The Newport gazette (Newport [R.I.]), 1777-03-13 00:00:00

NEWPORT
GAZETTE:
PUBLISHED
WEEKLY.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1777.
By MAJOR-GENERAL RICHARD PRESCOTT.
WHEREAS sundry Inconveniences may have arisen to his Ma- jesty's Sea and Land Forces, from Persons in this Town selling spirituous or other Liquors, without having first obtain'd the Licence of the Commandant or Deputy-Commandant of the Town for so doing:
In Order, therefore, to prevent the like Practices in future, and to ascertain the Number so licensed to sell Liquors, all Persons having obtained, or who may hereafter obtain, such Licences, are hereby required immediately to register them with the Town-Major.
And all Persons presuming to sell Liquors, contrary to this Order, must expect to have their E&C. immediately seized on. Given under my Hand at Newport, this 5th Day of March, 1777.
RICHARD PRESCOTT, Commandant. By Order of the Commandant, HENRY BARRY, Town Major.
STOPPED,
TWO PAIR of CANDLESTICKS and FOUR SALTS.—Whoever has lost them, on proving their Property, may have them restored, by applying to the TOWN MAJOR.
CORUNA, Sept. 28.
ON Wednesday last, at two minutes past seven o'clock in the evening, we had a very smart shock of an earthquake, which threw down some walls, but did no farther damage.
HAGUE, Oct. 18. The States General have published a Proclamation, forbidding, under the same penalties as before, the exportation of warlike stores and ammunition to the British colonies in America, or in the British bottoms, for the space of one year, from the proclamation, which is the 20th of this month.
MARSEILLES, Sept. 30. The squadron commanded by M. d'Abou, anchored the 21st of this month in the gulf of Juan, near Cannes, and on the 28th entered the port of Toulon, where the fleet has received orders not to disarm.
HANOVER, October 11. A few days ago, Col. Faucit took the route to Brunswick, in order to proceed further into Germany, to negotiate a greater number of troops for the service of Great-Britain. Prince Charles of Mecklenburg, Lieutenant General and commandant of this city, is set out from Darmstadt with the Princess his consort, on a visit to the Prince of Hesse. It is said, that on his return some new changes will take place in the military department.
From the LONDON GAZETTE. St. James's, October 25.
WHEREAS it is requisite for the public safety, in the present conjuncture of affairs, to prevent the exportation of provisions; it
is therefore hereby ordered, by his Majesty in Council, that an embargo be forthwith laid upon all ships and vessels laden in the ports of Britain and Ireland, with black cattle and hogs, beef, pork, butter, and cheese, or any sort of provisions, except fish, corn, or grain of any kind, or pulse; and that the said embargo do continue and remain upon such ships and vessels until further order; but it is his Majesty's pleasure, that the said embargo shall not extend to any ships or vessels that shall be employed in carrying provisions to any of his Majesty's West-India islands, or any of his Majesty's colonies in North America, except those in actual rebellion.
St. JAMES'S, October 29. The King has been pleased to constitute and appoint James Wallace, Esq.; Sir Roger Burgoyn, Bart. Jonas Hanway, Alexander Chetwynd, Thomas Colby, John Batten, and Henry Pelham, Esqrs. to be Commissioners for victualling his Majesty's Navy.
The King has been pleased to nominate and appoint James Earl of March, to be first Commissioner of the Police in Scotland, in the room of the right honourable Charles Lord Cathcart, deceased.
The King has been pleased to appoint John Earl of Breadalbane, to be Vice Admiral of Scotland, in the room of John Earl of March.
LONDON, October 24. Yesterday morning early, some dispatches were received at Lord Suffolk's office, brought by a person of rank, from the Lords of the Regency of the Electorate of Hanover; they were immediately transmitted to his Majesty, and are said to be of very great importance.
The last four packets from Holland brought over a number of recruits raised in Germany, who are quartered in Languard for, till such time as transports arrive to take them on board.
It is said that the above recruits are intended for the 60th or Royal American regiment, now at Jamaica, many of the officers of that corps being Germans.
Recruiting parties are sent from the three regiments of the foot guards, for completing their complement of men to the same number as they were before the last draught was made, to form a brigade to be sent to America.
A Committee of Sequestration is appointed in each of the rebel colonies in America, who proceed in their deliberations with the same moderation towards the King's friends, as that in Cromwell's time did in England.
Lady Howe was on Saturday last at the Queen's Palace, and met with a most gracious reception from their Majesties. This worthy Lady has had the singular happiness of seeing three of her sons head the British armaments against the common enemy. Her eldest lost his life in America in the year 1758, in the arms of victory. In consequence of his death, the present Lord Howe acceded to the title, and vacated his seat for the town of Nottingham; when the Noble Lady above mentioned, sent the following address in favour of her youngest son, to the public papers; an application worthy of a Roman matron, in the virtuous
times of the republic, and which could not fail of Success, where the least spark of public virtue existed.
To the Gentlemen, Clergy, Freeholders and Burgesses, of the town and county of the town of Nottingham.
"As Lord Howe is now absent upon the public service, and Lieutenant-Colonel Howe is with his regiment at Edinburgh, it rests upon me to beg the favour of your votes and interest, that Lieutenant-Colonel Howe may supply the place of his late brother, as your representative in Parliament.
"Permit me, therefore, to implore the protection of every one of you, as the mother of him who lost his life in the service of his country.
"CHARLOTTE HOWE."
We are assured, that another body of 6000 Hessians will be taken into the pay of Great-Britain, at the meeting of Parliament.
General Carleton's nephew is appointed to succeed Col. Robinson, who was shot near Chubbee, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 29th regiment of foot.
We hear, it is intended to create Lord Howe a Duke.
Extract of a Letter from Lisbon, Sept. 24.
"We are very easy here with respect to the formidable armament preparing at Cadiz, though said to be intended against our settlements in America, our place is that place of the world being in the best state of defence, our troops numerous, and our marine the most flourishing. The last account of two ships of 60 guns, two of 54, one of 52, one of 44, a new vessel of 32, and another of 30, forming in the whole nine ships of war, without including others of lesser burthen. All the above are under the orders of the Marquis de la Bradio, and are stationed at Rio Janeiro, the Bay of St. Catherine, Rio Grande, and Rio Pardo. The commander is an English officer, who has hoisted a flag on board the St. Catherine. The land forces consist of between ten and twelve thousand men, and two battalions of artillery."
Nov. 1. A private letter from Jamaica says, there are great plenty of seamen at that place, numbers of whom leave the merchant-ships soon after their arrival at Kingston, and enter on board the men of war, cruisers and privateers, to act against the Americans, on account of the success they meet with in taking prizes. The crew of a privateer fitted out at Kingston, it is said, has already shared about 700 a common sailor, prize-money.
The following Lords are to take the oaths and their seats in the House of Peers, at the opening of Parliament, viz. the Marquis of Lothian, the Earls of Westmoreland, Ilchester, Aylesbury, Clarendon and Mansfield, Lord Viscount Hambden, Lord Onslow, and Lord Cadogan.
Letters from St. Kitts give terrible accounts of the great fire which has happened in that island, and which, it is said, has done so much damage, that fifty years will scarcely retrieve it.

The Maidstone frigate, on her return from the fleet to Jamaica, took four American privateers, one of 12 guns, one of 14, and two others of 16 guns each.
HOUSE OF LORDS, November 1.
The Earl of Carlisle moved an address to his Majesty, introducing his motion by various observations on the present state of the unhappy war with America. He principally remarked, that the grounds of opposition to the just measures of government, in the last session, was a disbelief of the Americans having a design to become independent; but now, said he, to disbelieve their independence being openly avowed, I hope for unanimous concurrence in this address. He enlarged on the bravery and zeal of the King's forces, on the recovery of Canada to their former obedience; and on the insolence with which the offers of reconciliation had been received by the Congress, and on the necessity of exerting ourselves to support the constitution of Great Britain, now violated by this daring insult; applauded the spirited measures of administration in putting the nation in a state of defence; and concluded in recommending the most grateful acknowledgment to his Majesty for his paternal care, and his kind endeavors to preserve the peace of Europe.
Lord Falconbridge seconded the address, and spoke a few words in support of it. Then Lord Rockingham moved an amendment, prefacing his motion with a general condemnation of all the coercive measures that had been taken against America since the declaratory act.
The Duke of Manchester seconded the motion for the amendment, nearly on the same ground as the marquis. Lord Carlisle (late Mount Stewart) warmly supported the motion for the address, justified every measure of administration, and warmly insisted on the sound policy of using every exertion of this country to get the better of this contest; the dignity of the crown, the weight and interest of the nation with foreign powers, and our commercial interest, all required it. The D. of Richmond rose to oppose the address, and to recommend an immediate reconciliation; his Grace considered the Colonies as lost, if peace was not effected by some means or other. He wished to know the meaning of the present armament, and why the press was begun; if we had the strongest assurances of the pacific disposition of the powers of Europe, if it was safe to rely on the assurances last year, why not this also? He called upon the administration to show what state of defence the nation could be put in? Whether the greatest part of our strength was not on the other side of the Atlantic? and if any naval force could be got ready equal to that equipping at Brest, or any thing like so soon?
This called up Lord Sandwich, who said he saw no probability of a rupture with any foreign power, but the reason we trusted to assurances last year was, they were given when no armaments were making; whereas now the French and Spaniards were arming; therefore, it became this country to arm also; and to show the powers of Europe that we are in a state of defence against any attack, however improbable, that might be made upon us by any foreign power. His Lordship said, he had begun to make our naval force formidable, long before the press; he desired that the greatest part of our naval force was in America; and added, I shall have a much stronger fleet than any fitted out at Brest, or elsewhere, ready to put to sea as soon or sooner than the Brest fleet.
His Lordship seriously declared, that he thought, for the honour of this country, every drop of blood, and every shilling, ought to be parted with, to force the Americans to submit to the supreme authority of the crown and of the parliament, otherwise we should indeed be a contemptible, undose people. He then jocularly mentioned the cheap light in which the Americans held both the ministry and the heads of
opposition, from whom they had declared, they expected no more favour if they were in their place than from the present ministers.
The Duke of Grafton lamented the fate of Great Britain on the brink of ruin, recommended an adjournment, and go into the state of the nation at large previous to the address.
Lord Shelburne was up an hour and an half on the same side of the question, and stated matters in a more mortifying point of view than any other speaker.
Lord Weymouth replied, said two of the administration were absent through illness, (Lord Gower and Lord Suffolk) it was therefore a duty, not to let an opinion go out of the House, that we were now in a defenceless state, upon the eve of a war, he offered the contrary.
The Duke of Richmond having called for a particular state of the navy, which Lord Sandwich refused as highly improper, because any other door-keeper or other stranger, might send abroad. His Grace declared the motion withdrawn, in a moment the first Lord of Admiralty would be ashamed to declare it when called for. This occasioned some warmth, order was called; Lord Shelburne supported the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Sandwich said, he would give intelligence to the House when called for, but not to any individual Lord.
The Earl of Bristol now rose, and as an able and experienced seaman, gave a most satisfactory and consolatory account of our naval strength. He said, we would have 40 sail of the line to put to sea by February, if the Lord-mayor did not prevent man from going to sea, by any contrivance; but he did not think it in his power, though on the night of the press, 30 or 40 coaches of seamen had been sent out of the town; but he defies him or all the Lord-mayors whatever to prevent him getting seamen; he loved his country and his profession, and while he had legs to stand on, he would serve her against all the King's enemies in his present capacity and no other.
The question for the amendment being put, at ten o'clock at night, there appeared for the amendment,
Contents 26, Non-Contents 62, Proxies 9. The address was of course agreed to by a majority of 65.
By the KING. A PROCLAMATION, for a General Fast. GEORGE R.
WE, taking into our most serious consideration the just and necessary measures of force which we are obliged to use against our rebellious colonies and provinces in North-America, and putting our trust in Almighty God, that he will vouchsafe a special blessing on our arms, both by sea and land, have resolved, and do, by and with the advice of our Privy-Council, hereby command, that a Public Fast and Humiliation be observed throughout that part of our kingdom of Great-Britain, called England, our dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, upon Friday, the 13th of December next; that so both we and our people may humble ourselves before Almighty God, in order to obtain pardon and forgiveness of our sins; and may, in the most devout and solemn manner, send up our prayers and supplications to the Divine Majesty, for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold sins and provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring his intervention and blessing speedily to deliver our loyal subjects within our colonies and provinces in North-America, from the violence, injustice and tyranny, of those daring rebels, who have assumed to themselves the exercise of arbitrary power; to open the eyes of them who have been deluded by specious falsehoods into acts of treason and rebellion; to turn the hearts of the authors of these calamities; and finally, to restore our people, in those distracted provinces and colonies, to the happy condition of being free subjects of a free state, under which heretofore they flourished so long, and prospered so much. And we do strictly
charge and command that the said public fast be reverently and devoutly observed by all our subjects in England, our dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, as they tender the favour of Almighty God, and would avoid his wrath and indignation; and upon pain of such punishments as we may justly inflict upon all such as contemn and neglect the performance of so religious a duty. And, for the better and more orderly solemnizing the same, we have given directions to the most reverend the archbishops, and the right reverend the bishops of England, to compose a fervent prayer, to be used in all churches, chapels, and places of public worship, and to take care the same be timely dispersed throughout their respective dioceses.
Given at our Court at St. James's, the 30th of October 1776, in the 17th year of our reign. GOD save the KING.
A TESTIMONY from the MEETING OF SUFFERINGS, held at Philadelphia, and addressed to the People called QUAKERS.
To our Friends and Brethren in religious Profession, in these and the adjacent Provinces.
Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren,
OUR minds being renewedly impressed with a fervent religious concern for your spiritual welfare, and preservation in the love and fellowship of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ the Prince of peace, by the constrainings of his love, we are engaged to salute you in this time of deep exercise, affliction and difficulty; earnestly desiring that we may, by steady circumspection and care, in every part of our conduct and conversation, evidence, that under the close trials, which are and may be permitted to attend us, our faith, and alliance, is fixed on him alone for protection and deliverance, remembering his gracious promise to his faithful followers. "Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. xxviii. 20.
And, "as it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many souls into glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Heb. ii. 10. Let us not be dismayed if we are now led in the same path.
As we keep in the Lord's power and peaceable truth, which is over all, and therein seek the good of all, neither outward sufferings, persecutions, nor any outward thing that is below, will hinder or break our heavenly fellowship in the light and spirit of Christ. G. Fox's Epistle, 1685.
Thus we may with Christian firmness and fortitude withstand and refuse to submit to the arbitrary injunctions and ordinances of men, who assume to themselves the power of compelling others, either in person or by their assistance, to join in carrying on war and of prescribing modes of storming concerning our religious principle, by imposing tests not warranted by the precepts of Christ, or the laws of the happy constitution under which we and others long enjoyed tranquility and peace.
We therefore, in the abounding of that love which wisheth the spiritual and temporal prosperity of all men, exhort, admonish and caution all who make religious profession with us, and especially our beloved youth, to stand fast in their liberties, wherewith, through the manifold suffering of our predecessors, we have been favoured, and steadily to bear our testimony against every attempt to deprive us of it.
And dear friends, you who have known the truth, and the powerful operations thereof in your good example and stability, labour to strengthen the weak, confirm the wavering and warn and caution the unwary, against being beguiled by the snares of the adversaries of truth and righteousness. Let not the fear of suffering either in person and property, prevail on any to join with or promote any work or preparation for war.

Our profession and principles are founded on that spirit, which is contrary to, and will in time put an end to all wars, and bring in everything righteousness; and by our constantly abiding under the direction and inspiration of that spirit, we may be endowed with that "wisdom from above, which is the first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits without partiality, and without hypocrisy, James iii. 17. That this may be our happy experience, is our fervent desire and prayer.
Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting for sufferings held at Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the 20th day of the twelfth month, 1776.
JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.
P. S. Friends are desired solidly to read the foregoing Epistle in their several meetings, as soon as may be. It is so recommended to Friends to read in their families, with careful attention. The excellent Epistle of our worthy friend William Penn, No. 21. in the year 1678. directed to the children of light, &c. in the Appendix of his life.
N E W P O R T, March 13.
On Tuesday evening the foraging fleet that sail'd from here on Thursday, returned from Fisher's Island, with cattle, sheep, hay, &c.
We hear that the Perseus had taken so many prizes in two or three Days off the coast of South Carolina, that for want of hands to man them, she was obliged to proceed with them to the West-Indies.
Another of our frigates has cut a couple of Tobacco vessels out of Virginia.
By one of the Sloops from South Carolina we learn that they left the Pearl in chase of a Philadelphia frigate, and it was thought that they must soon be up with her.
We are well assured, that out of 87 men which the Rebels had in their Row-galley mentioned in this paper of 27th Feb. only 37 were able to come out of her when she struck the shore. Six were taken out of her that night about 12 o'clock and buried, and three more have since died of their wounds. The Lieut. of her after they had surrendered, went to discharge an 18 pounder upon a hill contiguous to the ferry, the gun burst, kill'd him upon the spot and wounded eight more.
Last Tuesday evening, some words ensuing between the mate and steward of the Maryland transport, from words they went to blows, and in the scuffle both fell overboard; by timely assistance the steward was saved, but the mate was unfortunately drowned.
Two Sloops from South Carolina, have been taken and sent in here within the Coast. One a West, one by the Orpheus, and the other by the Unicorn.
The following is an Extract of a Letter from one of them, dated Charles Town, March 24. 1777. "Vessels can be fitted out now with provisions, cordage, and sails; but men are scarce, although prisoners can always get hands here when our vessel cannot. There is no indigo left purchased here worth notice, and what is there is not good, is at 48s. per lb. there is very little to be done this way at present. I would have you to remain in New England, till you have accomplished something worth so long a journey: shipping to carry home rice from this should be a grand object; and should the continental Congress have purchased all at present their use, it will not last, their demand soon ceases when the quantity they want is completed, which will no doubt be before long. Should prize goods be very plenty cheap with you, I think you might get some of the privateers going out, to take in some of them and run here with them, to complete her stock of water and provisions here and then run out in the mouth of the Gulf off Augustine, which is as good a ground as any they have in the Gulf of the year, when all the Jamaica-men are going home, and here is a safe port to them into, where they will sell for double what they do to the northward; this
you should talk with the captains of the privateers as well as the owners, for they must know that the gulph is so narrow between the Florida shore and the Bahama bank, that a privateer lying in the middle, no vessel can pass them without their seeing her; so that it must be the best cruizing ground just now in the world, as no other vessels are cruizing that way we having no privateers out here. A twenty gun ship that came from England, touched at New York, bound to Antigua, where she is stationed, came along our coast and alarmed us much; and yesterday chased a brig and a sloop in here, sent ashore, and proposed an exchange of prisoners, as she had taken two vessels on the coast, and did not want to carry the men she had taken to the West-Indies with her; so I believe to-day they are going to exchange the Highlanders for what sailors she has got, and then she will proceed to Antigua. I have not been able to make any insurance yet on the Schooner from Maryland, nor on our Adventure by New-wall, who I every day expect, owing to this cursed ship being upon our coast for this fortnight past; but am fully of opinion, for my former reasons given you, that we shall not be troubled with a fleet of army this way before next fall, that the Russian fleet will not get out of the Baltic before the first of May; when they having to call at England, will bring them to June or July, and before they leave that September or October before they come here; that a lesser number than ten thousand men they will never send this way again, with a view to subdue this country, and that General Howe cannot spare ten thousand from his army at so great a distance from him, is my reason for thinking we shall have no troops here before the fall; the petitions of West-India merchants home of their distresses for want of provisions, the American ports being all shut up by the men of war, occasioned an order from the ministry for Lord Howe to call in all the men of war off our coasts, to let the provision vessels get out, is the reason which we shall not be troubled with them in a hurry, for provisions still remain high in the English islands, and if it was even plenty, they will never say they have enough, for fear of a scarcity again; therefore, I am of opinion, that the men of war will never be suffered to cruise off the Provision-ports again, while this unnatural war lasts. I have no doubt but you can buy beef and pork, so as to ship here to make a good profit; Irish beef and pork brings 40l. per barrel, and New England pork is as good, the beef is not, but one with the other would bring that, I have no doubt. Try and send a small vessel to Teneriffe and Madeira for a load of wines, Palfey must make her a Spanish bottom before he sends her to Madeira, and then let her return to him, and take in his wines; this is the way I did. You will be obliged to ship muscovado sugar, with Indian corn, to make the cargo valuable; and should they not admit the sugars to be landed there, they must make a Spanish bottom of the vessel, and take in four or five Spaniards and run to Holland with her, and bring back specie or bills, which ever Palfey likes best; the latter I know will please, and be most proper. Our friend is John Hudson, of Amsterdam. You write the Gordons of Madeira, if they have faith to trust you, that you will remit indigo in the fall to Holland to repay them. Let her still remain a Spanish bottom from Teneriffe here, clear'd out there with Spanish papers, for Porto Rico, one or two or three of the Spaniards, that can be trusted, kept on board her, in case they are met near this coast by any thing, which is not likely. It never would be worth while to take a ship this trouble for a vessel that would carry less than two hundred and fifty or three hundred pipes of wine, and you should send at least one hundred hogheads of sugar in her, and let all be insured, either at Boston or here; I mean only to Teneriffe, for after that they are no risk worth insuring. Palfey
you must order it so in your letter to Holland, which must be hid in a cousing place. It is probable, Palfey can get your sugars shipped in a Spanish vessel to Cadiz or to Holland, and save you if I know going farther; in that case, he could order the house the sugars went to, to favour the Gordons of Madeira bills for a certain sum, which he would calculate to be about the half, and advise the Gordons by our vessel, that they might draw on such a house for such a sum on your account, and let the remainder pass to their account.
Jamaica rum is 55. West-India 35. corn 26. molasses 12s. 6d. per gallon; muscovado sugar 10l. per cwt. oat 17s. 6d. lb.
By MAJOR-GENERAL RICHARD PRESCOTT.
To provide for the Accommodation of every one within this Town, and to remove as far as possible, the Censuses Contagious Disorders, the Inhabitants are hereby strictly enjoined and required to remove from before their Houses all Kinds of Dirt; and to see that the Streets, in front of their respective Lots of Land, are constantly kept Clean, as they will answer the contrary at their Peril.
Given under my Hand at Newport, this 13th Day of March, 1777. RICHARD PRESCOTT, Commandant. By Order of the Commandant, HENRY BARR, Town Major.
Newport, March 8. 1777. To all Gentlemen animated with the glorious Spirit of genuine Liberty, Enemies to Tyranny and Despotism, Friends to the best Constitution in the known World! Now is offered the fairest Opportunity of manifesting their Loyalty to their most gracious Sovereign King George III. by entering into the Regiment of LOYAL RHODE-ISLANDERS , commanded by Colonel EDWARD COLE , who will receive them, by himself or his Officers, at the House of Mr. Robert Littlehedges, Innholder at Newport, upon the North Side of the Parade; where they shall be kindly entertained, enter into present Pay a good Quarter, for the Term of Two Years or during the present Rebellion. And for the Encouragement of honest and faithful Subjects, each Volunteer shall receive FIVE DOLLARS Advance, with good Cloaths, Arms, Accoutrements, and every Thing necessary to compleat a Gentleman Soldier.
GOD save the KING.
STRAYED.
A Brownish-red HORSE, two or three of his Feet white, and also white in the Face, about 15 years old, belonging to Joseph Thomas, of Portsmouth. Any Person who has found the said Horse, on bringing him to Mr. Wilson, at Old-Bridge, shall be well rewarded for their Trouble.
TO BE SOLD.
By MYER POLOCK. BARBADOES RUM, by the hoghead, tierce, or barrel. Molasses, by the hoghead, tierce or barrel. Choice green Coffee, by the barrel. Tallow mould and dipp'd Candles, Spermaceti Candles, Oil, by the barrel.
WANTED.
A Middle aged sober, industrious WOMAN, that understands the Care of Children, and would assist in the work of a Family. Such a One, may have a Place, by applying to the Prisoner, Newport, March 12. 1777.
TO BE SOLD.
A CAPTAIN of Artillery's MARKER. Enquire of Mr. Sterling, at his

NEW-YORK, February 27.
A sloop lately arrived at Philadelphia, from St. Croix, brought a public paper, which mentions, that the King George transport, — Kelly, master, who left New-York in November last, with the fleet for England, parted in a gale of wind with 29 of said fleet, and losing one of his masts, bore away to St. Thomas's, and from thence to St. Croix, where he communicated the repeated successes of his Majesty's arms over the Rebels. This paper likewise mentions, a misunderstanding between the Dutch and Swedes at a settlement on the coast of Guinea.
By a Gentleman who came passenger in the above sloop, we are informed, that a Rebel privateer presuming to hoist Congress colours, was hailed to by the fort to strike them immediately, or they would be fired into, they knowing of no such colours, which requisition was complied with. We also learn that Flour was cheaper there than at Philadelphia.
We hear that a Major Mayberry, near Mount Holy, and a certain Major Haight, of Burlington, in New Jersey, have been very industrious, notwithstanding their late oath of allegiance to his Majesty, and receiving protection, in seizing the inoffensive Quakers, as they came out of their respective meeting-houses a few Sundays since, and obliging them to take up arms in the work of cañons, and against the best of King's; and, after a week's detention, thought proper to dismiss them, after appropriating their horses and carriages to the use of their States.
Several valuable prizes have been taken this week and sent in here by his Majesty's ships.
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated February 13.
"Could you but look into this once flourishing place, and see the many distressed dejected countenances, no business, war, with its train of miseries, is but too justly seated on the brows of many of our acquaintances; nor are they so stupid but to know they must be subjected to British government, although they wilfully persist in their own destruction. We have been very high-spirited here for some time, but dare not show the least outward appearance of it. Taking the Hessians at Trenton, gave the Rebel army new life, together with the little success they met with from your foraging party; though it is not even a drop in the bucket to the cause, yet this small matter serves the ends of the Congress, or all would have been lost to them before this. The Congress, prior to the Trenton affair, thought proper to move themselves, with their papers, to Lancaster, 40 miles from this city: but not thinking it convenient there, have moved to Baltimore, 20 miles into Maryland; but judging, if they ran away so fast from the fighting folks, their army would not think themselves safe, therefore they have what they call a Committee of Congress sitting here, to transact small matters. The Congress, when your army advanced near the Delaware, grew very uneasy, being advised they were unsafe amongst the disaffected, as I assure you we do not decrease in this city, but, like a ball of snow, by being tumbled about, grow larger.
"There is a large body of people in arms in the hither part of Virginia, by what I can learn, near 2000, determined to rout those Hordes of Darkness, the Congress at Baltimore; in consequence of which all the Lower Counties are in arms, to quell the INSURRECTION, as they call it, from that quarter. You could not but laugh, though pity them, to see how they are obliged to strain every rope in the ship, to prevent being wrecked: we imagine March winds will be very near stranding them. I am sorry they began in Virginia to move
before your army, as I fear they will be obliged to give over, as there is between 3 and 4000 men gone to disperse them.
Extract of a Letter from Amboy, Feb. 24. "Yesterday a foraging party, with an escort of troops, commanded by Colonel Mawhood, of the 17th, went out to a place called Ash-Swamp, on the road to Morris-Town, our party were first fired upon by the enemy's guards at Wood-bridge, to no effect; they had three men killed, and the rest were pursued to Spank-Town, where about 1500 or 2000 of their rebellious brethren were posted in the entrance of a thick wood; our troops rushed on them with the bayonet, as usual, and forced them from their covers. After pursuing them about 15 miles our party was ordered to return, which the rebels observing, endeavoured to prevent, by keeping up a constant fire on our van-guard, while a large body was ordered into a swamp, covered by a wood in our front, intending thereby to get us between two fires; in this they were, as before, unfortunate; for being observed, our men advanced briskly on with a heavy fire, and forced them again to fly with the loss of 30 of their men killed."
"During the whole day we had four officers wounded, and about fifty men killed and wounded. The loss of the rebels, cannot with certainty be ascertained, though much greater than ours."
"The waggons all returned well loaded, and a fine drove of cattle, sheep, hogs, &c. were brought in."
(Whilst the Falsehoods contained in the following Articles of Intelligence serve the Purpose of continuing the Delusion, and harrying onward to Destruction, many who have it not in their Power to be undeceived, a Republication of them here, where the Falsehood of them must be apparent to every One, will likewise answer the valuable Purpose of exciting the just Indignation of every honest Man, against a Set of Incendiaries, who have left no Artifice untried to hurry on to Ruin the happiest People under Heaven: A People, who wallowed in the Sunshine of Plenty, enjoyed every Kind of internal Blessing, and, whilst favoured with the protecting power of Britain, feared no Invasion of foreign Foes.—This delightful Situation, they have been insensibly led to exchange for all the Miseries of a destructive War: A War, the Recollection of which, whenever Reason shall take the Place of Passion, will sting them with the most mortifying Sense of their Folly and Ingratitude.—The Extract of a Letter from Morris Town, said to be from a General Officer, deserves particular Notice. It contains Intelligence from a Colonel, whose Name is suppressed, because no such Person ever existed. The Intelligence, however, is of the right Stamp to be communicated to Country Farmers; as they have been long taught to believe, that "their Lands were to be taken from them, and divided into Lordships." This nameless Colonel, has been, however, very unfortunate, not to light upon one of those curious Leases; and especially when they have before told us, that many had been forced by the Commissioners to subscribe their Declaration. Surely, One would imagine, that some of this Stamp would have preserved their Leases, for the Sake of obli'ging their Countrymen with the Sight of so great a Curiosity. No! This curious Letter-writer well knew the Falsehood which he was venting; and likewise knew, the Credulity of his Countrymen was such, that they would swallow it as Sterling, without further enquiry. But it must afford Satisfaction to every good Subject, that the Time is just advancing, when these Propagators of Falsehood will suffer not only the Sting of their own Consciences, but the just Ven-
geance of the long violated Laws of their Country.)
BOSTON, Feb. 10.
The Examination of Mrs. Hannah White, Wife of Serjeant White, of the regiment lately commanded by Gen. M c Dougal, taken before him at Peek's Kill, Jan. 25th, 1777.
Mrs. White says: That she left New-York on Monday the 20th Instant: That the College, Bridwell, New-Goal, Baptist Meeting, and the Tavern lately occupied by Mr. De la Montain, and several other Houses, are full of the sick and wounded of the Enemy: That the Hessians are very sickly and discontented, and had three Rounds fired on a Number of them in New-Jersey, by a Party of the British Troops, for refusing to come to attack the Americans: That a Number of the Hessians were brought into New-York under Guard: That on Saturday before she left the City, she heard a British Officer, who rode in Express with the Intelligence of our Troops advancing towards Fort Independence, declare to another, that they had but 400 regular troops in the city, and about 500 at the forts near King's-bridge, &c. That they would be obliged to send to Jersey for troops to defend the city, That the enemy obliged the citizens to watch at night, but would not trust many of them with arms; clubs were given to those they suspected, to do duty with. That they appeared in great consternation in New-York. That on Monday some officers were beating about for volunteers to go into Jersey, and if a sufficient number did not enlist the next day, the fifth man of the citizens, and those that came there for protection, were to be draughted to reinforce the enemy's army in Jersey. That General Lee was brought to New-York, on Thursday, the 16th Inst. where he was under guard in a small, mean-looking house, at the bottom of King-street. That her sister, with whom she lodged, paid 18 d. per lb. for beef, when she came out, which would scarcely grease the water it was boiled in.
PROVIDENCE, Feb. 15.
Extract of a Letter from a general officer in the army of the United States of America, dated Morris Town, Jan. 28.
"I am well informed, by Col. ———, a gentleman of Philadelphia, that the enemy left, at their evacuation of Elizabeth Town, a large number of Leases, wherein every man that took protection within sixty days, agreeable to the proclamation issued the 30th of November last, by Lord and Gen. Howe, were to hold their lands under the King; and to give his Farmers, (by him appointed) the refusal of all the grain and other produce, at certain prices, to be fixed by him; and every man that lost his estate in any state, to pay one fourth of the sale, for the benefit of the Crown. Every man that did not submit within sixty days, his estate to be confiscated, and the proprietors to hold the lands immediately under the King, during his pleasure. A strict search is making after the leases, but as the information did not come to the general till some days after the enemy had left the town, I fear the Tories remaining there have destroyed them. This seems to resemble the an-ient feudal tenure.—from Col. ———'s character, I have no doubt of the truth of the information, although we may not be able to prove it by the leases, which I am in hopes will still come to light."
"We are credibly informed, that on Friday, last week, the enemy at Rhode Island were so greatly terrified at the appearance of a few oyster boats in the bay, that their out guards deserted their posts, and fled to Newport; their out main body lay on their arms all night, expecting an attack, and the guards on board the Ships were doubled."