The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1778-01-31 00:00:00

The FREEMAN'S JOURNAL, OR, New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ VOL. II. ]
TUESDAY MARCH, 31, 1778,
[ No. 42 ]
BURLINGTON, February 25.
To the Inhabitants of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
Friends, Countrymen, and Fellow Citizens!
FOR three campaigns, during which the brave subjects of these States have contended, not unsuccessfully, with one of the most powerful kingdoms on earth, we now find ourselves at least upon a level with our opponents; and there is the best reason to believe, that efforts adequate to the abilities of this country would enable us speedily to conclude the war, and to secure the invaluable blessings of peace, liberty and safety. With this view it is in contemplation, at the opening of the next campaign, to assemble a force sufficient, not barely to cover the country from a repetition of the depredations which it hath already suffered, but also to operate offensively, and to strike some decisive blow.
In the prosecution of this object, it is to be feared that the army may suffer for the want of provisions. The subsistence between this & the eastern States, whence considerable supplies of flesh have been hitherto drawn, will necessarily render those supplies extremely precarious. And unless the virtuous yeomanry of the States of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, will exert themselves to prepare cattle for the use of the army, during the months of May, June and July next, great difficulties may arise in the course of the campaign. It is therefore recommended to the inhabitants of those States, to put up and feed immediately, as many of their stock of cattle as they can spare, so as that they may be driven to this army within that period. A plentiful price will be given, and the proprietors may assure themselves that they will render a most essential service to the illustrious cause of their country, & contribute, in a great degree, to shorten this bloody contest. But should there be any so insensible to the common interest, as not to exert themselves upon these generous principles, the private interest of those whose situation makes them liable to become immediate subjects to the enemy's incursions, should prompt them at least to a measure which is calculated to save their property from plunder, their families from insult, and their own persons from abuse, hopeless confinement, or perhaps a violent death.
G. WASHINGTON,
Head-Quarters, Valley Forge, Feb. 18, 1778.
TRENTON, (New-Jersey) March 4.
On Wednesday last the enemy landed about 3000 men at Billingsport, and marched down the road towards Salem, and on intelligence received that another body intended to land at Cooper's ferry, in order to surprise General Wayne (who had lately landed in New Jersey with 500 of the Continental troops) and Col. Ellis, who commanded a detachment of the Jersey militia at Haddonfield, our troops not being sufficient to make a stand, it was thought more advisable to move towards Moorestown, to prevent being surrounded, which was accordingly done a few hours before the enemy landed about 1500 men, agreeable to the intelligence received, and marched to Haddonfield early in the morning of the 26th. Upon this our men marched to Mount-Holly to wait for reinforcements. The Governor upon receiving the above intelligence, ordered out a proper number of the militia to join those under Col. Ellis who are now collecting with great alacrity, and unless the enemy retire before they are attacked by the united vigour of General Wayne's troops and our militia we doubt not will repent their rash visit to this State. Last Friday Brigadier Gen. Count Polaski of the Cavalry left this place with a body of horse in excellent order to join the con-
tinental troops under General Wayne, and who from the former exhibitions of his valour and alacrity, will give a good account of the enemy's horse if they do not deprive him of that pleasure by a precipitate flight.
His Excellency the Governor has thought proper to station strong guards of Militia at the several ferries on Delaware, and many others are ready at a moment's warning to fly to the aid of their brethren in Bucks County should another plundering party shew themselves in that quarter.
NEW-HAVEN, March 18.
We have an account from New-York, that a number of transports were taking in water, and making other preparations for sailing; that the New Yorkers had marched into the city, from King's Bridge, and that it appeared as if the enemy were preparing for some expedition.
BOSTON, March 26.
Capt. Davis, who arrived here on Thursday last from St. Eustatia in 17 days, informs, That a day or two before he sailed, a vessel arrived there from France and bro't letters to the 30th of December, and in a Postscript to one of them, dated Dec. 31, from a gentleman of credibility, mention was made "That France and Spain had agreed to the Independence of the American States; and that the King of Prussia had determined to send three vessels on a trading voyage to the United States."
A vessel is arrived at Marblehead from Guadalupe, the master of which informs, that he saw several private letters from France, which gave an account that France, Spain, Portugal and Holland, had declared the Independence of America.
The following story is related as what probably gave rise to the report of Dr. Franklin's being assassinated: A well dressed Man came into the Room where the Doctor was sitting, in Company with several Gentlemen; the Man enquires for Dr. Franklin, and being answered by the Dr. that he was the Person, the Man tells him that he should be glad to speak with him in Private; the Dr. answered that none but his Friends were present & he might tell his Business; but the Man seeming to decline it the Dr. stepped to a Corner of the Room and in a low Voice asks him his Business; the Man (seemed much confused and at a Loss for an Answer) asks the Dr. if he wanted to buy a Pair of Stockings? This Business being of so frivolous a Nature gave Cause of Suspicion that his Design was bad and occasioned his being arrested. But we don't learn how the Matter terminated.
Wednesday the 22d of April next, is appointed by the honorable Continental Congress, to be observed as a day of Fasting and Prayer thro'out the United States.
FISH KILL, March 5.
By a gentleman from the Eastward, we are informed, that the week before last, Colonel Symes of New-Jersey, with four men, in a whale boat, crossed over from Guilford to Long-Island: When, understanding a number of vessels were cast away on the Island, they formed a design to seize some of the goods belonging to one of them, accordingly they five, with fixed bayonets in the dead of the night surprised the house where the freight of one of the vessels were stored, made the master, mate, three sailors, and two tories prisoners, and loaded their whale boat with part of the vessels cargo; they took 9 gold and 9 silver bound hats, 60 pair of English shoes, a chest of medicine, a box of glass and earthen ware, 24 steel plate cross-cut saws, a barrel of coffee, another of rum, 1 doz. silk handkerchiefs, 1 doz. buckskin gloves and many other valuable articles, and returned safe to Guilford with their prize. [See London News last Page.]

BOSTON, March 26.
Last Monday afternoon arriv'd here the Warren frigate of 32 guns, John Hopkins, Esq; commander, who a few weeks since made her escape out of Providence, by passing the British navy in Newport harbour: In the course of her short cruise, she has taken a ship off Bermuda, from White Haven bound to Philadelphia, laden with Salt and Dry Goods, and a snow from St. Eustatia, laden unknown, both which are hourly expected. Capt. Hopkins has favoured us with a White Haven paper of the third of January taken out of the above ship, from which we have extracted the following articles, viz.
From the London General Evening Post.
THE misfortune of our noble Burgoyne and his brave army seems to have caused a general dejection and disposition—Has courage forsaken the British Isle? It is a bad sign, Sir when Britons seem to faint under a stroke of adversity. Must we give over the contest, and sue for terms of accommodation with ungrateful rebels? May the soul of every Briton be at once fired with noble indignation at the idea! if ruin is to be the fate of Old England, (as some prognosticate) let us rather be raised in the good work of reducing rebels to a due subordination, than be ruined by a mean, pitiful and disgraceful accommodation. I hope my countrymen will, without a moment's hesitation, exert themselves with becoming spirit and magnanimity in the present critical conjuncture; and that our noble and able Statesman at the helm will persevere with firmness and stability in prosecuting the present war, and not suffer themselves to be intimidated by the violence and daring spirit of fashion. If 10,000 men have proved insufficient in the northern part of our Colonies, let us send 20,000; and if that number be deemed insufficient, we should send 30 or 40,000, and do the business effectually. The money for this may yet be raised (if Parliament will grant it) and troops may also be had. When this disagreeable rebellion is at an end, I hope at a proper time the French will be brought to an account. It is said there will be a change in the Ministry; should that take place, I fear it would not be for the better. Amator Regis & Patriæ.
LONDON, December 24, 25.
Upwards of 20,000 chaldrons of coals have been this week ordered upon commission for America.
Three battalions of the Guards, consisting of 800 men each, are to be formed from the draughts to be made from the three regiments, to embark the latter end of next month for America.
The additional German auxiliaries intended for service in America, are to embark at Hamburgh the beginning of February next.
Dec. 26, 27. We are informed the reason of many brave men and officers were lost under General Burgoyne was, the American musket cartridges were made up with one ball and two buck shot, which killed our men outright, or left them cripples forever, by being wounded in two or three different places at one shot.
It is said, that Admiral Keppel, early in the spring, will sail for America, with a large squadron under his command; and that Lord Amherst will certainly be appointed to the command in America.
On Wednesday last, when their Graces the Dukes of Athol and Hamilton waited on his Majesty at the Levee at St. James's, their Graces made an offer to his Majesty of raising a regiment on their own estates, after the same plan as that of Manchester, to serve his Majesty as the exigencies of his affairs may require, either at home or in America, which was most graciously accepted of by the King.
The regiments that are compleating in England are ordered to Ireland to make up their complement, and compleat regiments are to embark from thence for America.
The New England troops have refused to a man, to leave their Province, having come to a unanimous resolution to act only on the defensive, and to oppose the progress of any part of the King's army that may attempt an expedition therein.
We hear that the true reason of Sir Will. Meredith's resigning the Controllership of the household was, his private opinion differing with the cabinet in some of the proceedings against America. Such a reason does him honor, particularly as his office did not make him amenable for any miscarriages on that ground.
It is very currently reported, that some officer of rank is on his way home from the army at Philadelphia, supposed to be owing to some disgust between him and the Commander in Chief, or to some disagreement about the operations of the campaign. And some go so far as to assert, that there is now on the seas a memorial from some officers in the army, that were for attacking the Provincial camp, when they went out to reconnoitre it in the Jerseys.
Twenty thousand tons of shipping are ordered to be taken up immediately, that they may be fitted out in time to receive the troops on board early in the spring: none are to be under 350 tons. The above ships, with those daily expected from New York, are to carry the reinforcements to America.
If the reported number of troops be sent to America next year the expence of transports alone will amount to 500,000l.
The new corps talked of, as proposed to be raised immediately, are the following, viz.
  A battallion of Highlanders under Lord Macleod, consisting of 1000   The Manchester volunteers 1000   Duke of Argyle's Highlanders 1000   Campbell's Welsh loyal volunteers 2000   Duke of Athol's Highlanders 1000   Col. Gordon's Highlanders 1000   Duke of Hamilton's regiment of Arran 1000   Col. Dalrymple's loyal Lowlanders 1000   Midland Highlanders 1000   Sutherland's and Mackey's Highlanders 1000   The Earl of Seaforth's Highlanders 1000   Scotch Dutch brigades, augmented to 5000   Irish Roman Catholics 5000   Ten English battalions, 1000 men each, 10000   Total 32000 
Dec. 29, 30. Saturday morning some dispatches were received at Lord George Germain's office from Newfoundland, by which we learn, that the American coast swarm with privateers, from 10 to 26 guns each, and that scarce one ship that sails, or passes by, but what is immediately chased by one or two of them.
Several thousand pieces of linen, and several thousand pair of worsted stockings are now getting ready, on contract, to be sent out as soon as possible for the use of his Majesty's troops in America.
This morning orders were given for the three regiments of Guards to march to Hyde Park, in order to be viewed by their officers, for a number of them to be draughted for America.
Many of the German troops under Gen. Burgoyne defeated, and the remainder did not fight with much bravery. It is said those who surrendered with to be assimilated in America. They are ordered by the Americans to be kept separate from the British troops, with a view, it is supposed, that they may escape into the country. Britain will have to pay for all such, as every man who is not returned to Germany, will be looked upon as killed, and must be paid for accordingly.
It is said, that the people called Quakers are about raising a subscription towards carrying on the war in America.
A numerous meeting was held on Wednesday, at the new tavern in Kensington, when by unanimous consent, Stephen Pitt, Esq; of Camden house, was voted in the chair, and, after some slight debates, it was resolved to raise a thousand soldiers for the king's service in America; to which loyal purpose the Chairman subscribed 500l.
Orders are said to have been given for the evacuation of Rhode Island; and the troops which are there, are to come to New York.
Yesterday some dispatches were brought to Lord G. Germain's office from the Hon. Mr. Shirley, Governor of Dominica, laid to contain a complaint against the Governor of Martinique, for admitting English prizes into the said port, and refusing restitution when legally demanded, which are to be laid before the Privy Council.
A letter from Hanover, dated Dec. 5, says, "The report which was spread some time ago of a treaty of alliance being in agitation between five formidable powers, now appears to be confirmed; the contracting parties are, Russia, Prussia, Great Britain, Sweden and Denmark."
Letters from Hamburgh, dated December 18 declare, that a treaty was concluded between the latter end of last month between the Empress of Russia and his Prussian Majesty, by which the latter is safe of a war with the Porte, engages to furnish her with a body of 10,000 horse and 30,000 foot.
Letters from Amsterdam, dated Dec. 24, mention that great debates have arisen in the Supreme Council of the States General in consequence of an application from the Court of Great Britain for a body of troops, consisting of 8000 men, to be taken into the British service; and that it was expected the party in favour of England would carry their point.
The merchants of the city of London are going to call a general meeting, in order to raise a subscription for the support of legal government against the daring rebellion that now pervades our American colonies.
Remaining on Hand,
A few Frails of good New RAISONS; which if apply'd for soon, will be sold cheaper than the cheapest, by Joseph Bais in Portsmouth.
ALL Persons Indebted to the Estate of John Flagg, Esq; late of Portsmouth, deceased, are desired to pay the same to Gersham Flagg of said Portsmouth, Administrator on said Estate; All Persons having demands on said Estate, are desired to render their Accounts directly, attested, for immediate Payment. GERSHAM FLAGG. Portsmouth, March 30th, 1778. 42—44
THIS is once more to desire all Persons who are Indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of Capt. Richard Shortridge, late of Portsmouth, deceased, to bring in their Accounts to Mary Shortridge, Administratrix to said Estate, in order for Settlement.
The Advertisement in last Week's Paper, for the Sale of valuable Trinkets, Commodities, &c. was not design'd to impose upon the Public—They are not yet come to Hand.