The Virginia gazette — Williamsburg, Va., 1776-05-31 00:00:00, page 2

The number of cartridges on board,
at the commenccmcnt of the action on the
8th instant, amountcd, on an average,
to 28 rounds only, when filled up sit sor
service, which was expended in many of
the boats, and only a round or two left
in others; at the tim'e the Roebuck
got a-ground; otherwise, we have every
reason to believe we should have made a
rize of her, as We had above an hour's
d—ay—light when we were obliged to retreat,
for want ofammunition. doon after this
We received a small supply, partly ofloose
Powder, - amounting to eight ssronnds only,
and desicient of cartridges to put it in,
which we judged insufficient to renew the
attack with.
On the 9th we received aleconu lupply,
which made up 45 rounds, including the
former eight, but not till long asler the
Roebuck was got oss, which she effected
before day-li'ght. Soon after receiving
this, we began the secondssattack, under
the disadvantage of being obliged, in the
tune of the' action, to cut up blankets,
jactckets, trouscrs, stockings; &c. to sup
.
ply the desect of cartxidges; and, for
want of wads, some were necesiitated to
cut up cables, and take the oakum out of
the netting. This supply was likewise
expended _about sunset, alter a very close
engagement, when someretreated, _to
, look for fresh snpplies; and , meeting with
:! barge, three of us got seven rounds
therefrom, and retnrned to theattack,
which was' continued till the enemy was
-' sibelowNewcastle. Nextmorningtheydrop
ped to Reedyilland . We continuedwatch
ing them three da) s, in which time we re
ceived a farther supply of powder; but as
many of the boats were then without shot,
andpthers havingbut very few, we were still
ill provided either for.attack or defence.
We have, on sormer occasions, from
firstss'cnferin on the duty,_ experienced
many distrfscs, both for service and ac
commodation, which we ha'vc born with
a soldier-like patience, under the hopes
that future regulatiuns would relieve us
therefrom. VVc are the publick's molt.
, obedient humble servants,
Henry Dongherty, John Rice, John
Hamilton, ]ames Montgomery, ]ames
Blair, Richard Eyers, Alexander chder
son, Thomas Mo'ure, Nathan Boycc,
Hngh *Montgsirnery, Thom'as Houlton,
lieutenant Benjzunin 'Fhompshn command
ing the Exsspcriment, lieutenant_Robert
Home Commanding the Ranger. .
May 18. " By a gentleman arrived here
last nsight srom New York, we are inform
ed that the commisiionfcts, with the Hes
sum troops, had arrived at Halisax. It.
was said, at New York, that the commis
sioners were on their way to treat with
the Congress, and that the troops were to
stay at Hahsux. _
Ektract of a letter from general Schuyler,
to the committce of 'Albany, daled Fork.
George, May 13.
Gentlemen, - si
" Some shi s of war, with troops, ar
rived the 4th xnstaht, at Qucbeck, which
obliged our troops to raise the siege. We
lest about 200 Of the sick, who were too
ill to be removed, and a few others, who
Were Out on detached parties, and a few
cannon." ,
Ektract ofa letter to the CONGRESS,
, dated Montrea], May 10, 1776.
" By col. Campbell, who arrived here
early this morning srom Quebeck, we are
informed that two men of'war, two fri
gutes, and one tender, arrkved there early
(m Nlonday the bth instant. About 11
o'clock th: enemy sailicd out, to the nusin—
her, it, is supposed, os lcoo men. Our
forces were so dispm scd, at different parts,
that n'ot more tham :?1; could be collectcd
together at ]1csizd-q'siun'tcrs. This small
force could not rc'sht thc enemy. An our
csimmm, joomusiiccts, uml ubuut zoo sick,
unable to come 01'1', have sellsi-n into this
hands. The retreat was made with the
utmost'prcci-pimtion and conshlinn. How
ever, col. Cnmpbcl] informs us, that he
imagincs we have lost very scw men, ex
cept the sick ubdvc-memioned .
" General Thomas was lust 'l'hursi'my
evening at Dcchamhcau. At a council of
war, it was determined to retrcnt to the
mouth of the Son]. This day general
Arnold goes down there; and ifhc czm p'ct
information of the encm) 's real strength,
and it should he sound inconsidcrnhle, Per
hnps a council oswar, on rc-consideration,
mnv think proper tomarch themctmy hzlck
to Dechamhenu, which is now strengthen.
ed by col . Grattou's , Burrd's , and F.} nclnis's
reghncnts. Bcsidcs the above ]osses, one
batteau loaded with powder, supposed to
contain 30 barrels, and an armed vessd,
which the crew were obliged to abandon,
were intercepted by one of the enemy's
frigates. _
Pzzlzlzstzcd by order ofCongt-es}.
CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.
B A L T 1 M 0 it E, May 18.
Extract of a letter from Samuc] chase, (sq;
one oftlze contincntal commish'oners in Ca
nada, to a gentleman of this town, dated
Montrca], Assay 1.
N this day week our party lest 'si—
conderoga, and arrived at St. John's
on Saturday. On Monday we came to
this city, by the way of La Praire, where
we were politely received at our landing
b general Arnold, and some of the prin
Cipal English merchants, who were assem
bled at head-quarters to congramiatc us
on our arrival. I am much pleased with
general Arnold; he is not only the brave,
active, and experienced soidier, but the
olite, accomplished gentleman.
" I have no news to communicate, but
that nature here is clad in a white instead
oFa green livery, by a snovy which fell last
night."
———-_—-——_*
WlLLIAMSBUPsiG, May 31.
LAST Sunday lord Dunmore, with his
whole fleet, lest I-Iampton road, and
came up the bay to Gwynn's ifland, in
Gloucester county, where we understand ct
he has landedhis black and white troops, to
the number of about 500, and is intrcnch
ing. This island contains about 2000
acres, occupied by several familics, who
are possessed of a considerable quantity of
stock, and is Well watered. A body of
regulars and militia, ssto the amount of
zooo men, quickly assembled, and are
watching their motions; and, is oppor
tunity suits, wiii very likely attempt to
beat up their new quarters, very delight
sul, it should seem, to those pimtes and
renegadoes in their prescntsickiy, (inn ing,
and dii'ty situation, from their amusing
themleives, on the evening of their land
ing, with a promiscuous hail, which was
opened, we hear, by a certain spruce
little gentleman, with one of the bisiiek
laches.
By a gentleman this day si'om North
Carolina, we learn that general Clinton
has landed 1300 of his troops near W'il
mington, and was inn'cnching. Briga
dier-general Moore, with 5000 men, is
close by, ready to receive him, should he
attempt march'mg into the country; and
we are well assured, that he may be rein
forccd, in a few days, with twice that
number. '
Extract of a letter fi'om Philadclplfia, to a
gentleman in this cily, A-z'ass 20.
" A gcmh'msm arrived from New York
this day, who informs, that 70 sail of
trnnspvrts, with 10,oso men, are arrived
besorC' th xt place, and that un cxprcst is
coming to ()ongvcss srom lhct: general] with
an uccuunt ()sit. \'\ c are all wdi prepar
ed to receive them there, being sh'nnpsi'ly
sism'liii-si'd; ssand, thounh not more than
8300 regular trnnps in'c in the works,
yet We cssm spcchy throwin 10 or lzsioco
nflssxsizlh, sisu 'si'zsz'si' Wr- have no dssiuYT-t of
;zsinimsi " a prm-l :I'H-llnt in lh !. <ssssusizrctw
L.\truc70] usizsil/zn sic. ! r, ('/1/z('/(lflu ctct'rsifc.
" 'l hisd an, A! u ;, 'L munhcr ("s the 1- ]: N
tantsi" (( tlsiis (ny (lus 1 luimsid Ilmt \1 c- uil
government lhusisil- I be abuiishcd. am! a
new (me (Hahnilzcd , ;mcl, as the present.
Ashmbly w x.; x." .izt 1er the purposc, hav
m}! ( xkcn (hc- um. h. (( :..lcgiancc, shut a.
Cunvcmism should lv: c filed. ]: ls (m;- 1 us
ed the whole prox'mL-c v. 'nl readily ad- Pt
thc me;.sul'c, and the nc'l" 42]! um" sing coin
nies will nnduubl- cih do the i..mc.—-I*>in("c
general kVooluzs' .zciishstcr bcsnrc (Lxcbcck,
We have go vbont lo, ooo men in that
province, \\sili]l yond u.i.c(.s, 11 (( lcrnlzle
tramoi artflkr} , :uu. p'u-myol ;xmmnuixiuv,
so that we d" ) not. :lsizprchcnd an) mifchict
from that quartcr"
LIr. Pu RDXE,
S it is through the Channel of' your
szzcttc lhllL those who are guihy of
crimcs inimiczii to this once happy, thusiugcth
now much oppressed :mcl injm'cd coumi'y,
are justly hchl up to pu'si-sshck contempt,
so it is thrm'ossh llxe same Channel that
those who arc izmccmt ufcrimcs, fss-iiiiiy
and nmlicimffly lond to their charge. arc
as pubiicklssv zazquhfcd. You will he [tiessis
ed, thcresh :, to insert the enclosed rash
]ution of the commi'si'sicc of l'ct'incc Wiiii-ss
am relatiVs: to my conduct in )our mxt
Gazettc, and oblige, (is, your most ul-esi
dicnt servant, 'i'iiUMAS LAu ZUN.
NBABSCO furnace, Alay 15, 1176.
W—
PRlNCF-Z w iLLlAM CQUNTY.
IN C () 31 31 IT 's F. E, [Way 6, 1776.
Fousmctm 'I'Fnzs, csq; in the chair.
'ITIOLWAS LA Vs SON, gemhsiman,
appearing before this committre,
agreeable to a rcshive of the cmmnittec
osthe 3d os April lust, to answer respect
ing his conduct in the s-sizlc ofd parcel of
flour to a certain Lugnn and Gilnwur,
also reiativc to his importing me from
Maryland intoth'u cohmy, under pcsirmits,
and also rclalive to a vu'i'cl laden hilh
corn, lately seized by some osthe ministe
rial vessels, and having examined john
Pricc Poscy, anrcncc Gallahue, Tra
verse Nash, David W'ard, and Samucl
Pcachy, gentlemen, it is the unnnimous
opinion of rhis committce that ihfsi said
Thomas Lawson is altogether blameltctfiz in
his conduct with respect to the ashrc—said
chargcs, and that lhcrc is not the smallcst
soundation for {my reficction on his cha
radsisiter.
Extract fi-om the minutex.
I:".VAN VVILLlAMS, clerk.
To the Honourable t/Ac CON VENTlON
chlliGINIA.
HE sp'nit which the proceed'mzs of
your Honourable House has teffisied
is no trilling proof that you have met de
termined m despise the present consequen—
ces of things, and to l-ssiy, as far as human
wisdom and experience can guide )ou, a
sure soundation for the peace and happi
uesiz of future gzsicnclmions. As, in order
to complete the sabrick for this mighty
purpose, it. will her necessary to include a
vast variety cfmzxtex'i-sids, some, and these
the not least ciisscmissel to ils lzc'aurx' .znd
duration, mz'siy poshbly be ov-erlnukc-d.
NVIMR )onr minds are nobly el-gctgcd in
forming such a plan cfgnvernment as \\ ill
be most fuxctun'nch to our liberties, mofl:
likely to promote our welfare, find leal}
liable to the attacks oi'corruption, it may
escape your rc sisiLCLsiUn, amidit lbis innncn
sity olct lvushuss, that it is LEA. l'siN!NG
alone ulnah (an sssjctixcnnylafiing stalzsiz'sizty to
vourstrucsiturc; s-sin' v. 51! a son! , ;: vcssct. using; in
ignorance, psz'c'siivc the vu'n'c us that cun—
si'itu'siion nlnsih )cu now desijgss'n Lo Smme?
And the nwmuzt it ceases tulrc vzzlued,
though rvzsir-ssi'i wish the: utmu'si't isisiisill and
Cure, it \\'fil sct'd 10 ruin. iishi not dle,
])rogjss'rcss Os sci-sixucc "in the Amerfsictm colo
nics ksmt pzsisico hi'sih their other nuissovc