The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-04-03 00:00:00, page 2

'' As Great-Britain in this contest of arms," fay the Corn
miffioners, ' c ever mindful of your descent and connection,
has soared what was and still is in her power to destroy,"
hereby intimating, that we have not yet felt, the full effects
oftheir cruelty. In this I think we may defy them, for
should they subsidy the sovereign of the dark regions, instead
of the petty sovereigns of Germany, we could expeft nothing
worse than we have already felt. It is indeed a very strong
inducement to form a re-union with Great-Britain, that af
ter having experienced for fix years, every cruelty (as we sup
posed) which the utmost efforts of their rage and unbridled
violence dilated ; they tell us with a serious countenance,
that in all this they have restrained their natural disposition;
which unrestrained would have been attended with deftruc
rion more general, and in degree more severe. Until now,
we really thought they had refined in cruelty, and pushed to
the extream the natural ferocity of their nation : If all we
have seen and felt, are but the effects ofreftraint, God grant
for the honor of human nature they never may be permitted
to give a loose to their natural disposition.
After having fixed a period beyond which die day of grace
shall not extend, they go on to fay, that we to entitle our
selves to tire benefit of their gracious intentions, must by that
time, declare our abhorrence of the rebellion , that is,
juftify all their preceeding conduct and condemn our own,
" feperate from its councils," rife up against governments
est iblished by our own consent and neceffhry to our own
preservation, commit treason against the rights and happi
ness of our country, and incur a capital punishment for our
temerity and crimes, " and afterwards demean ourselves as
dutiful and peaceable fubjeds of his Majesty's government,
that they shall be ready to grant pardon for all past treasons."
After reading this paragraph there cannot remain a doubt
that their views are altogether insidious; we are to have a
term of probation to evince the sincerity of our apoftacy,and
if at any time the tools of the tyrant are disposed to fay our
repentance is not sincere, we are not in the very terms of the
Declaration, intitled to the " King's clemency ;" with such
a door opened, we may already with certainty determine
what their future language and conduQ will be. Suppose
after one or two years trial of our patience under the effe&s
of their insolence, one of their " associations bf men"
should apply for his " Majeftv's gracious pardon," the an
swer would be " We your judges have ooferved your con
dud, and determine that you have not demeaned yourselves
as dutiful and peaceable fubjeds ; you are therefore entitled
to no favour having not performed the requisite conditions,
but your fortunes, nay, your lives, are justly forfeited to the
violated laws of your sovereign ;" which sentence from past
experience we may now with certainty predid would with
rigor be executed.
Many I know are complaining of the burden of taxes; (I
know we are burdened) but let any person cooly reflet and
he will determine that our circumstances are infinitely less
diftrefling than we had reason to suppose they would have
been after such along and arduous contest. Let us re fled on
the importance of the stake for which we contend, that in it
is involved the happiness or misery of millions yet unborn ;
that every thing on the one hand is to be dreaded from inac
tioa, and on the other, with the blessing of heaven to be ho
ped from exertion. Let us reflc.dk on the past condud of
Great-Britain, who was under every obligation to cherish
and procea, but who has aimed the molt mortal blows at
our happiness. Let us trace her condu& in the various stages
of the war, her cruelty, perfidy and haughtiness, which
are in no degree abated. Let us call to mind that misfor
tune has not taught her humility ; that her tone is as haugh
ty, and her pretentions as high as ever. Let us pause and
think on these things, and our present distresses on compari
son with a fubmifliou, will dwindle to a mere nothing.
If thele observations are thought to be of fufficient impor
tance to merit a publication, I shall, when leisure permits,
humbly submit to public consideration, some furtherevi
dence to evince the Knavish designs of the enemy, and that
idle idea of a reconciliation is absolutely impracticable.
T. 9.
BOSTO N, March 29.
By an intelligent person who lately made his escape from
St. Euftatia, an island belonging to the States of Holland in
the Weft-Indies, a free port, and where a vast traffic was
carried on between all trading nations, we have obtained the
following particulars of the capture of that important place.
On the ;d of, February, Admiral Rodney with a British
squadron of rj Ships of the line, and with tranfptrw ih%t
After having by many well turn'd periods conciliated, as
they suppose, the affections of the weak and credulous Ame
ricans, already weary of the war ; and lulled to sleep their
jealousy, they go on to address all the colonies in rebellion
feperately, or any affiliations of men in them " to de
pute proper persons to make known the terms on which they
are & willing again to become united with Great-Britain,
whichthey will lay before the King and Parliament." Aid
in these few words we have the whole substance of all their
gracious affuranccs in our favour ; they have not yet learn
ed from experience that this country is too wife and I hope
too virtuous, to be thus vilely and insidiously entrapped ; pur
difunioh will not, I hope in God, be foeafily effeded. Such
is their idea of the inhabitants of this country (nctwithftand
ing constant experience shews its Futility) that they can offer
us no terms, wnich do not plainly evince that in their opi
nion, we are both fools and knaves : Fools, in resting our
all on such slender security ; and knaves, in wantonly and
perfidioufly violatingour national faith, folcmnly pledged
in treaties, which have for their basis, the happiness and
dear earned independence of this country. Thus do they in
sult Lisin the very moment (and in the identical instrument)
in which they-coart our friendship.
Suppose the majority of the people, should be so mad, so
loft to a sense of their duty and interest, as to accede to these
propositions, we should in the firft place forfeit, justly for
feit, with every nation on earth, all pretension to support;
our armies being di(banded, his Majesty would be pleased,
in his abundant wisdom, to esteem our demands exceflive
and unreasonable,and we should be exposed to the vengeance
of that cruel Tyrant and his venal Parliament, and every
thing dear to us at the difyfal of an enraged and licentious
soldiery ; and this fate, with all the horrid conferences,
would be the merited reward, of such a defection from a
cause the most just and glorious; had their views been di
re&td by an open and manly spirit, they would never have
addreffed' them with an evident intention to disunite and
divide.
carried, as was said, 2000 man, arrived .at that island. The
Governor had no previous notice of the approach of this
fquadren, or that any hostilities had commenced between the
two nations ;fo that 'Statia was completely furprized. The
British Admiral immediately sent a message to the Governor
demanding a total and unconditional surrender of the place,
allowing him four hours to consider of the demand ? but be
fore a quarter of this time had elapsed, he landed his troops
and took poffeilron of the fortreffes, the town, and all tne
merchandize and wealth of the place without opposition.
The American makers of veflels in the harbour went to the
Governor, it is said, and offered with their sailors, amount
ing to fix hundred, to enter and defend the fortreffes, or assist
in repelling the invaders in any way that might be pointed
out by him : The Governor did not think proper to accept
the offer, and no refinance was made. There were upwards
of zoo velfels of different nations in the place, all of which
fell into the hands of the British. All the ftorcs, merchan
dize and money, that could be discovered to a vast amount,
shared the fame fate. Upwards of twenty Danish vefcls
were Seized by the invaders, forne ofwhich had been releas
ed : a Portugueze ship was detained by them, and the report
was, chat war had already commenced or would soon take
place between Portugal and Britain. The day after the Bri
tish troops landed, a drum went round the town, notifying
ah the Jews there to repair to an appointed place, and pro
duce all their money and effc&s; die summons was obeyed,
and rhe British commander took all into his possession, but
gave the Jews four johannes, a man, and sent them to St.
Christophers.
TAKEN from the fubferiber last evening, a brown Dutch
MARE, with a white strip in her face, natural trotter,
about fourteen hands high, 11 or 12 years old, had on a hunt
ing Saddle with a yellowish cloth, and a gray homespun
gretit Coat, with horn buttons, was taken by one Augustus
Burgoyne, who has been by the name of Thomson and
Smith,he is about 31 years of age,light complexion,bald on
the top of his head, cat hammed, had on his legs two large
fears, about fix feet high ; had on when he went away, a
black coat, vest and breeches, has been keeping school in
this place some time. Whoever will take up said mare and
said Burgoyne, and deliver them to me shall have five hun
dred dollars reward, and all reasonable charges paid, by
me SAMUEL BILLING.
Bennington, March rj, 1781.
DESERTED from the fubferiber, HENRY SMITH, SAMU
EL SHERMAN and ITHAMER GRANGER, soldiers,
inlifted and mustered for the three year's service, in. the
American army : Said Smith is twenty years old, five feet
fix inches high, light complexion, redish hair, a resident of
Pittsfield, has a little of die Dutch pronunciation in his
speech; Sherman is forty-two years old, five feet four
inches high, grayish eyes, short gray hair,dark complexion,
a resident of Pittsfield, is an excellent finger ard dancer;
Granger is twenty-three years old, five feet eleven inches
high, lightish eyes, black hair, light complexion, a resident
of Worthington.—Whoever will take up said deserters, and
return them to the fubferiber, or secure them in any of the
public Goals, and notify the fubferiber of the fame, shall
receive TEN HARD DOLLARS for each or either, and all
necessary charges paid by WILLIAM WALKER,
Superintendant for the county of Berkshire,
Lenox, March 21, 1781.
WE the fubferibers being appointed by the hon. judge
of probate for the county of Berkshire, commissio
ners to examine the claims of the creditors of the estate of
DAVID INGERSOLL Esquire, late of Great Barrington, an
absentee, represented insolvent; do hereby give notice,
that we shall attend on said business, at the house of Major
Ebenezer Bement, in Great Barrington, on the firft Monday
in every month, until the firft Monday in April 1782, at one
o'clock in the afternoon of each day.
N. B. No accounts will be received except properly at
tested.
MOSES HOPKINS, )
THOMAS INGERSOLL, (,
JUSTUS BELLEMY, [ Commissioners.
Great Brarrington, March 28, 1781.
AL L persons having any just demands against the estate
of Do^or MOSES COBB, late of Tolland deceased ; are
desired to exhibit their accounts properly attested ; and all
persons indebted to laid estate, either by book or note, are
desired to make speedy payment to the fubferibers.
DANIEL EDGERTON, )
JEDU THAN COBB, j Adminiftrators#
Tolland, March 26, 1781.
Wh the lubicribcrs being appointed commissioners by
die hon. court of probate for the county of Berkshire
to receive and examine the claims of the creditors of th^
estate of Lieut. ELIJAH KENT, late of Sufficed in the countv
of Hartford, deceased, laid estate lying in Berkshire county,
represented infolycnt; do hereby give notice, that we pro-'
pose to attend said bufi cfs, atthe house of Mr. Josiah Still
man in Sandisfield, on the second Tuesdays of April, May,
July, and August next, from two o'clock P. M. until seven
on each day.
N. B. We expeff the accounts to be properly attested.
SAMUEL SMITH, 2d. )
JAMES AYRAULT, ) Commiflioners.
DANIEL BROWN, jun.)
Sandisficld, March 24, 1781.
Two days before Rodney appeared off Statia; a Dutch fleet
•' between twenty and thirty merchant ships, failed from
Sthtia, under convoy of a man of war of 64 guns. Rodney,
as loon as he was made acquainted with it, dispatched two 74
gun ships and a frigate after this fleet, which was overtaken
by the British. The Dutch commander fought with great va
lqr and obftinac,, and refufed to surrender, He was however
Overpowered, and the British took poffeffo of his ship, and
most, if not all, his convoy, though not till after he had re
ceived seven balls in his body, of which lie soon expired.
Ihe brave defence of this officer so disabled one the British
ships of 74 guns, that she was obliged after the a&ion to be
towed in to a near port.
, Rodney, by keepir g Dutch colours upon the fortreffes of
Statia, after he had taken it, decoyed a number of trading
verfcls bound thither; by which means he has enlarged the
advantages gained bv hirqjn the capture ,of the . place.
Hat 1 sos d-Lounty, March 26, 1781.
PUBLIC NOTIC Eis hereby given, That Libels are
filed before Jabez Hamlin, and the rest ofthe Judges of
„of the Maritime Court, in the county of Hartford, by Amos
Judson, of Eaft-Haddam, agairft a Parcel of BRITISH
GOODS, said to be captured by him and his crew (proper
ly commissioned for that purpose) on or about the 15th of
March infant, and brought into the county of Hartford;
confining of hlks, linens, gauzes, and other articles. And
2 "°, against the following Articles (said to be captured by
the laid Amos Judson and crew, ahout the 17th of March
instant, and brought into the county of Hartford) viz. Silks,
linens, teas, and other articles. Both which parcels of
goods were taken on Long-lAand, fiom the enemies of this
and the United States. And for the trial ofthe justice of said
captures, a maritime comtwiU be held at Hartford, on the
second Wednesday of April next. All persons concerned are
to take notice hereof.
, .T 0 BE S O L D,
AFAR M, containing one hundred and fifty acres—
well watered : An orchanLef five hundred apple-trees
Landing on the fame, which will make nro hundred barrels
of cyder yearly ; also a number of other fruit-trees. Said
Farm is well proportioned with wood, mowing, plowing
and.pafturing ; there can be cut twenty-five or thirty tons oi
hay, in a common feafo& : Also a two story linto house,
(with four smokes) and a large barn. The farm lies in Far
mington, two miles from the meeting-house, on the public
road from Hartford to Litchfield ; it is very convenient for a
tavern. Itwill be fold on reasonable terms (if applied fer
loon) by the fubferiber, who will give a good title.
To be SOL D, for Hard Money or Cattle,
AFA RM, containing 36 acres and half of Land, lying
near Middle-Haddam Meeting-House, with a House
Barn, Blacksmith's Shop and Coal-House Landing thereon'
and an Orchard and a good Well near the House. Slid
Farm is well situated for a Blacksmith or any other Trades
man, and will be fold soon or not at all. For further par
ticulars enquire of JOHN POLLY, living 0:1 the premises.
Chatham, Marclr 8,1781. f
E *' fubferibers being appointed commissioners by
Vv the hon. court of probate for the dilhift of Sharon
to receive and examine the claims of the creditors of the
estate of Lieut. JAMES COON, late of Salisbury deceased -
do hereby give notice, that we shall attend the business, at
the house of Mr. Jacobus Davis, inn holder in Salisbury, on
the firft mondays of June, July and August next, from one
o'clock in the afternoon until fix.
TIMOTHY CHETTENDEN, 3
GEORGE MARSH, Cornmiflioners#
Srlilbmy, March I^, 1781.
_STATE OF VERMONT.
be fold by the Subscriber (liying in Halifax, in die
I county of Win<lha m , TWO FARMS, one containing
100 acres, 23 of which is under improvement. The other
75 acres, 20 of which is under improvement. Also a quan
tity of wild Land in the interial and fronterial part ot said
State, all which will be fold on reasonable terms, by the fub
feriber, living on the premises.
„ HAZAEL SHEPARD.
Halifax, March 20, 1781.
WE the fubferibers being appointed commiflioners by
the hon. court of probate, for the diftrid ofFarming
ton, to receive and examine the claims of the creditors of the
estate of Col. WILLIAM MARKES, late of Farmington, de
ceased, represented insolvent; do hereby give notice, chic
we shall attend said business at the dwelling house ofthe de
ceased, on die last Monday of April next, and the third Mon
day of May next, from one o'clock until fix in die afternoon
on each of said days.
N. B. No accounts will be allowed unless properly attested
JOSEPH BACON, jun. ) r
EBENEZER HAMLIN, ) Comm ^°ners.
Farmington, March 26, 1781.
, . To BE SOL D,
A Fine FARM, lying in Litchfield, within two miles and
Zla h^lf of the Meeting House, containing 100 acres,
40 under improvement, well watered, lying bounded on two
public roads, with two Orchards thereon, and a good Saw
mill, within a quarter of a mile: Likewise 100 acres lying
adjoining to the feciety of Washington, with a good Mill
place, luitable for a, Saw-Mill or Iron Works, well timbered
and wateied, within half a mile ofthe great road from Bof-,
ton to Philadelphia. For Particulars, enquire of
BENJAMIN PE CK, jun.
Litchfield, March 24, 1781.
TH E Proprietors of Stamford (in the State of Vermont)
are hereby notified, that their meeting Hands adjourned
to the third Wednesday of May next, at the house of Mr.
Edward Higbee, in said Stamford, at two o'clock in the
afternoon ; and as business of great importance to the pro
prietors is then to be tranfa&ed, it is hoped a general at
tendance will be given.
BOHE? T E A.
Two Chests of Excellent BCHEA TEA, just i&
ported from Gottenburg, to be fold (in Hartford) very
cheap for hard Money, if applied for soon. Enquire of the
PRINTERS.
April 3, 1781.
LOS T, between the Court-house in Hartford and Land
lord Sanfoid's in Wintonbury, on the 28th instant, a
black leather POCKET-BOOK, containing about fix
pounds Connecticut money, two hard dollars, and several
other articles of no value to any but the owner. Whoever
will leave said book at the Printing-Office, shall receive a
generous reward.
grove foot:
Winronbury, March ;o, 1781.
JAMES WOODRUFF.
Farmington, March 28, 1781.
BENJAMIN HENSHAW,
Agent for said Proprietors.
Middletown, March 27, 1781.
By order of the Judge,
GEORGE WYLLY S, Registers