The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1770-12-20 00:00:00

The Massachusetts Spy.
VOL. I.] From MONDAY, December 17, to THURSDAY, December 20, 1770. [N o . 53.
EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.
LONDON, October 2.
ON Saturday last the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, &c. opened the Common-Hall, for chusing a Lord-Mayor for the year ensuing. When the usual formalities were ended, the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen retired to the Council-chamber, and the Sheriffs proceeded to the election in the Hall. The names of all the Aldermen below the chair who have served the office of Sheriff, were read over, and received by the Livery as under :
Sir Henry Banks , --Long continued groans, howls and hissing, and only the hand of Mr. John Rivington in his favour.
Mr. Crosby , --All hands held up, shouts and clapping.
Mr. Peers , --Universal hiss, and one hand in his favour.
Mr. Nash , --Howl, hiss, and groan.
Mr. Halifax , --Hisses.
Mr. Shakespears , --A burst of laughter.
Sir James Esdaile , --Great shout of laughter, succeeded by something between a howl and a groan.
Mr. Kennet , --Immoderate laughter, howls, hisses, groans, and noises without a name.
Mr. Townsend , --Prodigious applause, shouts, and long continued clapping. All hands held up.
Mr. Sawbridge , --No hands held up, but the same applause as to Mr. Townsend.
Thereupon the Sheriffs declared Messrs. Crosby and Townsend to be returned by the Livery. The Sheriffs then, attended by the proper officers, went to the Council-chamber where the Aldermen assembled. The Aldermen proceeded instantly to election. Mr. Harley said he desired to be excused, he would not vote at all ; for that the persons whom the Livery had returned were alike to him ; he would vote for neither. Mr. Alspop repeated the same words ; he would not vote. Some of the Aldermen would have reasoned with them about the impropriety of this behaviour ; but they both replied -- No, we will not vote ; -- the Livery may return whom they please, but they cannot oblige us to vote. The other Aldermen then made choice of Mr. Crosby, after which the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, &c. returned to the Guild-hall, and declared Mr. Crosby to be duly elected Lord-Mayor for the year ensuing. Mr. Crosby was then invested with the chain. After which he came forward, and addressed himself thus to the Livery :
“ Gentlemen,
“ I AM most sincerely obliged to you for the honour you have this day conferred upon me ; an office of very great importance both to the city of London and
the kingdom in general ; especially in times like these, when we have such great and just reason to expect troubles both at home and abroad. I will be firm and faithful in the performance of my duty to you and to my country. I will grant you Common Halls whenever I am properly applied to for the purpose of procuring redress for the manifold and barefaced violations of our rights, which we have too long suffered to remain undressed ; and I will sooner give up my life than consent to give up your Liberties, which are notoriously attempted.”
This speech was received with bursts of applause. Mr. Lovell then addressed the Livery, in a short speech, for returning thanks to the two late Sheriffs, for their spirited conduct during their office, which being highly approved of by the Livery, a motion was regularly put and seconded for that purpose, and that copies of the Livery's thanks should be respectively given to these Gentlemen ; whereupon Messrs. Townsend and Sawbridge came forward, and in separate speeches, very politely thanked the Common-Hall for such marks of esteem and confidence. Mr. Sawbridge particularly said, “ that he must refer them to the remainder of his life for assurances that they did not misplace their confidence.”
After these motions were confirmed, another was made, “ That the thanks of this court of Common Hall be given to Michael Lovell, Frederick Bull, John Skey, Charles Sommers, Thomas Boddington, and John Lawrence, our committee, for their care and attention to the matter referred to them, relative to the companies of Goldsmiths, Weavers, and Grocers ; and particularly for their memorial presented to the Court of Common Council on Thursday the 27th instant, and that our said committee be continued.”
The several resolutions of that day were ordered to be entered by the Town-clerk on record.
The business being over, the Lord-Mayor, and Lord-Mayor elect, returned to the Mansion-house in the state-coach, where an elegant entertainment was provided ; at which were present, Aldermen, Stephenson, Kite, Turner, Peers, Shakespeare, Halifax, Kennet, Esdaile, Wilkes, Townsend, Sawbridge, Rossiter, Oliver, and the two Sheriffs.
Mr. Alderman Harley was very rudely treated by some of the populace on his arrival at the hall ; and on his going away they were still more insolent, so that he could not get into his coach, but ordered it away, and went privately out.
October 5. The French are alarmed at our negotiations and conduct, and mean in a few days to expostulate warmly on the part of Spain by some new delegate.

A gentleman who is just returned to London from a long residence at the Court of St. Petersburg, has favoured us with the following authentic description and character of the present Empress of Russia---Catherine II. is about forty one years of age, of a fine size and shape; her complexion is charming, her eyes bright and expressive; her manner of address is full of dignity, yet easy and engaging, owing chiefly to a most excellent understanding, and lively imagination, which shines in every feature, and excites the admiration of all who behold her. There is a commanding sweetness in her voice, expressive of great benevolence, which fixes the attention, and wins the heart;---and it is with wonder that she is sometimes heard talking with almost every foreign Minister in his own language.---Her Majesty excels in every accomplishment that adds grace and beauty to one sex, and is acquainted with most of the sciences that are useful and ornamental in the other. She has long been the delight of the people over whom she now reigns; she has studied their genius, and makes their good her principal care: and the late almost uninterrupted successes of her land and marine forces against the Turks has inspired them with a veneration for her judgment, which directs the motions of the war, and rewards the bravery of her soldiers. Daily instances confirm her warm attachment to Great-Britain; and of this openly she gives the only proof at present in her power---she treats Lord Cathcart, the British Ambassador, with more respect and attention than any other foreign Minister at that Court.
A declaration of war by France against the Russians is every day expected. The Russian Minister here has already communicated the grounds of the suspicions of his court on that head, and requested, in the name of his mistress, our early assistance.
October 6. A correspondent informs us, that Capt. Nathaniel Bateman will in a few days hoist his broad pendant on board the Triumph of 74 guns, to command seven sail of the line, destined to retake possession of Fort Egmont in Falkland island.
In case of a rupture, the Philippine Islands, we hear, will be attacked.
They write from Senegal, that the King of Brack had declared war against the French, and ordered his people to give no quarter to any Frenchmen that might be taken prisoners.
By a letter from the Mediterranean we learn, that thirty three sailors belonging to Admiral Elphinston's fleet, prompted with a longing desire after vegetables, with which the country near the Dardanelles abounds, inadvertently ventured on shore, and, on their return to the boat, laden with melons, cucumbers, &c. were surrounded by a detachment of Janissaries, and every man cut to pieces; amongst the thirty-three were twenty-two English sailors.
Five guineas are now given to receive an hundred, if war is not declared within a fortnight.
The minister of a northern potentate, supposed to be in confidence of the French, declared the other day, most solemnly in private, that he was not only convinced that the French did not instigate the Spaniards to a war
with us at present, but were greatly apprehensive of detrimental consequences to themselves from it, and used their utmost endeavours to prevent its taking place.
Octo. 7. We are informed, that a certain paymaster's accounts are at length finally settled, and that the balance remaining in his hands, amounts to 50,000l. which he is ready to pay into the Treasury as soon as he is called upon by proper officers.
Octo. 11. We hear that the purport of the answer, which Mr. Potter, the messenger, brought yesterday from the Court of Spain, is, "That therefore as Great Britain has no Ambassador, at the Court of Madrid, it was thought improper to send any other answer to the demands of the British Court by a messenger, than that as soon as possible a proper reply shall be sent to the Spanish Ambassador in London, to be communicated by him to the Secretaries of State."
The most respectable intelligence is received, that a select body of Spanish officers, attended by some French engineers, are now employed in traversing Spanish South America, inspecting and repairing all the fortifications of that immense coast.
Lord North (says a correspondent) has been blamed for not attacking the Spaniards immediately---he deserves praise for it. When one state has cause of complaint against another, the law of nations prescribes that recourse must be had to expostulation; when that fails, and not till then, grievances may be redressed by force of arms. Without these honourable forms, kings reduce themselves upon a level with the lowest pirates. Let it also be observed, that want of decorum was the very pretence which Spain urged against England at the breaking out of the last war, when General Wall told Lord Bristol, the British Ambassador at Madrid, That he might set out for England as soon as he pleased.
When Spain grows evasive in her answers, it is the sure portent of a war. This sign never yet deceived. It happened so in the beginning of the war in 1737, as well as in that of 1762. Both these instances are exactly similar to the present case,---and, no doubt, will be so in their consequences.
A general irresolution prevails among the merchants in the city; none are willing to enter into any foreign commercial engagements of any consequence till a more certain judgment can be formed respecting the disposition of the Spaniards.
We are well assured, that a noble Lord, last night at Arthur's offered a bet of fifty guineas, to fifteen, that if Great-Britain declared war now against Spain, France would declare against Great-Britain before the end of three months. His Lordship's reasoning was pointed and just: He observed that the undoubted and avowed cause of the last Spanish war was the great partiality shewn by the court of Madrid to that of Versailles; and that, upon a similar occasion, it was past all doubt the French would not prove themselves ungrateful; for that the interests, private and public, of those branches of the Bourbon family are so closely connected, that the blow which throws the one down will make the other stagger.

AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE.
BRIDGE-TOWN, [Barbados] November 3.
SUNDAY morning last, about half past three, came on a violent storm of thunder and lightning, during the continuance of which, St. Ann's Castle miraculously escaped destruction. On the north-east, east, and southward angles, it shattered the roof in a most terrible manner; it then entered the windows of the next floor, singed and splintered the window cases, ran through the different rooms, broke through the southern window, which it greatly damaged, took the corner of the shed over the well-room, forced a hole through the arch wall at the top, split the door thereof to pieces, and sunk into the earth by the foundation wall. On the north side, it drove a stone out of the wall near the magazine door, entered just below the lock, struck the plastering off the inward and outward doors and much singed them, but luckily missed the powder, of which there is a great quantity in the magazine. William Moore, Esq; his Majesty's Solicitor-General, who was there for the air, and Capt. John Duke, happily escaped unhurt, though both were in imminent danger, the rooms in which they lodged being in one continued blaze of lightning for a considerable time; and had not a heavy rain immediately succeeded the stroke, it is imagined the castle would have been on fire, one of the window cases continuing to smoke near a minute after. In consequence of this accident, a board of the Commissioners of Fortifications met on Wednesday, and, we are informed, gave orders for erecting an electric spire thereon.
WILLIAMSBURG, [Virginia] November 29. The Regulators of North-Carolina having threatened, we hear, to pay the Assembly a visit at Newbern, in order to force them to enact what laws suit their notions of government, his Excellency Governor Tyron has ordered the militia of several counties to repair to that place, and to remain there during the session.
November 30. This being St. Andrew's day, which is appointed by the charter of this city for the election of a Mayor, John Randolph, Esq; his Majesty's Attorney General, was chosen into that office for the ensuing year. At the same time Mr. Haldenby Dixon was elected one of the Common Council.
PHILADELPHIA, December 6. A letter received by the last packet mentions, that it was thought the differences subsisting between the Courts of Great-Britain and Spain would be made up, through the mediation of the Court of France, whose finances would not admit of her entering into a war at present.
We hear that the mails for Falmouth, for the future, will be made up at New-York the first Tuesday, in each month, instead of the first Saturday. And that the fifth packet from Falmouth, was added to that station, and will sail in her proper course.
Captain Gamble who left Liverpool the 18th of October, says, that they expected war would soon be declared in England, and most of the ships in Liverpool that were near sailing, were getting guns, &c. on board as in time of war.
NEW-YORK, December 13. On Tuesday last the General Assembly of this Colony met at the City-Hall, when his Excellency the Governor, was pleased to open the sessions with the following SPEECH.
“Gentlemen of the Council and General Assembly,
“WHEN his Majesty was pleased to confer on me a Government in this country, it filled me with the highest satisfaction, and I esteem myself peculiarly fortunate, in having been appointed to the command of this province, whose example has been the happy means of renewing that mutual intercourse between the Mother-country and her Colonies, which is so much the interest of both to preserve uninterrupted: This salutary reconciliation effected by the people of this province, cannot fail of endearing them in a particular manner to our most gracious Sovereign.
“The violent proceedings of the Spaniards, in dispossessing, in time of profound peace, his Majesty's subjects of their settlement at Fort Egmont, in Falkland's-Island; and the considerable naval armaments which we hear are prepared in consequence by his Majesty's orders, gives sufficient reason to apprehend that war may be the result---If this should happen, I have the strongest assurances that the security of this part of his Majesty's dominions will be a principal object of his care and attention; yet it is incumbent on us to consider what may be necessary for its protection against the sudden attempts of an enemy.
“Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
“You cannot be too early in your deliberations upon making provision for those exigencies in case our apprehensions should be verified. I have nothing more at this time to recommend to you, but the supplies for his Majesty's troops and the necessary support of Government.
“Gentlemen of the Council and General Assembly,
“The favourable opinion I have conceived of this colony, as well as my duty to his Majesty, will make me always solicitous to contribute whatever my authority, my credit or my abilities can furnish, to promote the welfare thereof: The highest pleasure I can enjoy will be faithfully to represent to his Majesty the zeal and unanimity of his subjects in it, and my greatest ambition to possess the esteem and affection of the people of this province.
DUNMORE.”
CHARLESTOWN, [South-Carolina] October 23. They write from Pensacola, that his Excellency Governor Chester of West-Florida, arrived there from England in August last with his family. The same advices say that settlements were fast establishing at the Natchez and other parts on the Mississippi, by families from the northern colonies.
WILMINGTON, [North-Carolina] November 14. Capt. Stephenson, arrived here in six weeks from Falmouth, informs us, that on Monday the 18th of October, being in the latitude 39, 27 N. longitude, 18, 40 west, he was brought to by a Portugueze Cruiser, who ordered him on board, telling him War was declared between England and Portugal and that he was his prisoner: Captain Stephenson assured the Portugueze that he must

be mistaken about the declaration of war, he having heard nothing of it when he left England.---He was, however, detained some time ; but the Portuguese finding he could get no intelligence from him to answer his purpose, he told him to proceed on his voyage, which he did and arrived here a few days ago.
Captain Stephenson is so fully persuaded that a war is already commenced, or will be very soon, that he has wrote to his owner to know, whether he shall sail from hence as soon as loaded, or wait for a convoy.
November 21. Captain Calender, on his passage here from Boston, spoke with a Schooner, which, a few days before that, had spoke with a ship from London bound to Charlestown, South-Carolina, out then eighteen days ; the Captain of which said War had been declared ten days before he left England.
The number of Highlanders that have lately come to settle here, is computed to be 1000 men, women and children.
THURSDAY, December 20. BOSTON.
It is observed in the English papers, that the way to prevent a war, is to prepare vigorously for one ; for our enemies imagine the fire at Portsmouth has put it out of our power to fit out fleets equal to theirs.
Thomas Goldthwait, Esq; is appointed Truckmaster at Fort Pownall, in the room of Mr. Prebble resigned.
A correspondent informs us, that one day last week a number of young Ladies met at the house of Mr. Martin Gale, in this town, and spun upwards of two hundred knots of fine thread. A most laudable example of industry, worthy of imitation by all the Fair, who wish well to America's prosperity !
DIED.] Mr. Thomas Salter, mast-maker.
ARRIVALS from this PORT. Pomona, Brown at Gravesend. Neptune, Bass at Jamaica. Bellisle, Everson ; America, Gorham ; at Philadelphia.
A very abusive paper, which was posted upon a door of a public building a few mornings ago, was taken from Mr. Otway's Venice Preserved , only with some alterations : A copy of that posted up, and the sentence it is supposed to be taken from in Venice Preserved we here present to the public.
Copy of that posted up.
“ TO see the sufferings of my fellow-townsmen, And own myself a man : To see the Court Cheat the injured people with a shew Of Justice, which we ne'er can taste of ; Drive us like wrecks down the rough tide of power, While no hold is left to save us from destruction : All that bear this are slaves, and we as such, Not to rouse up at the great call of Nature, And free the world from such domestic tyrants ”
From Otway's Venice Preserved.
“ To see the sufferings of my fellow-creatures, And own myself a man : To see our Senators Cheat the deluded people with a shew Of Liberty, which yet they ne'er must taste of ; [Yet whom they please they lay in basest bonds ; Bring whom they please to infamy and sorrow ;] Drive us like wrecks down the rough tide of power, Whilst no hold's left to save us from destruction : All that bear this are villains, and I one, Not to rouse up at the great call of Nature, And check the growth of these domestic spoilers, [That make us slaves and tell us, 'tis our charter.]”
ALL persons having accounts open with SAMUEL SLOPER, late of Boston deceased, are desired to settle the same with MARY SLOPER, Administratrix on his estate. And those indebted to said Estate are desired to settle immediately, or they may expect to be sued the first court.
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 POTASH 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.
AMES'S ALMANACKS for 1771, to be sold at the New Printing-Office, in Union-street, near the Market.
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.