The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1770-12-07 00:00:00

The Massachusetts Spy.
VOL. I.] From MONDAY, December 3, to FRIDAY, December 7, 1770. [N o . 49.
New Printing-Office, December 7th, 1770.
“It is not in mortals to command SUCCESS,
“But we’ll do more-----We’ll deserve it.” CATO.
P R O P O S A L S
FOR CONTINUING and ENLARGING
The MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
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To the PUBLIC.
THE Printer of the MASSACHUSETTS SPY, begs leave to return his sincere thanks to his present subscribers, for their kind reception of that paper, and the general approbation they have been pleased to signify of his endeavours to serve them.
As the institution of the Spy, was with a view of serving his country, as well as to acquire a moderate livelihood for himself, he hopes the PUBLIC will En-
courage a Young Beginner, whose utmost efforts shall be used to prove himself as great a FRIEND to True LIBERTY as any of his profession in the four quarters of the Globe; and therefore begs their attention to what he has now to offer.
The Free Use of the PRESS, has ever been acknowledged one of the greatest Blessings of Mankind, especially when its PRODUCTIONS tend to defend the GLORIOUS CAUSE of LIBERTY; and to point out to the world, those base and wicked arts of designing men, who fain would set nations together by the ears, and involve whole kingdoms in slavery!
Part of the design in this paper, is, to assist in detecting, and exposing to public view, those miscreants who, for the sake of private or public advantage to themselves, would sacrifice both their King and Country. And to assist as much as possible, in maintaining and supporting that LIBERTY for which our Fathers suffered in transferring it to us. To effect which, a great regard will always be paid to such political pieces as tend to secure to us our invaluable rights and privileges.
The other part of the publisher's design is, to give as copious a view as possibly can be obtained, of all Foreign Affairs, and the freshest Intelligence from Great-Britain, as it may from time to time arrive; and that which concerns the colonies, shall be particularly noticed in this paper. He will likewise be careful of properly collecting American Intelligence, and of inserting that, together with the particular transactions of this province. Also, to register every remarkable Occurrence, extraordinary Phænomenon, striking Anecdote, curious Invention, or new Discovery in Nature or Science, that may hereafter happen in Europe or America. And, if Variety of Matter, and Impartiality of Conduct, can give the Preference to a public Paper of Intelligence, he flatters himself, this will be such, as may entitle his labour to a favourable reception.
The publisher now takes the liberty of intreating the assistance of the Learned, the Witty, the Curious, and the Candid, of both Sexes, with whom he should be glad to cultivate a correspondence.
From the LONDON CHRONICLE.
Seasonable REFLECTIONS on the STATE of AFFAIRS of GREAT-BRITAIN, with respect to the other Powers of EUROPE.
HOWEVER we may be amused by the friends of the present Administration, with the hopes that the treaty of Paris of 1765, will be inviolably observed on the part of the French and Spaniards for some time to come,

yet the general face of affairs in Europe plainly indicate the speedy termination of that disgraceful truce.
The power of the united branches of the house of Bourbon has been augmenting ever since that accursed period; and to add to the strength and influence of France and Spain, the former has consolidated its interest with the Court of Vienna, by the Marriage of the Dauphin with an Archduchess of Austria. The daughter of that very Maria Theresa, that celebrated Queen of Hungary, who at one time was so persecuted by the French, that if it had not been for English blood, and English treasures, "she would not have had a town left to lie in at:" And the latter is solicited to assist the King of Portugal with a guard upon his frontiers, to prevent the escape of his seditious subjects: to send succours to the very Prince who but the other day was afraid of having his kingdom taken from him by the arms of Spain, and was then supported against that monarchy by the good natured English. The King of Portugal's Throne totters under him; he seeks the alliance of Spain, which will not be granted but on such terms as shall be prescribed by the Court of Versailles: Already the Minister of Portugal obstructs the commerce of the English, and laughs at the memorials and representations of a Ministry of London, who have neither power, credit, nor influence beyond the verge of St. James's. We may then look upon the alliance between Portugal, France and Spain, at present to be nearly perfected on an offensive and defensive footing. A future war will convince us of the loss we sustain by this new accession to the power of France. Her family alliance with the Empress Queen gives her another advantage. All the Austrian Netherlands, if not ceded to France by the marriage settlement, (which most people believe) will most assuredly be garrisoned by, and subject to, the military government of France on all future occasions, when France shall be at war with England.
The Emperor of Germany is privately as great an admirer of the King of Prussia, as the late unfortunate Peter III. of Russia, through he does not carry it to any ridiculous height, but it is generally believed in Germany, that he will follow his advice, and keep in close alliance with him in case of any rupture between the great powers of Europe. The King of Prussia is at present no friend to the British Court, and it is suspected this monarch and Prince Caunitz, the late Prime Minister at Vienna, weaned the young Emperor by degrees from that remarkable predilection he shewed in favour of the English nation at his accession, and some time after.
On Denmark we can have little or no reliance; a Court which has for many years been subsided by France and is now only attempting to look formidable, through the aspiring genius of a young Prince, whose system of politics cannot yet be known, but whose weight in the affairs of Europe is very trifling and inconsiderable.
It appears then, by this slight sketch of our situation, that only two powers in Europe remain with whom we can pretend the least alliance, viz. Holland and Russia--- the friendship of the former in time of war, is not to be valued, because it is not worth any thing; and as to the masculine Empress of Russia, in all probability, if the
Turks do not check her ambition, her subjects will; and her fall will be as rapid and fatal, as the dethroning and foul murder of her husband was sudden and tyrannical.
We do not mean, by this picture of our abandoned situation with respect to the powers of Europe, to plead in favour of continental connections, or to justify a British ministry in exhausting Great-Britain of men and money to support a visionary balance of power, which the moment perhaps that it is formed, might be overturned by some future wretched bigot, as ungrateful as the Queen of Hungary, for whom we preserved the equilibre; but to point out the infamous conduct of the negotiators of the peace of Paris, who left us destitute of the least shadow of an alliance on the continent, while France was assiduously strengthening herself on all sides by family compacts, and treaties of amity. It never will be said again, "that America was conquered in Germany," for we have not one friend in that extensive empire, or any part of the continent, the terror of whose alliance might check the progress of the House of Bourbon in a future war. Our danger will not arise from any contentions sword in hand, in Germany; we shall have no war to wage there; but the mischief is, that France, having nothing to fear from that quarter, will not have her forces called off from other enterprizes, to maintain a fresh conflict there; but will be able to collect and unite her whole strength, combined with that of Spain, and to have in view but one capital object when a rupture happens. This is no other, than the bringing the war home to our own doors; but they will not do this till they are quite ready: their treasury is not yet completely replenished; but it is in a much better situation than we are made to believe. As to their marine, when joined to that of Spain, it will be formidable: and it is well known, fleets are equipping in every principal port of the two kingdoms: It is likewise no secret, that though the poor are dying for want of bread in many provinces of France, yet all the royal magazines belonging to the army and navy, are supplied with corn sufficient for three years consumption.
If no hostilities are intended, if no war is meditated, why are the granaries for the use of the troops and of the seamen not opened, and the famine stopped, which rages so violently, and has occasioned in many parts of France the most dreadful riots, in which some thousands of the King's subjects have been massacred by the troops? Is it rational to suppose that the corn would be withheld if some great design was not in agitation? There is no concealing our fears when they are well grounded. The first blow, which the French and Spaniards strike against us, will be at home by a powerful invasion: It was a favourite scheme of the late Marshal Saxe, and will most assuredly be attempted, whenever there appears to be a prospect of success. And if ever this invasion should take place, soon after the firing of our docks, or when our fleets are far from home, or blocked up in our ports by contrary winds, or beaten at sea, we shall then feel the fatal effects of our luxury, of our depravity of manners, and fond attachment to the manners and customs of the very people, whom we ought always to consider as natural enemies.

FRESH INTELLIGENCE.
PARIS, September 12.
THE most magnificent and costly furniture is making for the apartments of the Dauphiness, both at Choisy and Fontainbleau. That Princess has rendered herself lately as agreeable at Compeigne as she had before at Versailles, by her sprightly and affable behaviour; she continually finds objects to exercise her liberality and generosity. As she was walking out one day she saw some harvest people a reaping, and going up to a woman who was at work among them, asked her to lend her her sickle, with which her Highness diverted herself with cutting some handfuls of wheat. Then returning the sickle, methinks, says she, you work very hard, indeed much harder than I thought, however, take this, it will, I hope, procure you some refreshment after your labour, and gave the poor woman ten Louis d' Ors. One of the Ladies who attended her, represented to the Princess that the sum was too large; to which her Highness made answer, if you was in the same situation as these poor people you would think otherwise; mind your own affairs, and never attempt to controul me in what I think proper to do; when my finances run short, I shall leave off giving, then I must stay at home, for the sight of distressed objects which one cannot relieve, is the most shocking that can present itself to a mind capable of feeling the miseries of others."
September 21. If we may credit the reports current, the Russians have forced the Straits of the Dardanelles with little loss; that their fleet was before Constantinople, and that the Grand Signior, with his treasure and seraglio, had retired to Asia Minor.
LONDON, October 2. The Spanish Ambassador, it is said, pretends the officer at Falkland's island has done what has happened of his own head, and that his court knew not a little about it.
By a Gentleman, lately arrived from Falkland's island, we learn, there are a large cluster of them, like our Orkneys, or Orcades, this being the largest. They are very fertile, but having few or no inhabitants, the fruits of the earth are the prey only of birds and animals, where the Spaniards go a pleasuring at a proper season to destroy them. It is imagined at any other time this would have been no bone of contention; but the old proverb in politics, that there are two reasons for every thing, "one they give, and the other keep," will explain the present handle for a rupture.
Extract of a Letter from Sheerness, September 24.
Last night arrived here General Conway, Sir Charles Frederick, &c. and this morning they viewed the garrison, and examined the state of the batteries, barracks, &c. and found them all in good condition; they were pleased to order twenty thousand sand bags to be provided with the utmost expedition, which are used to defend the walls, &c. in case of any attack. The men work double tides in getting the ships ready that are ordered for service. The pressing continues very warm."
The Parliament will certainly meet on the 13th of
November next. His Majesty having this day issued a Proclamation for that purpose.
A Gentlemen of character and fortune is sent off express to Madrid. The Ministry are determined not to act rashly in the present crisis, but to proceed through every step of this important quarrel deliberately and slowly; they are determined to stoop to argument, before they rise to blows. If the messenger meets with an honourable reception at the court of Madrid, and receives candid answers to his interrogatories concerning Falkland Islands, it will seem to merit a candid discussion on both sides; but if he is put off with shuffling, evasive answers, as it is thought will be the case, the express is to return immediately, and a British fleet will easily assert the British rights.
Tuesday last a letter was sent to the Lord Mayor, to inform him, that a Grand Council would be held in a few days, concerning the present critical situation of affairs, with respect to Spain; and to assure his Lordship, that he should be immediately acquainted with the determination thereupon.
Wednesday, after the breaking up of the Admiralty Board, an express was sent off to Falmouth, to be forwarded by an advice-boat, to the commander of his Majesty's squadron at Newfoundland.
This day came on at Guildhall the election of a Lord-Mayor of this city for the year ensuing, on which occasion the Lord-Mayor and Court of Aldermen went to Guildhall chapel to hear divine service. After the sermon, the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen returned to Guildhall, where, on a shew of hands, Bras Crosby and James Townsend, Esqrs. were returned by the Livery to the Court of Aldermen, who made choice of Mr. Crosby for Lord-Mayor. When Sir Henry Bankes was put up there was an almost general hiss, and only three hands were held up in his favour.
The general toast in most companies now is, Foreign War and Domestic Peace.
The sword of war, like the sword of Damocles, hangs as it were by a horse-hair. The matter in dispute between us and Spain, it is said, stands thus: Falkland island is considered by the ministry, as an object of no very great consequence, and which they can at any time easily repossess themselves of; but the affront offered to the nation in taking it, is looked upon the greatest. In resentment therefore for such an outrage to the laws of nations, as well as to the last treaty of peace, a messenger has been sent to the Spaniards, to let them know, that they must immediately reinstate us in possession of Falkland island and make good all the damage done there; that they must also now pay directly the Manilla ransom, without deduction or abatement; furthermore, that they must indemnify us for the expence of our present equipments, amounting according to estimate to 200,000 l. and make a proper apology for this scandalous infringement of peace, by their ambassador, otherwise, that War will be instantly declared.
Authentic advices from Leghorn, received this day, mention that the Russian squadron had battered for five days the fortification at the entrance of the Dardanelles.

but that a violent northern hurricane had obliged them to retire.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, Sept. 28.
“Orders came down by express this morning, for fitting out the following ships with the greatest dispatch, viz. Britannia of 120 guns, Princess Amelia 90, Essex 64, Northumberland 70, Thunderer 74, Worcester 64, Modeste 74, Pallas 36, Venus 36, Juno 32. Such sails for the above ships as are not ready, are ordered to be made by contract.”
AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE.
PHILADELPHIA, November 26.
THE following is an Extract of a Letter from St. Christopher's, dated the 10th instant, just arrived, viz. “By a Gentleman who arrived yesterday from Dominica, we are assured as a matter of fact, that the day before he left that island, some Gentlemen who arrived from Martinico brought advice, that a French frigate arrived at St. Pierre's from France, with dispatches for his Excellency Count de Ennerie, which were of such importance, as made it necessary for him to communicate the contents of them to the Governor of Fort-Royal, though then eleven o'clock at night. This causing some speculation among the inhabitants, they solicited his Excellency to inform them if they had any thing to apprehend from the English.---They were answered, they had not; but that Spain had already declared WAR against England, though the English had not yet declared. The frigate sailed in a few hours for Hispaniola.”
NEW-YORK, November 29. Capt. Reeves, in eighteen days from Quebec, sailed from thence in company with Captains Wier and Homer for Boston; he informs us, that on the 19th of October they had the most violent gale of wind at that place ever known in the memory of the oldest men living there, which lasted about six hours, and had it continued but a few hours longer, every vessel then in the harbour must inevitably have been split to pieces; as it was, several Vessels received considerable damage, and a Whaler from Nantucket, and two French vessels were entirely lost, with their Cargoes, within two leagues of Quebec, and the Crews of the two latter, consisting of about fourteen souls, among which were some women and children, all perished.
We hear the Lord Hyde Packet, Capt. Goddard, is arrived at the Hook, with several other vessels.
F R I D A Y, December 7. B O S T O N.
On Wednesday last ended the trial of the Soldiers, for the Murder of Samuel Gray, Patrick Carr, James Caldwell, Samuel Maverick, and Crispus Attucks, on the
evening of the fifth of March last, after being continued for nine days, successively, Sunday excepted. The jury went out about two o'clock in the afternoon, and in about two hours after brought in their verdict; Seven were found “NOT GUILTY,” the other two (Montgomery and Kilroy) were convicted of MANSLAUGHTER only , and are to be branded in the hand. Thus ended this long expected and important trial!
Yesterday was observed as a day of public Thanksgiving throughout this province, and the province of New-Hampshire
We are told, that several Reverend Gentlemen, yesterday, preached excellent discourses from these words of Scripture, “ Rejoice with Trembling ;” in which, some of them observed, that we had never more cause so to do than at present.
Yesterday his Majesty's ship Glasgow, sailed for London. We hear Captain Preston went passenger in said ship.
Sir Charles O'Hara, Governor of Senegal, sailed for England last September, in order, it is said, to establish a new form of Government on the Windward part of Africa, as well as lodge some complaints respecting the encroachments of the French in Gambia.
CREAM COLOURED WARE.
A LARGE and neat Assortment of cream and other coloured WARE, of the newest fashion, just opened, and now ready for sale, by wholesale or retail, Cheap for Cash, by FRANCIS SHAW, at the store lately improved by Mr. Robert Gould, opposite the sign of the Crown and Sceptre in Back-street. Where may be had the best warranted POT-ASH for making Soap for the use of families, at 3s. 6d. old tenor the pound, and cheaper by the quantity. Likewise, PEARL-ASH by wholesale or retail.
WHEREAS the Co-partnership of JOSEPH and DANIEL WALDO, is mutually dissolved. This is to give notice to all persons who have any demands on said company, to apply to DANIEL WALDO for payment: And those who are indebted to said company, are hereby directed to pay their several balances to said DANIEL WALDO, as soon as possible.
JOSEPH WALDO, DANIEL WALDO.
N. B. The said DANIEL WALDO continues the Business as usual. The customers of the late company, and all others, who may favour him with their custom, may depend on being used in the best manner.
Boston, November 11, 1770.
BOSTON: Printed by ISAIAH THOMAS, at the New Printing-Office in Union-Street, (near the Market) where this Paper will be regularly published every MONDAY and THURSDAY; and where Subscriptions, Articles of Intelligence, and Advertisements, &c. for this Paper, are taken in; and PRINTING, in general, done in a neat Manner, on very reasonable Terms.