The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-21 00:00:00, page 3

The following ADDRESS of General Roberdeau to
the Pennsylvania Associators at Amboy is published by or
der of the Convention of Pennsylvania.
JOHN MORRIS, jun. Secretary.
Gentlemen,
A Sit hath pieafed Providence, for the exercise of our
fl patience, and for the defence of that freedom which
we inherit from the Great Giver of all things, to call us
from our families to the field ; and as I have the honour
of being your General Officer, I trust you will take it
well in me to endeavour to point out to you whatever
appears necessary, either for your own particular good,
or the more noble object —the good of alt
It is our unavoidable lot to live in the day of trial; and,
for my own part, as I am persuaded, from the haughty
disposition of the English Nabobs towards us, that a day
of bloody separation must one time or other have hap
pened, on that account, Lfay, I, think it my duty to re
joice, and to reckon it among the number of my felicities
in this world, that it has happened^ a time when I can
bear my part therein. If we can leave peace and freedom
to our children and posterity, we leave them a fortune
more valuable than gold.
As to our present condition as fiddlers in camp, I would
advise you to reflect, that a young army, so suddenly
collected, and having every thing to learn and provide,
will unavoidably be put to many inconveniences, especi
ally at firft. It is a new life to us all, and young begin
ners in every state must expetf trouble: But as we have
taken up the favord, so likewise must we take up the cross
of a soldier, and go through the difficulties as well as the
dangers of the field. Hardship is the soldier's fate, and
there is as much true honour in bearing it with a manly
fortitude as in facing the cannon of an enemy. Patience
under difficulties is one of the firft virtues in a military
character, and without which, no man, however brave,
will ever be a soldier.
A number of complaints have been very justly made
fefp6&ihg the provision delivered out by the Commissaries,
and I assure you, that no care or duty has been or Ihall
be wanting in me, in concurrence with my senior in
command, General Mercer, to have the provisions good,
and the quantities justly given out ; yet after all we mult
not expert to have things about us with that order and
ceconomy with which we had them athome. In times like
these some facrifice of conveniency mult always be made
to necessity. And if any man among us is so loft to all
sense of virtue in this important struggle for life, liberty
and property, and the conservation of them to posterity,
who cannot, for a short time, put up with a soldier's fare,
that he may afford his country that service ihe calls for,
and which is greater than in all probability will ever be
in his power, through his whole life, to render again,
such a man is beneath mine and every honest American's
refpeft or notice. Your reasonable complaints will be
remedied, and. until that can be accemplifhed, I recom
mend it to you to fliew your good sense by your good
nature, and put up with things as well as you can.
But I find myfelf under the unpleasant necessity of
taking notice of a diffatisfied spirit, which some how or
other has crept in among some of us. Of your valour I
have no doubt, and I warn you, as friends and fellow
soldiers, that you liken not to those, (should there be
such among us) who would stir up difeontent and uneasi
ness. Let us go home has been the cry of some ; What !
my friends, turn your backs on your enemies in three or
four weeks time? Is it worth putting the continent to the
expence of equipping and marching a body of men for
the service only of a few days, and half that time spent
in going and coming ! Besides, can you expect any
thing lels, than that the enemy will follow you to your
homes, joined by a large body of Tories, that will flock
to them the moment you leave this spot? But we have
wives and families, you'll fay, and our business is at stake;
the more reason then you have to stay, you are the very
men whose duty it is not to go —here is the spot to make
your defence — f you have a mind to keep the enemy
from ravaging your country, fight them on the sea shore —
if you would preserve your property and falnilies in peace,
then let not those who would destroy the dne and distress
the other, set their foot upon your shores. And if any
of you have w ; ves, connections, friends or relations, who
urge you t® return, they may just as well invite the
enemy to come along with you. There is no difference,
in effect, between retreating and being defeated —confi-
der it well, Gentlemen —think for your country's good—
look but across the water, and for your honour fake
never let it be said that an army of sixpenny soldiers,
picked up from prisons and dungeons, freed from tran
fportadon, the whipping post, and the gallows, fighting
in the worst of causes and for the worst of Kings, bore
the fatigue of war with stouter hearts than you.
That we have left a number es difaffe&ed men behind
us, who have contributed nothing or no just proportion
to the service of the country which gives them bread,
and which has raffed them from poverty to plenty, is
true, and too true, and that there are others who are
meanly seeking to enrich themselves by your absence is
equally true, but let not their vices be our example; if
they have failed in duty, it is no reason we should. —
And I have the pleasure of informing you, that the Con
vention has taken that matter under consideration, as ap
pears bv the following extract from their proceedings.
'ln CONVENT! O N, July 23.
" WHEREAS the Associators of this State, on the
“ requisition of the Hon. Continental Congress, have
,“ freely and bravely gone into the field for the defence of
" the common liberties of America, while the non-affo-,
“ ciators remain at home in peace and security, without
66 affording, by petfonal service or otherwise, that just and
defence of themfeße^ and the state, and as finding
armies, in the time of peace, are dangerous to liberty,
they ought not to be kept up 7 And that the military
should be kept under ftrift fubordinatiod to, and govern
ed by, the civil power. .
14. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental prin
ciples, and a firm adherence to justice, nloderation,
temperance, industry and frugality, are absolutely ne
cessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep a
government free: The people ought therefore to pay
particular attention to these points in the choice of of
ficers and representatives, and have a right to exaft a
due and constant regard to them from their legislators
and magistrates, in the making and executing such laws
as are neceffiry for the good government of the state.
15. That all men have a natural inherent right to
emigrate from one state to any other that will receive
them, or te form a new state in vacant countries, or
in such countries as they can purchase, whenever they
think that thereby they may promote their own happiness.
16. That the people have a right to assemble together
to confuit for their common good, to inftrudt their re
presentatives, and to apply to the legislature for redress
of grievances by address, petition or remonstrance.
Extract of a Letter from Ticonderoga, fitly 29.
" We are hard at work every day repairing the old
French lines, that have once already been very fatal to
the British army; and if they will but let us alone for
two weeks, I think they will meet with as warm a recep
tion here as ever they did.— We have a General that is at
once the soldier and the gent,emar, and a parcel of men
that are determined to def id this place ; so that let the
enemy come when they will, they will get what they little
expe&."
Extract of another Letter from the fame place, July 30.
We have no certain accounts of the strength of the
Memy, who are at St. John's building boats and vessels,
in order to take the Lake.—A number of ship carpenters
from Philadelphia have arrived at Skenefborougb, where
they are building gallies, that in a short time we Ihall
have a strong force on the lake. Some companies of mi
litia from New-England have also arrived there.—We are
impatiently exposing the return of a Bag, sent by Gene
ral Gates to Carleton, with the declaration of independ
ency ; also a requisition for the delivery of Forster and
his party, that they may receive such pwnifhmerit as their
conduct merits, in fuffering the Savages inhumanly to
butcher the captives, in direct violation of the capitulation
entered into by General Arnold at the Cedars."
" Therefore Refolded, That this Convention will take the
" molt effectual measures to render the burthen and ex
" pence of the inhabitants of this State just and equal." —
I have now gentlemen to remind you of the condition on
which you marched and engaged in the present service,
which was, to continue therein “ until the Flying Camp of
" Ten thousand men could be colleHed to relieve you, unlejs
" youfbould befooner difeharged by Congrej's." —Thefe,gen-
tlemen, are the express words. I have wrote to the Con
vention to hasten the completion of the Flying Camp,
and I need not point out to you the ruin and deftru<ftioU
that would follow, were any of you to quit your station
before you are relieved; the enemy, in that case, would
be encouraged to attack, either those who were brave
enough to remain, or the army at New-York, and per
haps a thousand of your brethren may fall for every
hundred of you which at tte time should withdraw from
duty; "a circumstance, gentlemen, you would never,
through life, be able to reconcile to your conferences,
cfpeCially as it is possible that by our formidable numbers,
and unanimous spirit, the enemy may be disheartened
from attacking us.
I am desirous, gentlemen, of having the matter plain
ly underwood among you all, and I should be deficient
in duty, both to you and the public, were I to speak a
language that might tend to amuse or deceive you. I
have no interest diftind from yours to make my entreaties
necessary—the cause is as much yours as mine—you have
the fame at stake which I have.—l am ready at any time
to go with you through every necessary difficulty or dan
ger, and I expert from you the fame disposition.—Only
confider the duty you owe to yourselves, to your fami
lies, and your country, and you need no oilier induce
ments; when you forget these, which Tthink is impos
sible you should, every, other will be in vain.—Andas a
necessary companion to your bravery, I would recom
mend to you, gentlemen, a ftri& observance of the dis
cipline and duty of a soldier, a true fpfrit of liberty is a
spirit of order, there can be no liberty preferred without
order. The English army derive all their strength from a
close attention to discipline, with them it fuppltes the
want of virtue. In short, gentlemen, though our cause
is the molt noble that ever man fought to defend, yet
bravery without order will not be Efficient for the work
we have to do ; as we abound in the firft, let us add to it
the advantages of the last, and with those united, under
the smiles of heaven, we have no reason to fear a glorious
issue to our righteous cause.
Extract of a letter from New-York, Augufe 19.
" A flag of truce came up on Saturday, to get liberty
for Lord. Drummond and three others to come on shore;
some will be allowed, but not his Lordfhip,---he broke
his parole. He wants to go to Congress to treat about
reconciliation ; tbe General sent word, that if Lord
Howe would fend a man of honour to Congress, he
would give him a passport."
Extrafl of a letter from Ticonderoga, Augufl 5.
" I came over here from R to conduct a Cana
dian from St. Francois to Head-Quarters. He assures
me that the Indians in general have resolved not to join in
the war. Things here begin to wear a different face. The
greatest harmony reigns among the General Officers.
Order is taking place in the army, and the men in high
spirits. Great numbers are coming in from New-England
to Skenefborough. It is reported that General Carleton
has used the Canadians who favoured us very barba
rously, which has provoked them very much. Some de
serters, are come over, and some of the foreign troops are
said to be desirous of deserting."
A letter from the camp at Elizabeth-Town-Point,
dated August 18, fays, “ Col. Bayard's battalion is now
lying here, under marching orders for New-York.—Col.
Atlee's and Col. Miles's battalions are gone.—Our people
are in high spirits—We have taken up two very genteel
men here, by order of General Washington, what they
have done, does not yet transpire."
In CONVENTION for the State of Pennsylvania,
Friday, August 16, 1776.
W^ HEREAS this Convention hath received in
formation, that several Associators of this State have de
serted the camp in the face of the enemy, and returned
home before the formation of the flying camp, and with
out the leave of their commanding officers, to the great
danger of the public, and evil example of others: It is
therefore
Resolved x. That all such Associators as shall rejoin
their refpedive corps at the camp from whence they came,
in eight days from this date, with such arms and accoutre
ments as they may have brought away with them, shall
be exempted from any punishment ; and those who
neglect so to do shall be apprehended, and sent under a
guard to the camp, there to be tried; and in case of
abfeonding, or concealing them arms, that they be ad
vertised in the public newfpapt rs, and a reward of Three
Founds offered for apprehending every such person : And
every Associator, who shall Inrafter desert his colours,
shall be treated as those who haye already deserted, and
neglect to rejoin their refpe&ive corps, agreeable to this
resolve.
Resolved a. That the Commanding Officers of the com
panies or battalions of the militia of this State, who are
now on their march to New-ferfey, do apprehend all de
fetters they may meet on the road, and convey them
under a guard to the camp.
Resolved 3. That notwithstanding the foregoing reso
lutions, it is not the intention of this Convention'to de
tain the militia urinsceffarily from .home; the Associators
are therefore- assured, that as soon as the flying camp is
" necessary assistance they owe to the State for their pro
“ te&ion.
formed, and the public fafety will admit, they ihaiibe
permitted to return home.
Extras from the Minutes,
1 JOHN MORRIS, jun. Secretary.
In COUNCIL of SAFETY, Aug u ft 15 ,
Refolded, I hat the Commanding Officer of. each bat
talion or company of Associators, belonging to this State,
bc „ u ,' cd forthwith to return to the Council of Safety
a lilt of the names of the Associators who haye deserted
from their refpe&ive corps, that they may be dealt with
according to their defette.
Ordered, 1 hat the above resolve be published in all the
public papers of this city.
E*tra& from the Minutes,
T o n SACOB S. HOWELL, Secretary.
In C OUNCIL of SAFET Y, Phila
delphia, August 19, 1776.
Information being given that the guards of this city
are weakly manned, and that the duty has fallen heavy
upon a tew, in confequenCe of the negle& of some af
lociatots to enrol themselves in the companies Rationed
here by order of Gen. koberdeau, agreeable to the re
commendation of the late Committee of Safety; and that
uneafmeffes have arisen amongst those who have done the
duty ot guards, from a mifapprehenficn of the proper
bc . exercised by the commanding officer:
the Council, having made enquiry into the matter, are of
opinion that the captain of the guards has acted in the
line of his duty, and has duly difeharged the part of an
a_ove and prudent officer. And to prevent any future
complaint arising from the causes aforefaid,
,e.°'™'' That every associator belonging to this citv
and liberties, capable of doing duty, who has not march
es w^h the mihtia to the camp in New Jersey, and who
neglects to enrol himfelf in some one of the four com
panies 0, guards, and to attend the service in his thin
Ihall be deemed a non-associator, and be fubied to all
the lines and penalties of such.
"]' Associators on duty, as guards in this city,
are a&uallyin Continental Service, intitled to the fame
pay and rations, and tubjedt to the fame rules and re
gulations, as the militia of this State now in New-jersey.
Extras from the Minutes,
jACOB S. HOWELL, Secretary.
T r ^junior; T^fu er , h :
• ' h ° re ' wdl ^ ve constant Attendance at his Office,
"° e ^^ ree ? A^Po^ to g ive in Exchange hills ^f Credit
emitted by the Provincial Convention of Maryland The fevehth
Day ot Dec^nbefy 1775, for those emitted by the Convention
twenty-fixih Day of July. 177 g, 6W
'^R at Elizabeth Tran Point, & u fi 1
TtyE^ER FED fr< m the 2.1 battalion of militia of Lan
caster county, by me commanded, Lieutenant Henry
Brewer, of Heidelberg town, Lanca/er county, belonging to
Captain Henry Sheffer's company, he is about 5 feet 7 inches
high, too look , the friends of the American cause are defied
to use the utmost diligence in apprehending him; for at the
I°'?^ enem J' s landing, and the battalion under arms,
he balely deserted and left his company.
Curtis Grubb, Col. 2d Battalion,
. ; Hfnrv Shaffer, Captain,-
Trenton, 1776.
FOUR DOLLARS RE WARD
DESERTED this day, from Capt. Swink's company,
a young man, named Edward Roberts, 2 g e d 2© or
years, about five feet five or fix inches high. Whoever takes
up said deserter, and brings him to the camp at Amboy, and
delivers him to the Captain, or to any other Captain in the ser
vice, so as I may have him again, &11 be entitled to the above
reward, and ail reasonable charges, paid by
'' Captain Martyn Swink.
E IGHTDOLLARSREWAR
RU N away from the fubferibers, on she 14th day of lulv
last, two servants, the one an Irishman, named
Carrel, about 19 years of age, of a light complexion, ihort
Freight hair, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, a little knock, kneed
but ^herwife a well made fellow; had on a caftor hat, cut in
the fafhnn, a German serge coat, of a rediffi grey colour, no
jacket, check trowfers, a fine white shirt, a black handkerchief
and good lhoes,.with plated buckles. The other an English lad,'
named William Shorter, about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 40c
5 inches high, dark coloured ftr right hair, short bow kgs:
had on a round felt hat, nankeen jacket, white shirt, ftri ed
trowfers, and new shoes; he has been bred up to the sea. and it
is probable will endeavour to get or board f me of the armed
veflels in Delaware river. Whoever apprehends the frid ser
vants, so that their makers may get them again, shall have the
above reward, or Thirty Shillings for each, and reasonable
charges, paid by J OHN V ANDEkEN , and
t John Righter.
August 15 1776.
Q UN away, last night, from the fubferibers, two fervapts
one named William Penafee, about 23 yeais of a^e # light
hurled hair, has a fear on his a bfe, occasioned bv a cut ofafofe
has grey eyes, and is fend of firong drink,; had on a tow'fhirt'
ftrrped trowfers, a felt hat, fwanfkin jacket, and new fhoes'.
I he other named John Meach, about 19 years of age, aboutc
feet 7 or 8 inches high, has dark hair an^ eves, a° ffy look'
had on a homespun shirt and trowfers, a red flannel racket a
felt hat, and new shoes. Pen a fee is something taller than Meach"
Whoever secures said servants, so that their maftefs may get
them again, shall have TEN DOLLARS reward, and reasonable
charges, or FIVE DOLLARS for either of them. The fubferi
bers hope that all lovers of this country *lll endeavour to ap
prehend the said runaways, as they have both followed the se a
and are natives of Old-England, and have said that they woudd
join the king's forces, when opportunity served.
MoRDrwAT Miller, Joseph Miller.
""^ J™^7^^% hving in Earl Q.
caster county, a Dutch fount lad. goes by thereof John
Miller in pis indenture, but calls bi#felf Reuben Leapteman, is a
%w, and may be known by bis fteecto, about i 0 4Re , fa,
feet ten inches high, of a yellow complexion, with curled black bair°
had on a ^l hat, blue jacket, a pair of flax trowfers, old
tied with firings, and a duty shirt. Whoever secures fad 'font
so as his master may have him again, fall have Eighi Dollars
reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
_^fjs2ZZ£_'^ DEEL, ff
- Eighth-Mon;
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.
CT? 'A." °° "^ c ' ut of the pasture of the luuicriber
(, living in Deptford tcwnlnip, Gloucester county, Weft New
jerfey, on the Sth instant, a BAY HORSE, near 15 hands
high, #7 years old, paces and trots, a low carriage, dark mane
and tail. Whoever takes up the Did h ,fc, and brings him to
the owner, ffiall be entitled to the above reward, paid by
Q %, Chester county, or. the night of the ^h instant. a
bright BAYHORSE, 3 ye^rs old, had neither stand nop
ear-mark, one of his hind fert white, and a ilf ft r lie is
about 14 hands high, trots and paces. Whoever ;|,d
h^rfe and thief, so as the owner gets his horse agrin, apd the
thief brought to justice, shall nave Taree Pounds rewaid.^r for
th^ ^orfe only Forty Shilling-, paid by
Augg 20, 1776. § 'Tames Alexander,
{Advertifrmenn omitted this Week will be in our next,]