The Virginia gazette — Williamsburg [Va.], 1776-04-20 00:00:00, page 2

the (ruth is. du! in the prcisicnt ruinous fine of her sinanccs, and
!cehle condition of her ficets, she: will scarcc think it prndcnt, for
any prui'pccts we can yield her, (o rush into a new and expcnlivc
_ wzu', when so ill recnuced after the blood and treasure which she
lavishcd so ineffectuzlly in th: hit.
Would it be wise, then, u— silk a refusal from her, or to mix
our nffairs with those of any forcign power whatever in this con
test with Great Bl'imin? No; ! conceive this would only pro
tract our wars, increase our dangcrs, Oeaken onr sorcc, and
1 grohably end in our ruin. And of all nations in the world,
'tznce is the last from which we should seek assisiancc, cven if it
wane necessary. What kind of assilhnce do we expect from her?
Cold and silver she can bnt ill afford to give us. Hcr men we
si ] have no occasion for_; and, in a word, until (he has a fleet ab]? to
content] with that of England, [he can do us no ellential leerce. '
The want of such a fleet has been the gieat bar to her numerous
projects sut- universal empire. Can uny_Prot_cltss:tnt, can you [ny
countrymen, ever with to see her poliefled osii inch 'a fleet, :tlillt
her in nttnining it, or willingly give her iootmg [" Amenea?
Would she then be contented to be the hnnble ally of these colo
' dies; or would she not, in her own right, ksume Cunadu, which,
according to the limits she formerly clained, is larger than siall
Our provinces together? Could we hindct her from mtt'oducmg
what multitudcs of her people she might 'hmk proper into that
country where they have already :: great h>dy of their friends to
,- receive them? ln that cnse we should s00l be left jn'ithout room
for the encrensing number of our postcrity; hemrfi'd th upqn the
sea shoce; and, with armies behind us,_ aid fleets before us,. he
either crushcd to pieces, obliged to lubmit to the absolute do'mmt-si
on of France, or to throw ourselves back then the protection ot
,Gt'eat_D--it.\ir_1. _ . . _ . _ __
This connderatton IS truly alarmmg, and France. has never
' shewn herself so worthy of confideuce among the natidit's of Eu
rope. as to induce us to run such risks, by throwing ourselves
- precipitntely into her arm. She is so notoriotts to the whole
world, for her disiegard of the molt sacred treaties, that Gallira
side:, or Frum-b Fai/b, is become as }>tctovet'bia15'tipW, as Pum'ra
side:, or Carlbuginian Faiflr, of old. It could scnrce have been
imagined, that the author of Common Senji, after telling us that
" the blood of the slain, the weeping voice ohuture,. (ries, 'Tts
Tlma 110 PART'si—eternnlly to part—srom the'limtted monarchy
of Great Britain (whatever future terms might be offered us)
would so soon have recommended to us a new' alliance with the
arbitrary monarchs of France and Spain, Bloody massacres, the
revocation of sacred edicts, and the most um'eienting persecutions,
have certain] taught Amelican Pronstanu, si and especially our
Getman brethren, what sort of faith we are to expect frosnss Po
rlsu PRlNcssi and from nations who are shctangers to ItctFrrgy
themselves, and envy the enjoyment of it to other:! —
ln short, ( am not able, with all the pains _ t'e taken, to
understand what is meant by a declaratim of irrd silence, unless
it is to be drawn up in the form of a suicmn 'ralion usGieat
Britain, as a nation with which we can never more be conspcted;
and this seems the doctrine of the author of Common Sense. But
I believe he has made but few converts to This part of hit l'cheme;
she;} who knows to what vicissitudes of fortune we may yet be sub
't: ed? ' "
, We have already declared outselves indrpanmt, as to all use
ful purposes, by rcsifling our oppreflors, u it our own sound'n
tion. And while we keep upon thin groum , withqut connecting
ourselvea with any soreign nations, to invoive us in fresh difficul
ties, :fnd endanger our liberties (till further, we are able, in our
own elqment, upon the share, to continue this rgfi'stwm, and it
is our duty to continue it, till Great Britain is convmced (as she
.mufi soon be) ofher fatal policyv; and open het- arms to reco'fici
liation, upon the permanent and sure footing us mutual interest
.and safety. -
Upon such a sooting, we may again he happy. Our trade will
be revived. Our huflsi'mdmeu, our mechanics, our nstificers will
flourish. qu language, our laws and mannen being the same
Bill] those.- ot the nation with which We are a 'ain to be connected,
; at connection will be natural; and we all the more easily
* an] against future innovatiom. Pennsylvania has much to hose
j-mthi: contest, and much to hope from a proper l'ettiement of it.
We have long flourished under our chasiner-govemment. ' What
m "be the consequences of anotherform we cannot pron unee
wit certainty; but this we know, that it is it read we hav not
travelled, and may be worse than it is described.
- A T O.
WAT E RT o w N, Aprzl- 1.
HE man of war building nt Portsmouth for the eontinental
. service. _will, it it said, be ready to Iaunch in about :
month. .
.' A il :. Thursday last the lecture which was established, and
.; hll en observed from the. first settlement of Button, without in
' terruption, until sivithin these few months put}, was opened by the
Rev. Dr.Elliot. His Excellency Geneml Washingson, the other
General officers, and their suitet, havin been previouslyinvited,
met in the Council Chamber; from w en'ec, preceded by the
Sheritf with his wand, attended by the member; of the Cquncil
who had had the smaHpox, the Committeeos the House of Repre—
senutives, the Selectnn—n, the Clergy, and many other Gentlemen,
they repaired to the Old Btick Mecting House, where an excel
lent and well adapted discourse was delivered from these words in
the xxxiii chapter of lsaiah, and zoth verse.
After divine service was "ended, hii Excellency, attended and
accompanied at before, returned to the: Council Chamber, from
whence they proceeded to the Bunch ol Grapes tavern, where an
eicgant dinner was provided at the public expence; after which
manv very proper and pertinent toash wcre drank. joy and ra
titude sat on ever countenance, and smiled in every eye. ]" he
whole wu eomlu ed and concluded to the satisffflion qs all.
On Friday las! (without special pcrtniffion of General Gage.
or any other murderer of the present corrupt and Ahandoned Mcti:
nifiry) the inhabitants of the town of Boflon assembled atctthe Otd
Brick Meetin House in that town, and made choice of their
Mn nffieen ign- the enliiing year. ' - ,
The Suk , a large transport ship, with four Torics at leasijim
board, is a or: on Genrge's ifland, and itis hid cannot he got
off. Yesterday many eannon were heard in the bay. '
lu COUNClL, Mans" 18. 1776. si '
Onlcred that. Thomas Cushing and plosi-s (iill, Esquires
with such as the Honourable House shall join, he : curiimittcc, to
wait on his Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON; Esili_3ss"d,
present himnvith the: following :!ddrel's: _ . ' " __ _ - -
Sun Jmnjbr tonsurrmrf. si -. .'-_
]()H.\I LOWELL, Drp. sss.ct.ctsipsi_'r5u'n.
In the HOUSE q/ REPRESENTATlVES, Marr/x-M'c), ]776.
Read and cmtcnrrrd, and Mr. Sullivan, Col. 'Urne. and Ma-f
jot Hawky, art.- jolned. ct_
\V-' LLlAM CGWPER. .era/cer, [w lent.
77 in Excellent] GEORCE W'ASlllNGsil ()N. Esq; Gmeral
an} Commandtr t'n Cbirjsi of the force: of (I:: Unitz-tl drm-rimu
Colom'u. ss,
M'tv it please your Excellency,
HI'ZN thr liberties of Amcrica werr- mtachsid by the vio
lent hand of opprefiion; when troops, hntffle to the sigh,,
yf humanity. invndf'd thin colnny, luize-I tml' capital, and spread
'zayosk and dsistmctinn around tt; when our Vll'HlOllS sone were
mur-lt-sed, and our housea de sh'oyed by_the trnnln of Britain; the
inhabitants of this and the other American culumes, impelled by
lelf-pnsil'en'atzon and the lutc of sucdom, forgcttmysi she.. dun-cisi
tic concuus, tictcrttlintd resuiutel) and unitcdiy to uH—ulosi th sum
of tyranny.
e-onvinccd of the vatt importance of having :t Gentleman of
great military accmnplishmcnts, to discipline, had, and conduct
the isiolces of tho colonies, it gave us the greatest satisfaction to
hear that the Honourable Congrel's of the United Colonics had
made.- choice of a Gentleman thus quaiificd, who, leaving the
pleasures of domestic and turn] life, was ready to undertake the
arduous talk. And your nohly declining to accept thc pecunim'y
emoluments annexed to this high office, tully evinced to us that a
warm regard to the sacred rights of humnnity, and sincen: love to
your eountrv, solely influenced you in the acceptance of thip im
portant tt'uti.
me your acknowledged abilities as :t lbldscr, and your virtues
in public and private life, we had [he must pleasing hopes; but
the fortitude and equanimity so conl' icuuus in your conduct; the
wisdom of your councilsz the mil yet strict govermncnt of the
army; your attention to the eivil conttitution of this tsiolony ; the
regard you have at all times shewn for the lives in?! health of
those under your command; the fntigucs you have wtth checrful
ness endured; the regard you have shcwn for the prcscrvation of
our metropolis, and the great address with vtthh uur military
operations have been condu ed,.hgwe exceeded our most sanguine
expectations, and demand the warmclt returns ot' gratitudc.
The supreme t'ulet' of the univesl'e having liniled on our arms,
and crowned your labours with remakahle success; we are now,
without that effufion of blood we so much wished to avoid, again
in the quiet possession of ourcapital; the wisdom and prudence
of those movements which have obliged the enem to abandon our
._me_tmpolis,ss will ever be remembered by the in tabimnts of this
colony. _. _' x- :' , ' ss
hday )ou still go on approved hy Heaven, revered by all good
-t_ne'n, und'dt'eaded by, these tyrants who clztim their fellow men as
their property. May the,Uni\etl Colunics he defended from
shwery by your victbi'ious m-"ms. Bhy they still set: their enemies
flying before you: And (the deltvcrzmce of your country being
effectd) may you, in retit'cmcnt. enjoy tlmt pcrtcc and saticsaction
ofmind, which :dways attends the good and gtcut: And may
future gttier-itians, in the pencetsiul enjoyment of that freedom,
the exercise of which yonr sword shall have ettnhlished, ' misc the
richest and most lasting tnonttments to the name of WASl-I—
lNGTON. ' A true copy. '
(Atteit) JOHN LOVVl-ZLL, Drp. Set. pro ttm.
.. - His Excellency'a AN SWE'R. _ " - si -ss .
To the Honourable COUNCIL and REPRESBN-ssI'ATI—YES q/{Z'sse
prwina if Mqffatbusem Bfijy. ' -' '_ 4 7.
Gentlemen, '_ ; si __ ss _.._
RETURN you my most smccre and hearty thanks. _'foctr=si inoi'lrss.
polite address; and feel myself called upon by every pt-isinci 1 c
of ratitude, to acknowledge the honour you have donc'mesiintifig
tel imonial of 'nur ap mhation of my :; pointment_t_o the exalted
station ] now fill} and), what is more pfealing, ctotftny conductifi}
ischargingits imyortant duties. ' si -
When the conncils of the British nation had formed :t plftn sot'
enfltving Amcricu, and dtpriving her- sun; nt'thcit' most sacred
and invaluahlc pn'vilegc-s, against the Cicltl'cst remonttrances of
the constittltion, of justice, and of truth ; and to cxucute their
schemes, had ct-tppenlcd mehe sword, ] citet-mcd it my duty to take
a part in the contest, and more especially when called thereto by
the unsolicitedsuffrlgesofthe representatives osa free people; wish
ing for no other reward, than that atising from ; conscientious
dischzu'ge of the imwn si." trud, 'tzn-i sin .t m) services might cun
tribute to the estab ishmsi-nt of ssecdum and peace, upon a permi
ncnt sonndation; and merit the :tpphutc at my countrymen, lnd
every virtuous citizen.
Your proscsii-ms of my attention to the cit'il conssstitution of this
eolonk whilst acting in the line of my dcsizamnent, also demand
m grateful thanke. A regard to every provincial institution,
where not ineom atible with the Common interest, ] hold a prin
ciple ns dutv mere? policy, and shall ever form :! part of in
ci>ndu£t. Fud I not learned this before, the happy expen
ence of the advantages resulting s—siom ; soiendly intercourse with
yotn-Honoumhic Body; their ready and wiliin concnrrence to aid
and to council, whenever called upon in ca et of difficulty and
emcrgency, would have taught me the useful lesson.
That the motropolis of your colony is now relieved from the
cruel and opprcsstve invasion of thole who were sent to ere& the:
ltandard ut lzwiesit domination, and to trample on the ri hts of
humanity, and is again opett-and flee for its rightful 99 essors,
mult give pleasure to evcty virtuous and sympathetic heart; and
being effected without the blood of our soldiers, and fellow citi
zens, mult he zt'cribed to the interposition of. that providence,
which has manifeflly appeared in our behnis through the whole of
this important struggle, as well as to the measures pursued for
bringing about the bet py event. ;
May that Bring, w o is powerful to save, and in whose hands
is the satte of nations, look down with an eye ot'tender pity and
compassion upon the whole of the United Cuioniu; may he con
tinue to smile upon their councill and arms, and crown them Wllil
success whilst employed in the cause of virtue and of mankind;
may this diltressed Colony and its capits], and eveiy part. of this
wide extended continent, through his divine savour, he restored
to mct'e than their former luch and once happy (tate, and have
ace, libert , and safety, seruredupon aso'lid, pennanent, and
asting foun ation. GEORGE WASHlNGTON.
PR O V l D E N C E,' February 30.
Y several Gantleme'n lately arrived from Checoncflo, in th:
B province ut Nova Scotia, we have undoubted intelligence,
that that government had endeavoured to enlitt part of the inhahi
tann to act against their American brethren, which they noblv
refused; in consequence whereof the Govemor had ordered the
militin to be called together, find : number to be draughted,
when the officers were told by the men, that is they 'utem'pted to
draught, they would fire u :: them: This stopped their pro
ceeding any huther, and: e men clubbe-l their mulkets llld
'that-died home. ——
NEW YORK, AprilS.
- AST Tuesdzty night a party of about up of our troops
- landed on Bedlow'e lshtnd, about two miles from this cit ,ss
and destroyed thine works that hud been erected there by this
crew ofhis Mujcsty's this? the Asiu, :tntt burnt down :: house that
was supposed to be pnlli: ed by some Torics; the man of War fired .
ss two shut at our peosiale, but they came off unhurt, and'brought
with them some entrenching tools, poultry, &c. &c. , '
'The-same evening :m attempt was made to set the to the air.
'turnacc, near this city, , by some people that got there in :! boat.
and supposisd from the man of war; but they were discovered be
fore they could put their design in execmion, and made off with
prccjpintion. . , - _
We'dnel'day last the Hon. Bcn'amin Franklin, Esq; with Bri
fadier General Baron De VVoedl c. and them] othetj Gentlemen,
est this place for Alhany, on their way for Cah'sizda: __
Wednesday night laft arrived here from thesicsiei}; {sz
hridge. Btigmiier Genern] Puznzm ; and the evmi'hgisiheshte Col.
Mifflm, ( nzu'ter Mulier Gcncmi of the Amuncan nmysssskrrived
hcn from ttc [inns plaee, - "
A [shop of Wil'si siip '
whethe Nautilus, is lrrived at the
Nunows. '
4 : ' .: , O
s \Vc itcin that the Glasgow, us zo.gnns, from Ncwport, and
\ Sccrpion, of 16, from button, arc arrived below, and yesterday
\ noon there was a firing ;it the watering place, !iipputsic-l to he be
tween the rifle-mcn on-Stnicn lfiuml and the ships.
General [lowe, with the troops under his command, is gone for
Halisax. - ..
From Montsermt we have an account that Cnpt.Fergus and
some other London ships arc arrived then: in ;; days, and that
they bring the news of fifty [iiil of trunlsiports lailing through the
Downs With them' for Button.
Ever since our last, Antericnn troops from Boston, Connecti
cut, New Jersey, am] Pellnsylvuli't, have been cunrinually arri
ving in town, so that we: already hnvchcrer, it issuppulcd, bciidcs
the colouy troops, about to,ono men, with the (}cnut'als Heath,
'shumpt'on, and Lord Stirlingj, Col. Mifflin, &c. and it is ex
Pccted Geiicrals Putnnm und Sullitan wiil arrive this day with
more troops. _
By aGeutleman from New London we are informed, that in
express hail arrived to Guvemoisi Trumbull, with an account of
the surrender of ucbcc to the contincntul forces. -
The following odd nffhitsshappencd at Stratford, on the loth of
March lnlt: A child of Mr. Edwards, of that place, was bap
tizcd by the Rcv. Mr. -- , of Norwalk, aml named Tim
MAS GACE : This alarmed the neighbourhmul, :md on the lzth '
t7o young Ladies t'orme-ssl ihcmiilves- into .t bdflitlion, and with
lolrmn ceremony appointed a General, and the other proper offl.
cers to had them on; then the pctticoat army muctched in the
greatest good order to pay their complimcnts to 'l'uouAs GAGE,
aml present his mothci; (the uymphs ought to have deferred this art
of the business a few days, says nurcon'eljzondent) with also:! of
tas and feathers; But 'FHOMAs's Sire having intelligence of their
expcdition, wi &! arm: kept them from entering his housey so thn
thi- female t'oldiers cctumed to head quartern, without effecting
what they intended, and dishanded themtblves.
PHILADELPHIA, Aprz] 12
hz ss'C () N GJ-R F, 5 8, llpril '6, 1776.
- ' _ HAT an 'si outls, wares. and merchandises, exc :
'R'si/ctfssctwssf T lhvc—z 31]?! empty cntks, other than shaken egr
knocked dm'v'n cztlks t'orxt'sio{a_fi}—\si, inn;, he expnrted from the Thir
tcgn' Uniml _-(,Tu_ltn.ics, flhysithc inhabitants thlsil'eos, and b' the
peopsiesios actllsilusfiss c'csinintrijcteii as are not l'uhjtfit to the King of seat
'Bisiitztin, to :tnvsspnrtsissisizsitsi the With! which me not under the domi
sininnfjof the {! K-insig-ssj." Providcd that no vessel be permitted to
edition an ., _ ty)- 'ntnnbcr of shaken or knocked down tnolassee
catks shn the snsihtefiivell'cl is cupnble of carrying when they shall.
-be sillei sisiltll molatR's. ' .
". "Rg'fzctlwdg thatany goods, wares, antlmerchundise, exceptsuchsi
a;— :sitre'ssdf'sit-he growth, 'prodnftion, or mannshctsite of, or brought
from :tuy'lsictcotmtrv 'nndssct'.thc dominion of the King of Great
.Btiitsiht'h:,,sictintl except._l-Ziflt lndia tes, may he imported from any
lathesir Pins uk'the world, to the Thirtecn Unitctt Colonies, by the
inhnhsstfints thereof, and by the people of all su- heodntries :! are
not l'uhjtsict to she said King, li.;ble, however, to all such dutiu
and inwdsitions as now are, or may hereafter be, laid by any of
the sithl colonics.
ReybI-z-sisi. , that n-thing herein contained shall be understood to
prevent such future commercial regulations as shall bt thou he
just and necessary by these United Colonies, or their respectivese
'iflaturcs.
si Rrsi/bl—wsil, that no flzves be imported into any of the Thineen'
United Colonics. _ "
ReshI-val, that it be recommended to the Assemblies and Coli
t'entions in the several coloniel to nppoint proper officers at comi
niem places ir. their respective colunies to take bonds, in ad
pennlties, for ohserving the regulatiuns made by the Con us. al:
Assemhhes, or Conventiom, cnncerning trode, and for unfin
the obsewation of such paxts of th'. nssociation :: are not incon -
ent therewith, and that tho: ohligor (hail, within ei htecn nioa
after the depztrmre of the vciiL-l, produce to such cer: a cer!"
cme, under the hand: and seals of three or more reputablegnerss
cltants refiding at the poxt or place where the cargo shull'be de,
livered, that the same was there unlnded. and take manifesh u '
on oath of the cargoes expostod and imported, and keep fair ac.
counts and entriet thereof, give bills of health when desired, ran:
regisiers shewing the property of the vessels cleared out. an sign
certificmesi that the reqmsitta for unlis ing vessels to tmde have
been cumplied with, and that the ces osythe said officessf'e be lated
by the respective Afllmhlies or Conventiont: vaitled ulyays,
that no prosecution upon any of the said hands shall be committed
but within three yeats after the date thereof; ss
Rtjbl—zml, that all gqmts, wares, andmerchandise, except such
as are made prize of, which shall be imported directly or indii-ectly
front Gn-ctt Britain or lrt-lzmd, intu any of these Unite-l Colcsimies,
contraty to the reguhtions esiahlilhed hy Congrcss. shall be for
fcited and dispan-J us agreeable to such sulcs us shall be shade by
the t'ct-veml Ats-simhlics m' Coln'cmions, and shall be liable t6 pro
1 t'ecution and condemnation in any Court, erccted or to be erected
\ for the eletennin-ttion of ununtimc :ttt'airs in the coluny where the
? seizure shall be made. ]ixtmtt from the minutes.
CH XRLHS THOMSON, Sec'ry.
\ Extract? zfu [vlltrjsir'rm C MBHJFE, 'I? (ergfi. ,,_ .
" This inlhm an express aniss. :.l lmm ('iuvemor 'ooke wish an
\ account that a man oi wsiir wsiu just anival in the hliabour of
1 Newport, am! that 27 sail bs vniL-ls, supposed so he part of the
* fleet from Bolion, ru'e within Second Point. General Sullivan's
brigznle, which ]rfr Cambridge the zgthof hlarchs, w ordered
to silc off immedianly ful Providence, and General rcen's,
7 which was to march (he is} oprril, was ordered to repair im
mediale-ly to the same place."
VYL- her.:- that on the is: i'nsiant the shmp Endeavour. Job Trip
ss master, being on be: passage from Dxrlmuulh to this place, lo
; the northward ossiEgg hat mr was chased and come up' with '1-y
:! tender, currving sdm carriage gzms, ten swivcls, unclxhiny five
men, fitted on: by the: Pha'nix; and commanded hy-one Under,
:! mic'shipman. Thetehdcr was npl sictomcm wilhss-firingss) broad
fid'c atsiCapt. Trip's vessel, 1asterlpe'cthad'hflffled down her fails,
but when nlosing hde, Wrflfiug much schrriluus language,;siossi.
dered another hroadfide to be'sifired,-3-hy which Cza]n._TrZ}>received_
:. ball inhis thigh, whsiiccthzbcok'e' siand m'uch shnncre-i'itj the m'z'xp
also had :: bals went thrdugh-pne- (high and lodged inct-llle other.; :
Amfficciss Afterwards'tzssidenflssboard,- and told Czpt. Tlsilp, thy} '
Buplrrsi (the Captsia—d) 'oszfle linhlcr) out of his clcmeucy, field-"consisisi'ct
scnt'ed to givehosim-sh'i;bbuifctqn condiliun he would make tho'heff
or his wayflsim ssshqjesiQj'h'hiclj Ca'pr. 'l'l'ip represented as innpnsiibld,'.=
soi*himscls add uinesibcingsihqfh woctumlcd, they couh neither lhnd;
nor sir. :lThef'tcthc'n'gnve ihegn (he- sithree hand: he ngiug to the
floop, wbqgszsixctstet mqeh-difficgkjfgsi:rL-nchcd the shor The Cz
tain and marezweicte 'hsidt-hsi'ifisslgctdfphfly ill; having n thirty si:
houre without anydreffing !otheir wounds. The !endcr's people,
after plumlu ing the llonp, lhmled, :md lsiCt her on fire.
Extract ql'a later ji'nm New YORK, Jatld Apri/ 8.
" Ycstenlactv the Vipers boat went ashoreon Smten llland to
get wayes. A part)- of riflc-mcn. who were poRed there, attack
ed her, and took all hands prisoners; some say eight, other!
fourteen. 'I'hc man of war tired, which the rifle-mcn turned.
They wmc 41 it all day. The man of war was ohli xc-d o cm her
table nnd run. ]! is said she fell down with her sail - hu'lccl, and
when the men went Up to Xuosc them, the rifle-men pnppfll them
off. [cannot get 1: particulars. ()ur people his.: since taken
up the :mchur, and eight)! fathom of table."