The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-12-03 00:00:00

Greenough's Journal
OR
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, December 3, 1776.
[ No. 28. ]
For the FREEMAN'S JOURNAL.
THE Prophanation of the Sabbath, has become one of the crying sins of this land. In how many instances does this melancholly truth appear? How evident, in the increasing practice of travelling? Scarce does a Sabbath pass without some persons journeying through our towns on their worldly affairs, "one to his farm and another to his merchandise". So fashionable has this become that scarce any will even pretend to plead necessity as an excuse, some few whose consciences are more tender will tell us they attend public worship both parts of the day and travel only the rest of the time, and this say they no one can blame us for. Such would do well to reflect that there is in an antient neglected (though inspired) volume such words as these "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work, &c." it is no where recorded, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" all the time of divine service and no longer . It's much to be lamented that this practice is countenanced by some who ought to set better examples, we have seen Colonels, Esquires and other "Rulers of the people (in this respect) cause them to err": where this will end no one knows; it is what some ought to bear testimony against, if authority does not, those in private life will stand excused in doing it. If the coat should fit any who do not choose to wear it, they must use their pleasure; they will be kind enough to remember that this reproof is not pointed at any particular person, but at the followers in general of a pernicious practice. A Friend to Decency.
County of Stafford, Nov. 25, 1776
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 6.
IN CONGRESS, Oct. 31, 1776.
WHEREAS it is represented to CONGRESS, that sundry Inhabitants of these United States, to keep Supplies from the Army, or promote their own interest, have purchased considerable quantities of cloathing, & refuse to dispose of the same, unless upon extravagant or unreasonable terms.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the assemblies, conventions, councils, or committees of safety, of the United States, forthwith to take such suitable measures for obtaining, for the use of the army, such necessary articles as being thus engrossed in the respective States, cannot be otherwise immediately procured, allowing the owners reasonable prices for the same—and that laws be provided, in each of the States, for effectually preventing Monopolies of necessaries for the army, or inhabitants of the same.
Extract from the minutes CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec.
NEW YORK, Oct. 21.
On Monday last the Perseus, Capt. Elphinstone, with 11 sail of transports, having on board troops and provisions, arrived in port, after a passage of eleven weeks from Portsmouth. The Perseus took two rebel privateers, and a trading vessel, with a valuable cargo, off the coast, and brought them safe into port.
On Friday 15 sail of vessels, under convoy of the Diamond and Ambuscade, with the second division of the Hessians, and 1000 Waldeckers, under the command of the Ge-
nerals Kniphausen, and Schmidt, and a number of recruits for the British troops, in all about 8000 effective men, arrived off Sandy-Hook. They sailed from Plymouth Sound the 27th of last July. In the fleet are several victuallers, and vessels laden with draught horses for the train and baggage of the army.
The subscription for the clergy of the church of England in America, who have suffered by the rebellion, amounted to 6000 pounds sterling, when the last accounts came away.
Many of the inhabitants are come into town; and many others, who were obliged to fly for their loyalty, are coming in daily.
HARTFORD, Nov. 25.
The General Assembly of this State in their present session, have resolved, That an embargo be laid upon the exportation out of the State by land or water, (without a permit from the Governor) of wheat, Rye, Indian corn, Pork, Salt, Peas, Beans, Bread, Flour, and every kind of Meal; likewise all kinds of Linnen and Woolen Cloth; also on Beef, live Cattle, Sheep, Butter, Chees, fat Cattle or Swine, Oats, Wool, Flax or Bar Iron.
By a Gentleman from Head-Quarters, who came to town on Saturday last, and who was at Fort Lee during the battle at the Lines at Harlem, and an eye witness of the whole, we have the following particulars of that unhappy affair, viz.
That on Saturday the 16th instant, about 2 o'clock afternoon, a large body of British troops from New-York, with a body of Hessians from Kingbridge, made an attack upon our lines at that place. At the same time a number of boats from the shipping came up Harlem river, and landed a party of men, who advanced forward with an intention to cut off our retreat, which in part they effected: but a part of our men taking advantage of a hill got safe to the fort; the other part being almost surrounded, were obliged to fight their way through the enemy, by which means the heaviest fire from our troops was directed against the Hessians, who were beat back, and were obliged to be reinforced three several times by large detachments from their main body. In this manner our small army under the command of Col. Magaw, retreated, sustaining with unexampled resolution, a continual fire of the cannon, field pieces and musketry of more than five to one in number, till they reached the fort, when the engagement ceased. Soon after the engagement ended, the enemy made a demand of the fort, and Col. Magaw finding it impossible to defend it, surrendered the same to the enemy about sunset.
The number of our men who were killed in the above engagement is uncertain, but the whole loss in killed, and taken prisoners, is upwards of 2000. What loss the enemy sustained is likewise uncertain, but if we may believe the account given by a deserter who came to head-quarters since the engage-
ment, the Hessians had between 4 and 500 men killed on the spot.
We hear an exchange of prisoners is soon to take place.
Master James Lovel of Boston, who has been a prisoner more than 18 months, is now on his way from New-York to Boston, having been exchanged for Governor Skene, who was some time held a prisoner in this place.
We hear Col. Ethan Allen is now on board a ship at New-York:—That he has been treated since his being taken a prisoner with the utmost barbarity, till lately, but the rigour of his oppressors has been a little softened, and he is now treated according to his rank; and we hope an exchange will soon take place, when he may again return into the bosom of his grateful country.
Major French, Ensign Moyland, and John Bickle, who broke out of the gaol in this town, and were advertised in our last, were last week taken at Branford, & brought back to their old lodgings; Peter Herron, who made his escape at the same time, was taken at Simsbury, and likewise brought back and committed to prison, with one or two others from that town for his companions.
Seven of the prisoners who made their escape from the gaol at Springfield, and advertised in our last, have since been taken.
PROVIDENCE, Nov. 23.
Capt. John Tillinghast, in the privateer dependence, of 8 guns, belonging to this place, has taken and carried into a safe port, a ship of 300 tons, mounting 16 carriage guns, 3 and 4 pounders, 8 swivels, and having on board 30 men, among them, a serjeant, corporal, and 11 private soldiers; she was bound from Cork to the army at New-York, laden with a valuable cargo of provisions, &c. Capt. Tillinghast engaged her about 20 minutes, and then boarded her, when the men were soon drove from her quarters, leaving the Capt. alone to defend the ship. Capt. Tillinghast was shot thro' the body by a musket ball, but is recovered; three of his men were likewise wounded, and 2 killed. On board the prize the serjeant and two soldiers were killed, and the Captain and six men wounded. Another ship, of 14 guns, and a brig mounting 8 swivels, were in company. Capt. Tillinghast exchanged a few broadsides with the former, after securing his prize, when they thought proper to sheer off. The cargo of the prize consists of 11,970 weight of beef, 47,880 wt. of pork, 14,625 weight of butter, 48,750 wt. of oatmeal, 140,230 weight of flour, 44,800 weight of bread, 1200 bushels of peas, 1 ton of powder; a quantity of cannon ball, 6 tons of cordage. A large number of provision ships were to leave Cork soon after the above vessels sailed, most of them armed, and to sail 10 or 12 in company. The names of the men killed on board the privateer are, John Angross, of Salem, and Peter Ingerfield of Boston.
The Privateer Montgomery has taken a schooner from Newfoundland, bound to Jamaica laden with fish, and sent her into a safe port.

Thursday last Capt. Avery, in a schooner arrived here from Nantz, in France, laden with woolens, &c. on account of the United States. He left Nantz the 11th of October, and informs that it was reported there, that the Empress of Russia had agreed to furnish Great Britain with a body of troops to serve in America; and that a great naval armament was preparing at Brest, said to be destined to intercept the Russian fleet in the Baltic. Extract of a letter from Quebec, dated Aug. 31, taken in the Woodcock Prize-Ship.
"It is reported that our army here will embark on Lake Champlain about the 16th of September; one ship of the last division of Germans is arrived, and the residue hourly expected; our troops in this country will then amount to about 14000. Every thing is quiet in this province and a prospect of a plentiful harvest. We are entirely ignorant of General Howe's motions, nor have we had news of any kind from the English provinces; it has indeed been reported that he has blocked up General Washington and his army in the town of New-York."
BOSTON, Nov. 28. Extract of a letter from Dartmouth, Nov. 24. "I have the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of the prize brig Active, taken by Captain Jones in the Alfred, and that he has been fortunate enough to take a large and very valuable transport with cloathing, and about 30 soldiers bound for Canada."
A gentleman from Dartmouth informs, that he saw the prize-master, who told him the ship had on board 10,000 suits soldier's cloathing, 3,000 stand arms, and many other valuable articles; she parted from the brig 10 days before her arrival; they were two of a fleet of six sail from England bound for Quebec, and the whole were taken. Extract of a letter from Stamford, dated 12th Nov. 1776.
"General Washington has removed his Quarters from North-Castle to Peck's Kill, about 40 miles North of King's Bridge, a country full of steep and almost inaccessible mountains, chiefly covered with thick wood. No material movements have taken place since my arrival, except that the enemy have retired from the white plains and new Rochelle down towards Dobb's ferry. The people who remained in that part of the country through which they passed, have been most cruelly plundered; many helpless women had even their shifts taken from their backs by the soldiers wives, after the great plunderers had done; and in this general ravage, no discrimination was made of whig or tory."
"It is conjectured by some, that Howe intends to push into the Jerseys; but I rather think he is only preparing to go into winter quarters. They have lost a great many men in several skirmishes, particularly at White-Plains above 400 killed and wounded. We have had many deserters, and taken many Prisoners; among which are a number of Hessians, who are so well pleased with the country, and their treatment, that they declare they will never go back again."
Advices from Ticonderoga of the 13th inst. mention, that our forces were in possession of Crown-Point, that a strong garrison were to be left at Ticonderoga; and that Gen. St. Clair was to have the command.
Thursday last a prize brig laden with oats; bound for the fleet and army at New-York, was carried into Marblehead. We have not heard by whom she was taken.
On Friday another brig laden with provision for the above place, was sent in there; taken we hear, by Capt. Sampson.
Extract of a letter from Fairfield, dat. Nov. 20.
"On Saturday last Fort Washington surrendered; in the morning of that day the attack was begun, first upon the lines at Harlem; while they were employed there, a large detachment of regulars from Morisania rolled the river a little above the lines and cut off the retreat, so that those who defended the lines were made prisoners. On the side of the fort towards King's Bridge at a little distance is a hill, the further side of
which is exceeding steep, so that a man on horseback cannot get up, and it is difficult for foot; it was defended by a battery with field-pieces & small arms. The Hessians advanced up this rough and steep place, during a very hot and heavy fire, in which multitudes of them were killed; made our people retreat into the fort, and then they followed them up; by this time the detachment that hemmed in our men at the lines, join'd them, the fort was surrounded and a summons sent in, that unless the fort was immediately delivered up, they would storm and every man should be put to the sword. Upon this summons the fort was surrendered. It is said the Generals had given up all thought of keeping this fortress; that most of the warlike stores were sent to the opposite side of the river; and that the men were to have gone over the night after."
Yesterday Capt. Clouston in a privateer brig belonging to this state, sent into port a brig from Ireland bound to New-York, laden with provisions, and some dry goods.
WORCESTER, Nov. 20. The following was found after the retreat of the enemy from White Plains.
A return of the killed and wounded of the enemy, in one battalion, viz, the 2d commanded by General Lisle, in the battle on White Plains, Oct. 28, 1776.
Killed, Wounded, Lieut. Col. Carr, 2 Captains, 2 Captains 1 Lieutenant 1 Lieutenant 1 Ensign 1 Ensign 12 Serjeants 1 Serjeant 109 Rank and File 22 rank and file.
PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 3, 1776. ON Friday the 21st of Nov. past, at one o'clock P. M. came to the dwelling-house of the subscriber, on the Plains in this town, a man who called his name Wilton, about 5 feet 9 inches high, light complexion, short thick dark hair, the lower part of his face much pock broken, full of flesh and very large legs; his apparel a light coloured coat with a bright white button, dark brown jacket, royal rib'd breeches, white ruffled shirt, plain yarn stockings, open work silver shoe and knee-buckles,—This person came to the house of the subscriber to hire a horse to go to Newbury Ferry, and had a boy to go with him to bring the horse back, and having gone on his way with the boy and horse, about half a mile, he challenged the horse as his property, the boy taking courage from some men who met them, replied you shall then go back, for I am sure it is my master's horse, he did not refuse or make any resistance, but returned back to my house, and as soon as he came in, made the same challenge to me, desired me to go to Greenland with him, which I refused, and told him he should go with me to Portsmouth, but told him he should not go arm'd, he then having two pistols behind him fixed between his coat and jacket, and I have reason to think by the feeling of his cloaths he had two pair of pocket pistols, I took one of the pistols from him, which he carried at his back, he then took the other and snap'd it at my breast, when she did not go off but flash'd in the pan, which I forc'd out of his hand, and afterwards found to be charg'd with three inches of gun-powder and three balls, upon my struggle with him to confine him he escaped from my hands, and made off, who I have ever since been in pursuit of, and whoever will apprehend said person before describ'd, and bring him to me that he may be brought to justice, shall have FIVE DOLLARS paid by the Subscriber.
ZEBULUN WIGGIN.
We hear there is a Prize Brig sent into this harbour, but have not come at particulars.
The scarcity of paper prevented a whole sheet's being printed this week.
If this paper does not show it's face next week, it will be because the printer is obliged to take a journey to Milton, for Paper, which he cannot get by sending for.
Sales by Auction.
TO be sold at public Auction, on Wednesday the eleventh day of December next, at 10 o'clock, A. M. at mess. Daniel & Samuel Sherburne's wharfe in Portsmouth, the following articles viz.
193 Hogheads, 9 tierces, and 32 barrels of excellent muscovada sugar. 1 bag of Coffee, and 500 hogheads of high proof Jamaica Rum. The sale to continue from day to day until completed. and
On the 12th day precisely at 12 o'clock at noon, will be put up the Ship HERO, about 280 tons burthen, river built, an exceeding fast sailing vessel, well built and well found, full six feet between decks, well calculated for an armed vessel, to carry 16 or 18 guns under deck.
Likewise on the same day the brigantine THREE FRIENDS, about 140 tons burthen, and well found. also
The Ship LIVE OAK, about 180 tons burthen, well found and well built, two years old, and will be put up with her cargo intire, now on board, consisting of 28 tons Logwood, and 63 thousand feet Mahogany. The original invoice of the cargo may be seen at the time of sale.
The above ships with the inventories of their stores may be seen any time before the sale, by applying to
GEO. WENTWORTH, Auctioneer. Portsmouth, Nov. 28, 1776.
THE SELECT-MEN hereby give public Notice that they will meet at Union Hall, from 3 to 6 o'clock P. M. this day, and from 10 o'clock in the forenoon, to six in the afternoon tomorrow, to make abatements on the taxes of such persons as are over-rated. After which those who are delinquent, will be distraint upon, agreeable to a vote of the town at their last meeting.
Portsmouth Dec. 3, 1776. 8—0
TO BE SOLD, THE Whole or one half of the Brigantine PRUDENCE now laying at the N. end of the town of Portsmouth; Together with her cargo of Lumber now on board, suitable for the West-India market. For particulars enquire of Robert Robertson and Mrs Martha Leigh of Portsmouth.
N. B. She has gone through a thorough repair this summer, and can be sent to sea with small expence and in a few days. 8—0
TO BE SOLD, THE FARM that lately belonged to Mr. John Hayes, deceased, in Somersworth; containing about 70 acres of good mowing, planting, pasturing and wood-land, situate on the road that leads to Salmon-Falls, betwixt two and three miles from Cochecho landing-place, and about three miles from Quamphagen; and about a mile from Somersworth meeting-house; with a house and barn, and good orchard; it is well watered and a very extraordinary growth of white oak wood. Conditions of sale may be known by applying to James Hayes of Barrington.
Nov. 15, 1776. 6—8
Two DOLLARS Reward.
ON Monday the 18th inst. deserted from my company, a soldier named George Trefethern, about 5 feet 9 inches high, thick set, dark complexion, and black hair; was born at New-Castle, in this State. Whoever apprehends said deserter and returns him to the said company at Piscataqua, or confines him in any of the gaols on the continent, shall have the above reward paid by
EBENEZER DEARING, Captain. Portsmouth 26th Nov. 1776. 7—9
TO BE SOLD, A good strong Saddle Horse. Enquire of the Printer.