The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-08-21 00:00:00, page 2

B ru^s wtc fc, to, to.
y HE Second divilion of our troops, defign^d lot
—^ America, are not marched hither. They cannot
,6nibly arrive there til! late in the yeah
L C^ p O N.
May I. Yesterday Giiy Johnson, Superintendent df Ih
tiian affairs, killed his Majeßy's hand, and took leave,
previous to his fettjhg out for America.
SAWBRIDGE, May^r.
A Common LdUncil holden at Guildhall, on Monday
tlfr tyh cf April; 1776, RESOLVED, that the Right
Hot!6 the L rd Mayor be refuelled to move the follow
ing refahdi>n in th/e House of Commons, " that his
" Mdjetyi Colonies in America be continued upon the
" fame footing of giving and granting their money as his
" Majeßf's fubjetts in Ireland are, by their own repre
" fenta^ives;" add the other repi'efentatives of this city
and such other members of this Court as are members of
parliamerft, are requeued to support the fame.
in A letter from a Hessian soldier going to America to
his friend in town, is the following remarkable passage :
“ We are all coming to England, and shall be happy if I
c ' have an opportunity of coming to London to fee you;
“ if not, you will do me a particular pleasure if you will
^ come down to the port where we shall lay till we em
" bark for America, for molt probably I shall nevet have
" another opportunity of feeing you again, as I intend to
" reside in America, and many hundreds of my country
“ men are resolved to do the fartie, having taken leave'
" of their country and friends for ever." By these reso
lutions our wife adnliniftrhtion will pay dear for their
hired troops, as by a stipulation, with the Landgrave of
Helle arad other German Princes, we are to pay 301. for
Severy man who shall not return, and 151. for every dif
^b!ed man. Betides these forfeitures, the expence of
tfahifeorting each man to the Continent amounts to np
tvatdii of that film. We are happy in every opportunity
of congratulating the Premier on the verity of his affer
tionS, for the above extract proves to a demonstration
that We must be in a most fiouriihing condition indeed !
May 18. A report prevails, that Duke Ferdinand, of
Brunswick, is going to enter into the French service
But this will admit of great doubt.
Extract of & letter from Paris, Ma, 17.
“ The King has, it is said, ordered 20 men of war to
be fitted out as soon as possible, and is going to make a
numerous promotion of field officers, which occasions
various fpechlatioiis.
The ministry have confidently asserted, in the House
of Commons, that the kingdom was never in a more
fhmrifhing condition, yet provisions of all kinds were
never so dear: The wealthy are finking into indigence,
the middling to the meanest date, and the poor to beg-
gary.,
Lord Stormont will return on his Ambaffy to France
immediately after the king's birth-day. It is said Sir
James Yorke is ordered home from the Hague, on feme
very important matters.
In Lord Howe's fleet were shipped a vast number of
frail cannon for the use of the army; they are on a new
conftrudtion, mostly about 4 pounders, so contrived that
one horse will carry two of them at a great rate, in any
roads, through the thickest woods.
HOUSE of COMMONS.
General Conway, after a speech of an hour, moved
for an address to his Majeßy, that he would direct to be
laid before the House, copies of the inftrudtions to Lerd
and General Howe, for making peace with America.
He arraigned the Conduct of the Ministry in very fe
were and pointed term's, and concluded his speech by ob
serving, “ That if the House- continued to vote at the
pleasure of the ministry, argument would have as little
effect there as the troops had in America."
He was seconded by Colonel Barre, who, in an ani
mated stile, condemned every measure that had hitherto
been taken, and observed, that whenever a motion of
this nature was to be made, he saw a sett of features to
which he was an intire stranger, except upon such trea
sury attendances.
Lord North combatted the arguments of both the
Colonel and General ; denied the necessity of Shewing the
accompts and orders, and argued upon the prudence and
good management of keeping that secret, which, if known,
night fruftrate future operations.
He was answered with severity by Lord John Caven
dish; Mr. Burke contended for the necessity of the mo-'
tidn, rallied the weakness of administration. Their mea
sures, he said, were full of blunders, their designs attended
with an uncommon fatality, and the execution of their
orders was such as served to heighten the spirit of the
Americans, and disgrace the glory of England.
Mr. Fox strenuously opposed every measure of govern
ment, canvassed every argument of Lord North's with
spirit arid judgment, and Did, they magnified every de
feat into victory, and every fhameful retreat into pru
dence, good conduct and heroism.
At length the question was put, when the numbers
we^e, For the motion, 85 Against it, 171.
General Lee has parted with all his possessions in Eng
land, and has invented is,ocol. in the Bank of Venice.
Ori Sunday the Elizabeth transport failed for Quebec,
with military stores.
The inefeafe of fearhen is so great since the last bounty
by proclamation, that there are at Chatham, Plymouth,
Portsmouth and Spithead, 1200 feameo, turned on board
the guard ships, over and above what were wanted for
manning the transports.
Portfmoulb, May 22. Arrived yesterday eight tranfport#
with Hessians for North-America.
Salisbury, Mar 27. Ori Friday Col. Guy Johnson, ne
phew to Sir William Johnson, passed through this city
on his way to Falmouth; where he is immediately to
embark for America, with some important dispatches.
BASSETERRE, (St. Kitts) July 6.
We hear orders are expected or are already arrived
from England, giving Admiral Young directions to cut
out of every foreign port all American vessels that may
be found there./
The Pomona has brought into the road of 'Sandy-
Point a Dutch ship, going from St. Euftatia', 'tis said, to
Amsterdam, loaded with sugars, but we are told she has
powder on board, and was bound to America. We hear
she is the property of Mr. D'Graff of St. Euftatia.
It is currently reported that English men of war in fu
ture will not be permitted to enter the road of St. Eu-
Ratia.
BOSTO N, August 2.
By an express from Falmouth we are informed, that
Capt. White, the day before, in a privateer, had arrived
there, having 40 men on board, with the particulars of
the following prizes he had taken, viz. The brig Fanny,
130 hogsheads of rum from Antigua; sloop Betfev, 150
bogheads of rum, and a brig from Antigua, for Liver
pool, with 230 hogsheads of rum ; brig Harlequin from.
Nevis for London, 273 hogsheads of sugar, and 6j hogs
heads of rum; ship Poly, from Antigua With 450 hdgf
heads of rum, 12 hogsheads sugar; ship Anna Maria,
495 hogsheads of sugar, and 52 pipes of wine, and some
bales of cotton, carried into Falmohth. The Captain
also took a seventh vessel, which he gave the prisoners.
Yesterday the Colonels Sergeant's and Whitcomb's re
giments set off on their march for Crown Point, and this
morning Col. Phinney's will follow, for the fame place.
Previous to their (the two former's) departure, they ap
peared on the green, and went through various firings,
&c. to universal acceptance.
WATERTOWN, August 12.
B, the lufl Saturday's Grozun-Peint poji zve have the fol
locoing Extras of a Letter, dated Ticonderoga, August
3,1776.
“ Col. Beedle and Major Butterfield (for their bad
conduct) are cashiered, and rendered incapable of bear
ing a commission in the army of the United States. Cap
tain Wentworth is calhiefed for disobedience of orders.
We came from Crown-Point the 17th of July, left one
regiment there; three brigades are emcamped on a hill
South-East from Ticonderoga fort, called Mount Indepen
dence, where we are railing some batteries to great ad
vantage; one brigade is encamped on the hill near the
old French lines, where they have fortified very strong.
We have now on the Lake two schooners, which mount
12 guns each, two (loops, and five gondolas, the gondo
las mount 4 guns each; add five gondolas more are
alirioft finished. I hope we shall be able to give our ene
mies a warm reception if they should dare to come."
We hear, that on Wednesday last was sent into Ports
mouth, by the Hancock privateer of Philadelphia, a large
fliip, (formerly a 20 gun ship) now mounting 14 guns,
bound from Jamaica for London, having on board 700
hogsheads of sugar, 200 of rum, besides other very
valuables, a fine prize. We hear she was taken by the
following stratagem, viz. just before dusk the evening
the Hancock came across her, the Captain of the prize
taking the Hancock to be one of the tyrant's pilferers,
was very much rejoiced to fall in with'her, and doubt
less, vice versa, when the Hancock at night threw out a
light fora signal as a pilot. At day light the next Corn
ing, the vefl'cls being near together, the Captain of the
ship invited the Captain of the Hancock to come on
board and take a breakfaft; who replied, his hands were
io few and lick, that lie had not enough to man his boat
and work the vessel, and in his turn invited the Captain
of the fliip to come 011 board him, which he readily com
plied with, by ordering his boat out, when he and about
a dozen of his bands went on board the Hancock, and
were taken as good care of as men in such circumstances
could allow. The Hancock then sent an equal number
of her own hands on board the ship, when, alas ! she
fell into the hands of the United States of America.
Saturday last one of Captain White's prizes ^mentioned
under the Portsmouth head) arrived fife in Boften har
bour, with 300 hogsheads of rum, &c.
PROVIDENC E, August 10.
Tuesday last arrived here a prize ship, taken by the Di
amond privateer, Captain William Chace, of this port:
She was bound from Dominica to Bristol, and has on
board 310 hogsheads of sugar, and 200 barrels of oil.
A prize ship, mentioned in our last to be taken by the
Montgomery privateer, Captain Daniel Bucklin, of this
port, is arrived at Dartmouth : She was bound from Bar
bados to London; her cargoe consists of 200 hogsheads,
40 tierces and 4 barrels of sugar, 106 hogsheads of rum,
127 bags and 15 barrels of ginger, 22 bags of cotton,
I pipe of Madeira wine, and 39 barrels of oil.
Another valuable prize, taken by the Montgomery, in
conjunction with a Salem privateer, is arrived at Fal
mouth.
Thursday last arrived here a French sloop from the
Weft-Indies, laden with melafl'es, &c. The Captain in
forms, that a fleet of 20 Spanifli men of war were lately
seen steering for the Havannah.
N E W-Y O R K, August 19.
/A gentleman arrived from Ticonderoga informs us,
/hat Gen. Burgoyne has endeavoured to persuade some
'tribes of the Canadian Indians to join the British army,
but they absolutely refufed, and were determined not to
take any part in the present unhappy dispute ; that should
a reconciliation between Great-Britain and America take
place at any future period, they were certain of being the
greatest fufferers, therefore chose to remain neuter.
Since our last, fix regiments of militia, from the State
of Connecticut, have arrived in town. They are an ex
ceeding fine body of men, well equipped and disciplined.
Friday last arrived here two companies of the third
battalion of the Philadelphia associators, commanded by
the Captains Semple and Henry, and it is said the whole
battalion are every hour'expe&ed to arrive.
Extract ofa letter from Providence, N. E. dated Augufli^.
" A ship from the Grenades, of 300'tons, has been
taken by two letters of marque (a sloop and brig) belong
ing to New-York, and carried into Boston; Her cargoe
consists of 200 hogsheads of sugar, 119 hogsheads of cof
fee, 435 bales of cotton. —One or both of the above let
ters of marque took another ship, with between 4 and
500 hogsheads of sugar; she was from one of the Wind
ward Islands, and is laid to be fafe arrived at the eafeward.
A brig belonging to this port arrived last Sunday fafe
in a harbour on Long-ffland, with a valuable cargoe from
Lisbon, chiefly consisting of powder and salt. The Cap
tain informs us, that a large French fleet lay off Cape St.
Vincent's, and that two British frigates were cruizing
about to watch their motions. Another brig, also be
longing to this port, in company with him, was taken by
one of the British pirates off Bermuda.
Last Friday two sire-ships, commanded by Captains
Fofdyke and Thomas (gentlemen volunteers of rank in
the army of the United States) proceeded up the North-
River, with intent to give a suitable warming to those
piratical gentry that have infefted it since the 12th of July
last. —The night was dark and favourable to the design,
and the enemy did not perceive our vessels till they were
near aboard of them. —Capt. Fofdyke grappled the Phoe
nix, but the fire not communicating so soon as was ex
pected, she difentangted herfelf in about 20 minutes, af
ter sustaining confide: able damage in her rigging.—Capt.
Thomas fell on board one of the tenders, which was soon
confirmed; and we are truly sorry to inform the public 1
that this intrepid commander is yet miffing.—This gal
lant enterprize (truck so great a panick upon the enemy,
that they thought it prudent to quit their Ration ; and
yesterday, taking the advantage of a frefh wind at S. E.
attended with considerable rain, they ran the gauntlet
through a great number of well direded shot from our
batteries in arid near this city, which undoubtedly must
have damaged them much. —Our gallies played smartly,
aid followed the ships a considerable distance into the
bay. The enemy's lire seemed to be mostly directed up
on the city, as the tops of the houses were crouded with
fpedators, but very little damage was done to the build
ings, nor any lives loft upon the occasion.
PHILADELPHIA, August 21.
$ We hear that the following is a Copy of the Declara
tion of Rights passed by the Convention of this State.
A DECLARA 1 .ON cf the FIGHTS of the Inhabitants
of the State of Pennsylvania.
1. AT all men are born equally free and indepen
l dent, and have certain natural inherent and un
alienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and de
fending lite and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protest
ing property, and pursuing and obtaining - happtnefs and
fafety.
2. That all men have a natural and unalier ble right
to worlhip Almighty God according to the dictates of
their own conferences and understandings: And that no
man ought, or of right can be compelled t® attend any
religious worship, or ere& or support any place of wor
ship or maintain any ministry, contrary to or agmnft his
own free will and consent. Nor can any man, who ac
knowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or
abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of his
religious sentiments or peculiar mode of religious wor
ship. And that no authority can or ought to be vested
in, or assumed by, any power whatever, that (hall in any
case interfere with, or in any manner cohtroul, the right
of confeience in the free exercise of religious worship.
3. That the people of this State have the sole, exclu
sive and inherent right of governing and regulating the
internal police of the fame: '
4. That all power, being originally inherent in, and
consequently derived from, the people, therefore all of
ficers of government, whether legirfdtie or executive,
are their trustees and servants, and at all times account
able to them.
5. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for
the common benefit, protection and security of the peo
ple, nation or community, and not for the particular
emolument or advantage of any tingle man, family or
let of men, who are a part only of that community;
And that the community hath an indubitable, unalien
able and indefeafible right to reform, alter or abc Uh go
vernment in such a manner, as shall be by that commu
nity judged most conducive to the public Weal.
6. That those who are employed in the leg Dative and
executive business of the State may be retrained from
oppression, the people have a right, at such periods as
they may think proper, to reduce their public officers
to a private Ration, and supply the vacancies by certain
and regular elections.
7. That all elections ought to be free, and that all
freemen having a fufEcient evident common intered with,
and attachment to the community, have a right 10 eha
officers, or be elected into office.
8. That every member of society hath a right to be
protested in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property,
and therefore is bound to contribute his proportion to
wards the expence of that protection, and yield his per
sonal service when necessary, or an equivalent thereto
but no part of a man's property can be justly taken from
him or applied to public uses without his own consent,
or that of his legal representatives; nor can any man
who is con fcientioufly ferupulous of bearing arms, be
justly compelled thereto, if he will pay such equivalent:
Nor are the people bound by any laws but such as they
have in like manner assented to for their common good.
9. That in all prosecutions for criminal offences a nKu
hath a right to be heard by himfelf and his council, te
demand the cause and nature of his accuLtion, to be
confronted witn the witnesses, to call so; evidence in
his favour, and a speedy public trial by an impartial
jury of the country, without the unanimous cement of
which jury he cannot be found guilty, nor can he be
compelled to give evidence against" himfelf, nor can any
man be justly deprived of his liberty, except by the laws
of the land or the judgment of his peers.
10. That the people have a right to hold tbemfdves,
their houses, papers and possessions, free from iaren or
seizure, and therefore warrants, wif # or c^ric . - af
firmations firft made, affording a fufficient Lmnca ion fir
them, and whereby any officer or meffer,^ may be
commanded or required to search firfpected places, or to
seize any perlon or persons, his or their property, not
particularly described, are contrary to that right, and
ought not to be granted.
it. That in controversies refpe&ing property, and in
suits between man and man, the parties have a right to
trial by jury, which ought to be held sacred.
12. That the people have a right to freedom of speech,
and of writing and publishing their sentiments, therefore
the freedom of the press ought not to be refrained;
13. That the people have a right tc bear arms, for the
A report was current last week that a French fleet had
arrived at Quebec, and that several very important events
had happened in Canada, but many improbabilities in the
account, and later advices from the fame place mention
ing nothing of the matter, give us reason to believe that
the whole account is entirely without foundation.
Troops from all quarters have been daily arriving to
our aftiftance since our last, and yesterday afternoon 14
fail of transports, full of hearty troops, arrived here from
the eastward, so that we can with great truth assert, that
we have now an army in and about this city, of at least
70,000 men.
, Every tide we expert an attack will be made on this
city, from the piratical fleet at Staten-Island.
WILLIAMSBUR G, A^uft 10.
A Correspondent has favoured us with extracts of let
ters from officers of rank in Fincaftle, from which we
learn, that on Sunday the 21st of last month (the day be
fore the engagement mentioned in our last) a large party
of Indians attacked the Watauga fort, in which were
150 men. They fired on a great number of women
who went out at day-break to milk their cows, and
chafed them into the fort,.but providentially did not kill
one of them. They tired briskly on the fort till 8 o'clock,
but without effect, and then retired with considerable
loss, as was supposed from the quantity of blood found ;
but they returned to the attack, and were belieging the
fort fix days after, as a messenger who was flipped out
informed our men on Holstein. A detachment was sent
to relieve the fort, and it was expected they would do
so on Monday the 29th. A party of 100 men of the mi
litia fell in with a party of 4c Cherokees, who were 50
miles on this fide the illand at one of the deserted plan-*
tations, and killed five, took one prisoner, and 20 guns.
It is worthy of our ,observation, that in these several
fkirmiihes with the Indians, in all of which we did more
execution than in some of the principal a&iouE of the
last war, we loft not a man. No one can refledion this,
arid many other circumstances which have attended the
present war with the British tyrant, without acknowledg
ing that he fees evident proofs of the Divine Interpo
sition in our favour.