The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-13 00:00:00, page 1

WILLIAM SB U R.G, Auguftg.^
Wednesday an express arrived here with the following ac
count of a battle fought by a party of the Fincaftle militia
with a number of Cherokee and Creek Indians, near the
Great Island of Holstein, the 20th July ult.
“ Our scouts returned and informed that they had difeo
vered a large number of Indians making into the settlement,
upon which information the few men Rationed at Eaton's
fort, within the boundary line, completed abreast work fuf
ficiently strong with what men were there, to have defended
themselves against a considerable number. Expresses were sent
to the different Rations, and such a number of men were col
• lifted that.next meaning we turned out with one hundred and
For the PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
To the P ÜBLI C.
OBSERVING! ately in one of Mr. Towne's evening
papers, a caution " to beware of counterfeits" in
political matters, it naturally led me to reflea cn
the impropriety of appointing persons to offices of
Loner or profit, who may not be real friends to the virtuous
cause of American liberty. In politics as well as in physic,
there will be men profeffing a high veneration for the body,
who, if attended to in their operations, will discover more of
the knave than friend to society. Amidst the various classes
of mankind, "there appears none more dangerous at the pre
sent crisis than the hypocrite, the proselyte, or the felffe man.
The hypocrite, under the mafic of a religious or civil de
portment, twists himfelf into a thousand forms, the better to
Deguile the community, 'till at last having gained his point,
he despises the paths through which he passed, and abufus
those whom he hath deceived.
Neither can confidence with fafety be placed in the fm#-
% projelyte, as the motive for changing sides, often arises
not from a conviction that the measures he casually adopts are
best, otherways than it produces advantages to himfelf; the
JewiSh faying, " t\uji net a projelyte even to the tenth generation,"
although it Seems to convey a reflexion on posterity, it never
theless implies .the dangerous tendency of relying on the con
vert's pretensions, kill he hath given Efficient proofs that his
change is difintereffed and Sincere.
As to the felfifh man, the community cannot expert to de
rive virtue or goodness from his measures, as in war his
price is the price of blood, and in peace his only view is te
fleece the fubjeft for the fake of gain.
From the many striking ^ro/Qies of public virtue given by
the Americans in the preient glorious contest, the world muff
be convinced their conduct proceeded from true principles of
honesty and peace, what an unhappy reflexion will it then be
to have the profpea clouded by the a&s or conduct of either
of the above characters.
Look around, Oh Americans, and if you meet in the pub
lic departments any person or persons who would prey on
your virtue orinterefts for the Jake of private gain, continue
to fliew the world, by extirpating of them from your employ,
you are kill virtuous and will be free. B.
The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
Vol. lI.J
Price Three Coffers. Published every Tuesday, Phurfday, and Saturday Evenings.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1776.
399
ANNAPOLIS, August 8. [
Lord Dunmore, with his piratical Squadron, having been
beat off Gwynn's-ifland, thought proper to move up the bay,
and came on Saturday the 13th of July last into the mouth
of Potowmack.
Amongst others were the Roebuck, the Fowey, with Go
vernor Eden on board, the Otter, the Dunmore, and a num
ber of tenders. Part of the fleet, after a few day's Ray at
St. George's island, near the mouth of St. Mary s river,
went up Potowmack to get frelh watex, of which it is said
they were in great want. They burnt the dwelling house
of Mr. William Brent, and did other damage on his plate
tati@n. After returning again, they burnt some veffeli bt
seventy in search of the enemy. We marched in two divisions,
with flankers on each wing and scouts before, who soon dis
covered upwards of twenty Indians and fired upon them.
They immediately returned the fire, but our men rushing on
them with such violence obliged them to make a precipitate
retreat. They left ten bundles and a good deal of plunder,
which our men secured. We have great reason to believe
several of them were wounded in this skirmish. Though it
happened on a ground very disadvantageous to pursue, yet it
was with the greatest difficulty they could be retrained. A
council was held, and it was judged advifeable to return, as
we had reason to believe a party greatly fuperiorto ours was not
far off. We had not marched more than a mile in good order
when our rear was attacked by upwards of one hundred of the
enemy. Our men sustained the attack with great firmnefs,
until a line was formed. The enemy endeavoured to surround
us, but we,re prevented by the vigilance of Capt. James
Shelby, who, with his division, took possession of an eminence,
and bravely defended it, which prevented their design. Our
line extended upwards of fix hundred yards, and after dis
puting the ground some time, we found thirteen of them
dead on the field, and have reason to believe that many more
might have been found, if we had had time to have searched
for them, as there were great quantities of blood found every
way they retreated. Though the adion was Short, it is be
lieved the execution was great. The enemy attacked us with
their usual fury, but our militia fought with a calmness and
intrepidity that would have done honor to the veterans of any
country. The behaviour of our scouts, not only on their du
ty, but in the a&ion, deserves the greatest applause. Besides
a deal of plunder, we took a good many guns. We did not
lose a man, and had only four Slightly wounded. The soldiers
are in high Spirits, and long for another engagement on equal
terms. Though we have every reason to believe that the
enemy are pouring in upon us in numbers superior to our for
ces, yet we hope for a reinforcement from our friends.
Signed by Captains John Campbell, William Cocke,
Thomas Maddifon, James Thompson, James Shelby,
William Buchannan."
We have received at a certain port in this colony a supply
of four hundred and fifty barrels of gunpowder, and near tw@
hundred. Rand of arms.
[Num. 244.