The Pennsylvania journal, or, Weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-02-28 00:00:00, page 2

very, poverty, and death; not that I have any fondnefs for
the bloody prbfeffion ; not that I delight in the carnage of
my species; or sigh tor an occasion of proving my courage :
Heaven and you are my witnesses, that my voice was for
sometime, perhaps too long, and with too much earnestness,
against any m litary preparations; but the times are altered;
'tis a dreadful necessity that calls me, and calls every man
who can be (pared from his other occupations.
I will not however fight as one who beateth the air. I speak
plainly; I confider this year as the grand and final period of
British administration in this American world: I fee no pro
bability of the r proffering such terms as we can accept of
eoufifUntly with our fafety, honour and peace ; nay,
should they grant all that our public councils have heretofore
claimed, we should ft 11 be in a mod dangerous situation, lia
ble to renewed encroachments and renewed holtilities. What
clfe can be supposed from such a situation, and from the
views, temper and prejudices that must, and will prevail in
the B itifh court and parliament: Betides, who in that case
will reimburse our losses; or how shall our public debts be
paA ? I do folcmnly declare, and that with refpea to the best
reconciliation that can reafoaably be expe&ed, with so cor
rupt, treacherous and tyrannous administration; that if I
thought we should again revert to a dependance on Britain, I
should from this day lay down my sword, and weep that I
was born in America. But far other profpeds are before us:
Glory, empire, liberty and peace, and I am persuaded, un
less we are loft to ourselves, very near at hand. And on eve
ry confidcration of the present state and progress of our public
affairs, compared with the spirit of Britain, and the spirit, the
interest, and internal advantages of America; methinks, I
hear a voice as if anangel from heaven should proclaim, " Come
out from among them, and he ye separate from them. Come out of
her, my people, that ye be not partaker of her fins, and that ye re
ceive not of her plagues"
ofcofo^oto^bto-XMoofc^^^^^^^
Monday night arrived here the feip Hope, Capt. Curven, from
Brijiol, by -whom we have the following advices.
LONDO N, Nov. ax.
I ETTERS juftreceived in town from Spain advise, that the
most amazing warlike preparations are now carry ing on in
that country ; at Madrid orders are given to press 15,000
men, and half the King's houfhold troops have received or
ders to be in readiness to march on the (horteft notice.
The government plan of negotiation with America is to
be conducted in the following manner ; thirty fix commis
sioners are to be sent for America vested with ample pow
ers to treat for peace, or push on a war to the utmost ex
tremity. Each of these commissioners will have 4000!. al
lotted, as a d®ceure for ttanfa&ing the business. Thus the
nation will be burthened with an additional expence, at a
time when every saving should be made to alleviate the
calamities of a finking country.
Extraß of a letter from Chatham, Nov. 18.
“ The following Blips are now fitting out at this port,
with all poffibie dispatch for America, viz. Jersey 60 guns
Isis go, Brune 32, Blond 3a, Repulse 32, Flora 3%, Eme
rald 3%, Milford 18, and Carysfort 28.
The seven regiments said to be failed from Ireland, are
it is said, gone with seven men of war to Virginia, to re
sent the treatment on Lord Dunmore. They are to burn
every place within (hot of the (hips on the coast.
The Wheatfheaf, Capt. Martin, from Maryland for Lon
don, with wheat, is fafe arrived at Dover, after being beat
about in the channel for several days.
Nov. 23. On the resolution of the Committee of Supply
of Wrdnefday being reported, it was opposed very warmly
by Mr. Burke and Mr. Fox They contended, that it would
be saddling the half pay lift with a very heavy expence in fu
ture, and for the present, would have the effect of loading
the public, to the amount of the half-pay of as many officers
as might be incorporated into the new levies.
Lord Barrington said, that new levies were very disagreea
ble; that in fa&, he did not like the measure, though it was
thought right by those in office, that were better judges, and
better informed thanhe; yet he looked upon himfeif as ac
countable as if he had actually advised the measure.
Lord North observed, that he had keen often told he was
no more than the ostensible minister, he therefore might ex
cuse himfelf by faying, he was not prepared to answer till
he had got his inftru&ons. He would not fay he directly
advised the measure, bu was willing to declare, that in con
junction wi h the rest of the King's servants, he had mature
ly considered it, and thought it the most eligible method of
raising men on the present emergency; for he was sorry to
acquaint the House, that the recruiting service was very far
. from being fuccefsful, and by the plan of operations already
agreed on, it was necessary that the forces should be ready
for embarkation early in the spring. The resolution was
reported, and agreed to by the House.
Hufe of Commons, Nov. 27. This day a few minutes af
ter three o'clock, Mr. Alderman Oliver made his motion :
he was seconded by the Lord Mayor of London. It was
couched in the following terms: " That an hurable Ad
dress be presented to his Majesty, requeuing that his Ma
jesty would be graciously pleased to impart to the House,
who were the original authors and advisers of the follow
ing measures, before they were proposed by Parliament :
The taxing America without consent of its Assemblies, for
the purpose of raising a revenue ; for the extending the ju
rifdiaion of the courts of admiralty and vice-admiralty;
for taking away the charter of the province of Massachu
setts-Bay, for reftraioing the American fifhery; for exempt
ing murderers from trial in America; for transporting ac
cused colonies to England to be tried for offences com
mitted in America ; and more especially for establishing
popery and despotism in Canada."
A little after fix the main qUeftion was put, and it was
reje&ed on a divifi n, 163 against it, 10 for it.
The 33d regiment of foot, of which Lord Cornwallis is
Colonel, is ordered for America, instead of the 53d. Lord
Cornwallis is to command the expedition to South-Caroli
na and Virginia.
N > less a sum than 700.000 I. is appointed for secret ser
vice money for the year 1776. (Take care of bribery.)
The imports and exports at the custom-house the last
month fell fhort'as follows: imports 70&0I. exports 1, 2701.
A letter from Dublin fays, " By letters from Sligo we
have the melancholy account of several (hips wrecked upon
the north ooaft of this kingdom, and among the number
a transport, which contained three companies of the 46th
regiment, bound for America."
Nov Is. The principal outlines of the plan adopted for
the spring campaign in America, are the following. The
army is to be increased to 20,000 eff (Stive men. Detach
ments from this army are to be sent to New-Y wk Virginia,
and some of the other provinces. The forces being thus dif
trihuted, a general attack will ensue, and whilst attempts are
made to harrafs the provincials by land, the Blips of war
will be actively employed in scouring the American seas and
cutting off all means of fuccour.
Six new regiments of foot, we arc informed, arc going to be
railed with all poffibie dispatch.
The new plan of the American war in spring, is to burn
every thing on the coad, to withdraw the army, and inter
rupt all vessels that trade thereto.
Letters of marque are now said to be making out at the
Admiralty office, ready to sign as soon as ever the new Ame
rican bill takes place.
A bill is preparing, and will be hurried through both
houses, for condemning the vessels of all nations which
are found trading with America. Many have been already
taken, but it is not determined that they (hall be for the use
of the captors, or the state; the latter it is expend, will
secure the emoluments, under the idea of reimbursing
government for their amazing expence.
Nov. 30. A Hamburgh merchant has received advice from
his correspondent, that two agent are employed at Ham
burgh and Bremen, to take up transports there to bring over
5000 Germans to Great-Britain, whom General Scheitcr has
been raising for some time past, by order of his Biitannick
Majesty, Sovereign of the grand American empire.
A9O gun (hip is ordered %)be fitted up with all speed, in
the most commodious manner, for the reception of the com
missioners, who soon after Christmas are to embark for Ame
rica, to fettle the terms for a reconciliation between them and
England.
The charming Sally, Rowe, from Dunkirk, for Minorca,
with Hanoverian troops, is put into Plymouth.,
Houfeof Commons Dec. i. On the second reading of Lord North's
bill for prohibiting all trade and intercourse with the colonies
in rebellion, the following clause was objected to by the gen
tlemen in opposition : " That all (hips, and vessels of, or be
longing to the inhabitants of the said colonies, (wherever the
fame (hall be found) together with their cargoes, apparel, and
furniture, and all other Iliips whatever, with their cargoes, ap
parel and furniture, which (hall be found trading in any port
or place of the said colonies, or going to trade, or coming from
trading in any such port or places, shall become [a blank for
confifeated] to his Majesty, as if the fame were the ships and
effects of open enemies, and shall be so adjudged, deemed and
taken in all Courts of Admiralty, and in all other courts what
ever." This they considered as a cruel declaration of war
against the Americans, which will fruftrate all plans of recon
ciliation.
It was likewise urged, that the fending commissioners to
treat, if this bill is to pafi into a law, would be an idle and cx
penfive measure, that the bill was of a piece with ail those
other oppressive and irritating a&s which had roused the
colonies to refinance; we firft forbad their intercourse with
any other nation, and were now about to put the finithing
stroke to their accumulated injuries, by cutting off their in
tercourse even with ourselves; that this would Simulate them
to publish that code of laws, which we were certain they had
prepared ; that, exasperated b.yond all degree of forbearance,
they would immediately declare themselves a free and inde
pendent people, and throw open their ports to all nations,
by which we migh, in all probability, be involved in the
difficulties of a foreign war, at that critical moment when we
were most torn with civil broils and domestic diHra&ion. Ad
ministration remarked 'he ioconfitte ncy of the arguments ad
vanced on the other fide of the houle: when an army was to
be voted, an army would be certainly ineffectual it would
be much more expedient to withdraw our troops, and carry on
a naval war only, and now that bill was brought ia to give
greater #fFc& to our naval operations, they were as warm
against that measure as they had been against the army ; that
in short they seem to have but one obje& in view—that of
impeding every measure of administration, right or wrong.
"Whatever force this argument might have, it was supported
by one still more effectual—a majority of near four to one;
for on the division there were for the bill, 207; against it 57.
The bill was then read a second time, and committed for
Tuesday next, after which the house adjourned to Monday.
It is confidently reported, that General Gage advises an
immediate reconciliation with America by all means, and
that General Burgoyne seconds this opinion.
The following is the account which General Gage has laid
before the ministry of the force which the several colonies can
not only raise, but maintain in the field well armed.
New-England ------ 37 000
New-York
Pennsylvania and the Jerseys - - - 16 000
Virginia and Maryland - - - - 13.000
Carolinas
. 82,000
This, it is very well known here, is not the whole of their
force; but if the account is a true one, what can 25,000 men
do against them?
The Ruffians are making great preparations for commenc
ing war with the Swedes as soon as the fcafon will permit
them to a&. Nine thousand five hundred men are sent from
Petersburg to Archangel to bring t'he (hips round from that
port as soon as the frofts breakup. The fliipwrights are em
ployed at Cronftadt repairing the fleet at that port. At
Peterfburgh they are employed in the repair of the Ruffian
gallics, which are all kept under cover, and may be worked
upon all the winter: They are likewise employed at Revel
in refitting the fleet^t that department, and providing Bores
of all kinds necessary for a vigorous campaign in the
spring.„
A letter from Portsmouth, Nov. 30, fays, " Just came into
harbour, the Falkland, from Fial, a prize taken by Capt.
Banks, on his voyage to Boston."
Dec. 5. The petition from Southwark was signed by 752
independent ekaors of that borough. The address, present
ed by Mr. Thrale, recommending a continuance of the civil
war in America, was signed by 252 persons only, several of
whom are not electors of that borough, ,and many in a Bate
of dependance.
It is reported, that Lord Shelburne is to go Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland, at the end of the present session of parliament. #
The Polly, Ayre, the King George, Carey, the Marquis of
Rockingham, Boyman, the Savile, Brown, the Navy Trans
port, Wilson, the Emanuel, Spencer, the Earl of Oxford,
Twyman, the Golden Rule, Thompson, the Nancy, Jer
rell, the Union, Wallace, the Myrtle, Burton, and Admiral
Sheldon, Mather, (ali transports) bound for America, are
waiting in the Downs for a favourable wind.
Extract of a letter from Gofport, Nov. 30.
“ The fad and 56th regiments are coming here in order
to embark for Ireland; their baggage is already come.
" An advertisement has been Buck up here and at Ports
mouth for entering mates and midshipmen to serve on board
men of war.—Likewise makers are much wanted to serve in
the fame."
Dec. 7. This day the Speaker of the House of Commons
was not seated till half an hour after three o'clock. As soon
as some trifling business was finifhed, Mr. Alderman Oliver
rose, and in his place presented to the House a petition from
the merchants, planters, and others concerned in the trade
and commerce of the Wed-India Islands, setting forth the ve
ry great detriment and the distress the present bill before the
House, for prohibiting all trade and intercourse with America,
during the present rebellion, would bring on the said islands.
The order of the day being read for receiving the n
port on the American retraining bill. Mr. Mackwortha
cordingly reported the bill together with the Amendments
it was then moved, that the said report be now taken int
consideration. After which Mr. Mansfield, and Mr. Pzat,
the counsel, were called in, the report was then read, an
likewise the petition from the planters of his Majesty's S
gar colonies, and several merchants trading thereto, refic
ing in London. After the counsel withdrew, a debate arof
which laded for some time, and then the main queftio.
was put, that this bill with the amendments be engrossed
ayes 14 3, nocs 38. Adjourned to Monday.
Yesterday Lord Cornwallis took leave of his Majesty, P
being in a few days to set out to embark for Virginia.
On Thursday died, at his house in Spring-Gardens,<
the gout in his stomach, Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, Kr
of the Bath, Member in the present parliament for the boroug
of Heyden, in Yorkshire, Admiral of the Blue Squadron
Lieutenant General of the Marines, and elder brother of the
Trinity House.
Extras of a letter from Gofport, Dec. 6.
" The fliips fitting in this harbour for Boston are great!
distressed for want of men, although so many rendezvous at
opened in London, Bristol, &c. insomuch that the people b
longing to the guardfhips are lent to assist the riggin,
them."
Saturday evening a meeting of the great Officers of Stat
was held at Lo d Suffolk's office, as also some of the crow?
lawyers, to deliberate on a number of propositions which
have been offered by a noble Lord in an high office, a
a ground-work of some conciliatory measures to be offers
to the Americans.
Eight fail of the line and five thousand foldters are to be
employed in reducing the fomhern colonies, while the mair,
fleet and army are to occupy Boston. This is the new dis
position for hr spring.
Dec. 8. Orders arc sent to the victualling office to get rea
dy, by the lat er end of January, such a quantity of beef and
pork as will virtual a considerable fleet for eight months; an
this week th y wU begin to kill, several new hands being en
gaged for that purpose.
The clause in the American retraining bill, which occaf
oned the greatest debate at its second reading, was at lengti
fettled as follows:
and praying such relief as to the House may seem meet, t
that the fame may not pass into a law. It enumerates amor,
other things, the great quantities of bread, flour, rice, Indi
an corn, live dock, and other provisions; also lumber, an
various other articles, absolutely necessary and requisite so:
the sustenance and for carrying on the trade of the sugar i(lands.
It is said, that General Gage has been offered a Peerage
but that he has declined accepting it, till he ffiall haverdndc
ed some farther public service, that may entitle him to fur
an honour.
The Earl of Rochford will certainly be appointed Lot
Lieutenant to the kingdom of Ireland, in the room of th
Earl of Harcourt, who is expe&rd in England as soon as th
Irish Parliament adjourns.
The Earl of Harcourt will be appointed Secretary of Stat
for the northern department, in the room of the'Earl of Suf
folk, who retires on a pension.
The troops going to Virginia, (which are to fail as soon 2
poffibie) are to be commanded by General Clinton from Hoff
Lord Ch wton is going a volunteer in this expedition.
Lord Cornwallis, who goes out Commander of the troops
is to resign the command when at Williamfburgh (if they evi
arrive there) to General Clinton; and is there to act und<
that Officer, or command a detachment as the exigency of a:
fairs may require.
% Dec: 12. Brigadier Gen. Pigot is to have the 38th regimes
of foot, late Lord Blayney's, and Col. Grant is to fucccedc
the 55th.
His Majesty has appointed Sir George Macartney to b
Governor of the Granada Islands, in the room of Williat
Leybourne Leybourne, Esq; deceased.
Last night Stephen Sayre, Esq; appeared at the Old Bailey
and his counsel Mr. Arthur Lee, moved the court to difeharge
the recognizance entered into before Lord Mansfield, on th
28th of oaober last, on his being brought before his Lor^
Blip on a writ of habeas corpus, on the commitment by Lorr
Rochford to the tower for “ Treasonable practices," and Mr
Baron Burland, who, with the Lord Mayor, pretided at th
court, accordingly difeharged the recognizance.
Mr. Sayre has given directions to his Solicitor, to commenc:
a&ions against Lord Rochford, the under Secretaries of State
and the King's Messengers, that the personal liberty of ever
Englishman may again be alerted in his person, and the ici
zure of papers be condemned by an English jury.
House of Commons, Dec. 11. A motion was made for ~L
third reading of the American refraining bill, to which font
opposition was made; but, as every argument, which reaic
or ingenuity could suggest for or against the measure, had
been already advanced, the debate was as barren as it w^
short. At half after fix the question being put. it was ca:
ried by *l2 to 16, when the bill was passed, and ordc^
to be sent up to the Lords.
Extract of a letter from the Hague, Dec. 5.
“ The Scotch Brigade in the feivice of this republics h^
been applied for by the court of Great-Britain to be taken in:
British pay. The terms upon which this is to take place at
notyet fettled, but it is said they have stipulated not to 1
sent to America, and to have leave to recruit in Scotia
" And be it further enacted, by the authority aforefaid
that this ad, so far as the fame relates tothe capture and for
feiture of Blips and vessels belonging to the inhabitants ofp
above-mentioned colonies, fliall commence and be in for
from and after the firft of January, 1776; and so far as tl
fame relates to the capture and forfeiture of all ships and vet
fels that shall be found going in, ®r at any of the said colo
nies, from and after the firft of next March; and so far as th
fame relates to the capture and forfeiture of all ships and ve.
fels that shall be found.trading in, or at any of the said colo
nies, or bound and trading from any port or place in th
fame, from and after the firft of June next; and shall can
tinue to be in force so long as any of the said colonies dial
remain in a date of rebellion and disobedience.”
Another amendment we hear is, that all seamen who a:
taken on board American vessels made prizes, are to be en
tered into his Majesty's service as part of the crew of the flu
of war by which they are taken, inftcad of being mad
piifnners.
Mr. Hartley made a motion, the purport of which was, te
address his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased t
withdraw his troops from Boston; that the colonies fhoui
be restored to their constitutional right of trial by jury, an
that all the grievances which they complain of, on the fcor
of taxation, should be redressed; at the fame time he propo;
ed a plan for establishing the supremacy of the legislature c
Great Britain in all other cases: But after some debate th
motion was totally rejected, by 123 to 21.
Dec. ~ A gentleman who arrived yesterday from Irelanc
fays, that there are great mu murings amongst the soldier
and desertions daily, on account of their being to be sent
America.