The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-01-28 00:00:00

Screamer's Journal
OR New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, January 28. 1777.
[ No. 36 ]
Mr. PRINTER, TO my great surprise, I saw in your last week's paper, a long epistle inserted by the signature of Candidus , vindicating the abominable and prevailing sin of extortion and oppression, by absurdly insinuating, that the "remedy (of limiting prices to the necessaries of life by authority) would prove worse than the disease"—To prove which assertion, such trifling obstacles are thrown in the way, that none but a sordid mind would have dreamt of it—from which it plainly appears, that famous writer to be an hireling of some monopolizer—that for the sake of a small premium, would say black is white to day, and white is black to-morrow; and may be ranked among our two-faced gentry, which have of late appeared in their true light—But, blessed be God, it is not the doctrine of such a canting hireling that can find root in the heart of any honest man—more especially at this day of public distress, when individuals, both in town and country, seem to drive the poor labourer beyond the borders of despair: Those are the people that are the greatest sufferers; it is not them pointed out in Mr. Candidus's epistle, that make a profit sufficient to support them on Rum, at the modest price of nine shillings per gallon. I humbly conceive such people might be better employ'd in the service of their country, than keeping a petty dram shop, which is only fit employ for an old woman; therefore, if those are the sufferers, he so artfully describes, no pity is due. It's an imposition on any person's understanding to suppose that hundreds of well meaning subjects would be dissatisfied at so essential an Act as one to regulate such glaring abuses now practised by a few monopolizers, who care not one whit for the grand cause, so they can feather their own nests; on the contrary, thousands are and will be much more dissatisfied by their extortion; and if they have lost all sensation of humanity for their fellow-creatures, it is high time the authority of each State should take the matter under their consideration, and regulate, as in their wisdom might think fit.—I cannot omit taking notice of his grounding his performance on the Congress and Assemblies neglect, in not establishing the prices of every commodity sold at auction, and debarring the proprietors of privateers the privilege of bidding on their own goods, which in my opinion is very absurd, because, what would it signify to order the goods to be taken, sold at public auction, if the prices were limited? It is a contradiction of terms—And as to the proprietors bidding, has ever been rejected heretofore, even by those that were ever so distant connected; and why can't it be held as sacred now? He also asserts, that where there is no law, there can be no transgression. I'll allow it to be so in a litteral way of speaking; but to make use of this argument in such a case as this, proves this hireling to be incapable of acting the honest part—where no law is made to compel him: therefore he is very unfit to be called a Free-American, & ought to be bound "in all cases whatsoever" agreeable to the tenor of the British act of parliament.
We plume ourselves highly by being engaged in a just and righteous cause; and it
therefore requires virtue to support it; without which, we cannot look for that blessing we so ardently wish—On the contrary, we must expect to be severely chastiz'd 'till we behold our iniquities, which are great & manifold, & turn therefrom by learning to fear God and love our neighbours as ourselves, &c. I shall defer enlarging, as vain repetitions and long prayers denote a pharisee—the former (especially) I think very applicable to my friend Candidus .
VERACITAS.
BOSTON, January 23. 1777.
Capt. Smith, in the privateer Brig Washington, belonging to Beverly, arrived at Plymouth a few days ago, from a cruise, during which he took eight prizes; the last of which was a brig from London, bound to Barbados, with beer, pork, butter, flour, cheese, and some dry goods: She sailed from Spithead the first of December. Mr. Hunter, who sailed from this port last summer in the Yankee Privateer, Capt. Johnson, and was taken, as formerly mentioned, was on board the above brig: He informs, that Capt. Johnson made his escape from the Rippon Man of War, and got to France, a month before he sailed.—That the Dr. (Downing) lay very sick on board the Rippon of 60 guns. That while he was in London, there was a very hot price for seamen, and that 20 rendezvous houses were opened near Tower-Hill only, and five pounds sterling bounty offered for seamen. One of Capt. Smith's prizes had 300 pipes of wine. Capt. Johnson also informs, that he left 22 of his fellow-sufferers on board the ship he made his escape from, and that by what he could learn, they were to be carried to the East-Indies; and that some extraordinary appearance of a French War had taken place, as there was 3000 seamen press'd in one night.
A London print, of the 2d of December, was taken in the above prize, wherein was inserted an account, that an english cutter had taken and carried to England, a vessel from France bound to America, with dispatches, by which they learn, that the court of France were determined to assist the Americans, with a powerful fleet in the spring. That on the British Court's receiving this account, they immediately gave orders for fitting several large ships.
A Vessel is arrived in a neighbouring port from Bilboa, and we hear that a gentleman is come passenger, who saw the King of Britain's speech, to his parliament, in which he observes, that his forces arriving in America last year so late, was the reason of not obtaining the propos'd design. That he asks for a fresh supply of men and money, and flatters himself and them, with the idea of totally subjugating America the next campaign.
It is said, however, that a strong intimation is couched in the speech, that France & Spain were preparing for War; and that from this consideration, a very new and large supply was strongly urged.
It is now said, that a War between France and England is inevitable.
By a gentleman who arrived in town last evening, we are informed, that all the enemy have left the Jerseys, and retreated to Staten-Island.
It is a fact, that a Hessian officer of rank, who
was lately made prisoner, by the army of the United States, affirmed to an officer of distinction, that the Hessian troops were now 4000 less in number than they were when they first landed at New-York.
Lately was launched at Philadelphia, the fourth Continental Frigate, called the EFFINGHAM, in Honor of the patriotic Earl of that Name, who nobly refused to draw his Sword in support of British Tyranny and Usurpation.
Last Friday one of the Privateer Sloop Union's Prizes arrived at a safe Port, laden'd with 600 Hogheads Salt, 50 Boxes Lisbon Lemons, and 12 Quarter Casks Wine.
Extract of a letter from Capt. John Fisk, commander of the Brig Tyrannicide, in the Service of this State, dated at Sea, November 27, 1776.
"This day I fell in with and took the bark John from London for Antigua, Wm. Barrafs, master, with a cargo of King's stores, English & India goods; the papers on board are all destroyed, & therefore cannot be particular. I have taken another ship loaded with lumber from Pensacola for Grenada; she is not worth sending home, & therefore shall detain her with me for the present."
The first mentioned Vessel is arrived at a safe port.
Extract of a letter from Morris-Town, Jan. 9
"The enemy have abandoned Elizabeth-Town. Our people have entered it and taken 30 Waldeckers and 50 Highlanders, and about 30 Baggage Waggons fully loaded—The enemy who had all the Jerseys, are now only in possession of Amboy & Brunswick—this is a great reverse in the course of a fortnight, to the British power—Whether they mean to collect their whole force at Brunswick & give us battle, or whether they mean to push for Staten-Island, and abandon the Jerseys entirely is matter of doubt—We shall make a move towards them to day, with a view to avail ourselves of circumstances—The enemy appear to be panic struck in the extreme—God prospers our arms in an extraordinary manner—there is to be an eclipse of the Sun to day—We mean, if possible to attack the Germans as soon as it begins, and take the advantage of their ignorant superstition.—Endeavour to animate and awaken all ranks of people.—Let them view the distressed & lately subjugated people of the Jerseys, complaining of their property being wrested from them by the lawless banditti that have infested these places.—Husbands and Fathers being oblig'd to be witnesses of the lustful Brute ravishing the dear object of their affections before their eyes.—These enormities have been committed and will be again committed, where tyranny reigns unchecked, and uncontroul'd—May God give my countrymen to see those things necessary for their political salvation, & may he avert from their country the horrid calamities of war."
We learn by the Hartford post, that the British troops were evacuating the Jerseys, as fast as possible, in order to re-occupy Staten-Island; & that by an officer who left New-York last Thursday on Parole, and rode in company with him, he was assured the enemy had orders to evacuate Rhode-Island, & return to New-York. [See more last Page.]

The American Crisis.
NUMBER I.
By the AUTHOR of COMMON SENSE.
THESE are the times that try men's souls:—The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly:—It is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM, should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared, that she has a right (not only to TAX) but to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER, and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD.
Whether the Independence of the Continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependant state.—However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame but ourselves. * But no great deal is lost yet; all that Howe has been doing for this month past, is rather a ravage than a conquest, which the spirit of the Jerseys a year ago, would have quickly repulsed, and which time and a little resolution will soon recover.
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that GOD Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who had so earnestly & so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose, that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to Heaven for help against us: A common murderer, a highwayman, or a house-breaker, has as good a pretence as he.
It is surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country. All nations and ages have been subject to them: Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat bottomed boats; and in the fourteenth century, the whole English army, after ravaging the kingdom of France, was driven back, like men petrified with fear; and this brave exploit was performed by a few broken forces, collected and headed by a woman, JOAN of ARC. Would, that Heaven might inspire some Jersey maid to spirit up her countrymen, and save her fair fellow-sufferers from ravage and ravishment! Yet panics, in some cases, have their uses; they produce as much good as hurt. Their duration is always short; the mind soon grows through them, & acquires a firmer habit than before. But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstones of sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might otherwise have lain forever undiscovered. In fact, they have the same effect on secret traitors, which an imaginary apparition would upon a private murderer. They sift out the hidden thoughts of man, & hold them up in public to the world. Many a disguised Tory has lately shown his head, that shall penitentially solemnize with curses, the day on which Howe arrived upon the Delaware.
As I was with the troops at Fort Lee, and marched with them to the edge of Pennsylvania, I am well acquainted with many circumstances, which those, who lived at a distance, know but little or nothing of. Our situation there was exceedingly cramped, the place being on a narrow neck of land between the North river & the Hackinack. Our force was inconsiderable, being not one-fourth so great as Howe could bring against us. We had no army at hand to have relieved the garrison, had we shut ourselves up & stood on the defence. Our ammunition, light artillery, & the best part of our stores had been removed upon the apprehension that Howe would endeavour to penetrate the Jerseys, in which case Fort Lee could be of no use to us; for it must occur to every thinking man, whether in the army or not, that these kind of field forts are only for temporary purposes, & lasts in use no longer than the enemy directs his force against the particular object, which such
forts are raised to defend. Such was our situation and condition at Fort Lee, on the morning of the 20th of November, when an officer arrived with information, that the enemy with 200 boats had landed about seven or eight miles above: Major Gen. Green, who commanded the garrison, immediately ordered them under arms, and sent express to his Excellency General Washington, at the town of Hackinack, distant by the way of the ferry, six miles. Our first object was to secure the bridge over the Hackinack, which laid up the river between the enemy and us, about six miles from us, and three from them. Gen. Washington arrived in about three quarters of an hour, and marched at the head of the troops towards the bridge, which place I expected we should have a brush for; however, they did not chuse to dispute it with us, & the greatest part of our troops went over the bridge, the rest over the ferry, except some which passed at a mill on a small creek, between the bridge and the ferry, and made their way through some marshy grounds up to the town of Hackinack, and there passed the river. We brought off as much baggage as the wagons could contain, the rest was lost. The simple object was to bring off the garrison, and to march them on till they could be strengthened by the Jersey or Pennsylvania militia, so as to be enabled to make a stand. We staid four days at Newark, collected in our out posts with some of the Jersey militia, and marched out twice to meet the enemy, on information of their being advancing, though our numbers were greatly inferior to theirs. Howe, in my little opinion, committed a great error in generalship, in not throwing a body of forces off from Staten-Island through Amboy, by which means he might have seized all our stores at Brunswick, and intercepted our march into Pennsylvania: But, if we believe the power of hell to be limited, we must likewise believe that their agents are under some providential controul.
I shall not now attempt to give all the particulars of our retreat to the Delaware, suffice it for the present to say, that both officers and men, though greatly harassed & fatigued, frequently without rest, covering or provision, the inevitable consequences of a long retreat, bore it with a manly and martial spirit. All their wishes were one, which was, that the country would turn out and help them to drive the enemy back. Voltaire has remarked, that king William never appeared to full advantage but in difficulties and in action; the same remark may be made on General Washington, for the character fits him. There is a natural firmness in some minds which cannot be unlocked by trifles, but which, when unlocked, discovers a cabinet of fortitude; and I reckon it among those kind of public blessings, which we do not immediately see, that GOD hath blest him with uninterrupted health, and given him a mind that can even flourish upon care.
I shall conclude this paper with some miscellaneous remarks on the state of our affairs; and shall begin with asking the following question, Why is it that the enemy hath left the New-England provinces, and made these middle ones the seat of war?—The answer is easy: New England is not infested with Tories, and we are. I have been tender in raising the cry against these men, and used numberless arguments to shew them their danger, but it will not do to sacrifice a world to either their folly or their baseness. The period is now arrived, in which either they or we must change our sentiments, or one or both must fall. And what is a Tory? GOOD GOD! what is he? I should not be afraid to go with a hundred Whigs against a thousand Tories, were they to attempt to get into arms. Every Tory is a coward; for a servile, slavish, self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism; and a man under such influence, though he may be cruel, never can be brave.
But before the line of irrecoverable separation be drawn between us, let us reason the matter together: Your conduct is an invitation to the enemy, yet not one in a thousand of you has heart enough to join him. How is as much deceived by you as the American cause is injured by you. He expects you will all take up arms, and flock to his standard with muskets on your shoulders. Your opinions are of no use to him, unless you support him personally; for 'tis soldiers, and not Tories, that he wants.
I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories: A noted one, who kept a tavern in Amboy, was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as almost I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, "Well! give me peace in my day." Not a man lives on the Continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, & a generous parent would have said, "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;" and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty: Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them. A man may easily distinguish in himself between temper and principle, & I am as confident, as I am that GOD governs the world, that America will never be happy 'till she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars, without ceasing, will break out
* "The present winter" (meaning the last) "is worth an age, if rightly employed, but if lost, or neglected, the whole Continent partakes of the evil; and there is no punishment that man does not deserve, be he who, or what or where he will, that may be the means of sacrificing a season so precious and useful."
COMMON SENSE.

'till that period arrives, and the Continent must, in the end, be conquerors; for, though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal never can expire.
America did not, nor does not, want force; but she wanted a proper application of that force. Wisdom is not the purchase of a day, and it is no wonder that we should err at first setting off. From an excess of tenderness, we were unwilling to raise an army, and trusted our cause to the temporary defence of a well meaning militia. A summer's experience has now taught us better; yet with those troops, while they were collected, we were able to set bounds to the progress of the enemy, and, thank GOD! they are again assembling. I always considered a militia as the best troops in the world for a sudden exertion, but they will not do for a long campaign. Howe, it is probable, will make an attempt on this city; should he fail on this side the Delaware, he is ruined; if he succeeds, our cause is not ruined. He stakes all on his side against a part on ours; admitting he succeeds, the consequence will be, that armies from both ends of the Continent will march to assist their suffering friends in the middle States; for he cannot go every where, it is impossible. I consider Howe as the greatest enemy the Tories have; he is bringing a war into their country, which, had it not been for him and partly for themselves, they had been clear of. Should he now be expelled, I wish, with all the devotion of a Christian, that the names of Whig and Tory may never more be mentioned; but should the Tories give him encouragement to come or assistance if he comes, I as sincerely wish that our next year's arms may expel them from the Continent, & the Congress appropriate their possessions to the relief of those who have suffered in well doing. A single successful battle next year, will settle the whole. America could carry on a two years war, by the confiscation of the property of disaffected persons, & be made happy by their expulsion. Say not that this is revenge, call it rather the soft resentment of a suffering people, who having no object in view but the GOOD or ALL, have staked their OWN ALL upon a seemingly doubtful event. Yet it is folly to argue against determined hardness; eloquence may strike the ear, & the language of sorrow draw forth the tear of compassion, but nothing can reach the heart that is steeled with prejudice.
Quitting this class of men, I turn with the warm ardour of a friend, to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all; not on THIS state or THAT state, but on EVERY state; up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city & the country, alarmed at one common danger, come forth to meet and repulse it. Say not, that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands, throw not the burthen of the day upon Providence but " shew your faith by your works ," that GOD may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far & the near, the home counties & the back, the rich and the poor, shall suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now, is dead: The blood of his children shall curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as strait and clear as a ray of light. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief break into my house, burn and destroy my property, and kill or threaten to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever," to his absolute will, am I to suffer it? What signifies it to me, whether he who does it, is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman? whether it is done by an individual villain, or an army of them? If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case, & pardon in the other. Let them call me rebel, and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one, whose character is that of a fottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man. I conceive likewise a horrid idea in receiving mercy from a being, who at the last day shall be shrieking to the rocks and mountains to cover him, and fleeing with terror from the orphan, the widow and the slain of America.
There are cases which cannot be overcome by language, & this is one. There are persons too who see not the full extent of the evil that threatens them; they solace themselves with hopes that the enemy, if they succeed, will be merciful. It is the madness of folly to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice! and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war: The cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of
the wolf; & we ought to guard equally against both. Howe's first object is partly by threats and partly by promises, to terrify or seduce the people to deliver up their arms, & receive mercy. The ministry recommended the same plan to Gage, & this is what the Tories call making their peace; " a peace which passeth all understanding ," indeed. A peace which would be the immediate forerunner of a worse ruin than any we have yet thought of. Ye men of Pennsylvania, do reason upon those things! Were the back counties to give up their arms, they would fall an easy prey to the Indians, who are all armed: This, perhaps, is what some Tories would not be sorry for. Were the home counties to deliver up their arms, they would be exposed to the resentment of the back counties, who would then have it in their power to chastise their defection at pleasure. And were any one State to give up its arms, that State must be garrisoned by all Howe's army of Britons and Hessians to preserve it from the anger of the rest. Mutual fear is a principal link in the chain of mutual love, and woe to that State that breaks the compact. Howe is mercifully inviting you to barbarous destruction, & men must be either rogues or fools that will not see it. I dwell not upon the vapours of imagination, I bring reason to your ears; and in language as plain as A, B, C, hold up truth to your eyes.
I thank GOD that I fear not. I see no real cause for fear. I know our situation well, and can see the way out of it. While our army was collected, Howe dared not risk a battle, and it is no credit to him that he decamped from the White Plains, and waited a mean opportunity to ravage the defenceless Jerseys; but it is great credit to us, that, with an handful of men, we sustained an orderly retreat for near an hundred miles, brought off our ammunition, all our field pieces, the greatest part of our stores, and had four rivers to pass. None can say that our retreat was precipitate, for we were near three weeks in performing it, that the country might have time to come in. Twice we marched back to meet the enemy, and remained out 'till dark. The sign of fear was not seen in our camp, and had not some of the cowardly and disaffected inhabitants spread false alarms through the country, the Jerseys had never been ravaged. Once more we are again collected and collecting; our new army at both ends of the continent recruiting fast, and we shall be able to open the next campaign with sixty thousand men, well armed and cloathed. This is our situation, and who will may know it. By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils—a ravaged country—a depopulated city—habitations without safety, and slavery without hope—our homes turned into barracks and bawdy houses for Hessians, and a future race to provide for whose fathers we shall doubt of. Look on this picture, and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.
To the P R I N T E R.
SIR,
AS the Superstition and Weakness of human Nature is such, that sometimes the most trivial Circumstance or grossest Absurdity, is attended with serious Consequences; you are desired to acquaint the Timid & Credulous, that Characters inscribed on Adamant are much more durable than when wrote only on an Egg-Shell. And also to inform the Public, that about the Time the prophetic Egg was laid in the Town of Plymouth, with this wonderful Prediction wrote on its Shell, " Oh, Oh, America Howe shall be thy Conqueror ," an Hermit resembling the Genius of America, who had resided in a certain Forest from the first Settlement of the Country, found the following Lines inscribed on a Fragment of Marble near his Cave, visited by the Curious from all Parts of Europe, for the remarkable Eccho which oft reverberated in loud Peals, heard beyond the Atlantic,
—Britannia—sinks beneath her Crimes She dies—she—dies—Let Empire rise, And Freedom cheer the Western Skies.
When every art and menace fails, And Tory lies and Tory tales Are universally abhor'd, They now pretend to fear the Lord. Instead of virtue, a long face; Instead of piety, grimace; Pretend strange revelation giv'n, And intimation sent from Heav'n.
To carry on the schemes of Bute, A speaking Egg they substitute, A strange Phenomenon indeed, The stratagem must sure succeed; And every mortal die with fear, When they the sad prediction hear.
The Egg was laid without the Tent Ergo it was from Heav'n sent; The Egg was found within a barn, Ergo from it we surely learn,
When Eggs can sp ak what Fools indite, And Hens can talk as well as write, When Crocodiles shed honest tears, And truth with Hypocrites appears; When every man becomes a knave, And feels the Spirit of the Slave; And when veracity again, Shall in a Tory's bosom reign; When vice is virtue, darkness light, And Freemen are afraid to fight; When they forget to play the men, And with spirit of a hen, Desert the just, the sacred cause, And opening Heaven smiles applause; On such a bloody barbarous foe, Then I'll be conquered by a Howe.
AMERICA.

Extract of a another Letter from Morris Town, January 8.
The 17th Regiment used their Bayonets with too much severity upon a Party they put to Flight, but they now paid for it in proportion, very few escaping, near 60 were killed on the Spot, besides the wounded; we have taken between 3 and 400 Prisoners, all British Troops, they must have lost very considerable in this Affair.—We lost several gallant Officers. Brigadier General Mercer was wounded, he had three Stabs with a Bayonet, but will get better. The Enemy took his Parole after we left Princeton; a Lieut. Col. Flemming was killed, and a Capt. Neil of the Artillery. We took their Cannon, which consisted of two Brass 6 pounders, a considerable Number of military Stores, Blankets, Guns, &c. They lost among a Number of other Officers a Capt. Leslie, Son to the Earl of Leven, and Nephew to General Leslie; him we buried with the Honors of War. After we had been about two Hours at Princeton, Word was bro't that the Enemy was advancing from Trenton. As we had other Objects in View, viz. of beating up their Quarters, we pursued our March to Somerset Court-House, where we had been informed there were 1300 Men Quarters, they however had marched off, and joined the Army at Trenton. We at first intended to have made a forced March to Brunswick, at which was the Baggage of their whole Army and Gen. Lee; but our Men having been without either Rest, Rum or Provisions for two Days and Nights, were unequal to the Task of marching 17 Miles further. If we could have procured 1000 fresh Men at Princeton, to have pushed for Brunswick, we should have struck one of the most brilliant Strokes in all History. However our Advantages are very great already; they have collected their whole Force, and drawn themselves to one Point, viz. Brunswick. A Party of ours two Days ago attacked 60 Waldeckers, who were all killed or taken in Monmouth County, in the lower Part of the Jerseys. Another Party have routed a Party of Tories, killed & taken 200 Prisoners. They have sent their Baggage to Staten-Island from the Jerseys, & we are very well informed they are doing the same from New-York.
Last Sunday night, 12 prisoners, from the State of New-York, broke goal at Worcester, where they were confined, and made their escape. We are credibly informed, they were assisted by a party of men from some distance, who furnished them with fire-arms and horses.—It is earnestly wished, that a more due regard was paid to the Tory-Gentry, than there is at present, for such enemies in our very bowels, may prove more dangerous than the whole force of the British army. Ten of the above prisoners, we learn, have since been retaken.
NEW LONDON, January 17.
Last Monday Capt. Tobazodo arrived here in a sloop from Curacoa, which place he left the 22d of November, and 13 days after having sprung a leak he put into Oquoy; eight days before he left Oquoy a ship arrived there from Havre de Grace, the master of which informed him that a declaration of war had taken place between Spain and Portugal, & that the same was daily expected between France & Great-Britain. The cargo of the above sloop is very valuable, consisting of blankets, duck, some powder, &c. The sloop run into Newport Harbour last Saturday, and narrowly escaped being taken by the enemy before they perceived the harbour was in their possession.
The following is an extract of a letter from a gentleman of honor & distinction a prisoner in New-York, dated 26th Dec. 1776. "The distress of the prisoners cannot be communicated by words, 20 or 30 die every day, they lie in heaps unburied, what numbers of my countrymen have died by cold & hunger, perished for want of the common necessaries of life, I have seen it. This Sir, is the boasted British clemency . (I myself had well nigh perished under it) The New-England people can have no idea of such barbarous policy, nothing can stop such treatment but retaliation. I ever despised private revenge , but that of the public must be in this case just and necessary, it is due to the names of our murdered countrymen, and that alone can protect the survivors, in the like situation
rather than experience again their barbarity and insults, may I fall by the sword of the Hessian." I am, &c.
HARTFORD, Jan. 20.
We have various reports of successes attending our arms in New-Jersey, but nothing particular has been received from that quarter since our last.
Last Saturday about twenty British officers & soldiers came to town from the Westward; about 160 more are on their way to this place; they are part of the 500 who were lately taken prisoners at Princeton, as mentioned in our last.
To the melancholly picture already exhibited of the brutal behaviour of the Britons, (who vainly boast being ever pre-eminent in mercy) aided by Hessian and Waldeck mercenaries, in New-York & New-Jersey, it gives us pain to add, that they have not only outraged the feelings of humanity, to many people, who were so unhappy as to fall into their hands, particularly the fair sex, but have degraded themselves beyond the power of language to express, by wantonly destroying the curious water works at New-York, an elegant public library at Trenton, and the grand orrery, made by the celebrated Rittenhouse , which was placed in the College at Princeton, a piece of mechanism, which the most untutored savage, staying the hand of violence, would have beheld with wonder reverence and delight!—Thus are our cruel enemies warring against liberty, virtue and the arts and sciences.—"How are the mighty fallen!"
PROVIDENCE, January 18.
A letter from Morris-Town, New-Jersey, to a gentleman here, informs that in the late action between the militia and Waldeckers, a Col. of dragoons was killed, whose loss was much lamented by the enemy.
Tuesday night last some men from the enemy's ship that lay at Prudence set fire to a house on that island, which was communicated to one or two other buildings, & gave rise to a report that the enemy had burnt the town of Newport. These were the only buildings that remained on the island after Wallace's expedition up the Bay last winter.
On Friday morning, last, a party of our troops from Seconet, with one 18 and one 12 pounder, drove the Cerberus man of war from Fogland ferry. She returned the fire briskly for some time, and slightly wounded one of our men; but was at length obliged to put to sea, and is since arrived at Newport. By certain accounts received from thence, we learn that she was considerably damaged in her hull, and had six men killed and a number wounded.
PHILADELPHIA, January 4.
Last Monday morning the prisoners taken at Trenton, with a number of women and children, amounting in the whole to near one thousand, were brought to this city. The wretched condition of these unhappy men, most of whom were dragged from their wives & families by a despotic & avaricious prince, must sensibly affect every generous mind with the dreadful effects of arbitrary power.
Col. Rohl died at Trenton on Thursday the 26th of December, of the wounds he received in the engagement that morning.
F I S H - K I L L.
By a gentleman just arrived from Philadelphia, we are informed, that shortly after the Battle at Trenton, a party of 120 of the troops under Gen. Washington, fell in with about 200 of Gen. Howe's Tory soldiers, defeated them, took 23 prisoners, 7 baggage waggons, and 12 horses:—The gentleman says the prisoners arrived in Philadelphia before he left it.
On Sunday the 5th instant one of our scouting parties met with a party of the enemy, at Connecticut farms, in New-Jersey, killed 17, and took 57 prisoners.
IN CONGRESS, December 30, 1776.
It appearing to Congress, that it will be extremely difficult, if not impracticable, to supply the Army of the United States with Bacon, salted Beef and Pork, Soap, Tallow and Candles, unless the Exportation thereof be prohibited: Therefore,
Resolved, that none of the said Articles, except such as may be necessary for the Crew, be exported from any of the United
States after the fifth Day of January next, until the first Day of November next, or until Congress shall make further Order therein.—And it is earnestly recommended to the Executive Powers of the several United States, to see that this Resolution be strictly complied with.
By Order of Congress, JOHN HANCOCK, President
Portsmouth STAGE-COACH.
JOHN STAVERS, junr, and THEODORE DAVIS, beg leave to inform their Friends and the Public in general, that they have entered into partnership for keeping up a regular Stage Coach, from this Place to Boston:—The Stage is to leave Portsmouth every Tuesday Morning for Boston; and sets out from thence to Portsmouth every Friday Morning from Mr. Lobdon's in Congress-Street, Accidents and Casualties excepted.—As the Undertakers have provided themselves with genteel Carriages and good Horses for the Business, it is hoped the Public will give due Encouragement to their Undertaking, as their principal Design is for the better accommodating and facilitating of Travelling.—All Business committed to their charge, will be perform'd with that Care and Punctuality which will not fail to be agreeable to their Employers:—And all Effects of Travellers and of other Persons, who may entrust them with their Property, will be accounted for, and delivered with Safety and Integrity, by the Public's very humble Servants.
Portsmouth, Jan. 27, 1777. 6—8
A Great Coat
Was taken up some time ago in Portsmouth. The owner may have it again, by describing the marks, and paying charges. 6—8
Lost, a Calf-skin Portmantau. Whoever will return it to the Printing Office shall be rewarded. 6—8
BROKE GOAL
ON the night of the 1st instant, in Exeter, the persons lately bro't from the State of New York, & notorious enemies to American Liberty, viz. — Benjamin Moril, of a midling stature, about 35 years of age, of a robust make; had on a red straight bodied coat and waistcoat, long blue trowsers, and a short brown wig.—Wm. Slack, of a short stature, about 25 years of age; had on a blue short coat, brown waistcoat, old leather breeches and short brown hair.—John Lawson, of a tall slender make, about 35 years of age; had on a homespun Bengall coat, brown jacket & breeches, straight brown hair, & remarkably pitted with the small pox. 'Tis imagin'd the above persons absconded with a view to join and give intelligence to the ministerial forces.—All true friends to their country, are earnestly desir'd to exert themselves in endeavouring to apprehend said enemies, and confine them, and give notice to the subscriber, at Exeter, (in New Hampshire) where he or they shall be handsomely rewarded, and all charges paid by
JOSEPH STACY, Goal Keeper.
N.B. The printers in this, and the neighbouring states are desir'd to publish the above
ALL persons who have any demands on the estate of Daniel Ham, late of Barrington, deceas'd, are desir'd to bring in their accounts; and all who are indebted to said estate, are also desir'd to make payment to Elizabeth Ham, executrix to said estate.
Barrington, Jan. 4, 1777. 4—6
The Piece sign'd Philopolites, and some Advertisements, must be omitted this Week,