The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1770-12-17 00:00:00

The Massachusetts Spy.
VOL. I.] From THURSDAY, December 13, to MONDAY, December 17, 1770. [N o . 52.
From the GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, for Aug. 1770.
Mr. URBAN,
I SEND you a Letter which was written by the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, to that excellent young Prince, Henry, the eldest son of James the first. It was published some years ago, in a collection that has got into but few hands; and without saying that it has any relation to the Court Principles of the present time, I may recommend it to your numerous readers, not only as a literary curiosity, but as containing sentiments which will always be dear to a good man, a good subject, and a good King. I am, &c. T. B.
TO PRINCE HENRY.
May it please your Highness,
THE following lines are addressed to your Highness, from a man who values his Liberty, and a very small fortune in a remote part of this Island, under the present constitution, above all the riches and honours that he could any where enjoy under any other establishment.
You see, Sir, the doctrines that are lately come into the world, and how far the phrase has obtained, of calling your Royal father, God's Vicegerent; which ill men have turned both to the dishonour of God, and the breachment of his Majesty's goodness. They adjoin vicegerency to the idea of being all-powerful, and not to that of being all-good. His Majesty's wisdom, it is to be hoped, will save him from the snare that may lie under gross adulations; but your youth, and the thirst of praise, which I have observed in you, may possibly mislead you to hearken to those charmers, who would conduct your noble nature into tyranny. Be careful, O my Prince! Hear them not, fly from their deceits; you are in the succession to a throne, from whence no evil can be imputed to you, but all good must be conveyed from you.
Your father is called the Vicegerent of heaven; while he is good, he is the Vicegerent of heaven. Shall man have authority from the fountain of good to do evil? No, my Prince: Let mean and degenerate spirits, which want benevolence, suppose your power impaired by a disability of doing injuries. If want of power to do ill, be an incapacity in a Prince, with reverence be it spoken, it is an incapacity he hath in common with the Deity. Let me not doubt but all pleas, which do not carry in them the mutual happiness of Prince and people, will appear as absurd to your great understanding, as disagreeable to your noble nature.
Exert yourself, O generous Prince, against such sycophants in the glorious cause of liberty; and assume such an ambition worthy of you, to secure your fellow-crea-
tures from slavery; from a condition as much below that of brutes, as to act without reason is less miserable than to act against it. Preserve to your future subjects the divine right of being free agents; and to your own royal house the divine right of being their benefactors. Believe me, my Prince, there is no other right can flow from God. While your highness is forming yourself for a throne, consider the laws as so many common places in your study of the science of government; when you mean nothing but justice, they are an ease and help to you. This way of thinking is what gave men the glorious appellation of Deliverers and Fathers of their country; this made the sight of them rouse their beholders into acclamations, and mankind incapable of bearing their very appearance, without applauding it as a benefit. Consider the inexpressible advantages which will ever attend your Highness, while you make the power of rendering men happy the measure of your actions. While this is your impulse, how easily will that power be extended.
The glance of your eye will give gladness, and your every sentence have a force of bounty. Whatever some men would insinuate, you have lost your subjects when you have lost their inclinations. You are to preside over the minds, not the bodies of men; the soul is the essence of the man, and you cannot have the true man against his inclinations. Choose therefore to be the King or the Conqueror of your people; it may be submission, but it cannot be obedience that is passive.
I am, Sir, your Highness's most faithful servant, WALTER RALEIGH.
London, August 12, 1611.
From a late LONDON NEWS-PAPER.
To the PRINTER.
IT seems to be a prevailing opinion in Great-Britain, that the Parliament have a right to tax the Americans, and that, unless they have such a right, America would be independant of Great-Britain.
And it seems to be a prevailing opinion in America, that by taxing them without their consent, and where they are not, and cannot be represented, you deprive them of the Rights of Englishmen, nay, in time, with the loss of the constitution, you will deprive them of Liberty and Property altogether.
This is a very interesting subject, the consequences in each case very important, though neither so alarming nor so dangerous to Britain as to America.
With regard to Great-Britain, if it should not prove so as is claimed, the consequence can only be this, that then no tax can be laid, or revenue raised, on the Americans, inconsistent with their natural rights as men, and

with their civil and constitutional liberties as Britons; but the dependency of the Americans upon Great-Britain will be as full and firm as ever. But, with regard to America, the mischief is beyond all expression, if the contrary should take place. If they are not to raise their own taxes, all their assemblies become useless in a moment, all their respective legislatures are annihilated at a stroke; an act passed by persons, most of them probably never saw, nor cared much for America, may destroy all the acts they ever passed, may lay every burthen upon them under which they are not expected immediately to sink; and all the civil and religious liberties, for which their forefathers went into this wilderness, and under the smiles of heaven, turned it into a garden, of immense consequence to the mother country, will, or may be at an end at once. Probably the present Parliament, or generation, will never carry matters to this length, but who knows what may be done in the next? The first settlers of the American Wilds never expected that would come to pass which we have seen already. They never expected it would be drawn into question, whether they themselves should give and grant their own money where they are legally represented; or whether the Parliament of Great-Britain should give and grant their money where they are not represented. Surely this proposition can never be admitted to be just, without admitting at the same time, that the Americans are upon a level with the meanest slaves. A situation, into which I should think Englishmen would disdain to reduce their fellow-subjects.
EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.
BUXTON, October 1.
THE truth of the following transaction may be depended upon: A Small-Wareman lately opened his box here before the Marquis of Granby, who picked out some toys for his sons, and likewise a toothpick, which the pedlar charged a guinea. "Are Toothpicks scarce at Buxton?" says the Marquis. "No, my noble Lord," says the pedlar, "but Marquis's are." The Peer threw down his guinea, and smiling said, "Ah, Mr. Samuel you are a Jew indeed."
LONDON, October 6. We are informed that a certain Danish Nobleman, lately divested of his employments, is now in London incog. The cause of his disgrace, is said to be the discovery of four intrigues he lately carried on with married ladies.
Died.] At his house at Whitehall, the Right Hon. Thomas Robinson, Lord Grantham, K. B. and F. R. S.---At Chelsea, Sir Richard Lyttelton, K. B. Governor of Jersey, &c.---In the 13th year of his age, the most noble George, Marquis of Tweedale, Earl of Gifford.
On the death of Sir Richard Lyttelton, the King immediately ordered a letter to be wrote to Sir Jeffery Amherst, offering him the government of Jersey---As in this he has rewarded a brave and generous man, and did not consult his Ministry, we may hope better days in other appointments. Sir J. Amherst immediately answered the letter with thanks, and acceptance of the office.
October 9. Yesterday morning, at three o'clock, Mr. Potter, one of his Majesty's messengers, who was sent with dispatches from hence to the court of Madrid, arrived at Lord Weymouth's office in Cleveland-Row from that place; his Lordship came to town in the afternoon, and on receiving the dispatches, brought by Mr. Potter from Spain, his Lordship immediately set out to Richmond, to wait on his Majesty.
On Friday and Saturday nights there was a very hot press on the River, every ship that came in was cleared of her hands, except the Captain, mate, and apprentices.
October 11. Tuesday night summonses were issued for the Parliament to meet as soon as possible; and it is thought they will be assembled this week: it is not certain whether this unexpectedly early meeting is occasioned by the evasive answer from Spain; or by the plague having broke out in France. Expresses were immediately sent to the members of both Houses of Parliament in all Parts of Great-Britain.
We do not hear that any messenger has been sent off for Madrid since the arrival of Mr. Potter. The truth is, more intelligence concerning the Spanish dispute is expected Saturday or Sunday next. If nothing satisfactory is received, final and conclusive dispatches will be sent off (perhaps by a messenger of greater importance and character than the last) to Madrid, who will be instructed to demand a Categorical answer within a few hours.---Thus much has transpired from a very respectable quarter.
The Spanish ambassador has absolutely refused to answer any questions concerning the present disputes that may be put to him by the ministry, till he receives instructions from his court, which are expected every hour.
Yesterday Lord Mansfield, with the heads of the Ministry, had a private conference with his Majesty.
We hear the Earl of Chatham and Lord Camden are both summoned to attend the grand Council on the Spanish dispute.
We are assured that there is yet another messenger at Madrid, waiting for the answer of the Spanish court to our last dispatches.
It is certain, that the Spaniards have a fleet of between forty and fifty ships of the line at Ferrol.
In case of a war with Spain, we shall have all the privateers of France poured upon us, with Spanish commissions; which will be a great annoyance to our trade; while we can take nothing from the Spaniards, for they have nothing to take, now their galleons are come home.
Two regiments of foot are ordered to hold themselves in readiness to embark, on the shortest notice.
This day the following promotions of Admirals took place; Sir Peter Denis, Captains Buckle, Montague, Shuldam, Spry, and Lord Howe. No other promotions will be made, till the war is declared, which seems inevitable.
The Plague rages at Constantinople.---at Bender which obliged the Russians to abandon the siege. Also at the Levant.---It is also said to be in France.
If the Plague is in France, it is feared it will not be long out of England.

AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE.
SAVANNAH, [in Georgia] November 10.
Commons House of Assembly, Monday, November 5, 1770.
THE House being informed of the much lamented death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, which lately happened at Newbury-Port in the Massachusetts government, and taking into consideration the many and uncommon instances of his friendly disinterested regard and attention to the welfare of the inhabitants of this province, as well as his benevolence to mankind in general, and unwearied assiduity in preaching the gospel wherever he had the opportunity, and this House being desirous to transmit to posterity the just sense they entertain of the virtues of the deceased, and to perpetrate the commemoration of them, have unanimously come to the following Resolutions, viz.
Resolved , That this House will provide a sufficient sum to defray the expence of bringing the remains of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield from Newbury-Port in the Massachusetts government, to be deposited at the Orphan-house in this province.
Resolved , That this House will provide a sufficient sum to erect a proper monument at the Orphan-house for depositing the remains of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield.
Resolved , That this House will provide a sufficient sum to defray the expence of putting the church of Savannah in mourning, on account of the death of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield.
Ordered , That Mr. Ewen and Mr. Crooke do wait on the Rector of Christ-Church in Savannah, and request he will preach a funeral sermon in memory of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield next Sunday. Accordingly they withdrew, and being returned, Mr. Ewen reported they had, according to order, waited on the Rector, and that he answered he would prepare a sermon accordingly.
Ordered , That the Clerk do write to the Rector and Church-wardens of Christ-Church in Savannah, acquainting them, that the House having come to a resolution to defray the expence of putting the church in mourning on account of the death of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, the House therefore requests they will be pleased to give orders accordingly.
Ordered , That a committee be appointed to enquire what will be the expence attending the putting the foregoing resolutions into execution, and report their opinion thereon to the House, and a committee was appointed accordingly.
M O N D A Y, December 17.
B O S T O N.
We hear that it is the opinion of all the politicians in England, that if hostilities are commenced between great Britain and Spain, America will be the grand scene of the war.
On Thursday morning last a paper was found posted upon a door of the Town house, tending, it is said, to inflame the minds of the people against the Judges of the Superior Court, then sitting here; for discovering, seizing, and bringing to justice, the author or authors of
said paper, his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has issued a proclamation, promising a reward of One Hundred Pounds, lawful money, to be paid out of the public treasury.
By Captain White, arrived at Philadelphia in eighteen days from St. Croix, we have the pleasure of informing our readers, that the account in this paper, of part of that island being destroyed by an earthquake, is without foundation.
Captain Watt, who arrived here last Thursday from Bristol, about three weeks ago, spoke with Captain Cole in a schooner from this port, bound for Liverpool; they were all well on board.
We hear that the press for seamen was so hot in England, on the beginning of October last, that 2000 men were pressed in one night in London.
Commodore Gambier has promised his Majesty's most gracious pardon, to all seamen and marines who have deserted his Majesty's ships on this station, if they return to duty before the first of February next.
Seamen are wanted for his Majesty's ship Tweed, bound for England, those who apply will meet with encouragement.
Last Friday, in the afternoon, Montgomery and Kill-the two soldiers lately convicted of Manslaughter, were branded for the same in court and dismissed. Saturday a sailor belonging to one of his Majesty's ships in this harbour, was whipped from ship to ship for desertion.
By a letter from a Gentleman in London, we learn, that his Majesty's has proposed to send a Clergyman of dignity to North-America the next spring in order to look into the state of the Episcopal Churches on this continent, and make report --- This may probably be a step preparatory to the establishing a Bishop on this Continent.
Monday last sailed from Piscataqua for the West-Indies, the ship Hampshire, Captain Curlett, with whom went passengers the Hon. Judge Madders, Chief Justice of Barbados, (who came there last summer for the recovery of his health) with his Lady and Daughter.
Not long ago, a child was baptized in Maryland, by the name of George Whitefield. Among all the children lately called after that late great and highly esteemed man, it is hoped one, at least, will be properly educated, so as to be the better enabled to imitate the universally lamented original, for otherwise, as a Lady of distinction not long since observed, it will be but little credit to him whom England and America now mourns the loss of, to see in some future day a George Whitefield, of a low and dirty business.
There were eight children baptized yesterday at the Rev. Dr. Elliot's meeting house, five were females.
We hear Machias at the Eastward, that some time last month a number of persons, displeased at having a civil Officer appointed among them, waylaid the Justice, beat him severely, and threatened him hard if he offered to act in his office; and that some time after they broke open his house and did him considerable damage; and being apprehensive his life would be in danger if he went

our, confined himself. The Magistrate and a number of the inhabitants have sent to the authority here for assistance and direction.
It is certain that at the time when the Soldiers fired in King-street, on the evening of the fifth of March last, there were only two or three women and several small children, besides a son of Mr. Green's, in the Custom-house, nor was there a gun in the house.
DIED.] At Hingham, Dr. Ezekiel Hersey; we hear he has left 1000l. sterling, for the founding a Professorship of Physic at Harvard College.---In Boston, Mr. Gregory, tailor.---Mr. Wood, shipwright.
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.
OPEN to ALL Parties, but Influenced by NONE.
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To the P U B L I C.
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 Encourage 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!
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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.
ISAIAH THOMAS.
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