The New-Hampshire gazette and historical chronicle (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1775-08-08 00:00:00

THE New-Hampshire AND HISTORICAL CONTAINING the Freshest ADVICES TUESDAY August 8, 1775.
Vol. XIX GAZETTE, CHRONICLE, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. No. 981 { Weeks since this Paper was first publish'd. }
PORTSMOUTH, August 8.
The following is His Excellency the GOVERNOR's Message in Reply to the House of Assembly's Answer to a former Message of the 14th July, which Message and Answer were inserted in this Paper of the 25th ultimo, but the present Message was not given to be then printed with them.
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, IN Reply to your Answer to my Message of Yesterday, concerning your Vote for excluding the three Members returned for three Towns in the County of Grafton by Virtue of the King's Writ, I would observe, that in the early State of New-Hampshire, when the Massachusetts Bay exercised Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants, a Commission was issued by King Charles the second appointing a President and Council to govern the Province according to the Methods and Regulations specified in the said Commission;---This laid the Foundation of the Constitution by which the Province hath since been governed, and the People by their Acceptance and Acquiescence in the Frame of Government then given them bound themselves to maintain the same.
Among other Things the President and Council were authorised to issue Writs for calling a general Assembly; It hath ever since been the invariable Practice, as Circumstances made it reasonable to extend Representation in the Province, to call the Members by the King's Writ;---It is a Part of the Constitution first established by the aforesaid Commission, and ever since preferred unaltered, & you all came by your Seats in the House in the same Constitutional Way, and the Laws of the Province test upon this Foundation;---It is true that some Contention was heretofore made by a former House on this Point, but after a long and fruitless Controversy the House thought it advisable at length to proceed to Business with the new Members in the established Course.
Since my Administration three new Members have been called from three Towns in the County of Cheshire, and they took their Seats without Interruption;---Upon Petitions to the Governor in Council from the Inhabitants of the County of Grafton, it seem'd equally reasonable to extend to them the same Privilege, expressly given by President Cutts's Commission, and secured by constant Usage since, which was done in the usual Form with the Advice of Council;---It does not now appear either by a general View of this Practice, or any particular Instance, that it hath not been exercised for the Advantage of the People, and as there is no Reason at present to apprehend Danger from the Influence of the Crown, the Argument you make Use of to support to justify your Refusal of the new Members, has in it self in Reality but very little Weight, more especially as Provision is established by Law for regulating the Election of Assembly Men and their Qualifications.
In short, a Constitution hath been given to this Province, which the People have accepted, and lived happily and prospered under, and I apprehend their Interest will be much better consulted by adhering to that Constitution, than by any Innovations or Attempts to alter or subvert it, especially in a Point of inherent Right and Prerogative of his Majesty, which cannot be suffered to be violated or infringed.
The Treasurer's Accounts are prepared, and I should have ordered them to be laid before the House, but my Duty calls upon me to take Care that no Members constitutionally returned to the Assembly should be excluded from their Privilege of acting freely in all Matters of Business that may come before the General Assembly: No inconvenience can as yet be occasioned by these Accounts, as a sufficient Number of Members to make a House did not attend;---If Yesterday, and then (as I understand) but a very thin House; I am sorry to observe that it appears to me from the Determination not to rescind the Vote for excluding the three Members for Plymouth, Lime and Orford, that the House did not meet with a Disposition to proceed upon the Affairs of the Province;---In Hopes however that this Business may receive a more favourable Consideration in a fuller House of Assembly on a future Day, I think it my Duty to adjourn the General Assembly; and it is hereby adjourned accordingly to Thursday the 28th of Septem. next at ten O'Clock in the Morning, then to meet at the State House in Portsmouth. J. WENTWORTH, Fort William and Mary, New-Hampshire, 15th July 1775.
***** Committee Hall Portsmouth, Aug. 2d 1775.
WHEREAS ---One MATTHEW CHRISTIAN of Antigua, but now a resident REFUGEE, on board the Scarborough-Man of War did, on the 26th last Month on board said Ship, in the Presence and Hearing of two Gentlemen of this Committee, publicly utter and speak the following Words, "That He wish'd the Small Pox in all our Borders, and especially in the damnd Rebel Army round Boston, and if it was in his Power he would communicate it to them," which infamous and unmanly Expressions deserves the highest Contempt; And that the unworthy Author may be branded with Disgrace, and His Name stink in the Nostrils of every American,
Therefore Voted, That every Printer on the Continent be desired to publish him, as an Enemy to this Country. And that no person directly or indirectly harbour, entertain, or have any Dealings with such a Miscreant, or supplies him with Money, Provisions, or takes his Bills, but that he may be left "to herd with Brutes, from Men apart, for his Stupidity."---And all Owners and Masters of American Vessels are hereby desired not to transport or carry the said Matthew Christian as a Passenger to any Part of the known World; And whoever shall counteract the Intention of this Vote, We will cause his Name to be published to the World as another Enemy to this Country, equally contemptible.
By order of the Committee, H. WENTWORTH, Chairman. *****
PORTSMOUTH Aug. 8.
IT is not to be wondered at, that the Farmers complain of the Rise of Goods, and the Man that does it at this important Crisis (when all the Colonies are involved in one general Calamity,) is a great Enemy to this Country, and deserves such a Depravity of Heart, as justly ought to be punished.
The Scarcity of an Article is no Justification for such a Person's Conduct; especially if that Scarcity is occasioned by the general Non-Importation Agreement, because that Agreement is founded upon the Presumption, that no Person would wish or desire to reap any unreasonable Advantage by it. The Reasons are too obvious to be mentioned.--- The Spirit of the Agreement is, that every Person in trade, at the Time of its taking Effect, should continue to sell his Goods at the same Price, he then did; until they were sold, and if every one did so, no Article could have been commanded of; therefore any advanced price is an Infraction of the agreement, too base to be put up with; and it is every one's Duty to test and expose such Practices.
CAMBRIDGE, August 3.
Some very late Intelligence hath been received at Head Quarters, this Week, from Canada, the Substance of which is, that the Canadians and Indians cannot be persuaded by Governor Carleton to join his Forces, but are determined to remain neuter: That there are but 500 Regulars in Canada, and near all those stationed at St. John's, in order to make a Stand against the Provincials expected down the Lake; and that consequently Quebec and Montreal have been left quite bare of Troops, except a small Guard at each Place.
We can't yet learn that a single Tribe of Savages on this Continent have been persuaded to take up the Hatchet against the Colonies, notwithstanding the great Pain made use of by the vile Emmissaries of a savage Ministry for that Purpose.
Last Monday Morning, near Charlestown Neck, a warm Fire began between our advanced Parties and those of the Enemy, attended with Cannonading from the Enemy's Works on Bunker-Hill. We took two Marines Prisoners, and killed several of the Regulars, with the Loss of one Man, belonging to Marblehead, who was killed with a Cannon Ball.
Parties of Rifle Men, together with some Indians, are constantly harassing the Enemy's advanced Guards, and say they have killed several of the Regulars within a Day or two past. One of the Riflemen is missing and is said to be taken Prisoner.
Perez Morton, Esq; is appointed Secretary pro Tempore, of this Province.
Last Sabbath a Child of Col. Robinson of Dorchester, was baptized, by the Rev. Mr. Dunbar of Scituate, by the Name of GEORGE WASHINGTON.
We hear that the Enemy are about dismantling Castle-William. Last Monday Morning about 800 Men, went from Roxbury to the Spot where the Light House lately stood, where they found 40 of the Enemy, twenty eight Soldiers and twelve Tory Carpenters and Labourers, who were sent from Boston to erect a Building for fixing up Lights. Our People, before they surrendered, killed four of them (among whom, it is said, was a Lieutenant) and took the Rest Prisoners, being 24 Regulars, and the 12 Workmen with the Loss of one Man on our Side. The same Day the whole Number were brought to Head Quarters in this Town, and the Day following sent off to Worcester.
Last Tuesday Morning a Party of the Enemy advanced from Boston Neck towards Roxbury; but were soon drove back: They however set Fire to the George Tavern, which was consumed.
There has been considerable Firing, since Monday last, at Roxbury; but we have heard of no Person killed, or any Damage done, on either Side.
Cambridge Aug. 1. 1775.
A COURT of Enquiry appointed by His Excellency General Washington, Commander in Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, in the Orders of the 27th ult. to examine into the Case of Benjamin Whiting, Esq; examined the Evidences adduced for and against said Whiting; which Evidences, together with sundry other Depositions they presented to his Excellency, and reported as follows:
This Court having maturely considered the foregoing, together with sundry other Depositions, (which are herewith handed in) beg Leave to report it as our Opinion that the Complaint is not supported, and is without Foundation; and would humbly recommend the Prisoner to the Protection of your Excellency.
Signed per Order, JAMES BRICKETT, President.
This Report His Excellency was pleased to examine, and subscribed as follows:-----
I have examined the above, and concur in Opinion with the Court. GEORGE WASHINGTON. *****
NEW-PORT July 24.
From last Tuesday about 2 o'clock, till near the same Hour on the next Day, this Town was threatened to be fired upon from the three Ships of War in this Harbour, viz. the Rose, Capt. Wallace, the Swan, Capt. Ayscough, and King Fisher, Capt. Montagu, and also a Tender:---For which Purpose these Ships were bro't close in with the Northwest Part of the Town, on Tuesday toward Night; their Tomkins were immediately taken out, and all the apparent Preparations made for Cannonading the Town, which greatly terrified the Women and Children, especially those Women who were with Child. In the Evening Lanthorns and Men were placed at the Guns, and the most hostile Appearances kept up, which 'twas possible for them to exhibit, and many Women and Children were running about, wringing their Hands and crying, in the greatest Distress:---About half past nine at Night, a Cannon was discharged from the Rose, when the Women really tho' the firing on the Town was begun, many of whom fainted away and went into Fits, and a Number, we are told, absolutely miscarried by the Fright:---However, this Gun was loaded with Powder only, and the Men of War gave out to a Number of Persons, whom they stopped coming down the River, that they should not beat the Town down 'till next Morning, when they would certainly do it:---In the Morning the like terrific Scene was opened by firing another Cannon, and seizing on four Ferry Boats, one Passage-Boat, with a Number of Passengers, and two Wood Sloops; the Swan moved down to the South Part of the Town, where she anchored, with her Guns pointing diagonally across the Wharves, so as to rake from thence up to the Parade and Court House; here again all the Tomkins were out, Quantities of Tar and other inflammatory and combustible Matters were put into the Ferry Boats, in Order as it was said, with horrid cursing and damning, to set on fire, and send into the Town to burn it, as a more expeditious Way of destroying the Town than by Cannon only.
At the same Time that these Boats were to be sent into the Town, a Number of Men were to be landed at the South End, to set Fire to that Part. Thus the most warlike and hostile Parade was kept up to the highest Degree, 'till near two o'clock on Wednesday; when, all at once, the Boats were discharged, the Ships weighed anchor, and stood up the River:---The same Evening the Rose got ashore on the North Part of this Island; but by taking out the Guns, &c, she was got off, and the next Day they all came down again to their old Station.
We know not of even the Shadow of a just Reason for the above inhuman Conduct; if the Captains of said Ships have any Reasons to offer, we should be very glad to publish them to the World: The Story about two of the Swan's Men being seized by a Mob in this Town, gagged, carried to Bristol Jail, &c. had it not been disapproved would have been a most wretched Pretext for firing on a defenceless Town, in which there were not less than six Thousand Women and Children:---This Story we hope to publish more at large, when we can obtain the Letters which passed, & the Affidavits which were taken concerning the same.
N.B. It must have been well known to the Commanders of those Ships, that there was not a single Cannon in this Town, mounted for its Defence.
The above three Ships and Tender, this Morning going out, supposed on a Cruise.
CHARLESTOWN, July 14.
We have certain accounts, that the inhabitants of Georgia have now adopted the Association of the Continental Congress, & have entered heartily into the American Confederacy for maintaining their just rights. John Houstoun, Archibald Bulloch, Lyman Hall, Noble Wimberly Jones, Esquires, and the Rev. Dr. Zwebly, are elected Delegates to represent the colony in the Congress now sitting at Philadelphia; and these gentlemen were to proceed for that city immediately.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 14. By the Sisters, Maxwell, in 6 weeks from London, we have papers to the 1st. of June, which contain no news of any consequence; but the Captain informs, that although great numbers of manufacturers, &c. are out of employ, and in a starving condition (who curse Lord North, and all his schemes) yet the general talk upon London Exchange is,---Reduce the American Rebels, and bang up the Dogs.
NORFOLK, Virginia, July 12. By a ship from Great Britain, gone up some of the rivers, we learn, that they are beating up for recruits in every town in England.
We just now hear of the arrival of the Boston man of war in the road, and that the Magdalen armed Schooner had put back in distress; so that we have now 4 men of war and an armed Schooner for our "protection & defence!" In consequence of which it is said 2000 men are to be raised and stationed at Williamburg & York.
ANNAPOLIS, July 20. The Ship Tenres, Capt. Harding, belonging to Mr. Gildard, of Liverpool, having on board a cargo of salt and dry goods, in coming off the bay ran aground near the three islands at the mouth of West river; upon this the committee immediately met, and after consideration, determined she should proceed to Baltimore, her intended port, but before she could get off, highly resenting so daring an infringement of the continental association, a number of people met, went on board, and set her on fire.
PHILADELPHIA, July 22. Gunning Bedford, Esq; of Philadelphia, is appointed by the Hon. Continental Congress, Muster Master General of the Continental Army.
Donald Campbell, Esq; is appointed by the Hon. Continental Congress, Deputy Quarter Master General of the Continental Army, with the rank of Colonel.
A Virginia paper of the 7th instant, says, "Capt. Morgan and Stinson marched from our frontiers, for Buxton, the 29th of June, with two hundred rifle-men, which were desired by General Washington."
NEWYORK, July 27. Friday night last arrived here a Sloop from Bermuda: By letters from thence we learn that the inhabitants of that Island are greatly alarmed at the present situation of publick affairs, being under the most dismal apprehensions of starving; to prevent which they have passed a law, that no provisions should be sent off the island at any rate whatsoever; and were about dispatching a vessel to Philadelphia, to request the Honourable the Continental Congress to take their case into their most serious consideration.
It is said, that the Hon. Continental Congress will in a few days be adjourned, and that their next meeting will be at Hartford in Connecticut.
Morgan Lewis, Esq; is appointed Major of Brigade to Major General Schuyler.
On Tuesday and Wednesday a large detachment from the camp at Harlem, consisting of about 1000 men under the command of Colonel Waterbury, marched for Albany: It is said they are intended as a reinforcement of Ticonderoga, where Mayot General Schuyler commands.
Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia, July 20 "This Morning came up to Town James Habersham, Esq; Lieut. Governor of Georgia:---He came in a Vessel bound to the Northward, and got into a pilot Boat at our Capes:---He is come for his Health: By him there are Letters which inform, that the People of Georgia are become quite hearty in the Common Cause, and have chosen five Delegates, which are expected in a few Days:---Capt. Maitland, from London, arrived there, and had on board Thirteen Thousand Weight of Powder; the inhabitants boarded her, & took all the Powder into their Possession." "This Day appears the most solemn fast ever held in this City."
We hear from Morris County, in New Jersey, that a Woman there, who has been married only 17 Years, has born to her Husband 18 Sons and two Daughters, and is now to Appear in the Bloom of Life.
On the 18th, the Continental Congress passed sundry resolutions, recommending to all the colonies, that all the able bod'd men, from 16 to 50, form themselves into regular militia companies, regiments &c. one 4th of whom to be minute men, all to perfect themselves in the military art, and be provided with arms, ammunition, and accoutrements.
Capt. George Mc Aroy, came Passenger in the Brig Franklin, from St. Eustatia, in 14 Days, which Vessel he left at Sandy Hook Yesterday Morning, and relates, That 2 days before they sailed, a New-England Sloop arrived in that Road, who was in Company with a Bermuda Vessel that went to Antigua, where they fell in with a Ship bound from London to Jamaica, 18 Days out, who informed them that there was a great Disturbance in England, that Lord North had fled to France:---The Parliament house pulled down by the Populace and that the Lord Mayor, Mr. Burke, and Governor Johnston, headed the Populace, and found out a great deal of Bribery and Corruption in the last Parliament.
We have had Accounts sundry Times of great Disturbances in England, the Parliament House pulled down by the Populace, and Lord North's fleeing to France;---It would be much more agreeable to the Americans to bear, that some Gentlemen who had great Influence in a former Parliament, were convinced, that the too hasty making of Laws, and forcing them upon a free People, has a fatal Tendency; for it is a Rule with judicious Physicians, to use no such violent Means, as may prove worse than the Disease.
The ancient Romans, before they enacted a Law, hung up the Scheme for it in a public Place; where it remained exposed to view for three Weeks, whereby the Inhabitants of the City and Country had an Opportunity of reading and examining it:---This is to show that a Lawgiver should carefully examine the Nature and Disposition of the Country, before he undertakes to give it a Law:---For a good Law at Athens may be a bad one at Lacedemon. Peter Alexowitz, brought the Russians to quit most of their ancient Customs; but by insisting upon their shaving their Beards, threw the whole Country into Confusion. What in one Country may be done with a Nod or a Wink, cannot be accomplished with Fire and Sword in another:---Laws must be suited to the People, and not the People to the Laws.
Constant Experience shows that a Rate is rather made worse than better, by all rash and precipitate Reforms:---as on Age, by violent Medicines may be turned to a continual Fever; which is the present Case in America; and a very bigb Fever it is.

LONDON, May 31.
To the Printer of the PUBLIC LEDGER,
SIR,
HEARING that there is to be a Monument erected in Westminister Abbey in Honour of those Men, who, according to the New-England-Gazette, printed in your Paper of this Day, were killed at Lexington, &c. I have taken the Liberty of sending you the following Inscription, although it has, perhaps, more Truth than Elegance to recommend it; and am, SIR,
May 30. Your humble Servant, LAPIDARIUS.
To the Memory of ROBERT MONROE, JONAS PARKER, And of Twenty-Seven other Americans Who lost their Lives On the Nineteenth of April last, In promoting A Change of the English Ministry, The Lords Rockingham, Shelburne, Chatham, And their several Adherents, Have gracefully erected this Monument, Anno 1775.
Yesterday Morning a Courier arrived at St. James's. He came over Land from Gibraltar, and is said to have brought Advice, that Hostilities have been commenced by the Spaniards against the Portuguese.
Whitehall, May 30. A Report having been spread, and an Account having been printed and published, of a Skirmish between some of the People in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and a Detachment of his Majesty's Troops, it is proper to inform the Public, that no Advices have as yet been received in the American Department of any such Event.
There is Reason to believe, that there are Dispatches from General Gage on board the Suke, Capt. Brown, which though she failed four Days before the Vessel that brought the printed Account is not yet arrived.
LONDON, May 31.
Notwithstanding the Public are desired by Authority (viz. Mr. SECRETARY POWNALL) to suspend their Judgment about the MASSACRE already attempted to be put in Execution in New-England; a Gentleman in whose Veracity the fullest Confidence may be placed assures us, that the Account already given to the Public from the Salem Gazette is TRUE, and that the whole INQUITOUS and BLOODY Proceeding is authenticated by a vast Number of Depositions now in London.
The Ministry having caused Insinuations to be thrown out, that the calamitous News from America Yesterday laid before the Public, was not altogether deserving of Credit, the subsequent AFFIDAVITS [which having already been published in most of the American Papers, we omit] are submitted to the Consideration of the Sceptical. By these Affidavits, which were properly authenticated, it will appear evident to Demonstration, that THE KING's Troops FIRST commenced Hostilities against the peaceable Inhabitants of the Town of Concord; that THE KING's Troops, out of wanton Cruelty, FIRST fired on and KILLED several of the Provincials; and in short, that THE KING's Troops, by being the FIRST Aggressors, gave Rise to the inhuman Massacre which ensued. If there is a Soldier of Honor in this Country; if there is a Man of Sentiment throughout the Kingdom, who will lay the melancholy Truths contained in the Affidavits to Heart, he must feel Indignation rise in his Bosom against a Ministry who could project EDICTS on Purpose that Bayonets should enforce them. Blood hath now been drawn in America. The Blood of our Brethren hath been shed, and Ministry are sprinkled with the purple Gore; yet, if there is Retribution in Heaven, or the smallest Particle of Piety amongst Men, Vengeance must speedily take Place, that Man, whether SCULKING behind the Throne, or BRONZED under a Mask of CANDOUR, will be dragged forth and immolated at the Altar of Justice to stay the Wrath of GOD.
HARTFORD, July 31.
Yesterday Major Clark's Company of Volunteers passed through this Town, to join in the American Army at Cambridge. They are the first Company of the Recruits raised by this Colony, that have marched for their Station, are provided with excellent Firearms, and warlike Accomurements, made in the Town of Farmington, to which they belonged.
By accounts that may be depended on, from South-Carolina we learn, the people had there taken a vessel with thirteen thousand weight of Powder on board sent out by Government, and destined 'tis supposed for North Carolina or Georgia.
Thursday last being the Day of Humiliation and prayer, in twelve American colonies, the Rev Mr. ANDREWS, missionary at Wallingford, preached from these words, AMOS V. xxi. I hate, I despise your feast-days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Instructions for the Officers of the several Regiments of the MASSACHUSETTS BAY FORCES, who are gone upon the recruiting Service.
YOU are not to enlist any Deserter from the Ministerial Army, nor any Stroller, Negro or Vagabond, or Person suspected of being an Enemy to the Liberty of AMERICA, nor any under Eighteen Years of Age.
As the Cause is the best that can engage Men of Courage and Principle to take up Arms; so it is expected that none but such will be accepted by the Recruiting Officer: The Pay, Provision, &c. being so ample, it is not doubted but the Officers sent upon this Service, will without Delay compleat their respective Corps, and march the Men forthwith to Camp.
You are not to enlist any Person who is not an American-born, unless such Person has a Wife and Family, and is a settled Resident in this Country.
The Persons you enlist, must be provided with good and complete Arms.
Given at the Head-Quarters at Cambridge, this 10th Day of July, 1775.
HORATIO GATES, Adjutant General.
PORTSMOUTH, Aug. 8.
We hear that four Gentlemen, late Captains in the Ministerial Army at Boston, have resigned their Commissions to General Gage, from a Conviction, that the Service they were employed in, was derogatory to their Honour, disgraceful to Humanity, and subversive of the common Rights of Mankind.
The Toast of the Day is—May all the Ministerial Army follow the Example of those heroic Officers who have resigned their Commissions rather than stain their Honour in an inglorious Cause.
China-Mending
PERFORM'D in the neatest and best Manner, by JOHN DAVENPORT, at his Shop at the lower End of Queen Street, Portsmouth; where the Goldsmith's and Jeweler's Business is carried on as usual.
STOLEN out of the Stable of Jacob Tilton on Monday Night, the thirty first of July, a new English Saddle, Hoggs Skin Seat, one Seam of white Leather in the Middle and on each Side of the Seat, with a green Saddle Cloth, lined with white Linnen, & round the Saddle Cloth, a list of Buff twice round, new Stirrup Irons, no Swivels. Whoever finds the said Saddle, and conveys it to the Subscriber, shall be well rewarded for their Trouble, by
JACOB TILTON.
Portsmouth Aug. 4th 1775.
To the PRINTER,
I gave us much Pleasure to read in your Gazette, General LEE's Letter to General BURGOYNE, and his Answer thereto—The former Gentleman writes like a Roman Senator, for while he expresses the greatest Sympathy for his Friend, in the most easy and polite Strain of Diction, he supports at the same Time the Justice of his Cause, with the most conclusive Arguments, and with a Spirit of Firmness & Manliness, over the Attendants on great Minds. General Burgoyne's Answer is very polite and friendly, and discovers him to be a well bred Gentleman, although of opposite Principles in Politicks to General Lee: What a melancholly Consideration does this Difference of Sentiments produce. Here we see two Gentlemen professing the most intire Friendship, for each other to day, ready to embrace, and perhaps before the Morrow Sun, has finished his diurnal Round, one may lay breathless at the other's Feet, by the Uncertain Fates of War. And for what? Mr. LEE tells you, That his Motive to take Arms is in Defence of the charter'd Rights of the Americans, invaded by administration. Mr. Burgoyne says, he is conscientiously bound to protect the Supremacy of Parliament, over the Colonies, against which he supposes AMERICA resists: if we examine the Principles of these Gentlemen, without prejudice and impartially, we shall soon be able to judge, who has the most Justice on his side, and of Consequence can best satisfy his Conscience. Mr. Lee is well acquainted with the Intrigues of a Court and of a Minister and his Sycophants; he wisely judges, that the sole Support of Ministerial Measures, depends upon the Encroachment of Revenue, to multiply Dependents, and to procure a Majority in the House of Commons, with which he is always sure of Indemnification, a Regular Plan has been laid to fetch a Revenue from America, and a set of the most miscreant Wretches, has been found, of her own Sons, who have been so base as not only to plan her Ruin, but even to carry such Plans into Execution; they have Jor'dly, meanly, and infamous accepted of Pensions and Places as the Returns of their Villainy and the Price of their Blood. They have imposed upon the Nation, and even Administration itself, with their vile Mis-representations, against Americans in so many flagrant Instances, that nothing but Perfect conceal, from the People in England who are Delusion is the only Security to such Wretches Lives—The Sons of America are attainted of Rebellion against their legal Sovereign, only for a manly Resistance to Measures taken in Consequence of the Advice of their known, open and avowed Enemies, Measures subversive not only of the American Constitution, but which will eventually involve the whole British Nation in one great Desolation: Lords Chatham and Camden, these great and good Men, have warned Britain of her Fate, can we suppose that France and Spain don't improve by the Sentiments of these great Politicians—whose Councils have formerly so often aided these Nations? Yes! we may be assured they look on them as the CONSORTIUM PATRIS of Britain, and will avail themselves of their Discretion. When we can cite those and many other Great Lords, as the Supporters of American Resistance, as well as TO REJOICE AT IT, we need do or say no more to prove the Justice of our Cause or bring any greater Authority to support it.
Mr. Burgoyne does not attempt to justify the Conduct of Administration, but tacitly insinuates out of Sight the Sovereignty of their Measures, with one general Charge and Supposition, that America is aiming at Independency. By this artful Stroke he introduces a System of Policy adapted to his own Conceptions of the Supremacy of the British Parliament, and very roundly supposes Legislation and Taxation inseparable; but yet condescendingly admits that Britain will never attempt to tax America after this Experiment. Such Reasoning is not Argumentum ad Hominem, for although Britain may not tax America again, yet that does not amount to a total Surrender of the Right of doing it. We are not surprised that Mr. B— should entertain an Idea of American Independency, because we are certain that he has not yet a thorough Knowledge of this People, and he has too implicitly believed the Misrepresentation of American Partisans, by whom he has been trepanned.
We believe there are scarcely ten Men in America who wish an Independency or an unconnection with Great Britain: The very Idea of such a State is amazingly absurd, and so very incompatible with her Interest, that she can not exist without such a Connection, unless she is forced to form another with some other State, which is equally absurd but thro' the Extremity of the Times: the Sovereignty of the King has never been denied but repeatedly recognized; what greater Hold would Britain have? than an acknowledgment that her King & his Representatives shall control all the municipal Laws of the Colonies, and make one Branch of their Legislature. This is an essential Part of Independency, and will always operate as such, besides it has always been conceded on the Part of America, that no Laws shall be made by her incompatible or incongruous with the Acts of the British Parliament, but if Parliament can control the Legislature of the American Colonies, then Legislation in them ought to be at an End, for the Subject ought not to be governed by two distinct Codes of Laws, especially when they militate with each other, as in many Instances they are known to do: That there is a Want of an American Constitution we do not deny, but let the Americans have their Share in the proposal of the Plan, but to be DRAGOONED into a Compliance with any arbitrary Schemes, evidently tending to Slavery, they never will consent till Power overcomes Right, and Death is swallowed up of Victory.
COLONI.
STRAY'D or Stolen from Sherburne's Pasture in this Town, a large dark Horse, Trotts well and is used to a Carriage, having several white Spots on his Back, occasioned by the Saddle. Whoever takes up said Horse and bring him to the Printing Office shall receive two Dollars Reward and necessary Charges.
Portsmouth, Aug. 1775.
To the PRINTERs.
The Printers of public Papers in America, are desired to insert the following, as it shows the methods our bloodthirsty enemies at Boston (the King's troops and their accursed abettors) take to furnish themselves with Provisions. It is hoped a constant and strict watch will be kept, and every vessel thoroughly examined, for whoever is found assisting them with the comforts and luxuries of life, while they are inhumanly butchering our brethren, deserves to suffer the pains of death.
BALTIMORE, July 3.
Extracts from the Proceedings of the Committee for Baltimore County, 3d July, 1775.
A letter from Henry Lloyd, agent for the contractors for supplying the troops at Boston, to Doctor John Stevenson, being fallen into the hands of the committee, was read, and is as follows.
SIR, Boston, 17th May, 1775.
THE stoppage of Provisions from the southern governments for the use of his Majesty's Troops, makes it necessary to endeavour to get a supply by concealing from the public eye the destination of provisions shipped for that purpose. I shall therefore propose for your consideration the following method of doing it.—Cannot a vessel be freighted with flour for the West Indies? Commanded by a person you can confide in, who will execute your orders to him, to come into this port and deliver his cargo here, instead of going to the West Indies, you may take up a vessel as large as 200 tons and give her a full freight. I should send you bills on the contract to execute this plan, or advise you to draw on them for the amount of what you may ship to me in this way, but the negotiation of such bills might discover your plan, and defeat it, so that I should be glad you would advise me of some friend of yours, whom I am made acquainted with his name, and the sum you shall draw for; will send to him from hence my bills on the contractors for the amount you advise me of: you will please likewise to give the contractors timely advice that they may insure their interest if they think proper, and inform me the name of the vessel and master you engage, that I may lodge a permit at the light house in this harbour, for admission to come up to town, and discharge her cargo here. Pray let the flour you purchase be such as will keep over the summer, and let the casks be good, well hooped, and the heads well secured with lining hoops, you will be careful to write me by a conveyance, that your letter may not fall into the hands of the provincials.
I am, Sir,
Your most humble Servant;
Dr. John Stevenson,
Henry Lloyd.
The Committee sent for Mr. Stevenson, and having shown him the Letter, he made the Declaration following:
"I believe the within Letter to be Mr. Henry Lloyd's Writing, and I declare that I never received any Copy of it, or any other Letter to that Purport, & I further declare, that if the Letter had come to my Hands, I would not have executed the Order, nor will I execute any Order of the kind from any Person whatsoever, contrary to the Resolves of the Continental Congress, or Provincial Convention.
JOHN STEVENSON.
On Motion, Resolved, That Henry Lloyd of Boston, has knowingly and wilfully violated the Association of the American Congress, by endeavouring to supply the Enemies of this Country with Provisions; and, that agreeable to the Resolutions of the said Congress, it is the Duty of us and of all our Constituents from henceforth not to have any commercial Intercourse with him; and it is recommended, that an inviolable Regard be paid to this Resolution.
(A true Copy.) WILLIAM LUX, Secretary.
To be Sold by GEO. TURNER
A FEW GALLONS OF Choice OLD SPIRIT,
Exceeding cheap for Cash.
Richard Wibird Penballow.
(Has upon Hand) for Sale, at his Warehouse on long Wharf, the following Articles for Cash only, viz. A few Bolls of Russia Duck, 24d, 30d, and 40d Deck Nails, 4d, 10d, and 20d Ditto, Sheet Lead, best of London Pewter, Rale Brimstone, Houssis and Marlin, Handfaws, Bellowses, Stock Locks, &c. &c.
STRAYED or STOLEN on Tuesday the first of this Month from Samuel Ayers of Greenland, a light grey Mare, six Years old; trots and paces, 14 Hands and a Half high; white hind Feet, wall right Eye; the right Side of her Face white, the other dark grey, a slim gaunt Creature, handsomely form'd—Whoever will return the Mare to said Ayers, shall have Five Dollars Reward, and necessary Charges paid.—But if the Thief is detected and brought to Justice, (as 'tis supposed she is stole) the Person shall receive ten Dollars Reward.
Diserted from the Brig Unity, Michael Corbitt, master, in Newbury Port, last Week a Sailor who went by the Name of David Douglass, a small Man, about 24 Years of Age, a little Pack marked; short brown Hair, had on when he went away a short red Jacket, long striped Trowsers, a round Hat, a Pair of new Shoes; he is very talkative—Whoever takes up said Sailor and conveys him to Stephen Heeper, Esq. or Tristram Dalton, Esq. Merchants in Newbury Port shall receive Five Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges paid by said Gentleman.
It is requested that no Gentleman would employ him—It is supposed he is gone to old York or Portsmouth.