The Pennsylvania journal, or, Weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-01 00:00:00, page 2

obtain feme fithfi&ion for such inhuman violence; but, to
his great Ytirprife, found Mr. Prefect lodged in the belt
tavern of the place, walking or riding at large through Phi
ladelphia and Buckscounties; (in the latter ot which he will
doubilefs find many with whom he may takefwect council)
fcafting with Gentlemen of the firft rank in the province,
and keeping a levee for the reception of the grandees; who
probably are cultivating this honorable acquaintance as a
natural and easy means of introduction to the notice of their
Excellencies the Ambaffadois.
In confequencc of all which unaccountable Pboenomen^,
and the little profpe& there appears of his obtaining any
adequate redress, in the present unsettled fiatc of public af
fairs, Mr. Walker has returned to Montreal, leaving this
modern tedimm, for the perusal Gs all martyrs to American
freedom. 'R° " '
ofo^c^o^^ofc^evo^^oo^ote^
Messrs. BRADFORDS,
IN your Penofylvania Journal of March 27th, you were
pleased to favour the public, with a republication of Dr.
Whiting's method of making Salt-Petre as pradifed, with
great success in the New-England colonies, fioce which, in
confc qucnce of a letter wrote the Doctor, desiring him to re
late what further improvements he had made in his process,
and to explain the particular time at which the marine salts
are separated from the Salt-petre, as answer is come to hand,
the publication of which may be further serviceable in pro
moting that profitable and neceflary manufacture.
Watertown, April ro, 1776.
" T most joyfully congratulate you on the rapid progress
the manufacture of Salt-petre, is now making in tips colony,
within these four davs there has been received into the colo
ny Pore here, (at Waertown) between three and four tons of
good Salt petre, all made in a few of the neighbouring towns
to this, since the Spring came on, and I have great reason to
iudge, that by the fiid of June, there will be an hundred tons
delivered to the committee, for purchasing that article in this
colony
" The process of making Salt-Petre which was published
by order of Assembly, proves universally fuccefsful. and will
admit of no essential variation, all the improvements I have
been able, from experience, to make on that process, since its
publication, are these, viz. rft. As the quantity of nitre con
tained in earth under old buildings is very various, the rule
for proportioning the alkaline lee to the nitrons lee, there
laid down, is very uncertain, and I know of no rule to deter
mine those proportions but what will require some (kill and
experience to putthem in practice. As the nitre is an acid, and
the other an alkali, they must be mixed in such proportion as
to form a neutral fait, which is known, Grft, by pouring in
the alkaline lee, by degrees, as long as it occasions any fer
mentation or curbidnefs in the mixture. Secondly, Until you
find a taste and the mixture quite different from either of the
fees while separate from each other ; for as the nitrous, acid
and vegetable alkali when thus mixed, entirely destroy each
other, they at the fame time acquire a foft neutral taste, quite
different from what either of them had before. Thirdly,
And luckily for the young manufacturer, you may conti
nue pouring alkaline fee into your-nitre lee, till you perceive
the mixture to taste just perceptibly of the alkaline lee, for al
though this will give a little over proportion of the alka
line salts, yet it will not in the lead injure your falt-petre,
except that your chryftals on their firft (hooting, will, not
look so white and clean ; but this is cafily cured in clarifying,
besides another vaR advantage arises from having plenty of al
kaline salts, viz. it attracts, or by some means precepitates to
the bottom of your fettling tab, all the marine fairs that your
liquor may contain, and at the fame time (as I find to a de
monstration) an overplus of alkaline salts doth not in the
lead injure your falt-petre, except in colouring the chryftals as
above. I always find, when I draw my liquor from the fet
ling tub into the coolers, to set for chryftalizing, a quantity of
salts at the bottom of the fettling tub, which sometimes ap
pear to be chiefly common or marine salts, and sometimes
that and alkaline mixed together, but I have never found the
least appearance of marine fait in any of the falt-petre, which
myfeif or others have made this way. Salt-petre made in this
manner, by numbers of different persons, has been thorough
ly examined by a committee appointed for that purpose, and
none was found but what deflagrated clear, smart and smooth,
without the lead crac^ or snapping. I would only adfl, that
the two Ices do not always kindly separate, and fettle clear in
the fettling tub when mixed together cold, in that case the li
quor must be dipped out and have time to fettle after it is
partly boiled : again, if the mother lees are constantly mixed
with the next boiling, while the liquor is fettling in the tub,
for a long course, it will occasion the liquor to grow black
1 and thick, as often as this happens the mother muff be run
through a filtering tub of dead allies which will effectually
cure that difficulty."
In order fully to apprehend this extract, recourse should be
had to the Doctor's process above mentioned : if success crowns
an undertaking, from the whole matter we may learn two
valuable truths, that Saltpetre may be made in Efficientquan
tities in the Colonies: and that this method is a fuccefsful
one; but without application the belt rules will avail nothing.
It cannot be doubted that the true friends of American Liber
ty will exert themselves in communicating the knowledge of
this important manufacture, and in persuading the inhabi
tants of these oppressed Colonies to put it in praaice.
WILLIAMSBURG, (in Virginia) April 10.
It is reported here that Gen. Clinton and his troops are
landed at a place called Battery Island, in North-Carolina,
since which a party of them have been defeated, and one
Capo Collet killed, who had been very active against the in
habitants, and treated many of them with great barbarity.
Extraß of a letter from Charleflown South-Carolina, March 16.
" It is generally thought the troops on board the transports
at Georgia are to join Gen. Clinton in North Carolina. A
number of the militia of this colony are gone to Savannah,
where there is very little reason to apprehend another attack.
In the late fkirmiih two of our people were wounded, and
five of the soldiers. It is reported that a considerable body
of troops is arrived, or daily expected, at St. Augustine,
from whence they are to march to the back fettlemcnts; but
little credit is given to this, as it would be almoß impossible
for an army to pass through a country that is little clfe than
a Tandy desert."
Thursday last two tenders met a final! vessel at Sandy
Point, coming down the liver with a load of flour; the peo
ple immediately ran her aground, and left her. The tenders
continued there throughout the day, and several times at
tempted to board her, but were as often repulsed by the ri
fles and mufquetry from the shore, notwithstanding they
kept a conßant and heavy fire upon our people with pieces
of iron, and a variety of shot, in which one man was
wounded, and is said to be since dead. When the tide had
let the vessel afloat, they cut her loose, with a good deal of
difficulty, and carried her down yesterday morning. It is
Paid the enemy had three men killed.
In COMMITTEE of SAFETY, at Williamsburg,
April 18 1776.
Ordered, That the circular letter from the secretary of date,
lately intercepted, together with the chufe of the a& of par
liament therein referred to, be published. (A copy)
John Beckley, Affitot Clerk.
(CIRCULAR)"
Whitehall, Dec. 23, 1775.
S I R,
“ The King being determined, in concurrence with his
parliament, to pursue the most vigorous measures for redu
cing his rebellious fubje&s in North-America to obedience,
and for restoring legal government, has given the royal as
sent to the enclosed a&, which I am commanded by his Ma
jedy to tranfimitto you, and at the fame time to fignify to
you his Mafcfty's pleasure that you do exhort all perfens,
upon whom the execution of this law shall depend, to pay
a due attention thereto, and to use their belt endeavours for
carrying the provisions of it into effect; and I trust that
when his Majesty's deluded fubje&s in the associated colonies
are better apprised of the fatal confequencts of the conduct
they have adopted, and fee the determined fpirir of the na
tion to maintain its conßitutional rights, they will avail them
fdves of the means which the justice and benevolence of the
fuprerrie legislature have held' out to them, of being restored
to rhe King's grace and peace, and that a happy and lading
reconciliation and union will be effc^ed. And I have the
fatisfadfion to acquaint you, that, in order to accelerate this
deferable object, the proper Reps have been taken for puffing
a commiffioa, under the great seal, in conformity to the last
fedtion but one of that aft ; and that the commiffioncr, or
commissioners, to be appointed for that purpose, will have
full power to inquire into the date and condition of the colo
nies, and to confer with proper persons upon such points as
may he necessary for efT^ainga restoration of rhe public tran
quillity. I am. Sir, your mod obedient humble servant,
G/O. GERMAIN"
The daufe in the AR of Parliament, pf/rb on toe 19th of Dec.
last, -which ascertains the powers oj the Comnificners is in
these words:
" Provided, That in order to encourage all well affeaed
persons in any f the fiid colonies, to exert themselves in
suppressing the reb bin therein, and to afford a speedy pro
teaion to those who arc diwefed to return to their duty, it
shall and may be lawful to and tor any person or persons,
appointed and authored by his Majefly. to grant a pardon
or pardons to any uumbe.or defenption or perlons, with
such exceptions therefrom .a shall seem fit and reasonable,
by proclamation in his Reedy's name, to deciare any colo
ny or province, colonies or provinces, or any county, town,
port, diftria, or p ace, in any colony or province, to be at
the peace of his Majesty ; and from and after the issuing of
anv such proclamation in any of the aforefaid colonics or
provinces, or if his Majesty shall be graciously pleased to fig
nify the fame by his royal proclamation, then, from and as
ter the issuing of such proclamation, this a&, with respect to
such colony or province, colonies or provinces, county,
town, port, diftrift, or place, (hull cease, determine, and
be utterly void. And if any captures shall be made after
the date and issuing es such proclamations, of any fllips or
vessels and their cargoes, belonging to the inhabitants of
any flich colony or province, colonies or provinces, county,
town, port, diftria, or place, or of any drips trading to or
from such colony or province, colonies or provinces, respec
tively, the fame (bail be restored to the owners of such Grips
or vessels, upon claim being entered and due proof made of
their property therein; and the captors fliall not be liable to
any a&ions for seizing or detaining the said (hips or vessels,
or their cargoes, without proof being made that they had ac
tual notice of such proclamation having been issued."
WATERTOW N, April ax.
The schooner • Capt. Cleveland, which failed from Sa
lem for Winyaw, in North-Carolina, the beginning of Janu
ary last, was taken on her passage by the Scarborough man of
war, and sent to Georgia, where, after lading with rum, sugar,
&c. she proceeded for Boston, when on last Friday fe'nnight
(not knowing the ministerial fleet and army had evacua
ted that place) meeting with a heavy gale of wind, Hie put
into the Vineyard, where she was properly taken care of by
some boats from thence — One Marsh, the maker's mate, and
a son of Commodore Loring, as prize makers, with two pas
sengers on board, were brought to town for examination on
Saturday last.
It is reported a vessel is arrived at the eastward from Hali
fax, which brings an account of the arrival of the fleet from
Boston, and of the mod deplorable reception the tories meet
with, fcarcciy a family being permitted to put foot on shore,
at least till the butchering officers had secured to thtmfelves
some fort of habitation; in particular we are 'informed, that
Foster Hutchinson, (brother to Tom the arch traitor) whose
head was never on the right fide, though be could not help that,
together with his whole family, were obliged to abide in the
ftecrage of the transport they went down in. Thus we hope
every wicked (tory) counfellor will fall into the pit which he
has been digging for his (whig) neighbour.
N EWPO R T, (in Rhode-If and,) April 22.
Last Thursday the brig Cabot, of 14 6 pounders, Captain
Hynman, arrived here from New-London, and brought a
number of heavy cannon, &c. for the defence of this place,
being part of the stores lately taken from New-Providence.
The next day the Fly, tender to Admiral Hopkins's fleet,
came from New-London, failed through this harbour, and
returned the ensuing night. This tender fails remarkably fwift.
A fltip was seen several days last week handing off and on
between this harbour and Block Island; and by a person
who left that island yesterday, we are informed that the said
flip is the Scarborough; that flic, and a 14 gun brig, with
a final! tender, watered there on Saturday; that the fhip's
people said Capt. Wallace was gone for a larger force, and
would return in 3 or four days; and that there were no other
fliips to be seen off.
H AR T F O R D, April Is.
By a gentleman from Albany, who came to town yesterday,
we are informed, that all the troops defined for Quebec,
who had been detained at Albany some time past, not being
able to cross the lakes, had marched to the place of their des
tination. The battalions from this colony marched on Wed
nesday fe'nnight, and the firft and second battalions of
Pennsylvanians, and the Jersey l^ues, on Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday following, and that the General
Officers, appointed to the Northern department, together
witfl the Commiflioners from Philadelphia, had palled through
Albany for Canada.
N E W-L O ND O N, Aprils?.
Last Lord's day, Capt. Biddle, in one of the continental
brigs, returned here from a cruise, in which he retook, and
has brought in a schooner, which a few days before had been
taken by the Scarborough man of war, and was then bound
into Newport. The people had been all taken cut of the
schooner and put on board the Scarborough. By various cir
cumstances it appears, that the said schooner was bound into
this port from the Weft-Indies, commanded by Daniel Defhon:
she is deep laden with Wcft-lndia goods ard some powder.
Wednesday last, Montfort Brown, Esq; Governor of New-
Providence, Mr. Babbage, fecrecary of that province, Mr.
Irvin, one 01 the council of South-Carolina, and a number of
other prifonefs, brought in by Commodore Hopkins, were
carried from hence to Windham, under an escort.
N E W-H A V E N, April 0.4.
At a Special County Court held in this town yesterday, for
the purpose of the trial of the (loop Boston Packet, which had
lately taken on board a quantity of provisions, &c. for ex
portation, out of the colony, in violation of the laws of the
colony; when after a fair trial, that part of her cargo for
which no permit had been given, was condemned as for
feited.
NEW-YOR K,
April 19. Brigadier General Sullivan, with 6 regiments
now here, are to set out for Canada in a day or two; and we
hear, the remainder of the Army will encamp this Week
near the city.
N E W-J E RS E Y.
In COMMITTEE of SAFETY, New-Brunswick,
April 23, 1776.
WHEREAS many dangerous consequences will attend the
Suffering an unrestrained commerce between the inhabitants
of this colony and the Continental troops, (Rationed in, or
puffing through this province, therefore Kefolved, That no
inhabitant of this Colony shall be permitted to purchase or
receive from any non-commissioned officer or Soldier, in the
Continental Service, any goods, clothing, or any other effect
whatsoever. unless such non-commissioned officer or soldier
shall firft produce a certificate, signed by the Commanding
Officer of the regiment, or company, to which such non
comm;ffioned officer or soldier belongs, Specifying the parti
cular goods permitted to be fold, with the name of the ven
der; and every person presuming to purchase any goods,
clothing, or effkefts, contrary to this refoliation, after being
notified thereof, shall be deemed unfriendly to the liberties
of America, and treated accordingly'; and she Committees of
the several counties and townships in this colony are enjoined
to enforce a compliance with this resolution.
By Order of the Committee, SAMUEL TUCKER, President.
PHILADELPHI A.
Tn CONGRES S, April 30, 1776.
TJIE Committee to whom was referred- the memorial of
the Committee of Infpe tftion and Observation, for the city
and liberties of Philadelphia, praying the advice of Con
grefs, whether they ought to continue the exercise of tip
power of regulating the price of goods in other inftance
than that of green tea, brought in their report, which being
taken into consideration was agreed to, whereupon
Refolvcd, That the ninth article of the association, whir)
enjoined the inhabitants of the United Colonies to fell good
and merchandizes at the rules they had respectively been a?
cuftomed to do for twelve months then lafl pad, was in ip
nature a temporary regulation refpeaing toe goods then on
band; but as those goods are nearly consumed, and a further
Supply mud be obtained at an extraordinary rifle and expence,
and it is reafonahle that adventures Should be encouraged by
a profpe& of gain adequate to the danger, which may be in
curred in the importation, and a free trade being now opened
from the United Colonies to all prirts of the world, except
the dominions belonging to the King of Great-Biitain.
Resolved, That the power of Committees of Infpe&ion
and Observation, to regulate the prices of goods, (in other
instances than the article of green tea) ought to cease.
Extrafl from the Minutes, CHARLES THOMSON, Sec
By letters from the Camp before Quebec, of the 23d of
March, we learn, that there were between 2500 and 3000
men there; that they had lately received cannon, mortars
ammunition, &c. &c. that in a few days they were to opt
a five gun battery at Point Levy, and one of nine guns or
the Plains of Abraham, with mortars, &c.
From the fame Camp we learn, that a fellow who had been
sent to purchase provisions for our people had found means to
let Carleton know when and where he might take it, on which
they Sent a tender to Seize it, and that our people were going
to lend some batteaus, under the command of Captain Davis,
of the Pennsylvania troops, to endeavour to take the tender.
That the river St. Lawrence was full of floating ice.
We further learn, that Prices, Scotchmen and others, had
found means to ere& the King's Standard, about 1$ or 2.
miles from Point Levi, where they had collected 4or 500
Canadians; but that a party of 100 men under Lieut. Hughs',
and about 200 Canadian mililia,.were gone to rout them.
A letter from Montreal, dated April 8, fays, a party Gt
Carleton's merrwent to attack our people at Point Levi; when
we killed ;, wounded 7, among which is a Pried, and took
38 prisoners.
Extraß of a letter from New-York, April 29, 1775.
" More troops agoing up to Albany—it is said live regi
merits; some of them are getting ready to embark. A
Gentleman just come down from Albany fays nothing new
there.—General 'Schuyler hurrying the troops off as tafta
possible.—All the cannon is arrived at the Lakes except on
You may depend that the following is a true copy of a lettc
from Governor Tryon to the Mayor,
Ship Dutehejs of Gordon, Sand,H.ok, April 19, 1776
SIR,
" AS the Commander of his Majesty's Ships of war on thi^
Ration, found it expedient for his Maj-Ry's fcivice, to bum
down the Pilot-boufe at the Hook; I am to acquaint, all
possible care has been taken of Mr. Adam Dobbs and hi
property, and that if you will fend down a (loop to the Hook
it will be fuffered to bring up to New-York Mr. Dhbbs, his
Servants and effects. lam with regard, Sir, your most obe
dient lervant, WILLIAM TRYON.
David Mathews, Esq; Mayor of the City of New-York.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of undoubted veracity, dated
North Carolina, April 17, 1776.
" I arrived here, after a tedious journey ; as I came
through Virginia I found the inhabitants defiruus to be inde
pendent from Britain, however, they were willing to fuhmi:
their opinion on the fubjedt 10 whatever the General Con
grefs Should determine. North-Carolina by far exceeds them,
occasioned by the great fatigue, trouble and danger, the peo
plc here have undergone, for some time past ; gentlemen of
the firft fortunes in this province have marched as common
soldiers, and to encourage and give Ipirtt to the men, have
footed it the whole time. Lord Cornwallis, with seven re
gimrots, arc exp^ed to visit us every day. Clinton is now
i Cape Fear with Governor Martin, who has about 40 fati
0 veiled armed and unarmed, waiting his arrival. The:
highlanders and -regulator, are not to be trusted. Governor
Martin has coaxed a number rs Raves to leave their makers
in the lower parts; every thing bale and wicked is pra&ifed
by him. Tkcfe things have totally changed rhe temper and
disposition of the inhabitants, that a^e friends to iimry, all
regard or fondnefs for the King, or the nation of Britain, is
gone, a total reparation is what they w^nt. Independence
is the word mod used ; they atk, if it is possible that any
Colony, after what has passed; can ^ifh for a reconciliation
The Convention have tried to get the opinion ot iht Peoph
at large. lam told, that in many counties there uere no;
one diflenting voice. Four new battalions are dotted.., .
railed, which will make lix in this province.