New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1780-04-08 00:00:00

To JAMES RIVINTON, Esq; "Printer to the King's Most Excellent Ma- jesty."
SIR,
WHAT infatuation possessed the licencers of your press, when they suffered you to print the King's Speech, of November 25?—It ought, by all means, to have been suppressed, for nothing could have more effectually injured the cause of Great-Britain; as nothing could so clearly shew the weakness of the nation, and the fears of the King.—Only attend to it a little. —"I meet you at a time when we are called upon by every principle of duty, and every consideration of interest, to exert our united efforts in the support and defence of our country—contending with one of the most dangerous confederacies that ever was formed against the crown and people of Great-Britain." These strong terms, crowded to close, and at the very beginning of the Speech, discover great hurry, agitation and anxiety; and that unlucky expression "one of the most dangerous confederacies that every was formed," contains an evident indication of fear, as the mention of "the support and defence of our country" does of weakness. Perhaps we may differ in our sentiments about the last quotation; but you must know, that acting merely on the defensive is not the mode of fighting which Englishmen have been used to; offensive war was what they gloried in:—Burgoyne behaved like a Briton when he said, "If I but stretch my arm—and by the blessing of God I will extend it far."—And you know it is not long since you told us of the British Thunder being carried somewhere by "one of the noblest fleets old ocean ever bore"—Now it can't be supposed that the genius of the nation is so entirely changed in so short a time; and consequently it follows that, they have not sufficient strength to attack , and therefore must content themselves with defending ; and for even this, it seems from the King's account, that the exertion of their united efforts is necessary. What renders this exertion and union more necessary is, that his Majesty appears to despair of any further assistance from Providence; for, although he acknowledges, "the designs of our enemies to invade this kingdom, have, by the blessing of Providence, been hitherto frustrated," yet after observing that "they still menace us with great armaments," he adds, "but we are, I trust, on our part, well prepared to meet every attack" (still on the defensive you see) "and repel every insult. I know the character of my brave people," upon whom it seems he intends to depend in future. It certainly was impolitic to discard so good an ally, and the people may well wonder why it was done, as no reason is assigned for it.—I suppose his Majesty did not mean to do it absolutely, because, towards the end of his Speech he intimates his intentions of trusting Providence again; but his mind, at this time, must have been very much confused, or he would not, almost in the same breath with which he had expressed his gratitude to Heaven, have ascribed former successes to "that national spirit, which has so often checked and defeated the projects of ambition and injustice, and enabled the British fleets and armies to protect their own country, to vindicate their own rights," &c. It is not to be wondered at that his Majesty's ideas were a little deranged, if we consider his
situation:—Why, Sir, any King would be confused who had France, Spain and America to fight against him, especially when he found that very application (however earnest and importunate) to other powers for assistance, produced nothing but the mortification of a refusal: It is no wonder then, as I said before, if the King of Great-Britain (labouring under these difficulties, seeing Ireland revolted, and being cooped up in England by a fleet superior to his own, which ruined the trade of the nation, and prevented the sending provisions and other supplies to his army abroad, as well as their return home) should be very much perplexed, and his ideas confused. But what I insist upon is, that it was a foolish thing in the minister to allow the Speech which discovered all this to be printed in England—and in the licencers of your press to let it be scattered throughout America; for it will make the enemies of Great-Britain rejoice, and give new life to the "rebellion." The Americans understand English, and can construe King's Speeches as well any people, and they cannot but take notice, upon reading the late one, of all I have mentioned, and a great deal more. —I have already heard it remarked that "the poor gentleman must have been very much frightened indeed, for he forgot to mention the American rebellion."—Lord North, to be sure, has attempted to explain that matter, by saying, that America was "virtually included in the said Confederacy;" but people who reproached the idea of "virtual representation," laugh very heartily about this term "virtual" inclusion.—I suppose that when his Majesty gets into his new marquis he will virtually fight too.
In all the Speech there is not a word, as formerly, about assurances of a specific disposition in foreign Princes; and, what is worse, not a single ally mentioned:—Even the Russians, with whole aid you cut such a formidable figure some time ago, have disappeared; and so, Britain, with an exhausted treasury, without the resources furnished by trade, and without a Friendly power to support her, is to fight—all the world. Alas, poor Britain!—But what is she to fight with? The King says, "militia."—That shews still he is upon the defensive plan, for you know the militia can't be sent out of England. I remember the time when militia were ridiculed as a set of paltroons that would "run from the sight of a red-coat;"—and now the militia is to be depended on to oppose "one of the most dangerous confederacies that ever was formed!"—But they are English militia.—Aye, there's the rub.—No doubt they will shine with the most brilliant lustre in the annals of the present War; especially those of London, who have been used to seeing a fire-lock every Lord Mayor's day. However, be the militia what they may the King is certainly a man of spirit (or, as Gen. L— said of his Aid, a "spunky lad.") for, notwithstanding all his discouragements, he is "firmly resolved to prosecute the war with vigour, and to make every exertion, in order to compel our enemies to listen to equitable terms of peace."—This reminds me of a story I have heard of Dr. Fordyce, of London (I don't know whether you ever heard him preach, but, as a bookseller, you must be acquainted with his name) who once preached upon the story of Daniel's being cast into the lion's den, and after describing the horrors of his situation, in language which made his
audience tremble, accompanied with gesture, which added energy to his words, he added, "and how do you think he came out?"—After a solemn pause he replied, "why—just as went in." Parturiunt montes, nascitur ridiculus mus —However, according to Cromwell's motto, Pax queritur bello ; so that the King is right in his firm resolutions, vigorous prosecutions and exertions: And therefore, had only this part of the Speech been published, it would have been well enough; but printing the whole only serves to remove the little fear of him which was left (if there was any) and to render him compleatly ridiculous.
I am, Sir, your's, &c. A. B.
PROCLAMATION.
IT having pleased the righteous Governor of the World for the punishment of our manifold offences, to permit the Sword of War still to harry our Country, it becomes us to endeavour, by humbling ourselves before him, and turning from every evil way, to avert his anger and obtain his favour and blessing: It is therefore hereby recommended to the several States:
That WEDNESDAY the twenty-sixth day of April next be set apart and observed as a day of FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER, that we may with one heart and one voice implore the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, to remember mercy in his judgments;—to make us sincerely penitent for our transgressions;—to prepare us for deliverance, and to remove the evils with which he hath been pleased to visit us;—to banish vice and iniquity from among us, and establish virtue and piety by his divine grace;—to bless all public Councils throughout the United States giving them wisdom, firmness and unanimity, and directing them to the best measures for the public good;—to bless the Magistrates and people of every rank, and animate and unite the hearts of all to promote the interest of their Country; to bless the public defence, inspiring all Commanders and Soldiers with magnanimity and perseverance, and giving vigour and success to the military operations by sea and land;—to bless the illustrious Sovereign, and the nation in alliance with these States, and all who inhere themselves in the support of our rights and liberties;—to make that alliance of perpetual extensive usefulness to those immediately concerned, and mankind in general; to grant fruitful seasons, and to bless our industry, trade and manufactures;—to bless all schools and seminaries of learning, and every means of instruction and education;—to cause wars to cease, and to establish peace among the nations.
And it is further recommended, That servile labour and recreation be forbidden on said day.
DONE in CONGRESS the eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and in the fourth year of our Independence.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, President.
Attest
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
WHEREAS by An ACT of the State of New-Hampshire, passed November fifth, 1779, I SAMUEL FOLSOM, of Exeter, am appointed and impowered in behalf of this State, to join with others concerned in making Partition of Lands held in common & undivided between this State in the Right of STEPHEN HOLLAND, an Absentee, and the Reverend Dr. HAVEN, Mrs. MEHETABEL ODIORNE, WILLIAM EARL TREADWELL, and DANIEL ODIORNE; This is therefore to give Notice to all concerned, that upon their Application to me at Exeter, I shall be ready to make such Partition.

AMERICA.
In CONGRESS, March 18, 1778.
T HE United States having been driven into this just and necessary WAR, at a time when no regular civil governments were established of sufficient energy to enforce the collection of Taxes, or to provide funds for the redemption of such bills of credit as their necessities obliged them to issue; and before the powers of Europe were sufficiently convinced of the justice of their cause, or of the probable event of the controversy, to afford them aid or credit; in consequence of which their bills increasing in quantity beyond the sum necessary for the purpose of a circulating medium; and wanting at the same time specific funds to rest on for their redemption, they have been daily sink in value, notwithstanding every effort that has been made to support the same, inasmuch that they are now passed by common consent, in most parts of these United States, at least Thirty-Nine-Fortieths below their nominal value, and still remain in a state of depreciation, whereby the community suffers great injustice, the public Finances are deranged, and the necessary dispositions for the defence of the country are much impeded and perplexed: And as effectually to remedy these evils, for which purpose the United States are now become competent, their independence being well assured, their civil governments established and vigorous, and the spirit of their Citizens ardent for exertion; it is necessary speedily to reduce the quantity of the Paper Medium in circulation, and to establish and appropriate funds that shall ensure the punctual redemption of the Bills:
Therefore,
RESOLVED, That the several States continue to bring into the Continental Treasury, by Taxes or otherwise, their full Quotas of Fifteen Million of Dollars monthly, as assigned them by the resolution of the 7th of October 1779: a clause in the resolve of the 23d of February last for relinquishing two thirds of the said quotas, to the contrary notwithstanding: And that the States be further called on to make provision for continuing to bring into the said Treasury their like quotas monthly, to the month of April, 1781 inclusive. That Silver and Gold be received in payment of the said Quotas at the rate of one Spanish milled Dollar in lieu of forty dollars of the bills now in circulation.
That the said bills as paid in, except for the months of January and February past, which may be necessary for the discharge of past contracts, be not issued but destroyed.
That as fast as the said bills shall be brought in to be destroyed and funds shall be established as hereafter mentioned for other bills, other bills be issued not to exceed on any account, one twentieth part of the nominal sum of the bills brought in to be destroyed.
That the bills which shall be issued be redeemable in specie within six years after the present, and bear an interest at the rate of five per cent per annum to be paid also in specie, at the redemption of the bills, or at the election of the holder annually at the respective Continental Loan Offices, in sterling bills of exchange, drawn by the United States on their commissioners in Europe, at four shillings and six pence sterling per dollar.
That the said new bills issue on the funds of individual States for the purpose established, and be signed by persons appointed by them; and that the faith of the United States be also pledged for the payment of the said bills, in case any State on whose funds they shall be emitted, should, by the events of war, be rendered incapable to redeem them; which undertaking of the United States, and that of drawing bills of exchange for payment of interest as aforesaid, shall be endorsed on the bills to be emitted, and signed by a commissioner, to be appointed by Congress for that purpose:
That the face of the bills to be emitted read as follows, viz.
The possessor of this bill shall be paid Spanish milled Dollars, by the thirty first day of December, 1786, with interest in like money, at the rate of five per cent per annum, by the State of _____, according to an act of the legislature of the said State, of the _____ day of _____, 1780.
And the endorsement shall be as follows, viz.
The United States insure the payment of the within bill, and will draw bills of exchange for the interest annually, if demanded, according to a resolution of Congress of the eighteenth day of March, 1780.
That the said new bills shall be struck under the direction of the Board of Treasury, in due proportion for each State, according to their said monthly quotas, and lodged in the Continental Loan Office in the respective States, where the commissioners, to be appointed by Congress, in conjunction which such persons as the respective States appointed, shall attend the signing to the said bills,
which shall be completed no faster than in the aforesaid proportion of one to twenty of the other bills, brought in to be destroyed, and which shall be lodged for that purpose in the said Loan Office.
That as the said new bills are signed and completed the rates respectvely on whose funds they issue receive six tenths of them; and that the remainder be subject to the orders of the United States, and credited to the States on whose funds they are issued, the accounts whereof shall be adjusted agreeably to the resolution of the 6th of October, 1779.
That the said new bills be receivable in payment of the said monthly quotas at the same rate as aforesaid of specie, the interest thereon to be computed to the respective States, to the day the payment becomes due.
That the respective States be charged with such parts of the interest on their said bills as shall be paid by the United States in bills of exchange, and the account thereof shall be adjusted agreeably to the resolution aforesaid of October, 1779.
That when ever interest on the bills to be emitted shall be paid prior to this redemption, such bills shall be thereupon exchanged for others of the like tenor, to bear date from the expiration of the year for which such interest is paid.
That the several States be called on to provide funds for their quotas of the said new bills to be so productive as to sink or redeem one sixth part of them annually, after the first day of January next.
That nothing in the foregoing resolution shall be construed to ascertain the proportions of the expences incurred by the war, which each State, on a final adjustment, ought to be charged with; or to exclude the claims of any State to have the price at which different States have furnished supplies for the army hereafter taken into consideration and equitably adjusted.
That the foregoing resolutions, with a letter from the President, be dispatched to the executive of the several States; and that they be requested to call their assemblies, if not already convened, as speedily as possible, to take them into immediate consideration to establish ample and certain funds for the purposes therein mentioned, and to take every other measure necessary to carry the same into full and vigorous effect; and that they transmit their accounts for that purpose to Congress without delay.
March 20, 1780.
RESOLVED, That it recommended to the States to revise their laws enacted, pursuant to a former resolution of Congress, making the Continental bills of credit a tender in discharge of debts and contracts; and to amend the same in such manner as they shall judge most conducive to justice in the present state of paper currency; and that it be further recommended that the said laws be enacted in such manner that no person may take unjust advantage to defeat the good purpose of this resolution, by availing themselves of the notice thereof, before the passing of the several Acts.
March 21, 1780. RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the governments of the several States, to suspend making new appointments of officers, in the regiments of their respective line: except where the Commander in Chief, or commanding officer in the southern department shall deem such appointment indispensably necessary.
Extract from the minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'y.
A true copy:
JOHN AVERY, Dep Sec'y.
Attest
TRENTON, March 15.
Commissioners from the American and British armies met last week at Perth-Amboy, in order to settle a general cartel for the exchange of prisoners. The Commissioners on our side are Major General St. Clair and Lieut. Colonels Hamilton and Carrington: On the side of the British, Major General Philips and Lieut. Colonels Gordon and Norton.
PHILADELPHIA, March 22.
Extract of a letter from Charleston, South Carolina, dated Feb. 25, 1780. Arrived by an express last saturday night.
The British army, said to be under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, are distributed at Port Royal island, John's island, Stono-ferry, and a detachment last night entered James island. Head-quarters is at Fenwick's house, on John's island. Four of their galleys have been seen between John's and James island. The number of troops not known, but supposed to be much diminished since their embarkation at New York. About 12 deserters from the fleet and army agree, in report-
ing very heavy losses at sea. Three ships foundered, many dismasted, one brigantine and two sloops brought in here, one brig carried into North Carolina. One of the deserters informs, that 13 sail was lost on the rocks of Bermuda. There is undoubtedly some grand impediment to the enemy's progress—almost all their horses perished at sea, and much of their furniture captured. Three days ago passed by this place, in a hard gale of wind, a 64 gun ship, a frigate and some transports; these may be gone to New York for further supplies, but all conjecture. Near the bar of Charlestown daily appear frigates and other ships of war, reconnoitring and blocking up the harbour. We have four Continental frigates, two French armed ships and six other armed vessels some of them carrying heavy metal. The enemy's delay has afforded an opportunity for strengthening the lines, which will be in pretty good order to morrow. The number of men within uncertain, but by far too few for works of near three miles in circumference, Reinforcements are expected. General Hogan is within a few miles. General Moultrie is forming a camp at Bacon bridge, where he has about 500 horse, being Horey's of this State, Baylor's and Bladn's Continental. General Williamson is encamped at Augusta. One thousand men are to come from his brigade. General Richardson and Col. Kershaw are raising the militia at and about Campden. A short time will make the garrison strong. The inhabitants are in good spirits. Competent judges say, that Sir Harry will then have cause to repent his enterprize.
Distances from Charlestown.
Port Royal, 60 miles, John's island & Stono-ferry about { South 16 miles, { & South James island, one mile & a half. { West. Bacon bridge, 28 miles, west. Campden, 125 miles, northerly. Augusta, 150 miles, south west."
POUGHKEEPSIE, March 13.
Since our last, we have received by several persons from New-York, the following information, which they assure us may be depended on as fact: But as the public have often been imposed on by specious accounts, we would caution our readers not to be too sanguine in their expectations, at least, so as to admit of any relaxation in the most vigorous preparations for another campaign—That a brig (Capt. Underhill) one of the transports on the southern expedition, taken by the French, but retaken by the crew, had arrived in New-York, and brought advice, that part D'Estaing's fleet had met with and captured near three-fourths, of the fleet under Sir Henry Clinton, who, together with Lord Cornwallis, were among the number who had fallen into the hands of our allies—That many of the fleet had sustained very considerable damage in the dreadful hurricane which had prevailed pretty generally in the American seas—And that this separation and ill-success, had entirely frustrated their intended operations to the southward—That in consequence of the above intelligence, which they strenuously endeavour to suppress, the most violent and outrageous supporters of the British tyranny, are converting their estates and effects into cash, and preparing to depart for England; and that it is expected all the British and foreign troops will soon be withdrawn, their assistance being much required to protect the English West-India possession, which are at present on a very precarious footing.
BOSTON, APRIL 6.
By a gentleman lately from head quarters we are informed, that accounts had been received there from Gen. Lincoln in South Carolina, representing the good condition of our forces in that quarter; and that the General had no uneasy apprehensions respecting the intended attack of the enemy on Charlestown: That the French had left a ship of 64 guns formerly an East-India man, which had been lightened, and brought within the bar; and was now made a floating battery, excellently adapted to defend all the avenues by water to the town, and mounted with upwards of 50 cannon, of 36 and 32 pounders.