The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-05-29 00:00:00, page 2

vn; vary little exp^Titicm from the house of
ci nnons, that they w)ull meet with redress
from their mild or gracious sovereign.
On his cross examination, he said he was a
printer, a bankrupt, and printed on his own ac
count. lie was not fare, but he thought the
prisoner was one night at Greenwood's Rooms,
lie consulted his notes, and found his Lordship
was not present at Greenwood's. The reason
why he took notes was, that he had a forefightof
the consequences that wouldhappen, and he went
from place to place, and took notes under that
perfdafion. He didnot forefee the consequences
till the 20th of February, but he took notes from
the firft hour of his attending there, on the loth
of December. He never attended a publicmeet
ing without a motive, and he always made mi
nutes of every thing material. He imparted his
fears to a particular friend by letter, it was Mr.
Butler of Lincoln's-Inn ; he did not know what
religion he was of, but he heard he was a Roman
Catholic.
William Metcalfe swore that he was at Coach
maker's Hall on the day when the time of the
meeting at St. George's Fields was fettled. He
heard Lord George Gordon desire them to meet
him in St. George's Fields. He reminded them
that the Scotch had fuceeeded by their unanimity,
and he hoped that they also would be unanimous.
He trusted that no one who had signed the peti
tion would be ashamed or afraid to show him
felf in the cause. That he would not present
the petition, or that he would beg leave to de
cline it, unfefs he was met by 20,000 men. He
recommended to them to come wi'h some mark
es diftinaion, such as a ribband in their hats, to
distinguish from tbeir friends their foes. He
would meet them, and would be answerable for
such as should be molested. That he wished so
well to the cause, that he would go to the gallows
for, or in it, he knew not the particular expres
sion ; and that he would not present the petition
of a lukewarm people. The witness, when in
St. George's Fields, he saw Lord George come
there in his chaise ; he believed he spoke within
compass, when he said there were 30,000 peo
ple in the fields. He understood that Lord
George spoke to them, but he did not hear him.
On iiis croft-examination, he said, that he was
not sure about the exa& expression of the prife
ner relating to his going to the gallows.
John Anftruther, tfq; was at Coachmaker's
Hall on the 29th of May, at which time the pri
soner added as president, and told them, that on
Friday next he meant to present the petition, but
if there was one man less than 20,000, he would
not meet them, for without that number he
thought it would not have the consequence. He
recommended to them the example of the Scotch,
who by their firmnefs had carried their point.
Me recommended temperance and firmnefs, and
concluded with telling them, that he did not
mean them to go into any danger that he would
not share, for he was ready to go to death, or to
the gallows for the protestant cause. He saw
Lord George leaning over a gallery in the house
of commons. He told them, that they had been
called a mob in the house ; that the peace officers
had been called in to disperse them, peaceable
petitioners. That no reasons had been given
why they wished them to be dispersed, but he be
lieved the peace officers had signed the petition ;
that some people had mentioned in the house
something relating to calling in the military, that
he hoped nobody would think of taking a step of
that kind, as it would infallibly tend to make great
division among his Majesty's fubje&s—for it was
very improper to introduce the military into a
free country. He again mentioned the unani
mity of the Scotch ; and said, that when his
Majesty heard that his fubjeHs were flocking up
for miles round, he would fend his ministers to
repeal the a&. Several called to Lord George,
to know whether he desired them to go away.
He replied, “ You are the best judges of what
you ought to do, but I'll tell you how the mat
ter hands ; the house are going to divide upon
the question, whether your petition shall be taken
into consideration now or upon Tuesday ; there
are for taking it into consideration now, myfelf
and fix or seven others. If it is not taken now,
your petition may be loft—to-morrow the house
does not fit—Monday is the King's birth-day,
and on Tuesday parliament may be adjourned,
prorogued, or dissolved."
The Rev. Mr. Bowen teftified to the likepur
port ; adding,thatas his Lordship was at the door,
the witness saw a gentleman go up to him, who
farmed to be perfuming his Lordship to return
in the 'Southern Army, dated Camp, May's-
Mill, April 15, 1781.
" I have only time to inform you that we are
thus far on our route towards Camden, said to
be 60 miles distant from this. What is to be
expected there, events must determine.—-'Tis
said Lord Cornwallis is at Wilmington,Lord
Rawdon's force I can't afeertain, though vastly
inferior to ours—which, I suppose, upon a rough
calculation, amounts to 10 or 1200 effective Con
tinentals, and about goo North-Carolina Militia,
and Washington's and Lee's Horfe.—Sumpter
will colled 1000 Militia to aCt in conjunction—
This may, I believe, be depended on, by the best
information direCtly from him. Clarke has de
feated a body of Tories, mounted as dragoons,
near Ninety-Six, headed by a British Officer ;
he killed 30, and made 40 prisoners."
On Wednesday the 2d instant, a Body of Bri
tish troops (their number-uncertain, but general
ly imagined to amount to about 2000) command
ed by General Philips, entered the town of Pe
tersburg, on Appamatox, a branch of, and about
seven miles from James River, in Virginia, where
a considerable quantity of Tobacco, and some
military and other Stores, fell'into their hands.
An inferior number of Virginia Militia, headed
by General Muhlenberg, opposed the progress
of the enemy in the neighbourhood of Peterf
burgh, with a perseverance and firmnefs, which
does them the greatest honour. They finally
made a handsome retreat to an advantageous po
sition, where they are hourly reinforced by their
countrymen, and were much animated on hear
ing 0 fthe rapid approach of their northern friends
under the command of that gallant young Nobl
eman the Marquis de la Fayette, who arrived at
or near Richmond, on Monday evening the firft
instant.
Edward Pond was ffiown a paper, purporing to
be a protection, and swore that Lord G. Gordon
signed it. On his cross-examination he said that
he applied to Lord George in his coach, with the
paper ready written, and told him that it would
be of service to him. He did not know whether
Lord George ever read it over, nor whether that
was the reason that his property was saved.
J. Dingwall was called to prove the hand-writ
ing of Lord George, buthad never feenhim write.
Mr. Metcalfe produced an extract from the
journal of the house of commons relative to the
bill for the indulgence of popery.
General Skene proved the riots in Scotland.
Mr. Kenyon objected to his evidence as inap
plicable to the prisoner, as he had no connection
with the infurreCtion inEdinburgh, if there was
one.—The Attorney General said, that he had
referred to the conduct of the rioters in Scotland,
in what he had said both at the meeting and in
the lobby of the house, and set it up as an ex
ample of imitation to the aflociation of London.
Lord Mansfield read some of the passages that
alluded to the case, and was of opinion, that the
evidence was applicable.
Hugh Scott, Esq; and Robert Grierfon and
William M'Kenzie, servants to the Duke of Buc
cleugh, spoke to the fame effe&.
(The remainder, containing the noble prisoner's de
fence, 10ill be in our next.)
so his feat: As Coon as Lord George turned
round and saw who it was, he called out to the
people, “ This is Sir Michael le Fleming; he
has just been speaking for you." He seemed to be
remarkably pleased with Sir Michael ; he patted,
or ftroaked his shoulder ; his joy seemed to be
extraordinary—it was childish In his opinion.
Joseph I'earfon, door-keeper, and Thomas
Bakery deposed to similar circumstances;
Sampson Wright, Esq; Sampson Rainfworth,
Charles Jealous, Patrick M'Manus, David Miles,
Mr. Gates, the City Marshal, and W. Hyde, de
posed to the mob, and the outrages commuted by
them.
Lord Portchefter was called to prove that the
prisoner wore a blue cockade.
John Lucy and Barnard Turner were examin
ed as to the riots.
BALTIMORE, May &
Extract of a letter from an Officer of Diftin&ion
It is just now reported, that the British troops,
under command of General Phillips, after having
destroyed a large quantity of tobacco and other
property, at Petersburg, had taken poll at Man
cheder, commonly called Rocky-Ridge, on the
South fide of James River, opposite to, and about
half a mile from Richmond—That the last men
tioned town had been formally summoned, by
General Phillips, to surrender; but that he had
PHILADELPHIA, May 16.
By the Ann, Capt. Josiah, arrived in our river
from I'Orient, we learn, that a fleet of ten ships
of the line and some frigates, with a number of
troops, failed from France bound to America,
about the 20th of March, and may be daily ex
pe&ed.
Wednesday last the Chevalier De la Touche
gave on board his frigate, a most elegant enter
tainment, to a great number of ladies and gen^
tiemen of this city. The frigate t < •separated
into two large halls, one of which nad room for
forty couple to dance at once, and was so finely
decorated and lighted, that it surprised all those
who came on board, and gave a great proof of the
taste of the Captain. The entertainment began
at seven o'clock, with an elegant ball ; at nine a
compleat fire-work was exhibited upon the inland,
opposite to the frigate, and followed by a supper,
at which were near two hundred persons.
Thursday last arrived here the prize ship Reso
lution, Capt. Waterburgh, from Dominica bound
to Amsterdam, but was captured by the Hetty
and Cornwallis,.of Charleftown, retaken by the
Antelope and Felicity, of Baltimore, then taken
by the Revenge of London, and finally retaken
by the Ariel privateer of this port. She has on
board a very valuable cargo, consisting of 350
hogsheads of sugar, a large quantity of coffee, &c.-
Friday last arrived in port, the privateer brig
Rattlesnake, late commanded by Hanna ;
die was three weeks out from New-York, and
had go men on board when taken, having man
ned three prizes ; and was sent in by the Rifing<
Star privateer of this port.
By the UNITED STATES
in Congress assembled, April 1781.
RESOLVE I), That the President transmit
the thunks of the United State# in Congress as
sembled, to the Count de Rochambeau and the
Chevalier Deftouches, Commanders of the army
and fleet sent by his Most Chriftain Majesty to
the fuccour of his allies, for the zeal and vigi
lance they have, on every occasion, manifefted,
to fulfil the generous intentions of their Sove
reign and the expectations of these States : That
he present their particular thanks to the Chevilier
Deftouches and the officers and men under his
command, for the bravery, firmnefs and good
conduct displayed in the late enterprize against
the enemy at Portfmeuth, in Virginia; in which,
although the accomplishment of the object was
prevented by unforefeen events, the arduous con
test so gallantly and advantageously maintained
on the 16th of March lass, off the Capes of Che
sapeake-Bay, against a superior British fleet, does
honour to the arms of his Most Christian Ma
jesty, and is a happy presage of decisive advan
tages to the United States.
Extract from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, See.
To this Vote of Thanks, the Count de Rocham+
beau, returned the following answer:
" Newport, April 18, 1781.
“SIR,'
“IF I have been so h?p?y as to deserve your
Excellency, approbation and that of Congress,
it is only by my readiness to execute the plans
given me by General Washington. I assure your
Excellency, that there is not an American Gene
ral more ready than I am to obey his orders and
to carry them into execution: This is the inten
tion of my King and the foundation of the
orders he gave me. The Baron de Viomenil,
and the superior officers and subalterns shall be
informed of the approbation which your Excel
lency and Congress have been pleased to give, to
their condu&, during the naval engagement on
the 16th ultimo. That approbation is the most
flattering reward their Services could meet with ;
and it is only deserving it that they can expert
that of their Sovereign.
I am, with refpe<ft, Sir, Your Excellency's
Most obedient and most humble servant,
LE CTE. DI ROCHAMBEAU."
received a very foirited negative from the Maid
quis de la Fayette, who is potted there with 1200
Continental Infantry, a detachment of Colonel
Lamb's regiment of Artillery, and a body of Vir
ginia militia, completely equipped, and deter
mined to defend the place to the last extremity.
It is also reported, that our friends have destroy
ed 20 fail of velfels in James River, which lay ex
posed to the enemy, to prevent their falling in
to their hands. We have a variety of other re
ports respecting the military operations in North
Carolina and Virginia, but, at present, they ap
pear too vague to present to our readers.