The Newport gazette (Newport [R.I.]), 1777-07-17 00:00:00

L O N D O N.
A Private Letter received from Lisbon being Advised that the Gens. had put into the Tagus, but was ordered to depart immediately; which she did, and the next day off the rock off Lisbon, with two large Portuguese Merchant ships, which the Privates made Prizes of.  St. Kitt's Dec. 9. Octavius Nibbs, Esq; of St. Kitt's, coming out of St. Pierre, Martinico, in his own Schooner, where he had been in business, was kidnapped by an American Private, who retained the Vessel and two Negro Boys, and set Mr. Nibbs on Shore again. He went immediately to the Governor, who ordered all American Property in Martinico to be seized, and full Restitution to be made to Mr. Nibbs.  The following is said to be the Disposition of the Fleet now fitting out:
   Of the Line. Frigates.     At Spithead, 12 6   For the Mediterranean 8 1   For the East Indies, 4 3   For North America, 5 46   For the West-Indies, 6 5   Total, 30 59  
His Majesty's Ship Victory, of 100 Guns, is in Dock, is ordered to be immediately repaired and fitted for Sea.
The Lords of the Admiralty, it is said, are going to adopt a new Regulation in the Navy. The Crews are to be divided, except upon an extraordinary Occasion, into three Watches; by which they will not be so much exposed to the Weather and Distress, as they are at Watch and Watch, and their Strength and Spirits much better preserved.
The last Letters from Paris mention, that the Court has prohibited the carrying out of military Stores of all Kinds, without a Special Licence.
Three West Indiamen, which went from the River to join the Convoy at Portsmouth, being too late, and having agreed to sail in Company, appointed the largest Ship, mounting 30 Guns, as Commodore; which Ship carries a Ponsant, and a Light in her Stern, as if she was a Man of War.
It is the Opinion of the Lawyers that Dr. Dods will be cleared from his present Commission; for they think, the legal Requirements for making Robinson a competent Witness not being complied with, his Evidence goes for nothing.
Advice from Amsterdam mentions, that an ingenious Physician, Dr. Firmis, has lately applied Electricity for the Recovery of Persons apparently drowned; and that in two Persons, where all other Methods failed, it was attended with the most happy Success.
The Emperor of Morocco, the Dey of Algiers, and the Dey of Tunis, have entered into a League offensive and defensive, for the support of the Levant States.
Extracts from Rebel Papers.
By a gentleman lately arrived from the Ohio, we have the following Intelligence: —About the beginning of last month Mr. James O'Hara was running at the Shawanese towns on the Scioto, where he was informed that there was a gang of young Indian fellows ready to go to war, consisting of fifteen Shawanese, two Wiardots, and one Miango; Mr. O'Hara was informed that they intended to way-lay him on his return to Pittsburgh; upon which he happily changed his course, and arrived safe at the above place with his people and effects. Two or three days after his arrival an express came to Fort-Pitt, with an account that the Widow Muchmore and her three children were found almost burnt to cinders, and her late husband killed and scalped near where the horse flood, opposite the mouth of Yellow Creek, on the Ohio. The same day another express arrived, who brought an account of a man being found murdered near Wheeling; also one Ogden, a Jersey man, was found killed and scalped near the mouth of Raccoon Creek. All the above murders were perpetrated on or near the Ohio. Two days after the above express, another arrived from Dunkard Creek, near the mouth of Cheat River, with an account of three men being killed and scalped there, and three others missing. Lieutenant Mason, at the head of ten militia, gallantly followed the murderers of the Muchmore family, and after a pursuit of 25 miles, came up with the Savages, who fought for some time and then gave way; Mr. Mason and his little party followed them some miles farther, but having no provision, and being in danger of falling into an ambuscade, returned to the field of battle, where they found three dead Indians, whom they scalped, some horses and other booty, which the Savages had taken from some white people. Mr. Mason thinks that they either killed or desperately wounded more of the Indians, as much blood was seen on the ground. —This brave young man was born near Winchester, in Virginia, and will no doubt meet a reward adequate to his merit. Another party followed the gang who committed the murder near Cheat, and it is hoped can give a good account of them. It was the general opinion that the Indians had divided themselves into three parties, and committed the murders much about the same time.
The inhabitants of the abovementioned places were in the utmost consternation; some fled one way and some another, and a few set about building forts; but it is hoped that the arrival of Brigadier General Hance will dissipate all their fears, and add life and vigour to their undertakings. As Brigadier Hance is universally beloved on the Ohio, the people will no doubt voluntarily flock about his Standard, and cheerfully go forth to snuff the Savage foe.
RECIPE for the CURE of the GOUT, published in one of the Berneux B. newspapers, which has been of infinite Service to many Persons there.
T AKE two ounces of gum guayacum, pound it very fine, and mix it with three quarts of rum, in one glass vessel, stirring and shaking it from time to time when it has remained seven or eight days, (you may allow ten in England) in a proper exposition to the sun, distill the liquor through cotton, or a piece of brown sucking paper, and bottle the whole, corking it tight. —The dose is one table-spoonful every morning fasting.
N. B. Be careful to cork the three-quart bottle as close as possible, but not fill it quite full, lest the fermentation of the liquor should cause the bursting of the vessel. — Brandy will not answer the purpose.
A PRAYER of Mr. DIX's, a Dissenting Minister at Townsend, near Concord.
O LORD! thou hast been the God of our Fathers; why wilt thou not be ours? —Time after Time, we have supplicated thee, to save our Country from the jaws of worse than belsh Tyranny: But thou art defeating us on every side. —And if thou turnest to our Enemies, and shall continue to delight in our Destruction, and to buffet us—we must seek ANOTHER GOD.
A LANCET CASE,
Containing Four Lancets, With a broad Piece of Tape about it, and a band'd BARCELONA HANDKERCHIEF, was LOST, on Monday, between NEWPORT and FOGLAND-FERRY. —It is requested, if any One should find either of the above Articles, they would be so obliging as send them to Mr. Howe, the Printer. July 14, 1777.
Just Imported from New-York,
AND TO BE
SOLD by JOHN HOWE,
AT THE
Printing Office in Thames-Street
The following Articles of
STATIONARY
  SUPER ROYAL,  Quills,    Post,  Account Books,    8vo's Cap,  Orderly Books,    Foat,  Red and black Wash-    Letter, and  ink Powder, and    Marble Paper,  Pencils,  

272 Extracts from Rebel Papers.
CHARLES TOWN, (S. Carolina) May 12.
Accounts are received from the West-Indies, that some Time last Month a small American Privateer, commanded by a Captain Forbes, having been beat off by a large Guineeman, the Captain removed his Guns and his Crew on board a French Schooner, and in her renewed the Attack, and would in all Appearance have succeeded, had not a British Man of War fallen in with him. There being no Possibility of escaping, the Lieutenant of the Privateer, a Frenchman, fired a Fusse into the Magazine, whereby the Vessel was blown up, and all the Crew, excepting Capt. Forbes and eleven Sailors, who were taken up by the man of war's boat, perished.
PHILADELPHIA, June 12.
Some time about Three o'Clock, we had Thunder, which did no other Damage with meeting one Half of the Crown near the Top of the Spire.
It is remarkable, says a Correspondent, that most of the Catastrophes of the Reign of the present Tyrant of Britain, have been preceded by some Omen that were characteristic. The Impotence of his Army in America, was indicated by the Sword of State being forgotten at the Coronation; and the Loss of the Colonies, by the Loss of the brightest Jewel of the Crown on the same Occasion. — QUEER. Should not the partial Destruction of the Ensign of Royalty on the Church-Steeple suggest to us, that in Philadelphia the Crown of Great Britain will fall to Pieces on the Head of King George, should his Troops be so mad as to cross the Schuylkill to this Place.
(The above Paragraph shews how exactly the factious American Leaders imitate their Predecessor Cromwell and his Associates, who by Visions and pretended Omens kept up the Enthusiasm of his fanatic followers.)
PHILADELPHIA, July 1.
Extract of a Letter from Gen. WASHINGTON to Congress, dated Camp at Quibble-Town, June 25, 1777.
"SIR,
With respect to the subject of the enemy's retreat from Brunswick to Amboy, and of the measures pursued to annoy them. At the time of writing, the information I had received respecting their Loss was rather vague and uncertain, but we have reason to believe, from intelligence through various channels since, that it was pretty considerable, and fell chiefly on the grenadiers and light-infantry, who formed their covering party. The enclosed copy of a letter corresponds with other accounts on this head, and with the declaration of some deserters. Some of the accounts are, the officers were heard to say, they had not suffered so severely since the affair at Princeton.
After the evacuation of Brunswick, I determined, with the advice of my general officers, to move the whole army the next morning to this post, where they would be nearer the enemy, and might act according to circumstances. In this I was prevented by rain, and they only moved yesterday morning.
It is much to be regretted, that an express sent off to General Maxwell on Saturday night, to inform him of General Greene's movements towards Brunswick, that he might conduct himself accordingly, did not reach him. Whether the express went directly to the enemy, or was taken is not known; but there is reason to believe he fell into their hands. If General Maxwell had received the order, there is no doubt but their whole rear-guard would have been cut off. Thus the enemy, concluding themselves, as we are well informed by persons in Brown Town.
A reconnoitring party just returned, is reported as a matter of doubt, whether
any of the enemy has removed from Amboy; though, it is almost certain, they have transported a great deal of their baggage.
"I have the honour to be, &c."
G. WASHINGTON."
"My it pleases your Excellency, I have thought proper to trouble your Excellency with the following intelligence, received three different ways, that the greatest part of the fleet from New-York harbour has removed to the watering-place and Prince's Bay, where the baggage and troops, passing from the Jerseys, are constantly embarking; that the transport at New-York, cut down for a floating battery, had twenty-six 24 and 18 pounders, and less off the Grand Battery in the river; another which they have been using for the same purpose is neglected and unman'd. General Howe arrived at New-York on Sunday afternoon, the whole of which day they were employed in removing the wounded soldiers from the city to five hundred men. Col. Campbell of the 57th regiment of British troops, garrisons New-York, with the assistance of the inhabitants, 50 of whom are obliged to do duty every day. I am, &c."
Published by Order of Congress, CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA, July 3.
We learn that Colonel Corlies, with about 300 men, took from Bergen (in light of New-York) the enemy's guard, brought off 70 head of cattle, and 270 sheep. This adventure gave a considerable alarm at New-York: soldiers were dispatched to recover the booty, but too late, it was gone.
That last week Major-General Stirling, who commanded a party of 12 or 1300 men, at Westfield, a few miles from Perth-Amboy, was attacked, and by stratagem almost surrounded by the main body of the enemy. Our men fought their way through them with great bravery, but were over-powered by numbers, and obliged to retreat, with the loss of 3 field pieces, 20 killed, and about 40 wounded. The enemy's loss is said to be considerable; they had a Colonel and some officers killed. Last Friday a party of our men, drove the enemy, took 30 prisoners, and two light horse.
We are informed that about 250 of the enemy, last Monday advanced as far as White Plains, where we had a small party, — our loss was eight men taken prisoners and two wounded. We learn that the enemy took three prisoners near Col. Phillips's, one of them a country.
Yesterday was executed at Peek's Kill, a soldier who had several times insisted and received the bounty, and was deserting to the enemy; he had enlisted and deserted from the enemy also.
At Danbury Dr. John Wood found in his well, 400 cannon balls, and 110 musket balls, supposed to be thrown in by the enemy, in their retreat from that place.
Last week Lieut. Ephraim Nichols, of Quaker-Hill, being ordered to apprehend some Tories at a certain house in that place; as he entered, he was shot dead on the spot. Some of the gang, 23 in number, are apprehended.
T HE liberal Provision made by Congress in the new Medical Arrangement, joined with a humane Desire to prevent the Repetition of the Distresses, which afflicted the brave American Soldiers the last Campaign, have drawn Men of the first Abilities into the Field, to watch over the Health, and preserve the Lives of the Soldiers; many of them from very extensive and profitable Practice, and every Species of domestic Happiness. Dr. William Brown, of Virginia; Dr. James Clarke, of Maryland; and Dr. Thomas Bond, jun. of Philadelphia; are appointed Assistant-Directors-General. Dr. Walter Jones, of Virginia; and Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia; Physicians and Surgeons-General
of the Medical Department. Under these none but Gentlemen of the best Education, and well qualified, are employed as senior Physicians and Surgeons, &c. The Bakers and Maltsters Departments are filled with Gentlemen of the first Character in those Countries; and the Public may depend on it, that the exactest Exercises of Skill and Industry shall be constantly made, and no Cost spared, to make the sick and wounded Soldiers comfortable and happy. As a Consequence of the above liberal Arrangement of the Honourable the Congress, we do, with great Pleasure, and equal Truth, assure the Public, notwithstanding the many false and wicked Reports propagated by the Enemies of American Liberty, and only calculated to retard the recruiting Service, that all the military Hospitals of the United States are in excellent Order, and that the Army enjoy a Degree of Health seldom to be seen or read of.
W. SHIPPEN, jun. Director General of
Hospitals.
J. COCHRAN, Physician and Surgeon General
of the Army in the Middle Department.
Head-Quarters, Middle-Brook, June 4.
1777.
(It must be no less Matter of Grief than Surprise, to every Man capable of Reflection to behold the various too successful Artifices that have been and continue to be made use of by a Set of patriotic Bankrupts, to lead their ignorant and unthinking Countrymen to the Field of Destruction. Among others, this pretended Hospital Arrangement deserves particular Notice. It is notorious from their own Confession, the Distresses these miserable Wretches endured the last Campaign. Every Movement of the King's Troops, shifted their Arrangement (as they call it) of their Hospital, and when any one was taken sick, he had nothing to do but lay down and die, unless Nature, kinder than those in whom he confided, threw off the Distemper under which he languished. On Account of this Destruction, Ticonderoga, was particularly distinguished among them as the "Slaughter House." Scarcely any returning Home again, that were engaged in that Quixote Undertaking. (And by the Way, we believe no few will return Home this Year) We have undoubted Intelligence from those who visited their Hospitals last Year, that they have been then rotting in their own Filth, weary of Existence, and begging for Death to put an End to their Misery. Doctors Gaudet and Perkins's Stores, at Boston, were robbed of all the Medicines which they contained, and the Rebel Physicians are now charging each other in their Papers, of having withheld and pillaged them; which will keep us from being surprised at the Conduct of those who were guilty of the same Practice at New-York. In short, such a Concentration of Fools and Rogues, have never before made their Appearance in History.
NEW-LONDON, July 11.
At a Meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety held in Lebanon, the 8th Day of July, A. D. 1777.
W HEREAS the Council of Safety of the State of New-York, by a Resolve of the 27th of June ult. have appointed Obadiah Jones, John Hulbert, and Thomas Deering, Esq; or any two of them to give Permit to such of the Refugees from Long-Island to reside in Connecticut, as they shall think proper, and at such Times and under such Restrictions as they may think prudent, to pass to Long-Island to get off their Effects.
VOTED and resolved, That this Board do approve of said Appointment.
And as it will be inconvenient to have the same Powers vested in different Committees or Bodies of Men: — It is further,
VOTED and Resolved, That all Powers hereafter granted to the Civil Authority Solely, as to Committees of Inspection or other Persons in Say-Brook and Stonington to grant Permits to said Refugees.

to Long-Island, and the Islands within the State of New York. Either of said only excepted, do and they shall be moved to determine. And the Civil Authority, Select-men, and Committees of Inspection in this State, are hereby directed and enjoined, for the future, not to grant Permits or Licences to any Person or Persons whatsoever, to pass to Long-Island, or other places, in the State of New York, in the power or possession of the Enemy, (Fisher's Island only excepted), upon any pretence or colour whatsoever. Attest Excerpt from the Minutes of Council Attest James Wadsworth, jun. Clerk P. T.
BOSTON, July 7. Extract of a Letter from a General Officer at Camp Middle Brook, June 23, 1777. I have the Pleasure to inform you I saw the British last Yesterday; General Howe and all his Army left Brunswick with the greatest Precipitation; there are the boasted Rumours that were to carry Conquest through America. Gone at Washington to at the Head of a fine Army, tolerably well clothed, armed, and disciplined, the latter improving daily; a few Months will render the American Force, in Point of Discipline, equal to any in the World. Where General Howe will lead his Army next is uncertain; he threatens New-England, but I believe he dare not attempt any Thing serious there; the Militia of this State turn out almost to a Man; they have done themselves great Honour; never was the Country half so well waited on at this Time. Gen. Howe displays a little dirty Spite against the poor Inhabitants in his Power, by burning all the Houses, Barns, &c. within his Reach; this Conduct may distress Individuals, but it increases the Reluctance of the Country.
PROVIDENCE, July 12. The latest Accounts from the Westward mention, that Howe's Army was at Staten-Island, and that it was expected they would soon proceed up the North River.
A Gentleman from Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, informs, that an Express arrived there on Sunday Evening, from the Northward, and brought Advice that a Body of the Enemy, from Lake Champlain, having been ordered to destroy a Quantity of Stores belonging to our Army, that were deposited near Skeensborough; they were attacked by our Troops, who killed a Number of them, put the rest to Flight, and recaptured the Stores. One Prisoner was taken, and in the Indian Manner; he proved to be an American, and was immediately hung up as a Spy.
By an Express which arrived this Morning from Lebanon, in Connecticut, (after a few of this Day's Papers were printed) we learn, that Howe's whole Army have embarked at Staten-Island, and fall down to the Narrows. Their Destination is not known. The Express also informs, that Advice is received in Connecticut, that our Forces have evacuated the old French Lines at Ticonderoga, and retired, with their Cannon, Stores, &c. to Mount Independence, about Half a Mile distant. Great Numbers of Militia were on their March, to reinforce the Garrison; and should the Enemy attempt that Fortress, it was not doubted but a good Account will be given of them.
The Cargo of Hessian, lately mentioned to have been taken and carried into Townsend, at the Eastern end, arrived at Boston last Week, under a proper Guard.
Tuesday last a Prize Brig arrived at a safe Port, with 119 Hogsheads of Rum, taken by a Privateer Brig belonging to Boston. She was bound from Jamaica to England. The Privateer was left in Chase of some other Vessels that failed in Company with the Prize.
A Brig is also arrived at the same Port from France, with a large Quantity of Dry Goods.
The same Day Capt. Clouston, in a Brig belonging to the Massachusetts State, arrived
at a safe Port from France; he has brought a large Quantity of Arms, Ammunition, Blankets, &c. &c.
NEWPORT, July 17.
The following Account of the Transaction of last Thursday Night is taken from the Providence Gazette.
Thursday Evening last, a Party of 38 Men, of the Troops belonging to this State, under the command of Lieut. Col. William Barton, of this Town, accompanied by Major Adams, of the Train, Capt. Phillips, Lieutenants Potter and Babcock, and Ensigns Stanton and Wilcox, went in five boats from Warwick Neck, with a view to take Major General PRESCOTT, Commander in Chief of the British and foreign Troops on Rhode-Island, whose Head Quarters were then at a House about four Miles from Newport. The Colonel and his Party, after passing the Enemy's Ships and Guard-Boats, landed about Twelve at Night, and with a "infinite Address and Gallantry," got to Prescott's Quarters undiscovered. A Centinel at the Door hailed, but was immediately secured, and the Party instantly breaking the Doors, and entering the House, took the General in Bed. His Aid-de-Camp leaped from a Window in his Shirt, and attempted to escape, but was taken a few Rods from the House. The Party soon after returned to their Boats, with the Prisoners, and some Time after they had put off, the Enemy fired Rockets from their several Posts, as Signals for an Alarm; but too late—the Bird had fled. The Prisoners were lately landed about Day Break, at Warwick-Neck. On receiving the intelligence here, a Coach was immediately sent, and the General, with his Aid-de-Camp, attended by Col. Barton and some other Officers, arrived in Town at 12 o'Clock.
The Rebels confessed that the Capture of the General was a Matter some Time in Agitation, but for Want of proper Intelligence it was deferred 'till their FRIEND or Friends in this Town remov'd every Scrupple which they had of his unguarded Situation.
By the Flag from Providence on Sunday, and several Gentlemen who arrived on Monday Evening, in a Flag from New-London, we have a Confirmation of the Defeat of the Rebel Army at Ticonderoga;—that that important Fortress is now in the Possession of the King's Troops. Various were the Reports of the Rebels concerning it, though all agreed that they had lost it. In general they declare, that only 500 of their Troops, or rather, as they more properly term it, their "Flying Army," have derived Benefit enough from their Heels to escape the Vigilance of our Troops, who, it is apprehended, would soon reach Albany. Captain Frebody, who arrived in the Flag from New-London, saw a Person from New-York, which Place he said he left last Friday Evening, who informed him, that the Army under Sir William Howe had quitted the Jerseys, and were then on Staten Island; that their Destination was not known, though generally thought to be the North River; that an Embargo had been laid on all Kinds of Shipping.
The Accounts of the Movements of our Troops in the Jerseys, as described in the Rebel Papers, some Extracts of which we have given our Readers, afford the most striking View of that Spirit of Gasconade, Contradiction and Absurdity, so peculiar to those mighty Boasters. In the first Place, we are told, that General Howe marched to Somerset, in Order to draw Mr. Washington from his strong Holds to an Engagement. This Mr. Washington declined. We are then told, that Gen. Howe, frightened by the formidable Appearance of the Militia, fled with the greatest Precipitation, to Amboy, burning all before him—though in the next Breath they tell us, he was so deliberate, as not to destroy any House belonging to a Tory.—Brunswick, they say, was to have been burnt; but they suddenly
273 by making themselves Masters of it, it was prevented—though Mr. Washington, in his Letter, declares, that the Rain prevented his taking Possession of it till the Day after our Troops had quitted it.—They killed between 2 and 300 of our Troops—though Mr. Washington declares to Congress, that his Accounts were vague and uncertain; which no One can doubt, when he tells them, these Accounts were from Defectors.—And, to crown the whole, the famous Mr. Sterling, (who knowing himself to be destitute of Merit, spent his Fortune to obtain a Title) unfortunately fell in with a Body of our Troops, and took, with his usual Dexterity, to his Heels, losing three Field-Pieces, and having, they say, 20 killed and 40 wounded.
By a Person who made his Escape from Taunton Goal, and arrived here last Thursday, we are informed, that there are a Number of Friends to Government confined in that Place; likewise, a Number of Highlanders had been confined in close Goal till very lately; that their Allowance had been miserable and scanty; and that the Sufferings of the Highlanders had been such, that they were at last glad to accept the Offer of the Rebels to work upon their Lands, as all Kinds of Labourers were difficult to be had.
We are assured that a great Part of the Rebel Army which has been raised at Boston, is composed of Sailors, who have been captured by American Pirates. These unfortunate Men, having nothing to subsist upon, were reduced to the Attractive of either Starving or inlisting.
Dr. Byles, of Boston, whose Condemnation we lately gave our Readers from a Boston Paper, is confined to his House, and a Centinel set over him. About a Fortnight since, the Doctor was much abused by the Centinel who was fixed over him; when, with a solemn Air, peculiar to himself, he cried out, "Let Fire come down from Heaven, and consume the ungodly." At the same Time the Doctor, by the Help of a Sun Glass, set Fire to a large Quantity of Shavings, which lay near where the Centinel was walking. The Fellow, in the greatest Agony, shrieked out, imagining that the Doctor's Prayer was heard, and that the Vengeance of the Almighty would immediately consume him. It was with the greatest Difficulty he could be undeceived and pacified.
We hear that Rum is five square Dollars a Gallon at Providence; and that Tea had been sold at fifteen Dollars per lb. in New-London. Grain of all Kinds is very scarce.—Pestilence and the Sword are raging amongst them already, and Famine, with its afflictive Horrors, will compleat the Scene.
Several Sloops have arrived here, from the East End of Long-Island, within these two Days; but bring nothing new.
THERE is wanted immediately, for MAKING HAY, for the Use of His Majesty's Troops, a Number of RAKES and PITCHFORK TAILS. —These are therefore desiring such as may have got either of these Articles by them, or proper Wood for making them, to send them immediately to the Commissary of Forage, who will pay them the current Prices.
JAMES CAMPBELL, Com. Forage. Newport, July 16, 1777.
N. B. If ASH cannot be had for the Pitchfork-Tails, Pine will do.
ANY Person or Persons who are willing to contract for the supplying His MAJESTY'S NAVAL HOSPITAL with FRESH PROVISIONS, or such other Necessaries as sick People may require, are desired to send in their Proposals, in Writing, to the Subscriber, upon examining their Terms, will give the Preference to the lowest Offerer.
JOHN HALLINGTON, Agent to the Sick and Wounded.

(The following Piece, which is extracted from a Boston Paper of June the 16th, is a sufficient proof of the miserable Situation the deluded Wretches are in, who yet continue to suffer themselves to be duped by a Set of Men, who appear to be satisfied with nothing, but the Misery of the whole Continent. Their Paper, they say, will no longer answer the Purposes of Money; for they frankly say, "The Soldier cannot subsist, nor will he engage, if his Wages will not now purchase one Quarter so much as formerly."—How long Men in these Circumstances, can continue their Opposition to a powerful Army, we submit to the Consideration of our Readers.
Mr. PRINTER.
I had fault with and complain of the conduct of others, especially of our legislative bodies, whose he very cautiously done, undoubtedly has a tendency to weaken the hands of government. Before the resolution is taken, is the time to speak with freedom, and argue with warmth; after that, it is the duty of every member of the community to put the reflexes of the body into execution. But where the people evidently feel the ill effects of a reserve, speaking of it with uneasiness will be the consequence, and writing our sentiments is no fault. Such is the case with regard to the regulating act.
That the act raising the prices of most of the necessaries of life, was at the time of making it, and is even now very popular, is certain; but it is not so certain, that it ever was as politic.
It was undoubtedly designed to prevent one of the greatest calamities that could befall us, the sinking of our bills. But unfortunately it has a great and powerful tendency to bring on the very misfortune it was designed to prevent; at least it would have, if strictly observed. Money may be of perfect good credit, and indeed always is full credit, when any quantity of it, be it ever so small, will certainly and regularly purchase any of the necessaries of life which are saleable. In order to make bills answer the purpose of money, it is necessary that there be the best assurances, that at some future time the holders of those bills shall be able to take their value in such articles as are money to whatever part of the world he is concerned with. But even this is by no means so necessary as that these bills be in immediate demand, and that there be a perpetual call for them. And the demand for our paper-currency is the greatest support of the credit, and the only means to preserve the usefulness of our bills. For it is a matter of very little consequence to most holders of bills, that they have the highest assurances that five years hence they shall be able to receive silver for their paper, unless at the same time he knows that there is such a call for his bills that his neighbour will turn out his spare meat and bread for them. This is as evident by practice, and on trial, as it is by the nature and use of bills, for it is well known, that when we used little or no money, but silver and gold, that the highest security for money, the best mortgage payable at a future day, could not be put off readily for money. Notwithstanding they were in the best interest, you could never sell them for money, and but seldom find an opportunity to sell them at a small discount. And this not because there was a doubt but the money was secure, but merely because they were not in personal demand.
The amazing plenty of bills we now have must make them cheap, for bills are like silver and gold, and other articles. Plenty will render them easily obtained, and scarcity make them dear. A writer in a
late paper very justly observed, that before the discovery of South-America, silver and gold was a hundred per cent. dearer than now. But that by letting the price of other articles rise as the plenty of gold increases, gold is still in as much use, and of as great demand as ever; it is money still. But if the law has forced me to receive so great a sum of money for my wheat, as the scarcity of wheat and plenty of money require I should, it has made my wheat a better and a dearer article than the money; and when it has raised the price of all other articles in the same manner, it has made the money the dearest of all articles; and this is just the situation we are now in. This law, has however, had a very ill effect in other ways; for it has not only had a tendency to render the money useless, by deadening the call for it, and making it remain on hand; it has discouraged industry, making a small quantity answer the purposes of a large; it has put it out of the power of the industrious to obtain the sum the course of business would give him; it has discouraged the faithful labourer, by giving the idle as much, for either may have his three and four-pence ; and it has shown the people that our wise men is afraid of the money, and has alarmed their suspicions and fears by taking so extraordinary a method to save them.
Nothing then, but making my neighbour want the bills, will make them valuable to me, and that will effectually do it, even though I may not be able to get a penny of either silver or gold for them these twenty years.
But the difficulty is not yet remedied; for the soldier cannot subsist, nor will he engage, if his wages will not now purchase one quarter as much as formerly. This is a very important objection, and any thing ought to be submitted to, to remedy the difficulty; but the misfortune is, that the remedy makes his money answer no purpose whatever, at the least, he cannot be affected by it; and besides, our army must be filled with men in a great measure, who are to fight, because they have occasion for more money than they have, because they want the wages and the bounty to answer the call there are on them for money, and therefore it is the scarcity, and not the plenty, is to induce them to engage. And indeed the evil is become so great, that every remedy that can promise assistance ought to be applied. And nothing certainly can so effectually answer the purpose, as calling in large quantities of bills by taxes, and these bills must be soon called in, in large quantities. Is it not better to begin now early, as they are much easier paid while the neighbouring States have large supplies of bills in our hands, and the money is thereby more plenty than it will be when they begin to increase the demand by calling in their bills? One hundred thousand pounds called in by tax, will increase the demand for bills, as much as a considerable larger sum destroyed at once, by accident, in the possession of the holders. And no other method has yet been found to answer any good purpose. The Lottery-Office a little; but the Loan-Office, (although it extremely well answer the great purpose of raising money, yet) perhaps, has rather increased than lessened the plenty of money, as the whole sum borrowed immediately circulates, and in many instances, the bills are doubled by circulating these very Loan-Office tickets.
We have the saving our money, the raising of men, the keeping down prices of all the necessaries of life, the universal call of the people, and every other motive, to induce us to call on the people to pay in their bills. And although this will effect-
ally keep down the prices, and will not letting the prices of every thing run up all they reach the plenty of bills, tend (at least in some measure) to preserve, is not the credit, at least the usefulness and value of our bills? Certainly it will have a tendency to encourage industry and great exertions. It will not encourage running principally after those little knick-nacks, the less useful articles of life, which are not so easily fixed, and therefore fetch larger prices.
A COUNTRYMAN.
Newport, July 3, 1777.
To be Sold to the highest Bidder
BILLS OF EXCHANGE
To the Amount of FIVE or SIX HUNDRED POUNDS sterling, to defray the Expenses of his Majesty's Naval Hospital. Whoever is desirous to purchase the Whole, or any Part thereof, must send in their Proposals to the Subscriber, who will give the Preference to the Person that offers the most advantageous Terms.
JOHN HALLIBURTON, Agent to the Sick and Wounded.
WANTED for an OFFICER, A NEGRO SERVANT, who can be well recommended, and take Care of His Servant—Enquire at the Prison.
NEW FLOUR TO BE SOLD, By Simon Pease.
TO BE SOLD, By ISAAC HART, At his SHOP on the North Side of the GRAND PARADE and at his Warehouse on the Point.
(As CHEAP as at any Shop in Newport) The following GOODS, just Imported, via
  YARD-WIDE and 7/8ths do. Cotton Checks, Yard-wide Irish Linen, Royal Plaidies, Irish Sheeting, Rum ditto, Cambick, An Assortment of Linen Handkerchiefs, Black Barcelona do. Coloured ditto, An Assortment of Luteestring ditto, Ditto Negligee ditto, Barcelona ditto, An Assortment of Scott Thread, Best white Silk Stockings, White Silk Mitts, Back ditto, Women's Shoes, Souchong Tea, Bohea ditto,  Loaf Sugar, Madeira ditto, Coffee, Pepper, Allspice, Mace, Nutmegs, Sweet Oil, Crackers in Bags, Corks, Madeira, Red Port, and Claret Wines, Jamaica Spirits and Barbadoes Rum, Holland's Geneva, Best London Stout Porter, Spermaceti Candles, Tallow ditto, Soap, Candles and Pigtail Tobacco, Gessie's Biscuits, Knit Socks, Whale-Bone,   With an Assortment of Glass and Earthen Ware, and many other Articles.
TO BE SOLD, By MYER POLOCK, NEW-ENGLAND RUM, by the Hoghead, Tierce, Barrel, or smaller Quantity.