The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-03-04 00:00:00

Greenleaf's Journal
OR New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, March 4. 1777.
[ No. 41. ]
LONDON, Thursday Nov. 7, 1777. A PROCLAMATION, For a General Fast.
GEORGE R.
WE taking into our most serious consideration the just and necessary measures of force which we are obliged to use against our rebellious subjects in our colonies and provinces in North America, and putting our trust in almighty God, that he will vouchsafe a special blessing on our arms both by sea and land, have resolved, and do, by and with the advice of our Privy-Council, hereby command, That a public Fast and Humiliation be observed throughout that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, our dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed upon Friday the 13th day of December next, that so both we and our people may humble ourselves before Almighty God, in order to obtain pardon of our sins; and may, in the most devout and solemn manner, send up our prayers and supplications to the Divine Majesty, for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold sins and provocations have most justly deserved, and for imploring his intervention and blessing speedily to deliver our loyal subjects within our colonies and provinces in North America from the violence, injustice and tyranny, of those daring rebels who have assumed to themselves the exercise of Arbitrary Power; to open the eyes of those who have been deluded by specious falsehoods into acts of treason and rebellion; to turn the hearts of the authors of these calamities, and finally to restore our people in those distracted provinces and colonies to the happy condition of being free subjects of a free state; under which heretofore they flourished so long & prospered so much. And we do strictly charge and command, That the said public Fast be reverently and devoutly observed by all our loving subjects in England, the dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, as they tender the favour of Almighty God, and would avoid his wrath and indignation; and upon pain of such punishment as we may justly inflict upon all such as contemn and neglect the performance of so religious a duty. And for the better and more orderly solemnizing the same, we have given directions to the Most Reverend the Archbishops, and the Right Reverend the Bishops of England, to compose a Form of Prayer, suitable to the occasion, to be used in all churches, chapels, and places of public worship, and to take care the same be timely dispersed throughout their respective Dioceses. Given at our Court of St. James's the thirtieth day of October, 1776, in the seventeenth year of our reign.
GOD save the KING.
According to accounts from Boston, bro't by the passengers who arrived lately, it appears that General Washington had wrote to the leading men there, that four of the New-England regiments, on the news of the landing of the king's forces at Long-Island, had formed the resolution of returning home; and to prevent it, he was obliged to order
some battalions from the Southern provinces to watch their motions, and command them to be fired on if they persisted in their designs. On the receipt of this letter, the leading men at Boston had many meetings, and much serious conversation; and from what appeared it had affected their operations very much. The most violent among them were become more moderate; they were more irregular in their meetings, and less resolute in their determinations, when they did meet. It is now very common to see the friends of government walking arm and arm in the streets unmolested; and they held meetings, and visited one another, which they had not done since Gen. Gage's army came among them. In short, it is said, at Boston they are very much disheartened at the present posture of affairs.
Of near 10,000 inhabitants, which New-York contained last winter, there were not 3000 left when the King's troops took possession of it, and of these above half the Dutch and German traders, who are by no means likely to take any part against the British soldiers; the rest are composed of aged, sick & such persons as refused to enter into the measures of the Congress.
Letters from Amsterdam mention, advice had been received from the Cape of Good Hope, that the Nabob Raigoba had broke his alliance with the English, and joined the Heyder Ally, who was preparing with upwards of 60,000 men to penetrate into the Carnatic.
BOSTON, February 27.
By a Passage from the London Papers, reprinted in last Monday's Gazette, it appears, That the Mildness of this Government, and the Generosity of the Whigs to the Tories, is attributed altogether to our Timidity, and an Apprehension that our Cause is gone. "It is now very common," says the Passage referred to, to see the Friends of Government walking Arm and Arm in the Streets of Boston, unnoticed; and they hold Meetings and visit one another, which they have not done since General Gage's Army came among them. In short, it is said, they are very much disheartened." It seems then, that the Tories are allowed more Liberty under the present Government than they were in Gage's time: which is undoubtedly true; but then all is owing to Fear. It is in this Manner our Enemies construe all we say and do. The Humanity with which we have treated those who have fallen into our Hands by the Fortune of War, is ascribed to the same Principle of Fear; and has been returned by the most barbarous Treatment of the Subjects and Friends of the United States, who have fallen into their Hands; even the Sailors on Voyages of meer Trade. They have been murdered in a systematical Way, by crowding them together in Cells and Dungeons, and gradually starving them. This is not high Painting, it is literally true.
But we may venture to say, it is not the Interest of our Enemies to treat us in this
Manner. If Gratitude will not, Prudence ought to teach them better. Did the impartial World know all Circumstances; and the unexampled Provocations we have met with, they would admire us as much for our Moderation and Mildness, as for our Bravery and Love of Liberty.
The British King, it seems, grows serious upon American Affairs. He has published a Proclamation for a Fast, through all England. We shall give our Readers the celebrated Mr. BURKE's Observations upon it.
Mr. BURKE, in the House of Commons, speaking on the American Contest, in which he was very severe against the Ministry, said, — "That after having been massacred, first by the Hessians, and then by the Lawyers, they now talked of a Revival of the Acts that had been complained of seven Years ago; after burning their Towns, and ruining their Commerce, the Minister cries out, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you Rest." — But what Sort of Rest? You shall have Magistrates not of your own chusing; Taxes without your Assent, and Laws made for you in England. — He complain'd bitterly of some Expressions in the Proclamation for the General Fast; he said the Purposes of Religion were to be inverted; for we were to go to Church in a most impious Manner, to accuse our American Brethren of being deluded into acts of Treason, by specious Falsehoods. This he condemned as blasphemous, and converting the House of GOD into the Tabernacle of Satan (Here he was called to Order) But afterwards proceeded, and justified the Resistance of the Americans. — He also made Administration accountable for the Blood that had been shed, and all the Horrors of War; those were the Sins we were to atone for, and to deprecate the Wrath of Heaven by a General Fast, and surely no People ever had more Reason to humble themselves before God." — He spoke with great Vehemence above an Hour.
BALTIMORE, January 16.
His Excellency Patrick Henry, Esq; Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, by the advice of his Privy-Council, hath issued a Proclamation, dated the third Instant strictly enjoining & requiring all the Natives of Great-Britain, who were partners with factors, agents, store keepers, or clerks in that Commonwealth, for any merchant, or merchants in Great-Britain, on the first day of January, 1776, the time the Act of the British Parliament for restraining the trade of America, and seizing our property upon the water took place, to depart the Commonwealth with their goods, within forty days except such of the said Natives as have uniformly manifested a friendly disposition to the American Cause, or are attached to this Country by having wives or children here, agreeable to a Resolution of the General Assembly, &c. in the mean time, such persons are at liberty to dispose of their goods and merchandise to any person or persons who may be willing to purchase the same.
Just publish'd, and sold at the Printing-Office, price 3d, or 4d, a Poem, entitled, The Battle of Lexington, or the Inhuman Tragedy perpetrated, under the Command of General Gage.

LONDON, November 11.
Yesterday the House of Peers waited on his Majesty with their humble Address to his Majesty's most gracious Speech of Thursday last. The Address is as follows :
Most gracious Sovereign,
W E your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty our humble thanks for your most gracious speech from the throne. "It is with the truest satisfaction we congratulate your Majesty on the success of your arms in the province of New York, the recovery of Canada, and the fair prospect of decisive good consequences, which, under the blessing of divine providence, is now opened by the firmness of your Majesty's councils, the value and good conduct of your majesty's officers and forces by sea and land, and by the zeal and bravery of the auxiliary troops in your Majesty's service.
"We beg leave to assure your Majesty, that nothing would have given us an equal happiness to the having been reinformed by your Majesty, at the opening of this session, that the troubles which have so long distracted North America, had been at an end; that your Majesty's unhappy people in those provinces had recovered from their delusion, and awakened by due sense of their misfortunes and misdoings, had delivered themselves from the oppression of their leaders, and were returned to their duty. While we lament that your Majesty's humane and merciful intentions have been frustrated by the neglect shown to the means of conciliation, notified under the authority of your Majesty's royal commission, we feel the strongest indignation at the insolent manner in which they were rejected; and we want words to express our abhorrence of the desperate spirit of those overbearing men, who, with an unsatiable thirst of power and dominion, which has uniformly actuated all their proceedings, have now renounced allegiance to the crown, and all political connection with Great-Britain; and, with an arrogance equal to the enormity of the attempt, lest a doubt of their real design should remain on the breast of any person whatever, have set up their rebellious confederacies for Independent States. We are fully aware of the mischief which would accrue from the success of this treason to your Majesty's loyal colonies, to the commerce of this nation, and more remotely indeed, but not less certainly to the system of Europe, and to every state upon the continent of Europe possessed of distant colonies.
"We reflect with pleasure on the solid advantage which will be derived from the object of the rebels being openly avowed and clearly understood, the unanimity which will prevail at home, founded in a conviction of the justice and necessity of your Majesty's measures. Inspired with the same zeal for the cause of our country which animates the kingdom at large, we will steadily support your Majesty in the vindication of the honour of your crown, and the just rights of parliament and will cheerfully concur in making the necessary provisions for those great purposes.
"The assurance of amity, which, your Majesty continues to receive from the several courts of Europe, afford great satisfaction; we entertain the most grateful sense of the endeavours which your Majesty is exerting to conciliate unhappy differences between two neighbouring powers; and we trust, that by your Majesty's auspicious endeavours, those misunderstandings will be removed, and Europe continue to enjoy the inestimable blessings of peace. Permit us, Sir, at the same time, to return your Majesty our dutiful thanks for your provident attention in guarding against any event which may arise out of the present situation of affairs, by keeping us in a respectable state of defence at home.
With hearts full of duty and gratitude, we acknowledge the happiness, which under your Majesty's mild government, is extended to every part of the British empire; of which the late flourishing state of the revolted provinces, their numbers, their wealth, their strength by sea and land, which they think sufficient to enable them to make head against the whole power of the mother country, shew that they have abundantly participated.—And we earnestly hope, that your Majesty's paternal object of restoring your distracted colonies to the happy condition from which by their own misconduct, they are wretchedly fallen will be speedily attained."
His Majesty's most gracious answer.
"MY LORDS
"I Return you my thanks for this dutiful and affectionate address.
"It is with great pleasure I observe the satisfaction which the successes of my arms against the rebels in North-America has given to all my loving subjects. That which you express is highly acceptable to me. "The preservation of the public tranquility, the happiness of all my people; and the maintenance of our excellent constitution, are the invariable objects of my heart."
BOSTON, February 24.
The following extraordinary paragraph, was sent by a Lady, who was an eye witness of the same.
"After a wanton Cruelty of the bombardment of the town of Falmouth, by the famous MOWATT, on the 18th of October 1775, a severe storm of rain set in the same night, which continued 5 days.—This brought on the winter, and we had a deep snow in the beginning of November, the Image of God being now drove to the wilderness for shelter cryed for Food; the infant and grey head asked for sustenance, & the great JEHOVAH, to whom belongs the cattle upon a thousand hills, sent them venison in such plenitude, that it was sold for three coppers the pound. Such was the instinct of these creatures at this time, that they come and stood tamely by the farmer when he was foddering his cattle.—The oldest person living there never remember the like before; they being fearful, timid creatures, rather shun than approaches mankind. Hundreds of people can attest the truth of this, which to pass in silence, would be ingratitude to an all-bountiful Providence.
LONDON, October 12. How happy must his Majesty be, when he reflects, how very forward his Subjects are to serve him! Not a Place becomes vacant, from the Lord Chamberlain down to the most menial Office, but there are three, four, perhaps a dozen Competitors for it, and all out of pure Love to their Sovereign.
In the Year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred & seventy-seven. STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
An Act,
Preamble.
In addition to an Act, entitled "An Act, for forming and regulating the Militia within the State of New-Hampshire, in New-England, and for repealing all the Laws heretofore made for that purpose.
WHEREAS during the present War between Great-Britain and the United-States of America, there may be frequent occasion to draft men to serve therein, and no provision having been made therefor, in the before recited Act :
BE it therefore Enacted by the COUNCIL and House of REPRESENTATIVES, in General-Court assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That when and so often as it shall happen, that there be an immediate call for a number of soldiers to serve in the War aforesaid, and a sufficient number not appearing by voluntary enlistment for that purpose, it shall and may be lawful for the Field Officers of the respective regiments in this state, or the major part of them ( on receiving orders from the Major-General ) to issue warrants to the captains of the several companies therein, to call the same with the alarm list, together, in the most convenient place ( giving them such notice as the emergency and other circumstances may admit of ) and to draft such a proportion thereof as shall be made in their respective warrants, provided a sufficient number do not appear to serve by voluntary enlistment as aforesaid.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That when and so often as any person or persons drafted to serve as aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect to make a reasonable excuse to the acceptance of the person or persons by whom he is so drafted, or to pay into their hands the sum of ten pounds, he shall be held and taken to be a soldier in the service for which he was so drafted : And if any soldier neglect or refuse to march when ordered thereto, according to the mode prescribed in the before-recited act, unless he produces a discharge from, or provides some able-bodied man in his stead, to the acceptance of the persons herein empowered to draft him, he shall forfeit and pay into the hands of such persons the sum of twelve pounds, in default of which payment, the same shall be recovered on complaint made by the clerk of the company to which such person or persons so drafted, belongs, before two justices of the peace ( quorum unus ) of the same county, who are hereby empowered to try and adjudge the same, and to issue execution for such fine, and the legal costs. And all fines arising from the breaches of this Act, shall be delivered into the hands of the selectmen of the town or towns where such delinquents shall reside, to be by them applied for the purpose of hiring some person or persons to serve in the stead of him or them so refusing.
Passed Jan. 18, 1777,
Men to be drafted in case, &c.
Fine in case of refusal to make excuse.
Fine in case of refusal to march.

***** In the Year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred & seventy-seven.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
An Act,
Passed Jan. 17, 1777.
For preventing and punishing such Offences against the State as do not amount to Treason or Misprision of Treason.
Preamble.
WHEREAS this State, in conjunction with the other United-States of America, is now at war with Great-Britain, in defence of all that is dear and sacred to men, and there is but too much reason to fear, that many among ourselves are not only disaffected to the cause, but are daily striving, by every means in their power, to injure it, and ruin this country :
Persons discouraging the land or sea service, guilty of a misdemeanor.
BE it therefore Enacted by the COUNCIL and House of REPRESENTATIVES, in General Court assembled, That if any person or persons, within this state, shall in any way whatsoever discourage, or attempt to discourage any person or persons from enlisting in the American Army, or joining and assisting their arms, either by sea or land, in prosecuting the war aforesaid, or from continuing in such service after being engaged therein, such person or persons shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor against this state, unless the party accused, shall make it appear upon the trial, that he was not influenced by any motives inconsistent with the public good, but was a friend and well-wisher to the common cause aforesaid ; upon which he shall be acquitted and discharged.
Also persons who shall speak against the common cause.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons, within this state, shall publickly and openly speak against the common cause before-mentioned, or endeavour by any methods, public or private, to disaffect the minds of others towards it ; such person or persons shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor against this state.
or spread any false news.
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons within this state, shall wittingly and willingly make or spread any false news, or reports with intent to deceive any of the inhabitants or people of this state, and to injure the common cause, such person or persons shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor against this state.
Fine.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every person convicted of either of the misdemeanors aforesaid, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding forty shillings for the first offence, and double that sum for each offence afterwards, at the discretion of the justice before whom such trial is had, and shall recognize in the sum of ten pounds, with two sureties, for his or their good behaviour, and to appear at the next court of quarter sessions, to be holden within the county where such offence is committed : and shall stand committed until sentence be performed : and in default of the payment of fine or fines, shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six, nor less than three months ; saving to the party so convicted, the liberty of appealing to the next sessions of the peace within the same county ; he or they giving bonds in a reasonable sum to prosecute said appeal to effect.
Imprisonment in case, liberty of appeal.
Justices of peace impowered to try offenders.
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That every justice of the peace, within his respective county, in this state, is hereby impowered to try either of the offences or misdemeanors before-mentioned, on complaint, or any other certain information, who may issue his warrant to apprehend such offender, and proceed in the same manner and form as hath heretofore been practised in this state in other offences against the peace.
Persons refusing to submit to the government to be punished by fine or imprisonment
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons, within this state, shall wilfully refuse to submit to the government and laws thereof, or to the authority of any magistrate or officer of the same, such person or persons so offending, upon conviction thereof before the court of sessions for the county where such offender dwells, ( who are impowered to try the same on presentment thereof by the grand jury for said court) shall be punished by a fine, not exceeding ten pounds, at the discretion of said court, and may be imprisoned for a term, not exceeding six months ; saving to the party so convicted, the liberty of appealing to the superior court of judicature within this state, he giving bonds in a reasonable sum to prosecute the same to effect.
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all fines arising by virtue of this act, be paid to the several county treasurers within this state, for the use of the respective counties where such offences may be committed.
The Act against Treason and Misprision of Treason, and for regulating Trials in such Cases, and for directing the Mode of executing Judgments, will be in next Paper.
The following would have been published a Fortnight ago, but was delay'd for want of Room.
Mr. PRINTER,
THE Person under the Signature of Veracitas , either through Ignorance or Passion , mistakes my Sentiments relative to the Regulation-Act. — I am not against Regulations , but the Manner how, is the Matter of Objection.—As to his many severe Reflections of Monopolizer , and Hirling , they are as void of Truth, as his Performance is of Correctness and Argument , the principal Constituence of which are Railing and Defamation . — I mean not to offer any Thing to offend, or to call trifling Obstacles in the Way ; Truth and Justice are the only Arguments I shall use.—That my Sentiments may not be misunderstood by any, I will state them in one View— Regulations are absolutely necessary, as our Affairs are thus unhappily circumstanced, that the Soldier and Labourer may be supplied cheaper with the Necessaries they need.— Some Mode must be adopted to prevent the Miscies attending the undue Rise of Goods ; but the Manner of doing this consistent with Equity and Justice, is the Subject of my Enquiry.—My Objection is against the Plan entered into by the Regulation Act, as it strikes so essentially at the Property of Individuals.—I know Veracitas and many others are ready to answer, " Individuals by every public Regulation are Sufferers, but the Interest of the Community is of too great Concern to regard it."—This Argument does not hold good in every Case ; it must be consider'd under proper Limitations ; it is equally as good a political Maxim, that the public Interest is not be promoted entirely at the Expence of a few Individuals.— Property is of too sacred a Nature to be infringed, and by all free Communities it is held the grand Palladium of Security.
To consider this Act on the Principles of Justice, we should not blend our Ideas with Monopolizers , and a thousand other Chimeras of the Brain ; but strip them of these Deformities, and weigh it by the impartial Scale of Equity ;—if after mature Adjustment, we find those who are to suffer by this Regulation, are Men who have been raising their Fortunes on the Ruin of their Country, or have used any undue Measures to enhance the Prices of Articles, then we may safely put this Act into Execution, and condemn all as Monopolizers , and Extortioners . — But if on the other Hand, we find our Affairs in so perplexed a State ( owing principally to our own Misconduct ) that by this Regulation we deprive Hundreds of honest industrious Individuals of their Property, by reducing their Articles one third less than they cost, and put the Burden of our public Grievances on the Shoulders of a few Men, as friendly to our Cause, and perhaps have suffered as much in the Course of our public Calamities as any among us ; if I say, it falls thus heavy on these Persons, can we pretend to execute with such Rigor an Act so severely burthensome ?— Let the Man, who by good Luck, has got none of these Articles on Hand, but has dispos'd of them to Advantage, ask his Conscience, whether his innocent Neighbour thus suffering, is not too cruelly treated ? I am convinced he feels for his Misfortunes, and answers, it is but just that he should be remedy'd. In all public Transactions, particularly relating to Property, the utmost Care should be taken that the weight of the Measures does not fall too heavy on any particular Part ; we should ballance the Scale, that every one may bear a proportionate Weight ; but if we press the whole Burthen on a few Shoulders, we destroy that delicate Equilibrium of free Communities, and crush the unhappy Sufferers to ruin.—But the great Reserve is, "Every Article is equally regulated, the Country Produce, &c. is all on a Footing, which makes the Affair as broad as it is long." — This is an ungenerous Way of arguing ; nay, it is Weakness of Judgment : the Cases are no Way parallel. Pray at what Rate is the Country Produce fix'd ?—fully equal to its Value.— No Farmer is a Sufferer ; he sells no Article at a Loss ; he is allow'd a Profit sufficient to maintain his Family by every Article he disposes of : But to consider on the other Hand, the Merchant's Property is reduced by this Act, a third below the Purchase ; his Articles of Commerce are dispos'd of without any Regard to Circumstances or Cost ; and instead of the pleasing Consideration of vending his Goods to some trifling Profit, he has the galling Reflection, that every Article he sells, is at a real Loss, and his Family, instead of being benefitted by his Trade, are impoverished ; this consider'd, makes a material Difference between the Farmer's Produce, and the Trader ; the former is regulated at the real Worth, according as it cost the Vender, but the latter is deprived of so much of his Property, besides being oblig'd to pay a greater Proportion of the TAXES of the State. I do not find Fault with this Act merely as a regulating one, but the Disproportion it bears on the Community : I am not for destroying one Man to raise another : In Public Distress, it is but right all should be on a Footing ; every one is intitled to Justice, from the grave Senator with his Code of Laws, to the " merry Dram Seller," with his Jug and Glass.
Another Objection against this Act is, the Precedent establish'd, by obliging the Merchant to sell his Articles below the Cost, which puts our merchantile Affairs intirely into the Hands of the General Assembly. If such Power is established, what Encouragement has the Merchant to hazard his Interest, when his Merchandise is fix'd at a Price by Gentlemen, who are

mostly unacquainted with the Hazard and Expence of Trade ? If they can oblige a Person to sell at 3 s, Loss, they can at 6s, for if you permit the Power, you cannot prescribe Limits; the next Session may produce another Regulation Act, for further Discount on Merchandize. If this extensive Power is assumed, either by the —————, or —————, what Security has the Merchant of his Property, or what Encouragement to prosecute any further Trade? But as Regulations are absolutely necessary, I will humbly offer what I think consistent with the public Good, without falling too heavy on a few: ————— All Merchandize that remains on Hand, which was purchased above the Prices limited, the Owners to be allow'd the Difference between the Prices regulated, and the first Cost; each Person to deliver his Account upon Oath, to be laid before the General Court, or any Committee they may appoint for this Purpose, the Loss sustained to be bore equally by the Community: The Act to continue in Force with Regard to any further Arrival of Merchandize, every Commodity to be sold agreeable to the Tenor of the Act. This Plan, I think the most eligible and equitable; the Tax by this Measure will be too trifling to cause any Complaint, if any such complain of their small Proportion , what great Reason have those who now bear the whole Burthen ? I cannot think any Objection can be made to this Proposal, considering this Measure of regulating the Prices, is principally intended for the Relief of the Soldier, and the Labourer, any Losses that may ensue by an Act of such public Utility , it is but just, and right they should be bore by the whole Community.
I am well aware that I am engaged in a very unpopular Argument, but in all public Measures every Individual has a Right to express his Sentiments. ————— My Reasons I offer to the candid and judicious; as for Veracitas , and others of his narrow Principles, I will inform them that when Slander and Defamation are offered instead of Argument, the Author, and his Performance are both below my Notice.
CANDIDUS.
B O S T O N. February 24.
The last Saturday's New-York Post we hear, brings a Confirmation of the Account under the Fish-Kill Head, of Feb. 13, inserted in our last week's Paper.
A Copy of a Letter from a Gentleman in Albany, to a Gentleman in this Town, dated the 13th Feb. 1777.
Since I wrote the foregoing, an Express arrived from Ticonderoga, at which Place a Captain in Livingston's Regiment is just got in from Canada, from whence he had just made his Escape. He tells the commanding Officer on Oath, that a scouting & scalping Party of Savages, to the Amount of 80, together with some Canadians, & Regulars, to the Amount of about 150, had set out from Canada; they were to have £. 20 for every Scalp they might bring in. That Col. Frazier commanded at Montreal, had with him 200 Men, 150 Men were at St. John's, and the like Number at Chamblee; all the Foreigners were at Three Rivers, had mutined twice or thrice in such Manner as obliged the commanding Officer to turn out the British Troops and what Canadians they had in order to quell them. — That General Carleton was at Quebec, and that they were cutting Wood on the Lake for three Vessels. He further says, that People in general are much more affected to our Cause, than they were last Year; and that what Canadians have joined the British Army, are only the very lowest of the People; the Troops take whatever they stand in need of from any Person, just give them a Certificate of having taken it, without any other Satisfaction. Provisions is very difficult to be had, by even the Troops.
By a paragraph of a Letter from another Gentleman of the same Date, who just return'd from Camp, we learn, That Mr. De Witt, who lately made his Escape from New York, where he was confin'd a Prisoner, says he saw 600 Hessian Troops confin'd on board the Men of War for laying down their Arms; and that the Foreigners were in general so disaffected, that they only waited for a favourable Opportunity to go off in a Body. He brings a Return of all the British Force, am sorry I can't remember exactly, but think it is thus, 55000 in the Jerseys, 2500 at York, 3000 on Long-Island, and about 3500 or 4000 at Rhode-Island; frequently he saw the Troops paraded in York, & counted their Number, could never make above 300 Men in any one Regiment; and that at the Time our Militia approached King's Bridge, the Army and Tories were in the utmost Confusion and Pain; thinks we might easily have taken the City.
We hear from Plympton, that on Sunday the 26th of January, was found dead in
said Plympton, Mr. John Thompson , of Halifax — The Jury brought in their Verdict. 'That he expired by Reason of the Coldness of the Weather in the latter Part of the preceding Night, as he was on his Way Home from Plymouth.' — Our Informant says, he was a Gentleman of an unexceptionable Character.
A M E R I C A. B A L T I M O R E, January 28,
Captain Thomas Lilly, in a Cruiser of the State of Virginia, has brought into Hampton, a large Ship, which he took on her Passage from Tortola to London; Wallace Captain. Her cargo is valued at about 6000l. Sterling, consisting of Rum, Sugar, &c.
The Montgomery, a New-England Cruiser, has taken and sent into Hampton, a Schooner Prize, laden with Woollens, British Porter, Cheese, &c. bound from Halifax, to New-York.
L O N D O N, November 13.
The Empress of Russia has consented to lend his Majesty 24,000 of her best troops for the service of the next campaign in America, all of which are to be embarked by the 3d of April, 1777.
The Munificent, Elding, from New-York, brought advice, that Lord Howe and his brother the General, have had an interview with some of the Congress, but nothing was done, as they would treat with them on no other terms than a free State.
Extract of a Letter from Derby, Nov. 9.
"On Wednesday morning last, after the arrival of the Gazette Extraordinary , with an account of New-York being taken by his Majesty's forces, the bells were rang in the several parish churches in this town; at night many bonfires were made, and particularly a very large one before the new assembly room in the market place, where many respectable gentlemen and tradesmen assembled, and drank success to his Majesty's arms. They then paraded the town, preceded by torches, flags, drums, and a band of music; and were followed by a numerous and orderly populace, who expressed their joy on this occasion by repeated shouts of applause for the late victory."
In one of the letters received from Long-Island, is the following postscript; we are all impatient to attack New-York. The rebels are incredibly strong; but we don't mind that. The first six men that enter the post called He l gate, are to be rewarded by our General; so that many look with a jealous eye towards Hell, and it is expected there will be a great struggle to get into it."
Those who pretend to have the best information with respect to our operations in America, assert, that the Howes have no authority to settle any thing with the Provincials, but a temporary cessation of hostilities; that their charters being now become legally forfeited, will hereafter be modelled as shall appear most commodious to the mother country.
They write from Jamaica, that a privateer of 22 carriage guns, and 24 swivels, which by permission of Admiral Gayton, some merchants had fitted out at Kingston, had been taken off the south side of that island by two American privateers, after a stout resistance.
Nov. 22. The advocates of America incessantly declare, that if we even conquer the revolted Colonies, we cannot keep them in a state of subjection without a very large standing army; there is certainly much justice in this remark. But then a question will arise, By whom this large standing army is to be paid? To this, common sense replies, that it must be undoubtedly paid by the Americans. As their rebellion has created the necessity of such a military establishment, it is surely reasonable that the weight of it should fall upon their own shoulders; they now boast of being able to pay 200,000 men for the maintenance of civil war, and of consequence they may well support a fourth part of that number for the preservation of general tranquility.
A letter from St. Eustatia, Sept. 22, says, "The commander of a Dutch sloop, arrived at this place from Porto-Bello, brings the following intelligence. — A powerful Squadron is arrived at Porto-Bello, from Cadiz, as are also a large body of land forces; every thing there wears the appearance of a war, and every preparation for the above purpose, is carrying on by the Spaniards in all their ports in the West-Indies."
It is now very confidently talked among the friends of government, at the court end of the town, and in the city, that by Christmas they expect the ports to be open to New-York if not to Philadelphia & Maryland.
It is talked that there will be some alterations at the Treasury board before the meeting of parliament; but the premier will still continue.
By a postscript of a letter from New-York dated Sept. 28, we are informed, that an orderly book of the Provincials had been picked up by one of our officers on the field of battle, in which directions were minuted to spare neither man, woman or child. When General Howe was shewed this, instead of issuing out orders of reprisals as was expected, he gave a particular charge to the whole army to exert their benevolence and humanity the more, as there was a possibility, he said, of such orders being given under an idea of their being created to themselves.
TO be sold at Public Auction
on Thursday the 13th day of March at 11 o'Clock A. M. at Messrs Daniel & Samuel Sherburne's Wharf, the Privateer Schooner M'Clarey , a prime Sailer: at the same time will be sold the Stores belonging to said Schooner.
Portsmouth Feb. 28, 1777.
41—43
WHEREAS some Person, or Persons, do encourage the Seamen belonging to the RALEIGH , to neglect their Duty, by harbouring and secreting them in Houses, for the design'd Purpose of tempting them to spend their Money, thereby making them intoxicated with Liquor; by which Means Disorders are committed against public Peace, to the great Disgrace of this Town, and manifest Disadvantage to the Service of the United States; This is therefore to warn all Persons from harbouring, secreting, enticing or inveigling any Seaman or Marine belonging to the said Ship, from their Duty, as they will be made to answer such Offences as the Law directs. — Likewise to warn them against trusting or crediting any Seaman or Marine belonging to said Ship, as no such Debts will be paid.
THOMAS THOMPSON.
On Board the Raleigh , at Portsmouth, March 3d. 1777.
TO BE SOLD or LETT, On Reasonable Terms, By JONATHAN MOULTON, of Hampton,
A Farm situate in the parish of Deerfield, lying within about half a mile of the meeting house, containing about 150 acres of good land, with a dwelling-house, barn, and orchard thereon, the house double in length & breadth, very pleasantly situated, the more so as the building and orchard are facing the fore-street, leading to the meeting house, part of which was lately owned by Robert Kelse: The land runs northerly about one mile to another road leading to Gilmantown: — This Farm may be divided into two, and each to lay upon a public road. — Also, to be Lett, By said MOULTON, several Farms laying in the Township of Moultonborough and Tamworth, some of which are very large and commodious, the land is of an excellent quality, and has convenient dwellings, &c. thereon — Any person inclining to take on hire either of said Farms, may know the terms by applying to said Moulton; and those who incline to move on in a short time, may be supplied with Wheat, Corn, or Rye, until a new crop, delivered at the Farm at the price fixed by the General Court of this state, and good English Hay to do their Spring's Work, at half the price it is now sold in the lower towns. — Also
TO BE SOLD by said MOULTON, at Hampton, high proof Jamaica RUM by the gallon, choice SUGAR by the hundred &c. &c. at prices agreeable to the late Regulation Act of this state. Hampton, Feb. 8.
To be sold at Public Vendue,
On Thursday the sixth Day of March next, at 11 o'Clock in the Forenoon,
THE Ship POLLY , not two years and half old, built for private use, with all her appurtenances, as she now lays, at Mr. Darby's Wharf in Salem. — Inventories of Stores may be seen on board said Ship, or Capt. Warren's at Salem, unless sold by private Sale before.
LOST between Mr. Samuel Service's and the Rev. Dr. Haven's, on Wednesday evening the 19th instant, about ten pounds in paper bills, inclosed in inlisting orders, under capt. Carr. — Whoever has found the same, and will leave it at the Printing Office in Portsmouth, shall receive five Dollars reward for their Trouble.
30 or 40 Quintals of good FISH to be sold; Enquire at Mrs Tilton's.