New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1779-12-14 00:00:00

B O S T O N, Dec. 10.
The following LETTER and RESOLVES of the Honorable Continental CONGRESS, was received the 7th Instant, by the General-Court, and is now published by order.
(Circular) Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1779.
SIR,
YOU will receive herewith enclosed, an Act of Congress of the 19th inst. earnestly recommending to the several States forthwith to enact Laws for establishing and carrying into execution a general Limitation of Prices throughout their respective Jurisdictions, to commence in their Operations from the first Day of February next.
I have the Honor to be, with great Respect your very humble Servant.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, President. Hon. President of Council of Massachusetts Bay.
In COUNCIL, Dec. 7, 1779.
Read and sent down, with a Resolution of Congress accompany the same.
JOHN AVERY, Deputy Secretary. In CONGRESS, Nov. 19, 1779.
WHEREAS the fluctuating State of Prices not only causes Inequality and Injustice in private Dealings, and in furnishing the public Supplies from the several States, but renders it impracticable to make the proper Estimates for future Expences, and to fix equitable Salaries for those employed in the Service of the United States: And whereas, the Estimates according to which the Requisitions for the Taxes of the succeeding Year have been made by the Resolution of the 6th of October last, have been founded on the Principle that the Prices of commodities necessary for the public use, would not exceed twenty fold of the former Prices, and should they rise above that Rate, the Taxes must be accordingly increased, but should they fall below it, the surplus of the sum raised may be applied to the sinking Fund:
Therefore,
RESOLVED, That it be earnestly recommended to the several States forthwith to enact Laws for establishing & carrying into execution a general Limitation of Prices throughout their respective Jurisdictions, on the following Principles, and to commence in their operation from the 1st Day of February next.
Articles of Domestic Produce, farming and common Labour, the wages of Trade-men and Mechanicks, Water and Land Carriage, not to exceed Twenty fold of the Prices current through the various seasons of the Year 1774.
Articles imported from Foreign Parts, to be in due Proportion with Labour, and the Articles as above stated, making a proper allowance for freight, insurance, and other charges.
Salt and Military Stores whether of Home Manufacture, or imported from abroad, to be excepted from Limitation of Price.
RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several States to enact strict Laws against engrossing and withholding; and to take the necessary Measures for having the same carried into full execution.
RESOLVED, That all Officers and Agents employed in making Purchases for the United States, be directed to conform strictly to all Regulations that are or may be established in the several States.
That Accounts be kept, and Returns made by all Persons employed to make purchases in behalf of the United States, or to hire Vessels, Carriages, or Men, for the Service of the same, of the Prices by them respectively given.
To be Sold, Two very elegant Copper Stoves, and one of cast Iron;
en in such States as shall not, before the first Day of February 1780, pass Laws for the limitation of prices agreeable to the Recommendation contained in the foregoing resolutions, to the intent that such States as shall have neglected to pass Laws for the purposes aforesaid, may respectively be charged in the public accounts with the aggregate amount of the difference of Prices paid from and after the said first Day of February 1780, in such States, and those in which such Laws may have been enacted.
Extract from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA, November 20, 1779.
Last Wednesday an entertainment was given by Congress to the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, at which were present by invitation several Foreigners of distinction, and gentlemen of public character.
IN CONGRESS, November 17, 1779.
According to order the Hon. Chevalier De la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, was introduced to an audience by Mr. Mathews and Mr. Morris, the two Members for that purpose appointed; and being seated in his chair, the Secretary of the Embassy, delivered to the President a letter from his Most Christian Majesty, directed on the outside, "A nos tres chers grands Amis et Allies, le President et Membres du Congres General des Etats Unis de l'Amerique Septentrionale:," of which the following is a translation:
Very dear, Great Friends and Allies,
THE bad state of health of the Sieur Gerard, our Minister Plenipotentiary, to you, having laid him under the necessity of applying for a recall, we have made choice of the Chevalier De la Luzerne, a Colonel in our service to supply his place. We have no doubt but he will be agreeable to you and that you will repose entire confidence in him. We pray you to give full credit to all he shall say to you on our behalf, especially when he shall assure you of the sincerity of our wishes for your prosperity, as well as for the constancy of our affection, and of our friendship for the United States in general, and for each one of them in particular. We pray God to keep you, our very dear, great Friends and Allies, in His Holy protection.
Done at Versailles, the 31st May, 1779.
Your good Friend and Ally,
(Signed)
LOUIS.
(Underneath) DE VERGENNES.
The Minister was then announced to the House: Whereupon he arose and addressed Congress in a speech, which when he finished the Secretary delivered in writing to the President, of which the following is a translation:
Gentlemen,
THE wisdom and courage which have founded your Republic, the prudence which presides over your deliberations, your firmness in execution, the skill and valor displayed by your Generals and soldiers, during the course of the war, have attracted the admiration and regard of the whole world. The King my master, was the first to acknowledge a liberty acquired amidst so many perils and with so much glory. Since treaties dictated by moderation have fixed upon a permanent base the Union of France with the American Republic, His Majesty's whole conduct must have demonstrated how dearly he tends your prosperity, and his firm resolution to maintain your Independence
by every means in his power. The events which have successively unfolded themselves, shew the wisdom of those measures. A powerful Ally hath acknowledged the justice of those motives which had compelled the King to take arms and we may reasonably hope for the most solid success, from the operations of the united fleets. The naval force of the enemy, hath been diverted, from your Continent. Compelled to flee to the defence of their own possessions, all their efforts have been too feeble to prevent our troops from conquering a considerable part. The other British islands feared the same lot, when the French General stopped the current of his success, to seek new dangers here. In conforming to his Majesty's intentions, he has complied with his own inclination, the desires of the French, and the request of the Americans, who invited him to join his arms to those of your Republic. Events have not completely answered his courage and his efforts but his blood and that of my countrymen, shed in a cause so dear to us, hath cemented the base on which the alliance is founded, and impressed on it a character as indelible as are all those by which it is already consecrated.
That Alliance, Gentlemen, becomes daily more indissoluble and the benefits which the two nations derive from it have given it the most perfect consistence. The relations of commerce between the subjects of the King my master, and the Inhabitants of the Thirteen United States, continually multiply; and we may already perceive, in spite of those obstacles which embarrass the reciprocal communication, how natural it is, how advantageous it will be to the two nations and all who participate in it, and how much the monopolizing spirit, the jealous attention and prohibitory edicts of the enemy to your freedom, have been prejudicial to your happiness.
It is under those circumstances, Gentlemen, that the King my Master, has been pleased to appoint me his Minister Plenipotentiary to you. You have seen in the letter which I had just now the honour to deliver from him, fresh assurance of his friendship. I consider as the happiest circumstances of my life, a mission in the course of which I am certain fulfilling my duty when I labor for your prosperity; and I flatter myself upon being sent to a nation whose interests are so intimately blended with our own, that I can be useful neither to France nor the American Republic, without rendering myself agreeable both to the one and to the other.
It was certainly desirable that the affairs with which I am charged, had remained in the hands of that enlightened Minister whom I succeed, and whose health compels him to return to France. I have not his abilities but like him, I have an unbounded zeal for the welfare and success of the common cause; like him I am directed to concur in every thing which can be useful or agreeable to your Republic. I have the same attachment to the people, you Gentlemen, represent, and the same admiration of their conduct. I have the most fervent wish to give you proofs of it, and I hope by these different titles to merit your confidence and your esteem.
LE CHE DA LA LUZERNE.
To which the President returned the following Answer.
SIR,
Enquire of the Printer at Portsmouth.

THE early attention which our good Friend and ally to these United-States is gratefully felt by all their virtuous citizens; and we should be unfaithful Representatives if we did not warmly acknowledge every instance of his regard, and to take every opportunity of expressing the attachment of our constituents to treaties formed upon the purest principles.
His Most Christian Majesty, in rendering himself protector of the rights of mankind, became intitled to assistance from the friends of man. This title could not but be recognized by a monarch whose diadem is adorned with equity and truth: That monarch by joining his arms to those of our great ally, hath given a fatal blow to the common enemy; and from the justness of the motives which unites the combined fleets, we expect the most solid benefits will crown their operations; nor can we doubt that other powers will rejoice to see that haughty nation humbled in proportion as they have been insulted by her presumptuous arrogance.
We well know and all the world must acknowledge the moderation and friendship of the Most Christian King, in neglecting conquests which courted his acceptance for the benevolent pleasures of succouring his allies. In this as in every other instance we perceive his strict adherence to the principles of our defensive alliance. We are sensible of the zeal of the French General, in executing his Majesty's orders: We esteem his courage, we lament his wounds, and we respect that generous valor which hath led your countrymen to contend with ours in the same common cause, in the same field of glory. A noble emulation which hath poured out the blood of the two nations, and mingled it together as a sacred pledge of perpetual union.
The consequences which have followed from the appearance of the French fleet upon our coasts, particularly by disconcerting the enemy's plans of operation, and destroying a considerable part of their naval force, demonstrate the wisdom of the measure. That they have not been still more beneficial, is to be attributed to those incidents which in the hand of Omnipotence determine all human events: But our disappointment is compensated by reflecting on the perfect harmony that subsisted between the Generals, and the troops of the two nations.
The prosperous course of this campaign gives a pleasing hope that the moment of peace may soon arrive, when the reciprocation of mutual good offices shall amply recompense our mutual labors and cares, and we doubt not, but in that moment the commerce between the allied nations, now struggling under great inconveniences, will shoot forth with vigor and advantage, and happily demonstrate the injuries we once suffered from the restraints of our enemies.
While we lament, Sir, the loss of your worthy predecessor, we are led from your personal character to the pleasing expectation that you will possess that confidence and esteem which he enjoyed. They are due to the servants of our beneractor. We are happy in his choice, and being thoroughly convinced of the intimate connection between the interests and views of the allied nations, we can not but persuade ourselves that the more attentively you shall perform your duty to your Sovereign, and the sedulously you shall guard and promote the welfare your country, the more agreeable and respectable you will render yourself to the citizens of America.
The Secretary of Congress delivered to the Minister a copy of the foregoing reply, dated in Congress, November 17, 1779, and signed SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, President,—Whereupon the Minister withdrew, and was conducted home in the manner in which he was brought to the House.
Extract from the Minutes, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
LOW's and GEORGE's much esteemed ALMANACKS to be sold at the Printing-Office in EXETER.
State of New-Hampshire.
AT a Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Chester, held at Chester the 29th Day of November 1779, by Adjournment;
JOHN WEBSTER, Esq; being Moderator.
First put to Vote, To see if the Town will except of the Report of the Committee appointed to regulate Prices for the Inhabitants of this Town, and voted that it be excepted.
2dly, Voted, That a Committee be chosen to see that the foregoing Prices be observed.
3dly, Voted, That Jacob Chase, Esquire, Deacon Matthew Forsith, and Mr. Anthony Stickney, shall be the Committee.
4thly, Voted, That any Person in this Town that shall not comply with the Prices set by the Committee, but shall sell for more then the Articles are set at, they shall forfeit and pay the value of the Things so sold, to the Committee; and on their refusing to pay that Sum, they shall be advertised in the public Prints as inimical to their Country.
5thly, Voted, That the Committee shall get, the Proceeding of this Meeting printed in the public Prints at the Cost of the Town.
A true Copy, examined, pr
SAMUEL EMERSON, Town-Clerk.
AT a Meeting of the Committee held at Col. John Webster's in Chester, November 26th, 1779. For the purpose of regulating Prices of Necessaries of Life, Merchandise, Manufactures, and Labour, agreeable to the Recommendations of the Convention to the several Towns in this State, to regulate the Prices for their respective Towns to taken by Innholders, Tradesmen, Labourers, Manufacturers and other Articles not by them enumerated, in due Proportion to the Rates by them stated, allowing a reasonable Deduction for fixing of Expences in removing Country Produce, also reasonable Advance for Transportation of Foreign Articles into Town. After deliberating the matter, came to the following Resolution as the Opinion of this Committee, viz.
That 3d per pound be reduced from the Prices set by the Convention on Meat of all kinds, that are sold in the Town of Chester.
That 6d per Bushel be reduced as aforesaid, from Indian Corn, Grain of all kinds, Beans and Peas.
That 12d per Barrell be reduced from the Price of Cyder.
That 15d per Thousand be reduced from the Price of merchantable Pine Boards.
That 16d per Thousand be reduced from the Price of Hogthead Staves.
That 23d per Thousand be reduced from the Price of Hogthead Hoops.
That 10d per Ton be reduced from the Price of English Hay.
That 3d per Pound be added to the Price set by the Convention, on Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Sugar, and Cotton Wool, that is transported into Town for Sale.
That 11 3/4 per Bushel, be added to the Price of good Salt, as aforesaid.
That 15d per Ton be added to the Price of Bloomery Iron.
That 18d per Gallon be added to the Price of West-India Rum.
That 12d per Gallon be added to the Price of New-England Rum, and Molasses.
Innholders and Retailers Prices to be as followeth, viz. West-India Rum 37s per Quart, smaller Quantities in the usual Proportion. New-England Rum 28s per Quart, and smaller Quantities in Proportion. Flip by the Mug, and Toddy by the Bowl made with West-India Rum, 15s per Mug or Bowl, Ditto made with New-England Rum, 12s. For a Dinner 15s. Supper and Breakfast in the usual Proportion. Horse Keeping 13s per Night. Oxen 24s per Night. Cyder 3s per Mug. Labour of all kinds twenty for one, as the Prices were in 1774.
MATTHEW FORSITH, Chairman. Attest, JABEZ HOIT, Clerk.
Notice is hereby given to the delinquent Owners of Land called Society-Land, that unless they pay their Taxes with incidental Charges for the year 1779, that so much of their Lands will be sold at public
vendue on Thursday the 13th day of January next, unless paid before that Time.—The Names are as follows.
Col. Wallingford, 301 Isaac Brewster, 21 8s Col. Odiorne, 721 Lord Proprietors 421 Samuel Chase 121 7s Edward Aiken, 51 13s John Senter, 31 5s John Hall, 31 5s
ROBERT DINSMOOR, Constable. Society-Land, December 11, 1779.
Notice is hereby given to the delinquent Proprietors and Owners of Land in Epsom, that unless they pay their Taxes with charges, that so much of their Lands will be sold at public Vendue on Thursday the 16th day of December next, at the house of the Widow McClary's in said Town, at ten o'clock in the Forenoon, as will pay said Taxes with incidental charges, unless paid before that time.—The Tax is for the year 1779.
   First Range. No. l. s. d.    Israel March 5 1 7 0  Samuel Haines 6 2 5 0  Joshua Brackett 8 6 0 0  Zachariah Foss 9 1 0 6  Tucker Gate 10 0 3 0  Richard Forden 11 0 7 6  John Dam 14 1 4 0  Thomas Mann 18 2 14 0  Alice Clark 26 1 10 0  Walter Philbrick 27 0 12 0  Joseph Weeks 28 1 16 0  George Wallace 30 1 4 0  Samuel Haines 31 1 10 0  Joshua Foss 32 2 5 0  Jeremiah Wolford 36 3 12 0  Samuel Chapman 37 5 11 0  John Card 38 3 6 0  
   Second Range No. l. s. d.    William Berry 43 3 0 0  John Leach 45 2 2 0  Samuel Rand 47 3 12 0  James Johnson 50 3 12 0  Samuel Jackson 54 6 0 0  John Bryant 56 1 1 0  Edward Martin 59 0 18 0  Samuel Brackett 66 4 10 0  James Chadwick 71 0 18 0  Nicholas Dotha 72 3 12 0  Penual Chapman 10 0 12 0  Walter Weeks 6 0 6 0  
   Third Range No. l. s. d.    Solomon Douse 76 7 16 0  Samuel Philbrick 78 0 18 0  James Philpot 79 0 15 0  Joseph Meloon 80 0 18 0  John Stephens 81 0 18 0  Widow Hicks 82 0 6 0  Nathaniel Rand 83 0 18 0  Benjamin Parker 84 1 17 0  Mathias Haines 98 4 10 0  Peter Garland 102 7 4 0  Benjamin Macriss 104 0 12 0  Henry Paine 106 0 18 0  Samuel Wallace 94 1 7 0  
   Fourth Range No. l. s. d.    John Brackett 113 3 0 0  Daniel Greenough 119 2 2 0  Joshua Haines 120 0 3 0  Benjamin Seavey 123 1 10 0  Samuel Weeks 124 1 13 0  James Randal 126 1 10 0  John Neal 127 0 3 0  Nathan Morrill 128 0 12 0  John Shaw No. 5, 1st range, 2d Divis. 2 14 0 0  Widow Hicks No. 6, 8, 9, 10, 4 16 0 0  
BENJAMIN GOODWIN, Constable. Epsom, November 16, 1779.
E X E T E R, Decem. 14. To-Morrow the General Assembly of this State, are to meet in this Town.
Thursday last was observed here as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise. For more News see the Supplement.
CASH, WEST INDIA, OR ENGLISH GOODS, GIVEN FOR GOOD FLAX SEED, BY SAMUEL HILL, at his Shop on Spring Hill, Portsmouth. BLANKS of most sorts printed, and sold at the Printing-Office.