud arrived here the John transport, Captain
Hunter, from Scilly, with about 100 wounded offi
cers and soldiers belonging to the 59th regiment,
which came from Boston, in a transport that was
drove on ihore in the above island, where they fuf
fered great hardships; and we are told that several
poor wretches died there for the want of the com
mon necedhries of life, owing to the barrenness of
the place.
March 14. Yesterday the Lords puffed the Ame
rican mutiny-bill.
The committee of the whole house to confider of
several petitions presented from different merchants,
for leave to export corn to Newfoundland, was de
ferred to Wednesday next.
A bill is ordered into the house of Commons to
encourage seamen and marines to enter on board
his Mayfly's ships.
An account of the number of seamen and marines
in his Majesty s service is ordered to be laid before
the house of Commons.
W ILLI A M SBURG, June 1.
Gwin's Iflmd, which contains 2300 acres of land,
wi r 1 about 500 head of cattle, 1000 sheep, &c. fi
tuace at the mouth of Piankatank riv r, is now pof
felhd by the enemy. Lord Dunmore landed 800
ni.n there on Monday last, who have thrown up
an entrenchment on the land fide, whicli is guard
ed chiefly by the black regiment. The Gloucester
nrnia were assembled on the opposite Ihore, and
on I'uefday had one man mortally wounded by a
swivel ball; but as the ships of war had taken care
to secure the pas, and our men having no cannon,
it was utterly impoflible to interrupt them.
By express from Maryland, we are informed that
Governor Eden has obtained a pass to go to Eng
land, and begs he may not be molested.
W AT ERTO W N, June 3.
The beginning of last week arrived in this colo
ny, a velfl, having on board ten tons of fulphur,
and the remainder of her cargo tale. The former
article will greatly help in manufacturing the a
mazing quantity of 34,90/Wt. of falt-petre, made
in this colony and brought to the CommifTary Ge
neral's store, in this town, during the course of the
week pad, exclusive of what has been carried to the
powder-mills at Haverhill, Stoughton, &c.
On Tuesday the 2 iil ult. the continental frigate,
of 32 guns, built at Portsmouth, under the direc
tion of John Langdon Esq; was launched, amidst
the acclamations of many thousand fpe&ators. She
is esteemed by all those who are judges, that have
seen her, to be one of apleateft ships ever
built in America.
PRO.VI D o.H E, June 1.
A Gentleman arrived here from France , informs,
that 25 French ships of the line were ready for sea
the 16th of Marcli last at Brest, to whicli place 500
Shipwrights had been ordered from Nantz; that
men were taking up in all parts of France for the
sea service; that the fortifications of Dunkirk and
Belifle were repairing with all expedition; and that
as great preparations were making for war as were
ever known in that kingdom.
A letter from Martinico, dated the 12th of April,
mentions, that a general embargo had taken place
in France.
N E WP O R T, June 3 .
A fews days past Messrs. Hubbard arid Read, two
millers, who were taken by the Iwan, Captain Af~
cough, as they were coming down the river Lift
winter in a small boat, came to town from the east
ward, having made their elcape from the Swan at
Liverpool, near Halifax 5 they fay the men of war's
people were at three quarters of an allowance.
NE IV - L ONDO N, June 7.
Welearn from the Weft-Indies, that the French
Court have taken off the prohibition on tlie expor
tation of gunpowder from France, and that large
quantities of that commodity is almost daily arriving
in the Weft Indies, so that it is now become an ar
ticle of great plenty there.
N E W-Y O R K, June 12.
Thursday afternoon his Excellency General
Washington arrived in town from Philadelphia.
There now remains at the Hook Even [hips and
fame small veiTels.
The Mercury man of war, and an farmed sloop,
failed for Halifax, from Sandy Hook, last Friday,
having five vessels under convoy.
By Sundry ' letters from St. Euftatia we are in
formed that markets are very high, and provisions
Scarce in all the Weft-India Islands.
The New-London paper, of June 7, fays, “ that
a few days since a ship from Jamaica, bound to
England, was taken by a privateer oft' George's
banks, and carried into Old-town in the Vineyard.
She had on board a valuable cargoe, part of which
is two hundred hogsheads of sugar. The fame
privateer was in chafe of another ship at the time
this prize parted with her."
One of the Philadelphia prize ships is arrived at
Martha's vineyard. Her cargo consists of three
.hundred and two hogsheads of sugar, lomerum, &c.
Capt. Clapp, who is just come to town, gives an
account, that a sloop belonging to New-Brunfwic,
from Curracoa, was drove on Ihore by one of the
ministerial pirates a little to the Southward of
Shrewfbury. The crew got on shore, and by the
assistance of the country people, drove the pirates
off. Her cargo consists of dry goods, and about
.three hundred bushels of lalt, which is since fafely
landed.
There are London papers in town to the 28th of
March, by which we learn, that the firß division
of the Hessian troops, defined for America, em
barked at Stade the 17th of March, and were to
fail thefirft fair wind; and it was laid the King of
Prussia had positively objected against the Land
grave of Hesse Caffel's forces going into the English
service.
PHILADELPHI 4.
Extract of a letter from New-York, June 10.
“ On Saturday evening, we had an extra&
from a New-port paper, published since the port
came through, informing of the arrival of somebody
from Halifax (a prisoner who made his efeape) who
said that just before he came away, a vessel arrived
at Halifax from England, which brought advice
that the foreign troops had been flopped, on ac
count of great disturbances in England.—Yester
day a letter was received here from Providence in
forming, that a French vessel was arrived there from
Cape Francois, which brought an account of the
foreign troops being flopped, but that it was in con
sequence ofaproteft (by the King of France) against
their being employed.—Yellerday a sloop arrived
here from Cape Nichola Mole, with the fame ac
count. lam told the Captain adds, that he saw
the protest in a French Gazette."
Extract of a letter from St. Euflatia, dated May 22.
“ By a vessel arrived at Antigua last night, we
hear for a certainty, that Lord Howe was to em
bark with the lad of the forces that were going this
year, about 25000; no Hessians. Hehas hoisted his
flag on board the Eagle man of war, and Twelve
Commissioners fail with him. This gives me some
hopes of a reconciliation taking place, that we may
live in quietness again. Flour is Scarce among the
English islands. They have laid an embargo at
Antigua, whicli example, I suppose, the other
islands will follow. Common flour fells for twelve
dollars, fuperfine for fourteen, and corn for thir
teen. The men of war, these two months, have
only taken one prize, which is Captain Davis of
Wilmington, upon Delaware."
Extract of a letter from New-York, June 10.
" Colonel Fanning's Negro man is taken up and
We have authentic advice from Cape Francois,
that on the 7th of May 500 additional troops ar
rived there from France.
sent to gaol; he is to be examined this day and make
no doubt some difeoveries will be made: He fays
his master sent him up to take care of his horses.
His mafler is on board the Dutchefs of Gordon.
There are 150 Tories taken prisoners in Tryon
county and sent down to Albany. We hear from
Albany that the Mayor of that city and 15 other
persons, are sent to gaol for drinking success to the
King of Gteat-Britain, &c. Friday last a boat was
taken by our people, coming from the Dutchefs of
Gordon; the men are taken care of, some letters
were found on board, and news-papers, for some of
Governor Tryon's friends in this city: The latest
date is the 28th of March. I could not possibly
obtain one for you, but have extracted t^e following
paragraphs from them:
“ March 25. This day, by virtue of a commission
from his Majesty, the following bills received the
royal assent, viz. The bill lor pupilhing mutiny
and desertion, and for the better payment of the
army in North-America —Saturday last three com
panies of the royal regiment of artillery embarked
at Woolwich for North-America.—This morning
the firft division of the guards, destined for North-
America, marched from their quarters contiguous,
to Wimbledon, for Portsmouth. The second divi
sion will marcli on Wednesday.
“ Gojport, March 21. Arrived a transport with
troops on board, and came into the harbour.—lt
isfaid that Lord Howe will hoist his flag on board
the Emerald frigate, and proceed without loss of
time to Boston, and the Eagle to go after him.
" March 26. On the 17th instant 6 fail of ships
from Glasgow with new raised recruits, and several
transports from London arrived at Cork, where
they are to take in their lading of provisions, and
proceed to America, under convoy.—His Majesty's
frigate Ambufeade of 32 guns is now fitting out at
Chatham, to carry Sir George M'Cartney to his
Government of Dominica, she is afterwards to join
the fleet on the North-American station.—Orders
are sent to Sheerness for his Majesty's ship Rainbow
of 44 guns, to be fitted out for immediate service;
she is already commissioned and the command given
to Sir George Collier.—Last Sunday all the men
in Deptford yard, and some additional hands, were
employed in shipping warlike stores, &c. to America,
arid it will be some days before the many transports
lying there can be loaded, such quantities are fend-
ing thither.
“ March'll. Yesterday morning the guards des
tined for America were muilered on Wimbledon
common by their officers, and immediately marched
for Portsmouth- They had twenty field pieces
with them,.and thirty waggons, which carried alt
their baggage,. They will arrive at Portsmouth
to morrow. The brigade of guards now on their
march for Portsmouth to embark lor America, are
to be quarteredin the barracks of that place till the
transports are 'ready for their reception.—All the
gener. I officers, and many others in military com
mand in America, are, it is said, nominated as de
legates in commiflion, to pardon the submitting co
lonies.—The transports which failed with Sir Peter
Parker, after they had landed the troops they had
on board, were to fail for the leeward islands to
take in two regiments of foot, which are to serve
in America.—Upwards of 1500 tons of shipping,
that were taken up in the river a few days since in
government service, are difeharged from the em
ploye-Letters from Cork, dated the 19th instant
mention, that upwards of 12 fail of transports were
then in fight of the Cove, and that a man of war
came in that day— The Eagle man of war, Ad
miral Howe, has got no further than the Nore yet,
but lies there to receive seamen from the ships in.
ordinary at Chatham—The Lucretia, Capt. Wil
son, with recruits on board, bound to America, is
put into Plymouth by stress of weather, having met
with some damage.—The Woodland, Capt, Man
ners, from London, with ordnance stores, bound
for Quebec, is arrived at Portsmouth Yesterday
the common cryer of this city, attended by other
officers, read at the Royal Exchange, and at Hol
born Bars, the King's Proclamation, for a further
encouragement to tailors to enter on board the ships
of war. It was afterwards stuck up in divers parts
of the city.
“ March 26. 1 All the eight British regiments, viz.
19th, 20th, 21st, 24th, gift, 34 th, 53 d, and 6zd
regiments, under embarkation.orders, are destined
for Canada, except the royal Highlanders, the foot
guards, and Burgoyne's light horse, which are to
be lent to Gen Howe— To prevent, if possible, a
famine among the King's troops this summer in
America, every individual who is going out on
service with the armament under failing orders,
has fix months provisions put on board for him from
hence—What an enormous expence for victualling
and tonnage only !—The two Generals, Carleton
and Howe, are each to be allowed four Aid-de
.Camps. o Two of the Hessian Major Generals are to
be appointed by our Court, Lieut Generals on the
American service, and to have extra pay according
ly-—^ hough there is acl mfe in the Hessian treaty,
that no foldler shall be fuffered to fettle in America
without the consent of his commanding officer, It
is generally believed that very few will ever return;
as it is most probable that those who do not get