The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-06-05 00:00:00, page 2

^^ ?k- Ib^DON GAZETTE.
_St. James's, March 22..
I 'Hlf, day the Right Jon. Sic Lord Mayor, several or
1 ''as ANermtm, toe Sheriffs, ahd some of the Cora
pio, Council ofthe city of London, waited upot his Ma
y'^c (being 'introduc'd by the Earl of Hertford, Lord
C ejoter'An of his M ARV's hou'hold) with the follow
^ X Nldrefs and Petition, which was read by the Recor-
T> the KING'S Mod Excellent Majesty,
' The /nimble Address and Petition of tre Lord Mayors &
,Insen and Commons of the City of London, in Common
Council afembled.
Molt Gracious Sovereign,
^l7l, the Lord Mayor, .Ilderanen and Common Coun-
VV cil of the city of London, in Common Council
zlrnPMed, beg leave to approach your throne, and to ia
rre t your Majesty's royal attention whilst, with the hu
nulity of dutiful fuljecls, we lay before your Majedy
what a' present most immediately affects us in the fyirit
rpl tendency of the public measures now depending, and
tit anxiety we feel at the naked and exposed date in
r. Rich his country will be left, by draining it of the na
tional troops, as wed as at the danger and disgrace at
terding the late treaties for foreign mercenaries, whose
latitude is filch, as to provide the means of introducing a
foreign army even into this realm.
We cannot, Sir, without horror, look forward to that
dismemberment of the empire ; that increase of the na
tional debt, and of bufthenfome taxes; that lots of our
mod valuable resources ; those distresses of our merchants
and manafMurers; these deficiencies of the revenue;
that efiidiem of the bipod of our countrymen and brethren ;
th it Lildre of public Credit, and thofc dreadful calamities
and convulsions wired rnuft follow a civil war so begun
and pursued, Whose extent no wisdom can forefee.
, We humbly conceive; that no people can be bound to
surrender their rights and liberties as a return for pro
teJion. The colonies have fought our battles with us,
and in the ad war they so Hr exceeded their abilities,
that this nation thought it just and necessary to make
them an rifpual compensation ; and even now, driven to
open hoßllilfes in-their own defence, they ate willing
r their charters being inviolably secured) to continue to us
all those advantages of a regular and exclusive commerce,
io which we have long owed our opulence and prosperity.
And we have every assurance which men in their situa
tion can fafely give, that, if aiked as freemen, they
are willing to go farther, and to afford the exhausted
state of the revenue of this country, inch reasonable vo
luntwy aid as their abilities will permit, provided that
their contributions are unalienably applied to relieve that
distress which is the only fair and politic foundation of
acquiring them, and that neither their aids, nor our own
finking funds (hall be any longer perverted from a public
benefit, and misapplied to the purpose of corruption,
instead of redeeming the debts of the nation, according
to the brft wife and just institution.
Indulge but, most gracious Sovereign, the humanity
and dignity of your own royal disposition, and our pray
ers will be granted. We implore the extension of your
Mafeftjr's Judice and mercy towards that continent,
wbW; when arbiter of the terms of peace, it was your
Majefty's'owh determination to prefer to every other
cempenfation fop all the expenses &f the Salt war.
We humbly and earneftiv befcech your Majesty, that
the most foltmn, clear, diwnct, and unambiguous Spe
cification of those just and honourable terms, which
your MaAfy, with both HoUfes of Parliament, mean
to grant to the colonies, may precede the dreadful oper
ations of your armament. Every colour and suspicion
of injufice and oppr^ffion will then be removed from the
proceedings of the mother country; and, if those just
and honourable terms are not Submitted to, your Majesty
will undoubtedly Re enabled to meet what will then tie
rebellion, with the zealous hearts and hands of a de
termined, loyal, and united people.
To which his MAJESTY was pleased to return the
following Aufwer:
I DEPLORE, with the deepest concern, the mifet ies
which a great part of my fubjePts in North-America
have brought u-bon tbemGlves, , an unjufifable refflame
to the constitutional authority of this kingdom ; and Ifhall
he read; and happy to alleviate those miseries by aRs of mer
cy and clemency, whenever that authority is efablifbed, and
the now exiting rebellion is at an end. To obtain these fa
lutar, purfofs, I will miaCably pursue the most proper
and effectual means."
LONDO N, March 14.
A report was circulated yesterday, that there was an
embargo laid on all flrips bound to France; but on what
foundation we will not pretend to fay.
Ten independent companies of Invalids are to be form
ed from among the out-pentioners of Kdrainhanl, who
arc designed to garrison some parts of this kingdom. A
board. Of the Governors is fummbned for that purpose,
and did meet this day.
In a lift of promotions as inserted in the London Ga
^rtte, arid dated War-Office, Jan. 30, it will be found
that no lets a number than seven officers belonging to the
regiments mow in Bolton have resigned their commissions.
A strong proof of the disagreeable service in which the
army is now employed.
Advices from Dublin fay, “ This Capital will soon be
too hot for the Viceroy's Adviser, Manager and Secre
tary, to remain much longer; so that another must very
speedily be Appointed in bis room,"
' We hear from Dublin, that the discontents of the
people have been lately considerably increased by the ap
pointments given to Mr. Jenkinfon, Welbore Ellis and
Lord Clare, whom the irilh hold in a very contemptible
light: The CUTe-Hcircs in Dublin abound with the
most violent abuse againit these ministerial favourites, for
attempting to get an increase of friary annexed to offices,
which.are. mere Sinecures, and a burden to the nation;
ray, the Irilh gentlemen in the interest of the Crown
think themfelvds ill-used, by having such appointments
bAtowed on Jenkinfon and Ellis; who are Brangers to
the country, and consequently no ways interested in its
profperi<y, farther than it may answer the particular
views of their patron.
BASSE TERRE (St. Cbri,o,bers) Mar 15,
On M >nday last divine service was performed at thr
Rariih Church, accompanied by feverai pieces of divine
music, by the gentlemen of this island and Nevis, for the
benefit of the poor in our several parishes in the prefect
melancholy Situation of this devoted country. On th s
occasion the Rev. Dr. Hutchinion preached a most excel
lent sermon, wherein he so pathetically described the
difirefibs of the poor, as to draw tears from the major
part of his very numerous auditors. The cohesion in
the church, and the fide of.tickets, produced a confider
ade fain, which is to be immediately applied to the be
n welent purposes for which it was collected.
We can assure the public from the best authority, that
provisions are so Scarce at Barbados, that pork now fells
there at x<fl per barrel, adequate to fourjoes of our ctir^
rency ; and that Guinea corn, which uied to be fold at
18 or 20 pints fdr a bit, is new fold t 5 er 6 pints for the
fame money, and rb. t famine Items to Rare the inhabi
tants in the lace—Buffed efchs of modern policy I—Cursed1 — Cursed
are those children who love, honour, and obey their parents,
ftr they Jhall be farmed. Modern Eihicks.
Montserrat, 20th March, 1776.
r ,H!S is to give notice, That the Legill iture, in or
11to encourage the importation of provisions into this
idahd, did this day unamjmoui!y iLoive, that the federal
bounties hereunder fpecified should be paid out of the
public treasury of this iftand, to the person or perfous
who should import into this island, for the space of three
months from that day, tlie rollowing articles, viz. For
every barrel of Hour, bread, beef, pork, herrings, or
pickled fifh, three fniilings; for every tierce of rice, five
(hillings; for every bulhel of corn, peas or beans, six
pence; for every firkin of butter, one (hilling; and for
every hogshead of fifh, fix (hillings; and that the fame
(hould be paid within 20 days after the sale thereof, in
gold and silver money, the importer or importers pre
viously making oath of the quantity fold before me, pro
vided the aforefrid bounties shall not extend to any of the
foregoing articles which may be brought to this ifl.nd,
and afterwards exported.
WILLIAM DANIELL, Treafurem
Nevis, May 1, 1776.
THE legislature of this island hath refoived, that the
following bounties Shall be given on the importation
of provisions and lumber, as are herein after mentioned,
for the space of three months, viz.
For every barrel of fiour, bread, beef, pork, herrings,
or pickled fifh, three Shillings; for every tierce of rice,
four shillings and sixpence; for every bushel of corn of
peas, fix-pence; for every firkin of butter, one drilling;
for every hundred weight of yams, one Shilling and Six
pence ; for every thousand Raves, ten shillings; and for
every thousand feet of boards', ten Shillings. And that
the fame be paid by the treasurer, in current gold and
silver money, within Sixteen days after the fair thereof,
the importer or importers previously making oath of the
quantity fold, before the treasurer, and that in case any
merchant or merchants fhalibe the importer or import
ers, or purchase the cargo of any transient vessel, such
merchant or merchants shall enter into bond to the trea
surer, with one good security, to the full value of such
cargo, that none of the foregoing articles Shall be ex
ported from this island.—AND, for the further encou
ragement of all transient veffcls that may arrive in this
island loaded with previfiona, and fold here, we have
further RESOLVED, that the entering and clearing
fees of such vessels, through the offices, shall be Ijkewife
paid by the treasurer. And it is ordered that the trcMu
rer do forthwith cause these resolves to be published in
the Antigua and St. Chriftepher's Gazettes.
. E. PARRIS, Speaker.
By the directions of the council and aflembly, I do
hereby make public the foregoing resolves.
W. BURT WEEKES, Treafarer.
WILLIAMSBURG, May 24.
Extras of a letter from Colonel Woodford to General
Lewis, by express,-dated Norfolk, May 22.
“ The vigilance of my guards has occasioned the
enemv to abandon their fue^ at Portsmouth. This, and
some fine-rafts I was preparing, has likewise occasioned
the fleet to go offi They have thrown over their salt,
burnt the mod indifferent of their final! craft, and are all
now below Crany Island, except four Ships which are
opposite the DifUifery; bitt-under way likewise. One of
the 14th regiment, and five sailors, have deserted; they
inform me they have the small-pox. I have given very
particular orders to avoid this evil, if it be true. They
all concur in the fame story, and likewise that the fleet
is bound for Cape-Fear; but I doubt whether my Lord
does not intend a Secret expedition to some other part of
the colony. I have sent orders to the guard at Portf
rnouth to deftfoy the enemy's works."
Extract of a letter from Major Hendricks to General
Lewis, dated Hampton, May 23.
“ I wrote you this morning that 30 fail of the enemy's
fleet were moved down the river, Since which it appears
that their whole fleet ia in motion. From our church
steeple I can fee 60 er 70 fail of vessels of different kinds,-
hovering about the mouth of James River. What they
mean is impo^Ke to tell."
It is imagined that Dunmore's fleet are coming out in
search of provisions, every kind of which is so very Scarce
with them, that the quantity formerly allowed to a single
man is now obliged to fcrre four.
By a gentleman from North -Carolina we learn, that the
remainder of the fleet destined for Cape-Fear had arrived,
and that the number of troops now with Gen. Clinton
were fnppofrd to be about 4000; none of which had yet
landed ; and it was even fufyedted they had designs upon
some other quarter, and would norland there at all.
In Virginia Convention, Tae day, May 21, 1776.
p RSOLFE D, That such Indian warriors, of the
^ neighbouring tribes, as are willing, be engaged in the
fervice.of this country, provided the number so to be
engaged doth not exceed two hundred, to be marched
down to the assistance of the regular forces on the eastern
quarter.
Refoived, That John Gibson, Esq; be desired to nego
ciate with the Ohio or Western Indians, and inform
them of the friendly Sentiments of this country towards
them, and of the purport of the foregoing resolution for
calling in their affi-ftance, and that the fame is warranted
and directed by the resolution of the General Congress
of the firft day of July last.
Refoived, That the militias of all the frontier counties
ought to be got in readiness for action, without lot's of
time; and, for this purpose, the several militia officers
ought to ttfe their ntmoft exertions in their several de
-parfments, as there is too much reason to apprehend the
.wicked attempts cf our enemies to excite an Indian war,
mav involve us in calamities infcparable therefrom.
B A LT I M O R E, May a?>.
Whereas his Britannic Majesty, King George, has pro
secuted, and ftili prosecutes a cruel and unjust war against
the British Colonies in America, and has acceded to arils
of Parliament declaring' the people of the said Colonies
in actual rebellion; and whereas, the good people of this
province have taken up arms to defend their rights and
liberties, and to repel the hostilities carrying on against
them, and whiid engaged in such a contest cannot, with
any finceritv of heart, pray for the success of his arms.
Therefore Refoived, that every prayer and petition for
the King's Majesty in the book of common prayer and
administration of the sacraments and other rights and
ceremonies of the Church of England, except the second
collect for Ihe King in the communion service, be hence
forth omitted in all churches and chapels in this province,
until our unhappy difference are ended.
Extract from the Minutes of the Proceedings of the
Convention. G. DUVALL, Clerk.
Refoived, That it be, and It is hereby earnestly recom
mended to the Committees, Freeholders, and ' other Elec
tors in the different Counties'in tlti^^&py, diligently
to carry the fame into execution. ' "'(<
Ordered, That the aforegoing resolutions Ke pubfifficd
in all public newspapers in this colony; laud in-hand
bills', to be distributee in the counties, . ."
\ Extraffrom the Minutes; . °
ROBERT BENSON, Seoretary.
PHI LADELBHIA, June 5.
To the WorJhipful fufices of bis Majefy George the Third of
his Courts of Quarter Seftons and Common Pleas for the
County of Philadelphia.
The Memorial of the Committee of InfyeßionGndHbferva
tion, for the City and Liberties ofrPhi.adelbhia, ~&c.
Refrafully Jbeweth, -
I™ HAT the Honourable the Congfefs, Ky a resolution
, X of the 15th of May last, have declared, “ that it ap
pears abfolutcly irreooncileable to reaf. n and good con
science for the people cf the colonies now to take the
oaths or affirmations necessary for the support of any go
vernment under the crown cf Great 1 Britain, and that it
is necessary that the exercifc of any kind of authority
under the said crown ffiould be totally fufepreffed;" &L
That this Committee conceive it to be their duty, as it is
their inclination, to exert their utmost endeavours for
carrying into execution the said ftfolve, as Nell .as others
of that Honttur#bk fcdy, a/therefore they thus appi,
Last Saturday a large prize Sloop, under command erf
Capt. Philip Brown, went up to Providence: (he was
taken by the Andrew Doria, Capt. Biddie; her cargo,
salt, sugar, and rum.
H A RTfO R D, May 27.
We hear the town of Canterbury, in a sud meeting,
have unanimously adopted the principles of independence
contained in Common Sente; and aifo voted, that the
Deleg ites for the Continent .ICongress ought, to be elected
by the freemen of the Colony, auh not by tueif repfe
fentatives.
Last Thursday Governor Skeene, who has been feme
time past in this town, was committed to goal by order
of the Committee for the prisoners, for refum/g to Sign a
parole.
N E W-Y O R K, June
In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS,
New-York, May 31, 1776.
WHEREAS the pretext government of this colony
by Congress and Committees, was instituted
while the former government under the crown of Great-
Britain existed in full force; and was eftabhlhcd for the
sole purpose of oppofmg the usurpation of the British
Parliament, and was intended to expire on. a reconcilia
tion with Great-Britain, which it was-tben apprehended
would soon take place, but is now confected as remote
and uncertain.
And whereas many and great inconveniebcies attend the
said mode of government by Congress add Committees,
as of necessity in many indances legislative, judicial ai a
executive powers have been veiled therein, efpecial:y
Since the dillolution of the former government by the ab
dication of the late Governor, and the .exclusion .of this
colony from the protection of the King of Great-Britain.
And whereas the Continental Congg-did resolve as
followeth:
[For the Resolve of Congress, fee No. 2474, of this Paper.]
And whereas doubts have arisen whether this C< ngrels
are invested with fufficient power and authority to de
liberate and determine on so imp<itaht a fubjeft as
the necessity of creating and coiu'ului..iug_a.u.ew form of
government and internal police, to the exclusion of all
foreign jnrifdidtion, dominion and controul whatever . —
And whereas it appertains of right solely to the people of
this colony to determine the said doubts, Therefore,
Refoived, That it be recommended to the electors in
the several counties in this colony-,' 'by eleclibn, in the
manner and form prescribed for the election of the pre
tent Congress, either to authorize (in addition to the
powers veiled in this Congress) their present deputies, or
Others in the dead of their present deputies, or either of
them, to take into consideration tke neceflity and pro
priety of instituting such new government, as in and by
the said resolution of the Continental Congress is describ
ed and recommended: And if the majority of the coun
ties, by their deputies in Provincial C< ngrefe, shall be cf
opinion that such new government ought to be instituted
and established, then to institute and cfiblffh fucli a go
vernment as they Shall deem best calculated to secure the
lights, liberties and happiness of the good people of this
colony; and to continue in force until a future peace with
Great-Britain (hall render the fan e unneceflary. And
Refoived, That the said elections in the several coun
ties ought to be had on such day, and at such place or
places, as by the Committee of each County refpebtivel,
(hall be determined.—And it is recommended to the
said Committees to fix such early days for the said elec
tions as that all the deputies to beeiefcd_hqve fufficient
time to repair to the city 'of 'New-York by the' second
Monday in July next; on which day all the said deputies
ought punctually to give their attendance.\
And whereas the object of the foregoing resolutions
is of the utmost importance to the. good people of this
colony, —
. PROVIDENCE, May 25.
T^fday last Capt. Horn arrived here from Charles-
Tovar, Sout^Carolina, which place he left the 12th
inftabt. He informs that 17 fail of transports tr-rn ire^
land, with 7 regiments, cmdi'tiag of abUut ^oop.men,
arrived at Long-Bay, near Cape-Fear, tb,c If. rftant,
and that they were in great want of water, but had not
got any supply ^hen he failed. He father informs,
that Brigadier General Armstrong was arrived at Charles-
Town from Philadelphia, and that our b/etmia at toe
southward are in high spirits.
N EWPO R T, May 27.
Last Monday a (hip, fupp-fed to be the Cerberus,
came into the chaps of our harbour, between C^.^ Liil
and the Light house, then tacked and flood out to lea
again ; (he kept her guns hid.
Extract of a letter from an Englijk gentleman of veracity
at St. Eufatia, to bis fiend in this town.
" I have nothing very material to acquaint you with,
owly that the French are certainly meditating fomchnng.
The greeted encouragement is given to the Americans;
they have opened their ports, notwithftandmg they have
had great quantities of provisions from France, anti every
thing low there: many veffcls, with sugar and cohce,
have come from' thence (the French iflanCb' )this day or
two; this you know was fcldom the case; it exults much
Speculation : I think there must certainly be (umething in
the wind ; and, for my part, think that a general war is
not far distant.—The French have certainly ,0,006 men
at St. Domingo, who are to be augmented.to 15,c00.-—
There are 8000 at M rtin'co and Giiadaloflpe, and yee;
more expected momently; so that.ttuy will have 30,090
in their ifhnJs; the whole under command of one Ge
neral, who arrived some davs tince at MarOuico."