The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-10-02 00:00:00, page 2

Tun, which may be done is a very Jhort time, and at
trifling cipence, with no oonlidcrabge error, by one or
fricre Commissioners appointed on the'part of each State.
It will give us great pleafare should this proposal meet
With the approbation of the Honourable Delegates, as
such a fettlemebt will enable the inhabitants to join heart
and hand in the great caule wherein we are all equally
intcrefted.
David Rittenhouse, Owen BiddlE,
Thomas SMITH, jAMts Potter,
Alexander Lowrey, Edward Cook."
" The Virginia Delegates have receded the proposal
for eftiblilhing a temporary boundary between the State
of Virginia and Pennsylvania, froxi the Committee of the
Honourable Convention of the State of Penufylvania, and
/for answer fy; That their power is ended, having been
expreflv limited to the line already p/opofed to the Ho
nourable Convention of tht State of Penufylvania, as a
temporaiy boundary. That they will, without delay,
transmit the proposal of the Honourable Committee to
the Governor and Council of the Commonwealth of Vir
ginia, in 'order to its being laid before the General As
sembly, which meets early in October next; and in the
mean time they wish the influence of both governments
may be exerted, to preserve friendship and peace between
the people of both States, on the controverted boundary.
Thomas Nelson, jun. Richard Henry Lee,
Francis Lightfoot LeE."
Philadelphia, 12th September, 1776.
Monday last returned to Plymouth, Captain Samson,
after a short cruize, in which he has taken five prizes ;
three or fou°r of which are arrived fafe into port.
Yederday fe'nn'ght arrived at Newbury Port the brig
Georgia Diana, Peter Rigan, master, bound from Gre
nada to London, taken by the Washington privateer,
Nathaniel Odiorne, having on board 60 hogiheads rum
and sugar, and about 20 chaldron of coal, &c. &«.
WATERTd WN, September 16.
Thursday lall the General Assembly of this State passed
a resolve for raising every fifth man in the fame (a few sea
port towns excepted) to march for New-York, for the
immediate afiiftancc of our brethren there.
N E W POR T, September 23.
Last Monday a ship and a brig taken by the Montgo
mery went up the east paffige ; on Wednesday a large
fliip taken by the General Greene and a Baltimore schoo
ner, and a brig taken by the Revenge, got fafe into a
neighbouring port; on Friday another ship, taken by
Capt. Munro, went up the bay, and the fame night ano
ther brig taken by the Revenge passed the east passage.
All the above are valuable prizes; that taken by the Ge
neral Greene, &c. is 310 tons, loaded with 372 hogiheads
of sugar, 82 puncheons of rum, 36 pipes and 4 hog
sheads of Madeira wine, and 18001 b, of copper.
By several gentlemen arrived in town on Saturday from
Bolton, we are allured of the arrival at the Eastward of
three prize flips, which we had not heard of before ;
one of which bad on board 320 hogiheads of sugar, 80
puncheorc of rum, the amount of 150 pipes of Madeira
wike, and a considerable, quantity of cotton : This ship
had fix iron 6 pounders, which the Captain ordered to be
loaded, and got every thing ready for engaging the priva
teer, which was small ; but when flie came up, the flip's
men laughed at the Captain and would not fire a single
gun.
It is reported that General Arnold has lately destroyed
most of the enemy's boats, at the North end of Lake-
Champlain; and made prisoners of 600 Epglifh, Scotch,
and Hessian soldiers, on a small Inland in the Lake.
N EWA R K, (Neco-ferfe,) September 28.
In our last we informed our readers, that the city of
New-York was in fames on Saturday morning the 21st
infant, since which we have had many different reports
concerning that melancholy affair, th? most authentic of
which we' believe is as follows, viz. That the fire originat
ed at or near Whitehall, soon extended to the Exchange,
took its course up the weft fide of Broad-street, as far as
Verlattenberg Hill, consuming all the blocks from the
Whitehall up. The flames extended across the Broad
way from the house of Mr. David Johnston, to Beaver
Lane, or Fincher's Alley, on the weft, and carried all
before it, a few buildings excepted, to the house at the
corner of Berkley-frreet, wherein Mr. Adam Vandenberg
lived, sweeping all the cross ftretts in the way. The
buildings left landing on the weft fide of the Broadway
are supposed to be Captain Thomas Randall's, Captain
Kennedy's, Dr. Mallat's, Mr. John Cortlandt's fugar
houfe and dwelling-house, Dr. Jones's, Hull's tavern,
St. Paul's, Mr. Axtell's, and Mr. Rutherford's. The
cause of the tire is not known. We imagine about a
sixth part of the city is destroyed, and many families
have loft their all.
Sunday last a number of the regulars embarked in boats
from New-York Island near Greenwich, and it was sup
posed intended to attack Powles-Hook, but in the after
noon they disembarked, and gave over the attempt for
that time.—Monday the Roebuck and three other Ihips
came to opposite our battery at that post, and after dis
charging about too cannon, landed near 500 men, ouf
people having evacuated the place some hours before, and
carried off their artillery, &c. They are now advantage
ously posted on the heights at the mill about one mile from
the enemy, and are buff throwing up entrenchments,
having been reinforced with about 4000 men.
Wednesday last Brigadier General Sullivan, who was
BOSTON, Sept. 10.
Monday last the new raised company of Independents,
commanded by Henry Jackson, Efa; made their firlt ap
pearance in their uniforn, (black, turned up with red) on
the green in this town, where they were reviewed by the
Don. Major-General Ward, and his suite; some mem
bers of the Hon. Council of this State; a number of
other gentlemen, and many ladies, &c. were present.—
They performed the exercise, various manoeuvres and
firings, to the universal acceptance of the numerous
fyedators.
Last Saturday was sent into Cape-Ann, by the Whooper
Warren, -Captain William Coas, a ship of 400 tons bur
fh.cn, called the Picary, commanded.by Brcckholt
Cleaveland, bound from Tobago for London, having on
board 32$ hogsheads sugar, 161 bales cotton, 118 pipes,
29 hogsheads and to quarter-calks Madeira wine,, and
some indigo. And
On M >nday evening last was also sent into Cape-Ann,
by the Warden, a brig of 120 tons, mounting 8 carriage
guns and re swivels. She was from the coast of Guinea,
but lift from Tobago, bound for London, with some
Elephants teeth and gold duff.
When the above brig left Captain Coas he was in pur
suit of a fliip.
The Hon. Matthew Thorton, Esq; of Londonderry,
is chosen a member of the Hon. Continental Congress,
for the State of New-Hamplhire, in the room of Col.
John Langdon, who has resigned.
Another letter from the fame place fays, " the loss at
St. Chriftophers is computed at half a million sterling."
Extras of a letter from Portsmouth, in Virginia, Sept. 19.
'' The people of South-Carolina have beat the Indians
in the third fkirmifh—Twenty-five men advanced about
a mile before a party of 200, and were surrounded by
about 200 Cher kees; they bravely maintained their
ground until the main body arrived, when they routed
the Indians, after killing 16 on the spot, with the loss of
4 killed and 6 wounded.
" General Lee's movement towards Georgia has fe #
cured the Creeks in our interest.—Governor Wright's
brothers, with the rest of the tories, have broke up
camp, and retired towards St. Augustine."
To ADAM STEPHEN, Esq; Brigadier General, in
the Service of the United States of America.
The Address of the Officers of the Fourth Virginia Battalion.
IT is with heart-felt fatisfaftion that the officers 6f the
Fourth Battalion have been informed, that the H n.
Continental Congress have been pleated to promote you
to the rank of a Brigadier General in the Continental ser
vice. We conceive it a promotion justly due to your
merit; and please to permit us to congratulate you on
this event, which we cordially hope may be attended
with every poflible degree of happiness to yourfelf, and
service to the just cause in which you have so early and
readily embarked.
When we reflect, Sir, on the kind, the indulgent, the
manly treatment we have received, whilst under your
immediate eye, as Commandant of our Battalion ;
when we also confider with what facility you established
amongst us that discipline And order, so essential to the
preservation and glory of an army, we are at a loss which
most to admire, the polite gentleman or the aceomplifh
ed officer.
By the regulation of Congress we fear we shall be de
prived of you ; —altho' it is amongst one of the most de
sirable wishes of our hearts to be Rill under your imme
diate direction and command, should we, Sir, be so un
fortunate as to find our conjectures right on this occafien,
we would wish you to know, that the Officers of the
Fourth Battalion, with hearts replete with gratitude and
refped, will devoutly implore the Divine Being for your
fafety and protection, in whatever part of America the
service of the United States thereof may require your
presence. Portfmeuth, Sept. 19, 1776.
General STEPHEN's Answer.
Gentlemen,
T am fenjible of the honour done me, by your friendly and
1 affectionate Address.
In the course of all my service, and this is the twelfth
campaign, I have seldom met with officers so warmly at
tached to the service, or so anxious and attentive to fludy
their duty.
It is owing to you, Gentlemen, that discipline has been
efablifoed in the regiment with so much facility.
The harmony that has fub/fed in the corps, and your ex
emplary conduct to the soldiers, has made me easy and happy
in the command.
I will be ever interefled in the behaviour of the Fourth
Battalion, and am firmly penfoaded, that, when olportu
"it? °ft r s> *bey will difting^h themfelies in the most ho
nourable manner, in the service of the United States.
That your ardour may be tempered with prudence endyour
efforts crowned with success, is the ardent wife, of
Gentlemen, your most affectionate humble servant,
ADAM STEPHE N.
To the Officers of the Fourth Regiment.
Extract of a letter from Ticonderoga, September 16, 1776.
j“ The enemy have not made any appearance here yet,
and I believe they will not this year ; we cannot under
stand they are making any preparations to meet us,
but mean to ad only on the defensive. Gen. Arnold is
about too miles down Lake Champlain, at a place called
Split-Ruck, where he is watching the motions of the ene
my—he lately sent a small boat with a number of men on
Ihore, who were fired upon by a party of about 50 regu
lars and Indians, when three of them were killed, and
fix wounded."
We bear that an armed vessel is now fitting out in this
city, which will be called the PARRY, in honour of the
late gallant Colonel Parry, of this State, who fell on
Lang-island the 27th of Augwft last, nobly contending
for the freedom and independence of his country.
lately taken by the King's troops on Long-Iflan^, wAs
exchanged for Gen. Prescott, who commanded at Cham
blee. Gen. M'Donald would not be accepted for Lord
Stirling.,
Last Sunday morning departed this life at Elizabeth-
Town, in the 70th year of his age, Mr. Garret Noel, many
years an eminent bookseller in the city of New-York. He
was a kind husband and tender parent, and justly esteemed
and beloved by all who knew him.
W I L L I A M S B U R G, Sept. 21,
Since our last, another vessel has arrived at Hampton,
With 1200 bushels of salt; and on Thursday one came up
to Burwell's Ferry with a quantity of that ufeful article,
besides rum, lugar, linens, &c. She came from Cape-
Nichola Mok, and brings advice of an infurredtion of the
Negroes at Jamaica, on account of the scarcity of provi
lior^. Between 60 and 70 white people had been killed,
numbers of the Negroes taken and gibbeted, and martial
law proclaimed through the island.
Last Thursday Captain Theodorick Bland's troop of
light horse arrived in town front Petersburg ; and yester
day arrived from Gloucester the 7th regiment of foot (late
Daingerfield's) now Crawford's, in place of the sth, who
(as well as the 4th and 6th) are under orders to proceed
to New-York.
It is said that Lieut. Henry Collins, late commander cf
the piratical armed schooner called the Magdalen, for his
faithful services in behalf of his Majesty whilst on this Ra
tion, is promoted to the command of the Nautilus Sloop
of War, which has lately been seen cruizing near Ber
muda, to intercept all vessels between that place and the
continent.
PHILADELPHIA, Odober 2 .
Extrafl of a fetter from St. Eudatia, September 11.
" On the sth ihkaiit, about two o'clock in the morn
ing, a fire broke out at Baffetterre in St. Chriftophers,
which consumed a great part of the town; and the day
after a gale of wind came on, attended with a deluge of
rain, which has done them almost as much damage as the
fire; many hottfes that escaped the flashes were carried
into the sea, so they must have been in a terrible con
dition ; the pfovifions all burnt ; what goods were saved
from the fire were loft by the bad weather, and no lum
ber to rebuild their houses. lam told the island is in a
worse situation than it wah after the great hurricane; a
good deal of provifrn has gone up from this island since
ft happened. We buffered but little by the gale of wind,
only odr paths are as much washed as they were in the
hurricane."
Friday last the privateer hoop Chance, cf this port,
returned here from a cruize, and brought ,in with her
the ship William, — Bond, late master, wlach the
took homeward bound from Jamaica, laden with rum,
ftigar, &c.
And on Monday arrived here a brig, bound from Bar
bados for London, laden with rum and sugar, taken
by one of the Continental armed vessels.
Major General LEE is daily expected in town from the
southward, on his way to the American Camp near New-
York.
Monday last arrived in this city, from the American
Camp at Haerlem, Brigadier General MIFFLIN.
Last Saturdaya number of officers and privates, belong
ing to the American army, and who had been taken
prisoners in Canada, arrived in this city agreeable to the
proclamation of Gen. Carlton. They were sent in four
transports, under convoy of the Pearl frigate of thirty
two guns, from Quebec to New-York, where Gen.
Howe detained them on board a fortnight. Amongst
those now arrived, are Gen. Thompson, Col. Irvine,
Capt. Wirfon, Capt. Duncan, foieuts. Currie, Hoge and
Bird; Rev. Mr. M'Calla, and Dr. M'Kenzie. There
are three hundred and eighty five privates, besides other
officers, who are on theif way .to their refpediye States.
In CONVENTION, for the StATE of Pennsylvania,
Thurfday^ September 26, 1776.
WHEREAS it is not convenient to hold the next
election throughout this State, for chooling the
elective officers thereof, on the day on which it will be
most convenient to the people to hold their elections for
the future. And this Convention being desirous that the
freemen of this State may, as soon as poflible, enjoy the
advantages of a free and established government, it is
therefore
Refolded, That the next election of Representatives in
General Assembly, and of all other elective officers here
tofore usually chosen on the firft day of October, shall
be held for the city of Philadelphia, and for the county
of Philadelphia, and for every other county of this State,
on Tuesday the fifth day of November next; and, ex
cept in the counties of Bedford, Northumberland and
Weftmoreland, at the places where the elections for Re
presentatives in this Convention were held. The election
for Infpe&ors is to be held in the city of Philadelphia,
and in each of the counties of this State, on Saturday,
the second day of November next. The Judges of the
Did elections shall be chosen and appointed by the In
fpe&ors on the day of election; and shall be fubjedt to
the like foi feitures and penalties for fraud or wilful ne
gled, as the Sheriff would have been in the like case by
the late laws of this State. The Constables of the wards
in the city of Philadelphia, and of the townships of the
several counties of this State, shall give fix days notice
of the election for Infpedtors. The Judges, or ^ne or
more of them, shall, within two days following the elec
tion, meet at the Court-house of the refpedtive counties,
in which elections shall be held ip dikridfs, and returns
shall be made to them from the diftridts, of the names of
the candidates, and number of votes for each. And the
Judges shall cast up the votes, and shall certify those,
who are highest in votes, to be duly elected to the re
fpedive offices. And the elections shall, in all other mat
ters, be held and carried on, as nearly as may be, ac
cording to the directions of an Ad tof Assembly of the
late government of Penrifylvania, made in the#year one
thousand seven hundred and sixty-six, intituled, " An
ad directing the choice of Infpedors, and for holding
the general elections in this province." And in case any
township or townships negled to choose an Infpedor or
Infpedlors, the other Infpedors, and the Judges present
at the election, shall appoint an Infpecftor or Infpe&ore
for such township, or townships.
The freemen of the county of Bedford shall vote in
four diftrids for this present year, as follow, viz. the
freemen of the firft diftrid, containing the townships of
Bedford, Colerain and Cumberland valley, at the court
house in the town of Bedford ; —Of the second, contain
ing the townships of Bethel, Air and Dublin, at the house
of John Burd, at Fort Littleton ;—Of the third, con
taining the townships of Barre, Hopewell and Frankf
town, at Standing Store; —And of the fourth, contain
ing the townships of Brothers valley, Turkeyfoot and
Quemachoning, at the house of John Kemberlin, near
the junction of the said three townships.
The county of Northumberland shall be divided into
four diftridts; to wit, The freemen of Augusta, Penns
and Mahony townships, shall meet at the town of Sun
bury; Of Turbut, Mahoning and Wioming, shall meet
at the town of Northumberl hd ;— Of Buffaloe, White-
Deer and Potter, shall meet at Foutz's mill, in Buffaloe
townfhip;—and of Munsey and Bald-Eagle, shall meet
at the house of Amariah Sutton, in Munsey township.
The electors of the county of Weftmoreland fltall hold
their election in manner following; that is to fay, the
electors on the north fide of Kifkemenetas and Canne
mach shall hold their election at Captain Samuel Moor
head's mill; —The second diftriCt shall be bounded by the
Laurel-hill, Connemach, the Chefnut ridge and Yough
any, and shall hold their election at Ligonier: The other
electors in the said county, not comprehended in the
foregoing diftri&s, shall hold their elections at the two
places directed by the Conference of Committees for
electing members of this Convention.
Every elector, before his vote is received, shall take
the following oath or affirmation, instead of that hereto
fore required, viz.— “ I —do swear (or affirm)
that I will be faithful and true to the commonwealth of
Penufylvania; and that I will not, directly or indire&ly,
do any ad or thing prejudicial or injurious to the conftl
tution or government thereof, as eftabliibed by the Con
vention."
And the Judges and Infpedors of the said elections
shall, besides the oaths prescribed in the law directing the
choice of InfpeCtors abovementioned, take the oath of
allegiance above recited. And
Refolded, That the said General Assembly, chosen iu
confequtr.ee of the foregoing resolves, shall meet at Phi
ladelphia, on Tuesday, the 19th day of November next.
Extract from the Minutes,
JOHN MORRIS, jun. Secretary.
In ASSEMBLY, September 26, 1776.
$ Refolded, By a majority of the Members present, That
it is the sacred right of Freemen to give and grant their
own money, and that all taxes levied without their con
sent are arbitrary and oppressive; and that no Freeman
can be constitutionally restrained of his liberty, or be sen
tenced to any penalties or punishment whatsoever, but
by the judgment of bis peers, and a trial had by a jury
of his country.
„ Refolded, That the Convention have derived no autho
rity from the good people of Penufylvania to levy taxes
and dispose of their property, and therefore, that the late
Ordinance for imposing a rate of Twenty Shillings per.
month and Four Shillings in the pound on the estate of