New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1780-02-19 00:00:00

The New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. XXIV. ]
S A T U R D A Y, FEBRUARY 19, 1780.
[ No. 22015. ]
Narrative of Col. Ethan Allen's captivity, &c. &c. continued.
AMONG the great numbers of people, who came to the castle to see the prisoners, some gentlemen told me, that they had come 50 miles on purpose to see me, and desired to ask me a number of questions, and to make free with me in conversation. I gave for answer, that I chose freedom in every sense of the word: Then one of them asked me what my occupation in life had been? I answered him, that in my younger days I had studied divinity, but was a conjurer by profession. He replied, that I conjured wrong at the time that I was taken; and I was obliged to own, that I mistook a figure at that time, but that I had conjured them out of Ti-conderoga. This was a place of great notoriety in England, so that the joke seemed to go in my favour.
It was a common thing for me to be taken out of close confinement, into a spacious green in the castle, or rather parade, where numbers of gentlemen and ladies were ready to see and hear me. I often entertained such audiences, with harangues on the impracticability of Great-Britain's conquering the (then) colonies of America. At one of these times I asked a gentleman for a bowl of punch and he ordered his servant to bring it, which he did, and offered it to me, but I refused to take it from the hand of his servant; he then gave it to me with his own hand, refusing to drink with me in consequence of my being a state criminal: However I took the punch and drank it all down at one draught, and handed the gentleman the bowl: This made the spectators as well as myself merry.
I expatiated on American freedom: This gained the resentment of a young beardless gentleman of the company, who gave himself very great airs, & replied, that he "knew the Americans very well, and was certain that they could not bear the smell of powder." I replied, that I accepted it as a challenge, and was ready to convince him on the spot, that an American could bear the smell of powder; at which he answered that he should not put himself on a par with me.--- I then demanded of him to treat the character of the Americans with due respect: He answered that I was an Irishman; but I assured him that I was a full blooded Yankee, and in fine, bantered him so much, that he left me in possession of the ground, and the laugh went against him. Two clergymen came to see me, and inasmuch as they behaved with civility, I returned the same. We discoursed on several parts of moral philosophy and christianity; and they seemed to be surprized, that I should be acquainted with such topics, or that I should understand a syllogism or regular mood of argumentation. I am apprehensive my Canadian dress contributed not a little to the surprise, and excitement of curiosity: To see a gentleman in England, regularly dressed and well behaved, would be no sight at all; but such a rebel, as they were pleased to call me, it is probable was never before seen in England.
The prisoners were landed at Falmouth a few days before Christmas, and ordered on board of the Solebay frigate, Capt. Symonds, the eighth day of January, 1776, when our hand irons were taken off. This remove was in consequence (as I have been since informed) of a writ of habeas corpus, which had been procured by some gentlemen in England in order to obtain me my liberty.
The Solebay with sundry other men of war and about forty transports, rendezvoused at the cove of Cork in Ireland, to take in provision and water.
When we were first brought on board, Captain Symonds ordered all the prisoners, and most of the hands on board, to go on the deck, and caused to be read in their hearing, a certain code of laws, or rules for the regulating and ordering of their behavior; and then in a sovereign manner, ordered the prisoners, me in particular, off the deck, & never to come on it again; for said he, this is a place for gentlemen to walk. So I went off, an officer following me, & took me down to the cable tire, saying to me, this is your place.
Prior to this I had taken cold, by which I was in an ill state of health, and did not say much to the officer; but stayed there that night, consulted my policy, and found I was in an evil case; that a Capt. of a man of war was more arbitrary than a King, as he could view his territory with a look of his eye, and a movement of his finger commanded obedience. I felt myself more desponding than I had done at any time before; for I concluded it to be a governmental scheme, to do that clandestinely, which policy forbid to be done under sanction of public justice and law.
However, two days after I shaved & cleansed myself as well as I could, and went on deck: The Captain spoke to me in a great rage, and said, "Did I not order you not to come on deck?" I answered him, that at the same time he said, "That it was the place for gentlemen to walk;" That I was Col. Allen, but had not been properly introduced to him. He replied, "G-d damn you Sir, be carefull not to walk the same side of the deck that I do." This gave me encouragement, and ever after that I walked in the manner he had directed, except when he (at certain times afterwards) ordered me off in a passion, and then would directly afterwards go on again, telling him to command his slaves, that I was a gentleman, and had a right to walk the deck; yet when he expressly ordered me off, I obeyed, not out of obedience to him, but to set an example to his ship's crew, who ought to obey him.
To walk to the windward side of the deck, is according to custom the prerogative of the Capt. of the man of war, though he oftentimes may commonly walk with his Lieutenants, when no strangers are by: When a Captain from some other man of war, comes on board, the Capt. walk to the windward side, and the other gentlemen to the leeward.
It was but a few nights I lodged in the cable tire, before I gained an acquaintance with the master of arms; his name was Gillegan, an Irishman, who was a generous and well disposed man, and in a friendly manner, made me a proffer of living with him in a little birth, which was allotted him between decks, and enclosed with canvas; his preferment on board was about equal to that of a sergeant in a regiment. I was comparatively happy in the acceptance of his clemency, and lived with him in friendship, till the frigate anchored in the harbour of Cape Fear, North Carolina, in America.
Nothing of material consequence happened till the fleet rendezvoused at the cove of Cork, (except a violent storm of wind which brought old hardy sailors to their prayers.) It was soon rumored in Cork that I was on board the Solebay, with a number of prison-
ers from America; upon which Messrs. Clark and Hays, merchants in company, and a number of other benevolently disposed gentlemen contributed largely to the relief and support of the prisoners, who were thirty-four in number, and in very needy circumstances. A suit of cloaths from head to foot, including an over coat, or furtout, and two shirts, were bestowed on each of them. My suit I
first Lieut. were on shore) by permission of the second Lieut. a handsome young gentleman, who was then under 20 years of age; his name was Douglass, the son of Admiral Douglass, (as I was informed.) To be continued.
An Iron stove to be sold, Enquire at the Printing-Office in Portsmouth.

BALTIMORE, Dec. 21.
Capt. Caulfield, who arrived here since our sail from Cape Francois, informs, that a Squadron of the Count d'Estaing's fleet, consisting of five ships of the line, under the command of Count d'Grass, had arrived there from Georgia. This Squadron was destined for Chesapeake Bay, but was obliged by stress of weather, to bear away for the West Indies.
HARTFORD, January 25.
By two gentlemen from Horse-Neck we are informed, that on the 17th instant at three o'clock in the afternoon the Captains Samuel Lockwood and Samuel Keeler, with Ensign Hoyt and about 100 men, set off to surprise Lieut. Col. Hatfield and his party, who were posted at Delancey's mills. The party arrived just at day-break on Tuesday morning, and surrounded Delancey's house, where were Col. Hatfield, a Captain, Quarter Master, two serjeants, and 8 privates of the enemy, who retired to the chamber, & there had a quantity of salt in barrels with which they secured themselves from the assault of our party. Captain Lockwood demanded their surrender; which they refused, being within musket shot of a redoubt with two pieces of cannon and 150 men. The enemy fired out of the chambers on Capt. Lockwood's party, and killed three of his men; upon which he set fire to the house and compelled them to surrender; after which he marched off with his 13 prisoners as far as Rye, where they were overtaken by a strong party of the enemy's horse, and the men being much fatigued with their march of 40 miles through the snow, 14 of his men fell into the enemy's hands, among whom was a serjeant, who was in their more than savage manner, deliberately hacked to pieces after he had surrendered; but the officers with the rest of their men got in with all their prisoners by 9 o'clock in the morning.
BOSTON, February 10.
Various have been the reports concerning the arrival of the Count D'Grass, with a Squadron of 7 or 8 ships of the line at Chesapeake. We find, from good information, that this Admiral was ordered with his division for that place, when the Count D'Estaing left the coast of Georgia. It is certain that Mr. Vadraoil, who commands the Fendant, a ship of 74 guns, and of this division, was for some time at the bay of Chesapeake, and expected the Admiral and the other ships there. But by contrary winds they were prevented from reaching that station, and obliged to bear away for the West Indies; where, according to accounts that may be relied on, they all safely arrived, and are now acting with the naval force of his Most Christian Majesty in those seas, for the common cause of America. Our last advices render it highly probable, that the Fendant has before this time sailed from Chesapeake.
It is whispered from the Southward, that a men of war of the line, and 20 transports with troops, have lately arrived from France at Cape Francois; that while Admiral Picquet takes care of the Windward department and amuses the enemy there, the Count d'Estaing is probably gone to the Cape, not far distant from which, there is a large naval & land force of Spain; and that we may perhaps soon hear of some capital stroke in that quarter, from the joint arms of the French and Spaniards.
By a gentleman lately arrived from Brunswick, we are informed, that in the late storms a large copper bottom brig of 20 guns and 120 men, belonging to the enemy, was drove ashore near Middletown Point, and about 80 of the men taken prisoners, the rest having escaped in a boat; and that 20 hogheads of rum and four pipes of wine, &c. were found on board her. A British store ship was also driven ashore at the same time.
The same gentleman says, he was informed at Brunswick, that a British forty gun ship had been drove ashore near Egg-Harbour, and 100 of her men perished, and the rest of them prisoners, and that a number of transports that left New-York lately, had been drove ashore and lost.
Late letters from Philadelphia mention, that a gentleman had just arrived there from Cape Francois, who reports, that the Rameilles, a British 94 gun ship, had taken fire by accident at sea, & the ship & crew perished.
The Sphinx British man of war, of twenty guns, lately carried into Martinique, was taken in sight of Sir Hyde Parker's fleet at Barbadoes (after having bravely defended her an hour and half) by the Amphitrite French frigate.
EXETER, February 19, 1780. The following Letter and Resolution of CONGRESS were received by Major-General SULLIVAN the 9th instant.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2, 1779.
SIR, YOU will receive herewith inclosed an Act of CONGRESS of the 30th of November, by which you will observe CONGRESS in Compliance with your Request, have accepted your Resignation.
It is with the greatest Sincerity I return you the Thanks of CONGRESS for your past Services agreeable to their Order; though at the time I lament your Indisposition which deprives the Publick of your Military Services. I am Sir, with Esteem & Regard, your humble Servant,
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, President. Major-General Sullivan.
IN CONGRESS, November 30, 1779. RESOLVED, THAT CONGRESS have a just Sense of the Services and Abilities of Major General SULLIVAN, and greatly regret the Indisposition which deprives them of so gallant an Officer.
That as General SULLIVAN's Health will not permit his Continuance in the American Army, his Resignation be accepted.
Resolved, That the President be requested to return the Thanks of CONGRESS to Major General SULLIVAN for his past Services.
Extract from the Minutes, CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'y.
The following extracts from Lieut. General Burgoyne's letter to Lord George Germaine, may serve as a just tribute of praise and respect to the brave men who have fought and bled for their country. They are the more honorable as they come from an ENEMY.
The first is dated Camp, near Saratoga, August 20, 1777, entitled (private.)
"On this side I find daily reason to doubt the sincerity or the resolution of the protesting loyalists. I have about 400, but not half of them armed, who may be depended upon; The rest are Trimmers, merely actuated by interest. The great bulk of the country is undoubtedly with the Congress, in principle and in zeal; and their measures are executed with a secrecy and dispatch, that are not to be equalled. Wherever the King's forces point, Militia, to the amount of three or four thousand, assemble in 24 hours: They bring with them their subsistence, &c. and the alarm over, they return to their farms. The Hampshire Grants in particular, a country unpeopled, and almost unknown in the last war, now abounds in the most active and most rebellious race of the Continent, and hangs like a gathering storm upon my left. In all parts the industry and management in driving cattle, and removing corn, are indefatigable and certain."
In another, dated Albany, Octo 20, 1777,
quantity of goods, which had been sent out of New-York at the same time for sale. In consequence of which several persons have been taken into custody.
Madam, surname the first George the Wife; the second, George the Honest; and the third continued he, fetching a deep sigh—George the Unfortunate.
We hear that a large quantity of continental money has lately been taken by a party of Major Lee's light dragons in Monmouth county. We have not yet learned in whose hands it was found. There was also a considerable
BOSTON, Feb. 10. Anecdote of the Earl of Chesterfield, and the celebrated Catharine Mc Caulley.
The late Earl of Chesterfield being one day in conversation with this famous Historian, was asked by the fair writer, how he would describe the three Georges of the Brunswick line, so as to give a striking description of them, in the most laconic terms? I would,
ferior in method and movement, but not a
jot less serviceable in woods, my conjectures were very different after the affair of Ticonderoga, but I am convinced they were delusive, and it is a duty to the State to confess it. The panic of the rebel troops is confined, and of a short duration, the enthusiasm is extensive and permanent."
(private, by Lord Peterham.)
"I should now hold myself unjustifiable, if I did not confide to your Lordship my opinion, upon a near inspection of the Rebel Troops. The standing corps which I have seen, are disciplined. I do not hazard the term, but apply it to the great fundamental points of military institution, subordination, regularity and courage. The militia are in-

Notice is hereby given to the delinquent Proprietors and Owners of Land in Wakefield, that unless they pay their Taxes with incidental Charges, that so much of their Lands will be sold at public Vendue on Tuesday the Twenty-first Day of March 1780, at the House of Captain David Copp in said Town, at one o'clock P. M. as will pay said Taxes with incidental charges, unless paid before that Time. The Tax is for the Year 1779. The Names are as follows, viz.
   No. Names State. Continental. Town. Town.   1st Division 2d Division 1st Division 2d Division   l. s. d. q. l. s. d. p. l. s. d. q. l. s. p. q.     1 Thomas Miller 2 5 5 2 0 17 8 2 1 5 2 3 0 9 9 3   10 Moses Gage 2 10 6 0 1 5 3 2 1 8 0 2 0 14 0 3   20 Solomon Hanson, 37 Acres. 1 0 3 0 0 11 3 0   26 Richard Hussey, 26 Acres 0 10 1 0 0 5 7 2   36 Samuel Heard 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1 0 16 10 2   41 John Gage 2 10 6 0 2 10 6 0 1 8 0 2 1 8 0 2   47 William Twomley 1 15 4 2 1 2 9 0 0 19 7 1 0 12 7 2   53 Eben'r Wentworth half lot, 1 5 3 2 1 2 9 0 0 14 0 3 0 12 7 2   66 Samuel Gerrish half lot 1 10 4 0 0 16 10 2   69 Thomas Caney 1 12 10 0 2 15 6 2 0 18 3 0 1 10 10 1   79 William Hussey 1 12 10 0 1 0 3 0 0 18 3 0 0 11 3 0   85 Thomas Wallingsford, Esq; 1 15 4 2 1 12 10 0 0 19 7 1 0 18 3 0   86 William Downs 1 12 10 0 0 18 3 0   87 William Gerrish 2 5 0 2 1 5 2 3   91 Philip Yeaton 3 10 8 0 3 0 7 0 1 19 3 4 1 13 8 0   92 Richard Downs 0 15 2 2 1 5 5 2 0 8 5 1 1 5 2 3   93 Samuel Downs 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   94 Thomas Nock 0 15 2 2 2 8 5 0 0 8 5 1 1 2 5 0   97 William Williard, 71 Acres 1 3 7 0 0 12 1 0   11 John Evans 1 5 3 2 0 14 0 3   12 Nathaniel Meserve, Esq; 1 5 3 2 0 14 0 3   18 Ebenezer Roberts 1 4 9 0 0 12 7 2   22 Thomas Miller, jr. 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   27 Paul Gerrish 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   28 Benjamin Roberts 0 8 5 1   29 Samuel Young 0 7 6 2 0 4 1 1   42 Stephen Evans 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   51 Theodore Atkinson, Esq; 1 15 4 2 0 19 7 1   60 Amos Howard 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   61 John Hanson, jr. 1 5 3 2 0 14 0 3   63 Gershom Downs 1 10 4 0 0 16 10 2   81 Joseph Austin, half Lot 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   96 Ebenezer Tuttle 1 15 4 2 0 19 7 1   8 Matthew Livermore, Esq; 1 10 4 0 0 16 10 2   72 Thomas Downs 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   17 John Gage, Esq; 2 10 6 0 1 8 0 2   84 Benjamin Ham, half Lot 0 15 2 2 0 8 5 1   9 James Kelly, half Lot 1 10 4 0 0 16 10 2   8 Half first Law Lot 1 2 9 0 0 12 7 2  
Wakefield, February 5, 1780.
ROBERT HARDY, Constable.
State of New-Hampshire.
To the Honorable MATTHEW THORNTON, one of the Justices of the Peace through the State of New-Hampshire. WHEREAS we the Subscribers being Owners of more than one sixteenth part of the Township of Lancaster, do hereby request that you would notify the Proprietors of the Township of Lancaster to meet at the House of Major Jonas Wilder in said Town on the first Tuesday of April next, at one o'clock in the Afternoon, to act upon the following Articles, viz.
 1st. To chuse a Moderator to govern said Meeting.  2d. To chuse a Proprietors Clerk, Assessors, Collector and Treasurer.  3d. To see if the Proprietors will agree to lot out the Remainder of the Town into Lots, or any part thereof, and to raise Money to defray the same: And also to chuse a Committee to see the same effectually done, and the Money properly apply'd.  4th. To see if the Proprietors will chuse a Committee to lay out and pitch a Meeting-House Spot, and the Burying Field.  5th. To see if the Proprietors will raise Money to build a Meeting-House, & also to chuse a Committee that will undertake to build the Meeting-House, and see the same completed as far as the Proprietors shall think best at said Meeting.  6th. To see if the Proprietors will raise Money to build a Bridge over Israel's River in said Town, and for surveying the Roads from East to West, and North and South through said Town, that the same may be entered on Record, and also to raise Money for repairing said Roads, and to agree upon some Price that Men shall have per Day that work upon the Roads.  7th. To see what Method the Proprietors will agree upon to call Proprietors Meetings for the future.  8th. To see if the Proprietors will raise Money to hire a Minister, and to buy a Proprietors Book wherein their Proceedings may be entered, which now are only on loose Papers.  9th. To except of any Plans or Roads, or Returns of any Committees, or Accounts of any Person or Persons that have done Services for the Proprietors, or to settle any Accounts relative to said Proprietors, and to raise Money to pay any Proprietors Debts.  10th. To see if the Proprietors will vote the Mill Spot for the Benefit of the Town. 
EDWARD BUCKNAM. DAVID PAGE. EMMONS STOCKWELL. Proprietors of Lancaster.
Lancaster, January 20, 1780.
State of New-Hampshire, Feb. 3d, 1780.
PURSUANT to the foregoing Application the Proprietors of said Lancaster are hereby
notified to meet at the Time and Place afore-said, to act on the sundry Articles mentioned above.
MATTHEW THORNTON, Justice of the Peace.
To be exchanged For Country Produce,
RUM, SUGAR, MOLASSES, TEA, COFFEE, PIMENTO, DEER-SKINS, Philadelphia dress, Breeches of the same Leather. By JOSEPH ALLEN, at Dover.
LOST, last Thursday Night,
between Mr. Jacob Sheafe's House, and De-con Marshall's; A large Silver SHOE BUCKLE. Whoever has found the same, and will leave it at the Printing Office in Portsmouth, shall have a handsome Reward. Portsmouth, Feb. 8.
TO be sold, a Right of Land in Barrington, No. 254. in the sixth Range of Lots, was the original Right of Edward Wells and contains 120 Acres. Enquire at the Printing-Office in Portsmouth.
From the London Evening Post.
Jack Ketch to * Jemmy Twitcher, Esq;
STAND forth, Jemmy! and hold up thy hand at the bar of the public. I charge thee with the greatest of all crimes, that of treacherously betraying the King and country. Stand forth Jemmy, and answer, didst thou not most infamously betray them by giving them false information of the state of the British navy? Did not thy false information prevent the navy from being timely augmented for the defence and safety of the crown and kingdom? Was not thy treacherous information the cause that the fleets of France and Spain now ride masters of the British channel? Was not thy false informa-
Cash given for Rags at the Printing Office
The Sale of Lands in Barnstead stands adjourned to the last Wednesday in March next, at the House of Samuel Pickering in Greenland, at ten o'clock A. M.
BLANKS of most sorts sold at the Printing-Office.
The Boston Post not arrived at this Publication.
JACK KETCH,
Lord Sandwich.
to defend thee against the hand of justice? Or dost thou intend to skulk for safety behind the throne of a much injured and misguided Prince? Do not, Jemmy, flatter thyself with any such vain ideas, but be assured, the sharpest Ax is preparing for thee, and justice shall be done thee by navy? Speak, man; hast thou any thing to offer in excuse of thy intolerable falsehood? Let us hear what thou hast to say in thy defence? Art thou silent and dost thou bid the nation defiance? Dost thou imagine that the people of England are become so corrupted and spiritless, as not to bring thee to the block for such infamous treachery? Or dost thou depend upon a corrupt majority in the House of Commons to shield thee from the real cause that this nation is now threatened with an invasion? Stand forth, Jemmy, and tell the nation, what thou hast to plead in thy defence? What was it that induced thee to betray thy King and country, in a matter of such high importance to the honor of the crown and welfare of the people? Hast thou not forever dishonored the crown and disgraced the flag of the British

From the LONDON GAZETTE. Admiralty Office, October 12, 1779. A LETTER from Captain Person, of his Majesty's ship Serapis, to Mr. Stephens, of which the following is a copy, was yesterday received at this Office. Pallas, French Frigate in Congress Service. Texel, October 6, 1779.
SIR, YOU will be pleased to inform the Lords commissioners of the admiralty, that on the 23d ult being close in with the Scarborough, about 11 o'clock a boat came on board with a letter from the Bailiffs of that corporation giving information of a flying squadron of the enemy's ships being on the coast, and a part of said squadron having been seen from thence the day before standing to the southward. As soon as I received this intelligence I made the signal for the convoy to bear down, under my lee, and repeated with two guns; notwithstanding which the van of the convoy kept their wind, with all sail stretching out to the southward from under Flamborough head, till between twelve and one, when the headmost of them got in sight of the enemy's ships which were then in chase of them; they then tacked and made the best of their way under the shore for Scarborough, &c. letting fly their top-gallant sheets and firing guns; upon which I made all the sail I could to the windward, to get between the enemy's ships and the convoy, which I soon effected. At one o'clock we got sight of the enemy's ships from mast head, and about four we made them plain from the deck to be three large ships and a brig upon which I made the Countess of Scarborough's signal to join me, she being in shore with the convoy, at the same time I made the signal for the convoy to make the best of their way and repeated the signal with 2 guns; I then brought to, let the countess of Scarborough come up, and cleared ship for action. At half past five the Countess of Scarborough joined me, the enemy's ships then bearing down upon us, with a light breeze at S. S. W. at six tacked, and laid our head in shore, in order to keep the ground the better between the enemy's ships and the convoy; soon after which we perceived the ships bearing down upon us to be a 2-decked ship and 2 frigates but from keeping off and on upon us, on bearing down, we could not discover what colours they were under: At about 20 minutes past seven, the largest ship of the three brought too on our larboard bow within musket shot, I hailed him, and asked him what ship it was; they answered in English, the Princes Royal; I then asked where they belonged to they answered evasively; on which I told them, if they did not answer directly, I would fire into them; they then answered with a shot, which was instantly returned with a broadside, he backed his top-sails, and dropped upon our quarter within pistol shot, then fired again put his helm a-cather, and run us on board upon our weather quarter, & attempted to board us, but being repulsed, he sheered off upon which I backed out top-sails, in order to get square with him again, which, as soon as he observed, he then filled, put his helm a-cather and laid us athwart hawse; his mizen shrouds took our jib boom, which hung him for some time, till it at last gave way; and we dropt along side of each other head and stern when the fluke of our spare anchor hooking quarter, we became so close fore and aft, that the muzzles of our guns touched each others sides. In this position we engaged from half past eight till half past ten; during which time, from the great quantity and variety of combustible matters which they threw in upon our decks, chains, and in short into every part of the ship we were on fire not less than ten or twelve times in different parts of the ship, and it was with the greatest difficulty and exertion imaginable at times that we were able to get it extinguished. At the same time the largest of the two frigates kept sailing round us the whole action, taking us fore and aft, by which means she killed and wounded almost every man, on the quarter and main decks.
About half past nine, either from a hand grenade being thrown in at one of the lower deck ports, or from some other accident, a cartridge of powder was set on fire, the flames of which running from cartridge to cartridge all the way aft, blew up the whole of the people and officers that were abaft the main mast, from which unfortunate circumstance all these guns were rendered useless for the remainder of the action, and I fear the greatest part of the people will lose their lives. At ten o'clock they called for quarters from the ship alongside, and said they had struck: Hearing this, I called upon the Captain to know if they had struck, or if he asked for quarters; but no answer being made, after repeating my words two or three times, I called for the boarders, and ordered them to board, which they did; but the moment they were on board her, they discovered a superior number lying under cover with pikes in their hands ready to receive them, on which our people retreated instantly into
our own ship, and returned to their guns again 'till past ten; when the frigate coming across our stern, and pouring her broadside into us again, without our being able to bring a gun to bear on her, I found it in vain, and in short impracticable, from the situation we were in, to stand out any longer with the least prospect of success; I therefore struck (our main mast at the same time went by the board.) The first Lieutenant and myself were immediately escorted to the ship alongside, when we found her to be an American ship of war, called the Bon Homme Richard, of 40 guns, and three hundred and seventy-five men, commanded by Capt. Paul Jones; the other frigate which engaged us, proved to be the Alliance, of 40 guns, and 300 men; and the third frigate, which engaged and took the Countess of Scarborough, after two hours action; to be the Pallas, a French frigate of 32 guns, and two hundred and seventy-five men; the Vengeance, an armed Brig of 12 guns, and seventy men, all in Congress Service, and under the command of Paul Jones. They fitted out and sailed from port l'Orient the latter end of July, and came North about; they had on board 300 English prisoners which they have taken in different vessels in their way round, since they left France, and have ransom'd some others. On my going on board the Bon Homme Richard, I found her in the greatest distress; her Quarters and Counter on the lower deck entirely drove in, and the whole of her lower deck guns dismounted; she was also on fire in two places, and six or seven feet of water in her hold, which kept increasing upon them all night and the next day, till they were obliged to quit her, and she sunk, with a great number of her wounded people on board her. She had 306 men killed and wounded in the action; our loss in the Serapis was also very great. My officers and people in general behaved well, and I should be very remiss in my attention to their merit were I to omit recommending the remains of them to their Lordships favour. I must at the same time beg leave to inform their Lordships that Captain Piercy, in the Countess of Scarborough, was not in the least remiss in his duty, he having given me every assistance in his power, and as much as could be expected from such a ship, in engaging the attention of the Pallas, a frigate of 32 guns, during the whole action.
I am extremely sorry for the misfortune that has happened, that of losing his Majesty's ship I had the honour to command; but at the same time, I flatter myself with the hopes, that their Lordships will be convinced that she has not been given away; but on the contrary, that every exertion has been used to defend her; and that two essential pieces of service to our country have arisen from it; the one in wholly offsetting the cruise, and intention of this flying squadron; the other in rescuing the whole of a valuable convoy from falling into the hands of the enemy, which must have been the case had I acted otherwise than I did. We have been driven about in the North sea ever since the action, endeavouring to make to any port we possibly could, but have not been able to get into any place till to day we arrived in the Texel.
Herewith I inclose you the most exact list of the killed and wounded I have been able to procure, from my people being dispersed amongst the different ships, and having been refused permission to muster them: There are I find, many more, both killed and wounded, than appears on the inclosed list, but their names as yet I find impossible to ascertain: as soon as I possibly can, I shall give your Lordships a full account of the whole.
I am Sir, Your most obedient, and most humble Servant,
R. PEARSON
P. S. I am refused permission to wait on Sir Joseph York, and even to go on shore. Enclosed is a copy of a letter from Captain Piercy, late of the Scarborough.
Abstract of the killed and wounded: Killed, -- 49 Wounded, -- 68
Among the Killed are the boatswain, pilot, one master's mate, two midshipmen, the coxswain, one quartermaster, twenty-seven seamen, and fifteen marines. Among the wounded are the second Lieutenant, Michael Stephens, and Lieutenant Whitman, second Lieutenant of marines, two Surgeons, mates, six petty officers, 46 seamen and 12 marines.
Pallas, a French frigate, in Congress service, Texel, October 4. One thousand seven hundred & seventy-nine, SIR.
I BEG Leave to acquaint you, that about two minutes after you began to engage with the largest ship of the enemy's squadron I received a broadside from one of the frigates, which I instantly returned, and continued engaging her for about 20 minutes, when she dropt a stern. I then made sail up to the Serapis, to see if I could give you any assistance; but upon coming near you, I found you and the enemy so close together and covered with smoke that I could not distinguish one from the other; and for fear I might fire into the Serapis instead of the enemy, I backed the main-top-sails in order to engage the attention of one of the frigates that was then coming up. When she got on my starboard quarter, she gave me her broadside, which, as soon as I could get my guns to bear (which was very soon done) I returned and continued engaging her for near two hours, when I was so unfortunate as to have all my braces, great part of my running rigging, main and mizen top sails sheets, shot away, seven of the guns dismounted, 4 men killed and 20 wounded, and another frigate coming up upon my larboard quarter. In that situation I thought it was in vain to contend any longer, with any prospect of success, against such superior force; I struck to the Pallas, a French frigate of 32 guns, and two hundred and seventy-five men, but in the service of the Congress. I likewise beg leave to acquaint you, that my officers and ship's company behaved remarkably well while they were engaged.
I am, with great respect, Your most obedient, Humble servant, T. PIERCY.
All Persons having Demands on the Estate of the Honourable THEODORE ATKINSON, late of Portsmouth, Esq; deceased, are desired to apply to GEORGE ATKINSON, Executor. Portsmouth, February 9, 1780.
Wanted a good Milch Cow, Enquire at the Printing-Office in Portsmouth.
TO BE SOLD To be sold at public Vendue, at the house of Robert Dinwiddie of the Society-Land, on Thursday the ninth day of March next, at ten o'clock A. M. so much of the delinquent Proprietors Land as will pay the first and second State and Continental Taxes for the year 1779, with incidental Charges, unless paid to me before that time: Proprietors Names. Col. Wallingford 50. Col. O'donne 781. John Senter 55 John Huntington 31. Isaac Brewster, 51. 133. Lord Proprietors 421. Edward Aitken 51. 133. John Hall, 31. 55. Society-Land Dec. 20, 1779. ROB. DINWIDDIE, Com'rable.
held at Amherst, in and for the County of Halifax, will then be adjourned to the last Tuesday in April next. And the Superior Court by Law to be held at Portsmouth in and for the County of Rockingham on the first Tuesday in March next, will then be adjourned to the third Tuesday in May next. By order of Court, Geo. ATKINSON Clerk.
supply of the Treasury for the current Year, it is desired that the Justices of the Peace for said County would generally attend. By Order of Court. NOAH EMERY, Clerk.
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Rockingham stands adjourned to the second Tuesday (being the 14th day) of March next, at ten o'clock in the Forenoon, at the Court-House in Exeter; when and where all Persons concerned are required punctually to attend: And as it is necessary to raise a considerable County Tax for the
State of New Hampshire, Exeter Feb. 11, 1780 NOTICE is hereby given that the Superior Court of Judicature by Law to be