The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-04-03 00:00:00, page 2

WILLIAMSBURG, March 23.
Weh? from North Carolina, that parties of men are
diverted all over the colony, apprehending fufpeded per
sons, ahd disarming all the Highlanders and regulators
that werh put to the r^te in the late battle. Ihe con
querors have already taken 350 guns and ihot bags, about
150 swords and dirks, 1500 excellent rifles, two medicine
chests frefh from England, one of them valued at 300 1.
sterling, a box Containing Half Johanneffes and Guineas;
Reread in a liable at Cools Creek, difeovered by a negro^
and reported to be worth 15,0001. sterling ; also thirteen
waggons, with complete setts of horses. Eight hundred
and fifty common soldiers were made prisoners, disarmed,
and difeharged. Col. Long has also apprehended several
of their officers, who are now in Halifax goal, viz. Col.
John Piles, Major Thomas Collins, Captains David Jack
son, Enoch Bradby, John Piles, Thomas Bradford, and
William Bradford; Lieutenants Stephen Parker and Da
niel M'Donald, the latter wounded through the thigh;
Ensign Downing, and Dr. Robertson York. There are
in the fame goal four persons of the name of Field, one
Turner, and three Bells; a midshipman, and a quarter
gunner of the Scorpion; likewise one Kingfborough
M'Donald, Colonels Hugh McDonald, Thomas Ruther
ford, Heftor M'Neal, and Alexander M'Donald; Captains
Morrison, M'Kenzie, Thomas Weir, Leggate, Solomon
Gross, Parsons, M'Coy, Muse, John Michefon, Neil
M'Carter, and Adjutant Fraser; Lieutenants Colin MTver,
Jolhua Hews, Canieron, Donald Hews, Donald
Cameron, and. sundry other Lieutenants and Ensigns,
whose names we have not an account of; Kenneth McDo
nald, aid de camp, James Hepburn secretary, Parson
Beattie, Aaron Verdy, waggon-mafter, and Dr. Morri
son, Commifiary. General M'Donald and Brigadier-
General M'Leod (the latter of whom was killed, and the
other taken prisoner) set out at the head of this banditti,
with the avowed intention of carrying Governor Martin
to the interior parts of the province. These two officers
passed through Newbern a few months ago, where they
took a solemn oath, before the committee of that town,
that their business in the province was only to fee their
friends and relations.
It is an undoubted fad, that between 8 and 9000 wt.
of gunpowder is just brought into this colony, from one
of the French Elands, with a number of field-pieces, four
and fix-pounders, some muskets, &c. Several French
gentlemen likewise came in the vessel, one of whom,
Shortly after their arrival, set out for Philadelphia.
While a couple of tenders were on their way up James
river, last Thursday night, which was very dark and
stormy, one of them got faft aground below Jamestown,
within a small distance of the shore ; and the crew, find
ing it impracticable to get her off, Raid on board till
next morning, when all hands left her, and rowed to the
other tender^ leaving behind a number of cannon balls, a
quantity of salt, some sailors clothes, &c. They then
proceeded up to a plantation of Mr. Harrison's of Bran
don, from whence they stole eight steers out of a cart,
and twelve lean cows, which they slaughtered and toolc
with them, for the use of Lord Dunmore's hungry fleet
2nd army, robbing the overseer likewise of all his house
hold goods, dripping the negro cabins, and carried with
them;by force, two valuable negro men, as recruits, we
fnppafe, for the Royal Regiment of Black Fuf Jeers.
About ten days ago, a sloop bound from Hispaniola to
Philadelphia, the property of Mr. Beveridge, merchant in
that city, and commanded by Capt. Forrester, was taken
in the Bay by a tender belonging to the Roebuck man of
war, and one Rogers, a midshipman, with five seamen,
were put on board to conduct her to Norfolk ; at the fame
time taking.out all the hands, except the mate and a boy.
in her voyage thither, one of the calks of wine in the hold
becoming leaky, by feme accident, the midshipman and
his party went down to flop the leak, when the mate and
boy, with great address, shut down the hatches and fecur
ed'the prisoners, and then pushed to the Eastern Shore
with the vessel and cargo, the latter worth at least 40001.
sterling. Capt. Hammond, on' hearing of this affair, or
dered Capt. Forrester, who was on board the Roebuck,
up to the prison ship at Norfolk, in a pilot boat, under the
escort of a midshipman and fix hands; but the vessel run
ning aground on an offter bank, two miles below Lord
Dunmore's ship, the midshipman ordered one of the sea
men into a canoe to do something for the relief of the
vessel, when Capt. Forrester seized the opportunity, and,
leaping into the canoe, cut the painter with a jack-leg
knife, on which the swung off with the tide; then turn
ing to the seaman, swore he Would cut his throat if he
otlered to obdrurt him in his escape. This menace quiet
ed the fellow till Capt. Forrester had paddled about 100
yards, when, finding his escape was practicable, he pull
ed with all his might, and both got fafely ashore, amidst
a cloud of curses and imprecations from the midshipman
and sailors. The Captain, and his comrade whom he has
taken, have gone to Accomack, to look after the vessel,
and to dispose of the cargo to the belt advantage.
Capt. Forrester informs, that the Kingfifher is gone
round to Boston, bo bring a number of ships of war up
Delaware River, to prevent the Philadelphians from mak
ing any farther preparations for the defence of their city;
it being determined upon, it fetms, that the grand attack
shall be made upon Philadelphia, as soon as the fleet and
troops arrive from England, but we hope will prove
equally abortive with the rest of the cursed ministerial
schemes to enslave America.
CAMBRIDGE, March 21.
Last Sabbath the British army in Boston, under Gen.
Howe, confuting of upwards of 7000 men, after fuffering
an ignominious blockade for many months past, difgrace
fully quitted all their strong holds in Boston and Charles
town, fled from before the army of the United Colonies,
and took refuge on noard their ships. The most mate
rial particulars of this signal event are as follow : About
9 o'clock a body of the enemy were seen to march from
Bunker s-Hill, and at the fame time a very great number
of boats, filled with troops, put off from Boston, and
made for the flipping, which mostly lay below the Castle.
On the firft difeovery of these movements, the Conti
riental Army immediately paraded, several regiments em
barked in boats, and proceeded down the river from this
place. About the fame time twomen were sent to Bun
ker's-Hdl, in order to make difeoveries. They proceed
ed accordingly; and, when arrived, making a signal that
the fort was evacuated, a detachment was immediately sent
down from the army to take possession of it. The troops
in the river, which were commanded by Gen. Putnam,
landed at Sewall's Point; where they received intelligence
that all the British troops had left Boston ; on which a de
tachment Was sent to take possession of the town, while
the main body returned up the rivet. About the fame
time General Ward, attended by about 500 troops from
Roxbury, under the command of Col. Ebenezer Learned
(who unbarred and opened the gates) entered the town
on that quarter, Ensign Richards carrying the Standard.
Th: command of the whole being then given to General
Putnam, he proceeded to take poffefnon of all the im
portant polls, and thereby became possessed, in the name
of the Thirteen United Colonics of North-America, of
ail the fbrtreffes in that large and once populous and
fluurifhing metropolis, which the flower of the British
army, headed by an experienced General, and fiipported
by a formidable .fleet of men of war, had, but an hour
before, evacuated in the most precipitate and cowardly
manner. God grant that the late worthy inhabitants,
now scattered abroad, may speedily re-occupy their re
fpedive dwellings, and never more be disturbed by the
cruel hand of tyranny ; and may the air of that Capital
be never again contaminated by the stinking breath of
Toryifm. .
The joy of our friends in Boston, on feeing the victo
rious and gallant troops of their country enter the town
almaft at the heels of their barbarous oppressors, was in
expressibly great. The mutual congratulations and ten
der embraces, which soon after took place, between thole
of the nearest connections in life, for a long time cruelly
rent affunder by the tyranny of our implacable enemies,
surpasses description. From such a sett of beings the
preservation of property was not expected. And it was
found that a great part of the evacuated houses had been
pillaged, the furniture broke and destroyed, and many of
the buildings greatly damaged. It is worthy of notice,
however, that the buildings belonging to the Hon. Mr.
Hancock, particularly his elegant mansion-house, were
left in good order. All the linen and woollen goods, ex
cept some that might be secreted, were carried off by the
enemy. All the salt and molasses, which they cou d find,
were destroyed. The enemy allo destroyed great quan
tities of effects belonging to themselves, which they could
not carry away, such as gun carriages, and other car
riages of various kinds, house furniture, &c. together
with a quantity of flour and hay. All their forts, batte
ries, redoubts and breast works, remain entire and com
plete ; they left many of their heaviest cannon, mounted
on carriages, and several of them charged ; all of them
were either spiked up or had a trunnion beat off. They also
left several of their largest mortars. Quantities of cannon
shot, shells, numbers of small arms, and other instruments
of war, have been found in many parts of the town,
thrown off the wharffs, concealed in vaults, or broken
in pieces. In the fort on Bunker's-Hill several hundred
good blankets were found. It is said, about 15 or 20 of
the King's horses have been also taken up in the town;
and it is thought about the fame number of Tories re
main behind, all the red being gene with the fleet.
We are told that the Tories were thunderstruck when
orders were iffned for evacuating the town, after being
many hundred times assured, that such reinforcements
would be sent, as to enable the King's troops to ravage
the country at pleasure. Thus are many of those deluded
creatures, those vile traitors to their country, obliged at
last, in their turn, to abandon their once delightful habi
tations, and go they know not where. Many of them,
it is said, considered themselves as undone, and seemed,
at times, inclined to throw themselves on the mercy of
their offended country, rather than leave it. One or
more of them, it is reported, have been left to end their
lives by the unnatural act of suicide.
The enemy, previous to their going off, scattered great
numbers of crows feet on Boston-Neck, and in the streets,
in order to retard our troops in case of a pursuit; and
with such silence and precaution did they embark, that a
great part of the inhabitants did not know it till after
they were gone. The prisoners, who were long confined
in goal, were cruelly carried off in irons.
To the wisdom, firmnefs, intrepidity and military abili
ties of our amiable and beloved General, his Excellency
George Washington, Esq; to the assiduity, skill and bra
very of the other worthy Generals and Officers of the
army; and to the hardiness and gallantry of the Soldiery,
is to be ascribed, under God, the glory and success of
our arms, in driving from one of the strongest holds in
America, so considerable a part of the British army as
that which last week occupied the capital of this province.
The enemy's fleet, consisting of about 100 fail, still lie
between the Castle and Nantafket.
WATERTOWN, March „.
Tuesday eveing the enemy set fire to the block-house
and barracks at the Castle, and Wednesday they were
employed at the fame place in blowing up and demoiifh
ing the fortifications.
A part of the Continental army is now employed in
fortifying Fort-Hill in Boston, to secure the town against
any attacks which may be made by the enemy's ships of
war.
We hear about 150 pieces of cannon, several thousand
bushels of wheat, and a vast quantity of coal, some hay,
flour, &c. have been found in Boston.
PROVIDENCE, March 23.
Captain Monro, from South-Carolina, informs, that a
large ship from Jamaica, bound to London, with a valu
able cargoe of sugars, had put into South-Carolina to re
fit, but was flopped by order of the Provincial Congress,
and it was thought would be condemned. —Several ves
sels laden with rice, bound for England, were likewise
seized by the inhabitants of Georgia.
Capt. Monro further informs, that the Provincial Con
gress have sequestered the estate of Sir John Stuart, the
ministerial Superintendant of Indian affairs, and also the
estate of his son-in-law (name unknown.)
NEWPOR T, March 25.
The minitierial flyet on this station, about a fortnight
past, took a double decked brig in Narraganfet Bay, be
longing to this place; they took off her upper deck, and
fitted her with 8 or 10 guns, and last Wednesday and
Thursday the whole fleet, consisting of the ships Rose,
Glasgow and Swan, two brigs of 8 or 10 guns each, three
armed tenders, and a large transport snow, failed on a
cruise, and next day in the afternoon returned again with
two prize sloops, both from Connecticut, one bound to
the Weft-Indies, and the other to the Eastward, loaded
with provisions.
N E W-L ONDO N, March 22.
By a vessel arrived here from South-Carolina we learn,
that three or four British ships are at Georgia, and had
landed 3 or 400 men, who joined the Tories, and drove
the Sons of Liberty out of the town (Savanna) but that
some thousands of men had marched from Charleftown
to their assistance.
N E W - Y O R K/ April i.
Thursday about 1000 riflemen arrived here from Boston;
and Saturday last Brigadier General Heath, with Stark's,
Webb's, Bond's, Patterson's and Greton's regiments,
arrived here from the fame place, by way of New-
London.
Part of Col. Dayton's Battalion from Elizabeth-Town,
and several companies from Connecticut, came to town
last week also; so that we now have here about Boco men.
Tuesday last arrived here from Philadelphia, Brigadier
General Baron De Woedike, the Hon. Benjamin Frank
lin, Esq; and several other gentlemen.
By the Albany post we are informed, that letters had
just come to hand in Albany, informing, that Governor
Carleton, one mornihg, had shot seventeen of his med
for refufing to fight: tha,t the few forces under his com
mand, as well as the people in general in Quebec, were
much divided: that our forces amounted to 5700 men,
and many on their march, which, when joined, would
augment our army to upwards of 6000 ; and that our
troops were to storm the city the 20th of March.
PHILADELPHIA, April 3.
EXTRACTS from the Totes of the Honourable House of
Reprefentatroes of Pennsylvania.
TUESDAY, March 26, 1776. P. M.
THE House again took up the Resolves of the Com
mittee appointed to confider the Refutations of
Congress, which having been read a second Time; and
separately agreed to, on the question, were transcribed,
and follow in these words, ariz.
, Refolded, I. That any Person or Persons whatsoever,
within this Colony, who shall harbour and conceal any
Deserter (knowing him to be such) from the Continental
Forces, or any other Forces raised within this or any o
ther of the United Colonies, for the Defence of America,
shall forfeit and pay any Sum not exceeding Fifty, nor lets
than Thirty Dollars, or fuffer three Months Imprisonment
for each Offence, being convicted thereof, by the Testi
mony of one or more Witnefles, before any two Justices
of the Peace of the City, Borough or County refpedive
ly, where such Offence shall be committed, who are here
by authorized to hear and determine all Offences contrary
to the above Resolve ; which Fine shall be deposited in
the Hands of the Overseers of the Poor of the City, Bo
rough or Township, where the Offence is committed, for
the Use of the Poor es such Place.
Refohed, 2. That the Commander in Chief, or the Of
ficer commanding a Detachment, or any Post in this Co
lony, have Power, and he is hereby authorized, to ad
minister an Oath or Affirmation to any Person or Persons,
to the Truth of any Information or Intelligence such
Person or Persons may give, relative to the Public, Mi
litary or Naval Service.
Refolded, 3. That there shall be erected, and confiant
ly held, in the City of Philadelphia, a Court of Justice,
by such able and difereet Person as shall be appointed,
from Time to Time, by the Assembly, and commissioned
under the Hand and Seal of their Speaker for that Pur
pose, whose Business it shall be to take Cognizance of and
try the Justice of any Capture or Captures of any Vessel
or Vessels, that shall be made by any Person or Persons
in Pursuance of the Resolves of the Hon. Continental
Congress, and brought into the Port of Philadelphia afore
faid ; and the Judge sq commiflioned to hold said Court
as aforefaid shall have Power, at all Times, to issue 4^
Warrant or Warrants to the Marshal of the City and
County of Philadelphia, hereafter to be appointed by the
Committee of Safety, which they are hereby impowered
to do, commanding him to summon twelve honest and
lawful Men of the County of Philadelphia aforefaid to
appear before the said Judge, at such Time and Place as
he shall appoint ; and the said Marihal is required to exe
cute said Warrant, and make Return thereof, as in and
by the fame he shall be authorized and directed.
Refolded, 4. That when any Person or Persons shall
take and bring into any Port, in this Colony, any Vessel
or Vessels, that have been offending or eniploy^d by the
Enemy, contrary to the Resolves of the Honourable Con
tinental Congress, such Person or Persons, so taking or
bringing in such Vessel, shall immediately make out a Bill
in Writing, therein giving a full and ample Account of
the Time and Manner of the Caption of said Vessel, and
the Employment ihe was in when so taken, and of the
Persons who were aiding and assisting in taking her, to the
best of his Knowledge, at the Time of her Caption, and
shall deliver the fame to the Judge who shall have Jurif
didion of the Port aforefaid, with all the Papers that may
be found on board such Vessel, to the Intent that the Jury
may have the Benefit of Evidence.therefrom arising; and
the Judge, to whom said Bill shall be delivered, shall im
mediately issue his Warrant or Warr.nts as aforefaid to
the said Marshal, commanding him, in Manner aforefaid,
to return twelve good and lawful Men to try the Truth of
any Fads alledged in such Bill ; which Jury shall be sworn,
or affirmed, to return and give a true Verdi& upon the
said Bill according to Evidence; and if it shall appear to
said Judge, by said Verdict, that such Vessel had been
employed or offending as aforefaid, he shall condemn said
Vessel, Cargo and Appurtenances, and order them to be
fold at public Vendue, and shall order the Charges of said
Trial and Condemnation to be paid out of the Money
such Vessel and Cargo shall fell for, into the Hands of
Michael Hiilegas, Esq; the Treasurer of this Colony, or
such other Treasurer as the AJlembly shall appoint, and
shall order the Residue thereofto be delivered to the Cap
tors, their Agents or Attornies, for the Use and Benefit
of such Captors and others concerned therein. An,d if
two or more Vessels, the Commanders whereof shall be
properly commissioned, shall jointly take such vessel, the
Money arising from' the Sale thereof, her Cargo and Ap
purtenances, after Payment of all Charges as aforefaid,
shall be divided between the Captors, in. Proportion to
their Men. And the said Judge, before whom any such
Trial and Condemnation as is afore-mentioned shall be
had, shall be, and is hereby authorized to make out his
Precept, under his Hand and Seal, directed to the said
Marshal, requiring him to fell such Vessel, Cargo and Ap
purtenances, and to pay thereout the Charges of Trial,
Condemnation and Sale, to the Treasurer as refold, and
to deliver the Residue to the Captors and Persons con*
cerned as aforefaid.
Refolded, 5. That there shall be paid to the Judge,
Jurors, Marshal and Clerk, out of the public Treasury,
such Fees as have been heretofore paid in the Port of
Philadelphia, in like Cases, or shall hereafter be established.
Refolded, 6. That when any such Bill shall be delivered
to such Judge, he shall cause Notification thereof, and
the Name (if known) and Description of the Vef el f©
brought in, with the Day set for the Trial thereon, in at
lead two of the public New-Papers, printed at Philadel
phia, fifteen Days before the Time set for the Trial, that
the Owner of such Vessel, or any Person concerned, may
appear and shew Cause, if any they have, why such Ves
sel, with her Cargo and Appurtenances, ffiould not te
condemned as aforefaid.
Refolded, 7. That the Process and Proceeding upon
any Vessel that shall be re-taken from the Enemy by any
Person or Persons, shall be in the fine Manner as is
herein provided for other Vessels; and to be f<ld and
disposed of in Manner aforefaid, for the Benefit and to
the Uses diredied by the Congress aforefaid, in Cases of
Re-captures.
Refolded, 8. That in all Cases an Appeal shall be allow
ed to the Congress, or such Person as they shall appoint
for the hearing andtrying Appeals ; provided the Appeal
be demanded within five Day§ after definitive Sentence,