The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1770-11-19 00:00:00

The Massachusetts Spy.
VOL. I.] From THURSDAY, November 15, to MONDAY, November 19, 1770. [N o . 44.
From BINGLEY'S JOURNAL.
An ANECDOTE.
A LPHONSO IV. King of Portugal, was such a keen sportsman, as sometimes to be whole months from Lisbon; and at his return, all he talked of was how many beasts he had killed or taken, and other particulars of his sport. After a long patience under these circumstances, one of his Councillors, accompanied by many of the like rank, addressed him in the following manner: "Sire, be pleased to permit your kingdom to make known its mind, through my mouth. Remember what you are, and what we are; that it is not as to a sportsman, but as to a King, that we owe you the faithful obedience which we have always paid you; that you will not be accountable to God, for killing, or not killing stags and wild boars, but for the manner in which you govern your people, who are every day sacrificing their fortunes or their lives for your interest and glory. So, Sire, turn over a new leaf, and reign like a King; if you will not, let me tell you, that we are determined, and indeed it is our duty, to look out for another." "Look out for another!" answered Alphonso, flaming with indignation. Here the whole body of remonstrants seconding the Counsellor, the irritated Monarch told them, "it was an insolent and criminal speech," and abruptly turned his back on them. His reason however soon resuming its due ascendancy, he saw into the justness of their complaint, and acknowledging their boldness to be a laudable effect of their zeal, he, according to their phrase, did in reality turn over a new leaf, and entirely applied himself to the good government of his dominions.
An ESSAY on PATIENCE.
T HE man of a frantic heated imagination considers patience as flowing from a meanness of soul, a dastardly disposition, the last resource of cowards; but the man of real sagacity, who can view things through a dispassionate medium, discovers in it all the genuine marks of a noble mind. It is supported by hope, and is entirely unacquainted with every species of despair, the constant companion of a lowness of sentiment. Patience is so strong a barrier against every kind of disgrace, that all our ills lose the greatest part of their power, by opposing this virtue to them. It combats all opponents, and every conflict is a victory. It honourably resists the greatest hardships of this world, and sweetens the bitters of adversity in such a manner, that we scarce perceive we are miserable. It is one of those virtues that constantly carries its own reward, for the very practice of it makes us sensible of its benefits. The emperor Marcus Aurelius, so famed for his fortitude and patience, often said
that Cæsar acquired the empire by the sword, Augustus by inheritance, Caligula by the merits of his father, Nero by tyranny, Titus by having vanquished Judea; but that for his part, though of a low extraction, he had obtained it by patience.
Again, whatever crosses and misfortunes we meet with, and however heavy their burthen, they cannot overwhelm us, whilst we are not abandoned by patience: on the contrary, they become proportionably lightened as we resolutely exercise this virtue. As every thing in nature has its contrast, so patience is the opposite to despair; wherefore the Christians consider it as an heavenly grace; and the philosophers of antiquity pronounced it the last efforts of a firm and generous soul. It is very nearly allied to courage, which cannot shine without opponents; in the like manner this virtue disappears as misfortunes desert us. Patience is the most generous of all friends, never appearing in prosperity; but when our miseries attain a pitch that threatens all our future happiness, she never fails to offer her assistance to those really inclined to avail themselves of her kindness.
In fine, if, as the English poet says,
The only wretched are the wise,
they alone can judiciously avail themselves of the proper antidote---Patience is their birthright, an inheritance precluded from fools, who are never the architects of their own good fortune, but frequently of their own misery. Paris, August 6th, 1770.
Extracts from late English News-Papers.
LONDON, August 17.
A CORRESPONDENT desires us to insert an instance of the attraction of steel, which he had from a German officer of veracity:---That Gentleman being at the head of a company, when a sudden storm came on, they sought shelter in the entrance of a wood: It lightened excessively, and, being in a direct point to the storm, the spontoon, which the above mentioned Gentleman had in his hand, so powerfully attracted the lightning, that it was shivered to pieces; happily he received no damage; but this will, perhaps, be admitted as a proof, that the smallest quantity of steel has more attraction in it than a whole forest of trees.
An odd circumstance has lately occurred to an officer of the customs at Portsmouth, by the seizure of a large case, which he took to be sweetmeats; but on opening it, he found it to be human bones. The ridicule which this has brought upon him, is the circumstance alluded to; for now the boys follow him in the streets, crying, Duddy, who seized the sweet meats!

Some officers of the army are highly displeased with the late orders from the War-Office for numbering the buttons on their regimental cloaths. "D--n me, says a young ensign, at St. James's Coffee-house, the other day, what a degradation is here! Why, it was but this day as I was passing the Temple, a Ticket-porter came up to me, and insolently accosted me with, Brother, what number?"
The following is sent us as a real fact.---A governess teaching her young heedless pupil to spell, cries, "Bless me, Lady Susan, you spell as bad as the Duke; why child you will see yourself one of these days the ridicule of every news-paper." "Shall I? replies the young lady, I vow I will never learn to read, and then I shall not see it;" and away she ran as fast as she could.
Southampton, August 15. Yesterday the Mayor, and the rest of the corporation, waited upon his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, in their formalities, when the Town-Clerk, in the name of the body, addressed his Royal Highness in the following terms:
"May it please your Highness,
"THE Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgesses of the town of Southampton, directed by an invariable principle of duty and love to every branch of the family of our illustrious Sovereign, with all deference approach, to pay their tribute of affection to your Royal Highness. Deign, most noble Prince! to accept this overture of their good will; and may your Highness long live, esteemed and honoured, by the subjects of the most amiable monarch in the world."
His Royal Highness received this Address with every mark of true politeness; and with the most engaging condescension, returned the following Answer:
"Mr. Mayor, and Gentlemen of the Corporation.
"I RETURN you thanks for this mark of duty to the King, and of affection to me; and you may be assured that I shall always be happy to do service to the Corporation and Town of Southampton."
They all had the honour of kissing his Royal Highness's hand.
A late Speech and Address to a most noble Prince, versified.
W E the May'r and the Bailiffs of S-----mpton town, Who have always been loyal and true to the Crown, Directed by Instinct , that governs brutes all, From the Bear in the forest to the Ox in the stall, Come hither to pay our respects to our betters, For Virtue so fam'd and your knowledge of Letters . O do not, great Prince, our poor tribute despise, Nor send us a packing with tears in our eyes; But suffer us here in your presence to stand, And to kiss with all duty your dear little hair .
S O N G.
Y E Captains and Admirals, mighty and brave, Who rear Britain's standard, and traverse her wave, That each cruise may prove glorious, be sure you take care To carry a lock of her dear little hair .
Your future high Admiral bids you do this, As something to play with, and something to kiss; Though his H-----s expressly does not tell you where He cropt this sweet lock of her dear little hair .
This lock was the dearest that ever was found, No less did it cost him than ten thousand pound; Such a circumstance surely may serve to declare, Its right to the title of DEAR little hair .
S A T U R D A Y, November 17. B O S T O N.
T HIS afternoon, the brigantine Paoli, Capt. Hall, arrived here from London, by whom we have the following FRESH INTELLIGENCE, viz.
LONDON, September 12.
A distinguished personage, who made a conspicuous figure in the opposition, during the last political campaign, has hinted to the Premier, that he is willing to shake hands with him, upon certain conditions .
On the other hand, it is asserted, that notwithstanding the wavering and inconstancy of some, and the defection of others, of a certain society, the patriotic band have a masked battery to play off against next winter, which will astonish all the tools of administration.
We hear from very good authority, that the Parliament will not sit for the dispatch of business till after Christmas, on account of the American affairs being likely to terminate so well.
BOSTON, September 13. On Friday morning last, the collector of the General-Post-Office, with one of the clerks were sent express in a chaise and four to Plymouth, after the last dispatched New-York bag, with orders, that if they did not overtake it there, immediately to get a vessel, and follow the packet for that purpose; supposed to be the consequence of some change of sentiments in the ministry, respecting the New-York importers.
The report is now current in all the public offices, that this nation is on the eve of a war with some of the continental powers.
We hear orders are just given for 11,000 tons of shipping to be immediately taken up on Government contract, to be employed as transports.
A board of admiralty will be held on Tuesday next, on affairs of great importance.
We hear three regiments of infantry, on the Irish establishment, are ordered to be in readiness to embark for foreign service.
A squadron of Spanish men of war, consisting of nine sail, besides transports, were lately seen near off the Bermuda islands, steering to the southwest.
Last night it was reported, that the Spanish ambassador set out on his journey to Madrid.
Fifteen per cent. insurance against a war for one month was offered yesterday at Lloyd's coffee house.
Several transports are taken up, to carry troops and stores to Gibraltar, to relieve that garrison; and as a proper convoy of men of war must necessarily be appointed to attend them, it is conjectured by the rational part of mankind, that this circumstance has given an

opportunity to the bulls and bears to propagate the report of a war, in order to make a prey of the ignorant and undiscerning. In consequence of this artful scheme, the flocks have already fallen three or four per cent.
Also it is reckoned, that the sixteen men of war of the line now fitting out, will require 10,000 sailors to man them.
A Gentleman lately arrived from Italy reports, that the Earl of B--e attends mass abroad with great fervency of devotion.
There is nothing talked of in the city but a Spanish War, and the merchants, instead of being apprehensive of the consequences, labour to bring it about.
It is laid very large insurances on French and Spanish property are now making at the east end of the town, on high premiums.
At the late visit of a certain ambassador to Lord Weymouth, it is said, that he insisted on knowing the destination of our men of war now fitting out; but his Lordship assured him, that the English would by no means be accountable to any nation on that head; upon which the ambassador replied, that if the English thought proper to drive his country into a war, his court would be prepared for it; and immediately turning upon his heel, abruptly left the English minister.
September 14. Letters from Warsaw, dated August 22 d , assure us, that the plague has already carried off 30,000 souls in the neighbourhood of Zaslau, Ortrog, Chmielnik, Constantinow, Dubno and Zbarat. In consequence of these advices, the entrance into the principal cities of that kingdom is forbidden to all strangers who are unprovided with bills of health, as well for themselves as their effects.
TOULON, [ France ] August 10. The La Fleche man of war, stationed as a cruizer on the coast of Corsica, has just brought in fifty-one Corsicans, who continued in arms, among whom is one of their chiefs. Scarce a packet-boat arrives without bringing some of them, who are committed to the great tower, from whence they are sent to the Isle of Rhe, in order to their being transported to our American Islands. It is certain, if we go on at the same rate as for some time past, that Corsica, in a few years, must be entirely drained of its natives. No greater regard is paid to the clergy than the laity, many of the former having been brought hither, who are distributed in different provinces in this kingdom, to break their national spirit.
LONDON, Sept. 24. Thursday last the new dock at Liverpool was opened for the reception of ships, when several went in, in view of a great number of spectators, who were assembled upon the occasion, and genteelly entertained by order of the Mayor, with cold ham, fowls, punch, wine, &c.
We are assured, that for some time past a very great personage has been closely employed in reading Sidney, Locke, and some other celebrated writers on government.
September 25. It is reported, that yesterday at two o'clock an express arrived at the Admiralty, with an account that the Spaniards have landed 500 men, taken
possession of Falkland Isle, and made our troops prisoners of war.
It is the general opinion, that the Dorsetshire and Edgar men of war, which sailed some time since, are gone to Falkland Islands.
We are well assured, that a few days since the merchants in the Turkey trade applied to Lord N---, to know the destination of the fleet now fitting out, as certain information on that head was a matter of no small importance to them; when his Lordship waved acquainting them with the part of the world it was designed for, but declared it was not intended for the Mediterranean.
The Ocean and Fame men of war are ordered to be fitted out at Plymouth.
Sir Peter Dennis is appointed to command the grand fleet of observation for the Mediterranean.
Yesterday morning there was a very hot press about Wapping, when they got a great number of seamen.
We hear by a letter from Portsmouth, that there is a distemper now raging amongst the Russian sailors, which carries off near twenty men in a day.
Through a peculiar authentic channel we find, that the Grand Signior takes upon himself the sole direction of affairs in the present crisis; that his dictates are the rule of conduct of the divan; and that his natural warmth of temper is greatly increased in consequence of the ill success of his arms.
This day both Houses of Parliament will meet, pursuant to their last adjournment.
It is said the Earl of Northington will sit as Speaker of the House of Lords this day, when the Parliament is to be prorogued, in the room of Lord Mansfield, now at Scarborough.
We are glad to have it in our power to gratify the curiosity of the public, which has been so inquisitive after the name of the real author of the Defence of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland. This ingenuous pamphlet was ascribed, by some, to Colonel Lutterel; and by others, to Dr. Blackstone; and as neither of those gentlemen contradicted the general opinion, they enjoyed the honour of having composed it. By the following letter which we have received, the public may be now assured, that that Defence was written by Mr. Treyssac de Vergy.
“May it please your Highness,”
“SOME authors write for glory, others for profit: I own, with sincerity, that I write for both, and am extremely pleased when I can unite together a purse of gold and the public esteem. Had not the Defence I have published against the calumniators of your Royal Highness been praised by men of merit and genius, you would not know me, for I am too proud to sacrifice my literary reputation to the hope of a reward. I am, may it please your Royal Highness, your most humble and obedient servant, TREYSSAC DE VERGY.”
When the Duke of C---d had read this letter, it is said, he ordered 200 l . to be sent to De Vergy.
We have authentic advice, that the plague rages with great violence, at this time, in Constantinople and parts adjacent; that the present has been an extreme unhealth-

thy season in the warmer climates; and that great numbers of people have been carried off in consequence.
September 26. Friday night, about ten o'clock, a messenger arrived at St. James's, with an account that her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales is on her way to England; and that she is expected at Helveotfluy's next Saturday.
Orders are given for twenty sail of transports to be engaged on government contract.
Friday twenty-five Irishmen, who had been in the sea service, and were determined not to be pressed, met at the Sun in Fashion-street, Spitalfields, where they were joined by twenty more, from whence they proceeded, 45 in number, to the house of rendezvous at St. Catharine's, and entered themselves voluntarily in his Majesty's service.
M O N D A Y, November 19. B O S T O N.
Friday last the Glasgow man of war arrived here from Halifax.
We hear that one day last week, a young child of Capt. Edward Jarvis, fell in the fire, and was so terribly burnt as to occasion its death in a short time afterwards.
Extract of a Letter from London, dated September 19.
"The nations of Europe are on the eve of a general rupture. By the daily accounts, England and Spain will soon commence hostilities. Last night there was a very great press for seamen. Powerful armaments are fitting out by sea---the land forces recruiting. Frequent counsels and consultations between the King, Ministers, and Ambassadors of foreign Courts. Expresses going to and from all quarters; in short every thing bears the aspect of war.
"How a war with Spain will affect the colonies, I cannot tell; but it is generally thought here a change of Ministers will by that means be brought about in favour of the popular party. Should that take place, a union must ensue.
"The affair of March 5th, and removal of the court to Cambridge, are much talked of here.
"The orders from New-York have greatly weakened the terror of that union so dreaded by Administration.
"It is conjectured by some that about the time of Capt. Preston's trial, Boston will again be invested by a fleet and army; and should he be condemned, a pardon from his Majesty will be ready to take him off before a new indictment can be brought against him."
Extract of a Letter from London, dated September 15.
"I really believe we shall have a war in a short time. It was reported to day, that the Spaniards have actually taken an island from us in the South-Sea: If so, it is imagined we shall soon be at blows."
Some other late letters from London, mention, that it was thought WAR with Spain was inevitable, and that the Ministry only waited for the return of a messenger from the court of Spain to cause the same to be proclaimed immediately.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, N. Hamp. Nov. 16.
"Capt. William McLennan, who arrived at Casco-Bay last Tuesday informs, That in lat. 32. long. 69. on the 3d of November, he spoke with Captain Stephenson, in a brigantine, bound from Falmouth to Cape-Fear, out twenty eight days, who told him that when he left England, War was expected to be declared every day against France, Spain, and Portugal, and did not doubt, but in a few days after he left that port it took place: He further informs, that on his passage, he was chased a whole day by a Portuguese man of war, but luckily got clear."
By the Paoli, Capt. Hall, who left London the 28th of September, we have advice of the arrival of the captains Brown and Symmes from this port, who had again put up for this place.
Captain Hall, on his passage hither, was chased by a ship of force, who fired several shot at him, but being a faster sailer got clear.
Captain Burnell, in a brig for this place left London a fortnight before Captain Hall, as did also a number of vessels for New-York, fully laden with goods for the merchants of that city, &c.
DIED.] Mrs. Mary Colson, wife of Mr. Adam Colson, leather-dresser.---Mr. Thomas Pelham, rope-maker.---Mrs. King, wife to Mr. King, mariner.---Mrs. Langdon, widow.---Mr. Jarvis, block-maker.
ARRIVED here.] Hall, Reed and Langdon from London.
WHEREAS the Co-partnership of JOSEPH 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.
HAT LININGS , made and sold at 30s. old tenor the dozen, or 3s. single, by JOHN BROWNE, at the Manufactory-house, near the Common, Boston.
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.