New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1780-11-04 00:00:00

THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE; OR, STATE JOURNAL, and GENERAL ADVERTISER.
[ Vol. XXIV. ]
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1780.
[ No. 1254. ]
TO THE MERCHANTS OF AMERICA. The following is collected as a state of facts relative to the late capture of seven American vessels on the island of St. Martins.
THESE vessels were lying in the harbour, some of them with very valuable cargoes on board, where they expected and certainly with good reason, the protection and safeguard due to the subjects of a friendly power, in a neutral port. Intelligence being conveyed to Admiral Rodney, then at St. Christopher, by some designing and disaffected person, probably placed there for the purpose, he forthwith dispatched six armed vessels, with orders to make prize of the Americans, and if any resistance should be made by the Governor of the island, to destroy the town. This force unexpectedly appeared before the harbour, sent a message to the Governor, informing him of their business, and threatening, if he fired a single shot, to lay the town in ashes. They then boarded the vessels, weighed the anchors, set sail, and carried them to St. Christopher.
The news of this barefaced breach of the law of nations, soon reached the island of St. Eustatius, in the harbour of which several American vessels were lying. Here it produced no small stir. A report too was immediately circulated by certain persons, that a part of the British fleet would be sent in a day or two, with a view of acting at St. Eustatius, a part similar to that which they had acted at St. Martins. Those most nearly concerned, as being most in danger, could not help recollecting also the case of the brig Eagle, Capt. Ashmead, not long since piratically carried off from the guns of the fort, of the island of Saba, and that lately the enemy had come into the harbour of St. Eustatius, landed, and captured and carried off with them all the American seamen they could find, and put them on board their ships of war, which were in want of men. The masters of the vessel, therefore, in order to know what they have to depend upon, in so precarious a situation, waited, in a body, on Governor de Graff, and after informing of the recent affair at St. Martins, and of their apprehensions that a part of the enemies fleet would speedily be dispatched to St. Eustatius on the like errand, wished to know, whether in such an event, they might rely upon his protection and assistance. To which he replied: "That his powers did not extend so far, as he had no orders for that purpose."
On the foregoing state of facts a variety of reflections suggest themselves. They need need not be detailed to you. I cannot say whether these depredations on our commerce are suffered to be committed through want of will or want of power in those from whom we might expect better things. This I can say, that our trade to the Dutch islands is perpetually endangered, interrupted and harassed, even in their own ports, and that the principal islands in the West Indies belong to decided and formidable powers, able and willing to supply us on the best terms, in whose ports we shall meet with the highest encouragement, and be with perfect protection and security. VERSUM SAPIENTI.
WANTED, A small IRON STOVE, for which a reasonable Price will be given. Inquire at the Printing Office, Exeter.
AN E P I T A P H.
IN memory of the fugitive shade of Benedict Arnold, once a Major General in the army of the United States of America, who with incredible intrigue, and varied sufferings, and all the obstinacy of perseverance, puth'd his way to the gallows; from which his tormented spirit fled, on a day too black to be mentioned, into a state of disappointment, want, chagrin, and despair, where the ghosts of a thousand murdered oaths cease not to harrow up his conscience, and the genius of his betrayed country dashes, with irresistible force and in thick succession, huge masses of solid gold; full in his face, with one hand, while the other she points him to a gallows at West-Point, where hangs poor Andre. In this situation, while he catches in vain at the gold, his poor, little, fickle, furious, dastardly, distracted Shade, which once bore the name of a soul, stands an eternal butt for British ridicule.
Alas, poor ARNOLD!
May all who walk in his steps, do that service for their country which he did before, and at the time he stopped from life, and then share his present lot.
B O S T O N, November 2.
Extract of a letter from an officer of the letter marque ship General Washington, of sixteen 6 pounders, 55 men, belonging to Virginia, and which is arrived from Amsterdam, in a safe port, after a passage of 47 days. October 27, 1780.
"We arrived here this day, on the 17th instant, in latitude 43. 5. longitude 42. 28 west, stretching to southwest, with a small breeze north by east: At six A.M. the watch discovered a large fleet in the south south-east, standing to the east, we gave chase; but having sprung our main top-mast, were obliged to tack and stand to the north west, till we lost sight of the fleet and having sent him down, and got another an end, on the eighth, in lat. 42. 47. long 43. 08. west a small breeze at the north east, under an easy sail and smooth water, at eight A.M. the watch at mast-head called out, two sail to windward, bearing down under topsails. We soon found them to be a ship and a brig. within about two leagues of us, as they hove to, and as we suppose spoke each other; then made sail and stood to the eastward. We immediately tack'd ship, and gave chase; they making all the sail they could from us; but finding we overhauled them, the ship fired a gun to the leeward and hove too; the brigantine being the head most vessel, did the same; at half past eleven came up with them within pistol shot, and gave the ship a shot under Continental colours. She soon returned it under an English jack, a warm engagement ensued, and lasted till half past five, P.M. when the ship hove away on a careen, and appeared much shattered. Fired signals of distress: We poured a broad side into the brig. upon which she loosed top gallant sails and followed the ship; we immediately gave chase, but having unfortunately received a 12 pound shot in the head of our main mast, which brought our main top-mast by the board; on other masts wounded, and so disabled in our sails and rigging, we could not come up with them, gave over the chase, after giving them a severe drubbing. The ship mounted eighteen 12 and 6 pounders; the brig. fourteen 6's. We had six men killed and several wounded. The Captain publicly thanks the officers and men for their spirited behaviour, against an evident superiority: We took the ship and brig. have been purposely detached from the fleet to tack us."
WEDNESDAY last being General Election agreeable to the new Constitution of this State; the day was ushered in by the firing of cannon, &c.
The members of the House of Representatives, and Senators chosen by the several Districts in this State, having convened in the State House at Boston, A. M. took and subscribed the declarations, oaths or affirmations required by the Constitution, before the President and five of the Council of the former Constitution. After which, the Senate made choice of the Hon. THOMAS CUSHING, Esq; for their President, and the House of Representatives of the Hon. CALEB DAVIS, Esq; for their Speaker.
The two Houses then appointed a Committee to examine the returns of the several towns in this State for a Governor, who reported that His Excellency JOHN HANCOCK, Esq; was elected Governor by a majority of votes. A Committee of both Houses was then appointed to wait upon His Excellency to inform him thereof, and to request his attendance at the Council Chamber, in order to his being qualified for said office. His Excellency attended accordingly, waited on by the Honorable Committee, proceeded by the Independent Company, to the State House. The honorable members of both houses being assembled in the Council Chamber, His Excellency addressed them as follows, previous to his taking the oaths required of him, viz.
Honorable GENTLEMEN,
IT would have ill become me at so early a moment after being notified of my appointment by the respectable Committee of this honorable Assembly, to appear here to comply with the qualifying requisitions of the Constitution, had not the circumstances of the returns made the choice a matter of notoriety some weeks past, and receiving it from such authority as confirmed its reality, led me to contemplate the subject; and altho' fully sensible of my inability to the important purposes of the appointment, yet having in the early stage of this contest, determined to devote my whole time and services to be employed in my country's cause to the utter exclusion of all private business, even to the end of the war, and being ever ready to obey the call of my country, I venture to offer myself; ready to comply with the requisitions of the Constitution, as to external qualifications, assuring you and my country, that I shall endeavour strictly to adhere to the laws of the Constitution, and regularly and punctually attend to the duties of the department in which my country has been pleased to place me.
The oaths prescribed by the Constitution were then administered to his Excellency by the President of the honorable Senate, in the presence of both Houses, and having taken and subscribed the declarations and oaths required. The Secretary declared His Excellency JOHN HANCOCK, Esq; Governor of this Commonwealth, from the Balcony of the State House, repeated by the Sheriff of the county of Suffolk.
The joy diffused thro' the countenances of the citizens upon this occasion, afforded a most agreeable indication of their entire satisfaction in the choice. A detachment from the militia of this town, under the command of Col. Procter; the Independent company, commanded by Gawan Brown, Esq; and the company of Artillery com-

manded by Major Miller, paraded in State-Street, where 13 cannon were discharged by the Artillery company, and three volleys by the Independent company; a grand feu de joy was also given by the militia companies. The cannon at the Castle and Fort-Hill, as also on board the shipping in the harbour, were fired upon this joyful occasion.
His Excellency the Governor, with the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives, then attended Divine Service, at the Old Brick Meeting-House, where an excellent discourse was delivered by the Rev. Dr. SAMUEL COOPER, from these words.—
Jeremiah 30th, part of 20th, and 21st. Ver-tes: And their Congregation shall be esta- blished, and their Nobles shall be of them- selves; and their Governor shall proceed out of the midst of them. After which they proceeded to Faneuil-Hall, amidst a large concourse of people where an elegant en- tertainment was provided, and a large num- ber of respectable Gentlemen of all orders, assembled and where, after refreshing them- selves, the following Toasts were drank, viz.
 1. The Independence of the United States of America.  2. The CONGRESS.  3. Success to the American Arms.  4. That illustrious and most generous Ally to the United States, His most Christian Ma- jesty.  5. His most Catholic Majesty, and the powers of Europe, friendly to the Independ- ence of the American States.  6. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  7. His Excellency JOHN HANCOCK, Esq; Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  8. General Rochambeau, Admiral Ter- nay, and the Officers under their command.  9. The Plenipotentiary of France in A- merica.  10. The Plenipotentiary of these United States in France.  11. May the Constitution, or frame of Government formed and established by the Inhabitants of this State, be administered with wisdom, and promote their felicity.  12. May the warmest sentiments of patri- otism, and integrity, be of every officer of the commonwealth of Massachussetts.  13. Liberty, unanimity, peace, and plen- ty, good government and happiness to the United States of America. 
The ship Protector, John Foster Williams, Esq; commander, was last Wednesday beau- tifully decorated, and in the evening ele- gantly illuminated.
Extract of a letter from an officer of distinc- tion, dated Canawaga, October 20.
“Gen. Van. Rensselaer with the militia, and the levies under Col. Du Bois engaged the enemy under Sir John Johnson yesterday evening, at Fox’s Mills Trion county; and, after a very severe action of three quarters of an hour, forced them to give way and cross the river leaving their plunder, baggage and prisoners behind them;—an hours light would have given us the whole party. The action was general and vigorous. Col. Brown was killed in skirmishing in the fore part of the day. The country is desolated from Fort Hunter up to Stono Arabe, and a part of it—the grain and forage all destroyed. His Excellency the Governor was at the time of the Action at this place forcing a march, with a considerable force, to join Gen. Van Rensselaer in pursuing the enemy, who must, in all probability, fall into our hands.”
“The above party also destroyed Schoha- ria on the 7th inst. The inhabitants got in the forts, who, with the garrisons, are safe.”
We hear a vessel arrived at Salem last Fri- day from Bilboa, and that the master brings a confirmation of the capture of the outward bound British fleet from London for Jamaica, &c. as mentioned in our last; and that 46 sail of them had arrived before he sailed.
It is reported that the ship Franklin has returned into Salem from a successful cruise, having taken 5 Jamaica-men, homeward bound.
We are happy to inform our readers that an exchange of prisoners is at last settled, and is to take place immediately.
The Saratoga Sloop of war, belonging to Philadelphia, last week captured 5 British vessels, all which are said to be arrived in the Delaware.
Extract of a letter from Providence, Oct. 23.
“Capt. Munroe is arrived in the river from a three weeks cruise, and brought in with him a snow from the West-Indies; cargo 180 puncheons rum, 20 hhds. sugar; privateer and prize both arrived at Warwick- Neck.—Yesterday am told one Briggs, of Scituate, stab’d his wife, and afterwards stab’d himself; he died immediately, she was liv- ing this morning.”
State of New Hampshire. In the year of our Lord, One Thousand seven Hun- dred and Eighty.
AN ACT for suspending the Payment of the Taxes and Sale of all the unimproved Lands, belonging to the Estate of the late Thomas Packer of Port- mouth, Esq; deceased.
WHEREAS Thomas Packer of Greenland Gen- tleman, hath petitioned the General Assem- bly for said State, setting forth, That by a certain Paper purporting a Will of his late Father Thomas Packer aforesaid, deceased, a large Quantity of un- improved Lands lying within said State, are devised to the Petitioner, his eldest Son, and Son of the eldest Son, for their respective Lives only, and after their Death to go to John Wentworth, Esq; late Governor of the Province of New Hampshire—which said Will is now contesting in the Law for which, and other good Reasons, praying there may be a Suspension of Taxes, or the Payment thereof, until said contest be decided: And the principal facts contained in said Petition appearing true, and the Prayer thereof rea- sonable:
BE IT ENACTED by the COUNCIL and House of REPRESENTATIVES, for said State, in General Assembly convened, and by the Authority of the same, That all Sales of unimproved Lands be- longing to said Estate, for Taxes, be, and hereby are suspended until the Contest concerning the Validity of said Will shall be decided in the Law—provided the said Petitioner give reasonable Notice to all Con- stables and Collectors of Taxes, to forbear proceed- ing therein.
State of New Hampshire: In the House of Representatives, October 28. 1780. The foregoing Bill having been read a third Time, Voted that it pass to be enacted Sent up for Concurrence,
JOHN LANGDON, Speaker. In Council the 30th of October, 1780. This Bill having been read a third Time. Voted that the same be enacted. H. WEARE, President. Copy examined. per J. Pease, Deputy Secretary.
AN ACT to be sold, which consists of three Lots of Land, containing 140 Acres, lying on the main Road to Portsmouth, well wood- ationed on the one side by a great deal of Stone Wall; the other side watered, and a choice Piece of Swamp if Mowing Land, includes a choice Quantity of forty Tons of Hay, mostly English, Orchard, a large House and three Barns, &c. with a Well of good Wa- ter, and plenty of Water for Cattle within 20 Rods of the Barn, which never fails Summer nor Winter.
Enquire of Doctor G. Wood of Stratham, or Mr. Robert Fulton, of Londonderry, who lives on the Prem- ises, for Particulars. Nov. 2, 1780.
NOTICE is hereby given to all Taverners and Retailers in the County of Rockingham, who have not renewed their Licences for the current Year; that they come properly approbated according to Law at the next Court of General Sessions of the Peace to be holden at Portsmouth for said County on the second Tuesday of November next, and renew their respective Licences, or that they desist from sell- ing Liquors, on pain of the Penalty of the Law.
per order, EMERY, Clerk Pacis. Exeter, September 23 1780.
THE Commissioners appointed by the Honorable Judge of Probate of Wills, &c. for the County of Rockingham to receive and examine the Claims of the several Creditors to the Estate of Zechariah Beale, late of Portsmouth, Esq; deceased, represented insolvent, and six Months being allowed for that pur- pose, do hereby give Notice to said Creditors, that they will attend on said Business on the last Wednesday of the present and five following Months at the House of Mr. Samuel Bowles, in said Portsmouth, from six to nine o’Clock, P. M.
Portsmouth, Nov. 4, 1780. John Wendell, John Marshall, Samuel Bowles.
Watches Repaired, And cleaned in the best manner, by Samuel Place, Goldsmith, in Portsmouth.
CHATHAM, October 12. On Sunday last part of the Cork fleet ar- rived at Sandy-Hook, the remainder being on the coast were momentarily expected.
ALL Persons that are Indebted to, or have any Demands on the Estate of Damarius Wheel- wright, of Portsmouth, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to John Wheelwright, Administra- tor, for Settlement. Portsmouth, Octob. 31: 1780:
To be sold at Public Vendue, On Thursday the 9th Instant, at Mrs. Tilton’s, at 3 o’Clock P. M.
A Remnant of Beaver Coating, Shalloon, Green Cloth half Ell wide, Everlasteg, Serge, Buck- ram, Mohair, Sewing Silk, Milled Caps, Scaling Wax, Small Pad Locks, Steel Files, Needles, green Thread, Files, Adzes, &c. Also Spanish Brown, Allum. One 30 Gallon Copper Still. One 12 Gallon ditto. Verdigris, Vermillion, Nutgalls, Prussian Blue, and White Lead. Portsmouth, Nov. 1. 1780
Choice Rock, and other Salt, To be sold by James Hickey in Portsmouth, for Continental Bills, or Cash, &c.
WHEREAS the Proprietors of the Town of Che- chester, in the county of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire, at a legal meeting held at the house of Lieutenant Jonathan Leavitt, of Hampton, in March 1780, then voted a Tax of thirty six pounds on each original Right or share of land in said Town, ten pounds ten shillings on the first division, ten pounds ten shillings on the second division, ten pounds ten shillings on the third division, and four pounds ten shillings on the fourth division, and committed the same to me the subscriber, collector for said proprie- tors; this is therefore to notify said proprietors and owners of said lands, to pay the said tax to me at my house in Rye, within eight weeks from this date; and on failure thereof, their lands will be advertised in the New Hampshire Gazette for sale, as the law directs. SAMUEL JENNESS, Collector. Rye, October 17. 1780.
Notice is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors and others, owning land in the township of Saville, that has not paid their taxes for the years 1778 and 1779, that unless they pay them to me the subscriber, at or before Wednesday the 2nd day of November next, at ten o’clock forenoon, so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue, as will pay said taxes, with incidental charges, at the house of Mr. John Bevins, in said town, on said day. Their names are as follows, viz.
Taxes for 1778. Samuel Trench 11 2s 4d Oliver Correy, jr. 11 2s 4d Josiah Hart 11 2s 4d Eliphalet Spafford 1 2s 4d Abisha Reniff 13s 2d 1st Tax for 1779 Oliver Correy, jr. 31 10s 4d Samuel Trench 31 10s 4d Josiah Hart 21 10s 4d Abisha Reniff 21 7s 6d Eliphalet Spafford 31 10s 4d Second Tax for 1779 Oliver Correy, jr. 71 5s 11d John Huntington 71 5s 11d Josiah Hart 41 10s 0d Eliphalet Spafford 71 5s 11d JOHN BEVINS, Collector. Saville, October 27. 1780.
NOTICE is hereby given to the non-resident proprietors, and others, owning land in the township of Salisbury, that has not paid their taxes for the year 1779, that unless they pay them to me the subscriber, at or before Monday the 4th day of December next, at one o’clock, so much of their lands will be sold at public vendue, as will pay said tax, with incidental charges, at the house of Mr. Benjamin Huntoon, in said town, on said day.
Original Proprietors Names.     100 acre 80 acre 60 acre 30 acre   Lots Lots Lots Lots   1 s. d. 1 s. d. 1 s. d. 1 s. d.     John Darling’s 2 7 5   half Lot. (half Lot.   Joseph Greely’s half Lot 3 9 3 10 10 6   Peter Sanborn 0 13 6   Moses Quimby half Lot 0 7 0   John Greely, jr. 0 13 6   Dr. Pierce and Mary Moore 13 11 0   Peter Dearborn 9 13 6   Samuel Eastman 4 19 3   Ephraim Collins 4 8 0   Ebenezer Page 16 18 6   James Toppan’s 2 12   half Lot.   David Greely half Lot 1 13 10   Jonathan Sanborn 0 13 6   Joseph Clifford’s half Lot 2 0 7   Jotham Odiorne’s Tax 81 5s 3d  
BENJAMIN HUNTOON, Constable. Salisbury, October 28, 1780.
Our Customers are requested, for the future, to call for their papers on Tuesday instead of Saturday.