The Virginia gazette — Williamsburg [Va.], 1776-06-01 00:00:00, page 2

more at Cape Nichola Mole, and 5000 at Cape Francois. - Hilpaniola is
mide a fice port to all nations totakein sugars and coffec. 'l'mrench
people i general are sorry for the unhappy times: Their constant toalts
are Generals WasningTon and Lee.”
Capt. Wilson, who arrived at Newbury Port on the Ift instant, from
France, has brought with him the following valuabfe cargo, viz. 21,600
pounds of gunpowder, 10 eight pounders, 6 fix ditto, and 2 four ditto;
10,478 pounds of fulphur, 1000 ditto of German steel, 11000 flints,
and 12 muikets, with bayonets.
PHILADELPHIA, Iblay 18. By a Gentleman arrived here last night
from New York, we are informed, that the Commiflioners, with the He(-
fian troops, had arrived at Halifax. It was said, at New York, that the
Commiflioners were en their way to treat with the Congress, and that the
troops were to stay at Halifax.
Extral? of a letter from General Schuyler, at Fort George, May 13.
¢ Some ships of war, with troops, arrived the 4th instant at Quebec,
which obliged our troops to raise the fiegge. We left about 200 of the
sick, too 11?:0 be removed, and a few others, who were out on detached
parties, and a few cannon.”
Extraél of a letter to the CONGRESS, dated MoONTREAL, May 10.
¢ By Col. Campbell, who arrived here early this morning, from Que
bec, we are informed that two men of ‘war, two frigates, and one ten
der, arrived there early on Monday the 6th instant. About 11 o’clock
the enemy sallied out, to the number, as is supposed, of 1000 men.
Our forces were so dispersed at different parts, that not more than two
hundred could be colleéted together at head quarters. This small force
could not resist the enemy. All our cannon, 500 muskets, ard about
200 sick, unable to come off, have fallen into their hands. The retreat
was made with the utmost precipitation and confufion. However, Col.
Campbell informs us that he imagines we have loft very few men, except
the sick above-mentioned.----General Thomas was last Thursday even~
ing at Dechambeau. At a council of war it was determined to retreat to
the mouth of the Sorel. This day General Arnold goes down there,
and if he can get information of the enemy’s real flrength, and it thould
be found inconfiderahle, perhaps a council of war,. on reconsideration,
may think proper to march the army back to Dechambeau, which. is
now firengthened by Col. Gratton’s, Burrel’s, and Sinclair’s regiments.
Besides the above losses, one batteau loaded with powder, supposed to:
contain thirty barrels, and an armed veflel, which the crew were obliged
to abandon, were intercepted by one of the enemy’s frigatess i
Published by order of Congress. CHARLEs THOMSON, Secry.
In CONG%ESS, May 15, 1776. |
WHEREAS his Britannick Majesty, in conjunétion with the Lords
and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late a& of Parliament, ax
ciuded the inhabitants of these United golonies from the prote&tion of
bis Crown: And wliereas no answer whatever to the humble petitions
of the colonies for redress of grievances, and reconciliation with Great
Britain, has been, or is likely to be given; but the whole force of that
kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruc
tion of the good people of these colonies: And whereas it appears ab
solutely irreconcileable to reason and good conscience for the people of
thele colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the
support of any government under the Crown of Great Britain; and it is
necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said
Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government
exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies for the preser
vation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the de
fence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasi
ons, and cruel depredations, of their enemies: Theretore,
RESOLVED, that it be recommended to the refpetive Assemblies and
Conventions of the United Colonies, where no government fufficient to
the exigences of théir affairs has been hitherto eﬁabliihed, to adopt such
government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people,
best conduce to the happinefls and fafety of their conflituents in particu
tar, and America in general. By order of Congress.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
To the KING’s MosT EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
"The humble ApprESS and PETITION of the merchants, traders, and
other principal inhabitants of the town of BELFAsT.
Most Gracious Soveréigny” . -
W"E your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal fubjeéts, the merchants,
traders, -and other principal inhabitants of the town of Belfaft,
implore your Majesty to lend an attentive and favourable ear to these our
humble, though earnest supplications. -
Universally interested in the fate of trade, we cannot but lament the
decay of it already, occasioned by the present unnatural state of things.
Limited and restrained as the commerce of this country is, by the polgcy
of the Britith legislature, any obftruftion in the few channels, which
have beey, left open to our industry, must be sensibly felt, and cannot by
any efforts of ours be compensated. The injury done to our staple manu
falture, by the cessation of all intercourse with America, the dange.r with
which the remains of it are threatened, we conceive to be truly grievous
and alarming. In the next considerable branch of our exports we are
likewise diftrefled, by the operation of the fame ruinous cause; and to
look forward to the probable eveiit of an unfruitful year, when we may
be deprived 6f that support which this country hath’ often derived from
America, fills our minds with the molt gloomy apprehentions, x
We mult feel also, as members of this once flourithing empire, for its
present diliraled and endangered state. We saw it, towards the close
of'your illustrious grandfather’s reign, and under the aufpicions com
mencement of your Majelty’s, raised to the summit of prosperity and
glory; united within itfelf, its magnitude and splendor awed the warld.
We now fee its luftre obscured, and the mighty fabric lent to its founda
tions. 4
And we must deeply feel as men; as such, nothing can give us greater
anguish of (oul than the horrors of civil war, now raging in one extentive
part of your Majesty’s dominions ; but we wish to avert our eyes from
thefz, and raise them up to that royal benignity and mercy which we
cannot but hope will yet interpose for the preservation of ‘millions; of
millions who have been threatened with deftruéion, and driven to extre.
mities, by sanguinary men, for the mere suspicion of political error; and
that in questions so involved and dubious, that many of the greatest
names, many of the wisest and best men who have ever adorned these
lands, together with Jarge and important communities of the people, are
firm in the opinion, that the error is not chargeable on them: With such
we join in humbly and fervently imploring your Majelty to sheath in
mercy the sword of civil war; that a foundation may be laid for a {peedy
and happy restoration of that old constitutional system, under which
Great Britain and her colonies, united in affeftion as in interest, grew in
strength, till they became the admiration and envy of other nations.
Remote as our situation is, inconsiderable as we may be deemed, we
would not presume to approach the throne with these our fervent prayers,
did not our old and acknowledged attachment to the free Britith consti
tution, to the Protestant religion, to the principles of the revolstion, to
the illustrious House of Hanover, and to your Majesty's most fecred person
and dignity, give us a diftinéion which we are pround of; and embolden
us, with hearts warmly and zealously devoted to the constitution and to
your Majesty, to lay ourselves at yous feet; praying, that you may be
proteéted at all times, and in all things direfted, by that Sovereign of
the universe, by whom Kings reign, and Princes decree justice,
A DECLARATION of RIGHTS made by the representatives of the good
people of Virginia assembled in full and free Convention; which rights do
pertain to us, and our posterity, as the basis and foundation of government.
THAT all men are born equally free and independent, and have
certain inherent natural rights, of which they cannot, by any
compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are, the enjoy
ment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing pro
perty, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
2. That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the
people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times
amenable to them.
3. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common
benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community,
of all the various modes and forms of government that is best, which 1s
capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is
most effectually secured against the danger of mal-administration; and
that whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to
these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unali
enable, and indefeasible right, to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such
manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
4. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate
emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of
public services; which, not being descendible, or hereditary, the idea
of a man born a magistrate, a legislator, or a judge, is unnatural and
absurd.
5. That the legislative and executive powers of the state should be
separate and distinct from the judicative; and that the members of the
two first may be restrained from oppression, by feeling and participating