The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-10-22 00:00:00

Freeman's Journal
OR New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, October 22, 1776.
[ No. 22 ]
To the Publisher of the Freeman's Journal, or New-Hampshire Gazette.
Sir, October 9th, 1776.
Having in my hands an author not in possession of every Body, I take the liberty of transcribing a note therein—A view of doing service was my inducement; and, a like motive, I doubt not, will cause you to give it a place in your paper, sometime between this and the new choice of Legislators.
your humble servant, Z.  THOSE few wise and good men, who are members of the common wealth, would doubtless be better pleased to retire into themselves, and live at ease; full of that sweet content, which excellent and intelligent persons know how to give themselves, in the contemplation of the beauties of Nature and the works of Providence, than to sacrifice all this Satisfaction to business and a public post; were it not that they hope to do some good, in being serviceable to their country by their own endeavours, and in preventing the whole administration of affairs from falling into ill or unskilful hands. This may and ought to prevail with persons of this character, to consent to the trouble of being magistrates; but to cabal and make parties, and to court employments of trust with eagerness and passion, especially such as are judicial, is a very base and scandalous practice; condemned as such by all good laws, even those of Pagan republicks, (as the Julian law among the Romans abundantly testifies) unbecoming a man of honour, and the shrewdest sign that can be, that the person is unfit for the trust he seeks so vehemently. To buy public offices is still more infamous and abominable; the most sordid, the most villainous way of trading in the world: for it is plain, he that buys in the piece, must make himself whole by selling out again in parcels; which was a good reason for the Emperor Severus, when he was declaring against a fault of this nature, to say, that it was very hard to condemn a man for making money of that which he had given money for before. Just for all the world, as a man dresses and sets his person in order and form, putting on his best face before he goes abroad, that he may make a figure and appear well in company; so is it fit that a man should learn to govern his own passions and bring his mind to good habits, before he presume to meddle with public business, or take upon him the charge of governing other people. No man is so weak to enter the lists with an unmanaged horse, or to hazard his person with such an one in any service of consequence and danger; but trains and teaches him first, breeds him to his hand, and uses him to the exercise he is design'd for: and is there not the same reason that this wild and restless part of our soul should be tamed and accustomed to bear the bit? should be perfectly instructed in those laws and measures which are to be the rule of our actions, and upon which the good or ill conduct of our lives will depend? Is it not reasonable I say, that a man should be master of his own private behaviour, and expert in making the best of every accident and occasion, before he venture out upon the
public Stage; and either give laws to others, or correct them for the neglect of those they have already? and yet, (as Socrates observed very truly) the manner of the world is quite otherwise: for though no body undertakes to exercise a trade, to which they have not been educated and serv'd a long apprenticeship; and how mean and mechanical soever the calling be, several years are bestowed upon the learning of it; yet in the case of public administrations, which is of all other professions the most intricate and difficult, so absurd, so wretchedly careless are we, that every body is admitted, every body thinks himself abundantly qualified to undertake them. These commissions are made compliments and things of course, without any consideration of men's abilities or regarding at all, whether they know any thing of the matter; as if a man's quality, or the having an estate in his country, could inform his understanding, or secure his integrity, or render him capable of discerning between right and wrong, and a competent judge of his poorer, but perhaps much honester and wiser neighbours.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24.
In CONGRESS, September, 16, 1776.
Resolved, That 88 battalions be enlisted as soon as possible, to serve during the present war, and that each State furnish their respective quotas in the following proportion, viz
   Battalions     New Hampshire 3   Massachusetts Bay 15   Rhode Island 2   Connecticut 8   New York 4   New Jersey 4   Pennsylvania 12   Delaware 1   Maryland 8   Virginia 15   North Carolina 9   South Carolina 6   Georgia 1  
That Twenty Dollars be given as a bounty to each non-commissioned officer and private soldier, who shall enlist to serve during the present war, unless sooner discharged by Congress.
That Congress make provision for granting lands in the following proportions to the officers & soldiers who shall so engage in the service, and continue therein to the close of the war, or untill discharged by Congress, and to the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy; such lands to be provided by the United States, and whatever expence shall be necessary to procure such land, the said expence shall be paid and borne by the States in the same proportion as the other expences of the war, viz.
   To a Colonel 500 acres.   a Lieutenant Colonel 450   a Major 400   a Captain 300   a Lieutenant 200   an Ensign 150  
Each non commissioned officer and soldier 100 acres.
That the appointment of all officers and filling up all vacancies, (except general officers) be left to the governments of the several States, and that every State, provide arms, cloathing, and every necessary for its quota of troops according to the foregoing estimate; the expence of the cloathing to be deducted from the pay of the soldiers as usual.
That all officers be commissioned by Congress.
That it be recommended to the several States that they take the most speedy and effectual measures for enlisting their several quotas, That the money to be given for bounties be paid by the Pay-master in the department where the soldier shall enlist.
That each soldier receive pay and subsistence from the time of their enlistment.
September 18, 1776.
Resolved, That if rations be received by the officers or privates in the Continental army in money, they be paid at the rate of eight ninetieth parts of a dollar per ration.
That the bounty and grants of land, offered by Congress by a resolution of the 16th instant as an encouragement to the officers and soldiers to engage to serve in the army of the United States during the war, shall extend to all who are or shall be enlisted for that term, the bounty of Ten Dollars which any of the soldiers have receiv'd from the Continent on account of a former enlistment, to be reckon'd in part payment of the Twenty Dollars offered by said resolution.
That no officer in the Continental army is allowed to hold more than one commission, or to receive pay but in one capacity.
September 19, 1776.
That the Adjutants of regiments in the Continental army be allowed the pay and rations of Captains, and have the rank of First Lieutenants.
In order to prevent the officers & soldiers who shall be entitled to the lands hereafter to be granted by the resolution of Congress of the 16th, from disposing of the same during the war.
Resolved, That this Congress will not grant lands to any person or persons claiming under the assignment of an officer or soldier.
By order of Congress, JOHN HANCOCK, President.

L O N D O N.
June 6. When all the troops that are gone out arrive in America, it is said that the Royal Standard is to be hoisted in three different parts of the country, when, it is thought, many thousand people, friends to government, finding themselves likely to be well supported (who were afraid before to declare themselves) will flock to it.
By letters lately received from Vice Admiral Young, dated at Antigua, the 3d of March and from Vice Admiral Gayton, dated at Jamaica the 28th of that month, it likewise appears, that the cruisers under the command of the former, had seized 26, and those under the command of the latter 9 ships and vessels, either belonging to or employed in carrying on a trade with his Majesty's rebellious subjects in North America.
June 11. Advices from the north of Ireland say, that the weavers there, a numerous and useful part of the people, are in the most distressed condition between the rents of farms being raised, and a stagnation of trade, in some measure owing to the American war.
The Aaron, Capt. Drinkwater, who is arrived at Dover from Montserrat, with new sugars for London brings advice, that all kinds of provisions in that island were exceedingly scarce, owing to their having no supplies from America; and that the people began to be very much afraid they should be in great want unless they were relieved by some ships from England and Ireland very soon.
Amidst the shout of joy that has been raised on the appearance of the Extraordinary Gazette, it confirms one melancholy circumstance, which ought to be attended to by administration in the midst of their transports, which is, it clearly proves that the Provincials are not Poles, but that, on the contrary, throughout the whole of the siege of Quebec, & the retreat, (however they might have been overpowered by numbers, & the succour of the fleet) they left no enterprize however daring, unattempted. This unabating principle of courage, therefore, disseminated throughout three millions of people, is, and ought to be of serious consideration, as such courage so exerted, though in one or two instances it might fail, bids fair in the end for success.
This morning ten sail of transports fell down the river to Gravesend, having taken in part of their lading, consisting mostly of provision, for the use of the troops at Quebec.
Yesterday four hundred horses were sent down to Portsmouth from Whitechapel, to put on board some very large ships there, fitting up with stalls for the purpose of carrying them to America.
June 13. Several American gentlemen, who have sold their estates in that country and retired, have assured Lord George Germaine, that if the King's troops can in the course of this campaign secure all Canada, the tract of the Ohio, and Lakes, with Crown-point, and the adjacent country, the rebels will be kept in such constant alarm on their rear, and so injured by the men of war at sea, that they will submit in the following winter.
According to letters received in town from Paris we are informed, that the Dutch Ambassador has had frequent conferences with the French Minister, relating to the views and inclinations of the colonists; the answer he received on offering the point of negotiation we have not yet been made acquainted with, but by the fresh orders for augmenting the troops in France, and fitting out ships, we are to suppose that he has met with success.
Chelsea Hospital, which for some time
past, only appeared by its inhabitants as an alms-house for old men, now looks, indeed like a military hospital, there being above two hundred invalids lately admitted into it, some of whom have no arms, some no legs, and others but one leg or arm.
Letters from Jamaica mention, that they were fitting out several ships of force, and loading them with rum for Ireland, to exchange for provisions, so that they may have a sufficient quantity in future, and which have been very much wanted all over that island.
Extract of a letter from Cadiz, May 15.
"The 9th instant a squadron of clean men of war and frigates, sailed from this port; they were immediately joined by a French squadron, that brought too off the bay, and made a signal for the above purpose, when they sailed together, with a fair wind for the West Indies.
June 20. Letters from Hamburg mention, that every ship which arrived there from America with flour, wheat &c. is very acceptable, & the Americans have in return whatever they choose, & are encouraged to continue to trade with that port.
PHILADELPHIA, October 2.
Extract of a Letter from St. Eustatia, Sept. 11. "On the 5th instant, about 2 o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out at Bassetterre in St. Christophers, which consumed a great part of the town; and the day after a gale of wind came on, attended with a deluge of rain, which has done them almost as much damage as the fire; many houses that escaped the flames were carried into the sea, so they must have been in a terrible condition; the provisions all burnt; what goods were saved from the fire were lost by the bad weather, and no lumber to rebuild their houses. I am told the island is in a worse situation than it was after the great hurricane; a good deal of provision has gone up from this island since it happened. We suffered but little by the gale of wind, only our paths are as much washed as they were in the hurricane.
Another letter from the same place says, "the loss at St. Christophers is computed at half a million sterling.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, in Virginia, Sept. 19.
"The people of South-Carolina have beat the Indians in the third skirmish— Twenty five men advanc'd about a mile before a party of 200, and were surrounded by about 200 Cherokees; they bravely maintain'd their ground until the main body arrived, when they routed the Indians, after killing 16 on the spot, with the loss of 4 killed and 6 wounded.
"General Lee's movements towards Georgia has secured the Creeks in our interest.— Gov. Wright's brothers, with the rest of the Tories, have broke up camp, and retired towards St. Augustine."
We hear that an armed vessel is now fitting out in this city, which will be called the PARRY, in honour of the late gallant Col. PARRY, of this State, who fell on Long-Island the 27th of August last, nobly contending for the freedom and independence of this country.
Friday last the privateer sloop Chance, of this port, returned here from a cruise, and brought in with her the ship William, — Bond, late master, which she took homeward bound from Jamaica, laden with rum, sugar. And on Monday arrived here a brig, bound from Barbados for London, laden with rum and sugar, taken by one of the Continental armed vessels.
Major General LEE is daily expected in town from the southward, on his way to the American Camp near New-York.
Monday last arrived in this city, from the American Camp at Haerlem, Brigadier General MIFFLIN.
The following Declaration of Lord and General Howe was printed in a Hand-Bill at New-York. By RICHARD Viscount HOWE of the Kingdom of Ireland, and WILLIAM HOWE, Esq; General of his Majesty's forces in America, the King's Commissioners for restoring peace to his Majes-
ty's colonies and plantations in North America, &c. &c. &c.
DECLARATION.
ALTHOUGH the Congress, whom the misguided Americans suffer to direct their opposition to a re-establishment of the constitutional government of these provinces have disavowed every purpose of reconciliation, not consonant with their extravagant and inadmissible claim of Independence, the King's Commissioners think fit to declare, that they are equally desirous to confer with his Majesty's well affected subjects, upon the means of restoring the public tranquility, and establishing a permanent union with every colony, as a part of the British empire.
The King being most graciously disposed to direct a revision of such of his royal instructions as may be construed to lay an improper restraint upon the freedom of legislation in any of the colonies, and to concur in the revision of all acts by which his subjects there may think themselves aggrieved, it is recommended to the inhabitants at large, to reflect seriously upon their present condition and expectations, & to judge for themselves, whether it be more consistent with their honour and happiness to offer up their lives a sacrifice to the unjust and precarious cause in which they are engaged, or to be secured in a free enjoyment of their liberty and properties, upon the true principles of the constitution.
Given at New-York, the 19th day of Sept. 1776.
HOWE.
W. HOWE.
By command of their Excellencies,
HEN. STRACHEY.
From the Connecticut Gazette.
Dubb's Ferry, Sept. 19, 1776.
Mr. Green.
AS I understand you have republished a letter in your paper, which was reprinted from a London paper, and said to be written by the Hon. William Smith, Esq; I beg leave to inform you that it is a forgery; and I doubt not was written by some of the Refugees in England, with a view to render Mr. Smith's situation as disagreeable as their own was. The Letter will not prejudice Mr. Smith in the opinion of those who knew him, but the natural and just jealousy of the times may lead those who are unacquainted with him, to form an unjust idea of him, I doubt not therefore, that in justice to injured innocence, you will publish the following extract from a letter written by Mr Smith, respecting the letter above mentioned, and insert a paragraph requesting the printers who have already published, or may yet publish the forgery, to print this too:—It is dated the 4th inst.
I am, Sir, your humble servant, EBEN. HAZARD.
Extract of a letter from the Hon. William Smith, Esq;
"The Artlessness of the author of the letter in the Baltimore Journal of the 28th of August, is very apparent. Indeed as the forgery was contrived in England, he could not know of my Removal from New-York on the 20th of March:—You will observe that the printed letter is dated there the 11th of May, and that the writer supposes himself a member of the assembly. I have not been in town since March, and never was in the assembly. These mistakes in personating me render the fraud manifest. There are other marks of it,—No man who knows me will imagine, that after my asserting in the history of New-York, (page 205) that Long-Island was 120 Miles long, and Hempstead Plain but 16, will suppose me the informer that the island is 130 Miles in length, and the Plain 24; and that I am so ignorant of America, as to place New-Jersey at 50 miles from Long-Island, and Rhode-Island at 150; and Maryland but 30 from Philadelphia; or that I should believe the people of Suffolk, and especially the Members elected but last spring, to be well affected to the measures now under the direction of Gen. Howe.
"I am not fond of oaths to remove groundless suspicions, or I should enclose you an affidavit that I never wrote a letter to Mr. Howe, upon any subject whatsoever, nor to any man living in the smallest degree similar to the letter in the Maryland Journal. Such an affidavit I will publish if it is necessary for

the satisfaction of my countrymen; after which, as Mr. Howe is upon the spot, no man can believe the calumny, who does not think me both a fool and a knave."
NEW LONDON, October 4. The following papers a few days since were brought from Long Island, and are given to us for publication.
S I R, JAMAICA Sep. 1 1776. I AM ordered by his Excellency the honorable William Howe, Esq; General and Commander in chief of his Majesty's Forces in North-America, from Nova-Scotia to the Floridas, on the application of the County of Suffolk by Nathaniel Woodhull and Samuel Phillips, who have signified to him that the inhabitants of said counties are desirous of laying down their arms, and again becoming loyal and obedient subjects; that for the ease and security of the inhabitants, he is willing to accept of their submission, and promise them Protection, on the King's Conditions, and other Interiors of the militia, respectively making and causing the men through the country to lay down their arms, take the oath of allegiance, and sign the rolls of submission, disclaiming and rejecting the orders of Congress and Committees and totally refusing obedience to them, and to obey the legal authority of government, and in all places of worship in future, pray for the King and royal family as was usual before the present unprovoked rebellion.
Major-General of the militia in the southern district of the colony of New York. OLIVER DELANCY, Col CONCLIN. Directed also to Col. Philemon Fanning or next commanding officer, Southold.
S I R, Huntington, Sept. 2. 1776. YOU are hereby ordered and directed to give orders to all the King's captains, or next commanding officers of the militia in the third battalion in Suffolk county, to call their several companies together, at the usual places immediately, and to order all them that have taken up arms against the King to lay them down; and take the oath of allegiance to the King, and to sign a roll of submission, disclaiming and rejecting the orders of Congress or Committees, and to obey the legal authority of government.
I have enclosed a true copy of the writing sent to me by Gen. Howe. This is by order of OLIV. DELANCY. To Col P. Fanning.
Jamaica (Queens County) Sept. 5. 1776. HIS Excellency the honorable William Howe, General and Commander in chief of his Majesty's forces within the colonies lying on the Atlantic ocean, from Nova Scotia to West Florida inclusive, &c. &c. &c. having authorised me to raise a brigade of Provincials, solely for the defence of this island, to re-establish order and government within the same, to apprehend or drive all called rebels from amongst his Majesty's well affected subjects, and other essential purposes; I do hereby, for the encouragement of enlisting men in the county of Suffolk, give notice that upon any person of good recommended character raising a company of 70 men they shall have commissions of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, and shall be paid and subsisted as the officers and soldiers in the British pay: and it is hoped that the inhabitants of the county will cheerfully raise the men wanted for this service, as it will prevent the disagreeable business of detaching them, which I shall be under the necessity of doing, if the companies cannot be raised without it. Given under my hand the date above.
OLIVER DELANCY Brigadier General. Jamaica Sept. 11, 1776.
I AM ordered by his Excellency General Howe, to write to you, and order all the fat cattle & sheep in Suffolk county, to be immediately drove down to Jamaica, where proper persons will be appointed to ascertain the weight of them, give certificates of the value of them, that the owners may be paid for them, keeping a strict account of those cattle, &c. that belong to people who are in actual rebellion, whose cattle must be forced down for the refreshment of the King's troops.
Given under my hand the above date. [Referring as many cattle as necessary for their own subsistence]
Last Lord's day fortnight Capt. Rowe, with a party of men, landed at a place called the Old Man's, near Brookhaven, on Long Island, in order to remove his family from Connet. to the Main, where he met one Richard Miller, a native of East Hampton, who had taken a commission under Gen. Howe, and was in listing men for the regular army, and as he was riding by Captain Rowe's door where a centry was placed, Miller was hailed and ordered to stop, which he refused to do, and rode the faster, and after being repeatedly called upon to stop, and not regarding, the guard fired at him, when a ball entered his body, and he died the next morning.
Last Wednesday a prize ship from Jamaica bound to London, was sent into port by the armed brig defence, belonging to the state of Connecticut, commanded by Capt. Seth Harding; she sailed from Montego Bay in company with 200 sail, under convoy of two men of war, who had parted with them and returned into port. Her cargo consists of 306 hogheads of sugar, 152 ditto of rum, 16 bales of cotton, a quantity of Coffee and Mahogany, and has two turks on board. She is about 300 tons, called the John, M c Donald, Master, was taken 12 days ago.
Yesterday noon, Capt. Harding, in the Defence privateer, arrived from a cruise; the same morning, off Narragansett-Beach, he fell in with two British frigates, who fired 60 or 70 shot at him, and he returned them a like number. About 2 o'clock yesterday the two frigates came to anchor off G then Reef, about 5 miles westward of this harbor.
Capt. Harding, two days after taking the prize before mentioned, fell in with and took a Guineaman, homeward bound from the West-Indies, William Jackson Master.
PROVIDENCE, October 13.
Capt. Arthur Crawford of this place has taken & sent into a safe Port, a ship from London, bound for Quebec, laden with blankets, woollen cloths, Irish linens, sheeting, dowlas, shoes, stockings, & brandy, Port wine, bottled porter, cheese, &c. Her cargo when she sailed was estimated at fifteen thousand pounds sterling. He has likewise taken two ships from Jamaica.
Tuesday last arrived from a cruise, the sloop Providence, Capt. Jones, in the service of the United States. During her cruise she took 15 prizes most of them Fishermen, six of which she burnt or sunk, after taking out the hands, and ordered others to different ports.
Captain Coffin in the Favourite Privateer, of this Port, has taken a ship from Jamaica bound for London laden with Sugar, Rum, Limes, Pimento, &c. This prize is also safe arrived.
Thursday last arrived the Privateer Industry, Capt. Child, of this Port. About a fortnight since, he fell in with a very large Jamaica Ship, mounting 10 Carriage guns, which he engaged for several hours; but the ship running very high, and his vessel making much water, he could only bring two of his guns to bear, and was finally obliged to quit her. Capt. Child had two men killed and five or six wounded.
NEW PORT, October 11.
We hear, that a few nights past, one of the enemies barges went into the harbor of Norwalk, & cut out a sloop of about 40 tons.
The Lady Washington Privateer, Capt. Godfrey, has sent a brig into a safe port, loaded with rum.
We hear that last Wednesday, as Capt. Harding, in a Connecticut brig of war, was going up the sound, from a cruise he was attacked by the Merlin ship of war, when a very warm engagement ensued; but another ship, supposed to be the Cerberus, coming up, and endeavouring to cut Capt. Harding off from the land, he made from them and got safe into Stonington. We don't learn what damage was sustained on either side. At the same time a third ship was seen near Block-Island.
BALTIMORE, in Maryland, Sept. 25.
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in Martinico, to his Friend in this Town, dated St. Pierres, Aug. 16, 1776.
"Every thing seems to indicate an approaching rupture between France & England, and you need not be surprised, if in my next letter, I inform you that hostilities are commenced. By a frigate, that arrived a few days ago from France, the general of this island has received instructions to protect all American vessels:— The like instructions were sent to Guadalupe and St. Domingo, by two frigates that failed at the same time, from France; in consequence of which, several Guarda Coasts are ordered to be immediately fitted out here, to cruise about the island, and afford protection to such American vessels as are bound here. Four ships of the line, and five frigates, are hourly expected from France, for the same purpose."
One of the prize ships, taken by the Harlequin, Capt. Woolsey, of this port, is arrived at Chinquapague, & most of her cargo landed.
BOSTON, October 17.
Last Wednesday two or three men of war, with several tenders from the enemy's fleet at New-York, passed up the north river, above Fort-Washington; they were warmly saluted by our cannon on that fortress as they passed, but what damage they received, or what their intention is in going up the river, we have not yet been able to learn.
Sunday last Capt. Silas Atkins sent into Cape Ann, a ship with 450 quintals of green fish.
Monday a prize ship was sent into Salem, laden with coal and 1600 pieces of linnen.
A ship burthen 225 tons, taken by Capt. Thomas Nickafon, in the privateer sloop Americas, belonging to Plymouth, got safe
into port last week, in the Connecticut State. Her cargo consists of 200 blds. sugar, 100 puncheons of rum, 20 casks Madeira wine, a quantity of logwood and mahogany.
Extract of a letter from Harlem, dated October 3, 1776.
Yesterday morning eleven hundred men were ordered to parade at day-light, to bring off the corn, hay, &c. which lay on Harlem plains between the enemy and us. This property has lain for a fortnight past unmolested, both sides looking at it and laying claim to it until to day when it was brought off by us. A covering party were within musket-shot of the enemy, but they made no other movement than to man their lines; and three thousand of our men appearing, struck their tents, expecting an attack. Our fatigue party finished the business and not a single shot was fired. These plains would afford an excellent field for a fight. I really expected an action, but the enemy declined it.
NEWBURYPORT Oct. 18.
Yesterday came in here, a prize brig, bound to White Haven, laden chiefly with mahogany—She was taken about a fortnight ago, by the Hancock privateer, Capt. Wingate Newman from this Port.
PORTSMOUTH, Octob. 22.
Saturday last was sent into this port a prize brig, bound to Bilbo, with 2000 quintals of fish, taken by a Salem privateer.
Yesterday was brought to this town, from Falmouth 16 English Light Horse, which were taken some time ago in a prize, and carried into that port.
Monday 14th inst. arriv'd at Falmouth (Casco Bay) a large ship from Jamaica, bound to London, laden with 500 hogheads of sugar, and 50 ditto of Rum, taken by the Privateer Retaliation from Beverly, — Giles commander. The ship mounted 6 carriage guns and fought the Privateer two hours before she struck.
Tuesday last arrived at Falmouth (Casco Bay,) a large brig (the Mary and James) commanded by Thomas More; she was from Falmouth in England bound to Naples, laden with balls, boxes of goods, cocoa, pepper, allom, tin, lead, &c. taken by Capt. Simeon Forrester in the Privateer sloop Rover from Salem.
List of Letters remaining in the Post-Office,
 Brown John, Portsmouth.  Bayley Jonathan, Greenland.  Bowen Charles, Charlestown, No. 4.  Burley John, Chester, two.  Campbell Daniel, Amherst.  Cockran Isaac, Windham.  Coleman Job, Dorchester.  Ellis Sarah, Keen.  Gould Jeremiah, Woolborough.  Hutchins Phinehas, Fitzwilliam.  Kimman Aaron, Capt. Bew.  Mackleven Mrs. Caldrain.  M c Lean John, Coat.  Moss Moody, Dr. Salem, in N. Hampshire.  Mansfield Isaac, Rev'd, Exeter.  Nute Jotham, Dover.  Page John, Haverhill, New-Hampshire.  Stevens Sulannah, Portsmouth.  Willard Josiah, Maj. Keen. 
A CARD.
DECENCY's compliments wait on Gaiety, begs to be excused the freedom of intruding on her mirth, but would with submission acquaint her, that her constitution remains in too delicate a state to admit her attendance on any public diversions; would ask the indulgence of her desisting for a short time from her sports: however innocent they may appear, she would inform her, the votaries of decency think them not so agreeable at this particular crisis—doubt not gaiety will execute the confident request of this card, when she considers balls and assemblies are as significant as "looks and nods."
PUBLIC AUCTION.
ON Tuesday the 12th day of November next, at ten o'clock, A. M. will be sold at public vendue, at Capt. McHatt's Wharfe, the Prize Ship Royal Exchange, with her cargo consisting of
 284 Hogheads choice Grenada clay'd and Mucorvada Sugars.  55 Hogheads Rum.  1 Pipe and 1 Hoghead Madeira Wine. 
JOHN LANGDON, Agent for the United States. Portsmouth, Oct. 29, 1776. 2-4

POET'S CORNER.
To the tune of "Smile Britannia"
R ISE, rise, bright genius rise, Conduct thy sons to war; Thy spear pois'd to the skies, Whirl, whirl thy rapid car; Fire each firm breast with noble zeal To conquer for the common weal.
For years the iron rod Has hover'd o'er our heads, Submit to George's nod, Whose power all Europe dreads; The slavish minion trembling cries, But freedom's sons all fears despise.
All means for peace we've try'd, But found those measures vain, North's ministerial pride Thought fear made us complain; But in the end, convinc'd he'll see, We dread not death but slavery.
Tho' fatal lust of pow'r Has steel'd the tyrant's soul, Though in an ill-tim'd hour, He bids his thunders roll, Great LIBERTY, inspir'd by thee, We fly to death or victory.
Great Nature's law inspires; And freeborn souls unite, While common interest fires Us to defend our rights, Against corruption's boundless claim, And firmly fix great freedom's reign.
They foreign troops employ, For mercenary hire, Their weakness we enjoy, Each pulse new ardors fire; Convinc'd the wretch who fights for pay, Will never bear the palm away.
They boast their power by sea, The ruin of our trade, Our navy soon they'll see, Wide o'er the ocean spread, Britain not long shall boast her reign, O'er the wide empire of the main.
Throughout the Universe, Our Commerce we'll extend; Each power on the reverse Shall seek to be our friends, [immense Whilst our sons crown'd with wealth Sing WASHINGTON & COMMON SENSE.
Bordeaux, July 1, 1776.
From the Independent Chronicle.
To the INDEPENDENT SONS of AMERICA.
"With tenfold rage my indignation burns, While timid souls lisp out their baby fears."
B ECAUSE Divine Providence, infinitely wise, and ever propitious to America, has not seen fit to crown all our wishes by completing the total defeat of our enemies at once, some little souls cry, "Alas what shall we do, our enemies gain ground, I do not know what will become of us unless we make terms of reconciliation!" Let every thought like this perish unuttered, for infatuity will mark him for her own who dares to speak it. — Shall Americans, who are millions strong and own near half the world, (at the loss of a few lives and a few acres of ground) pause in the race of glory, and halt between freedom and slavery! — It is the voice of nature and of reason, the call of honour and of Heaven to resist the murdering tyrants whilst there is a freeman living. He is unworthy of liberty and deserves to have his name blotted out of creation who would not be willing to die to save his country. The immortal Brutus said, "After he devoted himself to his country, he lived a life of liberty and glory," and every elevated mind knows that one day of freedom outweighs in the scale of happiness, an eternity of slavery. — The Sons of Freedom are forever to observe the same rule with tyrants
that is given respecting the Devil, — 'Resist them even unto death.' Tyranny has set up her bloody standard against us, the king of Britain with his murdering legions like so many fiends let loose from chains of darkness, are every hour exerting all their powers with infernal rage to complete the destruction — of whom? their best friends and benefactors, those who have laboured, have studied, have fought, and bled for them, and if it had been possible, would have wearied Heaven with prayers for their prosperity and happiness. — O George! O Britons! your ingratitude and guilt surpass the deepest dye that human thought can paint. — My countrymen, can you think of consigning yourselves and your posterity to the tyranny of such incarnate Demons? such a tho't must freeze your blood and chill your souls with horror! for death is infinitely preferable, and with submission to the will of Heaven, I hope that every American will rather die fighting for the Independence of his country, than give up one precious article of liberty. We have not only a glorious cause as ever men were engaged in, but we have a bright prospect of success. Let us pause for a moment and look back with gratitude and pleasing astonishment on the favours of Providence, the scenes we have passed thro', and the progress we have made, in the short space of seventeen months past, & our hopes must rise, our vigour kindle, and our faith grow stronger as we tread back upon those steps of time, every hour of which has been big with importance and with favours to America. We are at this hour nineteen times as strong for battle as we were on the day the war began; we are an hundred and ninety-nine times as strong at sea, and increase with unexampled rapidity in military skill, in arms and all the implements of war, and in every important interest; then what have we to fear? Nothing but unpardonable folly in ourselves can ruin our cause, for as sure as the rising sun will reach its meridian (unless we fail in our duty) so sure will the rising States of America reach the summit of human glory.
A SOLDIER.
October 9, 1776.
MADRID, May 16.
They write from Lisbon, that the weak and languid condition of the king occasions some commotions at court. The noblemen attached to the Queen want to confer on her the management of affairs; whilst the marquis de Pombal, and several grandees are for placing the government in the hands of the princess of Brazil. Some Politicians think that his Catholic Majesty will support the right of the Queen of Portugal, his sister; which the Portuguese seem indeed to expect, and are therefore preparing against all events.
BOSTON.
Extract of a letter from Jamaica, dated Hanover Parish, August 7, 1776.
"The purport of this is to acquaint you, that we are still alive in this parish. A most horrid conspiracy has been formed by the negroes, to cut us all off to a man, and even to white male child: The women were to have been spared to make concubines for the Ethiopians. Such was their intention, and Sunday the 21st of July, at night, was the time appointed for putting the plot in execution; but Providence was kind enough to order it to be discovered the Monday before the 21st, since which time, military duty has been very severe, martial law has been proclaimed, and every person, without exception is to be obliged to turn out. There is no intelligence of the negroes in the other parishes having joined them, but suppose the
massacre was to have been general throughout the island. Scarce any thing is now going on in this parish, but taking up, trying, hanging and gibeting alive, though many have been acquitted. The shipping has been laid under an embargo 'till this day."
Cash for RAGS,
At the following Rates, viz.
Two Pence L. M. pr pound, for white Cotton, Linnen, or Cotton & Linnen; One Penny, for white Canvass, — and — One Copper for mix'd colours, — will be given by the Publisher of this Paper.
P. S. It is requested of those who take any Satisfaction in exhibiting Saving Examples , encouraging Manufactories , serving the Interest of their Country , or being served themselves with the News-Paper , that they would comply with the trifling , tho' necessary article of saving their R A G S.
To be sold at the Printing-office, and at the shop opposite Mr. William Appleton's Book-Store, — An easy plan of
Discipline for a Militia, By TIMOTHY PICKERING jun.
State of New-Hampshire, Rockingham ss.
A LIBEL being filed before me, against the Schooner named the Glasgow, burthen about 35 tons, her cargo and appurtenances, commanded by John Cabot; — Also against the Schooner named the Neptune, of about 50 tons burthen, her cargo and appurtenances, commanded by Thomas Fuller, which vessels are said to have been the property of some inhabitant or inhabitants, subject or subjects of Great-Britain, and taken and brought into the county of Rockingham: This notice is given, agreeable to the laws of said state, that the maritime court erected to try and condemn all vessels found infesting the seas of America, and brought into the county of Rockingham, will be held at the court house in Portsmouth, the 29th day of October instant, at 10 o'clock before noon, to try the justice of said captures, that all persons concerned, may appear and shew cause (if any they have) why the said vessels, their cargoes and appurtenances should not be condemned.
J. BRACKETT, Judge of said Court. Portsmouth, October 9th 1776. 1-3
To be SOLD for a CERTAIN TIME, or Let by the month,
A genteel sprightly NEGRO FELLOW, in fine health, about eighteen years of age; he can be recommended for many good qualities, has served at sea and land; waits on company well, and is extremely desirous of belonging to a Captain of a privateer, or going in one, as may be agreed. For further particulars enquire of the printer.
W HEREAS it is advertized in the public prints, by the clerks of the inferior and superior courts, respectively, for the county of Rockingham; that business will be entered and acted on, in the several courts in the month of November next, viz. in the inferior court on the first tuesday of said month, and in the superior court on the 3d tuesday in said month, to which time said court stands adjourned: This is to give notice to all persons, for whom I am concerned, as Attorney or Agent, in either of said courts, that I have removed from the country to my house in Portsmouth, nearly opposite to the Custom house, and next door to Samuel Penhallow's Esq; where all persons may know the state of their several Actions, in which I am engaged, and have any future business, either in law or the scrivener's way, transacted with fidelity and dispatch, by the public's very humble servant, OLIVER WHIPPLE.
STRAYED or drove away,
From Deerfield, some time last summer, a dark red HEIFER, two years old last spring, bug horned, branded C. M. on the left horn, marked with a slit in the left ear, and half a crop on the right. Whoever takes up said Heifer, and gives information to Clement March at Greenland, or Joseph March at Deerfield, shall be well rewarded for their trouble. October 5. 1776. 0-3