The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1771-10-31 00:00:00

THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY
A Weekly, Political, and Commercial PAPER:--Open to ALL Parties, but Influenced by None.
Published by I. THOMAS, in Union-Street, BOSTON.
VOL. I.]
THURSDAY, October 31, 1771.
[NUMB. 35.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
The CENTINEL. No. XIX.
So when triumphant from successful toils, Of heroes slain, he bears the reeking spoils, Whole hosts may hail him with deserved acclaim, And say this chief amends his former fame.
POPE'S HOMER.
To govern with propriety--to be the means of diffusing happiness to thousands, and to fix the basis of empire in the affections of the subject, is a task not frequently entered on among mortals, and seems to be the sole attribute of him who is the King of Kings. Yet we find some men whatever may be the case with the generality, nobly venturing on this plan. Not the lustre of power, or the extrinick ornaments of a throne, which may captivate the unthinking, will seduce the man whose views are thus centered, or compensate for those weighty cares which stick as thorns in his pillow, and frequently disturb his repose. But however imperfect the execution of what he generously intended, a grateful people will revere and love him, and cast a mantle over those faults human nature can hardly ever rise superior to. But quite different will be their sentiment with respect to him, who makes the baubles of sovereignty fatal engines to enslave millions, and in whose conduct, these little failings swell into crimes. While the former is venerated, the latter will be equally despised, insulted, cursed and detested.
These thoughts naturally presented themselves to my mind, on reading a paragraph in the last Spy, purporting, that Captain Preston, was reimbursed the sum of 500l. sterling, for the charges he might have been in defending his conduct the 5th of March, A. D. 1770, and was also favoured with the pension of 200l. sterling per annum. This account may be premature, and for the honour of human nature in general, and of the English government in particular, I wish it may be. But repeated bad treatment will make any man suspicious, and reflections on the behaviour of those in power through the whole of this fatal transaction, will justify this suspicion. But before I enter on the matter, I would premise, that my opinion is, that our most amiable sovereign, whom God long preserve, has had no hand in this dark proceeding. He has private virtues, and the man of social qualities will detest the action. On the minister let the odium lie, and that same principle in our law which shelters the sovereign, gives full hope of vengeance on the heads of his great men. I say, I will not suspect my K---, to have any hand in this affair, for it is one of the basest that ever blackened English history. It is an injury which I assert, and I assert feelingly, no tree-man can forgive. Some grievances we labour under, when redressed, would be no more thought of. They may rot like the carcasses of their contrivers, and like their memories perish in a short space of time, but such an insult may never be forgotten.
I believe if we ransack every period in the annals of Great-Britain, and every law-book that ever was wrote, we shall find no instance before the present era, when homicide of fellow citizens was never rewarded. It is remarkable, that however criminal the reigns of former monarchs, no wretch ever dared stretch his power to such an height. It is the unhappiness of this age to produce the first instance, and Balfie, McQuirk, McLaughlin and Preston, are the venerable names that will hereafter stand as precedents. Homicide of a subject, even when justifiable, is always looked on in our laws, as a melancholy incident in a state; and Lord Coke tells us, the reason is, "that men should be so wary to direct their actions, as they tend not to the effusion of man's blood." Hence the spirit of the law, that in manslaughter, although, out of respect to the infirmities of nature, the man has not judgment of death, yet he forfeits his goods and chattels, is burnt in the hand and may be imprisoned at pleasure. And Coke tells us fur-
ther, "even the killing by misadventure, or by chance, albeit it be not felony, yet he shall forfeit all his goods and chattels." 2d inst. p. 57. Homicide, in the most favourable instance, was never thought merit, which only entitles to reward. But the law and the prisoner, if he has natural feelings, pity the misfortune, and though drove by necessity, instead of repenting this unhappy killing, ought and will be the cause of bitter reflections.
If this is the case with respect to justifiable homicide, what must the world think of the present instance? I shall not trouble myself about the trial of this man. I shall not consider the method of clearing him, nor inspect the motives that prompted to this action. To the reader's own thoughts and observations I leave the matter, and to the reflections of those who were intimately concerned in it. This however I will say, that it is the opinion of some as equal in abilities, yea, of the generality of this town and province, that Captain Preston, was, as he was indicted, a principal in second degree to as aggravated and cruel a MURDER, as was ever known in this country or in the world. I have seen, and let the reader follow me in these thoughts, I have seen in that fatal evening, some ruffians of the soldiery early in the evening, cutting, abusing and pricking the inhabitants, and this agreeable to a concerted plan. I have seen youths of about ten years of age, though appearing to the mercy of these wretches, treated with most inhuman severity. Was not this high time to alarm the people? They were alarmed, and by a method most effectual, by the cry of fire. They even went with buckets in their hands. I now assert, by virtue of those authorities in Hawkins, that were mentioned at the trials, the inhabitants must have been justified, if instead of buckets, or even the poles and flukes we heard of, they had taken guns and broad swords. For it is plain, and I appeal to the evidence, there was no appearance of any hostility in the citizens previous to those shocking abuses of the soldiery at the South-End, Dock-Square and Murray's Barracks. But this is not a time to discuss these matters, I shall therefore proceed. I have seen, on this collection of people being directed into King-street, with buckets, &c. a party from the main guard, not coming peaceably, but in the same hostile manner, insulting, pushing and abusing. In fine, after they were drawn up, on the appearance of only a few snow-balls and cinders, after worse treatment on their part, by the express order of Captain Preston, as three men on oath inform me, they completed their design, and by one fatal manœuvre, crimsoned the streets with blood. These facts I have a right to affirm, as many, and a very respectable part of my countrymen have attested to the truth of them on oath.
If these things are fact, and I appeal to the observation of all, what must be the sentiments of this people, when they find the principal instrument in this measure amply rewarded, as though he had merited something at the hands of his sovereign, and had promoted the interests of the crown. This some people may suspect, though my private opinion may be to lay the whole on the minister. However, let it be taken as it will, it evidently proves a rank distemper in the constitution, and shows a fatal design, that ought to alarm every Englishman. Happy if those antidotes may be prepared which may check the disease before it is too late, and the death, the tragedy of the empire be completed.
I have read somewhere of a nation happy in an amiable sovereign, whose generous, patriotic intentions, and the goodness of whole disposition broke forth in such tender epithets as these; "Animated by the tenderest affection for this my native country, and depending on the advice, experience and abilities of my counsellors, I shall make it the business of my life to promote the glory and happiness of these kingdoms. Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name; and the peculiar happiness of my life will consist in promoting the happiness of a people, whose loyalty and affection I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my throne, and whose
rights are dear to me as the most valuable prerogatives of my crown." Surely under such a monarch, a people must be completely happy. In such a reign, the most pleasing prospects open. The man who esteems the rights of his people dear to him, will ever take care to support those rights. Every remonstrance that appears well founded, will be attended to, and every grievance redressed. Justice and law will be executed impartially, and the murderer through high in station will suffer for his crimes. Yea, should the case happen, no matter by what means, that the law acquits, when such a prince finds a town, and a whole community uneasy under the event, he will be very cautious how he acts in the matter, and take great care not to put insult into the cup of the unhappy. In one word, as the scripture expresses the matter, "the wicked will be removed from the King, and his throne shall be established in righteousness."
To lose the affection of their rulers, and be treated with every mark of detestation is extremely galling. Perhaps there never was a people so cruelly harassed and insulted as this poor province. The ministry have taken every method in their power to show their opinion of us. As if it was not sufficient for this unhappy town to see its citizens weltering in their gore, abused, and massacred by an infamous soldiery, and then justified by their pleas, they have also rewarded the murderer. That it is the plain construction of this affair, but that it is as highly laudable in the soldiery, and every other mean instrument of tyranny, to suck the blood of an American, and especially of a Bostonian, as to kill a pigeon. That the ministry, to use their influence in forwarding so glorious a design, will for ever protect all those who thus comply with their intentions; and to encourage future wretches, if they persist in such treatment towards this people, they may assuredly expect the thanks and protection of the present administration. If a people are willing to submit to such treatment, to be thus miserably insulted by their enemies, it is my with they may be still more so, and the only satisfaction under innumerable abuses may be to gnaw their chains in anguish. But I flatter myself, the spirit of my countrymen is not wholly broke. I hope I may affirm with the North-Briton, "the late horrid massacre will never be forgotten, nor ever forgiven; and though it do not excite, as I hope it will not excite the people to take into their own hands the execution of the laws, and the revenge of their own injuries, yet will the memory of it be carefully treasured up for some after day of reckoning. And whenever that day of reckoning does come, as if such unconstitutional measures are pursued, it must I am afraid very soon come, it will pour poison into the wound already made, and will render the breach infinitely the more incurable."
There is one thing I would further remark before I quit the subject, which is of high importance to every Englishman, and that is, that there seems to be a set of formed plan, to overthrow the whole constitution of the empire, to introduce a military government, and render the fortune, property and life of the citizen as precarious as that of a Turk or a Japanese. If this is not the case, why are the authors of the several MURDERS committed in distinct parts of the kingdom not merely acquitted, but pensioned: witness the rioters at Brentford, the soldiers in St. George's-fields, the arch murderer Tryon, and our executioner Preston. What meaning can be put on that letter of the secretary at war, to the field officer in waiting, soon after the execution at St. George's-fields, telling him, "that his Majesty highly approved of the conduct of the officers and men, informing them that all possible regard shall be shown them, and that their zeal deserved it; and that they shall have all the protection, the law and that office can give." When such a shocking design appears so manifest, every Englishman ought to look about him. This is well known; that the English nation are slow in their proceedings, but when roused into action, go through the work effectually. If this is the
case, perhaps, that same people which shook the throne of Charles, and ruined the house of Stewart, will soon be enslaved by any other family under heaven. And experience of past ages may furnish future designing monarchs with two good lessons, the one from the English nation, not to drive to desperation a people who dare meet their sovereign in the field; the other from Turkey, that military force can never be a firm basis of empire, and that that power which crushed the rights of the people, may also one day prove as fatal to the interest of the crown.
And now my countrymen, let me put the question home, what think you of these things? Vattel tells us, "the constitution is a vain phantom, and the best laws are useless, if they are not religiously observed. A nation ought therefore to watch very attentively, in order to render them equally respected by those who govern, and the people destined to obey; and they ought to suppress abuses with the utmost vigour and vigilance as the importance of the case requires." Surely the case is now important, when pensions grow out of crimes. I should be sorry to insinuate that the time is come, when the life of an American is reckoned as a trifle, and that a red coat seems an essential security of life and property, and in fine, that to butcher and massacre, is the ready step to promotion. But I hope, and pray God, that amid all the distresses of my countrymen, this mean sentiment may prevail, that life and liberty shall be inseparable. In a word, that my countrymen are determined either like the first BRUTUS, to save themselves and the constitution, or like the second BRUTUS, in attempting it, to fall gloriously in the bed of honour.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
To PHOCION.
SIR,
IN this alarming period, when the blackest villainies, prejudices and treasons, recommend their perpetrators to distinguished notice and ample provision, a man must be possessed of a very moderate share of sensibility; who can hear of the renewed progress of fire and sword, ruin and desolation, against an indefinite number of his fellow subjects, and not find his curiosity excited, so far at least, as to ask some questions about it.
Could we from any measures of administration, conjecture what kind of persons they held entitled to protection, what, destined for the diversion of their instruments, some who set value on life, in such circumstances, might possibly fall upon one expedient or other to preserve it; but when indiscriminate slaughter, like the scythe of time, mows down the most imbecile mortals in being, barely for occupying a space no man could suspect, intended a theatre for undistinguished carnage, may not every individual consider himself in a very precarious situation? Is it wonderful then that men of sense and humanity should conceive themselves obliged to watch and enquire for each others safety, under a government where four inhuman massacres, and one atrocious murder have been countenanced, and most of them rewarded by royal authority, in so short a time! Where a generous and inflexible regard for the welfare of the people constitutes a man the butt of ministerial vengeance; and where public trusts are almost exclusively conferred upon public traitors.
We have been abundantly informed of the cruel measures you have exercised against men, of whom we have had better characters than of any who persecuted them. All agree these distentions originated in the uneasiness of the people with the oppressive behaviour of the officers of justice. This yourself have confessed, you have owned them guilty, but join in sentiment with your upright judges, who deemed their extortions and vexations, trivial offences and subtle grievances; and openly insulted the complainants with an overt abettment of the crimes of their despoilers. If this be not villainy, perjury and the blackest treason, I know not what ideas are properly affixable to these terms. You have not so much as pretended that Governor Tryon took any cog-

ance of these matters; he ordered the King's Attorney to prosecute; an official exertion of Great Satisfaction certainly arose from the prosecution of a villain at some loss of expence, and when all the chicanery to see him fined six-pence. Relations of such matters as these, were doubtless the groundless suggestions with which the busy spirits of the tantalized sufferers insinuated their neighbours; and undoubtedly the contagion spread wherever the mischief was felt. I have made no scruple to brand such actions with the complicated terms of villany, perjury and treason, and I solemnly affirm that the extortions, or connivance at the extortion of a single farthing by the officers of justice is a treasonable crime, and incompatible with their oaths of office. In their hands the guardianship of our lives and fortunes is reposed, and there they should be safe. Would not every man resume the right of private war, rather than fatigue himself with appeals from one sharper to another, conscious he must be ruined at last, come what might of the cause in debate? If we are not safe in appeal to the laws of our country, government as to us is dissolved, and we are inevitably thrown into anarchy and confusion. Of this misfortune in your province yourselves are confessedly the authors, to yourselves therefore pertains the scandal of kindling the flame that threatened your government.
You justly observe that with us the behaviour of your judges on this occasion, would be a proof of their corruption; with you, who have more liberal ideas of the guilt of extortion and oppression, and even of the horrors of a civil war, moved and carried on in defence of their perpetrators, it is a praise worthy exertion of their power.
I am much mistaken if the above is not a more natural account for the principle of licentiousness which you complain prevailed among you, than the trite, evasive and contemptible one you have given. Who in this country can expect advantage from public calamity! Surely not the illiterate husbandman! 'Real banditti,' more frequently destroy than cultivate wheat fields and orchards!!! And most men with or without principle, bear infinitely more than they ought from the avarice ambition and usurpation of their governors, meanly crouching to the most despicable wretches, flattering with addresses the traitors they should assail, with united execrations; and too much resembling the irrational innocent, who,
Licks the hand just rais'd to shed his blood.
Men feel for wild beasts when unnecessarily tortured, and all your rhetoric has fallen far short of convincing me, that you should be permitted to ravage a country, without being troubled with so much as a question about it. After all your full and satisfactory answer, the authority of your 'opinion' has not cleared every man's mind of suspicion that Governor Tryon did not always manifest the strongest wishes and endeavours to promote universal and impartial justice. However a larger field will be opened to you on that head than any thing I can pretend to, in a series of papers publishing here. They will doubtless speedily come to hand, and give you opportunity of displaying your capacity in defending your amiable friend.
You will not deny that the regulators have been severely treated; you have undoubtedly read some of their appeals to the public; every honest man in the empire is bound in duty to regard their complaint, so far at least, as to make due enquiry into the foundation of it, and should such enquiry manifest that they were really a banditti of factious barbarians, impatient of all legal restraint, disposed unprovoked to invade, and avail themselves of the property of persons they had no legal demand upon, it would place them in the same predicament with our most execrable commissioners, and assure you of our most cordial congratulations on your success in their extermination. But on the other hand, should the regulators in general be found an industrious set of peaceable farmers, whose substance was pilfered from them, by every art of a lazy pack of insolent vagabonds, who sharing the plunder in one shape or other, with every executive, and most of the deliberative officers in the government, and thus carrying their oppression with so high a hand, as to set right and even piety at defiance; the loftiest light you can place your exalted characters in, will hardly deter the Bostonians at least, from setting your fins in order before you.
People here are too much acquainted with the puffs of pedants, and swaggerings of prerogative pettifoggers, to be 'silenced into confusion' by their presumption in assuming the power of passing judgment on their own pleas.
The modesty which is inseparable from the education of a common farmer would admonish him to treat with more respect, the greatest tribunal among the sons of men. And at worst, Sir, admitting every query, I have proposed to be finally answerable in the Governor's fa-
your, it will never manifest that I aimed to deceive the public with lies,' as you have plausibly intimated; no man of the least information disputing whether common sense did not furnish me with every article alleged in as glaring circumstances as I communicated them. A logician, or indeed a gentleman, would have been more careful of the grounds he went upon, than to have stated a violation of truth, honour and decency, grounding impeachments on bare surmise, offering propositions, the circumstances of which, neither you nor I could be supposed to be acquainted with: how far, or into what subjects your acquaintance extends, is not my concern. I can produce the grounds I went upon, if you please to call for them; but of matters so universally notorious, you surely will no further expose your ignorance. Insinuating non-truths, uttering vile calumnies, and finally deceiving the public with lies, as mentioned above, I lay, a gentleman any way moderately versed in public disputation, would hardly risk his reputation, on such replies, to such interesting queries, after promising full and satisfactory answers to them all. Especially reflecting, that on the turning point in vindication of the hero of the tale, we are at last obliged to sit down with 'his opinion, that Governor Tryon is a gentleman.' One thing we are satisfied in, that Governor Tryon, &c. ravaged a country, and destroyed many of its inhabitants; it lies with Governor Tryon, or any for him, to shew they principally and perseveringly rendered such destruction to themselves inevitable. Of this simple proposition, the long letter of Phocion, though given to me upon the faith and honour of a gentleman, has failed to satisfy LEONIDAS. Boston, October 18, 1771.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY. MR. THOMAS, Please to insert the following in your next. A TRAITOR---One who being trusted, betrays. JOHNSON. PERJURY---A false Oath. SHAKESPEARE.
THE interesting question to the people of this province, is, Whether the present Lieutenant Governor Mr. Oliver, stands recorded in the Council's books, as a "Perjured Traitor?" This is asserted by that elegant writer, and friend to mankind and this province, JUNIUS AMERICANUS, in his address to that most odious person stiled the Earl of Hillsborough, a person detested, and had in infinite contempt by all honest men that know him. Let us then enquire, whether or not, Mr. Oliver stands "recorded in the Council's books as a perjured traitor."
Mr. Oliver, as secretary to the Council, must of course be acquainted with all their proceedings, and know their secrets, and if he betrays them, he must be a traitor according to the above definition and common sense, and if in betraying them he swear falsely, he must be a perjured traitor. Mr. Oliver under oath, represents Mr. Tyler, one of the Council, as saying of the people of the first chapter among us, that "they had formed a plan, and that this was a part of it, to remove the troops out of town, and after that the commissioners," and adds, "divers other gentlemen adopted what Mr. Tyler had said, &c."
Upon which the Council observe, and record it, that "it appears, that the said gentlemen of the council were so far from adopting what the Secretary represents to have been said by Mr. Tyler, concerning a plan for removing the commissioners, that there is not one of them that has the least remembrance of any thing said about such a plan, and therefore could not refer to it, or in any sense whatever adopt it."---"It is certain that all the gentlemen of the Council then present have declared on oath, they have no remembrance that Mr. Tyler said there was a plan laid for the removal of the commissioners." Mr. Tyler himself on oath, declares, that "it is a gross misrepresentation."
Again Mr. Oliver, in his deposition says, "This form" (meaning what he had drawn up) "was strictly allowed to express the truth, but that it would not stand well on the Council records", and represents one of the board for that reason preparing an amendment.
The Council say, "As the said deposition represents the Council in an ill light, it could be no disagreeable present to Governor Bernard, to whom it was sent by the Lieutenant Governor."---And that "It has been published in London annexed with other depositions to a pamphlet, in which pamphlet and depositions is given a very unfair, and in all MATERIAL circumstances, a very FALSE account, of what is therein called the late unhappy disturbance. The most material thing aimed at in the said pamphlet, is, to obtrude as truth on the public this falsehood, viz. that a plan was here laid for the expulsion of the troops, prior to their firing upon, and killing a number of the inhabitants of this town; and the PRINCIPAL, if not the ONLY deposition that in any measure tends to support
such a charge, is the SECRETARY's above-mentioned."
Here we see a copy of a record of the Council, containing a charge of falsehood, a falsehood sworn to, which is perjury, and to make it appear, that he stands recorded in the Council books as one who has betrayed his trust, and consequently as a traitor, we need only read the full resolve of the Council relative to Mr. Oliver, which stands recorded thus, viz. It Resolved, That Andrew Oliver, Esq; Secretary of this province, by SECRETLY taking minutes at Council, of what was said by the members of Council in their debates, also by signing a paper containing these minutes, and further, by giving his DEPOSITION to the truth of it, has in each and all these instances acted inconsistent with the duty of his office, and thereby is guilty of a breach of trust." Thus much I have thought needful to lay before the public, which I think, though it may not amount to a proof of the literal truth of what JUNIUS AMERICANUS has asserted, viz. That Mr. Oliver stands recorded in the Council books as a perjured traitor, yet it proves it to be constructively true.
I shall conclude with two questions, viz. 1st. Whether he that stands recorded, as having, under the solemn oath of God, "obtruded as truth on the public, a falsehood, and for breach of trust," doth not stand recorded as a PERJURED TRAITOR?
2dly. Whether Mr. Oliver doth not stand thus recorded in the Council books?
If the Lieutenant Governor stands thus recorded, and is in fact the man; we may easily account for his promotion!!!
The foregoing quotations from the proceedings of the Council, together with many more records of the same nature, may be seen in a pamphlet intitled, Proceedings of his Majesty's Council, &c. published by Messrs. EDES and GILL, A. D. 1770, to which the reader is referred.
MUCIUS SCÆVOLA.
EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.
VENICE, [Italy.] August 27.
It is reported here as a truth, that the grand Russian army commanded by General Romanzow, had gained a complete victory over that of the Grand Vizier, that the latter has abandoned his camp, and that several battalions have been taken prisoners.
LONDON, September 2. Notwithstanding the complaisant letter sent by the French Ambassador to the Secretaries of State, with reasons assigned for his sudden departure without taking leave, we are informed the same is far from being satisfactory and that there is something mysterious in the affair, which at present they cannot discover.
Friday one Britain, confined in Reading gaol on the information of Mr. Dudley, sent a letter to a great person in the Ministry, defying him, it is said, to bring him to justice; and saying, he does not in the least deny his being concerned in setting fire to Portsmouth Dock-yard, but he did it through want of bread; and that several persons were concerned in it, whose influence will be sufficient to prevent any enquiry.
The above Britain appears to be a very sensible man and a scholar, was, many years since, a Dragoon in his Majesty's service, and lately, as we are informed, an officer---, but by various turns of fortune was reduced so low that he was starving for want of the common necessaries of life, when he was hired to commit the above atrocious crime: he is visited by great numbers of gentlemen and ladies in the prison, says that he has been promised any money he wants, on condition of his observing an inviolable secrecy, which he refused; he has wrote to two noble Lords in administration, a copy of one of which letters follows hereafter.
Copy of a letter to a person in the city.
Reading, August 28, 1771.
Mr. -----,
"I have sent you the true copy of a letter I sent to Lord ---- by yesterday's post, I hope you will have courage enough to publish it, and then the world will see what a wretched set of men composes the present administration. Sir, they dare not bring me to a trial. I know too much of their wickedness. I have dared the Earl of ----, about ten days ago, in as sharp a letter as this. All the answer I received was a letter from an Agent, either of their's or of the French, offering to bail me out of prison, provided I would quit the kingdom and go to France.
Publish this letter literally and sign Britain at the bottom. I am Sir your humble servant, J. BRITAIN.
Copy of a letter sent to Lord ----, dated Aug. 27.
"My Lord, "I am not surprised, that you should do all in your power to bury in oblivion the late fire at Portsmouth Dock. In all debates wherein the honour of the British nation is really concerned, we always see Lord ----'s name prefixed to the contrary side of the question, consequently we must expect the same, when the affair will expose your Lordship's conduct; wherein will be proved your receiving large sums of money at different times for your secret services. Perhaps you say, "what credit can be given to the evidence of a villain, who would be such a traitor to his King and country?" But hold, My Lord, your crimes are more heinous than mine.---What money I received was a bare subsistence---your's my Lord to indulge luxury.---I was in a mean capacity, a menial servant only. You my Lord, in a high office, intrusted with the rights and privileges of the people of England. Besides, my Lord, I have another advantage over you, I am the penitent Publican, while you continue the hardened Pharisee.
-----Do not let the above displease your Lordship, as I send it to give you an opportunity to vindicate your character, and bring the people concerned in that affair (i. e. Portsmouth fire) to a trial, which I believe your Lordship dare not do. If my evidence is not sufficient to prove all the charges I have made, I will suffer as the principal. Though my Lord you must not alter the law of the land: Those tricks must be left off, I am your Lordship's most obedient Humble servant, BRITAIN.
N. B. The Printer can procure any gentleman of distinction a sight of the original letters; in which the names of the persons to whom they are addressed, are written at full length.
September 3. Orders are to be sent to Ireland for all the regiments on that establishment to be made up to their full complement of men; five private men and a serjeant are to be added to each company.
September 5. It is asserted, that a board of Admiralty will be held the beginning of next week, for the sole purpose of searching into the cause of the late fire at Portsmouth Dock.
Yesterday a packet, with some important dispatches, was sent away to Falmouth, for Lord Viscount Gage, Commander in chief of his Majesty's forces in North-America, to be forwarded from thence by a Packet-boat appointed for that purpose.
It is said that the Muscovite fleet in the Black Sea has beat, burnt and sunk, a fleet of 150 Turkish vessels, which were carrying provisions and troops to different places.
We learn from good authority, that the French King has issued orders for immediately manning and victualling twenty sail of the line, to be ready, for service on the shortest notice.
It is asserted, that the state of the British navy, which has been communicated to the French Court by the French Ambassador (who was an eye witness thereof) has had such an effect, that the greatest alertness is now used in the dock yards at Toulon, Rochfort, and Brest, where they have worked a tide and a half a day for this month past.
On Saturday flocks fell considerably, owing to some important intelligence relative to the late fire at Portsmouth, and it is expected they will fall ten per cent. this day or to-morrow.
We are informed, that his Majesty has declared, that should all the incendiaries concerned in the fire at Portsmouth be taken, they shall suffer the punishments the law inflicts on such criminals; and that no inducement shall cause him to shew favour to wretches like them, however dignified.
A Fresh and Compleat Assortment of ENGLISH GOODS, suitable for any Season, to be sold by NATHANIEL ABRAHAM,
At his shop in Anne-street, nearly opposite to the sign of the Seven Stars. Among which are, genteel Muffs and Tippets, and Furr Trimmings, very cheap for cash only.
N. B. English Shoes, Clogs and Goloshes.

THURSDAY, October 31. BOSTON.
It is reported, that Rear Admiral Montague has lately received orders from England, to what purpose we do not yet learn. We hear that the sum of 20,000l. sterling is appropriated for the defensive repairs of his Majesty's Castle William.
Governor Penn, is arrived at Philadelphia from England; as also, his Excellency Charles Greville Montagu, at South-Carolina.
Last Friday being the anniversary of his Majesty's accession to the throne, when he entered the twelfth year of his Reign, the same was observed as usual.
It is said, that the Lizard man of war, has brought packets for all the Governors on the Continent.
We hear that John Williams, Esq; late Inspector of the Customs is appointed a Commissioner.
We are informed by several Gentlemen of character lately arrived from London, that the people of ALL ranks are generally disgusted with the present administration; that three out of four feel for America; and that could it be decided by the people, we should soon have our privileges restored, and the present tyrannical Ministers rewarded according to their works.
Last Friday arrived here from Halifax, his Majesty's Ship Gibraltar, in which came his Excellency Lord William Campbell, Governor of Nova-Scotia.
We hear from Jamaica, that on the 3d of September, at eight o'clock in the morning, they had there the severest shock of an earthquake that they have felt for many years past; and it is said, that had it continued but a very little longer, it must have shook down every brick house in Kingston; as it was it threw down a number of chimneys, split many houses, and several people were hurt by the falling of bricks, &c. from the chimneys, but no lives were lost; they have had several smaller shocks since.
Friday the 18th last, was held at the Queen's-Head tavern in New-York a Grand Lodge of the most ancient and honourable fraternity of free and accepted Masons; when a commission from the Right Honourable Lord Blaney, Grand Master of England, appointing John Johnson, Bart. Grand Master of Masons for the province of New-York, was presented to George Harrison Esq; then Grand Master; and received with the general approbation of the brethren. After the commission was read, he was immediately in due form invested with the badges of that important office, and placed in the chair agreeable to the rights and usages practised upon such solemn occasions, by that respectable and catholic society. In these ceremonies he was assisted by the Right Honourable Lord Drummond, and Colonel Johnson. After the installment was over, an elegant entertainment was given to all the members, and to several other gentlemen, Masons, who had been permitted to be present. The evening was concluded with that festivity and mirth which are the never failing attendants upon friendship and good cheer.
His Excellency Governor Martin, of North Carolina, has issued a proclamation, enjoining the carrying into the strictest execution all laws against drunkenness, blasphemy, profane swearing and cursing, lewdness, profanation of the Lord's day, and other dissolute, immoral, or disorderly practices; another for proroguing the general assembly to the 15th of November next.
The number of new negroes imported into Charlestown South-Carolina since January last does not exceed 2200, which is much short of what was expected. The sales were very quickly finished, and the negroes sold at high prices.
We learn from Newbern, in North Carolina, that his Excellency Governor Martin has had the misfortune to bury one of his children and his Nephew since his arrival in that province; and that he and his lady, having been very ill, were gone to Core-Sound, for the recovery of their health.
We hear that the tract of land which is to be added to the province of South Carolina, agreeable to his Majesty's late instruction, will take in all Tryon County, and contain 1,514,560 acres.
The following was inserted in the Massachusetts Gazette of Thursday last. "At a Council held at the Council Chamber
in Boston, October 24. 1771. In COUNCIL, October 24. 1771. HIS Excellency the Governor laid before the Board, a Paper published by Messrs Edes and Gill, on Monday the 21st Instant, intituled, The Boston Gazette, and Country Journal, in which they have printed a Letter, under the Signature of Junius Americanus, directed to the Earl of Hillsborough, said to be taken from BINGLE'S Journal of the 29th June 1771. expressly asserting, that the late Secretary Oliver, the present Lieutenant-Governor, stood recorded in the Council books as a perjured traitor:--And desired their Advice thereon:
"Whereupon Resolved, that the Assertion aforesaid, printed in said Paper, is false, groundless and malicious.
A true Copy from the Minutes of Council. THO'S FLUCKER, Sec'y." The piece mentioned above, signed Junius Americanus, was inserted in this paper the 17th Instant.
MARRIED J Capt. Richard Derby, of Salem, to Mrs. Sarah Hersey, widow of the late Doctor Hersey of Hingham.
DIED J Miss Elisabeth Hill, of Shutesbury. Miss Sarah Hodges. Miss Clark. At Milton, Deacon Benjamin Washburn, a representative for that town in the General court. At Dartmouth College, the Rev. John Maltby, formerly of Bermuda, and lately of Wilton, in South Carolina. At Georgia, Dr. Giles Church, youngest son of Deacon Benjamin Church, of this town. At Pensacola, Rev. Nathaniel Cotton, son of the late Rev. Mr. Cotton, of Newton, in this province. At Halifax, Mrs. Becher, consort of the Hon. Jonathan Becher, Esq; Chief Justice of the province of Nova Scotia. At Hackney, in England, in August last, Jasper Mauduit, Esq; formerly agent for this province at the court of Great Britain.
SHIP NEWS.
Last week arrived the Beaver, Gibraltar, Swan and Tartar sloops of war, in this harbour.
Yesterday arrived here his Majesty's ship Mermaid, from island St. John's, and his Majesty's ship Lizard from England.
ARRIVED here. Wallace from Glasgow, Hosea from Liverpool, Bruce from London, Toth from South-Carolina. Tower from North-Carolina, Freeman from Philadelphia, Guliker from New Providence, Rathbum from New-London, Freeman from Hanover, Mayo from Surinam, Freeman from St. Eustatia and Turks Islands, Vincent and Harding from Cape-Nicola, Minot and Mac Cobb from Anguilla, Farmer from St. Martins.
OUTWARD bound Undhill and Dodd for Maryland, Russel to Glasgow, Gortham to Dominico, Thatcher to Halifax, Wilflow to Virginia, Zeagus to Esquebo, Cole to West Indies, Smith to New York, McDaniel to island St. John's, Wier to South-Carolina, Weston and Freeman to Philadelphia, Kellam to Barbadoes, Olds to New-Haven, Scot to London.
The SECOND Edition. This day was published.
Price 3s. old ten. single, an 22 6d. the doz. Embellished with FOUR Plates, neatly engraved, viz. 1. The BOSTON MASACRE, on the evening of the 5th of March 1770. 2. The four Seasons, with the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac. 3 The King of Denmark. 4. Mr. Weatherwise;
THE Massachusetts CALENDAR; or an
ALMANACK, for the year 1772, Being Bissexile, or Leap-Year.
Calculated for the Meridian of Boston, New-England, Lat. 42 degrees, 25 min. north: Containing, The Sun and Moon's Rising and Setting, Eclipses, Time of High Water, Lunations, Aspects, Judgment of the Weather, Courts, Remarkable Days, &c. &c. &c.
By PHILOMATHES.
ALSO, Several Select Pieces, viz. On Liberty and Government; Thoughts on Government; On the Culture of Silk; Man of Pleasure; Woman of Pleasure; Jonathan Weatherwise's Prognosticks; A Table of Interest on a Entire New Construction; Roads, &c. POETRY, viz. The Difference between To-Day and To-Morrow; Of Time Of Pride; Of Vice, &c.
Printed and sold by I. THOMAS, near the Mill-Bridge.
Remainder of the Letter from North Carolina, began in No. 33.
AFTER this the General Assembly of the province was called and an election ensued, at which Herman Husband and Thomas Parsons were chosen by the country party as members of the House: Their enemy Fanning, was also chosen. When the house met their first step was to expel Husband and Parsons from their seats. Husband they sent to jail; Parsons home: They then passed a Riot act, the substance of which was, that any person or persons, being guilty of any riot, either before or after the publication of this act, within the jurisdiction of any court within this province, shall and may be indicted, and when so indicted they shall appear and stand trial before the expiration of sixty days; and in case he, she or they, do not appear, noticed, or not noticed, within the term aforesaid, they shall and are hereby declared to be out lawed, and shall suffer death without benefit of Clergy, &c. and his lands, goods and chattels confiscated and sold at the end of eight days. The publication of this act, together with the account of Husband's being in jail, set the whole country in an uproar, and a great number of men collected and went in a body to take Husband out of jail, on hearing of which a court was immediately called, Husband tried, proclaimed an honest man and set at liberty; when he met the people they returned every man to his home. Thus matters lay till March last, at which time the court was to sit at Salisbury, in Rowan county; four or five hundred men collected and armed, marched within two miles of the town, where they halted and sent a small party into town for Mr. Markwick (Clerk of the court, Surveyor, and Secretary of the land office) and some other of the officers; at which request Mr. Frobank and others went out, on which the people desired them as officers to settle with the inhabitants, and if they had exacted more fees than by law was their due, to return the same to the persons from whom they were exacted: To which Frobank answered, that he well knew the country had suffered much by such oppressive dealings, and that he himself had in some cases taken too much fees, and did then return some fees, &c. on which an agreement was made and bonds entered into, to submit their dispute to seven men mutually chosen, which men were to meet on the third Tuesday in May, to go over the court doquet, and finally settle all the fees thereon, and order the several officers to repay all such sums as should appear to have been paid more than by law they ought to have paid, &c. this gave general satisfaction. Near about the same time a general court was held at Newbern, at which court thirty two persons were indicted, under the new riot act, for pulling down Fanning's house, several of whom lived in Orange county, two hundred miles distance, and were at home when the house was pulled down, notwithstanding which they were out lawed. However, before the expiration of the term given by the law for them to appear, the Governor marched with a body of 3000 men, and seven pieces of artillery against the rebels, as he then stiled them, in order to take those persons who stood indicted, to put a stop to the growing rebellion; and principally to prevent Mr. Frobank from settling with the people agreeable to his bonds, as may appear by his letter to Mr. Frobank at the time he began his march, in which he ordered him not to settle with the people, and also threatened to strip him of his commissions for what he had done; which threatening he in part made good, by taking the Colonel's commission from him. An armed force now marching into the heart of the country, with an angry Governor at their head, threatening destruction to the honest Frobank, destroying wheat fields, cutting down orchards, and burning the houses of every person that Mr. Fanning or any other man in the army should charge with being a rebel. So terrified the people that they ran together like sheep chased by a Wolfe, till they gathered to the number of about 4000; and every house that the army found deserted, they destroyed, together with the cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, and every thing on the plantation. These are facts notorious. Thus they marched till they crossed Alamance Run, in Orange county on the 16th of May 1771, without any opposition: There the 4000 rebels met them, and sent James Hunter and Benjamin Merrill with a petition to the Governor, and orders to treat with him Honour for peace: To which the Governor answered by his Aid de camp, that the people must come in, deliver up their arms, pay off their taxes, swear to be subject to all the laws of their country,
and deliver such men as he should demand, otherwise there would be one hour and ten minutes. Before the expiration of the time the Aid de Camp asked if they wanted more time; yes: He then promised to give them the same, which gave the people great accommodation. The army during marching up, and the people moving them soon; and as soon as the army returned, a field piece was fired in the air, which killed one man; and 3700 from off the ground, leaving only a few of the master, who returned the fire for some time, when the Governor hung a flag, and beat a parley; but they, knowing something of the mode of war, continued their on which the Governor concluded, that they were determined to give no quarter, and again fired on them, which continued about two hours and a quarter, when Hunter and his men fled and left the field to the Governor. How many of the country were killed is uncertain; however, this we know, that there are but thirty missing: Some say there was but nine killed, and that the Governor lost a great number of men; how that matter is, time only must show. The Governor took some prisoners of whom he hanged seven: The first man was hanged in the camp, because Mr. Fanning said that he helped to pull down his house, when in fact the poor man was not there at the time. Benjamin Merrill was one of the number hanged; a man in general esteem for his honesty, integrity, piety, and moral good life. The Governor now calls in the inhabitants by proclamation, declaring the King's pardon shall be given to all that come in: They immediately go in and comply therewith. He then proceeds, on the 21th of May, (the day that their accounts, by their bonds, was to have been settled) to the houses of those people that entered into bonds as above, and destroyed every thing that was in his power to destroy by fire and sword, then marched his army back, with orders to punish all such as should be so hardy as to complain; and thus his Honour returned victorious to his palace at Newbern. "O that my head was water and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of my people."
THE Printer of this Paper, hereby gives notice, that he shall REMOVE his PRINTING OFFICE to morrow, to the South Corner of Marshall's Lane, leading from the Mill-Bridge into Union-Street.
THE subscriber intending for Europe the ensuing winter, desires all persons who have any demands upon him to bring them in; and all who are indebted to him, that are minded to prevent trouble, not to postpone their payments any longer, as he is absolutely determined to put all his debts in suit at next January court. JOHN BERNARD.
Boston, October 31. 1771.
This Day was published, price 7 coppers,
AN ALMANACK, for the Year of our Lord 1772; printed on fine large Demy paper; very handy for Merchants, Shopkeepers, &c. to paste or hang up in their stores or shops. Printed and sold by I. THOMAS.
To be SOLD for Want of Employ;
A YOUNG, sprightly, sober NEGRO BOY, about thirteen years of age. Enquire of the Printer hereof.
N. B. A sober young NEGRO fellow to be hired out, enquire as above.
HOPE STILL CAPEN,
Informs his customers and others, that he has just received from London, by the Captains Darbey, Calef, and Bryant,
A Further Supply of GOODS, suitable for the season, among which are, a very fine assortment of middling and low-prized Broad Cloths, which he determines to sell by Wholesale or Retail, at the very lowest prices for cash or short credit, at his shop at the sign of the Cornfields, in Union-street, Boston.
WANTS EMPLOYMENT,
A YOUNG man, who can be well recommended, and would be willing to serve any Gentleman as a Coachman or Groom, in this town or elsewhere. Enquire at Mr. Bowman's Livery-Stables, next to Mr. Folley Allen's, Marlboro'-street.

Just imported in the last vessels from LONDON, and to be sold, by JOSEPH PALMER, At his Store in King-Street, North-Side; A Very large assortment of 3-4ths, 7-8ths, and yard wide Irish linens, Irish and Russia brown and white sheeting, housewife cloth, dowlas, Russia linen, osnaburgs, ticklinburgs; a few pair of very beautiful candlesticks, and glass waiters.
N. B. The above goods were purchased at a very low rate in England, and will be sold cheaper than can be bought in any store in Boston, for cash only. Choice Dumb Fish.
CREAM COLOURED WARE.
A NEAT assortment of cream, delph, Liverpool, Philadelphia, stone and glass WARE, to be sold by ALEXANDER CHAMBERLAIN, jun. at his shop in Anne-street, where may be had GROCERIES as usual.
N. B. A quantity of LAMPBLACK to be sold cheap for cash, or short credit.
Imported in the last ships from LONDON, by SAMUEL AUSTIN, And to be sold at his store in Union-street, Boston, two doors south of the Cornfields, A large and compleat Assortment of English, India, and Scotch Goods, Which he is determined to sell as Cheap as any one for Cash; viz.
CRIMSON, scarlet, black, blue and Ravens grey broad-cloths, with a variety of other colours; a large assortment of silks, as English and India damask, taffaties, striped and flowered lute-strings, changeable mantua silks, double Persians, pink, blue, purple and black capuchin silks and trimmings, plain and flowered sattins; lawns and cambricks, mouselins and crapes of all colours, Dorsetteens, Prussianets, double and single allapeens, grazetts, mohair Padusoys, striped and flowered camblets, Irish linens and sheeting of all widths and prices, Russia sheeting, Russia drab, and ravens duck, velvets and velveretts, shallons of all colours, black, brown, pompadour, cloth colour, blue and green drawboys; cloth colour and black worsted breeches pieces, everlastings and amens, baize of all widths and colours, yard wide flowered stuffs, thicksetts, white and coloured fustians, half yard and yard wide flowered and plain diapers and corded dimity, men's and women's worsted, thread, cotton, and silk hose, boys and youths worsted hose: A large and genteel assortment of patches, chintses, and calicoes, of the newest fashion and taste, striped cotton Hollands, check and flowered silk and linen handkerchiefs, silk and worsted gloves and mitts, threads, pins, needles, ribbons, qualities, shoe-binding, silk serrets, 3-4ths, 7-8ths, and yard wide cotton checks: A variety of mohair and metal buttons, silk, twift, silk and hair, and mohair, sewing silk of all colours, bearkins, duffs, ratteens, coatings, duffel and other blankets; black and white, flowered and plain gauze, black and white cat-gut, osnaburgs, ticklingburgh and dowlas: A large assortment of ivory, bone and ebony stick fans, chipt hats, coarse and fine sieve bottoms, writing-paper, English loaf sugar, all wide swan-skin for ironing-cloths, canvas and crewels, very fine white stay-ticking, narrow and broad striped bedticking, yellow Holland and stay trimmings, kid and lamb gloves and mitts, diaper and damask table cloths, clouting and other diapers: A large assortment of muslins, among which are some elegant and beautiful sprigged muslins for ladies gowns and aprons, fagathies and duroys, Bengals, peniafcoes, German ferges of all colours, black, blue, green and red worsted and hair plushes, wool-cards, silk laces: A large assortment of Looking-glasses, prints for curtains and gauze handkerchiefs, diaper, Holland and common tapes, white flannel and swan-skin, ivory and horn combs, mould and wire shirt buttons, worsted damask, double russels, yard wide and half yard poplins, sprigged and plain; a few dozen of women's silk mitts as low as twelve pounds old tenor the dozen. Also, Women's English and Lynn made shoes, &c. &c. &c.
CHRISTOPHER BLANCHARD's Best Merry Andrew, Valiant Highlander, Henry the 8th, and Great Mogul PLEYING CARDS; Are sold by
CALEB BLANCHARD, In Union Street, near the Market, Boston, by the Gross, Dozen or Single Pack.
To be sold at the above place, a Large and General Assortment of ENGLISH and INDIA GOODS, by Wholesale and Retail, as low as can be bought at any place in Boston. Also, Bohea Tea, English Loaf Sugar, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, Mace, Pepper by the bag or smaller quantity, Looking Glasses, &c. &c.
A FEW Firkins of Choice BUTTER, to be sold by SAMUEL BRECK, at his store nearly opposite the Golden Ball. Where also may be had, a General Assortment of WEST-INDIA GOODS and GROCERIES, as usual.
N. B. A quantity of choice INDIGO, to be sold reasonable.
Now in the PRESS, And will be published in Numbers, weekly. A FAN for FANNING, and a TOUCHSTONE to TRYON, being an Account of the Rise and Progress of the so much talked of REGULATION in North Carolina; which ended in a civil War; the first perhaps ever heard of in America, among those who call themselves Christians; and may an over-ruling hand of Providence so order the affairs of government as that it may be the last. It will be published in half sheets, in such manner as that when completed, it may be bound in a small octavo volume. It will come out on Fridays, and may be had at the Printing Office at the head of Queen-Street, for so small a price as 2 d. lawful each number.
N. B. The first number came out last Friday.
To be sold by JOHN SYMMES, At his shop near the Golden Ball, Boston, BEST polished shoe and knee buckle Chapes and Tongs, cypher and brilliant button Stones, and sundry articles in the Gold-Smith and Jeweller's business cheaper than can be bought in Boston.
SILENT WILDE, NEWS-CARRIER to Northampton, &c. DESIRES to inform his customers that, as the time of his last engagement ends with the news of the third Monday in November next, that he would take it as a favour; if they would generally pay him what will then be his due, by Thursday on the week preceding, that so he may then have the money to carry with him to Boston; as it may probably save him the expense and trouble of a journey thither on purpose to settle with the Printers, which the incomes of his present business will not afford. And indeed he presumes, that if the gentlemen who have employed him, could know the hardship and expense of the service, they would not only readily gratify his present request, but even make, some of them at least, some little addition to what they at first engaged, which would be very thankfully received by him.
And with respect to those, who are indebted to him for preceding services, he very earnestly desires, and indeed, insists upon it, that they pay him forthwith.
Said WILDE would also by this opportunity give Notice, That, on suitable encouragement, engaged to him on or before Thursday the 14th day of November next, he will gladly undertake to ride once a fortnight through the next half year, and carry the news-papers, &c. as usual for one dollar, to be paid by each subscriber at the end of the term. But if a suitable number does not appear on or about the said 14th of November, he will quit the service, as he is afraid again to undertake on uncertainties.
Those who intend to subscribe are requested to leave their names at the places where they usually receive their papers, on the road.
To be sold, by JONATHAN DAVIS, near Bull's wharf, West-India RUM by the hoghead or Barrel; a few tierces, and barrels of very good brown SUGARS, and a quantity of Turks-Island SALT.
Philadelphia, October 31st, 1771. PROPOSALS for Printing by Subscription, A Weekly NEWS-PAPER, entitled The PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, And GENERAL ADVERTISER.
INSTRUCTION or amusement are the points aimed at by writers of every denomination, in whatever sphere they move, or whatever rank they hold in the literary world: Under one or other of these classes, the productions of every author may be arranged. But as the generality are not at leisure to make themselves masters of any one branch of learning, which can properly be stiled a science, much less to comprehend the whole body of literature, with all its various revolutions and improvements; the grand object is, to reduce these matters into a small compass, and to exhibit them to the attention of the public in as close a view as possible: He that succeeds in performing this task, certainly discharges an agreeable, if not a very useful, office: It is for this reason, perhaps, that the modern News-Papers, published upon the present improved plan, meet with more universal perusal than the voluminous works of the laborious learned; though of infinitely superior merit, and unspeakably higher importance. With a view of contributing, in one and the same effort, to both these desirable ends of Knowledge and Pleasure, the subscriber requests the indulgent attention of the Public in general, and his friends in particular, while he offers to their candid consideration the following
CONDITIONS, I. The PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, and GENERAL ADVERTISER, shall be printed with elegant types, properly adapted to the various articles of which it may consist; and on paper, equal in quality and size to any News-paper published in this city.
II. The freshest accounts shall be faithfully given of all occurrences, foreign and domestic; these shall be arranged in such order as to furnish a clear and comprehensive view of the present interests, designs, intrigues and politics of every respectable state and Potentate in the world.
III. All Letters, Essays, and Miscellaneous pieces, sent to the publisher, that may any way tend to discoveries in science, improvement in the Arts, promoting manufactures, or encouragement of Agriculture, shall be thankfully received and immediately inserted.
IV. This paper shall be published every Monday morning early: The first number shall be given gratis, and printed on Monday the 25th of November next, or sooner if sufficient encouragement would offer.
V. The price to subscribers will be Ten shillings per year.
SUBSCRIPTIONS are taken in by the Publisher in Philadelphia; and by R. DRAPER, EDES & GILL, and I. THOMAS, in Boston.
NATHAN FRAZIER, Informs his customers, that he has received from the Captains Hall and Bryant from London,
A FURTHER supply of Fall GOODS, which, with the other Goods he has lately advertised, make up, perhaps, as compleat an Assortment as is to be met with at any store in Boston; all which will be sold, Wholesale and Retail, extreme low for Cash or short Credit. A few articles he will sell at the Sterling Cost, among which are newest fashioned striped Lute-strings, figured Sattins; very rich white, black, crimson, pink, sky-blue, and green Sarsnets, &c. &c.
N. B. A few Pair of neat SCONCES at a reasonable advance.
TO ALL TRUE PATRIOTS. Received in the last ship from LONDON, An Elegant Copper-Plate PRINT, Representing
BRITANIA congratulating the Right Hon. Bras Crosby, Lord-Mayor of London, and Mr. Alderman Oliver, on their Releasement from the Tower, also a Perspective view of the Tower and Appendages; under which is added, a POEM addressed to them by Britannia, on the subject of their Imprisonment and Enlargement.
The above is done on a fine writing paper and deserves a handsome frame.
Doth not some vengeance on those villains wait Who owe their greatness to a ruin'd state. Sold by I. THOMAS, in Union-street, Boston. Price one shilling sterling each.
SILKS.
THOMAS LEE, Has just received by the last vessels from England, and has at his store near the Swing-bridge, Boston;
A FRESH assortment of most fashionable SILKS, bought with cash and will be sold exceeding cheap, consisting of a very great variety of Rich Brocades, and figured Silks; slate, brown and other coloured Ducapes; Lute-strings and Mantua Silks of all colours; Damasks; coloured Giograms and Padusoys; black Armozeens, Padusoys and Taffaties; rich black and white Sattin; grey Sattins for Cloaks of the newest Fashion. Also,
Rich BRUSSELS and MECKLIN LACES, Ribbons and sewing Silks, and a great variety of Gold and Silver Laces and Buttons, &c. &c. Likewise,
A Large Assortment of ENGLISH GOODS, among which are, Baizes, Lambkins; red, blue and mixed Duffs, scarlet and other coloured Broad Cloths, Beaver Coatings, German Serges, Duggetts, &c. &c.
Also, English and Russia Duck, Bar-Lead, Shot, Powder, Window Glass, Nails, Cutlery and Hard Ware, Verdigris, &c. &c. to be sold at the lowest advance for Cash or short credit.
IRISH LINENS of all widths and prices as cheap as can be bought in Boston.
THE Treasurer for the county of Suffolk notifies those Constables and Collectors of Taxes, who are indebted to said county for the years preceding 1770, that he is under a necessity of issuing his warrants against them, unless they immediately pay him their respective balances, which necessity will appear by the following order.
SUFFOLK, ss. At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace held at Boston, within, and for the county of Suffolk, by adjournment, on Thursday the Twenty-third day of May, A.D. 1771.
WHEREAS it appears to this Court by the Treasurer's accounts that several Towns in the county are indebted for their taxes preceding the year 1770.
Ordered, That the County Treasurer immediately take such steps as the Law directs for compelling such deficient Towns, their Constables or Collectors to pay in the same. And the Treasurer is directed to discharge, as soon as he shall be able, such debts as are due from the county that carry interest upon them. Attest,
EZEKIEL GOLDTHWAIT, Clerk.
JOSIAH WATERS and SON, At their shop in Anne-street, near the Draw-bridge, Boston, by Wholesale or Retail, very cheap,
PEPPER by the bag, or less; Spices of all sorts; 15 and 18 inch London TD pipes, by the box or less, large and small bowls; Hunter ditto per ditto; Taylors 10 by 8, 9 by 7, and 8 by 6 window-glass; Putty; Paper by the ream; Florence Oyl; English Loaf-Sugar very cheap; split Peas; Kilmarnock Caps; Kippens's Snuff.
PAINTERS OYLS and COLOURS of all kinds, prepared, or otherwise, in the best manner, for House or Ship Painting; Brushes, Tools, Leaf-Gold, &c.
Also, Allum, Copperas, Madder, Otter, Common and ground Redwood, Logwood, FRESH RAISINS, Rice, WOOL CARDS, Choice INDIGO, &c.
Bohea TEA warranted, Hyson ditto, coarse and fine sieve bottoms, Sieves made up, New-England Rum, a few Gross GENUINE VELVET CORKS, &c.
A compleat Assortment of cream-coloured, brown, white, blue and white, black, and Glass WARE, just arrived in Capt. Bryant's, the last ship from London.
LOW's ALMANACKS to be sold by the Printer hereof.
BOSTON: Printed by ISAIAH THOMAS, in UNION-STREET, near the Market, Where all Persons may be supplied with this Paper at Six Shillings and Eight Pence, Lawful Money, per Annum; and where Articles of Intelligence, &c. are thankfully received. ADVERTISEMENTS taken in---PRINTING, in its various Branches, performed in a neat Manner with the greatest Care and Dispatch, on the most reasonable Terms.-- Small HAND-BILLS at an Hour's Notice. SUBSCRIPTIONS for the SPY are also taken in by J. Larkin, chairmaker, and Mr. W. Calder, painter, in Charlestown; Mr. J. Hillier Watch-maker in Salem; Mr. B. Emerson, Bookseller, in Newbury-Port; and Mr. M. Belcher, in Bridgewater.