The Pennsylvania journal, or, Weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-07-24 00:00:00, page 1

Assured of being favoured with your affirtance in every
measure for the speedy and effectual restoration of the public
tranquility, lam to request you will communicate from time
to time, such information as you may think will facilitate rhe
attainment of that important dhjc& in the province over which
you preside. I have the honour to be,
With great refoea and confideration,'
Sir, your raoft obedient humble servant,
HOWE.
By RICHARD VISCOUNT HOWE of the kingdom of Ire
land, one of the KING'S COMMISSIONERS for restoring
peace to his Majesty's colonies and plantations in North-
America, &c. &c. &c.
A declaration.
WHEREAS by an act puffed in the lart session of parli
ament to prohibit all trade and intercourse with the
colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-
Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Penufyivania,
the °T hree Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North-Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and for other
purposes therein mentioned, it is enabled that " It shall and
may be lawful to and for any person or persons, appointed
and authorifed by his Majesty, to grant a pardon or pardons
to any number or description of peer ns, by proclamation in
his Majesty's name, to declare any colony or province, colo
nies Or provinces, or any county, .town, port, diftria, or
place, in any colony or province, to be at the peace of his
Majesty;" and that, " from and after the issuing of any such
proclamation in any of the aforefaid colonies or provinces,
or if his Majesty fhculd be gracioudy pleased to lignify the
fame by his royal proclamation, then from and after the issu
ing of such proclamation," the said " a&, with refpe& to
such colony or province, colonies or provinces, county, town,
port, diftria, or place, shall cease, determine, and be utterly
void."
FSOLVED, That a copy of the circular letters and of
* the declarations they enclosed from Lord Howe to Mr.
W. Franklin, Mr. Penn, Mr. Eden, Lord Dunmore, Mr.
Martin and Sir James Wright, late Governors, feat to Am
boy by a fag and forwarded to Congress, by General Wash
ington, be published in the several Gazettes, that the good
people of these United States may be informed of what nature
are the Commissioners and what the terms, with the expecta
tion of which the infiduous Court of Britain has endeavoured
to amuse and disarm them; and that the few, who Bill re
main suspended by a hope founded either in the justice or
in deration of their lite King, may now, at length, be con
vinced that the valour alone of their country is to save its li
berties. Extract from the journals,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
EAGLE off the coart of the Province of
STR, Massachusetts-Bay, June 20, 1776.
Being appointed Commander in Chief of the ships and
vessels of his Majesty's fleet employed in North-America, and
having the honour to be by his Majesty conftiruted one of his
Commissioners for restoring peace to his colonies, and for
granting pardons to such of his fubjedts therein as shall be duly
folittcus to benefit by that efft €t of his gracious indulgence, I
embrace this opportunity to inform you of my arrival on the
American coast, where my firft object will be an early meet
ing with Gen. Howe, whom his Majesty has been pleased to
join with roe in the said Comraiffion.
In the mean time, I have judged it expedient to issue the
inclofed declaration, in order that all persons may have im
mediate information of his Majesty's mofi gracious intentions.
And I defile you will be pleased forthwith to cause the said
Declaration to be promulgated, in such manner, and at such
places within the province of New Jersey, as will render the
fame of the mod public notoriety.
And whereas the King, desirous to deliver all his fubje&s
from the calamities of war, and other oppreffens which .the,
now undergo, and to remote the said colonies to his protection
and peaces as soon as the constitutional authority of govern
ment therein may be replaced, hath been graciously pleased,
by letters patent, under the great seal, dated the Sixth day of
May, in the sixteenth year of his Majerty's reign, to nomi
nate and appoint me Richard Viscount Howe, of the kingdom
of Ireland, and William Howe, Esq; General of his forces in
North-America, and each of us, jointly and severally, to be
his Majesty's Commissioner and Commissioners, for granting
his free and genera! pardons to all those who, in the tumult
and disorder of the times, may have deviated from their just
allegiance, and who are willing, by a speedy return to their
duty, to reap the benefits of the royal favor: And also for
declaring, in his Majesty's name, any colony province,
county, town, port, diftria, or place, to be at the peace of
his Majesty, I do, therefore, hereby declare that due consi
deration shall be had to the meritorious services of all persons
who shall aid and assist in restoring the public tranquility in
the said colonies, or in any part or parts thereof; thatpardcfns
shall be granted, dutiful representations received, and every
Suitable encouragement given for promoting such measures as
shall be conducive to the establishment of legal government
and pea^e, in pursuance of his Majesty's most gracious pur
,ofes aforefaid.
, Given on board bis Majesty's ship the Eagle, off the coast
of the province of MaSTachufetts-Bav, the twentieth day
June x„6. " H 0 WE.
PENNSYLVANIA
WEDNESDAT,
WEEKLY
PHILADELPHIA.
In CONGRESS, fuh 19, 1776.
July 24, 1776,
AND
'ML''''■
:l^^^^^atal^&Li^^
" On Friday about eleven o'clock, the Commodore (Sir Pe
ter Parker) with his whole squadron consisting of two line
of battle fliips and fix frigates, the rates of which are marked
in he enciofed narrative, anchored at Icfs than half muSket
foot from the fort, and commenced one of the most furious
and incessant fires 1 ever saw or heard. It was manif.fi
ly their plan to land at the fame time, their whole regulars,
at the east end of the illand, and of course invert the fort by
land and sea. As the garrison was composed entirely of
raw troops, both officers and men, I thought it my duty to
cross over to the island, to encourage the garrison by my
presence. But I migh have saved myfelf that trouble, for I
found on my arrival they had no occasion for any fort of en
couragement. I found them determined and cool to the last
degree ; their behaviour would in fad, have done honour to
the oldcft troops.
I therefore beg leave to recommend in the strongest terms
to the Congress, the commanding officer, Col. Moutrie, and
his whole garrison, as brave foidurs and excellent citizens.
Nor must I omit, at the fame time, mentioning Col. Thomp
son, who with the South Carolina rangers, and a detachment
of the North-Carolina regulars, repulsed the enemy in two se
veral attempts to make a lodgement at the extremity of the
island.
" Our loss, considering the beat and duration of the fire,
was inconsiderable. We had only ten men killed on the spot
and twenty two wounded, seven of whom loft ihtir limbs,
but with their limbs they did not lose their fpirics ; tor they
enthusiastically encouraged their comrades never to abandon
the Standard of liberty and their country. This, I do allure
you, is not in the stile of gafconading romance usual after
every fuccefsful action, but laterally a tach I with gieat
pleasure mention the circumstance, as it augurs well to the
cause of freedom. At eleven the fiie ceased, having continu
ed just twelve hours without the leak intermission.
" The narrative of the five sailors referred to in the foregoing
Ie ter, who were on board at the time of the aftion.
" The Bnftol of fitly guns, c muanded by Sir Peer Par
ker, greatly damaged in her hull, large knees and timbers
foot through and fmaflied ; it the water had not been veiy
smooth, it would have been impoffibic to have kept her from
finking, all the carpenters in the fleet had been ca led to her
assistance, mizen malt shot through, main mast badly wound
ed by three fcvcral shot, torcmaft by two, rigging, fai's and
yards much damaged. The Captain of the Commodore loft
his left arm above the elbow; he was sent yHleiday (June
39th) to England in a brigantine ; the Commodore's bree hes
torn off, his thigh and knee wounded, he walks only when
fapporud by two men; forty tour men killed and thirty
wounded, among whom were many midshipmen and petty of
ficers ; twenty of the wounded dead Since the action ; talk in
the fleet, that the two large tihips would go over the bar again,
and proceed to English harbour in Antigua, to be repaired.
1 he Biirtol, when lightened as much as pcffible, draws eigh
teen feet water.
" Experiment of fifty guns on two decks all twelve pound
ers, a Slighter built velfel than the Bristol, exceedingly da
maged in her hull ; several port beat in one, her mizen mart
hurt, but uncertain of particulars; killed fifty seven, of whom
the Captain was one, wounded thirty, Several Sauce dead ;
draws when Sighted Seventeen feet water; the general opinion
that neither of these large Ships will go fafely over the bar
again ; Solebay twenty-eight guns, two men killed, four
wounded ; Active twenty-eight, Lieutenant killed, four
wounded; A&con twenty eigh; Sphynx twenty; Syren
twenty-eight, all got aground ; ,he fiift incoming up the two
latter in running away ; the Sp y x cut away her bowsprit,
the Syien got off ; Adeem remained tart—burnt and blown
up by her own people. While She was on fire, Mr. Miile
gan, one of the Carolina marine officers, and a party of men
boarded her, brought off her colours, the Ships bell, and as
many fails as three boats could contain.
" The Thunder bomb lay at a considerable dirtance,
throwing Shell's at die fort, and by overcharging had Shattered
the beds ad damaged the ship so much, as to render it
necessary for her to go into dock before She can a& again.
" The Friendship, an hired aimed vcffel of twenty-fix
guns, of various Sizes, covered the bomb, as did the Syren,
which also fired very briskly at the fort. The whole fleet
badly manned and sickly, particularly the Syren's crew, at
two thirds Short allowance of provisions and water ; they
have had no ftcfh meat rtr.ce their arrival (firft of June)
" Lord William Campbell had been very anxious for the at
tack, and proposed to take all the forte with only the Syren
and Sohbay.
" Lord Cornwallis and Gen. Clinton are both on Shore with
the troops at Long-Inland; his Lordship had, some time ago,
ugd Sir Peter Parker to attack on the sea fide, otherwise he
would irareh up, attack and take the fort, and complain of
Sir Peter's tardiness. The Commodore replied, Lord Corn
wallis might march his troops when he pleased, but the fleet
Extract of a letter from the Hon. Major General LEE, dated
Charleftown, July 2, 1776, to the President of the Congress.
" I Should have done myfelf the honour sooner of inform
ing the Congress of the attack made by the enemy's squadron
on Sullivan's illand, and their repulse, but conjectured, that
by waiting a day or two, I might probably be furnished with
the means of fending a more minute, full, and fatisfadory ac
count.
My conjecture was right, for yerterday five seamen made
their escape, one of whom is a more intelligent fellow than is
commonly found amongst men of his level. Enciofed is a
copy of their narrative. I may venture to congratulate Con
gress on the event. Not only the advantage must be consider
able, but the affair reflects no small credit to the American
arms.
THE
required a fair wind, the firft that happened he would pro
ceed agaiaft the fort. The Gen. at that time believed w had
no troops out of garrison, but he was soon better inf tmed,
being since repulsed, and drove back with lof>; he remained
quiet, and left the Commodore to enjoy the glory of being
defeated alone.
''The Negro pilot, who is exceedingly carreffed, was on
board the Commodore, and put down with the D uftor uuc
of harm's way.
“ Between 9 and 10 o'clock, the night of the action, the
Commodore and other ships began to Steal away, they made
no piping, nor waited to heave up their anchors, &ut Slipped
their cables; the Commodore has only one anchoi aud cablc
left.
" About 2 o'clock on Friday, some of the men cried out
the Yankees had done fighti g, others replied they were glad
of it, for they never had such a drubbing in their lives; they
had been told the Yankees wou>d not Stand two fires, but they
never saw better fellows; all the c< mmon men in the fleet
spoke loudly in praise of the garrison. There was a report
in the fleet that no quarters wou^d be given to the Americans,
and that five thousand pound had been offered fur Gen Lee."
The foregoing extract of a letter from Gen. Lee, as ' also
the narrative of the deserters, is published by order of
Congiefs. JOHN HANCOCK, President.
HALIFA X, June 4. —
We have the following minutes, taken by a gentleman
who went passenger in the Savage Sloop of war to Quebec
and is returned, viz.
Niger, April 20. Sailed from Halifax, for Quebec, with
three fail of uanfports under convoy, having uu board the
47 h regiment.
April 30. Joined the Triton, off Cape Chatt, with a con
vey from England. The Lord Howe and Bute traufports,
and three victuallers with the 29 h regiment.
May 8. AIIIV dat Quebec. The Jfis, Surprize and Martin
arriv.u mc6 hos May. The rebels flew from before Quebec
the lame day.'
15th. Sailed from Quebec.
19 h. Anchored at the Ide of Bic. The Hunter Sloop pad
us with an rxprefs to Eng and.
xirt. Th. V Ctory Schooner anchored at Bic from Quebec,
with an express for Aumiral Shuldam, had the misfomme to
spring both marts, .which obliged her to put back again, and
we took the expicfs on board.
2&d. Sailed from Bic. The fame day spoke the Juno,
Capt. Dalrymple and the Blond, Capt. Pownal, with 33 fail
undiriheii convoy, in which was the Generals Burgoyne and
Philips, with 4coo troops, who failed trom Spithead, April
4:0 The Carrioid and Pearl, with a convoy, failed from,
Ireland about .he fame time, with Col. Frazer, and Even re
gimes s, ziz. the 9 h, 20th, 24 h, 31st, 34 h, 54 hand 6%d.
An embarkation of Bruoiwick troops is expected at Poitf
mouih every day. The tirit di^li^ of HUliaas, contirting
of 8000, are like-wile expected at Porifmouih. A battariou
of guards were to emba.k in a few days t r B fro.
Extratt of a letter from Quebec receded po be Niger, and dated
^ebee Ma, 13th, 17,6.
I Shall endeavour co give yu as particu'ar an account
of our befegement, doing the course of the iaitwinter, as
,time and ciicumftauces wni permit, ( h ugh no dubt you
have heard pa 1 of it before) N,v 15 a, 1775, th rebels ap
peared on Abrahams P aius, and gave h ec huzzas, which
compliment we returned, and feat a few thot amongst them,
wh,ch they dd not seem to like, a d immediately left the
plains and encamped at a small distance from them.
" Dec. 19. They opened a bomb battery of five mortars,
which they piayed very briskly, but did very little damage.
Dec. 15;. They opened a battery of five pieces of cannon,
about me quarter of a mile from thi city, but our cannon
soon drove them from their work with the loss of many lives,
" Dec. 31. They Stormed the upper and lower towns in
three different pacts at once, having divided their army into
three brigades for that putpofe, but we like brave loldiers
beat them, with the loss of their General (Montgomery) and
his Aid de Camp (M'Pherfori) and Several other officers and
f^diers killed cu the spot, a number wounded, and better
than 40# taken prisoners, the whole amount ot their loss that
day was computed at 700 killed, wounded, smd taken prifin
ers, betides five mortars from their bomb battery, and several
pieces ot cannon. Our whole loss was cue Captain, and five
privates killed, and five or fix wounded.
“ I his spring the rebels opened two batteries upon the
city, but did us little harm.'
May 6. Three men of war and some transports arrived
from England, having on board the 29th regiment, who were
immediately landed, and we faHied out upon the rebels
which so terrified them, that they left their camp, equipage'
cannon, moitats, ammunition, &c. &c. and fled. r 3
“ Thus ended cur befiegement, which began, Nov. igth
1775, 2nd continued till May 6.h, i 7 75, inciufive, five Months'
three weeks and two days." *
N E W-Y O R K, ,i</, iB.
A gentleman, who arrived here on Tuesday evening
reports, that he saw the two ships of war and three tenders
ftandmg up the river, under fail, at 11 o'clock th; fame day;
the foremoft ship about 13 miles below Fort- Montgomery:
That 1400 of the militia were called into the fdrt, which,
considering the good condition it is now in, 'tis hoped will
be fofficient to repel! the u most efforts of the ffiip s to proceed
further up the river; their principal design no doubtis to de
stroy our two frigates on the stocks at Poughkeephe, which
are aimoft ready for launching.
We are informed that William Barrack and John Sneden,
two of the pilots on board the ships of war, were both killed
by the shot from our batteries in puffing them last Friday.
ADVERTISER.
JOURNAL;
July 24, 1776
THE
Numb." 1,55;