The Newport gazette (Newport [R.I.]), 1777-01-16 00:00:00

NEWPORT
GAZETTE
PUBLISHED
WEEKLY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1777.
By RICHARD VISCOUNT HOWE, Of the Kingdom of IRELAND, and WILLIAM HOWE, Esquire,
General of His Majesty's Forces in AMERICA, the KING's Commissioners for restoring Peace to His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in NORTH-AMERICA, &c. &c. &c.
P R O C L A M A T I O N
W HEREAS by our Declarations of the 14th of July and 19th of September last, in pursuance of his Majesty's most gracious intentions towards his subjects in the colonies or provinces of New-Hampshire, Massachuset's-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, The Three Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, all persons speedily returning to their just allegiance were promised a free and general pardon, and were invited to accept, not only the blessings of peace, but a secure enjoyment of their liberty and properties, upon the true principles of the constitution: AND WHEREAS, notwithstanding the said declarations, and the example of many who have availed themselves of the assurances therein made, several bodies of armed men in open contempt of his Majesty's proffered clemency, do still continue their opposition to the establishment of legal government and peace; and divers other ill-disposed persons, for their own ambitious purposes in the exercise of a lawless influence and power, are using their endeavors, by various arts and misrepresentations, to alienate the confidence and affection of his Majesty's subjects; to defeat every plan of reconciliation, and to prolong the unnatural war between Great-Britain and her colonies: NOW, in order to the more effectual accomplishment of his Majesty's most gracious intentions, and the speedy restoration of the public tranquility; And considering the expediency of limiting the time within which such pardon as aforesaid shall be granted, and of specifying the terms upon which only the same shall and may be obtained, We, in his Majesty's Name, and by virtue of the powers committed to Us, hereby charge and command all persons whatsoever, who are assembled together in arms against his Majesty's government, disband themselves and return to their dwellings, there to remain in a peaceable and orderly manner; AND WE also charge and command all such other persons as are assembled together under the name of general, or provincial congresses, committees, conventions, or other association by whatever name or names known and distinguished, or who under the colour of any authority from any such congress, committee, convention, and other association, take upon them to issue or execute any orders for levying money, raising troops, fitting out armed ships and vessels, imprisoning, or otherwise molesting his Majesty's subjects, to desist and cease from all such treasonable actings, and doings, and to relinquish all such usurped power and authority, so that peace may be restored, a speedy remission of past offences quiet the apprehensions of the guilty, and all the inhabitants of the said colonies be enabled to reap the benefit of his Majesty's paternal goodness in the preservation of their property, the restoration of their commerce, and the security of their most valuable rights, under the just and moderate authority of the crown and parliament of Great-Britain: AND WE do hereby declare, and make known to all men, that every person who within SIXTY DAYS from the day of the date hereof shall appear before the governor, or lieutenant governor, or commander in chief in any of his Majesty's colonies or provinces aforesaid, or before the General or commanding officer of his Majesty's forces in America, or any any other officer in his Majesty's service having the command of any detachment or parties of his Majesty's forces there, or before the Admiral or commander in chief of his Majesty's fleets, or any other officer commanding any of his Majesty's ships of war, or any armed vessel in his Majesty's service, within any of the ports, havens, creeks, or upon the coasts of America, and shall claim the benefit of this proclamation, and at the same time testify his obedience to the laws, by subscribing a declaration in the words following: "I, A, B, do promise and declare, that I will remain in a peaceable state."

to his Majesty, and will not take up arms, nor encourage others to take up arms, in opposition to his authority," shall and may obtain a full and free pardon of all treasons and misprisions of treasons, by him heretofore committed or done, and of all forfeitures, attainders, and penalties for the same; and upon producing to Us, or to either of Us, a certificate of such his appearance and declaration, shall and may have and receive such pardon made and passed to him in due form.
GIVEN at NEW-YORK, this Thirtieth Day of NOVEMBER, 1776.
By Command of their EXCELLENCIES
HENR STRACHEY.
H O W E,
W. H O W E.
NEW-YORK, Dec. 23.
By the LORD LE DEZRENIER Packet, who arrived here the 15th instant, in seven weeks from FALMOUTH, we have the following Articles, viz.
From the LONDON GAZETTE Extraordinary Whitehall, Oct. 12. 1776
THIS morning Major Cuyler, first Aid-de-Camp to the Hon. General Howe, arrived, with the following letter from General Mow to Lord George Germain:
Camp at New-Town, Long-Island, Sept. 3.
MY LORD,
ON the 26th of last month, in the morning, the British, with Col. Donop's Corps of Chasseurs and Hessian Grenadiers, disembarked near Utrecht, on Long Island, without opposition, the whole being landed, with 40 cannon, in two hours and an half, under the direction of Commodore Hotham; Lieutenant-General Clinton commanding the first division of the troops.
The enemy had only small parties on the coast, who, upon the appearance of the boats, retired to the woody heights, commanding a principal pass on the road from Flat-Bush to their works at Brooklyn. Lord Cornwallis was immediately detached to Flat-Bush with the Reserve, two battalions of Light Infantry, and Col. Donop's corps, with six field-pieces, having orders not to risk an attack upon the pass, if he should find it occupied: which proving to be the case, his Lordship took post in the village, and the army extended from the Ferry to the Narrows, through Utrecht and Gravesend, to the village of Flatland.
On the 28th Lieutenant General de Heister, with two brigades of Hessians, from Cassel, joined the army, leaving one brigade of his troops, a detachment of the 49th regiment, from Virginia, some Convalescents and Recruits, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dalrymple, for the defence of that island.
On the 16th Lieut. Gen. de Heister took possession of Flat-Bush, and in the evening Lord Cornwallis, with the British, drew off to Gravesend. About nine o'clock, the same day, the main body of the army, commanded by Gen. Clinton, consisting of the Light Infantry and brigade of Light Infantry, Reserve under the command of Lord Cornwallis, excepting the 42d regiment, which was posted to the left of the Hessians, the first brigade, and the 71st regiment, with 14 field-pieces, began to move from Flatland, across the country, through the New-Lot, to seize a pass in the heights, extending from east to west, through the middle of the island, and about three miles from Bedford, on the road to Jamaica, in order to turn the enemy's left, posted at Flat-Bush.
General Clinton being arrived within half a mile of the pass about two hours before day-break, halted, and settled his disposition for the attack. One of his patrols, falling in with a patrol of the enemy's officers, took them; and the General learning, from their information, that the Rebels had occupied the pass, detached a battalion of Light Infantry to secure it, and advancing with his corps upon the first appearance of day, possessed himself of the heights, with such a disposition as must have insured success, had he found the enemy in force to oppose him.
The main body of the army, consisting of the Guards, 2d, 3d and 5th brigades, with ten field-pieces, led by Lord Percy, marched soon after General Clinton, and halted an hour before day, in his rear. This column, (the country not admitting of two columns of march) was followed by the 49th regiment, with 24 medium twelve-pounders, and the baggage closed the rear, with a separate guard.
As soon as these corps had passed the heights, they halted, for the soldiers to take a little refreshment; after which the march was continued, and, about half an hour past eight o'clock, having got to Bedford, in the rear of the enemy's left, the attack was commenced by the Light Infantry and Light Dragoons, upon large bodies of the Rebels, having cannon, who were quitting the woody heights before-mentioned to return to their lines, upon discovering the march of the army, instead of which they were drove back, and the army still moving on to gain the enemy's rear, the Grenadiers and 33d regiment, being in front of the column, soon marched within musket-shot of the enemy's lines at Brooklyn, from whence these battalions, without regarding the fire of cannon and small arms upon them, pursued numbers of the Rebels that were retiring from the heights so close to their principal redoubts, and with such eagerness to attack it by storm, that it required repeated orders to prevail upon them to desist from the attempt. Had they been permitted to go on, it is my opinion they would have carried the redoubt; but it was apparent the lines must have been ours, at a very cheap rate, by regular approaches. I would not risk the loss that might have been sustained in the assault, and ordered them back to a hollow way in front of the works, out of the reach of musketry.
Lieut. Gen. de Heister began, soon after day-break, to cannonade the enemy in his front, and, upon the approach of our right, ordered Col. Donop's corps to advance to the attack of the hill, following himself at the head of the brigades. The Light Infantry about that time, having been reinforced by the light company, the grenadier company, and two other companies of the Guards, who joined them with the greatest activity and spirit, had taken three pieces of cannon, and were warmly engaged with very superior numbers in the woods, when, on the Hessians advancing, the enemy gave way, and was entirely routed in that quarter.
On the left, Major-General Grant, having the 4th and 6th brigades, the 42d regiment, and two companies of New-York Provincials, raised by Governor Tryon in the spring, advanced along the coast with 10 pieces of cannon, to divert the enemy's attention from their left. About midnight he fell in with their advanced parties, and at day-break with a large corps, having cannon, and advantageously posted, with whom there was skirmishing and a smart cannonade for some hours, until by the firing at Brooklyn, the Rebels, suspecting their retreat would be cut off, made a movement to their right, in order to secure it across a swamp and creek that covered the right of their works; but being met in their way by a part of the 2d Grenadiers, who were soon after supported by the 71st regiment, and General Grant's left coming up, they suffered considerably: Numbers of
them, however, did get into the marsh, where many were suffocated or drowned.
The force of the enemy detached from the lines where General Putnam commanded, was not less, from the accounts I have had, than 10,000 men, who were under the orders of Major-General Sullivan. Brigadier-Generals Lord Stirling and Udell. Their loss is computed to be about 3,300 killed, wounded, prisoners and drowned; with five field-pieces and one howitzer taken. A return of the prisoners is inclosed.
On the part of the King's troops, five officers, and 66 non-commissioned officers and rank and file killed; 12 officers and 245 non-commissioned officers and rank and file wounded. One officer and 20 grenadiers of the marines taken, by mistaking the enemy for the Hessians.
The Hessians had two privates killed, three officers and 23 rank and file wounded. The wounds are in general very slight. Lieut. Col. Menckten is shot through the body; but there are the greatest hopes of his recovery.
The behaviour of both officers and soldiers, British and Hessians, were highly to their honour. More determined courage and steadiness in troops have never been experienced, or a greater ardour to distinguish themselves; as all those who had an opportunity have amply evinced, by their actions.
In the evening of the 27th, the army encamped in front of the enemy's works. On the 28th, at night, broke ground 600 yards distant from 2 redoubts upon their left, and on the 29th at night, the Rebels evacuated their encampments, and Redhook, with the utmost silence, and quieted Governor's Island the following evening, leaving their cannon and a quantity of stores in all their works. At day-break, on the 30th, their flight was discovered; the pickets of the line took possession; and those most advanced reached the shore opposite to New-York, as their rear-guard was going over, and fired some shot among them.
The enemy is still in possession of the town and island of New-York, in force, and making demonstrations of opposing us in their works, on both sides of King's-bridge.
The inhabitants of this island, many of whom had been forced into Rebellion, have all submitted, and are ready to take the oaths of allegiance.
This dispatch will be delivered to your Lordship by Major Cuyler, my first Aid-de-Camp, who I trust will be able to give your Lordship such further information as may be required.
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. H O W E.
P. S. I have omitted to take notice, in its proper place, of a movement made by the King's ships towards the town, on the 27th, with a view of drawing off the attention of the enemy from our real design; which, I believe, effectually answered the intended purpose.
N E W - Y O R K, Decem. 30. 1776.
We hear, that many Thousands from the Provinces of New-York, New-Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, have already come in and claimed the Benefit of the late Proclamation for his Majesty's free Pardon; and they bring Intelligence of great Numbers

from various Parts of the above Colonies who have expressed their Intentions of...
A Gentleman just arrived from Philadelphia, we learn, that but thirteen Members of the whole Congress, which originally consisted of above fifty, were to be found in session...
One of the Delegates to the Congress from New-Jersey, we hear has come in, and claimed the Benefit of the last Proclamation.
Several other Persons, who have been principal Agitators in the present Troubles, have obtained their free Pardon, upon signing the Declaration required by the Proclamation, and are returned to their Estates and Properties.
The brave Col. Harcourt, of Burgoyne's Light-Horse, took Lieut. the Dyer from the King's Service and late Rebel General, with a Party of less than 50 Men, in the Face of all his vagabond Renegades, without the Loss of a single Man. The Colonel, by several Circumstances, found out his Quarters, rode up to the House, and surrounded it. Lieut. Dyer, fearful of being cut to the Sword, begged his Life, in a Manner which shows that, where just and loyal Principles are not, true Courage is never to be found. His Life was granted by the brave Commander, for further Consideration. Lieut. Dyer was brought to Brunswick, and is now confined under a strong Guard at that Place.
The Chain of Posts formed by the British Troops reach within 17 Miles of Philadelphia, upon the Banks of the Delaware; and the full strong Fort will afford them a natural Bridge over it.
The ALBANY, and some other principal People of Philadelphia, have come in, and claimed the Protection of his Majesty's Army.
Great Numbers in the Jerseys have likewise come in, and taken the Oaths; and two whole Counties have laid down their Arms together, and submitted the Terms required in the Commission Proclamations. Most of them express the deepest sorrow for their late Distortion, and freely acknowledge, that when they lost British Protection, they fell into real Slavery, and that the worst of Slavery--the Slavery of deliquing Men.
Several Captures have been sent in by the Men of War in the Course of the last Week.
We hear, that the Colony of Connecticut have scarce raised a Recruit for the Standing Army voted by the Congress, and that the other Colonies are equally behind in raising their Quotas of Men and Money.
The Continental Currency is so sunk in its Credit, that none of the Farmers will take it in Connecticut; and Necessaries are now only to be obtained by the barter of Commodities.
NEWPORT, January 16 1777.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY HENRY CLINTON, Esquire, Lieutenant General, commanding His Majesty's Forces in the Colony of Rhode-Island, &c. &c. &c.
It is with great Pleasure that I have the Honor to inform your Excellency.
WE the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Newport, penetrated with a truly grateful Sense of the Majesty's paternal Affection and Tenderness for His unhappily divided American Subjects, exhibited in the Proclamation of November last, made by the King's Commissioners for restoring Peace to His Co-
lonies in America, humbly presume to address your Excellency, most heartily congratulating, upon your Arrival amongst us sincerely praying that your Endeavors for the Re-establishment of Peace and good Government to this once flourishing, but now distressed Town may be crowned with Success.
We have long beheld with the deepest Concern and Anxiety the baleful Influence of factious and designing Men through His MAJESTY'S AMERICAN COLONIES, who by their evil Counsels have effected an unnatural Separation from the Parent State, renounced their Allegiance to the best of Sovereigns, and upon the Ruins of an happy Constitution, established a System, totally subversive of every Idea of civil and religious Liberty.
The many Instances of Humanity and Benignity displayed by your Excellency since your Arrival, embolden us to look up and intreat that your Excellency would be pleased to interpose in our behalf and restore your Influence with the KING'S COMMISSIONERS, that through your Intercession this Town may once more enjoy the King's most gracious Protection, together with the Blessings Resulting from a constitutional Dependence upon the Supreme Authority of GREAT-BRITAIN.
We beg leave to represent to your Excellency that we bear all loyal and dutiful Allegiance to His Majesty KING GEORGE the Third, his sacred Person, Crown and Dignity, and humbly pray to be declared at His Peace, and obedient to the Supremacy of GREAT-BRITAIN, being convinced "that to be a Subject of the British Empire, with all its Consequences, is to be the freest Member of any civil Society in the known World."
The Above ADDRESS was signed by 444 of the principal Inhabitants of this Town.
To which his EXCELLENCY was pleased to return the following ANSWER.
IT gives me singular Pleasure to receive this public Testimony of your Loyalty to the King, and Attachment to the British Constitution.
Wishing to promote the Prosperity of the Town of Newport, I shall not fail to signify to the King's Commissioners your Request.
I return you Thanks for the good Opinion you are pleased to entertain of me, and can assure you, I shall be happy in being instrumental to restore Peace and good Order to the Colony.
A LIST of PRIZES taken by his Majesty's Ships, under the Command of Commodore Sir Peter Parker, at Rhode-Island:
The POLLY Brig, Robert Nelson, Master, from North-Carolina to Lisbon, laden with Staves and Baco-Wax; taken by the Experiment, Dec. 7, 1776, the whole Fleet in Sight. She was going from Newport to Providence.
The SUCCESS Schooner, Giles Price, Master, from Charles-Town, South Carolina, bound to Providence, with Rice, Indigo and Leather; taken by the Cerberus, off Block Island, Dec. 29, 1776.
The BETTY Brig, retaken, I. Brice, Master, from Jamaica to Londonderry, laden with Rum; taken by the Cerberus, off Block Island, Dec. 29, 1776.
The LIBERTY Brig, Solomon Phipps, Master, from New London to the West Indies, laden with Horses, Flour and Lumber; taken by the Cerberus, off Block Island, Dec. 30, 1776.
The BETTY, a retaken Transport, James Sutton, Master, one of the Ships which went for Coals to Louisbourg; taken in coming into Rhode Island.
The DUNTREATH Ship, retaken, James Creighton, Master, from St. Augustine to Grenada, with Timber; taken by the Brune, Jan. 6, 1777.
THE LUCRETIA Sloop, Jacob Saly, from Bourdeaux to any Part of America, with Salpeter, Nitre, Pias and Needles.
Last Monday Morning, his Excellency General CLINTON embarked on board his Majesty's Ship Asia, for England. His Excellency, on going aboard, was saluted by a Discharge of Cannon. The Command, in his Excellency's Absence, devolves upon the Right Honorable HUGH EARL PERCY.
A Flag of Truce arrived here last Sunday from Providence, with a Number of Persons whom the Rebels have had Prisoners, to be exchanged. By One who arrived, we are informed, that the Rebels were removing a Number of Whale-Boats over Land; and that all their Talk was of their Intention to attack this Island! Probably, by the Arrival of the next Account, we shall hear of their Intention to attack the Moon.
By two Gentlemen who arrived in this Town last Week, from the County of Worcester, we are informed, that the Rebels continue using every Endeavour to constrain the Inhabitants to take up Arms; that forty or fifty were confined in Worcester Goal, for refusing; that many of the Inhabitants were tired with their Opposition; that Divisions greatly increased; and that the Conduct of the Leaders of the Faction was like a Set of disappointed Men, driven to the last Extremity.
Hopkins continues safe blocked up; and it is apprehended, he may venture to move for the Winter.
By a Schooner which arrived here on Tuesday Evening from New York we are informed, that the 17th Regiment had been surrounded by a Party of four or five thousand of the Rebels; that they cut their way through them, leaving three hundred dead upon the Spot, among whom was a Rebel General, by the Name of Mercer.
There is a Boston Paper in Town, in which they confess, that their Affairs begin to wear a melancholy Aspect.
THE FAVORS which the Subscriber has received from the Gentlemen of the ARMY and NAVY, in Boston and elsewhere, joined with the Importunities of many of the Inhabitants of this Town, has induced him, as speedily as possible, to gratify them with a News-Paper. He can only say, that his best Endeavours shall not be wanting to render it as entertaining as possible: And he has nothing to wish for, but the Exercise of that Candour he has so often before been indebted to. Its Size is at present contracted, owing to the Impossibility of procuring larger printing Paper; but if more Intelligence should as any Time arrive, than this can contain, the Deficiency will be supplied with a SUPPLEMENT. No Subscriptions are received; but if any Gentlemen chuse to have the Paper weekly, the Boy shall leave it at their Houses. Articles of Intelligence will be thankfully received, and every other Part your gratefully acknowledged, by their Obedient humble Servant,
JOHN HOWE.
TO be SOLD, by JOHN HOWE, at the PRINTING-OFFICE, in Thames-street, the following Articles of STATIONARY:-----Demy, post, footscap, pot, and letter-paper, gilt and plain, sealing-wax, wafers, quills, ink-powder, tape, and several other Articles not enumerated. Likewise men's, women's and children's SHOES.

From the NEW-YORK GAZETTE.
The following Address from the Congress has just been received from Philadelphia.
The REPRESENTATIVES of the united States of America, in CONGRESS assembled.
To the PEOPLE in general, and particularly the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, and the adjacent States.
FRIENDS and BRETHREN,
WE think it our Duty to address a few Words of Exhortation to you in this important Crisis. You are not unacquainted with the History of the Rise and Progress of this War. A Plan was carried on by the British Ministry for several Years in a systematic Manner to enslave you to that Kingdom. After various Attempts in an artful and insidious Manner to bring into Practice the having you under Tribute, they at last openly and decisively asserted their Right of making Laws to bind you in all Cases whatsoever.
Opposition was made to these Encroachments by earnest and humble Petitions from every Legislature on the Continent, and more than once by the Congress representing the whole. These were treated with the utmost Contempt. Acts of the most unjust and oppressive Nature were passed and carried into Execution, such as exempting the Soldiers charged with Murder in America from a legal Trial, and ordering them to be carried to Britain for certain Absolution, as also directing Prisoners taken at Sea to be entered on board their Ships, and obliged either to kill their own Friends or fall themselves by their Hands. We only mention these from among the many oppressive Acts of Parliament as Proofs to what horrid Injustice the Love of Dominion will sometimes carry Societies as well as Men. At the same Time to shew how insensible they will be to the Sufferings of others, you may see by the Preambles to the Acts and Addresses to the King, that they constantly extol their own Lenity in those very Proceedings which filled this whole Continent with Resentment and Horror.
To crown the whole, they have waged War with us in the most cruel and unrelenting Manner, employing not only the Force of the British Nation but hiring foreign Mercenaries, who, without Feeling, indulge themselves in Rapine and Bloodshed. The Spirit of the Army in general is but too well determined, by their inhuman Treatment of those who have unhappily fallen into their Hands.
It is well known to you that at the universal Desire of the People, and with the hearty Approbation of every Province, the Congress declared the United States free and independent: a Measure not only just, but which had become absolutely necessary. It would have been impossible to have resisted the formidable Force destined against us last Spring, while we confessed ourselves the Subjects of that State against which we had taken Arms. Besides, after repeated Trials, no Terms could be obtained but Pardon, upon absolute Submission, which every public Body in America had rejected with Disdain.
Resistance has now been made with a Spirit and Resolution becoming a free People, and with a Degree of Success hitherto which could scarcely have been expected. The Enemy have been expelled from the northern Provinces where they at first had Possession, and have been repulsed in their Attempt upon the southern by the undaunted Valour, of the Inhabitants. Our Success at Sea in the Capture of the Enemies Ships, has been astonishing. They have been compelled to retreat before the northern Army. Notwithstanding the Difficulty and Uncertainty at first of our being supplied with Ammunition and military Stores in those we have now Abundance, and by some late Arrivals and
Captures there is an immediate Prospect of sufficient Cloathing for the Army.
What we have particularly in View, in this Address, is not only to promote Unity and Vigour through the whole States, but to excite the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the adjacent States , to an immediate and spirited Exertion in Opposition to the Army that now threatens to take Possession of this City. You knew that during the whole Campaign they have been checked in their Progress, and have not till within these two weeks ventured above ten Miles from their Shipping. Their present Advances are owing not to any capital Defeat , or a Want of Valour in the Army that opposed them, but to a sudden Diminution of its Numbers from the Expiration of those Enlistments which to ease the People, were at first adopted. Many have already joined the Army to supply the Deficiency, and we call in the most earnest Manner on all the Friends of Liberty to exert themselves without Delay in this most pressing Emergency . In every other Part your Arms have been successful, and in other Respects our sacred Cause is in the most promising Situation . We think it proper to inform and assure you that essential Services have been already rendered us by foreign States, and we have received the most positive Assurances of further Aid. Let us not then be wanting to ourselves . Even a short Resistance will probably be effectual, as GENERAL LEE IS ADVANCING WITH A STRONG REINFORCEMENT, and his Troops in HIGH SPIRITS.
What Pity is it then that the rich and populous City of Philadelphia should fall into the Enemy's Hands, or that we should not lay hold of the Opportunity of destroying their principal Army now removed from the Ships of War, in which their greater Strength lies.
It is certainly needless to multiply Arguments in such a Situation. All that is valuable to us as Men and Freemen is at Stake. It does not admit of a Question, what would be the Effect of our finally failing. Even the boasted Commissioners for giving Peace to America have not offered, and do not now offer any Terms but Pardon on absolute Submission. And though (blessed be God) even the Loss of Philadelphia would not be the Loss of the Cause—Yet while it can be saved, let us not, in the Close of the Campaign, afford them such Ground of Triumph; but give a Check to their Progress, and convince our Friends, in the distant Parts, that one Spirit animates the Whole.
Confiding in your Fidelity and Zeal in a Contest the most illustrious and important, and firmly trusting in the good Providence of God, we wish you Happiness and Success.
Given at Philadelphia, Dec. 10, 1776.
By Order of Congress, JOHN HANCOCK, President.
A more extraordinary Piece of Writing, we may venture to say, has not been published by a Body of Men, except by a Club of Taylors, for a Century. This Address, so full of pietous Exclamation and Exhortation, may be considered as one of the dying Groans of Rebellion; and, considering it in this Light, there is less Room to be surprized at the Panic and Inconsistency, which appear throughout the whole. The only Thing to be wondered at, is the Audacity of Falsehood which these Gentlemen think necessary to employ upon the Occasion. It can deceive only the most ignorant among the common People: And to deceive them it was undoubtedly meant.
They tell the Public, that they have had unexampled Success over their Enemies; and yet they complain of their Enemies Cruelty. They glory that they have expelled their Enemies in one Place and repulsed them in another; while they exclaim against the Incur-
TORY, and the promising Situation of the Cause; but in consequence pray for Help in this pressing Emergency. They say they need not multiply Arguments; and then they multiply all the Arguments in their Power. They celebrate the Glories of their Campaign; and directly cry out, "What Pity is it, then, that the rich and populous City of PHILADELPHIA should fall into the Enemy's Hands?" They pretend finally to trust in the good Providence of God; while they rebel against the King and Constitution, which that very Providence has appointed them.
The Reflection they have made upon the Commissioners, for their own Sakes, might have been spared. They well knew, that the Object of the Commission was to bring about a peaceable Accommodation between the Mother Country and her Colonies. They knew too, that most of the respectable People in America were anxious for such a Accommodation; and the Accommodation had been the ostensible grounds of their Proceedings. But to prevent any Conference for this Purpose, upon the Success of which their own "Love of Dominion" must have failed at its Object, are of course to put a Bar to any Reciprocation of Terms, the republican Faction previously plunged the Colonies into the Scheme of Separation and Independency. It was impossible, that any Commissioners from Great-Britain could meet them on that Ground; and they knew it was impossible. They alone obstructed every Plan of Reconciliation, and, consequently, are alone the Authors of all the Misery and Bloodshed which have ensued. One may venture likewise to pronounce, that till such men are removed from their dextrous management, by some wise and spirited Determinations of the Colonies themselves, or by the Power of Britain! Poverty, Distress, and every horror of civil War, are both likely to spread and to increase. It is much safer to combat with the General, than with the Spirit and Power of Britain.
They will probably have Opportunity, in the Course of Things, to examine the Truth of Horace's Observation; with which for the present, I leave them.
Vis corfilu expers mole ruit sua.
PUBLICOLA.
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