The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-07-19 00:00:00

Greenleaf's Journal
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[Vol. II.]
SATURDAY, July 19, 1777.
0 6 1
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
In the House of Representatives, June 28, 1777, Voted, THAT the Bounty on SALT, manufactured in this State, from Sea Water, be Three Shillings per Bushel, instead of the Two Shillings already granted, for the Term of one Year next coming.
Sent up for Concurrence.
JOHN LANGDON, Speaker.
In Council the same Day read and concurr'd, E. THOMPSON, Secretary.
State of New-Hampshire Exeter, June 18. 1777.
A Petition having been preferred to the Council & Assem. of this State, by Sim. Dearborn, Esq; in Behalf of the Inhabitants of Middleton & Leavitt's-town, praying for the Reasons therein mentioned, that the said Towns may be invested with Town Privileges in such a Manner (if consistent) as to retain the Proprietary Privileges.
These are therefore to give Notice that an Order has passed the General Assembly, directing that a hearing be had on said Petition, on the first Day of August next, if the General
Assembly after that Day, and that in the mean Time the Petitioner cause the Substance of the Petition and Order thereon to be published three Weeks successively in the public News-Papers of this State, & cause the same to be posted up in some of the most public Places in said Towns of Middleton and Leavittstown, fifteen Days at least beforehand, that any Person concerned may, if they see cause, appear before the General Assembly on said Day, and show Cause, if any they have, why the Prayer thereof should not be granted. Attest. E. THOMPSON, Secy.
NOTICE is hereby given, That the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, by Law to be holden at Exeter, in and for the County of Rockingham, on the last Tuesday of July current, will be adjourned to Tuesday the 19 Day of August next, at Ten of the Clock Forenoon, to meet at the Town House in Exeter, That all Persons concern'd, may take Notice, and govern themselves accordingly.
Exeter, July 11, 1777. By Order, NOAH EMERY, Clerk.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Proprietors of CONWAY, that at a Proprietors Meeting at Capt. Joshua Heath's in said Town on the third Day of June 1777, voted to raise Four Dollars on each original Right or Share of Land, to make Roads, chose me the Subscriber Collector, I do hereby require all said Proprietors to pay the above-mentioned Sum to me, on or before the Tenth of August next; upon Neglect, I shall take such Methods as the Law directs. [8]
AMOS MERRILL, Collector.
Conway, June 28. 1777.
Taken up by me the Subscriber a black MARE, with a Star in her Forehead, and some White on her Nose: said Mare is about six Years old, & about 14 or 15 Hands high, she trots & paces very well. The Owner may have her again by applying to the Subscriber at Madbury, and paying Charges. Madbury, June 19, 1777. Thomas Davis.
Whereas I the Subscriber on the 16th of August 1775, is a Gazette, then printed at Newbury, advertised Naomi, my Wife, as eloped, &c. and forbid Persons crediting her on my account, &c. As the Difference then subsisting is now compromised, I hereby disannul and revoke said Advertisement, being sorry it was ever inserted.
Chester, July 5th, 1777. JOHN ROBIE.
Deserted April 20th, 1777, from Number Four, Joseph Frost, belonging to the town of Unity in Cheshire County, about 23 years of age, and about five feet six inches high, dark complexion, had on when he went away a blanket coat, and blanket overhauls. Seth Rice of Paramount, about 26 years of age, dark complexion, five feet, ten inches high. Whoever takes up said deserters & secures them in any goal or sends them to Ticonderoga to Capt. Nathaniel Hutchin's company in Col. Gilly's regiment belonging to this State, shall have five dollars reward for each, and all necessary charges paid by me. SIMON SARTWELL, Lieut.
Deserted from the first New-Hampshire battalion, John Reemer, 27 years of age, dark complexion, had on when he went away a blanket coat, and blanket overhauls. Whoever will apprehend said deserter and send him to his respective regiment, or secure him in any of the goals in this State, shall have five dollars reward and all necessary charges paid by me. Ticonderoga, June 28, 1777. Samuel Sweet, Ensign.
All persons indebted to, or that have any demands on the estate of Theodore Moses, late of Portsmouth, Barber deceased, are desired to bring in their accounts to Joseph Walen, and Samuel Moses executors to his last will and testament, in order for a speedy settlement. Samuel Moses likewise desire all persons that have accounts open with him while in partnership with his late Brother, now deceased, to close them as soon as possible.
HARTFORD, July 14.
Sunday se'nnight, early in the Morning a Party of the Enemy landed at Norwalk, from a Vessel in the Sound, and stole 25 Head of Cattle, and some Sheep, & immediately put back to their Vessel where they arrived safe with their Booty.
PROVIDENCE, July 12.
Thursday evening last a party of 38 Men, of the Troops belonging to this State, under the Command of Lieut. Col. William Barton of this Town, accompanied by Major Adams, of the Train, Capt. Phillips, Lieutenants Potter and Badcock, and Ensigns Stanton and Woodcock, went in five Boats from Warwick Neck, with a View to take Major-General PRESCOT, Commander in Chief of the British and Foreign Troops on Rhode-Island, whose Head-Quarters were then at a House about four Miles from Newport. The Col. and his Party, after passing the Enemy's Ships and Guard Boats, landed about 12 at Night, and with "infinite Address and Gallantry" got to Prescot's Quarters undiscovered:—A Centinel at the Door hailed, but was immediately secured, and the Party instantly breaking the Doors, and entered the House, took the General in Bed. His Aid-de-Camp leaped from a Window in his Shirt, and attempted to escape, but was taken a few Rods from the House. The Party soon after returned to their Boats, with the Prisoners,
and some Time after they had put off, the Enemy fired Rockets from their several Ships as Signals for an Alarm, but too late.—A Bird had fled.—The Prisoners were landed about Day break at Warwick Neck. On receiving Intelligence here, a Coach was immediately sent, and the General with his Aid-de-Camp, attended by Col. Barton and some other Officers, arrived in Town at 12 o'Clock. This bold and important Enterprize must reflect the highest Honor on Col. Barton and his little Party.—A Lieutenant Colonel of Horse, with at least 70 Light Dragoons, took Major General LEE (betray'd by a Tory) five Miles from his Troops.—A Lieutenant Colonel of Foot, with only thirty eight Privates and six Officers, has taken a Chief Commander, when almost encircled by an Army and Navy.
† See Howe's Letter to the British Ministry, relative to the Capture of Gen. LEE.
We learn from Rhode-Island, that some of the Inhabitants have been persecuted & imprisoned, for relating Intelligence favorable to the American States, particularly one Person, who mentioned the Certainty of a War between France and Great-Britain. This Mode has probably been adopted with a View to serve their Cause, by keeping the Soldier in Ignorance: The boldest of our Enemies; and even the Newport Tories, must however lop their Ears, on being made acquainted with Howe's late disgraceful Retreat from New-Jersey, at a Time when they vainly hoped he was in his full Career to Glory.
BOSTON, July 17.
Extract of a Letter from Manchester July 9.
"Last saturday night at 12 o'clock, my Lieut. Colonel came into my tent, and said I must move the Regiment off the ground, for the whole army was marching across the Mount, and we should be left behind: Immediately got up and ordered all the Regt. to pack up, strike tents, and march to the place of embarkation, where I found the whole Army retiring—I marched in the Rear of the main army for two days and nights without victuals or drink, except broke water—the enemy came up with some of the straggling part of the army, and had a severe engagement, in which we lost several valuable Officers, among whom are Colonel Francis of this State, Col. Hale of N. Hampshire and Capt. Walcott, with a number of other officers and soldiers who are either slain or taken prisoners—we have marched thro' the wilderness and mountains without meat or bread, and have made a stand here; if we can get any thing to subsist on, we shall meet the enemy; Ticonderoga was not lost for want of spirit in the troops, but I cannot enlarge."
Extract of a Letter from Springfield, July 13.
"I have this day heard by a person who was at Fort Ann, that the enemy attacked that place with about 1500 men. Colonel Brewer repulsed them, with the loss of three hundred left dead on the spot, retook a number of our people and a Capt. Montgomery, relation to General Montgomery in the British service."
THE UNITED STATES LOTTERY TICKETS to be sold at Portsmouth by JOSHUA BRACKETT.

PHILADELPHIA, June 18.
In CONGRESS, June 16, 1777.
Ordered, That the letters which have passed between General Washington and General Howe on the subject of the exchange of prisoners, be published; and that the several Printers of News-Papers throughout the Continent be requested to insert them.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
General Washington's, of the 9th April, to which the following is General Howe's Answer, has been published some time since.
GENERAL HOWE to GENERAL WASHINGTON, New-York, 21st April, 1777.
SIR,
I HAVE received your letter, of the 9th instant, concerning the requisition of Lieutenant-Colonel Walcot, a copy of which came inclosed.
Though I observe that officer has meant to insist very strongly on the justice of the claim for the return of prisoners in your possession, which was one of the objects of his appointment, I do not see reason to suspect that any personal incivility was intended by the terms in which his opinion is expressed.
Without entering into a needless discussion of the candor or liberality of the sentiments on which your arguments are founded; yet, since you are pleased to assert, that—"the usage of your prisoners was such as could not be justified,—that this was proclaimed by the concurrent testimony of all who came out,—that their appearance sanctified the assertion—and that melancholy experience, in the speedy death of a large part of them, stamped it with infallible certainty."—These, I say, being what you are pleased to assume as facts, I cannot omit making some observations upon them.
It might perhaps suit with the policy of those who persist in every expedient to cherish the popular delusion; that the released prisoners should complain of ill usage, or; their captivity might really form a grievous comparison with the state they were in before they were persuaded to encounter the vicissitudes of war. But if their sufferings were as great as you think yourself authorised to assert, a dispassionate consideration of the following indisputable and odious facts will point out the cause to which they are to be in a great measure ascribed.
All the prisoners were confined in the most airy buildings, and on board the largest transports in the fleet, which were the very healthiest places of reception that could possibly be provided for them.
They were supplied with the same provisions, both in quantity and quality, as were allowed to the King's troops not on service, some accidental instances excepted, wherein however the omission, when known, was immediately remedied.
Near one half of the whole number of prisoners, whose diseases appeared to require peculiar care, as well as separation from the rest, were at different times received into the British Hospitals, and their own surgeons without restriction, supplied with medicines for the remaining sick, until it was discovered that they disposed not to dispose of large quantities by private sale.
From this short state of facts, it is evident that your prisoners were provided with proper habitations, sufficient and wholesome food, and medicines. Nor do I know of any comfort or assistance, compatible with their situation as prisoners of which they were in want excepting cloathing; the relief to their distress in this and the article of money, of which you were repeatedly advised, and they had claim to receive from your care, was neglected or refused, while they were furnished with every other necessary I was in a situation to supply.
To what cause the speedy death of a large part of them is to be attributed, I cannot determine, but your own experience will suggest to you, whether the army under your command, in the course of the last campaign, was free from such calamitous mortality, though assisted with refreshments from all parts of the surrounding provinces.
It is insinuated, that I might have released the prisoners before any of the ill consequences of their detention had taken place: I am obliged to say, the event at least appears to have proved the caution with which I ought to have adopted that expedient. The prisoners were ready to be delivered up, waiting only for your proceeding in the exchange, which you had proposed, and I agreed to.
I admit, that able men are not to be required by the party, who, contrary to the laws of humanity, through design, or even neglect of reasonable and practicable care, shall have caused the debility of the prisoners he shall have to offer for exchange; but the argument is not applicable to me in the present instance.
I might finally put this question: How is the cause of debility in prisoners to be ascertained? but as we differ so much in principle upon which your objections are framed; as I think those objections are unsupported by precedent or equity, and that your adherence to them would be a direct and determined violation of the agreement, it becomes unnecessary for me to add more, than to call upon you to fulfil the agreement for returning the prisoners demanded by Lieut. Col. Walcot.
With respect to the case of Mr. Lee, now professed to be a principal motive for your refusal to continue the
exchange of prisoners, it is comprehended, I must insist, under my general and original exception to persons in his circumstances.
With due respect, I am, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant
W. HOWE
To General WASHINGTON, &c. &c.
New-York, May 22, 1777.
SIR,
NOT having received an answer to my letter of the 21st of April, I am to request your final decision upon the demand I then made of the prisoners in your possession; both officers and soldiers, in exchange for those I have returned, and for your determination respecting the prisoners now here, that I may make my arrangements accordingly.
It is with concern, I receive frequent accounts of the ill treatment still exercised upon Lieut. Colonel Campbell, which I have reason to flatter myself you would have prevented. He has, it is true, been taken out of a common dungeon, where he had been confined with a degree of rigour, that the most atrocious crimes would not have justified, but he still kept in the jail or's house, exposed to daily insults from the deluded populace. This usage being repugnant to every sentiment of humanity, and highly unworthy of the character you profess, I am compelled to repeat my complaint against it, and to claim immediate redress to this much injured gentleman. With due respect, I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
W. HOWE.
To General Washington, &c. &c.
New-York, June, 5. 1777.
"SIR,
SO many days have elapsed, since my letter to you of the 22d May was dispatched, without an answer, and left by any accident, it should not have gotten to your hands. I am induced to send a duplicate thereof, and to press my request for your final decision, upon the demand therein contained. With due respect, I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
W. HOWE.
General Washington &c. &c.
General WASHINGTON to General HOWE.
SIR, Middle- Brook, June 10th, 1777.
YOUR several letters of the 21st April, 22d of May, and 5th instant have been received.
Having stated my sentiments in an explicit manner, in my letter of the ninth of April, upon the subject of your demand, and the disagreement between us, I thought it unnecessary to trouble you with a repetition of them. From the complexion of yours of the 21st of April, we appeared to differ so widely, that I could entertain no hope of a compromise being effected, or that an answer would produce any good end.
But as you have called upon me again for my final determination upon the matter I shall freely give it, after making some observation upon what you have said, with intention to obviate the objections on my part, to a compliance with your demands through Lieutenant Col. Walcot.
You admit the principle upon which my objection, to account for the whole number of prisoners sent out by you, is founded, but deny the application, by delicately insinuating, in the first instance that the ill treatment complained of was an "expedient to cherish popular delusion," and by asserting in the second, that supposing their sufferings to have been real, they were to be ascribed to other causes than those assigned by me.
I shall not undertake to determine on whom the charge of endeavouring to excite popular delusion falls with most propriety; but I cannot so bear intimating, that however successful ingenious miscolourings may be in some instances, to perplex the understanding in matters of speculation, yet it is difficult to persuade mankind to doubt of their senses, and the reality of those facts for which they can appeal to them. Unless this can be done, permit me to assure you, it will always be believed, whatever may be suggested to the contrary, that men could not be in a more deplorable situation than those unhappy sufferers were, who are the subject of our difference. Did I imagine that you, Sir, had any serious scruples on the occasion, I might produce, in support of what I have alledged, the strongest proof that human testimony can afford.
To prove that the prisoners did not suffer from any ill treatment or neglect of yours, you say, "they were confined in the most airy buildings, and on board the largest transports in the fleet—That they were supplied with the same provisions, both in quantity and quality, as were allowed to your troops not on service—That the sick, such of them as required peculiar care, were received into the British hospitals, and the rest attended by their own surgeons, who were supplied with medicines without restrictions, till it was discovered that they disposed of large quantities by private sale."
That airy buildings were chosen to confine our men in, is a fact I shall not dispute. But whether this was an advantage or not in the winter season, I leave you to decide. I am inclined to think it was not—especially as there was a general complaint, that they were destitute of fire the greater part of the time, and were only prevented from feeling the inclemency of the weather, in its extremest rigor, by their crowded situation.
This I must believe was not very conducive to their health, and if we may judge by comparison, we must conclude, they endured similar inconveniences on board the transports.
As to the supplies of provision, I know not what they were. My ideas of the matter were drawn from their united testimony, confirmed by their appearance, which represented the allowance as insufficient in quantity, bad in quality, and irregularly served. You yourself mention some "accidental circumstances of omission."—I apprehend they were much more frequent than you were apprized of. It may not be improper to observe that there is a material difference between persons confined and deprived of every means of subsistence in aid of their allowance, and those who are at large, and have other resources as it is the case with your troops not on service, who have the benefit of their pay, and what they can occasionally gain by their labour. You might also find, from inquiry, that we made no distinction in our supplies between your soldiers, prisoners with us, and our own in the field. They were not stinted to a scanty pittance, but had full as much as they could use, and of the best kind.
In respect to the attention paid to the sick, I am sorry their accommodation was injured in any degree by the misconduct of the surgeons. I heartily join with you in reprobating their proceeding, and shall esteem it a favour, if you will point out the persons, and furnish me with such proofs of their guilt as you may be possessed of.
The more effectually to exonerate yourself from the consequences imputed to the neglect of ill treatment of the prisoners, you assert they had every comfort and assistance from you, that your situation would admit; and that they wanted nothing but money and cloathing, which ought to have been furnished by me.
Had we left your prisoners with us to depend entirely upon the supplies they drew immediately from you, their condition would have been little better than that of ours, in your hands. Your officers and soldiers can both inform you, they experienced every mark of public and private generosity that could be shown them: frequent instances might be adduced, that in notice of your men being in want, orders were immediately given that necessaries should be procured for them. Every thing was done on our part to facilitate any steps you took for the same end. You were permitted to have an agent among us, countenanced by public authority, and allowed every latitude he could wish, to enable him to execute his office. I am sorry to say the same conduct has not been observed towards us, and that there are instances to show, that far from endeavouring to remove the difficulties that necessaries in our way to making such ample supplies as we had with, obstacles have been made; that might very well have been waived. A late instance of this is to be found in your refusing to let us have a procuring agent with you, who might purchase what was necessary to supply the wants of our men. You must be sensible that for want of a regular mode being adjusted so mutually conveying supplies, there was a necessity for an exercise of generosity on both sides. This was done by us, & we supposed would have been done by you, which made us less anxious in providing than we should have been, had we foreseen what has really happened. We ascribed every deficiency on our part to the indeterminacy of affairs in this respect; and, looking forward to a more provident arrangement of the matter, we thought it our duty not to let the prisoners with us be destitute of any thing requisite for their preservation; and imagined that your reasonings and feelings would have been the same. Your saying we are frequently advised of their distress, is of little avail—it was not done until it was too late to remedy the ill consequences of the past neglect, and if our prisoners were already reduced to a miserable extremity. I wish their sufferings may not have been increased, in the article of cloathing, by their being deprived of what they had, through the rapacity of too many of their captors; of this kind we have not been wanting.
You farther observe, that my own experience would suggest, whether our army in the course of the last campaign, was not subject to the same calamitous mortality with the prisoners in your possession. I cannot but confess, that there was a great degree of sickness among us; but I can assure you, that mortality bore no kind of resemblance to that which was experienced by the prisoners with you, and that the disorders in the camp had nearly ceased before the captivity of a large proportion of them. The garrison that fell into your hands, on the 19th of November, was found, I am convinced, in good health.
In reply to my intimation, that it would have been happy if the expedient of sending out our men had been earlier thought of, you are pleased to say, that the event has proved the caution with which you ought to have adopted the measure. What inference can be drawn from my refusing to account for prisoners scarcely alive, and by no means in an exchangeable condition, to warrant an insinuation that I should have done the same, had they been released under different circumstances, let your own candour determine.
But then you ask "how is the cause of debility in prisoners to be ascertained?" This seems to be considered as a perplexing question. For my part, I cannot view it as involving any great difficulty. There is no more familiar mode of reasoning than from effects

to cause, even in matters of the most interesting importance. In the subject before us, the appearance of the prisoners, and what eventually happened, proved, that they had been hardly dealt with; but their joint affe- verations, aided by the information of others, not in- terested in the distress more than as they regarded the rights of humanity, established the fact too firmly for incredulity itself to doubt it.
I should hardly believe you to be serious in your application of the exception, to which you allude, to the case of Major General Lee, if you had not per- sisted in a discrimination respecting him. I did not entertain the most distant idea, that he could have been supposed to come under the description contain- ed in it; and to force such a construction upon that gentleman's circumstances, however it may be an e- vidence of ingenuity, is but an indifferent specimen of candor. I still add here to what I have already advan- ced on this head, and can by no means think of depart- ing from it.
I am now to give you my final decision on the sub- ject of your demands. In doing this I can little more than repeat what I have already said. I am extreme- ly desirous of a general exchange on liberal and im- partial principles, and it is with great concern I find that a matter so mutually interesting, is impeded by unnecessary obstacles. But I cannot consent to its tak- ing place on terms so disadvantageous as those you propose, and which appear to me so contrary to justice and the spirit of the agreement.
I think it proper to declare, that I wish the diffe- rence between us to be adjusted on a generous and e- quitable plan, and mean not to avail myself of the re- leasement of the prisoners, to extort any thing from you not compatible with the strictest justice. Let a reasonable proportion of prisoners, to be accounted for, be settled, and General Lee declared exchangeable, when we shall have an officer of yours of equal rank in our possession; I ask no more. These being done, I shall be happy to proceed to a general exchange. But, in the mean time, I am willing that a partial one should take place for the prisoners now in your hands, as far as those in our's will extend, except with respect to Lieut. Col. Campbell and the Hessian field officers, who will be detained till you recognize Gene- ral Lee a prisoner of war, and place him on the foot- ing I claim.
This latter proposition I am induced to make, from the distinction which your letter of the 22d of May, seems to hold forth, and I think it necessary to add, that your conduct towards prisoners will go- vern mine.
The situation of Lieut. Col. Campbell, as represent- ed to you, is such as I neither wished nor allow- ed upon the subject, and hoped there would be no farther cause of uneasiness. That gentle- man is persuaded, will do me the justice to say, he has received no ill-treatment at my instance. Unnecessary severity and every species of insult I despise, and, I trust, none will ever have reason to censure me in this respect. I have written again on your remon- strance, and have no doubt such a line of conduct will be adopted, as will be consistent with the dict- ates of humanity, and agreeable to both his and your wishes. I am, Sir, with due respect, your most obe- dient servant, G. WASHINGTON. His Excellency General Sir William Howe.
York it. To the heirs of Joseph Moody deceased, and of John Kingsbury deceased, the heirs of Geo. and Benjamin Jacobs, and John Jacobs. Greeting.
THIS is to notify you that Mary Ramsdell widow & administratrix of the estate of Tim- othy Ramsdell late of York deceased, Jona. Wilson, of the same place, Laborah and Eliab Littlefield of Wells in said county yeoman have petitioned the jus- tices of the superior court, now holden at York for said county showing that the lot of land, known by the name of lot No. three in the ninth range of the vi- sion of the outer commons so called in York afore- said, containing 100 acres and consisting of 36 shares lays in common and undivided between them & you in this proportion viz. the said Tim. Ramsdell 10 shares and an half, Jona. Wilson four and an half, & Eliab Littlefield six, the heirs of Jose. Moody eight, the heirs of John Kingsbury deceased, two, the heirs of George and Benja. Jacobs and John Jacobs five & thereupon prayed the court to cause partition of the said lot to be made so far as it respects them that so they may here- after hold and improve their respective shares in seve- ralty—of which you have this notice to the End that if you have ought to object, you may be heard at the superior court which will be held at Boston in the county of Suffolk, on the last Tues. of Aug. next when the said petition will be considered and acted upon.
Dated at York aforesaid, June, 26 h 1777. By order of court.
SAMUEL WINTHROP, Clerk.
ALL PERSONS indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of CLEMENT MARCH Esq; late of Greenland, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to CLEMENT MARCH and STEPHEN MARCH of said Greenland, Executors of the last Will and Testament of the deceased, in order for a speedy settlement.
STATE of NEW HAMPSHIRE, Rockingham, ss. To all whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Justice of the capture of the Brigantine called the THE-TIS, about 50 Tons Burthen, John Russe, late Master, will be tried at the Maritime Court which is to be held at Portsmouth on Monday the 28th Day of this Instant, a LIBEL against which, is filed before me, in Behalf of the Owners and Marisers of the private armed Schooner named the McCLELLARY commanded by THOMAS DALLING. Any Person concerned, may then appear, and shew Cause (if any they have) why the said Vessel, Cargo, and Appurtenances should not be condemned. JOSHUA BRACKETT, Judge of said Court. Portsmouth July 1th. 1777.
STATE of NEW HAMPSHIRE. To all whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Maritime Court for this State, will be held at the Court House in Portsmouth, on Monday, the 28th day of July 1777 at 10 o'Clock in the forenoon for the Trial of the Jus- tice of the Captures of the Brigantine called the JANE, about Eighty Tons burthen her Cargo and Appurten- ances, JOHN DECAEN late Master—AND also the Brigantine called the TWO SISTERS, about 50 Tons burthen her Cargo and Appurtenances, WIL- LIAM WATERMAN late Master—which Vessels with their Cargoes and Appurtenances, were at the time of their Capture, said to be the Property of, and to belong to some of the Subjects of the King of Great Britain, being enemies to the United States of America, & taken and brought into the Port of Piscataqua by THOMAS DALLING Commander of the private Armed Schooner named the McCLELLARY against which Vessel a LIBEL is filed before me in behalf of the owners & Captors. ANY persons concern- ed, may then appear & shew cause (if any they have) why the said Vessels Cargo's & Appurtenances should not be condemned.
J. BRACKETT Judge of said Court. Portsmouth July 3d. 1777.
ALL PERSONS indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of Ephraim Libby, late of Kittery, Yeoman, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to Ephraim Libby of said Kittery Ex- ecutor to the Estate of the said deceased, in order for a speedy settlement.
WHEREAS there is a Tax of Five Shillings & eight Pence two Farthings laid upon each Lot of Land belonging to the Proprietors of Monadnock No. 4, (now Fitz-William) in the State of New- Hampshire, in order to pay the Rev. Mr. Brigham his Salary for the Year 1776, and a Tax of Five Shil- lings & eight Pence two Farthings for the Year 1777, upon each Lot of the aforesaid Land, for the aforesaid Purpose for the Year 1777; These are therefore to give public Notice to all the Proprietors of the afore- said Land, to bring in to me the Subscriber, Collector for said Proprietors, at my Dwelling House in Fitz- William, the aforesaid Taxes, within thirty Days from the Date hereof, or they may expect their Lands will immediately be put upon Sale to pay the same and the incidental Charges arising thereupon. JOHN LOCK, Collector for said Proprietors Fitz-William, June 16, 1777.
PROVIDENCE, June 21,
The following is a copy of an intercepted letter from a person at Rhode-Island, to Ned Winflow, at Plymouth; and is here inserted by way of specimen of the lying abilities of the Tories, never more neces- sary than at this time to cheat each others desponding spirits.
Dear Sir, I can't omit this opportunity of returning you, and the rest of my friends, my many thanks, for your civilities to Mrs. Esdaile, during the time we were at Plymouth. There is no expressing the joys of our little party, on being safely landed among our own people. We found your amiable daughter here, well and in high spirits. I don't know how many Colonels, Majors, &c. &c. &c. the white Wench's black eyes (according to Shakespear) have smote. Both Hutchin- son and herself, intend writing to all their friends by this opportunity.
The rebel game, I take it, will be up this summer, when I fancy they will lose at a damned rate. Poor Ticonderoga, we are credibly informed was taken by General Carleton, the 27th of last month! Philadel- phia will soon swallow the same fate. Lord Howe is gone or going very soon up the
Delaware, with a large force, and I suppose the General bears his march by land about the same time, with a considerable army. He has at least 30,000, with Continentals, which is at least 10,000, the last being 7800. Your son, I hear is well at New- York, whom I hope soon to see, but at pre- sent we have no opportunity. I suppose you have heard of the boasted exploits of the Yankees, in an attempt on the picket guard last Wednesday night, and two nights after, on the Island; and I make no doubt, but they have, according to custom, killed 2 or 300 of the enemy: Three they have killed, and wounded one, but done it in a rashly manner. I should write more, but the bearer of this is going direct. My re- spects and compliments to all friends. I am, dear Sir, your most obliged humble servant, SAMUEL ESDAILE.
STATE of NEW HAMPSHIRE.
NOTICE is hereby given, that Jonathan Moulton, Joseph Senter, and Bradbury Richardson, Esquires, in Behalf of the In- habitants of that Tract of Land, called Moul- tonborough, in the County of Strafford, in this State, have petitioned the General Assembly, for an Act to be passed, to erect the aforesaid Tract of Land into two distinct Townships, each of which Towns to be invested with all the Powers, and enfranchised with all the Rights, Privileges and Immunities which any Towns in this State, hold and enjoy. —One of which Towns to be bounded as followeth, viz. Beginning at the South Easterly Corner of Meredith, at Winnepissiokee Pond; then run- ning North Westerly by said Meredith to the North Easterly Corner thereof; thence on a straight Line, with the North Easterly Line of Meredith to Holderness; thence North- Easterly by said Holderness to Sandwich; thence Easterly by Sandwich and Tamworth to the South Easterly Corner of Tamworth; thence south Westerly to the North Westerly Corner of Tiltonborough; thence south- Westerly by said Tiltonborough to Winnepissi- okee Pond; thence Westerly by the Shore of said Pond as that lays, to the Bound first mentioned. —And that the other Town be within the following Bounds, viz. Beginning at the North Easterly Corner of Meredith, Thirty Rods from Winnepissiokee Pond, — thence running South fifty five Degree West, by Meredith and Sandborn-Town, to Pemigewasset River; thence running Norther- ly up said River by the middle thereof, to the south westerly Corner of Holderness; thence running Easterly by said Holderness to the south East Corner thereof; thence running Northerly by said Holderness, till it comes to the Westerly Line of that Part of said Tract above bounded; thence south Easterly by said Line to the said North Easterly Corner of Meredith. —And the General-Assembly on the 16th Day of June 1777, voted, that the Petitioners be heard thereon, on the first Day of August next, if the General Assembly be then sitting, and if not, then on the second Wednesday of the next sitting of the General Assembly next after that Day. And that in the mean Time, the Petitioners at their own Cost, cause the Substance of the Petition and this Order thereon, to be published, 3 Weeks successively in the Public News-Papers, of this State; and cause the same to be posted up in some of the most public Places in said Town- ship, fifteen Days at least beforehand—That any Person concerned may if they see Cause, appear before the General Assembly on said Day, and shew Cause, if any they have why the Prayer thereof, should not be granted.
By Order of the General-Assembly, E. THOMPSON, Secretary.
RANAWAY from FORT WASHINGTON, Cato Dearing, a Negro Man, belonging to Capt. Dearing of Portsmouth; he was about Forty Years old, about five Feet six Inches tall, thick set; had on a gray Jacket, and Leather Breeches, blue Yarn Stockings. Whoever will take up said Negro Man, and return him to Capt. TITUS SALTER, shall receive Thirty Shillings Lawful Money, and all necessary Charges paid by me, July 1, 1777. TITUS SALTER, Capt.

WILLIAMSBURG, June 13. Capt. Howe is arrived in York river from Cape-Francois, with salt and rum; and the sloop Bacchus Capt. Rogers, with salt and dry goods, in Curruck.
PHILADELPHIA, June 28. At a meeting of a lodge of Free Masons, in order to celebrate the festival of St. John's day, it accidentally happened that exactly thirteen members met, that at dinner they had thirteen dishes of meat on the table; they drank thirteen loyal American toasts, sang thirteen songs; their bill for liquor was thirteen bottles of wine, and thirteen bowls of toddy; their reckoning thirteen pounds & they spent thirteen hours, viz. from eight o'clock in the morning, until nine o'clock in the evening, in the greatest harmony and good humour, which caused it to be remarked, that it was in some degree emblematical of the union, friendship, harmony, and freedom of the Thirteen United States of America.
Extract of a letter from General Washington to Congress, dated Camp at Quibble-Town, June 23, 1777.
"When I had the honor to address you last, it was on the subject of the enemy's retreat from Brunswick to Amboy, & of the measures pursued to annoy them. At the time of writing the information I had received respecting their loss, was rather vague and uncertain; but we have reason to believe, from intelligence thro' various channels since, that it was pretty considerable, and fell chiefly on the grenadiers and light infantry, who formed their covering party. The inclosed copy of a letter corresponds with other accounts on this head and with the declaration of some deserters. Some of the accounts are, that officers were heard to say, they had not suffered so severely since the affair at Princeton."
"After the evacuation of Brunswick, I determined with the advice of my general officers, to move the whole army the next morning to this post, where they would be nearer the enemy, and might act according to circumstances. In this I was prevented by rain, & they only moved yesterday morning."
It is much to be regretted, that an express sent off to General Maxwell on Saturday night, to inform him of General Green's movement towards Brunswick, that he might conduct himself accordingly, did not reach him. Whether the express went designedly to the enemy, or was taken, is not known; but there is reason to believe he fell into their hands. If General Maxwell had received the order, there is no doubt but their whole rear guard would have been cut off. Tho' the enemy confessed themselves, as we are well informed by persons in Bonum Town.
"By a reconnoitering party just returned, it is reported as a matter of doubt, whether any of the enemy have removed from Amboy; though it is almost certain they have transported a great deal of their baggage. I have the honour to be, &c."
G. WASHINGTON.
"I have thought proper to trouble your Excellency with the following intelligence, received by three different ways, that the greatest part of the fleet, from New York harbour, has removed to the Watering Place and Prince's Bay, where the baggage & troops, passing from the Jerseys, are constantly embarking that the transport at New York, cut down for a floating battery, has twenty six 24 and 18 pounders; and off the Grand Battery in the river; another, which they have been fitting for the same purpose, is neglected and unfinished. General Howe arrived at New York on Sunday afternoon, the whole of which day they were employed in removing the wounded soldiers from the decks to the hospital there, said to amount to five hundred men. Colonel Campbell of the 57th regiment of British troops, garrisoned New York, with the assistance of the inhabitants, 50 of whom are obliged to do duty every day, I am, &c."
Published by order of Congress. CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
BOSTON, July 17. 1777.
We have an account that Capt. Weeks, who carried Dr. Franklin home, had purchased and fitted out at France, a small cruiser, with an American commission which came across a vessel bound from England for a port in Germany, with a large quantity of cash, and other valuable articles, in order to pay the prince of Hesse, &c. for the many poor souls they have lost; the vessel hailed the cruiser to know who she was; the answer was, "a smuggler;" and after a sufficient number of the cruisers hands had got on board, they smuggled her into a port in France, together with the whole budget of fresh and new intelligences from America; copies of which, we hear, are forwarded to Congress. The British ambassador, we hear, demanded the cash, which, however, was not delivered up, nor intended to be, when our last advices came away.
Extract of a letter from Bourdeaux, May 15, 1777.
"I arrived here the 10th inst. after a tedious and tempestuous passage of two months. In our passage we took the brig Falmouth, from Glasgow, bound to Quebec, with dry goods,
190 tons burthen; she struck after an hour and an half attack, and is sent to Boston."
Two British ships of the line are cruising in the bay of Biscay, on the coast of Brittany, as they examine all vessels they meet with, which gives great uneasiness to the merchants: The French Court dispatched 4 ships of the line to acquaint them with their intentions on that subject; the purport is unknown, and we wait with impatience for their answer. Since my arrival here I perceived the French in general are inclined in favour of the Americans, and with them success as much as it personally concerned.
About five weeks past sailed from this port a frigate, armed by the Marquis de la Faget, who has taken with him officers of distinction and experienced engineers, who, through generosity, fly to the assistance of the Americans. Many vessels have sailed from different ports in France; loaded with merchandise of all sorts, and ammunition, for the United States of America; and they are preparing every where to send others, well armed, so as to force their way, if disputed.
Every thing is in favour of the Americans; and if war is not declared between France and England, there is every appearance of very considerable assistance of necessaries. 3 armed vessels from Dunkergo, under Continental commissions, as privateers, cruise against the English; they have taken several prizes, among which are two packet boats, bound to Germany, in which was 60,000. sterling in specie. It is not to be doubted many others will be fitted out, but how England will act is unknown. It is certain France has forty sail of the line ready for sea; and that it has forbid any sailors leaving the kingdom in merchant vessels, without a permit from the Commissary of the port; sometimes they give, and often refuse. Dr. Franklin and Mr. Dean are well at Paris. Mr. Lee is gone to Madrid.
Extract of a Letter from Camp, at Morris-Town, dated July 5th, 1777.
"Since my last, Mr. Howe has tho't proper to retire to Staten Island, and has left us room for deep Cogitation—Our army has remov'd to Morris-Town, in order to be more Central, and march either over the Delaware or North River, as Mr. Howe pleases—rather think from the intelligence received from Albany, that they have not totally laid aside their favourite scheme of forming a junction of the two armies—Our army still continues in high spirits—When we were following Howe to Amboy, he endeavoured to surround us, but miss'd his aim—However he made a shift to carry off three pieces of our Cannon, owing to their not being properly supported by the Infantry—Upon the whole, he had no great cause to brag of his expedition, for from the best accounts we can get, he lost a great number of men, some of whom were officers of distinction; our loss was very inconsiderable."
We hear that a prize ship from Jamaica, with four hundred hogsheads of sugar, &c. was sent into port last monday to the southward, taken by two privateer sloops; one of which was called the American Revenue; and that a prize brig was likewise sent into Butler's Hole.
By the best Intelligence from the Jerseys, brought by the last Post, it appears, that his Excellency General Washington had drawn his whole Army from Bound Brook to Morris Town, where he has again fixed his Head Quarters. General Sullivan's Division was to advance as far as Pumptown; Generals Parsons and Varnum, with their Brigades, had marched to reinforce General Putnam at Peeks Kill.
Capt. Prince, in a Cartel Schooner, returned here last Tuesday, from Newport, with about 50 Prisoners, taken directly from on board a Prison Ship, in that Harbour, where they have been confined ever since they were first captured & carried in there. While the Prisoners of the Continent, have Liberty to patrol the Streets of America, like Ambassadors from some foreign negotiating Court.
Capt. Peirce, in an armed Sloop, belonging to Warren, in the State of Rhode Island,
has taken and sent into a Port to the Southward, a large Jamaican, with about 500 Hogsheads of Sugar, &c.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer of distinction, dated Manchester, July 9, 1777.
"I have just time to mention the receipt of your obliging letter of the 20th ult. which came to hand this moment. As the evacuating of Concord must have alarmed the country, and raised their curiosity at the same time, permit me to give you some account of that matter, with the reasons that induced me to propose it to the other general officers."
"The garrison consisted of about 3300 men, of whom 2089 only, were fit for duty, many of those mere boys, altogether incapable of sustaining the fatigues of a soldier, naked & ill armed, not above one bayonet to every tenth man, the place nearly invested, and their batteries completed, and, from the intelligence of my spies, the investiture was to be completed on Sunday last, the day we left it, when all possibility of retreat or support would be cut off. The loss of this army small as it is, was the inevitable consequence, and would have been a very great misfortune, much greater, in my opinion, than the loss of the post, as there would have been nothing left for the militia to collect to, in this quarter to stop the progress of an enemy, flush'd with conquest. I therefore determined to attempt a retreat whilst it was practicable, but previously consulted the other general officers, who were unanimously of opinion that it ought to be attempted without loss of time. We accordingly prepared for it that night and having, in the course of the night, embarked at many of our stores and provisions as possible, marched off at break of day. We did not have got off altogether, unperceived by the enemy, had it not been for the accidental burning of a house, and the detection of two men of the artillery, who, in the hurry, went off, with a small boat, to the enemy. The rear of our army evacuated Mount-Independence, as the front of the enemy entered they exchanged a few shot, but did not offer to pursue, which I ascribed to their being the Brunswickers that took possession. A considerable body, however, were sent up a creek, that enters some distance into the country, who, next morning, attacked our rear guard; they defended themselves very well, and, though obliged to retreat, killed and wounded a great many of the enemy; since which we have seen nothing of them. My design was to have marched to Skeenborough, but the enemy had got before me, which obliged me to change my route, and near this way, on account of provisions, which I shall be able to obtain to-morrow, when I shall proceed, with every possible dispatch, to join General Schuyler, at Fort Edward, where I hope we shall soon have an army of force, sufficient to stop the progress of Mr. Burgoyne."
"The force of the enemy is seven British regiments, 8 foreign ones, & a number of Indians and Canadians; on the whole, I think myself very happy to make my retreat from under their nose."
FALMOUTH. (Caisco Bay) July 14, 1777.
This Day a Man arrived here from Witch Casset, and informs, That last Sunday he was on board the Boston Frigate, HECTOR M'NEAL Esq; Commander, who was then at Anchor in that Harbour. Capt. M'Neal informs, that four Weeks ago, Commodore MANLY fell in with the Fox Frigate of 28 Guns, and after an Engagement of 4 Hours, the Fox was obliged to strike to Commodore MANLY, who lost eight of his Men in the action. Capt. M'Neal has on board all the Officers and part of the Men, the Officers are landed at the Eastward, and the Men (except four or five) are enter'd on board the Boston. Captain M'Neal parted with Commodore Manly and the Prize, off of Cape Sables, last Saturday was a Week. Commodore Manly had taken seven Fishermen, four of which he burnt, sent two into Port, and gave one to the Prisoners.
PORTSMOUTH, July 19.
The Fox Frigate, said to have been taken by Capt. Manly, was, we learn by the Cartel arrived here from Halifax, retaken by a 64 Gun Ship, and carried into that Place.
Captain THOMAS DALLING, in the Schooner McClary, spoke with the Privateers Active, Capt. Gardner, and Captain Grieley, in the Latitude of 43 04 N. 9. Longitude from London 45 30 West, which had parted from Commodore Manly's Squadron, had met with no Success, but were all well on board.
WHEN the RALEIGH FRIGATE went down the River, every well Wisher to the Cause seemed to vie with each other in paying Respect to the Continental Colours as she passed along—particularly at Fort WASHINGTON, where the lines was man'd, and the Soldiers all drawn up in great Order, the commanding officer "Prick'd" them on to shew their Joy, in a most extraordinary polite Manner, Lt. W—E saluted with his Pike, in a method quite new; the Soldiers took every Motion from the Lieutenant, and went thro' the whole Manoeuvres in a most surprising Manner—the Day was so very windy, made it impossible to hoyst the Colours at either of the Forts;—but to shew their Humiliation to the THIRTEEN UNITED STATES, they laid their Flags low in the Duff.
To be sold by JONATHAN PAYSON Esq; in Haverhill, if applied for immediately, two hundred and ten acres of land in the township of Burlington, five miles from the meeting house, any person inclining to purchase may see the premises, by applying to Deacon Cate, by the meeting house.