The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1771-01-03 00:00:00

The Massachusetts Spy.
VOL. I.] From MONDAY, December 31, 1770, to THURSDAY, January 3, 1771. [N o . 57.
AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE.
CHARLESTOWN, [South-Carolina] November 1.
IN consequence of a discovery, that some packages of British goods from London, consigned to Mr. Philip Tidyman, jeweller, had lately been clandestinely imported, landed, and delivered to said Tidyman, from on board the ship Union, William Coombes master, in direct violation to our resolutions; there was on Saturday last an extra meeting of our General Committee, to make a minute inquiry into the matter, and take the necessary measures for getting the said goods reshipped. At this meeting, the Committee met with so many difficulties to come at the whole truth, that though they were fully satisfied Mr. Tidyman, had received nine packages, being three more than were mentioned in the ship's manifest, yet they were obliged to adjourn till Monday, the further inquiry what whose packages contained. Accordingly, on Monday they met again, having previously obtained invoices, &c. of part of the contents: But Mr. Tidyman, who had in the mean time withdrawn himself from the town on board one of his Majesty's ships (apprehending no doubt, but without any just cause, that he might meet with some public mark of detestation from the people) not appearing, when desired personally to attend, they deferred their final determination till Tuesday: A friend of Mr. Tidyman's attended at this meeting, impowered by him to acquiesce in whatever should be desired by the Committee, consistent with the resolutions, and delivered up some more invoices, letters, bills, &c. but as they were not satisfied, that the invoices of the whole importation had been laid before them, they refused to do any business but with Mr. Tidyman himself. On Tuesday the Committee met again, when Mr. Tidyman still declining to appear, or to give a full and clear account of his whole importation, an Advertisement was drawn up, and ordered to be published in the news-papers, to the following purport, viz.
“THE General Committee give this notice to the public, that Philip Tidyman, a subscriber to the resolutions, hath been detected importing, in a secret and clandestine manner, and in direct violation of his solemn engagement, several cases of plate, jewels, and other goods, by the Union, Captain Coombes, from London: and having been called before the Committee, to answer for the same, instead of making an ample and ingenious confession of his crime, he obstinately denied the fact, until confronted by Captain Coombes's mate, who declared he had delivered three cases to Mr. Tidyman himself, more than were mentioned in the ship's manifest, or reported by the said Tidyman to the Committee. The said Tidyman confronted with such proof, promised to deliver
up all his invoices to the Committee; yet still endeavoured to conceal a considerable part thereof; most of which has been since discovered, by such of his original invoices as he at different times produced. The Committee however, are persuaded that the said Tidyman has concealed one of the cases, which probably may be the most valuable: and as, in the whole of this affair, he has been guilty of the most flagrant falsehood and deceit, even so far as to produce a fictitious letter, pretending, that certain articles contained in the six cases reported in the manifest, were sent him as a present, from a kinsman in England; which since appear, by his own invoice, to contain merchandise, shipped by his order, and for his account. And as the said Tidyman has been requested from time to time to attend the general meetings of the Committee, to advise him to discover and reship said good, which he absolutely refusing; the Committee think it their duty to publish the said Philip Tidyman, as an audacious and incorrigible violator of the General resolutions; and it is expected that no subscriber Let Will, hereafter, have any dealings with him, unless he shall make full atonement for his base and perfidious behaviour.”
This recent transaction must convince the most incredulous, and satisfy our Brethren in the Northern Colonies, that we do honestly adhere to and support our resolutions; our whole conduct has uniformly carried with it this testimony.---Our sacred engagements, for the general good of America, have never been suffered to be violated with impunity: We never intended to, nor do, wink at clandestine importations.---The conduct of our Merchants has been exemplary and consistent, throughout the arduous struggle for constitutional liberty, and will redound to their lasting honour.---The integrity of our General Committee has been, and remains, incorruptible; their assiduity and zeal, unfeigned and unmatched; and the virtue of the people can be relied on.---Thus disposed and situated, we pay little or no regard to the many reports and publications, of the whole Continent's having broken through their Non-Importation Agreements, or the infamous insinuations, most industriously propagated, that none of them have played fair, but each endeavoured to circumvent and take advantage of the other: We do not, nor can we believe, that the American Band of Union is broken or will be dissolved, merely because a few leading men in trade in each Northern Colony, have been so lost to every consideration, but their private emolument, as to become instruments towards enslaving, not only the present generation, but likewise our posterity: We do not suspect, that the Landholders, Mechanics and other classes of men, in any of

of the Colonies, have acquiesced in the intended importations, that they will admit them to take place, or that they will purchase a single article, should they be received, but such as absolutely cannot be done without.--- We do not give up the Fair Quaker , although some of her merchants have dishonoured her, under the idle pretence, that the Scotch factors in Maryland are running away with all their back-country custom on one side, while the importers at New-York will soon do the same on the other. We do not give up even New York . And as for the Bostonians , we know they are numerous, and not all merchants; and even the Soldiery there cannot oblige them to buy. In short, we know, that the Landholders, Mechanics, and almost every class of men in the British Colonies in America, except the merchants, are discontented, and adverse to general importations from the Mother Country, while she treats her children as aliens, to maintain and support a beggarly set of wretches, whom our language is almost too barren to describe with sufficient contempt.--- These are so much the sentiments of the inhabitants of this province, that it may be presumed, we shall patiently wait the event of the present session of Parliament,---and then, if its determinations should be unfavourable to the just rights of his Majesty's American subjects, enter into some new resolutions, less distressing to individuals than the present, in some instances, have proved.---In the mean time, our General Committee, ever faithful to the trust reposed in them, and altogether free from any partial or unworthy considerations, we hear, have just written a circular letter to the Northern colonies, in order to obtain certain information, whether it is the sense of the body of the people in those colonies, that a general importation of goods should be resumed, except of articles chargeable with a duty, laid for the express purpose of raising a revenue in America---to which, if some intelligence, by private letters can be depended upon, we may expect answers in the negative.
November 8. In the ship Charming Sally , for London, which sailed last Tuesday, went Mr. Philip Tidyman, jeweller, carrying with him that case of goods the contents whereof had been concealed from the General Committee; which we are now informed, contained jewels, &c. to a very large amount, not ordered by Mr. Tidyman, but consigned to him through the persuasion of a third person. The other eight packages imported by Mr. Tidyman are in the hands of his attorney, who has engaged, that no part of the contents shall be offered for sale.
November 15. We hear, that his Majesty's ship Mercury , Captain Keeler, is appointed to relieve the Fowey on this station.
November 27. Last week some Cherokee Indians arrived here by water from New-York. They had been at a congress with the Six Nations. We learn the Shawanese deputies have in a great measure succeeded in their project of forming a confederacy among the northern and southern Indians, against those near the Lakes and the more distant western nations.
On Sunday last his Majesty's ship Bonetta , sailed from
this port for St. Augustine, in order to carry from thence officers and soldiers to New-Providence, to garrison the fort at Nassau.
PORTSMOUTH, [New-Hampshire] December 28. By Captain Harris, who arrived at Old York last Friday evening in twenty-five days passage from Statia, we are informed that when he left that place, there was three French privateers, mounting fourteen carriage guns each, compleatly manned, &c. in order to proceed against the English, and only waited for an express-boat from Martinico, which they hourly expected, to proceed on their business, likewise that an English privateer was fitting out at Statia. The French at Martinico and Guadaloupe had purchased and carried off every carriage gun at Statia, not one being left in the place. That a ship arrived at Martinico in a short passage from France, and sailed again for that port within twenty four hours afterwards, her business being kept secret. The French at Martinico and Guadaloupe were entirely for War, which they expected hourly to be declared, having both places put in the best posture of defence. The captains of the French privateers often threatened Captain Harris, that if he tarried one or two days longer at Statia they would have a little fun with him, &c. Captain Harris makes no doubt but that war was declared by the French against the English within two or three days after he left Statia.
SALEM, January 1. Last Sunday Captain Benjamin Calley arrived at Marblehead from Cadiz, which place he left the 5th of November, and informs that the Spaniards are making great preparations for a war with Great-Britain, which they expected would commence very soon: That troops are in motion, and the fortifications of Cadiz are receiving great repairs and additions. That two English men of war lately at Cadiz lay upon their quarters for several nights, expecting to be boarded by the Spaniards, but had left the place before he sailed: the Court of London had demanded six millions of dollars of the Spaniards, as a reimbursement for the expences which their late infraction has occasioned, and for completing the Manilla ransom: that the Court of Madrid would pay no more than half that sum, viz. three millions; on which the person sent from London to make the demand had left Madrid, having waited only nine hours for an answer.
It is said the French were using their influence to bring about a reconciliation between Great-Britain and Spain.
THURSDAY, January 3, 1771. B O S T O N.
By the weekly accounts of burials and baptisms, it appears that from January 1, 1770, to the 31st of December following, there have been buried in this town, 404 whites, 79 blacks; in all, 483. Baptised in the several churches, 445. The account for the year 1769 stood thus: buried, 579 whites, 66 blacks; in all, 645. Baptised in the several churches, 440.
Buried in the town of Salem from January 1, 1770, to January 1, 1771, in all 115. Baptised 189.

At the training of the Marblehead regiment of militia, last week, it is said near 1000 men, inhabitants of that Town, appeared under arms, and made a handsome appearance.
We hear from Newport, that on Friday last three or four dwelling houses were consumed by fire.
Thursday night the goal in this town was purposely set on fire within, but being discovered between ten and eleven o'clock, and timely assistance being afforded, it was soon extinguished.
Extract of a Letter from Lisbon, dated Nov. 14, 1770.
"The War seems daily nearer to an open declaration. From circumstances we have reason to fear it will be general. The great and unexpected success the Russians have had against the Turks has raised a jealousy in the Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia: perhaps as the Russian force will be mostly employed with the Turks, the opportunity may seem favourable to the two former powers, who, it seems, now demand part of Poland from the Empress, and the free town of Dantzick. However, all these schemes may as likely be for no other purpose but to bring the Empress to an accommodation with the Turks. It also happens, in the course of such designs, that the parties disagree, and the natural consequence is war: Therefore, while we see pretensions of that nature, we generally think for the worst."
DIED.] Mrs. Pecker, wife of Mr. Daniel Pecker.
MARRIED.] Dr. John Sprague, to Mrs. EBRA Harrison.---Mr. Lewis Deblois, to Miss Elisabeth Debuke.---Dr. Danforth, to Mrs. Elizabeth Watts.
From the NEW-LONDON GAZETTE. To the PUBLIC.
As the present war of Russia with the Turks, draws the attention of all Europe and America, and in a manner the whole world; so doubtless some great events are in general expected, as attendant upon, or consequential to the issue and fate of these wars, began and pushed on with such uncommon resolution and devastation, by the grand Empress of Russia.
I shall endeavour to bring some light to this most alarming and most interesting cause now in agitation, by the relation and interpretation of a Turkish Prophecy, concerning the rise and ruin of that enormous Empire of the Turks.
The Prophecy in English runs thus,
Our Emperor shall come: He shall take the Kingdom of the Gentiles Prince: He shall also get the Red Apple into his power: And if the sword of the Christians shall not rise into the seventh year, he shall bear dominion over them even to the twelfth year. He shall build houses, plant vineyards, hedge about orchards, beget children; and after the twelfth year, shall appear the sword of the Christians, which shall put the Turk every where to flight.
A copy of this prophecy now extant in the Persian Language, may be seen in Fox's Acts and Monuments, pag. 1006. and elsewhere: It hath gone through divers Translations, and interpretations. All agree, that by
the Emperor is meant the Grand Turk; by the Gentiles Prince, Constantine the last Emperor of that name; by the Red Apple Constantinople (the envy of all Europe, and the whole world; )by the sword of the Christians some Christian power or powers of Europe--But then all do not agree as to the seventh and twelfth years; some mistaking these years for vulgar, or common years, reckon the twelfth year from the winning of Constantinople---Others mistaking the seventh and twelfth years, for the seventh and twelfth Ottoman Emperors---The truth is, these prophetic years are so many Centuries, or hundreds of years from the rise of Mahomet.---From which date before the seventh prophetic year, the Christians had lost all their dominions and possessions in Asia to the Turk.---We are now come to the twelfth prophetic year, and far advanced towards the close thereof; the which, according to the above prophecy, is to determine the fate of the Grand Turk---And this (if I mistake not) nearest agree with the voice of Divine Revelation, concerning this grand event. Now the fall and ruin of Antichrist and Mahomet, the false prophet, will be about the same time, Rev. 19, 20. The removing these two great mountains, will make way for the spread of the Gospel of the Saviour through the whole world; and restoration of peace and unity every where to the Church of Christ; the two grandest and most glorious events that will happen, until the second coming of Christ. In fine, I leave every one of common acquaintance to judge, whether there is not a plain and pointed appearance and prospect of more speedy fulfilment of the above prophecy---yea, of the more infallible prophecies of Divine Revelations, in favour of Mount Zion, (which will at length be) the joy and praise of the whole earth.
Amen, even so come Lord Jesus.
Dec. 15. A. D. 1770.
From the NEW-YORK JOURNAL. To the PRINTER.
As Captain MacDougall has published a Narrative of Occurrences that happened between the Honourable House of Assembly and himself, previous to his being deprived of his Liberty; in which is contained a Law Term, that is not frequently made use of, therefore not likely to be generally understood, and consequently liable to be constructed to the Prejudice of the Honourable Member, who is said to have mentioned it, especially as he is not a native of the British Dominions, (and the Prejudices of Education, are not easily overcome) In Justice to whom, I here send you the best Definition that my Leisure will permit me, at present to procure, and which I take to be quite Genuine, and is as follows.
"If a Criminal indicted of any capital Crime, refuseth to plead or put himself upon a legal Trial, then, as mute and contumacious, he is presently to suffer the horrid Punishment called Peine Forte et Dure , or pressing to Death, by extending him on his Back, naked, on a Floor; and laying on his Body Iron or Stone, as much or more than he can bear. The next Day he is to have three Morsels of Barley Bread without Drink, and the third Day, he is to have Water, next the Prison Door (unless that shou'd

be running Water) without Bread; and this shall be his Diet, till he dies. Thus it is hoped, that when all Circumstances are duly considered and the Punishment proposed is fully comprehended, the Gentleman's Lenity will not suffer any unmerited Censure, which is the ardent Desire of a Lover of Justice." S.
L O N D O N, OCTOBER 31.
To the PRINTER.
Y OU are authorized to assure the public, that Lord North is only the ostensible and responsible Premier, and that he acts entirely under the direction and dictature of the Duke of Grafton. As a proof of this bold but true assertion, there has not been a commission given away in the naval departments, but at the Duke of Grafton's absolute will and fiat. In this general assertion however, we must except three naval appointments to three small sloops, which the poor, hand-tied Admiral H----- has been permitted to make of his own authority; all other preferments in that department are solely at the disposal of the Duke of Grafton.
The BRITISH SPY.
There is a bon mot of lord Mansfield's, occasioned by the jew who was hanged on Wednesday last, which deserves to be recorded. Some time ago this son of Levi came into the King's Bench, to be bail, being dressed in the most gorgeous manner, with a waistcoat all over embroidery, and a coat with two rows of broad gold lace upon it; however, his office being suspected, (which was to bail any one that would pay him for it) one of the gentlemen of the robe was very inquisitive about who he was, what he was, and how he got his living. At length my Lord Mansfield, turning to the lawyer, said, "Pray, Mr. Serjeant, ask the gentleman no more questions, but take his bail, (and, looking at his laced clothes, added) you see he would burn for the money."
They write from Dumfries in Scotland, that at the last assizes there, it was remarkable that there was only one prisoner to be tried; that his crime was bigamy, of which he was found guilty, and sentenced to suffer six months imprisonment; after which he is to be banished to England .
The BLUNT COURTIER.
R OUND Royal George, in triple rows, The Courtiers stood---to gaze; And ev'ry tongue, in flatt'ry dipt, Bedaub'd him o'er with praise. "I pray you friend, says surly Bob, Who stood behind a chair, Do---ope that window, and let out This d--- corrupted air."
E P I G R A M.
Hæ tibi erunt artes?
S PAIN's tyrant we're told is a turner by trade, E-----d's Monarch turns buttons---the like were ne'er made!
The cause of their quarrel we plainly may see, For two of a trade can never agree.
RESOLUTION of a young LADY not to die a MAID.
M OST grievous lot! most dread, most dismal state, To die a MAID, ye pow'rs, avert the fate! Of all the ills, this is the worst I'm sure, To live a maid and die a Virgin pure. Thus POLLY spake,---O! let me be a Bride , Grant that ye Gods, I care for nought beside, To be a Wife , I long, I rage, I burn, If not a Bride , to something else I'll turn.-----
T HIS is to forewarn all persons from trusting Sarah the wife of me the subscriber, on my account, as we have agreed to live separate.
Boston, Jan. 3, 1771. LAMBERT BRUMET.
W HEREAS the Co-partnership of JO- SEPH and DANIEL WALDO, is mutually dissolved. This is to give notice to all persons who have any demands on said company, to apply to DANIEL WALDO for payment: And those who are indebted to said company, are hereby directed to pay their several balances to said DANIEL WALDO, as soon as possible.
JOSEPH WALDO, DANIEL WALDO.
N. B. The said DANIEL WALDO continues the Business as usual. The customers of the late company, and all others, who may favour him with their custom, may depend on being used in the best manner.
Boston, November 11, 1770.
A YOUNG Child to be put out to nurse. Enquire at the New Printing-Office, in Union- street, near the Market.
A MES's ALMANACKS for 1771, to be sold at the New Printing-Office, in Union- street, near the Market.
A LL persons having accounts open with SAMUEL SLOPER, late of Boston deceased, are desired to settle the same with MARY SLOPER, Admin- istratrix on his estate. And those indebted to said E- state are desired to settle immediately, or they may ex- pect to be sued the first court.
BOSTON: Printed by ISAIAH THOMAS, at the New Printing-Office in Union-Street, (near the Market) where this Paper will be regularly published every MONDAY and THURSDAY; and where Subscriptions, Articles of Intelligence, and Advertisements, &c. for this Paper, are taken in; and PRINTING, in general, done in a neat Manner, on very reasonable Terms.