The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1782-04-09 00:00:00, page 3

The public will probably resoHea, that some
time last year the Britiih ministry commenced
a pro fecution against some of the London
printers, for a paragraph in their several pa
pers, refpe&ing the Ruffian ambassador, which
paragraph, the mere report of the day proved
not to be true. The ministry were eagerly
glad of the opportunity, in order to curry fa
vour with the Empress, who by the bye, is a
woman of too great and discerning a mind to
be hummed by such trifling littleness ; how
ever the ministry went on with the prosecuti
on, and the following, taken from the London
Courant of November 29, will (hew the ser
vile and persecuting spirit of the Britilh mini
stry, and that John Miller the printer, hath
more sense, more honesty, candour, and forti
tude, than the king of England and all his mi
nistry, with Lord Mansfield at the head of
them, put together. John Miller will rifewhen
they will fall ; and most probably, when he is
out of prison they will be in.
LONDO N, November 29.
Yesterday at a little after eleven o'clock, Mr.
Miller, printer of this paper, was carried up from
Mr. Armstrong's in Carey itreet, to the court of
king's be,ch, by habeas corpus, in order to re
ceive the judgment of that court, for copying
a paragraph refpe&ing the Ruffian ambassador,
from a morning paper into the London Evening-
Post, of which he was then the printer. After
attending about an hour, Mr. Miller was bro't
into court, when the attorney general moved the
judgment of it against him. Being then called
upon to fignify, whether he had any affidavit to
offer, Mr. Miller addressed their Lordships in
the following words :
My Lords!
YOU have before you one of the most honest
and boldest printers that ever lived! A pro
felled enemy to all the enemies of Old England,
and to all Scotch enemies in particular. I do not
come here to intreat mercy. I cannot be served
Worse than my brother printers have been ; un
less justice chufes to make an example of itfelf as
well as me, for it will then become a capricious
arbitrary tyrant, instead of a dispenser of justice,
if I should be punilhed worse than others similar
ly circumstanced.
Hence, then I am to go to the king's bench
frifon for a year, and to increase the punishment
am to be debarred the society of my wife and
children ; a new species of oppreflion, notknown
in any other country in the world !
I know the worst ! Nether exhortation nor
punishment will produce any alteration in me;
for I promise to go on whilst I have hands, with
out attention to my ears, in the great line of du
ty as an En^lifh printer, a chara&er the molt re
fpeftable. I shall still keep a faithful watch over
the conduct of public men, where I conceive
their measures may affect the public interest or
public liberty! The Roman goose was not more
watchful over the capitbl, nor the cock over Pe
ter ! I shall both crow and cackle when I think
it right, without alking any leave, or waiting for
any other approbation, than that of the public !
In this conduct, I own, I may sometimes give a
falfe alarm, but it shall be through error only,
and not through design. In the present instance
all that can be laid to my charge, is the hasty a
doption of a current report. Were the report
true, I could not answer to conscience not to
publish it. Were it ill founded, it would do no
harm. Men of good character are little hurt by
bad reports.
As to the idea of embroiling the nation, it is
too ridiculous to call for a serious refutation.—
What! The Empress of all the Ruffias to go to
war with the king of Great-Britain, because John
Miller told a lie about her ambassador ! Her Im
perial Majesty would certainly have been fatis
ted with an apology for the surmise; and so
fliould theambafladorbe, fohehas been,and which
I am now, and at alltimes ready further to make.
But if I am proceeded against juridicially, I
claim at lead judicial forms to be attended to. I
am no': to be called upon to confefs guilt, unless
the confeffion will produce me some favour.
LA.II fay, lam not guilty! I call for proof,
2nd demand a trial.
vVhat is it to me that a piece of paper was left
at my house ?
This is a criminal proceeding,
In civil process, it may be fufficient to give a
man notice, and if he does not appear, to take
the charge pro confeffo. In such a case there is
no presumption in his favour. But, by the law of
England, aU men are in sriminai matters pre-
fumed innocent, till they are found guilty. There
arc but two ways of finding a man guilty ; one
is by his own confeffion on record ; the other is
by a verdia of twelve men. But in both cafeshe
mult appear and plead. Now, I have never ap
peared, nor ever pleaded ! I may be guilty of a
contempt; punilh me forthat, if you please. You
might indeed have proceeded to outlawry against
me, but you have not done so ; yet you fay I
am attainted of highcrimes and mifdemeanours.
The attaint, I again infill, mult come only from
my pleading guilty, or being found so by a jury
if f pleaded not guilty.
Your taking judgment by default, is by assimi
lating informations with civil actions ; yet you
make them have the effect of indictments. I
cannot stand before this court more as a culprit,
by being informed against by one man without
dath, than by twelve upon oath.
I demand the privilege of an Englishman : that
I may be admitted to plead : I do not plead guil
ty. Thereupon try me ; and if am convicted
upon proof by a jury, do you worst ! Till then, I
am an unheard and therefore Ihould be conli
dered an honest man.
My Lord,
I have served the public fourteen years faith
fully and disinterestedly. Seven years of which
I laboured in defending and asserting the rights
of my countrymen and fellow citizens ! And
the last seven years in decrying and exposing the
wickedness and folly of the ACCURSED A
MERICAN WAR !
I now fit down an oppressed and distressed
man ! And though without a (hilling in my poc
ket, with a wife and seven children, I go to pri
son, in the utmost confidence of my foul, call
ing them upon the public for protection and sup
port.
BOSTO N, April 4.
Extra& of a letter from Brest, dated February 4.
" The capture of Lord Cornwallis has produced here the
most agreeable and lively sensations, though we were con
vinced before that we had brave allies.
" The naval armament, commanded by the Count de
Guichen, that failed'from this port the thirteenth of Decem
ber, Idon met with a violent storm, during which Admiral
Kcmpenfelt took eleven merchant ships, which failed hea
vily, and were at the di/tance of three or four leagues from
the men of war. These lagging vcffels were defended by a
ship ofthe line, the Active, 0f74 guns, which fought for an
hour and an half, and gloriously fultained the attack of the
greater part of the English squadron. Our fleet, difperfr d
by the storm, returned to this port in the space of three
weeks, a number difmafted, and some of the three deckers
leaky, but without any other loss than that of the eleven
ships ; a ship of 80 guns and another of 74, with some trans
ports having continued their course for Martinico.
" For the public service, thanks to heaven, we are in no
want either of bailors, soldiers or money; and the orders of
our able ministry have been executed with such dispatch,
chat our fleet is now in a condition to put to sea, and even
more numerous than when it firft failed. The several divi
sions are going to their particular destinations not known at
present; and the brave la Motte Piquet commands one of
them, composed of ten ships of the line, of which the In
vincible and the Bretagne, of iio guns make a part. We
have reason to believe that the approaching campaign will
be a very vigorous one, and even more brilliant than the
last. Tnere is no talk of peace since England obstinately
refufes to consent to the independance of America. The
Marquisla Fayette and the Count de Noailles, who arrived
in the Alliance, after a passage of 23 days, will embark to
morrow for America, in the Emerald frigate."
From the London Gazette, of December 12.
The three following arrangements have been accecded to
in the cabinet :
1, That the American war shall be persevered in, the
mode to be governed by contingencies, no fettled system
being yet agreed upon.
a. That Sir Henry Clinton be immediately recalled. And
that,
3. Sir Guy Carlton, who had a previous command in that
quarter, and was fuperceded on the appointment of General
Burgoyne, be appointed commander in chief, in his room,
of all his majefy's forces in that quarter, and joint Com
missioner for forming terms of peace with Congress, with
Admiral Digby, who is to take the chief command of the
fleet, after the departure of Admiral Graves.
STOLEN from the fubferiber out of his house in Farmings
ton, some time in @&ober last, a silver WATCH, Lon
don made, China Face, middling size, flowered on the bot
tom of the cafethe impression partly worn out, a triple silver
X
chain and silver seal ; also a silver Spoon marked I P
on the handle. Whoever shall difeover and secure said thief,
so that he may be brought to iuftice, and the above articles
or either of them obtained, shall be handsomely rewarded
and necessary charges paid, by
JOHN PORTER.
Farmington, March y, 1782.
LATELY found, a small leather POCKET BOOK, with
four Pay-Table Orders in it. The owner may have it
again, on proving property and paying Charges.
MATTHEW T ALLCOTT.
Middletown, Aprils, 1782.
rHt Sixth Number of the Hiltory of the
Warin America is come to hand and rea
dy for the fubfenbers.
INDI G O,
Of an EXCELLENT QUALITY,
To be SOL D, by
AMBROSE NICHOLSON,
Of GLASTENBURY.
To be fold by the fubferiber, living in Becket, in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Farm, lying in the
town ofEnfield,and State of Connecticut, one mile and a
half froin the fiMeeting-Houfe, said farm under good im
provement, is well situated, well watered, has a good or
chard, and a number of acres of grain.on it, and cuts about
twelve tons of hay, there is likewise a dwelling house on
said Farm. It will be fold cheap tor cash, dry goods, neat
fettle or grain. Any person inclining to purchase said
Farm, may apply to JOEL HAWKINS, of Erfield.
DANIEL MEEKER.
March 19, 1782.
HEREAS his Excellency General Washington, has
lately issued his proclamation, offering pardon to all
deserters, who would return to their duty by the firft day of
June next, and whereas there mav be some belonging to or
engaged by inhabitants of this town, who are by sickness or
otherways absent, and may be included in said proclama
tion ; out of a tender regard to such, leaf! by their inadver
tencies their characters may be injured : We in behalfofthe
town of Torrington, do offer, ana will give to every fu&h of
ficer or soldier of Torrington, who may return to their duty
to the acceptance of the proper officer, thirty hard Dollars,
to be paid out ofthe treasury of said town.
Dated, Torrington, March 28,1782. .
EPAPHRAS SHELDON, , Selectmen
AMOS WILSON, of
JABEZ GILLET. | Torrington.
ALL persons having any demands on the estate of Mrs.
LYDIA BARTLIT, widow, late of Guilford, deceased,
are desired to bring in their accounts in order for fcttlement.
And all persons that are indebted to said estate, arc requeued
to make speedy payment.
HEZEKIAH SAGE, Administrator.
Middletown, April 8, 1782.
NAILS and LINSEED OiL.
MADE and to be fold, by wholesale or retail, at the low
est rate for CASH, all kinds of Nails, Brads and Tenter
Hooks, of the belt fort. Large and small Steelyards of the
truest kind. The fubferiber has also eroded a LINSEED
MILL, which is now going : He notifies all that have sent
feed to work up on shares, to fend in their casks and receive
their oil. Those who have Flax Seed to exchange for Oil, or
to fell, shall have as good returns as at any other Mill.
Cheese, Tow-Cloth, or Flax, received for any of the a
bove articles.
RICHARD FALLEY.
Weftfield, April 8. T 782.
LOST lalt night, between Glaltcnbuiy and Wmdlbr, a
large green covered Pocket Book, containing a great
number of writings. Whoever has found the fame, and
will return it ro me, or,givc notice where it may be had,
shall be generously rewarded, by
DAVID GILMAN.
Haft-Hartford,Ma;ci 3, 1,82.
T B E ro L
For CASH or NEAT CATTLE,
A FARM, containing about sixty acres, suitably propor
tioned for plow-land, meadow and woodland,well wa
tered, about one half under good improvement, an orchard
of about sixty young apple trees on it, and a convenient house
and barn, both new. Said farm is fi uated in Northbnry, in
Watertown, and joining to the great road that leads from
Middletown to Fish- Kill. For further particulars enquire of
JOSEPH CHIDSEY.
Waterbury, April 8, 1782.
THE Public, and my friends in particular, are hereby in
formed, that the late advertisement in the Connecticut
Courant, under the signature of Samuel Steel, is withoutan,
just foundation. He has wantonly sported with truth, in the
many epithets which he has bellowed on an unhappy wife.
That I married Samuel Steel is my misfortune ; that I
have as his wife behaved indecent or unbecoming I denr,
and whether my connexion with him, or behaviour toterds
him, or reports of him, have hurt his good name, let his
belt friends judge.
He left my bed for two months before I left his board ; I
never run him in debt nor even threatened it. What he took
with mel hope he will return ; what he took from me, that
is my innocence, let him fettle that with God and his own
conscience ; and if for the future he will not hurt his own
character, I promise him I will not do it for him.
Marriage, 0 sacred ordinance of Heaven,
The last best seal of love to mortals given,
In public prints must now thy frowns and smiler
'Twixt man and wife, ride poll for scores of miles.
SARAH STEEL.
Pittsfield, February 16th, 1782.
BE SOLD, —
THE noted and valuable farm or trad of land lying in
Frederickfburgh, formerly known by the name of
Grant's Farm, on the public road from Quaker-hill to Fre
derickfburg, now occupied by Capt. Thomas Mitchel, con
taining five hundred acres of land, meadows now cleared
fufficient for cutting one hundred and thirty tons of hay, of
the belt quality ; and with little colt may be made to cut as
much more ; has a fufficient quantity of woodland to fupporc
the farm, and has on the fame, two hundred and fifty apple
trees, three houfesand two barns ; the whole in good fence
and well watered. For conditions of sale apply to the fub
feriber, living in Salcm ? West-Chester county, State of New-
York, who will give an ind ifputable title for the fame.
NATHANIEL DELIVAN.
N. B. The above farm is caller one of the bed in Dutchefs
county, and may easily be divided into two or three conyc
nient Farms.
March 29, 1782.
Blanks ot an
To be fold at the PRINTING-OFFICE.