The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-31 00:00:00, page 3

On the 6th of Odober the gentlemen and principal
inhabitants of the town of Boston in New-England, also
his Majesty's Council, and the gentlemen who were
driven from their habitations in the country to the town
of Boston, presented very refpeftful addresses to his Ex
cellency Governor Gage, on bis departure from thence
for Great-Britain.
A letter from Lancashire mentions the great damage
done in those parts by the late storm. " I have been?'
fays the writer, “ a fpeflator of dreadful havock among
the fhipp ng. Of fix (hips returning from Chester fair',
not one escaped, and a vchci worth 40,00 c!. with seve
ral refpeftable passengers on board, funk before my eyes."
Fraser's regiment of Highlanders is to have one Colo
nel Commandant, two Lieutenant Colonels, and four
Majors. The several officers are to raise their own men.
The Charming Sally, Wilson, a transport, from Lon
don to Bolton, is loft on the Goodwin Sands, and all the
people perished.
Capt. Nichols, of the Juno, was in company with the
Annapolis, Capt. Hanfick, on the 13th inftaut, in Mount's
Bay, both close to the rocks, which Captain Nichoifon
cleared with the greatest difficulty; and he fuppofcs that
the Annapolis Bruck and went immediately to pieces, as
Mr. Dempfter remarked that it was one clear petition
of the Ministry, that they would not end the quarrel
without a further effufion of blood ; he therefore profef
fed himielf an enemy to their system.
Governor Pownall, after assuring the House that he was
not one of the intended commissioners to treat with Ame
rica, asserted that he had good information that the Co
lonies were not at present mad enough to aim at inde
pendence, unless future chance forced them into it. The
Governor also asserted, that he knew how peace might be
restored, America recovered, the glory of Great Britain
raised, the union of the empire effected, and an American
revenue obtained. —He declared that this could only be
done by fending a large armed force, and he pointed out
the good policy of such a measure, both as it might af
fed America itfelf, and remove the fears of some gentle
men, who had intimated their dread of foreign powers
interfering. The Governor ended his speech with de
claring, that as he was assured those Americans who hill
retained their allegiance to the mother country, wished
that the efforts of government might have their full ope
ration, he ihould on Friday move for the previous que
ftiou on Mr. Burke's intended plan of a reconciliation,
as he was convinced no measure could be effectual in
tending to terminate the present quarrel, which did not
wear the face of authority, and appear to be the regular
offspring of the King's Ministers.
Mr. Burke, with his usual success, raised the laugh of
the House at Mr. Pownall's expehce, by ridiculing his de
claration of what he could do, and what he knew ; and
by humourously faying the Governor had tolled the bell,
and given notice, that on Friday he would perform the
funeral service over his intended, and as yet unknown,
proposal for a reconciliation. As he was to be killed by a
previous question, ne begged to tell the House a story. —
he then related a legend of a prince, whose parents su
perstitiously imagined he was to lose his life by a lion,
and therefore prevented him from going out, for fear of
his meeting a lion; but that one day he was in a room
where that animal was imitated in the tapestry, which in
a rage lie struck at, and there being a nail in the wall,
under that part of the tapestry where the lion's jaw ap
peared, it tore his hand, and killed him. “ Now (fays
Mr. Burke) I find that I am to be killed by the foot of a
more ignoble beast, that universal murderer, a Previous
Question; I fear the liberty, of this country will die by
a Previous Question." He also replied to Mr. Jenkinfon,
a*d in terms of very great poignancy, arraigned that gen
tleman (whom he termed a real Minister) for his as
surance in predeftinating the infallibility of the success
of his military plan, and confuted his having said the in
tended force zvould do the bufnejs. He was answered by
Mr. Jenkinfon, who explained his expression.
At half past ten the House divided on the motion for
Sir Charies Whitw >rth's quitting the chair, when the
numbers were 227 Noes, 73 Ayes.
November 17. On Wednesday the House of Com
mons went into a Committee, to confider of the pe
tition from the province of Nova-Scotia, when they
came to the following reflation, viz. “ That the
propositions contained in the address, petition and me
morial, of the Council and House of Atiembly of the
province of Nova-Scotia, of granting to Majefey in per
petuity, a duty of poundage ad valorem, upon all com
modities imported into said province, not being the
produce of the British dominions in Europe and Ame
rica (Bay Salt, only excepted) the said duty to be under
the disposition of Parliament," is fit to be accepted ;
and that the amount of said duty shall be eight per
cent, upon all such commodities.
Lord North gave notice ne had in Ater of great conse
quence to impart to the House toward the latter end of
the week.
A (hip with General Burgoyne and Earl Percy are
hourly expected at Dover from Boston; the latter of
whom we hear will not return to join his regiment there
again in the spring, at the request of his noble father; he
being the eldest son, his Grace has been heard to de
clare it publicly, that for the fake of a commission he
Should not run the riik of his life and a Dukedom toge
ther.
Orders were Tuesday night sent to Portsmouth for the
Greyhound sloop of war, now in dock, and fitting for
America, to be got ready with all possible dispatch. It
is reported some perlons are to go in this (hip with
powers to propofc terms of Reconciliation, the event of
which may be known time enough to prevent the fending
more forces in the spring.
Before Gen. Gage left Boston it was determined that
the troops ihould winter there, instead of going to Hali
fax; in consequence of which the provincial army have
thatched their tents (or hutted, as they term it) to guard
against the inclemency of the weather, by which mea
sure they intend to keep the King's troops within their
lines, and prevent their foraging in the neighbouring
country.
declaring, that as the, had blundered before, the House
hadaright to fufpea their plan for the future. The Go
vernor spoke in defence of the General on the ground of
Mr. Jenkinfon's attack, and was very severe on the con
duct of the Mmiftry, refpeding Governqr Penn, whom
they had never questioned, although he came purposely
from the Congress to give them information, and was
certainly the most qualified person that they could apply
to. He said he saw the new measures were all matter of
rifque, and that there was no preconcerted plan of ope
ration, that therefore the fending a large force to Ame
rica was more likely to be attended with great expence
and great disgrace, than the success which Administration
talked of.
' ERTO WN, January 20.
Monday a large Ship from and owned in London,
laden with Coal, Cheese and Porter, bound for the Mi
niherial Assassins in Boston, was taken by one of our
Plivateers, and carried into Newbury Port.
ihe fame Day a Brig from Ireland, bound also for
Boston, laden with Beef, Butter, Cheese and Potatoes,
was likewise taken and carried into the fame Port.
Yeherday Captain Manly sent another Prize into
Newoury; where from, or what laden with, we have
not heard. ,
P Y{' EN CE, January 20.
I he following is sent us as a particular account of the
movements cf the fleet in the river since yesterday fe'n
night, and of the actions which happened in consequence
thereof. On Friday, the 12th instant, Capt. Wallace,
with all the vessels under his command, conlifting of 12
fail, came up the river from Newport, and at 4 o'clock
in the afternoon landed about 250 men on the island of
xruoence, where about 40 or 50 of our men were station
ed, under the command of Capt. Pearce. They were soon
fired on by the enemy, whicli was returned with much
spirit; but Capt. Pearce finding the enemy greatly supe
rior in number retreated, and with his men went off the
inland ; he had one man wounded and taken prisoner, and
it is said several of the enemy were killed and wounded.
The enemy about sun-set burnt seven houses on the island,
which being discovered here, his Honour the Deputy-Go
vernor, General Weft, Colonels Richmond, Martin and
Cook, Capt. Allen and Capt. Weils, immediately let out
t°, en d forces upon the island, by way of Warden and
Bristol, irom the former of which places General Weft
ordered 50 men, directing them tojoin such as Ihould be
collected at Warwick Neck, and proceed to the island.
His Honour, with the General, then went to Bristol, and
sent oft Major I alman, with 8c men in whale-boats, who
landed about the dawn of day. Capt. Barton, with a few
men, had landed from Head-Quarters, but these at War
v, ick-neck, were not able to join them, for want of boats.
About 9 0 clock in the morning the enemy landed about
250 men, and attacked Lieut. Car, who was Rationed
with a guard of 40 men to observe their motions; the re
mainder of our men, about 50 in number, soon coming
up, a smart engagement ensued, which lasted three hours.
The enemy several times sent out flanking parties, which
were as often drove back to their main body. They were
at length drove to their vessels, leaving our people in pof
'lhe order of the day being yesterday read in the House
of Commons, Mr. Burke proposed his much talked of
Plan for a reconciliation between the Mother Country and
America. After very ably touching upon the general
grounds of the dispute, and pointing out the apparent er
rors of administration, this accomplished orator begged
leave to introduce a Reconciliatory Bill, which he read to
the House, and was up full three hours and an half, in
giving a full account of the reasons, and their force, up
on which every clause of his bill was framed, and the
happy purport which it might effe<ft. Capt. Walfingbam,
in a Ihort speech, seconded Mr. Burke's motion. A long
and very intcreftmg debate emitted, which continued ma
ny hours. The following are the names of the principal
speakers, and the order in which they rose : Mr. Burke,
Capt. Walfingham, Welbore Ellis, Sir George Saville,
Mr. Grey Cowper, Lord Off^y, Mr. Fitzpatrick, the
Lord Advocate, Lord John Cavendiih, Mr. Saint Joan,
Mr. Adam, Mr. F. Townsend, Mr. George Onflow,
Governor Pownall, Mr. Mackworth, Lord George Ger
maine, Mr. Charles Fox, and the Solicitor General.
On Monday last Mr. Alderman Oliver gave notice to the
House of Commons, that he Ihould on that day fe'nnight
make a # motion tor an address to his Majelty, requesting
him to impart to the House who were the original authors
and advisers of the mealures which have been pursued
against America, before those measures were proposed to
the Houle. He said he was not unaware of the advan
tages and disadvantages of his situation in that house.
T^at he knew a nd lamented, tuat whilE an unconnected
individual was lets liable to be carried away with any im
proper measure of party or faction, such a person was for
" e ''9° feafo'h and at the fame time, less likely to be
fuccefsful in any measure that he could possibly propofc.
That no man or party of men having aperfonal right
to claim his assistance and lupport, so he could have 110
personal claim to, and (if he had any experience in these
matters) he feared he could have but little reasonable ex
pedation of the assistance and support of others.
He laid, that being of this opinion, and not anting in
concert, he Ihould not have ventured at this time to
make any motion in that house, if that which he had to
otter was not attended with circumstances of a very lin
gular nature, which entitled it to the countenance and
support equally of both sides of the House.
He laid, it could not have escaped any one's notice
what decidedly contrary opinions had been all along de
clared on the different tides of the house, relative to the
mealures against America.
lilac whilst administration triumphed and exulted in
the justice and wisdom, and (what was still more) in the
popularity of their measures; for, he said, they were re
peatedly boasting that the sense of the nation was with
them, yet those measures had been treated on the other
fide of the house with every expression of detestation and
contempt.
Ihis being the case, he said, his motion would serve
as a test of thefneerity and cenJiftency of both tides. For
chat, il they were Sincere, both those who admired and
thole who abhorred these measures must equally with to
know and make known the perlons who are really enti
tled to their admiration or abhorrence.
That the motion, therefore, which he intended to
make, containing neither censure nor praise, and for the
support of which he Ihould trust to the confiflcncy of both
sides of the house, would be merely to this effect: —
1 hat an humble address (for addrtfes, he said, were now
in fafhion) be presented by the house to his Majesty, hum
bly requeuing him to impart to the house, who were the
original authors and advisers to his Majesty of the mea
fuies which have been pursued against America, before
those measures were proposed in parliament.
he saw nothing of her afterwards. He fays there was n®
chance of any or the people being saved, as it blew very
hard from the S. W. Capt. Nichoifon was obliged to
throw 100 hogsheads of tobacco and a great quantity of
Raves overboard.
Sir Jeffery Amherst, General Hervey, and General
Frazer, it is said, are all fixed on, and have agreed to
go to America next spring, if the unhappy difference sub
lists so long between Great Britain and her colonies.
At twelve 0 clock this day arrived a mail from New-
York, brought by the Harriot Packet, Capt. Lee, to Fal
mouth: the lias brought a great many letters. This is
the lad mail that will arrive from thence till further or
ders.
In COMMITTEE of SAFETY.
Philadelphia, January 29, 1775.
Refolded, That this Board will, on Monday, the fifth
day of February next, appoint Officers for a Company of
Matroffes, to be immediately raised in this province, for
the service of Canada. And this resolve to be published
in the news-papers, to the end applications may be made
by such as choose to enter into the said service.
January 30.
As rags and lint are essentially necessary for the public
service, this Committee molt earnestly request the inhabi
tants of this city to colled what old linen they have, and
can spare ; and in the course of next week, persons, pro
perly authorifed under the hand ofthe Secretary of the
Committee, will call at their houses to receive it.
Such persons also as/ have Salt-petre to dispose of are
hereby notified, that ROBERT TOWERS, Commihary,
next door but one to the Presbyterian Meeting-House, in
Market-street, will receive the fame, and pay them there
f@r. Extras from the Minutes,
WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.
BY virtue of a writ to me directed, will be fold by public
vendue, on Monday, the 12th day of February next, at 3
o clock in the afternoon, at the house of Thomas Craig, in.
\Yalr.ut-ftreet, between Front and Second-streets, lately occupied
by Fergus Purden, one undivided fifth part (the whole in 5 equal
parts to be divided) of and in a certain two story brick meffuage
or tenement, and lot or piece of ground, with the appurtenances,
lituate on the nortli fide of Walnut-street, between Front and
Second-llreets aforefaid, containing in front, in the whole, about
25 feet, and in depth about 50 feet ; bounded by ground late of
Dr. Lloyd Zachary, deceased, and others; the estate of Joseph
Chambers ; seized and taken in execution by
WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
BY virtue of a writ to me di^bill be fold by public
, ven d ue > 00 Tuesday, the 13th day of February next, at 3
0 clock in the afternoon, on the premises, a certain cbmpleat
meffuage or tenement, known by the name of the Jolly Post,
and tradtor piece of land thereunto belonging, situate on the
Bristol road, about 6 miles from the city of Philadelphia, con
taining about 45 acres and 26 perches, with the appurtenances ;
late the estate of Joseph 1 hornhill ; seized and taken in execution.
^ __2LLH: lAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
BY virtue of a writ to me directed, will be fold by public
vendue, on Friday, the 16th day of February next, at 2
o'clock in the afternoon, at the house of Matthias Shiveley, in
Culheoppen, near Maybury's works, a certain log meffuage or
tenement, and tract or piece of land thereunto belonging, situate
in the townihip of Upper-Salford, containing about 138 acres;
bounded by lands of Michael Fry, and others. Also at the fame
time and place aforefaid will be fold, sundry horses, cows, im
plements of husbandry, grain in the ground, and houfhold and
kitchen furniture, &c. late the property of Yost alias Joseph
Martin j seized and taken in execution by
WILLIAM DEWEES, Sheriff.
THE Creditors of Joseph Richardson, late of Providence
town/hip, Philadelphia county, are desired to call on
Michael Hillegas, one of the Auditors, any time after
the tenth of February next, in order to receive a dividend of
their refpeFlive debts, against the said Richardson.
T tao Gl° uce fier, January 26, 1776.
A S ta ken from the fubferiber's, the latter end
4 § October last (supposed by mistake) A BAY MARE
and one of the fame colour left in room thereof. Whoever
made the mistake, is desired to return her to the fubferiber and
c ake a °T ^ a '°’ 7 " wi " be looked o ^ a s an intended
baud, and endeavours used to difeover the perpetrator.
^ °fj^™ ar y> t 7?6, Six Silver Table Spoons, ^
°J CT S# mu/ ^ s ^^ C. and four of L
marked E.Ra„d one marked W. P. Alfoa Pap so. foed
L 3. maker s name „, remembered. Also a P„ r c f Sifr
Tea ft Ary ft that ^ilfaure% ^^Q ow „ e ,
way gefthem again, fall have Thirty Shillings Paid h
f SIDNEY PhD,
N E W-Y O R K, January 29.
We hear from New-Jersey, that last Monday the people
in the sea port towns, having notice that a store ship with
coals, porter, cheese, &c. for the ministerial army in
Boston, was arrived at the Hook, a number of men in
a small vessel at night boarded, took and brought her
into port, where they have unloaded her. The cargoes
consists of 120 chaldron of coals, 100 barrels of porter,
300 kicks of potatoes, 10 pipes of four crout, 4 four
pounders, some powder and arms, and sundry other
goods : They brought 80 hogs from London, bat many
of them died on the voyage.
We hear from Long Island, that Col. Heard, with a
detachment of Minute men from the Jerseys, pursuant
to an order of the Continental Congress, has taken a few
of .the principal Tories in Queen's County, that others
are fled, and that all the rest had delivered up their
arms, to the number of near a thousand.
Large reinforcements are preparing in different parts,
with the utmost expedition, for the army at Quebec.
An account of the repulse of our little army there had
been received at Cambridge.
By two Gentlemen from Albany, we hear General
Schuyler has taken from the Inhabitants of John's town,
and parts adjacent, 670 odd muskets, and 9 pieces of
cannon, and brought off 15 prisoners.
PHILADELPHIA, yanuary 31.
A Gentleman arrived here in three weeks from St. Eu
ftatia informs, that the Pomona man of war, and the
Argo and Lynx sloops, were cruizing off that island, and
had taken seven or eight American veflels, and sent them
to Antigua; and that they had advice from Antigua, that
12 or 14 store-ships, bound from London for Boston,
were arrived there, having been blown off our Coast,
and more were daily arriving.
On the 17th instant, the General Assembly of Rhode-
Illand adjourned to the third Monday in February. Dur
ing their fittings the House ordered another regiment to
be immediately raised, for the defence of that colony.
session of the island, having the night before got on boar^
about 100 sheep, but no cattle are milling. Two of their
men were found dead after the action, and one wounded
in the thigh; they likewise carried off a number of killed
and wounded, particularly an officer, that appeared to
be badly wounded, and who, it is supposed, had the
command. We had only three men slightly wounded.
Our officers ahd men behaved with the greatest bravery;
and had there been boats at Warwick to carry over the
reinforcements from thence, it is thought the enemy's
whole party would have been killed or taken. Sunday
evening the enemy burnt two buildings on Patience-
Island, on Monday they cut a quantity of wood at Hope
lfland, and yesterday, it is said, returned to Newport.
Yesterday fe'nnight, while the B mb Brig lay off Pru
dence, the gunner and five seamen ihkde their escape in a
boat, and arrived fafe at Bristol.