New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1780-08-12 00:00:00

THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE ; OR, STATE JOURNAL, and GENERAL ADVERTISER.
[ Vol. XXIV. ]
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1780.
[ No. 1242. ]
The NEW-HAMPSHIRE CRISIS, No. II.
IN the present alarming crisis of American affairs, how astonishing must it be to every sincere friend of his country, to see what a fatal drowsiness has seized upon almost all ranks and orders of men, while the most dangerous of all enemies are sapping our political Constitution : Our own internal enemies have been suffered with impunity, to diffuse their poison through our whole frame, until they have almost accomplished, what the sword of Britain has in vain attempted. Why sleeps your Legislators ? Why sleeps your Attorney-General ? Where are your Committees of safety ? and where is the vigor of your Magistrates ? Are we now to give up all for lost ; and sue for a pardon from the miscreants that have betrayed us ? Forbid it Heaven ! Have we expended so much blood and treasure, only to become the most abject slaves to Britain, and humble suppliants to the traytors of our country ? What laws have been provided against persons, who have the assurance to curse your Congress, your Assemblies, your Laws, and your Liberties ; and that use every exertion to prevent your soldiers from entering into the service of their country. Is not the whole attond for, by paying forty shillings fine ; and giving bond for their good behaviour, in the sum of ten pounds ? Will not Britain cheerfully furnish money to pay all those fines ; and at length receive her own with usury ? Believe me my dear countrymen ; we now stand tottering on the brink of ruin, and a universal lethargy has seized us ; and if we do not instantly exert ourselves to shake it off, all will be lost ; all that we have done and suffered, will only serve to increase our misery, and draw down the vengeance of our insulting conquerors upon us. Why have we suffered those unrelenting parades to remain among us ? Why have we treated them as our friends, when we knew that every engine was employed by them to accomplish our destruction. Let us no longer be deceived, let us instruct our Representatives to pass laws immediately, for banishing them from among us ; and for sending them to that tyrant whom they delight to serve. A FARMER. August 7, 1780.
RICHMOND, (Virginia) July 12.
By a letter from Hillsborough, dated July 1, we are informed the enemy have not been higher up the country than the Wax-Saws ; they have retreated to Camden, and are intrenching themselves. The militia of North-Carolina turn out almost to a man ; they have 4000 men at Cross Creek, and as many more at a minute's warning. The Maryland line, Harrison's artillery, and Virginia troops, with militia, will make 2000 more. Gen. Rutherford routed a strong party of tories near Catawba, and has killed 60 of them, and taken 300 prisoners.
NEW-HAVEN, August 3.
The beginning of last week the British army left East Chester, and marched to New-York.
Saturday last came to town nine sailors, who deserted from one of the British frigates which went up the Sound, mentioned in our last — They left the frigate at Huntington, and came off in a barge, which they disposed of at the Westward. Two or three of them are Americans, taken at the battle of Bunker-Hill, and compelled into the service, where they continued till they escaped as above.
Another deserter, who came in the fleet from New-York to Huntington, says the Blond frigate of 32 guns, was stranded in Hell Gate ; the guns, stores, and men saved, but the vessel lost.
PHILADELPHIA, July 26.
Extract of a letter from Paris, March 23, 1780. "We are hourly in expectation of great news from Holland, Ireland, England, Spain, but above all from America and the West-Indies. By the English papers you will perceive the violent fermentation in England, which has arisen to such an height, as to produce a Congress in fact, and it will soon be so in name. The proceedings of the House of Commons on the 14th, which were terminated by a resolution of the Committee of the whole House, to abolish the House of Trade and Plantations, carried against the Ministry after a very long and warm debate by a majority of eight voices, as not only the most extraordinary vote which has passed in the present reign, but it leads to very extensive consequences."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of public character, dated Richmond, (in Virginia) June 30, 1780, to his friend in this city.
"Our latest accounts from the Southward, inform us, that Lord Cornwallis, with 3000 men, was posted at Camden, in South Carolina, with out posts above and below him, having 600 men at one, and 4 at the other. That he is collecting magazines of provisions, and calling in the country people of whom he has taken parole to come in, swear allegiance to the King of Great-Britain, and bear arms against their country. Baron de Kalb and Gen. Calwell, when joined by 2500 of our militia now on their march, will have a body of between 7 and 8000 men. At present the operations are greatly retarded by the want of provisions ; but we hope to remove that difficulty by the power of a law just passed for collecting the surplus provisions of every family, grain, salt, rum, &c &c"
"The generous exertions of your State, at the present does honor to the commonwealth, and its councils. I wish the example may inspire, as it ought, the rest of the sleeping Union."
Thursday the 19th instant, the first and second Pennsylvania brigades, commanded by Brig. Gen. Wayne, marched from their respective encampments for the purpose of collecting and bringing off the cattle in Bergen county, immediately exposed to the enemy. After executing the order, Gen. Wayne, on his return, visited a block house in the vicinity of Bergen town, built and garrisoned by a number of refugees, to prevent the disagreeable necessity of being forced into the British sea service. The work was found proof against light artillery, when a part of the first and second Pennsylvania regiments were ordered to attempt it by assault, when, after forcing their way through the abatis and pickets, a retreat was indispensably necessary, there being no other entrance in the block-house but a subterraneous passage sufficient only for one man to pass. Our loss consists of 69, including three officers, killed and wounded. Lieut. Moody, and six of his party, were taken on their return from an excursion to Suffex.
TRENTON, July 26.
We learn that a large body of the militia of the State of New-York, will shortly be ordered out, and that his Excellency Governor Clinton will command them in person.
We also hear that one thousand of the militia of this State are ordered to join the Continental army ; and that a large number of Pennsylvania militia are directed to hold themselves in readiness to march on a short notice to camp.
POUGHKEEPSIE, July 17.
From our lines in West-Chester county, we hear that great numbers of deserters from the enemy come in every day. And that thirty of them all well armed and equipped, come off in a body.
NEWPORT, July 29.
Last Monday arrived in this town, the Marquis DE LA FAYETTE, from Head-Quarters.
On Monday last the Hon. Assembly presented Addresses to their Excellencies the French General and Admiral, to which they were pleased to return very friendly and polite answers.
NEW-LONDON, August 4.
On Monday last the British fleet which had lain several days in Huntington-Bay, came to sail and stood for New-York. It amounted to 120 sail.
BOSTON, August 10.
Extract of an intercepted letter from Ireland.
"As to public news I can tell you England, Ireland and Scotland are in great ferment ; some of the Ministry like to be brought to condign punishment. There are this minute above 50,000 volunteers armed and disciplined in this kingdom, which is a vast deal considering that these associations were in their infancy when you left England ; and indeed forming and disciplining those companies is the most useful thing that ever was instituted in Ireland ; for by the volunteers we are prepared against any foreign enemy ; they keep peace and good order at home, and have done more than that (O wonderful to say it!) made our parliament honest ; in a word, from the Lord to the Juror of a Sheriff's court, we are volunteers ; so that until time makes them corrupt, Ireland will reap the benefit."
By a British Surgeon who escaped from the enemy at Halifax, we learn that the enemy have withdrawn all their troops from Windsor, Cumberland, Annapolis and St. John's river into Halifax ; and are putting all their fortresses into the best posture of defence, being in an extreme consternation on account of the arrival of our good Allies on these shores.
Tuesday last arrived here a polacre, in 20 days from Martinico ; the master of which informs, that the French and Spanish fleets, consisting of 37 sail of the line and 14,000 troops, sailed on an enterprize against Jamaica 8 days before he left that port.
Sunday last Capt. Barnes, in a packet brig, returned here after a tedious passage of nine weeks from Bilboa, laden with naval stores, blankets, &c. By Capt. Barnes, we have an account that the General Pickering, belonging to Salem, mounting 16 six pounders, and 47 men, commanded by Capt. Jonathan Harriden, on her voyage to Spain, on the 29th of May fell in with a British cutter of 20 guns which, after an hour and 45 minutes engagement, she beat off — That on the first of June she fell in with a lugg-schooner, called the Golden Eagle, of London, mounting 14 nine and 8 four-pounders, and 57 men, which she took ; she was commanded by Robert Scott, and was fitted out at Little Hampton in Suffex, for a six month's cruise. — That on the 4th of June, after 15 hours chase, came up the Arquilles from Weymouth, Capt. Williams, who retook the schooner, and gained information of Capt. Harriden's force, whom he endeavored to board ; on which an engagement ensued, which lasted two hours and 55 minutes, within pistol shot, when the Arquilles sheer'd off and being the fastest sailer got clear : Capt. Harriden then again retook his prize, on board of which was the second Lieutenant of the Arquilles, who gave the following account, viz. — That she mounted 22 long French 9 pounders, six 18 pounders short, 12 four pounders, and 2 two's brass, with her tops mann'd, and some swivels, and 190 men. She had been out four weeks and taken only one Dutchman. Capt. Harriden had only one marine killed and eight wounded, all which were like to do well.
Capt. Barnes also advises, That two Spanish vessels had taken a British frigate of 32 guns, and carried her safe into Port.
All accounts from Rhode-Island agree, that the army of our good Allies the French, is in high health and spirits ; that it consists of a body of uncommonly fine and well disciplined troops, as well as brave and experienced officers. The militia are dismissed, and such works completed there, as to leave no apprehension from the British land and sea forces collected.
The ships of Admiral Ternay are in the best order and make a fine appearance, and it is not doubted will soon find an opportunity advantageously to co-operate with the combin'd land forces.
The alertness of our militia in repairing to Rhode Island upon an apprehension that the whole collective British force intended an approach to that place, is one instance, among many, of the happy union between the French and Americans, and the warm disposition of the people of these States to co-operate with our good Allies. Admiral de Ternay, whose reputation stands high in the navy of France, and General Rochambeau, whose military merit is established, have both, it is said, expressed much satisfaction upon this occasion, which evidently appears to have made the most agreeable impression on the officers and men of their respective departments.

A gentleman lately arrived from London, has favored us with the SCOURGES No. II. III. IV. V and VI, lately published there, which are worthy the perusal and approbation of every genuine well-wisher to the liberties, the honor and happiness of his Country; and will give us a striking idea of the sentiments of our virtuous friends, (the friends of every honest man) and of their determination to scourge the present tyrannical rulers of the British empire.—But, that they may extirpate, as well as scourge, God of his infinite mercy grant.
THE SCOURGE, No. II.
February 5, 1780.
Busy in BLOOD, and eager to destroy, He curses all the blessings we enjoy; Our dearest rights he studies to pull down, And daily MURDERS deify his crown.
TO THE KING.
KNOW no respect that is due to a man, altho' he is called king, when he keeps no terms with the people who MADE him so—The injustice, the cruelty, and the oppressions of your reign exceed any thing in the annals of this country. Like Charles the first and James the second you have been deaf to the just remonstrances of an injured people, and perhaps, Sir, they may soon convince you of your error, as well as of your ingratitude; nay, they may return the compliment, and treat you with as much contempt as you have them; we have seen instances, and they are easily produced, where the most arbitrary tyrants, with all their fancied greatness, have been pulled down, even when they thought themselves most secure from danger, amidst a flattering crowd of their creatures and dependants.
Let me tell you, Sir, by your wrongs, by your mismanagement, by your obstinacy, and through the villainy of your ministers, the spirit of the people is roused throughout every part of the kingdom; and though it is possible the folly of some, the blind fury of others, and the attachment of many, may support your cause for a time, yet should such an event take place, which heaven forbid, it must prove fatal to you, for when the people are once drove to a state of desperation and revenge, it will not be easy to stop their rage, and you may, nay you will be looked upon as the principal author of all their miseries, and you may possibly fall in the general sacrifice.
You will be pleased to remember, Sir, that self preservation is an inherent principle; it was so intended by the author of our being; it is the first and fundamental law of nature; and the people now see the necessity of uniting together in one firm band, in order to preserve themselves from those chains you have been forging for them; they are determined to throw off the infamous yoke of bondage. In less than one year there will be a final end to your reign of despotism, cruelty, and bloodshed. The virtue and spirit of the people, joined with an honest parliament, will alter all your plans of ambition, desolation, and slaughter; they may, nay it is their duty to call you, as well as your ministers, to a strict account, for that wanton, scandalous, and criminal waste of the people's money, and their blood; they may see it a duty equally incumbent on them to reduce the enormity of your civil list, and to take off, at this time of distress and ruin, more than the one hundred-thousand per annum, which the present most infamously corrupt and traitorous parliament laid on the shoulders of the people, and which could be designed for no other purpose in your hands, than to sap the foundations of public virtue, and to destroy, as far as it might be in your power, the small remains of honor and integrity, which could be found in the House of Commons.
I well know, Sir, that creating places, and bribing the members of Parliament, in order to procure a majority in the British Senates, was a part of the original plan of government laid down by those arch traitors, Bute, and Mansfield; they told you, that unless you did that, the crown of England would
never be safe on your head; that there was no other possible way of governing the people of this country with any degree of satisfaction, but by having the house of commons at the devotion of the crown, and by that means you might reign with a more arbitrary sway than any the most despotic prince in Europe, because it would be according to law, & under all the sanction and forms of the British constitution; nay, that by adhering to the advice of such a parliament you might oppress, enslave, and rob the people of their last shilling, almost without a murmur, and they would still think themselves free and unfettered, notwithstanding they were made little better than pack-horses and slaves under the form of law, which is the worst of all tyranny.
It is possible, Sir, from the present spirit roused in the English nation, a few months may convince you not only of the treason, but the treachery of that advice, and you may have cause to lament that you ever followed it, with such persevering obstinacy to the almost entire ruin of the nation, and the loss of many thousand lives which you and your advisers must answer for, at the last day, when the Almighty shall hold inquisition for their blood.
I am sensible truth is grating to the ears of kings, because they are so little accustomed to hear it, for few men have either honesty or resolution enough to declare it, and courtiers dare not, especially when it does not flatter the ambition or the vanity of the prince. It seems, Sir, of no use to complain to you of the inability, the villainy, and the wickedness of your ministers; you appear quite callous to every sense of Justice and humanity; the distresses of a whole nation brought on by your weakness, revenge, cruelty, and lust of power, cannot pierce your adamant heart; you are determined to keep the same men in power, and to pursue the same bloody measures, which for years past have bro't disgrace and ruin on the nation, and may possibly end with the loss of the kingdom; then your bauble of a crown will lose its lustre, and you will most sincerely lament that you had not cultivated & deserved the affections of a generous, brave, and free people, instead of following the advice of a few interested knaves and subtle traitors. You have already lessened yourself in the eyes of the whole world, the people despise and detest you for the obstinacy and tyranny of your disposition; and be assured, Sir, they have given up all hopes or thoughts of meeting with any redress at your hands for the accumulated injuries they have suffered during the whole course of a nineteen years infamous and disgraceful reign, which the present and future generations will be bound, by every principle of honour and justice, to execrate and condemn, and which will be handed down to our latest posterity, by some faithful historian, in characters of blood.
The people are now determined to redress themselves, the power is in their own hands; a power which God and nature gave them; a power which you nor your creatures cannot take from them; a power not received from kings, but such a power as may, it necessity should compel the exertion of it, make you, with all your known obstinacy and boasted firmness, and your favorites tremble. It is a power, Sir, which no mercenary German butchers however numerous will be ever able to destroy. It is a power which has shaken the thrones of imperial tyrants, and laid them, even in the midst of their fancied security, prostrate in the dust; and nothing but this power properly exerted, at this awful moment of impending ruin, can save the people from the tyranny of you and your ministers, nor preserve the nation from destruction.
You will be no longer troubled with petitions and remonstrances from an injured and oppressed people, they will prevent your insulting them again when they quietly ask redress; no, Sir, they will demand, as a right, what, if granted otherwise, would have been accepted as a favour, and instead of the curses of the people their prayers and blessings would have been offered up for you.
Matters, Sir, are now come to a crisis, you must give up your minions & creatures to public Justice, those miscreants who have bro't misery and ruin upon the land, unless, like that worst of hypocrites, tyrants, and traitors, Charles the first, you are determined to involve the nation in all the horrors of a cruel and bloody civil war. Indeed, from the fatal experience we have had of your arbitrary tyrannical disposition and lust of power, there is but too much reason to fear that will be the consequence; for the general opinion conceived of you is, that you would rather see the plains of England, like those of America, covered with the purest blood of her virtuous sons, than give up your present ministers to condign punishment. America presents to the world not only a dreadful but damning proof of these assertions. We have known you Sir, upon the arrival of dispatches from the seat of blood, which have contained an account of the slaughter of thousands of the bravest men upon earth, immediately burst out in a fit of laughter, and express a peculiar kind of joy & satisfaction at the butchery of mankind; a satisfaction that would have disgraced the humane feelings of a savage.
Shame, defeat, dismay, and infamy follows every measure of your government in every quarter of the world, because they are founded in despotism, injustice, cruelty, and blood; and without an immediate alteration, a total change of men and measures, is speedily brought about, the empire cannot stand; and if there is a possibility of effecting so desirable a purpose it must be by the present associations, firm decisions, and exertions of Englishmen: thus united and thus determined, they may soon prove themselves the saviours of their country, and, like their brave and virtuous forefathers, immortalize their names, and shew to the world, that altho' they have been deceived they will not be enslaved by any pious hypocritical tyrant, nor by his interested adherents and abettors.
When the spirit of the people is roused into action, it will be in vain for you, Sir, with all your obstinacy and Butean firmness to oppose or resist, even joined with the assistance of your present venal parliament, the whole tribe of placemen and pensioners, and all the mercenary cut throats you may be able to procure. Englishmen struggling for their lives, their liberties, & every thing held dear by man, will be victorious against all the powers of tyranny & hell; and you, Sir, may soon be brought to a sense of your duty; and notwithstanding you have been a long time both deaf and callous, they may make you hear and feel, and you may be glad to offer up more sacrifices to the vengeance of the people than they have demanded.
The good of the people is the end of government, and the foundation upon which it stands; and whenever the mal administration of kings or ministers has extended to tyranny and oppression, and to the destruction of the constitution and the people's rights, it has ever been held just to re-assume the right of government in their own hands, and to reduce such traitors to reason.
THE SCOURGE, No. III.
Saturday, February 12, 1780.
Can ye, O Britons, unconcerned behold Your rights invaded, and your country sold! See FREEDOM tottering on the brink of fate, Her friends imprison'd, and her foes elate! N—one more glorious struggle let us make, And if we fail—we'll perish for her sake: FREEDOM alone, to LIFE can RELISH give, And ceasing to be FREE, let's cease to LIVE.
TO THE PEOPLE.
Friends and Countrymen,
IT is your virtue and your firmness alone, which can give new life to the expiring freedom of your country; and restore the sacred constitution of the British empire to its pristine vigor. It is in your power, by a well-timed resistance at this moment, (and it is a duty you owe to yourselves and to your posterity) to establish your violated rights and liberties upon a foundation, not to be again shaken by any base, obstinate, or hypocritical tyrant upon earth.

You have seen all your calamities, all your oppressions, and all your grievances, not only treated with contempt; but turned into ridicule by him whose duty it was to have redressed, if not prevented them, and on whose head the crown of these realms is unworthily placed; for, as the immortal Algernon Sidney says, "An ass will never leave his stupidity, though he be covered with scut-let, and he that is by nature a slave , will be so still, though a crown be put upon his head;" and it is hard to imagine a more violent immersion of the laws of God and nature, than to raise him to the THRONE, whom nature intended for the CHAIN.
You have vainly expected, & as vainly flattered yourselves, that your representatives to whom you have intrusted your liberty & your property, would have redressed the injuries you have suffered. No—they are venal, base betrayers of your rights, the plunderers of your property; the traitorous authors of all the misery and ruin which has been brought upon the nation; the mere instruments of an infamous and corrupt court, bribed by the king and ministry with the public Money, to oppress, and if possible, to enslave you. Having thus notoriously inverted the sacred and important end of their institution; and instead of being your guardians and protectors, a majority of them are become the engines of tyranny in the hands of the crown, the power which you gave them ceases of course; and reverts back into your own hands, your happiness and prosperity being no longer the rule of their conduct, all laws made for levying taxes on you, (to answer the diabolical purposes of corruption,) by such a band of traitors and public robbers, must be to all intents and purposes void, in the eye of reason, justice, and common sense; and ought not to be obeyed, but resisted.
It was a complaint against Charles the first , that he levied taxes without consent of parliament; where then, my countrymen, is the difference between a king exacting or demanding money of the people, by his own arbitrary will, without the sanction of parliament, or illegally robbing them by means of a corrupt and secret influence over a majority of its members, nay the latter is ten thousand times more dangerous to the constitution, and more fatal to your liberties; the first being an open violation of the laws, and an arbitrary stretch of kingly prerogative, gives an immediate alarm throughout the nation, and the people are presently on their guard to oppose and resist it. But this corrupt and secret influence, or in other words, bribing your representatives to betray their trust, and give to the crown an absolute power over your purses, is more slow and sure, and its consequences not so soon foreseen or felt, nor yet so easily guarded against or prevented!—It is the worst and blackest treason against the laws and constitution, in the king or minister who does it; because it goes to the entire subversion of all legal government, it saps the foundation of public right public justice, and public virtue, and must in the end not only destroy your liberties, but establish tyranny and despotism in the land, by act of parliament; and it will then be too late to complain; for if you should have resolution to do it, you will be told by the haughty imperial tyrant on the throne, "It is not in my power to give you any relief; indeed I know of no such grievances as you mention and have now laid before me; they do not exist, the application is therefore not only very improper but indecent, designed by a few discontented people to alarm the kingdom, and to infuse into the minds of my peaceable and well affected subjects, false fears and apprehensions; and I should ill deserve the title of king of a FREE PEOPLE, if I paid the least attention to it; I cannot alter the law you complain of, and to which I have given my assent, by and with the advice of my PARLIAMENT, and by that advice I shall abide."
Friends and fellow-countrymen, it is necessary you should know and be made fully acquainted with your own consequence and importance in the state, and no longer suf-
fer yourselves to be duped and plundered daily, by the corrupt union of the king, lords, and commons; consider, that they have not, nor can have any power, either jointly or separately, but what is derived from you, which they hold in trust for your good, and the general safety of the kingdom; and for which you have allowed them certain privileges and advantages. Now, as they have acted in direct opposition to your welfare, and by that means betrayed that trust you delegated to them, and nearly effected your and the nation's ruin; they are evidently become tyrants and usurpers, and ought to be treated as such, and dispossessed of those powers so abused, which they can have no longer any right to exercise.—You are the origin of all the power vested in the three heads of the constitution, you were a people before there was any such thing as king, lords, and commons or any form of government constituted; and that power which is original, must be superior; and you have an undoubted right, when you see, or think it necessary for your own preservation, to enter into associations, or assemble in convention, in order to take the government into your own hands, and to consider of delegating new powers, for the future advantage and benefit of the kingdom.
Reason and common sense clearly point out to the meanest capacity, that when all delegated powers fail or expire, when governors ruin the people they should protect; when the parliament is destroyed, or what is the same thing, if not worse, corrupted, and betray their constituents, the people who are the original of all delegated power, ought to drag the miscreants from their seats, that they might suffer, if possible, a punishment equal to their crimes, as an example to all future traitors. But while you my fellow subjects, remain quiet and inactive under every oppression, every violation of your rights, and every act of tyranny, be assured task masters will go on till you are enslaved beyond redemption through your own baseness, till your property is gone, and with it your power, and till you have not one liberty, nor one privilege left to boast of.
Rouse then, if you have still any claim or pretensions to the name of Englishmen, the grand, the important question agitated in the kingdom is, whether you shall continue to be a free people, or become slaves; let not a fatal lethargy lull you into a fancied security and obliterate the sense of glory, till your chains are fast rivetted; tis freedom calls, and demands your protection and support; that freedom which every sensible mind, and every Englishman holds inseparable from the idea of happiness on earth; be not intimidated by the displeasure or the frowns of a tyrant, nor by the threats of power, that would not only betray a degree of cowardice, but prove a baseness of spirit unworthy of Britons. In a cause so important, so glorious in its consequences, we should know no fear. You, my fellow-countrymen, secured with the armour of truth, and having all the laws of Justice, humanity and heaven on your side, may bid defiance to the boldest and cruelest tyrant upon earth, even to a Nero with all his host of slaves, and make them tremble.
Let me conjure you to be no longer deceived by the pious hypocrisy of the present king, he has done more in the short space of a few years, to subvert your religion and liberties, and to ruin the nation, than ever Charles the first did during the whole course of his life, and yet he was brought to the block, by the virtue, firmness, and resolution of our forefathers; if he had not, we at this day should not have had either liberty or freedom to have contended for, nor would England have been reduced to its present miserable, disgraceful and ruinous state, by a dastardly, mulish tyrant, of the house of Brunswick .
James the second at his first coming to the crown of England, professed (though not BORN a BRITON) so much tenderness for the people, and so great a regard for the preservation of their liberties and their property that the parliament and people gave him
more money than he asked, and he himself had honor enough to put a stop to the profusion of their grants and foolish loyalty. The deluded people presently saw their error, for he soon began to put the imperial law of his own WILL, in execution, and to exercise an arbitrary and uncontrouled power over them. However, James had not long altered from what he seemed to be in his first speech, than the people altered too. The satisfaction in, and veneration for their new king, vanished in a short time; and from the pleasing hopes of living free and happy subjects under him, they sunk into all the just and dreadful apprehensions of becoming despised and miserable slaves. A general consternation fell upon the kingdom, and the wretches who had armed the tyrant with his power, and supported him in it, were the first to leave him, and the most forward to invite, and join with a deliverer. James being thus deserted by his priests and chaplains (who had invested him with all his illegal-arbitrary power) and by every honest Englishman; he was soon reduced to the necessity of trusting to, and depending upon a mercenary band of hired troops, who also deserted him, and he was at length obliged to fly from the face of an injured people, and seek refuge in a foreign land, as a proper and just reward for all his villainy. That another base, ungrateful, perjured, hypocritical and blood-thirsty tyrant, may share the same, or a worse fate, is the sincere wish of millions.
THE SCOURGE, No. IV.
Saturday, February 19, 1780.
To the Right Honourable (Subtle Scotchman) WILLIAM MURRAY, Earl of Mansfield, and Lord Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice of the polluted Court of KING'S BENCH, Governor of the Charter-House, and one of his MAJESTY's most baneful Privy Counsellors.
MY LORD, I AM perfectly sensible of your power, and as I well know your infamous and corrupt abuse of it; but that shall not deter me from exposing your baneful influence, treacherous arts, and Scotch cunning, however dangerous it may be to my personal liberty, at this time, when Lord Sandwich's MULGRAVE, the notorious apostate and ministerial blood hound, had the consummate assurance and barefaced impudence on Monday last to say in the House of Commons, that the PEOPLE of England, because they have entered into Associations for the preservation of their lives, liberty and property, against the despotism and blood-thirsty designs of your Lordship and the rest of the king's desperate and destructive cabal, who like Cataline and the conspirators at Rome , have, it is to be presumed, drunk each a cup of human blood , as a pledge of your union; "should be upon their guard, for government would be on their's, and watch their motions. From all history, and from recent example, it appears, that it is extreme folly to suffer doings of the kind that were going forward to rise into any height of maturity. Let the assassins be aware, that they who offend without provocation, will suffer without pity. There is sufficient vigour in government to enforce the laws; and to maintain the constitution of this country."
By this bold and menacing declaration of your confederate in mischief, as well as from Lord Hillsborough , in the House of Peers, "That the petitioners were factious, and the petitions rebellious," it is pretty evident for what purpose the new regiments have been raised, and what use is humanely intended to be made of them, it is, my Lord, to support, continue, and perfect the horrid system of tyranny which you laid down in order to make the present grateful and pious king absolute, and this you was aware could not be easily effected without a numerous band of mercenary cut-throats, to overawe the people, and in case they complained by petitions or remonstrances, or dared to meet and associate for their own preservation; these hired butchers, the very dregs and scum of the earth, raked from all the sinks of infamy in every part of the kingdom, and presently trained to slaughter, were to point the dagger to the hearts of their countrymen, and to keep them in subjection with the sword and bayonet.
The wicked, mischievous, and hellish conspiracy your Lordship had formed (in conjunction with others) under the auspices of a dastardly tyrant, against the common rights of mankind, and envied constitution of the British empire, was laid deep, and it spread wide, you urged it on with a steady zeal, and an unwearied application, but as soon as your internal scheme of destroying charters, and arbitrarily imposing taxes, on a people who you never saw in America, contrary even to any pretence or legal claim of right failed; you watched all opportunities to begin the bloody execution and slaughter of mankind, that you might satiate your Scots revenge with human gore ; the first opposition to despotic power you declared in the privy council , to be an act of rebellion, and in consequence of that diabolical advice which you knew would please the temper of your master, whose aim is to be the imperial tyrant and butcher of the human race; many thousand distressed orphans, and unhappy widows are now bewailing the loss of their murdered fathers, and husbands, and daily calling to Heaven for vengeance on your head, as the author of their miseries; for they well know, my Lord, that you have been the artful friend who planned and advised their total extirpation by the sword, if they would not submit to be slaves. This, my Lord, the whole kingdom must be convinced of, and believe, for none but a monster in human shape, or some malignant devil could have said what you uttered in the House of Peers against the people of America , more than four years since. "IF WE DON'T KILL THEM, THEY WILL KILL US;" yes, my Lord, it was your advice and your design to KILL them, and you, together with your humane master, gloated in the slaughter; Heaven be praised, your success has not been so great as you expected, they have gloriously and manfully resisted your tyranny, and frustrated all your schemes of despotism and arbitrary power over them.

As you found, my Lord, the Americans were too wise, too brave, and too virtuous to be cheated out of their birth-rights as Englishmen, by your chicanery, sophistry, and Scotch cunning, or by force; you and your master the tool of a desperate faction, are now determined to try the same experiment upon the deluded people of this country. The plan of their ruin and slavery has been long laid; you, and the rest of the junto, by means of a corrupt majority in the House of Commons, have already reduced the greatest part of the nation to want and beggary, the constitution is now tottering to its base, and the only security the people have for their lives and property, depends upon the will of the king, that is, your Lordship's, or the vote of venal senators. Notwithstanding the distresses of the kingdom, full one eighth part of the revenue of England is at this time stared by your Lordship, and the other miscreants in power; and yet you have advised his pious majesty and the court faction, as a reward for having robbed us of near all we have, to desire we will give the rest ; to support your lordship and other notorious plunderers and traitors, and to maintain a war against the established laws of the realm, and our fellow-subjects; that we may purchase our own bondage, at a dearer price, than our forefathers did their liberties.
My lord, while your infernal counsel, prevails in this kingdom, and you remain at the head of the King's Bench and the present faction in power, the constitution cannot be safe, it is already nearly overthrown, the great charter of our liberties is undermined, the laws are no longer a security against rapine and lawless violence; the innocent are made to suffer, whilst the guilty escape punishment. The life and personal liberty of every Englishman in every part of the empire, is not only in danger, but liable to be sacrificed, if he either acts or speaks against the designs of your lordship and the king's faction. It is now evident, my lord, and the whole nation is convinced, that it is your intention to destroy the constitution, and to make the people know no law , but the WILL of a bloody and revengeful tyrant. To assert in the most peaceable manner, our undoubted rights as freemen, and to express in strong and nervous terms a proper sense of our injuries and oppressions, is by your lordship called SEDITION and TREASONABLE ; and from your dextrous management, weight, and influence in the house of lords, it appears, that you can imprison, or take away the life of any man, or set of men, who may be unfortunate enough to incur your displeasure; nay, it is not doubted, but your power and abilities are sufficient to turn the common prayer-book into treason (and it is believed you would do it) to accomplish your own, or your master's black and bloody purposes.
The time, my lord, is near at hand, when the people must apply a fair remedy to this foul disease . I am convinced violence is intended against them, and violence must meet it. The common freedom of England is at stake, and it is the common interests of Britons to defend it. The sword it is to be feared, will be the only judge of the controversy, and decide the dispute. The whole nation, my lord, look upon you and the court faction, as a herd of wild beasts, who live by rapine, plunder and blood, and it will be for the public interest to hunt you down. The very first attempt of force, will set the people in a flame, they will rise together, and the work is done; you are too few for them to fear, and as the authors and instruments of their intended destruction, you will deservedly fall, without either pity, redress, or mercy! even the Romish faith, blasphemy, and nonsense of the present bench of bishops will not be able to save you.
Your Lordship's malice and revenge against the friends of freedom and legal government, was never more clearly evidenced to the world than in the sentence passed against the printer of the General Advertiser, because he had expressed a peculiar kind of joy as every true Englishman did at the acquittal of ADMIRAL KEPPEL, from the foul design of your colleagues in corruption and infamy, Sandwich and Palliser, to take away his life. I lose all patience, and cannot restrain the rage and indignation I feel against your lordship, when I reflect on this, and the sentence passed on Thursday the 10th instant in the court of King's Bench, upon those Scots usurpers of government, and murderers of LORD PIGOT, George Stratton, Charles Floyer, Henry Brooke, and George Mackay, convicted upon the clearest and most unequivocal evidence by an English jury, of having DEPOSED without the least cause or shadow of right, and in the most cruel and tyrannical manner his lordship from the government of Madras in India. The coroner's inquest also brought in a verdict on the death of Lord Pigot, WILFUL MURDER against the same humane gentlemen; and yet printing a few hand-bills, and dispersing them about the town, which could not possibly be attended with any fatal consequence, was a crime in the eyes of your Lordship, of much greater magnitude than that of murder, and a subversion of government. PARKER, because he happened to be an enemy to despotism and Scotch treachery, which was his only guilt, is to suffer a cruel and unjust imprisonment of ONE YEAR, in Newgate, whilst murder and treason, when it happens to be in favor of government, deserves no punishment at all; a FINE of ONE THOUSAND pounds obliterates the guilt, and the criminals are set FREE . It is well known, my lord, you was ever the friend of tyranny and lawless violence, and we are not much surprised to find you the supporter and defender of every villain who zealously engages in the oppression and ruin of mankind.
Another reason, my lord, may be assigned for this very extraordinary sentence, a Nabob with a plumb in his pocket, cannot be guilty of any crime, and we may soon know the price of BLOOD , in the court of King's Bench. Judges have been warped from their duty by bribes long before your lordship was called to the bar, some have been called to an account and severely fined , and many have been punished with DEATH .
D U B L I N, February 26.
The martial spirit diffused throughout this kingdom, seems every day gathering strength; and the gallant patriotic flame glows with unremitting ardour. No less than five new corps have been embodied since the first of January last, under leaders as distinguished for their readiness in their country's cause, as for their good sense and personal courage. The Armourers are every where at work, cannon is casting, and a number of camp-equipages are actually making in this city for the Volunteer Army.
L O N D O N, May 19.
The year 1559 was the most remarkable year for illustrious deaths which history can produce. In that year died one Pope, one Emperor, two Kings of France, one King of England, one of Portugal, one of Denmark, a Dowager Queen of Poland, a Queen of England, Queen Eleanor of Hungary, the Doge of Venice, the Duke de Ferrara, and three Cardinals. The year 1777, however, was still more extraordinary
marked; for England then spent fifty millions in pursuit of a phantom, lost thirty thousand brave men, with thirteen of the brightest jewels in the King's diadem, and brought on a war with France and Spain.
B O S T O N, August 10.
We sincerely congratulate our readers on the capture of so great a part of the Quebec fleet, the most important blow given to British trade since the commencement of the war.—This fleet consisted of 38 sail, under convoy of two British frigates, richly laden with provisions ordnance and military stores, valuable merchandise, and all kinds of supplies for the province of Canada, the British army there, and the Indian trade. It contained, indeed, most, if not all, the supplies for that quarter for the present year. It had been long preparing and waiting for convoy, and was much wanted and expected in Canada. This fleet sailed from Torbay the 30th of May; three days after, a French ship of the line fell in with it, which, according to the best accounts we can obtain, took 7, and probably more, and scattered the whole fleet. Afterwards a number of American privateers fortunately met with this prey, and, we have already a certain account, captured 19. Our cruisers (some, if not all, of whom soon isolated as many men from the prizes as it took to secure them) were left in pursuit of the remainder of the fleet; and as we know there were a number of other American armed vessels cruising at or near the mouth of St. Lawrence, it is highly probable that very few, if ever any, will find their way to Quebec. From an apprehension in England that our loss at Penobscot had disabled us to fit out cruisers, this fleet had a small convoy, and was insured there at 10 per cent. The value of each prize is computed, on an average, at 20,000. sterling. They have an assortment exactly adapted to the wants and occasions of the United States.—This blow must be terrible to the British in Canada, as the supplies cannot be replaced this year: The British army there must feel it severely: The Indian trade, which gave our enemies military as well as commercial advantages, must suffer greatly by it: So must the merchants in Britain, as well as Canada, particularly the insurers. In short, it is not easy to compute what the enemy has lost, and what we have gained by this fortunate stroke. It has been remarked, that the American privateers concerned in this capture, all belong to this State, and that some of the owners of the vessels lost on the Penobscot expedition, are largely interested in this success.
A vessel not long since arrived here from the West-Indies, sailed with the combined fleets of France and Spain, of 36 sail of the line, and 14,000 troops. This vessel accompanied the fleet to leeward, through the Porto Rico passage, to the coast of Hispaniola, where she left it about 27 days ago. It was universally concluded to be bound for Jamaica.
We are credibly informed, that the notoriously infamous Major Rogers, now Colonel of a dirty tory corps, called the King's Rangers, is lodged in Halifax goal, for a debt of 400. that currency, by a Mr. Prince.
Accounts from Connecticut assure us, that the enemy, which had lately taken post at the east end of Long Island, and threatened a descent upon Rhode Island, have returned to New York; supposed to be in consequence of Gen. Washington's advance towards Kipsbridge.
It is reported that the Liverpool privateer, of 10 guns which has been some time past infesting the Eastern shore, is taken by an armed boat out of Salem, and is safe arrived in port.
E X E T E R, August 12.
On Monday evening last, one Jacob Chark, of Brintwood, aged about 18 years, was drowned by jumping over a wharf in this town,—'tis imagined he was not aware of the water being above his depth, as he could not swim. It being late in the evening, he was not found 'till too late to recover his life; however, experiments were tried.
We hear that the severe lightning on Saturday evening last, did considerable damage in different parts of the country, to the Human species, as well as to houses, Cattle, &c. but we don't hear of any lives being lost.
To be sold at public Vendue, at the late Governor WENTWORTH's farm at Wolfborough, in the State of New-Hampshire, on WEDNESDAY the 13th day of September next,—
All the Utenfils of Husbandry, belonging to said farm, consisting of Wheels, Waggons, Carts, Plows, Harrows, Chains, and a variety of other articles; together with the remaining part of the HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, consisting of Beds, Bedsteads, Bed and Table-Linnen, Kitchen Furniture, &c.—Also, about 30 tons of good English Hay, a Ship's Bell wt. about 1C2, and a large Copper Sun Dial, and sundry other articles.—Likewise, several Lots of LAND in Middleton, adjoining said Wolfborough.—Conditions, and Inventory, to be seen at time and place of Sale, or by enquiring of the subscriber at Newmarket.
SAMUEL GILMAN, Trustee (to the said Governor's Estate.) Newmarket, Aug. 3, 1780.
The Widow Service,
Has removed to a commodious House near the State House, in Portsmouth, where she keeps Boarding for Gentlemen, and Entertainment for others as usual.
A House to be let at the North End Enquire of the Printer, Portsmouth
Barnstead Meeting stands adjourned to the last Monday of this Instant August, 2 o'Clock, at the Parish House in Newington. All concerned are desired to take Notice, and govern themselves accordingly By order of the Proprietors. R. Downing, Proprietors Clerk. Newington. August 1, 1780
TO BE SOLD, BY ISAAC WILLIAMS, at his Shop in EXETER, The best of West-India RUM, SUGAR, MOLASSES, COFFEE, CURRANTS, ALLSPICE, and Men's SHOES; with a Number of other Articles, cheap for Cash, &c.
TO BE SOLD, BY RICHARD CHAMPNEY,
Cheap for Cash, by Wholesale, or Retail, Rum, Molasses, Cotton, Coffee; Black Bescelona Handkerchiefs; a few small Hawfers, Lines, Hooks &c. &c. Any of the above Articles will be exchanged for good Jamaica and Scale Fish. Portsmouth, August 4.
TO BE SOLD, One half of the House & Land, now in the Occupation of the Widow Pickering, originally belonging to Daniel Pickering, deceased; Enquire of the Printer at Portsmouth
To be sold at public Vendue, agreeable to an Act of the General Court of the State of New Hampshire, entitled "An Act for clearing and making passable the road from Upper Coos through unappropriated lands to Conway" 1000 acres of choice land, in lots of 100 acres each, being part of a tract of land, late belonging to William Stark, adjoining to the town of Conway the proceeds thereof be applied to the making said road, for which purpose ten or fifteen hands are wanted immediately to whom good encouragement will be given by applying to the Subscriber, or to Thomas Merrill or Andrew McMillan, Esqrs. at Conway—The sale will be at the house of Andrew McMillan in Conway, on Monday the 14th of August next. J. WHIPPLE.
N. B. The said LAND is said to be equal, if not superior to any in the State, a great part of it being interval land, of the best quality. June 20.
Wanted, a BOY of about 14 years of age, to serve as an Apprentice to the Peruke Making and Hair Dressing business. Inquire of William Stanwood of Portsmouth.
TO BE SOLD, A Silver WATCH, For Continental or Hard Money. Enquire of the Printer.