The New-Hampshire gazette and general advertiser (Portsmouth [N.H.]), 1782-01-19 00:00:00

THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE, AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.
[Vol. XXVI.]
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1782.
[No. 1316.]
From the St. JAMES'S Chronicle, or British Evening Post, of July 31, 1781.
IT is a known fact, that the French are now making exertions in their navy, with a vigour that shows a determination to be superior to England. They have five ships of above 100 guns, each on the stocks at Brest and Toulon, which will be ready by March, 1782. There are two of equal force at Cadez; and their list of seventy fours on the stocks, in France and Spain, amounts to twenty-five! so that they are taking the most decisive measures for perpetuating the superiority which they actually have at sea. The government prints may talk of their not getting timber or stores, or copper; but every day's experience gives the direct lie to such ideas by seeing them launch and put to sea, fleets superior to our own: We are then told, that their ships at sea are in a bad condition; but we immediately read, even in the Gazette, of drawn battles with an equal force and single ships of the enemy, fighting yard arm to yard-arm, as gallantly as our own. The honor of the naval war is with them; they have fought as well as ourselves; even when their political designs do not lead to action; when their aim is to strengthen themselves—to preserve their marine—and to ruin us by expence. The revenues of France and Spain will certainly out-build us, while we make only common exertions—and the war itself makes sailors for them. Such then being the case, how much ought we to condemn the conduct of the admiralty, in not making the greatest exertions—in not straining every nerve to exceed the force of France, whose navy, singly taken, is now equal to our own—and actually carries a superiority of ships in the West Indies and in the East Indies, and drives our Channel fleet, at the same time, into port. Why is Milford Haven neglected, where a whole fleet might be building at the same time? Why have we not a naval militia, and county ships built?—large and rich ones to build three-deckers, and the rest seventy fours? If some measures of decisive vigour, are not taken, the importance and independence of this kingdom is at an end?
LEGION.
L O N D O N.
Aug. 8. The last five ships built in France, Le Terrible, Le Majestueux, and Le Invincible, each of 110 guns, have 64 pounders, on an entire new construction, for their lower-deckers: they have also furnaces for firing red hot cannon balls, that are heated in 48 minutes; 64 lb. of red hot iron, lodging in a ship, would be fatal.
Sept. 3. The following is a summary of our navy at present employed, viz. 3 of 100 guns, 8 of 98, 2 of 90, 3 of 80, 46 of 74, 4 of 70, 28 of 64, 5 of 60, 15 of 50, 12 of 44, 5 of 38, 11 of 36, 40 of 32, 28 of 28, 16 of 24, 10 of 20.
From the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
AFTER an attentive perusal of Lord Cornwallis's letter to Sir Henry Clinton, containing the account of the reduction of his posts and army, in Virginia, I think the following observations are equally just and natural.
I. That his Lordship is no GENERAL—This is evident, 1. From the nature of the posts he occupied. 2. From the structure of his works. 3. From his presuming it practicable to escape to New York by land 4. From his neglecting to obtain earlier intelligence of the approach of General Washington at the head of the allied army.
II. His Lordship is no SOLDIER.—This is evident, 1. From his neglecting to attack the Marquis la Fayette and the French troops, before the arrival of General Washington. 2. From his evacuating his out posts at the approach of the French grenadiers. 3. From his not daring to make a sortie, by which means he might have injured our works, and protracted the siege for several weeks.
III. His Lordship is no POLITICIAN.—This is evident, 1. From his neglecting to take notice of the conduct of the German troops during the siege. This impolitic omission will probably be resented by large and immediate defertions from the German corps, who are now in captivity among us. 2. From his account of the strength of the American army. The powers of Europe must soon see the impossibility of conquering America, when they perceive from Lord Cornwallis's letter, that only one of our armies consisted, after a war of near six years, of 8000 regulars, & 5000 militia men.
IV. His Lordship is no GENTLEMAN.—This is evident from his ungrateful silence as to the noble and generous conduct of General Washington and the American officers to him and his army after the capitulation.
The magnanimity, humanity, and politeness of the Commander in Chief of the American armies, would have extorted expressions of gratitude and respect from an Indian savage, a Tarter, or a Turk. A British General and an English nobleman is the only human being that could have treated such superlative virtue with such sullen disrespect.
L O N D O N, August 8.
Thursday came on to be tried at the assizes at Salisbury (before the Hon. Mr. Justice Buller, and a Special Jury of the county) two causes brought by Samuel Petrie, Esq; against a noble Lord for bribery, at the last election for Cricklade; when, after a trial of eleven hours in the former, and four in the latter, a verdict was given against his Lordship in the first action for 5000l. and in the second action for 2000l. And no less than 113 more actions were remaining to be tried on the same matter.
To the Author of a piece in the New-Hampshire Gazette, signed WATCHMAN.
THOUGH the scurrility, ill-nature, and want of decency, which runs through every part of your rude performance, might well excise my taking no notice of it; I shall for once pursue the direction of Solomon, lest you should be wise in your own conceit.
From the warmth of temper, which you discover, one would be induced to suppose that you had some hand in framing the Plan of Government, and had some secret views unknown to the other members of the Convention; and that the Monitor (alias "Dogmatist, Prophet,") had touched you in a tender part.
Your remarks upon the exception to the 17th article of the Bill of Rights, must either prove that you are totally ignorant of law, and the history of it; or that you have some object in view, which you wish at present to conceal. Surely no lawyer will deny, that in England, and in this country, it has been the invariable practice, for judges to remove the trial of causes from a county where the fact was committed, to some other, when it appeared to them that party spirit would probably prevent an impartial trial in the county where the cause of action arose; this custom is as old as the law itself, & is founded in the highest reason. But you say "that a subject may be torn from his family and friends, perhaps moneyless, dragged from one county to another, there imprisoned and detained for trial, at the will of an inccnced legislature." But will not the same argument apply with greater force, against a cause being removed by judges? You say "that the legislature may be inccnced"; and I assert that there is a much greater probability of the judges being so: Yet the law has hitherto entrusted them with this authority; and if the circumstances of the counties of Cheshire and Grafton, were not before us, no uncommon share of sagacity would be requisite to determine that this power must in every State exist somewhere, to be exercised only in extraordinary cases; and it was for the benefit of the subject, that I proposed a method, which would make those removals more solemn, and prevent them in all cases where the judgment of the legislative body did not concur with the sentiments of the judges. Yet you have compared the amendment proposed, to an act of the British parliament, for transporting persons to Great-Britain for trial. I am convinced that, notwithstanding all your assurance and ill-nature, you would blush if I was particularly to point out the difference in the two cases; it will be sufficient for me at this time to observe, that there is a difference between thirty miles and three thousand—between an inhabitant of New-Hampshire being tried within the State, and his being tried in Europe; and an essential difference between his being subjected to the will of a legislature, in the appointment of which he has no voice, and his being subject to the laws of one in whose appointment he has an equal voice with any other person in the State.
Your Quere respecting the revolt of three or four counties of this State, does not merit an answer; for if four counties out of five, or even a bare majority of the people,

Declare their intentions, and take measures accordingly, this can with no degree of propriety be termed a revolt; unless you could by an uncommon display of your logical talents, convince us that every act of a majority is a rebellion against the minority. The species of revolt therefore which you have mentioned, must for its origin stand indebted to the fertility of your imagination.
If you had answered candidly my Queries on the 23d article of the Bill of Rights, viz. "Whether that article was not evidently calculated to prevent the General Assembly from confiscating estates of Absentees now with the enemy, your answer would have been in the affirmative: This must be obvious to every person of penetration, from the complexion of your observations. You say that retrospective laws are such as create the offence, and punishment, at the same time, in criminal matters; and make a lawful acquisition of property, unlawful (in civil cases; ) and add that the writer of the queries must be a proficient both in law and divinity, to discover, that there could possibly be a transgression, where there was no law: and to cover yourself from every possible attack, you assert, that some of the other States have similar articles in their Bills of Rights; here Mr. Watchman, you have betrayed yourself, and proved, that there was some sagacity in the Monitor's queries: There surely was no law in 1775, and in very few States in 1776, to punish persons for going over to the enemy and bearing arms against us; or to confiscate their estates for their so doing. And if your doctrine be just, they have a right to come back, and enjoy their property without a possibility of being called to account for such conduct; for as there was no law, surely there could be no transgression, if your learned definition be as you assert, like the golden rule, which admits of no exception. I will not assert that you are a proficient either in law or divinity, but I am convinced that whatever may be the extent of your theological talents, your acquirements in law and politics have not been very great: And I flatter myself that the freemen of New-Hampshire will not pay so much respect to your divinity, as to believe that those men who joined the enemy at the commencement of the present contest with Great-Britain, have done no ill; even though none "but a petty scrib-ler," should attempt to write against a person of your consummate abilities. You appear incapable of conceiving, that in time of revolutions, and even in time of war, cases often occur, to which no general rule will apply; and which must be determined by the rules of reason, and in such a manner, as will best promote the interest of the common wealth; even though you should please to call it an image made part of iron & part of clay. Permit me to ask you, whether there was any law in the beginning of the year 1775, against corresponding with the British officers in Boston, and was not Doctor Church punished for the attempt? Was there any law against the inhabitants of those States enlisting in the British army, in the year 1775? Yet many who did so, have been since taken, tried, and executed therefor, in many States upon the continent. A similar article being in the Massachusetts Bill of Rights, and in those of some other States, proves nothing, unless it proves that if they were mistaken we ought to adopt their errors: It is a fact that the estates of Brattle, Ruggles, and many others, have been confiscated for their absconding and going over to the enemy; altho' at the time of their going over, there was no law against it; these estates therefore have been declared forfeited by what you call retrospective laws. To declare therefore that all such laws are oppressive, and unjust, and yet hold estates taken by them, is an inconsistency which can do no credit to Massachusetts, or any other State. But Massachusetts, prior to adopting any plan of government, had confiscated all the estates of the absentees from that State. New-Hampshire has not yet done it, owing to a
violent opposition from a quarter which I need not mention.
Your observations respecting a quorum of the legislative branches, are founded in your ignorance of public proceedings; and your arguments, upon a supposition that the members of both branches will be either knaves, or fools; there is such a vein of wildness and indecency in them, that I shall take no further notice of that part of your abusive performance.
The other objections, have been laid before the public with fairness and candor, and were written with a spirit of moderation, to which you are a perfect stranger; the public will undoubtedly judge of the objections, from the reasons offered in support of them, without considering whether the writer, for or against them, filled up the last page in the news-paper. I shall therefore take no notice of your comments; but conclude with assuring you, that as I am not sufficiently versed in scurrility and abuse to enter the lists with you, I shall not even attempt an answer to any piece of your's in future; but leave you to enjoy in imagination that species of victory, which some persons relish, because obtained without opposition.
THE MONITOR.
L O N D O N W A N T E D.
For the next campaign in North-America, COMMANDER in CHIEF for the British armies. Any person who inclines to accept this arduous employment may speak with his M ajesty , or Lords North and Germain, at St. James's palace, every forenoon in the week (sunday excepted) between the hours of nine and twelve. It is expected the applicants will bring recommendations certifying their good character, honesty, sobriety, exemplary conversation, and regular life. The person pitched upon will also be required to give security, that he will not write home long epistles, containing particular details of victories that never existed, and battles that it would be better never to have fought. Such a person may hear of a good place by applying as above; if he will engage to quell the rebellion in one year or less, for any specified sum of money, he will be the more acceptable.
N. B. No Scotchman nor Irishman shall be rejected hereafter, merely for being such.
PHILADELPHIA, December 26.
On the 15th instant, Capt. Hyler of Brunswick, who now commands seven or 8 stout whaleboats, manned with neat an 100 men) fell in at the narrows, with two refugee sloops trading to Shrewsbury; one of them was commanded by the noted villain Shore Stephens, and had on board 600l. in specie, besides a considerable quantity of dry goods; the other had also a parcel of similar articles, rum, sugar, &c. they were both conducted to Brunswick.
About the middle of last August, 220 Indians of the Wiondat nation, in different parties, with a number of English (their natural allies) came down into the country of the Moravian Indians and committed the most cruel devastation; they seemed however inclined to leave the inhabitants after they had ruined them; but by the instigation of the English, resolved at last to carry them off. The congregations of the Moravian Indians, men, women and children, were driven through the wilderness, with little or nothing to subsist upon for upwards of four weeks, when they arrived about October 1st, at Sandusky creek on the Ohio, where the prisoners were permitted to remain almost destitute of cloaths and victuals; so that it is thought they must all perish with hunger & cold, as they are in a barren uncultivated country, where nothing can be had.
By the last accounts from New-York, Gen. Clinton and Lord Cornwallis (two more of the conquerors of America) have certainly sailed for Britain; also Gen. Arnold and Prince William Henry. It will be rather difficult for these great men to persuade the deluded credulous British, that five or six of these States are at present in the king's peace—truly it is a peace that passeth all understanding.
On Monday were hung near Monmouth court-house, two criminals, Thompson and
Bell, found guilty of murder and horse-stealing; a third condemned for the same crimes, was respited 'till the 29th, being a young fellow about 17 years of age.
NEW-LONDON, January 11.
Capt. Joseph Chester, in a sloop belonging to this port, is arrived at Newport, in 14 days from Hispaniola. He brings an account that the island of New Providence is taken by the Spaniards; and that 400 sail of shipping were collected at Cape Francis, with a large body of troops, in order to make a descent on the island of Jamaica. It was said the men of war belonging to the fleet consisted of French, Spanish and Dutch.
INSURANCE OFFICE.
THE SUBSCRIBER has opened an OFFICE of INSURANCE, in the front Room, at the Ranch of Grapes Tavern, in State-street, BOSTON; where Vessels and Merchandize of every Kind, may be insured at the lowest Premium. Constant Attendance given, and every Favor gratefully acknowledged. JOHN HURD. Boston, December 1781.
Joseph and Joshua Grafton, HAVING established a HOUSE at the HAVANA, and in this place, most respectfully beg leave to make a tender of their best services to the public in general, and their friends in particular.—Such persons as may favor them with their business, may depend upon the utmost fidelity, dispatch, and punctuality in the execution of it. They will at all times, with great pleasure, give information of the current prices of the various articles at that market.
SALEM, January, 1782.
A Silver Watch lost, the 17th of December last, between Edward Emmerson's of York, and Poor's Tavern in Greenland having the Key of said Watch tied with Twine to the Chain—Whoever takes up said Watch and sends it to the said Emmerson's of York shall have two Dollars Reward paid by said Emmerson.
Portsmouth, January 17th, 1782.
THIS is once more to desire all Persons Indebted to, or that have any Accounts open with, or demands against the Estate of Mr. Joseph Simes late of Portsmouth, deceased, to call immediately and settle the same with the subscribers to prevent further trouble. ANN SIMES, Administratrix. JOHN SIMES, Administrator.
Cash given for Old Pewter
By JOHN GOOCH, and one Pound of new Pewter for two pound of old: Said Gooch makes and sells New Pewter. Portsmouth, Jan 19 1782.
State of New-Hampshire.
PUBLIC Notice is hereby given, that a petition hath been preferred to the General Court by John Cram, Esq; and others, a Committee for and in behalf of the freeholders, and inhabitants of the town of Chichester in the County of Rockingham in said State, setting forth, that the freeholders and inhabitants of Chichester have at a legal Town-Meeting, voted that the second division of lands in said township below Suncook-river, with that part of the third division below said river, and the six ranges in said third division above said Suncook-river with all the privileges and proportion of public lands belonging to said divisions may be incorporated into a town or parish by themselves, and invested with all town privileges as other towns in this State, and that there may be allowed three months liberty for any person or persons to poll themselves and their estates to either side of the dividing line, that way they shall see best after centres of each town or parish are prefixed. Wherefore they pray that an act may pass to incorporate the said lands and inhabitants thereof into a distinct town or parish by the name of Pittsfield, and to invest and enfranchise them with all the powers, privileges and immunities that any other town or parish in this State have, hold and enjoy, with the liberty of polling as aforesaid.
Upon which petition, the General Court ordered that the petitioner should be heard on said petition before them, on the second Friday of their next session; and that in the mean time the said petitioners cause the substance of the petition and order of Court thereon to be advertised three weeks successively in the New-Hampshire Gazette.
Attest, JOSEPH PEARSON, D. Sec'y.
Exeter, January 4, 1782.

B O S T O N, January 17.
A person who lately ran away from New-York, brings intelligence, that a splendid ball was given in that city a few weeks since, by a number of British officers. Sir Henry Clinton had for a partner the celebrated Miss Franks, late of Philadelphia; as his Excellency had to open the ball, in leading out his partner, he desired the musician to play the old martial tune of—Britons strike home! "Indeed, may it please your Excellency, said the lady, I think if he was to play Britons go home! it would be much more pertinent and suitable to the present time." Sir Henry was much disconcerted and could scarcely make a shift to get over the severity of there partee; however, the next morning he complained to the lady's father of her rudeness to him.—"Indeed Sir Henry, rejoined the old man, she is a saucy girl, and if you will dance with her, you must e'en take up with her jokes."
Transports to the number of 10 or 12 have, we are credibly informed, arrived at Penobscot from New-York, since the month of Nov. in order, it is conjectured, to convoy away, in the absence of his Most Christian Majesty's (our most generous ally) fleet, the troops who are in garrison there. This appears probable from the following circumstance, viz. So soon as the News of the Gilford hero (as Lord Cornwallis is styled) and army, reached Penobscot, the British commander there, informed those poor deluded, foolish wretches, who have (to their eternal disgrace) fled to him for protection that it would not be in his power to afford them any security longer than the spring, at the farthest, for, says he, with this disagreeable tale, I have received some intimation, as tho' this post is to be evacuated very soon; it having been determined upon for some time to leave this place in the spring, if not before: Therefore continues he, I advise you to return to your former homes, and make the best terms you possibly can with your (very justly offended) countrymen. A H I N T.
By accounts from the southward the British have sent a small reinforcement to the garrison of Savannah: It is however more than probable that Gen. Greene will in a short time drive them from thence: The troops at Charlestown are said to be about 8000; but it is generally tho' this is an exaggerated account. The people of these States may flatter themselves as they will with the pleasing idea of peace next spring, but it were to be wished their good sense would lead them to consider, that while Briton is able to maintain a single post in these States she will be averse to an acknowledgement of our independence—the most vigorous exertions are therefore necessary against the ensuing campaign; as we have staggered our enemies in the fate of Cornwallis, let us repeat the blow and dispossess them of every inch of ground they occupy among us. That this will be the case the enemy at New-York seem to be apprehensive, as a great number of families have packed up their effects and sailed for Europe in the fleet that lately left the Hook. Do not disappoint them, Americans; when you have them only to fight at sea, the burden and expences of the war will scarcely be felt.
The refugees at New-York seem to be in the slough of despond. Those of Sandy-Hook, are if possible, in a still worse condition, as the vigilance of the Brunswick whale-boats is a considerable check as well to their robberies as the clandestine commerce they carried on with the disaffected inhabitants over the lines. It is affirmed for truth, that the Sandy-Hook tories have subsisted for some time past chiefly upon the crows they shot at that place, but as these birds have at length become shy by having so unremitting, incessant, and well directed a
fire kept up upon them, it is hard to say what will support these deluded people through the winter, unless the British allow them to draw rations. Some think the crows will, in turn, pick their bones before all is over.
It is certain that the Tories of all denominations within the British lines are waiting with anxious and eager expectation for acts of grace from the legislature of the several States. What grounds they have to look for favours of that kind is hard to say. They have abjured the land that gave them birth, and were they men of the least spirit, would instantly fly from it as far as winds or sea could carry them. The voice of the people is hostile to their return.
Wool once infected with a stain, Ne'er takes its native white again.
One of our correspondents observes, that a new species of whigs have lately made their appearance in these States known by the name of Cornwallis's whigs. The life, preaching, and actions of that great military apostle, have wrought powerfully in the conversion of these late infidels, which it is hoped will prove sincere. Indeed a very superficial observer in traversing these States will find, that avowed loyalists are surprisingly few to what they were a year ago.
"Nova progenies cœlo demittitur alto" Virg. The base, degenerate, iron offspring ends, And a new progeny from heav'n descends.
PORTSMOUTH, January 19.
Last Tuesday, departed this life, after a short illness, Miss SARAH KNEELAND, in the 32d year of her age. By an unhappy accident in her childhood, she was deprived of that elegant shape which the former of our bodies at first gave her; but the loss was more than compensated by that amiable and benevolent temper and disposition which endeared her to all her acquaintance. From her youth she discovered that sobriety and modesty which is peculiarly ornamental in the female character; and that seriousness of mind, which disposed her to listen with avidity to the moral and religious instruction of her parents and friends. She profited by their instruction; early became a professor of the religion of Jesus, and lived what she professed. Equally removed from the giddiness of dissipation, and the moroseness of superstition, in a steady attendance upon the duties of public, private, and secret worship, she walked along the calm serene path of life, 'till a little before her death, when an apparent violent cold confined her to her chamber. Her complaints were soon pronounced threatening; but frequent intermissions and revivals flattered her & her friends with hopes of a respite, 'till the day before her death; when her hope of this life was exchanged for the hope of a better. She was convinced her dissolution was at hand. She had the presence of her Saviour with her, and her prospects were animating and supporting, expressing the most ardent wish for the happiness of all upon the plan of the gospel; she fell asleep in Jesus, and is gone, we trust, to behold him, whom the pure in heart shall see.
O N T I M E.
SAY, is there aught that can convey An image of its transient stay? 'Tis an hands breadth; 'tis a tale; 'Tis a vessel under sail; 'Tis a courtier's straining steed; 'Tis a shuttle in its speed; 'Tis an eagle in its way, Darting down upon its prey; 'Tis an arrow in its flight, Mocking the pursuing flight; 'Tis a vapour in the air; 'Tis a whirlwind rushing there; 'Tis a short-liv'd fading flow'r; 'Tis a rain-bow on a show'r; 'Tis a momentary ray, Smiling in a winter's day; 'Tis a torrent's rapid stream; 'Tis a shadow; 'tis a dream; 'Tis the closing watch of night, Dying at the rising light; 'Tis a landscape vainly gay, Painted upon crumbling clay; 'Tis a lamp that wastes its fires; 'Tis a smoke that quick expires; 'Tis a bubble; 'tis a sigh? Be prepar'd O Man! to die.
ANECDOLE of POPE GANGANELLI.
Ganganelli wishing to root out in his dominions the numberless evils resulting from gambling, issued out a proclamation, which prohibited every species of that vicious amusement under the severest penalties. Donna Mariacia Colonua, a lady of the first distinction at Rome, thinking herself above the laws, continued to encourage parties at cards and hazard, in the greatest latitude at her routs, which she regularly gave three times a week. The Pope being informed of the lady's transgression condescended to send her friendly warning to conform to the public mandate: but the lady, instead of profiting by it, gave way to her resentment, and broke out into some disrespectful expressions, calling his holiness a paltry friar; upon which Ganganelli sent her the Barigello (an officer belonging to the police, and somewhat similar to the late John Fielding, but rather more abject) with a written message, which he delivered to the lady before all the company in the following manner: "His Holiness, our gracious Sovereign, has commanded me to inform your ladyship, that as a paltry friar, he forgives your insolence; as Pope, he gives you absolution from your manifold sins; but, as your Prince, he bids me tell you, that the next time you dare violate his orders, you shall immediately forfeit your head without any hope of mercy." On this awful intimation, her Ladyship fell into fits, the whole assembly were thrown into the utmost confusion, and the routs dismissed for ever.
The following salutary advice to our countrymen; abstracted from ABBE RAYNAL's Revolution of America, is worthy the attention of our readers.—He proceeds thus:
"Ye people of North-America, let the example of all the nations who have gone before you, and above, all that of your mother country, serve you for instruction. Fear the affluence of gold, which brings with luxury the corruption of manners, the contempt of laws. Fear a too unequal distribution of riches, which exhibits a small number of citizens in opulence and a great multitude of citizens in extreme poverty; whence springs the insolence of the former, and the debasement of the latter. Secure yourselves against the Spirit of conquest. The tranquility of an empire diminishes in proportion to its extension. Have arms for your defence; have none for offence. Seek competency and health in labour; prosperity in the culture of lands, and the workshops of industry; power in manners and in virtue. Cause arts and sciences, which distinguish the civilized from the savage man, to flourish and abound. Above all, watch carefully over the education of your children. It is from public schools, be assured, that come the wise magistrates, the capable and courageous soldiers, the good fathers, the good husbands, the good brothers, the good friends and the good men. Wherever the youth are seen depraved, the nation is on the decline. Let Liberty have an immovable foundation in the wisdom of your laws, and let it be the indissoluble cement to bind your provinces together: Establish no legal preference amongst the different forms of worship. Superstition is innocent, wherever it is neither persecuted nor protected; and may your duration, if it is possible, equal the duration of the world."
S A L E M, January 17.
Since our last a cartel arrived from Halifax, with upwards of 100 prisoners, many of them in a very emaciated, sickly condition. Five of the number which came out, died on the passage.
Just come to hand, and may be had at the Printing Office, the Third Number of the History of the WAR in AMERICA , between Great-Britain and the United States, embellished with an elegant copper-plate Frontispiece of his Excellency General GREENE, containing a full and authentic account of the real cause, rise and progress, together with the disappointments on both sides; likewise an impartial account of all battles, sieges, &c.
Subscribers are desired to call for their numbers. 1st and 2d may be had as above.

IT seems somewhat unaccountable, that every friend to America, does not see the justice of appropriating the property of British subjects to the use of these States, since the subject has been so often scanned & debated. The representatives of this commonwealth, in general, doubtless see the justice & expediency of the measure; but some seem to be diffident & backward in the prosecution of it. It seems very evident that every Absentee by his own act, in eloping from under the constitution of government of this or any of the other States, has forfeited his property he there possessed. Every person, previous to his being under any civil constitution, is in a state of nature; but by his consenting and submitting to a civil constitution, he ceases to be in a state of nature, and obtains a legal right of distinct property: Previous to this, he has in a civil view, no legal right of distinct property at all. He can claim the right of nature abstractly, but not any civil right as such. He can oppose force to force; but he cannot plead or claim protection of any civil constitution. This in politics, is almost self-evident, and cannot be much more evident by reasoning: Applying these principles to the subject in contemplation, will help us to an easy illustration. Every subject who has put himself from under any of the civil constitutions of these States, and submitted himself to another government, ceases to be a subject of these States. Therefore, he can claim no more rights or privileges from the constitutions or governments of any of these States, than he could, had he never been a subject of either of them. This privilege ceases with his eloping from under the constitution of government to which he once consented and submitted. All his privileges and rights were given by the constitution, and they are forfeited by a rejection of it, or opposition to it. His property became legally his own right by the constitution, and must be defended by laws consentaneous thereto; and his property ceases to be his, in a legal view, with his rejecting or opposing that basis which gave existence to his right of distinct property. This property is left to be taken up and improved by government for some public use. It becomes not the individual right of any individual person—it was forfeited by rebellion against the civil constitution, or first moving power of government—it therefore becomes public property, of which each subject may claim his proper share. Hereby it appears, that no retrospective laws are necessary (as some have supposed) for the confiscation of the property of absentees. This ceased to be private, and became public property, the moment the possessors rebelled against their respective constitutions of government; and a confiscation is, or ought, only to be seizing and converting such property to the use of the public. No previous condemnation on the part of government is necessary, in order to this seizure and appropriation. Every absentee, by his own act and evidence, stands condemned in his civil character, and in his property as forfeited, unless he clears himself of the charge of the rebellion. If he is found a rebel, by his not being evidence in justification of himself, his property is forfeited; but otherwise he has a right to the protection of government. Very unjust therefore must it be in politics, to allow British subjects (continuing so) the right of holding property in these States, either now or after the war. No one therefore ought to wish, or endeavor to re-establish any that are rebels to these States, in their original right of property; but every one ought to wish and endeavor, that the property which becomes public by forfeiture, be seized and converted to public use.
SOLICITOR.
Taken up a drift, the 13th instant,
A CANOE, about 18 feet
long, the owner may have it by applying to Aaron Fisher, at the Rising Castle Island, proving his property and paying charges. Portsmouth, Dec. 17, 1781.
NOTICE is hereby given to the proprietors or owners of land in Middleton, in the County of Strafford, and State of New-Hampshire, that so much of their Lands as will pay the taxes annexed to their names, will be sold at public Auction, the first Monday in February next, at the house of Capt. Francis Mathes, in said town, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, as will pay said tax, with incidental charges, unless prevented by previous payment.
Their names follow.
   1st division. 2d division.   d. No. d.     John Cook, jun. 0 0 53 19 3   Noah Emery, 0 0 6 19 3   Samuel Varney, 4 9 49 19 3   Benjamin Evans, 6 0 78   Andrew Marshall, 19 3 39 19 3   Peter Cook, 4 9 91 19 3   Thomas Bickford, 19 3 73 19 3   Joshua Staggpole, 9 7 60 19 3   Joseph Cooner, 4 11 63 19 3   George Hanson, 19 3 76 19 3   Thomas Wallingford, 54 19 7   Andrew Horn, 19 7 64 9 7   John Roberts, 4 9 67   Timothy Hanson, 19 3 65 19 3   Joseph Varney, 19 7 8 19 4   Benjamin Wentworth, 10 3 99 19 3   John Gage, Esq; 0 10 26 19 3   Samuel Clements, 80 19 3   Joseph Wentworth, 85 19 3   William Horn, 24 19 3   Isaac Watson, 19 3 93 19 3   Noah Cross, 95 19 3   Ephraim Wentworth, 18 19 3   Benjamin Roberts, 38 19 3   Bedfield Plumer, 19 3 75 19 3   Richard Gooding, 19 3 83   Benjamin Mason, 6 0 94   William Wentworth, 66 19 3   Timothy Roberts, 35 19 3   James Guppy, 12 19 3   Jonathan Gage, 19 0 37 19 3   Daniel Hanson, 50 19 3   Samuel Hoss, 9 7 30 9 7   Love Roberts, 9 7 62 9 7   John Ham, jun. 97 19 3   Edward Ellis, 19 3 88   Benjamin Heard, 3 19 3   John Kelley, 19 3 20 19 3   Nathaniel Austin, 36 10   John Fisher, 59 19 3   Richard Philpot, 14 19 3   Isaac Hanson, jun. 9 7 44 9 7   Ebenezer Varney, 9 7 100 19 3   Benjamin Stanton, 41 19 3   James Philpot, 6 1 42 19 3   E. Clements, jun. 82 6 1  
Middleton, Dec. 28, 1781. Elijah Buzell, Collector.
The New Auction Room, lately opened by
Seward and Gooch,
As advertised a few weeks since, to sell on Thursday evenings, is altered to Wednesday evenings, as they think it will better accommodate the publick. Where all kinds of goods, household furniture &c. will be received in and sold out, at the usual auction rates. Also all persons having goods to sell at private sale may hear of a purchaser at said auction-room, & those wanting to purchase goods &c. may be informed where the same may be had.
Portsmouth, December 20th, 1781.
State of New-Hampshire.
THE non-resident Owners of land in the following Towns, viz. Washington, Greenland, Rochester, Peterborough, Farmington, Northumberland, Wolfborough, Haverhill, New London, Wakefield, Effingham, New Chester, Jaffrey, New Hampshire, the Gore, Fitzwilliam, Manchester, Antrim, Plymouth, Mason, Northwood, Bath, Exeter, Sandwich ditto, Lyndeborough ditto, Sandwich ditto, Society Land ditto, Canterbury ditto, Warren ditto, Deerfield ditto, are hereby notified that their Taxes in said Towns are taxed for the year 1781, and if the Taxes are not paid within eight Weeks from the first Publication of this Advertisement to the Collectors or Subscriber, they will be notified for sale. Also the Town of Alexander. THOMAS ODIORNE, Receiver of non-residents Taxes.
WANTED immediately,
400 Quintals of good Jamaica FISH.—Inquire of SAMUEL STORER, of Portsmouth.
WHEREAS sundry Assessments have lately been made on the County of Rockingham, for monies to defray the charges of said county; but as many of the towns neglected seasonably to assess, and more unseasonably to pay their taxes, until the money had so fallen in its value, as not to answer the end proposed; and as the annual expence of the county is considerable, for paying all grand jurors, both at Superior Courts and Sessions, all jurors of inquest, also justices and Sheriff's fees; and as some demands against the county have been of long standing, and are yet unpaid, and the new goal which was begun some years past is now suffering for want of materials, or money to carry on said building; and as the old goal was burnt down in March last, and no convenient place to secure any person in that part of the county within fifteen miles, and many other inconveniencies on that account:—
THESE are therefore to notify the Selectmen of any or all of the towns in the county aforesaid, that the committee for building the new goal, are in want of and will be ready to receive, if delivered within four months from this day, the whole amount of their outstanding taxes, in merchantable pine boards, clear or hemlock boards, oak or pine plank, clapboards or shingles, at the landing places at the head of the river; or, if more agreeable to any of the towns, the committee will receive corn, beef, pork, wheat, rye, or any of the staples of the land, that will purchase nails, glass, and other materials, for the above purpose, provided they will deliver them at Portsmouth, at the current cash price, without loss of time. GEORGE GAINS,
Portsmouth, (in behalf of the Jan. 10, 1782. (Committee.)
State of New-Hampshire. Rockingham, ss.
By order of the Hon. Phillips White, Esq; Judge of Probate of Wills for said county, the subscribers give notice, that they are appointed to receive and examine the claims of the creditors to the estate of Benjamin Hill, late of Northwood, in said county, deceased, intestate, represented insolvent; and that they will attend said business at the house of Jonathan Clark, innholder in said Northwood, on the last Tuesday of this and the five following months, from three to six o'clock in the afternoon of said days; at which time and place, all concerned are desired to attend with their accounts properly vouched.
Nathaniel Chandler, } Commissioners. Jonathan Clark, Thomas Piper, Northwood, Jan. 3, 1782.
WE the subscribers being appointed commissioners by the Hon. Phillips White, Esq; Judge of the Probate for the county of Rockingham, to receive and examine the claims of the several creditors to the Estate of Ezekiel Smith, late of Raymond, in said county, yeoman, deceased, represented insolvent, hereby give notice to all concerned, that we shall attend for that purpose at the house of Lieut. Benjamin Bean, innholder in Raymond, in said county, the last Thursday in this and the five following months, from two o'clock in the afternoon to six on said day.
Jonathan Swain, } Commissioners. Ichiel Gordon, Francis Modgkins, Raymond, Dec. 19, 1781.
WHEREAS I Samuel Pickering, about nine years ago, gave to and deposited in the hands of David Wiggin of Greenland, and Nathan Green of Exeter, two NOTES, one in each, upon certain conditions; which have never been performed on their parts.—This is to caution all persons against purchasing said NOTES, as the same were not given for actual value received, and as nothing is due thereon.
Greenland, January 2d, 1782.
A few Copies of the Form of Government, may be had at the Printing-Offices in Portsmouth and Exeter.
PRINTED AT PORTSMOUTH.