New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1781-05-28 00:00:00

THE New Hampshire Gazette OR, State Journal, and General Advertiser.
[ Vol. XXV. ]
MONDAY, May 28, 1781.
[ No. 1282. ]
From the Pennsylvania Packet of May 8th, just come to hand, we have extracted the following.
HAGUE, January 19, 1781. W E have just received from Petersburg the following advices, in a letter dated the 26th of December. "The envoy from the States General to the court, having received, by an express from the Hague, the formal resolution by which their High Mightinesses acceded to the armed neutrality, the baron de Waslanar, Staruabourg, and Dtheckeren Bluatembour, on the 23d of this month, celebrated the anniversary of the grand duke Alexander Powlowitch, in the characters of Ambassadors extraordinary from the republic; and had the same day a public and solemn audience with the empress, in which their excellencies had the honour to present their new credentials to her imperial majesty, who received them seated on the throne. This august sovereign, having testified to these ambassadors the satisfaction she received at the proceedings of their masters, appointed a committee to regulate with their excellencies the grand affair of the treaty to be concluded on between the two powers; this committee is composed of the count Panin, prime minister of the state, count Afternam, monsieur Bacunin, actual counsellor of the state of her Imperial Majesty; and Mr. Basboradke, major general and secretary of the cabinet. — The same day the British envoy dispatched a courier to his court, and also two others to Copenhagen"
We hear by other letters from the capital of the Russian empire, of the accession of the States General to the armed neutrality, and that it was received with the greatest satisfaction. It is confirmed that her Imperial Majesty has dispatched a courier to her ministry at the court of England, with orders to declare, "That her Majesty had nothing more at heart than to live in harmony with Great Britain; but the dignity of her crown, and the welfare of her subjects, would not permit her to suffer the violence exercised on her vessels; that she, as well as all Europe was astonished to have received better treatment from the house of Bourbon than from the British, who had in Russia greater privileges than any other nation; that although she had sufficiently made known her intentions, with respect to a perfect neutrality, they had not put a stop to this ill treatment; that her Imperial Majesty would no longer bear it, or would she acknowledge the English tribunal, who had arrogated to themselves the right of judging vessels taken by them; and that she in consequence demanded, without procedure, delay, or protest, a complete restitution of her vessels, without which she should be obliged to have recourse to violent means."
The English party daily looses credit; the Empress having said, a few days ago, that she would persist in the plan of neutrality without the least deviation. The memorial presented by the British ambassador, not only met with an unfavourable reception, but was found to be conceived in terms not suitable to the purpose.
Their High Mightinesses published, on the twelfth instant, the following playcart, to grant a premium or recompence to letters of mart, which shall take any British vessels of war."
"The States General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands to all who shall see, or hear read, these presents, greeting, MAKE known, that the King of Great Britain having, without any legal cause attacked in a hostile manner this republic, and as we should not neglect any thing which may serve for our defence, and at the same time are compelled to exercise that privilege which the conduct of the said crown has made necessary by their example, and to retaliate in the same manner as they have acted against us, and in consequence to prejudice, as much as in our power lies, the said King and his subjects: For these reasons, and for the protection of the commerce and the navigation of these United Provinces, we have thought proper to establish and grant to all subjects of these States, who shall take possession of, or destroy, any British vessels of war or privateers, the following rewards. (The articles and rewards must be omitted for want of room.)"
BALTIMORE, May 8.
A letter from Frederickburgh, dated on Tuesday last, mentions, that a report then prevailed there, that the enemy took possession of Williamsburgh the preceding Saturday.
A gentleman just arrived in town from Newbern, North Carolina, advises, that by the latest accounts, Earl Cornwallis, with about 1900 effective British troops was waiting for reinforcements from Charlestown, South Carolina, and Portsmouth, in Virginia.
PHILADELPHIA, May 8.
The Emperor of Morocco has opened his ports to the French and Spaniards; and has ordered the British Consul and merchants to settle their affairs, and depart his dominion in three days.
A large ship is now in our river, with a cargo of about 400 hogheads of sugar, &c. prize to the Ariel privateer of this port. She was from one of the British West India Islands bound to Europe.
The Antelope and Felicity schooners are arrived at Baltimore from Gaudaloupe: on their passage they retook and ordered for the Delaware, the ship Resolution, laden with sugar and cotton, bound for Amsterdam, but had been captured by the enemy. In coming up Chesapeake they took and brought with them to Baltimore, the privateer schooner Jack-o-Lanthorn, of six guns and 36 men, belonging to New York; this prize had some of the baggage of the Marquis de la Fayette on board, which they had taken in a small vessel from the Head of Elk.
Extract of a letter from an officer of rank, dated Chesterfield Court house, (Virginia) April 26.
"On the evening of the 24th inst. Gen. Phillips and Arnold landed their whole force said to consist of 3000 chosen men, at City-point; about 12 miles from Peterburgh; as we had only about 1000 militia assembled and the ships of war were ranged close along shore it was thought unadvisable to attempt to annoy them while they were landing, we therefore returned to Peterburgh, where we determined to make a stand. Yesterday, about one o'clock, P. M. the enemy approached the town in two columns, and were met by our light infantry about a mile from the town, when the skirmish commenced, and every inch of ground to the bridge, about a mile in the rear was disputed. The dispute was very hot at the bridge for some
time, but at length they cannonaded us so severely that we broke up the bridge, and retreated in the greatest regularity, after maintaining the fight for near two hours.
"I have the pleasure to assure you, that the militia behaved with a spirit and a resolution which would have done honour to veterans. I am convinced the enemy suffered severely; our loss is not yet ascertained, but I fancy it will not exceed sixty. To-morrow we shall be joined by the Marquis, when, I think we shall make Peterburgh too hot for them."
FISH KILL, May 17.
We have just heard that a party of our's at Croton's, under the command of Col. Green, were surprized by the enemy, two days ago, about sun-rise. The enemy's guides came first to Col. Green and Major Flag's quarters, and pointed to the beds where they lay. The Major was murdered in bed, the Col. badly wounded, they attempted to carry him off, but finding he could not march so fast as their fears obliged them, they inhumanly murdered him. Reports say, the whole party were either killed or taken.
[Blush Britain at the horrid Relation!]
We hear that a number of the enemy's vessels are now in Hudon's River, and that a party of the Refugees have advanced to the English Neighbourhood on the west side of the river.
NEW LONDON, May 18.
A person who left New York a few days since, informs, that on the 10th instant, eight sail of men of war and a large number of transports, with 1500 troops on board, fell down to the Hook, bound, as it was said, to join General Phillips in Virginia.
Wednesday arrived the Young Cromwell privateer, Captain Budington, from a short cruise.
Last Sunday Capt. Boddington discovered a large fleet near Sandy Hook, part of which were at anchor, and others under sail.
Capt Boddington in company with an eastern privateer, took a small schooner from Halifax bound to New York as a packet, which vessel they sent into Bedford, but the mail was destroyed. The packet was commanded by Lieut. Douglass of the British navy, who was bro't in by the Young Cromwell.
PROVIDENCE, May 16.
Monday last arrived here, Capt. Meridith, in the privateer ship Marquis de la Fayette, from Virginia, which he left last Wednesday se'nnight.
By this vessel we learn, that the enemy's forces, under the command of Major General Phillips, still continue their ravages in the most cruel and inhuman manner, burning down dwelling houses, destroying and carrying off all kinds of stock, household furniture &c. and abusing men, women and children: That the Marquis Fayette had arrived in the vicinity of Portsmouth, with about 1500 Continental troops and the militia were collecting very fast to join him: That about the first of the present month, General Mullenburg, with 600 volunteer militia, and two companies of Harrison's artillery, having possession of an advantageous height near the enemy's lines, was attacked by Gen. Phillips, with the main body of his army; and after a severe conflict of two hours and a half having had 50 men killed and a number wounded, and the muzzels of two of the field pieces melted, so as to render them use-

less, the General thought proper to order a retreat, which was effected without any material loss, having brought off their cannon; they crossed a bridge and then took it up, so that the enemy could not follow them: That advices were received, that General Green, after following Cornwallis almost to Wilmington, altered his route, and proceeded towards Camden, where Lord Rawdon was posted with 500 men, and a great quantity of stores, and it was not doubted would carry it.
BOSTON, May 24.
Last Sunday arrived at Salem, the privateer ship Franklin, Capt. Turner of that port, having had the misfortune to have her mainmast disabled in an engagement of 40 minutes, with a large ship from Liverpool bound to New York, which proved a valuable prize, but is not yet arrived. The Franklin had one man killed, and one wounded; on board the prize was two killed, and 8 wounded.
General M c Lean, commander in chief at Halifax, died there the 4th instant.
We learn that eleven hundred French and American prisoners died at New York during the last winter.
The British Fleet has returned into Gardner's Bay.
By Letters lately arrived from England, we learn, that the ship Hannibal, that sailed from Newbury Port last fall on a cruise, was taken by two British Frigates, and that Mr. John Billings, eldest Son of Mr. Joseph Billings of this town, with 70 others, officers & men, were thrown on board the Yarmouth man of war and confined in the lower hold among the water casks, in order to be transported to England, but through the confined air they were suffered to breathe, & the noxious vapours & stench to which they were constantly exposed, neat fifty of them were taken down with a violent Fever on their passage, when Lieut. Billings, with a number of others, fell a sacrifice to British cruelty.
From the LONDON-COURANT.
To those BISHOPS who have voted with Administration during the last Parliament.
ALTHOUGH you have not actually wielded the sword of war, and plunged it in the bosoms of your fellow creatures; although you have not personally appeared on the field, nor tinged your white sleeves with reeking blood; yet you have voted for those measures which have strewed the plains of America with many thousand human bodies; you have been accessory to the departure of thousands of souls into the awful presence of God.
How inconsistent has your conduct been with the religion which you profess, and the characters you ought to sustain? Instead of being the promoters, you ought to have stood forth the mediators between America and England; instead of tacitly or publickly bowing at the nod of the Minister, because he is the Minister of the State, or crouching to the will of the King, because he was born a Prince, you ought to have been urgent for peace and the prevention of bloodshed; and, instead of waving the banners of war, you should have presented the sheathed sword; had you so acted, you would have done well. Permit me, my Lords, to ask you a serious question. Do you think, when you lay on the bed of sickness, that the Ministers of your Sovereign can arrest the impartial hand of death? Can they assist you at the bar, when you stand for trial? Will your Vergers, your Prebends, your Canons, and your Deans, screen you from the steadfast eye of the judge? Can he who commanded us to love one another, and to bear with each others failings, approve your conduct, and regard you with a favourable eye? Can he commend those bloody principles which you have adopted? What was the motive that induced you to vote as you have voted? Was it for the furtherance of religion and truth, or for the pleasure of any earthly King, who must appear at the same bar with yourselves, and answer for his conduct, without his herd of priests and fawning courtiers? Repent, my
Lords, while you have the power of repentance. Delay may be fatal. Be strenuous for peace, and prevent the further effusion of human blood. Abstract from your minds all thoughts of encreasing grandeur, of the favor of Kings, & the accumulation of wealth, and act so that you may be translated from a world of vanity, to that place where you may indeed be Priests unspotted and unblemished.
One of the PEOPLE.
The Remarkable Fast sailing SHIP, ALEXANDER
THOMAS SIMPSON, Commander, Mounting Twenty GUNS on one Deck, NINE POUNDERS.
Her intended Complement, One Hundred and Forty Men, Officers and Boys included. Now lying at Mr. Moffatt's Wharfe, compleatly fitted, with every Sort of Stores for a three Months Cruise, which is to commence at the Time of her sailing, and to end on her Return, at the Expiration of the Term above mentioned: most of her Officers and Men are already engaged. Those who are inclined to enter on board her, are requested to apply to the Officers attending her Rendezvous, at the House of Mr. Benjamin Chandler, near Sherburne's Wharfe, where they'll find good Encouragement.
Portsmouth, May 12. 1781.
***** [NEW-DURHAM.]
THE Proprietors of NEW-DURHAM, are hereby Notified, that the Meeting of said Proprietors, which was called to be held in said Town, on the 17th Day of April last, stands adjourned to Tuesday the 5th Day of JUNE next, to meet at the Meeting-House, at two o'clock. P. M. May 8. 1781. Thomas Tash, Proprietor's Clerk *****
NOTICE is hereby GIVEN, to the non-resident proprietors of unimproved land in the town of EFFINGHAM, in the County of Strafford, in the State of New Hampshire, that so much of the following lots of land in the town of EFFINGHAM, and State after-die, as will pay the State and Continental TAX for the year 1780, with incidental charges, will be sold by Publick VENDUE, on the 13th Day of JUNE next, at the Dwelling House of Captain John Leavitt, Innholder in said Effingham. The Vendue will begin at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, unless paid before said time.
   Names. No. Names. No.     Levi Darrborn 46 Jonathan Drake 66   Sam l . Robie Fogg 81 Ezekiel Russel 33   Abraham Towle 85 Joshua Towle, jr. 82 & 41   John Wingate 34 Jonathan Wedgwood 29   David Wedgwood 57 James Wedgwood 19 & 57   Isaac Marston 4 David Marston 30   Thomas Marston 39 Sally and March 38   James Marston 48 Josiah Marston 61   Jedediah Prescott 68 John Ringe 3    Effingham, May 2d. 1781. Carr Leavitt, Collector.
LONDON Crown GLASS, and Putty, Linseed Oil, White and Red Lead, Spanish Brown, Venetian and India Red, Vermillion, Stone and Spruce Yellow, European and American Lamp-Black, Ivory and Blue Black, Umber, Prussian Blue, White Copperas, Gold and Silver Leaf, India Ink, &c. Best White Paint, to join China, for Hard Money; Sold by JOHN SIMES in Portsmouth.
TO BE LETT, a convenient Dwelling House, situated at the North End of this Town: Enquire of Mary Shotridge on Spring Hill.
ALL Persons Indebted to, or that have Demands on the Estate of Ensign Samuel Jones, late of Madbury, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to Elisabeth Jones, Widow of the deceased, Administratrix on said Estate, in order for a speedy settlement.
Madbury, May 4. 1781.
John Sparhawk,
Intends to open his School for young Ladies, next Wednesday at the Place where he last kept it.
Two or three young Misses from the Country, who want his Instruction, may be boarded in his Family.
To be sold by public Auction,
At 12 o'Clock on Thursday June 7th,
On the Premises,
THE HOUSE in Stratham, built by Moses Boynton, and about four Acres of LAND thereto belonging, late the Estate of Benjamin Forsey, deceased. Any Person inclining to purchase, may view the Premises any Time before the Sale. Conditions to be known on the Day of Sale.
JOHN PEIRCE, Administrator.
THE SELECT-MEN of the Town of Portsmouth, earnestly request the Inhabitants of said Town, to bring in to them true and perfect Inventories of all their Rateable Estates, according to LAW, as soon as may be.
N. B. Attendance for that Purpose, will be given in all June, and no longer.
Portsmouth, May 25, 1781.
STRAYED or Stolen a red MARE Colt from John Burnam of Nottingham, the 10th of May Instant, about Years old; she has a white Strip on her Forehead, and half of her Main cut off: the Mane and Tail lighter than her Body. Whoever takes up said Mare, & conveys her to Jacob Burnam aforesaid, shall receive 400 Dollars and necessary charges: Nottingham, May 22. 1781.
THE Commissioners appointed by the Honorable Phillips White, Esq; Judge of Probate for the County of Rockingham, in the State of New Hampshire, to receive and examine the claims of the several creditors to the Estate of Captain Thomas Pickering, late of Portsmouth, in the County aforesaid, Mariner, give Notice, that they will attend said Business on the second Thursdays of August, September, and October next, from 4 to 6 Clock P. M. at the house of Mrs. Tilton, Innholder at Portsmouth: May 10. 1781.
To be Sold a Silver Watch,
For the Old Emission of Continental Money. Enquire at the Printing-Office.
To be lett, the half of a commodious Dwelling House, with a good Garden and many other privileges, if applied for soon, at the North End of the Town.
Enquire of the Widow Rowel, who lives on the Premises.
ALL Persons Indebted to, or have any Demands on the Estate of Alice Hight, Widow, late of Portsmouth, deceased, are hereby desired immediately to settle the same with Nathaniel Shannon, Administrator on said Estate. Portsmouth, May 4, 1781.
Clocks and Watches repaired and clean'd in the cheapest & best manner, by Nathaniel Sheafe Griffith, in Queen Street, just above where Woodbury Lingdon, Esq; formerly lived.—If they don't answer the first mending, he will put them in Order again for nothing. He also has for sale Keys, Springs, Chains, Seals, Crystals, &c.
Wanted immediately,
For the Use of the TROOPS raised by this STATE,
A QUANTITY of Yarn Stockings;—and Cotton or Cotton and Linnen for Shirting.—Also, Mens Neats Leather Shoes, made agreeable to an Act of the State.—Any Person inclining to contract for a Number of Pair, may know the Terms by applying at the War-Offices in this Town and Exeter, where Cash is paid for Shirting and Stockings. Portsmouth, April 21, 1781.