The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-02-04 00:00:00

Greenleaf's Journal
OR New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, February 4. 1777.
[ No. 37 ]
WILLIAMSBURG, December 27.
FRESH and authentic advices from St. Eustatia, bring the agreeable news, that a French fleet of eight sail of the line, and four frigates, under the command of M. Duchafaux had sailed from Brest, for the islands of Martinico and Guadalupe, with a number of transports, having on board 7000 troops, and 3000 pieces of ordnance. Part of the fleet had arrived when this intelligence came away, and the rest were looked for daily; so that there is now a very fair appearance of our being speedily succoured by the French nation, which, no doubt, will effectually divert the attention of Britain from pursuing her diabolical schemes against America, late the land of peace and plenty, till invaded by her degenerate sons, and their hireling companions in wickedness and brutality, the accursed Hessian banditti, whom God give our soldiers grace and courage to drive out of this continent, or to extirminate from the face of the earth.
Our groaning country bleeds at every vein; Now murders rapes, fell massacres prevail, And desolation covers all the land! Who can hear this, and not with patriot zeal, Nobly step forth to guard their wives and children! And sheath a dagger in the villain's heart Who'd rob us of our peace, our all, our honour!
Captain Travis who is returned from a cruise, and spoke several French vessels at sea, corroborates the sailing of the French armament from Brest, as also of sundry of them being arrived at the places of their destination.
By a St. Kitt's paper, we learn, that the governor of St. Eustatia, lately gave an entertainment to Capt. Robinson, commander of the continental vessel of war, the Andrew Doris, to which all the American merchants and provincial agents were invited: also, that one of our privateers had taken a brig belonging to Dominica, and carried her into that Dutch free port.
Colonel Carrington, of the artillery, just arrived from Hampton, brings us the agreeable intelligence of a most valuable cargo gone up to Baltimore, from Cape Francois, which comes in a brig that was sent out by Congress, and has on board 800 stand of arms, 15 tons of Gun-powder, a quantity of sulphur, and a very large assortment blanketing and coarse clothes for the soldiery. A number of French passengers came in the vessel, one of them an officer of rank.
The captain of her says, that the French show the utmost civility and give every encouragement to the Americans, and have cruisers out to protect their trade, also that a declaration of war was every moment expected from the French court. And that gun-powder, woolens, and almost every other kind of goods, were in great plenty at the cape, and to be bought on good terms.
The continental Brig Lexington, Capt. Hallock, of 14 Guns laden with Gunpowder and other warlike stores, from Cape Francois, bound to Philadelphia, was lately taken off the capes of Delaware, by the Pearl Frigate, Capt. — who put a lieutenant and a small number of hands on board, with orders to carry her immediately to New-York; but leaving on board 70 brave fellows, who were all well acquainted with the fate of Capt. Johnson, and his crew, of the Yankee Hero, and what might be expected from British humanity, they determined at all hazards to regain their liberty. This they effected the same night they were taken, in a manner which reflects the highest honor on their resolution and presence of mind. As soon as they had secured their prisoners, they put the vessel about for the Capes of Virginia (unskilled as they were in navigation) which they very fortunately fell in with a few hours after, and on Wednesday last arrived safe in this harbour. Capt. Hallock, and his officers were taken on board the Pearl, but have since been set on shore, and are arrived at Philadelphia.
Since our last the Privateer Enterprise, Capt. Campbell, of this port returned from a cruise, and brought in two prizes; one a brig, bound from Newfoundland to Jamaica, laden with fish and oil; and the other, a sloop laden with salt and dry goods bound from the West-Indies to Halifax. These prizes make 8 which have been taken and brought in by the Enterprise.
BOSTON, January 30. 1777.
We hear from Halifax, that several Persons of character in that place, have been apprehended and committed to close confinement, by the infamous Arbuthnot, Commander there, for speaking respectful of the independent States of America, and disrespectful of (as he terms it) their loyal King, but rather a Tyrant. — Would it not be proper, that our internal Enemies, who are suffered to walk our Streets at Pleasure, were taken better Care of, as a Retaliation? — Nothing else will do.
The Honorable Richard Stockton, Esq; one of the Delegates from the State of New Jersey, in the Continental Congress being indisposed at his Seat at Princeton, when the Enemy entered that Place, unhappily fell into their Hands. Knowing his Rank and Character, they treated him with the greatest Barbarity, driving him on Foot, through Rivers & Creeks, with the greatest Barbarity, & with the greatest Precipitation, particularly the Ration, which at low Water, is fordable, to Amboy; where, we hear, he lies dangerously ill.
We hear from Pecks Kill, that a Paracide to this Country, who had been into our Army as a Spy, and endeavouring to enlist Men for the British Service, was condemned to be executed on the 22d Instant.
We learn by a Gentleman who left Newport, a few Days ago, That an Express from Gen. Howe, to Earl Percy, arrived before he left that Place, and it was said brought Orders for 4000 of the Enemy's Troops to embark with all Speed for New-York; but that Percy immediately sent word back to General Howe, that if he sent so large a body, he must at the same time wholly quit the island, with the remainder of the troops.
NEWBURY PORT, Jan. 30.
It is reported, that our people have re-taken the Fort Washington and Lee, — That four Hessian Colonels had been offered in exchange for General LEE, but was not complied with, which has much disgusted the Germans, — That the Congress have sent General LEE 1000 Johann's, at the same time informing Howe, that if he was not treated as a gentleman, they should retaliate upon their officers who already had, or might fall into our hands; and that a number of Tories from Long-Island had deserted to our people.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 8.
This evening two troops of light horse, from Virginia, commanded by Captains Temple and Lee, arrived in town on their way to join General Washington.
On Saturday last arrived in town from Philadelphia, the Hon. Horatio Gates, Esq; Major General in the Continental Army, and accompanied by Col. Donald Campbell, and Lt. Col. Stuart.
Amongst the Worthies who have joined, or put themselves under the protection of Howe and company, at Trenton, we find the names of the following noted personages, viz:
Joseph Galloway, Esq; late a member of the Congress, speaker of the Pennsylvania Senate, and printer of a public News-Paper in Philadelphia. John Allen, Esq; (son of the celebrated rhetori-
cal, impartial, learned Judge, whose memory will outlive the five-mile stone) late a member of the Philadelphia Committee of Observation, Inspection, &c.
Andrew Allen, Esq; (brother to Jack) late a member of Congress, one of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, and, at the same time, a fervid advocate for George III, of Britain and his Creatures.
William Allen, Esq; (brother to Andrew) late a Lieut. Colonel in the Continental Service, which Station he resigned — not because he was totally unfit for it, but because the Continental Congress presumed to declare the American States Free and Independent, without first asking the consent, and obtaining the Approbation, of himself and wife Family.
NEW YORK, November 11.
Capt. Evelyn, of the light infantry, who was wounded in a late skirmish with the rebels, died on Wednesday last. — He was a brave & worthy officer, and his death is much regretted.
Yesterday morning Major Cuyyer arrived in the Packet from England: He left the Nation extremely pleased with Gen. Howe's Successes on Long Island, of which he was the welcome Messenger, having sailed from this port on the 6th of Sept. last, and made his passage in 30 days. The King has been pleased to confer the Order of the Bath, upon General Howe.
Benj a Dearborn
Has for sale, at his shop in Queen Street, West India and New England RUM; — SUGAR; COTTON; COFFEE; &c. &c. At the Prices affixed in the regulation Bill for this Sale. Portsmouth, Feb. 4, 1777.
Keith Spence
Has on Hand, RUM, COFFEE, COTTON, and a few other Articles, which he intends selling at the Prices fix'd by the late Regulation Act. 7-9
Benjamin Austin,
Has for Sale, on Spring Hill, High Proof Jamaica RUM, At Seven Shillings and eight Pence per Gallon, agreeable to the late Regulation Bill. Also, COTTON, COFFEE, &c. 7-9
TO BE LETT,
And enter'd upon the 12th of April next, A FARM in Kittery, one mile from Portsmouth, consisting of Orchard, Mowing, Pasturing, and Tillage Land, and is well accommodated with Buildings, and stock'd with Cattle and Sheep. Enquire of Joseph Whipple in Portsmouth. 7-9
The Regulation Act of Prices will be ready for sale at the Printing-Office, on Thursday next, at 11 o'Clock before noon, very necessary for every Family, to prevent Imposition.

In the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Six
Colony of New-Hampshire.
AN ACT for establishing Courts of Law for the Administration of Justice within this Colony.
WHEREAS the cruel and unnatural War commenced & prosecuted by Great-Britain against the United Colonies hath rendered it necessary for the protection and security of the Lives & Interests of the Inhabitants of this Colony to assume & establish a new Form of Government therein, for the Administration whereof, it is equally necessary & expedient to establish Courts of Justice;
THEREFORE,
BE IT ENACTED by the COUNCIL & HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, in General-Court assembled, That instead of the several Courts of Judicature heretofore established and holden by the Laws of this Colony, under the former Government thereof, in the several Counties therein, shall be and hereby are established to be holden: One Superior Court of Judicature, to have Jurisdiction and Authority throughout this Colony, to be holden and kept at the Times and Places herein after appointed, by four Justices to be appointed and commissioned thereto, by the Council & House of Representatives of said Colony, for the Time being; any three of whom to make a Quorum. Also an Inferior Court of Common Pleas, within each respective County in this Colony, to be holden by four Justices to be appointed & commissioned thereto in manner aforesaid, any three of whom to make a Quorum; to be holden at such Times and Places, as are by this Act appointed. And one Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace within and for each respective County, to be holden by the Justices of the Peace for such County, or so many of them as shall be limited by the Commission of the Peace to make a Quorum, to be holden at such Times & Places, as are by this Act appointed. All which Courts shall respectively hold and exercise, like Jurisdiction and Authority within their respective Counties, in all Matters & Causes, arising within such Counties, as the Superior Court of Judicature, Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Court of General Sessions of the Peace, heretofore respectively held and exercised within this Colony, or by Law ought to hold and exercise.
The Justices of the Inferior Courts within this Colony, all Judges of Probate, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Registers, or Recorders of Deeds, Registers of Probate, and all Civil Officers shall hold and exercise within their respective Counties the same Power and Authority, as were heretofore held and exercised by such Officers respectively, in the several Counties in this Colony, before the establishment of the present Government, or by Law ought to be held and exercised.
All Processes issuing out of any Court of Record, in this Colony, may be directed to and executed by the Officer or Officers of any other County within their respective Counties, as well as by the Officer or Officers of the County where such Process issued. And all transitory Actions wherein both Parties are Inhabitants of this Colony, may be commenced in the County, wherein either of the Parties to the Suit may be Inhabitant, and not elsewhere, within this Colony. But if any Person or Persons who is an Inhabitant of this Colony, or otherwise, shall commence any Action or Actions upon any endorsed Note or Notes, Bill or Bills of Exchange against any Defendant or Defendants, in any Court in this Colony, other than that County, wherein such Defendant or Defendants live, the Court before whom the same shall be brought or tried, shall tax in any such Suit for the Plaintiff no more for Travel than Twenty Miles; except in such Cases where the Suit and benefit thereof, do bona fide belong to the Person or Persons who bring the same, and who actually travel to the Court, to which such Suit shall be brought.
And the Times and Places for holding the said Courts shall be as follows, viz. The Superior Court shall be holden at Portsmouth on the first Tuesday of March, and at Exeter the first Tuesday of Sept. annually, for the County of Rockingham. And at Amherst for the County of Hillsborough on the fourth Tuesday of September annually. And at Keene, for the County of Cheshire, the first Tuesday of October annually. And at Dover, for the County of Strafford, the last Tuesday of May annually. And for the County of Grafton annually, on the Third Tuesday of October, at Haverhill and Plymouth, alternately. The Inferior Courts for the County of Rockingham, shall be held at Portsmouth the first Tuesdays of November and May, and at Exeter, the last Tuesdays of February and July annually. And the Courts of General Sessions of the Peace, for the County of Rockingham, at Portsmouth, the second Tuesdays of November and May, and at Exeter the first Tuesdays of February and August annually. The Inferior Courts of Common Pleas for the County of Hillsborough shall be holden at Amherst the first Tuesday of October, January, April and July annually. And the Courts of the General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Hillsborough shall be holden at Amherst on the first Thursdays next after the first Tuesdays in October, January, April and July annually. And the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas for the County of Cheshire, shall be holden at Keene, the second Tuesdays of October and July, and at Charlestown the second Tuesdays of January and April annually. And the Courts of the General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Cheshire, shall be holden at Keene on the Thursdays next after the second Tuesdays in October and July; and at Charlestown on the Thursdays next after the second Tuesdays of January and April annually. The Inferior Courts of Common Pleas for the County of Strafford, shall be holden at Dover, on the first Thursdays next following the second Tuesdays of January, July and October, and at Durham on the first Thursday next following the second Tuesdays of April annually. That the courts of General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Strafford, shall be holden at Dover, the second
Tuesdays of January, July and October; and at Durham the second Tuesdays of April annually. And the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas for the County of Grafton, shall be held at Haverhill, the first Thursdays next following the third Tuesdays of August, and at Plymouth the first Thursdays next following the third Tuesdays of February annually. And the Courts of General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Grafton, shall be held at Haverhill, on the Third Tuesdays of August, and at Plymouth the third Tuesdays of February annually.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Writs, Processes, Executions, and other Matters in Law which were returnable to, or depending in any of the said Courts in each of the respective counties in this Colony, at the Time of the establishment of the present Government, or that are now pending therein shall be returned to, and sustained by the respective Courts hereby established, (before whom by Law the said Writs, Processes and Matters are cognizable) at the first Term of the several Courts in their respective counties. And all Judgments, not perfected shall be made up, and Alias's and Pluries shall issue upon former Executions which shall be return'd not satisfied (as the Nature of the Case may require,) in such Manner, and as fully and effectually as though the Courts of Law, had not been discontinued, any Law, Usage, or Custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
JUNIUS to the KING.
From the WESTMINSTER GAZETTE, September 10. 1776.
SIRE,
IN re-assuming my pen for the people of England, let it become me to write with as much spirit as our Forefathers fought; let me be allowed to forget I am an individual, and endeavour to speak with the voice of the whole nation.
If there is a spark of our ancient virtue remaining, I shall not only find indulgence, but command attention. I do not stand forth to urge any interest of my own, in all I shall say, every Englishman is as much concerned as myself. Every man who glories in the name of an Englishman, must feel for the distresses of his country, though many who glory in the name of Britons, assist and rejoice in its misery. The crisis affects every friend to the constitution, and believe me, Sir, that if they were all awakened with the same sense of it, what is now your terror, might be made the means of our preservation.
Salus populi suprema lex , is not only a trite and true maxim, but the very basis of all just government. In a most particular manner it is the basis, nay the only basis of our establishment. Whatever might have been the fact, the pretence at the revolution was to redress the grievances of the delivered, not to gratify the ambition of the deliverer. When the act of settlement took place, and confirmed the throne in the house of Hanover, the only reason for it was, that the nation believed that under those princes only our liberty could be safe.
It was not therefore for the sake of one man, or one family, that this transfer was made of the crown, it was for the whole people, therefore it is demonstrably our right, it is indispensably our duty to take care that the conditions are fulfilled. It is incumbent on us to insist that our own act and deed should operate to our own use and advantage, and to request you to perform your duty, whilst you expect that we should continue in our allegiance.
Recollect, Sir, that the act of settlement was an act of grace on our side, and that the house of Hanover had neither services to urge by way of plea for such a glorious present, nor power to exact it. We likewise made several large abatements in the original terms on which they were to receive & enjoy it, and, as they were of our own accord, a grateful mind ought to have doubly felt the obligation. Yet, had the three princes of this house been lords of the manor instead of stewards for the people, they could not have levied larger fines, or received more unreserved homage. On a principle of gratitude, therefore, as well as justice, they should have calculated every act of state, every measure of government, purely and simply for the good of the people.
I need not tell your majesty that it has been directly the reverse, and if you would not listen to the remonstrances of an oppressed people, nor the petitions of an aggrieved nation, you will pay no attention to my assertions. If you believed not Moses and the prophets, you will not listen to one raised from the dead. Yet your ministers have let slip no opportunities of painting your distresses in the most affecting manner, and whilst you continued inexorable to redress our grievances, you ventured to intreat the characteristic compassion of the people, to set you an example for what you wanted gratitude and sentiments to follow.
It has been remarked that the feelings of a prince, though numbed and dead at all other times, are delicate when he wants to have his distresses relieved. In your reign it has been otherwise, and it has been the folly of the people to relieve — distresses, when — refused to remove their grievances. Yet it had been justice, as we knew then, & policy, as you may know hereafter, that both should have been removed together.
A crisis may arrive, and probably it is not far off, when your ministers may with great truth again assure us that the prince is distressed, and wants the assistance of that people to whom he owes his all. I then should have no objection to relieve him, provided he redressed the people, but I certainly would not grant one till I had obtained the other. Let mutual confidence take place of mutual jealousies, for if we are to perform and endure all, apprehensions must vanish, and we must have recourse to our own strength, to obtain by force what we put in the power of an individual to refuse to our entreaties. Although I am sincerely attached to the present establishment I cannot suffer my regard for one family to get the better of my duty to my country. I will never submit to a complaisance that is criminal to the rights of the people, nor a loyalty that is destructive to the privileges of a glorious nation. For if, through the bad administration of the chief magistrate, who is trusted with the executive power,

by any other means, the liberty of the people shall become precarious , I will then be for any other form of government under which our liberty and property may be more secure, though till then I do not desire to change.
It is therefore of the utmost consequence to your majesty to reflect, before all the people become sensible of the injuries which have been done them by abominable & traitorous ministers. That junto which is well known to conduct the present unnatural war, those men who have brought disgrace on your reign, and destruction on your subjects, cannot long hinder your ———, what nothing but a love of your family has long prevented.
In gratitude, then, for this predilection, consider the situation of this country; but if that has no effect on you, let the sense of your own danger awaken you, & urge you to thun, ere it is too late, the precipice you are on the brink of. Dismiss this aspen junto, which trembles with every whisper, and shudders at every blast, before the people raise a storm that, in its violence to shake off the withered leaves, may tear up the tree that made them bud.
Take away their power, and their credit and counsels will be faded and exposed. Discharge them from your presence, and there will as little trace remain of their abilities as their virtue.
I am fully persuaded that your majesty is a good man, and that you have the interests of your subjects at heart. I have been told you shed tears at the death of an individual who sacrificed himself to grant ——— request. God forbid it were true, or else grant that you are not so susceptible now for the lives of those who have crossed the Atlantic at your desire. If I thought you was, I should dread to mention America, and shudder at the reflection of the horror you must feel at the names of Lexington, Bunker hill, or Sullivan's-island.
A jealousy of your own character may have made you hitherto passive amidst the illegal, the criminal violences that have been carried on against the people. A consciousness of innocence in yourself may have been the motive of your compliance to your minister's measures. But these are no excuses for a chief magistrate, when the welfare of a nation is at stake, nor can the puerile, vague, equivocal plea of throwing the blame on opposition, exculpate a chief governor, who is permitted to chuse all his subaltern officers. All our unfortunate kings since the conquest, lost their crowns , and most of them their lives, by giving themselves up implicitly to wicked favourites and ministers , in opposition to the sense of the people, and in defiance of their frequent remonstrances. Without locking back for centuries to the houses of York and Lancaster, the circumstances of James the second's case, are recent and striking examples. Every one knows that that unhappy prince went on not only obstinately, but precipitately in the prosecution of his destructive schemes. What the consequence was, can best be explained by those, who, by solemn promises of being upright magistrates, were adopted in the
place of him we had discharged for suffering himself to be deluded by his ministers.
It has often happened, and may happen again, that good princes as well as bad, have put their only trust in those men, who, having first rendered themselves universally odious by vile measures, can find no other refuge than in betraying and sacrificing their master. It is therefore absolutely incumbent on a prince, not only for the good of his people, but to prevent his own dismissal when dissensions arise in his kingdom, and ill humours are visibly spread thro' the whole body of the people, to make strict enquiries into the causes of them, and see whether they really flow from those little springs which occasionally break out, or from other sources of a more latent and complicated nature.
Things are now reduced to such an unhappy crisis, by a long course of mal-administration, and provoking conduct, that government seem desperate; and your ministers, dreading the vengeance of the people, wish to involve your majesty in their inevitable ruin. Their timidity now surpasses their absurdity in the beginning of this unnatural war, and knowing their fate is unavoidable, they strive to aggregate the mass of desperadoes by declaring — Una salus miseri nullam sperare salutem , or in their own words, "we must murder the Americans, or they will have us beheaded."
After you had lost the affections of the people, there were but two ways of regaining them, "a change of men and measures, or subduing them by force;" the former you positively & repeatedly refused to your constituents, the latter you are now trying with a nation, who, in case of a revolution, might have granted you a surest asylum, than those, whose ——— you occupy, found at St. Germain's. The situation of your majesty, & your ministers, is truly deplorable. In America you are declared against as a ———, a ———, and a ———. In England we remonstrate against measures, & petition against ministers as enemies to the people and traitors to the constitution. We are not yet sunk into that lethargy that the junto make you imagine, and if we were, recollect that the frenzy of James awoke the nation out of a deeper one. The honest, the wise part of this nation grow tired with suffering for a shadow, our great appetites must have a substance.
How far the Americans spoke truth in their declaration, or we in our remonstrances, is too dangerous for my pen to decide. True it is that our most valuable rights have been infringed on, & our dearest liberties attacked and destroyed. The enemies of our glorious constitution have been encouraged by ———. But hold! what is to defend and protect me if I say by whom. As yet the habeus corpus act is not suspended and if it is I will venture to put up one petition, which is—may confound those who, by their obstinacy and folly, and those, who, by their violence and treachery, have reduced us to our present disgraceful and ruinous situation.
U N I U S.
IN CONGRESS, December 30, 1776. IT appearing to Congress, that it will be extremely difficult, if not impracticable, to supply the Army of the United States with Bacon, salted Beef and Pork, Soap, Tallow and Candles, unless the Exportation thereof be prohibited: Therefore,
Resolved, that none of the said Articles, except such as may be necessary for the Crew, be exported from any of the United States after the fifth Day of January next, until the first Day of November next, or until Congress shall make further Order therein. ——— And it is earnestly recommended to the Executive Powers of the several United States, to see that this Resolution be strictly complied with.
By Order of Congress, JOHN HANCOCK, President
Portsmouth STAGE-COACH.
JOHN STAVERS, junr, and THEODORE DAVIS, beg leave to inform their Friends and the Public in general, that they have enter'd into partnership for keeping up a regular Stage Coach, from this Place to Boston: — The Stage is to leave Portsmouth every Tuesday Morning for Boston; and sets out from thence to Portsmouth every Friday Morning from Mr. Lobdon's in Congress-Street, Accidents and Casualties excepted. — As the Undertakers have provided themselves with genteel Carriages and good Horses for the Business, it is hoped the Public will give due Encouragement to their Undertaking, as their principal Design is for the better accommodating and facilitating of Travelling. — All Business committed to their charge, will be perform'd with that Care and Punctuality which will not fail to be agreeable to their Employers: — And all Effects of Travellers and of other Persons, who may entrust them
with their Property, will be accounted for, and delivered with Safety and Integrity, by the Public's very humble Servants.
Portsmouth, Jan. 27, 1777. 6—8
A Great Coat
Was taken up some time ago in Portsmouth. The owner may have it again, by describing the marks, and paying charges. 6—8
Lost, a Calf-skin Portmantau.
Whoever will return it to the Printing Office shall be rewarded. 6—8
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, ss.
ALL persons indebted to the estate of Shadrach Hodgdon, jr. late of Dover, in the county of Strafford, Mariner, deceas'd, intestate, are requested to make immediate payment to Anna Hodgdon & Aaron Wingate, the administrators of said estate, as they are determined to make a speedy settlement hereof. Dover, Dec. 30. 1776. 4—6
ALL persons indebted to William Rogers of the town of Berwick, in the county of York, within the state of the Massachusetts Bay, either by Note or Book Debt, are requested immediately to call on him & settle the same, otherwise he will be under the disagreeable necessity of commenceing suits against them. — Constant attendance will be given at his dwelling house for that purpose. Berwick, Dec. 29 1776. 4—6
TO BE LETT,
SIX small Farms of 50 and 75 acres each, situated on the country road, near to each other, on either of which an industrious man may get a comfortable support. — There is wood, pasturing, plow, and grass land, sufficient to keep stock, and raise grain for six small families; a grist and saw mill within three quarters of a mile, with full employment, for which a suitable person is
wanted on good terms. None need apply but such as have the character of honest and industrious men; and such will meet with every encouragement. Enquire at the Print Office, and know further. 5—7
TO BE SOLD, about One Thousand Acres of choice Land in the Town of Chester, 28 miles from Portsmouth, part of which lays in the Parishes of Raymond and Candia. For particulars, enquire at the Printing Office in Portsmouth. 5—7
THE creditors to the estate of Samuel Hancock, late of Wells, deceased, intestate, represented insolvent, are hereby notified, that the commissioners appointed to receive, examine, and allow their respective claims, will attend that business at the dwelling house of John Cole, innholder in Wells, on the first Friday of February next, and on the first Friday of the three next succeeding months, from five to seven o'clock in the evening. David Sewall, } commissioners. Jan. 11, 1777. Nathaniel Wells } missi.
TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
BROKE out of the Goal in Portsmouth, Daniel M'Guin an irishman, about five feet ten inches high, wears his own hair: — had on a light colour'd surtuit, a white hat, and a pair of boots. Also, Israel Tuttle an American, about five feet eight inches high, a fair complexion, and wears his own hair. — Had on a grey surtuit, and old shoes. Whoever will apprehend said prisoners, & convey them to said Goal, or secure them in any other Goal in this state, shall have the above Reward, or Five Dollars for either of them.
JOHN PARKER, Sheriff.
Portsmouth, Dec. 24. 1777. 4—6
BICKERSTAFF's famous Almanack, to be sold at the Printing Office. By the Groce, Dozen, or single.

From the Westminster-Journal of November 23. (lately taken in a Prize safe arrived in Port,) we have extracted the following Articles of Intelligence, viz.
P A R I S, November 10.
F IVE ships of war of force, are sailed from Toulon, for Boston, and others from Brest and Rochfort, are preparing to follow them. Messengers, for some Months past, have been continually going to and from Versailles, to the American Congress.
B A R C E L O N A (Spain) August 1.
The last letters from Madrid advise, that the Court has determined to send a corps of 800 men to America, with all possible expedition.
The squadron of Don Michael Gaston is returned to Cadiz, after having finished his cruise on the coasts of Portugal.
L O N D O N, November 23.
House of Commons, November 18.
Lord Barrington moved in the House, on Friday on the Supply; the following Resolutions were reported, and agreed to on Saturday.
That 20 734 Men, including 2,212 Invalids, be employed for Guards and Garrisons in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year 1777; and 688,009 l. 16 s. be granted for maintaining the same.
That 11,473 l. 18 s. 6 d. be granted for General and Staff Officers in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 949 721 l. 11 s. 3 d. be granted for maintaining the Out-Forces and Garrisons, for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 47 178 l. 3 d. be granted for Difference of Pay between the British and Irish Establishment of one Regiment of Light Dragoons, and six Regiments of Foot serving in North-America, for the Year 1777.
That 56,777 l. 19 s. 4 d. half Penny be granted for the Pay of five Battalions of Hanoverians serving at Gibraltar and Minorca, and for Provisions for three Battalions at Gibraltar, for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 335,932 l. 1 s. 6 d. three farthings be granted for 12,667 Hessians for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 18,181 l. 15 s. 6 d. three farthings be granted for the Pay of a Regiment of Foot of Hanau, for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 17,370 l. 8 s. 2 d. be granted for the Pay of a Regiment of Waldeck, for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 93 947 l. 15 s. 8 d. be granted for the Pay of 4300 Brunswickers for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 41,427 l. 7 s. 2 d. half penny be granted for Provisions for the foreign Troops in North America, during the last Campaign.
That 6,617 l. 5 s. 3 d. one farthing be granted to make good a Deficiency of the last Session of the Hessian Troops to the 24th of December, 1776.
That 1013 l. 16 s. 10 d. one farthing be granted for a Deficiency of last Session for Hanau Troops, to the 24th December 1776.
That 26 053 l. 7 s. 4 d. be granted for the Charges of the Artillery for the foreign Troops for the Service of the Year 1777.
That 50,152 l. 12 s. 3 d. three farthings be granted for the Charge of the foreign Troops for the Service of the Year 1776.
That 13 973 l. 19 s. granted last Session for Artillery for Hesse Cassel for 1776, be granted towards defraying the Charges of Artillery of foreign Troops for 1777.
That 3,383 l. 6 s. 8 d. granted last Session for the Artillery of Hanau, for 1776, be applied towards defraying the Charges of Artillery for the foreign Troops, for the Year 1776.
That 320,111 l. 18 s. 11 d. be granted for the Charge of the Office of Ordnance, for Land Service, for the Year 1777.
That 272 705 l. 17 s. 1 d. be granted to make good the extraordinary Services performed by the Office of Ordnance for Land Service, and not provided for in the Year 1776.
Lord Barrington went through his whole Detail. He specified the Number of Troops at the several Destinations, according to the last Returns, which he said, were dated in October. By this it appeared, that the native and foreign Troops under Generals Howe and Carleton, were 30,000 effective, in good Health and high Spirits.
Nov. 23. The Minority, it is said, of both Houses, have entirely withdrawn themselves, being determined no longer to give a Sanction to Measures, by their Presence, that they cannot check, though palpably to the Ruin of our Country.
A report is current, that in consequence of some dispatches received from Lord Grantham at Madrid, by particular desire his Lordship is recalled from the above Court.
An embargo on all the shipping in our ports is talked of as a measure likely to take place immediately.
Government offer 5 l. a man bounty one day, and without waiting the issue of such a fair bait, the next feeble an hundred gangs of ruffians who half drunk with brandy, and quite so with a shameful power, not fit to be put in such men's hands, revel in acts of cruelty.
Last Monday morning a board was held at the Admiralty Office, Charing Cross at which several lieutenants, pursers and surgeons on half pay, were put upon full commission, and ordered on board different ships that are now fitting out for sea.
Orders are given to raise three new regiments of volunteers, for the space of three years or during the rebellion in America. One to be raised in England, one
in Scotland, and one in Ireland. Their pay is to be 10 per day.
It is now no longer an idle rumour, that we are on the eve of a War with France. The Ministry themselves talk most seriously of the Matter, and in all probability a declaration of Hostilities will take place in a few days.
Certain advice is received from the Hague, that very large sums have been advanced to the French by the Merchants of Holland.
Not less than an hundred lives have been lost by the present shameful press, and that too at a time the minister says he has every assurance of peace; it is a wonder he did not say plenty too.
A great Personage sent for Admiral Kepple on Monday, and desired he would take the Command of ten Sail of the Line, & be ready to proceed to Sea immediately.
Another battalion is going to be added to the Royal regiment of artillery, on account of the number that are now out on foreign service, and more than are wanted at this period.
No less than 18 privateers have been fitted out from Marblehead, and it is computed that upwards of 90 have been fitted out from the several provinces of New-England.
At the commencement of the last war, Great-Britain and America were united against France alone. Now Great-Britain alone is to cope with France, Spain and America.
Then the national debt was 86 millions—Now it is upwards of 150. The Land Tax was then at 3 s.—It is now at 4 s. with every other tax augmented in proportion, and every resource exhausted. Our commerce was then prosperous and credit good—now they are both failing—America then added to our force against France 20,000 men by land, and 15 000 by sea—Now, she employs 50,000 of our best land forces, and 18 000 seamen; so that the difference is 70,000 Soldiers, and 33 000 Sailors. This is more than a moiety of our whole force in the last war.
The Romney man of war, Capt. Salter, and the Surprize frigate, Capt. Linzee, though just arrived at Portsmouth, from Newfoundland, and very foul, having been off the ground 11 months, are ordered out to sea immediately, to cruise after the American privateers. The Princess Amelia, of 80 guns is ordered to be fitted out with all expedition, to go to Spithead, to receive impressed men, and Capt. Deane, is appointed to command her.
The Henry & Ann, a transport belonging to London, with Burgoyne's light horse, is taken and carried into Salem.
The Hampshire, Capt. Wolf, who is arrived at Portsmouth, from Malaga, is said to bring letters which mention that the Spaniards have absolutely sent off a very considerable force to America; and that as soon as possible, six sail of the line, and several frigates are to follow them; that the first fleet which sailed had 10,000 soldiers on board.
All the Guardships have orders to take in stores and provision: of all species for 6 months, and to be ready at a day's notice for going to sea, in case they are called upon.
Great bets were on Wednesday made in the city, that War would be proclaimed against Spain on or before the first of January next.
The numbers of sailors in the King's service at present in America, are 26,000.
The fleet of observation, to rendezvous at Spithead, is to consist of 14 sail of the line, and 2 frigates. The rest of the ships which were commissioned, are to remain at the several ports where they are fitted out, but to take on board all their stores, and be ready for sea at 24 hours notice.
Monday night there was a general private search for seafaring men in the neighbourhood of Whapping when a great number were apprehended, and on Tuesday examined before Justice Sherwood & other Magistrates at Shadwell. Pursuant to the late order of Council, when above 50 stout seamen were sent under the care of a strong gang, assisted by the Peace officers, on board the Tender at the Tower.
Tuesday were examined before the Rotation-Justices, at Hicks's Hall, 93 disorderly persons: one of them who had stole a pint mug, with 50 others who could not give a good account of themselves, were sent on board a man of war.
Wednesday the Earl of Buckinghamshire was appointed, Lord Lieutenant of the kingdom of Ireland, and at the same time had the Honor to kiss the King's hand.
Sunday morning last the wife of a journeyman bricklayer, in Petticoat-Lane, was delivered of three children, who were baptized by the names of Hancock, Adams and Walbington . Hancock died the day of his birth, but Adams & Walbington are in perfect health.
The combined fleets of France and Spain will consist in Europe, fit for sea, of 46 men of war, of the line 28 French and 18 Spanish, and 23 frigates, from 36 to 18 guns. Besides this fleet in Europe, Spain has now in South America and the West-Indies, 15 men of war of the line, and France 11, with a proportionable number of frigates, sloops and vessels. Taking then the French and Spanish armaments in America and Europe together, they will consist of 72 men of war of the line, which, when we know that the intentions of those powers are hostile, and that the most sanguine promises of Lord Bristol, did not go farther
than that we should have a fleet of 40 men of war of the line fit for service by the first of March, is a matter of the most melancholy consideration.
Extract of a letter from Gibraltar, Oct. 21.
"Our neighbours the Spaniards are exceedingly busy in arming; and have a large fleet at this time at Cadiz, preparing to sail; their destination for South-America; the list as under, last post, to sail the first fair wind, viz.—3 of 70; 3 of 64; 1 of 30; 1 of 28; 4 of 26; 1 of 20; 1 of 18; and 2 of 26, besides 2 bombs, 4 fire ships, 95 transports, and 12 battalions of 100 men each.
P O R T S M O U T H.
MARRIED ] The Hon. JOHN LANGDON, Esq; to Mrs. ELIZABETH SHERBURNE.
P R O V I D E N C E, January 25.
A Newport paper of Thursday le'nnight contains an address from the to.ies to General Clinton, intreating him to use his influence with the pretended commissioners of peace, that through his intercession they may "once more enjoy the King's most gracious protection."
Since our last vessel arrived in a neighbouring State from Martinico. A gentleman who came in her informs, that a considerable number of troops have lately arrived there from France in some ships of war & that a body of 10 000 men will soon be assembled at that Island. He further informs, that the French at Martinico consider a war between France and Great Britain as inevitable.
A number of Americans have lately arrived here from Newport in a flag of truce, having been exchanged there; one of them is since dead, and some others cannot long survive, owing to the inhuman treatment they received from the enemy.
W O R C E S T E R, January 9.
Last week was committed to close custody, one Collin M'Leilan, a Highlander, for counterfeiting & forging bills, in imitation of the small bills of credit of this STATE, of the denomination of Five Shillings and Two Shillings & Six Pence—The villain made use of some of the types in the Printers Office,—got into the Office in the night, and on the Sabbath, during public Worship: As the Printers have not Types and Flowers, like those by which, the true bills were made, so the counterfeits are very different, inasmuch that none but a finished villain would have the effrontery to pass them
By the Hartford Post.
N E W L O N D O N, January 24.
We are informed that Capt. Phips, who lately escaped from the fleet at Newport, heard a letter read by an Hessian officer,—another Hessian who stood by, heard it, and could speak English, told Phips that the contents were to recal the Hessian troops, for the dominions of the prince of Hesse were invaded by the French King.
H A R T F O R D, January 27.
The General Assembly in their last sessions formed the militia of this State into six brigades. The honorable David Wooster, & Jabez Huntington, of Norwich, Esqrs; are appointed Major-Generals:—The honorable Eliphalet Dyer, Gurdon Saltonstall, Oliver Wolcott, Beatus Wolcott, James Wadsworth, and Gold-Seleck Silliman, Esqrs, Brigadiers General. Lieut. Col. Hooker of Farmington, is appointed Col. and Jesse Root, Esq; of this Town, Lieutenant Col. of an independent regiment.
By the last accounts from our army at and near Kingsbridge, we are informed that the Hon. General Heath with his party had surrounded Fort Independence, except one narrow passage; had taken up the lower bridge, known by the name of Dikeman's and it was thought they would soon be in possession of that fortress.
By a gentleman from head quarters in New Jersey, we are told that a party of our men under the command of the Hon. General Putnam, had taken 96 waggons at Monmouth, in New Jersey, loaded with baggage belonging to a parcel of Tories, which they were transporting to a place of greater safety.
Sold at Public Auction,
On Thursday the 13th day of February instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M. at the wharfe of Messrs Daniel and Samuel Sherburne,
THE Prize Brigantine FAVOURITE, about 260 tons, not three years old, built in Great Britain, and well found. Also about 100 iron bound butts, cables, anchors and sails—two double fortify'd two pounders,— and a few casks of English Peas.—Any person may see the aforesaid, by applying to JACOB TREADWELL.
TO BE LETT,
A FARM in Kittery, at the Head of York River, next to Colonel John Frost's. Enquire of John Moffatt, Esq; in Portsmouth.