The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-02-11 00:00:00

Greenleaf's Journal
OR New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, February 11. 1777.
[ No. 38. ]
The American Crisis,
NUMBER II.
By the AUTHOR of COMMON SENSE.
To Lord HOWE.
"What's in the name of Lord, that I should fear, To bring my grievance to the public ear?"
Churchill.
UNIVERSAL Empire is the prerogative of a writer. His concerns are with all mankind, & though he cannot command their obedience, he can assign them their duty. The Republic of Letters is more ancient than monarchy, and of far higher character in the world than the vassal court of Britain; he that rebels against reason is a real rebel; but he that in defence of reason, rebels against tyranny, has a better title to "DEFENDER OF THE FAITH," than George the Third.
As a military man your Lordship may hold out the sword of war, and call it the " Ultima Ratio Regum :" The Reason of Kings ; we in return can show you the sword of justice, and call it, " The best Scourge of Tyrants ." The first of these two may threaten, or even frighten, for a while, and cast a sickly languor over an insulted people, but reason will soon recover the debauch, and restore them again to tranquil fortitude. Your Lordship, I find, has now commenced author, and published a proclamation; I too have published a crisis ; as they stand, they are the antipodes of each other; both cannot rise at once, & one of them must descend: And so quick is the revolution of things, that your Lordship's performance, I see, has already fallen many degrees from its first place, and is now just visible on the edge of the political horizon.
It is surprizing to what pitch of insatuation blind folly and obstinacy will carry mankind, and your Lordship's drowsy proclamation is a proof that it does not even quit them in their sleep. Perhaps you thought America too was taking a nap, and therefore chose, like Satan to Eve, to whisper the delusion softly, lest you should awaken her. This Continent, Sir, is too extensive to sleep all at once, & too watchful, even in its slumbers, not to startle at the unhallowed foot of an invader. You may issue your proclamations, and welcome, for we have learned to " reverence ourselves ", & scorn the insulting ruffian that employs you. America, for your deceas'd brother's sake, would gladly have shown you respect, and it is a new aggravation to her feelings that Howe should be forgetful, and raise his sword against those, who at their own charge raised a monument to his brother. But your master has commanded, and you have not enough of nature left to refuse. Surely! there must be something strangely degenerating in the love of monarchy, that can so completely wear a man down to ingrate, and make him proud to lick the dust that kings have trod upon. A few more years, should you survive them, will bestow on you the title of an old man, and in some hour of future reflection you may probably find the fitness of Woolsey's despairing penitence, " Had I served my God as faithfully as I have served my king, he would not thus
have forsaken me in my old age. "
THE character you appear to us in is truly ridiculous. Your friends, the Tories, announced your coming with high descriptions of your unlimited powers; but your proclamation has given them the lye, by shewing you to be a Commissioner without authority. Had your powers been ever so great, they were nothing to us, farther than we pleased; because we had the same right which other nations had, to do what we though was best. " THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ," will sound as pompously in the world or in history, as " The Kingdom of Great Britain ;" The character of General Washington will fill a page with as much lustre as that of Lord Howe ; & the Congress have as much right to command the King and Parliament of London , to desist from legislation, as they or you , have to command the Congress . Only suppose how laughable such an edict would appear from us, & then, in that merry mood, do but turn the tables upon yourself, & you will see how your proclamation is received here. Having thus placed you in a proper position, in which you may have a full view of folly and learn to despise it, I hold up to you, for that purpose, the following quotation from your own lunarian proclamation, " And We (Lord Howe and General Howe) do command, (and in his Majesty's name forsooth) all such persons as are assembled together under the name of general or provincial Congresses, Committees, Conventions, or other Associations, by whatever name or names known or distinguished, to desist and cease from all such treasonable actings and doings. "
You introduce your proclamation, by referring to your declarations of the 14th of July & 19th of September. In the last of these, you sunk yourself below the character of a private gentleman. That I may not seem to accuse you unjustly I shall state the circumstance: By a verbal invitation of yours communicated to Congress by General Sullivan , then a prisoner on his parole, you signified your desire of conferring with some members of that body as private gentlemen. It was beneath the dignity of the American Congress to pay any regard to a message that at best was but a genteel affront, and had too much of the ministerial complexion of tampering with private persons; & which might probably have been the case, had the gentlemen who were deputed on that business, possessed that easy kind of virtue which an English courtier is so truly distinguished by. Your request, however, was complied with, for honest men are naturally more tender of their civil than their political fame. The interview ended as every sensible man thought it would; for your Lordship knows, as well as the writer of the Crisis , that it is impossible for the king of England to promise the repeal, or even the revusal, of any acts of parliament; wherefore, on your part, you had nothing to say, more than to request, in the room of demanding, the entire surrender of the Continent; and then, if that was complied with, to promise that the inhabitants
should escape with their lives. This was the upshot of the conference. You informed the conference that you were two months in soliciting these powers. We ask, what powers for as commissioner you have none. If you mean the power of pardoning, it is an oblique proof that your master was determined to sacrifice all before him; and that you were two months in dissuading him from his purpose. Another evidence of his savage obstinacy! From your own account of the matter, we may justly draw these two conclusions; first that you serve a monster; and secondly, that never was a commissioner sent on more foolish errand than yourself. This plain language may perhaps sound uncoothly to an ear vitiated by courtly refinements; but words were made for use, and the fault lies in deserving them, or the abuse in applying them unfairly.
Soon after your return to New-York, you published a very illiberal and unmanly hand-bill against the Congress ; for it was certainly stepping out of the line of common civility; first to screen your national pride by soliciting an interview with them as private Gentlemen, and in the conclusion to endeavour to deceive the multitude by making an hand-bill attack on the whole body of the Congress ; — you got them together under one name, and abused them under another. But the king you serve, and the cause you support, afford you so few instances of acting the gentleman, that out of pity to your situation, the Congress pardoned the insult by taking no notice of it.
You say in that hand-bill, " that they, the Congress, disavowed every purpose for reconciliation not consonant with their extravagant and inadmissible claim of Independence. " Why, God bless me! what have you to do with our independence? We ask no leave of yours to set it up; we ask no money of yours to support it; we can do better without your fleets and armies than with them; you may soon have enough to do to protect yourselves without being burthened with us. We are very willing to be at peace with you, to buy of you and sell to you, and like young beginners in the world, to work for our own living; therefore, why do you put yourselves out of cash, when we know you cannot spare it, and we do not desire you to run into debt? I am willing, Sir, you should see your folly in every view I can place it, & for that reason descend sometimes to tell you in jest, what I wish you to see in earnest. — But to be more serious with you, why do you say " their " Independence? To set you right, Sir, we tell you, that the independency is ours not theirs . The Congress were authorised by every State on the continent to publish it to all the world, and in so doing are not to be considered as the inventors, but only as the heralds that proclaimed it, or the office from which the sense of the people received a legal form; and it was as much as any or all their heads were worth, to have treated with you on the subject of submission under any name whatever. But we know the men in whom we have trusted; can England say the same of her parliament?
Just published and sold at the Printing-Office in Portsmouth, the Regulation Act of Prices, very necessary for every Family in Town and Country, to prevent Imposition.

I come now more particularly to your proclamation of the 30th of November last. — Had you gained an entire conquest over all the armies of America, and then put forth a proclamation, offering (what you call mercy, your conduct would have had some specious show of humanity; but to creep by surprize into a province, and there endeavor to terrify and seduce the inhabitants from their just allegiance to the rest, by promises, which you neither meant nor were able to fulfil, is both cruel and unmanly: cruel in it's effects; because, unless you can keep all the ground you have marched over, how are you, in the words of your proclamation, to secure your proselytes "the enjoyment of their property?" What are to become either of your new adopted subjects, or your old friends the Tories, in Burlington, Bordentown, Trenton, Mount Holly, and many other places, where you proudly lored it for a few days, & then fled with the precipitation of a pursued thief? What, I say are to become of those wretches? What are to become of those who went over to you from this city and state? What more can you say to them than, shift for yourselves? Or what more can they hope for than to wander like vagabonds over the face of the earth? You may now tell them to take their leave of America and all that once was theirs. Recommend them, for consolation, to your master's court; there perhaps they may make a shift to live on the scraps of some dangling parasite, and choose companions among thousands like themselves. A traitor is the foulest fiend on earth!
In a political sense we ought to thank you for this bequeathing estates to the continent; we shall soon, at this rate, be able to carry on a war without expence, and grow rich by the ill policy of Lord Howe and the generous defections of the Tories. Had you set your foot into this city, you would have bestowed estates upon us which we never tho't of, by bringing forth traitors we were unwilling to suspect. But these men you'll say " are his majesty's most faithful subjects; " let that honour then be all their fortune, and let his Majesty take them to himself.
I am now thoroughly disgusted with them; they live in ungrateful ease, and bend their whole minds to mischief. It seems as if God had given them over to a spirit of infidelity, and that they are open to conviction in no other line but that of punishment. It is time to have done with tarring, feathering, carting, and taking securities for their future good behaviour; every sensible man must feel a conscious shame at seeing a poor fellow hawked for a show about the streets, when it is known that he is only the tool of some principal villain, biased into his offence by the force of false reasoning, or bribed thereto through sad necessity. We dishonour ourselves by attacking such trifling characters, while greater ones are suffered to escape; it is our duty to find them out, and their proper punishment would be to exile them from the continent forever. The circle of them is not so great as some imagine; the influence of a few have tainted many who are not naturally corrupt. A continual circulation of lies amongst those who are not much in the way of hearing them contradicted, will in time pass for truth; and the crime lies not in the believer but the inventor. I am not for declaring war against every man that appears not to warm as myself: Difference of constitution, temper, habit of speaking, and many other things will go a great way in fixing the outward character of a man, yet simple honesty may remain at bottom. Some men have naturally a military turn, & can brave hardships & the risque of life with a cheerful face; others have not, no slavery appears to them so great as the fatigue of arms, and no terror so powerful as that of personal danger: What can we say? We cannot alter nature, neither ought we to punish the son because the father beget him in a cowardly mood. — However, I believe most men have more courage than they know of, and that a little at first is enough to begin with. I knew the time when I tho't that the whistling of a cannon ball would have frightened me almost to death; but I have since tried it, & find I can stand it with as little discomposure, and (I believe) with a much easier conscience than your Lordship. The same dread would return to me again
were I in your situation, for my solemn belief of your cause is, that it is hellish and damnable, and under that conviction every thinking man's heart must fail him.
From a concern that a good cause should be dishonoured by the least disunion among us, I said in my former paper, No. 1. "That should the enemy now be expelled, I wish with all the sincerity of a Christian, that the names of Whig and Tory might never more be mentioned;" but there is a knot of men among us of such a venomous cast, that they will not admit even one's good wishes to act in their favour. Instead of rejoicing that Heaven had, as it were, providentially preserved this city from plunder and destruction, by delivering so great a part of the enemy into our hands with so little effusion of blood, they stubbornly affected to disbelieve it till within an hour, nay, half an hour, of the prisoners arriving: And the Quakers put forth a Testimony, dated the 20th of December, signed " John Pemberton , declaring their attachment to the British government.* These men are continually harping on the great sin of our bearing arms, but the king of Britain may lay waste the world in blood & famine, and they, poor fallen fools, have nothing to say.
In some future paper I intend to distinguish between the different kind of persons who have been denominated Tories; for this I am clear in, that all are not so who have been called so, nor all men Whigs who were once tho't so; and as I mean not to conceal the name of any true friend when there shall be occasion to mention him, neither will I that of an enemy who ought to be known, let his rank, station or religion be what it may. Much pains have been taken by some to set your Lordship's private character in an amiable light, but as it has chiefly been done by men who know nothing about you, and who are no ways remarkable for their attachment to us, we have no just authority for believing it. George the Third was imposed upon us by the same arts, but TIME, at length, has done him justice, and the same fate may probably attend your Lordship. Your avowed purpose here, is to kill, conquer, plunder, pardon and enslave ; and the ravages of your army thro' the Jerseys have been marked with as much barbarism, as if you had openly professed yourself the prince of ruffians; not even the appearance of humanity has been preserved either on the march or the retreat of your troops; no general order that I could ever learn, has ever been issued to prevent or even forbid your troops from robbery wherever they came, and the only instance of justice, if it can be called such, which has distinguished you for impartiality, is, that you treated and plundered all alike; what could not be carried away have been destroyed, and mahogany furniture have been deliberately laid on the fire for fuel rather than the men should be fatigued with cutting wood.† There was a time when the Whigs confided much in your supposed candour, and the Tories rested themselves on your favour; the experiments have now been made, and failed; and every town, nay every cottage, in the Jerseys, where your arms have been, is a testimony against you. How you may rest under this sacrifice of character I know not, but this I know, that you sleep and rise with the daily curses of thousands upon you; perhaps the misery which the Tories have suffered by your proffered mercy, may give them some claim to their country's pity, and be in the end the best favour you could show them.
In a folio general order book belonging to
* I have ever been careful of charging offences upon whole societies of men, but as the paper referred to is put forth by an unknown set of men, who claim to themselves the right of representing the whole; & while the whole society of Quakers admit its validity by a silent acknowledgment, it is impossible that any distinction can be made by the public; and the more so because the New-York paper of the 30th of December, printed by permission of our enemies, says, that " the Quakers begin to speak openly of their attachment to the British constitution. " We are certain that we have many friends among them, & wish to know them.
† As some people may doubt the truth of such wanton destruction. I think it necessary to inform that one of the people called Quakers, who lives at Trenton, gave me this information at the house of Mr. Michael Hutchinson (one of the same profession) who lives near to Trenton ferry, on the Pennsylvania side; Mr. Hutchinson being present.
col Rohl's battalion, taken at Trenton, & now in the possession of the Council of Safety for this State, the following barbarous order is frequently repeated, " His Excellency the Commander in Chief orders, that all inhabitants which shall be found with arms, not having an officer with them, shall be immediately taken and hung up. " How many you may thus have privately sacrificed we know not, & the account can only be settled in another world. Your treatment of prisoners, in order to distress them to enlist into your infernal service, is not to be equalled by any instance in Europe. Yet this is the humane Lord Howe and his brother, whom the Tories and their three quarter kindrid the Quakers, or some of them at least, have been holding up for patterns of justice and mercy!
A bad cause will ever be supported by bad means and bad men, and whoever will be at the pains of examining strictly into things, will find that one and the same spirit of oppression and impiety, more or less, governs thro' your whole party in both countries: Not many days ago I accidentally fell in company with a person of this city, noted for espousing your cause, and on my remarking to him, "that it appeared clear to me, by the late providential turn of affairs, that God Almighty was visibly on our side," he replied, "We care nothing for that, you may have HIM, and welcome; if we have but enough of the devil on our side we shall do." However carelessly this might be spoken, matters not, 'tis still the insensible principle that directs all your conduct, and will at last most assuredly deceive and ruin you.
If ever a nation was mad and foolish, blind to its own interest and bent on its own destruction, it is Britain. There are such things as national sins, and though the punishment of individuals may be reserved to another world, national punishment can only be inflicted in this world. Britain, as a nation is in my inmost belief the greatest and most ungrateful offender against GOD, on the face of the whole earth: Blessed with all the commerce she could wish for, and furnished by a vast extension of dominion with the means of civilizing both the eastern and western world, she has made no other use of both than proudly to idolize her own 'Thunder,' & rip up the bowels of whole countries for what she could get; — like Alexander she has made war her sport, and inflicted misery for prodigality sake. The blood of India is not yet repaid, nor the wretchedness of Africa yet requited. Of late she has enlarged her list of national cruelties by her butcherly destruction of the Caribbs of St. Vincents, and in returning an answer by the sword to the meek prayer for Peace, Liberty and Safety. " These are serious things; & whatever a foolish tyrant, a debauched court, a trafficking legislature or a blinded people may think, the national account with Heaven must some day or other be settled: All countries have sooner or later been called to their reckoning; the proudest empires have sunk when the balance was struck; & Britain, like an individual penitent, must undergo her day of sorrow, and the sooner it happens to her the better. As I wish it over, I wish it to come, but withal wish that it may be as light as possible.
PERHAPS your Lordship has no taste for serious things; by your connexions in England I should suppose not: Therefore I shall drop this part of the subject, & take it up in a line in which you will better understand me.
(To be continued.)
To make Room for the foregoing excellent Performance, by the Author of Common Sense , some Articles of News, and Pieces of Speculation, must be omitted, which no one, of Common Sense will take amiss; but, at the same Time, the Publishers of News Papers would be oblig'd to the above Author, if in future he would shorten his Numbers, as there is too much for one Paper at a Time. This Hint, 'tis hop'd, will not be disagreeable to any one.

By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of all the Forces of the United States of America. A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS several Persons, Inhabitants of the United States of America, influenced by inimical Motives, intimidated by the Threats of the Enemy, or deluded by a Proclamation issued the 30th of November last, by Lord and General HOWE , styled the King's Commissioners for granting Pardons, &c. (now at open War, and invading these States) have been so lost to the Interest and Welfare of this Country, as to repara to the Enemy, sign a Declaration of Fidelity, and in some Instances have been compelled to take Oaths of Allegiance, and engage not to take up Arms or encourage others so to do, against the King of Great Britain. AND WHEREAS it has become necessary to distinguish between the Friends of America & those of Great Britain, Inhabitants of these States; and that every Man who receives a Protection from, and is a Subject of any State (not being conscientiously Scrupulous against bearing Arms,) should stand ready to defend the same against every hostile Invasion.
I DO THEREFORE , in behalf of the United States, by Virtue of the powers committed to me by CONGRESS , hereby strictly command and require every Person having subscribed such Declaration, taken such Oaths, & accepted Protection & Certificates from Lord & General Howe, or any other Person acting under their Authority, forthwith to repair to Head-Quarters, or to the Quarters of the nearest General Officer of the Continental Army, or Militia (until further Provision can be made by the Civil Authority) and there deliver up such Protections, Certificates and Passports, & take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.
Nevertheless, hereby granting full Liberty to all such as prefer the Interest & Protection of Great Britain, to the Freedom & Happiness of their Country, forthwith to withdraw themselves & Families within the Enemy's Lines. And I do hereby declare, that all, and every Person, who may neglect or refuse to comply with this Order within THIRTY DAYS from the Date hereof, will be deemed Adherents to the King of Great Britain, and treated as common Enemies of these American States.
GIVEN at Head Quarters, Morris Town, January 25, 1777.
G. WASHINGTON.
By his Excellency's Command, ROBERT H. HARRISON, Sec'y.
HARTFORD, February 3.
We hear that General Howe has lately issued a proclamation in New Jersey, commanding all persons who had accepted his protection, to repair to his army.
It is confidently asserted, that the king of Great Britain hath agreed with the prince of Hesse to send to his Highness's principality as many American tories as may be necessary to replace the Hessians who may be killed & taken prisoners by the Americans.
BOSTON, January 6.
Twenty-two sail of transports and ships of war, went from Newport up the western sound on Tuesday morning, supposed to have on board a considerable number of troops.
We are well assured from good authority that Gen. Howe was, by his successes in the Jerseys, so sure of reducing the Americans to a submission that he had wrote leaves of their lands, & had actually given them to a number that had submitted. Is this a term of peace which some would solicit, to have their lands leased to them!
It is said that the infamous Major Rogers with about 1500 tories, is surrounded, near King's Bridge, & it is thought he must inevitably fall into our hands.
By a gentleman from the southern army we learn, that a party of the Jersey militia, consisting of 500, commanded by General Dickenson, had beat a party of the British troops of about the same number, killed 100, and took 36 baggage waggons.
A PARODY on "The WATRY GOD" occasioned by General WASHINGTON's late successes in the Jerseys.
A S Mars, great God of battles! lay, In dalliance soft and amorous play, On fair Bellona's breast; — Surpriz'd he rear'd his hoary head, The conscious Goddess shook with dread, And all her fears confess'd. Loud thunder roll'd thro' Heaven's domain, Th' ætherial world was wrapt in flame, The God amazed spoke, Go forth, ye powers, and make it known, Who dares thus boldly shake my throne, And fill my realms with smoke. The Gods obsequious to his word, Sprung swiftly forth to 'bey their Lord, And saw two hosts away; — The one great WASHINGTON was thine, The other Howe's disorder'd line, In sorrow and dismay. Appall'd they view'd COLUMBA's sons Deal death and slaughter from their guns, And strike a dreadful blow, Which made ill-fated British slaves, On distant shores to find their graves, And sink to shades below. Amaz'd they tell of battles won, That Britain's ruin'd, WASHINGTON Alone triumphant rode: — Ha! cries the fair, pray who is he That dares reverse e'en JOVE's decree, And thus insult a GOD. The GOD's reply, in yonder lands, Great LIBERTY alone commands, And gives the Hero force; And when his thund'ring cannon roar, And strike with dread earth's distant shore; 'Tis SHE directs their course. And when HER winged bullets fly, To check a tyrant's treachery, And lay his glories low, — Then WASHINGTON serenely great, Tho' death and carnage round him wait, Performs the dreadful blow. The GOD with wonder heard the story, Astonish'd view'd COLUMBA's glory, Which time can ne'er subdue, Great WARREN's deeds, & GATES's fame. Join'd to great LEE's immortal name, And cried can this be true! Britain shall cease to plague mankind, With sister Tyrants strive to bind, And check the free-born soul: To WASHINGTON her Trophies yield, FREEDOM shall Triumph in the field, And rule from pole to pole.
FISH KILL, January 23.
It is said that the greater part of the American army will be completely cloathed with cloathing taken from the enemy, and designed for the British army.
We learn from Pennsylvania, that many of the Hessian prisoners have offered to enlist into our army, but that their offer was declined for the present. They express great joy at being released from their late masters, and were greatly surprized to find themselves treated with clemency and kindness. They say the British office had assured them that the Americans were a savage people, and would put to death all the Hessians that might fall into their hands. It is said that several of them in conversing with the German troops from the Lower Counties in Pennsylvania discovered several their relations, and were amazed to hear of the estates which many of their friends who left Germany poor, had acquired in America. They, in general declare, that they will never again draw the sword against us; and that if the Germans in General Howe's army knew how well they were treated, they would all desert.
Mr. Loudon, Printer at Fish-Kill, has forwarded the following piece of intelligence: "Just now the important News is come to hand, — That, General Washington had taken 92 of the enemy's Baggage waggons, 4 Horses to each, and the guards made prisoners; and that several of the Light Horse, and officers are deserting to us. 23d Jan. 1777."
NEWBURY PORT, February 6.
The following is an Extract from General Orders, dated at Head-Quarters, November 17. 1776.
"The GENERAL now will from his knowledge of the reduced state of the finances, and the great scarcity of men in Great-Britain, from his acquaintance with the character, the inclinations and interest of foreign courts, from the late assurances he has had from two of those courts. The General repeats, from his knowledge of those circumstances, he will venture to assure the officers and soldiers, and risks his reputation on the veracity of his prediction, that the war with Great Britain cannot last two years. — In his own persuasion, it will not last one."
Bourdeaux, we have the following intelligence, viz. Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Bourdeaux. dated December 13. 1776.
"Dr. Franklin arrived at Nantz in France, on the 7th inst. in a ship of 16 guns, and has gone to Paris. His business, which must certainly be very important, is matter of great speculation among the French — I am very glad he has got safe here, as his superior abilities and experience will probably at this juncture be of the greatest advantage to America. The ship brought in two prizes with her, taken in the bay. — The French are now, and have been for four months past, preparing both by sea and land: Their marine force is at this day very formidable, and the Spaniards are not much behind them. A war with Spain and Portugal is thought to be unavoidable, should that take place, France and England will necessarily be engaged in it; the arrival of Doctor Franklin will probably hasten it. It is very confidently reported, and said to come from good authority, that Russia has engaged to furnish England with 20,000 men for the American service, in the spring; France and Spain will not, I think see this, and remain idle spectators; The Dutch were attached to their interest, seem very generally disposed to retard and clog the Americans, both in their public and private business, as much as they can. Lord Chatham is said to be very near his end. We have not yet heard of the fate of King'sbridge: — The French and Spaniards will greatly rejoice to hear of a decisive action in favour of America, hope they will soon have that pleasure. Hearing that Lead was much wanted in America induced me to purchase so large a quantity, should there be occasion for it, I hope it will do good execution."
From various circumstances we are apt to believe a war between France and England is actually declared, so that it's not likely the English army in America can be much augmented the next summer.
We hear that several prizes have been lately sent into safe ports at the Southward.
PORTSMOUTH.
Extract of a letter from the hon. Gov. Trumbull, dated Lebanon February 3, 1777.
Examination of Mrs. Hannah White, wife of Serjeant White, of the Regiment lately commanded by Gen. Mc. Dougall, taken before him at Pecks Kill, Jan. 25, 1777.
"Mrs. White says, that she left New-York on Monday the 20th inst. — that the college, bridewell, new goal, Baptist meeting, and the tavern lately occupied by Mr. De la Montaigne, and several other houses are full of the sick and wounded of the enemy, that the Hessians are very sickly and discontented, and had three rounds fired on a number of them, in Jersey, by a party of the British troops, for refusing to attack the Americans, and that a number of Hessians were bro't into New-York, under guard; that on Saturday before she left the city, she heard a British officer, (who rode in express with the intelligence of our troops advancing to fort independence) declare to another, that they had but 400 regular troops in the city, and about 500 at the forts near King'sbridge, and that they would be obliged to send to Jersey for troops to defend the city, that the enemy obliged the citizens to watch at night, but would not trust many of them with arms, clubs were given to those suspected to do duty with, that they appeared in great consternation in New-York, that on Monday some officers were beating about for volunteers to go into Jersey, and if a sufficient number did not enlist, the next day the 5th man of the citizens, and those who come in for protection, were to be draughted to reinforce the enemy's army in Jersey. — that General Lee was brought to New-York on Thursday the 16th inst. where he was under guard in a small mean looking house, at the bottom of King-street. — that her sister, with whom she lived, paid eighteen pence per pound for beef before she left the city which would scarcely grease the water it was boiled in."
TO BE SOLD,
A Few Cases of excellent GENEVA, a few Pieces of RUSSIA DUCK, CORDAGE, and two Suits Sloop's SAILS. Enquire of Jacob Sheafe, junr.
W E the subscribers, appointed commissioners, to receive and examine the claims of the several creditors to the estate of Jacob Clark, late of New Castle, deceas'd, represented insolvent, hereby give notice, that we will attend upon that business at the house of Meshech Bell, innholder in New-Castle, on Monday the 24th of Feb. instant, and on the first Monday of the five next following months from four to six o'clock in the afternoon of said days.
Abraham Trefethen.
William Vennard.
New-Castle, Feb. 10. 1777.
8-10

HARTFORD, January 27.
At the adjourned Superior Court held in this place last week, the following persons were convicted of the following crimes, viz.
Moses Dunbar, of Waterbury, convicted of having a Captain's commission from General Howe, and inlisting men to serve in the ministerial army—sentenced to suffer death, but the time of his execution is not fixed upon.
The Rev. Roger Viets of Salsbury, convicted of aiding and assisting Major French and a number of other prisoners in making their escape, as lately mentioned in this paper, and holding a traitorous correspondence with the enemy, sentenced to pay 20 pounds to this state, and suffer one years imprisonment.
Gurdon Whitmore of Middletown, found guilty of high Treason by the jury: but an arrest of judgment being plead in his favour, a final determination of the trial was put off till march term.
Solomon Bill, last from Middletown, convicted of counterfeiting the bills of credit of this State.—Sentenced to suffer four years confinement in New Gate prison.
BOSTON. January 30.
On the Hessian standards, taken at Trenton, were engraved these words:— NES-CIT PERICULA , a fearlessness of danger , which was not displayed in the battle where the standards were surrendered to the American arms, and which hath drawn on the timed Hessian, and his vaunting motto, the following EPIGRAM:
The man who submits, without striking a blow, May be said, in a sense, no danger to know : I pray then, what harm, by the humble submission, At Trenton was done to the standard of Hessian ?
The council of safety at Pennsylvania, in compliance with a resolve of the honorable Continental Congress, are taking the most vigorous and speedy measures for punishing all such as shall refuse Continental currency. The General at Philadelphia, hath been directed by the President of the Congress, to give the council every necessary aid for carrying into effectual execution their measures for supporting the credit of the money issued under the authority of Congress, and for punishing those who shall attempt to destroy or lessen its credit.
Extract of a letter from Morris town, New-Jersey, dated January 15, 1777.
"Since Christmas we have taken upwards of 2000 of the enemy prisoners, great quantities of baggage, &c. The enemy are retreating towards Staten Island, where they are followed by a part of our army, who make prisoners of them, more or less, every day; the enemy, with Howe at their head, appear to be panic struck, which I pray God may continue. The garrison that was taken at Fort Washington are mostly released, some of them told me that 1100 of the garrison died in the city, being starved to death; that provisions was very scarce with the enemy. His Excellency is raising twelve battalions, exclusive of the eighty eight ordered by Congress, so that next Spring we shall have an army of 70,000 men, which I hope will be able to engage and conquer any body of troops the tyrant of Britain may think proper to transport into America. It is reported Lord Howe is gone to England in order to get a reinforcement of 20,000 Russians."
Extract of a letter from New-York, January 19, 1777.
"Our army are now in fine spirits: their success has been amazing—The British ar-
my, the body of them are at Brunswick; our army has them in a great measure hemmed in: I hope a good account of them will be given soon."
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 enter'd 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
TO BE LETT,
SIX small Farms of 50 and 75 acres each, situated on the country road, near to each other, on either of which an industrious man may get a comfortable support—There is wood, pasturing, plow, and grass land, sufficient to keep stock, and raise grain for six small families; a grist and saw mill within three quarters of a mile, with full employment, for which a suitable person is wanted on good terms. None need apply but such as have the character of honest and industrious men; and such will meet with every encouragement. Enquire at the Print Office, and know further. 5—7
TO BE SOLD, about One Thousand Acres of choice Land in the Town of Chester, 28 miles from Portsmouth, part of which lays in the Parishes of Rayment and Candia. For particulars, enquire at the Printing Office in Portsmouth. 5—7
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, strait 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.
FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.
BROKE out of the Goal in Exeter, in the night after the first inst. James Ryan, an irishman, about 25 years of age, 5 feet six inches high, pock broken, and wears his own hair; had on a blue coat lapell'd with red, red jacket, buff breeches, and grey surtout. Whoever will apprehend said Ryan, & convey him to either of the Goals in this county, shall have Five Dollars paid him by
JOHN PARKER, Sheriff. Portsmouth, Jan. 6, 1777. —46,
Benj a Dearborn
Has for sale, at his shop in Queen Street, West India and New England RUM;—SUGAR; &c. &c. &c.
At the Prices affixed in the regulation Bill for this Sale.
Also, a small Quantity of BEST FRENCH BRANDY, Portsmouth, Feb. 4, 1777.
Keith Spence
Has on Hand, RUM, COFFEE, COTTON, and a few other Articles, which he intends selling at the Prices fix'd by the late Regulation Act. 7—9
Benjamin Austin,
Has for Sale, on Spring-Hill, High Proof Jamaica RUM, At Seven Shillings and eight Pence per Gallon, agreeable to the late Regulation Bill. Also, COTTON, COFFEE, &c.
TO BE LETT,
And enter'd upon the 12th of April next, A FARM in Kittery, one mile from Portsmouth, consisting of Orchard, Mowing, Pasturing, and Tillage Land, and is well accommodated with Buildings, and stock'd with Cattle and Sheep. Enquire of Joseph Whipple in Portsmouth. 7—9
TO BE LETT,
A FARM in Kittery, at the Head of York River, next to Colonel John Frost's. Enquire of John Moffatt, Esq; in Portsmouth.
Sold at Public Auction,
On Thursday the 13th day of February instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M. at the wharfe of Messrs Daniel and Samuel Sherburne, THE Prize Brigantine FAVOURITE about 260 tons, not three years old, built in Great Britain, and well found. Also about 100 iron bound butts, cables, anchors and sails—two double fortify'd two pounders,— and a few casks of English Peas.—Any person may see the aforesaid, by applying to JACOB TREADWELL.