The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1772-01-16 00:00:00

THE Massachusetts Spy
A Weekly, Political, and Commercial PAPER:--Open to ALL Parties, but Influenced by None.
Published by I. THOMAS, near the Mill-Bridge, Boston.
"DO THOU Great LIBERTY INSPIRE our Souls,--And make our Lives in THY Possession happy,--Or, our Deaths glorious in THY just Defence!"
VOL. I.]
THURSDAY, January 16, 1772.
[NUMB. 46.]
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY. THE CENTINEL. No. XXX. Thy Fault our Law calls DEATH! But the kind Prince, taking thy part, Hath pull'd aside the Law. —
SHAKESPEARE.
It seems to be a matter of much speculation, what is become of Ebenezer Richardson, who was convicted of MURDER many terms back. The treatment of this man is so very extraordinary and unusual, that this commotion among the various classes of the citizens, appears natural. I will not take upon me absolutely to assert there never was an instance of this kind in English history. The fates of our Law must be supposed to be better acquainted with these matters, and would never have gone into an act so new and alarming without some precedent. But this, however, I declare, that I have taken no little pains in looking into the progress of our Laws from remote antiquity to the present day, and I have not been able to collect in any report of crown cases, a single instance where, a man, convicted by due course of Law, has not received sentence, but is kept rotting in a gaol, for so many terms, at the charge of the community, and is as likely to remain there as many terms more. Surely something must be said in vindication of this conduct, and we find it to be, that the jury have gone beyond their line, have connected Law with fact, and so their verdict is different from what the court would have chose. This, my countrymen, is a dangerous opinion. In my second number, I considered this point, and attempted to show that it was illegal. I shall pursue the matter, and endeavour to lead this people into a further acquaintance with this truth, which should be familiar to them all. Previous, however, to this, I intend to look into the whole conduct of this affair, and collect, if possible, the reasons and the motives which gave birth to, and still animate this extraordinary transaction.
Soon after Richardson was remanded, a motion was made for a new trial for him. The consideration of this motion was deferred till the next term, when it was argued. The jury were sent for and appeared. The council for the prisoner grounded their motion on facts, which they said should vitiate the verdict. What were these? That on a general issue, the jury had taken upon them to judge of the Law? No. I affirm this was not the case, and I am of opinion no Gentlemen at the bar, learned in the law, would have fetched an argument from this quarter. They endeavoured to prove two things; one was, that when the jury went out, the people over-awed them, crying out, No Manslaughter! Murder, murder, &c. this but one or two of the jurors heard, and they affirmed on oath, that it was too contemptible to influence their decision. The other was, that two jurors came into the verdict solely on this principle, that if it was wrong, the court would not receive it. This was made out miserably. The issue was, and the opinion of the court was, the arguments were insufficient, and A NEW TRIAL COULD NOT BE GRANTED. However, this in general they resolved, that they were not bound to receive the verdict, and that they could not give judgment on such a verdict. Now it seems originates the notion we are upon, of the jury's having no right to meddle with the Law: And one judge said, the only method was to lay the matter before
the King. Judgment could not be given, a new trial was illegal, and no way was possible to get extricated out of this dilemma, but the above. This was grounded on an opinion, I think, of an English Judge, but on no established decision. Whether the King, in the capacity the Law has lodged in him, can pardon previous to judgment being given, is a point that may admit of dispute, but shall at present be passed over. I now resume the argument in my second number, and insist upon it, that a court have no power to controul a verdict of a jury for meddling with law, and that to this they have an unalienable right.
It is laid down as Law, if matter of fact and matter of record are so intermixed that they cannot be divided, the whole shall be tried by the country. Trials per Pais. vol. 1. p. 32. Surely this must be absurd, and the law wrong, if a court can refuse to receive a verdict, because the jury exercised this right. It would be leaving the jury into a path that would prove prejudicial to the subject, as well as dangerous to themselves. The law is clear, and similar to Littleton's opinion, quoted formerly, that the jury may determine both law and fact. Agreeable hereto, is Siderfin, p. 34. Debt on Bond. The plaintiff demurred, &c. per curiam. Si matter de fact et matter de record, sont issint mist que ne poet effe d'v'nt tout serra try per pais — Sid. 49. Read vs. Dawson, In information de perjury suit trouve pur le Roy et o're un move sur several affiavits p'over novel trial et suis doubts par le court que comment cause appiert al ex pur grant novel trial, si ils ont porar pur ceo fair sans le consent del Council le Roy. Here the court were of opinion that a new trial cannot be granted without consent of the council of the King. But this seems to be given up, that the wretch shall not have a new trial. The difficulty is the vitiating the verdict on account of the jury's meddling with law. Trials per Pais VI. p. 230. though it be true that a jury shall not be charged or meddle with a matter of law, yet daily experience (as well as Littleton. sect. 368) tells us that they may take upon them the knowledge of the law, and give a general verdict, though to find the special matter is the safest way, because if they mistake the law, they run in danger of attaint." An authority thus worded appears to me to cut the matter short; either this book can be no authority, which will not be pretended, and with it Littleton himself, or the doctrine contested with me must be erroneous. Can words be more express in this point? The known maxim ad questionem juris non respondant juratores is admitted, and yet does not militate with the truth I am advancing, for the authority expressly declares, though that maxim be true, yet the jury may take on them the knowledge of the law as well as fact, and which by the way they are equally sworn to, and if they run counter to the established maxim, the consequence is, not a vitiation of the verdict, but an attaint. The authority distinguishes extremely well in this matter, points out the danger and the consequence of the juries determining law, viz. an attaint, and not a setting aside verdicts to the infinite detriment of society.
There is a case in point, Manly and Scott, Trin. 13. Cor. 2. B. R. the difficulty alledged was that the jury had mistaken the law. It was an action of the case brought against the husband for wares taken up by the wife. The jury found the wares were necessaries, and according to her degree, it was objected they ought to
have found the degree of the party and the value of the wares. Per curiam. The judge informs the jury of the matter of law, and accordingly they find—and so it belongs not to the court. Here the province of both court and jury are ascertained. The judge must inform only, and the jury are to weigh that information. This is peculiarly the case where the judges differ in opinion, but the finding the verdict and giving the ultimate determination belongs not to the court, and according to this case to delay judgment or suspend it is illegal, and the court would not hearken to such a motion.
So, also is that case in 3. Leon. 237. Broughton and Prince, the defendant pleaded he was a student of the inner Temple, consiliarius in lege eruditus. The plaintiff replied, de injuria sua propria and traverses absque hoc quod in lege eruditus, & hoc petit, &c. Atkinson excepted to the traverse, for he says it refers a matter to the jury which cannot be tried by them, as it is a matter of law. But per Manhood Chief Baron, it shall be tried by the country.
Trials per Pais. "a jury shall enquire of the intent of a man," vol. 1. p. 231. cites Hut. lib. 4. 18. this surely is giving a jury greater power than would be allowed them. This applies itself at once to Richardson's case. He was indicted for murder. his intention therefore makes the quality of his crime, and if it was malicious it was murder. The jury in this case were of opinion that this intent was malicious, and this liberty, this authority gives them. To assert as they do, that the jury in this case should only have found that he killed, &c. and leave his intent to the court, is flying in the express face of an authority, and setting law at defiance. In the case now cited, Sciens canem suum ad mordendas oves consuetum. Sciens could not be traversed, and yet it declares a jury shall enquire of it.
The books are also express, that if the jurors will give a general verdict, though the court direct them otherwise, and are unanimous in their direction, the verdict must be received, and the court cannot refuse it. Littleton says, the Jury may give a general verdict. The Books say further, the Court are obliged to take. So it was determined before Justice Wyndham, Lent Assizes, 1681, Verdon's case at Cambridge. Will a man be supposed to act unworthy his character as a citizen, if he queries, whether denying to pass judgment on Richardson, though legally and fairly convicted, refusing to receive the verdict, and keeping the miserable creature in gaol, term after term, without doing any thing in the matter, is not a stretch beyond the barriers of right? Whether the sword of justice does not but faintly gleam, and prejudice and wrong triumph in the room of Law?
The jury by the law of England are to determine in all causes civil and criminal. Taken from the vicinity, they are supposed to be well acquainted with the fact, and therefore can give a just verdict. Busied, however, as they are in the common affairs of life, they cannot be supposed to be well acquainted with the decisions of courts. This, therefore, is the province of another set of men, whose leisure and abilities render them more capable of such studies. It is the duty of these last, to regulate, to preside, and to direct in the management and conduct of causes; to determine matters of law that may arise, and finally to state to the jury the evidence and the law thereon, to assist them in their determination. Hence those usual expressions, if you think so, you'll
find so; if you think otherwise, you'll find accordingly. Let it, however, be a matter in the complaint of a Lawyer, "That juries will not hearken to the evidence nor direction of the judge, but subvert the whole drift of the common Law." What is the consequence? Not that the judges shall have power to refuse or accept their verdicts at pleasure. This the Law never supposed or had an idea of. But, to use the words of this gentleman, "The Law hath provided more severe punishments against juries than any offenders whatever. And as common jurors have nothing to do with odium peccare boni, Virtutis amore, it is fit they should be concerned in odium peccare mali, formidine Pœnæ." This is the nature of juries, and the consequence of their mistaking in their notions of law. I shall dismiss the subject till my next. In the mean time, it is my wish, and my prayer, that these important truths may be familiar to my countrymen. Thus happy in the knowledge of the dangers that threaten us, we may guard against them, defeat the machinations of our enemies, and finally prove superior to oppression.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY. Mr. THOMAS,
I HAVE for a few years past, constantly read the public papers at my leisure hours, and have been attentive to the public disputes for and against Liberty and the Constitution, and find some writers seem to be founder of words and forms than of substance. Those who write in support of Liberty, it appears to me, can have nothing in view but the common interest, for which the public are, or ought to be, greatly obliged to them. The gift of Offices, honorary or pecuniary, are at the disposal of the Governor; who now confessedly is paid by, and entirely at the disposal and direction of the minister, who has instructed him by all means to discountenance, displace, and not promote any that oppose the new system of Government; all which are attentively adhered to, which the writers again Liberty and this constitution have every thing to hope, and are all rewarded in proportion to their wicked exertions and treachery to their country, from Richardson the informer and murderer to the C---rs and H---a himself. Therefore it is no wonder that such who are in want of bread, white or brown, and are too proud or lazy to get it in a slow, honest way, are always ready at the expence of prostituted virtue, to corrupt, nay butcher their fellow citizens, betray the very freedom of their own offspring and country to supply their luxury. Many whose names I could mention, have succeeded in their wickedness and wrote themselves into office, while others are now candidates for preferment, and in the same infamous manner assert known falsehoods, and after the example of their patron, call upon God to be a witness to their premeditated, horrid falsehoods.
Among these miserable miscreants, appears in Draper's Paper, one CHRONUS, alias H---n, who addresses himself to the public, and tells them, the writers who assume to themselves the title of PATRIOTS, are men of desperate fortunes, and may find their account in rash tumultuous proceedings. Here my indignation rises! It is true and I am not ashamed to own it; I am a shoemaker, a citizen, a freeman, and a freeholder, and I hope a better man than CHRONUS. I am an old man and a grandfather, and though I may be thought now to go beyond my LAST, I can return to it with convenience, and say, I am a better

test falsehood... an honest man... indirectly moved a... word or writing moved... from my countrymen... I never appealed... for the truth of a known... or ever used MY INFLUENCE... with others to do it; I never advised or... counselled any under me to register a... falsehood for truth though they were not... under oath; I never publicly or privately... said my countrymen had no grievances to... complain of; that I knew of no liberties or... rights they had lost, that could be FELT or... SEEN, OR UNDERSTOOD.
I never wittingly endeavoured to deceive... the publick, by telling them or insinuating... to them, that they were a rich flourishing... people, that were in the full enjoyment of... their natural rights as Englishmen, and... that they were secured by the laws in the... quiet possession of their property, when I... knew at the same time it was wrested from... them: Nor did I ever, to recommend my-... self, say to my friends, under the rose, the... people had in my opinion a right to resist... the acts imposing duties on us by force if... they were able and afterwards deny it, and... do my utmost to misrepresent and enslave... my own country.
If the publick have any reason to believe... that Chronus is guilty of what I here pub-... lickly declare I am not; they will believe that... I am both a better and an honester man, and... would not exchange my LAST and... poor abilities for all his EXCELLENCIES, and... profound knowledge and jesuitical art.
I would ask HONEST CHRONUS what... he means when he supposes a stranger... should see our ships and stores filled with... goods, and the merchants buying and sel-... ling without interruption, our ship carry-... ing abroad our superfluities, and returning... with the produce of almost every climate... under Heaven; our tradesmen employed in... their several occupations.
Should he pass through the market and... behold it filled with every necessary, and... almost every luxury of life in the greatest... plenty and variety imaginable. When he... had viewed all this, should he take a tour... into the country, and behold the farmer... busily occupied, cultivating his own... grounds or reaping the fruits of them, set-... ting under his own vine and his own fig-... tree, and enjoying with his family both the... profits and pleasure of a country life in... the greatest plenty and variety imaginab-... le. If in returning to the metropolis, he should... find the roads almost covered with coaches,... chariots and chaises, filled with people who... were making excursions upon parties of... pleasure, or merely for the sake of an air-... ing. Chronus, this is insinuating, to place... so many agreeable objects before us when... you know their short duration, and the... sudden change that is intended. But you... would here insinuate that the stranger and... the unwary, especially in the country... towns, from all this appearance, must hence... conclude that we enjoyed our full rights... and liberties agreeable to charter and the... constitution, and had nothing justly to com-... plain of. Would he by such wicked insi-... nuations endeavour to persuade the country... farmers into a belief of security and full en-... joyment of their rights, at a time too when... he knew their rights and substance were... wresting from them, and to mislead them,... calls the friends of liberty pretended patri-... ots, a parcel of needy men without proper-... ty, who have nothing to hope for but from... the ruin of others. Or would he attempt... to prove from all these appearances of plen-... ty and gaiety, that we have nothing to com-... plain of; does he not know with every boy... in matter 1 — 's school, (God bless them... I hope they will not be corrupted) that the... most absolute and despotic governments and... kingdoms, as France, Turkey, &c. make... the same appearances in trade and manuf-... ments; but nevertheless know too their... lives and fortunes depend upon the absolute... will of their sovereign; such miseries this... unhappy country now notoriously begins to... experience, under the tyranny of who we... soon shall be as absolutely independant on... us, unless timely checked by those whom... Chronus calls wrong-headed pretended pa-... triots. Will Chronus give me leave in my... turn to tell the farmers, if they are busily... occupied in cultivating their farms and... pruning their vines and fig-trees, they are... but preparing BARONS for their NEW
LORDS, who they may expect will take... possession of them before the fruits of their... labour are well ripe.
Have we not Chronus, recent and fatal... proofs of this melancholy truth in Hindale,... and may not this refractory province expect... neighbours fare, for if I mistake not, some... time last spring the governor received a man-... date, (not a mandamus, that is to come)... from the ministry, to dispossess a great num-... ber of families many years settled at the Ea-... stern parts of this province, under its author-... ity, which the Governor it is said did not... press over hard, and the Council and House... considering such a procedure to be no less... novel than cruel, joined in a remonstrance... home that they might be quieted in their... possessions. What will be the issue is un-... certain.
But although an old man, if my assistance... will have any tendency to prevent such cru-... el robberies, my dagger is at their service... and a hand to direct it. Chronus tells us... this is a subordinate state, and therefore sub-... ject to the controul of the general laws of... the empire. Will Chronus condescend to... shew how we became subject to such gene-... ral laws, will he appeal to first principles or... the contract, the charter between the King... of Great-Britain and this province, and tell... us as Englishmen, we are subject to laws we... were not consenting to, and that our Sove-... reign's predecessors had no right to grant our... fore-fathers the absolute fee of this soil and... territory, to them and their heirs forever,... in consideration of, and reserving to his Ma-... jesty, his heirs and successors, one fifth of... all the gold and silver ore and precious stones... that shall at any time be found therein, in... lieu of all manner of duties, demands and... services whatever, and that none of the lands... and territory belonging to any person or per-... sons, shall be judged, or taken to be avoided... or prejudiced for want of form; but that... the same stand and remain in full force, &c. To establish, make and ordain all man-... ner of laws, statutes and ordinances,... not contrary to the laws of the realm of Eng-... land; to impose and levy proportional... rates and taxes upon the estates and persons... of all and every the proprietors of said pro-... vince or territory, and for the necessary de-... fence and support of government, according... to such acts as shall be in force therein.
Friend Chronus will not, I believe, be... hardy enough to say, the obligation of his... prince is not so good or so binding as that of... the subject, but if he should, I will say that... in my opinion it is high time they should ex-... change stations. Let me ask Chronus a... question, since it is plain by the constitution... and practice of England time immemorial,... that no man shall be taxed without his con-... sent; and as plain from reiterated proof, that... this province and territory is distinct from... England and have a right to tax themselves... for the support of their state: Suppose then... after this people had granted the utmost pen-... ny their circumstances would allow (which... surely none will dispute they are the best... judges of) for the support of government;... the subjects of England, France, Spain or... Turkey should grant unto his Majesty, four... shillings in the pound upon all the lands we... own and possess, or as much more if they... please upon the fruits of our labour, should... we not have a right to treat them as fools or... madmen, but if they should come with hostile... force to demand it, should we not then by... the law of nature have a right to treat them... as robbers and assassins.
I have not done yet friend Chronus, let... us draw a comparison between this territory... and that of Ireland; they are a conquered... country, and the vanquished you know will... submit to their conquerors own terms; thus... did Ireland, and though within a few hours... fall of England and under their eye, yet Ire-... land are governed by their own laws and tax... themselves as the best judges of their own a-... bilities and the exigencies of their state. Now... should the commons of England grant and... give the property of the commons of Ire-... land, would they not do you think friend... Chronus, stare, and perhaps swear too, that... if they could not defend themselves in sup-... port of their property, they would invite to... their assistance, such as would? and you... know Chronus it is the fashion for nations... to war for territory, though at the risque of... odds against them.
What then will not the Americans do... (who are not a conquered people nor likely
ever will be) while nine out of ten are free-... holders and have still room for as many mil-... lions of inhabitants as both England and Ire-... land will contain and able to maintain them. Blest Chronus, bless Hisbore* bless,—... and learn a profitable lesson from a poor old... thocmake—to save your sole, to deserve... to live; to sleep and die in a whole skin,—... never go beyond your LAST but wax the... thread of life to the very end.
CRISPIN.
The reader is desired to excuse the pub-... lication of Crispin's performance, it is neces-... sary it should be known what common people,... even COBLERS, think and feel under the... present Administration.
The WHISPERER, N o . LXXXVI.
AS the late fire at Portsmouth, engrosses... great part of the public Attention, as... our present Ministers (or rather Traitors)... chuse to conceal, from the knowledge of the... world, every thing they know relative to that... dark and villainous transaction, as they with-... hold from the public the depositions taken at... Reading by the under Secretaries of state,... from one of the incendiaries confined there: And as they expect to hide from the people... of England and the whole world the infamy... of their own actions, and to screen from pu-... nishment their friends, their adherents, and... their tools, conscious that the evidence of... BRITAIN, and the papers in his possession,... would be sufficient to convict Lord Mansfield,... Lord Bute, Lord Falkenbridge, &c. &c. of... HIGH TREASON; and Count de Guignes... the French Ambassador, who was suffered... to escape, of being concerned in enlisting... men in the French service, and conspiring a-... gainst the life of the King of GREAT BRIT-... TAIN; and one of the Spanish Ambassador... Prince Massarenas's head servants (I will not... say with his privity and consent) being parties... in that hellish conspiracy.
I say, as this is the design of Lord Suffolk... and the rest of the Ministry in keeping this... matter a profound, and if possible an eternal... secret, it shall be my business in this paper to... give to the world, a very particular and cir-... cumstantial account of the horrid plot, toge-... ther with damning proofs of their GUILT: I... will leave them to vindicate their own cha-... racters, and take upon myself the justification... of my assertions, as far as it is consistent or ne-... cessary.
The account I am about to publish will... strike every man with horror, and I think... cannot fail to draw down the vengeance of... the people of England, upon the pusillanimous,... and traitorous ministers of this country.
JONATHAN BRITAIN was born in the... North of Yorkshire, his father and mother... were Roman catholicks, and he declares that... he secretly professed that religion himself, but... appeared openly to be a protestant. About... four years ago he entered as a common man in... Mordaunt's dragoons, he was soon after made... a corporal, and in a short time serjeant, from... that he was raised to serjeant paymaster. Some time after he was placed in this sta-... tion, he was sent into Gloucestershire on a re-... cruiting party, where he got acquainted with... one Pierre Rogers, who has a commission in... the French service, and was employed to en-... list men here for the use of the King of... France, by order of the Count de Guignes, the... late run-away ambassador; BRITAIN and... ROGERS entered into a long conversation... together, the latter soon found the former... was of the same religion as himself, and... therefore opened his mind without any sort... of reserve; he made him large promises, and... told him he would introduce him to the... French Ambassador, and that he should re-... ceive one shilling a day, pay from the French... King, and two guineas and a crown for every... man he got; induced by the lure of interest,... and not attached by principle or religion to... the English government, he was prevailed... upon to undertake this dangerous business,... and accordingly beat up for volunteers with... redoubled vigour; and when he got a recruit... that was willing to enter into Mordaunt's dra-... goons, he first made him drunk, and then... run down the English service, expatiated ve-... ry largely, on the many hardships the soldiers... suffered in England, and how much prefera-... ble it was to be in the army in France, that... the soldiers here were only slaves, while those... in the service of the most Christian King en-... joyed perfect liberty; by these specious ar-... guments he prevailed on many to go to
France; who were immediately sent to Ro-... gers, and he took care of them till there was... a proper opportunity for shipping them off. Eighteen men were put on board a vessel ly-... ing off Holy Island*. BRITAIN by the... arts above described, made one Ward of the... 2nd regiment desert, at Cirencester in Glou-... cestershire; one Anderson of the fourth bat-... talion of the train of artillery; one John... Hawse, of the 4th regiment of foot, on the... 17th of March last, quartered at Mansfield,... in Nottinghamshire; the party was com-... manded by Captain Gould. He took from... the Alderborough, Captain Hawker, an Eng-... lish ship of war, lying off Bristol, four men... and one boy; these men together with seve-... ral others were shipped at Bristol on board the... Mary bound to Bologne Captain Hawkins... master of Swansea in Wales. At another... time Rogers and he shipped at Shields three... men; these, and many more, to the number... of fifty or sixty were trepanned into the... French service by them in the course of nine... or ten months, and carefully delivered to one... Campbell, on the parade at Bologne. In the... course of this time BRITAIN regularly re-... ceived one shilling per day from Rogers, as... pay from the French King, and about 32 or... 33 guineas from Count Guignes, for enlisting... them besides several sums at different times... from Rogers.
BRITAIN, after he had been acquainted... with Rogers some considerable time, was... introduced by him to one Le Jeune, a Rom-... catholic priest, and one Jean Caleane; they... had frequent meetings together, and when... Britain became a little intimate with them,... Le Jeune said he had a matter of great im-... portance to communicate, and begged they... might all meet at a certain time he then... mentioned at the Golden Cross, Charing-Cross,... which they did; Le Jeune told them as soon... as they met, that before he could open the... business, he must enjoin them all in an... oath of secrecy and administer the sacrament,... this was accordingly done, (though they all... knew the design of meeting before, except... Britain.) Le Jeune exhorted them nearly... in the following words. "Gentlemen we... all profess one and the only true religion, the... Hereticks are now become so numerous, that... unless some stroke is soon struck they will o-... verspread the earth, and the pure and holy reli-... gion of the church of Rome must dwindle into... nothing, and we shall in a short time have no... sanctuary or place of rest in the world. It... therefore becomes us Gentlemen as true ca-... tholicks, to endeavour by every means in our... power to exterminate them from the face of... the earth, it is a deed that will appear glori-... ous both in the sight of God and man; it is... a cause in which I myself should be happy... to die a martyr. The purpose of this meet-... ing was to acquaint you, that a design was... formed of setting fire to Portsmouth Dock Yard,... afterwards to the Governor's house, and... then to the Town in different places, for... this purpose I have got a certain number of... balls, made of pitch tar, rosin, and other... combustible matters, hollow within, and in... order to shew you the execution these balls... will do, I will burn one now before you;"... Le Jeune then put a little tow into the hole,... touched it with the candle, and it burnt a full... quarter of an hour.
This matter being finished, their next bu-... siness was to fix the places of rendezvous,... which they did; the first was at Havant a... market town in Hampshire, about 9 miles... N. E. of Portsmouth; where they met on... the 21st of July, 1770; but not having... balls enough ready as they imagined, to put... their diabolical scheme effectually into execu-... tion, it was deferred till the 27th, the fa-... tal morning and they proceeded to Chichester,... to the White-Swan, where they stayed till... late in the evening of the 27th, and then... made the best of their way to Portsmouth... they arrived there a little after one in the... morning. Caleane went to Broker's Point,... and prepared a boat to carry them all off,... Britain, Le Jeune, and Rogers, set fire to... the Dock Yard in 31 or 32 places; the flames
* An island in the German Sea, 6 Miles South of Berwick in Northumberland.
† This circumstance does not come directly in order of time, but as I shall have no occasi-... on to mention the enlisting men into the French... service, when I have treated of the Fire at... Portsmouth, though it appears this was a sub-... sequent transaction, I thought it most proper... to blend it with those matters, with which it... had some connection.